Hello there, we're picking this up from the last chapter.

Episode Four: The Candidates' Resolve

Leanbox Basilicom

"What's this all about, IF-san?"

IF contacted Histoire to give a situation report on the CPUs, who had been captured. She filled her in about what happened, from their departure until the moment Tendou told them to leave.

"I'm not exactly sure, but they somehow sealed the powers of the goddesses."

"Can you explain in more detail?"

"That's all I know. My guess is it's an item of some sort. Could you look into it for us, Lady Histoire?"

"Certainly, but it'll take me three days."

"As soon as possible, please."

"I'll see what I can do. Anyway, Nepgear-san and the gang should return to Planeptune. I believe it would be better for Uni-san and the others to go back home too. Goodbye."

She cut the connection. IF told the gang, "Well, you heard her–"

"Hold on!" Uni interrupted, "Do you seriously expect us to just go home because she said so? Give us a proper explanation!"

"Usually, Onee-chan would knock baddies out in one blow!" Ram followed.

"Is she gonna die?" Rom added.

"I-I'm sure she'll be fine," Compa reassured.

"But I heard something about 'sealing their powers' earlier," Uni argued.

"I'm sorry," Nepgear, who was silent since she arrived, said out of the blue.

"It's not your fault, Gear-chan," Compa tried to comfort her.

"Yes, it is. The rock I picked up back when we were shopping, I'm sure that's the item which drained their powers. If only I had thought more carefully about why I felt dizzy back then... If only I had told Onee-chan and the others about it..."

"You idiot!" Uni shouted, "My sister is really strong, but because of you, she's...

"You should've taken her place instead!" Then she ran off. Nepgear sobbed, blaming herself. Then...

"Graaah!"

Kagami yelled on top of his lungs and punched the wall. "I can't stand this! I'm going!"

"Kagami, get a hold of yourself!" Kageyama restrained him. "Tendou-san has yet to return. Do you think you stand a chance alone?"

He took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Sorry that I lost my cool like that. It's just..."

"I know. If I were you I would do the same."

"It's for Nepgear's sake. It's like she's carrying the burden all by herself."

"Then you know what to do."

He looked at Kageyama and grinned, "Right."

"I'll go get Uni. You get the twins."

'Tendou, I hope you're alright.'

Later, Nepgear was on the balcony once more. She was stargazing in the moonless night when a certain group approached her.

"Nepgear-chan."

"Come on!"

"I know, just stop pushing me."

She turned around and saw the other CPU Candidates, Kagami, and Kageyama, the girls went to her while the men stood on the sidelines.

"Let's make up," Rom offered her hand. She took it, along with Ram and Uni.

"I went too far," Uni began, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"I know, I know it's not your fault. Yet I..." she began tearing up.

"Yeah, and I know haw you feel."

She hugged her, easing her sadness. The sun rose, and everyone present looked at the beautiful scenery.

"I thought there couldn't be anyone stronger than my sister," Uni confessed, "That everything would be fine as long as she was around."

"I'm the same. I can't do anything without my sister either," Nepgear also confessed.

"The opposite happened to me," Kageyama cut in, "Ever since I lost TheBee Zecter I was desperate to get it back. I thought if I didn't have it I would be worthless. It all changed when Aniki came to my aid, and I've found my way again."

"But still, we have no idea what to do."

"It's simple! We just need to save them!" Ram said enthusiastically.

"I want to save them too," Rom followed suit.

"So am I," Kagami added.

"But we can't transform..."

"Then we just need to change that!"

"Let's learn how to do it."

The twins were already excited about the idea.

"Onee-chan said something about how I can't transform because I subconsciously limiting myself," Uni recalled, "Like the things we're scared about are holding us back."

"I have the solution," Kagami said.

"What is it?" Nepgear asked.

"In one of our first encounters, I told Tendou that I would surpass him. You should do that too."

"Be stronger than Tendou-san?"

"Be stronger than your sisters, or at least the thought of it."

"Then let's train our butts off!" Ram exclaimed.

