TREASURES CHAPTER PART 3: STAKEOUT

Detective Oishi got the description from both Keiichi and Mion. The thief was a teenager, with silver-white hair. He often wore a red jacket over a blue shirt with grey pants and white shoes. They also told him that the thief was capable of transforming into a suit of armor like the Kamen Rider. Oishi had witnessed the Rider in action several times since last year. Indeed, the man was a hero and saved many lives. These strange monsters that appeared were not something the police were trained to deal with. To think another one like the Rider was running loose and committing crimes made Oishi grimace. A composite sketch of the young man had been made and would be distributed to the public. They also had a name. He called himself Jin Majutsushi. However, what could they do once they tracked him down? Capturing him was out of the question because his abilities would make guns useless against him. Their only hope was to get the Kamen Rider to help. Unfortunately, he was not listed in the phone books.

Oishi rubbed his temples. After they broke Kimiyoshi, who was fortunately still alive, out of the crystal, the man told them that a precious family heirloom had been stolen. It was kept in a sealed box in a secret room. Kimiyoshi wasn't about to reveal more but he demanded that the police find the box. Oishi was prepared to do that already.

"The Kage no Hoshi?" Shinichi asked after Rika informed him. The two groups were having a meeting. One group was the team of Kamen Riders known as the NEO-NUMBERS (Daichi still thought it was a stupid name) and the other group was the Hinamizawa Gaming Club.

Rika unrolled a scroll and laid it out in front of them. They were all in the Saiguden. While it was forbidden for anyone outside of the Furude Clan to even think of stepping inside the forbidden storeroom, it was perfectly find if they were invited inside by a member of the shrine, namely Rika. This was the first time the NEO-NUMBERS had ever entered the place. It really creeped Michiru and Yokoshima out when they saw all the torture devices along with the ominous statue of Oyashiro-sama. Chiaki and Hana seemed pretty neutral while Daichi could've cared less. It was still a pretty interesting place for a meeting.

"Let me explain," said Rika. "While the Furude Clan holds the Higurashi no Yaiba, the other two Great Houses also hold their own treasures. The Kimiyoshi Clan held the Kage no Hoshi, which has been stolen by Petrifier. The Higurashi no Yaiba is still here."

"And the Sonozakis?" Hana pressed.

Mion answered, "We have a helmet made from the skull of a demon known as the Oni no Hone."

"No doubt Petrifier will go after the sword and helmet next," said Rika.

"But why?" Michiru asked.

"I think it's obvious," said Daichi crossly, glaring at Shinichi.

"Why are you looking at me like it's my fault?" Shinichi demanded.

"No. 06 has gotten it in his head that he could power up like you," said Daichi.

"So, he's after all the artifacts to see if he can upgrade himself?" questioned Keiichi.

"No. 06 has always held a fondness for rare and powerful items. Even if he couldn't gain any power from these treasures, he would try to keep them for himself out of greed," said Hana.

"That guy really pisses me off," grumbled Yokoshima.

"Well, the police won't be able to do anything about him," said Satoshi. "He would trap them in crystal if they tried to stop him."

"Which is where we come in, isn't it?" Shinichi asked. "The 6 of us against just one him will be easy."

"You really are an idiot, 13," snorted Daichi. "I doubt he'll be alone next time. Who's to say he won't have any GIN-SHOCKER soldiers or worse, Cyber Mutants, with him?"

Shinichi hated to be thought of as an idiot, but Daichi had a good point. If Jin met any opposition, he could call for backup.

"Well, the plan is simple," said Rika. "Chiaki, Shinichi and Hana will guard the Furude Shrine while Daichi, Michiru and Yokoshima will guard the Sonozaki Estate. He'll show up in either place since we know he's after the treasures."

"I'll help set up traps too," said Satoko.

"Then, we nab him," said Shinichu, punching his palm. "Good plan."

"And Detective Oishi has already started distributing posters with a composite sketch of Jin so he can't move around so freely," said Keiichi.

"This is a stakeout, Chiaki, not a campout," said Shinichi. He, Chiaki and Hana were seated around a campfire in front of the shrine with three tents set up.

"Well, we're going to be here all night. Might as well make ourselves comfortable," Chiaki showed him his notepad.

"He has a point," said Hana as she poked the fire with a twig. It was late night and Jin still hadn't shown up. "We've been out here for three hours and that dirty thief still hasn't shown hide or hair of himself." Jin was a greedy, chauvinistic and annoying bastard. He'd stolen Michiru and Hana's underwear a few times and stole some of the books from Yokoshima's collection. In fact, none of the NUMBERS liked Jin at all. They barely even tolerated it.

