Before anything, I want to thank you all for supporting the story and showing some love. It's really fulfilling to see some people like it. I'll address the reviews I got so far.

Guest DCDGojira: Thank you! Glad you're liking it!

TheOkWriter: I'm glad you brought this up because I was planning on addressing it later on but I will do it now. Yes, the Mirror World still exists and will become a major thing for the plot later on. I won't say more than that to avoid spoiling things. But for right now it won't be as important as the main Ryuki series for a few reasons. One, only the Riders can access that world, and even if I make it so the Symphogear can go in too, it'll make for a big headache to split fights from the real world and the mirror world. Not to mention the Noise and the different types of Mirror Monsters. The story will be mainly about Riders vs Riders and Symphogears.

Chapter 4
Agree to Disagree

Inside a secret elevator in Lydian Academy, Ogawa, Tsubasa, Hibiki, Goro, Yosuke, and Hajime were awkwardly standing around, waiting for the elevator to take them to their destination.

"Did you know something like this was in your school?" Hajime leaned to the side to whisper to Hibiki.

"No." Hibiki shook her head."This building is where the teachers live. But why would there be a secret base here of all places?"

"Hopefully there's food here." Hajime rubbed his belly."It's way past dinner time and I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. Hey, grumpy dude, you guys got food here?"

"Prisoners don't have the right to demand such things, Ryu-kid." Yosuke told him, not dignifying him with a glance.

"Ryu-kid...? Hey, you're a real ass, you know?" Hajime groaned, trying to break his cuffs to no avail."I should have asked that lady for some biscuits or something."

Though he had to admit, the colorful paintings, or whatever they were were truly fascinating. After the elevator stopped, the group walked down a corridor, no one bothering to say a word. Except for one person.

"So, uh...you guys like it so far?" Goro asked the newcomers.

"What's there to like?" Hajime deadpanned while Hibiki gave him a nervous laugh."We gonna meet more of your friends, right? Do they have the same powers as we do?"

"Not exactly." Goro carefully answered."It's just me and Yosuke-senpai. Tsubasa is the only Symphogear we have. Everyone else is strong, in their own right."

"I knew it. You plan to enlist us in your forces because you lack the manpower to do anything." The raven-haired boy pointed at him accusingly."You're shameless! Putting kids to fight for you!"

"Does he ever shut up?" Tsubasa was exasperated at his theatrics.

"I don't have classes with him and I've only ever spoken to him once before this but I can confidently say that no, he doesn't," Yosuke replied, much to Hajime's annoyance.

"What a rude lady. I can't believe my sister looks up to her." He grumbled in dismay, hoping that would just reach the command center. And reach it they did, and the first thing they noticed was the group of people in front of a welcoming poster and a large man with red hair with a hat.

"Welcome, Hibiki-kun and Hajime-kun! The second branch of the Disaster Relief Squad, the guardians of mankind, gree you! My name is Genjuro Kazanari."

Tsubasa rubbed her temples in disbelief. Hibiki and Goro marbled at the scene while Hajime snickered behind his hands.

"Man, you sure hyped this place up to be this secretive and scary place but you're all just a bunch of goofballs."

"Shut up." Yosuke smacked him behind the head.

"Come now, Yosuke, be nice to him." A woman with glasses and a bun longer than Yosuke got in between them, holding a camera."How about we take a picture to commemorate this moment?"

"Ryoko-san, please don't." But it was too late, the scientist began taking pictures, doing all sorts of funny faces. Yosuke turned his head away from the camera in contrast to Hajime, who followed her example and posed.

"Do you mind sending some to me later...Ryoko-san, was it? I bet I look cool."

"Certainly!" Ryoko nodded, holding her phone out."What's your phone number?"

"Ah...right, it's ruined." Hajime deflated, shoulders slumped.

"What happened to it?" Goro inquired, eager to find out.

"When Hibiki-san and I were running from the Noise, we jumped in the water."

"More importantly..."Hibiki got their attention."This all seems like it took some time to set up. Even the banner. How do you all know our names? Did Tsubasa-san or Yosuke-san tell you?"

