Another chapter uploaded, another day my other stories don't get updated due to writer's block, though it could literally apply to any of my stories I update... Well, on with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Megami Tensei franchise or Symphogear

Makoto grunted as he swung the Legendary Cleaver, cutting through what felt like the hundredth Noise to attack him. Just behind him, Orpheus Telos unleashed a wave of flames with Maragidyne, incinerating everything in its path. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he looked around, counting how many Noise were left. Thanks to Tsubasa and Hibiki jumping in and helping a few seconds after he arrived, the horde of Noise was reduced to a mere fifth of the original amount. Looking over to the two girls, he shouted, "Are you two alright?"

Panting while punching away a Noise approaching the little girl she was protecting, Hibiki replied, "I'm fine! I just hope this ends soon!"

Lashing out with One Thousand Tears, Tsubasa shouted, "As the guardian that shall strike down the Noise, I cannot falter in face of struggle!"

Suddenly, the Noise pulled back. Frowning, Makoto asked, "What's going on?" His eyes widened as he saw the remaining Noise merge together, creating a large green Noise identical to the one that had been destroyed earlier. "How the hell?"

Seeing this as well, Hibiki picked up the little girl and leapt away, creating as much distance between the two and the giant Noise. Tsubasa leapt into the air, using One Thousand Tears once more, slowing its advance. Upon noticing that she stayed in the air, Makoto came up with an idea. Rummaging through his inventory, he pulled out a Megido gem and threw it to the wielder of Ame no Habakiri. "Tsubasa-san! Throw it at the ground in front of the giant Noise then retreat!"

Catching the slightly glowing gem, Tsubasa looked at it curiously, but did as he said. She threw it at the ground, then chased after Makoto and Hibiki, who were almost out of the outskirts of the city. She didn't look back, though she heard an explosion behind her. Shaking unsteadily as the shockwaves disturbed her, she ignored the bright light and pressed on, catching up to the two. As the group came to a stop, multiple black vehicles arrived, one escorting a young woman, who immediately ran to the child Hibiki was carrying.

As mother and daughter reunited, Hibiki collapsed as she panted, gasping for breath. Makoto sat down next to her and sighed, "That could have gone better." He watched as a man in a uniform approached the two, holding up a form. As footsteps approached, he got up and helped Hibiki get into a sitting position.

A blue-haired woman offered them cups of warm tea, which they gratefully accepted. She smiled at them and said, "Here. Drink this. It'll warm you up."

Nodding in gratitude, Makoto replied, "Thank you, miss." Nodding in return, the woman returned to her co-workers.

Taking a sip, Hibiki sighed with a smile, appreciating the drink. Suddenly, she glowed and the armor disappeared in motes of light, leaving her in her school uniform. Crying out in shock, she dropped her cup and stumbled back, only to bump into Tsubasa. Turning around, the girl quickly bowed and said, "Thank you! Tsubasa-san, this is the second time you've saved me!"

Pausing for a second, Tsubasa wondered to herself, "The second time?" She walked away, lost in thought.

While a woman in a blue uniform spoke to the mother and her daughter, holding out a form, explaining that they had to sign it, Hibiki tried to sneak away, whispering, "Time for me to take my leave…" She turned around, only to come face-to-face with not just Tsubasa, but a large group of men in uniform.

Without looking at the girl in the eye, the idol stated, "We have unfinished business with you. You'll be coming with us to the second branch of the Disaster Relief Squad. That means you too, Yuki-san."

Walking up to the two with two pairs of handcuffs, a young man with brown hair apologetically stated, "This is deeply regrettable, but we have to take you into custody."

Makoto calmly said, "I understand." Hibiki, on the other hand, had a panic attack the whole drive.

Arriving at Lydian, the bewildered girl asked, "What are we doing at the school?" However, nobody answered her question. Yawning, Makoto woke up from his short nap.

Walking through a dark hallway, the group entered the elevator. Placing his communication device against a scanner, the man calmly told Hibiki and Makoto, "For your safety, please hold on to something."

Hibiki asked, "Why, does the elevator go that FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST!" The poor girl screamed as the elevator shot down the shaft.

Looking through the glass window, Makoto took in the designs and images, finding it strange that a government organization would have something like them as decoration. Discreetly asking his Persona, he asked, "Something seems off. I don't know why an organization would have this here. What do you all think?"

