Last time Yusei found himself exploring the still recovering Tokyo as he encountered a young girl get separated from her mother. Upon following the car, he discovered kidnapping the girl was a ploy by Shocker to force the Witchblade to awaken. Rescuing the woman, the Kamen Rider finds himself on a mission to protect this woman and her daughter.

On a country road leading out of Tokyo a beat up black car with no license plates and tinted windows drove down the street. Within the back seat of the car slept a well endowed woman with short brown hair and brown eyes. She wore an orange shirt with a yellow jacket over top, a blanket was over top of her.

This young woman was Masane Amaha, the host of the Witchblade and adopted mother of Rihoko. Masane's eyes started to gently twitch before slowly looking up at the ceiling of the car, confusion quickly spreading across her face.

Masane: Where am I?

Rihoko: Mommy!

Masane was suddenly tackled into a hug by Rihoko who had tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Masane was stunned as she didn't know how her daughter was here, but she could hardly care. The young woman quickly wrapped her daughter in a hug, pulling her close as tears started to fall from her eyes.

Masane: Oh Rihoko, thank goodness you are okay!

Rihoko: It's thanks Mr. Yusei, mommy! He saved you from the bad people!

A look of confusion spread across Masane's face, was her daughter referring to Child Protective Services?

Masane: A man broke you out of Child Protective Services and got me out of jail?

Rihoko looked at her mother before furiously shaking her head side to side, denying the comment.

Rihoko: No, there are these bad people that took me from you so that weird bracelet on your arm would activate. Mr. Yusei didn't explain it all to me, he just said those people are bad and they hurt others to get what they want!

Masane only grew more confused at her daughter's explanation, bracelet? Activation? Bad people? Suddenly a sharp pain shot through Masane's head as she remembered what happened at the prison. The prison across from her transforming into that monster, that strange gemstone coming out of her arm, her own transformation. The final thing that flashed through her head was a man in grasshopper themed biker gear facing off against her, trying to get through to her.

Masane: Rihoko, is Mr. Yusei that man in the grasshopper outfit?

Rihoko: Yeah that's Mr. Yusei! He's a superhero mommy! He saved me and then he saved you!

Masane was about to ask her daughter more questions but a chuckle from the front of the car caught her attention.

????: That little girl of yours is tough, she's been pretty calm all things considered. She's also become quite the fan of Kenmochi. Gave him a superhero name and everything.

Masane turned to look at the man driving the car, he had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a purple polo shirt, jeans, and brown boots. Sitting on the dashboard was a camera.

Masane: Are you Yusei?

Masane looked at the man with a curious yet cautious look as she still knew nothing about this odd man helping them. The man however simply chuckled at the question.

????: Nah, I'm Yusuke Tozawa, Freelance Reporter. I work with a group of people opposing the organization that was trying to get the Witchblade to awaken.

Masane cocked her head to the side in confusion, she assumed whatever the Witchblade was it had to do with the strange bracelet on her arm.

Masane: Witchblade?

Yusuke: I can't give ya the entire scoop right now, but the basic idea is that the Witchblade is an ancient artifact of unknown origin. It latches onto women and gives them immense power. People have been fighting over the thing for centuries, possibly thousands of years.

Masane's eyes widened in shock as she looked down at the strange bracelet on her right arm, an uncomfortable feeling washing over her as she stared at the red gemstone.

Masane: Who exactly wants to get their hands on the Witchblade?

Yusuke snorted at the question, however Masane could tell from his body language, he wasn't amused in the slightest about this particular topic.

Yusuke: The easier question to answer is who doesn't want it? The Doji Group, the NSWF, and Shocker. Out of the three Shocker is the worst, those lunatics don't have any semblance of morals.

Masane's eyes widened in shock before she grit her teeth, her face contorting into an expression of pure rage.

Masane: Are you saying the NSWF took Rihoko to get this stupid bracelet to awaken?!

Yusuke: Nah, they were just doing their jobs, Shocker infiltrated Child Protective Services. Like I said they're the worst ones, you never know what industry or organization they might infiltrate to get what they want.

Rihoko: Mr. Yusei said they kidnap people to use for bad things!

