Hello Fanfiction readers! It is I, Ashbel Longhart back to bring you another new chapter of Second Verse! Surprised that I'm back so soon? Well, I did say that I would focus a bit more on this story in the last chapter. Speaking of last chapter, I'm glad to see people enjoyed it...I think? Not a lot of people reviewed the chapter, but judging by how many people read the chapter, I'm just gonna guess you all enjoyed it. Anyway, cue disclaimer.

(Disclaimer: I do not own Senki Zesshou Symphogear G or Kamen Rider Faiz. I also don't own any songs that appear in this story either. They all belong to their respective owners. All I own is this story and my OC's. Please Enjoy.)

So anyway, last time, a lot happened to Haru and the gang. Haru and Hibiki both went berserk, tearing apart the Nephilim before fighting each other. The others got involved, as well as Orga's group, but Haru in his berserk state ran away while Smart Brain finally has their hands on the Faiz Gear. If that wasn't bad enough, it's revealed that Hibiki's relic fragments are spreading throughout her body and essentially killing her. A simple solution was to take Hibiki out of combat, but Dr. Ver appears, having recovered the Nephilim's heart, while Haru finds himself under the care of Hibiki's mother. What will happen now? Well, just read to find out.

Open Your Eyes For The Next Faiz and Let's Ride!


Kamen Rider Faiz: Song of Paradise

Second Verse

Song 8: From Bad to Worse


(Last Time)

"AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!"

"It's just like what happened three months ago!"

"S-So, the 'Hero' of the Lunar Attack was actually an Orphnoch."

*STAB!*

"Y-You...!"

*SHINE!*

"AaaaaaaAAAH~!"

"Black doesn't suit you, you idiot!"

"If he's gone berserk again, we just need to snap him out of it again."

"Let the Game Begin."

"Haru's Rider Gear!"

'Is this all because I was too weak to bear Finé's legacy?'

"This...This can't be real...!"

"Huh? A scab?"

"Our condition was that whoever was the first to bring Yamamoto Haru in. So..."

"Her repeated use of the relic by breaking it into energy and reconstructing it as her Symphogear has caused it to further spread through her body."

"The fusion of a human body and a relic..."

"It will kill her before too long."

"Never use your Gear again. You'll just slow us down!"

"As long as I have this, I'll be a hero!"

"My fist...My life...They're both my Symphogear!"

"You're...Hibiki's mom..."

"Long time no see, Yamamoto-san."


(Now)

"It's been quite a long time since we've last seen each other, Yamamoto-san."

"Uh, yeah," Haru said, a bit awkward. Grabbing his given tea, he took a sip as to wet his throat before speaking again. "It's good to see you again, Tachibana-san."

Sitting at the dining table, one Yamamoto Haru, garbed in a simple white shirt and jeans, was currently speaking with the mother of Hibiki, Tachibana Yuuki. She was a young-looking woman in her late 20's with brunette colored hair and dark orange eyes.

"Likewise," Tachibana Yuuki smiled, taking a sip of her own tea before speaking again. "And please, just call me Yuuki. 'Tachibana-san' is my mother."

"Right..." Haru said, still a bit awkward as he looked around the house, having not been here in a long while. "I see this place hasn't changed much since I was last here."

"It's only been two years since you were last here, not much has changed in that time," Yuuki said, shrugging her shoulders. She wasn't a materialistic person.

"And the neighborhood?" Haru asked with a slight edge in his tone.

"It's been fine. You of all people made sure of that," Yuuki said, understanding the man's concern. After all, two years ago, the entire neighborhood had been cursing her and her family for something her daughter had no control over. She used to have lines on her face due to all of the pressure and stress of the entire incident, but they've long since disappeared after all these years.

"I was greatly surprised, you know," Yuuki said. "My mother woke me up last night and brought me outside to find you right in front of our house passed out. I nearly passed out myself when I saw your condition."

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience," Haru apologized. But still, he was surprised himself. He never would have expected to have found himself stumbling all the way to Hibiki's old house and wake up in the girl's old room.

'I wonder what Hibiki would think if she knew I slept in her bed?' Haru thought to himself as he took another sip of his tea. Knowing the girl, she probably wouldn't mind...much.

"What happened to you, Yamamoto-san? You were covered in blood and everything," Yuuki asked, concerned for the man who had done so much for her daughter and this family.

"I...think I was running from something. Can't remember what though," Haru lied. Having rested and cleared his head, he remembered everything that happened during his rampage. Him fighting a berserk Hibiki, facing off against Orga and his team, and him running from Tsubasa and Kanade. Not only that...

'There's the fact that I'm really...an Orphnoch,' Haru thought to himself, trying to come to terms with his new status. While it certainly explained how he was able to use the Faiz Gear in the first place, the fact he was able to use the Rider Gear in the first place should have clued him in on what he really was. Being the Rider fan that he is, he knew full well that the Faiz Gear was only useable to Orphnoch's. Of course, with the reveal that he was an Orphnoch, that brought up a new topic.

He was an Orphnoch, something that used to be human. And the only for a human to become an Orphnoch...is to die.

*HONK!*

'That's right...I died,' Haru said as how he died flash within his mind. It was quite astonishing how he was now just remembering how he died. One would think the moment of one's own death would stick in one's mind, or perhaps his mind was suppressing the memory this entire time? With a bomb like this, he can certainly see why the moment of his death had been suppressed in his mind until now.

"Yamamoto-san?" Haru was snapped out of his thoughts by Yuuki who called out his name.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay? You suddenly went quiet," The mother of Hibiki asked in a concerned tone.

"Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind is all," Haru said, apologizing to the woman.

"Hmm, well I won't pry, but I will say that you should take better care of yourself, Yamamoto-san," Yuuki said. "I know you're not one to seek trouble and all, but do try to take care of yourself. Hibiki calls whenever she can and she's told me how very little you seem to care about yourself. It worries her."

'Hibiki...' Haru thinks to himself, surprised that the girl had been talking about him. Sighing to himself, he speaks up.

"Don't you worry, Yuuki-san. I just have a lot going on. I'll work it out."

"If you say so," Yuuki said, still seeming unsure, but decided to take the man's word for it.

"On a different note, where's your mother?" Haru asked, having not seen the elderly Tachibana since waking up.

"She's currently out getting medicine and bandages," Yuuki informed. She had offered to get it herself, but her mother insisted and left her here to look after Haru. "As I said before, we found you in pretty bad shape last night. Though, from the looks of it, you seem to be all better now."

"Well, what can I say? I'm a fast healer," Haru said, trying to play it off as he slapped his chest where bandages were hidden behind his shirt. Despite having been stabbed through the back, he was all better now. Perhaps an ability he's gained as an Orphnoch? He remembered them to be fast healers.

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening drew the two's attention and they turned to see just the person they had been talking about.

If one were to ask what Hibiki may have looked like as an old woman, look no further than the girl's grandmother, Tachibana Madoka. An elderly woman, her hair's original color had long since faded to white. Said hair was styled just like Hibiki's albeit slightly messy as the old lady's bangs were held up by a hairclip. And just like the rest of the family, her eyes were orange.

"Yuuki, I'm back," The eldest of the Tachibana's called out as she entered the kitchen and jumps in surprise a little at the sight of Haru. "Oh! Awake already?"

"Yes, Yuuki-san told me that it was you who found me last night," Haru said after bowing to the elder.

"It was quite a shock for me too when I found you last night," Madoka said, setting down the bag in her hands on the countertop before making her way over to the table. "How are you feeling, by the way? Better?"

"Yes, I'm much better, thank you," Haru said.

"Well, it's the least I could, after all. You've done much for this family, especially Hibiki," The old lady said, smiling. "How is my granddaughter doing nowadays? Is she okay? Any problems at school?"

"Well, besides getting in trouble with the teacher a few times, she's doing fine," Haru said, making sure to make no mention of the 2nd Division and Hibiki's involvement.

"That sounds like her," Yuuki said before she and her mother shared a laugh.

Haru smiles at the two. While it was good to see these two again, he shouldn't overstay his welcome. No doubt the others were worried about him. Though...

'What do they think of me now?' Haru couldn't help but think, wondering just what was the girls' opinion of him now were what with him being an Orphnoch and all. He knew they wouldn't judge, they were all better than that, but the thought still lingered in the back of his head.

*boom!*

Suddenly, snapping out of his thoughts, Haru heard what sounded like an explosion in the far distance. And it seems he wasn't the only one who noticed.

"What was that?" Madoka asked as all three of them got up and walked over to a window where, a couple of blocks away, a pillar of smoke can be seen in the distance.

"Oh dear, that doesn't look good," Yuuki said, a worried expression on her face.

"No, it isn't," Haru said as his gut was telling him that something was going on.

Racing over to a coat rack that held his slightly ruined jacket, Haru grabbed it, digging into the pockets only to find nothing. And that's when he remembered.

'That's right, my Gear!' It was after Jack had stabbed him in the back that he took the Faiz Gear. Which means...

"Shit!" Cursing out loud, Haru hurried over to the front door, grabbing his shoes.

"Yamamoto-san?" The Tachibana's wondering why the man was in such a hurry, followed him outside.

"Thanks for taking care of me, but I gotta go!" Haru exclaimed, quickly putting on his shoes before racing out the door.

*SQEEEEECK!*

Haru barely got teen feet out when a van suddenly skidded to a halt right in front of him, making him stumble back in fear of being run over. Confused at first, Haru's eyes widen when he sees the logo on the side of the van.

