And now we're ready to bring in someone new. After all, Shadow's goals may not necessarily coincide with Black Satan's. Disclaimer: I don't own Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009, or any other referenced media.
*The scene starts with two armored figures driving along a beach, the first modeled after a kabuto riding a modified Suzuki GT380, the modeled after a ladybug an riding a modified Suzuki Hustler TS125. These are our first two new heroes, Kamen Rider Stronger on his Kabutoro, and Kamen Rider Tackle on her Tentoro. Explosions go off as they ride down the beach.*
Kamen Rider Stronger!
*A stylized S appears on the screen as the music picks up and we get our title.*
Cyborg Stronger
Ride as swift as wind! Flying through the skies!
*Stronger encounters Black Satan Soldiers on their own bikes.*
Black Satan will see its end someday
*Stronger and Tackle ride against the Soldiers.*
Protect Japan, the one home that we have known
*The Soldiers circle around the duo as if trying to confuse them.*
Let my raging heart burn with justice now
*The two Riders break free of the formation and begin their attack.*
Behold! My deadly Denshi Shock!
*Stronger causes one of the enemy bikes to crash.*
Your evil life will be stolen from your wicked form!
*Stronger and Tackle confront the Soldiers on foot as they prepare to battle.*
Who am I? Ask, who am I?
*Stronger starts displaying his electrokinetic powers, stealing a gun from a Soldier's hands.*
Kamen Rider Stronger
*Stronger starts displaying his Denshi Shock on the Soldiers, with them glowing red as he strikes them. He also shows this skill in lifting a car that also glows red.*
Joe Shimamura was transformed into Cyborg 009 by the Black Satan organization, but escaped with his fellow 00 Cyborgs thanks to the scientist who made them.
*Stronger and Tackle continue to battle Black Satan Soldiers.*
Learning that the organization that made him was only a small part of the evil Black Satan, he and his girlfriend Francoise Arnoul, 003, remodel themselves as Kamen Riders Stronger and Tackle to fight them in the name of justice.
Chapter 24: Terror Train
On a boat sailing across the ocean, Tobei was enjoying some time off. "Man, traveling by boat is the best. It makes me feel so alive." He noticed a young man in suit talking with a young woman. At first he nearly mistook the man for Titan, but reminded himself that Titan was dead and gone. He smiled as the apparent couple headed off. "I remember when I was young and full of passion. I guess in many ways I still am. Which reminds me... I wonder how all the previous Riders are doing. And what they would think of Joe's progress."
Speaking of Joe, he and Francoise were cruising along the highway on their Rider Machines. "It honestly feels more peaceful Japan without Titan looming over it," Francoise noted. "Sure does," Joe agreed, "But it'll feel even more peaceful when Black Satan is taken out for good. Let's hurry to Toba to meet with Tobei." Francoise giggled at the unintentional wordplay. Meanwhile, Tobei was getting off at the harbor in Matsusaka. Joe spotted a train with some kids on it, waving at the couple. The couple waved back. "If only peaceful times like this could last forever," Francoise said.
However, they were unaware of the danger about to befall the train as it reached a tunnel. A mysterious claw grabbed at the tracks and broke right through them. The driver gasped at the sight of a mechanical crab monster, the Kikkaijin Hasamigani. As the driver pulled the train to a stop, Hasamigani opened the outer shell on his chest and sprayed out a foamy substance. The foam quickly leaked into the train, sending the passengers into a panic. Of course, the foam was actually lethal. However, it was still something to fear, as visions of a cloaked Dokugaran, Bubunga, Kuwagata, and Komori invaded the minds of the passengers, along with creepy skeletons.
Hasamigani walked over to the unconscious passengers. "Gather them up to be slaves for Fortress Island!," he ordered. Black Satan Soldiers started running the train unseen, giving it an eerie feel as the empty train ran along the tracks. This didn't go unnoticed by Joe and Francoise. "Did something happen?," Francoise wondered. "We'd better go take a look," Joe said. They boarded the train and took a look around, but it looked completely empty, save for some personal effects. "No passengers and no driver," Francoise realized, "It's just like the Mary Celeste."
The Mary Celeste was a transatlantic ship famous for the sudden disappearance of its passengers, having mysteriously disappeared during breakfast while the tea was still warm in their cups. "This has Black Satan written all over it," Joe realized. He and Francoise got a particular feeling and whirled around as Hasamigani approached. "Greetings!," he said, "I am Black Satan's Ace Kikkaijin... Hasamigani!" "Which means you're likely responsible for all this," Joe noted. "Those passengers are to become our slaves," Hasamigani declared, "And we'll work them to death at our Fortress Island! But this is of no concern... To dead men!"
