After the events on Elegia had concluded, the United Front of the Hero Alliance and Xross Drive Rebellion split into two groups. The reason for this being that Ace had still heard nothing from Simon, Spade, or any of the Shadow Knights since they left. So Ace and Spirit Force, joined alongside by Connor, Team Revival, and Darksquad, headed off to the last place all of them were seen headed… the world Bayonetta called home.
Joining them from Team XDR were Kamen Rider Zi-O, Cure Starlight, Woz, Regina Madoka, Gunvolt, the nine Symphogears, Kiana Kaslana, Mei Raiden, and Seele Vollerei, and Vent with Ciel as their commander and Elfnein as their scientist/alchemist.
While they were headed to Bayonetta's world, Elfnein had a closer look at Connor's new relic inside the Edens Zero lab. "I can't believe it. Another Ichaival relic in this multiverse." Elfnein remarked. She had gold/brown hair in a messy cut and wore traditional lab clothes.
"And on a guy, no less." Gunvolt added.
"Guess you and Copen aren't the only guys who can use the Gear Systems." Joule remarked.
"What? Guys aren't allowed to use this stuff?" Connor remarked.
"There's actually a reason for that, Connor-san." Elfnein explained. "You need to have a high-compatibility rate with a relic to use it. Though so far, it's mostly the girls having that trait, no guys so far."
"The one Copen and I use is a different type of Gear System called the Faust Robe, which pretty much functions the same as the Symphogear System." Gunvolt added. "...But there's a catch."
"...You need to have a female body to use the Faust Robes." Joule revealed. "And before you ask, no, GV is not a girl in disguise. It was thanks to me and Lola that he and Copen can use the Faust Robes."
"Hey, I'm not planning on becoming a girl, thank you." Gunvolt deadpanned.
"It is perplexing how our leader can command such a relic still. But it is refreshing to know we have reunited the ones he's been gilding through this adventure with their comrades, especially you three." Lorenz said to Kanade, Miku and Serena.
"Hey, he's the one who took care of our friends after all while we managed to arrive safely in our version of the Digital World." Kanade said.
"And we're very grateful for your help, Connor-san." Serena bowed.
"No problem. Now lemme see if I got the names right since I haven't been introduced." Connor said. "You must be Maria's little sis, Serena Cadenzanva Eve. I heard all about you back when we were fighting the Tinkerer. That was a brave thing you did, giving your life up to save Maria." he said to the youngest Attuned.
"O-Oh. Umm… thank you." Serena replied blushing.
"And you must be Kanade Amou, the previous user of Gungnir before you passed it on to Hibiki." Connor said to Kanade. "Nice to meet Hibiki's… uh… Senpai! Yeah, that's the word."
"Heh, nice to meet you too, Connor." Kanade grinned.
"You're probably wondering why these two are still alive, even though they're supposed to be dead, right?" Miku asked.
"Kinda. But I haven't gotten around to you. You're Miku Kohinata. Nice to meet you." Connor then smirked under his mask. "Especially considering your Hibiki's girlfriend."
"Wha!? H-How did you know that?!" Hibiki exclaimed as she and Miku blushed.
"Actually, she's her 'sunshine'." Kanade teased.
"K-Kanade-san!" Miku blushed.
"Get a room. Seriously." Chris facepalmed.
"It was pretty obvious from the way you two reunited back in Elegia. Although lookin' at you now, I could've sworn I've seen you before…" Connor said to Miku, thinking back to the time he saw the memory flash of the purple and white armored young girl with black hair.
"You… do…?" Miku blinked.
"Anyway, I still don't know how I'm able to use Ichiaval, but…I get the feeling it has something to do with the memories I've been seeing in my head." Connor said.
"Speaking of Ichaival, when did you manage to awaken it?" Maria asked.
"Well…" Connor said, then explained how it all started. With Uta's Sing-Sing powers triggering the reaction within his body, then encountering the cognition of Chris in the Nehushtan Armor that dragged him to the depths, meeting Finè, and how she helped him activate Ichiaival as he imagined the Superb Song, and then manifesting the gear outside his body right after, allowing him to escape into the real world.
"Strangest part about it is… when Chris' copy and I were squaring off, I yelled out "that's not who I am anymore", and she stopped." Connor said.
"I cannot believe you met Finè of all people." Chris remarked.
"Copen and I also met her when we were on death's door at the hands of a chimera in our world." Gunvolt mentioned. "The necklaces we got from Quinn and Nori, we thought those were good luck charms. But after meeting Finè, those turned out to be relic fragments of Gungnir and Airgetlam."
"And it was thanks to her that I was reawakened with a Superb Song sung by GV." Joule added. "He's a good singer, too."
"You uh… don't have to mention that last part." Gunvolt sweatdropped.
"Anyway, on behalf of all of us in the Hero Alliance, it is a pleasure to meet you and your team, Mr. Naotora." Lorenz said to Zeo, who was untransformed, as well as Akira, Kanade, Miku, and Serena, all of them in their casual clothes.
"It was nothing. Also, just call me Zeo." Zeo replied. "And I'm surprised members of the Leicester Alliance decided to join Connor's team. Was Claude okay with it?"
"He was. Long story how it got this way." Hilda said. "But for now, it's great to have you guys along as we track down Ace's brothers. I'm sure your friends will be fine with the rest of the team while waiting for us."
