Asa mo yoru mo koi kogarete hoshi ni naru yo kimi mamoru tatakai wa yukue shirazu

(From the sky the camera falls down on the nation of japan and then close up to the Skywall, where the red light beams down on Chifuyu, as she reaches out. Scene changes to Sento the light going up his body, Sento brings his clenched fist close to his chest before reaching out. In the background Stalk looks on.)

ashita to kinou no kousaten de majiwaranai kimi to boku ima iku yo boku wa nagareboshi

(Sento stands with everyone looking on with a serious face. Scene changes to Chloe in tears as Sento reaches out before a Shadowy hand grabs Sento's hand. Scene changes to Build, Cross-Z, and Akats standing ready to fight.)

IS Infinite Build

sekai ga kuchihatete mo kawaru koto no nai mono ga aru

(Camera flashes to Ichika's face then Cross-Z, then to Cross-Z jumping off a building and flying into battle. Scene changes to Cecilia taking aim with her rifle and firing off a shot)

namida wo koraete demo mamorubeki mono ga bokura ni wa aru

(The shot passes Rin, who swings at the camera, Charlotte blocks incoming fire before firing back)

nanmannen nan okunen mae kara no messeji ga tainai de uzukidasu narihibiku

(Changes to Laura swinging her cannon and aiming before firing off a shot, the shot flies past Akatsu as she thrusts with her blade, under the helmet Houki let's out a tear.)

shagareta koe de asu wo yobu kizu darake no te de kimi mamoru

(Grease drops towards Cross-Z with her weapon at the ready, Cross-Z spins around and thrusts his blade at Grease, their weapons let out a shockwave of energy as the two steare each other down. Scene changes to Tajimi and Phantom Task behind her. Looming over all of them is a Mech hidden in Shadow, a beam charges up before firing at the screen.)

I continue to fight I continue to fight

(Gentoku walks forward with Yamada behind him. Camera changes to an up close look at Gentoku up close, looking at one half of Gentoku's face is with a creepy smile. Camera switches to other side to see a dulled out Gen with purple crack veins creeping up his face. Stalk Revels in everything.)

asa mo yoru mo koikogarete hoshi ni naru yo kimi mamoru tatakai wa yukue shirazu

(Sento Drives his bike before swerving to park as he looks over the ridge. Looking over a hill, Sento looks on at Hokuto's army. Stalk flies in with new armor covering her.)

ashita to kinou no kousaten de majiwaranai kimi to boku sadame wo kirisaku nagareboshi

(Camera flies past the cast in different poses looking at the camera M's face shows anger, as camera changes to Sento also with a serious face, before Chifuyu drops in besides Sento. Sento and Chifuyu reach out to each other, but a shadow creeps up Sento's hand. Sento brings his hand close to his eye, the camera focuses on his eyes to see a shadow in both eyes.)

hakanaku kiete nakunaru koto sae kowakunai

(Still focusing on the eye, appears an all black boots, hand, chest piece, then belt with a Red Trigger upon it. Then to Normal Build as his helmet folds out, the camera pans back to look down upon the entire cast. Camera changes to a Full Bottle being tossed before being paused in frame.)

Construct 72: Ashes to Ashes

We are Houki

Stalk:(puts hands together) Shall we begin Round 2 then?

Akats:(clenched fist) Come on then. Let's dance!

I charge at Stalk as we exchange blows. Stalk's armor shifts freeing up her movement, to keep the same mobility as she did before. When I would swing at Stalk, she would block and the armor would shift and lock into place making it hard to land a clear hit. Damn it! Stalk slams her foot into me knocking me back to the ground. I go to get up again when the briefcase lands in front of me again.

Build:(looks over) Where did you-(blocks attack) Get that!?

Stalk:(chuckles) Oh, Sen-chan. The Cafe was my former home. Course I would know you would put my… Or rather. Houki-chans stuff.(looks at Houki) Now… Use it.

Akats:(clenched fist) Like… Hell, I would! I don't… Need it, to take you down!

Stalk sighs, as she shrugs. "I admire your determination, but I wonder… Did you tell them?" Stalk says. No! "You reaction makes it clear… Oh Ikkun?!" Stalk says, I rush to my feet and swing at Stalk. Stalk blocks and knocks away my blade before putting me in an arm lock. "Shall I tell you a little secret?" Stalk says, I struggle to break free, but the upgrade is stronger than I thought and keeps me in place.

