[KamenRiderOOO]

The beginning of a new series-

Passing 1: Rest In Peace

Seishinzu City. A vibrant area that in the day was calm, but at night was full of partying. The night sky was always illuminated, the sounds of slot machines and loud music would fill the air. The bars were always full and the party would last until the morning, when everyone would return to their day jobs. Despite the large buildings and casinos, there were still traditional houses and buildings in between each of them. One of the few noticeable ones was the “Kodomo Jidai” candy store. One of the few families who hadn’t sold out to the large corporations in the city yet, the managing family of Kodomo Jidai were humble people. That was, until the casinos were built.

“Daddy?” said the young boy, putting his backpack down as he met with his father at the doorway. “Sorry Takeshi, daddy was out again last night, he has a headache. He needs to lie down.” “But daddy, you said you would take me to school!” Takeshi reached out at his father only for him to brush him off. “Look, why don’t you have mommy take you to school?” “But daddy…” Takeshi watched as his dad entered his room and heard the door lock. Putting his backpack back on, Takeshi walked over to the altar in the living room. “Goodbye mommy. I promise I will come back early,” Takeshi said, bowing to the gravemarker. Rushing out the door, the young boy saw a city bus waiting at the stop. Searching his pockets for money, he boarded the bus and took a seat. “Hey kid.” Takeshi looked up to see the bus driver standing in front of him. “Don’t worry about the fund, it’s on the house.” Walking back to the driver’s seat, the driver smiled at him and shifted the gears. As he felt the bus moving, Takeshi looked outside to see the cityscape. The store his family managed seem so small compared to all of the buildings they drove past by. The park he had once played in was leveled and replaced with brothels and casinos. His favorite arcade was now a business office. As Takeshi looked on, he noticed children walking alongside their parents. “Hey kid, here we are,” the bus driver said, turning back and looking at him. Takeshi walked towards the door of the bus and looked back at the driver. “Um...will you be working still after school is over?” “Do you need a ride back?” “Yes, will you-” “Hey kid, I know your parents are probably working right now, but can they pick you up? I would love to help you get home later, but my shift is over in a few minutes. I mean if they can’t, I’ll tell my buddy to wait for you, okay?” Looking disappointed, Takeshi nodded and left the bus.

Looking at the entrance of his elementary school, Takeshi watched as parents were hugging their children goodbye. “Oi! Takeshi!” “Ooh! Setsu!” As his best friend approached, Takeshi held his hand out. Doing their secret handshake, Takeshi smiled and laughed. “Do you think your daddy will let you stay over tomorrow? I’m having my birthday party!” “Yeah he should, I mean I- wait...I can’t…” “Eh? Why not?” Takeshi looked down and away from Setsu. “Oh...you have to help him out with your store, huh?” “Yeah…” “But hey! Maybe I can get the candy for the party from there! I’m sure my mommy would-” The word shook Takeshi. “Oh...I’m sorry Takeshi. I didn’t mean to sa-” “No...it’s fine.” “Takeshi-kun, why do you look so down?” said Setsu’s mother walking up to them. “Mommy, can we get candy from Takeshi’s store?” “Of course sweetie. Now Takeshi, remember, if there is anything you need, I am here to help, okay?” she said with a smile. “Thank you auntie.” Hugging him and then her son, Setsu’s mother walked off and waved to the both of them. “Your mommy’s nice Setsu…” “Hey, cheer up Takeshi! Come on! Oh hey, did you hear? We have a new teacher today!” “A new teacher?” “Yeah! I heard he’s pretty young compared to Jigorou-sensei!” Grabbing his friend’s hand, Setsu dragged Takeshi into the building and into their classroom. Just as Setsu had said, there was a young man sitting at the teacher’s desk. Instead of the usual teacher’s uniform they had seen before, Takeshi noted that the man wore a black long coat- chains crossing his chest and wrapping around his arms, black boots instead of dress shoes, and his hair messy instead of combed back. “Ho-ho, two other students huh? Take your seats.” Doing as they were told, Setsu and Takeshi sat in their desks, listening to the murmuring of the other students as the young man got up. “My name is-” Taking the chalk in hand, the young man wrote his name on the board. “Geki Hantā. You can call me Hantā-sensei.” Smiling, he picked up papers on his desk and began to walk around the room, handing them to each student. “I know that the school year has just started, but I would like you all to do something. Who here likes stories?” Watching his students raise their hands, Geki chuckled. “Good! Now, I gave this to you all so you can start thinking about writing your own story. We’ll share them all in a week. Does that sound good?” “Yes sensei!” “Good! Now, why don’t we all have recess early?!” “Hantā-sensei.” “Gah, Principal!” In the doorway, the principal of the elementary school was staring him down. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. Kids, head outside!” “Yay!” Rushing out the door, the students passed by the principal and into their playground. “So, how are you enjoying the city, Hantā-sensei?” “I like it...Uncle.” “Hehe, you know you can only call me that when we are alone. In front of others, I’m not your uncle, I’m your principal. So, anything you notice yet?” “Yeah. Tell me, why did that boy come to school alone?” Geki said, pointing to Takeshi. “Well, let me tell you about it…”

