Chapter 25: Wrath & Scorn
#12 could only watch and when he tried to intervene he got shot in the foot for his troubles by #10 and then pistol whipped. Seeing an opening, #13 fired stun rounds at #10, completely immobilizing him but then #06 came out of nowhere and shot at his hand, disarming him painfully. #13 rolled away and picked up his gun before firing at #06's gun-holding arm. He (#06) then punched him (#13) only to be hit with several more stun rounds but before he was paralyzed he tossed a grenade which then exploded. #12 was blasted backwards by the explosion.
"DAMMIT, THOSE MANIACS!" shouted #08.
"We need a medical team down here in the training room, stat!" #00 spoke into an intercom.
Because of #06 and #10's recklessness and anger at #13 for one-siding them, #12 wound up getting injured by a grenade thrown by #06. He was blasted backwards into the wall, where he made an imprint shaped like his armor. He slowly fell of the floor and tried to get to his feet.
"Medical team en route," the computerized voice spoke as sirens filled the training room and the pillars sank to the ground. The steel doors of on the side of the training room opened up as GIN-SHOCKER's medical team came onto the scene. Followed by them were the NUMBERS who had been overseeing the event when the incident happened.
"#12? #12!" #00 shouted as he ran to his side. Slowly, he turned over the Dragonfly Cyborg to see the visor of his helmet cracked. "Get over here quickly!" #00 shouted over to one of the medics. He turned back to #12, "Hang on, you're going to be fine."
"Hey!" #08 shouted, stomping over to where #10 was being help be another one of the meds. He roughly pushed him on the chest. "What the fuck did you do that for?-! You could have killed him!"
"I was aiming at 13, not 12," #10 stated harshly. "It wasn't my fault he got caught in the blast."
"Yeah, well what was the deal with using live ammunition in the training room?" #00 demanded, looking up from the injured, "I want an explanation. Now."
"I have no need to answer to you, #00," #10 dismissed.
Angered, #08 grabbed #10 by the shoulders and looked him in the visor. "He asked you a question, you damned-"
"#08! At ease," a deep voice said.
#08 gulped as he dropped #10. He turned around and stood up straight with his hands behind his back. "Sir! General Nagazawa, sir!"
The General himself walked into the training floor with his hands behind his back and a stern expression on his face. The remaining NUMBERS all stood in a single file next to #08 as he approached. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves," he frowned as he eyed each of the NUMBERS. "I expect you to act as a team."
"With all due to respect, sir, they used live ammunition during the training session," #00 explained. "It's against regula-"
"Do you think our enemies will care about regulations on the battlefield, #00?" Nagazawa demanded as he got up close to his helmet.
"Sir, no, sir!" #00 said. "But… you aren't punishing them?"
"Ingenuity and adaptability are admirably traits," Nagazawa spoke as he turned his back and walked towards the exit. "You should all learn something from this. Dismissed."
#07 scoffed, "Oh yeah. We learned something alright."
"I can't believe this," #08 said in disbelief, shaking his head. "That was supposed to be ingenuity? The only thing the General did was push more ideas into #10's skull to make him believe that he was better than us. He nearly killed #12!"
"Well, there isn't anything we can do about it now," #07 shrugged as she went on her way. "Just deal with it."
#08 sighed as he followed her and #11 out of the training room. #04 watched them go, and then turned her attention to #13, who was being helped up by the medics. His arm seemed to spark uncontrollably, meaning that the bullet most likely hit a vital spot. He didn't show it though, as usual.
"Tough guy," she admired, licking her lips.
"Hey, Shogo!" a teen with black hair and grayish eyes asked his roommate who was sitting on an armchair and playing Call of Duty on the X-Box. The teen was carrying a guitar on his back and was dressed in a blue-white striped t-shirt and blue jeans. "Have you seen Yokoshima and Chiaki?"
Shogo, who wore military fatigues and had his hair in a buzz cut hairdo, looked up from his game and answered, "Oh, Yokoshima's at that book signing."
"He's still there!-?" Daichi gawked. "But it's just some smut-novelist!"
"You underestimate how famous this writer is," Shogo retorted, "Have you read her books?"
"I've got better things to do than read smut," Daichi shot back. "And what about Chiaki? I haven't seen him in 3 days."
"He couldn't stand being cooped up in here any longer so he took a walk to find some inspiration for his art," said Shogo. "I think he got lost."
"Typical," grumbled Daichi as he turned on the spare TV. The news was on and he watched with interest. "So, it looks like they've already started their hunt for #13 and innocent people are already getting involved."
"Yes, looks like it," responded Shogo.
"Shogo, call Yokoshima and Chiaki, then prep up the jeep and tank. We're going hunting tomorrow!"
"Watching #13 training again?" asked #07.
"I thought I should keep an eye on him so he doesn't get himself hurt," stated #08 as he watched the training room floor. #13 was in the obstacle course which had been set to nearly lethal levels.
"Yeah, he really took that blast for you, didn't he?"
"He did, and he could've died."
"Like Dr. Gebok would let his favorite get killed like that," scoffed #07. "If you haven't noticed #13's his favorite."
