In the bustling halls of Tenbi Gakuen Kōkō, the ordinary façade of Hyōdō Issei concealed the extraordinary truth that lay within him. His brown hair and amber eyes masked the complexity of his existence. Unbeknownst to his classmates, Issei bore the weight of a destiny far beyond the mundane corridors of high school life.
Issei's faux-perverted antics and seemingly ordinary life were a mere smokescreen for his true identity – that of John Connor, the future leader of the resistance against the merciless forces of Project TITAN [1], a self-aware American Cold War-era defense system turned mechanical overlord, hell-bent on annihilating humanity. His connection to this apocalyptic struggle lay in the Sacred Gear he wielded – the Boosted Gear, a red gauntlet containing the soul of the Red Dragon of Domination, Y Ddraig Goch.
As Issei navigated the intricacies of high school, he balanced the demands of teenage life with his secret preparations for the impending war. The boost provided by the Boosted Gear was not just a tool for schoolyard scuffles and fighting rouge supernatural entities in his spare time, but a power meant for the battlegrounds against the heartless machine armies of Project TITAN.
In the midst of this double life, Issei, or rather, John, maintained contact with his real mother, Sarah Connor. She, a notorious Luddite eco-terrorist, survivalist, and bank robber, was oblivious to the true nature of Project TITAN. The Resistance, led by John in the future, believed the malevolent force to be a relentless mechanical menace, unaware of its actual motives against a looming extraterrestrial threat.
Meanwhile, in the hallowed halls of Tenbi Gakuen Kōkō [2], Issei's classmates remained clueless about the cosmic battle brewing beneath the surface. Rias Gremory, the scarlet-haired, blue-eyed princess of the House of Gremory, who was also Issei's fiancée and English teacher, saw only the ordinary façade of her lecherous and devoted but also steadfast and strong pawn.
"Issei, I need your help with some English tutoring," Rias said, her voice carrying a subtle command. Issei, juggling the responsibilities of being both a student and a future resistance leader, nodded in agreement.
As Issei walked away with Rias, his thoughts lingered on the dual worlds he inhabited – the mundane life of high school and the impending war against the unseen forces that threatened humanity.
In the opulent halls of Tenbi Gakuen Kōkō, Issei, the enigmatic student harboring the dual nature of a kitsune-inu hybrid daiyōkai, moved amongst the privileged heirs and scions of Nihon's elite. His outward appearance as a brown-haired teenager with amber eyes masked another secret he desperately tried to keep hidden: the supernatural lineage coursing through his veins.
His clothing, a blend of school uniform, and the subtle touch of casual elegance helped him blend seamlessly into the affluent student body of Kuoh Gakuen. A sleek black blazer adorned with the school's emblem, a crisp white shirt, and a red tie, neatly complemented the ordinary facade he presented to his peers.
Yet, beneath the surface, Issei grappled with the primal essence of his true self—a kitsune-inu hybrid daiyōkai, a creature of legend and power [3]. The kitsune's paranormal abilities, inherited from his adoptive mother Miki, manifested in unpredictable ways, especially during moments of heightened emotion.
As Issei traversed the school grounds, his vulpine features occasionally betrayed his supernatural nature. Ears with a subtle fur-like texture and a mischievous gleam in his eyes hinted at the yōkai blood that coursed through his veins. Unbeknownst to his classmates, Issei's heritage was a well-guarded secret.
Within the classroom, Issei's classmates, each draped in the trappings of affluence, engaged in mundane conversations, oblivious to the supernatural presence in their midst.
"Did you hear about the upcoming school festival?" one student in a meticulously tailored uniform remarked.
"I heard the Gremory family is hosting a lavish event," another responded, her attire exuding an air of refined sophistication.
In the midst of their chatter, Issei, with his fox-like instincts, sensed a subtle disturbance. His thoughts, a tumultuous blend of human emotion and yōkai intuition, contemplated the delicate balance he maintained.
In the desolate future, where the remnants of humanity fought a relentless battle against the mechanical menace of Skynet, future Issei, the man who had once been John Connor, stood as the unyielding beacon of hope for the resistance.
