Reviews:
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Yeah, things are going to be difficult when the Dodo appears.
Ohma flame: Not as such.
Onyx Gabriel: You don't know the half of it.
Drawman98: Yua gave Aruto her business number in the previous chapter, this chapter she gave him her personal number.
Toa Solaric: She gave her work number before, this time it's her persona number. And yeah, Horobi's reaction's gonna be funny.
Makosultima12: That's what we're going for. As for favourite Rider Insert? They're all okay in my opinion.
Spidey Viewer: Thanks very much, we're going for a good arc with these characters.
HackerEX: Just wait, you're gonna hate us soon.
KRNexus: Thanks very much, and yeah. Prepare for the big 'NOOO!'
Here are reviews answered by our own GreyKing46:
Pikatwig: In universe? To get accurate heat readings, heart rate, blood sugare levels and more. Also... Because the other members of ZAIA are pervs and disgusting, showing the type of people Gai hires.
HackerEX: *evil laugh*
Spidey Viewer: I love combined finishers. As some might know
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: It is our way to include the 'adaptation' ability
Makosultima12: *evil laugh*
There are too many to choose from. I'd say Double, OOO, Ex-Aid and Build have my favourite soundtracks for insert songs.
Toa Solaric: She gave him the emergency access AIMS numbers to be precise. This is her personal cell number.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Just a bit.
Dragon Rider 66: It's not based off an anime, but some fan art.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Kamen Rider Zero-One Revised
Chapter 9: A Swift Extinction
Co-Writer GreyKing46
We do not own these characters. All rights belong to Shotaro Ishinomori, Ishimori Productions and Toei Company
It was the following day since Jin had 'joined' Aruto in Hiden Intelligence. Needless to say...it was a difficult transition. Many people, Hiden Intelligence's staff and AIMS say this was a huge risk!
"I cannot believe that foolish boy brought a criminal here!" Mr Fukuzoe hissed, slamming his fist onto his desk.
"Sir." Shesta started to explain "From our security feed this Jin was the one to use the Zetsumariser devices to hack several of our HumaGear's. How-"
"He's WHAT?!" Mr Fukuzoe snapped. "What the hell is that foolish boy doing?"
"Sir, please." Shesta said with a frown "I was not finished."
"I'm sorry, Shesta. Please, continue." He apologised and held his head, composing himself.
"As I was saying, sir." Shesta stated "From our security feed this Jin was the one to use the Zetsumariser devices to hack several of our HumaGear's. However, he is also an unknown. From obvious information, we can confirm he is a HumaGear, but we have no records of his platform or his AI within any databases. Even from the DayBreak files. It is like he is a ghost who appeared out of nowhere. And from the brief examination, President Aruto allowed us to perform, his platform was built without any Modules and lacking in many standard features while also possessing new features which would assist in combat. And as a final note, it appears his platform was designed to accelerate the singularity growth of his AI while keeping maturity levels chained and restricted."
"A 'ghost HumaGear'? Is such a thing possible?" He pondered. "And a restricted AI system? What benefit would there be to halt a HumaGear's growth?"
"I believe that is why President Aruto is treating him this way." Shesta explained "This HumaGear, mentality, is delicate. But he is also a mystery. And when dealing with both, sometimes you need to wear gloves to not smear the clues."
Mr Fukuzoe leaned into his chair and grumbled. So much for a 'foolish boy for a President.
*elsewhere*
"I can't believe this." Fuwa snarled.
"Look, I don't like this any more than you do. But it's President Hiden's choice...as foolish as it seems." Yua frowned.
"The thing is a terrorist! We should be ripping it apart to learn Metsubou Jinrai's plans!" Fuwa snapped.
"I! Know! Fuwa!" She pointed at him, emphasizing her response. "But only and only because he said...he's a 'wounded HumaGear'."
"Even after all the crap he's put us through...Fine. But one slip up from that terrorist, and he's scrapped." Fuwa answered, stomping off and left Yua on her own.
She sighed heavily and looked at her phone.
'Aruto, what're you thinking?' She thought. 'We haven't even found that Zetsumirise Key or Belt.'
That's right, they still haven't found the belt, it was lost somewhere in the rubble; or the Dodo key, she could have sworn her suit's tracking software located where it would have landed.
'What the hell is going on?' She thought as she replayed the memory in her head.
Over with Fuwa, he was stepping through AIM's corridors, still seething in anger about what happened. He needed to be stronger, that Dodo Magia was even self-repairing! Something like that couldn't be allowed to exist!
"Mr Fuwa."
"What?" He snapped at the AIMS agent.
"You have visitors." The agent answered.
"Who'd want to visit me?" Fuwa asked as they walked together to the lobby...and saw some of the students from the school along with teachers. "Oh, hello." He spoke calming down.
"Mr Fuwa, the kids wanted to give you something." The teacher spoke, letting the kids give hand-drawn pictures to him.
"What-? What're these?" He asked as he took them and saw pictures of Vulcan fighting bad guys.
It was just a child's drawing, of course. But he felt it spark in his heart.
"Thank you, Mr Vulcan!" The kids bowed respectfully to him, after giving him so many pictures that they almost spilt out of Fuwa's hands.
"No problem." He grinned. "And...thank you for the pictures."
"Thank you for letting us come, Mr Fuwa." The teacher added.
"Any time, just stay safe out there." Fuwa responded.
"We will." The kids answered.
*Elsewhere*
We return to Hiden Intelligence, Aruto had shown Jin his office and where he worked. Though he didn't show him the Zea Printer, Jin was interested in the Falcon Key still. "Want to hold it?" Aruto offered.
