2.0: Same Face, Different Person (Side A)

"Thank you for the tea," said Shinichi as he accepted the cup before taking a sip. It was several minutes after Shinichi came to and the Occult Research Club was worried about him. When he'd asked them who they were with no signs of recollection on his face they had a reason to be concerned.

"It's no problem, Shinichi-san," said Asia.

"This is delicious. What's it in it?" he asked.

"Milk and honey, just the way you like it."

"Are you OK, Shinichi-san?" Yuto asked. "Moka-san said you were hurt."

"Did you hit your head or something?" Koneko questioned.

Shinichi thought, 'OK, they seem to know who I am and are worried about me, but since I don't know who they are there's only one explanation...'

Asia asked, "Shinichi-san, are you alright?"

Shinichi blinked and answered, "Ah, I'm fine...um..."

"Asia. Asia Argento."

"Thank you, Argento-san," said Shinichi politely.

"Shinji, don't you recognize us?" Rias asked.

"We're your childhood friends," said Akeno.

"I think I would recognize you both," said Shinichi. How could he forget a pair of voluptuous beauties with great endowments? "But nothing rings a bell." He added, "Also, don't call me 'Shinji.' Only my mother gets to call me that."

Moka was worried as she watched. Had that lightning that zapped him caused him to get amnesia? Luckily, she had called for help. Maybe he could help sort this out.

Before Shinichi awoke after being electrocuted by lightning, she'd feared the worst. Fortunately, being more Cyborg, he was more durable and less likely to be killed by lightning. That didn't mean she couldn't be worried. Rias and Akeno were just as frantic as she when they found him lying in a charred crater. They immediately forgot about finding some rogue demon and had brought him to the Occult Research Club's clubroom to be healed.

Asia had seemed concerned during the healing but Moka didn't care since she was so relieved to see him wake up. But when he'd asked them, "Who the heck are you all?" Moka felt like her entire world had been torn apart. She feared that the lightning bolt had erased his memories and given him amnesia again.

The door opened and Yuji came in, looking seriously alarmed. "Where is he? Is he OK?"

"Yuji," said Moka gratefully as she saw him. Maybe he could help them with their current situation.

"I came as soon as you told me something was wrong with Shin," said Yuji as he hugged her to comfort her. "How is he?"

"He doesn't remember us," Moka answered. "I think he's got amnesia, again."

"Tell me everything," said Yuji.

Shinichi spotted Yuji and wore a smile and look of recognition on his face, "Hey, Yuji! What's up? Long time no see!" All eyes were pointed at Yuji.

"Well, it looks like he recognizes you," Yuto remarked. Now this was weird. He couldn't remember any of them but he immediately knew who Yuji was. "Maybe this is selective amnesia or something." It was possible.

"OK, can anyone please tell me what happened to Shin?" Yuji asked. Rias stood up.

"I was responsible for tonight's excursion," Rias began. "We were tracking down a demon who we suspect is involved in the disappearance of several students. We split up. Shinji (Shinichi's eyes narrowed at how she said his birth name so casually) went ahead to pursue the demon."

"I caught up with Shinichi-kun," Moka continued, "That was when we heard the voice but couldn't see who was talking. Then the voice asked Shinichi-kun a riddle."

"What was the riddle?" Yuji asked.

Shinichi recited, "'What is golden, goes around and around infinitely, and affects everything? We can't escape from it, we can't run from it, and we can't stop it. It starts but never ends and we must always obey it. What is it?'"

Yuji blinked. That was not like any riddle he'd ever heard. "That's a weird riddle," Yuji remarked.

"Yeah, and I still can't make heads or tails from it," Shinichi said.

"You can remember a riddle but you can't remember us?" Akeno questioned, upset.

"Sorry," Shinichi apologized. "I haven't a clue who you all are."

"Then, Shinichi-kun got zapped and we brought him here for Asia-chan to heal him," said Moka. "Asia-chan also says she sensed that something was not right when she did."

"What do you mean?" Yuji asked.

"When I put my hands over his arm, I couldn't heal it because it wasn't flesh and blood," Asia answered. Yuji's eyes widened and he looked at Shinichi. It was then that he noticed the Mana Stone, the Storm Vongola Ring and the Skull Rings missing. Asia's words had also got him curious and concerned. What had that bolt of lightning done to him?

