Last time we witnessed the origins of Yusei Kenmochi, the man who was transformed into Batta Augment-01. Freed by Professor Midorikawa before he could be brainwashed to do Shocker's bidding, Yusei now has only one mission. Stop Shocker at all costs, how has he fared in this mission a year after his transformation?

One year had passed since the fateful day where Yusei Kenmochi had his humanity stripped from him and was turned into Batta Augment-01. In that time Yusei had begun his battle against Shocker. Staking out populated areas in major cities where companies linked to Shocker resided. Yusei as Batta-01 would intercept Shocker personnel before they could kidnap their next target. These acts of disruption led to him encountering the Anti-Shocker Alliance, an underground group composed of people who had all been negatively affected by Shocker. Yusei offered his services and quickly became a member of the resistance group, acting as their trump card against Shocker's enhanced foot soldiers.

Tokyo
The city of Tokyo was still in a level of disrepair from the disastrous Great Quake that occurred six years prior. While a decent amount of the city had pieced itself back together, there were still entire sections that were a collection of tents where people would various goods.

Walking through this slum like area was a man in a black trench coat that was completely buttoned up. Covering his messy brown hair was covered by a green beanie, over his eyes was a pair of tinted sunglasses. This oddly dressed man was none other than Yusei Kenmochi, currently investigating Tokyo's large number of disappearances. Yusei pulled out an encrypted phone that could not be monitored by any major networks.

Yusei: Twenty missing people in the last three months, while Shocker can certainly have a hand in it. From what our hackers have unearthed the Doji Group and NSWF could also be responsible for some of them.

Yusei looked over the files loaded onto his phone, reports of strange looking mechanical lifeforms, alleged sightings of armored women with blades on their arms. While all of them were certainly strange, neither fit Shocker's Augments.

Yusei: Seems the Great Quake was only the beginning of Tokyo's problems. However if the Doji Group and NSWF have been creating their own super weapons, Shocker must've taken notice by now. I should probably keeps tabs on those two companies, Shocker probably has an eye on them as well.

Yusei slipped his phone back into the pocket of his trench coat before stuffing his hands in the pockets of his coat. The Augment began walking through the slapped together marketplace, occasionally brushing shoulders with someone or getting an odd glance before ultimately being ignored. Yusei scanned his surroundings constantly, taking in all sights around him, looking for anything that was remotely out of the ordinary.

Yusei: I suppose this wouldn't exactly be a prime target for Shocker personnel. They look for people with above average physiques and or those with great intelligence. Average people aren't exactly in their wheelhouse.

Yusei let out a frustrated sigh as this was always the tedious part of the job, locating Shocker forces and waiting for them to strike.

????: No! I don't wanna go!

Yusei perked up at the sound of a little girl's scream and quickly made his way towards it. While it certainly had no connections to Shocker, Yusei wouldn't standby if a child was being abducted. Yusei rounded a corner and spotted men in black suits and a woman leading them. While he couldn't make out the woman they were restraining, she appeared to have short brown hair. He also noticed a little girl seated in the van they drove. On the side of the van was the NSWF logo.

Yusei: Child Protective Services, it's unfortunate, but I can't exactly interfere with their work.

Yusei let out a defeated sigh as he was about to turn on his heel and walk away, however something on the woman's suit caught his eye. To a normal person it would be easy to miss, but for someone with enhanced eyesight it was obvious. There on the right breast of the woman's suit jacket was a pin in the shape of an eagle with an eyeball on its torso.

Yusei's Thoughts: Shocker! So their personnel have infiltrated other companies? If they have someone in child protective services, they have an easy method of abducting people.

Yusei quickly realized that he couldn't simply ignore this. Yusei quickly turned on his heel before running back to the Cyclone. He couldn't intervene at this moment, but if he followed them back to the building they operated out of, he could easily infiltrate it and put a stop to all of this.

Nighttime
Night had fallen over Tokyo as Yusei, still dressed in his disguise, this time with a motorcycle helmet on his head rode through the streets of Tokyo. The Cyclone however was not in its armored form, but rather a less conspicuous civilian mode that better blended in with normal vehicles.