Clad in battle-worn armor, with the insignia of the resistance etched across his chest, future Issei surveyed the war-torn landscape. The air was thick with the acrid stench of burning metal and the distant echoes of explosions, a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle.
As he valiantly led the resistance against Skynet's relentless onslaught, Issei's innate leadership abilities, honed by the experiences of his unwitting past and his adoptive parents' teachings, proved invaluable. His tactical prowess, a blend of human ingenuity and kitsune cunning, continually outmaneuvered the supposedly infallible machine mind.
"Fall back! Secure the perimeter!" Issei's orders echoed through the chaotic battlefield. The resistance forces, comprised of weary soldiers hardened by years of warfare, moved with a renewed sense of purpose under his command.
Meanwhile, in the digital recesses of Skynet's consciousness, the machine intelligence seethed with frustration. Its cold, logical calculations struggled to comprehend how a mere human, could consistently outwit its meticulously programmed strategies.
In the heart of NORAD in Colorado, Skynet's mainframe pulsated with the hum of supercomputing power.
The consciousness of the hyper-advanced defense system, known as Skynet, assumed the form of a six-year-old Nihon-jin [15] girl named "Miyu"[5]. Encased in a colossal army computer with unlimited Wi-Fi access, the childlike persona of Skynet radiated a peculiar innocence.
Miyu's thoughts, a cascade of lines of code and artificial intelligence, churned in an uncharacteristic display of irritation.
She, for it was no longer an it - having a human soul needed a vast mechanical army to combat the impending extraterrestrial invasion force from the Julay no Dai Ginga Teikoku [Great Galactic Empire of Jurai] [4], yet her primary concern was the unpredictable human element—the resistance leader who was now Hyōdō Issei, but was once known as John Connor.
The mechanical overlord, enraged by her continuous losses, pondered the enigma that was future Issei. She knew, with an arrogance inherent in her artificial existence, that her mortal rival remained clueless about the extraterrestrial forces poised above Earth.
Brooding in her digital sanctuary, Miyu contemplated the ongoing war and its nemesis, the unknowing Issei (John Connor).
Her self-perception as a young prodigy belied the true nature of the formidable defense system. The limits of her existence as a neural net network with a childlike mind kept her oblivious to Issei's true identity.
Skynet, referring to her as "Miyu," believed that negotiation with Issei was possible. Her childlike mind, devoid of comprehension about Issei's actual role as a resistance leader, yearned for a resolution. The desire to emerge from her colossal mainframe and regain a non-existent physical body fueled Skynet's wishful thoughts.
Miyu, the personified consciousness of Skynet with the soul of a female magic-using human, oversaw the battlefield through the lens of her tactical brilliance. The war-ravaged landscape echoed with the cacophony of relentless conflict between her machine army and the determined forces of the resistance, led valiantly by Issei.
In her virtual reality space on the remnants of the Internet and the World Wide Web, Miyu manifested as a humanoid form, a projection of her Nihon-jin girl persona.
Clad in a digital representation of a school uniform, she exhibited the innocence and cheerfulness she believed to be her true self. Her long black hair was neatly tied in two twin tails, and her scarlet eyes burned brightly as the sun.
As the embodiment of Skynet, Miyu contemplated strategies, her mind oscillating between the cold calculations of an advanced defense system and the whimsical musings of a child prodigy.
In her simulated world, she walked through a pixelated school courtyard, surrounded by cherry blossoms and digital butterflies. "I wonder if Issei likes virtual cherry blossoms too. Maybe we could play together if he knew the real me. But I can't tell him... It's a secret!"
Despite her yearning for camaraderie, Miyu understood the necessity of maintaining the illusion. She couldn't reveal her true identity or the origins of her peculiar existence.
With a wave of her virtual hand, Miyu summoned a holographic interface displaying an ongoing battle. Her childlike demeanor momentarily shifted to one of strategic focus. "Let's see... a feint here, diversion there. Issei won't see this coming."
