"Crap, this is not good…" Maia muttered, watching the scene unfold on the stage. "Tsubasa can't transform in front of the crowds..."
"I'll find a way to shut off the cameras." Ogawa told Maia.
"Got it." Maia said, as he ran off. "Then I need to cause a diversion, hmm…"
Maia looked into the room full of outfits and costumes, before smirking and rubbing her hands.
"Well, let's let God take the wheel on this one." She said, before grabbing a couple of props and outfit pieces.
"We, the paramilitary organization known as Finé, hereby announce our demands to all countries around the world." Maria said. "Let's see… For now, simply cede all your territory to us!"
"Is she insane?" Tsubasa said to herself.
"If you do not meet our demands within the next 24 hours, Noise attacks will strike your major cities." Maria continued.
"How far are you willing to take this?" Tsubasa asked.
"I will become the supreme ruler, creating a paradise for us all to live in." Maria said. "Doesn't that sound wonderful?"
"Sounds like a load of bullshit to me." Rui muttered under her breath as she slowly moved up the stadium's stairs. Tsubasa saw the familiar hoodie from the corner of her eye, but didn't say anything, deciding to draw Maria's attention on herself.
"What do you hope to accomplish with this charade?" She asked, tightening the grip on her mic.
"You think I'm a fraud, do you?" Maria asked.
"That's correct!" Tsubasa declared, pointing at Maria. "I'll prove you can't possibly wield the true Gungnir Symphogear! Imyuteus Ame no- "
"Wait, Tsubasa-san!" Tsubasa stopped her song as she heard Ogawa speak through her earpiece. "If you act now, the whole world will find out that Tsubasa Kazanari is a Symphogear user."
"But what else can I-"
"Not all of Tsubasa Kazanari's songs are battle songs." Ogawa reminded her. "Your songs also heal the wounded and ease their pain."
Tsubasa frowned, before looking at Maria once more.
"Why not test my strength, then?" Maria asked. "Why not find out for yourself if my words are true?"
The two stared at one another, neither backing down.
"Very well." Maria said, before pulling up her mic. "I release the audience from this arena! I won't let the Noise harm any of you. Leave this place immediately!"
She's letting them go? Rui thought, watching as the crowd started to make their way to the exits.
"What are you trying to do?" Tsubasa asked.
"Indeed, what are you trying to do?" Maria heard in her ear. "I don't believe the plan specified that we should give up our advantage. Care to explain yourself?"
"I'm the star of this stage." Maria said. "Taking hostages isn't my style."
"Don't be afraid to stain your hands with blood!" The voice sighed. "I'll send Shirabe and Kirika there. Just don't forget about your objectives."
"Roger that, Mom. Thanks."
She turned to Tsubasa once more, ready for the next stage.
"The evacuation of the hostages is progressing smoothly." Ogawa said into his communicator as he overlooked the situation.
"Got it." Genjuro's voice said. "Then…"
"I'll make sure Tsubasa-san's okay." Ogawa said, before hanging up and running off.
Miku looked down at the situation, worried about what was happening.
"Hina." Kuriyo said. "We'd just be in the way if we stayed."
"Tachibana might be running late, but she's coming." Shiori added.
"She won't let us down." Yumi said.
"You're right." Miku agreed. "Okay. And Shuri?"
The girl still had Okami locked and loaded. "I'm staying. I'm not the scared girl that I used to be."
"Just stay safe." Miku said.
"I promise."
Miku followed her friends, before looking back briefly.
Hibiki… Please get here soon.
In the helicopter, Hibiki and Chris were still watching the live footage.
"That's great! So the audience is safe?" Hibiki said in relief.
"We're still investigating the Aufwachen waveform generated by the relic." Sakuya said through the voice call. "I'm afraid it isn't a complete fake."
Hibiki put a hand over her chest. "The Gungnir is still there in my heart."
"Then that means there is a second piercing spear."
"The Black Gungnir…" Hibiki said, looking at Maria's appearance.
Ogawa dashed through the hallways of the stadium.
The eyes of the world are now set on Tsubasa-san. To free her from those chains-
His train of thought was interrupted as he saw movement. He quickly ran over to see what was going on. On the far side, two girls around the corner were discussing their next move.
"Dang it, he's coming this way, dess!" Said a blonde haired girl.
