66Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia or Kamen Rider. Each belongs to their respective creators, Hirokoshi and Toei. Any relations to places and/or individuals, living or dead, are coincidental.
Special thanks go to my friend Gabriel, who contributed the most to this story with his knowledge of Kamen Rider Zi-O.
Author's Note: Hey, everyone. Remember what that special something was? Well, I'm publishing it early! I'm not back from break yet, but I figured I could give you something to tide you all over.
That, and well... I need to take some extra time off. At the time of this writing, it has been a day or so since my great-grandmother died. Keep in mind that I had just arrived here in Seattle and got settled in my friend's place when I got a phone call from my mother. She told me she found my great-grandmother dead in her bed, not breathing or anything.
Let me tell you, it is a fucked up way to find out.
So... Yeah. I'm going to be out on break a little longer than anticipated, even when I get back home, as I will be taking care of the funeral arrangements and all that. In the meantime, please enjoy what me and my friend Gabriel have written for you. Beta-ed slightly, and with approval from Striberx! Thanks goes to him also for giving me his thoughts on this.
Please, enjoy and tell me what you guys think
Boku no Hero Academia X Kamen Rider Zi-O Crossover:
"My Hero Academia: Over Quartzer"
The world was gone.
Gone, in that life was held by the throat and slowly choked to death. The surroundings had been reduced to scorched earth and destroyed ruins. Buildings were dilapidated, fire lapping away at the earth. The sky was cold and gray, water splashing down on the approaching army. At their side were machines, standing ready and armed for war.
There was no joy. No happiness. Only bitterness and anger.
This was what the world had become. A shadow of its former self, reduced to a cesspool of hate and despair.
At the center of it all, he stood there, staring at a set of statues. Reminders of an era that had become bittersweet memories that everyone yearned to return to. These heroes, once held in high regard and embodiment of legend, stood in various poses, all of which representing strength and hope. They were of different backgrounds, but they all shared one thing in common:
The belts around their waists. They were of different designs, but each was of great significance.
These were the heroes the world remembered. The heroes that the world had lost.
They were the Kamen Riders.
And they had long since passed from this world.
Sensing their approach, the regal figure turned and faced the approaching army. His pose was lax, as if he considered them to be of little concern. The commander of the group stood at the head, shouting something before the machines at their sides changed, eyes glowing. They prepared to charge, weapons primed and ready.
The rain continued to fall, not diminishing the flames. It was as if the rain served no other purpose than to represent the tears of the departed. At first, the man was unconcerned with this group of hostiles, but then saw the machines charging.
They neared, ready to snuff out his life. He merely gave them a side glance before he raised a hand in a leisurely manner.
He flicked his wrist. A film of distortion ran across the air, and in the next moment, the machines were thrown into disarray. They were thrown across the field, into the air and smashed into the ground. The opposition was left stunned and disoriented, but they soon roared in defiance.
They attacked together, and moved together. Fire danced in their palms. Ice spread across their arms. Stone caked their bodies. Wind gathered at their fingertips. Shadows moved at their beck and call. Their mind took form and gathered pieces of debris and scrap. Thunder sparked around their bodies.
Yet all of it was useless in the face of one who fought through such adversity. There was not a sliver of tension, almost as if he didn't consider such large numbers to be a threat. Instead, he merely turned to face them in fall and spread his arms out, as if welcoming their attacks.
And then he showed them what hell really looked like.
She didn't understand what had just happened. One moment, the regal figure that brought about this horrible future just stood there and welcomed the entirety of their attacks without resistance. Then, in the blink of an eye, every last one of them was wiped out. Their bodies lay on the ground, broken and defeated. Their Quirks were ultimately useless in the face of such a powerful foe.
She looked at him, who simply stared at the sight brought upon by his own hand before he craned his head. Her breath was caught in her throat.
He was looking at her.
"You could never hope to defeat me." he told her, his voice somehow both soft and chilling. "Do you know why?"
"Because in this world...there are no heroes."
It was once said that all men were not created equal.
The first known report of individuals suddenly developing superhuman abilities, like breathing fire or moving objects with their mind, was a newborn child in the city of Qingqing that was bathed in light.
The world experienced what could only be called a "genetic revolution" on a scale that had never been seen before.
These superhuman abilities were henceforth called "Quirks," and those that possessed them had the capability to use them for the sake of others.
In short, what had once been an idea in comic books had become reality.
Heroes had become reality.
However...those without powers are no longer the norm.
They are the Quirkless.
Among those without powers were those who were unknown in the eyes of society: the masked heroes who fought for the sake of justice.
Though they were Quirkless, they are recognized as paragons of righteousness and justice.
They are the "Kamen Riders."
Time has begun to resume.
And now, a new Rider is about to be born.
Rejoice...for the birth of a king.
Episode One: The Hero of 2018
Ever since he was a child, Izuku Midoriya had dreamed of becoming a hero.
Every day, whenever he returned home, he would always ask his mother, Inko Midoriya, if he could use the computer. He wouldn't look up things online by himself by the time he was halfway done with Elementary School, but before and after that time, he would watch one video without end, over and over.
A video that had signaled the career of one of the greatest heroes in the world. The Symbol of Peace, All Might.
"There's nothing to worry about anymore! Because, I Am Here!"
Following such words were booming and hearty laughter, all delivered with the widest smile.
To be able to smile in the face of such danger, and to possess such strength. Truly, All Might was an idol that all aspired to be like. Izuku was of no exception.
However, his dreams had been crushed when a visit to the doctor had told him that he would most likely never become a hero. All because he had an extra bone in his foot.
"I'm sorry, Izuku..."
Those were the words he didn't want to hear, but couldn't refute. The words that his mother tearfully gave him when he asked her if he could ever become a hero.
Being Quirkless in society had little options, as the most ideal occupation in today was the Heroics Department. Anyone and everyone with a powerful enough Quirk signed up for any school that offered them the chance to become a Hero for whatever reason. As a Quirkless individual himself, Izuku realized that his options were severely limited.
Yet, even so, he still so deeply wished to become a hero. To achieve that goal, however improbable it was, he took up self-defense classes and martial arts. His training was grueling, in no small part to his sensei, but he wanted to believe it was worth the money he saved up.
He also received endurance training in the form of his former childhood friend and now recent bully Katsuki Bakugo's explosions. Whenever Katsuki would pick on someone, Izuku would always run to their defense, even if he was a sniffling and shaking mess that could barely put his fists up. Inko would constantly fret and cry over the many bruises and burns he sported, but he always told her the same lame old excuses.
Mitsuki Bakugo, Katsuki's mother on the other hand, knew he was covering for her son's stupid actions and constantly berated on him, leaving him usually simmering and in a foul mood. He typically avoided people for a while before eventually falling into his old ways.