Humming in thought, Metatron spoke up. "Master," he said, "we angels know that we have seen those symbols before. However, we cannot recall where. For now, I suggest keeping on guard."

Mentally nodding in acknowledgement, he came out of his thoughts in time for the elevator doors to open. He expected many things, but he did not expect what he saw.

A party popper went off, and confetti fell from the air. A large muscular red-haired man wearing a red shirt, pink tie, and tan pants cheerfully exclaimed, "Welcome! The second branch of the Disaster Relief Squad, the guardians of mankind, greet you!" behind him, a group of men and women in uniforms clapped and smiled at the group stepping out of the elevator. However, the blue-haired boy forgot all that when his eyes locked onto the tables covered with various trays of food. Meanwhile, Hibiki stared in disbelief while Tsubasa sighed in exasperation. The man next to her chuckled sheepishly.

Walking up to Hibiki, a tall woman wearing a lab coat happily ordered, "Come on, smile! Let's take a photo to commemorate our first day!"

Breaking out of her stupor, Hibiki pulled away and exclaimed, "Don't! It'll look bad in the photo album if I'm handcuffed! Besides, how do you know my and Makoto-san's names when we've never met?" she looked up at the banner hanging from the ceiling, which proudly displayed the message: We wish you a warm welcome, Hibiki Tachibana and Makoto Yuki!

Laughing boisterously, the man replied, "The second branch is kind of a secret serving thing for wartime use. Looking into your past was easy as pie." He casually held up a magician's wand, which promptly turned into a bouquet of flowers with a pop. Next to him, the woman cheerfully held up a familiar bag.

Hibiki cried, "My bag! What do you mean, looking into my past? You just went through my stuff!"

Sighing, Tsubasa exasperatedly requested, "Ogawa-san, if you would."

The man, now identified as Ogawa, smiled and replied, "Right away." He removed Hibiki's and Makoto's handcuffs, placing them on the table. Turning to them, he said, "We should apologize, actually."

Smiling, the red-haired man said, "Well, it's time to introduce you to the gang. I'm Genjuro Kazanari, the boss here."

Fliratiously, the woman added, "And I'm Ryoko Sakurai, the brains of the operation. Nice to meet you."

Within Makoto's mind, Loki spoke up. "Master, be careful around her. She's hiding something, and take it from me. I'm the father of lies and deceit." Eyes narrowing, Makoto glanced at Ryoko, heeding the god of mischief's warning.

Genjuro explained, "We brought you here because we'd like you to work with us."

Hibiki was confused, but then remembered what happened not even an hour earlier. She asked, "Please tell me, what happened to me?"

Ryoko approached her and answered, "Before I can answer your question, I need you to do two things first. First, don't tell anyone what happened today. Second…" She suddenly snaked her arm around Hibiki's waist and pulled her close. Ryoko sensually asked, "Could you please take off your clothes?"

Squeaking, Hibiki whimpered, "Oh, please…" She quickly turned to Makoto and cried, "Makoto-san, please help… me…" She faltered at what she saw, her pleading look giving way to shock. Having noticed her expression as well as realizing that everyone else in the room was doing the same, Genjuro, Ryoko, Tsubasa, and Ogawa followed her line of sight and saw what Makoto was doing. They adopted looks of shock too.

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Makoto muttered, "That was a good snack." He turned away from the now empty tables and looked at the group. Noticing their stares, he pointed a finger to his face and asked, "Did I miss a spot?"

…

Collapsing in her room, Hibiki whimpered, "I'm back, Miku…"

Miku exclaimed, "Hibiki, where were you? The news said that for once nobody was killed by the Noise this time around, but still!"

Tiredly, Hibiki responded, "Yeah, but I'm fine. Makoto-san was there to help me too."

Sighing, Miku said, "Come on, let's go to bed."

As the two tried to sleep, Hibiki continued the conversation. "Hey, Miku..." She remembered Ryoko's warning. "… No, never mind."

Miku caringly responded, "But I do. I do mind. I was really worried because you were late."

Hibiki smiled sadly and said, "I'm sorry… and thanks. You're the only one who'd miss me." As Miku perked up in confusion, she blushed and squeaked in embarrassment as Hibiki hugged her. "Lend me some warmth, Miku!"

Miku squeaked, "What's with you, Hibiki?"

Happily, the new wielder of Gungnir replied, "Miku, you're the sunshine that warms me up. I want to be by your side; it's the warmest place I know." Reaching over, she gently held Miku's hand. "It's always been like that, and it always will be."