"Something like that." Genjuro supplied."We serve as a secret service group for wartime use. Looking into your pasts was easy as pie."

"Well, took the liberty of looking through Hibiki-chan's bag." Ryoko said, shamelessly showcasing Hibiki's bag."Hajime-kun on the other hand was easier. He has quite the file in his school."

"And where did you get my bag?!" Hibiki cried out in shock."I didn't even have it with me!"

"Man, now the pretty scientist is going to think I'm a delinquent." Hajime's eyes widened when he felt his handcuffs being removed, courtesy of Goro.

"You seem to be in good spirits, Hajime-kun." Goro took the cuffs out of Hajime's wrists."Considering you're looking a little worn-down."

"How could I not be, crabby?" Hajime ran over to a table with some food on it and began wolfing down anything he could find."This whole thing is awesome!"

"And he was so against it earlier." Hibiki scratched her cheek once her hands were free by Ogawa."Is he going to be okay? Shouldn't he get medical assistance?"

"It's probably the excitement keeping him going." Ogawa guessed."Once he gets home, he'll crash."

"Before that happens, we should give you a rundown of everything." Ryoko cut in."You must have tons of questions."

"Yeah, I do." Hajime rose his hand."Why did this prick nearly kill me?!"

"You insult me one more time I'll put you in the hospital." Yosuke threatened, both of them glaring at each other and creating sparks in the air.

"Well, I'm sure you're aware of what being a Kamen Rider means." Genjuro folded his arms, setting his hat on a table."Fight other Riders to get stronger so you can challenge the Gamemaster and get your wish. Yosuke simply thought you were a rogue Rider at first, so he had to tame you a little."

"Gamemaster? You mean that Odin guy you keep bringing up?"

"Right." Yosuke grimaced."Kamen Rider Odin. The Gamemaster, as we dubbed him. He's an entity that's probably out of our understanding and is the one responsible for giving us our Advent Decks."

"Ah!" Hajime pulled out his Ryuki Deck."You mean this?"

"Yup. You me and Yosuke-senpai are Kamen Riders." Goro showed him his Scissors Deck.

"So Odin is the one who gave it to me..." Hajime parroted, trying to process the information."But you said this deck was someone else's, right? How does that work?"

An uncomfortable silence followed after his words, making Genjuro pick up where they left off."That Deck belonged to Akira Nishitani, the previous Ryuki."

"Previous? What happened to him?"

"Two years ago, there was an incident that cost him and another one of our members, their lives. Kanade Amou, she was the one who had Gungnir before Hibiki-kun."

"Two years ago?" Hibiki repeated."Wait, that was during that concert! When the Noise attacked. I knew Hajime-kun's armor looked familiar. Akira and Kanade saved my life back then."

"You...were there?" Tsubasa's eyes widened at the information.

"We were too busy fighting the Noise to notice, I suppose." Yosuke surmised."Kanade used her Superb Song, which pushes the Symphogear past their limits but puts tremendous strain on the body, which ultimately may cause their death. Akira... became desperate and challenged Odin to a fight. I don't know if he thought he had any chance against him, but he did it regardless. Still, despite his efforts, he was killed by Odin."

"Thanks to you, Hajime-kun, we know that when Riders get killed by Odin, their decks are inherited by someone else at random." Ryoko chimed in."This was my theory a few years ago when we first found GoroGoro. There was another Scissors before him and he worked with us for a few days. But he was sick. Cancer. So he figured he had nothing to lose and challenged Odin. A few days later, we located the Scissors Deck and it was in GoroGoro's hands."

"But what Odin did to you was just to spite me." Yosuke frowned upon seeing Hajime's neutral expression."You don't deserve to have Akira's deck."

"And what, would you have someone even worse than me have it?" Hajime shot back."From what I understand, you didn't kill me because you thought that would happen. I get your friend was the previous owner. Trust me, I do. But I didn't ask for this. It's nice though. Having these powers."

Yosuke nearly lunged at Hajime if it weren't for Tsubasa and Ogawa holding him back."You little shit! You think this is a game!"

"He does bring up a valid point." Goro tried to reason with him."Listen, Hajime-kun. We couldn't take your deck either because you have a contract with that dragon of yours."

