Chapter 4: A New Enemy and A New Power

Disclaimer: I do not own Symphogear or any appearing Kamen Rider, but OCs belong to their respective creators.

(Insert OST- Ame no Habakiri)

"Watch out!" shouted OOO as everyone jumped out of the way of the sudden attack.

Landing at a farther distance alongside the medal Rider, Ixa R lifted the Armed Gear of Gungnir to guard against more attacks. "Sempai, what is that armor she is wearing?" asked Ixa R as he never took his eyes off the unknown opponent.

"That armor is known as the Nehushtan Armor, the second complete relic that was under the 2nd Division's custody before the Zwei Wing incident!" answered OOO as he also prepared to defend against any attacks.

"Wait, was…? Are you saying that what happened that day is related to that armor?!" shouted Ixa R before he dodged a whip attack from the mysterious girl.

"Eh? Do you idiots really think you have time to talk?" spoke the girl with an arrogant tone. Then she swung the thorn chain on her armor like a whip to hit the two Kamen Riders. Ixa R brought up the spear to block while OOO used a double-arm block to shield himself from the attack. The impact of the attack sent the two Kamen Riders off their feet before they regained their balance by landing at a distance.

"Whoa, I actually felt that." Ixa R looked at his right hand which shook a bit from the hit.

"Why? Why are you wearing the Nehushtan Armor?" demanded Tsubasa.

"Oh? So you know where this armor came from?" The girl spoke with a condescending manner.

"I would never forget what was taken from me when I let my guard down two years ago! Do you think I could ever forget the lives lost because of my, no, our failure?!" shouted Tsubasa with an angered look.

"Our?" noticed Ixa R as he turned his sight to Tusbasa before returning to the mysterious female.

Tsubasa prepared her massive sword while the Nehustan girl did the same and prepared to fight with an oddly shaped scepter with a silver frame and a purple grip.

"What a twist of fate that the reason Kanade nearly lost her life and the shards of her Gungnir would both come back to me, two years later." Tsubasa thought at her situation. "It may cruel, but I can't imagine a better time."

"Stop Tsubasa!" Hibiki shouted as she tackled the armored singer in a mock grapple hold.

Ixa R stumbled a bit at his childhood friend's action. "Hibiki?! What in the burning heavens are you doing?!" shouted the younger Kamen Rider who made sweatdrop along with OOO who also did not expect someone to interrupt the fight between Tsubasa and the Nehushtan girl.

"Stopping her! She's human! Human like us!" responded Hibiki.

"This is a battlefield! What's wrong with you?!" shouted both Tsubasa and the Nehushtan girl. Then the two noticed their similar statement before looking at each other.

"I think we're going to get along quite well." Tsubasa smiled with a hint of respect.

"Let's have some fun!" replied the mysterious girl then she swung her fluorescent pink chain at Tsubasa. The armored singer responded quickly and shoved Hibiki off her before jumping out of the attack trajectory.

"Hibiki!" Ixa R ran to Hibiki's side after her rough shove from Tsubasa. "Are you all right?"

"Y-Yeah. But-" Hibiki turned to see Tsubasa who flipped in the air before preparing to attack. Lightning formed from the blade before the blue haired singer swung it to form a blue slash wave.

AZURE FLASH

The attack flew at the girl who responded with a swing of her chain vine which sent the attack into another direction.

"She deflected it?!" shouted OOO as he and the other members watched Tsubasa's attack got deflected so easily. Tsubasa appeared to also be surprised before the scene froze to Tsubasa preparing to swing her massive sword at the girl equipped the Nehushtan Armor.

(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 a white lens with a feminine figure behind him wielding at what appears 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.

Tsubasa swung her blade down to hit the girl, but the mysterious attacker dodged her swing with ease. The she swung the massive sword horizontally, but each swing failed to make contact until the mysterious girl blocked the attacks with the chain whip of the armor. The girl smiled as she caught another attack before lifting Tsubasa's weapon up allowing with the singer's arms to reveal an opening for her chain whips. With a quick reflex, Tsubasa ducked under the attack, but failed to dodge the kick sent into her abdomen.

Sent into the air, Tsubasa thought how more powerful the Nehushtan Armor was compared to her own Relic. "Is this the potential of an unbroken relic?!"

"Don't underestimate the power of Nehushtan, okay? This is far from my best game!" announced the girl with her still arrogant tone. She sent her chain whip in the singer's direction to hit her, but Tsubasa managed to dodge the attack. Forced to stay on the defensive, Tsubasa dodged the several chain whip attacks that could prove to be her downfall if hit once.

"Tsubasa!" Kamen Rider OOO shouted in worry for his friend.

Taking notice of the three other fighters present, the mysterious girl smiled and took out her scepter. "Don't worry. I'll keep you entertained." She fired several beams that hit near the three. Then from the ground of where the beams landed, new Noise began to form which looked like microphones with beaks.

"Those are Noise!" Hibiki gasped in shock at the second ability of the girl.