Shyly, Miku whispered, "You know, Hibiki, I… " However, the girl had already fallen asleep. Smiling, Miku changed her mind and said, "Sweet dreams, Hibiki."

In the shower, Tsubasa held her hands against the wall, remembering the times she and Kanade fought by each other's side. Clenching her teeth, she nearly growled as she remembered what Hibiki was wearing. She muttered, "That gear… it's Kanade's!"

There was a knock on the bathroom door. Peeking in, Kanade drowsily said, "Tsubasa, I know you're upset, but it's fine. I don't mind that the new girl has Gungnir. Come on, let's go back to bed. We can talk more about this tomorrow." A few minutes later, Tsubasa left the shower and went to bed.

The next day, Hibiki was approached by her friends Kuriyo Ando, Shiori Terashima, and Yumi Itaba. "Bikki," said Kuriyo, "want to go to Flower?"

Confused, the girl repeated, "Flower?"

Shiori helpfully elaborated, "It's an okonomiyaki place near the station. I heard it's delicious."

Hibiki smiled sheepishly and said, "I have to do something else today…"

Miku exasperatedly said, "The teachers need to see you again?"

From Kuriyo's side, Yumi sighed, "Your life's like an anime, you know that?"

Overhearing the conversation from his seat where he was going through papers, Makoto faintly smiled in amusement, finding the pigtailed girl to almost be a miniature Junpei, albeit without the perversion or poor grades. Before anyone could notice his smile, though, he quickly wiped it off his face and returned to his papers.

Kuriyo said, "All right, we'll ask you another time." Unknown by anyone, Miku frowned sadly at her best friend's declination of the offer.

Some time later in the now empty classroom, Hibiki mumbled to herself, "Maybe I really am cursed…" Turning around, she looked to the door and saw Tsubasa and Kanade. Makoto quickly walked up to them, quietly greeting them.

While Kanade cheerfully greeted him back, Tsubasa turned to Hibiki and said, "You and Yuki-san have to come with us to headquarters again." And for the second time in two days, Hibiki was handcuffed and spent an elevator trip screaming.

Sitting in front of Ryoko and Genjuro, Hibiki and Makoto listened to the woman's analysis of Hibiki's health. Hesitantly, Hibiki requested, "Please, tell me about that power!"

Tsubasa held up her necklace, which had a large red crystal on the end. Genjuro explained, "Ame no Habakiri is the first relic, and it belongs to Tsubasa."

Curiously, the girl repeated, "Relic?"

Makoto quietly listened to Ryoko's explanation, mentally filing the information. Silently absorbing the information, he glanced at each person in the room, especially Tsubasa and Kanade.

Hibiki wondered, "A wave that vibrates at a special frequency…"

Genjuro finished, "In other words, a song. The power of song activates the relics."

Enlightened, Hibiki replied, "So that's what it was. When it happened last night, I could feel a song in my heart."

Ryoko stepped in and decided to elaborate. "When the relic is activated by song, it turns to pure energy, and is reconstituted as armor. The anti-Noise protectors that you and Tsubasa-chan wear are called Symphogears."

Having been silent, Tsubasa finally spoke up. She harshly stated, "But not any song, or just anyone's song, can activate the relics!"

Genjuro said, "We refer the few who can activate the relics and wear the Symphogears as 'candidates.' That means Tsubasa. And you too."

Turning to Hibiki, she finished, "Well? Do you understand the power that's awakened a little in you? I'll answer any questions you have!"

Hibiki sheepishly replied, "Um, I didn't understand any of that."

Behind Ryoko, Sakuya and Aoi, two of the support staff, sighed as their guesses were proven correct.

Makoto carefully asked, "If it's alright, can I ask a few questions?" At Genjuro's nod of confirmation, he asked, "Going by what Tsubasa-san said, am I correct to assume that there is more to activating a relic other than being able to match the activation frequency?" At their looks, he elaborated, "I mean, from what Tsubasa-san said, I'm guessing that there's something hidden in the compatibility requirement. Am I right to assume that the compatibility also affects the frequency? Is it possible that the relic's activation requires a certain wavelength in the frequency that can't be heard that candidates have but incompatible people don't?"

Impressed, Ryoko exclaimed, "Wow, if you weren't already a part-time assistant at the school, I'd have requested that you be scouted to work here! In fact, I think I'll look into your theory! Before, we had to do trial and error and do extensive research on possible candidates, but if your theory is right then we can save time and work more efficiently!"

