Now for the start of new problems, and the teams being made not by choice for most of them. First stop is among Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels with more trouble than Artoria and Chris really want.
..==..
SenkiZesshō Symphogear
Howling Song!
CH.9
Devils, Monsters, and Falling Stars.
"Speech" normal human/translation
"Speech" Symphogear activation or talking, private thoughts, telepathy, and communication
"Speech" Gear attacks, songs
..==..
Unknown Location for Artoria, Chris, Chaika, and Midnight
Artoria closed the door to the gym and put a lock spell on it with alarm. She did the same to the other doors and on the windows. The red wolf wasn't taking any chances again and this time she's got three others with her this time. She needed to check over everyone after the fall from the rift and the few weapons they did have.
"A good thing we got a few magus guns for you Chaika." Artoria says checking the young teen over and healing her few injuries. "I just hope we can help you use them is all. So much for a simple test like Karen wanted."
"It fine. Learn new magic to help everyone." Chaika says with a grin as she looks over the magus guns. Both look like 45. cal handguns that change from black to silver in her hands. "The color change is a good sign, right?"
"It is. You're sounding better too." Artoria says with a gentle pat to the young girl's shoulder. "Check over your other weapon while I make sure Chris, and Midnight is okay."
"Okay." Chaika puts the two handguns down and opens her coffin to check the sniper rifle like weapon. She also checks on the remains of Arthur Gaz that she has so far too. If nothing else she'll have to use the remains to power her Gundo, if she has the right tools to make that happen.
Chris sighs rubbing her left arm as Artoria heals it and looks out the gym window. "So, any ideas on where we are?" She asks as the pain fades from her arm.
"Offhand? I'd say we're a long way from home again." Artoria states checking Chris over before waving Midnight over to check the Nargacuga. "Something happened to the shields that keep rifts from happening on the ship. My best guess is a virus got into the system and we got unlucky." She pats Midnight on the back. "The good news is Karen tagged us with tracking spells, so they can find us."
"What bad news?" Chaika asks putting her Gundo away. "Besides no other weapons?"
"We still have our relics, but we don't know what this place is like." Artoria sighs rubbing the back of her head. "Also, Chris and I are still dressed more for a day out in town." She says pointing to herself and the blue jeans, sneakers, and t-shirt she's wearing. Then to Chris in a skirt, stockings, tank top, and slip on shoes. "I'll stand out the most besides Midnight here."
Midnight nods her head before looking up with a growl before a loud thud comes from the door, and some loud cursing soon after. "That didn't take them very long." Artoria mutters snapping her fingers to take out the spell watching them. "I'm getting out of practice with finding spells like that. Thank you, Midnight."
Chris pulls out her pendent, but the wolf girl shakes her head. "I want to try talking first, Chris. My barrier spell can keep us safe if we need to shift gears." She turns to see Chaika getting her coffin on her back and has one of her handguns ready. "Still, that sounded like someone was thrown at the door."
Outside Issei groans after being thrown by Koneko Toujou into the gym door. "That's one strong barrier." Koneko says before running up and punching the door. "Gah!? The fuck?!" She rarely has something stop her cold like Artoria's barrier. "I can't believe that hurt me!"
Asia quickly gets to work healing both Issei and Koneko with her Twilight Healing. "I don't think I've ever seen you just stop like that. Maybe we should try talking to them instead?" She looks to Rias, hoping that a more peaceful approach would be better.
"Want me to try knocking?" Rias asks with a smile. She giggles as Asia nods her head. "Well, I guess it's worth a shot." She steps up to the gym door and knocks on it. The door opens with the red wolf girl standing there looking at Issei and her. "That really worked?"
"Did you think I'd be rude to a polite approach?" Artoria asks with a half grin that Rias returns. "I guess the rift that dropped us here wasn't hard to miss, huh?"
Rias blinks surprised to hear how the wolf girl words her question. "You didn't come here by choice? That changes a lot of how we deal with you four then. I'm Rias Gremory."
"Artoria Redmoon, and these are my friends." Artoria says as Chris, Chaika, and Midnight join her at the door. "This is Chris Yukine, Midnight, and Chaika Trabant. Mind if we have the names of your group?"
"Mind if we talk without the barrier?" Koneko asks flexing the fingers of her right hand. "Kind of hard to think you're not here to start trouble from behind those things."
"Maybe after you calm down a little more." Chris says picking up on Koneko's anger, even with how subtle her voice is. "Mind if we get everyone's name before we take this somewhere else?" She asks with her arms crossed under her beasts. Which made Issei go full pervert mode for a second before Artoria growls at him. "Yeah, I'm with her buster."
"Damn it!" Issei shouts to the sky before he blinks. "Who's that?" He asks right before someone lands on him. It turns out to be Shirabe in her Symphogear to survive the landing.
"Shirabe?!" Artoria and Chris asks as Fran, holding her sword Teacher, land next to Shirabe. "Great! We weren't the only ones dragged off the ship." Artoria groans as Chaika pats her back.
Shirabe stands up, much to the pained groans of Issei, and skates toward Artoria who takes the barriers down. "I guess this means we're going to miss the cookout?" Shirabe asks as she powers down her gear and steps behind Chris to hide herself. She's wearing a pink shirt, black skirt with pink stockings, and black shoes with her black hair in twin pig tails with pink ribbon. "Who are they and why do they feel so strange?"
"I guess you're sensing their magic, Shirabe." Teacher says floating out of Fran's hands to look at Rias' group as he casts Identify. "Weird. My Identify spell says 'reincarnated devil' for most of them. Plus, one half Fallen Angle and one Nekomata."
Koneko, and Akeno freeze up hearing both a talking sword and what they really are so easily found out. "Uh, sorry. Force of habit doing that. My bad." Teacher says bowing to the group of devils.
"Let's just get to the club room." Rias sighs as Asia and Kiba help Issei to his feet. "It's this way." She says before they all hear screaming form above them, and a powerful gust of wind hits the ground and throws a huge dust cloud up. "Now what?!"
The dust clears quickly as Fran and Teacher get ready to fight whoever it is. Instead, she sighs loudly seeing a very a large red skinned person with oni horns, and woman with long black hair dressed in green clothes. "Do I even want to know how you guys are here? Amanda? Donadrond?"
A short man with a grey beard and dressed as a blacksmith coughs as he dusts himself off. "That was not how I planned on opening that door. Oh? It's good to see you again, little lady." The Dwarf says looking around and seeing Fran. "How did you and Teacher get here, Fran?"
