Showa Chronicles: Road to Annihilation
Prelude: Set Up
December 21st, 1992
Mion visited a mall in Tokyo to buy a gift for Keiichi. As Christmas was just around the corner, the mall was pretty crowded and busy. She was accompanied by Shogo Kuso who was dressed as one of the many Sonozaki Family bodyguards. They both wore perception filter glasses so they could go about their business without being recognised.
"Ah, this is hopeless. I haven't found the perfect gift for Kei-chan yet," Mion complained. They had visited many different stores and yet none of them had what she was looking for. Thinking about her fiancé made a smile appear on her face. He was the love of her life and she just wanted to find something special. She needed to find the perfect gift for him.
"Don't worry, Mion-sama. I know you can pick out the right gift for him," Shogo assured her, smiling warmly.
"You're right, Shogo," Mion agreed. "C'mon, let's go someplace else."
As Mion and Shogo were headed to the elevator, they heard the loud crash of glass shattering and saw a truck come barreling in through the mall. People screamed in panic, running from the truck's path. A mother with a baby stroller was about to be run over when the truck came to a sudden halt.
"Hey, are you OK?" a young man in a white uniform asked as he stepped out from behind the truck. He had messy black hair and a cocky grin.
"Did...did you stop the truck?" the mother asked as she picked her baby up from the stroller and comforted it.
"Sure did, ma'am," the man confirmed. "You and your child are safe now."
The police were called to arrest the truck driver who claimed he had no idea why he had driven into the mall. Meanwhile, the mysterious hero was being interviewed by reporters.
"I was just, you know, in the neighbourhood when I saw the truck drive straight into the mall. I knew I had to stop it before people got hurt," he claimed as he scratched the back of his head.
"Who are you?" one of the reporters asked.
"The name's X of the Brain Trust Society!" the mysterious hero announced proudly with a cocky grin.
Meanwhile, in Okinomiya, Shion was at a toy shop with Hana. Both of them were wearing perception filter glasses so they could shop in peace. Just like her sister, Shion was also looking for a Christmas gift.
"Hm, what do you think I should get Satoko?" Shion mused, eyeing the shelf full of plush toys.
"I doubt that a woman her age would appreciate a plush toy," Hana opined.
"That may be true but she still acts like a kid sometimes," Shion giggled. "You know, time really flies. I remember back when I was taking care of Satoko whenever Satoshi-kun wasn't around." Her smile faded as she frowned sadly. "And then he disappeared." Those years of not knowing what had happened to Satoshi brought her and Satoko closer but they were still painful to remember.
"Shion..." Hana said sympathetically.
"But now he's back!" Shion's mood changed as she smiled brightly. "And it's all thanks to Shin-chan!" But then her smile turned into a frown again. "But I don't know what I'd do if Satoshi-kun disappeared again..."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hana offered.
"Ah, forget it! Forget it!" Shion smiled again, dismissing her sadness. "I shouldn't dwell on the past! I gotta focus on the here and now!" Hana, however, was not convinced but she would drop the issue for now. "Now, c'mon, help me pick a gift for Satoko!"
Suddenly, the two of them heard screaming and rushed outside the shop. The hotel across the street was on fire. The fire raged as smoke rose into the air. From one of the open windows, Shion could see a very familiar person yelling for help.
"That's Oishi-san!" Shion yelled as he recognized him. Kuraodo Oishi was a retired police detective who originally worked for the Okinomiya Police Department. He was also pro-Rider and an ally of theirs and now he was in trouble.
"I'll go and save him," Hana said. Firefighters were on their way. Until they arrived, Kamen Rider Arachnea would need to rescue the people inside. The Tarantula Rider was about to transform when they both witnessed the flames being sucked away through the windows. The tendrils of fire all flowed into a man standing in front of the hotel. Soon, the hotel was no longer on fire and the mysterious hero was holding a compressed ball of fire in his hands.
"Who is that?" Shion asked.
"I don't know," Hana answered. Metahumans were still a recent thing in this world so the appearance of one was not very common.
December 25th, 1992
Hanyuu and Chiaki were spending Christmas together, having a date in Tokyo. They were also wearing their perception filter glasses as they sat at a café table together. Hanyuu smiled happily as the two of them shared a couple's parfait. The Christmas-themed parfait was served in a large bowl that was big enough for the two of them.