Stalk:(grabs Sakura Bottle) Do you know what this is?

Cross-Z:(looks over) H-Huh?(Kicks Cobra away) Is that… A Sakura Full Bottle?

Build:(cuts down Cobra) Another bottle that's not on the Pandora's Box?

Akats:(panicking) Don't listen to what she's saying! She's going to lie to you!

Stalk:(nods) You're right! Seeing is believing, so let's put on a little show. Shall we?

Stalk kicks me to the ground, before she snaps her fingers as a screen appears in the sky.

Ichika:(crying) Why...? I thought we were gonna see the Sakura's again with everyone, again…

As Kasumi's gold particles float into the air. Tabane puts out her arm with a Blank Full Bottle in hand. Opening the cap, the gold particles are absorbed into the bottle. Tabane leans into the screen, looking at the bottle before smiling at the camera. "Gatcha, Ka-su-mi!" The screen then changes to two people getting gassed. One sick man dressed in a Tare, the second a woman dressed in Mikoto clothing. Both are gassed and scream out in pain before they turn to the gold particles like Kasumi before. The particles are absorbed into tubes that enter two more Empty Full Bottles. The screen changes again to the Sakura, Katana, Otome Full Bottles being placed on a pedestal.

Tabane:(smiles) And now you know.

Stalk:(laughs) How's that for a twist?! Great right?! HAHAHAHAHA!

Ichika falls to his knees and Sento is at a loss for words. "Stalk…" I mutter gritting my teeth. "I could do more you know. I could burn the tree you last went too. Or destroy the Family grave? How's that?!" Stalk mocks, I clenched my fist before I stomp over to the suitcase. "Houki? Houki! NO! Don't use the-" I don't listen to Build as I open the case and take off my belt. My armor disappeared, Stalk looks over as I strap on the belt.

Houki: I'm sorry Sensei...(opens Jelly) Stalk… I'M GONNA KILL YOU STALK!

I turn the Jelly down, before putting it in my other hand and inserting it into the belt. "Sakura Jelly!" The beaker constructs around me, I bring out both my arms before I clench them. "Henshin!" I shout as I bring down my hand and turn the crank. "Crush! Flow! Overflow!" The beaker closes around me, as the armor appears. "Akatsubaki Sakura~! Charge! Burrra!" I stand ready.

The Akatsubaki Sakura Charge has a mix motif of rabbits and Sakuras. The color plet of the suit is red, dark pink, silver, white, gold, and black. The while undersuit is black. The helmet is a clear red with visible rabbit eyes with their ears. The chest is silver while the chest plate is red with a rabbit on it. The shoulder pieces are pointed up with roots growing out with sakura blooming on the roots. Both arms have gold armor on the elbow and wrist with the sector in between being spiraling Sakura roots. The waist has the Sclash Driver with the jelly inside. At the crotch and thighs are white armor, with the thighs having gold writing them. At the knee and ankle are the same gold armor with spiraling Sakura roots, the foot have gold armor down it.

Build:(disbelief) This is the worst possible outcome...

Stalk:(nods) Now this is what I'm looking for! Come on… Show me what you can do.

Akats:(deep breath then exhale) Fine… I'll grow stronger than who I was yesterday…(looks at Stalk) I'll beat you, and avenge Kasumi!

I shout before I reach my shoulder where several sakura buds grow out. Grabbing them I throw them at Stalk. She blocks as the buds hit her armor. Then burst and vines grow out forcing apart the armor. "Oh? Then hows this?!" Stalk shouts as she summons a minigun to her hand and the barrel begins to spin. I turn my left leg a bit as the roots on my leg twist off and then embed themselves in the ground. The ground parts as sakura roots burst out forming a wall, sakura's growing on the wall covering the roots. Stalk open fires on the roots, the roots on my leg break off and spiral around my leg again, and with a flick of my wrist the roots on my right arm form a weapon before the break away. "Twin Breaker!" Holding the Twin Breaker in beam mode, I run out to the side of the wall. Stalk turns her body to follow me, but the vines on her grow to cover her body before turning into wood further restricting Stalk's movement. I blast her breaking the roots on her but damaging her. I stop directly behind the wall, I put my left hand on the ground. The roots twist off and into the ground, this time breaking out of the ground and slamming into Stalk sending her back into the wall, smashing through it. The roots on my hand split and twist onto my hand again, before I start to run. Running up the root that smashed into Stalk, I jump into the air. A blade appearing down the back of my leg. I slam down on Stalk, breaking down the wall, sakura's flying around us. I jump back and change the weapon. "Attack Mode!" Taking the Uso Hopper, I insert it into the Twin Breaker. "Ready GO!" Music plays as charge at Stalk. Stalk summons a shield and blocks, the drill breaks through the shield. Rabbit ears then also tear through the shield, ripping it apart the Twin Breaker is projecting rabbit ears in the form of ear claws. I grab Stalk again and proceed to slam Stalk into the ground before grabbing her by the head and lifting her up. "Let's Break!" I slam the Twin Breaker into Stalk, an energy rabbit blasting out and though her and blasting her away. Stalk slams into the ground and explodes.

