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Masked Rider Skull: Fond Du Lac's Detective
- Thread starter Matrix
- Start date
Pretty cool storyline, though in retrospect regardless of cliche, the story could had take place in Chicago the "windy city" where crime ran rampant in the 1930s.
Dude.........I wish i would ahv ethought of that earlier lol.
Also, Case 3 will be up very shortly, just been at the beach and got back today. I have it done, just have to look it over and fix some things.
Masked Rider Skull: Case 3
By: Matrix
Author’s Note:
Hey guys, sorry it took me so long for this episode. Been at the beach for two weeks. Back now and will post hopefully 2 or 3 more episodes this week! Thanks for the support!
------------------------------------
At a Fond Du Lac’s Family Home
A man is lying in his bed with his wife, as they turn the lamp off next to them. They lie down and close their eyes. Suddenly, a scream from what sounds like a young girl comes from down the hall. Both adults get up out of bed and run down the hall. They go into a room, with a man holding a little girl in his arms with a ski mask on.
“Let my daughter go!†The man runs after the man in the ski mask.
He smirks, as he pulls out a black Memory Drive with a T on it. He presses a button on it, “T-REX†The man becomes Memory Best. This beast looks like a tyrannosaurus rex with a huge head. It roars knocking the adult backwards.
The Memory Beasts takes the girl with his tail and leaves the house.
The adult, now realized as the little girl’s father tries to run after him, but the Memory Beast is gone. “NO!!!!!†The woman starts to cry, “My baby…..â€
-----------------------
2 Days Later
Benjamin James’s Detective Agency
Benjamin continues to have flashbacks of that night in his dreams. That night when he became Skull. He is awakened by a knock a t the door. He leans forward in his chair, “I never been this tired before. That night sure took a lot out of me.†Another knock comes at the door. Benjamin puts on his hat. He makes sure the Skull Drive and Buckle were still in his safe. He fixes his hat, and leans back. “Come in.â€
Detective Landon comes through the door as he seems upset, “Benjamin-“
“That is Detective to you.â€
“Whatever I don’t care. Listen.†Landon walks over to Benjamin’s and sits down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Another child was captured. That makes 5. 4 more were captured while you were away on your little field trip. Plus that boy I gave you the picture of is still missing.â€
“I know.â€
“You know what?†asked Landon
“I know there are 4 missing. I have been hired for all of them, most recently the one two days ago.â€
“What?!â€
“They have all pretty much lost interest in waiting for the Police Department to take care of it.â€
“You got to be kidding me!â€
“I am not. I am going to visit’s the most recent child’s parents. The one that was taking at night. The caught a glimpse of the man.â€
“Was he a Memory Beast, as we expected?â€
“Yes. I did not get details, but it is a Dinosaur.â€
“How do you know that?â€
“I found a foot print in the park. There is no way it was anything BUT a Dinosaur foot.â€
Detective Jonathan walks in, “Come on Landon, I am running out of quarters for the toll!†Jonathan than looks at Benjamin. “Detective.â€
Benjamin tips his hat towards Jonathan, “Good to see you again.â€
“Wish I could say the same…†said Jonathan.
Landon looked back at Jonathan, “Go back to the car.â€
“Say, how much did you get paid anyways for taking those cases?â€
“How long you been eavesdropping?!†asked Landon.
“The whole time. Took breaks here and there to put more quarters in the toll. By the way, you owe me $3.75â€
Benjamin chuckled, “Ease dropping is a very key thing to learn as a Detective. I can see your own your way to mastering it. Say, next time you try to get a young lady. Don’t ask for her name first.â€
“How did you hear that?!†asked Jonathan shockingly.
“I told you, it is a key thing to know. And it is never about how much you get paid, only about solving the case.â€
“So…..you got a lot then right?â€
“Jonathan! Car! NOW!â€
Jonathan immediately left the room as Landon and Benjamin continued their conversation.
“I would like to come with you to visit the parents.â€
“Very well. I can deal with that. I am leaving here about 4:30, just meet me here, and I will drive with you.â€
“When will you ever get a car, Ben?â€
“When I stop walking. And that is-“
“Detective to you. I get it. See you around 4:30.†Landon walks out of Benjamin’s office as Jonathan is in the car. Landon enters the driver’s side and starts the car.
“How much did he get paid?â€
“Enough to last him a lifetime.â€
“Really?!â€
“I don’t know! Stop asking!â€
---------------------------
Waldron Mansion
A knock comes on Alexander Waldron’s front door. “Come in.†It is Samantha.
“Hello sweetheart.â€
“Hello Father. I wanted to talk to you about the Factory…..and the Sk-“
“Please Samantha that is the least of my worries.â€
“But Father, that Drive could have sped up our global master planâ€
“Indeed, but, it is gone now. We move onto the next thing.â€
Samantha nodded, “Have you heard about the recent kidnappings?â€
“Yes. And it is disturbing. I was actually going to send YOU on a run. But I think I will deal with this personally.â€
“Why is that?â€
“Something your mother said to me yesterday. Time to go back to the old’ days.â€
“Father I can take care of it.â€
“No. As much as I always stay out of what the people do with their Drives, kidnapping children is a little, too far.†He then smirked, “Unless there is a good motive.†He went into his safe, and took out a silver belt and connected it around his waist. He then reached in again and took out gold Drive. The Terror Drive. “Watch the office for me, will you dear? I should be back soon.†Alexander walked out of the office as Samantha stood and watched.
“But….it’s just business….â€
Alexander started to walk down the stairs, as he saw Don sitting watching TV. “How you holding up son?â€
“Okay dad.â€
“I am going out for a little bit. You going to be okay by yourself?’
Don started to laugh, “You send me out to hunt people down, but you’re worried if I am going to be scared to be by myself? I think I can handle myself there.â€
Alexander nodded, and walked out the door, as Jennifer came running in. “Oh, dad.â€
“Where were you at?’
“Oh, umm. Out with some friends. I am sorry did you need me to do a run? I can do it now if yo-“
He raised his hand, “Can’t I just ask where my baby is?â€
Jennifer shrugged, “You never have before.†She then walked past him into the house. She looked at Don, “What the hell got into Dad?â€
Don didn’t turn around and watched TV, “Who knows. Who cares? He probably just made some big deal or something. But I think he is going on a ‘run’.â€
“Oh. That is a surprise. But anyways, guess what?!â€
“Tell somebody who cares, Jennifer. Trying to watching the ball game.â€
“You’re so mean.â€
“Yes. Yes I am.â€
Alexander stared at his house outside, “Maybe Helena was right. My kids, they don’t look at me as their father. I am just there boss.†Helena pulled up in her Hummer. She got out of the car, “Hello Alex.â€
“Helena if you have a minute to talk-“
“As you can see, I am quite busy.†She starts to unload groceries out of the back of the hummer. She starts to walk them in. “Oh, and this ‘ungrateful bitch.’ Used her own money to get these. Where are you going?â€
“For a run.â€
“Did I actually get to you? Good. Hope you realize what a dick you are.†She walked past him into the house. Alexander stared at her.
“No. No I am doing the right things. I have to keep my company alive. If my children want to quit, then they would have. She has no idea what she is talking back.†He smirked and walked away, “What was I thinking?â€
-----------------------
At the Kidnapped Child’s house
Benjamin and Landon come to the door. Landon in his trenchcoat, and Benjamin wearing a black suit with a white collared shirt. And a black fedora.
“Changing things up with the black fedora.â€
“I felt it looked better with this outfit. Let’s just knock and get to work.â€
Landon nodded and knocked at the door. An African American woman, the mother of the missing child, opens up the door, “May I help you?â€
Landon pulls out his badge, “I am Detective Landon Zander.â€
“Are you from the Fond Du Lac police?â€
“Yes-“
“Sorry Detective, but I hired a private Detective.â€
Benjamin stepped forward tipping his hat towards the mother, “Private
Detective Benjamin James. Nice to meet you Mrs. Bowman. May we come in?â€
“Oh, you are the Detective I hired. Please, come in.â€
“Can my friend Detective Landon come in? It would help me if he came along.â€
“Of course, both of you can come in.†She opens the door the full way as Benjamin starts to walk in.
“Take notes.â€
“Why do I have to?â€
Benjamin smirks, “Maybe you will learn something.†He walks inside as Landon shakes his head and follows. Mrs. Bowman walks them to the kitchen table, as she showed them to two seats at one end, as she sat next to her husband, at tall African American at the other end.
“Tell me what happened, Mr. Bowman?â€
“I heard my daughter, Janice, scream from down the hall. Me and my wife got out of bed. A person in all black, wearing a ski mask had my daughter. He turned into some, dinosaur. With the ski mask, all you could see was his eyes, nothing else. SO we didn’t see the face.â€
Benjamin nodded, “Did you see where he went when he jumped out of the window?â€
“No.†said Mrs. Bowman, “He vanished when we try to find him.â€
“We would like to see your daughter’s room.†Said Benjamin. Mrs. Bowman nodded and led them upstairs. Benjamin looked around the room, as Landon helped out.
“Ben.â€
“That’s Detective to you.â€
“God that gets annoying. Anyways look.â€
Benjamin went over to the where Landon was, by the window, and looked out. A dinosaur type imprint in the ground below was located in the garden.
“It has to be a Memory Beast.†Said Landon.
Benjamin nodded, “I agree.†Benjamin starts to head out the door as Landon follows. They shake both of the Bowman’s hands, as they are about to exit the house, Mrs. Bowman stops Benjamin.
“Detective.â€
“Yes, m’am?â€
“His eye…..it switched.â€
Benjamin was startled, “What eye?â€
“His right. I don’t know if that means anything.â€
“Every last thing is one step closer towards solving this case. Thank you.†The door shuts as Benjamin and Landon walk back to Landon’s car.
“Any idea who this could be? You didn’t ask if they had any enemies or anything.†Said Landon.
“I talked about it with them over the phone. They have no enemies, no debts, nothing. I Just came here to find proof it was a Memory Beast. But that twitch…..it could help tremendously down the road.†Landon nodded and continued to drive down the road, suddenly; a dinosaur comes out of nowhere and attacks the car sending it flying backwards. Landon and Benjamin both jump out of the car as the car is completely totaled crashing into a building.
“What is that?!†asked Landon.
“I think that is our dinosaur.†Said Benjamin.
The dinosaur roared sending Benjamin and Landon backwards. People all over the city started to scream and run.
“How did he find us?!†asked Landon as he quickly got up, as did Benjamin.
“No clue. Get as many people out of here as you can.â€
“But Ben-“
“That is Detective to you. Now go! I will take care of this thing.â€
Landon shook his head and started to yell to people, “Get out of here! Go! Go!â€
Benjamin turned his attention towards the dinosaur, “So you’re the one dirtying my city.†He fixed his hat, “This ends here.†He reaches into his coat pocket, as his eyes widened, he continues to look through his pockets, “How did I forget it?!†The dinosaur started to charge at Benjamin he jumped over him like kids jumped over each other in leap frog. He landed and kicked the dinosaur from behind. It roared again, knocking Benjamin back. He was sent back towards a food court table. He looked at the table, and took a tray, throwing it like a Frisbee at the dinosaur. It knocked it away as Benjamin tried to tackle him, but failed. He was once again knocked down. As the dinosaur was about throw his final blow, it stopped. Benjamin was confused, and got up. The dinosaur roared away from Benjamin and ran off. Benjamin tried to follow it, but lost it. “What was that about?â€
--------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin is seen on the phone, with Ronny on the other line.
“So. You are telling me, that you want me to find a database with all the memory drives in the world?†asked Ronny
“Yes.†Said Benjamin
“Basically your saying find a drug deal database and find ALL the drugs that are being sold.â€
“Yes.†Said Benjamin again.
“This is impossible, Be-I mean Detective.â€
“Nothing is impossible in this city Ronny, you should know that. And besides, that should just make it more interesting.â€
Ronny starts to laugh, “I will see what I can do. I will call you when I find anything.â€
“Thank you, Ronny.†Benjamin hangs up the phone. He slowly puts an icepack on his head as he leans back. He pulls out the Skull Drive from his safe, “Could have used you today.†He tossed it across his desk, accidently knocking an envelope off the table. Benjamin went over where the envelope was dropped. He picked it up and pulled the letter out of it. He starts to read it. “I just can’t believe it.â€
Benjamin looks up at his desk at the dinosaur made of bones on his desk. He smiles, and then his eyes widened. He looked back at the letter, and then the dinosaur. He dropped the ice pack and started to think, he remembered something.
“He had a switch in his eye.â€
“It…..it can’t be.†Benjamin then remembered something else, the dinosaur Memory Beast not finishing him off. “Oh my god. What if it is?†Benjamin’s door flies open, its Landon again.
“Be-Detective! Whatever! That Memory Beast is back. He has the kids it kidnapped in a building, and is holding hostages that were in the building just in the city. You have to come.â€
Benjamin got up and put on his coat.
“I will meet you there.â€
“What?! No just come with me!â€
“Landon, go. I will be there.â€
“Ben!â€
“I said go!â€
Landon shook his head and slammed the door. Benjamin put on his famous white house. He looked out the window and saw Landon leave his place. Benjamin went into the garage and turned the lights on. The bike that Benjamin called, “The Skull Motorâ€, sat. He ran back to his desk, picking up the Skull Drive and taking out the Unfinished Buckle from the safe. He hoped on the bike and rode out as the garage door opened and shut behind him. He rode towards where the building. He took all back roads so no one would see him.
-------------------------
At the Building in Fond Du Lac
Landon arrives in his cop car while Jonathan is standing there with cops surrounding the buildings. Landon quickly runs over to him.
“How is it looking?†asked Landon
“They just sent the second SWAT team in there. Two are in critical condition,
the rest are either unconscious or pissed off. Where is your buddy?â€
“Coming….â€
“I knew you couldn’t trust that guy.â€
“Hey watch it! You should wish to be HALF of the detective he is. I wish I could be half…How did this all go down?â€
“Seems one of the people in the building saw a man with a van full of children pulled in. He walked them in, and transformed into that Memory Beast. They called us, and now we are here. And I DO NOT wish to be like him. That detective.â€
Landon looks into the building. He sighs, “Who could do this?â€
Benjamin finally arrives but parks his bike away from the building; he quickly sneaks behind the building, where the third SWAT team is preparing to enter through the back door. “I will follow behind them.†Benjamin thought, “No. I have to go in there alone. I have to face this by myself.†The third SWAT team finally enters. Benjamin kneels next to the door, he hears the sound of a Memory Drive, “T-REXâ€
“T-Rex Drive? That makes a lot of sense. The case is getting more and more clea-“A SWAT member comes flying out of the door, as the rest of the men follow. Benjamin quickly enters the door while the men are down. He shuts the door and locks it. He slowly turns around and sees the T-Rex Memory Beast staring at him. “I don’t want to hurt you.†Said Benjamin.
The T-Rex Memory Beast roared as Benjamin dove on the ground away from him. He looked in the corner and saw the children tied up with their mouths tapped shut. In another corner, the men and women who were in the building are also tied up. Benjamin looked at the Memory Beast, “How could you do this? Look at this monstrosity you have caused!†The Memory beast charged at Benjamin as he Benjamin was too slow to dodge it and was tossed to a wall. “Stop it….â€
The Memory Beast roared even louder as Benjamin dodged, “Don’t do this…â€
The Memory Beast roared so lowed it shook the building. Benjamin stood up straight.
“Stop it! DANIEL!â€
The Memory Beast stopped roaring it looked at Benjamin.
“Son, it is you. I know it is.†Said Benjamin.
The memory beast slowly stepped back, he quickly transformed back to his human form, a long black haired male. Weighing around 150 pounds and at the height of 5’8. It was Benjamin’s son, Daniel James. “How did-How did you find out?!â€
Benjamin took his hat off, he pulled out the letter that had unsettled him before and presented it to Daniel. “First clue. Your expulsion letter from your college. The letter sites that you were "An embarrassment with your behavior to the school and yourselfâ€
Daniel looked away.
“Second, the women who saw you said you had a twitch in your eye. When your were just a baby, you had minor eye surgery. But, the doctor screwed up your nerves, causing you to have a twitch.â€
Daniel turned his back towards Benjamin, “Third, the dinosaur model on my desk. You and I built it after your mother ran away; you called it, ‘The happiest day of our lives.’â€
“Those don’t mean anything. The last two have no-“
“Finally, when you stopped when you tried and attacked me. It was as if you knew me. Then all the other minor clues came together. Although the clues were unsubstantial, I just knew it was you. Through that monster that you have become, when you stared at me…..I knew it was you.â€
Daniel griped his right hand into a fist. He then started to laugh softly.
“Why are you laughing? Look what you have done! Is this funny to you?!â€
Daniel turned back towards his father with a smirk on his face, “I wanted to get your attention, DAD. So, instead of being your son, I will now be your enemy! T-REX.†Daniel lifts his short sleeve on the left side, inserting the Drive into the Data Stamp located on his left shoulder. Daniel became the T-Red Memory Beast. He charged again at Benjamin as Benjamin got caught in the charge as Daniel went through the wall into another room, away from the hostages. Benjamin rolled away from Daniel as he made sure the hostages could not see him.
“What now dad? You cannot beat me. Your city will crumble. As well as yourself!â€
Benjamin pulled out the Unfinished Buckle.
“What is that?â€
“Don’t make me use it. You can stop this. Just give me the Drive, and I can get you help. It is a drug, you have become addicted.â€
“A drug? No. It is SO much more!†Daniel roared as he tried to attack his father, but Benjamin kicked him away.
Benjamin placed the Unfinished Buckle on his waist as a strap wrapped around. He pulled out the Skull Drive, as he pressed the button in it. “SKULLâ€
“You have on too, eh?â€
“Not anything like yours.†Benjamin inserted the Skull Drive inter the slot, as he pushed it down. "SKULL" A wind covered Benjamin’s body. Finally, the wind stopped revealing Benjamin as Skull. He bent down and picked up his hat that had fallen off from the crash through the wall. Daniel smirked.
“So this is the new and improved Private Detective? Come and get me.†Daniel ran through several walls as Benjamin quickly turned his head to follow him. He went through the walls as he ended up outside of the building.
“Where did he go?†Benjamin ran towards the front of the building as he heard screams and gun shots. Daniel had attacked the police barrier. Benjamin quickly ran over to him and punched him away. He made sure not to say anything that would give off who he was. “Now, atone for your sins.†He pointed at Daniel and started to engage in a fight. Benjamin nailed a kick to Daniel’s stomach, but Daniel used his tail to whip Benjamin away. The fight continued on as finally, Daniel became annoyed.
“Try this.†He roared into the buildings the hold building started to shake. A huge part of the building was falling towards the hostages. Benjamin quickly ran over rand pulled out the Skull Magnum and shot at it blowing it up.
Benjamin turned around, and Daniel had started to rampage down the road.
Benjamin quickly ran past the barrier as all the cops started to cheer for him.
Landon stood with his jaw dropped; Jonathan pushed his jaw back up, “What is wrong with you?†asked Jonathan.
“Wh-who was that? What was that?â€
“I don’t know. But he sure kicked that dinosaur’s ass.â€
Landon nodded, “That he did. Say, where the hell is Ben at?â€
Benjamin ran to where he hid the bike. He jumped on it, and revved the engine and was off trying to stop Daniel. He started to shoot at him with his Magnum but continuously failed. “He just is too fast.†Finally Daniel stopped as Benjamin stopped his bike.
“Sorry dad, chase is over.†Daniel roared at a little house collapsing it down in between Daniel and Benjamin. Benjamin ran towards the collapsed home.
“NO!†Benjamin fell to his knees. “No….Daniel no….â€
-------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin sits in a chair facing the door. His fedora is on the floor, along with his jacket, tie, and shoes. He stares at the ground with his hands together. A knock comes at the door. Benjamin does not move, or make a sound. The door finally comes open, it is Landon.
“Be-What the hell?†Landon looks around, “I know it’s late, but is this how you go to bed?†Landon starts to laugh. Benjamin continues not to move. Landon kneels down in front of Benjamin, “SO, uh, I didn’t see you there today.â€
“I was there.â€
“Where?â€
“Went through the back with the SWAT team.â€
“Oh.â€
“Go away, Landon.â€
“What? Ben, what is wrong?†Landon purposely calls Benjamin ‘Ben’ to try and get a reaction. Nothing. “Talk to me.â€
“It’s my son.â€
“What is wrong with him?â€
“You don’t get it. The Memory Beast. Its my son.â€
Landon’s eyes widened, he opens his mouth t something but quickly
closes it, not knowing what to say. “How?â€
“I don’t know. But I saw it with my own eyes. My son becoming that….monster. Then that silver guy came and started to fight him. I ran after them, but got lost in that home colappsing.â€
“To let you know, no one lived in that house. It was up for sale by a local bank. I think that would make you happier.â€
Benjamin just sat there.
“Listen Ben, if there is anything I can do, I will and you know that. Just take
the next couple of days off. We have the kids so technically, your job is done-“
Benjamin throws the chair away from him, then grabbing Landon by the collar and forcing him against a wall, “You want to do me a favor? Tell your men, especially that brat of a partner, to stay out of this. This is mine. As you said, my job is done. This is off record now; I will bring down my son, not you. Got
it?â€
Landon nodded, as Benjamin let him go. Landon started to walk towards the door, “I am truly sorry Ben. No, Detective.†Landon tried to force a smile, but with the circumstances, could not. He walked out the door as Benjamin stood in the middle of the room. He quickly runs toward a wall punching it. He starts to breath heavily from anger.
“This is off record. This is no case. But I have to treat it like one.†Benjamin grips his hand into a fist, “If he wants to be me enemy, then fine!†Benjamin pulls out the Skull Drive pressing the button on it, “SKULL†He looks up, “Then his wish is granted.â€
By: Matrix
Author’s Note:
Hey guys, sorry it took me so long for this episode. Been at the beach for two weeks. Back now and will post hopefully 2 or 3 more episodes this week! Thanks for the support!
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At a Fond Du Lac’s Family Home
A man is lying in his bed with his wife, as they turn the lamp off next to them. They lie down and close their eyes. Suddenly, a scream from what sounds like a young girl comes from down the hall. Both adults get up out of bed and run down the hall. They go into a room, with a man holding a little girl in his arms with a ski mask on.
“Let my daughter go!†The man runs after the man in the ski mask.
He smirks, as he pulls out a black Memory Drive with a T on it. He presses a button on it, “T-REX†The man becomes Memory Best. This beast looks like a tyrannosaurus rex with a huge head. It roars knocking the adult backwards.
The Memory Beasts takes the girl with his tail and leaves the house.
