[Androzani84]

Tanjo Takumi woke up in the street. He rubbed his head and looked out to see he was in an alleyway. “What was a I doing last night?”, he wondered as he stood up and walked out to see his face was all over screens, along with signs saying “Wanted” and “Reward”.

“This man was last seen rampaging through a public farmer’s market, smashing up several stalls and attacking people.” The newscaster announced as footage depicting the described events played on screen. “Koga Konzern has identified the suspect as Tanjo Takumi, who previously infiltrated their company grounds and sabotaged their Epithmeus project.”

Then the screens displayed the image of Koga Tetsuya. “Rest assured, Koga Konzern are trying our hardest to detain Tanjo and bring him to justice. We have received special permission from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police to hunt the fugitive ourselves.”

Takumi fumed at his situation. “That rat, Koga.” He reached for his KijuuSlasher, only to find it missing. He slammed his hand against the wall and set off, trying to find someone he could trust.

At the Voldos Fortress, the 3 Generals watched the news footage. “So, it seems that QidenTora has attracted the ire of Earth’s authorities.”, Gelashi noted. “An ironic fate for a hero of justice.”

“I’d like to see how the Qidengers overcome this one.”, Dimayta commented.

The only one without a detailed comment on the situation was Oomikaoo “Interesting.”, he noted.

In his office, Koga Tetsuya was laughing at his handiwork. “That fool Tanjo’s been something I’ve wanted to deal with since he ruined Project Epithmeus. His little outburst yesterday provided me with the perfect opportunity to do that.”

“Don’t forget he can still outpace you for now.”, a mysterious figure commented. He was dressed in a similar suit to the Qidengers, only with a C instead of a Q as his insignia. His outfit was red and black, with a helmet shaped like a cheetah with a visor resembling a cross between fangs and sunglasses. He had a firearm in a holster. “But he’ll tire out eventually and then, you call me in to take him out for good.”

“Yes, yes. That was the deal you offered me.”, was Koga’s response. “I provide you with the intelligence you need to hunt down your enemy. And in return, you give me the practical knowledge I need to construct my latest robot.”

“What about the Qidengers?”, the newcomer asked. “Surely you don’t expect them to just abandon their ally to your tender mercies.”

Koga’s response was to tap his nose. “That’s why I accepted your robotics expertise.” He then tapped the intercom. “What’s the status of Project: Gabriel?”

“The main body is 98% complete, programme is 99% complete, boot up relay is at 95%. It could feasibly perform well in battle if deployed now.”, was the response.

“Excellent.” Koga turned the intercom off. “Well then, Mr… QidenCheetah, was it? Everything seems to be in order, doesn’t it?”

“We’ll see.”, QidenCheetah nodded, before turning to the door. “But for now, I have places to be. Call me if you find anything.”

At Nanahoshi Academy, Mio and her friend Tenoh Kagura were discussing the news reports. “Why do you think that guy would just attack a farmer’s market?”, Kagura asked. “It seems like a strange choice to make a statement.”

“I’ve met Takumi a few times.”, Mio said in response. “He’s not the type of person that would do this. Something must’ve happened to him.”

This suggestion was greeted by semi-mocking laughter. “You’re always willing to see the best in people aren’t you.”, Mio and Kagura turned towards the source of the voice, Mio’s old club rival Shikuro Takuya. “We have footage showing that Tanjo is a menace, give it up, Mio-kun.”

Mio was annoyed at this. “No-one asked your opinion, Shinigami.”, she blurted out. ‘Shinigami’ was the nickname she had given Takuya for his habit of basically preventing her chances at getting into some clubs. “I’ll prove that Takumi-san isn’t a bad person, no matter what it takes.” With that said, she stormed out.

“Mio-kun, wait!”, Kagura called out, running after her friend, only stopping to give Takuya a dirty look. “You shouldn’t have riled her up like that, you jerk.”

As she took off, Takuya simply sat back and laughed. “So you think you can find Tanjo Takumi, eh? Well then, go right ahead.”

Later, at the old man’s mansion, the five main Qidengers and Rin the elderly housekeeper were gathered, with all but the latter discussing the matter at hand. “We need to do something to help Takumi.”, Mio urged.

“Well given that he doesn’t have his KijuuSlasher, he can’t do much for himself.” Rin pointed out. “Plus it doesn’t look good for his reputation with that footage of him circulating.”

“Rin-ba-chan’s right.”, Kamijo stated. “For now, all we can do is try and return the KijuuSlasher to its usual owner.”

Takuto nodded. “I can handle that, but not alone. We’ll all need to contribute to finding him.”

“All of us will spread out and look for him.”, Hibiki suggested. “There are 5 areas he could be based on sightings, and we’ll cover all of them quickly if we split up.”

“Good idea.”, Mio interjected. “Wataru-san and I will go on ahead to get a head start.” She grabbed Wataru and dragged him out of the room. “Have you had a chance to look at the Vorjuujin?”, she asked.

“I’ve looked at some of his inner workings.”, was Wataru’s answer. “But repairing them will be a tall order. Most of Voldos’ technology… it’s years in advance of anything on Earth. Suffice to say, I might need to get some help if I’m to repair him for you.”

Mio’s head lowered at this. “Thanks for keeping me updated. Now then, let’s go and cover Hakata and Sapporo. The others can get round to the other areas.” The two then carried on out the door.

In Nagoya, Takumi ducked into a cafe, taking care not to be noticed. “Do you watch the news?”, he asked the cafe owner, in a manner that sounded like he was asking an innocent question.

“No, I can’t be bothered with that sensationalist nonsense.”, the bar owner assured him. “I prefer to read a newspaper any day.”

“Oh thank goodness.”, Takumi sighed in relief before pulling his hood down and sitting at the counter. Unfortunately for him, one of the patrons DID recognise him and left the building. “I’d like a drink please. A large one.”

