Episode 051: Whisper to a Scream
Author's Note #1:
The chapter's title is a reference to the song of the same name by The Icicle Works, albeit it's written as "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)". I first heard this song from Saints Row: The Third.
Okay, the previous chapter is now my fiftieth. And now this chapter will by my 51st milestone for this story. On a funnier note, though Kamen Rider has only recently aired 9 episodes so far, this story already has 50 chapters. By March of 2018, this story is likely expecting to reach 100 chapters. My two installments - the first Metroid KRG has 127 chapters, Vol. 2 has 132, are so far one of my storys to have a hundred lengthy chapters. As far as Volume 3 is concerned, I'm planning to surprass the other two stories I wrote in terms of not just chapters, but as far as plot and character development is concerned, Volume 3 takes not only dark and edgy roots keeping its tie-ins with KR Build, but with more supernatural aspects.
Shingetsu in terms of being the Big Bad of this story, is the epitome of nightmare fuel in this story. Even when he's confronted by both good and bad guys alike, he knows how to make an example out of them with no assistance from his goons. Volume 2, the Armada's lieutenants were affably evil by nature, Sylux is a psychopathic harbinger for destruction. Shingetsu contrasts the other villains in volume 2, while he's still an honorable warrior with a (faux) affably evil personality; he embodies the Darth Vader clone archetype especially if you look at his backstory in the previous chapter. The only traits that Shingetsu embodies similar to Anakin Skywalker are his grief over the loss of a loved one and the term "fallen hero".
And, I thought about Taki using different bladed weapons other than her signature Rekki-Maru and Mekki-Maru. Since her weapon are dual kodachi, how about let her use a different weapon? I came up the idea allowing Taki to use Setsuka's weapon - a blade hidden inside an umbrella. And whenever Taki uses the sword and parasol, she'll also emulate Setsuka's battojutsu fighting style. This idea I came up is a reference to the Ninja Gaiden series where Ryu Hayabusa uses variety of weapons that includes nunchuks, bow and arrow, as well as spear-guns. Here, in addition to Rekki-Maru and Mekki-Maru and Kris Naga, Taki will use the aforementioned Iaito blade hidden in an umbrella, in this case the TTG-00P Ugetsu Kageuchi; the same Ugetsu Kageuchi used by Setsuka from the same video game series where Taki herself originates.
Taki's usage of the Ugetsu Kageuchi not only gives her Setsuka's fighting style. Her usage of the umbrella with the hidden blade also doubles as a jousting lance similar to Baron's Banaspear or Kamen Rider Knight's Sword Vent, and it turns into another Gurren Lagann-styled Giga Drill Break. Also, keeping with the TTGL nods in this story, the Ugetsu Kageuchi when used in its drill mode, it acts like the drill of Kittan's mecha.
"When the safety of the universe is once again threatened, the six Space Explorers are once again summoned into the stage of battle in their never-ending crusade against evil that plagued even in the depths of space. This is also a tale of a man in pursuit of his destiny, beneath his overwhelming pride is a sense of determination and selflessness."
(*Opening: "Darkest Before Dawn" by Daichi Miura*)
[~Itsumo kotae sagashiteita~] (I was always looking for an answer)
[~Nande sou kiku hito mo ita~] ("Why?" some people asked me)
[~Asamoya kemuru michi kakenuketa hibi~] (A path covered with the morning haze I used to run through it all the time)
[~Motto takaku sou negatta~] (Higher I wished to go)
[~Kuyashisa wo fumi katameta~] (Then came the frustration I had to stomp it down)
[~Ohh...oohhh~]
[~Kono sekai ni furisosogu asahi wo dareshi mo ga matteiru~] (Everyone is waiting for the rising sun that cast light over the world)
[~Hitori de mo hitori janai soko ni iru no wa kimi hitori janai~] (Even when you are by yourself you are not alone it's not only you who is there)
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Kono sekai ni furisosogu asahi wo dareshi mo ga matteiru~] (Everyone is waiting for the rising sun that cast light over the world)
[~Hitori de mo hitori janai soko ni iru no wa kimi hitori janai~] (Even when you are by yourself you are not alone it's not only you who is there)
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
[~Ohh...oohhh~ Darkest Before Dawn~]
-Shingetsu meets Sento (continuation)-
Sento is shocked at the sight of the Kamui Tribe warlord, Shingetsu. The latter making his presence known to Touto causes Sento to ask the villain what are his true motives. But, when Sento tries to force Shingetsu by fighting him, he uses the Watch Full Bottle to reverse time back to before Sento transforms into Build. Shocked, it also shows that with the Watch Full Bottle in conjunction with his ability to manipulate time through the will of mind, this makes Shingetsu extremely dangerous. This is why he is feared even by Faust's leaders, Night Rogue and Blood Stalk.
