Hello readers! Sorry for keep you all waiting as I recently busy with my real life and assignment, so I have little time to write. Anyway, let's not prolong the duration and start the story!
(Disclaimer: I don't own Senki Zesshou Symphogear or Kamen Rider Ex-Aid characters. I just own idea and OC's)
(Updated)
Stage 8: Next Phase: Adapt
(2nd Division Hospital) (3rd POV)
After the previous battle, Shira and the others was walking back to base to get better treatment for their wounds. However, they later got a call from Genjuro saying that they had sent their men to pick them up and send them to the hospital belonging to the 2nd Division. Thus they ended up waiting for their ride.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they quickly got their treatment, especially Tsubasa and Shira as out of the four of them, those two got the most injuries. Tsubasa with the help of a nearby nurse had her wounds bandaged and had her body checked if it is okay while Shira got a more complicated checkup due to the strange symptoms in his body after the battle. Of course, Shira tried to deny it and say that it's normal but Genjuro forced him to get it checked knowing something was seriously wrong with the young man's body, not after the previous battle but even before then. And now, he, Kanade and Hibiki are waiting for the both of them to return.
"What happened to Shira?" Hibiki asked.
"Yeah, Old Man Genjuro. Why did you make him take that check-up?" Kanade added, "I didn't think his wounds were that deep."
"It's not about his external wounds," Genjuro explain, "Ever since I saw him back after the battle, I got this strange feeling that something was wrong with his body. It's like…"
"You mean… like the state I was in when I still used the LiNKER drug back then?" Kanade said.
"Almost, it's like his body was wrecked inside-out," Genjuro answered, "He did explain before that there are two types of Rider Gashats, the complete version and the prototype version and from what he said, the prototype versions are stronger but become dangerous after prolonged usage."
"And he's been using one for two years already," Hibiki added.
"Exactly. That's why I got worried after Kanade told me that he coughed out the blood. His wounds aren't enough to make him cough out that much," Genjuro said, "Now, how about you explain to us about it, young lady?"
"Ah… crap…" Kanade thought before realizing the amount of explaining she had to go through.
(Insert EXCITE by Daichi Miura)
(I gotta believe...)
(Instrumental)
The scene shows Shira in Genm Lv.2 form wielding the Gasachon Bugvisor standing still as the camera shot from different angles. Then, Shira notices the camera before sending spread shot onto the screen as the title appeared with it: Kamen Rider GENM: A Symphony of an Anti-Hero.
I don't wanna know heta na shinjitsu nara
Then, the proto-Mighty Action X gashat turns and flies towards Shira in human form before he catches it and brings it near to his face.
I don't wanna know shiranai kurai ga ii noni
The scene changes to where Hibiki stood in human form looking back while a small computer screen right-below showing the same thing only with Hibiki in her Symphogear suit. Then, the scene turns back again to Shira who was looking around at several screens showing news regarding the Bugster and the Noise flying around him before Shira suddenly starts to disintegrate into pixels with Kanade, Hibiki and Tsubasa running over towards him, only to later see him disappear.
Why? Why? Why? Why? kizukeba I came too far
The scene shows the Bugster virus activating and spreading around. Then, the scene switches back to Shira who meets up with Hibiki and Miku and chats with them with a bright smile on his face before crosses paths with Kanade and Tsubasa who were discussing something. Before it focuses on the nearby computer screen that shows Shira from the side, who then starts smirking.
Tomaranai kanjiru kono yokan wa
The scene changes to Shira who was walking forward with the background showing several black-white scenes of the daily activities of the city behind him and also Hiro, Taiga and Kiriya walking forward away from Shira.
The new beginning
Then, it shows each of them brought out their respective Rider Gashat with matching background color, along with Dan Kuroto without showing a Rider Gashat and Kanade in orange background replace her Relic with orange Rider gashat. Last is a mysterious person with hood covered most of his bandaged static face in blood-red static background.
Michi no ryouiki ima wo kirihirakun da
The scene is change where Shira activate his Gashat. Then change into Tsubasa in school uniform turning her back and ready to leave for something with another computer screen shows her with her Symphogear suit. The next scene shows Sakurai beside the computer screen that shows all 2nd Division personnel along with Genjuro, before quickly shows the scene where Shira do transformation pose.
