We open to the Fortuna office as Hope and David were walking in with Celti and Sectonia but the one in the office was Noise.
"Oh, morning kiddos. Has the last couple of days been treating ya good?" Noise asked.
"Very much. Thanks for asking." David said. "Where's Maiko?"
"Don't know. She hasn't come in yet all day. Which is pretty strange. She's never normally this late." Noise said.
"Maybe she got held up by something." David said.
"Probably. There was that photographer who came in her earlier. Of course I wanted a photo op but he ignored me. Said that blind girls don't go well with pictures. I mean, I could just close my eyes and pose with my guitar. I mean, how hard is that?" Noise said.
"Maybe he had some sort of past with Maiko and just wanted to do it for old times sake." Sectonia said.
"Somehow, I don't think it's as simple as that." David said.
"Nah. This guy does model pics. Though I guess he's going belly up." Noise said.
"What do you mean?" Celti asked.
"All the models he normally takes pictures of, they go missing." Noise said.
"Seriously? Should we be worried?" David asked.
"It sounds like another Idolsphere case." Sectonia said.
"Hmm. Yeah, now that you mention it, maybe it is one of those things. I'll call Kiria and see if we can find one." Noise said.
"But why would he go after the boss like that?" Celti wondered.
"Probably cause the boss lady used to be an idol when his career was starting." Noise said. "Probably wants to relive his glory days. Know how that feels." she said before her phone buzzed. "We got a hit. Kiria found it."
"Great! Let's get going!" Hope said as the five of them ran out before meeting a woman with long black hair in Shibuya.
"Yo! Kiria! We ready to do this thing?" Noise asked.
"Yes. I can definitely feel someone possessed by a Mirage inside." Kiria said.
"Probably that photographer that was with Maiko." David said.
"In that case, we'll need to hurry." Sectonia said.
"Yeah. We better get going. I'm all revved up and ready for action." Noise said.
"You're coming too?" Hope asked.
"That woman is the one who gave me my start in the music world. No way I'm gonna abandon her." Noise said.
"Guess we shouldn't be surprised." David said.
"Noise, I don't think we ever heard the full story on you." Hope said.
"We can talk as we look for her." Noise said. "As you know, I'm blind. Been blind since the day I was born, but for some reason, I could seen things through sound. I wasn't a burden, but my parents thought I was. I was left on the streets begging for money. But, it was on those streets I discovered my talents with a guitar. I eventually got Maiko's attention and she signed me on. I played concerts and shows for lots of different worlds and eventually got the master's attention. He knew about my gifts and knew I was no burden but someone who had a talent and a voice to share. So in my spare time, he trained me in the Sound Style. After that, I started up the Rhythm Knights Guild and here I am today."
"Well, Vector's keen on the whole idol thing, so maybe you can help us with a few tracks while we're here." David said.
"Hmm. I dunno. I'll think about it." Noise said.
"I'm sure we've got time." David said. "But for now, let's get in there and save Maiko."
"The person the Mirage is possessing is a photographer, so we better make some good poses." Sectonia said.
"Ugh. You guys are overthinking this." Noise said before raising an arm. "Sonic Wave!" she shouted attacking the back at monsters that were coming at them with a sound wave. "More coming from the side."
"I have this! Tharja, Carnage Form!" Kiria said as woman in dark purple appeared and merged with her. She now had an eyepatch over one eye and fur as well as a staff. "Begone!" she shouted waving it as lightning struck them down.
"Ah, Tharja. I remember her. While we were working with the shepherds, she always tried to curse us or use us for some of her projects." Hope said.
"That...doesn't sound refreshing." David said.
"Yeah. Join the club." Hope said.
"Uh...guys." Celti said pointing to a wall of pictures of different women.
"These women, they're all the models that have gone missing." Kiria said.
"There can't be a coincidence. We're in the right place." Sectonia said.
"Tell me about it. This room looks like one big photo album." David said.
"Guys! Look ahead!" Celti said pointing ahead as they saw the photographer and a restrained Maiko in the middle of a photoshoot as a large man in royal like clothing and no eyes showing was behind the photographer as he laughed.
"That's right. Capture those memories, relive them. That's what I, Gangrel, command of you." the Mirage said laughing.
"Gangrel? I think I heard of him. Wasn't he the king of some country?" Noise said.
