I don't own Ben 10 or Senki Zesshou Symphogear. All are owned by their respected creators and publishers.
(Swampfire)
Chapter 4: The Nehushtan Armor and the unity of hero and blade
Lydian Private Music Academy:
Third Person POV
It was after the school hours and we see Tsubasa standing in front of the elevator leading to the central control room under the school. She was in actuality been standing here for about half an hour. She was waiting for both Hibiki and Ben to arrive so they could all go together.
She keeps looking over each end of the hall nervously. It was only yesterday that Hibiki and Ben had helped her finally facing her problem and she felt that she still needed to properly thank them.
This caused the teen idol to fidget in place, still embarrassed on facing the two.
"Tsubasa-san!" Tsubasa turned towards the source of the voice and found Hibiki waving at her. "Good after noon Tsubasa-san. Have you been waiting here?" Hibiki asked confused because usually she was already at the control room around this time.
Tsubasa's cheeks slightly blushed at her question. "Ah, no I just arrived here." She answered averting her eyes a little, embarrassed to say that she was actually waiting for her and Ben. Thinking of the alien hero, she realized he wasn't with Hibiki. "Where's Ben-san? I thought he was with you?"
"Ben-kun? Well he texted me and said that something urgent came up and said that I should go ahead." She explained. That caused Tsubasa to deflate.
"I see… well I guess we should head down." She said in a slight disappointed tone, which Hibiki grew confused at her tone.
They both entered the elevator and moments later arrived at the HQ. On arriving, they noticed that the only one's present were Shinji, Sakuya and Aoi. The commander and Ryoko can't be see.
Currently everyone was watching the main monitor and it was showing a news channel.
"Whats going on?" Tsubasa asked causing the three watching to turn to the two who just arrived.
"Ah Tsubasa, Hibiki-chan welcome. We were just watching the new report on Ben." Shinji explained and that information got the immediate attention of the two gear users.
"What happened to Ben-kun?" Hibiki asked in worry, even knowing that Ben can properly handle himself but still could not stop her worry for him. Even Tsubasa was feeling the same way.
"See for yourselves." Shinji gestured the both to the screen and once they did they listened what the news report was.
It was showing a burning building and the report says that there were still trapped civilians, then suddenly the wall on the third floor busted open and Ben as Snare-oh carrying the remaining civilians. Two on his arms and three he was carrying with his bandage tendrils.
Jumping from the third floor and safely landing. Ben had gently let the civilians down before turning back to the burning building, he activated the omnitrix again and anew for has taken his place.
The new alien was a red, mollusk-like alien. He has four slitted eyes, and has eyes on his chest, with crab-like features on his stomach, which appear to be crab legs forming a rib cage. Its head was covered in a hood like form and has what appear to be barnacles on his shoulders, arms, legs and hands. He also has three spikes on the back of his legs and seems to have cracks on his arms and shoulders. It has Sharpe claw for fingers and the omnitrix is located on his chest.
This is Ben's Orishan formed he has called Water Hazard.
Ben directed his hands to the burning building and opened his portholes that spewed out highly pressurized water and extinguished the raging fire effortlessly.
The crowed then cheered for our alien hero and Ben decided to bask the crowd's praises. A minute or so Ben then noticed the reporters were already closing in on him; he used Water Hazards enhanced strength and leaped to the top of one the building for a quick escape.
"Another day saved by Ben-kun I guess." Hibiki said, giving small praise to Ben's action.
"I do admit Ben-san always knows how to asses and deal with many kinds of situations." Tsubasa add her own praise.
Then the news channel changed to another topic about Ben but this time they were discussing on how the public sees Ben. And to everyone's, especially to Hibiki and Tsubasa it was anything but pleasant.
The reports are saying that Ben was nothing more than a vigilante that is more dangerous than any of the crimes he had stopped, or any of the criminals he encountered. They even dared call Ben an even worst threat then the Noise themselves.
Aoi, Shinji and Sakuya did not give mind to what terrible words they are sprouting about Ben. However, Hibiki and Tsubasa were not to forgiving like the rest.
Hibiki was for the lack of better words mad at how they are portraying Ben, even when it was clear that he was only doing the right thing.
Tsubasa understood the reason why they were portraying Ben as a threat. An unknown being with different forms and powers was just suddenly helping strangers and now showing any interest for any short of compensation. It was obvious the people will fear such a being.
Even so, she can't dismiss the anger she was feeling towards them.
"Hey guys sorry I'm late." They heard an icy voice and saw Ben as Big Chill arriving from the ceiling. He landed and noticed that everyone was just staring at him. "What?" he asked and noticed the monitor was showing the news and that it was talking about him as a menace. "Oh…"
He tapped the omnitrix and reverted to his normal form. "Come on guys you don't have to listen to that trash. It doesn't matter what they say." He said trying to lighten the mood in the room.
"They shouldn't be saying that stuff about you Ben-kun. You were only helping them and yet they say that you're just the same threat as Noise." Hibiki countered, anger was in her voice, which was a rare thing to hear from the ever-cheerful attitude.
Ben stared at Hibiki, he understood why she was mad. He noticed Tsubasa was also feeling the same as her, it was the same for the rest as well. But they kept it better concealed compared to the latter two. He sighed while brushing his hair back with his hand.
"Listen guys, it's cool, really. Let them think what they want about me. Some of it is justified. I'm an unknown entity that comes out of the blue and does whatever he wants. Of course they would think I'm a threat. But it doesn't matter. My action will justify who I'm, not some random guy's comments or opinions. The people I saved know what I did and when I see the gratitude in their eyes. That alone is enough, that what I did changed something."