"Well, Satoko-chan's traps seem to be very well made," wrote Chiaki. There were tripwires which would trigger some very nasty surprises and hidden trap holes filled with very nasty smelling swamp water.

"I sure hope the others are having better luck," said Shinichi.

"I look good," said Yokoshima.

"You've said that already," Daichi remarked.

"But he's right. These suits make us look good," agreed Michiru.

Mion managed to convince her grandmother that they needed extra security and so had Michiru, Daichi and Yokoshima hired as extra help. To look the part there were wearing three piece suits. They had on black jackets, pants, shoes, red ties and white shirts under the jackets. They did look cool.

Daichi palmed his face. Why did he end up with the two of them? One was a pervert who read those novels written by No. 13's mother and another was a girl obsessed with bananas and was sexually liberated. He would've preferred being with Hana and Chiaki. At least those two knew when to be quiet.

Right now, the three were stationed in the estate. Yokoshima had a book and was reading it under flashlight while Hana was eating another banana. Daichi, of course, had his guitar. The Sonozaki also had several guard dogs around. They would bark and attack as soon as an intruder came onto the grounds.

All the guards had walkie-talkies to keep in touch with each other.

The police was all around Higurashi patrolling with flashlights. A few were on foot while others were in cars. They all knew what Jin looked like and knew what to look for. They had been forewarned not to engage him due to his abilities. Being trapped in crystal was not something any of them was prepared for or looked forward to. A few were skeptical, but visual evidence of thefts where people at the scenes were trapped in crystal proved them otherwise.

"So, a brat thinks he can rob us, does he?" sneered Oryo. Mion had told her about Jin. "I will not let anyone steal the Oni no Hone. Unlike the Furude Clan's head, I will not allow an outsider to lay a hand on our clan's treasure." While old, she was not weak. In her hand was a katana in its scabbard. If anyone dared to come near the Oni no Hone, she would cut them down. She was not weak like Kimiyoshi or idealistic like Rika. She was a realist. She had to be. She was the strength of the village and when she eventually passed away, her granddaughter Mion would take over.

Chiaki was playing his harmonica as Shinichi hummed a random song. Hana was just deep in thought, escaping reality within her own mind. Hanyuu approached the three NEO-NUMBERS with a plate of onigiri.

"Here you go," she said. "You must be hungry."

"Thanks, Hanyuu-chan," said Shinichi as he took a rice ball and took a bite. Chiaki and Hana took their rice balls as well. "Itadakimasu!"

Hanyuu sat down, a rice ball in hand. She began to nibble on it.

"What time is it?" Hana asked.

"Half past midnight," said Hanyuu.

"I'm starting to doubt he's coming tonight, if he's coming at all," said Shinichi.

"Maybe he's waiting for the right time to strike," suggested Hana.

"Maybe," shrugged Shinichi. "It's easy to rob people blind when they're fast asleep."

A silvery veil appeared above them and suddenly a familiar face dropped down near them.

"Oh, Hitomi!" said Shinichi. Hitomi always came and go via the silvery veil. He was known as the Hammer Guy by Shinichi.

"Whasup?" Hitomi greeted.

"Onigiri?" Shinichi offered.

"Don't mind if I do! So, is this a campout?" Hitomi asked as he sat down.

"A stakeout," Hana clarified.

"So, a stake-campout!" Hitomi grinned. "Cool! Or is it a camp-stakeout?"

Daichi slapped Yokoshima upside the head again. The Pill Bug Rider was about ready to doze off. "Stay awake!" Daichi snapped.

"But this is boring!" Yokoshima whined.

"Then read a book!"

"I've read them all!"

"Then read them again!"

"I need to go to the bathroom!"

"Me too!" added Michiru. "I ate a lot of bananas and I need to go!"

Daichi groaned in disgust.

Meanwhile, Jin was in Okinomiya. He was still with the box he'd stolen from Kimiyoshi and trying to get it open so he could catch a glimpse of his stolen bounty. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, the blasted box would not happen. He was also on a run. His face was all over town on posters. He couldn't move around as freely and his Rider form was just too attention grabbing to work.

"Damn it!" he cursed. "This is all No. 13's fault!" he shouted as he tossed the box to the ground, again. Not even a dent. "Stupid box!" He wanted power, and he wanted it now! One of his spies had reported that the NEO-NUMBERS were guarding the Sonozaki Estate and the Furude Shrine. He would need backup if he was ever going to steal from those places. He'd called Gebok for help and was waiting in the warehouse district for them. "Where is my help?"