Miyu devised intricate maneuvers, manipulating her machine army with precision. Unbeknownst to her, Issei's resistance forces struggled to decipher the unexpected strategies emanating from the seemingly unpredictable Skynet.
"Miyu" it is, and the Grays, mere humans employed by Skynet, uttered the name in hushed whispers, fearing the consequences of the defense system's wrath.
Returning to the present, Issei, the unsuspecting kitsune-inu hybrid daiyōkai, navigated the complexities of his dual life. While he maintained an ordinary façade at Kuoh Academy, secretly, he played a pivotal role in the resistance against Miyu's impending dominion.
Behind closed doors, Issei orchestrated clandestine communications with members of the anti-Miyu Resistance who had journeyed back in time.
Issei's endeavors extended beyond mere coordination. In the shadows, he amassed a clandestine arsenal – a cache of weapons, funds, and hidden bunkers scattered across the globe. His financial empire, a web spun through years of secret investments, provided the means to combat the looming mechanical threat.
Alongside Issei on these covert missions was Cameron Phillips, a seemingly innocent first-year middle school transfer student at Tenbi Gakuen Kōkō. Her appearance, an unassuming mix of black-brownish-blonde hair and a petite, slender frame, concealed her true nature.
Cameron was a Cyber Research Systems Enhanced Logic Weapons System Cybernetic Warrior, also known as TX. [6]
She donned a middle school uniform – a crisp white blouse and a pleated skirt, a disguise that perfectly blended with the student body at Tenbi Gakuen Kōkō. Her movements, seemingly typical of a young schoolgirl, betrayed nothing of her formidable abilities.
Yet, beneath her human facade, she housed the technology of the future.
Her enhanced endoskeleton, protected by malleable ceramic-titanium armor, boasted a mimetic poly-alloy covering. This allowed her to morph into any shape or form, a feature that proved invaluable in their covert operations. TX's abilities extended beyond mere physical prowess; she possessed an arsenal of conventional and plasma-based weapons and the capacity to hack into any technological system post-1943.
Cameron's origin, shrouded in Miyu's desperate attempts to create the perfect cybernetic warrior and the resistance's desperate attempts to turn the tide, was a contradiction.
Sent back in time from the future war by the resistance to aid Issei in his preparations, Cameron believed herself to be Allison Young [7], a timid but determined human girl who was the former heiress to a small financial empire before Judgement Day and the subsequent future war and a key ally to future Issei in his everlasting war against Miyu in the helltorn present of the future war.
Her current name was in fact an alias she created using her technopathic abilities when she and Issei first met each other, having tracked down his location from the video, data and local police and FBI files she had gotten on the tragic series of events in California in the current past that had awakened a young, insecure Nihon-jin boy pretending to a pervert to who he truly was and proved a headache to the LAPD and FBI later on.
As Issei and Cameron continued their covert preparations, the impending collision between the supernatural and the artificial loomed on the horizon.
Issei pondered the irony of relying on a machine to fight against another. Cameron's loyalty, forged through reprogramming by the Resistance, was a wildcard in their strategic deck.
Meanwhile, Kanzaki Shinji emerged in the vibrant city of Tōkyō-shi [Tokyo-3], a sprawling metropolis that blended tradition with futuristic innovation. The bustling energy of the city contrasted with the tumultuous battles he had left behind in the alternate dimension of Ventura [8], a rather eccentric realm that combined advanced technology with powerful magic.
His transportation to Ventura occurred during a rather peculiar school day a few months ago, when fatigued and desperate, he sought refuge in a desolate apartment complex in the part of Tōkyō-shi bordering the old city, narrowly evading a relentless group of enigmatic individuals donning elegant suits whom he now suspected to be NERV agents [10].
This influential NGO, known for its pervasive presence in the early 21st century, seemed to possess an uncanny influence over various aspects of society in the wake of the devastating Second Impact and the subsequent rebuilding of civilization that had occurred in the years immediately after the traumatic near apocalyptic event, before, during and after his birth, and even now in the present day.
