RFD: Konnichiwa to all Readers! Your usual newbie, Red Flame Dragon here will bring you the next chapter of Symphonic World today. Sorry for keep you guys waiting because us two are thinking about the design for Zero-One's OC forms, or Trial-Forms, to be exact, since it's more easier to distinct what grades they are. Before we open the curtain of the new chapter, have anything to say for the readers, my sidekick Aibou?

RFD's Sidekick: Yes, in this chapter, as RFD had said earlier from the Chapter 1, there would be some twists like other Rider Crossover fanfics, especially the battle scene, so be sure to get ready for some brutal Ape Shit here, as I don't need to spoil the information because you guys would already knew what happens.

RFD: You heard what the man said, let's move to the intro! Disclaimer, would you mind doing the honors?

RFD's Sidekick: We don't own TOEI, BANDAI or anything that's related to TV shows or Anime. We also don't own any songs and BGM's. They all belong to their respective owners, including the characters. We only own the Fanfic story and OC's. Please take your time and Enjoy till the end.

RFD: Thank you, now appear, the gate that will lead us to the unveiled future! Let's RISE! *VRAINS Link Circuit SFX*


Episode 3: A Fight between Comrades!? Invoke the Wrath of a Dragon!

(Doushi to no Nakamaware!? Mezameyo, Ryuu no Gekirin!)

第三者: 同志との仲間割れ!? 目覚めよ,龍の逆鱗!


(Last time)

Ryouga (narrator): Koremade no Kamen Rider Zero-One: Symphonic World…

"KYAAAAAAA!"

Hibiki: "Someone's in trouble!"

Ryouga: 'Damn that accursed Murphy Law! It just immediately came out in a worst time!'

The Little Girl: "Are we going to die…?"

Ryouga: "DON'T EVEN SAY THAT SENTENCE!"

~Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron…~

*FLASH!*

Genjuro: "Bakana! Gungnir dato!?"

Zero-One: "GOUKO MOZENKA (號虎猛然火) Ferocious Tiger Fire Blast!"

[FLAMING KABAN SHOT!] フレイミングカバンショット!

~Imyuteus Ame no Habakiri Tron…~

Tsubasa: "HEAVEN'S WRATH!"

Hibiki: "Sugoi…"

Genjuro: "Welcome to the fortress of the protectors of humanity, the Mobile Disaster Response Corps 2nd Division Headquarters!"

Zero-One: "Are you fucking serious?"


(Meanwhile, at the 2nd Division Headquarters)

The others just standing there with their own stupefied looks, especially Hibiki, who has the complete and utter confusion plastered all over her face; and Zero-One, who is now looking at this ridiculous farce with a deadpanned WTF look underneath the helmet while crossing his arms, thought: '*Sigh* Is this a joke? I expect them to have the serious atmosphere like other Sci-Fis, contrast to the Anime, but they just decided to go along with this stupid charade?'

"Hai~, smile to the camera, everyone! We'll take a photo to commemorate our new partnership!" They all turned their heads to see none other than a cheerful Sakurai Kyoko skipped over towards Zero-One and Hibiki, and he stared with caution and deep resentment towards the scientist woman with a hidden scowl; thankfully, no one seems to realize the tense glare because of the helmet perfectly concealed his expression. He then said in his mind with unrestrained anger: 'There you are, Fine… You fucking rascal…' Zero-One thought, obviously disgusted at the woman, cursed secretly at the other face of the woman's mind, remember what she had done to Yukine Chris and the others in Anime. He then vowed himself to break her bones later when she revealed her true side to Chris. For now, he just kept quiet.

Kyoko was holding a small pink phone in her hands as she took hold of the cream-haired girl and held close to herself as she seems to be taking a selfie with both of them. Zero-One didn't bother to even move or flinch an inch at all as he just remained still, and didn't even move his head to look at the camera direction, thinking it was a waste of time.

"H-Hold on right there!" Hibiki shouted as she broke free from the hold. "Having my picture taken, especially while wearing the handcuffs, would most definitely remain as nothing more than a torture memory for me! And 'How' do you know my name even though we've never met!?"

Hibiki had shouted this as she then pointed accusingly with both hands cuffed, towards a banner attached up in the air that shouted 'A warm welcome! TACHIBANA HIBIKI!'.

"The 2nd Division is a wartime secret service." Genjuro explained calmly, like this wasn't a big deal. "Checking you out was no problem to professionals like us." As the man finished the sentence, the magic stick in his hand then suddenly popped into a bunch of flower-like plants. Ryoko just smiled as she appeared next to him holding a bag.

"E-Excuse me!? That's my BAG!" Hibiki shouted with wide eyes, and shouted with accusation towards the other people in the basement. "That isn't an investigation at all! It's clearly snooping! You stole my bag when I wasn't realized, don't you!?" She then pointed at Zero-One. "And WHY don't you have this guy's name!?"

"Unfortunately, we couldn't find that out…" The commander answered, only fueling Hibiki's annoyance even more.

Tsubasa seemed tired of this bickering, and sighed. "Ogawa-san, if you would…"

The agent complied with a nod, went over to the girl to uncuff the handcuffs as Zero-One just tch'd before widening the distance a bit as he leans against the wall, waiting for all the ridiculousness to go away.

After a few minutes of bickering and partying around, the red-haired commander finally seemed to walked up to them as Hibiki and the others (except Zero-One) all turned their attention to look at the man as he gave a polite smile at the two newcomers. "I believe introductions are in order. My name is Kazanari Genjuro, the one who in charge of this basement. It's a pleasure to officially meet you, Tachibana Hibiki-kun, and Zero-One."

"And I'm Sakurai Kyoko, the modern Renaissance woman scientist! A pleasure to meet both of you!" The lab woman greeted.

"Um, yes… Pleased to meet you too…" Hibiki stuttered a bit before giving a polite bow. Zero-One just remained silent as he leaned on the wall, his head still looking at the other side, not even caring to say hi, though they knew he was listening. Genjuro just smiled before nodding as he then continued.

"Now, as you two already know, there's a reason why we called you here today." The commander stated as he looked towards the both of them. "We would like to have your assistances to work with our division."

"Cho-Chotto matte!" Hibiki said, holding her hands in front before lowering. "Work with you…? I get Zero-One, but why me included?"

"I think he means about the strange armor that you're possessing right now." Zero-One said after being quiet for a long time.

The cream-haired girl then gasped in realization and asked Genjuro, "That's right! About the armor… Please tell me… What exactly happened to me?"

The commander seemed to give a small solemn frown in response, along with Kanade as the girl then walked up and stand next to Zero-One, who was still leaning at the wall. Genjuro then glanced at Kyoko as he gave a nod, to which the lab woman nodded back before walking up to Hibiki as the cream-haired girl flinched a bit.

"Before we can give our answer, we need to give you two conditions." Ryoko stated as Hibiki blinked in confusion. "First, you must not speak of this and what had happened today at all. And for the second one… I need you to take off your clothes for examination."

"Eh? Wait, WHAT!?" Hibiki exclaimed with an embarrassed red face as the lab woman grabber her hand and begin dragging the girl away into another room within the facility. The others sweatdropping at the sight as Hibiki seemed to calling for help. "TA-TASUKETEEEEE (Please help me)!" Zero-One just ignored it and prayed silently in his mind with an animated temple bell sound effect: 'Oh Kami-sama, please protect this poor girl from that woman's molesting examination.'


(Inserting REAL x EYEZ by J x Takanori Nishikawa)

[01! 01! 01! 01! x 5]

The song starts with an instrumental, with many numbers appeared from the screen nonstop, starting with Ryouga, who had his eyes closed in the shadows, then shifting to Zero-One with his back turned and looked back at the screen with glowing red eyes. The scene then shifts quickly to Hibiki, Tsubasa and Kanade with their civilian identities and their Symphogear armors respectively, along with some Riders like Vulcan and Valkyries but without their civilian identities; the same goes for unidentified three Riders, showing only their silhouettes with purple, pink and teal blue colors respectively, and shifted back to Ryouga, who had his eyes snapped open with his now dragon-like eyes, punched at the screen. The screen then cracked, changed to the blurred yellow digital background with zeroes and ones hitting the screens, forming the title with burst of red flames and cybernetic streaks, followed by a grasshopper's croak and a dragon's roar at the background.