The next day, IF and Compa was looking for the Candidates. She found them, along with Kagami and Kageyama, training with Vert's VR battle simulator.

"This is Lady Vert's game, isn't it?" IF asked.

They stopped sparring and Nepgear spoke up, "We figured we'd get some combat training done."

"Remember how she said that there was a combat simulation mode?" Uni continued.

"We decided to help, taking the role of the enemy," Kagami said, "I figure that if we fight them in human form, they'll have experience facing humanoid opponents, which in turn help them against other types."

"Plus, it can help them transform," Kageyama finished.

"We're facing against someone who already captured the goddesses," IF warned.

"Even so, I believe we have to do this," Nepgear said, "We've inherited the power of the CPUs, too."

"I had a feeling this would happen. I'll join you."

Then the door opened, revealing Yaguruma, Daisuke, and Tsurugi. Everyone in the room stared at the trio.

"Hey, don't leave us out of the action," Yaguruma said.

Zune Waste Plant

Tendou woke up from his slumber and found out two things: He was bound with some kind of wire, and he was with the goddesses inside the barrier.

"Tendou, you're awake!" Neptune said, relieved. "I want to hug you, but the situation doesn't allow me to."

"What a way to give us a heart attack," Noire retorted.

"Heh," he replied. 'So I lost to her, huh? Not a surprise.'

He noticed that there was a black pool of fluid underneath them. "What is that?"

"Another effect of the Anti Crystals, I think," Blanc answered.

"She wants us to die a slow death. How typical."

"Why did she also put you here? You're not a CPU," Vert asked.

"She must be aware of my popularity."

"Tendou-kun..." She knew it wasn't the time for jokes. Maybe Neptune's attitude rubbed off on him.

Outside the barrier Pirachu was uploading the pictures he took the night before with analog connection, since there was no reception there, using a 56k modem. He was displeased with the speed, but that was all they had.

Leanbox Basilicom

Nepgear sparred with Tsurugi in a sword-fight. At the beginning, it was an even match, but soon the odds were stacked against her. Tsurugi sidestepped an overhead slash and countered with a strike of his sword's spine. The Planeptune CPU Candidate fell on her face.

"You're improving. Next time, don't put all of your power in a lunge."

Getting up, she replied, "Understood!"

With Uni, she practiced her shooting, mentored by Daisuke. The former had her signature rifle, while the latter a modified handgun. Both of them shot some monsters generated by the VR game.

"How could you shoot them from this far with a handgun?"

"Experience, obviously. As for the weapon itself, it allows me to do this."

He demonstrated by approaching a group and shot them at close range. He shot to his left, then his right, his backside, and spun on his heel and shot the monster in front of him. She awed at his confidence every time he pulled the trigger.

"Remember, focus on your target and be sure that you can hit it."

The Lowee Candidates faced against the Hell Brothers themselves. Both duos contrasted in fighting style. The twins were magic users, while the brothers were close range fighters. They did have some trouble with teamwork, but eventually got the hang of it.

"Ram-chan, do it!" Rom told her twin sister. She acted as a sentinel, casting a shield to protect her from any attack.

"Got it!" she replied and cast an ice spell, blasting the brothers back.

"You're getting better at this," praised Kageyama.

"I envy you two," Yaguruma said, grinning, "You never stepped into battle, but you work together really well."

"It's the sister factor," Ram briefly explained.

IF and Kagami decided to have a hand-to-hand combat training. Before they began, she took off her oversized jacket. He noticed a familiar bracelet on her left wrist. He asked, "Where did you get that?"

"This? Tendou gave it to me, said it was a present. Why?"

"No, never mind."

They started their mock battle. Block after block, strike after strike, they didn't stop until their stamina ran out. When it did, they collapsed on their backs, panting and breathing heavily.

"That was..."

"Exhausting..."

The others were also done with their training, also tired. Soon after, Compa gave an update on the goddesses.

"Ai-chan! Terrible news!"

She gave her the smartphone and was shocked on what was displayed. It was a picture of Purple Heart tied up in a... peculiar position.

"Everyone, gather up!"