Again they were speechless. It was only been a day since Ben had told of his tales and ideals. They can't believe they forgotten about it already.
"And besides it's not the worst any news anchor or whatever had done to me."
Everyone raised a brow. Thinking what could have been worst.
"This guy Will Harangue he was a big shot new anchor man in my home universe. He always slanders my name and is hell bent to run my name to the mud. But that's not the worst he actually sent a giant spider like robot he calls the Stalker. It was programmed to counter most of my aliens and their moves save for one.
He was so confident that he called me out live on national T.V."
"So what happened." Tsubasa interrupted, she was actually interested on the outcome.
"Well I beaten the Stalker when I used moves from a video game I played and used one of my forms that they weren't able to study about, tore the insides apart and after it went hay wire I used another of my forms to crush it and I 'accidentally' dropped it on his classic car. You could see who got the last laugh. Man I wish you could see his outburst he actually did it live for all to see."
The last part made everyone laugh, including Tsubasa. The mood had improved since Ben told his story. Now the job done Ben noticed that Ryoko and Genjuro was not present.
"By the way where's the commander and miss Ryoko?" At Bens question Shinji was about to answer but was interrupted when the elevator opened and the two in question stepped out of said elevator.
"Hay everyone were back~" Ryoko greeted with her ever cheery voice with Genjuro following suit with a rather tired expression.
"Is something the matter uncle?" Tsubasa said in concern on Genjuro. Everyone save for Hibiki and Ben. Was taken back at Tsubasa calling Genjuro uncle instead of commander.
It has been two years since she stopped addressing Genjuro as such. Now after the incident with Ben it seems she is returning back to her old self faster than they could had hoped.
Genjuro smiled, silently thanking Ben for what he has done. But his expression turned to a troubled one.
"It's nothing really, but…" His gaze turned towards Ben, uneasiness is seen on his eyes. "We came back from our summons from reporting to the heads of the 2nd division. We held back a lot of what Ben had explained to us of his origins. We only gave them on what the source of your power, we told them a false number of your transformations. That in your world that is also inhabited by aliens and some other small information.
We didn't tell them of your… achievements in your universe. But…"
He let that hang, giving everyone a suffocating feeling. Seeing that nobody said something Genjuro continued.
"They told us to forcibly take the omnitrix from you and to give it to them to mass produce."
Everyone in the room save for Ben, Ryoko and Genjuro were horrified by the order. Ben was gazing at the ground with an unreadable look.
"Are they insane commander!? Do they realized what exactly they are ordering us?!" Aoi shouted. Terrified at the thought of an entire army wielding an omnitrix. It will be hell on earth if war ever happens which it will undoubtedly will.
"Do they even realized what it would instigate. Other nations will demand that such a device should be shared with them." Sakuya added his own.
"Was it only them? Or did the head of the Kazanari family ordered it as well?" Tsubasa asked, dread was seeping from her voice.
"Yes…" Genjuro answered and Tsubasa greeted her teeth in frustration.
"So what did you tell them Genjuro?" Ben's voice brought everyone's attention to him. His voice was series, almost made them think that a different person was in front of them.
To Hibiki, it was almost like seeing a different person. To her it was like the person in front of her was not the kind hearted and goof ball Ben that she knew.
Even Tsubasa couldn't believe that that Ben could ever make such a drastic change in attitude.
"If you said yes, I'll be gone before you could reach me. I'll go under radar and you will never hear from me again. I'll still be helping people and fight the Noise. But as you know it's impossible for you guys to catch me, not with the limited technology of your world.
The omnitrix and my knowledge of technological weapons in my world will with no doubt help you against the Noise. But I won't.
There is a law in the Plumbers that an advance race should never interfere with the natural development of a primitive race. It will cause war and untold destruction."
He stopped and he appeared to be remembering something that unsettled him.
"I've seen records in the Plumber archives of such events that happened. It… wasn't a pretty sight."
The room was silent. They could only imagine what Ben had seen. Hibiki and Tsubasa looked at Ben with concern. They couldn't imagine what he felt when he saw those records for the first time. The thought that they would not see him again, they couldn't describe the feeling they have at the thought of it.
"Of course we said no." Genjuro started calmly, understanding Ben's concern. "Thanks to Ryoko she was able to convince them not to antagonize you." Genjuro said deflating the current mood in the room and replaced it with a relived atmosphere.
"Yes, yes praise me more~" Ryoko said while performing a dramatic pose. "All I said was, 'Are you really thinking of making someone that powerful and versatile an enemy? Who will undoubtedly crush all military opposition he will face'. When I said that they realized their own folly and were scared out of their pants. Oh the expression in their faces were priceless! So they just ordered us to keep an eye at you."
The way that Ryoko explained it to them they actually failed at noticing the severity of the event. "So stop your worrying Ben-kun!"
Ben just sighed in relief; the worst-case scenario didn't have to happen. "Well I'm glad it's been settled. But I'm still going to keep my guard up."
With everything done, everyone went on with their appointed task. Genjuro was supervising Sakuya and Aoi with their data search and monitoring for any Noise detection.
Both Shinji and Ryoko left the room. Tsubasa's manager left due to an urgent matter concerning Tsubasa's schedules. While Ryoko had left for her lab saying, she needed to look up something.
That left the three teens. Tsubasa and Hibiki are together talking about something. The idol kept on glancing at the teen hero with nervousness. But to her fortune Ben didn't notice because he was currently fiddling with the omnitrix, who was too busy to notice the other two.
"Go on Tsubasa-san. Ben-kun would obviously say yes." Hibiki encouraged the shy sword. She took another glance at the teen hero before returning her gaze back to Hibiki.