"Yeah, Plegia." Hope said. "The Mad King has made a come back. The war is over Gangrel! You lost! I distinctly remember Lucemon reducing you to dust!" Hope said.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I never met anyone of that name. But ruling a country sounds exactly like me." Gangrel said.
"Of course he'd say that." Sectonia said.
"Guess he doesn't remember that much, Jexi." Hope said.
"Uh, Hope… It's just us." David said.
"Oh right. We only came with the six of us." Hope said.
"Look, you can tell him later...after we put him back in the dirt!" Noise said before playing a riff.
"I couldn't have said it better myself." David said. "Checking for weaknesses…" David said with a screen coming up. "It says here that he's weak to spear and ice attacks. Hope, you're on the frontlines. The rest of us will support you with magic."
"Spear and Ice Attacks, huh?" Hope said getting the lightscale trident. "Let's see if all that training from Alisha paid off."
Gangrel then rose a hand and slammed it on the ground as out of the pictures came the models. "Shield me!" he ordered as they formed a wall.
"Typical Gangrel. Always risking others for his survival." Hope said.
"Well, he might have a human shield of people. But, there is something he can't block. And that is sound." Noise said. "Sonic Wave!" she shouted unleashing a sound wave as the models guarding him broke formation and covered their ears.
"An opening! Let's get him!" David said.
"Weaken him...I wanna make him pay with an attack I've been saving." Noise said.
"Alrighty. Let's go, everyone!" David said.
"Thankfully, it's a nice calm spring." Celti said. "Plant Havoc!" she shouted as vines rose from the ground as they tied down Gangrel's arms.
"Now, for something fresh." Sectonia said as flowers start to bloom on Celti's vines. "Pollination Fangs!" Sectonia called as pollen sprayed out at Gangrel.
"Here it comes!" Hope shouted hitting Gangrel several times with his trident as David hit him with Ice Needles.
"Now….time for the real show, ladies and gents." Noise said playing a rift as the light went out in the idol sphere. A single spot light shined on Gangrel before an entire stage lit up before him as Noise stood on it.
"Is everyone ready to rock?" Noise asked.
"Everyone get back! This is gonna be loud!" Hope said covering his ears.
"Uh...yeah?" Gangrel said confused.
"I can't hear you!" Noise said.
"Hope you've got earplugs, Gangrel." David said.
"Yeah!" Gangrel said still confused.
"Here it comes! Ultimate Color Fighting Secret Art!" Noise said as she began playing as waves of musical scores and songs were actually seen travelling the air before they all went at Gangrel. "Rocker's Fantasia!" she shouted as they all hit Gangrel before an explosion followed as he vanished. "Sorry...but no encore. Now goodnight everybody!" Noise said.
"Now that's what I call a head banger." David said as the group headed towards Maiko. "Boss."
"Well...looks like Noise pulled off a pretty nice sound." Maiko said smiling as she awoke.
"Thought that would wake you up." Sectonia said. "Anyway, are you alright? You're not hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. Now, can we head back? I'd like to get back to work." Maiko said.
"Sure." David said with a smile.
Noise was smiling at this before being conflicted a bit.
The next day, Hope, Jexi and David had gotten into the office with their teams as Noise sat at the desk.
"Okay, so why did you…" Jexi began before three documents were presented. "What are these?"
"Alliance contracts. They state that the Rhythm Knights are your allies and will come to your rescue whenever you need help." Noise said.
"Not that we're complaining, but what brought this on?" David asked.
"Seeing you guys fight Gangrel the other day made me realize something. I may be a solo act, but solo acts will always need some help like roadies, sound equipment managers and talent agents. I wanna help you if you guys ever get in a tight spot. All you gotta do is call out." Noise said.
"Looking forward to it." David said as he signed his document.
"Same with me. You bet this during Furious Universe, but I wasn't going to accept before people deserve some freedom. But, I sign this as a way for us to be friends with you guys and have you help whenever we need it." Jexi said signing his.
"Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt." Hope said signing his.
"Its settled. The Rhythm Knights will come to save you whenever you guys need us to come." Noise said.
As the four of them shook hands, they heard the door open as in walked a young blond haired girl. "Hello, I'm looking for Miss Maiko." she said.
"She's not in yet but I'll help you. Who are you?" Noise asked.
"My name is Eleonora Yumizuru. I want to sign onto Fortuna." she said.
A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor