(Night has come to
Young Woman: This will never last, you know.
(One of the officers looks over to her, obviously not in the mood to talk.)
Officer #1: What are you going on about, Hashibara?
Hashibara: (Casually) Life in prison, I mean. Knowing this system, I bet I’ll be out on good behavior in less than a year. And then all this will be even more of a waste of time than it already is.
Officer #2: (Gruffly) Don’t make any long-terms plans, lady. You’re in for life, and that’s final. You had your chance to worm your way out in court, and you blew it.
Hashibara: (Yawning) A life sentence for a little extortion? Come on now.
Officer #1: There’s that, and then there’s killing a man who you didn’t want talking. That doesn’t exactly bode well with the parole board.
Hashibara: (Rolling eyes) Well, yeah, there is that.
(She chuckles rather disturbingly.)
Hashibara: (Cryptically) The thing is though… you never really know what might happen on the way to prison, do you? Accidents do happen…
Officer #3: (Over shoulder) Quiet down back there!
(The cars have now reached a dark, foreboding tunnel. A mysterious, foggy steam begins to pour from the sewer vents lining the tunnel. There is a sudden screeching of tires, and the resulting collision of vehicles nearly throws everyone out of their seats.)
Officer #1: (Yelling) What was that!?
(Officers scramble out of the cars, only to find that the tires appear to have been blown out by nails. And then, from the enigmatic fog, something appears. The police turn, reaching for their guns, but it’s already too late. A dark form reaches out and pulls one of the men back, muffling his scream. Before anyone can react, several loud bangs are heard from an unknown direction, there are several glints of light, and officers fall left and right lifelessly. Seeing this carnage, the officers closest to Hashibara have since gotten out of their vehicle, leaving the woman unattended. As soon as they open the doors though, something grabs them from above and simultaneously breaks both their necks, dropping them to the ground. Calmly, Hashibara slides out of the car, nodding as she feels the sensation of something jumping off the top. She manages to crawl out the door, carefully stepping over one of the corpses. As she gets to her feet, she looks at the bodies around her, grinning with psychotic satisfaction. She then looks up to see two white, glowing eyes that seem to be staring deep into her very soul. The calm expression on her face changes to one of slight awe and surprise, as the source of the eyes is revealed. It is a tall, dark-skinned figure, with many sharp white quills protruding from his back, like a porcupine. His elongated left arm appears to be made of some sort of machinery. His inhuman face and burning white eyes are still intensely focused on the young woman’s.)
Hashibara: (Intimidated) Um… you’re the one from Geier, right?
(With a quick motion, the creature grips the chain of her handcuffs and breaks it effortlessly. The porcupine-liking being then holds up a single black rose, and speaks in a resonant but youthful voice.)
Porcupine Creature: (Coldly) I am Kugigan-Harinezumi. And you… are my chosen one, Hashibara Ayako.
(Strangely enough, Hashibara actually seems relieved.)
Hashibara: Haha, great! Just like they promised. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting… er… something like you...
(Hashibara runs a finger across the monster’s grey-skinned chest mischievously.)
Hashibara: (Tartly) But I suppose I can get used to it…
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Excellent. Come now, we shall liberate you from this fragile form. It is time for you to become… something greater.
(He hands the rose to the smirking woman as the tunnel darkens to pitch black.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kamen Rider Sigma
Episode 5: The Two Kaijin: A Terrifying Plan
("Futari No Kaijin - Kyôfu No Sakusen")
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(At a new secret Geier outpost, the noise of computers and other electronic devices fills the air. Kugigan-Harinezumi enters through a high-tech doorway underneath a vulture-shaped ornament on the wall, his arms folded. All around the room, masked Geier scientific personnel busy themselves with preparing the various kinds of equipment or simply standing around looking imposing, and a contingent of white-robed surgeons stand motionlessly around a square table. Illuminated from below, it is the primary source of light in the room aside from some computer screens and a fluorescent aura coming from an unknown source on the ceiling. On the table, strapped down by her wrists and ankles, is Hashibara, looking somewhat euphoric with the entire situation. An oxygen mask covers her face, but it is apparent that she is now breathing in more than just air. Kugigan-Harinezumi comes to the side and runs a nailed, three-fingered hand through her hair. He then turns to the lead surgeon.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Is everything ready?
Lead Surgeon: Yes.
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Good. Then you will proceed.
(The surgeons, white masks pulled over their faces, stretch rubber gloves onto their hands. Hashibara’s expression slowly begins to fade. Her eyelids become heavy, and she soon finds herself caught between a world of dreams and reality. She can just barely hear the squeak of the cart loaded with knives, scalpels, scissors, clamps and other surgical implements before she falls into a deep, deep sleep.)
Lead Surgeon: Name?
Surgeon #1: Hashibara Ayako.
Lead Surgeon: Age?
Surgeon #2: 27.
Lead Surgeon: Occupation?
Surgeon #1: Former employee of
Shibasaki Technologies. She was convicted of extorting several million Yen in
company profits and murdering her supervisor. She was sentenced to life
imprisonment at
Lead Surgeon: (Nodding) Very well.
(He puts one hand out to an assistant.)
Lead Surgeon: Scalpel.
(One of the assistant surgeons hands his superior a shiny metal scalpel, and the operation begins. Surgeons wielding scalpels, knives, clamps, drills, medical scissors, gauze wrap, thread and syringes filled with green goo work feverishly as Kugigan-Harinezumi watches over the proceedings, and the intermittent drone of the computer equipment in the background reverberates throughout the room. The lead surgeon works intensely as one of his comrades dabs his forehead with a white cloth. As the doctors continue, the sound of the open communication line commences in tandem with the glowing green light on the center of the vulture-shaped logo, but the Geier Leader is silent as he watches the actions of his subordinates. Finally, the surgeons finish their work, stitching up one last thing here and cutting one last thing there before they stand back, revealing that what was once Hashibara is now something very different and a lot less human. As the doctors move to the sides, allowing the Leader’s communication ornament an unrestricted view of the table, the lead surgeon reaches out and grabs a lever with one hand and a knob with the other. He pulls, and turns, and the crackle of electricity fills the air. The illuminated section of the table on which the “patient” lays flashes as energy is transferred through several cables from the underside of the table up and onto various parts of the surgeons’ horrifying creating. An EKG nearby springs to life, with the frequency of the pulse waves growing increasingly faster. Almost as soon as he turned the juice on, the lead surgeon turns it off, and stands back. He looks up to the vulture wall ornament, and gives a low bow before rising and outstretching his arm.)
