TB: Well, we made it all the way to this point, but here we are. The final part of the arc that has Mikoto confronting her Akuma heritage.
KKD: This is all getting nuts, I'll admit.
TB: And now we reached a big chapter ending this arc before we show the first preview of the traditional Sentai Versus story I have planned.
KKD: I'm excited, that's for sure. Gotta wonder who the Melodygers are teaming up with.
TB: Don't worry. The result will surprise you and hopefully excite everyone.
KKD: I'm sure it will. So, are we ready to begin?
TB: Yep. Cue Disclaimers!
Disclaimers: Neither TokuBrony nor KKD own Super Sentai or anything else other than this original concept and the characters within. Super Sentai and any music used in the story are owned by Toei and their respective singers.
*A galleon sails in with twelve figures atop it before the camera zooms in revealing Kamen Rider Buccaneer, the Sailor Spirits, & the Melodygers, the latter five all holding their respective instruments*
Red Melody, H-Mako, & Buccaneer: SUPER HERO TIME!
*Instruments then surround scenes of the upcoming Melodyger chapter*
Buccaneer: Mikoto and Takara have been split up and now it's like a piece of her really is missing. I hope you guys can save her.
*With Hyouno flying around, she soon creates flames in the shape of leopards that run straight at the screen, showing scenes of Sailor Spirits*
Red Melody: We're actually seeing Erio being helped by a blind girl. Well, this is a whole new perspective.
*Treasure keys appears around the next scene, showing off scenes from Kamen Rider Buccaneer*
H-Mako: Hariko seems to be really doubtful because of that damn hunter. I hope that he's okay.
*We then see the Melodygers, Sailor Spirits, and Buccaneer posing for the camera with Red Melody, H-Mako, and Buccaneer standing at the edge of the bow of the galleon*
H-Mako: Everything's set!
Melodygers: Let's start!
Buccaneer: SHOWTIME!
Previously on Musical Sentai Melodyger…
The Melodygers were trying to figure out how to get Mikoto back after she became the Akuma known as Takara. Neiji was the most crushed, but also the most determined to return her to their side. Takara, meanwhile, was ready to work with her uncle Contaro despite multiple signs of Mikoto trying to be the dominant half. D had deserted the Akuma, but that didn't stop Takara and Contaro from trying to attack the hospital where Yukiko Takimoto was resting. The Melodygers, however, quickly came to help, and with the power of Kujagora's lullaby, they were able to return Mikoto to their side… but she's not quite herself. And now, proceeding to the next movement…
In a forest close to town, Contaro was holding his niece, Takara up with her arm over his shoulder. He grunted as he dragged her before they found a place to sit, panting from exhaustion due to the battle.
"Damn that Kujagora… using that melody in a way that it hurts us," Contaro grunted, trying to rest and gather himself.
"I can't believe I was split apart from Mikoto… that was weird," Takara replied, "The weirder part was that the lullaby didn't take us apart… she rejected me."
"Just like all those twelve years. Mikoto wants nothing to do with you."
"That bitch… I'm going to kill her so that I'm the only one remaining."
Takara was about to move, but grunted in pain, looking to her hand as she gasped, seeing it was transparent.
"Whoa~, what the hell's happening!?" Takara gawked, seeing what was happening.
"...You're beginning to fade…" Contaro noted in realization as the transparency died down.
(Insert Theme: Immortals by Fall Out Boy)
*A Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) begins to play with some clapping as notes float across the screen, washing away the previous scene before we see the Melodygers, silhouetted before lights from above shine onto each one and they all pose as the instrumental begins and the titles were soon shaped from notes the Melodygers played their instruments*
Musical Sentai Melodyger
They say we are what we are, but we don't have to be
*We see Mikoto sitting on a chair, looking over her flute before looking towards the camera and waving as the background was replaced with a musical sheet, and Red Melody was shown in front of it, playing her flute before posing for battle*
I'm bad behavior, but I do it in the best way
*Afterwards we see Kazu, playing his saxophone before he looks at the camera and winks with Blue Melody appearing on music sheet background behind Kazu, aiming his Saxozooka*
I'll be the watcher (watcher) of the eternal flame
*We then see Neiji adjusting his drumset with Saburo tuning his guitar before they looked at the camera with a smile and an upward nod of acknowledgment, respectively, and then Green and Yellow Melodies appeared in between them on the music sheet background twirling the Drum Fighting Sticks and holding up the Rocker Axe over the shoulder, also respectively*
I'll be the guard dog of all your fever dreams
*We follow it up by seeing Jess, playing her Keytar happily with Pink Melody appearing behind her on the music sheet background, firing her Iruka Keytar before swinging it like a sword*
(Ooooooooh!) I am the sand in the bottom half of the hourglass (glass, glass)
*We finish up the roll call with Mayako working the DJ table and giving a smirk to the camera, Gold Melody appearing behind her firing and slashing her DJ MixMaster-ken*
(Ooooooooh!) I try to picture me without you, but I can't
*The three generals of the Akuma no Metal stood there ready to charge into battle with Ryu Chikara pulling out his 9 arm guitar and playing a deadly tune*
'Cause we could be Immortals, I-I-I, I-Immortals!
