Song of the Messiah

by Onishin Tsukitenshi

He should have still been the Great Seal, but thanks to Elizabeth, he was freed from that duty. Sent to save another world, the blue-haired boy was given another chance at life. In a world terrorized by monsters and cursed by God, what changes will the presence of the Messiah bring?

3. Initiation

Right after uploading the second chapter, I learned that in FES and Portable, you can bring Chidori back. Wish I learned that earlier. And Razie.B, I sent you a couple PMs about your reviews. The least you could do is answer them...

I'm aware that the official term is Superb Song due to the "zesshou (絶唱)" entry in Japanese dictionaries defining it as "superb poem/song," but I'm using Swan Song instead because it sounds more natural, even though it's a mistranslation by fansubs. I won't be using Funimation's Ultimate Song translation either, because for an "ultimate" technique, it's shown to have quite a few flaws. And I definitely won't be using Crunchyroll's Climax Song translation, because using that is begging for a disaster with all the degeneracy on the Internet.

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

Grunting in effort, Makoto parried each of Tsubasa's strikes, trying to exploit an opening. Jumping back to make space between him and Tsubasa, he got in a defensive position. "Tsubasa-san," he intoned, "why do you insist on doing this?"

Tsubasa spat, "You know why! It's because of you that Kanade can't fight anymore! If you showed up earlier, she'd still be by my side!" She dashed forwards, swinging her sword in an overhead swing. She was shocked when Makoto effortlessly blocked her strike and kicked her in the stomach, knocking her several feet back. Snarling, she attacked again, much more aggressively. However, her strikes were still blocked easily. She flinched as Makoto effortlessly suddenly feinted and struck at her exposed side, knocking her down.

Glaring angrily, Makoto coldly asked, "Do you honestly think you're the only person to lose something the day of that concert?" Without waiting for a response, he continued, "You know I was there too. And do you know what I saw?" Dismissing his weapon, he crouched down next to her and said, "I saw a young man get killed in front of his girlfriend. I saw a single father lose his six-year-old daughter. All around me, I saw families and friends get torn apart. When I go out in town, I still see some of the survivors. And when I see them, I see that they're trying to move on. And you clearly haven't even made an attempt to try. What would Kanade say if she saw you like this?"

Tsubasa snarled in anger as she growled, "Don't you dare say her-" She was cut off as footsteps approached. Looking over, her eyes widened when she saw the red-haired girl approaching.

Sadly, Kanade asked, "Tsubasa, why are you like this?" She knelt down next to Tsubasa, gently grasping the girl's hand in hers.

The blue-haired girl protested, "Kanade! It's their fault you can't fight anymore! And whatever Yuki-san did that day, it made you incompatible with LiNKER, so even if a new Symphogear was found, you wouldn't be able to use it!"

Shaking her head, Kanade responded, "No, it's not. It's my fault." Sighing, she continued, "I didn't use LiNKER that day, and I didn't use the Swan Song properly either, and I lost Gungnir because of that. And don't you dare blame Hibiki! It wasn't her fault that she fell and sprained her ankle! I chose to protect her! And Makoto saved our lives! Isn't that more important?"

Tsubasa opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Hibiki spoke up and said, "Tsubasa-san, I know that I'm not very good at a lot of things, but I promise I'll be able to take Kanade-san's place!"

Shaking his head, Makoto said, "Hibiki-san, that won't ever happen." As everyone stared at him in shock, not expecting such cruel words, he continued. "I had a friend named Nozomi Suemitsu. He went through something a bit similar to you." Putting away the Juzumaru, he sat down on a large piece of rubble. "He had a twin brother, and they couldn't be any more different. Nozomi was fat, sloppy, and lazy. His brother was athletic, hardworking, and attractive."

Confused, Hibiki asked, "What does it have to do with me?"

Sighing, Makoto said, "His brother died, and Nozomi hated himself for feeling happy about it." He paused for a moment and saw the girls' horrified looks. "After his brother died, all the expectations were shoved onto him, and he was never able to live up to them. The only thing he was good at was eating food. Even then, it was just to drown out the voices in his head telling him that he would never be able to take his brother's place.