#08 didn't reply as he watched #13 dodge the rockets and then used his Gravity Hammer repel them as they exploded. He then drew his Vulcan Shooter and took down the stun rifles mounted along the training room.
#13 was his best friend and #08 owed him his life.
Shinichi, Netto, Qiao and Moka stood in the crowd behind the police tape that was stretched out in front of Café La Salle. Several body bags were being carried out, containing victims of Bomber's earlier assault.
"What happened here?" Shinichi questioned.
"An old friend of yours happened," said Netto, glancing at Shinichi.
"One of the NUMBERS?" Shinichi frowned.
"He came out of nowhere and started gunning people down," nodded Netto, "But his target wasn't you. He was after me."
"Kuso…" Shinichi cursed as his eyebrows furrowed. People were dying left and right because of him.
"Shinichi-kun…" began Moka.
"We should head back to the Dragon's Den," said Shinichi in a hoarse voice.
This had to stop.
Yukari and Ruby had brought their new friend to the Dragon's Den. It was odd that he only spoke using signs (making it literally sign language) but he didn't seem like a bad person. He hid his face from them but only because he had scars he didn't want them to see. Walking into the garage, they found Yuji working on another engine. With him was Misato, who was testing it out on a wheel-less bike.
"Hey, Ruby, Yukari, who's your new friend?" Yuji asked, looking up from the engine.
"Oh, this is…" began Ruby.
"#02?" Misato uttered in shock as he saw the guy with the witches.
"Hello, #04," Chiaki signed.
Yuji shot up right, showing that he was a head shorter than Chiaki, and pounded his fists as they ignited with flames. "Back away from him, you two," he ordered the witches.
"Relax, Yuji," Misato said soothingly as she came up behind him and rubbed his shoulders, "#02 isn't dangerous, at least not to us."
Yuji seemed to calm down as the flames on his hands became dimmer, "Right, a big dude like him and part of the same group as you were isn't dangerous," he said sarcastically, "That makes perfect sense. "
"I would know him better than you do," Misato retorted as she released him, "Besides, remember what Goemon said?"
Yuji sweat-dropped, "Not really... I was getting bored from hearing him talk so I went to make coffee. "
"He and several others went missing so we can assume they aren't with GIN-SHOCKER," she recalled. "Are you, big guy?"
Chiaki signed, "No, not anymore. Not since Dr. Magi broke us out."
The flames receded into Yuji's skin as the shop owner calmed down. "Alright, so now what?" he asked. "And what's with the signs? Some kind of gimmick?"
"#02...I mean Chiaki can't talk," Misato explained, "His handler had surgically removed his voice box. Since then he's had to communicate with signs. "
Yuji grimaced at the answer. "Where does he get them?" Yuji asked dubiously.
"We've stopped trying to figure that out a long time ago," the Mosquito Cyborg shrugged. "It's easier that way. "
Chiaki nodded.
"You're one of the NUMBERS?" Yukari asked him.
"Relax, Chiaki's more of an artist than a fighter," Misato said, "Of course you shouldn't scoff at his strength either. Physically, he's one of the strongest."
The sounds of motorbikes roared as two bikes, one silver and another blue, rolled into the garage. As the bikes came to a halt, Shinichi removed his helmet and sighed as he brushed his bangs.
"Yo, guys," Yuji greeted. "You don't look to good. Something happened?"
"Another date ruined," Shinichi sighed as he, Moka, Netto and Qiao got off the bikes. "And there were casualties this time."
"No way!" Yukari gasped. Ruby wasn't far behind with the same reaction while Misato simply frowned.
"Yeah, I don't what's with these guys. Just because they hate me it doesn't give them the right to- AH!"
Music – A Girl Named Tex by Jeff Williams
It happened so quickly that no one was able to react in time. Netto wasn't even paying attention. Chiaki had suddenly charged toward Shinichi and pinned him to the ground with his forearm to his throat. His visible eyes made a deadly glare as his free hand glowed and morphed into a vicious chainsaw.
"Shinichi-kun!" Moka gasped.
"I think I should've seen this coming," Misato grimaced.
"Damn it!" Yuji growled.
Shinichi, however, was just pissed. First he had to deal with a murderous nut with a huge ego and now this giant wanted to grind his bones too. "You know, I'm getting sick and tired of you guys coming after me, blaming me for what happened," Shinichi said in a growl as he glared back at Chiaki. His irises turned completely black. That was when his Spark Core activated and his armor formed. The energy threw Chiaki backwards and he landed on the floor. Chiaki picked himself up on his feet, only to have his eyes bulge out at what he was seeing. Everyone turned to where he was staring and gaped.
"Oh shit," Misato cursed.
"You can say that again," Yuji scowled.
"What the hell?" Netto gaped.
"Was he always wearing black?" Qiao asked no one in particular.
"Shinichi-san!" Ruby cried.
"Oh no!" Moka and Yukari shouted.
BLACK 13, now standing in Shinichi's place, cracked his knuckles as he cracked his neck from side to side."So you are upset at me too, #02?" he asked. "Understandable. Want to do something about it?"
