Chapter 3: The Resolute Knuckle and the Peerless Blade
Disclaimer: I do not own Senki Zessho Symphogear or the Kamen Riders mentioned in this story. I do own the OC Kamen Rider Ixa R and Akakishi.
(Note: Blood will be mentioned and spilled so reader discretion is advised for the lighthearted.)
On the highway, Akakishi turned his head and noticed Tsubasa preparing to attack Hibiki, so he pushed the cream haired girl out of harm's way. Then the redhead blocked the sword swing with his right arm but the blade cut a bit into his left shoulder.
"So you blocked my attack… No matter, you and the Kamen Rider were already on my list." Tsubasa calmly said with a malicious smile.
"You…" Akakishi attempted to kick the idol in the abdomen, but Tsubasa broke the contact and jumped away. He held the wound on his shoulder to stop the bleeding and Hibiki stood up to reason with the armored singer.
"You're misunderstanding! I'd like to fight alongside you…" reasoned the girl before she was cut off.
"I know full well." Tsubasa responded.
"So what are you doing?" asked Hibiki who did not comprehend the nature of Tsubasa's action.
"I just want to fight you and the Kamen Riders." Tsubasa gave her answer with a cold tone.
"Eh?" Hibiki looked confused at what she meant and Akakishi gave a cold look as if knowing what the female's reason was.
"I cannot accept you people. Join forces with you? Fight alongside you? Allow my power to be wielded by those despicable Kamen Riders? Hell with freeze over before Tsubasa Kazanari will accept that." The blue-haired female stated.
"In other words, you intend to harm Hibiki and me to have your way?" Akakishi observed the cold look of Tsubasa who walked with her sword at the ready. He knew her answer after receiving the attack meant for Hibiki. There was no hesitation when the female swung her sword.
"Yes… Prepare your armed gear." The singer coldly stated. "It embodies your will to fight on the battlefield. If you wish to claim Gungnir, the might spear the can pierce anything, as your Symphogear, you should come to terms with whatever may entail!"
Akakishi made a wide-eyed expression as to what Tsubasa meant and gritted his teeth in anger.
"What do you mean, 'come to terms'? I don't even know what 'armed gear' you're talking about. How can I come to terms with something I do not know about?" asked Hibiki who was confused at what Tsubasa meant.
"You've gone mad, soloist." Akakishi said as he took out the IXA R Driver and Reverse Knuckle in preparation to fight the girl. "I won't allow you to drag my friend and partner into your so-called battlefield. So I will be your opponent in Hibiki's place."
"Aka…" Hibiki looked at Akakishi with worry.
"Hibiki… sit back. I'm going to have a little talk!" Akakishi prepared to fight the female despite his injury. He charged forward as the scene was freeze framed with the redhead charging at the armored singer.
(Sanctuary- Tamaki Nami)
Bokutachi wa mina kitto Te wo nobashiterun da
From a cloud of black ash a young man with red hair walked out. Then his face is shown to be Akakishi as both of his eyes glowed. He placed the Reverse IXA Knuckle on his left hand. Then he punches the screen with the knuckle, causing a crack. When the crack shatters the glass, Ixa R stands in place of Akakishi.
Tooku tooi basho e to
The scene shifts to Hibiki who stood on top of a tower of rock looking toward the sky. Then the scene turns to her back as wings sprout out of it. She flies off the pillar of rock and into the sky.
Ixa R jumps and punches forward to the sky while Hibiki flies toward him in the opposite direction. Then the title appears with the two turning into silhouettes. Then an additional line appears: "From the heart of the brave, a chained Symphony shall be born."
Kaze ni fukare aruite yuku
Akakishi is shown on his motorcycle looking toward the sky as the wind blew. Then a silhouette of a man with red compound eyes came to his mind.
Umare kita imi wo shiritakute
The scene changes to a silhouette of a person who held the white crystal memory stick labelled with an E. And behind the person was a hand that held a red crystal memory labelled with an A.
Tatoeba ushinau toki ga kitemo
The scene changes to Miku who watches a meteor shower then reaching out to the same shower. A shift to Kanade and Eiji where they are shown watching a concert performed by Tsubasa. Then a male with raven haired styled in a pompadour is shown walking the streets with his friends while passing by a silver haired girl.
Dakishimeru koto ima, erabou
Several colored chains of orange, blue, and purple wrap around Akakishi's body as he falls into an unconscious state. As ash gathered and dissipated, Hibiki is shown sitting in a fetal position with a sad look until she looked up and smiled at a hand offered to her.
Instrumental
The scene shifts back to an awakened Akakishi as he tears off the chains with each colored chain breaking in succession with the music and in the order of orange, blue, and darkish red.
Then the scene transitions to the armored form of Ixa R with several shadowed Kamen Riders at his side.
Bokutachi wa mina kitto
Hibiki charges into the fray of battle swinging her fists and Ixa R kicks down a large Noise before punching a Noise in sync with Hibiki
Te wo nobashiterun da
Tsubasa jumps in by cutting down several Noise with the blades on her legs. Kamen Rider OOO lands and supports the singer by cutting down foes with his sword.
Nakusenai mono ni mukatte
The scene shows off Kamen Rider Kabuto in his unmasked form with a female figure behind him.
Then a dark silhouette of a Kamen Rider with orange compound eyes is shown.
Next came a shadowed figure with white LED lens with a feminine figure behind him wielding what appeared to be a hammer.
Kagayaita yume dake wo
Ixa R takes out a fuestle and equips his Reverse Knuckle while Hibiki pulls out the piston on her gauntlet
Taguriyosenagara
The two run through the long range attacks of the Noise and punch forward, ending the scene with a view of their knuckles.
Tooku tooi basho e to
The camera shows the armored hand of Ixa R reaching out and the armored hand of Hibiki grabbing it. The hands lace their fingers as the armors transition off.
(Battle OSTS- Ever United We Stand, Divided We Fall)
Back at the base, the Second Division members were not liking at the sudden action of Tsubasa.
"What are they doing?!" Genjuurou shouted.
"Ah, the fires of youth!" smiled Ryoko who waved off the action while watching the feed of the fighting .
"Commander, where are you going?" asked a blue haired female at a monitor as she turned toward the man.
"Someone has to stop those morons." Genjuro said as he approached the elevator chamber.
"I'm coming too!" Kanade said as she walked right beside Genjuro.
"No you're not, Kanade. The possible collateral damage from that fight might put you in danger!"
"But-" Kanade tried to argue.
"Look, I don't have any time to argue while they fight. Just stay here, that's an order." Genjuurou ordered with a commanding tone.
"Damn it, fine. Just stop her before she does something she might regret." Kanade relented.
"Genjuro…" Tendou called out.
"Hm?" The redhead turned around to see Tendou holding a metal brace.
"Catch." The stoic man threw the brace to Genjuro who caught it. "You'll need it if you want to get there quickly.
"You have my thanks." The commander entered the elevator and departed for his location.
"He really fits right in. In other news, she really caught my interest." Ryoko said while looking at Hibiki who had a worried look. "Can't help but watch, I guess." Then the brunette turned her attention to Akakishi who weaved and dodged the blue haired attacker's sword. "And I wonder how Aka-chan will hold against her."
The singer charged and Akakishi followed her action by charging straight toward the female. The singer swung her blade at Akakishi's shoulder in an attempt to take him down fast. "That power you wield is nothing but a mockery of the Relics! I will punish you for it!"
"Punished for what? Having the ability to fight back against the Noise?!" Akakishi immediately sidestepped the attack and jabbed with his right fist. Tsubasa ducked under the fist and readied her right heel blade. She swung her leg to cut the redhead and he blocked the attack by colliding his shin with hers. Then the two broke off and collided with a series of attacking, blocking, parrying, and dodging their opponent's attacks to gain an advantage.
"I don't see how you can protect someone like her who has no determination. She merely treats this like a funny little game. Kanade… How dare she try to take Kanade's place!" Tsubasa shouted with anger in her voice as she made a swing in frustration.
"Who ever said Hibiki was Kanade's replacement?!" Akakishi ducked under the swing and positioned himself before make a left straight into the female's gut. The impact of the hit took the girl by surprise and threw her into the air before resulting in a rough landing. Simultaneously, Akakishi's knuckle blared out to signal its activation.
=READY!=
"Hibiki merely obtained that power by accident! She could have continued living her life in ignorance! Safe from all this! But when she wanted to do something, that fragment responded to her! She wanted to protect something! Even if there's a small chance of saving one life, she will risks hers!" Akakishi shouted obviously angry.
"Shut up! She has no right to wield my partner's power! The only one who should wield it best should be Kanade!" Tsubasa bounded forward with her sword at the ready and sent several blades flying at Akakishi. "You Riders are also to blame! Why didn't you arrive sooner to help us?"
THOUSAND TEARS!
The male did not falter from his position and proceeded to deflect several blades with his right arm and legs. He grabbed one out of its trajectory with his right hand and continued to deflect despite the several cuts that were made on his body. After stopping the barrage, the redhead blocked Tsubasa's sword with the stolen blade.
The two began clashing weapon against weapon in an effort to overpower the other. Akakishi ducked a swing before retaliating with his sword clashing with Tsubasa's. "Hibiki may not be as good as Kanade was with the Gungnir! But that does not mean she will be weaker! As long as her wish to help holds, then she will become a better Relic User than her predecessor!" At the last statement, Akakishi made a heavy swing that sent Tsubasa flying back, breaking the stolen sword.
"How? How can he be so strong? So fearless despite seeing what I can do with my Symphogear? Is it because he is a Rider? No, that's not it. If that were the case he would have transformed into Ixa R. So what is giving him that strength?" thought Tsubasa who did not anticipate the redhead's fighting capability.
"Tell me why you fight, Tsubasa Kazanari. Tell me… what your reason is to wield that sword?!" Akakishi shouted as he held his stance in preparation to fight the singer.