"Then, why are you here?", Sento asked.
"If you want to figure out Night Rogue's true identity, perhaps I can give you a hand.", Shingetsu begins to convince Sento to work together so he can find out the mastermind behind Faust. Sento, however, is skeptical by Shingetsu's offer, as he's fully aware what evil intent he has in mind.
Sento is fully aware of Shingetsu's true intentions, and he will likely refuse his offer. The physicist knows that Shingetsu is after Pandora's Box so he can use it's indescribably power to rule the universe with an iron fist.
"Why should we trust you?", Sento said vehemently to the tyrannical warlord. "You're planning to use me to get to the box!"
"That's too bad. I never expect that you would say that.", Shingetsu makes an affable reply. "But, if you want to defeat Night Rogue so badly because he does have something to do with you in regards with your memories? You must need me, I can stop him dead in his tracks as long as I can control time."
Much like Sento, Ryuuga thought that Shingetsu is likely going to use Sento to get to the box. The former prize fighter is aware of Shingetsu's actions, as he is proven to be eviler compared to Faust.
"Not a chance, you fucking batshit crazy sociopath!", Ryuuga curses at Shingetsu. "Just because you want Night Rogue dead, you're just going to use us as your pawns for your plan!"
The warlord kept his cool, despite Ryuuga's loud and ill-tempered manner.
"That's too bad.", Shingetsu sighed, all while harboring no ill-will to either Sento or Ryuuga. "If you want to find out who Night Rogue really is, you could have said yes."
Shingetsu walked away like it was nothing. Even though Sento and/or Ryuuga are aware of his true motives, he'll still use them as pawns in order to get close to Pandora's Box. He'll convince them otherwise someday at a given chance.
Sento, however, begins to doubt if seeking Shingetsu's help will more likely give him the chance to further his progress in regards with his lost memories and Faust's involvement with his past. But, Shingetsu's intent to expose Night Rogue's true identity, he knows Shingetsu himself is pitting both him and Night Rogue into a trap.
Back in nascita's basement, which also happens to be Sento's laboratory. Ryuuga seems to be not himself lately each time he recalled the time Shingetsu made his presence known in Touto.
"Hey. Are you planning to trust that Shingetsu guy to take out Night Rogue?", said the former martial artist.
"Hell no!", Sento exclaimed. "I told you, he's going to use us a part of his plan to take Pandora's Box. He'll even take this panel of the box, too!"
Sento dials on his Build Phone and contact Goro telling that he runs into Shingetsu.
"It's Izumi speaking.", Goro spoke.
"Izumi-san, it's Sento. I ran into Shingetsu.", the physicist said.
"Say what?!"
"He says that he's going to help us in exposing Night Rogue's true identity."
Goro is fully aware that Shingetsu will go in further heights in achieving his goals even if it means not only using his minions as cannon fodder, but using other important people that will lead him to Pandora's Box, namely Sento himself as he is a researcher in the science institute in Touto. And, it also helps that Shingetsu is not about raw power and brute force, as Goro points out that the warlord has a dangerous mind, he plans thoroughly as if this was a game of chess.
"Even if he wants Night Rogue dead, don't trust him.", Goro continued. "He'll most likely use you to get to that box. In fact, Shingetsu is in every watchlist in every law enforcement agencies in the galaxy. In short, he's an intergalactic war criminal."
"Thanks. I'll be in touch.", Sento replied and ends the call.
-Shingetsu's Intent-
Back in the Space Explorers' HQ in Shouya City…
Both Samus's crew overheard the phone call between Goro and Sento, regarding that Shingetsu's been sniffing around with Faust and the Touto government. This is the first time the Space Explorers finally hear the underground organization known as Faust, who are responsible behind the Smash incidents. Anything related to Faust and the Smash are still too alien for the Space Explorers.
"Seems that's a heinous hunch.", Samus deduced. "Whatever they're doing that involves turning innocent people as experiments is an unforgivable thing."
"The Touto government are keeping quiet in regards with these incidents. Here in Hokuto, they don't want any of those freaks of nature to get here.", said Goro.
Regardless of their thoughts involving Build, Pandora's Box, Faust, and the Touto government, still they bide with their code not to stick their nose on their business. What's important for both Goro's party and the Space Explorers is to deal with the Kamui Tribe.