(Kodaina Archive Access shite) From the start, the screen showed Ryouga went to the junkyard, finding for some useful, recycled metal objects, and shifted the camera to some kind of secret room, with him wearing protective black shade iron mask, heatproof gloves along with a worker's orange uniform, work his magic on some unfinished objects, then suddenly the object flashed with a BOOM from the opened average-sized microwave-like fridge, he got startled and ran to check the finished object with satisfied expression, opening up the mask and wiped off sweats with a 'Phew'.

(Kensaku shitatte I don't think it's right) The scene then changed to Hibiki hanging out with Miku while eating a vanilla ice cream, but they then heard a distressed 'Meow' from a nearby tree. Hibiki then swallowed the ice cream with a big gulp and started climbing to the tree to help the cat, but then suddenly slipped her footing and started waving her arms wildly, causing Miku to ran quick and hold her back from falling with struggles.

(Data wa kako Words wa Sign Kotae wa 404 NOT FOUND…) The scene then changed once more to Kanade, who is hiding behind Tsubasa drinking tea with a calmed sigh, then she made the blue-haired girl spitted her tea with a pranked scream and there goes started a Tom & Jerry comedic chase scene, with Tsubasa screaming angrily at her friend for disrupting her moment, while Kanade is running away with a big laugh; then shifted to the 2nd Division Base, we then saw Genjuro observing the surveillance monitor, and Kyoko who is doing some experiments with other scientists before glancing towards the screen.

[01! 01! 01! 01! X2]

The screen then continuously shifted, from Yukine Chris who is taking a soda can from a vending machine, opened and drank it while glancing at the camera; to a hooded person who is watching Ryouga walking on the road, where Ryouga then turned behind to saw everything is red and ruined, with the Psychogears and Noises army surrounded in a circle, he quickly latched the Zero-One Driver on his waist, then inserted the Hopper Key into the Driver, instantly transformed into Zero-One.

(REAL X EYEZ! Hajimari no AIZU) Ryouga, now transformed into Zero-One, is retaliating against a large army with blurred speed, holding the Attache Calibur in the right hand, destroying them with waves of energy slashes. He then ran to Hibiki and Tsubasa, both are already transformed with their Symphogear armors; with Hibiki fight back the Noises with punches and kicks, and Tsubasa letting out a combo of slashes with accuracy.

(Atarashii jidai wo) The screen then shifts to Vulcan and Valkyrie, in their Shooting Wolf and Rushing Cheetah base forms, with Vulcan holding the Attache Shotgun, using Gatling Hedgehog's ability to bombard the Psychogears with rapid bullets, and Valkyrie, who is leaping in the air, shooting the upcoming enemies with Rushing Blast attack, the energy bullets comes from all angles, destroying them; Zero-One then arrived from behind, hitting a Noise with Rise Hopper's front wheel, and skidded back to the ground with the others catching up to him.

(We gotta SUNRISE! Burning like the FIRES!) The screen now shifted to three unknown Riders with their respective silhouette auras on their bodies with glowing visors, slashing at the screen, making the screen shattered, replaced with Zero-One in his other Trial-Forms, letting out attacks with signature abilities, before shifted to Zero-One with a new armor, but hidden by the black silhouette, leaving only red aura and his glowing green visor, like he was glaring at the screen, before unleashing a fire punch, shaped like a roaring dragon's head.

(Kirihirake unmei wo) The hidden Zero-One then execute some kind of flame tornado slash, with the fire tornado reveals to be an energized swirling dragon, roaring at the screen then headed forward; before holding his hand out to Chris, who is falling into a black void, trying to reach for his hand.

(You wanna REAL X EYEZ! Egaita MIRAI) The screen then shifted to Zero-One Driver, two Shotrisers, two Forcerisers and a Cycloneriser lying on the nearby rubbles with rain pouring down on them; and shifted to Ryouga with battered clothes, some blood leaks from his body and dirt on his clothes, soaked by the rains. He was trying to walk with struggles, but eventually exhausted and fell down, closed his eyes, thinking it was the end for him.

(Buchi nuite Ikeru no wa) But luckily for him, Ryouga suddenly felt a person's hands hugging on his left arm and head, making him opened his eyes, and started to smile as he saw Hibiki looking at him with a teary smile, her tears falling down on his face, glad that he was alive and safe. She then helped him get up and they both looked toward the blue sky, enjoying the view with a smile, hoping for a promised future.

(You're the only ONE!) [01! 01! 01! 01! 01!]

The screen finally shifts to Ryouga, Hibiki and Tsubasa standing on a colorful cybernetic background, before they glowed, transformed with their respective armors, the screen then splitted in two sides diagonally, with the upper left showing Hibiki and the 2nd Division Base members looking up with determined expression, and the lower right showing Ryouga and Zero-One in Rising Hopper form standing close, looking at the screen with intense gaze.

(End Opening)


(Eyecatch 1)

The scene showing Zero-One riding on his Rise Hopper, zooming across many steel piles left and right with amazing skills, and turning to the right direction, ending the eyecatch.


(Back to the 2nd Division Headquarters)

After Hibiki had disappeared completely, he then met face-to-face with Kanade.

"We meet again." Zero-One said. "Do you need something?"

"I never got the chance to thank you for saving my life." Kanade said.

"Damn right you are, you suicidal bonehead." Zero-One said with an angry tone, still remembering the time when Kanade tried to do that accursed Swan Song.

"Geez, you still remember that?" Kanade flinched back a bit.

"Of course I am, or would you rather have me lie?" Zero-One said back with annoyance.

"I never said that." Kanade said, before giving him a short bow. "But again, thank you."

"Don't mention it. Just be glad that you have the chance to redeem yourself." Zero-One said before giving his apologies. "You have my full condolences about your singing voice."

"Oh, it's fine." Kanade waved it off. "In truth, my singing voice is the last thing I'm worried about. I'm more worried about Tsubasa here." She then gave a solemn glance towards the bluenette girl, who was talking to her uncle. "She's changed completely after that incident with me retiring from singing."

"Yeah, I'm noticed that dirty glare she always gave me ever since that day." Zero-One said, already noticed her hostile expression from earlier, but he already put her in her place with his new signature 'Penance Stare'.

"Umm. That's one of the things that makes me worried about her." Kanade agreed with him.

"I don't know much about you two, but I'll find a way to make it up to her. Even if I have to use force, of course, if you refuse." Zero-One said with a serious tone.

"I don't mind it. Just don't be too brutal, okay? She definitely needs a wake-up call." Kanade said with determination, accepting the question, making him nodded in reply.

Both of them then turned towards Genjuro, who was walking up to them with Tsubasa by his side. He then asked: "Zero-One, may I ask you a favor?"

"Yes?" Zero-One asked.

"Can you please tell us about your true identity? We would like to talk to you and Tachibana-kun again tomorrow so we need to know who you are in order to contact you."

It was then that he noticed that all eyes were on him, waiting for his reply. Zero-One sighed with disappointment, hanging his head down a bit, uncrossed his arms before looking directly at the commander and said: "Oh, so that's your favor?" The atmosphere suddenly turns anxiety, almost having a heart attack with the blunt question coming from the commander. He then said with sudden cheerful tone: "Well, if you say so, then I'll gladly do it." The others widen their eyes a bit with anticipation, not expecting him to accept it so easily, until…

"…Yeah right, like hell I will." Zero-One then said with a dead tone, causing the others to comically fell down to the ground, well, expect Genjuro, Kanade and Tsubasa, who was only cocked their bodies down a bit. The red-haired man then composed himself, and asked for the reason.

"May I asked exactly why?" Zero-One then raised his left hand with three fingers raised, and replied back with a firm tone. "I have my three reasons not to reveal myself so easily, especially in this severe situation we're now facing." The sentence caused the operators and staff members to let out nervous gulps, scaring what those reasons would be.

"First, I'll be saying this blunt." Zero-One put one finger down. "I'm not from this world." The first answer causing all of them to silence, until Genjuro stuttered a bit with baffled expression.

"I-I'm sorry, could you say it again?"

