Chapter 3: Hope? Yeah...maybe it's Hope...
Continued from Episode Eight - Tundrastar
"Let's kill those DES..." Chris frowned as she activated her Genesis Flight systems, grabbed the Arcana Lifebane (Alito), and flew out along with the Senbatsu and Kenkyuseis.
However, Chris detected a huge amount of interference signals coming their way.
"Multiple signals heading our way, though our weapons, flight, and communication systems are still working, they are jamming our radars!" Shiori shot out.
Chris, being the calm and silent tactician, activated her stealth generators and became invisible.
"In such a situation like this...no radars might as well be bringing a knife to a gunfight - suicide. But the DES's mechas seem to not be affected by the jammers." she spoke through sub-vocal augmentations, "we need to find a way to detect the jammer's master control."
"Roger." Arcana Lifebane responded.
Attuning Liquid Nitrogen and Arcana Armor to Tundrastar's Atmospheric Index.
Remaining Energy Duration: Ten minutes
Chris managed to fly towards one of the mechas' back on her right, who was still looking around for the Icy Maiden amidst the chaos.
The Icy Maiden's eyes and Arcana Lifebane's hilt glowed as they activated their Project Programmes Rune and scanned through some of the frequencies in the machine.
"The machine only allowed us to sample 25% of the full frequency before the alarm sets off. We need to find three more, and fast." Arcana Lifebane reported.
Hazuki's mecha, a light teal one, clashed upon the hacked mechas that Chris and Alito were on and shot out, "Chris-sempai, Alito-sempai, I will hold on the line, GO!"
Summoning icicle skeletons on the mechas' big body to aid Hazuki in slicing away the bolts and crannies, Chris nodded as she activated her Stealth Generators again. With only eight and a half minutes left on the clock, the Icy Maiden and Arcana Lifebane landed at another DES's Mecha fighting with Kanata's mecha.
Scanning Process - Continue sampling DES's mechas Frequency...
Thanks to Chris's already enhanced arcane strength, technological augments, and the skills she had learned with the allies that she met during the trip with the Four, her Arcana Form managed to cling on to the mecha's body.
"What is Chris-sempai doing?" Kanata wondered.
Seeing that other mechas are nearby fighting against the Senbatsu members' mechas, Chris used her Genesis Flight and head towards the conflicted area; reactivating her stealth generators with only six minutes left on the dot.
The Icy Maiden managed to land on the area where the DES's mechas were fighting with Youko...and, unfortunately, Megumi's mechas.
"Megumi, thank heavens you're alright!" Youko simpered.
"..." Megumi shook her head and gritted her teeth, unsure of what to say to her former 76th Generation's member and best friend.
"Megumi and Youko teaming up, even without the communicators I know that something's about to crock up." Chris frowned just in time to see an ashen DES mecha ambushing Youko and Megumi's mechas from the side with bullets. "And I was right."
Completed with the third scanning, Chris flew towards the ashen DES's mecha and unleashed several blast of Arcana Ice towards its body. The ashen mecha, agitated, attempted to grab the Icy Maiden but she managed to evade the capture by somersaulting in mid-air.
Landing on the right hand of the ashen mecha, Chris imbued the Arcana Lifebane with arcane ice energy, teleported straight towards the mechas' belly, plunged it towards the cockpit, destroyed it, and crushed the shocked DES pilot's spine.
Youko and Megumi regained their focus and destroyed the other DES mechas that Chris had sampled its frequencies.
"Thanks, Chris and Alito; still kinda amazed at how you're able to rip through 'em materials like silk!" Youko smiled.
"We have been through worst. Trust us...if we can deal with a Demon Lord who's technically stronger than even those far weaker mechas in general, we see no problem dealing with them." Chris replied calmly as she completed the sampling of the frequencies.
"Demon Lord? Geez...I know Alito and you have gone through a lot of inter-dimensional adventuring and diplomacy amidst all their private schedules, so demon slaying is inevitable but...wow..." Youko looked on in amusement.
"Anyone of the adventurers back in my world can deal with 'em critters." Chris simpered.
"I never ask for your help!" Megumi grumbled.
"I never ask for your appreciation." Chris replied calmly. "I just don't want Youko to grief for you, fair enough?"