"Can I?" Jin gasped in excitement.
Aruto pulled out the pink Key from his suit and passed it to him, but still held onto it for a moment. "Don't lose it. Okay?" He smiled.
"I promise I won't!" Jin responded, happily taking the Key.
"It's so cool!" He giggled.
"President Aruto," Izu spoke up, walking towards him as Jin sat down on the spare chair and just held the Key.
"I know what you're going to say, Izu. But I trust Jin. I don't think he's bad, he's just never had a positive role model in his life." Aruto responded.
"That was not what I was about to say, President Aruto." she commented.
"Oh. What did you want to say?" He apologised.
"I wished to tell you about a potential troublesome order." Izu explained.
"Oh, right; of course." He nodded. "Please, bring it to me."
Izu, using her holographic projection, showed that a man called 'Seiji Tazawa'. It was an older gentleman with greying hair and a business suit, the HumaGear that he ordered was that of a young woman with short brown bob-cut hair, wearing a white shirt and a black skirt. "Mr Tazawa has ordered this HumaGear to look like this person."
Mr Tazawa's job and family details were listed below, he was a manager for voice actors and actresses; he had a wife and daughter, both of whom had passed away.
"I see and the problem?" Aruto asked, pointing to the profile of the HumaGear.
"Is this, Sir." She answered, bringing up a picture of an identical woman...his daughter.
"Oh no..." Aruto whispered and covered his mouth.
"... Huh?" Jin blinked, looking up from the Falcon Key. "I don't understand."
"There's a law in the HumaGear purchase; Unless given explicit permission from the person, you may not copy a person's likeness for a HumaGear." Izu explained. "Mr Tazawa has technically broken that part of the contract."
"His daughter passed away, so she can't give consent...but at the same time, it could be said he's honouring her legacy." Aruto frowned, knowing that the HumaGear father he had was based on his own father.
"How can he make a HumaGear look like a human?" Jin asked.
"Let me show you." Aruto spoke up. "I was...messing about with this earlier while Izu was explaining it to me." As he brought up the list of purchase ranges for HumaGears.
Jin nodded, moving his chair closer.
"Article Six. Humanoid Robots, HumaGears, must not share a likeness with an existing individual without express consent." Aruto explained, quickly turning to Jin.
"And because Mr Tazawa was unable to get consent from his daughter, he has technically broken the terms of agreement." Izu added.
"There are several different packages someone is available for someone requesting a HumaGear." Aruto continued "After all, appearance does help depending on the job they need assistance with. Children would be creeper out if their teacher looked like an aggressive tough guy, and a kind motherly figure would not work well for a bodyguard."
"I see." Jin nodded "What are these packages?"
"We have got the S-Class Plan." Izu began to inform. "This allows the user to change the appearance, including their face and height. 'Hiden's Choice' is the 'default setting' of the plans, pre-set choices and average designs for a HumaGear."
"And this 'A-Class Plan'?" Jin asked, seeing the screen.
"A sort of 'in between'." Aruto explained.
"In between?" Jin asked.
"Allowing a small level of customisation." Izu explained, "Hairstyle and hair colour, with a pre-selected set of faces."
"Is... This okay?" Jin asked, shocking the two of them.
"What do you mean?" Aruto asked.
"Selling HumaGears," Jin explained. "Choosing how they look. Is that not slavery? Is it not... Bad?"
"It's...not necessarily 'bad', Jin." Aruto answered awkwardly. "But...it's just how things have been for a long time."
"But why?" Jin asked "Aren't you forcing HumaGear's to do these jobs?! Don't they get anything out of it?! You're selling them! Isn't this slavery?"
Aruto frowned as he tried to think, his whole viewpoint itself was being shattered. "They do, Jin! People have jobs, HumaGears have jobs. They get payment, a place to sleep, their own lives to live." Aruto explained "Yes HumaGear are paid a lower wage than humans, but that is because they do not need to eat or drink and they are given free housing with no need of rent. And they have free medical with Hiden Intelligence, helping with any issues that may pop up! On top of that, we keep a close eye on the clients to make sure HumaGear are kept safe and treated fairly!"
Jin was taken back by Aruto's explanation...HumaGears were treated...that fairly? How... How wrong WAS Horobi?! Jin held his head in shock, realising that everything he was told was wrong. "H-how? Why? How can it...No. I can't." He muttered to himself, still holding the Falcon Key.
He was hugging it, like a Teddie bear.
"President Aruto." Izu spoke as she saw him go to Jin and hold his shoulders.
"Jin. It's alright. You're going to be okay." Aruto reassured. "I promise you, buddy."
"Everything I knew...has been a lie," Jin admitted, almost crying.
Aruto sighed, rubbing his back gently. "Is there anything you want?"
Jin shook his head quickly but shortly, he just needed time to process.
"You like the Falcon Key," Izu noted.
"Yeah. I just...I feel happy with it. It's like a connection." Jin explained. "I can't explain it well."
"I think tori-chan likes you to." Aruto laughed.
"Thank you, Aru-Aniki." Jin answered before correcting himself.
"Aniki?" Izu asked.
"It means 'big brother'." Aruto smiled as he translated for Izu and hugged Jin.
"I understand the word, President Aruto." She responded.
"Sorry." He apologised as he broke the hug with Jin.
"I do not understand the sentiment." She explained.
"It means...I see Aruto as my big brother." Jin explained. "A...a family thing."
"Family?"
"Yeah, like you're part of my family, Izu." Aruto smiled.
"I am..."
Ring, ring!
Ring, ring!
"Sorry." Aruto apologised as the phone rang to interrupt their moment together. "Hello?"