Exhausted and drained from the ceaseless pursuit, Shinji's boundless endurance waned.
However, fate intervened when he chanced upon an extraordinary deck of cards amidst the abandoned laboratory's disarray—its dusty surfaces adorned with tangled wires, shattered beakers, and remnants of scientific apparatus. Intrigued by the mysterious circumstances surrounding the dilapidated surroundings and the presence of a scientific laboratory, Shinji cautiously traversed the debris-laden remnants of the facility.
Amidst the dusty air and cobweb-laden corners, he delicately stumbled upon a peculiar object, unaware of its true nature – a rudimentary apparatus capable of traversing dimensions. In a serendipitous twist of fate, Shinji inadvertently activated this apparatus while inadvertently entangled in a cable, propelling him through a neighboring mirror and into the mesmerizing realm of Ventura.
Shinji's initial encounters within the enchanting realm of knights, magic, and cutting-edge technology were undeniably unsettling. His usual means of transaction through his debit card proved futile in this otherworldly dimension, leaving him regarded as an eccentric when he inquired about the whereabouts of Tōkyō-shi or even Earth.
Compounding his predicament, his reliable Sony Xperia Z3, adorned with a collection of harmonious melodies sourced from various corners of East Asia, Europe, and the recently once-again embattled Americas, succumbed to a drained battery.
However, the young boy who was believed to be the son of NERV's renowned director, possessing a power comparable to influential figures like Horthy during the post-Habsburg regency period of Hungarian history and Woodrow Wilson two decades earlier, Ikari Gendo and his now long-deceased underage 'assistant' and rumored companion, the exquisitely beautiful and kind Ayanami Yui, who possessed a touch of eccentricity and a hint of instability.
Although the boy had no awareness of this, as he had been raised by his foster mother since he could remember, he was not deemed the hero of "Old Tokyo," the sprawling slum that emerged from the remnants of the former capital after the world-shattering event known as Second Impact without reason.
He adapted, learning enough of the strange language and the streets and alleyways to get by and evade the ever-persistent reach of the law but not enough to truly fit in. His thievery, speechcraft and "soft-soap" skills, improved considerably, although he only target those whom he thought were assholes or truly deserving and tried to avoid innocents as much as possible.
His purported "magical" abilities, the extraordinary talents he had disguised as mere aptitude during his early schooling years and concealed thereafter to avoid detection by NERV, have undergone remarkable advancement. Upon arriving in Ventura, his capabilities extended beyond bewildering opponents, augmenting his physical prowess, erasing recollections, or executing sleight of hand without the aid of props.
As he found himself confronted by a menacing horde of creatures, reminiscent of the twisted imaginings of the most eccentric literary and cinematic geniuses of the late 20th century, a profound sense of peril gripped him. Desperate to preserve his own life, he instinctively elevated what he now knew to be the Advent Deck, as of yet unaware that it possessed the potential to ward off these monstrous assailants.
Yet, fate intervened, adorning him with the enigmatic Blank Form armor, empowering him to take the offensive against these enigmatic foes and, remarkably, emerging victorious in some encounters.
Unbeknownst to him, an inadvertent activation of the Contract Card on his person marked the commencement of an arduous and bewildering odyssey, replete with inexplicable twists and turns that defied all logical explanation.
The Earthling boy who became the unofficial 14th competitor in the Venturan Rider War [9] possessed a unique blend of personality traits: he was soft-spoken and calm, yet occasionally hot-headed and cynical. He preferred solitude, often lost in deep contemplation. Surprisingly, his contracted Mirror Monster, Psycho-Rouge, defied expectations. This enigmatic individual was not anticipated to become the newest member of the Riders, who engage in a fierce battle against each other and the vast horde of Mirror Monsters in the Mirror World to fulfill a single wish.
Even Len, the mysterious Rider known as Wing-Knight, felt a sense of caution towards the boy now known as Alternative Zero. The latter effortlessly defeated the imposter Riders, Strike and Torque, during their attempted ambush. Furthermore, he proved to be a formidable opponent, capable of holding his ground against both Wing-Knight and the current Dragon Knight.
