Episode 036: Back on Top
Author's Note #1:
This chapter will be the first time that a Legend Stone will be used. The Legend Stone's also gives a Kamen Rider to go Hypermode. Though this Hypermode will work differently from that of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, since these involve Phazon. The Hypermode mechanics on this fic, given the fact they are fueled by any of the Legend Stones.
The Legend Stones serves as game breaker towards the Gamer Driver's Rider System, since they are celestial objects that allow the wielder of any of the stones to bend anything to their will. For example, the Luminary Stone allows the user to control all souls, living or dead, and it will also negate Kamen Rider Genm Zombie Gamer Level X's death cheating. The term game breaker is a mechanic that makes beating a game very easy.
-I Owe You My Life-
The next week…
A few days after Mitsuzane saves Keiichi Karasuma, a singer going by the stage name of KeiTwo from falling to his death from a drunken stupor. Said musician and singer was taken to Seito University Hospital for treatment, though his injuries were non-fatal. Mitsuzane had his thoughts about that event the last week, had he didn't do anything to saved to save Keiichi from his drunken stupor, he would've died from his fall. The young Kureshima is fully aware the dangers of alcohol abuse since he got to experience turning to the bottle at an early age.
Meanwhile in the Command Tower…
"So, you managed to save a washed-up singer from falling to his death?", Samus asked.
"Yeah. I just couldn't stand there and do nothing.", Mitsuzane nodded. "It's like everything I first experienced drinking alcohol two years back."
Samus kept her arms folded, "Looks you're becoming more aware what alcohol can affect a human being, am I right?"
The young Kureshima agreed to the prior statement regarding his awareness of liquor's negative effects, in both health and mentality. With that being said, Mitsuzane has began to self-impose his own discipline with liquor drinking ever since meeting a fellow alcoholic who just gave up hope. The only thing Mitsuzane can tell Keiichi is to start over, there is nothing wrong with going back to square one as this is what Kouta said to Mitsuzane three years back before leaving the Earth.
Samus decides to accompany Mitsuzane to the hospital to see Keiichi's well-being.
A few hours later, the two arrived at Seito University Hospital. Mitsuzane and Samus entered Keiichi's room.
"Karasuma-san.", Mitsuzane says Keiichi's surname.
"Yo! Thanks for saving my ass back there.", the singer said.
Samus introduces herself to Keiichi as Mitsuzane's partner and love interest, much to the latter's surprise.
"I'm surprised you managed to survive a fall through a pick-up truck's bed.", the bounty hunter said.
"Yeah. Kureshima here has a heart. I knew a reason why he managed to help me.", said Keiichi. "Honestly, I have been into the slammer numerous times for DUI, and worse, my wife cheated on me for another man. And I ended up becoming a laughingstock on the entire media. I didn't know what I am going to do since I have been a lot of stress, and my career is in shambles…"
"Like what I said, you should be lucky that you're still alive.", Mitsuzane sternly replied. "Life seems harsh nowadays, considering in a state that you are now. There is no problem of starting back to square one, something I managed to do three years back. You are still might be a successful singer, but I can help you with that."
Keiichi was touched of the speech of the person who saved his skin. Considering the fact Mitsuzane himself lost everything three years ago, and right now, he is an all-new different man with a sense of purpose; he has new friends, and true companions he can reach out to.
"Mitsuzane.", the injured singer turned his eyes to Mitsuzane.
"What?", the young Kureshima replied.
"When I get cleaned, I'm going to need a new manager.", Keiichi continued. "Thought I might look you up."
Mitsuzane accepts since he is willing to make Keiichi resurrect his career. Admitting the fact that they're very alike because of what influenced them in their pasts. What counts today is in the now. To Samus's perspective, seeing Mitsuzane helping someone in need shows a symbolic maturity and a good example of what a Kamen Rider can do untransformed.
Before Mitsuzane and Samus leave Keiichi's room, Keiichi begins to experience a stress-induced seizure! An indication that he's infected by a Bugster-borne disease. Asuna arrives on the scene to look at Keiichi, seeing the patient is deteriorating due to a presence of a Bugster. In other words, if a Bugster isn't destroyed, it can kill Keiichi and he vanishes.
"A Bugster?", Mitsuzane had a flipped reaction.
Seconds later, Adam radios the two Space Explorers of a Bugster attack, and Makoto and Mayu are dispatched to the target's location. Samus states it's the Space Explorers' turn to deal with the Bugsters.
