Before I begin, let me start off with this. Yes, I chose "Watashitachi wa Nozomi" on purpose. Nozomi's name in kanji is 東條希, 希 being Nozomi. If I were to translate from Chinese, it would be Hope. That's basically how I wound up with such an association.

Night of A Thousand Stars

Everyone in Phoebus Apollo was surprised by the return of the missing pilots, gathering towards them almost immediately. Maki and Nico still appeared tortured from their previous experience.

Nozomi promptly shoved her allies aside, and walked towards the main computers of the Central Command. Silent since her return and still donning her clothing, she began typing away on the keyboard.

"Toujou-san, that is only for me or the Superintendent's use!" Captain Minami exclaimed.

"I am the Superintendent, Minami." Nozomi spoke.

"What?!" almost everyone yelled.

"She captured us when we realised the truth…" Maki revealed.

"And if not for Honoka, we would've been that woman's pets!" Nico accused.

"Everyone…" Nozomi said, turning back to face them, "My actions have been deeply regrettable, and no amends can ever close those wounds. But this is a necessity, if we wish to end this madness forever."

Nozomi turned back to the keyboard. She looked at the main screens, requesting for a password.

"That's easy…" she thought.

M.U.S.E.

"Access approved. Welcome, Superintendent Toujou Nozomi." The computerised voice declared.

"You are the Superintendent!" Captain Minami exclaimed.

"I did a lot to get there…" Nozomi responded, "But now, for more important matters…"

Nozomi continued typing commands into the keyboard. Once she finished, she looked up again.

"Acknowledged Protocol: Typhon Has Risen; all civilian personnel are to be evacuated from Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Acknowledged Protocol: Panic Reinforce; United Nations Pan-Pacific Command will be alerted for mobilisation. Acknowledged Protocol: Aphrodisiac Pisces; the Cabinet and Imperial Household are to be evacuated to emergency government centre in Okinawa…"

"There, it's all done." Nozomi declared, "This is the final battle, ladies! It has been prophesised; the mother of false gods will fall and the scions shall rise in the multitudes and overwhelm even the Earth Mother herself."

"What?" Rin asked.

"She means that the Avatars are coming, and in numbers beyond anything we've seen before." Maki stated.

"What?! We cannot fight them!" Hanayo exclaimed.

"How many would there be?" Umi asked.

"Guys, as long we are determined, we can accomplish anything!" Honoka declared, "This is the fight to end it, right, Nozomi-chan?"

"As you had said…" Nozomi smiled, "And Minami…"

"Yes?" Kotori responded.

"Sorry, I mean the elder Minami," Nozomi corrected herself.

"Yes Superintendent-sama. I still find it difficult to believe that you're him…" Captain Minami said.

"I am sorry that I cancelled your daughter's Visa and placing, but she is now a participant in the gods' will." Nozomi explained.

"That's alright. My daughter only grew stronger as an iDol pilot," Captain Minami replied.

"As penance, I hereby grant you overarching authority in Phoebus Apollo." Nozomi announced, "You will granted the use of Protocols for the upcoming… no, final battle ahead."

"You…" Captain Minami exclaimed.

Nozomi smiled gently, taking out The Emperor card. It was originally reversed, but she quickly flipped it upright.

"I free you from being my puppet. You must now be a true Emperor-kun," Nozomi declared, "The true Emperor will ensure the ends will be fulfilled, no matter the cause. Do you understand, Minami-kun?"

"Understood… Toujou-san," Captain Minami saluted.

"Now for the battle…" Nozomi continued.

She turned to the keyboard and typed in commands. The main screen showed the city and circled a circular area from among the cityscape.

"The Avatars are seeking this object known as the Omphalos. You can call it the womb of the Earth, but we cannot allow them to enter it," Nozomi explained, "We are to set up a defensive perimeter around that area there. The Avatars will all converge there, so we have to destroy them."

"But won't that plan cause us to be surrounded?" Umi questioned, "They could overwhelm us in a war of attrition."

"I think some of us should be going on the offensive, while the others hold back the fort," Eli suggested, "What do you say, Nozomi?"

"Hmm… Very well," Nozomi agreed, "But I think we should re-arrange ourselves."

"Huh?" Rin asked.

"New subgrouping," Nozomi explained, "It's all necessary. Nico-chi will take Hanayo-chan and Rin-chan."

