Vollkommen: SKB0048!
Synopsis: Azrael's first step in recognizing humanity...starts from the green-hair idol herself!
Next day, back at AKB0048's Dormitory - second storey corridor.
"I know eavesdropping is wrong, but...that issue is just too big to ignore! Eroding Balance chain even when the DES Soldiers are not attacking? How are we suppose to know that?" Mayu Mk III showed glimpses of worry upon her poker-like face.
Hikari Kimishima, AKA the ninth Yuko Oshima, leaning against a pillar connecting to the railings, sighed.
"It's not that we dislike Kanata! Okay, maybe at first because of her ability to surpass Shiori...But Kanata's effort really convince us since the Tundrastar concert and thereafter. I'm glad that Shiori is already considering post-graduation matters, but what about us? Life after Shiori's departure? Again, we don't hate Kanata, not anymore. But we will miss that green-hair, cute idol...and the leadership qualities she possessed." Hikari pouted.
"But that Angel of Death..." Mimori Kishida, the eighth Mariko Shinoda with short, purple hair with a bun on the back of her head, worryingly asked.
"That's the thing...The Angel of Death is not someone whose advice should be dismissed. I confronted him when I admittedly was screwing my future and the Balance, I know that he wasn't lying...but then again, my pride was...sort of playing mind games with me. Still, he isn't someone who will lie." Hikari sighed.
Just when they were about to consider their next course of action, they heard their communicators ringing; Tsubasa requested to see the 77th Generation members and the Senbatsu in the Command Room.
Command Room
"Tsubasa, Chris, Alito, Mikako, and the Four Horsemen..." Hikari replied as soon as Team AKB0048 entered the Command Room.
"Just in time, AKB0048." Chris approached the team.
"We're just about to approach you all too...Look, there's something that we have to talk about." Hikari replied.
"We know it's a rather bad habit to eavesdrop at people. But, we just can't take our ears away from this situation now; the slowly eroding Balance that Azrael have explained..." Mayuyu Mk III frowned in worry.
Chris's eyes widened, and simpered thereafter. "Well...I never expect that eavesdropping to happen. What done is done, though...and all the better for it. That means we would not need to waste any time in explaining about our solution to the problem at hand."
"We all know about your worry about how Shiori will continue post-graduation and how the Senbatsu, Mimori excluded, might want to join Shiori because of her unique leadership similar to that of Kanata, thus allowing the Kenkyusei members a chance of becoming the Senbatsu members in AKB0048." Alito nodded as Tsubasa accessed the center panel of her huge plasma television-like Liquid Crystal Display Computer.
Kanata's eyes widened, but Chris held her right hand up.
"At ease, Kanata. All will come in good time." Chris nodded.
Seconds later, databases for the official direct rival of AKB48 prior to the 21st Century Dualium War were shown in their full glory upon the display screens - Nogizaka 46...
"Wait...isn't that the AKB48's main rival, the Nogizaka 46?!" Shiori gasped.
"The plan is for the Senbatsu members who were planning to graduate to still have a career post-graduation, and at the same time be connected to AKB0048. They will serve as the official rival group to AKB, but just like how General Elections are designed to allow idols to compete with one another in a good way, the rival team will be offering friendly competition. We call this...Project Sacred Key Balance 0048, or, SKB0048." Chris replied.
"SKB0048 will be to AKB0048, what Nogizaka46 are to AKB48 - friendly rivals. Except that while Nogizaka46 consist of new members, members of SKB0048 will be for AKB0048 idols who wished to further their careers after graduation. This fulfils the post-graduation dilemma that has been the problem in most Senbatsu's mind as of late, and designed to tell you this ; there's life even after graduation, Senbatsu members." Alito explained.
"When the time comes for a Senbatsu member to pass it on to a Kenkyusei worthy of their title, say Shiori to Kanata, Shiori can choose to join SKB0048 as herself and not Takamina. Likewise, members that have already graduated can choose to join in SKB0048 as well, and that includes Katagiri Atsuko, Mikako, Sachiko the 7th, Yui-han the 6th, Yuuko the 7th, and me." Tsubasa simpered.
"There's a catch. Since SKB0048 will consist of graduated members, it will mean that they will have no participation in AKB0048 General Elections whatsoever. But, SKB0048 themselves will have their own Sousenkyo, where the highest votes will be the Center Stage; the same concept as AKB's election process. No repercussions as a result!" Fury grinned.
"That means...if we want to follow Shiori..." Hikari gasped.
"That's right! Graduation, and then welcome SKB0048!" Fury nodded.