By the time his last year in middle school arrived, Izuku had become competent enough to take on low-level bullies by himself with little difficulty. He had even managed to develop a sizable small fanbase among his female underclassmen when they saw how he sported a rather impressive yet still childish muscular frame. It wasn't anything that would put him on the "total hottie" scale as they once put it, but enough to garner notice.
Izuku also found it embarrassing how they called him cute too. He really tried to ignore that kind of stuff.
It was around the start of middle school that Izuku learned that the school he wanted to attend as now accepting Quirkless individuals. It was surprising to hear, but it was far from unwelcome. In fact, he had been quite ecstatic.
Of course, he wanted to keep it a secret as much as possible. After all, if Katsuki found out he wanted to go to the same school he was going to try out for, chances are, he'd probably go home sporting a few more bruises and burns.
There was only ten months left until the school year was finished. Ten more months until Izuku would finally take a step towards a dream that was still so far out of reach. As a result, class was positively charged with excitement, especially as the teacher had made things even more heated when he mentioned how they shouldn't really bother filling out their career choices forms when he noted how they all would more or less try out for the Heroic Department.
Katsuki, being the lively spitfire he was, had more or less asserted his dominance to everyone by claiming them all as extras. Naturally, that put everyone off and they immediately tried to pick a fight.
Until the teacher off-handedly mentioned how he wanted to apply to Yuuei. The very same Yuuei Private Academy that Izuku wanted to attend, for it was the most prestigious academy in all of Japan. Its halls had produced some of the greatest heroes the world had ever seen, chief among those being none other than the Symbol of Peace, All Might himself.
And then the teacher mentioned off-handedly again how Izuku also wanted to apply for Yuuei. Everyone in class either stared at him with empathy, pity or were just snickering to themselves for trying to go for such a useless dream.
Katsuki, naturally, was livid. Any other time, he would have just blown up his desk and ridiculed him, knowing full well that Izuku wouldn't have the guts to fight back. However, things were not like that. Not when Izuku knew how to fight back, and had the courage to stand against his bully.
After school was over with, both boys found themselves brawling it out behind the school, near the little pond with the koi fish the Swimming Club had decided to look after. Katsuki's irritation with Izuku was more pronounced than ever, as shown by how vicious his blows were. His blazer was burned and sported a few scorch marks.
At some point during the middle of their scuffle, one of his notebooks had been thrown out and ended up caught in the crossfire, burned to the point where it was almost charcoal. Izuku, being incensed, fought back harder and repaid Katsuki for the action with a right hook that caused him to develop a black eye.
Both boys were exhausted. Izuku more so, because he fought the hardest between them. Sweat caked his skin while his whole body ached. Katsuki looked a little winded in comparison, but he didn't have much gas left in the tank.
"You stupid Quirkless shit." Katsuki growled. "Why won't you go down?!"
Izuku panted as he stood up, wiping the blood from his lip while he continued to stare back at Katsuki. "W-why not?" he asked, his voice slightly shaky. "I told you before, d-didn't I? I'm going to Yuuei!"
"With what?! You think just because there are heroes that don't have Quirks, you can suddenly do anything?! Get real!"
Katsuki was about to lunge for him again, but the fight had been cut short when a teacher had heard the commotion and pulled the two apart. Izuku was given only a light scolding, no doubt because they knew he was the victim in all of this, but Katsuki was given a much harsher one, even given detention.
Judging by how he fumed as he stomped away, shooting a glare that more or less told him "your dead" Katsuki was far from happy. Izuku watched him leave before he sighed heavily and fell flat on his rear.
"Why does Kacchan have to be so…?" he muttered under his breath, hanging his head low.
He just didn't understand why his friend had become so aggressive towards him. He knew Katsuki could be hard-headed. It was pretty much his defining trait, along with his insistence that heroes could never lose. Yet at some point, when they were children, even after his treatment towards Izuku turned cold when he discovered his Quirk and Izuku Quirkless, he started to become more aggressive. Harsher towards him.
Izuku just didn't understand the reasons behind his anger. Even if he did, there was probably no way Katsuki would allow him to help or clear it up. Sighing again, the green-haired boy stood up and dusted off his clothes, idly noting how he'd have to use his allowance to order a new uniform. Again.
He walked over to the pond where the koi fish were, finding his burnt notebook being nibbled on. He smiled sheepishly as he picked it up, wiping off some of the water. "It isn't fish food." he chided the fish, despite knowing that they wouldn't hear him. He opened it up, checking to see how bad the damage was. Despite being thoroughly soaked, the burn damage wasn't too bad. Some pages were ineligible, but otherwise it was fine. One page in particular had Mount Lady, the newest hero in the city, drawn on it along with little ramblings and analysis Izuku had written.
As he prepared to put it away, he paused and noticed something else in the pond. Curious, he pulled it out. It looked like some kind of toy. What, he didn't know. It was pretty big, maybe the size of a softball. The design reminded him slightly of a watch, complete with a little button at the top. However, there was no face on it. Just a blank slate of sorts.
"What is this?" Izuku couldn't help but wonder, finding some odd fascination with it. "Does this belong to someone?" If so, he should probably turn it in to lost and found.
As he was about to put it away in his pocket, someone spoke up behind him. "Today looks like it will be a special day for you, Izuku-sama."
Jumping in surprise, and of fright, Izuku turned around. There was a man leaning up against the wall. He was maybe in his mid-to-late twenties, with wavy hair mostly pulled to the right side of his face. The left side was neatly combed and pulled back over the ear. He was dressed in rather odd clothing as well. A green jacket with little open cuts on the sleeves, a navy scarf around his neck and black jeans with large black boots.
'I-Izuku-sama?' Izuku wondered in his mind. He had certainly not been called by that honorific before. This man was unfamiliar to him, and he was certainly not a member of Orudera's staff faculty. "Wh-who are you?"
The man smiled widely as he bowed his head. "I am Woz. It's an honor to meet you." he greeted in a polite tone. "You should hold onto that, Izuku-sama. It may be quite useful to you in the future." Izuku tilted his head, wondering what the man was talking about. More questioned were darting around in his head. "Ah, but do be aware of the red robot, yes? We wouldn't want you to be killed prematurely before you have a chance to realize your dream."
"What? What do you mean by-"
Izuku's mind suddenly went blank. His functions just stopped, then rebooted. When his brain finally caught up with him, the man named Woz was gone and out of sight. He looked around, but there was no sight of him anywhere, leaving him to scratch his head in confusion. Did he just hallucinate or something? Maybe Katsuki hit him harder than he thought.
He looked back at the small watch-like toy in his hands. He was tempted to send it to the lost and found, but something about it felt odd. It was compelling, as if it were asking him to take it. The man's words also called back to him, adding to the feeling.
Just how was his day going to be special?
