I don't own Kamen Rider W or Symphogear G those belong to the creators. I'm doing this story for fun, not profit.
Case 8: A Miracle is a Cruel Thing
As W and his friends continue to watch in shock, the Nephilim continues to chew on Hibiki's arm before it swallows as Hibiki falls on her knees and Dr. Ver had a crazed grin on his face before he shouted.
"Amazing! It ate the very Symphogear itself! And now…" Dr. Ver said.
"Hibiki…" W mutters in worry as Hibiki still had her hand on her bite off arm.
The Black Symphogear users and Nastassja were watching the battle in the tiltrotor.
"That sicko!" Kirika exclaimed as she slammed her fist on the wall. "How far off the deep end has he gone?!"
"When he said to feed fragments of relics to the Nephilim...He meant this?" Shirabe asked Nastassja.
Maria took a few steps forward as this made her remember that time Dr. Ver almost killed those boys who've unintentionally found their temporary hideout, before she shook her head as she turned around and was about to leave.
"Where do you think you're going?" Nastassja asked which forced Maria to stop in her tracks.
"My orders are for the three of you to remain here on standby." Nastassja reminds Maria and the others.
"He's just toying with the lives of others!" Maria said as she turned to her. "Is this really what we should be doing?"
Nastassja didn't answer as she turned away from her.
"We're...doing the right thing, aren't we?" Kirika asked and Nastassja turned to her before Shirabe got her attention next.
"If we are, then why do I feel uneasy?" Shirabe asked.
"Let today be the last day you spend shackled by your compassion. We have no need for smiles or laughter." Nastassja coldy tells them, and Maria clicks her tongue as she leaves the room.
The moment when the door closed behind her, Maria was leaning her back on it before she slowly sat on the floor and brought out her sister's broken pendant as she looked at it.
"Everything is falling apart...If I continue down this path, one day I, too, will break." Maria said in regret as she brought the broken pendant close to her face. "Serena…What should I do?"
(Bloody Stream by Coda)
(Instrumental)
(Mitsuki and Philip are seen walking together, Mitsuki putting on his hat and Philip closing his book, and they pointed at the screen before the title appears in front of them.)
(Shijima no soko kara…)
(Mitsuki is in his office going through his case files, before Kanade handed him a cup of coffee that he happily accepted.)
(Mezameru sono hashiratachi toki wo koe…)
(Philip was having his usual interesting research moment as he was writing on his whiteboards, before he accidentally wrote on Chris's face as she was walking towards him, Philip flinched before Chris slaps on his face. Then images of their friends and allies appeared one at a time.)
(Shinku no chishio ga…)
(Ryu is seen looking at his Accel Memory before he walks forward.)
(Tachiagaru yuuki wo hikiawaseru!)
(W, Accel, Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris are seen surrounded by Noise before they turn to each other and nodded before they charge at the Noise battling against them.)
(Uketsugu ai wo sadame to yobu nara!)
(The mysterious Shroud is seen walking in a dark alley before she turns to the screen showing her white bandage covered face with black sunglasses.)
(Hohoemu me de tsugi no te wo…)
(The Nephilim is in its cage with Ver looking at with an evil grin before the Nephilim roars. Then images of the Kamen Riders and Symphogear users' enemies appear one at a time, before finally showing Ryubee looking above the Gaia Well.)
(Yami wo azamuite setsuna wo kawashite! Yaiba surinuke yatusra no suki wo tsuke!)
(Shirabe wearing her black Symphogear armor fires from her head compartments, then to Kirika swinging her scythe around and finally to Maria wielding her lance as she uses her HORIZON†SPEAR attack.)
(Tsuranuita omoi ga mirai wo hiraku!)
(The three black Symphogear users are standing atop a stone pillar looking down upon W, Accel, Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris as they get ready for battle. Then an image of a younger Maria reaching out to her sister Serena appears, and then shows the present day Maria looking at Airgetlám in sadness before a teardrop falls from her eye and onto the pendent.)
(Like a Bloody Storm atsuku Like a Bloody Stone! Ketsumyaku ni kizamareta innen ni…)
(W in his Cyclone-Joker Form is seen doing some kicks and punches as he was spinning around, and changes into his Heat-Metal swinging his Metal Shaft around, and soon changes to his Luna-Trigger firing with his Trigger Magnum, and changes to his Fang-Joker attacking with his Arm Saber, and the final spin shows W in a new and unknown form.)
(Ukiagaru kienai hokori no kizuna nigirishimete!)
(Now both Kamen Riders and Symphogear users alike are seen standing side by side as the Nephilim in its final form looking down at them, as the floating city the Frontier raises to the moon.)
As W and his friends struggle to break free from the Noises' webbing, the Nasca and Smilodon Dopants walk to Ver's side as they watch over the Nephilim.
"So, this is what your little pet is capable of?" The Nasca Dopant asked the mad doctor.
"Indeed! But I never would have imagined that it was capable of eating both Symphogear and user alike! It's truly remarkable!" Dr. Ver shouted in glee.
The Nasca Dopant watches the wounded Hibiki.
"I can't say I approve of your methods, but I'm only here as a representative so I don't have any say in this matter." The Nasca Dopant said as the Smilodon Dopant nodded in agreement.
"Hibiki…" W-Mitsuki mutters to see his childhood friend in the state she is in before he looks at the Nephilim. "Dammit...Just what the hell is that thing? Because it definitely can't be a Noise after seeing that."
"Wait, hang on…" W-Philip said as he looked at the Nephilim.
'Nephilim...said to be beings that are offspring of 'sons of God' and 'daughters of Men' in the Hebrew Bible...a being that was able to overpower and feed off of both Symphogear and user. And most interpretations and translations describe the Nephilim as Giants' W-Philip thought as he figured it out.
"Now I see! The Nephilim...it must be a complete relic!" W-Philip said, which surprised W-Mitsuki and Tsubasa.
"Nani?" Tsubasa gasped.
"What? Philip are you sure?" W-Mitsuki asked and W-Philip nodded.
"Yeah, that's the only logical conclusion I can come up with. And based on what we've just seen, the Nephilim must be a living breathing relic that must feed off of other relics and that includes Symphogears." W-Philip concluded.
"So that's why they wanted our pendants." Tsubasa said in realization.
"Exactly!" Dr. Ver shouted in glee getting their attention as the mad doctor was giving them a crazed look. "You see the Nephilim has a habit of going out of control if it doesn't have its food, so we made sure to feed it a hefty amount of relics. But since you've found our old base we lost our supply of relics to keep it fed."
"So that's why you wanted Hibiki-chan and the others here, so they can become that thing's next meal." W-Philip said.
