Hell Rider

[Tiga]

Chapter 24: Revelation

*Savage saw that they had made it. Just in time too, for he was running out of bullets. He couldn’t reload here, so he needed a plan. Standing right outside the hospital doors, he yelled for the Ghosts to come get him and dashed back inside. They followed close on his heels, firing as they went.

Down the corridor he flew. Bullets hit the walls, the windows to rooms, the lights on the ceiling. Savage charged up a flight of stairs, onto an upper floor, into its lobby. He yelled for the people there to get away as his pursuers burst in and fired again. People cowered behind desks and chairs. Savage burst through a door leading to another staircase and ducked down behind it, fumbling for a new cartridge. The Ghosts outside yelled for him to come out, shooting at and over the people. Savage suddenly poked his head out the door and caught one Ghost by surprise, shooting him in the head. He started to run again. The remaining Ghosts followed. A nurse looked at the body of the fallen Ghost and screamed: it had already begun to dissolve into a foamy mass…

Savage kept running in a random path, trying to throw the Ghosts off his trail. Once he lost them, he could begin formulating a plan…*

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Hell Rider Finale – Part 2

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*Morning. Ben didn’t remember when he had gotten there, but he woke up on a soft bed in a back room of the bar. The door was slightly ajar, as thought inviting him to come out into the open. Ben rejected the offer, instead remaining flat on the bed. He wanted nothing to do with anything, or anybody. If he could force it upon himself, then he would lie here until it finally came on its own.

A knock on the door. Ben ignored it. His eyes were shut, blind to the world. A louder knock. This person was persistent.

“Get up Ben”

Ben gave no reply.

“If you think you can just lie there hating yourself, you have another thing coming. Now come out before I come in.”

Ben hesitated for a moment, then slowly dragged himself off the bed. He saw no one in the doorway, but heard sounds coming from the bar. Seated at the same table as the night before was the man ‘41’ buried behind a letter.

‘41’: Have a drink.

*He slid a cup of tea over to Ben. Ben took it grudgingly and slowly seated himself at the table. Other than the bartender, he and the drifter seemed to be alone*

“Quick, before it gets cold. Mrs. Davis made it just how you like it”

Ben: What’s she doing here?

Mabel: Keeping an eye on you.

*The old woman shuffled into view and took a seat at an adjacent table. Ben was surprised. She knew all this time?*

Ben: What? Scared I’ll snap again or something? Why was I brought here anyway? Where’s that kid?

*He looked into the yes of the two adults, who in turn seemed to be boring into his mind with their gaze*

Who are you two?

‘41’: Don’t you know by now? We’re here to guide you on the path you must tread.

Mabel: Which you have rejected. But of course, now you see where you have ended up.

*Ben held his head in his hand*

Ben: So what do you want? What’s done is done. Turn me in or let me die, I don’t give a damn anymore.

Mabel: Keep talking like that and you might get your wish.

‘41’: Drink. You will feel fresh.

*Ben took the cup and slowly began gulping the tea down, his altered body immune to its searing heat. At once he felt a warm sensation flood through him, as though he had stepped straight out from frigid tundra into a sauna. The suddenness of it made him shudder*

That’s it. It’s been a long time since you have experienced such a feeling, isn’t it?

*Ben looked at the man with confused resignation. Fine, he would humor these two*

Ben: So what’s this path I’m supposed to be on?

‘41’: That of the Prophet.

Ben: And what’s that supposed to mean? If you really want to help, which is too late to do anyway, why don’t you be clear for once?

*He wanted the anger to strike the man, to make him lose that composure of his. But he remained as cool as ever*

‘41’: Do you recall the night you took that ring and assumed the role of the Rider, as you are called?

*Ben twisted the ring on his finger and gave a curt nod*

Why did you take the ring, Ben?

Ben:…. Because I felt it calling me…

‘41’: And why do you think that was?

Ben: … I don’t know.

‘41’: It was God’s answer to you. The city you live in is but a microcosm of the state of the world: corrupt and decadent. A nest for evil things. The people wanted a leader. And you, Ben, wanted vengeance. And so you were given this gift, and this responsibility. You were to be the one to show the way, to be an inspiration. To cast out the darkness in your brethren’s hearts.

*That was true, Ben thought. He had wanted to take action for so long. To do the things no one else could or would do. He and Kenta both had aspired to that lofty ideal. The man’s gaze upon him then turned bitter*

But you yourself had darkness in your heart. The stronger you became, the blacker your heart turned. You have hated the world ever since your father was taken from you. Hated your mother, that poor woman, because you had no pity. You have squandered what your Creator has given you, for you did not realize what it was. You took a tool of justice and made it a sword for your evil.

*He couldn’t take the gaze anymore. Ben hung his head low and stared instead into the cup. ‘41’ then passed the letter he had been reading and its envelope over to him. Ben could see the name Quentin Arian and the house number ‘41’ on the address. He looked at the strange man before him*

Ben: This is your name?

Quentin: Indeed. Or you could say it was my name. Back when I was still a normal man with a wife and daughter.

Ben: Where are they now?

*The man gripped the chair a little harder and paused for a moment*

Quentin: Dead. By the hands of a petty thief. They had been going home one night when a thief comes along and attacks them. By what the police told me, my wife had tried to fend him off, yet he slew them anyway without a second thought. That was the senselessness of it: two lives for the sake of a damn purse. They never found him, but the detective involved in the case has kept in touch with me ever since.

Don’t think you are alone in how you feel, Ben. I was there. I’ve seen it. I drifted through life after that. Eventually I gave up my job and my home. There was nothing to live for anymore, so I didn’t live. I just wandered in my own darkness. Unlike you Ben, there was no one to show me kindness, to take me in. Had there been, you know I would have appreciated it.

*Those words stung Ben as he thought of Kenta lying on the ground before him and Miki screaming herself hoarse*

Ben: So what happened?

Quentin: Something you don’t believe in. A miracle.

*He gave a sideways look to Mabel, which Ben imitated*

You say you don’t believe in miracles, yet God once spoke to me out of the darkness, and led me here, where I found your landlady Mrs. Davis here. She said upon seeing me that somehow she knew who I was, though we had never met before. She too had heard the voice calling her, and knew that we were to be brought together… so we could be at hand when the Prophet comes among us. A Prophet in a long line of Prophets before him. A Prophet whom God lives in, just as he lives in all of us.

You once were a believer, Ben. God has not forsaken you, even though you turned from Him. You have still a chance to redeem yourself and save your people.

Ben: Save? There is nothing to save.

Mabel: On the contrary, Ben. There is much to save. Now, finish that drink. You have a long path yet ahead of you before this is over.

*Ben remained doubtful, but he complied with Mabel and finished off the tea. The warm feeling came again like a flame rekindled within him. A small flame still, but soon to become brighter and stronger…*

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*For the entire day Kenta and Miki had driven down the highways, stopping at rest areas whenever possible. Now as night began to fall, Kenta had taken them to the residence of Gai and his wife. He had been hesitant to do this, for didn’t know whether or not they were being followed. And he didn’t want to endanger them or their unborn child if they were. But there was nowhere else to go.

They had been taken in without question. The entire evening was spent perusing the news channels for the latest developments, only to find that there weren’t any. The city had gone under a media blackout, leaving the pundits to only speculate on what could be going on. There was talk of even sending the military in to take the Ghosts down, but the current line from the state government was that they were perusing all possible avenues of negotiation.

Kenta had hoped Gai’s usual joviality would cheer him up some, but tonight he had on a deadly serious demeanor such as he had never seen before. And he couldn’t blame him: his parents and cousin were still in the city, their fates unknown. So the morose atmosphere persisted until it was time to sleep. Tsuruhime had given Kenta and Miki some extra sheets and pillows. Kenta had dumped his on the floor and let Miki take the couch. He leaned against the windowsill looking out as she tucked herself in*

Miki: Aren’t you sleeping?

Kenta: In a bit…

*He started to go toward the door*

I’m gonna get some air.

Miki: No –

*She bolted upright and looked at him fearfully*

Kenta: I’m just going to the front. I’ll be back in a few minutes.

Miki: Stay here… with me.

*She looked like a small girl again with those eyes, Kenta thought*

Kenta: You’re a big girl…

Miki: Please.

*Kenta came up to her and with a smile that he hoped would reassure her and lightly patted her head*

Kenta: Relax. Go to sleep. Nothing’s going to happen to me.

*Miki smiled back, but her eyes still reflected fear. Kenta gently pushed her head down onto the pillow and went to the door, picking up Gai’s keys as he did so. Miki watched as he went into the hall and shut the door behind him. Down the elevator and out to the front of the building.

The empty street was completely dark but for a streetlight and a few dots of light from nearby windows. Kenta went to the car and opened the passenger side door. In his hand was the key to the glove compartment his father had given him. Slowly, he inserted the key and turned. The door clicked open and Kenta could see something silver inside. A handgun.

Kenta carefully picked up the weapon. It felt cold and heavy in his hand. Now he knew why his parents had been so edgy whenever they were asked what was in here. Why would his dad have a gun? Had he feared a day like this may come, or a time when he would have to defend himself and his family? It was a dangerous city after all. Yet it didn’t seem as though he had ever used it. If he had he would certainly have heard of it eventually. Kenta gently opened the cylinder to find it empty. In the corner of the compartment he found several boxes of cartridges ready for quick use.

His father had entrusted him with this. Part of Kenta had to admit that he felt a bit of a thrill to be holding this weapon. Yet on the other hand he hoped to never have to use it. Carefully as before, he placed the gun back into the compartment and locked it up again, then headed back into the building.