I gotta believe!
Then, it shows some kind of virtual arena where each Kamen Rider transform into their level 1 form, before it focused on Shira who turn the lever on Gamer Driver and activated level 2.
(Turn it on!) Soutou EXCITE! EXCITE! Takanaru EXCITE! EXCITE! kokoro ga michibiku ano basho e kakenukete ikudake
The scene then shows Shira in Genm level 2 form using Bugvisor chainsaw-mode to strike down other Kamen Rider. Then, Brave seems counter with his Gasachon sword while Snipe also do the same as he shoots several time before scene engulf in explosion. The scene change where Tsubasa coming with Lazer level 2 form coming to destroy Noises but got cornered, before she's saved by orange laser come from nowhere and destroy them, as Tsubasa saw Kanade in her rider form and they're backing each other in battle stance when surrounded by Noise before charge forward. Then the scene change again shows Shira raise his head in day time, then Parad doing the same in night time before turning around and looks spreading Bugster virus.
(Hey!) I'm on a mission right now (Hey!) I'm on a mission right now
Then it return to virtual arena, where Brave, Snipe and Lazer access their level 3 form, showing them off one by one as they're ready to fight, then it switch to Ex-Aid access his level 3 robot gamer form before launch the gauntlet off and break the screen. After that, the scene shows shadowed Genm in new form from back before he turn around and slash the screen with familiar blue katana into two.
EXCITE! EXCITE! kotae wa EXCITE! EXCITE! kotae wa
The scene quickly change as it shows Genm rushed toward Kamen Rider Gore as he does the same to Genm with intent to kill each other while Symphogear users plus Kanade charge toward the Nehustan girl. The scene getting smaller into smaller screen images together with various other scenes that flying around Genm who has standing still while turning, before two line of Bugster DNA line coming in and getting closer to Genm and suddenly focused into scene where there's Shira who raise his hand and merge before revealing Kamen Rider Genm.
(One!) kono te no naka (Two!) susumu beki life (Three!) ikite iku dake
Finally, it shows Genm's taking battle stance, then when he snaps his hand and takes battle stance again. For last, the title appeared once again before Shira punch the screen, cracking and falling down, showing only a dark place with only one light shine to a worn out proto-Mighty Action X gashat and broken Gamer Driver on ground.
(Later) (Shira's POV)
"At last, it's finally over!" I said it after finishing my checkup. Seriously, Genjuro can be real pushover if it regards to his comrade's well-being, "I better tell them soon," as I walk out with the help of a walking stick and tried to find them, I ended up hearing a familiar sound coming from a certain part of the hospital.
"This sound… isn't that Kanade?" I walked towards the source and found Kanade was explaining something to Genjuro, mostly about how she was able to get the driver and be able to transform. I can tell that it would end up relating to me in the end, but for now I'll let her got her share of explaining and I quickly walked out from there before they caught me.
"Ah Shira!" Damn my luck. I turn around as I found Hibiki to be the one who called me, "Are you done with the examination?" she walks up to me after that.
"Everything is done. They said that the results will come out tomorrow," I explain to her, which Genjuro also overheard as he came up to me as well. Kanade follows him from back, with a face that showing she tried really hard to explain something beyond her capacity. Poor girl…
"I see. Then, would you like to share anything that was out of our reach? Specifically when and why did you give Kanade the belt?" Genjuro asked me, which I knew they would find out sooner or later.
"I will, but it better we save it for tomorrow," I answer, "We better gather everyone first before I explain, not to mention Kuroto might be want to know about it as well," and I still hate him despite him helping me with Kanade's problem. I can tell that he doesn't care if something wrong happened to Kanade as long he could get what he wants.
"Understood. Everyone here probably is exhausted after the battle, not to mention you and Tsubasa's condition. You better head back to your room soon."
"Ah right, they said they will help me to my room but I forgot it and walked out here," I said as I realized it, "They must be looking for me—"
"Ah! There you are!" I turned around and found the nurse walking towards me. She must be looking me, "Don't disappear like that! The doctor almost got angry at me when you're missing!"