"My reason? It's to eliminate the Noise no matter the cost-"
"Tch, don't give me that crud! Cost this, cost that. Tell me, are you even thinking about what's at stake or are you just fighting with only a silence of guilt?!" Akakishi snapped after hearing the pathetic excuse over and over.
"What are you-"
"Figures… that's why I hate people like you… People who are so blinded by their own strength that they do not acknowledge the support of others. That lack of acknowledgement is why you should give up fighting while you still can."
"Why should I do that?!" asked Tsubasa out of confusion.
"Because you will create nothing but sadness if you continue that path." Akakishi looked ready to kill as he slotted Reverse Knuckle into the buckle. "Henshin!"
=HENSHIN!=
The black silver crest spun out of the sapphire gem of the buckle and projected the silhouette of Ixa R. Then the projection slammed into Akakishi as Tsubasa readied her blade.
"…Tch, you have no right to judge me! I have enough of you Rider!" Tsubasa jumped forward with her blade in a stabbing form as Ixa R was fully armored.
"And I have enough of you, songstress. Now… Let me silence your views!" Ixa R jumped forward to fight the female. When the two were close, the rider tilted his body sideways and grounded himself as the blade scratching his left cheek.
"What?!"
"Fight me with all of that brittle resolve!" Ixa R punched the female in the cheek with a left hook. "Show me what it means to fight so emotionlessly!" Ixa R swung his right fist but missed due to the singer proving to be more agile.
"If you want me to show you, then I will… With this blade!" Tsubasa jumped into the air and threw her sword which reassembled into a massive blade. She prepared a kick position and activated the boosters in her leg blades to increase the momentum of the falling weapon.
HEAVEN'S WRATH
Despite the massive size of the sword, Ixa R did not waver and instead took out his knuckle Fuestle and slotted it into the buckle. Then he shifted the Reverse Knuckle to activate the Fuestle. Tonka drumming could be heard as the knuckle glowed with a crimson energy before bursting into a flame-like form.
=IXA KNUCKLE- BEAT MAX!=
"That brittle blade will never win against my RESOLUTE KNUCKLE!"
Ixa R equipped the flaming Reverse knuckle and smashed it into the massive sword.
REKKAKEN
(RAGING FIRE FIST)
The collision of the two fighters could be felt in the air as Ixa R's helmet was fissuring from the pressure but the tower sword also fissured in flames until it shattered into pieces. An explosion occurred and engulfed Ixa R and Tsubasa.
"Aaaahhh!" shouted Hibiki as she witnessed the explosion took place, followed by a smoke cloud.
When the smoke semi-cleared, Tsubasa was standing but the Kamen Rider was nowhere to be found, only the remains of his helmet were seen.
(End OST)
"How?! How did he managed to stop my strongest attack?" Tsubasa thought furiously and looked at the supposed remains of the Kamen Rider. "…I guess it is useless to ask the dead." Tsubasa turned around and walked toward Hibiki with another sword held.
"Don't think you won just yet!" A voice shouted from the smoke as a whir and confirmation ding was heard.
=IXA KNUCKLE- BEAT MAX!=
Tsubasa turned around to see a helmetless, bleeding, but roaring Akakishi charging at her with his Knuckle prepared in his right hand.
"What?!" Tsubasa was rendered speechless by Akakishi's survival.
"Take this!" Akakishi swung his knuckle into Tsubasa's abdomen with the last of his fighting strength.
KNUCKLE IMPACT
But a hand caught the fist and stopped the force of the blow as a shockwave could be felt through the area. The shockwave sent the girls flying back and tore apart the highway causing numerous water pipes to burst. When the dust cleared to reveal that the hand belonged to a Kamen Rider with a black and golden yellow armor suit with his helmet based on a cross between a bee and a wasp. Noticeably, the man had a mechanical bee equipped to a brace on his left wrist.
"Huh?! …A Kamen Rider? But who are- Ugh…" Akakishi could only fall from his little strength as he was supported by the man with his armor deactivating. The mechanical bee detached from its user's brace and flew off, causing the mysterious Rider's armor to dissipate and reveal Genjuro.
"Ojii-san?!" Tsubasa exclaimed noticeably her armor had been deactivated along with Hibiki's.
The man waved his hand to shake off the sting from the hit he caught from Akakishi. "Look at this mess now. What were you two thinking?" Genjuro helped Akakishi to his feet and approached the female. "This isn't like you, Tsubasa. Did you really try to hurt them for real? Maybe… *Gasp* Are you cry-"
"I'm not crying! I never shed tears… I'm a warrior, and thus I am nothing but a sword. I'm…" Tsubasa closed her eyes while the pouring drops of water fell.
Akakishi gave a disgruntled look as he caught his breath. "That ideology is no different from-"
"Aka!" Hibiki shouted as she approached the redhead. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Hibiki. Are you unharmed?" Akakishi asked with a worried look.
"Yes, Aka. I-I thought you were dead!" Hibiki cried a bit in relief.
Realizing he worried her, Akakishi made a confident smile to reassure the cream-haired girl. "Seriously, I'm fine. It'll take a lot more tha-" But suddenly, the redhead felt something in his chest and made a wide-eyed look at the feeling.
"GURGH!" Then Akakishi covered his mouth and coughed up scarlet blood while dropping the Reverse Knuckle which made a small crater. He fell backwards from the shock of pain in his body and blood that came out of his throat.
Hibiki froze up at the sight of the red he coughed up. "AKA!"
Responding immediately, Genjuro caught the young redhead as he continued to cough up blood with the several wounds and cuts on his body bleeding profusely. "This isn't good, he's losing too much blood. Does anyone have a phone?" The commander shouted before the group heard a motorcycle coming towards their area.
"Is everyone all right?" Eiji arrived to the destroyed highway and saw the wounded form of Akakishi who lied on the ground while the commander placed pressure on his injuries. "Akakishi!" Eiji immediately ran to his junior's side to check on his condition.
"*Sigh* Thank goodness. Eiji, call Headquarters to have a first aid squad sent to our location!" Genjuro ordered.
"Got it!" Comprehending to the order, Eiji took out his phone and called for HQ to send in the medics.
Approaching slowly, Hibiki could only feel helpless as she watched Akakishi struggle to stay alive. She knelt down and held his hand. "Aka… Aka… Please hang on! Please don't die! Please!" Hibiki pleaded.
Upon the looking at the site, Tsubasa remembered the scene of when she held a heavily injured Kanade and begged her not to leave. She saw herself in Hibiki who continued to plead with the injured Akakishi. Then the words of Akakishi echoed in her head.
"That lack of acknowledgement is why you should give up fighting while you still can. Because you will create nothing but sadness if you continue that path."
"No… I can't be responsible… I did nothing… wrong… I only fought him… I…" Tsubasa felt a sense of dread at what she had done.
The scene was blockaded similar to the power plant with a medical crew keeping Akakishi alive on a stretcher. Hibiki sat at his side and held his hand, refusing to let go.
"I'll be fine, Hibiki." Akakishi muttered out.
"No Aka! Don't make me let go!" shouted Hibiki whose eyes were red from crying.
"But if you don't let go, then how are the doctors supposed to treat me?" Akakishi deadpanned despite his state.
"…Oh" Hibiki blushed a bit before reluctantly letting go of his hand.
"As I said before, I'll be fine." Akakishi smiled a bit as he was wheeled into an ambulance. When the doors closed, Akakishi sighed before making slow breaths to prevent hyperventilation. He turned his head to notice Tendou sitting with his eyes closed and his arms crossed.
"Master…" Akakishi muttered as the man opened his eyes with a crossed look.
"You over did it again, Akakishi. I warned you not to overexert what your augments can do." Tendou scolded with a frown.
"I… *Gasp* don't… care, as long as… Hibiki… is… safe…" Akakishi muttered before passing out.
"Get him to the hospital immediately and tell them to be prepared to operate on him. Remember, he's a level one priority!" Tendou ordered the driver who drove quickly.
"Aka's going to be okay, right Eiji-san?" Hibiki asked Eiji as they watched the ambulance drive away.
"We can only hope Hibiki, he sustained a lot of damage from that fight."
"Aka…" Hibiki asked with her head down.
"Cheer up. Hibiki-chan. Akakishi's not the type to stay down, if I know him just from my time traveling with him… He'll be fine." Eiji gave a reassuring smile that lifted the cream haired girl's spirits. "Aoi-san will take you back to your dorm. Your friend must be worried sick."
"Oh, okay." Hibiki followed the navy blue haired female into a parked car which drove away.
Eiji turned to Tsubasa who looked indifferent at her actions and approached her.
"Do you want revenge for what happened to your kouhai?" Tsubasa bluntly asked as she glared at Eiji. Her reaction to his approach was normal considering what she did.
"No, you already did enough fighting, Tsubasa, and I'm not interested in fighting you. I just want to talk earnestly with you." Eiji said in a serious tone as he ignored her glare. "And no excuses or walking away, the last few times I was willing to be patient. But today… crossed the line even for me."
"Because I harmed your fellow Kamen Rider?"
"Because you acted irrationally, and attacked both of our kouhai. I expected you would have targeted me first for my failure that day."
"You knew I was going to attack you? But why did you still fight alongside me?" asked Tsubasa in a surprised tone.
"Because, I wanted to reach to you by staying at your side. I wanted to remind you that you're not fighting alone." Eiji said with a reassuring smile.
"What do you know about me? You Kamen Riders would never understand the pain of nearly losing someone close to you!" shouted Tsubasa who was angered by his calm look.
A shadow covered Eiji's eyes as he tilted his head down after hearing Tsubasa's statement. "You're right, we never had that pain…because we already experienced the pain of watching those who are close to us die." Eiji said in a steady tone as he looked at Tsubasa which surprised her.
