Something I Don't Want to Lose, part 2 - The N Factor/The Game of Death
Pseudo-tribute to: Metroid Other M
(Author's Note: The title of this part is obviously a reference to Kamen Rider W's episodes, foreshadowing the returns of Shotaro Hidari and Philip in this chapter. The N stands for Nightmare, as Mitsuzane has flashbacks from Gaim, and the Game of Death would refer to the "Gegeru" from Kamen Rider Kuuga, a game of killing.)
Samus: Tridoron
After that intense battle with Shinnosuke and Mr. Belt, they loaned me the Tridoron, after I finally received my driver's license when I thought I almost forgot all about it. On board the Tridoron, I took the driver's seat, and Shinnosuke is on the passenger's seat on the left. I find these kinds of cars in this world very intriguing; two-door sports cars are fittingly luxurious; given the fact I lived with wealthy Earthlings.
"I see they gave you your driver's license, lady." Adam said, surprised that I'm driving a car. "Are you ready, Adam? You are coming along for the ride!" I said enthusiastically, making a nod to Shinnosuke. With my hands firmly gripped on the wheel, I floored it.
I drove around Zawame to see what's going on. The city has been rebuilding to its former glory lately; from what I know that Takatora is the overseer of the city's Restoration Bureau; which according to him is the remnants of Yggdrasil Corporation.
"Not only you can pilot a spaceship, you can even drive cars." Krim spoke, as he observed me on how I handle the car. "Belt-san's right, Samus." Shinnosuke responded afterwards. I gotta admit, vehicles on Earth are very fashionable for a reason. This too has an AI an amazing AI, as much as Adam was controlling my ship.
While driving smoothly along the way, we passed by a nearby school. A crossing guard stalled the incoming cars, giving way to other Earthlings to move ahead on the crosswalk. Among the students who are crossing by was Mitsuzane. The younger Kureshima is still having school, I presume.
"Mitsuzane?" I noticed him walking the crosswalk, even yet he did not noticed me driving a car. I even noticed that sad and gloomy look on his face. "So, the younger Kureshima is still a high school student?" Adam too noticed Mitsuzane passing us nearby. From what I heard from Takatora, he took Mitsuzane to an elite high school; something that Mitsuzane never told about to his friends.
"Hey, who was that Samus?" Shinnosuke said calmly, as I got myself stressed out because I saw something different about Mitsuzane. But, I don't want to answer for the time being; when the crossing guard made the signal to go, I got my foot back on the accelerator. While driving back to the Kureshimas' mansion, I'm starting to worry Mitsuzane as much Takatora does. While the older Kureshima is indeed busy at work, Mitsuzane until now kept himself isolated from people he knew. From what Takatora said, he had a lot of things to atone for.
It was sunset, I arrived at the Kureshima's manor. And yet, there is no sign of either of brothers. Shinnosuke left along with the Tridoron when I entered the house. But, I was told by Krim that I can call Shinnosuke to bring the Tridoron where ever I go; something I'm glad of.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Aran." one of the Kureshima family's housekeepers greeted me. I asked them of Takatora's whereabouts. "Where is Takatora?"
"Apparently, young master Takatora is currently at work. And young master Mitsuzane is at school; he'll be home soon." the housekeeper told me. "Is anything else can we do for you, Ms. Aran?" she asked again.
"That would be all." I nodded my head and went on.
"I'm home." a voice coming from Mitsuzane as he opened the door and went inside. "Hi.. Samus." when I passed by the young Kureshima, I noticed that same gloomy and depressive spiral right through his face.
Is something wrong, Mitsuzane? My thoughts are on him. Still... It seems he can't seem to move on from the sins he had committed in the past. I wonder if I can talk about this to Grandpa Bird...
"What's all the fuss about, Lady?" Adam then interrupted, as he too began to worry at me for Mitsuzane. But, I never said a thing.
An hour later...
I jumped onto the mansion's roof to look onto the sky and how beautiful really it is on Earth. The Old Bird arrived at where I was relaxing. "Samus, why the long face?" he asked me.