"You mean Dragreder? I have a contract with him?" Hajime pulled out his card.

"So..." Hibiki tapped her chin."That means that they're bound together, right?"

"Exactly." Genjuro nodded, happy to see her catching on."Advent Monsters live within the decks and make contracts with their users upon the first transformation. Meaning that even if Yosuke took the Ryuki Deck away, no one would be able to use it."

"As long as he's alive." Ryoko finished the grim thought."When the user dies, the contract is finished, as the monster looks for another host if possible. Unless killed by Odin, which he would then find a new Rider."

"You okay?" Tsubasa whispered in Yosuke's ear once he settled down."I understand how you feel. But..."

"I can't help it." Yosuke closed his eyes."I know it's not their fault but...it hurts."

As they conversed, the others continued explaining the Kamen Riders.

"So there's 3 of us here. How many Riders are in total?"

"According to Odin...13." Ryoko pursed her lips."Though we don't know who they are or their whereabouts. Other than this new Kamen Rider. Gai, I believe you called him, right, Yosuke?"

"Right." Yosuke dryly remarked."He was robbing a bank. I tried to reason with him but he brushed me off saying that he wants the battle to continue."

"He also said that he doesn't care about the wish as long as he can do what he wants." Tsubasa rehearsed his words."And he'll make an enemy of us since we're trying to stop Odin."

"So that's 4. Does Odin count?"

"We're not sure." Genjuro scratched his goatee."He calls himself a Kamen Rider, so you'd think he counts as one of the 13, but we all know he's more than that."

"Why not ask him?" Hibiki rose her hand."Is there a way to contact him?"

"Other than a deathmatch, there is no other way to talk with him." Yosuke replied."Other than the first time you get your deck. A death match is basically when you challenge Odin to a fight. This is what Akira did before. However, if you lose the fight, you lose your life. Anyone can do it at any time. Hell, I was going to let you do it yourself, Ryu-kid. But no one can beat Odin. Which is why we're looking for as many allies as we can."

"Who will get the wish?"

"We haven't figured that out..." Yosuke admitted."Assuming we can even defeat Odin. But we were hoping to wish for all the Noise to go away."

"Odin along with the Noise are our priorities right now. If a rogue Rider like Gai decides to go against humanity, they'll also be targeted. That's why we want your help. Both of you. You have the powers to save lives."

"Save lives, huh?" Hibiki smiled at the thought."I want to help anyone I can. I'll use the Gungnir to fight for good!"

"Well...not like I have a choice. I have a family that I want to protect and becoming an enemy of humanity isn't what I need right now. I'm in too. It'll be fun."

"That's what I like to hear!" Genjuro clapped, prompting the rest to follow his example."Welcome aboard!"

"Now, I know it's getting late and there is still more to explain, but I would like to ask Hibiki-chan to accompany me to my lab." Ryoko approached the Gungnir user."For some tests."

"Sure. I don't mind."

"You won't need me?" Hajime rose a brow.

"Yes, but that can wait for some other time."

Ryoko and Hibiki exited the area, leaving the others to enjoy the rest of the welcome party.

"So...you go to Kaiser Academy too, huh?" Hajime tried to make small talk with Goro.

"I do. I'm a few years older than you but younger than Yosuke-senpai. I guess that makes me your senpai too."

"I'm not calling anyone here senpai." Hajime shot down the idea."Much less him."

"I heard that." Yosuke sat down on the couch, sighing."Look, you're going to be part of the team now, so the least you can do is show some self-control."

"Easy peasy."

"Not like today when you kept attacking the Noise with your crappy aim when we told you not to engage."

"It was my first time!" Hajime exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air."I couldn't help it!"

"You'll need to listen to my orders from now on." Yosuke folded his arms, towering over Hajime."The Commander appointed me the leader of the Kamen Rider Unit."

"That's awesome, Yosuke-senpai." Goro smiled."I'm sure it's what Akira-senpai would have wanted."

"It won't be the same as with him, seeing as I'm new to being a leader." Yosuke bit his lower lip, moving his arm in front of them."So I need both of you guys to cooperate with me. Is that okay?"