"His eyes!?" Tsubasa thought as she saw the lifeless eyes that Eiji had.
With a steady voice Eiji looked at his hand as he recounted his failure. "I could only watch as that little girl cried and disappeared in the flames. No matter how many times I thought I could reach out to her…I could never save her. That sadness washed away my very will to live…and the regret took away any selfish desires I had. Up until the point I became a Kamen Rider…I would help strangers, no matter how shady they looked. Sometimes it got me into trouble, and other times it made them happy. But I can only reach out to people…especially people like you, because if I don't reach out when I can, the regret would make me wish I were dead… I reach out my hand, because I don't want that."
"If you felt that heavy burden of regret…then why not just give up all your emotions? If you did that then you would no longer feel that sense of sadness." Tsubasa reasoned.
Eiji closed his eyes and shook his head. "Then I might as well consider myself no longer a human, which nearly happened to me. My regret and pain of weakness will continue to haunt me, but I accepted it and walked forward. Because after my battles, I realized there is still a lot more I can do to protect the tomorrow of this world. And protecting my family…"
"Family? But your family is hardly at any risk, Hino."
"*Chuckle* While you're right about that Tsubasa, I actually meant everyone I met wherever I went are my family. The members of the Second Division, the Kamen Riders, and the many friends I made in Yumemi Town are my family. Even you, Tsubasa, are my family." Eiji smiled as life reignited in his eyes.
Stunned at his speech, Tsubasa remembered how he watched over her and protected her despite not wanting any assistance.
"How can you be so kind to me, when all I have been is your enemy?" The idol's eyes widened in disbelief with her voice shaking.
"Because you and I have the same goal, to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I know that you wish to be an emotionless blade, but is that truly a sword that will protect? I want to believe we fought not because it was our duty, but because we wanted to protect as many people as possible. If you aren't fighting because of that, then what is your reason for singing?" Eiji said with his argument on the offensive. "And I fought alongside you…because Kanade told me to watch over you. Even now, she's still looking out for you."
"Kanade told him to protect me? Why? Is Kanade doubting my strength?"
"If you want to why Kanade asked me, talk to her. It's been awhile since you two spoke to each other." Eiji suggested as he walked past her. While Eiji walked away, Tsubasa showed a conflicted look as she balled her hands into fists.
In the hospital, Genjuro, Tendou, Ryoko, and several suited guards sat outside as the doctors worked hard to help the Young Rider. The light of the ER turned off and the head surgeon walked out of the room.
"How is he, Doctor Adachi?" asked Genjuro who was worried about the young teen.
"He'll make it, Genjuro-san. His augments manage to prevent any organ failure, so we could easily patch him up. With proper rest, he should be back up in at least a week." The doctor took off his green mask and cap to show his face.
"Thank you for coming at such a late time." Genjuro bowed along with the guards.
"I can't ignore any request for an operation, especially this one. Hibiki-san has mentioned that he took another disciple under his wing, but I never thought I would meet him like this. What on earth happened?" asked the doctor who looked at Genjuro with an interrogative look.
"Normally, protocol prevents me from answering, but you are affiliated with the Kamen Riders, so I may as well spill it." Genjuro sighed in exhaustion at the memory of the incident. "He got into a little scuffle with Tsubasa."
The doctor looked surprised with his eyes widening at the information. "A fight with the first Relic user? If I remember what Hibiki-san said about Akakishi, he's not the type who would get into fights without a reason."
"You're right on the dot about him, Asumu-chan. Aka-chan acted like a valiant knight and protected his friend from Tsubasa-chan's attacks." Ryoko added into the conversation about what happened in her own terms.
"That's what happened?" sighed the doctor who did not like the news. "I may not be a psychologist Genjuro-san, but you should have made sure that she was mentally sound before you recruited the new Relic User."
"I did… but that girl has such a stubborn attitude that she doesn't listen to any of my orders. Nor does she accept any help from Eiji, I'm surprised he can tolerate her after such a long time."
"Hino is a patient person and he has experience working with someone with a similar attitude. But this sort of action cannot go unpunished, Akakishi is already on borrowed time as he is. His power is needed if we are to have a chance against whoever is controlling the Noise and Noise Kaijin." Tendou said with a hint of anger at what the singer did.
"You are right, but leave that action to me, Tendou." Genjuro stated with a serious look.
Tendou relented since the crimson red haired man was still his superior, and he trusted his actions. "Very well, your judgement hasn't led us astray in the past. On another note, has Hibiki found any evidence regarding the missing Kamen Riders?"
"He has found some sort of clue. Two days ago, Hibiki-san reported that he and Kyousuke found a hidden laboratory in Fuso City containing several reports about the missing Kamen Riders' powers and a project called MODERN." Asumu detailed what he had learned from Hibiki.
"MODERN, huh? I wonder what this project is about." Ryoko pondered at the named of the mysterious project. "Did he send you any data, Asumu-chan?"
"He did, here." The doctor took out a memory stick which the cover was partially damaged. "This is what they managed to recover before the lab self-destructed."
"I'll begin recovering and analyzing whatever data is on this when I get back to the lab." Ryoko took the stick and placed it in her lab coat.
"Then we'll take our leave, thank you for saving Akakishi's life, Dr. Adachi." Genjuro bowed before leaving with Ryoko and Tendou following behind him.
"Tendou-san," Asumu called out to the vice commander who turned around to listen. "Hibiki-san said that he'll leave Akakishi's training to you."
"I was already planning on it." Tendou said coolly before walking after Genjuro.
As the days pass by, the current group of two Symphogears and one Kamen Rider had to defeat several Noise that appeared frequently. But tensions could be seen after the incident that injured Akakishi. Tsubasa continued her lone battle style, and Eiji had to save Hibiki on multiple occasions due to her inexperience. As this was going on, Hibiki had to struggle balancing her daily life with her work in the Second Division.
At her dorm room, Hibiki was working on a report while Miku was typing on her computer. As she worked, the cream haired girl looked as if she was about to doze off while she worked.
Miku took notice of the girl dozing off and decided to remind her. "Hibiki, if you doze off you won't be able to meet the deadline."
Hibiki appeared to semi-awaken before rubbing off any drool on her face.
"If you can get that report in, you won't have to retake the exam."
While her friend talked, Hibiki tried to erase a mistake on her paper before a rip was heard. Then she sighed in defeat with her head resting on the table.
"I'm telling you, don't fall asleep!" chastised Miku.
"I'm not sleeping, I'm wide awake. I'm just resting my eyes…"
"You've been tired a lot recently."
"I'm fine…No big deal."
"You don't seem fine to me." Miku stated with a worried look.
Hibiki opened her eyes with a sad look as she remembered what happened to Akakishi a few days ago. "Tsubasa…She was definitely crying…And Aka…he got himself hurt because of me…" She closed her eyes and muttered his name. "Aka…"
"Hm? What did you say Hibiki?" Miku asked in confusion.
"It's nothing, Miku." Hibiki dismissed.
Gone unnoticed by Hibiki, Miku gave a worried look since she heard the cream haired girl say the redhead's nickname. "So that's it…You're still sad about Aka…I just hope he comes back as well. Where are you Aka?"
Then Hibiki's cell phone buzzed and she took it to see a message detailing a meeting of the Second Division. The girl did not take the message well and sighed.
"What is it? Don't tell me you set your alarm to PM instead of AM."
"No, it's not that…" Hibiki said.
"What would you need to do this late?"
Hibiki could only laugh nervously in response.
"I guess I can cover for your night-time trips during curfew hours…"
"Thanks…"
"Do me a favor in return…" Miku turned her computer around to show a video of night with a meteor shower. "Remember how we promised each other we'd go and watch the shooting stars one day? That's out of the question if you're swamped with reports."
"I'll take care of it! But now I really…" Hibiki prepared to change into her school uniform but struggled getting her shirt off.
"*Sigh* Come on…Raise your arms." Miku instructed as she helped her best friend.
"I'm just hopeless, right?"
"Hm?"
"If you don't put in effort, of course you crash and burn. I've got to pull myself together." Hibiki contemplated at her situation.
Miku gave another worried look at her best friend's statement.
At the base's meeting room, the steel doors opened to reveal Hibiki who entered with an apologetic look.
"Sorry, I'm late!" The cream haired girl said. "Excuse me for my tardiness." She apologized again while bowing.
"Now that we're all here, let's all be friends and talk." Ryoko said, brushing off the girl's tardiness.
Hibiki looked towards Tsubasa who drank from her cup, but Kanade and Eiji gave smiles to reassure the young girl.
Everyone turned to the screen when it change to show a map with several pink dots and a large yellow dot.
"Any opinions?" Genjuro asked the occupants.
"*Grunts* Lots of blips." Hibiki said in a professional tone.
Genjuro made a small laugh in response. "You got that right."
Tsubasa could only grunt in frustration at the lack of professionalism while Eiji made a sweat drop along with Kanade.
"These are all the locations where Noise outbreaks have occurred over the past month. How much do you know about the Noise, Hibiki?"
"Just what they tell us on TV or in school. They are emotionless, mechanical, and only go after humans. The people they attack turn into carbon dust. There is no pattern to the time and place of their appearances, and they attack indiscriminately. They are widely seen as a threat to mankind." Hibiki counted off what she learned.
"You did your homework." The commander commented.
"Yeah, literally! I'm writing a report on it!"
"You're right. Besides the Kaijin, the Noise were first recognized by the UN about 13 years ago, but they've been observed long before that. There are countless records dating back to the ancient times from all over the world."
"We suspect that many of the demons that appear in ancient legends and fables are in fact based on the Noise."
"In actuality, Noise outbreaks are very rare. The recent string of outbreaks is extraordinary, no matter how you look at it. This should prompt us to ask if there is some sort of sentient will behind it." Ryoko stated.
