Chapter 25: The Winds of Time – Perception of Reality - Part 1: RinPana's Awakening!

Contents

Chapter 25 Prologue

Chapter 25.1

Chapter 25.2

Chapter 25 Prologue

Back in Ithavoll

Alito left me...

Muse were coming after me with their renewed resolve...

Honoka and Tsubasa were together...

Umi, Kotori, Maki, Nico, Eli, and Nozomi have overcome their fears...

Some of the idols she thought were killed – or I could kill - were still alive; Aqours and Chihaya Kisaragi...

To make matters worse, all but one Audito were left in the grand scheme of things...

All the success I had so far - the killing of Kaori Miyazono, her loved ones, her fans, Kako Takafuji, the 'haters' and 'critics' of 'Love Wing Bell', and other musical talents in the world and beyond - had gone down to nought.

Down for me to suffer upon...

For even those success I...I conjured with my own hands upon were not mine to keep forever...

All I wanted was for Muse to stay...to remain relevant...

And yet they still treat me – I, the one who started Muse's success to begin with - as the villain?

WHY?!

Chris shook her head trembled with fury and sorrow; news came to her ears of Fortitudo's demise at Muse's, Bayonetta's, Jeanne's, and Alito's hands...

"Relax...Chris; your injuries are doing fine, recovering well despite the fiasco of both Rodin and Otonokizaka Town!" Erida snickered.

"But...but I failed..." Chris shook her head.

"Look, the fiasco against Rodin was because I had never anticipate The Infinite One's massive power, and then some; it's something beyond my comprehension still!" Ereda shot back. "But at the very least Muse are still advancing towards your dear headquarters, everything is still just as planned, aren't we? You get to free me with their voices of anguish eventually, and you get to see the world ruled by you and Muse themselves!"

Chris shook her head.

"I can't even get those souls back...they already departed to the proper afterlife...there isn't much souls left to get you back...never..." She cried. "Those angelic troops may have destroyed more than 50% of the idol teams in the past, they all mean NOTHING if I can't get Muse back!"

She continued, "You need those souls to fuel your escape through their anguish and hatred, and yet you...you still think this is alright? WHAT BLASPHEMY IS THIS?!"

Erida frowned - she was not without her own wits; Chris's suspicion for her only rose with failure after failure and if the Icy Maiden left her, it would do Erida herself no good...

But she was so close...Ereda was so close; even if it might not be possible to gain those souls back...

She just needs one last push...one last surge...and time to buy...

She just needed Chris to be motivated once more...

Motivated to kill...instead of despair.

That was it!

"The souls might be gone...yes...but we still have the souls that were held captive upon Ithavoll." Erida replied. "Muse and Alito – much to my unfortunate dismay – are intelligent enough to overcome their own guilt over leaving you, really...and that Umbran scums are truly powerful, yes."

She then turned around.

"That's why we need to hit the rest where it hurts!"

"But I thought we attempted to do that via the Miasmatic Winds?" Chris asked wearily.

"Close, my dear." Erica nodded. "The Miasmatic Mists failed only because of Alito's defection rendering the miasma only about as fraction from its full effectiveness."

"You nearly came close in succeeding to convert the ones affected, but you made one mistake – YOU pointed out your mistakes to them!" Erida claimed.

"So what you mean is...?" Chris frowned.

"Instead of YOU hitting the victims where their fault lies to guilt trip them directly...why not guilt trip them through how others perceived them as? Like Rin, for instance?"

"Rin?"

"Don't she still have people who 'wished' that she was her tomboyish self?" Erida explained. "No matter how many you have killed, there will just be that one heartless asshole who thinks that Rin was not as good as she used to be because of Love Wing Bell's 'girliness'!"

"What about Hanayo? That person might be pure and innocent, but her meekness always caused her to fall behind despite her frequent determination gained through the journey, not to mention that she is a lover of A-RISE to boot; Erena with wanting to keep up other's people expectation and pleasing them due to her demeanour, and lastly...Anju's seemingly arrogant persona underneath her 'princess' looks due to how she treat competitions, eh?" Erida wondered. "Just raising some examples out there, you know?"

"You want me to trap them again? Once bitten, twice shy; they ain't gonna buy it!" Chris shook her head while her palms were left shaking with grief. "NEVER!"

"Sure, maybe they might not care what others might think of them, and that might be a grand mistake..." Erida admitted. "But what if we alter something...different?

Silence...as if Chris, for one moment, began contemplating a chance of executing ideas again, if modified.

She doubted it...but despair, rage, sorrow, and hatred reigned upon what was left of her 'heart'.

Chris could care less no more; desperate for Muse's reunion, despair gnawed at what remained of her hope; her heart, and her tragic dreams...

Yet she knew that somehow...something was amiss...

Why would Erida not be too concerned about the major loss of souls back in Mt Trials, but only concerned about Chris herself instead?

And weirder still, why would Erida be so concerned of her after being defeated by Rodin before the soul leak, and yet still encouraged her to lash out at nearly everyone?

And weirder still...

Why was Erida not saddened, nor disappointed with the demise of the Auditos, nor Chris's own defeat every single time, but was in fact...

AMUSED...

...

With failure after failure...Chris's faith in the Goddess dwindled.

Yet with each lost of faith, despair, anger, hatred, and sorrow grew...and the cycle of trusting Erida began anew...

If she did not, soon enough...she might have truly nothing to live for, and nothing...

To lose...

Weary she might be, this could just be her one last shot...

All she wanted was to do her best for Muse...

For them to stay relevant!

No...she could do no wrong...

Never...never in her lifetime!

NEVER!

She would see it through the bitter end!

TILL THE BITTER END!

Back in the Valkyrie Plane...

Clouds parted seamlessly through the skies as the rays shone past the Valkyrie's hulls; Luka's eyes widened in relief, for there was land in sight.

"I guess this is it, once we get through this portal towards another part of Paradiso, it will be the path to Route 666, then a short path up the gates to another main airbase from Vigrid." Luka nodded. "Smaller than the first, but better than nothing, I guess!"

Bayonetta could certainly agree, but she could feel something was amiss; her frown could certainly tell.

"Yet, I swore this took way shorter than when I last toured here." Bayonetta remarked in amusement; fresh from giving the angels a good whack – a common occurrence in Vigrid.

"It must be Chris's despair and hatred growing significantly stronger by the minute..." Umi frowned as she looked upon Antonio's Guidebook. "Since Vigrid under Erida and Chris's control, its topographical locations had been relocated compared to what Mr Antonio had drawn...no wonder it seems longer than it should!"

"To think that it would be so bad as to shift even the continent's tectonic plates itself..." Eli frowned in concern.

"Let's take a look around then, stay alert, everyone!" Luka nodded.

Crescendo: Valley of Broken Dreams

"Wait a tic...this airbase seemed a lot less chatty for starters." Bayonetta spoke with amusement.

The town seemed barren; cold and shrivelled, a characteristic seen in almost every part of Vigrid the team had ventured in.

Winds howling their lament over the skies, clouds covered the once radiant skies once more, and floor is nothing but cold, bloodied snow.

"Looks like the citizens of Crescendo got the axe nya..." Rin frowned in concern.

"When you have a town that's named Crescendo..." Maki sighed. "Probably got destroyed in the heat of Chris's massive tectonic reshuffling via Erida's partnership..."

"And to think she roped Alito into all of this..." Rin frowned calmly as she observed the dried blood splatters across the ruined 'battlefield', for a lack of a better word. "I just...can't...nya."

"You don't have to; the same way Balder and I can agree with Loptr that humans might be arseholes at times, but that doesn't mean we can condone the God of Evil's action." Bayonetta nodded.

"Motives understandable; actions unconscionable." Hanayo agreed; the rest nodded in agreement.

"Let's be careful while venturing the Paradiso connected to this area; we've come too far to back off now!" Honoka declared.

"Right!"

Deep inside the mazy part of Paradiso – Sea of Stars...

"Nyaaaa..." Rin coughed and winced as she attempted to disperse the misty air by her Benzai-ten's Spark and Flames. "Don't tell me this is another of Chris's trick to trip us off..."

Despite the massive mist, the cat-like lady managed to burst out of the mist with breath to spare, much to her relief.

"Hanayo, are you alright? Hanayo..." Rin turned her head, expecting her lover to be out of the misty mess...

None whatsoever.

In fact, NONE of the people had followed her out of the mist!

"Kayochin? Kayochin?! Honoka-nya? Umi-nya? Where are you all?!" Rin panicked.

Rin attempted to trace her step back to and fro the mist, but to no avail...

"Calm down...Rin...just think...think dammit!" Rin shook her head as she sweated profusely. "Maybe might just be one of Chris's hoollaboo; Kayochin and co must be as eager to find me as I am trying to find them! I will keep looking!"

True enough, as she trudged on ahead for ten minutes on end, her wish had come true...

"Rin! We're here!"

"That voice...Honoka!" Rin heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness!"

Sure enough, Honoka and co. we're waiting for the cat-like lady at the end of the misty fog; Hanayo heaved a sigh of relief as she outwardly hugged Rin with all her might.

Rin purred, blushed and smiled in a girly fashion as she caught a glance at the rest of the team members; a strange sense of unfamiliarity hit her however.

For what she saw was the rest of the team looking at her with smirks across their faces…

Some might even say that it was…disdainful.

Rin shook her head; nah, she must have been seeing things, she thought!

A flash of light burst forth as she opened up her eyes and saw just normal smiles from the members...

Nothing fancy there, she thought as she heaved a sigh of relief after rubbing her eyes a few times.

"Are you alright, Rin?" Eli wondered.

"N...no, nothing! Eheheheh..." Rin laughed sheepishly. 'I just thought I've seen something unsettling, you know?"

"Really? Is there something on our faces, say?" Maki wondered.

"Are you alright, Rin?" Hanayo wondered in concern.

"I'm alright, Kayochin!" Rin grinned as her eyes met Hanayo's usual hazel eyes...

Only to see Hanayo's discomforting frown and a sense that she was...not happy.

Rin rubbed her eyes once more and shook her head, only to see Hanayo's puzzled look.

"Nhhhh..." Rin shook her head with slight discomfort.

"Rin? Are you really okay? You seemed to look pale..." Hanayo wondered.

"Y...yeah!" Rin chuckled softly. "It must be a bit exhausting after having to find my way out of this mist..."

"Well the mist did indeed threw us in a loop back there, we better seek out shelter before this Paradiso mist come to pass; should be soon enough, I guess." Nico suggested.

"But what about Bayonetta and Jeanne?" Rin wondered.

"They should be arriving soon; besides, there's nothing else in this land except for that castle right in front of us, they would arrive sooner or later." Eli nodded softly.

"What're we waiting for then? Let's get through this Sea of Stars and head on with our journey! Those two Umbrans might be waiting for us, nya!"

Rin then charged on forth, relieved that her friends were waiting on for her on their journey...

Right in front of a fancy-looking castle with frosted glass...

A castle most fabled...with princesses of yore.

Chapter 25.1: Bury me Alive, Rin! Rin's Metamorphosis!

Trees surrounded the castle like terracotta soldiers defending what was left of their precious landmarks upon their sacred lands in their last stand; their armoured trunks reached out into the air, caressing the breeze as some leaves were blown away by the grace of it all.

One look and people would understood why; it was as if the trees of Paradiso – or at least what was left - were...alive.

Paradiso was always seen as weird, and bizarre; one time there could be waterfalls, the other could be just a Sea of Stars upon a Graveyard of Memories...such was the angel-filed 'Paradise'.

The castle looked nothing like the ancient, crusted structures seen by most, no.

It was exactly what most people would have envisioned in Japanese fairy tales – white and sparking with pagoda-looking rooftops arching ever so beautifully.

Light gleamed and sparkled upon the white, opulent marbles built upon its majestic walls; brightly coloured flags stood out tall and proud atop of each blue, cone-shaped towers; cute looking windows decorated upon its walls while sparkling an almost warm – yet elegant – glow that struck upon Rin's heart.

Surrounding its simple – yet mesmerizing - premise, a lush vegetation with plentiful supplies of water flowing across the angelic-looking rivers.

Needless to say, she was captivated.

"Wow...a castle?" Rin's gasped.

"Looks like the Himeji Castle to me!" Umi nodded along.

"You mean the castle that was highly thought to be 'fairy tale'-like?" Honoka wondered.

"Yeah! I mean, just look at that!" Eli agreed.

"It certainly looks like a place where a cute princess would certainly love to stay in, especially during the Edo Period!" Nozomi chuckled.

"But is it necessary to go through?" Umi wondered. "I mean...we have Route 666 to go through..."

"There seems to be nowhere else to go, though..." Rin wondered as she looked around her; the only place around her was forested areas and the mist from way back, while the castle was right ahead.

"Maybe there should be an exit in this castle if we explore hard enough, besides, what harm is there for a little explorative trip, eh?" Honoka suggested with glee. "There might even be some cute stuff for us see and appreciate while we're at it; tis the stuff that princesses would dream of!"

"Yeah, certainly, especially for that one particular member who would absolutely love cute things since the fashion fiesta years ago!" Nozomi chuckled.