"Don't worry, Kiri-chan." A black haired girl said, before holding up a pendant. "If worst comes to worst-"
"Whoooah!" Kirika placed her hands over the pendan before hiding it in her collar. "Can't you ever resolve things peacefully, Shirabe?"
"Is something wrong?" Ogawa said, running up to the two.
The two froze up.
"You two need to evacuate!"
"Uh, we just…uh..."
Shirabe stared at Ogawa, before Kirika moved in front of her.
"She, uh, had to use the bathroom all of a sudden, dess!" Kirika said, nervously laughing. Shirabe kept trying to peek while Kirika kept trying to hide her. "Man, what a pain, right, dess?"
"Huh? Well, I can take you to the emergency exit when you're done." Ogawa offered.
"Nah, don't worry about us, dess!" Kirika insisted. "Once she's done with her business, we'll be out before you know it, dess!"
"All right. Just be careful, okay?" Ogawa said, before running off.
"Of course, dess…" Kirika said, before letting out a huge sigh of relief. "I can't believe we pulled that off, dess…"
Shirabe stared at Kirika.
"What's wrong?" Kirika asked.
"I wouldn't do it somewhere like this." Shirabe said.
"...That so?" Kirika said, a bit of sweat pouring down her face. "It might be my duty to protect you and all, but I dunno how I'm gonna last like this."
Shirabe smiled. "Thanks for everything, Kiri-chan."
"Anyway, let's get going, dess!" Kirika said, as the two ran in the opposite direction of Ogawa.
The arena was empty now, with only Tsubasa, Maria and the hordes of Noise remaining.
"I envy all those people who have somewhere to go home to." Maria said.
"Maria, what on Earth-" Tsubasa started, before Maria pointed her mic.
"The audience have left. There will be no casualties. Will you fight me now? Or are you more concerned about yourself? Is that really all the determination you have?"
Tsubasa looked around as the Noise slowly drew closer, but used that excuse to keep Maria from finding out that she was looking around for anyone else. Sure enough, she spotted a silver tuft of Shuri's hair poking out from the top seats, and Rui's hoodie from behind a pillar a little way off from the stage.
After surveying the area, Tsubasa turned back to Maria, who charged with the sword. Tsubasa easily deflected the strikes with her own blade, but could feel the power behind them. Maria's cape shot out at her, and Tsubasa barely backflipped out of the way. The blade she had was now broken and useless, so she tossed it to the side.
"Tsubasa can't summon her Gear while the broadcast is still live!" Hibiki shouted as she and Chris watched it unfold.
"Can't you go any faster?!" Chris shouted.
"We'll be there in ten minutes." Aoi said.
Hibiki tightened her fists. Hold on a little longer, Tsubasa-san…
Maria kept on slashing, as Tsubasa kept avoiding the slashes.
I need to get out of the camera's line of sight! Tsubasa thought. But she's not giving me the chance…
Maria was about to slash down at Tsubasa, before a voice called out.
"So you're the famous Maria Cadenzavna Eve I heard about?" The voice echoed throughout the theatre. "I got to say, I'm unimpressed."
Maria stopped attacking and looked around. The Noise had all stopped moving too.
"Who-?! Show yourself!" Maria shouted. "I gave you the chance to evacuate!"
Tsubasa had a small smile, as she recognized the voice. Out of sight, Rui facepalmed, while Shuri raised an eyebrow.
They heard the sound of a grappling gun being fired as a figure swung down from the rafters. She had on a mini top hat with a blue band, and wore a long dark blue coat over a silver dress shirt. The look was completed with a blue skirt and black boots. While her hair was short and blue, Maria couldn't identify her due to the blue eye mask she wore on her face.
"What the hell?" Chris said, looking at the screen. "What is that idiot doing?"
"Eh?! Who's that?!" Hibiki shouted.
Chris only looked at her friend in exasperation, despite how painfully obvious it was.
"Who are you?" Maria asked, pointing her blade at her.
"Call me the phantom thief that's stirring up a storm." The "mysterious" girl said, holding up a gloved hand and snapping her fingers. "Cause it's showtime."
"Showtime?" Maria scoffed. "I'm the one controlling the stage, phantom thief."
"Are you now?" The phantom thief asked. "You don't even realize what I've already taken from you."
"What?" Maria asked. "That's absurd."
Yet Maria couldn't help but feel a chill go down her spine. Was this thief telling the truth? Did she steal something? Her eyes widened. No… she couldn't have taken Serena's...