"How'd you..."
"There's this thing called 'Logical Reasoning'; try it next time when your blood is not boiling in your veins, ya?" Chris replied as she flew away.
Accessing frequencies...
Attuning frequencies with master control program...
Attuning completed; all systems, including scanners and radars, back online.
Program found - Mechas with master control program revealed on map.
Chris and Arcana Lifebane managed to find the DES mecha controlling the master program, which was armed with two big railguns.
"I have dealt much worse..." Chris grunted as she proceeded to barrel-rolled, dodge down and all around the bullet barrages, deflecting some bullets in the process and soaking some shots with her Icicle Aegis Force Field - she had expanded her powers during the two years after the Four Horsemen era.
Without a word, Chris sliced the master mecha's cockpit with the Arcana Lifebane and crashed upon it, much to the DES's shock.
"You brought this on yourself, you sick fuck!" Chris ripped and tore through the DES troop's spine, crushing it into powder.
Chris managed to teleport back into fray, just in time to see Shiori's mecha blasted from every direction by DES's mechas...
"TAKAMINA-SEMPAI!" Kanata screamed in horror as she activated the boosters from her mecha and sped towards the assaulting DES mechas.
Chris's eyes glowed blue as a strong burst of aura rippled through her body and she teleported in front of the two enemy mechas who were facing Shiori's mecha.
"Arcana Burst: Shattering Tundra!"
Focusing all her tranquil fury into the processing unit upon her brain, time soon slowed to a crawl as Chris unleashed a flurry of slashes with her Lifebane, froze the mechas and the pilots' spine and flesh within seconds. She then clenched her fists as her frozen enemies shattered into pieces.
"BEHIND YOU!" Kanata screamed.
Chris smirked as she detected a huge, towering mecha behind her, attempting a right hook. The Icy Maiden turned immediately, blocked it with her right palm with ease, and unleashed a blast of icicle shockwave - enhanced by Tundrastar's atmosphere - towards the giant mecha and freezing some of its circuitries.
"Feeling the chill yet?" Chris slowly moved towards the mecha, who attempted to use its mounted gun to keep the Icy Maiden.
Enraged, the DES commander roared as he activated the mecha on overdrive and thrust his huge energy sword towards Chris, but the Icy Maiden grabbed the blade while turning around to evade the stab.
Arcana Lifebane powered down back to Alito as she held the detached blade with Chris.
"Let's do the honours...scum..." Chris and Alito shot out as they impaled the cockpit, killing the commander in return while their eyes suddenly turned purple.
The two maidens could feel a surge of pain rippling through their core reactors as their breathing became heavy for a while. Both maidens managed to soothed their breathing though, citing a sudden increase in abnormal energy upon their bodies.
"Let's flag it for investigation afterwards...I got a 'personal' feeling about this." Chris exhaled deeply.
Kanata managed to destroy some three DES's mechas on her side while rescuing Shiori from her badly damaged mecha.
"Thanks...and sorry, Kanata..." Shiori smiled weakly, blood seeping from her forehead as she struggled to maintain consciousness.
"I should be the one who should apologise...Should have taken the sign that you are losing focus earlier; you're my mentor and yet..." Kanata shook her head.
"Shiori feared that she would not be able to hold Minami's title for long, and so refused to graduate. Just as Tsubasa, Alito, and I expected..." Chris frowned.
Back at the sick bay
Tsubasa, knowing that Chris and Alito had advanced healing capabilities thanks to their control over arcane ice and wind, requested them to help Shiori throughout the concert at Tundrastar.
"Stay still, Shiori...our arcane powers will heal you but you will have to bite your lips for a bit, okay?" Chris asked.
"Thanks...Chris and Alito...would have been a goner if not for you two and Kanata..." Shiori spoke softly just as she felt a surge of ice and wind circulating through her veins; the healing process had begun.
"Arcana Heal: Tundra Sanctuary"
"Always am willing to help...Shiori. Although speaking about Kanata, forgive me if I'm going to be blunt about what I'm going to say next." Chris spoke calmly.
"Is it...about Kanata's succession as the next Takamina?" Shiori asked weakly.
"So...you know about it, huh?" Chris sighed. "How'd you come to know about it, though?"