Lead Surgeon: Shuryô, I humbly present you with Geier’s newest Kaizô-Ningen—Yôsetsu-Shimauma!
(A section of the operating table on which the thing that was once Hashibara Ayako slides forward, and the surgeons release the straps and help her rise up. And then, the result of the surgeon’s efforts is revealed: a female zebra-like Kaijin, with ornate golden armor and some kind of deadly-looking mechanism replacing the lower part of her right arm. Her glowing red eyes adjust to the bright lights of the operation theater. She stretches her arms, throws back her head, and neighs loudly.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMAAAA!!!
Voice of Geier Leader: Yôsetsu-Shimauma… you have been reborn, your once-frail human form altered and rebuilt to serve our Geier!
(Yôsetsu-Shimauma nods, and turns towards the lead surgeon, who watches on pleased.)
Lead Surgeon: She’s a fine piece of work, if I do say so myself.
Voice of Geier Leader: Indeed. Now, Yôsetsu-Shimauma, put your worthless creator out of his misery.
(As she slowly raises her right arm, the shocked surgeon pulls off his surgical mask and looks up at the wall ornament.)
Lead Surgeon: (Worried) Shuryô!? What is the meaning of this!?
Voice of Geier Leader: (Irritated) Are you asking me to justify myself!?
Lead Surgeon: (Desperate) N-no… but, why!? I have serv—
Voice of Geier Leader: Silence! I no longer have any need for a useless waste such as you. (Disgusted) Dispose of this ungrateful trash!
Lead Surgeon: Shuryô!!! Please!
(But the man’s pleas fall on deaf ears. He looks back to the increasingly approaching monster, and puts his arms up as he cowers back in fear.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIMMMMMAAA! I really must thank you, doctor, for what your hard work. Now, I can get even with all of them…
Lead Surgeon: Yôsetsu-Shimauma! Please! Have pity!
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Why? Killing you is much more fun.
(Yôsetsu-Shimauma’s arm ignites a blast of white-hot flame, and the man is set ablaze. As he screams and thrashes about, his creation laughs insanely at his pain. Kugigan-Harinezumi watches on thoughtlessly as the other surgeons back away fearfully. Before long the hapless man is nothing but a pile of ashes on the floor. Yôsetsu-Shimauma glares down at her handiwork coldly, and then looks up at the source of the Leader’s voice, straightening up and stiffening her back.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIMMMMMA!
Voice of Geier Leader: HAHAHAHA! Excellent!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi uncrosses his arms and makes his way down to where his fellow Kaijin stands. On the way he taps a young surgeon on the shoulder, silently giving the man confirmation that he is the new lead surgeon by default. Yôsetsu-Shimauma turns to greet her rescuer and comrade-in-arms, who looks her over thoughtfully.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Well, he was right about one thing… you are a piece of work.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: (Smugly) You haven’t seen anything yet.
(This comment elicits a shared chuckle from both mutant cyborgs.)
Voice of Geier Leader: (Clearing throat) Alright, now that that’s over with— would someone clean that mess up, by the way— it’s time for your briefing on our newest plan– “Operation: Babel”…
***
(Later that same night, at a large, posh, office-looking building somewhere
in the concrete jungle of urban
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMAAAA!!!
(The Geier monstrosity waits, and upon hearing no form of alarm go off, scoffs and rolls her shoulders. She then makes her way along the hallway, until she comes to a room marked as “Authorized Personal Only”. Yôsetsu-Shimauma reaches out her right arm, and from the very tip ignites a fine blue flame. Using her other arm to steady the trembling arc welder, she slowly traces the outside of the thick, steel door, causing the metal to glow orange and then turn white-hot in a fine line. The mutant cyborg works quickly and efficiently, undeterred by the spray of sparks caused by her ultra-heated break-in. Before long, the large slab that was once the door falls into the room, and Yôsetsu-Shimauma carefully makes her way in. She stops, as her infrared-vision equipped eyes note the invisible red laser lines that trigger the security devices. She flexes the fingers or her left hand, and with perfect precision, throws out her arm-mounted chain, which wraps around a switch at the far side of the room. She pulls it back, deactivating the lasers. The Geier villainess continues on her way over to the wall, where an embossed sign similar to the one seen out front hangs. In a most graceless manner, she simply smashes in the sign with her left fist, causing it to splinter and reveal the safe beneath. Yôsetsu-Shimauma sneers and unceremoniously ignites her killer blowtorch arm once more, cutting her way around the now-useless combination lock.)
***
(The next morning, the entire building is crawling with police and reporters. As inspectors and experts comb the entire area for evidence, a contingent of law, government and scientific officials walk through the hall, overseeing the investigation process. The foremost man, a middle-aged scientist dressed in a grey business suit and looking quite displeased, holds his head in one hand. One of his associates puts a hand on his shoulder.)
Scientist #1: Try not to worry too much, Doctor Sasaki.
Investigator #1: (Nodding) Yeah. Our men are working around the clock to find out who did this. Early guesses are that it could be industrial spies, but we’re not going to jump to any conclusions. I have to admit though, the way they handled those guards was… pretty extreme.
Investigator #2: Right. It’s a good thing there weren’t more casualties.
(Doctor Sasaki stops, causing the rest of the group to come to a stand with him. He turns around, and his sudden outburst of emotion takes everyone aback.)
Doctor Sasaki: (Angrily) Good? GOOD!? Do you have any idea what happened here last night!?
Investigator #1: We’re well aware of the importance of this “Babel Chip” project to you, Doc. I know you’ve spent the last couple years of your life on it and all, but the—
Doctor Sasaki: (Cutting him off) That!? That’s nothing! People died here!
Government Official #1: We know that, Sasaki. And—
Doctor Sasaki: (Cutting him off too) Those men were just guards working the night shift! And now they’re dead! Don’t you understand at all!?
Government Official #2: We do understand, Doctor. But—
Doctor Sasaki: (Furiously) I hope the families of those men do too! They…
(The other men shuffle uncomfortably. Realizing how much his voice has risen, Sasaki stops cold. He looks around uneasily, wiping the sweat from his brow, trying not to meet the gaze of virtually everyone else in the immediate area, all of whom are now staring at him.)
Doctor Sasaki: (Quietly) I’m sorry.
(Before anyone else can get a word in, Doctor Sasaki hurries off. One of the scientists goes to follow him, while the rest of the group just stand and talk quietly.)