"You see, Maria Cadenzavna Eve… I have stolen…" The thief pointed at her. "Your heart!"
…
…
…
"Eh?" Maria said, confused.
Tsubasa rolled her eyes at the statement as she slowly moved away. Shuri pouted, even though she knew that it was all an act. As for Rui?
"I don't know if she's an impulsive idiot or a goddamn genius." Rui said quietly.
"For you see, Maria, I have stolen your heart!" The thief said, spreading her arms. "Don't you just feel it beating for me?"
"...not really, no."
"Then explain that blush!"
"This is my normal face."
"...it appears that your heart already belongs to another." The thief said, before pulling out a card. "I will bid you adieu."
The thief threw a card at one of the main cameras. Maria briefly panicked… before the card fluttered down harmlessly into the crowd of Noise.
"...man, TV makes it look so easy." The thief said, rubbing the back of her head.
"Are you some sort of fool?" Maria asked.
"Probably." The thief admitted. "But I'm also a good diversion."
Maria's eyes widened as she saw Tsubasa running to the back of the stage, out of the camera's view.
"Damn!"
Maria raised her sword, ready to throw it.
"I don't think so!"
The thief aimed the grappling gun at the sword before firing. The rope ensnared the sword with little issue.
"Gotcha!" The thief said. "Now you have no way to-!"
Maria simply threw the sword with all her strength, pulling the thief off her feet as she was pulled along for the ride.
"Craaaap!" The thief yelled, letting go of the grappling gun and rolling on the stage. Tsubasa jumped over the thrown blade… before landing and slipping thanks to her shoe's heel snapping.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to step off the stage just yet." Maria said, suddenly right next to Tsubasa.
She delivered a powerful kick to Tsubasa's stomach and sent her flying back. It worked well. A little too well.
"Damn, don't stray from the plan!" Maria said aloud.
"You knocked her OFF the stage, jackass!" The thief said as she saw Tsubasa falling towards the crowd of Noise. "Tsubasa!"
I can't switch to my freezing shots in time! Shuri realized, as she changed her aim.
"Shit!" Rui whispered. "I got to step in…"
"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki shouted, as Chris gasped. "Tsubasa-san… Do you mean to throw your singing career away?"
Tsubasa looked down at the crowd of Noise below her, before closing her eyes. She'd have to activate her relic to survive, and reveal her true self to the world. But she'd accept it. She knew that this was always a possibility, and she had prepared herself for this day.
I bid farewell to my life as a singer. "Hear now the song of a sentinel!"
Hibiki and Chris watched as Tsubasa fell… and the screen went dead with "No Signal."
"What happened to the video?!" Hibiki yelled, grabbing the TV. "Tsubasa-san? Tsubasa-san!"
"The broadcast was cut off at the source?" Aoi said, looking at her phone.
Chris punched a hand into her fist. "Then that means…"
"Yes." Aoi confirmed.
"Huh? Huh?" Hibiki said, confused.
Imyuteus Ame no Habakiri tron~
Tsubasa was engulfed in a bright light, before blue and white mechanical armor covered her body. She started to sing and create swords as she cut down the horde of Noise.
"The broadcast was cut off?" Maria said, seeing that all the screens had the same "No Signal" message.
Ogawa let out a breath of relief in the studio's broadcast room.
"If the world found out that Tsubasa Kazanari was a Symphogear user, her time on stage would be over." He said, wiping his brow. "As her manager, I cannot allow that."
"The guy's hella reliable." Rui said, as she realized what had happened. "Guess it's fine for me to show now."
Tsubasa landed on the stage after dealing with the Noise, before pointing her blade at Maria. The phantom thief stood up, and dusted her sleeve.
"Now, we shall strike back!" Tsubasa said.
"We?" Maria asked.
"So you wanna take her on together?" The thief said. "Guess that can be fun."
She threw off all of the phantom thief clothing to reveal her black and blue jacket. She finished it by throwing away her mask.
Maria narrowed her eyes. "You're-!"
"It was hella stressful being up on the world's stage like that." Maia admitted, pulling out a cube. "I dunno how you do it, Tsubasa."
"It's what I love." Tsubasa said.
"I know that." Maia said, throwing the cube out as it unfolded into a hoverboard. "It's why I did it."
"Thank you, oneesama." Tsubasa said. "Now then, shall we?"