"With your techs, do you think I can escape lying from you? Besides...I was just walking aimlessly yesterday after the ceremony and happened to walk by your conversation with Tsubasa about me acting strange." Shiori sighed.
"You certainly feel happy for Kanata, right? I mean, becoming a successor meant that your efforts have not gone to waste." Chris wondered.
"It's not that I'm angry at Kanata's success; I'm actually proud and happy for her! I mean...who wouldn't? I just don't know if my ability to do what I love has waned compared to my prime...I don't want to disappoint my fans, and I felt that I did not do enough as Takamina..." Shiori looked down and shook her head in sadness.
The Icy Maiden sat on a chair while still keeping her healing distance from Shiori.
"Shiori..." Chris took a deep breath, "why don't we let you in on a bit of our personal history back when one of my creations was set to be launched?"
"Huh?" Shiori wondered.
"Since you are willing to speak your trouble, I should as well, right? I have the same shit as you...It happened during the days leading up to the Audi R8's launch, which took place during our last year in managing Muse." Chris recalled as Alito nodded along.
"You mean the supercar you drove?" Shiori wondered.
"Yup..." Chris simpered. "Back then, the only practical supercar back in my world at an affordable price came in the form of Porsche 911. Simply put...I was happy for the Porsche 911; classic design, practical, bang for your buck, supercar performance, and hey...who wouldn't want that?" Chris showed Shiori a hologram of the Porsche 911 Carrera S. The fifth Takamina gasped at its classic beauty.
"Wow...I wish the transport back in Akibastar looked like those..." Shiori gasped.
"Ain't that proving my point? The Audi R8 was built to become an all-round competitor to take on the titan itself; few would think of going against such a car of 911's calibre." Chris simpered. "Alito and I too, despite my demeanour, were afraid that my R8 will not match up to the 911. Still, we have to push forth and have confidence about our abilities; I mean there's no turning back, right?"
"Of course! It would be too late to give up now, would it?" Shiori chided softly.
"Glad you know that..." Chris replied. "After the Audi R8 launched, though, Alito and I admit were surprised that it has received criical acclaim - being one of the very few cars to ever match up the 911's superiority. Even the most cynical car critic - Clarkson - claimed it better than his already beloved Lamborghini Gallardo."
"That Clarkson...was he really that cynical?" Shiori wondered.
"Very! Clarkson always make fun of German cars, saying that they are boring and such, and even say that 'cocks' - snobbish people - drove them." Alito replied.
"Wow...that must have been one hell of an effort to convince that critic..." Shiori looked on at the two maidens in admiration.
"Yeah...Even the current President of Porsche congratulated me sincerely on a job well done. To be honest, we were surprised; we thought he's going to spite us for matching up to him." Chris simpered. "That's when I realised one thing - I should be happy that the 911 existed in the first place. Without the 911, the R8 would not exist. Without the R8, the 911 would have no one to compete healthily in the automotive industry."
"From then on, Audi and Porsche might be rivals but the workers between each side got to understand each other better. Because of this understanding, we are inspired to reach greater heights. The President of Porsche and my Lady become friendly rivals as we inspire each other to greater heights with each version of our flagship supercars." Alito simpered.
Chris placed her white palms and cupped Shiori's palms softly. "You and Kanata are like the 911 Carrera and the R8; both of you might be mentor and disciple and possible rivals but without one side of the coin, the other would not exist. There will be no motivation to become better and therefore AKB0048's vision of 'bringing music into people's hearts throughout the universe' will not be fulfilled, right?"
"But what about my friendship with Kanata?" Shiori wondered.
"Just remember, Shiori, nothing is worse than betraying yourself for who you are. Yes, friendly rivalry is important as does maintaining your dream, but so is maintaining your friendship with Kanata." Chris nodded.
"We can help out in preventing the escalation from a friendly rivalry, to a personal feud that might end in ambicide." Alito nodded.
Shiori sighed and lowered her head. "I never knew that there will be someone who can understand those frustrations of mine..."
"I never expect myself to have someone who are experiencing the same shit as I do; regarding overcoming a mentor's expectation." Chris sighed.
No one spoke for the next one hour as Chris and Alito continued to heal Shiori. The green hair idol mused on about what the two maidens have just said.