"But he looks busy…"
"It's alright. I know Ben-kun and he is never busy for a friend. So go on." Hibiki persisted. Tsubasa took a deep breath then started too walked towards Ben with Hibiki following right behind.
"Um, Ben-san." She started gaining the attention of our alien hero.
"Oh Tsubasa, Hibiki what's up." Ben answered stopping with his fiddling and looked at the two.
"Um… I just wanted to… ask if you wouldn't mind coming down with me to the medical bay. To … see Kanade, if… you wouldn't mind of course." She requested, with a bit of stuttering and in some instances, her eyes were trying to look away from him.
For some reason Hibiki wondered why she felt somewhat irritated. She knows that Tsubasa was just asking Ben to join them, but some reason it irritated her that Tsubasa was slightly blushing and stuttering. It felt that she was being threatened and she didn't know why.
"Hmm, well yah I don't mind coming, I was actually planning on asking too." He stood up before continuing. "Lead the way."
She smiled at his answer, nodded happily, and began to lead Ben and Hibiki towards the medical ward. But Hibiki kept a small pout when looking at Ben and Tsubasa.
(Swampfire)
Genjuro and the rest who remained in the room looked at the retreating forms. Seeing Tsubasa recovered so quickly amazed them to no end.
"Ben-kun is really something huh. I thought the trouble with Tsubasa-chan would have escalated to something dangerous." Aoi muttered and everyone else nodded in agreement.
"He manages something we struggled to do for two years and he did it in less than a day. She even started to call you uncle again, commander. He manage to bring the best outcome we can hope to achieve." Sakuya said his praise for the alien teen.
"He is truly a dependable man. He helped her tear the mask she uses to shield her heart from pain and to face it and to be true to herself. I am glad someone like him wields the omnitrix, he is someone worthy of power." Genjuro said before the three continued with tier work.
(Swampfire)
A few minutes of walking the three arrived at the medical ward. Tsubasa led the two the ICU that housed Kanade's unconscious form.
Seeing Kanade for the first time after two years with various life supporting machines attached to her the two didn't know how to react.
Hibiki only looked at her sadly. Seeing the one who saved her and the reason that she was in such a state, she could only wish that thing had gone differently.
Ben on the other hand was like Hibiki, stared at her saddened eyes. His left hand clenched. Seeing Kanade in the hospital bed, he couldn't help but remind him of the incident during his early day of acquiring the omnitrix. A human gangster leader named Rojo who was at the time infused with the drone of Vilgax, attacked them and causing his grandpa to be hospitalized.
He was suppressing the urge to use Clockworks and revert Kanade's time to the point before her coma. But he knew it was a high risk, as powerful as Clockworks is. He does not know if he could control his Chronosapien form to its full potential. Maybe someday he will but not today.
"Huh…" Ben sighed and unintentionally gaining the twos attention.
"Ben-kun?" She said in worry after seeing the expression on his face.
"Oh… it's nothing Hibiki." He tried to say reassuringly but after knowing Ben for a long time, she knew he was not fine. She gave him her puppy dog eyes and as always, he could keep up his act. He sighed again before speaking.
"It's just, seeing Kanade like this I can't help remember the time my grandpa was in a similar state." The two gasp at what Ben said and Tsubasa asked how did that happened.
He told of the incident with Rojo and how he almost left Gwen and Max so they would not be caught up with the mess that the omnitrix attracts.
The two only felt sorry for Ben. He had experienced this when he was only ten years old and yet he manages to move on and continued to be a hero. They admired him even more now.
"I guess I'm not completely moved on. I still regret that I was too late. Maybe if I arrived sooner I could have saved Kanade as well." Hibiki was about to say something comforting but Tsubasa beaten her to it.
"Ben-san, please stop that." Ben turned to her and saw her eyes with conviction. "I know I have no right to say this. But you should stop beating yourself about it. You saved Kanade I understand that now. Its only because of you her life was saved. It's because of you that one day when she wakes up I could welcome her back and tell her how reckless she was." She said with gratitude and was followed by Hibiki expressing the same gratitude that Tsubasa has.
"She's right Ben-kun. It's because of you Kanade-san is still here with, that I have the chance to thank her for saving my life and entrusted Gungnir to me." Then Tsubasa gained Ben's attention again.
"Ben-san I haven't said my thanks. The thanks you deserve. So…" She smiled a beautiful smile and Ben's breath was taken out of him when he saw her smile. He wondered if her smile was always this beautiful. "Thank you for saving my best friend."
Ben was stunned at the two. A small smile appeared, grateful for the two's words. He admits the twos gratitude towards him felt different somehow from the others he saved.
"Hehe, thanks you two." He turned to Tsubasa and said. "You know Tsubasa you should smile more often." The girl in question raised an eyebrow not understanding what he meant. "You really have a beautiful smile."
"Wh-what!" That comment caused her to blush that her entire face turned bright red and one could almost see steam.
At that moment, Hibiki started to pinch Ben on his side causing the poor teen to yelp in pain.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
He asked. Hibiki just cutely glared at him before turning with a humph. He rubbed the sour spot. The suddenly the alarm of the base went off signifying that the Noise had appeared.
The omnitrix started to beep, alerting Ben that he was receiving a call. He accepted it and heard Genjuro's voice. "Ben-kun I'm sending you the coordinates of the Noise's location.
Receiving the Data Ben accessed one of the omnitrix's function and a holographic screen pop from the alien device.
Showing the location to the others they nodded to each other and dashed off to the hanger bay were Tsubasa's motorcycle and Ben's car were they are being kept.