"As long as both SKB0048 and AKB0048 can offer healthy competition and still offer support to each other, the Balance will be safe and the aim of AKB0048 will still be fulfilled. In heart, SKB0048 is still a part of AKB0048." Death concluded.
The idols looked at one another; it made a lot of sense.
Rivalry might happen between the two team but all in all, SKB0048 would still be AKB0048 at heart - the former will always stood by the latter should they have their back against the walls.
And even when rivalries do exist, the potential members of SKB0048 would still be friends with the members of AKB0048, just like how they used to be.
Nothing would change in terms of the bonds with their friends. Their lives as friends would go on as usual as they would encourage one another to strive for greater heights.
SKB0048's main objectives was to let graduates understand that there would be life after their graduation from AKB0048.
The friendly rivalry would just be a secondary outcome because in the end, it's the heart and minds of a friend with similar aims that would bring them together - DES's and DGTO's destruction, and the purification of people who joined DES against their will.
The Senbatsu members knew that even if tempers might flare in the near future between the two teams, Chris, Alito, the Four, and their fans would help as mediators. After all, Chris and Alito themselves were already honorable persons to begin with; they would never leave any allies and friends behind in the grand scheme of things.
Hikari found herself grinning, "A grand win-win solution, huh? In the end, we're all part of AKB0048 anyway! Count me in!"
Chris's eyes widened. She was not expecting anyone to agree in initiating Project SKB straight away.
"Healthy competition without worrying about what will happen post-graduation. That way, we can maintain our mentor-disciple relationship with the Kenkyuseis without having to endanger our friendship altogether! How could we say no to that?" Hikari smiled.
"So long as mediations will be available in times of flaring up, this plan is, I have to admit, virtually flawless as long as we can work together. Honestly, we never knew you would come up with this nice plan!" Chiharu winked.
"That means, when we graduate too, we can join Shiori in SKB, right?" Mayuyu hoped.
"Of course! That is the purpose of SKB!" Chris smiled.
"Everyone of us, however, must have a part to play in this alliance-cum-friendly rivalry between SKB0048 and AKB0048. Our aim is still the same except this time, the milestones we set in opposing teams will allow us to strive for the better and yet we must do our very best to mediate the flares that might happen in the face of rivalry. Can we trust you all to make sure of that?" Alito simpered.
Hikari jumped in joy. "Yoshi! It's about time we have some breath of fresh air while maintaining the bonds for one another! Again, how could we say no?"
"We could definitely give this a go. Seems like a great idea to allow the Kenkyuseis a chance to shine on stage, without repercussions to the graduates as well!" Nagisa nodded.
"As Yuko-sempai said, SKB will still be a part of AKB0048, we're still one team, technically. So we might as well strive for the best!" Chieri nodded cheerfully.
The rest agreed along, seeing the huge amount of confidence voting for Project Sacred Key Balance.
"Once SKB0048 is created, once we Senbatsu members graduate, we ain't still gonna be easy to beat!" Chiharu winked.
"I guess this sentence should be reserved for me, eh?" Shiori chuckled.
"Hold on a minute...you have said that the team SKB0048 will be created because Shiori is graduating soon. Does that mean..." Yuka gasped.
Shiori turned to face Kanata, and simpered.
"Kanata...you have placed in a lot of effort to make it this far. I thought about it last night and I figured, even without his warnings about the eroding Balance, that it's about damn time to pass on my title of Minami Takahashi over to you."
Kanata's eyes went wide in disbelief. "Wait...you mean...really?"
"You mean the fever that Kanata had before mine...was the Fever of Succession as well?" Mimori gasped.
Shiori nodded. "Yup. With so many things going on after Mimori's succession, I'm still preparing for myself as to when I shall pass on the title to you. I presume the time, is now. Kanata, the title of Takamina is an important position. Don't ever, EVER, give up in the middle of a difficult challenge, or I'm not gonna forgive you. Ya hear? Your fans are going to place their faith and trust in you as you bring out your very best for them, so don't let down their efforts!"
Silence...
Unsurprisingly, Kanata's eyes brimmed with tears as she embraced her mentor and cried loudly.
"K...Kanata! You don't have to be so emotional, ya know! It's going to be kinda embarrassing in 'ere!" Shiori shot out as her face became flushed with red.
After Kanata calmed herself out of her 'emotional' moment, the red hair idol's eyes went ablaze with determination, as Kanata's Kirara shone with her soul's radiance.
"I promise, Shiori-sempai! I will not let down everyone of you, and my fans! You can be dead sure I will surpass your expectations!
Kanata determingly pumped his right fist.
