IDENTITY CHAPTER PART 5: RETURN
WHITE 14 had delivered BLACK 13 to Gebok and in order to not rouse any suspicion, WHITE 14 would pose as Shinichi in Okinomiya and Hinamizawa.
5 minutes later, after Gebok left, a silvery veil appeared and from this veil out came a familiar face, armed with a familiar looking hammer. It was Hitomi, back from his world for a visit, and coincidentally showing up in the place Shinichi was trapped in.
Hitomi looked about, eyes wide with eagerness as he looked at all the electronic devices. "So many things to break and so little time to break them," he said as he hefted his hammer. He walked over to the tube and saw Shinichi sleeping inside. Of course that was because the tube was filled with stasis fluid. The computer the tube was hooked up to was monitoring his status. "Hey, Shinichi! Why are you sleeping naked?" Hitomi asked, as if hoping for a response. Shrugging, he raised his hammer over his head. "Time for a LOUD wakeup call, buddy! I'm busting you out!" He made good with his promise as he brought the war hammer down.
KER-SMASH!
The tube shattered, spilling out the stasis liquid and Shinichi. Groggily, the recovering Rider pushed himself up to his hands and knees. He was dazed, confused, and unsure of his surroundings. "Huh?"
"Hey, pal? You okay?" Hitomi asked.
Shinichi slowly regained his senses and looked to Hitomi. "Hitomi? Where am I? What are you doing here?" He looked down at himself, "And why am I naked?"
"To answer all your questions, I don't know," Hitomi answered simply. "What I do know is that I gotta get you out of here."
"What in the world is going on here!" Shinichi and Hitomi looked up to see a man at the entrance. He was short, about 4 feet in height, and fat with a big nose and tufts of hairs on the sides of his bald head. He wore a pink shirt with a red tie, black pants, shoes, and over this he wore a white lab coat.
"Aright, don't move and don't talk!" warned Hitomi, "Or else...Hey, I told you not to move!" The scientist calmly walked over. "Don't make me use this!" he threatened with his hammer but the man ignored him and looked over Shinichi. He draped his lab coat over the naked young man.
"Are you alright, No. 13?" asked the scientist.
"Who are you?" Shinichi asked.
"Dr. Kentaros Magi, one of the 14 scientists who worked on the NUMBERS Project," the scientist informed them. He looked to Hitomi, "You, help No. 13 up and carry him. He's still under the influence of the stasis fluid so he needs help. Follow me. I'm getting you out of here!"
"Huh?" Hitomi was now more confused than he usually was, and that was an accomplishment. "OK, how can we trust you?"
"You got a choice?" Magi asked. "I know this place inside and out. You can either accept my help or get lost trying to get out. The alarm sounded as soon as you busted No. 13 out and GIN-SHOCKER soldiers are on their way."
"I can handle them," boasted Hitomi.
Dr. Magi countered, "I can see you're strong, but can you fight them while protecting No. 13?"
Hitomi grumbled. Shinichi had buttoned up the lab coat to cover his naked body. Hitomi banished his hammer and turned his back to Shinichi. "Hop on," he offered and Shinichi climbed onto Hitomi's back. He was still tired from the stasis fluid.
"Now, follow me," said Dr. Magi as they walked out the lab. They soon found themselves running along a hallway, missing several GIN-SHOCKER soldiers.
"OK, Doc, why are you helping us?" asked Hitomi.
"I don't agree with a lot of things GIN-SHOCKER is doing, especially to innocent children," Magi informed Hitomi.
"So, why not leave?" Hitomi asked.
"I can't," Magi answered regrettably. "GIN-SHOCKER did something to me…" He refused to say more.
"Oh, well, thanks," said Hitomi.
"Don't thank me yet. We're not out of here yet," Magi frowned. If he was caught, he'd be executed for treason. He didn't care anymore. After all the things GIN-SHOCKER had forced him to do, death was a welcoming end. "Now, hurry!" He opened up a laundry chute. "In here!"
"Are you crazy?" Hitomi gawked.
"You have any better ideas? The exits are guarded and if you want to fight while carrying a burden on your back, be my guest."
Hitomi sighed. He put Shinichi into the chute before sliding in after him. Magi sighed. He had his reasons for doing this. Its name was No. 09.
The laundry chute took both Shinichi and Hitomi down to the laundry room. Piles of laundry broke their fall. Hitomi, grabbing Shinichi, put the boy on his back. He spied an exit and grinned. "Home free, buddy. I'm gonna make sure you get back to your lady. I owe you that much!"