While the three were running towards the hanger, Ben spoke to Tsubasa. "Tsubasa, this first mission that we can really say we did it as a team. So remember we have your back partner!"
Hearing the word partner, Tsubasa could only remember the times that Kanade said the same thing to hear. She couldn't help but smile at his words with a slight tear forming in her eye. "Yes, please take care of me Ben-san!"
(Swampfire)
Battlefield:
Right now Tsubasa regretted on what she said a while ago. Right now, the sword of humanity could only stare at their current situation.
She was staring at Hibiki and Ben with a cramped smile and her left eye was twitching. A while ago Hibiki tried activating her arms gear, but had failed to materialize it. Tsubasa felt the surge of power though, that she admits, but she failed nonetheless.
Right now Hibiki was running away from the Noise while screaming for help to Tsubasa and Ben.
"Is this part of my retribution…?" Tsubasa said. Trying to find meaning why this was happening. She turned to were Ben was. Hoping he was faring well. In her mind, she thought that the savior of the universe was in complete control of the situation. She found out she hoped too much.
Right now Ben had taken the form of Rath his Appoplexian form.
The form was is about nine feet tall. He resembles an orange and white bipedal tiger with one black claw coming out of each wrist. He has no tail. He is also muscular and has green eyes. He has stripes on his shoulders, head, legs and upper body. He has a white jaw, neck, chest, stomach, hands and feet. The Omnitrix is located in the center of his chest.
Sadly, the Appoplexian were not the brightest in the cosmos. Right now Ben was struggling to remove a small slug like Noise that had attached itself of Ben's eyes.
"LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING NOISE THAT IS CURRENTLY ON RATHS FACE! YOU MAYBE BLINDING RATH NOW BUT RATH WILL STILL DESTROY YOU! EVEN THOUGH RATH CAN'T SEE YOU!" He then delivered a punch right to his face, causing him to knock himself unconscious.
The Noise that surrounded him stared for a moment, as if they were trying to understand what just happened, but like always the Noise tried to dog pile the unconscious tiger like alien hoping it will disintegrate like the rest.
Tsubasa could only sate, disbelieving on the scenes she was witnessing.
"This is my retribution! This is my retribution! This is my retribution!" She continued to convince herself, obviously failing.
(Swampfire)
Hibiki and Miku's dorm:
A few hours had past and Hibiki was back in her dorm finishing her homework with Miku. After returning from the battle Hibiki was depressed that she wasn't able to create her arms gear and surprisingly Tsubasa was encouraging her to not give up as well as the others.
In addition, when they did return, everyone was replaying Ben's fight as Rath. No one could contain their laughter even Hibiki. He was far too entertaining.
But now back in the dorm Hibiki cant concentrate on doing her homework and her mind kept on wondering how could she summon her arms gear.
However, what is really keeping her mind from concentrating was Ben.
She didn't know why, but ever since he and Tsubasa started to get along she couldn't help but feel irritated sometimes. She was happy that they are getting along now but the times like earlier when Ben complimented Tsubasa's smile, something in her just wanted to pull Ben to her and away from Tsubasa.
"Why I'm I feeling this way?" She said to herself. To her Ben was her 'sunshine' just as Miku was. "But I fell like Ben is different… like he's more."
She remembered when Ben said he would disappear if Genjuro said yes to the higher ups order on taking the omnitrix, it felt like her heart was about to tear in half. The thought of him leaving terrified her so much.
Miku noticed the sullen look on Hibiki and grew worried. She noticed that the very moment she returned to their dorms. She wanted to cheer her up and thought of something that might help.
"Hey Hibiki you know the shooting stars is happening, do you want to go with me?" She asked excitedly. This caused Hibiki to snap from her thoughts and stared for a second or two before smiling at Miku's invitation.
"Really the shooting stars? Of course I will go! I always love seeing it with you!" Just like that, Hibiki's attention went to another topic. Miku smiled, inside she was excited and planes had already formed in her head.
"But first I have to finish this homework or the teacher will eat me alive!" She said with comical tears. All Miku could do was giggle at Hibiki's usual antics.
(Swampfire)
Unknown location:
In a darkroom with the only source of light is from a large computer and rows of cylinder like incubators filled with green liquid. Inside those cylinder tanks are various animal that seemed to be mutated, like their sizes are different and some of their body parts seems enhanced in some ways.
Like the bob cat like creatures had large saber tooth's. A snake that had bat like wings and many assorted others.
And the man responsible for such abominations is none other than Dr. Animo
"Hmhmhmhm. Everything is going right on schedule! Now if my 'comrades' would hurry up with the specimens already, I could start the final phase!"
As he spoke, the door of the lab suddenly opened and Saint-Germain entered the laboratory.
Dr. Anime smiled at her arrival. "A Miss Germain so glad that you finally arrived with the samples." He said in a pleasant tone but it did not please Saint-Germain.
She didn't understand why they even need to cooperate to such a man. The lodge master never specified who this person is and who the so-called benefactors he keeps mentioning are.
She even asked Cagliostro and Prelati to search anything about Doctor Aloysius James Animo and sadly, they had come up with nothing. No birth records, no license, no anything. It was as if he had appeared from thin air like Ben Tennyson.
She just sighed and took out what seems to be dozens of small crystals with glowing red orbs in them. "They are still in the experimental stages. Are you sure you won't rather use the normal Noise?"
"No, these Alca-Noises would be better than those little jelly beans. In all honesty when I first encountered those creatures they were not so impressive but now…"
Animo walked towards Saint-Germain and grabbed the Alca-Noise crystal and tossed them to an open containment sphere that is connected to the main machine.