___

Several hours later, the students all got up and bowed to Geki. “See you all tomorrow, okay?” “Yes Hantā-sensei!” Picking up their backpacks, they all rushed to the door. “Takeshi-kun, a minute please?” Takeshi looked on at Setsu, who just smiled. “Ah, Takeshi, I’ll tell my mommy to wait for you.” “No, it’s okay Setsu, I have a ride home, this won’t take too long.” “Okay, see you!” Running out the door, Setsu slammed it as Takeshi turned to Geki. “Now, how are things at home, Takeshi?” “They’re okay…” Putting his hand on his shoulder, Geki smiled at Takeshi. “If anything is going on, feel free to tell Sensei, okay?” “Yes sir.” “Good, now that’s all I wanted to say. You sure you can get home alright?” “Yes!” “Well, go on! And don’t forget about your story, be sure to write it in any way you want to!” “Yes! Bye Sensei!” Running out the door, Takeshi bolted to the bus stop. “Excuse me Mister Bus Driver-” “Whoa kid, where’s your bus fee?” “Oh, right!” Reaching into his pockets, Takeshi pulled them out and realized they were empty. “I don’t have any money…” “Well then sorry kid, but you gotta get off the bus.” “But, your friend said-” “Oh, that guy? He’s not me. Sure he can cover you, but I can’t. Now scram!” Pushing Takeshi off the bus, the kid fell to the ground. “Takeshi-kun!” Geki ran to him and picked him up. “Are you okay? What’s wrong with you?” Geki said turning to the bus driver. “Hey, I got a quota to fill. You want that kid to get home safely, pay up.” “Damn...I left my wallet in the classroom…” “Well too bad then!” said the bus driver, closing the doors before driving off. “Hey! Wait!” Turning to Takeshi, Geki noticed that he was starting to cry. “Whoa! Takeshi-kun, it’s okay, it’s okay! I’ll take you home, how’s that sound?” Wiping his eyes, Takeshi nodded. “Good, now wait here, I’ll get my wallet and then I’ll get our ride.” Running back into the building, Geki looked back at Takeshi, who sat down on the bench. A couple minutes went by as Takeshi waited for Geki. “Did Sensei leave me here?...” “Oi! Takeshi-kun!” Takeshi looked up to see Geki riding on a black motorcycle. “Sensei! That is so cool!” “Get in the sidecar and put this on!” Geki said, handing Takeshi a helmet. “Yes sir!” Running to the sidecar and buckling himself in, Takeshi pointed forward! “Let’s go!” “Um, Takeshi-kun, you need to tell Sensei which way your house is.” “Oh, right! That way!” “Alright, let’s go!” Revving his motorcycle, Geki drove forward, passing all of the buildings and noticing the adults walking into them. As they approached Kodomo Jidai, Geki saw Takeshi’s father walking out the door. “Daddy! I’m home!” Takeshi said, running up to his father. “Oh, Takeshi! Hmm? Who is that?” “That’s Hantā-sensei!” “Oh, sensei! Nice to meet you, I’m Takeshi’s father, Takeru.” “Well, Takeru-san, where are you headed? It’s a little too late to go out right now. Going to work?” “Ah, no, I was invited to a get-together with some friends.” “Again daddy? But you went out last night!” “I know Takeshi, but I can’t say no. Remember to lock the doors, okay?” “Takeru-san, I don’t think you should go-” “Oh, sensei, why don’t you come with me? It’s a thank you for watching over Takeshi.” “Ah, but-” “Come on, come on!” Grabbing Geki’s hand, he dragged him to his motorcycle and sat in the sidecar. “I’ll direct you, let’s go!” “Ah...Takeshi-kun, don’t forget to write your story.” “Yes Sensei…” As they drove off, Takeshi looked on as he locked the door. Walking to the altar in the the living room, Takeshi bowed to the gravemarker. “I’m back mommy. Daddy went out again...but don’t worry mommy, I’m still here. I’m still here…”

