Reviews:
Tigracho: You caught me with a review the moment I was finishing editing the chapter lol. Without a doubt. The former Allister would have done what Chiaki did given up his will, destroying the Lunar Ruins in an attempt to at least take the Symphogear out with him. But I'm glad you said this. He's not a good guy or has been redeemed. They literally had a gun to his head and he had no choice but to agree to their terms. Yeah...I mean, Hibiki was ready to be best friends with St. Germain, and she killed like 70k people or something. Everyone is a victim I guess. Maybe Angelo had a point, and they only care when people they know are hurt. It'd be funny if after the fight is over, they go to Allister.
"Alright, time to get you to jail, buddy!"
I think Tsubasa was the best choice since she's close to Chris. Her senpai. And both have been affected negatively by the same guy. Yeah, I hate that too. I tried to make it a little different and had Tsubasa say that it's not about Chris being better than Allister. It's about doing it because it's the right thing to do. And the most important, the cycle of hatred. If you noticed, revenge has been a pretty active theme in the story recently. And letting go is the first step in the path of life. But...yeah, Chris would have shot him in the head lol. Or just beat him to death.
It would be pretty awkward. Especially when they're left alone. Better keep Allister in prison when he's not needed. The problem with Allister using them is that it worked, at least before the Amalgam. Because he had the upper hand. So when he fought them on the Moon, he decided to just Unite Vent and fuse with them because it was more beneficial than throwing two weaker Riders against a stronger enemy. As a fun fact: Terunosuke has the stronger Riders absorbed. But since he's weaker than Allister, Allister has the upper hand in power.
FlameFireZero X: It's more like he realized what his actions got him. He feels regretful for Goro, but not for Takeru since they had a fair fight. Yeah, Hazuki is still off doing God knows what with Setsuna and his group. But he probably won't like it when he finds out these two left without telling him. I tried the poll, but not too many people are keen on "jinxing" their favorite characters. Feel free to give me a guess though.
Ryugen: Funny enough, Teru-Teru has the stronger Riders. Imperer is stronger than Scissors, and Tiger is stronger than Zolda. But since he's weaker than Allister, then the Unite Vent comes like that. I let go of the idea of hybrid weapons since that would mean making even more weapons for one guy. So I decided to just let him go crazy with the ones he has. But a combination of the attributes is possible. It took him dying, but Jades reached Terunosuke's heart. His last sign of love for his brother. The thing about Hazuki is that he's so confident in his plan, that he probably doesn't even have a backup. And it's hard to blame him since everything is going his way right now. He's playing the waiting game. He cares about his siblings, but the good of all humanity comes first, or so he thinks.
Akira: Yeah, Tsubasa loved Goro like a sibling. But she was the one to break Chris away from the claws of resentment. And Chris listens since this is her senpai telling her this. There was no better person. Maybe Maria, but her case is different since Terunosuke was her brother at one point and now they don't know if Jades loved Terunosuke or not.
Lord Ri The Husbu King: It's not a shonen unless it has some heart-to-heart moments with the villain.
SoutaAmetsuchi: She was very close. But thankfully, they stopped her.
nickseverino8: He's not really joining. It's more like...they would force him to cooperate. Then throw him behind bars. They have to find Terunosuke so Hazuki can't get to him first. Yeah, I'm glad I let Elsa live. She's my favorite of her group and I'm enjoying her story with Allister and Mona. Probably not of Zeke and Damian. Akira probably not either. Not sure. The dog is okay don't worry. He's alive, they just put him in a safe place. Terunosuke is roaming around, doing his thing as he tries to understand himself. And now he's saving people. I bet he didn't expect that. The only way to free them is to kill them, sadly. Probably not since that would take too much time.
Tenzalucard123: You would be surprised what coming close to death does to a person. But at least he changed thanks to Elsa and Mona. Now, to rescue the Riders on Earth.
Chapter 139
Survive and Conquer
"BRAGI, LOOK OUT!"
Bragi pushed Carol out of the way as Dragranzer slashed the front of his helmet, causing him to stumble backward. He conjured a dark arm from a magic circle, attempting to grab the monster, but he took off into the air before he could grab him.
"Adachi..." Alternative grimaced upon seeing the monstrous Rider fly away.
Abyssladon shot several torpedos from his sides toward the teen while he was distracted. However, Carol swept in and put up a barrier to protect them. To her surprise, several bubbles surrounded her and Bragi, and the next thing they knew, they were far away from the unbound beasts. Abyssladon snarled, waving his serrated blades around at the water bubbles covering the area.
"Thak goodness! That was so close!" Garie sighed in relief, standing behind the mother and son duo."I used my ability to confuse them and get you out of there."
"Wait, you can do that?" The Prince blinked.
"Of course I can! You know, altering the reflections off of water particles to create illusions. Right, Carol-"
"Yes, I am aware. I am the one who gave you that ability after all." Carol sighed, hands to her hips as she glanced at the monsters going out of control."What the fuck were you thinking?"
"Huh?"
Carol grabbed Alternative by the back of the neck, forcing him down to her level as she looked at him square in the eyes."Explain. Now. What the fuck is this? What were you thinking?! What did you do?!"
"I..."
"Speak up, Bragi!" Carol hissed, baring her teeth.
"I tweaked with their Decks. Back when the whole Fudo and Narfi thing was over." Bragi confessed."I...I programmed them to be linked with mine for a specific command. One that would force the fusion between the user and Advent Beast. I had no choice! They were about to die!"
"Okay, but why?! How is this helping?!"
"Look..." Alternative took a deep breath."I looked at the files. After the shit that happened in Lydian, I went and read all of the Boy Wonder's reports. The fusion...it's powerful. Powerful enough to turn the tides in any battle. It happened during the Frontier, it happened against the Second. And it happened again against Shem-Ha's little pet project. And all of the time, it's made a world of difference. The enemy grows stronger, Mama. If I hadn't done this, they'd be dead, because the fusion reconstructs the body. The Boy Wonder's lost limbs and has had holes going through him and look at him."
Carol sighed, rubbing her temples.
"We were getting torn apart against Satan." Bragi stressed again."And Lucifer...he fucking...just one hit is all it took. And what's going to happen if we want to stop Ragnarok? Even if by some miracle we win today, we're not strong enough. This is the best opportunity-"
"Is it?" Carol pointed at the distance. And to Bragi's horror, the Riders were starting to fight each other. Since the fusion made them go feral, everything in sight was their enemy."I'm sure you have a solution to this."
"I...well, last time the Boy Wonder went berserk, Hibiki-dono-"
"HIBIKI TACHIBANA IS NOT HERE!" Carol screamed, causing him to flinch.
"Carol, please, calm down." Garie placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder."He didn't mean anything wrong...He's right. They would be dead without him right now."
"I-!" Carol stopped herself, taking a moment to think."I understand...But Bragi, you are making them go berserk...It's not working out. What if they end up killing each other?"
"Mama...I-"
"If things don't get better...Wouldn't you think it's worse to be killed by your friend than by the enemy?" Carol said in a cold tone, sending shivers down his spine.
"B-b-but...But I...I..."
"It was a good plan."
The three of them froze up as Lucifer landed close to them, arms folded."It's a good plan. The execution is what was lacking. But I do give the boy credit where it's due."
"You!" Bragi immediately went on the defensive, lunging at Lucifer, only for his punch to be stopped before it reached him."Huh?!"
"I told you before." Lucifer chuckled."Your attacks will never reach me. Lesser creations have no business touching an angel."
"A Conceptual Weapon incarnate." Carol narrowed her eyes."Similar to Phara's Sword Breaker. No...to an even greater extent. Who are you?"
"I am a promorial Angel. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised I'm not known in this part of the universe. You see...where I herald from no longer exists."
"What? Helheim?"
"A place above that." He pointed at the sky."Now then, I believe I should make your efforts not be for naught. I want to see what these so-called Riders can do using the Great Beast's power."
"Wait...you know of Ventara?" Bragi's eyes widened.
"Of course. I am its most faithful servant." Lucifer began floating, disappearing from view, leaving the trio flabbergasted.