"Ah, my bad. Sorry," I apologized to her, "Anyway, see you soon Genjuro-san."
"Right. I also have some business to do," he exclaimed, "Kanade, it was already late so please can you bring Hibiki back to her dorm?"
"Okay, Old Man! Let's go Hibiki."
"R-right!" then she looked at me, "…" but not saying anything and just follow Kanade and leaving.
"There's probably something going on in her mind," I thought when I saw her looking at me but not saying anything like before, "However, I can't force her to tell me. Maybe waiting and observing her is the best for now," but suddenly I felt my hand in pain as the nurse tried to drag me back to my room, "Ouch! Hey, aren't you supposed to be a nurse here? Be gentle, I'm a patient here!"
"Don't blame me! It only has been a month since I got hired," great… I got newbie as my nurse. Just my luck…
(Meanwhile, in some place) (3rd POV)
Somewhere, inside some kind of mansion, Chris was strapped onto a contraption being… well sort of naked. If not for the revealing spandex outfit she would have been fully naked. If one asked about her condition, the answer to that wouldn't be good.
Her whole body was exhausted as each drop of her sweat fell to ground. Her body did not show any kind of wounds except a few scars that she has been recently electrocuted. And by that meaning she was being tortured by her mistress, the one she looked up to because of her failure.
"This is you punishment for your own failure, Chris," said an older woman with white blonde hair. Her clothes? She's no different than Chris, being completely naked instead besides the stockings she had on, "And I must say… if not for your interference she maybe wouldn't be able to escape, so you have my gratitude," she said to another person that was non-other than the Master, Gore who's sitting on nearby chair while playing chess alone.
"Though she may have failed, I can still say that she still had some use," he answered, "However, as I've said before… I helped her as part of our cooperation. Don't forget it, Fine."
"Of course," the woman, Fine said as she slowly walked toward him, "However, as much as I can see the benefits of our cooperation, I'm more interested to know what kind of face is behind that mask of yours," she sit on other side of table as she moves a piece on the chessboard.
"That's none of your concern," he said as he is moves another piece, "All you need to be concerned about is what you will do next. The enemy has gained new powers and has become an obstacle to your plan."
"But you got what I need to handle it," Fine said as she moves another piece to take the knight piece, "That technology you Kamen Riders have, a power you said is 'the power that can change the world', it might become an obstacle but I can see that power wasn't really that invincible after all."
"There's no such thing as invincible," Gore moves another piece and takes the queen piece, "Only a fool could hope for such perfection," then he stands up before walking away to leave.
"Oh? Leaving already?" Fine asking as she watches him walk to the door. However, he doesn't answer her and just exits the room, "Oh my, he's sure a busy man."
"Fi…ne…" Chris called weakly.
"Oh, you're awake?" Fine said as she approaches her, "I think you already have your share of the punishment… I think it was enough."
"Fine… can… we trust… that man…?" Chris asked weakly.
"To tell you the truth, we can't trust him," Fine said casually, "Although, at the same time I feel like we can trust him as well," she proceed to release Chris from her place.
"Why… though?"
"To be honest, I had this very strange feeling, as if I've met him somewhere before. Like I do know him but at the same time don't as well."
As they're talking, Gore was outside the mansion and walks through the forest before looking back at the mansion, "The first phase is complete," he took out his blood colored gashat from his jacket as it started leaking some sort of crimson colored smoke, "It's time for phase two to begin…"
(Tomorrow, 2nd Division Base)
As Shira promised, everyone from the 2nd Division, including the Symphogear users and somehow Kuroto were all present. Of course, this time he was called first before being transported there as he was for the most part responsible for what happened.
And their subject, was about Kanade's new transformation as the new Kamen Rider. With the Gamer Driver II and Starbreak∞Gungnir gashat on the desk.
"It seems everyone is present," Shira said as he looked around, "Except for Tsubasa and Ogawa-san…"
"Due to her wounds, she wasn't allowed to leave hospital just yet," Genjuro explained, "I'll explain it to her personally later."
"Thank you Genjuro-san," he thanked him. To tell the truth, Shira's condition did not allow him to leave the hospital like Tsubasa, but with the doctor's permission he was allowed to leave prematurely with the condition that he must return to the hospital again after his business is done, "Now, care to help me explain this too, Kanade?"
