Chapter 2 - The new sun rises part 2
A low-level Fallen is restrained in a stone cellar. Their knees hover off the ground as their arms are chained to a wall on either side of them. Beneath them is a pile of ash over stone brick and visible scorch marks. Standing before them is a young man, dressed in baggy, informal clothes resembling that of a dancer. Their hair is dark brown with faint purple highlights. In their hand, they hold a strange medical device, resembling a gun with a needle at the end of it. The figure grabs them by the neck and tilts it to the side, "Right, let's try this again now." He says before pushing the needle into the Fallen's neck but not all the way through. Pulling the trigger, they start to inject the Fallen with a foreign substance. All of this happens as they are being watched by a bat, hanging upside down on the ceiling.
At first, nothing is happening, crack for a sudden crack that appears on the Fallen in the same spot they were injected in. The Fallen starts to pulsate, shaking violently as they pull on the chains. More cracks start to form all over the body, a purple light emits from the openings before the Fallen explodes into a purple flame. The shockwave sends the figure back into the air, making them drop the device on landing.
The figure slowly gets back on their feet, looking at the remains of the Fallen, now reduced to ash on the floor. "Damn it!" They scream, slamming the bottom of their fist into the stone floor, "Kane, bring me another lower-level! This one died too!" After what feels like 2 minutes, the door at the top of some stairs to the ground level swings open, a low-level Fallen falls down the stone steps, followed by another figure, clearly human-like the other, only their attire, although still dark in colour, is more casual, as if they were on their way to a nightclub. Their eyes are a hollow green, matching the singular green stripe in their brown hair.
They are visibly angry, "This is the third one, Aaron. You better get this one right, or else I'm taking over." They say, grabbing the Fallen by the back of the neck, and dragging it across the floor. "What? No! You promised me that it was my turn to create a true Fallen." The young male interjects. Kane drops the Fallen onto the floor, before aggressively walking towards the other, sticking their finger in their face, "We said you could do it this time because YOU said that YOU could handle it! If you can't handle the big jobs, maybe leave them to the big boys like me and Jack." Aaron is clearly offended, and tries to stick up for themself, "Oh right? You did such a great job last night. I heard your Fallen lasted at least 5 minutes with Idol or was it just 4?" Kane grabs them by the collar of their hoodie and pulls them closer, "At least I can pull my weight around here unless the little b…"
"That is enough, Kane, Aaron." A softly spoken voice calls out from behind the two boys. They turn to see another man, much older than the two, wearing a stylish, professional suit and tie. Their hair was pitch-black and combed with natural brown eyes. "Best not say anything, you'd never be able to take back," they speak calmly as they hunch down, dusting off the ash on the needle gun from earlier before picking it up. "Jack? When did you..." Kane tries to ask, clearly spooked by his sudden appearance. They open the lid in the back, revealing an idol, but it is too dark to see what animal. They nod their head before closing it, handing the device back to Aaron. "It is true, we did promise Aaron that he can make this Fallen. And you're right, this will be his last attempt." Kane looks at Aaron smugly, the young blood looks to the floor, not saying anything. Jack puts his hand on Aaron's shoulder, "But that is only because every time he tries one for now on, will be perfect. Right, Aaron?" He says softly, looking to the young male reassuringly, as a father would to their son.
Aaron looks back up at Jack's smile, Kane in turn just shrugs his shoulders and walks over to the Fallen, grabbing one of the chain cuffs. Jack stops him, "Oh no, we won't be needing those." Jack turns to Aaron and takes their hand, "Now what you need to do is push the needle all the way through, and only push down on the trigger once, then retract the finger. Count to one, then let go." Kane slaps the cuff down on the floor, and huffs to the other side of the room, leaning themself against the wall.
Aaron puts his hands on the Fallen, wrapping his fingers around their neck as he tilts it. Holding the needle gun steady, he pushes it into the Fallen's flesh, making sure to get the needle all the way in. He takes a deep breath before pushing the trigger. Remembering to count to one, he lets go and pulls the needle out. He looks to Jack, then to the Fallen. Everything seems the same, except for the lack of a crack in the neck. Nothing looks like it is happening before the Fallen starts to scratch at its body. It rises to its feet as talons start to pierce out of its body, then some additional legs, finally the faceless design of the head bursts, and is replaced by a spider-like demon face.
