NEW LIFE CHAPTER PART 6: BLOOD
"Neo Ultimate Multiple Biologically Enhanced Revenge Squad," Hanyuu read out of Chiaki's sketchpad. "So, that's what NUMBERS means."
"That is our new name. We used to be called the Neo Ultimate Biologically Enhanced Rider Squad, but after Dr. Gebok resurrected us we changed our name to fit our new purpose," Chiaki wrote before showing them.
"I get that I was one of you, but how is Gebok alive?" Shinichi demanded.
It was night time, and Rika, Hanyuu, Chiaki and Shinichi were seated on the steps in front of the Furude Shrine. Chiaki was answering questions for them. It had taken them some time to get the mute boy back to the shrine after their fight and for Hanyuu to deal with any injuries he might have had. Now it was somewhat late and the three were now beginning to interrogate the supposed NUMBERS member whose comrades were apparently after Shinichi.
"Dr. Gebok is a genius. Did you really expect him to face you in person? The Gebok you killed was a mere decoy," Chiaki wrote down before showing them.
"It makes sense," said Rika. "He was partly mechanical the last time we saw him."
"Damn him. So, there are 13 of you guys trying to kill me, like that Zero guy?" Shinichi asked. Chiaki nodded. "Great. 13 psychos are after my life."
"Well, after what you did to us, can you really blame us for hating you?" Chiaki wrote.
"Guess not. I mean I did break your neck. How is it?" Shinichi asked. Chiaki cracked it from side to side. "Right…"
"OK, now that we've got that settled, we have something we need you to help us with," said Rika to Shinichi.
"Name it."
"Help Chiaki find a job."
Nearly a minute of awkward silence later…
"You're kidding, right?" Shinichi questioned Hanyuu skeptically.
"I don't want Hanyuu to keep sharing bentos with him. She'll starve during lunch," said Rika.
"Please, Shinichi. Help him out," begged Hanyuu.
"You want me to help him," Shinichi pointed at Chiaki with a finger, "get a job? Why should I even help him? I don't like or trust him."
Chiaki wrote in a notepad and handed it to Hanyuu to read aloud. She read, "The feeling's mutual." Shinichi and Chiaki glared at each other. Hanyuu spoke, "Please, Shinichi. He's my friend. If not for him then for me. I don't want him to starve."
"He's got plenty of stuff to eat in the woods," he said otherwise. "Besides, he tried to kill me."
Chiaki wrote on his notepad and handed it to Hanyuu to read aloud, "Well, you snapped my neck so I guess we're even."
Shinichi looked to Rika for assistance, "Rika-chan?"
"I don't trust Chiaki, but I do trust Hanyuu," said Rika. "And I don't think Chiaki will try to kill you if it means making Hanyuu cry."
"Ugh, fine," Shinichi groaned. "OK, big guy, you're coming with me. No funny business."
Chiaki wrote down, "I was going to say the same to you," then showed it to Shinichi.
"You so owe me, Hanyuu-chan."
After school the next day, Shinichi took Chiaki to Okinomiya. They were standing in front of Yoshirou's toy shop. "OK, this guy is my friend's uncle so we're pretty tight," explained Shinichi. "Just let me do all the talking." Chiaki gave him a glare. "Oh, right. Of course I have to do all he talking. Now, remember that I'm only doing this for Hanyuu-chan. You're her friend and she's my friend and friends help each other. However, personally, I wouldn't want to help you if given a choice."
Chiaki wrote something down in a notepad instead of his sketchpad then ripped off the sheet before handing it to Shinichi. Shinichi read it then snapped in anger, "Up yours too, pal!"
The duo entered, not making eye contact. "Yo, Yoshirou-san!" Shinichi greeted.
"Oh, it's you, Shinichi," Yoshirou said, smiling. "And who's this with you?"
"A friend of a friend," Shinichi answered, "And he's looking for a job."
"He's quite a big lad," said Yoshirou. He asked Chiaki, "You got a name?"
"He can't talk," Shinichi said. "An accident made him mute."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Yoshirou apologized.
"But that just means he won't back talk and he's a good listener," said Shinichi as he began to 'sell' Chiaki. "He can watch the shop while you're out and do heavy lifting. And all you have to do is pay him in peanuts!" Chiaki stomped on his foot. Shinichi grunted, "I mean, just pay him as much as you think he deserves."