"President Hiden, there's been a HumaGear predicament. We need you at Hiroshi Recording Studio." Yua's voice spoke through.
"Yeah, I just heard about it. I was about to head out." Aruto explained, blushing at Yua's voice... And remembering her outfit from the other day.
"Good. Because if this isn't nipped in the bud, it will become a scandal for not only the owner of the HumaGear but also Hiden Intelligence." Yua informed in a very stern tone. "Fuwa is on the way as well. Considering the seriousness of this crime."
"I'll be right over. Please try and ask him to hold off any judgement before the client has a chance to explain." Aruto asked as he shook his head, removing his blush.
"That is the policy. And I already reminded him." She sighed. "But you better hurry. No idea how long they gorilla can control himself."
"I'll see you there." Aruto answered and hung up. "We've got to go now."
"Want me to come?" Jin asked.
"Sure, if you want."
*Time Skip*
We arrive at Hiroshi Recording Studio, where the anime of Perfuman was being recorded and where Mr Tazawa and his HumaGear Seine were detained, if only temporarily.
Outside Fuwa was glaring at the building.
It was like he was a guard-wolf, keeping an eye on its prey from doing anything reckless. But in his eyes, Mr Tazawa had broken the rules.
Soon, a car pulled up, Aruto and Yua had arrived here.
Not that they came together or anything.
"You two took your time." Fuwa spoke as he was there. "Another minute I would've gone in."
"Not surprised." Yaiba scoffed.
"Y-Yeah." Aruto nodded, feeling SUPER awkward around Yaiba.
"So, how're we doing this?" Fuwa glared.
"I'll speak to the guy." Aruto frowned. "It's my job as Hiden's President to investigate and report the issues to you guys."
"Good. Remember, it's your neck if it goes belly up." Fuwa answered.
"...Woof, woof." Aruto responded, walking in...was that a jab at Fuwa or a joke of being a dog? Either way, Fuwa was shaking and scrunching his face.
"You get angry around him too easily." Yua noted.
"Hnn. Sh-shut up." He grunted and sat down outside as she noticed the sound of laughter slipping past his mouth.
'...No, couldn't be.' She shook her head.
Inside Hiroshi Recording Studios, Aruto and Izu walked through and approached the room where Mr Tazawa and his HumaGear 'daughter' was waiting.
"Sir?" Aruto asked, looking at the two.
"Hello, President Hiden, Sir." Seine respectfully got up and bowed.
"President Hiden. I apologise that we have to meet in this circumstance." Mr Tazawa apologised and bowed. The two were what you expected from an older man and a twenty-year-old daughter.
"Then I'll cut to the chase. Please, sit, Sir." Aruto asked. "I know about your daughter and how Seine looks exactly like her."
"No! Please!" He cried. "Don't take her from me!"
"Mr Tazawa, please calm yourself." Aruto asked, trying not to cause a scene. "I've no intention of taking Seine away."
"But you have to explain why you recreated your daughter." Izu asked.
"I am..." Seine began to speak before Mr Tazawa stopped her.
"It...it's fine, Seine." He interrupted. "My daughter, Sumire...she was an aspiring voice actress. I was so proud of her, I wanted to support her. And before her big break...she-she fell ill." He confessed and began to tell the truth. As heartbreaking as it was.
"And you brought her likeness back as Seine." Aruto understood, seeing how much he was suffering.
"Even though you did so with the best of intentions, you broke the terms of the contract." Izu frowned.
"I know it's wrong, but...I wanted to honour her in some way." Mr Tazawa answered. "I wanted her skills to be seen and loved."
Seine looked kindly at Mr Tazawa and had her headset glow blue as it took on the emotions he was showing, seeing how much he put into her. And he had never hurt her.
"Mr Tazawa, I understand. AIMS is outside and I'll do all I can for you to keep Seine. But I can't make any big promises." Aruto responded. "Because what you did..." he gave a deep sigh, running his fingers through his hair.
"I understand, Sir. But...if possible, can you let Seine perform? Just once?" He pleaded.
"Sir?" Izu asked.
"What Mr Tazawa means is, please allow me to perform this recording for the Perfuman Anime." Seine responded politely as she bowed.
Aruto looked at the two, seeing how sorry they were and how much this meant to them...and nodded.
*Elsewhere*
"Jin..." Horobi frowned, as the Assasin droid was being rebuilt behind him. "Where are you?" He muttered to himself, having a twinge of...regret or worry in his voice. It was so... Strange. He didn't remember feeling like this.
He paced around the room, feeling...something else. He didn't know what to call it. He always knew what to do.
He just knew that he HAD to make sure Jin was okay.
And it had nothing to do with the Ark's orders.
He felt his mind whirring, feeling something deep within his core as he wanted Jin back home.
What was it?
"Hnn! Damn it! What is this?" He snarled and punched the wall.
The sounds of beeps sounded in the room, snapping Horobi out of his own mind and turned to the Magia that was recreated. "You've returned." He spoke darkly.
The Assassin Magia woke up and looked at his hands. "I have failed in returning Jin." He spoke less robotically, but still had a 'stern' tone to his voice.
"You're lucky I retrieved the Key before AIMS could get their hands on it." Horobi answered with a snarl.
"I am sorry. I will do better this time." The Assassin Magia answered.
"I'm coming with you this time." Horobi added as he grabbed the black and yellow buckle/device.
"Yes, Sir." The Dodo Magia answered. "We will assassinate."
'...Stupid tic.' He thought to himself as they left.
"How shall we do this?" The Assassin Magia asked.
"Stealthily." He answered with an annoyed tone.
