February 2024

Seven Hours After Augmentation

The wind blew through the wreckage of the old Midorikawa House.

Ash brushed through the trees, spreading its grey skin all over the bright bark.

The smell of blood overpowered the scent of the fresh lake nearby.

And the sound of a girl digging quietly echoed throughout the empty valley.

Erika Janome wiped the sweat from her brow as she gently placed the shovel aside. The young girl wiped her tears as she placed a makeshift cross on the fresh grave. She stood up, staying as solemn as possible the best she could under the circumstances. The former Lycoris turned to the girl behind her, "Anything you…. anything you want to say, Ruriko?"

The wind blew through the wind of the teenager's brown overcoat, her expression utterly neutral, "What should I say?"

"I dunno…. anything?"

Ruriko Midorikawa didn't respond or change her expression. If there were any turbulent emotions she was experiencing, her face did not betray her.

Erika wiped her eyes once more, slightly embarrassed, "Sorry…. I'm pushing. This must be hard for you. You've lost a lot today."

"No, it's not that. It's simply that I have no sentimental things of value to say."

"None…for your father?"

Ruriko's eyes narrowed a bit, the neutrality of her voice dipping a bit towards anger, "After everything you heard, do you expect me to have any?"

"I…I guess that's fair. Sorry. You don't have to say anything."

Ruriko sighed, "If it makes this go by faster, should I say things of sentimentality?"

"Are you sure-"

"Yes. This will increase the speed at which we can leave. What should I say?"

"Well…. just try to say anything. Whatever you say, I won't judge."

Erika bowed her head and Ruriko stood there for a minute. The girl then spoke, with any emotions she may have completely hidden behind a tone of neutrality, "Hiroshi Midorikawa was a brilliant scientist. May his contributions bring an end to the chaos of SHOCKER."

The young Midorikawa looked around as she placed her hand on her gun, eyes darting left and right, "We have to hurry. They're tracking us as we speak. If you wish to say something, make it quick and do it now."

Erika looked at Ruriko with sadness and then at the grave. She knelt on one knee as she placed a hand on the cross, the tears flowing freely. She unzipped her dark trench coat as her other hand felt the white belt grafted around her waist, the metal still warm from the battle earlier.

Her fingers trembled around the metal contraption and her eyes reddened, "Hey, Doctor Midorikawa. I rescued Ruriko just like you asked. But…. I…. I wish I could've done more."

She took a breath as the tears continued to flow down her face.

"I…I'll make sure they never hurt anyone else. I promise. No….me and Ruriko promise. We'll stop them. We'll put an end to all of this."

She stood up and closed her eyes, letting the blowing wind flow through her, the red fan on the white belt slightly spinning as it took in the blowing breeze, "I promise."

There were no words spoken for the next couple of minutes.

Just the sound of the wind.

"That's enough," Ruriko responded gruffly as she walked away from the grave and to the nearby motorcycle, its shining white and red metal glittering against the setting sun. She grabbed one of the two helmets hanging on the handlebars, tossing the other one to Erika.

"Shouldn't…. Shouldn't I use the other helmet?" Erika asked as she looked around, "Considering…our unique situation."

"Your other form would attract attention," Ruriko explained as Erika held the motorcycle helmet in her hands, "Considering our unique political situation, it's best not attract to much attention."

Erika took one last look at the smoking wreck of the Midorikawa Household and then at the grave, "Well…. tell my family and…and all the Lycoris I said hello."

Erika put on the helmet as she took her place on the motorcycle, turning the ignition and zipping up her jacket which hid the belt. Ruriko sat behind her, her hands wrapping around her waist, "Ruriko, where do I go?"

"To another safe house I set up a while back," the Midorikawa teen responded as she pulled out her phone, scrolling through a list, "I'll give you directions as we go. We've been here too long."

Erika responded by revving the bike and driving off, kicking up, dirt and dust. The wind blew past the two as they sped off, leaving their former lives behind.

They couldn't turn back anymore.

"Are we sure that it's just us?" Erika quietly asked her friend as they rode forward, "That's it's just the two of us against…. against all of SHOCKER?"

Ruriko stopped speaking the directions and remained quiet for a minute but soon spoke up, "Yes. We're all alone."

As Ruriko spoke the directions, Erika's mind wandered elsewhere.

To a time….

To a time where everything seemed normal….

To a time where the job was simply to point the gun to where DA told you….

To a time where DA could even be trusted….

To a time when her fellow Lycoris weren't trying to murder her….

To a time where she was still human….

The two rode quietly as the cold moonlight washed over them.

Welcome to Kamen Rider Lycoris!

I think yuri is neat.

I think Kamen Rider is neat.

I think Lycoris Recoil is neat.

I thought to combine all three.

Enjoy.