(Somewhere in the outer suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, far from the plethora of
colored lights, flashing neon signs, and the bustling activity of the inner city.
It is a dark, silent night. As a clock tolls
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Igadevil’s Kamen Rider Page proudly presents…
Kamen Rider Sigma
Episode 1: “She is called Sigma!!”
("Kanojo No Na Wa Shiguma!!")
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(
Young Woman: (reading silently) Jônan University Arts & Sciences Faculty Office, Room #B204. (Grinning) I hope I'm not too late!
(Sometime later, a taxi cab pulls up to a well-lit stop outside the recently-refurbished
Young Woman: (Worried) Hey, are you okay!?
(As clouds slowly drift out of the way of the full moon, the resulting light illuminates the pale and ghostly-looking form. Upon seeing the body’s head, the girl gasps, putting a hand to her mouth and stepping back in utter shock. The young woman slowly shakes her head, as if trying to wake herself out of some horrible nightmare. All of a sudden, something grabs her and pulls her back. She is slammed up against a wall, and her mouth is covered by the same, inhuman hand we saw before. Her eyes widen as she sees a horrifying, insectoid face in front of her. Five black eyes- three large circular orbs and two smaller human-sized ones- stare into her own, reflecting her startled expression. The mysterious female creature raises her arm and a long, silvery blade flips forth with a “Schhhhing!” noise. The monstrous being then moves her arm back, preparing to stab the girl in the face. The monster’s victim glances at it terrified. Just then, the look of fear changes to a sly smile, and the young woman gives the creature a swift kick in the side, followed by a punch to the stomach, sending her assailant reeling back. The girl lands softly on the ground and brushes her hair aside.)
Young Woman: (Cocky) I don't know who you’re supposed to be, but I don't appreciate that kind of treatment, okay? (She puts one fist to the other hand, grinning.)
(The spider-like creature glares at her, and raises her arm once again. It punches forth. The girl ducks and rolls out of the way. The creature's arm hits the nearby brick wall and leaves a gaping gash as she pulls the blade out.)
Young Woman: (Looking at the gash) Yikes!!! On second thought-!!
(The creature punches at her again, but she dodges and turns to run. As she does, the creature spits a white silk-like substance that wraps itself around her, and she falls to the ground with a yelp. Struggling, she is pulled towards the spider-like creature with tremendous force.)
Young Woman: (Looking at the webbing, disgusted) Gaaah!!! What is this!? (Looking up to the creature) What do you want with me!?!
(Just when she's within arm's reach though, the creature freezes as someone yells out. It’s a familiar voice to us, but new to both predator and prey. Someone we haven’t heard or seen in a long time.)
Familiar Voice: Stop!
(The creature looks up, as does the girl, and both gasp in surprise. It is none other than Kamen Rider 1, standing high up on the roof of the closest university building! Rider 1’s red scarf blows in the soft nighttime wind, and his illuminated red eyes stand out from even the bright silver of his mask. His silver-gloved arms by his sides, he stands confidently as he glares down at the situation.)
Rider 1: (In his usual low, tough voice) Let her go, Kaijin! It's me you’re looking for!
(The masked hero throws one arm diagonally across his chest, pulling the other to his side in a classic Rider 1 battle stance, complete with the appropriate sound effects.)
Spider Creature: (In a cold, mechanized voice) Kamen Rider!
Young Woman: (Shocked) Kamen Rider!?!
Rider 1: (Raising both arms) TOH!!!
(Rider 1 leaps into the air, somersaulting down and punching the creature in the face, momentarily stunning her. Using this precious time, he grabs the silk-substance from the girl and tears it off.)
Rider 1: (Somewhat surprised, trying to sound calm) … Are you all right, miss?
Young Woman: (Still really shocked) I… I think s-so…
(Just then the creature lunges at Rider 1 again, causing both to tumble backwards onto the grass, and the young woman rises and backs away against a wall. As they struggle with each other, the girl looks on in amazement. Rider 1 and the creature exchange several punches and kicks before the spider monster spits some more webbing up to one of the roofs and uses it to scale the wall. As she does so though, Rider 1 leaps up to the top and is already there by the time she arrives. He kicks her right in the face, knocking her backwards, but her feet retain their grip to the building and she springs back and onto another nearby building before propelling herself towards Rider 1. He steps aside as she leaps by. The monster then lunges at Rider 1 several times with her arm blade, but he easily dodges and delivers kicks and punches to the creature's stomach, sending her toppling back. Rider 1 manages to trip the Kaijin, but as he is about to deliver a powerful downward punch, she grabs his arm and flips him over. Rider 1 quickly gets to his feet. He knees the monster several times in the stomach, before both leap into the air, holding onto each other.)
Rider 1: RIDER KIRIMOMI SHOOT!
(Rider 1 lifts the monster over his head, spins her around in midair and throws her back to the rooftop, but to his dismay she lands cleanly on her feet. As she rises up from her crouched landing position, the spider creature turns and looks to see the masked hero coming towards her, with one foot extended.)
Rider 1: DENKÔ RIDER KICK!!!
(The monster spits forth more webbing, but Rider 1’s foot, charged with
explosive electrical energy, cuts through the stuff like a hot knife through
butter. Rider 1 lands on the spot where the monster should be, but she has
somehow vanished. He looks around for several minutes, but all he sees are the
lights of
Rider 1: (Solemnly) She disappeared... (Remembering the girl, he runs off.)
(Meanwhile, the young woman runs for her life, still unnerved by this whole experience. She races towards the nearest building, but as she is about to enter, three other figures blocks her path. Not seeing any of them in time, she runs into them and is knocked backwards onto the ground. Her vision goes blurry before she is out cold. The dark figures advances towards her, but suddenly scatter when another figure pulls up on a motorcycle. He dismounts and starts to pull off his helmet.)
***
(Later, the girl awakens, and finds herself in a well-lit room. She is lying on a couch, and a blanket is draped over her. As she opens her eyes, she sees that it is a small lounge area, and through the open door she sees a biology lab, with most of the equipment turned off. All of a sudden, she notices a figure advancing towards her from the shadows. She gulps and clenches her fist, but puts her hand down and smiles when she sees who it is.)
Young Woman: (Elated) Hongô-senpai!
