AWAKENING CHAPTER PART 6: MEMORIES

Shinichi and Rena sat in the old minivan in the junkyard together. The minivan was Rena's special secret place where she stored all her precious 'treasures', which were really just random junk she'd found around the junkyard which she deemed as cute and couldn't bring home because of her father. At least in the van they would be safe. Right now, the couple was just sitting together, watching the sunset.

"It'll be the start of summer vacation tomorrow," said Shinichi as he looked out the window with Rena clinging to his side.

"Yeah, and tomorrow we get to hang out with our friends and have fun and not go to school," said Rena.

"Remember, Chie-sensei gave us a lot of homework," Shinichi reminded his girlfriend.

Rena pouted, "Why did you have to ruin Rena's mood."

Shinichi snickered and apologized. "Gomen."

Shinichi had fought numerous Darkloids and Darklings in Hinamizawa and with each victory, victims of the syndrome began to wake up and recover. It just proved that the parasites that caused the syndrome were in fact agents of the Darklings and Darkloids that fed on fear, doubt and paranoia, increasing it within their victims as well. The Darklings and Darkloids were the disease and so Showa was the cure.

Also, Shinichi's visions hadn't disturbed his sleep. His visions only came to him when Darklings and Darkloids attacked, telling him where they were so he could fight them. He blessed this ability, but the headaches he could do without.

"Shin-kun…" Rena gazed up at her with her blue eyes.

"Yes, Rena-chan?"

"Kiss…" She closed her eyes and puckered her lips. Shinichi, without any protests, kissed her deeply. Rena's entire body became warm as she deepened the kiss before the couple broke apart. Rena let out a, "Hau…" at the tingling sensation dancing on her lips.

Shinichi clapped his hands together. "OK! Before we go home let's get that Colonel Sanders doll!"

"OK!" Rena beamed. Finally, she was going to get that doll. "Let's get Kento-kun!"

Shinichi looked at the setting sun, which cast an orange glow in the sky.

The following day, Shinichi went to work as usual. First he delivered the newspapers and after he was done he went to Irie's clinic to do some cleaning. The floor needed to be swept and mopped and the place needed a good vacuuming as well. He also needed to clean the windows to make them shine. As he was working, he saw something on Irie's desk. He knew he shouldn't be reading any of Dr. Irie's private things but then he saw his name on it and his interest peaked.

"It won't hurt to look…" Shinichi told himself. He picked up the stapled sheets of paper and began reading.

His eyes widened when he realized what it was.

It read: Shinichi Sanban suffers from amnesia, but I suspect that he has repressed memories. Thus, I plan to help him to unlock those hidden memories. It may be beneficial in finding his true identity. Shinichi Sanban is just a moniker he uses to identify himself but it is not his real name. His past is a mystery even to him. I am doing this simply as a way to help the young boy. I have read books on repressed memories and amnesia and I found out that it is possible to stimulate those memories into returning from hiding. Shinichi Sanban deserves to know of his past. Who doesn't want their memories restored, may I ask?

Shinichi dropped the papers as his body trembled. He didn't dare read any more. He suddenly jumped when he heard Dr. Irie entering. The man smiled at Shinichi. "Oh, Shinichi. You're early." He took a look at the place. "And it's so clean too. How about I give you your pay right now and…"

Shinichi went frantic. "Sorry, Doc! I gotta go! I need to meet my friends right now! Bye!" He then rushed past the doctor and went out the door. Dr. Irie blinked.

"He's a strange one."

He met with his friends at the usual place, which was the watermill. They noted his expression. He looked ill.

"Shin-kun, what's wrong?" Rena asked.

"Yeah, you look like you've seen a ghost," said Mion.

"Or like when you have a nightmare," added Rena, remembering how terrified he looked after a bad dream.

"Well…" Shinichi couldn't meet their gaze. What could he tell them? They would just make a big deal out of it but then Mion would probably force him to tell her as a punishment game or something. "Actually, I was cleaning up Dr. Irie's clinic when I read something."

He told them what he'd read and they were surprised and then broke into cheers.

"Huh?" Shinichi blinked.

"This is great! Soon we will unravel Shin-chan's mystery!" said Mion.

