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...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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.

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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hell Rider Finale – Part 3 *Kamen Rider (Drama): ‘Kimi to Tomo ni Rider wa Iru’ plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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” …. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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... * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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....* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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

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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hell Rider Finale – Part 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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

PART V Chapter 23: Hell *Edward Rubirosa, Great Leader of the Ghosts, stood perched on the roof of a tall skyscraper. His furrowed hand grasped tightly on one of the small statues that adorned the stone railing as he peered down to see his city. A city that officially had been relinquished to him just over a week ago, but had in truth been under his power for years beforehand. Now it was a half-destroyed, blazing inferno. The symphonious sounds of sirens, gunfire, and screaming people flowed through his ears. The sign of the Prophet that was floating in the air was now starting to dissipate. From that Rubirosa knew that the Masked Rider had fled. He had discovered the truth and was now trying to run away from it. But of course he wouldn’t. The darkness, a darkness he had freely accepted, that he had goaded him to choose, had destroyed his body and corrupted his soul beyond recognition. He was nothing now, just a shell that would soon die in the wilderness, whether by his followers or his own hand. And of course, without their hero those foolish Sentinels, those ragtag hicks who thought themselves capable of standing up to the system – his system – would quickly crumble, as they had already done. The Ghosts had won. He had won. Today was the beginning of the new regime, one spreading from California through the southwestern U.S., all the way to the heart of Mexico, where his great cult had been birthed centuries ago. Upon the ruins of this city would be built the new metropolis. Tonight he would make a broadcast to the people of the city and the country, citing what had happened this day as an example of what his people were capable of, and what would happen to those who resisted. Rubirosa turned around and narrowed his red eyes into slits. Brady had appeared behind him with news* Rubirosa: Well? *Brady gulped. Now that he knew the face of his Leader, he didn’t know if he felt relieved or more fearful than ever. Before he could never see his eyes bore into him. Now he saw them stare dangerously into his. Brady tensed up and forced the message out from his mouth* Brady: Addonexus…. is dead. *Rubirosa turned his face away and slightly tightened his grip on the statue. Brady braced himself for what would surely be a furious response from his master. Addonexus was among the best of the Ghosts. One didn’t find so ruthless and efficient a follower as he every day. His loss would definitely be a bane to this otherwise marvelous triumph. Rubirosa however turned back and smiled. He placed a hand on Brady’s shoulder. Brady winced: its chill went right through his clothing to his skin* Rubirosa: No matter. Some eggs must be broken to make an omelet, I suppose. What matters is that the city is ours and everyone now knows it. Now, alter the media that I want to have a short press conference. Brady: May I ask what for? Rubirosa: To tell the people what the future holds for them. After the carnage of today, no one will dare suggest a call to arms like those Sentinels or that false god the Rider. The people won’t tolerate any more death and destruction. And there won’t be any more…. as long as they know what not to do. Brady: And if someone does try to resist? *Rubirosa chuckled* Rubirosa: His fellow citizens will put him down before we could raise a finger. *With that, the old man glided away. Brady shuddered from the lingering chill running through his body. He definitely preferred it back when his Leader was anonymous…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The screams continued to play in his head. The pungent smell of smoke and burnt flesh flowed through his nostrils. He saw towers of fire before him. A black horse. His mother. The face of a man lying on the ground. His friend’s face. Kenta Nishihori. And himself, a disfigured, black creature of death. Barely recognizable to friends and kin. Kenta suddenly rose to his feet and pointed a condemning finger at him. He was joined by countless others. All the people who had died by his hand. The collateral damage he had coldly ignored. They formed a wall around him. The screams were deafening. He crumpled to the ground and covered his ears with his hands, crying out for a mercy that wouldn’t come…. And then Ben awoke. He sat up and looked wildly around. He was sitting amidst some brush on a downhill slope by the side of the road. How he got there he didn’t know. The only thing he could remember was Kenta’s body on the ground, Miki on her knees begging for mercy, and Casey Rogniek pointing his gun at him like he was some vicious animal…. But he was a vicious animal. He was a monster. The blood of innocents and guilty alike were on his hands. This was not what he had wanted. He had wanted to be a hero, a champion of true justice. But somewhere along the way he had turned away from that and headed into the darkness. Now he was lost in the gloom without a light…. and he wouldn’t take it anymore. Ben saw something gleaming in the moonlight. A discarded knife. He grabbed it and ran his fingers over the blade, and then with a swift motion stabbed it into his stomach. Nothing happened. No wound had been made. It was as though he had struck rock. Ben tried again and again, harder and harder, but the result was the same. He stabbed his chest, cut his throat, slit his wrists, all to no avail. His reformed body had become impervious to injury. He had near omnipotent power… and with it the curse of not dying. Ben grabbed the ring off his finger. That damn cursed ring which had done this to him. He threw it with all his might out into the depths of the woods, but it only boomeranged back to him and replaced itself on his finger. He tried again and again, but it still kept coming back. He dropped the ring on the ground and tried running away into the darkness. It followed and placed itself right back. Ben slammed his fist into a tree and cried up to the heavens. ‘No more’, he pleaded. ‘Let me die! I’ve done enough damage. Kill me and be done with it!’ He got no response. The powers that be seemed intent on making him suffer. This was to be his punishment. Ben threw himself onto the ground and kept crying a final plea for oblivion until he finally passed out…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hell Rider Finale – Part 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta slowly opened his eyes. He was alive. By some luck he had managed to survive a full-frontal impact of a blast from an intently strong laser. He darted his eyes around and saw he was in a hospital room. A clock near the ceiling said 2:30 AM. He quickly sat up, and winced as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down upon it and saw a large bandage covering what was sure to be a grisly wound. ‘Well’, he thought, ‘could be worse…’ To his left he saw Miki asleep in a chair. Red circles and unkempt hair covered her eyes. A fresh bandage now covered her head wound. She looked in worse shape than Kenta felt. Through the window he saw his father standing against the wall. He soon caught sight of his son sitting up on his bed and quickly came toward the door. Kenta threw off the sheet covering him and tried to make himself as upright as possible, his dignity forbidding him from giving off any appearance of sickliness. Eiji stood looking at his son for a moment in silence. He was never one to wear his emotions on his sleeve. In a way Kenta was glad for it: had his mother been in here he knew he would be smothered by hugs and sobs. Eiji instead seemed to mask his overwhelming sense of relief with a simple tired smile* Eiji: *Japanese* You’re alright… *Kenta gave a nod in response and returned the smile. Eiji came up to him and placed his hand on his head. Kenta looked up at his face and thought it had suddenly aged ten years. Kenta: *Japanese* Where’s Okaa-san? Eiji: *Japanese* I don’t know. There are so many people coming in here right now, so she’s had her hands full. It’s a mess down there. *He watched as his son gently rubbed the bandage over his chest* Kenta: *Japanese* What happened? Eiji: *Japanese* They don’t have the slightest idea. Something like that should kill a person. The doctor said you’re a very lucky man. *Kenta silently agreed. For all that he had done in the past months, someone or something was still looking out for him. He now waited for his father to begin asking what had happened, and he didn’t know how he would respond. But instead he saw Eiji look toward Miki still sleeping in the chair* She said you were protecting her. *Kenta said nothing* She wouldn’t leave this room. She won’t even eat, though your mother kept insisting. Kenta: *Japanese* Why? *Eiji looked at him surprised* Eiji: *Japanese* What do you mean, why? She is worried about you. You didn’t see her when you all were brought in. Your mother had to stay with her for hours before she stopped crying. *Kenta looked at his sister. What his father had described wasn’t what he would usually expect from her. She was stubborn with a splash of juvenility and a flair for sarcasm, which she enjoyed executing on him (affectionately of course). As far as catharsis went, she was more like their father. Eiji chuckled and started talking again* Do you remember when you were little, how she would always follow you around? You would try to keep her away, yet she always wanted to go along… *It felt like a different lifetime ago, but Kenta did remember. He recalled trying to go somewhere with friends only to see her trying to join them. Recalled how his parents would often make him take her along. He treated her as firmly as though he himself was her parent, but he knew that in the end she was a good, loving child. Which, given the city they lived in, was a remarkable feat* *English* We’re glad you always look out for her. *Eiji patted Kenta’s shoulder. His demeanor suddenly became grim* I would like you to do it again. *Confused, Kenta looked at his father* Kenta: *Japanese* What do you mean? Eiji: It’s dangerous to be here. I don’t want you two here when…. *His voice trailed off. Kenta thought he knew what he was talking about, but he didn’t think he would believe it to be this grave a situation. Kenta: What about you and Okaa-san? Eiji: Never mind us. I want you to take your sister and get out of here. Kenta: But - Eiji: Don’t argue. Just do what I told you. I want you to as far from her as possible. Your mother and I can take care of ourselves. *Kenta wouldn’t have felt worried even despite what he had just witnessed this day but not for what he was hearing now. He didn’t like it, but knew he had no say in the matter. Reluctantly he gave a nod to his father. Eiji reached into his pocket and drew out a key, which he put into Kenta’s hand* Kenta: What’s this? Eiji: This is for the glove compartment. You may need what is in there. *Kenta was surprised. His father had always kept the glove compartment of his car locked. He had never seen what was in there. When he had asked his parents in the past he had only been told to hush, but he thought he noticed once or twice his mother giving his father a disapproving look when the question was posed. Eiji gave him a last small hung and kiss on the head. He then leaned down and gave Miki a kiss on her head before leaving the room. Kenta sat silently on the bed for a few moments, thinking about what he had been told to do. He suddenly saw Miki begin to stir. Brushing strands of hair from her face, she saw her brother sitting up and looking at her. She leapt up to her feet and ran toward the bed, giving Kenta a big hug that very nearly crushed him* Miki: Ni-san…. *Kenta gently patted her head as she buried it in his shoulder* Kenta: Ok… you can let go now. *Miki shook her head and hugged him tighter. Kenta gently stroked the bandage on her head* How’s your head? *Miki looked at him astounded* Miki: You almost die and you’re asking about a cut on my head? Kenta: More than a cut. *He gently pried her off him* I’m fine. You however are a mess. *A giggle escaped from Miki’s mouth. She ran a hand through her messy hair and wiped her eyes before she could start crying again. Several shouts came through the door as people raced by. Kenta watched as a stretcher with a covered body go by* Not good out there, is it? Miki: Looks like the whole city is in here. *A strange-looking man wearing shades and carrying a rifle appeared in the mezzanine around the corner of the hallway. Kenta thought he saw something white on his arm. Miki saw what he was looking at and lowered her voice to a hushed whisper, as though he would otherwise hear them* Those guards have been roaming around ever since the fighting stopped. No one is allowed to leave. Kenta: Martial law already, eh… *He closed his hand over the key* That makes our job a bit harder. Miki: What job? Kenta: Oraji wants us to leave. Miki: Leave? To where? Kenta: I don’t know. He just said to get out. Something bad must be coming…. *He swung his legs over the bed and placed his weight on them. Miki made a move to support him, but he managed to gain balance on his own. Finding a pile of clothes nearby, he grabbed them and disappeared behind a curtain to hurriedly dress himself. He placed the key in his pocket as he came out* Let’s go. Miki: You can’t – Kenta: I’m fine. *He moved his hand gently over his chest and grinned* You know, you get more like Okaa-san every year. *Miki snorted, but she had a smile on her face. Seeing her more like herself made him feel a bit better. He carefully cracked open the door to the room and peered out. The Ghost was gone. Everyone else seemed too busy to notice him. Quietly he slipped out and began leading his sister down the hall to the nearest exit. On the way they saw a group of people huddled below an overhead television. Mayor Rubirosa was about to make a speech…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben was awoken by the sprinkling of water on his lips. He opened his eyes a crack and saw a young boy kneeling over him with a water bottle in his hand. The boy offered him more from this bottle and Ben unconsciously accepted, allowing the cool, refreshing liquid to pass through his mouth and down his throat. The boy smiled. Ben looked at his face and thought he had seen it somewhere before. It then clicked in his mind: he had saved this boy from a gang the very day he had first found the ring. He wouldn’t have thought the boy would remember him, yet here he was. The roles had now been reversed. But why was he here? There were both a long way away from civilization. The boy stood up and beckoned him to follow. Ben walked several feet behind him as they walked up the slope and onto the lonely road. In the distance stood the smallest of towns, the kind tourists stayed over in while visiting a particular landmark or attraction. The boy led Ben down an exit from the highway toward this town. Some cars passed them by. Some were heading for the town as well, others continuing on. But many had one thing in common: they were escaping the city Ben had once called home. They came to a street with a series of shops. The boy stopped at the entrance to a small homely bar and pointed toward the door. Puzzled, Ben pushed the door open. Inside he saw a handful of patrons seated at the bar and wooden tables. They all had their eyes glued to the TV set hanging on the ceiling. A reporter was saying something about the mayor of the city appearing soon to make a speech concerning the massacre that had just taken place. No one noticed Ben’s entry. No one knew the truth. But no, that wasn’t true. A man was sitting at a table in the far right corner of the establishment. He was wearing shades, but Ben recognized him at once: the man called ‘41’. How and why he was here he didn’t know. But he knew he was about to find out here and now as ‘41’ noticed his entry and beckoned him to come. Ben slowly made his way to the table and stood above the mysterious man. ‘41’: Welcome Ben. It has been a long time. *Ben looked back toward the street. The boy had vanished* Sit down. We have much to talk about. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *In all his years on the force, Savage could not remember a day like this. Right now, as he tended to a gash on his arm while steering clear of the frenzied hospital staff and traumatized civilians, he wished his family were there with him. But a few days before, Allison had taken the kids out of the city under the guise of going on a surprise vacation. He hadn’t liked the idea of them being separated but Allison had felt that it was longer safe here. Her last words to him had been “Do your job”. Well he had tried to do his job. But at last his loyalty to the system had gotten the best of him. Was he to fight lawbreakers like the Rider and the Sentinels on the side of a government everyone now knew was fraudulent? Or should he at last join them to help dispel this vicious gang of interlopers? He had spent the day getting as many people as he could out of the crossfire to safety, all the while watching Sentinels and fellow police fight the Ghosts. Many were now dead, many still had disappeared, their fates unknown. He could not make the choice. He, Chris Savage, had become as inept as the government he worked for. Right now a crowd of people had gathered around a TV to watch the new mayor giving a statement. Savage did not join them, but sat alone on a bench and hung his head in disgrace. Rubirosa appeared somber in his address. He lamented the needless loss of life and, in a shaking voice, implored the people to not engage in any more incendiary acts. The time had come for a new unity, to rebuild the city into something glorious again. What had transpired today must never repeat itself. He would not allow it. And the people would not stand for it. Rubirosa had ended by saying he trusted the people of the city to do their part to make things whole again. Savage scoffed. He didn’t buy a minute of that act, and he was sure no one else did either. What Rubirosa had just let everyone know was that the Ghosts, through him, were now their new masters and that fear of more bloodshed would entice the people to put down any further resistance themselves. He was counting on the type that had all this time taken neither side, but only wanted things to settle down without ever getting involved; in essence the key to maintaining power was trust that the people would care more about security than their freedom. After today, though, Savage wouldn’t have been surprised if that was exactly what would happen…. Until he saw two people coming his way. He saw Kenta Nishihori leading his sister down the hall without trying to garner attention. Savage noted an odd bulge that looked like a bandage on the boy’s chest and a slight contortion of discomfort on his face, making him wonder whether something had happened to him. Kenta came to a stop as he saw the detective look at him. A knot formed in his stomach as he remembered what had went down in their last meeting. Savage slowly stood up* Savage: Going somewhere? *Kenta looked at Miki, then the TV, and then at Savage. He didn’t know how long they had before one of those guards might spot them trying to leave. He hadn’t wondered if someone else might try to stop them as well, fearing the repercussions* Kenta: We’re getting out of here. *He waited for the reprimand, but it didn’t come. Savage instead had a peculiar look in his eye. He seemed to understand. ‘This is it’, thought Savage. Here, right now, was the chance he had needed. At long last he would make his choice, and he would not turn back* Savage: Follow me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *They met no obstacles as they made their way to the parking lot, but Savage kept his hand hovering over his gun nonetheless. The night air had an ominous stillness to it that fit perfectly with the city’s current atmosphere* Miki: There’s the car. *She pointed off into the distance. Kenta made to go, but Savage held him back with a hand on his shoulder* Savage: Where will you go? Kenta: I don’t know yet. Savage: Be careful. *Kenta nodded. Savage saw him trying to avoid looking him in the eye* It’s not your fault about Ben. *Miki looked to the ground. Kenta kept looking toward the car* Kenta: Isn’t it? Savage: Perhaps we as his friends and kin didn’t do enough for him. But he made his choice a long time ago. What he has done should weigh on his conscious, not yours. *Kenta said nothing* Now go. *Shapes suddenly appeared in the lot* “You! What are you doing?” Savage: RUN! *Kenta grabbed Miki and together they made a mad dash to the car. The figures raised their weapons to fire, but Savage whipped out his gun and opened fire. He was outgunned and outnumbered, but he could at least try to buy the kids some time. Kenta shoved Miki toward the car and she dove inside. He rolled over the hood as a shot flew in his direction and scrambled inside, fumbling for the keys. In a few seconds they were peeling out of the lot toward the road. Miki screamed as bullets ricocheted off the car body. Kenta floored the pedal and practically flew onto the street. Miki looked back in time to see Savage still engaging with the Ghosts before they turned a corner. With barely anyone on the road at this time of night, the risk of collision was low enough for Kenta to keep speeding down the road toward the highway. They couldn’t stop until he was sure they had lost their pursuers. 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…* TO BE CONTINUED

Chapter 22: The Harrowing *Casey felt the sun on his face as it set over the horizon. Grissom had decided to take a handful of Sentinels follow Ben back to the city, but wait on the outskirts and watch what would happen. Some time earlier they had, to their surprise, the firing of heavy artillery one would associate with battlefields far overseas, not in the heart of an American metropolis. Grissom, who wasn’t a particularly emotional man, had an anxious look on his face, which in turn made everyone else uneasy. The scorching air of the desert swept past Casey where he stood, perched on a small boulder. A strange black shape appeared in the distance. At first he first thought was a mirage, but it started coming closer and closer. Casey leapt from the rock and went down to the near-deserted highway to get a closer look. He saw a terrifying black horse with a long horn adorning its head come to a stop several yards away. Riding upon its back was an equally fearsome figure: a black body crisscrossed with white veins, spikes on his chest, and bright white eyes crowned with a gruesomely twisted pair of horns. A split cape resembling a pair of insect wings whipped slightly in the air. Both horse and rider had an aura of jet black fire around themselves. The warm air suddenly felt chilled. For a moment Casey’s mind blanked as he gazed in apprehension upon this dark figure. It took him a moment before he could place who it was* Casey: …. Ben. *Ben pointed a hand toward the city. The sun had now disappeared behind black clouds. A faint rumble of thunder echoed high above, as though signaling the arrival of something terrible. Ben now spoke in a deep, merciless voice that sounded nothing like him* Ben: Seven days will this city have to repent. If they refuse, we will erase it from the earth. *Antares reared up and let out a chilling neigh. Casey and the others watched in stunned silence as this black rider of death galloped away into the gathering gloom toward the Sentinels’ camp. After finally gathering their wits about them, they started to follow him back, but not saying a word to each other of what they had seen…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One week later. *Mayor Rubirosa was true to his word: He had begun swift action against the crime that gripped the city. The only catch was that it was the people that were being treated as the criminals. The National Guard, now completely under the control of the mayor, had virtually replaced the police as the city’s law enforcers. Yet they didn’t seem to be doing any real law enforcing, instead using their authority to keep the citizenry under constant surveillance and suppression. Any voices of criticism were drowned out by a swell of soundbites by government spokesmouths (who in past had barely said a word about the crime epidemic) about “the need to crack down” and “prevent any incendiary language”. In only a week the city had become nothing less than a police state. This was not what the people had wanted. The old mayor had been found dead three days ago from hanging. Officially it was being declared a suicide, but the conspiracy theories were already abuzz. The Rider’s accusation of the new administration being Ghost members had resonated in the people’s minds, no matter how much the government and the bought-off media denied such an outlandish claim by a crazed vigilante. The more questions that buzzed, the more the new regime tried to tighten their control. Some people had begun leaving the city all together, at times with nothing but the clothes on their back, fearing what terrible thing would befall it. But for Kenta and his family, life went on. Hiroko now fretted nervously whenever he or Miki went out. She insisted that neither of them leave the house unless for school or other necessary functions. On this gloomy day Kenta sat in the car with his father outside the temple. Hiroko had hung behind to chat quickly with some of the other women. Often she would do this with Miki at her side, making Kenta wonder if she wanted to present the girl to the well-to-do ladies of the community, to show her how to carry herself in society. Miki didn’t seem to mind (not that Hiroko would let her) but on occasion she would sneak a mockful imitation of them in Kenta’s direction. These days he would welcome even that small an exchange between them. She had been the only other person besides Ben whom he could talk to about all that was going on, and now even she would not hear him, his betrayal of Ben still heavy on her mind. And now even Casey Roginek had disappeared from campus to join the Sentinels’ cause. Never before had Kenta felt such isolation. Hiroko and Miki finally emerged at a harried pace. Alongside them to his slight surprise were Saya and her aunt and uncle. Hiroko came up to the car window* Hiroko: *Japanese* Junko oba-san tachi are going to the mall, so you and Miki go with them. I have to get to work quick… *Hiroko had been working extra days at the hospital as of late. Eiji was to have dropped off Miki at the mall, with Kenta alongside, so she could get some things, and then drop off his wife. But in the midst of talking with her fellow parishioners she was running late. Kenta overheard Eiji admonish her about not being punctual as he and Miki clambered into Junko and Tachibana’s SUV. A brief wave good-bye and they were on their way. Kenta sat wedged uncomfortably between his sister and Saya. He only half-listened to whatever Tachibana or Junko were saying, too focused on his own troubles. They parked near the mall entrance and split up once inside: aunt and uncle to do their own shopping, and the kids to do the same. While Saya and Miki began browsing and conversing together, Saya noticed the distance between the two siblings. Hanging back at one store while Miki went inside the fitting room, she came up to him as he passed his hand aimlessly over some shirts* Kenta: You both have the same fashion sense, I see. Saya: Oh, this is for a friend of mine. I’m bringing some presents when I go back. Kenta: To Japan? *Saya nodded* When? Saya: Once term is over. Kenta: Ah… that’s nice… *But inside he felt more down. Another person leaving. Just what he needed* Saya: You alright? Kenta: Do I look not alright? Saya: You look stressed. *He looked at her. She didn’t know all the details of what had went down with Ben and Gigastreamer, nor of Casey running off with the Sentinels. But she did seem to sense how things were weighing heavily on his mind, and how alone he felt. But he didn’t want to talk about it now, so he quickly moved the to back to her* Kenta: Well at least you’re leaving now before it gets any worse. Saya: It’s not so bad - Kenta: Have you looked at what’s happened here? I don’t see things getting better anytime soon. You might as well get out while you can. Hell, I’d probably go with you if I could…. *Saya looked down at the floor, discouraged by Kenta’s brute moroseness from trying to be positive. Miki emerged and put back the clothing she had picked out, not satisfied with any of them. The three continued through the immense shopping complex until they reached a lounge area with large windows overseeing the street. A scared crowd had suddenly gathered before these windows. Hearing loud noises coming from outside, Kenta went over to take a look. What he saw made his heart leap to his throat. A firefight had begun between a group of Sentinels and nearby soldiers. The last of the soldiers had just fallen. Through the cloud of smoke and debris came riding a fearsome black ride atop an equally terrifying black, horned stallion* Kenta: Oh God… *Right below him was Ben, but in a form so demonic one could scarcely believe it could be him. Antares reared its head up to the sky and gave a shrill cry. As though answering the call, streaks of lightening danced across the dark sky. Now Kenta saw several robed Ghosts appear on the street. Ben drew his sword, which emitted black flames that reached high toward the clouds. He swung this elongated blade of fire down on the Ghosts. The lead Ghost however threw off his robe, revealing the naked blue-gray torso of his remodeled body. With a sweep of his powerful arm he knocked the flaming blade away, breaking it up into a stream of small balls of fire which flew straight to the window. Kenta shoved Miki and Saya to the side as the glass shattered over everyone and fire splashed onto the floor. Kenta saw a heap of now hysterical people, lacerated by the glass shards or burned by the bullets of flame, all scrambling to get away. He and the girls were soon caught in the stampede. The fight had now flooded into the mall itself, as dozens of Sentinels, Ghosts, and Ghost underlings began turning the ground floor into a battlefield* Narrator: The Harrowing. Even after all this time it is a day that clings to our minds like a ceaseless nightmare. The hordes of Hell on Earth incarnate. Freedom fighters leaping to their doom. One man-turned-monster who at last saw what he had become... *Kenta tried for the exits, but they were swamped with frantic people clambering to escape. He grabbed his sister and lead her and Saya off down another hall just as a pack of would-be escapes were brought down by one Ghost. Saya gasped in horror, but Kenta yelled at her to keep going. He soon found a staircase next to an elevator leading to the basement levels. If they couldn’t find a way out, at least they would have a place to lay low. He yanked open the door and let Miki go ahead of him. They flew down the stairs until they felt the building shake. The ceiling above them suddenly began collapsing. A large piece of falling rubble dashed Miki on the head, sending her tumbling down the staircase* Kenta: MIKI! *But he was now falling too, down toward the lowest levels in a whirlwind of debris…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 4 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta found himself surrounded by rubble at the foot of the staircase, or what was left of it. Somehow he had survived the fall with only a few scrapes and bruises. Immediately he sat up and staggered to his feet. He found Saya slowly picking herself up a few feet away and went over to her* Kenta: You alright? *Saya looked shaken up, but she nodded anyway as Kenta lifted her to her feet. Saya: … Miki-chan? *Kenta looked wildly around until he finally saw her sprawled underneath some concrete. Her hair and face where matted with blood flowing from the gash on her head. At once Kenta and Saya began throwing the rubble off her, and Kenta tried to shake her awake* Kenta: Imoto… Imoto… *Miki began to stir slightly. She tried getting up and let out a small moan as she felt an intense pain in her head* Don’t move… *First they had to stop the bleeding. Saya brought out a large piece of cloth from her person and gave it to Kenta, who began tenderly wrapping it around his sister’s head. He wiped the blood off her face and gently brought her to a sitting position* You alright? Miki: Dizzy… Kenta: Can you stand? *Miki felt the room spin as she tried to move her head. She gingerly felt the makeshift bandage now fit snugly on her head and stained red* Saya: How do we get out of here? Kenta: Obviously not up the stairs. *He indicated what was left of the ruined staircase* Only way to go is down the tunnel. *He turned back to Miki* Get on my back. Miki: What? Kenta: Someone has to carry you. Miki: I can walk – Kenta: You can’t even stand. Now come on. *He leaned backwards and gently lifted his sister onto his back. She wrapped her arms around his collar and rested her head on the back of his* God, you’re heavy. Miki: This was your idea. Saya: Do you know where this leads? Kenta: Right now anyplace is better than here. *He started to move forward, but Miki’s weight made him swerve into a wall. Saya suppressed a chuckle at the sight* Miki: Ow.. Kenta: I told you to lay off all those cookies… *He heard a giggle from her, the first time in what felt like ages. Feeling slightly uplifted, he began going down the ill-lit corridor…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Afternoon. The battle had been raging for hours. Not a street could be found where a Sentinel wasn’t locked in combat with a Ghost. A few civilians who found themselves caught in the middle had even jumped in to aid the vigilantes. Most however had fled at the first sight of danger, frantically seeking whatever sanctuary they could find. Ben had lead his Sentinel allies deep into the metropolis and left them soon after, focusing his attention on the citizenry, these rebellious sinners who allowed such evil to permeate. All whom he came across he slew instantly. Those who did manage to escape the sting of his weapons were consumed by Antares’s streams of fire. How had it come to this? No longer was this the voice of the people, the savior of the city. This was a devil as vicious and as cruel as those he fought. The Rider dropped the expired body of a man he had had in a stranglehold and took a moment to take in the surroundings. Fire and smoke billowed up to the black sky. The faint wail of sirens and voices of Sentinels battling on echoed throughout the streets. The city lay in desolation around him, but it was far from over. There were still enemies to destroy. The Rider felt a near unnoticeable shift in the wind, announcing the presence of such a foe. Several yards before him he saw his archrival, Addonexus, adorned in his armor and leaning over his bike, watching him. He looked at the body of the strangled man at Antares’s feet and laughed* Addonexus: Well, Rider! Is this how you save the people from us? Are we really so terrible? Do you see who is the true demon today? Ben: I will tear this city down before handing it over to you. Addonexus: And upon the ashes we will rebuild our empire. You don’t get it do you, Rider? The city was always ours. You could never destroy us. We are eternal. Kill me, and another will just take my place. Someone probably worse than a daddy killer. *Ben tightened his grip on Antares’s harness* Your trail of blood is as long as ours. You are hardly one to talk to us about evil, little boy! At least we never pretended to be heroes. *Ben bared his fangs at the masked man* Ben: Let’s end this... *He drew his sword and held it at his side. Addonexus revved up his bike and charged forward. Ben spurred Antares’s sides and galloped to meet him. Addonexus drew his own blade and, when he was close enough, stabbed it deep into the horse’s heart. Antares shrieked and stumbled, throwing Ben clear off its back. He rolled onto the ground and got back on his feet, but Antares lay flaying on its side. A thick dark substance resembling blood pooled around the great beast. Ben saw this and issued a vengeful roar toward his foe. Ghost and Rider ran toward each other and clashed their swords together. Droplets of fire from Ben’s ignited blade were thrown into the air from the impact and landed onto the ground….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The muffled moans and voices of people floated past Kenta’s ears as he led the girls down the dank, dimly lit tunnel. He couldn’t know how many people had taken refuge here, nor could he stop to look for them. His sole concern was getting Miki out of here. She felt like deadweight on his back but for the occasional motion of her head. Overheard they could hear the faint sounds of the chaos engaging on the surface. This of course presented another problem: if and when they did get out of here, how would they avoid getting killed long enough to reach the closest hospital? They arrived at a stretch of tunnel that was blocked by fallen debris and a heap of junk that had been unkemptly stored there. Beyond it Kenta could see the hint of a doorway* Kenta: Well that’s just perfect... *He knelt down and gently let Miki off his back onto the floor* Saya: What now? Kenta: Start clearing. *He took a large piece of equipment and, after a few takes, managed to drag it out of its place and to a side. The debris that had been above it immediately caved in. Together, he and Saya set to work clearing away a path to the door. Miki meanwhile was making an effort simply to stay conscious. Her eyes opened in slits, she looked at her brother wrestling with the heavy chunks of rubble. Saya threw a piece of concrete away and knelt down beside her* Saya: Still with us? Miki: Barely… *Saya helped prop her up to a more upright position* Saya: Don’t worry, we’ll be out of here soon. *Despite her own fears she forced a small smile to reassure the girl. She saw that Miki kept looking at Kenta as he continued furiously clearing a path to the door* Don’t be so hard on your Aniki. *Miki looked at her* He’s having a rough time as it is. You’re not making this any easier for him. Miki: He shouldn’t have turned Ben over. Saya: He should never have let it come this far. That is what he is feeling now. And that’s why he did what he did. He did it for Ben, and he did it for you. Miki: For me? Saya: He doesn’t want anyone else hurt. Most of all you. *She prompted Miki to look back at her brother toiling away* Look how far he’s going. Do you see how much he loves you? *Miki was silent. Kenta was coming toward them. As he knelt down, she saw the cuts and scratches on his hands from digging through and handling such rough materials* Kenta: Give me a hand here. *He lead Saya to the last, largest piece of wreckage blocking their escape. They gripped it on either side and together began pushing and pulling it out of the way. Once in the clear, they let it fall with a loud bang to the floor. Saya grabbed the door handle and shoved it open. A staircase leading up to the ground level lay behind it* Saya: Yatta.. Kenta: Let’s go. *He knelt down again and nudged Miki up on his back. Miki whispered in his ear* Miki: I’m sorry. *Kenta paused for a moment* Kenta: So am I. *Saya held the door open for him as he carried his sister out of that dark tunnel and up toward the light…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The demon face on Ben’s chest spat several black fireballs at Addonexus. The assassin sliced through them with ease, but was knocked down by a stream of fire that flowed from Ben’s own mouth. His armor was left smoldering from the impact. The wings on Ben’s back rose to a horizontal position. Ben glided toward Addonexus and swung his sword across his torso, slicing through the armor and sending him into a streetlight. Ben skidded to a stop and did an about turn. In his hand appeared his large boomerang, which he flung at Addonexus. Addonexus ducked and rolled away so that the boomerang sliced through the pole of the streetlight and embedded itself in the wall of a building. Down it came with a loud clang and an explosion of electricity and sparks. Addonexus snickered and ripped the boomerang out of the wall. Ben sent another blast of fire at him, but this he countered by throwing the weapon straight through the column, slicing it in two. Ben flew up in the air before the flying blade could hit him and landed several feet away. In his hand appeared his snakelike whip. With a snap of his wrist, Ben unfurled it toward Addonexus. It wrapped around his arm and pulled him in his direction. Ben clenched his fist and hit the Ghost with a flaming Rider Punch once he came close enough. Addonexus was sent backwards into the side of a car, shattering the glass and severely denting the body. He quickly stumbled back to his feet in a rage, but before he could react Ben was on him again. With a massive swing of his sword, the Rider sliced through the assassin’s neck. Addonexus’s head flew several feet and landed hard onto the road. The mask shattered into pieces, revealing a look of surprise on his mangled face. The headless corpse slumped onto the ground. Ben looked down at it for several moments, savoring this moment. His father’s killer, finally dead at his feet. He raised his fiery sword and proceeded to stab the body repeatedly until it was a bloodied, burning mass of flesh. Ben raised his sword toward the sky and gave a loud frightening cry that echoed across the city streets….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta and the girls at last arrived at the ground floor of another, deserted wing of the mall. He cautiously opened the door leading to the sidewalk. The sky was thick with smoke and fire, the air flooded with sirens, gunshots and screams. Somehow they had to traverse this war zone to get to the hospital where Hiroko worked. And since they didn’t have a car, the odds were further against them. He turned to Saya* Kenta: *Japanese* Call your folks. *Saya fumbled for her phone and dialed her aunt and uncle, but got no dial tone* Saya: There’s no connection. *Kenta swore below his breath* Kenta All right… let’s just – Casey: Kenta! *Casey had suddenly appeared in view and was running down to meet them* Kenta: Casey! What are you doing here?? Casey: What am I doing here? What are you doing here?! This place will be overrun anytime now. Kenta: Overrun? Wait, why are you alone? Where’s the rest of your little gang? Casey: Dead or barely escaped. Those Ghosts will be coming down here any moment. You have to get outta here! Saya: What do you think we’re trying to do? *Suddenly they saw streams of fire dance come up from a street hidden by buildings, accompanied by a loud vengeful cry. Above the burning edifices appeared the symbol of the Rider. Kenta bristled. Ben was close by. And he knew that if he wasn’t stopped, there would be nothing left of this city. At this point he didn’t know if he could be stopped. But someone had to try… Kenta: Do you have a car or something? Casey: There’s a truck nearby. *Kenta gently slid Miki off his back and leaned her against Saya’s body* Kenta: She hit her head. Take her the hospital. Casey: Where are you going? *Kenta didn’t answer, but started moving in the direction of the overhead hieroglyph. Casey then realized what he was about to do* You can’t stop him, Kenta. He’s too far gone. Kenta: We went into this together. Maybe I can get him out… Miki: Ni-san! *She tried to follow Kenta but was still too disoriented to walk on her own and stumbled to the ground* Saya: Miki-chan! *She tried to pull Miki back up but she shoved her off. Ignoring the throbbing pain in her head, she managed to pick herself up and began running after her brother* Miki:Ni-san! *Saya and Casey looked on horrified, and then reluctantly followed after them…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben was on fire within and without. Addonexus, his most hated foe, was no more. Yet he still felt no satisfaction. The corruption was rooted too far within the city’s body and soul. He had to keep going, to burn and smash everything until the world was wiped clean of this hideous stain. Using his sword and whip as flamethrowers, he hurled waves of fire to the buildings and vehicles around him and set them ablaze. Fire danced up and around him. It was virtually a scene from Hell itself. The immense exertion has caused him to revert to human form. Ben collapsed on all fours on the ground. His skin was charred and black. Dark circles surrounded his bloodshot eyes. Right below him was a small black puddle of blood that had collected from the outflow from Antares’s wound. He growled at the gruesome effluent and smacked it with his hand. The splatter landed on the feet of someone. Ben looked up to see Kenta several feet away gaping down at him. Ben’s lips curled into a deranged grin that fully emitted his mad hate* Ben: Well my enemy, you’ve come to face me at last. Kenta: I’m not your enemy. Ben: You have a funny way of showing it. *He picked himself up and stood before his former friend. Kenta felt the heated air whip around him. He sensed a showdown was about to take place, and wished more than anything that he could bail out right now* So…do you have anything to say before I dispose of you too? Kenta: You’re not serious? Ben: To save the city. Play hero. That was our goal. Or at least it was until you turned yellow. Kenta: We wanted to save people. We wanted to give them a symbol to look up to. What are you a symbol of now, but more evil? Ben: This city was at the edge of an abyss. I dragged it back from the edge. Kenta: To destroy it anyway? Ben: To purify the world! These people do not deserve salvation. I realized that a long time ago. You have not. In fact you are one of them! You, my friend. Who took me into your home and then shut me out after I did what you realized you didn’t have the stomach to do. I saw the truth that day when you killed that man. Oh yes, even then. I took the blame for that. I saved your hide. And you repaid me with betrayal. Because you are a coward who only plays at being some great warrior! You hide behind your fantasy heroes, you dream of being them. Well here we are! We both got our wish! But that was too much for you in the end. Now savor these last moments before this city is destroyed. Kenta: No… Ben: What? Kenta: You’re not destroying anything. *He began walking toward Ben, ignoring the flames and sparks that skated around them* Ben: And you’re going to stop me? Oh, now you want to play the big hero again? Go down in some stupid blaze of glory and say “Look at me! Aren’t I great?” You hate this city as much as I do, Kenta. Why do you want to spare these people so badly that you would turn against me?! They’re not worthy of it! Kenta: Maybe I don’t hate it as much as I thought. Maybe I see there are still some good people here who deserve to live. Maybe…. I see that you have become just as bad as those you sought to destroy. Maybe that’s why I “went yellow” as you call it. *He was now at arm’s length from Ben* I should have stopped you a long time ago. But I’m here now, and I’m asking you one time to stop this. Look at yourself and see what you’ve become. See what you’re doing to your friends. End this now, Ben. *Ben grimaced* Ben: And if I don’t? Will you fight me? Are you capable of that? *Kenta didn’t answer. He felt as though he was trying frantically to claw his way out of a pit occupied by a vicious predator. He could either keep clawing and let himself be caught and devoured, or jump down and face the monster once and for all. Either way, he could die. But if he was to die, it would be better to die standing… Ben gave a low snarl. Without warning, he threw a hard punch at Kenta’s face. Kenta barely managed to block the blow and punched Ben in the nose in retaliation. Ben stumbled backward. Drops of blood began to drip onto his lips. Ben looked at Kenta in both surprise and rage. So he would actually do this. He would allow himself to die for these evildoers. He roared and pounced on Kenta. Two boys. Two old friends. Locked in a duel to the death…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Miki felt she could black out at any moment, yet she kept running after her brother, terrified of what could happen. The cloth around her head had loosened and she felt a small stream of blood flow over her eyes. This she ignored, as well as Saya’s cried behind her. She had to find Kenta before…. she couldn’t bear to think it. In the din of the chaos going on around them, she finally managed to hear the sounds of two people. She wearily followed them, almost ready to collapse from exhaustion. What she found made her heart stop: Ben and Kenta, locked in combat before her eyes* BEN! NI-SAN! *Miki screamed to them, but went unheeded. Saya and Casey caught up to her just as she at last succumbed to the trauma and fell to the ground* Saya: Miki-chan! *Miki tried to get to her brother, but Saya firmly pulled her back. She too looked on in terror at what was at last going down. Casey just stood trembling. Kenta slammed into the side of a fire hydrant. Ben clasped his hands on his throat and lifted him back on his feet. He broke Ben’s grip by shoving his arms sideways and punched him in the face and stomach. Ben withdrew and Kenta lunged forward with another punch ready. Ben however caught Kenta by the arm and flipped him over himself and onto the ground on his back. Kenta scrambled to a kneeling position, only to be sent onto his back by a kick in the head. Kenta felt his head spinning, but managed to roll out of the way as Ben made to stamp his foot into him, forcing him to hit the ground instead. He sprang to his feet and tackled Ben. The two rolled on the ground behind a wall of fire. Miki meanwhile continued screaming for them to stop. The past three years had flashed before her eyes. The three of them had bonded so strongly. Ben was virtually her second brother. Now here were he and Kenta, turned on each other. She wanted to go to them and bring them to their senses. But all she could do was huddle pathetically on the sidelines and watch. Tears of sorrowful anger leaked from her eyes. She screamed herself hoarse, but no one was listening. Kenta came flying through the wall of fire and landed hard on the ground, his clothes singed. Ben came through soon after and pounced upon him. Kenta met him with a thrust of his feet into his stomach, sending him flailing into a wall. Ben let out a loud howl and reared up. He opened his mouth and formed a swirling ball of black fire within. Arranging his lips in a blowing fashion, he sent forth a burst of fire. Kenta ducked and rolled just as it came his way. He landed several feet away from Casey and the girls. Turning back, he saw Miki crying to him, begging them both to stop. Saya was holding her back, herself pale with horror. Casey stood petrified. He hurriedly waved them off* Kenta: Get outta here! Miki: NI-SAN! Kenta: Damnit, GO! *Ben was upon him again. Another fire burst came, heading right toward the three. Thinking fast, Kenta grabbed a trash can lid and used it as a shield against the flames. The force of the impact threw him off his feet. He cried out in pain as the heat burned his arm and dropped the lid. Despite his weakened state, he stepped between Ben and his sister, holding out his arm before them to keep him away. Ben snorted at the pitiful site* Ben: Good bye....friend. *His belt reappeared on his body and his body was wrapped in black fire. Now in Rider form again, his monstrosity seemed twofold. A ray of orange evening sun had peaked out from behind the thick dark clouds, illuminating the spot all five youths were in. Ben summoned Gigastreamer in his hands. Kenta gulped. His own invention was now nothing more than a tool of destruction. How fitting though that it was wielded by the one whom he had encouraged to become this.... whatever this thing was. Ben charged up the weapon and took aim. Miki could no longer stand it. Breaking Saya's grasp, she covered Kenta's body with her own* Kenta: *Japanese* Imoto! What are you doing, get back! Miki: BEN, STOP! DON'T DO IT!! BEN!!! *Ben fired. Kenta shoved Miki away and took the blast to his heart. A stunned look was etched on his face. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. He felt his heart go out. He choked for breath. Finally he fell backward and landed motionless on the road* Saya and Casey: KENTA! Miki: NI-SAN! *Saya and Casey ran up to where Kenta lay. A ghastly wound covered his chest. He saw them crowd around him but could do nothing in response. Ben then saw Miki turn his way and look him straight in the eye. Her face was soaked in blood and tears. Her loose hair waved in the wind. She cried out to him, a cry of anger, a cry of shock. It was then that something clicked in Ben. He heard her scream words at him, but none of them registered in his mind. Instead he felt her voice turn into thousands of voices of terror, sorrow and rage. The images and echoes of people writhing in pain from his dreams came back to him. He looked down at his malformed body as though noticing them for the first time and started to shake. He threw the laser to the ground in fright and looked at Miki and Kenta, his surrogate family. Miki looked terrified at the very sight of him. He took a step forward but Miki drew back, shielding his brother from him. She cried again at him. He thought he heard her say ‘Why’. Why? What was going on? Why did she recoil at his presence? Ben looked around at the ruined city, and then he knew. He had done this. He had caused all this suffering, all this death. There was no justice done. Only evil. He was no longer a man, but something just as twisted and vile as the demons he had fought so long. Now Kenta, his one friend, lay motionless before him. Now he realized what he had become. Again he tried to go to hi, but Miki rebuffed his approaches. With shaking hands Casey brought a gun up to Ben as a warning not to come any closer. Ben cried out. What had he done?? He turned tail and fled down the street, disappearing into the inferno that he had birthed…. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miki: NI-SAN! NI-SAN! *Kenta was beginning to fade out. He felt his sister’s tears splash on his face. She kept calling out to him, but her voice became fainter and fainter. His vision was starting to fade. Everything was going black. Then…. nothing* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 4 plays* END PART IV *Entr'acte plays*

