Kamen Rider Kage

[Godzillawolf]

NOTE: Please put comments on the discussion thread, this promo is the 'prologue' to the larger story. This is modeled after a promo for a new Kamen Rider series, thus the format. Thanks to Infernal King on Bulbagarden for helpping me with this.

Discussion Thread: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1368

Coming soon, a new fanfic begins! Kamen Rider Kage!

Hidden under the sea of Japan for centuries, an age old sword has been found.

A long, blood red katana with a golden hilt designed with an elephant beetle in the center is dredged up from the oceans depths onto the wooden deck of a ship.

When it’s ancient seal is broken, the Devil Kaijin, Akuma are set free from their centuries of imprisonment.

In a museum, archeologists examine the sword, its hilt shines brightly and when it settles, a hulking form of an armored bronze humanoid with an Elephant Beetle-like face, a curved horn adorning his head along with a black crown, a cape flowing behind him and samurai-like armor on his form, a swarm of beings surging out of the blade and filling the lab behind them.

Filled with a insatiable lust for battle and destruction, the Akuma destroy everything in sight.

Various armored, animal-like humanoids are seen destroying various locations and fighting the police force.

Rising from the ashes of their destructive rampage, a mysterious samurai hero rises, Kamen Rider Kage.

A young man with medium length black hair sits in the shadow’s of a tree, listening to the radio. His eyes are green in color, his skin color tanned from the sun, his body fit and muscled and his face slim and handsome.

The man stands on a street, a belt with a black strap and a golden square buckle in the middle around his waist. In the center of the buckle is a large, round, green crystal, which resembled an eye. He got in a crouching pose one hand forwards and the other pulled into his side as he looks forwards. “Henshin!”

The Rider stands before a blue samurai-like shark humanoid in a burning house, his armor streamlined with samurai-like arms, dark reddish-brown in color with black fabric between the armored plates and on the lower chest. His head is adored with a Rhinoceros Beetle-like horn and large, red, beetle-like optics.

Endowed with a mysterious power, Kage must stop the evil Akuma’s destruction and uncover the dark past behind his powers.

Kage rides down a city street on a motorcycle resembling a dirt bike, only with thicker armor in his colors and the front of it resembling a Kabuto Beetle, it’s horn pointed forwards.

Kage slashes an unseen Akuma with a katana, its golden hilt having a large green crystal, one side of the hilt being oversized at a curve, forming what seemed to be a hand guard. He pulls the hilt up to the blade, transforming it into an ax as he throws a second slash with it.

[i]Coming soon, Evil Will Fall By His Blade[\i]

[Godzillawolf]

Episode 1, enjoy:

Kamen Rider Kage, Episode 1, Adventure’s Advent, The Shadow Rider Awakens

Tokyo Museum, midday;

“Late last night a mysterious sword was brought to the museum for study,” explained a black haired, female news reporter, standing in front of the entrance. “The sword was brought up by a fishing vessel in the Sea of Japan, early estimates state it may date back the feudal era Japan and inscriptions indicate it may have been forged by Muramasa, the mythological Japanese sword smith whose blades are said to be bloodthirsty and evil. Archeologists are presently trying to restore the blade to its previous condition.”

Inside, a group of Japanese archeologists busied themselves around the sword, which was a katana with a blood red blade, its hilt still covered in sand and build up from centuries of remaining underwater, but a golden insignia of an Elephant Beetle could be seen. In addition to those traits, the sword itself seemed oversized, as if one much larger than an average human was needed to wield such a weapon. “The blade didn’t corrode, and its make up is that of no known metal,” reported one of them, examining the metal.
“The blood red color is also unique, why would a samurai wish their sword to be permanently stained with blood?” inquired another, brushing off the sand from the symbol, revealing a red jewel also in the hilt. “There seem to be jewels in the hilt. This sword must have belonged to someone of higher class to be able to afford such materials.” He slowly scraped more debris off the jewel, accidentally pushing in the beetle. “That’s strange.”
“What?” asked a third scientist, who had been dealing with looking up possible links to known swords.
“The beetle insignia, it jus-” the scientist was cut off when the jewel suddenly glowed a bright red, then sent out a flash of light, forcing the scientists back and to shield their eyes. When it died out, a terrifying sight stood before them.
He was eight feet in height, his armor bronze and resembling a samurai, only more insect-like in appearance and bulky, in fact it wasn‘t armor at all, it was his true exoskeleton. His head resembled a human’s in shape only, it’s features more insect-like, the mouth covered by a triangular plate and two small tusks on each side, a curved horn extending from the forehead, compound beetle eyes below it. His hands were like a human’s in shape and function, but composed of armored exoskeleton instead of flesh, like an insect. Topping off the appearance was a black, spiked crown adorning his head and flowing cape billowing out behind him. As if this manifestation wasn’t enough, smaller creatures of a similar nature, only each composed of a different animal, rose from the sword, filling the room behind the first one.
“W-what are you?” asked one of the now terrified scientists.
“King Mao, ruler of the Akuma,” said the first being, now identifying himself as King Mao, the monster moved his arm, revealing a deep scar in his stomach, like he’d been impaled at one point. “You have freed us from our infernal prison, and for that, your reward is to leave with your honor.” He turned and picked up the sword he and his kind had just emerged from and slid it into a scabbard hooked to his side. He looked around his clan, picking out a one with silver armor on his torso, upper arms, and lower legs, a trident strapped to his back. His skin was a dark grey and his head had a small fin, his eyes red and a toothy mouth design below them, resembling a bull shark.
“You will be the first to earn your place in the next land, you know what to do.”
The Shark Akuma nodded, bowing. King Mao turned around and his eyes glowed purple, a distortion appearing before him that tore itself open, revealing a void behind it. King Mao walked in, the other Akuma walking through it after him, leaving the Shark Akuma behind. He turned around to the scientist, drawing his trident.
“But he said we’d leave here!” said one of the terrified scientists.
“My lord said you can leave with your honor, yes, and there’s no greater honor, than to die at a warrior’s hand!” growled the shark, leaping at them.

Osaka, 4 pm;

A young man walked down the sidewalk with bags of groceries in his arms, looking somewhat upset. He appeared to be 19, having medium length black hair on his head, green eyes, light skin. He turned the corner into an ally, fiddling for his keys. “Can’t help that the third day of the month is my day to get groceries, but I still wish I didn’t have to carry all this by myself,” he said, almost dropping one of the bags trying to get his keys.
“Got it!” he exclaimed, pulling his keys out of his pockets, only to see his house, an average two story, white painted house…the door was wide open. He slowly approached, his parents never left the door open, and when he got close, he was even more shocked, seeing the door wasn’t just open, it’d been splintered inwards by a powerful impact. He saw an elderly Japanese man laying on the floor nearby, and immediately dropped the groceries.
“Father!” he yelled, running over and shaking him. “Father?!” he asked again, trying to get some reaction, only to check his pulse and find there was none. Looking up in shock, he suddenly realized something else. “Mother!” he yelled, running over to the stairs, finding lamps, books, and even dressers toppled over and shattered. He ran up the stairs and ran into his parent’s room, stopping in horror at what he saw. “No…” he muttered, seeing his mother, laying limply on the bed, candles lit all around the room as if showing respect.
“She put up quite a fight,” said a eerie voice from the corner of the room.
The man twirled around to see the Shark Akuma standing before him. “You…you killed them?!”
The Akuma nodded. “The man didn’t get much of a chance to fight, but your mother’s a real fighter, kept me on my toes. Very spry for a human, I‘ll tell you what,” he explained, slowly approaching. “She kept yelling for someone named Jarrett. Are you Jarrett?”
The man clinched his fists, enraged at this beast for the horror it‘d brought on his family. “Yes…that’s my name…” he said, feeling…something, he had no clue as to what, but it felt…amazing, like he could do anything.
The Shark Akuma chuckled. “Hmm…I wonder if you’re as good a fighter as her faith in you would suggest. Too bad you weren’t here, you might have been able to save her.”
Jarrett glared daggers at the Akuma, fury rising inside him, along with that strange feeling. Just being near this creature, before finding out what it’d done, had caused that feeling to start forming. “I won’t let you get away with this! I’ll show you what I can do! I swear you’ll pay!”
The Akuma nodded, holding his trident forwards. “Think you have what it’ll take to give me a challenge, boy? If you‘re half the fighter your mother was, this‘ll be fun.”
“Don’t you dare talk about her again!” yelled Jarrett, his eyes suddenly glowing red. His midsection suddenly was engulfed in black flames, solidifying into a belt, the strap black in color. The buckle was the strange part, it was a large golden square, in its center a green jewel resembling an eye in its design, and inside, if one looked closely enough, a 土 symbol visible in its center, the kanji symbol for Earth. He suddenly got a strange sensation, telling him what he should do. He crouched as if about to jump, holding one hand forwards, the other to his side in a martial arts pose. “Henshin!” he yelled.
Jarrett was engulfed in a flash of green light, blinding the Shark as the belt began sending out a low drum beat-like sound that started to get faster as time passed. The green energy wrapped around Jarrett‘s body like a cocoon, giving an appearance of stone, the Earth Kanji appearing in his chest, before the energy shattered into partials that dispersed into the air, the drumming ceasing. The Akuma was startled by the being standing before him so much that he toppled a candle behind him, igniting the curtains ablaze, which soon began to spread. Jarrett’s form was replaced with that of an armored warrior. The armor was reddish brown in color, body streamlined and hugging the body. In the joints and the lower torso, the armor gave way to a black fabric, and the most defining trait of the body being the arms, which resembled a more streamlined version of samurai armor. His helmet was head had a Rhinoceros Beetle horn emerging from the forehead, large, red compound optics under it, the mouthpiece resembling that of King Mao, only less menacing in appearance.