"As I had said, I'm not from this world." He repeated back to the commander, not wanting to repeat the sentence again. He'll not gonna be some shitty Anime or Fanfiction characters that stall until it's too late and things got ape shit. He just gonna let it out so it won't come back and bite him in the face later in the future, so he hereby dared some gods to come at him, he'll bite them back!

"Then you're an alien!?" Kanade asked with wide eyes.

Zero-One shook his head. "No, to be more specific, I'm not from this universe, for I come from a planet called Earth."

"Earth? Like ours?" Genjuro questioned.

Zero-One nodded. "Yes, except that my world doesn't have some big alien invasions hanging over. My world is just a simple, peaceful one as we have our own daily life problems from time to time."

"Say we believe you." Kyoko said, accepting the reason. "Do you mind explaining how in the world did you come to this world?"

"Well, about that… I don't know myself either." Zero-One said with honesty. "I was just on my way back to the apartment, minding my own daily school life business until a warp gate suddenly KABOOM on the road, sucking me in and causing me to lose consciousness. And when I woke up, I've been trying to find a way back to my world, but it disappeared out of thin air before I woke up, and officially stuck in this world."

"Well, do you mind explaining about the gadget you're possessing?" Kyoko asked, pointing at his Zero-One Driver. "Not even we or the government have figured out a way to hurt, let alone kill the Noise, even with our technologies; so how is it that you're able to do it without using the power of Relics?"

"That's where my second reason comes in." Zero-One then said, put another finger down, leaving only one finger. "I shall not disclose such information about my gear, because I don't want to risk the information being leaked by some secret agent. And I can tell you that I'm not the one who made this."

"So how did you get it?" Kyoko then asked with growing curiosity, but Zero-One then shut her down. "That question is classified as well, so don't even try to peek at it." Hearing that causing her to pout in defeat. And who even believe that his plastic toy merchandise turned into the real gadget if he said that?

"Alright, put the curiosity aside, what can you tell us?" Genjuro asked.

"What I could tell you is the new enemy that you all thought was provided by the Noise, but it isn't. The Magia is the enemy from my world." Zero-One said, causing everyone to gasp with widen eyes.

"M-Magia?" Kanade questioned, causing Zero-One to turned at her direction, then answered simply: "You could say those humanoid robots that you saw on the footage are the ones that got 'hacked' by an evil computer virus, causing them to enter their 'berserk' state, searching for human blood." Well, what he just said was contrast to the information he knew, but with him arriving in this world, and the fictional story turns real, there would be some pros and cons there.

"So, those 'Magia' you're talking about… Can you tell us more about them, since you said those robots came from your world?" Genjuro then asked, hoping for some information in order to have countermeasures.

But Zero-One then denied to answer, said: "I'm afraid that I can't answer that to you either, because I will tell you my third reason right now. And this is the important one." He then put down his index finger by the time he finishes the sentence. The others gulped down slightly, waiting for the answer. Zero-One narrowed his eyes under the helmet and stated. "I don't trust you."

"Na-Nani…?" Kanade stuttered a bit as they all seemed taken aback by the answer that he just given. Genjuro was just as surprised as the rest, though he was also curious about it. He could tell from the armored hero's tone and stance that he was truly meaning what he said. And by the time Hibiki just got finished from the examination, already putting back on her clothes, she went to the control room with clueless expression, not knowing what happened while she was being 'checked'.

"Mind explaining…?"

"Because, I would consider myself naïve if I were to give information to someone so easily that I got tricked afterwards." Zero-One stated with resolute. All of them listening to him intently. "Trust isn't something that you can easily gained. It is similar in accordance with respect: it's not the thing you can just give to someone, you have to earn it yourself. Fools blindly give trust, and that's what happens now."

None of them really knew how to respond back, he's right on the spot. Tsubasa then stepped up next to both Kanade and Genjuro as she narrowed her eyes and said: "Doesn't that mean it applies to you as well. If we go by your statement, we shouldn't trust you either. You also haven't done anything to gain our trust."

"Of course not, I don't expect trust from any of you; nor did I request anyone to grant me their trust, even you, ice princess. And I'm not asking for your opinion, so shut your foul mouth." Zero-One scoffed, retorts back at Tsubasa with a glare as they all seemed jerked back by the retort, including Tsubasa who has just widened her eyes in shock as she stepped back to the side, shutting her mouth with reluctant, not saying anything more.

"I-I understand what you're saying, but please… Can you reconsider-" Genjuro stuttered a bit before got stopped by Zero-One raising his hand in front to motion for him to stop his sentence.

"Stop right there." Zero-One said, which the man did as he then lowered his hand and continued the talk. "As I have stated before, you'll have to earn my trust if you want my cooperation. And I'm not intending to change my mind right now. But before I leave… there's another person who wants to know about herself right now, so I'll be a good boy and stay here for some minutes." He then gestured everyone to look at Hibiki, who has just returned earlier.

"A-Ano… I don't know what's going on with this intense atmosphere here, but… Can I have my question earlier answered?" Hibiki said with nervous, causing everyone to composed themselves and went back to the matter. Zero-One then went back to the wall, leaning on it.

Kyoko said to Hibiki: "Right, here are the results of your medical examination from earlier." Zero-One raised an eyebrow a bit, not expecting that the examination would be done this fast. 'Guess there is some differences from my memories, after all…' Looking up to the screen, mini status boards popped up with different reading as Hibiki took a seat.

"There are some signs that the shock of the first transformation affected you, but there are no notable abnormalities." Kyoko said, making Hibiki confused, repeating the words earlier. "Nothing… notable?"

"Oh, right, my mistakes." Kyoko realized her mistakes, glanced at Tsubasa for a moment, the bluenette girl complied by taking out the necklace.

"Tsubasa here is the bearer of the first Relic, Ame-no-Habakiri." Genjuro said to the girl, causing her to ask: "Relic…?"

"Relics are ancient artifacts documented in legends from all around the world." Kyoko explained. "They were created in ancient times, yet are beyond what our current technologies can do. They can be found in ruins, but the ravages of time have stripped them of the incredible power they're possessing. It's extremely rare to find one with any power left."

"Ame-no-Habakiri is actually a small fragment of a blade." Genjuro explained, causing Zero-One to comment about the mentioned name.

"Ame-no-Habakiri… One of two legendary swords that the God of Sea and Storms, Susanoo once possessed to slay Yamata-no-Orochi." Both the commander and the lab woman nodded.

"The key to amplifying the powers it still bears are by using waves of a particular amplitude." Kyoko explained, making Hibiki puzzled even more. But Zero-One then answered for the girl. "The compability rate by soundwaves."

Genjuro nodded. "Yes, or in this case, songs."

Hibiki then questioned. "Songs?"

"Yes, songs. The Relics are activated by the power of songs." That would explain all of this ruckus about singing while fighting.

"Sodatta (That's right)! Now that I think about it, the song suddenly welled up inside me!" Hibiki realized, making the red-haired man nodded.

"The Relics, activated by the songs, pulse with energy, generating the anti-Noise armor, or Symphogear, that you and Tsubasa-kun to wield." Kyoko explained.

"But the Relics just don't randomly turn on so easily as someone humming a tune." Everyone then got interrupted by Tsubasa, who pointed the obvious fact, causing everyone (except Zero-One) to look at her before Genjuro got up and continued explaining.

"The few whose song can activate the Relics and manifest a Symphogear are called 'Attuned'. Tsubasa is one and so is Hibiki-kun. Kanade was one.

Both Zero-One and Hibiki looked towards Kanade, said simultaneously: "Was?"

"I'm not an Attuned anymore." Kanade clarified.

"How come?" Hibiki asked.

"Well, remember when Zero-One saved me back at the concert?"

Zero-One nodded. "You were intending to destroy all the Noise by doing a stupid Kamikaze."

"Again, way to be blunt. But continuing, what I tried to do was the Swan Song." Kanade explained. "Basically, it's a song sung by a Symphogear user that utilizes the full power of the armor, but it would greatly damage the user depending on the compability. In my case, I would have died that day."

"But you're still alive." Hibiki pointed out.

"I stopped her before she could finish the song." Zero-One answered.

"Yes, you did, but what I did finish was enough to destroy my Symphogear." Kanade explained. "And it put a huge strain on my singing voice."

