Let's begin this story of Augments & Cloneblades, Subjugation & Freedom, Evil & Justice, and Technology & the Witchblade by witnessing the origins of the man who will wage war on all of Shocker to defend humanity's freedom! Warning this story will contain more brutal depictions of violence similar to Shin Kamen Rider, read at your own discretion.

Six years ago Japan was rocked by the cataclysmic event that was the Great Quake, an unexplained quake that destroyed most of the city of Tokyo. Countless people lost their lives or their loved ones in the tragedy, one such example was a young man by the name of Yusei Kenmochi. His mother a paramedic, had a heart of gold and would happily risk life and limb to help others. Despite this kindness being what led to her untimely end, she passed this love of humanity and mentality of helping others onto her son. Yusei now in his fifth year of medical school continues his studies despite the heartbreak of losing his mother. He wishes to honor her memory by dedicating his life to saving lives. However the young man's life is destined to take an unforeseen turn, one that will set him down a path few are strong enough to walk.

Johnan University
It was another beautiful day as the sun shined in the sky above one of Japan's most prestigious university's.

This was Johnan University, an elite college that had the best courses for those aspiring to pursue a career in the Scientific, Medical, Archeological, or Technology industries. Students that attended Johnan University were either the children of rich and powerful families throughout Japan or exceptional students who got in through recommendation letters. One such student who got in via multiple recommendation letters was walking the school grounds. He had medium length messy brown hair and thoughtful green eyes. He wore a black turtleneck with a black coat overtop, brown pants tucked into black motorcycle boots.

This was twenty-four year old Yusei Kenmochi, a fifth year medical student of Johnan University who mostly kept to himself due to his less than perfect social skills. Yusei sat on one of the park benches in the courtyard as he ate from a bento box he brought with him.

Yusei: The semester went better than expected, I scored high on all my exams and managed to get decent marks on my practicals. Maybe I'll help the engineering course students test one of their new motorcycles as a way to unwind.

Yusei let a small smile spread across his face, while he wasn't the best at interacting with other people, he managed to bond with some of the engineering students through their shared love of motorcycles. Yusei looked up at the sky, a sad smile spreading across his face.

Yusei: Watch over me mom, I'm going to make you proud and help as many people as I can when I become a doctor.

A determined look spread across Yusei's face as he would honor his mother's legacy of helping other people by becoming a successful doctor. Yusei's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, the young man turned to the sound of the footsteps. Approaching him was a middle aged man with short black hair, a faint mustache and goatee, he wore a lab coat over his dress shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes.

This man was Hiroshi Midorikawa, the Biochemistry Professor of Johnan University and a father figure of sorts to Yusei since he started at the university five years ago.

Midorikawa: Yusei, I figured I would find you out here.

Yusei let a smile spread across his face as he cleaned up his now empty bento box before slipping it into his messenger bag before standing up.

Yusei: Midorikawa-Sensei, what do I owe the pleasure of you coming to find me?

Midorikawa smirked before offering his hand to Yusei, who quickly took hold of it as they both gave a firm handshake. This had become a common greeting for them whenever they crossed paths.

Midorikawa: I came to congratulate you on your final scores, you were in the top three of your class! That's something to celebrate I would say!

A light blush spread across Yusei's face as he scratched the back of his head nervously, he wasn't good at accepting praise at all.

Yusei: It was nothing Sensei, just doing my best to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor is all.

Midorikawa: There you go again, you are much too modest for someone with your level of brilliance. However I am not here to discuss your recent successes, I had a proposition for you.

A surprised look spread across Yusei's face as he hadn't expected that to be what Midorikawa wanted to talk to him about.

Yusei: What kind of proposition Midorikawa-Sensei?

Midorikawa: Would you walk with me? I have much to tell you.

Yusei nodded his head in agreement before Midorikawa began leading him through the courtyard.

Midorikawa: You see Yusei, you are an exceptional student. You turn in most of your assignments early or on time at the latest. You get high marks on all your exams, you perform exceptionally on your practical lessons. While my field might be Biochemistry and your major is Medical, but I would like to offer you a position in an extracurricular activity.