"It's about the two brothers who took me in..." I told him. "It's Takatora's younger brother, Mitsuzane. I never seen him this in a state of depression; and yet this world was once a mess because of him."
"You have a problem with them?" He asked, but I told the Old Bird about Mitsuzane's problem, his own personal problems. Even though I don't want to get involve in his personal situations, but I'm worried of his well being as much his older brother does. "No, Old Bird, it seems Mitsuzane has been in a depressive spiral lately... I feel sorry for him." I said back.
"So, his name is Mitsuzane Kureshima? I see." the Old Bird learned of Mitsuzane's name for the first time. "He seems pretty young and lively."
"Exactly. If you noticed, he is the only known Armored Rider protecting this city." I told the Old Bird of Mitsuzane being the only Kamen Rider known to the people of Zawame, as his [Mitsuzane] friend is now an Over Lord in the planet of Helheim. "But, behind that gloomy state that Mitsuzane has right now, is that he could not forgive himself for his past sins..."
"I see." the old bird reacted to my feelings towards both Mitsuzane and Takatora. "Samus, if you want to convince that person to move on from his past; you have to make him use that guilt to make something useful."
Mitsuzane: The Nightmare
Later that same night...
I had a hard time sleeping... Those same nightmares began to haunt me night after night...
"That's enough, Mitsuzane!" When that time nii-san defended Kouta-san after I beat him to a pulp; at the same time he was alive. "Mitsuzane, why did you attacked Kazuraba? This is not who you are!"
"Shut up! The hell do you know about!? You always boss me around. And yet, you don't understand what's important; why bother showing your face here?!"
At that time... I did not listen to nii-san, the only thing I care about is my own selfish desires. All I can do what I'm seeing in my mind, it replayed over and over again, I couldn't help but look on in horror; for the worse when the next scene changed, I put my older brother in the brink of death.
"You have been living under my shadow. The mistake I made is what you've become right now." nii-san's words... etched onto my head when he learned of my true motives back on that fateful duel we had. When I saw myself landing that death blow on my own brother, I tried in vain screaming his name before he fell into the sea.
Then, the scene changed again... And it was that fateful day when Ryoma revealed that he was after the Golden Fruit, rather than saving Mai-san.
"You bastard!" I yelled in response at the Professor's deception, drawing out the Genesis Driver. "Kill process!", when he detonated the self-destruct mechanism of the driver.
"You are just a child. You don't even know the concept of adulthood." Ryoma continued to mock me and nii-san as well, the punishment that I had was a brutal beating from Ryoma himself. "Hey, Kureshima rich boy! Didn't Takatora taught you?! Why you shouldn't be a bad boy? Liars... cowards... It's because spoiled brats like you grow up to be evil adults! Hahahahahaha!" and that sadistic laughter from Ryoma, made it clear that everything I had was all for naught. Suddenly, Ryoma 'transformed' into an Over Lord Inves. No... That wasn't Demushu, nor Redyue...
"Mitsuzane, you son of a bitch!" I recognized that voice. Is that Kaito?! "Kaito-san, are you an Over Lord?!" I noticed Kaito what he had already become... But, this Kaito continued to strangle me to death. "Time to die, you two-faced coward!"
But, everything faded to black as I awake.
I woke up with a start. Just as I thought, it was the same nightmare that played back in my mind night after night. And yet, that Over Lord Inves that transformed from Ryoma... Did Kaito became an Inves himself? If Kouta-san and Kaito were the remaining Armored Riders at that time... That means...
But, I declined thinking about it, as tears began to fall on my face, I cupped onto my face, crying for a short time. I'm completely broken inside, I couldn't remember how to regain my resolve even after Kouta-san told me to start over again. And yet, how can I even face nii-san, or worse, Samus...
Samus: The truth behind Mitsuzane's past
What a good night sleep that was... Noticing on the clock it was already 6:45 in the morning.