"So that's why you retired?" Hibiki asked, showing her sympathies. Kanade just nodded.

"Speaking of which…" Their attention turned back to Kyoko who brought up Hibiki's X-rays on the monitor. "Remember this?" He looked close and immediately noticed the fragment that pierced Hibiki's chest and frowned under the helmet.

"Th-That's my injuries from two years ago!" Hibiki exclaimed in shock, making Tsubasa and Kanade look at her.

"There were multiple fragments so close to your heart that it was too risky to remove them surgically." Kyoko explained. "According to our research, they are fragments of the third Relic, Gungnir, which Kanade here once possessed." Both Tsubasa and Kanade looked at Hibiki in surprise.

The red-haired girl then regained her composure and patted Hibiki in the back, asked: "Well… at least it's good to know that my idea from back then didn't entirely cost the Relic, but… what will you do with it?"

"I… I don't know." Hibiki lowered her head, don't know what to do. She then felt a hand on her shoulder, prompting her to look at Zero-One.

"Take your time. As a wise man once said: 'With great power, comes great responsibility.' Remember that. To fight or not, it's your decision. No one can force you to do anything." He then patted her back for some comfort, somehow relieved Hibiki a bit.

Tsubasa get wobbly a bit, shocked by this relevation, trying to regain her balance; Zero-One don't even give a glance at her, mostly frowning at the bluenette girl, already preparing to lay a hand on her if she ever hurts Hibiki, even with one small scratch. He then turned towards the others and stated before walking to the exit.

"I'll say this once again. If you want my cooperation, then try to earn it yourself." He then pressed the button of the Progrise Key on his right holder.

[Cheetah's Ability!]

And then went outside with a ZOOM, leaving yellow with orange cybernetic streaks behind, making everyone speechless.

Kanade instantly went to her friend in worry. "Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine." Tsubasa answered. "I just need some fresh air." She then started to went outside when the alarm started to rang loudly.

*HOOONK! HOOONK!*

They all then turned towards the red screen, Genjuro asked: "What's the situation?"

"We have a Noise confirmation! And… a new robot!?" One of the operators said, but added with a shocked tone, then showed to everyone the surveillance camera.

The footage in front of them showing Zero-One eliminating a dozen of Noise army from a random lake before clashing against another one of those robots that they had met before; only this enemy was a new one.

It was a new humanoid robot with dark silver and black metal armor, with wires binding its arms and legs, as the torso was covered by a white triangular covering its waist up to its shoulders, white metal with silver slapped on metal for guards and shoulders, dark metal under its chest, a white neck-guard with a shrimp skull-like face with dreadlock-tendrills for antennae and 'hair' with silver spear points at the tips of its hair. On its belt was a big-sized black datakey, with the front cover has near-white sky blue color and the image of a Neohibolite squid, along with cracks on it.

This was Neohi Magia.

"Tell the 1st Division that we'll handle it!" Genjuro ordered.

"We have visuals. Putting it up on screen! The range is 5 kilometers from the academy! And the second location is 200 meters on the campus!" Another operator said.

"I'll take them on!" Tsubasa declared before running out.

Hibiki was about to run off too, but Kanade stopped her by grabbing her hand. "And where do you think you're going?"

"You said earlier that my power can help people right?" Hibiki asked. "Only a Symphogear user or a Kamen Rider can fight against the Noise, Right? Then it's also my duty to help, too!" She then turned to Kanade with determination. "I won't let your gift be wasted!" And with that said, she managed to escape the older girl's grip and run off.

"Oi, matte!" Kanade shouted to the girl, but she just kept running. She then sighed in annoyance. "Geez…"

"She's aware of the danger and yet still wants to help. That girl's a kind-hearted one, isn't she?" One of the staff members said.

"I wonder about that." Genjuro said. "Tsubasa receive combat training since she was a little girl…"

Kyoko then saw what the commander was about to say and finished the rest for him. "But Hibiki-chan was just a normal girl before this and has no experience in fighting the Noise."

Genjuro nodded, said: "I think that someone who volunteers for the front lines just to help someone is kinda… twisted."

Kanade and Kyoko suppressed a chuckle, the lab woman then asked: "But, wouldn't that make her just like us?"


(Afternoon Time, 17:00 PM, Noise Location 1)

The scene then shifted to where Zero-One is fighting against Neohi Magia after skewering a dozens of Noise. He then slashed against the upcoming tentacle blades and started dodging in all directions, before finally reaching in front of the squid-like robot and giving a heavy slash, but then got interfered by the tentacle blade in its right arm, as if it foresaw his attack. The two blades clashed against each other, trying to deliver a scratch on their opponent with Zero-One and Neohi Magia growling at each other's face like predators.

The two blades finally having enough of this tug-o-war, slashing at both sides' armor as a result, causing sparks splattering everywhere with smokes, making both of them stumble back. Zero-One then get up, soaking in water.

"Neohi Magia, huh? As expected for a squid, always having advantages with the tentacles." He commented. Neohi Magia cocked its head to the side, like it was snorting and said with a cocky tone: "HAH! OF COURSE I AM! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN AGAINST ME WITH THAT LITTLE HOPPER'S 'JUMPY' LEG OF YOURS? YOU CAN ONLY GET BACK AT ME WITH ONE SLASH!"

Zero-One wiped the scratch on his armor, then jabbed back with a retort: "Oh yeah? Weren't you got defeated by your so-called tentacles before? You're just only good at grabbing things and spit out ink like a baby octopus! And what's more, this little hopper here already foresaw your attack!"

The squid-like Magia didn't appreciate that retort coming from him, shouted back with defiance: "SHUT UP! DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE ME WITH SOME OCTOPUS! THE SQUIDS ARE THE STRONGEST IN THE AQUATIC WORLD! AND I'LL PROVE IT BY STRANGLE YOU UNTIL YOU RAN OUT OF BREATH, AND THEN 'EAT' YOU!" It then opened its sharp jaws, let out a hungry roar before launching all of its tentacles to its prey, but keeping its distance. Zero-One's visor flashed for a moment, pressed the button of the Progrise Key on his right holder, activating the ability before charging at the tentacles while dodging with high speed.

[Cheetah's Ability!]

Using the said Cheetah's agility speed, he dodged and countered with slashes after slashes, reflecting the upcoming tentacles. He then moved his body to the right, kicking at another tentacle and grabbing another one from behind, before jumping to the air, grabbing three tentacles. He then tied all the tentacles in his hand with complicated knots, before pulling the now tied tentacles, hoisted the squid-like Magia to the air, making it shouted in surprise. Zero-One then swung the Magia with a spin, causing it to wave its arms and legs wildly, starting to feel dizzy

The Magia shouted: "MAKE IT STOOOOPP!". But he didn't even obey its pleas and just keep spinning for 30 seconds, making it wants to puke out right now. He then pulling the Magia down with a high dive. "HORA YO (Here you go)!" The Magia got slammed down to the ground, splashing water to the sky, creating a mini rainbow by the sunset. Zero-One let out an amused whistle and short claps, commented: "Would you look at that, a beautiful rainbow." The squid-like Magia tried to get up on both legs, still in pain because of the unexpected attack. But when it touched its now bended tentacle blades, its eyes then flashed red, snarling with anger and humiliation.

"Y…YOU SNEAKY SCOUNDREL! YOU DARE BENDING MY HORN!? I'LL EXTERMINATE YOU!" It opened its metal jaws and let out an insane roar, slamming its hands down to the ground, causing metal tentacles to erupt from the water surface, binding Zero-One, who got surprised.

"Yikes! I didn't expect that booby trap coming from the water!" Zero-One said in surprise, didn't really anticipated that Neohi Magia can do the strategy attack from humans. And again, the Neohi wasn't supposed to have this ability!

The Neohi Magia then laughed, taunting at him. "HAHAHA! YOU DIDN'T EXPECT THAT I CAN DO THIS, AREN'T YOU? NOW, PREPARE YOURSELF!" It then started to strangle Zero-One, waiting to hear for his agonized screams. But he surprisingly said to the Magia with a calm tone. "Oh, is that so?" It then cocked its head in confuse.