"You know, I couldn't help but notice how you're glowing," said Hana. Hanyuu had gone back to sleep. Hitomi was roasting marshmallows over the fire with Chiaki.

"What do you mean?" asked Shinichi defensively.

"Well, during the meeting earlier, it was like you were in a state of bliss," said Hana. "Your aura was calm."

"Well…" Shinichi rubbed the back of his head, blushing. "It's personal."

"Does it have anything to do with the missing boxes of condoms from the clinic?" asked Hana. Shinichi froze. Chiaki and Hitomi stared at the youth once known as BLACK 13.

"Condoms?" Hitomi grinned. "OK, what's the story?"

"I…" Shinichi began but then his twin ahoge straightened. His eyes narrowed as he saw dark figures coming towards them. "Darklings…that's all we need." He stood up. His belt formed. Hana and Chiaki's belts also formed. "Henshin!" His belt let out a bright flash of light that enveloped him. The puzzle pieces formed over him, creating his armor. A cocoon of spider silk enveloped Hana and when it unraveled her dark tarantula armor was revealed. As for Chiaki, claw covered his body and when it shattered he was revealed to be in his armor.

Hitomi grinned and summoned his war hammer. "Oh yeah. This what I'm talking about!"

"Weapon Ride: Showa-Blaster and Showa-Blade!" Showa summoned his weapons. Slasher's jhands glowed and became chainsaws. Arachnea took hold of the handle holding the spider legs-like scythes on her back and pulled it off, gripping it menacingly.

"Protect the shrine, and take them out!" Showa ordered. "Now, let's-"

"GERONIMO!" Hitomi roared as he ran towards the Darklings and began bashing them up.

Showa sighed. He yelled, "ATTACK!" and charged into battle, followed by Slasher and Arachnea.

Yokoshima was really getting tired. Even Daichi was starting to doze off. Michiru was still filled with energy.

"It's 3 am," said Yokoshima. "I think he's just pissing us off on purpose."

"I think so too," agreed Daichi.

And then something dropped in front of them. "Hey, what's this?" asked Michiru. Daichi's eyes widened.

"KNOCKOUT GAS!"

The cylindrical canister, plus several others which had been thrown into the estate, began to spew out thick clouds of gas.

"I'm…feeling…shleepy…" yawned Michiru. She dropped down next to Yokoshima who'd fallen over. Finally, Daichi passed out along with his fellow NEO-NUMBERS. The cloud spread all around the estate, putting the people inside to sleep.

Oyro held her head feeling the headache subsiding as she looked around. She had fallen asleep! Grumbling about her old age, she rubbed her eyes to try and get her senses back. However, that's when she saw the empty gas canister at her feet. Her eyes widening in shock, she turned to the vault when her stomach sank. The door had been ripped wide open and all the wards used to keep the Oni no Hone's power in check had been torn apart. The helmet itself was gone. The only thing remaining was a note.

Dear Cranky Old Lady

Hi! This is Petrifier, the guy who robbed you blind! I've gotta say, you've got a neat stash of treasure, especially that bone helmet you had stashed away in that vault. It took me forever to tear the door off. I took the helmet off your hands since you obviously didn't know what it could do. Backwater folks like you rarely understand when you get something good. So, I took it off your hands so I can put it to good use instead of letting it rot down in your musty basement. Don't worry, I'll treat it REAL good so you can get back to ruling over the little anthill you call a village while I use the three treasures' power to conquer REAL cities.

See ya later you old crone!

It was fortunate that Oyro had her medication on her, because she was going to need it when her blood pressure spiked in her fury.

"RIDER SHOT!" Showa shouted as he fired a beam from his Showa-Blaster. It spread out into several beams which collided into several Darklings. The ones in range were beheaded by his sword.

Slasher rushed through the Darklings and hacked them to pieces with his chainsaws.

Arachnea's 8 Kama weapon extended and struck the Darklings. She then spun around, striking them all down to the ground, killing them.

"Bash them in the head! I'll bash them in the head! All through the night I'll bash them in the head!" Hitomi swung as he bashed the Darklings one by one with his war hammer.

They had been going through this for hours. They kept coming out from the darkness. As soon as the sun rose, the Darklings stopped coming. With all the Darklings slain, the Riders and Hitomi regrouped and depowered.

"OK, we've taken care of those things," said Shinichi. His walkie-talkie beeped and he took it out and put it against his ear. "No. 13 here, over!"

"Um…Shinichi…" Michiru answered. "You're not going to like this…" Michiru then told him what had happened.

"HE DID WHAT!"

KR Chrome: Has the shit hit the fans now. Wonder what happened? As if it wasn't so obvious. Well, this arc concludes next chapter.