Yusei cocked his head to the side in confusion as they rounded the side of the University building.

Yusei: What kind of extracurricular activity Midorikawa-Sensei?

Midorikawa: It is an assistant position in a laboratory of some colleagues of mine. While they are mostly comprised of Biochemists, there are brilliant surgeons amongst them as well. They requested I find some of our university's brightest students to intern with them with the reward of extra credit.

Yusei's eyes widened in surprise as this was a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and insight into the field he wished to one day join.

Yusei: Really Midorikawa-Sensei? You think I am qualified enough for such an internship?

Midorikawa chuckled at Yusei's reaction before gently patting him on the back.

Midorikawa: There you go doubting yourself once again! Yusei, you are a brilliant young man, your intelligence would put some adults to shame. It would be a disservice to not offer you this internship!

Once again a light blush spread across Yusei's face as he bashfully averted his eyes from Midorikawa as they found themselves at the back of the University building.

Yusei: W-Well if you have such confidence in me, then I graciously accept Midorikawa-Sensei. When will the internship start?

Midorikawa's smile was quickly replaced with a stern and downcast expression as he locked eyes with Yusei.

Midorikawa: Right now.....

Yusei looked at Midorikawa in confusion before he was swiftly struck in the side of his neck from behind. Yusei's eyes rolled back in his head as he fell forward only to be caught by two men dressed in black uniforms wearing strange masks. Midorikawa looked at them before nodding his head.

Midorikawa: Get him to the laboratory immediately, we don't have much time, the Great Leader is growing impatient.

The men in the uniforms saluted Midorikawa before they began dragging Yusei towards a black van with tinted windows, the logo of an eagle with its wings spread wide and an eyeball on its torso emblazoned on the side of the vehicle.

A look of pure guilt spread across Midorikawa's face as he watched his student get loaded into the back of the van.

Midorikawa: Forgive me Yusei, they threatened the life of my daughter.

Midorikawa then walked over the van before climbing into the passenger side seat as another man in a black uniform was behind the wheel.

Midorikawa: Let's go.

The man in the uniform behind the wheel nodded before hitting the gas pedal. The van peeled out of the university and onto a street. Yusei lay in the back of the vehicle, unconscious as one of the other masked men administered a drug to him, ensuring he would not wake up before reaching their destination. This moment marked the beginning of the end for Yusei Kenmochi's life of becoming a doctor.

???????
The first thing Yusei felt was the worst headache he ever had, it felt like his brain was slamming itself repeatedly into the side of his skull. The next thing Yusei noticed was that he was incapable of moving, except for being able to title his head to the side. The third thing Yusei noticed was men talking and a rather bright light that hurt his eyes despite them being closed.

????: It appears Batta Augment-01 is regaining consciousness. Splendid, we are almost ready to begin the brainwashing process.

Yusei's eyes shot open as he frantically looked around the room he found himself in. From what Yusei could see it appeared to be some kind of unground laboratory. Yusei then noticed is arms and legs were restrained by thick metal clamps and he appeared to be dressed in some kind of strange outfit. In fact now that his mind began to focus, he realized that his appeared to be in some kind of helmet.

Yusei: W-Who are you people?! Where am I, what happened to Midorikawa-Sensei?!

Yusei frantically looked at the scientists that surrounded the table he was strapped to. All of the scientists collectively laughed at the young man's panicked state.

Scientist 1: Midorikawa? He is the one that brought you to us. I must admit I had my doubts when he claimed to have a perfect specimen, yet you are certainly the best Augment candidate we've had thus far!

Scientist 2: An incredibly high IQ for someone so young, a well toned physique from obvious recreational activities, and a perfect bill of health. All these factors made the augmentation process child's play.

Scientist 3: The mutations to your already developed muscles and cybernetic enhancements made to your skeleton coupled with the Prana Absorption-Amplification System has led to power far beyond our initial projections. The Great Leader will be pleased with our latest Augment.