Masane felt slightly sick to her stomach at that information, whatever Shocker was, they certainly were well beyond morally questionable and entered downright evil territory.

Masane: Okay, so what exactly does Shocker want with the Witchblade?

Yusuke grimaced at that question as he had a good idea even if he had zero information on Shocker's grand plan.

Yusuke: My best guess? Brainwash you and turn you into one of their mindless human war machines. The host of the Witchblade completely submissive to their leader.

Masane felt a pit form in her stomach as a wave of nausea washed over her. They intended to brainwash her? Turn her into a mindless weapon? Take her away from Rihoko? Masane felt small arms wrap around her as she looked down to see Rihoko hugging her. Her daughter looked at her with worry in her eyes.

Rihoko: Mom, it'll be okay. Mr. Yusei and Mr. Tozawa promised they'd take us somewhere the bad people can't find us.

Masane was still far from having the ability to not worry given the current situation, however another question was brought to Masane's mind.

Masane: Where exactly is this Yusei my daughter keeps mentioning?

Yusuke: Him? He's riding alongside us.

Masane quickly turned her head and looked out the window, her eyes widening in surprise at the young man on a motorcycle riding on the right side of the car. He wore a black trench coat and a black motorcycle helmet, making it hard for her to discern any facial features. The thing that caught Masane's eye the most was the vibrant red scarf tied around his neck.

Masane: I thought he wore a grasshopper helmet?

Yusuke: That's his combat mode, the guy tries to avoid going into it as much as he can. After what Shocker did to him, he's been hellbent on running their organization into the ground.

Masane and Rihoko both looked at Yusuke in confusion, not understanding what he was implying.

Rihoko: What do you mean Mr. Tozawa?

Yusuke: I don't know all the ins and outs, but Shocker genetically mutated him and enhanced him further with cybernetics. That's what they do to the people they kidnap, then they brainwash them and use them as weapons. However they also recruit criminals and make them higher ranking soldiers, giving them the same enhancements.

Masane's eyes widened in horror as she felt another wave of nausea wash over her at that information. Rihoko while not grasping the full context of what was explained, a sad look spread across her face.

Rihoko: Is that why Mr. Yusei called himself a monster when he rescued me?

Yusuke looked over his shoulder at Rihoko, shooting the little girl a sympathetic look.

Yusuke: Trust me kid, Kenmochi is kind of self destructive. He thinks just because he was turned into whatever he is against his will, it's his responsibility to take out Shocker. The rest of us try to help how we can, but the guy thinks he's expendable due to not being "human" anymore.

Rihoko looked down sadly as she leaned against her mother, who wrapped her arm around her daughter. A saddened expression spread across Masane's face as well, despite not meeting the man who helped her and her daughter properly yet, no one should view themselves that way. Yusuke sighed as he looked out the windshield of the car, his eyes widened in shock.

Yusuke: Oh shit.....

Masane: Is something wrong?

Yusuke looked over his shoulder at the mother and daughter a concerned expression on his face.

Yusuke: Buckle up, we got company and this ride is about to get bumpy.

Masane quickly sat up before buckling her seat. The young woman then turned to Rihoko before quickly buckling her up as well. Yusuke tightly gripped the steering wheel and grit his teeth, nothing could ever be easy could it?

Outside the Car
Yusei rode on the Cyclone as his eyes dialed in on a group of vehicles approaching them. A group of six Shocker Combatants rode on black dirt bikes with Shocker's crest emblazoned on the front.

Driving behind the six motorcycles was a large truck that looked like it was designed to carry heavy cargo.

Yusei: Should've known Shocker wouldn't just let the Witchblade escape them. Looks like I have no choice, gotta defend the car until we reach our destination.

Yusei the pressed a red button on the handle bar on the Cyclone before pushing down on the handlebars. The handlebars shifted down as white armor panels ejected out of the motorcycle, armoring its entire body. The exhausts transformed into thrusters that shot fire out of them.

Yusei's trench coat opened up as the turbine in the center of the Typhoon began to spin as his motorcycle helmet transformed into his grasshopper combat helmet. Kamen Rider stood up as the Cyclone raced towards the Shocker convoy, Prana being drawn into the Typhoon and his torso armor.