"He's going for the boys!" Garie pointed toward the white light heading to the chaos.
Dragranzer slammed Exodiver on the ground before grabbing him by one of his legs and hurling him away. A jetstream of pressurized water knocked him back, courtesy of Abyssladon, who started shooting torpedos at the dragon.
Darkraider released a powerful screech, paralyzing the shark before flapping his wings, sending sharp slashes of wind toward him. However, a massive rock was lifted from the ground by Exodiver using his psychic powers, knocking Darkraider out of the air. Dragranzer growled, eyes set on Exodiver before going full speed towards him. However, a giant slash passed in front of him, making him halt in his tracks.
All 4 beasts looked at the sky, noticing Lucifer's shining figure descending to the ground.
"It pains me to see you this way, mighty Ventara." Lucifer lamented, white dust coming out of his eyes as he sobbed."How lamentable...to end up like this, separated into mindless beasts, wielded as weapons for these vermin."
Dragranzer shot a fireball from his mouth, but Lucifer flicked it away with his fingers.
"Alas, it is my duty, as the last remaining of your Seraphin, to mold you back together...Starting by freeing you from these mindless creatures." He looked up toward the sky."Custodian...Thank you. For you shall help me fulfill my duty once more."
Dragranzer exploded in animalistic rage, firing flames from his mouth that covered the whole area. Lucifer wiped the dust from his eyes, recomposing himself, the flames never even touching his body.
"I apologize, Divine Ventara...For I cannot help but see these copies of you as that...mere copies."
Darkraider emerged from the flames, wielding his Darklancer, attempting to stab him. Lucifer grabbed him by the neck, releasing several slashes inside of his body as he began to convulse."Pieces of the puzzle...that must be put back together. And I shall do just that."
A giant wave towered over Lucifer as countless sea creatures opened their jaws in anticipation.
"A good thing came out from my defeat...I was able to replicate this from the one who dared to do this to you. It's not as powerful as the real deal, but it's a good replica. The slash that cuts the world itself. Zantetsuken." Lucifer aimed with his left hand, and a giant slash appeared inside of the water, cutting it in half, and dispersing it. Abyssladon came out from the water, conjuring the Abyssla Turret, and firing the double-barrel machine gun at the Angel.
"Then let's see what the pieces of the puzzle can do!" Lucifer turned off his barrier, waving his arm and shooting several light swords towards Abyssladon. He summoned his Abyssal Shredder, using the chainsaw sword to try and deflect them, but it was too much for him, having no choice but to take the attacks.
Dragranzer shot himself toward Lucifer, but the angel caught his punch with a single hand before pulling him closer, headbutting him.
"I see...You've received more power than these other 3, right? So, you must be...its vessel, right? Yes...This child's memories are so vivid now...You are the Messiah, are you not? The Divine Beast's very own will given form. Very well. I shall not kill you. Your friends, however..."
A blade of light emerged from the ground, stabbing itself into Darkraider's wing, causing it to start falling to the ground. He kicked the air, sending a slash toward Exodiver, who barely moved out of the way and had his arm cut off before being blasted by a beam of light.
"You all fight so bravely. I never imagined this part of the cosmos had such tenacious warriors." Lucifer enjoyed a laugh, feeling as Dragranzer continued to shoot fireballs point-blank, not caring about the damage he was sustained by his own attacks."But this world needs no warriors. It needs to be cleansed from the filth. There has been too much activity from the outside to be left standing." Lucifer jumped, avoiding Abyssladon's attempt in trying to tackle him. He appeared behind him, kicking him away like a ragdoll.
Dragranzer teleported out of Lucifer's grasp, prompting the angel to look at the sky as the dragon unleashed countless fireballs that rained down on the Angel like a meteor shower.
"Very well. Let us test how weakened the pieces are...compared to the real deal." Lucifer clasped his hands together, partying them away and forming a black star in his hands. The area around them became pitch black, with white dots decorating their surroundings.
"What is this...?" Carol observed in awe."A pocket dimension?"
"Time to end you...and bestow annihilation! Hyaa!" Lucifer threw the star in the air before it combusted, releasing a massive explosion that sent all the beasts flying. Bragi formed a gravity dome around Carol and Bragi, but the shockwave of the attack knocked them away.
Night Star
The environment returned to normal, revealing the area as they left it. All the monsters were on the ground, slowly picking themselves up.
"Interesting. More durable than anticipated. But worry not. I have more tests to run before I'm-"
Lucifer looked up to see a white and black orb coming from his sides, merging before creating a huge black explosion.
"Now! Let's hit him with everything we have!" Alternative screamed, shooting dark beams of energy from his magic circles. Carol did the same, firing all of her elements at once while Garie assisted by shooting pressurized water.
"So you decided to attack me while I had my Conceptual Barrier down...You are sharper than most mortals."
They all halted, staring up at the sky to see Lucifer flying above them."You are strong. But I am beyond strength. Plus...I think you are forgetting a crucial detail."
Lucifer vanishes from sight, floating higher into the sky as he observed from above.
Alternative instinctively used a Repel, repelling the incoming arm of fire from Dragranzer."Damn it! They're back to focusing on us again!"
Carol was about to go on the offensive, but a jetstream of pressurized water struck her belly, shredding her outfit as she screamed in pain, feeling her stomach being cut.
"Carol!" Garie cried out, only to receive a psychic beam that knocked her away.
"Leave them alone!" Alternative roared, shooting several dark matter projectiles at the other beasts, earning their attention."That's right, you focus on me! Leave them out of this!"
All monsters roared in unison before they all rushed toward Bragi, racing to see who would tear him apart first.
"Damn it...Beelzebub, how long you gonna be quiet for?!" Alternative braced himself, creating a net of wires, attempting to catch.
"To the right, moron!"
Bragi ducked an incoming curved arrow from Exodiver as Dragranzer tackled him.
"Of course I'm quiet! I'm fucking terrified! This is like meeting Jesus for you humans! Except this Jesus is fucking evil! This planet is doomed! If Shem-Ha doesn't kill us, he will!"
Alternative grimaced, kicking Dragranzer away. But he had wrapped his tail around him, pulling him back and slamming his fist into Bragi's helmet, shattering hit. Darkraider emerged from nowhere, stabbing his sides with his Darklancer, evoking a cry of pain.
"There's too many of them!" Alternative screamed, lifting his left hand but Abyssladon sliced it away with his chainsaw. He tried pushing them away, but they were able to withstand the gravitational force.
"I did this..." Bragi grimaced as his left eye was sliced open by Dragranzer's claw grabbing his face."Boy Wonder...Yosuke-dono...Hamaguchi-dono...Raiden-dono...I just wanted to help..."
Abyssladon was about to stab him in the head, but Garie appeared from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his torso, trying to freeze him.
"Garie!" Alternative gasped, and then something caught his eye. It was Caroll, who blasted Dragranzer away with her Alchemy, pushing him with all of her might as she roared.
"Mama!"
Carol's attack was returned with ease, taking a fireball that launched her against a rock, almost knocking her out.
Garie gasped when Abyssladon bit off her left arm, tossing her across the area before chasing after her.
Alternative observed his surroundings and how the world was coming apart as the fight raged on, feeling Dakraider's spear go deeper into him.
"If things don't get better...Wouldn't you think it's worse to be killed by your friend than by the enemy?"
Bragi began to hyperventilate, seeing his Mother and what he would consider an aunt being in so much pain because of him as they tried their best to subdue the berserk Riders.
"Mama...Garie...I'm so sorry..." Bragi began to cry, closing his eyes as he tried pushing back Darkraider and Exodiver off of him to no avail."I just...I just didn't think...It could end up like this...!"
The monochrome-haired teen looked up at the distance where the Yggdrasil was."Miku-san...I'm sorry...I'm sorry I never got to tell you how I felt..."
Gritting his teeth, Bragi roared as he took off into the sky."Attract!"
Dragranzer and Abyssladon were suddenly being pulled away from their targets, focusing their attention on the pseudo-Rider.
"B-Bragi?!" Carol gasped as the monsters started to attempt to maul Alternative.