He struck out with his scissor claw, but Joe and Francoise dodged and quickly escaped the train. Hasamigani quickly followed them and was joined by several Soldiers. Francoise started making quick work of the Soldiers as Joe dodged around Hasamigani's strikes. The Kikkaijin launched his claw, which Joe dodged, causing it to decapitate a Soldier just behind him. "It's always better to see the consequences on a bad guy...," Francoise muttered. She reached for her Magnoid while Joe activated his Electrer. "Henshin!" "Stronger!" "Tackle!"
Tackle started dispatching more of the Soldiers. "Electro-Wave Toss!" With a burst of magnetic energy, she sent several Soldiers flying. Meanwhile, Stronger was doing a decent job of being a crab cracker, striking Hasamigani several times before leaping into the air. "Electro Punch!" The strike sent the Kikkaijin stumbling back, before he opened his chest plate and launched his foam all over the two Riders. "These bubbles can't be affected by electricity or magnetism," Hasamigani boasted. He smacked around the two Riders as they were paralyzed by the hallucinations, reverting them back to normal.
Meanwhile, Tobei was at the New Mishima Hotel reading a newspaper. "Train passengers mysteriously disappearing... Talk about strange. I wonder if Black Satan is behind it." He got up and folded the paper. "And Joe and Francoise are very late. Where could they be?" He was about to order a coffee when a hotel employee approached him. "Might you be Mister Tobei Tachibana?" "Yes, that's right," Tobei replied. "Someone's waiting for you in the garden," the man said, "A friend of yours, I believe."
Thinking it was Joe and Francoise, Tobei headed out, not seeing the employee follow him. Once Tobei reached the garden he got a strange feeling, then dodged out of the way as he spotted a playing card flying through the air. He quickly recognized the King of Spades, the mark of Shadow. Sure enough, the card grew and revealed Shadow. "It's been a while, Tobei Tachibana. Would you happen to know where Joe Shimamura is?" "Funny you should mention that," Tobei replied, "I was wondering myself. And what with these train incidents, I gotta think you have your hand in this!"
Shadow was genuinely confused. "Train incidents?" He then noticed the employee hiding nearby. "Trump Shot!" His thrown card dug into the man's throat, revealing him to be a Black Satan Soldier in disguise. Shadow approached the Soldier and drew his blade. "On whose orders are you here for?" He placed the blade near the Soldier's ear. "Ha-Ha-Hasamigani...," the Soldier sputtered out. Shadow scoffed. "Worthless peon!" He stabbed the Soldier in the neck, killing him. Tobei quickly took the chance to run.
Shadow quickly returned to Black Satan headquarters. "Great Leader! I thought we agreed that the honor of defeating Stronger would go to me now that Titan was defeated! Don't tell me you resurrected him again!" 'I did not,' Great Leader assured Shadow, 'He used up his last chance. Is there some other issue?' "A Kikkaijin attacked Stronger behind my back," Shadow explained, "I hope you can understand my outrage!" 'Don't think so highly of yourself, Shadow,' Great Leader warned, 'Interfering with the mission of a Black Satan Commander is a grievous offense. Defy me, and you will treated like any other traitor.'
Shadow scoffed. "So you finally show your true colors... I followed your every command up until now out of convenience, but this is where I draw the line. Trump Shot!" He launched one of his cards into the intercom. "I won't allow anyone to interfere with my ultimate destiny. Stronger is mine to defeat." He walked out of the room. 'He is becoming to much of a wild card,' Great Leader noted, 'One I can no longer rely on... Now that we have confirmation that more Riders are being made...'
Outside, Tobei found himself confronted by Soldiers. "Don't think I'll be going down so easily!," he declared. He made to attack the Soldiers, only for one to get blindsided by another man, who Tobei could swear had rockets coming out of his legs. He quickly dispatched the Soldiers. "Who are you?," Tobei asked. "Jet Link," the man replied, "I'm one of the 00 Cyborgs alongside Joe and Francoise. They sent out a distress signal. We can follow it to find him." As they ran off, Shadow came out of hiding, a playing card in hand. "Guess I wasn't needed after all."
Joe and Francoise were chained up in a cell inside a Black Satan hideout, the kids from the train nearby crying. "Don't worry," Joe assured them, "Everything's going to be alright. We'll find a way to save you." "Silence!," Hasamigani called out, "You shouldn't make promises you can't keep! If I'm wrong, go ahead and transform. You should just accept your fate like a man! My scissor-claw will be the guillotine that removes that wretched head from your body!" 'Not just yet,' Great Leader called out, 'Remember your orders.'
Hasamigani bowed. "Of course, Great Leader. Forgive my impertinence." 'You are forgiven,' Great Leader assured him, 'Now listen well. Soon Black Satan's strongest General will arrive to take the place of our fallen Titan. You and your men must complete the Fortress Island as soon as possible.' "A new General?," Hasamigani asked, "Who is he?" 'Your question is out of line!,' Great Leader barked out, causing Hasamigani to flinch and bow. "I thought it was a legitimate question," Francoise pointed out, "Who wouldn't want to know who they're talking orders from?" "What can you expect from the fanatically evil Great Leader?," Joe quipped, "The guy thinks you're out of line if you so much as bless him for sneezing."