"I guess." Hajime rolled his eyes, placing his hand on Yosuke's."I don't mind as long as you don't bark orders and do nothing."

"You know I'll help in any way I can." Goro nodded, following along. After the quick huddle, Hajime walked over to Tsubasa, who was spacing out on the couch.

"Kazanari-san." Hajime approached her, hands behind his back.

"Adachi?" Tsubasa acknowledged him.

"Do you happen to have one of those CDs of yours that came out today?"

"I have a few extra copies. Don't tell me you're a fan."

"What? No, sorry." Hajime scratched the back of his head sheepishly."My sister is though. So I was wondering if you could..."

Back in the Adachi residence, Hajime discretely opens the door, sneaking his way into the house by not making any noise. It was well past 11 and all the lights were off. Everyone was presumably asleep. Or so he thought. A sharp pain in his ear told him all he needed to know. He was busted.

"What's the meaning of this, Hajime Adachi?!" His grandmother pulled his ear, bringing him to the living room as they turned on the lights."Coming at this hour?!"

"Grandma, it's not what it looks like!" Hajime yelped, tears streaming down his face from the pain. She sat him on a chair, pulling one beside him. She folded her arms, eyeing him from top to bottom."What happened to your uniform?"

"Uh..." Hajime took a look at himself. His clothes were dirty and would probably need a fresh change soon."Well...It's not what you think."

"Were you...attacked by the Noise?" His grandmother pressed."I heard on the news there was an attack around the area where you went. Did you..."

"Yes. But I got away in time." He half lied. Indeed, he was there, but he did the opposite of leaving."I'm fine. Don-"

His grandmother engulfed him in a bear hug, holding him as if he were to disappear at any second."My sweet silly boy..."

"Grandma..." Hajime felt guilty lying to his grandmother, but he did make a promise to keep everything quiet."I'm fine. Matter of fact, guess what I got for Setsuna."

With a toothy grin, he pulled out a CD with Tsubasa's picture on it and a note.

"That's..."

"Yup. So it happens I met one of Tsubasa's friends." He half-lied again, trying to come up with a believable story."And you know, he was kind enough to introduce me. Though I don't know why people are so into her."

"What do you mean?" Kiyoko grabbed the CD, inspecting the cover."She looks lovely and extremely attractive to youngster now days. I figured you'd be into her."

'Considering how much of an ice queen she is, no thanks.' Hajime sweatdropped, not wanting to let more information than he knew."Well, I'm into other artists. Maria Cadenzavna Eve is my favorite of them all. She's just so mature and elegant."

"That pink hair girl with the cat ears?" She gave him a disapproving look."I don't like her. She's like a flytrap waiting to catch any foolish fly that tries to get to her."

"What?" Hajime blinked, bewildered."What are you saying? What makes you think that?"

"Her cat ears."

"I don't think those are cat ears, grandma, I think that's her natural hair. And they're shaped more like horns than cat ears."

"That's worse! She's a devil!"

"Oh my god." Hajime threw his arms up."I'm going to sleep and will probably wake up late for school. Can you give that to Setsu when she wakes up?"

"You don't want to give it to her yourself, dear?" Kiyoko tilted her head.

"I prefer not to answer any questions she might have."

The next day, Hajime leisurely walked down the sidewalk on his way to school, bag over his shoulder. He had woken up earlier than he imagined but was still fatigued after his fights yesterday. He also tried to transform in his room to admire himself in the mirror but had gotten a call from Ryoko to refrain from doing anything unnecessarily.

"This sucks. I knew accepting to work with an organization would limit my movements." Hajime looked up to the sky."But then again, I did lose. And I always try to keep my promises. Grrr! That jerk Yagami! Who does he think he is treating me like I'm a toddler and an idiot!"

Upon calming down, something caught his eye when he stopped at a stop light. A group of people had gathered around a building with cop cars and an ambulance. Since this was on his way to school, he figured it wouldn't hurt to pass by. The street was closed off for traffic, but this didn't stop people from showing up, albeit they could only do so from a distance behind yellow tape. Hajime squinted, taking a look at where they were staring at. In the parking lot, there was a car completely totaled with blood everywhere. He also saw what look to be chunks of flesh splattered around, but no body.