They went to her, wondering what was going on. She showed the picture, and Nepgear wasn't too comfortable seeing her sister like that.

"News of the four goddesses' capture will spread like wildfire."

"We can't even transform yet," Nepgear reasoned.

"There's no time. If the public saw these pictures, it might lead to a Share crash. When that happens..."

"We'll receive less power from the Share Crystals."

"That means we need to save our sisters before this gets in the way," Uni pointed out.

"Yes, but let's rest for the time being. We'll set out tonight," Kagami advised, "Got those things ready, Nepgear?"

"Just a few adjustments, Kagami-san, and we're good to go."

That night, they set off for Zune. IF rode her bike along with Nepgear, Compa drove a red topless car with the other Candidates and the Riders with their own bikes. Every Rider other than Kagami wore full face helmets and rode a gray motorcycle dubbed the Machine Zectron. Kagami himself, however, rode a blue dirt-bike called the Gatack Extender and wore a motocross helmet instead.

Zune Waste Plant

The black liquid had accumulated quite a lot. It would take time for it to rise to critical levels, but every second passed meant their impending doom was getting closer and closer.

"Chin up, girls! We're fine right now and there's still hope for us," Neptune tried to cheer them up.

"I don't usually mind your optimism, but it gets really annoying at times like these," Noire retorted.

"You're trying to escape from reality," Blanc commented.

"I'm just saying, it's better than thinking we're doomed."

"False hope never did anyone any good."

"I don't think it's false hope at all," Vert said.

"Nepu?"

"Eh?"

"Have you forgotten about your sisters?"

"Uni? She's never fought without me by her side."

"Rom and Ram are still at an age where I have to keep them safe, too."

"Nepgear seems level-headed, but she's quite spoiled. I think it would be too much for her."

"Aren't you being selfish?" Tendou suddenly asked, gaining their attention. "Grandmother said this: 'People become stronger through adventures.' If you don't let them fight on their own and always accompany them through quests, they won't gain any strength. There will be a time when they don't want to be just your cute little sisters."

The older sisters pondered over his words. Their train of thought was broken when Pirachu reported, "They're here. As expected, the CPU Candidate came back with friends."

"What can they do?" Arfoire scoffed, "They probably can't reach this place, don't you think?"

Back with the gang, they arrived at the site. Compa was worried of the Candidates' current state.

"They still can't transform yet."

"It doesn't matter if the goddesses fail," IF said, "People will come to terms with it of their sisters give it their all. That will reduce the damage done to the Shares."

"You're being pessimistic," Kagami interjected, "I'm sure that they can do it. I believe in them."

He walked to the Candidates and heard Uni saying, "Ready?"

"Wait, let me do this."

He gestured the rest behind him. "On my signal." His signal apparently was a loud, "Uooooooooh!" and everyone charged.

Nepgear slashed a robot monster and went forward. Tsurugi also slashed some enemies with his Yaiver. Rom and Ram went for a simple strategy: the former guarding one side and the latter attacking the other. Yaguruma and Kageyama watched each other's backs as they laid down the offensive. Uni shot them from afar while Daisuke closed into enemy territory, as his preferred style. Both IF and Compa used their weapons –the katars and syringe respectively– to lay waste on the monsters. Kagami just rushed in and hit every enemy in sight.

Nepgear was taken by surprise as a monster shot her with a plasma beam. Instinctively, she raised her shield. Ram tried to help her but was caught off guard with another monster. Before she got attacked, Tsurugi came to her aid.

"Don't let your guard down!"

"Onii-chan..."

Uni tried to shoot the one behind her, but she ran out of bullets. She jumped out of the way to regroup and reload.

Nepgear went out of harm's way, but another one shot her with a barrage of plasma bullets. Defending herself, she couldn't proceed. She looked at her friends who were struggling.

'What have I done? I was mistaken. It's too early for us to go into battle! Everyone will die because of me! I can't do a thing! Help me, Onee-chan!'

Then it dawned on her, 'I'm relying on her again. I... really do need her by my side!'

