Hello Fanfiction readers! Ashbel Longhart here back with another chapter of my Faiz story! I hope you're all having a wonderful time what with this COVID thing still going on and all. And if some of you are back in classes, well you're not alone. Frankly speaking, I'm surprised how fast I finished this one considering how long the last chapter took. Of course, with classes back in session, that's not gonna last very long. But I managed to finish this one up before I get too swamped with work so hooray for small victories. Anyway, before I continue, 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.)

Now then, last time, quite a few things happened. Most of the cast took a visit to the Skytree, what a coincidence. Hibiki and Miku went on a date, Maria and Nastassja had a meeting with the American government, and Kanade met up with Psyga aka Yugo in order to get Haru back. However, Smart Brain and Noise soon popped up into the scene and things went to hell real quick. Maria took her first life, Miku seemingly 'died', and Haru in his rage transformed into an Orphnoch for the second time! Or third, if you count his transformation last season. But we're not here to talk about that. We're here to see what happens now. So without further ado...

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


Kamen Rider Faiz: Song of Paradise

Second Verse

Song 11: A Promise Made in the Flames


(Last Time)

'It's time to confront him one last time, that damn brat.'

'The Faiz Gear is in enemy hands and I don't even know how to properly transform into an Orphnoch. What the hell am I supposed to do now?'

"This is my problem. I refuse to let others get dragged into it, especially him."

'If I don't fight, will no one need me?'

"I won't let you fight. I...don't want you to leave me!"

"It's all my fault for failing to become Finé's vessel!"

"It's time we had a talk...Natsu."

"No! I have to protect you!"

"One day, when I'm really in trouble...you can save me then. So let me do a bit more on my own today."

"But I..."

*BOOM!*

"MIKUUUUUUUUUUUUUU~!"

'Just how many times...will this damn world...keep pushing this girl down!?'

"AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"


(Now)

"AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

All throughout the area, nay, throughout the entire city, Haru's roar was heard by all. Kanade, Psyga, and those of Smart Brain found themselves almost blown back from the shockwaves produced just from Haru's rage-filled cries.

"D-Dammit! Not again!" Kanade cried out as she was trying her best to not be blown off her feet. She was flabbergasted that Haru's roar alone was causing such strong shockwaves, but more than that, she was angry at herself for letting things get this far.

"Damn! He is pissed!" Psyga exclaimed before turning to the Crane Orphnoch. "Kyoko-chan! When you see a chance, take it!"

The Orphnoch nodded, knowing what she had to do now that Haru was like this.

"Wait! We need to get Hibiki back first!" Kanade said as her kouhai was currently in Haru's arms, unconscious.

"Look after her."

"Huh?" Kanade blinked in confusion as she felt something dropped into her arms. Looking down, she found Hibiki was now in her arms.

"Wait, wha—?"

*R~IP!*

The second Kanade turned her head, she found herself showered in blood as a headless Riotrooper stood behind her before falling to the ground. Looking up, Kanade saw that Haru had the now-dead trooper's head in his clawed hands. Kanade quickly guessed that Haru had ripped the Riotrooper's head clean off with his bare hands.

(BGM: Bodies by Drowning Pool)

With another ear-shattering roar, Haru threw the Riotrooper's head in his hand at another Riotrooper, striking that trooper's head and disorienting him. In the blink of an eye, Haru closed the distance between them and thrusts his clawed hand straight into the trooper's chest, ignoring the blood that came spilling out and all over him as he lifted up the body and threw him at a third trooper, knocking the grunt down to the ground. Said grunt pushed the dead body off of him and went to get up only to find his head getting caved in by Haru's foot who had jumped up and slammed down on him, stomping his foot down hard enough to completely crush the head as if it were watermelon.

At this point, the other three Rider grunts raised their weapons and fired at the Wolf Orphnoch only for him to disappear. Surprised and confused, they looked around to find the Orphnoch only for him to reappear right in front of one of the troopers. The said trooper raised his weapon to attack, but his world suddenly spinning as Haru had gone and punched the grunt's head straight off.

Grabbing the now headless body just as it was disintegrating into ashes, Haru threw the body at one of the troopers before rushing over to the other one, closing the distance in less than a second, punching forward. The Riotrooper didn't even get a chance to raise his weapons as Haru's arms were stabbed right through the grunt's chest, coming straight out the back wherein the Orphnoch's hands was the grunt's heart. Crushing the still-beating organ, Haru removed his arm from the Riotrooper and set his sights on the last who was now shaking in fear of the Wolf Orphnoch.

Fearing for his life, the Riotrooper screamed as he fired at Haru who easily dodged every shot as he rushed up to the grunt. The trooper switched his weapon to Blade mode and tried to hit the incoming Haru, but the Wolf Orphnoch simply knocked the weapon out of the grunt's hand before thrusting his right hand through the trooper's chest. But Haru didn't stop there as he grabbed the hole he made with both hands and pulled. The last Riotrooper could only scream in absolute pain as Haru literally ripped him in half. By the end, Haru was surrounded by six piles of ashes accompanied by a lot of blood.

Literally covered head to toe in blood and ashes, Haru turned his sights to the Smart Brain Riders and pointed a clawed finger at them.

"You're next!"

(BGM End)


(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 was Xiao Li accompanied by Lucky Clover members Takuma and Saeko.

[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 Clover Orphnochs by himself until he was pushed back, losing the Faiz Gear in the process. Haru didn't give up as he roared and transformed into the Wolf Orphonch before charging forward while cover in azure flames.

(Kono kandou o atarashii peeji ni kizamu) [I can go to the next stage] Explosions litter the entire area as Haru as Faiz again was pushed back only to bump into Orga and Pysga. The three Riders look at one another before they all jump up and kick towards the Nephilim who was now mega-sized.

[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.


Chris expected a lot of things when she and Tsubasa, who she met up with halfway when she received the orders to head out, made it to the Skytree. Noise crawling all over the place? Simply another Monday for her. Smart Brain's presence here? A bit surprising, but now was a good chance to get back the Faiz and Kaixa Gears. Haru who was now an Orphnoch again and was currently covered head to toe in blood? She wondered what the fuck did she miss.

"About time you girls got here!" Kanade called out to them as the Rider ran over carrying an unconscious Hibiki in her arms.

"What the hell happened!?" Chris asked the delta-themed Rider, pointing over to Haru who was fighting against Xiao Li while Psyga and the Crane Orphnoch dealt with Takuma and Saeko respectively. She also stared worryingly at the unconscious Hibiki.

"Shit happened, that's what. Now, where's Shinji?" Kanade said, looking for Tsubasa's manager.

As if on cue, a car came speeding up and skidded to a stop right in front of the girls. Seeing that it was Ogawa who was at the wheel, Kanade wasted no time opening the backseat door and placing Hibiki inside.