It was in the elevator where he felt the pain again. A burning sensation in his chest, his heart pounding. It took all his effort not to cry out. The elevator stopped on Gai’s floor. Kenta stumbled out and to the best of his ability tried to walk normally back to the apartment. He quietly unlocked the door snuck inside. Miki was sleeping peacefully, or at least making a good impression of it. Careful not to disturb her, Kenta began arranging his sheets on which he would sleep, all the while attempting to ignore the intense pain. He would not show any weakness in front of her: she was scared enough as it was, and she needed something to lean on. In a last act of defiance, Kenta took the bandage over his chest and tore it off. His chest was red and raw underneath it, but he didn’t care. He threw the bandage out and lay down on the sheets, trying to find oblivion in sleep…*

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*In response to a insubordinate armed man running wild throughout the building, the hospital was in lockdown. The Ghosts had herded everyone into the foyers of each floor and kept them from going anywhere, meanwhile sending others to hunt the man down. Saya sat on the floor trying to keep calm despite the fearfulness of the people around her, even though she just as scared as they were. She squeezed her phone in her hands, but didn’t dare use it to contact her aunt and uncle lest she be discovered. She knew nothing of what happened with Kenta and Miki, their parents were nowhere in sight. She could only hope they were all alright.

“Relax” said a voice. Saya turned and saw a Hispanic girl around the age of her younger brother seated near her. She wondered how she hadn’t noticed her before*

Saya: How are you so calm?

*The girl shrugged*

I guess I’m used to stuff like this. I’m Marisol, by the way.

Saya: Saya.

Marisol: Japanese?

*Saya nodded. The two hushed as a Ghost lumbered past them and waited for him to be a good distance a way before continuing*

Saya: Where are your parents?

*Marisol shrugged*

Marisol: Haven’t seen them in a while.

Saya: You don’t live with them?

Marisol: I left a while ago. I didn’t pan on coming back, but one day I suddenly felt that I should. I wanted to find someone.

Saya: Who?

Marisol: I don’t know his name. And I’ll probably never find him. But he said something to me before I left that stuck with me.

Saya: What did he say?

Marisol: “Life sucks for everyone at some time. The point is to keep fighting. To find something better. Not to run away and hide from your problems.”

*She smirked*

Not very eloquent, but it was something I needed to hear then. Probably something everyone needs to hear now.

*Saya was quiet. She watched as Marisol adjusted a nicotine patch on her arm*

Saya: Is that -

Marisol: Yeah. Trying to quit.

*Saya nodded. A nudge on her shoulder caught her attention. Casey crawled up next to her while trying not to catch the roving eye of a Ghost standing nearby*

Saya: Where have you been??

Casey: I’ve been trying to call any Sentinels still out there. Nothing.

Marisol: Maybe they got them all.

Casey: Doubt it. These are ex-cops and military, they all wouldn’t be taken that easily….who are you?

Marisol: Oh, Marisol.

Casey: Casey.

Marisol: You’re in the Sentinels?

Casey: Don’t get excited, I’m starting to regret it.

Saya: What’re we going to do?

Casey: You’re asking me? We’re just three kids with one gun.

Marisol: And there’s a man with a gun loose in here somewhere. IF we could find him –

Casey: How? We don’t even know who he is. He could just be some nut…

*Just then Casey saw a man hovering behind the window of a door leading to a staircase. The man lightly tapped his police badge against the window to show who he was: Det. Savage*

Talk about luck…

*He motioned for the girls to follow him. Together they inconspicuously snuck out of the lobby into the hallway. Savage cracked the door open and gathered the three onto the staircase. At once he addressed Casey*

Savage: You’re a Sentinel.

Casey: How’d you know?

Savage: You’re wearing your insignia.

*He tore the chain on which it hung off his neck and gave it back to him*

You’re lucky no one else noticed. I thought those Ghost grunts didn’t seem that smart.

*Casey shoved it back into his pocket*

Are there any others here?

Casey: None that I know.

Savage: Have you tried calling?

Casey: No luck.

Savage: Some are probably planning something as we speak. I know a lot of people who joined your group. They’re not going down without a fight.

*Casey grinned to the girls*

Casey: What did I tell you?

Savage: Follow me. We can’t stay here.

Saya: What’s your plan?

Savage: You’ll see.

*They heard some noises in the hallway. Two Ghosts had come out, noticing that some people had gone missing from the lobby. An unseen woman was heard screaming over something. Saya hung back, thinking about her folks again and where they could be. Savage gently took her by the arm*

Savage: Don’t worry. We’re getting out of this.

*He began leading them up the stairs…*

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*Ben sat on a small hill near the town. Above him swirled dark purple clouds. In the distance stood tall mountains covered by shadows, and not far away the sounds of engines from a train depot fluttered past his ears. Mabel and Quentin had instructed him to sit here until a sign was revealed to him. What the sign would be, he hadn’t a clue. But once it appeared, he would know that he was ready for his ultimate battle. All day he had waited in silence. He doubted a sign of any kind would come. Part of him still doubted all that the two had told him. But he wanted to believe it. He had to believe it. It was the only way he could escape the darkness he had been in all these years.

Ben looked westward way off into the distance. Miles away lay that besieged city that he was to return to. How would they receive him? As a savior or a demon? After all, wasn’t he partially to blame for their suffering? How could he go back? Send someone worthy of the task…

Ben shook his head. No, he couldn’t think that way. He had to keep a resolute mind. No more doubts. Trust in something higher than himself; that the path he had been set on was the correct one. He closed his eyes and tilted his head skyward. A roll of thunder passed above. “If you still have a purpose for me”, he silently prayed, ‘let me know it. I don’t deserve this task you have appointed me, but since I have it I will now carry it out as you had intended. I will no longer shun you.”

The sun had all but disappeared. A train whistle went off. Ben continued to look into the distance. He saw something silver coming toward the hill. Upon closer inspection, he saw it looked like a stallion. His eyes widened. He recognized what it was and just to his feet in ecstacy.

Antares was alive, and once again in the form of a horse-shaped bike. It rolled up to him and nuzzled Ben’s hand. Ben smiled such as he had not smiled in a long time, and petted the steed’s head*

Ben: I’m glad to see you again.

*Antares nodded and neighed in reply. The hieroglyph on the ring on his hand began to glow faintly. Ben looked up into the sky again. This was the sign he had been waiting for. He got on Antares and rode gently down the mountain back to the town*

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*The street where the bar stood was luckily deserted, so Ben had no trouble with unwanted attention as he rode up to the door. Quentin was there waiting for him*

Quentin: You have your sign, Ben. Now is the time for your last battle.

*He saw a remainder of doubt in the boy’s eyes*

Do you still doubt your ability?

Ben: One man against an entire organization with the cards in their favor?

Quentin: You have more allies than you know.

Ben: I don’t know about that.

Quentin: Despite your sins, you still have become a symbol to those who felt powerless. As long as you fight righteously, they will still rally behind you.

Ben: If you say so…

Quentin: Don’t take my word for it. Believe it yourself.

*Ben nodded. Antares snorted and stretched its neck outward, rearing to get started*

Ben: Ready to go, boy?

*Antares neighed. Ben revved the bike up and sped off, leaving a trail of flickering flames behind as he went. Back into the abode of evil, to turn it back toward the light…*

TO BE CONTINUED

[Tiga]

Chapter 25: Redemption

Quentin: Despite your sins, you still have become a symbol to those who felt powerless. As long as you fight righteously, they will still rally behind you.

Ben: If you say so…

Quentin: Don’t take my word for it. Believe it yourself.

*Ben nodded. Antares snorted and stretched its neck outward, rearing to get started*

Ben: Ready to go, boy?

*Antares neighed. Ben revved the bike up and sped off, leaving a trail of flickering flames behind as he went. Back into the abode of evil, to turn it back toward the light…*

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*Det. Savage lead Casey, Saya and Marisol up the stairs until they reached the hospital’s roof. He motioned for them to stay down and peeked through the window of the door leading to the outside. Two Ghosts were on watch, and they were being very idle about it. They probably weren’t expecting to meet any resistance. Perfect for us, thought Savage. He ducked down and turned back to the kids*

Savage: You girls stay here. Come out only when I give you the word.

*He turned to Casey*

What’s your name, son?

Casey: Casey.

Savage: Alright Casey, follow me.

*As silently as possible, he pushed the door open and crept outside. He pointed for Casey to head toward his right and hide behind a generator some feet away, while he went left and crouched behind a wall. The Ghosts remained oblivious to the approaching ambush. Savage gave a 3-2-1 countdown to Casey with his fingers. At the end, they together popped out of hiding and aimed their guns at the guards*

DROP YOUR WEAPONS!

*The Ghosts jumped and hastily fumbled for their triggers to fire back, managing to get a few clumsy shots off. Savage and Casey ducked, and then quickly fired back. Savage shot one Ghost’s hands, forcing him to drop his weapon. Casey managed to hot the other one in the shoulder. He leapt out from behind the generator and moved toward the fallen guard, gun still aimed at his chest. Savage followed suit: who knew what tricks these two had up their sleeves.

Fortunately, no surprises came. Apparently these Ghosts had not been given reconstructed bodies, at least not yet. In fact they turned out to be kids, barely older than Savage’s oldest child, somehow recruited into this dangerous organization. Savage shook his head in sad amazement. Together he and Casey tied them up back-to back and took their guns. Savage waved his hand for the girls to join them*

Casey: That was easy…

Savage: Have any of you used a gun?

*The girls shook their heads*

You’re about to have a lesson.

Casey: We’re still outnumbered.

Savage: There has to be a way to contact our people.

*Suddenly they heard noises flow up from the ground below as a bunch of Ghosts came out to see what was going on. The door to the rooftop was flung open and three Ghosts came pouring out, rifles drawn*

“Alright, show’s over for you”

*Savage put himself between the kids and their approaching foes. Just then Saya pointed down to the street

Saya: Look!