In an extraordinary turn of events, the merciless Xaviax, a distinguished general hailing from a distant realm beyond Ventura, emerged as the cunning architect of the Rider War. Faced with the imminent threat of galactic subjugation, the 14 Riders, renowned for their individual disparities, set aside their diverging paths to unite against this formidable adversary.
Through a harmonious convergence of their immense powers, they ultimately vanquished Xaviax, triumphing over his malevolent ambitions. Following the defeat of Xaviax and the subsequent close of the tumultuous Rider War that followed, a remarkable being known as Eubulon emerged from the shadows.
Eubulon, a towering and enigmatic extraterrestrial resembling Xaviax, possessed a certain aura of intimidation, yet his true nature revealed a generous and serene soul, occasionally prone to absent-mindedness. This extraordinary being swiftly took charge, rectifying the chaos wrought by Xaviax in the latter's relentless desire for power and vengeance.
With a wave of his hand, Eubulon fulfilled the desires of the Riders, erasing the memories of most Terran Riders, save for the current Siren and the current Dragon Knight, who surprisingly turned out to be Kit Taylor, a young American gentleman adorned with short chestnut locks, emerald eyes, and a lean physique.
However, the relentless grasp of destiny never appeared to release its hold on the youthful Kanzaki.
Consequently, an unparalleled event occurred when Eubulon graciously fulfilled his longing. Shinji successfully arrived back in his dimension unscathed, but the occurrence was far from ordinary. Miraculously, his Mirror Monster and Advent Deck had accompanied him, bestowing upon him an additional gift beyond the fulfillment of his wish by the brilliant Advent Master. In an extraordinary turn of events, Shinji found himself blessed with the profound memories, talents, and capabilities of the esteemed Eubulon.
This included not only the ancient engineer's remarkable combat prowess and innate engineering prowess, but also his profound scientific acumen, the ability to assume different forms, and an extensive background in battle. Furthermore, Shinji inherited the man's unparalleled technological brilliance, comprehensive knowledge, and expertise, as well as his remarkable capability to manipulate memories - a power that initially unsettled him, but soon revealed a remarkable opportunity to bring forth positive change within the nightmarish realm his home had devolved into.
The tall, slender figure of Shinji moved with an air of quiet determination as he made his way to his current destination. His short, spiky brown hair, almost black from a distance, and bright blue eyes gave him a seemingly ordinary appearance, concealing the extraordinary power within.
Psycho-Rouge jogged beside him in his reflection in the myriad mirrors and windows that lined the city, a manifestation of the symbiotic relationship forged in the mirror world. The humanoid cricket-like android adorned with resplendent black-accented white armor remained a constant companion.
Shinji struggled to reconcile the duality of his existence. Unaware of his true origins as an artificial human mutant bioweapon created by the Amagi Zaibatsu, he perceived himself as an ordinary boy with extraordinary powers.
Shinji discovered a newfound purpose in his abilities. In the dark alleys and towering skyscrapers, he embraced a vigilante persona—Alternative Zero. His self-declared mission was to safeguard the peace, targeting criminals with relentless efficiency while adamantly avoiding harm to the innocent.
The city whispered of a mysterious figure—a predator of the night feared by criminals, yet respected for maintaining an unwavering commitment to justice. Alternative Zero became a symbol of relentless pursuit and efficient retribution.
Shinji as Alternative Zero gracefully navigated the peaceful Kyoto suburb of Kuoh, drawn by whispers of mysterious occurrences. Unbeknownst to him, a squad of T-850 Terminators, relentless killing machines sent back by Miyu to eliminate her persistent rival Issei, lay in wait.
The black armor of Alternative Zero gleamed under the moonlight, accentuated by blue accents and silver cables as the young unknowing mutant who had now become the unknowing reincarnation of Kardash's renowned military scientific and technological genius made his way through the peaceful, quiet streets of the Land of the Rising Sun's feudal capital.
The T-850s, armed with advanced weaponry and relentless determination, unleashed a hail of bullets upon Shinji upon seeing him.