She remembered that Uni said that they couldn't transform because they were subconsciously limiting themselves, like something that scared them.

'What I'm afraid of is... no longer being Onee-chan's little sister. No, that's not it. I'm afraid of becoming stronger than her!'

She then remembered Kagami's words, '"Be stronger than your sisters, or at least the thought of it."'

A burst of energy blasted from her as she generated Share Energy.

'If this is what it takes to bring her back...' "I will surpass her!"

At that moment, she transformed. She wore a white version of Purple Heart's attire, but without the sleeves. She also wore white elbow-length gloves, white shoes, stockings, and had wings in the shape of sections of a circle. Her eyes were blue like her sister, and her hair was lilac with a futuristic-looking button. A gunblade was her weapon of choice.

She had changed into her CPU form, Purple Sister.

She blasted monsters surrounding the others. After she did that, she dashed to the barrier holding her sister captive.

"I cannot retreat here. So... I have to do this!"

She eliminated any monster that was on her way. The others advanced towards their goal.

"She grows up so fast, doesn't she Kagami?" Tsurugi asked.

"Yeah. If she transforms," he prepared his belt, "Then so do we!"

He held his hand up high and his partner–the Gatack Zecter–flew towards him, letting itself be grabbed. Tsurugi also called the Sasword Zecter.

STANDBY

It hopped onto his right hand. With an unspoken cue, they shouted, "'Henshin!'"

HENSHIN

Gatack Zecter's voice was higher than the other Zecters. His Masked armor was similar to Kabuto's, except it was cobalt blue where it was supposed to be red. He had guns on his shoulders called the Gatack Vulcan. Unlike Kabuto, his two red eyes were already defined and his mouthpiece was regularly jagged.

The two Riders followed Purple Sister, blasting and slashing every enemy in their path.

Back with Arfoire, she was astonished that the monster numbers depleted quickly.

"These guys are surprisingly good."

"Well, good timing. I was just starting to feel bored."

Finished with the scrap monsters, the group got back on their rides, save Purple Sister who flew.

"I realized that I wanted to be protected by Onee-chan," she began, "So I was fine being weak. That's what I was thinking. However, when I wished to become stronger..."

"You managed to transform," Gatack finished her sentence. "It's like what Tendou said to me: 'Only those who know their weakness will be truly able to become stronger.'"

"That doesn't help me at all," Uni cut in.

Decided to be quiet, they continued their drive.

They finally reached their destination. Getting out of their vehicles, they went to the vantage point.

"Onee-chan!" Purple Sister shouted. The same word was repeated by the other candidates.

"Nepgear!"

"Rom..., Ram..."

"Uni..."

Gatack also shouted, but with a different word in mind, "Tendou!"

"Kagami..."

"I see you managed to transform, Nepgear," Neptune said, amazed.

"Yes, I'll save you right away."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

Arfoire went to the group, smirking. "Good job making it this far, Candidates," she looked at Gatack and Sasword, "And Riders."

Gatack clenched his fists in response.

"My name is Arfoire. I'll be the one to bring joyous tidings of chaos to this world ruled by those four young ladies."

"Why would you do this? What are you after?"

"What I seek is a new system that doesn't need CPUs, a world where anyone can become a ruler."

"You just want to rule the world yourself!"

"If someone stronger than me shows up, they are free to knock me off the throne. That's how a world of equality works."

"Might makes right," Gatack muttered.

"You're just jealous of the goddesses' powers!" Uni retorted.

"There may have been a time when I felt that way," she paused, "But now, not anymore. Because..."

A flash of red light flashed from her, and her form changed. Her clothes showed more of her skin, had black and red wings, and her face had a fang shaped tattoo on each cheek.

"I myself possess the power of a CPU!"

"She transformed!?" Sasword said in shock, "But she's not a CPU!"

She morphed her weapon, which was initially a spear, into a sword. She shouted her attack, "Cross Combo!" and slashed Purple Sister, Gatack, and Sasword.

"What the heck!? That was Neptune's move!" Gatack was shocked.

"How can you use that move?" Purple Sister asked.