Rin's eyes perked up, she knew Nozomi was talking about her and her newfound appreciation of femininity during the 'Love Wing Bell' Live; it was Rin's proudest achievement, and still was now.

Despite that, however, Rin could pick up a soft hint of sarcasm inside Nozomi's statements.

Not the fun kind of sarcastic; Nozomi would occasionally made that just to lighten up the atmosphere, just like Maki's deadpan at times.

No not that...

It was sarcasm that actually carried a bit of sting, if only Rin swore sheheard a small grunt on Nozomi's end.

Or was she thinking too much?

Maybe the mist was affecting her a bit.

"Oh Nozomi, don't make fun of Rin's likings now would you?" Umi sighed. "We need to find the exit if we have to stand a chance of even going to Ithavoll!"

"Ah, my bad." Nozomi chuckled. "Let's."

Rin's cheerfulness perked her up as she chuckled along.

"Mm!" Rin agreed.

"Mayhaps should I ask first and not be judgmental later, but who are you guests and what are you doing in my humble castle...?"

Rin broke her train of thought before wondering any further as the rest turned their backs along, setting their sights upon a rather peculiar figure...

The figure standing right in front of them had wore a beautiful dapper with its behind splitting into two down her slender legs, with a small mini hat atop of the figure's head; said figure also wore a monocle and looked extremely confident.

The rest were held captivated by the figure's appearance, but most of all...Rin.

Not because of the figure's sudden appearance, no...

What else, if only because the figure looks nearly like...Rin.

A darker shade of orange for her hair,

"Woah there..." Honoka wondered. "That was...sudden!"

"Honoka! Couldn't you show some respect?" Umi chided.

"It's alright, dear." The figure simpered.

"We're terribly sorry if we snuck up on your castle, missus." Umi bowed down and apologized. "But we are finding our way out of this castle, seeing as it apparently is a one way route; no other ways around it..."

"Hmmmm...no offence taken." The figure nodded. "But as with first appearances, I would appreciate it if I can get to know your names...no matter how short our interactions might be thereafter."

After both A-RISE and Muse's members introduced themselves, only Rin remained somewhat speechless, still dazzled by the Miss.

"Rin? Rin? Are you okay there?" Honoka snapped her fingers.

"Huh? Uh? Oh!" Rin gasped and laughed sheepishly after. "Sorry, sorry! I'm just surprised that...that someone actually had nearly the same appearance as I am...it's just surreal! My name's Rin Hoshizora!"

"No offence; I am not surprised about people being attracted to my appearance since the days of yore..." The figure shook her head. "It would seem we share the same name, at least..."

"What?!" The rest shot out.

"My name, coincidentally...is also called Rin. In a different meaning, of course." The Miss answered. "While your friend over here means 'Bright Starry Skies' - hence 'Rin Hoshizora', I am Rin Hoshiko, as in..."

Her eyes then glowed with a tint of soft blue light; her voice turned grave.

"A Cold Star – like a Black Dwarf upon the nothingness of the Solar System."

It doesn't take Rin enough seconds to know what the other Rin meant, book dumb as she might be in the past...

A dead star.

Someone that looked so eerily like her...

Someone that represented her early self – wearing 'boyish' clothing – a tuxedo in this instance...

Having nearly the same 'boyish looks' as Rin herself...

But someone that looked...dead cold.

Emotionally cold.

Coincidence?

"I suppose you are all wondering about the exit of my humble castle situated in the Sea of Stars, am I right?" Rin Hoshiko wondered.

"Y...yes." Rin nodded, as with the rest.

The other Rin nodded.

"The Sea of Stars is indeed a huge place, after all...so I am not surprised that you landed yourself in one of the many starting points in said area." She remarked. "It's bad luck that you all ended up in the former, but have no fear. I can show you the way; this way...please.".

As the team explored deep inside the castle, the team caught on to a giant living room that had a giant golden chandelier hanging atop the ceiling, complete with beautifully crafted carpets, and traditional Japanese paintings depicting feminine beauty.

Corridors filled with wall paintings of cherry blossoms branched on forth from the main hallways, stairs connecting to other rooms, and several simple – yet beautiful – sliding doors leading to other places.

Sakura flowers danced along the winds of Paradiso and gently frolicked their way in, exuding a sense of feminine beauty that Rin could have sworn rose out of her; her smile became a lot more demure as she brought her right hand close to her chest.

"A…amazing…" Rin was struck by the beauty of it all and blushed lightly while her eyes sparkled with awe.

"Gotta say, this does certainly queenly up in here." Tsubasa nodded softly. "But why Paradiso, of all places?"

"Because of its beauty?" Rin Hoshizora wondered.

"Nonsense." the Hoshika Queen frowned. "We, the Hoshikas, have prided ourselves in Angel-slaying for more than three generations, facing danger as if it's our last. Besides…you wouldn't really think that the Umbran Witches and their Infernal Demons – of whom they made pacts with – were the only anti-angelic forces at hand now, yes?"

"But you all are – technically speaking – humans like us, nya." Rin Hoshizora wondered.

"Hmph...was expecting you to say that. You didn't think that Antonio Redgrave would be the only one researching about the fullest extents of the Hierachy of Laguna, ain't it?" the Hoshika Queen replied calmly.

Rin wondered. "I thought no one would believe you, like how nearly no one believed Antonio…"

Rin Hoshiko frowned. "Are you sure? I beg to differ; as long as angels keep on coming..."

Blood knights, Rin Hoshizora thought.

"I take it that you all are also slayers of those angels, am I correct?" Ri Hoshika wondered.

"Of course, nya!" Rin's eyes lit up as the rest nodded along. "We're helping Bayonetta and Jeanne get to Ithavoll so that we can knock a whole lot of sense into Chris's head!"

"Interesting...it wouldn't be a problem to have people who are willing to help out in slaying those corrupted abominations." The Hoshika Queen grunted softly. "But question me this, Rin...is this the way you are supposed to dress up? To meet up with those angels that you're going to slay?"

"Aie?!" Rin wondered. Why the sudden dive into this topic?

"Do you think...other angel slayers...or other adventurers would believe you to be an adventurer, dressing like this?" Rin Hoshika frowned calmly.

"Well..." Rin blushed softly despite her initial shock. "I gradually loved it...My friends, they are the ones who gave me the confidence to be me – Honoka, Kotori, Umi, Eli, Nozomi, Nico, Maki, Alito-sempai, and even Kayochin, they helped me feel more comfortable about myself, my 'girliness'…"

"Even if other people teased you?" Rin Hoshika frowned.

"Yes!" Rin nodded readily and grinned. "Wouldn't wore a lot of skirts for years on now if all I expected was people wailing on me dressing wrongly, aie?"

"Hmph..." Rin Hoshika snarled calmly; Rin Hoshizora could see that the other Rin was not very satisfied.

But then again, she could never please anyone, right?

The team entered a great ballroom that had a large chandelier upon its ceiling.

Two grand staircases arched beautifully from the second floor down; beautifully, red satin curtains flowing beautifully upon the angelic winds, spreading its angelic dusts as the ray of light hit them squarely, unleashing their sparkling luminance for all to see.

Rin's eyes widened in awe; never had she saw anything such grandiose display since visiting the 'hotel that had the biggest chandelier' back in New York years ago.

"Wow…such a majestic chandelier! 's just like the ones we have seen in New York!" Honoka widened her eyes in shock.

"Of course it is, nya!" Rin nodded readily as she skipped and danced gracefully in the middle of the great ballroom like a beautiful dancer.

"Imagine this, nya, a perfect place for me and Kayochin to dance on, with our costumes at the ready, dancing with the sonorous beat of ambient music – maybe even an ambient version of Love Wing Bell, even!" Rin squealed.

"Rin, you're…you're really into this, ain't you?" Hanayo simpered while blushing softly.

"Eheheheh…it's all thanks to you all that made me embraced who I really am…my charms…you know?" Rin blushed happily.

"Eh…it's still looked like a bit sugary…bit too cliche?" Nico shrugged.

Rin caught on to it fairly quickly; surely her fellow members wouldn't dare to do this, right?

She turned to look at both Honoka and Hanayo, only to catch a brief glimpse of both Honoka and Hanayo's smile being twisted into something…sinister…

As if they were snarling, expressing disapproval, if only for just that brief glimpse of a second…

It could not be a coincidence, ain't it? To have that glimpse for even just a split second, and for a second time already?

Besides was not the Hoshika Queen's intentions to not approve of things...beautiful?

"Then why do you still have this kind of room?" Rin wondered.

"They are just a symbol of royalty; a means to show our superiority, power, and rich history." the Hoshika Queen grunted. "I don't recall our facilities having the word 'beauty' or ''femininity' in mind when building our palace."

Rin Hoshika sighed deeply and gave a grunt of disapproval.

"Or at least...before our family moved on to become angel slayers on the pedigree like the Umbras." The Hoshika Queen continued.

"Why?" Rin wondered.

"You sure are inquisitive...are you sure you want curiosity to get the better of you? You wouldn't like it if I told you."

Rin shook her head, bringing only small – yet disdainful – glance from Rin Hoshika.

"Truth is, I know about you all...then again it isn't that surprising that your famous voices have been heard even through the echelons of heavens' eardrums themselves." Rin Hoshika explained. "What I'm pointing out is that...I have the same complex as you in the past...Rin."

"Oh?" Rin Hoshizora gasped lightly.

"Really? That's a coincidence!" Tsubasa shot out. "You're speaking as if you know every tomboys have ever went through a complex in their lives."

"Are you that surprised?" Rin Hoshika wondered. "A tomboy couldn't have possibly been comfortable with themselves from the word go...no; despite people claiming otherwise, there would be reasons for tomboys themselves to conform towards their initial getup."

"As in to say...you have the same past as I do?" Rin realised what the Hoshika Queen was hinting at.

The Fallen Star nodded.

"You aren't the only one that has a complex in mind, Rin, especially when Tomboys are generally inflicted with a 'curse' that they will never be able to exude their 'feminine' charms." Rn Hoshika nodded.

"I was once like you...a feisty tomboy, but teased for my 'manliness' and my 'boyish' features despite I, a female, born into this world." she continued. "Though my parents would not mind...I care much for the Hoshika's fame in slaying corrupted beings from the days of yore. I want them to take me seriously, and not forever tease me, or my parents who gave birth to me."

Rin Hoshika grunted, then continued.

"I, too, like you, had always wanted to express myself as a genuine female to my peers whom I've met, and will meet, in the future. I thought that if I genuinely become cute, girly, and just be myself...that the people would take the Hoshika seriously – that people would think that we take pride in just being ourselves and respecting our individuality. But the constant teasing placed my attempts to become more feminine – being myself – on hold many a times..." the Hoshika Queen shook her head.

"So somehow...your friends, and your parents encouraged you to try out new stuffs to make you cute, to make you be more in line with yourself despite the cliché contrary, right?" Rin Hoshizora wondered.

"That's right..." Rin Hoshika replied calmly. "You'd think that would be enough...to make myself more comfortable...to make myself accepted into the realms of society better...but no. Those teasing bastards instead lamented that they missed the old me, despite people saying that they appreciate my looks. What is even worse is that they are what people called themselves 'feminists' that instantly judged my outfit as being too pandering to male's titillating fantasies or whathaveyou, that I'm not strong enough, that I am just doing it for the sake of pandering to the bases!"

"Again...they never take the Hoshika that seriously despite my new 'me' – being my feminine self; I changed back...changed back to what I am in hopes that maybe they would take me seriously once again...but no, the teasing still go on for days on end...it's either one way or another – a situation in which I cam never win!"

"But shouldn't you just not care for them? Just be what you love expressing yourself, your femininity, just be yourself!" Rin rebutted.

"You'd think that would be easy...but sometimes it ain't just enough anymore..." the Hoshika Queen grunted. "And that realisation came when those bunch of bullies just continued teasing my boyish appearance as routine...until..."

The Hoshika Queen walked the the entire team to a dark room where she snapped her fingers and revealed a room filled with things that shocked Rin to the very core.

Spines and skulls.

It did not took Rin long enough to put two and two together.

"You...killed them for just those teases?" Rin stammered.

"Tease? Just a tease?!" Rin Hoshika flared up, her voice rose to a prideful mix of anger and calm. "It's more than that, girl...more than that! It's a matter of pride, honor, being capable of taken seriously! Those teasers, nightmares upon them using torturous ways to break me over; those feminazis, claiming to want to correct me and rid me from th faces of the Earth to set an example out of me! It burns...so damn...much."

"It is from that moment that I knew what had to be done." Rin Hoshika's right eyes glowed a deep and dark red. "Deterrence – if they do not care about me for one bit, nor take me seriously – for better or for worse – then I will show them how we work! By gaining more power, I not only will be able to protect my family, but I can preserve my honor, and see that those naysayers meet their makers!"

"Wont your parents have any say in this, nya?" Rin Hoshizora frowned softly.

"I scare them long and hard enough for them to reconsider ever taking the Hoshikas lightly ever again." Rin Hoshika dismissed. "My parents were in fact proud of me that I'm able to be independent – to take things into my own hands to prevent others from looking down on me."

"But...that's just...straight up slaughter!" Rin frowned.