(The man is Hongô Takeshi, looking more aged then when we last saw him in Kamen Rider Stronger, but still alive and energetic.)
Hongô: (Gruffly) Still calling me that, Ryûsaki Maya?
Maya: (Shrugs) What else?
(Both Hongô and Maya smile and share a laugh.)
Hongô: It's good to see you again, Maya. It’s been a while... (He puts down a tray with some tea and pours her some.)
Maya: (Scratching head) Yeah. (Groggily) Say, exactly how did I get here?
Hongô: You fell asleep on a bench at the bus stop. (Chuckles) You should have checked into a hotel if you were really that tired.
Maya: (Embarrassed) Well, yeah, I know… but I was eager to come back and see you. I heard you were going to America in a few weeks.
Hongô: (Smiles) Always keeping track of your contacts, huh Ryûsaki-san? Yes, I was planning to visit an old friend over in New York City. But… well, something’s come up, so I might have to delay my trip.
Maya: Really? That’s too ba—
(Just then it snaps in Maya. The night's events flash before her.)
Maya: Hongô-senpai! You'll never believe what happened-
Hongô: (Trying to look surprised) What is it?
Maya: On the way here… I… (Maya thinks carefully for a minute)… oh, never mind. It must have just been a bad dream. (She rubs the back of her head.)
(Hongô is well aware of what she is talking about, but he decides to not let his former student know for her own safety.)
Hongô: I’m sure that was it. Hey, it’s getting rather late. Your apartment is some ways away from here, isn’t it? You can sleep here for the night, and I’ll give you a ride over to your place in the morning.
Maya: I wouldn’t be too much trouble?
Hongô: No, classes are out for another few weeks. And you won’t be here that long I hope! (Chuckles, standing up) Oyasuminasai, Ryûsaki-san.
Maya: Oyasuminasai.
(As Hongô leaves the room to head back to his own apartment, Maya begins to drift off to sleep. As she does, she thinks to herself.)
Maya: (Thinking) It couldn’t have really just been a dream… could it? Maybe I should check around tomorrow, and see if there really was a body there… if it were real it would have been reported to the police, probably… hmmmm…
***
(It is now somewhere around 1 or 2 am. Tokyo is still active even at this time of the night. Traffic, mixed with the city lights, creates a colorful illuminated ballet from afar. High atop a skyscraper, the spider-like creature crouches on all fours, scanning the streets and alleyways below for her next victim.)
***
(The next day, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Maya is busily explaining last night’s tale to a rather confused young officer.)
Maya: (Having just finished).... And it all happened just like that. That's the best I remember it anyway... it all went by so fast. I couldn't really—
Police Officer: (Totally clueless about what to do) Uh, that's all right. I should probably get you someone more experienced…
(Maya waits patiently, as the officer runs over to a familiar man, walking towards them, talking on his cell phone. It is none other than Ichijô Kaoru, the detective from Kamen Rider Kuuga )
Police Officer: Ichijô-san!
Ichijô: (To phone) Please excuse me. I'll call you back in a minute. (Looks towards Police Officer) Yes?
(Maya can’t hear the conversation between the two, but she sees the expression on Ichijô’s face, and figures that maybe it wasn’t a dream after all. Ichijô & the other officer walk over. Ichijô gives her a quick nod of the head, which Maya returns with a slight bow, and he sits down across from her.)
Ichijô: I’m Detective Ichijô. Please tell me, are you entirely sure about what you saw?
Maya: Well, I think so. I’m not certain, but it was too real to be a dream. I really was attacked by some kind of creature… and I was saved by someone it called “Kamen Rider”!
Ichijô: (Skeptical, grimly) Kamen… Rider?
Maya: (Leans closer) Yes…
(Maya’s face gets uncomfortably close to Ichijô’s own, which he attempts to convey by coughing into his closed fist. Maya jolts backwards instantly.)
Ichijô: (Sits back) Umm… could you please excuse me for a moment?
Maya: (Frustrated) Oh, yes.
(Ichijô goes for the proverbial backup. He approaches a senior officer, and Maya watches as the words “Kamen Rider” comes from his lips. The senior officer looks rather shocked. Both go over to where Maya is and sit down.)
Senior Officer: You say you saw a Kamen Rider?
Maya: Uh-huh. That’s what the creature said anyway...
Ichijô: (Intrigued) So the creature talked, huh?
Senior Officer: Hmmmmmm...
Maya: ...A Kamen Rider? You mean that there are more of them then?
Senior Officer: (Obviously not listening to either of them) Young Lady, tell me, how much do you know about the Kamen Riders?
Maya: Well… not much. Nothing actually.
Ichijô: (Speaking for himself) Nothing that has been proven, yet. It’s always been a popular urban myth, but there’s little in the way of factual evidence…
Maya: Well, I guess, they were a bunch of vigilantes or something, right?
Senior Officer: (Quietly) The Kamen Riders are nothing but the stuff of legend now, that’s what. Assuming they even existed in the first place, they disappeared years ago. You may or may not have heard the stories told by people who claimed to see them. Some really crazy stuff. Evil organizations, world conquest and all that. Why, some have even claimed they saved or helped them in time of need. Whether or not any of that actually happened, well, I won’t confirm nor deny, but none of it has the proper evidence to be proven. Some actually likened Unidentified Life Form #2 & #4 as well as that Agito character from several years ago to them... but they are in a whole different league...
Police Officer #2: (Butting in) Well, there’s probably more information available on those weird-looking guys with the giant dragon & bat robots that showed up not too long ago—
(Maya, Ichijô & the Senior Officer look up at him, lost for words.)
Police Officer #2: And, um… you didn’t hear me say that… (Goes back about his business.)
Senior Officer: (Trying to get things back on track) Anyway, we hardly know anything about what happened with the Kamen Riders, most of it was either never officially recorded or is strictly classified. As far as the world at large is concerned, the Kamen Riders are something that can never be explained, and we should just move on and worry about today’s problems. The world has real terrorist groups and maniacs to worry about, not to mention all those creatures that started showing up a few years ago. But the less said about them right now, the better.
(Before either can get in a word, the Senior Officer excuses himself and leaves. Maya, unflinching, continues to try to sell her story to Ichijô.)
Maya: But I'm telling you, I really did see a Kamen Rider! I was saved by him!