"Returning to the scene of the crime, are we?"

The amber-eyed teen nearly screamed at the voice, quickly reaching for his Advent Deck."You!"

"Nice reflexes." Yosuke praised him, though his voice showed no emotion.

"Scene of the crime? Me? You think I did this?!" Hajime growled, offended by the accusation."I was with you until 11 at night, asshole! And you guys took me home! You were literally in the passenger seat! Then I went straight home and went to bed!"

"Relax. I'm kidding. I know it wasn't you. It was a joke." Yosuke closed his eyes, resuming his walk to school with Hajime.

"Jokes are supposed to be funny, you know. Accusing someone of murder isn't funny."

"I know, which is why I don't make jokes." Yosuke shrugged nonchalantly."If you're wondering, they took the body already. Good thing you weren't here for it. You would have vomited whatever you just ate."

"That bad, huh?" Hajime rubbed his belly."I wouldn't want to puke my grandma's pancakes."

"So..." Yosuke ignored his last comment, looking down to his level."What's your take on this?"

"Well...I was originally going to say a car accident, but it'd be impossible to have a car crash inside that small parking lot. Furthermore, if that were the case, there would have been a second car in the same or similar condition. It couldn't have been a Noise attack since Noise disintegrate humans and well...there was some flesh I think? I don't want to think about it. Anyway, the only one who could have done it would be a Kamen Rider, right?"

"Good insight." Yosuke couldn't help but admire."Right. That building is a part of a company that works in the real estate business. That's just one of their many properties. Lately, there have been people either going missing or being murdered in those types of workplaces. Same MO. Something with enough force attacks the victim, leaving them unrecognizable. I lack conclusive evidence to say this, but I think Gai and his Metalgelas are a perfect suspect."

"Gai? Metalgelas?"

"Kamen Rider Gai is the one who was robbing the bank yesterday before we found you. Metalgelas is his Advent Monster. A rhinoceros. I know we're still missing many more Riders, but the ones we currently know of wouldn't be able to do that except Gai."

"Who do you think it could be?" Hajime hid his hands in his pockets."I mean, what kind of person do you think Gai is if he's the one behind this."

"At first, I thought Gai was a man working for real estate, but then other companies started getting attacked. Only certain people, but nothing seems to connect them. Gai is either a salaryman that is drunk on power or someone who just hates everything and he just happened to pick those places. It's hard to say for now."

"But we'll stop him, right?" Hajime punched the air a couple of times."Can't wait to fight another Rider! It will be fun!"

"Still think this is a game, Ryu-kid?" Yosuke glared down at him."Like I told you, you got lucky that I was your opponent. Anyone else would have killed you. Sooner or later you'll find that out on your own."

"You're exaggerating." Hajime said, hands on his hips."Kazanari-san told me you just recently started fighting other Riders that aren't Crabby. It's my first time too and I think it wasn't that bad. So if we keep on practicing, we'll be able to take on any threat. Riders become stronger as they fight."

"We don't know what kind of people they are." Yosuke grunted."Hopefully, they are more reasonable than Gai. The last thing we need is to have an actual battle royale. We need to find a way to defeat Odin."

"And you think ganging up on him will solve everything? How strong is he?"

"Let's just say...that Akira, who was in a whole other league than me, stood no chance." Yosuke grimly stated, clenching his fists."I don't think you deserve that deck, but you're our best option right now."

"Yeah, I am." Hajime puffed his chest out with pride."That reminds me. You said you can't take my deck from me because my dragon made a contract with me, right? How does that work?"

"From what we know, it's when you first transform. The deck responds to your inner needs, and your desires. Which explains why the dragon responded to you recently. The moment you transform, the contract is sealed and your monster answers to you and you only. This makes it so that even if you get your deck stolen, no one can use it. Unless you die."

"I have an idea. What if we beat up Gai and take his Advent Monster?" Hajime suggested, earning a perplexed look from Yosuke."I mean, like you said, not everyone will be on board with our idea. So if that's the case, instead of hoping for the deck to go to a better person, we could just use it to-"

"Okay, 2 things. One, we don't know if it's possible to make a contract with a second monster or how to do it. And secondly, you do know you're suggesting murdering them to get their powers, right?"