"Take her back to base!" Kanade told the agent who simply nodded and drove off, expertly dodging Noise that tried to hit him. With that out of the way, Kanade turned back to the girls. "Tsubasa, you and I are gonna go help Haru. Chris, you deal with the Noise."

"No problem!" Chris said as the three separated to do their thing.

(Insert Bye-Bye Lullaby)

Aisatsu muyō no gatoringu(Instead of a greeting, say hello to my Gatling)!

Gomibako iki e no desu pāryī(My death party'll send you to the trash)!

One, two, three MEZAWARI DA!(YOU'RE ANNOYING ME)!

Noises up in the air transformed into drills, aiming at Chris with the intent of rocketing towards her. She wouldn't give them that chance as she opened up her 'skirt' and fired a barrage of missiles at them.

Mega Deth Party

Dotama ni kazāna hoshī nara(If you want a bullet in your head)

Kichin to narabina Adios(One straight-lined shot and adios)

One, two, three Kieusero(One, two, three, get outta my sight)!

A few Noise managed to escape unharmed and came crashing down towards her. Chris began running in order to dodge the incoming Noise, and as she did, she took a look around her. The damage the entire area had sustained, especially the Skytree. The fact that Haru was an Orphnoch again. Not to mention the fact that Hibiki had been unconscious when she got here.

'Little by little, things are becoming twisted. Becoming broken.' Chris thought to herself as she summoned her crossbows before quickly transforming them into Gatling guns.

Billion Maiden

'Something's trying to get between me and the place I call home!'

*RATATATATATATATATATATA!*

Gekitetsu ni kometa omoi(Pull the hammer of a gun loaded with my feelings)!

Atta ke kizuna no tame(For the sake of all the bonds I have)!

Gara ja nē serifu(Conversation isn't necessary)!

'Who's the bastard behind this!?'

Demo warukunē(But that's despicable, huh)?

"I-i-ko wa nenne shite ina!"("Good kids should've gone to sleep!")!

'Is it you?' Chris thought as she ran at an incoming Noise, jumping over it at the last minute before turning it into swiss cheese with her guns.

Hyaha! Go to hell! Sā sūpā zange taimu(Now it's super repentance time)!

'Or you!?' Skidding to stop, Chris quickly turned around and fired her Gatlings guns with reckless abandon before throwing in some more missiles at the Noises in the skies.

Jigoku no soko de Enma-sama ni dogeza shite koi(Come kneel before the Devil at the bottom of Hell)!

'I was the one who activated Solomon's Cane...'

Hyaha! Go to hell! Mō kōkai wa shinai(Still, I don't regret anything)!

'Does everything always end up being my fault?'

Mamoru beki basho ga dekita kara(I have the power to protect the place I have to, so)...

'I...!'

"MOU NIGENAI!(I WON'T RUN ANYMORE)!"

Screaming at the top of her lungs, Chris voiced her rage as she summoned two large rockets behind her.

Mega Death Fuga

The thrusters of the rockets ignited and they were sent off, flying up and striking the two large Noise carriers in the sky and destroying them in two satisfying explosions, not that it satisfied Chris any who was left panting and sweating. She was so absorbed in her own self-loathing that she didn't even realize that she had killed all the Noise in the area or that she was the only one here.


(With the Others)

With a roar filled with rage, Haru punched forward trying to hit Xiao Li who dodged just in time as Haru's punch ended up hitting a lamppost so hard that it not only dented it, but it tore the entire thing off the ground and sent the entire thing flying into the river below as the fight had somehow been led over to a bridge. In the background, Kanade and Tsubasa were working together against Takuma while Psyga and Kyoko were double-teaming against Saeko. It was quite clear which side was at a disadvantage.

Saeko tried to stab Psyga but her sword was knocked out of her hands by a kick from Kyoko who spun around and tried to swipe at the lobster Orphnoch only for said Orphnoch to jump back. However, without her weapon, this left the Lucky Clover member open to Psyga who fired a barrage of Photon bullets from his blasters, causing sparks to fly off of Saeko who soon fell to the ground.

"Not so tough now that it's two on one, huh?" Psyga said before he resumed shooting, attempting to pin the Orphnoch down.

Over with Kanade and Tsubasa, the two fighters doubled teamed on Takuma. The Chi-themed Rider swung his Blaygun at Kanade but was stopped by Tsubasa who stepped in and blocked the sword swing with her own. Pushing the Smart Brain Rider back, Tsubasa swung and scored a hit across Takuma's chest, sending the Rider stumbling back. Regaining his footing, Takuma charged at Tsubasa when she suddenly jumped up, revealing Kanade behind her who aimed and fired her Delta Blaster at him, forcing him back once again as the Lucky Clover member tried to block Kanade's shots with the Blaygun, but it as clear that Takuma was not proficient with the weapon as Photon Bullets found their way through the Rider's defense, hitting him across the chest and sending him to the ground. Shaking off the pain, Takuma went to get up when he saw Tsubasa up in the air with an enlarged sword, swinging downward.

蒼ノ一閃 (Azure Flash)

Takuma quickly put up his guard as Tsubasa's energy slash came crashing down on him.

*POW!*

Xiao Li let out a grunt of pain as Haru struck him hard across the face. The Orphnoch wasn't done there, far from it as he swung his fists, again and again, striking the Phi-themed Rider across the face and chest multiple times. Xiao Li went to fight back by throwing a punch, but Haru simply leaped over him and kicked him in the back, sending the man from China to the ground.

"That Gear doesn't belong to you. Give it!" Haru growled as he flexed his fingers before stabbing down with his claws at Xiao Li who quickly rolled out of the way.

"It doesn't belong to you either," Xiao Li counted as he pulled out the Faiz Shot, quickly putting in the memory and pressing 'ENTER' on the Phone.

EXCEED CHARGE

Light traveled through the Photon Veins of the Faiz suit before it entered the camera/knuckle duster hybrid. Now charged and ready, Xiao Li shot up to his feet and punched towards Haru.

*GRAB!*

Xiao Li's eyes widen behind his helmet as his punch was caught by Haru's right hand. Faiz's symbol appeared briefly before blood erupted from Haru's arm, yet even then the Wolf Orphnoch did not let go of the Rider's fist.

"It's gonna take more than that to take me down!" Haru growled before he pushed Xiao Li's fist away and swung his left clawed hand, striking the Rider across the chest which caused sparks to fly off. That wasn't the only thing that was sent flying off as Haru's attack had knocked the Faiz Gear off of Xiao Li, canceling the transformation.

"Yes!" Kanade cheered, having seen what happened before quickly raising her arm to block a swing from Takuma. Before the Chi-themed Rider could do any more, Tsubasa jumped in and slashed him across the chest, sending him back.

"Focus, Kanade!"

"Right, sorry," Kanade apologized, rubbing the arm she used to block Takuma's attack before focusing back on the Smart Brain Rider.

Landing not too far away, the Faiz Belt and Phone both fell to the ground roughly. Seeing this, Haru went to go pick them up only to be kicked away from them. Skidding back, Haru looked up to see a new Orphnoch who bore the characteristics of both a Chinese warrior and a leopard.

"The Faiz Gear belongs to Smart Brain," Xiao Li's voice came from the Orphnoch, informing Haru that it was him as the Chinese Orphnoch summoned a Guan Dao into his hands.

Haru brushed the spot where he was kicked before crouching forward, his face shifting into an angry snarl.

"I can beat your ass just fine without it!" Haru said as he and Xiao Li charged at one another.

The Leopard Orphnoch swung his Guan Dao at Haru, but the Wolf Orphnoch simply leaped over the swing, landing right behind him. Xiao Li quickly turned around and swung again, but Haru backflipped over him, getting behind him again before kicking him in the back, sending the Orphnoch stumbling forward. Regaining his balance, Xiao Li turned around just in time to raise his weapon and block a claw strike from Haru. Pushing him back, Xiao Li swung his weapon again, but Haru ducked under the swing and proceeded to tackle the Chinese Orphnoch, slamming him right against the rails of the bridge. Knocking Xiao Li's weapon out of his hands, Haru then proceeded to beat the Leopard Orphnoch's face in with his fists.

"Guh!" Takuma and Saeko both slammed against the railings as standing in front of them were Psyga and the girls with their weapons pointed at them, cornering them.

"You lose," Kanade declared, making sure to aim her blaster at Takuma's head.

"Hand over the belt and surrender," Tsubasa demanded to both Orphonchs, mostly to Takuma as he was the one who had the belt currently.

"Don't try anything funny," Psyga said, ready to blast the both of them if they so much as twitched.

"Heh, I gotta say, you got us," Takuma said.

"I must say, it's a shame you're taking their side," Saeko said to the Crane Orphnoch who didn't respond back, choosing not to say anything to the woman.

Glancing over at Haru, Psyga saw that Haru was still beating on the Leopard Orphnoch, treating him as if he were a punching bag.

'Geez, he is really pissed. Hard to believe he's not actually berserk,' Psyga thought. 'Better tell aibou about this, let him know that—'

*BANG-BANG-BANG!*

"What the-!?" Psyga and the others cried out in surprise when they found themselves fired upon.

"What?" Pausing in his beatdown, Haru turned to see his friends in trouble as multiple armored vans were pulling up around the bridge.

"It seems our reinforcements have arrived," Saeko said as a group of six Riotroopers was firing at the others, forcing them to jump back. Taking this chance, Saeko summoned a new rapier to use and dashed forward, her rapier covered in blue flames as both Psyga and the Crane Orphnoch were struck across the chest. Takuma also took this chance to open up the Kaixa Phone and press 'ENTER.'

EXCEED CHARGE

With his Blaygun lit up, Takuma rushed forward. He ducked under a blaster shot from Kanade and struck her across the chest, sending her flying. When Tsubasa came in to avenge her, about to unleash another Azure Flash, Takuma summoned forth his barbed whip and snapped it forward, striking Tsubasa's hands and knocking her sword out of said hands before proceeding to slash the bluenette across the chest, sending her flying over to Kanade.

"No!" Haru cried out before he abandoned Xiao Li and charged at Takuma who smiled under his helmet.

With the Blaygun still charged, the Rider pulled back the hammer and fired at Haru, hitting him and entrapping him in an energy net. With the Wolf Orphnoch now stunned, Takuma leaned down before dashing forward, disappearing for a second before reappearing right behind Haru. The energy net trapping him soon disappeared before the Chi symbol appeared briefly over Haru. Then...

"Gyah!" Haru cried out as sparked erupted off his body.

"Haru-san!" Both Tsubasa and Kanade cried out in worry, the former being noticeably louder than the latter.

"Hoh?" Takuma let out an impressed noise as he noticed that Haru, despite the damage he had sustained, had not fallen to the ground. Yet it was quite clear that it was taking a lot to just stay standing. "You're a tough one, Yamamoto Haru. You would have been an excellent addition to Smart Brain."

"Fuck...you!" Haru gritted out as he turned around and lifted a fist up to punch the Rider.

"Right back at you," Takuma said as Xiao Li came running past him, wielding his Guan Dao again with its blade now covered in blue flames, and struck upwards across Haru's chest, getting a loud cry of pain from him as the Wolf Orphnoch was knocked up into the air and over the edge of the bridge before falling into the river below.

"Haru!" Both Kanade and Tsubasa practically screamed as they both rushed over to the edge to catch where exactly had Haru fallen.

"Onii-chan!" The Crane Orphnoch cried out as she ran and jumped over the railings with thinking, diving into the river below.

"Kyoko-chan, wait!" Psyga cried out, about to go after his comrade when he was assaulted by more Riotroopers as were the others. Soon, all three fighters found themselves back surrounded by squads of Riotroopers.

"Well, well, it seems the tables have turned," Takuma said as he, Saeko, and Xiao Li who retrieved the Faiz Gear stood before the three.

"Dammit!" Kanade cursed at how the situation had changed so quickly.

"What should we do now?" Xiao Li asked his fellow Lucky Clover members.

"Why don't you go back to base and rest? You took quite the beating," Saeko suggested before adding in, "After that, look for the boy." In the short amount of time Saeko's been with Haru, she could already tell that he was the type who didn't die so easily. She wouldn't be satisfied until she saw the man herself disintegrate into ashes.

Nodding his head, Xiao Li turned back into his human form, revealing a slightly swollen face and a black eye, before turning around and leaving.

"Hey, wait!" Kanade shouted, but couldn't move as she and the others still had guns aimed at them from all sides.

"Now then," Saeko began, tapping her finger against her cheek. "What should we do with you three?"

"How 'bout you all go to hell!"

*RATATATATATATATATATATATATA!*

From the sky above, a sudden rain of bullets and mini-missiles came down, wiping out the Riotroopers surrounding the three as Takuma and Saeko were forced to jump back lest they get caught in the crossfire. Dropping down a second later was Chris, landing right in front of the three.

"Yukine!" Tsubasa cried out in surprise but was nonetheless happy to see the girl.

"Geez, mind giving us a heads up sooner?" Kanade said, feeling that the bullets and missiles were a tad bit too close to them.

"You left me at the Skytree!" Chris exclaimed loudly at them, angry at having been left behind to deal with the Noise.

"Ehehe, sorry."

"Forget it! We're getting out of here," Chris said before looking around, noticing something. "Where's Haru?"

"He got knocked over into the river," Tsubasa informed, looking into the waters with worry.

"What!?"

"Don't think you can escape!" Takuma shouted as he swung at Chris who quickly blocked using her Gatling gun.

"Grrr, dammit!" Chris cursed as she kicked the Rider away before unleashing more missiles, firing them at random as the entire area was soon covered in smoke. Flying out of the smoke a second later was Psyga, quickly flying away from the scene. Soon after that, all three girls jumped off the bridge and disappeared into the water below.

"So they got away," Saeko said as she looked over the railings to see if there was a chance they would resurface. She returned to using her human form after seeing that the girls had swum away.

"That firepower's going to be a problem to deal with," Takuma said as he removed the Kaixa Gear and canceled the transformation.

"Should we go after them?"

"No, it would be a waste of time," Takuma said before he handed the Kaixa Gear to Saeko.

"And you're giving this to me, why?" Saeko asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You're better with a blade than me. You can use it better than I could," Takuma reluctantly admitted as he adjusted his glasses before walking away. "Come on, I need a drink."

"Then allow me to whip something up for you, lil' Taku."

"I thought I told you to never call me that!"


(Skytree, Hours Later)

With the threat of the Noise now taken care of, medical teams and policemen soon arrived at the scene. Amongst them was Genjuro who was currently talking to the girls, listening to what had transpired.

"So that's what happened," Genjuro said, crossing his arms and sighing.

"Yeah," Kanade nodded with a towel hanging from her shoulders before she looked downcast. "Sorry old man. I had him, but so many things were happening just too fast."

"No one here is blaming you, Kanade-kun," Genjuro said, placing a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "At the very least, Haru-kun's no longer in enemy hands. We'll just have to look for him."

"What about Tachibana?" Tsubasa asked, having been told by Kanade about what had happened before she and Chris arrived.

"She's fine. She escaped with just a minor head injury," Genjuro said before frowning. "However, she's in shock, no doubt because of what happened to Miku-kun."

"...goddammit!" Chris cursed, throwing her towel to the ground in anger.

"Calm down, Chris-kun. I understand your anger, but it won't change anything," Genjuro said.

"I know!" Chris exclaimed angrily before gritting her teeth in frustration. "I know that, but...nothing's changed. In fact, they just got worse!"

Genjuro and the others didn't say anything as what the girl said was true.

"Commander!" Running up to them, Ogawa called out to Genjuro.

"What is it?"

"We found dead government agents from America amongst the casualties."

"The Americans?" Genjuro and the girls looked at Ogawa in surprise.

"There's no doubt. It seems they got in touch with the FIS and tried to negotiate."

"And this disaster is the result," Genjuro said, looking up at the ruined tower. "Looks like negotiations failed."

"You know, I think it's shit like this is the reason why Haru keeps talking smack about the government," Kanade commented. "And quite frankly, I'm starting to agree with him."

"Quite, but whatever they were scheming, one would expect both parties would try to avoid attention," Ogawa pointed out.

"Perhaps Smart Brain's appearance could explain that," Tsubasa suggested. The meeting between Kanade and Psyga was supposed to be secret only to them, yet Smart Brain's appearance was too perfectly timed.

"In any case, let's leave the further investigation to the authorities and head back to base," Genjuro said. "We need to start looking for Haru-kun before Smart Brain finds him first."

"Then I'll stay here and help with further investigations," Ogawa said.

Genjuro nodded before getting into his car. The girls did the same as they went over to their respective bikes with Chris riding with Kanade again.

"You know, there's something that's been bugging me," Kanade said as she got on the Side Basshar.

"What is it?" Tsubasa asked, about to put on her helmet.

"It met up with Psyga, but I never once saw that Orga guy with him," Kanade pointed out. "You would think the both of them would be together considering we were giving them back their friend."

"Hmm..." Tsubasa hummed as her friend made a valid point. Up until now, the omega-themed Rider had always been accompanied by Psyga and the Crane Orphnoch, yet when Kanade went to give the Orphnoch back to them, she had only met up with Psyga. Which begged the question:

Where was Orga during all of this?


(Cabin)

Maria looked down at her hands. Clenching them and unclenching them, turning them around multiple times, and even rubbing them together. They were clean, with not a drop of blood on them. Yet, they didn't feel clean to her.

'I have dirtied my hands with blood,' Maria thought to herself, biting her lip. 'Is there any hope for me left, Serena?'

"Here," Snapping out of her thoughts, Maria turned to her right where sitting next to her was Miku, handing her some wipes.

"You've been looking down at and rubbing your hands for a while," Miku said.

"Oh, uh...thank you," Maria awkwardly accepted the wipes from the girl before asking, "How are you, by the way?"

"I'm fine, just a few scratches," Miku said, touching the bandage over her cheek. She then looked around the cabin they were in, noticing how cozy everything felt. "I never knew there was a place like hidden in the woods."

Maria merely nodded in agreement as she looked around as well, taking in the place where she and Nastassja plus Miku who they picked up from the Skytree were taken to.

'Is...is it really...' Maria anxiously thought to herself as she looked over to Nastassja who was patiently keeping quiet, minding her own business while waiting for their 'host' to finish his business.

"Mom...is it...really him?"

"...you'll find out soon enough," Nastassja answered, eye closed.

"...how long have you known?"

"I've only recently figured it out myself. But really, the clue were hidden in plain sight all this time. I'm actually ashamed that it took me this long."

"Really? And here I thought I was a good actor," A voice spoke up as entering the cabin was Orga, untransformed, and...carrying a tray of cupcakes?

Both Maria and Miku raised an eyebrow at this as Orga walked over to the table and set down the tray in front of everyone.

"So sorry for the wait, I took me a while to find the frosting," Orga said as everyone looked down at the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes before them that had frosting of the opposite flavor on them and decorated with little cookies shaped like musical notes.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Dig in."

"Um, okay?" Miku said as she was the first to take a cupcake, a vanilla one, and bit into it. Immediately, stars appeared in her eyes. "Wow! These...These are really good!"

"Why thank you," Orga said, puffing his chest out a little. "My friend Yugo may be the better cook, but no one can beat me—"

"When it comes to desserts," Maria interjected, getting Orga to stop talking as Maria took a chocolate cupcake and bit into it. Immediately from the first bite, memories came flooding in.

Here, have a cupcake. I made it myself. I may not be as good of a cook as my dad, but no one can beat me when it comes to desserts!

Licking off the frosting on her lips, Maria set the cupcake down and looked up at Orga, tears forming in her eyes.

"You're...really him...aren't you?"

Orga remained silent for a good minute before he reached up and pulled down the hood covering his upper face, revealing, to Miku's surprise, a face very similar to Haru's. Everything from the shape of his eyes and his hair was exactly the same. The only thing that was different, and what caused tears to fall from Maria's eyes, was that his eyes were violet purple.

"Hisashiburi dana(Long time no see)...Mari-chan," Yamamoto Natsu gave the woman his best smile.

Almost immediately, Maria shot up from her chair, rushed over to Natsu, and threw her arms around him, crying.

"Natsu!" She cried, letting the tears fall from her eyes as she held the person who she thought for sure had died years ago. "You're...You're...!"

"Yeah, I'm really here," Natsu gently spoke as he returned Maria's hug, letting the woman cry her eyes out.

"Umm..." Miku moved over to Nasstaja's side and awkwardly asked, "What's happening here?"