The adult, now realized as the little girl’s father tries to run after him, but the Memory Beast is gone. “NO!!!!!†The woman starts to cry, “My baby…..â€
-----------------------
2 Days Later
Benjamin James’s Detective Agency
Benjamin continues to have flashbacks of that night in his dreams. That night when he became Skull. He is awakened by a knock a t the door. He leans forward in his chair, “I never been this tired before. That night sure took a lot out of me.†Another knock comes at the door. Benjamin puts on his hat. He makes sure the Skull Drive and Buckle were still in his safe. He fixes his hat, and leans back. “Come in.â€
Detective Landon comes through the door as he seems upset, “Benjamin-“
“That is Detective to you.â€
“Whatever I don’t care. Listen.†Landon walks over to Benjamin’s and sits down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Another child was captured. That makes 5. 4 more were captured while you were away on your little field trip. Plus that boy I gave you the picture of is still missing.â€
“I know.â€
“You know what?†asked Landon
“I know there are 4 missing. I have been hired for all of them, most recently the one two days ago.â€
“What?!â€
“They have all pretty much lost interest in waiting for the Police Department to take care of it.â€
“You got to be kidding me!â€
“I am not. I am going to visit’s the most recent child’s parents. The one that was taking at night. The caught a glimpse of the man.â€
“Was he a Memory Beast, as we expected?â€
“Yes. I did not get details, but it is a Dinosaur.â€
“How do you know that?â€
“I found a foot print in the park. There is no way it was anything BUT a Dinosaur foot.â€
Detective Jonathan walks in, “Come on Landon, I am running out of quarters for the toll!†Jonathan than looks at Benjamin. “Detective.â€
Benjamin tips his hat towards Jonathan, “Good to see you again.â€
“Wish I could say the same…†said Jonathan.
Landon looked back at Jonathan, “Go back to the car.â€
“Say, how much did you get paid anyways for taking those cases?â€
“How long you been eavesdropping?!†asked Landon.
“The whole time. Took breaks here and there to put more quarters in the toll. By the way, you owe me $3.75â€
Benjamin chuckled, “Ease dropping is a very key thing to learn as a Detective. I can see your own your way to mastering it. Say, next time you try to get a young lady. Don’t ask for her name first.â€
“How did you hear that?!†asked Jonathan shockingly.
“I told you, it is a key thing to know. And it is never about how much you get paid, only about solving the case.â€
“So…..you got a lot then right?â€
“Jonathan! Car! NOW!â€
Jonathan immediately left the room as Landon and Benjamin continued their conversation.
“I would like to come with you to visit the parents.â€
“Very well. I can deal with that. I am leaving here about 4:30, just meet me here, and I will drive with you.â€
“When will you ever get a car, Ben?â€
“When I stop walking. And that is-“
“Detective to you. I get it. See you around 4:30.†Landon walks out of Benjamin’s office as Jonathan is in the car. Landon enters the driver’s side and starts the car.
“How much did he get paid?â€
“Enough to last him a lifetime.â€
“Really?!â€
“I don’t know! Stop asking!â€
---------------------------
Waldron Mansion
A knock comes on Alexander Waldron’s front door. “Come in.†It is Samantha.
“Hello sweetheart.â€
“Hello Father. I wanted to talk to you about the Factory…..and the Sk-“
“Please Samantha that is the least of my worries.â€
“But Father, that Drive could have sped up our global master planâ€
“Indeed, but, it is gone now. We move onto the next thing.â€
Samantha nodded, “Have you heard about the recent kidnappings?â€
“Yes. And it is disturbing. I was actually going to send YOU on a run. But I think I will deal with this personally.â€
“Why is that?â€
“Something your mother said to me yesterday. Time to go back to the old’ days.â€
“Father I can take care of it.â€
“No. As much as I always stay out of what the people do with their Drives, kidnapping children is a little, too far.†He then smirked, “Unless there is a good motive.†He went into his safe, and took out a silver belt and connected it around his waist. He then reached in again and took out gold Drive. The Terror Drive. “Watch the office for me, will you dear? I should be back soon.†Alexander walked out of the office as Samantha stood and watched.
“But….it’s just business….â€
Alexander started to walk down the stairs, as he saw Don sitting watching TV. “How you holding up son?â€
“Okay dad.â€
“I am going out for a little bit. You going to be okay by yourself?’
Don started to laugh, “You send me out to hunt people down, but you’re worried if I am going to be scared to be by myself? I think I can handle myself there.â€
Alexander nodded, and walked out the door, as Jennifer came running in. “Oh, dad.â€
“Where were you at?’
“Oh, umm. Out with some friends. I am sorry did you need me to do a run? I can do it now if yo-“
He raised his hand, “Can’t I just ask where my baby is?â€
Jennifer shrugged, “You never have before.†She then walked past him into the house. She looked at Don, “What the hell got into Dad?â€
Don didn’t turn around and watched TV, “Who knows. Who cares? He probably just made some big deal or something. But I think he is going on a ‘run’.â€
“Oh. That is a surprise. But anyways, guess what?!â€
“Tell somebody who cares, Jennifer. Trying to watching the ball game.â€
“You’re so mean.â€
“Yes. Yes I am.â€
Alexander stared at his house outside, “Maybe Helena was right. My kids, they don’t look at me as their father. I am just there boss.†Helena pulled up in her Hummer. She got out of the car, “Hello Alex.â€
“Helena if you have a minute to talk-“
“As you can see, I am quite busy.†She starts to unload groceries out of the back of the hummer. She starts to walk them in. “Oh, and this ‘ungrateful bitch.’ Used her own money to get these. Where are you going?â€
“For a run.â€
“Did I actually get to you? Good. Hope you realize what a dick you are.†She walked past him into the house. Alexander stared at her.
“No. No I am doing the right things. I have to keep my company alive. If my children want to quit, then they would have. She has no idea what she is talking back.†He smirked and walked away, “What was I thinking?â€
-----------------------
At the Kidnapped Child’s house
Benjamin and Landon come to the door. Landon in his trenchcoat, and Benjamin wearing a black suit with a white collared shirt. And a black fedora.
“Changing things up with the black fedora.â€
“I felt it looked better with this outfit. Let’s just knock and get to work.â€
Landon nodded and knocked at the door. An African American woman, the mother of the missing child, opens up the door, “May I help you?â€
Landon pulls out his badge, “I am Detective Landon Zander.â€
“Are you from the Fond Du Lac police?â€
“Yes-“
“Sorry Detective, but I hired a private Detective.â€
Benjamin stepped forward tipping his hat towards the mother, “Private
Detective Benjamin James. Nice to meet you Mrs. Bowman. May we come in?â€
“Oh, you are the Detective I hired. Please, come in.â€
“Can my friend Detective Landon come in? It would help me if he came along.â€
“Of course, both of you can come in.†She opens the door the full way as Benjamin starts to walk in.
“Take notes.â€
“Why do I have to?â€
Benjamin smirks, “Maybe you will learn something.†He walks inside as Landon shakes his head and follows. Mrs. Bowman walks them to the kitchen table, as she showed them to two seats at one end, as she sat next to her husband, at tall African American at the other end.
“Tell me what happened, Mr. Bowman?â€
“I heard my daughter, Janice, scream from down the hall. Me and my wife got out of bed. A person in all black, wearing a ski mask had my daughter. He turned into some, dinosaur. With the ski mask, all you could see was his eyes, nothing else. SO we didn’t see the face.â€
Benjamin nodded, “Did you see where he went when he jumped out of the window?â€
“No.†said Mrs. Bowman, “He vanished when we try to find him.â€
“We would like to see your daughter’s room.†Said Benjamin. Mrs. Bowman nodded and led them upstairs. Benjamin looked around the room, as Landon helped out.
“Ben.â€
“That’s Detective to you.â€
“God that gets annoying. Anyways look.â€
Benjamin went over to the where Landon was, by the window, and looked out. A dinosaur type imprint in the ground below was located in the garden.
“It has to be a Memory Beast.†Said Landon.
Benjamin nodded, “I agree.†Benjamin starts to head out the door as Landon follows. They shake both of the Bowman’s hands, as they are about to exit the house, Mrs. Bowman stops Benjamin.
“Detective.â€
“Yes, m’am?â€
“His eye…..it switched.â€
Benjamin was startled, “What eye?â€
“His right. I don’t know if that means anything.â€
“Every last thing is one step closer towards solving this case. Thank you.†The door shuts as Benjamin and Landon walk back to Landon’s car.
“Any idea who this could be? You didn’t ask if they had any enemies or anything.†Said Landon.
“I talked about it with them over the phone. They have no enemies, no debts, nothing. I Just came here to find proof it was a Memory Beast. But that twitch…..it could help tremendously down the road.†Landon nodded and continued to drive down the road, suddenly; a dinosaur comes out of nowhere and attacks the car sending it flying backwards. Landon and Benjamin both jump out of the car as the car is completely totaled crashing into a building.
“What is that?!†asked Landon.
“I think that is our dinosaur.†Said Benjamin.
The dinosaur roared sending Benjamin and Landon backwards. People all over the city started to scream and run.
“How did he find us?!†asked Landon as he quickly got up, as did Benjamin.
“No clue. Get as many people out of here as you can.â€
“But Ben-“
“That is Detective to you. Now go! I will take care of this thing.â€
Landon shook his head and started to yell to people, “Get out of here! Go! Go!â€
Benjamin turned his attention towards the dinosaur, “So you’re the one dirtying my city.†He fixed his hat, “This ends here.†He reaches into his coat pocket, as his eyes widened, he continues to look through his pockets, “How did I forget it?!†The dinosaur started to charge at Benjamin he jumped over him like kids jumped over each other in leap frog. He landed and kicked the dinosaur from behind. It roared again, knocking Benjamin back. He was sent back towards a food court table. He looked at the table, and took a tray, throwing it like a Frisbee at the dinosaur. It knocked it away as Benjamin tried to tackle him, but failed. He was once again knocked down. As the dinosaur was about throw his final blow, it stopped. Benjamin was confused, and got up. The dinosaur roared away from Benjamin and ran off. Benjamin tried to follow it, but lost it. “What was that about?â€
--------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin is seen on the phone, with Ronny on the other line.
“So. You are telling me, that you want me to find a database with all the memory drives in the world?†asked Ronny
“Yes.†Said Benjamin
“Basically your saying find a drug deal database and find ALL the drugs that are being sold.â€
“Yes.†Said Benjamin again.
“This is impossible, Be-I mean Detective.â€
“Nothing is impossible in this city Ronny, you should know that. And besides, that should just make it more interesting.â€
Ronny starts to laugh, “I will see what I can do. I will call you when I find anything.â€
“Thank you, Ronny.†Benjamin hangs up the phone. He slowly puts an icepack on his head as he leans back. He pulls out the Skull Drive from his safe, “Could have used you today.†He tossed it across his desk, accidently knocking an envelope off the table. Benjamin went over where the envelope was dropped. He picked it up and pulled the letter out of it. He starts to read it. “I just can’t believe it.â€
Benjamin looks up at his desk at the dinosaur made of bones on his desk. He smiles, and then his eyes widened. He looked back at the letter, and then the dinosaur. He dropped the ice pack and started to think, he remembered something.
“He had a switch in his eye.â€
“It…..it can’t be.†Benjamin then remembered something else, the dinosaur Memory Beast not finishing him off. “Oh my god. What if it is?†Benjamin’s door flies open, its Landon again.
“Be-Detective! Whatever! That Memory Beast is back. He has the kids it kidnapped in a building, and is holding hostages that were in the building just in the city. You have to come.â€
Benjamin got up and put on his coat.
“I will meet you there.â€
“What?! No just come with me!â€
“Landon, go. I will be there.â€
“Ben!â€
“I said go!â€
Landon shook his head and slammed the door. Benjamin put on his famous white house. He looked out the window and saw Landon leave his place. Benjamin went into the garage and turned the lights on. The bike that Benjamin called, “The Skull Motorâ€, sat. He ran back to his desk, picking up the Skull Drive and taking out the Unfinished Buckle from the safe. He hoped on the bike and rode out as the garage door opened and shut behind him. He rode towards where the building. He took all back roads so no one would see him.
-------------------------
At the Building in Fond Du Lac
Landon arrives in his cop car while Jonathan is standing there with cops surrounding the buildings. Landon quickly runs over to him.
“How is it looking?†asked Landon
“They just sent the second SWAT team in there. Two are in critical condition,
the rest are either unconscious or pissed off. Where is your buddy?â€
“Coming….â€
“I knew you couldn’t trust that guy.â€
“Hey watch it! You should wish to be HALF of the detective he is. I wish I could be half…How did this all go down?â€
“Seems one of the people in the building saw a man with a van full of children pulled in. He walked them in, and transformed into that Memory Beast. They called us, and now we are here. And I DO NOT wish to be like him. That detective.â€
Landon looks into the building. He sighs, “Who could do this?â€
Benjamin finally arrives but parks his bike away from the building; he quickly sneaks behind the building, where the third SWAT team is preparing to enter through the back door. “I will follow behind them.†Benjamin thought, “No. I have to go in there alone. I have to face this by myself.†The third SWAT team finally enters. Benjamin kneels next to the door, he hears the sound of a Memory Drive, “T-REXâ€
“T-Rex Drive? That makes a lot of sense. The case is getting more and more clea-“A SWAT member comes flying out of the door, as the rest of the men follow. Benjamin quickly enters the door while the men are down. He shuts the door and locks it. He slowly turns around and sees the T-Rex Memory Beast staring at him. “I don’t want to hurt you.†Said Benjamin.
The T-Rex Memory Beast roared as Benjamin dove on the ground away from him. He looked in the corner and saw the children tied up with their mouths tapped shut. In another corner, the men and women who were in the building are also tied up. Benjamin looked at the Memory Beast, “How could you do this? Look at this monstrosity you have caused!†The Memory beast charged at Benjamin as he Benjamin was too slow to dodge it and was tossed to a wall. “Stop it….â€
The Memory Beast roared even louder as Benjamin dodged, “Don’t do this…â€
The Memory Beast roared so lowed it shook the building. Benjamin stood up straight.
“Stop it! DANIEL!â€
The Memory Beast stopped roaring it looked at Benjamin.
“Son, it is you. I know it is.†Said Benjamin.
The memory beast slowly stepped back, he quickly transformed back to his human form, a long black haired male. Weighing around 150 pounds and at the height of 5’8. It was Benjamin’s son, Daniel James. “How did-How did you find out?!â€
Benjamin took his hat off, he pulled out the letter that had unsettled him before and presented it to Daniel. “First clue. Your expulsion letter from your college. The letter sites that you were "An embarrassment with your behavior to the school and yourselfâ€
Daniel looked away.
“Second, the women who saw you said you had a twitch in your eye. When your were just a baby, you had minor eye surgery. But, the doctor screwed up your nerves, causing you to have a twitch.â€
Daniel turned his back towards Benjamin, “Third, the dinosaur model on my desk. You and I built it after your mother ran away; you called it, ‘The happiest day of our lives.’â€
“Those don’t mean anything. The last two have no-“
“Finally, when you stopped when you tried and attacked me. It was as if you knew me. Then all the other minor clues came together. Although the clues were unsubstantial, I just knew it was you. Through that monster that you have become, when you stared at me…..I knew it was you.â€
Daniel griped his right hand into a fist. He then started to laugh softly.
“Why are you laughing? Look what you have done! Is this funny to you?!â€
Daniel turned back towards his father with a smirk on his face, “I wanted to get your attention, DAD. So, instead of being your son, I will now be your enemy! T-REX.†Daniel lifts his short sleeve on the left side, inserting the Drive into the Data Stamp located on his left shoulder. Daniel became the T-Red Memory Beast. He charged again at Benjamin as Benjamin got caught in the charge as Daniel went through the wall into another room, away from the hostages. Benjamin rolled away from Daniel as he made sure the hostages could not see him.
“What now dad? You cannot beat me. Your city will crumble. As well as yourself!â€
Benjamin pulled out the Unfinished Buckle.
“What is that?â€
“Don’t make me use it. You can stop this. Just give me the Drive, and I can get you help. It is a drug, you have become addicted.â€
“A drug? No. It is SO much more!†Daniel roared as he tried to attack his father, but Benjamin kicked him away.
Benjamin placed the Unfinished Buckle on his waist as a strap wrapped around. He pulled out the Skull Drive, as he pressed the button in it. “SKULLâ€
“You have on too, eh?â€
“Not anything like yours.†Benjamin inserted the Skull Drive inter the slot, as he pushed it down. "SKULL" A wind covered Benjamin’s body. Finally, the wind stopped revealing Benjamin as Skull. He bent down and picked up his hat that had fallen off from the crash through the wall. Daniel smirked.
“So this is the new and improved Private Detective? Come and get me.†Daniel ran through several walls as Benjamin quickly turned his head to follow him. He went through the walls as he ended up outside of the building.
“Where did he go?†Benjamin ran towards the front of the building as he heard screams and gun shots. Daniel had attacked the police barrier. Benjamin quickly ran over to him and punched him away. He made sure not to say anything that would give off who he was. “Now, atone for your sins.†He pointed at Daniel and started to engage in a fight. Benjamin nailed a kick to Daniel’s stomach, but Daniel used his tail to whip Benjamin away. The fight continued on as finally, Daniel became annoyed.
“Try this.†He roared into the buildings the hold building started to shake. A huge part of the building was falling towards the hostages. Benjamin quickly ran over rand pulled out the Skull Magnum and shot at it blowing it up.
Benjamin turned around, and Daniel had started to rampage down the road.
Benjamin quickly ran past the barrier as all the cops started to cheer for him.
Landon stood with his jaw dropped; Jonathan pushed his jaw back up, “What is wrong with you?†asked Jonathan.
“Wh-who was that? What was that?â€
“I don’t know. But he sure kicked that dinosaur’s ass.â€
Landon nodded, “That he did. Say, where the hell is Ben at?â€
Benjamin ran to where he hid the bike. He jumped on it, and revved the engine and was off trying to stop Daniel. He started to shoot at him with his Magnum but continuously failed. “He just is too fast.†Finally Daniel stopped as Benjamin stopped his bike.
“Sorry dad, chase is over.†Daniel roared at a little house collapsing it down in between Daniel and Benjamin. Benjamin ran towards the collapsed home.
“NO!†Benjamin fell to his knees. “No….Daniel no….â€
-------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin sits in a chair facing the door. His fedora is on the floor, along with his jacket, tie, and shoes. He stares at the ground with his hands together. A knock comes at the door. Benjamin does not move, or make a sound. The door finally comes open, it is Landon.
“Be-What the hell?†Landon looks around, “I know it’s late, but is this how you go to bed?†Landon starts to laugh. Benjamin continues not to move. Landon kneels down in front of Benjamin, “SO, uh, I didn’t see you there today.â€
“I was there.â€
“Where?â€
“Went through the back with the SWAT team.â€
“Oh.â€
“Go away, Landon.â€
“What? Ben, what is wrong?†Landon purposely calls Benjamin ‘Ben’ to try and get a reaction. Nothing. “Talk to me.â€
“It’s my son.â€
“What is wrong with him?â€
“You don’t get it. The Memory Beast. Its my son.â€
Landon’s eyes widened, he opens his mouth t something but quickly
closes it, not knowing what to say. “How?â€
“I don’t know. But I saw it with my own eyes. My son becoming that….monster. Then that silver guy came and started to fight him. I ran after them, but got lost in that home colappsing.â€
“To let you know, no one lived in that house. It was up for sale by a local bank. I think that would make you happier.â€
Benjamin just sat there.
“Listen Ben, if there is anything I can do, I will and you know that. Just take
the next couple of days off. We have the kids so technically, your job is done-“
Benjamin throws the chair away from him, then grabbing Landon by the collar and forcing him against a wall, “You want to do me a favor? Tell your men, especially that brat of a partner, to stay out of this. This is mine. As you said, my job is done. This is off record now; I will bring down my son, not you. Got
it?â€
Landon nodded, as Benjamin let him go. Landon started to walk towards the door, “I am truly sorry Ben. No, Detective.†Landon tried to force a smile, but with the circumstances, could not. He walked out the door as Benjamin stood in the middle of the room. He quickly runs toward a wall punching it. He starts to breath heavily from anger.
“This is off record. This is no case. But I have to treat it like one.†Benjamin grips his hand into a fist, “If he wants to be me enemy, then fine!†Benjamin pulls out the Skull Drive pressing the button on it, “SKULL†He looks up, “Then his wish is granted.â€
S
scikaiju
Guest
Nice twist there, wasn't expecting to see his son in the series so soon. Nice job.
Thanks man. I wanted to show Benjamin's emotional side as well, as was shown through the episode. So far we saw his badass, serious side. The best way to show his emotional side, was through his son. I know it was kinda early and all, but as you said. It was a twist.
Masked Rider Skull: Case 4
By: Matrix
An Abandoned Wear House
Daniel is seen thrown into a wall, in what looks like an abandoned wear house. He is transformed into the T-Rex Memory Beast. He tries to get up, but a blue type ooze comes flying across the room towards him, he tries to dodge it, but fails. He is returned into his human self. On the other side of this room, is a Memory Beast black with a large blue headwear wielding a cape. It is revealed to be the Terror Memory Best, aka Alexander Waldron. Alexander quickly returns to his human self. He walks over to Daniel and kneels down, grabbing his face, making Daniel stare Alexander in the eyes. Daniel’s eyes are barely opened, looking as if he was on every drug in the world.
“So you’re the one kidnapping those kids? You don’t seem like the type to do that.†Said Alexander.
Daniel quickly spits in his face, “Who the hell you think you are?!â€
Alexander quickly wipes the spit off his face, he winds up, and punched Daniel in the face, having his head crash into the wall. “I am the man who controls this city, and soon, the world. That little Drive you have is all thanks to me. You have 10 seconds to explain why you are doing this? My business has the chance to be ruined because of you.â€
Daniel laughed, “I really don’t care who you are. You can be God himself and I wouldn’t give a ****. I am here for one thing and one thing only, REVENGE. And if you want to be in my way, be my guest. But I have good reasons.â€
Alexander smiled, “Revenge is a very dangerous thing to go after, boy. You sure you want to do that?â€
Daniel smiled, “Waited my whole life for it.â€
Alexander nodded, and let Daniel go. He helped him up and brushed him off.
“What is this for?†asked Daniel
“My apology. You have good reason, continue with what you are doing.â€
Daniel looked confused, “What you mean? That is it?! All that beating to say, ‘This is my apology.’ Bull ****!â€
Alexander turned away and started to walk away.
“I want an answer!â€
Alexander turned back to Daniel, “It’s just a business. I have no right to stay in your way, that is against my policy. But if you cause more ruckus then you have, I will kill you.â€
Daniel stood there, as Alexander smiled and opened the door to the warehouse. Daniel stopped him from leaving. “One question. What do you know about a Drive called Skull?â€
Alexander’s eyes widened, “What are you talking about?â€
-----------------
Fond Du Lac Police Department
Landon is filling out paperwork at his desk. Jonathan is sitting across from Landon at his desk, on the computer. He looks at Landon.
“Why aren’t you visiting that Detective? Aren’t you friends?â€
“We are.â€
“You always go there. Why not today.â€
“Needs his space.â€
Jonathan leaned over his desk and stared at Landon, “Since when did you care about space? Jesus you were offered your own office and you stayed at your crummy desk. You took MY space away from me.â€
“It was never yours.â€
“Yeah….well it could have been.â€
Landon quickly smiled, and then returned to his work.
“Landon, something wrong with the Detective?â€
“Just needs some time alone.â€
Jonathan nodded and went back on the computer. He looked at Landon, but then looked back at the computer. Finally he looked at Landon one more time. He opened his mouth, but before he could say a word, he was interrupted by Landon.