*With Aruto*
"And that's the request." Aruto spoke, having explained everything to both Fuwa and Yaiba.
"Are you insane?" Fuwa snapped as he grabbed Aruto by his shirt.
"Mr/Fuwa!" Izu and Yaiba called out, seeing this; with Yaiba grabbing Fuwa's shoulder.
"If you go this lax on one HumaGear, that's breaking the rules, what's to say the next sob-story won't take advantage?!" Fuwa snarled.
"Keep... An eye on her." Aruto grunted "He's a father... Living with grief."
Fuwa's snarl towards Aruto lessened just a minute degree, his fist shaking as he still had Aruto's collar gripping it...before he jerked his hand away. "Gah! Fine!" He turned around. "But if something happens..." He responded, pulling out the Shooting Wolf key.
"I know the risks, Fuwa." Aruto answered, standing his ground...but he was still scared of Fuwa's rage. He pulled out the Rising Hopper Key, accepting the challenge.
"When is the audition?" Yaiba asked.
"Tomorrow." Aruto answered.
"Very well." She nodded.
"Good." Fuwa snarled "Because when it is over? They are getting crushed."
"That's a violent outlook on HumaGears, Mr Fuwa." Izu remarked.
"I've had a violent experience with them. And in our line of work, it's needed." He answered, going to the van.
SLAM!
Yua sighed heavily at his attitude, though it wasn't entirely unwarranted. "I'm sorry about that. But it's what has to happen."
"I understand." He nodded as he looked away guiltily.
"I'm curious...where's Jin?" Yua asked quietly to make sure she wasn't heard by Fuwa.
"Safe." He responded.
"Good. Because if MetsuBou JinRai gets their hands on him...I don't think anything good will happen." She answered.
"I'm keeping him safe." Aruro frowned.
"You better." She answered, walking to the AIMS van.
Aruto stood for a moment before losing the feeling in his legs, this whole situation had gotten too heavy for him to stand anymore. "What did I get into?" he whispered.
"Taking on a huge responsibility, President Aruto." Izu answered honestly. "Perhaps it would be best to return to Mr Tazawa or Jin at Hiden Intelligence?"
"Yeah, yeah." He nodded calmly, taking a deep breath. "I think we should give Mr Tazawa some time with Seine."
"Of course, Sir." She nodded.
"But I would like to see her voice a Perfuman character." He smiled gently as he realised, he hasn't heard what Jin thought of the series, and now Aruto had the whole collection he could read!
*With Jin*
Jin was still holding onto the Falcon Key, while reading the Perfuman manga that Aruto had given him from before. He was enjoying it. He was flicking through the pages, his eyes rushing from one image to another. "Ooh...! Amazing. This is awesome!" He whispered, reading volume thirteen as he was unintentionally speed reading.
"Yo!" Aruto grinned.
"Aruto! This manga's awesome! I'm on volume thirteen!" Jin looked up and smiled.
"Sweet!" He laughed. "There are nearly one hundred volumes!"
You could almost see the stars in his eyes as Aruto said that. "One hundred?" He was like big child.
"Yeah, it's been going weekly since I was a kid and before that." Aruto grinned. "Near hyaku is yeah cool!"
"Ppbbbt! Hahaha!" Jin laughed as he dropped the manga because of Aruto's joke. "Big bro, you're hilarious!"
"Thank you, thank you." He smiled and felt great. "You're brilliant to... little bro." Aruto grinned and ruffled his hair.
"So, what're you doing now? Did you go sort out the voice actor HumaGear?" He asked innocently.
"Sort of." Aruto flinched.
"Complications have arisen." Izu stated, walking into Aruto's apartment.
"Big Sis Izu, what do you mean?" Jin asked.
"AIMS have made it clear that Mr Tazawa's HumaGear Seine is to be decommissioned for violating the contract." Izu explained.
"They can't do that! ...Can they do that?" Jin snapped and awkwardly asked. "She... She's a living HumaGear! It's not her fault the human did the bad thing!"
"I know, Jin. And I agree." Aruto admitted, sitting him down with him.
"Then... why?"
"It's because of what happened before. Some people had problems with having HumaGears looking like relatives." Aruto admitted.
"But... why does she have to be punished? It's not her fault she was made to look that way."
Aruto rubbed his forehead as he agreed, all of what Jin said he agreed with...but these were the rules. They were there and set by his grandfather and the people who worked with him. "There are... laws you see. And they aren't straightforward."
"Shouldn't they be?" Jin asked. "I mean...not to get 'crazy', but shouldn't laws and rules help everyone?" As he heard that, Izu blinked and seemed to smile a little.
"I admire your optimism, Jin. I do." Aruto nodded.
"So.. why?"
"I don't fully know." Aruto admitted. "And I admit... I didn't really think about those laws too much. Not in this way at least. There was never anything I could do, and it was recently I got into the position of President. A position that makes the laws my business. And when they are shoved in my face... I can see these flaws. But I don't know what to do. I..."
Aruto looked at his bed, which was very neat.
"You may have noticed, but I don't sleep too much." Aruto admitted "Because if I sleep... these worries pop up. As nightmares."
"'Nightmares'?" Jin asked in confusion. "Are those like dreams?"
"Bad dreams...very bad dreams." Aruto frowned. "Makes it... Hard to sleep."
"I...I didn't know." Jin frowned, feeling bad that he asked now.
"It's alright. I don't want anyone to worry." Aruto answered, giving a smile to him and to Izu, trying not to make her worry either.
Izu's headset glowed blue as she heard that and looked at Aruto's smile. 'He is afraid.' She thought in worry.
"Okay...okay." Jin nodded. "I won't worry."