"Indeed. I'm impressed you were able to figure it out, W. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised by you, after all your right side has access to the Earth's unlimited data." Dr. Ver said.
"So he knows about that too?" Tsubasa asked.
"But don't think that's all the Nephilim can do! We're about to see something even more spectacular!" Dr. Ver told them.
Then everyone saw the orange markings around the Nephilim had turned red. Then what's even more surprising they begin to see the Nephilim is beginning to change forms.
"What the hell…?" W-Mitsuki mutters in shock.
"This must be a side effect of it devouring a part of Hibiki-chan's Symphogear." W-Philip theroized.
"Exactly! By voraciously devouring other relics, absorbing them to further increase its own output! Let us begin! Can you hear the beat of awakening?! This is the power that will lift the Frontier into the skies!" Dr. Ver said before he began to laugh maniacally.
The Nephilim now has a darker skin tone as it was now standing on all fours.
But then Dr. Ver stops his laughter as he and the others heard Hibiki growling as they saw the scar on her chest begin to light up and then a dark shadow begins to surround her body as her eyes turn red.
Both W and Tsubasa were shocked to see Hibiki in that black form.
"No way…" Tsubasa mutters.
"It's that black form again. But how…?" W mutters.
Even Dr. Ver had become fearful by the sight of Hibiki's transformation as she slowly began to stand back, before she glared at the Nephilim filled with nothing but rage and the intent to kill it.
From where he was standing Ryubee hummed as he raised an eyebrow as he was curious by Hibiki's transformation.
"Now this is a turn of events. I wonder how this will turn out?" He said in a curious tone in his voice.
Inside the tiltrotor, Nastassja, Shirabe, and Kirika had seen Hibiki's transformation as well as they were stunned by this.
"This phenomenon...It matches the description in Finé's observational records." Nastassja said. "Tachibana Hibiki…"
The members of Section Two had seen this as well as Genjuro stood up as he was stunned by this.
"She went berserk?" Genjuro said.
"Hibiki…" Kanade mutters in worry for her successor.
Hibiki soon roared as she channels dark energy to her severed arm to form a new forearm as she points a fist at the Nephilim with it.
"Her arm..." W-Mitsuki said.
"She must channel and focus her Gear's energy into the shape of an arm to create a new one." W-Philip theorized.
"Yeah...It's as though she was manifesting an Armed Gear!" Tsubasa said.
Hibiki growls as he falls on all four.
"N-No way!" Dr. Ver said.
Then the berserk Hibiki pounces at the Nephilim and lands two powerful punches, one on its chest and on the head.
"S-Stop! Stop it!" Dr. Ver shouted as Hibiki still savagely beat on the Nephilim, causing Ver to panic as this wasn't supposed to happen. "We need the fully-grown Nephilim in order to realize our new world! And you…You..."
The Nephilim counter attacks as it smacks Hibiki with its arm sending her flying, before she manage to land on her hands and feet as she skids backwards and the moment she stopped she pounces at the Nephilim headbutting it on the stomach, which knocks the air out of the living relic as the berserk Hibiki lands a kick on its head.
"No!" Dr. Ver shouted in despair and in his desperation he used Solomin's Cane to summon several Noise and they merged together which created a giant single Noise with teeth as it roared at Hibiki.
Hibiki runs at the giant Noise like a four-legged wild animal as she jumps into its body through the mouth, and then Hibiki begins to attack the giant-combined Noise from the inside destroying it with ease as it turns to ash, leaving a standing berserk Hibiki as she roars in triumph.
Dr. Ver was further stunned by his while the Nasca Dopant placed his hand on his chin.
"My, now this is something you don't see everyday." The Nasca Dopant said before he saw the Nephilim attempt to run away. "And it would appear your little pet is running away with its tail between its legs, good doctor."
Hibiki notices that as well as she turns the retreating Nephilim but she wasn't going to let it get away that easily.
Hibiki soon jumps into the air and kicks the Nephilim down to the ground as she lands on top of it, as the Nephilim cries out in pain, Hibiki stabs her hand into the Nephilim's body and to Dr. Ver's horror, the berserk Hibiki pulls out what appears to be the Nephilim's heart/core as she manages to tear it out of it as it is still beating slowly.
Dr. Ver backs away to see this as he screams in despair at what just happened.
The Nephilim's body went limp after its heart was ripped out of it and Hibiki tossed the heart to the ground and jumps into the air, and Hibiki's right arm change and took the form of a spear and stabs the spear into its body and it soon gives up a red light before it exploded and the explosion had destroyed the Noise that had entrapped W, Tsubasa, and Chris freeing them from its web-like substance.
From where she was sitting, Maria felt the tremor of the explosion as she raised her head before she covered her ears to keep the noise out.
As Nastassja was watching what happened with Shirabe and Kirika, she soon had a theory on how Hibiki went into her berserk state.
"Perhaps her near-death experience caused the relic in her chest to go out of control. No matter." Nastassja said before she started to cough in her hand.
"Mom." Shirabe said as she and Kirika were worried to see her cough.
Nastassja managed to stop coughing but to her horror she saw blood in her hand.
"No...not now…" Nastassja mutters before she starts to cough once again.
As Maria was still seated in the other room, the transmission screen turned up as Kirika's voice was heard in it.
"Maria! Hey, Maria! Can you hear us?" Kirika calls out, and Maria flinches but doesn't bother to respond.
"Mom isn't doing well..." Shirabe told her.
"Mom!" Maria said as she raised her head.
After being free from the web-like substance, Chris begins to wake up as W-Philip notices.
"Chris-chan! Are you alright?" W-Philip asked.
"Y-Yeah...but what happened?" Chris asked and W and Tsubasa turned to the berserk Hibiki and Chris turned to her as well and she was a little surprised to see her in that black form.
Dr. Ver had fallen on his rear before he managed to stand back up and run away as the Nasca and Smilodon Dopants noticed his actions.
"Running away. As expected from a coward like him. Don't you agree, Mick?" Nasca asked and the Smilodon Dopant nodded in agreement.
But Hibiki noticed that as well and was going to chase after the cowardly mad scientist, but Tsubasa and Chris stopped her as they grabbed onto her arms to restrain her as the berserk Hibiki struggles to break free.
"Tachibana, stop! That's enough!" Tsubasa told her.
"Black doesn't suit you!" Chris told her.
"Just hold her there you two." W-Mitsuki said as he ran in front of Hibiki.
As W stood in front of the berserk Hibiki as she was hissing and growling at him. Then W removes his Gaia Memories to change back into Mitsuki, and seeing his face causes Hibiki to flinch before he grabs onto her shoulders.