Chapter 21: Gathering Clouds *Savage sat back in his chair. The two were silent for a while before he spoke again* I could have just arrested you. I could have had a media feeding frenzy around you. “Rider in Jail” would certainly be a winning headline. But I didn’t do that. I brought you here because I wanted to talk to you one-on-one. *He leaned closer toward him* It’s not too late for you. *Ben snorted* Ben: You expect me to repent my sins? Savage: Lest we throw you in prison now, you can leave this city quietly and no one will be the wiser. *Ben gave Savage a look of incredulousness* I am only doing this as a favor to your father. I am willing to turn a blind eye and let you go…. As long as you stop this now. Ben: And if I don’t? Savage: Then I’ll have no choice but to let the law deal with you. *He placed his hands palms outward on the table on either side of Ben* Leave or stay. You have my offer. *Ben looked stonily at Savage for a moment before turning away, his silent answer given. Savage understood and got on his feet again. He gave the young man one last look, in a last effort to see some inkling of his father within him. But he saw nothing. All that was there was hatred. He took the ring off the table and headed for the door* Ben: Who told you about me? *Savage stopped and turned back toward him* Was it Kenta? *Savage didn’t answer, but Ben could tell the answer from his face* I’ll pray that he lives till I return… *His sudden ominous tone disturbed Savage greatly. He quickly closed the door behind him, leaving Ben alone…* Narrator: These were the days of gathering clouds. And they were soon about to burst… “I’ll pray that he lives till I return…” *Those words echoed in Ben’s head. They were the last that he had spoken to anyone since Det. Savage had failed in his laughable attempt at appealing to him. He sat alone in his cell staring out at the shadows around him. If Savage thought he could be held for long, he had another thing coming. Soon he would escape and expose the fraud of his enemies once and for all…. and take his vengeance on Kenta Nishihori. Kenta, the one true friend he had, or thought he had. The one who had been with him all this time, only to show his true colors. His betrayal would not go unpunished…. The sound of footsteps and hushed speaking caught his attention. Ben stood up from his bench and peered through the dim hallway to see what was going on. A group of three men with firearms came coming down the hall and approached his cell* “Are you the Rider?” *Ben was silent for a moment* Ben: Who wants to know? “People on your side” *One of the men came in close and looked through the bars straight at Ben. Ben recognized the surprised face of Casey Roginek before him. His dogtags with the Sentinels’ emblem dangled off his neck and clanged quietly on the bars* Casey: Ben?? Ben: Surprise. Csey: How the hell – “Later”, interrupted the older man behind him. “Let’s get him out” *Taking a set of keys that he had acquired somehow, he quickly unlocked the door to Ben’s cell and let him out. He then locked the door back up and went to put the keys back where he had found them. With Casey still ogling Ben in bewilderment, the group moved to rendezvous with the rest of the team. They had raided the evidence room and emerged with a small box. One of them, a woman a few years older than Ben, tossed it over to him* “I believe this is yours” *Ben opened the box to reveal his ring within. He slipped it on his finger and tossed the box away, then followed his rescuers out the building into the night air. Greeting them was an armored SUV with tinted windows. The leader of the team, a man of grizzled senescence, stood before it. The surprise on his face at seeing Ben was evident, despite his effort to seem impassive* Casey: Got him, boss. *The man nodded once and looked again at Ben* “So you’re the one everyone’s crazy about… you’d better come with us” Ben: Where? “Someplace safe” *Ben shook his head* Ben: No thanks. I’ll manage by myself. *The man placed a hand on his shoulder* “You’re a wanted man. More now than before after tonight. For now I think you’ll be safer among friends” *Ben looked from the man to Casey, and to the rest of the Sentinels. After a moment of consideration, he consented to them with an indifferent shrug. He followed them inside the vehicle and didn’t look back as they drove away…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 4 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *In a giant office in the heart of the city, an old man sat alone behind his desk. In his hands was the morning’s paper. He swiveled in his chair toward the sunlight streaming through the large window and buried his face in the pages. Once again they were plastered with violence, which brought a smile to the man’s shriveled face. Two weeks ago the Sentinels had committed their most brazen exploit yet with their breakout of the Masked Rider from jail and subsequent disappearance from the public eye. The reaction had been incendiary; those who openly decried the corrupt city government saw this as the final snubbing of them by the people. Those on the other side responded in kind with equal fervor, espousing that this was the apex of the outright defiance of the rule of law the city was suffering, and it needed to be put down. Not surprisingly the political class was siding with the latter view, painfully unaware of how detached from reality they really were the more the flapped their mouths in public. And now as if on cue, the past two weeks had witnessed a spike in crime. The city was nothing more than a battlefield for gangs. But even more disturbing was the string of murders of both prominent figures and ordinary citizens by the Ghosts. Hardly a day went by when a new victim was not discovered under the emblem of that frightening group. One day a gruesome hanging, the next several bodies rippled with bullets, another day lacerated corpses surrounded by rings of their own blood. People feared going out, but abhorred staying inside just as much. The police, what little was left who had not resigned in protest, joined the Sentinels, or just disappeared completely like the old Captain of the precinct, were doing their best to stop the violence, but even they knew they were fighting a losing battle. Today it was reported that the governor was sending the National Guard down to per the mayor’s declaration of a city emergency. This made the man laugh with glee to himself. That weaseley little puppet, who could never have amounted to anything in his life without someone pulling the strings for him, was just digging the hole deeper. For of course the Guard wouldn’t be used to help finally crack down once and for all on the criminal element, but to quell the so-called “violent” protestors of the government, and the Sentinels that they placed their faith in. But he had followed the direction given to him. Given by secret operatives in the city and state government. Operatives that answered to the Great Leader of the Ghosts himself. Everything was going as planned. The man set the paper down on his desk and brought his folded hands together to his mouth. Very soon the mayor will have outlived his usefulness to him. He had to arrange a place for him to go once he was taken out of the picture. A knock on the door brought his attention back to the present. The man’s assistant, a young woman intern barely out of college, poked her head inside. She looked at her boss with a hint of apprehension; she was not allowed to enter the man’s vast office beyond the entrance. And she was secretly glad for that, for the room made her feel more uncomfortable than the man that resided within it. There was something odd about him that she couldn’t place, but dared not mention out loud to anyone* “Yes?”, asked the man. “Mr. Rubirosa, your 11 o’clock is here” “Very good. Send him into the other office. He’ll know what to do” *The girl didn’t really understand what she was being told, but she nodded anyway. Anything to get her out of that room as soon as possible. As she turned away her eyes caught sight of a grotesque head carved out of a gold block, with a blood-colored mouth sitting on the man’s desk. She shivered slightly and tore her gaze away. She hated that thing, and couldn’t understand why her boss would want to display such a freaky-looking object. The man caught her gaze and chuckled softly. He enjoyed the fright his little ornament gave her. The girl past by her boss’s guest, a grim-looking man wearing dark shades, a gruesome scar running down his face... Rubirosa got up from his chair and placed his hand over the gold head. The eyes and mouth were illuminated by an eerie white glow. A hidden panel in the opposite wall of the office opened up, revealing a small elevator. The man stepped inside and adjusted the gold-colored brooch on his tie as the panel closed again. Today his followers would see the face of their master as the world saw it for the first time…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *After two weeks on the lamb, Ben was growing impatient. The Sentinels had brought him to their newest headquarters far out in the desert. Everyone in the camp treated him with such reverence, such love and respect that he couldn’t remember feeling for so long, that he soon felt uncomfortable with it all. So he tried to spend more and more time alone, wandering around the desert as far from the camp as the Sentinels allowed him. They feared an attack on him at any moment, though Ben found their protectiveness a burden. A few days after his escape from jail, he had found Antares at the camp. His faithful bike had come looking for him. Of all that had happened since escaping the city, this was the one that brought Ben the most comfort. Now he rode across the desert landscape instead of walked, as fast as he dared to go. Here, in this barren wilderness, the scorching hot air sweeping over his body as he rode, he could forget the world, if only for a little while. It was at the end of one such ride that he saw Casey Roginek leaning on a fence post, waiting for him. Today was his turn to be lookout, and his shift was nearly done. High noon was upon them. Casey wiped the perspiration from his brow as he waited for Ben to come to him* Casey: You’re early today. Ben: I’m getting tired of this place. Casey: You’ll get no argument here. *He walked beside Ben as he guided Antares back to camp like one leads a horse down a path. He gingerly felt the long, sharp horn adorning the steed’s head. Antares flexed the small wing-like structures on its body and seemed to grunt in response. On the back of the bike he saw his and Kenta’s invention, Gigastreamer. Casey remembered the offhanded promise he had made Kenta to retrieve their precious device. But after everything that had transpired, a grad school project hardly seemed significant. Not when there was practically a war raging in his hometown far off in the distance. He patted Antares’s chin* I still can’t figure what this thing is. It’s like a perfect animal-machine combo. *They sat down together on a small boulder* Ben: I never really thought about it. *He nudged Antares gently* Steady Antares…. Like a rock…. *He let the bike wander off on its own* The only friend in the world. Casey: What about Kenta? *Ben bristled and twisted his face into a scowl. Not wanting an argument, Casey backed down. But he wondered what had happened that would make Ben react that day. He and Kenta were the best of friends, so far as he could gather. He decided to change the subject* So….. how long do you think we’ll be out here? Ben: What are you people doing here anyway? You should be back in town doing your job, not hiding from a bunch of empty suits. Casey: Boss says we’re trying to prove a point. That without us, the city won’t survive. The people support us. The government and media can’t malign us forever - Ben: All that talk won’t get you anywhere. Forget about making points and go bust some heads. Casey: You make it sound so easy. Ben: Isn’t it? Casey: Well what would you be doing if you had stayed? Ben: Kill every scumbag I can find. Casey: What about justice – *Ben turned his head sharply toward Casey* Ben: Justice? There is no justice. There won’t be any justice until that city is wiped clean of every guilty man and everyone who lets them live. No, I take that back…. *He slowly stood up* There are no innocents left in that hell. Every single one is guilty, and that won’t change until the entire place is torn down and everyone wiped out…. *Casey was starting to feel uneasy* Casey: ….. You would destroy the city to save it? Ben: There is nothing to save anymore. There is no one worth saving. *He looked down at the young man* So maybe you guys are right staying out here. You shouldn’t waste your time on people that doesn’t deserve you. *Casey didn’t like what he was hearing. The words of dozens of noble speeches flooded into his head, but he was at a loss of just what to say back. He had believed, as his comrades did, that the Rider was just like them, a man fed up with the corruption and vileness of their home state and was pursuing true justice. But these weren’t the words of a man of justice. This was far too extreme* Casey: Well…… what if you found 10 good people there. Would you still say destroy it all? *He saw a Ben show a bit of discomfort with the question. Ben instead answered the question with a question* Ben: Why did you join this little band? Casey: To protect people. *Though he believed what he said, he felt they suddenly rang hollow as Ben just scoffed at him. Casey looked down at the sandy earth and kicked up some dust. A man came out of the flat one-story building at the center of the camp and called everyone to assembly. Ben and Casey filed inside with everyone else and sat down in the front row of a small auditorium, directly before a large TV. On the screen was a breaking news alert reporting that the mayor was about to hold a press conference at City Hall. The grizzled older man that had led the team that broke Ben out, whom Ben learned was named Grissom, stood before the gathered group* Grissom: “I’ve been browsing the news channels, and it looks like something big is about to go down” *The people murmured to each other. Ben and Casey exchanged glances* “I don’t see what the big deal is”, said one. “Just the usual bull from the usual people” Grissom: Somehow I don’t think so. These two weeks have been hell. They can’t just pretend it doesn’t exist this time. They’re up to something. Casey: Don’t hold your breath. *The mayor had appeared on screen and was walking up to the podium, keeping his gaze away from the horde of reporters crowding around the stage. From his body language he seemed incredibly edgy. He quickly wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and spoke into the microphones placed before him* “Ladies and gentlemen…. You are going to be hearing some things about me in the near future…. Things I am not particularly proud of. But for the sake of this city and its people, I have asked for this meeting to announce the following. Effective immediately I am resigning the office of mayor. Taking my place will be District Attorney Edward Rubirosa. I will not go into details about the nature of my resignation at this moment. I only felt obliged to tell the people of the city that change will be coming. Thank you” With that he hurriedly stepped off the stage and disappeared behind the curtain, ignoring the clamoring media showering him with questions and photos. The Sentinels looked on in dumb silence. The worst wave of crime in the city’s history is answered by a sudden resignation? And the man to take his place is none other than the district attorney who had virtually done nothing to pursue the enemies of the people? What had the mayor done for him to suddenly give up power like this? Edward Rubirosa now took the podium. Coming up behind him was a line of armed men dressed in black suits and wearing dark shades over their eyes. They looked out at the press in an intimidating manner as Rubirosa began to speak. Ben however wasn’t listening to the man. He had noticed a gold brooch on his tie that looked oddly familiar. He had not seen in it that that color, but he had seen that type of brooch before. But where? He examined the men standing behind Rubirosa. As the camera zoomed in on them he got a good look at their faces, sans the eyes. One of them had a long scar running down his face. That scar too looked familiar…. Ben leapt out of his seat so fast it clanged to the floor behind him. The others looked up at him in surprise. Grissom went up to him* Grissom: Ben? What is it? *Ben stared at the screen in shocked anger. Impossible as it was, there standing on that stage was Tuco Ramos, Addonexus. How? Why? He had killed him for sure in that garage. No one could have survived being right in the thick of that inferno. But here he was, somehow working for this Rubirosa man….. Another revelation clicked in Ben’s head. The brooch…. that was the type of brooch the Ghosts wore!* Ben? *Ben balled his fist* Ben: They’re Ghosts….. they’re all Ghosts! *The shocked attendees began talking all at once. Grissom immediately quieted them down* Casey: How do you know? Ben: The brooch that man is wearing. It’s the kind the Ghosts wear. And that man with the scar on his face…. He’s one of their assassins I killed… how the hell….. *He dashed out of the building and headed toward Antares. Grissom caught up to him as he slammed on his helmet and revved up the machine* Grissom: Ben, where are you going? Ben: Are you kidding? The Ghosts have just taken over the city! Why are you all just standing here?! Grissom: Let’s not be hasty here. We have to plan out what we’re going to do. Ben: You’ve had all this time to “plan” stuff. I’m sick of hiding out here. Now either you come with me or I’ll fight those bastards alone. *Grissom hesitated in his response. He looked back to Casey and the other Sentinels that had come out. Some of them seemed eager to follow Ben, others unsure of what to do. Ben snorted in annoyance and shot off down the desert road back toward the city. ‘So it all came down to this’, he thought grimly. Just like that, a bunch of murderers could take power without anyone realizing it. Well not for long….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Det. Savage was just as stunned as everyone else when he heard the announcement. He had been in the building with some fellow officers when the surprise meeting had been held. Like so many around him, he couldn’t figure out why the mayor would suddenly resign when the city was in complete turmoil. Someone clearly had some dirt on him. That much he could ascertain from the nervous posturing he had done while at the podium. Now he and his colleagues stood on the front steps of City Hall watching the new Mayor Rubirosa coming down with his aides and bodyguards, a tide of media hounds backing away before them flinging questions. In Rubirosa’s brief speech, he had said his first priority would be to put his foot down once and for all on the crime and corruption that was choking the city to death. But Savage thought it was an odd speech coming from a man who hadn’t really done much as district attorney to pursue justice for the people. If anything he had done the opposite, in his estimation. He who personified the type of elitism lawyers and politicians were infamous for. Savage had his doubts on whether he would suddenly change his tune with his new job. Rubirosa caught the detective studying him and shot a glance for a brief instant at the bodyguard with the car on his face. Savage looked at this man and frowned slightly. Was it just his imagination, or did that man seem awfully familiar? A particularly badgering reporter, probably fresh out of j-school stopped Rubirosa to pose yet another asinine question. Rubirosa paused to answer the young woman when someone gave a loud scream. Savage turned around to see none other than the masked Rider coming down the road and up the steps of the building. Antares uttered a loud cry and spat a stream of fire up the steps to the wall of reporters. They parted frantically before him, leaving Rubirosa and his men directly in front of the ghostly vigilante. Savage: Ben… *His fellow cops had their guns drawn and aimed at Ben’s chest. Flames that resembled demonic faces shot up and around all over. The road itself that Ben had traveled on was issuing tongues of flame from the tread of the bikes’ tires. People on the street cried out in panic at the sight of the magnificent but frightening fire show. Rubirosa and his men however seemed unphased by this. In fact Savage thought he saw a flocker of a smile on the man’s face. He turned to the police* Rubirosa: Well? What are you waiting for, me? Shoot him. *The cops hesitated for a moment but began firing a barrage of bullets at Ben. But of course it was to no avail. Ben’s body had now ignited into a dark grey flame so hot that the bullets melted before they even touched him. In response he brought out his snake-like whip, itself on fire, and swung it at the police. Savage barely jumped away in time, landing hard on the ground, but some of the others received severe burns on their faces and bodies. Everyone now stepped further back, too terrified to do anything. Rubirosa however continued smiling* Well well well….. I finally have the honor of seeing you face-to-face, Rider. At least the face you show us. Have you ever thought of showing us who is behind that mask? I would love to be among the privileged few. *He shot a brief look at Savage. Savage tensed up inside. Did he know about him and Ben?* Ben: I know who you all are. Rubirosa: Do you? And what do you think you’re doing to do about it? Ben: Kill you one by one, then bring this whole damned city down on you and your little club. Addonexus That don’t sound very heroic… *Ben glared at the murderer. How would he kill this time, he wondered to himself…* Rubirosa: Strong words. But I’m afraid I can’t allow you to disrupt this city any longer. You are a danger to the people, and we won’t stand for it. Ben: No… *He spoke loudly for all to hear* No, I don’t suppose you would. After all, we don’t want to make Ghosts’ lives too hard. *Shocked gasps and screams echoed everywhere. Savage gaped in horrified amazement. Ghosts? Is that how bad this place had gotten, that a group like the Ghosts could have hijacked the government itself?? Rubirosa and his cohorts just laughed* Rubirosa: Ghosts? It seems delusion is another trait of yours. Ben: Stop the act. Your secret’s out. Now are you gonna face me, or will killing you be too easy? Rubirosa: Sorry, Rider. I’m not in the mood to play with you. *From out of nowhere, a force of heavily armed National Guard and SWAT members assembled on the street. All their weapons were aimed and ready to fire. Antares growled. Ben gripped the handlebars tightly* What will it be, Rider? The easy way or the hard way? *Ben shot forward, riding up the steps toward Rubirosa. The soldiers fired. Rubirosa and his men ducked down as Ben Antares and pieces of stone staircase were flung into the air. Ben and bike crashed onto the sidewalk in a heap. Now Rubirosa’s men, lead by Addonexus, joined in and began firing on Ben. Civilians ducked out of the way as fast as they could. Ben shot a wave a fire at his attackers to defend himself, but they didn’t relent. He jumped back on his bike and shot toward them, a shield of fire wrapped around him. Antares rammed its way through the wall of enemies, using its horn to puncture their armor and inflict considerable injury. A rocket launcher was fired from somewhere, barely missing Ben by inches, leaving a large crater in the road. Ben did his best to stand his ground, but the assault upon him was too great. He had no choice but to retreat. But before he turned to escape, he gave one last warning to al he people of the city* Ben: When I return, every sinner in this city of evil will perish, and all you see will be nothing but dust! I will raze you so terribly that you will regret the day you allowed yourselves to become so twisted and vile in the eyes of heaven! *The flames around his body had slowly changed color to jet black. Another shot from the rocket launcher was his only response. He rode off just as it made contact with the road. Savage covered his head as he was showered with dust and debris…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 4 plays* Next Time: The Harrowing

Chapter 20: His Father’s Son *Ben summoned Antares to his side. Kenta watched as he brought something out. Something surprisingly familiar... Gigastreamer was lying in his hands. What the hell was he doing with his mechanics project? The symbol on Ben’s buckle changed as he turned the belt’s dials. Gigastreamer too changed form, turning into a large, highly dangerous firearm. Or so Kenta could guess, given the penetrating capabilities of the device in its normal state. The man was getting away with his hostage. Ben aimed Gigastreamer at the car. The police, expelled driver, and Kenta all cried out for him to stop. The civilians who were still hanging by in the distance looked on in terror. Ben heard none of their pleas. All he could see was a drugged up madman with blood on his hands that deserved his reward. He fired his weapon, sending several powerful blasts that hit both the car and the road around it in a blaze of explosions. The road was blown up into a series of large craters, and the car was sent rolling off onto the side of the road in flames. The driver screamed and ran toward the wrecked car, hoping in vain to rescue the woman inside. Ben calmly got back on his bike and rode off, leaving the chaos behind him. An incensed Kenta watched him go off. But he could do nothing. Only stay rooted where he was until the fire dept., EMTs and more police arrived on scene… * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *A knock came from the door. Savage swiveled his chair around to see a young Oriental man standing in the hallway. Unless he was mistaken, Savage thought he had seen him somewhere before* Kenta: Oh… Is this a bad time? *Savage smiled* Savage: The law never takes a break. *He paused and looked at him again* Have I seen you somewhere before? *Kenta thought back to when he could have. The man did look vaguely familiar himself. Then he remembered that day long ago when he, Miki and Ben had gone shopping and bumped into him and his daughter* Kenta: I think we met at the store once… Savage: Ah yes, I remember. Has your sister joined the softball team, with that throwing arm of hers? Kenta: No sir… she’s not exactly athletic. *Savage beckoned him to take a seat* Savage: So what can I do for you, son? *Kenta took a deep breath and looked directly at Savage, steeling himself for the betrayal he was about to commit* Kenta: I know who the Rider is. *Savage’s heart leapt to his throat. But he maintained an impression of detached interest before the young man* Savage: Who is he? *Kenta paused again before answering* Kenta: ….. Ben Hernandez. *For a moment Kenta wondered if he had heard him. Savage simply stared at him without saying a word. A frown finally gave away that he had understood his revelation* Savage: Are…. are you sure about that? *Kenta nodded* Savage: When did you know? Kenta: I always knew. Savage: You what? Kenta: He told me soon after he found the ring… *Kenta let out a long breath. Savage gave a hard look at him* Savage: Are you meaning to tell me you were in with him on all this? Aiding and abetting this... vigilantism? Kenta: At first, yes. But then he got more… reckless. He’s not thinking anymore… He’s just…. wild now. Like an animal… Savage: You were reckless from the very start. *The detective sighed and sat back in his chair* You two have a lot to answer for. *Kenta nodded and looked down at the floor* But the fact that you came to me now puts you in a better light. What I want to know is, why? *Kenta continued looking downward* Kenta: We wanted to do the job you couldn’t. *Savage gave a single nod* Savage: You’ll find a lot of sentiment there. Kenta: What are you going to do to Ben? *Savage sighed. This wasn’t just another criminal anymore… this was his friend Michael’s only son. To think what this may do to his mother, stuck in that place…* Savage: IF you had asked me that a minute ago, I would have had a straight answer… *There was a silence between them for a moment. Savage finally got up from his chair* It’s late…. Where do you live? I’ll give you a ride. Kenta: It’s ok, I drove here…. *He turned and left, feeling utterly miserable. As he groped his car door for the handle he heard a voice* “I must commend you, young man” *Turning around, he saw the man called ‘41’ standing a distance away in the darkness, looking directly at him behind his shades* ’41’ There aren’t many who could have done what you did. *Kenta looked at the man in surprise* Kenta: Who are you? ’41’ A friend. For now, that is all you need to know. But I should warn you that bad times are ahead for you. Kenta: What do you mean? ’41’ Mr. Hernandez has gone down a road far darker than any you see tonight. He will not appreciate what you are doing for him. You must be ready for what he may do. *Kenta couldn’t figure what the strange man was talking about, but he didn’t like how it sounded. Nor did he completely trust him himself. Who was he, and how did he know so much about Ben?* Kenta: How do you know all this? Who are you?? ‘41’ One day you will know the answers. But will you like what you see? *A sound like a thunderclap erupted behind Kenta. Turning around he saw a hieroglyph that matched the one that had appeared on Ben’s belt just a few hours earlier With it was a string of other glyphs that formed a verse from some ancient text. ‘41’ read aloud[/i]* “The fiery blossom belies the path to Hell” *Kenta suddenly saw the road before him lined with torches on either side. At the end of the road stood the silhouette of a monstrous being with horns and a flowing cape. Howls and cries from evil entities flooded his ears and made him shiver as though he had been hit by a gust of cold wind.* Narrator: Those words stuck with me for a long time afterward. We, who had said that about our figures of authority, those self-righteous tools of corruption, we too were guilty. For we had let it go so far that we could no longer stop it… *The vision ended as suddenly as it had begun. Kenta turned back to the man with shades, but he had vanished. He looked around wildly for him, but to no avail. Kenta remained standing alone on the street for a few moments before jumping into his car and headed for home as quickly as he could…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 4 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *It was another sleepless night for Savage. While his wife lay peacefully next to him, he was still wide awake and restless. All this time he had called for the Rider’s capture and prosecution. But now that he knew it was Ben Hernandez behind the mask, it wasn’t as easy to hold true to those convictions. He didn’t want to do anything against the boy, yet he had to answer for his crimes. He wondered what would Michael do, had roles been reversed and one of Savage’s children had been on the wrong side of the tracks. Savage wearily rolled onto his side and stared at Allison’s back as she slept, trying to wring out an answer from his mind. Should he do nothing, he would betray his oath and his principles. Yet he couldn’t ignore his personal connection to the matter… Finally he came to a decision. He propped himself up on his elbows and rested his head against the headboard, formulating this new idea. He would find Ben and force him to talk. Maybe he could stop all of this before it was too late…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta found sleep impossible. All he could do was lay there in his bed, staring at its empty partner where Ben had once bunked, wondering what would happen. What would that detective do? What would they do to Ben, assuming they could capture him? And what would Ben do to them? What if he discovered how they had discovered his identity? Thus sat Kenta at the table, sleepless and grim, trying to keep down bland cereal down his dry throat to satisfy a grumbling stomach. His parents were still asleep, as he could guess from his father’s muffled snoring coming through the door. Miki sleepily came down the hall from the bathroom, the soft sound of footsteps creaking the floor announcing her appearance. She ruffled her messy hair as she saw her brother sitting alone* Miki: What’re you doing up? *Kenta forcefully swallowed another gulp of cereal* Kenta: Just woke up early. Miki: Looks like you could use some more sleep. Kenta: Speak for yourself *Miki shuffled to the table and sat down, resting her head on the table with a big yawn. With one droopy eye she cast a look at Kenta’s face* Miki: What’s wrong? Kenta: Why? Miki: You look stressed. Kenta: Why would I be stressed? Miki: … That’s what I’m asking. *Kenta sighed. He couldn’t take anymore of these tasteless flakes. Getting up from the table, he moved into the kitchen and dumped them into the trash* Kenta: I’m just tired. *Miki remained unconvinced. She propped her head up with her elbow as she watched Kenta groggily wash the bowl and amble back toward her* Miki: You’ve been like this since that night. Kenta: You mean the night you went carousing with your friends painting the town red? Miki: We weren’t carousing. Kenta: You did some crazy thing. Miki: A movie, mall and pizza. Yep, we’re pretty wild. *Kenta flopped onto the couch. Miki moved to the coffee table and sat down on the floor beside it* So what’s bugging you? Kenta: Right now, you. Miki: I’m serious. *Kenta looked up to the ceiling* Kenta: I’m wondering about Ben. Miki: What about him? Kenta: Do you wonder if sometimes he goes a little….overboard? *Miki shrugged* Miki: He gets things done. Kenta: Yeah, but shouldn’t be a line you don’t cross? Otherwise what’s the point? Miki: What’re you saying? Kenta: I’m saying… that this isn’t where I thought we’d be. Ben is… different now. Miki: Maybe he’s a little vicious, but it’s not as though they don’t have it coming… Kenta: Those people who burned in that building sure didn’t. *Miki was silent for a moment before responding in a hushed voice* Miki: That was an accident. He didn’t mean to - Kenta: You didn’t see him the day after. He didn’t give a damn about what he did. He felt nothing Miki: You don’t know that… *She looked at the scowl on her brother’s face. She didn’t like him talking this way about Ben, a friend that was practically a second brother to her* You don’t know what he could be going through. Why are you so quick to jump on him, he’s your friend. Kenta: You’re right… *He sat up and looked down on her* And that’s why I went to the cops and told them everything. *Miki’s sleepiness dissipated instantly. She gaped at Kenta in shock* Miki: You what?? Kenta: It’s the only thing I could do. *Miki jumped up on her feet* Miki: How could you?! How could you just turn him in like that?! Kenta: He’s not going to listen to me, so maybe someone in that place can control him before he does something worse. Miki: The cops can’t do anything against a turnstile jumper! How the hell are they gonna keep the Rider in place? You know he’s just gonna get out. And when he finds out his own friend… maybe his only real friend, handed him over…. What is that gonna do to him?! *Kenta didn’t answer. Miki grabbed him by the shoulders and peered into his face, trying with all her might to understand why* Hasn’t he been let down enough? How could you of all people… Kenta: What’s done is done. There’s nothing else I can do about it. *Miki frowned in disbelieving contempt. She shoved her brother away and left the room. Kenta heard the door to her room close behind her. Despite what he had said, her words had a ring of truth, no matter what his intentions. And this was what continued to torture his conscious. He flopped back down on the couch and closed his eyes, trying once again to catch some sleep and, at least for a little while, forget everything going on in his life…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning. Ben had been riding around the streets all night, too energized to sleep. No matter how far he rode, how many lowlifes he encountered, he had not tired. There was no satisfaction for him; everywhere he looked he saw vileness. His war would not end at this rate. The only thing that could put a stop to this…. no, it wasn’t time for that yet. But perhaps soon… He came to a stop at a church just as its bells were beginning to chime. Watching the parishioners flock into the building, he caught sight of Mabel in her Sunday best waddling toward the steps. Ben turned away. He didn’t feel like engaging with the woman right now. But before he could get away, she saw him and began coming up* “Ben!” *Ben sighed and took off his helmet* Ben: Hey… Mabel: That’s ‘Good morning’ to you. *She took a good look at the exhausted look on the boy’s darkened face* Have you been out all night? Ben: What if I have? Mabel: Well I don’t think I have to tell you that’s a bad idea – Ben: Then please don’t. *He couldn’t take her piercing eyes. He had to get out of there* Well if you excuse me – Mabel: Not so fast. *She waved her hand toward the church* Why don’t you come inside? You’re just in time for the service. *Ben looked into the house of worship. He hadn’t been into a church in years. From the far reaches of his mind he remembered sitting in the pews as a kid, his mother and father there on either side… He shook his head. That was a long time ago, when he still thought all that stuff had some meaning* Ben: I don’t think so... Mabel: I think it’ll be good for you. *She looked directly into his eyes, seeming to discern just what the boy was going through* You may find the answers you are looking for. Ben: I have my answers, and I didn’t find them in a place like this. *Ben turned away and put his helmet back on* Mabel: When will you stop, Ben? Ben: Stop what? Mabel: Stop running after every demon in the world? It is not your place. Sinners will be punished inevitably. Ben: I don’t believe in miracles. *He gave a tired exhale* I’ve seen too much. *Mabel snorted* Mabel: You, child? You’ve barely begun to live life. What do you know to say something like that? *She put her hand on Ben’s shoulder* Let me say this, as someone who has been around a lot longer than you: Life is not so bleak. There is always a light beyond the tunnel. Now you can either keep going forward until you see it, or give up and curse the dark. Ben: Or… I can make my own light. Mabel: A torch doesn’t last forever, and neither will you. *Ben revved up his bike* If you really want peace, you will stop going down this road. *But Ben would not heed her. Mabel saw that it was no use* You insist on death. There is nothing more I can say. *She turned to head to the church, but looked back one last time* Good bye Ben. I will not see you again until the end. *More cryptic nonsense. Ben ignored the woman and sped off. Mabel watched him go off before finally heading inside* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben arrived at the shop and was about to make his way inside when he saw a man leaning against a car nearby. The man was Detective Savage. Ben grumbled. Why were all these people pestering him? Couldn’t they just let him be? Savage: Hello Ben Ben: And what do you want? *Savage ignored the curt attitude* Savage: I’d like you to come with me and answer a few questions. *Ben frowned suspiciously* Ben: What kind of questions? Savage: You will know once we arrive. Ben: I don’t think so – Savage: I strongly suggest you cooperate. *Ben looked at the man. The offering of friendship that he had seen in the past was gone. Instead was the hard, cold glare of a no-nonsense lawman. Ben snuck a glance around him and saw in the distance men in cars watching him and Savage. This guy clearly was not going to let him get away. Ben could easily drive them off. But for some reason, he did not want to go to such an extreme right now. So he turned back to Savage and gave a nonchalant shrug. Savage beckoned him to the back of his car, and in Ben climbed. As they drove off, the men watching them began to follow close behind…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Past noon. Ben sat irritably in the interrogation room drumming his fingers on the desk. He had been placed here upon arrival at the precinct, his ring taken, and left to himself for over an hour. He didn’t know what that Savage guy wanted with him, but whatever he was trying to pull wouldn’t work. That Ben would be sure of. From behind the mirror, through the one-way window, Savage looked at Ben alongside a fellow officer. Savage studied the boy, looking up and down at his burnt skin and ragged face. It was a drastic change from when he had last seen him. Now he looked less than human. “So who is this guy?” Savage: Just a suspect in a case of mine. *He didn’t want to reveal the truth just yet. He opened the door and went into the room. Ben followed him with his eyes as he sat across from him* Sorry for the delay. It’s pretty hectic around here. Ben: That’s a surprise, considering you guys hardly do anything. Savage: What’s that supposed to mean? Ben: Do I really need to explain? *Savage looked straight at Ben* Savage: I’m going to just come out and say this, Ben. I know what you are. *Ben did his best to hide his surprise but Savage caught him shifting ever so slightly in his seat* Ben: What I am? *Savage took out the ring and placed it on the table out of Ben’s reach. Ben stared down at the golden object, looking as though in a trance. Seeing his lack of response, Savage coaxed him* Savage: So…. What do you have to say? *Ben looked up at Savage* Ben: Nothing Savage: What? Ben: I have nothing to say. My actions speak for themselves. *Savage struggled for words. He couldn’t understand the boy’s behavior, nor what had molded him into this… thing before him. He got up from the table and paced up and down in an effort to gather his words together* Savage: So let me get this straight: you have nothing to say for all recklessness, the property you have damaged, and the depraved indifference toward life? Ben: Depraved indifference? You should see the rats you work for about depraved indifference, with the shoddy job you guys have been doing. Savage: Do you know how many people you have killed? Ben: Do you know how many I have saved? *Savage slammed his hands on the table and glared at Ben* Savage: And how many did you save by torching an entire building and killing over half the residents? Ben: Lots of people who won’t have a psychotic assassin to worry about. *He sat back in his chair* And don’t tell me you’re not happy he’s gone. I’m sure you know what he did. *Of course he was right, Savage reluctantly admitted. But that was beside the point. He had to keep the interrogation on track* Savage: That’s not the issue here. The fact remains that your vigilantism has brought utter chaos to this city. Ben: Says you. The actual people want someone like me. Savage: They wanted the law enforced. Not a wild killer on the streets! Ben: No one gives a damn about “the law” as long as they’re safe. Savage: That’s where you’re wrong. *He sat down again and took in a deep breath* Take a look in that mirror. Do you see what you’ve become? *Ben glanced at his image and looked back indifferently at Savage* What would your father say if he saw what you have done? Ben: If my father was here to say anything, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Savage: So is that what this is? Revenge for his death? Ben: Revenge against the system that let him die. The system you are part of. The system everyone despises because of your ineptness. That is why they come to me. I’m the one who will do what you won’t. Savage: Yes, to you they come. Their one true god…for the time being. *He sat back in his chair. The two were silent for a while before he spoke again* I could have just arrested you. I could have had a media feeding frenzy around you. “Rider in Jail” would certainly be a winning headline. But I didn’t do that. I brought you here because I wanted to talk to you one-on-one. *He leaned closer toward him* It’s not too late for you. *Ben snorted* Ben: You expect me to repent my sins? Savage: Lest we throw you in prison now, you can leave this city quietly and no one will be the wiser. *Ben gave Savage a look of incredulousness* I am only doing this as a favor to your father. I am willing to turn a blind eye and let you go…. As long as you stop this now. Ben: And if I don’t? Savage: Then I’ll have no choice but to let the law deal with you. *He placed his hands palms outward on the table on either side of Ben* Leave or stay. You have my offer. *Ben looked stonily at Savage for a moment before turning away, his silent answer given. Savage understood and got on his feet again. He gave the young man one last look, in a last effort to see some inkling of his father within him. But he saw nothing. All that was there was hatred. He took the ring off the table and headed for the door* Ben: Who told you about me? *Savage stopped and turned back toward him* Was it Kenta? *Savage didn’t answer, but Ben could tell the answer from his face* I’ll pray that he lives till I return… *His sudden ominous tone disturbed Savage greatly. He quickly closed the door behind him, leaving Ben alone…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *It didn’t take long for the news of the Rider’s capture to come out. Days had gone by and still the torrent of media coverage would not let up. Kenta had been at home when he first saw it on the news. He had seen Miki cast a shaming look at him and then ignore his presence thereafter. That didn’t bother him so much; he had fought with her before. But the doubt continued to gnaw at him. So far, the Rider’s identity had not been revealed to the press. The police were citing some obscure procedure or whatever the hell they did as the reason for the delay. In any event, Kenta was at least thankful for that. Today he sat alone in the soba shop, half-listening to the cable news pundits continuing to drone on and on about the Rider and the repercussions of his capture. Public outrage was at a maximum. The Sentinels were demanding his release, decrying the government for having their priorities so misplaced that they would arrest the vigilant citizen and let the real criminals run free. The governor himself had issued a warning against any kind of “extreme dissent”, whatever that meant to the political elite. The city was closer to the brink than ever before, and Kenta was feeling that the blame was his. How ironic, he thought, that he had acted in what he thought was in everyone’s best interest, including Ben’s. The very mindset that the bureaucracy had been operating on for all these years, making the city the hellhole it was today. How ironic that it had come to this, Kenta thought gloomily to himself. He could only hope that this was as far as the city’s strife would go…. TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 4 plays*