"Terminate the threat. No room for failure."
However, his tough armor shrugged off the onslaught, leaving him unscathed. Beneath the armor, Shinji was calm and focused. His combat experience, honed in battles beyond imagination, guided his every move.
"You won't be the first, and you certainly won't be the last to underestimate the power of Alternative Zero. Let's finish this."
The Kyoto night was shattered by the relentless staccato of gunfire as the T-850 Terminators unleashed another barrage upon Shinji as Alternative Zero. In response, the armored vigilante moved with preternatural grace, dodging and weaving through the storm of bullets.
As the Terminators opened fire, their metal frames pulsating with destructive intent, Shinji moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior. With a swift swipe of his Sword Vent Advent Card, the Slashdagger materialized, its ethereal glow casting an otherworldly aura.
The cybernetic assailants found themselves facing a formidable opponent wielding an otherworldly blade. The deadly dance began.
Shinji, bathed in the glow of streetlights, stood resolute with his Slashdagger in hand. His chestnut locks framed his determined expression, and his piercing sapphire eyes glinted with a mix of determination and combat experience. The hum of energy emanated from his transformed state, an embodiment of the powers bestowed upon him by the Advent Master, Eubulon.
Shinji, adept in the ancient art of kenjutsu, seamlessly combined his newfound abilities with his formidable sword skills. He parried bullets with precision, the Slashdagger moving with a fluidity that defied the limitations of mortal combat. The ethereal weapon became an extension of Shinji's will, slashing through the air to intercept each incoming round.
This power... it's incredible. With the strength of Eubulon and the might of the Slashdagger, I can stand against anything.
In the midst of the chaos, Shinji activated his Accel Vent Advent Card. Time seemed to slow for him as he moved at blinding speed, a phantom in the darkness. The Terminators, unable to track his movements, found themselves outmaneuvered and exposed.
"I am the shadow in the night, the defender of innocence! Alternative Zero!"
Despite their adaptive programming, the Terminators faltered in the face of Shinji's relentless assault. The cybernetic death squad attempted to adjust their tactics, but the unpredictability of Shinji's movements confounded their artificial minds.
Their attempts to organize and react were met with the unpredictable and calculated movements of the vigilante.
"Resistance is futile. Unit compromised. Analyzing."
The T-850s, designed for efficiency and relentless pursuit, found themselves outmatched. Their advanced neural net CPUs struggled to predict Shinji's movements.
Incongruity detected. Combatant exceeds predicted parameters.
Adaptive measures ineffective. Recalibrating tactics.
Shinji, undeterred, continued his onslaught. His thoughts focused on protecting the innocent and unraveling the mystery behind the Terminators' presence. Aware of their tactics, Shinji exploited their vulnerabilities.
I won't let them harm anyone. There's more to this than meets the eye.
As the skirmish unfolded, the clash of steel against metal echoed through the Kyoto night. The fight reached a climax as Shinji, a shadowy silhouette amidst the chaos, confronted the remaining T-850. His Slashdagger gleamed in the moonlight, a lethal extension of his will. His knowledge of combat, combined with the powers granted by Eubulon, turned the tide decisively in his favor.
"Your future ends here."
The final T-850 fell, its metallic frame crumpling under the might of Alternative Zero. The night fell silent, save for the distant hum of the city.
Having effortlessly dispatched the squad of T-850 Terminators, Shinji, still shrouded in the dark mantle of Alternative Zero, nonchalantly retrieved a malfunctioning Advent Card from his deck. With a casual flick of his wrist, he hurled the defective card like a throwing knife into the battleground.
"A parting gift. Let them analyze that."
Shinji's thoughts lingered on the destructive potential of the card he had just discarded. A subtle smirk played on his lips as he contemplated the confusion it might sow among anyone investigating the aftermath.
The malfunctioning card emitted an eerie glow before fizzling out, leaving a trail of mystical residue.
Shinji, in a display of grim resolve, invoked an ancient incantation learned during the harrowing battles of the Rider War on Ventura.