"Hibiki...Look at me, it's me, Mitsuki. Your friend." Mitsuki told her as he hugged her. "It's alright, you can stop now. So please, go back to the same bubbling airhead that I know and love."
"Mit...su...ki…" Hibiki mutters.
"That's right, and remember Miku too. Remember her and me, so please just calm down and rest." Mitsuki told her as he rubs Hibiki on the back of her head.
Hibiki's growls started to cease as she closed her as her body begins to emit a large amount of steam, and Mitsuki, Tsubasa, and Chris flinch to feel the intense heat coming off of her body but fought through the pain, until eventually Hibiki had returned to normal as she was now wearing her school uniform.
Chris and Tsubasa let go of Hibiki's arms as Mitsuki let her rest in his arms as he held her back for support as he used his hand to check her pulse.
"How is she, Mitsuki?" Tsubasa asked.
"Doesn't look like she'll wake up soon, but I think she'll be alright." Mitsuki said with some relief in his voice before he and Tsubasa looked at Hibiki's left arm. "But still her arm…"
"How is it still intact?" Tsubasa said in wondering before...
"My, that was certainly a touching display there." Said the Nasca Dopant getting their attention as they turned to both him and the Smilodon Dopant. "But still, I was impressed to see her beat that little pet of a monster of Dr. Ver's, I especially like the part where it made him run like the scared little child that he is."
"Why you...We're not here for your amusement!" Mitsuki told him and the Nasca Dopant looked at him.
"I suppose that's true. As much as I would like to have our rematch, our role is done here. You may have destroyed the Nephilim, but don't think that will be enough to make those girls and the good doctor give up, they'll be back. So until we meet again." The Nasca Dopant told them as he and the Smilodon Dopant were about to leave, before they stopped as they noticed incoming energy bolts heading towards them which they managed to dodge in time using their fast speed.
Both Museum Commanders saw that it was Chris armed with one of her crossbows as she aimed it at them as Tsubasa stood by her side armed with her sword.
"Stop right there!" Tsubasa said.
"Don't think you're getting away that easily! You may not know much, but you're still in league with that bastard and his pals! So you're going to answer some questions we have!" Chris told them and the Nasca Dopant sighs as he shook his head.
"And here I thought you'll let us go this time. But I guess I should've known that wasn't going to happen." The Nasca Dopant said as he and Smilodon assumed their combat stance as they were ready for battle.
The Nasca Dopant was about to attack first using his enhanced speed to charge at the two Symphogear users, and Tsubasa and Chris got ready, but then...
*POUND*
The Nasca Dopant felt an intense pain on his chest as he placed his hand on it and fell on one knee.
'W-What was that?' The Nasca Dopant thought in confusion on what that pain was.
Mitsuki, Chris, and Tsubasa blinked on what was wrong with the Nasca Dopant, but both Tsubasa and Chris were about to use this chance to attack both him and the Smilodon Dopant but...
"I think that's enough of that." Said a familiar voice to everyone in the air, as Mitsuki, Tsubasa, and Chris felt intense chill going down their spins as the air around them became cold and heavy.
Then they saw the Terror Field appearing around the area as they saw the Terror Dopant emerging out of it, next to the Nasca and Smilodon Dopants.
"That Dopant again…" Mitsuki said as he was slightly sweating being in the Terror Dopant's presence.
"Otou-san…" The Nasca Dopant mutters while the Smilodon purrs as he knelt down and bowed before his master.
"Hello you two, I was watching you two from on top the tower and I have to say you've done well." The Terror Dopant told them.
"Thank you…" The Nasca Dopant said as the pain in his chest had subsided as he stood back up.
The Terror Dopant turns to Mitsuki and his friends and they flinch being in his gaze.
"And I could say the same about you kids as well." He said before he sets his eyes on the sleeping Hibiki.
"Especially the Tachibana girl, so she still has that ability to change into that black form. Truly magnificent." The Terror Dopant said as they began to sweat as he spoke to them. "But I think that's enough of that. This will be where we take our leave now."
The Terror Dopant turns to the Nasca and Smilodon Dopants to leave with them but...
"I don't think so!"
The three gold type Dopants saw that it was Tsubasa as she stood in front of her friends as the Terror Dopant still showed his back to her.
"You're not getting away that easily!" Tsubasa said.
"Oh...And you think you can possibly stand against me?" The Terror Dopant asked in a mocking tone.
"Of course I am!" Tsubasa said as she pointed her sword at the leader of Museum.
Tsubasa then noticed that her hand was shaking.
'Dammit not again!' Tsubasa thought in frustration as the Terror Dopant's powers must be in effect and as she grabbed hold of her shaking hand. 'Snap out of it, Tsubasa! You're stronger than your fear and you know it! You're not going to let this Dopant beat you!'
Tsubasa glares at the Terror Dopant.
"If you're that afraid to fight me, then I strongly suggest that you put your sword down." The Terror Dopant told her.
"Damn you! You might be able to manipulate my fear, but you're a fool to think I would lose to it! I'll cut you down here and now!" Tsubasa shouted and the Terror Dopant chuckles in a mocking tone.
"Then by all means, try to do so." The Terror Dopant told her.
Tsubasa grits her teeth and hardens her resolves as she charges at the Terror Dopant, and he turned at her to face her and his eyes flashed in a purple color which caused Tsubasa's eyes widened as she gave off a cold sweat, and even from afar both Mitsuki and Chris felt an intense chill down in their spin as the air around them suddenly gotten heavier.
Tsubasa drops her sword as she stops in her tracks and falls on her knees while hugging herself as she was shaking like a leaf.
"Tsubasa? What's wrong?" Mitsuki asked as he and Chris saw this as Tsubasa face was twisted in fear.
"What's wrong young one?" Tsubasa flinches before she looks up and sees the Terror Dopant standing in front of him. "Didn't you say you were going to cut me down?"
The Terror Dopant reaches his hand to her.
"No!" Tsubasa crawled away from him in fear as she raised her arms in front of herself. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that! I'm so sorry, please don't hurt me! Just stay away from me!"
Seeing that even shocked Mitsuki and Chris to see Tsubasa like that, while the Terror Dopant sighed in disappointment.
"Such a disappointment. I was hoping you could pick up more of a fight than that. Well that's life for you." The Terror Dopant said before he turned to the Nasca and Smilodon Dopant. "We're leaving you two."
"Of course...Otou-san…" The Nasca Dopant said and the Smilodon Dopant nodded as the Terror Dopant brought out the Terror Field as they sank into and the Field soon disappeared.
Both Mitsuki and Chris sighed in relief that the Terror Dopant was gone.
"Thank goodness…" Mitsuki said in relief but still saw that Tsubasa was still shaking, and Mitsuki called out to Chris. "Hey, Chris, can you watch over Hibiki for me."