"It's not their first stop." Artoria says with a grin. "You must be Garrus the Arcane Blacksmith. Teacher and Fran told us a lot about you while with us. That must make you two the A-Class adventure Amanda and the orgekin Donadrond, right?" She asks as Garrus pulls a box over that landed with them and a few weapons from his shop. "I guess something wild happened, huh?"
"That's one way of putting it." Donadrond says with a sigh as he dusts off his pants. He stands over two meters tall (six feet and six). "That was quick thinking, Amanda. Otherwise, we'd be dead if not for your wind magic."
"It was the best chance we had, and we did find Fran after all. So, it's all good." Amanda says with a smile as she looks over the group of teens. Her eyes rest on Artoria and Fran before walking forward with Garrus setting the box in front of them. "And who might you be to act like you're the one in charge?"
"Artoria Redmoon and this isn't either of our home realms, Amanda. I believe we're the guests here and don't forget it." Artoria says making Amanda blink for a moment before she giggles. "I guess you love testing strong people, huh?"
"I had to see is you're the right girl to watch over Fran. It seems like you know about teacher as well." Amanda points out turning to Rias with a smile that is still more of a challenge than a friendly greeting. "Are you the one in charge around here little lady."
Garrus sighs making the half-elf woman stop her testing. "You really can't help yourself sometimes? In any case I've got Fran's new armor here and the collar for Jet."
"Jet? Who's Jet?" The S.O.N.G. team members ask with Chaika looking just as lost, but Artoria shrugs having an idea. She did feel the third being in Fran's shadow but never said anything out of respect. Everyone should keep a few aces up their sleeves after all.
"Just a good puppy and our summon a Darkness Wolf that is, well huge." Teacher says making Donadrond's jaw drop as shadow zips out of Fran's shadow and takes the form of a huge twelve feet tall at the shoulder black/white wolf with purple eyes. He turns around and gently licks Fran's face before letting out a soft bark. "See? Just a big puppy."
Jet sniffs the others, even letting Asia hug his muzzle, and everyone really couldn't say it was a bad thing. Just the fact they were all out in the open of the school grounds. Artoria wasn't sure they should stay out for anyone to see them with Jet out.
"I think we've played around enough and should take this indoors." Artoria says looking to Rias. "Got a place we can even stay the night till we can figure this mess out, Rias?"
"Our club house is more than large enough for everyone. It's this way." Rias says with pointing back the way Artoria's group came from. "In fact, you landed near it."
"Of course, we did." Chris mutters with a face palm as the group gets moving and Artoria helps Garrus picks up the box. "At least it'll give Fran a chance to put on her new armor at least." She keeps close to Chaika as the young girl seemed more lost as Jet dives into Fran's shadow.
..==..
Occult Research Club main room plus food and drink
Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Kiba Yuto, Asia Argento, Issei Hyoudou, and Koneko Tojo have had a weird night after Artoria and Amanda's groups appeared. Just two days after dealing with Raizer Phoenix and now they have people from other worlds, in Artoria's case a true alien from another planet, with other problems ahead of them. At least watching the group turned out to be a good thing, but the idea Artoria drops on Rias leaves them a little worried.
"Tell the truth about who you all are before joining the school?! Are you nuts?!" Rias shouts as Artoria just sips her soda. "Next you'll tell me that worked at Chris' school!"
"It did. We've had a lot of strange things happen and having an alien at school wasn't that odd." Chris says before taking a bite of chicken. "We know aliens are out there because of the precursor tech we've found on Earth and what we've learned. Heck there's even a set of ruins on the moon we started exploring not too long ago."
Issei and Akeno slowly blink as this sinks in on them for deferent reasons. For the perv it's about all the hot alien women out there, and for the Priestess of Thunder was the other kind of magic out there. The memory share Artoria used to bring everyone up to speed, even if it isn't the strongest of her magic spell, helped a lot with what they were thinking as well. Then the idea of this being known around the school makes them spit their drinks out.
"Besides Fran and I can't hide our ears and tails. This is the best option for all of us after all." Artoria points out as she pats Koneko on the shoulder. "Unlike someone here it's something that isn't part of our daily life."
"I still want to see one of these nekomata in person to believe it." Koneko says but does lean into Artoria's side. "Maybe you can help me control my power a bit, so I don't turn into an animal."
Artoria frowns at the nekomata girl before turning to Rias. "Mind explaining that?" She demands with a clear edge to her voice that sends a shiver up Rias and Amanda's spins. "No way she'd become an animal at all."
"I just worry I'll be like my sister is all. She lives to make trouble and kill." Koneko explains picking up on Artoria's building rage. "I'm the one that thinks she'll be an animal if she's not careful! No one else is to blame here!" She blinks for a moment. "Why did I freak out like that?"
"I give off that kind of feeling when I get mad. That's all you need to know." Artoria explains as Chris looks away knowing it's more her family's thing. Something about Alexandria Bloodmoon, The Warrior Maiden. "Well, I can try to help you all out. I'm not going to be easy on you with how much you're either holding back or denying a part of themselves."
Akeno felt a little called out on that but the glare she got from the wolf girl said it all. "I'm not going to like how her training for me is going to go." She thinks as Artoria pokes Koneko's shoulder.
"That means you need stop fighting your own nature, Koneko. The memory share works both ways if I want after all." Artoria says giving a quick side glance at Akeno. "It'll take some time to setup a training hall in one of the rooms. I normally have the help of either my sisters or professional mages to make a hall. Think of it as a holo deck from Star Trek maybe with magic."
Rias liked the sound of that but had to get things back on track. "Getting back on track I'm still not sure the truth is a great idea. However, you make a good point about some of you not being able to hide like most of us." She sighs wondering how she'll explain this to her brother and Sona with the group. "So, we have four new teachers and five new students on top of a Nargacuga joining the school? This is going to be fun for me to deal with." Rias lets out a sigh feeling a headache coming on.
"I hate to ask this, but I'd like a place to work my craft as well." Garrus says with his arms behind his back. "I'm sorry but I believe I can make some armor and weapons for all of you to improve your chances in a fight. I get the feeling you kids are going to be in a few."
"I'll see what I can do." The young lady Gremory wasn't looking forward to any of the talks to come. "For now, you guys can stay here till we can get a place for all of you. I just hope this doesn't become a problem."