Smart Brain.

"Oh...crapbaskets," Haru cursed again as none other than Xiao Li stepped out of the van carrying a briefcase and followed by six men all dressed in suits, shades, and fedoras.

Stepping forth, Xiao Li confronts Haru.

"Yamamoto Haru, I am Xiao Li. I've been asked by the Head President to bring you to him."


(Insert masterpiece by Mami Kawada)

(Instrumental) The song starts as blurry images play at high speed appear. While some images were hard to make out, the image of a fire and ruins, the Relics, the Rider Gears, the Wolf Orphnoch's hands covered in blood, and then the caged Nephilim could be made out before the title appears.

(To aru nichijou wa parallel world ikusen mono jikan ni) The scene shows Hibiki in class, staying after school, but to her surprise, she wasn't the only on there. The camera expands outward to show that with her in the class is Tsubasa sitting next to her right Chris sitting next to her left, and sitting in the back in the far corner is Haru looking out the window.

(Onaji mono nado nai masutaapiisu de orinasu jikuu e) We then see the hooded man leaning against a display window of a random store. He lifts his head up to reveal violet-colored eyes before the scene changes to the Crane Orphonch up on the roof a building, looking ready to jump and take flight before the scene changes again to Psyga in the air, flying around.

(Kakinagutte hakushi no shinario ni pensaki ga kooru) The scene then changes to the 2nd Division's new submarine base as everyone else worked on monitoring the data and info in front of them while Ogawa stands next to Genjuro who had the Delta Gear in a briefcase in hand.

(Originality mezase! douse kono michi o yukun dakara) The scene then changes to the hidden base of the organization, Finé. Professor Nastassja, in her wheelchair, is seen monitoring the Nephilim, Shirabe and Kirika are seen together as their Relic necklaces shine under the light. Maria is seen holding a damaged Relic piece in her hands as she thinks about her late sister and a certain boy that held a special place in a heart. Finally, Dr. Ver is seen grinning madly wielding Soloman's Cane as a shadow of the Nephilim is seen behind him.

[Shinjite] (Kakenukete) [Tooku made] Haru as Faiz and the girls in their armor are seen with their weapons drawn. Across from them is Maria and the others, donned in their armor with their weapons out and ready as behind them were the Kamen Riders Neo-Alpha, Pyron, and Seeda.

[Kanjiru] (Daichi o kette) [Daichi kette] Both groups stare off at one another before both groups move and attack.

(Nanika no tame ni kogare, ikiteru kanshoku wa kitto) Chris is seen facing off against Kirika who throws scythe blades at her while she counters with bullets from her Gatling guns. Meanwhile, Hibiki is seen facing off against Shirabe who throws saw blade at her while she punches and kicks them away.

(Darenimo makenai chikara ni Naru) Tsubasa and Maria are seen clashing weapons until they are broken apart by the sudden appearance of Orga who pushes Tsubasa back before he turns to look at Maria before clashing weapons with her as the Crane Orphnoch and Psyga are seen facing off against Dr. Ver and the Nephilim.

(Shiawase tte tabun kono shunkan onore ga shiru) [When I believed it] Haru is seen facing the three enemy Riders by himself until Kanade and Genjuro as Kaixa and Delta appear to help him, each Rider taking on another Rider.

(Kono kandou o atarashii peeji ni kizamu) [I can go to the next stage] Explosions litter the entire area as Haru was pushed back only to bump into Orga and Pysga. The three Riders look at one another before they all jump up and kick forward towards their intended targets; Haru at the enemy Riders, Orga at the Nephilim, and Pysga at Maria and her girls.

[It's only my thing, 'highest masterpiece!' hoo] Everyone looked up at the three kicking Riders as their kicking feet glow brightly, blinding everyone until the camera moves to show off the moon surrounded by a ring of the rubble of its broken piece before the song ends.


(2nd Division Submarine Base, Command Room)

"Intelligence has lost contact with the pursuit squad!"

"We're also detecting a Noise-materialization pattern. It's probably..."

"Send in the girls!" Genjuro ordered after a moment of thinking. "Secure the man with Soloman's Cane, no matter what!"

"I'm detecting a different high-output energy pattern than that of the Noise," Sakuya informed.

"Analyzing it now," Aoi said as she brought the results on the screen. "It can't be..."

{GUNGNIR}

"Gungnir...datto..." Genjuro said as there was only one person who could be giving out this much energy.


(With Hibiki)

With a roar, Hibiki destroyed the Noise in front of her with her fist, sending out a blast of wind at the same time which blew past Dr. Ver, frighting the man as the girl stood before him and his summoned Noises. At the same time, under her suit, her scar was glowing so bright that it could be seen from even under the suit as Hibiki herself started to glow too. No, it was more like her entire body was heating up.

'Power is bursting forth within me...' Hibiki thought, not noticing that a stray leaf falling down towards her combusted into flames the second it got even an inch close to her.

"Wh-What?" Ver stumbles back in surprise at this sight, looking fearfully at the girl. Behind Hibiki, Miku and the others, Kirika and Shirabe, all looked a Hibiki in surprise and confusion.

"This heat...is it coming from her?" Shirabe wondered, feeling the heat coming from Hibiki from where she was at.

"Just what the heck is happening?" Kirika said, expressing her confusion too.

"Hibiki..." Miku mutters as she stares at Hibiki's back. Something about this heat wasn't right.

"Why must you always show up at the worst possible times!? You're ruining everything!" Dr. Ver exclaims in frustration as he raises Soloman's Cane and begins to summon more Noise.

(Insert Seigi wo Shinjite, Nigirishimete)

Seeing the increase of Noise, Hibiki quickly leaps into action. One Noise tries to hit her with its claws, but Hibiki skillfully dodges them before punching the Noise away. Turning around, she kicks another Noise trying to sneak up on her, destroying it before quickly spinning around and destroying another Noise with a two-hit combo. More Noise begins to charge towards her, grouping up but this doesn't intimidate Hibiki as she rushes in with punches, kicks, and even throws in a shoulder rush. This just angers Ver even more as he starts to summon more and more Noise,

"Always! Always! Always! Always! Always! Always! Always!" Ver rants on as he keeps summoning Noise to counter the girl's overwhelming strength.

In response to the increase of Noise, Hibiki holds out her right arm as her gauntlet transforms. Igniting the thrusters behind her waist, Hibiki rockets forward and thrusts her transformed fist forward, spearing through the Noise as the force of her punch sends out a shockwave that destroys the surrounding Noise around her. Starting to panic, Ver summons even more Noise in the hopes of overwhelming Hibiki, but the girl remains strong. Using the Power Jacks on her legs, she launches herself forward, spearing through the Noise again as she rockets forward towards Ver with the intent of stopping the mad doctor once and for all.

But then...

(Song End)

"Various Shul Shagana tron..."

"Zeios Igalima raizen tron..."

*CLANG!*

Just before Hibiki's fist could reach Ver, something made of metal intercepted her attack.

"A shield!?" Hibiki exclaims in surprise, wondering where such a thing came from until she noticed that the 'shield' was spinning.

"A saw, actually," Looking behind her, Hibiki sees that Shirabe, donned in her Symphogear, was the one who stopped her attack as one of her ponytails was extended out and that the thing stopping Hibiki's fist was indeed one of the girl's saws.

"Don't forget we're here too!" Suddenly, leaping over Shirabe, Kirika who was also transformed came down towards Hibiki, swinging her scythe which forced the brunette to jump to the side in order to avoid the killer farming tool and forcing her away from Ver.

"Kuh!" Hibiki grunts as Kirika and Shirabe quickly get in front of the doctor.

"When did those two...?" Miku, who was hiding behind a broken car for safety, wondered just when did Shirabe and Kirika move. They were just right next to her.

"Whew, that was close," Kirika said, breathing out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, too close," Shirabe said as the saw she used to block Hibiki's punch soon broke into pieces.

"Shirabe!"

"I'm fine," Shirabe assures her friend as she pulls back her ponytail. Her relic, Shul Shagana, was more versatile than its plain looks would suggest. As demonstrated before, it was also good for defense, yet she was barely able to stop Hibiki's attack. If Kirika hadn't stepped in, Hibiki would have broken through her saw and gotten to Ver.

{Girls, do you read me?} Suddenly, from their communicators located in their ears, Nastassja's voice came through.

"We read you, Mom," Kirika answered while not taking her eyes off of Hibiki.

{Heretical Technology, based on the Sakurai Theory, is not the exclusive domain of the Special Disaster Mobile Response Team.} Nastassja said, though it sounds like she was talking to someone else besides them, probably Maria who was with her.

{The doctor's summoning of Noise allows us to easily track his position. This is a double-edged sword, however, as our enemies have no doubt already done the same as us and are sending reinforcements.}

{You hear that you two?} Maria's voice came in as she asked.

"Loud and clear," Kirika said, understanding the situation. They had to hurry up and secure the doctor before reinforcements arrived. However...

"It's not going to be so easy," Shirabe said as she and Kirika faced down Hibiki.

*Thump-Thump-Thump!*

Suddenly, Hibiki's scar seemed to glow even brighter than before as the faint sound of a heart beating can be heard.

"Gh! Ah...!" A look of pain appears on Hibiki's face as she clenches her chest, falling to her knees as her scar glows even brighter even as Hibiki tried to cover it.

"Hibiki!" Miku cried out to her friend, wondering what was wrong with her. She had been seemingly fine a minute ago.