"Well, I don't usually take employees without a resume or an interview," said Yoshirou as he looked Chiaki up and down. The young man was tall, with broad shoulders and was intimidating. He might deter shoplifters too. And Yoshirou did need help with heavy lifting. "But, since you're a friend of one of my best customers, I guess I could hire you. But only a trial basis at first. You have one week to prove yourself."
Chiaki wrote down on his notepad, "Thank you," and then showed it to Yoshirou.
"Can you start immediately?" Yoshirou asked. "I have some stuff in a truck in the back I want to have carried into the back room."
Chiaki nodded.
"And I've done my good deed for the day," stated Shinichi.
2 Months Later…
"And again it's June," said Shinichi as he looked at the calendar. "Time sure flies, huh, Kaa-chan?"
"It felt like only yesterday that I found you," answered Shiori.
The Banabaras were having breakfast together. It was now the month of June. For Shinichi, June was a very memorable month. He'd woken up in Hinamizawa and met Rena in June last year. "Our anniversary is coming up too."
"And what anniversary would that be?" asked Shiori with a smile.
"Of when I first met Rena-chan," Shinichi said fondly.
"You're such a romantic, Shinji," laughed Shiori.
"I got that from you," he retorted, laughing as well.
"So, I heard this interesting tidbit from Rika-chan. She says that there's going to be a festival on the 3rd Sunday of this month."
"The Watanagashi (Cotton Drifting) Matsuri (Festival)," Shinichi nodded, remembering last year's festival and how much fun he and his friends had. "Do you want to come to the festival, Kaa-chan?"
"Well, I won't be busy that day, so sure," Shiori nodded. "I expect your girlfriend, Rena-chan, would be dressed for the occasion."
Shinichi smiled. Rena-chan had told him she would want to wear a yukata that day. Rena in a yukata was both cute and irresistible.
"Let's just not bump into Sonozaki-baba (old lady Sonozaki)," Shinichi remarked. The old clan head of the Sonozaki House didn't like the Banabaras very much. Then again, with them being perverted, she had very little reason to like them at all.
"Let's just hope we don't. That old bat always lectures me about my lifestyle and wants me to be a proper mother and role model for you," Shiori scoffed.
"You're a great mother, Kaa-chan." Shiori's response was to ruffle his hair.
"Ah, you're so sweet, Shinji. So, what are your friends going to be doing today? It's Sunday, so I bet you're all going to be having another one of your little club meetings."
"Well, we're going to be meeting in Okinomiya," said Shinichi. "There's a Magic and Wizards Tournament at Mion's uncle's shop. I've been prepping up my deck for this." Shinichi had indeed modified his deck since he brought it those months ago. After purchasing several booster packs, he got all the cards he needed for his specialised deck. The other players won't know what hit them.
"I'll be cheering you on then, Shinji."
After finishing his meal, Shinichi went and cleaned the dishes before he kissed his mom on the cheek. "I'm off now, Kaa-chan," he said before he left the apartment.
His friends were already in front of the store, waiting for him. Hanging above the door was a banner with the words 'Magic and Wizards Tournament' written on it. Shinichi pulled up into the parking area before dismounting and removing his helmet.
"Did you wait for me long?" the Kamen Rider asked.
"If you were any later I'd have you punished," Mion threatened.
"My, my, Mion. I never knew you were into BDSM," Shinichi teased.
Blushing, Mion snapped, "Just get in!"
There was a new face in the store. Shinichi didn't recognize her at all, but she seemed oddly familiar. She had long purple hair that was tied up in a ponytail, wore a red tank top with a matching miniskirt, fishnet stockings and black shoes.
Keiichi was ogling her with his eyes.
"Wonder who that girl is," Keiichi spoke. The sounds of knuckles cracking could be heard.
"Kei-chan, you're not thinking lewd thoughts, are you?" Mion, Keiichi's girlfriend, asked threateningly.
"N-n-no, Mion!" he denied.
"Keiichi-san is being a pervert again," teased Satoko.
"Satoko!"
"Now, Satoko-chan, don't tease Kei-chan like that. He can't help it if he's a pervert," Shion chided playfully.