Meanwhile, a young police woman was driving down a nearby street, rain having began falling. She was a long haired redhead, with intense blue eyes. She was by no means ugly, in fact, she was quite beautiful, but something about her told you ‘this is not someone to mess with’.
“Man…what a boring night…you’d think something would happen…” said Karin, bored stiff.
“Officer Karin, please respond,” requested the dispatcher over the radio.
Karin jumped from Karma giving her something to do. Recovering, she picked up. “Officer Karin here, what’s happening?”
“We’ve got reports of screams and crashes, possible domestic disturbance or home invasion,” reported the dispatcher. “Think you can check it out?”
Karin smiled, she loved a chance to get in a fight legally. She wouldn’t start one under threat of lawsuit and throwing charges of assault at her, but finishing one, that was another story. “Sure, give me the address and I’ll head on over.”

The Akuma stepped back in shock. “N-no! I-It can’t be! You can’t still be alive! It‘s been centuries!” he yelled, seemingly terrified but then realizing something and his posture started relaxing. “That’s right. You can’t be Kage, at least not the one I remember, humans can’t live that long.”
Jarrett looked at him thoughtfully. “Hmm…Kage? If you monsters are so afraid of that name, I guess I’ll take it,” he said, marching forwards. The Akuma seemed somewhat intimidated by him, but still attempted to give him a trust of his spear, only for Kage to spin to the side, avoiding the weapon and countering with a hard palm strike to the Akuma’s chest, sending him backwards, holding his chest. Before he could recover, Kage charged forwards, giving him an uppercut to the jaw, followed by a hard punch to the ribs. Kage finished the combination assault with a roundhouse kick to the gut, launching him backwards into a wall, weakened already from flames. Kage snarled, charging forwards.

Karin pulled up to see the fire start. “Attention! I’m at the address! We’ve got a fire in progress! Get someone over to-” she said into the radio, just as Kage and the Akuma plowed through the upper wall of the house, Kage having dropkicked the Akuma through said wall.
Both fell onto the hood of Karin’s car, crushing the front of the car inwards. Karin gasped in shock as Kage wailed on the Akuma’s face with his armored fists. The Akuma, now in his element of water from the rain, blasted Kage off of him with a blast of water from his mouth. The Akuma rose to his feet and blasted Kage again, sending him grinding across the ground into a nearby tree. The Akuma roared and approached slowly, pinning Kage to the tree with a water stream once more.
Karin watched the situation. “The creature from the museum attack…” she said, an all points bulletin out on it since then. She knew the thing it was fighting could be just as dangerous as the first creature…but on the other hand, one was known to be deadly, the other was unknown. Deciding on a course of action, Karin threw the car into drive and slammed her foot down on the peddle. The police car flew forwards and slammed into the Akuma’s back, sending him flying across the street through a fence. Karin was rattled but excited at the same time. “Wow…I can’t believe I just did that!” Only for the engine to suddenly sputter and cut out. “No no no no no!” she yelled, now stranded.
Kage rose to his feet, grateful for the help. He looked to the Akuma, seeing him rising to his feet and charged forwards, delivering a roundhouse kick to the face, knocking him sideways. The weakened Akuma stood back up, only for Kage to back up and charge full speed, delivering a side kick to the chest that launched the Akuma backwards through a stone bench.
“Use the Element Crest in your belt…” said an echoing, noble voice, almost inside of Kage’s head.
Kage looked around in surprise, wondering where the voice came from. He shook it off, looking down at his belt. He held his hand in front of the jewel, which glowed, producing a small brown tile with the Earth kanji symbol emblazoned in its center. He wondered what to do next, finding himself instinctively looking over to his left hip, seeing a small slot in it. He slid the Element Crest into it. “Element Break…” announced a resounding voice from the belt, not technological, more organic and ancient. Green energy surged into his left leg, coating it.
Instinctively, he got down in a crouching pose, as if ready to run. “Seismic Impact!” he called, charging forwards at the Shark Akuma through the rain, the energy in his leg discharging into the ground each time it landed. He finally jumped up, planting his right foot in the Akuma‘s chest to boost him up, allowing him to swing his energized right leg around, smashing into the side of his head. Kage twisted in midair to land on his feet, facing away as the Akuma was knocked to the ground and sent rolling several feet to a stop.
Karin got out of her car, watching as the Akuma staggered to his feet, gasping in pain. Suddenly, cracks started spreading out from the impact site, blue energy surging out as the Akuma screamed in pain. His whole body cracked, until finally, he went up in a blast of blue energy, forcing Karin to cover her eyes. She opened them moments later to see nothing but a bit of scorched earth and short-lived flames in the Akuma’s place. Karin turned to Kage, not sure if he was an ally or not. “…There’s more of them,” was all she could say, the surveillance tapes having shown that much.
Kage turned and looked to her. “…Not for long,” he stated, turning back to the burning house and leaping back into the room. Moments later, he kicked out a bottom wall, carrying his dead parents and laying them on the sidewalk. “Victims of the monsters…if nothing else, I’ve avenged them,” he explained, seeming emotionally worn by looking at them, before turning and dashing into the garage.
Karin ran after him, only for him to rush out of the garage on what looked like a dirt bike, only much thicker, almost samurai-like armor covering it, the front where the handlebars were looked like the head of a Japanese Rhinoceros beetle complete with a horn. The whole motorcycle resembled Kage himself in color, as well as theme. “Wait!” yelled Karin, causing Kage to come to a stop and look to her. “Who are you?”
Kage looked down, then looked slowly back to her. “Kage…”
Karin looked at the warrior. “Kage…too short and doesn’t have enough power behind it to suit you,” she said, smiling. “How about Kamen Rider Kage?”
“Kamen…Rider?”
“You wear a mask…I think, and you ride a motorcycle.”
Kage looked at her for a moment, then at himself, before nodding. “Sure, that sounds pretty interesting,” he said, looking back to her. “And you are…”
Karin blinked. “Oh its Karin, sorry, been a weird night.”
Kage nodded. “That it has…goodbye…” he said, turning and riding off into the distance as Karin watched on, then looked at the steaming squad car.
“Might as well…” Karin muttered, walking over to the car and opened the door, then called for assistance, as her engine was shot.

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Tokyo, Anti-Akuma Division, 6 am, Five Months Later;

Karin set in a large room in the HQ of the JSDF Anti-Akuma Division. It was well furnished and its appearance showed its purpose, a place simply to relax between missions. Several soldiers walked around in insect-like armored suits, suits that at least somewhat resembling a Kamen Rider, except their armor was strictly for protection, not for increasing of strength. The armor was black in color, for stealth purposes, their helmets resembling Kage’s, only minus the horn and slightly bulkier. Their armaments were a machine gun and a short sword that was concealed and placed on their backs.
One of them walked over to her, taking off his helmet to reveal a Japanese man with short brown hair and blue eyes, his features stern, but at the same time caring. “Commander, Eiji Takeo, reporting for duty.”
Karin nodded, due to being the first one to see how the Akuma truly fought, as well as showing exceptional bravery that night, she’d eventually been made the commander of the initially experimental group to fight them. “At ease, trooper,” said Karin. “Don’t be too formal, I don’t really like it.” She stood up, looking at the man. “So, you do know being a Masked Trooper is the most dangerous position here, right? Front lines stuff.”
Eiji nodded. “Yes, I know, but I’ve lost a lot to those monsters…I want to pay them back.”
Karin looked sternly for a moment, then smiled. “That’s the spirit, just don’t go and get yourself killed out there, ok?”
Eiji didn’t budge emotionally. “I don’t plan on dieing until I’ve killed enough of those monsters to repay them in full.”
Karin was about to reply when an alarm went off in the base. “Looks like you’ll get your chance, we’ve got an Akuma now,” she said, leading the way. They’d managed to slay some Akuma, but not without severe losses. “Let’s try to limit the casualties this time people!” she ordered when she entered the garage, the troops agreeing. “Man I need a better pep talk next time.” She then jumped into the back of an armored car. “Coming?”
Eiji jumped in and took his seat, putting his helmet on. “Ready, boss,” he stated, getting his machine gun.

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Across town, an Eel Akuma rampaged through the streets, throwing cars and people in every direction. His blue armor was mainly around his chest, the patterns designed to look like waves, he had another similarly designed armor piece at his crotch, more forming shin guards. His skin was brown, while his neck was normal sized, his face contained red eyes and oversized teeth jutting from his mouth. He pulled a spear out from his back and slashed a car in two with it. “Come! Does no one pose a challenge to my power!” he yelled to the heavens, grabbing a man by the neck and throwing him. His answer came in the form of police sirens, several armored cars pulling up and opening, a small army of Masked Troopers piling out of the backs, Karin behind them.
Karin looked to Eiji. “Aim for the head, if it gets in close, stay in close but watch his claws,” she explained. “And when he goes down, run.”
Eiji blinked under his helmet. “Why?”
Karin sighed. “Because, when Akuma die, they explode.”
Eiji gasped in surprise, then nodded. “Alright, ready on your order.”
Karin nodded. “Alright, attack!” she ordered, the Masked Troopers charging.
The Eel Akuma stood his ground, spear ready. When some got about 15 feet away, his head suddenly launched forwards, his neck extending. He bit one on the shoulder and threw him into a car’s hood. He retracted as machine guns were fired at him, wadding through the fire mostly unharmed. He reached the first two, mowing them down with his spear. He spun around, taking out several more by extending his neck, sending them flying in all directions. After clearing out the area around him, he slashed a fire hydrant and let the spurting water fall on him before expelling it from his mouth, blasting down scores of them…until Eiji managed to run threw, gun blazing and managing to catch the Akuma in the gills, distracting him enough for Eiji to get in close, drawing his short sword.
Eiji wielded the weapon backhanded, ducking under the monster’s spear and slashing him in the ribs, sending sparks flying. The Akuma attempted a slash with his claws, only to be dodged and palm struck in the ribs.
Karin watched the exchange with interest. “Impressive skills…I think I‘ll suggest him for a promotion…” she stated, before hearing footsteps behind her, turning and seeing a man with middle length hair walking down the street, not much detail clear at the distance. “Excuse me, sir, you can’t come in, there’s an Akuma attacking,” she ordered, about to approach when the man stopped, putting his hands to his waist and summoning a familiar belt. Karin gasped in surprise, recognizing the belt. “That’s the same belt…as he wore.”
Eiji dodged another slash from the spear and decked the Akuma in the face before being kicked in the chest, launching him back. The Akuma charged, trying to end it with a spear slash to the head, but Eiji blocked with the short sword, holding it back just barely.
Jarrett watched the scene with interest, his skin now tanned and his body trained and muscled. However, knew there wasn’t time to wait. He lowered himself into the same pose he’d taken that night. “Henshin!” Green energy surged out around him and the sound of drumming played, causing the pattern of rock to cover his body, the Earth Kanji appearing on his chest before it too vanished, revealing Kamen Rider Kage. Kage looked up at the Akuma. “Evil will fall by my blade!”