Shaking his head, Izuku absent-mindedly stuffed the toy in his pocket and slipped his burnt notebook in his backpack, slinging it back on his shoulders and leaving Orudera for home.
If only he knew what would be waiting for him.
The year 2018 was certainly an odd place, of that Tsukuyomi was certain of. Especially as a mass of green-and-brown wearing jeans with a set of gigantic teeth and eyeballs just rushed past her with money in its grasp.
She had only just arrived in the city, and already she was seeing for herself what kind of time the "Golden Age of Heroes" was like. It was nothing like home. In spite of the sludge being an obvious villain, the people were unconcerned with his presence. In fact, they looked almost inconvenienced by its presence.
She, on the other hand, found it fascinating. "Judging by its current state, he is capable of changing between a semi-solid and liquid form." she noted as she observed how it moved, running down the street as fast as possible in an attempt to make off with the horde of cash at its disposal. "But how far can it expand? What're the applications?" She stopped herself and sighed. Dammit, she was doing it again. Her uncle really did rub off on her. "Focus, Tsuku. You're not here to take notes on everyone with a Quirk you see."
She came here for a purpose. To find someone and help change their fate. Presuming it wasn't already too late. She dearly hoped that wasn't the case.
That, and she needed to find them before he did. Remembering her comrade's words, Tsukuyomi let out a groan. Just what was going through that boy's mind, she wondered.
As she was about to leave, she saw a disheveled man, short and lanky, emerge from the grocery store. He saw the sludge villain running, and then his form trembled. At first, she thought he was the easily scared type, but then she saw his body expand. His loose fitting clothes suddenly became strained to fit his hulking frame.
Her jaw dropped. "Oh my."
Today really wasn't Izuku's day. He had been walking home from school and suddenly found himself in the middle of being choked to death by something putrid and foul. It was so sudden and abrupt that he had no idea how to react until it was too late. Something thick and slimy was forced down his throat, drowning him and suffocating him. The smell was nauseating and was burning the inside of his nose.
When he realized what was happening to him, he kicked and flailed as hard as he could, trying to escape and pull the sludge off of him.
"Shit, kid, hold still!" a harsh voice snapped at him, hoarse and sounding as if it were submerged in water. "It'll only take 40 seconds or so! Good thing I found you when I did. You're a real hero, kid. I wasn't expecting him to show up here! Now, just hold still a little longer..."
Like hell he was going to let this thing do...whatever...he had planned. Still struggling, Izuku looked at whatever it was that had him trapped and was trying to kill him. It was entirely made up of sludge, but it was clearly because of a Quirk. There was a gaping mouth lined with teeth and giant eyeballs.
Was he a Villain? He had to be, otherwise he wouldn't be doing this. Plus, his words insinuated that he was being chased, perhaps by a hero. Considering the incident from this morning, it had to be either the local heroes like Kamui Woods or Death Arms, maybe Mount Lady.
Either way, if he only had 40 seconds, then he couldn't wait for them to get here. Instead, Izuku took notice of the fact that while the rest of his body seemed to be liquid and constantly shifting, the eyes and mouth were not. They were physical and solid. So he took complete advantage of that and put his self defense classes to use and swung his leg upward and over his shoulder, ramming his foot right into the Sludge Villain's eyeball.
"OW!"
His grasp on him weakened immediately. He pried himself out of his grasp and hit the ground, coughing harshly. His throat was burning. He felt sick. He could still feel little trickles of the sludge in his throat. His stomach was lurching, threatening to make him vomit.
"Son of a..." the Sludge Villain growled, a muddy hand clutching his bruised eyeball. "You're gonna pay for that, you shitty kid!"
Still weakened by the Sludge Villain's attempts to do something to him, he put his fists and took a stance, ready to combat him. Even if his attacks could do nothing to the main body he could at least ensure that he could buy time for the heroes to arrive.
Then he paused, finding something slowly appearing out of thin air, as if from a mirage. He blinked, once, twice and three times before his jaw dropped. The villain noticed this and looked behind him. As soon as he did, his jaw opened to reveal a black hole and his eyes threatened to pop out from its sludgy body.
It was a mech. An honest to god mech. Nowadays, mechs hardly belonged in TV shows and anime anymore, due to the emergence of Quirks and whatnot. Even so, they were still a rare sight. This one was dyed in crimson, quite bulky with large fists and menacing yellow eyes, strangely in the form of hiragana, that glowed ominously.
Izuku could swear those eyes were locked onto him.
Before the Sludge Villain could do anything, it slammed its fist into him, reducing it to splatters across the pavement. Puddles and stains splashed against the walls and ceiling, with the eyeballs and mouth in different pools of muck.
It was over in a single hit. Either the villain was quite fragile, or the mech was that powerful.
He stammered, unable to form the proper words of gratitude, but for the sake of it, he tried to do so anyway. "Um, th-thank-"
His eyes widened as the machine pulled its arm back, and then thrusted it forward, aiming right for him.
"EH?!"
Izuku backpedaled and moved away as fast as he could, just barely avoiding the metal fist. However, the force behind the blow that struck the concrete sent him flying. When he hit the road, he landed on his back, causing it to flare in pain. He groaned and looked up, finding the machine to be slowly approaching, eyes still locked on to him.
'I-I don't understand...' Izuku thought in terror, his body shaking. 'Why-why is it after me?! Is it a Villain after all?!'
He tried to get back up on his feet, but he found them far too weak to stand. His earlier fight with Katsuki, plus his struggles with the Sludge Villain from earlier, had left him too utterly drained. His body was just too exhausted to fight back anymore.
The red machine that would kill him loomed like a spectre of death, once more raising its fist. The boy shut his eyes, lowering his head and just waiting for the end to reach him.
It would never touch him, for the fist was blocked by two hands made of flesh and bone. The air trembled as the metal fist was stopped in its tracks. The owner of these hands, bearing a toothy smile on his face, spoke to Izuku behind him.
"Young man, it is alright now." Izuku's eyes widened. He could never mistake that voice, having heard it so many times before if only in video form. Slowly, he raised his head to find a broad man standing before him, composed of rippling muscles that gleamed in the sunlight. "Do you know why?"
All Might looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Because I Am Here!"
All Might.
That was a name almost everyone was familiar with. The Symbol of Peace that founded the Golden Age of Heroics. It would not be an understatement to say that, without All Might, Heroes would never have received such rapt attention or the recognition they deserved. One might say that his prowess and status rivaled even the Kamen Riders themselves.
But at this moment, All Might's status and abilities were irrelevant. Not when his target was right there.
He had to admit, seeing him outside of his armor and his younger self was certainly something. At first, he doubted if he had the right person until he noticed the Ridewatch sticking out of his pocket. It was inactive, but it was definite proof that the person in front of him was indeed the person who turned his world into hell.