Aaron looks pleased with himself, looking at Jack yet again. He smiles back, nodding, "Well done, boy. Now that you've done it once, you can do it again." He says, putting his hand on their shoulder, "Come, let's go celebrate your first True Fallen birth." Jack leads Aaron towards the stairs, but stops just short of the first step, and looks at Kane. "Kane, be a sport and let our new friend out. I'm sure he's a little hungry and could use a feed. That's a good lad." They continue up the steps, leaving Kane alone with the spider Fallen. Kane's fist shakes as he stares daggers at the two. He spits on the floor before grabbing the Fallen by their talon, "Come on. I'm always the one to look after our pets."
[Itosasaki estate, Jiro's home, and a few hours later]
Jiro stands in front of a mirror as wide as a normal person, but tall enough to reach the ceiling. He is just putting together the finishing touches to his suit. He reaches into a jewellery box on a chestier drawer and pulls out two, sun themed cufflinks. He attaches them to his cuffs before grabbing the blazer jacket off the chair behind him, and puts it on, slipping his arms through the sleeves, and pulling the cuffs through the end. His phone rests on the side next to the jewellery box. It starts to buzz, signalling to receive a text. Jiro picks up his phone as there is a knock at the door, "Come in!" He shouts as he replies to the message.
Akemi enters Jiro's bedroom. She's wearing a backless cocktail dress, with a pair of blue high heels to match the colour of the dress. "Oh good, you're almost ready. The party has just begun now, and people are asking for you," she says, approaching Jiro as he gently places his phone into his pocket. As she passes the drawers, she grabs a black tie from the edge and hands it over to him. "Of course. Another year, another night of mingling with high society," Jiro comments, tying the knot on this tie before closing it under the collar. "Is Mother already downstairs?" He asks, turning back to face Akemi. "Yes, today is a difficult one for her…for us." Akemi adjusts Jiro's tie, "I saw her this morning at your father's picture. She's most likely using the party to keep her mind off it." Jiro nods, "Let's not keep her waiting." Jiro takes his phone out of his pocket, and into a drawer before leaving.
Jiro walks onto a balcony and a pair of stairs into a large hall filled with people dressed to the nines in suits, and dresses. Attention is all on him with a spotlight shining over him. He sees his mother in the crowd, she smiles at him, waving her hand in the air, making sure he notices. He smiles back at her, happy to see her smiling. He turns to the crowd of people and begins to speak, "Good evening. I want to thank you all for coming today and helping to celebrate my 20th birthday by drinking the wine I'm now old enough to drink." His joke gets a decent amount of laughs from the crowd. A member of staff approaches him with a tray, carrying a glass of wine for him, "Oh, speak of the devil." Jiro takes the wine glass, and raises it, "Today, isn't just for me. It's to honour the memory of a good man. Although I have never met him, I know more than anyone, that he was a genuine man. My father, Itosasaki Ichiro." On cue, more glasses are raised in the air by the guests. "Thank you, father. I hope to honour you, as you have done for others." There is an audible noise of agreement from the guests as they all take a drink from their glasses. "Now everyone, please enjoy yourselves as our guests." Jiro finishes his speech before stepping down the balcony into the hall, now on the same level as the guests.
Jiro starts to weave his way through the crowd, occasionally stopping to shake hands and thank his guests as they approach him. Eventually, he reaches a clearing in the flood of people where his mother stands, who greets him with a hug. "You did well up there, son. Your father would be proud," she says, rubbing his back as he heads his head on her shoulder before breaking up the hug. She puts her hand on his cheek, "You're almost the spitting image of your father, except the eyes, you got my beautiful hazy eyes." Jiro smiles and nods, "Thank you. I will do my best to uphold the legacy that father left for me." His mother pats him on the shoulder, "That's my boy. Remember to enjoy your time now, because next year, you'll be taking his place at the company. As for me, I need to get another refill." She holds up her empty wine glass and leaves him in the opening.