*From out of nowhere a band of people had appeared on to the street and begun opening fire on the Ghosts on the ground. Casey took advantage of the rooftop Ghosts’ momentary distraction and tackled one of them to the floor. Marisol grabbed the arms of the adjacent Ghost who tried to shoot him and wrestled for his gun. Saya ducked as the third Ghost came toward her. Savage followed Casey’s cue and brought him to the ground, managing to twist his arm and cuff him. Marisol now held the rifle of the Sentinel she had subdue, her unsteady grip betraying her inexperience with handling such a weapon. Casey dragged his cuffed Ghost and threw him beside Savage’s. Looking at Marisol with the rifle, he couldn’t help but chuckle at how awkward she looked with it. Marisol sneered and playfully pretended to take aim at him.

Saya looked back onto the street. The Ghosts had fallen dead or injured before the newcomers. One of them looked up to the rooftop and flashed a Sentinel dogtag. Another flashed a police badge. What had once been opposites had now joined together. Casey was elated*

Casey: They survived!

*Savage was himself pleased, but masked it from view*

Savage: Now we need a way to free the building.

*Casey immediately whipped out his phone again and dialed his comrades using their designated numbers, taking diction by Savage on what the plan was to be*

“Wait… what’s that?”

*The Sentinel on the other end of the line had caught sight of something barreling toward them. Savage and the kids looked in that direction in time to see a projectile come flying from a launcher toward the people on the ground*

Savage: LOOK OUT!

*A great explosion consumed the street. Cars on both sides of the road had blown windows. The Sentinel-police force were thrown several feet back onto the pavement.

Casey: Damn!

Marisol: They’re coming again!

*A roofless jeep with a rocket launcher mounted on top had rolled into view. The Ghosts inside turned their weapon from the street up toward the rooftop, directly at Savage and the rest. Saya’s eyes widened in terror*

Savage: GET BACK!!

*He pushed the kids away toward the center of the roof and waited for the imminent explosion. But instead of hearing a rocket make impact, he heard the loud revving of a motorcycle engine. Next the sound of flames streaking through the air. The four went back to the roof’s edge to see a horse-shaped motorcycle spitting a wave of white flames at the jeep, incinerating it in moments. The Ghosts aboard had bailed out and were scattered on the street. The man on the bike landed it on top of the flaming vehicle’s hood, shattering the windshield with the front wheel. One Ghost lunged forward with a long machete-like blade and swung at the man’s legs. The man swerved the bike to the right, smacking the Ghost in the face with the front wheel and crushing him beneath as he rolled back onto the ground. The other Ghosts stepped back in amazement at what was before them as they saw a golden belt appear on the man’s waist and his body erupt in white flames.

Savage gaped. Casey and Saya cried out in surprise. Marisol’s heart skipped a beat. The man took off his helmet and got off his bike. The flames dissipated, revealing a ghostly white figure with jet-black eyes.

The Masked Rider, pure once again. The Prophet who cast away the darkness and showed the people the true path. Savage, Saya and Casey could not believe their eyes. Ben Hernandez, the man turned demon turned man again, had returned as the city’s last salvation.

Ben wasted no time in his attack, making short work of the Ghosts. They all soon lay vanquished on the ground next to their burning vehicle. Ben turned to face the people on the street and the roof. Opening his mouth, he spat out a ball of white fire that shot up to the sky and took the shape of the hieroglyph on his belt. The arrow portion pointed toward the heart of the city, where the head of the beast, Edward Rubirosa the Great Leader, now resided. Ben waved his hand forward as though leading a charge*

Savage: What is he doing?

Casey: …. He’s telling us to press forward –

Marisol: “To keep fighting. To find something better….”

*Ben leapt back onto Antares, which reared up onto its back wheel and let out a defiant cry that echoed throughout the city. Not one person who resided within its boundaries missed this rallying cry. Ben rode off down the street into the city like a modern Paul Revere, calling the righteous into a last stand against this gang of imposters. Savage looked onward at him, this son of his friend Michael. His spirit felt charged upon seeing this sign. He was ready to fight back*

Savage: You heard the man. Let’s go.

*They scrambled toward the staircase and headed back inside the building. The fighters on the street meanwhile began filing in themselves, beginning their liberation attack.

Ben rode on. On the horizon, the first rays of sun were beginning to peak; as though a metaphor for himself….*

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Hell Rider Finale – Part 3

*Kamen Rider (Drama): ‘Kimi to Tomo ni Rider wa Iru’ plays*

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Miki: Ni-san! Ni-san!

*Kenta was jolted awake. He looked at the clock: barely morning. Miki was over him shaking his torso*

Kenta: What?

Miki: Look!

*She pointed to the TV. Kenta groggily propped himself on his arm to look at the screen. What he saw made him bolt upright: the city was once again consumed by conflict. But now Sentinels and what remained of the police force had joined together as one unit to drive off their Ghost would-be overlords. Kenta sat in wonder: the carnage that had passed not even three days ago had not deterred the people from fighting back once again. But the biggest shock was when he saw the news show do a split screen, one half panning to the symbol of the Rider in the sky, and the other half showing the Rider himself, returned to his ghostly white form, tearing down the street on his bike. Ben had returned... but how had he reverted? Why?

Kenta jumped to his feet. Something was suddenly telling him to go back. He had been a part of this from the beginning. Now he had to be there to see the end.

Miki watched startled as her brother shoved his feet into his shoes and grabbed the car keys*

Where are you going?!

Kenta: Stay here with Gai-tachi. I'll give you a call -

Miki: You're going back now?!

*Tsuruhime appeared in the room tying her hair into a ponytail*

Tsuruhime Who's going where?

Miki: Ni-san is going back!

*Tsuruhime looked puzzled until she saw the battle raging on screen*

Tsuruhime: Kenta, are you crazy?

*Gai appeared*

Gai: Who's crazy?

Miki: How can you go back now!?

Gai: You're going back??

Kenta: Everyone shut up!

Miki: You're not going!

Kenta: Don't tell me what to do.

Miki: Then at least take me with you!

Kenta: No, you stay here.

Tsuruhime: Kenta, wait -

Miki: NI-SAN!!

*She grabbed Kenta's arm in a vice grip. Kenta looked into her eyes and saw a mix of anger and terror*

Kenta: Get of!

Miki: Why are you going?!

Kenta: I have to!

Miki: No you don't! You have nothing to do with this anymore!

Kenta: Yes I do!

*He tore himself free of Miki's grasp and held her by the shoulders. Calming himself, he answering her in a quiet tone*

Ben and I started this and now I have to see it to the end. I brought you here to keep you safe. But I can't hide now.

*Miki's voice was a choked whisper*

Miki: He almost killed you.

Kenta: You think I forgot? But he came back for a reason. And I have to see why.

*He patted her shoulder*

You'll hear from me soon.

*He turned to Gai and Tsuruhime. Neither of them could understand what the siblings were talking about, but Gai somehow seemed to understand Kenta's feelings. He gave his friend a nod, indicating they would take care of Miki. Kenta nodded back and went through the door. Tsuruhime went over to Miki, but she crossed over the room toward the window. She watched her brother drive away toward the mayhem and hoped to God he would make it out of this in one piece...*

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*Ben gave a flying Kick to the chest of a Ghost and rolled onto the ground, reducing him to ashes. He had been fighting for hours now. Around him now were Sentinels, cops and even ordinary civilians who had come out to join the crusade. Dust, smoke and blood flew all over the streets as the band kept pressing forward. That their enemies possessed fearsome, unnatural powers did not deter them. For they possessed their own power: the will to survive.

As Ben grappled with two Ghosts, a particularly large Ghost that seemed a cross between man and beast appeared from behind a truck and fired several rounds at a storeowner who was scrambling for cover. Without a second thought Ben leapt in between and took the bullets in the back. He stumbled forward from the impact and knelt down on one knee. The storeowner fled in a panic.

Ben stumbled back to his feet. Seeing himself in the reflection of the store window, he saw his body bathed in red from the blows he had taken. Something was wrong: before he had been able to absorb them in this form*

“Rider! You alright??”

*Ben turned to them and gave a nod. Clutching his front, he stumbled back to Antares, who gave him a concerned look*

Ben: Relax, boy. I'm not dead yet.

*Streaks of lightning suddenly rained down from the sky, causing explosions to go off all around. Some tried to run, others took cover, others still were blown away. A bolt of lightening went straight to Ben and struck him dead on. He flew back into a streetlight, denting its shaft, and collapsed on the road. The derisive laughter of Edward Rubirosa filled the air*

Rubirosa: I must congratulate you, Rider! Not only do you have the gall to come back, you manage to get these poor fools to dare defy me again!

Ben: Where are you?!

*The Ghosts' insignia appeared over the center of the city. Its soulless black eyes stared straight into the arrow of the Rider's symbol in the air, as though in outright defiance*

Rubirosa: Come find me yourself. If you and your friends can take any more pain...

*A horde of Ghosts and mutants seeped out into the open and began charging toward the people. Ben and Antares gave a rallying yell and rode to meet them. More clashing, more fire, more blood shed. But the only thing on Ben's mind was getting to the Great Leader...*

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*Meanwhile the hospital had itself become a battleground as the Sentinel-police force and captives who had taken up arms gradually began uprooting the Ghosts within. Casey, Marisol, and Saya kept close to Savage as he ran down the halls, meeting and teaming with Sentinels and fellow cops. Saya had had shoved into her hands a handgun and knife by a Sentinel, but she felt completely out of place using them. So she kept herself to tagging behind Savage as he fired upon incoming Ghosts. Marisol had tried to make use of her acquired rifle, but most of her shots merely caused collateral damage rather than actually hitting their targets. As the detective shielded a group of civilians that were coming under fire by a group of Ghosts, Casey dragged the girl down behind a desk*

Casey: You should never be given a license to carry.

Marisol: I don't want to carry ever again.

*Casey popped out of hiding and fired another round before ducking down again from a counterattack*

Savage: You two get back here! We're outnumbered!

*Reluctantly Casey complied, dragging Marisol with him as she misfired her rifle again, causing plaster from the ceiling to shower everyone. Casey ruffled his hair clean*

Casey Thanks.

*Marisol grinned sheepishly*

Marisol: Sorry.

*Savage lead the civilians to safety on another floor that had already been secured and met up with a fellow policeman*

Savage: What's the situation?

“ We've got this floor covered, but these bastards are holding out almost everywhere else. They just don't quit”

Savage: Makes you wish for the desk job, doesn't it?

*The cop grinned*

“You kidding? I haven't fought like this in years. Didn't think I would be allowed to again with the brass hats we have. They're probably all cowering under those desks as we speak”

*Casey grinned*

Casey: Be careful you don't get thrown in jail after today.

*The cop snorted*

“Quite the comedian you have here”, he quipped to Savage.

*Saya tapped Savage's arm*

Saya: Someone's coming!

*The lights suddenly went out, throwing everyone in near pitch darkness. They then turned back on almost as quickly. Savage and the rest found themselves surrounded by Ghosts. One of them appeared at the center in suit and purple tie, a sharp contrast to his compatriots' less spectacular mode of dress. Savage's eyes widened in surprise. It was the museum curator, Mr. Brady*

Brady: Come, come now. Don't you know this is a hospital?

Savage: I would ask you the same thing.

Brady: Yes I'm sure you have a lot to ask me, but I'm afraid we don't have the time. Drop your weapons.

*No one moved. Brady bristled and spoke more sternly*

Drop your weapons or things will start getting unpleasant.

Savage: Do what he says.

*He put his gun slowly on the floor. The rest hesitated for a moment, then followed his cue. The Ghosts dragged everyone but Savage to the side of the room and trained their weapons on them. Saya winced as one fearsome-looking Ghost carrying a longsword deliberately twisted her arm as he grabbed her*

Brady: So, Detective. I have the pleasure to meet you one last time. You've caused a lot of trouble for us today.

Savage: There is a whole city rebelling against you. I'm only one cog in the machine.

Brady: True We should be going after that masked biker. What say you? He's just as much your enemy as ours.

*Savage laughed*

Savage: You really expect me to join you?

Brady: You think you can win against us? Even if he's found, no one stands a chance against our Leader. As for your little band here, you're going to watch as they are executed one by one.

But I'm a civilized man. We can avoid all that if you surrender right now.

*Savage weighed his options. He had only one chance of getting everyone out of this, and he had to make it count. He turned his hands palms forward in a gesture of defeat*

Savage: All right. I'll go with you. Now let them go.

Brady: Let them go? Oh no, Mr. Savage, I said I would not kill them. But none of you are going anywhere we don't tell you.

Savage: Oh? Well in that case...

*He drew out another gun from inside his blazer and aimed it at Brady's head*

I'll have to refuse.

*The henchmen tightened their grips on their hostages and jabbed their weapons against their bodies. Brady laughed*

Brady: Really, Detective? You would pull such an amateur stunt against me?

Savage: Don't think I'll do it?

Brady: You wouldn't dare.

Savage: Watch me.

Brady: Shoot me and they all die.

Savage: You'll kill us anyway. But before I go I'd like to blow off that mug on your face.

Brady: You underestimate me.

Savage: You don't look like the fighting type. You might spoil that clean-press suit of yours.

*Brady's eyes turned red. The man hissed, revealing two serrated fangs, and leapt forward. He was swift, but Savage was swifter. No sooner had the high-level Ghost started his leap did Savage fire two shots, both hitting Brady in the head. Brady flopped onto the floor. He shrieked and raised a hand to grab Savage, but the seasoned detective fired one more shot in the man's heart, finally ending him. His purple brooch clattered to the floor. Savage looked at the relic for a moment and them smashed it to pieces with his foot

The other Ghosts were staring down at Brady's body in shock and terror. They had never seen a high-level Ghost go down so quickly and easily by a mere ordinary human. Chris Savage was a force to be reckoned with. The detective waved his gun*

Anyone else want to try me?

*The sight of their fallen superior was more than they could take. The Ghosts threw their weapons to the floor and surrendered then and there. Savage grinned*

You're all smarter than you look.

*Quickly the ex-hostages gathered up the weapons and cuffed the Ghosts together*

Casey: I never saw a quick shot like that.

*Savage smirked*

Savage: You're getting a hell of an education.

*And so they continued on their way, meeting more and more people and steadily gaining ground*

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*Late afternoon. Kenta skidded to a stop outside his house and flew out of the car. Up the stairs, into his room, laptop flung open. By some sheer luck, the camera he had mounted on Ben's bike was still transmitting. He peered excitedly into the screen, trying to see where Ben was. City Hall. Ripping the machine from its wire, Kenta tucked it in his arm, flew back down the stairs and leapt back into the car. The climax was approaching...

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*Evening. Ben slumped against a mailbox on a street near City Hall, battered, bloodied, but still barely going on. He felt overwhelmed by the enemy. His allies had been forced to splinter and keep the fight going in smaller and smaller groups. The divide-and-conquer strategy seemed to be prevailing. Only Antares remained by his side. The steed nudged Ben's head, urging him to keep moving, to get to the Hall and face the head of the monster. Ben patted its head and looked up into the sky. His mark remained blazing in the sky, its arrow pointing him in the direction he had to go. The Ghost's mark remained in the sky as well, looming above as though warning his doom.

Time was running out. Ben got up and limped to the foot of the stairs of City Hall*

Ben: I'm here, Rubirosa! Time to come out and fight yourself! I'm getting bored of all your lackeys!

*Bolts of lightening rained down again, sending sparks flying around Ben. Rubirosa's voice boomed from within the building*

Rubirosa: Insolence from you I won't tolerate. If you want the honor to die by my hand, come up to me and take it.

*Ben growled. Holding tight onto Antares, he spurred the bike to ride up the stairs into the building. At once they were met by robed Ghosts, grunt-level thugs, and more mutants. No time to waste with these small fry, Ben dodged and weaved through the horde, ramming into and sending flames after any who came close enough. Such hasty response came with its toll: mutants flew left and right, slashing and biting Ben's and Antares's bodies. Ben was grazed with more bullets and blades. Steed and Rider barely dodged spheres of energy that exploded around them as they rode up each fight of stairs to the top of the building. At last they landed in a hallway leading to a large meeting chamber. Ben and Antares burst through the doors. There waiting for them at the head of the room, seated like a judge presiding over his court, was the Great Leader Edward Rubirosa, decked in his Ghost robes. The gold brooch on his chest glowed with a fire of its own. The grizzled man's sunken eyes peaked from beneath the hood of the robe*

My congratulations again. You have won the distinct honor of combat with me. Few of my own followers survive to achieve such an honor.

Ben: Lucky me.

Rubirosa: Oh yes, lucky indeed. Do you know the rules of hierarchy in our organization? To advance you must defeat your foes in a duel to the death. If you are worthy enough, you get to challenge the Leader himself for the throne. Wouldn't it be the irony of ironies if you end up succeeding me as the head of your foe?

*Ben said nothing*

But no, I don't suppose so. You after all are no saint. You are more like us than you wanted to admit, but you can no longer hide from it. A butcher of men is what you are. It's what you always shall remain.

*Ben tightening his hand into a fist*

Ben: Are you going to talk all night?

*Rubirosa's smug grin warped into a contemptuous snarl. He leapt down from the raised platform and landed at the center of the room. Ben started to ride down to him, but the Ghost send a wave of energy that swept Antares from under him and slammed the bike into a wall. Ben tumbled onto the floor and was met with a kick, sending him into a table. Rubirosa cackled and went forward to strike his nemesis again...*

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*Kenta brought the car to a stop on a side street. The wreckage of the battle had blocked nearly all roads. People were scrambling helter-skelter for cover as gunshots, explosions and cries of terror and rage flooded the landscape. If he were to continue on, it would have to be on foot.

He checked the computer again: Antares had been thrown to the side, so all he could see was a wall. The sounds of battle though came clearly through the speakers. And he did not like what he was hearing. Kenta calculated his options: he could try to make a run for it to the Hall and try to help Ben himself, and probably get killed before he could even set foot in the building; or he could let people know of where Ben was. The only ones that could do anything whom he could contact was Casey and Det. Savage.

Another terrified scream. Preparing for the worst, Kenta unlocked the glove compartment, brought out his father’s gun and loaded it. Keeping the weapon on his lap, he then flipped open his phone and rapidly dialed Casey’s number…*

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*With the death of Brady, the rest of the hospital battle went with relative ease. It wasn’t long before all the Ghosts were either killed or captured. A unanimous cheer by the people filled the ears of the fighters as they brought their captives all together in the main lobby. The celebration was so loud Casey barely heard his phone go off. Covering his right ear, he brought it to his left*

Casey: Hello?

Kenta: Casey, it’s Kenta.

Casey: KENTA!

*Saya and Savage whirled their heads around and came up to him*

What are… you’re alive… w-where are you?!

Kenta: Nevermind that. Is that Savage guy with you?

*Savage took the phone from Casey*

Savage: Kenta, what are you doing back here?

Kenta: I saw the news and came back. Listen, Ben is at City Hall with I think Rubirosa.

Savage: Ben is?? How do you know this?

Kenta: There's a camera on Ben’s bike. I’m getting live feed as we speak. You have to go now!

Savage: Where are you now? Are you all right?

Kenta: I’m fine. Get going!

Savage: Calm down, I’m on my way. Keep me informed.

*He hung up the phone and held it before Casey*

I’ll be borrowing this.

*He called the attention of the Sentinels and police*

I’ve just gotten word that the Rider is at City Hall with our illustrious mayor. What say we give him a hand?

*The people nodded. Savage turned back o Casey, Saya and Marisol*

I thank you for your help today. Now you have to leave this to the professionals. Stay here and try to do what you can.

*The kids nodded. Marisol slid her rifle on a desk and jumped back, afraid it would misfire again.