"In fact, things got so bad for him that he even ended up joining a cult, where he was tricked into scamming multiple children out of 132,000 yen... each." Ignoring their gasps of shock, he continued, "But in the end, he decided to stop trying to be like his brother, and it was only after doing so that he found how he wanted to live. My point is, Hibiki-san, that you shouldn't hold yourself to someone else's standards to try to be someone you aren't. You should just be yourself and do what you can."

"Wise words for someone who isn't even twenty," said Genjuro as he approached the group. "Though I didn't take you for a person who knows kenjutsu either."

Getting up, Makoto swiftly responded, "I was in the kendo club, and learned how to use other weapons as well."

Curiously, the red-haired man asked, "Does it have anything to do with your abilities?"

Nodding, the blue-haired boy said, "Yes, but as I said earlier, I'll explain another time. Hibiki-san is confused enough right now as it is." Tsubasa managed to hide a malicious smirk at the unintentional jab at Hibiki's intelligence. However, Genjuro noticed this.

"Tsubasa, I'm very disappointed in you," he said. "What you did was utterly unacceptable. We'll talk about this later. We're going back." Looking at Kanade and Hibiki, he added, "Hibiki-kun, Kanade, go rest for the night." Picking the blue-haired girl up, Genjuro walked back towards the Section Two base.

As everyone moved to leave, Hibiki asked, "Makoto-san, can I ask you something?" When he turned to look at her, she continued, "About your friend Nozomi... Did he find what he wanted?"

Smiling faintly, Makoto responded, "If I have the time, I'll make you a few of the secret menu items he created that were huge successes." Wish a short nod to Genjuro and Kanade, he quickly returned to his living quarters for the night.

A month later, Makoto, Kanade, and Genjuro watched the screen in the Section Two base, on which a stream of Hibiki and Tsubasa was being shown. While Tsubasa easily dispatched the Noise, Hibiki was clumsy, scrambling about and trying not to get hit. "Even after a month, they still can't get along," lamented Genjuro.

Frowning, Makoto commented, "At this rate, things will never get done."

Sadly, Kanade muttered, "Even after what I told her, Tsubasa still won't listen?"

Sighing, Makoto said, "They should finish soon. Hibiki's grades are dropping, and at this rate, she won't be able to balance school and this."

Grunting in agreement, Genjuro replied, "I'm aware of that, but this is something that she needs to learn how to do herself. She'll never improve if her hand is held throughout this experience. And there's a meeting tonight regarding the Noise activity, so make sure to come."

Nodding in understanding, the two teens left the base to pick up Tsubasa and Hibiki, who had just finished fighting off the Noise.

At night, everyone watched as Hibiki hurried into the meeting room, short of breath. "Sorry," she panted, "I'm sorry that I'm late!"

Smiling good-naturedly, Ryoko chirped, "Now that everyone's here, let's have a friendly meeting!"

Gesturing to a map on a nearby display screen, Genjuro asked, "Hibiki-kun, what do you see here?"

Looking at it curiously, Hibiki could only state, "That's a lot of Noise." While Makoto looked at the map himself, Kanade's lips twitched in amusement while Tsubasa furrowed her brows in irritation.

Pressing on, the man continued, "And what do you know about them?"

Hibiki answered, "Only what's on TV and in school. They're emotionless monsters that are like machines and only attack humans, and the humans they attack turn into ash." Counting on her fingers, she continued, "They can appear anywhere and anytime to attack anyone and are considered a major disaster."

Impressed, Genjuro complimented, "That's actually more than I expected you to know."

Chuckling sheepishly, Hibiki admitted, "I'm actually writing an assignment on them."

Ryoko decided to provide more information. "The Noise were first discussed in the UN thirteen years ago, but they have been sighted since ancient times all over the world. In fact, many of the strange creatures and beings in mythology may have been based on the Noise." Closing her eyes in thought, she added, "The Noise do not appear often, and the number of appearances lately is extremely unusual, so something must be behind all this."

Frowning, Makoto asked, "Are you saying that there's a mastermind?"

