AWAKENING CHAPTER PART 5: DRAGON

Shinichi was in the junkyard and looked about in confusion. It was late in the evening. "How did I get here?" He heard a commotion and ran to see what was up. What he saw made his blood run cold.

"Rena!"

It was Rena, but she was angry and she was mercilessly bashing a woman to death with a pipe. She didn't stop, and kept screaming, "DIE! DIE! DIE!"

"Rena, stop!" Shinichi shouted as he ran over to stop her from killing but he passed through her like a ghost. "Huh?" Rena had stopped and looked satisfied at what she'd done. The woman she'd murdered had seen better days.

"What have you done?" Shinichi asked.

FLASH!

Suddenly, it was night time and he could see Rena sneaking up behind a blond man with a cleaver raised above her head. Shinichi shouted, "RENA! STOP!"

CHOP!

Shinichi froze as he once again saw Rena commit murder in cold blood, cleaving the man's head in two. Shinichi felt like he was about to throw up.

FLASH!

Shinichi now found himself in Keiichi's room and this time he was seeing his friend Keiichi bashing both Mion and Rena to death with a baseball bat. Keiichi had a crazed expression on his face.

FLASH!

Shinichi witnessed as Keiichi clawed his own throat open with his nails, dying inside a phone booth.

FLASH!

Shinichi found himself in an underground dungeon. He could see Mion in one of the cells and then he looked to see Shion, disguised as Mion, torturing Satoko to death.

FLASH!

Shinichi watched helplessly as Rika stabbed herself to death with a knife as Shion laughed hysterically.

FLASH!

Shinichi turned his eyes away as he watched Shion fall to her death from the apartment building.

FLASH!

Shinichi paled as he looked down to see the nude and disembowelled body of Rika staring at him with dead eyes as the crows surrounded her.

Shinichi screamed as he suddenly sat up in bed, eyes wide with horrors. Rika had told him of the previous repetitions of this world but he'd just seen them for himself in his nightmares. "No way…no way…" He saw his friends committing horrible acts of murder and violence. He just couldn't believe what he'd seen. "No…way…no way…" He felt so sickened by the images that he wanted to throw up. He was sweating, his heart was racing, and his breathing was erratic. "Calm down…calm down…" he told himself.

He needed to take a walk.

Fortunately, his scream hadn't awakened Rena and her father. He didn't need them worrying about him over something like this. He snuck silently out of the house and took a walk along the dirt path of the village. The cicadas were still singing and it was slightly unnerving. He looked up at the sky to gaze at the stars.

"Why did I have that vision?" Shinichi asked himself as he leaned against a tree before sitting down.

"Trouble sleeping?" Shinichi heard. He was suddenly on high alert but became relieved when he saw Rika and Hanyuu with a flashlight in each hand. "You seem stressed," added Rika.

"I have every reason to," said Shinichi.

"Nightmares again?" asked Rika. Shinichi nodded. "What is it about this time?"

"I…saw what you told me," said Shinichi, "I saw our friends…killing and doing horrible things."

"You saw?" Hanyuu questioned. "All of it?"

"I saw enough," remarked Shinichi. "The blood and violence. I was like a ghost. They couldn't hear or see me so I couldn't do anything but watch." Rika could see the tears in his eyes. "Damn it…how could our friends do such things."

"The syndrome and those dark things," Rika answered.

"Darklings and Darkloids," Shinichi clarified.

"Huh?" both young girls uttered.

"That's what they're called," Shinichi explained. "I just remembered what they are called."

"Darklings and Darkloids…" said Rika.

"Sounds dreadful," said Hanyuu.

"They are," said Shinichi. "Darklings are those black skinned humanoids that walk like zombies. Darkloids are those bigger ones that REALLY look like monsters. Darklings are just foot soldiers for Darkloids, spreading fear, doubt and paranoia."

Rika noted how knowledgeable Shinichi was becoming on the nature of the enemy. This meant that his memories were slowly returning. However, right now, she needed to know how he felt after his most recent vision. "So, now that you've seen for yourself what your friends have done, what will you do?"

"I'm afraid…afraid for them." Shinichi stood up straight with his eyes showing determination, "And that's why I will continue to protect them from their bloody fates."

Rika smiled. If anyone could fight destiny it was Shinichi…Kamen Rider Showa.

When Shinichi returned to the house, he could see Rena waiting for him outside the door. When she saw him she cried out, "Shin-kun!" She was happy when she saw him come back. "I went to your room to check up on you and you weren't there. I was so worried so I was about to look for you! Where did you go?"

Shinichi gazed at the girl's face. She was genuinely worried and she had moisture around the eyes. She'd been worried about him. "I went for a walk," he answered.