"The heck's happening to her?" Kirika said as she and Shirabe shared Miku's confusion, but none of the worry as they stared cautiously at the kneeling Symphogear user. Something about this wasn't right, they could just tell.

"Since you two are working so hard, I have a present for you!" Dr. Ver suddenly said, alerting the girls.

"Huh?"

A sound akin to when one opens a bottle of soda was heard before the girls jump back in surprise, holding their necks in alarm as they felt something entering them.

"What did you just do?" Kirika exclaims angrily at the doctor before she and Shirabe identify just what the doctor had injected them with. It was the drug that allowed FIS girls to use their Symphogears.

"LiNKER?"

"The hell? We still had time before it needed renewing!"

"That's why I'm using it now," Ver said, confusing the girls before he explained. "You need far higher energy output to battle against that monster. To that end, we must raise your sync rates at any cost."

"But then, the effects from the overdose will..." Shirabe trailed off from there. While she could understand the man's logic after seeing Hibiki's strength, to go this far...

"Screw you!" Kirika shouted at the doctor. "Why would we go so far for you!?"

"You will," Dr. Ver said. "Or rather, you must. You would never have come to save me out of a sense of duty or because you consider me a friend. This means that the old bat's condition must have worsened, so you came running to me!"

The two girls gritted their teeth as their silence told Ver that he had hit the nail on the head.

"Nastassja is sick, and without my skills as a biochemist, she won't survive. Now, will you use that power that transcends your mortal limits to save me?"


(2nd Division Base)

Displayed up on the screen which showcased Hibiki's condition, red lights were flashing as the words {Caution} were appearing all over the place.

"Hibiki-chan's condition is fluctuating rapidly!" Aoi informed as one could hear the worry in her voice.

"Is this because of her fusion with Gungnir?" Sakuya wondered out loud.

"Where are Tsubasa and the others?" Genjuro asked.

"They're both rushing towards the scene!" Aoi informed.

"But it'll take a bit more time!" Sakuya added in.


Upon the roads, Tsubasa, Kanade, and Chris were all driving down the highway as the latter was riding in the sidecar of the former. Driving as fast as their bikes could move, Tsubasa and Kanade drove past cars and trucks as they hurried towards Hibiki's location.

"That damn kid, always somehow finding trouble when we're not around," Kanade said under her helmet, ignoring the honking of a car she sped past.

"Less talking, more driving!" Chris shouted from under her own helmet while hanging onto the sidecar she was riding in.

'Tachibana, don't do anything stupid,' Tsubasa thought to herself as she revved up her bike to go faster.

However, just as the group took an exit to get off the highway, they were forced to brake to a stop as up ahead was a group of cars and bikes all parked right at the exit. The bikers were all dressed in black while standing in front of the group was a man in glasses.

"Hey!" Kanade, after skidding her bike to a stop, pushes up the visor of her helmet and glares at the group blocking the road. "Oi! What's the big deal? Move it!"

"I'm afraid we can't do that," The bespectacled man said, adjusting his glasses before addressing the trio. "You are all part of the Special Disaster Mobile Response Team, correct?"

"How do you know that?" Tsubasa said, alarmed as she stared cautiously at the man.

The man smirks. "You'll find that we at Smart Brain have our ways and connections."

"Henshin." Suddenly, all the men with him save for two all said as one before they transformed into Riotroopers. As for the two who weren't Riotroopers, they transformed into Orphnochs, one bearing the characteristics of an equisetum plant while the other bore the characteristics of a frog.

"Smart Brain!" Chris exclaims in surprise, taking off her helmet and getting out of the sidecar, prepared for a fight.

"Tch! These guys always show up at the worst possible times," Kanade said, taking off her helmet too and getting off the Side Basshar, strapping on the Kaixa Gear.

"We don't have time for this!" Tsubasa said, about to get off her bike too, but was stopped by Kanade.

"Hold it, Tsubasa. Go on ahead of us."

"What?"

"You said it yourself, we don't have time for this," Kanade said as she took out the Kaixa Phone and swung it open. "Hibiki's condition is getting worse even as we speak. You're the fastest amongst us so you should go. Don't worry about us."

"...alright," Tsubasa nodded in understanding, revving up her bike.

"I'm afraid it won't be that easy," The bespectacled man said as he soon transformed into an Orphnoch too, bearing the characteristics of a centipede. At the same time, the Riotroopers with him all revved up their own bikes.

"We'll see about that, you four-eyed bastard!" Chris said, taking out her Relic pendant while Kanade dialed 9-1-3 on her phone.

STANDING BY

"Henshin!"

"Killter Ichaival tron..."

COMPLETE

As her comrades both transformed, Tsubasa took the chance to move, driving her bike over to the Smart Brain group before jumping her bike high enough to soar over them. In response to this, the Riotroopers all turned and raced after the bluenette. But...

"Not so fast!" Chris cried out, transforming her gauntlets into the usual set of crossbow guns as she fires her homing energy arrows at the chasing Riotroopers. Aiming for the wheels of their bikes, the white-haired Symphogear user knocked over most of the Riotroopers, but some managed to avoid her attack and continued chasing after Tsubasa.

"Tch! Dammit!"

"It's fine, better than a whole group chasing after her," Kanade said, standing side by side with Chris as they both faced the three Orphnochs and whatever Riotroopers that were still here.

"So that's what a Symphogear is, interesting," The Centipede Orphnoch commented as he manifested a barbed whip in his hands. Around him, all the Riotroopers equipped their Axel Ray Guns and pointed them at the Rider and Gear user while the other two Orphnoch's prepared for battle.

"If you're so interested, why not come over here so I can show just what it can really do," Chris said in a threatening tone as she shifted her crossbows into her signature Gatling guns.

"I'd rather not," The Centipede Orphnoch said before remembering something. "Oh yes, that's right, I forgot to introduce myself."

The girls were confused as to why the Orphnoch was introducing himself...until they heard what he said.

"Greetings, ladies. I'm Takuma Itsuro of the Lucky Clover."

"The Lucky Clover!?" Kanade exclaims in surprise.

"That's right. And you'll find that I am much different compared to Mr. J."


(Meanwhile, with Haru)

Haru looks at the Chinese man with both caution and confusion, replaying the man's words in his head to see if he heard right.

"The head president...wants to see me?" He asks.

"That's correct. I am under orders to bring you to him," Xiao Li said.

"Yamamoto-san, who is this man?" Behind Haru, Yuuki asked as she looks over at Li in confusion while Madoka was still by the door.

"Get back, Yuuki-san," Haru said to the woman, holding out an arm in front of her before turning back to Li. "As for you, what makes you think I'm just gonna go with you willingly?"

"As I said before, I was ordered to bring you to him," Xiao Li said as he sets down his briefcase and opens it. "And I was given permission to use any means necessary. Your consent is not a factor."

*Beep-Beep-Beep!*

STANDING BY

Haru's eyes widen in disbelief as he gasps. There, strapped around Xiao Li's waist was a belt he knew all too well. What the Chinese man had taken out from his briefcase and put on was none other than the Faiz Gear.

"That's—!"

"Henshin." Haru never got to finish speaking as Xiao Li, having already dialed the transformation code, closes the Faiz Phone in his hand and inserts it into the belt. Red Photon Veins over the man's body before a bright flash of light that nearly blinds Haru and the two Tachibanas envelop Li's body. When the light finally died down, standing in Li's place was the one and only Kamen Rider Faiz.

"What the!?" Yuuki and Madoka both gasp in surprise and recognition, recognizing the armored form as the 'Mysterious Armored Man' that's appeared on the news a couple of times. Unknown to them, the man standing before them wasn't the same person as on the news. No, that person was right next to them, cursing up a storm in his head.

"Fuck!" Haru curses as one of his greatest fears have come true; someone from Smart Brain has become Faiz.

"This will be your only warning: Come quietly or else," The newly transformed Rider threatens Haru. His response?

"You two, get inside the house, now!" Haru shouted to the two Tachibanas before he goes and charges towards the Rider. Running up, Haru threw a punch only for it to be caught.

"Hard way it is," Xiao Li said before using his free hand to backhand Haru across the face. After that, the new Faiz delivered a punch to the man's gut, making Haru bend over before the Rider proceeded to flip Haru around, sending him to the ground. Before Haru could even try to get up, Li kicked forward and sent the man skidding back over to the two Tachibanas.

"Yamamoto-san!" Worried the for the man who's done so much for her family, Yuuki runs over to Haru side, helping him up. "Yamamoto-san, what's going on here?"

"Idiot, I told you to get inside the house," Haru said instead of answering before he saw from the corner of his eyes Xiao Li moving. Reacting quickly, Haru pushes Yuuki away and gets up only to receive a punch to the face which sent him stumbling back.

Ignoring the blood in his mouth and his bleeding lip, Haru tries to fight back by throwing another punch at the new Faiz, only for it to be blocked. Pushing his arm away, Li delivers two punches to Haru, one to his chest and another to his face, before he grabs the man by his shirt and throws him to the side where he crashes into a couple of trashcans belonging to the family.

"Yamamoto-san!" Yuuki cries out in worry until she notices that Xiao Li was now looking at her.

"Yuuki!" Worried for her daughter, Madoka runs over and grabs the woman, pulling her back and away from the Rider who was slowly walking towards them.

"You've seen me and this Gear, which means I can't let you live," Xiao Li said, extending a hand out to the two Tachibanas who stepped back in fright.