"Will? Is someone responsible for this?" Hibiki asked.
"Noise act no different from the Kaijin we fought. While they may appear randomly, they might actually be commanded by someone based on the pattern shown here." Tendou stated before pointing at the yellow dot. "And this is possibly their target."
Hibiki had no clue what the dot was about and decided to make some form of response. "And that yellow dot is…"
"Lydian Private Music Academy's high school. The center is right above us. We have reason to believe someone or something is targeting this area for what lies in Sacristy D: Durandal."
"Uh…What is Durandal?"
"It's an almost complete relic which we keep below us on a level call the Abyss. We've been researching it under the supervision of the Japanese government." Aoi explained as she brought up a screen to show the rusted Relic which was a sword with a broken point. "That's Durandal."
"Fragmented relics such as Tsubasa's Ame no Habakiri or the shards of Gungnir in your chest need to be amplified and materialized as Symphogear by the song of the bearer if their power is to be of any use. Our research indicates that undamaged relics, once activated, can maintain 100% of their power and that others can wield them too, not just the singer."
"That is the Sakurai Theory that I devised. But to activate a complete relic, you need a significant amount of Phonic gain. Eiji-chan himself serves as a good example since his OOO Driver and Core Medals are undamaged relics from a forgotten past." Ryoko stated with prideful smile as she gestured to Eiji who humbly scratched his head.
Hibiki attempted to process what she just heard only to fall short with a troubled look that meant she did not understand most of it.
"Two years have passed since then. Maybe now Tsubasa's voice will…" Genjuro thought out loud.
"But will the government permit us to activate it?" Aoi asked from her seat.
"There's a more basic problem. Under the peace treaty, the USA are demanding that we hand over the treasure that is Durandal. We can't even consider activating it even now. We must take utmost care simply handling it, or this may turn into a diplomatic affair." Sakuya responded as he mentioned the details about their situation with the US.
"The Americans have a hand in this as well?"
"According to reports from Security, there have been reports of tens of thousands of attempts to hack our systems over the last few months. Of course, we're not certain where these attacks are coming from, even with Tendou and other Riders catching some of the perpetrators we can't just accuse the Americans without solid evidence. However, we are investigating further. This is supposed to be our specialty, after all." Genjuro stated while Tsubasa crumpled her paper cup in anger. Kanade also looked frustrated considering the political situation with the Americans. Tendou also scoffed at the political limitations considering that the lives of people were at risk.
Ogawa approached the commander after checking the time on his phone. "Commander Kazanari."
"Oh, it's time already?" Genjuro asked which sounded more like an answer.
"Tonight we need to sort out the finer details of your album." Ogawa turned to Tsubasa.
"Oh crap! I nearly forgot about it!" Kanade exclaimed as she stood up.
"Ah?" Hibiki gave a clueless look at what Ogawa meant.
"To the public, I'm the singer Tsubasa Kazanari's manager." The man in the suit said as he put on a set of glasses and presented Hibiki with his business card.
"Ohhhhh! This the first time I've been given a business card!" Hibiki said with impressed excitement as she accepted the card. "I have to keep it. Thank you!"
"Here, take mines as well." Kanade provided her business card and Hibiki happily accepted it.
"You also work as Tsubasa's manager too, Kanade-san?"
"Yep! I help keep her schedule and stuff. Though Ogawa helps me out whenever I'm in a bind."
Then Tsubasa, Kanade, and Ogawa left the room to go to their place of work.
"So something is stirring up the Noise to attack us?" Hibiki asked while turning to current members.
The older members nodded in confirmation with her statement.
"I'd hate to think someone is sending them against us intentionally."
"Never fear. After all, this place is a stronghold of mankind, designed by the genius scientist Ryoko Sakurai, who you'd normally see on TV or in magazines. This whole structure mixes pagan and cutting-edge technology, so the enemy can't even get close." The brunette scientist boasted.
"That really does put me at ease." Hibiki said with another respectful bow to Ryoko.
As they walked and Tsubasa was deep in thought about what Eiji said about her treatment towards Kanade.
"Hey Tsubasa, are you listening?" Kanade asked the singer.
"Huh? Oh sorry, what was it you said?"
"We were talking about your next concert, we need you to rehearse before it comes. Then there's that English company deal."
"Didn't I say that I won't accept it? I am a blade, and my songs are merely weapons that aid me." Tsubasa
"Tch. Dumbass! Don't give that excuse!" shouted the Kanade as she slapped Tsubasa.
Tsubasa felt the sting of the hit and turned her head to see Kanade with an angry look. "Kanade? I-"
"You what? That belief of yours is no different from running away!" shouted the redhead with a stern look. "Did that day really plague you so much that you had forgotten what it was like to just enjoy the songs we sang together?"
"*Gasp* I…I didn't forget those days, but what happened to you was because of my weakness. I only wanted to become stronger!"
"By giving up your emotions? That is what I meant by running away, Tsubasa. I might have lost my powers but I didn't die that day. You shouldn't be so closed off Tsubasa, because if you continue acting like that, then you'll only fall deeper into despair. I was like that once after my family died because of the Noise, but I changed! Because everyone here became my new family!" Kanade stated. "Vice-Boss and even Eiji had their own share of losses! But it is because of those events that led them to continue protecting people! You're not alone Tsubasa, but you must remember that fighting the Noise is not just you! We made sacrifices to help those who can't protect themselves. I was no different when I used the Zesshou. But I guess that I was inconsiderate of your feelings Tsubasa. I'm sorry for that Tsubasa."
"Kanade…" Tsubasa looked down before closing her eyes in frustration. "I…I just couldn't bear to have someone else replace you."
"Who said anyone is replacing me?" Kanade asked with a blunt tone.
"Huh?"
"Sure I might not be at your side when you fight, but that doesn't mean I won't stop rooting for you. I'll always be your partner, Tsubasa, but you must accept help from others who are willing to provide it. Hibiki is my successor, so I expect you, Eiji, and Aka to guide her." Kanade approached the blue haired female and hugged her. "You were always such a crybaby and coward, but that's why I like you."
"Kanade… I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Tsubasa cried a bit finally breaking her shell for the first time. Deciding to stay quiet, Ogawa gave the space girls so they can make up.
"I'm glad that Eiji's words managed to reach her." He muttered.
"Okay, now let out all that pent up anger, Tsubasa. You are just as pissed off about the Americans as I am right?"
"Um…*Sniff* yeah, but I won't lose my cool over them."
"That-a-girl! But seriously, warn us next time when you give a little hazing for the newbies."
"Hazing? I wasn't actually thinking at the time Kanade, I just felt so frustrated that a girl like Tachibana would wield your Gungnir."
"Well of course she is like that, idiot! That girl is practically a greenhorn, but a good-hearted greenhorn who has potential."
"She does?"
"Of course she does! I can practically see it in her eyes! So just guide her in my stead, that's all I ask."
"All right, Kanade."
"*Ahem* Girls, can I remind you two that we still have a schedule to keep?" Ogawa stated professionally.
"Sorry about that Shinji. C'mon Tsubasa, you need to get some practicing in!" Kanade said as she grabbed her friend's hand and dragged her into a sprint.
Back in the meeting room, everyone present was drinking from some warm drinks that appear to be hot cocoa.
"Why do we…Why do we fight not only Noise, but each other as well? Why don't we stop waging wars?" Hibiki wondered out loud.
"Human are born with a sense of greed, Tachibana. But needlessly picking fights will only cause misfortune for everyone." Tendou stated. "But even in a world full of enemies there is still something worth protecting. People like us just have to make it so the world is still worth fighting for."
"You have a point Tendou-sempai, but we still have to deal with the American organizations after us. I checked with our contacts and they mention that there have been groups attempting to take whatever data or Relic we have." Eiji stated.
As the two talked, Ryoko leaned towards Hibiki with her mouth near the girl's ear. "I'm pretty sure Humanity is cursed." The scientist whispered before nipping Hibiki's ear.
Hibiki yelped in response and stood up away from the brunette. The yelp interrupted the conversation the two riders had.
"Virgins are all the same, huh." Ryoko smiled teasingly. "I hope Aka-chan pops your cherry before someone else does."
Hibiki looked confused while she blushed with a heavy red while the group chuckled. Then her expression changed to a realization. "That's right! How is Aka by the way?"
"His condition has majorly improved since the last few days, it won't be long until he wakes up." Sakuya stated as he brought up a real-time monitor on the male's condition.
"Thank goodness." Hibiki sighed in relief. "I'll visit him tomorrow when I get the chance."
"Hibiki, I think it's time for you to head back to your dorm. We can't get you in trouble for breaking curfew." Eiji suggested.
"Oh, okay. Can you bring me to the elevator? I think I might get lost if I go by myself."
"Sure, let's get going." The dark haired young man escorted the girl out of the room.
After the door closed behind the two, Genjuurou received a call.
"Hm?" The commander took out his phone and immediately recognized the name. "It's Asumu! Hello, this is Genjuurou…Yes…Really? I see…I'll come by later to check."
"Did something happen Commander?" Tendou asked.
"Akakishi is still unconscious, but his injuries appeared to be healing quite fast." The commander said with a smile.
Ryoko smiled happily at the news as well. "Of course he would recover faster than the average man! Those augments are my personal design!" She stated with pride and no one argued with her over that.
"With his recovery, we're one step closer to helping the Kamen Riders and Humanity." Tendou stated.
"But Vice Commander, we still have no users for the Relics in our possession." Aoi stated upon remembering a report she received from one of the still contacting Kamen Riders.
"Then hope the others can find anyone compatible." Tendou heard a buzz from his phone and recognized the number. "Hello? It's finished already? All right, I'll tell Tomari to transport it from your location."
"Was that the development team?" Aoi asked with her head turned to the vice commander.
"Yes, they are finished creating the Eleventh Relic. It will be delivered to us within a few days." Tendou reported.