"Me! With the first-years!" Nico exclaimed.

"Eli-chi, Umi-chan and Kotori-chan are yours." Nozomi continued.

"Okay," Eli agreed.

"So that leaves the three of us…" Maki concluded, "What are you plotting now?"

"Honoka-chan made me see an alternative, so let's try that…" Nozomi said.

"I did?" Honoka wondered.

With the new subgroupings decided, the girls of µ's split up to discuss their strategy out there. Nozomi called both Honoka and Maki into her personal Superintendent quarters.

When the two entered the room, Nozomi was seated there. Her signature Tarot cards were displayed; three cards were face-up.

The Fool. The Hanged Man. Death.

"Hi girls, we got no time to lose." Nozomi began.

"Why are we grouped together?" Maki questioned.

"So inquisitive, Maki-chan…" Nozomi grunted, "There's a reason for everything. As you know, we are in charge of defending the Omphalos."

"There's a specific reason for that, I guess," Maki guessed.

"We may well have the biggest part to play, to end the Avatars' rampage," Nozomi said, "The cards have told me the way out… and Honoka-chan's the key here."

"Me?" she wondered.

"Yes. What I'm about to say must remain among the three of us by the way," Nozomi went on.

"Hmm… Alright," Maki agreed.

"Okay…" Honoka agreed.

Meanwhile, the residents of Tokyo were being evacuated en masse under Protocol: Typhon Has Risen. Organised by the military and police, the masses quickly boarded government-contracted buses and drove away to other prefectures.

The Kousaka and Sonoda households were the next to board the buses, quickly finding themselves some seats. The mothers, being childhood friends themselves, naturally found comfort with each other.

"First that Honoka dashed off without saying a word, and now the entire city's being evacuated." Mrs Kousaka groaned, "What has this world become?"

"I'm sure our daughters are in each other's care." Mrs Sonoda believed, "Honoka is also a strong girl."

"Sigh, but she always overestimates herself… and that worries me," Mrs Kousaka pointed out, "I wish she could give me a call at least. Aren't you worried for Umi?"

"For an old clan like ours, we understand the pride of the warrior." Mrs Sonoda answered, "Umi will do what is right of her as a warrior, never ever give up."

"You hardly ever changed…" Mrs Kousaka sweat-dropped.

News of Tokyo's evacuation soon reached world news. In Moscow, a certain family was watching the news of Tokyo's evacuation.

"… With the exception of essential government personnel, all civilians and foreigners residing in Tokyo will be evacuated to neighbouring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa…" the newscaster reported.

"Babushka, will Eli be okay?" the young girl asked.

"Oh Alisa, Elichika's a clever girl. She'll find her way…" Babushka pointed out.

"I hope that Japan will be alright." Alisa remarked, "I want to go to that Japanese school you and Eli went to."

"Of course, and I think you will never regret that choice." Babushka reassured, "Japan will survive. Not to worry."

"Harasho!" Alisa beamed.

In Captain Minami's office, she was confronted by Mrs Nishikino. Captain Minami held and fiddled with her phone.

"You know, you ought to call him…" Mrs Nishikino insisted.

"We really… we hadn't been on speaking terms since… I drafted in Kotori…" Captain Minami said.

"We don't even know if we could survive this one." Mrs Nishikino mused, "I've called my darling already. What about you? I'm sure he still loves you and Kotori."

Captain Minami looked at the phone and began typing in a certain number. She held the phone to her ear, waiting for a response.

"Yes?" a voice called out.

"Hello, dear… You heard the news…" Captain Minami began speaking.

In the Yazawa residence in Osaka, the three Yazawa children were playing among themselves. Mrs Yawaza was busy on the phone; Nico was speaking to her.

"Nico! What's going on?" she exclaimed, "Tokyo's being emptied, and then the Cabinet's fleeing! What's happening?"

"Mama! I told you already! The Avatars are coming!" Nico cried over the phone, "It's a god thing you guys are safe in Osaka."

"Yeah, thanks to your friend who helped us," Mrs Yazawa mentioned.

"That big-breasted fiend…" Nico muttered.

"Nico, don't call people names." Her mother lectured.

"But she always teases me!" Nico cried, "And she's not all that innocent."

"That does not mean she's a bad person. She did help us when there's no gain for her," her mother highlighted.