"You call it slaughter? I call it deterrence!" The Hoshika Queen shot back. "I will do any means to make the Hoshikas be taken as seriously as possible..."

"Beauty, you say? What is there beautiful about life anyway? Aside being only for people to go 'ooh and ahhs' in a very childish, immature fashion. They just sparkle away, eventually dissipating into nothing more than just dust!" the Hoshika Queen continued coldly. "Now royalty, power, being capable of being a manly stature despite their genders…that is how people can be taken seriously – to be a threat to the Hierachy of Laguna!"

"Brave words from a brave warrior!" Nozomi grinned. "I kinda liked wthat!"

"Quite headlong, but...you know, at least you ain't a coward with your style!" Maki nodded along.

"Calm down, nya…That's not what they would express in the first place, right?" Rin thought.

"Why're you that worried, Rin?" Hanayo wondered.

"It's not that, Kayochin..." Rin shook her head. "I believe that everyone have a chance to express themselves in whatever ways they want, as long as they feel comfortable about who they are – like how I wanted to express my feminine side."

"But to be honest...being a tomboy isn't that really bad." Honoka wondered.

"True...you get more friends...people respect you more, and you look cool – like you are before!" Kotori nodded.

"It's not just about me being a tomboy and all, Kotori..." Rin shook her head. "I love being a tomboy, don't get me wrong, but I also wish to try out cutesy outfits, and even graceful dresses that suits me well...because that what I truly wanted to – I feel just as comfortable in skirts and dresses as I do shorts and jeans made for tomboyish girls!"

"Urk...disgusting..." Rin Hoshika cringed. "You and your ways of having people taking you seriously will just never work! They will just keep teasing you till the end of time! Or worse, even make fatal enemies like I did!"

"I doubt it!" Rin frowned. "I respect your ways of expressing yourself, but you are pushing your opinions to others...that's a huge no-no!"

"Fine...since you love to have it your way...follow me!"

Rin Hoshika led the rest – Rin included – to a room filled with clothes of many varying flavors...

"We will see what your friend thinks about how you and I look upon the stage, then!" The Hoshika Queen declared as she waved her right hand and revealed a white, frilly dress that Rin knew all too well...

The Love Wing Bell Dress!

"Wait...what? How is it...even possible?" Rin thought.

"How about this, why don't you wear this frilly trash for me, while I go with my ace...and then we will see who your friends value the most?" Rin Hoshika snarled. "Or are you not as brave as the other angel slayers proclaimed you to be?"

It did not make any sense at all; the Love Wing Bell outfit was actually one of a kind!

How was it possible that another could be replicated, especially when it was blatantly mentioned during the fashion event that it was an Unica?

That...and so many things didn't make sense...

Why would her friends turn on her and even snark at her all of a sudden? Not in a kind of 'friends' way, but snarks that actually not in character?

Why are everyone acting all out of character all of a sudden?

It does not make sense...

There was no mistaking it; their words were filled with stinging, unadulterated hate!

Makes no sense, no sense it makes for them to suddenly lash out like sore losers!

It was as if someone out there wanted her back…by breaking her mind!

Wait…

...

Wait!

Rin calmed down, took a deep breath, pondered for a moment, then nodded, surprising the Queen herself.

"So you're willing to believe in your own bull…wouldn't you? We will bring that masturbatory fantasy of yours down to size, then!" the Hoshika Queen frowned.

Rin remained silent, remembering all the times she spent with her friends, Alito, Jeanne, Bayonetta, and most of all...Hanayo.

"I know that you are very cute wearing upon this dress...no, not just cute...it's actually very...very beautiful!"

Hanayo's tears of joy when she grabbed Rin's hands and confessed her love for the 'catgirl' was evident enough.

A voice filled with sincerity; as if to say that she was proud of Rin herself.

Proud...that Rin was willing to take the very first step; late than never!

Rin's eyes glowed fiercely with determination as she nodded readily and grinned.

"Oh yeah? Don't count your chickens before they hatch!"

Inside the dressing room...

With the rest of Muse and A-RISE waiting outside of the hall for the show off, Rin took a deep breath as she stood face t face with the Love Wing Bell Dress...

Not thinking about the possible effect of what her friends would think of that...no...

"To think that it would have gotten to such an extent...huh?" Rin sighed softly. "Do you really still treat me as a complete dense person?"

Silence...

"Maybe sometimes in life...we really do have to make a choice..." Rin nodded softly. "You aren't the person I once know...or even at least appreciated, or respect despite your sometimes controversial ways..."

...

Sometimes in life...you have to make decisions...

Rin heard a soft voice out of thin air; shaking her head, she looked around her.

"Who? Who's that?"

The soft jingles and flutters upon the wind carried forth another response.

"Do not worry about who we are for now, Rin Hoshizora, nor do you need to know why we know your name..."

"Rin, we know that you are worried about the situation at hand...but even you admit that it has gotten too far yourself beforehand, yes?"

Rin nodded and sighed..

"Of course!" Rin answered, softening to a forlorn look soon after. "But even still...I can't believe that grief had made her into such a vengeful, selfish person...That same person whom we once respected and even treasured...gone rogue..."

"Grief is indeed an addiction, a gateway into corrupted powers unlike anything ever before; beware a person who has nothing to lose, for he has everything to gain."

"But thinking back..." Rin's forlorn slowly brightened up to that of optimism...

Flashes of the good memories coursed through her mind...

Be it the time when Rin, Hanayo, and Maki decided to join in Muse...

Be it helping to persuade Eli that she need not be alone anymore despite her once failing dreams...

Bonding time upon the beach...

Charging head on into every challenge despite nearly causing a huge hoo-hah, like the first Love Live incident...

Standing on strong despite the risk of Muse disbanding after the first Love Live failure...

Standing on strong despite A-RISE's strong support...

Being able to gain support from both rivals, allies, her closest friends...and even Hanayo, as she stepped out and be more comfortable with her feminine side...

To go through the ups and downs; the success and failures; the cheers and tears; their fire-forged friendship – and her love for Hanayo since young – was something that a simple mind trick would never undo...

No...it would simply be too impossible for her friends to be too out of character!

Rin clenched her fists in determination; about time she also realised that for as much benefit that "she" had given them, Alito, Bayonetta, and Jeanne could give them that, and even more without hurting anyone's lives to the max!

About time that Rin herself would have to understand that "she" needed to be put out of her painful misery before she could hurt even more loved ones...

For as much sympathy as she could have for 'her', that 'her' had crossed the line...

Rin's eyes glowed and glittered with determination; her spirit filled up with encouragement from the bonds she withheld...

It's time...

Hall area

Minutes passed since; both Rins met each other upon the starlit stage, their sights set upon each other; one of determination, and another of disgust and contempt.

Rin Hoshika wore a silvery armor with ornate engravings, scaly gauntlets and greaves, and a horned helm; as if a warrior – no matter male or female – was set out for war.

The armor, however, had a sinister tone – horned skulls upon the Hoshika Queen's shoulders as pauldrons and spaulders; numerous platings and scales made up the main body of her armor; her arms had giant blade-cum-wing-like extensions so long that it bypass her head, and a helm that would scare the soul out of anyone foolish enough to insult said wearer for being too 'girly'.

Its entire armor set emitted an aura so chilling, the entire corridor; stage area, and even the curtains had ice crystals frosting upon every surfaces with each and every step she took...

"To think that 'HER' aura would have succumb to so much grief, hatred, and sorrow..." Rin Hoshizora sighed softly.

"Ready to lose that popularity that you once held by your side; to face that which you perceived as, 'your reality'?" Rin Hoshika frowned solemnly. "To be hammered by your once beloved friends...'opinions'?"

"You gotta do better than just insulting me if you think it's gonna bring me down like a stack of Jenga Blocks!" Rin Hoshizora defended with a glint upon her eyes. "I'm ready!"

Rin Hoshika materialised a giant scythe with a huge bulging crimson eye of demonic origin upon its hilt; Rin Hoshizora widened her eyes in slight shock, but managed to collect herself.

"Undoubtedly...it looks like the scythe she would use..."

"Well then...raise the curtains!"

Rin Hoshika commanded; the curtains rose for the audiences – Muse and A-RISE – to see.

Gasps filled both Muse and A-RISE as they gazed upon the contrasting beauties both Rins had exhibited upon the stage...

One of pure, feminine beauty, exuding frilliness, cuteness, but also a sense of maturity.

And another, dark yet vibrant; intimidating yet strong; oozing with command, authority, power, and dominance emanating upon the very clothing - a message that she who wore said costume should not be trifled with...

Rin Hoshizora knew she could be proud of her own willingness to dabble upon her 'new' self ever since the Love Wing Bell incident.

Not for others, though.

"I think we can all agree that the Hoshika Queen's outfit is really something else!" Honoka's eyes gleamed.

"Again, there's this sense of exuberance and dominance upon that wearing...far better than the frilliness upon Hoshizora's clothing." Umi nodded.

"I don't think I would ever take Rin seriously if she wants to make a statement of wanting to change..." Hanayo, of all people, followed along.

"I really can't believe that you would even learn to appreciate this frilly outfit, Rin Hoshizora...I would actually call this my old shame...sadly." Kotori sighed. "It isn't even good at all; it's just too childish and girly!"

"How are Muse gonna be taken seriously, you ask me?" Nico questioned. "The Hoshika Queen at least dressed herself for the occasion more than you could in a dozen times we can be together ever since that frilly, girly concert!"

"If it is too girly, people will be thinking we will just be nothing but moeblobs all around; we will never be taken seriously, or we would even be subjected to death threats all around – remember what Chris had shown us about the girl's death in the hands of her father due to her liking of a K-Pop Band?" Eli sighed.

Nozomi took out a tarot card for RIn Hoshizora – a Tower.

"Might seem as if you have grace, but soon your fall might be absolute because of your frilliness and femininity – this world doesn't seem to accept it very well because they would never be taken seriously, thinking that it's 'too girly, sissy, and even too diabetic'. The Hoshika Queen at least managed to be intimidating and be manly enough to set her haters in her place – proving vital in the top of her food chain! You can't be too soft, Rin, or you will just be at the bottom, and we would not be able to help you if that time comes!"

This was it...

It did not make any sense at all...

This was just way out of character; they wouldn't even be that directly insulting her to begin with!

They could never say things like that without a huge dose of regret – Umi had learn her lesson after all...

To say insults, right now, with no regrets whatsoever?

That was not speaking their own mind...

That was just outright malice!

A malice...born of grief, sorrow, rage, and a large helping of HATE...

Rin Hoshizora took a deep breath and maintained her cool; her eyes remained as demure as ever despite the huge setback.

"Didn't you said that you supported my willingness to try something new – being a new me?" Rin wondered.

"In the same way eating too much yoghurt can be harmful to your health; not every new things would necessarily have a good upcoming if you can use your dumb brain and think!" Nico snarled.

"Has cuteness really clouded your brain to just jelly?" Maki sighed.

"Rin...I know you love to be enthusiastic and all, but an infection can hurting and way too detrimental to us Team Muse...We didn't speak up just because we don't want this to be blown out of proportion, and because I think of you...Yet even I think that you are getting way too egotistical, bratty, childish, ignorant, and just...plain horrid for indirectly causing Team Muse to disband by dragging us into the fray and join your 'effervescent thoughts', inevitably causing us to not be taken seriously as idols and eventually disband!" Hanayo shot out along in a huff.

Rin shook her head and closed her eyes as she gathered herself for calm; to think that SHE would be too deep down in grief and lash out at Rin herself...just for what Muse and Alito and the Umbran Witches perceived 'coming of age'...

People might accused her of being a sore loser, but Rin herself knew better – just like the team themselves – that what Rin Hoshika and Muse's members retorts matched a certain maiden who so desperately wanted to have Muse back...

"Now you see what I mean? They all are expressing their inner thoughts about what they think of you in general! You try to step out of your comfort zone, thinking that you will be praised, be accepted, and even be taken seriously for trying to be feminine, but all you get is absolute abject misery – you get NOTHING! In a world where you will be judged by the haters in general as being too girly and not be taken seriously, the only way to establish yourself is through power and DOMINATION!" the Hoshika Queen bellowed.

"You think so? Do you really think that my friends, and even my Hanayo, would react this way?" Rin smiled with confidence radiating her entire being. "There is a supposed reason why all of this even happened in the first place!"

"What? Don't try to even deny your placing in this cruel world, Rin!" the Hoshika Queen snarled. "You will never be able to gain the approval and be even taken seriously at all! You are a stubborn fool and will not admit defeat – that your flaws of being girly is what hindered your TRUE potential!"

"How is it that my friends suddenly go so bonkers over my own decisions when they CLEARLY supported me well and truly during the fashion event years ago? How is it that each and every one of my friends suddenly become so negative, snarky, and even out of character towards me for no apparent reason other than what you said – that I have no pride of being manly or being taken seriously, huh? It's almost as if a certain SOMEONE shares exactly the same thought before!" Rin Hoshizora remarked with great gusto as with every step she took forced the Hoshika Queen to take a stride back.

"That's...because they are trying to make you happy! But my appearance managed to convince them otherwise – they are telling you how they are really feeling, right here, right now!" Rin Hoshika snarled back, albeit with tinges of disbelief at the Hoshizora's defiance.