*The six teens then pull out their Melody Changers and activated them, transforming into the Melodygers*
Just not for long, for long
*The team then pull out their weapons*
And live with me forever now
We pull the blackout curtains down
*Both sides then stood ready for the battle before they started charging, and clashing with each other*
Just not for long, for long
*Red Melody then posed in her Dotai Mode, acting like she's conducting a masterpiece*
We could be Immooooooooor-, Immortals
*The Melodygers got the upper hand on the grunts before fighting the generals*
Immooooooooor-, Immortals
*We then see Red Melody attaching the Hiyoshidai to her changer, quickly turning into Dotai Mode and striking the foes down with the Dotai Rod*
Immooooooooor-, Immortals
*We then see Super Melody-Oh, posing with its spear before DJ Koumori flew by and quickly shifted into Mixmaster-Bat, Mixmaster-Bat Electro also being shown briefly in battle*
Immooooooooor-, Immortals
*We then see Ultimate Melody-Oh, posing powerfully with the Dotai Boomerang in hand before TyrannOrchestra ran and jumped in the air, shifting before it landed on the ground as Orchestra Rex*
Imm, I-I-I-Immortals
*As the song comes to a close, we see the five Melodygers in civilian form walking off into the sunset, all of them congratulating each other as their faded Melodyger forms appear in the sky above them, and then the title appears on screen*
Score 37: Acceptance or Denial?
Back with the Melodygers, Mikoto was still sitting and staring into space, her colorless eyes not changing as she continued to stare, the Melodygers looking equally concerned.
"So she's like this because she rejected her Akuma half?" Saburo asked.
"That's what I said, dudes," Kami confirmed.
"If that were me, I'd say good riddance," Kazu scoffed, clearly angry.
"You don't understand, though. Takara is a part of her, and without both halves, she may never be the same again," Hinata explained.
"So after all that effort to take Miko-chan back, we have to undo all the struggling and all that stuff we went through?" Jess gawked in disbelief.
"In a manner of speaking."
"No way, we ain't doing that crap," Kazu snapped.
"But do we really have any other choice in this?" Mayako asked.
"I'm gonna have to agree with Hinata," Kami nodded.
"But why? Why bring them together after Mikoto-san's suffered enough?" Neiji demanded to know as Hinata sighed and looked at her daughter.
"Mikoto and Takara are one and the same. They cannot exist apart; they need to be merged back," Hinata explained, Mikoto only looking away like she was saying no, "If they can't… then both will really die. They'll fade away from existence."
The others gasped in shock as Mikoto still looked away from her fellow allies, glimpses of transparency being very apparent as seen by her head and arms.
"You gotta be kidding me," Jess gawked, shocked by seeing proof of Hinata's point.
"All of what I say is true," Hinata confirmed.
"Well, it's gonna be hard to get those two to accept each other," Kazu sighed, gripping his head in confusion.
"You think?" Mayako scoffed before the instruments sounded off.
"The alarm! For now, we have to get out there and see what we can do!" Neiji shouted as the Melodygers ran out there.
Over at the town center, Takara and Contaro were unleashing a horde of Imps and Ogres out onto the people to cause some havoc, the Melodygers arriving on the scene already in suit.
"There they are!" Yellow shouted as they saw the Akuma destroying property.
"Ah, Melodygers. Nice to see you again," Contaro grinned.
"Cut the crap, Contaro," Blue snapped, pulling out his Saxozooka.
"You will pay for making Mikoto-san suffer through this madness," Green warned as he twirled his Beat Sticks.
"Is Mikoto too much of a coward to face me herself?" Takara scoffed as she looked at her two blades, "It's as I thought. She wants nothing to do with me."
"Maybe it doesn't have to be like that anymore," Pink suggested.
"What are you doing, Jess-chan?" Blue gawked, about to stop her before Green put his hand on her shoulder, motioning him to let her continue.
"Why should I listen to any of you?" Takara asked, clearly not in the mood.
"We were recently told that you two need to be back together because you're a part of her and all that," Pink informed.
"Oh really. Then why was I shut out for all those years? Why was my very existence denied for so long!?"
The Melodygers all looked at each other, not really knowing how to answer that, looking very hesitant.
"You see, my niece? They don't understand the pain you feel," Contaro replied, looking like he was the reasonable one, "Mikoto will never understand you, so what makes you think her friends will be any different?"
Takara quivered slightly before gripping her knives tightly, growling as she prepared to run straight towards the Melodygers. The Imps followed her as Contaro smirked to himself, backing up when no one was looking and watching the fight. Blue and Gold started blasting the Imps, mowing them down with their blaster weapons before Yellow and Pink jumped in slashing down at the Imps and Ogres.
This left Takara alone with Green, the two colliding with knife meeting Beat Stick, causing sparks to fly off with every collision. Green grunted as Takara lunged and tried to injure her more and more.
"C'mon, lover boy, all you care about is Mikoto, right?" Takara taunted, her attacks getting quicker and stronger, making Green fall back every time he got hit.
"I do, you're right. But you must've felt it too, right? The fading?" Green figured, Takara scoffing in response.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't need that waste of space holding me back and keeping me away anymore. Takimoto Mikoto is dead to me."
Just as she was about to attack Green some more, she groaned in pain, clutching her side as she noticed her knees beginning to fade.
"That's what I'm talking about. I saw it happen to Mikoto-san for a little bit too," Green pointed out as Takara kept groaning in pain.
"I-I don't get it! How can I be fading!?" Takara gawked, feeling shocked.
"Takara, what are you doing? Fight them!" Contaro ordered, "Don't you want to erase Mikoto and her friends?"
