PURGATORY CHAPTER PART 1: GAME

The Irie Clinic was the local medical facility of Hinamizawa. Previously owned by Miyo Takano but now owned and ran by Kyosuke Irie, the clinic was used to conduct research and treatment of the Hinamizawa Syndrome. Underground was where all the extensive research was done and where patients suffering from the higher levels of the syndrome were kept and sedated to be treated. Fortunately, Irie was able to synthesize a treatment in the form of the C-120 shot to immunize the people who came into the village and suppress the violent symptoms of the syndrome during the advanced stages.

The ground level was the regular clinic where Irie did his work. It was the basement which was most dubious. Originally, the basement was the base for the Yamainu in Hinamizawa and also where some of the research and experiments of the Hinamizawa Syndrome was done. The basement also had a special intensive care unit for severe cases of the syndrome where patients were put into medically induced comas so that they would not hard themselves and others. Satoshi had been kept in his place for two years before he recovered.

As the basement was used as a base for the Yamainu, it came with an advanced security system and communication system. However, after ARMOR was through with it, the security and communication systems had been upgraded and also the basement was being used as a base for another group.

The NEO-NUMBERS. The monitors now not only showed what was going on in the building, but also what was going on in the entire Shishibone area through hidden surveillance cameras planted in the village (Hinamizawa), neighboring town (Okinomiya) and city (Shishibone). Hidden surveillance cameras were planted in the woods and mountains as well. The communication systems was also tuned into the NEO-NUMBERS' communications channel, allowing someone from the base to communicate with the NEO-NUMBERS (while in Rider form). The computer would also alert the NEO-NUMBERS when something was happening that they needed to deal with personally.

Shogo Kuso, the newly inducted member of the NEO-NUMBERS, had been taken to the Terminal which was the base for ARMOR, the organization that the NEO-NUMBERS were now a part of. There, like the rest of the NEO-NUMBERS, he had GIN-SHOCKER's programming removed. The other NEO-NUMBERS, while they had been able to resist, also had the programming removed for security reasons. He also got his own bike, the Stinger, and a uniform jacket made for him. The insignia on the back was a wasp and on his right sleeve was the number 00 which was his designation.

Like most of the other NEO-NUMBERS, Shogo got a job with help from Shinichi. Due to his military-like nature, Shinichi found him the perfect job. He would become one of the Sonozaki Clan's bodyguards. While Oryo was skeptical about Shogo, Mion had vouched for him. Shinichi had told his friends what Shogo was capable of. He could follow orders well and was dedicated to his duty if the cause was justified. Protecting the heiress of the Sonozaki Clan was definitely right up his alley. The Sonozaki Clan was a Yakuza group with a lot of power within the area, so they had enemies and Mion, being the heir, would be targeted by those enemies. However, Shogo often took his job way too seriously and once shadowed Mion while she was on a date with Keiichi.

Not many people were allowed into the NEO-NUMBERS' base. The only ones who were allowed were Dr. Irie, the Hinamizawa Gaming Club and Shinichi's friends, and most importantly Warren Smith.

On one of the monitors something could be seen happening. It was the NEO-NUMBERS fighting against some hostile unknowns.

Showa did not know what they were or where they came from, but it was obvious these goat-headed creatures dressed as butlers weren't friendly. They had sharp teeth and had purple blades of lights which they could conjure at will. They'd appeared while Showa was on patrol and when struck down they vanished into a cloud of golden butterflies.

They were definitely not Darklings, Darkloids or members of GIN-SHOCKER.

The battle was soon joined by the rest of the NEO-NUMBERS. Zero was firing needles at them which hit them through the head, Slasher was tearing them to shreds with his chainsaws, Musician was knocking them down with his sonic blasts, Armadillo was running them over, Carmen was slashing at them with her scythe and Arachnea was using her acid and 8 kamas on them as well.

The numbers of the 'Goat Butlers' as Armadillo had dubbed them seemed to be endless. More kept appearing to replace their fallen brethren, all wielding purple blades of light from their hands.

Showa and Musician were forced back to back as they were pushed against each other by the Goat Butlers in front of them. Musician was using his military fork to push back while Showa was using the Showa-Blade.

"Damn, what are these things?" Musician grunted.

"Goat Butlers, it seems," Showa answered. He took out his gun and fired at the Goat Butler before him at point blank range in the head, causing it to become a cloud of golden butterflies.

"Damn it! Get out of my face!" Musician kicked the Goat Butler backwards and stabbed his military fork straight through its head, destroying it.

Carmen sent the petals from the flowers on her shoulders flying and they cut through the hair, cutting through the Goat Butlers and causing them to vanish. "Take this!" She swung and sent blades of energy slicing through their necks, lobbing their heads off in the process.

"Die," said Arachnea darkly as the shafts of her kamas extended and with a downward swing she sliced the blades down the middle of the targeted Goat Butlers, cutting them in half.

"BOWLING BALL!" Armadillo announced as he rolled over and flattened several Goat Butlers in his path. Once he unrolled himself he leapt up and rolled himself up, coming down, "CANNON BALL!" He smashed straight into a couple of more, flattening them. Their bodies turned into golden butterflies that fluttered away.

Zero sent needles flying, impaling the Goat Butlers in the head. He then fired needle-thin beams that struck them down, turning them into golden butterflies.

Slasher fired the glue from his mouthguard at the Goat Butlers, sticking them in place. He then, with ease, sawed their heads off with his chainsaws. Blood was spilt and the creatures turned into golden butterflies that flapped away.