"He talks now?-!" Yuji gawked.
Chiaki's only response to this was to activate his own armor in a flash of light and having what appeared to be blocks of wood attaching to his body before forming a suit of armor. Over a black bodysuit, Chiaki was donned in a blue suit of armor with spikes on the shoulders that emulated the mandibles of a termite. He wore metal armguards and his chest plate was modeled after a well-defined muscled chest complete with a six-pack on his stomach area. His helmet had red eyes and the faceplate had mandibles shaped like a termite's, and in the middle of the faceplate was a nozzle. His Spark Core was blue, and had the mark "II" in the middle, as well as on his helmet.
In this form, he was called Slasher.
BLACK 13 and Slasher circled each other, daring the other to attack. It was BLACK 13 who made the first move as he lunged forward. Slasher swung his chainsaw at BLACK 13 only for him to duck to the side and leap up to land a powerful kick into Slasher's chest, sending him flying into the wall. BLACK 13 then cracked his whips and lashed one out at Slasher. It wrapped around his chainsaw and he was tugged forward towards BLACK 13 who then punched him straight in the face and sent him flying into the streets. He slowly strode over towards Slasher who began to get back to his feet. Slasher rushed and swung with his chainsaw but it was caught in BLACK 13's hand. The blade was then snapped in half and then BLACK 13 used an uppercut that lifted Slasher off the ground before executing a roundhouse that sent him spinning.
"This is bad," murmured Misato.
"I thought Kurumu-chan's Charm worked on him!" said Moka.
"His anger's the trigger," Yuji stated. "Looks like BLACK 13 activates every time Shinichi is under some kind of extreme stress."
Moka had to stop this. She had to. She didn't want Shinichi to have any more blood on his hands. Without warning she ran towards him.
"What are you doing?-!" Ruby shouted.
"Shinichi-kun!" Moka shouted, causing BLACK 13 to look at her, "Please! Stop!"
Hearing something move, BLACK 13 looked back at Slasher, only to see the tall Rider lunge with another chainsaw. It seemed he was trying to catch him off guard. "Move!" he grabbed Moka and pushed her away from the danger. At the same time, his kick connected with Slasher's chest, stunning him, kneed him in the gut so hard he was thrown backwards, and grabbed his leg and threw him to the ground before raising his foot up and slamming it down on the chest, causing the ground to crack. "Fatal mistake," BLACK 13 growled. That was when he noticed that something had gotten caught between his fingers. He stared and found it to be a cross.
"What the…?" Netto blinked as he noticed a dark and chilling aura seeping off of Moka as she stood up. "What's wrong with her?" He also noticed that she began to mature in all the right places, making her sundress fuller. He instantly blushed hard and turned away.
"Aw, fuckberriers," Yuji muttered. "This day just keeps getting better and better."
"Hmm," Moka-sama smirked as BLACK 13 stared back at her. "I was hoping to have a go at you."
"I have no quarrel with you, Moka Akashiya," BLACK 13 spoke, "Stand down."
"And if I say no?" the deadly, sensual girl asked as she gave the "bring it" taunt.
BLACK 13 frowned and turned back to Slasher, who was still stuck under his foot, "Consider yourself lucky." He took his foot off him and stood before Moka-sama while getting into a boxing stance.
The wind blew around the streets as the spectators watched the fighters eyeing each other. A leaf drifted down from one of the nearby trees and seemed to be headed for the ground between the two fighters. The leaf drifted down so closely it could have touched the ground if positioned correctly, but in a flash, it was suddenly shredded as both fighters charged at each other. Both Moka-sama and BLACK 13 raised up their legs for devastating kicks, only to have them connect with a resulting thunderous clash, sending dust in all directions and forcing the audience to shield their eyes. Neither stood still as they started sending flurries of kicks and punches at one another. It looked as though they were attacking invisible walls. With BLACK 13's otherworldly technology going up against Moka-sama's sinister demonic aura, the sounds of thrashes and crashes could be heard throughout the street. The road underneath them started crack and almost shattered. Slasher, who was now kneeling, got back to his senses he as scrambled to his feet and jumped to join the others before the cracks could reach him.
The combatants' fists and feet collided and caused them both to skid away from each other. Moka-sama panted hard with wide grin on her face. BLACK 13 stood up from his crouch and spun his shoulders to get the stiffness out.
"Yes… this power… this feeling…." Moka-sama grinned, almost savagely, "This is what I've been waiting for!"
"You're enjoying this," BLACK 13 commented as he observed her behavior.
"The last time I fought like this was with my father and older sisters," Moka-sama grinned. "Come on, show me more!"
"If you insist." Like his other self, he hated to disappoint a lady.
"Just what happened to Moka?" Misato gawked as she watched them continue their fight. "She's like a completely different person now! More importantly, how can she keep up with BLACK 13?"
"Well, that's because Moka-san's a vampire," said Yukari.
"A vampire? A real vampire?" Misato blinked. "You're kidding, right?"
"I'm not," Yukari replied. "Moka-san's really a vampire. One of the legendary S-Class monsters."