"Yuji, will he ever remember us again?" Moka asked.

"Don't worry, Moka," Yuji said gently. "He got his memories back once. He can get them back again. We just have to help him remember."

"How?" Moka questione.

"First, I'm going to ask him a few questions and then we'll go from there. But before we can do that, I'm taking him home."

"His bike is in the parking lot," said Moka.

"I'll send it back home," Rias offered. "You just go and get Shinichi home to get some rest and help him get his memories back."

Yuji saluted and said to Shinichi, "Come on, Shin."

"OK, Yuji," said Shinichi. He waved at the Occult Research Club, "See you guys later!" He left with Moka and Yuji.

"You know," Yuto began, "Doesn't he seem taller to you?"

Taking the 2012 Ford Mustang which was dubbed Lancelot, Yuji drove Shinichi back to the latter's apartment complex in the Tops residential area. Moka came along as well to help look after Shinichi and maybe help to jog back his memory.

"Your mom and Carl aren't home right now and Misato's with Hana and Michiru," Yuji informed Shinichi.

"How is Kaa-chan right now?" Shinichi asked as he exited the passenger side. Moka came out of the back seat as Yuji got out from the driver's side.

"She's doing great, but Aunt Shiori would freak out if she found out you got amnesia," said Yuji.

"Shouldn't I be in a hospital? Or go see a doctor?" Shinichi asked.

"Not right now. Come with me," said Yuji as he led the way. Shinichi and Moka followed with the pinkette taking hold of Shinichi's hand. She did notice as they entered the elevator and stood side-by-side that he was much taller than she remembered. They reached the floor and the elevator doors opened to let them out. Yuji led them back to Shinichi's apartment and opened the door with a special key card.

"Nice place," Shinichi remarked as they stepped out of the foyer, wearing the house slippers. He knew his mother could afford this. After all, Shiori was an author of bestselling novels.

"Your mother wanted to be nearby when you came to school here in the city," said Yuji.

"And where did I go to school before?" Shinichi asked.

"Youkai Academy," said Moka. "That's where you met me."

"Moka Akashiya," Shinichi nodded. Moka had introduced herself earlier to try and help jog his memory. If they couldn't get his memories back tonight, they would call Kurumu, Mizore and Yukari to help.

"Shin, I need you to sit down," said Yuji and Shinichi shrugged as he went and sat down on an armchair as Yuji and Moka sat down on the couch. "You've just experienced a major traumatic event."

"I was hit by a bolt of lightning," Shinichi replied.

"Yes, that, and I think it's fried your brain which is why you've lost your memories," said Yuji. He added, "You can remember me, for some reason."

"Of course I know you," Shinichi replied. "Why wouldn't I? We go way back."

"That is a good thing. Since you recognize me, this can help me to help you get your memories back," said Yuji. Morrigan had taught him how to deal with amnesiacs. He just needed to Shinichi a few questions to see what he remembered and what he didn't.

"OK, what is your name?" Yuji asked.

"Shinichi Banabara."

"What are your parents' names?"

"Shiori and Shotaro Banabara."

"How old are you?"

"I'm 22 years old."

Yuji blinked. That was unexpected. "What?"

"I'm 22," Shinichi repeated.

"No, you're not. You're 16," Yuji corrected.

"I think I'd know my own age, Yuji," Shinichi retorted. "I'm 22 and starting my fourth year of college."

"You're in high school," Yuji corrected. "You're in Duel Academy."

"I'm Shinichi Banabara, 22 years old, a Kamen Rider, I went to school in Hinamizawa and I'm a student in Shishibone University majoring in Literature," Shinichi argued. "I'd show you my ID but for some reason it's not on me. I also found myself in clothes that are a bit tight on me, surrounded by people I don't know but you, and being told I'm 16 when I'm clearly 22."

"Shinichi-kun, calm down," said Moka.

"Shin, relax," placated Yuji.

"I am calm, and I don't have amnesia," Shinichi retorted.

"Then why can't you remember Moka, or Rias, or Akeno, or everyone else from the Occult Research Club?" Yuji asked.

Shinichi sighed. It was time to come clean. "I know you because I've met you," he said to Yuji. "Actually, I met an alternate version of you." Moka and Yuji stared at him. "I know, it sounds crazy."

"By the Crimson Dragon, that lightning bolt must've really screwed with your brain," Yuji said in fear and Shinichi slapped himself in the forehead.