Investigator #1: (Frowning) What got into him!?
Scientist #2: Doctor Sasaki takes his work very seriously… but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to put lives on the line for it. He… isn’t a stranger to losing someone because of what he does…
(Sasaki and his associate go outside, and are instantly besieged upon by reporters. As police attempt to hold back the throng, Doctor Sasaki motions to his lab-coated assistant, who runs ahead to prepare a car. As Sasaki slowly makes his way through the crowd, random reporters shout questions at him accusingly.)
Reporter #1: Doctor! Doctor! What comments do you have on who may have been behind the break-in!?
Reporter #2: Doctor! Do you think it was agents from a rival company!?
Reporter #3: Doctor! Isn’t it true that there were 7 guards killed!? Initial reports only stated 4!
(As the Doctor grows increasingly irritated by the comments, one young female reporter manages to squeeze between two officers and shoves a tape recorder in his face.)
Young Female Reporter: Doctor! Readers of the ORE Journal want to know: what do you have to say about this matter?
Doctor Sasaki: (Bluntly) Tell them “No comment.”
(As the screams and shouts for answers grow louder, Sasaki makes his way into the backseat of a nearby car, and an officer shuts the door before anyone can get in. As the press continues to barrage him with questions even through the one-way windows, the Doctor Sasaki simply puts his hands to his head, looking crestfallen.)
***
(Back at Tachibana’s shop in Miura, Maya is intently reading the morning’s newspaper. The front page reads “17 killed in Shibasaki Technologies Break-In”, accompanied by a photo of the crime scene. Her expression grows increasingly worried as her eyes scan up and down the page. Out of nowhere, someone taps her on the shoulder, and Maya yelps in surprise. She then turns to see it’s Kôhei, who grins as he puts down a cup of coffee for her as he sips from his own. Sighing, she puts a hand over her heart.)
Maya: (Exhaling) Oh, it’s just you, Kôhei-kun.
Kôhei: (Frowning) What do you mean, just me?
Maya: (Ignoring him) And thanks, but didn’t I tell you I don’t like coffee?
Kôhei: As a matter of fact, you didn’t.
(Maya pauses for a moment.)
Maya: Oh. Well, I don’t! So I guess that rules out going for coffee sometime!
Kôhei: (Flatly) You know, you can get other things to drink at any Kissaten.
Maya: Well, er… yes, but—
Kôhei: (Grinning) Admit it, Maya, you know you want to go sometime.
Maya: (Disgusted) Please.
Kôhei: It’ll be the time of your life, trust me.
Maya: Really now? Okay then.
(Maya puts down the newspaper, kicks up her feet, puts her hands behind her
head, and looks quite smug as Kôhei backs away slightly.)
Maya: Tell me about our dream date, Casanova. I’m all ears.
Kôhei: Okay. You asked for it, Marmalade.
Maya: Good. And don’t ever call me “Marmalade” again.
(Kôhei takes a seat opposite Maya, sitting in reverse with his arms folded on the back of the chair.)
Kôhei: First, we’d—
Maya: (With mock interest) Really?
Kôhei: (Taken aback) Wait, but—
Maya: No way!
Kôhei: Maya, I—
Maya: I’d love that!
Kôhei: You haven’t even—
Maya: For real!?
Kôhei: Maya, cut it—
Maya: That’s sooooo romantic!
Kôhei: MAYA!
(Kôhei puts a palm to his face as Maya clasps her hands and bats her eyelashes.)
Maya: You are simply the greatest man I have ever met, Kôhei-kun!
Kôhei: (Standing up) Okay, okay, fine! I get it already.
(Kôhei pauses for a moment.)
Kôhei: There’s already someone else, isn’t there?
Maya: No, there’s no one else. I just don’t think you’re my type.
Kôhei: Really? What’s your type?
Maya: Not you.
(As Maya grins evilly, Kôhei is about to protest some more, when Mikoto enters the lounge area and interrupts their little spat.)
Mikoto: Here’s your tea, Maya. I may you some toast too. Would you like some marmalade with that?
Maya: (Shouting) NO!
(Mikoto looks dumbfounded. Maya suddenly blushes while Kôhei grins.)
Maya: (Sheepish) Er, I mean, no thank you. Just butter will do.
(Mikoto regards her friend for a moment, and nods.)
Mikoto: Right… okay… how about you, Keiji-san?
(Kôhei, sipping his coffee, waves hand to signify a “No”. Mikoto nods as Tachibana enters the room.)
Tachibana: Maya! Have you seen the news?
Maya: (Nodding) I’m reading it right now, Oyassan. Sounds like… Gei— ah, er…
(Maya trails off as she realizes Kôhei is also in the room, and being unaware of her secret and what Geier is, decides now is not the best time to inform him of those facts. He puts down his coffee, and turns to look at her.)
Kôhei: (Curious) What was that?
Maya: Well, er…
Kôhei: (Skeptical) Weren’t you just going to say something just now?
Maya: Well, um…
Kôhei: (Accusatory) Sounded like “Guy R”.
(Maya is silent for a moment, unable to find the words to responds to the man’s ludicrous comment. But seeing no better option, she decides to play along.)
Maya: (Cheerful) Yeah! “Guy R”…
Kôhei: Who is that?
Maya: Well, you see… er… say, Oyassan.
I’d love to hang around here more, but I really think I should be going back to
Mikoto: (Surprised) Huh!?
Kôhei: (Shocked) What!? You’re just… leaving!?
(Whilst Mikoto and Kôhei express their puzzlement over Maya’s sudden decision, Tachibana is far less surprised, and as he makes direct eye contact with her, somehow, he knows exactly what she’s implying.)
Tachibana: (Thoughtfully) I see. Well, I’m sorry to see you go so soon, Maya, but you know what you need to do now better than anyone. Please come back and visit sometime, okay?
Maya: (Nodding confidently) I will Oyassan. I promise I will.
Mikoto: (Interjecting) Wait a minute! But what about—
(Tachibana puts a reassuring hand on Mikoto’s shoulder, silencing her, but he can do nothing to stop the barrage of questions from Kôhei.)
Kôhei: Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! Hold your horses, Ryûchi-san. I think—
Maya: (Snarling) IT’S RYÛSAKI!!!
Kôhei: (Not paying attention) —that you should just sit back a minute and think this over. I mean, you just got here, what, two or three days ago? It’s a little early to just be running off from—
(Kôhei pauses, scratching his head.)
