News Broadcast:
"Today's Saber attack ended unexpectedly when a mysterious figure calling herself 'The Masked Rider' destroyed the creature in front of PlanetWatch special forces. Authorities confirm they had no prior contact with this figure."
Commander Gonzalez (footage):
"I've never seen it before. It came out of the sky, destroyed the alien, and left. I hope it's on our side."
Cut. Mira switches the TV off.
Tyler: "So the alien gave you the watch?"
Mira: "His name was Azomer."
Amelia: "And what did Azomer say?"
Mira: "That I'm worthy. That I was chosen."
Mira's mom walks in with a smile.
Ma: "Didn't know Tyler and Amelia were staying for dinner."
Mira: "Tyler burned down his kitchen. Tragic."
Tyler: "Wait, what? No, Mrs. Bakshi, I didn't—she's lying."
Amelia: "She's not."
Ma (laughing): "You three are adorable. Mira got the best dosts in the world. Your father will be home soon — naan and shahi paneer tonight."
Tyler: "Yes! I love naan."
Juno: "Yeah, you look like you love naan. Hi Mrs. Bakshi!"
Ma: "...who said that?"
Mira (quick): "No one. No one at all."
Her mom leaves. Mira glares at the watch.
Mira: "Juno. Stop talking out loud."
Juno: "I do what I want."
Tyler: "Please tell me there's an off switch."
Juno: "Nope."
Amelia: "So what's next, Mira? You just show up whenever a Saber crashes?"
Mira: "That's the idea."
Amelia: "Be honest. You wanted this your whole life, didn't you?"
Tyler: "And what's with 'The Masked Rider'? That was... quick."
Mira: "I was improvising! Mask, armor that kinda looks like a bike — it worked. Plus, I always loved Richard Rider, Nova, from Marvel. Alien armor, same deal. So... Masked Rider it is."
---
That night, Mira stands on her balcony, staring at the stars.
Juno: "What are you even looking at?"
Mira: "If Sabers are machines, where do they come from?"
Juno: "Don't know. Kill them all, maybe we'll find out."
Mira: "I don't like killing."
Juno: "They're metal. Inorganic. Barely alive. Don't overthink it."
Mira (quiet): "...maybe you're right."
---
Two Days Later.
Mira scribbles catchphrases in a notebook. Suddenly, alarms blare.
Amelia: "Kyoto."
Mira: "PlanetWatch Japan notified?"
Tyler: "Already."
Cut to Kyoto — Saber-11 crashes, unleashing a massive lightning storm across the city.
Mira: "Tyler, car keys."
Tyler: "You planning to drive to Kyoto?"
Mira: "No, just need to get far enough to transform without being caught on camera."
Amelia: "Give her the keys. She'll take mine if you don't."
Mira: "My babies! I love you both! Adios!"
She bolts.
Tyler: "She's gonna get herself killed."
Amelia: "And she's loving it."
---
Mira ducks into an alley. She slams her hand onto the watch.
Mira: "TRANSFORM!"
Light engulfs her, Masked Rider reborn.
Juno: "You didn't need to yell."
Mira: "Don't kill the vibe. How fast can we fly to Kyoto?"
Juno: "Who said anything about flying? The drag would flatten half the city."
Mira: "...then how—"
She blinks. She's already standing in Kyoto.
Juno: "Einstein-Rosen Bridge. Transported your atoms across spacetime."
Mira: "It's called teleportation. I passed physics."
The Saber ravages the streets, lightning striking buildings. Civilians scream and scatter. Mira leaps onto a rooftop.
Mira: "Juno, translate to Japanese."
Juno: "This is not the time—"
Mira: "Shut up."
She projects her voice across the city.
Mira (in Japanese): "Creature of metal! Your terror ends today. For I, Kamen Rider, stand against you!"
Crowd gasps.
Saber-11: "Another clown."
It rockets upward, swinging at her. Mira catches its fist — and snaps its arm.
Saber-11: "NO!"
Mira: "Yes." She leaps high. "RIDER KICK!"
Her spinning kick smashes it into the ground. She lands on its head, smirking.
Mira (in Japanese): "That all? Pathetic. I'll even give you another chance."
---
Back in San Francisco:
Tyler: "She's really leaning into the superhero thing."
Amelia: "It's like giving a meth addict... well, meth."
---
Kyoto. The Saber flails, throwing punches. Mira dodges easily.
Juno: "Incredible! Our sync is skyrocketing."
Mira: "Wait — this says we're moving at 900,000 kilometers per second. That's three times faster than light!"
Juno: "Correct."
The Saber draws a sword. Mira meets it blade-for-blade, their strikes so fast they slice raindrops mid-fall, leaving a 100-meter dry bubble around them.
She vaults high.
Mira (in Japanese): "Face justice! PLASMA SLASH!"
Her strike cleaves the Saber in two. Explosion. The crowd erupts in cheers.
Mira (posing): "Fear not, citizens! For when the Kamen Rider is here—your safety is assured!"
Crowd roars.
Back at HQ:
Tyler (clapping): "That was badass."
Amelia (deadpan): "This is why you get scammed online. You're too easy."
Tyler: "Admit it. She's born for this."
The office door beeps. Tyler and Amelia slam their laptops shut.
Amelia: "Mr. Williamson! Sorry, we were just—"
Williamson (frowning): "Where's Dr. Bakshi?"
Tyler (panicking): "Her mom set the kitchen on fire! Fire brigade and everything!"
Williamson: "That's awful."
Mira jogs in, slightly out of breath.
Mira: "Hi! ...yeah, kitchen fire. But it's fine. Only, uh... ten percent structural damage."
Williamson: "Thank god. Alright, wrap it up. Go home."
Once he's gone, Tyler nearly tackles Mira with excitement.
Tyler: "That was AMAZING!"
Amelia: "Stop hyping her up."
Tyler: "I'm not hyping, I'm being honest! She deserves credit."
Amelia (sharper): "Credit doesn't mean much if she ends up dead."
Mira: "You guys seriously can't enjoy seeing your friend on TV?"
---
News Broadcast:
"Kyoto was saved today by the Masked Rider. Locals call her 'Kamen Rider,' citing the distinctly feminine voice."
Japanese girl (on mic): "We love you, Kamen Rider!"
NARRATION (Mira):
"So... guess I'm a superhero now."
---
Unknown Location.
An armored figure in yellow-and-black kneels before a throne. On it sits a towering being in white-and-black armor, cloak flowing. His face is hidden.
Figure: "Emperor... the Rider is gaining recognition."
Emperor: "As she should. Prepare the next stage of our plan."