Yusei only grew more confused as the scientists spoke, Midorikawa-Sensei brought him to this deranged people? Mutation and Cybernetic enhancements? Augments? What in the world was going on. Yusei then felt the operating table he was strapped to begin to shift, lifting him into an almost upright position. Yusei then came face to face with a giant mirror and what he saw sent a wave of nausea throughout his entire body. Staring back at him wasn't himself, but rather a strange figure dressed head to toe in grasshopper themed armor.

Batta-01: W-What have you done to me?!

Scientist 1: Glorious isn't it? We have augmented your body through a combination of mutation and cybernetics, turning you into a biomechanical cyborg! You are now Batta Augmented-01, the new ultimate weapon of Shocker!

Batta-01 felt another wave of nausea tear through his body, was he even still human at this point?

Batta-01: Y-You turned me into some kind of freak?! You won't get away with this! The authorities will never let this stand!

The Scientists once again cackled at Batta-01's words.

Scientist 2: Authorities? Authorities are nothing compared to the might of Shocker! We will crush all oppositions and take over the earth, ushering in a new era of peace where all of humanity obeys the rule of our Great Leader! You will be the weapon that helps achieve that goal!

Batta-01: Like hell I would help you take over the world!

Scientist 3: You do not have a choice in the matter, once the brainwashing process is complete, you will be an obedient soldier. Enjoy your last moments of free will young man, take joy in the fact you are becoming a tool for a great cause!

Batta-01 looked at his reflection, tears burning his eyes from behind the helmet. This was it, this was where he died and his body would be an instrument of destruction. There was know way for him to tell how many people he would hurt once he became their puppet.

Batta-01: Forgive me mom, looks like I won't be saving anyone now. I'm sorry I failed.....

Batta-01 then gave up, he accepted his fate, he would truly become a monster in both body and mind. The three scientists powered on a machine, however as they were about to begin the brainwashing process, all power in the laboratory shut off.

Scientist 2: The power went out! Did the augmentation process overload the system?

Scientist 1: It shouldn't have, we were very efficient in our usage of power during the entire process.

Scientist 3: It doesn't matter what caused the power outage, what matters is we get everything operational once again!

The three Scientists quickly exited the lab with the intentions of restoring power. Batta-01 remained restrained to the table, however the silence was quickly filled by footsteps approaching the table. Despite it being dark with no lights on in the lab, Batta-01 could perfectly see who was approaching him, the man that got him into this mess, Hiroshi Midorikawa.

Midorikawa: Thank god I was quick enough, we need to get out of here as fast as possible! Midorikawa then quickly undid the bindings restraining Batta-01 to the table. The moment he felt he was free of the restraints, Batta-01 shot the table and grabbed Midorikawa by the throat before effortlessly lifting him off his feet and holding him in the air. The college professor could tell rage burned within Batta-01 over what happened to him.

Batta-01: So this was the internship huh? Sell me to some damn psychotic organization and let them turn into some kind of freak of nature! Was this your plan all along? Get close to me, earn my trust, then do this to me?! Answer me Midorikawa!

Batta-01 tightened his grip slightly, putting more pressure on Midorikawa's windpipe.

Midorikawa: They threatened....my daughter's life.....I had....no choice!

Midorikawa barely choked that sentence out before Batta-01 dropped him, the man crashed down onto the floor gasping for air.

Batta-01: DAMNIT!!! Why couldn't you just be a monster?! I can't hurt you knowing that!

Batta-01 slammed his fist down on the operating table, punching a hole clean through the metal. Midorikawa shakily stood back up before hesitantly approaching his student and patting him on the back.

Midorikawa: I do not ask for your forgiveness, nor do I want it. I have done terrible things in service of Shocker. Please Yusei, let me correct one of my mistakes by helping you escape! We must go now before they return!

Batta-01 let out a frustrated snarl but ultimately let out a defeated sigh.

Batta-01: Fine, let's just get the hell out of here....