"I've always wondered about Shin-chan's past," said Shion. "Maybe this time we'll get answers."

Satoshi had learnt from the others that Shinichi had amnesia when Rena found him and then took him in. He was curious about their friend too.

Satoko snickered, "What dirty secrets does Shinichi-san have?"

Rika and Hanyuu were the only ones not cheering. They noticed Shinichi's troubled expression. "What's wrong?" Rika asked, though she knew the answer.

"I don't want my memories back," admitted Shinichi. This statement shocked the others.

"What!" Keiichi gaped.

"You don't?" Mion asked.

"How come?" Satoko asked.

"Well, to be honest I'm afraid of getting my memories back," added Shinichi.

"But isn't it a good thing that Shin-kun will get his memories back?" Rena asked in confusion. "It's supposed to be a good thing, right? Right?"

"But when I do recover them what will happen to me?" He received looks of confusion from the others and he continued, "I'm afraid because if I get my memories back, the me you know now will disappear," said Shinichi. Rena gasped.

"But I don't want Shin-kun to disappear!" she cried as she hugged him.

"I don't have any idea of who I was. When I woke up I just made up the name Shinichi Sanban. I don't know why I chose that name but I know it's not mine. If I get my memories back, Shinichi Sanban will disappear."

"Please, Shin-kun, don't talk like that!"

"It's true, isn't it? I'll change when I get my memories back. I'll even remember my real name. When that happens I won't be Shinichi Sanban anymore. I'll be someone else…and it scares me."

"Why are you scared?" Mion asked.

"Because I might…forget about you and everyone."

Everyone became silent. They had never thought about that. What if his old memories pushed out the memories he had of them and Hinamizawa? All of the fun and good times he had with the Gaming Club would disappear from his mind. He wouldn't be Shinichi anymore.

Mion suddenly slapped Shinichi in the back, causing him to stumble. "Mion! What was that for?"

"Shin-chan, there's no way you'll ever forget us! How can you?" Mion asked. "Let's not worry about whether or not you'll get your memories back right now and have fun! Who's up for a game?"

The depressing mood seemed to have lifted and replaced by a happier one. Even Shinichi found himself smiling but then he felt a sense of uncertainty as well as of looming doom.

For the entire day, the entire Gaming Club had fun playing all sorts of games. They hadn't even gone home for lunch since Rena had made lunch for all of them. As usual, it had been delicious. By the time the day of fun and games was over, it was already getting dark. The gang of friends parted ways and went back to their respective homes. Shinichi was walking home with Rena, his hand holding hers.

'I don't want to forget, I can't forget, and I won't forget,' Shinichi swore in his mind. He'd already had his memories stripped of him before. He wasn't about to let it happen again, especially now since he had found someone to love. "Rena-chan, I love you."

Rena blushed when she heard him say that. It always filled her heart with warmth whenever she heard him utter those three words. "Shin-kun, Rena loves you too…" She leaned against him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close as they headed back home to have dinner.

Later that night, Shinichi went out on one of his late night walks where he would encounter Rika and Hanyuu to talk. He met up with them and conversed with the two girls. The subject was his memories.

"You may have to face them eventually," said Rika. She already carried the memories of hundreds of tragic events which had taken place in Hinamizawa.

"I know," he agreed, "But I'm still afraid of what might happen when I do or what I might find."

"It may not be that bad," said Hanyuu. "Maybe you'll even find out how you got your powers."

"Maybe, or something might go wrong and I end up killing everyone," said Shinichi, recalling a nightmare in which Hinamizawa was on fire and Showa stood in the middle of the burning village.

"You're a protector, not a destroyer," reminded Rika.

"Because I am a Kamen Rider," he finished. She nodded. "You're right, I have to face my past, but I don't know if I'm ready yet."

"Sooner or later, you have to be," said Rika.

"That's right. Destiny isn't always kind but you have to face it nonetheless," Hanyuu encouraged.

Shinichi knew what he had to do.

The next day, Shinichi met with Dr. Irie and confessed that he'd read the document. Dr. Irie wasn't upset about it.

"Sorry, about reading something private, Doc," Shinichi apologized, rubbing the back of his head.