Misato looked to Yuji with an accusing glare, "Did you know about this?"
"You never asked," Yuji shrugged.
Moka and BLACK 13 swung their legs in roundhouse kicks, causing their shins to connect. Moka-sama grinned as BLACK 13 gave her a cold look under his helmet. They withdrew their legs and threw punches but Moka's caught his fist as he caught hers. They grappled with each other.
"Is that all you can do?" Moka-sama challenged. She then felt heat nearby and looked up to see red spheres of light hanging above her head. "Ah, I see."
BLACK 13 glared at her but then felt a pain in his head and a voice, 'NO!'
End Music
BLACK 13 collapsed to his knees as the energy orbs all faded. Moka-sama watched as his eyes turned green before his armor shattered and Shinichi collapsed to unconsciousness.
"Ah, Shinichi-san!" Yukari cried out but Moka-sama caught him before he hit the ground and lifted him up bridal style.
She looked at his sleeping face. Here in her arms was a former human, a cyborg, who possessed combat prowess comparable to hers. He was an interesting individual ever since she witnessed his first transformation. While it had taken her awhile to grasp the idea that he had been human once before the process which had partially mechanized his body, she couldn't help but feel something for him. Maybe her more sentimental side's personality was slipping into her own but she was feeling concerned for the boy.
She turned her eyes to the garage and said, "Fudo, I believe we would need some rest before we depart for today."
Yuji blinked before moving aside, "Sure, go ahead."
Moka-sama nodded and walked back inside, everyone moving aside as she did so. Passing by Slasher, she aimed a death glare at him, serving as her only warning. It worked as Slasher felt himself getting cold. As soon as Moka-sama went inside with her cargo, Slasher sighed inwardly as his armor fell off like sawdust.
"I don't believe it," Netto stuttered, like Qiao, he had also always known that Moka was a vampire. He just didn't know how strong she was. "She was that powerful all along?"
"It's like… she was another BLACK 13,"Misato nodded.
"Yeah, Moka-san's true self is scary," Yukari nodded.
"I guess we'll be heading back now," Netto said as Qiao nodded.
"Alright, you two have a safe trip," Yuji said, looking at the damage of the road with a cringe. "And as for you," he said as he turned to Chiaki, his blue scales forming over his right fist. "If you pull shit like that again, I will shove my personal crow bar up your ass and melt it so it won't come out! And fair warning: I don't remember the last time I cleaned it!"
Chiaki nodded quickly.
Netto and Qiao returned to his house after the eventful day. He went inside after Qiao and looked the door behind him. "Man, today was one hell of flop," Netto sighed as he stretched his arms up.
"Yeah, I can't believe these NUMBER guys are willing to kill other people just to get what they want," Qiao answered.
"And they want Shinichi dead," Netto frowned as he leaned on the wall, arms crossed. "It pisses me off. The dragonfly that I fought was willing to do anything to make Shinichi suffer. He even said that he would come after his girls."
"What?" Qiao gasped.
"Yeah, I know," Netto nodded. "Sounds stupid doesn't it?
"Well, those girls aren't pushovers themselves," Qiao told him. "They really love Shinichi, and I'll bet they'll make anyone who messes with him see the Nine Circles of Hell after they're finished with him."
"That's something you would do," Netto told her.
Qiao giggled as she walked toward him, "You're right. I would do that." Netto blushed as Qiao wrapped her arms around his ribs and pulled herself closer, "But they love Shinichi just as much as I love you," Qiao whispered huskily.
"Qiao…chan…" Netto stammered. She smiled at his timidly red face. After all the time they've been together, she still managed to get this reaction from him whenever she was frisky. And she was glad for it.
"Airen," she whispered to him seductively. "You want a harem too?"
"A what?" Netto as he gulped.
"Well, he does seem to enjoy their company," she pointed out as she leaned in close enough to feel his breath. "As long as they are willing to share you, I really don't mind. Ya know…"
"And just why do you want to be in a harem?" Netto asked as he inhaled her sent. She smelled so nice.
Qiao simply giggled, "More playmates of course. It'd be nice kinda nice, right?"
"Jezz you're a pervert," Netto muttered as he rolled his eyes. Qiao grinned as she suddenly picked him up bridal style.
"And proud of it too!" she smiled as she ran upstairs to his bedroom. It was simple since the door was already opened. She laid him down on the bed as she switched to her hybrid form and crawled on to the bed sexily. Her arms wrapped around him and they shared a deep kiss. Qiao made an arousing purr as she kissed and sucked his cheek, ear and neck. His first arm moved up to one of her tails gently took hold of it, moving his hand up and down. His other hand moved up to the back of her neck and massage slowly. "Mmmm..." Qiao purred as the warmth ran through her body. She broke from his neck looked below him with a seductive smile. "Airen, do you want me?"
"You wanna go all the way to C this time?" Netto blinked.
"I wanted to do this for a while now," Qiao said as she pushed him down and mounted his waist with his hands pined against hers. "I want you, Airen. I want to make love to you."