Still, he would definitely take no pleasure in what he was about to do. God, just looking at him as he was now was enough to make his hands shake. There was hesitance growing in his heart, but he squashed it almost immediately.
This had to be done.
He struggled at first, prying the Time Mazine's fist out of All Might's grasp, but he succeeded and backpedaled. His focus was on Izuku Midoriya, but he soon found himself staring in surprise as a familiar white cloak came into his field of vision, taking the boy by the hand and pulling him away.
"Tsukuyomi..." he muttered with a frown. As he had thought, she had come here with him as well.
No matter. Whether she liked it or not, he would succeed in his mission. He would defeat All Might and complete his task.
Izuku Midoriya had to die.
Izuku had thought his life was strange before, what with being born into a world where having superpowers was commonplace and not having powers was not. But nearly getting killed by a sludge monster and then almost killed by a giant red robot? That was certainly not what he had been expecting.
Nor had he expected to be rescued by his childhood hero, All Might.
All. Might.
He cursed himself for his weakness, and hoped that the man would be alright. Wait, who was he kidding? This was All Might he was talking about for crying out loud! The strongest hero in all of the world! There was now way he could lose. Izuku had seen many videos of his feats and actions, and practically chronicled every waking moment of his career ever since he first learned of the man when he was old enough to use the internet.
The idea he would lose now was ludicrous, but even so, he wished he could have gotten an autograph first! That would have been incredible! It would be a family treasure to be passed down for generations!
Hm? Wait a second, when did he get back on his feet? And who's hand was he holding?
"Are you alright, Midoriya-san?"
The person holding his hand turned to look at him and he promptly froze.
Oh.
Oh dear.
It was a girl. An honest to god girl that was not a classmate or his mother.
She was a beauty, too. There was something oddly alluring about her appearance, far different from most women he usually saw per chance when walking home and whatnot. Fair skin, slightly older than him by maybe two years or so and jet black hair that fell to her shoulders, wearing a dress that came down to her knees with a white cloak wrapped around her. It was an odd choice of fashion, but Izuku could say he had seen weirder, given what sorts of outfits heroes wore.
No, wait. There was something more important right now. Like, the fact she was holding his hand!
"Midoriya-san?" the woman tilted her head. "Are you okay?"
"Grbl..." he said in reply. Oh, god, this was bad. This was the first time a girl, an actual girl that he didn't know whatsoever and a total stranger to boot, was talking to him! And he couldn't even form a sentence!
The woman's tilt increased. "Are you...alright?" she asked before she seemed to realize something and then sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What am I saying? Of course you aren't alright. You were nearly killed a moment ago." She then turned to the side, muttering something underneath her breath. "Dammit, Geiz. What are you thinking?"
Geiz?
Trying to get his brain back into working order, Izuku cleared his throat and finally managed to get his voice back. "I'm sorry."
"What?" the girl blinked. "Why would you be sorry for almost getting killed?"
Ah, that had been on reflex on his part. He almost did it again, but he caught himself in time. "Sorry. I'm just… This-this is weird. Like, really weird. What was that thing?"
"Ah, that." the girl sighed again. "That was a Time Mazine."
"Time...Mazine?"
"I...think it would be better to show you."
From there, the girl, who called herself Tsukuyomi, had explained a few things to him after she rescued him from his apparent pursuer. She hadn't explained who they were, but Izuku had a feeling she would get to that.
Time Mazines were mechs that, for the most part, had the function to traverse time and space. The idea that such a thing was possible was incredible to Izuku. There were time manipulation Quirks, and he even recalled that there was a Kamen Rider who could stop time, but there was technology capable of feats like this. He wouldn't have been able to believe it entirely until Tsukuyomi showed him.
She apologized profusely when he almost found himself being reduced to Tyrannosaurus Rex food.
Tsukuyomi was not from his time, as he had guessed when she revealed the capabilities of the Time Mazine. Rather, she was from 50 years into the future: the year 2068. According to her, it was a time period of both strife and progression, as evident by the creation of such incredible machines. The strife part came into the fact that Tsukuyomi was a member of a resistance cell fighting back against an evil dictator.
That, of course, was when Izuku started asking questions.
"Wait, the world's ruled by a dictator?" Tsukuyomi nodded. "But, what about the heroes or Kamen Riders?"
She sighed deeply. "They...were wiped out. The heroes had long since started to become weaker as the years went on, and the Kamen Riders..." Another sigh, this one much more saddening to hear. "They were the first to oppose him, but they were all defeated."
"All of them?" Izuku whispered in shock and disbelief. "Even-even Kuuga?"
"Even Kuuga."
That...that was terrifying. No, scratch that, that was absolutely nightmare inducing. Besides All Might, Izuku had followed the exploits of the Kamen Riders, primarily those of the Heisei Era as information of the Showa Riders were quite scarce since they predated the age of when everyone were Quirkless. The Kamen Riders were all Quirkless in some form of another, especially the likes of Kamen Rider Drive, who was a police officer and Kamen Rider Double, who was a mere detective (well, two detectives). They were proof that his dream, in some way, was obtainable.
And none of them were as powerful, or as strong, as Kamen Rider Kuuga. At least to his knowledge. The fact that Tsukuyomi told him that this apparent dictator defeated even the strongest Rider known to him was enough to make him tremble slightly.
Just what kind of future waited for them later down the road?
"This...dictator sounds scary." he said. "So, did you come to the past to try and stop him or something?"
"In a manner of speaking." Tsukuyomi nodded. She proceeded to take out some sort of device and messed with it, pressing a few dials before a holographic image appeared. "This is the man who rules the world in my future."
The first thing Izuku took notice of was the golden belt around his waist. The design and fashion, and the way it was seemingly built, was enough to clue him about the identity of this mysterious warrior. The second thing he noticed was the fact that he was decked out entirely in gold. The only thing that wasn't gold was the faceplate, which was black with a red visor, acting like eyes and written in katakana.
"Kamen Rider…" Izuku read the visor before he blinked. Then he balked. "Wait, the tyrant fifty years from now is a Kamen Rider?!"
The time traveler nodded gravely. "Yes. His name is Oma Zi-O. The Demon King of Space and Time. He is the most powerful Kamen Rider in history, and his strength is second to none."
His mind was reeling. He could swear there was steam pouring out of his head. Okay, this was too much. Far too much. He needed time to process all of this. Tsukuyomi had been quite patient with him and she waited for him to calm down. When he did, he took slow and deep breaths.
"Okay… This is a lot to take in." he stated the obvious. "But, Oma Zi-O? I've never heard of a Kamen Rider like that before." And he would know. He practically knew the names and abilities of virtually almost every Kamen Rider in existence. Barring those from the mysterious Showa Era, of course.
"Because at this point in time, he has yet obtained the Rider System he needs to utilize his power." Tsukuyomi informed him. "However, I know for certain that today is the day that the world will learn of his existence. Also, he was only known as Oma Zi-O when he came to his rise of power in my time. He was originally just called Zi-O."