"I'm not upset," said Dr. Irie, "I should've kept it someplace safe and not on my desk where anyone could read it."

"So, is it true? You can help bring back my memories?" asked Shinichi.

"Yes, but its experimental. However, the research is sound."

"Well, when can we begin?" asked Shinichi.

"If possible, today," Dr. Irie said.

'I have to face my past,' thought Shinichi, 'And my memories…' He spoke up, "I'll do it!"

"Shin-kun, Rena and the others will be with you," Rena said, "So you don't have to be afraid, OK?"

Shinichi smiled as Rena held his hand. He was lying on a table with a strange headband with wires connecting it to some sort of machine. All his friends were there too. They wanted to bear witness to their friend regaining his memories.

"This machine here will monitor Sanban-kun's brainwaves," explained Dr. Irie as he pointed to the equipment.

"And this will help him get his memories how exactly?" Keiichi asked dubiously.

"It will simulate the sections of the brain that contain memory," explained Dr. Irie. "Nobody can lose memories. You can only 'misplace' them. Deep inside your mind your memories still reside and this machine will help to reawaken them."

"Let's just hope nothing goes wrong, Doc," said Shinichi.

"But I have to sedate you first," said Dr. Irie as he produced a syringe. This made Shinichi sit up in a panic.

"Hey! Nobody said anything about needles!" he shouted.

"Shin-chan, relax," said Mion as she grabbed his shoulder. Rena's hand was on his other shoulder.

"It won't hurt you," said Rena. "It will just put you to sleep."

"Of course if you want, I can taser you," said Shion, smiling wickedly.

"No tasers!" snapped Shincihi.

"Shion, don't scare him," chided Mion, making Shion giggled.

"Sometimes I worry about you," Satoshi said to the girl he loved.

"Just relax, Shin-kun. I'll make sure Shii-chan doesn't do anything funny," said Rena.

Shinichi calmed down at her words. "OK. Do what you gotta do then, Doc," he said.

Dr. Irie nodded and gave Shinichi the injection. Slowly, Shinichi began to drift to sleep before eventually slipping into unconsciousness. Dr. Irie then started the machine.

They stood around him, all eyes on him. He heard voices. They attacked and he defended himself. They were brutal so he to be just as brutal. He couldn't let them win. He had to be the one to win. He let out a roar and killed them all and watched as they fell from his attacks.

Then there was a loud boom and then a loud bang. He smelled smoke and felt the heat. He saw flames. He escaped. Some people tried to stop him! He didn't know who they were but he didn't like them. He fought them. He heard screaming. He didn't like the screaming. He continued to run and run far away. He saw a bright light. The light was pretty. He went to the light and…

When Shinichi regained consciousness he noted the pounding headache in his head before he realized that he was bound tightly to the bed with leather straps. Also, he had on a straight jacket. He looked around to see the concerned faced of his friends. He also saw that Keiichi had a rather nasty bruise around his neck. Even Dr. Irie was there and showing concern and fear.

Shinichi let out a sigh. They all looked scared and that was starting to scare him. So, he decided to ask, "OK, I know that I may regret asking this, that I may not want to hear the answer and might be better off not knowing, but what happened?"

"Well, to put it bluntly…" began Dr. Irie.

"You had a freak out," finished Mion not too subtly. "You tried to strangle Keiichi. We had to knock you out. Thank goodness Shion had her taser."

Shinichi eyes went wide for a second when he heard that. He mumbled, regretfully, "I was right. I was better off not knowing." He apologized, "Sorry, Keiichi."

"Apology accepted," said Keiichi. He had a bruise around his neck "But still you had a really tight grip."

"I nearly killed you," Shinichi reminded. "And you can still make jokes about my grip?"

"I should be the one to apologize," said Dr. Irie in regret. "I shouldn't have forced you to regain your memories."

"I forgive you," said Shinichi. "You had the best intentions."

"So, we can let Shin-kun go?" asked Rena hopefully. She wanted to take him home and comfort him.

"I'm afraid I can't let him leave," said Dr. Irie.

"What? Why?" the girl questioned in shock and confusion.