"Shion!"
Shinichi's eyes were still locked on the girl. Rena tapped his shoulder. "Shin-kun, do you know that girl?"
"I…don't know…" Shinichi answered uncertainly.
"OK, kids, the tournament is about to start!" Yoshirou said. "Please, take your numbers and then take your seats based on your numbers." There was a box with a hole in front. Inside were folded slips of paper with the numbers.
The strange girl was the first to go as she reached into the box and pulled out a folded slip of paper. She unfolded it to reveal the number before taking her seat. After that, one by one, kids of all ages took their numbers. There was just enough space for 16 participants.
Shinichi ended up being seated across from the purple-haired girl he'd seen earlier.
"I hope you will go easy on me," the girl said. She winked. Rena saw this and glared. "So, you have a name, boya?"
"It's Shinji. Shinji Banabara. My friends call me Shinichi," he introduced himself.
"My name is Misato Kurushina," she replied. She shuffled her deck as he shuffled his. He looked to his left and right to see the others had already started. His friends, with decks of their own, were already dueling. Hanyuu was having the most trouble as she hesitated with her moves and became reckless. She lost in less than 5 minutes while her opponent advanced to the next round.
"Let me start," declared Misato once she was done drawing her hand. She drew her card and smiled. "I'll start with one of my favorites. The Bloodsucker Vampire." She slapped the card down. It was a strong creature with 1700 ATK but only 600 DEF. She set a card facedown. "And I'll put this down for later. I end my turn. Your turn, Shinji-kun."
Rena just glared as this Misato girl was flirting with her boyfriend. She refocused on her own match but still glared at the girl from the corner of her eye.
"OK, I'll start with the Block Attack card. This Magic Card allows me to shift your monster into defense position. Then, I'll put down one of my favorites. Blackstorm Dragon. It only has 1500 ATK but it's more than enough to take your creature down."
With a sigh, Misato put her monster card into the discard pile. "As expected from the best player in Hinamizawa."
"You've heard of me?" inquired Shinichi.
"Oh, I know a lot about you…" she said with a smirk and narrowed eyes. "I know about you quite well…"
They continued with their match, slapping down cards, activating Magic and Traps to counter each other's moves.
"Ah, lucky me," Misato smiled. "My best is in my hand." She took the card she'd just drawn and slapped it down on the table. "My Death Squito! Its 2400 ATK is more than enough to take down your weak Bug Fighter which has 2000 ATK only! Oh, and I add the Quickplay Magic called Double Damage! So, the damage I do to you has been doubled."
Shinichi gritted his teeth. His life points had dropped by 800 and now he was left with a handful. He only had 500 left. Of course, she only had 550 life points left. They were about even.
"Now, how can you win? The chances of you getting a powerful card now are slim to none. It's all hopeless for you and I've set up Traps to counter any and all moves you make," Misato boasted.
"Sorry, but compared to Satoko's traps, your traps don't scare me," Shinichi shot back. She had four cards facedown behind her Death Squito. The image on the card depicted a huge mosquito that was blood red with a human skull over its insect head. He drew his card. He had to go on the defensive. None of the cards in his hand could match the monster she had on the field.
Checking her watch, Misato frowned. "Aw…I've run out of time." She stood up and collected her cards. "I forfeit," she announced, raising her arm.
"Huh?" Shinichi blinked. "What? Forfeit?"
"I have a more urgent engagement. I just entered to kill time." She winked and said, "Don't be so sad. You win by default." As she was headed to the door she spoke under her breath, "You've changed, Kuro Juusan."
Shinichi actually heard that. He stood up, eyes wide, as she exited the store. "Huh?"
He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Chiaki. He had his notepad out and written on it was, "You should be careful with that one. She's one crazy bitch."
"You knew who that was and you didn't tell me anything?" Shinichi asked. Chiaki shrugged. "Right, I know. You still want me dead. I wouldn't expect anything less."
In the end Shinichi won the tournament. What he got were several free booster packs, which he shared with his friends, and a new limited edition starter deck. Of course, he was still thinking about that strange girl from earlier. Chiaki knew her, so she was possibly another member of the NUMBERS like he was.