Next time on Kamen Rider Kage, Episode 2: Reunion In Tokyo, Duty Against Friendship;

Jarrett, after months of training, returns and arrives in time to save the Anti-Akuma forces from the Eel Akuma. However, the higher ups in the city refuse to think of Kage as anything different than the Akuma, and order his capture if at all possible. Karin must choose between her duty and the friendship she feels with the mysterious hero. Meanwhile, the Eel Akuma is still on the loose and must be stopped.

[Godzillawolf]

Episode 2! Enjoy! Also, Kage is in the Double/OOO timeline.

Kamen Rider Kage, the adventure so far:

The Devil Kaijin Akuma were set free from their centuries of imprisonment and unleashed their destructive wrath on Japan once more. However, in the midst of the Shark Akuma’s rampage, a young man named Jarrett awakens the mysterious power of Kamen Rider Kage and defeated him. Now, five months later, the mysterious hero returns to face the Eel Akuma…

Kamen Rider Kage, Episode 2, Reunion in Tokyo, Duty Against Friendship;

Tokyo, 7 am;

Karin gasped, looking at Kamen Rider Kage as his transformation occurred directly in front of her. “You’re back…where have you been all this time?” she asked, her voice faint in shock.

Kage looked to her as he began walking, remembering her for her selfless actions to help him all those months ago.. “Training, so I’d be ready…” he explained, marching towards the Eel Akuma, who managed to force Eiji to the ground, preparing to launch his head out to bite off Eiji’s.

Eiji, defiant, punched the Eel in the face, then head butted it repeatedly. The Akuma was mostly unfazed, but right as it was about to attack again, a powerful roundhouse kick to the skull sent him flying backwards and crashing into a trashcan. Kage looked to the brave Masked Trooper, who looked on stunned at how far the Akuma was sent. “Good job, now its my turn,” he stated, turning to approach the Eel. Eiji growled, but didn’t say anything, though it was clear, despite being grateful not to be dead, he wasn’t that happy about the situation.

The Eel Akuma staggered to its feet and looked at Kage, gasping in surprise. “Kage? But you’re supposed to be dead!”

“Wrong Kage,” said the Kamen Rider, putting his hand to his belt. “Terra Shredder!” he called, a gold and black hilt emerging from the crystal ‘eye’ into his hand. He pulled it out, producing a katana, its hilt golden, one side seemed much larger, almost like a hand guard, in the center, a green gem like the one on his belt. He took a low stance and prepared for battle.

The Akuma roared in fury, charging and slashing with his spear, only to be ducked and then Kage backflip as he swung around again, slashing nothing but air. The Eel attempted to spin around and stab Kage, but the hero spun to the side to dodge. With an opening, he delivered a slash across the Eel’s chest, sending a shower of sparks flying and making the Eel Akuma stagger from the hit. He continued with a series of slashes to the monster’s chest and midsection, more sparks flying, only stopping to duck beneath a spear swing from the monster, countering by smacking the hilt of his sword into the back of the Akuma’s head. The Eel staggered forwards before roaring and spinning around, launching his extending neck and snapping at Kage. Kage dodged the bites, finally grabbing the monster by the neck, slashing away at it and causing the Eel to roar in pain. His neck extended again and the monster sprayed Kage in the back with a powerful stream of water, launching him forwards into the ground. The Eel laughed and sprayed more water at him, forcing him to dodge, the water tearing a trench in the ground as it hit from the intense water pressure.

Kage kept dodging while the Eel’s body walked up, retracting his neck until it was normal length, continuing his barrage the entire time. Kage snarled and pulled the enlarged size of the Terra Shredder’s hilt up, locking it into the blade, turning the weapon into an ax. He used the blade to catch the water stream at an angle, causing the water to split and go past him. He kept this up and charged forwards through the attack and delivered a slash to the Akuma’s chest, sending sparks flying before spinning around and slashing him again, staggering him backwards. The Eel looked up as Kage leapt into the air and delivered a flying kick, sending the Eel flying backwards and colliding with a wall, falling to the ground, seemingly out.

Kage put his hand before the eye of the belt, preparing to summon the Element Crest to finish this once and for all.
He was interrupted, however, by Eiji charging forwards and shooting at him. The bullets simply bounced off his armor, but nevertheless, it got his attention, allowing him to block a slash from the Masked Trooper with a reverse grip block over his shoulder without looking back. “What are you doing?!” He demanded, now spinning around to look back, to show some respect for the trooper

“I have orders to capture you!” replied Eiji, trying to force Kage back, but the Rider was too strong and instead was forced back.

“You idiot! The Akuma isn’t dead!” yelled Kage, getting Eiji off of him.

“Huh?” Eiji looked over, seeing the Akuma had ran to his feet and run to a nearby sewer, slithering into it. “My bad…”

Kage snarled and punched him in the chest for allowing the Akuma to get away, Eiji crumpling to the floor. “Fool…” he said, turning and walking off.

Eiji growled, taking off his helmet and tried to follow, only to stop when Kage jumped after the Akuma. “Hey! Come back here! I’m not done!” he yelled into the sewer, prompting Kage to splash sewer water in his face in clear annoyance, causing him to scramble back in disgust.

Karin snarled, and walked up behind Eiji as he stood up and tried not to retch from the sickening sewer water. She spun him around and decked him, sending him right back to the ground. “Why’d you do that for?! He saved your life! And you let the Akuma get away!” she yelled, she was a bit red in the face for that ungrateful stunt he just pulled.

Eiji growled, but wouldn’t fight a superior officer. Well, not physically anyway. “I was following orders! You know as well as I do the generals wanted Kage captured if he returned!” he replied, standing up, it was true, since his appearance that night, the government didn’t know what to make of Kage, and considered him a possible threat, thus he had to be captured.

Karin let out a sigh and calmed down via breathing exercises most women in a stressful position would need to learn. “You’re right…” she admitted, as she couldn’t punish him for following orders, even if she hated those particular orders. “Still, you should have the brains to wait till after the Akuma has been killed!” she vented, a tiny amount of the red in her face returning

“So what are you going to do? You can’t fire me for following orders,” replied Eiji, getting a glare and a rather wicked smile from his superior, making a chill go up his spine. “Me and my big mouth…” he mentally groaned.

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About fifteen minutes later, they were back at the base, and Karin lead Eiji into the bathroom and handed him a bucket of water and a toothbrush. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” complained Eiji.

“While I can’t and won’t fire you for falling orders, what I can and am doing is punishing you for being an idiot and back talking your superior officer,” replied Karin, smiling mockingly. “Now get to work.”

Eiji snarled, walking in, mumbling under his breath as he kneeled and began cleaning the ground with the toothbrush, only to be kicked in the rear. “Stop talking about me and I won’t make you meet Mr. Right, okay?” she growled out, tightening her right hand into a fist as she used his back as a foot stool and showed the fist to him right in front of his face. Eiji nodded in fear, he was not used to a woman this fierce. “Good man,” she said, patting him on the shoulder and walking out of the Women’s Restroom and placing a “Busy” sign on the door.

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Karin walked down the street later that night, having changed out of her police uniform and into a black shirt and blue jeans. “After a day like that, I sure deserve a break,” she stated, leaning against a wall. “I don’t know what’s worse, the blasted Akuma, or the fact my best soldier is a by-the-book idiot.” She looked up at the sky with a sigh. “And then there’s the fact I’m ordered to capture Kage, but he’s the best hope we have of stopping the Akuma,” she said, frustrated. “Not to mention the fact he trained all this time, if he can do that to Akuma, then what makes them think we’ll do any better?” she sighed out as she punched a tree hard in frustration.

Karin was interrupted from her thoughts by the screaming of a man falling off a tree branch above her from the tree she just punched and landing hard on the ground. “Ow…that was painful…” responded the man, Jarrett.

Karin gasped in surprise looking down at him. “Oh my gosh! Are you ok?!”

Jarrett stood up, rubbing his head. “Yes, I think so, sorry that I scared you,” Jarrett said in an apologetic tone with a bow.

“Why were you in a tree?” Karin asked, looking up to see leaves still falling and several broken branches caused by Jarrett’s fall.

“Sleeping.”

Karin blinked, cocking her head. “Sleeping?”

Jarrett nodded, smiling. “I needed a nap, so I decided to just climb up where no one would see me and go to sleep.”

Karin chuckled, unable to help herself, as something about this guy made his smile contagious. “You’re a strange one…”

Jarrett laughed, looking down. “I get that a lot…my name is Jarrett Tsuchi,” he explained. “I really don‘t stay anywhere for long.”

Karin blinked. “So you move a lot?”

Jarrett rubbed his head. “Well…more like…I‘m homeless…but by choice! Not by fate!” he quickly added.

Karin cocked her head in confusion once more. “You choose to be homeless,” she asked in a incredulous voice.