Akats:(heavy breathing) H-Hows… Th-That?(drops to knee)

Build:(rushes over) Houki!

Stalk:(stands up) Not bad… Not bad at all Houki-chan. Let's leave this here for today. Caio!

Stalk waves at me, before her armor breaks off of her. The Bottle in the Steam Gun shatters, then the armor combusts into smoke that engulfs the area. After a few seconds, the smoke fades, with Stalk missing. "I guess that means she has more where that came from." Build mutters.

Akats:(helped up) Argh… I-Ichika… Hows?

I look over to see Ichika remove the Jelly from his belt. The armor disappearing, Sensei removes his can, and my jelly. Ichika falls stands and then collapse. "Hey… Hey, you okay?" Sensei asks walking over with me. Chifuyu, Tatenashi, and Kanzashi arrive. Chifuyu helps Ichika to his feet. "Ichika! What happened?" Chifuyu asks. "We couldn't see the fight, not when a whole battalion arrived to attack the capital." Kanzashi asks, Ichika pulls away from Chifuyu. "I-I'm fine." He mumbled before hobbling off. "Tatenashi, Kanzashi help these two. Chifuyu, I'll explain." Sento says before handing me off to Kanzashi. Sensei and Chifuyu head towards Touto government building.

Hokuto… We are M

In the Hokuto Faust Branch, I'm forced to have a meeting with Tajimi, Stalk, and Squall. "What the hell is this? I was about to break through." I ask wondering why they would pull me out. And what the hell did Stalk stay behind? I look at the pedestal next to where Stalk is sitting, seeing a destroyed gear bottle. Guessing Stalk used it on them...

Tajimi:(sitting) I felt that you might be having trouble with retrieving the Pandora Box and the Bottles, so I had you return.

M:(sighs) Don't fuck with me.(leans on table) I'm stronger than Build, Cross-Z, and Akats. My Hazard Level proves that too.

Stalk: For now. Shinonono Houki and Banjou Ichika are becoming stronger faster than anyone. It's only a matter of time until they surpass you.

Squall:(looks at Stalk) Shinonono, I get. The Pandora Essence sure does power up… Question is. Why Banjou?

M:(walks over to lab) Fuck that. If you want to power me up. Then you can just do something to me.

Stalk: Unfortunately, I cannot speed up your level growth. The Trio are the only ones I'd be able to do anything on.

Stalk stands up and walks over to a small marble table, sitting on it is a red trigger. "That thing?" Squall asks, I look at it. "If this is used on them, their Hazard Level will shoot up." Stalk explains before sitting next to me. "Probably till they're as strong as you. However, in exchange, their bodies will be destroyed if they're defeated." Stalk explains. What? "So your saying they'll die?" I ask, Stalk looks at me and nods. "But they will obey if you order them to do it. So..." Stalk says going to hug me, before I break off of her. Like hell I'd do that.

M:(looks at Stalk) There's no way in hell I'd order them to do that.

Squall:(looks at M) You sure? You'll be in trouble if Cross-Z gets stronger than you. Not to mention Akatsubaki just got an upgrade.

Tajimi:(stands up) If you can't retrieve those Bottles… Then you're out.

M:(turns to leave) I'll snatch the Bottles before that happens(leaves)

We are Observer

Tajimi:(turns) Come on out now.

The Trio steps out of their hiding place. "Now, you boys heard what your leader said, but..." Tajimi asks walking up to the three. Stalk gestures to the trigger. "What will you do? Take the leap?" Squall asks, in Squall's mind other thoughts go through her head. 'Either way, this won't change the Phantom Fronts.' Squall thinks to herself.