"It's fine." Akira replied. "Gaius and his team had to use the Zi-O Liner to go with the other team." She looked at the interior of the Edens Zero. "Also, nice place you guys got here. A lot bigger than any of our mobile bases."
"The Edens Zero isn't short on the facilities it has either." Ace said.
"Anyway, are we there yet?" Kiana asked. "Where are we going to land?"
"We're almost there, should be about another…" Connor said before a voice echoed in everyone's heads.
"Please…someone help me… Before it's too late!"
Mei blinked. "Did… anyone hear that?"
"That was a woman's voice… But where did it come from?" Miriam asked.
"I'm getting the feeling that we'll find out once we reach our destination." Seele replied.
"Still… what was that voice just now?" Veliona spoke from inside Seele's mind.
"I'm not sure either, but like I said, we'll find out soon." Seele replied.
Standard Universe
New York City…
It was a bright and beautiful day in New York City, people were going on about their lives, and walking out of a local bakery carrying a bag of bread was a familiar Umbran Witch with a new hairstyle. Her long black hair is styled in thick braids, similar to Cereza's, with her red ribbon wrapped in between. Her new glasses have a more discreet design, with smaller decorative elements and larger, more rounded lenses. She also wears new earrings with floral designs.
Bayonetta
The Witch of Genesis
"I must say, Cereza, now I understand what Enzo goes through when he owes you favors." Simon said.
"Thank you, he gets it!" came the New York/Italianesque voice of a short, portly man coming from a fancy car as he was trying to fix the engine. He had his brown hair styled into a ponytail, along with a baseball jersey and cap.
Enzo
Money-Owing Yankee, Semi-Respectable Family Man
"I mean, seriously! You found a way to drag me all over the city, and turn my opening-day ticket into toilet paper!" Enzo said, holding a ticket as he approached the two. "Don't act like you don't hear me talkin'! You know how much shit I had to go through for this thing?" he asked as Bayonetta turned her head in his direction with a gasp as he accidentally ripped it in half and let out an anguish cry. Bayonetta tossed the bag up as the two French bread loaves flew out, Enzo catching them. "Whooooooa shit! Jesus! How about a heads up for-" he started before a baseball was seen rocketing towards him before Simon caught it.
"You have our deepest sympathies." Bayonetta said as Simon put the ball in Enzo's open hand. "But don't forget, it was you who agreed to do anything I asked in exchange for that job." she reminded, getting into Enzo's car.
"Just cause I said anything doesn't mean-" Enzo started as Simon got on his bike-type Extreme Gear.
"Now, let's be off." Bayonetta said as Enzo stammered in annoyance.
"Now where do you two want to go? I've been driving around this city since the crack of dawn!" Enzo said as he put the bread and ball in the backseat before getting into the driver's seat and trying to start the car. "And now this damn thing's throwin' a temper tantrum!" he said before Simon lightly pounded his fist on the front of it. "The hell are you doin'?! I just got this baby yesterday and…" he said before the car started up.
"Less hot air, more gas." Bayonetta said as Enzo grumbled before driving off as Simon followed.
Meanwhile, a familiar weaponsmith was seen selling pizzas at a food truck. He wore a blue sweater adorned with intricate patterns along the body and sleeves in a striped configuration and a hat made of similar material and adornment. His pants are loose purple with padding around the knees and the belts of a set of suspenders hang on his sides. His shoes are now smaller and a similar color to the pants, looking more like standard sneakers. His sunglasses are also of a different design.
Rodin
The Infinite One
"Storm's comin." Rodin said.
Meanwhile, Enzo was listening to the radio before turning it off. "Lousy bums! Everybody's gettin' screwed today. And me playin' chauffeur cause you and the kid gotta meet someone. So where are they? First the park, then the grocery store, and now you're sayin' you wanna try the pier. Hey, do either of you even know where this mystery guest of yours is?" he asked before Bayonetta pulled the handbrake lever, causing the car to skid around before stopping in front of a cruise ship. "What the… holy SHIT!" Enzo yelled as the car was sent spinning. "The hell you do that for!?"
Bayonetta walked towards the cruise liner, and it was then that she and Simon both heard the same voice as the one the group heard at this very moment in time.
"Please…someone help me… Before it's too late!" the voice said as the two held their heads, small cracks appearing on them before disappearing.
"Hey, what is it? Don't tell me you two got the date wrong or somethin'." Enzo said.
"No. It's today. And it's here." Bayonetta said.
"Whaat?!" Enzo said in confusion.
"Stay there, Enzo. We won't be long." Simon said.
"Got it? Right here. Don't move one inch." Bayonetta ordered, pointing Enzo back to the car before she and Simon continued walking to the ship as they soon boarded, seeing a variety of people in fancy outfits.
"Looks to be a wedding going on, shall we dress to impress?" Simon asked.
"You've learned the ways of the witch quite well, my friend." Bayonetta smiled. The two then "borrowed" some outfits as the guests looked in amazement while they walked around before a bouquet landed in Simon's hands.
"Emiya…" Simon muttered with a blush before tossing it back to a group of ladies. As they were walking, the skies quickly darkened as a large tidal wave was seen approaching.