"This late? Why? Why?" she asked.

"I had a bad dream," he answered.

"Another one?" He nodded. "How bad was it?"

"It made me ill," he answered. "Very, very ill."

"Oh my! Come inside." She reached for his hand but as soon as her hand grasped his he pulled her into a hug as his arm wrapped around her. She blushed. "Shin-kun!"

"I love you, Rena-chan," he told her.

Rena always loved to hear him say that, even out of the blue, but she felt odd right now. However, she still loved hearing him say how much he loved her. "I love you too, Shin-kun."

This girl, even if he'd seen her kill, was no murderer. That time had been erased. It didn't exist anymore. What did exist was the here and now. "I'll always protect you," he said before he pulled back a bit to gaze at her eyes. "Always, my angel."

They both shared a kiss.

"A new game, huh?" Shinichi asked the next day as he and his friends walked along the sidewalk in the neighbouring town, Okinomiya.

"Yup, the owner said he just got this new game delivered to his shop and wants us to check it out," said Mion.

"Sounds fun," said Rena.

"Wonder what kind of game it'll be," said Satoko. "Nii-nii, got any ideas?"

Satoshi shrugged. "No." After waking up from his two year coma, Satoshi had A LOT of catching up to do at school. Thankfully, he had Shinichi, Mion, Rena, Shion and Keiichi to help him catch up on all the work he missed. Chie-sensei said that he had to do a lot of revision to make up for all the schoolwork he missed.

They arrived at the shop and Shinichi eyed the poster that was on the window. "Magic and Wizards?" Why did that sound familiar? There were kids crowding around the poster too.

"Guess this must be for the new game," said Mion.

"Wow, kawaii!" Rena cooed. "Omochikaeri!"

Shinichi had to admit that the poster was cool. On it was a white dragon battling a sorcerer clad in black robes. He didn't think it was cute but this was Rena so he had to remember that she had an odd sense of cuteness.

The door opened, letting the kids in to see this new Magic and Wizards game.

Kids were staring at some of the cards that were on display and there was also a stack of boxes in the middle of the shop as well as several packets marked as booster packs near the counter. The boxes were Starter Decks for beginning players.

"So, it's a trading card game," said Shinichi as he picked up one of the boxes. He examined it. "Interesting…"

"Say, Ji-san, how do we play?" asked Mion.

"Well, it's easy if I show you," said Yoshirou. "Too bad I don't have an opponent."

Shinichi slapped some money onto the counter, surprising everyone. "I'm game." They all blinked at Shinichi's sudden declaration.

"Sanban-kun, are you sure?" asked Yoshirou.

"Are you scared, Oji-san?" Shinichi grinned cockily. He had chosen his Starter Deck.

"No way!" said Yoshirou. "Let's duel!"

At a table, the kids and customers crowded around to see the match. Shinichi's friends were staring at him oddly.

"Shin-chan, are you sure about this?" asked Shion as Shinichi studied his cards before shuffling his deck.

"Of course," answered Shinichi. "This will be a breeze for me."

"But this game just came out," Keiichi protested. "How can you know how to play?"

"Each box has the basic rule book," answered Shinichi. "I studied it." Shinichi held up the small rulebook included with each Starter Deck.

Rika and Hanyuu were not surprised, though. Shinichi was full of surprises so knowing how to play a newly released game was certainly not a shock.

"Hey, Oji-san, can we make a bet?" asked Shinichi as he set down his deck.

"Sure, Sanban-kun," said Yoshirou.

"If I win I want you to gimme that doll over there," Shinichi said as he pointed to a cute looking doll.

"A doll? For you?" Yoshirou stared.

"It's for my girlfriend," Shinichi answered. "Got a problem with that?"

Rena swooned at being referred to as Shinichi's girlfriend. He was so sweet that he wanted to win her a doll.

"That's an expensive doll, kid. So, what happens if I win?" Yoshirou asked.

Shinichi shrugged, "I'll do whatever you want me to do, but that is if you win." Shinichi drew his hand of five cards from the top of his deck as Yoshirou did the same.

"OK, we both start with 2000 Life Points! First one to reach 0 loses."

"Let's Duel!" both duellists announced.

10 minutes later…

"I win," said Shinichi as Yoshirou froze in shock. His life points had been reduced completely to 0 and yet Shinichi still had most of his.

Final Score:

Shinichi: 1300 LP

Yoshirou: 0 LP

"How…how…?" Yoshirou stammered in disbelief. Shinichi had crushed his whole strategy. He thought that victory was assured when he got his Ace monster out, but Shinichi completely took over the game with a card combo no beginner should be able to think of on his first game. "How could you win?"