"Sure." Chris nodded as Mitsuki handed Hibiki to her as she carried the unconscious Hibiki in her arms.
"Tsubasa!" Mitsuki said as he ran to her and knelt to her side.
"Mitsuki!" Tsubasa shouted as she leaned and cried on his chest. "Please, don't let him get me!"
"Hey, it's alright." Mitsuki said in comfort as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "He's gone now. There's no reason to be afraid anymore."
"No, he's not gone! He's still here, I know it!" Tsubasa said as she looked around the area. "He's in the shadows watching us! Laughing at us! He's all around us...I just know it!"
"Tsubasa…" Mitsuki mutters before he hugs her in comfort as she cries and Mitsuki rubs his hand on her head. "It's alright, I'm here. You don't have to be afraid, I'll protect you. So just let it out, okay."
Tsubasa slowly begins to calm down as she begins to whimper.
Maria rushed into the room where Nastassja, Kirika, and Shirabe were in as she shouted.
"Mom!"
She saw that Nastassja was now unconscious as traces of blood were hanging on the bottom of her mouth and on her clothes.
"Mom!" Maria shouted in worry as she knelt to Nastassja's side and grabbed hold of her hand. "Hold on, Mom!"
Maria then turns to Shirabe and Kirika. "Hurry and bring the doctor here right away!"
Both Shirabe and Kirika narrow their eyes to hear that.
"You mean…" Shirabe mutters as she and Kirika are reluctant to bring Ver back here, before Maria stands up.
"I can do emergency first aid, but we need to have him see her! So please…" Maria told her friends, and both Kirika and Shirabe turned to each other before they nodded.
"You got it!" Kirika said as she and Shirabe left the room together to go look for Dr. Ver.
As Maria had watched them leave she was left in deep thought about this whole ordeal.
"Looks like I arrived at a good time." The Black Symphogear looks and sees the Terror Dopant appearing before them as he emerges from a small puddle of the Terror Field.
"Ryubee-san…" Maria said before the Terror Dopant removes his Gaia Memory from his Driver to change back into Ryubee.
Ryubee then walks to Maria and offers a bag of medical supplies in his hand.
"Here. Some of the best medical supplies money could buy. This will help as a substitute for Nastassja until those two bring back Ver." Ryubee told her.
While Maria was reluctant she took the medical supplies, and quickly used them and after a few minutes her breathing had returned to a normal pace as she was now breathing in an oxygen mask.
"Looks like the medicine had help." Ryubee said.
"Yeah…" Maria said before she turned to the leader of Museum and bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you...Ryubee-san."
"No need to thank me. I was only watching from the sidelines like you, and decided to by a visit. But tell me this, Maria-kun, did you learn something from this?" Ryubee asked and Maria nodded.
"I did. This is all because I was too weak to bear Finé's legacy. I need to strengthen my resolve, in order to free humanity from its curse." Maria answered and Ryubee smiles to hear that.
"Well, it's at least good to know that you've learned something from this." Ryubee said.
"Agreed…" Both Maria and Ryubee looked and saw that Nastassja had woken.
"Mom! How are you feeling?" Maria asked in concern for her.
"I'm fine...The pain has subsided for now." Nastassja told her before she turned to Ryubee. "I suppose I owe you my life again, Ryubee-san."
"There's no need for that. I'm always happy to help an old friend. But I must ask, what are you going to do now?" Ryubee asked. "I mean the Nephilim was the key to your plan in order to gain control of the Frontier. How exactly will you proceed now that it's destroyed?"
"Then…" Maria mutters as she tightly clenches her hand and shows Ryubee a strong resolve in her face and eyes. "Then we found another way. Somehow, someway, we will make our ideal world a reality."
"Maria…" Nastassja mutters as she is stunned by what she said.
Ryubee smiles to hear that.
"Now that's what I wanted to hear. But you may still need some additional help, after what just happened. Perhaps I should introduce you to an associate of mine." Ryubee told them.
"An associate? Who?" Nastassja asked.
"He's a scientist who specializes in Gaia Memories, he often would perform experiments on himself and other people." Ryubee explained which surprised them.
"And you expect us to work with someone like that?" Maria asked and Ryubee raised an eyebrow at her.
"Isn't any different from you working with Dr. Ver?" Ryubee asks and Maria grits her teeth before he turns away from the leader of Museum.
"I have one more question then. Does he use a Gaia Memory himself?" Nastassja asked.
"He does indeed. A rare and powerful one at that." Ryubee said which made the others a little curious. "Oh but don't get the wrong idea, he doesn't use a Gold Memory like me and my family. But he's still quite powerful in his own right."
"How powerful exactly?" Nastassja asked.
"Well...Give or take a few years, his strength will one day rival my own." Ryubee said with a smile which surprised Nastassja and Maria to hear that this scientist and Gaia Memory user was strong enough to impress the user of the Terror Memory.
"Fine then, bring him if you're able to do so." Nastassja requested, which surprised Maria as she turned to her.
"Mom…" Maria said and Ryubee did a gentleman's bow.
"It shall be done. I'm sure he'll be more than willing to help given the situation." Ryubee said as he inserts his Terror Memory into his Driver to transform into the Terror Dopant and soon leaves by using the Terror Field as he sinks into it.
Leaving Maria and Nastassja to wonder who or what kind of man he'll introduce them to.
(Meanwhile)
Mitsuki, Tsubasa, and Chris had returned to Section Two's base with the unconscious Hibiki with them.
The medical staff were seen bringing Hibiki to the medical room as she was lying on a gurney as Mitsuki, Philip, Chris, Kanade, and Genjuro watched them enter the room as they were worried about Hibiki.
"Hibiki-kun…" Genjuro mutters in worry for his disciple.
Then they heard someone punching on the wall, and saw that it was Mitsuki who lowered his head and was growling in frustration being unable to protect his childhood friend.
Kanade was about to walk to him, but Philip stopped her by grabbing onto her shoulder and when Kanade turned to the bookworm he shook his head saying that she shouldn't and that he needed time.
A little after they had arrived in the Section Two mobile base, Tsubasa was seen seated on a chair as she managed to calm down when the Terror Dopant's effect on her had somehow managed to wear off.
Tsubasa then felt a cold can pressed against her cheek, which surprised her as she saw it was Mitsuki holding two cans of soda in his hands.
"Hey...I figure you wanted something to drink." Mitsuki said as he handed her one of the sodas.
"Thanks…" Tsubasa said as she accepted it as she took it in her hands.
They then open their sodas and begin to drink from them before they took a moment to stop.
"Now that was good." Mitsuki said before he turned to Tsubasa as she lowered her head. "But how are you feeling exactly?"