"Mama! Take Garie and get as far away from here as you can!" Bragi focused his attention on Lucifer, flying towards him at full speed.
"He's going to use the black hole!" Elfnein cried out inside of Carol.
"Is he insane?!" Carol screamed in horror."BRAGI GET BACK HERE, RIGHT NOW!"
"W-what is he doing?!" The water Autoscorer asked.
"He's going to kill himself and take out Lucifer with him!"
Bragi's hands began to form two spheres. One black and white."I can't let it be opened for too long, or who knows what kind of disaster it may cause to the world. I'm sorry, guys. But I'm not letting you all die in vain. I'm following right after. Though... I probably won't even end up wherever you go. But...I'M TAKING HIM DOWN AND SAVING THIS PLANET!"
"And just what do you hope to do?" Lucifer unfolded his arms."You can't even touch me. Hmmm?"
Alternative suddenly stopped, following Lucifer's gaze towards the sky. And that's when he saw them. Several color lights were coming down from the sky in unison.
"Is that them?" Garie tilted her head.
"About fucking time..." Carol sighed in relief.
The 6 lights headed straight for them like shooting stars, illuminating the skies.
Lucifer held out his arm, firing several slashes towards them. To his shock, the slashes were repelled with ease."Oh? Very well. Perhaps this will prove to be a bit more interesting than your previous attempt, mortal."
"Look down there!" Hibiki pointed toward Alternative, who was too busy staring at them in shock. Fortunately, it seemed the berserker beasts were also enchanted by the girls."The boys...they must have gone out of control like it happened to Hajime!"
The girls were now clad in a hybrid version of their X-Drive forms after using their Swan Songs, having mixed with their Amalgam forms, elongating their hairs and giving them an almost divine appearance.
Chris looked down to where Carol and Bragi were, both of them wounded."Seems like not even the Dienheims with Garie were able to do anything against them."
"What in the world is that thing-desu?!" Kirika pointed at the ancient angel, who was observing them with great interest.
"It that...Angelo?" Shirabe muttered.
"Whatever it is, that can wait." Tsubasa said."First, we need to get the guys under control."
"But how do we do that?" Maria inquired.
"We sing." Hibiki smiled, stretching out her hands for Tsubasa and Chris.
"A song...Yes, that may work." Tsubasa nodded, gladly taking Hibiki's hand."If we can use our Phonic Gain to synchronize their power and get it under control, we can return it to normal."
"We have no choice but to try. So why not?" Chris grinned, accepting the hand. Tsubasa and Chris stretched their free hands for Kirika and Shirabe, who then linked hands with Maria.
(Play Kamen Rider Girls - Saite)
The girls started to sing in unison, slowly descending to the ground. The monsters had an immediate reaction, perking at their voices. Dragranzer snarled, attempting to fly toward them, but Alternative wrapped several wires around himself and them, tying them together.
"Oh, no you don't! You stay right here!" Alternative noticed the beasts starting to glow. But to his surprise, he was also glowing as well."Huh? What's going on?"
"I don't know..." Beelzebub said inside of his mind."But...It feels like my power is surging all of a sudden. It's like the dormant power inside of me is starting to awaken."
"What? You mean...it's activating your Relic?"
"I see what's going on." Carol said."They are stabilizing the Rider and Advent Beast's power struggle."
"What do you mean?" Garie asked her former master.
"Normally, Riders extract powers from their Advent Beasts. That's how they're able to use cards with their abilities and such. But the fusion happens when, for even a split second, monster and human synchronize. But this has resulted in the monster taking power from the human and the human instinctively trying to get it back, resulting in this uncontrolled version."
The girls let go of their hands but kept their circle formation, spiraling around the Riders as orbs of golden energy were being released from their voices, entering the Riders.
"I see...So they are trying to get that balance back? A cooperation?"
"Indeed." Carol adopted a smirk."Shit. Well, I'll be damned. It seems they thought of something I could never have."
"What is this?" Shem-Ha approached the area upon seeing the Symphogear landing on Earth."My monsters were defeated. But what is this power...?"
"We are bearing witness to what some may consider a miracle, Custodian," Lucifer spoke up, glaring in fascination.
"What do you mean?" Shem-Ha asked, clenching her fists."Were you not aware of this power? You are an ancient angel. Surely you must know."
"I am at a loss for words." Lucifer admitted."I thought that I, the Morningstar, would have known the all-powerful Divine Beast, Ventara since I was its most loyal subject. But this power...is not something I have ever bore witness to."
"So...you're saying..."
"Whatever happens now...not even God knows."
Bragi noticed the glow around them beginning to intensify, closing his eyes as they were engulfed in a sphere of light.
From within the sphere, four pillars of light emerged, reaching the sky before a fifth light, a dark one, followed after them. The beams of light hit the skies, changing the color from white and turning it back to black, showing the night sky above their heads, contrasting the red energy emanating from the Yggdrasil roots.
Lucifer unfolded his arms as Shem-Ha snarled.
"This...this is impossible!"
The white spheres turned black, as the Symphogear were approaching the end of their songs.
"Is it working? I can't tell." Garie squinted her eyes."The light just turned black."
Carol said nothing, continuing to observe what she was witnessing. Suddenly, she heard something.
Oversurvive: Conqueror's Regalia
Fallen Vent: Beelzebub - Devour them all, Gluttony!
Five beams of energy were shot from the spheres, forcing Lucifer to hold out his hand to block them. To his surprise, he was pushed back, crashing to the ground.
"What?!" Shem-Ha gasped in shock.
The spheres dissipated, revealing the Riders donning a new version of their armor.
The four Riders were in completely pitch-black bodysuits, but their armors had switches in color themes. Instead of their main colors being represented, they were now wearing gold armor pieces with parts of their colors around them.
For Ryuki, his helmet was now covered in golden parts, but his piercing red eyes remained. His chestplate was now gold, with two red gems embedded on each side of his chest while the shoulderplates on his armor became smaller. On top of that, he was now wearing a small red cape and a pair of energy-golden wings behind his back.
For Knight, his chest plate had become sleeker and his cape shorter, reaching to the back of his thighs. His helmet was gold, but the eyes inside of his mask were bright blue. His visor was now a sword with small batwings and had a round shield on his right arm. Just like Ryuki, he had energy golden wings behind him.
For Raia, he looked about the same, except the grey parts of his armor were now golden, and the braid of his helmet was slightly longer and covered with razors. He now had patagia under his armpits connected to his sides, and his visor changed to his left glove, which was bigger than his other one. It had the shape of a stingray, serving as a mounted canon. Finally, he also donned a small cape and golden energy wings behind his back.
For Abyss, the shark face on his chest had become even more protruded, now having golden teeth and golden eyes. He now had golden highlights around his armor. His gauntlet had gotten bigger, now having a sharp fin on top of it. Like the others, he had a small cape and golden wings.
Alternative, on the other hand, looked completely different from before, taking more of a demonic appearance than his friends. His armor was black and covered by razor-sharp teeth all around him and a single wing.
(If you want visual representation, look up the artist catball1994 and look for Ultimate Revi. Yes, Alternative's power-up is inspired by Kamen Rider Revice. And yes, Beelzebub is pretty much Vice.)
"Wow...I could have sworn I died." Abyss said, patting his helmet."Am I dead? I don't feel dead. But I did die, right?"
"What are you talking about?" Kirika flew in front of him."What do you mean you died-desu?"
He noticed Kirika, admiring her beauty in her X-Drive form. Still thinking he was dreaming, he reached for her breasts, fondling them as she squealed in embarrassment.
"P-pervert!" Kirika punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him."What are you doing, idiot-desu?!"
"Oh, yeah...I'm alive..." He gasped for breath, rubbing his stomach."I deserved that..."
"What are you saying?!" Kirika fumed, blushing profusely."Don't just grope me and then-"
Abyss engulfed her in a hug, holding her tight, much to her surprise."Hamaguchi?"
"I'm sorry, I...I thought I wouldn't see you again..." Hamaguchi pulled back, holding her shoulders.