"It's my fault," said Shinichi.
"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Hitomi.
"I surrendered to the darkness in my heart. That's why the Higurashi no Yaiba abandoned me. I strayed from my original path."
Hitomi noted the regret Shinichi had in his voice and allowed him to continue.
"I killed a man and justified it as an act of justice when it was truly an act of vengeance," said Shinichi. "I kept telling myself he deserved it and a part of me still believes that. However, the way I did it was not right. I shouldn't have taken the law in my own hands."
"Hey, it's done," said Hitomi. "Now, let's get out of here." They went out the exit and climbed a flight of stairs which led them out of the building. It was lucky that they hadn't seen any guards. They were probably still responding to the alarms inside. "OK, we're home free." They went out and saw the Showa-Racer. It was like it was waiting for them. "Hey, sweet! A ride."
"That's my bike!" said Shinichi.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go! Something tells me we need to get back to where you need to be and fast!"
Shinichi wondered what Hitomi meant by that as they got on the bike. "Let me drive," said Shinichi.
"Are you sure?" asked Hitomi.
"My bike, my rules. First rule: I drive," said Shinichi sternly.
"You're the boss," shrugged Hitomi.
Rika and Hanyuu ran for their lives. However, they knew that they would be dead soon. This fake Shinichi was liable to do anything to hide his involvement in the murders, even killing children. They could hear him coming after them.
"HERE'S….SHINJI!" he cackled.
"AU!" Hanyuu panicked.
"Hurry!" Rika shouted. They were already out of the apartment building as Shinji gave chase. He was holding a machete he'd generated himself.
She had planned on confronting him with Hanyuu's help. At first she suspected that he had the Hinamizawa Syndrome but then she recalled a conversation she had with Shinichi. Gebok had supercharged his immune system so he wouldn't get sick, ever. Therefore, the Hinamizawa Syndrome could not affect him. He'd also been exposed to the Darklings and Darkloids numerous times and was immune to their powers.
The truth was much worse. WHITE 14/Shinji was plainly insane, sociopathic and without remorse. Not a good combination. She just thought that she could subdue him with Hanyuu's help but the killer was tough as nails.
Rika tripped and fell. Hanyuu dropped to her knees to help her up, but this was all Shinji needed so he could get close enough to kill them.
"Don't worry," he said, holding the machete. "I'll make sure to bury you together, after I hack you to pieces!" He got ready to bring it down when all of a sudden…
POW!
…He was sent flying by a huge hammer. Said hammer hovered in place for a second before flying back into someone's hand.
"No killing for you tonight!"
Shinji clutched his aching head. "You…bastard!" Blood dripped from his forehead as he got up to his feet.
"Hitomi!" Hanyuu and Rika cried happily.
"And not just me!" Hitomi moved aside to reveal a person standing behind him. "Ta-Dah!"
"Would the real Shinichi please stand up?" smiled Shinichi.
Rika and Hanyuu smiled in relief when they saw their real friend.
"Damn it!" cursed Shinji. "How did you get out, you clone!"
"Oh, my hammer-wielding friend here busted me out," said Shinichi, gesturing to Hitomi. He then glared at Shinji.
"Whatever," scoffed Shinji. "I'll just send you back." His belt formed, "Even if I put you close to death's door, Gebok can always revive you."
"We'll see," smirked Shinichi, his belt forming. "HENSHIN!"
"HENSHIN!"
Flashes of light were released from their belts as jigsaw puzzle pieces converged onto their bodies. Their eyes flashed to signify he finished change.
The two identical boys transformed into Kamen Rider Showa (green eyes) and WHITE 14.
"Stand back, Hitomi. This is my fight," said Showa. "Better yet, get Hanyuu-chan and Rika-chan out of here."
"Gotcha, masked man," said Hitomi as he ran over to where Hanyuu and Rika were and ushered them away.
WHITE 14 created a pair of machetes with glowing blades. Showa adopted a ready stance.
"You know how this is going to end," said WHITE 14 menacingly.
Showa retorted, "Actually, I have a pretty good idea." He didn't seem fazed at all, ticking WHITE 14 off. WHITE 14 shouted and charged towards Showa. He swung his right blade for a decapitating slash. However, Showa leaned backwards and kicked up his right leg, hitting WHITE 14 hard in the chin, stunning the white Rider. The raised leg then came down, smashing down on WHITE 14's head and slamming him to the ground. Showa then leapt backwards as WHITE 14 rose to his feet. With a roar, WHITE 14 charged at Showa and swung wildly. However, none of his slashes connected as Showa dodged.