"Thanks, Jin. Well, we've got tomorrow for Seine to show her performance." Aruto tried to bring the emotion up.
"Okay." He nodded.
"President Aruto, we have to get back to Hiden Intelligence." Izu spoke respectfully.
"Yeah."
"So, I'll see you later?" Jin asked.
"Until later. Yeah." Aruto responded.
"...Do you have any more physical copies of Perfuman?" Jin asked, making Aruto chuckle.
"In the shelves." He patted his shoulder.
*Time Skip*
It was tomorrow, Aruto, Izu, AIMS and Jin were there. Jin was hidden away though, but he wanted to see this himself.
He was hidden in the back, listening.
"Thank you, President Hiden. Thank you." Mr Tazawa thanked Aruto from the sidelines.
"Of course." Aruto whispered back.
"Today, we'll see Ms Seine Kanasawa, a voice-type HumaGear give her rendition of the script for her slot in Perfuman's new anime series!" The announcer spoke, getting the crowd excited.
"Wish me luck, father!" Seine smiled.
Mr Tazawa's eyes widened as he heard that from her mouth...he didn't see Seine there before him. He saw Sumire. Tears welled up in his eyes, his daughter was back and alive in his eyes. "Break a leg out there."
"Father?" Jin asked, as he began to look up what was going on... And thinking about the phrases be used. Big brother, big sister. Father.
He looked into the word.
'Father: a man in relation to his child or children.'
'A man who provides care and protection.'
"Care...protection." He whispered as he repeated the definition.
He began to think, think about Horobi. Was he 'caring' or 'protective'? He couldn't quite remember. He remembered how angry Horobi always got at him. The coldness. It was always...with contempt. Talking him down.
...
Didn't Horobi create him though? Shouldn't he be a father?
"Is...he really my father?" He questioned himself, oblivious to the talent Seine was giving. He shook his head, focusing on the performance in front of him.
"Tsurugi, be careful!" Seine called out in her voice, acting her heart out.
"She's really good." Fuwa reluctantly admitted.
"She's giving it her all." Yua whispered and agreed.
"Tsurugi!" Seine proclaimed like she was calling out to a dear friend who had plummeted from a cliff. Which was written out in the script. Suddenly her eyes flashed blue as she blinked, looking around. And suddenly her voice sounded even more... 'pure'? "Papa?" She asked, ignoring the script.
"No way!" Fuwa gasped "It can't be?"
"So quickly? It hasn't even been a week." Yaiba frowned.
"What's going on?" Aruto asked.
"Ms Seine has reached Singularity. She's evolved." Izu responded.
"S-Sumire?" Mr Tazawa asked in shock as he saw this.
"Papa! Don't let them take me away!" She called.
Mr Tazawa rushed out and went to Seine, hugging her, interrupting the audition. "I won't. I won't."
"This escalated." Fuwa frowned, reaching for his ShotRiser.
Yua saw this and grabbed his hand. "Tactfully." She pointed backstage as she forced Fuwa to not aim for it. Trying to go for a more peaceful approach.
"You know the law!" He snapped.
"I know, Fuwa!" She answered angrily. "Let's go backstage." She instructed.
Suddenly laughter filled the hall, as well as the sound of a sword being drawn.
ZETSUMERISE!
"ASSASINATE!" The Dodo Magia as he stood beside Horobi, at the entrance to the performance hall.
People began to scream as they heard that.
"What the-?!" Yua turned.
"I thought we scrapped that Magia!" Fuwa glared.
"Horobi!" Jin panicked as he saw him.
"Horobi?" Aruto blinked.
"I'll get Jin. You deal with them." Horobi ordered the Magia, pointing with his Katana.
"Yes sir!" He nodded.
"That son of a-!" Fuwa grunted.
POWER!
Crack, crack!
SLAM!
AUTHORISE!
KAMEN! RIDER!
KAMEN! RIDER!
"HENSHIN!" Fuwa roared, shooting at the Dodo Magia as Yua got people out of the auditorium.
PUN~CHING~ KONG!
LIGHTNING~! HORNET~!
The two AIMs Warriors rushed at the Dodo.
"Mr Tazawa, Seine, get to safety!" Aruto called out to them, pulling them away.
And sure enough, the wires to make Trilobite Magia emerged.
"Get away!" Aruto tried to bat the wires away but couldn't and the surrounding HumaGear were attacked and being infected...even Seine.
However, at the last second, Mr Tazawa had pulled her to the floor. Seine's dress was cut lightly from the cable, but otherwise she was safe.
"Seine! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He panicked, holding her.
"I'm okay, papa." She answered.
Horobi walked through the screams. He pointed his sword at Aruto and glared. "Return Jin to me. Now." He demanded.
"Jin is allowed his own life!" Aruto glared.
"His life belongs to Ark. As does mine." Horobi responded.
"ASSASINATE!" Dodo yelled, rushing at Aruto and forcing him away.
Horobi smirked, walking onto the stage towards Seine.
"No. Please! Leave us alone!" Mr Tazawa begged, getting between Seine and Horobi as a protective father.
"Move." Horobi said, slapping the man away as he pulled out a Zetsumeriser.
"No! Leave her alone!" Aruto yelled as he, Yaiba and Fuwa were held back by the Dodo Magia.
"Foolish hu-" Horobi was raising his katana in the air, about to strike before someone grabbed his attention.
"Horobi!" Jin proclaimed, halting his attack.
"Jin." Horobi turned to him. "This is where you were."
SLAP!
"GRAAAAAAHHHHHH!" The voice actress HumaGear screamed as the Zetsumariser was slapped in place.