"She can summon them?" asked Ixa R out loud. Then he prepared to attack the Noise that were summoned along with OOO until he noticed they were about to fire from their beaks or nozzles. Reacting quickly, the Kamen Riders jumped out of the trajectory of the substance fired, but Hibiki got caught in it. The substance caught her in a glue-like bind, preventing her from running.

"Agh! Damn it!" Hibiki shouted while she could not free her arms and legs.

"Hibiki!" shouted Ixa R before he turned his head towards the girl in the Nehustan. "How dare you-!"

"Wait Akakishi!" OOO said to prevent the younger Rider from acting recklessly.

"But Hibiki's-"

"I know. Stay here and get Hibiki free." OOO said as he brandished his Medajabilur. "I'm going to support Tsubasa, but we need you two in case something goes south." In the background, Tsubasa was trying her best to fight the mysterious girl.

"…Understood, sempai." Ixa R stated with a nod. "Be careful, that girl must have a couple more things up her sleeve!" The younger Kamen Rider charged forward to cut down the microphone shaped Noise.

"I will, Akakishi." OOO replied before turning around and charging in to help the blue-haired singer.

"Forget about me when you were busy?" Tsubasa swung down her massive blade which once more was blocked by the mysterious girl's chain. With quick thinking, Tsubasa slid her right foot right next to the girl's left foot to trip her off balance. Then she made two successive roundhouse kicks using her heel blades. The first kick missed, and the second one was blocked by the girl.

"Don't get on your high horse!" shouted the mysterious girl. Then she grabbed Tsubasa's leg and swung the singer into the ground before stomping on her head at a short distance.

"Don't get your hopes up, you beast! Nobody will miss you!" stated the girl. "You seem to think you're the main character here. You're wrong. My goal was to abduct them from the beginning." The girl pointed to her thumb to Hibiki and Ixa R. In the background, Ixa R smashed two Noise but was forced to dodge some of the gluey substance from the others. Then he threw the lance into a microphone Noise and managed to destroy it. Drawing the photon blade from his back unit, the black armored Kamen Rider charged back into the fight. "Is this all you can do to protect your comrades and armor?"

"Do you think I will just watch? I swore I wouldn't!" Tsubasa proclaimed.

"And you won't, Tsubasa!" shouted OOO as he jumped forward and sidekicked the Nehustan girl with incredible impact that sent her flying. "Because you are not alone."

(End Insert OST)

Regaining her ground easily, the girl smiled impressed at the attack made by OOO. "Wow, I actually felt that. But don't get cocky as well, Kamen Rider. You're not what I am looking for."

"I don't care, I already had enough of arriving late to protect others. I, no, we won't make the same mistake again." OOO said with a nod to Tsubasa. "Ikusei, Tsubasa!" OOO shouted as he charged in to fight.

"Hai!" shouted Tsubasa as she followed suit.

The two charged in to fight the girl causing several explosions and destruction throughout the park. During their struggle, Ixa R managed to destroy the Noise that kept Hibiki in place, but the glue substance remained. He prepared to cut the glue by swinging his photon blade into it, but failed to cut it as the weapon simply bounced off the hardened substance.

"Damn it! I need something sharper!" Ixa R looked around and saw the lance he threw. He grabbed the weapon and lifted it to prepare cutting. "Don't worry, Hibiki. I'll get you out of this!"

"Hurry! We need to help them!" Hibiki shouted as another explosion took place.

Out of the smoke that formed after the blast, OOO flew and landed on a tree branch. He quickly jumped off to evade another chain whip attack.

"Hold still so I can hit you!" shouted the girl as she swung her weapon at the Kamen Rider.

Using the power of his Batta legs, OOO once again jumped to evade the attack. "That's not really a good reason." The Medal Rider commented with a sweat drop. Then he charged in to attack the girl with the claws of his Tora gauntlets extending out. The girl blocked a swipe from the Rider, but it left a scratch in her armor's sleeve.

Looking at the scratch OOO managed to make, the mysterious girl smiled. "Heh, I thought you Kamen Riders were all for show. But fighting you changed my opinion!"

"I'm glad, but can we stop destroying the park? We are already causing enough damage destroying the Noise." OOO suggested after looking at the many craters and charred trees that were the results of their ongoing battle.

"Nope, now I want to defeat you and break a couple of your bones!" The mysterious girl smiled sadistically as she continued her whip assault.

Quickly dodging her chain whip by ducking then jumping to the side, OOO was once more on the defensive against his opponent. Then Tsubasa interrupted the assault and deflected a chain whip before summoning several blades to rain down on the white-haired girl.

THOUSAND TEARS

The falling blades did not make contact due the girl jumping out of the way. Tsubasa made another downward slash which was once more blocked by the chain whip.

"She's not just playing with us. Her power is just as real." Tsubasa mused as she struggled to gain an advantage.

"Do you really think you have time to think about that?" The girl broke contact and made a right roundhouse kick towards her opponent. "You don't!"