"Then, mind if I need to remind you when you saw this?" He then took out Biting Shark Progrise Key from his hand, letting it see the Key. As expected, the Magia jerked back in shock, remembering its last demise at that 'accursed' shark. "SO-SORE WA…!" Zero-One chuckled at the shocked Magia, and pressed the button, immediately scan it on the Authoriser.

[FANG!]

[AUTHORISE!]

The Authoriser then flashed, releasing waters out from the belt. The RideModule Shark leaping out, roaring at Neohi, snapping its jaws at the tentacles binding Zero-One, and swam to the squid-like Magia, chomping at it, making it roars in pain from the bite, and sparks erupted from the armor and its now severed tentacles.

"Guh, thanks for the help, Shark (シャーク)!" Zero-One thanked the shark, while flexing his shoulders and arms from the tentacles. The mechanized shark then looked back at him, moved to its partner and nodded with a happy growl. He then crouched down to the shark and gave it a headpat, scratching its head with affection, getting a pleased purr from it. Wait, did I say it can purr? Both of them looked back at the Magia with a sneer. "Now, time for the payback!" He then replaced it with the Rising Hopper Key.

[PROGRISE!]

The mechanized light blue shark then roared, swimming around him for a moment before leaping in front of him, digitized into particles. The Hopper armor on his body then split, and went to their own positions, forming the Biting Shark armor.

[KIRI-KIRIBAI! KIRIKIRIBAI! BITING SHARK~!]

[Fangs that can chomp through concrete.]

Zero-One Biting Shark rolled his arms a bit, his visor flashed along with light blue aura emitting from his body, causing the water surface to glow up. He then crouched down a bit, moved his left shark fin arm near his face and let his fingers bent down, making a claw hand gesture; while doing a taunting "COME ON" gesture with his other arm, the blade fins flashed by the aura. "Koi (Come here)."

The Neohi Magia's eyes flashed ominous red, with steam coming out from its ears, memories of being defeated by that wretched shark and the humiliation from the previous Zero-One now coming back to bite it. It then opened its metal jaws, let out an uncontrollable shriek at Zero-One: "THAT DAMN 'BLASTED' SHAAAAAARKK!" It lashed out both hands in front, numerous tentacles erupted from its back, rushing at Zero-One with hunger, wanting to slice him in pieces. But Zero-One moved his left arm in front to slice off the first tentacle with the 'Unlimited Chomper' blade fin; then surprisingly turns into a blue liquid-like silhouette, making the other tentacles phased through his body.

Zero-One then dived into the lake water, swimming through the ground like it was a normal ocean. He can now see numerous grass roots, some aquatic bubbles floating aimlessly; then dodged some of the tentacles from the ground with fast speed like a shark hunting for its prey. While the Neohi Magia still on the ground surface, it looked down frantically, trying to find where Zero-One is hiding. It then got its answer when Zero-One suddenly rise from the water surface, delivering a straight slash down to the Zetsumeriser belt. "HA!"

It roars back in pain from the unexpected attack from the water, causing sparks to erupt from the armor, dented by the blade fin, and got blown back to the ground, splashing some water to the grass. Zero-One landed down lightly, and pointed at the Neohi, who was getting up with pain, smokes coming from the belt. He then quotes his catchphrase:

"Kisama no yuganda yabou wo konagona ni kurakechiru no wa… KONO ORE DA (Translation: The one who will crush your twisted ambitions into dusts… IS ME!)!"

He then pressed down the Biting Shark Key on the Driver, activating the finisher.

[BITING IMPACT!]

The squid-like Magia standing up, roared defiantly. "NO! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED AGAIN!" It then slammed down the button on the Zetsumeriser, also activating the finisher.

[ZETSUMETSU NOVA!]

It swung out its arms wildly, motioning for the remaining tentacles to impale him with white aura infused in the pointed blades. Zero-One then turns into his liquid-like state again, diving into the water, evading the upcoming tentacles and sliced them all the way. He then leaped from the lake and stopped in midair, holding his right hand in front with light blue aura, creating strong waves, splashing down on the helpless Magia, not letting it move on forward. Zero-One then shoot forward like a bullet, slicing the Magia with his glowed right blade fin arm.

"SHERYAAAA!"

バイティングインパクト

[BITING IMPACT!]

The Neohi Magia screamed in pain, got defeated by Zero-One who landed on the lake, not looking behind. It stretched its arms out to the sky with last words: "ARK-SAMA… BANZAAAAAAAIII! (Long live the almighty ARK)!" It then exploded into bits, causing water to erupt behind him for a dramatic explosion. Zero-One then stood up and looked behind him, before noticing something on his foot. He crouched down and picked up the Neohi Zetsumerise Key in his hand. He then turned his head around, narrowed his eyes with caution for some incoming thieves. After waiting for 3 minutes, he relaxed his tense shoulders a bit.

'Hmm… usually at a time like this, when I defeated a Magia, Jin would come out from his hidings and retrieve back the Zetsumerise Key by now; but I haven't seen Horobi or Jin appear, the same goes for reports that mention those 'companies'… Perhaps I'm the only one exception because I'm possessing all of my Rider Gears, alongside the 'other belts', but with only ARK and his minions resurrected? Either way, if that was true, then I need to find candidates who could use 'them' and making many allies as possible in order to fight ARK.' Zero-One thought before snapping his head at the direction of a sudden loud roar. He then said to himself: "No time for thinking, I need to go back to Hibiki fast!" He then pressed the button of a Progrise Key from the right holder.

[Cheetah's Ability!]

Zero-One immediately run fast with F1 speed, rushing to the direction while thinking: 'I swear if you ever hurt Hibiki with that spoiled brat attitude of yours, you're done for!'


(Meanwhile, Noise Location 2)

As alarms blared through the city, Tsubasa has arrived at the location, facing a small army. Then, right before her eyes, all of the Noise merged into one big Noise and roared once its merging was complete.

Tsubasa didn't get surprised a bit nor flinch when the huge Noise roared, having dealt with tons of Noises in the past, especially ones that were bigger, so she wasn't afraid as she soon sang to activate the Relic.

~Imyuteus Ame no Habakiri Tron…~

In one flashing light, Tsubasa was now donned in her anti-Noise armor, making the color of the Noise change.

(Inserting Zettou-Ame no Habakiri)

The Noise launched energy disks at Tsubasa, but she easily dodged them by jumping. Seeing that they were turning around to charge at her, the blades at her ankles opened up and twirled like a boomerang, cutting and destroying upcoming energy disks. Once she landed, the blades folded back in as the Noise roared behind her. She then enlarged her sword, preparing for the Azure Flash when suddenly, something unexpected happened.

It was Hibiki, who was donned in her own anti-Noise armor as she came in and side-kicked the Noise, stunning it.

"Tsubasa-san!"

Shaking herself out of her stupor, Tsubasa jumped past Hibiki and executed her attack.

"AZURE FLASH!"

The enlarged blade sliced straight through the Noise like a hot knife through butter. Hibiki then somehow landed safely, almost fell in the ground, smiled in awe and amazement.

(End Song)

The cream-haired girl ran to her idol and said:

"Tsubasa-san, that was amazing! I hope we can fight together as a team!"

Unbeknownst to the poor innocent girl that was about to be attacked, Tsubasa's eyes shadowed with a small but wicked smile, said with a deadly calm tone.

"You're right… we should start fighting."

A katana suddenly appeared in her right hand, she then swung it at the girl's neck, who then screamed in surprise and dodged away at few inches, fell to the ground while looking at Tsubasa in shock. "Tsu… Tsubasa-san?" Hibiki saw the blue aura emitted from Tsubasa, but her scowled expression said otherwise.

"By me taking your LIFE!"

She then charged at Hibiki, who was paralyzed in fear. Before the katana could reach the girl, she was thankfully saved by Zero-One, who is in his Rising Hopper form, now standing in front of her, blocked by the Attache Calibur's blade.

He then asked with a deadly calm tone. "Omae… What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Tsubasa said with venom and shouted, implying the last word: "Isn't it obvious? I'll never accept that girl as Kanade's REPLACEMENT!"

Zero-One then growled lightly. "She was trying to help you!"