Takara growled, feeling conflicted about what to do while looking at her body fading in and out, back and forth. However, it was interrupted by the sound of metal footsteps gradually getting louder before they heard a roar and suddenly, D appeared and past the Melodygers and Takara, going straight to Contaro. However, Contaro was quick and blocked D's broadsword with his own blade.
"D?!" the Melodygers gawked, D growling as he held against his former fellow general, the blades sparking before they pushed each other back.
"I don't know what's going on with Takara, nor do I care. It's Contaro I want right now!" D snapped, swinging his blade at the duplicitous Akuma.
"I have no time for your bullcrap about honor, D. I'm about to have my niece wipe out any connections she has to Mikoto and the Melodygers!" Contaro hissed.
"It isn't just that, is it!?"
D and Contaro continued clashing blades at each other, evenly matched in skill and power while crashing through anything that was in their way. While that was going on, Gold and Pink ran over to Takara and started to take her arms around their shoulders.
"While they're killing each other, let's take Takara with us to a quieter place," Gold suggested.
"Are we seriously doing this?" Blue gawked.
"I say we let those two tear each other apart while we try talking some sense into her," Pink replied as the Melodygers managed to get away from the fight.
"Why are you even helping me?" Takara grunted in pain as she was helped up.
"This is for the sake of both you and Mikoto-san," Green informed.
Back at the base, Mikoto was still staring into space with a blank expression and shadows covering her eyes, clearly not capable of saying much as her body was back to normal.
"Mikoto, you can't be like this forever," Hinata responded.
"I don't even think she can hear us," Kami sighed.
"I hear… both of you," they heard Mikoto answer in a near-monotone voice, "...Why, Okaa-san? Why didn't you just tell me from the start? You've had a million opportunities to tell me everything, and you just decided to lie to me. I didn't know that I was a… a monster."
"I'm sorry… I was concerned for your safety and well-being. I was planning on telling you everything… just not in the way that Contaro planned it."
"Some mother you turned out to be."
"Mi-Mikoto!"
"You were gone from my life for 12 years and then you suddenly appear back into my life for seemingly no reason. The connection with the Akuma should've been obvious from the beginning, but I was too dumb to see it. I am a monster, just like you."
"Mikoto, that was uncalled for!" Hinata shouted, getting closer to her daughter.
"But it's true! You're an Akuma, and it's in my blood! I didn't ask for this, nor did I want this!" Mikoto snapped back, not realizing her body was starting to fade.
"Stop this talk right now or you'll find yourself disappearing forever!"
"Maybe I would rather disappear than be reminded of the fact that I have a monster for a mother!"
This made Hinata widen her eyes, the room going silent as Mikoto just gaped, realizing what she just said before the instruments started going crazy again.
"Again?" Kami questioned as he checked the monitors, "Oh boy. Hinata, D and Contaro are going at each other something fierce. And you can bet there's collateral damage to be had."
"I'll go out there and handle them both," Hinata replied, about to leave when she looked back at Mikoto.
"O-Okaa-san, wait. I… I didn't me-" Mikoto started, but was stopped by Hinata.
"You've made yourself very clear, Mikoto. I thought we could be a family again when I came back for you. I see I was wrong. Apparently, our familial connections died the moment I refused to come back to you."
Mikoto only looked on with sorrow as Hinata left the base before looking at her hands fading in and out of transparency. She was then overwhelmed with tears and then broke down, softly crying into her hands over what she had said to her mother.
"I'm going to make a call," Kami sighed as he left the base to do so.
Over with the Melodygers, they found a quiet spot in the forest to lay Takara against a tree, the Akuma panting as her body returned back to normal.
"Good, she's not fading anymore," Pink panted as they all demorphed.
"But how long before it starts again?" Saburo wondered as they all looked at each other with confusion and concern.
"You didn't need to help me. When my uncle finds you, he's gonna tear you all apart," Takara grunted in pain, clearly wanting to beat the Melodygers.
"Let him try, we'll beat him like last time," Kazu smirked.
"We got you out of there because you were hurting. We're doing this for both you and Mikoto-san," Neiji explained.
"No, you're all doing this for Mikoto. You don't give a damn about me," Takara pointed out with malice.
"...Yeah, you're right. We don't," Kazu agreed.
"Kazu-kun," Jess groaned, nudging him slightly before crouching down to Takara's level, "While we're waiting, I actually thought we'd take this time to get to know each other more. No matter how stubborn you are."
"I don't need friends," Takara growled as she sat up.
"Funny, Mikoto thought the same way before she met us," Mayako recalled.
"It's as we've said before, you two are one and the same. You're not so different at all," Neiji pointed out.
"Then why was I shut out?" Takara asked in response, the Melodygers all looking at each other and not knowing how to answer, "*sighs* That's what I thought."
"It isn't that easy to answer. If you want that question answered, you'll have to ask Hinata-san," Saburo pointed out.
"She doesn't give a damn about me either."
"Well, neither does your so-called uncle," Kazu informed.
"How dare you insinuate that he's not faithful to me?" Takara growled.
"Think about it. He sent you out into battle, KNOWING that you are in danger of going poof, trying to kill us and Mikoto-san. If one of you dies, you both go poof."
"Would he really care about you even after he figures that out?" Saburo inquired, Takara looking away with a conflicted expression.
"That's your idea, isn't it? You couldn't use Takimoto's Akuma half so you're going to have them fight until they both disappear, aren't you!?" D figured as he and Contaro kept clashing against each other rapidly.
"You're goddamn right I am! All that work I did to awaken her Akuma half, all the tortures, they were for nothing in the end! Takara is a failure, just like Mikoto," Contaro growled as he fired his blaster on D, who simply blocked them as well.