Artoria pulls a multiple-colored gem out of the air and hands it to Rias. "That this memory gem with you to help with explaining things. I was making it after the other spell to clear my head a bit more, so this is better than breaking it." She drops the gem in Rias' hand and walks over to the couch to sit down.
"She was making this without anything more than just thinking about it?" Amanda asks looking at the gem with Rias. "What's her full limit of magic like if this is a passive thing?"
"Good question." Rias says looking at the gem in her hand before looking to Amanda. "Would you mind coming with me to help explain things?"
"I don't see why not at this point." Amanda says with a smile. "This might be fun for me after all."
That night most everyone slept at the Occult Research building, and everyone got their own room. Mainly so no one saw Rias sleeping naked with Issei and Asia. Much to Amanda's horror at such a thing happening but could tell Issei wasn't going to do anything stupid. Yet.
..==..
The Next Morning
Sir Zechs Gremory groans as the gem floats a few inches above the table and looks at his sister with the half-elf woman. This wasn't going to be very easy for him to get done, but the truth was much stranger than any fiction. The power coming off Amanda alone was proof enough about her being real. Well, they did have a few openings for staff and students at least. Also, the blacksmithing tools and items wasn't going to be a problem getting all that. The rebuilding a room in the old school building into a forge gave him an idea.
"Alright, I'll get things setup and get a place for our guests. I just hope the truth about most of you doesn't lead to us devils being found out." Sir Zechs says poking the memory gem that explained so much. "It'll take a day or two for a house to be ready. However, I can get everyone in the school by the end of the day."
"Thank you, brother." Rias says with a small bow before turning to Amanda. "So, what class are you going to want to teach?"
"Donadrond and I can teach some basics on adventuring which can help with survival, camping, and even a little cooking." Amanda says thinking for a moment and rubs the back of her head. "Garrus is more than likely thinking of teaching basic blacksmithing and the like. So, if nothing else it'll be very fun for everyone."
"It'll be strange having an intelligent weapon that's a human reincarnated following one of the students around too." Rias points out. "But I don't think we can really keep Teacher and Fran apart. So, we'll just have to deal with it. He seems like a nice enough guy after all, but a little protective."
Sir Zechs sighs. "I fear for the perverted boys at the school now." He thinks taking the gem and putting it to the side before getting the paperwork started. "Where are the others by the way?"
..==..
Artoria, Chris, Shirabe, Teacher, and Fran in her Black Cat armor set look around the school grounds trying to find Chaika who wondered off. At least she left her coffin in the club house so that wasn't going to be a problem. It's the fact that classes are going is what worried the girls the most. Garrus, Midnight, and Donadrond stayed back in case Chaika went back. Things were looking more like she might have as the group sneaks around one group of students. Issei, and Asia had the group looking the other way before Chaika walked by with Sona Sitri, and Tsubaki Shira talking together with her.
However, there was one problem and that is Issei's two fellow pervert friends, Matsuda and Motohama, spotted Artoria's tail. It wasn't something she thought about as they ran off with the others and the two pervs followed. Fran however did pick up on them since they won't very quiet.
"We've got a pair of headaches." Fran says with her ears flat. "And they are saying very… How is that okay to say about us?!" She asks blushing brightly covering her ears.
"Some things should not be said about a woman." Teacher says as the group is joined by Sona, Tsubaki, and Chaika. "I guess Chaika explained who we are?"
"She did, and I have to say I don't envy Rias in dealing with you all right now." Sona says with a small smile. "Pray that Aika Kiryuu doesn't learn about you ladies. She'll have all kinds of fun messing with some of you."
"I didn't take you for the teasing type or got your name." Artoria says with a half grin. "But first can you do something about the two loud and not so stealthy perverts following us? Before I skin them both alive for that last comment about my ass." The sweet smile she gives makes Sona pale for a moment at the cold tone of her voice.
"Oh snap! Run!" Matsuda shuts before the two pervs run off as Teacher floats out of his sheath. "The sword is hard and coming!"
"You better run for it and Fran is only twelve! How dare you even think of trying that with any of the girls!" Artoria, Chris, and Fran sigh as Teacher goes off in full dad mode. "Next time I'll blast your asses to ashes!"
"Now I get the 'Sword Dad' joke you and Chris were going on about last night." Shirabe says looking at Artoria making the wolf girl blush and Sona sigh loudly. "So how much did Chaika tell you two?"
"Not much other than her name and age." Sona says as the group starts walking away from the school toward the old schoolhouse. "Also, something about being from other worlds and I might believe that part now that you're here. I've never met a werewolf before."
"Bite me with that werewolf bullshit and don't think of calling me a mutt. I'll kill someone." Artoria warns. "It's like calling someone from my world a whore or worse."
"We'll make a note of it and get word around the school. I hope you don't mind but I have to ask can you hide your ears and tail?" Tsubaki asks noting Fran as well as Artoria not hiding what they are. "Even if you're not a werewolf the humans are going to start asking questions we can't answer."
"They can't because they never had to hide it or have the genes for it." Chris says getting between Artoria and Sona. "Plus, Rias and Amanda should be dealing with Zechs to get us into the school. Telling the truth worked out back home so why not here? It's stranger than any fiction or lie to cover for us."
"You're both human and don't care they're devils?" Tsubaki asks as Sona looks at Chris in shock.
"We're not devils." Fran states flatly. "Demons and devils are a B-class threat in my world."
"However, I can tell you are devil with Identify but not classed. It would seem the ranking systems of our two worlds don't work the same. I'm just getting question marks and the word 'error' each time." Teacher says making a screen appear as the group enters the shaded walkway to the old schoolhouse. It shows what he's talking about making the group stop and read over the information. "If I may I'd like to show Chris and Artoria's information as well to help. Plus, I think we need to see how this spell works on wielders of relics like them."
"Alright. I don't really see a problem since it doesn't seem to be anything more than a basic overview." Artoria says looking to Chris, Shirabe, and Chaika. "How about we get Chaika in on this too? It could help me with teaching her magic later."
"Chaika not mind." Chaika says as the screens with their information pop up. Everyone freaks out seeing some of Artoria's title and Artoria shares that freak out. "Artoria really strong! Has God Breaker title too!?"
"When the hell did I get that!?" Artoria asks seeing a few others that make her wonder something. "Shit. Just how freaking powerful am I and my sister? Let alone Silva and the other Symphogear wielders. 'World Saving Gun Valkyrie' a sweet title all the same, Chris." She says making Chris blush as the other read over the list of titles on the two girls.