"Yeah… guess you're right…" Nico conceded.

"Couldn't tell her how she captured Maki and I in the shrine…" Nico thought, "But she really went out the way to help us…"

On-board one of the government buses, many fleeing citizens found comfort in conversations among one another. Among them, the Koizumi and Hoshizora families met each other by chance.

"What a strange circumstance to meet you," Mrs Koizumi admitted.

"Last time we met was fetching our daughter from school," Mrs Hoshizora remarked.

"A pity… while Hanayo and the others will be fighting the good fight, us adults are fleeing with our tails between our legs," Mrs Koizumi bemoaned.

"Huh? The famous iDol pilot of Artemis still wants the taste of battle," Mrs Hoshizora laughed.

"No, I'm getting too old for that!" Mrs Koizumi exclaimed, "Hanayo may not be as good of a fighter than that Soviet girl or lily white's coordinated teamwork, but she has heart."

"That's kinda deep…" Mrs Hoshizora admitted.

The Nishikino Hospital – Saitama Branch was where many of the Tokyo Branch's patients went to after attacks on it. The members of A-Rise still remained in recuperation, though they were at least alive and well.

Even they were paying attention to the TV screen, reporting on Tokyo's evacuation. Dr Nishikino stood by the former iDol pilots, supervising their recovery.

"Erena, you have to stop!" Anju pleaded.

"Anju, being on the hospital bed for so long got you so fat~" Erena teased, pinching her friend's tummy.

"Hush now, the both of you." Tsubasa snapped, "We're watching the news here."

"Okay, let's watch the TV…" Erena relented.

"Maki… dear…" Dr Nishikino thought.

The streets of Akihabara were mostly emptied, with all the population cleared. Nero was desperately walking about the streets, looking out for anyway out.

"Damn all of them! That girl straggled me and knocked me out! The next thing I know, I was all alone!" Nero cursed, "And now the city's being evacuated!"

Looking ahead, he saw the headlights of a government bus. Taking the chance, he dashed right in front of the vehicle. The bus came to a screeching halt and honking from the driver.

A member of the police came out to see the cause of disruption, a blonde with curled twin-tails. Upon seeing Nero, her face cringed immediately.

"Hey Kokoro-chan! Do me a favour!" Nero begged.

"Not you idiots again!" the police detective groaned.

Another figure peeped out to see the commotion, a pink-haired girl dressed in detective apparel.

"Hi Nero!" the girl cried.

"Sheryl!" Nero exclaimed.

"Why not join us for the ride?" Sheryl suggested, "The whole gang's here on the same bus at last."

"Why not… For the road, as they say…" Nero laughed.

On the school grounds of Otonokizaka Academy, two policemen were stuck with the task of evacuating the school's alpacas. Trying their best to usher the animals, they only got the creatures out of their pen. The brown-furred alpaca even spat at the constables dragging it out.

Supervising the constables' efforts, a few teachers of the school remained behind.

"Ah Yamada-sensei, must the alpacas be moved as well?" the other teacher asked.

"Sasahara-sensei, those things are still part of the school and they're popular with the kids," Yamada-sensei addressed, "Besides, the Chairwoman called to request them moved to Osaka."

"Really… Her daughter must really love alpacas…" Sasahara-sensei groaned.

In the Central Command, the three technicians were left to their devices in a mostly empty room. Gathered on the floor, they fiddled about with a huge piece of paper and several markers.

"C'mon, we got to make this perfect!" Hideko demanded.

"We kinda expected this day to come, but…" Mika remarked.

"But not that soon!" Fumika cried.

"Let's get this done before they set out. We don't know if they would make it this time…" Hideko said.

"Hideko-chan, don't curse those girls!" Mika cried.

"You two can be helping me instead," Fumika said.

The three continued doodling the paper with their markers, drawing away.

At that time, Maki and Honoka had long left Nozomi's room. Eli was there to meet Nozomi, helping her to tidy up and comb the spiritual girl's hair.

"Goodness, so many things happened today." Eli recounted, "When I heard you were also missing, I was beside myself."

"Oh Eli-chi…" Nozomi spoke, "You really shouldn't… Considering that I had done so much wrong to y'all."

"That doesn't really matter," Eli comforted.

"I brought you into this. I did all this for you, to realise your wish," Nozomi said, "Remember how we got into the Student Council."