Shinichi knew Chiaki wasn't out to kill him anymore because of Hanyuu, but he knew that deep down Chiaki wanted to see him dead. All of the NUMBERS wanted BLACK 13 dead.
When Shinichi came home, his mother welcomed him back, "How did you do, Shin-kun?"
"First Place," he answered.
"Oh, I'm so proud of you. Let me make you a meal fit for a champion!"
Shinichi parked his bike outside Rena's house, ready for their date. It was something the cute girl wanted to reward Shinichi with for becoming the champion of the tournament. However, when he looked down, he saw a small box on the doormat.
"What's this?" He knelt down and picked it up. Curious, he lifted off the lid and his eyes widened. Inside was a red Magatama…Rena's Magatama! There was also a note inside. Just seeing the Magatama was enough to send the message home.
Rena was in danger.
At the junkyard, Misato was sitting on top of Rena's van. Tied up in chains, gagged by a handkerchief and sitting against the van was Rena. She had stopped struggling. The chains were tied tightly around her and hurting her.
"Are you hurt?" Misato said in mock concern. "Well, you shouldn't have thrashed around like that." She hopped off the van and knelt down in front of Rena to gently stroke her hair. "You have really nice hair…"
Her tone suddenly turned menacing.
"I wanna rip it off your scalp!" Misato screeched as she tugged on Rena's hair. The girl screamed against her gag before the psychotic girl released her hair.
"Aw, did that hurt? Are you confused? Do you want know why I'm doing this? The answer is simple, Ryuugu-chan. I want revenge. Your boyfriend killed me so I want to kill him."
Misato stood up and swooned with a smile, "But, as much as I hate him, I also love him. BLACK 13 is the epitome of manhood. He could bring me to my knees and make me tremble just by looking at me. "
Her smile shifted into a scowl.
"And then he broke my heart, literally." She stared Rena in the eyes. Rena cringed from the psychotic leer Misato was giving her. "He reached inside my chest and crushed my maiden's heart. Doesn't that just piss you off?"
Misato laughed.
"Well, enough about me, Ryuugu-chan. Tell me about yourself." Misato didn't get an answer. "Come on, say something." Rena couldn't answer as she was gagged. Misato roughly grabbed her by the neck. "SAY SOMETHING!"
Misato's eyes wandered towards the cicada brooch Rena wore.
"Oh, this is nice." She reached down and ripped it off. Rena's cries were muffled, but it was obvious she didn't want Misato to have it. "It's a pretty little trinket. Did your boyfriend give it to you? It would look much better on me, actually."
Misato knelt down in front of Rena.
"Now, why does he like you? Is it because of your eyes? Maybe I should gouge them out. Or is it your breasts? I have to agree they are quite big. Maybe it's your heart? I should cut it out to see if it's nice and big." She licked her lips as she looked forward to seeing all that blood.
She heard someone stepping over and smiled.
"He's here!" Standing up and twirling around, Misato struck a pose with her arms up and spread apart. "Welcome, BLACK 13!"
"I got your message," said Shinichi sternly. "I'm here. Now let Rena-chan go."
"I could do that, but then again I could just kill her then kill you," stated Misato. "Just a cut here, a cut there, and she'll be bleeding to death. Then I'll drink that blood right out of her. Fresh blood is quite tasty."
Shinichi's first impression of this young woman was that she was several sandwiches short of a picnic basket.
Misato skipped over towards Shinichi and smiled, "Still as handsome as ever, Kuro-kun." She then took him by surprise and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him down to her. Their lips crashed together and Rena and Shinichi's eyes went wide in shock. When Misato shoved her tongue into his mouth, Shinichi pushed her off him in disgust. She licked her lips. "Yummy…"
Shinichi's first impression was inaccurate. This woman was a complete psycho!
"Now I don't know whether I wanna bed you or kill you," Misato stated, tapping her chin. "Hm…maybe I should bed you to death! That would be fun! I'll tie you up and ride you until I break you!"
Psychotic and perverted. Shinichi would be having such fantasies himself under more appropriate circumstances.
"Oh, I should really introduce myself." She lifted up her top to reveal her stomach and the tattoo on it. The tattoo was the Roman numeral 'IV'. It was the Roman numeral for number 4. "I am NUMBERS member No. 04, Seras!" Her belt formed. The crystal in the buckle was purple with 'IV'. "Henshin!"