Knowing Rin Hoshika's disbelief upon her voice despite her rebuttal, Rin Hoshizora stepped forward even more - her confident and defiant smile lit up the darkness despite the odds.

"And how is it, that of all the coincidence I have encountered here, do I meet someone who just so happened to name after what I am, except that it's a darker variation of my name, and even you looking just like me to boot!"

Rin Hoshika stepped behind several strides while shaking her head – it was much clear that composure had became nothing more than just an absolute afterthought.

"I would never believe it, really...that even with all those grief, sorrow, and anger infecting you, that you would twist how my friends perceived me as by your own miasma...Chris-sensei!"

The jig was up...

Rin Hoshika trembled with absolute fury as unleashed a giant shockwave and roar, destroying the entire palace in one fell swoop, revealing a ruined battlefield of what was used to be a grandeur castle for princesses...

The illusionary clones that was the other Muse's members dissipated like sands towards the strong, cold currents; howling winds tore through and burst through the fields in relentless ferocity as its ice crystals and frost began freezing its surroundings; icicle crystals and obelisks began erupting all around what remained of the smouldered palace and tearing every walls and structure into a pile of mess...

The one and only Rin shielded her eyes away from the huge dusty blasts as she caught a glimpse – and eventually her entire being – of the sorrowful maiden herself…

"So…you really have shown yourself…at long last…" Rin sighed. "I know that Bayonetta, Jeanne, and Alito have told me about you; the recordings or Paradiso from the Graveyard of Memories portrayed you as such…but nothing worse than what you're now…"

"So why...why, Rin? Why do you betray me?" The voice echoed. "All I am just doing is protecting you! Protecting you from those...those feminazis!"

Rin looked up and frowned as she clenched her fists and materialised her Benzaiten Katars; a figure that looked eerily similar to Chris revealed herself amidst the rubble and destruction from the battlefield – her face revealed that of disbelief and anger...

"Her phantom - there's no way that she would reveal herself that easily after the injuries she had suffered recently." Rin thought.

"Am I?" Rin questioned, her stance straightened, her frown solemn; she knew when to drop that 'genki' side of hers. "

"All I am trying to do is to prevent hate crimes from getting into you! They are the real monsters; I don't want you to die, so why can't you just understand for fucking once in your book dumb lifetime?!" Chris bellowed.

"And to prevent those hate crimes from happening you give into your hate yourself just to 'teach them a lesson'? Essentially becoming what you have sworn to fight against – irrational hatred and paranoia caused by the idol culture haters and your so-called 'feminazis'?"

"It's a necessary compromise if it means saving you from certain doom!" Chris declared defiantly.

Rin Hoshizora looked upon the pile of corpses strewn and stacked in many different places, shook her head, and replied…

"Maybe you're right; sure...death is hard to swallow...and grievous even. It's not like we don't understand how you feel! Heck, even I was nervous too when people not just began to tease me about my girly appearance despite the overall positivity by fans, but also read news that some extreme feminists go so far as to 'disagree and even outright brutally injure anything that seems girly' because it seems as if those stuff are inferior and pandering to man, I get it!" Rin shot back.

"Then join me!" Chris declared. "Think about it, we could have used our powers to create an empire where you would be glorified, where everyone would praise you, needed you, and would never, EVER, want you dead!"

"But you know what?" Rin frowned, stopping Chris dead in her gloating; the Icy Maiden's expression that of utter gobsmacked disbelief...

*Flashes back to an injured Alito smiling sadly as she softly cupped Rin's cheek as both Maki and Hanayo helped the Maiden of Wind up.*

"I feel very happy about expressing my own feminine charm – my 'girliness' - in front of other people, and even towards my friends!" Rin explained. "They are proud of me, because I am proud of myself of who I really am – a woman who's able to embrace myself, and just...just be me!"

"But...but what about the others? The negatives? They will get you!"

*Flashes back to Bayonetta dominating against the angels*

"And also how even if I am just a woman...just myself...it doesn't matter what kind of things I like – others might look at me with scornful eyes, weird looks, or even other colourful expressions or whathaveyou, but I know that in the end of the day – I am still me – the bright star that will bring forth joy to everyone by my own unique traits! There should only be one me!" Rin grinned.

"For I am Rin Hoshizora, the girly tomboy who will bring a smile to everyone's heart, like the sun that shone upon the very skies, nyaaaa!"

For Chris...that was the limit – her tolerance broke...

"IDEALS, YOUR OWN DREAMS, WHAT A LIE! WHAT A FUCKING LIE! I TRIED TO HELP YOU, I TRIED TO PROTECT YOU – ALL OF YOU! I WILL TAKE YOU BACK BY FORCE; EVEN IF IT MEANS HAVING YOUR ENTIRE BODY DESTROYED WITH NOTHING LEFT EXCEPT THE VERY INCH OF YOUR RENDERED SOUL!"

"ABSOLUTE ZERO FORMULA: DESPAIR HORIZON – PARADISE LOST!"

Chris's phantom flared up as her aura unleashed a titanic cold wave sweeping across the ruined battlefield, threatening to blow the determined Rin away with every bit of her sorrow and hatred...

Rin gritted her teeth as she attempted to course through the icy cold wave and electrical surge that Chris unleashed...but to no avail...

The overwhelming storm, soon to tore her to shred – to be buried beneath a maiden's sorrow, hate, and utter disregard to life and selfishness...

But Rin soon felt nothing blasting her entire being apart...

In fact, the giant torrential wave of ice blasting across the field was nowhere to be felt, nor seen...

Rin quickly opened her eyes, but soon found herself in a glittering, dreamy field filled with glittering stars forming around as a stage.

"I am not dead…am I?" Rin looked around her surroundings, puzzled as to what was going on.

"Of course you aren't, Rin Hoshizora."

Hearing the soft and gentle voice soothing her nerves, Rin turned around just in time to see three alluring women standing side by side.

The left woman donned a silky white robe-like dress that was usually seen in Chinese history of past, or at least that was what Rin recognized - Hanayo taught her about history before.

The other wore a deep purple kimono with golden ornaments, necklaces, a golden medallion, and a large golden crown; her eyes shone with a divine glow as her mature look stunned Rin in awe.

And upon the centre of it all materialized a graceful, demure woman wearing an aquamarine dress whose cloth flowed down like he seamless water rushing down from atop the waterfall. She had two pair of hands, two of which held a Biwa, one hand held a simple blue fan, and the last hand held a soft, glowing lotus.

The centre woman also wore a Jade crown with six jeweled hair clips – three on each side – in the shape of butterflies.

In fact all the three women figures had something in common – the butterflies theme...

The symbol of metamorphosis.

Of change.

Rin gasped at once upon realizing the jewels in her Katars reacting by giving off a pulsating glow...

"Are you...are you...that Benzaiten that became my weapons?" Rin asked with caution.

"That we are...Rin Hoshizora." The blue cloth maiden simpered and bowed as she strummed a beautiful chord from her Biwa and flows of water began echoing throughout Rin's psyche. "I am Benzaiten, the goddess of Eloquence, Music, and by extension, Knowledge of one's own Identity."

"I am her fellow sister and the second eldest of 'em all – Kisshoten – you may call me as The Goddess of Femininity and Graces!" the right woman flashed a confident – yet mature – smile as she spread her arms out wide to welcome Rin.

"And I am the Goddess of Wealth and Fortune – I am 'She of the Great Blackness' - Daikokutennyo, at your service, Miss Rin Hoshizora!" the Great Blackness Goddess grinned.

The TriDeva

KISSHOTENNYO, DAIKOKUTENNYO, BENZAITENNYO

"You mean...you mean you're the spirits that went into making those beautiful Katars for me in the first place?" Rin wondered. "But I thought...the Infernals were subjugated in the process? You all seem...willing to be made into weapons."

"That we are, Miss Rin." Benzaitennyo nodded softly. "But we aren't subjugated to become weapons against our will."

"Eh...what?!" Rin exclaimed.

"In fact we are willing to become weapons by Rodin's craftsmanship ever since he told us that you all were on foot in Vigrid to put an end to Chris's misery, grief, and madness." Benzaitennyo continued.

"That Chris Fuschia had found trouble in our realms for far too long during her relentless research about both Bayonetta and Jeanne. For many times we have fend her off, along with the apparently sealed Goddess of Hatred – Erida, it would be a matter of time before Chris found out that we're not able to hold up for much longer." Daikokutennyo followed.

"We were, initially, planning to fight until the end despite the odds piling up against us day by day, but when Rodin came about and seek our help in making weapons for Team Muse to use, we therefore answer him in the best way possible." Kisshotennyo followed.

"A battle?" Rin wondered.

The three Infernals nodded.

"That's right." Kisshotennyo nodded. "We fought him with every bit of our strengths, in an effort to test his strength and his determination to help you all...and he succeeded."

"So...you all choose me? As your wielder?" Rin wondered.

"Even before all those hoo-hah had started in the first place, we have witnessed your metamorphosis, my dear." Benzaitennyo simpered. "We have been also great fans of Muse's songs and your variety despite a world filled with stagnating music, so it is inevitable that our interest in Muse led us into you, Rin Hoshizora."

"The Love Wing Bell incident was what changed you – for the better. Like a caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis and becoming an alluring Monarch Butterfly, you built your wings by overcoming your fear of wanting to be cute and be comfortable with yourself and embraced those aspects despite your likings of certain 'boyish' stuffs. For it isn't about you being a female or a male that determines who you are, or how other people thinks of you, it's about being yourself and doing what you love is what sets you apart – and being special – among others." Daikokutennyo followed. "That, culminates in overcoming how your closest friends think about you despite times of greatest stress!"

"For it is your determination and willingness to embrace your femininity despite the seemingly impossible odds stacked up against you in the past that had us interested in you." Benzaitennyo chuckled.

"The speech in which you delivered to Chris was what completed your metamorphosis for good – you have changed, but certainly for the better while not forgetting your friends who have helped you thus far!" Kisshotennyo grinned. "You go show that Icy Maiden how it's done!"

Rin flashed a soft smile as she chuckled softly.

"I still can't believe it…to think that there are not just one, not two, but three Infernal Spirits tethered upon my weapon!" Rin stated.

"Gee, was she really that surprised about it?" Daikokutennyo wondered in amusement.

"Well, to be fair, this is the first-ever weapon to feature more than one Infernals inside a weapon itself!" Kisshotennyo chuckled.

"We three will be of great service to you; for you have embraced your femininity despite the odds piled up against you during your growing years." Benzaitennyo nodded softly.

"To think that it will pay off...one of this days..." Rin's tears began welling up inside her eyes. "I promise that I will never let anyone of you down!"

"Don't let yourself down first, yeah?" Kisshotennyo grinned.

"Remember...nothing is ever as worse as denying yourself for who you really are." Benzaitennyo simpered as the three Infernals reached their hands out to Rin's.

Through life's hardship, we'll build our wings...

From the fires of suffering, we'll grow strong...

A life filled with people, memories, pain, laughter, and most of all...love.

For humanity's goal is to overcome all odds!

Through the bonds of my friends, allies, fans, and my family from which I forged...

I came, I saw, I conquer...

I BECOME!

OST Played: Birth By Sleep Final Mix – Unbreakable Chains

Chris's phantom widened her eyes in horror as she witnessed the large combination of ice and electricity burst out in a stream of light and dark, revealing Rin surrounded by a bright, glowing aura of confidence, and a pair of majestically beautiful rainbow butterfly wings!

"No...no, no! IMPOSSIBLE!"

Rin's eyes glowed with the clarity and radiance of a not a girl anymore.

For it was the clarity and radiance...of a woman.

Further on in Gates of Hell, Rodin's eyes glowed as he detected a huge surge of energy coming his way and grinned in return, knowing full well what's up.

"So...the three goddess finally acted up..." Rodin grinned, capable of sensing Rin's power surge even from afar. "Looks like I was right in letting not just one...but three of you inside the Katars to assist her...and willingly too!"

"We have tried to fend that icy maiden off one too many times and although we succeed with each attempts, I fear she would know that we would not be able to hold out for long!"

"Even we have to pass on...but we are willing to give our powers and service to one of the Muse members willing to embrace her own femininity the most!"

"For they are the ones accompanying the famed Umbran WItches – Bayonetta and Jeanne – who can end that Icy Maiden's insanity and misery, we would gladly give our lives and powers to preserve the diversity in the world of music!"

The huge cocoon of light dispersed in a huge surge of electrical, fire, wind, and Infernal Energies as Rin soon revealed in a more graceful version of Rin's Love Wing Bell costume - her Battle Ballgown.

An aura of elegance...

Beauty...

Natural radiance...

The Tridevi – Rin's True Form Katars in the form of EXCeed Trigger

DAIKOKUTENNYO (Left) – KISSHOTENNYO (Right) - BENZAITENNYO (Psychokinetically - Centre)

The Maiden of Metamorphosis

RIN 'TRIDEVI' HOSHIZORA

TriDevi Rin hovered gracefully, her confidence exuded in a warm, yet feminine aura, her smile exuding an effervescence of a cheerful sun as she poised gracefully for battle.