"Dammit! I know it's the same shit with her every time, but she still gets me by the short and curlies, and now she's bringin' along her new protege for the ride! How the hell does that guy even have her powers anyway?" Enzo then felt a few drops on his hand as only now he noticed the changing weather. "Rain? Where'd all these clouds come from?" he then saw a light glowing above him. "...The hell is that? Not again… Light from on high just means more holy bullshit!"
But Enzo was proven wrong. It wasn't any of Bayonetta's friends from upstairs that was coming, or weather, instantly appearing in the air, and falling down into Enzo's lap, was the young woman seen in the crumbling world, Viola. "A…a girl? Who the… Where the hell did she come from? Y'know, this kid looks kinda familiar…" he said as Viola opened her eyes and stood over Enzo. "Whoa! Hey!"
"Please…take me to…her…" Viola groaned weakly.
"Do I look like a damn taxi driver?!" Enzo asked before Viola pulled him up by the collar of his jersey. "H-her who?" he asked.
"Bayo…netta…" Viola said before fainting on top of him.
"Oh yeah, this? This…this is just what I needed." Enzo said as he saw some citizens thought to be looking at him. "H-Hey, you got the wrong idea! She just fell outta the damn sky! I got nothin' to do with this kid, I swear! I just-" he tried to explain before noticing the tidal wave as well. "Un-be-fuckin'-lievable! Come on, baby! I just wanna get back over the bridge!" he said before trying to start the car as Rodin's food truck came into view, hitting Enzo's car and causing it to spin. "R-Rodin?" he asked in fear.
"Get lost, Enzo. Can't have you dyin' before I get my dough." Rodin said as Enzo soon drove off with Viola in tow as Rodin stepped out of his food truck and looked at the tidal wave for a moment before leaping off the pavement towards it as he floated before it. "New in town, huh? Then here's a friendly hello." he said as a large white and green fish-like monstrosity leaped out of the tidal wave just as Rodin assumed his demonic form and delivered a devastating right hook, sending the creature back into the wave as he landed back on the ground with a thud and noticed a green smoke on his right hand. "Definitely not a regular…" he said as the cruise ship came surfing on the wave into view with Bayonetta and Simon at the top.
"I do hope you haven't forgotten my order." Bayonetta said.
"It's in the truck, ready to go." Rodin said as the massive tsunami started flooding the city.
At that very moment, the Edens Zero warped into view and saw the chaos happening,
"Okay, that ain't normal…" Connor said.
"If I remember something from the Bayonetta world, are we dealing with Paradiso or Inferno?" Zeo asked.
"According to these readings from within the ocean… neither of them." Lorenz said.
"Neither?!" Akira exclaimed. "Then what are we dealing with here?"
"We're about to find out. I see Simon and Bayonetta, and it looks like they're about to have some hostile boarders!" Makoto said.
Strange humanoids with luminescent cyan-green androgynous barefoot bodies adorned with white and black plating and light tether characteristics soon spawned from nowhere out of puddles of their own liquid matter. Whatever they were, they weren't Angels, or Infernals. They were something else.
Light Humanoid Generic Module
STRATUS
They then began attacking as both Bayonetta and Simon began dodging and fighting them with ease before Bayonetta leaped into the air as three Stratus' sliced through her custom clothes before she tossed them off as she was engulfed in a pink light.
(Cue: Moonlight Serenade *Infinite Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
Bayonetta's hair soon formed into a new outfit as she now wore a black bodysuit with puffy sleeves and a braided skirt decorated with medallions and a large braided bow on the back, both fashioned out of her hair. The sides of her legs feature slits with floral designs. She wears light purple gloves decorated with golden roots, flowers, a crescent moon on the back of the palm and golden decorative fingernails.
And with that, Bayonetta dived back down to the cruise liner as she got down to business. As always, she fought with four guns, two in her hands, the others attached to her heels. She wasn't using Love is Blue, just normal handguns as she knocked down the Stratus' to the floor, the ones defeated bursting into green slime. She and Simon who discarded his fancy outfit into his normal ones, then grouped up, gunning down any Stratus coming their way with stylistic gunplay, almost as if they were dancing a tango. They soon came to a stop with a breather for now.
"You know Simon, I really love New York. But ill-behaved tourists can be quite a pain!" Bayonetta said.
"Agreed, I think we need to bust a cap in their asses." Simon said, pointing Ember at the Stratus' as another wave was incoming.
The Edens Zero then flew overhead the fast sailing ship as the raging waters started ravaging the city.
"Well, we found Simon." Connor said. "But what the hell are those things he and Bayonetta are fighting?"
"I think those are the Homunculi mom mentioned." Ace said.
"I think I'll take those over what Jena sicked on us on the ark." Connor replied.
"Those are… Homunculi…?!" Elfnein gasped.
"They're not friendly, that's for sure. Then again, what things in Bayonetta's world aren't trying to kill her?" Hilda asked.
"Short answer, nothing." DW typed.
Bayonetta fired at two Stratus coming at her from both sides, causing the barrels to be blown off before tossing them aside as she ran at two more, bicycle-kicking them as the guns on her heels were blown off as well as she sighed. "More cheap toys." she said as more Stratus spawned around her and Simon.
"Looks like Bayo and Simon need some help. Think we should give 'em a hand?" DW asked.