Time King? Well, wasn't that ominous, especially if he was going to be called Oma Zi-O. That sounded far too much like "Maou."
"But...you're here to prevent that, right?" Izuku asked. Tsukuyomi nodded strongly, determination burning in her eyes. "If you showed your Time Mazine to the heroes and this data, then I'm sure you could-"
She stopped him right there. "Midoriya-san, the circumstance behind Zi-O is...complicated." she admitted, earning a confused look. "I already know who he is."
"You do?!"
"Yes. He is right in front of me." Izuku blinked in confusion and looked around. They were still in the Cretaceous Period. Or at the very least very early in that time period, given there were a few dinosaurs roaming about, and to his relief not a single Tyrannosaurus Rex. There were no other men in the area, so he looked back at Tsukuyomi. "It's you."
"Eh?"
"Izuku Midoriya." she spoke gravely as she pointed a finger at him. "You will become the one who will rule the world in fifty years. The Demon King, Oma Zi-O."
"…eh?"
As she expected, Izuku had reacted rather poorly to the revelation that the future she had been born into and experienced came about at his hands.
Actually, scratch that. He looked downright terrified.
"What?!" he cried in absolute shock, disbelief and horror all at the same time. The color in his face had drained away and he was shaking like a leaf. "What-what do you mean?! That-that's ridiculous! I-I-I couldn't possibly be a Demon King!"
"I understand it is hard to believe, but-"
Izuku shook his head. "No-no, you don't understand! I literally can't be Oma Zi-O! I don't have a Quirk, much less a Driver!"
This time, it was her turn to be shocked. "W-what?" she choked on the air, staring at him with large eyes. "You-you're Quirkless?!" Izuku bobbed his head rapidly and her jaw dropped. He was Quirkless?! What the absolute hell?! This was not what she knew about Oma Zi-O! She knew from personal records and intel that the man had a Quirk, on top of possessing capabilities one might expect from a Kamen Rider, especially one of his caliber.
But, Izuku Midoriya was actually Quirkless?
'What if he's lying? What if he's only pretending to be Quirkless?'
The thought certainly was possible. A clever ruse, but given his personality based on what she's seen so far of him… Well, if he was, then it really made her question a lot of things. Was he perhaps a late bloomer? Admittedly, her knowledge on Quirks was limited to what little she knew, considering the current state of affairs in her time, but she knew that some individuals manifested Quirks very late in their life. Perhaps Izuku Midoriya's hadn't surfaced yet.
By the time she was out of her line of thoughts, the poor boy was still hyper ventilating and mumbling to himself, looking cross between terrified and dismayed. Not that she blamed him, considering she had just dropped a bombshell on his head.
Maybe she should have used a little more tact.
"Calm down." she said, trying to be as assertive as possible. He wasn't listening. Her eyebrow twitched and before she realized it, a violent roar ripped from her throat. "I SAID CALM DOWN DAMMIT!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
Tuskuyomi cursed her violent outbursts. Especially in situations like this. "I'm sorry for yelling. I tend to be rather...loud whenever I feel a little frustrated. And please let me finish. What I said is true. You will become the Demon King, but as I told you before, I'm here to prevent that from happening."
"H-how?" A fearful look came over him as he took a step back away from her, raising shaking fists. "A-are you going to kill me?"
"Have you obtained a Ridewatch recently?"
He blinked. "A-a what?"
"Ridewatch. It would look something like this." She pulled out her personal Ridewatch from her cloak, holding it out for him to see. Judging by the look on his face, he had clearly seen one – or perhaps found one himself. "This is what will allow you to use your Driver if you ever obtain it. It's also the key to summoning my Time Mazine."
Izuku stared at it for a while before he pulled out one of his own. It was blank, thankfully enough. Meaning that he had yet to unlock its true potential. She snatched it out of his hands and threw it as far back as she could, letting it soar in the air before it found itself dropping into the ocean.
"E-eh?"
Tsukuyomi breathed a sigh. Step one of her plan to ensure Izuku Midoriya did not become Oma Zi-O was complete. Without the Ridewatch, nor a Driver, the odds of him becoming that horrible man would be extremely low.
Even so, there was that small chance. And given the state of her Time Mazine, she wouldn't be able to make any giant leaps across time like this one anytime soon. She would be unable to see the fruits of her labor, so for now, she would see how things progressed.
Besides, she couldn't leave his side just yet. Not when Geiz was still out there. Hopefully, she would be able to make him see reason.
Battling All Might had been far more troublesome than Geiz had expected. Truly, the man was worthy of his reputation as the strongest hero of the Golden Age. Perhaps he might have stood a chance if he exited the Time Mazine and fought the man himself, but he wasn't about to expose his face.
Considering his target had escaped and that his reserves were running low, and that he couldn't risk any damage to his Time Mazine, he was forced to pull back and left the area quickly. No doubt Tsukuyomi had already escaped with Izuku Midoriya.
"Oma Zi-O..."
Geiz spoke the name in such a way it might have been poison. The memory of his comrades, wiped out in a single moment, was still horribly fresh in his mind. All of that level of destruction and chaos, all done at the hands of one man. And worse, it was the future that would await this world, all at the hands of a single boy.
A boy who looked like he couldn't hurt a fly.
Geiz grimaced as he slapped a hand over his face. "Why couldn't you have looked more imposing?" he silently questioned. Izuku Midoriya looked so horribly frail that he might as well be a Quirkless normal kid who couldn't possibly have any hope of being such a menace. Yet the information he and Tsukuyomi and the Resistance gathered said otherwise. "Tch."
He shook his head and looked down at the city below him. For a moment, he wondered what kind of future the world would be like if Oma Zi-O had never appeared. Would it be like this? The past was so beautiful, if maybe a little cluttered. The Golden Age of Heroes was wondrous, with so many people walking about and the world thriving with life. If this was Heaven, Geiz wondered if his future could be called Hell.
The only way to ensure that Hell would never come to pass was if Oma Zi-O ceased to exist. All he had to do was kill Izuku Midoriya, and his future would be averted. His world would no longer exist as it did now.
'But if Tsukuyomi's plan succeeds...'
It was abysmal, but it was certainly a thought. Ever since they discovered the identity of Oma Zi-O, they had been butting heads as to whether or not he should be eliminated or persuaded to take a different path. Tsukuyomi advocated the latter, but his superiors thought otherwise. What if it was only a short-term effect? What if he could quickly fall into his old ways?
Hence his presence here. His orders were simple enough. Just three simple words: "Kill Izuku Midoriya." To be honest, he didn't enjoy it as much as Tsukuyomi thought he did. In fact, he hoped that she would succeed, but he had to follow his orders.