Tsubasa said angrily. "Like I'll need help from her! You have no right to mention! Now GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Hearing that tone making Zero-One growled angrily at her, his visor glowed with anger at this spoiled brat. "Teme (You asshole) …" He then swatted her katana away with his blade, and appeared in front of her and kicked at her stomach with strong force, causing her to spit out saliva and blood and get blown away to a nearby abandoned garage. He then walked to the abandoned garage with embers emitted from his feet, burning the ground with his fiery steps; with his red aura unleashed with immense shockwave, blowing away the dusts.

He gripped his fist tightly with anger, causing small veins to popped out from the gloves, his red eyes glowing in the dark. Underneath the helmet, Ryouga has activated his Dragon Soul's power, making his eyes instantly changed into Dragon Eye, his upper jaw's side teeth turned into fangs that reached to his lower jaw, almost went outside his mouth. Zero-One thought with anger: 'The nerve of that bitch! This was the last STRAW! You want to kill Hibiki with that spoiled brat attitude? Then I'll break your bone!'

He then holding out his right hand, ignited by the red and orange flames before swallowed by the red color, changed into fully red flames. The hot red flames then burst out a bit, revealing a blank normal Progrise Key. The blank Key then flared up, soaking the datakey with metallic red color as the base body, the front cover is hot red background with the cybernized winged serpentine dragon, looks like a mix of Western and Chinese dragon combined together as a silhouette.

BLAZING DRAGON

ABILITY: RAGE

Zero-One looked at the now fully formed Progrise Key with a mild shock, and turned at Tsubasa, who was now standing from the fading smokes, kicking the drums away angrily, glowering at him with hostile expression. He narrowed his eyes back in return, then pressed the button and scanned it on the Authoriser.

[RAGE!]

[AUTHORISE!]

An immense stream of red flames bursts out from the Authoriser, splitting into embers hitting everywhere, surrounding the wide space with explosions. Then came out of the Driver is a big mechanized winged serpentine dragon with the size of Slifer the Sky Dragon from Yu-Gi-Oh series, hot red streaks ran over the body as flames can be seen leaking out from the spines on its long serpentine body, alongside two curved spikes from the wings. Its emerald eyes then light up and let out an almost deafening draconic roar, shook the entire ground like a small earthquake.

PS: The roar sound effect from Seeker, Thing Saver Dragon in Vanguard Legion Mate Episode 4.

The dragon hovered in the air, swirled around the garage and looked deeply at his eyes, he looked back and gave it a sharp nod, which it then nodded back, acknowledge him as its partner and friend. Zero-One then flicked open the front cover and slotted in the Driver, replacing the Hopper Key, revealing a roaring dragon's head as the symbol.

[PROGRISE!]

The dragon then roared, flying and swirling around Zero-One and engulfed him with a fire tornado for a moment, as the transformation music rang out, with the music is a remix of a futuristic EDM music with a bit of Chinese accent.

(PS: The Henshin music is based on a short instrumental of Ryuki's Revolution, Blade's Round-Zero when it's almost finished the chorus, along with a bit of Chinese vibe accent.)

[AWAKENING THE INNER INSTINCT! BLAZING DRAGON~!]

[The wrath of a mighty dragon will shatter heaven and earth.]

When the fire tornado died down, it then pulsed with fiery shockwaves, revealing Zero-One in a new form, the Hopper armor moved to their own position like with Flaming Tiger, except the helmet which was split to both sides.

He was now donned in a metallic red dragon-themed armor: with the lower body has jagged dragon scales act as the armor for both sides of his legs, along with red kneepads; the leg armor was a recolored and retooled version of Cross-Z Magma, but it was more refined and covered all of his lower legs, especially the metallic green eyes and small hexagonal dragon scales behind the shin armor, and the metallic red boot armor armed with three silver claws. The upper body was armed with the chest armor nearly resembles Saber's Dragonic Knight, but with the metallic red dragon head in front, along with metallic snout scales and green eyes, the sides of the chest armor has flame-shaped spikes curved upward; the red shoulderpads armed with small sliver boosters like Revice's Barid Rex, and armored claws on top of the shoulderpads, resembling Cross-Z's Dragon armor. Both arms are fully armed with red scales armor on the upper arm, and the lower arms were armed with dragon head shaped armors, also a recolor of Cross-Z Magma, with red armored gloves like Kiva's base form, except that the pointed tips didn't resemble a devil. Finally, the helmet was metallic red with emerald green visor, the top has a dragon's head, with extra dragon spines like Cross-Z Magma on both sides, the silver fanged mouthplate resembles that of Ulforce-Veedramon.

This was Kamen Rider Zero-One Blazing Dragon.

(Inserting Kamen Rider Faiz Paradise Lost OST: Psyga)

Zero-One walked to the angry Tsubasa with glowing eyes in the night, as she then unleashed a wide energy slash at him, but he swatted the attack away like a small fly, dispersing it into nothing. She screamed hatefully at him, charging at him by giving an overhead slash, which he then blocked with the right hand, gripping the blade, and gave a headbutt to her head, kicked her in the stomach, causing Tsubasa to skid in the ground to some water drums, got soaked by the drum water.

He then walked calmly to the bluenette, who stood up quickly and giving him a swing kick with the ankle blade at his chest, which he just let it hit, causing some sparks on the armor. Tsubasa shouted at him with anger: "Someone like you… Because of someone like you, that Kanade can no longer fight-!" He then interrupted her sentence by gripping her left ankle tightly, making her cried in pain and hoisted her up in the air, throwing her at the rusted steel wall, cause the wall to crumble and got thrown out of the garage. He brushed away the small smoke on his armor and went outside.


(Meanwhile, at 2nd Division Headquarters)

"What the hell is that idiot doing!?" Kanade said while she and everyone in the room watched as Tsubasa was lashing out her anger at Zero-One, but clearly Tsubasa was on the losing side.

Genjuro was about to leave when he saw Kanade about to run past him, so the man quickly grabbed her.

"Matte, Kanade! Where are you going?"

"Isn't that obvious? I'm going to stop that idiot before she does something stupid!" Kanade said.

"But you no longer have the Gungnir!" Genjuro protested.

The red-haired girl then manages to get her arm free. "Just let me go!" She then turns to Genjuro with determination. "If I don't do this… how can I called myself her best friend?" With that said, Kanade ran towards the elevator.


(Back to Zero-One)

Zero-One walked outside, he then saw Tsubasa who was crawling in the ground, getting up, looked like she was about to explode. She ran at him with blinded anger, trying to get a slash at him, but he cracked the ankle blade with a punch, then punched at her face with the left fist, making her spat out saliva, get thrown back.

"Had enough yet?" Zero-One asked with mock pity.

Tsubasa instantly stood up, shouted at him: "DAMARE (Shut up)!" She then punched at his face, which got blocked. She then let out her bitter feelings while trying to reach his helmet by her fist. "It's because of you, Kamen Rider… that Kanade lost her singing voice!" She then tried a kick, but got hit in the stomach instead by his right knee, causing her to stumble back.

"Care to elaborate?" Zero-One cocked his head at her.

Tsubasa snarled at him hatefully, small veins popped up on her neck because of the mocking taunt. "You've stripped her off of all things! If you had come earlier… then none of this would've happened! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Zero-One relaxed his arms with a disappointed sigh, and looked at her with disappointment written all over his face, though because of the helmet, she couldn't really understand his expression. He spat at her with venom: "Oh, is that so… Then you must be a shitty brat!"

Tsubasa screamed out angrily, got offended by the insult. "NANI!?"

He ran at her, grabbed her neck and held her up, kicked her in the stomach again, making Tsubasa skid on the ground painfully. He walked to the bluenette, and grabbed her hair roughly, forcing her to look at his eyes. "As I had said, you're nothing more than a shitty brat, crying over the spoiled milk!". He then punched at her chest armor, causing sparks on the armor, making her cried out in pain. But he wasn't done with his lecture yet, as he then grabbed her in the face, punched at her face a few hits, then said:

"And you even spat at me that I'm the one who only cause pain to others? You must be some kind of egoism SADIST to tell me that nonsense of yours!"

He then threw her to the ground painfully, skidding in the ground at few meters away.

"Get up! I'm not done with you yet." Zero-One said.