"Just give them a minute," The eye-patched woman told her as she casually took a cupcake and ate it.

"Okay?" Miku, feeling somewhat out of place, decided to mind her own business and nibble on her cupcake while glancing over at Natsu and Maria.

'Natsu...that's the name of Haru-kun's brother. So, this man is...' When Miku woke up to go on a date with her best friend today, the last thing she expected was to run into Haru's brother, let alone be saved by him.


(Flashback)

Miku watched as her friend transformed while falling. So caught up in her own bitterness in not being able to prevent it, she almost forgot about her surroundings.

*BOOM!*

"Kyah!" That was until an explosion happened a little to close for her comfort. She then stared in horror as a huge slab of the ceiling broke off and came crashing down towards her.

'Hibiki!' Miku thought to herself as she closed her eyes and braced herself for pain.

*SLASH!*

It never came as the slab of rubble was sliced in two. Looking up in surprise, Miku's eyes widen when standing right in front of her was Orga who turned towards her and offered a hand.

"Come with me if you want to live...man, I've always wanted to say that!"

Miku couldn't help but look at the Rider weirdly until she was picked up by Maria who was also carrying Nastassja in her arms. After that, the four of them escaped the Skytree and the rest is history.

(Flashback End)


"Have you calm down now?" Natsu asked as he and Maria sat down.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine now, thank you," Maria said as she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. "It's just that, I never thought I'd see you again."

"I'm sorry for not revealing myself sooner," Natsu said. "And well, I never got to say this due to circumstances, but you really grew up into a beautiful woman, Mari-chan."

At this did Maria blush before turning away bashfully. "B-Baka, I thought I told you to stop using that nickname. It's embarrassing."

"Then..." Natsu smiled teasingly as he grabbed one of Maria's hands and said, "How does Mari sound?"

Maria made an unidentifiable noise as her whole face turned red.

'Wow, I think this is the first time I've seen anyone turn so red before,' Miku thought to herself. The only time she's ever seen anyone become so red was whenever Hibiki found herself in an intimate position with Haru. Of course, Hibiki was still a high schooler while Maria was a full-grown adult. Even then, to see someone with Haru's face obviously flirting with someone was just too weird for her.

"Um," Miku spoke up, getting Natsu's attention. "I don't mean to interrupt, but, um...thank you for saving me."

"No problem," Natsu smiled, letting go of Maria's hand who noticeably looked crestfallen at the loss of contact. "I couldn't just leave you there to die. Plus, you're a friend of my brother's."

"Your brother...So, you're..."

"Hajimemashite(It's nice to meet you)," Natsu said as he offered a hand to the girl. "I'm Yamamoto Natsu."

"Uh, Kohinta Miku, yoroshiku(a pleasure)," Miku said as she shook the man's hand. "Yamamoto...then, you really are Haru-kun's brother?"

"Twin brother, but yes, I'm Haru's brother," Natsu said as he took back his hand and looked at Miku. "Judging from the look in your eyes, I'm gonna assume nii-san hasn't really talked much about me?"

"He's only really mentioned your name," Miku said. "Haru-kun doesn't really talk much about himself, or his family."

"Considering what happened, I'm not surprised," Natsu said as he looked downcast. "Our separation was...sudden."

'Sudden...Haru-kun did mention that his family died in a car accident,' Miku thought, figuring that's what Natsu was talking about.

"Natsu," Maria spoke up. "I'm happy to see you again, completely ecstatic even, but...how are you alive? I thought you died in the lab."

"I did," Natsu said as his Orphnoch markings appeared briefly over his face, surprising Maria. "I did die."


(Flashback, Six Years Ago)

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAR~!"

A beast-like roar echoed throughout the secret facility as the whole room was bathed in red light. Right outside the viewing window, the awakened Nephilim was rampaging, beating against the walls trying to get out. Amongst the scientists that were trying to get everything under control were three kids who looked worriedly at the situation.

The first was a young 14-year-old Maria Cadenzavna Eve, dressed in a blue dress with black tights and pink ribbon near her stomach. Her coral-colored hair was styled into two horn-like curls with a blue flower accessory centered into each curl. The rest of her fell down just past her shoulders.

The second child a year younger than Maria and bore a great resemblance to her. She has warm brown hair reaching past her shoulders with light pink butterfly clips that surround the back of her head like a wreath. Her eyes are light blue much like Maria's and she wears a white dress with detached sleeves and yellow waist ribbons over a red shirt, complete with red tights and yellow shoes.

The third and last was a young 14-year-old Yamamoto Natsu, dressed in a simple blue shirt with a grey sleeveless jacket over it, beige cargo pants, and black sneakers. His black was noticeably long as his bangs nearly covered both violet eyes.

"This doesn't look good," Natsu said which both girls nodded in agreement and hugged both his arms for comfort.

"The Nephilim's output is still fluctuating wildly," A young Nastassja reported as she typed furiously at the control panel in front of her. "As we expected, it is impossible to control a complete Relic that was forcibly awakened without the use of a song."

"I told you this was a bad idea!" A man who looked like a much older Natsu shouted. Wearing a lab coat over a black turtle neck shirt and jeans, it was very easy to picture how Natsu would grow up to look like as his black hair and sky blue eyes stood out.

"I said awakening a Relic forcibly would lead to repercussions but did anyone listen? No! You see, shit like this is the reason why zombie apocalypses are a thing in movies!"

"Dr. Yamamoto," Natasshja spoke up. "How about a little less sass, and a little more work? If we don't get this thing under control, this whole place will come crashing down on us!"

"And whose fault do you think THAT is?" Doctor Yamamoto Kyosuke exclaimed as he glared at all the scientists in the room who flinched back at his heated glare.

"...I'll do it," Serena suddenly spoke up, letting go of Natsu in order to step forward. "I'll sing!"

"Serena-chan?" Natsu looked at the girl in confusion.

"Serena? You can't mean..." Maria looked at her little sister in disbelief at what she was planning to do.

"My Superb Song may be able to reset the Nephilim back to its pre-awakened state," Serena explained.

"But that's too risky!" Maria exclaimed. "What if you're not able to suppress the Nephilim?"

"Mari-chan's right, what if you fail?" Natsu said, clearly not wanting his friend to endanger herself.

Serena shook her head before giving the two a smile. "If that happens, then my big sister's here to take care of it for me, right?"

"Serena..."

"There are people from the FIS here to help us too," Serena said, looking over at Nastassja before smiling at Natsu. "Not to mention, Natsu and his dad are here supporting me. I won't be on my own. It'll be all right."

"Serena..." Both Natsu and Maria looked at the girl, amazed by her courage.

"Are you sure about this?" Kyosuke turned over to the girl and asked her.

Serena in response smiled and placed a hand over her chest. "Though I never wished for the ability to don this Gear, if it'll let me protect everyone then I'll gladly use it!"

"...then we'll leave everything to you."

