Fukumen Sentai OniRanger / 覆面戦隊 鬼レンジャー

[gokol]

I can't wait for the rest!

[SuperOniBlue]

Hideo jumped into the air, transforming into OniRed, in a desperate attempt to grab the metal case and the Fukumen it contained. He had to move faster than ever before if he were to outrun Kibala's attack on the case.

However, before OniRed could even get close enough, he was knocked back down by the Armadillo Kurayami's 'Ball Form'. The large, metal ball crashed to the ground, pinning OniRed under its weight.

The OniRangers could only watch as Kibala's ball of dark magic struck the case. In an instant, the energy around the case burst into a fiery explosion.

Charred remains of paper fell to the ground along with several bits of scorched clothing. On top of the rubble fell two small pieces of wood. The wood looked like it had once been two halves of a mask, misshapen from its original form, and scorched black by the explosion.

Kibala stared at the burning remains, as if expecting something else to happen. However nothing came. "A fake."She finally muttered to herself. "Where is the real mask?!" She roared to Sanjo.

"I-I don't know..." Sanjo said, astonished. "I am just as surprised as you are, Kibala." She smiled a little as she stood back up. "I guess we both failed here today."

Kibala let out a shriek of rage. "Kill her!" She commanded the Armadillo Kurayami.

"Yes, Mistress Kibala!" The metal ball said. The Kurayami rolled off of Hideo. The boy had been forced from his OniRanger form, and how lay unconscious in the small crater the Kurayami had created.

The monster unrolled from its ball form and stood back up. "This should be a piece of cake." He said as he ran towards Eiji and Sanjo.

The creature stopped suddenly, overtaken by a sudden pain throughout his body. "W-What's happening?!" He said as he watched his claw start to dissolve.

"Blast." Kibala said, clutching her side. "We've been away from the boundary for too long." The cloaked woman glanced at Eiji and Sanjo, and then towards Hideo.

"There is nothing else for us here, anyway." She muttered. "You got lucky this time, Ningen clan, but you have no one protecting Hikarienma. Let's see who can get back first?" Kibala and the Armadillo Kurayami faded away, slipping back into the shadows.

Sanjo and Eiji watched as the last traces of their enemy faded away. The two immediately ran towards Hideo, who still lay unconscious in the small crater.

"He is badly hurt." Sanjo said, examining Hideo's body. Her palms began to glow a soft blue as she placed them over his body. "I will do what I can but once we are able to move him, he must get proper medical attention.

"What about Hikarienma?" Eiji asked. "They could be attacking it right now."

"I am aware!" Sanjo snapped back. It wasn't common to see her let her anger show so much. "But the city is hopeless without all three of us."

---

Deep within the Shadow World, Kibala and the Armadillo returned to the large, dark palace. Standing by the throne stood the unnamed cloaked figure gazing over his master's mask.

"Another failure?" The cloaked figure asked. It was clear that he was the one in charge. "I'm surprised, Kibala."

"Because of your own information, yes." Kibala retorted. "Whatever the man had, it was not one of The Eleven. It was just a fake."

"A fake?" The leader asked. "Do you really think I am that naive?" A dark cloud of energy was starting to form around the leader's body, reacting to his rising anger. "Were it a fake I would not have detected it. Ningen no Sanjo may be inexperienced enough not to know the difference, but I do! We cannot allow the Ningen clan to find it first!"

"It does not matter anyway." Kibala said. "We cannot survive outside that retched barrier for more than a few hours, not since we cast away." Kibala glanced back at the Armadillo Kurayami. Its arm was slowly starting to repair itself. "This one won't be useful for some time."

"Then we shall send him back to Hikarienma to search for the Catalyst. You will return to Tokyo and find that Fukumen."

---

Once Hideo was stable enough to move, Eiji and Sanjo brought him to the hospital. After a clever story and a phone call to Gin, the group were sent to a private room where Hideo could rest.

The red warrior slept in a hospital bed. His head and left arm were wrapped up in bandages. His wrist wrested comfortably in a sling.

"What a waste of time this was." Eiji complained as he fiddled with the small radio on Hideo's bedside table. "That Professor Tsuji was a total flake."

"Yes, but you cannot help but feel sad for him." Sanjo said. She was standing by the window, gazing at the large city. "He thought he made a real discovery."

"Well we were going to ruin his dream anyway." Eiji replied. He finally found a station he liked and turned the volume up. "Still, Hideo didn't have to suffer for it."

"What's making me suffer is that music." Hideo said. His eyes were still closed but they were now twitching in frustration. "I thought I told you to keep it down!" He said, finally opening them.

"Hideo!" Sanjo called out, running to his bedside. "Are you alright?"

"I'll live."Hideo replied. "Did we get the mask?"

Sanjo shook her head. "Unfortunately, Professor Tsuji's mask was not a Fukumen." She pulled out the charred remains from her bag. "But it defiantly was a reproduction."

"A copy." Hideo said. "Why would Tsuji have a copy?"

"It is possible that copies were made after the war." Sanjo said, gliding her hands over the mask.

"Probably. " Hideo muttered. "But I think Tsuji is smarter than that. He seemed really excited about his find."

"We do not have the time to worry about that." Sanjo said as she walked away from the bed. "If the mask isn't here then it won't be long before the Kurayami return their focus to the Catalyst. "

"Yeah, but it's going to take a few hours to get back home." Eiji said. "And the next train isn't for a while."

"So I'll just have to send us back using my magic." Sanjo said, as if it was a common fact.

"Then why did we waste all that time on a train?" Hideo complained.

Sanjo was silent for a moment. She turned to face the other two and said, "It looked fun. I was never on a train before."

Eiji almost slipped off of his chair at Sanjo's remark. With a sigh he stood up and grabbed his backpack. "Whatever, let's just go."

"I'm staying here." Hideo said. "I want to talk to Tsuji first." Hideo looked towards Sanjo. "Do you think you can get me out of this hospital first?"

"Consider it done." Sanjo said. "But be careful, you are still in rough shape."

"Yeah, yeah." Hideo said as he reached for his clothes. "Don't worry. I think I have this all figured out."

"Going to let us in?" Eiji smirked.

"Yeah," Hideo replied. 'But first I have to get out of these hospital clothes."
---

The Armadillo Kurayami strolled casually through a large construction site in Hikarienma. The construction workers around him were running away in a panic. "Ugh." It said to itself. "Humans are so ugly! Now what was I here for again?" The monster paused and rubbed its head in confusion. "A cat?"

"Then, meow!" OniYellow exclaimed as he appeared in a wave of blue magic. He ran towards the Armadillo Kurayami, withdrawing his YuraYura Kanabou. "ToguToguYura!" He said as he swung his club at the monster's chest. The spikes on the club began to spin, releasing yellow energy that enveloped the club. The surprise attack caught the Armadillo off guard, knocking him off his feet. The monster flew back, landing into a pile of empty oil drums.

OniBlue appeared next to OniYellow, in a similar wave of blue light. "Hideo is out. What did I miss?"

"Oh, the usual." Eiji said. "Just kicking butt."

"His backside is covered by his armor, I would not recommend that." Sanjo replied, oblivious to Eiji's humor."

"That was not cool!" The Armadillo said as it stood back up. "Oh, it's you two. Didn't I beat you already?"

"It's going to take more than that to defeat us." Eiji said. "Time for round two."
---

In a small apartment, the raggedy Professor Tsuji walked around the poor excuse for a kitchen, preparing a small package of instant noodles. He was humming happily to himself, despite his recent loss at fortune.

A sudden knock at the door made him jump. The man stared through the peephole and immediately his face dropped. Suddenly looking very sad, Tsuji opened up the door. Hideo stood there. His head and arm was still bandaged up, but he was no longer wearing the ridiculous medial robe.

"Oh, the Tetsuya boy, come in" He said. "Did you find my briefcase?" He asked, with a hopeful look.

"I'm sorry, Professor." Hideo said as he entered the apartment. "Those monsters destroyed it, the mask as well."

"I see." Tsuji replied. He was trying his best to look sad, but Hideo knew that there was something Tsuji wasn't telling him.

"Well." Tsuji said as he reached for his tweed jacket. "At least you tried. I better get back to the office now."