Yusei: If the intel I was given is correct, the NSWF's Child Welfare Building should be right around here.

Yusei then spotted the building in question up ahead as he quickly turned into an alleyway before shutting off the Cyclone's engine and dismounting. Yusei removed his motorcycle helmet before he slowly made his way over to the side of the building.

Yusei: They shouldn't have moved the girl yet. However why would they be after a child? Children don't make good soldiers, there's something odd going on here.

Yusei then noticed a ledge by the windows of the building, a small smirk spreading across his face. Yusei kicked off the ground, leaping high into the air before gracefully landing in the ledge of the building. Yusei slowly shimmied along the edge, before carefully peeking in through one of the windows, spotting the female agent that worked for Shocker. Yusei focused as he used his enhanced hearing to listen in on the conversation she was having on the phone.

Shocker Agent: Yes General Kumo, we have the girl in our custody. Yes we have identified her as the same infant that survived the Great Quake six years prior.

Yusei's ears perked up at that, he remembered the reports of a young woman and infant miraculously surviving the Great Quake.

Yusei's Thoughts: Why would Shocker care about a baby that survived the Great Quake? That was more a stroke of luck than a sign of resilience.

Yusei focused once again as he hoped something else would be revealed by the agent.

Shocker Agent: Yes, her mother stole a police car to pursue us and is now in police custody. However the separation from her daughter should cause it to trigger. She will then come for us, that's when we will capture her.

Yusei only grew more confused at this, why would they be interested in capturing the girl's mother?

Shocker Agent: Yes, the Witchblade will soon be in our hands. With its power it should progress our Augmentations to the next stage.

Yusei's heart nearly stopped at the mention of the Witchblade, while he knew little about the mysterious artifact, he did know it held great power. From the information hacked out of Shocker computers, they had major plans for the artifact.

Yusei's Thoughts: So that's their game, use the girl as bait, force the Witchblade to activate, then capture the mother when she comes to retrieve her daughter. Low even by Shocker's standards.

Shocker Agent: Dispose of the child once we secure the Witchblade? Understood, the last thing we need is a liability.

When Yusei heard those words he grit his teeth and clenched his fist, they intended on killing a child once she outlived her usefulness to them. Yusei quickly slipped his motorcycle helmet over his head as he unbuttoned his trenchcoat, revealing the Typhoon, its turbine began to spin as Yusei's motorcycle helmet began to transform.

Inside the Building
Inside the Welfare Building sat a little girl with short purple hair done up in twin tails and big brown eyes. She wore a white shirt with a blue top over it, a red skirt, white socks that almost reached her kneecaps, and pink shoes.

This young girl was Rihoko Amaha, one of the two survivors of the Great Quake. Rihoko sat on a chair with a downcast look on her face.

Rihoko: Mom, please come get me.....

The door to the room opened as a group of men in black suits, with black berets on their heads and strange masks over their faces entered. They all carried staffs that looked like they had high powered tasers built into both ends.

Rihoko looked at the men fearfully, they were all over the building, they never spoke and seemed to really strong. She thought she saw one of them snap a man's arm when he got physically aggressive with them. The lady that had separated her from her mom then walked in, locking at her with a smirk on her face.

Rihoko: Where's my mom? Is she okay?

Shocker Agent: Oh your mother should be joining us shortly. My associates and I have much to discuss with her.

Rihoko felt a shiver run through her spine when the woman said the word "discuss" for some reason it felt sinister.

Rihoko: W-What do you mean?

The Shocker Agent laughed mockingly at the little girl's question.

Shocker Agent: Something a child like you could never hope to understand. Just take pride in the fact you will play a part in something grand! The ushering of a new world order!

Rihoko quivered at the Shocker Agent's words, this lady was scary and weird. However the sound of a door being kicked in could be heard from down the hallway.

Shocker Agent: Combatants, investigate that noise, we don't need another angry parent ruining our operation.

The Combatants saluted before all of them marched out of the room. However a minute later a Shocker Combatant was sent flying backwards, crashing into the wall at the end of the hallway.