"Ah, it's so nice to be able to go out and have a date without people stalking us," Hanyuu said happily as she took a bite out of the sweet treat. While it was nice to be praised and recognized as heroes, it was also quite troublesome to be stalked by fans and reporters. It was why she cherished the quality time she could spend with her beloved uninterrupted.
"Yes, it is very nice," Chiaki agreed. As they enjoyed their parfait, they heard sirens blaring and watched as police cars sped past the café.
"What do you think is going on?" Hanyuu asked.
"Sheila?" Chiaki called as he activated his comm-link. "Is there a crime being committed in our area?"
"There is a hostage situation taking place in a bank near you," Sheila informed him. "Ten armed robbers have taken the bank clerks and clients hostage."
"Hanyuu-chan?" Chiaki looked at her girlfriend and sighed.
"Looks like we have to save the day again," she sighed. She had been enjoying herself too. Chiaki left money for their parfait and ran out of the café to enter an alley. There was a flash of light and the couple disappeared.
Slasher and Hanyuu stepped out of the Teleportal and entered the bank to deal with the bank robbers but they were too late. No, none of the hostages was harmed or killed. In fact, the robbers had already been subdued and knocked unconscious. The rescued hostages were cheering and applauding, singing praises for a woman with platinum blonde hair.
"Oh, you guys are here," the woman said as she noticed Slasher and Hanyuu. "No need to thank me for doing your job for you."
"Who are you?" Hanyuu asked, not appreciating the woman's condescending tone.
"Call me T of the Brain Trust Society," the woman introduced herself. "You sure took your sweet ass time getting here. Old age catching up to you?"
"We came as fast as we could," Slasher stated. "Though we do appreciate the help."
"Well, it was nothing," T shrugged. The police soon arrived to apprehend the criminals and take statements.
December 31st, 1992
In Shishibone City, Satoshi was with Yokoshima, the two of them sporting perception filters just like the rest of their friends. The glasses were the best way to avoid being mobbed by fans and the media. As much as they enjoyed the praise and attention, they just wanted to have a normal day. Yokoshima was carrying a stack of six pizza boxes for everyone back at the Hive Tower. They were going to have a party to celebrate the coming new year.
"You know, you really didn't need to come with me to get pizza, Satoshi," Yokoshima said.
"Someone needs to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't eat them all," Satoshi reminded.
"One time! That was one time!" Yokoshima said defensively.
"Exactly and we now know you can't be trusted to be left alone with food," Satoshi retorted. Yokoshima was about to argue when they both heard a cat in a tree.
"Meow!" The cat was scared and stuck in a tree. Standing under the tree was a teenage girl.
"C'mon, just jump! I'll catch you!" the girl promised her cat but the animal was too frightened despite the reassuring words.
"Looks like someone needs help," Yokoshima said as he handed the pizzas to Satoshi. "Hold this." He approached the girl. "Hey, is that your cat?"
"Yes," she answered, nodding. "Can you help me?"
"Sure, I'll help," Yokoshima said. As he was about to climb the tree to get the cat down, he slipped on a sheet of ice and fell on his back. "Ow!"
"Yokoshima!" Satoshi yelled.
"Like, why don't I help you instead?" a gyaru asked playfully as she volunteered. Snapping her fingers, she created a slide made of ice that connected the branch to the ground. She took out some catnip and held it to the cat. "Here, kitty, kitty."
The cat, attracted by the catnip, voluntarily went down the slide. The teenage girl caught her pet and smiled at the mysterious woman.
"Thanks," the girl said.
"Oh, fer shure, fer shure. And spread the word that K of the Brain Trust Society helped you today," the gyaru said before walking away.
"Who was that?" Satoshi asked as he helped Yokoshima up.
"No idea, but she seems cool," Yokoshima said but then he slipped again. "D'oh!"
January 3rd, 1993
"Hello and welcome to The Last Word!" DJ Mikogami shouted enthusiastically from his chair as he greeted his audience, earning applause and cheers from them. "I am your host, DJ Mikogami and today I want to tell you about a group of heroes who have recently appeared on the scene! No, I'm not talking about those walking disasters known as the Kamen Riders! No! Boo Riders! Boo! No, I'm not talking about them. Who am I talking about? Well, here to tell us about these brand new heroes is my guest! Now, put your hands together fooooor Professor Kyofu!"
