HUNTING CHAPTER PART 2: STALKING
The other NEO-NUMBERS all had black uniform jackets with their own emblems. Chiaki wore a jacket with II on the right sleeve and on the back was a cartoonish termite which was holding a saw, Michiru wore a jacket with XI on her right sleeve, an orchid on her left sleeve, with a pink orchid mantis on the back, Hana wore a jacket with VII on the right sleeve and a purple spider on the back, Daichi wore a jacket with VIII on the right sleeve and a cricket holding a musical note on the back, and finally Yokoshima wore a jacket with a dark silver pill bug on the back and IX on his right sleeve.
Speaking of Yokoshima, he was seated across Shinichi at one of the booths in the ChronoLiner. The NEO-NUMBERS, now members of ARMOR, were allowed access to the time train whenever they needed it. Since they were going to hunt down Misato, they would need to use the train to get to Ibaraki. The two former NUMBERS were friends because Yokoshima was able to get insider info from Shinichi regarding his mom's books. Yokoshima was a fan of Shiori Banabara and enjoyed her books. Back with the other NUMBERS he passed the time by reading and quickly fell in love with the adult literature.
Yokoshima was grinning from ear to ear as Shinichi ran over his strategy to defeat Misato in his head. He looked up to see Yokoshima grinning and wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "What?" Shinichi asked.
"Be honest, Shinichi," Yokoshima replied, "What did you do that made you late?"
Shinichi's face became red and he averted his eyes from his perverted teammate. "It's none of your beeswax, Yokoshima!"
"Oh, come on! Just between us men! Did you and that cutie of a girlfriend of yours…" Yokoshima felt an index finger pressed between his eyes.
"Finish that sentence and you'll experience death all over again," Shinichi threatened in a low and dark voice. Yokoshima paled, seeing Shinichi's old BLACK 13 personality surface on the dangerous expression on his face. "Now, drop it!"
"OK!" Yokoshima jumped out of the seat and took a seat at the opposite side of the train with Hana and Michiru.
"You really shouldn't be so nosey, Yokoshima," scolded Hana. "What Shinichi does at his own time is none of our concern."
"I was just making conversation," Yokoshima remarked.
"Don't. Right now he needs to concentrate and you should too. Misato's dangerous. She's insane, but also highly intelligent. She must know we're coming for her. She never does anything for a reason. She did all this just to get Shinichi's attention."
Michiru added, "I mean, you remember how obsessed she is with Shinichi. First she's going to have his way with him, then torture him, and make his death slow and agonizing." Michiru and Hana did not like Misato all that much. None of them really did. They just tolerated her, albeit barely. She always made fun of Michiru for being so childish and called Hana a freak because of her condition.
"I know. She was always so creepy. Even creepier than you, Hana," said Yokoshima. Hana scowled at him.
"If you three are through gossiping, you should look out the window," said Daichi. "We're here."
Rena had gone to Shiori's house. Shinichi's mother was aware of her son's plan and while she did not want her son going after a literally bloodthirsty psychopath, she knew she could not stop him when he put his mind to something.
"You're not the only one worried about him," said Shiori. "I am too, and so are Rika-chan and Hanyuu-chan."
"I just don't want him to get hurt," said Rena, eyes to the ground. "Shin-kun is…Shin-kun is my most precious person in the entire world."
"I feel the same way," agreed Shiori. "Don't worry, Rena-chan. He'll be back and then you can have him all to yourself and hug him to death."
Rena looked forward to that. However, she still felt uneasy. Ibaraki would forever be a most hated place to her. That was where her life had fallen apart.
The NEO-NUMBERS had arrived at the same time they'd left. No time had passed since they boarded the ChronoLiner. As a time train, the ChronoLiner could make trips between two places without any time passing at all. Only time inside the ChronoLiner seemed to pass.
"OK, let's split up," said Shinichi. "You all have your photos?" They all held up the pictures of Misato they had. "She's not the type to lay low so people might know about her."
"But splitting up?" Chiaki asked, "Are you sure?"
"I am. We can cover more ground that way," explained Shinichi. "Michiru, you're with me. Yokoshima, you're going with Daichi, and Hana, you're with Chiaki. Now, let's move people!"