Shocker Agent: What in the world?

The Shocker Agent ran out of the room as Rihoko followed her, peeking her head out from around the side of the doorway. Both the Shocker Agent's and Rihoko's eyes widened as standing at the end of the hallway stood Batta-01.

Shocker Agent: Batta Augment-01, what is a traitor like you doing here?!

Batta-01: Hand over the girl and this won't have to end in violence......

The Shocker Agent cackled at the Augment's demand.

Shocker Agent: Why would I do that? This child is the perfect pawn to obtain the Witchblade, why would I hand her over to a traitor? Especially one who foolishly came here all alone?

Batta-01 remained silent as he slowly began walking towards the Shocker Agent, the remaining five Shocker Combatants readying their taser staffs.

Shocker Agent: Kill that filthy traitor!

The Shocker Combatants lunged at Batta-01 who continued to slowly walk forward. The first Combatant thrust his taser staff at the Augment, the tip crackling with electricity. Batta-01 swiftly grabbed the staff with his left hand and redirecting it to the side. Batta-01 then delivered an uppercut to the Combatant's jaw. The sounds of bones breaking could be heard as the Combatant was sent flying into the air. The Combatant slammed into the ceiling before crashing onto the ground. Two more Shocker Combatants had circled around behind Batta-01, both thrusting their taser staffs into the Augment's back.

Batta-01: To slow.....

Batta-01 ducked under the attack, both taser staffs passing over his head. Batta-01 grabbed the staffs before forcefully thrusting them back into the two Shocker Combatants. The taser staffs struck both Combatants in the torso, electricity tearing through their bodies. The two Combatants' bodies were smoking as they both collapsed backwards onto the ground. The last Two Shocker Combatants lunged at Batta-01, thrusting both their taser staffs at Batta-01. Batta-01 quickly caught the taser staff of the Combatant on his right, restraining the staff under his right elbow. Batta-01 then sidestepped the taser staff of the Combatant on his left before slamming the elbow of his left arm down on the Combatant's right arm. The snapping of bone was heard as the Combant dropped his taser staff.

Batta-01: Out of my way.....

Batta-01 then reeled back his left fist before punching the Shocker Combatant on his right. When Batta-01's fist connected with the Combatant's head, the foot soldier was sent crashing into the wall. Batta-01 dropped the taser staff before whipping around and roundhouse kicking the last Shocker Combatant in the side of the head, sending him crashing through one of the doors. The Shocker Agent looked at the Augment while Rihoko looked at him in awe.

Rihoko: He's like a superhero.

Shocker Agent: D-Do you realize you are only making Shocker your enemy! What hope do you stand against their might?!

Batta-01 locked eyes with the Shocker Agent before lunging towards her, reeling back his left fist. Batta-01 threw a punch at the Shocker Agent, only to stop his fist inches from the woman's face. The Shocker Agent's eyes rolled back in her head as she fainted from fear. Batta-01 stood up straight before letting out a sigh of relief.

Rihoko: Um....

Batta-01 stiffened as he turned to look at Rihoko, who studied him.

Batta-01: H-Hello there, I know this looks bad, but I promise these people are bad.

Batta-01 nervously crouched down, hoping to make himself come off as less intimidating to the child. However Rihoko quickly lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Batta-01, pulling him into a hug, causing the Augment to stiffen.

Rihoko: Thank you Mr. Superhero, the bad people wanted to hurt my mom.

Batta-01 hesitated for a moment, this was not the reaction he expected from the child, but gently patted her on the back. Touching her as if she were made out of glass and would shatter at the smallest amount of force.

Batta-01: It was my pleasure, but I'm no hero. I'm a monster like those bad people, just a monster that fights other monsters.

Rihoko frowned at Batta-01's words.

Rihoko: You saved me, that makes you a hero! So what if you look like a big scary bug?

Batta-01 snorted at Rihoko's words, for a child she had a lot of spunk.

Batta-01: You mentioned your mom didn't you? They separated you from her, where is she right now?