Shinichi shrugged. "I don't know. Beginner's luck, maybe?" But Shinichi knew it wasn't luck. It was skill. As soon as he held those cards in his hands he knew how to play them to achieve victory. "Now, how about that doll?"

Yoshirou relented. He knew when he was beaten. He took the doll off the shelf and handed it to Shinichi. "Arigatou," said Shinichi before he stood up and handed the doll to Rena. "Here you go!"

"Oh, Shin-kun!" she gushed as she cuddled the doll. "DAISUKI!"

Shinichi smiled while blushing a little. After seeing the match, the kids began to grab the Starter Decks and lined up to purchase them.

"Hey, Shin-chan?" Mion asked.

"What is it, Mion?" asked Shinichi.

"Have you played this game before?" said Mion.

"No, I haven't," Shinichi answered.

"No way," Keiichi snorted in disbelief. "You were playing like a pro!"

"How did you do it?" asked Mion.

"I don't know guys," said Shinichi. "I just knew."

"Maybe your memories are coming back," said Shion hopefully.

"How interesting," said Satoko, smirking. "Shinichi-san's mystery is getting more mysterious."

"My memories, huh?" said Shinichi as he gazed upon the deck in his hand. He picked up the one at the top and flipped it over. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon."

"Hey, Sanban-kun?" Yoshirou spoke up.

"Yes, sir?" Shinichi responded.

"How would you like a job? I need someone to clean up and maybe arrange inventory and even handle the cash register."

"I'll think about it," said Shinichi.

Within the short time in the village, Shinichi had gained a reputation for being the 'Odd Job Boy' due to his ability to perform several tasks without even any prior knowledge. He used these skills to help the villagers. He never asked for payment. He was happy to help. What he did receive payment for was for his job at the Irie Clinic and delivering newspapers in the morning on a bicycle he'd found at the junkyard, cleaned up and repaired by his own two hands. He and Rena had found it and the girl had gushed over how cute it looked.

The Showa-Racer was not something he would want to ride around the village because it would simply garner too much attention. He would use it only when he needed it. For now it was hidden from sight.

As for hidden skills, Shinichi seemed to have a knack for games even if they just came out in the market. His ability to play Magic and Wizards was proof of that. He didn't know how could play the game, but as soon as he held the cards and skimmed through the rule book he was able to play like a pro.

This was just one of the mysteries that surrounded Shinichi. His past was a mystery even to him. His friends were trying to help him regain his memory but he wasn't sure if he was going to like what he found out about his past if the nightmares were evidence enough.

Rika and Hanyuu still remained the only people who knew he was a Kamen Rider and the destroyer of the Darklings and Darkloids. They were his trusted allies and gave him insight on his visions and what they could mean. Still, what worried him the most were the visions where he saw himself standing among the slain bodies of the Kamen Riders whose forms he could assume as well as the visions of him destroying the village via spontaneous combustion. The visions of his friends' horrific actions also stuck in his mind.

As a Rider he swore to protect them...but what if he couldn't protect them from himself?

At the Angel Mort, the gang were having some snacks as Satoshi asked, "So, Shinichi, how did you do it?"

"Like I said, Satoshi," Shinichi answered, "I just read the rule book and played."

"And yet you beat the store manager," Satoshi stated.

"Shin-chan here has always surprised us since he came into our lives," said Mion.

"He's a lot different now than when he first showed up," Satoko stated as she ate her ice cream.

"He was just so cute!" gushed Rena as she cuddled the doll Shinichi had gotten for her.

Shinichi blushed as he rubbed the back of his head. When he first woke up without a memory of his own he'd been shy and a little confused. It took him awhile to awaken his own unique personality.

Later that night, Shinichi was awakened by a loud boom. He quickly got out of bed to check it out. When he got out of the house he could feel intense heat and smelled smoke. He could also hear the sounds of panicked screamed and his eyes managed to catch sight of flames and smoke rising into the air.

"Shin-kun!" Rena cried as she ran out with her dad behind her. "What's going on?"

"Something bad," said Shinichi and then he heard a roar.

"What is that!" Mr. Ryuugu exclaimed.

"Is that…a dragon?" Rena asked. Not cute at all.

The village was on fire and the cause of it was a dragon that was flying in the air, spewing dark flames upon the hapless houses. People yelled in panic while many tried to help those who were trapped in their burning homes. Some of the older villagers were ranting about Oyashiro-sama's curse and that the god had sent down dragon to punish them.

Shinichi knew better.

"Rena-chan, Mr. Ryuugu, stay here," said Shinichi.

"Shin-kun?" She watched as he ran off. "Shin-kun!"