"That's when we realised the school was about to close…" Eli recounted.

When the two third-years were still in their first year in Otonokizaka Academy, they looked at a rather ominous notice on the school noticeboard.

Otonoki To Close In Three Years (?)

"What…" Eli muttered.

"Eli-chi, are you alright?" Nozomi asked.

"The school Babushka loved so much… I will save it!" Eli declared, "Even if I must fight against the gods themselves, I will do that! For the school!"

"Eli-chi…" Nozomi muttered softly.

"Never thought I really would be fighting gods to save the school," Eli joked.

"In the beginning, I wanted to use the Omphalos to destroy the world," Nozomi confessed, "But when I saw your determination and drive to save the school… I wanted to fulfil your wish… To save the school… And then, I just failed to consider everyone else to do so…"

"That's okay. It's the thought that counts," Eli consoled, "The nine of us are going to stand to the very end."

"Nine of us eh? Dunno how Nico-chi would forgive me…" Nozomi remarked, "We exchanged very brutal words back then…"

Their private talk was interrupted by a knock on the door. Eli went to answer it, seeing Nico.

"Hmm, speaking of the devil…" Eli remarked.

"Where's Nozomi?" Nico asked.

"Yes, Nico-chi?" Nozomi inquired.

"You know you're gonna pay for the many things you did," Nico said.

"Nico, now's not the time we fight among ourselves…" Eli butted in.

"I do, Nico-chi…" Nozomi replied, turning to face Nico.

"That's why you don't die out there," Nico dared.

"I will never die in presence of the Sun," Nozomi mused, "And you know… Your father once came to me for a fortune… about his daughter."

"Hmm?" Nico wondered.

"I foreseen her as a bright shining Sun, an excellent guide who spreads joy to all," Nozomi elaborated, "And now, look at you."

"Don't think complimenting me will clear you of your charges!" Nico exclaimed.

"Okay, I still need to fix Nozomi's hair." Eli pointed out, "Nico, why don't you help me?"

"Uh… okay…" Nico agreed to the offer.

Meanwhile, the first-years were stuck together and looking over at the iDols about to be sent out again… hopefully for the last time.

"… And so that's how we ended up here…" Maki finished her recount.

"There's so much we don't know about Captain Nozomi…" Rin remarked.

"Excuse me, Captain?" Maki questioned.

"Since she's the real boss, she should be called captain…" Rin justified.

"The Hell…" Maki bemoaned.

"So… this is it, the last battle…" Hanayo expressed, "Mum always said how she retired gloriously, the few who came out largely unscarred. Will everything be alright now?"

"Kayo-chin, Maki-chan and Rin will be okay!" Rin declared.

"Indeed we will, and everything shall end." Maki agreed.

Inside a certain government bus, Yukiho answered her ringing phone. Instantly hearing Honoka's voice, she turned to her parents and activated speaker mode.

"It's Nee-chan!" Yukiho exclaimed.

"Honoka! Where have you been?" Her mother exclaimed.

"Mum… I'm alright… I'm inside Phoebus Apollo right now…" Honoka explained, "Listen, we're gonna to fight the Avatars again."

"You'd better be careful! We're being evacuated out of Tokyo!" Mrs Kousaka said, "Our bus should land us in the refuge camp in Saitama, so find us there."

"Nee-chan, stay safe!" Yukiho cried.

"Uh… everyone…" Honoka muttered.

"Honoka…" Her father spoke, "Go. Go do what you feel is correct. Fight on!"

"Dad… everyone… Mm, Honoka will fight on!" she declared, ending the call.

As Honoka ended her call, she turned and faced Umi and Kotori. Both were reasonably concerned at Honoka, who had tears streaking down her eyes.

"Honoka… is everything okay?" Umi asked.

Without saying a word, Honoka moved in for a three-way hug with her two childhood friends.

"Honoka! This is a bit too sudden!" Umi exclaimed.

"Umi-chan, just enjoy the moment…" Kotori assured her.

After a few seconds, Honoka let go of her two childhood friends.

"Uh… I just wanted one good hug before the final fight…" Honoka reasoned.

"Sigh… you can have all the hugs you need afterwards," Umi jokingly bemoaned.

"Umi-chan, please protect Kotori-chan." Honoka requested.

"Of course I would… but why the strange query?" Umi wondered.

"Uh… Well, you two are together in the same team after all," Honoka said.