Jiro sips on his wine as he looks around the hall, cutting through the crowds of people, some of which barely take notice of him. In the isolation, he stands by a large portrait drawing of his father, Ichiro. He raises his glass, still with a little wine left in it towards the drawing, "Happy birthday to me, father. You'll still be in my heart." As Jiro tips the glass into his mouth, finishing the last drop, he feels tapping on his shoulder. He turns around to see Akemi, "Auntie? What's wrong?" She doesn't answer him right away, instead grabs his wrist and casually leads him through the hall, and down an empty hallway. "Sorry to interrupt your heart to heart, but there's a situation," Akemi tells him softly, trying to keep her voice low. Jiro's mind reboots as he releases what she means, placing the empty glass on a pillar used to display art.
Jiro takes his arm back but continues to follow. "Is there another Fallen attack?" He asks, leaning closer to her ear to ask the question. She doesn't say anything but stops walking after reaching a sculpture of an almost naked man in a toga beside a piece of art imitating a stairwell. Akemi pulls out an ID card from her purse and hovers it in front of the sculpture's face, making eye contact with it. The eyes of the sculpture glow green as the painting sinks into the wall, and lifts itself, revealing a real set of stairs. Jiro looks around to make sure no one sees them as Akemi removes her high heels. They both quickly walk down the stairs as the paint starts to reappear, closing the entrance off.
"There was an alert not too long ago about Fallen signals downtown. My information guy confirmed it shortly before I came and grabbed you," she explains. Jiro continues to follow her down the steps, adjusting his tie until it is easier to remove as well as opening the buttons on his jacket. The pair enter what looks like a modified garage with monitors on the wall, and a table covered in devices and gadgets, including a large cannon looking weapon that is still in pieces. They walk onto a balcony that displays the location of the Fallen attack. Jiro turns around to see something on the bottom level standing on the ramp, covered in a grey sheet. "Hey, what's that?" Akemi looks back, and smiles, "Your birthday present." She walks down a small set of steps to be on the same level. Jiro grabs the railing and leaps over to join her.
"This used to belong to your father. Some work had to be done before you could get it," she says before grabbing the sheet and pulling it off to reveal a motorbike with the Idol logo plastered on the side. Jiro's eyes widen as he gazes upon the bike, "Is this…?" Clear excitement in his voice. "This is the Sunray Striker, named and ridden by the original Kamen Rider Idol." Jiro can't help but stand over it, placing his hands over the exterior, "It's beautiful. Is this the original one he used?" Akemi folds the sheet before placing it on a workbench, "Yes. It had been in storage for a while, gathering dust. That, and the damages it suffered in its last ride led to it needing major repair work," she continues to note, "It took me close to a week to get this ready for today. It should have taken 2 days, but it is difficult ordering parts overseas without drawing suspicion."
Jiro is still in awe of the bike, "I remember hearing stories about it online. Some people tried to guess what it was based on. The best guess was a Pampera, similar to watch the police used." As he wipes his lip, he releases he has somewhere to be. "I gotta get out of here." Jiro prepares himself to leap onto the bike, but is stopped by Akemi, "Aren't you forgetting something?" She hands Jiro the driver belt, "Try not to get dust over the Shinaito driver."
Jiro nods as he takes the driver belt and slaps it onto his waist, attaching to him under his jacket. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out the Lion Idol, attaches it to the Shinaito driver and twists it, locking it into place as the belt makes an audio cue, "Lion!" A musical jingle starts to play as Jiro poses his arms, putting his hand over the trigger on the right side, "Henshin!" What feels like a roaring sun appears behind him as his body gets covered by his rider armour. The sun turns into a transparent lion that leaps onto Jiro, merging with the suit to give him the wrist-mounted claws, and lion motif helmet. The light dies down as he reveals himself in his black and fire colour scheme. Grabbing the handles of the Sunray Striker, he leaps onto the seats and begins revving the engine. He turns to Akemi as she steps back, opening the garage to reveal an opening from the mountain onto the open road, "I'll be back before the cake cutting." Like a bullet, he launches onto the road and begins speeding off in a burning light towards the city.
To be continued!