The title of this chapter is named after the character in Ben-Hur of the same name PART IV *Overture 2 plays* Chapter 19: Massala *Several large, powerful beams shot from Gigastreamer and flew toward and around Addonexus. One hit the assassin square in the chest, sending him clear to the other side. The rest struck the walls and ceiling of the garage. Supporting columns collapsed. Walls burst open. Shots pierced through the ceiling and landed in the ground level, sparking fires to start there as well. The entire room was now an inferno. Within the explosions and walls of flame, Addonexus had disappeared from view. It was over. Ben jumped onto Antares, which bucked up and neighed loudly, its voice piercing the conflagration and echoing throughout the apartment complex. He rode through the fire and back out into the open, fire and heat splashing over his body…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *A tall apartment building was ablaze. A battalion of fire trucks and ambulances were already on scene, but it was obvious they had their hands full. Kenta stopped the car on the side of the road and looked on with his passengers. The shutterbug behind him took several pictures from her phone of the fiery tornado that was consuming the building. What the hell happened here, Kenta wondered. Something about this fire did not look ordinary. A strange figure on a bike seemed to be looking at the burning building far away in the distance. Kenta turned to the girls* Kenta: Stay here. *He got out of the car* Miki: Ni-san - ? *But Kenta had gone several feet away from the car and into the grass sea on the side of the road to look at the figure, which looked like a dark gray demon with silver eyes. Straining to see better, Kenta saw it was sitting upon a horse-shaped vehicle. It…. Kenta’s heart skipped a beat. Ben. He had changed form, again. But when? How? Why? Was he responsible for this? Kenta looked back at the fire and the stream of dead and injured people being extracted from within, and then back at Ben. But he had vanished, leaving a cloud of steam behind. In the sky above the Rider’s symbol had appeared like a calling card, announcing to all his deed tonight. So that his wrath would be known forever more…* Narrator: I still remember that day. The day I turned on a man I called ‘friend’. I still wonder, even now, whether I should have. Whether there could have been a better way. A less bloody way. I was told it was the right thing to do, but that is small comfort compared to what came after… *The commotion was further intensifying. Kenta went back to the car, unaware that he himself was being watched. The man called ‘41’ looked from Kenta as he got back inside to the spot where the Rider, the new Prophet, had just been…* Miki: Was that - ? Kenta: Later. *Miki complied with the order. She and her friends remained solemnly quiet for the rest of the trip, only speaking to say their good-byes to Miki as Kenta dropped them off. Finally they were alone in the car, driving in the increasing darkness toward home* Kenta: So you had a good time? *Miki, a little surprised at the question, gave a hasty nod* Good. *Miki looked at her brother, wanting to ask again what it was he had seen. But when she saw the tired, angst-ridden look on his face, she held her tongue. She suddenly didn’t want to know. Arriving at home, she got out and began to head into the house. But Kenta came toward her and suddenly gave a small pat on her head. She looked up at her brother, and saw him give a small, reassuring smile. Miki responded with a small poke to the ribs, almost as though to comfort him back. Kenta’s smile faded as she turned away. He remained standing in the dim light at the bottom of the stairs, groping for answers…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 4 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Savage couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about this disaster did not seem like a pure accident. He and some other officers had arrived on the scene just as the firemen had at last began to gain some control of the blaze. Regardless, Savage felt as though he was in Hell itself, looking upon the wall of fire. A fireman had come away form his group to brief the police. Savage could only catch pieces of the man’s speech as he continued to gaze into the inferno, unable to peel his eyes away* “…think it started in the basement… could only save a few people…. can’t do anything else…” *Savage was dismayed. So many dead, so much destroyed… why? He looked up into the sky above the building to see the insignia of the Rider hovering, itself written with a fiery ink. So it was him, he thought. This was the ultimate in that murderer’s violence. For this alone he should be destroyed. Another body came dangling within a body bag past him and his colleague. Noticing it was partially open, he stopped the workers carrying the burnt body and leaned forward in shock as he saw the face beneath the remains of a shattered mask. Tuco Ramos. Savage gaped in dumb silence for several seconds. To find Michael’s killer now, like this, here of all places… what the hell had transpired here? Still in stunned muteness, he closed the bag up with a swift jerk of the zipper and let it proceed onward. The cop next to him spoke up* “You knew that guy?” Savage: He murdered my partner 10 years ago. I’ve been chasing him ever since. “Well it’s one more thug off the streets, at least” *Savage looked from him to the scant huddle of survivors staring up at what was their home* Savage: I’m sure that’ll keep them warm tonight. *He left the cop and went off by himself…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The next mornings’ headlines were swamped with the night’s disaster. Ben ignored the whirlwind of media babble as he rode down the street. He should have felt elated, at peace now that the man who had taken so much from him was now gone forever. But instead he felt nothing. If anything he partly wished it was not over, that Ramos was still alive so that he could beat him down some more. It was strange: no matter how hard he fought he wasn’t sated. He wanted more. More violence. More devastation until the whole rotted structure that was this city finally came down. He drifted through the campus, not noticing the looks he was getting on account of his burnt skin. In classes he sat in the back in obscurity, not listening to the prattle of the professors but instead concentrating on breaking pencils with his hands, imagining they were the spines of his enemies. In the gym he worked on the weight machine until the cord snapped from his intense exertions. Finally he collapsed onto a couch in one of the empty lounges and lay there toying with his ring, waiting, praying for it to burn his hand to signal a fight. A newspaper was suddenly flung onto his face. Ben took the paper off him and raised himself up to see Kenta staring coldly at him. With no change in expression, he tossed the paper aside* Ben: Well, hello to you too. Kenta: Not gonna look at your handiwork? *Ben sighed and looked down at the paper. He saw a picture of the incinerating building with the Rider’s mark over it* Ben: What’s the problem here? Kenta: You don’t know what the problem is? *Ben lay back down* Ben: No…I don’t. *Kenta grabbed the paper again* Kenta: Did you miss that you killed a whole bunch of people and left more homeless? Ben: Did you miss that a murdering gangster is now dead? Kenta: At their expense?! *Ben got up and locked his eyes with Kenta’s, standing in defiance to his friend’s look of angry indignation* Ben: Do you or do you not remember why we went into this in the first place? Kenta: I would ask you the same thing. Ben: I am here to go the distance no one else will. Kenta: We were here to help people! *He brandished the paper in Ben’s face again* This is hardly that! What the hell were you thinking? Ben: Did you think about all the people that guy killed? If I had to take out a few people as collateral damage, then so be it. I’ll live. Kenta: As what? Someone no better than the people you fight? *Ben grabbed Kenta by the lapel of his shirt. For a moment Kenta thought he would hit him. The look in his eye seemed to betray such a desire. He looked at how charred his friend’s hands and arms were. He saw that his face had grown darker. Not only did Ben have no regrets about this unforgivable act, he didn’t even see anything wrong with it! Kenta couldn’t fathom it. Why was there this change in him? Some people had trickled into the lounge and were eying the two boys strangely. Kenta pried Ben’s hands off of him and shoved them away. Before the tension could escalate any further, Ben suddenly brought his ring to his face. He felt it radiating is warmth through his fingers. Ben: If you don’t mind... *Kenta gripped his shoulder as he tried to pass him, but Ben knocked his hand off of him and continued on his way. Kenta stood there for a few seconds before following him out, leaving the paper behind…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The call turned out to be a police chase coming toward a busy intersection. A crazed gunman, probably on drugs, had shot several people without warning at a local gym and then made a run for it. The man was swerving down the crowded road in a dangerous manner, barely missing pedestrians and other cars on the road. Two vehicles that he shot past were forced to smash into each other trying to get out of his way. A police car had skidded off the road whilst doing a sharp turn at high speed and toppled onto its side. Now a few remaining cars were on the tail of the man. A flaming gray shape appeared coming down the intersection. Antares slammed its front wheel into the driver’s side window of the gunman’s car, sending glass flying past his face and forcing him to a stop. Ben leapt off his bike and yanked the dazed man clean out of the window, throwing him onto the sidewalk. Panicked civilians did their best to dart out of the way as the two went at right in front of them. The wild man’s face went pale as he stared directly into the Rider’s malicious face and uttered a chilling cry of terror before getting his face matted with blood by a blow from a heated silver hand…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The police were doing nothing, conflicted over their duty to end the violence and their desire to see the Rider lay down his own law. For despite all the PC and sensitivity training, there wasn’t one amongst them that didn’t feel at least some desire to be in the masked vigilante’s shoes, to really give the emboldened criminal element a piece of their mind. So they stood there, weapons drawn but not being used. Waiting…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta, who had chased after Ben, jumped out of his car to see the melee underway. The man had wrestled away from Ben’s furious swipes and frantically fired his gun. Ben knocked the bullets away with his hand, sending them flying in all directions. Cars, various inanimate objects, and a number of civilians were struck by them instead. Ben spit out a stream of gray fire from his mouth toward the man, who frantically ducked down and away. The fire flew toward nearby buildings and people instead. Kenta looked on, not believing the sheer indifference of his friend to those around him. Ben had thrown a punch to the man’s head, sending him rolling back to the ground. Before he could recover, he picked him up to a kneeling position, grabbed the gun form his hand and shoved it into his chest. One of the onlooking cops at last pointed his gun at the ghostly fighter* “Drop the gun and back away!” *Ben stopped in place but did not comply. His finger lay on the trigger, itching to squeeze it all the way. In this moment of hesitation, the man knocked Ben’s hand away and scrambled away toward a car that was coming down the road. Drawing another gun form his person, he began shooting the side of the vehicle, yelling for its occupants to get out. The police yelled in turn for the man to drop his weapon lest they fire upon him. The man ignored them, and threw the driver out of the car. Keeping his gun trained on the woman on the passenger side, he began driving hurriedly away. The police still did not fire. Fear of reprimand still kept them afraid of taking action. Ben however summoned Antares to his side. Kenta watched as he brought something out. Something surprisingly familiar... Gigastreamer was lying in his hands. What the hell was he doing with his mechanics project? The symbol on Ben’s buckle changed as he turned the belt’s dials. Gigastreamer too changed form, turning into a large, highly dangerous firearm. Or so Kenta could guess, given the penetrating capabilities of the device in its normal state. The man was getting away with his hostage. Ben aimed Gigastreamer at the car. The police, expelled driver, and Kenta all cried out for him to stop. The civilians who were still hanging by in the distance looked on in terror. Ben heard none of their pleas. All he could see was a drugged up madman with blood on his hands that deserved his reward. He fired his weapon, sending several powerful blasts that hit both the car and the road around it in a blaze of explosions. The road was blown up into a series of large craters, and the car was sent rolling off onto the side of the road in flames. The driver screamed and ran toward the wrecked car, hoping in vain to rescue the woman inside. Ben calmly got back on his bike and rode off, leaving the chaos behind him. An incensed Kenta watched him go off. But he could do nothing. Only stay rooted where he was until the fire dept., EMTs and more police arrived on scene…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Casey: He took the laser?? *Kenta nodded as he stared at the floor of the lab. The sun had long set by now. By this time Kenta would have usually gone home, but the events of last night and today had torn asunder his normal routine. His friend Ben had turned into a thoughtless killer. That he was now sure of. Looking back on it now, he should have seen it sooner. He recalled the one time they had stopped a bank heist, where Ben had nearly hurt a pregnant woman held hostage. When the mutants were rampaging, he had gone after them like a thoughtless animal. Kenta didn’t know how or why it happened. He himself wasn’t entirely blameless, he felt. After all, hadn’t he encouraged all of this in the first place? But no, he had only wanted to play hero. Not once did he ever intend something like this to happen. Why happened for Ben to snap? And speaking of snapping…. Kenta heard Casey snapping his fingers loudly in his ear, brining him out of his thoughts* Hey, are you listening? *Kenta batted his eyelids and gave a hasty nod* I said maybe I could get it back… Kenta: You? How? *Casey dangled a dogtag in front of his face.On the back was printed his surname. On the front was a large golden eye. Two fists lay on either side of the iris, and above and below it was a sword and pistol, respectively: this was the Sentinels’ insignia. Kenta looked up at him* Kenta: So you joined them after all. Casey: They liked my marksmanship. And my mom said playing with guns would get me into trouble… Kenta: You’re in for a lot of trouble now… Casey: Oh, don’t be so down. *He patted Kenta’s shoulder* ‘Next time we see the Rider, I’ll ask him nicely to return that fancy gun of his. Kenta: Like he’d listen to you. Casey: I’m very persuasive. *Kenta snorted mirthlessly and got up* Kenta: Well as long as we get it back before term is done, I don’t care what you do. *Casey looked at his friend* Casey: I don’t think your grade is the only thing bugging you… Kenta: It’s not… *He left the lab and began going down the deserted hallways toward the exit and his car. Along the way he passed by the nearly empty library and casually glanced through the windows. He found Saya at one of the tables, her head rested on top of a large book, fast asleep. Kenta went inside and gently shook her awake* A little late to be in here, isn’t it? *Saya slowly lifted her head and tiredly rubbed her eyes* Saya: ….. What time is it? Kenta: A little past 10. Saya: Eh? *She looked at the pile of work before her* I was going to finish all this tonight too…. *She sighed and began stuffing it all into her bag* *Japanese* Oba-san will have a fit… Kenta: Why don’t you do all this at home? Saya: The cat cries too much. Kenta: Cries? *Saya giggled. Kenta followed her out onto the grounds. The humid night air hit them hard as they left the cool interior of the building. As he opened the door to his car, he turned back toward Saya* Want a ride? *He didn’t expect her to consent, but felt he should at least ask out of politeness. Saya however thought for a second and nodded* Saya: Ok. *She got in the passenger side and they were soon off. Neither said anything as they went down the darkened roads. Deciding to break the silence, Kenta fiddled with the radio, eventually stumbling across a song that was playing. * ‘Midnight with the Stars and You’ by Al Bowly plays * It was clearly something from a bygone age. Kenta vaguely recognized the tune. He must have heard it somewhere a long time ago. He started to change the channel* Saya: Don’t. I like this song. *So Kenta left it on. He looked sideways at Saya leaning her head against the window, a tiny smile on her face as the tune flowed into her ears. He listened to the quiet, soothing voice of the man and the piano and violins softly playing in the background. Somehow he felt more at ease now than he had been all morning. Just as the sun would rise again tomorrow, things would eventually get better. At last they arrived on Saya’s street. Saya asked him to stop one block down from the apartment* I can walk from here. *Kenta unlocked the doors and let her climb out. Saya leaned her head back in through the window* Thank you. Kenta: *Japanese* Can I ask you something? Saya: Eh? Kenta: *Japanese* If you knew your friend was doing something wrong, and he won’t listen to anyone, what would you do? *Saya was silent for a moment before answering. From the look in her eyes, Kenta wondered whether she understood what he meant* Saya: *Japanese* I would force him to see what he was doing to himself and everyone. *Kenta thought about that. Saya smiled again, almost to reassure him, and waved him good-night. Kenta stayed on the block for a few minutes after that and at last started the car again to leave. But instead of going home, he headed toward the police precinct…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *At the morgue, Savage stood looking down at the body of Tuco Ramos, now lying on a cold metal slab. He could scarcely believe it last night, and even now he found the death of this enemy of his hard to swallow. In truth he partly wished he was still alive, so that he could kill him himself. Payback for taking Michael from him, from Gloria, from little Ben. The medical examiner saw him standing by the body in the shadows of the cold room* ME: He’ll still be dead in the morning, you know. Savage: That’s the thing. I’m half-expecting him to jump up and walk out of here. This guy has been on the lamb for 10 years, done too many things to just die in some fire. ME: Maybe that Rider finally took him down. *She looked at the frown on Savage’s face* Don’t tell me you’re going to grudge him for that too? You have to give that guy credit for at least something. *Savage smirked grimly* Savage: Et tu, madam? *The woman laughed* ME: Don’t drag me into that. I’ve been neutral this whole time. Savage: So you’ll be left when we’re all destroyed? ME: Don’t talk like that. Everything will straighten itself out soon enough. Savage: Hopefully… ME: Now if you don’t mind… *Savage stepped aside as she covered up Ramos’s body with a sheet and rolled his metal slab back into the wall. Savage lingered for a moment before following her out, shutting off the light as he did… No sooner had they left though, that two figures came up to the door and jacked the lock open. The lights were turned back on. The figures approached the drawer that held Ramos’s body and opened it. One of the figures reverently removed the sheet from Ramos’s face and torso and stood aside. They waited for a few minutes until they saw an eye twitch, and then open. The man’s chest moved up and down. His hands opened and closed. In one quick motion Ramos was sitting upright on the slab. He looked down and carefully examined his body. The “fake death” technique had worked. Ramos felt relieved, though he did not show it to his two companions. “Fake death” was a rather difficult skill to perform, much less master completely. If done incorrectly the practitioner could really wind up dead. Ramos looked to the two figures, his face partially veiled by the long shadows of the room* Ramos: No one saw you? “No one” Ramos: Good. *One of the figures gave him a bundle of clothes. The other continued to speak* “The Great Leader sends his compliments. He is pleased with the work you have done” Ramos: He should. That boy has driven himself to his own doom. Soon he will be out of the picture and that crooked old man can rest easy again. “The Leader wants the Final Takeover to commence at once” Ramos: ‘Bout time. I’ve heard you folks yapping about that for years. Now we’ll see if it’s all talk or not. *Together they left the room and disappeared out the building into the night…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *For some reason Savage didn’t fell like going home just yet. So instead he had returned to the near empty precinct office and sat at his desk, deep in thought. He looked at the shadows on the walls. They resembled monsters darting around in the night. That got the detective to thinking about his youngest child and her fear of the night. He really needed to take some time off… A knock came from the door. Savage swiveled his chair around to see a young Oriental man standing in the hallway. Unless he was mistaken, Savage thought he had seen him somewhere before* Kenta: Oh… Is this a bad time? *Savage smiled* Savage: The law never takes a break. *He paused and looked at him again* Have I seen you somewhere before? *Kenta thought back to when he could have. The man did look vaguely familiar himself. Then he remembered that day long ago when he, Miki and Ben had gone shopping and bumped into him and his daughter* Kenta: I think we met at the store once… Savage: Ah yes, I remember. Has your sister joined the softball team, with that throwing arm of hers? Kenta: No sir… she’s not exactly athletic. *Savage beckoned him to take a seat* Savage: So what can I do for you, son? *Kenta took a deep breath and looked directly at Savage, steeling himself for the betrayal he was about to commit* Kenta: I know who the Rider is. TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 4 plays*

Chapter 18: Retribution *‘Do this any longer and I’ll go stark blind’, thought Savage grimly hunkered down behind his desk at home beneath the dim light of an overhead lamp. He had intended to change the fading bulb for a while now, but kept getting caught up in other affairs, such as what he was reading right now. He sat awestruck at the material before him. From the rough translations he could make out a story in the runes: “God came to a man and bequeathed him go forth to the people and preach truth to their evil. He bestowed upon the man a Ring marked with an arrow glyph, to symbolize the divine’s condemnation of Man. With this Ring the man turned Prophet could perform many wondrous deeds to demonstrate God’s power. The Prophet admonished the people and commanded their abstention from sin. He foretold the doom that would come upon those who made abominable the heritage they had received from the One who forged them. Yet he went unheeded. His enemies instead derided him and mocked the God whom he spoke for. God told the Prophet to tell Man that he would eventually be saved and His covenant fulfilled. But the Prophet had grown resentful toward these rebellious people. He no longer trusted the Divine’s Word, but wanted the world destroyed for its mutiny. For this God admonished him and ordered that he follow the path He had laid out. Thus did the Prophet himself rebel against God’s word. Using the power of the Ring, fueled with his own hatred, he destroyed whole cities drowned in evil. And for this did God punish his Prophet. He was banished to from His sight, forever separated from his kin. The Ring was taken from him and lost to the sands of time…” ‘Until now’ thought Savage. He leaned back against his chair. What he had read he had never heard of in any religious scriptures, yet there was somehow a familiarity he felt with it. In any event, another question came to mind: Was what happened millennia ago happening again? Before Savage could consider that question he found more unexpected files in the envelope. These were related in no way that he could see to the runes, but they too were unexpected answers to what had long plagued him. He came across the name ‘Michael Hernandez’ and stopped cold. Michael, his friend and Ben’s father. Killed ten years ago by a petty thug. Savage went through the related files. What he found shocked him to his core: the name and face (or part of it) of that man right here before him. Tuco Ramos. Now an assassin for the underworld organization/black cult known as the Ghosts, with the alias Addonexus (‘Bringer of Death’). How the hell did that Brady get a hold of information that had eluded him for 10 years? And why would he hand it to him alongside this information about the ancient runes? Was there a connection between the two? If there was, Savage could not figure it out. The detective looked at the clock. Though he was tired, he could not go to bed. There was too much happening for him to sit on the sidelines. Instead he went to make a cup of coffee. It was going to be a long night…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Back from the dinner, a stuffed and tired Kenta reclined on the couch. Miki had disappeared into the bathroom and Eiji was busy in the kitchen. Hiroko came in and sat on the couch beside her son’s feet and smiled at him* Hiroko: *Japanese* Have a good time? *Kenta nodded and sat up* Kenta: *Japanese* How is Tsu-san? Hiroko: She’s nice, isn’t she? Do you see how well she gets along with Junko and Tachibana? No discord between them. Why? Because they found a girl who was a good match for Gai and his family. They didn’t let him just run off with any girl he met. Junko can’t talk well enough about her. That’s the kind of daughter-in-law I’d like to have. *She looked at her son. He had heard the speech before, but he indulged her* You only have a few more years. Put some money aside, find a decent girl back home, settle down and have your own family. People are already asking about you… *Kenta said nothing. Hiroko gave him a kiss on the head and went into the bedroom. He sat there alone for a while fantasizing about the future. His mind then wandered to a paddy field in the countryside, overseen by a small bridge connecting a small road. He was sitting next to a girl, presumably his wife, on this bridge eating a watermelon. The girl had on a white dress and was laughing. A woman not overly sophisticated by the urban atmosphere, but could enjoy such simple pleasures. Who the girl would be, Kenta knew not. The vision lingered in his mind for a while after…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben cried out and swung a punch toward the man’s head, but became enveloped in pitch blackness. When it was lifted, the man was gone. Ben searched around wildly for him like a mad beast but saw nothing. His anger saw no bounds. He cried out into the still night air as his body erupted fully in dark gray flames. Slowly his suit began to change: the ghostly white regions that remained were burned away further as veins of black went up and down his limbs. The face on his chest contorted into the head of a tearing horned demon. The horns on his head twisted and broke. His eyes went from dark gray to bright silver. The wounds were healed at once. Ben stood beneath the large full moon. For miles around the savage wail of a creature in torment could be heard traveling up to that heavenly body in the sky, the sole audience to the birth of this new form. This harbinger of death… * Narrator: “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you” 2 Kings 1: 9-12 *Ben cried upward until he ran out of breath and collapsed unconscious backwards onto the ground, the poison finally too much to bear. His Rider body burned away, reverting him to his human form. Now however portions of his skin were blackened and singed. He looked like a person who had barely escaped a burning building, yet his clothing was intact. A few hours later he woke up. He held his aching head in the void darkness. He didn’t know what time it was, nor was he concerned. The only thing he could remember at the moment was seeing the moment his father had been killed, by a man who had been no older than he was now. He limped to his bike, it having reverted back to normal during his torpor, and made the trek back home…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 3 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Some days later. Ben sat at the kitchen table, breakfast before him, but did not eat. Ever since that night his mind had been transfixed on Tuco Ramos/Addonexus and little else. The target of his retribution had virtually disappeared, however. Not one sign of him had Ben seen in the days that followed their encounter. This hadn’t gone unnoticed by his landlord, and she demonstrated thus by rapping her knuckles on the table. Mabel: Stop your daydreaming and eat. I come here as a service to you, so I’d appreciate it if you at least pretend to like my cooking. Ben: Right… sorry. Mabel: Hell, a boy your age should know how to work a stove anyway… *Ben dug in. But Mabel continued to look into his eyes* Something wrong? Ben: No, why? Mabel No need to get excited, boy. You just seem a bit ill… Ben: I haven’t been sleeping much. Mabel: Something on your mind? Ben: You could say that… Mabel: I take it you don’t want to talk about it. Ben: I don’t. *He continued to feel the woman’s gaze upon him and fidgeted about in an irritated manner. He finally got up from the table* I gotta go. Mabel: You have a few more minutes. Ben: I like to be early. Mabel: … Are you sure everything is alright? Ben: Yes, I’m sure! Everything’s just dandy. *Mabel ignored her tenant’s surly tone. Instead she noted the black blotches on his arms, as though he had been burned by something. But she said nothing and allowed Ben to leave for campus, all the while continuing to study him under her watchful eyes. She had a feeling she knew what was soon to happen… Just as Ben went out the door she called out again* Say hello to your mother for me. *Ben seemed to pause for one brief moment before continuing on his way, saying nothing to her…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenta: Could you pick up Miki today? Ben: Why? Kenta: I’m getting her a birthday present. *Ben had run into Kenta as he was going down the hall* Ben: Oh that’s right, it’s this week… Alright. What’re you going to get her? Kenta: No clue. Something cheap though. Ben: I’m sure she’ll appreciate that. *Kenta laughed and went on his way. Ben went in the opposite direction until he found himself passing by the mechanics lab. He stopped outside the door. His ring had suddenly began tingling just like last time, but he was nowhere near the laser. What was going on? The door was unlocked. Before anyone could notice, Ben snuck inside and went over to where Gigastreamer was being kept. Tearing off the cover, he touched the device with his hands. Once again it became surrounded in dark grey fire. This time though, the hieroglyph on his ring began to change. A new symbol appeared in the stone. Gigastreamer began to change shape beneath Ben’s hands. Surprised, he let go, and the machine reverted to its normal state. Slowly he placed his hands back on, and it began to change again. A feeling came over Ben. He needed this device. What for, he knew not, but he needed it. It belonged to him… Noises from the hallway brought Ben back to reality. Before anyone could say something about his presence, he snuck back out of the lab and disappeared down a staircase. He would be back…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Afternoon. Looking at the grounds of his old school, Ben didn’t miss it at all. He brought his bike to a stop outside the main entrance and waited for Miki to come out. When she did with some of her friends, they didn’t come straight toward the road however, instead detouring to the side to look at something. Curious, Ben left his bike on the street and went over to see what the fuss was about. He saw a group of kids that had all the appearances of being gang members. That was nothing new to Ben or anyone else, but this seemed like a new group. He came up behind Miki, giving her a little startle* Ben: What’s this? *Miki shook her head. Ben looked closer at a tattoo on one of the kid’s arms that he was showcasing to anyone who would listen. It was white with black splotches that changed shape. Certainly nothing like an ordinary tattoo….. Ben realized where he had seen it before: the Rorschach face of Addonexus’s bike. Could it be…? Ben went down to the where the gang was loitering* Miki: What’re you doing? *But Ben ignored her and continued forward. He grabbed the arm of the boy with the tattoo* “Hey, get off me!” Ben: Where did you get this? “At the shop, where do you think?” *His crew started gathering nearer* Ben: You’re working for him, aren’t you? “What’re you talkin’ about?” Ben: The guy whose symbol this belongs to. “You’d better get your hand of me - ” Ben: Or what? *The crew drew out some knives* “Or we’ll cut if off…” *The crowd looked tense, despite such violence not being uncommon to them. Ben snorted at the kid. Then without warning he punched him in the face, breaking his nose. Miki: Ben! *She saw the rest of the crew lunge toward Ben. Ben however made short work of them, bringing them down one by one to the ground, the sickening sounds of smashing bones resonating throughout. Grabbing the knife from the last kid’s hand, he brought his face down and smashed his knee into it. The kid crumpled to the ground alongside his crew. Ben grasped the knife in his hand and, wiping the blood from the cuts he had sustained, went back up to Miki and dragged her to his bike* Miki: Ben, what’re you doing? What was that? Ben: Nevermind. Get on, I’m taking you home before anyone says something. *Miki’s friends had followed her over, worried that this man was taking her away, but she waved them off, letting them know it was alright. Still confused, they were left behind as Ben sped off, Miki sitting behind. As he rode he looked at the knife he had taken from the kid. A message written in the ancient language was etched on the handle. It looked like a message. A message for him….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Friday evening. Tonight was Miki’s 17th birthday, and she was going to spend it with some friends on the town, once she had finally convinced her parents to let her. Kenta waited in the garage by the car, flinging his keys up the air and catching them again. He was to drop her and her friends off and pick them up again in a few hours time. Miki came out to the car. On her neck was a large, oval-shaped silver locket Kenta had gotten for her. He noted the small white earrings she had on that matched well with the present* Kenta: Aren’t you a little overdressed? Miki: I’m in jeans… Kenta: And a fancy sweater and hair piece. *Miki smiled* Miki: If you think I look nice, you can just say it. *Kenta ruffled her hair. She yelped and pulled away* Kenta: Now you do. *Miki pouted and tried to fix her hair up again. Now you’ll have to give me something big for my birthday. Miki: I’ll give you an autograph of Kane Kosugi on a NinjaBlack picture. Kenta: … You do that and I’ll pay your college tuition myself. *Eiji came out to the doorway to see them off* Eiji: Have a good time. *Brother and sister pulled out of the driveway and headed into the sunset. Along the way they picked up Miki’s friends. One of them joked about being chauffeured* Kenta: Chauffeurs get paid. I do this out of the kindness of my heart Miki: You do this because you do whatever Mommy says, like a good little boy. *She patted Kenta’s head mockingly as he friends giggled. Kenta let them have their fun and continued to drive, listening in on their gossip. Eventually someone mentioned an incident a few days back when a guy on a bike came and took her home after beating down some gangsters* “So do you know that guy or what?” *Kenta’s brow furrowed* Kenta: Ben? What happened? *Miki shook her head* Miki: It’s nothing. Kenta: Sounds like something… Miki: I’ll tell you later. *She didn’t want to spoil the mood. Kenta understood and said nothing more. Arriving on the promenade, he dropped them off and let them go off on their way. Then he pulled away and drove aimlessly down the city streets, thinking about what was going on with Ben...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Ben sat in his room on the bed, fixated on the knife handle he had acquired. With what little knowledge he had attained on the language he was able to make a rough but decent translation: “Where the moon is pierced by the arrow, below the slaving people is where I shall be” What did that mean? Ben thought about any city landmark that resembled an arrow but could find none. Maybe something like an arrow? But what…. antennas! That could be it! A place where an antenna is long enough to appear as though it pierces the moon. Where could that be? He read the line again. “Slaving people….” Maybe a work place? But what building was tall enough to pierce the moon? He looked up at a piece of cobweb hanging off the ceiling for a few moments. Seeing it sway in the air reminded him of the time he found the cavern where the Ghosts were sacrificing children. The day he found his friend Jack Thorpe to be the twisted wretch…. That was it! Ben remembered the building through which Jack had brought him to those caverns. That was the one building that fit the description on the handle. In a matter of seconds Ben had leapt from the bed, down the stairs and onto his bike, racing into the night. But before he went to meet his nemesis, he needed one special item…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The university was still open, albeit with only a few students and staff inside. As though what he was doing was completely natural, Ben went to the mechanics lab and jiggled the handles, but they had been locked hours ago. Undeterred, he gave a firm push on the doors, breaking the lock and opening them wide. Quickly he went over to the table housing Gigastreamer and took the laser, sheet and all, into his hands. Out he went again, closing the broken doors behind him…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The young moon hung high above the building when Ben arrived. He rode into the empty parking lot and waited in the dim electric light of the street lamps. At first he saw nothing but a handful of parked cars belonging to those still lingering inside. For a moment Ben was tempted to go back into the building and find out just what was going on inside. The thought vanished when he saw shadows appearing on the ground. A fog settled in the area, clouding Ben’s vision. He waved his hand about to disperse the fog to no avail. When it finally did disappear, several figures were standing around the lot. He recognized some of them as the kids he had roughed up the day before. A figure appeared on the roof of a truck. Tuco Ramos, Addonexus, dressed in his black armor and red-splotched black mask. Ben tensed up inside. He clenched his fists over his bike’s handlebars. Addonexus: Welcome, Rider. I hope you didn’t wait too long. Ben: You’ve been avoiding me. Addonexus: I was waiting for the right time to talk. Ben: You said enough that night. I’m here to settle things. Addonexus: Are you now? *His minions, all of whom were sporting the Rorschach tattoo, slowly began to walk toward Ben* I ask you again… how far will you go? *Ben took the ring off his finger, letting it grow and wrap itself around his waist. A wave of dark gray flame swept over him and shot forward in a ring at the attackers, driving them back. The Rider in his new form appeared where Ben had been a second ago. The bike changed into Antares, but with a different form than before: The body was bulkier. The surface had a wrinkled, twisted appearance, as though it had been melted and rapidly cooled after being bent out of shape. A large, white sharp horn protruded out of the steed’s head. The tail had elongated and billowed in a wind like a set of thin whips. Antares opened its mouth and reared on its back wheel, letting out a bone-chilling neigh of terror. Addonexus yelled back and ordered the attack. Antares charged forward at the assailants like a maddened bull, swerving and stabbing with its horn as it went. Ben held on tight, throwing bone crushing punches and kicks to anyone who came close to him. Wherever Antares went, a trail of dark gray flames followed in its wake. Addonexus cursed loudly and ordered retreat. Not about to let him go that easily, Ben revved up Antares and followed his foe out onto the street. The Rorschach-faced blood-red bike was there to meet him as he caught up. It gave him an eerie glare as its rider sped away. Ben followed close behind. Around him appeared more of Addonexus’s gang, all on their own bikes. They swerved between Ben and Addonexus, trying to throw him off the road. Ben fought them off as best he could as he raced after the man in black….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta drove until he passed by the temple. Unable to think of anything else to do, he decided to take a walk inside. Passing by a small handful of patrons, he made his way up to a balcony facing the large garden. There below him in the distance, alone under the moonlight and some solitary lamps that seemed to hover like large fireflies, was a girl in a bright kimono doing a parasol dance. Kenta watched her as she slowly and gracefully performed her motions, waiting for her to turn so he could catch a glimpse of her face. She looked like a dancing fairy illuminating the dark with the light of her garments….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The bike-riding combatants finally arrived an apartment complex overseeing a road near the beach. Ben followed them into the underground parking lot and skidded to a stop. The enemy bikes surrounded him and Antares in a circle. Addonexus rode through this circle to meet Ben within it. He patted the head of his bike* Addonexus: Not many can keep up with Wraith. Consider yourself honored. *Ben simply glared at him, wondering what part of his body he would break first* Do you know what I’m going to do with you Rider? I will dismember that freakish body of yours. And then I will hang your head on my wall…. But not before shooting my gun through your chest like I did your father. *Ben gripped Antares’ handlebars so tight fire danced off his hands, and shot forward toward the masked assassin. Wraith emitted a burst of energy before he could do anything though, throwing him off his bike. The other bikers now attacked, charging toward Ben on their wheels. Ben dodged as best he could, trying to weave his way to Adddonexus, but the bikers cut off his paths. A bike connected with Ben’s leg, sending him flying into the head of another bike. He fell to the ground, where he was continually run over by the entourage of bikers until he lay still…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta stood mesmerized as he watched the dancer. She at last turned her face, and he was surprised to see it was Saya. He then remembered what her aunt and cousin Tsuruhime had said about her dancing. They weren’t exaggerating. Kenta stared in wonder, hidden from the girl’s view. He remembered the first time he had seen her, at that reception that seemed a century ago, and how serene she had looked then. Here she looked even more serene, perfectly at home with what she was doing. He wondered why she would be so shy as not to show her talent. He thought back to the fantasy of sitting over the paddy. But this time he envisioned Saya as the girl next to him, laughing and munching on the melon. It was a nice thought… Saya had stopped dancing and was starting to come indoors. Before she could see him looking down at her, Kenta stole away out of the temple and back to the car. It was about time to pick up Miki and her friends anyway. But he still kept the image in his mind as he drove down the darkened streets…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Addonexus jumped off Wraith and walked over to Ben. He knelt own next to him and peered from behind his mask into the masked face of his enemy, this kid. Smiling manically, he drew out a gun and shoved it into Ben’s chest. Suddenly the demonic face on Ben’s chest came to life. The mouth opened and bit down on the nozzle, tearing it from the rest of the gun and swallowing it whole. It then shot out a stream of dark gray fire at Addonexus’s face. Only the mask saved the man from being burned. Ben got onto his feet and spit out spurts of fire from his mouth. The bikers leapt from their steeds and made to pounce of him, but Ben jumped up and hovered just below the ceiling. He turned the dials on his belt, igniting the stone in the buckle. His body shimmered as dark gray flames wrapped all around him, giving him the appearance of a fiery vengeful spirit. He shot down toward the foes below him, ramming one of them into a parked car, which then exploded. The fire around Ben disappeared, revealing him to have his Punching arm embedded in the now incinerating car. Ben turned his head to the rest of the grunts, who had begun to step back. Addonexus growled at them, and they hastily attempted to make a stand. Ben reverted to the fiery spirit, flying toward and Punching every single one of them until piles of flaming ash sat where they once stood. Now only he and Addonexus were left to face each other. They stared each other down as the fires that were now starting to spread lit up the garage. Something clanged to the floor, signaling the two to charge toward each other. Together they dueled within the growing walls of fire. Addonexus’s armor seemed to shield him from the intensity of Ben’s fire. With ease did he make contact with his body, grabbing and throwing him hard into a supporting column. Addonexus thundered toward Ben before he could recover, slamming into him, sending him flying across the garage into another car, shattering the windows. Antares raced up to its master. Ben slowly got up. Hatred flowed through him and fueled the fire that danced over his body. How he wanted to crush this man into nothingness. Pay him back 10 times for what he had done to him. Here, now, he would wipe this man off the Earth. Addonexus: Well, Rider? Is this how far you will go? You’ve barely scratched me. Is this the payback you wanted to give me? I’m disappointed. *Ben spit out a wave of fire at the assassin, but he effortlessly dissipated it. Seething, Ben grabbed Gigastreamer from Antares’s back and pointed the weapon at Addonexus. The belt reacted to his holding of the device, and the glyph on the buckle changed to that which appeared before. The weapon changed shape, bulking up around the core design to become a large firearm. The mouth of the face on Ben’s chest opened and transferred energy into the weapon, causing it to rapidly heat up. Addonexus smirked behind his mask* Go ahead. Shoot if you dare. But know what you will burden yourself with… *Ben had enough of his nonsensical babbling. Planting himself firmly on the floor, he aimed and fired. Several large, powerful beams shot from Gigastreamer and flew toward and around Addonexus. One hit the assassin square in the chest, sending him clear to the other side. The rest struck the walls and ceiling of the garage. Supporting columns collapsed. Walls burst open. Shots pierced through the ceiling and landed in the ground level, sparking fires to start there as well. The entire room was now an inferno. Within the explosions and walls of flame, Addonexus had disappeared from view. It was over. Ben jumped onto Antares, which bucked up and neighed loudly, its voice piercing the conflagration and echoing throughout the apartment complex. He rode through the fire and back out into the open, fire and heat splashing over his body… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenta: Pizza again? That’s all you kids ever eat. *The girls laughed at their chauffer’s little rant and continued chatting away. From the sound of it they had had a good time, Kenta gathered. A flash of light blinded him for a minute He turned to see one of the girls holding a camera phone in the direction of his face* Kenta: Watch it, I’m driving here… *The girls giggling away. A few minutes later he saw a traffic jam on the road ahead* Great… *Not wanting to get caught in it himself, he changed onto another, less crowded road and drove on. In a few minutes the cause of the jam was made clear as one of the girls pointed out the window to the adjacent road* “Look!” A tall apartment building was ablaze. A battalion of fire trucks and ambulances were already on scene, but it was obvious they had their hands full. Kenta stopped the car on the side of the road and looked on with his passengers. The shutterbug behind him took several pictures from her phone of the fiery tornado that was consuming the building. What the hell happened here, Kenta wondered. Something about this fire did not look ordinary. A strange figure on a bike seemed to be looking at the burning building far away in the distance. Kenta turned to the girls* Kenta: Stay here. *He got out of the car* Miki: Ni-san - ? *But Kenta had gone several feet away from the car and into the grass sea on the side of the road to look at the figure, which looked like a dark gray demon with silver eyes. Straining to see better, Kenta saw it was sitting upon a horse-shaped vehicle. It…. Kenta’s heart skipped a beat. Ben. He had changed form, again. But when? How? Why? Was he responsible for this? Kenta looked back at the fire and the stream of dead and injured people being extracted from within, and then back at Ben. But he had vanished, leaving a cloud of steam behind. In the sky above the Rider’s symbol had appeared like a calling card, announcing to all his deed tonight. So that his wrath would be known forever more…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 3 plays* END PART III *Entr'acte plays*