Ichijô: (Sighs, deciding to play along) All right. (Takes out a notepad and pencil) Which one?
Maya: (Frustrated) I don't know! I've never actually seen any of them before last night.
Ichijô: You might have just hallucinated the entire event. (Flatly) Had you been drinking that night?
Maya: No way! I saw him, I swear!
(Ichijô still doesn’t look convinced.)
Maya: (Irritated) And I was not drinking!!!
Ichijô: But you don't have any real proof of his existence. Therefore I’m afraid I just can’t buy into that story.
Maya: But… well, what about the creature then?
Ichijô: (Sighs again) Could you describe it for me, please?
Maya: Well, it looked somewhat like a human, but it moved like it was an insect… like a spider, I guess.
Ichijô: (Voice now filled with worried interest) A spider? Do you think you could sketch it out?
Maya: Sure…
(He hands her the pencil and paper. She quickly makes a sketch, and Ichijô studies it with a mix of bewilderment and disbelief.)
Maya: Ever seen it before?
(Ichijô is slightly jarred by the picture, as it reminds him quite a bit of Zu Gumen Ba, the first Grongi Tribe member he had an up-close encounter with, so long ago...)
Ichijô: (Thinking it better that he not tell Maya about the above feeling) Not exactly… though there is a bit more validity to this part of the story…
Maya: (Thinking, suddenly something dawns on her) I know! I’ll show you where it happened! The body… and the gash in the wall!
Ichijô: Body?
***
(It is later in the morning, and Ichijô and Maya walk across the Jônan University Campus, which is fairly empty due to the students being out on break.)
Maya: There weren’t any bodies coming into the morgue last night, where there?
Ichijô: No, not that I know of.
Maya: Okay then… there’s a body right here.
(They walk over to where Maya uncovered the body the night before, and find it gone. All that are left are the clothes.)
Ichijô: (Coughs, as if unimpressed.)
Maya: (surprised, gets on her knees, inspecting the clothes) Well… there was a body here.
(Before he can comment, she starts unceremoniously poking at the clothes with a stick. Turning them over, she finds some sticky, greenish goo on the back.)
Ichijô: What’s that?
Maya: I don’t know. (she’s about to touch it, but Ichijô stops her.)
Ichijô: Wait… it could be toxic. Here…
(He crouches down next to her, and pulls out some rubber gloves from his pocket. He puts them on. Using a long glass stirrer, he picks up some of the stuff and puts it in a bio-hazard bag.)
Ichijô: Strange...
Maya: (Thinking) He just carries that stuff around with him wherever he goes? This guy is good!
(Maya gets up and looks for the gash in the wall. Sure enough, that is still there.)
Maya: Hey, look at this!
(Ichijô walks up behind her and eyes the large, clean gash in the brick.)
Ichijô: Hmmmm… that could have been caused by a number of things…
Maya: (Crouching down to inspect it more closely) Yeah, but look at how clean and even it is!
Ichijô: What caused it then?
Maya: The spider creature had these giant… I don’t know, knife things on its arms.
Ichijô: Knives? (Ichijô looks back at the gash, intently.)
(A short time later, they are both walking towards the visitor parking lot.)
Ichijô: Well, I do see how the spider creature could be real... but I still don't believe that you were saved by a Kamen Rider. Are you absolutely sure it wasn't Unidentified Life-Form #4? Or one of those other rumored characters they blather on about all the time in the tabloids?
(Ichijô of course knows #4, aka Godai Yûsuke/Kamen Rider Kuuga, could not possibly have saved her, but he decides it better to play dumb about his involvement with Kuuga and assistance in the battle with the Grongi. Ichijô entertains the possibility of one of the newer Kamen Riders being involved though, as living in a world that’s already seen many different heroes in just the last 6 years, some more secretive and mysterious than others, he’s pretty open minded about the whole thing.)
Maya: Yes! Absolutely!
Ichijô: I'm afraid there's not much we can do for now. I’ll have this sample checked out at the forensics lab, and I can have some people take a look at that gash on the wall. But until then, that’s all we can do for now. Is there a number I can reach you at?
Maya: Oh, yes… (She writes her cell phone number on a scrap piece of paper and hands it to him.)
Ichijô: Thank you. If we need you for anything else, I’ll be sure to call you.
Maya: Okay… hey, can I know what’s in the sample when you find out?
Ichijô: (Scratches neck) Ehhh… I’m afraid that’s strictly police business. Sorry.
Maya: Oh, okay then. Thanks anyway.
(Maya gets on her motorcycle and starts putting on her helmet. Ichijô watches her, and scribbles down the license plate number in a book, which he then slips into his pocket. He then gets out his cell phone and dials.)
Ichijô: Kurobe-san? Ichijô here. I’m going to need to ask you a favor…
***
(Maya drives down the bustling streets of Tokyo. It is now nearing noon, and hundreds of people are out shopping, commuting, or just enjoying the warm weather. As Maya stops at a light past a strip of department stores, she is unaware that she is within a sniper's crosshair. As the dark gunman waits up on a building, getting the young woman in his sights, he doesn't hear the footsteps behind him. Just as the crosshair point right at Maya's heart, someone taps the sniper on the shoulder. He turns around to find a face full of fist, and he's out cold within seconds. A figure carefully steps over his body, takes the rifle, and removes the bullets. He then puts the rifle back down, dropping it on top of the sniper's head just as he starts to come to, knocking him out again. Kazami Shirô, the man standing above the would-be assassin, tightens his gloves and then shakes a disapproving finger.)
Kazami: (In a very Hayakawa Ken-ish tone) Tsk-tsk-tsk. Now why would you want to go and do something stupid like that? (Sniffs the air)
(Kazami casts one last glance at the unconscious figure, and begins to turn, ready to leave the scene as quickly as he came. All of a sudden, he finds several robed, hooded figures approaching towards him. He eyes them carefully, his expression unchanging.)
Hooded Figures: Deeeeeeessssssssuuuuuuttttttooooorrrrrrrrooooooonnn…
Kazami: (Surprised) What?!
(He quickly regains his coolness. He lets them get within spitting distance before turning around and spin-kicking them all. The hooded figures all stagger back, before growling, and throwing off their robes to reveal their true, black-and-white-uniformed, Combatant selves.)