"Are you okay, dear?" Kirika gently grabbed his arms.
"I fucking love you so much, you know that?" Hamaguchi sniffed, pulling her close for a hug, enjoying her warmth.
"I love you too, Baby Shark. But what's wrong?"
"What happened? What do you mean you died?" Tsubasa frowned, folding her arms under her chest."You can't just drop that bomb and refuse to elaborate."
"It's a long story." Knight sighed, a hand to his hip."And from the look of things, you guys have a long story too."
"Yanagi-san! Your hand!" Ryuki pointed at Yosuke's hand. The hand he had lost.
"It's...back." Knight couldn't help but marble at the sight, flexing his fingers."Adachi, how is your eye?"
Ryuki removed his helmet."So? How is it?"
"It's...red." Hibiki got closer to his face as she gawked at his eyes.
"Huh?! Wait, my eye didn't heal?! But I can see just fine-"
"No, no. Like it's actually red. So is your hair." Abyss formed a small water mirror in his hand. Hajime glanced at his reflection. His hair was completely red, as red as his armor. His pupils went from amber to crimson, and they were glowing slightly."Oh, shit. Man, I look cool as hell."
"Me too, me too!" Abyss removed his helmet, giggling when he saw his face."Man, I look so badass! In your face, Bragi."
"Me? Why?" Alternative crossed his arms.
"I was jealous that you got a cooler armor than the rest of us...But honestly." He wrapped his arm around Kirika, wagging his eyebrows, prompting her to blush."This isn't so bad."
"You know, that's probably not permanent, right, dumbass?" One of the many mouths on Alternative's armor spoke.
Chris yelped before gritting her teeth."Damn it, Beelzebub! We told you to fucking stop doing that!"
"Hey, girlie. Don't hate me just because I'm a cool demon, alright? You're ruining my vibe."
"Anyway." Yosuke cleared his throat."We can talk later. For now..."
The group looked ahead where Lucifer and Shem-Ha were, staring at them.
"We'll handle Lucifer." Ryuki said."He can't be saved now. You're looking at a whole new entity. His personality is gone. And the Relic inside has completely taken over. Just like how it almost happened to you, Hibiki."
"If you must...then please, make it quick." Hibiki lowered her gaze."Millaarc-san asked us to help him. And if the only way we can help Angelo-san is by stopping him..."
"So they're all dead?" Alternative couldn't help but scowl, feeling guilt in his heart that he opted to ignore for now. Now was not the time for that.
"Yes..." Hibiki slowly nodded."But they sacrificed themselves so we could get back to Earth. They died as humans and helped Elsa escape alive with us."
"We don't have much time."
They all looked behind them, seeing Carol approaching them."I sent Garie away. This is the final fight. It's about to get intense."
"No offense, but it's been intense all along," Abyss muttered under his breath.
"Mama!" Bragi exclaimed in joy upon seeing the blonde safe and sound."I'm so sorry! I-"
"We can talk about that later." Carol cut him off."For now...we have a couple of Gods to take down. We don't have much time. We have to stop the Yggdrasil."
"Well, well, well. I believe this is what they call a happy reunion, no?" Shem-Ha adopted her haughty persona."But regardless, you are all too late. It does not matter how much you increase your power. You are out of time." regardless, you are all too late. It does not matter how much you increase your power. You are out of time."
"Enough time to beat you and save Miku." Hibiki clenched her fists.
"We'll take care of Lucifer and guide him away from here. We're more aware of his world-cutting attacks than you are, so we know when to avoid them." Knight said.
"Agreed. Against these types of opponents, it's better to split them up than take them all together and make a mess." Carol nodded.
"Then it's settled." Hajime crackled his knuckles.
"Best of luck to all of you." Knight addressed the whole group."We've been through worse. What's another day of dealing with a world-ending threat, right?"
"Yeah, well." Chris huffed."It's happened too much for my liking."
(Play Battle For Everyone's Souls)
"Then let us move forward and take the first step for humanity to one day reach an understanding!" Tsubasa declared, and Ryuki shot himself past Shem-Ha, shocking her, and attempting to punch Lucifer. The Angel caught his fist, but to his surprise, he was being pushed back as Ryuki's wings flared up with fire. He grinned, hopping over Lucifer and twisting his arm behind his back, allowing Knight to Rider Kick him in the chest, knocking him away. Ryuki used his hold on him, twirling Lucifer around before tossing him away. He slammed his fists together, combing the two dragon heads on top of his arms and firing a beam of concentrated flames against the angel, sending him crashing through several Yggdrasil roots.
Lucifer fired several light blades from the ground, but Alternative appeared in front of Ryuki, stretching out his arm."Devour!"
From his arms, shadows emerged, taking the shape of the mouths of beasts, eating the attacks before returning to him.
"Wow! What did you do just now?" Ryuki exclaimed.
"My ability, kiddo." Beelzebub responded."Like him and Satan, I am also a Conceptual Weapon. I can eat anything and consume it! Let me at him, Bragigi! I want some action."
"Okay!" Alternative manifested his visor, which was a demonic-looking staff with three gems in the middle.
Advent: Beelzebub
Psyco-Rogue appeared briefly, but his body quickly morphed to match Beelzebub's appearance.
(If you want visual representation, look up the artist catball1994 and look for Ultimate Vice. They look the same.)
"Yahoo, motherfuckers! DADDY IS HOME! I'M FINALLY FREE! LET'S DO THIS!" Beelzebub cackled forming a dark sphere in his hands, chucking it toward the angel.
Lucifer scoffed, shooting several slashes towards it. To his dismay, several tendrils emerged from the sphere, absorbing the slashes and expanding in size, forcing the Angel to fly away.'He can add my power to his reserves?'
"Hahaha! Pretty awesome." Beelzebub returned to Alternative."It's too bad he's not Satan. I wanted to punch that pisshead so badly."
"You'll just have to make do with this," Alternative commented, watching as a pillar of light emerged from the ground, making the ground tremble. Several more pillars emerged ground them one by hand.
"Careful! He's underground! He can come out of any of them-"
However, Lucifer had done this as a decoy, and opted to fly towards Alternative, grabbing his head."Now, Sever-"
Nasty Vent: Hyper Wail
Knight appeared beside Lucifer, catching him off guard. Darkstormer was equipped to Knight's back as he took a deep breath and flapped his batwings. A powerful sound emerged from within him, flapping his wings to amplify the sound waves as Lucifer was paralyzed by the attack, forcing him to cover his ears. Knight screamed more, putting more power into it, and sending Lucifer flying. As the attack finished, Knight felt dizzy, hovering down to the ground and falling to his knees.
"You okay, Yanagi-san?!" Ryuki cried out.
"Yeah...It's just, that attack..." Knight looked at his blade and shield."It seems the more energy I burn, the stronger and more potent it is. I must have put too much."
"Don't sweat it, rest for a bit while we-"
Ryuki was struck by a sword of light, knocking him to the ground.
"Adachi!" Alternative screamed.
"Up above, Bragigi!"
Lucifer was high in the sky, standing in front of the moon as he lifted his arms, conjuring thousands of stars around him, molding them to make blades.
Evening Star
"Oh, fuck." Alternative's eyes widened, stretching out his arms."Devour!"
His shadow arms stretched out, attempting to eat the energy, but the blades simply maneuvered around him, avoiding being absorbed.
"What?!"
"I should have known better. After all, I have been observing this whole time." Lucifer mused."Satan sends his regards."
"Shit! My ability is too slow!" Beelzebub cursed.
"Leave it to me!" Raia flew past Alternative, his arms splayed to the side as his body glowed in purple. With a roar, he unleashed several purple-colored projectiles from his body, countering the swords.
'Psychic projectiles?' Lucifer narrowed his gaze.'Just like the Messiah, it seems he can form a particular attack, despite not activating an ability.'
"Don't forget about me!"
Several pillars of water emerged from the ground, forming copies of Abyss.
Trick Vent: Hydro Mirage
The copies fired multiple water dragoons toward Lucifer, surrounding him. The angel floated to the sky but noticed Ryuki holding out an evolved version of his original Drawclaw, bulkier, and with golden highlights.