Chapter 17: “Bringer of Death” *Standing on a main street, Ben clenched his fists and teeth as he let out a growl. He hungered still for prey. A wall of Sentinels assembled behind him as a horde of more mutants began cascading toward them. Ben crouched low to the road and sprung forward to meet his foes head on. His Sentinel allies fired a barrage of bullets past him as he ran. Antares sped up in front of Ben and neighed. Ben jumped onto his steed and careened toward the wall. Placing his hands on his belt, he turned the two dials, igniting the stone within the buckle. Such was the intensity today that even Antares was enveloped in the silver flame. Two streams of fire shaped like wings shot out from either side of the bike. Ben revved Antares up even faster and leapt off. Somersaulting once in the air, he delivered a flaming Kick to a large mutant in the center of the horde. The mutant flew backwards and exploded in fire and ash, while Antares sliced through the rest. A giant explosion of silver fire washed over the street, over buildings, and over everyone unfortunate enough to be in its path…. It was several minutes before anyone could see past the flames and smoke left behind from the explosion. A frightful howl of bloodlust was all that could be heard. By the time their sight became unobstructed the Rider had vanished once again…* Narrartor: The bringer of death comes in many forms. Sometimes the blatant villain who invites hatred, other times the amoral vigilante driven by hate… *1 AM. Shouts and gunfire could be heard emanating from the streets of an inner city neighborhood. A sickening crack reverberated around as the man who had fired the gun was slammed into the pole of an old basketball net by the Rider. The rest of his companions bravely but futilely attempted to fend off the bug-eyed pest. A few minutes later and the court was strewn with the broken bodies of another drug gang. Ben cried out and slammed his jagged fist into the torso of one of the bodies until he could feel the diaphragm beneath his fingers. Extracting his now bloody hand, he shook it once and watched the blood drip down onto the ground. A steady trickle of rain began to fall from the pitch black, starless sky. ‘Not enough’, he thought. There were still more worms to crush. He got up and staggered back to his bike. A low emitance of dark grey flames encapsulated his body as the rain splashed onto his ghostly form…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 3 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning. Getting up from a restless sleep, Savage opened the paper, flipped past an editorial on the Rider titled “Hero or Monster” to some surprising news. The museum was going to be unveiling its findings on the strange runes and other artifacts found in the Levant several months ago. He remembered suddenly the day he had went to see the curator… Brady, wasn’t it?... about the loss of one of those artifacts during a botched hijacking of one of their trucks: a small ring; the ring that mysteriously was now the belt of the Masked Rider. Savage was suddenly alert. In his mind he began brainstorming bits and pieces of a battle plan. He may not be able to find out who the Rider was, but now he could possibly discover what he was. What he was… The detective remembered the drifter who had first tipped the police off about the Ghosts. He had called the Rider the Prophet. Maybe now he could discern just what the hell that meant. An excitement surged within Savage that he hadn’t felt for a long time. He hurriedly got dressed and scoffed down a quick bite before his kids even began to groggily crawl out of bed. Allison hollered upstairs at them to hurry it up before catching her husband rushing out the door* Allison: Chris, what’s the matter? Savage: Nothing… or something… *He jumped into his car and drove quickly into town. Puzzled, Allison stole a glance at the paper, finding the article that had gotten her husband so energized. A pang of intrigue and apprehension went through her as she read the words. Something told her that few may like what had been discovered…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Brady feigned a look of cheerfulness as he saw Det. Savage be escorted into his office. He remembered the man from his last visit here, that day after a museum truck had been waylaid and the Prophet’s Ring stolen* Brady: Detective… this is a pleasant surprise. Savage: I’m surprised myself. After seeing today’s paper, that is… Brady: You saw our announcement. Well I figured you weren’t here to tell me you found the stolen ring. *Savage flashed a grin* Savage: If that were so, you wouldn’t need me to tell you. The newshounds would be having a field day. *Brady chucked* Brady: True. *He invited Savage to sit down* So, what can I do for you? Savage: I want to ask you about your findings. *Brady maintained his smile* Brady: You’ll have to get in line like everyone else, I’m afraid. Savage: Not if it’s related to my investigation. Brady: The Ring is in the hands of the Rider. All you folks have to do is apprehend him. I don’t see how these will do you any good. Savage: I’d like to know just what I’m dealing with. What is the Rider? The stuff you gave me last time haven’t been much help, sadly. *Brady said nothing and was pensive for a moment. Savage caught him shooting his gaze for a second at something in a closet-like room behind him before he turned back to his guest. As casually as he could, the detective shifted his gaze behind him, but found nothing unusual* Brady: Perhaps I can give you a hand… *He got up from his chair and opened a file drawer. After some ruffling he conjured a thick Manila envelope stuffed with papers and handed it to Savage. Savage held the heavy envelope with both hands and whistled, amazed at the weight* Savage: All this? Brady: With some extras thrown in. *Savage looked up* Savage: Extras? Brady: You’ll see. *He looked at his watch* And now if you’ll excuse me, I have other business to attend to, as you no doubt can figure. *He grinned again, which Savage reciprocated politely. The detective however felt a sudden sense of unease in the room. Tucking the envelope under his arm, he made his exit. Brady waited for a few minutes until he was sure the detective was nowhere near the office. He sat back down in his chair and looked at the door of the small room, in truth a passage to the Ghosts’ meeting cavern* Well? Come on out then. *The door opened wide. The body of Addonexus stood staring at him from inside. Despite Brady’s invitation, the assassin remained within the dark room away from the light, thus keeping his face concealed* Addonexus: He’s aged a lot in 10 years... Brady: You think this is a good idea? Addonexus: The Leader wants his enemies eliminated. And that is exactly what I am doing. Brady: By revealing our secrets, and yours? Addonexus: By exposing the Rider. Once that Gringo monkey sees the whole picture, the Harrowing will commence. *Brady shuddered slightly. Addonexus looked bemused* Not scared, are we? *Brady scowled at the jibe but said nothing. In truth the prospect disturbed him deeply. He was starting to long for the simpler days before the Rider showed his unsightly face, when all he had to do was to be an enforcer for the organization. Reward the competent and dispose of the loose ends. But now he had this mess to contend with. He looked back toward the room but Addonexus had vanished. The office suddenly felt cold, making Brady shudder again. How he hated that man…. if he was even still a man….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Nightfall. In a deserted park, echoes of exchanged blows were silenced soon after they began. The Rider looked on as a group of adolescent boys and girls scrambled away from him, leaving their fallen peers behind. The Rider’s body burned away to reveal that of Ben, who collapsed on one knee in exhaustion. Again and again he sought out adversaries, and yet he remained unsated. But instinct drove him to keep fighting, to continue his relentless hunt no matter what cost. The sudden sound of an engine caught Ben’s attention. A bright light blinded his eyes as a motorcycle shot toward him from the dark. Ben barely dove out of the way as the bike flew past. Before he could recover the bike was on him again. This time Ben was grabbed by the head and dragged several feet before being sent down a small embankment into some tall grass. Antares appeared on the path a neighed a challenge to the mysterious intruder. The bike appeared again before the steed as Ben scrambled back up the embankment. It was a lightweight bike like his own, but on the front was adorned a Rorschach-esque face that seemed to look back at him with a wicked grin. The rider atop this strange vehicle was shrouded in the shadows, making identification by sight impossible* Ben: Who are you?! *The rider did not answer. Instead he started the bike again and headed toward Ben and Antares at top speed. Antares shot a stream of silver fire to no avail. The rider swerved at the last minute to avoid hitting Ben or his bike, tossing a heavy manila envelope their way. Antares caught it in its mouth as the shadowy rider disappeared. Ben stole a last glance at the unsettling Rorschach face of the bike as it vanished, then turned back to his own steed* Ben: What’s this? *Antares spit the envelope into Ben’s hands and snorted once, head bobbed in a nodding fashion. Ben opened it to reveal it stuffed with an assortment of papers. Ben picked one out at random and froze in place. Printed on the sheet was the symbol on his ring. Antares nudged its master’s head, bringing him back to reality. Still speechless, Ben mounted the bike and headed for home as fast as his steed would go…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * The mind reading technique the Ghost mystics had taught Addonexus had yielded some interesting bounty. He came to a stop and flexed the hand with which he had grabbed the Rider, whom he now knew was Ben Hernandez. A defining moment in his life played back in his mind. Addonexus laughed; it was better than he had hoped for…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Back in his room, Ben spread out the contents of the envelope on his bed and hastily sorted them out. What he saw made his heart skip several beats. Here was a treasure trove of information about the unearthed ruins related to his ring and to himself. This was the thing that eluded him and Kenta ever since they had started investigating the strange hieroglyphs. They had long since given up on finding anything really useful with the pilfered translator program. But this could be the final key. Passages of hieroglyphs with their translations were laid out before Ben. He went through them in earnest, looking for tidbits of new information. Some he was already familiar with. Others though were completely new to him. These Ben gathered to him and began to study. After several minutes he found one noteworthy verse: “I gave you the greatest of gifts and you defied me… I brought you into a fruitful land, but when you entered you made my heritage an abomination… I set you up as an ensign upon the mountain to cleanse yourself and my people, but you defiled yourself even more with your sins….. For this you shall be denied the peace you had sought.” A hand drawn picture next caught Ben’s eye before he could finish pondering the ominous quote. A figure similar to that he and Kenta had seen in what felt like ages ago, wearing the ring on his hand, stood before a host of enemies under a stormy sky. But unlike the picture he had seen before, the figure was joined by a host of his own. The hosts were locked in combat, and the figure with the ring possessed a black aura around him. The translation beneath the runes simply said “The Harrowing”. What did that mean? The picture left Ben with an uneasy feeling, so he tossed it aside. So many questions sprung up from these documents, but the biggest one of course was the identity of the person that had given him all of this to begin with. How had he come about them, and why would he want to help him this way? Still excited over his luck but greatly exhausted, Ben stuffed the files back into the envelope. Tomorrow he would show all this to Kenta and see what he could make of them. He was about to turn off the light when he found yet another eye-catcher: a set of papers with the Ghosts’ insignia on them* Ben: …the hell? *What was anything Ghost related doing here? Ben yanked the files out of the folder and flipped through them in a frenzy. Here spelled out in front of him was a virtual documentary on the organization itself, or to be more specific a “teaser”. At the end of the packet was a note summoning him to a clandestine location the following night where he would learn even more. Now warning lights flashed in Ben’s mind. Was this all some kind of ruse to lure him somewhere? Some plot hatched by his enemies? The more Ben thought about it the more likely the possibility became to him. Nevertheless what he had received tonight was too much to just shove aside. It was everything he and Kenta had tried and failed to find on their own. He had to look further into this. Almost forlornly he replaced the files in the envelope, placed it on the bedside table and shut the lights off* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Next morning, university campus. In the mechanics lab, Kenta sat at a bench looking over the laser he and Casey Roginek had designed. In a few weeks the project would be due and they would have to present it to the rest of the class. The doors of the room suddenly burst open as Ben quickly strode over to him carrying a large manila envelope. Kenta: What’re you doing here? Ben: Looking for you. *He waved the envelope in his friend’s face* Kenta: What’s that? Ben What we have to talk about. *He then caught sight of the laser* Is this the big secret you’ve been working on? *Kenta nodded and smiled as Ben went around the bench admiring the laser. He felt a strange tingle go through his ring hand whenever he drew closer to the device. He decided to keep this to himself* Needs a name. Kenta: Good idea. *He found a table card and placed it next to the laser. After a minute or so he came up with a name and scribbled it down* I dub thee…. Gigastreamer. *Gigastreamer: the name of a weapon featured in Tokkei Winsepctor and Tokyuu Shirei Solbrain. Ben looked at Kenta incredulously* Ben: Huh? Kenta: …From Winspector and Solbrain. Ben: Can’t you be normal? *Kenta gave Ben a look that made him recant the ironic question. Kenta: Anyway, what did you bring me? *Ben excitedly opened the envelope and brought out the documents on the runes. Kenta sat astounded, going through the files one by one* Where did you get this? Ben: Some guy on a strange bike just threw it at me last night. *Kenta’s brow furrowed* Kenta: Well how did he get it? And why would he give it to you?.... Could he know who you are? *The two were silent for a moment. Kenta passed his hand over the translated runes, absorbing the information they possessed, the information that had eluded him all this time. He jumped off his stool and brought the files to a nearby scanner, to which he hurriedly hooked up his laptop. One by one he scanned the files an saved them on his drive* The museum is going to present all this in a few days. Perhaps whoever gave this to you works there. Ben: There’s more… *He brought forth the files concerning the Ghosts. Kenta grabbed these from Ben’s hand and read off parts of them in shock* Kenta: A black magic cult formed in pre-colonial Mexico by relations of the Aztecs… From the shadows they have controlled the underworld for over two millennia… Intertwined with countless criminal groups and Central and South American governments…. Even the U.S.! Ben: What? *Kenta shoved these into the scanner as well and began saving* Kenta: This is all there is? Ben: No… there was a note saying to meet whoever gave me this tonight at the piers. He has more stuff to show me. *Kenta’s ears perked up* Kenta: Could be a trick. Ben: I know, but it’s worth it. You’ll keep watch in case anything happens anyway. Kenta: No I won’t actually… we’re going to have dinner at Tachibana’s place tonight. Ben: Ah… Well I guess I’m on my own then. Kenta: Let me know what you find, if anything. *Ben nodded. He cast one last look upon Gigastreamer and without even a second thought ran his hands over it. At once dark grey flames shot out from his hands and washed over the laser, making it hot to the touch. The flames dissipated almost as quickly as they appeared* Kenta: What the hell was that?? *Ben just shook his head and looked at his hands. The tingly feeling he had felt before resonated again. Something was definitely attracting him to this machine. Kenta noticed the rune on the ring glow dimly and a hint of a shadow creep over Ben’s face for only an instant. Without another word, Ben grabbed the files, stuffed them back into the envelope and strode out the room just as Casey was coming in. Casey looked back at Ben as he left* Casey: Did I miss anything? *Kenta quickly shook his head. Casey looked at Gigastreamer and whistled, impressed at the work he and his partner had managed to accomplish* It’s done… *He eyed the table card and cocked an eyebrow* Gigastreamer? *Kenta started to explain but Casey cut him off, at once getting it* Ah… nevermind…. *Kenta looked at the machine, playing back in his mind what he had just witnessed. He suddenly began to fell unsettled…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Tachibana and Junko’s apartment was much the same as it had been the last time Kenta had passed here. Their son Gai, answered the door almost as soon as they had rang the bell. Gai was almost 30, and worked as a in another city. Upon seeing a less than cheerful Kenta he wrapped his arm around him and playfully rapped his head with his knuckles* Gai: What’s this? Are you sulking again? *He gestured to Miki* Does he never smile? Miki: He’s sad because no one loves him. Gai: Oh? *He tapped Kenta’s chest* Well, I love you. How’s that? *His jovialness seemed to brighten any room with a light of its own. Kenta chuckled* Kenta: Don’t let your wife hear you. Tsuruhime: Oh, we have an understanding… *Tsuruhime, Gai’s wife, was a researcher and T.A. in a biotech lab. Having greeted Eiji and Hiroko, she had come to meet Kenta and Miki. It was the first time either had seen her. Seeing her round belly, he judged she was half way through pregnancy. Saya then poked her head out of the kitchen and meekly uttered a greeting to the guests. Junko: *Japanese* She and Tsu are making dinner Tsuruhime: Which reminds me… I’ll be right back. *She dashed back into the kitchen, leaving her husband, Kenta and Saya to find some place to sit in the living room where the grown folk had taken abode. In the room were a few other people Tachibana had invited, some of whom were vaguely familiar to the siblings. Kenta looked back into the kitchen, suddenly wanting another glimpse of Saya* Gai: Hey, no peeking. *Kenta smirked at the jibe. A small clang followed by two female voices benignly bickering came from the kitchen* Kenta: Can she cook? *Gai shrugged* Gai: She’s better than me. Kenta: Which doesn’t say much… *Gai laughed. He grabbed some peanuts from a bowl and tossed Kenta some* Gai: So, things seem to be exciting around here lately, no? *Kenta shrugged casually to hide his discomfort toward the topic* Kenta: You could say that… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Ben rode his bike to the piers for the scheduled rendezvous. Usually bustling with nighttime activities, the place was nearly deserted but for a handful of patrons. The incident with the mutants had left much of the populace greatly shaken up. People were beginning to spend as little time outside as possible, opting for the security of the indoors and of numbers. Tonight Ben was glad for this. Less chance for any interruption. He waited for some sort of sign, but saw nothing. Parking his bike, he came to a lone pier where a row of boats lay docked. The cabin of one of the boats was lit. Thinking it could be what he was looking for, Ben cautiously crept toward it, doing his best not to make the wooden boards of the pier creek loudly from his steps. Just before he could reach the boat, he heard the swishing of objects flying in mid-air. He ducked just as a series of knives came from either side of him and stabbed themselves in the wood and boat sides. A cloud of sand-like powder flew into his face, which he avoided by quickly leaping onto the deck of an adjacent boat. The powder exploded upon contact with the pier, setting the wood ablaze. Not even a moment’s respite, the floor of the deck erupted, sending Ben flying in the air and crash-landing in the water. Four hooded Ghosts with blue brooches came out from seemingly nowhere and looked toward the water. Billows of steam began emitting from the surface as a figure bathed in silvery flame leapt out of the water and kicked one in the chest, toppling all of them over in a domino formation. Ben leapt back onto his bike, which promptly changed into the steed Antares. The Ghosts levitated in the air and made dives toward Ben, which he evaded by revving Antares up and shooting down the burning pier. At the end he leapt down to the water itself. Remarkably, Rider and steed did not sink down, but instead moved through the water as though it was solid surface. The Ghosts flew after their foe in a rage, conjuring up spheres of fiery energy in their hands and throwing them toward the speeding bike. Streams of water went off into the air as the spheres exploded on impact, yet Ben continued on his course, leading them further away from the piers into a more secluded area of the nearby beach. He reached the shore just as a sphere of energy connected with Antares’s rear wheel. The bike was thrown forward, sending Ben flying off and crashing onto the beach several feet away. The Ghosts landed and surrounded Ben, bringing out tulwar swords with skull-shaped pommels, whose blades had been dipped in a type of jungle poison known only to the organization. These they stabbed into his body before he could recover from his fall. Ben let out a blood-curling cry as the blades pierced his body and fired a stream of silver fire at the robed figures’ heads, sending them backwards. With the blades still lodged inside him, Ben staggered to his feet and turned the right-hand dial of his belt to summon the sword rune onto his buckle. The swords turned into multiple copies of his scorpion-shaped blade. The Ghosts charged. Ben ripped two swords out of his body and crossed the blades together, igniting them in silver flame. These he hurled at two Ghosts, impaling them in the chest and incinerating their bodies. The other two he tore from his body and brandished toward the remaining foes. The phantom face on his blood-stained body gave a horrid shriek. Ben opened his fanged mouth and followed suit. He pounced upon the two Ghosts and all three began swinging their blades around in a vicious sword dance...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta was bored of sitting. He wandered around the apartment as the get-together rolled on, coming to what had always been his favorite room. In it were piles of Japanese paraphernalia Tachibana had collected over the years: lanterns, fans, small statues and other antiques, even a WW2-era Arisaka bayonet. Set up on a rack built into the wall was a set of katanas that he had always liked to play with. Today he picked one up and unsheathed the long, thin blade. Though it had been years since he had done any formal martial arts, it all came back to him the moment he held this weapon. Almost unconsciously, he began swinging the sword in a slow, fluid fashion. He made a turn and began to swing the blade down when he saw Saya standing before him. She yelped as the sword came to a stop over her head. Kenta quickly shoved it back into its scabbard* Kenta: What’re you doing? You shouldn’t stand so close. Saya: Sorry… I couldn’t help seeing you… *Her face turned a slight crimson, making Kenta wonder just how long she had been watching him* Dinner’s almost ready… *Kenta placed the sword back on the rack* Kenta: Smells good. *Saya smiled and turned back toward the living room. Kenta followed suit and immersed himself in the gossip flowing about. He passed his mother who was conversing with a group of women around her age in a Japanese-English mix. Feigning disinterest, he picked up snippets of their gossip as he hovered nearby* “….Kenta should get married soon, no?…” “…Oh, he still has a few years, he’s only 22…” “…. I know several people with nice daughters, you should meet them…” “These children are impossible…they just copy everything they see here and forget their own culture… “… But your children are so well-mannered…” “My girl is older than Miki-chan… can’t even make a cup of tea…” *Kenta caught Hiroko’s eye. She gave him a furtive smile and wink. Lamenting the waywardness of many ‘Nisei’ was nothing new to Kenta, he had heard it from Hiroko herself often enough. But as he got older he saw how admirably family acquaintances looked to his parents for somehow managing to bring up two decent, unspoiled children, especially a daughter, when so many of their own seemed more Westernized that they were comfortable with. So for at least a few hours, Hiroko could enjoy being the secret envy of the other women. Kenta went through the living room past Eiji and a bunch of older men and went to the balcony. It was covered wall to wall with plants, making it look like a mini-jungle. ‘Saya’s handiwork’, he thought, remembering what he had heard Junko say one time. Before him lay the vast cityscape. He noted the distinct contrast between the forest-esque terrace on which he stood and the gray concrete jungle below. Out there was chaos and decadence. But here, somehow, there was a feeling of serenity. Kenta drew in a long breath and slowly exhaled, enjoying the cool breeze wafting over his face…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben’s wounds were taking their toll on his stamina. The Ghosts relentlessly persisted in their assault, driving him to a kneeling position on the sand. Holding his twin swords in front of him, he shielded himself as they brought their blades down on him, finally managing to kick them away. The sand was sprinkled with red droplets from his chest. It took an effort to just stand upright. From beneath their hoods, Ben could hear snickers emit from the Ghosts’ covered mouths. They leapt forward and glided toward Ben, who gathered his remaining strength to thrust his flaming swords into their bodies. Pushing them away with the swords impaled into them, he curled his hands into fiery silver fists and delivered a double Rider Punch, shoving the swords clean through his foes. Two shrieks filled the night air as their bodies burned into ash which mixed with the sand below. Ben gave a primal roar and collapsed on one knee onto the beach. The poison and loss of blood was making him light-headed. For a moment he thought the red object with a phantom-like face coming toward him was just an illusion, but soon realized the truth when it passed by, barely missing him and came to a stop several feet away. The bike and rider from the other night had returned, just as he promised. Had the Ghosts known about this secret rendezvous and sent the now dead assassins after Ben? Or was something more sinister at hand? The rider spoke: “Very good, Rider. Your endurance is admirable. But will it be worth it after you see what I have for you?” *Ben just looked at the stranger, who started up his bike again and sped down the beach. Still dizzy, and still raging inside, Ben clambered onto Antares and followed the rider down the path he had gone…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Dinnertime. Kenta went over to the food-laden table to be greeted by a large gray cat. The cat looked up at Kenta and that table, licking its lips in a clear gesture of wanting some handouts. Tsuruhime pushed the furry mendicant away with he foot as she brought another dish out* Tsuruhime: He always does that. Kenta: When did Aunty get a cat? Tsuruhime: I got him for her after Gai moved out, so she’ll have something to mother. *She flashed a cheeky grin* Kenta: He sort of look like him... Tsuruhime: Begs like him too. *She turned to see Junko coming beside her* Okaa-san, look how fat he’s getting. You feed him too much. *Junko looked at the feline, who continued staring longingly at the food, and shrugged. Kenta came up to the table near Miki, who had already gotten her food and was wrestling with a bottle of hot sauce. As he served himself, he eyed Saya serving a small boy, gently coaxing him to eat the vegetables. Miki, frustrated with the bottle, put it down and caught her brother’s voyeurism. Looking at her brother, she puckered her lips and teasingly made puckering noises. Without saying anything, Kenta took the bottle of sauce, pounded it once from the bottom, and opened the cap, spilling a quarter of the bottle over Miki’s food. Miki looked at her drowned meal* Miki: Thanks. *She took a napkin and attempted to wipe as much of the excess sauce off as possible. Smirking, Kenta resumed filling his own plate. A few minutes later he was seated down next to her and shoveling the delectable food into his mouth. Saya, Tsuruhime, Junko and Hiroko were at the table with them while the rest of the guests were scattered abut the living room. On the balcony Kenta could see Gai and his father engaged in some conversation. Turning back, he caught his mother and Junko chatting away* Junko: *Japanese*…. Saya, Tsu, you’ve outdone yourselves tonight. Saya: *Japanese* This isn’t too much? *She pointed out the considerable amount of courses* Hiroko: Of course not, dear. It’s delicious. *Tsuruhime playfully nudge her cousin* Tsuruhime: She’s too modest. Imoto, don’t be so shy… *She turned to the rest* I keep telling to dance at the temple show next month, but she won’t listen to me. Kenta: You dance? Saya: Only a little… I only did it for a few years. Junko: Nonsense. Your father says you are very good. You must dance… *Feeling embarrassed by all the attention, Saya smiled appreciatively and took refuge by focusing on her food. The cat rubbed himself against Miki’s leg and uttered a nearly inaudible meow. Miki obliged the animal by sneaking a piece of fish to the floor, only to be quietly reprimanded by Hiroko. She, Junko and Tsuruhime continued talking. Kenta stayed silent and continued eating, shoving the cat away as he felt his leg rubbed by his head…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben chased the mystery rider across the desolate beach and up the grassy dunes until they reached a dirt path overgrown with weeds. The bike made an about turn and skidded to a stop before him. Antares glared at the haunting Rorschach face while Ben eyed the rider, whose own face was concealed by a black and red mask, trying to maintain his composure despite the poison’s effects. Addonexus smiled back beneath his mask at the weakening Rider* Addonexus: You seem to be fading, Rider. I wonder if I should reveal what I have for you. *Ben glowered impatiently. Addonexus continued to prod him* You now know what the Ghosts. Their secrets laid out before you. What will you do with it all? Ben: What do you think? Addonexus: Oh yes, of course. You, the man on the white horse, riding in to burn up the dragons’ nest…. I’ll make it easy for you. You can start with me. Ben: You’re a Ghost. Addonexus: You don’t sound surprised. Ben: I’m not. Addonexus: Very good. But before you strike, I have a story for you. *Ben’s body began to emit a dim gray flame. He couldn’t take much more of this stalling, and Addonexus knew it. The plan was flowing nicely* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Dinner over, the young folk had gathered in sort of crèche on the balcony. Gai brought a bottle of sake over and filled his own glass, then moved to Kenta’s* Gai: One for you… *He moved to Saya’s glass* One for you… *He passed over Miki and his wife and teasingly tapped her large belly* None for you. *Tsuruhime snorted. She took a bottle of water and poured Miki and herself a glass each. Kenta addressed her* Kenta: How’s the lab doing? Tsuruhime: It’s ok. These days things haven’t been very thrilling though… Gai: With all the chemicals she handles, I’d bet she’s carrying a mutant in there… *He poked his wife’s belly again. Tsuruhime twisted her husband’s ear in protest* Miki: Did you decide on names? Saya: Juri is nice for a girl. Tsuruhime: I think we’ll wait a while before deciding names. *She cast a leering eye toward Gai* Though I hope it’s a girl. I already have my hands full with this child. *The small boy wandered in with a glass of apple juice in his hands. Saya invited him in with a smile and sat him upon her lap* Saya: *Japanese* Little boys are sweet too. Miki: Boys grow up… *She shot a glance at her brother* Kenta: And some girls never do… Tsuruhime: *to Saya* From what you say about your brothers, I’d think you’d like having a girl. *Saya shrugged and rested her head on the boy* Saya: I guess I’ve gotten used to boys. *The boy yawned and began to nod off, oblivious to the nature of these big folks’ conversation. Saya took the empty glass form his hands and placed it on a nearby side table Gai had brought out* Saya: Bedtime for the babies. *Kenta poked his sister* Kenta: You heard her. Off to bed. *Miki shook her head and rolled her eyes away. Kenta looked on after Saya. Something about the image of her cradling the child while sitting in this mini-garden in the sky made her look lovely in a serene way. The tranquil haven above the hellish metropolis that he envisioned earlier this evening had been enhanced further…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Addonexus threw another manila envelope toward Antares, who caught it in its mouth* Addonexus: Ten years ago, there was a man named Tuco Ramos. Tuco was a recruit in one of the most notorious, bloodthirsty drug cartels in the southwest U.S. As part of the initiation, he had to kill a cop. I’m sure you’re familiar with such things. Anyway, one fateful day his gang was caught in a battle with law enforcement. Here was young Tuco’s chance to prove himself. Come and I will show you firsthand. *Ben found himself dragged off Antares and toward Addonexus, who placed his hand on his forehead. His memory was transferred into Ben’s mind, allowing him to vividly see the events of that day ten years ago. He was standing on a highway in the midst of a shootout between cops and a drug gang. One of the cops that looked familiar to Ben came into focus as he stepped closer to him. In a second he realized he was seeing no other than his father Michael Hernandez in the flesh. A few of Michael’s colleagues had been killed or injured, leaving him with few men to back him up. Several shots later and Michael too lay wounded on the ground. A boy of about 20 caught Ben’s attention as he stepped up to his victim. Michael was motionless as he lay sprawled on the ground, his gun still grasped tightly in his hand. Ben looked in horror, powerless to do anything, as the boy brought his gun over his father’s body, preparing to put out the man’s life once and for all. But one split second before he fired, Michael raised himself up high enough to fire his gun toward the boy’s face. The bullet grazed his cheek and side of his eye, spraying blood over his face, clothes and the ground. The boy fired twice into Michael’s chest, ending his life there on the spot, but the damage to his own self was done. Ben knelt down over his father’s body, hoping in vain that there was still some glimmer of life in his body. The pain and anger he had felt all those years ago, had bottled up within him, came exploding back out as he saw the motionless corpse of the man who had seemed to his 10-year old self impervious to anything. The dark gray flames that were dancing around his body increased in intensity. Addonexus’s voice came forth again* Tuco disappeared soon after that day. Eventually he would find the Ghosts and become one of their elite members. All thanks to what happened that day when he first ‘brought death’. Now he goes by that name: Addonexus, the Bringer of Death Ben: Where do I find him now? Addonexus: You don’t. He finds you. As I have just done, Ben Hernandez. *He removed his blotched mask. Ben stood aghast. Hidden in the shadows but for a scar running horizontally across his cheek was the face of Tuco Ramos, a little older but no less cruel. He stared in shock and fury at the man’s eyes, who looked back at him with a sort of sick pleasure at what he had just wrought…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben balled his fists. Here was his father’s murderer, the cause for his grief, coming out and stating plainly his crime. Why? Right now Ben didn’t give a damn. His urge to kill had never been higher* Ben: Why tell me this? Addonexus: Because you deserve the truth. It’s the least I can do… Ben: You’ve signed your own death warrant. Addonexus: Oh, and how’s that? You’ll kill me? I’d like to see you try. How far will you go, Rider? Will you do stop at nothing? Or will you be weak like that man whose name you carry? Will I kill his seed as well? *Ben cried out and swung a punch toward the man’s head, but became enveloped in pitch blackness. When it was lifted, the man was gone. Ben searched around wildly for him like a mad beast but saw nothing. His anger saw no bounds. He cried out into the still night air as his body erupted fully in dark gray flames. Slowly his suit began to change: the ghostly white regions that remained were burned away further as veins of black went up and down his limbs. The face on his chest contorted into the head of a tearing horned demon. The horns on his head twisted and broke. His eyes went from dark gray to bright silver. The wounds were healed at once. Ben stood beneath the large full moon. For miles around the savage wail of a creature in torment could be heard traveling up to that heavenly body in the sky, the sole audience to the birth of this new form. This harbinger of death…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 3 plays*

