[Sentai]

“Henshin.” The pieces of his Driver snapped themselves into place, and Shin drove the Base Key home to become engulfed in light. Only to emerge again as /Kamen Rider…. HIKARI!/. The armor glistened against the rain, which hadn’t stopped it’s steady stream since the Spire rose from the depths. Making the white molded pieces gleam against the lights covering the Control Zone. The old Sector of Tokyo that was abandoned after the Landfall. The event where Hikari fell to Earth and decimated four square miles in every direction. The perfect place to test a new Driver.
Standing across from him, getting just as soaked beneath the downpour, was Mira’s sister. Marie. She stood a mere five foot five, and looked like she spent more time running than anything else. That type of slender build. He had no choice but to notice with that sleek black one piece she was wearing for the test. With a crimson Hikari Project seal over her right breast. Matching her waist length hair, which was being matted by the rain.
He watched as she gripped her own Driver. A mimic of his, but one solid piece, and snapped it down firm against her belt. “Henshin!” Gripping a piece inside tight, she pulled the long plastic piece hard from her belt. Forcing the Turbine inside to spin and engulf the woman in a soft blue light. Shin brought his hand, shielding his eyes until Inochi finally emerged from inside the brilliant light.
Her armor matched Hikari’s, though obviously sculpted to match a more feminine physique. But she was lacking the shoulder extensions. Instead opting for a split-styled cape. Which was just two pieces of long material, soft blue to match the seams and under mesh of her uniform, flowing off from her flattened shoulder pads. /K-K-KAMEN RIDER… INOCHI!/
“Begin, Hikari.” Hearing Mira’s voice chime through the rain, Hikari was already moving. Keeping himself low. Rushing towards the new Rider while also reaching for another Key. They wanted a real test, and he wasn’t about to show mercy to someone meant to help him. The Shinimasu wouldn’t. Snapping in the assault key, Hikari changed form seamlessly and brought both swords down as though he were trying to slice her arms right off at the shoulders.
But she was ready. She had already snapped in one of her own keys, with a loud /KAMEN RIDER INOCHI BATTLE ONE/. Her right arm’s gauntlet had changed shape from he changed forms, becoming a wider shield -styled arm guard with a long chain whip forming from just above her hand. Which she gripped tight with both and used to block Hikari’s swords. “I was ready for that, Shin. You’re supposed to test me!” Kicking one foot off the ground, she pressed the other into his chest, flipping herself backward while brandishing her whip. Brutally striking against Hikari’s chest. Sending him flailing backward from the sudden assault of quick strikes.
But he was quick to recover. The sections of his armor were already opening, venting their steam and allowing him to achieve top speed. And with one flick against the Turbine on his driver he sent the Henshin Device spinning and glowing orange. /KAMEN RIDER HIKARI ASSAULT.. FULL RIDE!/ Hikari moved with blinding speed. One direction, and then another, each time he passed her sending his sword into a different section of her armor.
Marie was doing her best. Blocking as much as she could, but it began to become overwhelming. Sending her spinning one direction and then another as he connected his blades against her armor. And when he was finished: /K-K-KAMEN RIDER BUUUUSTER!/ Forming his Buster Form, Hikari clasped both his hands together towards her. Steadying his footing. The cannon unfolding, forming along his arms, supporting itself against his chest, and snapping those deadly prongs forward. Already gathering so much energy the rain around him never touched. Turning into white steam before it had the chance. /HIKARI BUSTER C-C-CANNON!/
“SHIN! What’re you doing?!” The frantic voice was coming from Mira, high above them in a pre-built Military tower. But then another voice came through. The instant Hikari fired his weapon, something that she hoped would mean her sister wouldn’t be obliterated by Hikari’s cannon. /KAMEN RIDER INOCHI PROTECT!/
When the blast struck it took several moments for the blast wave to dissipate, and the smoke to clear itself away.. Revealing nothing. Just a smoking, rubble strewn, crater where Inochi had once stood. “MARIE?!” Mira fought back tears, slamming her fists against the glass.. But one the men began looking upward, and her eyes widened. “Inochi!”
Above them was Kamen Rider Inochi. Safe and sound inside her Protect Form. Both wrists had become Shielded Gauntlets with long chain-whips whipping through the breeze created from her plummet. Her Legs had become sturdier and, as with Hikari, her helmet changed drastically. Two large, brilliant blue, compound eyes shown against the black and white faceplate. And behind her, from extensions rising from above her shoulder blades, her split-styled cape had become two wings. Feathered but made from pure light, and folded behind her to assist her sudden dive downward. Crossing her forearms before her, her Driver rang out again /INOCHI FIIIINAL WAAAAVE!/. Inochi flung out her arms. Causing her whips to grow impossibly large and start lashing against the ground around the still surprised Hikari.
But he regained his senses quickly. Aiming his cannon upward, preparing another assault, gathering more energy into the barrel of his cannon.. “That’s enough, Shin.” Mira’s calm tone broke through his haze and Hikari’s cannon retracted. And Shin dissolved his armor, watching as Inochi landed not three feet from him and did the same. They didn’t see it.
But Mira did.. Inochi had created the symbol of Project Hikari around Shin without him even noticing.. “Tell the General: Inochi is ready for her first battle..” And Mira just collapsed down into the chair behind her. “Someone tell them to meet me in my office for immediate debrief.. And explain to Hikari what practice is. Please?”