Strike Vent: EmperorClaw
He unleashed several fire dragons from his gauntlet that began to coil around each other until they formed a giant dragon heading toward Lucifer.
"This is it, Lucifer!"
"And...who said that I was going to lose to lesser beings than me?"
Suddenly, their attacks dissipated before touching him, unable to connect.
"He put his fucking Conceptual Barrier back on!" Beelzebub sneered.
"Oh, shit!" Abyss gasped, noticing Lucifer had him locked in, flying in his direction.
Strike Vent: Soul Burners
"Is this really how you wanted things to turn out!?" Ryuki blasted himself toward him, his gauntlets closing up to form two dragon's gloves."Is this how you saw yourself at the end, without all of your friends?!"
Lucifer winded his fist back while Abyss tried to fly out of the way. However, due to his inexperience in flying, he couldn't get to move more than a few inches while panicking.
"THEY ALL DIED! AND YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE REMAINING!"
The wing behind Lucifer cracked slightly, as he missed his punch on Abyss, putting him in the trajectory of Ryuki. Ryuki screamed, slamming his fist into Lucifer's cheek, cracking part of his face.
"W-what?!" Lucifer couldn't believe what just happened.'He bypassed my Conceptual Barrier?!'
The angel was sent crashing into the ground, creating a huge crater.
"That was a solid hit..." Knight remarked."But how? Could it be because of his Messiah trait?"
'No...' Beelzebub muttered.
"What is it?" Alternative asked his partner.
"Something else is amidst. If I'm right...I just found out a way to turn the tides of this battle."
"Their power...has certainly surprised me...I did not expect simple copies to wield the Lord's power this efficiently." Lucifer stared at the five colorful beings in the sky."Very well. I shall not underestimate you any further."
Lucifer's power surged, blowing apart the land he was on, glaring at the Riders as he took into the sky once more.
"This is it." Ryuki grimaced."The final round. Let's put an end to this once and for all!"
"It's useless." Shem-Ha smirked, blocking Carol's elemental blasts with her Shenshoujing, blasting an incoming Tsubasa from her left and weaving Hibiki's punch from below."You stand no chance to win, monkeys. Even with the help of the Godslayer."
"Then let's up the ante!" Carol grinned, summoning more magic circles and blasting Shem-Ha constantly. The Custodian gritted her teeth as her barrier broke, destroying part of the horns of her Faust Robe. She tried nullifying the damage, but to her shock, she wasn't able to."Impossible..."
"She's not recovering!" Tsubasa yelled for the others to hear.
"What did you do?" Chris turned towards Carol, who shrugged.
"No idea. I've been doing the same thing for a while now."
"It doesn't matter!" Shirabe swung two energy sawblades toward Shem-Ha while Kirika sent a slash from her scythe.
Shem-Ha parried the attacks with her bracer after forming a blade with it, noticing Tsubasa coming from above, blocking her sword.
Carol snapped her fingers, and in the blink of an eye, Shem-Ha was now tied up by her threats, allowing Tsubasa the moment she needed to strike.
"Not this petty trick again." Shem-Ha snickered, summoning various mirrors from her Faust Robe. Tsubasa tried blocking the beams of light, but felt wires wrapped around her as Carol pulled her out of the way.
"Don't let yourselves be touched by the light of the Shenshoujing!" Carol cried out."It will be an ultimate game over!"
"Then we keep our distance, and..." Chris shot several bullets from her blasts, forcing Shem-Ha to maneuver around them as they chased after her. The Custodian gasped, seeing Maria come from above with her dagger out.
'She lured me into a trap!'
"And attack!" Maria slammed her fist into Shem-Ha's face, sending her crashing to the ground below them.
"Is it working?" Kirika pondered aloud.
"Well..." Maria examined the rest of the girls."We're not dead. So I'd say we have a chance at winning."
"But how we are nullifying the Divine Power?" Tsubasa hummed.
"It's hard to say. Though I may have a hypothesis." Carol glared at the ground."But it looks like that will have to wait."
On cue, Shem-Ha emerged from the ground in front of a hornet-like giant machine.
"So, you finally allowed us to see your full power, huh?" Carol smirked."Should we feel honored?"
"Power...Funny you should mention that. What I wanted wasn't the power but the future that lay beyond it." Shem-Ha splayed her arms."For that, I even went as far as reviving a long-lost ancient being. One whose existence I learned thanks to my time studying in my laboratory. You'd be surprised...just how much this universe truly has to be explored"
Shem-Ha summoned countless creatures around her, surrounding the Symphogear from all angles.
"I hate to admit it, but in terms of the food chain of the Divine, we Custodians are not that high up. As such, we too are at the mercy of petty squabbles according to our delusions, just like humans. And yet, we are deemed as perfect beings by all other lowlives in this universe?!"
Hibiki roared, punching the incoming beams being shot from the drone-like monsters, using her thrusts to propel herself through them. Tsubasa waved her flame-like hair, extending it, and burning through several monsters.
Chris aimed her blasts as a giant version of herself appeared behind her with an even bigger gun, firing it and clearing a good amount of monsters.
"I wanted to unite all individuals. Loki was the one who showed me the way to do this. How all individuals could understand each other perfectly. And I plotted my plan in my laboratory, where I even planned to have a child with Loki. To take the first step forward to unification." Shem-Ha began charging up a giant beam of energy."After I found out about Enki's secret meeting on Earth, I grew furious, since he was going about the matter in the worst possible way. So I ordered Narfi to bring chaos to the world. And yet, he was also meant to be the first thing in the universe to be a connector. He was the connector between Aesir and Annunaki!"
The beam was fired, and Carol tried blocking it, to no avail, as a huge explosion followed.
"Carol!" Hibiki cried out in concern, but Shem-Ha took advantage of her brief distraction and rammed into her with her ship.
"Yes, that's right. What I seek is a future where no one has to be hurt or cry because they cannot understand each other."
"T-then let Miku go!" Hibiki sneered, as Shem-Ha continued to push her back.
"Why? So you can all go back to using your imperfect words? There is no mutual understanding. There never will be. It is precisely why my vessel could not express her feelings properly that she accepted me, if only for an instant!"
Hibiki gasped, remembering Bragi's words.
"I couldn't tell her how I felt. I was a coward...afraid of hurting her...and that's exactly what I did..."
"Tachibana!"
Several giant blades rained from the heavens, cutting more monsters and forcing Shem-Ha away. Tsubasa caught Hibiki in her arms."Are you alright?!"
"Still breathing." She nodded.
Meanwhile, Shirabe, Kirika, and Maria combined their attacks, creating a golem that rushed toward Shem-Ha. The Custodian clicked her tongue, putting up a barrier and throwing two mirrors to the side, blasting the golem away. However, this was merely a decoy, as the real attack had yet to come.
She gasped in horror, noticing the giant tornado of colors crashing down onto her barrier.
"OVERBRAVE!" All the girls shouted, their fists out, as they tried to break through to reach the Custodian.
"This...this can't be happening to me...How can I be pushed back this far, even with my power unleashed?!" Shem-Ha cursed, watching her ship beginning to break apart by the combined effort of her foes.'Wait...There is still that...'
In an act of complete cowardice and manipulation, Shem-Ha used Miku's personality to her advantage, her eyes returning to her regular color as she looked at Hibiki square in the face."Are you going to kill me...with your cursed fist?"
"M-Miku?!"
"DON'T LISTEN TO HER!" Carol screamed at the top of her lungs, watching Shem-Ha forming a blue spiral above her."HIBIKI TACHIBANA. DON'T-"
But it was too late. Shem-Ha turned the tables on them, and all the girls were launched away once their attack was overpowered by the one second of weakness from Hibiki.
"Oho! You're so priceless!" Shem-Ha cackled in delight."Just like my vessel, you showed a moment of weakness, and that's all it takes to get you to crumble! But at the very least, I will make you shine in silver! Give you a proper death!"
Shem-Ha fired her silver beam, but to her surprise, Carol got in the way, standing in front of Hibiki as she responded by Golden Transmutation and blocking the attack.