"Tou-san!" Natsu looked at his dad in disbelief, surprised that he would allow this.

"Natsu, Maria," Kyosuke turned to his son and Maria and said to them, "Believe in Serena."

That caught both pre-teens by surprise as Serena smiled appreciatively before running out to go deal with the Nephilim.

"Seilien coffin Airgetlám tron..."

After singing her 'Holy Chant,' there Serena stood, donned in her Airgetlám Symphogear as she stood before the Nephilim which towered over her. Despite the size difference, Serena was unafraid as she opened her mouth...and sang.

(Insert Superb Song ~Serena Ver.~)

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal...

Emustolronzen Finé el balal zizzl...

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal...

Emustolronzen Finé el zizzl...

Serena's appearance was perfect. One wouldn't be able to tell that as she sang her body was tearing itself apart until blood dripped out from her mouth. Before Natsu and Maria could speak up, a bright flash of light came from Serena before a huge explosion occurred. Without even thinking, Natsu's body moved on his own.

"Mari-chan!"

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM~!*

...

...

...

...

...

...

"...uh..." Maria groaned as she regained consciousness. Blinking her eyes, red and orange filled her vision as she noticed how warm the room felt. Also, why was she on the floor? And why did her shirt feel wet?

"Mari...chan..."

Blinking a few times again, Maria looks down and gasps, when she sees Natsu on top of her with glass shards as big as his head, stabbed into his back and bleeding all over her.

"N-Natsu...?"

"You're all right...thank goodness..." Natsu smiled before he started coughing up blood.

"Natsu!" Seeing that her friend was clearly hurt, Maria got up, not knowing what she should do.

"J-Just hold on! I'll...I'll...!"

"...go..." Struggling to stay awake, Natsu lifted up a finger and pointed out the viewing window where Maria can barely hear the sounds of her sister singing. "Go to...Serena-chan..."

"But what about you?" Maria said as she looked for anyone who could help. Where was Dr. Kyosuke? His son was dying here and yet she couldn't find him amongst the rubble and flames.

"Leave me..." Natsu insisted, coughing up more blood but still held his finger forward. "Go...before it's...too late..."

Maria looked at Natsu and the direction where Serena was. Biting her lip, she came to a decision.

"Wait for me, I'll come back for you!" Maria said before she gently placed Natsu on the ground and ran off to find her sister, promising to come back for him.

But she never came back and Natsu died there, bleeding out to death.

(Flashback End)


"It was horrible," Maria said, remembering the events of that day clearly as if it happened yesterday. "The flames, the ruin, the way Serena looked after she sang her Superb Song...and the ungrateful bastards that she saved." Even now, she still had nightmares of that day.

"We're only alive today thanks to the aid of a Goat Orphnoch who rescued us," Nastassja said.

"A Goat Orphnoch...That must have been tou-san who saved you," Natsu said.

"So it was him..." Nastassja said, having guessed that Natsu's father was the one who saved both her and Maria from the flames of that day. "Where is that father of yours now?"

"I couldn't tell you. He left me with both the Orga and Psyga Gears and suddenly vanished. I haven't seen him in two years," Natsu said, speaking honestly.

"So he's still out there somewhere..." Nastassja said as she looked out the window, gazing out at the setting sun.

"Um, I'm not sure if I'm following everything, but..." Miku spoke up, feeling very out of place here again. "It sounds like you all went through a lot."

"You could say that again," Natsu said.

"So, you turned into an Orphnoch right after Maria left you?" Miku asked.

"Kinda. When I awoke, everyone else had already evacuated," Natsu said, recalling the events after he awakened as an Orphnoch.


"Uhh..." Natsu groaned as he reopened his eyes. For some reason, the pain on his back was no more and he felt taller. Pushing himself up, he shook his head about looking around, finding himself surrounded by flames and ruin with no one in sight.

"Everyone must have already evacuated...and what's with my voice?" Natsu said as he got up before gasping.

There, reflecting back off a broken monitor, was some sort of grey creature looking to be a mix of a horse and a gladiator. What struck as a surprise was the fact that the head of the creature was that of an actual horse. What was even more surprising was that Natsu noticed how the creature was copying his every move. That was his reflection looking back at him.

He had become an Orphnoch.

"I'm...an Orphnoch..." Natsu looked down at his hands which were shaking now. Before he could dwell more on his new situation, the room he was in started to fall apart, alerting Natsu that he needed to get out of here.

He tried going to the doors, but they were jammed shut. Looking around for any possible escape route, Natsu soon jumped out and into the room that had been holding the Nephilim.

"Mari-chan! Serena-chan!" Natsu called out to his friends but no one answered. This actually made him glad as it told him that they must have already evacu

"Nat...su...?"

"...no," Dread filled Natsu's chest as his enhanced hearing picked up an all too familiar voice. Tracing it, Natsu ran and jumped through the ruins and eventually came upon...

"Serena-chan!"

"Natsu..." With half of her body buried under rubble, a bleeding Serena looked up to see the Horse Orphnoch looking at her in horror. "Natsu...is that you?"

"Serena-chan, hold on!" Natsu shouted as he jumped over to Serena's side and grabbed ahold of the rubble pinning Serena down. With a bit of effort, Natsu was able to lift and throw the rubble off of Serena.

"Wow, Natsu, you're so strong..."

"Don't talk, I'll—!" Natsu found his breath getting caught in his throat as he looked down at Serena.

"How...bad is...it?"

"...probably as bad as it feels."

"Thought so," Serena weakly laughed, giving Natsu the best smile she could muster. "At least...you're okay..."

"Serena..." Natsu gently placed his hands under Serena and slowly lifted her up.

"That's the first time...you've said my name...without the -chan," Serena said, smiling. "Natsu...can you...lean down?"

Natsu did as told and leaned his head closer to the girl. Serena, with her weakening arms, held Natsu's head and looked into his eyes.

"Please, Natsu...take care of...my sister for me."

"I will," Natsu swore, tears streaming down from his eyes as he held the dying girl in his arms close. "I swear, I'll protect Mari-chan from whatever tries to hurt her. I promise! So—!"

*chuu!*

Natsu once again found his breath caught in his throat when Serena leaned up and placed her lips on the nose of his horse head. Of course, considering what he is now, it may as well have been his mouth.

"Thank you, Natsu..." Serena said, smiling as she placed her broken Relic pendant in Natsu's grey hands. "Goodbye...I...lo..."

Serena never got to finish as right before Natsu's eyes, her entire body disintegrated into carbon dust, leaving Natsu holding nothing but the broken Relic Pendant and her remains.

"Ah...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~!"


"So that's how you had the Airgetlám Relic," Nastassja said as Maria was holding up the very Relic pendant in her hands.

"I thought if anyone should have Serena's pendant, it should be Mari," Natsu said, taking the last cupcake from the tray and eating it.