"Ugh… can I take a break here?" Kanade complain, "Didn't I just explain it yesterday?"
"But you just said 'I don't understand too' as your explanation last time," Hibiki said innocently.
"Damn traitor, Hibiki…!" Kanade though as she felt betrayed by her successor, "But you're the one who's supposed to do the explanation, right Shira?"
"Of course," he answered, "You just need to fill up some gaps in my explanation as you're the one who was directly involved."
"Right…"
"Anyway, let's start with Kuroto's explanation regarding the new Gamer Driver," Shira looked at Kuroto, "Shall you?"
"Alright, I'll explain," Kuroto step forward as he begin to explain, "This driver, the Gamer Driver II was created by me to handle the power that comes from the new variant of Bugster virus that I found in Kanade Amou's unknown gashat she lent me," he said with one finger straight upward, "where she got it from mysterious man he calling himself Parad."
"Why didn't you tell us about this?" Genjuro said in a stern tone."
"Well… I wanted to tell you guys," Kanade tried to explain, "But this was the one off chance for me to get back onto the battlefield again, to protect the others again. So well…"
"You went so far as to not tell anyone for a while and it resulted in you being infected by the Bugster virus, and it being a new variant nonetheless," Shira cut off bluntly.
"Gugh… I can't deny that…"
"But at least it was not all for not," Shira said as he indirectly comfort Kanade, "Through hardship you managed to get new power to fight back. For me, that was a good thing."
"I see-I see, then this gashat…" Ryoko said as she took the gashat, "Its power came from the same Gungnir relic, am I right?"
"It seems like that," Shira answered, "If I were to make a speculation, Kanade had a sudden burst of Bugster virus go into her body right after she put the gashat inside the driver, it seems like it called the remaining of Gungnir's power that was left behind and currently inside the fragment inside Hibiki's body."
"So, that's why that light came out from my chest," Hibiki stated as she remembered what happened before.
"I see… that's means that the power of Gungnir, that had amplified into a Symphogear through song was sent into this gashat, which resulted into this new gashat that I found quite different from the one you showed us before."
"Mostly, the power of Gungnir got inside the Relic Gashat," Shira said as everyone notice a new word from Shira's words, "Oh, that's what I'm calling it, due to its power originating from the Gungnir relic."
"Relic Gashat… okay, I accept that name," Kuroto said even though no one asked him. However, Shira knew this person's mind well enough but he keep it on his mind as it was useless to say it.
"However, one question remains," Ryoko continued, "How was Kanade able to transform without going through any compatibility surgery as you told us before?"
"Okay, I might not have explained the subject completely as I just realized it," Shira admitted, "You see, this surgery was actually a way to find out if one's body is able to handle the virus as transforming here is actually injecting yourself with an amount of Bugster virus directly into your body. So—"
"If they can't handle it, they get infected?" Kanade asked.
"At worst, they would die on the spot as that would be the most common result," Shira said make everyone gasped, except Kuroto, "Don't worry, in surgery you're only injected with small amount of it so the worst result is just getting infected."
"Then, Kanade…"
"Let's just say she got the surgery the 'raw' way," Shira explained, "And please don't get a wrong idea here Ryoko."
"I'm not~~" Ryoko said playfully but Shira knew that she almost wanted to tease him again.
"What do you mean by 'raw' way?" Genjuro asked.
"As I said before, to be a Kamen Rider, one needs to be injected with a small amount of virus to see if their body is able to adapt," Shira continued the explanation, "Kanade was basically exposed to a large amount of Bugster virus but her body was able to adapt and create an 'antibody' right on the spot to prevent further infection and the result was her transformation."
"So she was exposed to the virus … by who?" Ryoko asked.
"Someone else, who is using the same armor as mine," his words alerting everyone, including Kuroto faking it, "It seems someone stole it from your place, right Kuroto?"
"Indeed," Kuroto lied, "I didn't inform it to anyone up until now because it would damage the reputation of our cooperation. However, it's become a quite problem since not only was that proto-gashat stolen, but also another Gamer Driver that I prepared for supposed next candidate of Kamen Rider project."