Chapter 16: Child’s Scorn *Grabbing the handle, Ben slowly opened the door. He saw a woman of middle age was looking out the window. Her dark wavy hair was hanging loose over her shoulders. At the sound of Ben’s entrance she turned around to see her visitor. Ben stared long into this face, a face long burdened with sorrow. A face that had at one time shone with joy and tenderness. Ben lingered at the doorway, suddenly feeling nervous. His mother however started stepping forward. “Benny…” Slowly Ben inched forward to meet her. Suddenly his mother had wrapped her arms around him and showered his face with kisses, repeating his name and rambling in rapid Spanish. Fighting the urge to reciprocate the feeling to a woman whom he felt deserved none, Ben at last gave in and hugged his mother back, resting his forehead on her shoulder. He was suddenly a child again, in their old house playing some nameless game. Carefree and happy…* Narrartor: He said she has scorned him. And now he would scorn her. Because he still wanted something to hate… *The casualties were rising. Savage fired his gun at whatever mutant he saw in his vicinity, but he knew he was severely outmatched. The police that had arrived on scene were doing their best to hold out, but they needed backup soon. And it came, but not from a desired source. A group of armored Hummers careened down a street and ran over an oncoming mutant. A team of soldiers flooded out of these vehicles and took immediate action. ‘Sentinels’, thought Savage, his heart sinking. The armed vigilantes swept past the hunkered down Savage without so much as an acknowledgment. One muscular mutant, resembling a giant lizard, leapt toward one Sentinel and was promptly felled with a single shot through the heart. More mutants abandoned their queries to take on these newcomers. Downtown was soon a heated battleground between man and monster. Savage stared in wonder at the Sentinels’ arsenal as they fought. Where could these people be getting such state-of-the-art equipment? But even the Sentinels soon found themselves overwhelmed by the grotesque horde of creatures. Not wanting to be left out of the action, Savage followed the Sentinels in their forward pursuit. Several Sentinels had been brought down by the mutants. Savage quickly nabbed a rifle dropped by one of the fallen and opened fire on a wall of oncoming mutants. Before he could find his next target though, another mutant came from behind and delivered a hard swipe to his head. Savage fell to the ground, misfiring his acquired rifle to the side as he went down. The mutant loomed over Savage and would have killed him there, but was tackled by a Sentinel and stabbed through the chest with a long dagger. Savage felt blood trickling down his ringing head. With some effort he managed to pick himself up, leaning on the rifle for support. The mutants had disappeared, but their handiwork was laid out before him. Debris, fallen weaponry, and dozens of dead bodies littered the street. The civilians who had taken cover in whatever place available now began to creep back out into the open. The surviving Sentinels were gathering up their fallen and piling back into their vehicles. Savage touched his head and examined the blood on his hand as he heard the wails of police sirens and ambulances. The Sentinel who had saved him turned an ear to the sirens as well, and gave a last forlorn look at the detective* “A little late, isn’t it?” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 3 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben didn’t know how to feel. He had been sitting in his mother’s room for over an hour now yet still he came up empty. Gloria on the other hand was beside herself with cheer. She spent the entire time making small talk, pausing occasionally to comment on how handsome her young man of a son was and give him a heartfelt hug. If he didn’t know better he would have thought she had just returned from a long trip around the world. She then threw him questions about his life, about people he had not spoken to in years, about school. A very casual flair, to which Ben was tempted to shatter right then and there. In his mind he kept imagining himself giving a long speech admonishing this woman for years of weakness and neglect. But somehow he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Mother and son had been quiet for a few moments. What Ben heard next gave him a surprise* Gloria: *Spanish* I’m returning home soon. Ben: …. Oh…. That’s good Gloria: What’s wrong? Ben: *Spanish*…. I moved a long time ago… Gloria: Oh that’s alright. A friend of mine has helped me look around for a place. In a few months or so we’ll have a new home. Ben: We? *Gloria chucked warmly* Gloria: Of course, Benny. I can’t leave you alone. *Ben would have laughed out loud at the irony of that and gone into his mentally rehearsed reprimand, but again he found himself holding his tongue. ‘What is wrong with you?’, he angrily asked himself. ‘Let her have it. She deserves far worse’. He couldn’t understand how, after all this time, he was being muted by the same mind that was demanding some exaction of revenge against this woman. Why? Was part of him actually considering what Mabel and Miki had said? Impossible. What would they know? Yet here he was, sitting in dumb silence, listening to the trivial musings flowing from her mouth as though they could ever happen. The ring, which had been emitting its heat all this time, now was stone cold. Whatever threat was out there had apparently disappeared. Nevertheless, Ben felt like leaving* Ben: *Spanish* Well, I have class soon…* Gloria: *Spanish* Oh…alright then. You will come back soon, won’t you? *Ben nodded and flashed a grin, but in his mind he wasn’t so sincere. His mother gave him another hug and kiss which he squirmed away from before exiting the room. His mother came out to watch him go off, a tear glistening in her eye. As he past through the lobby, Ben finally saw what he had missed. On the TV flashed scenes of inexplicable monsters loose on the streets, massacring scores of people. Ben’s eyes widened. His fist tightened. This was the result of his choice: dozens of innocents dead and dying. His misplaced sympathy had killed them all…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Just as was intended, the city was flung into a panic. All the news networks were harping on the morning’s monster attack. Savage, back home from the precinct some time earlier, lay on the couch and listened as the TV blared, his bandaged head feeling fit to burst from a splitting headache brought about by the blow he received hours earlier. What was meant to be a day off had morphed into another stressful monstrosity of a day. Amidst the whirlwind of reports on the damage done and the appalling amount of lives lost were the usual fiery debates on the Rider and the spread of vigilantism. Today the Sentinels had been the heroes. If there had lingered any further doubt about them, there wasn’t any now. And what of the Rider’s absence today? The skeptics’ hearts were hardened further. The supporters argued plain bad luck. The Sentinels’ were now claiming that the Rider was “on strike” from all the vicious slander made against him from an ungrateful public. And so on and so forth did the media keep blustering. Savage wearily raised himself halfway and poured himself a glass of whisky from a bottle sitting on the coffee table. He couldn’t remember how many he had had, if he had any. Nor did he care. Right now all he wanted was a respite from this unfurling nightmare. Allison suddenly appeared over him and took the glass from his hand* Allison: That’s enough for one night. *Savage sighed and lay back down. Allison turned the TV off* Go eat. You’ll make yourself sick if you keep this up. Savage: Later. Allison: Now *Savage finally complied and strode to the kitchen, where he started tiredly gulping down the leftovers of tonight’s dinner. Allison followed and sat down at the table next to him* There was nothing you could have done. Killing yourself over it isn’t going to help anybody. Savage: I know… Allison: How did that meeting at the precinct go? *Savage sighed* Savage: The usual grandstanding. But everyone knows we’ll do nothing. We can’t do anything anymore. Allison: Don’t talk like that. If there are still people like you on the force there’s still some hope left. *Savage smiled sadly. He appreciated his wife’s support, but right now it felt like an empty gesture* Savage: I doubt there will be anyone like me left soon. They’re either disappeared entirely or joined those damn Sentinels. The lawless would uphold the law now, can you believe it? Allison: Can you really blame them? *Savage paused for a moment* Savage: I guess not. But it’s not right… Something bad is going to happen. I can see it coming, but no one else says a word. The Captain himself admitted it before he left. But he wouldn’t lift a finger to try to stop it. Allison: God sees the truth but waits… *Savage looked up at his wife, who was now looking away toward the blank TV screen. That was the title of a book by Leo Tolstoy he had read years ago. The Lord knows what is true, but waits for that one fantastic moment to reveal the reality to that most sinful of races called Man. Savage was not an overtly religious man but he believed that divine influence had a hand in many of history’s significant events. For one wild moment he wondered if this could be one of those events. The Rider, the Ghosts, the Sentinels and every other miscreant of this city’s crime endemic danced in his mind. Was He, God, waiting for that one powder keg moment when the city was devoured by destruction to reveal the truth to these heathens? If He was, Savage thought, he wished He would stop waiting and get it over with* Savage: I think I’ll hit the sack now… *He cleaned his plate and went upstairs, patting his wife’s shoulder as he passed. Allison stared out the kitchen window, as though watching for the omen of doom her husband prophetically declared was upon them... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben woke from his sleep with a yell. In his dreams kept flashing images of the mutant horde’s killing spree. Everywhere he looked he saw the bodies of the fallen, their lifeless eyes staring right into him, in judgment of his inaction. Condemning his naïveté of pursuing that weak, undeserving creature he called a mother out of some foolish notion of forgiveness, while sacrificing the lives the truly deserving. Looking up at him as he rode upon a vicious stallion; his body burning away in black flame to reveal a hideous demon of rage…. Ben shook his head in frustration, trying in vain to erase the images from his mind. The bedside clock read 2 AM. He collapsed back on the sweat-drenched bed and lay there, hoping for sleep to come over him again. His thoughts went back again to his mother. He had promised to visit again. How could he not have, said one part of himself. How could he feel anything for her, a woman who surrendered to the pain, leaving him to shoulder the burden alone, said the other part of himself. His anger and his pity, his rage toward the evils of the city and his suppressed love for the woman who gave him life, raged war within him, threatening to tear him apart. People died because he had placed one guilty woman over the many innocent. But how could he turn his back forever on his own blood for those who despised him? How could he let the corruption and criminality of this metropolis go unpunished after what it had done to him? Especially when he had the tools to do so? The more he agonized, the more consumed he became by the boiling rage within. Ben clenched his fists as he lay in the dark. His hands began to burn a dim silver before turning into a dark grey…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Next morning. Kenta felt more tired than he did when he went to bed as he groggily woke up. The sound of the TV attracted him out to the living room. What he saw brought him straight to attention. The mutant horde was back, this time attacking another section of the city as rush hour was underway. The shaky camera footage showed people fleeing from the wall of bared fangs and teeth, screams of terror reverberating all over. Kenta saw his father watching the screen in silence, betraying no emotion. His mother however showed her anxiety plainly. Eiji: You two had better stay in today… *He said this to him and Miki, who was peeking out of the hallway. Hiroko rapidly concurred in the mother tongue and continued muttering her worries. Miki looked at her brother, transmitting the one question on their minds through her concerned look. Without a word, Kenta went back to his room, turned on his laptop and activated the camera feed. He saw near ground level the road speeding past him and knew his friend was on his way…. …But when Ben arrived on scene, the creatures had already disappeared. Their handiwork however was ghastly enough without their presence: an entire side of a bus blown open, wires splayed out onto the street spitting out electricity, and dozens of victims either dead or injured. Kenta looked from his screen to the TV, bewildered. How could they vanish so quickly? Or better yet, why? Was it mere coincidence they dispersed just before Ben arrived? Miki: What? *Kenta shook his head and looked back at the screen. Ben was riding again. Hastily he picked up his phone and dialed his number* Ben: What? Kenta: Where are you going? Ben: Where do you think? Kenta: You don’t even know where these things are coming from. How are you going to find them riding about randomly? Ben: How are you going to find them sitting still? *With that he hung up. Though he did admit the validity of Kenta’s point, he shoved it to the back of his mind. His adrenaline was racing. He had to act. He had to fight. He needed something to destroy. All Kenta could do was go along with him…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *For several days it continued like this. Each morning the mutant horde would attack a new area of the city. And each time they would retreat just before Ben could arrive to stop them. With each failure his anger burned ever more. He cried out his despair to the world, sounding like a savage animal whose thirst for prey kept going unquenched. The Sentinels were on scene before the police could show up to usurp them, and they did their best to stave off the assault. The aftermaths of each incident were almost worse than the incidents themselves; the power struggle between the Sentinels and the legitimate government authority intensified by the day. One time a small riot broke out between Sentinels, their supporters, and the police force ordered to arrest the vigilantes that was broken up only when the National Guard wad called in. All this Savage watched with great trepidation. On the job he implored for the police and the Guard to take more proactive action, yet time and again they failed to deliver. It was a lost cause, said his colleagues. You can only do what you can do yourself. More and more he heard the rallying cry of Sentinels supporters to take arms with them and break free from the bureaucratic stranglehold that was killing everyone in the city. But he continued to resist. No, he kept telling himself. This is not the way. ‘Then what was?’, he asked himself. What was? On one of these evenings Mabel came into Ben’s room to see him lying on his bed with one fist wrapped within and rubbing against his other hand. She saw his body twitch slightly. Knocking lightly on the door, she induced the boy the jump immediately to a sitting position* Mabel: Tense tonight, are we? *She placed a cup of tea on Ben’s table and sat across from him on a nearby chair. Ben resignedly took it and began to slowly gulp it down* Ben: Thanks Mabel: How’s your mother lately? Ben: Haven’t seen her since that day. Mabel: Oh? Why not? Ben: Been busy. Mabel: ‘Busy’ is an understatement. You look like a nervous wreck. *Ben looked at his landlord, surprised by those two words. That was something he would have ascribed to his mother years ago* Want to talk about it? *Ben finished the tea and set the cup down a little too roughly* Ben: Not really. Mabel: Too bad, because I do. Ben: What do you know? Mabel: A lot more than you think, child. *Ben shut his eyes and rested his head against the wall* Ben:Alright. What pearls of wisdom have you? Mabel: If you want to go forward, you can’t take along everything. You have to let some things go. Ben: It’s not that simple. Mabel: Of course not, because you’re making it harder than it has to be. You still want something to hate. It’s what’s kept you going all these years. But it can’t keep you going forever. Sooner or later you will destroy yourself. *Ben let out an exhausted sigh. He was no longer in the mood to talk, which he demonstrated by reclining on his side away from Mabel. The old woman said nothing further. Picking up the empty cup she exited the room. Now alone, Ben took the ring in his hand and turned it about with his fingers. He continued to do this and think grim thoughts until his eyes began to feel heavy and sleep crept over him…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning. The AM rush had begun. As the citizenry that had not been terrified out of their wits from the daily attacks began heading to their destinations, the assassin Addonexus looked down upon them from an unlit top floor of a tall building. He had patiently played his little game out for the past few days. Now was the moment he was waiting for. Today the cap of the shaken bottle would be popped off. Without warning, a large mutant charged up the stairs of a subway entrance and slew a crowd of people going down. A tide of the creature’s brethren flowed out of the entrance and spread out into the city streets, leaving the typical trail of half-eaten bodies in their wake. The man smiled. Only a matter of time…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben had bolted out of bed the moment he felt the ring’s warmth. Revving his bike up to its limits, he leapt over a crashed car and slammed into a mutant that had pounced upon a running woman, sending both her and the monster crashing to the ground. Ben landed back down and swerved the bike to a stop. His body ignited in silver flame, burning away his helmet, skin and garments to reveal the Rider’s shape. Ben opened his mouth and bared his jagged fangs at everyone before him. Mutant and human alike shivered in fear as the masked hero went in a crazed frenzy around the city streets attacking the mutants, at last letting his rage explode over everyone in his path. He slashed across the snout of one mutant, ripping a gash across its would-be victim’s face in the process…. He slammed his fists against another mutant’s chest as though it were a punching bag, shattering its ribcage and rupturing its heart…. He tackled a pack of mutants pursuing a group of people and hurled them through a glass window display. A small child got the spray of the shattered glass and fell to the sidewalk…. He jumped onto a fire escape and bit down on the neck of another mutant, dragging it to a lying position like a lion bringing down a wildebeest, and killed it at once with a thrust of one of his spiked appendages. The boy whom the beast had captured fell to the ground with a chilling snap and lay still…. And so on the brutality went. To some who lay witness it looked little more than a clash between vicious animals. A cavalcade of armored SUVs and vans suddenly appeared on scene, indicating the Sentinels’ arrival. The vigilante group wasted no time in opening fire on the monsters. Ben found his way to them and their cheers as he disposed of yet another mutant. Standing on a main street, he clenched his fists and teeth as he let out a growl. He hungered still for prey. A wall of Sentinels assembled behind him as a horde of more mutants began cascading toward them. Ben crouched low to the road and sprung forward to meet his foes head on. His Sentinel allies fired a barrage of bullets past him as he ran. Antares sped up in front of Ben and neighed. Ben jumped onto his steed and careened toward the wall. Placing his hands on his belt, he turned the two dials, igniting the stone within the buckle. Such was the intensity today that even Antares was enveloped in the silver flame. Two streams of fire shaped like wings shot out from either side of the bike. Ben revved Antares up even faster and leapt off. Somersaulting once in the air, he delivered a flaming Kick to a large mutant in the center of the horde. The mutant flew backwards and exploded in fire and ash, while Antares sliced through the rest. A giant explosion of silver fire washed over the street, over buildings, and over everyone unfortunate enough to be in its path…. It was several minutes before anyone could see past the flames and smoke left behind from the explosion. A frightful howl of bloodlust was all that could be heard. By the time their sight became unobstructed the Rider had vanished once again…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Addonexus smirked. He turned around to see Brady, who had silently come up alongside him* Addonexus: Just like it said… *He departed, leaving Brady in the dark to see the fiery display on the street alone* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *In the ward, Gloria Hernandez watched in shock the disaster on TV alongside the staff and other residents. She placed a hand on her rapidly pulsating heart. She could only hope her Benny wasn’t out amidst such terrible carnage….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Saya couldn’t bear seeing such murder any longer. She shut her eyes and turned her face from the screen as her aunt and uncle watched agape. Tachibana saw her heading toward the balcony* Tachibana: Saya-chan - ? *Saya shook her head to tell him she was fine and looked out across the cityscape…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. In her home, Mabel Davis concentrated on a chessboard placed out on a table below a lone ceiling lamp. She picked up her white rook and slid it toward the left in the path of a black queen. She turned her gaze to her opponent* Mabel: Your move. *The man moved his queen to take out her rook. Mabel responded with taking out the queen with one of her knights. The man whistled and leaned back* “Should have seen that coming” Mabel: Maybe if you took those damn shades off. Why on Earth would you wear them indoors? *The man leaned forward so that his face was illuminated in the light. He took off the shades, revealing the piercing eyes of the man named ‘41’* ’41’: I prefer to see without being seen. Mabel: Maybe being too invisible has been the problem. *The man nodded with some reluctance* ’41’: He still does not understand. Mabel: He hates the world too much. ’41’: He will bring himself and all of us to Hell. Unless he sees the light… *The lamp swayed slightly…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 3 plays*

Chapter 15: Reunion *Savage’s heart pounded against his ribcage. He was racing up the stairs to the rooftop. He had to stop the Rider. The detective burst through the doorway leading to the roof, only to see the three assassins tied up by a long snake-like whip. The Rider was crouching down, preparing for his Kick finisher. The setting sun and orange sky blazed behind him, making him appear like a dark shadow. He raised his gun* Savage: STOP! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta gripped the table upon where his computer sat. He had been nervously anticipating this moment. He yelled into the microphone* Kenta: BEN!… *But Ben had jumped. He threw out his foot as he flew and aimed it square at the body of Julia Benet… * Narrartor: ‘Forgive and forget’ they say. That is easier for some than for others. For those who have turned on the path of darkness it is near impossible… *Savage could do nothing but watch as the Rider’s Kick went through the captive trio. The three bodies were sent careening off the rooftop, disintegrating into fiery dust that showered the street below. Kenta looked at the screen in silence until the dust could no longer be seen, then firmly closed the monitor with a click. Perplexed, Miki looked to her brother, who now stared silently at the wall across from them* Miki: Hey, what’re you doing?… Kenta: Go eat. Dinner’s ready. Miki: But – Kenta: I said go. *Still confused, Miki withdrew from her brother’s sudden harshness and went into the kitchen. Kenta remained staring at the wall as though it was some great obstacle he had to cut through…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *A silver-colored necklace had fallen off Julia’s neck and now lay on the roof between the Rider and the detective. Savage looked from the necklace to the Rider, gripping his gun even tighter in his fist… Ben turned away from the roof’s edge and toward Antares. Savage raised his gun to his enemy’s face and glared at him with eyes full of malice. Ben displayed no physical reaction* Ben: You again? *Savage hesitated for a moment before answering* Savage: How do you do it? Ben: Do what? Savage: How do you kill so thoughtlessly… *Ben snorted behind his mask* Ben: I know what has to be done, unlike you. Savage: Did you know who they were?… Who that girl was? Ben: I knew. Savage: Yet you still… Ben: She had blood on her hands, Detective. And she has earned her reward. That is all that matters. Savage: She didn’t choose to be that! Ben: And how do you know that? You don’t. You’re just acting on a wish because you can’t bear the alternative. I however see the villain as he is. The city will sleep easy tonight. No one else will worry about getting knifed in the back in the middle of the night. Savage: And when they know you spilt child’s blood? When they know you have no bounds, no code? What will they say then? That they want a butcher to protect them from butchers? *Ben laughed. He moved toward Antares, who began rolled toward its master. His foot came down on Julia’s fallen necklace, crushing it to pieces with a loud crack. Savage kept his gun focused on the Rider, tempted to fire his entire round of bullets on him. It would be a futile gesture, but he sorely needed to vent. To release the bottled up rage he felt within him. But he did nothing as the Rider mounted his horse-like motorcycle and looked back at him* Ben: You still don’t get it, do you? *Before the detective could reply, he shot down the roof and rode straight down on the walls of the building to the street below. The moon was beginning to rise in the sky across from the setting sun. Savage looked down after the Rider as darkness began to shroud the landscape* Savage: I’m beginning to… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 3 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Unknown time. The Ghosts’ cavernous meeting chamber was filled with smoke and flashes of lightning, manifestations of the Great Leader’s anger. The Leader’s throne was illuminated by this display, making their master appear even more intimidating than he already was. The Ghosts in attendance looked wildly around the room as they stood before the throne. Though none of them would admit it, they all felt a pang of terror go through them* Great Leader: Our grasp on the country continues to loosen… yet you continue to serve me defeat. What’s wrong? Have you all lost your usefulness? Should I throw you all to the mutants and replace you with fresh blood? *Several Ghosts shuddered beneath their robes at the prospect. Brady waved away the smoke before him and looked up at his Leader* Brady: I assure you, Leader, there is no need for extremes. *More lightning flashed* Great Leader: You dare talk?! I told you months ago to decipher the language of those ruins. But you keep returning to me empty-handed, even with all the resources of that museum at your fingertips. You of all people should hold your tongue! *A bolt of lightning shot down at Brady’s feet, making him jump back. Behind him Brady could hear snickering from a few of his peers. Ignoring them, he regained his composure and continued* Brady: Your patience up to now has been most gratifying. I only ask you give me a little more. Soon everyone will see… and fear… what I have discovered. *The Leader seemed skeptical but didn’t pursue the matter further. Instead he let his eyes sweep across the entire room at all his followers* Great Leader: Well… with matters as they are…. it is time I summoned someone reliable to my side… *Several murmurs were heard among the followers as a figure carrying a large rifle on his back appeared from one of the cave’s entrances. As he parted the smoke before him, the attendees made a path for him, both surprised and nervous at the presence of this newcomer; his reputation preceded him. The figure nudged Brady aside and stood directly below the Leader’s throne. He was adorned in red and black body armor and a black mask splattered with red blotches. Brady drew his cloak closer to himself. Just standing near this infamous among the infamous of the underworld gave him a chill. The Leader looked through the figure’s mask directly at his cold, unfeeling eyes and gave a single nod of acknowledgement* Great Leader: Welcome back…. Addonexus. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *University campus. Saya came out from a corner of the main building’s underground gym to see Kenta using a pectoral fly. She came up to him from behind and tapped him lightly on the head* Saya: Hi. *Startled at the sudden sound of her voice, Kenta looked up* Kenta: Oh… hi. *He looked up at the girl. He somehow didn’t expect someone like her to attend a gym* Since when do you come here? *Saya looked surprised* Saya: I’ve always come here… *Judging from her figure, that was probably true. Trying not to stare too long, he turned his gaze forward* I’ve seen you here a lot… Kenta: Oh?… must keep missing you... *Saya leaned over slightly* Saya: What’s wrong? Kenta: Why do you ask? Saya: …. You look upset… *Kenta gave a small mirthless grin and shook his head* Kenta: Just tired…. *Saya was unconvinced, but she nodded anyway and didn’t pursue the matter. Avoiding her gaze, Kenta focused on his exercise. In truth he had been thinking about Ben. No matter how much he wanted to drive out his doubts, something else like the battle with the assassin trio always came up to bring them back. Extenuating circumstances, he kept telling himself. Yet the more the Rider acted, the less convincing the argument became. As if the two were somehow connected, his nights once again were haunted by the dream of the white rabbit. Yet he was no closer to comprehending its full meaning now than he was before. More people were beginning to file in. Saya leaned over the podium and looked down at Kenta* Saya: *Japanese* Oh, I just remembered… my folks want to invite you all for dinner. Gai Ni-san is visiting with his wife. Kenta: *Japanese* Really… *Gai was Tachibana and Junko’s only son, a few years older than him. He had moved into his own place with his wife some time ago. It was a while since he had last seen him* When? Saya: In a few weeks. *This time Kenta smiled genuinely. Kenta: Alright then… *Saya smiled, glad to see he had cheered up. She kept looking at Kenta as he worked. He looked her way again and caught her gaze. Saya’s eyes darted away. Kenta thought he saw her face get slightly pink. At last she gave a small wave* Saya: Well… I’ll see you later then. *Kenta nodded and took a last look at her as she disappeared through the doors. A towel was suddenly dropped on his head* Ben: Now usually you’d see that coming. Feeling good today? *Kenta pulled the towel off his head and looked at Ben* Kenta: Oh, it’s you. Ben: Who else would it be? You don’t have any other friends. *Kenta snorted. Ben gently nudged him up and off the machine and sat himself in his place* Add some weight on this, will you? This is too light. Kenta: Light? *He looked at the amount he had been working with: 180 lb* I could barely use it as it is. Ben: I’m not you, am I? Add some weight. *Kenta adjusted the weight to the heaviest amount and watched as Ben began. Amazingly, he operated the machine with almost as much ease as he would have lifting nothing at all. Kenta had never seen his friend lift this much before. Was this another product of the ring’s power? He watched Ben’s muscles beginning to shake from the effort* Kenta: Are you sure that is safe? Ben: Oh relax. I’ve been through worse. *That brought Kenta back to the Rider* Kenta: True enough… *The good feeling he had had for the past few minutes had dissipated. Kenta moved to use another machine but kept his sight on Ben as he worked. The persistent casualness of his friend, the apparent “nonchalant” attitude despite everything that he had been through, all that he was doing, was the thing that kept his mind swirling in questions that had no answers…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Kenta came into the living room to se Miki in front of the TV playing one of his racing games. Noticing that her shirt seemed a little too big, he came up to her* Kenta: …. That’s my shirt. Miki: Yep. Kenta: Well what are you doing with my shirt? Miki: Wearing it. Kenta: Why? Miki: It’s cold. Kenta: So wear a sweater. Miki: This is cozier. You don’t even wear this anyway. Kenta: You look silly. Miki: Still better than you. *He knelt down next to his sister for a moment as she continued staring at the screen. Then he began messing around with her controller. Miki beat him away* Stop it! *Kenta continued. The siblings began wrestling the controller from each other until Miki’s car crashed and burned. ‘Game Over’ appeared on the screen. Kenta grinned smugly* Kenta: See? Serves you right. *Miki reached for a pillow on the couch and whacked Kenta over the head. Kenta comically feigned fainting on the floor. Miki snorted in mock triumph but couldn’t help bursting out a chuckle. The front door opened and Hiroko came in. Eiji looked out from the kitchen as his wife came up the stairs* Eiji: *Japanese* You’re late. *Hiroko nodded tiredly as she put down her things. She murmured something to her husband out of hearing range from their children. Kenta held Miki’s head down his with hand, teasingly keeping her at arms’ length as she tried wrestling away. He gave a sideways glance at his parents. Eiji’s face was expressionless as he responded to Hiroko. She soon disappeared into their room. Eiji came into the living room and asked the siblings to switch to the news. As Kenta released his sister and turned the game off, Miki got up to get a glass of water. On the way she overheard her mother’s voice coming from the bedroom. She was surprised at who she was talking to. Trying to appear casual, she leaned on the wall near the door. Ben was about to call it a night when Mabel suddenly handed the phone to him* Mabel: For you. *Ben took the phone and leaned upon the counter* Ben: Hello? Hiroko: Hello, Ben. How are you doing? *Ben was surprised to hear her voice* Ben: Fine, fine… *He knew there had to be reason for her to suddenly call him. He let the small talk continue for a few seconds more before cutting to the chase* So what is it you want to talk about? Hiroko: Well… I only heard from them this morning… it’s about your mother, Ben. *Ben’s heart skipped a beat. He gripped the phone a little tighter* Ben: What about her? Hiroko: She wants to see you. *Ben was silent. He played by the words in his head, wondering if he had heard her correctly. His mother? He hadn’t seen in over three years. Had no desire to see her. Had practically forgotten her. Now all of a sudden she asks about him? Why? After forming the words on his tongue, Ben spoke again* Ben: Does that mean she’s… recovered? Hiroko: Well according to what I have been told, she’s been making some progress for the past few months. A little longer and she might even be able to leave the facility. She’s been asking about you for a while now… She really wants to see you, Ben. *That makes one of us, Ben thought grimly. Hiroko waited out his silence, letting him absorb all of what she had said. She had wondered why the boy had stopped going to visit her. Maybe it was too much to bear. Whatever it was, she had tried not to interfere too much with Ben’s personal affairs. But as a mother herself she empathized with Ben’s mother’s longing to see her only child after so long. Ben’s voice came over the receiver* Ben: Thank you for telling me. *He hung up the phone. Hiroko lingered for a moment before placing the receiver back and getting up to leave the room. Miki jumped away from the wall as she appeared* Hiroko: What? *Miki shook her head and retreated into the kitchen as she had originally intended* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben began heading toward his room. Mabel stood watching him* Mabel: I’ll give you the day off tomorrow. Ben: For what? Mabel: You’re going to see your mother, aren’t you? *Ben stopped halfway up the stairs. Mabel couldn’t see his face but could sense the feeling within him* What’s past is past. It’s time for you to move forward. *Ben turned around to face her* Ben: What do you know about this? Mabel Boy, when will you get it through your head that I’m smarter than the average bear? You think I can’t figure out what’s going on with your life? *She shuffled over to the foot of the stairs* You have been angry for too long. It’s time you learned to forgive. To have some pity. *Ben scowled inside. Pity for a woman who locked herself away and threw out the key for thirteen years? A once kind-hearted woman who became so distant? Who felt too sorry for herself to comfort her own hurting son? He should feel pity for her?* Not everyone is as strong as you, Ben. *The woman’s words fell on deaf ears. Ben went up the stairs and closed the door to his room behind him, wanting to just like down and sleep. But in his dreams all he could see were visions of his mother, from a lifetime that seemed like eons ago* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Late night. The museum had been closed for hours but Brady remained sitting behind his desk in his office. Tossing a crystal ball between his hands, he looked down at sheets of paper on his desk: the latest of the translations of the ancient runes. Brady smiled to himself. Soon everyone would know what secrets they held. Brady suddenly looked up. The assassin Addonexus was standing in the doorway. His mask and armor were substituted for normal attire, but his face was obscured by the shadows of the room. All that Brady could see was a scar running horizontally across the man’s cheek* Addonexus: Well? Brady: It’s not your job to wait on me. Why don’t you go… kill something… Addonexus: Yes, killing… it always made you squeamish, didn’t it? Leave it to the savages like me, while you sit safely on the sidelines with clean hands. *Brady bristled at the taunt but didn’t reply. Addonexus continued* It is my job to make sure you do yours. That’s why the boss brought me here. Shame too, I was having loads of fun where I was… Brady: I’m sure you were. *Addonexus let out a laugh* Addonexus: The boss wants to have a little show soon. Stir up some panic in these little folk. Remind them that we’re no lightweights. Yadda yadda… *He sounded bored. That probably meant he wasn’t going to be actively involved. Brady smirked for a second before reverting back to a blank expression* Brady: What do you have in mind? *The shadow-shrouded man shrugged* Addonexus: What about those lab freaks you keep locked up underground? Brady: You’re letting them loose? Addonexus: Is that a problem? *Brady swallowed and tried to maintain his cool demeanor* Brady: That will be a very messy business. Addonexus: Good. *He strode over to Brady’s desk and grabbed one of the papers. Brady turned his gaze down, avoiding the sight of his face. Addonexus chuckled at this and tossed the paper back onto the desk* I shall hunt down this Prophet and ask him my fortune. *He turned and left. Brady turned in his chair and looked out the window. The man had left his mark in blood on the paper* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Next morning. Ben had just opened up shop when he heard the bells above the door jingle softly. He was surprised to see Miki standing at the doorway* Ben: Playing hookey now? Miki: School didn’t start yet. Ben: Then get over there before someone misses you. Miki: I wanted to see how you’re doing. Ben: I’m fine. *He noted the concerned look that she was trying to conceal* Why? *Miki looked uncomfortable. She fiddled with an object she picked from a shelf. Ben studied her expression, thinking he knew what she was getting at* Ben: You thought I’d have some emotional breakdown just because mother asks about me? Miki: Well, no… Ben: Good. You know me better than that anyway. *Miki hesitated before posing her next question* Miki: Will you go? Ben: No. Miki: What? Ben: You heard me. Miki: …. She’s your mother. Ben: Tell her that. *He scowled and knelt down next to a shelf to continue his work. Miki came closer to him* Miki: You can’t bear a grudge this long. *Ben stopped and looked angrily at her* Ben: Why does everyone keep saying that? Miki: Maybe because it’s true? Ben: Maybe because you have model parents and can’t imagine the opposite. Switch positions with me and see what you would think then. *Miki wasn’t sure what to say to that. She answered with the first thing that came to her head* Miki: Maybe she realizes that. *Ben was silent for a while, absorbing what she said* Ben: You’d better go before you get a late detention or something. Miki: They stopped doing that a long time ago. Ben: Figures. *Miki smirked briefly. Patting his shoulder, she left the shop and ran toward school. Ben sat down on the floor and remained there for a long time, frozen in a trance of his own thoughts* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Next morning. The precinct was getting more and more roomy, Savage observed. Had the reason not been the absence of so many of his colleagues, that would have been a good thing. With each passing day, the suicidal chokehold the bureaucracy had on the people, on the law enforcement agencies, became more obliviously obstinate. And for that obstinacy the city became less and less safe, and the people more and more defiant. As if to drive the point of the police’s decrepit state home, just a few days ago on the highway a handful of officers had been killed in a shootout between them and a notable drug cartel. The cops had suspected the group to be up to criminal activity upon first coming into contact. They could have won the day easily; they only lost because of the mandate that the police could only use their weapons or use force when attacked. Unsurprisingly, this tragic incident sparked outrage amongst the people (at least those who were aware of just how volatile the situation had become). In this unsettling impression of ‘Atlas Shrugged’ the list of sudden resignations and retirements from the police force had increased drastically. The Sentinels’ numbers coincidentally had increased greatly. The Masked Rider was on the lips of everyone who knew what was going on. Wherever Det. Savage walked, whispers and rumors followed him. It was all he could do to shut out the Rider’s praises from his head. ‘They see nothing’ he thought repeatedly. Today was his day off, but he couldn’t remain at home. So he had gone downtown and immersed himself in the bustle of rush hour. He was about to stop at a streetcart to get a cup of coffee when he heard screaming. A maimed body was flying through the air and had crashed into the windshield of a taxi. Savage made his ay past the civilians and raced toward the scene to see what was going on. But before anyone could register what they had seen, a large animal-like being barreled down the street and tackled a man to the ground, dismembering him quickly. Savage swiftly whipped out his gun and shot the creature twice in the head, bringing it down before anyone else could fall prey…. What had been an ordinary morning was now a sea of chaos. Hordes of mutant creatures had literally sprung out of nowhere and were going after anyone who couldn’t get away fast enough. The streets were littered with the bodies of their victims. Savage, having been forced to run away himself, now ducked down behind a car and was calling for backup…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The last time Ben had come to the ward, he was 17 and fresh out of high school. The doctors had kept reassuring him that they would do the best they could, but at that point he hadn’t given a damn. The woman who virtually abandoned him for her own grief could remain blissful in her mindlessness for all he cared. He could handle himself without her. Eventually he stopped visiting altogether. Now here he was again, 3 years later. Nothing seemed to have changed. Even the woman at the front desk who greeted him seemed the same as before, if memory served him. It was as though the place had frozen itself in time as the outside world went forward. As if, thought Ben for a moment, it had been waiting for him to return, a stationary rock in a turbulent sea of change. Ben walked the long corridor down to the room. 625, just as it had been before. On the plaque next to the door read the name ‘Gloria Hernandez’. Ben hovered by the door, deciding whether or not he was really going to go along with this. All of a sudden his ring began to heat up. Trouble…. And an excuse to get out of here. Ben made a move to go, but something inside him stopped himself. Somewhere within him it seemed was a desire to see his mother. But competing formidably was the thirst for battle. The ring got warmer and warmer as he hesitated until finally he pulled it off his finger and shoved it into his pocket. Grabbing the handle, he slowly opened the door. He saw a woman of middle age was looking out the window. Her dark wavy hair was hanging loose over her shoulders. At the sound of Ben’s entrance she turned around to see her visitor. Ben stared long into this face, a face long burdened with sorrow. A face that had at one time shone with joy and tenderness. Ben lingered at the doorway, suddenly feeling nervous. His mother however started stepping forward. “Benny…” Slowly Ben inched forward to meet her. Suddenly his mother had wrapped her arms around him and showered his face with kisses, repeating his name and rambling in rapid Spanish. Fighting the urge to reciprocate the feeling to a woman whom he felt deserved none, Ben at last gave in and hugged his mother back, resting his forehead on her shoulder. He was suddenly a child again, in their old house playing some nameless game. Carefree and happy…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The casualties were rising. Savage fired his gun at whatever mutant he saw in his vicinity, but he knew he was severely outmatched. The police that had arrived on scene were doing their best to hold out, but they needed backup soon. And it came, but not from a desired source. A group of armored Hummers careened down a street and ran over an oncoming mutant. A team of soldiers flooded out of these vehicles and took immediate action. ‘Sentinels’, thought Savage, his heart sinking. Could things get any worse?* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 3 plays*

I think you're a little too obsessed with making everything "dark and mature". Come up with a Ryotaro and Airi that don't annoy the hell out of the viewer and then we may have something...