A team of cops and Sentinels were soon amassed. With Savage at the head, they began filing out in cars, trucks and vans toward City Hall…*

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*The council chamber was wrecked and ablaze. Ben and Rubirosa relentlessly threw themselves at each other like savage animals, locked in a duel to the death. With transparent spines that extended out of his limbs, the Ghost leader repeatedly stabbed Ben in his chest, I his legs, in his arms. It was all Ben could do to keep steady on his feet. He sliced and bit back at the aged man, but his remodeled body seemed almost impervious to such attacks. Rubirosa caught Ben's arm as he tried to strike him again and slammed his palm hard into the elbow, as though trying to break it. Ben cried out an shifted his position, leaving himself open to a knee in the stomach and was hurled onto one of the steps leading down to the center floor. Rubirosa laughed cruelly at the blood-soaked would-be hero lying at his feet*

Rubirosa: Is this the conquering hero sent to depose me? This boy?

*Ben spat a column of white fire at Rubirosa's face. The Ghost simply blocked the flames with his hand and deflected them back to him. Ben yelled in pain and fury as he felt the pain of his wounds intensity from the burning*

You can't even stand.

*He slammed his foot into Ben's chest, causing a loud crack, and ground it in. His foot emitted a heat of its own that added to Ben's torment. Ben grabbed Rubirosa's ankle and tried to pry him off. Rubirosa merely kicked his hands away with his other foot*

You should have kept running. Should have left these little people to me. Did you think you could redeem yourself by trying to play hero again? What have you accomplished here? After I gut your miserable hide I'm going to hang your body for all to see, so everyone will forever know not to challenge us again.

*He lifted his foot and picked Ben up by the neck. He impaled his spines in his mask and gored out the left eye, leaving a black splotch that resembled a Rorschach behind. Ben gagged from the suffocating grip*

Looks like I stay as Leader.

*He prepared to sever Ben's head from his body, but before he could do so he was rammed by Antares. Rubirosa collapsed in a heap several feet away, dropping Ben to the floor. The steed shrieked, steam gushing from its nostrils. Rubirosa hissed, incensed at this beast's defiance, and lunged forward, stabbing his spines deep into its chest. Antares bucked up with such force that the spines broke from Rubirosa's arm, and brought its wheel down hard on the Ghost's head. Rubirosa retaliated with a slash across the side, unwittingly destroying Kenta's camera in the process. Ben used a chair that was still intact to lift himself to his feet*

Ben: Don't bet on it...

*His legs wobbly, his left eye blinded, he stumbled toward Rubirosa and continued to grapple with him...*

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*The cavalcade of vehicles was suited to maneuverer around and over the rubble covering the streets to get to the Hall. There to greet them were more Ghosts of all ranks. They surrounded the fighters as they sortied out of their vehicles and began their attack. While others gave them cover, Savage, now adorned in bulletproof vest and helmet, lead a team toward the entrance of the Hall, shooting and meleeing with Ghosts as they went. “Keep going, Ben” thought Savage. “Keep going” ….

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*The sounds of the outside battle soon reached the ears of Rider and Leader. Rubirosa looked out a large window to see his minions locked in combat with Sentinels and police*

Ben: Looks like you've lost your escape.

*Rubirosa sneered*

Rubirosa: Escape from who? These trigger-happy peons? You, dear boy, are in no position to taunt me.

*Before Ben could react he was thrown straight through a wall*

You think these fools are here to help you? They may have loved you before, but not now. Now they know you're just another monster to kill. If they come in here, which I doubt, they will come after both of us. And you would still save them from me, wouldn't you? How far will you go in this lost cause to absolve yourself? Your God has forsaken you. The people despise you. All you have left is death. You can either embrace it with dignity, or be crushed like an insect beneath me.

Ben rolled onto the floor and lay there surrounded by the flames. His strength was gone. There was nothing more he could do. The sounds of the firefight outside and on the floors below them floated up to his ears. Soon they would find their way here and face the Leader, and probably meet their maker in the process. That time was now coming for him, thought Ben. He had tried and failed to live up to the divine purpose.

For the first time in a while he thought of his mother, and how he had wasted his chance of reconciliation. All she had wanted was to be with him again, and he had spurned her. Now he would be leaving her permanently. But at least he might see his father on the other side..... and Kenta. Kenta. How we wished he could repay his family for the burden he had placed on them. How he wished he was here right now, yelling through the earpiece like they had done in the beginning. Two crazy kids on a heroic crusade.

A loud explosion came from the hallway. They were getting closer. They had no chance. Only Ben could destroy this specter. And he would soon no longer be of this world. Rubirosa knelt down by his side and waved a curved dagger with jewel-encrusted handle to his face*

Enjoy Hell.

*He brought the dagger to Ben's neck when suddenly the door burst open. Savage barged in, shielding his face from the fire and heat, and saw Ben lying on the floor waiting for death*

Savage: Ben, what are you doing?! Stand up!

Rubirosa: Well what do you know?!

*He stood up again*

The Rider's sworn enemy turned ally? What happened, Mr. Savage? You would come help this animal?

Savage: Fine words coming from you!

Rubirosa: I don't lie about what I am?

Savage: Oh no? I didn't realize leading a sadistic cult was part of a district attorney's job. Or did you leave that out of that illustrious resume of yours?

Ben, get up! Kill this bastard and end this!

Rubirosa: In a minute this boy will will be dead. And so will you and your pathetic band. You think I'm like my henchmen? Twice your number couldn't bring me down!

Savage: Damnit Ben, get on your feet! You still have your job to do!

Rubirosa: You failed in that a long time ago! You're no Prophet! Predict my fall, will you?! It's not much of a God that sends such a sinner to do his holy work.

*Savage shot Rubirosa in the heart. Rubirosa simply brushed it off as though a speck of dirt had hit him*

A pointless move, sir.

*Using telekinesis, he brought part of the ceiling down on Savage. The detective barely rolled out of the way as concrete, plaster and wiring splattered on the floor. Rubirosa cackled. Savage crawled under the desks down the platforms to Ben as he struggled to pick himself up*

Ben: What're you doing here?

Savage: Your friend sent me here.

*Ben froze. His friend? Could it be… Kenta alive?? He had no time to wonder, for Savage had grabbed Ben's arm*

Now look. I don't know why you were given this power but I do know there is a reason you have it. You were chosen for something I won't even try to understand, and you have to see it through.

*Ben gagged and spit out a glob of blood*

Ben: How??

*Savage paused, then touched Ben's belt*

Savage: Believe in that.

*He then pointed upward*

And whatever it is up there that's guiding you.

*Ben looked at Savage. It was hard to believe that not too long ago he had been trying to bring him down himself. Now here he was urging him to persevere. He was right of course: he had to keep going. It was the only thing to do.

Rubirosa was upon them again. Savage went to tackle him and buy Ben some time, ending up getting thrown to the other side of the room for his troubles. Ben did not waste the opportunity: he threw a punch at Rubirosa's face that sent the man tumbling backwards onto the floor himself. Unable to get back on his feet, Ben half-crawled, half-stumbled toward him. He grabbed him by the robe and began punching him in the face, keeping him from getting up. Over and over he pummeled him until he began to draw blood. Rubirosa grabbed Ben by the neck and head butted him. Ben fell sideways, his head ringing. His face dripping, the Ghost leader rose up, only to be met by Antares once again. The steed blew a stream of fire at him, forcing him back toward a fallen, burning beam. Antares charged forward to ram him, but he levitated up before it got the chance. Seeing Ben picking himself up, he send a wave of energy to throw him into a pile of burning wreckage. Rubirosa descended again. Savage looked to where Ben had fallen He saw no motion...

… Until he saw a flaming white being burst his way from underneath. The emitted flames were so intense streaks flew off and landed all over the room. The gloating expression on Rubirosa's face had disappeared: now Savage saw the slightest hint of nervousness. Ben gave a dreadful cry, which made both Savage and Rubirosa shudder, and charged the latter, unleashing a fiery whirlwind of punches and slashes. Rubirosa did his best to counter, but the aged man found the youth's sudden intense power insufferable. Using the power within his gold brooch, he tried deflecting the Rider's flames. This only directed it to the rest of the room, adding to the inferno. Savage could barely stand the heat and smoke as he watched. Down below, the heroes had somehow managed to get the upper hand. They now looked up to the building, trying to imagine the brutal showdown that was unfolding.

Ben jumped up and threw a Rider Punch right below Rubirosa's neckline. The Ghost Leader was sent flying toward the window overhead where the fighters now stood. Seeing his chance had come, Ben threw himself onto Antares. The horse-bike threw its head back and neighed so that all outside could hear. Ben turned the dials of his belt, igniting the mark in his buckle and increasing the power of the flames surrounding his body. These flames wrapped themselves around Antares as well. Rubirosa scrambled to get to his feet as he saw steed and Rider come barreling toward him. Before he could get away, he was rammed through the window clear over the street. Ghost, Rider and bike flew together across the cityscape, scattering glass shards, bricks and drops of white fire everywhere. Ben squatted on the seat of his bike and leapt forward. Antares sent a wave of fire at its master, sending him flying right toward Rubirosa. With the last bit of strength left, Ben delivered to the Great Leader one supercharged Rider Kick.

The gold brooch shattered; Edward Rubirosa's body cracked and then disintegrated into fiery dust. His last expression on his face was that of enraged shock and terror. A hand clawed toward Ben before it too crumbled into nothingness.

For one moment Ben enjoyed the blissful feeling of flying... until he realized he was going down. Antares slammed into the side of a building and tumbled and skidded onto a street. Ben himself flew into a traffic light and somersaulted hard onto the road, rolling several yards before at last coming to a stop. He lay motionless on his back. He was sure he had smashed several bones and organs. But he was almost numb to the pain. All he could see was the dust that was the body of Rubirosa flying over the city, glowing in the light of the setting sun that melted away the Ghost insignia overhead. It was over. Nothing else mattered.