Sona, Chaika, and Tsubaki look back at Chris, Shirabe, Fran, and Artoria at on shared title the three do have. 'Heroes of other worlds' sits at the top of the list for all of them. That made it really clear to Sona just who these girls really are, and it worried her a lot.
..==..
"Well, that could have been worse." Rias says as Artoria, Chris, Shirabe, Chaika, and Fran are in a room being measured for their school uniforms. "Still these titles are worrying to say the least and Artoria doesn't know where she got this 'God Breaker' title, Teacher?"
"The only way she could have gotten that title was from one of the monsters she helped push back into the void between realms. At least that's the only way she thinks she got it." Teacher says floating near the desk Rias is sitting at. "Artoria did share a few memories about those things with us and damn if one of them wasn't god level!"
Rias and Sir Zechs cringe as one of those memories also showed a rabbit eared Shirabe and kitsune Chris with her. Her friends Fran, her now adopted sister, and Silva Silvermist proved to be very good teammates. The monster of that memory was a half crystallized three headed dragon with gold scales. Issei still thinks it was some form of King Ghidorah as an undead crystal monster. Rias wasn't going to disagree with him on that one as it gave her a nightmare.
"At least it wasn't as bad as we feared." Issei says from the couch he's sitting on with Asia. "Still, I'm glad you guys are going with the truth. What if others show up like everyone did during classes? I think knowing about it now will at least slow panic in the school later."
"A fair point, Issei." Sona says from the couch across from Issei and Asia. "I also like the idea of the few adults working with the school for a bit. It'll be nice to have a group that isn't devil, or angel working with us for a change. Plus, I hear Garrus is a blacksmith of some kind."
"An Arcane Blacksmith and Teacher still has materials I can use to make Rias' group some weapons and armor." Garrus says with a big grin. "Plus, I get to mess around with other mats to improve my craft. I'd say it's a big win for everyone."
"Plus, the new school uniforms that can take a hit you offered to make will be a huge help." Issei says grinning. "Man! Think of how much that'll save even Akeno when she transforms her clothes."
"I'll have to see how she does that so I can make sure the enchantments don't mess up the changes." Garrus points out. "Still I'm looking forward to teaching the art class. I might even find a few with a gift for blacksmithing to take on for more advanced lessons after classes."
Sir Zechs chuckles. "I'm sure that'll be a lot of fun with the students, but I worry about weapons being made on school grounds."
"Don't you worry. That's where Amanda and Donadrond come in." Kiba says with a grin and wave to the adventures. "They'll teach us more than self-defense and outdoor survival."
"Besides, I won't be starting them out on weapons. Simple metal bracers will be hard enough to master." Garrus points out. "I did some thinking and had a nice chat with Sona and Tsubaki here before I made up my mind."
"It was no trouble at all." Sona says giving the dwarf a smile. "I'm just glad you wanted to start everyone on something small."
"Speaking of small things. Where are we going to be putting Artoria, Chris, Shirabe, Fran, and Chaika?" Issei asks. "I mean they are sixteen, eighteen, fifteen, twelve, and fourteen years old. So, are we going to keep some of them together in some classes?"
"Yes, we are, and Chaika is going to be in the same class as Shirabe. Which is going to be the same class as you and Asia." Sir Zechs says with a chuckle. "Teacher, you'll be with Fran in the same class as Koneko to help her out."
"If she can stay awake." Teacher says with a sigh. "Fran kind of has a limit of her intake of information."
"I hope she doesn't get in trouble for it." Asia says looking toward the door that leads to where the girls are getting measured. "Do you think they'll be okay with this?"
"It was Artoria's idea to be honest about where they all came from." Rias says looking none too happy about it. "So they'll just have to deal with this part."
Donadrond chuckles softly. "I'm sure they'll do just fine. We're the ones that'll have it the toughest since we're going to be learning on the job."
"Nothing new there." Amanda says with a giggle as the girls walk in wearing the school uniforms. "Oh my! You all look so cute!"
Chris keeps close to Artoria and Shirabe while trying to not bounce her breasts with her steps. "Can't I have something to cover up a little more? This shirt feels a little thin."
"Tell me about it." Artoria grumbles finding the uniform to be as bad as it looked to her. Not only did her breasts bounce easily, but the skirt felt way shorter than was needed. Even with it fitted for her tail. "We're going to have to wear sport tops under this to stay warm." She glares at Zechs as he chuckles. "A poncho would be nice to have for when it rains too."
"I'll see about having some made as that sounds like a great idea." Tsubaki says walking in with Akeno. "I've been thinking we could use something more for a winter uniform. I get a little cold as well with just this uniform design."
"But it's so cute." Akeno says with a sweet smile but steps back as Artoria and Chris glare at her. "Of course, everyone has their own take on it." She laughs nervously feeling very much in danger from the silver haired girl and red-haired wolf. "What do you think Issei?"
"I'm going to be smart for once and stay out of it." Issei says flatly getting a shocked double take from Kiba and Koneko. "However, I think a poncho like cape is a sweet idea as an option. But that's far as I'm going so, I don't die."
"The horn dog makes a good point and is being smart about it? Hell must have frozen over." Koneko says as she munches on her snack bar.
"You just love taking cheap shots at him, huh?" Fran asks as Teacher floats over and looks her over. "I kept the stocking, boots, and gloves from the armor. I think it looks good."
"Should give you some protection till I have the new uniforms made for all of you." Garrus says with a grin. "So, I guess first thing tomorrow is they big day?"
"And telling the school about you all." Sona sighs. "I'm not looking forward to it."
"Yeah, sorry about that but it is still better than coming up with some lie that'll get blown away later." Artoria says rubbing her left arm. "It's better now before someone tries to single us out and use the shock to turn the school on us later."
The devils all blink as they think over what Artoria said and sigh. It was something they really didn't think about since most groups go out of their way to keep humans out of the fight. They have been lucky on keeping most of the normal people out of the loop so far, but that could change now or even later.
"I never thought about the students being turned on us as something to happen." Sir Zechs says giving it some deep thought. "I'll have to talk with father about this."
"For now, we better just get ready for the new students and teachers." Rias says with a smile. "I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun."
"Fun for who?" Is the thought Artoria's group has at Rias' smile.
..==..
"I'm going to get you for this, Rias!" Artoria thinks in her minds standing on stage with the others in the gym the next morning. This wasn't how she expected them to tell the school the truth about her group. More that she wasn't expecting to be the one to do the explaining, but here she was doing it. "I'll get even during training later."