"She has copying abilities like Nogi!" Tendou told them.

"Nogi!?"

"That's not possible!"

"I made it possible!"

She changed her sword into an axe and hit her with Tanzerin Trombe. Before she made any more moves, the Riders decided to take action.

"'Cast Off!'"

CAST OFF

Armor pieces hit her from her sides, preventing her from finishing the Planeptune CPU Candidate. Again, Gatack's armor was similar to Kabuto's, but it was blue with gold linings. On his shoulders were compartments for his swords, the Gatack Double Calibur. The two horns on the sides of his helmet lifted up and attached themselves.

CHANGE STAG BEETLE

CHANGE SCORPION

Gatack charged at Arfoire, trying to hit her. She blocked most of it with her axe and the rest was dodged. He unsheathed his swords and attacked again, but to no avail. With a swift slash, he was knocked back. Sasword tried his luck and managed to slash her a few times, but she parried his last strike, turned her weapon into a sword, and counterattacked. Her final uppercut sent him flying. She went back to the lying Candidate, intending to end her. She was interrupted once more by the Lowee Candidate sisters.

"Stop it!" Rom began.

"Don't be mean to Nepgear!" Ram continued.

"Go suck on a pacifier or something, pipsqueak."

She proceeded to punish Purple Sister. They could only stand and watch.

"I... hate her."

"Yeah, me too."

"You and I..."

"Let's beat her up!"

Linking each other's hands, Rom and Ram channeled Share Energy, beginning to transform. Their appearances were similar: white tops, gloves, and stockings; white rhombus wings; and staves. The difference lied on two things: their eyes and hair. Rom had blue hair and pink eyes, while Ram had pink hair and blue eyes.

The Twin Candidates of Lowee, White Sister.

"You won't get away with this!" White Sister B said.

"Prepare yourself!" White Sister P followed.

"Huh? What can two transforming toddlers do?"

Her question was answered with a heart-shaped ice projectile. "Ice Coffin!"

The attack connected, but it didn't do any significant damage. Floating to their level, she struck the two with Noire's signature move, Lace Ribbon Dance. Purple Sister, in turn, shot her with her gunblade and ended with the same result.

"Now it's my turn."

"No."

Arfoire turned her head to the person interrupting her. Yaguruma and Kageyama stood there, seemingly not caring if she had the power of the CPUs.

"It's our turn," Yaguruma said, "Ready, Otouto?"

"Yeah. Let's go, Aniki."

Opening their belts, two Hopper Zecters hopped towards them. They grabbed one each, showing the sides. Yaguruma's was green and red, Kageyama's was brown and green. They slid them onto their belts.

"'Henshin.'"

HENSHIN

Green and red hexagons respectively covered their form. Their armors were exactly the same, from the pointed shoulder pad, the crossed torso, and even the grasshopper-shaped helmet. What told them apart was Yaguruma's was emerald green and Kageyama's were dark brown. The former's eyes were red and the latter's were dull gray. Each was equipped with gold joints called the Anchor Jack; one was on his left leg while the other was on his right arm.

CHANGE KICK HOPPER

CHANGE PUNCH HOPPER

"Arfoire," KickHopper started.

"You're mocking us, aren't you?" PunchHopper continued.

"Laugh then."

They jumped and hit her with their attacks. She didn't fall to the ground, but it was enough to get her to their level. Both of them rushed in, surprising the pseudo-CPU. A kick, a punch, then a kick-punch combo. She wasn't affected, much. Stepping back, she detached parts of her wings and launched beams at the duo. They dodged but was hit with a lucky shot. She lunged with her sword in hand, hacking and slashing the brothers. Done with the Hoppers, she prepared her assault on the others. Before she could do that, she was bombarded by a barrage of bullets. Daisuke entered her vision.

"IF!" he called.

"What?"

"Transform!"

"Me? I'm not like the CPUs."

"So are the Riders. Call TheBee Zecter!"