Kôhei: Hey, wait a minute, why are
you here again? I thought you didn’t know Oyassan or Taki-san
before you came? Or was that part of some trick? (Snapping fingers) That’s what
it was, a trick! A trick to fool me, the object of your secret affections…
well, okay, maybe it’s a little early to be calling me that, but at the very
least I can still say I’m your hook-up, right? Despite our little fight back
there, you still like me, right? Right? Ryûsaki-san? Oh, fine, don’t
answer. I won’t be offended. I know your type— they like to play really,
really, really hard to get. Kind of like that Kamen Rider Sigma
character. You know, I was thinking about it recently, and you two have a lot
of things in common, actually. For one, you’ve both got pink hair. Well, I
guess hers isn’t exactly hair, and it’s more of a magenta tone anyway. But hey,
that’s what you told me once, right? It’s really magenta or something? It just
looks like pink to… well, everyone else. And for another thing, you both must
have done something very bad to upset that talking bird guy and those weird
people we ran into in the cave. But I can relate, as far as the talking bird
thing is concerned. Speaking of which, I should probably be getting back to
(Kôhei stops, realizing Maya is nowhere to be found. He looks up and out the window, only to see her fully packed and ready on her motorcycle, currently driving off into the distance. He looks over to Tachibana and Mikoto, who are just staring at him silently. He rises, straightening his tie.)
Kôhei: Well, I should be going too. And… ummm… bye! Thanks for everything!!!
(Kôhei dashes out the door to his own car, while Tachibana and Mikoto just watch on. As the detective himself disappears down the street, Mikoto turns to Tachibana.)
Mikoto: (Perplexed) I don’t get it Oyassan. Why did you let her just leave like that?
Tachibana: (Still looking out the window.) She’s going to where she’s needed. As much as I want her to stay, she has a job to do right now.
Mikoto: Kamen Rider stuff?
Tachibana: (Nodding) Yes. They come and go with the wind, Mikoto. Any time, any place, no matter who or what it may be… they’ll be there to do what they must do. That’s truly what makes them who they are.
Mikoto: Er… right.
Tachibana: (Looking at Mikoto now) And I think it’s time for you to move on as well.
Mikoto: (Shocked) HUH!?
Tachibana: (Putting hands up) Oh, I don’t mean I’m getting tired of having you around or anything! On the contrary, you’re a lot of help, and a great friend, Mikoto.
Mikoto: (Touched) Awww, thanks, Oyassan.
Tachibana: But Maya needs you more now than I do right now. Just trust me on this one. She’ll need your help soon. Maybe even for a long time…
Mikoto: But how do you know that?
Tachibana: (Winking) I’ve just got… one of those hunches, you know?
Mikoto: (Shrugging) Well, I guess there’s no sense in arguing with the master. But what about you?
Tachibana: (Grinning) Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve got plenty of old friends I can call up to come help me out. As for you and Maya, though… I need to talk to another old friend that can help both of you out…
***
(As Maya cruises down the highway back towards
Maya: (Thinking) That break-in was obviously Geier’s doing, but exactly how do I go about finding out what it is they’re up to? I suppose I could start with going to the scene of the crime, but that place is probably crawling with detectives and reporters, and I doubt they’d let me just waltz in. But the only alternative at the moment is to somehow find out what exactly was stolen and why Geier would want it, and that could take a while. Maybe I shouldn’t have just dashed off like that without thinking… I feel terrible about leaving Oyassan & Mikoto… and maybe Kôhei, just a little. But Oyassan seemed like he knew what I was doing, so I guess I’ll just have to get through this one the same way I’ve gotten this far already: trust my gut instinct, and hope that everyone who’s put their faith in me is— or was— right.
(As Maya continues on her way, Kôhei’s car follows closely behind. The detective grumbles to himself as he keeps his eyes fixed on the sleek black motorcycle he’s trailing.)
Kôhei: She just can’t stay in one spot for more than 5 minutes, can she? Just like that Rider… speaking of which… that motorcycle… isn’t that…
(Suddenly, his cellular phone rings, and Kôhei reaches into his coat pocket, flips it out, putting it to his ear without moving his sunglass-covered eyes from the road.)
Kôhei: (Coolly) Speak to me, baby… Huh? ... (Shocked) Oh! Commissioner! Sorry, I didn’t recognize your voice— … Yes… Sorry, I wasn’t aware… I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure your wife— … Huh? Me? I’m following— … Yes, I know. I— … Yes… Okay. I’ll be there.
(Kôhei frowns and puts his phone back in his pocket.)
***
(Sometime later, Kôhei is back in Tokyo MPD Headquarters, standing in a large room. It is dark, save for the light spilling in between the vertical blinds. Three senior officers sit at a table before him, hands folded. The oldest, middlemost one being the Commissioner with whom Kôhei spoke to on the phone. Kôhei obviously doesn’t like what they’ve just told him, because after a brief pause, he slams his hands angrily down on the table.)
Kôhei: (Yelling) What do you mean!?
Commissioner: (Putting hand up)
Calm down, Kurobe. I know that detective from
Kôhei: (Thinking) His girlfriend!? (Aloud) Where’s Ichijô-san!?
Senior Officer #1: Back where he should be. And you should be assisting in the investigation into the break-in that occurred at Shibasaki Technologies last night.
Kôhei: (Puzzled) Break-in? Where!?
(There is a long moment of silence.)
Senior Officer #1: … at Shibasaki Technologies…
(There is another long moment of silence. Kôhei suddenly stands back, straightening up.)
Kôhei: Never heard of it. What’s the big deal anyway?
Senior Officer #2: (Loudly) Kurobe! You’ll get your answers when you get over there!
Kôhei: (Grumbling) Yes sir.
Commissioner: (Softly) Kurobe, I know you want to help out Ichijô-kun’s investigation… but right now we you active and on duty. Understand?
Kôhei: (Nodding) Yes sir.
Commissioner: (Nodding) Then get on over to the crime scene, and see what you can find.
Kôhei: (Bowing) Yes sir.
(As Kôhei turns to leave, the Commissioner calls out to him.)
Commissioner: Oh, and Kurobe?
Kôhei: (Not turning around) Yes?
Commissioner: No more running around after that girl, alright?
Kôhei: Yes, sir. Shitsureishimasu. (Thinking) You wish!
(Kôhei exits the room. As he heads back to his car, his mind wanders in varying directions.)