"N-No! Leave them alone!" Haru grits out, throwing the trash off of him as he reaches out to the Rider in vain.

"Do not worry. If you're lucky enough, perhaps you two can become Orphnochs," Xiao Li said as the Tachibanas continued to step back away from the Rider.

Hearing what he said, Haru cries out, "NO!" before he gets his second wind. Pushing himself up to his feet, Haru roars as he charges towards the Rider. At the same time, his body was enveloped by blue flames.

"What!?" Xiao Li, seeing this, wasn't able to react in time as Haru tackles him away from the two women and sends them both crashing through the front door of the Tachibana house.

Rolling off the Rider, Haru pushes himself back up to his feet when he notices that his hands now had claws. Looking down at himself, he gasps when he sees that he was no longer human and that he's transformed into the Wolf Orphnoch, though with a slight few differences.

Unlike the previous times where he's transformed, Haru's legs did not have their animal characteristics to them and were now more humanoid. The blades on his arms and shoulder were noticeably shorter as well as his hair. It was less wild and only reached the upper middle of his back. Even his claws have shrunk a little to the point they were simply sharp nails. In short, Haru's appearance was less wild and more human-like.

"I...I transformed...!" Haru gasps in surprise. If there was still any doubt in his mind about being an Orphnoch, they were now wiped clean. Being the Rider fan that he is, he instantly recognized himself as the Wolf Orphnoch as his current form seemed to the one from the TV show and not his Violent Emotion form.

"Yamamoto-san...what is...?" To say both Yuuki and Madoka were surprised at Haru's new appearance was an understatement as his form intimidated them.

"So, you've finally decided to transform," Xiao Li said, picking himself up as he took in Haru's new form. "Hmm, though it's different from how you were last night."

"Does that even matter?" Haru asked, crouching down in a wolf-like manner.

"No, it doesn't," Xiao Li answered before he rushed forward and threw a kick at Haru who quickly caught it.

"You two, run now!" Haru shouted over to the two Tachibanas, surprised by his concern as he pushed away Li's leg and grabs the Rider by his shoulders, looking over them to yell out, "I SAID RUN DAMMIT!"

Jumping at the volume of his voice, the two Tachibanas collected themselves and ran. Now gone, Haru focused his attention back the Rider he was holding down and was trying to escape.

"You'd worry for a couple of humans?" Xiao Li said as he tried to pry Haru's hands off of him, but the wolf Orphnoch was stronger than expected.

"I'm not like you!" Haru growled as he threw the Rider to a wall before pulling his right arm back before punching forward, hitting Li across the head as the two broke through the wall and found themselves in the kitchen.

Rolling over the Rider, Haru gets back up quickly with Xiao Li doing the same. On their feet, the two squared off with each other as Xiao Li begins to throw a barrage of punches at Haru who raises his arms up to guard. This gives the Rider a chance to roundhouse kick the Orphnoch, hitting his side. Haru winces but endures the kick as he grabs the Rider by his leg, picks him up, and throws him over to the dining table where he crashes and breaks the said table.

Grabbing the downed Rider by his chest armor, Haru picks him up and gives the Chinese a knee to the gut, making him bend over as Haru then slapped the Rider across the face, causing his claws to scratch across the helmet. Stumbling over to the sink, Xiao Li grabs the countertop as to not fall over. Haru rushes up to the Rider, trying to keep up the pressure only to receive an unexpected pan to the face. Wielding said pan which he grabbed from the sink, Li hits the Orphnoch over the head before kicking him back. Throwing aside the now busted pan, Xiao Li runs up to Haru and proceeds to dropkick him, sending the Orphnoch crashing through the sliding doors and into the living room.

Rolling up to his knees, Haru manages to stop a kick aimed to knock him back before quickly getting up to his feet, raising his arm to block an incoming fist. Li tries to throw another punch, but Haru blocks that too as he then grabs the Rider's arms and proceeds to headbutt him across the face before swinging him around and throwing him over to the TV, crashing into it as well as knocking a few stuff near it.

'I'm going to have to apologize to Yuuki-san and Madoka-san later,' Haru makes a mental note in his head to apologize to the two Tachibanas for messing up their house.

Haru was then brought out of his thoughts when what he could have sworn was a Zwei Wing album CD crashed into his face. It didn't hurt, but it did surprise and stun him for a moment which Xiao Li used to run up and kick Haru in the chest, sending the Wolf Orphnoch crashing onto the couch where the spikes and blades on him left gashes all over the furniture. Before Haru could attempt to get up, the coffee table in front of him was knocked over as Xiao Li raised his right leg and brings it down on him for an ax kick. Naturally, Haru crosses his arms in front of him and manages to block the kick. Moving the offending foot aside, Haru gets up and goes to grab the Rider by the shoulders with the Rider himself doing the same. Both fighters struggled to overpower the other, but Haru eventually won as he swung around the new Faiz and proceeded to throw him out the window, breaking said windows of course.

"Well, that's just great," Haru dryly comments as he now one more thing he'll need to pay back for to Hibiki's family. Shaking his head, Haru leaps out the window with the intent of finishing Xiao Li and reclaiming his Faiz Gear.

"Don't move."

The second Haru makes it outside, he freezes up as right in front of him, Xiao Li stood in front of a group of Riotroopers who had both Yuuki and Madoka in their hands as two of them kept a hold of them while the rest aimed their weapons at them threateningly.

"You bastard, let them go!" Haru demanded, glaring right at the Rider and his goons.

"I said not to move," Li said in a threatening tone as one of the Riotroopers shoves his gun right in Madoka's face, frightening the old woman as well as her daughter.

"Okaa-san!" Yuuki exclaims in worry only to be pushed down to the ground.

"Yuuki-san! Madoka-san!" Haru cried out in worry for the two before remembering Xiao Li's words and freezes, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists in anger.

"Good," The Smart Brain Rider said before he slips on the Faiz Shot.

READY

Now equipped with the high-tech knuckle duster, Li dashes forward, covering the distance between him and Haru as the Wolf Orphnoch could do nothing, but take what was about to come.

EXCEED CHARGE

Xiao Li's fist connects with Haru's chest and the Orphnoch was blown back, falling down and rolling on the ground until he comes to a stop and transforms back into his human form.

"Yamamoto-san!" Yuuki cried out to the man, she and her mother gasping in worry when Haru starts coughing up blood.

"Hmm, this Gear certainly is different when compared to my previous one. No wonder why we lost so much," Xiao Li said, taking off the Faiz Shot and putting it back into its slot.

"Kisama(You bastard)..." Haru curses the Smart Brain Rider, glaring up right at him as he tries to push himself up.

"I thought I told you to not move," Xiao Li said as he grabbed the Faiz Phone and switched it to gun mode, aiming right over at Yuuki.

*BANG!*

"Kyaa!" Despite her age, Yuuki couldn't help letting out a girlish scream as Li's shot struck a little too close to her.

"Yamero(Stop)!" Haru exclaims, getting up to his knees and raising his hands up in surrender. "Stop, just stop! I'll go with you! I'll go! Just...don't hurt them...please."

"Hoh? I didn't think you had it in you to beg," Xiao Li commented as he gestures over to a few Riotroopers. Two of them came running over to Haru, one of them pushing him to the ground while the other grabs his arms and cuffs them.

Putting up the least amount of resistance lest the Tachibanas suffer, Haru was pulled up to his feet and dragged on over to the van Li and the others had come herewith.

"Where are you taking him?" Madoka suddenly asked despite technically having a gun to her head.

"It's none of your business," Xiao Li said, pressing the 'END' key on the phone to end his transformation before he motions to the Riotroopers. "Kill them."

"What!?" Haru exclaims in horror.

"They've seen too much," Li said, putting away the Faiz Gear in his briefcase as the Riotroopers holding down the two women ready their weapons.

"No! Stop!" Haru shouted out, struggling against the Riotroopers holding onto him.

"Okaa-san?" Yuuki looks towards her mother, tears in her eyes as this may be the end.

"It's okay, sweetie. Just, close your eyes," Madoka spoke in a gentle tone that was usually reserved when speaking to children, trying to reassure her daughter.

"No! NO!" Haru practically screams, struggling with all his might as his eyes flash silver. And then...

*SPARK-SPARK!*

Suddenly, something struck the two Riotroopers holding the Tachibana, stopping them from killing the two women as the Riotroopers fell to the ground and disintegrated into ashes.

"What!?" Alarmed, Xiao Li, as well as everyone else, looks around to see who had interfered.

"Hah!" Suddenly, from up above, a pair of talons swooped down and grabbed the two Tachibanas, carrying them away from the Smart Brain group.

"Wah!" The two women let out cries of surprise as they flew in the air, being carried by none other than...

"It's you!" Haru gasps, looking up at the Crane Orphnoch that was currently carrying the two Tachibanas in her talon feet.

"Tch!" Xiao Li clicks his tongue in annoyance as he goes to grab the Faiz Gear again, only to be tackled to the ground by Haru.

"Go! Get out of here!" Haru shouted up to the flying Orphnoch as he tried to hold down the man below him, a bit hard to do with his hands being cuffed and all.

"But what about you?" The Crane Orphnoch asked before having to quickly move out of the way of incoming fire from the Riotroopers below, trying to shoot her down.

"Forget about me! Just take those two away from here!" Haru shouted before he was punched in the face by Li. Even down, Haru still struggled as he used his legs to trip the Chinese.