Still confused, she raised her right arm. True to his words, TheBee Zecter landed on her hand. Realizing it was connected to her bracelet, she took off her jacket and prepared herself. Daisuke pulled out the Drake Grip and said Zecter hovered above his head.

'I think I have to cope with slim fits after this,' she thought.

She attached her Zecter onto the Rider Brace and Drake Zecter latched to the Grip.

'"Henshin!"'

HENSHIN

Green hexagons enveloped her body, whilist Daisuke in blue. Her armor had gold accents with honeycomb patterns on her chest and face. Daisuke's was similar to a diving suit. TheBee flipped the wings and turned the Zecter in a half-circle, and Drake pulled the tail of his.

"Cast Off!"

CAST OFF

TheBee's Rider form resembled a bee. It had chest armor shaped like a bee's stomach. Drake's armor had a dragonfly's wings from the right shoulder to under the left arm. Their helmets resembled the insects they were based on.

CHANGE WASP

CHANGE DRAGONFLY

"Give me a boost!" TheBee asked.

Drake complied and she stepped on his shoulder to tackle Arfoire to the ground. After that, she pummeled her with a barrage of punches. She was pushed away, and her opponent went back to the skies. Drake shot her, but she was barely fazed by that.

Uni, who hadn't transformed yet, was trying to shoot the pseudo-CPU. Taking her aim, she pulled the trigger and missed every single time. She realized that she was worried about her sister watching her. Shaking those thoughts off, she took aim once more.

'"Focus on your target and be sure that you can hit it."'

'That's it. Focus on your target.'

She aimed at Arfoire's beam cannons and made her shot. This time, every shot hit their target. When she prepared her final shot, she transformed. Black top, gloves, and stockings; white hair in curled-up twin-tails; and green eyes. Her rifle increased in size, and so did the firepower.

"EX Multi Blaster!"

She hit one of Arfoire's wings, destabilizing the CPU witch.

"There is no doubt, only resolve!"

"Uni-chan, that's so cool!" praised Purple Sister.

"Huh?" She looked at herself, and recognized she was the CPU Black Sister. "I transformed."

"You did it!" flattered White Sister P.

"Way to go!" White Sister B did the same.

"B-but of course! A hero always arrives fashionably late!" she said, trying not to fluster.

"You've finally found it," PunchHopper commented.

Inside the Anti Crystal field, everyone was proud of them, including Tendou. Their joy was short-lived as hands emerged from the black liquid. Those hands went to grab and tangle everyone in the barrier.

"What's happening?" Blanc wondered.

"What's going on?" Vert said, panicking.

As time passed, they began to feel the effects.

"I'm freezing."

"I've already stopped feeling anything."

"Yeah. I'm starting to feel numb."

"Feels like death has opened its doors," the only male of the bunch described.

"Nep-ko!"

Everyone turned their heads and saw IF, as TheBee.

"Ai-chan, is that you?" Neptune was surprised of her appearance.

"Yes, it's me. Anyway, I've got a message from Histoire."

She showed her smartphone and a hologram of Histoire popped out of the screen.

"I have bad news," she began, "Anti Crystals, as it is called, sever the link between and your Share Crystal, but that's not all. It also has the ability to convert Share Energy into something called Anti-Energy, and it is said that in concentrated amounts it can take goddesses' lives."

"So what can we do!? What about Tendou!?" Neptune panicked.

"As of now, we don't know how to counter it. I don't know the effects it can cause to a human, but considering the current situation I assume it will be far worse than you CPUs."

When she finished her sentence, Vert was already submerged into the Anti-Energy and lost consciousness. Blanc was the next victim as she drowned in the ominous energy. TheBee tried her signature move, "Rider Sting!"

RIDER STING

She punched the barrier with her tachyon-charged wrist needle. It didn't go through.

"Not even a Rider Kick... can put a dent on it...," Tendou told her, slowly losing strength.

Back with the Candidates, they were baffled on what was happening in front of their eyes.

"What the heck is that?" Black Sister asked.

"I-I don't know!" Purple Sister said.

"That's how Anti-Energy kills goddesses," Arfoire answered her question.