Speaking up, Tsubasa informed, "The center of the attacks is Lydian Academy, right above us. Someone, or something, is after Sacrist D, also known as Durandal."

Raising an eyebrow, Makoto said, "Durandal, the sword belonging to Sir Roland of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins, according to the stories. That Durandal?"

This time, Aoi spoke up. "Durandal is an almost complete relic kept in the Abyss, a level lower than the one we're on. We're researching it under supervision of the Japanese government."

Sakuya added, "Tsubasa-san's Ame no Habakiri and the Gungnir fragments in your chest can only be used when the wielder sings to activate them. But when a complete relic is activated, it keeps outputting its full power. And research indicates that anyone can use a complete relic, not just the activator."

Proudly, Ryoko stated, "And that's the Sakurai Theory I came up with! But to activate a completed relic, you need serious phonic gain."

While Hibiki was overwhelmed by the influx of information, Makoto narrowed his eyes. Based on what he heard so far, relics were items from mythology, and he knew about Gungnir, the spear wielded by the Norse god Odin. If this was the case, would the mythological and legendary weapons he found during his journey in Tartarus be considered relics? After all, he had several that could qualify. Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur. Juzumaru, which he had used in his fight against Tsubasa, was a katana blessed by the monk Nichiren to cleanse evil spirits. Gae Bolg, the spear of mortal pain wielded by Chu Chulainn. The longbow used by the legendary archer Nasu no Yoichi. And even then, he had more.

Idly, he listened to Genjuro's explanation regarding why Durandal wasn't activated, as well as the conversation about the American government's pushiness to obtain the relic. What he found interesting was that even though the evidence strongly implied that America was behind the Noise attacks, there was nothing conclusive, meaning that nothing could be done.

As the conversation came to a close, Ogawa entered the room and approached the group. "Commander Kazanari..." he said.

Blinking in surprise, Genjuro responded, "Oh, right. It's about time, isn't it?"

Turning to Tsubasa and Kanade, Ogawa said, "You have a meeting for your album tonight."

Makoto couldn't help but find Hibiki's mental blue screen of death and confused expression amusing.

Turning to the two new members, Ogawa put on glasses and answered the unasked question. "On the surface, I am the manager of Zwei Wing." He held out a business card to Makoto, who accepted it and gave a small bow. Turning to Hibiki, he repeated his actions.

Amazed, Hibiki exclaimed, "Wow, I've never been given a business card before! Thank you very much!"

Reading the card, Makoto felt a pang of regret and nostalgia. Looking at the agent who doubled as a manager, he thought, 'So, your name is Shinji...'

Without a word, Tsubasa and Kanade left the room, followed by Ogawa, who he now knew as Shinji.

Hibiki said, "There are other threats than the Noise out there, aren't there?"

Humming in confirmation, Genjuro simply nodded.

Nervous, Hibiki said, "I really don't want to think about anyone coming after this place."

"It's alright," informed Ryoko, "I designed this place to defend humanity. It has both cutting-edge and heretical technology, so it'll keep the bad guys out!" She puffed up in pride.

Bowing in gratitude, Hibiki thanked the woman. "Then I'm sure you'll take care of it."

After a few minutes of silence, the cream-haired girl asked, "Why do we fight not just the Noise, but other humans too?" As the others looked at her, she continued, "Why don't people all over the world just stop fighting?"

Leaning in, Ryoko whispered, "I'm sure it's because humanity is cursed." She quickly nipped Hibiki's ear playfully. As Hibiki shrieked and blushed furiously in embarrassment, Ryoko smiled and teased, "Aw, you're so cute. Maybe I'll make you mine before someone else gets to you..."

While Hibiki's blush lowered slightly, Sakuya and Aoi chuckled. Looking and Genjuro, Makoto asked, "Is she always like this?" The man's answer was a sigh and a nod.

…

Greet the rising sun in the sky; its love is equal to none

Greet it with an elegant crescendo-

Makoto graded the students' assignments, watching the teacher play the piano as the students sang. Noticing Hibiki look out the window halfway through the second line, he braced himself for the incoming storm. Almost immediately after he prepared himself, the teacher slammed on the keys as she got up. "Tachibana-san!" she roared. "Pay attention!" The girl squeaked in fright.