The crystal shattered and the floor of the sphere glowed red and the Alca-Noise appeared. They stood still in place as Animo telepathically ordered them.
He proceeded back to main control panel. "The Alca-Noise, a modified version of the noise that was created through alchemy. Which they have the ability to destroy the so-called relics of those girls. But in the end they are as fragile as regular Noise." Animo spoke almost as if he was berating it makers.
Of course, Saint-Germain didn't take that lightly. "What are you getting at Animo? Also what exactly are you even doing? You have not said a word since you locked yourself in this laboratory." She asked with irritation, getting impatient with the man.
"My dear you will about to witness a birth of a new species." He typed a few commands before pulling lever. The sphere that contained the Alca-Noise started to produce red electric current inside the sphere. The occupants inside started to bend and stretch like liquid in a blender. The sight had caught Saint-Germain off guard causing her to stare in shock at the sight.
"What is happening!?" She demanded Animo for an answer but it fell to deaf ears for Animo just smiled at the sight of his work. Moments later the liquefied Noise were being transferred from the tubes to the incubators that housed the mutated animals.
The liquefied Noise had blended with the green liquid and for a few seconds nothing happened. Saint-Germania thought that the experiment had failed but all of a sudden, the skins of the mutated creatures changed to that similar to the Noise, colored energy skin. Then they started to wraith in place trying to break free.
The glass on the incubators burst releasing the now Noisefied creatures. Saint-Germain stepped back, not sure, if these things would attack her.
"Calm yourself, they won't attack as long as I will so." Animo said to elevate her worry. She the noticed the tips of the antenna on his head were glowing signifying that he was controlling them telepathically. "Now come, my~creation~." He commanded one of the creatures to come closer and one did, a bobcat like creature came close and lowered its head. Animo caressed it and gave out a low laugh.
"You melded the Alca-Noise with your mutated creatures?!" Saint-Germain asked in shock, seeing something she even thought was impossible. Not even the ancient humans that created the Noise couldn't achieve such a feat. The respond she received from the mad scientist was a hearty laugh.
"Yes my dear! I, the great Dr. Animo had created a new arch-type of Noise not even their creators could have achieved! Behold the Muta-Noise!"
In response, all of the Muta-Noise roared for their creator.
(Swampfire)
South Subway Station:
It was the following day and Hibiki was heading to the subway station. Earlier during school, Hibiki and Miku were able to pass their homework's. Thankfully, the teacher gave them a passing score.
Miku had offered to retrieve her bag before they would go to see the shooting stars. To her disappointment, they won't be able too.
Hibiki's cellophane started to ring. She checked who the caller is and her eyes narrowed. It was obvious that the Noise had appeared. Not having any other choice she silently apologized to Miku before running off.
Now she was standing in front of a set of stairs leading to the subway station.
She brought out her phone and dialed Miku's number. It rang a few times before Miku was able to pick up.
"Hey Hibiki. Where are you? I'm back to our room already." Miku said over the phone. Hibiki was silent for a while trying to gather her courage to give her the bad news.
"I'm sorry Miku, but something came up, so I won't be able to go with you." She said in sadness. Silence was heard from Hibiki's end before Miku spoken in an understanding tone.
"No its ok I understand. I know you wouldn't do this if it wasn't important. We can always go next time and besides I haven't even started packing what we need." Miku said but Hibiki knew Miku when she was lying and right now she was.
Hibiki held in the tears that's about to gush out. She wanted Miku to be a bit angry at her. "Miku…"
"So I'll leave the door unlock for you like always." She interrupted before Hibiki could say her piece.
"Yah… thanks Miku. I promise we'll go next time." All Miku can give was achuckle.
"Well then I'll hold you on that." Miku hanged up. The smile on Hibiki's face slowly turned to a frown while she turned to the entrance of the stairs. There were already a swarm of Noise in the entrance of the stairs. Hibiki clenched her fist before singing to activate her gear.
Balwisyall Nescell Gungnir Tron
Her armor manifested and she wasted no time and lunged at the nearest Noise, delivering a devastating punch that not only destroyed the target Noise but also several from its back. She proceeded with her attacks. They were wild it was obvious that she was using the Noise to vent her frustration.
The communicator that her armor had come to life and Genjuro's voice was heard. "Hibiki hold them off for a bit longer. Tsubasa and Ben are already on their way. Also be careful down there. There's seems to be a large Noise in the subway tunnel." He warned and Hibiki grunted at his warning.
"I got it. I'll do… what I can only do!" She yelled continuing with the slaughter of the Noise. She continued not letting the Noise to have any chance to retaliate. But due to Hibiki letting her frustration loss. She wasn't able to notice one of the Noise at her back expel blobs of its own body to scatter on the ceiling.
Then the blobs started to glow and explode, destroying the cement ceiling. The rubble rained down on Hibiki. It was all to sudden that Hibiki didn't even have enough time to block.
The Noise started at the scene and was about to leave until an arm burst out of the pile of broken concert. A blast of orange energy blew the remaining concert off from Hibiki. "How dare you… make me break my promise!" She charged at the escaping Noise. Her expression darkened, her eyes turned to an intimidating blood red color. "My peaceful days… my everyday life with the people I care for… promises that I want to keep… if I can't even have that…" She tackled a Noise and started to pound it repeatedly. "THEN I WILL DESTROY ALL OF YOU!" She roared and went after the remaining Noise and teared them apart.
The pinked blobbed Noise gathered in one spot and shot Hibiki with their slime bullets, the same ones that were bombs. Seeing the incoming projectiles Hibiki crossed her arms and tanked the explosion. Once it dispersed she saw the Noise were continuing to escape.