??? Combatants: Iii-gah!! Iii-gah!! Iii-gah!!
(They start pulling out knives and short swords. Kazami's solemn expression doesn't change the least.)
Kazami: (Nonplussed) Hm...
(With that he walks slowly, swaggering towards the henchmen before jump-kicking one of them, sending him flying. Two others try to jump him from behind, but he punches backwards with both hands over his shoulders, knocking them out. Another henchman manages to throw his knife at Kazami, who catches it between his teeth, remove it gingerly, and throws it back at its originator, causing the thug to topple over. Kazami finishes off the last two with solid punches to the face. He then stands calmly over the pile of 6 or so attackers.)
Kazami: (Slapping hands together to remove any trace of dirt) Well, that's that.
(As he turns back towards the rooftop door, he doesn't notice one last figure hiding behind an advertisement billboard, taking aim with their throwing knife. Unfortunately, the henchman doesn't see another figure several billboards away [It's a BIG building] who sends an unmanned crane hook his way, knocking him off balance and through the billboard. Kazami turns around to see the henchman fall to the roof and smiles, giving a wave.)
Kazami: Ichimonji-san! Good to see you again!
(Ichimonji Hayato jumps down from his location and walks over to shake Kazami's hand, smiling. Ichimonji gives Kazami a friendly pat on the back.)
Ichimonji: Kazami Shirô! What brings you back to Japan?
Kazami: (Sarcastic tone) I was just minding my own business over in
Ichimonji: Same here. I ran into some of these guys down in Cambodia. I’m willing to bet Hongô has encountered them already as well.
(The two heroes’ conversation is cut short by a small explosion between them. They both roll forward, jump to their feet and look up.)
Hasami-Jaguar: SHHHIIII-ZAAAAAS!
TV-Bae: FUUUURRRRAIIIII!
(The Destron Kaijin come jumping through the air towards the two men, landing just a few feet away. The two heroes assume battle stances.)
Kazami: (Shocked to see his old enemies) Hasami-Jaguar and TV-Bae? What are you two doing here?
Ichimonji: (Doubly shocked) Yeah, last I checked, you’re both dead!
Hasami-Jaguar: (Makes obligatory pointing motions towards the two) Hahahahaha! You fool! Of course, a long time ago, we were dead… but now we are back, as is Destron!
Kazami: What!? Destron?!?!
TV-Bae: (Steps forward from behind Hasami-Jaguar) Hahaha! Shocker lives again! Gelshocker lives again! Destron lives again! GOD lives again! Geddon lives again! Garander—
Kazami: (Cutting him off) Okay, okay, we get the point!
Ichimonji: (Royally confused) Care to explain how, exactly?
TV-Bae: The spirits of your enemies have risen from the grave to haunt you!
Hasami-Jaguar: But... we are not from Destron this time. The new organization is here, Riders! And our first mission is to KILL YOU!!!
Kazami: (Unimpressed) Really… that’s what you think!
Ichimonji: Wait... didn’t you just say Destron was back? But now you’re not from Destron?
Hasami-Jaguar: Grrrrr, whatever! Die, Riders!!! (He lunges forth with his scissor hands, which Kazami blocks and grabs between his own hands. TV-Bae grabs Ichimonji and both go tumbling along the ground.)
Kazami: Ichimonji!
(He concentrates back on stopping Hasami-Jaguar from adding the last of the Kazami household to his list of victims, and leaps into the air, using the blades to boost him up. He lands a sort distance away on a higher rooftop. Hasami-Jaguar turns to look up, and is joined by several of the mysterious new Combatants.)
Hasami-Jaguar: Kazami Shirô …!!!
Kazami: Onore… Hmm! (Kazami assumes his Henshin pose.) HENSHIN… V3!!!
(Energy erupts forth from the Double Typhoons on his Henshin belt.)
Kazami: TOHHHHHHH!!!!
(He leaps into the air, and after his standard transformation scene, Kazami Shirô becomes Kamen Rider V3!!!)
V3: V3!!! (Said as “BUISURIII!!!”)
Hasami-Jaguar: Kamen Rider V3!!! Kill him!!!
??? Combatants: Iii-gah!!!
(Two of the henchmen leap into the air, but V3 takes them both down with double punches to the stomach. He lands before Hasami-Jaguar, and starts kicking villainous butt left and right. Meanwhile, Ichimonji has managed to get back on his feet and knock TV-Bae away long enough to…)
Ichimonji: HENSHIN!
(Ichimonji does his iconic Henshin sequence, and leaps into the air, transforming into Kamen Rider 2!)
Kamen Rider 2: RIDER PUNCH!!!
(Rider 2 comes flying down on TV-Bae, with his fist extended. He knocks the Kaijin back, but doesn’t do any of the usual damage.)
TV-Bae: FUUUUURRAAAIIII!!! Hahahaha!
Rider 2: (Looking at his fist) What? My punch didn’t even faze you!?
TV-Bae: Hahaha! That’s right! Geier’s new power-up technology has made us invincible to your feeble attacks! Hahaha!
Rider 2: (puzzled) Geier …?
(Back to V3, who has wasted all the henchmen and is now going at it with the revived very first Destron Kaijin.)
Hasami-Jaguar: Curses! Die, V3!!! SHIIII-ZAAAAHHHS!!!
(Hasami-Jaguar locks his hands together and prepares to cut V3 in half, but our hero jumps out of the way and flips around in midair.)
V3: V3 KIRIMOMI KICK!
(V3’s feet make direct contact with the Kaijin, and send him flying. But he quickly gets up off the ground, unscathed.)
V3: What the—!?
Hasami-Jaguar: Hahaha! Fool! You won’t stop us this time!
V3: Hasami-Jaguar…!
(V3 runs at the Kaijin and crashes into him. Hasami-Jaguar falls backwards, giving V3 enough time to grab him by the legs and swing him around in a circle three times, before throwing him off into the distance. Hasami-Jaguar flips around in midair and lands safely on his feet.)
Hasami-Jaguar: Enough of this! TV-Bae!
(TV-Bae, occupied with a punching match with Kamen Rider 2, looks over to his mutant comrade.)
TV-Bae: Right! We’ll finish this later, Riders! Until next time! FUUUURAAAAAIIIIII!!!