"That is something I cannot let happen!" they both heard a voice shout as they turned to see Kujagora jumping down with her Houou-Ken.
"Kujagora!" D shouted as both he and Contaro blocked the Houou-Ken coming at them, Kujagora joining in the fight.
"I should've known that you would stoop so low to make both halves of my daughter disappear. You've always been one so sadistic and selfish."
"You know me so well, sister. And now I can kill two traitors at once," Contaro responded, roaring as he fired his blaster at them some more, making them block.
"Follow me where no people will be in the way of our battle!" Kujagora called out as she ran away, D following suit.
"Matte kora!"
Back at the base, Mikoto was still silently weeping over how she acted towards her mother, feeling worse than she did before she heard Kami come in.
"You're still upset I see," Kami noted, "Don't worry, Mikoto-kun. I brought someone over to help you."
Hearing this, Mikoto looked up at Kami as he stepped aside to reveal Yukiko, out of the hospital with just a head bandage wrapped on.
"O… Obaa-chan…?" Mikoto gawked before standing up and looking shocked, "You're okay?"
"I was medically cleared to leave and Kami-san was more than happy to help me," Yukiko assured as she walked closer, Mikoto just stunned and at a loss of words while also looking very worried and conflicted, "He also told me everything that happened. Including your mother."
"...Please don't come any closer to me. I'm half Akuma… I got monster blood in me."
"I'm aware."
"I… I don't want to hurt you or anyone else," Mikoto whimpered, backing up and sitting back down on the medical bed.
"I know it's very difficult to accept the truth. Even I'm shocked about this discovery," Yukiko confessed before placing her hand on Mikoto's shoulder, "But that isn't stopping me from supporting you in your efforts. You may be half Akuma… but you're my granddaughter first and foremost."
"Obaa-chan…"
"You're nothing like those beasts. You're still the same Mikoto I've known for 18 years of your life."
Mikoto could only shed tears as she said this before hugging her grandmother tightly, crying her heart out as Yukiko simply hugged her comfortingly.
"I yelled at my mom and called her a monster…" she whimpered, feeling nothing but overwhelming guilt and sorrow, "I should've listened to her instead of being angry and in denial."
"We all make mistakes, Mikoto. I should note that more often than not, the off flat notes can be the best teachers for musicians and composers alike."
Hearing this, Mikoto looked at Yukiko and giggled through her tears and sniffles, seeming to understand the classic metaphor method as she cleaned her eyes.
"Where are my friends and mom?" Mikoto asked as Kami looked at the screen.
"The other Melodygers are with your other half and Hinata is fighting D and Contaro further away," Kami informed, "What are you going to do?"
"...I'm not entirely sure… but I do know what to do now. What I should've done from the beginning…" Mikoto informed as she walked past Kami and Yukiko, grabbing her Melody Changer off the counter, "I'm going to confront myself."
"I just don't think my uncle would do that to me," Takara responded in denial.
"What if he is? What would you do next?" Saburo inquired.
"What are you going to do all by yourself? I mean, you don't exactly have anywhere else to go," Kazu pointed out.
"You sure you're not gonna feel sad and alone?" Jess asked.
"Urusei! Contaro is the only family I have! He's the only one who accepts me for what I am!" Takara snapped back in rage.
"Not anymore…" they all heard, making the group turn to see the blank-eyed Mikoto approach the group.
"Mikoto-san/Mikoto/Miko-chan!" the Melodygers gasped, excited and relieved to know that their friend and leader is with them.
"Sorry for worrying everyone. Let me talk with her."
They all nodded, Mikoto looking at Takara as the Akuma glared back, both feeling like they were looking into a mirror.
"I've met a dark clone of myself before, but this is entirely new to me," Mikoto admitted aloud, "So you're my Akuma half."
"Scared of me, aren't you?" Takara asked, able to read Mikoto like a book.
"Unbelievably."
"You going to reject and ignore me again like I'm not a part of you?"
"*sighs* You know I can't do that… that would be too easy," Mikoto countered, "My refusal to accept you is what caused us to split apart."
"I know that. Get to the freakin point," Takara snapped at her human half, Mikoto simply rolling her eyes in response.
"I am willing to accept you as part of me again. No catches. No deals. No anything. Just the two of us fusing back together."
Mikoto held her hand out towards Takara, who looked surprised along with the others. Takara had so many thoughts running through her mind before she screamed and actually tackled Mikoto to the ground.
"Mikoto-san!" Neiji gasped.
"You think that after 18 years of denial and hibernation because of that damn lullaby, that I'll forgive you after all that!?" Takara growled, trying to strangle Mikoto, "I don't know what made you change your mind all of a sudden, but I don't forgive and forget!"
Mikoto grunted as she and Takara grappled each other, rolling on the ground before they dropped over a rock and ended up tumbling downhill at high speeds, the other Melodygers soon following them. Eventually, the duo landed next to a rock pile in an open quarry, Takara hastily getting back up.
"I'm not finished with you yet," Takara growled as she walked over to Mikoto, picked her up on her feet and proceeded to punch her in the face and stomach a few times, "I don't need anyone except my uncle, do you hear me? He's the only one I can trust!"
However, Takara's fists were then caught by Mikoto's, stopping her barrage.