"That's what we're here for!" Regina replied.
"Hermit, open the hatch!" Connor said.
"Understood." Hermit said as she did so.
As the hatch was opened, Zeo strapped his Ziku Driver onto his waist, activated his Zi-O Ridewatch and inserted it onto the belt while Akira pulled out her PreChange Mirror and PreCards, and inserted the cards into the mirror.
=ZIKU DRIVER!=
=ZI-O!=
"Watch closely, Hero Alliance. For this is my… Henshin!" Zeo shouted, giving the belt a 360 spin to trigger the transformation.
"Pretty Cure, Kururin Mirror Change!" Akira raised her transformation trinket upwards as she was enveloped with light just as they all jumped out of the Edens Zero.
=RIDER TIME! KAMEN RIDER! ZI-O!=
As they did that, the Nine Symphogears also recited their relic chants to change into their battlesuits.
"Croitzal ronzell Gungnir zizzl..."
"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron..."
"Imyuteus Ame no Habakiri tron..."
"Killter Ichaival tron..."
"Seilien coffin Airgetlám tron..."
"Seilien coffin Airgetlám tron..."
"Zeios Igalima raizen tron..."
"Various Shul Shagana tron..."
"Rei Shénshòujìng rei zizzl..."
And so, everyone was ready to battle as the group landed on the cruise liner, Spirit Force and Darksquad getting a good look at Zeo and Akira's transformed states for the first time.
Zeo Naotora, now changed into Kamen Rider Zi-O, wore a black bodysuit with a silver watchstrap down the middle, a black and grey chest piece with pink strips around it, his gloves being black and pink armor pieces with two Ridewatch holders on each of his wrists, his boots being black with pink accents, and a round helmet with clock hands acting as antennae while the pink katakana has the word Zi-O written on it.
Akira Naotora, now changed into Cure Starlight, has her hair changed into a combination of red and yellow long hair that's tied to a ponytail, a red eye on the right side and yellow on the other eye, yellow earrings with a red star gem on it, red fingerless gloves lined in white with a yellow star design that matches her leg warmers with red shoes on them, a dark blue and gold lined vest with white pleats lining the bottom and a pair of red and yellow wings on the back, her lapel is red with a gold star amulet attached to a red and yellow ribbon, the skirt is a red and yellow pleat with a frilly petticoat, and on the right hip is her PreChangeMirror, and lastly her PreBrace is on her left wrist. "The shining light rising through the stars! Cure Starlight!"
Kanade and Serena for their parts, having the same relics as Hibiki and Maria, had the same color schemes as their current owners, but with a few key differences. For Kanade, her bodysuit is mostly orange and white with black armed boots while her gauntlets are the same colors as Hibiki's. She's also wearing rabbit ear-shaped headphones and wielding her Armed Gear, a yellow and orange spear.
Serena's look while donning Airgetlám was completely different from how Maria wore it, dressing more like a radiant fairy consisting of a silver and light yellow bodysuit, pink fairy wings on her back, tiara-like headphones, silver, and purple gloves and shoes, and wearing a silver and pink battle skirt. Her Armed Gear is a silver knife with a magenta gem on the hilt.
As for Miku, her Shénshòujìng Gear consists of a black open jaw-like head gear with purple and grey horned headphones, a white and purple bodysuit with black and purple long gloves, along with a pair of black whip-like cables on her arms with small mirrors on its ends, and purple heels along with a pair of dark purple bulky knee plates. Lastly on her neck is a red cross-shaped crystal. The weapon she wields is a large purple and white metallic folding fan with a circular mirror on its end.
"Sup, Simon? " Connor saluted the Umbran intoner as he and Bayonetta noticed the group.
"Nice to meet you, Bayonetta." Kiana greeted. "I heard about your powers when you summon fists and feet from your void portals, kinda like I do."
"I don't remember you all on the guest list." Bayonetta said. "Some of your friends my dear?" she asked of Simon.
"Yeah, it's my brother along with our teammates along with Connor and his. However…" Simon trailed off, taking notice of Team XDR.
"Oh, I remember your brother's team and that cowboy's fondly from our Smashing times. But who might you all be?" Bayonetta asked.
"Just a passing through Rebellion, Miss Umbra Witch." Zi-O replied, tapping his helmet. "Try to remember that."
"Oh, you and I will get along quite well." Bayonetta said as a couple of Stratus leaped into the air before they were rammed by Rodin's food truck as he skidded across the deck.
"Is that...Rodin?" Hilda asked.
"Did he just drive a Pizza delivery van all the way across a tidal wave?" Lysithea asked.
"This is Rodin we're talking about here. Logic can just walk out the door." Starlight stated.
"I'm… just gonna go with Starlight on this one." Regina sweatdropped.
"Gettin' a little too hot in the kitchen?" Rodin asked as Bayonetta and Simon stood on top of his van.
"Just give me my order before I lose my cool." Bayonetta said.
"...You ordered a pizza at a time like this?" Mei questioned.
"Just watch." Simon said.
"Order up!" Rodin said, tossing a pizza box up as launching out was a set of four purple Triple-barreled handguns with magical gems on their barrels, appearing to be based on a pepperbox pistol. Bayonetta leaped into the air as the Stratus followed, grabbing two of them, Orange Blossom and Yellow Sunshine, as she fired at incoming Stratus' before grabbing the other two, Green Grass and Blue Sky as she fired with all four of them, onslaughting the Stratus before posing.