Acting quickly, Tsubasa retreated by doing backwards somersaults before landing with OOO arriving to help. Deciding to increase her advantage, the Nehushtan girl took out her scepter and fired another beam of green light the summoned a large number of Noise. Joining forces, OOO and Tsubasa quickly dispatched the groups of Noise through a series of attacks. Then the Kamen Rider gave the armored singer enough room to use her Blue Flash on the Nehushtan girl. But even upon contact, the girl came out unscathed. Tsubasa summoned several daggers and threw them at her opponent. The girl used her whip to knock the blades out of the air.

"As if those will make a difference!" shouted the girl mockingly. She jumped high and lifted her whip which had an energy ball of black lightning at the end. Then she swung the whip to launch the ball at Tsubasa.

NIRVANA GEDON

"Tsubasa, watch out!" shouted OOO as he charged in and pushed the armored singer out of harm's way. Then he tried to block the energy ball with both arms, but he appeared to be losing the struggle. Then the Medal Kamen Rider was consumed by an explosion from the attack.

"Sempai!" shouted Ixa R watching his senior take a direct hit from the attack.

"Eiji-san!" shouted Hibiki as they watched OOO fall from the attack and his transformation deactivated. Noticeably, the young kamen rider had finished freeing the cream-haired girl.

"HINO!" Tsubasa ran to Eiji's side. "Why? Why did you do that?!"

Opening his eyes to see the singer, the injured and scorched young man smiled. "*Cough* Because…I promised to protect you. And…because you're my family."

"But-"

"Wow, bravo, you acted like a dumb knight in shining armor and saved the girl. But you risked your life all for a stupid reason. It's almost so cliché that I forgot to laugh!" stated the girl with a mocking tone.

Tsubasa gave an angry look at the girl and wanted to hit her. "Shut-"

"SHUT UP!" shouted Ixa R as he appeared suddenly next to the white-haired girl and swung his knuckle into her face.

"Ugh!?" The girl was taken by surprise as he smashed his knuckle into her cheek. The force of the attack was surprisingly strong despite the knuckle not even charged to make a finisher, and she flew a few feet before smashing through a tree.

"How dare you…HOW DARE YOU LAUGH AT EIJI-SEMPAI'S REASON!" Ixa R shouted with his fist shaking in anger. "HOW CAN YOU SAY SUCH THINGS…WHEN HE HAS BEEN RISKING HIS LIFE TO PROTECT THIS WORLD?! IT'S BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU…THAT MY FIST WANTS TO CRUSH!"

Standing up from the surprise attack, the Girl rubbed her cheek to soften the pain she felt from the hit. "Ugh…Don't get cocky just because you got a hit in! I'll kick your ass just like that idiot over there!"

"I LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY!" shouted the young Kamen Rider as he was fully enraged at this point. The two collided as Ixa R swung his spear at the girl while she swung her chain. The Kamen Rider was overpowered and sent into a tree, but that was not enough to keep him down.

Hibiki managed to arrive to the scene as she knelt next to Eiji. "Eiji-san!" Hibiki looked at the young man in worry. "Are you okay?"

"Don't worry, Hibiki-chan. I've taken hits far worse than this." Eiji assured the younger girl as he sat up despite his injuries.

Tsubasa stood up walked towards the younger Kamen Rider as he got up. "Ixa R, I understand that my actions from a few days ago was not acceptable, and I'm sorry." Tsubasa said with a sad tone.

"It's fine, you managed to work things out with Sempai, and you weren't exactly yourself when you attacked Hibiki." Ixa R said as he kept an eye on his opponent. "I understand what it is like losing someone close to me, but that doesn't change the fact that I still have to fulfill my duty as a protector. Just prove to me…that you will still fight even with the loss of an ally!"

"Hey, don't say it like I died!" Eiji shouted indignantly.

(Insert OST- Zettō - Ame no Habakiri)

"I understand, so allow me… to amend my mistakes!" Tsubasa proclaimed as she glowed with power and sung her Relic's song.

Ixa R looked at the determination that Tsubasa showed so he nodded in respect. "Tsubasa…I can hear it... I can hear your true song." Ixa R took out the Gungnir Score Plate which caused his armor to return to its default mode.

=REQUIREMENT FULFILLED!=

After the belt's shout, Ixa R glowed with a blue aura as he stretched out his hand to form a new Score Plate that had a blue crystal material with a katana blade in the center.

"As if I'm letting you transform!" shouted the girl as she swung one of her pink chained whips at Ixa R and Tsubasa.

"Aka, Tsubasa-san, watch out!" shouted Hibiki as she watched as the two were about to be hit.

The onyx Kamen Rider quickly slotted the plate into his buckle, replacing the Gungnir Plate and causing a reaction to energize the belt.

=CHAINED BURST: HABAKIRI=

Following the announcement, armor's glowing frame transitioned into a bright blue underneath. The armored legs also changed to show the glowing frame with the greaves glowing brightly. The pack rearranged to become similar to a wing frame and a silver rod on the left side. The chest plate's glowing frame changed blue and the arms followed. The helmet visor crest reassembled itself into a horn sprouting from around the forehead, but this time a blue steel blade sprouted out of it. The different colored eyes flashed with their respective colors of blue and green. Blue chains formed around the arms of Ixa R, sparking with energy.