She then took down the Candidates with Rainy Ratnapura. She left to take down the Riders, which was done quite easily. She hit Gatack with Rider Kick, Sasword with Rider Slash, TheBee with Rider Sting, Drake with a variation of Rider Shooting, and the Hoppers with Rider Punch.

The Anti-Energy had reached Neptune, Noire, and Tendou. As Neptune and Noire drowned to their deaths, Tendou was the last one standing. His body went cold, his heartbeat slowed, and his mind was going blank.

'Kagami... take care... of my sisters...' It was Tendou's final thought before his life left him.

"Onee-chan?" Purple Sister shakily called upon her sister.

"Tendou?" Gatack did the same.

The two watched the pyramid lost its shine. When it dawned on them, both of them shouted hysterically.

"Nooooooo!"

"Tendou!"

The rest looked in shock. The White Sisters were on the verge of crying, Black Sister was holding her tears and Compa already let it out. The Riders had the exact same thought in mind.

'Tendou Souji... is dead...'

"Hahaha, your precious sisters are no more!" Arfoire said, adding insult to injury, "Everything you did came too late. Don't let it get to you, you'll be joining them soon enough.

"In the dark abyss of despair, that is!"

She swung her spear to the vulnerable Purple Sister, but it was stopped by none other than...

"Kagami-san!?"

With Clock Up, he managed to reach her and block the strike, only using his hands. He repelled the attack, baffling the pseudo-CPU.

"What!?"

"Tendou said this: 'I am the world. As long as the world exists, so will I!' They won't die unless Gamindustri... no, the world dies!"

"Yes. They're all still fighting, and we refuse to lose!"

Gatack did the unthinkable. He called forth the Zecter which only two Riders could use; the Hyper Zecter.

"Let me show you... that we already have the future in our hands."

He put the Zecter to his left belt pad. "Hyper Cast Off!" He pushed the horn.

HYPER CAST OFF (Cue Lord of the Speed)

Tachyon coursed on his body. When it was done, his armor had a couple changes. His horns were larger and his chest plate was bulkier. The chest plate had a red section with yellow lines around it.

CHANGE HYPER STAG BEETLE

The sky shone in a myriad of colors, thanks to Hyper Gatack and the Candidates' resonating Share Energy. The Riders felt their strength returning.

"It's... beautiful," Compa awed.

Arfoire tried to flee and went as far as using Clock Up, but it was no match for Hyper Clock Up. She was thrown back to the crowd.

Black Sister and Drake prepared their weapons and shot them with their most powerful attack.

"EX Multi Blaster!"

"Rider Shooting!"

RIDER SHOOTING

Both hit her dead on and she was knocked towards the White Sisters and the Hoppers. The former duo struck with a star-shaped projectile, launching her to the skies, and the latter went for Rider Jump.

"'Rider Jump!'"

RIDER JUMP

Closing their distance, they went for a double move.

"Rider Kick!"

"Rider Punch!"

RIDER KICK

RIDER PUNCH

As their attack connected, the Anchor Jacks closed, enhancing the knockback effect and sent her sprawling on the ground. Getting up, she was met by Sasword and TheBee.

"Rider Slash!"

RIDER SLASH

He slashed her with his venom-tipped sword. TheBee followed with her own signature move.

"Rider Sting!"

RIDER STING

The powerful punch sent Arfoire towards the barrier, slamming it in the process.

"This is not possible!"

'If Rider Kick doesn't work, then that leaves...' "Come, Perfect Zecter!"

The once destroyed Zecter went to his hands. Slightly surprised that it was intact, he switched it to gun mode.

"Lend me your Zecters!"

TheBee, Drake, and Sasword nodded and their Zecters latched onto the Perfect Zecter, turning them back to their human forms. He pressed the buttons on it in order: red, yellow, blue, purple.

KABUTO POWER|THEBEE POWER|DRAKE POWER|SASWORD POWER

"Gatack Power!" he added.

ALL ZECTERS COMBINED

Purple Sister stood next to him and prepared her gunblade for the same thing.

"Nepgear, we only have one shot. Make it count!"