“Fine! Let’s go! In the car!â€
Jonathan had an odd face on, “I was gonna ask if you saw the score of the Badgers game! Damnit I hate going there. I should have just kept my mouth shut….â€
---------------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin stares at a picture with him and his son. He puts it in his suitcase full of clothes. He closes it and starts to roll it on the ground. He then picks up an envelope on his desk with one plain ticket in it. He nods and leaves. He is wearing a blue and white suit with a blue fedora. He opens the door, as Ronny is standing in the doorway, with his hand raised about to knock.
“Oh. Detective.†Said Ronny
“Ronny what’s up? I got to catch a pla-“
“I found it.â€
Benjamin became confused, “Found what?â€
“You know.â€
“I don’t.â€
Ronny walked in and closed the door. Benjamin stared at Ronny, “I didn’t invite you in, Ronny. I really have to go.â€
“Just wait. Okay, so I took the stuff that I found on that Drive you gave me. And I found some encrypted code in it. I deciphered it, and it led me here.†Ronny opens up his laptop and shows what looks like some type of database.
“I can access all the Memory Drives on the market.â€
Benjamin’s eyes widened, “I think I can spare a couple minutes. I don’t have to be there for another hour.â€
“Then why the hurry.â€
“I am always early.â€
“Right, but anyways, I can’t trace it to a company or anything like that. They have it blocked off. I am surprised I got this far.â€
“I know nothing about computers so simplify everything for me.â€
“Okay. I cannot find out who runs this database, who created it, nothing. Nor can they find out that I have it with my firewall. Wait, that is techy. I have a barrier not allowing others to see my computer and what I am doing. Not even the government can see my stuff.â€
“And that is legal?â€
“Not at all.â€
“Ronny….â€
“Hey I got you what you wanted. But there is a catch.â€
“What?â€
“To access the information about a drive, the database uses keywords. Words or short phrases to unlock the hidden secrets of the Drive.â€
Benjamin nodded, “Try the following. Dinosaur. Roar.â€
Ronny typed in the keywords Benjamin gave him, and immediately, the T-Rex
Drive came up. “Is this your culprit here?â€
Benjamin nodded, “It is. What does it say?â€
“Says to stop it, you have to take out the head. And also has the ability to absorb.â€
“Absorb what?â€
“Doesn’t say.â€
Benjamin shook his head, “That should be interesting.†Benjamin opened the door, “Ronny, thank you for the help. I will send a check your way.â€
Ronny shook his head, and started to leave, “No check needed this time. I enjoyed doing this! Thanks to you, I have something new to do. Hacking into government database’s can only be fun for some time. See ya around Detective!†Ronny walked out the door, as he bumped into a yellow cab waiting outside Benjamin’s Agency. Benjamin walked out with the suit case and closed and locked the door. He got into the cab.
“Where to?†asked the driver.
“Fond Du Lac Air.â€
“Alright then.â€
--------------
Waldron Mansion
Alexander walks into the mansion, seeing Helena sitting at the table on her own, eating a meal. “Hello Alex.†She takes a bite of her food, and returns her attention to Alexander, “How was your run?â€
“It was fine.†Alexander sits down at the table, as Helena slides him a dish of food, as he begins to eat. “I forgot how runs can make a man hungry.â€
Helena started to laugh.
Alexander smiled, “See, I still know how to make you smile.†He continued to eat his food, and then he looked around the table. “Say, where the children at?â€
“They are on a run, didn’t you send them? Thought that was why you were sucking up.â€
“This isn’t sucking up. Trust me. And I did no-Samantha!â€
---------------
In the City
A man starts to run. He trips over his two feet and falls on his face. He drops his suitcase as USB Drives fall out of it. He tries to quickly gather them, but a blue foot steps on his hand. He screams, as he looks up, and sees the Nazca Memory Beast.
Donald laughs, “You really think that you could do this?†He takes his sword, and starts to break all of the USB drives. “Painting letters on regular USB Drives, making it look like Memory Drives and selling them? What an imbasul.â€
The man slips his hand away from Donald’s foot and starts to run, but Jennifer, the Clay Doll Memory Beast, steps in front of him, pointing her blaster at him, “Bye bye.†She blasts at him as he goes flying towards Donald. Donald flips his sword as he holds it upside down; he takes the hilt of the sword and bangs it against the man’s head, knocking him unconscious. His clothes are ripped apart and he is almost naked. Donald transforms back into his human self, as Jennifer follows.
“You could have killed him Jenny!â€
“Oh shut up Don. I just did a little blast.â€
“Little?! Jesus you know the rules, NO KILLING. Just bang them up enough to teach them a lesson.â€
A limousine comes rolling down the street as it sops next to Donald and Jennifer. The door opens, and Samantha comes out of the car and leans up against it. “Excellent.â€
Don pointed at her, “Shut up. You’re lucky we even did this.â€
“Yeah, dad is gonna be pissseedd!†said Jennifer.
“No he won’t. He will realize that this is all for the be-“Samantha’s phone rings. She presses send on the phone and answers, “Hello? Hi Da-….No wait dad…..but…..okay we are coming home.†Samantha slowly puts the phone back into her pocket.
“Told ya so.†Said Jennifer.
Don started to laugh as he got in the limousine. “I hope he fires you.â€
“Shut up!†said Samantha.
------------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Landon starts to bang on Benjamin’s door. Jonathan becomes annoyed.
“He obviously isn’t here.†Said Jonathan.
“Yeah. But where could he be?†Landon walked away towards the door and leans on his car. Jonathan pulls out a cigarette and a lighter.
“Since when did you smoke?†said Landon.
“Since I find out this girl I hooked up with a couple weeks ago is back. AKA my ex….â€
Landon became shocked, “Awe Johnny. Listen if there is anything I ca-“
“Landon you say that to everyone. You can only help so many people in this world. Or even this town. I will be fine. We are keeping it. Just stressed out. Money isn’t an issue, the force pays me decent. Just the thought of a having a kid…â€
Landon nodded, “I know the feeling. My girl is 15 years old now. My other one is 10. Jesus I remember when we found out that Sheryl was pregnant with Ruby, the 15 year old. I just got the job at the force; Sheryl got laid off after a month. Things were tough. But the moment Ruby was born, all our worries and stresses were gone.â€
Johnathan nodded and smiled, as he blew out smoke, “That is what I want to feel. Say, that Detective have a kid?â€
Landon nodded, as he remembered Benjamin telling him that his son was the Memory Beast. “He has a son. Daniel. Never met him. Let’s head back to the office.†Jonathan threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. Landon turned towards the driver’s door, as he saw a man standing in the street. It was Daniel. Never meeting Daniel before, Landon approached him as Daniel’s eyes were blood shot still looking like he was on drugs.
“Who are you?†asked Jonathan.
Landon stepped in front of Jonathan, “Let me take care of this, he is an addict clearly. Hey son, my name is Landon. I am a Detective at the Fond Du Lac Police De-“
“I know who you are.†Said Daniel.
Landon looked confused, “Have we met?â€
Daniel took out the T-Rex Drive and inserted it into his shoulder. He quickly turned into the T-Rex Memory Beast.
“Shit.†Said Landon.
“He is the Memory Beast?!†exclaimed Jonathan.
“And Ben’s son…â€
“What?! Why didn’t you tell me?!â€
“Not now Johnny. We got to stop this thing.†Landon and Jonathon pulled out there guns and started to shoot at Daniel, it only fazed him a little. As he started to charge at them, they both dodged it as Daniel turned around and roared at them, knocking them back.
“I hate this thing already!†said Jonathan.
“You hate him. This is my second stint with him! Where is that guy that fought him before?!â€
Daniel walked towards Jonathan, as he picked up up, “Where is my father?â€
“I-I-I don’t know man. Seriously.â€
Daniel tossed Jonathan aside as he hit a wall, knocking him out. Daniel walked towards Landon as Landon got up and started to runs towards Jonathan, he starts to shake him. “Johnny! Johnny! Come on man, wake up!†Jonathan continues to stay unconscious. Finally, Landon is grabbed and is turned towards Daniel.
“Tell my father, that his city is doomed. And that our next time we meet, will be our last.†He dropped Landon and ran off. Finally, Jonathan woke up. “Wh-what happened?â€
Landon laid down in exhaustion on the ground as Jonathan slowly started to sit up, “John. You still know how to pick a lock?â€
“That was random. And yes wh-No way. You really want me to do it?â€
Landon nodded, “We need to get into Ben’s office. I need to know more what his son is about. Even though he wants me to stay out of it-“
“Hey if the man said stay out of it, then let’s stay out of it. Did you see his son?! MONSTER!â€
Landon sat up, “I saw it. And Ben’s gonna need back up. But I can’t give it to him unless I know what we are dealing with.â€
-------------
New York City
Benjamin walks out of his hotel and nods to the doorman. He is wearing his famous white fedora with his outfit. He looks at a piece of paper reading:
54 North Front St
“Just a block down if that front desk lady is right.†He started his walk with his hands in his pocket he witnesses a cop pulling a man in a black suit in the car. The man was holding a brief case. “They are here too.†Benjamin knew that the case contained Memory Drives. It hurt him that his city was not only affected. “I will stop this, one way or another.†He stated in his mind. His walk continued until he stopped at a door with the numbers ‘54’ on it. He went up to the door and started to knock. No answer. He then rang the doorbell until a younger woman answered the door.
“What?!†asked the woman.
“Bethany Edwards?â€
“Yes?â€
“Private Detective Benjamin James.â€
“I didn’t hire a Private Detective. Nor do I need one. Goodnight.†She starts to shut the door, as Benjamin stops it.
“I am not hear for a case. I am hear for my son. Daniel James. You were his counselor.â€
Bethany’s eyes widened, “Daniel….Oh my. Is something wrong?â€
“Let’s just say, Daniel is on the way to hurting many others, and himself.â€
“Mr.James I-“
“I understand your code of confidentiality. But as I said, he is in grave danger. I need your help. I am no stranger asking. This is my goddamn son. “
Bethany took a deep breath and then nodded, “Come in.â€
----------
In the living room
“Here are his files. I was assigned to Daniel from his school after several out
breaks.â€
“Why did he have them?â€
“They didn’t know. It was his senior year, he was a Class A student according to the Dean. But I finally found out. Daniel had found his mother. She is a bartender at a bar not to far from his school. Daniel said that she had tattoos and earrings. His friends went to the bar once a week. He recognized her the night she worked. She started to talk to her, found out she was engaged to a local biker.â€
“Dear Jesus she changed.â€
“Yes. But the whole time, she didn’t recognize him. That is when he says he lost control.â€
Benjamin took his hat off and covered his face with his hand. He removed his hand and looked back at Bethany. “Why did he come back to Fond Du Lac after he got expelled?â€
“I don’t truly know. I didn’t see Daniel after he was kicked out. But our last session, he talked about you. Before that, never were you evolved. He said,
“I want to go back. But I don’t want to be a shadow.â€
Benjamin put his head into his lap, “This is my fault….It is making sense.â€
“Mr. James?â€
“I need to get back to Fond Du Lac.†Benjamin got up and put on his fedora and left. Bethany got up as well.
“Where are you going?â€
“To the airport, I need to get back there.â€
“You’re insane! It is 2 A.M. You will never get a flight.’
“Then I will wait. Just have to get back tomorrow.†Benjamin walked out the door as Bethany leaned out.
“Mr. James!â€
“Yes?â€
“Where are you going to look? Do you even know where he is?â€
Benjamin stopped, and thought. He didn’t know. “I-“ He then remembered one place where Daniel always use to go. “Has to be there!â€
-------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Landon continued to look through things around Benjamin’s office. “Jesus, he sure doesn’t leave anything around.â€
“Not surprised. There isn’t any new technology except the lights and that old ass radio. And he has so many books. Say what is this one sticking out?†Jonathan pulls out the book sticking out, “Phillip Marlow?â€
Landon turned around and smiled, “Ben’s favorite. Ben says he enjoys it because Phillip solves his cases through his own decisions. When I first joined the force and got to know Ben, he gave me that exact book. Changed how I looked at my job.â€
“A book? Did that much for you.â€
“Phillip Marlow is one hell of a Detective. I have read all of his books. You should read that one.â€
“Sorry Landon, I don’t read books.â€
“Now you do. Keep it, Ben has read it many times and probably has more copies somewhere.â€
Jonathan shook his head, but put the book in his trench coat. He bumps into a cabinet knocking down a picture. He catches it and looks at it, “Hey Landon, might want to see this.â€
Landon saw the picture, “Hey that must be Daniel with Benjamin. They are at the……â€
---------------------
The next day
The Docks
Daniel stands on the edge of the docks, as he skips a rock down the water. He stands and just stares at the water.
“Some habits never die, do they son?†as Benjamin starts to walk over towards Daniel.
Daniel smirks, “I have every intention on killing you. Father. And I know about your power of Skull. I know it is more powerful than anything. But that won’t stop me.â€
Benjamin stopped, “And I have every intention on doing the same to you.â€
Daniel turned towards Benjamin shocked, “It all makes sense. You found your mother, and it upset you. She moved on from her own son, and she can never be forgiven for that. So then you came back to your home. But this home is corrupted for you because of me. Because I wasn’t there for you. That is filling your addiction.â€
“Shut up…†said Daniel.
“One man taught me that family should come first, and I am here to do that.â€
“Shut up dad…â€
“And if you want to fight me, and kill me. Then I will accompany your wish.â€
As Benjamin put the Unfinished Buckle on his waist.
Daniel pulled out the T-Rex Drive and pressed the button on it, “T-REX†I said shut up!†He inserted the Drive into his shoulder and became the T-Rex Memory Beast.
Benjamin took off his fedora and revealed the Skull Drive pressing a button, “SKULL†He then inserted it into the slot on the Buckle and pushed it down, “SKULL†A wind corrupts Benjamin as he becomes Skull. He puts on his fedora and points at Daniel. “Now.†He looks at Daniel, “Atone for your sins.â€
Daniel roared and ran at Benjamin and is met with a kick to the head. It knocked Daniel back, and then he charged again. Benjamin jumped in the air over Daniel, as he landed a quick punch on the head before landing. Daniel stumbled as he almost fell to the ground.
Benjamin ran at Daniel as he started to attack him with a mixture of punches and kicks to the head. Finally, Daniel roars knocking Benjamin on his back. He pulled out the Skull Magnum and shoots and Daniel. Daniel whips his tail down at Benjamin, as he rolls away. He then kicks Daniel’s legs from under him, knocking him down. Benjamin gets up.
“I won’t hold back on you any longer, Daniel.â€
Daniel chuckled, “Then neither will I.†Daniel got up and started to roar into the sky. Suddenly, boats and cars from the docks started to slowly come towards Daniel. Then, they quickly attach themselves to Daniel, as he became a bigger T-Rex.
“That is what Ronny meant.†Daniel tried to stomp on Benjamin, but Benjamin dove away. Daniel then tried again, and once again, Benjamin dodged it.
“You wan to defeat me? Then try!†Daniel started to slowly run at Benjamin. Benjamin got up and started to run himself. He then tried to shoot at Daniel, but if caused no effect. Benjamin jumped to the left of Daniel. As he took of a tarp, revealing his bike. He jumped on it and and started to ride away from Daniel. “You won’t get away!â€
Daniel started to run faster at Benjamin. Benjamin started dodging Daniel as Daniel tried to crush him. “I need a plan. I need a plan.†Finally Benjamin came up with the plan that he wanted. Benjamin turned around heading back towards the docks. Daniel followed. Benjamin rode farther away from Daniel, and then stopped right at the edge of the water at the docks. He revved the engine as Daniel got closer. “Come on.†Daniel got closer. “Come on.†Finally, Daniel came as close ad Benjamin wanted, “Forgive me.†Benjamin revved the bike and drove it towards Daniel; he then jumped off the bike, having it run into Daniel, causing him to stumble.
With Benjamin in the air, he took the Skull Drive out of the Buckle, placing it on the side of the buckle. “SKULL MAXIMUM DRIVE†He then started to go down towards Daniel as he readied to land a kick. “DANIELLL!!!!†he lands the kick on Daniel as the cars and boats go flying everywhere, including Daniel himself. Daniel goes flying into the water, as Benjamin landed. He turned around and saw Daniel.
“Daniel!†He pulled the Unfinished Buckle off his waist putting it in his pocket. He dove in the water as he looked in the water for Daniel. He finally found him, sinking. He swam towards him and grabbed him. He held on to him and swam to the top. He finally gets s to the top, and sees a hand extended out to him. Benjamin quickly grabs it not knowing who it was. It pulls Benjamin and Daniel up. Benjamin looks at the man, and it was Landon.
“That is twice I have saved your ass.†Landon said with a smiled.
“I told you to stay out of it.â€
“Your welcome.â€
---------------------
Benjamin sits in the back of an ambulance car with a towel on his back, and he is drinking hot coffee. Landon walks over rand sits next to him.
“How you holding up?†asks Landon.
“Good. Lucky that Skull guy showed up.â€
“Skull?â€
“That guy who fought Daniel last time. The one with the hat.â€
“Oh him. You call him Skull?â€
“Where the Memory Drive he uses is Skull, and his face looks like a Skull.â€
Landon laughed, “I called him, ‘The Masked Rider.’â€
Benjamin raised his left eyebrow, “Masked Rider?â€
“Well yeah. You see at the force we always name everything an-“
“I know that, but….why Masked Rider?â€
“Oh well he had that weird looked Mask, or helmet or whatever. And he rode that bike. My 10 year old boy came up with it when I was trying to figure a name.â€
Benjamin smiled, “Lets combine them. How about, Masked Rider Skull.â€
Landon nodded in agreement. Daniel is then seen on a hospital bed handcuffed going into a hospital truck.
“Ben you don’t need to see this.â€
“No. Justice is served. Family or not, justice is served….â€
Landon got up, as Benjamin tapped Landon’s shoulder. Landon turned around.
“And that is Detective to you.â€
Landon smiled, “Welcome back, Detective.â€
Benjamin finally found a smile that he had lost for awhile. He got up and sipped out the last bit of coffee and put the cup down on the car. He takes off the towel and starts to walk away with his hands in his pocket. He starts to think of what he will write in his journal.
“The case has finally come to a close. My son Daniel has met the judge known as justice. As short of a case it was, if felt like forever. If anyone can learn anything from this case, it is this. Family comes first. No matter what. I don’t know what lies in my son’s future after this. Next to jail, it is uncertain. But one thing is for sure. I will support him and be there for him through the rest of his life.â€
Benjamin then remembers a flashback…..
New York City
Benjamin walks into a bar as woman is cleaning glasses, “We are closed.â€
“Can’t a guy just get a water?â€
The woman smiles, “Yeah I guess. Come sit down.â€
Benjamin keeps his head low and tilts his hat forward, keeping his identity sealed.
“You from around here? Never seen you before.â€
“Nope, just wondering around.†Said Benjamin. “You have a name?â€
“Becky.â€
Benjamin nodded and took a sip of the water. “You like it here?â€
“It’s okay. I used to live in this city called Fond Du Lac. Real small city. I was married and had a son. Moving here really was tough. I am just starting to get used to it, and I have bee here for over 10 years ha-ha.â€
Benjamin nodded and got up and left a 20 dollar bill on the table.
“Hey its just water. Don’t worry about it.â€
“Keep it†Benjamin walked to the door and opened it, “Becky, huh? You hated that name. You preferred one name because it sounded more proper….REBECCA.†Benjamin lifted his fedora, revealing himself to Becky, Daniel’s mother and Benjamin’s ex-wife.
“Ben!â€
Benjamin walked out the door, as Becky went out the door, and Benjamin was gone. “I hate it when he does that.â€
By: Matrix
An Abandoned Wear House
Daniel is seen thrown into a wall, in what looks like an abandoned wear house. He is transformed into the T-Rex Memory Beast. He tries to get up, but a blue type ooze comes flying across the room towards him, he tries to dodge it, but fails. He is returned into his human self. On the other side of this room, is a Memory Beast black with a large blue headwear wielding a cape. It is revealed to be the Terror Memory Best, aka Alexander Waldron. Alexander quickly returns to his human self. He walks over to Daniel and kneels down, grabbing his face, making Daniel stare Alexander in the eyes. Daniel’s eyes are barely opened, looking as if he was on every drug in the world.
“So you’re the one kidnapping those kids? You don’t seem like the type to do that.†Said Alexander.
Daniel quickly spits in his face, “Who the hell you think you are?!â€
Alexander quickly wipes the spit off his face, he winds up, and punched Daniel in the face, having his head crash into the wall. “I am the man who controls this city, and soon, the world. That little Drive you have is all thanks to me. You have 10 seconds to explain why you are doing this? My business has the chance to be ruined because of you.â€
Daniel laughed, “I really don’t care who you are. You can be God himself and I wouldn’t give a ****. I am here for one thing and one thing only, REVENGE. And if you want to be in my way, be my guest. But I have good reasons.â€
Alexander smiled, “Revenge is a very dangerous thing to go after, boy. You sure you want to do that?â€
Daniel smiled, “Waited my whole life for it.â€
Alexander nodded, and let Daniel go. He helped him up and brushed him off.
“What is this for?†asked Daniel
“My apology. You have good reason, continue with what you are doing.â€
Daniel looked confused, “What you mean? That is it?! All that beating to say, ‘This is my apology.’ Bull ****!â€
Alexander turned away and started to walk away.
“I want an answer!â€
Alexander turned back to Daniel, “It’s just a business. I have no right to stay in your way, that is against my policy. But if you cause more ruckus then you have, I will kill you.â€
Daniel stood there, as Alexander smiled and opened the door to the warehouse. Daniel stopped him from leaving. “One question. What do you know about a Drive called Skull?â€
Alexander’s eyes widened, “What are you talking about?â€
-----------------
Fond Du Lac Police Department
Landon is filling out paperwork at his desk. Jonathan is sitting across from Landon at his desk, on the computer. He looks at Landon.
“Why aren’t you visiting that Detective? Aren’t you friends?â€
“We are.â€
“You always go there. Why not today.â€
“Needs his space.â€
Jonathan leaned over his desk and stared at Landon, “Since when did you care about space? Jesus you were offered your own office and you stayed at your crummy desk. You took MY space away from me.â€
“It was never yours.â€
“Yeah….well it could have been.â€
Landon quickly smiled, and then returned to his work.
“Landon, something wrong with the Detective?â€
“Just needs some time alone.â€
Jonathan nodded and went back on the computer. He looked at Landon, but then looked back at the computer. Finally he looked at Landon one more time. He opened his mouth, but before he could say a word, he was interrupted by Landon.
“Fine! Let’s go! In the car!â€
Jonathan had an odd face on, “I was gonna ask if you saw the score of the Badgers game! Damnit I hate going there. I should have just kept my mouth shut….â€
---------------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin stares at a picture with him and his son. He puts it in his suitcase full of clothes. He closes it and starts to roll it on the ground. He then picks up an envelope on his desk with one plain ticket in it. He nods and leaves. He is wearing a blue and white suit with a blue fedora. He opens the door, as Ronny is standing in the doorway, with his hand raised about to knock.