Chapter 14: Bloodlust *The police blotter had gone out. A 911 call had reported three people fleeing from the home of a Sen. Leyton. Reports were coming in from the scene that he had been killed. Savage and a cavalcade of squad cars were now racing toward the piers, where several witnesses had claimed they saw the suspects heading toward…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben was sitting in his bed reading a schoolbook when he felt the warmth of his ring. Quick as a flash, he was on his bike and racing toward the scene…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Elsewhere, the police blotter had also been picked up. Now a team of people was rapidly assembling together in vans and SUVs, armed with an array of weaponry. These vehicles too began heading to the same destination. The Sentinels were moving out…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Three sides, two goals, one destination. The first clash was about to take place * Narrartor: The ultimate question to be asked is this: Was it a desire for justice they possessed, or a bloodlust for those who had wronged them… *Ben brought his bike to a stop upon entering an open warehouse by the pier. He was sure this was the place the ring was leading him… yet he saw nothing. He quietly got off his bike and looked around in the gloom. Other than the rattling of a few chains hanging from the ceiling, all was quiet. Yet why did the ring… His answer came to him in the form of moving shadows. Three dark shapes crisscrossed their way around the large building, disappearing into the darkness before Ben could get a good look at them. One of them finally came right at him, slicing right across his chest. Ben fell onto some boxes and looked down at his wound. Before he could fully take it in, however, another shadowy figure flew past Ben, swinging at his head. Ready this time, Ben ducked down and rolled to the side, yanking his ring off his finger. But before he could use it, a third shadow flew up and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying into another pile of boxes. The ring fell out of his hand and landed on the floor. The three shadows assembled before Ben and walked up to him. A dim beam of light illuminated their bodies: females clad in black armoring with silver skull-like masks covering the right side of their faces and a scope covering their left eyes. Clutching his torso, Ben raised himself up to face his triple threat. From the corner of his eye he caught sight of his ring on the floor. He had to get to it somehow. Thinking quickly, Ben grabbed one of the smaller boxes and hurled it at the trio as they came for him. They knocked it away, allowing him to leap past them and grab the ring. It expanded into belt form and attached onto his waist, but before he could fully transform the trio was on him again. One swung her blade at his neck. He ducked, making her collide with one of her partners. Ben swung his leg at the legs of the third female, making her topple over. The female with the rifle fired two shots at Ben’s chest. Ben fell back to the floor in pain, blood now smearing his entire front. Weakly he turned the right-hand dial of his belt, switching the hieroglyph on the buckle. The bullets in his body elongated diagonally out of his chest, the ends connecting together upon meeting. Ben’s boomerang fell out of his body and he caught it in his hands. He threw it at the trio, which bought him some time to finish his ‘henshin’. Turning both dials of his belt, his body was bathed in silver flame until the Rider’s body came into view. Using his boomerang like a curved sword, Ben charged the trio and attacked. The females effortlessly dodged his swings and responded with kicks to his chest and head. Ben sprawled onto the ground battered and broken, but not yet out. The trio simultaneously leapt up to one of the steel beams high above. Ben struggled to his feet and with all his might threw the boomerang at them. The trio however, was too quick for him; they split in three directions before the weapon could hit them. One of them shot down and delivered a sharp kick to his chest, slamming him into the boomerang as it flew back. Ben rolled away toward more boxes, a long gash on his back. He couldn’t take much more of this. Before anything else could happen, he turned the left-hand dial of his belt: He broke off the spike on his left shoulder, which turned into his whip. The trio charged again. Ben flung his whip around one of the overhead beams, swinging up there before they could reach him. Two of the females deftly leapt their way up the boxes to the hanging chains, using them as ropes to swing across the building toward side of Ben, who did the same. When he was close enough, he shot a kick right to the face of one of them, shattering her half-mask. The one remaining on the ground fired her rifle at Ben, making him tumble toward a pile of crates, bringing it down with him. The Rider was spent. He lay on the ground, waiting for the trio to deliver the final blow. A bike motor caught the trio’s attention. Antares leapt in between his master and the assassins and shot a stream of silver fire from his mouth, pushing them backward. Ben grabbed the seat of the bike and climbed up on his knees. He wasn’t going to win this. Retreating was all he could do right now* Ben: Tactical retreat. *Antares nodded curtly and shook his mane threateningly at the trio. Suddenly though the sounds of running motors could be heard outside. A stream of people in soldier attire flooded into the building and pointed their guns at the trio. The Sentinels* “Don’t bother moving. You’re surrounded on all sides” *The assassins did an about turn to the new arrivals. One of the Sentinels brought out a small camera and discreetly shot a picture of the females. The leader saw the Rider crawling onto his horse-like bike* “Go, Rider! We’ll handle this” “Will you really?” *The voice of Det. Savage came out behind the leader. The police force had assembled behind the Sentinels’ line and had their weapons aimed at the vigilante group. Some of the Sentinels turned from the warehouse to defend against a possible faceoff* “You don’t want to do that”, said the leader. Savage: Don’t I? I see a bloodbath about to happen, and I don’t like it. Now… *He indicated the Sentinels, assassins and the Rider* If you will all surrender, we can avoid any… unpleasantness. “I think you should worry about these three ladies here, Detective…” Savage: Drop your weapons. *The females suddenly leapt up toward the beams. The Sentinels facing them fired. The cops in turn fired on the Sentinels… before Savage gave the order. Antares took off with Ben slumped over the handlebars. Soon the echoes of gunfire and shouts were far behind him…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 3 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben arrived outside Mabel’s shop and fell off Antares, his suit burning off the reveal his bleeding form. Miki’s voice unexpectedly came through his earpiece* Miki: Ben! What happened?? *Ben gritted his teeth and sat up on the curb* Ben: Things got… a little out of hand. *Kenta appeared behind his sister and looked at Antares’s cameras. Ben’s voice sounded weak* Kenta: Are you alright? *Ben rose slowly to his feet and leaned against a nearby streetlight* Ben: I’ve been better. Kenta: Come into the camera. *Ben chuckled softly and winced at the pain it brought him* Ben: I don’t think you want to see this… Miki: Why? Ben, what happened to you? *But Ben stumbled over to the door of the shop, taking off the ear piece as he did so. It was a good thing Mabel had left hours ago. As he opened the door, Ben went over to the counter and leaned against it, his sweaty arms grazing the top. The gashes on his front and back would have been painful enough without the ache from his chest and shoulder where he had extracted the boomerang and whip respectively. Any normal person would have required immediate medical treatment, but Ben knew from experience his body would self-heal. Still, it couldn’t happen soon enough. Slowly he limped up the staircase and collapsed on his bed, not giving a damn about bleeding onto the sheets. He could worry about that later. Right now he just wanted to catch his breath. Ben rubbed his forehead and felt it was warm to the touch. Was he getting feverish? After a few moments of motionlessness he finally gathered enough stamina to get off the bed, take off his torn shirt and get a glass of water from the sink. As he gulped it down he looked at himself in the mirror. The red coloration of his wounds stood out in dark contrast to his light skin. He had never come out from a battle in this bad a shape. Then again, he had never fought one opponent, much less three with as much skill as those assassins had. He was lucky those Sentinels had arrived when they did. Ben had to grin despite his pain. It was nice to have some more allies in his insane crusade. One day he would have to go meet them; perhaps they could eventually create their own virtual army, an elite force that would usurp this corrupt government entirely and take charge themselves. The intense inflammatory feeling of his injuries brought the boy back to reality. ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself’, he thought. First he had to recover from this night’s tussle. And then figure out how to eliminate that assassin trio… before they eliminated anyone else. He needed more power. Ben lay back on his bed and took his flash drive in hand, holding it before his face as though examining some ancient, foreign artifact (Which in a sense he actually was). He and Kenta had spent months trying to translate the strange lexis of the ring with less progress than either would have liked. Keeping the program running and waiting for chance results was no longer an option. It was time he completely faced this lingual puzzle head on. Play on his terms for once. With those new goals swimming in his mind Ben began to drift off to sleep…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning. Ben woke up feeling stiff, but was otherwise in better shape than the previous night. The wounds on his body were now just faint scars, which Ben found a little peculiar. There usually wasn’t any scarring from his injuries. Perhaps it was due to last night’s battle being so strenuous. Whatever the case, Ben shrugged it off upon feeling the rumbling of his stomach, hastily put on a shirt and went downstairs. Mabel was there waiting, but instead of busying herself in the kitchen she was seated behind the counter, her hands clasped together over her portly stomach* Mabel What happened to you? Ben: What do you mean? *Mabel snorted* Mabel: Have you looked in the mirror today? You’re a complete mess. *Ben flashed a sarcastic smile* Ben: And a good morning to you too. Mabel I’m serious. Boy, you’re not leaving here until you clean yourself up. Ben: You’re my mother? Mabel: I’m giving you room and board, I might as well be. Now no more smart-alec nonsense or I’m docking your pay. *Ben couldn’t tell whether the old woman was being facetious or not, so he remained silent. He took an apple from a fruit bowl and bit down hard on it. He caught Mabel continuing to look at him inquisitively* Ben: Not that hungry… Mabel: So are you going to tell me what happened, or must I guess? *Ben calmly continued chiseling the apple down* Ben: What makes you think anything happened? *Mabel snorted. The look in her eye made Ben freeze in wonder. She had the air of someone who knew something she wouldn’t have been expected to. Ben cleared the thought from his mind as soon as it sprang up. No, that was impossible* Mabel: Well anyway, get yourself fixed up and head off. Ben: Yes ma’am. *Still feeling Mabel’s discerning gaze on him, Ben got on his bike and rode off to campus.* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning. As Saya got ready to head to class, she caught sight of the day’s paper her uncle had left on the table. She casually picked it up and leafed through to the headline article about the murder of Senator Leyton the previous night, along with the appearance of the Rider and Sentinels. Coming across the corresponding picture, she uttered a loud cry of frightened surprise. The photo was of the three suspected assassins that one Sentinel had taken. Two were wearing half-masks but one had her face fully revealed. This face Saya recognized vividly: it was one of the girls she had seen during her kidnapping ordeal; the youngest one who had been taken by that chilling tattooed man. Junko called to her niece from the other room* Junko: *Japanese* What’s wrong? *Saya covered up the paper* Saya: *Japanese* Nothing. I’m leaving now. *She finished her packing and headed out the apartment…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Mechanics lab. Kenta’s mind lingered on his brief dialogue with Ben the previous night. He had been of a mind that morning to drive by the antiques shop and check up on him, but decided against it. It was best not to do anything to attract that store owner’s attention. Or at least that was the reason he told himself. His clandestine project lay covered beneath a sheet. The term would be drawing to a close in a few weeks, and he still needed to do the finishing touches on it. Kenta ran his hand gently over the sheet, waiting idly for his partner Casey Roginek to arrive. Come to think of it, Kenta hadn’t seen Casey in class much lately. Yet the item currently beneath the sheet had been worked on for the past few months, and not by Kenta alone. Curious indeed. Just as Kenta was beginning to seriously ponder this, the door to the lab burst open. A tall figure with a wide grin on his reddish-colored face cam toward Kenta* Casey: Captain! *Kenta gave a small grin in return* Kenta: Haven’t seen you in a while. Or heard from you. *Casey set down his bag and gave a nonchalant shrug. Kenta saw a large pamphlet jutting out of it* Casey: I’ve been around. *He pointed toward the object beneath the sheet* I’ve made progress on this, as you can see. Kenta: Quite. Strange though that I don’t catch you in here... Casey: I’m very discreet. *Kenta snorted. Considering Casey tended to be a bit of a loudmouth, this was funny coming from him. He watched as Casey yanked the sheet away. A large silver-colored laser stood on the table before them. The nozzle of the laser was aimed at a black square target, giving the impression of an outstretched index finger. The two partners examined their project meticulous admiration of their own work* Kenta: Just a few more touch-ups and we’re done. *Casey didn’t answer right away. For a moment he seemed lost in his own world. He leaned over the laser, looking down the nozzle toward the target as though aiming a large firearm* What is it? Casey: I’ve been thinking…. Perhaps we should increase the intensity. *Kenta hid his puzzlement behind a look of casualness* Kenta: What for? The power is good enough as it is. Casey: Maybe. But it could be a lot higher. Enough to pierce through some stronger material… Kenta: It already does that. That was the whole point of this project, remember? Casey: But with a little more adjusting it could be even better… maybe even a weapon… *He said this as one inconsequentially discusses the weather, but Kenta’s ears perked up* Kenta: Weapon? *Casey seemed to have caught his slip of the tongue and shrugged again to keep the pretense of casualness* Casey: Why not? I’m sure you can figure out how. *Indeed Kenta could. His eyes glanced back toward Casey’s bag and the pamphlet stuck inside it. Before Casey could stop him he took it out* Kenta: What is this - *He leafed to the first page and frowned in surprise. Printed upon it was an introduction to the Sentinels. Kenta looked from the page to Casey* Where did you get this? *Casey yanked the pamphlet back from Kenta* Casey: People have been handing them out. *He looked at Kenta* I haven’t joined them, if that’s what you’re thinking. Kenta: But you’re considering it… *Casey looked toward the door and the people passing through the hall* Won’t your folks find out eventually? Casey: Like I said, I’m very discreet… *Kenta wasn’t sure how to absorb all this. Casey looked back to his partner, as though discerning what he was thinking* What? I’d have though you of all people would be happy. Kenta: What are you talking about? Casey: You’re the one always saying how folks like the Rider were an inevitability in a screwed-up town like this. Well, your prediction came true. People are taking matters into their own hands. Now suddenly you’re unenthused. Kenta: You want to use this thing as your personal laser gun. Casey: So what if I do? Kenta: That won’t be much good for our grade… *Casey chuckled, then stopped upon seeing Kenta’s serious demeanor* Casey: Relax. I’ll keep it here until I need it. Kenta: I didn’t say you could take it yet. *Casey frowned* Casey: Half of this is mine, you know. Kenta: Then take just your half. *Casey looked at Kenta strangely* Chris: What’s with you? Have a sudden change of heart about all this? *He stepped closer* Or are you all talk and no action? *Kenta locked eyes with Casey for a tense moment. There was no way he could answer that honestly. So instead he let the jibe slide and shifted his eyes to the laser. Casey sighed and shook his head slightly* Casey: Sorry… forget I said anything… *Kenta waved the apology away. He continued looking at the laser as he spoke* Kenta: So… what say we finish building this thing? *Casey grinned softly and brought out his laptop. Inside Kenta felt relief at having dodged a touchy issue. But Casey’s words were stuck with him. To turn this laser into a giant gun. In truth it wasn’t such an unfeasible idea. It would be a valuable asset to a group like the Sentinels, or even Ben. But the real question was a should rather than a could…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Savage had to marvel at just how fast news could spread. The media was in a frenzy this morning over last night’s tussle. He and his team (those that hadn’t been injured) had spent the whole night at the precinct sorting through the night’s events. Now Savage wearily looked up from his desk as the Captain shoved his way through the crowd of reporters, protesters and casual onlookers assembled on the street, a stern look on his aged face. He pointed a finger at Savage* Captain: My office, now. *As if in slow motion, Savage lifted himself from his chair and followed the Captain through the door into his office. The Captain threw his blazer on a coat rack and a copy of the day’s paper on the desk, and sat down in his chair, keeping his eyes glued on the detective before him. Savage remained standing, meeting the Captain’s gaze with his own, waiting for him to speak* Captain: You’ve gotten yourself in a lot of jams in your day. But this one takes the whole damn cake. Savage: I’m sorry sir, but I don’t follow. Captain: Don’t play dumb, Chris. Your stunt last night – Savage: Stunt? Captain: Don’t interrupt! Savage: We were answering a 911 on three suspected murderers. The Sentinels just happened to show up at the same. *In a daring move he placed his hands on the Captain’s desk and leaned over* And if I remember correctly, we have said publicly ourselves that we would bring in any Sentinel or other vigilante we caught. *The captain fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair* Captain: It’s not that simple. Savage: Why not? Captain: You know full well the public as a whole was against this. They’ve damned us for years for much less. All you have done is fan the flames. Savage: And whose fault is that, sir? *The Captain glared at Savage for a brief moment, then relaxed his gaze and sighed heavily. He got up from his chair and paced to a side of the office* Captain: They’ve gotten to you too, have they? *Savage bristled slightly* Savage: No they haven’t. And they won’t. *He paused and looked through the door’s window at the police mingling about the main office* But I can’t say I don’t understand their sentiment. *The Captain gave a sad smile* Captain: You’re a good officer, Chris. Savage: Thank you sir. Captain: You are a rare breed these days. I can only hope you don’t die out completely. I’d hate to see a hack like our dear commissioner take my job. Savage: Sir? Captain:…. I’m retiring. *Savage looked at the Captain in surprise* Savage: May I ask why? Captain: To put in simply, I’m too old for this nonsense. If I stay here any longer I’ll drop dead right here in this bad parody of a police precinct. *Savage couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He couldn’t possibly mean what he thought he did. Cautiously he pressed him* Savage: You’re not thinking of… *The Captain snorted* Captain: Joining the Sentinels? Hell no. I just want to be left alone. But if I had to predict the future, I would say the city will soon be theirs. Those brass hats and politicians haven’t a damn clue of what they have sowed with their leftist policies. Once the clouds burst, the blame will be on them, I tell you. *Savage drew a slow breath before he spoke again* Savage: If you know what will happen, then we should try to stop it. Don’t run away from it. Captain: I’m not running. What will happen needs to happen. And I will be there to see it. *Savage sighed. The Captain had made up his mind, and nothing he said would change it. He ran a hand through his hair* Savage: Anything else, sir? Captain: Watch yourself with the press and your peers. You don’t need me to tell you what you’re in for. And one more thing… *He pointed to the picture of the unmasked female snapped by the one Sentinel on the paper* As you probably figured, the Sentinels have sent this out to all the news groups. They’re trying to look for these three women. I hear they even have their own tipline. *Savage nodded* Savage: You want me to find these three before they do? Captain: All the better if you do. But focus your attention on the one without the mask. Savage: What’s so special about her? Captain:… She’s the daughter of a friend. I’m off to see her parents now. *He gave a Savage an almost pleading look* Find her before it’s too late. *Savage looked from the Captain to the picture, and back to the Captain again. He nodded gravely and left…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Coming back from campus, Ben parked his bike at the curb next to Mabel’s shop and jumped off. As he came to the door, he suddenly saw Miki standing there* Miki: Hi! Ben: What are you doing here? Miki: Thought I’d come visit you. Ben: You’re supposed to be in school. Miki: Half day today. Ben: Does anyone know you’re here? Miki: Not exactly… Ben: Well, it was nice knowing you. *He proceeded to open the shop door. Miki chuckled* Miki: I told Kenta I was going to the library. This is just a block away. Ben: Anything can happen around here. Miki: You’re here. So I’m safe. *She gave a ‘thumbs up’ and a silly little grin which Ben had to laugh at. Mabel at the moment was absent, so he went behind the counter and began busying himself* Ben: So, what’s up? Miki: More results from the trusty translator. *She brought out from her bag a scrap of paper with some hieroglyphs written on it. One, by now familiar to both of them, was circled in red. The translation read: “North winds bring the locust cloud, to bring famine to the glutton and drought to the hedon…” Ben glanced briefly at the paper and slid it back to Miki* Ben: This stuff isn’t really getting us anywhere. Frankly it’s become just some pet project with little meaning. Miki: I tend to agree. Ben: Oh? Then what did you come here for? *He said this with a touch of curtness. Miki was slightly taken aback* Miki: I wanted to see you? Ben: This is about last night, isn’t it? *Miki was silent for a moment. Of course it was true, she admitted to herself. Ben winced suddenly from a pain on his shoulder. He massaged it with his hand and forced a grin to reassure the girl* Stop worrying. I’m fine. *Something red dripped onto the counter. Miki looked from it to Ben’s arm as a trickle of blood flowed down his arm from his shoulder. Ben shrugged and continued his work* Miki: You’re not going to do anything? *Ben sighed and derived a large bandage from somewhere behind the counter. Miki set her bag down, took it from his hand and began placing it on his wound. Again she looked at Ben sadly* Miki: Come home, Ben. Ben: Aww. I just finished unpacking. Miki: I’m serious. *She was almost pleading with him. Ben smiled again and shook his head* Ben: You knew I would move out eventually. Why are you so distraught now that I have? *Miki shrugged* Miki: I guess I just got used to you being around…. Ben: Well get used to me not being around. Besides, you have your brother to keep you company. *Miki pouted comically* Miki: But you’re not weird. *Ben chuckled* Ben: Got me there… *Miki ambled over to a pile of boxes of recently ordered items. Ben followed her and began sorting through them* Miki: Need a hand? Ben: Well as long as you’re here…. *Miki grinned and joined Ben. For a while nothing more was said between them. Just each other’s company was enough…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Two weeks later. Four more assassinations by the mysterious trio had taken place, and no one was closer to catching them as they had been the night of the Sentinel-police confrontation. The Sentinels had been getting tips from a myriad of places: folks were beginning to place more trust in them than the city’s true authorities. But even they had been unsuccessful. Det. Savage’s search for them, particularly the teen girl, had not gone well either. The Captain had since left his job at the precinct and disappeared somewhere. No doubt though, thought Savage, that he was watching the story unfold from the sidelines. Like many people were, in fact. The ones who weren’t outspoken one way or another toward the Rider, Sentinels and government. This evening Savage was on a lone stakeout outside a slum tenement. He was acting on the only tip he had on the girl’s (and possibly the other assassins as well) possible whereabouts. He went over her profile in his head again: Julia Benet, age 15. Mysteriously vanished from home several months ago and hadn’t been heard from since… until now of course. The parents had made a statement in the press imploring for the return of their daughter to them. Understandably the fact that she was involved in a series of murders was something they found near impossible to accept. She had to have been forced into it, they had insisted. Savage personally agreed with this. But the only way to find out would be to catch the trio. So here he was, watching and waiting tediously for hours now. The sun was beginning to go down. Savage let his eyes wander to the sky over toward the tops of the buildings. Four odd shapes suddenly appeared on the top of one particularly tall office building some blocks away. Curious, Savage took out a pair of binoculars and got a closer look. What he saw made him curse to himself. He hastily started up his car and sped down toward the building…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The mission had fallen apart; the assassins’ next target had, purely by chance, gone home early. Now the building’s security detail was racing toward the room. Silently and quickly the trio had scampered out the window and crept up the outside wall to the roof of the building. But another surprise was waiting for them there. A sword flew past them and stabbed itself into a nearby door. The Rider was standing angrily before them…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta and Miki watched from the computer screen as the action progressed. Antares stood nearby* Miki: So he can ride up walls too? *Kenta shrugged in a “guess so” way and watched the scene intently. For the past two weeks Ben had been trying to catch up with this trio with no success. Now finally he was face to face with them again. His hand curled up into a fist. No more dead… The trio leapt toward Ben, who ducked under them and retrieved his sword from the door. He met the downward blow of the female with the blade with a parry from his own, next kicking her away in the stomach. The other two fired her laser and rifle respectively at Ben. He ducked and ran from them, finally taking refuge behind a large pipe. The assassin with the rifle attached a small cannon to her signature weapon and fired once at the pipe, destroying it in a loud explosion. Amidst the smoke however, no body could be seen. The three went over to the wreckage to get a better look… … When a whip suddenly unfurled and snapped in the air, knocking their weapons out of their hands. Ben appeared brandishing his whip. Before the trio could recover he swung wildly at them, driving them further backward. The snake head of the whip bit down on the neck of each assassin, slowly paralyzing them until they could no longer dodge effectively. Finally Ben threw the entire whip at them. It coiled around the three and quickly tied them up in a bundle…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Savage’s heart pounded against his ribcage. He was racing up the stairs to the rooftop. He had to stop the Rider. The detective burst through the doorway leading to the roof, only to see the three assassins tied up by a long snake-like whip. The Rider was crouching down, preparing for his Kick finisher. The setting sun and orange sky blazed behind him, making him appear like a dark shadow. He raised his gun* Savage: STOP! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Kenta gripped the table upon where his computer sat. He had been nervously anticipating this moment. He yelled into the microphone* Kenta: BEN!… *But Ben had jumped. He threw out his foot as he flew and aimed it square at the body of Julia Benet…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 3 plays*

What is it?

Here's HR: 17. A stream of white flames from Hell's mouth crashes toward Decade. He leaps up and delivers a kick to Decade's head.

V3 and Skyrider references PART III *Overture 2 plays* Chapter 13: Sentinels *Nighttime. A truck rolled past the Mexican border into the Californian desert. The driver didn’t even seem to notice that he had crossed over into another country. In his career as a ‘coyote’, he had done this many times. Such was the decrepit state of the US’s borders. Every day people flowed wantonly into the country and dispersed themselves throughout the metropolises. The Border Guard, from lack of manpower and a web of red tape and bureaucracy, could do little to stop them. Those they did manage to catch were often released soon after. The truck came to a stop some miles beyond the border. A thudding sound came out from within the trailer, but the driver paid no heed to it. All his attention was focused on the landscape ahead. Only when he saw the approach of a figure in the darkness did he take notice. The figure strode up toward the truck, followed by a phalanx of four armed guards. Upon seeing the driver, the figure pointed a finger in the air and conjured a smoky image above him. The emblem of the Ghosts. That was the signal he was waiting for. Quickly the driver clambered down from the cab and beckoned his guests to follow him, all the while feeling a sense of dread hanging over him like a black cloud. He wasn’t crazy about doing business with such a shady organization. But they feathered his nest well, and he would be the fool to make protests. The driver lead them to the back of the truck and opened up the doors of the trailer. Packed within was an entire horde of illegal aliens, all of which had found one way or another to bypass all legal procedure and purchase their way into America. The driver stood aside and waited for the Ghost to complete his survey. He at last pointed a long finer at a unsuspecting group of young people against a wall of the trailer* “Them” *The driver nodded. The guards jumped into the truck and quickly brought out the chosen ones. The driver then peered into the truck and ordered the rest to get out. From here they were to find their way to their destinations down the network of paths carved through years of trekking through the desert. The illegals were beginning to head off when suddenly a voice shouted out in the quiet air* “Stop! That’s far enough!” *Atop a small ledge several feet away, a man came out from behind a boulder. He aimed his rifle at the Ghost and his associates* “Drop your weapons!” *The guards looked at each other. This man was obviously no cop or soldier. They had heard of groups like the Minute Men, organized by civilians fed up with the incompetence of the government institutions to defend America’s borders against those who unlawfully crossed over and caused trouble. But like the Border Guard, they didn’t take them seriously. One of the guards raised his rifle to fire upon the intruder, but instead fell dead to the ground, his body full of lead* Narrartor: The shot heard around the world. That was what finally sparked the American Revolution. And what also sparked the Harrowing… *The remaining guards and the driver immediately began firing back. The man ducked back behind his rock and prepared for another round of fire. Meanwhile from out of nowhere more armed men appeared on the scene, firing upon the criminals. The shootout continued for a few minutes more until finally only the Ghost remained. Still arrogant in his believe that no mere human could harm him, he raised his head and hands in preparation for some type of magic, but found himself with a bullet to the head. He too at last went down. Some more men appeared on the scene. They had captured the border jumpers who had ran off once the shooting began and were now corralling them near the truck. The man who had fired first jumped down from his ledge and examined the dead Ghost. He gave the body an irreverent kick, and the rest of the men cheered quietly. Another victory for the Sentinels… * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 3 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning. It was almost time for Kenta to drop off Miki at school and head to campus himself. He strode into the living room to see his sister slumped on the couch watching the TV. Her packed schoolbag lay by her feet. He came over to her and went to place his hand on her head, but was blocked by a swift swipe of her arm* Kenta: Time to go. Miki: In a minute… *She pointed at the TV screen* Look at that. *The morning news shows today were playing parts of a video sent out by the Sentinels. This came as a surprise to Kenta; he had heard rumors of this vigilante group over the past few weeks. But this was the first time they were using the media for their own ends. With his eyes glued to the screen, he sat down next to his sister and listened in. The video was a recorded message by the leader of the organization. The Sentinels, he said, were created as a response to the government’s bureaucracy, corruption, and extreme liberalism. Their policies were the reason the city and state as a whole was in such bad shape. Illegal immigration was an epidemic thanks to the abysmal condition of the nation’s borders. The medical and educational systems were in shambles, and the frequent drug wars in Mexico were now beginning to seep northward, all thanks in part to that. Crime was at an all-time high. Criminals initially put away for a long time were back out on the streets after barely serving their sentences. But instead of trying to fix this crisis, the people in high office had merely fed into it. The once great police force was now a bad joke, their hands tied by miles of red tape and left-wing doctrine. Essentially, they had been castrated and left powerless to make any real difference. Thus was the purpose of the Sentinels’ being, and they had the Masked Rider to thank for it. He, whoever he was, had become their idol; a man who had taken it upon himself to bring justice to the citizenry. The Sentinels were now following his example. Their first goal was simply to do the job the government refused to do. Just last night they had apprehended a group of illegal aliens trying to cross over the border, and killed the people who had brought them over after they refused to surrender. The organization would continue to act until the government finally got it into its head that the people weren’t going to stomach their ineptness any longer* Kenta: The Boys’ Rider Squad. Miki: Huh? *Kenta shot Miki an incredulous look. His laptop just happened to be lying on the coffee table, so he dove for it and quickly brought up an image of Kamen Rider V3’s Boys’ Rider Squad. Miki looked from the picture to her brother and just shook her head. More of his toku nerdiness. The leader continued with saying that they and the Rider were not the enemy. But if necessary, they would their follow-up on their second goal: defend the Rider against any attempt by the police or armed forces to stop them. In conclusion, their last goal was to hunt down and finally destroy the Ghosts for good* Miki: Maybe they should call themselves Ghostbusters. *She smiled at her joke. Now it was Kenta’s turn to shake his head* Ben: You’re weird. Miki: Yes, you would know about that, wouldn’t you? *She got up and patted her brother’s head as she said this, then gathered her bag. After quickly kissing their parents good-bye, they galloped down the stairs and got into the car. The garage seemed empty without Ben’s bike parked within. A week or so had passed since Ben moved out. But after three years of him boarding with them, getting used to his absence wasn’t easy* Miki: I wonder how Ben is doing. Kenta: Haven’t seen him lately. Miki: But you always see him there. *Kenta shrugged* Kenta: It’s a big campus. *Miki said no more, but she didn’t seem satisfied with his answer. In truth, Kenta hadn’t made much effort to seek Ben out lately. Since his experience from rescuing Saya, he had wanted to have talk with him about the Rider, but wasn’t sure how to bring it up. But sooner or later he knew he had to. He had to understand. Without another word he started the car and headed off to the high school* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Ben opened his eyes. It took him a moment to remember where he was. A week living on his own and he still wasn’t used to it. His eye fell upon an old computer sitting across from his bed. One of Mabel’s daughters had given it to her as a present a few years back, but she had found little use for it. So now it resided here, free for Ben to utilize. Indeed, he would need to make use of the thing, outdated as it was. A flash drive lay on the desk next to the monitor. Before he moved out, Kenta had made a copy of the translator program for Ben to examine himself. Ben had an increasing urge to really delve into this mysterious language, to once and for all get to the bottom of its meaning. Ben’s stomach suddenly growled loudly. Translating would have to wait. Right now the smell of breakfast wafting up to his nostrils beckoned him downstairs. Before the building had been converted into a shop, it had once been a house. A small kitchen still remained behind the counter. Ben came down the stairs into this kitchen to see Mabel hunched over the stove. A stack of finished pancakes lay at the center of the table. His mouth watering, Ben quickly went over a reached for some of them when Mabel suddenly smacked his hand away* Mabel: Excuse me. *Ben rubbed his stinging hand* Ben: What? *Mabel looked at Ben* Mabel: Young man, when grown folk are in the room you say ‘Good morning, ‘Good afternoon’, ‘Good evening’. You don’t just stride in here like you own the place. Where are your manners? Ben: Sorry. Mabel: Mm-hmm… *She nodded, as if prompting Ben to continue. With a tinge of sarcasm, Ben put on a overly formal demeanor* Ben: Good morning, Mrs. Davis. May I please have some of those scrumptious-looking pancakes? *Mabel laughed and waved her consent* Mabel: Help yourself. And please, call me Mabel. You make me feel old… *Ben chuckled back and eagerly began munching on pancakes. Delicious. The taste suddenly conjured up old memories of home. Of his mother serving him fluffy pancakes that stuck to his insides. His mother… Ben stopped eating for a moment. Mabel noticed his face contorting into a bitter frown* Something wrong? *Ben snapped out of it and quickly shook his head before resuming his meal. Mabel sat down across from him, donned her glasses and opened up the paper to the lead story* Oh Lord… *Ben peered across the table to see what was the matter. From his upside-down view, he saw the rather uncreative headline ‘Sentinels Speak Out’. It was an article about that vigilante group that recently sprang up. His meal completed, Ben shuffled over to the sink to clean his plate. While there, he turned his head back to read over Mabel’s shoulder. A line about the Rider caught his attention* Ben: May I? *Mabel handed the paper over to him, then got up and waddled back to the stove* Mabel: Can you believe it? What is the world coming to? *Ben eagerly read through the article. In essence it summarized the content of the video message the Sentinels’ leader had issued to the media* Ben: It’s about time. *He tossed the paper back onto the table. Mabel turned around to look at him* Mabel: What makes you say that? *Ben shrugged* Ben: It’s been a long time coming. People have hated the way things are here for so long, sooner or later they were going to take action themselves. The Rider was just the spark. *Mabel frowned* Mabel: Sparks cause fires. And some fires can’t be put out. Ben: This place could use a fire. Burn everything down and start over. *Mabel looked long and hard at Ben. The tinge of a shadow seemed to have crept over his face. Ben saw her gaze* What? Mabel: Nothing I hope… *Her response left Ben confused, but he quickly shook it off. He glanced up at the clock on the wall* Ben: Well, time for class. Mabel: Make sure you’re back on time. You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. *Ben grinned cheekily* Ben: I look forward to it. Mabel: Mm-hmm… *Soon Ben was on his bike with his bag slung across his back. Mabel watched him ride off toward campus, wondering if she had indeed seen nothing…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Are you serious? Another one??” *Savage looked up from the report he was reading upon hearing that exclamation. Two colleagues at the precinct were having a hushed conversation with one another. Curious, Savage kept his ear open and tried to listen in* “Some ‘transgender sensitivity’ crap. Apparently some lieutenant got a sex-change job done and is now demanding a ‘diversity training’ class. We all now have to put down our work and pick a time to attend.” “What the hell is wrong with these people?” “The she-male or the department?” *The two laughed briefly* “Well I don’t care what they do to me, I’m sure as hell not going. This city has gone to hell and we’re expected to waste our time with this garbage?” “Sometimes I feel like retiring early and letting some other schmuck deal with all this…” *As they spoke Savage thought he saw the two men glance at him occasionally, as if expecting him to react in some way. The detective had gained a mocking reputation around the precinct for his distaste toward the town’s masked hero. If Savage was honest with himself though, he couldn’t blame the two men for feeling the way they did. But he couldn’t just abandon his faith in the rule of law. Not after over two decades of armed service. He conceded that the system needed fixing. But not a complete overthrow. It seemed more and more each day that Savage was becoming an island of doubt in a stormy sea of dissent; the man on the fence. Support for the Rider and now these Sentinels was growing, particularly within the police department which had for a long time now been suffering from low morale. Colleagues of Savage with long years of service under their belt had over the past few weeks suddenly resigned or announced their retirement. Rumor had it some of them had joined up with the Sentinels. The leader of the group himself it was said had once the police commissioner of another Californian city, but had left over some incident with his superiors. The police had been ordered to capture any Sentinel they happened to catch in action. Few took the directive seriously, but Savage did. The city had become divided upon itself. In his mind he knew that he and the Sentinels had to be stopped, for if they weren’t it would only be a matter of time before the streets became awash with blood. Was he the only one who could see the disaster that was approaching? Savage turned back to his report. Over the past few weeks several prominent businessmen, politicians and judges from across the southwestern US had mysteriously been found dead. Just two nights ago a local judge had become the latest victim, and Savage had thus been assigned the case. In all the incidents the cause of death was the same: a single shot to the head or stab in the back. A professional assassin was suspected to be the culprit. Yet there didn’t seem to be any connection between any of them. Upon brief investigation though, Savage discovered that all of them were connected in some way with law enforcement. Donations of arms to police forces, legislation in Congress to drastically increase border security (such as a wall along the US-Mexican border) and deny amnesty to illegals, delivery of strict sentences to captured criminals crossing between the two countries. All in all, bad news for the criminal entrepreneur. Small wonder someone would want these obstacles eliminated. The person or persons behind these murders was working for someone, that Savage was sure of. But who? Savage leaned back in his chair as he pondered this question. In a way he was glad for this: to get away from the maddening politics of the Rider, if only for a while, and focus on the work of a detective…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Noon. On campus, Kenta sat across Saya at a granite table. As Saya scribbled some notes in her book, Kenta read aloud the last bit of the paper’s article on the Sentinels* Kenta: “…we will defend ourselves and the Rider against any attempt by the police or armed forces to stop them” *He looked up. Saya continued writing as though nothing had happened* You’re not listening. Saya: I heard everything. *Kenta folded the paper and put it down on the table, and then shoveled some more rice in his mouth. His mother had asked him to finish off some leftovers from the night before at school, which he agreed to only reluctantly. He hated having to cram the empty containers into his bag and lug them around after eating. Paper bag lunches were so much simpler. He returned his gaze on Saya* Kenta: So what do you think? Saya: About what? *Kenta tapped the paper* Kenta: All this. Saya: What do you think? Kenta: I asked you. *Saya didn’t break her writing pace* Saya: You’re worried about what I might say. *Now she looked up at him. She was remarkably perceptive, Kenta noted. He hesitated for a moment before answering, choosing his words carefully* Kenta: It’s not surprising. People have hated the state of affairs here for years. The Rider has inspired people to finally take action themselves. *He took in another mouthful of rice before adding his editorial* It’s a good omen. *Saya looked doubtful. He waited for her admonishment, but it didn’t come. Instead she gave him a look of kindly understanding* Saya: *Japanese* Why did you name him Kamen Rider? *Kenta wasn’t expecting such a trivial inquiry. He shrugged* Kenta: *Japanese* He uses a belt and rides a bike. Not much else to it. Saya: You think he is a hero… *Kenta paused before giving a nod* And so you named him after your hero. *It sounded as though he was being mocked. Kenta made a move to protest, but stopped himself. He had grown up on the heroes of tokusatsu, both when he had lived in Japan and after coming to the US. As a child he had fantasized about being those heroes, as all children do. Some of that fantasy perhaps had crossed into his adulthood. Perhaps his enthusiasm for Ben’s adventures as the Rider was less about an idealistic crusade to protect people, but a chance to finally live out the life of a superhero. But after the battle with the traffickers, the enthusiasm had diminished a bit. Kenta smirked grimly to himself. He had become a walking cliché. The idealistic young adventurer sobered by reality. Saya picked up the paper and held it between her and Kenta. Her finger was placed on the line repeating the leader’s claim that they were following the Rider’s example* Is this the example a Rider would want followed? *Kenta looked back in confusion. Saya reached across the table, took a piece of red pepper from Kenta’s container, and popped it in her mouth* Kenta: *English* That’s really hot… *Saya fanned her hand over her mouth, her face flushed. Kenta offered her a bottle of water, which she gratefully accepted. He watched as she swished the water in her mouth before finally gulping it down* Why did you do that? *Saya shrugged* Saya: *English* It looked good. *Kenta was puzzled. Saya looked at him in slight embarrassment, but he felt as though her eyes betrayed a cryptic message in this odd display. This was her style, he thought. She never outright told him he was wrong, but instead made him question himself. A hand suddenly came down on his shoulder. Startled, he whirled around to see Ben smiling down on him* Ben: Long time no see! Kenta: Give me a heart attack, why don’t you… *Ben waved gaily to Saya, who nodded back politely. She glanced up at the large clock that overlooked the campus and began gathering her things* Saya: Time for class. Kenta: Have fun. *Saya chucked softly at that and strode off. Ben turned to face the clock himself. He had never liked the look of it. It had the appearance of a giant eye spying down at the people far below. Kenta however kept his gaze on the departing Saya. He stared after her as she met up with a group of friends and disappeared into the crowd of passing students. Ben noticed this and snapped his fingers in Kenta’s ears* Ben: Come back to us, Mr. Nishihori… *Kenta knocked Ben’s hand away and gave his friend a sour look. Ben sat down at the table and took the paper into his hands* Kenta: So, how are things? Ben: Great! Things couldn’t be better. Kenta: You’ve settled in quickly, it seems. *Ben shrugged. He reached into Ken’s container and grabbed a piece of chicken* Kenta: Why is everyone taking my food today? Ben: ‘Cause we all know how great a chef your mom is. *Kenta chucked briefly before going silent. He hesitated, preparing himself for what he was about to say. Now that Ben was here, he decided to get right the point. No more beating around the bush* Kenta: We need to talk… Ben: We already are. Kenta: … About the Rider. Ben: Ooohhh… *He put the paper back down* What’s up? *Kenta paused before responding* Kenta: Do you ever wonder…. after a fight, that is…if you could have done something differently? *Ben laughed* Ben: Sure. I wonder if I could have taken fewer hits and not be so sore. Kenta: No… I mean, do you ever wonder sometimes if you could have… avoided killing an enemy? Maybe you could have just incapacitated them somehow… *Ben’s smile turned to a frown* Ben: That would defeat the whole purpose, wouldn’t it? Our goal is to be the final solution to the crime wave, remember? Kenta: Still… there are always exceptions… Ben: You’re starting to sound like them now. Kenta: Who? Ben: Everyone who’s against us. *He had a point there, Kenta thought. Ben grinned broadly again and playfully slapped his friend on the shoulder* Relax. Things are going our way. People are starting to unite behind us. *He pointed to the paper and its Sentinels article* We’ve done a good thing here. So put a smile on that face. Kenta: I’ll try. Ben: Otherwise I’ll bring Miss Takuto over to motivate you… *Kenta threw the paper at Ben, who just laughed it off. He was right, Kenta thought. Things were turning out for the best. Stop wringing your hands over this, he told himself. But Saya’s words kept tattling in his head like a marble in a tin can. He couldn’t simply dismiss them. Kenta marveled at the situation that was unraveling. Two friends on either side of him, espousing two different things. People may be uniting under the Rider’s banner, but his ring of friends was becoming more and more divided…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “So who is this guy?” *The cavernous meeting chamber of the Ghosts was deserted but for three people: a Ghost with a white brooch on his chest, another with a red brooch, and Mr. Brady. The throne of the Great Leader was empty. Brady hid himself in the shadows of the room as he heard this question being posed. He looked at the white-brooched Ghost, a new member of the organization, who had asked it, pointing to the Great Leader’s throne as he did so. The red-brooched Ghost, ranked on level above his companion, answered* “No one really knows. They say he’s no longer human. It’s how he’s lived for so long…” “What, he’s some old wrinkled geezer?” “Don’t let the violets hear you say that” *Brady bristled slightly. Those with purple brooches were often called that derided nickname behind their backs by the lower-ranking members. For the moment though he restrained himself from dealing with the man. More pressing matters were at hand tonight. But the question was admittedly an interesting one. Indeed the Great Leader’s alias in the outside world was a mystery. Even those closest to the Leader only communicated with him in council chambers, through middle men, or via telepathy. No one knew the face beneath the hood and none dared try to find out either, from fear of being caught and fear of what they might actually discover. A ‘whooshing’ sound caught Brady’s attention. From the left, right and front sides of the chamber, three female figures dressed in assassin gear somersaulted into the center of the floor. The right sides of their faces were covered in a bone-like mask, while their left eyes bore scopes. The Broken Skulls had arrived. From other corners of the chamber several more purple-brooched Ghosts appeared in front of them. The white and red-brooched Ghosts quickly stepped to the side out of the way. Brady crossed over from his hiding spot to the center of the room to join his brethren. He raised his finger in the air, conjuring up the image of a US senator. The Skulls looked up and studied the image thoroughly, as though extrapolating his biography from just that one image* Brady: Go… *The three females nodded in unison and disappeared as swiftly as they had entered…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Late evening. Senator Leyton ® had always hated being shadowed. So early in his career he had done away with a Secret Service detail and traveled to and fro as he pleased alone, much to the chagrin of his colleagues. This nagging issue had been brought up yet again a few weeks ago. Leyton was among several people in Congress working on legislation to amend the crisis on the southern border. The mysterious deaths of many of his like-minded associates greatly worried those around him. But Leyton’s fierce independence overruled them yet again. So tonight he climbed into bed with his already asleep wife, as though there was nothing was out of the ordinary. Three female figures soundlessly appeared in the couple’s bedroom and cast their shadows over the two unconscious bodies. One of them extended a serrated blade from her forearm and caught it in her hand. With a swift motion she plunged the blade deep into the cervical vertebra of the senator. Another one pointed a rifle at the head of the woman, took aim using her left-eye scope, and fired one shot. The couple was gone before they could even wake up in surprise. The third assassin shot a laser beam at the locked window and carved an opening through it. The trio leapt out and, with feline-like agility, dropped to the ground and ran off. The house was just as they had found it, with only two dead bodies and a cut window as evidence of anyone’s presence…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The police blotter had gone out. A 911 call had reported three people fleeing from the home of a Sen. Leyton. Reports were coming in from the scene that he had been killed. Savage and a cavalcade of squad cars were now racing toward the piers, where several witnesses had claimed they saw the suspects heading toward…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben was sitting in his bed reading a schoolbook when he felt the warmth of his ring. Quick as a flash, he was on his bike and racing toward the scene…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Elsewhere, the police blotter had also been picked up. Now a team of people was rapidly assembling together in vans and SUVs, armed with an array of weaponry. These vehicles too began heading to the same destination. The Sentinels were moving out…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Three sides, two goals, one destination. The first clash was about to take place* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 3 plays*

You really emphasized the ghost-like look of Hell. Quite impressive.