Jarrett nodded, giving a thoughtful smile. “Correct, I’m a wanderer, I can’t be held down by a house, so I go from place to place, meeting new people and seeing new places,” he explained. “I just came from Futo yesterday, was there for the reopening of the Futo Tower.”

Karin couldn’t help but smile. Here was someone that had no place to live, slept in trees, and just fell out of a tree in front of a strange woman, and acted like it was no big deal. She then got an embarrassed look on her face. “Sorry! I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Karin Akari.”

Jarrett nodded. “Nice to meet you,” he said, bowing honorably. His stomach then growled loudly, causing him to laugh. “Sorry…how about I treat you to dinner? It’s the least I could do for startling you.”

Karin looked concerned at this. “But you said you were homeless, I couldn’t let you buy dinner for me,” the captain said, as he couldn’t possibly have any money, yet he was just reeking of honor.

Jarrett smiled. “Don’t worry about it, I’ve got it under control,” he said, hands telling her to calm down.

“Why does it seem its just the exact opposite?” Karin asked herself as she followed Jarrett.

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Mt. Fuji, 9 pm;

In the caverns of the volcano, a throne room had been reconstructed. King Mao set upon a stone throne, with intricate designs carved into the surrounding gray stone, including that of the elephant beetle his body was based from and dragons, being very Mesoamerican in design. Behind him stood a massive statue of a Dragon Akuma, though the shadows made it difficult to make out exact details. Around him were several similar thrones, only much smaller than his, each surrounded by a twister of a respective element, Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water, that concealed the appearance of their owner.

“Yoso Akuma Rozu,” stated the Akuma King. “Kage has returned, but we know it cannot be the one from all those centuries ago,” he stated. “What do you think?” the ruler pondered, hands together and chin in them as he leaned forwards to listen to what his Rozu have to say.

“I think we need to destroy him!” replied a deep, furious, male voice from the fire throne.

“Anga, you need to relax, ruthless aggression will not solve our problem,” explained a more cultured, male voice from the wind throne. “It’s a simple solution, this new human inherited Kage’s powers somehow, how we cannot say, as the original Kage may have done something after our imprisonment.”

“I would suggest that we wait, and watch,” said a relaxed, soothing male voice from the water throne. “Find out just how powerful the new Kage is, and let the Akuma continue to please the High Warrior,” he stated, looking towards the grand statue behind their king. “The Eel Akuma is in line for his reward soon.”

“I second the Yoso Akuma Rozu of Water’s choice. We will watch and wait and defend ourselves if needed,” said a voice from the earth throne, the voice being the only female one and very considerate. “Also, this gives the Akuma a worthy opponent, and isn’t that our purpose for coming to this world in the first place? And it is his tribe‘s turn to prove their worth to the High Warrior.”

King Mao nodded. “Wise decision,” he stated, the voice known as Anga giving an furious growl. “We’ll see if this Kage is as good a fighter as his predecessor was,” King Mao spoke with a dark chuckle escaping his mandibles.

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Karin’s jaw dropped at Jarrett had her set down at a fancy table in one of the most expensive restaurants in all of Tokyo. “Ah, Jarrett-san, nice to see you again!” called the waiter that was servicing the duo. “Its been awhile since you were in town,” he exclaimed. “And with company too! In any case, here’s your menus, and I’ll be back for your order,” he said, handing them the menus and walking away.

Karin looked at him in surprise. “But…I thought…” she started, shocked from what was happening.

“I was poor?” asked Jarrett, smiling, Karin feeling a little guilty for labeling him so soon. “Like I said, I’m homeless by choice, not because I have to be,” he explained. “I work, I save up money, and I live off of nature and simple things from stores,” he explained. “When I need money, I have it. I am content to travel and see sites…and occasionally eat at a fancy restaurant.”

Karin nodded, confounded by this man and his apparent Buddhist-like view on life, though he looked nothing like a monk of any kind. “You amaze me,” she breathed out.

Jarrett looked at her strangely. “Why is that? I’m simply an average wanderer.”

Karin chuckled in amazement. “That’s just it! You’re…everyone seems to want more, get as much stuff as they can, but not you…” she said, settling down. “You live life to enjoy it, not to improve your place in society or make money or get power.”

Jarrett smiled, looking down. “Well that’s not all true…I do seek power, but not the kind most men do,” he said, looking to the window. “I seek true power, the power coming from hard work and improving ones own body and mind, the kind of power the wandering samurai in the movies possessed. The power to protect the innocent and stop evil,” he said, punching his right hand into his left palm, but inside, remembering the innocents he’d not been able to protect five months ago.

Karin listened to his explanation, and liked what she heard. “I think we’re kindred spirits in that respect,” she said, looking into the face of this bizarre man that had quite literally fallen into her life. “I want the same kind of power. The Akuma are everywhere, and there’s only one way to stop them, with the very power you seek,” she explained to his inquisitive look

Jarrett nodded in agreement. “I agree, perhaps fate had us meet…” he said, knowing they’d met five months ago, and then it had been fate in his eyes. “Anyway, let’s eat,” he said, lifting his arms.

Karin sniffed and reeled back. “Oh man, what’s that smell?!” she exclaimed.

Jarrett sniffed himself and pulled back. “Sorry, that would be the sewer. Went down there when I thought I lost something. Couldn’t see, so I went back out. Apparently, the smell stayed on me,” Jarrett explained, telling Karin only a half truth.

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In the subway, the Eel Akuma walked into a tunnel, a train heading down the tracks. He trust his arms forwards, water bursting from the walls and slamming into it, stopping it in its tracks and flooding the tunnel rapidly. “Let’s see how well they fight in my element…” he said to himself, letting water rise over the top of his head. As he savored this, the air before him warped, the symbol composed of energy depicting a feathered serpent coiled around a katana appearing in front of him. The Eel gasped and bowed, showing his respect. He lifted the armor on his chest, revealing a glowing red tattoo of a Kappa, filled to the top with energy.

The symbol glowed, water surging out of it, forming into a sea serpent before surging into the Akuma, causing his eyes to glow bright blue until it finished, leaving him panting from the experience, a golden belt buckle appearing on his midsection, a sea serpent emblazoned on it, as his tattoo ceased glowing. “Thank you! Mighty High Warrior! I will use your gift well!” he stated, bowing as the symbol vanished and he closed his armor.

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Jarrett and Karin were midway through their meal with Karin having a clip on her nose and everyone else well away from Jarrett, in the middle of a conversation about his adventures, when her phone rang. “Sorry…” said Karin, taking it out. “I’ve got to take this,” she said, taking off the clip to talk normally.

Jarrett nodded. “No worries, Karin-chan,” he said, feeling bad for not taking a shower earlier.

Karin answered the phone. “Karin here, what’s up?”

“Commander! An Akuma is attacking the subway! He’s flooded everything!” yelled a Masked Trooper, but before he could continue, a hit landed and he screamed, the transmission going dead from there.

Karin growled and hung up. “Sorry, Jarrett-san, I have to go, I’ve got a job to do,” she said, writing down her phone number and handing it to him. “But I’d like to meet again.” Karin bowed to him in respect of his friendship.

Jarrett took the number and put it away. “As would I, may we meet again,” he said, bowing then watching her walk off. He put money for the meal on the table. “I’ve got a job to do too,” he stated, his expression going from his normal demeanor to a serious one.

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Karin ran up to the entrance to the subway, Eiji waiting for her. “Commander, the Eel Akuma is back, he flooded the subway, so far, the Masked Troopers haven’t been able to stop him,” he explained, now giving her a more respectful tone thanks to that military punishment that was inflicted upon him thanks to an angry Karin. That experience told him to never cross her again.

“Alright…I think I parked my car around here somewhere,” said Karin, looking around to find where she‘d parked. “See it?” she asked, not being able to find it easily.

Eiji nodded. “Yeah, it’s right there,” he said. “Why?”

“You’ll see,” Karin said with a wide, merciless grin which sent shivers up Eiji’s spine.

The Eel stood on a platform, water up to his ankles, holding a Masked Trooper by the throat. “Pathetic! I seek a real challenge! Not some warm-up!” he yelled, throwing the man into a wall across the room.

“Hey ugly!” yelled Karin, who was right behind him. The Eel Akuma turned to see her wielding a bazooka. “Challenge this!” she yelled, firing. The Eel jumped sideways to escape the shell, but the blast of said shell hitting where he’d just stood still caught him, sending him flying across the room and into a wall.

Eiji stared, amazed. “You keep a bazooka in your car?!”

Karin chuckled, smiling as she turned to her subordinate. “First rule of living in a world with monsters, better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.” She looked back to the Akuma, growling as it stood up. “Give me another shell! Quick!”

Eiji went to do so, but the Eel Akuma stretched his neck, biting the weapon and throwing it away. As it reared back to bite Karin, Eiji pulled out his sword and slashed it across the face, forcing it to recoil, then allowing him to land more slashes, slowly forcing it back.

Jarrett walked to the top of the stairs looking down at the scene. He summoned the Kage Buckle and took his Henshin pose. “Henshin!” he yelled, the drums starting as the energy flowed over him, turning him into Kamen Rider Kage. He ran down the stairs, past Karin. “Terra Shredder!” he called, summoning the sword and using it to slash the Eel as it picked up Eiji by the throat, causing it to drop him. He then roundhouse kicked it in the gut, forcing it back.

Karin ran over to Eiji once Kage took the fight away from Eiji. “You ok?”

Eiji nodded, looking at the fight. “You were right…I was an idiot.”

Karin gave him an outwardly confused look, but was smirking inside. “What made you realize that?” she asked, pretty well aware of what that was.

Eiji looked down in admittance. “I put pride before reason, that’s why. I couldn’t stand the thought of Kage outdoing me, and look what that got me. All it got me was having to clean toilets and let the Eel Akuma get away to flood the subway…if I’d let Kage kill it none of this would’ve ever happened.”