Two of the Shocker Combatants revved the accelerators on their motorcycles as they raced towards Kamen Rider. The two Combatants twirled their taser staffs above their heads as the eyes on Kamen Rider's helmet glowed an intense red. The Combatant that came at Kamen Rider from the left swung their taser staff at him, only for the cyborg to catch it with his left hand. Kamen Rider yanked the staff out of the Combatant's hand before swiftly jabbing them in the gut with it. The Combatant was sent flying off their motorcycle before tumbling across the road at high speeds. The second Combatant rode up on Kamen Rider's left side, however the cyborg quickly stabbed the staff into the front wheel of their motorcycle. The vehicle flipped over forwards, slamming the Combatant into the road before the motorcycle crashed down on top of them.

Kamen Rider: Two down, four remain.....

The remaining four Combatants race towards Kamen Rider, their taser staffs at the ready. The cyborg revved Cyclone's engine as he raced towards the Combatants. The first two Combatants in the lead swung their staffs horizontally in front of themselves, attempting to strike Kamen Rider across the head. Kamen Rider however let go of Cyclone's handlebars and caught the staffs. The cyborg then yanked the staffs upwards, pulling both Combatants off their motorcycles. Kamen Rider then swiftly swung both staffs downwards in front of himself. The Combatants still clutching onto the staffs were sent crashing down on top of the remaining two Combatants who were charging towards him to attack. The motorcycles crashed into the ground as the four Combatants were sent sprawling across the road.

Kamen Rider: The only target left is that truck....

Kamen Rider quickly grabbed onto Cyclone's handlebars, revving the engine as he raced towards the hauling truck.

In the Car
Masane stared out the windshield in utter disbelief. Even after having the mutations and cybernetics explained to her, it was still surreal to see the Kamen Rider in action.

Masane's Thoughts: No wonder he was able to hold his own while he was in that form.

Rihoko: See mom? He's like a superhero!

Masane turned to look at her daughter, seeing a large grin on her face. Masane let a smile spread across her face as well, it had been awhile since she had seen Rihoko smile this effortlessly. Yusuke let out a chuckle as well in response to the little girl's words.

Yusuke: I think that daughter of yours made a real impression on him, ever since she tied that scarf around his neck he's been a bit less stoic.

Masane: She gave him the scarf?

Rihoko: Yeah mom! He saved me and the heroes in manga always wear red scarfs so I thought he needed one too!

Masane looked at Rihoko who smiled at her proudly which caused the young mother to let out a giggle. Now she really wanted to meet the man behind the mask if he left this much of a positive impression on her daughter.

Yusuke: Looks like Shocker isn't quite done with us yet......

Masane turned to look out the windshield, a figure was now standing on top of the hauling truck.

Outside the Car
Kamen Rider raced towards the truck, intending on stopping it in its tracks, however something or other someone floated down from the sky above. They wore a blue high tech bodysuit with red accents, a helmet that resembled a dragonfly covered his head, a pair of dragonfly wings protruded from his back. Despite the helmet hiding this figure's face, Kamen Rider could tell this unknown individuals glaring at him.

????: Batta Augment-01, so the rumors are true. You are working with those who dare oppose Shocker. Seems a traitorous wretch such as yourself can continue to fall to lower lows.

Kamen Rider activated the Cyclone's autopilot feature that would have it follow him before he placed his right foot on the seat and his left foot on the gas tank, standing on the motorcycle.

Kamen Rider: You must be one of Shocker's new Augments. Considering you can still make snide comments, I'm under the impression they did not brainwash you?

The Insect Augment started to chuckle as two large needles ejected from his forearms.

????: I am Tonbo Augment-01, I serve under General Hachi. I have orders to secure the host of the Witchblade. Don't think you can stop me traitor.....

Tonbo's wings then started to beat rapidly as he flew forward off the back of the truck, his sights set on the car down the road. Kamen Rider leaped off the Cyclone as he reeled back his left fist and punched Tonbo square in the face, sending the Augment flying backwards through the air. Tonbo crashed onto the front of the hauling truck as Kamen Rider landed back on Cyclone. However the grasshopper Augment didn't remain on the motorcycle for long as he once again leaped off it. Kamen Rider performed a front flip as he landed on the back of the truck as Tonbo clawed his way up onto the back as well. Both Augments stared each other down, waiting for the other to make a move.