"What do you mean, Dr. Irie?" asked Shion.

"I'll need Sanban-kun to stay here overnight for observation and tests," said Dr. Irie. "Don't worry. He'll be out by tomorrow."

"But-" Rena was about to protest but Shinichi interrupted.

"Do what you gotta do," he said to Dr. Irie. "We have to make sure I don't end up hurting my friends."

The others left the clinic, trusting Dr. Irie to take care of Shinichi. However, Rena was the most stubborn. She didn't want to leave Shinichi. She wanted to stay. Dr. Irie tried to convince her to leave and go home but then he backed away when he saw her glare. He then decided to just call Rena's father and tell her that his daughter was spending the night in his clinic to look after Shinichi. Mr. Ryuugu did not object. He knew how much Rena treasured Shinichi. With that, Dr. Irie decided to stay in the clinic as well to look after his patient and the girl who was staying with said patient.

Rena had fallen asleep in her chair and was bent over with her head resting against the bed Shinichi was still bound too, using her arms as pillows. She kept mumbling Shinichi's name, which made the bound boy smile. He looked to her, wishing to stroke her hair, but was afraid that he would hurt her like he had Keiichi.

He began to question his origins further. He remembered the facility but he didn't know where he was. He did recall seeing a huge emblem which resembled a bird and with a G in the centre. What did it mean?

He still didn't know where his powers came from but he knew that emblem had all the answers. Still, diving into his memories was dangerous as proven by his assault on Keiichi. They had only been trying to help and he'd turned on them.

What if…what if that was the real him? What if the real him was really a monster and a killer? What if he ended up killing his friends? What if he got infected by the syndrome like they had? There was no proof that he was immune. What if he suddenly snapped and killed them all?

He could not let that happen. He had to leave. He had to leave so that they would be safe. He looked down to his bindings and then he gazed at Rena's sleeping face. She looked so peaceful and she was smiling too. She was having a nice dream and Shinichi wondered what it was about. He gazed at her for a few more seconds, wanting to save that image into his memory. He wanted to remember her this way before he left.

"Sayonara, Rena-chan." He then uttered the word that would lead to his escape, "Henshin." In a flash of light he'd transformed and with his enhanced strength he broke the leather straps. Miraculously, he hadn't woken Rena up. As he slid off the bed, he picked her up from the chair and laid her on the bed with her head on the pillow. She still slept peacefully, unaware of what he was planning. "I'm sorry, Rena-chan." He went to the door and exited the room before he headed upstairs. He looked to see Dr. Irie asleep in his chair and then continued towards the door. He unlocked the door with the key Dr. Irie had given him before walking out. He banished his armor. He would draw less attention if he was in human form than as a man in armor. He dropped the straight jacket at his feet.

"Sayonara, minna-san. Sayonara, Hinamizawa…" He then took off.

Dark figures watched him leave and decided to follow.

"Get away!" Shinichi shouted as he swiped a branch at the Darklings. The Darklings didn't have fear in them so they weren't deterred by Shinichi's actions. He'd been fleeing from them through the forest since he sensed the Darklings following him. They had tried to ambush him and he'd tried to fight back with not very good results. "I knew should've taken the bike!"

Shinichi was sure that the Darklings were drawn to him, so he decided that if he was going to leave the village, he would take them along with him before finishing them off elsewhere. However, they attacked him before he could transform and if he tried they would quickly strike at him, stopping him from activating his belt.

Suddenly, two figures jumped in between Shinichi and the Darklings before a pair of baseball bats smashed against their heads. The Darklings were thrown backwards by the hits and Shinichi dared to look to see who'd helped him.

"You okay, Shinichi?" he heard.

"Keiichi?" Shinichi asked. He was helped up to his feet by Satoshi. "Satoshi? What are you both doing out here?"

"Why else? We came to help," answered Satoshi as he hefted his baseball bat onto his shoulder. Shinichi could see that both boys were holding baseball bats.

"How did you…?" Shinichi asked.

"Rena woke up and found you missing, so she called us," said Keiichi.

"But how did you know where I was?" asked Shinichi.

"Well this is the only way you can sneak out of the village without being noticed," said Keiichi.