After I took a quick shower, I tried out a new set of clothes that Takatora bought me; it was of cargo pants; along with a leather jacket. This jacket had the design of my Zero Suit; except for the back; and it has the "Windscale" logo underneath. Hmph, those brothers are so "old-fashioned" for a reason, as I chuckled. It seems they won't let me wear the usual outfit I usually wore - my usual blue top and shorts. Well, it can't be helped. I tried it on, and I wore a tank top before the jacket.
Looking at my reflection with this new set of clothes, not too shabby after all. Before going on downstairs, I put my combat boots on.
Before I decide go roaming around the city again, I had to go on a breakfast on the dining hall, Takatora was there, working on in his laptop. "Oh, it's you Samus." I was greeted by the older Kureshima. I sat on the chair. "Good morning, Takatora." I greeted him in return. Before I can talk about Mitsuzane, I immediately ate first... The housekeeper prepared this food, this is never something I haven't partook in my world before.
Moments later, I finished eating. "Thank you for the meal." I briefly bowed gratefully. Then, I proceeded to talk to Takatora about his brother's situation.
"Takatora..." I said calmly.
"What is it, Samus?" he asked.
"It's about Mitsuzane... He has been acting erratic lately." I answered to him with concern. "Aren't you worried about him?"
Takatora nodded his head, looking down so briefly. "I see. The only thing that has been on Mitsuzane's mind is that guilt he had in the past. He used all the fortunes of Yggdrasil to go onto his own one-man mission; he even tried murdering his own friends, and worse me."
"What?!" I was wracked with horror to hear about Mitsuzane.
"I know you were even shocked to hear this Samus. But, I too am to blame this. If I hadn't been so rough on Mitsuzane on the first place; he could at least moved forward with the happiness he had with his friends. Unfortunately, everything had ended too abruptly." Takatora said with guilt over his brother's despair. "It was our father's upbringing that made not only me living under his shadow, but Mitsuzane shared the same fate."
"Takatora..." I said weakly, showing sympathy to the older Kureshima. "I'm sorry to see you like this. Do you have any other way for your brother to snap to his senses?"
"I know he'll get over his doubts. But, your concern is most appreciated." He commended to my feelings. Knowing the fact I can also help Mitsuzane too. While we were conversing with Takatora, I sensed someone coming in the dining hall, apparently listening to our conversation... Mitsuzane. "Mitsuzane... come over here." I called him out.
"Since why is she able to sense Mitsuzane quite that far?" Takatora whispered when he also discovered my telepathic ability. This ability to sense the presence of other beings has become inherent to me after the Chozo gave me their blood.
Mitsuzane, already in his school uniform, slowly went to the table, and just grabbed a bread. And yet, bearing that face of sadness on his face. "Mitsuzane, are you alright-" I tried to clarify him but...
"Will you quit asking me that?!" he shouted as if he doesn't want to be bothered. "Mitsuzane! That's rude." Takatora scolded his brother for yelling at me. But, Mitsuzane walked away, as he was making haste to go to school. I looked on in confusion, contemplating what is behind that negativity of the young boy.
"Like what I said, Samus. I felt responsible for everything what Mitsuzane would become..." Takatora said apologetically.
"No, young one. It is not only you who felt guilty of your brother's despair." the Old Bird appeared before us. "You must understand first his sufferings before you take that responsibility."
"The Chozo elder?" Takatora is surprised at the Old Bird's presence. "Pardon me, what do you mean I must understand how he is feeling?"
"Takatora, the only way for your brother to overcome his guilt... Is to use it to make something useful. As much you are feeling responsible the way Mitsuzane behaved right now, you have to give way for the better. I know you are working so hard to rebuild the world after the Helheim disaster, you must at least, buy enough time to spend time with your brother." the old Bird provided an advise to the older Kureshima. Takatora nodded his head, approving the old bird's sentiment.