Nice. Though he seems a bit too skinny around the head and neck areas.

Chapter 12: Hindsight Ben: KENTA! *Kenta turned around and swung his knife in front of him. The man looked down at the knife shoved deep into his lower torso. Ben, Saya and Kenta himself looked down as well, in utter shock at what he had just done. The man slumped onto the floor. Kenta extracted the knife from the body and looked upon his blood-stained hand. Then, fearing what he would see, he turned to Saya. The girl looked from the body to Kenta, the man who had just saved her. Her face was pale white. She silently shook her head, in denial of what she had just witnessed her friend commit. Her eyes flooded with fresh tears. Kenta tried to say something, but the words choked in his throat. But Saya didn’t need to hear anything. She collapsed into Kenta’s shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably. Kenta dropped his bloodstained knife to the floor* Narrator: They say hindsight is always 20/20. And now, looking back on all this, I have to say they were right. Where did we go wrong? How did we let it all come to this? Why didn’t we save the Rider sooner? *The police sirens were fast approaching. Kenta gently pushed Saya away from him. Her blouse was stained with the blood on Kenta’s hand* Kenta: *Japanese* Go. The police are coming. *Saya stared back in shock* Saya: *Japanese* What about you?? Kenta: Never mind me. The cops will get you out of here. *Saya still didn’t budge* GO! *Saya finally complied and stumbled down the route the other rescued girls had taken. Kenta picked up his dropped knife and quickly went out through a different door into the gathering darkness. He didn’t have a clue what to do from there, but only that he had to get away before things got even worse* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben stared down the drifter. ‘41’ locked his eyes with Ben’s and stared back unblinkingly at the masked warrior…* Ben: Are you a Ghost? ‘41’: To some I may as well be. But to you, I am an ally. Ben: Well in that case, you can help us catch that guy. ‘41’: I can’t do that. *Ben’s irritation rose* Ben: Why not?? ‘41’: If you continue down this road, all you will find is misery and death. Ben: And if I don’t that’s one more thug on the loose. ‘41’: You misunderstand me. Ben: You’re surprised? I doubt anyone can understand your drivel. *Antares blew a stream of air from his nostrils and bobbed his head up and down in agreement* Now if you don’t mind, kindly get out of the way. *‘41’ didn’t budge. Ben revved up Antares and shot down the dirt path toward the man. ‘41’ only looked up at the sky. As if on cue, a streak of lightning shot down between him and the Rider, creating a large fiery crater. Ben forced his steed to a stop just before the crater’s edge and looked wildly around. ‘41’ was gone, and so was the road before him. Ben swore and slapped the back of Antares’s neck. Antares turned his head and whinnied in complaint* Ben: Sorry… *It began to rain. Ben’s body ignited in silver flame again, and the falling water quickly put the fire out to reveal his normal body again. ‘Kenta’, Ben thought. He had to get him before the police got wind of what had happened. He dialed his number* Where are you? *Kenta had by now wandered far from the building* Kenta: Somewhere around where you went. I didn’t look where I was going. Ben: Don’t go anywhere else, I’ll pick you up. *Kenta hung up without answering. Not even noticing the downpour, he knelt down on the ground and allowed himself to get drenched. He took out his knife again and raised it to his face, watching the rain wash the blood away…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 2 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * “Beaten again” So remarked one of Savage’s colleagues. The police team had arrived to see a crèche of girls running from the edifice that had been their prison. The Rider indeed had done most of the work for them, but in a much less meticulous way. The garage area was littered with toppled furniture and dead or unconscious bodies. So much for getting information, Savage thought bitterly. What they found in the rest of the building, however, was more disturbing. More girls that the Rider had apparently missed were found cowering in dark rooms. But the most shocking discovery was in the lowest level: a metallic coffin-like chamber bearing the Ghosts’ logo, and carrying a dead woman. From the looks of it, this was the result of a botched reconstruction operation. Savage was reminded of the bank robbers’ autopsies upon seeing this, and wondered whether they had undergone the same procedure. Is there anything these guys aren’t involved in, the detective wondered to himself. So much criminal activity seemed to be leading back to this organization. And there didn’t seem to be any way to get to them. No, Savage corrected himself, there were ways. But the Rider kept burning the bridges before the law could catch up. It was because of him that the police kept running into these dead ends. Savage was leaning against a police car lost in these thoughts, when his colleague made his little quip. The detective intended to ignore him, but he continued* “You know, we should just forget about catching the guy and make him work for us. That would cut us some slack…” *Savage whipped around and glared at the man* Savage: Good idea. In fact, why don’t we just dissolve the police entirely and let him do all the work? It’s obvious they don’t feel like doing their job anymore. “What’s with you?” Savage: What’s with me? You’re all seeing this Rider as some kind of hero, and you’re asking what my problem is? “And why isn’t he one? Why can’t we hold at least some respect for the guy? Savage: What can you possible respect about someone who doesn’t give a damn about the rule of law? “Have you looked at the law lately? These years all it’s done is tie our hands. Morale is at an all-time low, but you wouldn’t know that by listening to the brass hats. Can you really blame us for not busting ourselves waiting to nab this guy?” *When Savage said nothing, the fellow cop continued* “Do you realize you’re practically the only one on the force who still has an axe to grind with the Rider?” Savage: Maybe I’m the only one with some foresight around here… *The man ignored the remark* “I’ve heard rumors of some cops resigning from the force and joining some kind of vigilante group…” *Savage raised his eyebrows in surprise* Savage: Where did you hear this? “Around. They call themselves the Sentinels, and they’re recruiting anyone willing to join and can handle a weapon” *Savage eyed his colleague keenly* Savage: You’re considering joining them? *The cop shrugged* “We’ll see” *He suddenly got called away, leaving Savage alone again to stew in his thoughts. The Rider was doing more damage than he had thought. His wife’s words were echoing truer by the day. Savage now wondered if in the end he would have no one left on his side* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The rest of the night was a whirlwind of chaos. Ben and Kenta returned home only to see Hiroko and Eiji coming out. They said police had found Saya and brought her to the hospital, and that they were going to meet her aunt and uncle there. Of course, neither of them knew the gory details, and neither Ben nor Kenta were about to tell them. Amazingly, the raid on the trafficking ring was now breaking news on almost all channels. From the kitchen, Miki had one ear glued to the TV as her brother and Ben came up the stairs to the living room* Ben: Another day saved. Miki: But not by you apparently. *She pointed to the TV. Not one word of the Rider’s involvement was mentioned by any of the reporters. Someone is keeping them quiet, thought Ben. But he knew it would be of little use. The people weren’t that gullible. Kenta paid no attention to the screen. Instead he went into his room and shoved his knife beneath a pile of clothes in his lowest dresser drawer. Then, almost subconsciously, he cloistered himself in the bathroom and began furiously scrubbing his hands clean, trying to wash away whatever blood was left. Suddenly he was Kusaka Masato, he thought. It would have been almost amusing were it not so serious. It would be a good couple of minutes before he finally came out. Miki shot a surprised glance at him as he began preparing dinner* Okaa-san told me to make dinner. Kenta: Never mind. I’ll do it. Miki: But – Kenta: I said I would do it. *He said this with such a tone of finality that Miki stopped arguing. Instead she just shrugged and joined Ben in the living room. Kenta tuned out everything around him and focused solely on the food, glad for something to take his mind off this evening’s incident. Ben finally poked his head through the kitchen entrance* Ben: You all right? Kenta: What do you think? *He poured some olive oil into a pot and added a bowl of sliced onions. Ben smiled and tried to lighten the mood* Ben: Relax. They’ll just blame me for what happened. Those girls probably won’t say anything about you, so there’s nothing to trace. You’re home free. *Kenta stopped what he was doing for a second and stared at the wall before him. Was that it? Was that all Ben thought of the matter? Ben took the silent treatment as a cue to leave. As he returned to the living room, he eyed the pile of bills and figures he had stumbled upon a few days earlier. He remembered the hushed conversation Eiji and Hiroko had had that night, and how he had been mentioned. Money was going to be tight in the household for some time now, Ben gathered. Wondering what he could do about it, he continued to sit with Miki, watching the TV until Kenta came out with dinner. But instead of joining them to eat, Kenta simply left them at the table and shut himself in his room, wanting nothing more than to drift to sleep and escape the world* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Unknown time. Torches were set ablaze seemingly by themselves, their light revealing the Great Leader seated on his throne. Dozens of lesser-ranked Ghosts gathered together in a ring surrounding two combatants, both of whom wore green brooches. Upon some unknown signal, the opponents shed their dark cloaks, revealing grotesque but powerful reconstructed bodies. The match began. Soon the cavern was choked with smoke from the torches and cries from the audience. Both duelists were savage and unrelenting, but eventually one of them was forced into submission. The battered victor brought his foe to a kneeling position and effortlessly snapped his neck. With the audience chanting their praises, the victor faced the Great Leader and gave a terrifying roar, displaying a pair of large fangs. The Great Leader only nodded in approval. A Ghost with a purple brooch brought the victor his cloak and, when he finished redressing himself, broke off the green brooch and replaced it with a purple one. The green brooch was crushed in the hand of this Ghost into a green liquid, which was smeared onto the victor’s head as a final sign of his ascension in rank. The chanting turned into a unanimous cathartic cry that lasted for a few moments. While this was going on, one of the purple-brooched Ghosts slipped out of sight and headed up a set of winding stone stairs to a heavy door. The Ghost stretched out his hand, telepathically forcing the door open to reveal the outside world. The surroundings were so pitch black only the wind indicated that the Ghost was no above ground. Standing before him was a lower-ranking Ghost wearing several tattoos on his arm. He looked upon this subordinate from behind his hood* “Coward” “There was nothing I could do…” “We gave you power, and you squander it. I should terminate your useless hide and feed you to the mutant brood” “Do that and you lose your most valuable dealer” “We have others to get our fodder from. You are expendable” “Perhaps. But you don’t know who I may squeal to before you kill me” “No one will be around to hear your pitiful cries…” “Unless I already have cried…” *Feeling cocky, the tattooed man stepped closer* “Who knows how many people I could have spilled your secrets to… Mr. Brady” *Two red eyes glowed from the hood’s opening. The tattooed man suddenly felt as though invisible hands were squeezing his throat. He quickly retreated from Brady* Brady: Find the Rider and dispose of him. Otherwise I will take my time slicing you into little pieces for the brood. And you know how much they crave human flesh. *The invisible hands disappeared. The tattooed man slunk further away from Brady, a smidgen of cockiness still remaining* “Just be sure you finish your job” *Brady scowled* Brady: I’ll worry about the hieroglyphs. You worry about staying alive. *The tattooed man vanished into the gloom. Brady continued staring into the darkness…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *A week had gone by. By now Saya and the other rescued girls had been released from hospital care and returned to their lives as best they could. Kenta however had avoided contact with her on campus. Part of him feared how she would react to him after seeing what he had done that night. He knew Saya hated the Rider, and she knew he supported him. What would she say now, knowing that Kenta actually worked alongside the city’s hero? Kenta knew he was fully justified in his act; it had been done out of defense. And if worse came to worse he would do it again if necessary. Yet over and over he had replayed the moment in his head. Could he have reacted differently? Did he have to use his weapon so? These thoughts had plagued his mind all week. He barely spoke a word to anyone, not even Ben. In fact Kenta for the first time really wondered about Ben’s feelings toward his double life. He had killed many a villain in his short time as a superhero, yet never seemed to give the matter a second thought. And yet here was Kenta, getting worked up over the death of only one man by his hand. Was this a case of him simply being… uncomfortable with taking a life? So when Hiroko told him and Ben to deliver some of her potted plants to a Buddhist temple garden Junko and Rita were involved in, Kenta did so with utmost dread. Ben noticed his friend’s morose demeanor as he drove the car, and decided to finally break him out of it* Ben: So.. how’s that girlfriend of yours these days? Kenta: What girlfriend? Ben: You know who. Kenta: She’s not my girlfriend. Ben: She’s a girl, and your friend. Correct me if I’m wrong. *Kenta forced a brief chuckle to placate Ben. He really wasn’t in the mood for this. Ben however continued* Oh cheer up. You’ve been acting miserable all week. You need this fresh air. Kenta: Perhaps… *They finally reached the temple. The garden, designed with a typical Eastern layout, was only a few feet away, so Kenta parked on the curb and with Ben helped carry out their load. Junko greeted Kenta with her usual cheerfulness* Junko: Kenta-chan! *Kenta didn’t meet the woman’s eyes, but looked down at the plants* Just put those over there, dear. *She pointed to a spot some feet away. Next to it was a pen where some rabbits were being kept. As Kenta approached he noticed to his dismay Saya kneeling right down near the pen. A white rabbit was gently cradled in her arms. Saya looked to a small, timid girl standing next to her and smiled reassuringly to her, handing the rabbit over to her. Kenta suddenly remembered his prophetic dream. Didn’t he see a white rabbit there? As the girl moved away, Saya turned to see Kenta standing above her. One of her eyes still carried a small bruise. To Kenta’s surprise, her smile didn’t waver* Saya: Hello. *Kenta only nodded and set down his plants* I haven’t seen you on campus lately… Kenta: It’s a large place. Saya: You’ve been avoiding me. Kenta: What makes you say that? Saya: Must I ask? *Kenta finally looked directly at Saya. He had feared this kind of rendezvous, but now that it was happening, he didn’t know what to make of it. He saw no fear or malice in the girl’s face. Instead he found something else…sympathy. Kenta started to say something, to try to explain what had happened that evening, but found himself restrained by some force. He just stared into Saya’s kind eyes. He felt as if she was silently telling him he didn’t have to say anything. She understood him, in a way Kenta didn’t even think she could. He suddenly felt a little better. Saya then spoke again* *Japanese* A gentle hand shouldn’t lead that life. *Kenta looked at his friend in wonder. Saya returned to digging plots for her flowers. Kenta suddenly remembered something he had in his pocket. Rummaging through, he brought out two partially crushed crab cakes he had been saving for a later occasion. Kenta: Hungry? *He offered one to Saya, who stuffed it in her mouth. Her face radiated delight at the taste* Saya: Your mom made these? Kenta: No… I did. *Saya looked at Kenta, clearly impressed* Do your brothers cook? *Saya scoffed and shook her head, amused at the very notion. Kenta turned to the plants he had brought with him and started joining Saya and putting them in the ground. No more was said between them…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Meanwhile, Ben had wandered to another part of the garden. A loud noise attracted his attention. A pile of large crates near a station wagon had toppled over to the ground. A rotund, elderly black woman cursed to herself and went over to begin picking them up. Ben stepped in to give her a hand* Ben: Allow me. *The woman breathed a sigh of relief* “Oh, thank you. I shouldn’t have tried bringing those damn thing over here in the first place. Should have called my son-in-law, now he is a heavy-lifter...” Ben: What’s in these? “Worms” *Ben did a double-take. The woman laughed* “Relax. They don’t bite” *Ben grimaced as he arranged the crates neatly on the ground* Ben: So, you’re a gardener too? “Used to be, in my younger days. Now I can hardly bend over to sniff a flower much less plant one. I’m just dropping these off for a friend” *Ben smirked* Ben: And now you’re regretting it. *The woman shrugged* “Hindsight is 20/20” *She eyed the young man curiously before her as he finished his work, as if she was actually expecting to meet him. Glancing at her watch, she heaved a sigh* “Well I must get going. The shop won’t last long by herself. Thanks for the help” Ben: Shop? “An antiques store. My husband ran it before he passed, and now I’m stuck with it. Haven’t been able to keep any extra hands. They’re either lazy or try to rob this old woman. I can’t even rent out the upstairs loft anymore thanks to how many ingrates try to sneak drugs in” *An idea began forming in Ben’s head* Ben: Is that job still open? *The woman cocked an eyebrow* “Are you offering yourself?” Ben: Depends on if you’re willing to rent out that loft one more time. “You seem quite eager. Not in any trouble, are we?” Ben: No… let’s just say I’m doing someone a favor. *The woman paused for a moment to consider the deal* “All right, you’ve got yourself a job” *She took out a business card and gave to Ben, and then shook his hand* “Mabel Davis, your new boss. When should I expect the moving party?” Ben: I’ll give you a call. Mabel Alright. Just remember: my store, my rules. *She gave a wink and disappeared in the car. Ben watched her drive off, happy to have a solution to Eiji and Hiroko’s dilemma. All of a sudden his ring became warm. Ben saw a familiar face moving down the street: the tattooed Ghost who had escaped him the night of Saya’s rescue. Ben tightened his fist. Now was his chance to finish off this lowlife. Ben turned around to find Kenta, but soon decided it best not to involve him in the Rider business right now. He could do this alone. Discreetly, Ben followed the tattooed man. The man, seemingly aware that he was being followed, stopped abruptly in his tracks and slowly turned to see Ben. A smile crept on his face. His voice telepathically echoed in Ben’s ears* “Are you the hunter, Rider…. or the hunted?” *He disappeared in a crowd of people down into the subway. Undaunted, Ben simply brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly. Antares rolled up to his master and neighed, eager to stretch his wheels* Ben: Calm down, boy. This will be a bumpy ride. *Antares nodded. Ben climbed on and allowed his ring to become his belt* “Henshin” *The usual wave of silver flame washed over Ben’s body, turning him into the Rider. He shot down the stairs and skidded to a stop on the train platform. The tattooed man was startled to see his rival be so bold as to charge in like this. Fine, if that’s the way he wanted it. With dozens of scared civilians looking on, he summoned a shadow to cast itself upon his body. When it passed, a grotesque but strong figure, its skin apparently melted away to reveal powerful muscles and transparent vessels, stood before Ben. The Ghost leapt down onto the tracks, leaving a small crater in his wake, and bolted down the tunnel. Ben revved up his bike and began a pursuit. The Ghost however was proving too fast for even a swift steed like Antares. The bike finally came to a stop on his own and shook his head, seeming to indicate that it was no use. The sound of a train horn caught Ben’s attention. He had to think fast. Almost instantaneously an idea sprang to his head. He turned the right-hand dial of his belt. The buckle symbol changed to a new one. Ben sliced off the three horns on his head with his hand. The pieces joined together and enlarged into a bladed boomerang. Suddenly Miki’s voice flooded into Ben’s earpiece* Miki: New toy, I see.. Ben: How long have you been there? *Miki shrugged* Miki: Long enough. *Ben snorted and focused his gaze before him. With a strong swing, he threw the boomerang at the escaping Ghost. The blade cut through the supporting pillars of the tunnels, bringing down the ceiling above them. A massive cave-in was soon underway, leaving the Ghost with nowhere to run. A train coming from in front of Ben screeched to a halt to avoid being pummeled by falling rubble. Electrical equipment shot sparks in the air as they became damaged by the debris. Ben addressed the Ghost* Ben: Seems I’m the hunter. *He shot down the track toward the Ghost, who with his immense strength threw rubble at his foe. Ben shot bursts of silver flame from his mouth, incinerating them to dust. The boomerang attached itself to Ben’s back like a pair of wings. Using the speed at which Ben was moving, it picked him up from his bike, allowing him to glide at top speed to his foe. Ben’s right hand ignited in flame, and he threw a Rider Punch to the Ghost’s chest. Vessels burst and bones cracked, releasing strange liquids. The Ghost crashed into a wall of rubble and crumbled into a pile of fiery dust* Miki: Good show. Ben: I aim to please. *Antares came up to his master and nuzzled his hand. Ben grinned behind his mask and jumped on. Rider and steed streaked down the tunnel into the next station, and from there sped back to the surface world* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Ben stood in front of Eiji and Hiroko, who were seated on the couch* Ben: I’m moving out. *The couple looked at Ben surprised, but Ben could see their inward sense of relief. They had been planning to have a talk with Ben about his residency in their home, but neither was eager to sit him down. Financial woes or not, they couldn’t just tell someone who had been living with them for three years, who was almost like family, that he had to find someplace to go. But now with Ben himself explaining his plans, it was one less burden on their minds. Nevertheless, Eiji spoke up* Eiji: Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? Ben: I appreciate you taking me in. But we all knew I had to leave some time or another. Eiji: Well, don’t feel like you have to rush, Ben. Hiroko: Take as much time as you want, dear. *Ben nodded his consent and left the two alone. As he rounded the corner to the bedroom, he saw Kenta in the hallway before him. The look upon his face clearly indicated that he had heard everything* Kenta: You’re really leaving? Ben: That’s right. *Kenta wasn’t sure what to say. Part of him wondered if this had anything to do with what had happened a week ago. True, he had trying to make sense of it all, and distanced himself from everyone in the process. But Ben was still his friend. He didn’t want to let any barriers come between them* Kenta: You don’t have to go. *Ben shrugged* Ben: I was going to leave sooner or later. Kenta: It doesn’t have to be this soon. *Ben playfully slapped Kenta on the shoulder* Ben: Don’t tell me you’re getting sentimental on me… *Kenta ignored the jibe* Kenta: Miki will be upset. Ben: She’ll get over it. Besides, it’s not like I’m leaving the country. We’ll be seeing each other all the time. *He had a point there, Kenta admitted* Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to shower and get some shut-eye. *Ben left for the bathroom. Kenta remained standing in their room and looked out through the window at the emerging stars. It felt as if they were all approaching the next chapter of a continuing saga, without a clue as to how it would all end…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 2 plays* END PART II *Entr'acte plays*

Thanks. Like I have said in the past, the name 'Hell' isn't literal, but figurative of what Ben brings upon his family, friends and the city itself. KR often deals with the hero who is the victim of circumstances beyond his control. (Kiva being the most recent example). HR is a twist on that theme, where it's the hero who brings his troubles upon himself.

But he's not so introverted anymore by the time the show ends.

Chapter 11: Monster *Saya quickened her pace as the night sky became darker still. All of a sudden a wall of bodies materialized in her way as she rounded a corner. The girl’s heart sped up as she recognized the men. No one else was in sight. Saya continued her trek, trying her best to ignore the men as they started coming toward her* “So there you are. We were starting to get worried…” *Saya ignored them and looked down at the ground as she went. The men moved to block her path* “It’s not safe out here. Why don’t we give ya a ride home?” *Saya shivered. Nervously she answered, wondering she could make a dash for it* Saya: No… no thank you. “You don’t look fine…” “Sure she does. Quite fine…” *More laughter. Saya tried to run but was caught by one of the men* “Oh, she’s a quick one… Saya: Please… let me go… *The leader came forward* “Sure we’ll let you go. Just do us a little favor…” *He began stroking Saya’s cheek. Saya flinched and quickly broke the grip of the other man’s hand on her arm. Again she tried to run, but the leader caught her by the stomach and brought her close to him* “…And keep us company for a while…” *Saya screamed. She slammed her foot down on her captor’s shoe and broke free again, but was caught from behind and slammed into the door of the men’s van. Saya held her bleeding head and crumpled to the ground, tears flowing out her eyes. The men picked her up and threw her in the van. Saya screamed again and got a kick in the stomach as a reward, shutting her up completely. The men clambered into the van and rode off into the darkness, leaving behind the girl’s fallen cell phone on the ground* Narrator: Awaken the sleeping beast within you at your own peril. You never know just what destruction you will bring down. *Kenta woke up with a jolt. He glanced at his watch and swore to himself. He should have been home hours ago. His parents would be missing him by now. Still groggy, he picked up his phone and dialed home. His father answered in an irritated tone* Kenta: Oraji? Eiji: *Japanese* You’re late. Kenta: *Japanese* I fell asleep… *He heard his father make some noise of irritation through the phone* Eiji: Well get back here right now. By the way, do you know where Saya-chan went? Kenta: *English* Saya? She said she was going home. Eiji: *Japanese* Junko-obasan called and said she hasn’t returned. And she’s not answering her phone. *Now Kenta was fully awake. He straightened up in his seat and said a quick good-bye to his father before hanging up. Had something happened to Saya? Kenta made a move to dial a number but then remembered he didn’t have the girl’s number. It was now almost pitch dark save for the streetlights. Kenta gripped the steering wheel and peeled out onto the road in the direction Saya had gone. He knew the way to Uncle Tachibana and Aunt Junko’s apartment. He could only assume Saya had gone down the path he was on now. He stopped only upon seeing something a scant group of people on the sidewalk of a side road. A single police car was on scene, its driver conversing with one of the people. Something must have happened here, Kenta reasoned. His eyes then caught a small item lying on the road that not even the cop had seemed to notice. His suspicions aroused, he got out of the car and picked it up. Saya’s phone. Kenta looked back at the people gathered on the street and the single cop, trying to piece everything together. Was Saya attacked? Kidnapped? For a moment Kenta considered going up to the cop to report the finding of the phone. No, he thought. There was someone far more reliable to call upon. Kenta dived back into the car and turned back to the road he came from before he attracted too much attention, and dialed Ben’s number…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 2 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben had insisted upon taking his bike to the hospital. Now he fingered the thick bandage on his side as he slowly got off the examination table. Despite the nurse’s insistence to rest, he was in no mood to spend a night in a hospital over a single stab wound. Det. Savage came into view as Ben shuffled out of the room* Savage: I still say you should take it easy. *Ben shook his head* Ben: I wouldn’t want to take up space. This is nothing. Savage: You lost a good amount of blood… *Ben simply waved the man off, but did admit to himself that the detective had a point. Finding some chairs, he placed himself in one and watched as Savage followed suit. The cop took two bottles of water out from somewhere and handed one over to Ben* Drink up. You need your fluids. Ben: Maybe you should’ve been a doctor. *Savage snorted* Savage: Blood I can stomach. Nagging lawyers is something else… *Ben smiled grimly in reply and began tipping the bottle to his mouth. As he drank his eyes came upon a small flyer stuck onto a bulletin board. A picture of the Masked Rider decorated the center of the flyer with a request for information of his whereabouts. Ben stared at the picture with a frown. Savage followed Ben’s gaze and found the flyer as well* It’s only a matter of time. Ben: ‘Till what? Savage: ‘Till we bring that freak in. *Ben shifted his furrowed gaze to the detective and was about to whip out a sharp retort, but decided against it and instead smirked* Ben: That’ll be the day. Savage: Thanks for the vote of confidence. *Ben took another swig from his bottle* Ben: Shouldn’t you people be going after real bad guys instead of these goose chases? *Savage turned to directly face Ben* Savage: We go after people who break the law. Ben: You’re after someone who is doing your job better than you. Savage: We don’t kill and ask questions later. Ben: Right. You have an ingenious legal system that no one fears and everyone exploits. *He leaned back in his chair* Have you gotten any useful tips since you started this hunt? No. Why? Because people don’t care how the Rider does his job, as long as someone is protecting them. If anything you’ve made yourselves look worse to people. *Savage took a moment to take in what Ben had said. It wasn’t the first time he had heard that argument. But it was one that concerned him every time he heard it. Savage: An eye for an eye, huh? *Ben didn’t respond, but instead continued to look at the flyer* And how long will it go on? How long can the Rider take the law upon himself and fight his one-man war before the entire city is covered in blood? This place is a powder keg ready to go off. The Rider is only the fuse. *Ben turned his eyes to Savage* Ben: So it’s really order you want to protect. Savage: That is our job. Ben: And you haven’t done it, which is why there is no order. *Savage sighed* Savage: It’s a lot more complicated than you’re making it. Ben: You made it complicated. You made the city into what it is now. But what have you done about it? Placate to the dregs. Attack the few people who actually do their job. And now start a witch hunt against the real hero instead of following his example. *Savage somehow felt that Ben had his father on his mind when he spoke his condemnation. He detected a tinge of bitterness from the boy’s voice. Bitterness toward the system… and maybe even bitterness toward Savage himself. The detective flashbacked to the day his friend Michael Hernandez had been killed. He vividly recalled the innocent eyes of that ten year-old spying from the stairs. Those eyes were less innocent now. The gentle boy had become a cynical man. Savage looked at Ben, at a loss of words. An uneasy silence separated the two for a few moments until Ben’s phone went off. It was Kenta. Glad for a diversion from the conversation, Ben quickly answered* Ben: Hey, sorry I wasn’t there. I got a little sidetracked… Kenta: Never mind that. Saya’s missing. Ben: What? *Kenta quickly explained the situation. At the same time, Savage’s own phone suddenly rang. A girl had been abducted off a street an hour or so ago* Savage and Ben: On my way. *The two looked at each other as they hung up, surprised at their simultaneous answer. If there was any suspicions aroused in Savage, he didn’t show it* Ben: Well… I’d better get going. Thanks for the help. *Savage smiled* Savage: Don’t mention it. Just try to take it easy for a few days. *Ben hastily returned the smile and together they departed the building. Finding his bike, he jumped on and waited until the detective was out of sight. He didn’t need any more of that man’s prattle. Once he was sure Savage was gone, Ben rode toward the location Kenta had described* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Late night. Miki had finally gone to bed thanks to Eiji and Hiroko’s stern insistence. But Kenta remained awake with his parents, waiting for any news to come through. The police had already been alerted to Saya’s disappearance, but Kenta was waiting on Ben’s report. He quietly reclined on the couch while his parents went about their usual affairs, masking their thoughts as if nothing was wrong. A sound from downstairs jolted Kenta to a sitting position. Ben walked into the house and came up the stairs* Hiroko: It’s late, Ben. Ben: Sorry. Lost track of time… *He came over to Kenta and shook his head as discreetly as possible. Kenta looked down at the floor and said nothing. He tried not to think the worst. Eiji finally rose from his chair on his way to the bedroom* Eiji: Go to bed, you two. If something happens, it happens. No use losing sleep over it. *They knew he was right. So off the two went to their room. On the way Kenta noticed the bulge on Ben’s side and his unusual walk. When Ben began changing his clothes his inquisitiveness was fully justified* Kenta: Something you want to tell me? Ben: Come again? Kenta: You’re wearing a bandage. Ben: How observant of you. *Ben gently lowered himself into his bed. Kenta leaned against the window* Kenta: Well? What happened? Ben: I ran into your friends from the other day. *It took a moment for Kenta to realize whom Ben meant* Kenta: Looks like you touched a nerve. Ben: Seems to be a habit of mine. Kenta: One I thought you left behind with your juvenile delinquent days. *Ben snorted tiredly at the jibe and lay flat on the bed. He turned his head to face his friend* Ben: Relax. She probably just got caught up with something and got late. Kenta: Perhaps… *He finally surrendered himself to his bed and lay down. Gazing upon the bandage on Ben’s side, he was about to force himself into sleep when something suddenly clicked in his brain. He sat up again* Where did you see those guys? Ben: Near that flower shop. Why? *Kenta’s heart beat faster* Kenta: They took her. Ben: Who? *Kenta clicked his tongue in irritation* Kenta: Those men! *He turned around to look at Ben* Saya said they’ve been hanging around there for a while. You got in a fight with them, which means you probably figured out what they were up to. Ben: That doesn’t prove anything. Kenta: It has to be them. Ben: Well even if they are, we don’t know where they are. We can’t do anything yet. *Kenta sighed and lay back down* Kenta: This from the guy who went out in the middle of the night in his pajamas because his ring told him so. Ben: That guy didn’t get stabbed a few hours earlier. Kenta: You’ve been through worse. *Ben mumbled something under his breath and said no more. How ironic, Kenta thought, that he was now the restless one while Ben could sleep peacefully, calm and collected. He closed his eyes and tried to catch some needed sleep. His subconscious eventually drifted to a grassy field below a bright sun. A white rabbit crawled up to where he was standing. So as not to startle it, Kenta kneeled down as slowly as he could and reached out a hand. The rabbit timidly rubbed its head on his hand and inched closer to him. Kenta smiled to himself as he gently petted the delicate creature. Suddenly the sun disappeared behind a dark cloud. A shadow crept upon Kenta’s face. His gentle touch became a firm vice. The rabbit squirmed out of Kenta’s hand and ran off. When it looked back one last time, Kenta noticed that its head was covered in a red substance. He looked down at his hand to find it soaked in blood. Streaks of fire danced across the blackened sky… …And then he jolted awake. Unsure of whether he was still dreaming, he brought his hand to his face. It was wet only with his perspiration. Kenta sat up in his bed and looked out at the full moon, wondering what this dream could possibly mean… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Sometime past midnight, near the industrial district. The abandoned building was commonly used as a drug den and burlesque house combo by those involved in the business. Saya felt herself shoved to the floor of a darkened, untidy room of the building. Still dizzy from the earlier blow to the head, she leaned against a grimy sofa and looked up terrified at her captor. A draft passed through the room, making the girl shiver more than she was already. The man before he kneeled down and held the crown of Saya’s head. “Now get comfy….” *Saya yanked her head away and twisted her body so as not to face this monster. The man grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back, making her squeak in pain* “We’re going to have lots of fun together…” *He brought his face close to the girl’s as he said this* “….Never did an Oriental before...” *Saya squeezed her eyes shut and shuddered as this man ran a lustful hand down her body. Disturbing sounds came from the other rooms of the house. She wished it was all a perverse dream. When the man began moving his groping fingers beneath her garments, she began resisting violently, crying out to anyone who would listen. The man shoved her to the floor and grinded a foot into her body. Two of the man’s partners appeared in the doorway along with a third man of intimidating stature. Tattoos dotted his right arm, one of which was a ghostly white face in front of a sickle. This man looked down at the sobbing girl on the floor before him* “Found another whore to play with, eh?” *Saya’s captor smirked and leaned down to stroke Saya’s hair. Finding her hair clip, he swiftly removed it, letting the girl’s hair fall freely* “Not yet”, he replied. “But she will be a nice one once I learn her a little…” “Let me borrow her when you’re done…” *The tattooed man departed with his company. Saya felt colder than ever. The man dragged her to a sitting position and placed a hand on her face, wiping the tears away. Saya squirmed and twisted her head away. The man yanked her back and slapped her face. She fell back to the dirty floor* “If you want to survive, you’ll learn how to behave” *He got up and left, leaving Saya to cry to herself alone in the dark. The girl huddled at the foot of the couch and brought her knees to her head. It was going to be a long night…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Morning, two days later. There was still no word of Saya’s whereabouts. The police had assured her aunt and uncle that they were doing all they could, but Kenta didn’t trust a word of it. If anyone was going to find her, it was him and Ben. Since Ben had classes earlier than Kenta that day, he was already on campus. So Kenta was left to drive alone after dropping Miki off at her school. On the way he drove past the flower shop. Not surprisingly Saya’s Aunt Junko wasn’t there, but her business partner, a Hispanic woman named Rita if Kenta remembered correctly, was outside with a bundle of paraphernalia to be brought inside. Upon turning around she saw Kenta coming to a stop and waved him over* “Kenta!” *Kenta got out of the car and approached the woman. From the concerned look on her face, he assumed she had found out what had happened* Rita: Any news? *Kenta shook his head. Rita sighed and clutched her chest, her finger touching a cross attached to a necklace* Poor thing. I told her aunt to stay home today if something happened, she is a nervous wreck… *Kenta wondered for a moment if they had even told her parents yet. He took note of the load of items Rita was handling* Kenta: Need any help? Rita: Oh, I wouldn’t want to make you late… *Kenta waved her off* Kenta: I can spare a few minutes. *As he was bringing the stuff inside, he heard the phone ring* Rita: Now who could that be? *Kenta placed the phone on speaker* Kenta: Hello? “Your suspicions are correct” *Kenta froze* What are you talking about? “A gentle hand must save your friend” *Kenta gripped the counter’s edge even tighter. He didn’t recognize the voice, so it couldn’t be one of the men. Who was this man and how did he know about Saya?* Where is she?! *The sounds of construction and heavy machinery suddenly filled Kenta’s ear. It didn’t take him long to figure out where those men had brought his friend. He felt like dashing the phone against the wall* Who are you? “A friend” *The voice cut off. Kenta roughly turned off the speaker and gazed down at the counter. “A gentle hand must save your friend” What the hell did that mean? Rita noted the look of concentration on his face* Rita: Who was that? Kenta: He said he knew where Saya was… Rita: Well where is she?! Kenta: Near the warehouses. *He quickly ran to the car and jumped in. Rita followed* Rita: Hold on there! Don’t go dashing off by yourself. We have to tell the police. *Kenta bit down on his lip and tried to hide his impatience. Reluctantly he conceded her point* Now you go to class. I’ll handle this. *Kenta nodded, but he had no plan to let her handle it. He couldn’t just sit still. He waited until Rita hurried back inside before driving away. Kenta continued on his way to campus, all the while formulating a plan in his mind...* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The drifter named ‘41’ hung up his phone. “A gentle hand must save your friend”. That was the meaning of the dream the young man named Kenta saw. He would have to heed it before this was all over. ‘41’ looked up at the sun through his shades. Something terrible was on its way, and even he had his doubts if it could be stopped* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Noon, university campus. Ben and Kenta huddled in a corner of one of the main building’s lounges to stay out of range from wandering ears* Ben: You got a call from some guy? Kenta: He knows were Saya is… Ben: Really… Kenta: And something about a gentle hand saving your friend. Ben: What does that mean? *Kenta snorted* Kenta: You’re asking me? *Ben thought for a moment* Ben: I bet it’s that ‘41’ guy. Kenta: How would he know about all this? How would he know what I dreamt about?? Ben: Dream? *Kenta relayed the dream he had. Ben gave an odd look* That sounds familiar actually… Kenta: Well we can mull about it later. Right now we have to find Saya. *His phone suddenly rang. Kenta flipped it open to answer and allowed Ben to listen in* Miki: Ni-san? *Kenta tried to hide his surprise* Kenta: Miki?? What are you calling me for at this hour? Miki: I have something that might interest you two. *Ben and Kenta looked at each other* Kenta: How are you calling me from school? Miki: Do you want to hear me out or not? I don’t have much time to chat. *She was calling from the computer lab. After checking to see that the teacher wasn’t looking, she huddled behind her monitor again and whispered to her brother* Miki: I found an article about kidnappings of women over the past few months. It’s rumored some slave-trafficking group is behind them. Kenta:…. You overheard us the other night. *Miki grinned* Miki: Good ears. *Ben brought Kenta’s phone to his ear* Ben: Slaves for what? Miki: Don’t know. I’d assume prostitution is on the list though. *Kenta scowled for a brief moment before regaining his composure* Kenta: Thanks. Now get off the phone and back to work. *Miki pouted* Miki: But it’s boring… Kenta: Cry me a river. *He hung up and shoved the phone into his pocket, then turned to Ben* We go tonight. Ben: We? Kenta: I’m coming with you. Ben: I could be fighting a whole gang here. I can’t be guarding you at the same time. Kenta: Let me worry about myself. You keep them busy while I get Saya and whoever else could be there. Ben: I’ll be fine alone. You don’t have to do this. Kenta: I want to. *The determined look in Kenta’s eyes finally convinced Ben* Ben: Alright. Just try not get yourself beat up too much. Kenta: You’d be surprised what I can do… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The precinct that afternoon was swarming with more activity than usual. A flurry of strange incidents had suddenly been brought to the police’s attention. Det. Savage was secretly thankful that he was involved in something more clear-cut. The previous morning he had been briefed on the disappearance of a young Japanese girl the night before. Today a woman who worked with the girl’s aunt came in to report that someone had called her shop telling her where the girl was now. That location just happened to be a headquarters of a human-trafficking group that was under police investigation for some time now. And now a strike team was being assembled to take the group down for good. Savage was to be a part of this team. The detective looked over his protective armoring one last time. In and out. A simple enough mission. Unless of course the Rider poked his head in again. If he did, Savage would be ready for him…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Eiji hadn’t returned yet from work and Hiroko was running a late shift. Ben entered the garage and climbed onto his bike. Kenta arrived as he was putting on his helmet. Ben noticed a sheath carrying a knife attached onto his belt* Ben: Expecting a fight? Kenta: Just a little something from my martial arts days. *Ben exhaled loudly and looked at Kenta* Ben: Are you sure you want to come along for this? What am I going to tell your folks if you get hurt? *Kenta gave a coy smile* Kenta: You underestimate me. Ben: I’m serious. Kenta: She’s my friend. Ben: Didn’t know you were that close. *His little jibe went ignored. Ben sighed. He wasn’t going to get him to change his mind* Ben: But I suppose that’s reason enough. Worked for Miki. Miki: What about Miki? *Miki had appeared in the garage* Planning on leaving without me? Kenta: As a matter of fact, yes. You’re staying here. Miki: Why? Kenta: Because someone has to be here when Oraji or Okaa-san gets home. And monitor the cameras on this bike. Miki: That’s your job. Kenta: And tonight it’s yours. Now go back inside. *Miki then saw the sheathed knife on her brother’s belt* Miki: What – *She stopped her question when she saw Kenta’s stern look* Kenta: *Japanese* Go inside. *Miki resisted the urge to protest further. She cast a worried look on her face as she looked at Kenta and Ben before turning back to the house. Ben looked at the girl and then at his friend. He opened his mouth to say something but Kenta cut him off* Drive. *Ben sighed and started down the road to the industrial district. In the background, the setting sun illuminated them as they went * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Saya cried out as one of the men beat her again. Two days of torment. Would it ever end? She crumpled onto the floor again before a group of other captive girls, none of which made a move to help her. The man knelt down and dragged Saya upward by her hair* “You’re just making it harder on yourself* *He threw her back to the floor. Saya hid her back-eyed, tear-soaked face from everyone and lay there in disgrace. A trickle of blood dripped from her nose* “The more you resist, the more it will hurt. Your clients won’t appreciate any stubbornness” *He suddenly changed to a softer tone and began stroking the girl’s back. Saya shuddered* Though of course… thorns do make the rose more tantalizing… *He bent down to kiss Saya’s neck when the tattooed man suddenly appeared* “Still giving you trouble?” “She’s a stubborn one, alright” “Didn’t you try the tazer?” “Nah, too early for that yet…” *The tattooed man came in closer so that only Saya could overhear* “The organization needs some more… recruits. If you have any more troublemakers, I’ll take them off your hands” *The man noticed the Ghost member had his eye on Saya* “Not this. I have other plans for her” *The Ghost shrugged* “Suit yourself” *The first man waved to some of his associates to take away some of the more troublesome girls. Saya looked in horror as one of them, not much older than 15, was dragged out with them. The rest of the girls were sent away, leaving her and the man alone. She looked up at her captor* Saya: She’s just a child… “They make the best soldiers” Please let me go… “And have you babbling to the world about us? We’re a very exclusive club” I won’t tell anyone. “Hmm… well I suppose I could make an exception if you… did a little something for me…” *He reached a hand toward Saya’s chest. Saya shoved it away and crawled away from the sadist before her. The man grabbed her ankle and dragged her back to him. Saya cried out and fought frantically against him until she broke free. Getting up from the floor, she dashed down the winding corridors of the building, her pursuer coming right behind her. Saya eventually found herself in a large garage filled with a bunch of other members of the ring. Saya tried to run toward the exit but was soon caught by a net of groping arms. In desperation the girl tried to fight them off to little avail. Her pitiful cries echoed out to deaf ears… … Until someone on a motorcycle crashed through the unlocked doors of one of the exits and skidded to a halt. A helmeted Ben Hernandez dismounted his bike and glared in disgust at the pure evil surrounding this innocent girl. The hieroglyph on his belt glowed brightly in the dimly lit, cavernous room* “Who are you?!” *Ben stepped toward the men, his body igniting in silver flame. He grabbed the closest thug and threw him away toward the wall. Some of the rest who weren’t daunted by the man of fire before them brought out their firearms and began firing. The intense flames melted the bullets before they ever reached Ben’s body. One of Ben’s arms transformed into its armored state, and he used it to punch another man in the chest. Another he kicked in the hips with a transformed leg, making a cracking sound. The other limbs and torso contorted into their armored state as Ben beat down more gangbangers. One more daring man, the same man in fact who had stabbed Ben two days prior, threw a large knife at Ben’s chest. The blade impacted, but Ben simply ripped it out of him and thrust it deep into the body of his attacker. The man looked through the helmet into Ben’s eyes, shocked that the kid he had fought two days ago was the avenger of the city. Ben’s transformation into the Rider was complete as soon as this man fell dead. Saya looked on, utterly petrified at the carnage. The Rider turned his gaze to her and offered his hand, but she only retreated further away. She didn’t know who scared her more, these sadists or the masked monster before her. The Rider was quickly brought back to the fight as the remainder of the men pounced on him. One in particular tried to hijack Ben’s bike in an attempt to escape, but never got the chance. For before he could even turn the key, the bike transformed into Antares. The steed leaned onto his front wheel and bucked, tossing the man clear off his seat the way a normal horse would. Antares neighed and spit a ball of silver fire at him as he scrambled to his feet, incinerating him instantly. While the brawl continued, she tried to make her escape, only to be met with another surprise. A crèche of captive girls piled out from another hallway and were fleeing to the outside. Following behind was Kenta, a knife gripped tightly in his hand. The two of them did a double-take upon seeing each other* Kenta: Saya! *He noted his friend’s battered body* **Japanese** Are you alright? Saya: *Japanese* What are you doing here?! *A man crashed into the wall behind Saya, making her shriek in surprise. Only a few men were left standing from Ben’s melee. Kenta grabbed Saya closer to him* Kenta: Never mind that, just get outside. *Two more men suddenly grabbed Kenta and smacked him across the room into a table. Saya looked on as her friend engaged in a vicious fight of his own and screamed* Saya: *Japanese* Stop it! *Kenta didn’t stop until finally he managed to subdue his attackers. He breathed heavily as he got up and stumbled back to Saya, taking her out of the building. He didn’t notice one of the men had risen and was sneaking up to attack the girl from behind. Ben caught the man just before he could strike* Ben: KENTA! *Kenta turned around and swung his knife in front of him. The man looked down at the knife shoved deep into his lower torso. Ben, Saya and Kenta himself looked down as well, in utter shock at what he had just done. The man slumped onto the floor. Kenta extracted the knife from the body and looked upon his blood-stained hand. Then, fearing what he would see, he turned to Saya. The girl looked from the body to Kenta, the man who had just saved her. Her face was pale white. She silently shook her head, in denial of what she had just witnessed her friend commit. Her eyes flooded with fresh tears. Kenta tried to say something, but the words choked in his throat. But Saya didn’t need to hear anything. She collapsed into Kenta’s shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably. Kenta dropped his bloodstained knife to the floor. A call from Miki brought Ben back to reality. Miki: Helloooo out there. *By sheer luck Antares’ cameras had been focused on Ben’s fight. They had missed a death by her brother’s hand. Ben was grateful for Kenta’s sake* Ben: What? Miki: In case you didn’t notice, one of your friends is getting away. *She was watching from the cameras the tattooed Ghost trying to flee the scene. From the distance the sirens of police cars filled the air. Ben quickly mounted Antares and cast one more look at Kenta and Saya. He didn’t want to leave them, but what could he do? Reluctantly, he peeled out of the garage and into the dark. No one was going to escape punishment for such evil* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben stopped in the middle of a dirt road. Antares’ fiery eyes lit up the path before him, but caught no sign of his target. A voice suddenly called out to him* “Rider” * ‘41’ stood before him some feet away. He looked at the Rider from behind his shades ‘41’: You are on a dangerous road, Rider. *Ben gripped the handlebars impatiently. Now was not the time for cryptic prattle* Ben: Who are you? ’41’: I told you. I am a friend. And I say to you as a friend to end this while you still can. *Ben stared down the drifter. ‘41’ locked his eyes with Ben’s and stared back unblinkingly at the masked warrior…* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 2 plays*