The flowing cloths surrounded her very being as it danced along with the gentle, graceful winds which whispered hopes and encouragement; her hair became a lot smoother and feminine as she revealed herself in a beautiful, more mature version of the Love Wing Bell Costume.

What was once a usual parting into two sides for the bottom gown was now covered by silky smooth clothing

"I'm sorry Chris...but that insane crusade of yours...ENDS NOW!"

Rin, Benzaitennyo, Kisshotennyo, and Daikokutennyo's voice reverbed and echoed through the skies – their intentions made mighty clear...

Chris's eyes widened and clouded with despair and disbelief at her failure...but she shook her head in absolute defiance.

"YOU IGNORANT BUFOON!" Chris's phantom gathered large amounts of hatred energies and unleashed the same Ice Age Absolute upon TriDevi Rin!

"Youthful Burst: Dance of the Heavenly Stream!"

TriDevi Rin, however, simply waved her hands as the Tri Katars simply weaved their way to completely parry, drilled, danced, and swiftly neutralised the impending storm!

Chris's eyes widened beyond absolute disbelief once more...

"NOW!"

TriDeva Rin swiftly blitzed towards Chris in a literal flash of flare-like infernal energy, waved her hands and unleashed a huge blazing storm of fire surrounding her very being as a ramming protection, all while scorching through the Icy Maiden by absolute surprise!

"TriDeva Storm: Graceful Arcanum!"

TriDeva Rin then teleported in multiple directions while tearing through Chris's armors with strong slashes that tore through her icy armor like silky sheets of paper!

TriDeva Rin then swiftly touched the ground, leapt up once again, blitzed circles around and swiftly staggered Chris with yet another series of swift, yet massive surge of cross, slashes, followed by a cross slash, quick succession of slashes from multiple directions held in an icepick-grip, numerous cross slash that kept the Icy Maiden in a devastating stun lock, and a stunlock combo that sends her katars unleashing a giant swirling nebulae disc that shredded through the Icy Maiden's body!

"TriDeva's Fervour: Sparks and Flames!"

TriDevaRin then charged up large amounts of infernal energies upon her Katars, sent sparks flying in the air via her attacks' friction, executed a giant graceful overhead spin finisher that ignited the skies in a blaze of glory, and sent the shocked Icy Maiden crashing down upon a giant wave of fire and electricity!

The Icy Maiden gritted her teeth and teleported as she appeared behind TriDeva Rin for a massive surging tackle with massive icicle energies coursing through her body, but the TriDeva managed to warn Rin via detecting Chris's hatred and managed to time her parry just enough to avoid being damaged by her charge!

The TriDeva Katars began glowing red, blue, and yellow as they began infusing their infernal powers upon a refreshed Rin, sharpening her senses!

"Oh...so I get it, the more moves I used, the higher them charges, nya!" TriDeva Rin grinned. "And everything's golden!"

The Icy Maiden unleashed an Impale Charge Absolute upon TriDeva Rin, but the latter managed to timed her block well to respond to the Icy Maiden's insane getup. The Icy Maiden, however, managed to halt herself almost instantly and attempted to strike back upon the

The Icy Maiden powered through the parry, teleported towards Rin's side and attempted another relentless cut of slashes, but TriDeva Rin';s Katars swiftly blocked said storm of cuts for the Love Wing Bell singer as she crossed her arms, unleashed a flurry of slashes and kick to tear through Chris's cybernetic enhancements, and gathered large amounts of infernal energies charged upon her Katars.

"Graceful Release: LOTUS STRIKE!"

With her energy of youth bursting out at the seams, TriDeva Rin unleashed the overcharged infernal energies in a graceful pirouette swirl that kicked up a giant firestorm, shredding and tearing through Chris's phantom in a graceful display of beauty and brawl combined, trapping Chris in a multi directional teleportation slash that gathered so much arcane energy that it shaped itself into a giant lotus cage, and ended off with TriDeva Rin clapping her palms together, sending the Lotus cage in a giant inferno explosion!

Chris broke out angrily surrounded herself in an immense mixture of ice and wind as she created two more clones in her own image and attempted a group gank slashes along with torrential blizzards raging at the seams, but Rin expertly blocked twice to tide through the initial group slash, dodged through the death from above icicle pike, cancelled her recovery lag with a jump, and unleashed a blazing flame wheel slash that struck the Icy Maiden dry!

Chris gritted her teeth and unleashed a giant homing icicle vulcan straight out of two big icicle orbs as the clouds rumbled with lightning, but TriDeva Rin swiftly glided away from the attempted lightning snipe and the homing blizzard shots without any problem.

Chris attempted a six-point strike after disappearing from her desperation attack, but Rin successfully guarded, stunned Chris with a solid burst of energy, proceeded to unleash another long string Graceful Arcanum combo, jump just as she executed her last Arcanum Slash to cancel it out, connected a final Lotus Strike, and head slammed a Sparks and Flame upon the Icy Maiden!

The Icy Maiden split into two of herself – one clone and one real – and attempted another gank attack once more, but Rin swiftly blocked through every single angle, punched the ground, charged a large amount of stored energy upon her katars, and instantly detonated it in a giant electrical firestorm and scorched Chris upon its epicenter!

Chris teleported away from the epicentre and appeared right beside TriDeva Rin for a dual scythe slash combo, but TriDeva Rin swiftly paried the strikes one at a time, countering with a swift charged left hook to stagger Chris; TriDeva Rin then swiftly

Chris flew into a rage, clicked her right fingers, and unleashed deceptively quick icicle orbs flying towards Rin like a vulcan cannon, but the latter focused her energies upon her TriDeva Katars as she jumped once to get the momentum going, leapt forward for a midair jump while spinning around, and almost instantaneously unleashed a swirl of flame energies that deflected the icy vulcan shots!

TriDeva Rin swiftly dove towards Chris with multiple horizontal slashes and kicks via Youthful Burst: Dance of the Heavenly Streams, followed by a swift release of Lotus Strike upon Chris's chest; Chris grabbed TriDeva Rin's legs and forcibly swung her towards one of the icicle pikes, but TriDeva Rin swiftly grabbed the icicle pike with her two strong hands, twirled around it while building momentum, charged crackling amounts of infernal energies, slammed her foot hard upon the icicle spike, and glided towards Chris in such insane speed that the Katars converged and drilled through Chris's body, followed by a brutally graceful TriDeva Storm: Graceful Arcanum slash combo!

Chris braved through the combo slashes, broke out of it via a teleport, and attempted a punish with an icicle cross sonicboom.

TriDeva Rin managed to side step towards the right to evade the attack, but Chris managed to launch herself via her Genesis Flight System with four pillars of electrically charged ice pillars spinning around her body; TriDeva Rin, however, anticipated the attack just in time to cancel her inertia recovery via a short hop to cancel the force, struck forth instantly to cancel her jump, and swiftly sped towards and ran circles around Chris in a fashion in a flash!

"WHAT?!" Chris widened her eyes in utter shock, for all she could see of TriDeva Rin was nothing more than lens flare circling towards, glaring, and even outright confusing her!

TriDeva Rin swiftly launched a massive energy slice towards her back, but Chris managed to predict – by sheer luck - clash with TriDeva Rin's attack, and swiftly detonated the clash in a giant explosion!

However, TriDeva Rin managed to stand her ground, and swiftly struck Chris with a swift multi-directional Graceful Arcanum and Lotus Strike while buzzing around in such insane speed that Chris could only recognise her figure engulfed in a flaring glare of infernal energy!

Enraged, Chris roared and gathered large amounts of icicle energies from her Genesis Flight Systems; her wings glowed deep blue as a large icy storm threatened to destroy and froze through whatever was left of the beautiful battlefield...

"I will get you...I WILL GET YOU, COME WHAT MAY!" Chris roared; her final attack at the helm of release...

Daikokutennyo, Benzaitennyo, and Kisshotennyo gathered themselves around TriDeva Rin as Katars as they glowed brightly...

"Rin, your time is now!" Daikokutennyo shot out.

"Now or never!" Benzaitennyo agreed.

"Strike while the iron's hot, babe!" Kisshotennyo grinned.

The entire battlefield grinded to a halt as the heavenly chimes rang through the supposed cold skies, bringing forth rays of light; hope to a once otherwise bleak and cold battlefield...

Confidence upon her rose ; Rin knew that her time was now!

Grinning along as she raised her right hand towards the skies and executed a fast paced choreography of Love Wing Bell, streams of Infernal Energies, fire, and electrical bolts weaved around her as her hands graced the air akin to a graceful conductor would upon a giant, synchronised orchestra; a giant runic platform with a triangular rune inside said circle glowed with the brightness of ten suns as TriDeva Rin poised for a giant, final clash!

"BRING IT ON, CHRIS!"

Chris snapped upon seeing Rin's taunting; the hatred and sorrow too much to bear...

"ABSOLUTE ZERO: DESPAIR HOROZON!"

TriDeva Rin engulfed herself in a fiery sea of Infernal energy; the sparkling , feathery aura from her matured Love Wing Bell outfit glowed in tune with the Infernals while pulsating together with the intensity of a thousand stars, casting their hopeful glow upon even the darkest reaches of the hatred!

Chris launched in numerous pillars of exceedingly cold pillars of energies hurling straight towards TriDeva Rin while consecutively erupting icicle obelisk from the ground up under the roaring blizzard akin to the Ice Age, unleashing a massive wave of icicle blades straight from the obelisks themselves!

"LOVE WING BELL: LOTUS STRIKE!"

TriDeva Rin drilled through the first waves of icicle blades that shattered cleanly like fragile glasses, then flew in left and right and barrel rolling through the numerous icicle energies pillars and lasers hurling past her all while slicing and kicking past several said mediums to redirect them towards one another in a deflected explosion!

"LOVE WING BELL: PROMINENCE OF THE SPARKLING SUN!"

TriDeva Rin then twirled around to unleash a spectacular display of flaming 'tongues' bursting from her TriDeva Katars that smashed and burnt through even more icicle blades, pillars, and lasers; the Love Wing Bell singer then catapulted herself - via the cocktail of flame's jet propulsion, infernal energies, and the TriDeva's arcane blessings – as she completely wrecked every single icicle obelisks, then blitzed around Chris at such a high speed that only Chris's system recognized it as a dazzling lens flare while allowing TriDeva Rin to bombard the Icy Maiden with continuous streams of slashes and flaming and electrical arcane energies slicing across her body!

Chris roared and charged through while throwing icicle energy slashes and drill-like streams of energies every wave of her scythe; TriDeva Rin, however, responded by darting through left and right while braving through Chris's slash and commanding her TriDeva Katars to deflect through most of Chris's attack through like buzzsaws!

Chris responded by unleashing numerous slashes and energy beams converging towards TriDeva Rin, but the latter simply unleashes her numerous flame pillar that clashed right through the ice pillars, allowing TriDeva Rin to get in up close and personal, glided around the Icy Maiden, and unleashed a dizzying arrays of flaming tongues and towers that struck forth Chris in every single direction - Cage-like shape, pyramid formation, compass formation, shield-like structures, to outright prominence-like tongues erupting from the ground up, she had the lot!

Chris broke through the combo, teleported towards the far end of the battlefield, correlated every single shattered icicle fragments scattered across the battlefield, morphed them into a giant scythe filled with the crimson tint of hatred engulfing its weapon's very being, and blitzed through the entire battlefield in a straight line towards TriDeva Rin!

"LOVE WING BELL: A PHOENIX'S RISE!"

The Maiden of Metamorphosis engulfed herself in a mix of inferno, Infernal, and spark energies, unleashed a giant phoenix aura with a giant runic platform showing the faces of Benzaitennyo, Kisshotennyo, and Daikokutennyo inside small circles themselves, and unleashed a giant jet of flame as she thrust herself – with every bit of her passion – towards the incoming icicle comet!

A giant burst of energy burst forth as the entire icicle battlefield shattered into oblivion; whatever was left upon the castle smothered upon the energies' power as both Chris and TriDeva Rin stuck in a giant deadlock.

However, Chris's eyes widened in abject surprise as she saw – with her very own eyes – even more jets of fire coursing through Rin's soul and engulfing her entire being in a phoenix-like entity; TriDeva Rin and the TriDeva themselves sensed Chris's momentary shock and pushed on forth, applying so much fiery pressure that Chris's defense shattered under their fiery glory!

TriDeva Rin blitzed through Chris with the same fiery aura with such blurring and relentless velocity that it seemed like a torrential fire storm sliced through the latter, held Chris around in four scorching chains in place, flew up high in the skies, and dropped down immediately soon after in a giant blaze of glory; a giant phoenix aura crashing down upon the helpless Icy Maiden in full, fiery0 force!

A giant flaming bell-shaped structure formed shortly after and imploded into a pillar of flame and infernal energies; Rin's giant flame attack filled the skies with the illuminance and energetic brilliance of a bright star shining upon the hopeless lands – hope had not been lost...

TriDeva Rin landed upon the other side of the battlefield, looking away from the explosion, elated at her grand victory…

"I am The Blazing Passion that lit up the skies!" TriDeva Rin cheered.