"Be prepared, though. In SKB0048, I'm not going to let you surpass me easily still!" Shiori grinned.
"I say, bring it!" Kanata did a friendship handshake with her mentor, friend, and soon-to-be friendly rival as their Kiraras bumped their head towards each other, glowing intensely.
"So long as you don't lose yourself for what you are, Kanata. By your efforts you have pulled off so far, we have every bit of confidence. Humility, Kanata. Know that there will be certain matters that will not be solved by just yourself, and that's what your friends in AKB0048 are, right?" Chris simpered.
"Mm!" Kanata grinned.
"Let's achieve our dreams together, and let out hearts and feelings sing as one!" Mimori nodded as she embraced Kanata by her back.
The rest nodded in anticipation and agreement, pumping their fists up in the air.
"For our dazzling dreams in the reaches of the universe! Let us reach for the hearts of everyone in the universe and beyond!"
Mikako and Death looked on.
"Now that...is a future I'm willing to look forward to." Death grunted.
"Shouldn't that be 'we' now?" Mikako cheekily smiled as she held the Pale Rider's hand.
"I'm waiting for you to say that." Death tapped Mikako's cheeks as the latter blushed happily.
Kanata then faced Chris and Alito as she bowed to them in respect.
"Chris-sempai, Alito-sempai...words can't really express how much this moment really mean for me. But I won't let down your efforts too! The things you have done for AKB0048, for my friends, for us, for my parents, my sister and I...I will never let those efforts of yours down! Thank you!" Kanata held Chris and Alito's hands tightly.
The two women simpered humbly.
"We might be the ones who have helped you to where you are today, but the one you should really thank...is the person who originally persuaded Shiori in the first place." Chris replied.
"There is?" Kanata wondered.
"Who?" Mimori asked.
Chris and Alito took a deep breath...
"Azrael - The Angel of Death."
Meanwhile, back at the White City…
Azrael's Tower
The Angel of Death looked upon the huge aerial balcony, his eyes drooping low in a mix of regret and anger as the memories of the past flooded back into his mind.
(Abaddon)
"The Council ties our hands!"
"Yes, old friend…I do."
"There will be no war, Azrael! We will strike Hell's Legions down before it's even begun."
"It will be our words, Heaven's word, against that of the Prince of Lies…now do you see?"
"The Seventh Seal...has not been broken!"
"Yes, Azrael...I have come back from the dead."
"I see, the Tree of Knowledge. You have kept it from the dredges of darkness, isn't it?"
(War and The Watcher - Darksiders era)
"Yet I'm the one who pays for your betrayal!"
"Treason! War, you swore that you will rid anyone who have pulled you down. Do it, starting with him!"
"When all of this ends, the Council will see that justice is done. I will destroy Abaddon, and all who schemed with him..."
(Chris 'Quattro' Fuschia - True Armageddon)
"War! There's been too much angels and innocent people who have gave their lives to destroy the dredges of hell! They are the real enemies! I plead you, stop this unnecessary bloodshed and destroy the Prime Evil once and for all!"
"If you want to kill Azrael...slay me instead! He's the only one that can command the Hellguards to guide the Third Kingdom, and not rule over them, after the True Armageddon!"
The memories clung onto Azrael like a stubborn child demanding candy from his parents.
The memories that reminded him of the atrocities that he had committed a hundred and two years ago, which led to the premature Apocalypse.
"All of those atrocities...the burden that I have to endure..." Azrael sighed.
Then...
"Those atrocities are not entirely your fault so much as it's the pride of Abaddon..."
Azrael's eyes widened slightly.
"Who's there?" Azrael turned behind him and saw a long red-hair girl who was wearing a brown coat jacket wrapping around his pale peachy shirt, and dark brown shorts with a medium-sized orange ribbon tied on her hair.
"Miss Kanata?" Azrael's eyes went wide with surprise.
How will the about-to-be sixth Takamina persuade the Angel of Death that it was not entirely his fault that the premature Apocalypse happened?
Just how did Kanata found her way to the White City?
Can Azrael ever forgive himself of the dreadful past and Abaddon's betrayal, while motivating himself in not repeating the past?
Or will he be a victim to the after-effects of the Angel of Destruction's actions?
Will War and Death ever forgive the Angel of Death's actions?
In fact, will Ayako Kuroki, the sixth Yuki Kashiwagi, ever see the truth about Abaddon's zealous betrayal and joined Kanata into convincing Azrael that the premature Apocalypse was not of his doing?
All this and more in the next episode...
Vollkommen: The Light's forgiveness!