___

“Come on Sensei, drink up!” Geki looked around the room. Several parents of the children he taught were there, drunk. “Takeru-san, I thought you said this was a get together.” “It is a get together! Of all the parents! Now drink up!” Taking the drink in hand, Geki sipped before spitting it out. “Aw, don’t tell me you can’t handle your vodka!” “Takeru-san, I heard from Takeshi-kun earlier that you were out the night before.” “And the night before that and the night before that!” Takeru said laughing. “I see...shouldn’t we get back to Takeshi-kun? It’s getting pretty late.” “Nah, nah, let’s just party!”

___

Back at Kodomo Jidai, Takeshi wiped his tears and sat at his desk. Writing down on his paper, Takeshi thought all about his mother. With his tears falling onto the paper, Takeshi didn’t realize that something was coming up behind him. “And then Takeshi felt his mommy hug him after she came back. She said, I’m home…” “I’m home.” “...Mommy?”

___

“Okay, we’re at your home Takeru-san,” said Geki, carrying him on his back. “Oi, Takeshi-kun, are you awa-” Walking into the living room, Geki noticed that the altar was in ruins. “What happened here?! Oi, Takeru-san, wake up!” “Hu...The gravemarker! Who did this?!...Takeshi! Takeshi, where are you?! Geki-san, please, come with me!” Following him upstairs, the pair found Takeshi’s room locked. “Stand back Takeru-san.” Kicking it down, Geki rushed into the room and stopped. Following him in, Takeru walked a little bit in front of him and stopped moving. “...Mako…” In the center of the room was Takeshi, sleeping with a woman stroking his hair. “Quiet dear, you’ll wake him up.” “This is impossible...Mako, you di-” “I’m back dear.” Hearing those words, Takeru began to walk to her before Geki stopped him. “Hold on Takeru-san. That is not your wife.” “No it is! I know it i-” “It’s not her. The altar downstairs was hers, wasn’t it?” “Ah...yes...but, she’s here! It must be her spirit then! Mako, there are so many things I wanted to say to yo-” “Takeru-san, that is not her.” “Butt out of this!” Takeru yelled, punching Geki away. “Mako, dear, I-” As he approached her, Takeru noticed something was wrong. She was transparent, like a ghost, but her body seemed to be made of various kanji characters. As she smiled, her teeth were rigid and sharp. Her eyes were piercing and black. The area around her was dark despite the light in the room. “Ma...Mako?...” “Welcome home dear.” Lunging forward, “Mako” opened her mouth and was about to bite down on Takeru before Geki pushed him out of the way. Holding up a slip of paper, Geki pushed it against her face. “It burns! It burns!” “Mako” yelled out falling over. Watching her disappear in a cloud of smoke, Takeru reached out to Takeshi and held him close. “Wha...what just happened?” “Takeru-san, I believe that Takeshi may be possessed.” “Possessed?” “Yes. The reason I brought Takeshi-kun home was to confirm that he was.” Looking down at Takeshi, Takeru held him close and looked back up at Geki. “What can we do?” “I can remove the spirit from him.” “Who exactly are you?” “I’m actually from a long line of exorcists. My uncle, the principal of the elementary school had me come in due to the high level of spiritual energy detected in the children. Now, do you trust me to get the spirit out of your son?” “Yes!” “Then come with me.” As they carried Takeshi down the stairs, the two men placed him in the sidecar of Geki’s motorcycle. Takeshi was sweating and breathing heavily, his face was pale and he felt cool to the touch. “I left my kit at the school, so we need to rush back there to free him. Hold on tight.”