"...forgive me," Giving out a quiet apology, the Crane Orphnoch flaps her wings, sending razor-sharp feathers down at the Riotroopers below and getting them to stop firing. Taking that chance, she told the two people below her to hang on before she took off, disappearing into the distance with the two Tachibanas.

"So they got away," Xiao Li said before looking down at Haru who was glaring at him. "No matter, we got what we came here for. Put him in the van."

Perhaps because the two Tachibanas were now okay and away from danger, Haru didn't put up much resistance as he was picked up by two Riotroopers and was thrown into the back of the van. Darkness soon enveloped him as the doors were closed and seconds later, the van was beginning to move.

Slowly getting up, Haru spat out what little blood was in his mouth before skooching over to the wall of the vehicle he was in, laying against the cold metal surface and pondered what to do now as he nursed his wounds. His enemies have his Faiz Gear and he was now being taken to Smart Brain to meet with the president himself.

"Well...this is just fan-fucking-tastic."


(Back with Hibiki)

Her entire body felt like it was on fire as the glow of her body seemed to reflect that. Her scar was burning her chest as it continued to glow brightly. Even with her entire body racked with pain, she manages to push her body back up to its feet.

"You..." Hibiki gritted out as she looked over at Shirabe and Kirika who they themselves weren't looking so good. After the doctor had injected them with a LiNKER overdose, their body was shaking and they were slumped over. Even still, they stood their ground and stayed standing.

"Let's do it, Kiri-chan," Shirabe said to the blond, fighting through the pain. "We have to bring the doctor back to Mom...no matter what."

"You mean...use our Superb Song?" Kirika asked, a bit hesitant.

"Yes! Sing! Sing, girls!" Dr. Ver encouraged the girls. "Clinical trials have shown that the higher the sync rate, the less recoil is incurred! Now that I've injected you full of LiNKER, you can sing as many Swan Songs as you want!"

Shirabe gritted her teeth in frustration at the doctor's words. True, with their increased sync rates, the backlash of the Superb Song would lessen, but that didn't mean they were completely safe. On the other hand, without singing their Swan Song, they stood no chance against Hibiki even if they teamed up. Despite the pain Hibiki was clearly in, the amount of power she was generating was heating up the air around her, so much so that she could feel it all the way from here.

"I guess we have...no other choices!" Kirika exclaims, resolving herself. Shirabe too steels herself as soon, a song echoes all around the area.

(Insert Superb Song -Shirabe and Kirika ver.-)

"Wait, this song..." Hibiki instantly recognizes the song the two girls were singing right now. It was a Superb Song.

"No, stop...!" Hibiki pleaded, fighting through the pain. "A Superb Song, using LiNKER, will rip the life out of the wielders!"

As a Symphogear user herself, she knew the risks that came when singing a Superb Song. While she has yet to see anyone die from it, she knew that the two girls in front of her were in more danger than if she were to use a Superb Song. Kanade herself would have died if not for Haru's interference and got away lucky with losing just her singing voice.

And yet, Hibiki's plea fell to deaf ears as the girls continued singing. In the back, Dr. Ver was the only one who was excited about the situation right now.

"A double Superb Song, from the goddess Zababa! That's the perfect solution for this situation, as long as I have this..." Ver smiles to himself as he looks down and strokes the Nephilim Heart in his hands. "It's time I take this back with me too!"

Moments later, both girls finish their song at the same time. And then...

(Song End)

*THOOM!*

It was like gravity around them multiplied a hundred times as an aura surrounded the girls' bodies, green for Kirika and pink for Shirabe.

'The Shul Shagana's Superb Song is an endless series of strikes from a spinning wheel,' Shirabe thought to herself as her Sympgogear began to change. Her ponytails opened up, her leg arm shifted and grew in size until they became saw blades. Even her gauntlets grew in size until they too held giant saw blades. 'Even if I can't slice her into pieces, as long as I can stop her from moving...'

'Next! Igalima's Superb Song cuts through the target's very soul in one slice,' Kirika thought as she held her scythe up and it began to change. The blade grew bigger as what appears to be thrusters grew from the back of the blade, possibly with the purpose of increasing the power of Kirika's swing. 'No physical means of defense can block it. It is absolute death!'

Soon, both girls had finished changing and were now ready to unleash their attacks. But before they could act...

(Insert Superb Song -Hibiki ver.-)

Suddenly, Hibiki herself started singing her Superb Song, sweat dripping down from her as she fought through the pain racking her body. Shirabe and Kirika themselves were sweating as they gritted their teeth, bracing themselves for what was to come.

Over with Dr. Ver, the mad man was smiling to himself as he was about to witness what he guessed to be a clash of Superb Songs. However, his guess was wrong as he noticed something; the auras surrounding Shirabe and Kirika were disappearing.

"Our energy levels aren't rising enough to activate our Superb Songs?" Shirabe said in confusion before crying out in surprise when the parts where her Symphogear changed shrunk down, returning it to normal.

"The pressure's dropping?" Kirika too was confused as she stumbled forward before regaining her balance, pulling back her scythe which it too had turned back to normal.

Both girls blinked in confusion as to why their energy levels had dropped until they realize. Looking over towards Hibiki, the girl was now glowing brighter than before as a blazing hot aura surrounded her.

"Set Harmonics!" Hibiki shouted as her scar glowed even brighter and an invisible pressure was being sucked towards Hibiki. The girls finally realized what she had done.

(Song End)

"She's stealing away our energy?" Kirika said, recognizing this phenomenon from back at the concert.

"Gh! Khh...!" Hibiki was gitting her teeth so hard that they might break at any moment as the glow from her scar suddenly turned dark. The heat spewing from her body also seemed to have increased as small fires were spewing just from her footsteps. Still, she held on.

"I won't let you two...use your Superb Song!" Hibiki gritted through her teeth as her armor folded out. Then, she combined her two gauntlets together and punched upward, sending the S2CA Triburst technique into the sky.

"Kyaa!" Miku, having been watching from her hiding spot this entire time, cried out as she was blown back from the shockwaves generated by Hibiki's attack. However, before she could crash into anything dangerous, Miku found herself slamming against someone's chest. Shaking her head, Miku looks up and gasps.

"It's you!"


(With Maria and Nastassja)

Flying in their invisible aircraft, even the two women could see the rainbow-colored tornado from where they were at. Minutes later, the twister faded away and everything was calm again. Viewing things from a hidden camera in the city, a video screen displayed a still glowing Hibiki slumped over.

"She took all that raging, destructive energy into her body?" Maria said, surprised that the girl was still even alive.

"The power to bind and connect with others allows her to harness and control the Superb Songs of others. I suppose this much was nothing for her," Nastassja explained before she suddenly starting coughing.

"Mom!"

"Don't worry about me," Nastassja assured Maria even as she coughed up blood. Maria was about to insist the woman go rest when the plane's monitor beeped. Looking down, she sees that someone was nearing Hibiki's location.

"This signal..." Maria said, identifying that it was Tsubasa who was nearing Hibiki's location. It seemed she was being chased by Riotroopers, however, their signals soon disappeared from the map. No doubt the blue-headed swordswoman had just taken care of her pursuers and was now on a mad dash towards Hibiki's location.

"It seems they've caught up," Nastassja said before contacting Kirika and Shirabe.


*BEEP!*

{Can you hear me?} From the girl's communicators, Nastassja's voice came through. {Get the doctor and return immediately.}

"But..." Shirabe said as she and Kirika looked over at Hibiki who had not moved an inch after unleashing the Triburst into the air earlier. "If we attack now..."

{A high-speed signal is quickly approaching your location.} Maria informed through the coms. {It's the wielder of the Ame no Habakiri.}

{You two are also under strain from LiNKER overdose.} From up above, the aircraft that doubles as their base appears over them as two lines were lowered. {Withdraw. That's an order.}

"...understood," Kirika said as she goes and grabs Ver before she and Shirabe jump and grab the lines. After being lifted up and getting in the aircraft, the girls and Ver look back down towards Hibiki who was still immobile as the doors soon closed and the plane took off, disappearing with its camouflage.

"My body hasn't suffered any damage, even though we sang our Superb Songs." Kirika notices, looking down at her hands.

"Could she have...protected us? But why?" Shirabe said, looking down in confusion as to why their enemy had saved them.


With the girl's now gone, the entire area had soon calmed down to an extent. Running over to Hibiki, Miku found the girl still not moving as her body was still glowing with the air around her heating up.

"Hibiki!" Miku called out to her friend, greatly worried. Those worries only grew when Hibiki suddenly collapsed to her knees. Miku couldn't see it due to her position, but on Hibiki's chest, strange crystals were forming from her scar. Miku tries to run over to the girl's side, only to pull back when she got close as it felt like her skin had just been cooked. Even her clothes were slightly singed.

"No! Hibiki!" But Miku's worry for her best friend overrides her own safety as she attempts to get closer only to be pulled by back none other than Psyga who had caught her earlier.

"Don't! You'll get more than just burned if you get any closer!"

"But, Hibiki is—!"

"Not going to die!" Psyga interrupted, grabbing the girl's shoulder and gently pushes her back. "I'll save your friend, I promise!"

"You'll save her?" Miku asked, slightly confused. A few days ago, this masked man was just fighting against her friends. Now here he was saying he'll save Hibiki?

"Trust me!" Psyga said before turning around and looking around the area to find anything that could stop whatever Hibiki was currently going through.