The flames around his body began to simmer down. He gradually began to feel the Rider's body melt off him. His head felt ready to explode. His vision was fading. He could hear nothing now but the sounds of his parents and Kenta and the whole Nishihori family from years gone by, all accumulated into one final record in his mind... *

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*The next few hours were sheer chaos. Reports flooded the news networks that Mayor Rubirosa was dead, that the Rider had been caught and being held at the hospital under armed guard, that the Rider had been killed. No one but a select few knew anything. Savage was one of these few. He and the remaining Sentinels and police and found the Rider lying on a street far from City Hall and immediately brought him to the emergency ward. His face had been covered to prevent his identity from exposure, which had resulted in the rumors that he was dead. Savage had to fight his way through the sea of media hounds and onlookers as he brought the body to the ICU. While the doctors that had not been killed or injured themselves saw to him, Savage wearily looked over the scene. He saw Saya seated close to her uncle Tachibana as her aunt Junko spoke hurriedly on the phone to Gai; he saw Casey Roginek regrouping with his Sentinel teammates as they congratulated each other for a job well done. He had given Casey his phone back, and the boy was now dialing home himself; he saw Marisol seated quietly by herself, having no one to celebrate with. Seeing her reminded him of his own absent family, to whom he would have give a call soon. He made a mental note to see if she needed anything.

Hours past with no news on Ben. All Savage could do was beat back the quizzling reporters who wanted a comment on the day's battle and the status of the Rider and stay out of the way of the staff as they handled the dead and injured. He saw a female nurse with the name Nishihori rush by and wondered if she could be Kenta's mother. He would have liked to tell her how virtuous a son she had and how she should have the utmost pride in him, but that would mean exposing the secret of the Rider and Kenta's involvement. That was something she probably wouldn't bear to hear.

At long last, one of the surgeons came up to Savage and whispered that Ben was now in stable condition. After telling two officers to keep anyone else from entering the ward, Savage went down the hall to Ben's room. To his surprise, there at the door was Quentin Arian, the man called '41' *

Quentin: Hello again Mr. Savage.

Savage: How did you get in here?

Quentin: I'm a rather inconspicuous man, my friend. And it helps that this place is in utter chaos as we speak.

*Savage looked through the window at a bandaged Ben lying on the bed*

Savage: Aren't you going in?

Quentin: I was waiting for you.

*Savage looked at the man, and then opened the door. Ben's left eye was surrounded by a black ring, but it otherwise was still functioning. Opening both, he turned his aching head to see Savage and Quentin at his side*

Savage: How do you feel?

*Ben tried to lift his head and an arm, and winced from the jot of pain he received for it*

Ben: I've been better...

*He looked at Quentin*

Where's Mabel?

Quentin: She thought it better if I see you. Besides, she is not very found of hospitals.

Ben: Who is?

*He winced*

I'd like to get out of here myself.

Quentin: Rest, Ben. You've fulfilled your task. There is nowhere you must rush off to.

*Ben looked at his finger. The ring had vanished*

Ben: The ring's gone.

Savage: They must have taken it off when looking after you.

Quentin: The ring has passed on. You, after all, are only a link in a long chain of people chosen to be the Lord's messenger. It will remain dormant and unnoticed until the next Prophet is drawn from the water.

*The pain Ben was feeling felt a lot more intense than what he had felt for a long time. The power of the ring had mitigated the level of discomfort he had felt from the many times he had suffered injury. Now with the power gone, he was just an ordinary man. He would have to get used to this pain level or take a handful of painkillers*

Savage: Until then someone should safeguard it somewhere.

Quentin: A good idea. I'm sure you can see to that, Detective. I think you've earned yourself a promotion after today.

*Savage snorted disbelievingly but quickly turned serious again. He gave a long, hard look at Ben, knowing what he would say next would not be easy*

Savage: You know what's going to happen to you, right?

*Ben understood. He may have delivered the city from oppression, but he still had to answer for his many crimes. Savage least of all would have forgotten that*

Ben: I don't want a trial. Just send me wherever you will.

Savage: Don't worry about a trial. You know what a can of worms that will open. The city has been divided over you since the beginning. A trial would bring that all back.

But that's not what will happen.

Ben: What do you mean?

*Savage paused*

Savage: If this were a few months ago, I would never think of doing this. You must pay in some way for the things you have done. But I owe your father too much to let his son go to prison for who knows how long. That's why I'm getting you out of here.

*Quentin stared at Savage. Ben looked just as surprised*

Ben: How? We'd be seen in a second.

Quentin: Oh there are ways to avoid unwanted attention. You just leave that to me.

Ben: I guess this is the last time I'll be seeing you.

*Quentin shrugged*

Quentin: Perhaps, perhaps not. Fate has its way. But if so, just let me assure you that you in the end have done this city more of a service than you will know. You have encouraged those who would have otherwise done nothing to fight against the darkness and the corruption, and they will no longer hesitate to act. You were the light when there was none. Remember that and take comfort.

*He placed a hand on Ben's bandaged shoulder*

There are many paths to God, my son. I hope yours from here on won't be too difficult.

*Quentin then put on his shades, bid his farewell to Savage, and left the room. Savage looked toward the door after him, in awe at just what the man was. He then turned back to Ben, who had managed to lift himself to a sitting position*

Savage: Can you walk?

Ben: I'll try.... I need clothes.

*Savage managed to scrounge up some. Ben hastily dressed and swiftly stepped toward the door, ignoring the soreness of his body.

Whatever Quentin had done to cause a distraction, it had worked. No one was in the hall to notice the alter-ego of the Masked Rider sneak his way to an exit with a detective to guide him....*

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*Kenta lingered outside the hospital parking lot, away from the media mayhem. For the past few hours he had been in conflict with himself: should he see Ben or shouldn’t he? Part of the excuse was in the scheme of things trivial: what if his parents saw him and asked what he was doing leaving his sister alone and being so reckless? But the larger issue was doubt. What would he do if he saw Ben face-to-face again? What could he say? So much had past between them, they had witnessed too much, that it was impossible to ever go back to they way things were.

So here he stood, in the darkening night by the car, letting more and more time slip by without making a decision. Then, by a stroke of serendipity, he saw two figures exit out of a side entrance: Ben and Det. Savage. Obviously they were trying to avoid unwanted attention. This was his chance. Keeping his distance, Kenta followed them.

Ben saw his motorcycle on a nearby street. Once again just an ordinary motorcycle. For a moment he had forgotten and had expected faithful Antares to greet him as usual. But the stallion too had departed, waiting for the day a new master was chosen. Ben patted the front in a loving manner*

Ben: I’m gonna miss that horse.

*Savage gave a tiny smile and waited for Ben to get on. He took a roll of money from his own pocket and pressed it into Ben’s hand. Ben tried to protest but the detective hushed him*

Savage: You’ll need it. Now, once you get on the road get as far away as you can. You know everyone will be looking for you for months. Even years.

*He remembered the translated passage he had read: “He was banished from His sight, forever separated from his kin. The Ring was taken from him and lost to the sands of time”. Now it has happening again and it killed him.

To be honest… I don’t think you could ever come back.

*Ben was quiet. Never to return? That was a prospect he didn’t want to accept. He thought immediately of his mother waiting for him to come back to her. Now she would be waiting forever. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned away; he didn’t want to cry. Savage wanted to say something comforting, but couldn’t find the right words. Ben then spoke*

Ben: Could you see her? Tell her something –

Savage: Of course.

*The movements of people nearby caught Savage’s eye*

You’d better go.

Ben: One more thing.

Savage: What’s that, son?

Ben: Kenta….. tell his family I’m sorry… and thanks for everything.

*At that moment Kenta, who had heard everything, wanted to jump in and embrace his friend. Tell him it was all right, that it didn’t matter anymore. That he was and would remain his friend. But he couldn’t. His body would not comply with his mind. He just stood rooted in place, listening without acting*

Savage: You have my word.

Ben: Thank you.

*He started the engine and put on his helmet. Savage stood back and looked at Ben for what could be the last time. For a moment he thought he saw the shadow of Michael in the young man’s face*

Savage: Good bye, Ben.

Ben: Good bye…

*And with that, Ben Hernandez, the Masked Rider, disappeared into the night. Savage stood on the road listening to the sound of the engine until it began to fade. He then turned to head back inside, and that’s when he at last saw Kenta standing there. He too had tears in his eyes. Kenta locked eyes with Savage for a moment, as though silently begging his mercy for having said nothing. Savage understood the pain and wanted to ease it away, but Kenta turned away and hid the tears in the dark as they slowly fell down his face…*

Narrator: That was the last time I ever saw the Rider. Hardly a night passes when I don’t play that moment in my subconscious. I fear it’s the punishment for my cowardice. I should have settled things at that moment. I should have done a lot of things. That day ended as a victory for the city. But that night I lost something I will never get back.

That is the story of the Masked Rider. It is the story you haven’t heard these past years. I only hope with this that you can complete the picture of what you experienced those days. Decide now for yourself after reading my story whether the Rider was hero or monster. Whatever you choose, I could not argue against. But never deny what he did for us, and the legacy he left behind. He inspired us to stand up to the darkness that held us hostage, and to never submit to it no matter how bleak things seem. For that at least, we should be eternally grateful.

God be with you all,

Kenta Nish –

*Pause*

*delete delete delete*

Anonymous.

TO BE CONTINUED

END PART V

Next Time: Epilogue

[Tiga]

Epilogue

That is the story of the Masked Rider. It is the story you haven’t heard these past years. I only hope with this that you can complete the picture of what you experienced those days. Decide now for yourself after reading my story whether the Rider was hero or monster. Whatever you choose, I could not argue against. But never deny what he did for us, and the legacy he left behind. He inspired us to stand up to the darkness that held us hostage, and to never submit to it no matter how bleak things seem. For that at least, we should be eternally grateful.