"There's another candidate?" Genjuro asked.
"No, not yet. But I made it in case we got one," he said swiftly, "About this robbery case… It's better if we solved it without involving any more people as it is."
"Why? Did the government get involved in it?" Kanade asked.
"No but that is correct!" Kuroto explained, "If this rumor were spread out, there might be a chance that some unknown party or group would try to steal it and use it for the wrong purpose!"
"Haven't you already used it for the wrong purpose, Kuroto?" Shira asking in his mind as he knows the truth.
"Hm… you may be right," Genjuro agreed with Kuroto, "Indeed their main purpose is to combat the Bugster virus, but with some modifications it can be used as a dangerous war suit if it falls into the wrong hands. Alright, we will keep it and also try to find the suspect of the robbery."
"If you're talking about suspects, I have one suspect that might be the one," Kuroto said as he's show an image that everyone recognized, mostly the Relic user and Shira. It was none other than Master or more commonly known as Kamen Rider Gore by everyone there.
"Kamen Rider Gore…" Kanade growled to showing her dislike for this mysterious man.
"He has the technology of the Genm Corp and was also able to use and develop a new Rider Gashat that I've never seen before," Kuroto explains, "And his affiliation with the Bugster means he is a dangerous person that needs to be taken care of before there are any more victims falling for whatever his plan with it is."
"Needs to be taken care of… That… sounds like you want us to 'dispose' him," Shira said knowing the reaction of the others.
"Dispose!?" Genjuro said in shock, "Sorry, but even if we're part of the government, we have no right to take people's lives. We're here to combat the Noise, not people. At least… we can subdue him for interrogation later but no more than that."
"Well, I also hope that kind of result and not goes far as having to 'dispose' him like Shira-san said," Kuroto said, "However, I hope that you can take back the thing he stole undamaged."
"No promises," Shira said bluntly, "Considering his combat abilities is higher than any of us, even with the Relic Gashat… I don't think we stand a chance against him as we don't know any other abilities he have, except his terrifying regenerative ability…"
"Because of that!" Kuroto suddenly yelled excited for some reason, "Because of this new type of Rider Gashat we have, we must exploit it further more to increase our firepower! It can also end whoever that caused the Noise incident as it is!"
"Okay-okay, we understand… somewhat," Shira said as he looked at Hibiki who was… of course struggling to understand most of it, "Anyway, aside from this Master problem, we might have went out of context."
"Ah, yeah. About Kanade Amou's transformation…" Kuroto back to his calm self as he looked at Kanade, "So, how do you feel after transforming? I asked this because we had some 'uncomfortable' incidents back then when we're testing it on our candidate."
"Well… if you ask me, it's quite… normal I guess?" Kanade said as she wasn't sure too, "I mean, indeed it was painful when I first used the gashat but when I transformed… it wasn't any different from when I used my Symphogear, except this time I don't have to worry about the time limit—"
"Ah, Kanade stop at there," Shira cut off, "About this time limit thing, I think you still have it."
"Wait what!?" Kanade shocked after heard it, "But how!? I don't use something like LiNKER when transforming!"
"Did you see what was on your chestplate when you're transforming?"
Kanade recalled the image of her transformed state, especially on chestplate part, "Ah… except the Rider Gauge like you have, there's another gauge on the other side…"
"That's it! That gauge is your timer!" Shira stated, "Due to it's immense power, the system on the Gamer Driver II created some kind of fail-safe that keeps damage away from your body to minimise the exposure of Relic energy."
"What do you mean?" Kanade asked.
"Oh! I can explain that part!" Ryoko walked out to the center and replaced Kuroto place as he steps aside, "As you can see, the Symphogear technology uses a song to amplify the power of the Relic, creating an anti-Noise armor as you already know," she continued to explain, "However, like in your case Kanade, your phonic gain is quite low and you're not truly compatible with Gungnir's relic so you need to use LiNKER as a stabilizer to prevent further damage that can be caused by the energy's exposure coming from the Relic through the Aufwachen wave."
"And…?" Kanade asked again.