Hideo glanced around the small apartment. Most of Tsuji's belongings were packed away in cardboard boxes. "I was just at the University, Professor" He said. "It's how I got your address. They told me you were fired a month ago."

"Oh. Yes, well I still have a few things to pick up from there, so if you'll excuse me." Tsuji said as he tried to leave the apartment.

"Like the real mask?" Hideo said.

Tsuji stopped dead in his tracks. "Like you said, the mask was destroyed."

"The mask in your briefcase was destroyed, yes."Hideo replied. "But you knew it was a fake from the start, didn't you."

Professor Tsuji was silent for a moment. "Please leave," He said. "Before I call the police."

"Professor!" Hideo yelled. "You don't understand. As long as you have that mask, you are in a lot of danger.

"I said, leave!" Tsuji shouted as he opened the door. Standing in the doorway stood the cloaked figure, Kibala.

"Hello, Professor." Kibala said in a cold voice. "Ah, it looks like Sanjo's pet got here first.

Hideo stepped in front of Professor Tsuji. "The mask's not here, Kurayami." He said as he reached for his OniChanger.

"Fool me once, shame on me." Kibala said. "I will just have to tear the building apart until I find it."

The cloaked woman rose up her gloved hand, sending a wave of dark energy into the room.
Hideo grabbed Professor Tsuji and ran towards the window, smashing through it just as the attack got close.

As the two fell, Hideo was enveloped in an aura of red light, transforming into OniRed. He held onto Tsuji as he landed gracefully onto the ground.

"H-How are we still alive!" Tsuji yelled, looking up at the apartment complex. His wall had been destroyed by Kibala's attack.

"It's because of this." Hideo said, tapping the red mask on his helmet. "It gives us special abilities to fight monsters like that. " OniRed grabbed Tsuji by the shoulder. "Which is why I need your mask, the whole world is at risk unless we have it."

Tsuji looked down at his feet. "This was my one big break." He finally said. "My research was cut; my job was taken from me. I was getting kicked out of my apartment, before it was blown up. " The man reached into the breast pocket of his tweed jacket. "And then I found it – the rarest thing I've ever seen."

Professor Tsuji pulled out a gleaming orange mask. It differed from the one OniRed wore, as it had no mouth piece – and a small spider adorned on its forehead. "I always wanted to be a proper archeologist. When my friends offered me the chance to go to Tibet – I thought I would be able to find something valuable something that could boost my career and make me a fortune at the same time. I want to be remembered for my work."

"And you will be, Professor. You could be the man who helped save the world if you just give me the mask."

"Courageous words, Ningen." Kibala called out from inside the apartment. "It is a shame they will be your last."

The cloaked woman jumped down from the building, floating to the ground next to OniRed and Tsuji. "But now I have you and the mask." She laughed.

"Normally, you'd be right." OniRed said. "But there's one thing you didn't take into account."

"Oh?" Kibala remarked. "And what would that be?"

"Sanjo's teleport spell." OniRed exclaimed. With his grip still on Professor Tsuji's shoulder, OniRed raised his OniChanger with his free hand. In a wave of blue energy, the two disappeared from Kibala's sight.

Kibala let out a roar of anger. "That is the last time I let you embarrass me." She hissed under her breath before disappearing in a black, shadowy fog.

---

The Armadillo Kurayami laughed as OniBlue and OniYellow were sent flying back by once more. "No matter how many times I tell you, your weapons cannot hurt my armor!"

"This is bad." OniYellow said as he propped his body up with his Strong Hammer. "There's just no way to crack him open."

"I have kept the transport spell active." Sanjo said she pulled herself up using her Mystic Staff. "We just have to hold on and pray that Hideo finds the mask."

"That's easy for you to say." OniYellow said as the two stood up. "Let's just hope he lands here with us.

The Armadillo monster jumped into the air, curling back into its armored-ball form. "Why won't you guys just die?" It exclaimed as it rolled towards the OniRangers.

A soft blue wave of light appeared between the Kurayami and the OniRangers. Appearing within the light stood OniRed and Professor Tsuji.

The monster skidded to a stop at their sudden appearance. "Oh, it's the crater boy. You look good for someone I squished."

"Allow me to return the favor." OniRed said. He turned to Professor Tsuji. "Please, Professor."

The old man looked at the monster, and then back down at the mask he held. "The whole world resting on our hands...now that's something." He mumbled to himself. "Isshin's boy has some fine friends." He said, handing the orange mask to OniRed. "Go get him, son."

OniRed nodded and grabbed the mask. As soon as he touched it, the mask began to glow a bright orange light.

"The Kumo Fukumen!" OniBlue exclaimed. "The power of the Spider Kurayami."

"Let's see what this thing can do." Hideo said as he rose the mask into the air. "Fukumen Change!"

OniRed's Fukumen dissolved from his helmet. The Kumo Fukumen floated towards his head in its place. A wave of orange energy surrounded OniRed as the power of two Fukumen filled his body.

"Skilled Warrior, OniRed!" He exclaimed as the aura dissipated. OniRed, now wearing the orange Kumo Fukumen, stepped forward. "You might want to get out of here, Professor."

"Hah, you think that is going to be enough." The Armadillo monster jumped back, landing several meters back. "Well here I come!"

The Armadillo monster began to roll in place, gaining momentum before it launched itself towards OniRed.

As if relying on instinct, OniRed crouched down. A thin stream of white foam shot out from a small nozzle piece under the masks's visor. The foam hit the ground as the monster got closer. The large armored ball rolled into the sticky foam, stopping it instantly.

"H-Hey!" It said as it tried to unroll itself. "I-I'm stuck!"

"Don't worry." Hideo said. "I'll get you out." Hideo held out his arms. In a flash of orange light, a large, shotgun like weapon appeared in his hands. The gun was designed primarily to look like a large, orange spider. Its four front legs made up the barrel of the gun, which was beginning to charge up.

"Time to get squashed." OniRed exclaimed. A large ball of orange energy began to grow from the tip of the gun's barrel.

"Kumo Shooting!" OniRed roared as he fired the gun, launching the ball of energy towards the Armadillo Kurayami.

The large ball of energy pushed its way through the monster's mighty armor, detonating upon contact. The monster exploded in a fiery wave.

"Hideo, you did it!" OniBlue exclaimed. "You've found the Kumo Fukumen- and even managed to use its power!"

"Managed?" OniRed complained. "I think I did better than that. Now get Professor Tsuji to safety while I finish him off."

OniBlue and OniYellow nodded and ran off with the professor. OniRed looked up to watch as the Armadillo Kurayami reformed, growing larger and larger until it reached a colossal size. The orange, Kumo Fukumen faded from his helmet in a wave of red light, replaced by OniRed's original mask.

"Oni Dai Henge!" OniRed commanded, transforming into his large, Titan form. Standing with the skyscrapers, the large warrior of red, black, and gold stood over the city. Its arms and legs were adorned with a flame-like pattern that stuck out around its body, like the warrior was ablaze. Resting over its unmoving, silver face was a golden mask. The mask had six red eyes and two long, golden horns.

The larger, red titan stood hundreds of feet away from the Armadillo Kurayami, but from Hideo's point of view they were practically eye to eye.

The Armadillo attacked first. It took few large steps towards the Red Titan, tearing through a few buildings as it did so. However, even in his Titan form, OniRed was still able to utilize his red Fukumen's special abilities.

The large titan gracefully leaned to the left, avoiding the monster's swing with ease. "You're too slow, even at this size!" OniRed mocked as he punched the monster in the chest with his large, silver fist.

Vulnerable to an attack from the front, the Armadillo was knocked back. "Who needs speed when I can do this?" the monster shouted as jumped into the air, transforming into its large, ball form once again. "Now I can crush you AND flatten the city at the same time."

"We'll see about that." OniRed replied. The circular hole in the Titan's chest began to glow orange. "Fukumen Spider!" He called out. The orange light flew from the titan's chest, floating up into the air.

The light began to take shape, forming a large, almost mechanical-like spider. It was primarily orange in color, with eight, long black legs. Its front legs were the largest, with three, finger-like claws that dug into the pavement as it fell back to the ground. Its silver fangs snapped together as it let out a small growl at the Armadillo Kurayami.

"Ningen Gattai!" OniRed commanded as the Titan jumped into the air. The flame like accents on the warrior's arms detached themselves, while the accents on his legs rose up from his shins to his thighs.

The spider spilt away into several parts. It's large abdomen split in half and slipped over the Red Titan's legs. The spider's large front claws slipped over the Titan's arms. The rest of the spider attached itself to the Titan's back, pointing its remaining legs into the air.

The Titan's arm accents attached themselves to his chest, completing the new set of armor the Titan wore.

The Kumo OniTitan watched as the Armadillo Kurayami rolled towards him. "Sorry, Kurayami." The OniTitan flung out its arms, launching two streams of white webbing from the orange gauntlets it wore. The webbing wrapped itself around the Kurayami as it rolled, slowing it down as it got closer to Hideo.

The titan swung its arms up, pulling the Kurayami into the air. "Kumo Assault!" Hideo cried out as it jumped into the air. The Fukumen Spider detached itself from the OniTitan, reassembling back into its animal form. The spider began to glow as it jumped into the air, charging towards the ball. Like a bullet, the spider crashed through the Kurayami, exploding in a wave of orange energy.

The Red OniTitan watched as the shadowy remains of the monster slipped back into the darkness.

---

Back at the museum, Hideo and Eiji were once again attempting to catch up on their homework. After another visit from the doctor, Hideo was forced to the next couple of days off from school. However he still had a lot of homework to catch up on.

"You should take a break, Hideo." Sanjo said as she entered the room, holding the Kumo Fukumen in her hand. "Handling two Fukumen at once has a toll on the body."

"Yeah, but you kicked ass though." Eiji said, ignoring the work in front of him. Instead, he reached for the stereo system and turned it on.

"I'd love to take a break." Hideo said. "But if I don't get good grades, I'm not going to America." Hideo sighed as Eiji cranked the music louder and louder. "But it's hard to concentrate with all that noise!"

Eiji laughed as he blared the stereo louder. "If you can't work, then relax!" He said with a smirk as he ran away, chased by Hideo.

---Fin.

[SuperOniBlue]

It was a crisp day in the city of Hikarienma. The cool autumn air was turning into a brisk winter chill as the Christmas season inched closer and closer. Hideo was relieved that soccer practice at his school would soon be over for the season. While he had given up his Captain position on the team, he still tried to attend as many games as possible before it was over for the year.

Eiji, on the other hand, wouldn't stop complaining about the cold weather. The frost made it harder to find a suitable area for his gang to meet up and street dance. The ground was either too damp or too slippery. His group was banned from any decent spot after one too many fist fights with rivaling groups. Not that they were Eiji's fault, or so he claims.

Sanjo, on the other hand, was becoming more and more distant from the group as time went on. The Kurayami seemed to be laying low since Hideo recovered the Kumo Fukumen from Professor Tsuji a few weeks earlier. She allowed Hideo and Eiji to resume their day to day lives while she focused on her research into the Catalyst.

Or at least, that was the plan.

Hideo stepped out of the elevator into the basement of the museum. He was wearing his soccer uniform, having just returned from one of his final games of the season. "Hey guys, we won!" He called out. He was about to speak again, but his sentence was cut short when Sanjo's crystal ball came zooming passed his head.

To his left, he watched Eiji duck out of the way of the ball, which shattered against the wall behind him. "Oi, Sanjo! I said I was sorry!" He exclaimed.

Hideo looked to his right, seeing a pissed off Sanjo glaring at Eiji. "Yamagata Eiji, you are a jerk. I thought man-kind had evolved in the last thousand years, but you are still so primitive."

Hideo's eyes followed Sanjo as she stormed off into the elevator. "Sanjo!" he said, running back towards the elevator only to have it shut in his face.

Dumbfound, Hideo turned back to Eiji. "What the hell was that about?"

"First of all," Eiji started, moving away from the broken crystal ball on the ground. "Totally not my fault."

"Somehow I doubt that." Hideo replied, folding his arms. "But go on."

"Okay, so I tried to invite Sanjo to hang out with my friends." Eiji continued." She was interested in the music so I was going to show her the dance moves too."

"I can see why she would get upset." Hideo interjected.

"Shut up." Eiji stated. "Anyway, she refused and I sort of said..."

"Well?" Hideo said, giving Eiji a small shove.

"...It's not like she had any friends to hang out with."

Hideo was silent for a moment, trying to comprehend Eiji's stupidity. "Hang on a moment." He said. "I'm going to find something heavy to throw at your head."

***

Meanwhile, Ohjah and Kibala could be heard screaming in pain throughout the realm of shadows. Their leader, the unnamed cloak figure, roared in anger as he struck his subordinates down with a shadowy wave over and over again.

"The two of you fail me time and time again!" He roared at the other two in anger. "The Ningen clan are only getting stronger. It will be impossible to find the Catalyst at this rate."

Kibala and Ohjah stood as their leader freed them from his wrath.

"I was this close to releasing one of the Kurayami-Taii." Kibala defended. "If it weren't for the fake mask, we would be one step closer to our goal."

"I'm only hearing more failure, Kibala." The leader spoke. "I pushed the barrier as thinly as I could so you would be able to move farther than Hikarienma. I risked closing off this realm for good, in order for you to destroy the OniRanger's power. You even sent the Oni back to buy yourself more time. And yet one Ningen pup and some old human both managed to get away – with the Fukumen!"

"Perhaps you need someone more experienced in the matter?" Called an unknown voice.

The three cloaked figures turned around to face the newcomer. "Ah." The leader spoke. "It is you!"

***

Sanjo wandered Hikarienma's streets alone. Despite the growing chill in the air, she was only wearing a tight, blue and white striped t-shirt, accompanied only by a black vest. She held her arms as she felt the cool air swirl around he. "Stupid Eiji." She muttered under her breath.

Although she was mad at Eiji she couldn't help but notice how right he was, which only upset her more. Everyone from her past had died nearly a thousand years ago, while she was sealed away inside a statue.

It wasn't long before Sanjo found herself near the edge of the city, in a large park area. Everything past this was part of the forest that surrounded most of Hikarienma's border.

'Come on' Sanjo thought to herself. 'When did you have time for a friend, the only person you had growing up was...

"Kaji?"Said aloud, stopping dead in her tracks.

Sitting by a small duck pond was a man draped in white robes. He was surrounded by a group of small children who were laughing along with him.

"And when we fold here," The man said. "We have our swan." The man lifted his palm, showing the crowd an origami swan. He leaned over the duck pond and gently laid the swan in the water. Rather than crumbling away, the paper swan floated perfectly on the water. The children around him cheered with joy as the swan floated over to several other origami animals, including a frog and a crane.

Sanjo watched in disbelief as the figure stood up. "Sorry kids." He said. "I am all out of paper." He looked up at Sanjo and gave a casual wave. "Oh hey, sis!"

"K-Kaji..." Sanjo repeated. Kaji walked towards her, leaving the kids to watch the origami animals as they continued to float.

***

"Have I called you an idiot yet?" Hideo asked Eiji. The two were running around the city, trying to find Sanjo.

"Repeatedly," Eiji replied. "Yes, I know I get it." The two stopped for a moment to catch their breath. They had searched several blocked already, but Sanjo was nowhere to be found. "It just slipped out. I didn't mean to be rude to her, honestly.

"Yeah, well know we have a problem. We have a girl from the past wandering around the city." Hideo said. "She still hasn't gotten used to modern life yet. She never even thought to take this." Hideo held up a cell phone. "Gin gave this to her too keep in contact but she never takes it anywhere."

"What's the worst that can happen?" Eiji asked. "I mean she can use all that magic, and she has her OniChanger if anything goes wrong."

"Oi!" Hideo exclaimed. "She could still get lost, or one of those cloaked Kurayami could ambush her, we can't let her get too far by herself." Hideo walked off, followed by the reluctant Eiji.

***

Sanjo and Kaji sat by the small duck pond. Sanjo watched the man silently as he fed the ducks crumbs from a small loaf of bread. "What's the matter? Kaji said. "You don't seem very happy to see me."

"I did not...I mean I..."Sanjo stammered. "I mean, of course. It is good to see your face. But I do not understand. You should be..."

"Dead?" Kaji answered. "Well you should still be a statue." He smiled. "I guess we both got lucky."

Sanjo continued to stare at Kaji, still unsure of who she was seeing.

"Still do nott believe me, then?" Kaji sighed. "Alright then, ask me anything."

Before Sajno had the chance to ask anything to her brother, she felt a sudden and familiar aura.

"I sense it too." Kaji said as they looked around the park. The shadows of the surrounding trees began to spread across the ground. A small group of Kagedorōn rose from the shadows, surrounding the pond and trapping Sanjo and Kaji.

"Stay back, Kaji." Sanjo said as she withdrew her OniChanger.

"Oh please, you are not the only one who fought these things." Kaiji retorted, holding up his fists. "Do not forget, I was the one chosen for your Fukumen."

Sanjo glanced at Kaji, and then immediately to the ground. "Ningen Chant." She muttered, regaining her focus. "OniChange!"

In a flash of blue light, Sanjo was transformed into OniBlue. She ran jumped towards the Kurayami alongside her brother, who had withdrawn a slender quarter staff from within his cloak.

***

"Ah Mou," Eiji cried to Hideo as they continued their search. So far they had visited the few places they had visited with Sanjo, mostly previous battlefields and the train station. "There's nowhere else she would know to go." Eiji slumped down on the stairs leading to the station with a sigh in his voice.

"We've been looking for hours now." Hideo said. "She's probably found her way back to the museum. Give Gin a call and see if he's seen her."

As if on cue, Hideo's own cell phone began to ring.

"You're getting good at that." Eiji said with a smile.

"Shut up." Hideo retorted as he answered the phone. "Gin, have you seen Sanjo?"

"No," Gin replied. "But I can probably guess where she is." He was standing in the basement room, staring down at the remains of Sanjo's crystal ball, which were glowing blue. Within the shards, faint images of OniBlue could be seen, fighting the Kagedorōn.

***

OniBlue and Kaji swung their staves high as they fought their way through the remaining Kagedorōn. "So they can assume a physical form again, huh?" Kaji pondered as he smacked one of the Kagedorōn's heads with the base of his staff.

"It is a long story." Sanjo replied as she sent a wave of blue magic towards the same Kagedorōn, obliterating it. "I will explain later."

"So you're convinced it is me then?" Kaji asked with a smirk as the two of them struck the remaining Kagedorōn with their staves, sending it to the ground. "Good, because I have questions."

The two watched as the bodies of the Kagedorōn faded into a black mist, seeping back into the shadows. "The Kagedorōn are attacking, the Kurayami are starting to rise, and you are no longer sealed away." Is there anything you'd like to explain, Sanjo?"

OniBlue reached for her mask and pulled it away from her face. The mask and her OniRanger uniform dissolved in a soft, blue light. Sanjo's eyes were watering up as she stared at her brother. "I-I messed everything up, Kaji." She said, breaking down into tears.

For the next fifteen minutes, Sanjo and Kaji sat by the pond while she explain the story of everything that had happened to her since she was freed from the statue. She told him about how the Kurayami appeared and stole the mask of the Kurayami's master, and how she scattered the remaining masks to keep the Kurayami from releasing their strongest Oni.

"It is my entire fault." Sanjo said. She was resting her head on her brother's shoulder as tears slowly fell from her eyes. "I did not think it through enough, and now we have no power to fight what is coming."

"Hey hey hey," Kaji said, wrapping his arm around his sister's shoulder. "It is okay. The masks will turn up eventually. You said one already did."

"And it nearly cost Hideo and Eiji's lives." Sanjo exclaimed. "They don't fully understand the danger they are in, and I am forcing it upon them."

"Sanjo!" Hideo called out. The two boys finally arrived to the park. They both stood there, shocked by what they were seeing."

"Hideo..." Sanjo said, wearily. "And Eiji..."

"Sanjo, get away!" Eiji cried out. The two boys withdrew their OniChangers.

"Guys, what are you doing?" Sanjo said. "This is my brother, Kaji. He's alive."

Kaji still held her against his shoulder. He glared at the two boys, as if angered by their arrival. "So these are the two boys claiming to be Ningen Warriors?"

"Sanjo, we said get away from their!" Hideo roared. He glanced at Eiji, who had a frightened look on his face. Hideo knew why, but for some reason Sanjo did not. For they could not see Kaji sitting next to Sanjo. All they could see was a slimy, black, Kurayami.

"Sanjo is mine!" The Kurayami roared from what barely passed as a head. The only distinguishing feature of the monster was a partial mask between its shoulders. Its arms were like thick, slimy logs, one of which was tightly wrapped around Sanjo.

"Guys, what's the matter?" She said, oblivious to the slime stuck to her face and hair.

---To Be Continued

[GrandOniSavage]

Keep it up!

[Kaji Motomiya]

I helped Buno make the plot for this and the next chapter. Personally, I'm excited to see how well Buno will make this. We were discussing it when we tried to figure a Sanjo-focus chapter.

[GrandOniSavage]

That explain's why the brother is named Kaji It's a good story though

It's going to be so long before we can introduce OniSavage and my story!

[Kaji Motomiya]

I know. I was severely flattered when I read that the brother's name is Kaji.

[SuperOniBlue]

Aww!

On that note - I am suffering from writers block again! x.X

[SuperOniBlue]

The Leech Kurayami let out a laugh as he watched the OniRangers tremble with anger. It still held Sanjo tightly against its slimy body. The young girl was now asleep, with her body covered in the Kurayami’s sticky slime.

OniRed and OniYellow charged towards the Leech Kurayami, removing their YuraYura Kanabou from their belts. Before they could get close, a cluster of Kagedorōn swarmed them, wrapping around the OniRangers with their shadowy tendrils, and blocking the boys from rescuing Sanjo.

“Don’t you get it?”The ugly, black monster spoke. “Sanjo is staying with me! As long as she thinks I’m her brother she will never leave my side.”

“But why!” OniRed said as he tried to break free from the Kagedorōn’s grasp.

“You know what? I’m in a caring mood today so I’m actually going to tell you!” The Kurayami boasted. “She’s going to be my supper!”

The Kurayami’s stomach tore open, revealing a circular mouth with several sharp teeth. The monster brought Sanjo close, piercing her back with its many fangs. Its stomach closed up again, exposing only Sanjo’s slime covered head.

“Sanjo!” OniYellow roared. “You bastard!” The yellow warrior’s mask flashed yellow. Using the mask’s incredible strength, Eiji ripped through the Kagedorōn that surrounded him.

“Eiji don’t!” OniRed cried out as he struggled to get loose. “It’s just going to get you too!”

“Like hell it will!” OniYellow snapped back. His Strong Hammer appeared in a flash of light as he jumped high into the air.

“Now, now, Eiji.” The Leech Kurayami said softly. “Is that any way to treat me?”

OniYellow gasped as he fell closer to the monster. He watched as the creature faded away, letting an older woman take its place.

“No!” OniYellow said, dropping his Hammer before he landed in front of the woman. Eiji stood silent with trembling legs.

“That’s better.” The woman said softly as she opened her arms wide. “Now...DIE!” The woman’s arms extended, flying towards the immobilized OniYellow. By the time Eiji could shake off whatever spell he was under, the monster’s thick black tentacles slammed against his chest. The yellow warrior was knocked back, landing several feet away from OniRed.

“Eiji!”OniRed yelled at his fallen comrade. “That does it!”

OniRed’s mask flashed in a small burst of red light as his Skilled Sword appeared in his hand. Using his mask’s gift of Skill, He flicked his sword up into the air. The small blade fell back to the ground, slicing through the Kagedorōn’s grip.

With a spin, OniRed sliced through the shadowy monsters that surrounded him. Each one fell to the ground, exploding into puffs of black smoke.

“Kuma Fukumen!” OniRed commanded. With a wave of his hand, Hideo’s red mask dissolved in a red glow. The glow faded into an orange hue as OniRed donned the Kumo Fukumen, adorned with a large spider on its forehead.

“Spider Shot!” OniRed called out as his orange shotgun – designed very much like a large spider, appeared in his hands.

“Go ahead and shoot!” The Leech Kurayami challenged. “But what if you hit Sanjo?”