"That is good news, Tendou! Now that brings our current number of Relics to twelve!" Genjuurou smiled with his arms crossed.
"I just hope this isn't a calm before the storm." Sakuya said jokingly.
"Don't jinx it." Aoi chastised as the man gave a mock smirk with his hands raised in no offense.
On the next day, Hibiki walked through the halls of the hospital to check on Akakishi, but she had to make sure Miku did not follow her.
"Can you go ahead, Miku? I just need to make a quick stop, don't worry it won't take long." Hibiki told Miku after she handed in her assignment.
"Oh, all right. Don't be late Hibiki." Miku said with a nod before leaving.
While walking, Hibiki thought about the changes on Akakishi starting from his scars to his aggressive hostility against Tsubasa. "Aka… What happened to you over these two years?"
At the door of his room, Hibiki hesitated before knocking on it with her fist.
"Aka? It's me Hibiki, I'm coming into the room."
The cream haired girl opened the door to see the redhead who was peacefully asleep. She noticed a pot and flowers with a get well card signed by Genjuurou and the other members of the Second Division.
"Even the Commander was worried." Hibiki noted as she brought up a chair and sat next to Akakishi. "Hey Aka, it's me Hibiki. It's been so long since we last saw each other. You know that the day we reunited was the day you disappeared? I was so glad to see you again, and I wanted to tell Miku what happened but I made a promise with Ryoko-san not to tell anyone. It must have been hard not being able to tell anyone you knew that you were still alive."
Hibiki gave a sad smile before remembering what she wanted to say.
"Oh, that's right! Miku and I had been accepted at Lydian Academy a year ago before you came back! I'm trying my best to get by, but I enjoyed singing the songs here! I think I should sing a bit, I mean, you never actually heard me sang anything besides the song of Gungnir. So I think the occasion calls for it."
(Insert OST-Shiritsu Rideian Ongaku Inkou Uta)
Breathing in, Hibiki began singing the song of the school's anthem. As she sang, a wind blew cool air which moved the curtains. The sun shined brightly as the song continued, with Hibiki holding Akakishi's right as she sang. Unnoticed by the girl, the circuits in his mechanical right arm glowed brighter and brighter in reaction to her song. Then Akakishi made a quiet grunt as his eyelids twitched, signaling the signs of waking up. As the song ended, Hibiki cried a bit before resting her head on the redhead's arm.
"Please…Wake up, Aka." Hibiki muttered.
"Hibiki…?" called out a voice. Hibiki quickly lifted her head to see Akakishi awake and slowly sitting up in the hospital bed.
"Aka!" Hibiki exclaimed before jumping forward to hug him.
"Whoa!" Akakishi felt the weight of the flying girl land into his chest as his back crashed into the mattress.
"Thank goodness…*Hic* You're awake… You're awake… I thought *hic* you wouldn't wake up." Hibiki tearfully hugged Akakishi as if he was about to disappear.
"…" Akakishi returned the hug while patting her head. "Sorry about that Hibiki, I made you more worried about me than you already had."
"It's fine…you're awake, that's all that matters." Hibiki muttered while still hugging the young man.
After calming down, Hibiki sat next to Akakishi for at least half an hour without speaking a word.
"Well… I'm messing up pretty badly in my classes." Hibiki said to break the mold.
"*Sigh* Of course, you are. You should really need to hit the books more instead of messing around!" Akakishi said with an unsurprised tone.
"Hey! I don't mess around!" Hibiki shouted indignantly.
"Then explain those times where Miku and I had to help with your homework back in middle school." Akakishi crossed his arms with a deadpan look.
"Hey, those were only a couple of times!" Hibiki said huffily.
After a few moments of silence, the two childhood friends snickered and laughed at the feeling of energy they had from their meaningless argument.
"Man, I nearly forgot how much we would argue like that!" Akakishi said with a smile to catch his breath.
"Yeah…" Hibiki said while wiping a tear. "But are you okay, Aka? You coughed up probably a gallon of blood back there."
"If I had coughed up a gallon, then I wouldn't be alive." Akakishi made a sweat drop at her statement. "But some blood loss won't kill this Rider anytime soon."
"But, are you really? You also took an attack from Tsubasa for me." Hibiki asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, Hibiki! A few more scars on me is just a part of being a Kamen Rider!" Akakishi assured with a smile.
"Scars?" Hibiki asked before noticing a couple of old scars on his left arm.
"Oh…Damn it, I didn't want to mention that." Akakishi looked at his left hand which was covered in burns. Then he gripped it to show he was not bothered. "It's nothing really, a few cuts like these aren't much. So I'll be back on my feet before you know it!"
"Aka… I want to know what happened to you over these two years. You never actually explained it to me what you were doing." Hibiki requested with a determined look.
Akakishi gave a thoughtful look before talking. "Hmm, you do have a good point… But you never actually asked me. *Chuckle*"
"Ehhh?! That's why you didn't explain what you did over these two years?!" Hibiki exclaimed, surprising the hospitalized redhead.
"Damn it, lower your voice Hibiki! This is still a hospital." Akakishi said as he gave a stern look at how she raised her voice.
"Oops, sorry about that. *Nervous Chuckle* I was just surprised your answer was just that." Hibiki scratched her head with a goofy aura.
"Of course that's my answer! I'm a fighter, not a mind reader. How am I supposed to know you wanted an explanation?"
"Sorry, I kind of thought you would understand…" Hibiki looked down from his lecture.
The redhead sighed before smiling with a soft look in his eyes. "Honestly, this is why you are half-baked. But fine, I do owe you an explanation after all this time." Akakishi rolled up his sleeve to show his mechanical arm. "You can already tell my right arm is no longer flesh and blood. Just about a majority of my body had to be augmented or replaced."
"When did this happen?" Hibiki asked worriedly as she looked at his arm closely before looking towards his face.
"Shortly after the Zwei Concert, I was rushed to an operation table to be patched up using machinery to save my life. The machinery did not stop at the augments, they also implanted the IXA R's core systems into my body." Akakishi placed his left hand over his chest.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean? I thought that your powers as a Kamen Rider came from that belt you would always wrap around your waist."
"You're somewhat right, Hibiki. But the belt is actually a key to accessing the core systems in my body. With it, I can become a Kamen Rider that has access to creating scores for both Kamen Riders and Symphogears. I could create scores without the belt, but the risks are too great if I did so. But I'm going off track here. After my surgery and modification, I met the Kamen Riders for the first time. I honestly didn't believe they were the urban legends due to their seemingly normal appearances."
"How did they prove it?"
"One of them smashed a solid metal table in half with a chop of his hand." Akakishi recounted with a thought of that vivid memory of a wild man swinging his arm down and snapping a table in two.
"EEEHHHH?! Why did he do that?" exclaimed Hibiki who widened her eyes at the ridiculous action.
"Apparently he was trying to kill a pesky fly that kept bothering him." Akakishi bluntly pointed out despite how unrealistic his story was. "But back to my story, they introduced themselves as the original fourteen Kamen Riders. Takeshi Hongo, the first Kamen Rider, Ichigo. Hayato Ichimonji, the second Kamen Rider, Nigo. Shiro Azanami, the third Kamen Rider, V3. Joji Yuki, the fourth Kamen Rider, Riderman. Keisuke Jin, the fifth Kamen Rider, X. The man who chopped the table, Daisuke Yamamoto, the sixth Kamen Rider, Amazon. Shigeru Jo, the seventh Kamen Rider, Stronger."
"Stronger? Why give himself a name like that?" Hibiki asked.
"Master Jo claims that he becomes stronger than the last battle he fought in. But let's get back on track. Hiroshi Tsukuba, the eighth Kamen Rider, Skyrider. Kazuya Oki, the ninth Kamen Rider, Super 1. Ryo Murasame, the tenth Kamen Rider, ZX. Kotaro Minami, the eleventh Kamen Rider, Black RX. Shin Kazamatsuri, the twelfth Kamen Rider, Shin. Masaru Aso, the thirteenth Kamen Rider, ZO. Finally, Kouji Segawa, the fourteenth Kamen Rider, J."
"Wow, that's a lot of people and they're the originals?" Hibiki asked while processing all the names she heard.
"Yep, they are the Showa Generation of Kamen Riders who fought to protect our world in the past."
"Showa? Wait, if the originals are known as Showa, what does that make you, Eiji-san, and Tendou-san?"
"We're known as the current generation, Heisei. Our generation currently has several members who have fought to protect this world, but their identities are a story for another time. After the introduction of the originals, I began rehabilitation for a couple of months while interacting with my sempais. During my time in the facility, I met Miss Sakurai who ran tests on my augmentations. Then I was given the Ixa R Driver and Reverse Knuckle in order to test their functions. Through trial and error, the belt was perfected and I could wield the power of a Kamen Rider. But I was still nowhere near becoming one."
"What do you mean by that, Aka?"
Akakishi looked at his right hand and moved his fingers into a grip. "According to Master Hongo at the time, I lacked what makes each Kamen Rider unique, a set of beliefs of which I wield my strength for. I wanted to understand what he meant so I requested tutelage under him. From that point, I learned and trained under eight Kamen Riders, from both Showa and Heisei, traveling around the world in order to learn what made them strong. During those two years, I learned the burden that each Kamen Rider had to go through."
"Burden?"
Akakishi closed his eyes and thought about what his teacher's words. "The burden of a protector. Hibiki, you might not think about it, but there is a possible time where you might be faced with unconditional loss. A possible time where you will see yourself fail at saving someone. When that happens, will you give up your will to fight?" Akakishi asked with a steady tone looking at the girl in front of him for an answer.
"I… I don't know, Aka…" Hibiki looked down for a moment with her hand over her chest.