Tsubasa flinches before her hands begin to shake.
"I...I want to say I've gotten over it...But I don't think it's possible at this point." Tsubasa mutters as she tightly grabs hold of her wrist, before she notices that Mitsuki placed his hand on her shoulder for support.
"Tsubasa, you know if you want to talk about it, I'm right here for you. There's no reason to hold it in." Mitsuki told her.
"Mitsuki…" Tsubasa mutters before she lowered her head.
"So...Do you want to explain what happened. What did that Dopant do to you?" Mitsuki asked.
"Honestly...I'm not sure myself…" Tsubasa said as she looked at her hand as it was still sweating. "The moment our eyes met, the air around me had gotten so cold it was like I was frozen in ice. Not only that I could hear his laughter echoing inside of my head, like he was everywhere, in the shadows watching me. I never felt something so horrible." She said as she tightly clenched her hand.
"Tsubasa…" Mitsuki said in sympathy for her.
Tsubasa then placed a hand on her face.
"Dammit...even though I told myself I'm stronger than my fear, that Dopant was still able to beat me with it. Reducing me to nothing more than a scared child...I'm so pathetic, even though I'm supposed to be a sword that protects everyone and yet I still lose to my own feelings." Tsubasa said before Mitsuki pulled her in and hugged her, which surprised as her cheeks turned red. "M-Mitsuki…"
"Hey, it's alright. You weren't the only who felt that way, I was left sweating too by that Dopant's presence. But it seems like I only got it easy, I'm sorry." Mitsuki told her.
"N-No...It's alright, don't worry about it. But can you please let go now?" Tsubasa requested, and Mitsuki blinks before he realized that she must have felt a little embarrassed about being hugged by him before he lets go, as Mitsuki rubs the back of his head and Tsubasa lowered her head as her face was still red and rubs her hand on her arm.
"S-Sorry about that. Probably shouldn't have treated you like you were a child." Mitsuki said.
"D-Don't worry, it's fine! In fact, I feel a little better now…" Tsubasa mutters.
"Really? I'm glad to hear that then." Mitsuki said.
Tsubasa then eyed Mitsuki, and now that she thinks about it, it was the first time she was in physical contact with a man her age, and for some strange reason it felt really nice to her and even with his suit, she could tell that his body was well built with tone muscles. And now that she thinks about it, she has begun to notice how handsome he was, even if he acts a bit of a goofball with his Hardboiled detective act but that's one of the things that makes him a little charming.
Tsubasa flinches thinking that way towards Mitsuki before she shook her head.
'W-What are you thinking Tsubasa? Mitsuki, is just a friend to you and that's it!' Tsubasa thought in denial as Mitsuki blinked as he looked at her.
"Tsubasa? Is something wrong?" Mitsuki asked, and Tsubasa flinched before she turned at him.
"No! I'm perfectly fine!" Tsubasa shouted at him as Mitsuki backed away and raised his hands in front of him.
"Okay, sorry for asking then." Mitsuki said, and Tsubasa's cheeks turned red before she coughs in her hand.
"No, it's alright. I'm sorry for shouting at you. Anyway...How's Tachibana?" Tsubasa asked and Mitsuki flinched before he lowered his head.
"The doctors...weren't entirely sure themselves, but they said it might take a while before she wakes up." Mitsuki said.
"I see...I'm sorry to hear that. But how are you feeling? I know you two...Were really close when you were kids, so I just wanted to ask." Tsubasa said before she felt a slight ache in her heart.
"Well…" Mitsuki sighed. "I would be lying to say that I'm not worried about her, especially after what happened. But I'm mostly frustrated at myself, even though I promise I'll always make sure she's safe, and to make sure that something like would never happen again." He said as he punched in his hand and tightened his hold on him as Tsubasa blinked as she saw his reaction and heard what he said.
"'That'? Do you mean mine and Kanade's concert two years ago?" Tsubasa asked and Mitsuki sighed as he lowered his hands.
"That, and what came after." Mitsuki told her.
'After the concert?' Tsubasa thought.
"Mitsuki, what exactly happened to Tachibana after that concert?" Tsubasa asked and Mitsuki sighed as he used the brim of his hat to hide his eyes.
"Well...It's not exactly something I like to remember, but…" Mitsuki said.
Hibiki is now resting on the bed in the medical room as the machines were reading her pulse as they beep. Inside of her mind, Hibiki was remembering memories of her past.
'Huh? Where are Mitsuki and the others…?' She thought before she remembers her time in middle school, where most of her classmates were looking at her in disgust. 'Oh, this again? It's been so since I had this dream.'
Hibiki was standing in front of her desk as magazines and newspapers were on top of it as it showed the Zwei Wing concert disaster, and how she was the only survivor.
"I'm amazed she has the gall to still be alive." One of her classmates said to her friends, as Hibiki heard her along with many others talking ill will towards her.
"Yeah, after killing so many people."
"Haven't you heard? If you're attacked by the Noise, you get a big payout just by getting injured."
"They call it 'Special Disaster Compensation'."
"Doesn't that come out of the tax our moms and dads pay?"
"No wonder she's doing so well after almost dying. What a waste of our tax money."
"I know, right?" She asked before they started to chuckle together.
Hibiki lowered her head as they continued to go on.
Hibiki was now seen heading back home and stopped in front of it as she saw that there were several posters in front of her house, calling her a murderer, a thief, and that she doesn't deserve to survive.
Hibiki entered her house and waiting for her was her grandmother as she was seated on the kitchen table.
"Welcome back." She told Hibiki.
But then a rock was thrown on a window as it smashed it to pieces, which frightened Hibiki, her mother, and grandmother as the latter stood up and held her grandchild.
"Murderer! Murderer!" The man who've thrown the rock shouted as he and his friends laughed, this angered her mother as she ran to the broken window.
"Run! She'll kill us too!" He said as he and his friends ran away.
Hibiki then started to cry as her mother turned and walked towards her and hugged Hibiki in comfort.
"It's alright. Your grandmother and I are happy just to have you with us. Okay?" Her mother told her.
'I just wanted to get through rehab and go back to my old self so they'd be happy, but…' Hibiki told herself but then she started to cry on her mother's chest.
Hibiki soon started to wake up as the first thing she saw was the ceiling of Section Two's medical room.
Hibiki then turned to her side and saw three get well cards, written by her friends, Mitsuki, Philip, and Miku.
'Is what I'm doing just hypocrisy, like Shirabe-chan said?' Hibiki thought as she turned back to the ceiling with sadness in her eyes. 'Though I try my hardest to bring happiness, will I just bring pain and sadness to others in turn?'