Hideo hesitated for a moment. His finger lightly tapped against the gun’s trigger as he tried to figure out his options.

“Good boy.”The monster said. “I hate it when my dinner get’s burned.” The monster’s slimy arm rubbed over Sajno’s head. “I like my humans fresh.”

“You sick bastard.” Hideo said, not taking his aim off of the Kurayami. “Why does Sanjo think you’re her brother? What did you do to Eiji to make him stop his attack?

“Too many questions.” The Kurayami complained. “I don’t like think too much on an empty stomach. I’ll tell you all you want after I’ve eaten your friend here. In fact, why not make this a little fun.”

“I’m not playing any of your games, Kurayami!” Hideo yelled back. “Just let her go!”

“Sorry, can’t do that. Once I’ve sunk my teeth in her she can never leave my body.” The Kurayami laughed. “That is, not until I’ve drained of every last bit of energy she has left.”

“You have six hours.” The monster continued. “That’s about how long I’d say she has left before she dies. Let’s see if you can find me before then. I’ll even give you a hint – humans can’t pass into the Shadow World.”

The monster let out a laugh as the defeated Kagedorōn spun around him in a twister of black smoke. Within seconds, both the smoke and the Kurayami were gone.

OniRed helplessly stared at the spot the Kurayami once stood, his gun still held high. “Damn it.” He cursed under his breath as he ran towards OniYellow.

The yellow barbarian was sprawled out on his back. His torso was covered in the Kurayami’s slime. “Let’s get you back.” Hideo said as his OniRanger attire dissolved in a soft glow.

<><><><><>

The cloud of black smoke reappeared in a large, empty building. Sanjo’s, still unconscious, protruded from its torso, her head was all that was visible. “Oh wow, she’s defiantly a lot tastier than I thought she would be.” It said, flopping down on a crate. “I’m going to enjoy this one.”

“You’re disgusting.” Kibala said as she stepped out of the shadows. “You do know that, don’t you?”

“Heh. You’re one to talk, Kibala.” The Leech Kurayami mocked. “I’ve seen what you used to look like.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Kibala retorted. “Now, hand over her mask.”

“Sorry, no can do.” The Kurayami said, patting its stomach. “Like I told her friends, I can’t open up again until she’s dust.”

“Fantastic.” Kibala sarcastically moaned as she sat on another crate. “I guess he knew that when he ordered me here.” The cloaked woman let out a sigh. “Can’t you drain her any faster?”

“It’s not up to me, sorry.” The Kurayami said. “She’s under the effects of my hallucinogenic slime. Her mind is being rushed will every negative emotion in her life. The more sorrow she feels, the weaker her body gets. I estimated six hours, which compared to most humans I’ve eaten is a very long time. She has plenty of negative energy to feed on.”

<><><><><>

Eiji’s eyes slowly opened. His vision was blurry, but he could defiantly make out the ceiling of the museums underground room. After a few seconds he remembered what happened. “Sanjo?!” He cried out as he jumped from the couch.

Gin ran into the room. “Eiji, you’re awake. That proves a lot of theories.” A large smile grew on his face

“Gin, Where’s Sanjo?” Eiji snapped. “Please say we got her.”

Gin’s smile disappeared. “No, I’m sorry.” He replied. “Hideo had me pick you up right after the battle. He didn’t say much, except that a Kurayami took Sanjo.”

Eiji thought back to what the Kurayami had transformed into. “No, Gin. I think it’s much worse than that.”

<><><><><>

“Sanjo!” Kaji yelled out. He was sitting in a small hut cooking from a small pot on an open fire. “Ningen no Sanjo, get in here!”

A small child entered the hut, a girl no more than six years old. She was wearing a fresh, blue kimono and her hair was done up in a neat bun. “Brother, look!” She said giggling as she twirled around.

“My my, what a proper lady.” Kaji said with a smile. “All ready for the festival then?”

Sanjo nodded. “Yup, Miss Kaze did my hair and she said she would do my make-up once she’s finished forcing Kizoku into his formal clothes!”

“Well, eat some dinner before that,” Kaji said. “And try not to get any on your clothes. It took me forever to make.”

“Okay!” The young Sanjo said as she sat down next to her brother as they enjoyed their meal.

An older Sanjo watched the two from across the hut. The others did not seem to notice she was there. “This is...” She muttered, focusing her gaze on the huts entrance.

Two elderly men entered the hut. Their robes, which had once been a vibrant white, were now stained with dirt and blood their faces were obscured with the Red and Yellow Fukumen respectively.

“Elder Shaman,” Kaji said as he quickly stood up, nearly spilling his stew as he did so. “Please, make yourselves at home, would you like some stew.”

“Kaji.” The red masked man interrupted. “Perhaps we should speak outside.”

Kaji glanced back at his little sister. “Very well.” He said, following the two men out of the hut.

Sanjo watched as her younger counterpart crept towards the entrance, eavesdropping on the adult’s conversation.

“I remember this part...” She whispered to herself. “This is the day my parents died.”

In a flash, Sanjo was standing out in a small field in front of her stood a small group of people.

“The funeral...” Sanjo said again. “No, do not make me remember that....” She cried out, closing her eyes tightly. When she opened them again she was standing right in front of two wooden caskets, forced to relive that devastating moment.

The funeral had ended. The young Sanjo stood over the freshly buried graves of her parents. She was wearing the same blue kimono – once meant to be a party dress and now a dress of mourning.

Kaji approached the grave, placing his hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Come on.” He said softly. “Let us go home.”

“Kaji” The older Sanjo called out to her brother as she watched him lift her younger self into his arms. After that, everything went dark.

<><><><><>

Gin sat at his small workbench, holding a vial in his hand. Across from him, Eiji paced back and forth around the room.

“This is some of the Kurayami’s slime I extracted from your clothes.” He said to Eiji calmly. “While you were unconscious I sent some off to one of my father’s labs to be analysed.”

“How can you be thinking of science at a time like this?” Eiji exclaimed. “We should be out there with Hideo looking for Sanjo.”

“Not until I know you are no longer under the Kurayami’s spell.” Gin said, opening the bottle of slime.

“Spell, what spell?” Eiji stammered.

“Well, from what you’ve told me, Sanjo thinks a large slimy monster is her brother.” Gin explained. “You also hesitated attacking it so it must have played a similar trick on you.”

Eiji sat down on the couch, thinking back to the woman he saw. “Yeah, and it doesn’t mind playing dirty either.” The boy clenched his fists. Hr couldn’t help but feel useless. “How long do you plan on keeping me here?”

“Oh, I say another hour.” Gin said, picking up a chart from his desk. “Your blood work was clean but I still think you’re a little fidgety.”

“How much time does Sanjo have left?” Eiji asked.

“Four hours.” Gin stated. He stood there silent for a moment before walking towards the elevator. “I’m going to call Hideo and get an update. Try to keep yourself busy.” Gin turned back to face Eiji. “We’re going to get her back.”

Eiji sighed as he watched Gin disappear in the elevator. He sat down next to Gin’s workbench and picked up the vial of slime. “Gross.” He mumbled before tossing it aside. He glanced around the desk, finally resting his eyes on the remains of Sanjo’s crystal ball.

“I really am an idiot.” He said outloud.

<><><><><><><>

“You are going to have to stay with Miss Kaze for a while.” Kaji said. The younger Sanjo had aged a few years and did not look to happy with Kaji right now.

“Ten years old.” The older Sanjo said as she walked around what was once her small home.

“No!” The younger Sajno cried. Tears were already streaming down her face.

“The Shamans chose me to take over father’s duties.” Kaji said as he packed his things. “They have found another Kurayami-Taii and they need me to help them seal it into another mask.” Kaji reached into his pouch and pulled out the Blue Fukumen. “We only have five so far, even after all of these years. The Oni are advancing quickly – I need to do my part.”

The young Sanjo was silent for a long time. Her older counterpart could remember exactly what she was thinking back then.

“You are just going to die like our parents.” Sanjo said as she cried softly. “You can’t abandon me too!” She shouted at Kaji before running out of the hut.

Almost immediately, Sanjo was standing by a small river. She watched as her younger self ran towards it, still crying.

“Stupid Kaji.” The young Sanjo whimpered as she sat down alongside the riverbank. “W-Why can’t he just stay...”