"I see… Then don't think about it, Hibiki…" Akakishi placed his hand on her shoulder with a comforting smile. "When the time comes just remember why you fight. That's how I survived those two years, fighting with a promise to myself."
"What was that promise?"
"To go look for shooting stars with you and Miku, like we promised back then." Akakishi said as he looked towards the evening sky.
"The promise…" Hibiki said with a smile. "Hey Aka, how about we go now?"
"Hm? Why now?"
"Because I made plans with Miku that we go stargazing! First you sneak out of the hospital, then we can go look at the stars together!" Hibiki grabbed her bag and ran to the door.
"W-Wait a minute Hibiki! How am I supposed to sneak out, first of all?" Akakishi shouted at his childhood friend with a confused expression.
"I'm sure your masters must have taught you how to sneak out of hospital! Well then, I'll be waiting outside, Aka!" Hibiki quickly left the room with Akakishi dumbfounded at her decision.
"*Sigh* Honestly, you are reckless as ever." Akakishi got out of his bed and stood up to stretch. "But this makes a good chance to fulfill my promise to them."
"And where do you think you're going?" asked a male voice.
Akakishi turned around with a surprised look. "*Gasp* Asumu-sempai! Sorry but I need to…"
The doctor walked into the room with a serious face and stopped to look the redhead in the eye. "Fulfill your promise to you friends? As your doctor, I recommend that you get your rest, but as your sempai…" Asumu's expression softened and he smiled as he gave a bag to Akakishi. "Go and reunite with them. You deserve it after going through that hell." The doctor left the room to allow the redhead some privacy.
"Thank you, sempai!" Akakishi bowed before opening the bag that had a new set of his preferred outfit. Akakishi took off his hospital gown and dressed himself in the outfit. Then he reached into the bag to find the key to his motorcycle and the Ixa R Driver. "So she managed to fix it, I need to thank Miss Ryoko after this. Master Hongo, I won't fail at upholding my beliefs, no matter what." Akakishi walked out of the room toward the parking lot.
Waiting outside, Hibiki checked the time on her watch. Nearby, Miku and Hibiki's clique were passing by when they saw Hibiki.
"Is that Hibiki?" asked the blond haired girl.
The girl with pigtails squinted her eyes before widening them with a wide smile. "Yeah, it is her! Hey Hi-"
*VROOOMMMM*
As one of the girls was about to call out to Hibiki, a motorcycle rev interrupted her and out of the hospital parking lot was a motorcyclist on a black-silver and red trimmed motorcycle which looked closely similar to a Honda CB 1300 SF except with heavy customization on its frame. The driver's features were not discernable due to his helmet. Then he stopped his bike next to Hibiki.
"Did I keep you waiting?" asked the motorcyclist who had a male voice.
"Nope! Come on, let's get going!" Hibiki said as she put on a spare helmet she received from the rider. The rider drove away with the cream haired girl as his passenger.
"What the? Who was that?" The blond haired girl asked.
"I don't know, I never heard about Hibiki having a boyfriend." The tall girl with beige hair said with a shrug.
"Let's ask Miku in class tomorrow if she knows about it."
Back at base, Tsubasa was deep in thought on how she should apologize to Eiji until she noticed the man himself looking at what appeared to be one of his medals except it was broken in half.
"Ankh…Just wait, I'll bring you back one day. Ryoko-san said she might have an answer to fixing your medal."
"Hino?" Tsubasa asked as she approached him.
"Oh, Tsubasa! Is there something you want?"
Tsubasa had to think quickly in order to talk to him. "I'm fine, Hino. I just noticed you were staring at that broken Core Medal you always had on you. What is so important about it?"
"You might not believe me, but this is what remains of a lost friend of mines." Eiji said as he looked at the medal. "He was technically one of the monsters I had to fight as OOO before I met you all. At first we didn't trust each other, and used each other for our own means. But as time passed…we became friends or at least the closest thing to being friends. He always looked after me because there is no one else who can become OOO. And I helped him because he is my friend…and brother. At the final battle he sacrificed himself to help me save the world. Even in his final moments, he still watched out for me. From that day, I swore to continue helping people and find a way to bring him back."
"Does fixing that medal mean your friend will return?"
"I'm not sure, but I have faith that it will bring him back. But I won't let my goal stray me from my wish to continue helping people."
"Because that is your duty?" asked Tsubasa with with a questioning look.
"No, because that is what I want to do." Eiji said with a simple smile.
Realizing how much she misjudged of the veteran Kamen Rider, Tsubasa gave a regretful look. "…I'm sorry."
"Hm? Sorry? For what?" asked Eiji as he turned his gaze to the blue haired female.
"For being such an inconsiderate person who would do nothing except cause trouble for you all."
"You weren't troubling anyone, Tsubasa." Eiji waved off.
"But how I acted a few days ago doesn't change the fact I could have destroyed what hope we have left in helping humanity!"
"You're right, but you should learn from that mistake rather than wallow in it. People can change Tsubasa, but we need to accept our regrets and learn from them so we don't repeat them again. I too have my regrets, but I learned from them and strove on."
"How…How can you be so strong?" Tsubasa asked with a pleading look.
"To tell you the truth Tsubasa, I'm not. I just don't let my regrets hold me down. Rather, I will strive through the battles to help as many people as I can. Because that is the only desire and resolution that I have."
"The resolution of a protector… To think all this time, I was trying to be a peerless blade when my own steel was blunted by my lack of emotions. After talking to Kanade, I realized how much of a mistake I made walking down that path." Tsubasa looked to Eiji with a sad and remorseful look. "Please, Hino…" She bowed before saying her words. "I just want to say that I'm sorry for my behavior over these two years. You stood by my side despite the treatment I gave you. I… I know my actions a few days ago were unacceptable and unforgiveable, but I only wish that you accept my apology."
Eiji nodded in respect to the idol's willing apology. "While you crossed the line for attacking Akakishi and Hibiki, I forgive you, Tsubasa-san. If I had been here earlier before the two of you fought then I could have prevented his injuries. I have regrets of not helping some people Tsubasa, but even so… I still continue to reach out to people like you. Because deep inside you, there is some form of good that fights out of the protection of others." Eiji smiled brightly to assure the blue haired female. "I'm just glad we can talk properly for the first time after these two years."
Tsubasa made a peaceful smile at his acceptance with a tinge of red on her cheeks. "Hearing that from you lifted some weight off my shoulders." Tsubasa then moped after realizing there were still two more she still needed to apologize. "I just hope those two can forgive me for what happened."
"I'm sure they wouldn't hold it against you if you talked to them." Eiji reassured the blue haired girl. "As long as you have your tomorrow underwear, then you can always look forward to tomorrow."
"I don't understand how underwear is related to my plight." Tsubasa stated with a sweat drop.
"Hey! Eiji! Tsubasa!" Kanade approached them. "What's going on?"
"I'm just apologizing to Hino, that's all Kanade." Tsubasa said though she had a frown.
"That's good! Hey, what's with that look? C'mon! Turn that frown, upside down!" Kanade pinched Tsubasa's cheeks and moved them up to make a weird smile.
"H-Hey! Kanade! That hurts!" Tsubasa took the redhead's fingers off her face before rubbing away the soreness.
"Now that's the crybaby I know! You always made an embarrassed face whenever I did that!" laughed Kanade. Then Eiji joined in the laughter even though he received a glare from the blue haired female, but she also laughed, changing the heavy atmosphere into a lighter one.
Then the alarm sounded gaining the attention of the three.
"The emergency alarm?!" Eiji exclaimed.
"Just when we resolved this, those damn Noise just had to ruin it! Come on, the boss is waiting!" Kanade shouted and the other two nodded nodded before they ran off.
On the road, Akakishi and Hibiki were heading to the location where Miku was waiting for Hibiki to show up. Suddenly, Hibiki's phone rang and she took it out to check who was calling her. She made a nervous look upon realizing who was calling her.
"Who's calling?" shouted Akakishi over the motor.
"It's commander!" Hibiki replied before she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Hibiki! There is a Noise appearance near your location! I need you to stop them from causing further damage!"
"What?! But…"
Upon hearing her hesitation, Akakishi slowed his motorcycle to a stop near a sidewalk with the visor of his helmet tinted from the light.
"Aka what's wrong?" Hibiki asked before getting off to check on the young man.
"Nothing, Hibiki…But let me handle this." He told his friend.
"Huh? Why?" asked Hibiki with surprise.
"A promise between friends should be kept, remember? I may not be able to see the stars with you two today. But that does not mean I won't see them with you girls tomorrow." Akakishi said as he revved his motorcycle.
"But commander's-"
"Just tell him that you won't make it because of a promise to a friend." Akakishi revved the motor of his motorcycle before burning rubber to change his direction. "Instead, I'll be fighting there in your place!"
"Wait, Aka!" shouted Hibiki as she watched the rider drive off at an incredible speed.
"Hibiki! What's going on?" shouted Genjuurou over the phone.
"Aka's going there instead of me!" Hibiki answered into her phone with a panicked tone.
"What?! He's awake?! But why is he outside of the hospital?"
"I…I'm sorry commander. I asked Aka to sneak out of the hospital so we could fulfill a promise with Miku! What should I do?" Hibiki urgently asked the man for an answer.
At the base Genjuurou and the other members were troubled at how to break the news on choosing what the girl should do.
"The best way would be to have her support him, but…" Sakuya said.
"She might not be willing to do so considering she has plans to go stargazing with her friend." Aoi finished his thought.
"Let me talk to her, Commander." Tendou requested as he gestured to be given a means of speaking to the girl.
Genjuurou turned to the vice commander and nodded in confirmation. "I'll leave it up to you Tendou, here." The commander provided the headset to the veteran Kamen Rider.
"Tachibana, are you still there?" Tendou asked over the headset.
"Vice-commander? Yes, I'm here. Do you know what I should do?" asked Hibiki worriedly.