Even if he didn't agree with them himself.
"What a pain." Geiz muttered as he stood up. He would have to search for Izuku Midoriya again, and eliminate him when Tsukuyomi wasn't around. That was his most likely opportunity. Until then, it was the waiting game. As he prepared to leave in search of his target, the ground beneath him quivered slightly, in conjunction with something exploding in the distance. Smoke could be seen rising, with a faint orange glow surrounding it.
Ever since this morning when Katsuki learned that Izuku fucking Midoriya wanted to go to Yuuei, he was stuck in a bad mood. No matter what he did, from hanging out in the arcade for his usual hours to letting out his frustrations on the bastard in question, he could still feel irritated.
It irked him to no end.
"Don't you think you were a bit harsh on Midoriya, Bakugo?" one of the fucking fleas that hung around him asked. He didn't understand why they hanged around him so much, even after he threatened to blow them to kingdom come and sometime later followed up on those threats. It was like they were parasites or something. "I mean, sure, he's Quirkless and all, but..."
"Did I ask for your opinion, numb nuts?" Katsuki growled. The flea shut up. The smartest thing he's done all morning. Just thinking about Izuku was enough to set him off these days. He honestly didn't take that idiot, but ever since that day in the river, he just couldn't stand him. Everything about that day pissed him off.
His fingers twitched madly. He wanted to blow something up. Just anything for him to vent his frustrations on.
"Maybe he doesn't actually want to apply for the Hero Course." the other flea suggested, making him pause briefly as he gave the idiot a moment of his time. "I mean, sure, it's a Heroic Training School, but it's also a high school. They do have academic courses."
Katsuki stared at him a moment longer, then scoffed. "You're an idiot." he said bluntly. "You obviously don't know Deku in the slightest. Even though you sit next to the little shit." But he did. He knew damn well that Quirkless idiot fully planned on signing up for the Hero Course, because that had been his dream. Even though he had no Quirk, he wanted to become a Hero. And that drive only gotten stronger when he heard about the Kamen Riders – the Quirkless Heroes from before the age of Quirks and the Silver Age. "That dumbass wants to sign up for the Hero Course, and when he does, I'm gonna watch him go splat."
"Unless the test is easy." He snarled and glared at the flea again. "W-well, you never know! I mean, he's kinda ripped like you are!"
"What part of, he's Quirkless, do you not get you fucking moron?!"
His anger flared and he couldn't stop himself. He just kicked at something, a small tin can, and it promptly bounced off the ground and struck the wall. Then it sank into a body of sludge.
'Wait… Sludge?'
Katsuki looked up, and found a gaping mouth with pearly white teeth and bulging eyes looking down on him with glee while the rest of its murky body loomed over him, ready to swallow him whole.
"Finally! A meat suit with a little fire in 'em!"
This was what led to the current situation. The one that Toshinori Yagi, All Might, had been helpless to aide his fellow Heroes in.
The streets were destroyed. The concrete pavement was demolished and cracked and uprooted from the Earth. Shops were partially destroyed and scorched in black soot. A few cars were overturned and lying on their sides. Fires were breaking out all over the place. Kamui Woods was darting all over the place, rescuing stragglers from explosions and the fire while darting around in search of others in need of rescue. The newer hero, Mount Lady, was unable to do anything but shield the crowd of bystanders when an explosion came far too close for comfort or when a piece of debris came flying their way. Death Arms was busy trying to contain the one behind all this damage, but it was clear he was able to do little.
The Sludge Villain, the one he had been chasing earlier and had escaped in his battle with the red mech, had a hostage. A kid that could apparently create explosions. He was using him as a meat shield, and from the look of things, he was a valuable one.
'This is all my fault!' Toshinori cursed himself. His scar throbbed and burned, making him curse in anger. 'If only I hadn't spent so much time fighting that machine! I've already used up all the time I have!'
This was the worst. He should have known this would have been the outcome. His injuries had always been so crippling, but now he was starting to realize just how liable he really was. If only he still had enough time to take down that sludge murky bastard and save the kid!
"Why aren't the Heroes doing anything?!"
"They can't! That villain has a hostage!"
"Is he some kind of supervillain?!"
"Dammit..." Toshinori slammed his fist against the street lamp next to him. The metal was barely event dented and his hand throbbed in pain. He gripped his scar even more tightly. "Dammit!"
And he was far from the only one feeling like this.
Tsukuyomi had explained the plan to him, but Izuku still felt his mind was in some kind of haze. Even as they returned to the present day, he had barely said a word to her.
'I...rule the world?' The image of his future self, this Oma Zi-O, lingered in his mind. 'But, no that can't be right! There's no way I could be like that! I'm Quirkless for God's sake! I don't have any power! I can't-there's no way I could...'
Denials were flooding his thoughts. He was trying desperately to ignore everything that had been dropped on his shoulders. Today really wasn't his day. First Katsuki found out about his decision to enter Yuuei, then he almost got himself killed by this Geiz character, and now he found out he was going to be some kind of dystopia ruler. He wanted to become a Hero, just like All Might and the Riders. Becoming someone like Oma Zi-O was not what he had in mind in the slightest. Actually, it sounded like some kind of sick joke.
That's all this had to be, right? Just some kind of joke! He couldn't turn into some evil overlord. He was...okay, he would say it. He was too wimpy to even think of becoming some kind of overlord. And he was meek! He could barely talk to someone without going into some kind of stutter.
Just what was he supposed to do? God, what was he supposed to tell his mother?!
"Are you alright, Midoriya-san?" Tsukuyomi's voice broke him from his thoughts. Bless this woman's soul, she still sounded so kind and caring for him. Even though he might possibly responsible for ruining her life.
"I'm still...processing all of this." he told her with a sigh. By now, he no longer had any trouble talking to her without fumbling. Now, he was just concerned with the information he had been presented. "I don't think you're lying, but… Me? Becoming this Oma Zi-O person?! I-I don't… I don't understand it. I don't have a Quirk, and last I checked, I don't even own a belt."
"And hopefully, you never will." Tsukuyomi huffed, folding her arms. "And even if you did, it wouldn't actually matter. Without the Ridewatch, the belt is useless."
From what she said, it seemed like that toy, or Ridewatch, was a transformation trinket. Kind of like Kamen Rider Build's Fullbottles or Kamen Rider Drive's Shift Cars. To be honest, he was kind of hoping to see what exactly they could do, but given what that entailed, it maybe have been for the best.
Tsukuyomi had more or less assigned herself the role of being his guardian. Ensuring that he would never stray from the path. It was a tall order she was undertaking, and he even questioned if she was actually willing to ensure that her plan went through. Especially as it meant she would have to monitor him for long periods of time. Perhaps even all of his life. And she showed the exact same determination as she did when she told him about her future and how she would do whatever it took to ensure he would never become Oma Zi-O.