"Boy, where are you going! It's dangerous!" Mr. Ryuugu shouted.

As Shinichi ran, he summoned forth his belt and called out, "Henshin! Let's Ride: Showa!" In a flash of light and jigsaw puzzle pieces he'd transformed into Kamen Rider Showa.

Showa saw the houses that were on fire and suddenly heard a woman screaming, "My son's still in there!" The Rider acted quickly and ran towards the source of trouble. The people gasped when they saw this man in odd armor running into the house. Showa looked about and then saw a boy trapped in a room due to the fire. He went into the room. The boy, who Showa recognised as one of his classmates, looked up at him in surprise.

"Don't be scared," said Showa. "I've come to help." The boy took hold of Showa's hands before he was carried out of the burning house.

The woman was grateful of Showa but there was still that dragon to take care of. It was black, with sharps claws, with fur legs and wide wings. It had a pair of horns and blood red eyes. It looked similar to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon card Shinichi had but this time it was no game.

"Time to douse these flames," Showa said as he decided to take care of the immediate problem. "Let's Ride: Biorider!" In a flash of light his suit changed into a sleeker suit of blue armor with red eyes and some silver on his shoulders and legs. He then leapt up and his body morphed into water. The water flew at the burning houses, putting out the flames one at a time. When he was finished, Showa reformed before returning to his default form.

The villagers applauded his efforts, some even stating he was a god sent from above to help them. He was no god, but he was their saviour.

"Showa!" Rika called out as she ran towards the armoured warrior. With her was Hanyuu. The villagers whispered, wondering how their Rika-chama knew this armoured saviour.

"Rika," answered Showa. "I need to stop that dragon."

"Can you fly?" Rika asked.

"No, but I know someone who can," said Showa knowingly.

"Do your best, Kamen Rider," said Rika in encouragement.

"Let's Ride: Skyrider!" Showa called out and in a flash of light turned into a Rider whose suit was mainly green with a deep red chestplate, deep red sleeves, and matching black gloves and boots. He also wore a red scarf and had blood red eyes.

"What can this one do?" Rika asked.

"Just watch!" Showa said before he jumped up and flew, "Up, up, and AWAY!"

"He's flying!" said Hanyuu in wonder.

The draconic Darkloid saw Showa coming and roared, firing a stream of dark flames at the flying Rider. Showa dodged the flames. He came close and drew his arm back, "SKY RIDER PUNCH!" he called out as he smashed his fist into the side of the monster's head, causing it to roar out in pain. The monster tried to grab Showa in its mouth but the Rider kept dodging as he flew around the beast, taunting it.

"One more!" Showa announced as he gave the Dragon Darkloid a brutal uppercut in its gut before he started to punch it rapidly in the same spot, "Take that, and that, and that, and that!" The Dragon Darkloid roared in pain before it whipped its tail at Showa. The Rider got hit and then another lash sent him falling to the ground.

"Shinichi!" Rika cried but was relieved to see her friend right himself in mid-air.

"That was close," said Showa, relieved. He saw the Darkloid get ready to launch a massive fireball again, but this time he was ready. "No way, you fire spitting lizard!" He launched himself into the air and then flipped his body around so that his right leg was extended an aimed at the Darkloid as he tucked in his left leg, "SKY…RIDER…KICK!"

The kick smashed into the Dragon Darkloid's head and snapped its neck. The Darkloid stiffened before its body dropped down and faded into the darkness. Showa landed back on the ground, his suit reverting to its default state. "Game Over. That takes care of it."

"Not quite," Rika pointed to the villagers surrounding them.

"I was afraid of this," Showa grimaced. One elderly woman went up to him. "Um…pardon?"

"Are you…a god?" she asked. "A deity?"

"Well…" Showa hesitated. What was he supposed to say? "Boku wa..." His eyes darted about at the villagers who were looking at him in awe. "Ano..." He then said the first thing that popped into his head, "Just a Kamen Rider doing his job."

"Kamen Rider-sama!" the woman suddenly went down on her hands and knees and bowed. This was soon followed by others who were chanting his name as well, "Kamen Rider-sama!"

"Oi, chotto matte!" Showa said in discomfort. He rubbed the back of his head. "This wasn't exactly was I expected."

"Well, what did you expect? You saved the village," said Rika.

"Well, there's no need for anyone to remember this disaster," said Showa as he snapped his fingers. "Return to the Past, Now!"

After resetting time, Shinichi once again found himself standing in front of the shop with his friends. Rika tugged on the back of his shirt and said, "Good job."

Shinichi gave a nod. Once again he'd saved the village and only Rika and Hanyuu would know.