So Long Space Sheriff

*The following chapter does mention and reference the late Actor Kenji Ohba. The following work was not made to parody or make little of his recent passing, as a fan of his I hope this work will honor him and other heroes who are no longer with us. I hope you enjoy this tale and if you're a fellow fan of Tokusatsu please stick around!*

Tokusatsu, to children it’s the saturday morning splendor that saves them from boredom. For adults it’s a superhero genre meant for children. For people like me it’s the holy grail: Kamen Rider, Armor Hero, Super Sentai, Gavan! So many great heroes, all in one place! So many great stories! So many lessons learned! So many moments where I’ve shed tears! Toku, I Love You! It’s for that reason that, just like some of my other companions, I’ve dedicated my life to doing one thing-

“Henshin!”

Damn, looks like attempt #361 failed! To an outsider I must look like a fool right now, but those imbeciles would never understand! Right now I’m undergoing my transformation training, my training to transform into a Tokusatsu hero! As quit for a while after attempt #151 in high school, but after becoming an adult I decided to continue my training. I’m totally not doing this because I’m unable to get a job, yeah this isn’t fooling around! This is me preparing for my true future!

“Still, I guess I’m not cut out for being a Kamen Rider. I would practice my Sentai transformations, but I broke my items.”

Damn it! If only I didn’t squeeze them with so much force, but I couldn’t help it. The hero within me wanted to transform so bad! Well there’s only one thing to do, if I’m unable to become a Kamen Rider and too powerful to be a red ranger, maybe I should be a sheriff instead!

“Time to become a space sheriff, like Master Gavan!”

In the world of Tokusatsu, there are four main forefathers. We, the acolytes of Toku, refer to these four as the pillars. These pillars are Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, Ultraman, and Space Sheriff Gavan! They are the great heroes who saved our world time and time again, it’s only right that we covet them and treat them with the proper respect. That’s why before I channel the powers of Gavan I must first remind myself of his reverence!

“Time to go online and binge watch the classic Space Sheriff Gavan!”

The glorious Space Sheriff Gavan! The lead role is played by the legend himself Kenji Ohba! His roots grew from his time working in Super Sentai, and even after becoming a lead in a different series, he’d return to play a role from time to time. It’s for that reason that I’ve always seen Master Kenji as a role model and someone to live by. That’s why I’m pleased to be learning from him at a time like this.

“Teach me your ways, Master-Huh!?!”

While I was looking at my bookmarks, an interesting piece of news entered my feed. What’s this, and right when I was about to-

“Wait, what does that say. Oh god, no…No this can’t be true! This Isn’t Happening!”

****

“Dear, it’s time for dinner!”

Strange, he usually comes running down when I tell him it’s dinner time. Maybe he can’t hear me because the rain is pouring outside. *Sigh* My dear son, whatever shall I do with you. I asked my husband to try to talk to him, but he’s long since given up. In his opinion, our son still acts like a child and fails to grasp what it takes to be a man. Well you know what, yes he is a child. He’s our child, and as his father you should’ve treated him with more care instead of rushing to toss him away. If only I had the courage to say that, all I can do is hope my friend reaches back out to me.

*Vibration*

“Hmm, It’s a message from Tanaka! He succeeded!”

My son is currently unable to find work and is overly obsessed with those superhero shows of his. I’ve caught his roleplay sometimes, maybe it’s the parent in me, his acting is actually pretty good. That’s why I reached out to an old classmate who has ties in the acting industry, after begging through my cell phone screen he decided to give things a shot on his end. Apparently they’re in need of stunt doubles and extras, if that’s the case then this could be my boy’s big chance. Which brings us to where we are now, Tanaka pulled through, my son has a job. I gotta go tell him! I even made his favorite curry today, this really is a blessed day! I found myself running up to his room and slamming his door open.

“Sweetie, your mother has good-huh? Where is he?”

My son was nowhere to be seen, all I saw was a room in a state of disarray. It was strange, all the sides of his room were spared. All except one, it was dedicated to a particular series. I believe it was dedicated to “Space Sheriff Gavan”, it was one of my son’s favorites. Why would it be in a state of turmoil?

“Gaaahhhhhhhh!”

That soul tearing scream, that’s my son’s voice! But why is he screaming?

“What’s wrong Ka-”

Before I could finish saying his name I noticed something on his laptop. It was an article, an article about the passing of the original Space Sheriff Gavan. My son lost his hero today, with no hesitation I ran to the window.

“Where are you! Son! Where did you go!”

I looked everywhere, but he was nowhere on the ground. That’s when I followed the sound of his sobs and looked up, only to find my dear son throwing a tantrum on the roof of the house.

“What are you doing!?!”

“Master Kenji, Master! Why did you leave me like this! Maasssstterrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

My son began wailing towards the heavens, I heard yelling from the opposite direction too. I looked over to see my husband telling our son to get off the roof before he broke the satellite, is that all he cares about!

“Master, this is for you! Watch me, Jochak-”

Before my son could finish, as if it was divine punishment from the gods, he was struck by a bolt of lightning. My once healthy and vibrant son was reduced to burnt charcoal, his burnt body slipped off the roof and fell into the pool of our next door neighbors. All I could do was sit there speechless, until the words of my husband brought me back to reality.

“...Welp, at least the satellite is safe.”

“...”

The satellite? Our son could possibly be dead and-Dead, no that can’t be right. Please don’t tell me-

“Hey are you okay, Ka-”

I once again couldn’t finish saying his name, upon gazing at that body it would be clear to anyone that he was…

“Why, this can’t be happening. Why! Soooooonnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I ran outside and tried climbing the fence to get to my boy. However, my bastard husband held me back trying to stop me. All I could do was kick and scream, eventually the neighbors came out and saw my son in their pool. This led to an ambulance being called, but it was too late. My son was dead.