"Right, Kagami-san... no, Kagami-kun!"

The charge was complete and they pulled the trigger.

MAXIMUM HYPER CYCLONE

"Uooooh!"

"Haaaaaa!"

Hyper Gatack released a vortex of tachyon-charged energy and Purple Sister launched a beam of Share Energy. The blast hit Arfoire and the barrier, destroying it in the process. After the field disintegrated, it left a wide crater.

(Song End)

Gatack dropped to his knees, going back to Kagami.

"Onee-chan? Whare are you?"

The quiet atmosphere didn't help as Purple Sister spoke.

"Hey..."

"Right here, Nepgear."

Instinctively, she looked up and saw the CPUs, alive and well. The White Sister twins flew to their sister, hugging her in the process.

"I miss you so much!" White Sister P cried out.

"Thank goodness!" White Sister B followed.

"Sorry I made you worry," White Heart apologized.

Black Sister went to her sister, saying, "Sorry I took so long."

"What are you apologizing for? Look at how you've grown," Black Heart replied she continued with, "Thanks."

The younger sister hugged her earnestly, almost intending not to let go.

"You see... I... I...," Purple Sister stuttered.

"You did well, Nepgear. From now on, I'll always be with you," Purple Heart said.

She put her in her embrace. The sun rose and the ambiance was lighthearted. However, it was ruined by one person.

"Tendou!"

Kagami tried to wake his friend up, who was still unconscious. Purple Heart and the other CPUs realized the situation and went to him immediately.

"Come on, wake up! I can't show my face to Hiyori if you die!"

Purple Heart also tried, "Please, tell me you're okay!"

There was no response. They tried again and it was still the same result. The others stared at the lifeless body in melancholy. Purple Sister was already crying, the White Sisters bawled, and Black Sister tried not to. Their older sisters, sans Purple Heart, had pained expressions. IF and the Riders only stared in disbelief.

Then, a miracle occurred.

"... Juka..."

He slowly opened his eyes. His vision was still blurry, but he could see Purple Heart and Kagami. Suddenly, the former pulled him into a hug.

"Tendou!" she cried out, tears falling from her eyes.

"Neptune..."

"You idiot! Don't ever do that again!"

"Heh, no promises."

"... Can I call you 'Tendou-kun'?"

"Whatever suits you."

Kagami helped him stand since he was too weak to do it on his own.

"You were reckless, you know that?"

"Says the one who rushes in head first."

"Hey!"

With the others, Green Heart was surprise-hugged by Purple Sister. Daisuke wanted to hug her as well with the excuse of, "Can I get one?" and she complied. The ones watching laughed. The Hell Brothers didn't join the fun and instead watched the sunrise.

"The light... is warm," Yaguruma said.

"Yeah," Kageyama agreed.

Arfoire survived the blast and escaped into the sewers, carried by Pirachu. She was surprised that he saved her, which he answered that villains had their own brand of friendship.

Planeptune

The Shares of each nation did go down a bit, but the CPUs managed to counteract. Vert launched her VR interface unit, branded 'Manect'. Blanc and the twins sold steamed buns, which became an instant hit. The Black Sisters went monster hunting and recovered more Shares than they lost. Each nation's Riders were also helping. Daisuke had established a permanent make-up service but still work by order. Tsurugi sold ramen, dubbing it 'Ramen of the Gods'. The Hopper Brothers followed the Black Sisters hunting

"Yet here we are, having a picnic," IF finished.

"You've got it the wrong way around!" Neptune said, "It's because I went through that, I need to live every day like it's everyday!"

"I have no idea what you just said."

Suddenly, her chest hurt.

"Ai-chan, what's wrong!?"

She pulled her top down and there was a bee tattoo on her chest.

"TheBee's mark," Kagami answered her unspoken question.

Speaking of bees, a young girl in a bee suit called out. Everyone present turned to face her.

"Who in Gamindustri is that!?"

She pointed at three people, which she knew very well.

"IF! Compa! Souhi!"

She's coming, who's that girl? How does she know them?