Chris and Alito were right...
Shiori and Kanata might be rivals in the grand scheme of things, but the former would always stay as the Kanata's mentor in the end. Both of them were like two sides of a coin; one can either exists without the other.
Without Shiori, Kanata would have no one to look up to, the latter would have no one to be inspired by, and not even have a target to strive.
Without Kanata, Shiori would not have someone who she could prove her passion to, she would not have someone who understood the true passion behind her work, she would not have someone who she can compete with to better herself, and she would not have someone who could encourage her to greater heights.
After all, Kanata did inspire Shiori to do better too.
Besides, wasn't AKB0048's aim to bring music to people's hearts across the galaxy?
Just before Shiori could speak, Chris and Alito received calls from Tsubasa, requesting them to help the 75th, 76th, and the 77th Generations' Kenkyuseis.
"Don't worry, Chris and Alito. I won't fool myself or my body; just go on out and protect AKB0048!" Shiori simpered.
Chris and Alito nodded firmly as they head towards their battlefield - in Tundrastar.
Tundrastar - Alaskan Pole
No introductions were needed; as soon as Chris and Alito set foot on the field, the Maidens managed to slay off the DES mechas while leading the Kenkyuseis to victory, as if that was not hard enough.
The Maidens did not defeat Samael, Belial, Longinus, and Draugr with the Four Horsemen for nothing; so defeating the mechas should be cakewalk, especially after the jammer issues had been solved.
That was...until Megumi was shot in her right arm by a DES foot shoulder. Not just once, but twice upon her right arm.
Wasting no time, Chris and Arcana Lifebane blitzed through the mechas in time flat and approached an injured Megumi.
"Mimori, hold Megumi still...We will heal Megumi as quickly as possible." Chris spoke calmly as the Icy Maiden and Alito unleashed their Arcana Heal: Tundra Sanctuary.
"Why are you still healing me? I thought you reckoned me as your enemy because of the crap I wrought upon you and Alito?" Megumi snarled.
"You are a prick, but I do not want a part of AKB0048 to deteriorate because of your death. Besides, every AKB0048 members are important; we certainly do not want the last of human's honor die with one of its champions."
Megumi's magenta eyes widened and she hung her head in guilt as Alito and Chris continued with the healing process that took five minutes; it was an early detection.
After the healing process was over, Chris stood up as she exhaled deeply. "Look, it isn't hard to see why you're still having grudges for 76th Generation's Kenkyuseis. It's Youko, right?"
Megumi gasped, although Chris and Alito were not surprised.
"We know jealousy and inferiority complex due to other people's success when we see one. We have the same shit as you. Besides, yours were not jealousy. You wanted to sing by Youko's side, but you thought she was ignoring you and you do not know how to clarify the misunderstanding with her, resulting in miscommunication that led to your resentment towards Youko, am I right?" Chris replied.
"H...How..." Megumi looked at the Icy Maiden, frowning.
Chris sighed. "I have spoken with many people like you before. You really need a good smack in your head before you jump the gun, much lest you hurt others again. Don't you know that Youko is ready to make up time to you, but you are your worst enemy - 'Wah! Youko is making fun of my inability to join her as a Senbatsu! Wah!'"
Megumi looked down, "I don't think so...Youko will never understand!"
"Jeezus...Talk about wangst from angst." Chris rolled her eyes as she grabbed Megumi by her right hand. "You don't believe me? Why don't I let you have a chance to sing with Youko side by side and a chance to clear things up?"
"You...what?" Megumi shot her head up.
"I certainly don't want AKB0048 to be dragged down because of this strained relationship. Besides...I'm not a fan of seeing friendship getting torn apart; they are as important as a family, after all..." Chris firmly replied.
"Alito, it will be nice if you can look after the Kenkyuseis for a moment. I will be back shortly." Chris asked.
Alito, despite holding a grudge upon Megumi, nodded anyway; it was Chris's request after all...
"Yes, my lady."
Chris then looked at Megumi as she walked back to her Audi R8 GT. "So...you want to come along?"
Megumi looked at the 76th Generation Kenkyuseis, who nodded at her.
"Chris-sempai really wanted to help you! Trust her, Megumi, please?" Hazuki replied.