"You shouldn't have come," said Shinichi. "It's dangerous. You shouldn't try and protect me."

Suddenly, more Darklings came but then Shinichi saw Mion and Shion attacking. Mion displayed her skills in the martial arts by smashing her fists and feet against the Darklings while Shion was using her taser to stun them with electrical shocks. At the same time, he could see Rena slashing at the Darklings with her cleaver.

"Shion? Mion? Rena-chan?" Shinichi questioned in confusion.

"Shin-kun!" Rena cried out as she glomped her boyfried.

"What are you all doing here!" Shinichi cried out.

"Isn't it obvious by now, Shin-chan?" asked Mion.

"You're our friend, Shin-chan," said Shion.

"That's why we want to protect you," said Rena. "And we don't want you to leave."

"You're all idiots," said Shinichi. "Why put yourself into danger because of me? I have no past, I have no future, and my existence will just cause nothing but pain."

"Don't say that!" Rena cried.

"It's true, isn't it? I may not know who I was, but I know that it's something horrible. I attacked Keiichi and it made me crave for more destruction," said Shinichi as he placed a palm on his chest. "These creatures are all drawn to me. That's why they're still here and still coming. I'm the reason those things are here."

"You know that isn't true," said Rika as she walked over with Satoko and Hanyuu. "You're no destroyer, Shinichi. You're a protector."

Shinichi snorted, "A protector? I doubt that. I've watched all of you die several times over. The only reason you're all alive is because of my ability to reset time. But, you all still die, one way or another. I'm no protector. What I am is something that shouldn't exist."

"Yet you do exist, and trying to find a reason for your existence," added Rika. "Look around you, Shinichi. The reason you exist is for us. You were chosen to hold that power for the reason of protecting others. I've seen it for myself. If it weren't for you, Satoshi would still be asleep and suffering from the syndrome."

Everyone seemed confused by the conversation. Just what was Shinichi's connection to these strange creatures? What did he mean that he'd seen them die? Also, what power was Rika talking about?

Shinichi remained silent but then felt Rena's arms around him again. "And…I don't want Shin-kun to leave me."

Shinichi looked to the faces of his friends. If they knew what he was indeed capable of, they would no doubt abandon him. At last, that's what he'd thought. But, they were trying to protect him now from his own foolishness. Had he indeed lost faith in his friends that he wanted to escape from them?

"But…the nightmares…" Shinichi began.

"Merely images concocted from your mind. Whether these visions come true or not depend solely on you and from what I've seen you would never do such things," said Hanyuu.

Shinichi began to cry and cling onto Rena. "I…I don't want to leave."

"Then don't," said Rena softly.

"But…I don't want anyone to suffer anymore…" he said.

"OK, what are you talking about?" questioned Mion. She hated being out of the loop, especially if one of her friends and club members were involved. She pointed at Shinichi, Hanyuu and Rika, "You three know something we don't."

"Well…" Hanyuu twiddled her fingers. "Actually…"

His ears picked up movements. "They are coming." He gently pushed Rena off him and got back to his feet.

"OK, let's do this!" said Keiichi confidently.

"Get ready, everyone!" Mion yelled.

"No, this is my fight," said Shinichi. His belt materialized. Rena and the others could only stare in surprise. His eyes narrowed in determination. "This is my thanks to you all." He got ready as the belt released energy, merely waiting for the command. He saw the Darklings marching towards them. "Henshin! Let's Ride: Showa!"

In a flash of light the jigsaw puzzle pieces connected with his body and formed into his armor. The eyes flashed green as Showa called out, "Kamen Rider Showa…On Stage!" He snapped his fingers and went into a combat pose.

His friends' jaws dropped but Rena squealed as she saw how awesome Showa looked. Rika and Hanyuu smiled knowingly.

While the others had seen the suit many times before the resets, they were still amazed by their friend's transformation. "A forest setting? Then a costume change is required. Let's Ride: Amazon!" In a flash of light Kamen Rider Showa was replaced by Kamen Rider Amazon. He popped his neck from side to side before shouting out, "Massacre time!" He launched himself into the trees before jumping from branch to branch until he reached the Darklings. He then dropped down on them with claws brandishes, ready to tear them to pieces, "RARGH!"