"And I shall be the hate that shall linger upon the world…"

A huge blast of chilly wind burst through the cinders and sparks scattered across the battlefield as TriDeva Rin turned around, in time to see Chris's phantom slowly scattering away as particles of pure, dark hatred…

"Being comfortable with my own femininity is not soething that would please everyone, sure, but nothing is much worse then pretending to be what I am not for the sake of yearning more popularity, then to earn said respect and love through just being myself despite the odds against me!" TriDeva Rin declared. "I just would never feel more comfortable then what I am right now; that is my true me – one who can adapt and just be…just be me!"

"Rin…why…why would you not at least understand…for as much as I want to save you…you deny yourself a chance to live; I want you back…you can have a better chance to live, everyone wins….so why deny?!" the phantom lamented.

"It's only when we have something to lose do we have the chance to experience what it is like to treasure happy things, though life is not as rosy as we think! Reality may hit us hard once in a while and hardships might screw us out of our happy endings for a bit…but we'll always stand up, look forward, and understand that we are never alone in this world that you call a living failure!" TriDeva Rin declared.

"You…you will die…THEN HOW IS MY EXISTENCE JUSTIFIED?!"

"I have the power to stand up for myself – my beliefs, who I really am, and my life and family's in sight! Besides…if I die, I will at least leave this world knowing full well my own true identity; maybe it's not my time to accept the Reaper just yet, but if the time comes eventually, I will accept him with open arms – but not before enjoying my life to the fullest!" TriDeva Rin smiled wistfully – her mature smile etched across her face.

Chris's aura waned slightly upon hearing Rin's response, but flared up in protest once more…

"YOU JUST WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THE PAIN I HAVE WENT THROUGH! I WILL GET YOU BACK, TEAM MUSE, AND I WILL KEEP MY WORDS AS LONG AS I LIVE!"

So said the words from Chris's mouth as her phantom dissipated in the battlefield's winds in an icy glow, tainted with an aura of hatred…

TriDeva Rin landed on the ground, took in what was remaining of the battlefield for a short moment…

"WAHOOOOOO!" TriDeva Rin pumped her fists in the air as she jumped for joy; victory surged her body and enthusiasm lile a spring upon her steps. "That. Was. AWESOME NYA!"

"Indeed it is…" Benzaitennyo simpered as the TriDevas looked around the battlefield…

By then, the field itself was restored into its former angelic glory – glowing hues of gold, emerald, and ruby, along with the soft winds blowing across the flowing rivers where fountains of crystal clear water erupted from the ground; rainbows decorated the skies.

"It's been a long time since we have seen this beauty in Paradiso before – at least before it all went to hell under Loptr's corruption…" Kisshotennyo nodded.

"You three could see what is going on in Paradiso?" TriDeva Rin wondered.

"The Infernals and Angels are able to see what is going on in their opposing counterparts regions thanks to the Umbran Witches and Lumen Sages' former pact of keeping the balance of the world through The Eyes of The World – counterpart worlds connected through the basic law of yin and yang. Paradiso used to be such a beautiful place and we grew to appreciate its natural beauty over the millennia since its creation despite us being Infernals, but ever since Loptr began inculcating bigoted racism towards humanity in general via the Hierarchy of Laguna, the land we knew and appreciated grew more bleak and despondent; when Erida and Chris came into the picture, all known warmth and light regarding the land itself…died." Benzaitennyo sighed softly.

"We have hopes that the former beauty would be restored once Loptr was destroyed, but then Chris and Erida came into the picture, along with a really reluctant Alito." Kisshotennyo followed. "Bless her redeemed soul though."

"So the Hoshikas, everything she had done, the fake Team Muse and A-RISE's reactions, and the entire contents of the castle itself are all just Chris's way of projecting her grief and sorrow towards me, not to mention her fear of me dying in a world of cruelty that she perceived…" TriDeva Rin closed her eyes as she took calm breaths upon herself.

"I cannot deny Chris's words; the world sometimes do indeed have bad things going on – people expecting us to act in a certain way because it's the norm…"

The newly awakened Rin the turned to face the TriDevas with her eyes glittering with passion.

"But I am determined to just hang in there; be myself, and just be the me who can be more comfortable with my femininity! Even if one of those haters would one day get the better of me…I can at least face death with dignity and say that it's a life worth living for!" TriDeva Rin declared with gusto.

"Because this, is who I AM!"

The TriDevas nodded and flashed their warm smiles…

"You think we're gonna let you face the challenges alone after all is said and done?" Kisshotennyo grinned.

"Remember, Rodin made the weapon such that we would stick by your side forever." Benzaitennyo simpered. "We are yours to command, Rin Hoshizora – the Lady of the Shining Stars!"

TriDeva Rin nodded readily as she high-fived her fellow new mates

"We have to hurry, Kayochin might be in utter danger!" TriDeva Rin frowned as she leapt off into a superglide.

"ROGER!" the TriDeva shot out in grand unison.

(End of s side)

Chapter 25.2 - The Spring in our Steps – Hanayo!

Kayochin AKA Hanayo's side

"That's strange...I could have seen mist around me one time...why the sudden change?!" Hanayo wondered.

Hanayo also came out of the same mist that the team seemingly got lost in, only to find herself out of here...but in the middle of a sakura cherry blossom forest, with spring fountains flourishing occasionally!

In SPRING, no less!

"Spring?" Hanayo wondered. "How is it that a winter-based land becomes a spring in a split?"

The light soon gently shone through the skies as the gentle hymn soothe Hanayo's nerves; a gentle breeze caressed the blossoms and carried them through the spring-filled environment.

Hanayo's eyes sparkled; the change might be sudden, but spring was undoubtedly beautiful, being a season of harvest – a new beginning, that of Hope.

However...Hope could sometimes be scary...

To have Spring in what was essentially a sorrow-filled place where Chris took control?

Hanayo knew that even the 'San Baka' - Honoka, Nico, and her girlfriend Rin – would recognise it as something amiss...

Then again, this was Paradiso – logic be damned...

Or was there truly, really just a glimmer of hope left? A piece of land not oppressed by the Icy Maiden desperate for Muse's return?

"Paradiso might be beautiful...but I mustn't let my guard down!" Hanayo nodded softly. "My friend must be nearby; it's only minutes since the mist!"

True enough, a familiar voice could be heard just minutes after wandering upon the melodious fields of Paradiso...

"Kayochin!"

Hanayo's eyes perked; that must be Rin's cat-like voice – the rest must be nearby!

Familiar figures filled her heart with relief as she ran towards the source of the voice…

"Rin! Everyone!" Hanayo cried happily, waving her hands in relief and delight.

"Gee, where have you been, Kayochin! Eli and Nozomi have conducted search parties after we're out of this thick-ish fog for hours!" Rin pouted. "You got us worried!"

"Really sorry there, everyone!" Hanayo shook her head and sighed deeply. "It's just really unexpected that we're being hit with a massive misty right out of nowhere! Speaking of which, where is Bayonetta, Jeanne, and A-RISE?"

"Beats us...we're looking for them too – for all we know they might be lost, just like you." Eli shrugged. "What's good is that at least us members of Muse are back together in one piece; we had better make haste before things blow up sky high!"

"Wouldn't it make sense for us to look at our surroundings first and foremost? Wouldn't want to go in all guns blazing without knowing where we are; to say that the Graveyard of Memories is a huge zone would be an understatement..." Maki suggested.

"Right..." Nico nodded in agreement. "Any idea where the heck are we? Some sort of farm?"

*Growl~*

The initial silence after was more than enough for the team to hear a distance growl from someone's tummy...

Hanayo's.

"Oops...sorry; must be all the trudging through Paradiso that made me hungry..." The meek girl replied with blushes upon her cheeks.

"Can't blame you...we need every energy we can get; again, Paradiso is a huge place..." Umi nodded. "But how are we gonna find any refuge in this place anyway?"

"Well...this place looks like it has plenty of harvest, right?" Hanayo wondered. "Besides…I have just the thing for us all!"

The hungry Hanayo took out a huge bag of rice balls; her smile etched across from ear to ear.

"I have Enzo's wife helped me prepare this on request during our last dinner over at the Gates of Hell! It's still piping hot thanks to Rodin's magic, so have at it!" Hanayo chimed.

However...not all were akin to Hanayo's idea.

"Really? That's all you can think about? Rice?" Umi shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Rin's eyes widened in utter shock; it was not just the words that Umi said that shocked her; Umi did said something similar to that once before to both Honoka and Hanayo herself...

It's Umi's tone.

Harsh...

And even outright snarking to a point that it somehow...stings.

Umi would not have done that, right? Even the past her would just express disappointment and even slight anger at times...

But not to such this extent, no!

"That isn't...very nice..." Hanayo frowned lightly.

"Nice? It isn't great for your image, Hanayo!" Umi sighed. "How will we even keep our image up with you gaining weight if we get to reunite soon enough?"

"I thought my weight is maintained all throughout?" Hanayo wondered.

"But that love of rice might not just cost us our image too..." Eli sighed. "It might get one of our members lost too..."

"Lost? I don't follow!" Hanayo raised her eyebrows.

"I mean...Honoka got lost last time because we go into the Nagonya Rice Restaurant..." Kotori nodded lightly.

"And all this because?" Umi asked. "All those close calls back in New York was not just because Honoka's clumsy and all, no! Do you think that would happen if you keep whining about wanting to eat rice instead of bread all the time?"

Rin nodded softly. "Besides...you showing support to other idols instead for us...wouldn't that throw our morale down the water?"

"Oh, don't even speak about that..." Nico frowned. "Doing research about the idols quality for future references and what to do to improve beyond their capabilities is fine, but to go all gaga over them instead of us? That's just mean!"

"You mean to say you never think of us all along? Is that why we lost the first time round, despite Honoka passing out in the rain? Really?" Kotori frowned.

"Listen...it's not that!" Hanayo rebutted. "I...I really care for you all in Muse, there's no doubt about it! I even outright stated that I admire Honoka's courage too; admiring and being interested in other idols doesn't means betrayal!"

Umi rolled her eyes, exasperated.

"We're just trying to help you right the wrongs that you have, so why the denial?" the blue hair maiden replied.

Hanayo shook her head.

This is getting really...really suspicious.

Out of character even!

Call it 'one of those moments where friends just have to fight', but she knew that they would not go so far as to really hurt someone - save for that one time when Umi slapped Honoka, and Kotori slapping Umi...

And even then they regretted their actions of being brutal, even gaining new insights into their friendships!

Accepting others flaws while naturally allowing time and experiences to let them grow into the mature adults they would become, not those 'forcibly changing' autocratic attitudes!

But this hoo-hah? And worse, doing it ALL OF A SUDDEN?!

This was just straight up out of character, and brutal at worst!

Like as if they are imbued with so much hatred...

Wait...

Hatred...

Paradiso...

And what does Paradiso related to now?

...

Hanayo's eyes lit up as she gasped lightly; it all made sense now!

"Hold it!" Hanayo raised her voice firmly; determined to end this misunderstanding, for it has gone way too far. "You all aren't yourself at all, but that's because you all aren't even real!"

"Haven't you paid attention yet? We are real! We're just telling you the brutal truths about who you really are!" Honoka frowned.

"That might seem the case, but to suddenly bust out at me without any sense of remorse is not how my friends would have work; they would never, ever change me for my quirks, flaws, or even exaggerate my traits as you all did now! My real friends, they accepted me for who I am - flaws and all - and not chew on me as if I am some sort of a punching bag for them to vent their frustrations on; we might fight with one another now and then, but we still feel remorse and regret to the point where we all can salvage and recover our relationship and stand strong, all while learning important lessons about ourselves and our great friends! You all who think you are 'real' are just the creations made by the thoughts of one person who could care nothing for our well-wishes, only want the utter destruction of everyone who isn't Muse, and not wanting us to just be free – assuming that the world is crap and that we will succumb to the 'harsh realities of life' just because you yourself could never open up to the idea that maybe, just maybe, there will be someone who cares for you besides us Muse!"

The response from the imposters were swift – almost immediately after Hanayo's delivery rebutted their stinging remarks, the imposter Muse members dispersed, gathered together in one giant chilling nebulae, and materialized themselves as a phantom in a form that Hanayo knew all too well…

"Chris-sensei..." Hanayo frowned.

"Hanayo...you just...you just don't get it, do you?" the phantom shook her head; her aura flaring up in a chilling burst.

"It's not that I don't get it, Chris! It's just that you deliberately created those phantoms for the sole purpose of channeling your sorrows into me under the pretense that I am truly experiencing what Rin and co truly think of me!" Hanayo shot back in concern. "Neither my friends, nor even Rin, could even go to such an extent of trying such brutality without regretting their consequences of their actions! And I knew that what they are doing was just too out-of-character for them to be real! You could have just stop your mind games and just...just confront me instead of using such despicable tactics!"

Chris gave a small, but sarcastic chuckle...which soon burst into a sorrowful, insane laughter that crashed through the skies...

"Oh? Who is despicable then? One who is trying to get you back? One who is trying to get you to see the error of your ways? One who will do any means to let you become perfect? Or one who supports A-RISE to begin with, succumbing to your own greed for rice back in New York, only to set off a chain of events that caused Honoka to meet that blasted whore of an Umbran Witch, and caused Honoka to reach a consensus that MUSE SHOULD DISBAND?!" Chris shot back.