Sighing, Makoto lamented, "When I was still a student, I didn't hold the position of top student in my year by staring out the window."

At lunch, Makoto found himself "invited" to eat with Hibiki, Miku, Shiori, Kuriyo, and Yumi. Apparently Hibiki overheard what he said and dragged him along in hopes that he would be able to help her complete her assignment due later that day.

"Humanity is cursed!" exclaimed Hibiki, looking up from her notebook. "Actually, I'm cursed!" She stopped and ate the food that Kuriyo and Yumi offered her, completely unaware that it was simply done to get her to stop whining.

Exasperated, Miku said, "Come on, stop being stupid. Your report is due after school today, and I brought Makoto-san here to make sure you finish."

With her mouth still full of food, Hibiki answered, "That's why I'm working on it until the last minute."

Smiling, Yumi teased, "Well, this isn't an anime. You aren't going to get it done like this." She got up, with Shiori and Kuriyo following her actions.

Shocked, Hibiki asked, "But aren't you here to help me?"

Shiori remarked, "We should probably stop distracting her. How about a game of badminton on the roof?"

Kuriyo said, "That's a good idea. What about you, Hina?"

Miku declined the offer. "I'll stay with Hibiki today. If promised to help with her report."

As Hibiki squeaked in delight, Yumi looked at the two with a knowing look. "You're such good friends!" she exclaimed.

Turning to Makoto, Kuriyo repeated the same offer. "What about you, Mako?"

Without batting an eye at the nickname, Makoto responded, "I'm free for the rest of the day, so I guess I'll join. Besides, if I do help Hibiki-san, it would be counted as favoritism and bias, so she wouldn't receive any credit for it." He noticed Hibiki's look of shock, as well as Miku's sigh at the girl's naivety.

After school, Makoto ran into Hibiki as they headed to the Section Two base. He asked, "How was the assignment?"

Sighing, Hibiki responded, "The teacher accepted it, and I wanted to go watch the shooting stars with Miku tonight, but we have to go to the meeting."

In the base, Genjuro greeted the two and gave orders. "Hibiki-kun, head to the subway. There's a group of Noise there. Makoto-kun, you'll be providing assistance from here with me and Kanade." He gestured to the red-haired girl, who was seated at a desk and looking at a screen.

Going over, he sat next to her and asked, "Kanade-san, why does the commander have me stay here even though I can fight? It's been like this ever since Hibiki-san and I joined."

Kanade responded, "He's doing it because he wants them to get stronger. Something about how they'll never get experience if we don't let them do it themselves."

Humming in understanding, Makoto said, "Ah, I see. It makes sense." He returned to the screen, watching Hibiki's and Tsubasa's progress.

(Play Genkiso Gungnir)

Meanwhile, in the subway, Hibiki destroyed the Noise one after another. She punched, kicked, and tackled, doing whatever it took to take them down. Genjuro reported, "Hibiki-kun, one of the signals is bigger than the rest. Tsubasa will be there soon. Hang on until then, and don't do anything stupid."

Confidently, Hibiki replied, "I won't. I'll just do what I can!" She quickly destroyed a Noise, and leapt back when another Noise, this one looking like a bunch of grapes, sent several balls at her. They exploded, bringing down the ceiling and trapping Hibiki underneath the rubble. As the Noise ran away, Hibiki scowled. "I wanted to see them..."

The rubble exploded outwards, kicking up dust. "I wanted to see the shooting stars with Miku!" Hibiki shot forwards and punched through a Noise, then spun around to kick another. "I wanted to go see them with her!" With each attack, she got more aggressive. Chasing after the grape-like Noise, she ran down the stairs, only to see it turn a corner. "And you..." She punched the wall in rage. "You ruined my promise!" With eyes literally red with rage, she charged at the group of Noise that were spawned by the balls produced by the Noise she was chasing. "You made me lie... You took away my peaceful world. My calm, everyday life... You took all of it away!" As she spoke, her voice gained a violent undertone, becoming slightly warped.