Showa summoned the Higurashi no Yaiba and assumed Higurashi Form. He cried out, "SHOWA TAMASHII GIRI!" and with a swing the ethereal forms of the Showa Era Kamen Riders flew at the remaining Goat Butlers, striking them down with their own swords.

The NEO-NUMBERS regrouped. "Looks like we're done here," said Zero.

"Yes," Showa admitted, "Thanks, guys."

"Hey, we're a team," said Armadillo, patting Showa on the soldier.

"Yeah, we are," affirmed Showa. He looked at them one by one. A long time ago they were his enemies but now they were his allies.

Musician yawned and said, "Let's call it a night."

"Yeah, I'm tired too," said Armadillo, feeling drowsy.

"I'm going back to base," said Zero. "Someone has to keep watch over the monitors."

"Yeah, you do that," agreed Carmen, "Hana and I are headed to bed."

"Together?" grinned Armadillo.

"Wanna join?" teased Carmen.

"Perverts, the lot of you," scoffed Musician.

"Let's just head back to our homes," Showa suggested.

In the meta-world, Beatrice was sipping her tea. She'd witnessed the NEO-NUMBERS in action as they took down her Goat Butlers with ease. Even if Goat Butlers were low-ranked 'furniture', they were still a force to be reckoned with. However, compared to these Kamen Riders they were nothing.

"Such interesting pieces," Beatrice commented, sitting her cup of tea. The boy, Shinichi, was definitely an interesting one. She reminded the Golden Witch of Battler Ushiromiya. Both were perverts but also good people and had a great amount of hidden power neither was aware of. "The only thing missing is a fear of shaky transportation," Beatrice smirked.

"Pardon?" Libra asked, confused.

"Just thinking out loud," Beatrice said to the man in charge of the last Zodiac War.

"So Beato, what will you do next?" Topper asked the Golden Witch.

"You'll see Infernal Merchant," Beatrice smirked. "7 Stakes of Purgatory, to me!"

"Lucifer of Pride, Present!" a girl with long straight black hair announced. Lucifer was the eldest among all the Stakes of Purgatory and acted as their leader. She was extremely insecure, knowing herself to be the most inferior to her sisters, and feared what they would do if they ever found out. As such, she acted arrogant and conceited to keep her weaknesses from being discovered. Despite that, she took pleasure in surrendering on her own accord.

"Leviathan of Envy, Present!" a girl with middle-length green hair announced. Leviathan was the 2nd eldest and the self-fashioned representative of the younger sisters to Lucifer. By nature, she was a childish but jealous and selfish crybaby who would do anything to win.

"Satan of Wrath, Present!" a girl with curly pale hair announced. Satan was the third eldest of the Stakes. She was easily angered and spoke with scornful inflection, making her the most feared out of the sisters, including by the sisters themselves. However, since people were too afraid to talk back at her, she often felt lonely. She often tried to intentionally anger her sisters so they could be angry with her.

"Belphegor of Sloth, Present!" a girl with long and dark hair in a ponytail announced. Belphegor was the middle child of the Stakes of Purgatory. She was hard-working and sensible, but only so that her master could become a lazy pig and fall all the harder. Her serious nature made her the most trusted of her sisters, but she was also unused to being treated with kindness.

"Mammon of Greed, Present!" a girl with long and brown hair announced. Mammon was the third youngest of the Stakes of Purgatory. She was extremely greedy and, with her ability to act quickly, would do anything to get what she wants, often leading her to start conflicts between her sisters. Unlike the other Stakes, however, she was the most honest emotionally.

"Beelzebub of Gluttony, Present!" a blonde girl with pigtails styled like drills announced. Beelzebub was the second youngest of the Stakes of Purgatory. She was a gourmet, and willing to even use her own flesh to make a delicious meal. Due to her connection to food, she was widely known among other enthusiasts. She served as a calming influence among the sisters. She also had a competitive streak with Mammon to see who would get something first.

"Asmodeus of Lust, Present!" a blonde girl with two long and straight ponytails announced. Asmodeus was youngest of the Stakes of Purgatory. She wished to fall in love, and willing to sacrifice her life for the sake of it. Due to her young age, she was treated affectionately by everyone, but was never taken seriously among the sisters. This made her wish all the harder for her knight in shining armor to arrive and help her be accepted as an adult, though such a thing was nothing more than a delusion.

The 7 girls which had appeared out of bursts of golden butterflies all wore the same outfit. They all appeared to be wearing black leotards under short white blouses with red ties, vests and jackets. They also wore thigh high stockings held up by garter belts and open skirts. Finally, they sported brown leather boots. They had various hair colors but possessed the same red eyes. They were sexy yet deadly at the same time.

"7 Sisters of Purgatory are here!" the seven girls announced as one.

"Ah, these lovely ladies are here!" Topper applauded.

"What do you plan to do with them, Beatrice?" Warren asked suspiciously.

"Oh, just to play a game of Chess," Beatrice said with a grin. "Stakes of Purgatory, seek out these Kamen Riders and fight them!" She snapped her fingers and appearing in each of the Stakes' hands was a photo. "Now go!" She sent them on their way as they vanished in a cloud of golden butterflies.

Kamen Rider Chrome: And so Beatrice wishes to play a game with the NEO-NUMBERS. Wonder what the chances of victory are for the NEO-NUMBERS? Stay tuned to find out.