The barrier during the transformation repelled the whip from interrupting it, much to the mysterious attacker's surprise.

"W-What?!"

"That's right, this is the first time you've seen me transform into this form." Ixa R said as he inserted the weapon Fuestle into the buckle. "Tsubasa-san, let's even the playing field."

=HABAKIRI: ARM UP!=

From Tsubasa's heel blades, several blades launched, flew, and landed, forcing the mysterious opponent to dodge, but Tsubasa and Ixa R did not move an inch. The blades stabbed into the ground surrounding them.

"Are you idiots? That attack didn't hit me before, so it's useless!" shouted the girl with her arrogant tone.

"That was no attack. That was a setting of the stage!" Ixa R proclaimed as he manipulated the chains to grab two blades from the ground and charged in wielding them. He swung down with the blade in his left hand which was blocked by the chain of the girl. Then he spun sideways with the blade in his right hand and made a successful hit on the girl's right ribs. "The stage for our sword dance."

"Sword Dance? How can something as useless as that help in an actual fight?"

"It actually can, you're just not seeing its true value. Then again, you're not a performer, so you won't ever see it like that. But to someone like Tsubasa-san…" Ixa R stated before Tsubasa jumped over him while dual wielding two blades for her attack. "It's more than enough to take you down." Tsubasa swung her blades down, and the attack managed to push back the Nehustan girl despite making a successful block.

"What?!" The mysterious girl was shocked at how much power Tsubasa gained from synchronizing with Ixa R.

"Even if you wield the power of a complete Relic, it will not have enough to compete against the duet of a Kamen Rider and a Symphogear!" Ixa R shouted as he followed her attack with a well-timed two sword cut while the armored singer jumped up to allow him to attack. The girl managed to block Ixa R's attack, but she struggled to keep it back. Taking advantage of her struggle, Tsubasa jumped up and swung down one of her heel blades. Reacting quickly, Ixa R stepped to the side to allow the singer to land her attack.

Upon collision, Tsubasa managed to hit her opponent and sent her flying. The girl landed back on her feet and looked angry at the fact she was being pushed back by what she viewed as nothing more than weaklings. "You bastards! Don't think you have the advantage just because you got a little power up!" She took out her scepter and fired beams to summon a numerous amount of Noise. The Noise surrounded Ixa R and Tsubasa who did not seemed perturbed by the situation.

"Tsubasa-san, can you keep going?" asked the younger Kamen Rider.

"Yeah, I can. I should be asking you that though." Tsubasa responded while keeping her blade at the ready.

"Don't worry, I'll be able to finish this." Ixa R shifted the Knuckle to activate a finisher. The buckle made another announcement in reaction.

=HABAKIRI: SYNC BEAT STRIKE!=

The several blades began to glow as well as the Kamen Rider and Symphogear user. The two looked at each other before giving a silent confirmation, then they charged through the Noise to get to the main enemy. Cutting down Noise after Noise, Ixa R ran and created lightning at the tip of his blade before launching an energy wave into a group of Noise.

BLUE FLASH

As they caused heavy damage among the hostile monsters, several of the blades that were embedded into the ground began to levitate in midair. Running quickly, Ixa R and Tsubasa managed to reach the Nehustan girl and prepared their assault.

THOUSAND EDGES WALTZ

Ixa R and Tsubasa slashed consecutively with the many swords at their disposal, picking up speed with each attack. When one of them swung a blade and broke it upon contact, they would discard it and pull another blade from the air. Tsubasa slashed with the second-to-last sword and the young Kamen Rider jumped forward and prepared to deal the final blow of the attack.

"This ends here!" shouted Ixa R as he swung the sword down. But suddenly he felt his chest in pain and paused his attack.

"No, this ends for you!" The mysterious girl took advantage of his pause and swung another energy ball at Ixa R.

NIRVANA GEDON

The Kamen Rider could not dodge and took the full hit of her attack. The resulting explosion sending him into a tree, decimating the plant.

(Abruptly end Insert OST)

"AKA!" shouted Hibiki in distress after watching her friend get taken down so quickly. Eiji quickly stood up and ran to his junior's location which was not very far.

"No…" muttered Tsubasa with a sense of distress realizing that the turning tide failed due to the injuries of the young Kamen Rider.

"Oops, I might have overdone it. With his current condition that hit might have left more than a simple bruise." The armored girl stated. "But no matter, I stopped him. So you have no Kamen Rider to help your asses out of trouble."

"…!" Tsubasa prepared herself due to the possibility of defeat being imminent with the loss of Ixa R's power.

Rushing to his side, Hibiki and Eiji knelt down to check on the young Rider's condition. "Aka!" The armored form was not deactivated, but the Rider appeared to be unmoving. His helmet was partially smashed open with the right shoulder plate heavily damaged.

"Ugh, Hibiki?" Ixa R sat up despite his injuries. "That's right, Tsubasa! I need to help her!" Slowly standing up despite his injuries, the young Kamen Rider tried to walk toward the fight, but stumbled and nearly falling. Hibiki and Eiji managed to catch him from falling face first into the ground.