(End BGM)

Tsubasa got up in her knees, growling at him with growing hate, gripping her fists in the dirt. She then looked at the object that emitted an ominous red aura in her hand, instantly picked up and slammed it on her waist. She then shouted at him with hate: "I'LL KILL YOU!" With that said, her eyes turned scarlet red.

Zero-One narrowed his eyes, looking at the belt on her waist. He can feel the ominous aura emitting from it. "Zetsumeriser…"

Tsubasa then brought out a black Zetsumerise Key, with the front cover being a dull pale brown background that has the image of a Vicarya snail.

PROTO-VICARYA

TYPE: ZETSUMETSU

[PROTO-VICARYA!]

She then slotted the Key in the Zetsumeriser, then slammed the activation button at the left side, creating cracks on the Zetsumerise Key.

[ZETSUMERISE!]

She then lifted her head up in the sky and let out an almost insane scream, as steel brown wires suddenly appear from the belt, engulfed her entire body with black smokes.

Zero-One raised his eyebrows a bit in shock underneath the helmet, said: "Nani?" He was in one hell of a surprise there, didn't know that Zetsumeriser could be used by a human. He thought that it can only work with the 'hacked' Humagears, causing them to turn into Psychogears (Bousougear, dubbed in Japanese).

When the black smoke finally died down, Tsubasa emerged with a rust, but monstrous robot form. The now transformed Tsubasa now wears a black bodysuit with dull grease-colored wires wrapped on the armor like bone joints. There are three short cone-like drills, two attached on both clawed humanoid arms and one on the head like a horn. The chest armor was a dull brown/tan color with a snail's eyes protruding outwards. And finally, judging by the name, the helmet resembles normal berserk Humagear in the Zero-One series, with slightly large octagonal visors and opened metal jaw.

Tsubasa is now Proto-Vicarya Magia.

Zero-One looked at the now transformed Tsubasa with narrowed eyes, not expecting this development. Seems like ARK has been more intelligent and deadlier than before, and now it decided to build the Magia army by using humans as some lab rats to fasten its resurrection!? He gripped his fists tightly, not intending to let that happen! At that time, Kanade and Hibiki had already arrived at the scene, looking at Proto-Vicarya Magia with horrendous expression.

"Sonna (It can't be) …" Kanade said with tremble, looking at her best friend transformed into that monstrous android.

"Tsubasa-san… transformed…" Hibiki said, also sharing the same expression as the older girl. She can't believe that her favorite idol has hidden those hatred feelings towards her.

Tsubasa, now Proto-Vicarya Magia, looked at her hands, trembling with excitement at this immense power flowing inside her body. She turned her head to look at Kanade with insane expression, cackled with delight: "Heh… hehehe… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This power… is incredible! With this power… I can fulfill my wish!" She then said, sneering at Zero-One and Hibiki, surprisingly materialized the familiar katana on her right hand and pointed at them. "You two will pay for your sins… WITH YOUR LIFE!"

"Stop…" Kanade said, walking slowly to her friend with disbelieved eyes. "No… Please stop, Tsubasa! I don't want to see you like this!"

"Stay back!" Zero-One said harshly, telling two of them to stay back. Kanade looked back at him with protest. "Demo!"

"Right now, she's not the Tsubasa you know. She's been possessed by that belt's malice aura, fueling her with her hidden feelings." He explained clearly to her.

Kanade widen her eyes in shock at the explanation, looking back at Tsubasa. "So it's because of that belt… that Tsubasa is…"

Zero-One then went to her, put a hand on Kanade's shoulder. "It's not your fault that she's like this. She's bearing the responsibility too much that she thinks everyone around her stripped you out from everything, shunning you away from her." Kanade took his hand away from her shoulder slowly, letting the sentence buried in her head. She then sheds tears in silent, biting her lower lips in frustration, cursed at herself for don't have the power to save her friend. The red-haired girl then looked at Zero-One's eyes with distraught, pleading him.

"Please… save her…" Zero-One stared at her.

"Are you sure about 'that'?" He then asked her, implying the hidden meaning in his question. She nodded firmly, making him nodded back.

"Understood." He then advised Kanade. "Take Hibiki away from the battle." Kanade obliged, ran back to Hibiki and led her away. Once they were far enough, he then glared back at Proto-Vicarya, ignite his right hand with red flames. "I'll rip that darkness out of your body."

(Inserting Kamen Rider Zero-One OST: Ore ga RULE da (I'm the RULE)!)

Proto-Vicarya growled at Zero-One angrily. "DON'T GET IN MY WAY!" She then charged at him with an insane roar from the metal jaw, lighting up the katana with ominous red aura. Zero-One then charged at her with blurred speed, caught her in surprise, before raising his ignited hand and clawed at the armor, creating sparks. She roared in pain, then lashed back at him, trying to reach for his neck with the katana before got blocked by his left arm, small sparks erupted from the left arm. He swatted the blade away and grabbed the cone-like horn, then punched at her stomach repeatedly, continuously creating sparks, and kicked her away, letting her crashed at the wall.

She threw away the rubbles on her body, launched both Dris Nailers at him, but he caught one of them and threw back at the second drill bullet, letting them crashed at each other. Zero-One looked at her and said: "You really think you're the only one in pain? Your pain is nothing compare to others."

"SHUT UP! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HOW I FEEL!" Proto-Vicarya shouted at him with defiance, then fly up to midair, summoning many dark red energy blades, letting them rained down on him.

"HEAVEN'S WRATH!"

Zero-One instantly summoned back the Attache Calibur, then swung at the upcoming blades with blazing red energy slash. He then holding out his left hand in front, then gripped his hand into a fist, splitting the energized flame slash into many fire arrow-shaped meteors, clashing against numerous dark red energy blades, causing them to explode in contact. Proto-Vicarya growled with annoyance, her attack got blocked. She then slammed down the button on the Zetsumeriser, activating the finisher.

[ZETSUMETSU NOVA!]

She infused the katana with dark brown and azure-colored energy, mixed with dark red aura surrounding her body, then raised above her head, enlarging the blade into a huge size, then dropped it down to the ground to slice Zero-One in two.

"AZURE FLASH!"

He then stabbed down the blade to the ground for a moment, crossed his arms in front and threw them to the sides, let out a deafening roar at the attack.

"WRECKING ROAR!"

The mouthplate light up with bright red energy, unleashing big soundwaves infused with flames, shattering the enlarged blade in an instant. The soundwaves keep coming at her, making her grabbed her head, screaming in pain, the cone-like horn on her head shattered by the soundwaves. He then stopped his roar, pressed down the Dragon Key on the Driver, activating the finisher.

[BLAZING IMPACT!]

Zero-One jumped to the air, pulling Proto-Vicarya to the ground with him. Once both of them landed, he then punched her faraway a bit, then instantly transported to the other side with bright red cybernetic streaks, kicked her in the stomach. He transported to many places after places, attacking her with endless combos. Proto-Vicarya screamed in pain from each hit, felt like her bones starting to crack every seconds, even the armor couldn't withstand the impact. The time slowed for a moment, Zero-One appeared in front of the prototype Magia with his back showed, his right leg coated in red flames. His emerald green visor emitted green lightning from the eyes, and he turned around, gave a swing kick at the Zetsumeriser (Kabuto style), forcefully ejecting it from the body, letting her crashed at the wall with a big dust explosion.

ブレイジングインパクト

[BLAZING IMPACT!]

The Zetsumeriser exploded behind him, shadowing his silhouette with his visor glowing in the dark.

(End BGM)

Embedded in the wall, returned to normal was Tsubasa, who then got off the wall and fell to the ground roughly, with the Proto-Vicarya Zetsumerise Key fell to the ground, smokes leaking from the Key. He turned back and picked up the smoked Zetsumerise Key in his hand, while looking at the remains of Zetsumeriser with grim thoughts.

"I really hadn't expected this situation. I thought I was missing something important, and it turns out that ARK is intending to spread its malice through human's hidden negative emotions with these Proto Zetsumerise Keys and have some minions 'dropped' the Zetsumeriser for human to use it… It could be some kind of big scheme in the dark involving its revival. If that happens, then I don't have much time left to think about restoring my Power-Ups, nor alone defeat ARK… Darn it, I'll think about it later when I go back home, but for now…" Zero-One thought before putting the Key to his Rider Space and went to the brutally beaten-up Tsubasa.