The older Sanjo sat down beside her younger self. This had always been her favorite spot as a child, but had long since been paved over by Hikarienma.

Something floated down the river that caught both Sanjos’ attention. Several paper origami creatures bobbed across the water, never sinking of dissolving in the water.

The young Sanjo turned her head to see her brother standing there, dropping them in the water.

“You always come here to cry,” Kaji said softly, “Ever since our parents died.” He smiled a little. “It was mother that showed me how to make these. She was going to teach you too when you were old enough.”

Before Sanjo could say a word Kaji walked up to her. He once again removed the Blue Fukumen from his pouch. “I am going to teach you how to do that, because that is what mother would have done to make you happy. That’s why I have to fight, because that is what father would have done to keep you safe.”

Kaji extended his free hand to his sister. “So I have no choice but to come back alive, because I have to teach you origami for our mother.”

Sanjo stared up at her older brother. “Kaji...you idiot.” She said as a smile grew on her face. The young girl grabbed her brother’s hand and the two walked off down the river, following the origami creatures that floated down the bank.

The older Sanjo sat there, watching the two walk away. “Kaji...” She wimpered. “You liar....”

<><><><><>

The Leech Kurayami let out a mighty burp. “Woah!” It said, rubbing its stomach. “That was a good one.”

Kibala groaned as she stretched out along the crate. “It’s been three hours!” She complained. “I could be out searching for the Catalyst right now.”

“The Catalyst?” The Kurayami laughed. “You don’t know what this mission is do you?”

“What do you mean, worm?” Kibala snapped, sitting upright.

“Oh, do tell.” Hideo called out from the warehouse door. “I love history lessons.”

“The Ningen pup keeps barking for more?” Kibala chuckled. “You came at a bad time, boy. I’m ever so bored.”

“Sorry, I don’t have time to entertain you, Kibala.” Hideo said as he raised his OniChanger.

“Ningen Chant, OniChange!” Hideo exclaimed. His body was draped in a glow of red light as he transformed into OniRed.

“Heh. Let me take care of this one.” The Leech said. “He won’t be able to raise a fist against me.”

“We’ll see.” OniRed said as he withdrew his YuraYura Kanabou.

<><><><><>

The ten year old Sanjo watched in horror as Kaji’s body was carried back into the streets by several men in robes. Kaji’s white garments were torn to shreds and soaked in blood. Sanjo knew right away that Kaji was dead.

The elder Sanjo looked away, unable to watch the same sight a second time. When she turned around she was back in the hut, where the young Sanjo now sat with the red masked shaman.

“The Kurayami were expecting our attack.” The man explained to the young Sanjo. “We would all have died if your brother had not used his magic in time.”

The young Sanjo sat there in silence for a long time. “Did you get the Kurayami?” She finally asked.

“Unfortunately, no.” The man replied. “By the time we cleared through the Kagedorōn and a few higher class-Oni, the Taii had already vanished.”

“Then my brother died for nothing?” Sanjo asked again.

“Your brother died protecting four other men.” The man replied as he stood up. “He is a hero, Sanjo. Just like your parents. They died defending our people. You are too young to understand now but one day you will.”

The older Sanjo wiped the tears away from her eyes. “I lost everything I was that day.” She said to herself as she watched the hut fade away, replaced by the field once again.

She was alone. No illusions of her former self. No Kaji. Instead her only companions were countless gravestones. Three stuck out – her parents and her brother. A thousand years later even their bones will have disappeared along with the rest of the Ningen tribe.

“The Kurayami live and yet I have nothing.” Sanjo yelled. “Why did you abandon me!? Why was I the one that got to survive?!”

<><><><><>

OniRed jumped around the Leeches tentacles as the monster swung wildly at the red warrior. “Why!” The monster roared. “Why aren’t you hesitating?!”

“Sorry, Slime-Ball, I guess I’m too well adjusted for your tricks.” OniRed mocked. “Let’s see how you do against mine?”

The OniRanger’s Skilled Sword appeared in his free hand as he jumped over another one of the monster’s attacks. “I’m getting Sanjo no matter what.”

“Hah, free Sanjo now and she’s as good as dead.” The Leech Kurayami laughed. “She has less than a couple of hours now. It’s all downhill for her from here.”

“You liar!” Eiji roared as he ran into the warehouse. In a fit of anger, Eiji tossed something at the monster, smacking it in its eye.

“Ah!” The creature said, stammering. “What the hell?” The monster looked down at what had struck him – a large can of glue.

“Glue?” The creature asked. “Where the hell did you get that?”

“I’ve been busy.” Eiji said. “I had a lot of time to kill before Gin would let me leave.” Eiji raised his OniChanger. “We also took the time to figure out your little trick.” In a flash of yellow light Eiji was transformed into OniYellow.

“Hideo,” OniYellow called out. “Go ahead and gut this guy open.”

“My fangs have already bitten her.” The monster demanded We’re connected until she’s drained dry.”

“Except it’s not your fangs is it?” Gin called out as he followed Eiji into the room. “It’s that slime you are so proud of.”

“The slime?” Hideo repeated. He immediately checked himself for any traces of the goo that landed on his body. So far he was clean.

“Somehow, the slime affects the memory centers of the brain, causing bad memories.” Gin continued. “I’m guess that smell is what makes us hallucinate that he’s somebody else.” Gin clenched his fists. “For example right now all I can see is my father. I know it’s not him, in my heart I know it’s not him, but my mind is trying to tell me different.”

“The slime that covered my tunic had absorbed traces of my mask’s energy. I didn’t feel any of the effects because I was transformed at the time. If that slime was still touching the Kurayami I would have probably ended up like Sanjo.”

“So you’ve been lying to me this whole time?!” Kibala roared at the Leech Kurayami. “At least I never fell for your other tricks.

“It was enough to keep you all amused.” The Kurayami said. “Good job to all of you, but you are still so very wrong.”

The Kurayami’s body began to dissolve, transforming into a shapeless cloud of darkness. Sanjo floated in the cloud as it began to take another shape, forming along white cloak. Inside the cloak was a figure wearing a blank, white mask. In one hand, he held a slender quarter-staff. In the other, he held Sanjo over his shoulder, now clean of the slime.

“Impossible.” Kibala roared.”What are you?”

“That’s a heavy question.” The man said. “Let’s just say I’m your side this time, Kibala.”

“You, let Sanjo go now!” Eiji roared as he reached for his Kanabou.

“Sure, here. I’m done with her anyway.” The man said as he lifted the girl up with his free hand. With incredible strength, the man threw the Sanjo towards OniYellow, who caught her just before she hit the ground. “I got all I needed.”

“B-But what about the plan?” Kibala stammered, utterly confused.

“You don’t know the plan.” The man said again. “But three Ningen in one room isn’t too bad either. I think you’ve all had enough confusion for one day, so I’ll just leave with this little gift.” The man snapped his fingers, and disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

“A gift?” OniRed asked out loud. Seconds later the ground began to shake. The roof of the building was torn off by a giant Kagedorōn.

Kibala began to laugh. “I see. So that’s who it is.” The woman turned to the OniRangers. “Good luck.” She said sarcastically as she faded into the shadows.

“Eiji, Gin, get Sanjo to safety.” OniRed said. “I should be able to take care of this guy.”

“But Hideo...” OniYellow protested.

“You’ve got an apology to make.” OniRed demanded. “We can’t have you accidently getting killed before you do.”

OniRed ran a few steps before jumping into the air. “Oni Dai Henge!” He cried out as he transformed into the large, Red OniTitan.

The titan stood over the city, facing the large Kagedorōn. Four more rose up from the shadows, surrounding Hideo. “You’ll need more back-up than that.” The titan said.

The circular hole in the Titan’s chest began to glow orange. “Fukumen Spider!” He called out. The orange light flew from the titan’s chest, floating up into the air.

The light began to take shape, forming the large, almost mechanical-like spider. The Fukumen Spider jumped towards the Kagedorōn in front of them. The spider wrapped its legs around the shadow creature, snapping at it with its fangs.

Hideo jumped towards another Kagedoron, kicking it in the chest. Moving in total synchronization, the titan and the spider threw their targets into the air, smashing them into each other.