"Wait, Akakishi! You're too injured to even be fighting right now!" Eiji argued as he helped the young rider sit down.

"Ugh, I guess I was really pushing it, Hino-sempai…You're going to have to take my place." Ixa R said as he placed pressure in the area where he felt pain.

Knowing what he meant, Eiji nodded and placed the medals onto his belt buckle. "I understand, Akakishi. Get some rest, I'll help Tsubasa." Eiji prepared to walk away to fight alongside Tsubasa considering he had time to rest.

"Wait, I think it's a good time to test the secondary function." Ixa R said as he took out the Habakiri score which glowed alongside a score in the compartment containing the Rider Scores.

"As if I'm letting you do whatever you want!" shouted the mysterious girl as she swung her whip at Eiji and Ixa R.

The injured Riders did not have the time to avoid it, but Tsubasa intercepted the whip and blocked the attack though she felt her strength fade after blocking it.

"I'll keep her busy, you two! Just finish doing whatever it is you are doing!" Tusbasa shouted before she charged in to the fray.

"Thanks, Tsubasa!" Eiji said in gratitude. "Akakishi, do it while she keeps that girl busy!"

"Got it!" Then the young Rider took out the glowing OOO Rider Score which was a multicolored metal score and stacked it with the Habakiri Score. He placed the Scores into the buckle, causing a reaction from the armor. Then the buckle announced as the Rider glowed.

=SYNCRONIZATION 85%=

=BOND SCORE REQUIREMENT FULFILLED=

The two scores slowly formed a new score that was a red-yellow-green crystal plate bordered with white metal marked with the OOO symbol with a sword through it.

Smiling under his helmet, Ixa R presented the Score to Eiji. "Here, Eiji-sempai. Make use of the first Bond Score." After the older Kamen Rider accepted the score, Ixa R took off the Reverse Knuckle to deactivate his armor.

"Thanks." When Eiji held the Score near his scanner, the device opened to reveal a slot for the Score plate. He inserted the plate, and the O scanner returned to its original appearance but it changed with blue and white trimmed circuits covering it.

(Insert OST: TaToba-Regret Nothing ~Tighten Up)

Charging in to fight, Eiji tilted his belt to prepare to transform. "I won't allow you to hurt them!" Eiji scanned his medals once more except the three rings gained new blue outer rings that signaled a change in the scan.

=SCANNING SYNC! HABAKIRI!=

=TAKA!=

=TORA!=

=BATTA!=

=TATOBA! TATO-BATTA-TOBA!=

The scanner made the announcement as energy formed a ring around OOO along with the medal combination as an image of a music note and a sword formed behind him. The emblem slammed into OOO's back forming circuitry similar to the Habakiri and connected with the circuit lines of his chestplate. The gold rim of the chestplate gained a second rim of white.

On Tsubasa's side, she felt something in her chest as her Relic glowed. "What is this feeling?" Tsubasa wondered.

"Tsubasa! Watch out!" shouted Hibiki as she saw a whip head for the armored singer.

"…!" Unable to react, Tsubasa watched as the whip attack tried to hit her except it was blocked by a barrier produced from the relic. "This is…!"

"What?! Okay, where are these annoying barriers coming from?!" shouted the mysterious girl who was extremely annoyed about the number of barriers that popped up during the fight.

Taka~

Tora~

Batta~

TaToBa~

Without hesitation, Tsubasa sang a hymn that produced three rings of energy that were colored red, yellow, and green. The rings created small hexagons that served as foundation for new armor plates that attached onto her arms, legs and chest. Her headset gained a visor and the ear phones rebuilt into small red wings. Her forearms gained white gauntlets with a yellow circuitry and her greaves gained new plating with green circuits. After the transformation was complete, Tsubasa stood tall as the moon shined on her new armor.

"She changed!" exclaimed Hibiki in awe at her idol's new form.

"That means her Symphogear is the most compatible with Kamen Rider OOO. See Hibiki? This is the goal of the Ixa R system, and we finally achieved it." Akakishi smiled knowing the fights were not for naught.

Tsubasa looked at her new armor equipment before turning to see Kamen Rider OOO arrive with his armor also modified. "Hino! But I thought the attack left you incapacitated."

"It did for a while, but I won't lie down while my friend is in trouble." OOO said.

"Good to know, but will we be victorious?" Tsubasa asked worriedly.

"Have confidence, Tsubasa. As I said before, you're not alone." OOO stated as he wielded his Medajabilur for the fight.

Tsubasa realized he meant it and smiled knowing he had her back. "Thanks, I will follow your lead. All right?"

"If you two are done talking, then just go down!" shouted the girl as she swung her whip.

Reacting quickly, OOO and Tsubasa jumped out of the way. Then the Kamen Rider charged in with his sword and attacked with a slash the managed to make his opponent stagger despite blocking it. Three short swords constructed and Tsubasa held them between her fingers in a similar manner to the Tora claws of OOO. She swung her blades in an arc that managed to scratch the Nehulistan armor. OOO followed up with another slash that also damaged the female.

