SHADOW CHAPTER PART 3: ENIGMA

"Stop showing off!" Scanner roared as he fired at Showa, only for Showa to vanish from sight. "What!" Showa suddenly reappeared behind Scanner and smashed his knee against Scanner's back, sending him staggering forward in pain. Scanner whirled around and sent an energy blast at Showa, but instead of hitting his opponent, he hit a log instead. "What is this!"

"Ninjutsu," Showa answered as he reappeared. "And next…" He took hold of the shuriken on his back and spun around and around. Once he gained enough momentum he threw it at Scanner. The evil Rider dodged to the side, the shuriken missing him by an inch.

"Hah! You missed!" Scanner laughed but the flying shuriken did a U-turn before cutting into Scanner from behind. It then returned to Showa who mounted it on his back. "Damn it!" Several kunai came flying at him and they got imbedded in his chest. "Ugh!" he grunted.

"Kage Bunshin!" Showa called out and a dozen clones appeared alongside him. They snapped their fingers, conjuring ninja swords in their hands. They then charged at Scanner, slashing at him with their blades. The real Showa kicked Scanner hard in the chest, sending him toppling backwards. The clones and the real Showa immediately vanished from sight as Scanner climbed to his feet.

"Where are you! Show yourself, coward!" The answer Scanner got was an energy ball rolling at his feet. He looked down and shouted just as it detonated, sending him flying. Showa reappeared and kicked him from behind, catapulting him to the ground where Showa suddenly appeared again. Showa kicked him skyward and then teleport over Scanner to slam the heel of his foot into Scanner, planting him into the ground with a loud crash.

Showa landed on the ground, twirling a kunai in each hand. He gripped them by the handles and charged at Scanner just as he rose to his feet. He slashed at Scanner repeatedly. He kicked Scanner in the stomach and then punched him across the face. He then stabbed Scanner in the neck from both sides before jumping up and planting his feet into Scanner's chest again, driving him backwards with a loud thud.

"What…the hell…are you?" demanded Scanner as he struggled to stand.

Showa didn't answer with words, but instead cupped his hands together as they crackled with dark energy, forming into a ball of energy between his hands that began to grow and expand. His yellow eyes flashed as he rushed towards Scanner. Scanner screamed as Showa came rushing at him. He pressed the energy ball against Scanner's chest, which caused energy to explode out from Scanner's back. Scanner screamed and as he stepped back, a gaping hole was revealed in his body that went right through.

"Damn…you…bastard…" growled Scanner. Showa reached over and flicked his finger against Scanner's face, sending him falling backwards. He hit the ground with a thud which then became a loud boom as his body exploded.

Rena stared with wide eyes as Showa had killed Scanner. As much as she felt that the evil Rider deserved it, she couldn't help but feel that her boyfriend had been cruel when he did it.

As Showa's armor vanished, falling away in the form of puzzle pieces, the Kage no Hoshi hovered in front of Shinichi before flying back to where it belonged.

"Rena-chan, are you okay?" he asked his girlfriend. She nodded. "Good. I'm glad." He looked to the spot where Scanner's body had detonated and frowned before walking over to where Rena and his bike were.

"Shin-kun, how about you? Are you alright?" Rena asked as she checked for any wounds on him. She'd seen him take some hard hits from Scanner before his newest transformation.

"Just sore, but no permanent damage," replied Shinichi. "So, do you want to go home or continue our date? Scanner pretty much ruined the mood."

"Don't you need to see a doctor?" Rena asked. He didn't look wounded, despite all the damage he'd taken.

"Nope," Shinichi shook his head. "I'm as fit as a fiddle. Guess the Kage no Hoshi healed me of any damage when it changed me."

Rena was relieved. "Let's go to Angel Mort."

In the octagonal white room, Warren and Topper were staring each other down. "You planned for Scanner to ambush them," Warren accused Topper.

"And you also planned on him getting the Kage no Hoshi just as he was in a pinch," Topper retorted. "So, all is fair. Now, what move will you make next?"

"A move to counter yours, Infernal Merchant."

"We shall see, Balance Guardian."

"Kawaii…!" Rena gushed as she looked at all the animals.

Daichi grumbled at Shinichi, "Did you have to bring your girlfriend here?"