"Wait" she yelled and chased the Noise, who were escaping from a cracked ceiling leading them to the open streets. Hibiki followed by jumping to the same cracked ceiling.
Once outside she saw the Noise were already a considerable distance from her. She was about to make a dash but stopped when all of the Noise were showered with blue energy. She looked up and saw Tsubasa already in her gear dropping down right next to her.
"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki called out gaining the attention of the sentinel.
"Pay attention Tachibana, we as protectors, if we let the Noise escape then more people will be harmed or killed." She chided the ever positive girl as said girl could only lower her head.
"I… I know that because I have something to protect too." Hibiki answered back while clenching her fist. Tsubasa's expression softened and was about to speak until their communicator received an incoming call.
"Uh guys… I'm going to be late a bit." The one who spoke was Ben and the sound of his tone was nervousness. The two in turn grew worried.
"Ben-san, are you ok." Tsubasa asked obviously worried.
(Swampfire)
Far North of the city:
"Yah yah totally fine, just a little roadblock." He said but looking at the number of Noise surrounding him he wasn't so sure small can describe it. "Make that a big roadblock."
"Do you need help?" This time Hibiki asked with the same worried tone that Tsubasa had.
"Nah I can handle this, we'll just meet back in the base, so don't worry." He said to reassure them.
Seeing no reason to doubt him, the girls just accepted his answer.
"Alright please be careful Ben-san"
"We'll see you later Ben-kun!"
With that, the transmission ended. Ben sighed while looking at the army of Noise. "Okay jelly beans I don't want to keep my friends waiting, so let's get this over with and fast." He activated the omnitrix and dialed in what his chosen alien will be. "Ok let's see if you guys can handle Humungousaur!" He slammed the omnitrix core and transformed not to the alien dinosaur but he transformed to Water Hazard.
"Oh come on! Sigh… Oh well at least it's not Walkatrout…" He then attacked with high-pressurized water from his portholes and started his onslaught.
(Swampfire)
South Subway Station:
Hibiki and Tsubasa were about to leave but stopped when they heard footsteps. "Who's there?!" Tsubasa yelled turning to the source of the footsteps.
Slowly the figure reveled herself. The person is definitely female with silver hair but a visor covered her face and her entire frame is adorned by silver armor with large shoulder guards and pink sharp edge crystal was connected from the guard.
To Hibiki she knew the moment she saw the girl that she was wearing a Symphogear, but to Tsubasa it was much more. Right in front of her is the very relic that had caused the incident two years ago.
"The Nehushtan Armor!" Tsubasa cried out in shock and rage.
The armored girl gave a smirk before speaking. "So seeing that monster freak isn't here I guess the Noise we sent up north did there jobs."
(Swampfire)
2nd division:
Everyone was in a frenzy. When the Nehushtan armor appeared they were in complete disbelief. After two years, the lost relic had finally appeared once more.
"For the Nehushtan armor to reveal itself now of all times…" He muttered in shock before giving his next orders. "Everyone get ready! I want the armor secured as soon as possible!" He then turned over to Aoi. "Aoi call Ben now, they will need his help.
(Swampfire)
Far North of the city:
Back with Ben, he had already eliminated around eighty percent of the Noise. Seeing he was about done he decided to end it now until the communicator in his omnitrix started to beep. A call is being sent to him.
"Hey Aoi what's up?" He spoke in casual manner, but Aoi did not pay mind and alerted Ben of the situation.
"Ben-kun listen, the Noise you're fighting they are meant to distract you!" The news made Ben eyes widened in shock.
"What! What do you mean?! Whats happening!?" He cried out not sure what the current situation is.
"Hibiki-kun and Tsubasa-san are engaging the enemy right now! Please hurry!" Ben's eyes hardened and sent another burst of pressurized-water to the remaining Noise and made quick work of them.
"Hang on guys I'm coming!" He activated the omnitrix the blinding light came and Ben dashed off to the girl's location before the green light hadn't completely dispersed.
(Swampfire)
South Subway Station:
Back with Hibiki and Tsubasa, the two are confronting the wielder of the silver Symphogear. She was smirking tauntingly while looking straight at Tsubasa.
"Do you remember? Or should I remind you on how I got this armor?" The mysterious girl said tauntingly. Tsubasa just hardened her eyes at her obvious taunt.
"How could I ever forget… because of my weakness, that armor was lost and my precious friend was hurt and left in such a state." She said in regret while remembering that day the Noise attacked that left Kanade in a coma.
Both of them entered fighting stance and were about to engage but had stopped when Hibiki stepped in between them.
"Wait a minute why are we fighting! Were all humans here right! So let's just talk about this!" She pleaded, Hibiki tried to reason with the two but Tsubasa and the girl just gave her harsh glares.
"Idiot! This is the battlefield!" They said in unison making Hibiki flinch while the two of them looked at each other in surprise.
"Heh… seems we understand each other pretty well." Tsubasa said while her eyes narrowed but was smirking at the Nehushtan wielder.
"Then let's get this party started already!" She said will a crazed smirked formed.
Without waiting any more time, the Nehushtan wielder swung down her chains. Hibiki was still in the middle of the two. She is frozen in place, she as still shocked at the sudden attack.
Tsubasa leaped forward and pushed Hibiki a side as she used her arms gear to block the incoming attack. She dashed forward and delivered her attack. "Soutou Bakkouzen!"
An arc of blue lighting came down on the silver haired girl. She deflected the attack with ease, seeing this Tsubasa's eyes widened a bit. She leaped to the air and used another of her attacks. "One Thousand Tears!"