Shinichi reacted quickly, "Henshin! Let's Ride: Showa!"
In a flash of violet light, Misato's armor formed as the light from Shinichi's belt formed puzzle pieces that bonded onto his body to form his own suit of armor.
Misato's armor was slim to fit and accentuate the curves of her female body. The armor was black and worn over a purple bodysuit. The helmet pointed forward to resemble a mosquito's needle. Her eyes were also violet. Stamped on her chestplate was IV.
Laughing, Seras said, "I've heard you like to play games, Kuro-kun. Let's play! When I win, I get to kill your girl and take you home with me so I may have my wicked way with you!" She then rushed at him and threw the first punch. Showa slapped it away and retaliated with a punch of his own. The two Riders, one good and noble, while the other was evil and psychotic, exchanged brutal blows. Rena was the audience to this deadly dance. She hated this woman who'd touched her Shinichi. Shin-kun was only allowed to kiss her lips!
Seras' speed was superior to Showa's it seems. She was landing blow upon blow upon him. Her kicks slammed hard against his sides and then she sent him staggering backwards with a high kick. She followed up with a reverse roundhouse and Showa jumped back to avoid it. "Dodging now? I thought you were more aggressive then that, Kuro-kun!" Seras giggled. "But that's OK. This dance is really fun!"
She began to perform a series of kicks, forcing Showa to go on the defensive as he backed away from her. Showa gritted his teeth. He needed to save Rena, one way or another. He had to get her to safety.
"Thinking of your girl? Don't worry. When I kill her I'll make sure it is quick and painless," Seras promised. "But before that I want her to hear you scream!" Circular slots on her arms opened up and what appeared to be blood vessels shot out. Stunned, the tips of the vessels sharpened and hardened before piercing into his armor.
"Ugh!" Showa grunted.
"Your armor is too thick for me to pierce," said Seras, upset that her attack hadn't done the damage she intended. She withdrew her blood vessels. "But that doesn't mean I can't improvise!" She sent them flying at Showa and tied him up in them. She then lifted him up into the air, slowly crushing him. "Y'know, I'm starting to doubt if you really are Kuro-kun. Kuro-kun would've killed me by now. It's like you don't really want to kill me. Is that it? You don't want to kill me, is that right?"
Showa's response was to call out, "Let's Ride: Biorider!" His body flashed and then turned into liquid that flowed right out of the trap Seras made with her blood vessels.
"NO FAIR!" Seras shrieked as Showa reformed himself into the form of Biorider.
"Bio Blade!" called out Showa as he summoned his weapon. He turned his body into a liquid and flew at Seras. She lashed out with her blood vessels but they just went through it as he attacked her from all sides.
"Damn you! Stand still! You're cheating!" Seras shouted. Showa appeared behind her and with a swing he slashed her in the back. "ARGH!" she screamed. Spinning around, she threw a punch only for it to go through him as he turned into liquid. Growling, she sneered. If she couldn't kill Showa, then the girl was the next best thing! "Hey, Kuro-kun! Think fast!" Her blood vessels were flying straight towards Rena.
"Rena-chan!" Showa shouted as he dashed to save her. He wasn't going to make it.
He didn't have to.
Suddenly, Slasher jumped down in front of Rena and with his chainsaws he shredded the blood vessels to pieces.
Seras, obviously, was not happy. "NO. 02! YOU TRAITOR!" She shrieked.
Showa was actually grateful to see the Termite Rider. Slasher's chainsaws turned back into hands and he broke the chains holding Rena. Rena then removed her gag. Her eyes looked up to Slasher. "Who are you?" He couldn't answer but instead wrote down his answer on the ground with his finger. "Friend," she read.
"Higurashi no Yaiba!" Showa called out. Seras stepped back in shock as Showa summoned his sword. Gripping the Demon Slaying Singing Sword, Showa thrust it out. He shouted out the command, "Sing!" The Higurashi no Yaiba obeyed and changed his armor, powering him up in the process. Seras stepped back in shock. The power she was sensing off Showa was way off the charts. It was like facing BLACK 13 again. She trembled, but then her lips broke into an ear to eat grin. This was just the excitement she as waiting for.