"She wanted to look at all the cute animals," answered Shinichi. "You know she loves cute little things, animate and inanimate."

"I wish I could take you all home!" Rena twirled around, beaming.

"Get her out of here! She's scaring them!" Daichi shouted.

"OK, Rena-chan! Time to go!" Shinichi called. They exited the animal shelter, only to bump into a familiar face. "Huh? Tomitake-san?"

"Yo, Shinichi!" Jiro Tomitake greeted. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

"Yeah," Shinichi said uncomfortably. This man was connected to the woman who'd tried to kill his friends and the entire village. He didn't trust him exactly but Tomitake had kept his word and had not revealed Shinichi's secret to anyone.

"So, are you still fighting monsters in your spare time?" Tomitake asked.

"Yeah," nodded Shinichi.

"Tomitake-san, how is Takano-san doing?" asked Rena.

"Oh, she's doing much better," smiled Jiro. "She'll be due for release soon and I've been checking up on her."

"Must be nice to have someone that loves her even after all her sins," murmured Shinichi. Miyo and he were a lot a like in that expect. Despite their past sins, they still had someone who loved them and supported them.

"So, how's the photography coming alone?" Tomitake asked Shinichi.

"I haven't had much time, really," said Shinichi honestly. "Been…busy." Training and fighting monsters as well as planning on how to take down GIN-SHOCKER left him with barely any time for himself.

"Oh, well. When you have time, maybe we can compare notes and photos," offered Tomitake.

"OK," nodded Shinichi.

Rena noticed how uncomfortable Shinichi was and took hold of his hand. They intertwined their fingers together.

"Sorry, Tomitake-san, but we're on a date," Rena smiled. "We need to get going."

"Hai," Shinichi nodded.

Dr. Gebok snickered as he looked over his research. "This Hinamizawa Syndrome has so much potential! To think they are trying to cure such an amazing disease! They are not aware of the practical usage of the syndrome! Well, they will learn the error of their ways!" He continued to laugh.

Shogo, who was walking past Gebok's lab, just sighed. It was as if Gebok was unconcerned by Scanner's destruction but that was to be expected. Gebok only saw them as tools and nothing more. Zero knew that but as a soldier he had an obligation to serve GIN-SHOCKER.

With Scanner now gone, only he (No. 00), Misato (No. 04) and Saisen (No. 10) remained.

"How much more must we sacrifice for victory?" Shogo murmured.

"Waa! Shin-kun! The aliens have landed!" Rena cried. The couple was at the arcade. "Help me!"

"Rena-chan, calm down! It's just a game!" Shinichi exclaimed. Rena had chosen to play Space Invaders but then she got overwhelmed as the surviving alien spacecrafts blasted through her defences and killed her. "Let me get you something from the crane game, OK? I promise to get you something cute."

Rena, forgetting about the Space Invaders game, beamed at Shinichi. "OK!"

Shinichi gave a relieved sigh. "Come on."

Hanyuu watched as a shirtless Chiaki was cutting firewood. The goddess was practically drooling at the rippling and glistening muscles as Chiaki used the axe to chop up the logs.

Was this a schoolgirl crush? For Hanyuu, maybe. There was just something about Chiaki that drew Hanyuu to him. He was always willing to listen (mainly because he couldn't say a thing without his notepad) and willing to fight to protect her and her friends. Despite being Shinichi's enemy a long time ago, Chiaki and Shinichi were now allies against GIN-SHOCKER.

Hanyuu had sensed the Kage no Hoshi activating earlier and knew that Shinichi had used it to assume a new form. He may have used it to fight a Darkloid or one of the NUMBERS and it was likely the latter as they were more dangerous than those dark creatures which plagued the area.

Hanyuu had also sensed that Shinichi had once used all three treasures at once but had lost control and had instead been controlled by the treasures instead of the other way around. Just what kind of power and form could all three treasures create together? She often wondered it herself but never got an answer.

Hanyuu had once been focused on changing Rika's fate, but now someone else's fate needed supervision. Shinichi's fate was something that needed to be carefully watched over. He had life taken from him and turned into a weapon, suffering from a split personality as he possessed a darker and more sinister personality deep in his soul.