-Hound Bugster Level 5-
Elsewhere in a park…
One of the Bugsters that Samus fought and defeated with the help of Mayu two months ago returned with a vengeance. This Bugster has somehow leveled up, from a calculated and mischievous creature to a berserker werewolf.
(*cues: "Encounter" from Metal Gear Solid/Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes [Super Smash Bros. Brawl remix]*)
Once the Space Explorers – Makoto, Mayu, Mitsuzane, and Samus – arrived at the scene, Mayu remembers the Bugster she fought with Samus, but has evolved to a more feral creature, from a conniving and cunning dog to an attack dog with pure instincts. Asuna confirms to the Space Explorers that it is the creature that is infecting Keiichi, and so they must defeat it to cure the patient.
"I don't care if he's a werewolf or something.", Mitsuzane is itching to take down the empowered Hound Bugster, all while pointing his finger at the said Bugster. "I'm going to send you back to the pound!"
That said, Mitsuzane is also itching to fuel his hate towards the Bugsters and kill Kuroto Dan. And he will start doing so by making the Hound Bugster suffer. He and the other four Space Explorers put on their belts and prepare to transform.
*Driver On, NOW!* / *Mighty Action X!*
*MELON ENERGY!*
After Mitsuzane unlocks his Melon Energy Lockseed, Asuna notices the familiarity of Mitsuzane's (new) transformation pose, even more evident when Mitsuzane spins 270 degrees facing to the right.
"How did he know Lazer's pose?!", Asuna bellowed as her Poppi persona takes over while in her nurse outfit.
*DIVE TOO DEEP! Eye! Girotto Mirou~! (loop)* / *Lock On!* / *Shabadoobi Touch Henshin! (loop)*
The four Space Explorers chanted, "Henshin!" as they immediately proceed to transform.
*Gashato! Let's Game! Meccha Game! Muccha Game! What's your name? I'm a KAMEN RIDER!* / *Change, NOW!*
*Melon Energy Arms!* / *Gen Kaigan! Deep Specter! Get go, kakugo! Giza-Giza GHOST!*
With Samus in her Varia Suit, all while equipping her Gamer Driver pulls out her Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat.
*DRAGO KNIGHT HUNTER! Z! FANG!*
The Hunter Gamer emerges from the Drago Knight Hunter Z title screen.
"Mode Five, Engage!", Samus chanted after inserting the Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat on the Gamer Driver's second slot before she opens the lever.
"Gacchan! LEVEL UP!", the Gamer Driver declared as Samus in her Varia Suit jumps in the air and simultaneously somersaulting before her armor breaks apart, revealing Kamen Rider Huntress's sleeker Action Gamer Level 2 form. "I Gotcha! Do-Do-Drago! Na-Na-Na-Knight!", the Hunter Gamer sends out a copy of its right Shoulder Drago Armor with the pauldrons taking form of that of the right part of the Hunter Gamer's chest, along with the Dragon Fang serving as an Arm Cannon-gauntlet part attached on Samus's right arm "Dora! Dora! Drago Knight Hunter! Huntress!", completing Samus's transformation into Huntress Hunter Action Gamer Level 5, also complete with a three-point landing after the transformation sequence.
"Now… It's time to end this!", Mayu declared as she and the other Riders charge and fight the Level 5 Hound Bugster.
Even for a four on one fight, the Hound Bugster manages to hold off against the four Space Explorers at once, given that it had foregone its cleverness the first time Samus fought the creature.
The Hound Bugster tackles Ryugen and is prepared to bare its fangs on him.
"Bad dog! Bad dog!", Mitsuzane attempts to break free from the Bugster's grip before Mayu and Makoto double teamed the creature.
"Are you alright, Kureshima-kun?", Mayu asked concerning Mitsuzane almost being turned into a Bugster dog food.
"I never expected werewolves are that instinct-prone.", Mitsuzane stiffened his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Samus fights with the Hound Bugster, since both combatants are on Level 5, they are on par. But, the Hound Bugster gets the upper hand. Samus knows that a berserker-oriented creature is hard to defeat.
Something needs to be done to tame a beast like that… Samus thought to herself. Before she can stand up, something is glowing from her pocket. It turns out one of the Legend Stones have been awaken! Samus pulls out the glowing Legend Stone – the Helheim's Pulp. As according to Alia, the Helheim's Pulp has the power of telekinesis and psionic abilities.
"It looks like one of the stones have awakened.", said Makoto.
Given to the Helheim's Pulp psionic abilities, Huntress concentrates with focused willpower as she is entirely outlined from head to toe with a mysterious energy resonating from the said Legend Stone. Huntress's visor glows, as the Hound Bugster charges at Samus, the Bugster is pushed away by a telekinetic force activated by the Helheim's Pulp.