The computer informs everyone inside of four unidentified signatures descending into the Earth through their spy satellites orbiting the Earth. But, there is no confirmation of any meteorite. As the four unidentified targets started to roam around Shouya City. Goro deduces that it has something to do with the Kamui Tribe.
-Siege-
Moments later, the HQ starts to feel a tremor.
"The Command Center's under attack!", said Mayu.
Makoto and Mitsuzane went into the HQ's lobby when they see an armadillo monster curling itself into a ball and charges into the gate's walls. The armadillo demon is being backed with Tengu grunts.
Samus decides to take on the Kamui Tribe alone. But, not without Taki's assistance. Before the kunoichi can go into battle, Natsu appears out of nowhere and delivers an umbrella to her master. Everyone, except for Goro, Mayu, Samus, and Taki herself laughed. That is until, Natsu draws out a sword hidden in the umbrella's shaft and swings it on Go and Mitsuzane. By the time Natsu sheaths the blade back into the umbrella's shaft, Go and Mitsuzane's shirts are torn to shreds, leaving them shirtless.
"Sophistication in its finest.", Mitsuzane droned. Realizing that he shouldn't have laughed in the first place.
"I'll say.", Go added. "Who would've thought having a blade hidden under an umbrella is a crazy idea?"
"Master, you forgot this.", Natsu hands over the umbrella with the hidden blade to Taki.
"Thanks, my dear student.", Taki receives it, revealing that Taki created this umbrella as a weapon. Not only that this weapon has the hidden blade on its shaft, the umbrella itself can be used as a jousting lance and a drill. Taki forged the blade, while Goro created the umbrella part, and added the drill function.
"That's Ugetsu Kageuchi.", said Goro. "Taki thought about using a sword hidden within an umbrella and she told me to emulate a fighting style she saw from a woman using a similar weapon in her Era. For added bonus, the umbrella can be used as a drill and jousting lance."
Go leans on the fourth wall after hearing so many reference to a certain mecha anime, "Just how many nods to Gurren Lagann here in this story than Fourze since it has more nods to Gurren Lagann?!"
Taki rushed outside of the Command Center's gates, where Samus is immediately starting the battle suited up only with her Varia Suit.
(*cues: "Cursed Image" OST from Soul Calibur III*)
With Samus in her power suit, she puts the Gamer Driver on, inserts Mighty Creator VRX, and opens the driver.
*Gacchan! Level up!*
"Tenchi Souzou no Chikara! (Get Make)", after Samus walks through the projection emitted by her Driver, she jettisoned herself from her Varia Suit, transformed as Huntress Action Gamer Level 2. Followed by the Creator Gamer armor materializing, "Mirai no Gamer!", the VR goggles followed after on Huntress's helmet, and the tailcoats spout below her waist, completing her transformation into Huntress Creator Gamer, "Migh~ty Cre~ator~! V-R-X!"
Huntress makes a soft-three point landing as she deals with the armadillo monster themed after the Kyut, a mythical creature in the Burmese folklore. The creature's name is called Shieldon. The shell on its back is hard as steel; the bounty hunter however, is familiar with the tactic she used when she first fought a creature in SR-388 called Arachnus. Whenever the creature rolls towards Samus, she jumps away from the enemy while curled into a ball.
Meanwhile, Taki immediately goes into her Tengen Toppa Evolution mode, her mask transforms into the familiar star-shaped visor, her hair is dyed blue during in this state, her eyes changes to a blue color as well. Instead of using either Rekki-Maru & Mekki-Maru and the Kris Naga blades, the kunoichi decides to test out the umbrella with the hidden blade called the Ugetsu Kageuchi.
Taki takes out every Tengu grunts with one swing of the sword, and by sheathing the sword back on the umbrella's shaft, all enemies are instantly killed. Leaving the last enemy standing would be the armadillo demon.
"That creature can curl into a ball and will bulldoze anyone in its path.", Samus reminds the kunoichi the potential danger of the enemy.
"Lead the way.", Taki nodded.
Shieldon once again curls itself into a ball and proceeds to charge at Huntress Creator Gamer, to which she jumps over it. Then, it manages to turn around and head straight for Taki, the kunoichi manages to avoid it as well.
The armadillo demon returns to its usual form spitting fire on its enemies, to which they dodged quickly with their reflexes. It returns curling back into its ball-like form and attempt to bulldoze Taki and Samus.