(TV-Bae leaps into the air. Rider 2 looks up at him and then follows with a Rider Jump. Just as he gets next to the Kaijin…)
Rider 2: RIDER MANJI KICK!!!
(TV-Bae evades Rider 2’s kick and our hero comes crashing to the ground. V3 runs over to him.)
V3: Ichimonji-san! Are you OK?
Rider 2: I’m fine! What about Hasami-Jaguar?
V3: He’s escaped too… but not for long. V3 HOPPER!!!
(V3 pulls out his trusty V3 Hopper and launches it into the air. But, all he gets on his internal radar is scrambled feedback.)
V3: No good… how could they evade the Hopper?
(A short ways away, Hasami-Jaguar and TV-Bae watch our confused heroes.)
TV-Bae: Hmmmph! Radio-Ari’s Electromagnetic Scrambler should cover our tracks.
Hasami-Jaguar: Yes! Now, let’s find that blasted girl already! And KILL HER!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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(Maya has returned home in suburban Tokyo. As she gets off her motorcycle and makes her way up the stairs to the second-floor apartment, she doesn’t notice one of the mysterious new henchmen watching from behind a tree. As she enters her small but cozy abode and closes the door behind her, she is stopped by TV-Bae’s hairy hand grabbing her wrist. The door swings open revealing the rest of the Destron Kaijin.)
Maya: (Shocked) AAAAHHHHH!!
TV-Bae: Hahaha! FUUUUUURRRRRRAAAAAAAIIIIIIII!!!
Maya: Who are you? WHAT are you!?
TV-Bae: It doesn’t matter to you! Die!
(Just as TV-Bae is about to stab her in the throat with his other clawed hand, Kamen Rider V3 kicks him from behind, sending him forward, crashing onto the coffee table.)
Maya: (Now really freaked) Huh?!?
V3: (Stepping in front of Maya) TV-Bae! What are you doing trying to kill this young lady!?
TV-Bae: (Surprised) Rider V3! How did you follow me?
V3: Hahaha… you Destron scum might have been able to evade the Hopper, but my Electro Eyes let me see your footprints wherever you run!
TV-Bae: Dammit all!
V3: Now… let’s finish this, Kaijin!
TV-Bae: Grrrrr! V3… Die!
(TV-Bae fires his deadly Hypnotic Radio Waves. V3 grabs his eyes in pain and starts keeling over. Maya, who’s been cowering against the wall this whole time, sees that V3 is in trouble, and decides to act. She runs into TV-Bae and knocks him right out the window. TV-Bae falls a short distance to the ground, his exclamation of surprise and subsequent profanity being cut short. He quickly gets back to his feet.)
TV-Bae: Grrrr! (Pointing up at Maya) You’re gonna pay for messing with us, you annoying little brat! FUUURAIIII!!!
(TV-Bae takes off into the air and flies off. Maya runs back over to V3, who is on the ground, dazed and confused.)
Maya: Rider! Uh... (Trying to remember what TV-Bae called him) V… um, 1?
V3: Ugh... (Shakes head) TV… Bae… why is he back…?
(Maya watches as V3 reverts back to a semi-conscious Kazami Shirô in a reverse-Henshin surge. Maya gasps in amazement. Just then Ichimonji comes into the apartment, with the earlier spying Combatant struggling to break free from his hold.)
Ichimonji: Shirô! I found this guy poking around outside! We better get over to Hongô’s place and… (He sees Maya kneeling over the groggy Kazami)… Uh-oh…
***
(Back at Hongô's lab at Jônan University, Hongô, Ichimonji, Kazami and Maya are questioning their tied-up captive in the lounge room.)
Hongô: (Interrogative) Okay. Who sent you? Who's behind this? And why are you trying to kill her? (Grabs him on the front of his uniform under his neck) Talk!
??? Combatant: Hmmmph! You stupid Riders are already dead! Why don't you just give up now?
Ichimonji: Why, you—! (He's about to punch the captive’s lights out when Kazami stops him and pats him on the shoulder.)
Kazami: (Sighs) All right, where's your base, huh? Do you even have one, or have you guys run out of money yet?
??? Combatant: I'll tell you, if you really want to know. Outside Tokyo, on the way towards Yamanashi, in the woods. You'll find it I'm sure. And it will be the last place you’ll ever go.
Hongô: (Smiles slyly) And yours too, if what you say is true. You’re coming with us.
??? Combatant: Huh? Waittaminute—!
(No one notices a strange insectoid creature outside, peering through the window. It cackles silently to itself as it turns a silver knob on its chest. Inside the lab, the henchman jumps and stands upright, screaming. A strange, hypnotic, high-pitched sound is heard, though none of the Riders nor Maya seem to hear it.)
Ichimonji: Hey—!
??? Combatant: ARRRRGHHHH!!! Make it stop! Make it stop!!! No more!!!
(The Riders just look on gravely. The henchman falls to he ground, before exploding into a cloud of smoke, leaving behind only his uniform.)
Kazami: Jeez—! Some things never change!
Hongô: Well… so much for bringing him along. (Grimly) We'll have to go it alone I'm afraid.
Ichimonji: Whoever these guys are... they’re not going to be around for long!
Maya: Hongô-senpai… I want to come to! I want to help!
(The three men turn to look at her. Hongô & Ichimonji simultaneously sigh, realizing after nearly 30-something years, they have to give this talk again.)
Hongô: I’m sorry Ryûsaki-san, but to put it bluntly: this is just getting too dangerous.
Maya: (Irked) Oh, don’t say that because I’m a girl!
Hongô: (Momentary, confused pause) Um… I don’t mean it like that. I mean that it’s too dangerous for a normal human like you to get mixed up with. (Hongô decides to not bring up that over the years a LOT of normal humans have gotten mixed up with all this anyway.)
Maya: Then… then… why can’t I be a Kamen Rider too?
(This comment surprises all three of the Rider aliases)
Maya: What do you have to do to become one? Join some secret spy agency? Or are you just born with the powers, like a mutant or something?
Kazami: Ryûsaki-san, Kamen Riders aren’t born, they’re made.
Maya: Then can’t you make me into one like you?
Hongô: Maya, is that what you would really want?