The audience applauded loudly as Kyofu stepped onto the stage. He waved at the crowd before he took his seat on the couch beside DJ Mikogami's desk.
"It's nice to have you here with us, Professor Kyofu," DJ Mikogami welcomed his guest.
"It's my pleasure to be here, DJ Mikogami. I'm just happy to be recognized for my hard work," Kyofu replied.
"So, tell us about your Brain Trust Society, Professor Kyofu. What's it all about?" DJ Mikogami asked as he began the interview.
"Well, my Brain Trust Society is all about psychic research. Psychics are just extraordinary, don't you think? But because of superstition, they end up being hated or feared as they are seen as cursed people. The truth is, there is really nothing to fear. Psychic power is simply a natural sign of human evolution as we tap into our true potential," Kyofu explained.
"So, you're saying your research is for the betterment of mankind."
"Exactly!" Kyofu confirmed. "The goal of my research is to help defend humanity from everything that threatens it. That includes the Kamen Riders."
"Oh, so you believe the Riders are a threat?" Mikogami asked, interested to hear Kyofu's opinion on the cyborgs.
"That is precisely what I am saying!" Kyofu affirmed. "You see how powerful they are. They may have saved the world but let us not forget about their past! They're killers! And yet, they believe themselves to be heroes! But all I see is a group with delusions of grandeur! They even have a tower that stands in Hinamizawa, a monument that looks down on us all!"
"So, we should not trust the Riders?"
"I simply ask everyone to be cautious. If they have killed before, they can kill again and what is stopping them from turning on us? That is why my research is not only important, it is also necessary to protect humanity in case the cyborgs decide that they should rule over us!"
"I see," Mikogami nodded in agreement. "Well, you have started to prove that with your psychic heroes."
"Yes, indeed," Kyofu nodded. "They've been performing heroic deeds, helping people and saving lives."
"But who are they exactly?" DJ Mikogami asked.
"Well, they are the future protectors of the world," Kyofu claimed. "Gifted with special powers, I found them and gave them a chance to use their abilities for good. My Brain Trust Society allows them to improve and perfect their abilities so they can serve humanity as true heroes."
"And what does the government say about your Brain Trust Society?" DJ Mikogami questioned. "I suppose they would think you were creating your own private army of super psychics."
"Unlike the cyborgs, my Brain Trust Society has the trust and support of the government," Kyofu boasted. "Unlike the organisation that made the Riders, we are not creating weapons but humanity's champions. I am also willing to share my resources with the government, unlike the Riders who hoard their advanced technology and are unwilling to share it even though it could benefit the world."
"So, you believe heroes should work closely with the government," Mikogami inquired.
"Yes, precisely!" Kyofu confirmed. "The Riders are nothing more than vigilantes and outlaws! The only reason they have not been charged for their crimes is that nobody can do anything about them! There is nobody to hold them accountable! But soon, very soon, they will no longer be needed and my psychics will prove that they are the better heroes, the only heroes this world needs!"
"The only heroes this world needs!"
Shiori turned off the TV in annoyance. Sitting with her in the living room was her son, Shinichi. He had come for a visit with his family when DJ Mikogami's show came on. While they disliked the DJ's criticism of the NEO-NUMBERS, they still watched his show once they saw Mikogami had Kyofu as his guest.
"The way he talks reminds me of Gebok," Shiori said disdainfully. "I can't believe you're not upset about this, Shinji."
"He's entitled to his own opinion, Kaa-chan," Shinichi responded reasonably.
"That is very mature of you, Shinji," Shiori said proudly. "But this Professor Kyofu has no right to insult you like that on live television! He even has the nerve to bring up your past! You've already atoned for what you've done! You're not one of GIN-SHOCKER's weapons anymore!"
"That's nice of you to say, Kaa-chan, but not everyone can forget the past so easily. People can hold a grudge for a long time," Shinichi said with a sad sigh. He knew this from experience. "Even with all the good we do, our past will always be stained in blood."
"Just remember, you're not alone, Shinji," Shiori reassured her son. "You have all our support."
"She's right, Shin-kun," Rena said as she sat down beside Shinichi after changing their son's diaper. "You don't have to do this by yourself. All of us are here for you."
"Thank you," Shinichi accepted, smiling gratefully. It would be a difficult path to walk but at least he was not doing it alone. Not only did he have the support of his family, but he had the support of his friends, his team, his village and ARMOR.
