Kamen Rider Zero

Reading 3: The Arcana that shambles 'Hope'.

Hamano Itoe stood blankly in the cross junction of Shibuya with a disappointed look. Just a few days ago, she was able to follow the back of the red jacket man but because of him rushing off in a bike, Hamano lost sight of him. Gone in a blur of moment was her chance to clarify her question as to whether the red bug-eyed knight was indeed a Kamen Rider of legend or not. Since then, she had not seen that man. Sulking to herself, Hamano walked over to the nearby bench by the vending machine and sat down.

Covering the lower part of her face with her cyan scarf, the proud member of the 'unofficial' Kamen Rider Club gave a resigned sigh.

"Hamano-chan!" The voice which belongs to a guy brought her attention as she looked around. At the corner of her eyes stood the president of her school club, Kenta. Waving to her from a distance, he started to jog over and took a seat beside her.

"Hello...Kenta." Hamano greeted.

"What're you doing here alone? Going on a date?" Kenta raised his eyebrow with a glee look on his face. However, Hamano ignored it and looked away in deep thoughts. Then, it occurred to her that maybe Kenta may have seen the Kamen Rider before. After all, Kenta was a huge fan of it. Ever since his trip to a certain high school with the official Kamen Rider club, Kenta was inspired to create one of his own back in his school. And that was how it all began with Hamano eventually joining them.

"Say...Kenta. Have you seen a...Kamen Rider before?" Hamano asked doubtfully. She did not really expect for an answer though it would be nice to have one.

"Kamen Rider?...Well, to be honest, no." Kenta replied with a smile.

"Then do you believe in one living amongst us?"

"Of course and without a doubt! That's how the club started right? I have always dreamed of meeting one in front of me! " Kenta stood up and shouted with pride, attracting the attention of nearby groups. Hamano looked around and hid in her scarf, slightly alarmed at his enthusiastic expression. But he was right. Why did she even asked a stupid question like this? Hamano sighed again as she dug into her pocket to get a few coins.

'Klunk!' The hot can of coffee tumbled onto the carrier as Hamano reached for it after pressing the button of the vending machine. Wrapping her hands tightly around the can for warmth, Hamano shrugged the can to Kenta, which he politely declined. But Kenta was curious about her question too. Could it be something that had happened to her that wavered her heart?

"Why the sudden question? That's unlike you, Hamano-chan."

Hamano opened her mouth, but closed it as she thought that maybe she could have been seeing things just now. If she have told Kenta and it all turned out to be a huge dead end, she would have crushed Kenta's hope of meeting a Masked vigilante. So, she chose to keep it in for now, until she gathered enough evidence. Shaking her head, Hamano gave a weak smile to Kenta.

"Just asking...anyways, why are you here?" Hamano asked.

"I asked you but it seemed to have turned its way around, huh?" He scratched his temple and laughed. "For starters, I was thinking of visiting the Charity for Hope down at Meiji Shrine. It would be nice to volunteer in these events once in a while, don't you think?"

Hamano smiled at his thought. Kenta has always been the helpful and sincere type of guy. Given the way he dressed himself as an intellectual being, sometimes she found it cute that such pure personalities could be seen in this Kamen Rider fan. Taking a sip of the coffee, Hamano have finally decided on her agenda for the day.

"Let's go there then."

Unknown to them, a tall and tanned figure towered over the skyscrapers of Shibuya. He looked down onto the sea of ants if though belittling their statures. He looked Caucasian but that was far from his real identity. Curling his lips into a devilish grin, half of the man's face distorted to reveal a beast that resembled a goat.


After having my lunch at Hikari's shop, I took my 'Lone Wolf' and rode to Meiji Shrine. It was actually out of interest as I wanted to see for myself the event that was being held there. Because of the short distance, I managed to reach there in less than 15 minutes. Standing before the banner, I observe the readings on the it.

'Charity For Hope'. There are quite a number of people walking around here already. The main charity event will happen in around an hour's time. It will be nice to walk around to burn off those lunch just now as I head for the shrine first to offer a prayer or two.

"Ah, Hiro! Over here!" A voice catches me by surprise as I turn to take a look. It's one of my closer friends that I actually have contact with often. His name is Takeru, the chairman for the event being held here. His family is often known for their charity organization campaigns and being the kind character he is born with, it was natural that Takeru succeed his father's position. I smiled and walked over to him with an open palm.

"Takeru. What a pleasant surprise." I greeted with a firm handshake.

"I should be saying that. And I was thinking if you will be coming over and who knew!" Takeru replies with his usual humbleness. Unknowingly, we started to chat about our lives and also our current work. I told him that I was working over at a cafe (although it was lie. That shop belonged to Hikari's in the first place), and that I have only just ended my shift. Then after a few minutes of talk, it was time for Takeru to take his leave for a press conference happening nearby. We bid goodbye as I turn to the shrine once more.

'Pap, Pap' I clapped twice and begin my prayers in front of the shrine after giving my offering tribute. But just as I was in the middle of it, I felt a chill down my spine.

"Hopes are for the weak, do you not agree?"

The low, burly voice freezes me in my track. I can never forget that voice. From the sound, I can feel that he is just standing behind me; although I cannot find the strength to turn. It's not that I can't, but because I refuse to acknowledge his existence. It is all too fast to be happening. Taking in deep breaths, I try to collect my thoughts together. Then, I quickly swing my head to the back-

-But there is no one behind, just the lively crowd gathering around the shrine. I try to zone into that voice again beneath the chattering and laughter. But no doubt it is gone now. I quickly lift my watch up and switches it to 'Compass' mode.