Maya: (Emotional) Yes! I’d do it to stop those creatures from hurting people! You always told me to do what I felt is right, even if it meant sacrificing my own interests to benefit someone else! What matters to me is the happiness of others! I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt because of these guys! Please Hongô-san! Ichimonji-san! Kazami-san! Please make me a Kamen Rider too!
(Hongô puts his hands on his former pupil’s shoulders.)
Hongô: (Softly) Maya… being a Kamen Rider isn’t all fun and games.
(Maya pushes his hands off of her angrily.)
Maya: (Yelling) But this isn’t a game! I’m serious!
(Kazami steps forward.)
Kazami: Maya… what Hongô tells you is true. I was once like you are now, in a way.
Maya: (Surprised) Huh?
Kazami: (Reminiscing) I was consumed with revenge when Destron killed my family… mother… father… and my little sister… I asked Hongô and Ichimonji to make me into a Kaizô-Ningen like them… I didn’t realize at the time what they had to go through…
Ichimonji: When you are a Kaizô-Ningen, you are no longer a normal human… and you can never live a completely normal life again after that.
Hongô: Maya… you would be taking on a responsibility that is too great… you would live a life of danger and constant fear, at least now with this new organization… there are people who care about you too much to let you just go and spend your life the way we have. Even in times of peace we’ve all felt saddened by our loss… knowing we are just a little different then everyone else. It’s a lonely life, a life you don’t deserve to live.
Maya: No! That’s not true! You’re still human… all of you! You’re no different then I am.
Hongô: (Steps back) No, Ryûsaki Maya… we are different. Let me show you.
(Hongô assumes the Henshin pose.)
Hongô: RIDER… HENSHIN!!! (In a flash of light and energy, Hongô Takeshi becomes Kamen Rider 1!)
(Maya is speechless.)
Rider 1: Now do you see, Ryûsaki-san?
Maya: No… (Ecstatic) It’s not like you’re just some robot or something! You’re still a human, Kamen Rider! You still have a human soul! A human heart! You’re just like me or anyone else. You may be a Kaizô-Ningen or whatever… so what! You’re human because of who you are, not how you look!
(Rider 1, lost for words, just looks at the young woman, before turning to his two comrades.)
Rider 1: Let’s go… (He turns back to Maya) Maya… please stay here and wait for us.
(Maya nods, sadly.)
(As the three Riders leave, Maya reaches into her pocket and takes out her motorcycle keys. She grins slyly.)
Maya: (Thinking) Sorry Hongô-senpai, but not this time!!
***
(The three heroes drive through the countryside of Japan on their motorcycles, all back in human form, leaving the Tokyo suburban area. It is early at dusk. As they drive further along the rural landscape, they go down a scenic dirt road. All of a sudden, several land mines go off around the motorcyclists, and a battalion of henchmen appear wielding knives and swords. They run into the cloud of smoke, but as it clears they find only the motorcycles left.)
??? Combatant #1: (Angry) Hey! Where are they? Where did they go?
??? Combatant #2: (Turns, points) Look! Over there!
(The villains look over to a nearby hill, where the three heroes wait.)
Hongô: (Smiles) I should have known they'd have set a trap for us.
Ichimonji: Yeah, that guy was a little overeager in telling us to come here, wasn't he?
Kazami: All right… whoever you guys are... this ends here!!!
(The three heroes perform their respective Henshin poses.)
Hongô: RIDER… HENSHIN!
Ichimonji: HENSHIN!!
Kazami: HENSHIN… V3!!!
(They all leap into the air as the energy surges in their Typhoon belts, and when they land, Kamen Riders 1, 2 & V3 stand facing the dark figures!)
??? Combatant #1: (Points) Iii-gah!! Get them!!!
Rider 1: Sorry to disappoint you guys... (He punches the attacker aside.)
(The Triple Riders fight their way through the troops. The fight is fast and furious, as each Rider makes short work of the oncoming attackers. As the enemies begin to retreat, the Riders follow them. The battle continues through the woods, across a small bridge over a brook, and towards a dark cavern. As the Riders fight their newfound foes, they make progress towards what must be their destination, a high, rocky cliff. Finishing off another henchman, Rider 2 notes the presence of security cameras and realizes that an enemy base must be nearby. He punches through the rock wall, revealing a metal corridor behind it.)
Rider 2: Here we go!
(The Riders continue to fight their way through the bland metal hallways of the base, defeating every attacking figure in their way. Finally, the battle comes to an end as the Riders approach two huge red double sliding doors with a vulture-shaped emblem on them. The doors open for the Riders. Rider 1 goes in first, with 2 and V3 at his sides. They enter a large dark room. Suddenly, the doors close behind the Riders. A Vulture-shaped ornament similar to that on the doors hangs high up on the wall. It begins flashing, and making a very familiar noise, not unlike the old Shocker wall ornament sound effect.)
Familiar Voice: Good evening, Kamen Riders. I've been expecting you! Welcome to the base of my newest project– Geier!
Rider 1: (Stunned) … No…
V3: (Also stunned) It… it can't be…
Voice of Geier Leader: Oh, but it is! I, the one behind of all your past enemies, the Great Leader, have returned at long last! Hahahahahaha!
Rider 2: How!? RX defeated you for good, years ago!
Voice of Geier Leader: Hahaha! You fools! I have cheated death yet again! Now I have regrouped my forces and become more powerful than ever before! And you came just in time, I might add. I am about to commence my plans to destroy you and conquer humankind— and subsequently the entire world! DIE, KAMEN RIDERS!!!
(With that, light floods the room, revealing the Shocker Kaijin Kumo-Otoko, Kômori-Otoko, Sasori-Otoko, and Sarasenian, as well as Destron Kaijin Hasami-Jaguar, Kame-Bazooka, TV-Bae and Ika-Fire, all of whom quickly surround the Riders!)
Kumo-Otoko: GUUUUUURAAAAHHHH!!!
Kômori-Otoko: EII-HII-HII-HII!!!
Sasaori-Otoko: SHHHHH-SHHHHHH-SHHHH!!
Sarasenian: ECK-ECK-ECK-ECK!!!
Hasami-Jaguar: SHIIIIIIIIZAAAAAAHHHHSSS!!!
Kame-Bazooka: ZOOOOOOO-KAAA!!!