"That is all I have to tell you. We're looking forward to making friends while here." Artoria says giving a small bow before turning and watching off stage. Her glare at Rias could freeze water if she added magic. "Next time a heads up for something like this would be nice. I had to wing it the whole way."
Rias and Sona blinked. "That was winging it? I honestly thought you came ready for this." Rias says as the teens all get going while Garrus, Amanda, and Donadrond take the stage to explain their roles. "I guess I should have told you. I'm sorry for messing with you like that."
"I'll get even during our training later. You can count on it." Artoria stated flatly. "For now, we've got the rest of the day and I'd like to at least rest for a bit." She leans on Chris a little as the girl walks up and hugs her. Artoria returns the hug. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Chris chuckles as the rest of the teen's group up and walks with the misplaced teens out of the gym. This gives the group some much needed privacy. "You had to even let Dual Fang take a turn to help it sink in and I think it worked. Most didn't seem scared of us."
"All I did was use what I remembered from high school history class about home." Artoria mutters as Chris hugs her arm. "Anyway, we've got most of the day off now so the other students can process this. I'd like to look around the school more to get a lay of the land."
"Sounds good and I'd like to see how Garrus' workshop is coming along." Sona says with a grin as she lifts her glass a little. "I heard something about a training hall as well?"
Artoria sighs. "Still in the works since I have to craft most of the spells and place them too. That means even the safeties as well, or someone will get more than just hurt." She hated the fact she was making them all wait. It's just Artoria didn't want to make any mistakes that'll kill someone later. "I'm building a magic holo deck after all. This is going to take a lot of time."
"Is there any way we can help you to speed things up?" Kiba asks as they go toward the Occult Club house. "Unless mixing magic is a bad thing?"
"I don't know how your magic will react with mine since you throw up rune circles most of the time." Artoria points out as they near the old school building's front door. "It's something that needs to be tested somewhere else since it could be very explosive. Like taking out a build explosive."
"Got it. No mixing spells without a long reach." Kiba says making Artoria sigh. "It could be useful in battle at least."
"Test mix spells later when safe." Chaika says glaring at Kiba. "Magic very dangerous if not used right. Mixing different magic from other worlds more dangerous." She flexes her fingers as small sparks of magic arc between her fingers. "Can do magic without Gundo thanks to Artoria. Shocked to learn of magic circuit being real and Chaika has some."
"It's not like you can walk around with your guns, Chaika. I'm more shocked you got it overnight." Shirabe says hugging Artoria's tail as they walk into the building. The others, outside of Chris, wonder why Artoria didn't mind. "This kind of feels like the first few days of you being around us again."
"Yeah, but it's not, Shirabe." Artoria says with her tail wrapping gently around the smaller girl. "You're still uneasy without Kirika around?"
"Yeah." The young raven-haired teen sighs. "I wonder what she's getting into without me there."
"Might be best not to worry about it. Shepard seemed like someone she was taking a liking to." Chris says with a grin. "I hope he's ready to be a big brother to her."
"He'll need all the help he can get with her around, and I feel sorry for anyone that tries to attack him. Kirika was getting bad enough looking up to Duo." Artoria chuckles as they turn right to where Garrus' forge is being built. "I'm sure she's doing fine and kicking ass like the little reaper she is."
..==..
Meanwhile with Kirika, Shepard, Duo, and Wrex
"GET OUT OF OUR WAY!" Kirika shouts as she cuts through a mob of Husks as Shepard guns more of them down. Duo is stomping on more Husks in Deathscythe as they move toward the Reaper blocking their way to the Maw Hammers to summon the mother of all thresher maw. Only for the grid to fail on the holodeck again.
Kirika slams into the wall leaving a dent before falling to the floor. "Deeeesssss." She groans as Shepard sighs walking over to make sure she's okay. "We were so close that time too."
"We'll get there, kid. I have to say I didn't think you would be this helpful in a fight." Shepard chuckles helping the young blonde teen to her feet and looks at the wall. "You can even take a hit better than most mechs too."
"Yeah, I'm going to make sure we show those Reapers that we're the real reapers." Kirika says with a playful smile as she shoulders her scythe. "Still think I'm weak Wrex?"
"Nope." Wrex says looking at the dent in the wall. "Maybe we can drop her from orbit?"
"No." Kirika, and Shepard at the same time in a flat tone of voice.
..==..
Back with Artoria and Rias' group
"It sounds like we might be missing out on a hell of a battle." Issei says with a grin. "Think we might be able to help them, Rias?"
"I'm not sure we can since we haven't got a clue what we'll be fighting." Rias points out as the group looks in on the forge being built. "Wow! That is one big mana forge." She says as the workers put the forge into the outside wall. "We better keep out of their way."
"At least it's the back of the building so no-one can see it." Chris points out. "I'm not sure how most of the parents would react to seeing a forge. Then again they might see it during open house, if you have that."
"We do." Rias sighs. "Just don't let my brother know about it."
..==..
Over the next week things moved on like normal for the DxD group, but with a few new things did make life more interesting. One being the survival classes run by Amanda and Donadrond becoming a favorite for most students. Garrus' art class is another with a few showing great skill in blacksmithing. Two of the female students in Issei and Asia's class even show signs of having magic for Arcane Blacksmithing.
Artoria's training hall kind of worked but needed some major reworking on the illusion spells. For whatever reason the female humanoid illusions would show up naked randomly. She blamed it on the way Issei would picture most of the girls. He did make an effort to not do the same to Artoria's group of girls, most of the time. Might have something to do with Chris nearly crushing his balls with a kick, and that was the last time he went into a locker in the girl's locker room too.
"I still can't believe you caved in the locker with one kick, Chris." Artoria says with a giggle as she walks with Chris, Chaika, Fran, and Shirabe from the school. The Occult club was meeting at Issei's house with the old school building getting its spring clearing. "You've gotten a lot stronger as of late."
"I think we all have in some way or another." Chris admits as Chaika bounces a ball of light in her hands. "Even Fran is staying awake in class from what I've heard."
"And a good thing too. I don't think the teacher can dodge Fran's attacks anymore." Teacher says with a sigh. It's gotten to be well known over the week that trying to attack or forcefully wake Fran up leads to her attacking. "I blame Issei's two pervert friends the most for this problem. Issei treats Fran like a little sister whenever he's around. Speaking of the kid, are we going to the club meeting?"