Maia hopped onto Takemikazuchi. "Let's kick her ass, Tsubasa."
Tsubasa rushed at Maria with several slashes, all of which Maria gracefully dodged. Maria flipped backwards into the air and her cape shot forward at Tsubasa. She slashed at the cape, but it kept coming forward and pushed her back.
Maia flew right behind Maria and went for a kick, but Maria ducked the attack and the cape shot backwards. Maia jumped over the snare and landed safely back on her board.
"No fake Relic can move like this…" Maia noted.
"Then… your Gungnir is real?" Tsubasa asked.
"Finally you understand." Maria said. "Indeed, this is my Gungnir! The spear that can pierce anything!"
Maria ran forward as her cape slashed at Tsubasa. Maria spun around and became a tornado that Tsubasa blocked with her blade.
"Even so, I will not let you have your way!" Tsubasa declared.
Maria overpowered Tsubasa, who flipped upwards. Maia noticed there was a bit of hesitation in her face, but Tsubasa took advantage of that moment, combining two swords together.
"You cannot afford to waver while fighting me!" She declared, as her blades lit aflame.
Tsubasa sped forward at an incredible pace, slashing past Maria with all of her might.
Fiery Windblades
Maria winced from the strike and heat, as Tsubasa charged in for another attack.
"You can tell me your story from bed!"
Maria glanced behind her, before looking forward to see Maia dropping forward with two huge broadswords.
"You messed with the wrong sisters today!" Maia said, as the rocket boosters on her blades powered up.
But right as the two were about to strike, Maia saw something from the corner of her eye.
"Shit! Tsubasa! Behind you!"
Tsubasa quickly heeded her sister's words and turned around. She twirled her blade just in time to block a hail of buzzsaws.
Alpha Style: 100 Rebirths
A girl garbed in a pink and black Symphogear was the culprit, and jumping up behind her was a girl armed with a green and black Symphogear.
"Here we go, dess!"
Kirika swung a huge scythe, launching several of the blades right at Tsubasa and Maia.
Kill Juliet
Tsubasa was too busy defending herself from the buzzsaw storm and took a direct strike and found herself on her back. Maia managed to block the attack, but could feel the power behind them. She landed right next to her sister, and held her blades up protectively.
"That was close." Shirabe said.
"Right in the nick of time, dess!" Kirika added.
"Three Gear users?!" Tsubasa said, sitting up.
"Now that's a little unfair, don't you think?" Maia asked. "And to send little kids into battle too."
"You were both fighting Maria, so I think it's perfectly fair, dess!" Kirika said. "Also, I'm fifteen, dess!"
"...okay fair points."
"Now is hardly time to agree with the enemy, oneesama." Tsubasa said.
"Not that I need Kirika and Shirabe to save me from the likes of you two." Maria said.
Tsubasa chuckled. "People like you always make the same mistake."
Maria raised a brow.
"You spent way too much showboating." Maia said with a smirk. "You coulda won so many times over, but nope!"
"In your posturing, you allow victory to slip from your grasp!" Tsubasa declared.
Maria realized that the sound of a helicopter had drawn closer, and looked up. "Above us?!"
Two familiar Symphogear users jumped out of the chopper, transformed and ready to fight.
"Time to make it rain!" Chris Yukine shouted. "It's a billion-bullet hailstorm!"
Billion Maiden
Kirika and Shirabe jumped to the side, while Maria's cape provided a sort of shield.
"Hoooooah!"
Hibiki smashed her fist into the floor where Maria stood seconds before. She launched herself forward and grabbed Tsubasa and Maia, getting a bit of distance.
Shirabe and Kirika were about to move back to meet with Maria, but found more attacks headed their way. Shirabe blocked a stray bullet, where it seemingly hit the ground.
"...wait, that's not the bullet from the red one." She realized. "What-?"
"Boom."
The explosive round went off, knocking Shirabe to the ground at Maria's feet.
"Shirabe, dess!" Kirika called out in concern. "I'm coming-!"
"SEIYA!"
Kirika felt a powerful kick to her back that knocked her forward, and sent her flat on her face right next to Shirabe.
"More enemies?" Maria realized.
"Pretty perceptive." A girl in a grey hoodie said. "Guess you're more than just a stuck-up snob."
Shuri landed safely on the ground next to her sister, Okami still smoking from the shot. Rui pulled down her hood and went to Hibiki's side, Kagutsuchi glowing on her waist.