"Chris...Alito...they helped my friends from the 76th Generation gain a chance to perform at Tundrastar without expecting anything after all..." Megumi reluctantly stood up and followed Chris.
Both did not speak a word as the melodic wail of the R8 GT's V10 revved crisply into the air. Megumi calmed down and was just about to speak when Chris sighed.
"If there's anything you want to say, forget it. Save your energy to clear off the misunderstanding between you and Youko; you'll need it."
"But you helped the 76th Generation Kenkyuseis without...without expecting anything...I thought you..." Megumi asked.
"You thought that every high-ranking person expects a reward whenever he or she helps people? Can't say that I blame you in context to this world, but it will help if you don't judge a herd based on some black sheep, will you?" Chris spoke calmly.
"Then why do you have to help?" Megumi wondered.
"Tell me, do you want AKB0048 to die from ambicide?" Chris asked.
"No..." Megumi admitted.
"Look, Megumi, I helped the 76th Generation Members because I know ambicide can be prevented. In the end, I just want to see their smiles and prevent any AKB0048 member from tearing one another's hairs apart; that is good enough for me." Chris spoke eloquently.
She continued, "All I want is to see you and Youko's misunderstanding cleared off and be happy, that's it! I don't care if you still treat me as a prick after, I don't give damnations! Step up, Megumi; you are your worst enemy. Either you stop jumping the gun, or the gun will shoot its bullets at you faster than you could say 'OOPS'!"
Megumi held her head down.
"I'm not trying to shame you, Megumi. Never a fan of it when I speak to my allies, and never will. I just want you to understand that there is a time and place for everything. Youko is busy with her Senbatsu schedule and she is already doing her damndest to make it up to you. The fact that you do not allow her the chance to means that you are selfish instead of her; you don't want yourself to be labelled as the black kettle, right?" Chris asked firmly.
"I really...I really want to sing with Youko...I really do...I don't care if I'm not a Senbatsu, as long as I can sing with Youko, I don't mind working my ass off just to be with my best friend!" Megumi replied.
"Then say it! Be it cry, angry, or whatever, just say it! It seemed difficult, but at least you have a load off your arse and you can set up a conversation to clear off that misunderstanding of yours, yes?" Chris asked.
Megumi never said a word, as she looked down, musing.
Chris sighed softly as she drove her Audi R8 close to the Tundrastar Concert Location - the Tundra Stadium.
"Aie? Megumi? Chris-sempai?" Youko's eyes widened with surprise at Megumi's arrival despite being elated.
"Youko...we have to talk." the Icy Maiden frowned.
The trio entered the ladies before whispering to Megumi, "Strike while the iron is hot. You might never get the chance again..."
As Chris left the ladies, Megumi crossed her arms while facing Youko.
"I'm sorry...Megumi..." Youko sighed, which shocked Megumi.
"H...Huh?" Megumi wondered.
"Chris and Alito paid me a visit last night after they returned from dinner. They told me about what you are experiencing now and...I should have be more sensitive to your feelings and clarify with you." Youko simpered wistfully.
"I..." Megumi stammered.
"I know...that doesn't excuse me from being a jerk for ignoring you despite my busy schedule. Don't worry, Megumi...just hate me all you want if it makes you..." Youko's eyes widened, however, when she found Megumi embracing her and crying.
"YOU IDIOT! YOU MAKE ME FEEL SELFISH!" Megumi cried as she hit Youko's chest repeatedly, fresh tears flowing from her puffy cheeks.
Youko returned the embrace as she patted the brunette's head as she felt her cheeks becoming damp; she's tearing up too.
"I'm sorry...Megumi...forgive me..."
Both idols cried, Megumi sobbing, and Youko crying silently as she returned the tight embrace, with both relieved that everything would be fine soon.
Few minutes later...
"I'm sorry...I should have noticed that you are busy...busy with your schedules as a Senbatsu member..." Megumi admitted her mistakes after calming down.
"I should be the one to apologize...I failed to even take into account that you will accuse me of laughing at your face, or even those emotions that you have felt thus far. I know that I should make it up to you, but I never know that you are so affected by my absence at times..." Youko sighed.