Barring killing him, of course. Thankfully, even Tsukuyomi would never stoop so low, but she did warn him about Geiz. A comrade of hers from the resistance, who had been ordered by their superiors.
Now, if there was anyone Izuku was scared of in regards to people from the future, it was most definitely the higher ups of this resistance. What kind of people asked them to kill a middle schooler, future evil overlord be damned?!
The young woman's face softened, and opened her mouth to try and asauge his worries when the ground beneath them suddenly rumbled. An explosion sounded off not too far away from them, causing them to gasp in shock.
What was happening? Was there an incident? Was there another villain attack? Izuku's body had moved on autopilot, legs sprinting to where the explosion occurred. "H-hey, wait!" Tsukuyomi cried, rushing after him.
They soon reached the source of the disturbance. A large crowd of bystanders had gathered before what could only be described as a stalemate. Backdraft, Death Arms, Mount Lady and Kamui Woods were all gathered, but were helpless before the carnage in front of them. To Izuku's surprise and shock, the sludge villain from before was there, smack dab in the middle of it all.
No, more than that. He was the cause of it all!
"B-but how?" he questioned in shock. "I thought that red Time Mazine knocked him out!"
Tsukuyomi cursed. "He must have escaped while Geiz and All Might were battling! Damn that idiot! Ooh, when I get my hands on him!"
'But why aren't the heroes doing anything?' Izuku questioned, suddenly confused by the event in front of him. Mount Lady was protecting the gathered crowd from flying debris and small explosions while Kamui Woods made it a point to avoid any and all bursts of flame while trying to find a way to get at the sludge villain. Death Arms was searching for an opening, but every time he got close he suddenly backed away. Backdraft was trying to douse the flames, but each explosion only served to increase their size. 'And where is All Might? He must have been chasing after that Sludge Villain earlier, so where is he?'
He sincerely doubted that the hero could not notice this. Actually, was it his imagination, or did those explosions seem oddly familiar to him.
"What's going on?" someone in the crowd questioned. "Why aren't the heroes doing anything?"
"They can't." another answered. "He's holding somebody hostage. Some poor kid!"
Izuku's eyes widened at that. A hostage? His mind raced back to when the Sludge Villain had him in its grasp. Suddenly, fear gripped him. His hand went up to his chest. His hands were shaking. "I'm sorry..." he whispered under his breath, looking down. He couldn't watch this. Behind him, Tsukuyomi put a hand over his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Just-just hold out." The poor guy couldn't hear him, he knew. But even so, he wanted him to know. "Just hold out… A hero-a hero will come."
Another explosion. Then, a familiar scream rang in Izuku's ears. One so frighteningly familiar. "LET ME GO YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Izuku's head snapped up. His heart sank. Katsuki's mouth was clogged by the sludge, forcing him back.
For a brief moment, Izuku saw the cocky facade and confidence that the ashen blonde often wore on his sleeve vanish. Instead, all he saw was a look of fear and panic. He was scared out of his mind. His eyes were watery. They were begging.
'It's...Kacchan.'
"Dammit!" Death Arms cursed as he leaped away, avoiding an explosion from the Sludge Villain's arm. "I can't get close enough! How the hell is he using the kid's Quirk?!"
'That's Kacchan.'
Backdraft doused another flame, only for another to shortly sprout into existence. "Everyone, please stay back!" he shouted at the crowd. "Curses! At this rate, they'll be more flames than I have water!"
'Can't you see him? That's Kacchan right there.'
"I can't get close!" Kamui Woods said in dismay as he grabbed the last of the stragglers away, putting them in the crowd. "Wood and fire do not mix! I'm sorry, but another hero's got to handle this!"
'He's going to die. He's going to die.'
"I can't do anything..." Mount Lady bit the bottom of her lip, cursing her own weaknesses. "These streets are just too narrow!"
'Why? Why aren't you doing anything? That's Kacchan. He's dying! So why…?!'
His heart was thumping in his chest. Noise was becoming increasingly louder. His hands shook, but not out of fear or horror. His eyes were overshadowed by his bangs. There was something rising in his chest. Something he couldn't explain. It was the first time he had ever felt like this before. It was bubbling and rising like mad. His teeth were clenched.
Before he realized it, he suddenly found himself screaming so hard that his throat burned.
"WHY AREN'T YOU DOING ANYTHING?!"
The outburst took Tsukuyomi by surprise and backpedaled away from him. He was panting, sweat dripping from his forehead. Then he realized what he said. No doubt everyone was staring at him in shock and confusion.
Then he heard it. Nothing. No words, no whispers. Not even the cackling of flames. Slowly, he raised his head.
The world was frozen solid. Everything was drained of color, becoming dull gray. Katsuki was still struggling to break free and the heroes were trying to find some way to help. The crowd was still looking on. But they were all so still. Even the flames had not flickered and danced.
Time had stopped.
"What…?" Tsukuyomi breathed. "But-how is this possible?"
Then a noise came from behind them. The sound of clapping. "Ah, what beautiful words that resonate with the heart. A shame they cannot hear such a wondrous and scathing question that would make them question what they know." Izuku turned around. Approaching him was Woz, a book in his hand and a wide smile on his face. "After all, heroes must be willing to take risks, no?"
"E-eh? Woz-san, how're you-"
"You!" Tsukuyomi suddenly put herself between him and Woz, eyes narrowed sharply. A weapon was suddenly in her hand. It was bizarre, resembling some kind of phone with a watch on it, distinctly shaped like a gun. "Why are you here?!"
Woz's smile grew. "Ah! Tsukuyomi-chan, long time no see. How is Geiz-kun doing?"
"I am most certainly in no mood for games!" she growled, an edge clear in her voice as her finger squeezed the trigger. "Answer me, Prophet of Oma!"
Izuku choked. "Wait, y-you're from the future too?!" he cried in shock. "Y-you work for Oma Zi-O?!"
"I serve Izuku Midoriya-sama." Woz replied, never losing his smile as he bowed deeply. "And no one else. You are the one whom I have sworn my life to."
Should...should he feel flattered? Actually, how was he supposed to feel about this? On the one hand, he never received such treatment, but on the other hand, he served his supposed future self.
How confusing.
No, wait. Now was hardly the time to be thinking about stuff like this! If time was stopped, then that meant the heroes could save Katsuki, right? "Woz-san, c-can you resume time for the heroes?"
"I'm afraid not." Woz shook his head, causing his heart to sink. "The only reason you and Tsukuyomi-chan are able to move is because you two possess a Ridewatch."
"What?" But that couldn't be right. Tsukuyomi threw his away. He shouldn't have it in his possession. Digging into his pockets, Izuku's eyes widened as he pulled out a familiar black, blank Ridewatch. "Eh?! B-but how?!"