___

The elementary school halls were dark and empty. Carrying Takeshi to the classroom, they were greeted by the principal. “How is he doing?” “His condition is getting worse. Uncle, I’ll need the gear.” “Right away.” The principal ran around the corner and picked up a suitcase. Running back to his nephew, he opened up the case, revealing an oddly shaped belt. The belt looked like a yin-yang symbol, with a card slot on the right side with a lever on the left. Right beside it was a stack of cards depicting various ancient Japanese creatures on them. “Hand me a Blank.” Doing as he was told, the principal handed Geki a white card. Placing it on Takeshi’s forehead, Geki pressed it down and shouted “Begone!” Suddenly, the room went dark again as a bright violet light came up from Takeshi’s forehead. “Damn, it’s changing! Everyone, get back!” “But Takeshi-” “Now!” From the card, a monstrous hand came out. As they watched, a creature crawled out of the card and stood in front of Takeshi. It was grotesque- it had hair like a human that was disheveled, it had sharp tusks that pointed upward, on its face were what appeared to be a large pair of glasses with one of the lens cracked and in place of a right arm appeared to be a large pen, that suddenly unfolded to be a claw. “So that’s the Yōkai…” “Yōkai?” “Yup, the spirit possessing your son has revealed its true colors. The Yōkai in front of you is the Yūrei Hissha, also known as the Ghost Writer. It turned Takeshi-kun’s written thoughts into a reality.” “Uh….Hmm? Daddy?” “Takeshi!” Grabbing the belt, Geki put it on around his waist. “Now, which one of you should I use?” *Choose me, Geki.* “Oh, Bake-san wants me to use her. Alright, let’s go!” Holding up a card, Geki inserted it into the slot. *Yōkai: Nekomata! Kore De Hoshii?* As the belt began to light up, Geki posed. “Henshin.” Pushing down on the lever, the belt opened up revealing a mirror that then was filled with the image of a two tailed cat. Running forward, image was projected in front of him as a monstrous humanoid two tailed cat ran along side him. Going straight through the image, a black body suit formed on him as the humanoid two tailed cat split into pieces, combining with his suit, forming armor. As the helmet formed on his head, Geki punched the Yūrei Hissha out of the way and grabbed Takeshi, handing him to his father. “Takeshi!” “Daddy!” Hugging his son, Takeru looked at the transformed Geki. “Thank you, Geki.” “Sensei?” “Yeah, Takeshi-kun. I’m sensei. But in this form you can call me-” Looking back at the Yūrei Hissha, Geki noticed that it was getting ready to attack. Raising his hand, an orb of light began to form in Geki’s hand. “Exor.” Gripping the orb, it extended and formed a cat-head shaped firearm. Aiming it towards the Yūrei Hissha, Geki pressed the trigger and launched a fireball, knocking it out the window. “You two stay here. Uncle, let’s go.” “Right!” Just before they rushed out the door, Takeshi stood up on his feet. “Sensei!” Looking back at his student, Geki kneeled down in front of him. “What is it?” “Thank you!” “Hehe, no problem. Now, Sensei has to do something. You and your daddy go home, and be sure to write that story!” “Yes sir!” “And Takeru-san. Please, don’t leave Takeshi-kun alone to go partying again.” Takeru looked down at his son and held him close. “Of course…” “Now, excuse me.”