Karin put a hand on his shoulder. “I take it back, you’re not an idiot,” she said, causing him to smile. “Just not very smart.” That comment robbed him of that smile.

“Can’t you for once let me enjoy the moment?”

“Nope,” replied Karin playfully, pulling him up.

Kage punched the Eel, knocking him back against a wall. He raised the Terra Shredder and brought down a slash, only for the Kaijin to block with his spear and kick him off. The Akuma responded with a barrage of slashes, sparks flying from Kage’s armor as they connected, ending with a stab that sent Kage flying backwards into a support beam, denting it from the impact. The Eel laughed, enjoying the thrill of battle. He then roared, summoning the water around him and sending it slamming into Kage, forcing him against the pillar, causing it to crack from the pressure exerted onto the crucial piece of metal.

Karin froze looking at the beam in fear. “If that support beam goes, the entire place could come down!”

Eiji looked up, getting a serious look. He stood up, grabbing a fallen Trooper’s gun and charged into the fray yelling, firing shots into the Eel’s back, causing him to take his attention off of Kage as Eiji got in close, pulling his sword and slashing across the beast’s back, causing him to scream in pain, stopping the water surge, allowing Kage to fall to the ground. The Rider swiftly recovered and charged forwards, slashing the Eel in the chest with the Terra Shredder, Eiji joining in with his short sword. The two hacked away at the monster, dodging a swing from his spear. The two ended their onslaught in a double team stab to the gut, knocking it back to the ground.

Eiji looked to Kage. “Finish it,” he stated, understanding it had to be.

Kage nodded. He held his hand to the eye, summoning the Earth Crest into his hand. He opened the jewel of the Terra Shredder, inserting the Earth Crest and closing it. “Element Break…” it announced in a resounding feminine voice, green energy from the Elemental Crest coating the blade.

Kage got ready to run. “Assault Blade!” he called, charging the Eel Akuma as it stood up. Once in range, he unleashed a barrage of slashes through the monster’s chest, leaving glowing green marks in its aftermath. He let loose with one horizontal slash through the Eel’s midsection, spinning around with the force and stopping with his back to it. “Your journey is over…” stated Kage as the Akuma cried out in agony, blue elemental energy pouring from his wounds as he continued to crack, finally falling backwards and dieing in an explosion of blue energy.
Kage looked over his shoulder at the flames, then turned back to Eiji. “Thank you for your help.”

Eiji nodded. “You’re welcome, but know that I will still follow my orders to capture you.”

Kage nodded, but before he could reply, the Akuma’s belt buckle floated into the air, blue elemental energy suddenly surging back together around it, reforming into a massive brown serpent. The massive creature had silver armored scales over the top portion of its body, its underbelly bone white. It’s head was snake-like, with a maul full of razor-sharp teeth, with menacing glowing blue eyes.

Kage gasped. “Well…there’s something you don’t see everyday,” he remarked, as he has never thought the Akuma could do something like this.

“It’s a Dai-Akuma,” explained Karin.

Kage cocked his head. “Dai-Akuma?”

Karin nodded. “We’ve seen it only a few times. Certain Akuma regenerate as mythical beast-like creatures of their normal self when they die. We’ve needed a air strike to take one out before. Let me tell you, it wasn‘t a pleasant sight.”

The Sea Serpent Dai-Akuma screeched and plowed through the wall into the sewer once more. “Not getting away this time!” Kage proclaimed and snapped his fingers, causing his motorcycle to zoom down the stairs to him, now named the Kage Runner. He jumped on board and looked to Karin. “I’ll handle the Dai-Akuma, but for now get to a safe place,” he stated, taking off after the monster and into the sewer.

Eiji looked on as this happened. “I have to admit, he knows how to make an exit.”

The Dai-Akuma rushed down the sewer tunnels, smashing the sides of the tunnel. Suddenly, Kage jumped past it with a sharp whistle, making it grunt in confusion as he slashed the side of its head, causing it to screech in anger and glare as he spun around to face it. The giant beast slithered at Kage, firing a pulse of water from its mouth, only for Kage to drive on the side of the tunnel to dodge, returning fire by pressing a button on the handle bars, sending lasers from the Kage Runner’s optics. The monster flinched as the beams struck its head, but was overall unharmed, merely annoyed. It pulled its tail around, trying to smash the masked hero with it, but Kage jumped his motorcycle, leaping over it and converting the Terra Crusher to ax mode and slashing it across the face, knocking its head to the side. Kage turned around as he landed, jumping its tail again, this time using the horn of the Kage Runner to swipe its head, causing its head to smack into the side of the tunnel.

Kage came to a stop far down the tunnel, the Sea Serpent Dai-Akuma screeching in rage as it recovered from the attack. Kage summoned the Earth Crest, inserting it into a lot in the center of the handlebars. “Element Break,” it announced in its feminine voice, the Kage Runner glowing with green energy, rock rising off the ground and forming a capsule over Kage himself as it took off straight at the Dai-Akuma, which charged in return, firing pulse after pulse of water at him, only for the energized motorcycle to plow through. Finally, the two collided, the Kage Runner tearing through the creatures head, down its body and out its tail, sliding to a stop as the behemoth went up in a series of large explosions, ending its rampage with one last huge one.

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The next morning, back at the Anti-Akuma unit, Karin stood in front of Eiji, the rest of the Masked Troopers watching on. “For bravery and skill in battle with the Akuma menace, I promote you to Masked Trooper Field Leader,” she said, presenting him with a silver Masked Trooper armor, as well as a new weapon, single person Minigun, as well as a full sized katana and a pair of magnum pistols. “Good job, Trooper, make me proud,” she said, saluting.

Eiji saluted back, proud of himself, as the other Masked Troopers saluted him in response. “I will do my best, commander.”

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The next morning, Karin walked up a hill overlooking Tokyo, a tall tree standing. In it was Jarrett, napping in a hammock. Sparse supplies, such as a tent, which didn’t look used much, a camping stove, and a battery operated TV. About the biggest thing around was a dirt bike leaning against the tree. “Boy, when you said you didn’t need much, you weren’t joking,” said Karin.

This spooked Jarrett, causing him to shout and fall out of his hammock. “Ow…why is it every time we meet, I fall out of a tree?” he asked, getting up with a smirk.

Karin chuckled at the sprawled out form of Jarrett. “Once again, you don’t let anything bother you,” she said. “So, how about breakfast?”

Jarrett nodded, smiling. “I know a nice place on the south side of town.”

Karin nodded. “Sounds like a plan,” she agreed with a smile, knowing what kind of place he was talking about…

Next time on Kamen Rider Kage, Episode 3, The Hunt Begins, the Dark Predator!;

As the Anti-Akuma unit launch a hunt to find and capture Kage, on orders from the government, an Akuma begins hunting in a parking garage, picking off humans as they enter. But which is more dangerous? The inhuman hunter stalking the garage, or the very human ones stalking Kage?

[Godzillawolf]

Episode 3! Enjoy!

Kamen Rider Kage, the adventure so far:

Kamen Rider Kage emerges after a five month absence, just in time to face off with the Eel Akuma. The newest recruit for the Anti-Akuma Unit, Eiji Takeo, clashes with the masked hero over pride. In the end, the two manage to work together and defeat the Akuma…

Kamen Rider Kage, Episode 3, The Hunt Begins, the Dark Predator;

Tokyo, 3 am;

A guard walked among the cars in a parking garage, keeping watch over his charge. “Spooky…exactly why did I take the early morning shift?” he asked, yawning widely. “Oh well, it pays the bills I guess.” He continued walking among the rows of vehicles, turning only when he heard a scratching sound behind him, but his flashlight found nothing. “Hello?! Is someone there?!” he yelled, pulling out his nightstick in case the intruder was hostile. He heard the sound behind him as something large dashed past, but he still saw nothing as he turned around. “Whoever you are, you’d better come out!” he yelled, backing up slowly. As he did so, he felt something fall onto his hat. “Huh?” he asked, taking it off and finding thick slime covering it. “Yuck! What is this stuff?!” he exclaimed in disgust

As he tried to get it off, he saw a glow coming from above and looked up, seeing a yellow orb floating in the darkness. A pair of yellow eyes opened up and he screamed as it leapt down at him, dropping his nightstick in fright. Long, needle-like teeth were the last sight he would ever see.

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The next day, Karin and Eiji entered the garage, several Masked Troopers already on the scene and Eiji in the new armor he had obtained. “The body count was three civilians, one guard,” stated Eiji. “Forensics say the guard was killed first.”

Karin nodded, examining the scene. The bodies had already been carted off, but the chalk lines were still in place. “Do we know if its an Akuma or just some psycho?”

Eiji examined the lines on the ground. “They found a strange slime, which they found was similar to the coating on certain species of fish,” he explained. “And all four were killed by ether a stabbing weapon or had strange bite marks on them, so its definitely Akuma.”

Karin rubbed her temples. “Great, we’ve got an Akuma specifically targeting people instead of blowing up everything in sight.” She looked around, seeing very few, wet, three toed footprints littering the area, but not like something human or human-made had walked in that manner. “The foot prints are very strange, aren’t they?”

Eiji nodded, examining them. “It’s strange, but where did it attack from?”

“Maybe up here?” asked a voice, causing Eiji to spin around and point one of his pistols at the ceiling, causing Jarrett to scream and fall off one of the roof rafters and onto the cold, unforgiving concrete. “Ow…” he moaned in pain as he held his back.

“Jarrett-san?!” asked Karin, surprised, running over to assist him, surprised to find him in a guard’s outfit.

“You know him?” asked Eiji in wonderment, putting the gun away as Karin helped Jarrett up.

Karin nodded. “Yeah, he’s a friend,” she explained. “Jarrett-san, what were you doing up there?”

“Oh, I took a job as a guard here,” explained Jarrett. “To raise a little extra money for myself.”

“What for?” asked Karin, knowing he had plenty of money.