"I mean, it's wrong yeah, but what else are we supposed to do? You were about to kill me!"

"I was testing you." Yosuke rubbed the edge of his nose."We won't kill anyone."

"And what if it comes down to it?"

'This kid is...twisted.' Yosuke visibly cringed."Look, we'll worry about that later. But don't hold your breath, it's probably impossible to have more than one monster. Now drop it."

With no other choice, Hajime huffed, grabbing his new phone and pulling it out."Why the hell did you guys give me...this obviously new-generation phone?! What am I supposed to tell my grandma when she asks where I got this from?!"

"The Commander figured you'd like it."

"I mean I do, but no one will believe I have the kind of money to buy this."

"Oh? And what happened to all that money from the gambling ring?" Yosuke smirked, folding his arms.

"You're a real ass, you know that?"

Later that day after class, Hibiki and Hajime were called back to Section Two headquarters. Hibiki was waiting for her results while Hajime was going through a quick body scan.

Yosuke sat in the waiting room, eyes closed and humming to himself.

"I recognize that tune." Goro approached the purple-haired Rider."Backlit Resolve. That's-"

"One of Kanade's songs she sang solo." Yosuke answered, his expression not changing."I remember the day after that, Akira wouldn't stop singing it. He even brought a whole sound system when we were training. After listening for the 15th time, I got hooked."

"I can see why." Goro pulled out his phone, browsing his music album."It's in my running playlist. It's incredible."

"Yeah..." Yosuke trailed off, a ghost of a smile on his face.

"What do you think about Hajime so far?" Goro asked, knowing full well it was in his partner's mind."He'll be helping us from now on."

"He's a loose cannon. Or in nicer terms, a wildcard. Even Tachibana seems more likely to help rather than hinder us than him. I can't believe that out of all people he got the Ryuki Deck. It's an insult to Akira."

"I'm sure Tsubasa-senpai is thinking the same about Hibiki-chan. But regardless, it's not their fault. We didn't ask for our decks and I'm certain there's an explanation as to why she has Gungnir."

"I know. I know..." Yosuke ruffled his hair, nearly snapping the hairband keeping it in a bun."It's just...It's been 2 years and it feels so surreal, you know?" His hand went inside his shirt, pulling a chain that he kept safe under his clothes. It was the same promise rings that Akira had gotten for himself and Kanade and were tied together by a chain. The rings themselves had rubies and had the initials A and K embedded in them."I always think about them."

"You kept them...?" Goro marbled at how pretty they looked."They look beautiful. I'm sure Kanade-senpai would have loved them very much. A memento from them."

"Right. It's funny. Kanade and Akira were our emotional support pillars. We felt like they were capable of anything. The leader figures, I guess. Even though Tsubasa's been a Symphogear longer than Kanade. Probably a personality thing. And now, we're entrusted with that responsibility. And we have to be mentors too to these new kids."

"It's a big change I imagine. But I'll do anything I can to help you guys." Goro declared solemnly."I'm part of the team too. And while I'm not as reliable as either of you, I can contribute as well."

"Thanks, Goro. Sorry I'm always so hard on you." Yosuke smiled at him before hearing someone approaching them. It was Tsubasa, taking shaky steps. Yosuke quickly approached her before the could trip over her feet.

"Tsubasa, what's wrong?" He gently asked, helping her up.

"Gungnir..." She muttered, covering her mouth."Gungnir fragments are in that girl's chest...it's why she has it now."

"During that battle..." Goro pursed his lips."I remember her armor was breaking apart. It's how Tachibana got impaled. I didn't notice at the time, but I had cuts over my armor, presumably from that as well."

"Uncle said...it was a farewell present...from Kanade..." Tsubasa's voice broke, tears threatening to escape her eyes.

"I know how you feel." Yosuke consoled her, rubbing her back."They...in a way, they are still with us. Gungnir and the Ryuki Deck came back to us, Tsubasa. These kids...while we would much rather have our friends instead of them, they can be of use. Our priorities haven't changed."