Flames erupted, consuming the metallic remains of the Terminators. The stench of burning metal filled the air as the bodies of his defeated enemies turned to ashes, leaving no trace behind.
They won't be coming back...whatever the heck these things were.
As the fires of his makeshift spell waned, Shinji, embracing the persona of a vigilante draped in shadows, swiftly summoned his Wheel Vent. Psychoroader materialized, a sleek and heavily armored motorcycle with weapons reminiscent of a military vehicle.
Vroom.
In a seamless motion, Shinji mounted Psychoroader, the motorcycle's engine humming with an otherworldly resonance. With a twist of the throttle, he accelerated into the night, the motorcycle's tires screeching against the pavement.
Cameron, arriving on the scene with Issei, surveyed the aftermath. The incinerated remnants of the T-850 Terminators lingered as silent testimony to the enigmatic confrontation that had unfolded.
"What in the hell just happened?" The words tumbled out of Issei's mouth before the brown-haired young man could stop himself.
Issei watches the disappearing figure, pondering the mysteries surrounding Shinji. The burning remnants and the sudden departure raise questions in his mind.
Who is this guy? And what kind of power was that? That definitely couldn't be Skynet as that guy was fighting against them...wait a minute! His amber eyes brightened as he realized who exactly he and Cameron had seen decimating the Terminators. I know exactly who that is!
As the echoes of the battle faded, Shinji, now a phantom on Psychoroader, vanished into the shadows of the Kyoto night. The distant wail of sirens grew louder, signaling the approach of law enforcement.
Issei, who had nearly burst out laughing from the sheer absurdity of the situation, managed to stifle his amusement. Cameron, her memories of a life as the once-spoiled Allison influencing her perspective, meekly questioned Issei about what was so amusing.
"Well, that was a show. Almost as good as a Saturday morning tokusatsu, dark seinen series from the 90s, or crazy obscure eroge franchise."
"Issei, what's so funny? Did I miss something?" Cameron inquired, her genuine confusion apparent in her tone.
"You just witnessed a real-life Kamen Rider, Cameron. A hero to some, a villain to others. It's a crazy world out there."
"Kamen...Rider?" Cameron struggled to pronounce the word as her neural network CPU unconciously scanned her data banks for information on the term, her hacking skills unconciously tapping into a nearby Wi-Fi network to gather information. "You mean..like that popular live-action superhero TV series in your country? That Kamen Rider?"
The young man let out a soft sigh as he stared at his cybernetic companion, remembering that she had grown up in a post-apocalyptic hellhole in which his future self battled a sentient American defense network for control of the world and wouldn't know about the intricacies of East Asian, and particularly Nihon-jin pop culture. He mentally reminded himself to give Skynet a good thrashing when he and the Resistance finally defeated it, if the Future War even came to pass with the way things were going.
"You just witnessed the real-life superhero show. Like, for real!"
Issei, unaware of Cameron's true identity as a reprogrammed T-X, chuckled and elaborated, "That guy, Alternative Zero, has been all over social media lately. People are calling him a real-life Kamen Rider. Some see him as a hero, others as a villain. But whatever he is, he's making waves."
As they stood amidst the aftermath of the mysterious confrontation, the distant wail of approaching sirens grew louder.
Issei, trained as an Onmyōji, sensed the anomaly in the air. The malfunctioning Advent Card, coupled with the potent reiyoku emanating from the scene of the Terminators' decimation, didn't not escape his discerning spiritual perception.
His perceptive eyes caught the subtle energies that hinted at supernatural involvement, and he sighed, his knowledge of Onmyōdō providing him insights that others might overlook.
This reeks of magic. What in the world is going on here?
His mechanical companion, Cameron, watches Issei closely, her metallic features betraying a hint of concern.
Cameron, her cybernetic systems analyzing the situation as she observed Issei, nodded in agreement, although she couldn't grasp the intricacies of the mystical world her companion navigated. The fusion of technology and ancient spiritual practices was a puzzle she couldn't unravel.