"Four triple-barreled handguns?!" Chris gawked.
"New guns for Bayonetta, huh?" Connor asked.
"My best work yet. I call 'em Colour my World, and they do way more than just fit her for magic." Rodin said. "They also link Bayonetta to her friends downstairs… so she can do this."
A magic aura washed over Bayonetta as Madama Butterfly appeared behind her and covered Bayonetta as she then appeared as a humanoid butterfly demon before flying towards the Stratus that leaped towards her, slapping them away with ease.
"Beautiful." Rodin said before the ship shook a bit, causing the pizza boxes he was holding to be tossed into the air.
"I got em!" DW typed, snagging them all with his tentacles and giving them back to Rodin.
"Thanks kid." Rodin said. "Just hope you all can keep up. Seems like these guys are built differently than usual." he said as a new enemy began spawning. It was a larger, more robust and bulky humanoid Homunculus with the eye-like unit characteristic of larger Homunculi in the center of its head, thick stocky limbs, and a blade mounted on its left arm. The shapes of its constituent Strati can be made out on its abdomen.
Heavy Humanoid Combat Unit
FLOCCUS
"More new faces, I see. Then perhaps a bit of fancy dress is in order." Bayonetta said, showing half of her demonic form.
"Let's do this, then!" Hilda said as she hefted Freikugel. "I'll leave the big guy to you guys, okay?"
"Alright, in that case…" Simon said, before posing with Ember and Riptide out. "Let's dance boys!"
"And girls! How is that always second with you?" Connor said.
"Force of habit." Simon smiled.
"Heh." Zi-O smirked. "Kiana, how about you give the order this time?"
"Gladly." Kiana smirked back, twirling her Water Spirit handguns, and pointed them forward. "Xross Drive Rebellion, Spirit Force, Darksquad, Team Revival, Let's Ragna-Rock and Roll!"
(Cue- Whispers of Destiny- Bayonetta 3)
The group then started fighting the Floccus, along with its Stratus backup. Connor took care of some of the Stratus as he shot them with his revolvers, but upon a perfect headshot to one of them, it exploded too close to him as its slime splattered all over his clothes.
"Agh…! C'mon, seriously? This outfit's dry clean only!" Connor said before avoiding a heavy swing from the Floccus.
"You never stop complaining, huh?" Chris grinned, jumping above Connor while performing a few aerial spins before landing with her Gatling guns and missile racks armed and unleashed bullets and missiles at the Stratus.
MEGA DETH PARTY & BILLION MAIDEN
"Cut him some slack my dear, people do care about their image." Bayonetta said. "I'd rather not get whatever these creatures' slimy innards on my clothes either."
"Aren't your clothes technically your hair though?" Makoto asked as she punched down one Stratus after another.
"Touche my dear, I don't want my hair getting messy either." Bayonetta said.
The Floccus advanced on the group and tried to slash anybody with its bladed arm.
Simon let out a battle cry and leaped into the air with Zero's Blade in hand before falling back down in a roll as he bisected the Floccus in half as it cracked before exploding.
After the Floccus was destroyed, the ship tilted a bit as the creature Rodin punched was seen swimming next to it, slamming into the side before small fish-shaped homunculi were seen flying towards the group from the other side.
"Incoming fish freaks!" DW typed.
One of the creatures charged at Bayonetta as she clashed against with her guns before rolling back and kicking it into the air as she leaped into the water before leaping back out riding one of them with a laugh.
(end song)
"Guess our brief cruise is over. Everybody, follow Bayonetta!" Connor said.
Using whatever mode of transportation they could get, some of them using Bayonetta's way, the others flew away from the ship, firing at any incoming fish homunculi.
Kokonoe's detector then went off. "Heads up, guys! I'm getting a high energy reading nearby!"
"Kokonoe's right!" Ciel called in. "Something large and powerful is coming your way! Stay cautious, everyone!"
At that moment, a bright cyan-green beam of light slammed down onto one of the ruined buildings.
"What's that….?" Bayonetta asked.
"I don't know, but I don't like that feeling one bit." Maria replied with a frown.
Developing in the air out of its own slimy protoform, was a massive, hulking, three-eyed humanoid Homunculus. It is clad in heavy armor and possesses powerful muscles. Its arms have two hands each and can split apart to enhance its already potent melee attacks. The armor on its shoulders and arms is especially elaborate, and its helmet seems to have a halo-like attachment on it.
Heavy Humanoid Decisive Unit
CUMULONIMBUS
Kirika gulped. "I'm getting the feeling that this one is more dangerous than the one in the Astral Chain world, dess…"
"Even so, we'll have to fight. So raise your scythe, Kirika!" Seele stated as she twirled her own scythe.
The Cumulonimbus then blasted lasers from its arms that directed themselves right at the group.
"Incoming!" Leonie warned as the lasers went every which way as they tried to disintegrate the group. The group evaded the lasers as Cumulonimbus kept trying to blast them, not even caring if its own kind got hit as the group soon landed on the flooded building it was on.
"Size isn't everything you know." Bayonetta said.