She kicked the first Noise so hard it was torn in two, then grabbed another and tore it in half. Pinning down a third, she once again ripped it apart with her bare hands, a malicious smile on her face. She assaulted the remaining Noise, brutally smashing them apart. A sudden noise made her look up, and she saw more balls headed towards her. Snapping out of her violent trance, she leapt out of the explosion range and chased the Noise out the hole in the ceiling and up into a park. Looking into the sky, she saw a blue streak. "A shooting star?"

(Play Zetto Ame no Habakiri)

Suddenly, the streak fired out an arc of blue energy, destroying the Noise Hibiki was chasing. Tsubasa landed several feet in front of the girl. Indignant, Hibiki suddenly shouted, "I have something I want to protect too!" Tsubasa showed no response, simply opting to hold up her sword instead.

"So? What are you going to do?"

Hibiki and Tsubasa snapped to attention, turning to the person who spoke. Stepping out of the shadows was a girl in unusual white armor and wielding two purple crystalline whips.

Tsubasa's eyes widened as she gasped. "The Nehushtan Armor..."

Back in the base, Makoto blinked as everyone was sent into a frenzy. Turning to Kanade, he was about to ask what was happening when he saw the look of fury on her face.

Snapping out of it, Genjuro called for Ryoko, Kanade, and Makoto. He ordered, "Get there right away! Do whatever it takes to secure the armor." The group of four quickly got into a car and drove to the park.

Makoto asked, "Is anyone going to tell me what the Nehushtan Armor is?"

Genjuro answered, "It's another complete relic we had, but we lost it two years ago during the Noise attack on the Zwei Wing concert. Be ready to fight when we get there. We don't know what it's capable of, as we never got to activate it."

Back in the park, Tsubasa clashed with the girl. "The Nehushtan Armor," she interrogated, "how do you have it?"

"Oh?" the girl taunted, "So you know where this armor came from?"

Tsubasa retorted, "I would never forget what was taken from me when my guard was down two years ago! Do you think I could forget all the lives lost because of my failure?"

Suddenly, Hibiki ran in and tried to stop them. "Don't do it, Tsubasa-san!" she shouted, "She's human like we are!"

In tandem, Tsubasa and the unidentified girl angrily shouted, "This is a battlefield! What's wrong with you?!" They both paused and looked at each other, blinking in surprise.

Smiling faintly, Tsubasa said, "I think we might get along quite well."

Grinning in anticipation, the girl responded, "Let's have some fun!"

The two girls charged at each other, preparing their attacks. As the white-armored girl prepared her whip, Tsubasa leapt up and unleashed a Blue Flash. Deflecting the arc, the girl smirked as she dodged Tsubasa's swings with ease. She suddenly blocked a strike, stunning Tsubasa. She took advantage of her shock and kicked the blue-haired wielder back.

Reeling from the blow, Tsubasa thought, 'Is this the power of a complete relic?'

As Tsubasa was forced onto the defensive, the girl turned to Hibiki and said, "I'll keep you entertained." She raised a strange scepter and pointed it at her. A green beam of energy fired from it and hit the ground, revealing a group of tall Noise.

Gasping, Hibiki exclaimed, "Those are Noise! How did you summon them?" She ran away, trying to create some distance. However, the Noise fired out a glue-like fluid and restrained her. Struggling to escape, she muttered, "Tsubasa-san, Makoto-san, Armed Gear... Someone help me get out of this!"

Meanwhile, Tsubasa and the girl had resumed their battle. Struggling to get up, Tsubasa said, "I must admit that I was done for." As her opponent smirked, she continued, "Although I am only a weapon with a human shell, it shames me to admit I survived back then..." Getting up, she said, "A human weapon has come to know shame. But I will cleanse the stain on my name by taking Nehushtan back!"

"Oh, really?" taunted the girl. "Give it your best shot, then!" She attemtped to move, but realized that she couldn't. Looking back, she saw a knife stabbed into her shadow; Tsubasa had immobilized her with Shadow Weaving. "How dare you... Wait, don't tell me. Are you going to-"

Slowly approaching her target, Tsubasa said, "Let's finish this while the moon is out." Raising her sword to the sky, she began to sing her Swan Song.