"How do you know you can trust him? I'm as much his niece as you are… and if he's willing to kill me, what chance does he have of letting you live? You know that if either one of us dies, both of us disappear!" Mikoto reminded, Takara struggling to hit her human half before the Red Melodyger managed to kick back and throw some more hits of her own, "Sure, I didn't know you existed until now, and sure Okaa-san had some good reasons for not telling me about you, but I know for a fact that I need to learn to accept the monster within, which is you!"
Mikoto then rushed in, jumped up and threw a punch to Takara's cheek, making her stumble some more. The leader continued to throw some more hits constantly at her Akuma self, before making her fall to the ground. Takara panted, seeing her drip black blood before looking up to Mikoto.
"Okay… you bested me. Now finish me off… I'd rather die than be a part of you again," Takara grunted, both of them groaning in pain, Mikoto falling to her knees as they saw their hands start to fade on them.
"Do-Don't say things like that! It'll only make this worse!" Mikoto shouted.
"Miko-chan!" Jess called out as the two crawled closer to each other.
"Do you see now!?"
"I… I don't get it… uncle knew this would be suicide? And he sent me to do it? Why…?" Takara demanded, clutching her stomach, "Family shouldn't do that to each other! I need him!"
"What you need is someone who really cares about you… like Okaa-san…" Mikoto countered, gripping her ribs as they got closer and on their knees.
"How do you know she won't just try to use that lullaby on me to bury me inside you again? How can I trust you after all that's happened?"
"...Because you kinda remind me of how I used to be… never wanting any friends, wanting to be alone with the only family member who understands you… it's just one big reminder that we are one and the same…"
They both looked at each other as the fading stopped, the Melodygers seeming relieved that things may be going well. However, the moment was interrupted by clashing as the two halves turned to see Kujagora's clash with D and Contaro brought into the quarry, with the former two tumbling on the ground and rolling while Contaro was flying above, chuckling sinisterly.
"You two are just giving me a headache now... where's the resistance?" Contaro demanded before noticing the Melodygers nearby, "I think fate keeps blessing me with more enemies to kill. And oh wow, my dear niece is among them too. Takara, destroy your human half."
"No, don't do it! It's what he wants!" Kujagora shouted at the Akuma half of her daughter, "I understand you are very upset about me sealing you away, but you don't have to do this!"
"Don't listen to them! She imprisoned you and kept you away from me!"
Takara just looked really conflicted and torn on the whole situation, looking between her uncle, her mother, and Mikoto, who simply held her hand out to her. The Akuma looked down at her knees, black tears coming from her eyes.
"You won't listen to your uncle? I said finish her off!" Contaro snapped.
"I CAN'T! I JUST CAN'T DO IT!" Takara shouted, "This doesn't feel right… she's learned to accept me, yet I wouldn't! And you're telling me to kill her… knowing that I would disappear too? Why would you do that? Why would you do that to your own niece!?"
"So what if you disappear along with Mikoto! Consider it your final redemption to me!"
"It isn't redemption, it's suicide! I can't kill her… I can't kill someone that considers me a part of them. She's my weaker half, the part who always forced me away no matter what… yet she faced me with no fear, and says that I'm her. I can't bear this feeling of confliction and betrayal! I… I… *tears up* I'm confused! I'm afraid…"
With that said, Mikoto approached her Akuma half and hugged her, Takara starting to cry like a little girl from frustration yet accepting the hug without raising her arms.
"Don't be afraid… I'm here with you," Mikoto assured comfortingly, Takara sniffling hoarsely on her human half's shoulders.
Seeing this, Contaro growled, clenching his fist before descending on the ground.
"Then you can both die together," he muttered before rushing towards the two with his blade pulled out and ready to attack.
However, Kujagora quickly rushed and used her Houou-Ken to block him. The peacock Akuma continued to clash with her brother, screaming as she kept trying to attack him. Soon enough, she was starting to weaken from the battle she had and Contaro continued slashing and firing at her, making her feathers fly off with every hit. After that, Contaro sheathed his sword to play a wild solo on his guitar which gave him a power boost while Kujagora stood there, weakened by the onslaught. He then unsheathed both his sword and blaster, both having been charged by the solo before he launched energy slashes and blasts all at the same time, causing a huge explosion that blocked the view of the battle from Mikoto, Takara, and the Melodygers.
"Okaa-san!" Mikoto shouted in a panic, Takara looking on in suspense over what's happening.
The smoke soon cleared, seeing Hinata out of her Akuma form, bleeding profusely on her knees and panting as she tried to stand, but she was too fatigued and injured. Contaro walked closer to her before picking up the Houou-Ken that was next to her.
"It's been fun while it lasted, Kujagora, but I'm afraid you must now depart," Contaro informed as he took the Houou-Ken and stabbed Hinata through the abs with the blade, making her gasp and cough up blood, "Farewell… sister."
He then pulled the blade out, forcing Hinata to drop to the ground, Takara's eyes widening in shock at this while Mikoto looked horrified and ran towards her.
"Okaa-san! Okaa-san! Please… don't leave me now… PLEASE!" Mikoto pleaded with bloodshot eyes as Takara and the rest of the Melodygers gathered around her, "I really didn't mean the things I said to you back there! We can be a family again! Kami can heal you! Just please, don't go like Otou-san did!"
"*coughs, coughs* It's okay, Mikoto… I wasn't the best mother… and I'm sorry. ...You were right… I should've told you everything from the start," Hinata grunted hoarsely, coughing a bit while putting her hand on Mikoto's tear stained cheek, "I may not have been the best mother, but I feel like I did the best I could."