As soon as they got outside, Geki and the principal noticed the Yūrei Hissha was trying to run away. “You won’t get away!” Running towards it, Geki began firing only for the attacks to be blocked. Running towards him, the Yūrei Hissha grabbed the firearm with its normal hand and thrust its claw forward at Geki, hitting him in the stomach. “Shit!” Geki was sent flying back and hit a wall, falling onto his feet. *Geki, be careful. It might be best to switch out of my form for now.* “If you say so, Bake-san.” *Geki, use me.* “Right, Anue.” Going through the deck of cards, Geki pulled out the one that spoke to him. Taking out the Nekomata card, Geki quickly inserted the other one. *Yōkai: Nue! Kore De Hoshii?* Hitting the lever again, the mirror on the belt’s image turned into a monkey with a snake for a tail. Projecting the image in front of him, Geki ran as the Nekomata armor flew off of him. Running along side him, a humanoid Nue ran alongside him, breaking up into his armor. Holding his hand out, the snake tail of the Nue turned into a whip, coiling it around his arm. Swinging forward, Geki wrapped the whip around the Yūrei Hissha’s leg, pulling it down. “Take this!” Thrusting his fist toward the Yūrei Hissha’s face, it disappeared and reappeared behind him, throwing Geki over its head. “Not so fast!” Using the whip, Geki wrapped it around the Yūrei Hissha’s arm and pulled it towards him. Punching it in the face, the Yūrei Hissha reeled back in pain as Geki punched it again, shattering its torso armor. “How do you like that?” Geki said, smugly smashing his fists together. The Yūrei Hissha looked on at him and growled. Holding up its pen-arm, the Yūrei Hissha wrote something in the air. “Eh, what does that say? ‘Torrent?’ Wha-” From the words, a blast of water hit Geki, causing him to fall back. The Yūrei Hissha laughed and wrote something else, aiming at the fallen Geki. “Lightning?” Above Geki, the sky grew dark as a bolt of lightning flashed down upon him. “GAAAAH!!! DAMN...Usually Anue’s power would negate this but...GAAAH!” Geki reeled in pain and reverted back into his human form as the Yūrei Hissha approached him.

“Geki!” “Stay out of this, Uncle! I got this…” Standing in front of Geki, the Yūrei Hissha kicked him in the stomach, causing him to roll over into a lightpost. *Geki! Are you okay?* “Yeah Bake-san...how is Anue?” *He’s out cold. Quickly, use my power again!* “Bake-san...the Yūrei Hissha proved to be able to block your techniques...I can’t use you.” The Yūrei Hissha walked up to Geki and gripped his neck, holding him up in the air. “Damn it…” Geki struggled to get it to let him go, kick at its stomach and trying to pry its fingers from his neck. *Geki, quickly! Use me!* “Sorry Bake-san...I…” “Leave sensei alone!” The Yūrei Hissha turned to see Takeshi and Takeru there, holding onto the school’s fire hose. Aiming it at the Yūrei Hissha, the duo blasted it with a torrent of water, causing it to drop Geki. “Great, we made it angry now. Takeshi, daddy will go help sensei, wait here with the principal, okay?” “Yes daddy!” Running to Geki, Takeru picked him up. “You okay?” “Yeah...ugh...his grip was tight though. You might want to get out of the way…” “Come on, we can leave here together!” “No, I gotta handle this on my own…” *Sounds like you need my help then, Geki.* Takeru looked around before turning his attention back to Geki. “Who was that?” *Interesting, this human can hear me...You, human! Give me some of your Reiki!* “Reiki?” *Your life energy! Geki refused to give me some of his earlier, but he’s at the point where if he used me, he can’t transform. Please, give me your Reiki!* “Itachi...does this mean…” *Yes Geki, if this human gives me some Reiki, I can allow you to use Exor’s main form again. Human, do you trust me?* “...If it’s to help sensei, then yes!” *Geki, hand him my Talisman.* Geki did as he was told and dug through his deck of cards, handing one to Takeru. Holding onto it, Takeru watched as a white aura appeared over his hand and flowed into the Talisman. *Now, hand it to Geki! And hurry, the Yūrei Hissha is coming back!* Handing Geki the card, Takeru ran back to his son and watched on. “Ready, Itachi?” *Ready!* Inserting the Talisman into the slot, Geki ran towards the Yūrei Hissha. *Yōkai: Kamaitachi! Ryōkai!* “HENSHIN!” Hitting the lever, the belt opened up again revealing the mirror, whose image turned into that of a weasel. As Geki ran, a humanoid weasel ran alongside him with the wind picking up. Leaping through the projected image from the belt, Geki landed behind the Yūrei Hissha in a new form- the weasel’s head formed the helmet with its limbs folding shoulder armor. Its tail wrapped around his neck, forming a scarf. The armor shined in green and black as he reached forward. In front of Geki was a green orb that upon him grasping it, turned into a scythe. “That is the main form of Exor…” his uncle said, looking on in approval. “Will that really help him defeat that thing?” “Of course. After all, Itachi is Geki’s chosen partner.”