“Oh. Detective.†Said Ronny
“Ronny what’s up? I got to catch a pla-“
“I found it.â€
Benjamin became confused, “Found what?â€
“You know.â€
“I don’t.â€
Ronny walked in and closed the door. Benjamin stared at Ronny, “I didn’t invite you in, Ronny. I really have to go.â€
“Just wait. Okay, so I took the stuff that I found on that Drive you gave me. And I found some encrypted code in it. I deciphered it, and it led me here.†Ronny opens up his laptop and shows what looks like some type of database.
“I can access all the Memory Drives on the market.â€
Benjamin’s eyes widened, “I think I can spare a couple minutes. I don’t have to be there for another hour.â€
“Then why the hurry.â€
“I am always early.â€
“Right, but anyways, I can’t trace it to a company or anything like that. They have it blocked off. I am surprised I got this far.â€
“I know nothing about computers so simplify everything for me.â€
“Okay. I cannot find out who runs this database, who created it, nothing. Nor can they find out that I have it with my firewall. Wait, that is techy. I have a barrier not allowing others to see my computer and what I am doing. Not even the government can see my stuff.â€
“And that is legal?â€
“Not at all.â€
“Ronny….â€
“Hey I got you what you wanted. But there is a catch.â€
“What?â€
“To access the information about a drive, the database uses keywords. Words or short phrases to unlock the hidden secrets of the Drive.â€
Benjamin nodded, “Try the following. Dinosaur. Roar.â€
Ronny typed in the keywords Benjamin gave him, and immediately, the T-Rex
Drive came up. “Is this your culprit here?â€
Benjamin nodded, “It is. What does it say?â€
“Says to stop it, you have to take out the head. And also has the ability to absorb.â€
“Absorb what?â€
“Doesn’t say.â€
Benjamin shook his head, “That should be interesting.†Benjamin opened the door, “Ronny, thank you for the help. I will send a check your way.â€
Ronny shook his head, and started to leave, “No check needed this time. I enjoyed doing this! Thanks to you, I have something new to do. Hacking into government database’s can only be fun for some time. See ya around Detective!†Ronny walked out the door, as he bumped into a yellow cab waiting outside Benjamin’s Agency. Benjamin walked out with the suit case and closed and locked the door. He got into the cab.
“Where to?†asked the driver.
“Fond Du Lac Air.â€
“Alright then.â€
--------------
Waldron Mansion
Alexander walks into the mansion, seeing Helena sitting at the table on her own, eating a meal. “Hello Alex.†She takes a bite of her food, and returns her attention to Alexander, “How was your run?â€
“It was fine.†Alexander sits down at the table, as Helena slides him a dish of food, as he begins to eat. “I forgot how runs can make a man hungry.â€
Helena started to laugh.
Alexander smiled, “See, I still know how to make you smile.†He continued to eat his food, and then he looked around the table. “Say, where the children at?â€
“They are on a run, didn’t you send them? Thought that was why you were sucking up.â€
“This isn’t sucking up. Trust me. And I did no-Samantha!â€
---------------
In the City
A man starts to run. He trips over his two feet and falls on his face. He drops his suitcase as USB Drives fall out of it. He tries to quickly gather them, but a blue foot steps on his hand. He screams, as he looks up, and sees the Nazca Memory Beast.
Donald laughs, “You really think that you could do this?†He takes his sword, and starts to break all of the USB drives. “Painting letters on regular USB Drives, making it look like Memory Drives and selling them? What an imbasul.â€
The man slips his hand away from Donald’s foot and starts to run, but Jennifer, the Clay Doll Memory Beast, steps in front of him, pointing her blaster at him, “Bye bye.†She blasts at him as he goes flying towards Donald. Donald flips his sword as he holds it upside down; he takes the hilt of the sword and bangs it against the man’s head, knocking him unconscious. His clothes are ripped apart and he is almost naked. Donald transforms back into his human self, as Jennifer follows.
“You could have killed him Jenny!â€
“Oh shut up Don. I just did a little blast.â€
“Little?! Jesus you know the rules, NO KILLING. Just bang them up enough to teach them a lesson.â€
A limousine comes rolling down the street as it sops next to Donald and Jennifer. The door opens, and Samantha comes out of the car and leans up against it. “Excellent.â€
Don pointed at her, “Shut up. You’re lucky we even did this.â€
“Yeah, dad is gonna be pissseedd!†said Jennifer.
“No he won’t. He will realize that this is all for the be-“Samantha’s phone rings. She presses send on the phone and answers, “Hello? Hi Da-….No wait dad…..but…..okay we are coming home.†Samantha slowly puts the phone back into her pocket.
“Told ya so.†Said Jennifer.
Don started to laugh as he got in the limousine. “I hope he fires you.â€
“Shut up!†said Samantha.
------------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Landon starts to bang on Benjamin’s door. Jonathan becomes annoyed.
“He obviously isn’t here.†Said Jonathan.
“Yeah. But where could he be?†Landon walked away towards the door and leans on his car. Jonathan pulls out a cigarette and a lighter.
“Since when did you smoke?†said Landon.
“Since I find out this girl I hooked up with a couple weeks ago is back. AKA my ex….â€
Landon became shocked, “Awe Johnny. Listen if there is anything I ca-“
“Landon you say that to everyone. You can only help so many people in this world. Or even this town. I will be fine. We are keeping it. Just stressed out. Money isn’t an issue, the force pays me decent. Just the thought of a having a kid…â€
Landon nodded, “I know the feeling. My girl is 15 years old now. My other one is 10. Jesus I remember when we found out that Sheryl was pregnant with Ruby, the 15 year old. I just got the job at the force; Sheryl got laid off after a month. Things were tough. But the moment Ruby was born, all our worries and stresses were gone.â€
Johnathan nodded and smiled, as he blew out smoke, “That is what I want to feel. Say, that Detective have a kid?â€
Landon nodded, as he remembered Benjamin telling him that his son was the Memory Beast. “He has a son. Daniel. Never met him. Let’s head back to the office.†Jonathan threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. Landon turned towards the driver’s door, as he saw a man standing in the street. It was Daniel. Never meeting Daniel before, Landon approached him as Daniel’s eyes were blood shot still looking like he was on drugs.
“Who are you?†asked Jonathan.
Landon stepped in front of Jonathan, “Let me take care of this, he is an addict clearly. Hey son, my name is Landon. I am a Detective at the Fond Du Lac Police De-“
“I know who you are.†Said Daniel.
Landon looked confused, “Have we met?â€
Daniel took out the T-Rex Drive and inserted it into his shoulder. He quickly turned into the T-Rex Memory Beast.
“Shit.†Said Landon.
“He is the Memory Beast?!†exclaimed Jonathan.
“And Ben’s son…â€
“What?! Why didn’t you tell me?!â€
“Not now Johnny. We got to stop this thing.†Landon and Jonathon pulled out there guns and started to shoot at Daniel, it only fazed him a little. As he started to charge at them, they both dodged it as Daniel turned around and roared at them, knocking them back.
“I hate this thing already!†said Jonathan.
“You hate him. This is my second stint with him! Where is that guy that fought him before?!â€
Daniel walked towards Jonathan, as he picked up up, “Where is my father?â€
“I-I-I don’t know man. Seriously.â€
Daniel tossed Jonathan aside as he hit a wall, knocking him out. Daniel walked towards Landon as Landon got up and started to runs towards Jonathan, he starts to shake him. “Johnny! Johnny! Come on man, wake up!†Jonathan continues to stay unconscious. Finally, Landon is grabbed and is turned towards Daniel.
“Tell my father, that his city is doomed. And that our next time we meet, will be our last.†He dropped Landon and ran off. Finally, Jonathan woke up. “Wh-what happened?â€
Landon laid down in exhaustion on the ground as Jonathan slowly started to sit up, “John. You still know how to pick a lock?â€
“That was random. And yes wh-No way. You really want me to do it?â€
Landon nodded, “We need to get into Ben’s office. I need to know more what his son is about. Even though he wants me to stay out of it-“
“Hey if the man said stay out of it, then let’s stay out of it. Did you see his son?! MONSTER!â€
Landon sat up, “I saw it. And Ben’s gonna need back up. But I can’t give it to him unless I know what we are dealing with.â€
-------------
New York City
Benjamin walks out of his hotel and nods to the doorman. He is wearing his famous white fedora with his outfit. He looks at a piece of paper reading:
54 North Front St
“Just a block down if that front desk lady is right.†He started his walk with his hands in his pocket he witnesses a cop pulling a man in a black suit in the car. The man was holding a brief case. “They are here too.†Benjamin knew that the case contained Memory Drives. It hurt him that his city was not only affected. “I will stop this, one way or another.†He stated in his mind. His walk continued until he stopped at a door with the numbers ‘54’ on it. He went up to the door and started to knock. No answer. He then rang the doorbell until a younger woman answered the door.
“What?!†asked the woman.
“Bethany Edwards?â€
“Yes?â€
“Private Detective Benjamin James.â€
“I didn’t hire a Private Detective. Nor do I need one. Goodnight.†She starts to shut the door, as Benjamin stops it.
“I am not hear for a case. I am hear for my son. Daniel James. You were his counselor.â€
Bethany’s eyes widened, “Daniel….Oh my. Is something wrong?â€
“Let’s just say, Daniel is on the way to hurting many others, and himself.â€
“Mr.James I-“
“I understand your code of confidentiality. But as I said, he is in grave danger. I need your help. I am no stranger asking. This is my goddamn son. “
Bethany took a deep breath and then nodded, “Come in.â€
----------
In the living room
“Here are his files. I was assigned to Daniel from his school after several out
breaks.â€
“Why did he have them?â€
“They didn’t know. It was his senior year, he was a Class A student according to the Dean. But I finally found out. Daniel had found his mother. She is a bartender at a bar not to far from his school. Daniel said that she had tattoos and earrings. His friends went to the bar once a week. He recognized her the night she worked. She started to talk to her, found out she was engaged to a local biker.â€
“Dear Jesus she changed.â€
“Yes. But the whole time, she didn’t recognize him. That is when he says he lost control.â€
Benjamin took his hat off and covered his face with his hand. He removed his hand and looked back at Bethany. “Why did he come back to Fond Du Lac after he got expelled?â€
“I don’t truly know. I didn’t see Daniel after he was kicked out. But our last session, he talked about you. Before that, never were you evolved. He said,
“I want to go back. But I don’t want to be a shadow.â€
Benjamin put his head into his lap, “This is my fault….It is making sense.â€
“Mr. James?â€
“I need to get back to Fond Du Lac.†Benjamin got up and put on his fedora and left. Bethany got up as well.
“Where are you going?â€
“To the airport, I need to get back there.â€
“You’re insane! It is 2 A.M. You will never get a flight.’
“Then I will wait. Just have to get back tomorrow.†Benjamin walked out the door as Bethany leaned out.
“Mr. James!â€
“Yes?â€
“Where are you going to look? Do you even know where he is?â€
Benjamin stopped, and thought. He didn’t know. “I-“ He then remembered one place where Daniel always use to go. “Has to be there!â€
-------------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Landon continued to look through things around Benjamin’s office. “Jesus, he sure doesn’t leave anything around.â€
“Not surprised. There isn’t any new technology except the lights and that old ass radio. And he has so many books. Say what is this one sticking out?†Jonathan pulls out the book sticking out, “Phillip Marlow?â€
Landon turned around and smiled, “Ben’s favorite. Ben says he enjoys it because Phillip solves his cases through his own decisions. When I first joined the force and got to know Ben, he gave me that exact book. Changed how I looked at my job.â€
“A book? Did that much for you.â€
“Phillip Marlow is one hell of a Detective. I have read all of his books. You should read that one.â€
“Sorry Landon, I don’t read books.â€
“Now you do. Keep it, Ben has read it many times and probably has more copies somewhere.â€
Jonathan shook his head, but put the book in his trench coat. He bumps into a cabinet knocking down a picture. He catches it and looks at it, “Hey Landon, might want to see this.â€
Landon saw the picture, “Hey that must be Daniel with Benjamin. They are at the……â€
---------------------
The next day
The Docks
Daniel stands on the edge of the docks, as he skips a rock down the water. He stands and just stares at the water.
“Some habits never die, do they son?†as Benjamin starts to walk over towards Daniel.
Daniel smirks, “I have every intention on killing you. Father. And I know about your power of Skull. I know it is more powerful than anything. But that won’t stop me.â€
Benjamin stopped, “And I have every intention on doing the same to you.â€
Daniel turned towards Benjamin shocked, “It all makes sense. You found your mother, and it upset you. She moved on from her own son, and she can never be forgiven for that. So then you came back to your home. But this home is corrupted for you because of me. Because I wasn’t there for you. That is filling your addiction.â€
“Shut up…†said Daniel.
“One man taught me that family should come first, and I am here to do that.â€
“Shut up dad…â€
“And if you want to fight me, and kill me. Then I will accompany your wish.â€
As Benjamin put the Unfinished Buckle on his waist.
Daniel pulled out the T-Rex Drive and pressed the button on it, “T-REX†I said shut up!†He inserted the Drive into his shoulder and became the T-Rex Memory Beast.
Benjamin took off his fedora and revealed the Skull Drive pressing a button, “SKULL†He then inserted it into the slot on the Buckle and pushed it down, “SKULL†A wind corrupts Benjamin as he becomes Skull. He puts on his fedora and points at Daniel. “Now.†He looks at Daniel, “Atone for your sins.â€
Daniel roared and ran at Benjamin and is met with a kick to the head. It knocked Daniel back, and then he charged again. Benjamin jumped in the air over Daniel, as he landed a quick punch on the head before landing. Daniel stumbled as he almost fell to the ground.
Benjamin ran at Daniel as he started to attack him with a mixture of punches and kicks to the head. Finally, Daniel roars knocking Benjamin on his back. He pulled out the Skull Magnum and shoots and Daniel. Daniel whips his tail down at Benjamin, as he rolls away. He then kicks Daniel’s legs from under him, knocking him down. Benjamin gets up.
“I won’t hold back on you any longer, Daniel.â€
Daniel chuckled, “Then neither will I.†Daniel got up and started to roar into the sky. Suddenly, boats and cars from the docks started to slowly come towards Daniel. Then, they quickly attach themselves to Daniel, as he became a bigger T-Rex.
“That is what Ronny meant.†Daniel tried to stomp on Benjamin, but Benjamin dove away. Daniel then tried again, and once again, Benjamin dodged it.
“You wan to defeat me? Then try!†Daniel started to slowly run at Benjamin. Benjamin got up and started to run himself. He then tried to shoot at Daniel, but if caused no effect. Benjamin jumped to the left of Daniel. As he took of a tarp, revealing his bike. He jumped on it and and started to ride away from Daniel. “You won’t get away!â€
Daniel started to run faster at Benjamin. Benjamin started dodging Daniel as Daniel tried to crush him. “I need a plan. I need a plan.†Finally Benjamin came up with the plan that he wanted. Benjamin turned around heading back towards the docks. Daniel followed. Benjamin rode farther away from Daniel, and then stopped right at the edge of the water at the docks. He revved the engine as Daniel got closer. “Come on.†Daniel got closer. “Come on.†Finally, Daniel came as close ad Benjamin wanted, “Forgive me.†Benjamin revved the bike and drove it towards Daniel; he then jumped off the bike, having it run into Daniel, causing him to stumble.
With Benjamin in the air, he took the Skull Drive out of the Buckle, placing it on the side of the buckle. “SKULL MAXIMUM DRIVE†He then started to go down towards Daniel as he readied to land a kick. “DANIELLL!!!!†he lands the kick on Daniel as the cars and boats go flying everywhere, including Daniel himself. Daniel goes flying into the water, as Benjamin landed. He turned around and saw Daniel.
“Daniel!†He pulled the Unfinished Buckle off his waist putting it in his pocket. He dove in the water as he looked in the water for Daniel. He finally found him, sinking. He swam towards him and grabbed him. He held on to him and swam to the top. He finally gets s to the top, and sees a hand extended out to him. Benjamin quickly grabs it not knowing who it was. It pulls Benjamin and Daniel up. Benjamin looks at the man, and it was Landon.
“That is twice I have saved your ass.†Landon said with a smiled.
“I told you to stay out of it.â€
“Your welcome.â€
---------------------
Benjamin sits in the back of an ambulance car with a towel on his back, and he is drinking hot coffee. Landon walks over rand sits next to him.
“How you holding up?†asks Landon.
“Good. Lucky that Skull guy showed up.â€
“Skull?â€
“That guy who fought Daniel last time. The one with the hat.â€
“Oh him. You call him Skull?â€
“Where the Memory Drive he uses is Skull, and his face looks like a Skull.â€
Landon laughed, “I called him, ‘The Masked Rider.’â€
Benjamin raised his left eyebrow, “Masked Rider?â€
“Well yeah. You see at the force we always name everything an-“
“I know that, but….why Masked Rider?â€
“Oh well he had that weird looked Mask, or helmet or whatever. And he rode that bike. My 10 year old boy came up with it when I was trying to figure a name.â€
Benjamin smiled, “Lets combine them. How about, Masked Rider Skull.â€
Landon nodded in agreement. Daniel is then seen on a hospital bed handcuffed going into a hospital truck.
“Ben you don’t need to see this.â€
“No. Justice is served. Family or not, justice is served….â€
Landon got up, as Benjamin tapped Landon’s shoulder. Landon turned around.
“And that is Detective to you.â€
Landon smiled, “Welcome back, Detective.â€
Benjamin finally found a smile that he had lost for awhile. He got up and sipped out the last bit of coffee and put the cup down on the car. He takes off the towel and starts to walk away with his hands in his pocket. He starts to think of what he will write in his journal.
“The case has finally come to a close. My son Daniel has met the judge known as justice. As short of a case it was, if felt like forever. If anyone can learn anything from this case, it is this. Family comes first. No matter what. I don’t know what lies in my son’s future after this. Next to jail, it is uncertain. But one thing is for sure. I will support him and be there for him through the rest of his life.â€
Benjamin then remembers a flashback…..
New York City
Benjamin walks into a bar as woman is cleaning glasses, “We are closed.â€
“Can’t a guy just get a water?â€
The woman smiles, “Yeah I guess. Come sit down.â€
Benjamin keeps his head low and tilts his hat forward, keeping his identity sealed.
“You from around here? Never seen you before.â€
“Nope, just wondering around.†Said Benjamin. “You have a name?â€
“Becky.â€
Benjamin nodded and took a sip of the water. “You like it here?â€
“It’s okay. I used to live in this city called Fond Du Lac. Real small city. I was married and had a son. Moving here really was tough. I am just starting to get used to it, and I have bee here for over 10 years ha-ha.â€
Benjamin nodded and got up and left a 20 dollar bill on the table.
“Hey its just water. Don’t worry about it.â€
“Keep it†Benjamin walked to the door and opened it, “Becky, huh? You hated that name. You preferred one name because it sounded more proper….REBECCA.†Benjamin lifted his fedora, revealing himself to Becky, Daniel’s mother and Benjamin’s ex-wife.
“Ben!â€
Benjamin walked out the door, as Becky went out the door, and Benjamin was gone. “I hate it when he does that.â€
S
scikaiju
Guest
A tough one for Ben, but it was something he had to do. Hopefully he can get his son's life back together after all of this. Although I'm wondering how big a role his ex will have in the series now
Masked Rider Skull: Case 5
By: Matrix
Fond Du Lac Orphanage
Benjamin continues up to walk up the street as he nears a red house just ahead of him. He smiles as he gets closer to the house. He finally reaches the rd house; on the front door were rusted letters that spelled, “Mary’s Home for the Childrenâ€. He knocked at the door, as he awaited an answer.
The door finally opens up, as an African American older woman in her 70s-80s opens the door, with a smile on her face. “Benjamin!†she says and quickly hugs Benjamin, as he hugs back.
“Good to see you Mama Mary.†Says Benjamin.
Inside the Orphanage
Benjamin is sitting at a table drinking coffee, as Mama Mary comes and sits down next to him. “How are you darling?â€
“I am good Mama Mary. Just been busy with work.â€
“You still working as a…oh what is it called….Private Detective?â€
Benjamin smiled as he put down his coffee, “Yes I am. Been a little more stressful, but it is going well.â€
Mama Mary held Benjamin’s hand on the table, “And I am more proud of you than ever.†As Mama Mary smiled at Benjamin, a boy in his mid teens comes into the room. The boy had blonde short hair wearing jeans and a jean jacket on. “
“Mama Mary, I just took the trash out, is there anything else you need?â€
“No that is more than enough sweetheart. Go upstairs and do your homework and get some rest.â€
“Yes Mama Mary.†The boy walked away and up the stairs, as Benjamin looked at Mama Mary.
“Who was that?â€
“His name in Steven Ronald, but kids gave here gave him the nickname Senior.â€
“Senior? What kind of name is that? The kid has to be like 15.â€
“16. But you were close. No its cause he is my oldest child here at the home. And his initials, S and R. SR.â€
“SR…Initials for Senior. Makes sense. What do you call him?â€
“I call him Steven, as I called you Benjamin, that is the name your parents gave you, and it should be kept that way.â€
Benjamin smiled, “Don’t remember my parents. Don’t know them. You took care of my Mama. You are my parent.â€
Mama Mary grinned, “Yes, I remember that day where I found you on my porch. With the letter, ‘Take care of my son Benjamin James.â€
Benjamin got up and sipped his coffee, “And for that, I am forever grateful. And in your debt.â€
“Oh hush up. You don’t owe me anything. Well, except for a little more visits out of you.â€
Benjamin kissed Mama Mary on the cheek, “I can live with that. Say, where is Jamie?†Jamie also lived at the orphanage when Benjamin lived there before
he was adopted. Jamie never was adopted, so she lived here and works for
Mama Mary at the Orphanage.
“Oh I don’t know. She has been gambling lately...â€
“Gambling?!â€
“Yes. I don’t know where she gets the money, but she is always leaving saying she is going to the Casino. She is never here anymore. That is why Steven has to help me more with chores. He doesn’t mind, what a great boy he is.â€
“What is his story?â€
“Parents were murdered; he came here just a year ago. No one wants to adopt him because he is so old.â€
Benjamin shook his head he fixes his hat and starts to walk towards the door, “I will find Jamie and see what is going on.â€
“Oh Benjamin that is not ne-“
“Please, it’s the least I can do.â€
Mama Mary comes over and holds both of Benjamin’s hands, “You are such an angel. I would give you money, but I have misplaced a large check that I had. I re mortgaged my house and actually made some good money off it. But it went missing.â€
“It’s a favor Mama Mary. And I would NEVER take money from you. So don’t even worry about it.†Benjamin walked out the door as he scanned through the city. He looks back at the Orphanage, “This is the most beautiful thing in this city. I wish for this city to be as beautiful. And will fight until I see her shine once again.â€
-------------------------------
Waldron Mansion
Alexander Waldron walks into his office and starts to sit at his desk, when the doors to his office fly open. It is Don. “It’s him.â€
“It’s who, son?â€
Donald walks over to his father’s desk and slaps a newspaper on the table, with a picture of Skull on the paper on his bike with the headline. “MASKED RIDER SKULL: OUR SAVIOUR?â€
Alexander quickly picks up the paper, as he stares at it, as he remembers a conversation with Daniel.
Flashback
“What do you know about the Skull Drive†asks Daniel
“Its is more powerful than anything you can imagine. Its power is godly. But it doesn’t exist anymore, it was destroyed. So all this information is useless.†Alexander starts to walk out the warehouse, as he is stopped by Daniel’s words.