“Kage Gekitai!” The Red Titan roared. Its golden mask slammed its self over his metallic face as a beam of red energy fired from his chest. The beam struck the two shadow monsters as they fell, destroying them instantly.

“And for you three, Ningen Gattai!” Hideo called out as he jumped into the air. The Fukumen Spider broke apart, its pieces flying towards the Red Titan.

Donning its new armor, the Kumo OniTitan watched as the three Kagedoron charged towards him. “Kumo Gattaling!” He cried out. From the tips of the spider-s legs, which hung from the tians back, began to fire a follow of lasers from their tips. Hideo spun around, making sure each Kagedorōn got its share.

The monsters fell, exploding in a wave of black smoke. The titan watched as Gin’s van drove down the streets, carrying Eiji and the unconscious Sanjo. “We got away to easy.” He said, watching as the sun began to set.

<><><><><>

Sanjo’s eyes finally opened. She was in her bed, dressed in a light blue night gown. She sat up and looked around the tiny bedroom. Had it all been some weird dream?

“Good, you’re up.” Hideo said as he entered the room. “You had us worried.”

“Kaji!” Sanjo exclaimed, looking around the room. “Where...”

Hideo raised his hand to interrupt Sanjo. “We’ve got a lot to talk about once your well. For now let’s just say we’re glad you’re okay.”

Eiji stepped into the room. “Sanjo...” he said, keeping his eyes to the ground.

“Oh yeah, and Eiji has something to say.” Hideo said, slapping Eiji on the back. “Gin said there was something he wanted to show me, so I’ll just leave you two alone.”

“You’re a pal...” Eiji said, glaring as Hideo as he walked away.

He turned to Sanjo, who was staring at him with cold eyes.”Sanjo...” Eiji stammered, trying to find the right words. “I’m sorry!” He yelled, bowing as low as he could. “And...” He continued, standing up straight. “...here.” He said, reaching into his pocket.

Sanjo’s eyes looked down at the crystal ball Eiji held in his palm. The shattered pieces had been put back together with pale yellow glue. Several small pieces were still missing. “I know it’s not perfect, but it was the least I could do.”

“Sanjo, I’m not going to ask what that Kurayami put you through.” Eiji said. Once again he recalled the woman that the monster had transformed into to keep him from attacking. “I just want you to know that you have family here, and you have friends.

Sanjo stared silently as Eiji for a long time before finally breaking out in laughter. “Eiji you really are an idiot.” She said softly. She placed her palm over the ball in Eiji’s hand, enveloping in with a soft blue glow of light. When Sanjo moved her hand away, the crystal ball was restored to its former beauty. “But you are a very sweet idiot. I am glad to call you family.”

Gin and Hideo stood outside the room, pressed against the wall, and eavesdropping on the conversation. “Finally, there might be some peace and quiet around here.” Gin whispered.

---Fin

<><><><><>

[SuperOniBlue]

Episode Eleven - Hokkaido's Web

“Ah Mou! It’s too hot!” Eiji complained. He was stepping off a small aeroplane along with Hideo, and Gin. The four were standing outside a tiny airport in the middle of a large, desert wasteland.

“Stop complaining.” Hideo said with a hit of annoyance in his voice. “It was bad enough listening to you snore the whole ride here. Only you could be annoying when you’re awake and asleep.”

“Both of you stop shouting.” Gin said, grabbing the two boys by the shoulder. He was dressed not unlike Indiana Jones, with a “Someone go help Sanjo, she’s still in the bathroom.”

Sanjo tightly hugged the toilet in the small bathroom compartment of the aircraft. Her first time flying was not a very enjoyable one.

After dragging Sanjo out of the plane, the four were escorted into the airports tiny building. It was sparsely furnished and, besides the group, was empty.

“Welcome to the Monte Desert!” Gin said, beaming. “The other side of the world. Of all the places for a Fukumen to appear, this certainly is a good place to pick.”

“Indeed.” Sanjo agreed. “We are well outside the boundary. I doubt we will encounter a Kurayami here.”

“Then I don’t know why I needed to come” Hideo said. “I have my other mask already. We’re missing school because of this - again.”

“Only you could ruin a vacation like this, Hideo.” Eiji sighed. “Now let’s try and get some service here.”

<><><>

“I can’t believe it.” Ohjah grumbled as he paced up and down the aisles of the dark castle’s’ main chamber. “The Ningen are on their way to another mask and all the old man thinks about is obtaining the Catalyst.”

“It’s not like we can do anything else, Ohjah.” Kibala said. She was stretched out along her master’s throne, gently caressing the black and red mask that held her lord. “We can’t get anywhere near that wretched mask because of the Ningen barrier. If he wants to go out searching for it on his own, so be it.”

“There must be some way,” Ohjah hissed, “A way to get them before they find it. We can’t let them get any stronger.”

“Well then, perhaps I can help.” A voice said with a chuckle. From the open doorway, the cloaked figure entered the room.

“You!” Ohjah hissed. “How dare you enter our lord’s chamber?” With a flick of his arm, Ohjah flung his sword at the man. The sword’s handle uncoiled from Ohjah’s arm like a snake as the sword grew closer to the figure.

The man calmly took a step to the right, letting the sword pass by him; which them dug itself in to the doorframe.

“Oh please.” The man said. “You’re just upset because you fell for my little magic trick.” With a soft glow the man transformed into the Leech Kurayami and back again. “Although I must say I don’t care much for the slime.”

“Who are you?” Kibala asked, removing herself from the throne. “How you were able to incapacitate that pest Sanjo and knock her pets down easily.”

“A magician never reveals his tricks, my dear.” The man said. “But for now, you may refer to me as Kasei, simply Kasei.” Kasei walked closer towards the throne, pushing past the two cloaked Kurayami. With complete disregard, he sat down in the large, black chair.

“Have you come here simply to gloat or do you have an agenda?” Ohjah asked as he ripped his sword from the wall.

“I think it’s pretty obvious.” Kasei replied. “The Ningen are outside the barrier, so is the Fukumen. I’m here to help you.” The white garbed man stood up from the throne, straightening his robe as he did so. “I’ll go there myself.”

“Are you saying that you can leave this area?” Kibala said, unconvinced. “Just what are you anyway?”

“Like I said,” Kasei boasted as he walked back down the aisle. “I’m not about to reveal my tricks to you.” With a wave, Kasei left the throne room leaving Kibala and Ohjah in a stunned silence.

<><><>

Hideo, Eiji, Sanjo, and Gin walked across the rocky desert; all of them dressed in beige shirts and shorts. Hideo and Eiji were keeping their heads safe with baseball caps while Gin had opted for the traditional safari hat. Sanjo protected both her head and her face with what resembled Moroccan shesh that she conjured up using her magic.

“Gin, how far did you say this cave was anyway?” Hideo asked. He was frustratingly trying to bend the beak of his cap into a suitable shape.

“About we should be nearly there but the place is going to be swarming with archeologists.” Gin replied. “A cave that appeared out of nowhere defiantly caught some attention. It certainly got mine.”

“It does indeed sound like magic.” Sanjo stated. “We must be careful not to let anyone get hurt.”

“Like you said, Sanjo.” Eiji said as he twisted his cap backward. “There are no Kurayami here; we are safe to do as we please. For once everything is on our side.”

The group walked up to a small cliff. Below them, they could see the cave. Amongst the grey and brown rocks that naturally stuck up from the ground, the cave stood out against them all. Composed of dark green, quartz-like material; it certainly did catch the attention of many people.

About a dozen or so archeologists had set up camp outside the cave. Large tents were scattered along the ground, some for shelter and some for research.

“Look at the logo on the side of those tents.” Gin explained. “They are part of a research team from Kyoto. As soon as I heard they were coming I knew I had to follow.”

“How are we going to get in there?” Eiji whispered to Hideo “I doubt they are going to let a bunch of teens stroll into the cave with an eccentric millionaire.”

“You would be surprised what kind of perks being an eccentric millionaire can be.” Gin replied with a smile, clearly still able to hear Eiji. “Come on.”

The three teens exchanged glances before following Gin closer to the site.

As they entered the camp, they were immediately stopped by an old man in a dusty lab coat. “Hey you four,” he exclaimed. “You can’t be here!”