"This Gamer Driver II…" Ryoko takes the driver, "It seemed to have developed a system similar to using LiNKER, except it does not help to stabilize the energy, but rather tells you how long you can stay safe while being exposed to it," she continued, "However, what I find strange is you shouldn't be able to fight that long because your body is…"
"Now that you've said, I did feel that it was a little strange…" Kanade said as she realizes it too.
"Hm…" Shira put his hand on his chin as he processes the information. After a quick turnaround, he turns back again as he thought about something, "Kanade, try to sing."
"Sing? But you know that my singing voice—"
"Just do it!"
"Alright-alright! No need to force me like that. Okay then…"
Kanade begin to sing a song she recognized and to her surprise, she was able to sing like she had before she lose her singing voice, "but… how…?"
"As I thought!" Shira though as confirming his suspicions, "Kanade… That Bugster virus inside you before was healing your body."
"What!?" everyone was shocked after hearing that.
"Oh my… This is… very surprising," Ryoko exclaimed as her eyes shined in excitement as she got close to Kanade to examine her, "But how did it happen I wonder…"
"If I were to make a speculation…" Kuroto said as everyone looked at him, "As we speak, the Bugster virus is still a brand new type of virus that comes from mostly a non-biologic source, a game. Even now… I still can't grasp the true potential of it. There so much to learn…" he got close to Kanade to examine her, which made her step back.
"Well, as great as this revelation is, there's still a lot of things we still have to do," Genjuro said as he understood the situation and to free Kanade from those two, "Alright, this is end of discussion. Thank you for coming here, Dan Kuroto. We're glad that you proposed this cooperation to us."
"I'm also glad to help you people out, as Noise is also bad for my business as you can see," Kuroto answered.
"While as long as you don't go making your ultimate game," Shira thought, "Alright, it might be the best for me to go back to the hospital for another checkup as I still need time to recover. At least after this I hope I can be discharged."
"Ah, let me go with you, Shira!" Hibiki said which surprised him.
"Uh… why?"
"Well…" Hibiki tried to find the right reason, "I can't let you go all by yourself as you're still injured… and I also want to visit Tsubasa-san too."
"I see… well, if you don't mind it. Then, are you coming too Kanade?"
"Maybe later, I still have something to take care of," Kanade answered, "Don't worry, I'll catch up once I'm done."
"Alright. Then, we will be taking our leave Genjuro-san."
"Okay, leave it to us till you've recovered. We don't know when they will attack again," Genjuro said.
Shira and Hibiki then took their leave as well as Kuroto later on after he got a call from his work place. Kanade who's done with her business in 2nd Division proceeded to the hospital to visit Tsubasa with Shira and Hibiki, who were mostly already there. However, as she walked through the halls of the base, she thought about something.
"I felt like I forgot to tell Shira about something…" Kande thought while she walked, "Nah! Probably wasn't important… but why do I feel that Tsubasa would whack me for something…"
(Back to Shira and Hibiki before…)
Using his already fixed bike, Shira was riding back to the hospital with Hibiki on the back seat. As they travelled, Hibiki spoke up—
"Um… Shira?" Hibiki call him.
"Yes?" Shira said as he focused on the road.
"About what you said back then…"
"Yeah?"
"Can you train me up?"
Shira stopped his bike immediately, not because of her words but because he meet a red light, "Out of everyone, why are you asking me?"
"It's because… I've seen you fight," Hibiki said as she remembered when Shira fought against the Noise and Bugsters in the past, "You're good at close range combat and strong to boot. Sure you're currently still recovering, but I can tell that if you train me, I might be able to protect myself… and make words to her not seem like a joke…"
As the street light turned green, Shira continue to drive out to their destination as he thought about what Hibiki said, "Indeed by showing your resolve through action, you would then be able to make her understand your intentions," he paused for a while, "However, I think you should ask Genjuro to train you instead of me."
"Eh, why?" Hibiki asked.
"Because…" Shira explain, "I'm not a good teacher…"I lied somewhat, "You need someone who has a better understanding in martial arts. I'm more into street fighting which I think would not help you."
"I… see…" Hibiki understood what Shira was coming from but was a little sadden by it
"Sorry Hibiki, but you can't be trained by me," Shira apologized in his thoughts, "You will end up becoming a monster rather than a savior…"