"You two are nothing more than nuisances!" The girl used her scepter and summoned more Noise to keep the two distracted.

"Tsubasa, let's finish this." OOO took out the O Scanner and scanned the medals in his buckle. Three rings appeared between the two and their adversary.

"Hai!" Tsubasa replied as she readied herself to jump forward with the green circuits in her greaves coming to life.

=SCANNING CHARGE!=

OOO jumped high with the rings angled to help his attack, and Tsubasa charged in while doing her handstand spin. She went through the rings clearing the Noise while OOO flew through his rings.

"HAAAAH!"

"SEIYA!"

The two made contact at the same point, hitting the girl with their charged finishers.

TATOBA SLAYER

The force of the attack sent the Nehustan girl flying back until she collided into the earth while Akakishi and Hibiki shielded themselves from the massive amount of force created from the impact.

"Hah…Hah…It's over…" Tsubasa said in relief as she stood straight up.

"Yeah…" OOO nodded. "And Tsubasa? Thank you for protecting us."

Tsubasa turned her eyes to the Medal Rider and shook her head. "I should be the one thanking you, Hino. If it weren't for your power then we would have lost." Tsubasa stated with a smile.

"You're wrong, we did it because we accepted each other's help." OOO said while rubbing the back of his helmet in a humble manner.

The blue-haired girl smiled and gave a nod at his statement. "Mm. From now on, I will stand by your side, Eiji Hino." Tsubasa offered her hand and OOO shook it.

"Sempai, we need to apprehend that girl. We need answers and she might know them." Akakishi stated as he walked forward supported by Hibiki who had returned to her civilian form.

"Can we just talk it out?" Hibiki asked with hope that they could act peacefully.

Giving a deadpan look along with the older members, Akakishi sighed while scratching his head in frustration. "After what happened here, Hibiki. I rather not be anywhere near her- Wait, what is that sound?" Akakishi asked as the sound of metal clinking was heard before a pop.

OOO looked around before noticing what appeared to be a cannon nozzle in the shadows pointing at their direction. "Watch out!" OOO and Tsubasa pulled their juniors out of the way of a torrent of red energy that blew apart a tree line behind their previous position. The blast created a dust cloud that cut off the group's sight of the unknown girl.

"Come on! Let's get out of here because they get you!" shouted an unfamiliar female voice.

"You?! Did she sent you?" shouted the unknown armored girl.

"Yes, now come on!" Before the sound of footsteps and a motor was heard follwed by a vehicle driving away.

When the cloud cleared, the armored girl and her accomplice were nowhere to be seen.

"So our little thief had friends." Tsubasa said as she got up. While getting up, Tsubasa's armor deactivated.

"Yeah, there goes any answers we could have gotten." OOO sighed at the sudden turn of events. The Kamen Rider tilted the buckle straight and his armor dissipated into light to reveal a bruised Eiji.

"But this answers one thing, we found definite proof that someone is commanding the Noise." Akakishi as he stood up.

"But why would it be another human?" Hibiki asked with worry.

"You got a point, Hibiki. And that scepter she used to summon the Noise…Do you have any idea what it is, Hino-Sempai?" The redhead turned to his senior for any answers to the tool the girl used.

"I might have an idea, Akakishi. But for now let's get back. You're injuries must have gotten worse." Eiji stated.

"Now that you mention it… I do feel a bit light-headed." Akakishi said as he began to stumble a bit as blood dripped from his head.

"AH! AKA!" shouted Hibiki as she tried to support the redhead after he passed out. Tsubasa and Eiji helped the girl lay the teen on the ground. The three gave worried looks until they heard Akakishi make a snoring sound.

"Thank goodness, he's only sleeping." Eiji sighed in relief.

"That's a relief. But you should contact Headquarters, Hino. You, as well as Akakishi, have taken damage from this fight." Tsubasa said due to the obvious injuries on the youn man.

"How about you, Tsubasa? I mean you also took some hits while fighting." Eiji pointed out with the number of bruises the Tsubasa received from the fight.

"I'm fine, I can walk i-" Tsubasa suddenly made a misstep and fell forward. Reacting quickly, Eiji caught her with one arm.

"You're not! You must have exhausted yourself fighting her and synchronizing with me and Akakishi. You need rest, Tsubasa." Eiji stated with a firm tone while looking at the singer in the eye.

"O-Oh, you might be right." The idol stuttered at how close she was with the Medal Rider.

"Just sit down, I'll call HQ." Eiji said as he helped Tsubasa sit down. Then he took out his phone and dialed for the Second Division. Suddenly, several cars pulled up and everyone turned to see a car door open to reveal Genjuurou.

"Is everyone all right?" The commander asked. Then Tendou on his motorcycle pulled up and got off to check on his disciple.

"How is he?" The man asked Hibiki.

"He's sleeping soundly." Hibiki said though Tendou noticed she had a sad look.