"You're not like them, Okaa-san. We're not like them, I understand that. Please, I don't want to lose you for real!"
"I did this for you… for both of you. *looks at Takara* I was afraid of Mikoto being easily swayed by the Akuma no Metal, so I kept playing that lullaby… maybe I should've given you more attention."
"...Kujagor-... M-Mother, I…" Takara gawked, utterly in shock that the being who sealed her away acknowledged her mistake.
"I do have regrets… but one thing I don't regret is seeing you again, Mikoto. And how much you've changed…" Hinata informed, smiling at her daughter as she wiped away a tear, "I… I love you… both."
Mikoto and Takara teared up as Hinata gave them each a kiss to the forehead before laying back on the ground with a smile. Then, her body began to fade into white sparkles that floated up to the heavens. Takara was shocked, but felt a deep sorrow she never felt before. Mikoto on the other hand was distraught, wailing at how she had truly lost both her parents, screaming at the sky in sadness. The other Melodygers had their heads down and some were visibly in tears at this, the heroes taking a moment of silence as best as they could.
"How tragic. Don't worry though… you'll all be seeing her soon enough," Contaro smirked, preparing his blade again.
"You bastard," Kazu growled.
"You're going to pay in blood for what you did to our friend," Saburo added in anger.
"Mikoto-san has suffered long enough!" Neiji snapped, the five about to rush in before Takara held her arm out to stop them.
"He's ours…" she muttered, Mikoto still having her head down in mourning and eyes closed as the hawk Akuma knelt to her human half, getting close and whispering, "I am you. You are me. We are one."
Takara then suddenly began to glow a bright red, surprising everyone as the hawk began to turn transparent before she turned into an energy that entered Mikoto, giving her the bright red glow. This blinded the Melodygers and even Contaro briefly as Mikoto stood back to her feet without looking back up. Once she did, she opened her eyes and glared at Contaro as her blank eyes suddenly gained her pupils and her blank irises turning the same bright red as Takara's.
"I am Takimoto Mikoto, also known as Takara and Red Melody. Half human, half Akuma. Daughter of Takimoto Hinata, also known as Kujagora," Mikoto declared as she slowly stepped forward while putting her Melody Changer back on her wrist and even pulled the Tuner out of her pants pocket, "I have accepted who I am… and I will use this newfound power to defeat you, Contaro."
"I'm your only family left now. You defeat me, you'll always be alone," Contaro taunted.
"No. I'll never be alone. Hell… I've never been alone. *plugs Tuner in and puts it inside*"
"Mikoto-san, catch!" Neiji shouted, throwing the Orchestra Hiyoshidai over to her, the leader catching it and posing.
"Melody Change!"
Mikoto suddenly became surrounded with red musical notes and a score before they merged and formed her suit and Dotai vest, the leader of the Melodygers posing gracefully. She extended her Dotai Rod with the T-Rex head roaring before she opened up her Flute Slasher to put the baton inside and close it. She then looked to her other hand, feeling something off before plunging her hand into the rocky ground beneath her and pulling it back up, revealing a familiar blade.
"The Houou-Ken…" Red gawked in amazement, Contaro looking rather impressed.
"Ah, you found a way to wield the Houou-Ken," he noted as he twirled his blade, "No need to worry, you'll fall just like her."
"You really are nothing but scum, Contaro. For everything you've done to me, for everything you've done to my family… YOU will be the one who falls!"
(Insert Song: Sen no Tsubasa by Jajnov)
*As the instrumental began, the two rushed towards each other before they began clashing their weapons, the Melodygers cheering for their leader while the battle went on. As this was going on, we see Red's inner psyche, Mikoto and Takara side by side as they seemed to stay floating in midair*
Mikoto: Risou bakari no kotoba ja honto wa mienai darou (You can't actually come to see anything, by speaking only of ideals).
Dare mo ga onaji you ni, sekai wo mteinai kara (Because everyone has a different perspective over the world).
*As Mikoto sang with all her heart, Red clashed with both blades in her hand, swinging them in a manner that Contaro couldn't process fast enough to block*
Takara: Me no mae ni utsutta monogatari wo shinjite (So believe the tale you saw with your own eyes).
Jibun dake no tsubasa de motto tooku ni toberu hazu (You should be able to fly farther, with your own wings)
*Then Takara took a turn to sing as Contaro tried firing his blaster at Red, the Melodyger spinning and using the Houou-Ken to block them all at once, making sparks fly off the blade once she blocked*
Mikoto & Takara: Saa~ Kizuku toki da~ kono ima ga subete datte (It's time for you to realize, that this here and now, is everything)
*As Red posed, Contaro looked shocked as he saw the astral image of his sister standing next to Red before the Melodyger ran to him*
Kami-sama kono koe wo sora e to habatakasete (Dear God, let my voice soar into the sky)!
*Red used her Flute Slasher to extend and unleash some whip slashes before spinning and using the Houou-Ken to attack*
Dare to mo chigau hane de yume wo miseru kara (Because I'll show you a dream with my unique feathers)!
*As Red slashed the Houou-Ken at Contaro, Kujagora's astral image appeared again, mimicking the attack motion*
Musuu no kono tsubasa, kimi ni mo kanjiru darou (These wings are innumerable, you should be able to feel them too)!
*As this kept happening, it confused and shocked Contaro as he kept getting hit, unable to dodge or defend against it*
Teritsukeru taiyou ni itsuka wa tadorisui~te yukeru sa~ (I'll someday make it all the way~ up to the blinding sun~!)