Tonbo: You can't keep fighting like this forever Batta Augment-01. Shocker will never let a traitor live, eventually you will die.

Kamen Rider: Rider.......

Tonbo cocked his head to the side in confusion, not understanding what Kamen Rider was talking about.

Tonbo: I beg your pardon?

Kamen Rider: Call me Kamen Rider.......

Tonbo stared at Kamen Rider for a moment before he started to chuckle in amusement.

Tonbo: Did you give yourself a new name? Do you think that will help people accept you? You know there is no hope for you in that regard. All you are now is a monster!

Tonbo's wings started to beat rapidly as he flew at Kamen Rider with his arm needles at the ready. Tonbo thrust the needle in his left arm at Kamen Rider, attempting to stab him through the heart. The grasshopper Augment however sidestepped the attack before grabbing Tonbo's left arm by the wrist. Kamen Rider swiftly slammed the elbow of his right arm into Tonbo's head, causing the Dragonfly Augment to stumble backwards. Kamen Rider lunges at the disoriented Augment, reeling his right arm back before delivering a swift right hook to the right side of Tonbo's ribcage. The grasshopper Augment swiftly followed it up with a jab to the guy with his left fist.

Tonbo: Is that the best you can do Batta Augment-01?!

Tonbo readied both his arms before rapidly thrusting the needles protruding from his arms at the grasshopper Augment. Kamen Rider swiftly rolled across the ground, narrowly avoiding the barrage of needle strikes. Kamen Rider kicked off the ground, propelling himself towards Tonbo, wrapping his arms around the Dragonfly Augment's torso as he tackled him to the ground. The grasshopper Augment pinned Tonbo to the ground with his knees before raising his left fist above his head.

Kamen Rider: You're right I am a monster......

Kamen Rider then punched Tonbo square in the face, quickly following it up with a right hook, the a left hook.

Kamen Rider: I know humanity will never accept me......

Kamen Rider then delivered a right jab followed by a left jab to Tonbo's head. The Grasshopper Augment swiftly followed this up with another left hook and a right hook. Kamen Rider then clasped his hands together above his head as he stared down at Tonbo, the eyes on his helmet glowing red.

Kamen Rider: That doesn't mean I will stand by idly and let Shocker turn more people into monsters like me!

Kamen Rider was about to slam his fists down on Tonbo's head, but the Dragonfly Augment thrust both his arm needles at the Grasshopper Augment's torso, stabbing him in his abdomen. Kamen Rider let out a hiss of pain as Tonbo then raised his left leg to his torso before kicking Kamen Rider in the gut, sending him flying off him and crashing near the front of the truck. Tonbo shakily stood up before glaring at the Kamen Rider, his wings starting to beat rapidly.

Tonbo: I don't care about your noble bullshit! I have a job I'm being paid to do and I won't let some bastard trying to play hero get in my way!

Tonbo flew at Kamen Rider, twisting around and slamming both his feet into the Grasshopper Augment's torso. Kamen Rider was sent flying off the truck and through the air towards the Yusuke's car.

Inside the Car
Within the car Yusuke's eyes widened in shock as he saw Kamen Rider get sent flying back through the air.

Yusuke: Shit, hold on!

Yusuke slammed the accelerator as the car raced towards Kamen Rider. The Grasshopper Augment crashed down on the hood of the car, denting it and cracking the windshield.

Yusuke: You okay?

Kamen Rider: I'm definitely feeling that one in the morning.

Kamen Rider then struck the windshield with his right elbow, shattering it so Yusuke could see clearly. The Grasshopper Augment then stood up on the hood of the car as he stared down Tonbo, who was flying towards them, the hauling truck not far behind him.

Kamen Rider: Keep driving, be ready to swerve once I take care of him......

Yusuke nodded as Kamen Rider sunk into a low stance as Tonbo flew towards them with his arm needles at the ready.