"No, it's our turn to go shopping and make dinner. Amanda is going to be out for a staff meeting with Garrus too." Artoria says as Shirabe texts Rias about the night's plan. "I can't shake this feeling of trouble around the corner. Donadrond is on guard duty tonight as well since he also has the same felling."
"Why would he need to stand guard?" Sona asks as she and Tsubaki walk with the group off school grounds. They joined up having become friends over the week. Sona found it nice to just talk with the group. "Has there been trouble at the house?"
"Small apartment you mean?" Chris asks with a smirk. "No, but I'm with Artoria here about something feeling a little off. Might just be that was got use to something happening daily back home is all."
"It got that bad?" Tsubaki asks a little shocked. "I would have never guessed."
Shirabe and Fran giggle as Artoria and Chris sigh loudly. "We couldn't get a day off to relax." The wolf and gunner said at the same time.
"It was pretty rough on them for days off together." Shirabe says with a sigh of her own. "For now, we've got the time, and it seems be to calm for the most part. Outside the stray devils you have pop up every now and then." They round the corner with the four-story house Sir Zechs got for them to stay in coming into view.
"Tell me about it. It sometimes feels like they're showing up more often too." Sona sighs walking with them for a bit longer. "I'd join you all for dinner, but I've got to check on a few reports of stray devils tonight."
"I hope those reports are all just nothing to worry about." Chris says stretching her arms above her head. Something she doesn't dare do at school with her uniform. "Well, we need to think of what we want tonight."
"I vote curry!" Fran says raising her hand with a big grin.
"Denied." Is the deadpanned response from everyone making Fran pout. So, they make chicken stir fry with plans for burritos the next evening. The plan was to get Fran to try other foods before she made herself sick from curry. It wasn't too much trouble since she's easy to sway with good food.
Sona did call them later about a stray devil nearing their house, and Rias' group was busy with another one. Donadrond went to backup Team Rias as Team Artoria went after the nearby stray. What they didn't expect to find was two stray devils fighting each other in an open parking lot. One is a hell hound type and the other a kind of griffon type. It didn't stop the Symphogear wielders from getting ready to go all out as Tsubaki joined them with Sona.
"We just finished with our stray and wanted to help you out." Sona says before the girls pull their pendants out. "What are you three doing?"
"Just watch." Chaika says having seen them transform before as part of training. Rias did not see it coming and Artoria enjoyed it. "It really awesome!"
"Dueling Fang Howling War."
"Rei shen shou jing rei tron."(1)
"Killter ichaival tron."
Sona's jaw drops as Artoria, Chris, and Shirabe walk forward singing as they armors appear. Each gets ready to fight with Chris going with her twin revolvers and a set of short-range rockets on her shoulders. Something new she wanted to try since shotguns work so well as well. She just likes the idea of blasting something to bits more as of late.
Shirabe slowly skates on her buzz saw blades as she tests the weight on her new chainsaw swords. She has them coming from her gauntlets for better control and to keep her hands free for combo weapons later. The raven-haired girl grins the two blades together for a moment to make a little show of the new weapons.
Artoria swings her twin long swords before they break into bladed whips before snapping back together. She rolls her shoulders as the two stray devils take notice of them and get ready to attack. They take a few steps back as five bladed whips gently wave in the air from her tail armor.
"Sweet fucking hell." Tsubaki mutters seeing the Symphogear in action for the first time. "I want one for myself."
"I second that and look at that aura coming off that armor too. I think they could stop a lance of light." Sona says now understanding why Rias respects these girls. "Are they singing still?"
Take This! "All loaded"
Chris opens things up by firing her rockets at the griffon type to take its wings out as Artoria rushes forward. Shirabe is right behind her with her chair saw swords roaring as she fires a bunch of buzz saws at the hell hound Alpha Style: Okonomiyaki. A dozen daggers fly from Artoria's tail whips to force the hound away from the griffon Hunting Fangs. It's an overkill move as the storm of blades rip the poor stray devil to pieces.
The rockets alone were enough to bring the griffon down and kill it with an explosion. Sona was in awe before they hear howls as more hell hounds appear and attack the three wielders of songs.
Shirabe spins around as her skirt turns into a saw blade Delta Style: Charming Axel Killer and starts cutting through the hell hounds with her chain saws plus her bladed skirt. Chris fires into the mass of hounds with her twin double tri-barrel gatling guns Billion Maiden as she carries the song for a bit longer. It is her song of battle after all so it's only fair she gets to bring it to a close her way.
As the battle winds down one of the hell hounds makes a rush at Fran and Chaika. It's stopped dead in its tracks by Chaika freezing it in place and leaving the finishing strike to Fran with Dragon Fang. The humanoid hell hound alpha never knew what killed it as Chris finishes the song.
Song End
"Well, that was a nice warm up." Artoria says recalling her daggers and shaking the blood off her swords. "Sorry for leaving a big mess Sona, but at least we got the whole pack that was hiding."
"I'll say you did and what a hell of a battle it was. Even if it was a short battle, it wasn't without a lot of power." Sona says as a group of devils show up to clean the area. "I can see why Rias wants to talk you girls into staying as her evil pieces."
"Hard pass. I've got enough to deal with as is with my life right now." Artoria says waving the idea away. "What the hell am I going to do with that long a life? I'd be bored into being the next bad guy." She says spinning her swords before putting them away.
Tsubaki barely keeps up with how fast the blades change shape and size as they link to Artoria's gauntlets to become hidden blades, sliding into place without much noise. "What's the best way to get a Scared Gear like these?"
"You don't because these aren't Scared Gears." Chris says with a grin. "These are Symphogear and the only way to use one is if you can synchronize with it. If you don't have a high enough synchronize it'll rip you apart."
"So, it's best if you never try as we pick our wielders." Shuru Shagana says making Sona and Tsubaki jump in shock. "We've gotten to be very vocal about this for many reasons."
"Let's just say you're out of luck on making your own as well. The gears are tech based, not magic for the most part." Artoria points out. "Best to drop the idea before anything else happens with it. I said the same to Rias too."
Chaika lets out a yawn rubbing her eyes. "We go home now? Chaika need sleep after keeping barrier up."
"Yes, and please join me on the way to school if you can. I'd like to at least make it clear to the other students we're on friendly terms." Sona says with a small grin. "I want to learn a little more about you girls and what you can do. Just in case we have something really big happen."
"Better to be ready then not." Fran says. "We didn't even let Jet out to fight."
"For the best as I don't think he could have fought in this parking lot very well." Teacher points out as he floats in the air near Fran. "Still, that was a pretty big pack of hell hounds for just one stray devil."