“It’s okay.” Gin replied. He withdrew his wallet and pulled out an ID card. “I’m Doctor Izumi Gin from the Hikari Museum and these three are my interns.”

Hideo, Eiji, and Sanjo once again exchanged looks.

“We’re here to take a look at the cave.” Gin continued

“Sorry, Doctor Izumi.” The man said, sounding slightly unconvinced. “But you’re wasting your time. The cave only goes in a few yards before it cuts off. Not much to see.”

“A cave shows up in the middle of nowhere and there’s nothing to see?” Hideo said, bluntly.

“Your intern should learn to watch what he says.” The man grunted. “We want to study it but we can’t. Nothing we have here can break through that rock.”

“See, now that sounds like something worth seeing.” Gin insisted.

The man sighed. “Fine, we are packing up to leave anyway. The only one left in there is Professor Hokkaido. She’s just as stubborn as you are.”

“Professor Hokkaido? As in Tomoko Hokkaido?” Gin enthusiastically repeated.

Gin turned to face the others as the man walked away. “This might be easier than we thought.” He boasted. “Hokkaido used to be part of my father’s research team. She helped dig up a lot of the Ningen artifacts that are in the museum.”

The group entered the cave. True to what they were told, it didn’t go very far in. The lights that the research team had set up were illuminating the rock, giving the cave an eerie green glow as it reflected off its quartz-like surface.

Crouched down in front of the back wall, a woman was vigorously banging against the stone with a small pick. Her increasing frustration made it clear that she was making no progress whatsoever. Scattered around her were several more picks, all broken in some form or another.

“I told you, I’m not leaving yet.” Tomoko stated bluntly as she banged away on the rocks.

“Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere.” Gin called out. “Not until I’ve said hello.”

The woman stopped her work and turned around. “Gin?” Her frustrated expression quickly changed into a wide grin.

<><><>

By the time night had fallen, the camp had been evacuated. The only people that remained in the tent were Hideo, Gin, and Tomoko. The young teen watched silently Gin and Tomoko reminisced about their past.

“But enough about me.” Gin continued, “What have you digging yourself into in the past few years?”

“The same as the last time we met.” Tomoko replied. “Trying to solve the mysteries that no one else cared about, just like your father taught us. Like that cave for example”

“Well don’t worry.” Hideo stepped in. “Sanjo is an expert in this sort of stuff.”

“Honey,” Tomoko interjected. “I think I’ve been doing this sort of thing a little longer than she has.

Hideo tried his best not to smirk as he sipped on his coffee. He wasn’t sure if telling Tomoko about Sanjo’s millennia of sleep would be a good idea.

<><><>

“Any luck yet?” Eiji asked. He was leaning against the entrance of the cave, watching as Sanjo walked across the small room.

“Indeed.” Sanjo replied. “I sensed it as soon as we approached; this is Demonstone.”

“Demonstone?” Eiji repeated. “’I think I slept through that class.”

“It is the material my people used in the construction of the Fukumen.” Sanjo explained. “We used it to tune our Ningen Chants into Oni Chants to seal the Kurayami into the masks. We could only mine it using powerful spells. I am not even sure I can cut it myself.”

“That explains why no one could get a sample.”Eiji said as he walked deeper into the small cave.

“True. However I have read every book in Gin’s library since I awoke. As far as I can tell there is no more Demonstone on Earth. This can only be the result of a Fukumen appearing in the area.”

“Great.” Eiji moaned. “So we’re practically on top of the thing and we can’t even get it.”

“Well then I guess you won’t mind if I take it then.” Kasei said calmly as he stepped into the cave. “Then again, I’m not really leaving you with much choice am I?”

“You...” Sanjo muttered. Her mind raced as she thought back to the man’s tricks.

“You bastard.” Eiji cursed. “So cocky you won’t even disguise yourself this time?”

“Nah, I’m done with that lame parlour trick” Kasei replied. “This time I’m here on business.”

“Too bad!” Eiji shouted as he ran towards the white robed man. In a bright yellow flash, the yellow OniRanger transformed. Wielding the large StrongHammer and his mighty strength, OniYellow smashed into Kasei, knocking them both out of the cave.

Hideo and Gin leapt out of their tent in time to watch Kasei and Eiji roll into the camp. Sanjo followed, joining the rest of the group. “This is impossible.” Sanjo said. “A Kurayami cannot be this far outside.”

“Just another mystery to solve.” Hideo replied. “Gin, get the Professor out of here.”

Hideo and Sanjo stood side by side, withdrawing their OniChangers from their pockets. “Ningen Chant!” They simultaneously shouted. “Oni Change!”

Lights of red and blue flew from the OniChangers, enveloping the Ningens’ faces. In a flash they were transformed into their OniRanger forms.

By this time, Kasei had regained his composure and was easily dodging the rest of OniYellow’s swings.

“Oh please, don’t stop.” Kasei laughed. “You’re actually giving me a nice breeze in this humid air.”

“Then perhaps you will like this cool down.” Sanjo called out. “Mystic Staff!”

OniBlue’s staff appeared in her hands. She spun it wildly as she jumped into the air.

“Ningen Chant: Reifubuki!” She yelled out as she floated over Kasei. With a swing of her staff, launched a tundra of magical snow towards him.

OniYellow jumped back just in time to watch the snow crash onto Kasei. The drift exploded as the robed man jumped towards OniBlue.

“SpiderShot!” OniRed shouted as his Kumo Fukumen appeared on his helmet. The spider-shaped shotgun appeared in his hand. He aimed towards Kasei and fired a blast of orange energy towards him.

“Oni Chant!” Kasei yelled. “Amakage!”Infront of him, a black portal opened up, swallowing OniRed’s attack. At the same time he grabbed OniBlue’s staff as she fell closer towards him. Kasei pulled her out of the air, sending her crashing into OniRed. In that exact same moment, another portal opened behind OniYellow, sending the orange blast of energy towards him. The blast struck him in the back, knocking him down into the group.

“Pathetic.” Kasei said as he landed softly onto the ground. “And to think the others have been having so much trouble with you. This is going to be easier than I thought.”

Kasei turned his back on the OniRangers and headed back towards the cave. Gin and Tomoko were standing there, watching in horror.

“Tomoko...” Gin whimpered, “Let’s go!”

“No!” Tomoko stated bluntly. “I’m not leaving my research.”

“Oh don’t worry; I’m not here for that.” Kasei said, raising his hand into the air. “There’s something much more important underneath these rocks.”

“Ningen Chant: Koushōji” OniBlue called out. A square of light appeared between Kasei and Gin. OniBlue jumped out from the square, swinging the bladed tip of her staff wildly at the man.

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Kasei scoffed. Once more, he effortlessly grabbed Sanjo’s staff but this time he held a kept a tight grasp. “Your Ningen magic is nowhere near as powerful as my Oni magic, even with your Fukumen of Will.”

“You are able to perform Oni Chants developed by my people.” Sanjo observed. “The Kurayami’s magic is twisted and unrefined, just like they are. That is why their souls have fallen into the shadows.”

“Very nice,” Kasei complemented, “I didn’t think you’d catch onto that so quickly.” The white cloaked man paused to watch the remaining OniRangers catch up to the group. “Then I guess I am out of time.”

Kasei tossed Sanjo to the ground and raised his arm once more. “Oni Chant: Jigokumon!” He shouted as he slammed his hand onto the ground. The ground began to crack at the point he struck, creating a large line in the ground.

“What’s happening?” Tomoko shouted as she jumped out of the crack’s path.

“Jigokumon!” Sanjo repeated. “He’s going to open a hole in the ground, right underneath us!”

More cracks opened in the ground, forming a small circle that surrounded the camp and the cave. The earth crumbled into pieces, collapsing in the deep hole it was creating. Gin pushed Tomoko back, keeping her outside the hole’s edge.

“Let’s see your Ningen magic get you out of this.” Kasei said as he, and the OniRangers all fell into the hole.

The ground beneath Tomoko’s feet gave way. She screamed as she slipped from Gin’s grip and tumbled into the gap.

“Tomoko!” He yelled as she disappeared into the darkness. “Hideo...Eiji...Sanjo...”

To be Continued...