“No. I saw it. It is not destroyed. And someone is using its power. And has mastered it. Your information is incorrect. SKULL is who I seek revenge on.â€
As the flashback ends, Alexander stares at the paper. “That kid wasn’t lying. But who could it be?â€
“It’s that Detetecive who had it the first time. It has to be, it can be no one else.â€
“How do you know this for fact, Don?â€
Donald points at the white fedora that Skull is wearing in the picture. “I put
that slit in his hat. It has to be him. It can be no one else dad.â€
Alexander sits down in his chair and strokes his chin continuing to stare at the paper. “We keep this secret.â€
“Why?! We know who it is, let us attack now!â€
“No, cause more or likely, he knows who we are. He knows what you look like, and I will be damned if he didn’t find out who we were at that factory. I just can’t believe he was able to use it. Unbelievable.â€
“Who cares?!â€
“I do! He won’t rat us out either. He probably knows of our power and what we possess in his beloved city. And we won’t touch him because of the power he has with that Skull Drive. But for know, since you are here. I need you and your sister to go on a run.â€
“Who, Samantha?â€
“No she is grounded. Take Jennifer.â€
-------------------
Ronny’s Apartment
“So….you’re the Skull!â€
Benjamin nodded, “I am trusting you with this secret, no one knows. Not even Detective Landon.â€
“This is so cool! Wait, why tell me?â€
“Because, with the mass amount of Memory Beast cases going on, you and your databases will be needed. And I know I can trust you.â€
Ronny grinned. “Your secret is safe with me! So, what do you call….that thing you become?â€
“Landon and I have named it Masked Rider Skull. I like it.â€
“Cool. But what I don’t get is, you know about the Waldron’s deep secrets, why not attack them? You have the power.â€
“Because of THEIR power. They more or likely have paid crooked cops.
Landon has already suspected it for awhile. I just think it is best that I keep it secret. They also know who I am more than likely, but won’t attack me either, because I know of their secret. It is a catch 22.â€
“Oh. Well now what?â€
“I am going to find an old friend; she has been gambling a lot and need to stop her. You know of any popular casinos? I don’t gamble much.â€
“Yeah, matter of fact.†Ronny turned around in his chair and pulled out a purple flyer and handed it to Benjamin, with the headlines saying, ‘Grand Cash Casino. Your new way of MONEY’ “Found this on the street the other day, thought I give it a look. But I don’t have the money to gamble.â€
Benjamin took the paper, “Says it’s on Ruth Avenue. I will check out this
place and see if she is there.â€
--------------------------------
Grand Cash Casino’s Back Room
A man is on his knees as he is sweating, “Please! Please! I am begging here, just one more month!â€
An orange Memory Beast comes over and laughs, “Money now, or money never.â€
“Please….please!!!â€
The Memory Beast shoots out a beam as the man becomes a coin. “Money never it seems.†As he picks up the coin and walks away.
-------------------------
Benjamin James Detetective Agency
Benjamin sits at his desk leaned back in his chair, as he writes in his journal:
Talking to people around the town about this Grand Cash Casino, it seems that it has become a main attraction in the city as of late. The building was just built recently, but it has had a great impact on the city. Both positive…and negative.
The Jamie I remember would never touch gambling or anything like it, I am definitely interested to see what has happened to her, and what this Casino is about.
Although this is not a case, I feel it is important enough to be put in my writings. For this is an important thing in my life, and it shows that you will stop at no ends to help a friend.
Benjamin closes the journal, putting it back into its regular spot in his drawer. He closes the drawer, as a knock at the door comes. “Come in.â€
The door opens, and Senior walks in. “Hello Mr. James.â€
“Steven, good to see you again.â€
“Please, call me Senior. I am just used to it now.â€
“Senior it is. What can I do for you today? Oh, please, sit down.â€
Senior walks over to the chair in front of Benjamin’s desk and sits in it. “I wanted to thank you for coming over to see Mama Mary today.â€
“Please, anytime. She means as much to you as she does to me. But you could have just called and told me that. You didn’t need to walk all the way down here.â€
“Oh, well, we don’t have your number an-“
Benjamin pulls out a small piece of paper out of a notebook lying on his desk. He writes his number on the paper and hands it to Senior, “Tell Mama Mary she can call me anytime, as can you Senior.â€
Senior nodded, “Thank you, Mr. James.â€
“Please, call me Ben.â€
“Okay, Ben.†Senior walks away from Benjamin’s desk as Benjamin gets up and gets ready to leave himself.
“Say, how did you find my place?â€
“Oh just walking around.â€
“Boy, that is a far walk. You going somewhere?â€
Senior looked away, “Uh, no sir.†He quickly walked out of the door as the door closed. Benjamin walked to the door, as he put on his white fedora. He started his way out of the door, as Jonathan walked to Benjamin’s door. “Hello Jonathan.â€
“Yeah, yeah. Say you see Landon around here?†asked Jonathan.
“Haven’t seem him. He missing or something?â€
“No, but he said he had a case and every time he has a case, he usually comes to you.â€
“Nope, but I wonder where he could be?â€
------------------------
Grand Cash Casino
“HIT ME!†as Landon yells. He is wearing purple shades with a purple suit on. He receives a card as he flips his cards. “20 someone beat me now!†the dealer slides a stack of chips over to Landon. He leans back in his chair, “Someone’s got to stop me. I am on a roll.†Someone pulls a chair up next to Landon. It is Benjamin.
“Put me in at $1,000†He slides a stack of cash to the dealer.
“$1,000!†As he receives his cards. Benjamin turns to his right. “Nice outfit you have there my young fellow.â€
Landon forced a smile on his face, as he turned his head towards Benjamin, “What the hell you doing here?!†he whispered.
Benjamin leaned back, “Personal business.â€
“Whatever! Stay out of this, I am under cover.â€
“Should have told your partner that, he is looking for you.â€
“That idiot. I can’t trust him with this stuff. Whatever you do, stay out of this one, Ben.â€
“That is De-“
The dealer coughs, getting both of their attention, “Are you gentleman ready?â€
“YES!†they both said at the same time. The dealer dealt out two cards to each of everyone at the table. Benjamin looks at the table and his cards. He then looks at the dealer, “Hit me.â€
Landon looks at Benjamin, “Hit me.â€
“Hit me.â€
“Hit meâ€
“Hit meâ€
“I’ll stay.†Said Benjamin.
“Hit me baby!†said Landon.
“Okay, flip your cards.†Says the dealer.
Benjamin ends up having cards that added up to 21 and Landon only to 20.
“Damnit!†yelled Landon.
Benjamin smiled. He looked up, as he saw a woman his age in her 40s. It was Jamie. Benjamin took the chips he won and slid them to Landon, “Give you some help there.â€
Landon shook his head and gave a little smile off, “Showoff.†He mumbled. \
Benjamin walked over to Jamie and overheard what she was saying to the dealer. “Please, please give me one more roll.â€
“Sorry miss, your out of money. You need to put more down.â€
“That was my last grand…â€
Benjamin tapped Jamie’s shoulder. “Hello stranger.â€
“Oh…Ben! I forgot who you were for a second. Uhm, what you doing here?â€
“Just checking this place out.â€
“Yeah, it’s a neat place.â€
“What are you doing here? Seems you lost some money.â€
“Oh, no uh. Don’t worry about it Ben, I got it covered. I think….â€
“Mama Mary is worried about you, Jamie. I think you should go back to the Orphanage before you hurt yourself anymore.â€
“Hey you don’t know what I do or my business so stay out of it!†says Jamie.
“Jamie, let me ask you something. Mama Mary lost a check when she re mortgaged her house. By chance, did YOU steal that check and use it on here. And that last grand you lost was from that very check?â€
Jamie looked away, “Shut up! I don’t need this!†Jamie started to walk away, as two men came up to Jamie. “Boss would like to see you.†Jamie nodded and, “No. Not now…†They escorted her out of sight as Benjamin stands in the Casino.
“I don’t like the way that looked.†Benjamin turns around as he bumps two people. “Excuse me.†He looks at their faces, as the two he bumped into looks at Benjamin. “Well, what a coincidence.â€
“You!†says Don. Benjamin had bumped into Don and Jennifer.
“That annoying little detective.†Says Jennifer.
Don stared at Benjamin, “We know you’re Skull, and there is nothing you can hide now.â€
Benjamin smiled, “I think you have the wrong Detective.â€
“You son of a-“ as Don is interrupted.
“If you wish to discuss this matter, I best suggest we go outside.†Says Benjamin.
Don smirked, “Jennifer, finish the run, this will only be a matter of time.â€
“Oh no, I want some of him too.†Says Jennifer with a smirk.
Benjamin takes off his hat, “I suggest we take this matter outside. We wouldn’t want others knowing of your little secrets, now would we?â€
“Watch it bud, you have a se-“ as Jennifer covers Don’s mouth.
Benjamin smiles and leads the way out the door. Landon is still playing cards, and does not see the two come out. But the corner of the Casino, Senior comes into contact with one of the guards, it seems as if he says something to the guard, letting Senior by. Senior quickly looks back to make sure no one he knew followed him, and continues his way through the curtain.
Outside of the Casino
Back in the alley way next to the Casino, stands Benjamin, Don, and Jennifer. With Jennifer and Don starring at Benjamin, and Benjamin starring at the too. Benjamin takes a step forward. “The last time we met I put quite the beating on you, are you sure prepared for that again?â€
Don shapes his hand into a fist, “What? You think that you are all tough now with that Drive?!â€
“I certainly still don’t kn-“
“Enough! NAZCA†Don opens up his jacket revealing the silver buckle around his waist. He inserts the Drive into the slot as he becomes the Nazca Memory Beast. He points his sword at Benjamin, “Show me your power!†He runs at Benjamin as Jennifer raises her hand.
“Don! Wait! Ugh!†she takes out her Drive as she quickly inserts it into her silver buckle becoming the Clay Doll Memory Beast. She quickly shoots at Benjamin.
Benjamin, now being attacked at two different angles is confronted with a question. Does he become Skull and dodge both attacks and finish this fight, or does he figure a way out of this without using Skull? Benjamin smirks and quickly throws his hat in the air. He runs at Don kicking him towards the shot from Jennifer, he is hit as he quickly goes back into his human form. Benjamin catches his hat and slowly puts it on. “Would you like another go?â€
“Damnit Jennifer!†exclaims Don.
“You got in my way! Don’t blame me!â€
Benjamin laughed, “Whoever is in charge sure hired some brats.â€
“Don’t call me a brat!†yells Jennifer as she starts to shoot at Benjamin. Benjamin quickly dodges all of them with a mixture of drops and rolls. He nears Jennifer as he punches her directly in the nose. She stumbles backwards holding her nose, as she becomes her human self again. “That hurt.†As she falls to her knees and starts to whimper.
Benjamin smirked, “It seems I have take Round 3.†As he finishes his statement, Benjamin hears a noise from behind him. A noise of a cat purring.
He turns around as he sees what looks to be a Memory Beast with red fangs and a saber tooth tiger motif. He looks down, and sees the same buckle as the other two have. “Is this your pet or something?â€
“What is that?†asks Don.
“Never seen it before.†Says Jennifer.
The Memory Beast starts to slowly walk towards Benjamin on all fours. Finally it jumps on him knocking him down. Benjamin is quickly able to kick the Beast off of him as he pulls out the Unfinished Buckle, “I have no choice with this one.â€
Don stands up, “I knew it was you!â€
“Don’t be too flattered with yourself. I can still beat you without it.†He places the Buckle on his waist as he takes off his hat and pulls out the Skull Drive, “SKULL†He places it in the slot on the buckle, pushing it down, “SKULL†A wind corrupts Benjamin as he becomes Masked Rider Skull. He waives at the Memory Beast to come towards him, “Try me.â€
The Memory Beast jumps at him as Benjamin punches it back. It then jumps over Benjamin, clawing him in the back. Benjamin is immediately in pain as he stumbles away, he turns around with the Memory Beast jumping onto him again. He quickly pulls out the Skull Magnum and shoots at it. This time, knocking the Memory Beast on ITS back. It gets up, grabbing Don and Jennifer, as it jumps from Benjamin out of sight. Benjamin tries to follow it, but it went too far. Benjamin takes the Skull Drive out and returns to his normal form. “What was that thing?â€
-----------------------------------
In a nearby woods
The Memory Beast lands and drops Don and Jennifer. Don quickly gets up and pulls out the Nazca Drive, “What the hell. No, who the hell you think you are taking me and my sister like that? I will show you what pai-“
“Watch how you talk to me!†says the Memory Beast.
Jennifer steps forward, “Wait Don. That…..Mom?â€
The Memory Beast quickly changes into its human form, Helena Waldron. “Yes dear. And you have the worst mouth these days Donald.â€
Don tries to laugh as he scratches his head, “Sorry mom. Wait a second! What you doing with a Drive?â€
“Your father wasn’t the only ones to go on ‘runs’ when the business first started. I helped him.â€
“Why did you come?†asked Jennifer.
“I disagree what your father is doing with you. He uses you all as toys. And I have had enough. From now on, I will be accompanying you on you runs. From time to time at least. I cannot stop him from making you, only you can. And if you choose to stop this, I will be behind you. But if you fear him, no this. If there is anyone who can bring your father down next to that Detective and his Drive, is your mother and her Drive.†She pulls out her Drive, revealing it to her children, “SMILODONâ€
--------------------------
Grand Cash Casino
Benjamin quickly creeps lowly towards a room. He leans over just enough to hear the conversation. He hears a man with a deep voice, and a lighter voice. Realizing the lighter voice had to be a woman, he tries to analyze it. He realizes it is Jamie. He then starts to make out the conversation.
“Please Mr. Moraine, I can give you the money. I-I just have to make some things happen!â€
“You said that before, and you gave me my money a month later-“
“But I paid it see!â€
“Not good enough. Money now. Money never.â€
Benjamin gets ready to enter, as something taps his shoulder, he grabs the arm, and looks to see who it was. It was Landon, wielding his gun and his badge.
“I told you to stay out of this, Ben!â€
“That is Detective to you.â€
“Do you always have to say that?â€
“Do I always have to remind you?â€
“Whatever! This is my case. I can’t let you in this.â€
“Yeah, well my personal business is in that room. What are you doing here?â€
Landon looks away upset and then back at Benjamin, “Fine. I will tell you. People going to this very Casino have gone missing. I am trying to interrogate its owner, George Moraine, and get some answers.â€
“Well he is in there. As is my friend.â€
“You have friends?†as Landon starts to giggle. He looks at Benjamin, as he stares at Landon. “Sorry…â€
Benjamin gets a look into the room, as Mr. Moraine stands up, “It seems your choice is money never.â€
Benjamin stands up, “I am going in, you coming or not?â€
“No Ben wa-“
Benjamin runs into the room. “Damnit Ben!â€
Ben and Landon enter the room with Landon holding his gun out and his badge, “FREEZE!†Benjamin stares at Mr. Moraine’s hand, as he is holding a Memory Drive. As he sees Mr. Moraine is holding a Memory Drive. “So, it seems you are the man behind the disappearances.â€
“Ben!†yells Jamie. She starts to run at Benjamin as Mr. Moraine starts to laugh, “Where you think you are going?†He takes his Memory Drive and presses a button on it, “MONEY†he bends his head down, as he inserts the drive into a Data Stamp on the back of his neck. He becomes the Money Memory Beast. He shoots a ray at Jamie, as she is turned into a coin.
“JAMIE!†he bends over to pick up the coin, as one of Mr. Moraine’s men tries to attack Benjamin. Landon comes over and shoots the man in the arm. “Mr. Moraine, you are under arrest for kidnapping.â€
“Kidnapping? Whatever you want to call it, Mr. Detective.â€He starts to shoot coins at Benjamin and Landon they both get hit and get sent flying backwards. Benjamin looks at Landon, as he is knocked out cold. “What you going to do now that your partner is gone?†asks Mr. Moraine.
Benjamin gets up and pulls out the Skull Drive, “Pull my ace up my sleeve. SKULL†opens up his jacket, as the Buckle is already on his waist. He inserts the Drive in the slot, as the wind corrupts him allowing him to become Skull. Benjamin pointed at Mr. Moraine, “Time….to atone for your crimes!†He runs at Mr. Moraine tackling him through the back door putting him in behind the Casino. He starts to punch Mr. Moraine, but has no effect on him.
“That tickles.†Mr. Moraine shoots more coins at Benjamin. He gets up and runs at him, taking the Skull Drive out and throwing it into the slot on the side of the buckle, “SKULL. MAXIMUM DRIVE.†He jumps in the air as he goes to land on Mr. Moraine, but is shot down by more coins. Benjamin comes falling down, as he de-transforms. And rolls away. Mr. Moraine starts to walk over to him.
“I don’t care if you think you are the ‘Savior’. I run this town now, and nobody can-“ Mr. Moraine is then tackle by Senior who comes flying in. Mr. Moraine falls down, as Senior rolls away. He gets up and gets into a fighting stance. Mr. Moraine starts to laugh. “Isn’t that a hoot!†He goes over to Senior, who tries to punches Mr. Moraine, but hurts himself in the act.
Benjamin tries to get up. “Senior….get out….of here…†as Benjamin lies down on the ground, trying to get up. Mr. Moraine smacks Senior away.
Mr. Moraine flips a coin, “Looking for this?†as he sees it’s the same coin that was Jamie. “Then pay her debt. And you.†He turns to Senior, “We have a score to pay, right now.†He aims at Senior, as he shoots the same ray at him. Senior dodges from him. Mr. Moraine starts to yawn, “You’re not worth it. Remember what I said Detective.†He walks away, as Benjamin cannot get up from the blow and the impact from falling. Senior tries to chase after him but fails, as Mr. Moraine disappears from sight. He runs over to Benjamin.
“Mr. James!†He helps Benjamin up, as he is still conscious.
“Senior? Wh-what are you still doing here?â€
Senior kneels down as helps Benjamin steps up, “Don’t worry about that now, sir. We need to get you somewhere.â€
Landon comes tumbling out the backdoor as he looks at Senior and Benjamin, “Kid, can you drive?â€
-------------------------------
Fond Du Lac Police Department
Landon sits in his chair with an ice pack over his head, with Benjamin sitting at Jonathan’s desk. And Senior bringing coffee to both of them.
“Thanks, kid.†Says Landon. He takes a sip of his warm coffee and looks at Benjamin. “Your stubborn old man. We BOTH should have gone to the hospital. I think I have a concussion.â€
“Then you don’t have one if you think you do, smart one.†Says Jonathan as
he walks over with a file in his hand.
Benjamin sits up and takes the ice pack off of his arm, “What is that?â€
“I had a sketch artist draw that guy we saw. I found out Moraine's name through word of the mouth, but Moraine didn’t come up in our systems. I faxed this to a friend over in the FBI, seems are Mr. Moraine is really Mr. Payton. Gerald Payton. Using the alias George Moraine. He is wanted for laundering money out of the country. Seems he has been taking money by using various ways, this time a Casino, and taking it too Mexico.â€
“Sounds lovely.†Says Benjamin.
“Seems he has been in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine. Now he is in Wisconsin, went across the border.†Landon lays the ice pack down and sips the coffee, “By the way, good driving ki-do you got a name?â€
“Yeah, just call me Senior.â€
“Odd name for a young fellow. But that is fine with me. You want a rider home? I can get my partner to take you home.â€
“Don’t sign me up for things!†says Jonathan.
“It’s a fi
“Oh…..well then sure.â€
Senior smiled and shook his head, “It is fine Detective. I can walk myself home, I could use the exercise.†Senior walks over and taps Benjamin’s shoulder, as he grimaces in pain. “Oh, sorry Mr. James.â€
“It’s fine Senior. As I said, call me Ben.†Senior smiles as he walks out the door. Landon stares at Benjamin, “What?â€
“He can call you Ben, but me, who has known you for how long, has to call you Detective?â€
“Yes.â€
“I like you less and less anymore.â€
“Good to know. But that shouldn’t be the concern; this case is very different then usual.â€
“Why? 'Cause it has a Memory Beast involved? If that is your reasoning, then forget it. Cause that is how most of the cases are starting to be like.â€
“My thoughts exactly, but it is different for we know who our culprit is, but with his record, he is probably left by now.â€
“Not so sure about that. I think he will stick around for a little while. That Casino is pretty damn popular. Did you find out how he is capturing people?â€
“Seems if they own him money, he turns them into coins, like my friend Jamie.â€
“Wonderful. Sorry Ben-“
“Th-“
“Shut up just shut up I have to big of a headache to deal with you. He beat us and probably thinks we are in a hospital right now. Lets give him some time, and then we will attack.â€
“We? I thought I was out of this case?†says Benjamin with a smile.
“You’re acting like your REALLY going to stay out of this case. And plus, your bud is captured. I won’t stop you from hunting him down.†Landon gets up and walks towards Benjamin with his hands out, “Let’s get you home and get some rest. This one is going to be interesting.â€
By: Matrix
Fond Du Lac Orphanage
Benjamin continues up to walk up the street as he nears a red house just ahead of him. He smiles as he gets closer to the house. He finally reaches the rd house; on the front door were rusted letters that spelled, “Mary’s Home for the Childrenâ€. He knocked at the door, as he awaited an answer.
The door finally opens up, as an African American older woman in her 70s-80s opens the door, with a smile on her face. “Benjamin!†she says and quickly hugs Benjamin, as he hugs back.
“Good to see you Mama Mary.†Says Benjamin.
Inside the Orphanage
Benjamin is sitting at a table drinking coffee, as Mama Mary comes and sits down next to him. “How are you darling?â€
“I am good Mama Mary. Just been busy with work.â€
“You still working as a…oh what is it called….Private Detective?â€
Benjamin smiled as he put down his coffee, “Yes I am. Been a little more stressful, but it is going well.â€
Mama Mary held Benjamin’s hand on the table, “And I am more proud of you than ever.†As Mama Mary smiled at Benjamin, a boy in his mid teens comes into the room. The boy had blonde short hair wearing jeans and a jean jacket on. “
“Mama Mary, I just took the trash out, is there anything else you need?â€
“No that is more than enough sweetheart. Go upstairs and do your homework and get some rest.â€
“Yes Mama Mary.†The boy walked away and up the stairs, as Benjamin looked at Mama Mary.
“Who was that?â€
“His name in Steven Ronald, but kids gave here gave him the nickname Senior.â€
“Senior? What kind of name is that? The kid has to be like 15.â€
“16. But you were close. No its cause he is my oldest child here at the home. And his initials, S and R. SR.â€
“SR…Initials for Senior. Makes sense. What do you call him?â€
“I call him Steven, as I called you Benjamin, that is the name your parents gave you, and it should be kept that way.â€
Benjamin smiled, “Don’t remember my parents. Don’t know them. You took care of my Mama. You are my parent.â€
Mama Mary grinned, “Yes, I remember that day where I found you on my porch. With the letter, ‘Take care of my son Benjamin James.â€
Benjamin got up and sipped his coffee, “And for that, I am forever grateful. And in your debt.â€
“Oh hush up. You don’t owe me anything. Well, except for a little more visits out of you.â€
Benjamin kissed Mama Mary on the cheek, “I can live with that. Say, where is Jamie?†Jamie also lived at the orphanage when Benjamin lived there before
he was adopted. Jamie never was adopted, so she lived here and works for
Mama Mary at the Orphanage.