"Carol-chan! This is your...chrysopoeia?!"
"Seriously...Way to butcher the plan. It was perfect too." Carol let out a dry chuckle.
"I'm sorry, Carol...I-"
"It's fine. It's not like I don't understand." Carol waved her off."I came to learn how important these types of connections are thanks to my bothersome other me and my rebellious son."
"Using applied Alchemy...But you must be at your limit. Just let go. It'd be easier, no?" Shem-Ha quipped.
"Yeah." Carol grinned."But I'm not alone in this."
"Let's give her our worst! Burn all our memories away!" Elfnein screamed.
Shem-Ha noticed her attack being pushed back as it began to turn to gold."Proposterous! You'd go this far?!"
"Carol-chan!"
"What will you do now, Hibiki Tachibana?!" Carol looked over her shoulder."The ball is in your court, as they say! So tell me, what do you desire?!
"I want to take Miku back! No matter what it takes! I want to get her back because that's what I want!"
"Heh. Then allow me to impart this promise to you since I won't be able to fulfill it. Reach out your hand, just like how you did with me! Remember?! You are the fool who managed to breach my locked heart! That fist of yours...has the power of a curse. A curse within a curse. But it carries the hopes of everyone! It's up to you how you...USE IT!"
Carol let out a mighty roar, finally managing to return the blast to Shem-Ha. The Custodian narrowly avoided it, but her horns became gold as a consequence."She overpowered my attack...But in the end, it cost her everything."
"CAROL-CHAN!"
Carol landed on the ground, her Faust Robe disappearing and returning back to Elfnein.
"I'll take her away!"
Hibiki gasped upon seeing Garie landing in front of her, missing an arm."Garie?! You're okay!"
Garie scooped Elfnein under her arm."Okay is a bit of a stretch. But I am still functional. I'm sorry...But this is the best I can do."
"It's fine. It's too dangerous for her here."
"Then I leave the rest to you." Garie was about to leap away, but turned around to tell Hibiki one last thing."You know...It was the first time I ever saw Carol believe in someone who wasn't in her social circle. You should be proud."
With that, the Autoscorer leaped away, taking Elfnein to a safe location.
"In the end, this was all for nothing." Shem-Ha began floating toward the sky as the ground began to shake.
"We have to go after her-"
Suddenly, Kirika's eyes blanked out, and a purple aura covered her body. Subsequently, everyone else began to be clad in the same aura, paralyzing their movements.
Hibiki could only stare in disbelief as her friends were under Shem-Ha's control.
"Yes...Return to your rightful form of five thousand years ago!" Shem-Ha yelled, standing in front of the moon and casting a shadow over it."Now the bio-terminal network will be constructed. I will unite the power and life hidden within all humanity, and then, as the all-present, all-knowing Shem-Ha, I will ravage it into submission. But first comes you...isn't that right, Godslayer?"
(Play Metanoia by Nana Mizuki)
"Shem-Ha!" Hibiki screamed, her fist shining in gold as golden particles began gathering around her.
"Your power allowed you to escape the connection. But this is over!"
"It's not! Not until I take Miku back from you!" Hibiki kicked the ground, launching herself toward Shem-Ha.
"You will fail!" Shem-Ha used the Shenshoujin to fight back, striking Hibiki away as the two began to fight in the sky."Strike down this body and you will kill her! Then all of this would have been for naught!"
"Then I won't!"
"Huh?! What are you talking about?!"
"My Dad taught me that curses and blessings are two sides of the same coin!" Hibiki punched away at the Shenshoujing tendrils."One can become the other! I can turn a curse into a blessing!"
"I will send you to hell! Once you go down, then your little friends go down too! Even if you kill me, the primorial Angel will just take what is his! There is no turning back now!"
"Even so! I believe in Hajime and the others!" Hibiki activated her thrusters, increasing her speed and forcing Shem-Ha to bombard her with energy from her mirrors."We've come so far and fought so hard, just so we can take Miku back! Our feelings are powerful enough to fight two thousand years of curses!
Hibiki's gauntlet grew in size, and Shem-Ha noticed the other Symphogear were moving once more."A network disruption?!"
"We'll take it back!" Shirabe screamed.
"Something that's very important-desu!" Kirika nodded.
"Our instinctives are seeking it and screaming!" Maria joined in.
"So that everyone can have it equally!" Chris proclaimed.
"Bring it together with your own hands, Tachibana! The power of humanity that your father showed you and its light!" Tsubasa raised her fist in the air as did all the Symphogear.
"With the Curse of Balal gone, it's not just gods who can bring people together!" Hibiki blasted herself toward Shem-Ha, her fist practically emanating golden energy.
"Stay away from me!" Shem-Ha screamed in desperation, continuing to pointlessly unleash her attacks despite none of them having any effect."That DAMN CURSED FIST!"
"It's not the Godslayer's fist! It's my Armed Gear! The hand that reaches out to others!"
"JUST DIE! DISAPPEAR INTO NOTHINGNESS, GODSLAYER!" Shem-Ha fired a black beam from her bracer, but Hibiki negated it with her fist as she finally reached Shem-Ha."FOR THE FUTURE! AND FOR MIKU!"
"She...overcame the curse?!"
But instead of a punch, Shem-Ha found herself embraced by Hibiki's arms.
Metanoia
Shem-Ha's scream echoed through the area as the bracer broke, her spirit abandoning Miku's body and exploding in the air, causing the shadow over the moon to disappear.
And finally, after so long, Hibiki saw Miku again, catching her unconscious form in her arms.
She couldn't help but start crying, glad to finally rescue her after a long-endured battle."Welcome back...Miku."
"I must admit...At first, I wasn't convinced. I thought it'd be a simple matter of killing you all...and then putting the great Ventara back to pieces, with the Messiah as the foundation."
"What?!" Hajime's eyes shot wide open.
"You know about the Messiah?" Yosuke scowled."And the Divine Beast?"
"But of course. Beelzebub wouldn't know, so do not expect any information from him. Allow me to tell you who I am." Lucifer splayed his arms."I am the former Seraphin, Lucifer Morningstar. And most loyal subject of Ventara."
"Loyal...subject?" Raiden furrowed his brow."But weren't the Ventarians the ones worshipping Ventara? And they were all turned to Mirror Monsters."
"They were worshippers, yes. But I was part of the elite squadron. Our sole duty was to protect Lord Ventara from all plots against it."
"Protect it?" Beelzebub parroted."Ain't that thing like all-powerful and shit? Capable of even frightening even Odin?"
"Indeed. Ventara is beyond all understanding of power. Even mine. You see, Ventara is neither evil nor good. It exists just like concepts exist. As reality, as we all know it. A being that sits outside of all concepts. Even Custodians and Aesir feared it."
"Then if it was so powerful, how was it defeated by Odin?" Hajime asked.
"Not defeated. Odin never had the gall to face our Lord in combat. His power is but a speck of dust compared to Ventara. So he did what he did best. He plotted. You see, despite all the power Ventara had, it was not a being capable of rational thought."
"What does that mean?" Abyss tilted his head.
"Ventara is an entity. It's hard to explain this in ways you can comprehend, but it was a being that merely existed and did its thing. When it wanted to eat. It ate. When it wanted to destroy. It destroyed. But normally, it would roam around outside of space. Of course, to make up for this, we were created from it. We guarded it across all lands. All planets. But there was one thing we were not able to predict. Odin's thirst for power...and how far he would go for that goal."
Lucifer looked up at the broken moon."Odin, by all standards, was the wisest being in all of the realms. His eye...he had sacrificed one of his eyes for divine wisdom. But he came to understand one thing. Wisdom was nothing in the face of overwhelming power. One thing that describes Odin perfectly is his thirst for control. He couldn't stand the thought of a being stronger than him existing. Even if Ventara never bothered him. So he idealized a plan and made a sacrifice...Sacrificing his omniscient wisdom to craft a sword with the ability to cut through existence itself."
"Wait, what?!" Ryuki couldn't believe his ears."You're saying Odin gave up his divine wisdom...for that?!"