"No, it didn't, and it didn't put me to sleep so I know I'm not dreaming," Shinichi frowned. "Look, that blonde girl, Asia, said she couldn't heal my arms because they weren't flesh and blood. She wasn't wrong and I can prove it to you." He stood up and instructed them, "You guys might wanna stand back a bit." Yuji and Moka shared a look and got up to stand back. Shinichi punched his fists together, knuckles to knuckles, and caused circuitry lines to spread along his arms, surprising both of them. His arms were then coated in metal which expanded around his fists, giving him gigantic gauntlets.

"Shin...?" Yuji stared at the massive, metal fists in surprise.

"These are my Great Fists," he said and he changed his arms back. "And I'm guessing your Shinichi can't do that."

"No wonder Asia-chan said your arms weren't flesh and blood," Moka stated.

"Not just my arms, but my legs too," Shinichi said. "Complete cybernetic prosthesis." He pulled back his sleeves. "They just look like normal arms, but the skin is just a synthetic sleeve. If you take it away, you'll see the mechanical limbs."

Yuji frowned. If Shinichi's arms were mechanical, that meant that his real arms and legs had been cut off to replace them.

"How did you lose your limbs and how did you alter them like that?" Yuji asked.

Shinichi answered casually, like it wasn't such a big deal, "Oh, when I lost my original arms and legs, they were replaced with these cybernetic ones. But then I needed nanites to help make the connections more stable and natural. The side-effect was that I can change my arms and legs into anything I can imagine for combat. Really handy, no?" He smiled.

Yuji gaped in shock, "Wait, you lost your arms and legs!?"

"A psycho tore them off. Don't worry. He's gone now."

"Is there anything else about you that we need to know about?"

"I have a dragon living in my head along with the spirits of my Rider forms, my inner child, my dark side, and four Tsukumogami who play Old Maid on the weekend."

"You really aren't Shinichi," said Moka, eyes wide in realization.

"I am. I was born Shinji Banabara but I changed my name to Shinichi Sanban-Banabara," Shinichi told them.

"So, if you're not our Shinichi, where is he?" Yuji asked, freaked out by what he'd just seen and learnt.

"Well, if that lightning bolt hit your Shinichi like it hit me..." began Shinichi and he frowned in realization. "Great...it can only be a cross-dimensional transfer." Shinichi sighed. Something like this would be up ARMOR's alley. He should be able to contact them to rectify this.

"A what?" Yuji asked.

"A cross-dimensional transfer," Shinichi repeated.

"Cross-dimensional..." Yuji parroted. "You mean my cousin is in another dimension?"

"Alternate reality, parallel universe, take your pick," said Shinichi. "And since I'm here, that can only mean your Shinichi is with..." Shinichi smiled as he trailed off. "I see..."

"So, you know where my cousin is?" Yuji asked.

"Yeah, and don't worry. He'll be looked after. Trust me."

"Are you sure?" Moka questioned.

"He'll be fine," Shinichi said to Yuji and Moka. He mumbled, "I really wish I was dealing with DALEKs and Cybermen right now. I can at least predict what they're going to do."

"I'm sorry, what?" Yuji asked.

"Just thinking out loud." Moka couldn't take it anymore and ran out of the apartment, sobbing. "What's wrong with her?" Shinichi asked.

"Shin, our Shin, and her are close," Yuji said. "They're dating." Shinichi blinked.

"Oh, I see..." It was no wonder the girl was upset. "Should I go talk to her?"

"Give her a minute," Yuji rubbed his temples. "This is one weird night."

"Tell me about it," said Shinichi. Yuji gave him a look.

"And you're not freaking out," Yuji commented.

"I've had my share of weird nights, and days. If you walked in my shoes, you'd know that this is just a walk in the park for me," Shinichi smiled mysteriously.

'Shin...wherever you are...even if it's an alternate world...I hope you're OK...' Yuji thought in worry.

KAMEN RIDER CHROME: And so begins the alternate world adventure. Of course, Shinichi (KRS) is used to these kind of weird things happening to him. Oh, the stories he could tell the Yuji of SV no Sekai...but still, this is just one side of the story. How is Shinichi (SV) dealing with suddenly being transported to an alternate universe where he doesn't recognize anything or anyone? Will he be able to deal with it as calmly as Shinichi (KRS)?