"Thank you for your way of words, old Bird. I will do my best." Takatora said, just as the old Bird again disappeared. He turned to me again. "Samus, I have a favor to ask you. As much I have a duty rebuilding the city and the world; can you watch Mitsuzane in my place?"
Knowing the fact that I am now a part of them, I gladly accepted his request. "I will."
As Takatora is going for work, the Tridoron parked itself outside the Kureshima's mansion. I assume Krim allowed me to use the Tridoron on my own; to Takatora's surprise, I revealed to him that I took a driving school to get a driver's license to operate Earth vehicles. However, Takatora has his own means of going to his workplace, as I drift of with the Tridoron, as I continue to roam around the city and meet other few allies.
Samus: Souji Tendou returns
I drove outside of Zawame to look for another certain someone. If I can recall, it's Tendou Souji, also known as Kamen Rider Kabuto. The first time I met Tendou, this lead me to clear my doubts of the moment I arrived in this world; for a Kamen Rider, Tendou appears to be wise in terms on his outlook of life, quoting his grandmother.
"I had a feeling, whenever Tendou pointed his fingers in the sky, he said that he walks into the path of heaven, and is the ruler of every existence of the universe. As if he was God." I let out a joke about him. Considering the fact that Tendou may have some sort of connection with the past, present, and the future... I can sense that how did he used that Hyper Zecter in the first place, was the one who assisted him was his self from the past or the future?
When I arrived at his home, no one is there, nor any of his blood relatives. I already knew Tendou's place through Adam when he sent me the coordinates to where Tendou resided. But, when I heard a motorcycle revving behind me, it turns out to be Tendou on his bike.
Meanwhile in the La Salle Bistro, where Tendou is a frequent customer, and one of his sisters, Hiyori is working there; I talked to Tendou about the foster brothers who took me in, namely Mitsuzane.
"I see. Your 'stepbrother' had been wracked with guilt after that disaster in Zawame City." Tendou gleefully stated. He felt my sentiments, but he responded with a simple advice, with a quote coming from his grandmother.
"My grandmother said this... One that drowns in oneself will eventually fall into darkness." Tendou said with pure zen in his mind. "If he continues to delve into that despair, he'll be forever in a world where he will suffer for all eternity."
I find myself in a lost for words, and yet filled with the worry that Mitsuzane would throw away everything he has, including his own life. If Mitsuzane would try kill himself right before my very eyes... What would I say about this to Takatora? Takatora told me that he felt responsible for what become of his younger brother, if Takatora is doing his best to atone for his sins...
"Thank you for the time, Tendou. I must get going." I decided to leave and return to Zawame.
"Why the hurry, Samus?" Adam said, sensing myself being such a worrywart to the younger Kureshima. While I am focused on the road, and my hands tightly gripping on the wheel as my softly pushing the accelerator with my feet.
"It's Mitsuzane. I have to monitor him." I replied. "It's because, the way he has been acting lately..."
"Yes? And what for...?" Adam continued.
"Look, the only thing that I am worried about the boy as if he had the similar pain as I had before - his fear of losing those endear to him. Back from the my last mission to Zebes, that baby Metroid sacrificed its life to lend me its strength, and you Adam, er... the Adam Malkovich that I once knew whom I harbored feelings towards before." I explained everything, the fact that Mitsuzane is a broken mess like I once was.
"So, you are able to reciprocate feelings towards humans. I see." Adam responded, as such decided to back off for a moment.
Mitsuzane... Whatever you do, don't you do anything insane that I might be held responsible for.
Samus: Panic Attack
I returned to Zawame, still driving with the Tridoron. Along the way, I saw Mitsuzane alone sitting on the bench just above the city grounds where the Beat Riders are dancing, still wearing the same sadness on his face.
"Mitsuzane..." I crept closer to him, but he kept himself away from me. "Mitsuzane? Could you at least-"
"Enough! What did you and nii-san talked about me earlier this morning?!" Mitsuzane sounded so angry.
"Mitsuzane, I-" I tried to reason him, but...
"Don't call me Mitsuzane, will you?!" he shouted back again. "Leave me alone!"