She then continued, albeit having calmed down to a sorrowful smirk across her face.

"You know...you didn't seem to mind the disbandment...despite the tears on your face. Oh no, wait...not true tears, really...crocodile tears sounds more like it now!" She accused.

Hanayo stood before Chris's phantom, unable to comprehend the depth of how the Icy Maiden tried to exert her sorrows...

"Just because you think I love school idols? Just because I am enthusiastic about them? Especially A-RISE?" Hanayo shook her head.

"DON'T DENY IT!" Chris shot back with incandescent fury. "That is why you wanted to 'expand your horizon', right? Because you are so interested into those...those feeble weaklings you called 'school idols'...your supposed love for Muse eroded...right? That's why...that's why you planned this...this plan to begin with, right?!"

"What plan?" Hanayo frowned.

"You still dare to deny it?! The fact that you go to the Nagonya Rice Restaurant to DELIBRATELY led Honoka astray and have her had that fateful encounter with Bayonetta, that was on PURPOSE! I KNEW IT!"

"That is just pure conspiracy!" Hanayo defended. "How would I know that Bayonetta would have even showed up where Honoka initially wandered? How would we know that Honoka would have gotten lost and entered the wrong train? I am surprised too, just like everyone of them!"

"Ah...excuses...really...you really decided to save your own skin when all you're doing is just digging the hole deeper yourself...ain't it?!" Chris's eyes glowed intensely with extreme anger.

"To think that Chris had dug herself so deep as to even believe her own made up conspiracies...scary indeed how love – taken wrongly – can be just as deadly..." Hanayo shook her head.

"And for that...you want to fix my what you perceived as...'flaws'?" Hanayo shook her head. "Those are not flaws, Chris!"

"THAT LIKING OF YOURS CAUSED THE DISBANDING OF MUSE! YOUR LOVE FOR SCHOOL IDOLS CAUSED YOUR INTEREST FOR MUSE TO WANE; YOUR LOVE FOR RICE CAUSED HONOKA TO BE LOST WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUSED MUSE'S DISBANDMENT!" Chris roared. "And if it weren't for your love for school idols...and wanting to research school idols...especially A-RISE, Aqours, and other musical 'talents' you speak of...THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!"

Chris then collected herself, if barely; teetering on the edge of both trembling hate and sorrow, she attempted to keep her cool...and yet Hanayo could see the bulging veins upon her forehead, hands, and her bloodshot eyes...

"But...but I can fix you! Make you perfect, like the gem you idols have always wanted to be! Isn't that what you wanted, Hanayo? For someone to help you?" Chris continued. "For flawed gems like you all to become the perfection in the world where Muse would be the only, AND THE ONLY voices of reason everyone would look up to?"

Hanayo looked down and gave a deep sigh while shaking her head.

Chris would never get it...wouldn't she? She thought.

"Everyone of us...yes...wanted to be perfect..." Hanayo admitted.

"Then...then just come with me!" Chris declared. "Just...just place my sorrow to rest at least for a bit while I try to get the rest back!"

"at first..." Hanayo interrupted.

Chris's declaration stop short.

"W...What?" The Icy Maiden wondered.

"Sure...I get that the gist of your statements, I get it! You wanted us Muse to be perfect because you think that our quirks – or as you said our 'imperfections' - are what caused us to disband in the first place – like how my love for other idol groups and my love for rice - but you know that it wouldn't work face to face and so you used Rin and company to guilt trip your beliefs into me!" Hanayo frowned. "But you know...if I become perfect...what will my 'real' friends think of me? Perfection at the cost of what? My Humanity!"

"You still dare to deny that it is your quirk that let you become an unintentional traitor in the first place? Your passion for other idols, including your fangirling over A-RISE that prevent your true potential from ever rising true!" Chris shot back, her tone dripping with anger.

"Just because I am interested and passionate about researching other idol groups doesn't make me a traitor! Didn't you know the amount of effort and passion the placed in each and every day? How they even find the time despite their cultural differences, backgrounds, finances, individual schedules and whatnot!" Hanayo shot back in defiance.

"Muse is more than enough for you!" Chris roared back. "Without Muse, the revolution would not even happened!"

"You just don't get it, do you?" Hanayo frowned. "It's never about my loyalty toward Muse; my heart will always have a special place for them! But life isn't just solely based around Muse; the members of school idol cultures who have helped us made the genre known played a part! I love the amount of passion that other idol groups poured out through their efforts they placed through the songs and activities they loved participating in, the hardships they gone through to think up of new lyrics to entertain everyone, to deal with dark moments, and even time to chase what they really want despite what you claimed it to be - 'harshness of reality'! Appreciating other school idol groups allow us to understand what makes them tick, to appreciate them better, and allow us to better understand one another, to work together, to enjoy each other's presence, and create wonderful memories as we strive for out culture to be recognised as one community, and not as a team of conflicted people blasting each other like the stagnating entertainment industries of the past!"

"I might still be shy from time to time, but now I know that I can still face my fears, not run away from them, and use my strength to support my friends whenever they're needed, no matter how far or how troubled they might face in your perceived notion of 'harsh reality'!" Hanayo frowned. "That...that is what Muse taught me when I joined them; that is what Alito too, taught me when the Love Wing Bell event was a success – to take charge of our own lives and hardships through Hope; and that is what Jeanne and Bayonetta taught me through their fights with angels, their dealing with grief over their lost clans, and the fact that Bayonetta's rescue of Umi inspired me...me to be more confident in embracing myself for who I am – my fears, flaws, strengths, and all as long!"

"Would I dare say I'm not afraid of leaving my friends behind to pursue my dreams – to spread my wings and fly in wanting to become one of the best idol researchers and teacher in the entertainment industry? No! Would I dare say that meeting up and getting to know other idol members in the school idol industry wouldn't be plagued with some awkwardness and shyness on my end? Definitely not, in my...my case then! But..." Hanayo declared just as apparitions of Alito, Bayonetta, Jeanne, the Muse Members, and A-RISE flashed past her mind, bringing forth a warm smile across her youthful face.

A reassuring smile that calmed her soul; a resolute vow to deal with reality despite its many, many sorrows...

"As long as the happy memories are remembered and engraved a special place in my heart – as I have promised before – they will give me the strength and power needed to deal with what's ahead!"

"And more importantly..." Hanayo frowned calmly as she pointed her Staff of Feronia towards the Icy Maiden. "Rin...my Rin, will never be corrupted by the likes of you; we will pull through the miasma you have placed, through the bonds that we have shared – bonds that you will never be able to comprehend! She supports what I do; and that's more than enough for me to know that she's sincere – a bond your hate-filled heart would never see or feel!"

"Me? My hate-filled heart? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT YOU AND TEAM MUSE DISBANDING! THE WORLD NEEDS YOU ALL; THEY NEEDED NO ONE ELSE! All you did...was just...just be indulged in your own desires...YOUR DESIRES OF WANTING YOUR FUCKING RICE, AND ENDED UP CAUSING A DISASTROUS CHAINS OF EVENTS!" Chris screamed in sorrow.

"And regarding my love for rice? It's just that your mind which had been succumbing to so many hate-filled, sorrow-filled themes for so long that you're now willing to believe anything that caused our disbandment in the first place! Such minute quirk blowing out to such huge proportions? It's not me; it's you who could never ever let go of the past!" Hanayo frowned. "And you didn't care for us at all...you clipped our wings...refused to let us explore and expand our potentials! You are just as selfish as the world that you perceived it to be!"

"So even you have changed with time...and with their help too...heh...hahahaha...HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Chris trembled with grief as she laughed with an utter insanity that brought forth an irked wince from Hanayo – a mixture of pity and disgust at Chris's corruption...

Chris's eyes then glowed intensely as she conjured a giant, devastating blizzard wave combined with her hatred energies imbued upon the dark and stormy wind blasting upon the chilly skies...

"This chilling death shall be fit for you; an eternal winter with no signs of hope, no signs of spring! ONLY DEATH SHALL AWAIT YOU AT THE END OF SAID PATH!"

"I won't...give up in this struggle...no!" Hanayo gritted her teeth despite the sakura storm vain attempt at overcoming the massive, sorrowful blizzard.

"No one can hear your screams, Hanayo! NO ONE! ALL YOUR PLEAS WILL BE BURIED UNDERNEATH ME! ALL OF IT!"

Chris's phantom activated her overdrive, if only briefly; it was more than enough to unleash a giant, sudden burst of blizzard so out of the blue that a sheet of white son overwhelmed Hanayo's sight...

...

"I must be dead...am I?" Hanayo thought.

"Well...I would not count your chickens before they hatched, dear!"

"You...wait...are you...what I think you are?!" Hanayo gasped.

"Of that you can be assured..." The lady simpered. "For it is I – the Infernal Being of Wildlife, Fertility, Health, and Abundance...Feronia."

Goddess of Spring and Harvest

FERONIA

"You...didn't seem all that reluctant to assist me...why?" Hanayo gasped.

"Not all Infernals who become weapons through Rodin's crafting skills were subjugated by force – the TriDeva that became your lover's weapon were not subjugated against their will. In fact, none of the Infernals that went into creating the weapons for A-RISE and other Muse members were subjugated against their will."

"Wait...really?!" Hanayo exclaimed. "Then why is Rodin all bloodied when he got back?"

"To prove that what Rodin meant was real and not for show, each of us attempted to test his powers so that we can be assured we are in safe hands – made into weapons that would most assuredly be ready to assist you all in whatever ways we can." Feronia nodded. "And secondly...because of Erida."

"You mean to say that the Primordial Goddess of Hatred must have disrupted the cause of balance too much for you all to ignore," Hanayo wondered. "And that links to your first reasoning, am I right?"

Feronia simpered and nodded; her smile as gentle as that of the morning sun.

"But...why us?" Hanayo wondered. "And for you...why me in particular?"

"Your heart, my dear." The Spring Goddess nodded. "Your pure heart despite knowing the failings of Humanity, the idol culture's negativity at first, and despite your flaws. From how you managed to stand up strong and plucking up courage to express interest in joining Muse, to overcoming your shyness in an attempt to be an integral part of Muse by harmonising their voices together; improving yourself during the days of training inside Muse despite the shortcomings and maintaining your true self, to being facing the future after Muse and move on while spreading your wings and fly, and finally to rebutt and go against Chris and Erida's full frontal assault, I knew...I have not choose the wrong person to give my utmost assistance to."

"Just alone is enough to be powerful...but if we work together..." Hanayo gasped as she realised Feronia's meaning, and nodded readily.

"Feronia..." Hanayo simpered. "Please, let us show Chris how much we – as Team Muse – have grown to overcome our fears, our flaws, and our grief and sorrows we have dealt in our lives; show her, our new beginnings!"

"Say no more, my master." The Roman Goddess of Spring nodded softly in return and flashed another soft smile of hers, extending her right hand to meet Hanayo's right...

"For I am your manifestation of your determination!"

"Tis not the end, tis the start!"

"With winter comes spring!"

"A new year, a new beginning!"

"From the throes of despair, shall come seeds of hope!"

"With every rise of the sun; tis not the end of a day..."

"This will be our start of our life!"

"Face our fears; to Face Everything and Rise!"

"EXCEED TRIGGER - FERONIA!"

OST played: Propane Nightmare – Pendulum vs Celldweller ReMix

The huge cold wave burst out in a large blast of opposing energy as Chris's relentless attack was abruptly cut short, blasting her towards several cherry blossom trees all at once!

Chris unleashed another cold aura that blasted away the smokes surrounding the battlefield, only to spot a glowing warm aura that radiated the skies and surrounded Hanayo's body...

Then came the reveal...a reveal that shocked Chris herself.

Hanayo revealed herself as a graceful figure wearing a beautiful emerald and white robe with a big ornate ribbon upon her chest, arcane gold lines that highlighted its robes, two bluish-green tail-like cloth that extended down to the ground, and the beautiful emerald bottom-half of the robe parted ways at the legs to flow seamlessly with the soft, springy wind...

Hanayo wore a beautiful, sun-like crown with two small cherry blossoms upon her neatly tied buns, complete with a beautiful sun-shaped jade upon the crown itself; massive amount of energies accumulated around her back and materialized itself as a majestically beautiful halo, complete with seven coal-like orbs – filled with tremendous energy – ready to serve their awakened master.

Chris's eyes widened in utter surprise...

This time, it was not of a nasty smirk...

It was the sign that she had done goofed...

"No...No...NO!" Chris shook her head with fury, unable to comprehend Hanayo's awakening. "This is...INCOMPREHENSIBLE!"

"Chris, this is our strength...our bonds, our new beginning!"

Both Feronia and Koizumi's voices rippled through the skies as they made their determination known to the bewildered Sorrowful Icy Maiden.

Courage Awakened – The Infernal Maiden of Spring

HANAYO 'FERONIA' KOIZUMI

"DON'T COUNT ON IT!" Chris unleashed a giant, angry aura as she – clouded by hatred – unleashed numerous icicle meteors descended from upon the heavens itself straight towards Feronia Hanayo.