In the alley next to the cafe, the customer took out his phone and dialled. “Hello, Koga Konzern? I’ve found that guy you’re looking for. He’s in Nagoya. Send whoever necessary to take him in.”

It just so happened that Takuto was also in the area on patrol. And he overheard the man making his call and intercepted him. “Hey, what’s your problem man?”, he growled.

In the cafe, Takumi was finishing his drink and left some coins for the manager. “Keep the change.”, he insisted as he left. As he walked out, he saw Takuto approaching and tackling him down. “Takuto-san, what’re you doing here?”

“You need to get out of sight.”, Takuto urged him. “The Koga troops are on their way here.”

But they were too late. Men clad in leather from head to toe, with eye masks and machine guns, approached. “Tanjo Takumi. You will come with us quietly or be shot. Which will it be?”

Takuto handed Takumi his KijuuSlasher. “You’ll need this to make your decision, I think.”, he commented.

Takumi nodded as he donned the device. “Indeed I will.”, he said as he inserted his Soul Chip. “Kijuu Change!” He ran forward, transforming into QidenTora and delivering several punches to the soldiers, who proceeded to open fire on him, only to have the bullets deflected by the suit as he continued to knock them down. “The answer is ‘no’. I’m not going with you.”

“That’s okay.”, the figure known as QidenCheetah said as he stepped forward, pulling out his firearm. “Because I don’t want you to go anywhere. Ever again.”

“Bring it.”, Tora growled as he ran forward, with Cheetah firing his weapon at his foe as Takuto looked on.

Elsewhere, the other Qidengers, on a call from Takuto, were on the way to Nagoya in their vehicles. “Let’s hurry.”, QidenYellow urged. “Who knows what could happen?”

“You should be more concerned for yourselves.” The 4 vehicles were then knocked down and the pilots ejected onto the ground. The source of this disruption, a golden, armoured robot with a pair of wings hat retracted into its body landed nearby and walked towards them. “Target, located.”

“Who’s this clown?”, Black said with frustration.

“I am Koga Konzern’s enforcer of peace, Gabriel.”, the robot nodded. “You have been deemed an obstruction to the peace and will be eliminated as such.” He raised his hand and aimed at the Qidengers, firing a beam from it.

Yellow took the shot and stepped forward. “I see Koga’s still at it with his pretentious naming. But it doesn’t mean much.” He raised his Kijuu Magnum and fired at Gabriel, only for the shot to have little effect. “What the-?”

“None of your weapons can do damage to me.”, Gabriel stated as he took a hit from both Black and Blues’ Kijuu Calibers. “My armour is made from the hardest metal in the universe.” He leapt into the air, with his wings being deployed. “You can’t hope to stop me.” He fired his laser at the 4, sending them flying.

“How are we… going to get out of this?”, Pink asked as she wreathed on the floor in pain. “If only… the other two were here.”

Elsewhere, QidenTora and QidenCheetah were still engaged in their battle. “Let’s take things up a notch.”, Cheetah commented, pulling a trigger on the back of his weapon, causing a pair of claws to fold out of the weapon.

Ki-Bang!

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing.”, Tora nodded, combining his KijuuSlasher with his Kijuu Caliber.

Juu Sai!

The two then crossed weapons, as Takuto looked on. “Stop it!”, he yelled. “Why are you fighting each other? What is this for?”

A purple moth tattoo glowed on Takumi’s arm. “Destroy! I must destroy!”

“Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!”, QidenCheetah growled, as an identical tattoo on his arm also glowed.

Takuto could no longer hold himself back. He inserted his Soul Chip into his JuuKeitai. “Kijuu Henge!”

Shishi! Doubutsu Gashin!

Now transformed, QidenRed threw himself between the two fighters. “Stop it. You don’t have to fight.”

Then, the Bioman Chip in his belt, along with the Go-Onger Chip in QidenTora’s, zapped the latter with energy, causing the tattoo to stop glowing. “Huh, what happened?”, he asked. “That wasn’t me.”

“Humph, that won’t stop me.”, QidenCheetah stated, aiming his weapon. He pressed a button on the handle three times. “Kijuu Blaster, Ultimate End!”

Boomer-bang! Bang! BANG!

The two claws glowed with energy, before detaching from the Kijuu Blaster and spinning towards QidenRed. “Watch out!” QidenTora called out as he pushed Takuto out of the way and took the hit, his chest exploding as he fell backwards. Dark energy burst outwards from his body, along with that of his opponent.

“Takumi, what’s -?” Takuto felt a pain in his chest, as the same dark energy was released from his body.

At the Voldos Fortress, Oomikaoo, or rather, what was inhabiting his body, felt this energy. “This power… it’s overflowing into me. I’m finally free of this prison.” As his eyes glowed, the being left it’s body behind, manifesting as a dark smoke that floated away.

“What is this energy?”, Dimayta asked as she saw an alert appear on screen. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

“It’s powerful alright.”, Megaro assured her. “And it seems to be coming from… QidenBlue.”

Sure enough, Mio was suffering from a similar headache to her brother. “Mio-kun, what’s happening?”, Wataru asked.

QidenBlue glowed with a blinding light, before standing up, as if possessed by someone or something. “You will not harm them.”, the presence spoke, firing a beam of energy at Gabriel, which knocked him out of the sky with his arm lopped off.

“Error. Error. Error.”, Gabriel could only state as his opponent came up to him and thrust her arm through his body, forcing his head off and throwing his body backwards.

Then Mio reverted to a normal human. “What happened?”, she asked as she came to. “I whited out.”

As the others wondered how to explain the events to her, Gabriel’s remains were surrounded with a red aura, which vanished, along with the parts.