Kyofu sat in his office, looking quite smug. The interview with Mikogami had gone smoothly. Not only did he manage to promote his Brain Trust Society, but he was able to make people doubt their trust in the cyborgs. Sending out Alpha Force to perform heroic deeds also helped to promote his Brain Trust Society and put them in a positive light. It was no coincidence that he sent his people to deal with those situations while the NUMBERS were nearby. He had set it up that way. He wanted the NUMBERS to know that they were no longer needed. He wanted them to know how obsolete they were.
With the support from the government and his many investors, Kyofu had all the funding he needed to perfect his research. And soon, very, very soon, humanity would evolve into what it was meant to be. He knew that not everyone would be ready but evolution was about natural selection. Only the strongest and most worthy would be allowed to evolve. There was, however, one obstacle to his plans: BLACK 13. Before Kyofu could truly claim success, he needed to get rid of BLACK 13. Fortunately, he had the perfect person for the job.
He would destroy Gebok's greatest achievement and prove once and for all, without a shadow of a doubt, that psychics were superior to cyborgs.
June 19, 1993
In Tokyo, Professor Kyofu held a press conference. On stage, he stood behind a podium, dressed in a white lab coat with a red dress shirt, black pants and a black tie.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press. I'm here to talk to you about those cyborgs who are still at large. That's right, I'm talking about the Kamen Riders. While they claim to be heroes, we all know the truth. We know what they are. We know what they've done. And yet, they are still allowed to walk around free without answering for their crimes. Tell me, is that fair? Can we put our faith in these cyborgs to protect us when there is so much blood on their hands? Can we trust them not to turn on us one day? Well, you mustn't worry because I have formed a contingency in case that were to ever happen. You know them, you've seen them in action, and now they are battle ready! Behold, the Alpha Force!"
In a flash, Alpha Force appeared, standing behind Kyofu. They were men and women of various ages who were specifically chosen to be members of Kyofu's elite team. They sported matching gakuran uniforms, each wearing a different letter of the alphabet on their breast pockets. While the men wore pants, the women wore skirts. One of the female members wore a hood over her head.
"These Espers are a special and rare breed of humans who were born with amazing psychic abilities," Kyofu continued. "I have gathered them and trained them, helping them to perfect their gifts. Now they stand before you as the best of the best. And unlike those cyborgs, they are all one hundred percent human. No artificial enhancements or augmentations whatsoever. They will be the ones to protect you all, not a bunch of machines who pretend to be heroes."
"Professor Kyofu," one reporter called out with her hand raised.
"Yes, and you are?" Kyofu responded.
"Hope Pulido for CrossGen News," the reporter introduced herself. She was a buxom Caucasian woman with long, wavy blonde hair and icy blue eyes. She wore deep red lipstick with blood-red nail polish. Her outfit was a black blouse that was wrapped so tightly around her that it squeezed out her cleavage, a red mini skirt and black high heels. For some reason, she had a gold necklace that resembled an evil-looking skull that rested between her breasts. She also had an accent on her, likely Swedish. "I have a very important question to ask you: Where was your Alpha Force during the Religion of Crime's takeover from a few years back? Considering the circumstances, should they not have joined the NEO-NUMBERS and their allies during the final battle that ended Vandal Savage's tyranny?"
"Well... I had to hide them. I could not risk having my Alpha Force fall into Savage's hands like the cyborgs," Kyofu answered, making up an excuse. "Who knows what he could've done with their powers under his control? By the time I was ready to mobilise them, the battle was already over."
"Are you exploiting them for your own goals then? Like creating your own personal private army?" Hope continued to question. "That sounds disturbingly like what happened to the NEO-NUMBERS." Several murmurs were heard amongst the crowd of reporters in response to her words. Kyofu's face twitched slightly, but he kept his composure.
"True, I will admit that what happened to them is a tragedy. But I can promise that my Espers came to me voluntarily to hone their abilities," Kyofu assured her.
"You also claim that the NEO-NUMBERS shouldn't be called heroes because of their past crimes. I believe it has been long since established that they were forced to commit those crimes by a terrorist organisation that kidnapped them, abused them and mutilated them when they were just children. The same organisation that I should remind you of no longer exists because of their efforts."
"Well...you see..." Kyofu tried to form a response.