Dozens of blue energy swords manifested and rained down towards the silver armored girl. She just smirked and used her chains to block. As she did explosion littered the defense, causing dust to block her vision. Noticing it was a distraction she looked around for the blue haired idol.
Tsubasa suddenly appeared right before the Nehushtan wielder and swung her sword at her. The girl ducked to avoid the attack; she then retracted the chains to form a solid blade but Tsubasa had noticed this and used her blade to stab the chain in mid formation.
The silver haired girl gasped in shock and did not notice that Tsubasa kicked her and sent her back a few feet.
She coughed while slowly tried to stand again. Tsubasa didn't give her a second to recover. She landed on her hands as the blades on her legs unfolded. "Wight Slayer!"
The recovering girl saw the incoming attack. She jumped to the side completely avoided the attack. She greeted her teeth with the narrow escape.
"I admit your strength is no joke. Even if it is the complete relic, the Ame No Habakiri right now is the one that had moved on from its regret and weakness. You will find that defeting me won't be as easy as you had thought." What Tsubasa had said had, seems to affect the silver armored girl, much to her annoyance. She had thought with the complete relic and the training she had, she had believed she could have beaten her.
She then materialized a strange silver cane. Hibiki and Tsubasa didn't know what that was or what she intended to do with it. To their horror, it released a green beam that summoned the Noise.
Tsubasa took off and delivered another One Thousand Tears that easily dealt with the summoned Noise. The girl was about to use the cane again but was stopped by Tsubasa's relentless assaults.
Despite being worried. Hibiki couldn't help but be amazed by the two. Even if she still a nooby at this, she could tell how much Tsubasa had improved since she had moved on from her regrets. She was fluent in her movements and it seems to have a drive now.
The silver haired girl assess that at this point she had fifty percent chance at defeting the two gear users, a zero percent chance if the alien hero arrives and he will be in any minute. Therefore, she decided to try to taunt the blue haired girl again.
"The incident two years ago." She began and Tsubasa, even in the heat of battle narrowed her eyes at the mention of that tragedy. She blocked Tsubasa's sword with her chain and ripped it out of her hands. She jumped back and was about to summon another arms gear but stopped when the Nehushtan wielder spoke again.
"Getting this armor was part of our plan, but our main objective was to eliminate the greater threat, Kanade Amou!" She revealed and Tsubasa's eyes widened at the revelation.
Taking the chance, the Nehushtan wielder closed in towards Tsubasa and swings her chain towards her. Taking action Tsubasa blocked the incoming attack but was not able to dodge the next strike. The silver armored girl kneed Tsubasa in the abdomen and launched her backwards.
She coughed violently while trying to get back to her feet. She glared at the silver haired girl who was walking towards her casually. "So your true aim was to eliminate Kanade… why!" She yelled out in rage as she slowly returned to fighting stance.
"Yah, even though she was not naturally attuned she was still able to gain a Symphogear. With someone with such potential, she was without a doubt the biggest threat to us and it looks like we were right. After that incident you became all moody and you barely a threat. If only that freak guard dog of yours didn't interfered everything would had worked out."
Tsubasa's anger skyrocketed after finding out the truth. Her hand that held her arms gear shook due the rage she was feeling. The katana grew and blue sparks emitted from it. She screamed in rage and delivered her attack. "Azure Flash!"
The silver armored girl just smirked at the attacked and did nothing but tanked it. An explosion came after and a plum of dust appeared. Due to her rage Tsubasa was unable to notice the ground at her back burst up and a silver chained wipe came and slashed her back. A deep gushing wound was made and blood slowly trickled down. Tsubasa fell to her knees and used her sword as a crutch.
"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki cried to her wounded comrade. As she tried to run towards her but stopped when beams of green energy brought the Noise and surrounded her. The Noise then, in a manner of speaking spitted at Hibiki and it latched on to her like glue, immobilizing her completely.
"You just stay there and watch!" the silver haired girl barked at Hibiki while walking through the dust cloud and reveled that she was completely unharmed.
As Tsubasa tried to recover, she was suddenly kneed too the face by the Nehushtan wielder and was knocked back even further. She didn't stop and continued to whip Tsubasa.
She was able to dodge most of her attacks but the ones that were able to reach her left many wounds. Not as bad, the one that were made earlier but they were noticeable.
Taking too much hits, Tsubasa fell to her knees while cough up blood. The silver haired girl walked towards Tsubasa's kneeling form and pierced both her legs with her chain blades. She screamed in pain while a pool of blood slowly formed.
"It's sad… you were doing great a while back. If it wasn't for my tight schedule and the fact that freak might be here any minute now. I wouldn't mind dragging this for a bit longer." She said smugly, while preparing to continue her assault.
"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki could only cry out helplessly, seeing the current state of her friend. Hibiki struggled in panic, trying to break free. "That's right my arms gear!" She said to herself while her sights turned to her gantlets. "If I can summon my arms gear, then I can do something to help Tsubasa-san!"
She tried to muster the power in her gear, but sadly, the power seems to be there yet it wasn't listening to her please. "Please! PLEASE COME OUT! If you don't Tsubasa-san… Tsubasa-san will!" She continued to plead in anguish; hot tears were falling from her eyes.
Back with the two Tsubasa was glaring at the silver haired girl while greeting her teeth due to the pain she was feeling from her injuries.
"You… came here to finish the job, to kill me right?" Tsubasa asked still glaring at the silver armored girl.
"As thanks for the good fight to put up, I guess I can tell you. You are a small part of the reason I came. The real objective is the brat over there." She reveled while pointing her thumb at Hibiki.