Midorikawa nodded before he led Batta-01 out of the laboratory and through the base, time was not a luxury they had.

Garage
The duo had made their way through the base, taking less populated routes to avoid alerting any personnel. The duo found themselves in a large garage filled with a multitude of jet black cars, SUVs, trucks, and motorcycles.

Batta-01: So what's the plan here exactly? Do we just steal one of this cars and get out of here?

Midorikawa: No, Shocker designed a vehicle that works in tandem with your augments. If we have any hope of escaping that is our best bet.

Batta-01 nodded his head as Midorikawa made his way over to a control booth as he began operating the garage control system. Batta-01 stood by the door to the booth, acting as a sort of lookout. However the Augment couldn't help but get the feeling something was off.

Batta-01: Something is wrong, this whole escape has been entirely too easy......

Scientist 1: How perceptive of you Batta-01, that's due to the simple fact all alarms in this underground base are silent.

Scientists 2: We let you make your way to the garage so you would be cornered with no hope of escape.

Scientist 3: Midorikawa, you were foolish to go against us. After we end your wretched life we shall complete Batta Augment-01's brainwashing!

Suddenly multiple guards in black uniforms entered the room, all of them armed with machine guns.

Midorikawa: Yusei, hold them off, I will get the vehicle and door to the garage open!

Batta-01: How do you expect me to do that? I've never been in a fight before!

Batta-01 turned towards the guards, all of them aiming their machine guns at Batta-01. Batta-01 held his arms up in front of himself in hopes of protecting his body if only a little bit. The guards opened fire on Batta-01 the bullets however harmlessly bounced off his body. Suddenly the eyes on the Augment's helmet shined a light red color. Batta-01 leaped into the air before kicking off the ceiling, the Augment reeled back his right fist before punching the ground in front the guards. The ground cracked like a spiderweb as the guards the lost their footing. Batta-01 lunged forward, reeling back his left fist before punching one guard in the face, the sickening sound of his neck snapping could be heard.

Midorikawa: The heightened survival instincts and repression of any aversion to killing has activated. I better hurry before it gets out of hand.

As Midorikawa began typing even faster Batta-01 lunged towards another guard, reeling back his right fist before punching the guard in the gut. The guard was knocked off his feet and sent flying backwards before smashing through the front windshield of an SUV. Three guards shot Batta-01 in the back as the Augment turned to face them. Batta-01 kicked his left leg upwards, knocking a motorcycle parked next to him into the air. Batta-01 then spun around on his right leg before kicking his left leg out in front of him, hitting the motorcycle. The motorcycle was sent flying towards the three guards, slamming into them.

Midorikawa: There! The door is open! Now just a few more locks to undo and the Cyclone should be deployed from storage.

The giant door to the garage began to slide open as seven guards opened fire on Batta-01, who leaped onto the roof of an armored truck. Batta-01 scanned his surroundings before leaping off the roof of the truck and landing on top of a guard, the sickening cracking of his ribcage could be heard. Batta-01 swiftly grabbed the barrel of the guard on his left with his left hand before punching the guard square in the face with his right fist, shattering their nose in the process. Batta-01 then thrust the barrel of the rifle towards the guard in his right, barrel pierced through the guard's torso, puncturing their heart as they collapsed back first onto the ground.

Midorikawa: Just one final lock, and got it!

Midorikawa pressed one final button, as a trap door in the ground opened and a platform began to rise out of it. However a bullet suddenly pierced Midorikawa's body, puncturing his right lung. The middle aged man coughed up some blood before leaning against the console. Batta-01 caught sight of the Biochemistry Professor getting hit out of the corner of his eye, this seemingly calming him down slightly.

Batta-01: MIDORIKAWA-SENSEI!

Batta -01 immediately dashed towards the booth, leaping into the air, landing in front of the door to the booth as the remaining guards fired on him. Batta-01 quickly entered the booth, running to his collapsed Professor's side, crouching down and cradling him in his arms.

Midorikawa: Seems karma comes for us all eventually, I have committed atrocities in the name of Shocker, for my own selfish reasons. I traded the lives of innocent people to protect my daughter.