"Stand still! Let me kill you!" shouted WHITE 14.
"I'm not as dumb as you look!" Showa shouted and then he realized the error of his words since they were identical. "Wait, scratch that."
WHITE 14 swung his machete down and slashed Showa across the chest, sending him reeling. He then continued to slash as Showa was forced on the defensive. "You're mine!" roared WHITE 14.
"Have a nice trip!" Showa shot back and ducked to perform a sweep kick that knocked WHITE 14 off his feet. WHITE 14 rose up. "Don't you ever quit?"
"No, not really," shrugged WHITE 14.
"Neither will I!" said Showa. They then engaged in combat again. Showa slammed his fist across WHITE 14's face and received another slash in the chest. WHITE 14 then stabbed his blades into Showa, sending him tumbling.
"Weapon Ride: Showa-Blaster!" Showa called and gripped his weapon. He took aim and fired, but his shots were deflected by WHITE 14 who swatted the bullets away with ease, spinning his swords to create makeshift shields. WHITE 14 then threw one of his machete like a javelin, knocking the blaster out of Showa's hand. He then lunged towards him, aiming for the kill.
Too bad Showa was ready for him.
"RYUUSEI PUNCH!"
POW!
The punch connected, sending WHITE 14 flying and skidding along the ground. Showa flicked his wrist after executing the energized punch, dispersing the residual energy.
WHITE 14 messaged his chin and grumbled before rising to his feet. He banished his remaining machete and adopted a ready stance, his eyes glowing. He then leapt up. Showa knew what he as trying to do. WHITE 14 was trying to execute a Rider Kick.
"Not gonna happen," said Showa as he jumped up and performed his own flying side kick.
"RIDER KICK!"
Their kicks collided with explosive force and the recoil sent them flying backwards and falling to the ground. They flipped through the air and landed on their feet before lunging towards each other with their fists drawn.
"RIDER PUNCH!"
The impact their fists made also caused a recoiled that sent them sliding backwards on their feet. Growling, WHITE 14 attempted to collect energy between his hands. Showa also began to collect energy, but he was collecting energy separately in both hands before he slammed his palms together, forcing the two energy balls together to form an even bigger one. WHITE 14 then rushed towards him with his Rider Bomb in his hand. Showa waited and then thrust out his own Rider Bomb.
"RIDER BOMB X2!" Showa shouted as he sent his attack flying. WHITE 14 tried to counter and thrust his attack into his opponent's to cancel it out, but it did nothing but detonate Showa's Rider Bomb X2.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
WHITE 14 ran out of the resulting smoke cloud and threw a punch at Showa who caught it. Showa threw his own punch which WHITE 14 caught as well. They were now grappling, trying to gain dominance over one another.
"Just give up!" said WHITE 14. He boasted, "A fake like you has no chance against the real deal!"
"Me? Fake?" Showa rolled his eyes. "Do you really believe that? I'm kicking your ass here!"
"What is that supposed to mean?" WHITE 14 demanded.
"I'm BLACK 13, and you're WHITE 14," Showa pointed out. "14 comes AFTER 13. Think about it. If you were the real me, wouldn't you come before me?"
"What are you implying?" WHITE 14 demanded once more.
"Oh, you're smart, but let me paint you a picture," said Showa. He drove WHITE 14 backwards with his foot, hard. "There is a fake here, but it sure as hell isn't me!"
"SHUT UP!" WHITE 14 charged at Showa, armed with two machetes once more.
"Weapon Ride: Showa-Blade!" Showa summoned his sword and parried WHITE 14's blades. Their blades met, causing sparks to fly.
"This is just another on of Gebok's games and you're just a piece he put on the board to mess with me!" Showa shouted as he swung at WHITE 14 who blocked with his sword.
"Shut up! You're the fake! You!" WHITE 14's psyche was about to crack. He was in denial. WHITE 14 pushed Showa back and aimed for a killing blow. Showa held his black horizontally to parry the strike.
"Oh, really?" Showa punched WHITE 14 in the gut, sending him staggering back before using a forward kick to drive him back further. "Well, how about we let something else decide?" Showa raised his arm above his head. "HIGURASHI NO YAIBA!"
"Calling your sword?" sneered WHITE 14. "It won't work! It's abandoned you!"
Showa prayed, "Please…come to me." Before he had been unable to call the sword but now he needed it more than ever. He realized his mistake and needed the sword. He needed his partner back. "COME TO ME, HIGURASHI NO YAIBA!"