He just couldn't deny her. He just couldn't. Not when she was like this.
Shinichi and Moka both stopped in front of their hotel. Moka dismounted but Shinichi remained where he was. "Shinichi-kun, don't you want to come up?"
"I need to stay with Kaa-chan tonight," he said.
"Oh," Moka responded. She realized that Shinichi was troubled over what happened earlier. Maybe he was starting to remember the things he did as BLACK 13, or maybe he just needed to be with family right now.
Shinichi dismounted from the Cyclone-X3 and removed his helmet to pull Moka into a hug. He apologized, "I'm sorry our date was ruined."
"It's alright," she said, "It wasn't your fault." She slowly returned the hug, burying her face into his chest.
Shinichi pulled away and smiled at her softly. "Moka-chan, have you…?" He reached up and removed his scarf. Moka's eyes brightened and he smiled in amusement. "Ah, alright then. Take a bite."
"Itadakimasu~" Moka got on the tips of her toes and leaned in to sink her fangs into his neck. Shinichi shivered pleasantly at the sensation. It felt really good. After she had enough she pulled away but her hands were still on his shoulders. "That was delicious."
"I'm glad," he answered. "Oh, and I owe you this." He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. Moka let out a gasp as her eyes went wide before slowly closing as she relaxed. His hands were around her hips as she wrapped her arms around him.
Shinichi broke the kiss and gazed into Moka's eyes. "Goodnight, Moka-chan." He then got on his bike and drove away with Moka watching, waving at him in a daze with a blush on her cheeks.
Shinichi had gone to the hotel his mother was staying at. He needed to keep an eye on her but that was just an excuse so he could spend the night. He needed to think and at least someone to talk too. He needed his mother.
Shiori had ordered room service and as they sat at the table enjoying their dinner, he spoke to her, "My life sucks."
"I don't think it can be that bad," she said, trying to comfort him.
"My dates keep getting ruined and a lot of people died because of me, and that was only today," he told her as he summarized the events of the day.
"Then again, I could be wrong," she corrected. She had to remember that her son had grown up without her. He had lost his childhood because of those horrible GIN-SHOCKER people. That was her biggest regret.
"The NUMBERS hate me too," he added. "They got good reason too. I killed them."
"But you weren't yourself. You were being controlled," she argued.
"It doesn't make much of a difference to them. I may have been a weapon but it was my hands that took their lives. These hands that are stained with blood…" He let out a sigh.
"Oh, Shinji…" Shiori reached over and rubbed his head.
"The NUMBERS go after innocent people to draw me out," he murmured, "Maybe it's better if I just die…"
"NO!" she shouted. "Don't talk like that!"
"It'll make a lot of people happy if I died…"
"But a lot of people would be sad too! Like me, and those girls, your friends!" Shiori shouted. "Life is a precious thing."
"I don't think you can call the last ten years of my life 'living'," he said to Shiori.
"I guess not," Shiori admitted, "But still, for everyone person who wants you dead, there are also people who wish for you to keep living." She grasped Shinichi's hand, "Promise me, Shinji. Promise me that you'll live."
Shinichi just couldn't say no. "I promise, Kaa-chan."
The Youkai Academy girls sighed at the dinner table with only Nekoneme-sensei and Gin as company. Normally, he would be happy that Shinichi wasn't around but the atmosphere wasn't very cheerful. Not after Moka told them that BLACK 13 returned.
"Looks like we'll only be here for a few more days," said Nekonome-sensei as she checked their schedule.
The girls sighed sadly. This summer break hadn't been much of a break at all. Shinichi did end up finding his birth mother but his past ended up catching up with him, and not exactly in a good way. Also, going on dates with him didn't go as planned as they would get attacked by members of his former crew.
"This isn't fair," muttered Kurumu.
The next day…
Shinichi exited the hotel his mother was staying at and mounted the Cyclone-X3. "Maybe a spin around town, just to clear my head," he said to himself before gunning the engine. Of course if he had been paying attention, he should know that he was being watched.
"Is that him, #00?" asked the driver.
"Yeah, it's him alright," replied #00 who sat shotgun. He was holding some pictures. "That's him and his bike alright."
"Good," the driver grinned. "Time for some payback. #00, get in the back and handle the turret."
"OK, #08."
"Is #09 standing by?"
"Yes, he is. He's locked and loaded too."
"Good. Once we herded #13 into position #09 can start blasting."
Moka sighed sadly as she sat on the couch, reading a magazine. Shinichi hadn't returned back yet and she was getting very worried.
"Don't worry about Shinichi," Mizore said as she was sitting next to her, unwrapping a fresh lollipop. "I'm sure he will be fine."
"But there are other cyborgs out there who are after him," Moka sighed. "Worse, they all claimed that he killed them at one point, so I can't help but worry."
"It's because they are stubborn fools," Mizore told her. "Personally, I think it was all made up just to make an excuse to go after him. Still, even if there are cyborgs that could be following him, Shinichi will handle it like he always does."
"GOD DAMMIT!" Shinichi shouted as he swerved around, dodging bullets. "WHAT DO YOU ASSHOLES WANT!-?"