“Well…I kind of left my TV out in the rain and when I tried to turn in on in my tent, it burst into flames,” he said with an embarrassed tone and posture, remember the scene where he tried throwing dried mud on the flaming tent in panic.

Karin’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got some bad luck, don’t you?” she asked. “Man, this man never fails to surprise me, good or bad,’ she thought.

Jarrett nodded, embarrassed. “It burned up my tent and my clothes,” he explained. “I don’t want to use my emergency money or the money I use to eat and travel, so I’m making money to pay for it,” he spoke, finished explaining his plight.

Karin shook her head with a facepalm. “You’re an airhead, Jarrett-san.”

“Now wait, that explains why you’re here, but why were you up in the rafters?” asked Eiji, suspicious of the man that literally came from nowhere.

Jarrett nodded. “Well when I got here, I was checking the lights, and I noticed there was a weird slime on the ladder up to the interior of the ceiling, where repairs are done to the wiring and such, and get this: I was checking it out and found there was a lot of that slime up there.”

Karin gasped, realizing this might be a break. “Show us, it’s important.”

Jarrett lead them into the dark maintenance area between floors, using his flashlight to show them that the wiring inside was covered in slime. Footprints like those on the floor below covered the ground. “If there’s an Akuma here, it could’ve moved through the maintenance area to ambush those below from the areas were it opens to allow air to circulate and keep things cool up here,” Jarrett explained, pointing to the slime while Karin scooped a bit of it on her finger to examine.

Eiji nodded. “The question is, is it still here?” he asked, hearing Karin tasting the slime and spitting it back out almost immediately.

“Why don’t you guys do a stake out?” asked Jarrett. “I have the nightshift tonight, I can keep watch,” he suggested, getting Karin to shake her finger a bit to remove the slime.

Karin nodded. “That’s a good idea, we’ll set it up.”

“Alright, I’ll get everything ready, good luck,” said Jarrett, crawling out and walking out of the maintenance area.

“Commander, if Kage shows up, we still have to try capturing him, him being here we complicate matters,” said Eiji, concerned and puzzled as to why his superior is against the manhunt that has been forced onto the division.

Karin sighed. “Yes, I know that. Please stop reminding me. And remember, wait till after his finished dealing with the blasted Akuma this time,” she stated. “And why in the heck can’t they just let him go? Those Kamen Riders up in Futo don’t have the police force on their tail!” she yelled, looking at her slime-covered hand and looked over at Eiji, smiling devilishly.

Eiji’s scream of terror resounded in the building, followed by Karin’s dark chortles. The Masked Troopers forbid Jarrett access out of his own safety.

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Later that night, Karin and her soldiers were set up around the parking garage, read to attack when need be. “Alright Eiji, remember, if Kage comes in, wait for the Akuma to be dead or flee before we attempt capture,” she reminded. “And it’s alive, not dead or alive, if capture without lethal force is impossible, break off.”

Eiji nodded in agreement, taking out a tissue and blowing his nose. The smell from the slime that Karin had stuffed up his nose helping to clear out his sinuses. “I don’t think we could kill him if we wanted to, and if he were killed, then we’d not stand a chance against the Akuma,” he replied. “I may not be the man’s best friend, but I know we need him to fight this menace, particularly after that encounter with the Sea Serpent Dai-Akuma.”

Karin nodded with a smile. “Good, you’ve learn from your mistakes! I now believe you’re even less of an idiot,” she said, getting a groan from him. In honest truth, she was hard on him not to be mean, but to get him to try harder and motivate him. In her mind, it seemed to be working.

Jarrett walked around the top floor of the parking garage, flashlight in hand, whistling to himself. He heard something moving behind him and turned around, shining his light were the sound originated. All he found was a pair of sliming footprints glimmering in the light. “Hello, who‘s there?! Whose there?!” he shouted, backing up, playing like a hapless guard to lure this Akuma in. He felt something fall on his hat and his expression changed to a serious one. “Gotcha…” he whispered to himself. He spun around, using a nightstick to block an attack from an oriental black staff.

“What?!” exclaimed the startled and feminine Akuma that had leapt down at him. The creature wore black armor, covering her torso and abdominal region, spikes coming off the back, a slit down the upper part for a series of blue webbed dorsal spines, her skin being dark blue in general. She was slightly hunched over, her head jutting forwards and having the image of an underbite, teeth jutting upwards from the lower jaw. Her eyes were large and red, a bulb-like object at the end of an antenna emerging from her forehead, showing her to be an Anglerfish Akuma.

Jarrett smiled. “The manner at which you moved through the building and the way the bodies were found as if hit from behind, so it tipped me off to the fact you’re an ambush predator,” he explained. “So I expected an ambush from behind, and let me tell you, you didn’t disappoint.”

The Angler Akuma snarled and leapt back. “You may have found out my favored method of attack, but that doesn’t mean it’s my only one!” she snarled, charging and swinging her staff at him, only to be dodged repeatedly.

“Karin-sama! The Akuma is here!” Jarrett reported into a radio.

Karin nodded from the message while her cheeks became a bit rosy from a blush at hearing Jarrett‘s voice. She quickly settled herself and turned, looking to Eiji. “Go get him field leader,” she said, though held onto the radio.

“Actually! The Akuma is female!” reported Jarrett’s voice, sounding like he was rushing to report it.

Eiji blinked. “There are female Akuma?” he asked, shocked at this development.

And for that statement, Eiji was rewarded with a slap upside his head for his idiocy, courtesy of Karin. “They’ve got to reproduce somehow, now go!” she scolded.

Eiji nodded, stepping out of the car and motioning for the Masked Troopers to surge in while he grabbed his weapons and ran in along with them while rubbing his head and thinking ‘Man, can she throw a hard slap!

When the Troopers reached the battle scene, Jarrett flipped backwards and delivered a roundhouse kick to the Akuma’s head, managing to force her back, much to Eiji’s shock. “Wow! For an airhead he sure can fight!” he exclaimed. “Jarrett! Get down!” he shouted, pointing his mini gun at the Angler Akuma.

Jarrett noticed this and leapt out of the way as Eiji opened fire. Unlike the weaker machineguns, his higher caliber weapon’s direct fire forced the Angler Akuma back and even managed to wound her, forcing her to roll out of the way as Jarrett ran past the Masked Troopers that had encircled the Akuma, allowing them to open fire. “Thanks, Masked Trooper-san!” he shouted to Eiji as he did so, saying that as payback for the “airhead“ comment from earlier.

Eiji looked at him in shock. “Hey! My name is Eiji-san! Not Masked Trooper-san!”

“Sir! The Akuma!” shouted a Masked Trooper.

Eiji snapped back in time to dodge a Masked Trooper being hurled at him, who crashed into a crowd of Masked Troopers. He fired at the Akuma once more, but this time she dodged and spat a blast of saltwater at him, forcing him to duck to dodge, dropping his Minigun. He pulled his katana and charged the Akuma, slashing it, only to be dodged and having to block a strike from her staff. He attempted to spin around and slash her, only to once more be dodged and this time taking a strike from the staff to the ribs, knocking him to the ground.

Jarrett watched this and ran to a more isolated part where he knew cameras wouldn’t be watching and summoning his belt. “Henshin!” he shouted, getting into his Henshin pose and transforming into Kage. He dashed back as Eiji was struggling to force back the staff of the Akuma with his katana. Kage quickly leapt over the Masked Troopers, giving the Akuma a flying sidekick to the head, knocking her back from the surprise attack.

Kage helped Eiji up, locking eyes with him. Eiji turned to the Troopers. “Masked Troopers, fall back to support positions!” he ordered, then turned back to Kage. “I may be ordered to capture you, but I still respect you,” he reported, falling back.

Kage nodded, turning back to the battle. “Terra Shredder!” he called, drawing the sword as the Akuma rose.

“Ah, Kamen Rider Kage, a true challenge for any Akuma’s class as a warrior,” said the Angler. “For defeating you, the High Warrior will reward me greatly.”

Kage cocked his head. “High Warrior? Your king?”

The Akuma chuckled. “There’s much you don’t know, and I prefer to make sure it stays that way! Now prepare to die!” She leapt at him with her staff, attempting a diving smash from it. Kage was quick to block with the Terra Shredder, slipping out of the way and spinning around with a slash of his own, only for the Akuma to swing her staff over her shoulder and block. She then spun around and attempted to slash his chest with her claws, force him to bend back to dodge, receiving a spinning smash from her staff to his side, causing him to cry out in pain as sparks flew. Kage, however, managed to keep his footing and slash her repeatedly, forcing her back and then jumping into the air, delivering a dropkick that knocked her back into a pillar.

“This is a true fight! I didn’t think humans could fight so well anymore!” said the Akuma, rising to her feet and dashing at Kage, who held his ground and blocked a downwards strike of her staff with his sword. As the two forced against one another, the Akuma’s mouth suddenly shot open and she spat slime in his face, causing him to cry out in pain and back up, rubbing his eyes.

Kage staggered back, lowering his hands to find his vision impaired and fuzzy. “What’s going on?”

The Akuma stalked around him slowly. “That would be my venom at work. Your armor isn‘t just armor. After all, it‘s a part of you, thus why hits to it still hurt and why my venom has taken effect.”

Kage growled, looking around due to his difficulty seeing. “I thought the Akuma were all about honor, so how is blinding an opponent honorable?”

The Angler chuckled. “Let me explain something about us to you, Kage, the Akuma are divided into four different tribes,” she explained, slowly circling him like a predatory animal. “Each tribe has their own code of honor,” she continued. “In the my tribe, ambush and stealth are signs of a good warrior, just like many sea creatures, and to us, our natural venom is perfectly legal,” she stated, jumping at him from behind with her staff in hand, smashing him across the back and sending him crashing to the ground. Kage tried a spinning sweep to her legs, but she was able to dodge and bash him repeatedly with her staff, sending sparks flying. Kage managed to kick her off and tried to counter with a blind slash, but was easily dodged and forced back by another smash from her staff. The Akuma then jumped, using her staff to launch her forwards to kick him in the chest, launching him into a car, denting its hood inwards.