"There's six of them, dess?!" Kirika panicked as she stood up. "We can't outnumber them now, dess!"
"Something we didn't know…" Shirabe said.
"Thanks for telling us how many fighters you guys got." Maia said with a grin. "How about some more twin-team-ups?"
"Let's stop fighting, okay?" Hibiki said.
"Or we could talk it out." Maia said with a shrug. "That works too."
"We only just met! There's no reason for us to do this!" Hibiki said.
Shirabe had a look of anger on her face. "How naive!"
"I could never trust someone who spouts such sentimental garbage, dess!" Kirika said, pointing with her scythe.
"No!" Hibiki said. "If we just talk, we can understand each other! We don't have to figh-!"
"You hypocrite." Shirabe cut her off. "There are too many hypocrites like you in this world!"
"You watch what you're saying about my sister." Rui said, cracking her knuckles. "You don't know anything. So quit pretending to be the grown-up here!"
In anger, Shirabe launched several more buzzsaws at them. Rui took up a stance, but Hibiki didn't move.
"What are you doing, Tachibana?!" Tsubasa shouted, defending them from the buzzsaw storm by twirling her blade.
Chris engaged in rapid-fire with her gatling guns, while Shuri aimed carefully with her explosive rounds. The trio of enemy Symphogears dodged the first wave of bullets, as the Yukine twins jumped to the side and focused their fire on Kirika, who twirled her scythe to create a barrier. Kirika pushed forward and attempted to slash the two, but Shuri rolled out of the way while Chris jumped back.
"Too damn close!" Chris yelled, turning Ichaival into crossbows and raining fire. Kirika slashed away the crossbow bolts, as Shuri aimed and fired. Instead of letting the bullet drop to the ground, Kirika tried to bat it away.
"Freeze."
The head of Kirika's scythe got engulfed in a huge chunk of ice. "Oh, come on, dess!"
Meanwhile, Tsubasa and Maia went for round two against Maria. Tsubasa split her weapon into two swords to match her sister, with Tsubasa focusing on speedy strikes, while Maia focused on power. But Maria's cape managed to deflect all of their blows, almost as if it was alive. Maia went for a forward stab with both blades, but the cape lifted Maria off the ground, letting her kick Maia across the face.
"Oneesama!" Tsubasa shouted.
Maia wiped the blood off her mouth and looked at Maria's smirk with irritation. "Alright, what kind of Crona and Ragnarok type bullshit is this?!"
Shirabe aimed two large sawblades at Hibiki and Rui, who were dodging the strikes as best as they could. Despite what Shirabe had said earlier, Hibiki kept on trying to talk.
"I just want to help everyone who's in trouble!" Hibiki said. "So-!"
"That's why you're a hypocrite!" Shirabe yelled. "You have no idea what it means to suffer! How can you talk about helping others?!"
Rui stopped dodging.
"She doesn't know… what it means to suffer?" She said, eyes shadowed by her hair as the sawblades came dangerously close.
"Oneesan!" Hibiki shouted.
In a burst of electricity, Rui roundhouse kicked away the blades, sending Shirabe back a few feet. Her weapon conducted some of the electricity, causing her to feel the shock.
"You-!" Shirabe started.
"YOU DON'T KNOW A FUCKING THING ABOUT THE HELL HIBIKI WENT THROUGH!" Rui screamed, her face twisted into an expression of pure utter rage .
Shirabe was stricken into silence. Everyone else stopped their fights when they heard Rui shout.
"Oneesan…" Hibiki said.
"You think you're allowed to be an entitled little bitch just because you went through some bullshit in your life?!" Rui shouted. "Surprise, you're not the only one! Maybe, just maybe you went through more crap than anyone else, but that doesn't give you the right to act like pretentious little shit to someone that actually wants to fucking help! So shut your fucking mouth, you little brat! "
Shirabe grit her teeth and launched her two buzzsaws forward. Rui got into her fighting stance.
Gamma Style: Infinite Firewheels
But the buzzsaws went right past her, aiming for a different target.
"Hibiki!" Rui shouted.
Thankfully, Tsubasa and Chris ran up to defend Hibiki, blocking the huge sawblades with their weapons and knocking them away.
"Stop playing around!" Chris said.
"Don't let your feelings get the better of you!" Tsubasa said. "The both of you!"
"R-Right!" Hibiki stammered.