BLACK 13.

If given the chance, BLACK 13 would destroy them all. BLACK 13, unlike Shinichi, was a true killing machine which was devoid of a conscience, completely unlike Shinichi. However, BLACK 13 was still a part of Shinichi. He could resist it, but it would always be part of his soul.

And it was all Gebok's fault. To think there was a man who, in the name of twisted science, played around with human lives. It was horrible, sick and cruel.

When Hanyuu witnessed Showa defeating Gebok, she thought it was all over. However, the defeated Gebok had only been a decoy. A man like that would never risk himself in a fight.

Still, there was still time to defeat him and Shinichi was the key. Whatever Gebok had planned, Shinichi would stop him…because he was a Kamen Rider. She had no doubt that he would one day defeat GIN-SHOCKER.

Rena and Shinichi sat together in Angel Mort, enjoying an assortment of pastries together. Shinichi was gobbling them down with gusto. Using his powers always gave him a huge appetite and he needed to recharge.

Between bites, Rena looked at Shinichi. He didn't seem fazed that he'd killed Scanner earlier. In fact he didn't seem all that concerned by it. Then again, Scanner had tried to kill him like the other NUMBERS had before.

Frankly, Shinichi tried not to think of what he had to do in order to protect himself and his friends. Threats like the NUMBERS needed to be put down if they were beyond redemption. The only regret he would have would be if he failed to protect his friends.

His visions came rarely but when they did they had been frightening.

One vision had him witness all the villagers being killed as they were gassed to death in the school. The expressions his friends wore in death had horrified him. Luckily, that never happened in this timeline but he knew that something similar may occur. That was why he had these visions. They were to warn him of any future incidents that may befall his friends.

He knew Gebok would do anything to get him on his side, even go after his friends. That was why he would have to do his best in protecting them and the village.

"Rena-chan, tonight, let's have dinner at my place, OK?" Shinichi asked.

"OK," nodded Rena.

Every moment of normalcy was precious to them.

It had gotten dark when Rena and Shinichi were on their way to his apartment. She'd been holding him around the waist, her body against his back. She mentioned that his back was warm and kind. Shinichi didn't say anything to disagree with her but he wasn't all that kind. What he'd done to Scanner and the other NUMBERS was proof of that and while he had killed them to protect his friends, it still didn't make killing them right. However, they hadn't given him a choice.

And suddenly, they were attacked. It had appeared out of nowhere. Actually, it burst out from a manhole as the manhole cover went flying. Shinichi was able to swerve them to safety as the manhole cover went flying at them. He squeezed the brakes and glared at the newly manifested Darkloid and stuck his tongue out in disgust due to the stench the Darkloud was carrying. It looked like living slime that carried a rotten odour. Its empty eyes stared at them as it opened its gaping jaw. Shinichi dismounted from his bike and activated the energy barrier to protect Rena. "Stay here, and don't move," he instructed Rena as he walked towards the Darkloid. "I am so in a bad mood and you're not making it any better. Henshin!"

"So this is your opening move for this round?" Warren asked.

"Yes," nodded Topper. "So, how would you counter?"

"Oh, that's simple."

There was a loud bang a hole was blown open in the Slime Darkloid's head. The creature regenerated slowly, clearly enraged by the act.

Showa knew he hadn't delivered the shot. He looked up to see who had and his eyes narrowed as he focused on the figure standing at the edge of a nearby building's roof. "Skull Rider…" Showa whispered. The Skull Rider jumped off the roof and landed next to Showa. He aimed and fired at the Darkloid with his gun. While suspicious of the mysterious Rider's intentions, he joined in and summoned his own gun, firing at the Darkloid. The weak shots were absorbed but the more powerful ones left gaping holes in the creature's slimy body.

"This isn't working!" growled Showa. "Higurashi no Yaiba!" The sword flew into his hand as soon as it was called. The Darkloid spat balls of slime at the two Riders. "SING!" he commanded and the sword produced a blast of energy that vaporised the balls of slime before they could reach them. The energy also had the extra effect of transforming Showa into Higurashi Form.

"HIGURASHI ZAN!" With a single swipe of his sword, he sent an arch of emerald energy flying at the Darkloid. The arch of energy cut the Darkloid straight down the middle. The Darkloid, however, began to heal itself as both halves rejoined.