'Don't push your luck, Stronger,' Great Leader warned, 'Or Hasamigani might just make your death more painful then just removing your head. Hasamigani, complete your mission and bring honor to Black Satan. Their execution will be left in capable hands.' Hasamigani bowed before turning to the Riders. "That really burst my bubble. I was hoping to kill you with my own claws. Guess I'll just have to settle for watching." He walked out of the cell. "Keep an eye on them," he said to the Soldier outside the door, "Sound the alarms if he does anything suspicious. I'll be going to Fortress Island."
Hasamigani arrived at the construction site as helicopters flew in overhead. "Make sure to execute any lazy scum that can't work anymore!" Inside the cell, one girl was upset. "They're going to kill us too!" "Shut up!," the Soldier said, "Otherwise I'll kill you right now!" "You've already killed your last victim," cam Jet's voice as he struck down the Soldier. He and Tobei came into view. "Joe, Francoise," Tobei said in relief, "Are you alright?" The two of them looked at each other, then the chains binding them to the ceiling. "Oh, we're just hanging around," Joe quipped.
Tobei cleared his throat. "I'll... Get the door open." He managed to hit the right button, and helped the kids escape while Jet got his fellow cyborgs free. "Glad you caught our signal," Joe said, "You finished with those modifications." Jet grinned. "Just waiting on the final package." The Soldier managed to wake up and quickly hit the alarm, getting Hasamigani's attention. "Damn! They're trying to escape!" He rushed back to the cell, but it was already too late. Joe and Francoise's hands were free and they were activating their devices. "Henshin!" "Stronger!" "Tackle!"
"Tobei, Jet," Stronger said, "Get the kids to safety. Me and Tackle will head to Fortress Island." The construction site was already scrambling as the two Riders dispatched several Soldiers. Hasamigani rushed over, enraged. "I should have risked Great Leader's wrath and killed you back in the cell!" "This is why you always lose," Stronger noted, "You never take the opportunity to finish off your opponent." "Now we'll be sure to pay you back for the hospitality," Tackle declared.
Several Soldiers fired off bazookas, but the duo ducked out of the way before leaping down. They quickly started smacking around the Soldier and Hasamigani. The Kikkaijin struck back with his claw, the attacks getting parried by Tackle as Stronger struck him with a few flying kicks. Hasamigani tried to grab Stronger's neck to decapitate him, only for his armor suit to be too tough to cut through easily, giving Stronger time to pry the claw off. "What was that you were saying about promises I can't keep?," Stronger taunted.
He sent Hasamigani flailing down a hill, leaping after him alongside Tackle. Tackle quickly grabbed his claw and broke his arm. She then started spinning as Stronger leapt into the air. "Electro Kick!" "Electro-Wave Spin!" Stronger's attack busted Hasamigani's chest armor, breaking off his supply of foam, whilst Tackle's attacked finished the job of removing his claw. He quickly ran across the quarry, where he ran into Shadow. "General Shadow! Please help me!" Shadow grabbed him by the throat. "Do not speak to me, worm!," he threatened, "You tried to rob me of the honor of defeating Stronger!"
He pulled the Kikkaijin in close. "Who do you think you are, acting above your station!?" He tossed Hasamigani aside. "I don't answer to you!," he said defiantly, "My real General will be here soon! He is the strongest in all of Black Satan!" "Oh?," Shadow asked, intrigued, "And who would that be?" "I don't know," Hasamigani replied, "I wasn't told his name." He then heard something. "Wait! I hear Stronger coming! Please, help me!" Shadow just scoffed. "I'll have nothing to do with your mess. Trump Fade!" He disappeared in a flurry of cards.
"There you are!," Stronger called out, appearing on the hill above Hasamigani. He leapt into the air. "There's no escape for you! Electro Kick!" The attack sent Hasamigani flying, his foam spurting out all over him before he collapsed and exploded. Nearby, Shadow was contemplating. "Who could this new General be...? Well, if Great Leader wants to replace me, then I see no reason to keep following his orders." Meanwhile at Black Satan headquarters, several Soldiers were kneeling as lightning struck and a humanoid figure with a lion's head and a large claw on his right hand appeared. Even as the advent of a new ally for Stronger drew near, their battle with Black Satan became even more dangerous.
To be continued...
We'll see the new General for real next chapter. Though I gotta say, what with how many appearances he has as opposed to Titan and Shadow, I honestly can't truly see him as the strongest in Black Satan. And if he is... Then Black Satan is sure to lose quickly. Read and review.