The sword finally answered his call, shocking WHITE 14 as he saw it. It shot into his hand just as WHITE 14 brought his machete down. "SING!" Not only did the power of the Higurashi no Yaiba blow WHITE 14 away, but it also vaporized the machetes in his hands.
"Teme!" WHITE 14 cursed as he glared at Showa. Showa's armor was now in is Higurashi Form.
"Want me?" Showa taunted as his wings came out, "Come catch me!" He took to the skies.
"Fight me, cowards!" shouted WHITE 14 as his own wings came out from his back and he flew after Showa. "Take this!" WHITE 14 fired energy balls at Showa who dodged them. Gritting his teeth in agitation, he flew at Showa and attempted to grab him, only for Showa to fly out of reach and slam him in the back with his knee. He then used a whirlwind kick to knock WHITE 14 out of the sky. WHITE 14 regained his equilibrium and summoned his machetes before flying back up to engage Showa.
The two were now above the mountains near Hinamizawa and were trading blows with their blades. Their blades clashed with loud metallic clangs.
As Showa and WHITE 14 clashed with blades, the evil white Rider took his time to boast, "You're all alone! You see, I killed all your NEO-NUMBERS!"
"What?" Showa responded, stunned by the news.
"That's right! It was easy as long as I wore your face. Sure, some of them gave me trouble when they found out I wasn't you, but I was still able to kill them. I put a spike through No. 02's throat, gutted No. 08, dumped No. 09 in that swamp and slit both No. 11 and No. 07's throats! Some of them gave me a fight, but those two whores didn't even try!"
WHITE 14 was talking about Hana and Michiru when he said 'whores'. Hearing that just enraged Showa greatly.
Now it was personal.
"Oh, and it doesn't matter who's the clone, because after his fight only one of us is going to be walking home and it ain't you!" snapped WHITE 14. He cackled insanely.
"No," Showa denied. "You're the one who's finished!" He kicked WHITE 14 away and placed his hand upon the cicada mounted on his guard. "RIDER CHARGE!"
WHITE 14 charged at Showa as he was charging up his sword. "DIE! YOU FAKE!"
"SHOWA TAMASHII GIRI!" Showa swung the Higurashi no Yaiba and the attack actually caused WHITE 14 to freeze as he saw the spiritual avatars of all the Showa Era Riders flying towards him with swords of their own.
Ichigo dove down, striking WHITE 14 through the torso. Nigo came next using a wide slash which bisected the evil Rider. V3 followed his sempai, cutting the Rider vertically from his head to his waist. Riderman dove like an arrow, piercing WHITE 14 through his chest with practiced ease. X Smashed the edge of his blade into WHITE 14's skull, bringing more pain and injury to the enemy. Amazon leaped like an angry animal, slashing wildly as he flew past. Stronger was next, using his blade like a hammer, slamming it into WHITE 14's body. Skyrider swooped down, speeding past the artificial Rider and slicing him like an onion. Super-1 used a backhand slash, cutting into WHITE 14 diagonally. ZX came next, striking hard and fast. BLACK was right behind him, attacking with righteous anger before BLACK RX moved behind him, doing the same. ZO went at WHITE 14 with ferocity and J seemed to grow as he dove down, smashing an impossibly sized blade into the clone. Finally, Showa came last, using the Higurashi no Yaiba to cut the final blow into WHITE 14, diving past him like an avenging angel.
"Game End!" Showa finished.
WHITE 14's body twitched as sparks spewed out from his body before his body plummeted down to the ground and exploded. Showa watched the burning flames slowly die down as he hovered down. There was nothing left of WHITE 14 but a burning crater.
Showa dropped to his knees using the Higurashi no Yaiba to keep himself up somewhat. His eyes were trained on the burning crater where WHITE 14 had landed. It had taken a direct hit from the Showa Tamashii Giri, but his clone was gone for good. Groaning, he got back to his feet, trying to keep his breathing regular so he could recover quicker.
"It's good to have you back my friend," Showa sighed as he held the blade respectfully. "I promise not to lose my way again."
A happy chirping not unlike a cicada met his ears.
"Shin-kun!"
Showa turned to see an excitable Rena barrel into him, clutching his torso tightly, crying her eyes out.
"Shin-kun came back again! Rena missed you so much! OMOCHIKAERI!" Rena sobbed, making Showa feel as if his ribs were about to burst.
"Rena-chan, it's okay!" Showa grunted, wrapping his free arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "I'm back. You now I can't stay away from you for long."
"SHINICHI!"
Both teens looked to see the rest of the Gaming Club charging towards them. It was quick before he felt Hanyuu glomp one of his legs, bawling like a child while the rest of the group offered the warm welcomes.