"Good." Tendou turned to the medic that arrived with a stretcher. "Take him back to the hospital for examination and treatment. As well as the others." The vice commander ordered while looking at Eiji and Tsubasa.

"Yes sir." The medic replied.

"Well that was a surprising turn of events." Genjuurou commented after Akakishi, Tsubasa, and Eiji entered the ambulance while Hibiki was escorted back to her dorm.

"My grandmother once said, 'Chase two birds, catch two birds.' Seems like we uncovered more tonight than what scarce information we found over these two years. I'll send word out to everyone, they need to hurry up. Something big is happening if whoever is controlling the Noise is making their move now." Tendou said with a serious expression while crossing his arms. "

"First, we need to find that girl and identify her." The commander noted. "But worries me is how she knows about our activities."

"We will have to be patient for her next attack, I'll investigate any suspicious activity about her informant back at base." Tendou said as he prepared to return to base.

"*Sigh* That boy can't seem to stop getting himself hurt." Genjuurou said with a frustrated look before taking out a photo. "But I'll do my best to watch over him, dear."

On the next day, Hibiki looked troubled during lunchtime as she gazed over at the hospital.

"Hey Hibiki." Her friend with blond girl asked. "Is something the matter? You've been staring at the hospital section for quite a while."

"Oh, my bad, Shiori. I was thinking about a friend of mines who got injured." Hibiki chuckled nervously.

"Could it be that your boyfriend got hurt yesterday?" The girl with ash hair asked.

Miku took notice at the mention. "Boyfriend? What's she talking about Hibiki?" asked the girl with a suspicious tone.

"I don't know. What are you talking about, Kuriyo?" Hibiki asked having no clue what her friend meant.

"We're talking about how yesterday a guy on a motorcycle came out of the hospital parking lot and picked you up!" The girl with brown hair in pig tails stated excitedly. "But he didn't drive in an awesome way like in animes."

"I'm sure he would have gotten hurt, pulling a stunt like that." Shiori stated with a sweatdrop. "But don't deny it, Hibiki. We were there."

"Um…Oh him, he's actually a distant relative of mines who came by to visit me." Hibiki said.

"Hibiki, you didn't mention a relative of yours coming by to visit." Miku said with suspicion in her voice.

"Well, it was more of a surprise visit! He picked me so I can give him a tour of the town! But he might have gotten into a crash after dropping me off at school." Hibiki explained.

"I see. I'm sorry for prying about it."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine. After all, he's pretty lucky." Hibiki said while looking at the hospital. Her friends seemed to believe her story except Miku who noticed a hint of sadness in her tone.

After school, Hibiki walked in the halls of the hospital. "But what happened that night…Aka got hurt because of me. Not only him…But also Tsubasa and Eiji-san."

Upon nearing the room of where Akakishi was roomed, Hibiki saw the door open and out came Genjuurou. "Commander!" The cream haired girl ran to his side.

"Hm? Hibiki, are you here to visit Akakishi as well?" The man gave a friendly smile.

"Uh yes, you could say that." Hibiki said with a downed look.

"Is something wrong?" Genjuurou asked with a worried look.

"No, nothing's wrong!" Hibiki waved her hand to stave off any suspicion directed towards her.

"*Sigh* All right. But you shouldn't keep your troubles locked up. Otherwise, they will always haunt you." Genjuurou advised.

"…I understand." Hibiki said with a nod.

"Good, now go talk to him. Akakishi will understand what you have to say." The commander walked away after saying his piece.

Hibiki entered the room to the sight of the redhead being conscious and looking out the window.

"Oh! Hibiki!" Akakishi noticed his friend entered the room. "What brings you here?"

"I'm just here to check up on you. And I want to talk, Aka," said the girl as she pulled up a chair and sat down.

"What's the matter?" Akakishi asked with a worried look.

"…" Hibiki looked down at her feet. "It's all my fault."

"What are you talking about?" asked the redhead with a confused tone.

"IT'S ALL MY FAULT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, EIJI-SAN, AND TSUBASA. JUST LIKE TWO YEARS AGO! ALL I COULD DO WAS WATCH AS YOU THREE GOT HURT! I COULD ONLY HELPLESSLY WATCH AS YOU THREE PROTECTED ME!" Hibiki furiously asked as tears fell down her cheeks. "WHY? WHY WOULD DO THAT FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME?!"

"...Because you're my precious friend, my friend who I care about along with Miku. If I hadn't met you two, then I would have been alone as always." Akakishi stated with his eyes closed then he turned to look at the scenery before him. "I hate to think what I would do if I lost either of you."

"But you got hurt protecting me, just like last time. How can I be at ease knowing you will keep doing things like that? If I hadn't come to that concert, then none of this would be happening." Hibiki said with a sad look.

Looking a bit angry, Akakishi turned his head towards the girl. "Hibiki."

"Huh?" The girl noticed the redhead placing his hands her cheeks before motioning her to look at him close-up. "U-Uh Aka? W-What are you doing?" Hibiki blushed at the close proximity of their faces.

"You…" Akakishi slowly raised his head before smashing his forehead against Hibiki's. "IDIOT!"