To think that the needle is spinning uncontrollably! For a long time, I have never encountered a reaction of this level! That person must be nearby as I scanned the crowd with worried look...this is not a mistake...

"One of the 'Arcanas' must have arrived."


"Wow...the festival looks so awesome!" Hamano gasped. Even she was amazed at the amount of hard work and effort that the organizers have committed to make this grand event. At the entrance of the shrine held a tall banner that shows the word 'Charity For Hope' with loud clarity. There were rows of stalls pitched along the perimeter of the shrine which included games, food and beverages to even luck draw dips. Kenta tugged Hamano along as he led her into the festival grounds.

"Hurry! The press conference should be starting soon!" Kenta exclaimed, his hands holding onto the shy Hamano. Hamano's shyness was not from the fact that she held any feelings for him, but because she have always been shy around guys. Although she may have been friends with Kenta for so long, even holding hands like this would still make her blush.

Pushing through the crowd, Kenta managed to find a good spot for the two of them to stand. And it was at that point of time that the press conference finally commenced.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now invite the chairman of the charity association to come on stage for his speech!" The emcee's charismatic voice brought the applause from the crowd to welcome the guest of honor. Takeru, the chairman of 'Charity For Hope', climbed up the steps with enthusiasm as he waved with a smile on his face to the supporters of the event.

"Thank you, thank you for coming to this event. Although this may be a small event contributed by the many charitable sponsors and volunteers, this means a lot to the needy families who still hold the hopes of living a better tomorrow! And so,..."

The words trails on as the crowd listened attentively, except for Hamano, who was looking at the other direction with curiosity. She swore that she could see a husky man that does not look like any of the locals, walking towards the backstage. Maybe he was one of the tough bodyguards meant to uphold the security here, Hamano thought. But just as she was about to pay her attention to the speech, a yell sounded from the backstage, shocking everyone, including the chairman himself. Then, another two more echoed in the air, sending a chill down her spine.

"What happened?"

"Who shouted?"

"It sounds scary..."

Hamano was drowned with the uncertain voices from the audiences as some of them began to freak out. Charity events like these usually would have some idiots who would try to sabotage and steal the contributions collected. But Hamano was not too sure about that. If the purpose was to really steal the money, why make a scene in the most populated area?

'Crash!'

The background board behind the chairman burst into pieces instantly. From the shadows inside revealed a huge figure that looked nothing like human. It looked like a goat with a beast body. The obsidian horns protruded upwards and curled at the ends. The goat was at least a head bigger than the chairman, who was pale white from the shock.

"Hopes are for losers, don't you think?" The goat said with a distorted voice.

"What?" The chairman replied shakily. The Goat-beast than made its way towards the helpless man and placed its palm on his forehead.

"Shambles." It chanted.

For a moment, there was no reaction from the chairman. But then, he started to shake violently and gave a bloodcurdling scream as he pushed himself away. Covering his head under his folded arms, the chairman who was once charismatic and full of confidence, now became a helpless man who looked like he has lost his sanity.

Chaos broke upon the shrine space as the crowd started to run in all direction, panicking from the madness and sudden appearance of a monster.

Kenta started to pull Hamano away and ran too, but because of the moment of panic, Kenta lost his footing and fell on the floor with Hamano along with him. Hamano groaned in pain as she massaged her bruised ankle, almost forgotten about the danger they were in until she saw the Goat figure slowly making its way towards them.

"Hamano! R-run away! I-i'll distract him!" Kenta yells as he pulls himself in front of her with his arms spread opened. "Stay away you-you monster!"

"Stop living in delusion..." The Goat said, its footstep continued towards them until they were less than a meter apart. The Goat then places its palm on Kenta's face as Hamano sat helplessly lost on the floor. She wanted to help but the fear in her heart was greater than she have ever thought of before.

"Shambles." The Goat chanted the same words that it said to the Chairman before.

"Kenta!" Hamano could not hold it anymore as she shouts for her friend. Kenta remained frozen on the ground. Then, Hamano's nightmare happened.

"No...Kamen Riders...they're not real! A bunch of lies! Bull shit! Why the hell am I even making a club out of hearsay rumors?" Kenta fell flat on the floor, rolling around. His expression was pale with shock and disbelief as he cursed on the very idol he used to worship.

Hamano was speechless as she witness her friend's demise before her. Could it be that the Goat monster has the ability to break the inner confidence and hopes that the person once have into nothing, like a crumbling tower just by putting its palm over their face, chanting that word?

"Kenta..snap out of it!" Hamano crawled to her friend's aid as she tried to shake some sense into him, but it was futile. Then, the shadow that towered before Hamano reminded her of her own situation as well. She did not know what to do. How to react and what to react. Maybe she would fall into insanity as well. She shut her eyes tight, trying hard to pretend that it was all a dream.

During the point where she thought it was all over, a faint image flashed in her mind. It was that gray knight she saw earlier today. With all her heart, she pray that the warrior would soon come to her aid. Who knew that her wish would be granted as the ground began to shake. Within the darkness, she heard a voice.

"Thou shalt summon...thy Fool!" A strange, wise voice that she thought only happened in television shows where the ancient civilization would sound like. Then, another voice appeared in her head. No, it sounded more like he was just beside him.

"Kamen Rider, Zero."


Author's Note:

Hahaha! Just couldn't contain the excitement anymore that I have to publish another new chapter! Well, after this chapter I guess I will be slowing down my pace. I do hope that the story is exciting and that my style of writing does not bore you readers! Did you caught onto the KR club? It's a reference to a KR series though I have to highlight that this story does not follow any of the KR world.

In fact, think of it as the Rider living in the same universe as how you will see KR double, OOO, Fourze and Wizard in the same world :)