Chapter 10: Dark Side * Ben turned around and flung the Ghost several feet away to the floor. Sensing defeat, the Ghost turned and tried to flee. But the poison had already deteriorated her muscles, and her movement was thus labored. The flames illuminated the Rider’s body as he slowly stepped toward his target to deliver his finisher. Twirling around his whip circularly in front of him, he created a tunnel that swallowed up the Ghost. Ben then leapt into the tunnel, its suction power shooting him through. When he came close, he delivered a flaming side Kick to the Ghosts’ back, sending her flying straight over the balcony of the floor toward the ground far below. Ben landed as the tunnel disappeared. The fires continued to burn…* Narrator: Within the most saintly lies a dark side. Quietly it slumbers, until a great trial rouses it from sleep…. *Ben breathed heavily. Already his torso was on fire from the effort to create his weapons. Hoping he wouldn’t black out this time, he stumbled over to Antares and placed his hand on the stallion-bike’s brow. The beast responded with a slight jerk of the head, beckoning his master to jump on. Ben could see the bike shaking before him* Ben: What’s the matter with you? *Antares rolled to the very edge of the balcony. In the distance the flashing lights of police vehicles could be seen approaching the building* I see… *Ben climbed onto Antares. The bike rolled backwards on its own and revved itself up, as if preparing for a big jump* Oh come on… do we have to? *Antares nodded his head. Ben groaned. He was in no mood to do any fancy stunts in this condition* Well don’t blame me if I throw up on you… *Antares turned his head and curled his upper lip, flashing what looked to Ben like a broad grin. (Or as broad a grin as a horse could give). The bike peeled down toward the balcony, broke through the wall and sailed clear over the treetops. By the time the police arrived on scene the Rider was long gone* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening Theme 2 plays* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ben leaned over on the handlebars as Antares came to an abrupt stop some miles away from the building. The pain was becoming unbearable, and being in motion just made it worse. Ben finally fell off the bike and lay on his back on the road. His armor slowly began burning off to reveal a fatigued body drenched in sweat. Antares leaned his head as far as he could and gently nudged Ben with his nose. A car began to approach at a fast speed. Ben tried to roll out of the way but found his body too stiff to move any decent distance. Antares quickly hopped in between Ben and the car, which skidded to a stop. Ben raised his head to get a better look at the car. He recognized it immediately. Kenta and Miki jumped out of the car and ran over to their friend. Miki knelt down beside Ben* Miki: Are you alright?! *Ben, in an effort to retain some modicum of dignity, tried to raise his body a little more. He flashed a grin at the girl* Ben: What makes you think I’m not? Kenta: You just decided to take a nap in the road… *He pulled Ben to a sitting position. Ben clutched his still-aching chest. By the time we got to the scene you were long gone. Lucky we ran into you. *Ben cocked an eyebrow* … You know what I mean. *Ben could feel his heart pounding, as if someone had shot adrenaline right through. Antares made a low whinnying sound and slightly bobbed his head, making Miki jump back and squeak in surprise* Ben: Don’t worry. He’s harmless. *Miki looked unsure. Antares rolled up to her and licked her face with a hot, luminescent tongue. The girl recoiled* Miki: Yuck… *Kenta gave a chuckle. Ben slowly got up and leaned against the car* Kenta: You’d better come with us. Ben: Good idea. This thing hasn’t given a very smooth ride. *He gave Antares a sour look and got into the passenger side* Miki: Yeah, take my seat why don’t you? Ben: Hero’s privilege. *Miki sneered and turned back to the bike* Miki: What about that? *Antares turned around and began going down the road on its own toward home* Kenta: I think he can take care of himself. *He got into the car after Miki and drove after the rider-less bike. Ben leaned his head against the headrest and tried not to think about the pain* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Savage rubbed his face with his hands as he sat behind his desk. For once he had decided to bring work home with him; work that was now compounded with the incident that afternoon. Once again these Ghosts, whoever they were, had thrown the city into a panic only to be foiled by the Masked Rider, leaving behind the mess they made in the process. But this time the fallen Ghost had been a young girl, only a few years older than his oldest child. From child sacrifices to child initiates, Savage thought. He didn’t know which disturbed him more. The attack today had fully motivated him to begin a fresh investigation on the Ghosts: what they were, how they operated, and how they could be eliminated. The voices of his children arguing came from the living room. Savage wasn’t worried: he knew his wife would soon quiet them down with her iron-fisted rule. He felt uncomfortable allowing work to once again cloister him from his private life, but he realized how important what he was doing would be for his city, and possibly the country. So Savage hunkered down behind his desk and began perusing the stack of files he had garnered from the archives. Most simply documented cases from the past few years involving strange occurrences, though not unfamiliar by now: beheaded bodies with their heads later found in shrine-like structures, victims of spontaneous combustion, horrific images suddenly appearing in the sky over certain areas. But what was more disturbing was the amount of more typical crimes that ended up being connected to this cult. The detective looked over reports of suspects in certain crimes (dead and alive) found to have superhuman powers, all of them sporting the usual emblem of a pale face over a sickle somewhere on their body. All of them admitted their membership, but leaked nothing further about the nefarious group. Most who ended up being incarcerated would later escape through seemingly impossible means, killing dozens of inmates and guards in the process. Everything read to Savage like the usual UFO/alien stories that floated around the Internet. But these were definitely no hoaxes. Everything was real right down to the last gory detail. Savage shuddered slightly as he put down a file. ‘Relax, buddy’ he told himself. ‘Don’t lose your nerve…’ Having gone through all the files, Savage proceeded to browse online for any reports or rumors of anything that could be related to the Ghosts. All he found was something about a “ghost virus” that had been sent to certain people by an unknown person. Just another Internet prank, Savage thought dejectedly. But this lack of results did arouse his suspicion: did people simply did not take the admittedly comic book-idea of a dark cult secretly controlling a significant criminal empire…. or someone was covering things up. After a few minutes of blind browsing, Savage stifled a yawn and decided to call it a night. But as he was about to turn off his computer, an e-mail alert caught his eye. Savage paused. Was this just a coincidence? Slowly, Savage moved his mouse to the icon and clicked on it. His screen suddenly faded to black. Before Savage could react a blood-curling scream resonated from his computer, nearly scaring him right out of his chair. The Ghosts’ emblem appeared on screen, the pale white face contrasting sharply the jet-black background. The mouth of the face was agape, tricking drops of blood while issuing its terrifying scream. The files on the desk then burst into a strange white flame and disintegrated into ash. Savage stared back at the eyeless face, petrified. The image finally disappeared, and the computer shut down on its own. Savage slowly got up from his chair, trying hard to calm himself down. He suddenly saw his youngest daughter cowering in the doorway grasping her teddy bear. ‘She must have heard’, thought Savage. He quickly came over to the small girl gave her a hug as she collapsed into his body. The detective gently shushed her as she cried. He could only thank God she had only heard the scream and not seen the ghastly face…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Kenta set down three cups of tea on the coffee table and seated himself between Ben and Miki. Hieroglyphs cluttered his laptop screen as the translator program worked furiously. Looseleaf filled with scribbled hieroglyphs and their translations was scattered across the table surface. Ben, still suffering from a dull headache, reached for his tea and slowly sipped it. Miki leaned back against the couch and sighed* Miki: Nothing. *she turned to her brother* How did you get this anyway? *Kenta shifted his gaze away from his sister. Miki cocked an eyebrow and opened her mouth to say something, but Ben cut her off* Ben: Nevermind that. There has to be something here explaining my…condition. *Kenta shook his head* Kenta: There’s a lot of stuff here. We’re not going to get anywhere at this rate. *Miki started on her own tea* Miki: Couldn’t we just type what we want in English and then let it find an equivalent in these symbols? Kenta: This isn’t Babelfish. All this thing can do is decipher the hieroglyphs given. Ben:: Perhaps if typed what we want in this language and let the thing search for something similar…. Miki: Like a search engine? *Ben nodded* Kenta: Good idea, if we actually knew this language. All we have is a few symbols and fragments of sentences… *He finished off his cup and set it down on the table. A thought suddenly came into his head* Maybe we should look back at the stuff we translated before. *Miki grabbed the sheets of paper and waved them before Kenta’s face* Miki: Hello? That’s what we’ve been doing. *Kenta, irritated, made a clicking sound with his tongue. He gestured toward Ben* Kenta: I meant the symbols that appear on your belt. *Ben furrowed his brow in concentration* Ben:I’d have thought those were obvious. Kenta: Perhaps we overlooked something. Maybe a cryptic meaning… *Ben thought about this. Could they have misunderstood what these strange glyphs were saying? Were they doing something wrong? Ben held his aching head and leaned it upon his arm. Miki suddenly gave a big yawn. Kenta glanced at a nearby clock* Kenta: Bedtime. Miki: Too early… Kenta: Tomorrow’s a school night. *He nudged her shoulder* Shoo. Miki: You’re staying up. Kenta: Not for long. Now go to bed. *Miki pouted, mimicking a small girl* Miki: I don’t wanna… *Kenta took hold of Miki’s arm and stood up, yanking hard. Miki fell off the couch onto the floor* Ow! *Kenta grinned* Kenta: Now can you walk or must I carry you? *Miki scowled as she picked herself up. Coming up to Kenta, she stomped on his foot and shuffled off to her room. Kenta let out a small cry of pain but decided to let his sister escape for now. Turning to Ben, he saw his friend beginning to doze off on the couch. Quietly, Kenta turned off his laptop and took it with him to his room, leaving Ben to sleep in peace* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The next day. Saya sat upon a bench in a small park by campus munching on a rice cake. Her classes were over the day, and she had decided to have a quick bite before heading for work. A hand suddenly tapped her head. Saya whipped around to see Kenta standing from behind the bench, giving a small wave. By now the two had gotten to know each other fairly well* Saya: *Japanese* Hello. Kenta: *Japanese* Done for the day? *Saya nodded as she chewed* Saya: I’m going to work now. Kenta: At your aunt’s shop? *Saya nodded again. Her aunt Junko co-owned and ran a flower shop not to far from Kenta’s house. He had worked there part-time himself in his high school days. His parents had felt it doubly served as a way to learn some responsibility and keep him out of trouble under Junko-obasan’s wing. Saya got up and slung her bag over her shoulder* Saya: *English* … Are you going anywhere? *Kenta got up and shook his head* Kenta *Japanese* I’ll go with you. *Saya quickly turned her head away for some reason. Kenta thought he saw a tinge of red appear on her cheek. The shop was a considerable distance away, but neither of them seemed to notice as they weaved through the busy streets to their destination. Kenta attempted to carry on the conversation* Kenta: So… how’s school treating you? Saya: It’s good. Lots of work. Kenta: Quite the busy bee… *Saya smirked* Saya: *Japanese* It’s worse back home. Here I don’t need to watch my brothers cause mayhem. Kenta: *Japanese* Sounds like they’re a handful. Saya: Oh no. Just… *Unsure of whether she would offend her company, she hesitated. Kenta grinned and finished her sentence* Kenta: Boys? *An embarrassed Saya offered a small giggle. Kenta continued* But you’d be no better of with sisters. *Saya looked at Kenta* Saya: *English* Miki-chan is sweet. *Kenta snorted* Kenta: *English* You don’t live with her. *They had reached the shop. Racks of flowers decorated the outside entrance. Standing on the curb nearby was a group of suspicious-looking men. As Saya passed one of them seemed to make a kissing sound while the others snickered. Kenta frowned at the group and moved to block Saya from their view* Kenta: You know them? *Saya shook her head* Saya: They’ve been hanging around here recently. *Her voice betrayed nervousness. She looked thankful to be getting inside. Within the building stood more displays. Bushes of small flowers and pots housing large beauties. From the ceiling hung long vinous specimens which looked to Kenta like green webs. Saya’s aunt Junko stepped out from a back room* Junko: Kenta-chan! How are you? *Kenta smiled and exchanged his pleasantries. Junko suddenly spotted the group of men from the window and grimaced* Junko: Not them again. I’ll be right back, dear. *She stepped out. As Saya untied her hair and put on an apron, Kenta glanced around the shop until something on the shelf behind the counter caught his eye. Kenta went behind the register and grabbed the small Ultraman doll. On the tag he eyed the name “Saya Takuto” scribbled on in Japanese characters. Saya came up to him* Kenta: An Ultraman fan, are we? Saya: I got it when I was little. Kenta: Aren’t you a little old to display stuffed toys? *Saya put on an innocent face* Saya: It’s cute. *She took the doll and placed it back on the shelf. Kenta looked indignant* Kenta: Ultramen aren’t cute! Saya: This one is. Kenta: Take a gander at Nexus then. Saya: Already did. I have the DVDs. *Kenta raised his eyebrows* Kenta: Interested in selling? *Saya smiled and moved toward some potted plants as Junko re-entered the shop, having made the men disperse* Saya: Well, I have to get started. Kenta: *Japanese, to Junko* You’ve gotten more inventory. Junko: *Japanese* Oh no. Most of these are Saya-chan’s. She has such a talent for gardening. *Saya nodded shyly. The shop door opened suddenly and in popped Ben. His bike stood parked just outside* Ben: I thought I saw you with a nice catch. *Kenta rolled his eyes and pointed to Saya* Kenta: Ben, this is Saya. Saya, Ben. *The two shook hands. Saya’s pleasant demeanor seemed to change for a second upon seeing Ben. For a moment her eye was hooked on his ring. She felt as if a shadow had been cast upon her. Kenta continued without noticing* Well, we’d better be going. Junko:Tell your mother I say hello. Kenta: Will do. Saya: Bye. *He turned to leave, but suddenly stopped. He remembered that the Blue Angels were holding a performance in a few days. He turned to Saya* Kenta: *Japanese* Have any plans in the next few days? Saya: *Japanese* No, why? Kenta: The Blue Angels are having an event. Interested in going? *Saya seemed taken aback. She glanced at her aunt, who seemed to have a strange twinkle in her eye* Junko That’s a good idea. *to Saya* You shouldn’t stay cooped up indoors all the time. I haven’t gone out in a while. Why don’t we all go? Kenta: Sounds good. *He looked at Saya, who suddenly turned her eyes down toward some plants. He gave a small wave and stepped out. Ben chuckled as he followed* Ben: Very smooth. Kenta: What’re you talking about? Ben: You know, I could give you some pointers in this field… Kenta: It’s not a date… Ben: Maybe you two could sneak away when no one’s looking and… *Kenta whacked him in the shoulder* Kenta: Shut up and give me a ride. *Ben continued chuckling as he tossed Kenta the spare helmet. From the corner of his eye he spotted the group of men loitering a block or two away from the shop, continuing to look in its direction. As he got on the bike, Kenta saw what he was looking at and scowled toward the group* Ben: Trouble? Kenta: Hope not… *Ben started the bike and together they sped off* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. En route from the bathroom, Ben overheard Eiji and Hiroko speaking a mix of English and Japanese in hushed voices in the kitchen. Trying not to be seen, he got closer to get a better listen. Upon doing so he spotted on the dining table a pile of bills and some facts & figures from Eiji’s garage business. Ben heard his name thrown in. Immediately he felt he knew what they were talking about. Quietly he found his way back to bed and stared into the pitch blackness…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Noon, some days later. Kenta stood by the front door waiting for the rest of the family to get down. The Blue Angels’ show would begin in a few hours. Ben gallivanted down to meet him* Kenta: Where’s everyone else? Ben: Why so anxious? Kenta: The place will be crowded before long. Ben: Relax. She’s not going to run out on you. *Kenta narrowed his eyes* Kenta: Oh give it a rest… *Ben grinned* Ben: Hey, I think I’ll go on ahead. Tell your folks I’ll meet them there. Kenta: Why the rush? *Ben shrugged* Ben: Well you’re so jumpy I figure I’ll just make sure to reserve a spot for you and your friend. Kenta: … I oughta slug ya… *Ben chuckled and walked out to the garage. Kenta watched him ride off, and turned back to the stairs. His parents came down the stairs* Kenta: *Japanese* Where’s Imoto? Eiji: *Japanese* In the bathroom. Hiroko: What always keeps her so long? Kenta: Putting on her makeup probably. *Hiroko frowned at the thought. Miki finally came out and thundered down the stairs, tying her hair as she did so* Kenta: Hime-sama is finally all dressed. Miki: *English* And the peasant goes out in his rags… Hiroko: Oh hush. Don’t talk nonsense. Get in the car, we’re meeting Tachibana-ojisan tachi now. *She ruffled her son’s hair* Hiroko: *Japanese* You look fine, dear. * Miki snuck a teasing grin past her mother at Kenta as she disappeared into the car Kenta hung his head in embarrassment* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The route Ben was taking to the park passed by the flower shop. Stopping at a traffic light, he caught his gaze on the group of men that had been loitering outside the shop two days prior. He remembered Kenta’s reaction to them. Something suspicious was afoot. The light turned green, but Ben continued to stare. One of the men saw that they had a one-man audience* “Hey look, it’s that kid again” *Ben took off his helmet and got off the bike* Ben: You seem really interested in these flowers. “Yeah…. ‘specially that big curvy one inside. Why don’t you let us in and see ‘er? *The others snickered. Ben recalled Kenta’s reaction to them. He himself was getting suspicious* Ben: Store’s closed. *Other man spoke* “Then you can ask her boyfriend to lend her out for a few minutes” *More snickering. Now Ben knew for sure these folks were up to no good. He unconsciously flexed his hand in and out of a fist* Ben: There’s nothing to see here, so why don’t you move along? “Not ‘till I see my little Japanese rose” Ben: A Rosa rugosa, eh… *He looked around the outside racks until he found a pink Japanese rose. He picked up the large pot* Why, it seems we have one right here. Here, it’s on the house. *He dug his hand into the soil and flung it at the leader’s face. The man cried out in surprise and furiously wiped his eyes and face of the dirt. The other men jumped at Ben. Ben threw the pot at one man and ducked under the incoming fist of another. To this one he gave a punch in the head. The leader, fully recovered, grabbed Ben from the front and delivered a right hook to his mouth, making him stumble to the ground. Two more of the men joined Ben on the ground and began trying to hold him down, but Ben wrestled them off and kicked one of them in the chest. The brawl continued on until the wail of a police siren came from down the street….* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Det. Savage had flown planes during his brief tenure in the Navy. Thus he was looking forward to the Blue Angels’ show: a chance both to reminisce and to get his mind off the plagues of the city, especially the Ghosts. His laptop was still offline from the virus, but that didn’t concern him as much as his youngest daughter. It had been a few days since the incident and she was still feeling distraught. So this trip wasn’t just a way for Savage to unwind but a way to cheer up the poor girl. Thus sat Savage in the car with his wife and two younger children (the oldest had decided to spend some time elsewhere with friends) The drive had been going without incident until they stopped at a red light. On the block just after the light, Savage could see a brawl taking place by a flower shop. He turned to Allison, who turned to the kids. They were looking out in another direction, oblivious to what was going on just one block down. Allison slowly nodded to her husband, giving him a grim look. Savage reluctantly placed the detachable lights and siren onto the roof of the car and turned them on as the light turned green. The kids jumped up at once. They had never seen their father in action. Savage went down the block and stopped the car midway. Jumping out of the car, he flashed his badge and gun toward the people brawling* “Police!” *What he saw took him by surprise: a group of battered, bloody men on one side and a beaten kid on the other. But what surprised him more was the face of the kid: Ben Hernandez. The men saw the cop and wasted no time hanging around until he reached them. Glowering at Ben, they picked themselves up and ran off. Ben himself wiped away some blood tricking from his mouth as Savage came over and picked him up* Savage: You all right? Ben: Yeah, fine. Nothing serious. *He wiped the dirt off himself and rotated his sore shoulder* Savage: Well what the hell happened? Ben: They wanted to see a flower, and I said the store is closed… *Savage looked confused, but shook the feeling off* Savage: You sure you’re all right? Ben: I’m fine. Now unless you’re going to arrest me, I should be going. Actually, you should go arrest the merry band that just ran off *He picked up the Japanese rose, its pot now shattered* Aw, they forgot their rose… *Ben turned to go but Savage held him back. He looked the boy’s side and saw a patch of red. Ben quickly examined his side to see a gaping wound. Apparently one of the men had snuck a stab in* Savage: That looks bad. I should take you to the emergency room… Ben: It’s not that bad. *Savage mirthlessly chuckled* Savage: You obviously never took endocrinology. Now come on… *Savage saw Allison looking out the window of the car and went over to her. After a few seconds of hushed speaking, she got into the driver’s seat and drove off to the event with the kids. Savage went back to Ben, took out a thick handkerchief and told the boy to hold it tightly over the wound* Ben: Please, no ambulances. I have my dignity… *Savage smiled* Savage: Just like your old man… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Evening. Kenta had been surprised at just how big of a turnout it had been. Amongst the people there was a sense of good spirits and pride; pride in the Blue Angels, which translated into a pride in the military and a pride in the country. For a few hours the proverbial weeds in the wheat were unseen and forgotten: there was only beauty in the metropolis. Even Kenta could see his home as Saya did in these few hours. The show was long over. Ben’s absence had been noticed by everyone, but it was assumed he had just been in another location at the event. Kenta had met up with some friends from campus and gone out with them for dinner while his family went with Tachibana-ojisan and Junko-obasan elsewhere. With them had come Saya, on the encouragement of her aunt and uncle. “Go out and enjoy the outside”, was in essence what Tachibana had told her. Having just finished their meal, the group of kids was now mingling with the crowd at the boardwalk. Saya found Kenta leaning over a railing and staring up at the darkening sky. The girl came up and gave him a gentle nudge on the arm* Saya: Why so alone? *Kenta shrugged* Kenta: Just wanted some space. *Saya leaned over the railing beside Kenta* Kenta: Glad you came? *Saya nodded* Saya: Those jets are very pretty… *Kenta turned to the girl* Kenta: Pretty? Saya: Well aren’t they? Kenta: Sure, they look nice. But… pretty? *Saya cringed slightly* Saya: Bad word? Kenta: Well maybe if you change it from ‘jets’ to that woman announcer… *He grinned cheekily. Saya rolled her eyes to the side and turned back toward the sky and ocean below, brushing some strands of hair from her face. Kenta continued* I wonder where Ben went. Saya: You two seem close. Kenta: We are. *Saya shrugged and seemed to shift around uncomfortably* What’s wrong? Saya: Something is strange about him. Kenta: Well I suspect his stomach is a vortex to another universe… *Saya didn’t smile, indicating Kenta’s failure in brevity. He cleared his throat and took on a more serious tone* Kenta: He’s a good friend. *Japanese* He’s more like an Ototo than anything… *Saya rested her head on the railing* Saya: Oh? Kenta: We met in high school… *As he relayed his story, his mind went back to autumn, six years ago. A 16-year old Kenta meandered out to the crowded grounds just as school was ending. While many of his friends and upper classmates took pleasure in ragging the incoming freshman, he never had an appetite for it. Today he had planned on heading straight home when he heard a wild commotion nearby. Looking closer, he saw a 14-year old Hispanic boy glowering down at a senior almost twice his strength. The latter was cradling a bloody nose. No sooner had Kenta registered what had happened did a group of teachers’ aides grab both boys and the senior’s friends, and ordered everyone clear out. Kenta retreated with the rest of the kids. Fights were commonplace in school. That senior was lucky to have just gotten a bloody nose. He soon forgot the matter. The next day the head of the tutoring program had called Kenta in: he had a new student. And who would it be but that freshman with the knock-out punch. Kenta remembered his great annoyance: the last thing he needed was to teach another disinterested jerk who was only there because he was ordered to go. Kenta had sat down next to the boy and read his name from the cover of one of his books* Kenta: Ben Hernandez… *Ben only looked back at his new tutor with the typical disinterested look* I have only one condition: keep your hands away from my nose. *Ben was silent for a moment. Then the two boys began chuckling loudly together. Thus was the beginning of a close friendship lasting even after Kenta had gone to college.… And now Kenta found himself back in the present. The sun had gone down completely, replaced with a bright moon and dim stars. A slight chill descended over the boardwalk. Saya shivered slightly and adjusted her skirt* Kenta: It’s getting dark Saya: And cold… *One of Kenta’s friends appeared suddenly and told him they were leaving. Kenta replied his concurrence and stepped away from the railing. Saya suddenly pointed* Saya: *Japanese* Look! *A meteor streaked toward the sky* Kenta: *Japanese* Make a wish. Saya: *English* I did. Kenta: And what was it? *Saya’s face flushed. She just smiled mischievously and walked away* Well? *She shook her head and continued walking. Kenta smiled to himself and joined her. Together they walked as the lights of the city began dotting the landscape one by one. Boy and girl looked out at the tall buildings with a sudden sense of awe* Saya: *Japanese* Beautiful. *For once Kenta fully agreed. They reached his car. As Kenta opened the door he turned to face his friend* Want a ride home? *Saya hesitated and then shook her head* Saya: No thanks. I live nearby. *It was true enough, but Kenta knew the real reason. It wasn’t seen as very proper for a girl to accept rides from men who weren’t family. Still, he wondered whether such a delicate thing would be all right at this time of night* Kenta: You sure? *Saya nodded and gave a reassuring smile. Kenta saw the lights from the cities reflected in her gentle eyes. He remembered how the girl had looked the first time they had met. All she needed was a flower in her hair, thought Kenta* Kenta: Well, good night then. Saya: Good night. *Kenta watched the girl walk away under the streetlights for a good few minutes before finally getting in the car. But instead of starting it, he just sat back in his chair and let the window down. He suddenly felt tired. As his eyelids got heavy, the image of Saya persisted in his mind. The road before him was suddenly not that of a California city, but of the Japanese countryside…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Saya quickened her pace as the night sky became darker still. All of a sudden a wall of bodies materialized in her way as she rounded a corner. The girl’s heart sped up as she recognized the men. No one else was in sight. Saya continued her trek, trying her best to ignore the men as they started coming toward her* “So there you are. We were starting to get worried…” *Saya ignored them and looked down at the ground as she went. The men moved to block her path* “It’s not safe out here. Why don’t we give ya a ride home?” *Saya shivered. Nervously she answered, wondering she could make a dash for it* Saya: No… no thank you. “You don’t look fine…” “Sure she does. Quite fine…” *More laughter. Saya tried to run but was caught by one of the men* “Oh, she’s a quick one… Saya: Please… let me go… *The leader came forward* “Sure we’ll let you go. Just do us a little favor…” *He began stroking Saya’s cheek. Saya flinched and quickly broke the grip of the other man’s hand on her arm. Again she tried to run, but the leader caught her by the stomach and brought her close to him* “…And keep us company for a while…” *Saya screamed. She slammed her foot down on her captor’s shoe and broke free again, but was caught from behind and slammed into the door of the men’s van. Saya held her bleeding head and crumpled to the ground, tears flowing out her eyes. The men picked her up and threw her in the van. Saya screamed again and got a kick in the stomach as a reward, shutting her up completely. The men clambered into the van and rode off into the darkness* TO BE CONTINUED *Ending Theme 2 plays* Trivia: The Ultraman doll pictured belongs to two of my second cousins in Sri Lanka.