(Cue- The Heavies *3rd Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
Cumulonimbus then started attacking the group, mainly using its arms and lasers to try and take them down.
"I don't think so!" Kiana responded, jumping down and began running across the building while evading the lasers. She then jumped and flew towards Cumulonimbus and summoned a pair of large metal neko paws from the portals above it and slammed its arms down, stopping it from firing. Then she summoned another portal in front of Cumulonimbus as it was punched to the face, making it fall down on its back.
"That's the way, Kiana-chan!" Mei cheered.
(end song)
"AVAVAGO!" Bayonetta called as she danced, her hair extending and forming a magic circle in the ground as leaping out was a large draconic beast.
DEVOURER OF THE DIVINE
GOMORRAH
"Gomorrah's back on your leash, huh? Thought he slipped awhile back." Connor said.
"Oh, I made sure to properly punish him for his disobedience." Bayonetta said.
Gomorrah then got on top of the Cumulonimbus and was about to chomp on it before stopping as Bayonetta turned to it with confusion.
"Uh… why isn't he finishing the big bad guy off like he normally does?" Makoto asked.
"There's something about these creatures that aren't familiar to demons, I think." Lysithea said.
"Hold on…" Shirabe pondered. "Are Homunculi demons or angels?"
"That thing ain't from Paradiso. No sanctified seasoning means no deal." Rodin said from another building.
"Great. So summoning the thing was useless." Kanade sighed.
Bayonetta simply pushed up her glasses and sighed before closing her eyes as the image of a glyph appeared on her back.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Simon said. "Seems Bayonetta's bringing out a secret weapon."
Bayonetta then began dancing as Enochian letters began emanating from her and sparks of red lightning from Gomorrah as he glowed red before Bayonetta finished with a pose as Gomorrah let out a roar.
"Whoa! What did she do?!" Mai asked.
"Well, I'll be damned if it ain't the Demon Slave." Rodin said.
"Demon Slave?" Serena repeated.
"It's an ancient art I thought was lost for good." Rodin said as Bayonetta kept dancing. "In simple terms, if Umbra Witches do it right, they can control any Infernal they contract." he said as the Cumulonimbus stood back up as it faced off with Gomorrah.
"Bayonetta must've picked this up so she can better control Infernals she contracts. No more rampages." Brandish said.
"But… what happens if the Witches perform the art wrongly?" Miku asked.
"Demon Slave can only cancel out if Bayonetta runs outta magic, or if she's attacked while dancin'. She can't defend herself while she's performin', see. So you guys gotta make sure she stays safe while she struts her stuff." Rodin said.
"So protect Bayo while she does the secret art. Got it." Zi-O noted.
"Finally, an excuse to watch her back for a change." Ragna said. "Let's finish this!"
"Seele, let me take over. I wanna have fun with this." Veliona requested.
"As you wish." Seele replied as she closed her eyes with her aura having a blood-red glow. And when she opened her eyes, they became red with her smile turning to a grin. "...Now we can have some fun." Veliona grinned.
(Cue: Moonlight Serenade *Infinite Climax*- Bayonetta 3)
"CORAXO!" Bayonetta chanted as Gomorrah went to town on the Cumulonimbus, swiping at it with his claws, breathing purple fire, and jumping into the air before landing down on it.
"Hmm, that'll be something fun to learn." Simon said.
The Cumulonimbus knocked Gomorrah off itself before going back on the attack, but luckily the others were right there to help out. Veliona attacked Cumulonimbus at multiple angles with her warping and scythe slashes, finishing with a rolling slash before warping away from danger.
"Hell's Fang!" Ragna said, following up after Veliona's attack and slamming the large abomination in the face.
"Hahaha! That's the way, Bloodedge! As expected from the Grim Reaper of the Blazblue world!" Veliona complimented.
"Keep attacking this thing!" Leonie said as she stabbed the homunculus in the leg with her spear, as did Maxwell.
"Hades Omega!" Hapi called, engulfing it in a pillar of darkness and fire.
"And Aura!" Lysithea called, engulfing it in a pillar of light next.
"Regina!" Starlight called as she flew up.
"Right behind you, Starlight!" Regina complied as she flew after her. They pointed their hands at Cumulonimbus and fired a combined energy beam at its face, making it stumble a few feet back.
(Shift- Summoning the Infernal Demon *3rd Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
"AVAVAGO!" Bayonetta chanted, summoning Gomorrah once more as he tore off the Homunculi's arms before grabbing it by the waist with its mouth and swung it around as it soon exploded, Gomorrah letting out a triumphant roar before disappearing.
(end song)
By the time Gomorrah did his thing, it was now dark and stormy as the entire city was flooded. Worse still, it looked like the invasion wasn't over, as multiple tentacled flying battleships were seen descending, unleashing hordes of Stratus and Cumulonimbus as survivors began scrambling to safety.
"You've gotta be gacking kidding me… there's more of those things?!" Gunvolt exclaimed.
"A whole invasion force of them, it looks like." Avlora said.
The battleships then fired an array of lasers as they rained down, destroying any buildings in sight.
"These things definitely aren't like Angels or demons… they're destroying everything in sight!" Noel said.
"What…are they?" Bayonetta asked before a laser was seen firing towards her and the group.