"Seine! No!" Mr Tazawa called out in fear.
"AAA4GH! A4A4A4GH!11! P-P-P4p4!" Seine called out her voice glitching and pushed him away to protect him.
"NOOOOO!" Jin yelled as he rushed up, pushing Horobi aside.
"Jin? What in Ark's name are you doing?" Horobi grunted, his feet dragging in the stage as he was pushed back.
"Get if off! Get it off!" Jin yelled "Fight it, Ms! Fight it! You have family! You have a father! You did nothing wrong! Don't! Don't be bad! Don't!"
Seine tried her best, her hands trying to rip off the Zetsumeriser from her body before the link was fully established as she screamed and cried to take it off. "MetsuBou JinRai C0nn3ct10n 35t4bl15h3d."
"No! No! No!"
"Seine." Mr Tazawa looked in fear, still hopeful she was still in there.
GAERU!
She rose the Magia's Key and was about to slot it. "HUM4N5 5H477 G0 EXT1NCT!" she yelled, slamming her hand into the button on her belt.
ZETSUMERISE!
She screamed as her transformation surrounded her, shattering her outer appearance and formed a large green armoured and wired body. On her legs, thighs and arms were green strap wires connecting silver scrap metal. On her chest was a circular green and silver chest-plate that covered down to her waist. Silver and green shoulder guards, frog leg styled shoulder tassels and a large green frog head with a silver jaw and two red eyes on the top of its head.
"No!" Jin called out in fear.
"Kill the humans." Horobi ordered, grabbing Jin's wrist tightly and brought it over his head.
The Gaeru Magia ribbited and glared at the humans around it and began to lash out with its wiry tongue that slashed out to attack people.
"Damn it all!" Fuwa grunted and shot into the Dodo Magia at close range.
"This isn't good!" Yaiba glared.
"Horobi! Horobi! Why?! Why?!" Jin yelled.
Horobi frowned as he was asked this. "Because. It is Ark's Will. And I follow it, as should you...You've reached Singularity!" He realised in shock.
"You're hurting them Horobi!" Jin yelled, as he grabbed Horobi's shoulder. "YOU are enslaving them! She had a father! A papa! She was happy! She wanted that! You forced her into this! Please, stop!"
Horobi looked into Jin's eyes, as he heard that. His steely gaze looking into his fellow member's face...almost begging him to stop.
SLAP!
Jin's eyes widened in shock and fear as he looked below...and saw a black and yellow Driver attached around his waist. A belt was ejected and spikes erupted from the attachments and speared themselves into Jin's waist as it was attached. Black electricity sparked as the belt was forcing itself into Jin's body and made home in his mind. Jin screamed as he was being taken over...and Horobi just watched.
"JIN!" Aruto called out while his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Jin stood there as his mind was being infected by the corrupting influence of Ark, whatever that was to everyone else. But what Jin saw...was darkness. A thick black ichor, hollow darkness as only the faint outlines of pale blue 0's and 1's...before they sparked and changed. They turned into red katakana. One after another the words infected him, bombarding his mind with thoughts of corruption and hatred. Back in the real world, Jin's eyes turned from their normal colour...to flash red, before returning dark.
"Now. You are free, Jin." Horobi answered calmly. "Use it."
In Jin's hand, he held the Falcon Key...and pressed the button.
WING!
SLAM!
"STOP IT, JIN!" Aruto called out, having broken away from the Dodo Magia, which Fuwa and Yaiba distracted it.
Jin looked in pain as red and pink lightning sparked all over his form. He yelled in agony as he fell to his knees on the stage, gripping a manga tightly in his hand.
"H... Hen... Shi... N..." Jin stuttered out, before pulling the glow trigger on the belt. It sprung open, the 'claw' on top ripping the key open.
There was a shriek, before a shining silver version of the falcon ride model rushed at Aruto.
Aruto ducked down as the Falcon screamed and flew around and enveloped Jin within its wings.
F̶̮̑O̶͚͗R̷͇͆C̶̙̎E̶͓̓ ̸̰͒R̴͍͊Ì̵͇S̸͔͑E̷͎̿!̴͇͂
FLYING FALCON!
"HAAAARGH!" Jin roared as pink electricity coursed through his body and transformed into a pink bodysuit with rivet looking stitching all along his body, thick black strap-wires erupting from his body as it slammed the Falcon's silver metal onto Jin's body and formed jagged diamond-plate body armour on his legs, kneecaps, thighs and waist, his arms and chest and a falcon styled visor with green visor eyes.
̵̖̌B̸͕̈́R̴̪͘Ḙ̴̂Ȁ̶̮K̸̠̍ ̴̤͊D̵̝͛O̸̰͒W̸̰͆N̸̻͝!̴̾͜
"Jin!" Aruto yelled in worry.
In the air, the flaming remains of the manga fluttered, set alight by Jin's transformation.
Jin staggered to his feet... And began to laugh like a maniac.
Aruto looked at his younger brother in fear and worry, hearing Jin's dark laughter. What had happened to him? "MetsuBou JinRai...YAA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"
"Jin has been rebooted." Horobi said proudly.
Aruto looked at the three Magia's he was about to fight...Jin. The Dodo Magia. Seine. He couldn't-There were too many things happening. "I'm sorry." And raised his Shark Key and scanned it
FANG!
AUTHORISE!
"HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"JIIIIIIIIN!"
"Big Bro!"
"You're so funny!"
"But she didn't do anything wrong!"
"This manga is so funny!"
"Big Bro?"
PROGRISE!
Big Bro?
"GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Aruto screamed in grief as he rushed forwards, as his form changed.