Hibiki then felt something on her chest. She slowly sits up and slightly pulls down her robe, and saw a small stone fragment on her scar, she touches it and it fell off the moment she did.
"Huh? A pebble?" Hibiki mutters as she was a little confused on how that fragment was on her chest.
(Next day)
Classes were now done in Lydian Academy, and Hibiki is seen walking towards Tsubasa and Chris, who were waiting for her outside, as she waved at them.
"Hey! I'm so sorry! I bet you two were worried sick." Hibiki said as she stopped in front of her friend and bowed her head.
"You looked surprisingly healthy. Well, you should take this opportunity to get some rest." Chris told her.
"Never fear! I'm Tachibana Hibiki! Lazing around and spacing out are my specialities!" Hibiki assured them as she spun around and wink at them and raised a finger up. "Leave it to me!"
"Are you really alright?" Tsubasa asked as she wasn't convinced by that. "You're not just putting on a brave face so we won't worry, right?"
Hibiki flinches before she says. "No, of course n-"
Tsubasa stops as she walks up and grabs onto her left arm and looks at it.
"Tsubasa-san...You're hurting me." Hibiki told her and Tsubasa quickly let go of her arm.
"I'm sorry." Tsubasa said as she turned away from Hibiki.
"What's up with you?" Chris asked. "You're not being a dope to try and tune into her wavelength, are you, Tsubasa?
"I'm sorry." Hibiki mutters and Tsubasa turns back to her.
There was silence between them before Tsubasa said.
"As long as you're all right, that's what matters." Tsubasa mutters before she remembers her talk with Mitsuki yesterday.
(Flashback)
Mitsuki had explained to Tsubasa what happened to Hibiki after the Zwei Wing concert, and after she left the hospital, and how Hibiki was horribly bullied at school and people harassed her family as they blamed her for what happened to their friends and family who died that day.
She was left stunned to hear all of that.
"No way...All of that really happened to Tachibana?" Tsubasa asked and Mitsuki nodded.
"Yeah, even though me, Philip, Miku, and her family were glad that she was alive, a lot of other people didn't see it that way. In fact, it got so bad it reached a point where her father couldn't take it anymore. So, he just up and abandoned them without a second thought." Mitsuki told her.
"I see…" Tsubasa mutters as she lowered her head. "I really had no idea. It's surprising that she's still able to smile despite all of that."
"Well, she still had her mother, grandmother, me, and Miku to help her get through all of that. But now that I think about it, it was probably around that time I introduced them to Philip for the first time." Mitsuki said before he chuckles.
"Really?" Tsubasa asked.
"Yeah, at first he wasn't really interested in being friends with them but after hearing the things Hibiki went through, it sort of made him curious about her." Mitsuki told her and Tsubasa chuckles to hear that.
"Is that so? I can only imagine what that was like knowing Philip." Tsubasa said and Mitsuki chuckles.
"Yeah, and I was his partner for two years." Mitsuki said before he and Tsubasa smiled at each other, before someone was coughing at them which made them flinch as they saw that Kanade was standing beside them.
"K-Kanade?!" Mitsuki and Tsubasa said at the same time.
"Hey there...I wasn't interrupting the mood was I?" Kanade asked with a narrow look on her face.
Both Mitsuki and Tsubasa blushed as they quickly stood up as they coughed in their hands and turned away from each other.
"N-No! Of course not! That sort of thing would be bad for an idol, right, Tsubasa?" Mitsuki asked.
"Y-Yes! That's right! I can't afford to get any scandals!" Tsubasa stated.
"Sure…" Kanade said as she wasn't convinced by that. "Anyway...Philip wants to see you guys, he said he got the Keywords he needed."
Both Mitsuki and Tsubasa blinked to hear as they understood what she meant by that.
Kanade had brought Mitsuki and Tsubasa to a room in the base where both Philip and Genjuro were waiting for them.
"Good, you're all here." Philip said.
"Yeah, and Kanade told us you now have the Keywords you needed." Mitsuki said and Philip nodded.
"Indeed. After that whole ordeal earlier, I now have everything I need to figure out their plans." Philip said.
"Okay. Then do your thing." Mitsuki told him.
Philip nodded before he entered the Gaia Library.
"Keywords, FIS. Maria Cadenzavna Eve. John Wayne Vercingetorix. Nephilim. And last but not least, the Frontier." Philip said and with that the bookshelves around him moved away and vanished until eventually, leaving only book title 'The Frontier'. "Bingo."
Philip then begins to read the book to look up all he can about Maria, Dr. Ver, the Nephilim, and this Frontier.
"The Frontier?" Mitsuki said.
"Also known as the floating city." Philip said before he continues his explanation. "Apparently it was once built by an ancient civilization to travel between from the earth to the moon. Not only that I was able to find this part, one who can control the Frontier can control the moon, and whoever controls the moon can control the Curse of Balal."
Hearing that surprised the others.
"So that was their game plan. But how does the Nephilim fit in all of this?" Genjuro asked.
"Well based on what I can gather, they were planning on using the Nephilim's ability to consume and absorb relics to make it a part of the Frontier in order to control both of them." Philip said.
"But in order to do that, they needed to make sure the Nephilim was still under their control but at the same time making it stronger so it would eventually be strong enough to absorb the Frontier, is that right?" Mitsuki concluded.
"Correct." Philip nodded.
"Well, I guess we don't have to worry about that." Kanade said. "Sure, Hibiki was out of control but she was able to kill the Nephilim. So that's one of our problems solved."
"Maybe. But knowing that group, I highly doubt they're going to give up like that. Especially since they made it this far, while keeping a little secret of theirs under wraps." Philip said, and that last part really got everyone's attention.
"What do you mean by that?" Tsubasa asked.
"Well, it turns out that, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, wasn't Finé's potential new host to begin with." Philip answered which surprised his friends.
"Nani?" Genjuro said.
"Philip, are you really sure about that?" Mitsuki asked.
"I am. The book doesn't lie." Philip nodded.
"But if that's really true, then why would Maria and her group lie about it this whole time?" Kanade asked.
"It's just a guess, but it might be possible that Maria-san, Kirika-chan, and Shirabe-chan aren't aware of this fact. And even if they did, using that name would give people a good impact." Philip stated.
"What do you mean?" Tsubasa asked.
"Well as you already, Finé had changed the world after the Kadinger incident months ago and it was because of that most people are now aware of the existence of Symphogear. Even if Maria was living a life of deception using that name brings terror to the world. Names themselves can be power." Philip explained.
"So in order to make sure that most of the world's governments would be on edge, they decided to bring Finé back to life using Maria as a figurehead." Genjuro concluded and Philip nodded.
"Exactly."