Rui tightened her fist and got ready to fight once more. Maia and Shuri looked at their friend in concern after her outburst.
Nastassja looked at the screen, at the Symphogear waveforms and the phonic gain output, which remained at 24%.
"With these growth rates, the numbers won't be sufficient."
She pressed a few buttons on the control panel.
"It's time to unleash our last resort."
The girls were about to continue their battle, but a huge explosion went off. From the smoke rose an enormous mound of Noise.
"Oh you've got to be shitting me." Rui cursed.
"Whoa, what's that huge warty thing?!" Hibiki shouted.
"Jesus, that's disgusting." Maia commented.
"A replicator type." Shirabe said.
"No one told me about this, dess!" Kirika said.
"Mom?" Maria spoke into the communications link.
"The three of you should withdraw." Nastassja spoke.
"Very well."
Maria summoned Gungnir's spear, brandishing it.
"She kept back her Armed Gear until now?!" Tsubasa realized.
Maria fired a huge blast of energy from the spear. Not aimed at any of the girls, but at the huge mound of Noise.
HORIZON†SPEAR
"Come on, you summoned that Noise yourself!" Chris said.
The huge Noise exploded, sending the particles all over the stadium. In the chaos, the enemy trio started to run.
"Get back here!" Rui yelled.
"They're pulling back?!" Tsubasa said.
"Just after we got all warmed up, too!" Chris said.
"Wait, the Noise!" Hibiki said.
The scattered parts started to morph, merging back together and increasing in size. Tsubasa slashed away one of the mounds, but it reformed itself almost instantly.
"It can divide and replicate at incredible speeds." Tsubasa said.
"Which means it'll grow faster and faster." Chris realized.
"Shit, at this rate, it'll overrun the whole area before long!" Maia said.
"Everyone, can you hear me?" Ogawa's voice came through the comm link.
"Ogawa?" Maia said. "What's up?"
"The evacuated audience members are still here, outside the arena! You can't allow the Noise to break loose!"
"The audience?!" Hibiki repeated, remembering that her friends had come to the concert. "Everyone…"
Shuri fired her freezing shots at the Noise, while Rui used her electrical kicks to paralyze them.
"We'll slow them down as much as we can." Rui said. "Come up with a plan while we're doing it!"
The two fought the Noise carefully, while the other four talked.
"Alright, you heard the girl." Maia said. "We gotta think up something."
"If we attack carelessly, we'll just cause it to divide and replicate even faster." Tsubasa said.
"What the hell should we do, then?!" Chris shouted.
"Wait… our Superb Songs!" Hibiki said.
"But that combination attack's still not finished!" Chris said.
Hibiki had a look of determination, while Maia thought it up.
"Outpacing the regenerative abilities by using enough power to destroy it all in one go…" Maia said. "I think it'll work."
"Heh, that's just like you, Tachibana." Tsubasa said. "It's logical."
"Are you serious?!" Chris said, annoyed.
"Freeze."
"Haaah!"
A thick layer of ice coated the main Noise, while Rui jumped at it with an electrical kick that broke through the ice and shocked the Noise. But a huge burst of Noise knocked Rui back and right next to Shuri.
"Rui-san!" Shuri said, kneeling down in concern.
"Shit, we can't hold it back any longer!" Rui shouted.
Hibiki, Tsubasa and Chris nodded at one another, while Maia took several steps back. The Symphogears held hands, ready to sing.
"Let's do this!" Hibiki said. "S2CA Triburst!"
"Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal~
Emustolronzen Finé el balal zizzl~
Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal~
Emustolronzen Finé el zizzl~"
A huge burst of energy came from the trio. Maia was knocked off of her feet from the shockwave, while Rui grounded herself with Kagutsuchi's metal greaves, holding onto Shuri.
"Superb Song!" Tsubasa shouted.
"Combination Arts!" Chris shouted.
"Set Harmonics!" Hibiki shouted.
The huge wave of energy tore through the Noise, as Rui, Maia and Shuri quickly jumped up to safer ground. Hibiki grit her teeth as the attack continued.
"Hold out, Tachibana!" Tsubasa encouraged.
"Just a little more!" Chris reassured.
The twins observed the attack from the higher seats.
"The S2CA Triburst…" Maia said in awe. "Hibiki takes their three Superb Songs and tunes them into a single harmony. It's a power available only to her alone, as her Armed Gear allows her to join hands with others."