*Here it comes!* Charging towards Geki, the Yūrei Hissha swung its arms forward. Without looking, Geki swung the scythe upward, cutting off the Yūrei Hissha’s pen-arm. “You can do better than that.” Geki then pressed the handle of the scythe into the ground and used it lift himself off the ground, kicking the Yūrei Hissha down. Swinging his scythe down onto the Yūrei Hissha, Geki was surprised by it holding its pen-arm in front of itself with its other hand. Swinging it around, the Yūrei Hissha wrote the word “RESTORE” in the air. In an instant, the damaged pen-arm was reattached. “Ho-ho, now this is interesting.” Pushing Geki away, the Yūrei Hissha then wrote the word “MISSILE” in the air over and over again. Geki looked around at the sky to see that several missiles were flying towards him. “Sensei!” Takeshi yelled, running towards Geki. “Takeshi!” Takeru was about to follow his son when the principal held him back. “Let me go, my son is-” “Leave it to Geki.” Looking up at the principal, Takeru could see the truth in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Takeru-san. My uncle is right. I can handle this.” Gripping the blade of the scythe, Geki pulled it apart and outward, turning it into a scythe with blades at both ends. Turning the blade to face the opposite direction, Geki hurled it into the sky. As the blades spinned, they sliced and diced each missile in an instant, causing the sky to be lit with explosions. “Was that all you go?” Geki asked the Yūrei Hissha. Looking at what he had done to his attack, the Yūrei Hissha wrote the word “FLY” in the air. Sprouting wings, it turned to the sky began to fly off at incredible speed. “It’s getting away!” “No it’s not,” Geki said, holding up the Talisman he had placed on Takeshi’s forehead earlier. “Wait here.” Geki put the scythe back together into it’s original configuration and held it with both hands. The wind gathered around Geki and lifted him off the ground towards the Yūrei Hissha. Inserting the Blank Talisman into his belt, the belt announced *Yōkai: Kamaitachi! BLANK. Ryōkai!* Spinning in midair, Geki flew foot first at the Yūrei Hissha, piercing through it. Stopping in midair right in front of it, Geki looked at it- he could see the fear in its eyes. “Rest in peace,” he said, swinging his scythe at the Yūrei Hissha, slicing it into two vertical halves. Looking at Geki, the Yūrei Hissha reached out to him before exploding. Holding out the Blank Talisman, Geki watched as the explosion was absorbed into the card. Landing back on the ground, Geki cancelled his transformation and looked towards Takeshi. “See? It’s alright,” he said, holding up the newly formed Yūrei Hissha Talisman.

___

“Sensei!” Takeshi ran up to Geki as he got off his motorcycle. “Oh, Takeshi-kun. How are you?” I’m good sensei, and look! Daddy came too!” Walking up behind him, Takeru reached his hand out. “Thank you, for what you did for my son.” “No problem,” Geki said, shaking his hand. “And you should know, that I’ve decided...my son needs me there. And so, I will be sure to pick him up today after I close up shop,” Takeru said with a smile. “Yay! Daddy, you mean it?” “Yes son, daddy will be here, so be sure to wait inside with sensei before I pick you up, okay?” “Okay!” Watching Takeshi run into the school, Takeru smiled and began to walk off. “Oh yeah, if you ever want some sweets, be sure to stop by.” “Sure thing.” Geki began to walk towards the doors of the school as the children ran past him. “I’m glad things worked out for that family,” he said to himself, unaware he was being watched from afar. “So...he’s the one, huh? Oh, this will be good.”

Passing 1 END

Next Time:
Geki: You see Takeshi-kun, there are a few Yōkai Talismans I have with me.
Takeru: Sensei, come quick, it’s-
???: I need it, please...let me feed!
Setsu: No!!! No!!! Let me go!

Passing 2: No Words, One Bite.