"That stone gives you telekinetic powers.", said Mitsuzane. "Not too shabby."
Huntress continues to use the telekinetic abilities granted by the Helheim's Pulp as she puts the Hound Bugster into a state where it cannot move on its free will.
"I… I can't move!", the Hound Bugster exclaimed.
Samus then uses a telekinetic push to throw the Hound Bugster, then freed from the Helheim's Pulp's control. Samus decides to call out two Power Suit Legionnaires in the form of the Xtreme and PED Suits.
The two remotely summoned suits appeared on the battlefield as they aid Huntress fighting the Hound Bugster, Mage, (Deep) Specter, and Ryugen followed after.
*Chain, NOW!*
Mayu uses her Chain Wizard Ring to restrain the Hound Bugster, and then the PED Suit followed after by using Hyper Grapple to inject internal Phazon on the target. The Xtreme Suit then slashes the Hound Bugster with the Prism Sword.
Ryugen then loads the Budou Lockseed on the Sonic Arrow. Mitsuzane then takes aim and fires an energy arrow, once the arrow hits, it turns into an energy drill that stunned the Hound Bugster.
"Let's go, senpai!", said Makoto as he is about to pull the lever of his Ghost Driver.
"Alright!", Mitsuzane nodded.
The two Power Suit Legionnaires regrouped with their user. The Xtreme Suit sheaths the Prism Sword back to the Bicker Shield, and the PED Suit charges its Arm Cannon. Samus then proceeds to insert her Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat on the Kimewaza Slot Holder.
*CYCLONE, HEAT, LUNA, METAL! MAXIMUM DRIVE!* / *Gashatto! KIMEWAZA*
"I'll show you…", Makoto declared after he pushes his Ghost Driver for his finisher. "…my way of life!"
*Genkai Dai Kaigan! Deep Specter! GIGA OMEGA DRIVE!* / *Yes! Special, understand?*
After Mage scans her Special Wizard Ring on her belt, she prepares a magical fireball from the palm of her left hand.
"Let's rampage!", Samus declared before she is about to press the Kimewaza button.
*DRAGO KNIGHT CRITICAL STRIKE!*
Mage fires the ball of fire from her palms, while Samus follows after by firing a stream of fire from the mouth of the Dragon Fang arm cannon. The Xtreme Suit fires a multicolored beam from the Prism Bicker, and the PED Suit fires its Hyper Beam simultaneously. Deep Specter and Ryugen finally put the final nail on the Hound Bugster's coffin as they perform a double Rider Kick, destroying the Bugster once and for all.
-Post-mortem-
After defeating the Hound Bugster, Mitsuzane and his fellow Space Explorers returned to the hospital, and Keiichi is finally cured from the Game Infection caused by the Hound Bugster.
"Thanks again for saving my ass, Kureshima.", said Keiichi. "I can finally start over."
"No problem, Karasuma-san.", the young Kureshima replied. "Let me know when you're ready for the spotlight."
While Mitsuzane once again talks to his later client, outside of Keiichi's room, Samus and Asuna were talking about something, though not related to the patient's condition.
"Samus, you need to see this.", Asuna opens her phone as she opens a video clip. A said video clip sees two Kamen Rider Genms (one in Zombie Gamer and the other in Action Gamer form) fighting.
"There's two of them?", Samus asked after seeing the video.
"Somebody uploaded this on YouTube, could it be Genm Corporation's CEO has a doppelganger? This video went viral", Asuna said. "Samus, do you have any idea what's going on?"
"I have no idea.", the bounty hunter's response. Unknown to Asuna and the others, the doppelganger is actually on the Space Explorers' side, and only Go is the only one who happens to know about it. I have to make sure Go's plan doesn't backfire. Just to be sure, we'll have to keep a secret involving the Genm doppelganger. Samus thought to herself, since she knows what is Go planning against Kuroto Dan, and so she will not entertain any questions relating to the Genm doppelganger.
See you next mission…
Author's Note #2:
SPOILER ALERT: Anything related about Kuroto Dan's doppelganger is kept secret from Emu and company, since Go is the only one orchestrating the events and Samus makes sure that she and the rest of the party are not involved with it.
Starting this chapter, Micchi now adopts Kiriya's transformation gestures whenever he transforms into Ryugen Melon Energy Arms or Jimber Dragon Arms, this is likely that Mitsuzane has a lot of respect to Kiriya and he wants to pay some tribute to Lazer.