Midorikawa let out a weak chuckle as he spat up more blood.

Batta-01: Don't speak, just conserve your energy. We can get you out of here and get you medical attention!

Midorikawa once again chuckled as he gently patted Batta-01 on the chest.

Midorikawa: You still wish to save a life as wretched as mine, even after what I let them turn you into? Your kindness knows no bounds Yusei. Promise me no matter what happens, you never lose that kind heart of yours.

Bullets rained against the side of the booth as Batta-01 looked down at his dying teacher, part of him desperately wishing all of this was some sadistic dream created by his own mind. However Batta-01 knew better than that, this was in fact reality.

Batta-01: I promise Midorikawa-Sensei, human or not I won't stop being who I've always been.

Midorikawa: Good, now get going! This will all be pointless if you get captured again. Yusei, remember you are far more human than most people, even if you are physically no longer human.

Batta-01 watched the light leave his Professor's eyes as he gently laid him down. Batta-01 gently swiped his right hand across Midorikawa's face, closing his eyes. Batta-01 quickly got up before dashing out of the booth and towards the platform which held a white armored motorcycle.

Batta-01 leaped onto the motorcycle before revving the engine, the six exhausts ignited with fire as the motorcycle was launched out of the garage and into onto the road, speeding down it at blinding speeds. By the time the Shocker Guards gave chase in their vehicles, Batta-01 was long gone.

Forest
In a forest far away from the Shocker laboratory, Batta-01 was seen leaning against a tree. The Augment fumbled with a button on the side of his belt. Batta-01 pressed the button as the mouth portion of his helmet retracted. Yusei quickly grabbed the helmet before ripping it off his head and tossing it to the ground. The young man doubled over before promptly throwing up. Yusei spent five minutes emptying the contents of his stomach before he leaned against the tree and slowly slid down the side of it, landing in the sitting position. Tear tracks stained his face as he had been crying for almost the entire escape ride.

Yusei: What do I do? Where do I go? Midorikawa-Sensei gave his life so I can escape, but what do I do now? I can't go back to Johnan University, Shocker will probably look there. I don't have a home since mom passed, I-I'm not even human anymore.....

Yusei felt another wave of nausea tear through his body when he spoke about the fact he was no longer human. Despite knowing it was true, saying it out loud made it feel all too real. On top of everything else however, Yusei was angry. Yusei was angry at the fact he could never return to a normal life, angry at Midorikawa for putting him in that situation, angry at himself for letting Midorikawa die. Above all else however, Yusei was angry at Shocker for ruining people's lives and stripping them of their humanity without so much of an ounce of remorse.

Yusei: Shocker......

Yusei then locked eyes with the eyes of his helmet, those big grasshopper eyes. That's when a thought occurred to Yusei as he shakily stood up before walking over to the helmet.

Yusei: They did this to me, that can't be changed, but how many more people will they do this to?

Yusei picked up the helmet before holding it eye level with his head, staring into the large eyes of the strange headgear.

Yusei: No one even knows they exist, that or the people that do are too few in number to stand against them.

Yusei then slipped the helmet back on his head.

Yusei: Mother, Midorikawa-Sensei watch over me.....

The bottom part of the helmet folded out covering Yusei's mouth once again.

Batta-01: I won't let them strip people of their humanity without punishment.

Batta-01 walked over to the Cyclone before climbing onto it and riding out of the forest and back onto the main road. The Augment didn't know what exactly lay ahead of him, but he did know he wouldn't let Shocker succeed in their plans.

This is a lot more somber then my usual Prologue's however the origins of Kamen Rider is a somber thing, so I hope my take on it communicated that through Yusei's transformation into Batta Augment-01. Of course next time we will see Yusei will be one year later during the events of Witchblade. As always please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What will Yusei be doing one year after he was turned into an Augment? Who will he end up crossing paths with? What conspiracy could he find himself caught up in the center of? Find out in the next Chapter of Witchblade: The Kamen Rider!