"Something that cuts existence itself..." Knight gasped in realization."Then, that means-"
"Yes. Zantetsuken, he dubbed it. He used that power, alongside his subordinates to cut Ventara to pieces. We were unable to do anything, as we had been defeated by his forces. All we could do was watch as Ventara was split up and sealed into stones." Lucifer continued, clenching his fists."As the strongest Angel, I was able to endure more than my comrades. But I was also left alone. Until they decided to cast me to Helheim where I fought for centuries, trying to claw my way from that place. But I was too weakened. Too tired. My body was starting to get corrupted...and I lost my wings. Until I had fully succumbed...and became Satan. An alter ego and a husk of my former self, born from the broken mind."
"So Satan was his own being then. Nothing to do with you." Hajime commented.
"That is correct. However, there is something you and I share in common, Messiah. When Ventara was split, its will continued to live on. And even now, it's been creating Messiahs throughout history. So that one day, one of them can put it back together and defeat Odin. And you are the one that's come further than the rest. You even evolved your power to a level I didn't know existed."
"Existed...?"
"These new forms of yours...are not supposed to exist. Dragranzer, Darkraider, Exodiver, Abyssladon, and all the other beasts were the results of the separation before their powers were further suppressed. But here you are...DragEmperor, Darkstormer, Evilbreaker, Abyssiathan. Evolved powers that defy all logic and reason."
"And that makes me the odd one out." Alternative surmised.
"Hold on...you said something about having something in common with the kid. What did you mean?" Beelzebub asked in a skeptical tone.
"Satan unconsciously was trying to get me back to life. He didn't know it, but he was subconsciously yearning for it. That's why he set his goal to kill that God, Hel. He wanted to use her power to purify himself. And then, I could have been reborn. For you see, aside from the Shenshoujing's power, only the power of a deity can fully restore me from the corruption."
"So...all of us went through so much shit...just for you to be brought back?!" Beelzebub snarled."What is your goal in all of this anyway?! What are you planning?!"
"It should be obvious by now."
"You want...the resurrection of Ventara." Ryuki deduced."If so, then maybe we can reach an understanding. We're not the bad guys here. If we talk, we can-"
"You're half right, Messiah. I do want the great Divine Beast to be reborn. However, if it's reborn, nothing will stop someone else like Odin from wanting to take its power. And the same story will repeat itself. Because all beings are corruptible. So to that end, I shall use you as a foundation for me to absorb all of the Kamen Riders' powers and become the new vessel for the great Ventara! And thanks to your new increased power, and my strength, I shall reach a step further of power that Ventara had ever possessed. Not even Odin will be able to stop me after I exact my revenge on him. I shall gain ultimate, omnipotent power, erase all life in existence, and start over. The Custodians made a mistake in creating you, humans. But Ventara made a mistake in creating the Custodians. I will create pure entities with an incorruptible will. And a new universe shall be born!"
"Revenge, huh? You want revenge too, just like Satan and Angelo." Ryuki grimaced."Guess that's something all 3 of you have in common."
"His goal is no different from Ryuga's. We have to stop him no matter what. This will be our last confrontation with him. Beelzebub, you said you figured something out?"
"Yes, sir! Hear me out, because this the plan..."
The Riders huddled around as they discussed their strategy briefly.
"So that's the plan...It makes sense. I'm alive because of that." Abyss nodded.
"And I was able to land a successful blow. So, if we can weaken his Conceptual Barrier..."
"We just might be able to take down Lucifer." Knight finished."Alright then. You all know what to do. We'll create an opening for our two aces, Adachi and Dienheim!"
"Yes!"
Lucifer frowned, swinging his arm and creating a net of slashes.
"That's a huge one!"
"It doesn't matter! We forge on and fight!" Alternative scanned a card through his staff visor.
Shoot Vent: Voracious Shooters
Two short-double barreled shotguns appeared on Beelzebub's hands, immediately shooting bullets of Gluttony bullets, consuming the slashes as they touched them.
The primordial angel conjured a beam of light in his hands, shooting it past his slashes. Abyss got in front of the group, concentrating his power on his visor and shooting a beam of azure-colored water from it, clashing against the beam of light, but it was being pushed back. Raia shot his amethyst emerald shots, mixing them with the water and amplifying the attack. Knight joined in, mixing a tornado from his blade. Finally, Ryuki and Alternative mixed their fire and Gluttony, increasing the power several times, and completely bypassing the attack.
"Your attacks cannot reach me! I am untouchable!" Lucifer declared, not bothering to move as the attack came toward him.
"When you become untouchable, you're unable to touch! Does that mean you do not want to reach for Millaarc's hand, Angelo?! WAKE UP!" Ryuki screamed.
Lucifer's wings cracked slightly, and to his shock, the attack hit him head-on.'IMPOSSIBLE! ONCE MORE, MY BARRIER WAS-?!'
"Impossible!" Lucifer screamed as the attack combusted.
"It's working!" Abyss cheered."Our attacks are finally landing!"
"Because Angelo is still there! He's still fighting!" Ryuki raised a fist in the air."Come on, Angelo! Don't let him win! I know you're still in there!"
"But how?" Raia asked, puzzled.
"The host is still Angelo Romano." Knight answered."Even if Lucifer is in control, and even if his being was purified from Satan, he is still a Relic. A fusion between human and relic. Every time Angelo doubts himself, Lucifer's Conceptual Barrier drops momentarily, allowing us to land a hit."
"If he's doubting himself, we can't be lower being, as he claims." Bragi clarified."The weakness of pride is humility."
"That's the weakness...of Lucifer!" Beelzebub declared.
"To think I'd have such a weakness..." Lucifer clenched his fists, shooting himself toward the sky once more."Curses! If only I hadn't been turned into a blasted Relic and put inside this human!"
In a burst of rage, Lucifer expanded his aura before shooting countless slashes toward the group from all directions.
Alternative put up a gravitational barrier around them, blocking the slashes from reaching them as they flew over to him.
"It's a distraction!" Raia pointed at the giant slice coming their way. They all exited the sphere, taking on a few slashes by dodging the world-cutting slash from Lucifer. However, the angel grabbed Alternative by the face, shooting slashes and throwing him to the ground.
Noon Star
Lucifer summoned several stars in the sky, raining them down on the Riders, causing them to crash on the ground.
"N-no...We can't give up." Ryuki groaned, picking himself off the floor."Guys, you're with me?!"
"Always." Knight nodded, using his blade to stand up.
"Too late to back down." Raia nodded.
"We gotta save the world!" Abyss chimed in.
However, the ground began to shake uncontrollably, surprising them. Ryuki looked up at the sky, noticing the moon had been completely covered by a shadow."What...?"
Suddenly, Knight, Abyss, and Raia were covered in a purple aura, paralyzed.
"Guys?" Ryuki asked but received no answer from them.
"So, it seems the Custodian has succeeded. Good. This just saved me a lot of trouble." Lucifer glared at the still-operative Rider."I am not surprised. As a Messiah, you are not under the Curse of Balal, as you are categorized as a Divine being. But you are merely one human wielding power beyond your comprehension. This fight is over."
"Even if it's just me...I will never stop fighting! I will never give up! No matter what!" Ryuki declared, pointing at the ancient angel."Angelo, you don't give up either! Millaarc wouldn't want to see you like this! So fight on!"
Lucifer growled, as another crack appeared on his body, and his barrier was put down."But you don't have the power to hurt me alone. I-"
A purple sphere of energy appeared in front of Lucifer, exploding, and sending the angel crashing into a mountain as the attack disintegrated its surroundings.
"Who says he's alone?"
Ryuki gasped, noticing Alternative floating in the sky."Dienheim?! You can move?!"
"The First was a Messiah. And by all intents and purposes, I am also him. Not to mention, this fucking angel doesn't consider one fact." The hybrid pointed at himself."I am the Third Hyperion! And the rightful heir to the throne! The Last Prince of the Ventara kingdom!"
"Hell, yeah! Tell 'em, Bragigi!" Beelzebub cackled.'He says that, but it's because of me he has immunity to the Curse of Balal...Can't let him know that though...'