*Red continued her onslaught before raising both blades up and slamming them down on Contaro to knock him back, Red posing with both blades outward*
"Do you feel that?" Takara asked Mikoto.
"O… Okaa-san?" Mikoto gawked as Red herself on the outside looked to her left to see the astral projection of her mother realized, "She's by my side… she's powering us with her soul and melodies!"
"Let's use them!" Mikoto and Takara shouted in unison as Red stabbed the Houou-Ken into the ground before putting the Flute Slasher to her helmet and beginning to play the song they were singing, making Contaro grunt in pain.
"Kisama…" Contaro growled as he tried to pull out his sword, but was fired at by the Saxozooka wielded by Blue Melody, making him turn to see him and the other Melodygers.
"We're not letting Miko-chan hog all the fun of beating you up!" Pink shouted as she used the Pop Whip to chain him up.
Mikoto & Takara: Mo~tto~ buttoberu darou~(You can ju~mp even higher, can't you~)?
Egaita~ sora wa mou te no naka (The sky you sketched out~ is is already within the palm of your hand)!
*As the two halves continued singing, Yellow swung his Rocker Axe at Contaro all over before Green jumped up and used his Beat Sticks to slam down on him as Gold and Blue use their bladed weapons to keep the Akuma at bay before Red finished playing*
Kimi ga~ hoshigatteta~ jibun wa mou tsukanderu sa (You've already gotten hold of the person you desire to be)!
*Red then pulled the Houou-Ken out of the ground as both blades glowed brightly, Kujagora's soul appearing beside her with just the Houou-Ken in her hand*
Kami-sama kono koe wo sora e to habatakasete (Dear God, let my voice soar into the sky)!
*Red ran towards Contaro after Pink let him go with the Pop Whip, spinning a bit as the lead Melodyger slashed at him multiple times, Contaro glimpsing at Kujagora for a few seconds each*
Dare to mo chigau hane de yume wo miseru kara (Because I'll show you a dream with my unique feathers)!
*The Akuma roared in pain as the Melodyger slashed with the powered up blades (con)*
Musuu no kono tsubasa, kimi ni mo kanjiru darou (These wings are innumerable, you should be able to feel them too)!
Teritsukeru taiyou ni itsuka wa tadorisui~te yukeru sa~ (I'll someday make it all the way~ up to the blinding sun~!)
*As they finished singing, Red finished her onslaught before raising her arms up*
"Kyuukyoku Gakushou (Ultimate Movement)... MELODY FINISH!" Red shouted as the blades glowed with a powerful fiery aura, and with the projection of Kujagora, she unleashed double X formation slash onto Contaro, making him scream in pain and fly backwards as sparks flew off.
Contaro groaned before he fell over and exploded in defeat, Red turning around and sighing, sheathing the Houou-Ken into the ground and letting it crumble into sand.
"You did it, Mikoto-san!" Green cheered as he jumped and gave Red a hug.
"That had to have felt good!" Blue admitted.
"It did… I'm satisfied now," Red sighed as they were about to walk away.
"...We're not done yet…" they heard a voice growl, the Melodygers turning to see the smoke clear out and see a fatigued and beaten Contaro struggling to stand up.
"No way!" Gold gawked.
"He survived that!?" Pink gasped as Contaro limped his way out of the smoke.
"Don't think you've won anything yet… did you forget that I have a trump card?" Contaro grunted as he brought out his two neck guitar.
Contaro roared as he played his own solo, which went crazy and wild as he started glowing dark purple. As this happened, his body pulsated and grew to that of a giant, making the Melodygers quickly back up.
"Whoa! Looks like it's mech time," Blue figured as Red nodded and they all played their instrument weapons to call them.
The Dobutsu quickly rushed to the scene, all lined up and ready for action as the Melodygers jumped into their respective cockpits.
"Zen Musical Gattai!" the six shouted as the Dobutsu quickly combined, "Melody Orchestra! On Stage!"
Contaro roared out in frustration as he brandished his blade and ran towards the mecha to strike, but he was blocked rather quickly. Melody Orchestra then slashed at Contaro with the naginata, causing sparks to fly and make him stumble back.
"Everything I worked so hard for was ruined because of you!" Contaro roared, slamming his blade against Melody Orchestra and firing his blaster at it, "You could've been with me and we would've ruled like gods! But you chose the humans over your own heritage!"
"Your idea of familial relations is nothing short of toxic!" Yellow retorted as Melody Orchestra used the naginata to block the blasts.
"You care nothing for your family!" Pink shouted.
"You sacrifice your own comrades, killed your sister, and even tortured Mikoto to do this!" Gold snapped.
"You have no sense of decency within you!" Green snarled.
"You clearly have no real morals among you! You deserve everything that is happening to you right now!" Blue added as Melody Orchestra slashed fiercely at Contaro, managing to break his blade and blaster in the process.
"This is for my father! *slashes left* This is for my grandma! *slashes right* This is for my mother! *thrusts and pierces* And this… is for me and my friends!" Red roared as Melody Orchestra slashed then slashed downward, making him fall back, "Time to finish you once and for all! Min'na!"
The Melodygers then played their instrument weapons together, the music resounding out and hurting Contaro really bad before the hand holding the naginata began to spin rapidly and lift the mech up in the air, gaining more and more height.
"Melody Orchestra! Kaiten Hisoku Wave!" the six shouted as the mecha dove towards Contaro, throwing its arm forward and giving the rotating slash with the naginata, making him scream in pain as Melody Orchestra skidded to a halt.