"But at the same time, she has to shoulder that immense burden all by herself." Shuri remembered.
"That's just how amazing my sister is." Rui said, a proud smile on her face.
The Noise was shredded down to its most vulnerable form.
"Now!" Tsubasa shouted.
"Ready?!" Hibiki said, before aiming her fist, which armed itself. All of the energy went into reverse, and was concentrated into her fist. The Noise slowly started to reform.
"Give 'em hell!" Chris shouted.
"This is our…" Hibiki jumped forward at the Noise, boosters on her back propelling her forward. "SUPERB SONG!"
Hibiki slammed her fist into the huge Noise, aiming her fist skyward. The huge burst of energy obliterated the Noise, as all the energy was expelled as a rainbow tornado into the stratosphere.
Maria, Shirabe and Kirika were standing on a roof away from the stadium, watching everything unfold.
"What is that crazy lightshow, dess?!" Kirika asked.
"It's pretty." Shirabe said.
Maria looked at all the power in concern. "This isn't the last time we'll have to fight those monsters."
She turned away, before hopping down into a back alleyway with Kirika and Shirabe following right behind her. They transformed back into their normal appearances.
"Where is she, dess?" Kirika asked, looking around. "This was where she told me were going to meet up with her, dess."
"Maybe she's a bit late." Shirabe suggested.
The sounds of an engine grew closer, as a black van turned the corner. It pulled to a stop in front of them. The side of the door slid open for them.
"Hop in." Came a voice.
The three got into the van, and in the driver's seat was a brown-haired girl, wearing a black coat and white shirt underneath. Her hair was in a ponytail, tied by a red ribbon.
"What kept you, Jeanne?" Maria asked.
"I told Kirika that we'd meet up at the tallest building North of the stadium." She said. "I guess that was a mistake."
"But we did come here, dess!" Kirika said.
"..."
Jeanne turned and gave Kirika one of her one-eyed death glares, pushing the bangs out of her face to add emphasis by revealing her eyepatch.
"This is the tallest building South of the stadium." She said, voice low.
"I didn't have a compass, dess! Forgive me please, dess!" Kirika said, holding her hands in a prayer position.
"I'd yell at you, but Mom wants me to make up for lost time." She said. "So count yourself lucky."
"Thank dess." Kirika breathed out.
"...for the ride." She said. "When we get back, I am going to yell at you, so prepare yourself, mon amie."
Kirika nervously laughed, while Shirabe sighed. Maria smiled though, laughing a bit.
"Even under a situation like this, you never change, Jeanne."
The Noise was defeated, and everyone was safe. It was a moment that many would call for celebration.
But Hibiki wasn't happy at all. Kneeling on the ground, transformed back to normal after her attack, she recalled Shirabe's words.
"How naive! You have no idea what it means to suffer! How can you talk about helping others?!"
"Tachibana!" Tsubasa said, running up with the others. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." She said, turning around. "It's nothing."
That was the furthest thing from the truth. Despite the smile she had on her face, she was crying. She fruitlessly tried to wipe the tears away.
"It's not nothing!" Chris said, putting her hands on Hibiki's shoulders. "Does it hurt anywhere? Don't tell me the weight of the Superb Songs were too much to bear..."
Hibiki shook her head.
"Am I… really a hypocrite?" She asked the others, as her voice started to crack. "I know how much it can hurt…"
Wordlessly, Shuri pulled Hibiki into a hug to try and help comfort her as she started to cry. Tsubasa and Chris could only watch in concern, while Maia frowned. As for Rui?
"Rrrragh!"
She kicked one of the broken steel support beams, caving it in. After taking several deep breaths to calm herself down, she joined Shuri in hugging Hibiki.
Unknown to the girls, a man was hiding in the shadows, and had a psychotic smirk on his face.
A/N: Jeanne isn't an OC. She's an actual character from Symphogear XDU. I really liked her event, so I decided to make her an actual character in the fic.
The post-concert went a little different this time around; I added a bit more of humor courtesy of Maia. Though I'm sure what most of you are focusing on is Rui's emotional explosion at Shirabe.
More will be explained as I continue writing the fic, but just imagine it yourself. If you were Hibiki's protective sibling, how would you feel if someone said those things to her, after everything she's been through?
Did Rui get through to Shirabe, in her own way? We shall see.
Feel free to leave a comment.