Rihoko: The Detention Center, she's probably panicking right now. I'm all she has, just like she's all I have.....

Rihoko looked down at her feet, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Batta-01 felt a familiar pang in his heart, even after losing his humanity, he hated seeing people cry.

Batta-01: I can bring you to her, if you're willing to trust me.

Rihoko's eyes widened before she quickly hugged Batta-01 again.

Rihoko: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Batta-01 chuckled before gently patting Rihoko on top of the head. Batta-01 stood up as he looked around the hallway, all the collapsed Shocker Combatants littering the Hallway.

Batta-01: we should get moving before more of them show up.

Rihoko nodded and was about to follow, but stopped when she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. Rihoko smiled before grabbing the object and following Batta-01 out of the building.

Outside
Batta-01 and Rihoko both arrived back at the Cyclone as Batta-01 started the engine.

Rihoko: What's your name?

Batta-01: Well those bad people call me Batta Augment-01, I don't really give out my real name to people I rescue from Shocker.

Rihoko frowned at that answer, Batta Augment-01 wasn't a hero name, it sounded like a science experiment.

Rihoko: Could you come here Mr?

Batta-01 looked at Rihoko in confusion before walking up to the girl and crouching down. Rihoko wrapped something around Batta-01's neck before tying it. Batta-01 looked down only to see it's was a red scarf.

Batta-01 looked at Rihoko in confusion as the little girl smiled at him.

Rihoko: Heroes in manga and on TV wear red scarfs, since you're a hero you should wear one too!

Batta-01 let out a chuckle, this little girl was really dead set on him being a hero.

Batta-01: Oh yeah and what would be my hero name?

Rihoko pauses for a moment to think, looking at Batta-01's helmet, then at the Cyclone, a smile spreading across her face.

Rihoko: Kamen Rider! Because you wear a mask and ride a motorcycle!

Kamen Rider: Kamen Rider? I like it, alright from now on I'm Kamen Rider.

Rihoko cheered happily as Kamen Rider picked her up before climbing onto the Cyclone, holding Rihoko tight.

Kamen Rider: Hold on okay? I'll go slow, but this still isn't the safest way to ride a motorcycle.

Rihoko nodded as Kamen Rider revved the engine and the duo drove off down the street towards the Detention Center.

Detention Center
Kamen Rider pulled up to the Detention Center before parking the Cyclone. Kamen Rider dismounted as he left Rihoko on the motorcycle.

Kamen Rider: Rihoko, you stay here, I'll go get your mother.

Rihoko: Okay, please hurry!

Kamen Rider nodded before quickly entering the Detention Center, only to find it mostly empty.

Kamen Rider: What in the world?

Kamen Rider then heard an explosion that shook the building come from the back of the building where the prisoners were held, only to find a woman with long red hair and piercing golden eyes. She was dressed in skimpy armor with a blade jutting out of her arm.

Kamen Rider's Thoughts: This has to be her, the Witchblade must've activated. Looks like Shocker kind of accomplished their plan.

Masane turned to look at Kamen Rider, a bored expression on her face.

Masane: Are you going to try entertain me like that last idiot did?

Kamen Rider: No, I'm not here to fight. I'm here-

Masane Lunged forward the blade extending out of her arm before she swung it out in front of her horizontally. Kamen Rider caught the blade with his left hand before raising his right leg and kicking Masane in the gut. The woman stumbled backwards, a smirk spreading across her face as steam escaped her lips.

Masane: That's it! That's what I've been looking for!

Kamen Rider: Look, I don't wanna fight, I'm trying to-

Masane once again lunged forward and slashed Kamen Rider across the torso, sparks flying off the armor as the metal blade slid across it. Kamen Rider stumbles backwards only for Masane to kick him in the head, sending him flying backwards. The Augment lands on his hand before pushing off the ground and landing on his feet.

Kamen Rider: Okay fine, hard way it is......