He performed an axe kick that smashed a Darkling's head into the ground. He then whirled around and lashed out with his claws and forearm spikes. The claws and spikes cut into the Darklings mercilessly as Showa went berserk as Amazon. In the forest, Amazon was the ideal Rider for such a setting. Amazon was a beast, plain and simple.

He saw the Darklings rising back up and said, "So, up for more?" He shifted back to his default form. "Let's see you handle my hissatsu waza!"

"Hissatsu…" Shion began.

"Waza?" Mion finished.

Showa launched himself into the air before coming back down with his legs extended, feet aimed at the Darklings, "RIDER KICK! He collided with them and the creatures shrieked as they erupted into flames from the attack.

"Game Over!" said Showa as he stood in a circle of flames. He looked to his friends and then gave a V for Victory sign to them.

A man, wearing a white lab coat over his clothes and a grey fedora entered the village. He had short blonde hair and wore sunglasses. "So, this is where No. 13 has been hiding. It's very peaceful."

The man's name was Dr. Gebok and he was a scientist of the worst kind. His reason for coming to Hinamizawa was to track down No. 13, his greatest creation.

No.13 was one of GIN-SHOCKER's greatest creations. By analyzing the combat data of the Showa Kamen Riders and then uploading them into N0.13's brain they were able to create the perfect soldier. Of course, the previous test subjects had gone insane due to the data upload but No.13 managed to retain his sanity after all that information was crammed into his brain. Then, No.13 was put through the harshest training imaginable, both mental and physical, in order for him to become the perfect soldier.

Dr. Gebok was the head of the project, codenamed BLACK 13. To create a warrior able to match the Kamen Riders in battle was the goal. Once the project was completed, No.13 would be sent to destroy the Riders once and for all.

However, during a simulation, No.13 suddenly went berserk and destroyed the facility, killing everyone inside. Dr. Gebok managed to survive, but barely, and swore to find his precious No.13 again.

No.13 had vanished without a trace after the destruction of the facility.

Dr. Gebok snickered and said, "No. 13, daddy's coming to get you…"

Kamen Rider Chrome: Now his friends know he is a Kamen Rider. Is he going to use a Return to the Past to erase their memories? Who is Dr. Gebok? Who is No. 13?

BTW, GIN-SHOCKER is pronounced as "JIN SHOKKA"

Here's an OC Bio for you!

Shinichi Sanban is a mysterious youth who woke up in Hinamizawa without any memories of his past. It is likely that Shinichi Sanban isn't even his real name. He currently lives with Rena Ryuugu and her father who took pity on him and decided to take him into their home to take care of him. He made himself at home at the village, making friends with the Gaming Club and even doing odd jobs around the village. Dr. Irie pays him to keep the clinic clean and early in the morning Shinichi delivers newspapers. His girlfriend is Rena Ryuugu and he loves her dearly. His closest friends are Mion Sonozaki, Shion Sonozaki, Keiichi Maebara, Satoshi Hojo, Satoko Hojo, Rika Furude and Hanyuu Furude.

Shinichi Sanban possesses the ability to transform into Kamen Rider Showa. As Showa, he fights the Darklings and Darkloids who are demonic dark beings that feed on and spread fear, doubt and paranoia.

Showa possesses several unique abilities. He can assume the form of other Kamen Riders and can perform their attacks and use their abilities and weapons. He also has the power to reset time, up to 24 hours. This erases any damage and even save lives. This also helps keep his identity a secret as memories within those 24 hours are also erased as time is reset. Rika and Hanyuu are immune to the resets and the only ones aware of his secret. Shinichi has no idea where he got his powers but he seems to have extensive knowledge of his abilities. He also has a motorbike called the Showa-Racer.

Personality: Initially, Shinichi was shy and introverted, only associating with Rena, but over time he developed a more outgoing and cheerful personality, finally accepting the rest of the Gaming Club as friends. He has also found a love for photography, using Mr. Ryuugu's old camera to take pictures. In battle he is serious and can be deadly to enemies. He can act pretty dramatic when fighting. After he finishes a fight, he always says, "Game Over".