"So she was still alive, even if only for a moment," Maria said, looking longingly at the pendant in her hands before looking up at Natsu appreciatively. "Thank you, Natsu, for being with Serena in her final moments."

"...I just wish there was something I could have done then," Natsu said, stuffing the rest of the cupcake in his mouth, letting its sweet taste briefly distract him from the bitter memories in his head.

'That's so sad...' Miku thought to herself, wiping away tears that were threatening to fall. Of course, that does beg the question...

"If you promised Serena-san to protect Maria-san, then why have you been fighting her up until now?" Miku asked, pointing out how Natsu's been doing the exact opposite of what he had promised.

"I have my reasons," Natsu said before glaring over at Nastassja. "One of them being that they reactivated that fucking monster."

"It had to be done," Nastassja said, having expected this from the man.

"Bullshit!" Natsu slammed down on the table. "I already know what you're trying to do, you old hag. You're trying to revive the Frontier and use it to put the moon back in its gravitational orbit. So why the hell do you need the Nephilim for?"

"You know full well why the Nephilim is needed," Nastassja said. "The Frontier is basically a giant Relic. And much like most Relics around the world, the passage of time has stripped it of its original power. We revived the Nephilim, a complete Relic, in order to use it as a battery to repower the Frontier."

"Even still!" Natsu shouted, standing up. "If it were any other situation, I would have gladly helped you and the others with this. What I don't get is why you had to team-up with scum like Ver to do it! There are millions of scientists all around the world, and yet you chose him of all people to help you!?"

"Believe me, Dr. Ver wasn't my first choice, but he was admittedly the best one," Nastassja said. "There is no one else who has complete knowledge and understanding of Relics than Dr. Ver. Without him, we wouldn't even have the LiNKER drug which allows Maria and the others to transform."

"Do you really think he's really helping you save the world out of the goodness of his heart?" Natsu said. "You should know full well that your goals and his are completely different. He's even partnered up with Smart Brain. Sooner or later, he's going to stab you in the back."

"I know full well that our goals are not fully aligned. It's why I had Maria here act as Finé in order to gain his cooperation," Nastassja said. "I am fully expecting him to stab us in the back when he realizes that we've been lying to him, but there's nothing that says we can't stab him first before that."

"Mom..." Maria looked over at her mother figure in surprise. Had she really been planning to betray the doctor once he's outlived his usefulness?

"Don't play dumb, Nastassja. You can't fool me," Natsu said, narrowing his eyes at the purple-haired woman. "You're sick, really sick. Sooner or later, you're going to kick the bucket and that's going to leave Maria and the others in the hands of a madman. Do you really think I'm gonna let that happen?"

"Then what do you suppose we do? Trust the government?" Nastassja scoffed. "Maria and I clearly saw what would happen if we tried doing that."

Maria turned quiet at that as she started rubbing her hands uncomfortably.

"After the stunt you pulled at the concert, the government are the last people I would suggest asking for help," Natsu said before gesturing to himself. "Let me help. I have a sister, she's an Attuned. She can help you raise the Frontier from the ocean. After that, she and the others can use the power of the Nephilim to put the moon back into orbit, thus saving the planet. Problem solved!"

"Naive," Nastassja said. "If controlling the Nephilim were really that simple, I never would have gone to Ver in the first place. As I said before, his knowledge and understanding of Relics is the reason why I recruited him."

"How hard is it to control a goddamn heart?"

"Do not think just because the Nephilim has been reduced to a beating heart makes it that much easier to use. It is a complete Relic. The full extent of its powers is still unknown to us."

"Then you're just fine dancing on Ver's palms until the very end!?"

"Of COURSE NOT!" Nastassja raised her voice, louder than Maria has ever heard as the old woman slammed her hands down on the table. "Do not take me for a fool, boy. I am very much aware of the doctor's personality and know he cannot be trusted. But no matter how reluctant I may be, he is essential in figuring out how to operate the Frontier."

"If that's the case then why did you lure me out to the Skytree so that we can talk like this? What do you want from me?" Natsu asked, having calmed down a little, but still very much heated.

Nastassja opened her mouth to talk, but instead fell into a fit of coughing.

"Mom!" Maria stood up, but Nastassja held up a hand to tell her to stay back. She was not done speaking yet.

Taking a few seconds to get her coughing under control, wiping away the blood on her hands, and drinking some water which Miku had fetched in order to wash away the iron taste in her mouth, Nastassja took a few breaths, collecting herself before facing Natsu who waited patiently.

"Natsu, it is as you say. I do not have much time left. Even with the doctor's aid, I fear I won't make it past this week."

"Mom, you can't mean that!" Maria said, refusing to believe that Nastassja's time was almost up.

"Maria, you know full well that my health has been declining rapidly since we began this. At this point, there's no fixing this. At the very least, I must see to it that the world is saved before I am gone."

"Mom..." Maria looked at her mother figure in concern. She knew very well that the woman's health had been declining, yet she never entertained the thought of losing her one day. Just the thought of it caused her chest to tighten uncomfortably and it made her remember what she had done at the Skytree.

'Another life lost...I wonder if those men had people they loved as well...'

"You still haven't answered my question," Natsu said, unaware of Maria's thoughts as he focused on Nastassja. "What do you want from me?"

"What I want from you, Natsu is for you to join us."

"...come again?"

"I did not stutter," Nastassja said. "Surely you've noticed it; Smart Brain's increased activity. Dr. Ver has also been speaking more frequently with them. They're planning something and I fear that once we've found a way to successfully raise the Frontier from the ocean, we will lose control of the situation."

"So what, you want me to be some bodyguard for you?" Natsu said.

"In a sense. As of right now, Smart Brain has acquired two of the Rider Gears from the 2nd Division. Having a Rider like you on our side will assure that we'll have some security should things take a turn for the worse. So, your answer?"

Maria and Miku looked towards Natsu, wondering what his response would be. The Rider himself had his eyes closed, thinking to himself for a moment before opening his eyes and responding.

"I refuse."

Nastassja didn't seem all that surprised by the Rider's answer and simply asked, "Why?"

"You know why. I don't care how important he is, Ver needs to be put down before he can do any more damage, especially since he's partnered with Smart Brain. If you're truly afraid of losing control, then just end your partnership with him and let me help!"

"...if you truly wanted to help, then you shouldn't have wasted time fighting us for so long."

Natsu found himself stunned at Nastassja's words, looking physically hurt as he was unable to say anything to them. Seeing that the man had no response, Nastassja closed her eye and sighed.

"We're done here. Maria."

"Kyah!" Faster than she could have reacted, Miku found herself grabbed by Maria with her arms held and locked behind her.

"Hey!" Natsu exclaimed, looking at Maria who turned away as to not make eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry, Natsu...but you can't protect the world with half-hearted devotion."

"Serena would never approve of this."

"...I know," Maria said as the sound of a descending airship was heard outside. Both she and Nastassja with Miku in tow made their way to the door, making sure the Rider was always in sight before going outside where waiting was Ver and the girls standing in front of their ship. Natsu followed them outside and to say Kirika and Shirabe were surprised to see him would be an understatement.