God be with you all,

Anonymous.

*This had been written and published on a news site to mark the five-year anniversary of the Harrowing and subsequent final battle with the Ghosts. People had been asked to recount their experiences of those days and what their perception of the famous masked vigilante was. But this one had taken the cake and was now circulating all across the web. Sitting in the train on his way to work, a 27 year-old Kenta Nishihori logged onto his computer and briefly skimmed the story he had anonymously submitted. The people he knew who had been close to the events would know he was the author, but for the sake of his and Saya’s parents, whom to this day knew nothing about just how involved their children had been with the Rider nor of his true identity, he had left out his and their names.

Saya had only recently ended her maternity leave. She had left early to drop Yuuji off at Kenta’s parents’ house before heading to work herself. Kenta had heard about young mothers being overly anxious over their newborns, but he hadn’t really expected to see it firsthand. He kept telling her to relax and leave him alone; at this rate the only thing that would happen to the baby was being smothered by affection. Of course on the other hand, in this last month or so he had never seen his wife so happy, so he didn’t really have the heart to complain.

The morning rush made the train cramped. Kenta grimaced as a particularly large woman squeezed into a middle chair beside him and crammed his computer back in his bag. Nine hours of toil and drudgery ahead. Not that he didn’t enjoy his job, but it would be nice to have an early vacation. Anything to break the monotonous cycle. He took solace in that today was Friday. Two days break, he would take that if nothing else...*

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*Junko had retired and sold her half of the business to her partner Rita. Rita, deciding she needed a partner after all, had hired one a few months afterward. That was how Gloria Hernandez, fully recovered and released from the ward, came to start running the shop with her. She would often talk her son Ben and how well he was doing in his new career. Rita often wondered why it was that he hadn’t visited in over five years, but Gloria explained it away saying he was very busy and had little time to spare traveling. Rita saw a certain undying faith in her eyes that couldn’t be broken regarding her son. She couldn’t completely understand, but as a mother herself she could come part of the way and respect her for it.

Every few weeks though she had found in her apartment mailbox a check for a considerable amount of money. She would always tell him the few chances they actually spoke on the phone that he should keep his salary for himself, but he insisted that she keep it. It seemed to her that he felt he needed to do it.

So she would remain stoically waiting. Waiting for the day her son could come back to her. How like that song “Cats in the Cradle and the Silver Spoon” their two lives had become. When he would return or she would come to him, she didn’t know when. But when they did, they would have a good time then. Just like the old days...

Until then, she would wait here*

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“All right dear, good bye”

*Mabel Davis hung up the phone in her little antique shop and gave a loud sigh. A 22 year-old Marisol came out from behind a shelf where she had been cleaning, wiping some dust off her pants*

Marisol: Your daughter again?

Mabel: Again she asks me to come move in with her. I don’t know how many times I have to tell that child I’m fine right here. I’m no one’s charity case.

Marisol: Well you are getting –

*Mabel snapped a towel in her hands like a whip*

Mabel: Another word and I’ll decide your services are no longer required.

*Marisol giggled*

Marisol: After five years you would cut me just like that?

Mabel: Of course not. I gave you warning, didn’t I?

*Marisol hung her head in mock exasperation. The rotund old woman laughed and patted the girl’s arm. Five years already. It felt like only yesterday that Chris Savage had introduced the girl to her and she had given her the job with room and board. ‘After the last tenant’ she had said half-jokingly, ‘I can take a girl like you. I’ve had my fair share’. Marisol though was a pleasure to have. Beneath her coarse, streetwise exterior was a sweet young woman that had been hidden away for so long. Working for Mabel had helped bring it out again. She had begun carrying herself in a more ladylike manner, no longer dressing so garishly. The usual clientele embellished her with compliments and adoration. Mabel felt as though she had adopted a third daughter. In some ways she even reminded her of Ben*

Mabel: So, doing anything after classes?

Marisol: No. I think I’ll just call it a night.

Mabel: Most kids go out on Fridays.

*Marisol shrugged*

Marisol: Nowhere to go and no one to go with.

Mabel: Oh I’m sure there are one or two men your age who would like to take you somewhere…

*The faintest hint of a flush appeared on the girl’s cheeks*

Marisol: Are you a matchmaker too?

Mabel: Anything to get you out of here. But alright then…. why don’t I take you to eat?

Marisol: Where?

Mabel: How’s Thai?

*Marisol licked her lips*

Marisol: Spicy.

Mabel: I’ll make the reservations.

*She waddled over to the phone*

Marisol: Maybe you should move in with your daughter.

Mabel: And who would take over the store?

Marisol: I could.

Mabel: Sorry kid, this is a family business. Besides you couldn’t afford it.

Marisol: You could give me a raise.

*Mabel laughed*

Mabel: You really want to get rid of me, don’t you?

*Marisol chuckled again. She took a glance at one of the working antique clocks. Almost time to head to campus*

Marisol: Well you’ll be rid of me for a few hours.

Mabel: Scoot.

*Marisol raced to comply. In a few seconds she had grabbed her bag and left the store to catch a bus. Mabel sighed again. In truth, she had had thoughts of retiring for some time now. But she couldn’t take being coped up indoors; she wanted get out and be active. Perhaps she could become like Quentin Arian and just travel around. She hadn’t seen the mysterious man since the Rider left. He never told her or anyone else where he would go from here. Perhaps he would roam the world the rest of his life, seeking out people in need and showing them the proper path, continuing the Divine’s work…

But that could wait. For now she was content with looking after the girl. She began dialing the restaurant to make the reservation…*

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*Commissioner Chris Savage. Even now the title felt strange to him. Allison thought the uniform suited him just perfectly, but to Savage it felt a tad too formal. He hated making public announcements to the press, hated suffering their bombardment of questions that demanded immediate answers, but he bore it all. Given all that he had been through before, these were trivial gripes.

In the last five years the city had gone through a virtual renaissance. Gone was the old bureaucracy of career politicians and government officials; the voters had finally thrown them out for their years of incompetence and leftist policies. In their place were appointed people with real experience, who had been down in the hell and back again, who relentlessly sought to expunge the system from the corruption. Savage was among this fresh blood. Soon after the Harrowing, he had been promoted to the rank of Captain to replace the one who had resigned so many months prior. Three years later, he was appointed the city’s police commissioner by the new mayor, who had himself been a Sentinel in those days. (Such had been the support of the militia group that any attempts at prosecuting them were met with instant indignance from the populace.) Crime was lower than many could remember. The streets and tourist spots had been nearly cleared of the vagrants that had infested them before.

For once, the city was being run by people who actually knew what they were doing. Once again it could start living up to its title of one of America’s most beautiful metropolises.

A knock came on Savage’s door. A young female officer poked her head through the door*

“Your audience awaits, sir”

*Savage grumbled. The woman smirked. He took as long as possible to put on the dress jacket and hat and head to the steps where the podium had been set up. Just yesterday a massive drug ring had been broken. Rumors had floated around that some former Ghost members were involved, which had naturally piqued Savage’s curiosity. Such claims had yet to be confirmed, but this was still a great achievement nonetheless. He was to make a statement about the whole affair.

Before he left the office, he closed an e-mail from Casey Roginek. After quitting the Sentinels, he and Savage had managed to stay in touch since, and Savage had come to appreciate the young man’s Jack-of-all-trades talent and general optimism toward life. Now 28, he worked for an engineering firm in another city, and seemed to be doing well. Savage once suggested in jest that with his talent he could have become a cop. Casey had laughed: “I quit the hero business. Besides, the pay’s too low and the press hates you”. Well he had a point about the last part, Savage chuckled to himself grimly.

Today’s e-mail included a link to Kenta Nishihori’s story about the Rider, which Savage had been reading before the interruption. A pang of sadness briefly swept through the man as he remembered Ben and all he had done. No word had he heard from him since that day other than what his mother Gloria told him. He could only hope he was doing well in a new life.

Savage headed outside to face the bush of microphones and the screeching creatures called reporters squeezed within. No doubt there would be a spinmeister or two ready to put the police in a bad light. Maybe Casey had the right idea.

Ignoring the random camera flashes, Savage cleared his throat and began to speak…*

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* Evening. Kenta’s cell phone went off as he walked to his car from the train. Miki was suddenly calling him*

Kenta: Imoto.

Miki: Hey, I’m at the gym. Could you pick me up?

Kenta: You’re right by the bus. Go take that.

Miki: The bus is crowded.

Kenta: You’ll live.

Miki: Come on…

Kenta: What’re you doing at the gym anyway? Don’t you have some test or something?

Miki: Studying physiology.

Kenta: In other words, ogling the men.

*Miki giggled*

You’re a disgrace to your family, you know that?

Miki: Ne-san likes me.

Kenta: Saya pities you. There’s a difference.

Miki: Are you coming or not?

Kenta: Fine. Be outside.

*He hung up and shook his head with amusement. Miki: 21, a senior in college, and still as juvenile as ever. She was going after a biology degree, probably having partly been influenced by Tsuruhime who had once T.A’d a class of hers. Kenta couldn’t really imagine his sister as a doctor or scientist. “You should have become a reporter”, he once said. “Oriental women are all the rage”. Miki had laughed and said she actually had considered that at one point, but the competition was too fierce. But she seemed to be doing well enough with this field, which meant he either underestimated her or overestimated his alma mater.

He arrived at the gym entrance, where he saw Miki conversing jovially with some guy. Once she saw him, she bid her farewells and jumped inside*

Miki: Thanks.

Kenta: Who was that?

Miki: Someone from school.

*She saw her brother look at her oddly*

No, there’s nothing going on.

*Kenta snorted. He knew that Hiroko had already started introducing her to various Japanese people she knew who had sons around her age through various social engagements. She would often casually drop tidbits about certain families whenever she thought her daughter was slacking off in her work. No doubt she wouldn’t be crazy about Miki seeing anyone on the side.