"At this point, you're going to have to make a choice. You can follow Akakishi into the fight and help him. Or you can leave the Noise to him and watch the stars with your friend. Time is precious so make your choice quickly."
"I…" Hibiki muttered
"Remember this Tachibana: If you receive a little kindness, give them a large serving. You must decide on your path on this crossroad: to fulfill your promise to your friend or to protect the friend who is protecting you despite his state." Tendou stated.
"Give back more than the kindness I was given…" muttered Hibiki as she pondered over her choices.
A hand grabbed Tendou's headset and pulled it off his ears. Kanade took the mic and shouted into it. "Basically go out there and help his ass, Hibiki!"
"K-Kanade-san?!" Hibiki questioned in confusion.
"He's already done enough protecting you, so go and give back the favor two-fold!" Kanade ordered. "You can go stargazing with your friend at any time! But you can't do it together with her if Aka is dead, right?"
"Kanade-san…I know what I have to do!" Hibiki nodded.
"Good…Here vice boss." Kanade handed back the headset to Tendou who had a stern look at her sudden action.
"Then I wish you luck…Hibiki Tachibana." Tendou said as he ended the call.
Hibiki took her phone away from her ear and dialed Miku's number. She placed the phone near her ear and waited for a response.
"Hello, what's the matter, Hibiki?"
"Miku, I'm sorry but I suddenly got something tonight… I'm sorry, but I can't make it." Hibiki replied with a regretful tone.
At the base everyone was waiting on both Akakishi and Hibiki engaging the recently appeared Noise.
"So do you think she will help?" Genjuro asked with a concerned tone.
"We have no choice but to put our faith in her, Genjuro." Tendou replied with an even tone.
"Sirs! Ixa R has now entered battle!" announced the female operator as she located the signal of the activated Ixa R.
"I just hope she can make it in time." Genjuro said.
"She will, if she's my successor, then she will make it." Kanade smiled confidently.
At Akakishi's side, he drove near a subway station to see clumps of ash before coming across a large number of Noise in a park. He stopped his bike before getting off and taking off his helmet. Then the redhead wrapped the IXA R Driver around his waist before putting on the Reverse Knuckle onto his left hand.
"You Noise sure enjoy appearing at the worst times. Preventing me from reuniting with my friends…so it's preventing me from fulfilling my promise to them. Master Tendou tells me to keep my head cool in times like these. BUT SCREW THAT, I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASSES!" shouted Akakishi as he charged in with his knuckle raised as he punched a Noise into a group, causing the Noise to fly everywhere from the collision. From the impact of the hit, the siren of the knuckle sounded to signal its activation.
=READY!=
"HEN…SHIN!" Akakishi announced as he slotted the Knuckle into the buckle to summon the onyx crest. Then the silhouette of Ixa R formed and slammed into him to construct his armor.
=HENSHIN!=
"Noise…" Ixa R snapped the fingers on his right hand before pointing at his enemy. "Prepare to be silenced!" At the moment the young Kamen Rider was about to charge into battle, he stumbled a bit. "Ugh, I'm going to have to make this a quick fight…"
Retaking his sprint once more, Ixa R brought his fists at the ready and made a right hook into the face of a Noise, turning it into ash upon collision. Then he swung a left straight into another Noise with sickle hands and sent it bowling into a row of Noises that turned to ash upon impact. He dodged several Noise that turned themselves in projectiles by leaping to the side. Upon landing, Ixa R winced in pain and held his shoulder. The Noise took advantage of his pause in action and leapt forward to kill him. Luckily, the knuckle Kamen Rider noticed and rolled out of the way of his attackers. He looked up to see a massive Noise and more waves approaching. Knowing the situation wasn't in his odds, Ixa R took out a silver and red trimmed Score Plate with a symbol of a Phi and a red metal Score Plate with the symbol of a beetle with the letters ZECT engraved on it.
"I guess there's no other choice but to gamble…Sorry Hibiki, I think I'll be in the hospital for a few more weeks." He was about to insert the scores into the buckle, but stopped when a hymn could be heard.
Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron
The rider turned to the hymn's singer and witnessed a burst of light before Hibiki went through it in her armored form.
"Hibiki?!"
"HAAA!" The cream haired girl landed and clumsily punched a nearby Noise into ash. Then she jumped to Ixa R's side while catching her breath.
"Hibiki, what are you doing here?! You should be with Miku." Ixa R said before he sent a Noise flying with a roundhouse kick. He stood behind her back-to-back.
"I know, but I can watch the stars with her anytime. I'm here not because I want to burden you, Aka. I want to help!" Hibiki jumped forward and punched another Noise with incredible strength. "I'm here because you are still hurt because of me! So I will repay your kindness two-fold!"
"Hibiki…" Ixa R dodged a slash from a sickle-armed Noise before giving it an uppercut. Then he swung his body in a full revolution to lift his right leg to smash apart three Noise apart with an ax kick. "You sound like you don't have faith in me."
Jumping back from a Noise slashing with its blade arms and clumsily landing. "That's not it! I just don't want to lose you again!" Hibiki charged forward and clumsily punched another Noise to ash. "If I truly lost you, then I can't face Miku or anyone in the Second Division ever again!" Then she swung her fist again at another Noise.
"…" The Kamen Rider grabbed a Noise and threw it into a group with incredible strength. He stood straight and look at the girl who landed near him. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Hibiki. I just wanted you to not be burdened by these things."
"Well I'm involved, so you better get used to it!" Hibiki said as she and Ixa R stood back-to-back once more.
"I won't complain, but these Noise aren't going to make it easy for us." The Kamen Rider stated as he prepared to fight. "Hibiki, I just want to let you know that I didn't want you or Miku involved, because I didn't want you two to get hurt."
(Insert OST- Gekisou Gungnir)
The cream haired girl turned her head to look at the Kamen Rider. "I understand, but let me help you! With my own song!" Hibiki smiled a bit as she glowed with power.
Noticing something glowing in one of his containers, Ixa R took out the Gungnir Score which glowed with a similar light.
"Hibiki…" Ixa R looked at the determination that Hibiki showed so he nodded in respect. "Thank you. Let's fight, together!" He slotted the plate into his buckle causing a reaction that made the armor glow orange as an announcement was made.
=CHAINED BURST: GUNGNIR=
The armor pulled itself apart to reveal an orange glowing frame underneath. The armored legs opened to show the glowing frame and caused the user to stand taller. The pack pulled apart to show a similar pack and a silver rod on the left side. The chest plate split itself open to show the orange frame and the arms followed. The helmet visor crest reassembled itself into a horn sprouting from around the forehead, but this time an energy blade sprouted on the edge of it. The different colored eyes flashed with their respective colors of blue and green.
"Hibiki, I need to borrow one of your gauntlets." Ixa R said as he inserted the weapon Fuestle into the buckle.
=GUNGNIR: ARM UP!=
"Whoa!" Hibiki watched as her left gauntlet opened to reveal a lance staff constructing from the opening. "Here Aka!" Hibiki swung her left arm to dislodge the constructing lance toward Ixa R.
The young rider caught the weapon and spun it a few times before slamming it into the ground with a heavy strike. "This is the second time I wielded this lance, but I think there is a difference." Ixa R muttered noticing that Hibiki's gauntlet was still intact despite its transformation from the last time he used the Arm up fuestle.
"What was that Aka?" asked Hibiki as she ducked under an attack before retaliating with a fist strike.
"Nothing, Hibiki. I'm just in the mood for a rampage…These Noise made me late. AND THAT IS UNFORGIVEABLE!" Ixa R shouted out with a bit of malice.
"…! Yeah, they made me…BREAK OUR PROMISE!" Hibiki replied before charging forward alongside her friend. "I just wanted to see the stars with Aka and Miku!"
Ixa R smashed several Noise into the ground with his lance, creating a crater. "YEAH! NOISE, YOU ARE AN UNFORGIVEABLE EXISTENCE AND WE WILL ERASE YOU!" He pivoted his foot before elbowing a Noise close by into a cloud of ash. The impact of the elbow caused a shockwave that turned several Noise caught in it into ash as well as made a crater into a nearby building.
Back at base, the signals from both Ixa R and Gungnir was rising in according to a bar that measured their symphonic gain.
"What incredible symphonic gain! Is this due to the Ixa R system?" Aoi asked.
"No, this is due to the emotional state those two share, and it's amplifying the powers of Gungnir." Ryoko reported as she made several analyzations on the phenomenon. "Let me bring up their situation through his artificial eye and ear."
"Wait, did you have that built in without Akakishi knowing?" Sakuya asked.
"Of course! Every mother worries about her child's safety~!" Ryoko responded.
"That's not something a normal mother would do!" Everyone present thought. Though Genjuro and Tendou did not seem bothered by her statement.
"And there!" Ryoko said as she finally pressed a button that allowed a live feed of the current situation.
"I'M GOING TO SMASH AND CRUSH UNTIL YOU ARE WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH! THEN I WILL TEAR YOU LIMB…FROM…LIMB!" shouted out Ixa R as he annihilated another group of Noise while decimating a tree line by creating a shockwave through smashing his spear into the ground.
"…What?" Kanade asked with a surprised look. Then Hibiki came into view and she clumsily punched several Noise to ash. Then she dodged some projectile Noise that tried to hit her.
"Aka! There are Noise going into that subway!" Hibiki pointed at the subway entrance which was covered in Noise.
"LET'S SLAUGHTER THEM!" shouted the young Kamen Rider while he raised his lance with vigor before charging in and kicking down a Noise that got in the way. Hibiki followed his charge and jumped forward into the subway entrance.
"Those two seem to be into it." Ryoko commented with an amused smile.
"Almost too into it." Kanade said with a sweat drop as she saw Ixa R used his lance to bludgeon a Noise with the parts of the stairway, while Hibiki punched one Noise after another. She even tore a Noise in half with her bare hands. "Wait…is that Gungnir's armed gear? I thought Hibiki couldn't use it."