TV-Bae: FUURRRAAAAAIIII!!
Ika-Fire: FIIIIIIIYYYYYYYAAAAAA!!!
(The Riders ready themselves for battle. Hasami-Jaguar attacks first, V3 counters, and a huge fight breaks out between the Riders and their revived foes.)
Voice of Geier Leader: Hahahaha! These are not ordinary revived monsters! Using our advanced reconstructive technology, we have increased their power ten-fold! You won't be able to defeat them this time, Kamen Riders! Hahahaha!!!
(The battle continues, and the High Geier's words are true. These revived mutants, who at one time were easily defeated by the Riders, give them the fight of their lives.)
***
(Meanwhile, Maya, who has followed the Riders despite their wishes, stops her motorcycle just short of their own and dismounts. She follows the trail of the battle to the entrance to Geier’s underground base. As she quietly enters, she doesn’t notice video cameras eyeing her movements. Back at the battleground…)
Voice of Geier Leader: Just as I had expected, we have another visitor! Now, while you idiots are busy fighting here, the very thing you've been so fiercely protecting is vulnerable!
Rider 2: Huh? What's he talking about?
Voice of Geier Leader: Hongô Takeshi...no...Kamen Rider 1! Your student, that girl who's given us so much trouble, is just moments away from death!
Rider 1: What?! Maya!? What has she done to you!?!
Voice of Geier Leader: She knows of our existence...and therefore she must die! Hahahaha! And a pity, you aren't able to save her! Hahahahaha!!!
(Rider 1 punches Kumo-Otoko aside and clenches his fist.)
Rider 1: Geier!!! You won’t get away with this!
Voice of Geier Leader: Too late! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Rider 1: Hayato! Shirô! We can't waste any more time with these guys! Maya's life is in danger!!! We've got to save her!!!
Rider 2 & V3: Okay!
Voice of Geier Leader: That’s what you think!
V3: What?!?!
(Suddenly, the lights go out, and when they come back on, the revived Kaijin have vanished. The Riders look around confusedly.)
Rider 1: What it this?
Voice of Geier Leader: Riders! Prepare to feel the power of our new Anti-Rider Field!
(Suddenly the room is filled with swirling, colored lights [think an evil Disco] and the Riders find themselves in extreme pain.)
Rider 1: UNGHHH!!!
Rider 2: We have to find… some… UGHHH… way out… AGHHH…!!!
V3: (Gasping) Hang in there… MRAHHH...!!!
(Meanwhile, Maya carefully proceeds down the corridor, when all of sudden, four new monsters jump down from the ceiling and surround her!)
New Kaijin #1: KUUUUUUUUUUMO!!!
New Kaijin #2: ARI-ARI-ARI-ARI-ARI!!!
New Kaijin #3: HAAAANNMMMMAAA!
New Kaijin #4: BAAAAAA-KUUUUUUU!
Maya: (shocked) HUH!?! (She looks carefully at one of the Kaijin and recognizes her as the female spider-like creature from last night.) You!
Spider Creature (New Kaijin #1): Yes, me. Now DIE!!!
Maya: Whoa!!!
(Maya just narrowly dodges getting on the wrong end of the spider creature’s arm blade. She runs through the crowd of Kaijin, all of who attempt to grab her as she does. But she quickly jumps forward and lands rolling on the ground before leaping up. She immediately starts running again with the Kaijin in hot pursuit.)
Maya: (Thinking) I’ve gotta find Hongô & the others!
(Maya makes her way down a long, a windowed corridor. She skids to a stop and runs back a few feet, realizing that the Triple Riders are on the other side of the glass! She bangs on it with both fists. V3, writhing in pain, looks up.)
V3: It’s Ryûsaki!
Rider 1: Maya!
Rider 2: Ryûsaki-san!!
(Maya yells at the top of her lungs, but the words fail to carry through the soundproof glass. Realizing the Riders are in trouble, Maya frantically searches around for something she can do to help them. Out of the corner of her eye she spots a control panel, which he lunges for. She grabs a large red switch, and pulls with all her might. Suddenly, the Anti-Rider Field overloads and the Riders find themselves free! Sparks rain down from the ceiling as the field projectors explode.)
V3: We’re free!
Rider 2: She did it!
(The Revived Kaijin watch with anger from a balcony on the other side of the same room the Riders are in.)
Hasami-Jaguar: Damn! I knew we shouldn’t bothered making an override switch out there!
Rider 1: Maya!
(He and the others look up, but rather than seeing their relieved friend, they only see her being pulled away from the window by the new Kaijin.)
Triple Riders: Shimatta!
***
(Maya is shoved up against a wall by a large, gray, rhinoceros-like one.)
Rhinoceros Creature (New Kaijin #3): You’ve just made your last mistake, girlie.
(The four Kaijin begin beating on the helpless young woman. She doesn’t even have time to try and defend herself. The Rhino grabs her by the arms and begins crushing her hands. Maya screams in pain, but quickly has the wind knocked out of her by the same monster, who then grabs her by the neck and slams her into the wall, before throwing her to the ground. #2, an ant-like monster [and the same one who killed the captured Geier Combatant] grabs her by the arm and pulls her to her feet, only to punch and kick her back to the ground again. #4, another insectoid type, reaches down and begins strangling her. She desperately claws back at him, and manages to knock him backwards and roll away, freeing herself. Now, badly injured and bruised, she tries to get to her feet as the last monster, the spider one, grabs her by the throat and raises her other arm, from which flips out the long, silvery arm blade. The creature glares at her. Her cohorts all chuckle.)
Spider Creature: Do yourself a favor, and make sure you die quickly.
(The spider creature stabs her right in the stomach. Maya’s ear-piercing scream is cut off as she finds herself choking on blood. The creature stabs her again. And again. And again. All the while the other Kaijin just laugh at the ensuing torture. Meanwhile, the three Riders are weary from the effects of the field. Their old enemies return to surround them.)
Voice of Geier Leader: Kill them! Kill them all! Hahahahaha!
(The Riders decide to make one last desperate move. They lock arms.)
Triple Riders: RIDER TRIPLE POWER!!!