"Defeated by my own niece… the irony kills me so much… in a way, I'm proud…" Contaro panted as he smirked slightly before screaming in pain as he fell and exploded in defeat, all of the Melodygers giving a vulgar thumbs down in response.
"Your ninth symphony has arrived… Oji-san (Uncle)," Red declared, calling Contaro uncle with hints of venom in her tone before breathing a sigh of relief.
Later at Subarashii Records, everyone was back to working their shifts like normal as Mikoto simply let out a breath.
"You holding up okay after all the crap that's happened?" Kazu checked.
"Yea, I'm fine. Everything was shocking at the moment, but after it was all said and done, I'm okay. I appreciate your concern," Mikoto smiled.
"I like the new red color in your eyes. It looks more… lively, per se," Neiji complimented as Mikoto blushed and smiled at his boyfriend before giving him a little kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you."
"Ready to go home, Mikoto?" Yukiko asked as she came over to her granddaughter.
"Yeah. I think we both need a rest after all the craziness that's happened recently," Mikoto admitted.
"You more than deserved it, Mikoto-kun," Kami smiled as Mikoto nodded before they got ready to leave.
"Sleep well, Mikoto-san," Neiji bid.
"See you tomorrow," Pink waved.
Mikoto smiled and waved at her friends before walking away. Before she exited the door, she stopped and looked at a full length mirror. She looked and soon saw Takara as her reflection, the Akuma half simply nodding to her and Mikoto nodding back in response.
"You coming, Mikoto?" Yukiko called out.
"I'm coming, I'm sorry," Mikoto apologized, running to catch up.
(Insert Theme: Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day)
*As the song began, we see the place is grey and lonely as our focus goes from the ground and scrolls up to see Mikoto*
I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known
*She starts walking down said road with her hands in her jacket pocket*
Don't know where it goes, But it's home to me and I walk alone
*Her expression looks to be that of sorrow and pain as she walks*
I walk this empty street, on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
*The place then lights up with color as she turns to see Kazu walking up to her along with Jess, both of them smiling at her and waving*
Where the city sleeps, and I'm the only one and I walk alone
*Neiji then leaps over with Saburo following behind him, both joining the other Melodygers and giving a peace greeting to Mikoto*
I walk alone, I walk alone…
*Mayako then ran up to the group and smiled at Mikoto. She looks at all of her new friends, who all smile at her and even give her a thumbs up*
I walk alone, I walk a…
*With that, Mikoto gives a smile and they all soon run off*
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
*They look to see the Akuma no Metal in the midst of invading their town*
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
*Ryu Chikara was seen standing atop his mountain on a throne while the three generals stand ready with an army of grunts*
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
*The six turned to see Ongeku no Kami appear and give them a nod, allowing them to plug their Tuners into their Changers and DJ Phone into DJ Changer*
'Til then I walk alone~
*As the instrumental ends, we see them change into Melodygers before charging into battle, taking out the imps and kaijin with Melody-Oh and MixMaster-Bat on standby*
Jikai, Musical Sentai Melodyger!
Ryu: My best general has deserted the Akuma and one has already been defeated.
?: Perhaps I can help you.
Mikoto: You again!
Neiji: I thought we defeated you!
?: You can never keep me down forever!
Mayako: Time to take him down once again!
Score 38: Quoth the Raven, Nevermore!
From Coda to the Top!
When the Melodygers are in trouble…
Gold: Who is this guy!?
?: We are Legion. We are one.
It'll take more than one Sentai to help…
Akaranger: Min'na, ikuzo!
Mikoto: There are more Sentai like us?
Doc: Currently, there's over 40 teams out there.
Neiji: NANI?!
Legion: We will consume all Senshi souls.
Red: We can't let you do that!
Akaranger: The spirit of Super Sentai…
Red & Akaranger: Is forever!
Musical Sentai Melodyger vs. Super Sentai!
Coming Soon…
KKD: Ok, this whole thing wrapped up nice, and now we got THIS crossover happening.
TB: A double whammy of awesome if I do say so myself. ^^
KKD: Yea, sure brings the hype train and keeps the fires roaring.
TB: So thoughts on how this chapter went?
KKD: Definitely a home run in my book.
TB: I tried not to fall under the Sentai flaw of making the Red Senshi take the spotlight and have Mikoto's friends get just as involved throughout this arc even though it's mainly about her. But with her accepting her Akuma half and that final fight with Contaro, it belonged to Red Melody.
KKD: To be fair, we honestly tried our hardest the rest of the time to ensure the other members had a chance to shine.
TB: Yeah. So, favorite part of this chapter?
KKD: That final point when Hinata essentially sacrificed herself, and it causing Takara and Mikoto to accept each other before taking on their uncle in an epic battle.
TB: That's gotta be my favorite part too, especially with using the song Sen no Tsubasa. Coincidentally, the lyrics of a song featured references to wings and reaching the sky to be your own person.
KKD: How appropriate for Red Melody and Takara, seeing the latter is a hawk.
TB: So that's it for the arc. Mikoto has accepted that she's half Akuma, so where do we go from here? Well, next time will see the Melodygers fighting against a returning villain from their movie story.
KKD: Hoo boy, and I thought all the loose ends from that were tied up, but I guess not.
TB: We'll see how that's done soon. I'm the Lone Rider, TokuBrony…
KKD: I'm the Crossover King, KKD Silver. *salutes* Jaa ne.
TB: SEIYAA!