"Man...I can't believe they're willing to go through such lengths." Kanade said.
"Which is all the more reason, we need to find them and capture them. Before things get even more out of hand." Mitsuki said.
"Yeah. I already assembled a search team to hunt down Dr. Ver. Hopefully they'll find him soon." Genjuro said.
"Good. Well, I guess in the meantime, I should probably help Ogawa set up Tsubasa's next concert. Later." Kanade said as she left the room.
Mitsuki and the others were about to leave as well before Genjuro called out to them.
"Wait, you three." Genjuro said as Mitsuki, Philip, and Tsubasa stopped as they turned to him.
"There's more I need to tell you three. It's about Hibiki-kun's condition." Genjuro told them which made them a little curious and worried to hear that.
(End of flashback)
"Hey, did that geezer tell you something?" Chris asked and Tsubasa turned away from her.
"Only that those who cannot maintain self-control against their toughest foes are worthless warriors." Tsubasa told them.
"Huh?" Hibiki said with a saddened expression.
"I'm telling you to never set foot on the battlefield again. You're just a burden. You may clothe yourself in Symphogear no longer." Tsubasa said as she pushed Hibiki.
"What the hell? Are you serious?" Chris asked, and Tsubasa didn't answer as she turned away from her, and Chris shook her on the shoulder. "Hey! The hell's with the silent treatment?!"
"Chris-chan!" Hibiki calls out and Chris turns to her as Hibiki lowered her head and grabbed hold of her arm. "It's okay. She's right. I really did go out of control, and I really am useless."
Chris clicks her tongue as she removes her hand from Tsubasa as the latter turns back to Hibiki.
"Mitsuki, Philip, Yukine, and I can fight against the FIS and Museum by ourselves." Tsubasa told her and Chris was about to say something before she continued. "Section Two is launching an investigation into the whereabouts of Dr. Ver. We can get by without whatever little help Tachibana had to offer. And if Mitsuki was here, he would agree."
Hibiki was surprised to hear that before Tsubasa left and Chris soon followed her.
"Hey, wait up! What were you thinking?! Especially mentioning that dork to her?" Chris asked.
"I only spoke the truth. It's for the best." Tsubasa said as she wonders how Mitsuki is feeling about Hibiki's situation.
(Meanwhile)
In the Narumi Detective Agency, Mitsuki is seen speaking with his latest client after finishing the case he had given him, which was finding his daughter's lost dog.
"Honestly, I can't thank you enough for finding my daughter's dog. She couldn't stop crying about it." His client told him.
"It's alright. I'm pretty much used to this sort of thing, and I'll always accept any case that was given to me." Mitsuki told him.
"Well either way, thanks again." He told the young detective before he ended the call and Mitsuki put the phone down.
Hearing that the client's daughter was happy again had put a smile on his face. Normally he wouldn't feel this way doing a case like this, but he needed something to help put his mind at ease, especially what's happening with Hibiki right now.
Mitsuki then heard the door opening, he looked and saw that it was Kanade as she walked inside as she yawned.
"Hey, Mitsuki…" Kanade said as she walked to him.
"Hey, Kanade. You seem a little tired today." Mitsuki said.
"Yeah...I sort of went to sleep really late last night." Kanade told him as she stretched her arms before she looked around to see that Philip wasn't in the room. "Where's Philip?"
"He's in the hangar doing his usual thing. But if you ask me, I think that must be the only thing that can put his mind at ease." Mitsuki said as he rubs the back of his head.
"I see…" Kanade mutters as she frowns and turns back to Mitsuki.
"But anyway, is it true about what's happening to Hibiki?" Kanade asked.
Mitsuki sighed.
"Yeah, it is." Mitsuki said before he picked up a glass case that was on his desk and looked at it. Inside the case it was a dark rock with yellow crystals sticking out of it.
As Mitsuki looked at it, he remembered how it was Genjuro that had given this rock to him and told him where it came from.
(Flashback)
Genjuro wanted to talk with Mitsuki, Philip, and Tsubasa about Hibiki's situation as he gave Mitsuki the very stone fragment as he was looking at it.
"Genjuro-san, what exactly is this?" Mitsuki asks as he, Philip, and Tsubasa look at it.
"Part of Hibiki-kun's bodily tissue that we collected during her medical checkup." Genjuro answered which surprised them.
"Nani?" Mitsuki gasped before Philip realized something about that fragment.
"Wait a minute...Does this have something to do with the Gungnir in her chest?" Philip asked and Genjuro nodded.
"You also may need to see this." Genjuro said as he brought out and handed them an x-ray picture.
Philip took the picture and looked at it. There was no doubt in his mind that this x-ray was from Hibiki's exam, and what really got Philip's eyes was the black substance spreading throughout her body.
"This is Hibiki-chan's x-ray?" Philip asked and Genjuro nodded.
"Her repeated use of the artifact by breaking it into energy and reconstructing it as her Symphogear has caused it to further spread through her body." Genjuro told them.
"The fusion of a human body and a relic…" Tsubasa said.
"Such is the source of the explosive power wielded by Hibiki-chan, surpassing that of any mere Attuned. But at the same time, it's starting to eat her away inside, slowly killing her. Right?" Philip asked and Genjuro nodded which further surprised the others.
"Tachibana...is going to die? That can't be." Tsubasa mutters as her body shakes in fear about that.
"Even if she lives, should the relic continue to fuse with her body, can we say she still lives on as a human?" Genjuro asked and Mitsuki bit his lip to hear that.
"How long? How long does Hibiki have until whatever happens, happens?" Mitsuki asked and Genjuro sighed before he answered.
"In all honesty, we're not sure ourselves." Genjuro told them which really surprised them.
Mitsuki grits her teeth as he lowered his head while Philip clenches his hand and closes his eyes and Tsubasa closes her eyes and grabs hold of her arm.
(End of flashback)
Kanade was now looking at the stone fragment herself as she and Mitsuki were seated together.
"Damn...Hard to believe this little fragment came out of Hibiki's body." Kanade said.
"Yeah, and it's really ironic. It was only because she went berserk that we found out her life was in grave danger. Dammit, if I only realized sooner." Mitsuki mutters.
"Mitsuki…" Kanade said as she placed her hand on his shoulder as he turned to her. "You shouldn't blame yourself for this. It's not like you knew this was going to happen, and besides I'm sure Hibiki wouldn't blame you for what's happening."
"Kanade…" Mitsuki mutters.
But Kanade couldn't help but sighed sadly.
"But it's not like I'm one to talk. I was slowly killing myself every time I used Gungnir and now the same is happening to Hibiki. Dammit...It's almost like whoever used that Relic is destined to die." Kanade said before she felt Mitsuki placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort.