"Ah, so the hunt begins," said Beatrice as she sat in the meta-world with the three men.
"Ah, Lady Beatrice. So nice of you to show up," said Topper.
"Well, I wanted to see how your game was coming along. It's becoming quite interesting, Topper. Your game piece is really dedicated to his job."
"Of course he is," said Topper.
"Would you mind if I added two of my own pieces to the board, at least for now?" asked Beatrice. "I want to give them more of a challenge."
The NEO-NUMBERS all went around town, asking the people if they'd seen Misato. They hadn't gotten any affirmative answers. Shinichi and Misato were in Ibaraki's shopping district.
Shinichi didn't hate the place, but Rena did. This was the place where everything had gone wrong for her. Her mother had an affair, their parents had a divorce, and finally she had succumbed to the Hinamizawa Syndrome.
Meanwhile, Yokoshima and Daichi were in a bookstore. "Hey, Shiori-san's books are sold here too," Yokoshima said as she picked up a book. "Never read this one before."
"Yokoshima, put the book down and let's go," Daichi ordered. "We're not getting anything here."
"Can't I just go and pay for it."
"No."
"Spoilsport." Yokoshima stuck his tongue out at Daichi. As they exited, they were suddenly ambushed by screeching GIN-SHOCKER soldiers that jumped out of nowhere.
"GIN-SHOCKER," frowned Daichi. "Yokoshima!" They formed their belts.
"Alright!" Yokoshima cracked his knuckles.
"Henshin!"
At the same time, Hana and Chiaki were checking out one of Ibaraki's nightclubs. Teens and young adults came to this place to hang out and have fun and didn't care how late they were out. They were asking questions, but Hana kept getting lame pick up lines while Chiaki intimidated a few people with his size.
"Let's go," said Hana. "We're getting nowhere here."
"Maybe Shinichi and Michiru have better luck," said Chiaki.
In the night club, a woman was watching them. She was attractive and wearing a red dress. Suddenly, GIN-SHOCKER soldiers spilled into the nightclub and attacked. Hana and Chiaki went on guard as they did.
"Looks like we found something else!" Chiaki exclaimed, grabbing a GIN-SHOCKER soldier and tossing him through the air, hitting the dance floor.
"Looks like it's time to dance," added Hana. "Henshin!"
"Alright, from what I got from the people around here, Misato hangs around this district a lot," said Michiru. After some searching and asking questions, they finally got the answers they were looking for.
"Seems seedy," frowned Shinichi. He looked around. The people didn't look pleasant. They looked a bit like yakuza and street gangsters. "She'll feel right at home."
"Of course. It's the red light district here. There are host clubs, hostess clubs and bars, but they are just fronts for prostitution, both male and female," said Michiru.
"Well, I'm starting to get why Rena-chan hates this place," said Shinichi, "But for different reasons." A hooker blew him a kiss.
Michiru shrieked and clung to Shinichi's arm. A rat scurried past. "It's just a rat," he deadpanned.
"Sorry," Michiru apologized, blushing. "I just don't like this place."
"And you're about to hate it even more!" Misato cackled as she walked out of an alley and stood before them. She was not even trying to hide. She licked the fresh blood off her hand. "I've been waiting for you, BLACK 13, and you've even brought No. 11 with you. How fun! I'll just play with you both!"
While on their search, Yokoshima and Daichi were suddenly attacked by GIN-SHOCKER troopers outside of the book bookstore. The costumed soldiers tried to overpower them by outnumbering them. However, the two former members of the NUMBERS made short work of them.
"Guess Misato isn't alone," Musician frowned.
"Yeah," agreed Armadillo. "Come on, we better go and find Shinichi and Michiru!" He ran to find his friends but slammed into an invisible wall before he fell on his back.
"Oww," Armadillo groaned after being pushed back by something. Curious, Musician tapped his military fork at an unseen wall and realised what it was.
"A barrier," said Musician.
"Correct, young masters." Both Riders turned around to see a man there. He wore a butler's uniform with well groomed chin length hair, a moustache and he wore a monocle.
"My name is Ronove and my mission is to prevent you from helping Mister Banabara."