"Over there!" Psyga, spotting a nearby water tank. Grabbing the handles of his Flying Attacker, the Psi-themed Rider fires his blaster at it, creating a massive hole that causes all the water to come bursting out and down onto Hibiki below, essentially cooling the girl down as steam spews forth. Once all the water was used up and the steam subsided, there Hibiki laid on the ground, unconscious and untransformed.

"Hibiki!" Seeing her unconscious friend, Miku quickly runs over to Hibiki's side with Psyga following close behind. "Hibiki! Hibiki!"

"She's fine, just unconscious," Psyga said after checking Hibiki's pulse.

*VROOM!*

The sound of a motorcycle alerts the two as they look up and turns to see Tsubasa having finally arrived and transformed already.

"Tachibana!" Tsubasa quickly gets off her bike and runs over to the girl only to stop when she sees Psyga. "You?"

"Yo!" Psyga greets the bluenette with a casual tone and a two-finger salute.

"What are you doing here?" Tsubasa asked, cautious of the Rider as she reaches for a sword.

"Calm down, I'm not here to cause trouble," Psyga said, holding out his hands in a calming gesture. "I was just passing through when I saw what was happening. I decided to step in in order to cool this girl down." He points down to Hibiki as he says that. "She was all glowing and stuff. The hell was that?"

"...that's something only she has a right to know," Tsubasa said, looking over toward Miku who looked back in confusion.

"Hoh? Is that how it is?" Psyga said before shrugging his shoulders. "Well, it's none of my business. Since you're here now, I'll just be on my way."

"Wait!" Just as Psyga turns to leave, Miku stops him as he turns to her.

"Yes?"

"Um..." Awkwardly, Miku bows to the Psi-themed Rider, surprising him. "Thank you...for saving Hibiki."

"Heh, no problem," Psyga said, smirking under his helmet. "I promised you, didn't I? And I always make sure to keep my promises."

Miku looks up and blinks at the Rider in surprise before a smile appears on her face.

"Mm! Thanks again!"

"Like I said, it's no problem," Psyga said before he grabs the handles of his jetpack, about to fly off. "Well, I'd like to stick around and chat, but I gotta jet—!"

[Aa dokoi]

[Aa yoishoi]

[Miwataseba ichimen]

[Hakukin no sekai ni]

[lipo dake fumidashite]

Both Tsubasa and Miku blink at the Rider dumbly while said Rider looks down at his belt, specifically at his SB-315P Psyga Phone which was playing a song that was no doubt his ringtone. Psyga coughs awkwardly.

"Um, excuse me, I need to take this," The slightly embarrassed Rider said before taking his Psyga Phone out from his belt and answers the call, ending the song as he brings up the phone to his ear. "Hello? ...excuse me?"

'...Is it just me, or did that sound like me?' Miku thought to herself as whatever song that played from Psyga's phone sounded strangely like her.

While Miku contemplated about the song that came from Psyga's phone, Tsubasa got a call from command.

"Tsubasa here...What!?"


(Back with Kanade and Chris)

*BANG-BANG-BANG!*

(Insert Bye-Bye Lullaby)

Bullets flew all over the place as Chris held nothing back when gunning down Riotroopers. Their armor held up a bit, but the girl's firepower soon overpowered them, forcing those that survived the bullet hell to quickly take cover. Seeing this, Chris easily had a solution as a pair of missile launchers appear at her sides and she doesn't hesitate in unleashing all twenty-four of them at the hiding Rider goons, effectively bringing them out of hiding as some of them even comically flew in the air.

Mega Deth Party

As all the Riotroopers were either falling from the sky or groaning on the ground, the Equisetum Orphnoch jumped in, thrusting a spear towards Chris who quickly dodges the attack before bashing the plant-themed Orphnoch away using her Gatling guns. Shifting her guns back into crossbows, Chris engages the Orphnoch, running towards him while firing a volley of energy arrows at it.

*CLANG!*

Sparks flew as Kanade used her Blaygun which was already in its blade mode to deflect Takuma's whip before ducking under a punch thrown by the Frog Orphnoch. Kicking away the amphibian Orphnoch away, Kanade quickly deflects another attacked from the Lucky Clover member before turning back to the Frog Orphnoch and giving it a slash across the chest. With that taken care of, the Rider turns back to Takuma and engages the Lucky Clover member, swinging her sword only for the Centipede Orphnoch to block it with his whip before he kicks the Rider back and into the waiting arms of the Frog Orphnoch who had recovered and held her in place.

"Hey! Let go of me!" Kanade demanded as she struggled to pry the Frog Orphnoch's arms off of her.

"Hold her steady now," Takuma said as he threw his barbed whip forward and struck Kanade across the face a few times, getting a cry of pain from the second hit.

*BANG!*

Kanade was soon saved when an energy arrow from Chris shot the Frog Orphnoch from behind, releasing the Rider who elbowed the Orphnoch back before rolling to the side to quickly avoid another whip to the face which instead hit the Frog Orphnoch. Giving her ally a quick thanks, Kanade focuses back on the two Orphnoch she was facing, running up to the Centipede Orphnoch who threw his whip at her. This time, with no one to hold her down, Kanade was able to duck under the whip and landed a punch using her free hand against Takuma's gut, making the Lucky Clover member bend over as he stumbled back before Kanade then gave him a quick slash to the chest, sending him stumbling further back as he held his chest. Kanade goes to deliver another slash only for the Frog Orphnoch to grab her from behind again and pull her back.

"Get! OFF!" In a surprise show of strength, Kanade manages to grab the Orphnoch behind her and judo flips him over her shoulder, sending the Frog Orphnoch crash to the ground where Kanade then kicks him away and over to Takuma who doesn't even bother to catch him as he runs over to the Rider, throwing punches this time.

*CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!*

Thrusting and swinging around his spear, the Equisetum Orphnoch tries to land a hit on Chris who uses her Armed Gears to block the plant Orphnoch's attacks. Kicking said Orphnoch away from her, Chris raises her guns at it only to cry in surprise and pain when she was struck from behind. Looking behind her, she saw a Riotrooper aiming his Axel Ray Gun at her as more Riotroopers were beginning to pick themselves back up after her earlier barrage.

Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Chris aims her crossbows at them only to quickly jump back in order to avoid a stab from the Equisetum Orphnoch. The Orphnoch then pulls back as Chris was soon under fire from more Riotroopers, all shooting at her as if to get revenge for earlier.

"Tch! Annoying little...!" Cursing under her breath, Chris continues to sing as she jumps into the air to get away from all the fire. Then, while in the air, Chris combines her two Armed gears into a larger crossbow as a targeting scope appears over her eyes. After locking onto her targets, she soon fires an arrow which then splits apart, hitting all of her targets which were all the Riotroopers below.

Spread Zeppelin

Landing back on the ground, she looks around to see nothing but piles of ashes on the ground next to broken Riotrooper belts. The only one left standing was the Equisetum Orphnoch who looked at the spear in his hands before looking over at Chris's much larger gun.

"Now we can do this the easy way," Chris began, aiming her Armed Gear at the plant Orphnoch. "Or the hard way."

After a moment of thinking, it seems something snapped inside the Orphnoch as he roars and charges towards Chris recklessly.

"Easy way it is," Chris said before pulling the trigger.

*BANG!*

(Song End)

"Hah!" Kanade lets out a battle cry as she slashes the Frog Orphnoch across the chest a couple of times before kicking him away. After that, Kanade turns and barely dodges a whip attack from Takuma by dropping to the ground before quickly pulling the hammer of her Blaygun back and firing over at the Centipede Orphnoch, nailing him square across the chest.

Getting up, Kanade was about to run over to the downed Orphnoch when she quickly turns and blocks a shot from the Frog Orphnoch who now had what appears to be a gun in its hand. Starting to get annoyed with the amphibians constant interference, Kanade went to reach for her phone to execute an Exceed Charge when she notices that, to her surprise, the blade of her Blaygun was disintegrating as a strange sort of goo covered her blade as soon she only had the handle in her hand.

"Wha-Ah!" Kanade let out a cry of surprise when a whip suddenly struck her hand, making her drop her weapon as she turns to Takuma.

"You shouldn't leave yourself open like that," Takuma said in a smug tone before he sends his whip at her.

Grunting, Kanade ducks and rolls over on the ground, grabbing her dropped Blaygun while rolling before getting up on her knees and placing the cross-shaped weapon back in its holster after taking out the Kaixa Memory in it.

*SMACK!*

"Gah!" Kanade cried out as Takuma's whip found its way to her chest, sending the woman flying back and landing roughly on the ground, causing her to drop the Kaixa Memory. Seeing this, Kanade goes to grab it only to be forced to roll away in order to avoid a shot from the Frog Orphnoch.

Getting up to her knees while clicking her tongue, Kanade sees that both Orphnoch's have her pincered while the Kaixa Memory was a simple hop away from her. Analyzing the situation, Kanade takes her chances and jumps to the side, avoiding a shot from the Frog Orphnoch and another whip attack from Takuma at the same time as she successfully grabs the Kaixa memory and rolls up to her feet. Unsure if her Blaygun could produce another blade after what happened earlier, Kanade decided to pull out the Kaixa Shot, inserting the Memory into it.

READY

Moving her head to dodge another shot from the amphibian Orphnoch, Kanade runs over to it while equipping the Kaixa Shot to her right hand. She then opens up the Kaixa Phone and presses 'ENTER' as she nears the Frog Orphnoch who starts to panic, firing frantically at her only to miss every time.