"She can't seemingly, but Aka-chan can. I made a special device based on the IXA system that allows him to wield a copied version of a Symphogear's armed gear." Ryoko said with a smile while the carnage between the two fighters was going on. "This reminds me of how you used to fight, Kanade-chan."
Watching Ixa R smash through another group of Noise before making way for Hibiki to wildly punch and get her gauntlet stuck in the wall, Kanade turned to scientist with a clueless look. "Was I really that reckless?" Kanade asked with a confused tone.
Everyone gave deadpan looks while answering her question. "Yes, you were."
"You two, calm down!" Tendou ordered with his arms crossed.
"Master?" responded Ixa R before he ducked and smashed the spear into a Noise before spinning it and slicing through another group.
"We detected something big in there, Tsubasa and Eiji will get there soon. Just hold on until then." Genjuro briefed. "Don't be reckless."
On cue, Hibiki tore her arm out of the wall and went back on her assault with the young Kamen Rider.
"Understood, commander!" replied Ixa R as he kicked and cut down Noise with his spear.
"Got it!" Hibiki shouted at they landed in front of the subway turntables. "We'll do what we can!" She jumped over the turntables and tackled a Noise through an advertisement stall. Then a purple Noise with grape-like parts on its body launched some of its balls at the two.
"Watch out!" Ixa R shouted. Then the balls suddenly exploded and caused debris to fall on them.
When the dust cleared, Ixa R and Hibiki were buried under the rubble. Noise slowly approached the pile until their voices were heard.
"Did you think…?" Ixa R and Hibiki broke out of it and charged forward. "THIS WILL STOP US?!" Hibiki punched through one Noise and Ixa R kicked through another. The remaining Noises decided to fuse in order to fight against their opponents. The Noise fusion form was a bear-like Kaijin with stained glass coloring all over its body. It prepared to attack only to be met with two punches that sent it flying in a wall. The Noise Kaijin slowly got up from the impact of their attacks and saw the point of Gungnir's armed gear pointing at its chest.
"This will be quick." Ixa R said as he shifted the Reverse Knuckle to activate its finisher.
=GUNGNIR: SYNC BEAT STRIKE!=
"Disappear…" Ixa R shoved the spear into the Kaijin's chest to immobilize it. Then Hibiki punched the end of spear that shot a beam of light that pierced through the monster and created a crater behind it.
LUX NAIL
The Kaijin struggled for a few moments before going limp and turning into stained glass. Ixa R tore the spear out of its chest and it shattered into pieces of stained glass.
Near the rails, the purple Noise ran to a location far from the two, but Ixa R and Hibiki managed to catch up.
"Last one." Ixa R said with a malicious tone as his eyes appeared to be glowing red.
"Yeah." Hibiki's face was shadowed and a sadistic smile with a pair of red glowing eyes.
The two charged forward as the balls of the purple Noise transformed into more Noise that attempted to delay them.
"Get out of the way!" Ixa R shouted as he bludgeoned his way through the Noise.
Hibiki tore apart a couple of Noise before she crushed one under her heel and smashed her fist through another. She looked up to see the ball bounce toward her and the young Kamen Rider before exploding. When the smoke cleared, Ixa R blocked some of the blasts for Hibiki, but the two escaped the attack unharmed. Noticeably, they returned back to their normal selves with no dark looks.
The purple Noise continued to run from the two by jumping onto the rails and Hibiki gave chase. "Wait!" She shouted as she also jumped onto the rails followed by Ixa R.
"You're going down!" shouted Ixa R as he threw the Armed Gear at the Noise, but it fired its balls earlier into the ceiling above, causing it to collapse. The falling debris interfered with the thrown spear's trajectory and it missed the Noise.
Hibiki and Ixa R braced for impact from the dust cloud that formed from the falling debris. When it cleared, they noticed the Noise was no longer on the rails. Ixa R looked left and right while Hibiki looked up, and she saw the purple leaping through the opening it made in the subway.
"Aka!" Hibiki shouted for the Kamen Rider's attention.
"Tsk, this thing's overstayed its welcome!" Ixa R said as he looked for the Gungnir Armed Gear. "Now where did it land?"
Hibiki continued looking staring up until she noticed a shooting star-like projectile fly through the starry sky. "Huh? A…shooting star?"
"Wait, what?" Ixa R stood next to his friend after finding the spear and looking up. "Whoa…Come on! We can get some more after getting that Noise!"
(Insert OST- Ame no Habakiri)
Soaring through the sky, the projectile turned out to be Tsubasa who flew through the sky with the boost of her heel blades. Then she shot an azure wave that successfully cut down the escaping Noise. Hibiki and Ixa R witnessed the action of the armored idol as she floated down from her flight with her blade still in cleaver form. Hibiki approached the blue haired female while Ixa R turned to see Kamen Rider OOO arrive on his Ridevendor.
"Sorry we're late, you two!" OOO apologized.
Turning to the older Kamen Rider, Ixa R shook his head before assuring him. "It's fine, sempai. We took care of the Noise that appeared near here. Actually, she took care of the last one."
"I have things that I want to protect, too!" Hibiki shouted to Tsubasa as her armor gave off exhaust heat from the flight. "So…"
Still silent, Tsubasa lifted her sword. In response, Ixa R walked forward to protect Hibiki, but OOO grabbed his shoulder.
"It'll be fine, Akakishi. She needs this." The older rider said.
"Fine." The younger rider relented with a nod.
"So? So what?" said a voice. Everyone took notice and looked in the direction of the voice. Out from the darkness with the moonlight shining upon her, an unknown female with silver hair in white armor with a set of chains hanging from her shoulders approached the group.
"The Nehustan armor?!" OOO exclaimed.
"Ne-what armor?" Hibiki asked as she turned to Ixa R who shrugged in similar cluelessness.
Back at 2nd Division Headquarters, everyone was also surprised by what appeared on the screen.
NEHUSHTAN
Genjuurou was surprised that the armor reappeared after its disappearance during the Zwei concert. "The Nehushtan armor?!"
"The relic lost during the Zwei concert, and it's in the hands of a third party." Tendou stated with a serious expression.
Back in the park, the group was tense with the sudden appearance of the mysterious female with the missing armor.
"Who are you?" Tsubasa asked with a cautious tone.
"No one in particular, just know that I'm here to fight!" shouted the female as she swung one of the chain whips on her armor towards them. The scene froze with the group engaging the girl who suddenly attacked.
(God Eater Ost: God and Man)
Instrumental
Akakishi was seen laying on a tree in a ruined field covered in flames as his eyes reflected the night sky. He held his Reverse Knuckle but he appeared to be on his last legs since the light in his left eye was dimming.
Memories keep flooding in showing the paths I should've taken, but
now that time has run away from me I cannot change a thing.
The scene shifts to Eiji who lied on the ground of a hill staring at the same starry sky while gripping two halves of a Red Medal.
I remember how you'd counsel me with wisdom of the ages true:
"Live your best life" you told me and "You walk the earth but once"
Tsubasa sat on her motorcycle and looked up to the night sky while holding her relic necklace.
and now you've come, to see me once again,
I feel safe at last; Although I feel the end is coming closer unto me.
Tendou was seen looking at the sky on a cliff while the Kabuto Zecter sat on his shoulder.
If I could only travel back in time, to peaceful days gone by.
A female with silver hair gazed at the sky from a mansion window with a look of melancholy.
But this is my price to pay: to not survive beyond this very day.
The camera views a male with a pompadour who was looking the starry sky with a smile.
Oh, the pain is lessened when you're near, there is no fear.
I'm whole again as in days gone by, if only for a while.
Kanade was seen standing on top of a roof while looking at the sky with longing eyes
But it hurts to have to leave you so, I don't want to go.
A blue haired girl was seen sitting on a bench stargazing with a man in a detective suit with smiles on their faces.
Could this sacrifice cost me my life?
A man in a trench coat stood in an open field to watch the stars as he held a white memory stick with an E.
Oh, just to live my life again, to treasure every little moment then,
satisfied, I'd leave you all behind, accepting of my fate.
Akakishi smiled a bit before slowly closing his eyes in peace as the light of his cybernetics slowly dim to black.
But I am full of grief, to leave this life so incomplete.
My dream is coming to the end.
Then a hand held his hand and he opened his eyes while feeling the energy it granted. He looked to see Hibiki with a relieved look before pulling him to his feet. Akakishi was taken by surprise but stood up with a smile. They turn to see their friends and allies approach with smiles on their faces as the dawn of morning came. The scene fades to a white.
One verse ends and the Chained Symphony sings to the next:
A new enemy appears.
"Let's see if you can live up to being a protector."
Followed by a hopeless battle against this seemingly unstoppable opponent.
"Tsubasa, watch out!" OOO shoved Tsubasa out of the way of an energy ball before being hit by it.
"Sempai!" shouted Ixa R.
But a new power shall be born from this.
"Tsubasa…I can hear your song…" Ixa R said as he slowly got up from an attack.
Next Time on Kamen Rider IXA R: A New Enemy and a New Power!
"I won't allow you to hurt them!" OOO shouted as he scanned his medals except the colored rings on his buckle have blue outer rings.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, I needed some time to think how to pursue the story with who to add into the fight. Yes, I decided to add Kamen Rider Drive into the fight, but my story takes place after his story with the secondary Riders making an appearance. Thank you BlazingEdge for providing me with an OC to become Drive's partner. I will still accept OC submissions, but remember that the Kamen Rider partners have to be any canon Heisei Rider that appeared, primary or secondary! The main restriction is that the Kamen rider Gaim, Wizard, and Ghost characters cannot partnered, I already have plans for them in the Second Season. PM me for any OC you have in mind.