"N-Natsu!?" Kirika exclaimed loudly, having almost mistaken Natsu for his brother until she saw his eyes.

Despite the situation, Natsu couldn't help but smile over to the two.

"Hey, Kiri-chan," Natsu greeted before looking over to Shirabe where his smile seemed to grow softer and wider for a moment. "Hey, Shiri-chan."

"Natsu..." Tears started welling up in Shirabe's eyes, finding it hard to believe that it was really Natsu before her. But those eyes, and that nickname... "Is it...really you?"

"Have you figured out how to fry ice cream yet?" Natsu asked, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

That question seemed to be the tipping point as tears fell down Shirabe's cheeks and she was soon running before she even noticed.

"Natsu!"

"Hold it," Nastassja interjected, holding out an arm to stop Shirabe from going any further.

"Mom?" Shirabe looked at her mother figure in confusion as did Kirika.

"Natsu...is Orga."

"Eh!?" Both Kirika and Shirabe looked towards Natsu in disbelief who then pulled out the Orga Phone as proof, shaking it for emphasis.

"It's true."

"No way...We've been fighting with Natsu all this time?" Kirika said, stepping back in disbelief.

"Why?" Shirabe asked, looking betrayed.

"To get you away from him," Natsu said, turning to and glaring at Ver who was unaffected.

"My, my, so hostile. Is that any way to act towards an old acquaintance?" Dr. Ver said before looking around. "By any chance, is Kyosuke-san here?"

"Don't act like we're friends, Ver," Natsu said. "And for your information, no he's not here. I haven't seen him for the last two years."

"So he's gone missing. That changes things then," Dr. Ver said as he readied Solomon's Cane.

"Hold on, we're not gonna fight, are we?" Kirika said, not liking the idea of fighting her childhood friend.

"What's wrong? You've fought multiple times before," Ver said as he began summoning Noise around Natsu who remained unfazed.

"But..." Shirabe bit her lip before looking towards Nastassja for help. "Mom."

"We're not going to fight," Nastassja assured the girls before turning to Ver. "Doctor, cover our retreat."

"Are you sure? He's all alone. If we kill him now, that will eliminate one of our many obstacles."

"Reactivating the Frontier as soon as possible takes top priority," Nastassja said before glancing over at Miku who was trying to keep a brave face on. "I have already acquired the key to solving our problem."

Ver took a glance at Miku who stood her ground under the doctor's gaze. A second later, the man smiled, realizing what Nastassja had meant.

"I see...yes, it would be a waste of our time fighting here when our goals are within reach," Ver said as he summoned more Noise around Natsu before heading back into the ship. "Well then, let us be on our way."

Natsu stood and watched as everyone proceeded to board the ship, leaving behind enough Noise to fill up the entire cabin behind him. Even when he was surrounded and outnumbered, Natsu would not keep quiet.

"Minna(Everyone)!" Natsu shouted, getting the attention of everyone. "Wait for me. I'll come for you all, no matter what!"

"...then," Maria muttered, her voice too soft and quiet to be heard over the propellers of the ship, except for Natsu who heard her words loud and clear as if he were standing right next to her. Just as the hatch was about to close, Maria looked over to Natsu and said...

"Hurry up...and come get us."

"I will..." Natsu swore as he watched the ship leave, leaving him alone with nothing but the Noise to keep him company. That was about to change soon.

"You all..." Natsu began, turning towards the Noise as his body began to shift and change. He grew taller by a few inches before his whole body turned completely grey. His entire body was covered head to toe in gladiator-like armor with the shoulder pauldrons in particular shaped like small horseheads with small horns on them. His head could have been mistaken as a horse-like helmet due to how it was stylized, but it was in fact his actual shaped head.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Summoning a claymore into his hands, Natsu roared as he started tearing apart the Noise around him one by one, taking out his anger and frustration on them.

Meanwhile, from behind a tree, Yugo watched nervously as his friend/partner tore through the Noise, even uprooting some trees in the process.

'I was going to tell him what happened...but I think I'll let him cool down before I do that,' Yugo thought as he wisely stood back and watched why it was a bad idea to piss off Natsu. Absentmindedly, Yugo thought to himself, 'He really is Haru's brother.'


(Meanwhile)

"Mmm..." Groaning in pain, Haru started to stir, slowly opening his eyes as a wave of déjà vu hit him.

"Ah!" Haru heard someone gasp but he couldn't make out who due to his vision still being blurry. Whoever it was, they went away for a brief moment before coming back and placed something wet on his head. A towel, he guessed?

"Don't try to move, you're still injured," The person said, female judging by how high pitched the voice sounded.

Blinking a few more times, Haru's vision started clearing up, allowing him to see that he was staring up at a rusty ceiling. Blinking a few more times, he noticed that he was lying down on a hard cement floor. After a few seconds of thinking, Haru realized that he was in a warehouse and an old one at that.

'How did I get here?' Haru thought as he tried remembering what had happened to him.

*BANG!*

"Hibiki!" Haru cried out, quickly sitting up which proved to be a mistake as pain flared throughout his entire body making him wince. Looking down, he saw that he didn't have his shirt on and was wrapped up in bandages.

"Ah! I said not to move," A voice to his right said as he felt a hand touch his shoulder.

Gritting through the pain in his body, Haru turned to whoever was speaking...and had this been an anime Haru's eyes would have popped right out of their sockets due to who he was staring at. He felt his heart stop and his blood go cold for a split second as he stared at the person sitting right next to him, flashing him a smile he thought he would never see again.

"Ky...Kyoko...?"

With violet eyes that seemed to glow under the dim lighting and a smile that melted the man's heart, Yamamoto Kyoko gazed warmly at her big brother for the first time in years.

"Hisashiburi dana(Long time no see)...Onii-chan."


And...done! Huh, that actually turned out better than I expected. I ran into some trouble when writing up Natsu's scene with Maria and Nastassja, but as I read through this, everything flowed better than I thought which is good. And speaking of Natsu, by this point, most if not all of you have figured out his identity so I thought now was a good time as any to make his first proper appearance. I hope I portrayed how different he was from Haru as this is the first time I've actually written full sentences involving him instead of having him drop a few lines here and there. I was actually kinda surprised that Natsu's scene took up most of the later parts of the chapter, but maybe that's me finally happy to write about him properly instead of vaguely mentioning him. Expect more from him now that we're getting close to the climax.

Of course, with Natsu taking up most of the chapter, it took away from Haru's screentime. Which is why the next chapter will be mostly about him with a bit of Kyoko sprinkled in there since she's decided to show herself to him. Who knows how he'll react. I mean, I will, but you guys won't know. But yeah, expect things to finally look up for our heroes next chapter as we near the climax of this season. Until then, this has been Ashbel Longhart here, signing out. Until the next ride.