Episode 035: Breaking the Habit
Author's Note #1:
The chapter's title comes from the Linkin Park song of the same name. To be honest, each time I write a chapter derived from a Linkin Park back in Volume 2 shows my fondness for the said band's songs. Ever since Chester died back in July, I haven't wrote a chapter title coming from a LP music. Regardless, this is my first chapter title derived from a Linkin Park song here in Volume 3. Anyways, both Chester and Linkin Park by extension will hold a special place in my heart for their amazing songs.
For those wondering why Shingetsu was able to pull out a time-manipulating ability as a means of defeating Night Rogue, it also proves that Shingetsu is much more dangerous than Faust, while the rest of his Youkai continued to act as cannon fodder for the heroes, Shingetsu is a serious enemy to be dealt with much like back in the arcs involving Kuroto and Parado.
(*Opening: "Eden" by Nana Mizuki*)
[~Sore wa, tokete shimaisou na awai futari no sasayaki~] (The whispers between the fleeting couple seem to be dissolving)
[~Terashite, terashite...aoi hana~] (Shine brightly, shine brightly, blue flower)
[~Nagai chinmoku kakikesu you na~] (The drowned out long silence is like following a path)
[~Hikari no tsubu ga kami wo tsutau yo~] (As thin as a hair with just a grain of light)
[~Donna kotoba mo chinpu ni miete~] (Any cliched phrase and the sight of overlapping fingers)
[~Kasanaru yubi ni kotae wo motometa~] (Are the answer to what I wished for)
[~Mou sukoshi soba ni ite~] (Stay with me for a while...)
[~Jikan yo tomatte...~] (...for a time being)
[~Aisuru imi mo shirazu ni~] (Not knowing the meaning of loving,)
[~Aisaretai to negatta~] (I wished and wanted to be loved)
[~Katte na omoi ga sakibashiru~] (My selfish thoughts are impertinent)
[~Yagate otona ni natte~] (Soon after growing up as an adult,)
[~Okashii to warau darou ka~] (I wonder if I'll laugh it off and say "how strange"?)
[~Oshiete oshiete aoi hana~] (Tell me, tell me, blue flower)
-vs. Reaper-
Goro's plan in staging a bank heist by using three members of the Space Explorers as bait to lure the Paragon and Reaper worked. The Bugster behind the deaths managed to reveal itself when Go, Mitsuzane, and Makoto, disguised as bank robbers pull out a fake heist, while Goro and Sento pose as hostages. Once Reaper began to reveal itself, the three transform into their respective Rider forms to fight Reaper.
When the three Space Explorers use their finishers on Reaper, the Bugster would eventually resurrect itself after being killed, similar to Genm Zombie Gamer's resurrective immortality.
"It can revive itself!", Goro begins to see that this Bugster has some kind of resurrective immortality.
Samus arrives on the scene. Ms. Takigawa and Ryuuga looked on the scene. The intrepid reporter pulls out a camera and tripod to record the whole scene.
"So, that's Reaper...", the bounty hunter said.
"It's about time you showed up.", Goro said. "We better do something about this wannabe grim reaper and quick."
"Izumi-san, shall we begin the experiment?", Sento smiled as he pulled out his Full Bottles.
"Let's do this, then!", Goro replied as he already puts on his own Build Driver.
Sento shook his Full Bottles with two hands, while Goro does his with one hand. They immediately slotted their bottles into their Build Drivers.
*Rabbit! Tank! Best Match!* / *Crow! Stealth! Best Match!*
Samus then activates the Mighty Creator VRX Gashat.
*Mighty Creator VRX!*
Sento and Goro begin to crank the lever of their respective Drivers to trigger the transformation. Both of them quickly run into the battle as they immediately transform into Build and G7 Icarus XYZ, respectively.
*Hagane no Moonsault! RabbitTank! YEAH!* / *Tengoku no Black Wings! StealthCrow! YEAH!*
"V-Force Henshin!", Samus chants her transformation chant into Creator Gamer as she inserts the Gashat into her Gamer Driver, and then opens the lever.
*Gacchan! Level up! Tenchi Souzou no Chikara! (Get Make!) Mirai no Gamer! Mighty Cre~ator! V-R-X~!*
After Samus transforms into Huntress Creator Gamer, she presses the button on her Kimewaza Slot Holder, triggering a Stage Select.
*Stage Select!*
Teleporting everyone around the scene to an underground parking area, the Kamen Riders continue their fight against Reaper.
"Time to show off another new Best Match.", said Sento as he pulls out an orange and dark gray Full Bottles.
*Taka! Gatling! Best Match!*
"Best Match, kitaa!", he exclaimed as he prepares to change into a new Best Match form. He twists the lever of his Build Driver to activate his transformation. "Build Up!", the halves of the form then encases Build.