Musician acted quickly and fired a blast of sound energy at Ronove with his military fork, only for it to bounce of an invisible barrier. "Damn!" Musician cursed.
"Now, shall we begin?" asked Ronove politely.
They weren't the only ones having a strange encounter. Chiaki/Slasher and Hana/Arachnea were also having an encounter with the strange kind.
GIN-SHOCKER soldiers lay on the floor around Slasher and Arachnea. Some looked cut up while a few were stuck together by glue. All the people in the nightclub had made a hasty exit, not wanting to get involve in the fight. Good for them. They would've gotten hurt and end up as casualties. They did not need any collateral damage to make their work harder.
"Guess we better regroup," said Arachnea. "Let's go!"
Slasher nodded. As they made a move to find their friends, they were suddenly stopped as someone stood in their way. "Out of the way," Slasher said. She just smiled at them.
"He said move!" added Arachnea sternly. The strange woman, however, responded cheerfully.
"Hello, Slashie and Ara-chan!" She had curly orange hair and was wearing a red dress and a hat with a pink bow tied around it, along with high heels. "Hi! My name's Gaap and I will be your opponent. Can't let you ruin Shini and Misa's reunion/fight."
Both sweatdropped as they thought, 'What's with the nicknames?'
Gaap smiled and suddenly rushed at them. She kicked out with her leg, knocking Slasher down. Arachnea took out her weapon and lashed it out, the scythes extending. However, the blades just hit the ground as Gaap leapt over them with ease.
"Ronove and Gaap?" Warren's eyes narrowed at Beatrice. "You sent two of your demons after them?"
Beatrice shrugged, "I thought it would make things interesting."
Shinichi and Misato were fighting. Michiru was down for the count. The psychotic Rider had hit Michiru in the neck, knocking her out before tossing her aside. Misato wanted this to be a private party between her and BLACK 13.
Shinichi was knocked backwards by a kick, hitting the wall behind him. Misato stalked towards him, an insane gleam in her eyes.
"You're mine, BLACK 13!" she grinned, cackling as she prepared to kill him.
He frowned and rushed towards her, driving his fist into her stomach. "Go to hell, you psycho!" She bashed his fists down on his back. He grunted and then head butted her in the chin. She was sent staggering by the hit.
"Time to go up a level! Henshin!" declared Misato, assuming her Rider form.
"Henshin! Let's Ride: Showa!" declared Shinichi, assuming his own Rider form.
Seras and Showa then charged at each other. Red energy blades formed from her hands and she slashed at him, and he parried with his Showa-Blade, driving her back with a push. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed.
From his vantage point, Nagazawa watched. "The NUMBERS Project was just a waste from the start," he sneered.
Seras sent her blood vessels flying at Showa, trying to bind him, but he effortlessly sliced them to ribbons with his sword. She then shot at him, the sharp point of her helmet poised to pierce into him. He dropped his sword and grabbed the point between his hands.
"Sorry, but only Rena-chan gets to kiss me!" he snapped and with a twist he broke off the needle-like point of her helmet before shoving her backwards with his shoulder. "Kage no Hoshi!"
The treasure appeared and merged with Showa before darkness enveloped him and dispersed, giving him access to his ninja-like Kage Form.
"Kage Bunshin!" Showa called as he performed a hand seal and created a dozen clones behind him. "Kunai Storm!" Showa and his clones then threw kunai at Seras, piercing into her armor. She let out shriek as Showa caused damage to her. He then performed another hand seal. "Boom!"
KA-BOOM!
The kunai all exploded. When the smoke began to clear, Seras stumbled towards Showa. She was damaged all over. "You...bastard..."
Showa stared at her without a hint of compassion as he took hold of the shuriken mounted on his back. With a swing he sent the shuriken flying. It spun like a buzzsaw. Seras' eyes widened as the shuriken sliced right through her midsection before returning to Showa. Blood gushed out of her like a fountain as the top half of her body toppled over. Finally, she exploded.
Showa stared down at the spot where Seras had just perished and turned away. He went over to Michiru and picked her up before teleporting away.
Nagazawa, who'd been watching, soon grew interested, "Hm…maybe that project wasn't a waste after all."