Woz chuckled. "You can't fight fate so easily, Izuku-sama. That Ridewatch is tied to you. Even if you could part with it, it remains part of you. You and that Ridewatch are bound together." He then stepped forward. Tsukuyomi scowled and leveled her weapon at him. "The heroes are useless, as you can see for yourself, Izuku-sama. They are hesitant to throw themselves into danger. But what about you?"
"W-what?"
"Don't listen to him, Midoriya-san!" Tsukuyomi told him heatedly. She never once took her eyes off of the man in front of her. "He isn't to be trusted!"
"My, such harsh words. Especially coming from the daughter of one of the most famed Heroes in our time." the prophet smiled wryly. He didn't heed her warnings and stepped closer. "You already have the means to save Katsuki Bakugo from his fate, Izuku-sama. So what is stopping you? Why hesitate?"
"B-but I…"
The image of his future self – of Oma Zi-O – flashed in his mind. The power that one man displayed as he effortlessly wiped out the strongest the resistance had to offer. He wanted someone to save Katsuki. He wanted to save his friend. But if he used the Ridewatch…
"If you continue to hesitate, that young man will die." Woz reminded him. "You only have a single chance. And that chance is now before you. Heroes must be willing to take the risk, yes?"
He glanced at the scene behind him. His eyes were locked with Katsuki's.
The decision was made almost instantly. "I… I don't have a Driver." he said. Tsukuyomi looked at him with large eyes of disbelief. "I can't do anything."
"You don't have to worry about that." Somehow, without her even noticing, Woz was right in front of Izuku. In his hand was a velvet cushion. On top of it was a belt with a clear white design, resembling the decoration of a watch with an LED screen in the center. On either side were round slots, no doubt where the Ridewatch would be inserted. "The Ziku-Driver is yours to command, Izuku-sama."
For a moment, Izuku's breath was hitched. He dared to say it was beautiful. He reached out to grab it, but Tsukuyomi's hand grabbed his wrist. "Don't." Her face was written with worry and fear. Fear for not just herself, but for him as well. "If you put that on, you know what will happen! Midoriya-san, I know you are a good person, even if we've only known each other for a few hours! I know you don't want to become Oma Zi-O! So please!"
Izuku stared at her for a moment, then smiled sadly. "Thank you, Tsukuyomi-san." he said with gratitude, gently prying her hand away from his. He held it, not shaking or stuttering. "But… I don't want to see Kacchan die."
Tsukuyomi's breath hitched.
He grabbed the Driver from the cushion. It felt heavy, if only perhaps he knew of what consequences he might suffer.
"If..." he swallowed the lump in his throat, looking at the Ridewatch in his hand. "If saving Kacchan means that I become a Demon King, then… Then…!"
His eyes hardened. His heart steeled. And Woz smiled widely in approval as his thumb pressed against the ruser.
"Then so be it!"
He pressed the button, and the Ridewatch flared to life.
『 ZI-O 』
Time resumed. And when it did, the crowd gasped as a new figure had intervened. In seconds, Katsuki Bakugo was ripped away from the Sludge Villain's grasp, and the muck himself was thrown back. Death Arms stared in shock, wondering when this stranger had intervened. The ashen blonde teen coughed haphazardly, his nostrils and throat burning in pain from the suffocating torture he had been subjected to. Shaken and slightly dazed, he looked up to find someone next to him, standing beside him protectively.
"W-who…?"
The new arrival was obviously a hero, or perhaps a vigilante. Perhaps new blood, due to the fact that they had never seen him before. The suit had a clock-like theme motif, even bearing a resemblance to a Rolex watch. It was jet black with a silver band going down the middle with silver trims along the shoulders, accented by pink highlights. The same accents could be found over his hands and around his forearms and at his calves. The faceplate was white and bearing a clock-motif to it, with a purple visor done in katakana style. Around the new arrival's waist was a strange belt.
"Y-you..." the Sludge Villain wheezed, feeling as though he just had the wind knocked out of him. "Who the hell are you?!"
The figure stepped forward and raised a hand, index and thumb stretching out.
"Kamen Rider Zi-O!" he declared for all to hear. "Sanjou da!"
[Opening Theme: Over "Quartzer" - Shuta Sueyoshi feat. ISSA]
[Instrumental]
A clock ticks by. With each passing second, a Rider's face flashes by, starting with Kuga and ending with Build.
(Oh, yeah. Ohh…)
Izuku's face is shown, slowly raising his head to face the camera before it flashes to Geiz, who in reverse looks away.
Isshun de tsukamitoru no sa Are you ready?
(Are you ready?)
Izuku is found training in his sensei's dojo before time freezes, revealing Zi-O behind him, also in the midst of training.
Atarashī rekishi wa soko ni Feel it! Feel it!
(Crazy baby!)
Geiz walks through the ruined remains of his destroyed world. Time freezes and Kamen Rider Geiz walks past him, Zikan Zax in hand before stopping abruptly and look at the camera.
Hikari wo kate ni kasokushite
Konomama Shout it out! Shout it out!
Ima wo susume yō
Yuuei Academy is shown with all of Class 1-A in front of it, standing proudly before the scene shifts to the bar used by the League of Villains, all of whom stare back imposingly. Flames consume the scene before it reveals Oma Zi-O sitting atop a gilded throne, head resting leisurely in his hand.
Madō hi mo
Ikudo tonaku
Asu no tobira tatake
Mitsumeta sono saki ni
Tobikonde mitara
Believe Yourself!
Izuku and Geiz stand back to back towards each other, holding their respective Ridewatches while the background shifts, changing from the present day with battles raging to the future in its ruined state. The two raise their heads before rushing past each other, now clad in their respective Rider armors.
Now, Over "Quartzer"
Toki no ame
Surinukete Tomo ni
You, Over "Quartzer"
Mirai wo koe yō
The Riders of the Heisei Era appear, one by one in the middle of battle with their Kaijin Rider counterpart before the battle changes to Class 1-A battling their own foes.
Kako no ishi wa
Uso de wa azamuke nai
Kanjiro sō Nexus Future
Now, Over "Quartzer"
Mabayui sekai
Misete
The final scene shows Izuku and Geiz battling each other while Woz and Tsukuyomi watch on before a dust cloud washes over the area. Izuku finds himself rushing out of it, running towards Oma Zi-O, who sits atop his throne before extending a hand towards him as if in greeting. Izuku jumps up and cocks his fist, ready to fight his future self before the scene is closed shut, revealing it to be part of Woz's book.
The world is revolving
Time and space are shifting
Destiny calls, will you answer it?
Next Time!
"Kamen...Rider?!"
"Rejoice! For the birth of a new Kamen Rider, one who bends space and time to his will!"
"I will save you…Kacchan!"
Next Episode: The Hero of 2018, Part II!
"Go beyond! Plus Ultra! !"