*Are you ready? Tenkuu no Abarenbou! HawkGatling! Yeah!*
[仮面ライダービルド: ホークギャトリングフォーム] (Kamen Rider Build: HawkGatling Form)
"Nice!", G7 Icarus XYZ said in approval. Goro summons the Neo Artemis laser sniper from the Build Driver through its forming tubes.
"The laws of victory is decided!", Build brandishes the gatling gun-like antennae on his left compound eye.
A weapon is then summoned from Build's Buld Driver, called the Hawk Gatlinger, a sub machine gun that is more like a compact gatling gun. Build starts unloading bullets that takes form of hawks at Reaper.
"Holy shit, even his bullets can fly!", Mach exclaimed.
*Gashatto! Kamiwaza!*
Huntress Creator Gamer proceeds to load in the VRX Gashat into her Gashacon Breaker as she brandishes the weapon's blade, turning it into a light blue laser blade...
*Mighty Critical Finish!*
...she proceeds to slash the Reaper Bugster with it, defeating it. However, instead of being destroyed, the Bugster suddenly resurrects itself.
"It's resurrecting itself!", Samus grimaced.
"In that case...", Build proceeds to spin the Hawk Gatlinger ten times...
*10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100! FULL BULLET!*
...everyone around Build, including Reaper are trapped in an energy spherical graph. But, before he can open fire, G7 Icarus XYZ loads the Bakudan Full Bottle into the Neo Artemis's chamber as he takes aim. Goro fires first, aiming at Reaper's head, and the shot landed. But, the shot didn't do a thing at first, that is until Goro cycles the bolt back; Reaper's head begins to inflate and exploded.
Build proceeds to unleash a multitude of hawk bullets on a headless Reaper, destroying the Bugster. Only for Reaper to resurrect again.
"It revived again!", Sento couldn't believe it either.
The shinigami Bugster began to unleash a shockwave that knocks down the Kamen Riders facing it.
"What's with this thing?!", said Mitsuzane.
Shadow Winger arrived on the scene catching up with Goro, then Taki showed up.
"That's the Bugster that caused those deaths?", Taki asked.
"Looks like it. It seems it can resurrect itself.", Goro replied.
Within moments, a hooded figure made its presence known in front of the Kamen Riders. The face of the individual is obscured because of the mask it wears and the hood obscures it even further. The mysterious individual reveals himself to be the Paragon.
"It's useless. Reaper is an immortal being.", said the Paragon.
"You! You're the one who caused the killing of criminals over the several past weeks.", said Goro. "Do you really think justice can be achieved by just killing them?!"
"So, you refuse to comprehend with my desire to create an ideal world?", the Paragon replied. "If that's what you stand for, then I will respect that. But, consider you are interfering with my plans, you will be eliminated."
Goro becomes fed up as he attempts to charge at the Paragon and Reaper. Only for the Paragon himself to use an existent weapon on his sleeve. He raises his hands up and it began to give off a pink glow. The black winged Rider is surrounded by a pink aura as the Paragon lifts him up.
"I...I can't move! I've been stopped by a telekinetic force!", Goro said as he can't control his body due to the Paragon's psychic power.
"If you still don't understand, prepare to suffer.", the Paragon punishes Goro by hurling him around the battlefield, to the point he is forced out of his transformation.
"Goro!", Taki rushes to Goro's aid. When the Paragon attempts to use his telekinetic powers on Taki, but to no avail. It seems Taki has a strong resistance to psychic, mind-control, and other telekinetic abilities.
That said, both parties retreated for now. Despite being able to lure both the Paragon and Reaper Bugster, both of them are proven to be dangerous foes and confronting them unprepared was also Goro's undoing.
-Rethinking Strategies-
Back in the New Command Center...
The CR members meet up with the Space Explorers as Samus explains how Goro's plan managed to work. Not only that plan managed to lure Reaper, it also drew the attention of the true mastermind behind Reaper's killing spree, the Paragon.
"I can't believe Izumi Goro's plan to start a fake bank robbery worked. But, we also managed to encounter the Paragon as well.", said Samus.
"You guys managed to see the Paragon?", Emu asked.
Kuroto emerges from Asuna's Bugvisor II, the Game Master comes to another conclusion how Reaper kills its victims: the said Bugster uses a scythe to infect its victims, as if it sees itself as the Grim Reaper, true to the name.
"Who needs magnificent bastards when that guy manages to pull off these kinds bait-and-kill plans?", Go said. "Seriously as if Lelouch and Aizen were his parents?!"
Even though everyone was caught unprepared the first time they come into the Paragon, Goro's plan was indeed magnificent beyond belief, not only it allowed both parties are given the chance to chase Reaper, they're next objective will be; find out the Paragon's true identity!
"I didn't know Izumi Goro could be that cunning and talented.", said Kuroto. "I say that I have a lot of respect for him."
The rest of the Space Explorers, even after Kuroto starts flaunting his ego, have no problem badmouthing it in his face. With Mitsuzane being the one of the few who does so.