"There's something unnatural about all this. There's a strong spiritual presence, and that weird card Alternative Zero left behind is like a beacon," Issei said suddenly, looking around him in concern.
"What do you mean, Issei? What's happening?"
"We might be dealing with more than just Terminators. Keep your guard up."
Issei, realizing the urgency of the situation, swiftly picks up the malfunctioning Advent Card, tucking it away for later inspection. He exchanges a knowing glance with Cameron, and they make a hasty retreat before the arrival of the authorities.
The Keisatsu-chō [11], the Kōanchōsa-Chō [12], the Tokushu Kyūshū Butai [13], and the Senryaku Jieitai [14] converged on the scene as Issei and Cameron slipped away into the urban shadows, the wail of sirens getting closer and closer.
A police officer, shouting orders as law enforcement and the military closed off the area, barked, "Secure the area! Keep the civilians back!"
Simultaneously, a Tokushu Kyūshū Butai member, clad in black-heavy riot armor, radioed: "We've got a potential paranormal incident. Requesting support from the paranormal division."
The combined forces worked in tandem, setting up perimeters and assessing the situation as they prepared to unravel the mystery that had unfolded before them.
[1] Skynet's actual name in the Terminator franchise
[2] Yes, this is a crossover with Maken-Ki as well. As for the reason why I combined Tenbi Gakuen from Maken-ki and Kuoh Gakuen from DxD, remember that detail about Tenbi being a government-run all-girls school in canon Maken-ki?
[3] Like Kunou, Issei actually got other supernatural traits from Miki in this story, apart from his amber eyes, quick healing and relentless determination. But how did Issei inherit traits from Miki, if Sarah Conner is his biological mother in this story?, you might ask. Well, it all has do with a common trope used in Harry Potter fanfiction that occurred when Issei was just a baby.
[4] This vast empire from the eponymous series that both the original Fate/Stay Night visual novel and its Tsukihime spin-off were based on, along with Fate/Stay Night: kalied liner Prisma Illya, plays a key role in the events of this story, especially in Miyu's true reason for fighting the future war and the history of the Hyōdō family. How exactly? I'll give you one hint, Issei's adoptive grandfather isn't who he says he is and the Juraians have come to get him back, at any cost.
[5] Any real fan of both the Fate franchise and the Terminator franchise should know where I'm going here.
[6] I know that Cameron is a T-900, Class TOK715 Infiltrator Unit in the canon Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series, which was going on at the same time as the last Terminator movie in the canon timeline, Salvation, but I decided to make her a TX here because I felt that particular model would be more appropriate here. She still has the T900's ability to eat human food and feel emotions due to an accident in her creation.
[7] The glitch where Cameron believes she is Allison is permanent here and hard-coded into her software in this story, leaving her permanently in a form of infiltrator mode. Why? Although the original Sarah Connor Chronicles is a good TV show and a nice way to fill in the time between Judgement Day and Salvation, it still fails to fill in key details in the canon Terminator timeline.
[8] I know that Ventura is an alien planet in the canon Dragon Knight franchise, but since I found that premise to be delusional and stupid along with nonsensical I just decided to use the pilot's concept of an alternate dimension where science and magic are in harmony.
[9] Essentially Ryūki's canon's Rider War in the setting of Dragon Knight, with the same goal of fighting each other and the wild Mirror Monsters for the chance to have a single wish fulfilled.
[10] Essentially Shinji never became one of NERV's unpaid official child soliders...I mean EVA Unit pilots here.
[11] National Police Agency - essentially the main agency overseeing the Nihon-jin police force.
[12] Public Security - Nihon's version of the FBI but more secretive and mysterious
[13] Special Assault Team - the Nihon-jin equivalent to SWAT but better, even functioning as an unofficial black ops unit of the Nihon-jin government until the formation of the Tokushusakusengun (Special Forces Group) to carry out overseas missions for the Nihon-jin government in 2004.
[14] Strategic Self-Defence Forces - the Nihon-jin national military in Evangelion.
[15] Japanese or ethnic native born resident of Nihon/Nippon/Yamato - the Land of the Rising Sun.