"Please, could you at least listen to me first?" I slapped him on the face. "Tell me something, how long you have been like this all the time? We're you trying to hide something?"
"The hell would you know?! You only care about is your own mission! Can aliens like you be capable of love?" and again, he shouted again.
"Mitsuzane!" I began to fume as well, noticing that rebellious side of the young man. But, before that moment was cut short when I noticed people running for their lives, as unidentified lifeforms began attacking other people. I noticed people being maimed by these creatures; Gurongi.
A Gurongi began attacking other innocent bystanders who are looking on in horror. I managed to save the person from being killed by these ravenous lifeforms.
"Samus, why aren't you transforming?" Mitsuzane asked me when he noticed I am fighting without my Suit or without my Zero Suit. I fought the attacking Gurongi with all my might without causing any collateral damage. I summoned Drive's Handle-Ken, which just flown right out of nowhere, and started slashing on the attackers. More Gurongi are coming in, and one of them headed straight for Mitsuzane.
While I'm distracted by these attackers, I had to turn the wheel and do a spinning slash to take them down. When one of the Gurongi are coming close to Mitsuzane, I noticed that he has been paralyzed and unable to move.
"Mitsuzane, transform now!" I tried to scream at him to transform but to no avail. But, I noticed a horrified expression on his face. As he tries to crawl away from the attacking Gurongi.
"K-K-Kaito-san...?" I noticed him hallucinating, uttering the name 'Kaito'. More Gurongi are approaching in my vicinity, as I tried in vain to scream Mitsuzane's name. He was like in the same thing that I had when I encountered a 'revived' Ridley back in the BOTTLE SHIP. More are coming in, forcing myself to summon Agito's Storm Halberd, fending them off.
"Mitsuzane, you have to transform! Is something wrong? Mitsuzane! Open your eyes!" and yet but to no avail, as I find myself being cornered by the Gurongi. As the numbers game had gone for the worse, salvation came in the form of two men.
It was Philip and Shotaro Hidari! Kamen Rider Double.
"Is that...?" I was shocked to see the sight of Shotaro and Philip.
"Long time no see, Ms. Samus Aran." I was greeted by Philip with gentleman-like manner. Shotaro fended off the Gurongi attacking Mitsuzane.
"Hey! Hands off, Fido!" Shotaro taunted the wolf Gurongi. With Mitsuzane out of harm's way, I tried to snap him back to his senses. Luckily, he was able to respond.
"Hey! Hey, punk! Don't lay a finger on an innocent child and his mother!" Shotaro yelled at the Gurongi, much to my chagrin, they referred me as a "mother" to Mitsuzane.
"Hey, I'm not his mother!" I shouted back at the hard-boiled detective.
"Whatever." Shotaro nodded his head, still his attention at the enemy. "Man, you got no style. I think we gotta teach you guys a lesson about subtlety. Let's go, Philip." Shotaro then drew out his belt, the Double Driver, upon buckling up, another Driver appeared on Philip's waist.
"CYCLONE!" "JOKER!"
"Henshin!" the two chanted, as Philip inserted his Gaia Memory, he collapses, as his Memory appeared on Shotaro's belt, before inserting his own.
"CycloneJoker!" a technical guitar and orchestral hit accompaniment played as Shotaro transforms into W, with Philip's consciousness embedded onto Shotaro.
"Now, count up your sins!" W bluffed as he proceeds to take down the Gurongi. As Mitsuzane snapped out of his hallucination, he asked me what's going on.
"Hey, leave these guys to us!" Double said, buying us time to get out of the area, as Double starts dishing out attacks on them. I jumped back on the Tridoron with Mitsuzane as we leave the kill zone.
"Where are we going, Samus?" Mitsuzane said weakly.
"Let's get out of here! What? Are you gonna be a target of the Gurongi's ritualistic game of killing?!" I said sternly at him, as I pushed the pedal to the medal, escaping the onslaught. For now...
Part 3 will be out soon.