Kage groaned, sitting up, trying to clear his vision, only for the Akuma to leap at him again. This time, however, she didn’t reach him, as Eiji shot her out of the air with his Minigun, sending her crashing to the ground. The Akuma snarled, standing back up in rage. “Interrupting a fight isn’t honorable!” she yelled, stomping her feet in a childish manner.

Eiji chuckled under his mask. “You follow a sense of honor when you fight. As for me, however, I just fight,” he stated, unloading into her midsection with the Minigun, forcing her backwards as she was shaken wildly by the impacts. Eiji kept up the assault until his gun suddenly locked up. “What?!” he asked, shaking it. He banged on the side with his hand, and then pulled his hand back with a cry of pain, shaking it. “It’s hot!” he cried, looking at his hand, then to the status screen on the weapon, which read ‘Overheated’ in bold red letters. “Overheated?! This thing can overheat?!”

The Akuma held her wounded chest, having fallen to her knees in pain, some elemental energy bleeding from wounds. “Too bad, human,” she said, growling before dashing to a ledge. “There’s no lost honor in a tactical retreat!” she shouted, jumping off as Eiji ran up, seeing her having vanished by the time he reached where she’d been.

Kage groaned and started back up, only to be shocked when he noticed Eiji had put his Minigun in his face as the sound of ammo being reloaded was heard. “What?!” he exclaimed in surprise.

“I’m sorry, Kage,” said Eiji. “I truly am, but I cannot allow you to leave, I am ordered to capture you, and I cannot disobey orders,” he spoke, sounding almost like a robot.

Kage looked up him. “I cannot hold that against you,” he said, his vision starting to clear enough to make out shapes clearly, but that still meant he could not recognize faces well, voices would have to do. “Please do not hold this against me,” he stated before swinging his leg around and kicking Eiji in the face, knocking him around into a spin and sending his helmet flying. Eiji spun around once he shook his head to clear it from the strong kick and fired at Kage, simply trying to wound him. However, the hero rolled out of the way, causing the already damaged car he’d been slammed into to suffer more mutilation from attack. The Masked Troopers opened fire, but Kage managed to evade their fire and Eiji’s and make it around a corner, Eiji following but finding no one.

Eiji snarled and threw his again overheated gun to the ground. “How does he do that?!” he yelled, frustrated at the sudden disappearances of that mysterious Rider. He wiped his now bleeding mouth, feeling around for a loose tooth and surprising found none missing.

Kage staggered through a lower level and transformed back to Jarrett, who ran to a water fountain, splashing water in his face to wash out the venom. “Not only do I need to worry about the Akuma, I’ve got to worry about the Masked Troopers once I’m finished…” he panted, frustrated with the occurrence. “Man, sometimes, this just stinks!” he said, swatting the fountain water in annoyance.

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Anti-Akuma HQ, 8 am, Next Morning;

Eiji stood before Karin in her office. “So the Akuma you fought stated they’re in tribes?” asked Karin, looking over a report labeled top secret, the pictures she was looking at showing a silver symbol with a roaring tiger, the kanji for Metal, 金, on its forehead. She closed the file and gave Eiji her full attention.

Eiji nodded. “Yes, and she said her tribe permitted her to ambush and used her venom quite freely and effectively, Kage stumbling around blind is proof of that.”

Karin cocked her head thoughtfully. “That makes sense, but assuming the fact they‘re all aquatic so far, the ones we‘ve seen so far must be in the same tribe. But if they’re in the same tribe, why was the Eel so straight forwards in terms of attacking as opposed to stealthy?”

Eiji shook his head. “That is where you are wrong, as the Eel Akuma had its extending neck that allowed it to attack suddenly and take its opponents off guard, or even strike from behind, and we can simply assume that the Eel simply wasn’t a very good warrior by that tribe’s standards.”

Karin blinked, surprised to see Eiji catch on to something like that. “Good work Eiji, that does make sense,” she replied. “So this shows us we need to be very cautious when facing an aquatic Akuma, as they’ll likely have some trick up their sleeve.”

Eiji smiled, glad he’d finally done something to impress her. “And it seems the Akuma go by strength, the Shark Akuma was defeated by Kage with only a slight diversion, the Eel required my help to defeat, and now the Anglerfish seemed on equal footing before she played dirty. While the previous Akuma where able to gain an upper hand at times, Kage previously had the advantage until that point, in this case, the Akuma was strong enough to stand on more equal footing,” he said, now knowing the slight diversion for the Bull Shark had been being hit by a squad car at 30 or so mph, which would possibly kill a human, but only send a kaijin for a loop.

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Jarrett set at his ‘home’ in on the hill, the torched remains of his tent still lying nearby. “How do I counter it?” he asked aloud. “I can’t see its attack coming, at least not at the moment…I know I must train, but how should I do it?” he asked, looking up at the sky.

“My student, it is time for another lesson,” announced a voice in his head, the same one from that night.

Jarrett stood up and bowed. “Sensei! It’s been a long time! What lesson do you have for your student?” he asked, respectfully. He’d heard this voice many times over the five months of training, guiding and teaching him. He knew not who it was, only that it helped him.

“Water Akuma are like the ninja of old, for they rely on stealth and trickery to defeat a stronger or more skilled opponent,” said the same voice he’d heard in his head that night.

Jarrett looked up. “How do defeat them? Sensei?”

“To counter such an attack style, one must be prepared for an attack from any direction…You‘ve learned much about how to fight, now you must learn how to fight with the element you already have at your disposal, which is Earth.”

Jarrett continued to listen and look up before suddenly noticing something nearby. A series of wooden structures had materialized from nowhere. Each had a series of smooth limbs jutting from random areas on it, so if one was hit, it’d allow another to spin around and hit. Jarrett slowly stood up. “…Learn how to fight with the element of Earth…” he repeated, looking it over. He looked up smiling. “I still don’t know who you are, but thank you for your advice and assistance,” he stated, bowing.

Jarrett took off his shirt, revealing his muscled body before getting a wooden sword and walking into the midst of the training devices. “I’m ready, sensei.” As if on call, the devices began to rotate, swinging at him in all directions. Jarrett began blocking the attacks with his sword or simply evading them. Suddenly, as he blocked one such swing, a spray of water shot out of one of them into his eyes, startling him and allowing one of the arms to swing around and smash hard into his groin, causing him to double over in pain and get hit in the fact with another arm, knocking him to the ground, the devices stopping.

Jarrett groaned, holding his groin with one hand and his head with the other. “Ow…I guess I should’ve seen that one coming…this is harder than I thought…”

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The Angler Akuma set in the rafters of the parking garage, allowing her wounds to close up. “I can’t allow this to happen again, for if I do, I fear it’ll be the death of me,” she said, pulling open the armor on her midriff to reveal a Kappa tattoo like the Eel‘s, roughly halfway filled with red energy. “Good, I have enough Blood Tears for a wish like this one,” she said, turning over and bowing her head, kneeling with her hands on the ground. “Mighty High Warrior! I pray for a gift great one! Make me resistant to that infernal weapon of human design!” she pleaded, causing the feathered serpent symbol of the High Warrior to materialize before her.

The ‘Blood Tears’ left her body in a stream of red energy and went into the symbol. Moments later, a beam of water surged out into her armor, causing it to gain a bluish tint, spreading down her arms and legs, as well as her neck, which became plated and more evenly distributed as so not to restrict her. The Akuma looked herself over, liking what she saw and bowed again. “Thank you, mighty High Warrior,” she said, the symbol vanishing. She stood up. “Now we’ll see if they can beat me,” she hissed out, her vengeance for Eiji and Kage burning like a flame.

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Mt. Fuji, 9 am;

Anga looked up within his pillar of flames. “Suijin, your tribeswoman has sacrificed her Blood Tears for armor of all things! Do you think this was wise?”

The Yoso Akuma Rozu of Water raised his eyes within the pillar of water encircling his throne. “Given the potent effect of the human’s weapon on her, I believe it was wise to take precautions against it, as she cannot concentrate on Kage if she has to worry about an ambush from that weapon,” he continued. “She has become a stronger warrior because of it, therefore it is wise.”

Anga scoffed. “She should’ve wished for greater power instead of wanting defense, for dominating the opponent is the only way to win!”

“Anga, please remember, your tribe has got to wait their turn like the rest of us,” said the Wind Rozu, a shadow within a cyclone. “Suijin’s tribe is up first, so stop being a backseat teacher, as the humans say, and let them do things their own way. Your kind can make themselves uncivilized brutes if you want to, for that’s their own choice,” the Wind Rozu calmly said.

Anga let out a dragon like roar, causing his fire twister to surge larger. “This doesn’t concern you, Venti! Don‘t butt in! And don‘t you dare insult me or my Tribe again, hear my?!” he bellowed, standing up and pointing at Venti, who was unmoved by Anga‘s temper flare.

“Enough Anga!” shouted Mao, causing the Yoso Akuma Rozu of Fire to return to his seat in a huff. “We let whether or not the Akuma’s choice was wise be decided in battle!” he stated, returning to his seat. “That is our way.”

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Tokyo, 9:15 am;

“Time to get some attention,” said the Akuma, craving for a rematch with one of her two foes. She leapt down in front of a man getting in his car and grabbed him by the throat, throwing him out of the garage from the fourth floor. She then trust her staff into his car’s gas tank, causing it to flood out. She smashed her staff on the ground, sending sparks flying and igniting the gas as she stepped back, allowing the car to blow up when the flames followed the gas to the tank. The smoke triggered the fire alarm, setting off the sprinkler system. As the water rained down around her, she opened her armor to see her Blood Tears slowly filling back up as a result, making the sound like pouring water. She gave a predatory smile, then jumped upwards into the rafters, waiting for her prey to come to her.