Shinichi was not having a good day. He'd just planned to go out for a spin around town to clear his head when a couple of psychos in a jeep came chasing after him. They had been following him and all of a sudden started shooting at him.
Now, normally he wouldn't worry about such a thing. Of course, jeeps normally didn't come equipped with a Gatling gun turret spraying bullets at him. He swerved around, dodging the bullets that came flying at him but a few grazed his Cyclone-X3 and he shouted in his mind, 'Yuji is so gonna make me pay for a new paintjob!'
BOOM!
Suddenly, an explosion threw him into the air. Something had hit him, and hit him hard. His bike went spinning on its side as he slammed against the ground. "Ugh…" he groaned and then he saw what had hit him. "A tank!-?"
A hi-tech tank, with its cannon barrel staring back at him, stood before him.
"Not good," Shinichi gulped as he got up to his feet. The cannon fired and Shinichi was sent screaming into the air and crashing before he lost consciousness.
Yukari was telling fortunes with her tarot card when Kurumu suddenly jumped to her feet. She could sense something was wrong. Not to quote a popular movie on purpose, but she had sensed a disturbance.
"Shinichi's in trouble!" Kurumu shouted.
Yokoshima, Shogo and Daichi all exited their vehicles and surrounded the unconscious Shinichi.
"Alright, time for revenge," said Daichi as he cracked his knuckles. However, he didn't get far as Shinichi, with sudden lightning speed, got up and punched him straight into the jeep.
"Shit!" Yokoshima cursed but was grabbed and tossed up before being kicked into the tank. Shogo gawked and received a punch in the stomach, causing him to double over before Shinichi slammed his other fist down his back, knocking him to the ground.
Daichi managed to get to his feet and glare at Shinichi. "OK, come here!" He went and started throwing a barrage of punches which Shinichi caught with ease. He grabbed the last one and spun around before tossing Daichi into Yokoshima, knocking them both down. Shogo grabbed a shotgun from the jeep and was about to use it when Shinichi ended up in front of him. The shotgun was knocked out of his hands and then Shinichi used an uppercut that lifted Shogo off the ground and then he used a back kick to send him flying.
Yokoshima and Daichi tried to attack with a pincer maneuver but Shinichi leapt up and then flipped backwards. He landed on the top of the tank and then jumped off to land a scissor kick into their heads, knocking them to the ground again.
Shogo groaned as he got back to his feet. "Guys, we have to transform!"
"Right, good idea," agreed Yokoshima.
Shinichi watched with darkened eyes as the three of them transformed as their respective suits of armor formed.
Shogo's armor was styled after a wasp. The bodysuit was black with yellow stripes. He wore black and yellow striped gauntlets and boots. His yellow chest plate also sported black stripes, like a tiger. Extending from his gauntlets was a pair of long and sharp stingers. His helmet was insect-like in appearance, sporting empty black eyes and antennae. His Spark Core was yellow and had the number 0 in the center.
His codename was Zero.
Yokoshima's armor was based on a pill bug. He had large shoulders and plates running down his arms and legs with large spiked boots, thick chest armor and a large segmented backplate. His helmet had small antennae and his visor was in the shape of a pair of small black eyes. His entire armor was metallic silver with black highlights. His belt was silver with his IX symbol in the crystal buckle.
His designation was Armadillo.
Daichi's armor was silver with grey highlights. His gauntlets were plated and he had three spikes attached to each heel of his boots. Spikes extended from his shoulders and his fingertips were sharp. Extending from his elbows were spikes as well. His helmet was based on a cricket with red insect eyes, long antennae and a mouth plate resembling a pair of insect mandibles. He also sported a black and tattered scarf. On his gray Spark Core was the VIII mark on the center.
His alias was Sonix.
"Alright!" Sonix said as he drew his military fork and gripped it tight. "Now, let's get him!"
The three armored NUMBERS rushed to attack Shinichi. Armadillo rolled into a ball and charged but Shinichi jumped up, landed on top of the sphere, and sprung upwards to kick Zero out of the air. Sonix fired a sonic burst at him only to miss as Shinichi somersaulted away. The windshield of the jeep shattered because of the sonic burst. Zero got back to his feet and aimed his gauntlets at Shinichi to fire a flurry of needles but Shinichi suddenly blurred out of sight.
"Where is he!-?" Zero shouted only to be shot in the back. "ARGH!"
Shinichi had just grabbed the shotgun from the ground and used it. He then cocked it and fired again, causing sparks to fly.
"Damn it!" Zero fired needles and Shinichi did a split to duck and the needles hit Armadillo instead.
"Yokoshima!" shouted Zero.
"I'm fine," said Armadillo.
Sonix swung at Shinichi who kept dodging his blows. The unarmored cyborg then caught the shaft of the military fork and tore it out of Sonix's hands after kicking him away. He then slammed the military fork down, causing a Sonix pulse to vibrate from it. Zero and Armadillo covered their ears from the sound, but Sonix who was immune to his own attacks was unaffected. Of course Shinichi knew this and threw the military fork at Sonix like a javelin. The weapon flew past as Sonix dodged to the side but he then received a face full from the shotgun as Shinichi shot at him.