IS Cafe, Underground Lab… We are Sento

I explain the plan to everyone. Houki who's still recovering, Ichika who's chugging down energy drinks like theres no tomorrow, Chifuyu whos helping me explain all of this, and Chole, Sawa and the twins who are listening to our plan. "After speaking with the government, we've decided to disperse the bottles." I explain before directing the attention of everyone to the map.

Sento:(points) Four in the Government Residence… Two in the Research Institute… Two in the Archaeology Museum… And two in the Clean Center. We'll hold the rest.

Chloe:(looks at Bottles) But it's dangerous if we leave them here.

Sento:(grabs bottle) Yeah. We should split them between us too.(turns to Sawa) Sawa? Have anything for us?

Sawa:(nods) Yes, as you've sked. I've dug up some info on Grease and the others.(pulls up report) Grease or rather. M's real name is Banjou Madoka, or Sawatari Madoka by her foster family, Madoka, just as Chifuyu-san said was considered dead. I still have nothing of what happened in between then and now, but Madoka was given to foster parents in Hokuto. Madoka owns a large tract of farmland… and the trio worked under her and the family. When the Sky Wall Tragedy happened, the soil composition changed. Due to that, Sawatari's farm fell into a devastating condition.

At the same time… Hokuto Faust Branch… We are Observer…

Akaba: Captain and her family threw away their life savings… to look after us and our families. We worked as hard as we could… Then Mr and Misses Sawatari passed away from overworking themselves. C-Madoka kept moving, for us… But one day, we even ran out of food to eat…

Stalk:(pats Akaba) I see… So you guys decided to apply to undergo experiments to become weapons, huh?

Akaba:(turns to Stalk) We're thankful to you… for using us as well.

Stalk:(nods) Don't worry about it.

Kiba finishes up, and is exited out of the chamber. A man in a gas mask helps him up and gets him away. "We can't let Capitan hog all the glory." Aoba says before entering the chamber. Kiba gasping for air, "We can be of use to her..." he says before collapsing onto the bed. The camber is closed up and Stalk throws the switch, Akaba goes to look at his friend going through the process. Stalk steps away, a smile forming under her helmet.

Back with Sento…

Chloe: So Grease willingly underwent human experimentation… In order to earn money for his friends' living expenses.

Chifuyu:(sighs) If anything, she's definitely a part of the Banjou family… But why was she separated from us?

Sento: Nothings for sure at this point… But what is clear, is that they're victims of war too…

Ichika: But that doesn't change the fact that they wrecked Touto's streets.(looks at everyone) There's no room for sympathy.(grabs Sclash driver) I'll take down each and every one of them-

I grab the driver out of Ichika's hand. "I won't let you use this anymore." I say. "Why?" Ichika demands. "It's bad enough with two of our riders using this… But the potential threat-" I try my best not to fly off the handle against Ichika. "You should've noticed how much your body has changed! Without that-" Ichika and Houki think about their actions.

Sento:(walks away) If your body keeps taking more damage…

Ichika: Are you jealous of how strong I am?

Sento:(turns to Ichika) What did you say?

Ichika stands up and stomps over to me. "Don't order me around when you're weaker than me." Ichika says before snatching the belt from my hand… I can't do anything to stop him. "I'll knock Hokuto down. That's all there is to it." Ichika says before storming off. "I-I'll go after him." Houki says before following after.

Sawa:(looks to Sento) Will he be okay?

Sento:(groans) There's no cure for idiocy.

We are Houki

I follow Ichika to a park near his house. We used to come here with Kasumi all the time when we were younger… Ichika lies on one of the seats, with left behind toys littering the park. I walk over putting out a can of juice over his gut. Ichika is too distracted by his thoughts to notice me. I drop the can on him as he snaps out of his mental conference. "H-Houki..." He mutters sitting up.

Houki:(sits down) Still thinking about what Stalk told us…(No response) Sigh~ It's so lonely around here now, huh?

Ichika:(sits up) Because they'll get involved in the war if they go out.(looks around) It's not right for kids not to be able to play in the parks.(opens can and sips.)

Houki:(nods) Yeah… You know. I haven't been here since I left because of the protection program.

Ichika:(points to tree) Yeah. I'd remember we had one long day with the three of us. You, me, and Kasumi… A lot has happened, I confessed to Kasumi in Junior High, then went out…(looks at Houki) I still can't believe that Kasumi… Or what's left of her is in that bottle.