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Jarrett continued his training, sweating heavily. He dodged the water spray, but was rewarded with another limb smashing into the back of his leg, knocking him to the ground. “I won’t quit! I will not be tricked again!” he said, standing back up. “There must be a way to counter this! I will find it!” he stated, looking over the devices and coming to a realization. “My element is Earth, so it beats Water…”

He took his position again, waiting for the machines to start up. When they did, he planted his feet in the ground and began blocking blows, but concentrating more of his time on blocking the hits to his lower body and head than to his more durable areas, taking blows to his back and upper torso so he could block others that would’ve overwhelmed him. Finally, when the water spray came, he dodged it while blocking blows to his legs and taking several ones to his back, which he then grabbed and used their own momentum to slam the dummies together, smashing them to pieces.

Jarrett panted as he relaxed while the dummies vanished as quickly as they’d come. “I finally understand sensei, thank you,” he said, bowing. He was, however, interrupted by his radio, which was set to a police frequency.

“This is the Anti-Akuma Division Commander, evacuate all civilians from the garage and allow us to move in to neutralize the situation,” said Karin’s voice from the receptor.

Jarrett nodded. “Time for round two…” he said, getting into his normal pose and summoning his belt. “Henshin!” He transformed into Kamen Rider Kage, though this time, the Earth Kanji in his belt was golden and more visible, signifying he’d mastered its true potential. He ran and jumped on his dirt bike, causing it to erupt in black flames, converting into the Kage Runner. He took off towards the city.

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Eiji lead a squad of Masked Troopers into the building, sprinklers still on full blast. “Alright squad, remember, this thing is not to be underestimated, she’ll attack when you least expect it,” he warned, slowly marching through the now abandoned building, his troopers behind him, keeping watch. Suddenly, the Angler Akuma swung down behind the last one and pulled him up into the ceiling screaming, causing the others to turn to see his machine gun fall to the ground. “It’s here, keep your eyes on the ceiling,” Eiji ordered, one of the Troopers looking at the ceiling with a hand on his heart.

The Troopers headed his words, but the sprinklers made it hard to see anything. Out of nowhere, the Akuma leapt down, smashing her staff into the head of one and using a high pressure water blast from her hands to send other flying hard into the walls. Eiji snarled, spinning around. “So we meet again, let’s make this quick!” he said, opening fire one her with the Minigun. To his surprise, it had little effect, bouncing off her new armor. “Huh?!” he exclaimed in shock, not expecting this turn of events.

The Angler Akuma chuckled, spinning around and knocking him back with a kick. “Sorry, I’ve improved since last time.”

Eiji snarled, throwing his clearly useless Minigun down and drawing his katana. He leapt at her, slashing repeatedly, only to be dodged with equal frequency. Finally, the Akuma spun around and smacked him in the helmet with the staff, sending it flying off and knocking him to the ground. Eiji growled, getting to his feet fast and throwing a slash, only to be blocked and held in place. The Akuma’s mouth shot open again and she spat venom in Eiji eyes. Eiji screamed in agony, staggering back, clutching his eyes before the Akuma kicked him back and pinned him down.

The Angler looked down at him. “You did pretty well, for a human, but now its time for this to end,” she said, raising her staff, about to strike…before Kage’s motorcycle rammed into her full speed, sending her crashing to the ground. The Akuma snarled, rising to her feet and glaring at him. “Again I’m interrupted!” she yelled, furious as she stomped the floor rapidly in a childish manner, causing Eiji to raise his eyebrows at the Akuma‘s nonsensical yells..

Kage climbed off the Kage Runner. “Sorry, but while he may be after me, I still respect him,” he said, nodding to Eiji before turning back to the Akuma. “Terra Shredder!” he called, pulling the weapon from his belt and taking a battle stance. “Evil will fall by my blade!”

The Akuma roared in fury and charged him, swinging her staff at his head, only for him to sidestep and take it in the shoulder, where his armor was thicker, sparks flew, and it did hurt, but it also gave him an opening to slash her across the midsection repeatedly, unfortunately, her thicker armor weakened the blow, but still was enough to force her back. The Angler snarled in anger and spun around, aiming a spinning blow to Kage’s side. Kage raised his arm and tilted his body to allow the staff to the more heavily armored area higher up on his side, then brought his arm down, grabbing the spear and planting his feet. As the Akuma tried to dislodge it, Kage spun around, swinging the Akuma off her feet and sending her flying through the windshield of a car.

Kage swung the Terra Shredder’s hilt up, forming an ax head as he charged the Akuma, just as she was rising to her feet. The Akuma dodged a overhead blow from it, which sliced through the car like butter. She swung around, striking him repeatedly in the back with her staff as he dislodged the weapon. Kage, managing to fight through the pain, spun around and delivered a heavy blow to the chest of the Akuma, sending sparks flying and managing to make a visible cut down the armor. He spun around and hammered the same area again, cutting deeper. A third attempt, however, was blocked with her staff, she then spun around and threw a strike, landing hard on his shoulder. Kage groaned in pain but planted his feet, grabbing the staff and holding it in place.

The Akuma struggled, trying to dislodge her weapon, only to see an opening and spit her venom. Kage, with his free hand, used the Terra Shredder to block the venom this time. “What?!” exclaimed the Akuma, surprised to see her technique blocked this time.

“Earth swallows up water,” stated Kage. “Water tries to seep its attacks in through cracks, with the Earth it swallows up some of it while the rest runs off the top,” he explained. “By blocking all your attacks, I leave myself open, but by enduring some of them, I leave you open or allow myself time to defend against your true offensive,” he finished, bending the staff into his grip while bringing his ax up and slashing her chest in the same place with another hammer-like blow, knocking her back and opening her chest armor, forcing her back. Had he not attacked her, she would likely have continued to be stunned from the deep wordings Kage just spoke, but nevertheless, the Akuma roared in fury and sent a gush of water from her hands, only for Kage to block with the Terra Shredder.

Eiji used the water from the sprinklers to wash the venom out of his eyes and picked up his Minigun. “That’s better, hey ugly!” he yelled, getting the Akuma’s attention and opening fire on her chest. While many shots were deflected by her armor, a large number had also made it through the gap Kage had cut and struck her skin, forcing her back and drawing several leeks of blue energy. Finally, the Minigun overheated, so Eiji through it away and charged with a yell, drawing his katana before driving it into the hole in her armor, sinking in halfway.

The Angler gasped in pain as energy continued to surge out of her wounds, staggering back. While that happened, Kage stuck the Terra Shredder into the ground and summoned the Element Crest from his belt and stuck it into his hip slot. “Element Break…” the belt announced, Kage getting into a pre-run crouch as energy engulfed his left leg.

“Seismic Impact!” Kage called as he charged the Angler Akuma. She and Eiji turned to the incoming noise, just in time for Kage to jump up, Eiji bailing out of the way just in time for Kage to continue on and drive his right foot into the hilt of Eiji’s katana, driving it clear through the Akuma, the blade erupting out her back with a spray of energy and into a wall before Kage swung his left leg around and kicked her in the side of the head, launching her across the room and rolling to a into a car bumper, setting off the alarm as he landed. “Your journey ends here…” Kage said, pointing at the Akuma.

The Akuma staggered up, screaming in pain as her body cracked, allowing energy to surge out before she exploded into a blast of blue energy. Kage turned from the blast as the fires died, picking up the Terra Shredder and returning it to his belt before hearing a gun cocking behind him. “Are you still going to try to arrest me?” he calmly asked, for he knew who the fun belonged to

Eiji stood, one of his pistols drawn and pointed at Kage. He kept his finger on the trigger, preparing to shoot…then sighed and lowered the gun. “No…not here, I owe you enough not to shoot you in the back…” he said, putting the pistol away. “That and I hardly think two pistols are going to be enough to take you down.”

Kage chuckled with a nod. “True, thanks for the assistance, perhaps we’ll be true allies someday,” he stated, turning and climbing on the Kage Runner before taking off.

Eiji nodded, watching the Rider take off. “Maybe, but for now, orders are orders…I will bring you into custody if that’s what my orders demand,” he muttered under his breath.

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Mt. Fuji, 10:30 am;

“Well, looks like she choose poorly,” said a smug Anga.

“We’ll see, Anga,” said Suijin, bitter from the losses his tribe has faced at the hands of Kage, and Anga‘s taunting wasn‘t helping. “My tribe still has one more to go before the next tribe gets their turn,”

“Yes, I sure hope this one does better than the previous, it’d sure be unfortunate if your tribe lasted the shortest in the primaries,” said Venti, his shadow giving the appearance of someone looking at a watch. “But at least they’ll have a chance for redemption after all the tribes have had their go of it.”

Mao growled at this boasting, giving a look to the Earth throne, the Rozu behind it within a vortex of san, the shadow looking rather bored, or somewhat annoyed. “At least one of my Rozu can keep their mouths in line,” he said to himself, sitting down as the three others continued their insults and boasts.

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Tokyo, 6 pm;

Karin stood behind Jarrett, bandaging up his back from the ‘training’ he‘d done, which left him covered in bruises. “How did this happen again?” she asked with a sigh, having come to his tree to check on him.

“I was doing so training for my martial arts, but…” said Jarrett, rubbing his bruised leg. “I think I overdid it…”

Karin chuckled, rubbing her head. “You’re a strange one, Jarrett-san. But I like that quality about you,” she spoke with a small smile on her face.

Next Time on Kamen Rider Kage, Episode 4, End of the Storm, Finale of the Water Tribe!;

A water Akuma launches a last ditch assault on the city, being the last of his Tribe in this round of the Akuma’s mysterious assault and unwilling to deny his Tribe a good ending, making him more deadly. Will the climax of the Water Tribe be the end of Kage? And will more details of the Akuma’s deadly ritual be revealed?