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal

Emustolronzen Finé el balal zizzl

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal

Emustolronzen Finé el zizzl

Now standing in front of her opponent, Tsubasa leaned in and smirked victoriously. Seconds later, a massive burst of power destroyed all the Noise in the area, and freed Hibiki from her bindings. Right as the effects of the attack ended, the car arrived.

Getting out, Kanade ran over to Tsubasa. "Tsubasa, are you okay?" she asked. When Tsubasa turned around, everyone was horrified. Tsubasa smiled at them, bleeding severely from her eyes and mouth.

Tsubasa calmly said, "I am a guardian who has pledged to defend humanity. I am a sword. I will not break here." She collapsed to the ground, unmoving.

The girl in white armor, now badly wounded, got up. Everyone turned to her and prepared themselves. Makoto pulled out his Evoker and brought out his Silver Saber, preparing to fight. Noticing them, the girl pointed the scepter at them and quickly summoned more Noise, before flying away.

Suddenly, Kanade ran forwards with a familiar gun in her hand. Blinking in surprise, Makoto checked the case he always kept on hand. It was empty; Kanade had grabbed the second Evoker. Turning to look at the charging girl, he shouted, "Kanade-san, wait!"

Kanade didn't hear him. She raised the Evoker at the Noise and pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. Shocked, she tried again and again, but the result was the same. But for some reason, she didn't feel fear. Looking at Tsubasa's fallen form then back to the Evoker, she then felt only a strange calm. The Noise approached the group, surrounding them all. She shakily raised the Evoker and placed it under her chin, finger on the trigger. The words came to her naturally. Ignoring Genjuro's and Ryoko's shock and horror, she whispered, "Per... so... na!" She pulled the trigger, a psychotic grin on her face.

A bang resounded through the park. Blue shards spiraled around Kanade, slowly forming a figure. A deep voice rang out, harsh and malicious.

I am thou, and thou art I

From the sea of thy soul I cometh

Filled with rage and powered by hate

All who cross me shall feel my wrath

Finally, the figure fully formed itself. The first thing everyone noticed was the motorcycle. It was a beast, covered in metal plating warped so much that the vehicle looked more like a war machine rather than a mode of transport. Flames burst out of its pipes every few seconds, and the wheels were literal rings of fire. The being riding upon it could only be described as a demon. It wore a black biker's jacket with sharp steel spikes sticking out from the shoulders and black leather pants, along with black combat boots. It wielded a steel pipe that had chains wrapped around one end, and the chains went on to wrap around the being's right forearm. However, what got their attention was the figure's head. It was a scorched and cracked human skull, with a pinprick of light in the left eye socket, and a ball of fire in the right. Flames came out from its collarbone, curling and flickering around its head, making its appearance even more demonic.

As Kanade looked on in morbid fascination, the being finished its introduction.

I am Hell Biker. Hehe, let's go on a ride to deep end of hell.

Turning its gaze upon the Noise, the Persona revved its motorcycle and shot towards them, raising its steel pipe for an attack. Everyone watched in shock as Hell Biker drove through the Noise, reducing them to ashes. However, Makoto could only focus on one thing.

Kanade was a Persona user.

So yeah, Kanade becomes a Persona user and gets Hell Biker. And yes, I did change Hell Biker's appearance for Kanade. I mean, it's been stated that a Persona's appearance is affected by its summoner's mind and thoughts.

The reason I gave Kanade Hell Biker is that it fits her well. She wants revenge on the Noise for killing her family, and flashbacks in Symphogear show that she was a very angry person and that she'd gladly burn in hell if it meant she got to avenge her family. Her mentality was so similar to Hell Biker that I just had to do it.

I mean, look at Ken. His initial Persona was Nemesis because he wanted revenge for his mother's death. If his mother hadn't died, he would have a completely different Persona. Tsubasa's wounds and her family's deaths were just the catalysts for Kanade to have Hell Biker as her Persona.

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