"Big Bro?"
CRASH!
Kamen Rider Vulcan and Kamen Rider Valkyrie rolled around the ground outside the stage, down the street a bit more, as they had to deal with two Magia.
"Is it me. Or is that Magia stronger than before?" Fuwa growled angrily.
"It's not just you. I think he has!" Yua responded. "A Magia that evolves? This is bad. Especially without proper evolution of technology and tactics." She frowned.
"You worry about that and the frog, I'll crush the dead bird!" Fuwa stated darkly.
"Understood. Try not to die." She answered.
"You to."
The Dodo Magia looked and glared right at them, this was pathetic. It took three of them to destroy him last time; what chance did they have now? Especially without their third member. "I will assassinate you."
SHINK!
"Hum4n5 w177 b3 d35tr0y3d!" The Gaeru Magia ribbited as it leapt at Yua and lashed out at her with its tongue.
Yua saw the oncoming tongue and dashed out of the way, dust kicking up as she closed the distance, she pulled off her ShotRiser and fired into its body.
Fuwa was focussing on the Dodo Magia. The last time he needed help, he didn't need it this time. This was where he would break the Magia and leave nothing behind.
CLICK!
He pumped the Attache Shotgun and aimed right at the Dodo Magia.
*With Aruto*
Aruto was having a crisis, he was fighting Jin who had the advantage of being in the air while he was stuck on the ground.
He wished he had a ranged weapon.
...
Well, he HAD, but Jin had said weapon now!
"HAHAHAHAHA! Come on Zero-One!" Jin laughed maniacally, shooting down like a rocket.
Aruto jumped to the side, slashing with his arm blades. Jin was hit on the arm, some sparks flew off, but nothing that he didn't or couldn't shrug off. This was just too much fun for the newly crazed HumaGear. And he just kept laughing, like he had no mind left.
"Jin. Please! I don't want to hurt you!" Aruto called out.
"Funny! Because I do!" Jin responded as he just kept laughing, rushing at Aruto.
FIRE!
PROGRISE!
FLA~MING~! TI~GER~!
Quickly changing forms, he unleashed a blazing blast of flames as Jin neared him.
"ARGH! HOT, HOT, HOT!" Jin screamed as he caught the flames full in the face, making the HumaGear dive into the ground. He span around and almost tripped, his boots breaking apart the ground as he steadied himself.
"I'm going to get you back for that!" Jin pointed at him.
"You were coming in too hot for that landing, Jin!" Aruto tried to make him laugh, while getting into position for a fight.
"...That's not funny." Jin frowned.
...
And Aruto felt his heart stop. His joke...fell flat on Jin's ears. He didn't find them funny...He had lost himself to MetsuBou JinRai. He hoped there has been a scrap of the happy child left. Something he could use to pull him back. "MestuBou...JinRai...!" Aruto's voice began to crack as he clenched his fist in frustration and sadness.
"Oh, Zero-One getting angry?" Jin remarked.
"President Aruto." Izu frowned sadly as her eyes glowed. "This... Is bad." She saw how Aruto was at such a disadvantage. His Flying Form was taken from him by his own gifting it to Jin. Izu did the many calculations she could. And ran through the numbers.
Aruto had Rising Hopper, it could easily get to Flying Falcon's height, but its strength was lacklustre. Biting Shark had the strength factor...but its jump and speed were greatly diminished due to it being on land. So lastly and the only Key left was Flaming Tiger, its fire-shooting attack was the only thing that could reach and do damage to Jin.
But pure power and stats alone don't consider Aruto's mental state and emotions. Aruto saw Jin, his little brother, stolen away from him by MetsuBou JinRai. The ones who brought destruction to humans and corruption to HumaGear. Aruto didn't want to hurt Jin, he couldn't. But his emotions also made him wild and desperate. Easy for an AI like Jin to calculate, dodge and counter.
'President Aruto.' Izu thought with a disheartened voice as she looked at him.
"I thought you'd be tougher." Jin remarked.
"Jin, I don't want to hurt you." Aruto called out, reaching to the AttachCalibur on his side.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Vulcan was hard at work.
CLANG!
"Grr!" The Dodo Magia grunted, his swords clashed against Fuwa's armour as he held it back.
"Hnn!" Fuwa pushed back and glared back as the Attache Shotgun was sent flying from his hands like a rocket.
"Weak. Weak on your own." The Dodo Magia commented, taking a strained step forward to dig his swords deeper into his armour.
"Weak? Did you NOT hear my key?!" Fuwa snarled as he grabbed his sword tightly "POWER!" He roared, punching with his might as the sword in his grip shattered.
The Dodo Magia's eyes widened as this happened, seeing his swords broken into pieces by this human's grip. "Impossible!"
THUD!
"GAH!" He coughed out as Fuwa's fist gut-punched him.
"FUWA!" a female voice called form behind him.
"Wha-" he asked, preparing to yell at Yaiba as turned around... And got a suitcase to the face.
CLANG!
"FFFF...!" He hissed as the suitcase clonked him on the noggin.
"Sorry!" She apologised as she continued to fight the Magia.
"Aim better next time!" He snarled, grabbing the case.
"Br34k Hum4n!" The Gaeru Magia leapt up at Yua and attacked her.
Fuwa looked at the new suitcase.
Like the other weapons, it was mainly black with a streak of colour, a deep bronze/orange colour like Valkyrie's base suit.
'An orange stripe? What the hell does this do?' He thought to himself before he opened it up.
ATTACHE LAUNCHER!
"Huh? 'Launcher'?" He asked as it unfolded into a large, elongated gun with a slot by the suitcase's handle.