"I understand but...why did it have to happen?" Tsubasa was helped over to one of the chairs."It happened so fast...was there nothing we could have done?"

"We can fix everything." Yosuke knelt in front of her, showing her the rings around his neck."All we have to do is get stronger and gather more allies. Only then we'll be able to beat Odin and get our wish."

"Right!" Yosuke chimed in, forcing his voice to sound chirpy."We have Hibiki-chan and Hajime-kun helping us now. And who knows, maybe more Riders will be willing to help too."

"But what about wishing for all the Noise to stop existing?" Tsubasa rose her head."And you know that in order to get that wish, you'll-"

"We'll just have to keep battling the Noise and take things one step at a time. Don't worry, for now just-"

"Yo!" Hajime yelled, raising his hand in the air as he and Hibiki came into view."We're all good! Healthy as ever!"

"Speak for yourself..." Hibiki rubbed her chest."I didn't know I had this stuff so close to my heart..."

"You'll be fine." Hajime shot her a grin."We're like superheroes or whatever now. We're looking forward to working with you guys! This is gonna be so much fun! I can tell."

Hibiki noticed the glare from Yosuke and decided to step in before things got out of hand, grabbing his arm."I don't think it's good if we take it as a game, Hajime-kun. You heard what Genjuro-san said. We fight to protect lives. And we can't go around proclaiming about the things we do either. For the people we want to protect."

"Talk about a party pooper." Hajime pouted, glancing away."But you're right."

"Forgive him." Hibiki apologized on his behalf, walking up to the trio."I know we're still inexperienced but we will help as much as we can. We're in your care."

Tsubasa looked down at the hand being offered to her. Unsure, she shifted her gaze to Yosuke, who looked just as taken back as her.

The alarm went off, stopping any further conversation they could have had. The teens quickly returned to the control room, glancing at the many screens displayed in front of them.

"What's the situation, sir?" Yosuke took the initiative and asked for information.

"Several Noise have appeared around the school. If they get any closer than they are.." Genjuro trailed off, not wanting to finish his train of thought.

"Miku..." Hibiki muttered, thinking of her best friend back in their dorm."I'm going!"

"If she goes I go too." Hajime nodded, smirking."Can't let her steal the spotlight."

"Be serious for once." Yosuke clicked his tongue."But fine. This is a good opportunity for you guys to get some experience. Let's get going, Tsubasa, Goro."

"Right." With that, both Riders and Symphogears exited the premises, jumping into danger.

"I get Tachibana is doing this because she wants to help people, but..." Sakuya frowned.

"Adachi is doing this because it gives him some sort of excitement." Aoi finished for him."It's a game."

"It's exactly what Odin wants." Genjure folded his arms, staring at the screen showing the teens moving out."If a kid like him was corrupted by that kind of thinking, I can only imagine what other people would do with that kind of power."

Once they reached the highway connecting to the school, the teenagers began discussing their strategy before the army of Noise got closer.

"I think we shouldn't let them go alone." Goro suggested."I mean, they're supposed to shadow us, right? It's still too early for them to fight Noise alone."

"They were holding their own last time." Yosuke reminded him."Besides, they'll only learn by doing this themselves. What do you think, Tsubasa?"

"We'll be here in case things get out of hand." Tsubasa agreed."In the meantime, we need to see what they're capable of and areas in which they can improve to be of any use."

"Can we go already?" Hajime whined, jumping up and down."I want to fight already."

"Fine. You ready too, Tachibana?" Yosuke asked, earning a nod from her."Good. Then go wild."

Hibiki and Hajime began running at the enemy, transforming into their respective forms.

"Henshin!"

"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron..."

(Gekiso Gungni)

Hajime transformed into Ryuki, quickly drawing a card and watching as Hibiki jumped ahead of her while starting to sing.

Strike Vent: Dragclaw
ATK: 2000

Ryuki winded his fist back, before unleashing a stream of fire that took the shape of Dragreder and burnt away a chunk of the Noise. Hibiki leaped around, jumping from Noise to Noise and smashing them with her fists. One of them threw itself at her, sending her rolling on the ground. Two more repeated this and went after her, but Ryuki activated his card and went to defend her.