"Leaving any trace of it will only allow it to heal and regenerate. You need a different approach," the Skull Rider advised.

"You don't have to tell me that!" Showa snapped. A burst of sonic energy suddenly flew between them and struck the Darkloid in the face, leaving another gaping hole. "Musician."

"Hey, need help?" asked the Cricket Rider as he walked over to join them, hefting his military fork over his shoulder. He eyed the Skull Rider suspiciously.

"Thanks, but I got this," said Showa as he called forth a different weapon. "Oni no Hone!" The Higurashi Form armor underwent a change as the Oni no Hone helmet equipped itself to Showa. Flames erupted from his body as electricity crackled all over him. Finally, a tornado whipped around him creating a tornado of wing, electricity and flames around him. The tri-elemental tornado then dispersed, revealing Showa in his Oni Form, armed still with the Higurashi no Yaiba. He put his hand around the base of the Higurashi no Yaiba's blade. He ran his hand up the blade of the sword, engulfing the blade in flames.

The Skull Rider and Musician watched as Showa prepared his attack, gripping the blazing Higurashi no Yaiba in his hands.

"HIGURASHI…KAEN…GIRI!" He charged at the Slime Darkloid, dodging the slime balls it spat at him. Once in range, he jumped and swung down with his sword. The blazing sword sliced the Darkloid straight down the middle. The Darkloid roared as its entire body was engulfed in flames which incinerated it until nothing was left.

"Game Over," said Showa as he hefted his still flaming sword on his shoulder. He turned, hoping to ask the Skull Rider more questions, only to see that he'd vanished. 'Next time, I won't let you get away without answering my questions.'

The Demon Slaying Sword Higurashi no Yaiba: The Blade of the Cicada is the treasure of the Furude Clan which belonged to Rika's ancestor who was one of the three original founders of the village. It was kept in the Saiguden until it was activated when it sensed Showa's power. The Higurashi no Yaiba chose Shinichi to wield it and its power allows Shinichi to assume Showa Higurashi Form, granting him the ability of flight. The sword is capable of destroying and purifying evil with a single stroke of its blade. The sword can also be wielded when Showa is in Oni Form or Kage Form.

Higurashi Form: This is a form accessed by Showa with the aid of the Higurashi no Yaiba. In this form, Showa gains emerald samurai-like armor and wings that allow him to fly. His primary attack in this form is the Higurashi Zan and he can also perform the Showa Tamashii Giri which summons the spirits of the 13 Showa Riders within him to deal damage on the enemy with their own Higurashi no Yaibas.

The Infernal Demon Helmet Oni no Hone: The Demon's Bone helmet is the treasure of the Sonozaki Clan which belonged to Mion's ancestor who was one of the three original founders of the village. Legend has it that the helmet was forged from the skull of a demon and the demon's power still rests within the helmet. The helmet grants its wearer the power of fire, lightning and wind. When worn by Showa, it allows him to access Oni Form.

Oni Form: This is a form accessed by Showa with the aid of the Oni no Hone. In this form, Showa gains armor with a tiger-like pattern and a more demonic helmet fashioned after the Oni no Hone. He can also wield fire, lightning and wind to use in his attacks. His attacks in this form are Volcano Punch, Cyclone Drill and Lightning Spear. This form seems to possess more brute strength than Showa's other forms.

The Darkness Shuriken Kage no Hoshi: The Star of the Shadows is the treasure of the Kimiyoshi Clan which belonged to the village chief's ancestor who was one of the three original founders of the village. The shuriken is said to allow anyone who possesses it to gain all the knowledge of the ninja. The shuriken, when in Showa's possession, allows him to access Kage Form.

Kage Form: This is a form accessed by Showa with the aid of the Kage no Hoshi. In this form, Showa gains dark armor that is ninja-themed. He also has giant shuriken mounted on his back which will return to him like a boomerang after it's thrown. He also possesses the ability to teleport, turn invisible and create clones to aid him in combat. His primary attack is the Dark Ball attack where he focuses darkness energy between his hands before smashing it into the enemy, which causes massive damage as demonstrated when he defeated Scanner with it.