"OOOOOOOWWWW!" Hibiki teared up a bit as she felt the sting of the headbutt. "What was that for?!"

"For being a bit of an idiot. You can't just change the past just because you don't like it! Sometimes we are unlucky or prone to possibly getting into some unavoidable situations! What happened was a close call, so don't sweat about it since we got out of it with a few scrapes and bruises! And never regret going to that concert! You, as much as I, enjoyed hearing the songs sung by Tsubasa and Kanade-sempai! If you didn't come, then you wouldn't have heard Kanade's very words!" argued Akakishi as he pointed where Hibiki's scar was.

"Never give up on life…" Hibiki looked at where her scar was and placed her right hand over her chest.

"That's right, if you regret that day then it's no different from spitting on the duty and legacy that Kanade-sempai left for you. And I know that you're not that kind of person." Akakishi said before placing his hand on Hibiki's shoulder. "You're not burdening anyone, so don't blame yourself that you can't fight, Hibiki. Instead, find someone who can teach you how to fight."

"Someone who can teach me how to fight?" Hibiki repeated his words.

"Having incredible strength is useless without the proper skill to use it. That's the very first lesson my first master taught me." Akakishi stated with a smile. "You can become an incredible protector with the right teacher."

Thinking about his words, Hibiki smiled and gave a determined look. "Thank you, Aka. I know what I have to do!" Hibiki took her bag and ran out of the room. "Oh!" Hibiki popped her head through the doorway. "Tell Tsubasa and Eiji-san I said hi!" shouted the girl before she ran out.

"Good to see she's back to normal." The redhead sighed in relief. Akakishi heard a set of footsteps come near the door. "Who's there?" He asked as he got out of bed. Upon reaching the doorway, the redhead looked around the hallway and lounge. "Huh? That's weird, I swore I heard someone near here." Akakishi scratched his head in confusion before noticing Tendou walking towards his room. "Master!"

"Akakishi, it appears you seem to be recovering rather well." Tendou commented with a small smile.

"Yep, I'll be discharged soon! So why have you come, Master?" asked the redhead.

"Something that doesn't need to be said here. Come on, you need to go back to your bed." Tendou said gesturing for his disciple to return to bed.

After the door to the redhead's room closed, a silhouette of a girl came out from behind a nearby vending machine.

Outside of a large Japanese manor with the board labeled with the Kanji, Kazanari.

"Shishou! Please teach me how to fight!" Hibiki requested.

"Me? Teach you?" responded Genjuurou who was surprised by Hibiki's request and presence. The man wore a hakama with a pair of pants as he stood outside of his house.

"Yeah! I figured you'd know some amazing Martial Arts!" Hibiki replied with a determined and respectful face.

"First of all, how did you get my address?" asked the crimson-haired man.

"Well, you're not the first person I asked to teach me! I asked Tendou-san, but he said that he already has his hands full planning how to train Aka! So he recommended I come to you! It actually makes sense since you stopped Aka's punch!" Hibiki said with reverence.

"Hmm…" Genjuurou thought after crossing his arms. Finally he decided to make sure if the girl was truly willing. "My training is rather harsh."

"That's fine! If I can be of use to Aka, Tsubasa, and Eiji-san, then I will endure it!" Hibiki stated with a firm tone.

"Good. By the way Hibiki, are you into action movies?" Genjuurou asked.

"Um, yes?" replied Hibiki with a confused tone.

At Akakishi's side, he understood what his master said. "So I'll be starting my training on the day that I am discharged?"

"That's correct, if the main perpetrator is making his or her move now, then your training needs to be stepped up. Are you prepared to undergo it?" Tendou stated with a serious tone with his stoic expression.

"Of course, I am! I wouldn't be your disciple if I wasn't ready for more of your training!" Akakishi said with a determined smile.

"Good." Tendou said as he walked out the door. "Be prepared for it." Then he closed the door before walking through the hallway of the hospital.

(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 suggestion leads Akakishi to school.

"Akakishi… What are your thoughts on school?" asked Eiji.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Hello, I'm Akakishi Sakurai. I am glad to be a part of Amanogawa High School." Akakishi was seen in an Amanogawa uniform.

A young man offers to become his friend.

"Who are you?"

"The name's Gentarou Kisaragi! Will you be my buddy?"

An officer on the job is attacked

"We can't let the Noise get the Package!"

But a new ally arrives to help

"I won't allow you… to take any more lives!"

Next Time on Kamen Rider IXA R: The Hand of Cosmic Friendship!

"With this power… I will become a hero!" The mysterious girl in armor proclaimed.

Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long everyone, I needed some time configuring the fighting and preparing for the next semester of my College. And yes, Kamen Rider Fourze arrives to the fight! But at this time, he has no knowledge of the other Heisei Kamen Riders and vice versa. The movie plots won't make be canon in this story. Sorry for those who hoped that Nadeshiko makes an appearance in this story. On a further note, I am still accepting Symphogear OC submissions, but refer to chapter 2 for the format of the submissions. Just PM me if you can come up with an original character.