Sona couldn't help but agree as they group leave the parking lot so the cleaning crew can remove bodies. She'll see what the report from the team says later if they send her one. Sometimes her sister gets the report instead if it's a big enough problem.
..==..
With Rias' group their fight went pretty quick even with Kiba being out of it for some reason. Donadrond blocked an acid attack and shrugged it off. Even a C-Rank adventure is nothing to write off as he heals quickly and readies his axe.
"Get your head in the game, Kiba! This is no time to be spacing out!" Donadrond yells as he swings his axe as the stray devil jumps at him. The swing cuts the bug looking devil in half before Koneko kicks it through the roof.
Issei whistles looking at the hole as Akeno hits the stray with lighting. "You've gotten really good with those double kicks, Koneko." He looks at Kiba shakes off the thought keeping him spaced out again. "Still, what's with you today, Kiba?"
"It's nothing. I'm having an off day is all." Kiba says as they walk out to see Rias turn the stray into ashes.
Donadrond shivers. "I hope that never happens to you kids. It's a fate worse than death really."
"Tell me about it." Issei says as Akeno lands next to them.
"That poor creature's heart is completely lost at this point. You can't really call it a person at this point." Akeno says looking at the burnt body. "Now you know what also an emergency subdue order is all about, Donadrond."
"It's not like some of the ones I've dealt with, but it's up there." Donadrond says and flinches hearing the slap Rias gives Kiba. "Ouch. That sounded painful."
..==..
The next morning Artoria and Chris walk to school with Sona and Tsubaki. They were talking about the sudden number of hell hounds that showed up last night. It wasn't normal for a stray to summon true hell hounds, and the griffon type stray showed signs of being forced into the change. Something was very wrong with the fact a devil could be forced into a form like that.
"That rain must have made it easy to wash the blood away. I just hope it didn't take anything else with it that could have given us some answers." Chris says as they near the school playing with her hair a little. "It seems strange that the pack was missed so easily as well. I wonder if someone was running a field test and hoped to catch more devils."
"I sure hope not." Sona says looking at her pocket notebook as they walk. "That could be a big problem if someone is playing around like that." She looks up and snaps the book shut making the small group stop.
Tsubaki looks to where Sona is and stiffens a little. Near the corner are two girls wearing long white robes with one of them shouldering a sword wrapped in thick white cloth. Artoria's ears flatten a little as one girl with blue hair glares at the group. The other girl looks to be just a cheerful type, but someone seems a little off about how happy she is. Might be a bit of an airhead and not really see the problem with what she does yet, and that worries Chris a little.
"The holy sword." Sona says softly before the group walks up to the girls. "What can I do for you two of the church?"
"I didn't know devils were walking so openly these days." The blue hairs girl says with a cold grin watched by her gold eyes. "How very interesting."
"First, I'm not a devil but a wolf. Also, you try to push for a fight you'll regret it faster than you can blink." Artoria warns as an aura of magic forms in her right hand. "I'm not eager for a fight but you seem to be."
"Xenovia, don't start a fight." The cheerful girl says, and they can see her orange/blonde hair. "Besides, she could be a werewolf for all we know."
"Just a wolf and nothing more." Artoria says waving the magic off her hand. "Sorry I'm a little testy. I've got a few worries on my mind is all."
"I can understand that. I'm Irina Shidou and this is Xenovia Quarta." Irina says with a real smile. "We'd love to hear about you, but we've got to see Rias Gremory. It's kind of important."
"I see." Chris says with Artoria giving a soft hum. "We're on the way to see the Occult club anyway and could password along?" She looks to Sona and Tsubaki getting the feeling there's more to it. "We'll leave this in your hands, Sona. I'm sure you'd like to keep us out of most things light and dark as it were."
Sona gives a soft smile as she looks at Chris. "Yes, but I'm not above calling any of you in if we need the help. The hell hounds you, Artoria, and Shirabe took out prove that you can deal with most problems. I was going to ask Rias about how Donadrond helped out as well." She looks to Irina and Xenovia. "What time did you want to meet with Rias?"
"Tomorrow after school would be best." Xenovia says walking up to Artoria and gives a thin smile. "Maybe I'll get to see how you fight if things go the way, I hope. If you're working with devils, it can't be good."
Artoria just laughs as both she and Chris walk toward the school. "You really don't understand a thing about us or this town. I'm looking forward to seeing if you got any skill with that fragment of a sword."
Xenovia and Irina feel a chill run down their backs that someone could tell they both have a holy sword. Moreover Artoria could tell they were made from fragments of another sword. The grin on Chris' face made it she knew something else as well.
"What is going on around here?" Xenovia asks Sona as Shirabe, Fran, Teacher on Fran's back, and Chaika run by. "W-was that another holy sword?!"
"You might want to make time to hear a few things out about them. I'm sure you'll want to give a full report to the church." Sona says with a grin. "I'm surprised they didn't send someone to learn about them already."
"Open house is going to be a really interesting one this year." Tsubaki says with a giggle.
..==..
Most of the day went about as normal at school with Irina and Xenovia sticking around for a bit. It was mainly to learn more about Artoria's little group, and it left both girls with a big headache. Garrus offered to look over their weapons as well with the spring cleaning down of the old school building. They turned it down as they wanted to get a report sent off about their group. It was mainly to keep any misunderstandings with the church from happening.
It's after school things got a little loud as the Occult club got their new school outfits. All of it cloth armor sets that looks like their normal school uniforms and made by Garrus and his two students with named stats. Katase and Murayama won't happy about their work going into helping Issei, but they couldn't leave him without armor either. The pink haired and brown hair girls found out the truth when they walked into the training hall by mistake and saw Rias with her devil wings out and dodging out of the way of Artoria and Fran's combo Fire/Ice attack. Needless to say, they have mixed feeling about Issei even now as he compliments their work.
"Damn! This way better than the normal school uniform!" Issei says bouncing a little on his feet to get a feel for the boost the armor is giving him. "It looks the same but it sure isn't the same. We get a defense boost, protective buff, and what else?"
Katase's red eyes shin as she enjoys the fact everyone is enjoying their hard work. "An elemental resistance to all elements of thirty-five percent, and a plus to your speed that's different for each of you. So, we'll need to use Teacher's Identify, and Master Garrus' God Eye to see what you each get." She chuckles. "You're still a perv but you're also a really nice guy. Strange how that works out so well."