"It's not all over yet. Remember, Hibiki is a Godslayer. Which means, we have to trust her to handle the other battle while we finish things here. I made a promise to Miku-san..."
"If you were the one causing trouble, Miku-san...Even if it is hypothetical...Then I would come to save you, no matter what it takes."
"Back when we were riding the Ferris Wheel..." Hajime recalled with a nod.
"Since I have my own part to play, I have to put my trust in Hibiki-dono. And I believe that she'll save Miku-san. So let's end this together!"
"I never imagined the day would come when we would work together as a team." Ryuki flew beside him as they saw Lucifer staring at them from afar.
Ryuki drew a card from his Deck, scanning it through his Emperorvisor on his left wrist as the card burned away.
Sword Vent: EmperorSaber
A golden nine-ringed sword with black highlights appeared in Ryuki's grasp as both he and Bragi bum-rushed Lucifer, who immediately shot slashes their way. Ryuki parried the slashes while Alternative shot Gluttony bullets from his shotguns, extinguishing the attacks as they closed the distance.
"Bring it on. Show me what All Hopes of this World can do!" Lucifer rushed toward them, swinging his arm, but Ryuki bent his knees, avoiding the attack. Alternative jumped in his face, shooting a few bullets that bounced off his Conceptual Barrier. From Lucifer's eyes, beams of energy emerged, prompting the Rider to use his single wing to block the attack.
"Angelo, do you know what happened on the moon-"
"Silence, mortal!" Lucifer grabbed Ryuki's sword, aiming his left arm towards him before shooting a world-cutting slash. However, Ryuki kicked his arm away at the last second, causing Lucifer to fire the attack somewhere else, tearing through the ground beneath them.
"Noble Red realized their mistakes and sacrificed themselves to save our friends!" Ryuki cried out, jumping and double kicking Lucifer in the chest as another crack appeared on his body."We'll take it back!"
"The present day! The here and now that you've stolen! We're taking it back!" Alternative created a hand of dark matter, cladding it with Gluttony and punching Lucifer in the face, sending him flying.
"This...this can't be happening...They can bypass my Conceptual Barrier...and they have the power to damage me..." Lucifer clenched his fists tight."Is this to say...that this is Ventara's will? But...but that can't be!"
"We'll show you..."
"...our power!"
"And our will to keep our promises to the ones we love!" Both of them declared, slamming their fist against Lucifer's face. However, he held out his arms, shooting several slashes in their direction, sending them flying with various cuts.
"Then I will have to destroy that very source of your power!" Lucifer flew toward the sky, lifting his arms and forming a giant sphere of energy. The sphere became bigger and bigger, becoming the size of an island.
"If that attack lands on the planet..." Alternative grimaced.
"Then we won't let it land." Ryuki confidently said, showing him a card. The Link Vent card.
"Go for it, guys!"
They looked down, noticing that their friends were no longer clad by that purple aura.
"A disruption!" Beelzebub chuckled."Your girlfriend must be giving Shem-Ha a run for her money!"
"Protect everyone's future!" Abyss cheered.
"Teach Angelo to not be relinquished by the chains of his past!" Raia hollered.
"And take back...our tomorrow!" Knight finished.
"Let's do this." Alternative showed Ryuki his Link Vent, scanning it through his staff as did Ryuki.
Link Vent(x2)
Ryuki conjured a sphere of fire in the air while Alternative and Beelzebub focused their power together, covering the sphere with various rings of Gluttony.
Morningstar
Lucifer chucked his attack at the boys, while they roared and shot theirs upwards.
Nova Collapse
"Don't let it...end like this, Angelo! Elsa, Vanessa, Millaarc, your sister Reina, Psykos, and Amy! Remember them! Remember what you stood for!" Ryuki flinched, feeling their attack being pushed back.
"We didn't kill your sister! It was Yomi Kugisaki, the son of the Custodian that you're helping!" Alternative boomed."We dealt with him! So you don't have to worry anymore! Justice has been served!"
Lucifer groaned, feeling his body beginning to crack."I-I...I...!"
"We have to end the cycle of hatred! For a new tomorrow! Your friends realized that, and gave up their lives to save our friends! But...Millaarc said she was sorry! Sorry that she left you alone! But I'm sure she loved you until the last second of her life! So...don't dare to..."
Ryuki's body began to glow in white as he lifted his fist, punching the air and shooting a beam of white light, pushing their attack and overwhelming Lucifer's.
"DON'T GIVE UP ON LIVING!"
Lucifer's eyes shot wide open as he was consumed by the giant sphere of power, causing him to howl in agony as his armor cracked into pieces.
"Not yet! NOT YET!"
From the sphere, a giant black figure emerged, having 7 heads of all sorts of animals, including a purple humanoid figure reaching out to the sky."I will not be beaten!"
"Are you kidding me?! A fourth phase?!" Abyss groaned in exasperation."This guy is like a fucking Elden Ring boss!"
"No...This is more like his last sliver of health." Knight remarked."His perfect body has left him and corruption is taking over him again."
"I WILL BECOME THE NEW VENTARA! THIS UNIVERSE IS MINE!" The demon raised one of his giant hands, lifting a pillar from the ground and hitting Ryuki with it, sending him flying to the sky. The 6 animal heads shot beams of dark energy at the three Riders on the ground, snatching Alternative with one of his colossal hands. In a last-ditch effort, Alternative threw one of his shotguns at the demon, enhancing it with gravity and shooting it like a bullet. The demon merely weaved his head, chuckling.
"The power is mine! Mine! I will create a new universe free of corruptible beings! Huh?!"
(Play Persona 5 I Believe)
"Impossible!" Lucifer screamed, noticing his attacks being pushed back.
Cross Vent
All three Riders had fused with their monsters, becoming a bigger version of them, clad in armor. Abyssliathan pushed back with a jetstream of water while Evilbreaker formed a psychic barrier, pushing back the attack. Darkstormer flapped his wings, creating a tornado that dispersed all the attacks.
"HIS WEAK SPOT! WE HAVE TO DESTROY THE RELIC INSIDE HIS HEAD! THE HUMAN HEAD!" DARKSTORMER BELLOWED.
Lucifer's eyes shot wide open, looking to the sky and seeing the giant DragEmperor coming from the stratosphere toward him. The dragon was bigger than DragEmperor, clad in Ryuki's armor from head to tail. The devil began shooting various energy beams from all his mouths, but the fusion of Rider and Beast blocked them with his giant blade. Ryuki returned to normal, grabbing the shotgun that Alternative had thrown him, and shooting all the bullets in it at the head. Lucifer screeched as his head was cracked, allowing Ryuki the opportunity to use his EmperorClaw.
"WE'LL DECIDE WHAT WE DO WITH OUR FUTURE! NOT YOU!"
Ryuki's whole body was covered in flames, forming a giant dragon of white flames. One that was very familiar to Lucifer.
Lucifer could only stare the the incoming dragon that reminded him of his past."My Lord...Is this...your final will...?"
The dragon crashed against Lucifer's human head, splitting it open and going down his body as he screamed in agony.
One For All
Lucifer's cries were silent as his body began turning to dust, reaching out to the sky one last time before he disappeared. Subsequently, the shadow on the moon disappeared.
(Song End)
Ryuki sighed in relief, removing his helmet to get fresh air."Phew...It's over..."
"That was a close one. Let's...not do that again, yeah?" Alternative fell on the ground, exhausted.
Ryuki lifted a thumb, slowly descending to where Alternative was with a smile."We make a pretty good team after all, don't we, Bragi?"
The hybrid picked himself off the ground, sitting up.
"After all that, you're smiling. I really will never understand you...Hajime." Alternative allowed himself a smile, removing his helmet. He returned the thumbs up, both boys finally laughing in unison and peace. From enemies to rivals. And from rivals...to friends.
And that settles it for the final battles in XV. I think this has been the longest final fight, next to Bragard. It started the moment the Elsa and Angelo fight started. So it's pretty close. Anyway, one more chapter of XV!