The Maiden of Spring, however, charged up large amounts of infernal energies, and planted the Staff of Feronia upon the ground as numerous giant towers of wind gathered themselves towards a giant tornado aura that surrounded herself, and erased the icicle meteors shower in a giant storm burst within seconds!

Chris's eyes widened in utter shock; Feronia Hanayo waved her hands, charged up large amounts of Infernal energy, and engulfed her staff in fire!

"Feronia's Blessings: Endless Magic of the Youthful Spring!"

"Feronia's Burst: PROMINENCE!"

Feronia Hanayo gathered swirling heat energies directly above Chris's head and detonated the giant orb of fire in a giant firestorm filled with flame-like petals!

"Feronia's Revelation: Melodious Stream of Harmony!"

The staff glowed with immense illuminance of a spring-like sun as large amounts of Infernal, Fire, rocks, earth, and streams of sakura petals burst out at the seams from the orbs surrounding Feronia Hanayo, weaving themselves into one harmonious storm that tore through Chris's sub-zero icicle armor with the relentless velocity of a thousand blades, yet with the graceful fervour of a goddess weaving the beautiful skies with her deft hands!

"Gather! Feronia's Assault: Calm Before The Storm!"

Feronia Hanayo then twirled her body and raised her staff, creating a large swirling orb of infernal wind that sucked Chris in, entrapping the stunned maiden as wing blades swiftly grinded across her systems so fast that it seemed like a giant blur of emerald, ending with a gigantic windy implosion that sent the Icy Maiden crashing down several large sakura trees!

Chris gritted her teeth angrily as she disappeared out of plain sight; Hanayo, however, calmed herself down and closed her eyes...

"The gentle petals of Spring...please guide my path to victory!"

Chris instantly appeared from Hanayo's left while brandishing her Scythe of Hatred, fully charged with massive amount of cryokinetic energies!

"Too easy!" Chris smirked.

Feronia Hanayo's eyes glowed blue, however, as she swiftly held her Staff of Feronia upright, gathered large amounts of Infernal and Spring energies into hexagonal tiles, and encased herself in a spherical shield of light!

"Feronia's Blessings: Reflector!"

Chris managed to impale past Feronia Hanayo, but was shortly greeted by a huge spray of spring energy detonating in a giant infernal explosion, launching her into the skies!

Before Chris could even react to any actions, Feronia Hanayo twirled her wand and her whole body to unleash a graceful, yet giant, bolts of lightning that crackled down spectacularly upon Chris's body with relentless ferocity and immense voltage searing through!

"Split!"

"Feronia's Assault: Master Strike of the Heavenly Spring!"

Feronia Hanayo charged towards the Icy Maiden, twirled her Feronia's Staff to gather infernal energies, slammed straight upon the latter while covering herself in a giant fire shield, split her Feronia Staff into two – one for the elements of spring, and one for Infernal Energies – twirled around in the air through several overhead somersaults to unleash beautiful strings of slashes with their infernal energies slicing through Chris's entire being, crossed her dual staff while tearing downwards upon the Icy Maiden and crashing her down with metal blades following soon after, and finished off the combo with another overhead cross slash that unleashed a giant gust of Infernal Energies blasting straight upon her systems!

Chris broke out of the stun lock and attempted to strike her from multiple directions with her icicle clones, but Feronia Hanayo cancelled immediately into a Reflector, deflected the Icy Maiden with a giant crash of lightning, slammed the Icy Maiden with a giant wall of fire, twirled around her while unleashing four giant bolts of lightning, and ended off the combo by casting multiple forks of lightning that ganged and struck past Chris's Project Tundra all at once!

Chris sailed past numerous objects and crashed hard on the ground in a giant crater, her systems attempting to reboot via system restore despite her setbacks...

"How...How?! YOU ARENT SUPPOSE TO GATHER THAT MUCH POWER!" Chris flared.

"I...I can do this dance choreography? Even more when I am in...in EXceed Mode? A...Amazing!" Feronia Hanayo exclaimed.

"No time to celebrate that awesome powers of yours just yet, yes? We got bigger fish to fish 'em up!" Feronia called out.

Chris's eyes widened up upon hearing that 'familiar' voice.

"No...no, no no! FERONIA?!" Chris widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Surprised now, Chris?" The Infernal Madame of Harvest challenged. "You may knock us down with that grievous antics of yours, but we will always get back up and take you down, this time, with the power of Humanity assisting us in every way!"

"YOU SCUM!" Chris roared as she unleashed pillar of cryokinetic energy pillars surrounding her and charged towards Feronia Hanayo!

"Hanayo!"

"Feronia!"

Both Feronia and Hanayo's eyes glowed brightly.

Chris charged past Feronia Hanayo, but her attempts were greeted by the latter bursting into a cloud of sakura petals; the latter twirled around and began raining down numerous meteors towards the Icy Maiden, which she managed to dodge a few through sheer boosting power from her genesis Flight System, but she was slugged hard by several more meteors's area of effect explosion raining from behind her back before she could even respond!

"Feronia's Blessings: Light of Spring!"

Feronia Hanayo waved her wand and ignited the air with numerous fireworks filled with spring wind slicing, shredding, and searing through Chris's armor with ffinesse complete with towers of Infernal enerfies shining, blasting forth, and scorching through the Maiden of Ice's armor in a twister fashion!

"Time we finish this, Hanayo!"

"On it!"

"The cold Winter ends;

Trees flourish and flowers bloom!

A New Beginning!

Feronia Hanayo raised her staff telekinetically with her Infernal powers as she her staff reached its maximum charge – its staff began crackling with so much white and purple energy that the entire battlefield started cracking and giving way, and a giant sphere of mixed elements that Feronia herself represented conglomerated into one giant sphere of immense energy!

Chris gritted her teeth; her bloodshot eyes started to glow immensely as the Phoenix-shaped wings gathered large amount of solidified crimson-black hatred and sorrow that were leaking out of her entire body, scythe, the generators surrounding her Genesis Flight System, mixed in copious amounts of cryokinetic energy, and supercharged it with her wail of sorrow...

"YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE THIS NIGHTMARE!"

Chris covered herself in a death Phoenix aura as she summoned twenty clones, bringing her systems into massive overdrive once more as she burst on forth for a massively brutal lunge filled with numerous amounts of sharp icicle blades the length of bullet trains!

"Feronia's Ultimate..."

A giant Infernal Magic platform filled with intricate runes swiftly materialized from Hanayo's feet as both Feronia and Feronia Hanayo's eyes glowed intensely.

"ELEMENTIA!"

The giant spherical unleashed numerous streams of mixed elements coated with Infernal Energies that danced, twirled, impaled, swiftly tore, and shredded through the icicle storm with such relentless force that the fabric of air started distorting and assisted in the utter demolition of Chris's numerous amounts of Icicle Blades projectiles!

Chris, despite her utter shock, charged on through while assuming Feronia Hanayo would stood quite still, but the latter swiftly surprised the Icy Maiden by side stepping out of the way at the very last moment via flash step, and unleashed a giant burst of spring wind to push Chris into the giant Elementia Sphere!

The Icy Maiden looked around her, attempting to make sense out of it, but her eyes widened in absolute horror as she was soon greeted to a sight of the Elements of Spring – Wood, Fire, Water, Metal, and the Earth been carried forth by the huge spring wind filled with sakura blossoms – raining straight down the unfortunate young lady of hatred with absolute fervor!

Feronia Hanayo then flash stepped towards the center of the sphere, twirled around the Icy Maiden with Feronia's Assault: Master Strike of the Heavenly Spring, teleported out of the massively glowing sphere just in time to clap her hand and commanded the Elementia Globe to implode upon itself in a giant spectacular tower of the Elements of Spring shredding whatever was left of Chris's powerful phantom form!

Chris's phantom let loose a death wail that bought shivers down Feronia Hanayo's spine; the huge burst of chilly wind and hatred energies threatened to tear down a beautifully blossomed field of spring created by the Infernal Maiden of Harvest...

"No...NO! You think you can really escape your fate? You really think you will deny me my only chance – my final chance – at getting you all back?! MY ONLY CHANCE AT ETERNAL HAPPINESS?!"

"We understand you...Chris." Feronia Hanayo sighed softly. "But we can never let you restrain our freedom...we can never let you clip our desire to be spread our wings and fly, let alone you eliminating just about every rivalling idol groups just so that we can be the undisputed team in your so-called 'world' that you create, or even let alone manipulating our minds just because of some quirks of ours! What you're doing is just plain grasping at straws upon a decision that was made of our own volition – everything that you blamed thus far are not what caused Muse to disband, not even Bayonetta-sempai! We came here not because we want to follow you; we came here s we can put you out of your cruel fate; to prove to you that there is life after Muse; to prove to you that we can still be connected to one another's heart, mind, ans soul, even as we will face other challenged in our lives, and even when we might make new friends in the near future!"

"YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE END OF DAY AS LONG AS I AM AROUND! HANAYO KOIZUMI, REMEMBER THE VERY DAY THAT I WILL MAKE YOU COME BACK BY MY SIDE, COME WHAT FUCKING MAY! CURSE THE UMBRAN CLAN, CURSE HUMANITY FOR MAKING ME SUFFER! EVERYONE!"

With one last giant implosion, the entire springy field dissipated into oblivion as the battlefield shattered and returned into the usual angelic golden hues that made the sanctuary that was Paradiso...

Feronia Hanayo raised out her left hand and felt the glistening snow falling upon the skies...

"To think Chris-sensei's grief and sorrow had driven her into such insanity...We know that she was driven mad by those emotions...but I never meant for it to be THAT bad..."

"To see you and the other Muse members as a second family is an honor...I have to admit." Feronia nodded softly. "But she refused any form of help during the last few years she had been before meeting up with anyone of you; her mind kept close to everything and she kept bottling everything up, refusing to open up to even the slightest bit of advice from people and instead clinging to despair and shelter of fear like a small child, with only the memories of Muse as her asylum…"

"That's why we will come to Ithavoll...and end her pain, I'm sure we can...no, we will!" Feronia Hanayo nodded firmly. "I just hoped the rest will be okay…Rin especially…"

"KAYOCHIN NYAAAAAA!"

Feronia Hanayo turned her back towards the source of the familiar sound and her eyes perked with relief and tears as took off with spring upon her steps towards her effervescent cat-girl lover girlfriend…

"Rin! Rin, thank goodness!"

Their hearts resonated as one; their warmth coursed through each other's body in bliss as both TriDeva Rin and Feronia Hanayo embraced each other, sharing a blissful kiss, relieved they have each other safe and sound...

The smiles raised across the TriDevas' and Feronia's faces as they stood looking on the heart-warming reunion...

"They look really sweet together..." Kisshotennyo simpered.

"Since childhood they have been pillars of support for each other's struggles, tears, and cheers, so they deserved their own time together after all they've been through..." Feronia chuckled.

Moments later...

"It's our time now to experience this awesome power, huh? Nya..." TriDeva Rin grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah...though it is sad that Chris had succumbed to this...state..." Hanayo sighed. "But still...doing those things just to reign us to her while hurting everyone...no can do."

"It's strange though...previous recounts have Chris being extremely resilient and able to charge through strikes without much problem, like when she dealt with Kaori Miyazono...so why is it that she didn't fare too well against us? Or is it our reflexes are way faster, nya?" TriDeva RIn wondered.

"Maybe Chris's hatred had finally showed its ugly side." Feronia suggested.

"Whaddya mean, nya?" TriDeva RIn wondered.

"Her Hatred brought forth tremendous power – especially from someone who is the Primordial God of Hatred - yes, and it seemed as if she's able to control it at first, but as the years gone by the hatred inside her soul had began to crack under the pressure of it all – there's only so much her body could take despite the Project Tundra's capabilities." Kisshotennyo explained.

"Hatred, after all, has an ugly way of exposing someone's vile and unscrupulous side; cloud even the most astute of judgments, and even make fatal tactical errors despite her apparently 'flawless' system that is the Project Program." Benzaitennyo nodded in response.

"By accepting that the world would not be perfect and that your bonds would never die despite the distances between one another, you all learn to accept and channel said possible grief and sorrow, and turned them into your greatest strengths to fight off your enemies." Daikokutennyo nodded along. "Hence your EXceed Triggers!"

Both TriDeva Rin and Feronia Hanayo gazed at each other with smiles that made their hearts flutter...

Then a frightening prospect placed any of their uplifting thoughts into a screeching halt, akin to a freight train crashing upon a giant slab of concrete.

Both TriDeva Rin and Feronia Hanayo's eyes frowned in concern; their lips biting against the sides...

"You're saying that...all those who has EXceed Triggers are immune to Chris's miasma of fear, right?" Feronia Hanayo questioned in concern.

The Infernals involved nodded readily.

"If what you said is true...doesn't that mean that the only two left – without EXceed Triggers...is..." Rin gasped.

The next moment, both TriDeva Rin and Feronia Hanayo burst out of the battlefield, determined to search for the other two members without EXceed Triggers...

Doesn't take long to know who they were...

"Anju and Erena!"

(Scene ends with both TriDeva Rin and Feronia Hanayo flying side by side in concerned expressions...)