Tonbo: Two birds with one stone! I retrieve the Witchblade and kill the traitor! I think a promotion is in my future!

Kamen Rider leaped off the hood of the car as he curled into a ball front flipped through the air. Kamen Rider stuck his right leg out in front of himself, delivering a powerful flying kick to Tonbo's gut. The Dragonfly Augment was sent flying backwards as Kamen Rider landed back on Cyclone. Tonbo Augment crashed into the front of the truck with such force that the vehicle exploded into a giant ball of fire. Kamen Rider raced past the now burning truck on its right side as the car followed behind him. Once they put a decent amount of distance between themselves and the burning truck, he slowed the Cyclone down and pulled up next to the car on the driver side.

Yusuke: What's the plan? Shocker clearly aren't going to let the Witchblade go as easily as their other victims.

Kamen Rider: We can't do anything else until we return to base. For now we need to focus on making sure Shocker cannot locate our base.

Yusuke nodded as he let out a frustrated groan, as always nothing could be easy.

Yusuke: You owe me three drinks after this you know that?

Kamen Rider: If you can go the rest of this trip without complaining, I'll make it five.

Yusuke smirked at Kamen Rider, before making a zipping motion across his mouth. The motorcycle and car raced off down the country road, hoping to put as much distance between themselves and anymore Shocker personnel skulking around.

At the Wreck
The truck was still burning as all Shocker Combatants within were burnt to a crisp. However Tonbo clumsily stumbled out of the wreckage, his body smoking and his wings torn and tattered from the crash.

Tonbo: That damned traitor......

Tonbo was about to attempt giving chase to them, but a ringing in his helmet caused him to let out a frustrated groan.

Tonbo: Great, just what I need right now. Accept call......

The ringing in the helmet stopped as a communication line opened up and a female voice spoke over it.

????: Did you secure the Witchblade's host?

Tonbo felt his throat go dry, he already knew this failure was gonna cost him.

Tonbo: No General Hachi, that traitor Batta Augment-01 was guarding her transport. He managed to subdue me long enough for them to escape.

Hachi remained silent for a moment which caused Tonbo to tense up in fear, failure was rarely tolerated in Shocker.

Hachi: I see, did you manage to kill the traitor at the very least?

Tonbo: Negatory General Hachi, it seems the rumors of him interfering with our plans over this past year are true. He has some level of fighting ability.

Once again Hachi remained silent for a moment before she snarled in frustration at the news of this complete failure.

Hachi: I should have you killed for such a massive blunder, however you could still prove useful to us Tonbo Augment.

Tonbo let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding when Hachi said that.

Tonbo: What do you need of me my lady?

Hachi: We have confirmed that the Doji Group's X-Con Experiments have escaped confinement during the Great Quake. Capturing one could further our research. Furthermore we have kept tabs on the Cloneblades created by the NswF, while nowhere near as effective as the Witchblade. They could still help improve our Augmentation process. I expect you to capture one of each and bring them to our science division. If you manage that, your current failure will be forgiven.

Tonbo grunted in acknowledgement of the orders, he had no intentions of failing twice.

Hachi: One last thing, if you cross paths with the traitor again. Make sure you kill him......

With that final statement the line went dead as Tonbo snarled to himself in frustration.

Tonbo: Just you wait Batta Augment-01, next time we cross paths. I will slaughter you like the traitorous dog you are......

Tonbo then walked off down the road, he would need to have some repairs done before he could pursuit his next targets. However the Dragonfly Augment could hardly care about the X-Con or Cloneblades. He only cared about making the Kamen Rider pay for humiliating him.

So Masane woke up only to find herself in the car of one Yusuke Tozawa, an associate of Yusei's who was helping transport her to some safe location away from Shocker's influence. However Tonbo Augment-01 was sent to capture her and now he swears revenge on the Kamen Rider! As always please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! Where exactly are Yusei and Yusuke taking Masane and Rihoko to keep them safe? How will the other companies after the Witchblade think of the strange grasshopper warrior that kidnapped her? What are Shocker's plans for Tokyo? Find out in the next Chapter of Witchblade: The Kamen Rider!