"I wish to remind everyone here that they were children when they committed those crimes. Children that were kidnapped and forced to commit those crimes by an evil terrorist organisation. They would have been helpless children, unable to do anything but to comply with their captors' commands or else they would be punished."
"Well, they're not children anymore, so they need to take responsibility," Kyofu claimed weakly and Hope rolled her eyes.
"Are you just using the NEO-NUMBERS as scapegoats so you can push your own agenda?" Hope questioned accusingly and she knew a thing or two about scapegoats. "The NEO-NUMBERS are doing everything they can to atone for their crimes. They should be commended for that, not persecuted or vilified for something beyond their control. And I believe that saving the world from Vandal Savage and his Religion of Crime more than makes up for what they've done in the past."
As Hope's biting words ripped Kyofu apart, the chatter among the crowd became even more concerning. Kyofu began sweating uncomfortably as cameras flashed. He took a napkin and wiped the sweat off his forehead, his face red with anxiety.
"Excuse me, but I believe that is all the time we have! Thank you for coming! Please, continue showing support for the Brain Trust Society and Alpha Force!" Kyofu turned to face Alpha Force, looking at one hooded member in particular as his calm mask began slipping. "Get us out of here!" In a flash, Alpha Force and Kyofu vanished as they were all teleported away
Hope smiled. Her questions had gotten to Kyofu and even gotten the rest of the reporters to think. Confidently, Hope turned and disappeared into the throng of reporters as her pupils and irises vanished from her eyes.
"AAARRGGGGGHHHHH!" Kyofu screamed as he angrily shoved everything off his desk. "THAT BITCH! IDIOT! MORON! THAT STUPID, IGNORANT, TRASH SYMPATHIZER! WHAT THE HELL IS SHE TRYING TO PULL!? IT'S ABSURD! SHE NEEDS TO HAVE HER BRAIN CHECKED! AND HOW CAN SHE EVEN STAND WITH THOSE TWIN WATERMELONS ON HER CHEST!?"
Kyofu's Brain Trust Society was based in Osaka. It was a large building that was designed to be a school that recruited and trained people born with psychic abilities. It had taken him many years and funding from very generous benefactors for him to build this facility.
For months, he had sent his Alpha Force out to do good deeds in an effort to undermine the NEO-NUMBERS and make them lose popularity. He even orchestrated events to show his Alpha Force performing heroic feats before the cyborgs could respond. Today was supposed to be the official unveiling of his Alpha Force and it should've been a great day. Unfortunately, that gaijin reporter had ruined everything.
While the public had been made aware of the NUMBERS' past, people were not going to forget how they had saved the world from Savage and the Religion of Crime. Most of the world was grateful to them for that. Even if there were still a lot of people who hated them for their past crimes or for being cyborg freaks, the number of grateful people who were on their side seemed to outnumber them and the ratio was gradually turning in the NUMBERS' favour day by day.
"It's obvious that those SHEEP need a SHEPHERD to help them see the LIGHT! They don't realise how FOOLISH they are, just like GIN-SHOCKER when they REJECTED my proposal and went ahead with Gebok's INSTEAD! But NOW I can make things RIGHT! After today, things will be DIFFERENT!" Kyofu would just have to show them all how worthless those cyborgs really were. "Weapon D."
The hooded young woman from earlier appeared before Kyofu in a flash.
"You called for me, Professor Kyofu?"
"It's TIME to commence with OPERATION: SUBTRACTION. Do we have the location of our targets?"
"Yes, the majority of our targets have all gathered in Himawazawa. However, BLACK 13 is still in Genovia," Weapon D reported.
"So, BLACK 13 is all ALONE?" Kyofu hummed as he rubbed his chin. "That's even BETTER. Have the others prepare to depart for Himawazawa at once. And as for you, my dear MASTERPIECE, you know what to do, YES?"
"Of course, Professor. I will succeed without fail."
"GOOD girl. Make sure you get it all on TAPE. I want to WATCH Gebok's little toy get SCRAPPED!"
DrEX: As you may have seen, I have changed my pen name to Dr. Exposition. It's not a recent change but it does represent a change in my life as I am officially a doctor...A Doctor of Teaching English as a Second Language. Yeah, it's a PhD. So, yeah that happened. Anyway, this prelude, or "Act 0", pretty much sets up the new arc. If you remember, Kyofu was featured in an early arc but now this arc will focus on him and his Alpha Force. It seems he has nefarious plans all focused on Shinichi.