"I'M COMING FOR YOU, KURO-KUN!" she screeched as she lunged towards him. When she came close to his range, he swung the sword which sent a blade of energy flying and crashing into her. She went flying and crashed into a pile of garbage. He then jumped into the air after her before landing in front of her as she picked herself back up. He then continued to attack with brutal slashes, causing sparks to fly off her armor with each hit.
"CROSS CLASH!" Showa shouted as he executed his signature cross slash attack, sending her reeling in pain. With a thrust of his sword he sent her tumbling. He was angry. She had taken Rena and wanted to hurt the girl he loved to get to him. For that she would pay.
Desperate, she executed her own special attack, "BLOOD NEEDLE!" She fired bolts of energy from the pointed front of her needle. The barrage of bolts bounced off the blade of the Higurashi no Yaiba as he deflected them with ease.
"You should've tried that before I powered up," he stated coldly. "Too bad there isn't a next time." He placed his hand upon the guard. "RIDER CHARGE!" He began to transfer energy from his belt straight into his sword. The blade glowed as it sang. "HIGURASHI ZAN!" With a swipe he struck Seras with a brutal diagonal slash. Not only did sparks explode off her armor, but the force of the attack undid her transformation, destroying her entire suit. She collapsed onto her knees. Showa ripped Rena's cicada brooch off her before she fell forward onto her hands. Blood dripped from her wounds.
"Damn…damn you…" Misato sneered. "Guess you're going to kill me again."
"You brought this on yourself," said Showa as he raised his sword. "See you in Hell."
However, he was unable to execute his attack when several explosions erupted between him and Seras, sending dust flying and stunning him. Misato was then snatched up and taken into the air by a flying figure. It was dark so Showa couldn't tell who or what it was, but he was sure it was another member of NUMBERS.
He banished his armor and walked back towards Rena and Chiaki who had banished his armor earlier. Shinichi, so overwhelmed with relief, embraced Rena tightly. "I thought I lost you…"
"Damn you, Gebok," cursed Misato as she lay on a bed.
"You underestimated him," Gebok informed Misato as he began to treat her wounds. "It's not my fault you went after him all halfcocked and misinformed."
"You could've told me what kind of damage that damn sword of his could do!" she snapped.
"Well, I could've, but I didn't. You should've asked me about it," Gebok shrugged. "Alright, just stay in bed and you'll be good as new in a few days. You should really thank No. 12 for saving you."
"Right, I'll send him a 'Thank You' card," she snorted.
"NUMBERS?" Rena questioned as she and Shinichi stood in front of her house. He'd given her a ride home.
"The Neo Ultimate Multiple Biologically Enhanced Rider Squad," he explained, "Well, that was their old name. Now they are called the Neo Ultimate Multiple Biologically Enhanced Revenge Squad." It was a huge mouthful, but Shinichi felt like he had to say the group's full name. "That insane girl that kidnapped you was member No. 04, and the big silent guy who saved you was member No. 02." Now he owed Chiaki.
"I remember seeing him in Mion's uncle's shop," Rena stated.
"I helped him get a job there," he answered. "Anyway, the NUMBERS are all out to kill me." Rena gasped. "It's not surprising, really."
"Why do the NUMBERS want to kill you?" Rena asked. She didn't want her boyfriend getting hurt.
"Because, believe it or not, I killed them," said Shinichi. "Look, Rena-chan, I'm really sorry about what happened, but right now I can't tell you everything. Can we talk, tomorrow, at school? I want everyone to hear this."
"You lied to Rena," she said. She hated it when someone she loved lied to her.
"But for a good reason. I didn't want you to worry," Shinichi told her. He pulled her into an embrace, "But the truth is out, huh? You were in danger because of me. If I hadn't shown, then No. 04 would've…she would've…killed you."
Rena returned the embrace and then kissed him on the lips. "I wasn't afraid," she told him.
"Huh?"
"Rena wasn't afraid because Rena knew Shin-kun would come and save her," she told him. "Because Rena trusts Shin-kun."
"Rena…" His hold on her tightened. "I love you."
"I love you too."
And so we've introduced No. 04, Misato. She's also known as Kamen Rider Seras. We'll be seeing more of her. BTW, I give credit to Warlord-Xana for her creation. Ain't she one crazy bitch?