Kôhei: (Thinking) I always did like the last guy more. Well, if the commish wants me to help out with Shibishoobi Technologies or whatever it’s called, we’re going to do things my way. And then, it’s back to finding out where Maya… or should I say… nah, I won’t. I want to make that declaration somewhere other than in an inner monologue. Where was I now? Oh, right, Maya. Soon as I find that girl, I’ll give her a piece of my mind, and then some. Hmmm… I wonder what that means, anyway? “And then some”? I should start saying it more often…
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Sometime later, Kôhei is back on the road, driving slowly through downtown
Mysterious Man: So, you’re back.
(Kôhei doesn’t look at the man, but instead off to the side, up at a slow-spinning ceiling fan.)
Kôhei: Yeah.
Mysterious Man: How’d it go?
Kôhei: (Sighing) Not very well, and then some.
Mysterious Man: The Frog Prince couldn’t get that kiss from the Princess yet, huh?
(The man chuckles softly.)
Kôhei: (Rolling head) Very funny. If you ever quit your day job, Shishi, don’t go into the comedy circuit.
(The mysterious man, Shishi, adjusts his position, and pours himself a drink without looking up from his paper.)
Shishi: But I assume you’re here to discuss more than just your love life.
(Kôhei pops off the cap on his beer and drinks directly from the bottle. After a decent swig, he puts it down, and wipes his mouth.)
Kôhei: (Nodding) He does it again! What do you know about the break-in at Shibasaki Tech last night?
Shishi: The question is, Detective, what do you know?
Kôhei: (Sarcastically) I know about a lot of things, but this isn’t one of them.
Shishi: (Chuckling) Well, here’s an interesting tidbit I heard: there are some saying that the burglars weren’t of the normal variety. In fact, they weren’t even human.
(That piques Kôhei’s interest.)
Kôhei: Interesting… (Thinking) Could it be more of those creatures?
Shishi: The rumor is, it was a job by a group called “Geier”.
Kôhei: (Thinking) “Guy R” again! That’s what Maya was talking about this morning!
(He takes another sip.)
Shishi: Therefore, I wouldn’t get involved any further than you need to.
Kôhei: Hm? What do you mean, Shishi?
(Shishi glances around, before returning to his usual not-looking-at-Kôhei position.)
Shishi: Geier is a dangerous terrorist organization that’s been forming in secret over the past few years. I’ve been told that crossing paths with Geier is akin to signing your own death warrant.
Kôhei: (Intrigued) Really? I think I might have already crossed paths with them back in Miura.
(Shishi himself takes a drink before continuing.)
Shishi: If you’re lucky, they may forget about that. But all the same, I’ve heard enough about them to know that they are extremely dangerous. So I’d just as well stay out of their way… were I you.
Kôhei: Well, let’s be glad you’re not me then.
(Kôhei pulls out a folded stack of ¥10,000 bills from his breast pocket and slides them across the table. Not looking up from his newspaper, Shishi’s large sleeved right arm reaches across to collect them. Kôhei finishes off his beer, and then begins to rise.)
Shishi: One more thing.
(Kôhei stops, but doesn’t sit back down.)
Shishi: Try flowers next time. Girls usually like flowers.
(Kôhei lingers for a moment, but makes no response, and then heads to the exit.)
***
(Elsewhere, Doctor Sasaki’s car is now somewhere in the countryside around Tokyo, and currently traveling slowly through a large, dark tunnel. Still crossing his arms and lost deep in thought, the middle-aged scientist reflects on the nightmare that the last few hours have been.)
Doctor Sasaki: (Thinking) As much as I hate to admit it, they’re right. The Babel Chip is far too important to lose to the wrong hands at this stage, and if its full potential were to be discovered, I don’t even want to think of the possibilities. But at the same time… what does any of it matter when compared to a life? I’ve already lost one son to my research, and now—
(The doctor’s train of thought is interrupted as the squeal of tires is heard and he is thrown forward. The car spins and slams into the side of the tunnel. Sasaki quickly rises, holding his forehead. He sees that the driver has been knocked unconscious, but before he can do anything, the window next to him is smashed open and a dark, inhuman arm reaches in. The three-fingered, clawed hand grabs the doctor by the collar and pulls him right out the window and onto the ground, where he lands hard on his back. Groaning in pain, he looks up to see that Kugigan-Harinezumi is standing above him, his large, menacing left arm pointed down at the doctor’s throat. The Kaijin’s white eyes shine brightly in the darkened tunnel, as the man looks on in absolute terror.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: KUGI-KUGI-KUGI-KUUUUUGI!
Doctor Sasaki: (Shocked) Wha-what do you want with me!?
Kugigan-Harinezumi: KUUUUUUGIIII! Isn’t it obvious? We want you for your knowledge of the Babel Chip!
Doctor Sasaki: (Shocked) You mean… were the one who broke into the lab last night!?
Kugigan-Harinezumi: (Cruelly) Oh, it wasn’t me per se. One of my associates, however. But none of that is important right now. You’re coming with me!
Doctor Sasaki (Defiant) I don’t know who you are, but I’m not going to cooperate with you monsters!!!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi flinches, as if surprised by the Doctor’s words.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: … You really don’t remember? You don’t recognize me?
Doctor Sasaki: I’ve never seen you before in my life!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi seems taken aback by this revelation, but quickly suppresses this reaction.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: …I suppose it’s understandable. After I all, I did look quite different the last time we met. Now, you go to sleep, dear Doctor.
(Kugigan-Harinezumi backhands Sasaki across the face, knocking him unconscious. He then motions in the air, and a contingent of male Geier Combatants appears seemingly out of nowhere. As two of them grab the man and pull him to his feet, Kugigan-Harinezumi throws back his head in laughter.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Hahaha! Don’t worry about having to cooperate with us, Doctor— we’ll just force you to! Alright, get him back to base.
Geier Combatant #1: Ii-gah! Yes sir!
(Suddenly, a familiar sound draws ever closer, and all heads turn to see Maya, on her motorcycle, throttling towards them.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: (Angrily) What the— Sigma!? How did she find us!?
Maya: (Thinking) Oh, I knew I should have taken a right back there. Better act like I meant to do this…
(The bike roars between the bad guys, causing them to jump back. The Geier henchmen lose their grip on Sasaki, and he slumps to the ground. The porcupine monster and his troops glare angrily as Maya turns and skids to a halt, her motorcycle’s engine rumbling menacingly.)
Maya: (Yelling) Ikuzô, Geier!
(Maya leaps off of her bike and assumes the Henshin pose.)