Masane smirked and licked her blade before she and the Kamen Rider lunged at each other, Masane raised her blade while Kamen Rider reeled back his right fist. Masane swung her arm blade as Kamen Rider threw a punch. The fist and blade connected as the ground beneath the two cracked. Kamen Rider quickly raised his left leg and aimed a kick at Masane's ribcage. However the woman caught his leg with her free arm.

Masane: Trying to get a low blow in? How naughty~

Masane the raised her right leg before kicking Kamen Rider in the gut, however the Rider quickly grabbed her leg with both his hands. Kamen Rider then began spinning around as Masane was lifted off her feet and spun around. Kamen Rider let go of the woman, sending her crashing into the wall at the end of the hallway.

Masane: Yes, that's it give me more! This is what I've been looking for!

Kamen Rider then lunged towards Masane, who kicked off the wall. Kamen Rider reeled his left fist back before throwing a punch at the woman. However Masane leaped over the Rider, twisting around in midair, raising her blade.

Kamen Rider: Shit.....

Kamen Rider quickly turned on his heel as he raised both arms in front of him as Masane swung her blade at him. The blade connected with such force that it sent Kamen Rider flying backwards. Kamen Rider crashed into the same wall Masane did, breaking through it and outside of the building. Kamen Ridee groaned in pain as he propped himself up on his elbows as Masane climbed out of the hole he made in the wall. Masane walked towards Kamen Rider, ready to continue their fight.

Rihoko: Mom?

Kamen Rider and Masane turned to see Rihoko standing there a worried look on her face.

Masane: Rihoko......

Suddenly a tranquilizer was shot into Masane's arm as she began to stumble before falling face first towards the ground. Kamen Rider lunged forward, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground.

????: Target secured Sir, the Witchblade will soon be in our possession.

Kamen Rider and Rihoko turned to see a man in glasses, wearing a suit holding a tranquilizer gun in his hand.

This man was Hiroki Sagawa, an employee of the Doji Group.

Rihoko: What did you do to my mom you big bully?!

Hiroki: I do not have the time to listen to a whining child, you in the ridiculous bug costume, hand over the Witchblade's host. The Doji Group has plans for her.

Kamen Rider locked eyes with Hiroki before gently laying Masane down and standing up. Kamen Rider began walking towards Hiroki who smirked before pulling out a gun and aiming it at Kamen Rider's head.

Hiroki: Do you not realize who you are dealing with?

Kamen Rider continued to walk towards Hiroki who pulled the trigger, firing a bullet at Kamen Rider. The bullet harmlessly bounced off Kamen Rider's helmet as Hiroki's eyes widened in shock. Hiroki fired three more bullets at Kamen Rider, each one harmlessly bouncing off his body.

Hiroki: What in the world are you?

Kamen Rider didn't respond, simply reeling back his left fist before punching Hiroki in the chest, the sounds of ribs breaking could be heard as Hiroki collapsed face first onto the ground, knocked unconscious from the pain. Kamen Rider noticed the man's phone was still on and quickly crushed it under his boot. Kamen Rider then turned to look at Rihoko, who was crouched down next to her mom, a worried look on her face.

Rihoko: Can you help her?

Rihoko looked at Kamen Rider tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

Kamen Rider: Yes, but I'm going to need some help.

Kamen Rider then pulled out his phone before scrolling through his contacts and selecting one name in particular.

Kamen Rider: Yeah, it's me. I need backup immediately, it's urgent. A serious development has just occurred and we need to make sure Shocker doesn't get their hands on her.

Kamen Rider looked down at the unconscious Masane as he gave his location to his colleague. One thing was for certain in the Augment's mind, their mission had just gotten a whole lot more complicated than it already was.

So Yusei has crossed paths with Rihoko and Masane! Yusei has been dubbed Kamen Rider! However with the Witchblade has activated and now Shocker and the Doji Group are now after her. It is up to the Kamen Rider and the Anti-Shocker Alliance to keep her safe. As always leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What awaits Yusei now that he must help Masane and Rihoko get to somewhere safe? Who exactly did Yusei call to help him get the mother and daughter out of Tokyo? Who will chase after them? Find out in the next Chapter of Witchblade: The Kamen Rider!