Armadillo and Musician were still fighting Ronove. The odd man was utilizing barriers, and using them both for offence and defence. He used them to deflect their attacks. He was even using the barriers to send Musician's attack right back at the two NEO-NUMBERS. The damage could be seen around them as the ground was littered with holes and cracks from their deflected attacks and where the two NEO-NUMBERS had fallen as Ronove sent their attacks back at them.
Musician fired another sonic blast, only for it to be sent back at him, sending him flying. Armadillo rolled himself into a ball and rushed at Ronove, only to be send rolling backwards as he hit the barrier.
"There's no breaking it!" Armadillo shouted.
"Damn it! Hey, you bastard! Get out of our way!" Musician demanded.
Ronove smirked and then he said, "Looks like our time here is up." He then vanished in a flash of gold that turned into butterflies.
The two Riders blinked. What was all that about?
"That was weird," remarked Armadillo.
"No argument there, my friend," agreed Musician. "Now, come on!"
Gaap was both a resourceful and annoying opponent. Whenever they had her cornered, she would escape using dimensional holes she could summon at will. Not only that, she was using these holes as weapons. She could attack from anywhere and at anytime, and those heels on those shoes of hers were sharp, nearly piercing through their armor. Thankfully, their suits were made of tougher stuff and were able to withstand her attacks.
The annoying part was that Gaao kept taunting them as she fought and was dancing around as the music in the club continued to play.
"Aren't you both supposed to be strong? I'm getting bored here. Come on Slashie and Ara-chan! Get serious here!" Gaap taunted.
Arachnea swung, her 8 kamas flying at Gaap, but only hitting air as she vanished into a hole. The hole appeared behind the two and Gaap kicked out at them, sending them staggering. Slasher, with his chainsaws, swung at Gaap but the strange woman kept jumping about, dodging his attacks. She then did a flip and kicked out, the heel of her shoe hitting Slasher in the chin, sending him reeling.
"Is that all?" Gaap mocked. "Aren't you supposed to be elite NUMBERS? I heard you were strong but it looks like you can't live up to your hype!"
From their mouthplates, Slasher and Arachnea fired their respective adhesives. The webbing and glue stuck to Gaap and stuck her to where she was. She was upset, but not for getting trapped, but because…
"You ruined my dress!" Gaap screeched. She tried to get free, but she couldn't. Not even her holes could help her. She was stuck! "Damn it! Let me go! Let me go!"
"OK, now talk," said Arachnea, glaring at Gaap. "Who sent you?"
Gaap glared back but smirked, "Oh, and what makes you think someone sent me?"
"We know you're not GIN-SHOCKER, so who put you up to this?" added Slasher.
Gaap laughed. "Oh, if you knew you would not believe me." She then added, smirking wide, "Looks like I'm being summoned. Ciao!" In a flash of gold and golden butterflies, Gaap vanished.
"That was strange," said Chiaki.
"Yes, but we better go find the others. GIN-SHOCKER is crawling all over the place."
Ronove and Gaap appeared, flanking Beatrice. "Had fun?" Beatrice asked.
"The two I fought were challenging," admitted Ronove.
"They were fun!" Gaap confessed, "I can't wait to fight them again."
"You might get your chance," Beatrice said.
"You do realise you could've gotten them killed," Warren frowned.
"Oh, but of course," Beatrice confessed, "But if they had died I would've revived them."
"Only to kill them again," Warren shot back.
"Which is the specialty of I, Beatrice, the Endless Witch!" Beatrice laughed.
Warren leaned back in his seat. He was glad Shinichi had won and defeated Misato. However, there were more challenges ahead of him.
The NEO-NUMBERS all returned to the ChronoLiner, where Chiaki, Hana, Daichi and Yokoshima were giving him both alarming and strange news.
"So, some butler and a girl in a red dress just appeared to fight you?" Shinichi concluded after hearing their explanations.
"Not only that, but I think GIN-SHOCKER has a base here," said Hana.
"So, what do we do?" asked Yokoshima. They looked expectantly to Shinichi to see what his decision was. Shinichi closed his eyes.
"We tell Warren, and then we go home," Shinichi said.
Kamen Rider Chrome: That's the end of Misato, but not the end of this arc. Trust me, there's a lot more going on when Nagazawa shows what he can do.