Maya: HENSHIN… SIGMA!!!
(The girl runs towards her enemies, and the Henshin Belt appears around her waist in a brilliant swirl of light. With a blinding flash, Maya becomes Kamen Rider Sigma. She jumps and lands a hard punch on one Geier Combatant’s face, sending him flying back. The others waste no time in surrounding their smaller, faster opponent, but she drops to the ground and sweep-kicks them all. Sigma easily manages to defeat the slower goons with a couple punches, kicks, chops and flips. As she finishes up bashing two henchmen’s heads together, Kugigan-Harinezumi throws his hands up in disgust.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: How did you know where to find us, Sigma!?
Sigma: I— er, I followed this guy all the way from… wherever he came from. Because I knew you would be after him!
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Really now. Well, you’ll pay for interfering in our affairs.
Sigma: I don’t think so, Spikey.
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Why you little—! I’m going to tear you to pieces, insect!
(Sigma beckons with one hand.)
Sigma: Come and get it, Sonic.
Kugigan-Harinezumi: KUUUUUUUGIIIIIII!!!
(As Kugigan-Harinezumi runs towards Sigma, Sasaki begins to come to. Despite his blurred vision, he can just barely make out the two combatants. He shakes his head to try and clear things up.)
Doctor Sasaki: (Weakly) Wha… what the?
Kugigan-Harinezumi: Die Sigma!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi raises his right arm, and fires off several razor-sharp nails in Sigma’s direction. She just barely rolls out of the way to avoid becoming a piece of Swiss cheese.)
Sigma: Yikes! What’s with Geier and sharp things anyway?
Kugigan-Harinezumi: KUGI-KUGI-KUGI-KUUUGI! Hold still while I nail you! (Laughing at his own joke) HAHAHA!
Sigma: (Coolly) Thanks, but I’d rather not.
(Sigma dashes forward and lands a hard kick to the Geier mutant’s stomach, sending him tottering backwards. She follows up with a kick to his head, but he shifts back at the last second to dodge, returning with his own punch towards her stomach. But Sigma blocks his arm with her other leg, going into a jump kick and making contact with his face this time. As the Kaijin stumbles back, Sigma leaps over behind him and delivers a hard elbow to his back, sending him tripping forward.)
Sigma: Now, I think it’s time we end this.
(Sigma leaps up, extending one foot towards Kugigan-Harinezumi.)
Sigma: REVERSE RIDER KICK!
Kugigan-Harinezumi: GRRRRRRRRR!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi bats Sigma right out of the air with his left arm before she can escape his reach, sending her crashing to the ground with a yelp.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: We’ll finish this later! KUGI-KUGI-KUGI-KUUUUUGI!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi turns and runs off with incredible speed. Sigma looks up, and clenches her fist.)
Sigma: (Angrily) How about now?!
(The masked heroine quickly gets on the Tsunami, and takes off after the cyborg mutant. No sooner is he out of the cave than Sigma slams into him from behind, sending him flying forward. As he hits the ground sprawling, the Kamen Rider leaps off her vehicle, ready to pick up where the fight left off.)
Sigma: (Cutely) Running away so soon? And we were just getting to know each other!
Kugigan-Harinezumi: (Growling) GRRRRR… I’m already sick of you, Rider-Girl!
(Kugigan-Harinezumi raises his left arm again and lets loose a rapid-fire volley of nail-bullets, like a machine gun. Sigma dashes to the side and quickly runs circles around the twisted beast, just one step ahead of being punctured to death. Suddenly, her chance comes when the monster’s gun-arm stops firing and simply clicks.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: NO! It’s overheated!
Sigma: (Slyly) Looks like it’s a bad time to be you.
Kugigan-Harinezumi: On the contrary…
(Sigma runs at Kugigan-Harinezumi, but he puts his right, clawed hand over his mouth, and then outstretches it in her direction.)
Kugigan-Harinezumi: WHITE POISON!
(A cloud of deadly white powder comes forth from Kugigan-Harinezumi’s mouth, which Sigma quickly rolls out of the way to dodge. When she quickly gets to her feet though, she finds the Geier Kaijin long gone.)
Sigma: (Irked) He got away… for now.
(Sigma, reverting back to Maya, goes back into the cave, and checks on both the Doctor and his driver. Seeing that their injuries are nothing more than a few cuts and bruises, she smiles and decides to see if she can finally get some answers. She props the semi-conscious Sasaki up with her arms, and lightly pats him on the cheek, to bring him around.)
Maya: (Softly) Hey! Are you alright?
Doctor Sasaki: (Groaning weakly) Ohhh… That creature… The Babel Chip! He’s with the people who took it!
Maya: (Confused) What? Babel Chip?
Doctor Sasaki: You… how did you get here? What happened to that creature?
Maya: (Playing dumb) Ummmm… I dunno. I was just heading to Tokyo, and when I got to the tunnel, you were on the ground and your car was… well, where it is. You must have had a bad accident. You’re lucky to even be alive!
(Sasaki grabs her shoulders.)
Doctor Sasaki: No! This was no accident! That thing… it was with the people who stole the Babel Chip last night, and now they’re out to get me!
Maya: (Nodding) Take it easy. What is it about this Chip that’s so important?
Doctor Sasaki: (Uneasily) It’s a new— … I… I probably shouldn’t really be telling you this, you know.
(Maya looks rather disappointed at this.)
Doctor Sasaki: But… I don’t know why… but I feel like I can trust you for some reason. I must be going crazy…
(Maya, unsure as to how exactly respond to this sudden change of heart, can only manage to give an uncomfortable nod.)
Doctor Sasaki: Look, promise me
you won’t tell a soul about this. But for
the last few years of my life, I’ve worked on something called the Babel Chip,
a new kind of microprocessor which has potentially unlimited power. It’s years
beyond anything on the market now, and probably beyond anything Shibasaki’s
rivals have been developing.
Maya: (Nodding slowly) Okay. What exactly do you mean by “potentially unlimited” though?
Doctor Sasaki: Thus far, we have
yet to find a true limit to its capabilities. It is designed to be able to
output far more than it reasonably should be able to. It could be used in
everything, from controlling simple home appliances to coordinating missile
guidance systems… all with perfect accuracy. It’s the first step of the next
great technological leap.
Maya: Okay. So you can basically use it for just about anything?
Doctor Sasaki: Exactly. Fortunately, the Chip is currently unfinished—and only I know the proper access codes to fully enable it. We should be thankful for that, at least.