Hibiki spoke up and said, "But I don't have any relic. So why…" She faltered when an X-ray was pulled up. "Hey, I know that picture!"

Genjuro replied, "That's right. It's from your surgery two years ago after the Noise attack on the Zwei Wing concert." Hearing this, Tsubasa and Kanade perked up.

Ryoko elaborated, "Hundreds of tiny fragments, impossible to remove because they're too close to your heart. Our investigations showed that the fragments in your chest come from the third relic that Kanade-chan used, Gungnir." Hearing this, Tsubasa stumbled in shock, holding a hand to her mouth. She staggered out of the room, breathing shakily.

Concerned, Kanade went after her, shouting, "Tsubasa!"

Sighing, Makoto got up and said, "I'll go talk to them. We can talk about what I did last night another time. Let Hibiki-san get used to this first. Plus, I don't want to explain it multiple times." Without waiting for a response, he left the room in pursuit of the two girls. He wandered around, looking for them. Finally, he saw Kanade sighing as she sat down on a seat near a vending machine. Sitting down next to her, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Shaking her head, Kanade replied, "She's been like this ever since that day. Ever since I lost Gungnir, she's been fighting alone, and all I can do is watch her with the others."

Frowning, Makoto asked, "What do you mean, you lost Gungnir?"

Taking a deep breath, the red-haired girl answered, "That day, you stopped me from using my Swan Song. But part of it was still sung, and that was enough to damage Gungnir even more and destroy it to the point it was unrecoverable."

Softly, Makoto said, "I see."

Kanade then did something that surprised him. Turning to him, she pulled him into a hug. "But thanks," she said, "for saving my life. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have died from the backlash of the Swan Song. It's because of you that I can still sing and experience the things that make me happy." Letting go, she got up and said, "Well, I better go find Tsubasa now. It was nice meeting you."

Makoto replied, "It was nice meeting you to-" He was interrupted as a Noise alarm sounded throughout the facility. Making eye contact with Kanade, they both nodded and ran back to the command room. As soon as the doors opened, he went up to Genjuro and asked, "What happened?"

The man replied, "A group of Noise showed up not too far from here. Tsubasa and Hibiki went to fight them." He gestured to the screen. On it, there was live footage of the two girls fighting a large Noise, which had formed after a horde had merged together.

Concerned, Kanade asked, "Will they be alright? Tsubasa's been doing this for years, so she'll be fine, but I'm worried about Tachibana. She's only had Gungnir for a couple days."

Genjuro replied, "I'm sure they'll be fi-" He suddenly stopped, eyes widening. On the screen, Tsubasa had suddenly pointed her sword at Hibiki. "What is she doing?!"

Kanade ran to a lift, grabbing Makoto by the arm. She said, "We need to get there! Something's wrong with Tsubasa! She'd never do something like this!" They got into the lift, heading to the battle. Admittedly, it was a tight fit, since the lift was made to carry one person at a time. Thankfully, though, it could support the weight of the two teens.

Makoto watched in silence as Kanade impatiently twitched her fingers, shifting her weight from foot to foot. When the door finally opened, they ran towards Hibiki and Tsubasa. "Tsubasa-san! Stop this right now!" shouted the boy when he saw Tsubasa use Heaven's Wrath, sending the large blade towards the girl. Makoto quickly ran in between them and brought out the Megaton Rod, slamming it against the blade.

Surprised, Hibiki cried, "Makoto-san? Why are you here?"

Effortlessly destroying the blade, Makoto ignored her and repeated, "Tsubasa-san, stop this immediately." He calmly switched the rod with the Juzumaru, holding it firmly. "I don't want this to escalate to fighting, but I will fight if I must."

Snarling, Tsubasa retorted, "You don't have any right to say that! That girl doesn't have the right to wield Gungnir! And you!" She turned Ame no Habakiri on him. "If you showed up earlier on that day, Kanade would still be able to fight!" She rushed forwards, swinging wildly.

Makoto dodged the first few swings then parried the others. As the Juzumaru locked in a clash with Ame no Habakiri, he sighed. "Very well," he said, "if you wish to fight, so be it."

Two chapters, two cliffhangers. What have I done?

Pease review, tell me what you think, but no flames. I don't want to hear your insults. Onishin Tsukitenshi, signing out.