Kenta: Next time take the bus and stop being so lazy. I have my own things to do too.

Kenta: But I don’t get to see you.

Kenta: I drop Yuuji off at the house every day. It’s not my fault you always sleep in.

Miki: I go to bed late.

Kenta: And I’m sure it’s because you’re such a studious child.

Miki: Of course.

Kenta: So if I check your computer I won’t find a whole bunch of IMs going on all night?

*Miki smiled cheekily*

Miki: Online study groups.

*Kenta shook his head and lightly jabbed her in the head.

They arrived at the house. Eiji was sting at the table drinking some tea when he saw his two children come up the stairs. At once he spoke to the daughter*

Eiji: *Japanese* You didn’t call.

Miki: *Japanese* Ni-san picked me up.

Eiji: You shouldn’t ask him to come get you all the time. He has his own business to take care of.

Miki: *English* He was coming here anyway.

*Kenta tried to wave the admonition off but Eiji held firm. Miki threw her bag onto the couch*

Kenta: Where’s the baby?

Eiji: Sleeping in the room.

*He pointed to his and Hiroko’s bedroom, where Kenta saw little Yuuji asleep on the bed. Miki snuck inside and gently petted his nephew*

Miki: I still say he takes after his mother.

Kenta: Oh you’re funny…

*Yuuji stirred and opened his tiny eyes*

See, you’ve woken him.

*But Yuuji didn’t cry. He wasn’t really much of a crier. That was one thing Kenta found quite relieving. Miki gently picked the child up and cradled him in her arms, shushing him softly. Hiroko passed by suddenly*

Hiroko: Oh, he’s awake.

*Her eyes shone whenever she saw that little grandson of hers. She ran a tender finger down his forehead*

Dinner’s ready. You two go eat.

*Every Friday she insisted that Kenta and Saya have dinner with them. As carefully as she could, Miki placed the squirming Yuuji inside a portable baby seat. Kenta took off his blazer and tie and had begun serving himself when Saya suddenly came inside. Before she did anything else, she knelt down and kissed her baby hello.

As Kenta, Saya and Miki started to eat, Hiroko started engaging in conversation with her daughter-in-law. She treated her so much as though she was her own daughter that Kenta sometimes wondered whether she would have preferred that. She always said Miki should try to be more like her. “Look at your sister, why don’t you be more like her”. He wondered too when they were first married if this would cause the sisters-in-law to be tense, but the two happened to get along rather well, sometimes even ganging up to poke fun at him. Saya would chide him not to tease his sister so, while Miki would say openly that Saya was the sister she always wanted but wasn’t lucky to get. Kenta didn’t mind: he had his own rebuttals to throw right back. All in good fun.

All too soon, it was time to head home. Kenta picked up the seat with Yuuji asleep again inside, and lead his wife downstairs to the car. As Saya got inside, Kenta took out a wad of bills he had taken from an ATM earlier and pressed it in Eiji’s hand. Eiji knew what it was: his son would always take part of his pay and give it to his parents to go toward Miki’s tuition*

Eiji: *Japanese* Please, son. You have your own child now. Keep your money for your family, we are fine.

Kenta: *Japanese* I can spare this much. Just take it.

*Eiji hesitated but finally took the money. Kenta hid a snicker: he knew his parents wouldn’t waste these little donations as chances to shame Miki into working harder. Too bad he couldn’t be there to see it.

He got inside the car. Eiji stood on the street and waved them off, staying outside until they disappeared…*

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*Their apartment. Not terribly exorbitant, but a decent enough size for a young couple with a new baby. On a side table stood a portrait of Saya alone in her wedding kimono, and another of the couple together on their wedding day two years ago. Sitting near the TV next to Kenta’s collection of tokusatsu DVDs and videos stood another picture of Saya with her brothers Hayate and Manabu, soon before her move to America.

On the kitchen top and windowsill were arranged some pots housing Saya’s homegrown flowers, as well as a small statue of Buddha given to them by Saya’s parents. On a wall in the nursery hung a long katana, a present to Kenta from Tachibana’s collection of artifacts just before the wedding. It was one he had loved to play with when he was younger, so his now uncle-in-law had decided to give it to him. Kenta had decided to put it above Yuuji’s crib, just as had been done with children raised to be samurais. “A harkening to the feudal days” he had joked. In equal humor Saya had admonished him, but allowed her husband his fun.

They showered and changed their clothes. Kenta had planned on watching some TV before heading to bed, but he suddenly didn’t feel in the mood. He started to feel a tingling sensation in his chest and frowned. It was happening again. Five years later and still the old wound tormented him. He went into the bedroom and flopped onto the bed just as Saya was finishing nursing Yuuji. Closing up her dress, she lovingly planted a kiss on the baby’s head and gave him to Kenta, who did the same.

*Judah Meets Esther/Love Scene plays*

Saya went to put him in his crib and soon came back to see her husband with his arm over his chest. She lay down next to him*

Saya: *Japanese* It’s hurting again?

*Kenta grimaced*

Kenta:*Japanese* I’m fine.

*But of course he was not fine, and Saya could see it. She placed her hand on his chest and began to massage him. Kenta tried to protest and push her away, but she ignored him. He felt her soft hand run over him. Slowly he started to feel the pain ebb.

She had done this before: somehow she made the agony recede. For the years after Ben left and the city was saved, Saya was the one person Kenta felt he could confide in with regards to the subject. She understood the anguish, offered him words of wisdom as solace. Not even Miki, who had actually shared her life with Ben, he felt could understand how he felt the way Saya did. He had been introduced to many girls in Japan who could have been potential brides. Many he had liked, but he had chosen Saya, largely for this reason. Such had been Ben’s life that it had affected the course of Kenta’s life forever after.

Saya’s hand fell on Kenta’s bicep*

Saya: I saw your story.

Kenta: Oh?

Saya: You would have made a good journalist.

*Kenta snorted*

Kenta: I thought writing that would make it feel better. To make up for what happened with us.

Saya: You showed the Rider in a way no one else could have done. How people see him will change.

Kenta: I didn’t eulogize him.

Saya: No. You told everything. Which no one else has done, not in the way you have.

*She paused*

I always thought he was sort of like Jonah.

*Kenta looked at her*

Kenta: From the Bible?

Saya: God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and tell the people to repent lest they be destroyed, but he refused and tried to head to Spain. But a storm comes and Jonah is thrown overboard, where a whale swallows him. Three days he spends inside asking God for mercy, until he spit out on a beach. Jonah goes to Ninevah and does what God told him to, but still bears a grudge against Him when he ends up sparing the city.

*Kenta nodded. He knew the story*

Kenta: And so?

Saya: And so the point is that no hero is flawless. It wouldn’t be right to say the Rider was a godly savior, nor to say he was just a monster. He made mistakes that he has paid for. But he still gave the city something to look up to. To try to be better than it was. And it is. And you played a part in that.

*Kenta looked into her eyes. She who had hated the Rider was now consoling him, who had loved him, about his rightful place in the history of the world*

Kenta: *English* I’d still like to see him again one day.

*Saya kissed him on the forehead and then settled down for sleep. Kenta brought the covers over themselves and returned the kiss on her brow. Laying on his back, he gently ran the back of his hand up her figure, stopping at her left ear. Her elflike ears, he thought, were among other things a particularly prominent feature of her body. He gave the ear a playful tug, upon which Saya nudged him away with a giggle.

Her words had lifted the burden he had felt this day. “You’ve vindicated his legacy. Be at peace.”

Peace. Kenta had found the keys to that, though he felt he had not yet opened the door.

He opened that Ben, wherever he was, had found them as well…*

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*Daytime. In an unknown town, a group of children play with a ball in a suburban park. A careless kick sends the ball tumbling down onto the road. A child runs down to the road to retrieve it, only to find himself in the direct path of an oncoming car. The driver slams on the breaks, but is going too fast to stop in time. The child is like a deer frozen in the headlights. Death surely comes.

Or does it? A man in a blazer and dress pants swiftly gathers the child up and delivers him safely from the car. The driver stops and demands to know if he is alright. The man says yes and bids the traveler to go on his way before putting the child back on his feet. The child looks up at his savior.

Ben Hernandez, 25-years old and in his prime. He places the ball in the child’s hands and pats his head*

Ben: You all right?

*The child nods*

You should be more careful. You only have one life.

*The child doesn’t fully understand the meaning but he nods again. Ben sends him off back into the park and watches him rejoin his friends. Then he gets back on his bike. His trusty silver motorcycle. For five years, his one constant companion. Sometimes he thought he felt Antares’s spirit still within, reassuring him. And there had indeed been times when he needed it.

He looked at his watch. He was running late for work. Quickly he started the engine and continued on his way. In his bag tied on the back was stuffed a newspaper, one of the few reputable ones left in this country, with the headline being the story of the Masked Rider. A long time had passed since those days, and not one night passed when he did not think back on them. Of the joys and the sorrows. Many times he dreamt about returning, to find his old friends, to see his mother again. That time, he felt, would soon come. As his God vindictive, so was he merciful.

Until then, he knew there were those who would preserve his legacy, as the story proved. Until then, he would continue to listen to the heavens.

Until then, he would continue to ride.

THE END

*Exit Music plays*

Well that is that. I hoped you all enjoyed this story. Unfortunately it seems most of the supload links are dead, so you can’t hear the themes. And if you’re interested in its inspiration, Ben-Hur, you can find the movie here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/XeonGame15

Ben Hernandez = Judah Ben-Hur

Kenta Nishihori & Jack Thorpe = Massala

Saya Takuto = Esther

Miki Nishihori = Tirzah

Chris Savage = Pontius Pilate/Christ

Quentin Arian (‘41’) & Mabel Davis = Quintus Arius, Sheik Ilderim & Balthasar (The title ‘41’ is a reference to the number Judah is given when serving as a galley slave.)

Antares the bike = Antares, one of Ilderim’s four stallions.