“Oh I don’t know. She has been gambling lately...â€
“Gambling?!â€
“Yes. I don’t know where she gets the money, but she is always leaving saying she is going to the Casino. She is never here anymore. That is why Steven has to help me more with chores. He doesn’t mind, what a great boy he is.â€
“What is his story?â€
“Parents were murdered; he came here just a year ago. No one wants to adopt him because he is so old.â€
Benjamin shook his head he fixes his hat and starts to walk towards the door, “I will find Jamie and see what is going on.â€
“Oh Benjamin that is not ne-“
“Please, it’s the least I can do.â€
Mama Mary comes over and holds both of Benjamin’s hands, “You are such an angel. I would give you money, but I have misplaced a large check that I had. I re mortgaged my house and actually made some good money off it. But it went missing.â€
“It’s a favor Mama Mary. And I would NEVER take money from you. So don’t even worry about it.†Benjamin walked out the door as he scanned through the city. He looks back at the Orphanage, “This is the most beautiful thing in this city. I wish for this city to be as beautiful. And will fight until I see her shine once again.â€
-------------------------------
Waldron Mansion
Alexander Waldron walks into his office and starts to sit at his desk, when the doors to his office fly open. It is Don. “It’s him.â€
“It’s who, son?â€
Donald walks over to his father’s desk and slaps a newspaper on the table, with a picture of Skull on the paper on his bike with the headline. “MASKED RIDER SKULL: OUR SAVIOUR?â€
Alexander quickly picks up the paper, as he stares at it, as he remembers a conversation with Daniel.
Flashback
“What do you know about the Skull Drive†asks Daniel
“Its is more powerful than anything you can imagine. Its power is godly. But it doesn’t exist anymore, it was destroyed. So all this information is useless.†Alexander starts to walk out the warehouse, as he is stopped by Daniel’s words.
“No. I saw it. It is not destroyed. And someone is using its power. And has mastered it. Your information is incorrect. SKULL is who I seek revenge on.â€
As the flashback ends, Alexander stares at the paper. “That kid wasn’t lying. But who could it be?â€
“It’s that Detetecive who had it the first time. It has to be, it can be no one else.â€
“How do you know this for fact, Don?â€
Donald points at the white fedora that Skull is wearing in the picture. “I put
that slit in his hat. It has to be him. It can be no one else dad.â€
Alexander sits down in his chair and strokes his chin continuing to stare at the paper. “We keep this secret.â€
“Why?! We know who it is, let us attack now!â€
“No, cause more or likely, he knows who we are. He knows what you look like, and I will be damned if he didn’t find out who we were at that factory. I just can’t believe he was able to use it. Unbelievable.â€
“Who cares?!â€
“I do! He won’t rat us out either. He probably knows of our power and what we possess in his beloved city. And we won’t touch him because of the power he has with that Skull Drive. But for know, since you are here. I need you and your sister to go on a run.â€
“Who, Samantha?â€
“No she is grounded. Take Jennifer.â€
-------------------
Ronny’s Apartment
“So….you’re the Skull!â€
Benjamin nodded, “I am trusting you with this secret, no one knows. Not even Detective Landon.â€
“This is so cool! Wait, why tell me?â€
“Because, with the mass amount of Memory Beast cases going on, you and your databases will be needed. And I know I can trust you.â€
Ronny grinned. “Your secret is safe with me! So, what do you call….that thing you become?â€
“Landon and I have named it Masked Rider Skull. I like it.â€
“Cool. But what I don’t get is, you know about the Waldron’s deep secrets, why not attack them? You have the power.â€
“Because of THEIR power. They more or likely have paid crooked cops.
Landon has already suspected it for awhile. I just think it is best that I keep it secret. They also know who I am more than likely, but won’t attack me either, because I know of their secret. It is a catch 22.â€
“Oh. Well now what?â€
“I am going to find an old friend; she has been gambling a lot and need to stop her. You know of any popular casinos? I don’t gamble much.â€
“Yeah, matter of fact.†Ronny turned around in his chair and pulled out a purple flyer and handed it to Benjamin, with the headlines saying, ‘Grand Cash Casino. Your new way of MONEY’ “Found this on the street the other day, thought I give it a look. But I don’t have the money to gamble.â€
Benjamin took the paper, “Says it’s on Ruth Avenue. I will check out this
place and see if she is there.â€
--------------------------------
Grand Cash Casino’s Back Room
A man is on his knees as he is sweating, “Please! Please! I am begging here, just one more month!â€
An orange Memory Beast comes over and laughs, “Money now, or money never.â€
“Please….please!!!â€
The Memory Beast shoots out a beam as the man becomes a coin. “Money never it seems.†As he picks up the coin and walks away.
-------------------------
Benjamin James Detetective Agency
Benjamin sits at his desk leaned back in his chair, as he writes in his journal:
Talking to people around the town about this Grand Cash Casino, it seems that it has become a main attraction in the city as of late. The building was just built recently, but it has had a great impact on the city. Both positive…and negative.
The Jamie I remember would never touch gambling or anything like it, I am definitely interested to see what has happened to her, and what this Casino is about.
Although this is not a case, I feel it is important enough to be put in my writings. For this is an important thing in my life, and it shows that you will stop at no ends to help a friend.
Benjamin closes the journal, putting it back into its regular spot in his drawer. He closes the drawer, as a knock at the door comes. “Come in.â€
The door opens, and Senior walks in. “Hello Mr. James.â€
“Steven, good to see you again.â€
“Please, call me Senior. I am just used to it now.â€
“Senior it is. What can I do for you today? Oh, please, sit down.â€
Senior walks over to the chair in front of Benjamin’s desk and sits in it. “I wanted to thank you for coming over to see Mama Mary today.â€
“Please, anytime. She means as much to you as she does to me. But you could have just called and told me that. You didn’t need to walk all the way down here.â€
“Oh, well, we don’t have your number an-“
Benjamin pulls out a small piece of paper out of a notebook lying on his desk. He writes his number on the paper and hands it to Senior, “Tell Mama Mary she can call me anytime, as can you Senior.â€
Senior nodded, “Thank you, Mr. James.â€
“Please, call me Ben.â€
“Okay, Ben.†Senior walks away from Benjamin’s desk as Benjamin gets up and gets ready to leave himself.
“Say, how did you find my place?â€
“Oh just walking around.â€
“Boy, that is a far walk. You going somewhere?â€
Senior looked away, “Uh, no sir.†He quickly walked out of the door as the door closed. Benjamin walked to the door, as he put on his white fedora. He started his way out of the door, as Jonathan walked to Benjamin’s door. “Hello Jonathan.â€
“Yeah, yeah. Say you see Landon around here?†asked Jonathan.
“Haven’t seem him. He missing or something?â€
“No, but he said he had a case and every time he has a case, he usually comes to you.â€
“Nope, but I wonder where he could be?â€
------------------------
Grand Cash Casino
“HIT ME!†as Landon yells. He is wearing purple shades with a purple suit on. He receives a card as he flips his cards. “20 someone beat me now!†the dealer slides a stack of chips over to Landon. He leans back in his chair, “Someone’s got to stop me. I am on a roll.†Someone pulls a chair up next to Landon. It is Benjamin.
“Put me in at $1,000†He slides a stack of cash to the dealer.
“$1,000!†As he receives his cards. Benjamin turns to his right. “Nice outfit you have there my young fellow.â€
Landon forced a smile on his face, as he turned his head towards Benjamin, “What the hell you doing here?!†he whispered.
Benjamin leaned back, “Personal business.â€
“Whatever! Stay out of this, I am under cover.â€
“Should have told your partner that, he is looking for you.â€
“That idiot. I can’t trust him with this stuff. Whatever you do, stay out of this one, Ben.â€
“That is De-“
The dealer coughs, getting both of their attention, “Are you gentleman ready?â€
“YES!†they both said at the same time. The dealer dealt out two cards to each of everyone at the table. Benjamin looks at the table and his cards. He then looks at the dealer, “Hit me.â€
Landon looks at Benjamin, “Hit me.â€
“Hit me.â€
“Hit meâ€
“Hit meâ€
“I’ll stay.†Said Benjamin.
“Hit me baby!†said Landon.
“Okay, flip your cards.†Says the dealer.
Benjamin ends up having cards that added up to 21 and Landon only to 20.
“Damnit!†yelled Landon.
Benjamin smiled. He looked up, as he saw a woman his age in her 40s. It was Jamie. Benjamin took the chips he won and slid them to Landon, “Give you some help there.â€
Landon shook his head and gave a little smile off, “Showoff.†He mumbled. \
Benjamin walked over to Jamie and overheard what she was saying to the dealer. “Please, please give me one more roll.â€
“Sorry miss, your out of money. You need to put more down.â€
“That was my last grand…â€
Benjamin tapped Jamie’s shoulder. “Hello stranger.â€
“Oh…Ben! I forgot who you were for a second. Uhm, what you doing here?â€
“Just checking this place out.â€
“Yeah, it’s a neat place.â€
“What are you doing here? Seems you lost some money.â€
“Oh, no uh. Don’t worry about it Ben, I got it covered. I think….â€
“Mama Mary is worried about you, Jamie. I think you should go back to the Orphanage before you hurt yourself anymore.â€
“Hey you don’t know what I do or my business so stay out of it!†says Jamie.
“Jamie, let me ask you something. Mama Mary lost a check when she re mortgaged her house. By chance, did YOU steal that check and use it on here. And that last grand you lost was from that very check?â€
Jamie looked away, “Shut up! I don’t need this!†Jamie started to walk away, as two men came up to Jamie. “Boss would like to see you.†Jamie nodded and, “No. Not now…†They escorted her out of sight as Benjamin stands in the Casino.
“I don’t like the way that looked.†Benjamin turns around as he bumps two people. “Excuse me.†He looks at their faces, as the two he bumped into looks at Benjamin. “Well, what a coincidence.â€
“You!†says Don. Benjamin had bumped into Don and Jennifer.
“That annoying little detective.†Says Jennifer.
Don stared at Benjamin, “We know you’re Skull, and there is nothing you can hide now.â€
Benjamin smiled, “I think you have the wrong Detective.â€
“You son of a-“ as Don is interrupted.
“If you wish to discuss this matter, I best suggest we go outside.†Says Benjamin.
Don smirked, “Jennifer, finish the run, this will only be a matter of time.â€
“Oh no, I want some of him too.†Says Jennifer with a smirk.
Benjamin takes off his hat, “I suggest we take this matter outside. We wouldn’t want others knowing of your little secrets, now would we?â€
“Watch it bud, you have a se-“ as Jennifer covers Don’s mouth.
Benjamin smiles and leads the way out the door. Landon is still playing cards, and does not see the two come out. But the corner of the Casino, Senior comes into contact with one of the guards, it seems as if he says something to the guard, letting Senior by. Senior quickly looks back to make sure no one he knew followed him, and continues his way through the curtain.
Outside of the Casino
Back in the alley way next to the Casino, stands Benjamin, Don, and Jennifer. With Jennifer and Don starring at Benjamin, and Benjamin starring at the too. Benjamin takes a step forward. “The last time we met I put quite the beating on you, are you sure prepared for that again?â€
Don shapes his hand into a fist, “What? You think that you are all tough now with that Drive?!â€
“I certainly still don’t kn-“
“Enough! NAZCA†Don opens up his jacket revealing the silver buckle around his waist. He inserts the Drive into the slot as he becomes the Nazca Memory Beast. He points his sword at Benjamin, “Show me your power!†He runs at Benjamin as Jennifer raises her hand.
“Don! Wait! Ugh!†she takes out her Drive as she quickly inserts it into her silver buckle becoming the Clay Doll Memory Beast. She quickly shoots at Benjamin.
Benjamin, now being attacked at two different angles is confronted with a question. Does he become Skull and dodge both attacks and finish this fight, or does he figure a way out of this without using Skull? Benjamin smirks and quickly throws his hat in the air. He runs at Don kicking him towards the shot from Jennifer, he is hit as he quickly goes back into his human form. Benjamin catches his hat and slowly puts it on. “Would you like another go?â€
“Damnit Jennifer!†exclaims Don.
“You got in my way! Don’t blame me!â€
Benjamin laughed, “Whoever is in charge sure hired some brats.â€
“Don’t call me a brat!†yells Jennifer as she starts to shoot at Benjamin. Benjamin quickly dodges all of them with a mixture of drops and rolls. He nears Jennifer as he punches her directly in the nose. She stumbles backwards holding her nose, as she becomes her human self again. “That hurt.†As she falls to her knees and starts to whimper.
Benjamin smirked, “It seems I have take Round 3.†As he finishes his statement, Benjamin hears a noise from behind him. A noise of a cat purring.
He turns around as he sees what looks to be a Memory Beast with red fangs and a saber tooth tiger motif. He looks down, and sees the same buckle as the other two have. “Is this your pet or something?â€
“What is that?†asks Don.
“Never seen it before.†Says Jennifer.
The Memory Beast starts to slowly walk towards Benjamin on all fours. Finally it jumps on him knocking him down. Benjamin is quickly able to kick the Beast off of him as he pulls out the Unfinished Buckle, “I have no choice with this one.â€
Don stands up, “I knew it was you!â€
“Don’t be too flattered with yourself. I can still beat you without it.†He places the Buckle on his waist as he takes off his hat and pulls out the Skull Drive, “SKULL†He places it in the slot on the buckle, pushing it down, “SKULL†A wind corrupts Benjamin as he becomes Masked Rider Skull. He waives at the Memory Beast to come towards him, “Try me.â€
The Memory Beast jumps at him as Benjamin punches it back. It then jumps over Benjamin, clawing him in the back. Benjamin is immediately in pain as he stumbles away, he turns around with the Memory Beast jumping onto him again. He quickly pulls out the Skull Magnum and shoots at it. This time, knocking the Memory Beast on ITS back. It gets up, grabbing Don and Jennifer, as it jumps from Benjamin out of sight. Benjamin tries to follow it, but it went too far. Benjamin takes the Skull Drive out and returns to his normal form. “What was that thing?â€
-----------------------------------
In a nearby woods
The Memory Beast lands and drops Don and Jennifer. Don quickly gets up and pulls out the Nazca Drive, “What the hell. No, who the hell you think you are taking me and my sister like that? I will show you what pai-“
“Watch how you talk to me!†says the Memory Beast.
Jennifer steps forward, “Wait Don. That…..Mom?â€
The Memory Beast quickly changes into its human form, Helena Waldron. “Yes dear. And you have the worst mouth these days Donald.â€
Don tries to laugh as he scratches his head, “Sorry mom. Wait a second! What you doing with a Drive?â€
“Your father wasn’t the only ones to go on ‘runs’ when the business first started. I helped him.â€
“Why did you come?†asked Jennifer.
“I disagree what your father is doing with you. He uses you all as toys. And I have had enough. From now on, I will be accompanying you on you runs. From time to time at least. I cannot stop him from making you, only you can. And if you choose to stop this, I will be behind you. But if you fear him, no this. If there is anyone who can bring your father down next to that Detective and his Drive, is your mother and her Drive.†She pulls out her Drive, revealing it to her children, “SMILODONâ€
--------------------------
Grand Cash Casino
Benjamin quickly creeps lowly towards a room. He leans over just enough to hear the conversation. He hears a man with a deep voice, and a lighter voice. Realizing the lighter voice had to be a woman, he tries to analyze it. He realizes it is Jamie. He then starts to make out the conversation.
“Please Mr. Moraine, I can give you the money. I-I just have to make some things happen!â€
“You said that before, and you gave me my money a month later-“
“But I paid it see!â€
“Not good enough. Money now. Money never.â€
Benjamin gets ready to enter, as something taps his shoulder, he grabs the arm, and looks to see who it was. It was Landon, wielding his gun and his badge.
“I told you to stay out of this, Ben!â€
“That is Detective to you.â€
“Do you always have to say that?â€
“Do I always have to remind you?â€
“Whatever! This is my case. I can’t let you in this.â€
“Yeah, well my personal business is in that room. What are you doing here?â€
Landon looks away upset and then back at Benjamin, “Fine. I will tell you. People going to this very Casino have gone missing. I am trying to interrogate its owner, George Moraine, and get some answers.â€
“Well he is in there. As is my friend.â€
“You have friends?†as Landon starts to giggle. He looks at Benjamin, as he stares at Landon. “Sorry…â€
Benjamin gets a look into the room, as Mr. Moraine stands up, “It seems your choice is money never.â€
Benjamin stands up, “I am going in, you coming or not?â€
“No Ben wa-“
Benjamin runs into the room. “Damnit Ben!â€
Ben and Landon enter the room with Landon holding his gun out and his badge, “FREEZE!†Benjamin stares at Mr. Moraine’s hand, as he is holding a Memory Drive. As he sees Mr. Moraine is holding a Memory Drive. “So, it seems you are the man behind the disappearances.â€
“Ben!†yells Jamie. She starts to run at Benjamin as Mr. Moraine starts to laugh, “Where you think you are going?†He takes his Memory Drive and presses a button on it, “MONEY†he bends his head down, as he inserts the drive into a Data Stamp on the back of his neck. He becomes the Money Memory Beast. He shoots a ray at Jamie, as she is turned into a coin.
“JAMIE!†he bends over to pick up the coin, as one of Mr. Moraine’s men tries to attack Benjamin. Landon comes over and shoots the man in the arm. “Mr. Moraine, you are under arrest for kidnapping.â€
“Kidnapping? Whatever you want to call it, Mr. Detective.â€He starts to shoot coins at Benjamin and Landon they both get hit and get sent flying backwards. Benjamin looks at Landon, as he is knocked out cold. “What you going to do now that your partner is gone?†asks Mr. Moraine.
Benjamin gets up and pulls out the Skull Drive, “Pull my ace up my sleeve. SKULL†opens up his jacket, as the Buckle is already on his waist. He inserts the Drive in the slot, as the wind corrupts him allowing him to become Skull. Benjamin pointed at Mr. Moraine, “Time….to atone for your crimes!†He runs at Mr. Moraine tackling him through the back door putting him in behind the Casino. He starts to punch Mr. Moraine, but has no effect on him.
“That tickles.†Mr. Moraine shoots more coins at Benjamin. He gets up and runs at him, taking the Skull Drive out and throwing it into the slot on the side of the buckle, “SKULL. MAXIMUM DRIVE.†He jumps in the air as he goes to land on Mr. Moraine, but is shot down by more coins. Benjamin comes falling down, as he de-transforms. And rolls away. Mr. Moraine starts to walk over to him.
“I don’t care if you think you are the ‘Savior’. I run this town now, and nobody can-“ Mr. Moraine is then tackle by Senior who comes flying in. Mr. Moraine falls down, as Senior rolls away. He gets up and gets into a fighting stance. Mr. Moraine starts to laugh. “Isn’t that a hoot!†He goes over to Senior, who tries to punches Mr. Moraine, but hurts himself in the act.
Benjamin tries to get up. “Senior….get out….of here…†as Benjamin lies down on the ground, trying to get up. Mr. Moraine smacks Senior away.
Mr. Moraine flips a coin, “Looking for this?†as he sees it’s the same coin that was Jamie. “Then pay her debt. And you.†He turns to Senior, “We have a score to pay, right now.†He aims at Senior, as he shoots the same ray at him. Senior dodges from him. Mr. Moraine starts to yawn, “You’re not worth it. Remember what I said Detective.†He walks away, as Benjamin cannot get up from the blow and the impact from falling. Senior tries to chase after him but fails, as Mr. Moraine disappears from sight. He runs over to Benjamin.
“Mr. James!†He helps Benjamin up, as he is still conscious.
“Senior? Wh-what are you still doing here?â€
Senior kneels down as helps Benjamin steps up, “Don’t worry about that now, sir. We need to get you somewhere.â€
Landon comes tumbling out the backdoor as he looks at Senior and Benjamin, “Kid, can you drive?â€
-------------------------------
Fond Du Lac Police Department
Landon sits in his chair with an ice pack over his head, with Benjamin sitting at Jonathan’s desk. And Senior bringing coffee to both of them.
“Thanks, kid.†Says Landon. He takes a sip of his warm coffee and looks at Benjamin. “Your stubborn old man. We BOTH should have gone to the hospital. I think I have a concussion.â€
“Then you don’t have one if you think you do, smart one.†Says Jonathan as
he walks over with a file in his hand.
Benjamin sits up and takes the ice pack off of his arm, “What is that?â€
“I had a sketch artist draw that guy we saw. I found out Moraine's name through word of the mouth, but Moraine didn’t come up in our systems. I faxed this to a friend over in the FBI, seems are Mr. Moraine is really Mr. Payton. Gerald Payton. Using the alias George Moraine. He is wanted for laundering money out of the country. Seems he has been taking money by using various ways, this time a Casino, and taking it too Mexico.â€
“Sounds lovely.†Says Benjamin.
“Seems he has been in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine. Now he is in Wisconsin, went across the border.†Landon lays the ice pack down and sips the coffee, “By the way, good driving ki-do you got a name?â€
“Yeah, just call me Senior.â€
“Odd name for a young fellow. But that is fine with me. You want a rider home? I can get my partner to take you home.â€
“Don’t sign me up for things!†says Jonathan.
“It’s a fi
“Oh…..well then sure.â€
Senior smiled and shook his head, “It is fine Detective. I can walk myself home, I could use the exercise.†Senior walks over and taps Benjamin’s shoulder, as he grimaces in pain. “Oh, sorry Mr. James.â€
“It’s fine Senior. As I said, call me Ben.†Senior smiles as he walks out the door. Landon stares at Benjamin, “What?â€
“He can call you Ben, but me, who has known you for how long, has to call you Detective?â€
“Yes.â€
“I like you less and less anymore.â€
“Good to know. But that shouldn’t be the concern; this case is very different then usual.â€
“Why? 'Cause it has a Memory Beast involved? If that is your reasoning, then forget it. Cause that is how most of the cases are starting to be like.â€
“My thoughts exactly, but it is different for we know who our culprit is, but with his record, he is probably left by now.â€
“Not so sure about that. I think he will stick around for a little while. That Casino is pretty damn popular. Did you find out how he is capturing people?â€
“Seems if they own him money, he turns them into coins, like my friend Jamie.â€
“Wonderful. Sorry Ben-“
“Th-“
“Shut up just shut up I have to big of a headache to deal with you. He beat us and probably thinks we are in a hospital right now. Lets give him some time, and then we will attack.â€
“We? I thought I was out of this case?†says Benjamin with a smile.
“You’re acting like your REALLY going to stay out of this case. And plus, your bud is captured. I won’t stop you from hunting him down.†Landon gets up and walks towards Benjamin with his hands out, “Let’s get you home and get some rest. This one is going to be interesting.â€
S
scikaiju
Guest
Benjamin and Landon sure do have an interesting "friendship". But it's nice to see a little background on the Detective's background, and maybe a potential apprentice or something in Senior.