Tsubasa opened her eyes up in pain, got up on her trembling knees. She then heard the walking sound, lifted her head up to look at Zero-One. She gritted her teeth in frustration, couldn't believe she's been humiliated like this. Especially by him!

Zero-One ignored the glare, and asked: "Had enough?" He didn't wait for answer as he spoke again. "Like what I've said before, your little pain is nothing compare to others."

Tsubasa snarled up with anger, shouted in defiance: "SILENCE! What do you even know!?"

*SMACK!*

She got punched in the face again by Zero-One as he said harshly at her.

"If you think I'm the heartless one who knows nothing about pain, then you're even more foolish then I thought!" Zero-One said in a loud tone, as the thunder rumbled in the sky and rain started falling. He grabbed her shirt's collar and lifted her up to his eyes. Tsubasa knew that he was glaring at her.

"You want to know why I called you a shitty brat?" Zero-One said. "I said it because you are one! You whine over the most stupid thing ever like a crybaby! 'Kanade can't sing anymore? Kanade can't fight anymore? Kanade can't be my partner anymore?' What a bullcrap thing you have here! If you have time to mull about that then you're nothing but a little brat! Have you ever considered your thoughts over the people who were killed, lost their families, their acquaintances by those Noises? They lost everything they have and could only grieving for them in rainy days! They shed tears, mentally crushed, and even kill themselves to free themselves out of those 'hellish' memories! Do you have anything to spat at me now? I dare you to try!"

He stayed silent for who knows how long in order for Tsubasa to process what he said. After a while, he spoke up again, continuing his lecture.

"Hah! What a surprise, considering you have the time to cry over the fact that your friend can't fight alongside you anymore while you should be happy that Kanade is still alive today! You had your uncle, your best friend standing by you all the time! You should be happy that you still have something to be happy unlike me who has been a fucking ORPHAN!" He shouted at the last word. Looking at Tsubasa makes him remembered all of his tragic past events that still haunting in his mind…

His parents died in a car crash when he was 6; killed a yakuza with the man's knife, protecting his friends when they were walking back home when he was 10, got traumatized at the man's blood splattering on his hands and face aftermath, then spending his comatose 'deathbed' for 2 years because of it… He remembers all of his friends who were always visiting him, waiting for him to open his eyes: Haruki, Kiba, Sakuragi, Houka, Furuya, Yuka, Uncle Jirou, Auntie Junko…

"Answer my question: What does fighting mean to you?" Zero-One asked.

Tsubasa stayed quiet for a while before answering: "Being the emotionless blade that cuts through everything in my path…"

*SMACK!*

He punched at her again because of the answer, looking at her with disgust.

"TEME! You really are a fucking moron! What the hell would you gain by throwing away your emotions and cuts through everything in your way!?" Zero-One shouted with anger, grabbed her hair this time because she was shorter than him, her feet didn't touch the ground when he lifted her up. "Listen carefully because I'll tell you this once: Instead of focusing on the past, treasure everything you still have and focus on the future!"

"Focus on… the future…" Tsubasa repeated.

He let go of her hair, making her fall to the ground, said: "Life is full of more important things than battles. If you still insist becoming the emotionless blade, then do it. But the consequence is you'll cut off the people around you, no matter what your actions are." He turned his head to glance at Kanade and Hibiki, who was in her school uniform, both are soaked by the rain. "Especially those closest to you."

Tsubasa's eyes widen, realized what he meant and protested: "Th-That's not true! I'll never do that!"

"Yeah right." Zero-One scoffed. "Can you say that to yourself if someday you cut away your best friend?" He then shouted at her face. "WELL!?"

Tsubasa was about to say something but then stopped, her expression then turned into a mix of realization and horror.

Zero-One was about to lecture when he felt Kanade's hand on the shoulder, signaling him to let her take over. He complied by stepping back, decided not to say more as Kanade then walked up to Tsubasa, crouching down to her eyes and looked at her.

"By becoming emotionless, you'll eventually break sooner or later. And I'm certain he doesn't want that to happen." Kanade said, giving a glance at Zero-One for a few seconds, then looked back to Tsubasa and gave a tease. "You really are becoming a crybaby if other people are calling you it."

"K-Kanade… I…" Tsubasa whimpered, tears falling down her face.

"Tsubasa, please stop being a machine, and start being the Tsubasa that I know and love." Kanade said softly as Tsubasa then broke down crying. "There, there… It's okay…"

The cries of sorrow continued to rang out in the rain.


(Aftermath, at 2nd Division Headquarters)

After the girls went back to the base, they were done drying up, Genjuro comforted Tsubasa and then gave her a scolding.

He then turned to Zero-One. "I thank you for getting through Tsubasa's emotionless act."

Zero-One said: "No problem." But the next sentence he said making everyone stop chatting because of his low tone. "But you've betrayed my expectations."

Everyone then snapped their head to look at him in shock, some even stood back a few steps, especially Genjuro. He then continued: "That is also what I meant by my third reason earlier: I don't trust you because I'm sensing some distrusts between everyone in here: they have no teamwork, some don't even respect each other, only wanting some useful information and someday use them as mere weapons; not only that, after the Noise were eliminated, they then started a fight between each other for selfish reasons. And today has proved my point. From now on, I'll continue my duty as a vigilante, so don't expect that you'll get a second chance." As Zero-One finishes his talk, he then went to where the exit is until got blocked by Tsubasa.

"Do you need something?" Zero-One asked.

Tsubasa now looked at Zero-One with regret, bowing her head in apology. "I am truly sorry for what I have done." But he just walked past her and said with a hidden growl for her ear to listen.

"Get the fuck out of my way, Kazanari Tsubasa." Zero-One said, causing Tsubasa's eyes to widen in shock. Yes, gentleman, he was damn pissed and disappointed at the same time as he zoomed out of the base.

As the agonizing silence had started, Kanade went to Tsubasa in worry, catching her in time as the bluenette dropped to her knees in shock, processing what Zero-One had said to her.

"Tsubasa, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Kanade asked in worry, shaking her best friend's shoulders lightly as Tsubasa still stare at the ground, muttering to herself with hollowed expression.

"What… What have I done…?"

The scene then closed with the Rising Hopper Key closed down, spinning and bumping against two Progrise Keys, which are Biting Shark and Blazing Dragon, as the three Keys got in the triangle position in front the blurred yellow digital background, with Blazing Dragon on top, Rising Hopper and Biting Shark at the bottom as the Dragon Key surrounded by a bright red aura.


(Eyecatch 2)

The scene showing Zero-One appeared from the shadows, walking to where Rise Hopper is standing, with the neon yellow armor of both Zero-One and the bike shining in the darkness with the eyes glowing in the dark.


RFD: AAAAAAAAND DONE! Oh man, I guess I went too harsh on this one, aren't I? So what do you think about this chapter. Well, for me to say, this is the cruelest chapter with the scene of Zero-One vs Tsubasa fighting each other. And also, I gave Zero-One a new OC form, except I can only do the description because I'm not good at drawing. If there's anyone who can imagine what I describe and uploaded the picture on Google, then I would like to see what my OC forms would look like from the description. I mentioned that I would do some few twists in the story, and this is one of them. Hope you like and enjoy the new chapter, and I'm also apologized deeply for Symphogear fans if I had crossed the line. This is a Fanfic story, so don't be mad at me. Anyway, for the next chapter…

Can the 2nd Division Headquarters, and mostly Tsubasa, regain Zero-One's trust again after the brutal fight? And will Ryouga forgive them or continuing his solitude? Find out next on the Chapter 4! And sorry if I disappointed you guys a lot because I put Proto-Vicarya in instead of the original Vicarya Magia. I promise to put him in the next chapter soon.

And also, I gave my special thanks to Justice Avengers for new ideas. If possible, I'll put them in the story at the near future.

That's my reply for now. Red Flame Dragon, signing out. Until the next Ride!

This chapter's new info:

Biting Shark: I granted him a new ability to turn himself into liquid. Inspired by Kamen Rider Wizard's Liquid Magic Ring and Kamen Rider OOO's Shauta Combo.

Wrecking Roar: One of Ultraman Geed Primitive's attacks.