"So, I keep getting told by everyone." Issei says with a grin as Koneko nearly crashed into a wall. "Looks like someone got a double on their speed there. Are you okay?"
Koneko shakes her head to clear it before speaking up. "I'm fine. I think I might have just turned an extra skill on or something."
"Each set does have a skill that is turned off, so the rest of the school doesn't find out." Murayama says rolling her right shoulder to get ready to work on some metal. "It'll kick on if you think about it which is why I made those handbooks. That'll help you with some of the setting and in Akeno's case, the form changes as well."
Artoria reads the handbook for her uniform and smirks as it changes into black leather armor with silver scale mail. "Very nice job, ladies. I shouldn't have to use Duel Fang unless really need now. How are my swords coming along, Garrus?"
"I'll have them done in a few hours. Murayama just needs to finish the daggers for Chaika as well." Garrus says helping Rias with her armor a little. In its changed form it's a red heavy cloth with white combat dress with black robes. "There. I have to say the tighter fit you wanted with the split dress had me worried, but the robes will take most of the hits to keep you safe. Asia has the full mages robes to protect her as well."
"Thank you so very much, Garrus." Rias says doing a spin in her new armor before it turns back into her uniform. "I have to say this isn't what I expected when you went with Artoria and Shirabe's idea for quick change armors."
Koneko looks over her more ninja like armor outfit but likes it. "It feels really good."
"It does and I though this chest plate was going to be heavy." Asia says as her armor is based on her old nun outfit with chainmail coming from her shoulder to her elbows, and a skirt of chainmail that stops above her knees. "It's much nicer than I thought it'd look too."
"I'll say and damn we all look good!" Issei says as his uniform changes into red and green leather armor that follows a dragon theme. He brings out his Scared Gear to see how well it goes with the dragon scale look. "Ddraig! How do you like the new armor?"
"It's damn good looking and prefect for us!" Ddraig says with a laugh. "Garrus, you truly are a master of the craft. You have my thanks for this new armor and the protection it gives."
Akeno opens the door with Sona and Tsubaki right behind her. "I see everyone is here except for Kiba. I heard he took the whole day off?"
"He did and he's totally missing out on the good stuff." Koneko says as her armor shifts back to her school uniform. "You better test yours out as well for a final fitting."
Sona looks around as Chaika and Fran test their uniform change into to as well. "How is that even fair anymore?" She teases. "In any case we need to talk Rias. I need you to come to my house as this is something as few people as possible need to hear."
Artoria growls as Chris helps Shirabe with her armor that's pink and black ninja theme that works well with her skating around and throwing darts. Chris' own armor looked more like a thief's armors that's red and silver with a crossbow for her to use. Chaika looked the most interesting as she looked to be closer to a noble woman with a cloak, and her two new hand cannons.
"I can guess but I'm keeping out of it for now." The red wolf girl says as her armor shifts back to her school uniform. "I think we'll just wait for my swords before we head home."
"Really? You're getting swords when you can use Duel Fang?" Sona asks in a flat tone of voice.
"I can't use all my aces at the start of a fight now, can I?" Artoria asks with a grin. "Besides, we gave a pretty low level show last night dealing with those strays. I'd like to keep something close to the chest for later."
"Fair enough. I keep forgetting just how much experience most of you have with combat." Sona says as Rias walks to her. "All set already?"
"Yup. I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting talk." Rias says as Akeno takes her new uniform from Garrus and joins Rias. "We'll have to talk weapons later, Garrus. Try not to have too much fun while we're gone."
"I should be saying that to you." Garrus says with a laugh before turning around. "Alright! We've got weapons to finish ladies! Time to show me those skills you've been working on!" He says with a loud clap of his hands and booming voice.
"Yes sir!" Katase and Murayama shout at the same time before they get to work on the swords, and daggers. Issei couldn't even be a pervert as he watches them work and finds the work to be more fun to watch than bouncing tits. Well he was still getting a good show even with the aprons on the girls. What? It's very hot work and they haven't got the right clothes in yet for it.
It wasn't long before Chaika's daggers were done, and she went with Issei and Asia to their home. Artoria was going to stick around till her swords were finished and check over Chaika's Gundo. The sniper rifle like weapon was proving to be a pain in refitting it for another ammo type. It's Chaika's most powerful weapon that needs to be working without any troubles.
..==..
Issei's House
To say Issei was floored by how Irina grew up would be an understatement. He thought she was a boy for all these years, and his mom was also in the know about Artoria's group. It was alsa why Midnight was allowed inside and on the couch. Not that anyone minded since she helped around the house with surprising ease for her size, or changed her size to fit in the house better. Artoria didn't tell anyone that Midnight could do that.
"So, this Midnight is another displaced like you Chaika?" Xenovia asks petting the Nargacuga with a soft smile on her face. "I can't say it's all bad if she's this nice."
"Artoria said she pack leader too, and whole pack is mix of other monsters." Chaika says with a thoughtful look. "Chaika wonders if her pack is worried like everyone else is."
"I'm sure God will help you with this trying time." Irina says before Chaika sighs. "Oh, right. God can only help those that are in this world. Still I'm going to pray that you can get help here at the least."
"That's covered already by the school and a few other things Rias' family helped with." Asia says with a nervous smile. Xenovia wasn't even giving her a hard time, but there was still an edge to her. "I am glad you're having a good time at least."
Xenovia sighs with a soft smile still on her face. "I guess I'm a little jealous you get to be around this amazing creature is all." Midnight rolled in Xenovia's lap like a house cat. "Plus, you all seem to have something different about you now."
Chaika shifted her uniform into a white heavy cloth armor that looked like a dress, with black fingerless gloves, black knee-high boots, and her trademark silver butterfly hair clips. A silver mask covers her nose and mouth to help protect her face. The final piece to her armor is a royal midnight blue cloak that wraps around her. "This would be it, yes?"
"H-how?" Irina asks in shock.
"Garrus made us new uniforms as a way of thanking us for helping their group out." Issei says with a chuckle. "I'd show mine off, but I think mom can't really take much more." He points to his mother as she looks ready to pass out from Chaika's little stunt.
..==..
Somewhere near the town something large falls to the ground from the sky above. Something stood up and started to walk toward the town, not even feeling the heat from the burning rock as green machine-like eyes glow with sick enjoyment.
..==..
Author's notes
Now that Shirabe has full sync with her gear she doesn't need linker, and the last part of the activation changed to show this. Kirika, and Maria will get this later once their gears awaken like Shirabe and Chris' has.