Masked Rider Skull: Case 6
By: Matrix
A Man’s House in Fond Du Lac
Mr. Moraine enters a room with a Hispanic man with a dark black mustache. The Hispanic man opens the door as he points at a table, which Mr. Moraine sets down the potato bag on it. He looks at the Hispanic man, “I need these cashed as fast as you can. I am leaving the country.â€
“Si, senor. I can see what I can do. Why the rush?â€
“Let’s just say, I have some pain in the necks that are on my tail. I have to get out before anything else happens.â€
-----------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin sits at his desk as he stares at the file of Gerald Payton, the true name of George Moraine. “I wonder, how does he manage to launder all this money?"Between taxes these days and regular bills and the loan on his property, that is a lot of money that needs to be dealt with. There has to be another source of money that he has coming into him.†He sets down the file as he leans back, “And probably half the people that go to the Casino owe him money, including Jamie.â€
Benjamin remembers what Mr. Moraine said, about Benjamin himself having to pay off her debt. She used all of that check from Mama Mary. That had to be a whole hell of a lot. I don’t even want to know the damage that would cause the Orphanage.â€
The door opens with Landon coming in, with a white bandage going across his forehead. He sits down as Benjamin starts to laugh.
“What’s so funny?â€
“That….is an interesting head wear.â€
“Watch it! I have a slight concussion.â€
“Never knew you could have a slight concussion.â€
“Well you can.â€
“You know Landon, ever since you got that bump on your head there, you been acting like your partner. Maybe that is where he got it from.â€
Landon smiled and shook his head, “Sorry. Just bugged that guy bopped me. I had him. I can’t even blame you for being there, you got more information then I did. I just hate when cases go like this.â€
Benjamin stood up and put his hand on Landon’s shoulder, “We will get him. You want some coffee?â€
“Yeah, thanks man.â€
“Anytime.†Benjamin starts to pour the fresh pot of hot coffee into two mugs, as Landon swings the chair around towards Benjamin.
“Why don’t you have a partner?â€
Benjamin turns his head slightly to his left, “I don’t need one.â€
“Ben. Detective, you need someone. That is what I thought too, then the department Assigned me Johnny, and I hated him at first. Now, I don’t know what I do without him.â€
“And yet you left him out of this case. So you obviously can work without himâ€
“That is cause he wasn’t ready. He will be soon enough, just not quite yet. Going undercover isn’t something to be messed around with. With Jonny’s attitude, he would have blown his cover in secondsâ€
Benjamin gave Landon his coffee as Benjamin sat down in his chair and leaned back, “That is a good cup of coffee right there.â€
“Stop changing the subject. I can see if I can have one of our interns report to you. Consider it a favor.â€
“No.â€
“God damnit stop being stubborn!â€
Benjamin puts down his cup, “If fate desires it, then my partner will come to me, and I won’t come to him or her.â€
As Benjamin finished his statement, his door slowly opens with Senior peeking through the door, “Hi Ben. Sorry I didn’t knock, but it was o-“
“Don’t have to explain yourself, Senior. My door is always opened to you.â€
Landon stared at Benjamin, as Benjamin looked at Landon, “What?†asks Benjamin.
Landon smiled, “Oh nothing. Good to see you again Senior. How you holding up from everything since we last met.â€
“Quite fine, thank you Detective. Uhm, I needed to talk to you Ben about well uh some personal stuff. But you are obviously busy, I can come back later.†Senior starts to walk out as Landon gets up.
“Get back in here kid. I was just about to leave anyways. Ben, I will give you a call if I here anything.â€
“That is Detective to you.†Benjamin smiled as he says his usual statement to his friend.
“I don’t like you.â€
“Lying isn’t a good thing, Landon.â€
Landon shook his head and walked out, “Take care Senior.â€
“You too, sir.†Landon closed the door behind Senior as Senior walked over to Benjamin, “Thank you for this, Ben.â€
“Anytime. What would you like to talk about?â€
“Oh. Well. I saw you yesterday-“
“I know. You practically saved my life, Senior. I am forever in your debt.â€
“No, no. You don’t understand. I SAW YOU yesterday. I saw you become that skull thing.â€
Benjamin’s eyes widened as he took off his fedora and placed it on the hook above him. He wiped his face of a cold sweat that quickly came over him.
“Go easy there. Your secret is safe with me. Who do I have to tell, ha-ha.†Senior sat down, “Honestly its fine. But there is another thing I am here for. Mama Mary wants to know what you found out about Jamie.â€
Still in shock from Senior knowing his identity as Masked Rider Skull, he quickly shakes it off and becomes his usual professional self. “Well Senior, I thank you for keeping this a secret and discussing it with me. It shows your maturity. I am Skull, and I use that power to make this city beautiful. For children at the orphanage and throughout this city to see her shine like I did as a child. But regarding Jamie, she is…….just tell Mama Mary that she is in some trouble and that I will get her back safe and sound.â€
“In trouble, you mean being turned into a coin?â€
“Senior how did you know that?!â€
“Oh, uhm. Nevermind. Forget I said that.†Senior got up, “I know you work alone in all of your cases, but I want to help with this one. Jamie means a lot to me, almost as Mama Mary. I cannot just sit back and not do something. Jamie would be doing the same thing if our situations were switched.â€
Benjamin smiled, “I am flattered by your words, Senior. But I work alone an-“
“Please sir. I am begging here.â€
Benjamin sighed as he got up and put back on his famous white fedora, wearing his black and white suit. ,â€Come on, Senior.â€
Senior smiled, “Thank you. Where are we going?â€
“Going back to the Casino, to look for some clues. Knowing Detective Landon, he will be doing stuff behind the desk.â€
“Why is that?â€
“Because….no one finds clues better then me.â€
------------------
Roo’s Fencing Institute
“Quicker, Donald. Quicker!†as Donald’s fencing coach yelled as Donald continued to fence against him. He kept on striking him, but his fencing coach tripped Donald, taking him off his feet. Immediately, Donald thought of when Benjamin took his feet out the first time they met. Donald rolled away getting back up quite quickly. He got into his stance, and started to strike, as he finally hit the coach in the chest. As Donald dropped the sword and did a full round house kick. His teacher sits up from being knocked down, as he starts to cough. “Knocked the wind out of me son, what the hell got into you?â€
Donald grimaced in anger, “Just bad memories. Go again?â€
“I think that is enough for today Donald.â€
“But my father paid for a full session!â€
“Yeah, that was before he knew he son was going to break a couple of ribs of
his teacher’s.â€
“Oh…..sorry…â€
--------------------------
Waldron Mansion
Helena Waldron walks up with a silver tray full of food. She knocks at the two doors leading to Alexander’s office. He opens the door, “I am bu-what is that?â€
“Food, no wait, its poison Alex. Just eat it!â€
Alexander takes the tray as he gently places it on the table in his office.
“Care to join me?â€
Helena’s eyes widened, “Really?â€
“Yes, of course. I don’t want to eat alone.†As Alexander sits down and Helena follows by sitting across the table. They both start to eat as Alexander looks at her and starts to think, “Kissing his ass is the least I can do for my children. I have to keep him busy so he has no idea I am back doing runs.â€
Alexander stares at Helena, “She is up to something. I just don’t know what…â€
Helena puts her fork down and wipes the food off her mouth with her napkin,
“Say, where is Samantha? Donald is at fencing, and Jennifer is shopping. But no Samantha.â€
Alexander smiled, “There is one punishment that tortures Samantha more than anything.â€
-----------------------------
Shopping Mall
“We HAVE to stop here!†Jennifer screamed running to another store with bags on her arms. Samantha comes trailing behind her shaking her head,
“This is worst then hell itself.†She walks in as Jennifer is already trying clothes on, “How do you change that fast?!â€
Jennifer peaks out with a top covering her chest, “Easy. Practice.†She giggles as she returns to her changing room.
Samantha plumps on a leather seat, “I hate being grounded.â€
Jennifer walked out of the dressing room as she starred at herself in the mirror. She twirled around and looked at Samantha, “By the way, how does it feel to be in your 20s and STILL be grounded.†Jennifer laughs, as Samantha turns around, and takes a display shoe off a shelf and chucks it at Jennifer’s head. As it bumps and Jennifer whimpers, “Hey!â€
Samantha started to silently laugh with her hand covering her mouth, “I have good aim. HAHAHAHA!â€
---------------------------
Grand Cash Casino
Benjamin and Senior walk to the door, as it has a sign on the main doors,
“CLOSED†Benjamin was startled by this, “He is still here.â€
“But it says it is closed, sir. He had to have left already.â€
Benjamin shook his head as he took off his hat, “No. My intuition says that he hasn’t left.â€
“Why is that?â€
“Lets go take a look in side.†As Benjamin slowly steps backwards, he then sprints to the door and kicks it open. He puts back on his hat and waves for Senior to come in. Senior immediately follows the command and walks into the Casino. As both walk in, all the card tables and other gambling areas are still in tact. “Hmm.†Benjamin walks around as he walks towards the very backroom where he saw his beloved friend Jamie, be turned into that coin. He stops as he looks down at a shiny object. He sees one of the coins. “Moraine must have dropped this.â€
Senior takes a look at it as well, “We need to give this to Detective Landon and have his forensic people look at it.â€
“You know your stuff.â€
“Well, I do want to be a police officer or something along those lines. So I read my books on this type of stuff.â€
Benjamin could not help but smile, “Reading books is an excellent habit, always keep that. But I have someone else we can bring this to.â€
---------------
Ronny’s Apartment
Ronny types quickly through the computer as he analyzes the coin that Benjamin had discovered.
“Anything?†asks Benjamin
“No, wait, yes! I got something.†He swings his chair around as he takes the coin out of the analyzer, “From what I saw, something is in there.â€
“Is it alive?â€
“From what I can tell, yes. I have readings of life, but…..it’s like it’s in a coma, it doesn’t know that it’s a coin.â€
“How do you figure that?â€
“Because, it’s a coin. For a human to be transformed into something so small, it would have to be put into a dormant state, like a coma.†Ronny looks at Senior, “Who is he?â€
“My…….aquataince. He is helping me with the case.â€
“You? Having help? Jeeze, and I thought I was special.†Ronny got up and whispered in Benjamin’s ear, “Does he know?â€
Benjamin tapped Ronnuy on the back, “Yes, he saw me in action.â€
“Awe come on! I want to see that thing in action!â€
Benjamin laughed as he took the coin from Ronny. “Thanks again Ronny.â€
“Anytime, see you later!â€
“Goodbye sir.†Says Senior.
“Yeah sure.†As Ronny turns around and goes back to his computer.
Benjamin and Senior walks out of Ronny’s apartment complex. Benjamin stood in front of Senior.
“Something wrong, Ben?â€
“I have been thinking about something for awhile, why were you there when you saved me?â€
Senior tried to look away from Benjamin, “I uh-told you. I was on my way home.â€
“From where?â€
“Uhm-the grocery store?â€
“There is a grocery store 2 blocks from your house. The Casino is 15 blocks, and there isn’t a grocery store near it. You were in the Casino. There is no way you could have saw me from anywhere else. Why were you there Senior? There is something you aren’t telling me.â€
Senior took a deep breath and sighed, “Fine. Mr. Moraine is the one who killed my parents.â€
Benjamin’s eyes widened, “What did you say?â€
“My dad was a local banker in Fond Du Lac, when Mr. Moraine first went for a loan for the Casino, my dad denied him. He had no records from anything as Mr. Moraine. Finally, my dad found out he was Gerald Payton. Moraine found out what my dad had discovered, and killed him and my mother. I was able to run. Moraine has threatened the home and Mama Mary if I don’t pay that very loan that he was denied from my father.â€
“Why would he do such a thing to a kid?â€
“Because, he is obsessed with money. He will do anything to get it, even if it means hurting people in the process, or killing them…â€
Benjamin put his arm around Senior, “We will get him soon enough.†As a sound of a door opens, Benjamin turns around and sees Mr. Moraine’s henchmen wearing tight white t-shirts and black pants, “Cute outfit, boys.â€
The one in the middle smirks, “You better whip that smile off your face before I wipe it off for you.â€
“Who said I was smiling?â€
The henchmen next to the man in the middle on the left cracked his knuckles,
“Then we will just pound you a smile then.†He ran at Benjamin as Benjamin put out his left arm in front of Senior.
“Stay back, and whatever you do……pay attention and learn something.†He handed his fedora to Senior as he took a step to the side as the henchmen ran past him, he then used his arm to wrap around the mans throat, putting him into a headlock. He grabbed the man’s arm, twisting it up wards as he made a cracking sound as the ma screamed in pain. Benjamin dropped him, the next henchmen jumped on Benjamin, but he grabbed the man by the shirt and flipped him over his back. The man landed on his back, as Benjamin the side of his head. That left 2 more henchmen for Benjamin.
He went to the one and quickly jumped in the air kicking him across the face as he was knocked towards the henchmen in the middle. Benjamin landed on one knee and looked up, “Do you know why I do this job?â€
“I don’t care!†the middle henchmen set a punch towards the ground as Benjamin hoped backwards, a small crack was inserted in the ground, “I will make sure I put the same crack into your skull.â€
“To answer MY question, I do this job……to take scum like you off my streets!†He punched the man in the chest, grabbing his head by palming it like a basketball player does with a ball. He ran the man into the wall and kneed him the groin. The man coughed.
“Cheap….shot.â€
“I only give cheap shots to the ones who deserve. It.†Benjamin then elbowed the man in the face knocking him out. Benjamin stood as the man slid down on the grown. He looked at Senior, “Come on, nothing else here to see.â€
Senior came running over, “That was awesome, Ben!â€
“Did you learn anything?â€
“Yeah, that you kick ass!â€
“Watch your mouth.â€
“Sorry.â€
Benjamin smiled and rubbed the kid’s short hair, “No, don’t be.†He opened the doors as he looked around the city, “Where could he have gone?â€
“Who?†asks Senior.
“Moraine.†A police siren comes roaring towards the two. The siren comes close, and closer, the cop car appears turning the corner. It is Landon’s car, he pulls up to Benjamin.
“Ben, Senior, you are going to want to come with me.â€
--------------------------
A Man’s House in Fond Du Lac
Benjamin and Landon arrive with Senior behind them, “Ben, I think the kid should stay out here.â€
“He comes with us, Landon. He is part of this case too. Moraine killed his parents.â€
Landon looked at Senior, “Wait a sec? Are you little Stevey?â€
Senior nodded with a smile, “You remember me.â€
“I knew you looked familiar?â€
“Someone want to enlighten me?†as Benjamin became confused with the two’s conversation.
“I ran his case when his parents were murdered. He was going to be shipped to a foster home in a different city. I pulled major strings for him to stay in
Fond Du Lac with Mama Mary.â€
“You know Mama Mary? Asks Benjamin
“Of course, everyone does. Almost like everyone knows you. So Moraine killed your parents? No wonder we couldn’t find him, Moraine must have fled after that and returned while we made it a cold case. We can add murder to his list. But this….this might be as bad as murder.†Landon walked Landon and Senior to a table, as he opened a potato bag, and purred out gold coins, the same coins that Moraine had gave to the Hispanic man. “This is how Moraine REALLY got his money. He created people into coins, and then traded them into an illegal immigrant, who then traded the coins for counterfeit money in Mexico.â€
Benjamin stared at the coins, “No….Jamie….How long has he been doing this?â€
“Seems for at least 2 months. When the disappearances started, and more than likely when he purchased his Drive.â€
“When was the last time he traded these coins in?â€
“2 weeks ago. Jamie is more than lively somewhere in this pile.â€
“Can we get the coins back?â€
“Working with border control down in Texas to se what he can find. He is looking for people carrying bags to Mexico. Just not finding anything. I will get my buddy in the FBI on this. We should be fine. I hope.â€
Benjamin punched the table, “No more of this. He is dirtying this city to its max. I will find him.â€
“Ben…calm down.â€
“No. No I cannot let him dirty her. She needs to shine.â€
“Who needs to shine?†asks Landon.
Benjamin started walking towards the door, “Fond Du Lac.†He opened the door, “Come on Senior. Landon, I need you to find Moraine and then somehow contact me, more than likely at my office. I need to research some things.â€
“Understood. Let me know what you find.â€
--------------------
Telephone Booth
“Ronny….come on….answer.â€
“Who you calling, Ben?â€
“That Ronny guy. He is going to tell me what I-Hello Ronny.â€
Ronny starts to talk on the other line, “Oh, NOW you need me. I thought I was replaced.â€
“Ronny, no one can replace you.â€
“Oh Detective…â€
“Ronny, don’t get too sentimental on me.â€
“Right sorry. Wouldn’t want the girlfriend to get jealous.â€
“Ronny, you don’t have a girlfriend.â€
“Not the point! What do you need my expertise for?â€
“I need you to bring up that database, and find me a Drive. The Money Drive.â€
“Right let me pull it up……there. I need some keywords.â€
“Coins.â€
“Coins…â€
“Cash.â€
“Cash….â€
“Obsession.â€
“Obsession….Money Drive unlocked. What you want to know?â€
“Everything…..â€
----------------
Cruise Ship
Benjamin walks up to the deck as he and Senior look around, “No one is here, Ben.†Said Senior.
“Keep your eyes sharp; you don’t know when he could pop out.â€
Mr. Moraine than walks towards Benjamin and Senior with the Money Drive in his hand. “How did you find me?â€
Benjamin smirked. A flashback occurs of his conversation with Ronny.
Flashback
“Using melee attacks won’t work on him. He is like a coin. That is what his body is made of.â€
“So I am fighting a walking and talking coin?â€
“Exactly. You are going to need to use major heat on him. To pretty much melt him.â€
“Easier said then down. But I will figure something out. I just have to find this guy….â€
“Say, why don’t you try the cruise ship going down to Texas?â€
“What did you just say?â€
“There is a cruise ship that came into today. I saw it coming into the city
today. I never heard of a ship go all the way down to Texas from here. That is a long ship ride. Only reason I am saying that is, if what you just told me is right, then he probably is going to Texas….â€
As the flashback ends, Benjamin continues his sentence, “Then you are more than likely meeting someone down there to go to Mexico. Someone named Roberto Cortes, the brother of Jose Cortes who you traded those coins to. It’s nice that my friend Landon was able to talk to your little friend and get some information. Jose knows quite a lot about you. Like how you bought out this ship. And had it delivered by a man who is known for swindling people cross the border with a little cash.â€
“Damnit Jose….you have nothing on me! I know your secret! You are Skull! I will tell everyone!â€
Benjamin laughed, “Sure you will. You see, I am going…..to defeat you.†Benjamin attached the Unfinished Buckle on his waist, as a strap goes around his waist connecting to the Buckle. He then pulls out the Skull Drive and takes off his white fedora. He inserts the Drive and presses the slot down, “SKULLâ€. A wind corrupts Benjamin as it breaks, he puts on his fedora, revealing him to be Masked Rider Skull. Benjamin points at Mr. Moraine, “Time….to atone for your sins.â€
Mr. Moraine presses a button on his Drive, “MONEY†He then raises it towards his neck, “Make me!†he inserts it into the Data Stamp on the back of his neck, as Mr. Moraine becomes the Money Memory Beast. He started to laugh, “You won’t defeat me. I will beat you, and make more money than anyone in the world!â€
Benjamin brushed off his hands, “It seems the drug in the Drive is affecting you differently then others. Your Drive is only strengthening your obsession over money.â€
“Whatever!†he started shooting coins at Benjamin, as he started to dodge, Benjamin started to think.
“How am I supposed to beat him, I need fire, and all I am by is water!†He pulled out the Skull Magnum and shot at Moraine, as it deflected off his body.
“Come on, Detective. You’re going to have to try harder to stop me!†He then ran towards Benjamin as he started punching him, Benjamin grabbed his arm.
“I will!†he throws Moraine off of him as he backs up. “Think Ben, think.†He then realizes something, as the Cruise ship blows out black smoke from a part of the boat. “It has to have a furnace!†Benjamin shoots at Moraine and then kicks him towards a door. He tries to get up, but the wait of his body holds him down.
“No no no!†Benjamin kicks Moraine down the steps, as he rolls down. Benjamin follows and starts to sniff for a smell.
“Got it.†He then picks Moraine up and runs him into a room, where a furnace is burning fresh coal.
“What are you going to do?!â€
“I should have noticed the ship. It is an old cruise ship, running on coal and a furnace. And your weakness, if fire.†Benjamin took out the Skull Drive and put it into the Skull Magnum, lifting the front end, “SKULL. MAXIMUM DRIVE.†He then aimed at Mr. Moraine, “You will no longer hurt my city, its people….or my partner!â€
Senior comes running down the stairs as he heard what Benjamin said,
“His….partner? Me?â€
Benjamin shoots at Moraine throwing him in the furnace. As the blast from the shot, created the furnace to blow. With Moraine’s body flying out, as well as the Money Drive, now broken. Landing next to Benjamin’s feet. He catches Moraine, and checks his pulse. “Senior! We have to get out of here!â€
Benjamin runs out of the furnace room and up the stairs. Benjamin throws Moraine over his shoulders, and takes off the Buckle, putting it in his coat pocket. The two make it to the deck, as they see the captain of the ship is seen screaming and jumping into the water off the ship. Benjamin and Senior do the same, and jump in the water. The reach the top, as they swim to land. With Moraine still be held onto by Benjamin, the hear police sirens, as Benjamin smiled. “Perfect timing.â€
---------------------
Benjamin and Senior are standing up with towels over them to dry off. Landon
walks over, “Second time your case ended with you in water. Should I be getting used to this?â€
Benjamin shook his head, “Just coincidence Landon. Nothing serious.â€
Senior nodded.
Landon smiled, “Good. And some good news, with the Money Drive destroyed, all people turned into coins have been turned back into themselves. Including Jamie.â€
“Good to here. Well, I think we will ou going to do with Moraine?â€
“Seems he is wanted by more than just the local police. I have a feeling I will have some major paperwork to do on him.â€
Benjamin put his hand on Landon’s shoulder, “That is why you’re a Detective, and I am a Private one. I HATE paperwork. Come on Senior, I will walk you home.â€
Senior got up and folded the towel and handed it to Landon, “Here you go, Detective.â€
“Thanks, kid.†Senior walked away with a smile on his face as he ran to catch up with Benjamin, “Ben, it couldn’t hit you harder in the face.â€
Benjamin and Senior started their walk back to the orphanage. Benjamin stopped, as Senior continued to walk, but finally stopped and turned back,
“Everything okay, Ben?â€
Benjamin sighed, “Damn you Landon.†He mumbled. He walked up to Senior,
“Senior, you were brave today.â€
“Thank you…â€
“In a man’s life, he sometimes needs help.â€
“Okay?â€
“He needs….he needs…â€
“A partner?â€
“Yeah….yeah, a partner. Senior, will you become my partner. And make this city shine?†He extends his hand out to Senior. As his face glows with a grin.
“Wouldn’t want to work with anyone else, BOSS.â€
Once again, Benjamin thinks of what he would later write in his journal:
Maybe Landon was right. Maybe everyone does need help after awhile. I don't think I could have done the case without Senior. Having the motivation to find his family's killer. His bravery amazed me throughout this. He is my partner. As I am his. I will train him, using many ways, including this journal, to become my successor some day. Senior will fulfill my destiny, and make this city shine. I just know it.