"I knew something was up with that fake!" Mion huffed. "He was coming onto me! I should've belted him!"
"I should have suspected something was up when he was coming onto me," Shion frowned. "Now I'm glad I gave him that punch!"
"He was a meanie!" Satoko agreed crossing her arms.
"And he wasn't cute at all!" Rena exclaimed.
Showa knew that Rika and Hanyuu had told everyone the full story. WHITE 14 had posed as him, unsuccessfully. Sure, they were alike in appearance but not in personality. It wouldn't be long until the truth was revealed. As perfect as WHITE 14 claimed to be, he was a horrible actor.
"Au! Au! Au!" Hanyuu sobbed. "He took away our friends!"
Showa sighed deeply at that. He knew how the other NEO-NUMBERS had died. His clone had bragged about it for part of their battle. That was no way to die. No one deserved that kind of pain and apparent betrayal. His hand went to his chest, recalling the Return to the Past system. No doubt with BLACK 13's consciousness back where it belonged, he could use it again. However, it had been many days since WHITE 14 had murdered their friends. It only had enough power to go back in time for 24 hours.
'Power…wait!' Showa's eyes brightened when an idea came to him. By reversing time, he could bring the NEO-NUMBERS back to life. Unfortunately, they had died days ago. However, if he had more power, he could go back further…maybe. Releasing Rena, he kneeled down in front of the sniffling Hanyuu and held her hands.
"Hanyuu-chan, you have lots of power, right?" asked Showa.
"-hic- uh-huh," the goddess sniffled.
"Do you think you could funnel it into my Return to the Past?"
"Shinichi, what are you thinking?" asked Rika with a worried frown.
"-Sniff- uh-huh," Hanyuu nodded. "I can do that."
"Great!" Showa grinned. "Please do it now!"
Hanyuu nodded as Showa stood up. She reached for his armor and began pumping her power into it. The sections armor began to glow with the divine energy Hanyuu kept hidden inside of her petite frame. Showa could feel the energy being absorbed inside of him and into his time travel system. He soon began to feel like he could burst. If he took much more, he would risk damaging himself.
"Hyper Return to the Past!" He roared, his voice laced with power. "NOW!" He thrust the Higurashi no Yaiba into the sky, unleashing a growing pillar of light that was accompanied by the song of a million cicadas.
The world seemed to explode in white energy.
Shiori was suddenly jerked backwards as the car zoomed passed. The driver didn't even bother to stop and apologize.
"Huh?" Shiori blinked. She then realized how close she was to being a casualty of a road accident. "Oh my!" she gasped.
"Kaa-chan, please get off!" Shinichi said under his mother. She was sitting on his stomach. She got up and helped him up before pulling him into a hug.
"My little hero!" she cried out. "You saved my life!"
"Kaa-chan, people are watching," he said in embarrassment but he was happy inside. He continued to hold her, "Kaa-chan…" He was glad that she was safe.
"Now, let's get some takoyaki!"
Shinichi let out a laugh and said, "Kaa-chan…"
Later that night, the Okinomiya Police Department received a package. It was all wrapped up in spider silk with tape over its mouth. It was Teppei, the escaped con, and he had been delivered right at their doorstep.
Oishi, seeing a note taped to Teppei's head, took it and unfolded it. He let out a laugh as he read the message which had been written.
From your Friendly Neighborhood Kamen Riders.
"How interesting," said Topper. He asked the witches, "Which one of you added Hitomi to the game?"
"Not me," denied Lambdadelta.
"It certainly wasn't me," said Beatrice. "I wanted to see more bloodshed." She asked, "Sensei?"
"It was not I," said Virgilia.
Bernkastel shook her head.
"Well, if it wasn't you ladies, then who?" Topper asked.
"It was me," a new voice was heard in the room as a new presence was felt. A man sitting in a large black floating chair appeared. He looked to be in his early twenties, had long white hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. He had fair skin and his eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. He was wearing a neatly pressed white suit. While in his chair, he was fiddling with a Rubik's cube.
"Who are you?" Beatrice the Golden Witch demanded.
"Greetings, ladies. My name is Warren Smith, the Balance Guardian."
"Oh, it's you," smirked Topper. "Come to join our game?"
"I just came to balance things out," said Warren Smith.
"Well now, please take a seat. The next game will begin shortly," said Topper.
Kamen Rider Chrome: Looks like the NEO-NUMBERS have an ally in the form of Kentaros Magi. Also, Hitomi joins the cast! Yay!