"It's fine...Youko...I just want to sing by your side. Chris-sempai is right...I should not jump to conclusions and think that you are laughing at me, when in fact you are just trying your best to be with me." Megumi simpered.
"Really?" Youko wondered.
Megumi nodded. "Yeah...Singing beside you meant the a lot to me, it makes me realize that I can be happy for you. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared...I want to do my best so that I can get a chance to be with you whenever I can!"
Both Youko and Shiori embraced each other again; for all it took was each other's arms to cry on, and pouring out the truth, for two parties to understand each other's hearts - such was the wonders of life...
Both Youko and Megumi's eyes perked when they heard a beep from their communicator. They brought it up and saw a holographic video call from Tsubasa.
"Megumi, are you okay with singing beside Youko after nearly a year of separation since her succession?" Tsubasa wondered.
"Wait...Tsubasa-sempai...you mean?" Megumi's eyes widened.
"Yes...Chris and I discussed about it just now; you're allowed to perform with Youko for this time - hopefully that will encourage you to do better, yes?" Tsubasa simpered.
"Chris-sempai and Alito-sempai...she really did this...for me and the 76th generation?" Megumi sighed; knowing that she had wronged someone who had helped her reconciled a soured relationship, and even helped the 76th Generation's Kenkyuseis.
Nevertheless, Megumi gave an elated smile and nodded.
Meanwhile, while Chris rode back to the village in her Audi R8 GT...
"Thank you...Chris and Alito-sempai...Team Muse had really benefited from your arrival and guidance!"
"You and Alito, aside from my best friend Nozomi, you helped me open up my heart by letting me understand that not all school idols and idol culture in general are a bunch of amateurs! Your firm encouragements with Nozomi allowed me the strength to stand up for myself and make my own decision! I, Eri Ayase, thank you on behalf of Otonokizaka Academy!"
"We know that the reason Muse can succeed this time round is due to everyone of us. However...it's also thanks to you that everyone can get to see that idol culture ain't bad and that Muse is one of them! You gave us the courage!"
"That's why...that's why we want you to have this...it's straight from our hearts and from the music we have transmitted upon this casing; every one of us! We at Muse want to say: you will overcome that which is the darkness in your heart...and thank you!"
Chris placed her fingers near the glowing core reactor - the gift that she received from Honoka - the leader idol of Team Muse.
Honoka and the members of Muse met up with the scientists and alchemists of the Fuschias household, placed their head together to create a graduation gift to express their gratitude, their thanks, and to let Chris and Alito understand that they would find Humanity's meaning soon enough...
The Arcana Force Core allowed Chris to channel arcane energies to control all types of Audi R8s wirelessly through Arcane Transmitters.
"Heart...Humanity..." Chris mind wandered back to the way Honoka presented her the heart casing containing the Arcana Force Core Reactor X-35IS - extending her arms out.
"Extending one's own heartfelt feelings...is that Humanity as well?" Chris wondered.
As she head back to the village, several children - be it boys and girls - gathered around her. Two little girls, from among the children, approached the Icy Maiden with sweet smiles upon their faces.
"Thank you, onee-chan! You, along with the Idols saved us from the tyranny of DES troops!"
Chris kneeled down and held their delicate little hands that were partially covered in snow. Her eyes widened, however, sensing their hands were filled with a strange sense of warmth...
The same type of warmth she felt when Honoka, along with the members of Muse, presented her and Alito the Arcana Reactor Cores via the heart casing.
"The ability to transmit one's own feelings and share them with others?" Chris mused, as she saw apparitions of Team Muse performing their graduation song, Snow Halation, upon the snowy fields of Tundrastar.
Chris clenched her fists; a newfound resolve was added that day...
"What are you looking at, onee-chan?" the little girl on the left, wearing a red winter coat, wondered.
Chris mused, and gave something that even surprised herself, but elicited small happiness from others...
A small smile...
"A dream...turned into a reality...And I'm not going to do it alone, are we, Alito?" Chris replied as the Maiden of the Wind approached beside her, for the latter saw the same apparitions too.
Neither apparitions of a loony...nor apparitions from a crazy psycho with a twisted mind; it was an apparition of something more...
And that apparition, she realised, might be what her parallel self in her visions would not get...
Hope...