"Cereza!" Simon said, running in front of her and the others before harmonizing his voice as a magic circle appeared in front of them, blocking the beam.
"Starlight Shield!" Starlight also summoned a magic barrier and combined it with Simon's to enhance its defense before the beam dispersed.
Dark Water then noticed the cruise liner sailing by them. "Everybody back on the boat!" he typed.
They all then leaped back onto the ship just as another laser destroyed the building.
Bayonetta blew a kiss as a purple aura coated the ship, deflecting any beams coming their way before the core of one of the ships started charging. While that was happening a certain silver-haired umbra was seen driving her motorcycle across a collapsing building while a few Stratus dangled onto the end. She jumped to the cruise liner just as the battleship fired its laser, holding her hand out to Bayonetta who did the same with Simon as they grabbed onto each other.
"Hey! Don't leave us here to get-!" Hilda said before they all nearly avoided the laser itself as it not only sliced the cruise liner in half, but divided the water as well, as the trio landed back on the front half with the others.
Jeanne
The Platinum Witch
"You couldn't have grabbed us too?" Connor asked.
"Oh, you all were fine." Jeanne said. She had changed up her look from the last time anybody saw her. Drifting away from her deep red jumpsuits; this time around, she sports a 60s-inspired red and pink high-neck mod shift dress with horizontal zigzag patterns of different shades of pink, red and gold, and pink tights with floral designs to match. The dress seems to have a neckpiece with a lily flower. Her ensemble is accentuated by her white dotted fur jacket worn as a cape, pink bracelets, short red gloves, and new red shoes resembling lace-up pumps. She has a new pair of glasses, also red, rounder, and larger than before. Jeanne's new hairdo is semi-long with a wavy half-up-half-down style held together by a brooch on the top of her head. All 4 One seems to feature handkerchiefs as the new charms, further enforcing the 60s vibe.
"Jeanne!" Bayonetta said.
"We'll catch up later!" Jeanne said. Suddenly, the sky turned darker as anchor-shaped tentacles latched onto the part of the liner they were on.
"She's right, we've got more company." Jin said.
"At this rate… I think we should retreat for the time being so we can think of another plan." Zi-O advised.
"Zi-O, there's one thing you gotta know about Bayonetta. 'Retreat' isn't in her vocabulary." Connor said.
"Quite right, my dear." Bayonetta said, pulling out her guns as she approached with Jeanne and Simon following.
"Well… if you're gonna do this…" Zi-O pulled out his Kuuga Ridewatch, turned the dial, and pushed the button.
=KUUGA!=
"Then I might as well go all out too!" Zi-O declared, inserting the Ridewatch onto the driver, slammed the tilt button and gave it a 360 spin.
=ARMOR TIME!=
In an instant, Zi-O's armor was switched out, as he went from his Base Form into his KuugaArmor, consisting of silver armor plating on his legs and body with, red plating on his arms and chestplate, along with the helmet having the same shape as Kamen Rider Kuuga with the pink katakana for Kuuga slamming into the visor.
=KUUGA!=
"Let's go." Jeanne said as the group prepared to fight the new face.
(Cue- Kraken *Abyss*- Bayonetta 3)
The tentacles then began lashing out at the group as they dodged and attacked whatever ones they could.
"I'm guessin' this thing's an Infernal Demon. But I don't think we've ever seen this guy before!" Connor said, shooting one of the tentacles with his rifle.
"It's clearly been summoned! Who else could possibly have…" Jeanne pondered.
"Perhaps our new friends can tell us a thing or two." Bayonetta said, referring to the invaders.
"Unfortunately, we don't know much about these things either other than they're Homunculi, created using alchemy!" Zi-O replied, karate-chopping a tentacle.
"I don't think they were made using anything you're familiar with, Zi-O." Lysithea said.
"The mystery deepens then. We should get this overgrown octopus to back off before we find out more." Yuri said.
"Did anything else happen before the invasion back at the cruise liner, Bayonetta?" Kiana asked.
"Just that Simon and I heard a voice." Bayonetta said.
"We did too! You don't think that-WHOA!" Hilda said as she avoided a tentacle.
"Guys! Make calamari first, talk later!" Makoto said.
"Give me an opening so I can give that squid a Rider Kick to the face!" Zi-O requested.
"It's not time for the climax yet, young man. Do be patient for a bit longer." Jeanne said.
"...Very well." Zi-O nodded.
The group continued to attack their mysterious attacker's tentacles before one was about to strike Ace from behind.
"No!" Simon called, running and pushing Ace out of the way, taking the blow as he was sent flying into the divided falls.
"Simon!" Ace called.
"Jeanne!" Bayonetta advised her friendly rival as the two powered up before launching Madama Butterfly and Madama Styx's fists at the tentacles, knocking them off.
However, the beast wasn't done yet, as more of its tentacles latched onto the cruise liner's half and dragged it over the edge of the building it was on, making it fall into the divided falls. As the group was trying to stay out of falling to their deaths, the tentacles tried to snatch up Bayonetta before Jeanne got her out of the way and got snatched instead..
"Jeanne!" Bayonetta called out as she landed on the falling ship with the others. It was at this moment their attacker finally revealed themselves from the water. It was as they suspected it to be, a gigantic demonic squid. It is adorned with gold ornamentation around its body and the ends of its tentacles, two of which end in large claws to act as anchors. It has numerous red eyes and its head can split apart into a gaping maw lined with gold teeth to swallow prey.