EXCEED CHARGE

The camera-disguised knuckle duster finishes charging in time as Kanade punches forward and nails the Frog Orphnoch right in the chest. The Chi symbols appear briefly before the amphibian Orphnoch was blown back and crashes to the ground, disintegrating into ashes soon after. With that now done, Kanade turns back to Takuma.

"You're next," Kanade declares, raising her equipped fist up threateningly.

"Hmph, that's what you think," Takuma said, still appearing confident.

Not liking the Lucky Clover member's attitude, Kanade charges towards the Centipede Orphnoch as she reaches down to the Kaixa Phone for another Exceed Charge.

"Hmph!" Takuma scoffs at the Rider before he holds his whip up with both hands. Then, the whip lits up into blue flames before the Orphnoch whips his now enflamed whip at Kanade which flies faster than she could react, hitting her square in the chest and sending her rolling to the ground.

"Gah!" Kanade let out a grunt of pain as she rolled on the ground. A beep soon alerts her that her transformation had come undone. Wincing, she looks up in confusion only to see that the Kaixa Gear had been knocked off of her. She quickly tries to grab it only for Takuma's whip to come and grab it, pulling it away from the redhead as the Orphnoch soon catches the Rider Gear.

"Oh no," Kanade mutters, realizing that the Orphnoch had her Rider Gear!

"Oh yes," Takuma, returning to his human form, smiles as he straps on the Kaixa Gear and dials 9-1-3 on the phone.

STANDING BY

"Henshin."

COMPLETE

Adjusting his glasses, Takuma inserts the Kaixa Phone into the belt and soon, yellow Photon Veins appear over his body before in a flash of light, Kamen Rider Kaixa stood in Takuma's place.

"Shit!" Kanade curses as she pushes herself up, glaring fearfully at the Rider.

"Well now, this feels nice. No wonder the president was obsessing over this," Takuma said, checking himself out before he grabs the Blaygun, pulling the hammer back before pushing it back in.

BURST MODE

Now loaded, Takuma aims his gun at Kanade and fires. The redhead raises her arm up in a vain attempt to protect herself, but at the last minute, Chris jumps in right in front of her and blocks the shot with one of her arms.

"Chris!"

"You all right?" Chris asks, lowering her arm as her Armed Gear was back to being two crossbows instead of one.

"I'm fine, but the Kaixa Gear..." Kanade said, pushing herself up as she looks over at the new Kaixa in front of them.

"How could you let him take your Gear?" Chris said, knowing Kanade was a much better fighter than that.

"Sorry, his last attack surprised me," Kanade said, having not expected the flaming whip.

"Well, I guess he isn't one of the Lucky Clover for nothing," Chris said, aiming her guns at the Chi-themed Rider. "So, what should we do? Try and take back the belt?"

"Of course. They already have Haru-san's Faiz Gear, we can't let them have this one too," Kanade said though there was very little she could do now that she didn't have her Kaixa Gear, forcing her to rely on Chris alone. And just when she thought her days of feeling useless were finally over.

"Well, in that case, you might want to hide," Chris said as she shifted one of her Armed gears into a Gatling gun and aimed it over at Takuma. "This might get ugly."

"Hmph, all this talk of taking back this thing when you forget that it was Smart Brain who developed these Rider Gears and thus these belong to us," Takuma said, stilling aiming the Blaygun at the girls, prepared for another fight.

*beep-beep!*

Suddenly, there was a beep inside Takuma's helmet. Placing his free hand on the side of his helmet where the communicator in his ear was at, a silent conversation was held before the Lucky Clover member smiled and lowered the Blaygun, confusing the girls.

"Oi, what the hell are you doing?" Chris asked, wondering why the Rider wasn't fighting.

"So sorry ladies. While I'd love to stay and chat some more, I've already completed what I came here to do," He said.

"And what's that?" Kanade couldn't help but ask.

"Stalling you," Takuma said before suddenly firing a surprise shot from the Blaygun.

Chris reacted quickly and used her Gatling gun as a shield to block the surprise shot. Lowering it, the girl was about to fire back only to see no sign of the Rider anywhere.

"What the!? Where the fuck did he go!?" Chris cried out, looking around in alarm as find any sign of the Rider, but found none. He had escaped.

"Well, he's certainly a fast runner," Kanade commented before sighing to herself. "Dammit, they have the Kaixa Gear now! As if things weren't bad enough with Haru-san missing and Hibiki's condition."

"Yeah...wait," Chris said, agreeing with the redhead until she heard the last part of what she said. "What was that about Hibiki?"

"Ah!" Realizing what she had just said, Kanade quickly covered her mouth, but it was already too late.

"Oi, what are you hiding? Did something happen to the idiot? Answer me!"

"Um, well..."

Safe to say, the trip back to base was super awkward.


(Unknown Location)

Hidden within a forest located not too far away from the city, the aircraft that doubles as the FIS's base laid hidden within the trees. Inside, Nastassja was currently being examined by Dr. Ver who had cleaned up after returning.

"Vital signs are stable," Dr. Ver informed the eyepatched woman lying in bed as he put away his equipment. "For your age, you have amazing endurance. Or did you use every ounce of mental energy you had to cling to life?"

"I'm relieved," Shirabe said, she and Kirika having long since canceled their transformation and were back in their civilian forms.

"I'm really glad!" Kirika added in, she too relieved that their mother figure was all right.

Despite seeing the girls' smiles, Nastassja couldn't help but frown as she turns her head to them.

'What was I trying to make these gentle kids do?' Nastassja thought as she thinks about the actions they've taken so far. In the eyes of the world, they were nothing more than terrorists. And with the actions they've taken so far, Nastassja found it hard to disagree. Their goal was to stop the moon from falling, relying on the Nephilim, the same thing which had caused Maria's little sister to die. And right now, the one thing their plans had relied solely on was reduced to a heart and here she was, weak and causing nothing but worry for the girls. They even went as far as to sing their Superb Songs for her.

'I should've realized sooner that a few petty acts of terrorism would do nothing to protect us from the impending calamity.'

As things stood, they would accomplish nothing if they continued with what they were doing now. Things had to change. They had to change.


(2nd Divison Submarine Base)

In the medical room, a team of surgeons was working on an unconscious Hibiki, removing the crystal-like scans from her chest. All the while, the scar on her chest glowed faintly.

Outside waiting patiently was Miku, hands clasped together and praying for her friend's health. But she was not alone as, to her surprise when she had arrived here, sitting with her were Hibiki's mother and grandmother, Yuuki and Madoka, who were both equally worried for the girl. Sitting a few spaces away from them was the Crane Orphnoch, her hands in cuffs, who kept her distance as to not make the two Tachibanas any more anxious.

Miku wasn't the only one surprised to find Hibiki's family and the Crane Orphnoch here as Tsubasa had gotten a call earlier telling her that the Crane Orphnoch had appeared at Lydian with the two Tachibanas, making sure to avoid contact with anyone that might still be on campus. Once night had arrived, a team plus Tsubasa had been sent to go pick up the trio, thinking that the Orphnoch had taken the two women hostage. After a brief explanation of what happened was the decision made to bring the three onboard the submarine and listen to the whole story. To say everyone was worried was an understatement.

'Hibiki...Haru-kun...' Miku thought, biting her lip in slight frustration. Something was happening to her best friend and another friend was now captured by Smart Brain. Everything was happening so fast that she was having trouble keeping up.

"It'll be alright," Yuuki suddenly spoke up, bringing Miku out of her thoughts as the girl turned to the woman. "Hibiki's a tough girl. I should know since I raised her. She'll pull through this."

Miku nodded, but that didn't wipe away all of her worries.

"You must be pretty confused with all of this," Miku said, gesturing to their surroundings. She would have never thought a day would come where she would be talking with Hibiki's family in a highly advanced submarine.

"I won't lie, we are," Yuuki said, speaking for both her and her mother as she looks over to the medial room door in worry. "Just what in the world has my daughter gotten involved in?"

"I wish I could explain, but I think it's better if you hear about it from Hibiki," Miku said, feeling that if anyone should tell Hibiki's family about the girl's involvement with the 2nd Division, it should be the girl herself.

Suddenly, coming from the medial room, Ogawa steps out and walks over to the three, four if you counted the Orphnoch minding her own business.

"The emergency surgery was a success," Ogawa informed the family.

"A success? So my daughter's all right?" Yuuki asked, relieved as were the others.

Ogawa nodded before gesturing to the medical room, giving the three permission to enter which the three did just that. Now alone, Ogawa turns over to the Crane Orphnoch still minding her business.

"The commander wants to see you."

"Of course he does," The Orphnoch sighs to herself, muttering, "Onii-chan is going to be soooo angry with me when he finds out about this."


(Back with the FIS)

As mentioned before, night had fallen as it now rained. Inside the aircraft, the group was currently having a meeting right now to discuss further plans.

"Now, let's cut to the heart of the matter," Dr, Ver said as a monitor showcasing the Nephilim's Heart was shown. "No pun intended, of course."

"This is the Nephilim's..." Maria began as she and the girls were a bit surprised at what they were seeing.

"It's awakened heart, which I spent so much effort in recovering," Dr. Ver said, not mentioning the fact how Smart Brain helped him by stalling the other Gear users. "By giving it the requisite number of relics, it was finally able to unleash its full power. This heart and what you acquired five years ago..."

"Huh?" Maria said, looking at the doctor in confusion.

"Have you forgotten?" Dr. Ver asked, pointing at Maria. "You, Finé, took the Shénshòujìng from the archeologists at Mt. Minakami."