By: Matrix
A Man’s House in Fond Du Lac
Mr. Moraine enters a room with a Hispanic man with a dark black mustache. The Hispanic man opens the door as he points at a table, which Mr. Moraine sets down the potato bag on it. He looks at the Hispanic man, “I need these cashed as fast as you can. I am leaving the country.â€
“Si, senor. I can see what I can do. Why the rush?â€
“Let’s just say, I have some pain in the necks that are on my tail. I have to get out before anything else happens.â€
-----------------
Benjamin James Detective Agency
Benjamin sits at his desk as he stares at the file of Gerald Payton, the true name of George Moraine. “I wonder, how does he manage to launder all this money?"Between taxes these days and regular bills and the loan on his property, that is a lot of money that needs to be dealt with. There has to be another source of money that he has coming into him.†He sets down the file as he leans back, “And probably half the people that go to the Casino owe him money, including Jamie.â€
Benjamin remembers what Mr. Moraine said, about Benjamin himself having to pay off her debt. She used all of that check from Mama Mary. That had to be a whole hell of a lot. I don’t even want to know the damage that would cause the Orphanage.â€
The door opens with Landon coming in, with a white bandage going across his forehead. He sits down as Benjamin starts to laugh.
“What’s so funny?â€
“That….is an interesting head wear.â€
“Watch it! I have a slight concussion.â€
“Never knew you could have a slight concussion.â€
“Well you can.â€
“You know Landon, ever since you got that bump on your head there, you been acting like your partner. Maybe that is where he got it from.â€
Landon smiled and shook his head, “Sorry. Just bugged that guy bopped me. I had him. I can’t even blame you for being there, you got more information then I did. I just hate when cases go like this.â€
Benjamin stood up and put his hand on Landon’s shoulder, “We will get him. You want some coffee?â€
“Yeah, thanks man.â€
“Anytime.†Benjamin starts to pour the fresh pot of hot coffee into two mugs, as Landon swings the chair around towards Benjamin.
“Why don’t you have a partner?â€
Benjamin turns his head slightly to his left, “I don’t need one.â€
“Ben. Detective, you need someone. That is what I thought too, then the department Assigned me Johnny, and I hated him at first. Now, I don’t know what I do without him.â€
“And yet you left him out of this case. So you obviously can work without himâ€
“That is cause he wasn’t ready. He will be soon enough, just not quite yet. Going undercover isn’t something to be messed around with. With Jonny’s attitude, he would have blown his cover in secondsâ€
Benjamin gave Landon his coffee as Benjamin sat down in his chair and leaned back, “That is a good cup of coffee right there.â€
“Stop changing the subject. I can see if I can have one of our interns report to you. Consider it a favor.â€
“No.â€
“God damnit stop being stubborn!â€
Benjamin puts down his cup, “If fate desires it, then my partner will come to me, and I won’t come to him or her.â€
As Benjamin finished his statement, his door slowly opens with Senior peeking through the door, “Hi Ben. Sorry I didn’t knock, but it was o-“
“Don’t have to explain yourself, Senior. My door is always opened to you.â€
Landon stared at Benjamin, as Benjamin looked at Landon, “What?†asks Benjamin.
Landon smiled, “Oh nothing. Good to see you again Senior. How you holding up from everything since we last met.â€
“Quite fine, thank you Detective. Uhm, I needed to talk to you Ben about well uh some personal stuff. But you are obviously busy, I can come back later.†Senior starts to walk out as Landon gets up.
“Get back in here kid. I was just about to leave anyways. Ben, I will give you a call if I here anything.â€
“That is Detective to you.†Benjamin smiled as he says his usual statement to his friend.
“I don’t like you.â€
“Lying isn’t a good thing, Landon.â€
Landon shook his head and walked out, “Take care Senior.â€
“You too, sir.†Landon closed the door behind Senior as Senior walked over to Benjamin, “Thank you for this, Ben.â€
“Anytime. What would you like to talk about?â€
“Oh. Well. I saw you yesterday-“
“I know. You practically saved my life, Senior. I am forever in your debt.â€
“No, no. You don’t understand. I SAW YOU yesterday. I saw you become that skull thing.â€
Benjamin’s eyes widened as he took off his fedora and placed it on the hook above him. He wiped his face of a cold sweat that quickly came over him.
“Go easy there. Your secret is safe with me. Who do I have to tell, ha-ha.†Senior sat down, “Honestly its fine. But there is another thing I am here for. Mama Mary wants to know what you found out about Jamie.â€
Still in shock from Senior knowing his identity as Masked Rider Skull, he quickly shakes it off and becomes his usual professional self. “Well Senior, I thank you for keeping this a secret and discussing it with me. It shows your maturity. I am Skull, and I use that power to make this city beautiful. For children at the orphanage and throughout this city to see her shine like I did as a child. But regarding Jamie, she is…….just tell Mama Mary that she is in some trouble and that I will get her back safe and sound.â€
“In trouble, you mean being turned into a coin?â€
“Senior how did you know that?!â€
“Oh, uhm. Nevermind. Forget I said that.†Senior got up, “I know you work alone in all of your cases, but I want to help with this one. Jamie means a lot to me, almost as Mama Mary. I cannot just sit back and not do something. Jamie would be doing the same thing if our situations were switched.â€
Benjamin smiled, “I am flattered by your words, Senior. But I work alone an-“
“Please sir. I am begging here.â€
Benjamin sighed as he got up and put back on his famous white fedora, wearing his black and white suit. ,â€Come on, Senior.â€
Senior smiled, “Thank you. Where are we going?â€
“Going back to the Casino, to look for some clues. Knowing Detective Landon, he will be doing stuff behind the desk.â€
“Why is that?â€
“Because….no one finds clues better then me.â€
------------------
Roo’s Fencing Institute
“Quicker, Donald. Quicker!†as Donald’s fencing coach yelled as Donald continued to fence against him. He kept on striking him, but his fencing coach tripped Donald, taking him off his feet. Immediately, Donald thought of when Benjamin took his feet out the first time they met. Donald rolled away getting back up quite quickly. He got into his stance, and started to strike, as he finally hit the coach in the chest. As Donald dropped the sword and did a full round house kick. His teacher sits up from being knocked down, as he starts to cough. “Knocked the wind out of me son, what the hell got into you?â€
Donald grimaced in anger, “Just bad memories. Go again?â€
“I think that is enough for today Donald.â€
“But my father paid for a full session!â€
“Yeah, that was before he knew he son was going to break a couple of ribs of
his teacher’s.â€
“Oh…..sorry…â€
--------------------------
Waldron Mansion
Helena Waldron walks up with a silver tray full of food. She knocks at the two doors leading to Alexander’s office. He opens the door, “I am bu-what is that?â€
“Food, no wait, its poison Alex. Just eat it!â€
Alexander takes the tray as he gently places it on the table in his office.
“Care to join me?â€
Helena’s eyes widened, “Really?â€
“Yes, of course. I don’t want to eat alone.†As Alexander sits down and Helena follows by sitting across the table. They both start to eat as Alexander looks at her and starts to think, “Kissing his ass is the least I can do for my children. I have to keep him busy so he has no idea I am back doing runs.â€
Alexander stares at Helena, “She is up to something. I just don’t know what…â€
Helena puts her fork down and wipes the food off her mouth with her napkin,
“Say, where is Samantha? Donald is at fencing, and Jennifer is shopping. But no Samantha.â€
Alexander smiled, “There is one punishment that tortures Samantha more than anything.â€
-----------------------------
Shopping Mall
“We HAVE to stop here!†Jennifer screamed running to another store with bags on her arms. Samantha comes trailing behind her shaking her head,
“This is worst then hell itself.†She walks in as Jennifer is already trying clothes on, “How do you change that fast?!â€
Jennifer peaks out with a top covering her chest, “Easy. Practice.†She giggles as she returns to her changing room.
Samantha plumps on a leather seat, “I hate being grounded.â€
Jennifer walked out of the dressing room as she starred at herself in the mirror. She twirled around and looked at Samantha, “By the way, how does it feel to be in your 20s and STILL be grounded.†Jennifer laughs, as Samantha turns around, and takes a display shoe off a shelf and chucks it at Jennifer’s head. As it bumps and Jennifer whimpers, “Hey!â€
Samantha started to silently laugh with her hand covering her mouth, “I have good aim. HAHAHAHA!â€
---------------------------
Grand Cash Casino
Benjamin and Senior walk to the door, as it has a sign on the main doors,
“CLOSED†Benjamin was startled by this, “He is still here.â€
“But it says it is closed, sir. He had to have left already.â€
Benjamin shook his head as he took off his hat, “No. My intuition says that he hasn’t left.â€
“Why is that?â€
“Lets go take a look in side.†As Benjamin slowly steps backwards, he then sprints to the door and kicks it open. He puts back on his hat and waves for Senior to come in. Senior immediately follows the command and walks into the Casino. As both walk in, all the card tables and other gambling areas are still in tact. “Hmm.†Benjamin walks around as he walks towards the very backroom where he saw his beloved friend Jamie, be turned into that coin. He stops as he looks down at a shiny object. He sees one of the coins. “Moraine must have dropped this.â€
Senior takes a look at it as well, “We need to give this to Detective Landon and have his forensic people look at it.â€
“You know your stuff.â€
“Well, I do want to be a police officer or something along those lines. So I read my books on this type of stuff.â€
Benjamin could not help but smile, “Reading books is an excellent habit, always keep that. But I have someone else we can bring this to.â€
---------------
Ronny’s Apartment
Ronny types quickly through the computer as he analyzes the coin that Benjamin had discovered.
“Anything?†asks Benjamin
“No, wait, yes! I got something.†He swings his chair around as he takes the coin out of the analyzer, “From what I saw, something is in there.â€
“Is it alive?â€
“From what I can tell, yes. I have readings of life, but…..it’s like it’s in a coma, it doesn’t know that it’s a coin.â€
“How do you figure that?â€
“Because, it’s a coin. For a human to be transformed into something so small, it would have to be put into a dormant state, like a coma.†Ronny looks at Senior, “Who is he?â€
“My…….aquataince. He is helping me with the case.â€
“You? Having help? Jeeze, and I thought I was special.†Ronny got up and whispered in Benjamin’s ear, “Does he know?â€
Benjamin tapped Ronnuy on the back, “Yes, he saw me in action.â€
“Awe come on! I want to see that thing in action!â€
Benjamin laughed as he took the coin from Ronny. “Thanks again Ronny.â€
“Anytime, see you later!â€
“Goodbye sir.†Says Senior.
“Yeah sure.†As Ronny turns around and goes back to his computer.
Benjamin and Senior walks out of Ronny’s apartment complex. Benjamin stood in front of Senior.
“Something wrong, Ben?â€
“I have been thinking about something for awhile, why were you there when you saved me?â€
Senior tried to look away from Benjamin, “I uh-told you. I was on my way home.â€
“From where?â€
“Uhm-the grocery store?â€
“There is a grocery store 2 blocks from your house. The Casino is 15 blocks, and there isn’t a grocery store near it. You were in the Casino. There is no way you could have saw me from anywhere else. Why were you there Senior? There is something you aren’t telling me.â€
Senior took a deep breath and sighed, “Fine. Mr. Moraine is the one who killed my parents.â€
Benjamin’s eyes widened, “What did you say?â€
“My dad was a local banker in Fond Du Lac, when Mr. Moraine first went for a loan for the Casino, my dad denied him. He had no records from anything as Mr. Moraine. Finally, my dad found out he was Gerald Payton. Moraine found out what my dad had discovered, and killed him and my mother. I was able to run. Moraine has threatened the home and Mama Mary if I don’t pay that very loan that he was denied from my father.â€
“Why would he do such a thing to a kid?â€
“Because, he is obsessed with money. He will do anything to get it, even if it means hurting people in the process, or killing them…â€
Benjamin put his arm around Senior, “We will get him soon enough.†As a sound of a door opens, Benjamin turns around and sees Mr. Moraine’s henchmen wearing tight white t-shirts and black pants, “Cute outfit, boys.â€
The one in the middle smirks, “You better whip that smile off your face before I wipe it off for you.â€
“Who said I was smiling?â€
The henchmen next to the man in the middle on the left cracked his knuckles,
“Then we will just pound you a smile then.†He ran at Benjamin as Benjamin put out his left arm in front of Senior.
“Stay back, and whatever you do……pay attention and learn something.†He handed his fedora to Senior as he took a step to the side as the henchmen ran past him, he then used his arm to wrap around the mans throat, putting him into a headlock. He grabbed the man’s arm, twisting it up wards as he made a cracking sound as the ma screamed in pain. Benjamin dropped him, the next henchmen jumped on Benjamin, but he grabbed the man by the shirt and flipped him over his back. The man landed on his back, as Benjamin the side of his head. That left 2 more henchmen for Benjamin.
He went to the one and quickly jumped in the air kicking him across the face as he was knocked towards the henchmen in the middle. Benjamin landed on one knee and looked up, “Do you know why I do this job?â€
“I don’t care!†the middle henchmen set a punch towards the ground as Benjamin hoped backwards, a small crack was inserted in the ground, “I will make sure I put the same crack into your skull.â€
“To answer MY question, I do this job……to take scum like you off my streets!†He punched the man in the chest, grabbing his head by palming it like a basketball player does with a ball. He ran the man into the wall and kneed him the groin. The man coughed.
“Cheap….shot.â€
“I only give cheap shots to the ones who deserve. It.†Benjamin then elbowed the man in the face knocking him out. Benjamin stood as the man slid down on the grown. He looked at Senior, “Come on, nothing else here to see.â€
Senior came running over, “That was awesome, Ben!â€
“Did you learn anything?â€
“Yeah, that you kick ass!â€
“Watch your mouth.â€
“Sorry.â€
Benjamin smiled and rubbed the kid’s short hair, “No, don’t be.†He opened the doors as he looked around the city, “Where could he have gone?â€
“Who?†asks Senior.
“Moraine.†A police siren comes roaring towards the two. The siren comes close, and closer, the cop car appears turning the corner. It is Landon’s car, he pulls up to Benjamin.
“Ben, Senior, you are going to want to come with me.â€
--------------------------
A Man’s House in Fond Du Lac
Benjamin and Landon arrive with Senior behind them, “Ben, I think the kid should stay out here.â€
“He comes with us, Landon. He is part of this case too. Moraine killed his parents.â€
Landon looked at Senior, “Wait a sec? Are you little Stevey?â€
Senior nodded with a smile, “You remember me.â€
“I knew you looked familiar?â€
“Someone want to enlighten me?†as Benjamin became confused with the two’s conversation.
“I ran his case when his parents were murdered. He was going to be shipped to a foster home in a different city. I pulled major strings for him to stay in
Fond Du Lac with Mama Mary.â€
“You know Mama Mary? Asks Benjamin
“Of course, everyone does. Almost like everyone knows you. So Moraine killed your parents? No wonder we couldn’t find him, Moraine must have fled after that and returned while we made it a cold case. We can add murder to his list. But this….this might be as bad as murder.†Landon walked Landon and Senior to a table, as he opened a potato bag, and purred out gold coins, the same coins that Moraine had gave to the Hispanic man. “This is how Moraine REALLY got his money. He created people into coins, and then traded them into an illegal immigrant, who then traded the coins for counterfeit money in Mexico.â€
Benjamin stared at the coins, “No….Jamie….How long has he been doing this?â€
“Seems for at least 2 months. When the disappearances started, and more than likely when he purchased his Drive.â€
“When was the last time he traded these coins in?â€
“2 weeks ago. Jamie is more than lively somewhere in this pile.â€
“Can we get the coins back?â€
“Working with border control down in Texas to se what he can find. He is looking for people carrying bags to Mexico. Just not finding anything. I will get my buddy in the FBI on this. We should be fine. I hope.â€
Benjamin punched the table, “No more of this. He is dirtying this city to its max. I will find him.â€
“Ben…calm down.â€
“No. No I cannot let him dirty her. She needs to shine.â€
“Who needs to shine?†asks Landon.
Benjamin started walking towards the door, “Fond Du Lac.†He opened the door, “Come on Senior. Landon, I need you to find Moraine and then somehow contact me, more than likely at my office. I need to research some things.â€
“Understood. Let me know what you find.â€
--------------------
Telephone Booth
“Ronny….come on….answer.â€
“Who you calling, Ben?â€
“That Ronny guy. He is going to tell me what I-Hello Ronny.â€
Ronny starts to talk on the other line, “Oh, NOW you need me. I thought I was replaced.â€
“Ronny, no one can replace you.â€
“Oh Detective…â€
“Ronny, don’t get too sentimental on me.â€
“Right sorry. Wouldn’t want the girlfriend to get jealous.â€
“Ronny, you don’t have a girlfriend.â€
“Not the point! What do you need my expertise for?â€
“I need you to bring up that database, and find me a Drive. The Money Drive.â€
“Right let me pull it up……there. I need some keywords.â€
“Coins.â€
“Coins…â€
“Cash.â€
“Cash….â€
“Obsession.â€
“Obsession….Money Drive unlocked. What you want to know?â€
“Everything…..â€
----------------
Cruise Ship
Benjamin walks up to the deck as he and Senior look around, “No one is here, Ben.†Said Senior.
“Keep your eyes sharp; you don’t know when he could pop out.â€
Mr. Moraine than walks towards Benjamin and Senior with the Money Drive in his hand. “How did you find me?â€
Benjamin smirked. A flashback occurs of his conversation with Ronny.
Flashback
“Using melee attacks won’t work on him. He is like a coin. That is what his body is made of.â€
“So I am fighting a walking and talking coin?â€
“Exactly. You are going to need to use major heat on him. To pretty much melt him.â€
“Easier said then down. But I will figure something out. I just have to find this guy….â€
“Say, why don’t you try the cruise ship going down to Texas?â€
“What did you just say?â€
“There is a cruise ship that came into today. I saw it coming into the city
today. I never heard of a ship go all the way down to Texas from here. That is a long ship ride. Only reason I am saying that is, if what you just told me is right, then he probably is going to Texas….â€
As the flashback ends, Benjamin continues his sentence, “Then you are more than likely meeting someone down there to go to Mexico. Someone named Roberto Cortes, the brother of Jose Cortes who you traded those coins to. It’s nice that my friend Landon was able to talk to your little friend and get some information. Jose knows quite a lot about you. Like how you bought out this ship. And had it delivered by a man who is known for swindling people cross the border with a little cash.â€
“Damnit Jose….you have nothing on me! I know your secret! You are Skull! I will tell everyone!â€
Benjamin laughed, “Sure you will. You see, I am going…..to defeat you.†Benjamin attached the Unfinished Buckle on his waist, as a strap goes around his waist connecting to the Buckle. He then pulls out the Skull Drive and takes off his white fedora. He inserts the Drive and presses the slot down, “SKULLâ€. A wind corrupts Benjamin as it breaks, he puts on his fedora, revealing him to be Masked Rider Skull. Benjamin points at Mr. Moraine, “Time….to atone for your sins.â€
Mr. Moraine presses a button on his Drive, “MONEY†He then raises it towards his neck, “Make me!†he inserts it into the Data Stamp on the back of his neck, as Mr. Moraine becomes the Money Memory Beast. He started to laugh, “You won’t defeat me. I will beat you, and make more money than anyone in the world!â€
Benjamin brushed off his hands, “It seems the drug in the Drive is affecting you differently then others. Your Drive is only strengthening your obsession over money.â€
“Whatever!†he started shooting coins at Benjamin, as he started to dodge, Benjamin started to think.
“How am I supposed to beat him, I need fire, and all I am by is water!†He pulled out the Skull Magnum and shot at Moraine, as it deflected off his body.
“Come on, Detective. You’re going to have to try harder to stop me!†He then ran towards Benjamin as he started punching him, Benjamin grabbed his arm.
“I will!†he throws Moraine off of him as he backs up. “Think Ben, think.†He then realizes something, as the Cruise ship blows out black smoke from a part of the boat. “It has to have a furnace!†Benjamin shoots at Moraine and then kicks him towards a door. He tries to get up, but the wait of his body holds him down.
“No no no!†Benjamin kicks Moraine down the steps, as he rolls down. Benjamin follows and starts to sniff for a smell.
“Got it.†He then picks Moraine up and runs him into a room, where a furnace is burning fresh coal.
“What are you going to do?!â€
“I should have noticed the ship. It is an old cruise ship, running on coal and a furnace. And your weakness, if fire.†Benjamin took out the Skull Drive and put it into the Skull Magnum, lifting the front end, “SKULL. MAXIMUM DRIVE.†He then aimed at Mr. Moraine, “You will no longer hurt my city, its people….or my partner!â€
Senior comes running down the stairs as he heard what Benjamin said,
“His….partner? Me?â€
Benjamin shoots at Moraine throwing him in the furnace. As the blast from the shot, created the furnace to blow. With Moraine’s body flying out, as well as the Money Drive, now broken. Landing next to Benjamin’s feet. He catches Moraine, and checks his pulse. “Senior! We have to get out of here!â€
Benjamin runs out of the furnace room and up the stairs. Benjamin throws Moraine over his shoulders, and takes off the Buckle, putting it in his coat pocket. The two make it to the deck, as they see the captain of the ship is seen screaming and jumping into the water off the ship. Benjamin and Senior do the same, and jump in the water. The reach the top, as they swim to land. With Moraine still be held onto by Benjamin, the hear police sirens, as Benjamin smiled. “Perfect timing.â€
---------------------
Benjamin and Senior are standing up with towels over them to dry off. Landon
walks over, “Second time your case ended with you in water. Should I be getting used to this?â€
Benjamin shook his head, “Just coincidence Landon. Nothing serious.â€
Senior nodded.
Landon smiled, “Good. And some good news, with the Money Drive destroyed, all people turned into coins have been turned back into themselves. Including Jamie.â€
“Good to here. Well, I think we will ou going to do with Moraine?â€
“Seems he is wanted by more than just the local police. I have a feeling I will have some major paperwork to do on him.â€
Benjamin put his hand on Landon’s shoulder, “That is why you’re a Detective, and I am a Private one. I HATE paperwork. Come on Senior, I will walk you home.â€
Senior got up and folded the towel and handed it to Landon, “Here you go, Detective.â€
“Thanks, kid.†Senior walked away with a smile on his face as he ran to catch up with Benjamin, “Ben, it couldn’t hit you harder in the face.â€
Benjamin and Senior started their walk back to the orphanage. Benjamin stopped, as Senior continued to walk, but finally stopped and turned back,
“Everything okay, Ben?â€
Benjamin sighed, “Damn you Landon.†He mumbled. He walked up to Senior,
“Senior, you were brave today.â€
“Thank you…â€
“In a man’s life, he sometimes needs help.â€
“Okay?â€
“He needs….he needs…â€
“A partner?â€
“Yeah….yeah, a partner. Senior, will you become my partner. And make this city shine?†He extends his hand out to Senior. As his face glows with a grin.
“Wouldn’t want to work with anyone else, BOSS.â€
Once again, Benjamin thinks of what he would later write in his journal:
Maybe Landon was right. Maybe everyone does need help after awhile. I don't think I could have done the case without Senior. Having the motivation to find his family's killer. His bravery amazed me throughout this. He is my partner. As I am his. I will train him, using many ways, including this journal, to become my successor some day. Senior will fulfill my destiny, and make this city shine. I just know it.
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