Maya: So that’s why they were after you, huh? You’d better take some extra precautions from now on, especially since… hey, you don’t have any family, do you?
Doctor Sasaki: Just my wife and youngest son, who I was on my way to vis—
(Doctor Sasaki pauses, and suddenly, a look of complete horror crosses his face.)
Maya: (Worried) What?
Doctor Sasaki: I was on my way to our home out in the country… but I forgot they’re still at the apartment in Tokyo. H-how could I forget something like that…
Maya: Where in Tokyo!?
Doctor Sasaki: Azabu. Why?
Maya: (Worried) They might be in danger! If those guys want you, there’s a strong possibility they could go after your family. (Thinking) That would be just like Geier’s style— get to the scientist through their family!
Doctor Sasaki: Are you certain!?
Maya: (Nodding) Absolutely. I’d better get over there and make sure they’re okay.
(Maya stands to go to her motorcycle, but the older man puts a hand out.)
Doctor Sasaki: Wait! Please don’t get involved!
Maya: (Surprised) Huh? Why not?
Doctor Sasaki: This is my responsibility. I shouldn’t get an innocent young lady like you mixed up in this now as well.
(The doctor slowly tries to stand, but is too weak to. Maya kneels down and supports him, and slowly helps him to his feet.)
Doctor Sasaki: You’ve done enough for me already just be listening. Please, I should be the one doing—
Maya: You’re in no condition to go anywhere right now, but a hospital. Do you have a phone on you?
Doctor Sasaki: Yes. What about my driver?
Maya: He should be okay. But still, call for an ambulance in case he has a concussion or something. I can’t spend anymore time here.
(Maya turns to run to her bike, but again the man stops her.)
Doctor Sasaki: Please don’t go! I don’t want another innocent dying because of me!
Maya: (Glancing back) Would you rather have your family die instead?
Doctor Sasaki: (Looking down, sadly) … I’ve already had to deal with losing one family member…
Maya: (Seriously) That’s no reason to lose two more.
Doctor Sasaki: But… why risk your life for me? A total stranger?
Maya: (Grinning) It’s just what I do best, I guess.
Doctor Sasaki: Please… be careful.
Maya: Don’t worry about me. Just get to a hospital.
(As Maya dashes off, Sasaki regards her thoughtfully, before turning back to the car to check on his driver.)
***
(It is now late in the afternoon, and the sky is already turning a dull red.
Mikoto, with a backpack on her back and two overstuffed bags strapped to the
back of her Vespa, cruises along through a street in suburban
Mikoto: (Thinking) Well, here we go.
(As the young woman pulls the door open, the sound of glass wind chimes catching the soft breeze fills the air. Mikoto walks in to find a clean, orderly coffee shop, with several tables lining the walls and a large half-circular bar at the far end of the room with many stools set before it. Everything is painted in an odd mixture of cheery pastel colors and wood finishes. Random paraphernalia of all sorts hangs on the walls and on the overhanging divide above the bar. The place is well-organized, spotless, and empty, save for one woman behind the bar. She is older than Mikoto but still fairly youthful, and as the younger girl enters, she looks up from cleaning the bar with a wet rag, and smiles.)
Woman: Irasshaimase!
Mikoto: (Nodding in acknowledgment) This is the “Kôhiimame Café”, right?
Woman: (Nodding) Yup! The one and only.
Mikoto: (Slowly) I see... (Fumbling) Um, I was sent by Tachibana Tôbei…
Woman: (Elated) Oh, you’re one of the girls Tachibana-san told me about!
Mikoto: Yeah, I’m Taki Mikoto.
Woman: And I’m Tama Junko. Pleased to meet you, Mikoto-chan!
(Junko bows, smiling, and Mikoto returns with her own bow and an uneasy grin.)
***
(At the Sasaki family apartment in Azabu, his well-dressed wife and son sit around the table, enjoying their dinner as best they can. The loud tick of a grandfather clock mixes with the sound of chopsticks against the lacquered bowls.)
Sasaki’s Son: Mama, is Papa coming back soon?
Sasaki’s Wife: (Sighing) I don’t know, Shinichi. Your father has been working very heard these last few months, and now, with the break-in at the lab, things are going to be a little… difficult for him.
Sasaki’s Son: Why doesn’t Papa ever come home in time for dinner?
Sasaki’s Wife: He can’t always make the time to come eat with his family, Shinichi. Please try to understand that.
(Suddenly, there is a sound at the door.)
Sasaki’s Son: Papa!?
(The boy bolts out of his chair and runs to the door as his mother calls after him.)
Sasaki’s Wife: Shinichi!
(But as the sound grows louder and more intense, the child stops and stares transfixed. Mrs. Sasaki runs over and grabs him around the shoulders, dragging him back just as the door splinters and explodes outward, as Yôsetsu-Shimauma comes crashing through.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMAAAA!!!
Sasaki’s Wife: (Screaming) KYIIIIIIIAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Sasaki’s Son: Mama!!!
Sasaki’s Wife: (Shocked) W-what are you!?
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: (Cruelly) That’s none of your concern. Now, you’re coming with me.
(But just as the mammalian mutant attempts to grab both the cowering woman and her son, Maya runs in from behind and jump kicks her out of the way. She then stands between the Geier Kaijin and the would-be-victims.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: (Craning her neck to look up) Who dares— !?
Maya: (Putting hands on hips) That would be me! You’re not taking these people anywhere, you mo—
(Yôsetsu-Shimauma slowly rises to her full height, and spreads her arms, neighing loudly as Maya trails off and watches wide-eyed.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMAAAA!!! I am Yôsetsu-Shimauma, the bringer of death. Who are you!?
Maya: …Whoa…
(Maya bites her knuckle and regains her composure.)
Maya: That’s not important. I’m just here to—
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: You’re Sigma, aren’t you?
Maya: No! Well, I mean…
(Maya decides it would just be easier to drop the act.)
Maya: … yeah, okay. I am.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Oh really? And what exactly are you going to do, little girl?
Maya: Well, first things first, we’re taking this fight outside.
(Maya jumps at Yôsetsu-Shimauma, but the monster sidesteps and lunges out at Sasaki’s son. Maya clumsily bumps into the furniture and, following her efforts to keep an expensive-looking lamp from tumbling off the tabletop, turns to see the monster & her hostage careening out a window, sending shards of glass everywhere. Wasting no time, Maya jumps out after them, making a familiar pose with her arms just as she plummets out of sight.)