I nod in agreement, I take out the Sakura Full Bottle and look at it. Kasumi… I hand the bottle to Ichika. "Here. You deserve this." I tell him, he pushes my hand back to me. "No, you do." Ichika says before taking out the Dragon Bottle and showing me it. "This is her strength, her gift to me. You… You have her kindness, her will. I'm sure she'd want you to have that." Ichika says to me, I look at Ichika he doesn't seem so distraught over Kasumi.

Houki: Are you… Not hurt by the news?

Ichika:(looks at Houki) No… Well, yes… But… I made my peace when I became Cross-Z. I think that the news was more for you… What about you? You don't seem to distraught.

Houki:(looks at Sakura Bottle) No, I am distraught… It's all so horrible, this war, the others who were dragged into this fight, and all the lives destroyed by the war… It's horrible.

Ichika:(nods) Yeah… He's probably thinking the same thing.(stands up) … You know… We haven't seen him smiling in a while. I can't blame him, though. He thinks that it's his fault everything's like this.

Houki:(looks at ground) What Katsuragi did…

Ichika: That's why… I want to end this war as soon as possible.(Houki looks at Ichika) I wanna go back to school with Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, Laura, Chifuyu-nee, Yamada-Sensei, Hell even the twins! I wanna go back to those days… To see him smile again, teaching us things, going on his nonsensical rants, adventures to help students with their problems, and just… in general.

Houki:(stands up) So then… You're doing this for Sento…

Ichika:(walks towards playground) He's already done so much for me and you. You know,(hops on playground) if I never met him… I probably wouldn't have trusted other as much. This time… It's my turn to become his strength. So we can go back to those days...

Houki:(walks over) Heh, sorry to say but. We can't have those days back Ichika… The days ahead, when this war is over…(smiles) Is going to be brighter. We can't go back to the past, but we can make the future brighter… For Sensei, and Kasumi, but don't go trying to die, those days ahead can't be bright with out you're stupid shine!

Ichika:(looks at Houki) Oh… Shut up!(goes down slide) Whooa!(hits ground) Ow!... Fuck my ass…

Houki:(giggles) Should've stuck the landing.

We are Sento

I search through Katsuragi's Data and keep coming up with Errors. Sigh~ It's no use… "You okay?" Chifuyu asks walking over. "Yeah… But I can't find the right keyword." I explain, before I'm embraced by Chifuyu. "Feel free to decompress, don't let it get to you." Chifuyu tells me, I hug back letting out a big sigh.

Sento: It's just been train wreck after train wreck… First the Sclash Drivers, then the War, then the Trio, then Grease, then the Bottles, then Stalk, and more… It's nothing but trouble.

Chifuyu:(giggles) Which is why you need time's like this, to decompress. Calm your nerves, I'm right here.

Sento:(Sigh) You're right… I really do need this…

Chifuyu:(smiles) Oh, Kiryu Sento… What would you do without me?

Sento:(chuckles) I'd be hopeless ball of meat.

Chifuyu:(pets Sento) Well, I would have gone with a Hopeless ball of sadness is what I'd go with but okay.

"Heh, it's true though." I retort, I stand up as I bring Chifuyu close. "Still, this is as good a chance as any… Don't hate me." I say bringing my face closer to her. Chifuyu smiles. "Hate you for finally making a move?(smiles) Never." Chifuyu says to me, I bring our faces close. *Beep~!* OH COME ON! "Grease just showed up at the Touto Cleaning Center. Head there immediately." Gen-san orders.

With Gentoku… We are Observer

Gentoku slams down the headset before stepping away. "This is far too quick." Yamada expresses to Gentoku, she looks to him. "Yes… How did the Bottles' hidden location get leaked?" The two think on it… "A Double agent." Gentoku mutters.

Back with Sento…

I sigh as I grab my belt. Just when it was getting good. I grab my jacket and put it on. Chifuyu walks over to me and grabs my shoulder as she turns my cheek to her. She kisses me on the cheek and pats me on the back. "That's a little sneak peek. So do your best okay?" Chifuyu says to me. Heh, I can't see it… But I must have the most stupid smile to my face. "I'm off Chifuyu, I'll be back." I say waving off to Chifuyu. She waves back.

Chifuyu:(smiles) I'll be waiting for you and you're scientific nonsense.

Sento:(chuckles) It's not- oh forget. I'm off.

Chifuyu:(waves) Have a safe trip.

Construct 72 Complete