Guard Vent: Dragshield
DEF: 2000

Ryuki equipped the shields on his arms, blocking the attacks with relative ease.

"Keep singing, Hibiki-san!" Ryuki hollered, tossing the shields aside and drawing a card."You have a good voice. It's soothing."

Hibiki's smile widened at the praise, jumping back on her feet and going back to action.

Sword Vent: Dragsaber
ATK: 2000

Ryuki slashed an incoming Noise in half, kicking another one before bending his knees, allowing Hibiki to jump over him, and smacked another one into a group of Noise. They compensated for the difference in number by watching each other's backs. When Hibiki attacks, Ryuki defends, and vice-versa.

"Hey, that's...what we do, isn't it?" Yosuke unfolded his arms, impressed.

"They've learned to work together?" Tsubasa pondered.

"I think their styles complement each other's." Goro commented."I don't think they know how to fight together but are improvising."

"Hibiki, give me your hand!" Hajime held his left hand out."I just thought of a super duper cool move we can do!"

"Uh, okay!" Hibiki timidly grabbed his hand, fidgeting.

"Now, I hope those heels of yours are good for what's to come! Just keep your free fist out and leave the rest to me!" Ryuki used his Dragclaw to spit out fire, using the force to make them start spinning together thanks to their hands being intertwined. The fire took the form of a spiral, increasing in size until it became a tornado and repelled all the Noise around them.

Boiling Fist

Once their attack finished, both of them dropped to the ground, extremely dizzy.

"I think I'm going to barf..." Ryuki fought the urge to vomit due to the possibility of it getting stuck in his helmet.

"My head hurts..." Hibiki had a goofy smile, her eyes spinning.

The Noise remaining merged together, creating a bigger Noise with sharp teeth, ready to attack the fallen newbies.

"So much for that." Yosuke sighed as he and Tsubasa transformed, not wasting time finishing the Noise in an instant, ending the fight.

"What do you think?" Knight asked, holding his Winglancer in his hand after performing his Final Vent.

"Is this really necessary?" Tsubasa huffed."We don't need them. They are disgracing Kanade and Akira."

"Maybe so, but we don't have a choice." Knight sighed."What if we get overrun like that day? Now it's just 3 of us. And if either of us dies, the world is done for. We need all the allies we can get."

"I understand that but...I can't accept her." Tsubasa clenched her fists.

Goro meekly approached the newbies, rubbing his nape."Hey, guys. That was a good performance."

"Nailed it!" Ryuki held two fingers up."Nice one, Hibiki. You're pretty good."

"I was just following your lead, Hajime-kun." Hibiki managed to sit up straight after regaining her senses."But I think we should work on our footing."

'It's like watching Kanade-senpai and Akira-senpai talk.' Goro couldn't help but reminisce about his friends.'Maybe Gugnir and the Ryuki deck are connected deeper than it looks. Funny how that works. I wonder if they'll get together like their predecessors but...'

Ryuki and Hibiki jumped around, happily cheering for their victory.

"It seems to me like they have more of a sibling bond going on rather than a romantic one," Goro muttered, chuckling.

"You guys are idiots." Knight and Tsubasa landed in front of them."While I praise your coordination and your teamwork, you literally left yourselves vulnerable. If we weren't there, then what?"

"We did it precisely because we know you would pick up the slack...batsy." Ryuki taunted, earning a growl from Knight.

"Completely foolish and immature." Knight took firm steps forward, towering over the two."This isn't a game! Take this seriously!"

Before Ryuki could retort, Hibiki placed her hand on his mouth, or at least where she thought it was."We're sorry, Yosuke-san. We just got...a bit excited. It won't happen again. I know we're making things harder for you but we want to learn and fight with you for humanity's sake!"

"Fight with us?" Tsubasa parroted, a dangerous gleam in her eyes that Knight noticed.

"Yeah!" Hibiki nodded, hoping that Tsubasa was beginning to warm up to them.

"Very well then." Unceremoniously, she unsheathed her Katana, nearly pricking Hibiki's nose with it."Let's fight. Both of you."