Maya: HENSHIN…
(Sasaki’s wife musters the willpower to walk over to the window, and peers down and out. She gasps at the amazing site below.)
Maya: … SIGMA!
(Maya spins around as she falls, her button-down shirt flapping aside to reveal the Henshin Belt. She changes into Kamen Rider Sigma as the released power swirls around her in a brilliant flash of light. She lands gracefully on the rooftop below, just mere meters from the Geier villainess and her captive.)
Sasaki’s Wife: (Shocked) Who… who is that woman!?
(Down on the large rooftop, both of the female combatants circle each other, each carefully watching to try and predict the other’s next move. Sigma puts one hand to the other and feigns tightening her “glove”. Her opponent grips the now-unconscious boy closely under one arm, with her arc-welder arm held menacingly out.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: You can’t win, Sigma. I’ve got the kid. Make a move, and he dies.
Sigma: (Unmoved) Oh, really. I thought you wanted to kidnap them?
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: One hostage will be more than enough.
Sigma: What makes you think you can still get the kid’s mother?
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Observe.
(The Kaijin points up at Sasaki’s wife, who is being overpowered by female Geier Combatants and hauled away from the window. In spite of her masked face, Sigma still manages to show what amounts to a feeling of disgust and embarrassment.)
Sigma: …Right. I forgot about that.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Now, are you going to be a good girl and back down, or do I have to give the boy a little facial surgery?
Sigma: Well, when you put it that way, I guess I don’t have much of a choice. But you know…
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: What?
Sigma: There is always this.
(Sigma taps one of the small boxes on the side of her belt.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: What’s that? A weapon!?
Sigma: Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. Nothing like that. Just a remote control. My predecessors had the thought to put one in.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Remote control? To what?
Sigma: Take a guess.
(Sigma flips a switch on the box. Before the zebra mutant can react, the roar of an engine is head, and the Tsunami comes plowing through a set of nearby doors, driving under its own power. The monster’s mouth hangs open as the bike zooms towards it. Dropping the child, she rolls out of the way, but Sigma’s Rider Machine comes to screeching halt right in front of the boy.)
Sigma: Yeah, we’re on top of the garage. Convenient, no?
(Yôsetsu-Shimauma rises angrily, the bike now between her and her one-time hostage.)
Sigma: And, fortunately, I had the foresight to park on the uppermost level. Now, let’s get this over with.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: You’re going to pay for this intrusion, you little punk.
Sigma: That’s what they all say. And you know something? I’ve been running up a killer tab lately.
(Yelling angrily, Yôsetsu-Shimauma charges towards the other woman. In return, Sigma lunges at the Geier monstrosity, who sidesteps and bashes downward with her heavy right hand. Sigma is faster though, and does a leaping roll right out of the way. She quickly gets to her feet in time to see Yôsetsu-Shimauma’s hoofed foot heading right for her face. Sigma takes the blow on the chin, and is sent spiraling back. Yôsetsu-Shimauma’s left arm twitches and she rolls her neck.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: SHHHHHHIIIIIMMMMAAA! HAHAHA! And they had told me you were a “threat”.
Sigma: Well, they were right!
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Pah! Hardly. You’re just a wannabe, Sigma. Some kid who couldn’t amount to half of any other Rider if she tried.
Sigma: Care to test that theory?
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Certainly! And you will still fail.
Sigma: We’ll see about that. You wanna dance? Let’s dance.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Think you can keep up?
Sigma: (Slyly) I’m a fast learner.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: Fast learner, huh? Alright, here’s lesson #1!
(Yôsetsu-Shimauma throws out her left arm chain, which wraps around Sigma’s neck. With a quick motion of her arm, the zebra Kaijin pulls her opponent up and over her head, so that she lands hard on her back. The twisted villainess does this again, and again, and again, so that Sigma is soon thoroughly thrashed. As she lies groaning on the ground, the bipedal equine saunters over and puts her left foot on Sigma’s stomach.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: What’s this then? I thought you learned quickly?
Sigma: I do.
(Sigma grabs the monster’s leg and pulls it upward, causing her to lose her balance and topple to the ground. As the zebra monster falls clumsily onto her back, Sigma springs up to her feet. Giving her thigh a pat, she then launches into a downward flying punch, hitting Yôsetsu-Shimauma square in the stomach. As the monster gags, Sigma gives her a swift kick in the neck, sending her tumbling away.)
Sigma: How’s it feel to be on the receiving end, huh?
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: (Snarling) You little brat…
Sigma: Awww, are you saying I’ve been a bad girl?
(Sigma cracks her knuckles.)
Sigma: Good. It’ll make this feel really justified.
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: I don’t think so, sister. I always get things MY way, understand?
(Yôsetsu-Shimauma raises her right arm, and ignites her arc welder. The burst of ultra-hot fire barely misses Sigma, who dodges as best she can. Yôsetsu-Shimauma adjusts the flame from a large, fiery blast down to a thin, bluish-white spike. She then lunges at the masked heroine, thrusting her right arm again and again in her direction. Sigma jumps, flips and ducks out of the way, but it soon becomes apparent she’s running out of options, as Yôsetsu-Shimauma backs her further up against the edge of the building. Sigma throws a punch at the Kaijin, who simply catches her by the wrist and twists her arm. She then sticks her right arm arch welder right against Sigma’s neck, and pushes all her weight onto our heroine. Effectively pinned against the ledge, all Sigma can do is look up as the monster sneers down at her. With her free arm, Sigma grabs Yôsetsu-Shimauma’s right arm, but the mutant cyborg activates her welder, the ultra-heated spike stopping just mere centimeters from Sigma’s throat. Sigma gulps, as she can feel the perspiration run even beneath her mask.)
Sigma: (Thinking) This isn’t looking good. If I could just find some way to free my legs…
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: (Laughing maniacally) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What’s the matter, Sigma? Can’t handle the heat? Ha! Just wait, it’ll all be over soon…
(But then Yôsetsu-Shimauma stops, and slowly moves the welder so it’s right between Sigma’s eyes.)
Yôsetsu-Shimauma: On second thought, let’s make this as long and painful as we can, okay? I’ll start by grafting that mask onto that pretty face of yours… permanently. SHHHHHIIIIIIMMMMMMAAAAA!!!
To Be Continued...
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Kamen Rider ©1971, 2007 TOEI / ISHINOMORI SHOTARO. "Kamen Rider Sigma" by Paul Sullivan.