"Y-Yes, that's right..." Maria said, her voice awkward.

"Not all of Maria's memories have recovered yet," Nastassja said, stepping in. "Regardless, for the immediate future, handling the relics is my job. Direct any further inquiries you may have to me."

"Understood. Please pardon my impudence," Dr. Ver said with a mock bow. "Moving on, the Shénshòujìng, which is needed to break the seal on the Frontier, and the Nephilim's Heart, which is needed to activate the Frontier, are finally in our grasp."

"We have also determined where the Frontier is sealed away," Nastassja added, causing Ver to clap his hands.

"Indeed! The preparations for our grand, crazy party are complete. Now all that's left is to make mankind dance to our capriccio!" Dr. Ver said as he started to dance around and laugh madly.

Unaffected by the mad man's craziness, Nastassja said, "We shall soon advance to the final stage of the plan. For now, though, let us rest."

Controlling her wheelchair, Nastassja drove herself away and out of the room, heading to her bedroom though she felt that she wouldn't get much sleep tonight. There was much to think about after all.


(The Next Day)

It was another bright morning at Lydian Academy. By now, every student was in their classes and going through their lessons, much like Miku was right now.

"Right now, globalization is proceeding more rapidly than ever. Trans-border economic activity..."

But Miku mostly tuned out what was being said as she turns to the empty seat beside her, thinking about last night.


(Flashback, Last Night)

Waiting for the door to finish sliding open, Miku followed Ogawa into the command room, having left the Tachibanas behind to stay with Hibiki. Once inside, Miku was met by Genjuro and an angry-looking Chris.

"Where are the others?" Genjuro asks, referring to Hibiki's family.

"They stayed behind to watch over Hibiki," Miku explained.

"I see, good. I wouldn't want them to see what I'm about to show you," Genjuro said as an x-ray scan of Hibiki was displayed on the screen and Miku gasps at what she sees.

"Wha...what is...?" Miku found it hard to form words as she stared in horror at what was happening to Hibiki's body.

"Fuck this shit!" Chris kicks a control panel in frustration, having been told everything before Miku arrived.

"The relic fragments buried in Hibiki-kun's chest are spreading throughout her body," Genjuro explained to the girl. "If this proceeds, she'll cease to be who she is."

"Does that mean...they won't spread further if Hibiki doesn't fight?" Miku asked.

"For Hibiki-kun, you are the most important tie to her everyday life," Genjuro said, knowing what happened to Hibiki's other friends from Haru. As it stood, Miku was Hibiki's only link to her everyday, ordinary life. "I believe that the peaceful time she shares with you is the only thing that's holding back the Gungnir."

"I can help Hibiki?" Miku asked and Genjuro nodded in response.

"I want you to protect Hibiki-kun."

(Flashback End)


Miku stares at the empty seat next to her with a determined glare.

'Haru-kun isn't here to help right now. Which means, only I can help Hibiki!' Miku thought to herself. She was worried about Haru much like everyone else as Genjuro and the others were trying to devise a plan on rescuing Haru from Smart Brain. Even if this is all she could do, she would not fail! But first...

She needs to think of a way on how to break this to Hibiki's family.


(Grocery Store)

Leaving a grocery store, both Shirabe and Kirika both carried bags in each of their hands.

"Shopping's a lot of fun, but when there's all this stuff to buy, it's just boring work," Kirika said, complaining a little.

"Nothing to be done for it," Shirabe said. "Until the side effects of the LiNKER overdose wear off, we're stuck with menial chores."

Kirika turns to her friend. While she understood what Shirabe was saying...

"I'll carry those for you," Kirika said, offering to carry Shirabe's bags. "You don't seem to be doing well."

"Thanks. But I'm fine," Shirabe insisted.

"Hmm, in that case...let's take a break, then!" Kirika suggested after some thinking.

"A break?" Shirabe said, tilting her head a little before she realizes something and narrows her eyes at the blond. "We're not going to that food stand again, are we?"

"You mean Yugo-san's? Naw, not this time," Kirika said, waving her hands in denial. "I only go there two times a week anyway."

"Two times?" Shirabe repeated, still narrows her eyes and raising an eyebrow at Kirika.

"...okay, I go there four times a week, but that's beside the point!" Kirika said as she and Shirabe walked to go find a place to stop and rest for a bit.


(Meanwhile, with Maria)

While the girls were out grocery shopping, Maria was currently taking care of Nastassja as the former had taken the latter outside to get some fresh air. But that was not the only reason.

"After everything that's happened, I know all too well...how weak my resolve and determination really are," Maria said as she and Nastassja were currently talking by a lake. "I also know what's waiting for us in the end. That's why, Mom, I—"

"That will not be necessary," Nastassja said, surprising the girl.

"Mom?"


After a while of searching, the girls decided to take a rest at a construction site, out of all places. Using a stacked pile of steel beams as seats, the girls set aside their bags and decided to snack on a few snacks they had bought earlier.

"There are a lot of icky things around here, but I couldn't even imagine this kind of freedom when I was at the facility," Kirika said as she ate a melon bread.

"Yeah, you're right," Shirabe said, nodding in agreement as she simply stared down at her unopened chocolate cornet.

"We were locked up in the facility as potential vessels of Finé's soul," Kirika said, looking down sadly as she recalled the past they both shared. "But Maria relieved us of that burden, harboring that soul by herself. It must be so scary to cease being who you are. We made her endure that all on her own."

'Receptor Children' is what they were called back then. She had less than pleasant memories concerning that place, but not all of them were bad. A prime example being was that they were able to meet Natsu, the kindest person she and the others have had the pleasure of getting to know and befriend.

'Shirabe must still miss him,' Kirika thought, knowing that her friend was quite close to the boy.

Finishing her melon bread, Kirika glances over at Shirabe to see what she was thinking only to gasp when the girl was pale and sweating.

"Shirabe! Were you always that pale!?"

"I'm fine," Shirabe insisted as she tried standing up. "I've rested for a bit, so..."

Unfortunately, Shirabe overestimated herself as she nearly falls over.

"Shirabe!" Kirika quickly stands up to catch the girl, only for Shirabe to accidentally knock over a pile of steel poles. A chain reaction then happened as the knocked over poles rattled the foundation of the destroyed building behind them, causing other steel poles that had been left up there to roll over and fall towards them.

Kirika gasps, staring in horror as the steel poles were falling right towards them. In her panic, she held out her hand and then—!


"You don't have to play the great Finé anymore."

"Mom, what are you saying?" Maria asked, confused as to what her mother-figure was talking about.

"You, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, harbor not the slightest trace of Finé's soul," Nastassja said. "You are simply the kind girl I've always known."

"Mom?"

"Finé's soul failed to reincarnate in any of the potential vessels. That is all."

Unknownst to both of them, Dr. Ver had been listening in on them from behind a tree and simply smiled, having heard everything.


*CRASH!*

A loud crash echoed all over the site as clouds of dirt flew all over the place. At the center of it all, Kirika closed her eyes, waiting for the pain to settle in...only nothing happened.

*SHINE!*

"H-Huh...?" Confused as to what was causing that light, Kirika opens her eyes, looks up, and gasps.

There, right in front of her outstretched arm and pushing back the pile of steel poles was some sort of dome shield composed of glowing hexagonal patterns. Kirika stared in confusion as Shirabe laid unconscious next to her.

"What...What's going on?"


(Smart Brain)

Walking silently through the halls of multi-billion dolor company building, Haru was escorted by four suited men, obviously Riotrooper grunts. As much as Haru wanted to try and fight his way out of here, his hands were cuffed and he didn't know how many of the people were actually Orphnochs. If there were any innocent people here, he didn't want to get them involved.

Stopping right in front of the door, one of the men escorting/watching him opened the door and was roughly pushed through it, stumbling inside. Haru glared at the two men who pushed him before turning around and coming face to face with the only people here: the infamous 'mascot' Smart Lady, and...

"So you've finally arrived," The man said, standing up from his desk and introducing himself. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face, Yamamoto Haru. I am the current president of Smart Brain here, Murakami Kyouji."

He gestures to a seat in front of his desk.

"Please, have a seat. We have much to talk about."


And...done! Holt shit! This chapter took me like, six days to finish! Like, the last chapter took a bit longer, but this one didn't even take a week to finish. The power of motivation is scary and awesome at the same time.

Moving back on topic, how did you readers enjoy the chapter? I for one greatly enjoyed it. Haru finally finds out he's an Orphnoch, but he doesn't get time to mull over it as Smart Brain comes knocking on the Tachibana's doors and a fight ensues with Haru ended up captured while the Crane Orphnoch is forced to take Hibiki's family away to safety. Not only that, but another Lucky Clover member finally takes the scene and debuts by taking away Kanade's Kaixa Gear. Who knew writing about the heroes worsening conditions would be so enjoyable? Does that make me a sick bastard?

Anyway, as stated in the title, things have gone from bad to worse. Haru's been captured by Smart Brain, the Kiaxa Gear was stolen, and Hibiki's condition has grown worse. As for Hibiki's family now knowing what she's doing, well, it's more for the sake of adding a bit more drama. They won't play too much of a role, but they won't be sitting in the back row...much. Remember, they're normal people so there's not much they can do. But as for their specific toles in this story, well, you'll just have to stay tuned and see what happens next. Also, shout out to anyone who can figure out what Psyga's ringtone was.

Until then, this has been Ashbel Longhart, signing out. Until the next ride!