"Yeah, the only exception that he's not some god wannabe pompous clown like you!", said Mitsuzane. And the other three men (Makoto, Alain, and Go) laughed.
Shenanigans aside, it's clear that Goro planned that as he allowed Samus and her crew to hunt down Reaper and the Paragon.
-Magnificent Bastard-
Later that night, in the Izumi mansion...
Goro invites Sento and his party to his humble home for dinner. Despite being caught unprepared earlier after the recent encounter against the Paragon, Goro admits that everything went well according to his plan. Now that the cause behind the criminal deaths turned out to be a Bugster, but the one's ordering it to kill criminals also made its presence known.
Natsu was shocked that Goro manages to encounter the target that the Space Explorers intent to eliminate.
"A shinigami?", said Natsu, considering the Bugster was themed over the mythical death god.
"The Space Explorers called this said Bugster, Reaper.", Goro continued. "And, the Paragon made his presence known. What's worse that he possesses some kind of telekinetic abilities."
Goro recalled that the Paragon has a unique ability other than allowing Reaper to kill criminals. But, the question is, where in the world did the Paragon used such psychic powers?
"Psychic powers... You mean a person who uses his will of mind as his power?", Taki clarified.
"Looks like that.", Sento replied. "But, damn... Izumi-san, I never hear you're such a magnificent bastard. Nobody thought that your plan earlier actually worked!"
"And for a second thought I nearly messed up.", Goro continued. "Turns out it did worked as I expected."
-AWOL-
The next day...
Just another day at the office with Goro. Once he's about to start a new day, Togami returns. Togami has been missing work for about several weeks past. Goro starts questioning his secretary's absence.
"Togami-kun, you've been missing for about two to three weeks.", Goro said.
"Sorry, sir. I had an appointed check up in the Seito University Hospital, I had game illness.", Togami replied.
Goro continued, before he can remind her about the repercussions of absence without leave (AWOL) from work, "I see... Considering how many days you've been absent from work. Please, let me know. You've been AWOL for several weeks; since this is your first offense. I'll be merciful for the time being. And continuous offense regarding that is considered a violation in your contract, and I'm left without a choice but to terminate you."
"Yes, sir.", Togami nodded.
As Togami began her duties, Goro begins to suspect about what she said - her absence may have something to do with a game illness. As of this moment, Goro begins to be suspicious of Togami and as a company boss, he really needs to monitor her actions for that matter.
See you next mission...
Kamui Tribe's demons count:
-Destroyed: Rexspider 1, 2, & 3 (Tsuchigumo), Meowitzer (Nekomata), Snorephant (Baku), Fraillow (Yosuzume), Rexspider Queen 1 (Jorogumo), Raywolf (Raiju), Pallyshoul (Karakasa-obake), Armor Dullahan x5 (Oboroguruma)
-Destroyed by Special Reaction Squad: Two unnamed creatures based on the Bake-Bi, One unnamed creature based on the Abura-Dokkuri, Gorgon Queen (Akamata)
-Captured by Taki: Ripperzel (Kamaitachi), Rexspider Queen 2 (Jorogumo), Croc-a-Chomp (Waniguchi), Glaciess (Yuki-Onna), Rexspider Queen 2 (Jorogumo), Shukaku (Tanuki), Kappa
Kamen Riders featured:
-Space Explorers' side: Huntress (Rider Gashat), Lazer (Rider Gashat; both sides with CR), Specter (Eyecons), Necrom (Eyecons), Mach (Signal Bike), Ryugen (Lockseed), Mage (Wizard Rings)
-CR side (all Rider Gashats): Ex-Aid
-Neutral: G7 Icarus (G7 Armor Keys, Full Bottles), Build (Full Bottles)
Genm's Life Count: 99 (refilled)
Full Bottles Count:
- Build:
*Organic: Rabbit, Gorilla, Lion, Harinezumi, Taka
*Inorganic: Tank, Diamond, Soujiki, Drill, Gatling
-G7 Icarus XYZ:
*Organic: Crow, Kamakiri, Kurage
*Inorganic: Stealth, Bakudan, Scope, Ambulance
-Taki:
*Organic: Spider, Tanuki, Kappa
*Inorganic: Reizoko, Launcher, Drill
-Ryuuga
*Organic: Dragon
-Shingetsu
*Inorganic: Watch
Author's Note #2:
Before I forget, the way Goro uses the Bakudan (Bomb) Full Bottle is similar to Killer Queen, Yoshikage Kira's Stand from Part 4 of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Back when Sento transforms alongside with Goro in Chapter 31, the names of their forms have their kanji characters written after they transform. This is similar to Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann after each of their respective mechas are first introduced, or in Kill La Kill (TTGL's spiritual successor) where the kanji of any of the characters are seen when they make their presence known to the audience.
Goro's planning back in the previous chapter and how did it work here solidified his status as a magnificent bastard.