(With the combined typhoon energy, all three knock back the Kaijin and leap up at the last possible second, crashing through the ceiling. Alarms all throughout the Geier base sound, and dozens of Combatants spill into the hallways to look for the fugitive Riders. Riders 1, 2, & V3 make tracks throughout the base, but stop suddenly when they turn a corner and see a gruesome sight.)
Rider 1: … No!
(The Triple Riders find a battered and bloody Maya slumped over on the ground, completely motionless. The Riders are silent.)
Rider 2: Are we too late?
Rider 1: Maya! Why didn’t you listen to me?! … No… this is my fault. I should never have let her know about any of this!
Rider 2: Hongô! There’s no point in worrying about it now! Besides, if it weren’t for her, we’d all be dead! If anyone is to blame, it’s Geier.
(V3 kneels down next to her, taking her pulse. He nods his head, expressing surprise.)
V3: It's very faint, but her heart's still beating! (The other Riders kneel down as well.)
Rider 2: Yeah! She’s still alive!
Rider 1: All right… there's only one thing we can do to save her life now...
(The other two look at him gravely.)
Rider 2: You can’t mean—
Rider 1: I’m afraid it’s the only thing we can do… as much as I don’t want to.
V3: She’ll become a Kaizô-Ningen, like us… what are we saying? Maya would want it this way. She’ll become a Kamen Rider!
Rider 2: You’re right… her life hangs by a thread… and it’s all because she saved us. We can’t let her die now!
Rider 1: All right… for Maya, we’ll make her into the newest Kamen Rider, so she can avenge herself against Geier and fight to keep humankind free. She gave her life for us. Now we have to pay her back!
Voice from down the hall: Quickly! They went this way!
V3: We have to move fast! The Reconstructive Surgery Room should be around here somewhere…
Rider 2: That door over there!
(All three Riders breath a collective sigh of relief at the fortunate coincidence.)
Rider 1: (Nods) All right, we have to hurry! Be careful… one wrong move and—
V3: (Shaking head) We can’t let her die now!
(The Riders make their way into an empty lab. As Rider 1 lays Maya on the operating table, V3 and Rider 2 barricade the room with anything they can find. The equipment is turned on. Rider 1 pulls a white sheet over Maya. The Three Riders begin performing the operation using whatever tools and cybernetic devices they can find in the Geier lab. As the Riders race against time, an EKG continues to beep a faint sign of life. The Riders work as quickly as they can, communicating with telepathy via their antennae, to work in perfect synchronization, combining every bit of knowledge they have of their own cybernetic bodies. Meanwhile, outside the door, Hasami-Jaguar, TV-Bae and a pack of Geier Combatants walk by. One of the henchmen tries to open the door, but it is locked.)
Geier Combatant: Hasami-Jaguar! They must be in here!
Hasami-Jaguar: Of course they’re in there! Break the door down!
(Several henchmen try to break down the door, but only succeed in alerting the Riders inside the lab.)
Rider 1: We have to work faster!
Rider 2: Almost finished…
(The junk in front of the door begins to shake, some of it falling off the makeshift barricade pile.)
Hasami-Jaguar: Break it down! Faster!!!
(Rider-1 works on one last part as fast as he can…)
V3: Quickly!
Rider 1: Okay! Let’s do it!
(The Triple Riders stand on one side of the table, V3 in the middle, with 1 and 2 to his sides. They join hands, Rider 1's right on V3's right and Rider 2's left on V3's left. With his free hand, Rider 1 hold’s Maya’s own lifeless hand.)
Triple Riders: RIDER TRIPLE TYPHOON ENERGY!!!
(Energy flows between them, lighting up the entire room. But… nothing happens.)
Triple Riders: Ummmm…
(Suddenly, two huge metal spikes come through the door, before they retract and come through again.)
Rider 1: Hasami-Jaguar!
(Hasami-Jaguar comes smashing through the door and knocks the barricade out of the way.)
Hasami-Jaguar: SHHHHHHIIIIIIZZZZZAAAAAHHHHHHSSS!!! I love doing that! (He is quickly joined by TV-Bae and the Legionnaires.) Now, DIE RIDERS!!!
V3: No way!
Rider 2: We’ll have to fight them… Let’s do this, Geier!!!
TV-Bae: Fools! (He fires his Murderous Radio Waves, which the Riders duck. The beams hit the wall behind them, sending a shower of sparks down over the operating table. He fires again at V3, who lunges out of the way, causing the blast to hit the large generator the Riders have hooked up to transfers electrical power to their patient. It promptly begins to short circuit, casting out bright pulsating energy followed by a bright flash. All the combatants throw their arms in front of their faces to shield their eyes from the blinding light.)
Hasami-Jaguar: You idiot! You hit the Sigma Energy Sample!
TV-Bae: Hey, it wasn’t my idea to keep it in here!
Rider 1: (Thinking) Sigma Energy!? Where have I heard of that before?
Hasami-Jaguar: Take cover! It’s gonna blow!!!
(All the participants dive behind whatever debris and obstructions they can find. There is a dramatic surge of crackling blue electrical energy and a downpour of sparks. Suddenly, the light dies down, and the energy seems to have vanished. Everyone slowly stands and looks around confusedly.)
Hasami-Jaguar: Well, that was pointless… (Notices the white sheet under which someone lies) Eh? That must be your dear student, Hongô Takeshi! Well, prepare to watch her die! Oh, sorry, my mistake… she’s already dead! Well, prepare to watch me RIP HER TO PIECES!!!
Rider 1: (Softly, serious) That’s what you think…
(Hasami-Jaguar stabs downwards at the table, but is shocked to find his scissor-blade blocked by something. He is then thrown backwards as a new, shadowy figure quickly rises up from the table. Two large, red multi-faceted insect eyes illuminate, followed by a swirling red Typhoon on the figure’s stomach.)
Hasami-Jaguar: W-what the—?
TV-Bae: (Angrily) Who are you?!?!?
(The figure steps into the light, revealing a new female Kamen Rider!)
Female Kamen Rider: You can call me… KAMEN RIDER SIGMA!!!
(The Triple Riders look on in awe. The Geier forces prepare for battle. And Kamen Rider Sigma strikes a defiant pose!)
To Be Continued...
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Kamen Rider ©1971, 2007 TOEI / ISHINOMORI SHOTARO. "Kamen Rider Sigma" by Paul Sullivan.