Tsubasa's eyes widened in shock and confusion. In her mind, she couldn't understand what they could possibly want with Hibiki. "WHY! What do you gain! She hasn't even mastered her gear yet!" She demanded.
"Sorry can't tell you. You'll just have to find out in the next world." She raised her chain sword, preparing to deliver the finishing blow. "It's time for the idol to step down from her stage!"
She was about to do it until she heard a sound. She turned to the source and found that the Noise that where surrounding Hibiki were gone and Hibiki herself was free. She thought she had freed herself and defeated the Noise without her notice but looking at her expression on her face it appears she was confused at what that happened.
Then she felt great pain right on her cheek. Even covered with armor she felt like she was hit by a truck going a hundred miles. With a boom she was launched back crushing through the trees.
Tsubasa then felt being carried off the ground and her vision was blurred, just like when Ben carried her as XLR8. A second later, she found she was gently set on the ground right next to Hibiki. The two had finally had a good look on the being that saved them.
The being is a feline-like being with a black suit-like color scheme. His hands, legs, part of his head, and chest are colored blue. He has spikes on his hands and legs. He also has black Wolverine mask-like fins around his green eyes. He has a triangle shaped nose, and thunderbolt-like designs down his chest.
This is one of Ben's speedster aliens Fasttrack.
"Ben-san…" Tsubasa breathe out his name, already knowing who this creature is.
"Hey Tsubasa, sorry for being late." He said in an apologetic tone and she just shook her head with a smile, silently saying that it was all right.
Ben then found himself tackled and hugged by Hibiki, who was crying in joy at his arrival. "Ben-kun!"
"Hey there Hibiki, like I said sorry I took so ling." Hibiki just kept on hugging him and just gave anode at his answer.
Ben then took notice of Tsubasa's injuries and frowned. "Damn… you took quit the beating." He then gently pusses Hibiki off and tapped the omnitrix and changed to Snare-oh. He extended his bandages on the two wounds on Tsubasa's legs and the bandaged that he planted on the wound on her back stuck to her like tape.
"This would stop the bleeding for now. It's not much but it will do." Tsubasa said her thanks and Ben helped her up. Then from the direction where Ben had punched the Nehushtan armor wielder they felt a sudden burst of wind and saw that the girl was already back.
Was in bad shape, she was a bit hunched and breathing heavily. Her right arm was clutching the side of her face that Ben had punched. The visor on that side where she was clutching was broken. She was flaring at teen hero with madden and in rage look.
"You… YOU BASTERD! IF IT WERENT FOR YOU! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" She screamed and she has sent four chains directed to Ben. Still startled at her sudden attack Ben were pierced by the chains.
"Ben-kun!/Ben-san!" Both Hibiki and Tsubasa cried out to him, but then gasp at him when he was just staring at the silver haired girl.
"What!" The Nehushtan wielder said, un prepared at this proceedings.
"I guess not having any organs or any nerves to feel pain, helps a guy a lot form pointy things." Ben said smugly. He then pulled the chains out of him and yanked it to the side along with its attacker.
Bandages sprouted from his back and trapped the girl in it. He saw it won't hold her for long and tried to think of a new plan.
"I don't have much juice left in the omnitrix, got about enough for one more transformation." He looked over to Tsubasa seeing he had no other choice. "Tsubasa hear me out." The girl in question looked at him in wonder. "What ever I do next, just trust me ok." She didn't say anything, she was without a doubt confused but decided to put her fate in him. She nodded in understanding and he nodded back to her.
He activated his omnitrix once again and in his place was Upgrade. He then blorped towards Tsubasa and covered her like some liquid encasement. Tsubasa did not fight it she just let Ben do what he needed to do.
"Ben-kun?" Hibiki said in confusion on what he was planning to do.
At that moment the wielder of the silver gear had freed herself and saw what was currently happening.
Finally, after a few seconds, Tsubasa is adorned with a new armor. The new look of her armor was akin to a plug in suit, its color scheme was the same as Upgrade's, green and black and was showing a considerable amount of bust. Her hands were covered in metallic clawed gantlets and her feet wore were futuristically sharp boots along with latex knee socks.
Lastly at her back were butterfly like energy wings that glowed emerald green.
"Wh-what is this?" Tsubasa said in amazement while looking at her new get up.
"Amazing… you look like a goddess Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki complemented in awe at her knew form.
"What the hell!" The Nehushtan wielder said in bafflement.
"What did you do Ben-san!?" Tsubasa asked and in response Ben's head popped out from her shoulder, startling the idol.
"I just gave you an upgrade! So you ready Partner?" Tsubasa was silent for a moment before giving him a determined smile.
"Yes, I'm ready Partner!"
Chapter End
(Swampfire)
AN:
Hey guys hope you like the new chapter. So here, we have seen quite a bit. That the government and even the head of the Kazanari house wanted the omnitrix even though Ryoko and Genjuro had withheld most of what Ben had told them and on how Ben would go in to complete hiding if the worst came to be.
Also a little insight on Hibiki's thoughts were added in.
And the pre-intro of the new Noise arc type the Muta-Noise. What bugs me with Symphogear is that the Noise over all were shit even for cannon fodder standards. So I plane for the Muta-Noise to be a bit more challenging.
Also Chris has entered the stage… well not entirely but she's here! Now how will Ben handle her after the fight…hehehe.
Also this chapter showed Upgrade can merge with Symphogear, since the Symphogear is technology, old tech but tech none the less. This will open a lot of situation for en and the girls.
So without anything else berserkerzero7 signing off.