"OK, we're getting our butts kicked," groaned Armadillo.
"I know," said Zero.
"And he hasn't even transformed."
"I know!"
"Did we even plan this out?" Armadillo asked.
"Just shut up and fight!" Sonix yelled.
Shinichi pulled the trigger and realized his weapon was empty. He saw Armadillo charging at him but before he could roll into a ball Shinichi ran at him and used the shotgun like a club and slammed the thing into his chin. He then tossed it at Zero and it hit him in the head. As he grunted from the hit, Shinichi jumped up, grabbed his shoulders, and pulled him down so his faceplate painfully met his knee. He tossed Zero aside and approached Sonix when all of a sudden he held his head in pain. He collapsed to his knees.
"Hey, I think something's wrong with him," Armadillo said.
"What was your first clue?" quipped Zero.
"Come on, let's get him," said Sonix. However, the three were suddenly blown off their feet as Shinichi transformed and became BLACK 13, his crimson eyes flashing to signal the completed transformation.
"Oh…fuck," Armadillo said.
"Surround him!" Sonix ordered and they did but BLACK 13 summoned his Gravity Hammer and slammed it down to the ground, repelling them. He then swung, hammering Armadillo in the side and sent him flying through the air. He summoned his Vulcan Shooter and shot at Zero, forcing him to bring his arms up defensively. He then blocked Sonix's attack with the Gravity Hammer's shaft which came from behind. He spun around and shot Sonix point blank several times before slashing him across the body as a crescent energy blade came out of his forearm.
Armadillo jumped and rolled into a ball. He was going to flatten BLACK 13 but then cried out as he was smashed by the Gravity Hammer this time and went sailing like a baseball. Zero attacked with his stingers, firing another furious flurry of needles at BLACK 13 but the assault was repelled when the Gravity Hammer was slammed down again and the needles fell harmlessly at his feet. However, the needles suddenly flashed and exploded and sent BLACK 13 flying into the air. He landed safely on his feet with some smoke coming from his body due to the explosion but otherwise he was fine.
Sonix got up and struck at BLACK 13 from behind but he ducked to the side, spun around, drove his hammer into Sonix's chest and then tossed him up before sending him flying with his Gravity Hammer again, this time causing him to hit the side of the tank.
Armadillo came charging again, rolling towards BLACK 13 but the black-clad Rider just sidestepped the attack, causing Armadillo to roll over Zero instead.
"Hey! Smartass!" BLACK 13 heard, he turned around only to have the Stasis Cuffs slapped on his wrists. He was unable to move. Seeing his change, Sonix laid a power kick that sent him flying. As soon as he hit the ground, his armor deactivated. Sonix smirked victoriously, "Gotcha, you bastard." He turned to both Armadillo and Zero, "And thanks for distracting him, guys."
"OK, we got him," Armadillo panted, "I thought we weren't gonna make it."
"Great, now let's take him to Dr. Magi," said Zero.
"Why bother?" asked Sonix. "Let's kill him right here, right now." He held his military fork in a threatening manner and advanced on the paralyzed Shinichi.
"Hold on!" Armadillo pleaded. "Doc said to bring him in! He's no good to us if he's dead!"
"Like I give a damn. This traitor's got this coming to him," Sonix raised his military fork. "If it'll make you feel any better, I'll soften him up a little more. I won't guarantee his survival though."
However, he was stopped in his attack when something flew by and slashed him across the chest, knocking him down. "Ow!"
"Daichi!" Armadillo shouted but then sharp spikes of ice came raining down on them. "Ow! What the hell!"
"We're under attack!" Zero shouted.
"Thanks for stating the obvious!" snapped Sonix but then he spotted someone kneeling next to Shinichi. "Hey, get away from him!"
Moka was trying to help Shinichi remove his Stasis Cuffs. "I'm not strong enough!" Shinichi raised his arms and his hands clenched around her Rosario. "Shinichi-kun?" He then tugged off the Rosario which allowed her inner self to come out.
Armadillo began to shiver as a cold feeling came over him. "Guys…what's going on?" he asked.
"Arg!" Zero screamed as a wave of intense power suddenly washed over them. The trio struggled to keep their footing as the intense power discharge surged around them. As the wave subsided, he looked to the source and pointed, "Over there!"
Moka-sama stood in all her red-eyed, silver-haired glory and she grasped the Stasis Cuffs which shattered in her grip. Mizore and Kurumu helped him up.
"Thanks, girls," said Shinichi.
"What would you do without us?" Moka-sama smiled.
"We'll take it from here, darling," said Kurumu.
"They'll be punished," added Mizore.
"Yes, but first," began Shinichi as he put his hands on their backs, "Let's Form Ride: BLACK! Skyrider!"
The King Stone of Kamen Rider BLACK and the Tornado of Skyrider appeared on the waists of Kurumu and Mizore, respectively. The King Stone started to flash as it absorbed the sunlight while the Tornado absorbed air pressure. In flashes of light, Kurumu and Mizore became bustier and curvier versions of BLACK and Skyrider. Their visors flashed as the empowered monster girls got into fighting stances.