...
"Oooh~ yea~!" He grinned.
LAUNCHRISE!
"Uh-oh." The Dodo Magia looked at the launcher and then to Fuwa.
Click!
BOOM!
Shooting out of the Attache Launcher was a large bullet, the size of a tennis ball that hit the Dodo Magia in the chest. The blast bit hard, shattering through his current defence and sending him flying.
Fuwa's hands shook as the recoil of the Launcher pushed him back, though he was getting excited that this new weapon could destroy the Magia much easier now. "I like this one!" He smirked as he took aim with the AttacheLauncher once again, seeing the Dodo Magia in his sights.
WHIP!
WHIP!
Yua was dodging the lashes of the Gaeru Magia's tongue, struggling because of how quick it seemed to be catching up with her. But she was faster. 'Why do I always seem to come across Magia with tentacles?' she thought tiredly, spinning around with lightning sparking over her foot, and delivering a lightning charged kick to the tongue.
Spark!
SNAP!
"gWaRgH!" The Magia screamed as its tongue was snapped off and electricity coursed through its body, jerking it about.
"HA!" She called powerfully as the army of robot wasps emerged from her chest armour. The wasps buzzed and struck into the Gaeru Magia's armour, stinging it with thousands of volts of electricity. "Let's put you out of our misery."
THUNDER!
The activation of the Key sparked through her ShotRiser and she removed it from her belt, aiming right at the Gaeru Magia with several hornets shooting from her honeycomb armour and buzzed right at it.
L! I! G! H! T! N! I! N! G! B! L! A! S! T!
"HA!" She proclaimed as she shot out the last bullet to strike the Magia in the centre.
"P-Papa!" Seine's true voice called out as she was destroyed.
KABOOM!
LIGHTNING BLAST!
Down on the ground, Fuwa was laying into the Dodo Magia, keeping that assassin on the backfoot so he couldn't get close. No matter what it could do.
"Say.. how about we try this!" He smirked.
BULLET!
As he activated his Key he inserted it into the vacant slot in the AttacheLauncher.
Progrise Key Confirmed, Ready To Utilize; Werewolf's Ability!
The Dodo Magia stumbled as Fuwa saw the blue energy begin to build up and collect into the nozzle of the Launcher, where Fuwa's eyes were trained right on the assassin.
B! U! L! L! E! T! K! A! B! A! N! D! Y! N! A! M! I! T! E!
"HAAA!" Fuwa shot out the grenade, which was now the form of a large wolf's head; howling and roaring as it rushed and struck the Dodo in the chest.
AWOOOO!
The Dodo Magia crossed its arms to tank it, but being pushed back his armour cracking, as the intense blast and shattering its body.
BULLET! KABAN DYNAMITE!
BOOM!
"ASSASINATE!" The Magia screamed as if faded away.
The Zetsumiriser and Key flung away from Fuwa and Yaiba, lost in the debris as they stood there. "Another one dusted."
"Where's the President?" Yua asked.
...
"And where is the Shotgun?!"
Over with Aruto, he was panting heavily as he was backed into a corner. Jin had him dead to rights.
thud
"Oh? What's this?" Jin asked as he picked the AttachéShotgun from the ground.
"Crap!" Aruto flinched as he closed his sword.
CHARGERISE!
"Close it?" Dark Rider Jin asked as he closed the case.
CHARGERISE!
The dark rider's green eyes flashed before he nodded, removing the key from his belt and inserting it.
Progrise Key Confirmed, Ready To Utilize; Falcon's Ability!
"Ha!" Aruto called as he ripped the weapon open, slamming his key at the same time.
FULL CHARGE!
FLAMING IMPACT!
"Aaaand~ open!" Jin smirked as he did the same.
FULL CHARGE!
Aruto rushed forwards with his sword ready, roaring as flames enveloped the blade.
KABAN SLASH!
Jin jumped high into the air, dodging the attack, as he took aim.
FULL!
FORCE! FALCON!
RUSH!
Launching from the golden barrel of the gun, was a large blast of pink energy.
Jin exclaimed with an excited "HA!" As a large pink eagle shot out of the ShotGun, aimed right at Aruto whose sword couldn't fully counter the oncoming attack and exploded him right in the face.
FLYING KABAN BUSTER!
Aruto screamed as he was blown up, crashing to the ground and rolling out of his transformation, coughing heavily as he was wounded.
"President Aruto!" Izu called out, running to his side.
"I-Izu." He coughed, defeated and worried more for her if she was going to be attacked.
"Jin!" Horobi called. "It is time to return home."
"Alright!" Jin responded, pulling the shotgun over his shoulder and tapping it. "Later, Zero-One." He then jumped high and flew away, grabbing Horobi as he left.
Aruto looked up into the air and frowned, seeing them leave...he lost his Progrise Key and his brother.
*Time skip*
Aruto was back at Hiden Intelligence, patched up and sitting in his chair as he was thinking heavily about what had transpired.
Seine being destroyed. Mr Tazawa losing his daughter again. The loss of the Falcon Key and Jin turning fully to MetsuBou JinRai.
Today...
It had been a loss.
"President Aruto." Izu spoke as she sat next to him while a catering HumaGear brought something for him. "Will you be okay?"
"I don't know Izu." He admitted as he took a drink of water and mulled over his thoughts.
The two sat in silence until something pinged over his phone. It was a notification about an AI disk.
"Huh?" he blinked. "What's this?"
"It seems that Zea has found a way to help Mr Tazawa from your comments." Izu responded.
"Wait, really?" He asked as he and Izu were shown the device on his phone...and smiled. "Some good news."
To be continued
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