*Gashatto, Kamiwaza!*
Huntress inserts the VRX Gashat into the Gashacon Breaker in Hammer Mode...
*Mighty Critical Finish!*
...and swings the weapon at Shieldon while it's still in its ball-like form like a baseball bat. A critical hit landed instantly, and the armadillo demon is forced back into its bipedal form.
Taki launches the creature in the air with her Ninja Cannon technique, sending it flying. Then, Taki holds the Ugetsu Kageuchi with her right hand and she proceeds to activate its Drill mode. And, according to Goro, she's also planning to emulate the Giga Drill Break of G7 Icarus XYZ's PteraDrill Armor.
The Ugetsu Kageuchi begin to be covered with a metal plating, turning it into a drill. Taki then proceeds to utter the familiar, yet paraphrased incantation that Goro spoke when he first used the Giga Drill Break.
"The power to pierce evil spirits are etched into this weapon, transforming the infinite darkness into light! Unmatched in heaven and Earth! One machine, EQUAL TO THE GODS!"
The Ugetsu Kageuchi in its drill form enlarges itself, followed by Taki shouting, "Hissatsu!", and jumps to land the final blow on the armadillo demon, all while shouting this familiar attack's name, "Giga... DRILL! BRRRREAAAAAKKK!", the weapon itself propels Taki into the air as she lands the killing blow.
Afterwards, Taki lands on the ground safely, and the metal plates on the Ugetsu Kageuchi disappear moments later, and the armadillo demon is reeling with a huge gaping hole from its chest to the back, and an explosion engulfs the creature killing it.
Taki then pulls out an empty Full Bottle and absorbs the essence of the demon, and then administers an exorcism technique to instantly purify it, the result was an Armadillo Full Bottle. The ninja then says, "Demon captured, the deed is done."
The other Space Explorers, namely Makoto, Mitsuzane, and Go, were left utterly speechless after witnessing Taki emulating G7 Icarus PteraDrill Armor's Giga Drill Break by using an umbrella with a blade hidden in it.
"Since when ninjas get to be hot-blooded at the exact level as the Dai-Gurren guys?", once again, Go leaned on the fourth wall.
"Or, in this case a kunoichi, senpai.", Makoto added.
"From the tits, body figure, and the personality. Seems she could turn other men into utter pansies.", Mitsuzane droned.
"Well that's my master to you.", Natsu boasted. "She's already badass since she became a ninja, and giving her the Gurren Lagann-style moveset really takes her skills up to eleven!"
-Confrontation-
Elsewhere in Touto, a car travels to an unknown destination. Inside the car's backseat, we see Gentoku talking to someone on the phone, presumably his father, Taizan. His assistant, Utsumi was on the front passenger seat.
Along the way, an unsuspecting pedestrian crosses the road. The car was running at fast speed, as just it's about to hit the person. The driver suddenly puts his foot on the brake pedal in a fit of a panicking reaction to the point it drew the ire of Gentoku himself. Instead of venting his anger on the driver, the pedestrian stared at both Utsumi and Gentoku.
"You!", Gentoku appears to recognize the face of the man confronting him.
And the pedestrian appeared to be none other than, Shingetsu.
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, Shieldon (Kyut)
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: 73
Full Bottles Count:
- Build:
*Organic: Rabbit, Gorilla, Lion, Harinezumi, Taka, Ninjya
*Inorganic: Tank, Diamond, Soujiki, Drill, Gatling, Comic, Ragna-mail
-G7 Icarus XYZ:
*Organic: Crow, Kamakiri, Kurage, Pteranodon
*Inorganic: Stealth, Bakudan, Scope, Ambulance, Drill, Ragna-mail
-Huntress:
*Inorganic: Ragna-mail
-Ryugen:
*Inorganic: Ragna-mail
-Mach:
*Inorganic: Ragna-mail
-Taki:
*Organic: Spider, Tanuki, Kappa, Armadillo
*Inorganic: Reizoko, Launcher, Robot
-Ryuuga
*Organic: Dragon
-Shingetsu
*Inorganic: Watch
Author's Note #2:
- Similar to the Western Yokai from Ninninger, this is the first time that the story features a Monster-of-the-Chapter being based on a creature outside of Japanese mythology. The Kyut comes from the Burmese mythology.
- The Kyut-themed yokai is called Shieldon, it shares the name of the Pokemon of the same name, a Steel-type Pokemon. The fight against Shieldon is similar to Arachnus in Metroid II:Return of Samus/Samus Returns.