"Just what the fuck is going on here?-!" Sonix demined. "You! With the silver hair! How did you break the cuffs?-!"
Moka-sama pointed to the three NUMBERS and declared, "To attack what is mine… is asking for death. I shall show you your place!"
Meanwhile…
A shadowed figure was standing on the branch of a tree which stood on a hill that lied before the town.
"I can hear it," he said.
The light that shone through the trees shed some light on him, revealing him to be a man with tanned skin, charcoal-black eyes, black hair that was wavy and combed to the right side of his head. He wore a white jacket over a black T-shirt with red pants with black belts wrapped around the legs. Coiled around his body was a giant male, winged snake that has black scales, an egg shell-colored belly, and green eyes with red pupils. The snake hissed subtly into the man's ear.
"Yeah, I feel it too," he soothed as he rubbed the scales on the snake's head. His right arm glowed with the crimson light of a familiar mark that showed through his sleeve. "I believe mating season has begun," he grinned.
Aphrodite was happily licking ice cream from her cone as she walked with Leon. She made sure their arms were linked as they walked along the sidewalk. For their date, she decided to wear a blue shirt with a pink heart on the center, a white skirt that reached her knees, white bunched up socks and blue shoes. Leon wore a white shirt with a black leather jacket over it, jeans with chains hanging around his belt, and white sneakers.
"You know, I would enjoy this snack more if you would smile a little more," she admitted. "That stoic expression you wear makes me think you are not enjoying this period of relaxation. So please, do relax and enjoy yourself, Leon. You are still young and healthy."
Leon didn't know how to answer.
"I can hear it."
Leon and Aphrodite looked up to see a man, standing on a black, winged snake and grinning sinisterly like one.
He pointed to Aphrodite, "I can hear your mark, calling out to me."
She looked down, noticing that her Manakyte was indeed glowing. "Then you are..."
"You can call me Mephisto, my dear," the man bowed graciously before hopping off his snake, with the serpent coiling around him. "And like you, I am indeed a Manakyte; a Manakyte of Darkness."
Leon's sword was instantly at the Manakyte's throat. "Leave. Now."
"Hmm?" Mephisto glared as he began sniffing Leon's clothing. His eyes widened as he backed away with an accusing finger at Leon, "You two have already mated!"
"Doesn't matter. You reek of death and blood. Leave now or I take your head," Leon warned.
Mephisto wasn't listening as he held his head in frustration and growling, "This can't be... How can a gorgeous Manakyte fall for some trash like this brat...?" He began to reveal scales on his face and arms, mixing colors of purple and charcoal black in intricate patterns. "As a Manakyte of the Warrior class... I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD!"
Leon growled as his eyes turned gold. "Not if I take yours first."
KAMEN RIDER DATABASE
"Welcome back to another entry of the Kamen Rider Database," Moka-sama greeted as the screen next to her showed the images of Zero, Armadillo, Slasher and Sonix. "Today, we will be reviewing four more ex-agents of GIN-SHOCKER. First we will review #00: Zero, whose armor is based on the wasp. He is the fastest out of all the NUMBERS, able to move at bullet speeds. His gauntlets he can fire missile stingers that explode on contact. He also the only Rider aside from Bomber with the ability to fly."
She pressed the button on her remote to switch the screen to Armadillo. "This is #09: Kamen Rider Armadillo, one of the strongest of the NUMBERS. True to his name, he can roll into a metal ball to rush at his enemy with destructive force. He is also the second NUMBER, the first being Scanner, to lack weapons of his own. The only difference is that he isn't as weak."
"Now we have #02: Slasher, who is based on the soldier termite," Moka-sama continued as the screen changed to the largest Rider. "He is the largest of the NUMBERS, and one of the fiercest as well. He has the ability to transform his hands into chainsaws that can cut through nearly anything. He also has a second ability which I will leave alone at the moment."
The screen changed to Sonix. "And lastly, we have #08: Sonix, who is based on the cricket. He can manipulate sound waves and vibration. This allows him to conjure sound blast, manipulate the human body through his melody, and create a sound barrier. He is armed with a military fork that he can use as a tuning fork to amplify his powers."
"Sonix, Armadillo and Zero have done something unforgivable. They have gone after what's mine and so they must pay. What will happen to them? Stay tune for the next chapter to find out."
KAMEN RIDER CHROME: Looks like we've introduced 13/14 of the NUMBERS already. Go back and count them. You'll know I'm right. Also, it seems that Leon's about to fight a tough opponent too, a guy claiming to be a Manakyte of Darkness. It would sure be action-packed. Oh, and don't worry about Shinichi and the girls. They'll be able to handle it. I hope you enjoyed the butt-kicking that occurred this chapter. And, I would like to thank Tailsmo, Kamen Rider Bushido and Shadow Element 13 on their contributions. I would also like to thank the other guys who contribute on the forum like Snake Screamer, Iron-Mantis and Warlord Xana.