DESPOT OF THE SULLEN MAW
KRAKEN
"Okay… definitely not giving it a boot to the face just yet." Zi-O remarked.
Kraken opened its maw and chucked Jeanne inside it before appearing in front of the group.
"Finally decided to come up for air, did you? Now…who invited you to our little cruise?" Bayonetta asked as she aimed her guns at Kraken.
(Shift- Kraken *Emerged*- Bayonetta 3)
Kraken supported itself on the ship by submerging itself in some nasty black ink and using its anchor tentacles to latch onto the ship. It then went on the attack by lashing its other limbs at the group.
"That thing just sent Simon into the sea!" Hilda said.
"He'll be fine, Umbra Witches and Warlocks can breathe underwater." Connor said. "But the same won't be said for us if the waters close in on us.
"We'd better finish this fast so that we can get evac'd then!" Ragna said. "Let's knock this thing off the boat!"
"Zi-O, your finishing move's called Time Break, right? Once we wear it down, knock it into the water, then it can be finished off!" Connor said.
"Okay! Just give me the signal when the time is right!" Zi-O noted.
"Okay then, let's take this squid! I'm in the mood for some calamari!" DW typed.
"...Aren't you one yourself, Dark Water?" Mei questioned.
"He's half octopus, totally different." A2 said before Kraken attacked again, but A2 dodged and sliced its tentacle with her Type-40 sword.
Travis bashed more of its tentacles away with his club, while Lysithea blasted Light spells right at its maw.
The other blade users of Team XDR also sliced off the other tentacles, making it roar in pain.
"One more hit oughta set 'em up!" Travis said.
"Oversurge… Azure Striker!" Gunvolt raised his electrified hand and clenched it. "Voltaic Chains!" Multiple chains appeared around Kraken, ensnaring it before being electrocuted by the chains.
"Now's your chance!" Bayonetta said.
"Got it!" Zi-O gave a thumbs up before running towards the Kraken while pushing the buttons on the Ridewatches, slammed the tilt button and gave it a 360 spin.
=FINISH TIME! KUUGA!=
He then leaped into the air in a front flip and lunged his burning right foot forward.
=MIGHTY TIME BREAK!=
"SEIYAA!" Zi-O yelled as his foot collided with the Kraken's face, leaving an imprint of Kuuga's symbol before jumping away with a backflip and landing as the symbol exploded, sending the Kraken flying into the water where Simon was sent.
Meanwhile, in the water, Simon was floating in the middle of the water as his eyes were closed.
"How foolish… is this truly to be your end?"
"Who's that?" Simon asked.
"Your powers lacking, sinking into the depths…do you really believe you are the same as the Umbra Witch? You are not Bayonetta. You have the power to write your own story."
"Yes, that much is true. I have the power to forge my own path." Simon said.
Kraken was then seen swimming at high speeds right toward Simon.
"Your infernal summons have been nothing more than mere specters. It is time you forged your own contracts. With your own power, you can protect your brothers your own way." the voice said. "Shall we form one now?"
"Yes." Simon said as a different symbol appeared on his back.
"Yes…At last, the advent of your true partner is nigh! Now, bring me forth to sow fear among all those who would dare challenge you or harm the people you love!" the voice called as Kraken was this close to striking Simon, when….
(Cue: Get to the Climax!- Bayonetta 3)
"ALOK KALL!" Simon snapped his eyes open and chanted as a magic circle formed and appearing from it was an armored hand, which punched Kraken back before appearing fully out of the circle was a large knight-like figure as he held a sword in his left hand, and his face fully helmeted with only the glow of his red eyes being seen.
Survivor of Inferno
Alighieri
Alighieri then dashed towards Kraken and grabbed its maw before pulling it apart, allowing Jeanne to float out as Simon grabbed her.
"Got ya!" Simon said as he then looked at Kraken before it inked and swam away.
(end song)
"I am the Survivor of Inferno, the Lord-ranked Infernal whose name makes all Demons cower in fear, Alighieri. From this day forth, my sword is now yours, Simon Neptune. So long as you continue to protect the ones you love for all time." Alighieri said before he soon vanished.
Right as he did, the large fish like creature swam down into the now parted waters and tried to attack Simon and Jeanne both, before it was stopped when the Empire State Building was literally thrown in its face to make it back off, who threw it being Rodin as he helped Simon get back to the surface with Jeanne as they reunited with the group on top of a flooded building.
"Playing the good Samaritan, Rodin? How dreadfully noble." Bayonetta said.
"Uh, not to break this up, but we need to talk about… all of this." Connor said, referring to the chaos happening all around them.
"Preferably someplace a little quieter." Rodin said.
"Oh, so now we can retreat! Finally…" Chris sighed with relief.
"Should we head back to the Edens Zero, or…" Hilda said.
"Nah. Let's go to Rodin's place." Simon said.
"The Gates of Hell? Never been, but no place better." Connor said.
"We're going to hell?!" Kiana exclaimed.
"Nonono, The Gates of Hell is the name of Rodin's Bar/Weapons shop." Connor said.
"Yep, what he said." Zi-O confirmed. "So relax, we'll be fine."