"It's okay, Honoka-chan. We understand," Kotori nodded.

A few hours later, all of µ's and Captain Minami had congregated in the iDol bay. Having worn their Interactive Suits, they prepared for that grand battle ahead.

"Okay girls, be careful out there." Captain Minami instructed, "The Pan-Pacific Command has sighted several Avatars approaching the city. We need to prevent them from getting to Omphalos at all costs. Since the city is projected to be completely evacuated soon, fight without restraint."

"Okay!" everyone acknowledged.

"Good…" Captain Minami smiled, "And Kotori…"

"Yes, Ma'am…" Kotori responded.

"Your father called in to tell never give up, never ever give up, no matter what." Her mother said.

"Alright, Mum!" Kotori beamed.

"Everyone…" Nozomi began to say her share, "… From here on may well be a true war of the gods. No regrets before we enter this final stage?"

"Of course not! We'll just walk through it!" Honoka declared, "Fight on!"

"I'll be sure to guide you all on the right track," Eli said.

"We got the skills to fight them, so I see no reason for regrets." Maki remarked.

"Such a narcissist…" Nico chided, "But Nico's gonna be a guiding Sun. There will be no despair."

"I choose to fight on, and I will still opt for that choice." Kotori said.

"As do I. A true samurai never backs down from defending the homeland," Umi followed.

"Victory is ours nya!" Rin exclaimed.

"We will defeat all of them, every last one Avatar." Hanayo reaffirmed.

"Very well," Nozomi smiled, "I prophesise our victory. Now…"

"Everyone, let's do a cheer!" Honoka suggested, "Each of us call out a number and shout it out, then make a peace sign and put them in a circle! One!"

"The Fool"

"Two!"

"The Lovers"

"Three!"

"The Hierophant"

"Four!"

"The Chariot"

"Five nya!"

"The Strength"

"Six!"

"The Magician"

"Seven!"

"The Sun"

"Eight!"

"Me… the High Priestess…"

"Nine!"

"The Hermit…"

"Ten!" someone cried.

Everyone turned and saw the three technicians standing. They carried with them a banner. Mostly black, it was littered with dozens of glitter that shone like the night sky.

In the centre of the banner, the words "µ's Fight On!" was written in luminescent markers.

"Hideko-chan… Mika-chan… Fumika-chan…" Honoka exclaimed.

"Don't you forget us, the people standing by the sidelines and supporting you," Hideko said.

"Not just us, but the whole school, your folks and even the rest of the world." Mika added.

"This is a small token of everyone's support," Fumika said, "We will be forever grateful for your actions today."

"We won't be merely supporting you girls," Captain Minami remarked, "We will fight alongside you. We will end this chaos together."

"You guys are definitely The Star." Nozomi remarked, "All the people who had supported us, who wished to end the bloodbath, they are our guiding lights of victory. Our reason to stand here today."

"Okay! Let's do this!" Honoka cried, "Join us."

The three technicians and Captain Minami also made a peace sign, though µ's still formed a circular formation among themselves. They raised their hands and shouted:

"µ's Last Fight! Fight Start!"

With that, everyone dashed towards their respective iDols. Captain Minami and her technicians left for the Central Command; only Honoka, Maki and Nozomi were alone.

"Honoka-chan… are you prepared?" Nozomi asked.

"Yeah… let's do this…" Honoka affirmed.

So this ends another chapter. Originally, I planned to unveil the "extra Nozomi chapter" here... but well, today is the Love Live Dream Sensation Day 1. This chapter is made in partial tribute to their 5th Live and the title references that. The Night of a Thousand Stars refers to the many supporters that µ's have, and it is these supporters that carried the franchise to its current level you see today.

The scene with Nero is kinda my resolution arc for the pitiful detective. Kokoro and Sheryl are homages to Milky Holmes, and voice acted by Nanjolno and Mimorin respectively (the VAs for Eli and Umi).

Tarot symbolism corner

Friends, Family, Allies of µ's & Love Livers: The Star (symbol of hope; it is only with everyone's support that Love Live grew from a simple MV with nine voice actresses and nine characters to the "school idol project" you see today)

This chapter might seem slightly rushed, but I feel it is imperative to offer this one tribute to everyone who loves Love Live and µ's (and there's the fact I chose not to go to the live streaming due to cash reasons...).