"Hey, you know that's not true. Sure, it may have been an accident that a part of Gungnir was pierced into her body, but in the end, she chose to keep fighting with your Gear." Mitsuki told her.
"Mitsuki…" Kanade mutters before she smiles at him. "Thanks, it means a lot to hear that. But what are we gonna do now? It still doesn't change the fact that her Symphogear is slowly consuming her."
"I'll just have to do the best that I can do. To both fight in her place, and to protect her and Miku." Mitsuki answered with a strong resolve.
"Mitsuki…" Kanade said before she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. Here's hoping that Dr. Ver will be found soon. That way we're one step closer to ending this nightmare."
"Yeah." Mitsuki nodded in agreement.
An exhausted Dr. Ver had returned to the Kadingir area as he was using Solomin's Cane for support as he walked as he was searching for something. But then he suddenly lost his footing as he tripped and fell down the edge of a hill as he screamed before he fell to the ground below.
Ver managed to stand on his hands and knees as he reached the Cane as it was lying beside him, but that's when he saw it...The Nephilim's heart/core inside of a cave as it was still beating while blinking red.
Seeing it surprised Dr. Ver as he grins and chuckles before he stands up and walks to the heart and picks it up.
"So it was here all along! As long as I have this, I'm a hero!" Dr. Ver said in a crazed tone in his voice.
Dr. Ver then walks out of the cave and picks up Solomin's Cane and soon leaves the area.
Inside of their mobile base, Nastassja was resting on bed while Maria was standing beside her as she quietly sang her a lullaby. Nastassja turns to her before she smiles.
'She's such a good girl.' Nastassja thought before she frowned and turned to the ceiling. 'And it's not just Maria. I'm trying to make those three gentle girls carry my burden. Maybe I…am in the wrong.' She thought as she sat up.
Maria stops singing before she hears a ringing from the communication screen, before she sees Nastassja answering it and Maria walks to it.
"It's me." Nastassja said.
"C-Could that...Could that be you, Mom?!" Said Kirika from the screen.
"How are you doing?" Shirabe asked from the screen.
"I was able to get through the worst of it thanks to Maria's care, and Ryubee-san's medicines." Nastassja told them.
"Thank goodness." Shirabe said in relief.
"Yeah." Kirika said in agreement.
Both of the Black Symphogear users were seen walking through a small part of the city as it was in ruins.
"A-Anway, Mom, I know you said to stand by, but we ended up having to-" Kirika said as she looks at the damages around her and Shirabe.
"I understand. Maria's orders, right?" Nastassja asked and Kirika sighed.
"The only one who can figure out what's wrong with you is the doctor, but we haven't been able to get in touch with him." Shirabe explained.
"Thank you, both of you. Let me know if you're able to reach him. I will send you the rendezvous point." Nastassja told them.
"Roger that!" Kirika told her before they ended the transmission, and shortly after that Kirika sighed in relief. "I never thought she'd answer."
"I'm glad she's alright, though." Shirabe said.
"Yeah." Kirika said before they both heard her stomach growling, causing her blonde girl to blushed as she placed her hands on her stomach and the back of her head. "Oops...The moment I calmed down, I realized how hungry I was."
"Well, we haven't had anything to eat since this morning." Shirabe said before she and Kirika looked around to find a place to eat.
"Do you want to look for something around here?" Kirika asked.
"Yeah. But we have to find the doctor as quickly as we can." Shirabe reminded her partner.
"Yeah...You're right." Kirika said before she nodded and thrust her fist up in the air. "Alright, let's do it!"
Both Shirabe and Kirika held hands as they ran forward together to find Dr. Ver.
(Meanwhile)
Hibiki was seen walking with her friends as they walked down some stairs as they talked with each other.
"Aren't you eating way too many carbs for a young high school girl?"
But Hibiki wasn't paying attention as she had a saddened expression on her face as Tsubasa's words to her were still in her mind.
"Hey!" One of her friends calls out and Hibiki turns to them with a sad smile.
"Yeah. That old lady just makes the best okonomiyaki, though! I can't help it!" Hibiki told them.
"Good thing we asked you along." Shiori said.
"I'm glad the old lady's doing well, too." Miku said.
"We can't just drop in anytime like we used to, after all."
"But you're looking a bit brighter, don't you think, Bikkie?" Kuriyo asked.
"Huh?" Hibiki turns to her in confusion as Kuriyo and Shiori smile as Yumi walks down to her side.
"You're as dense as the main character of a harem anime." She told her.
"A certain someone was worried that you might be feeling a bit down, so that's why we arranged to all get together and eat okonomiyaki like old times."
Hibiki then has a good idea who she means by that as she stops at the end of the stairs.
"Miku?" Hibiki said before she saw three black cars speeding down the road beside her, and saw several men wearing black suits and sunglasses inside them as Hibiki watched them leave.
By the moment they turned to the curved, several explosions were seen as they heard the sound of those very cars crashing.
Seeing that surprised Hibiki and her friends before they ran to where the explosions had appeared with Hibiki out running her friends leaving them behind as she kept on going.
Hibiki and her friends then saw the cars were completely destroyed and saw piles of dark ash on the ground beside them.
Then they saw Dr. Ver standing in front of them with a group of Noises in front of them as well.
Ver chuckles as he takes a few steps forward as he wields Solomin's Cane in one hand while carrying the Nephilim's heart that was covered in cloth in his other arm.
"I won't hand this over to anyone! No matter who it is!" Dr. Ver stated as he looked at the heart.
Hibiki and her friends glare at the mad scientist as Hibiki growls at him.
"Dr. Ver!" Hibiki calls out and Ver was surprised to see her.
"Wh-What?! Why are you here?!" Dr. Ver said in fear before he commanded the Noise to attack Hibiki as one of them jumped at her.
Hibiki's friends flinch in fear before Hibiki jumps in front of them and charges at the incoming Noise as she sings her song.
"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron…"
Hibiki lands a punch on the incoming Noise with her bare hand, but what was more surprising is that her hand didn't disintegrate by making physical contact with that Noise.
"Hibiki?!" Miku said in worry.
"She touched the Noise...without transforming?!" Dr. Ver said in shock.
Starting from that very fist, Hibiki had slowly changed into her Symphogear armor.
Hibiki's fist pierce through that Noise's body, splitting it in half as it turns to ash. Hibiki then roared as her punch sent a shockwave, which frightened Dr. Ver as Hibiki stood in front of him.
"This fist...My life…" Hibiki said as she tightly clenches her hand in front of her and glares at Dr. Ver. "They are Symphogear!"
To Be Continued…
And there you have it, I hope you like it. Review to tell me what you think of the story.