Rui was floating around in a blank void, her eyes closed.

I can't move… everything hurts… damn it…

"Hey, is this where you give up?"

Rui opened her eyes, to see a familiar white-haired girl had her back to her. A somber song slowly started to reach her ears.

"That's not the jerk I know. Get up, this isn't you, y'know?"

"I…"

"...tell that idiot, thank you."

"Wait!"

Rui reached out a hand, but as soon as she grabbed Chris's shoulder, she disappeared, fading away to nothingness. Looking at her own hands, Rui grit her teeth and clenched her fists. She could do nothing but scream.

The void started to crack.

Hibiki's hands were clawing at the ground beneath her as she cried for her fallen friend. Tsubasa stood to the side, silent, while Finé watched with a twisted sense of satisfaction.

"No way… We only just became friends…" She sobbed. "This isn't what I wanted… This can't be happening..."

Hibiki's heart began to beat. Louder than ever before.

"I wanted to spend more time talking with her! Now we can't fight, or even get closer!"

The beating grew louder, as Hibiki's tears stained the ground.

"Chris-chan…" She said. "You said you had a dream… but you never told me what it was!"

"She killed herself to protect the Moon by blocking the Kadingir's beam." Finé said coldly, before scoffing. "How worthless."

Hibiki grit her teeth. The despair was gone. All that was left was rage. Rage unlike anything she had felt before was coursing through her veins.

"To throw away your life for a mere dream… How fitting for trash like her." Finé continued.

"You dare to laugh?" Tsubasa said, voice low and full of fury. "She burned away her life to protect what she held precious!"

A red-haired user flashed through Tsubasa's mind.

"You would consider that worthless?!" Tsubasa yelled, pointing her blade at Finé.

"It's far more worthless than even that piece of trash that Tachibana calls a sister." Finé said, causing Hibiki's anger to flare.

"What…?" Hibiki said, as she gripped the ground.

"That fool thought she was strong enough to defeat me." Finé chuckled. "So I beat her within an inch of her life. It was cathartic for the both of us."

"Why?!" Tsubasa yelled. "Rui Tachibana was innocent in all of this, and yet you nearly killed her over a childish grudge?!"

"She was nothing more than a worm underneath my foot." Finé said. "She should be thankful I spared her.

"You…"

Tsubasa's anger turned into shock. That voice was Hibiki's… yet at the same time, it wasn't her.

"Don't you dare talk shit about Chris-chan sacrifice!" Hibiki screamed in a voice that was metallic and raspy. The ground around her began to shake as she became all black, and her eyes turned red. A wicked grin made its way onto Finé's face.

"And you hurt oneesan… I'LL KILL YOU!"

Everyone only watched in shock as they looked at Hibiki's new, fearsome form.

"Hibiki…" Miku said.

"Is that really Bikki?" Kuriyo asked, disturbed at what she was seeing.

"Holy hell…" Maia said, stunned while still comforting Shuri.

Rui gently opened her eyes. Hearing her sister's voice, she slowly turned her head to see the screen.

Hibiki's growls of rage slowly grew louder and louder.

"Tachibana!" Tsubasa called. "Oy, Tachibana!"

"The fragments of Gungnir that merged with her are going berserk, causing her consciousness to be overrun by power she cannot control." Finé explained.

Tsubasa remembered the words Ryoko had said about the Gungnir shards, realizing what Finé was talking about.

"Don't tell me… you were experimenting on Tachibana?"

"Yes. And not just on Tachibana." Finé said, as Hibiki growled like an uncaged animal. "Won't you bear witness as she succumbs to the power of Gungnir, and throws away all of her remaining humanity?"

"Is this why you did all that to Tachibana… and to Kanade?!" Tsubasa yelled.

With a burst of power, Hibiki launched herself at Finé with a roar.

"Tachibana!" Tsubasa yelled out in concern.

Hibiki flipped multiple times before bringing her fists down on Finé, but it was blocked by the whips of the Nehushtan Armor. The resulting clash created a huge shockwave that tore up the ground. Hibiki tried to go for another punch, but Finé whipped her away.

"Tachibana!" Tsubasa yelled, as Hibiki crashed into the ground.

"She's no longer human." Finé said. "Now, she is rage incarnate."

Hibiki roared and jumped at Finé again, who created a hexagonal barrier with the whips.

ASGARD

Hibiki slammed her heel into the barrier, which let out sparks. It hardly bothered her, as the barrier began to crack. Yet Finé smiled, as Hibiki broke through and slammed right into her, kicking up a huge cloud of dust. Tsubasa raised an arm to block some of the debris. When it faded, she saw that Finé had been torn through from the shoulder down, but the woman didn't seem too fazed about it. Rather, she looked like she was unbelievably enthusiastic.

"Stop it, Tachibana!" Tsubasa yelled. "You're only going to accelerate the rate of fusion!"

Hibiki slowly turned to Tsubasa, before letting out a demonic screech and charging at her friend. Gritting her teeth, Tsubasa managed to elbow Hibiki away thanks to her being wide open and untactical, but it did nothing to quench Hibiki's rage.

"Tachibana!" Tsubasa shouted, as her friend continued to attack.

"What's wrong, Hibiki?" Miku could only say as she watched the screen. "Come to your senses!"

"It's over… We're done for..." Yumi muttered, as everyone looked at her. "The school is in ruins and Hibiki's gone crazy…"

"It's not over!" Miku said. "Hibiki is protecting-!"

"Does that thing look like it's protecting anything?!" Yumi demanded, tears flowing as Hibiki's growl came from the monitor.

"I believe in Hibiki." Miku said, seriously.

"I want to as well…" Yumi said through her tears. "I want to believe everything will be all right… But… But..."

Yumi fell to her knees, shaking in fear.

"Itaba-san…" Shiori said, softly.

"I can't take this anymore!" Yumi screamed. "Someone do something! I'm scared! I don't want to die!"

She clutched her head and shrieked. "Help us, Hibiki!"

"Stop crying."

Yumi looked up, hearing a voice that was very similar to her friend. "Hibiki?"

"Just grow a damn pair already."

They soon realized who was talking, as they turned to the bed to see that Rui had woken up.

"Rui!" Maia said, going over to her friend's side. "You alright?"

"Gee, I got slammed around through concrete and metal, I got kicked in the face, and I'm pretty sure my leg is broken thanks to the nympho." She snarked, pulling the breathing mask off her face. "What do you think?"

Shuri couldn't smile, but let out a sigh of relief. "At least Rui-san is the same."

"How did you wake up so quickly?" Maia asked. "We thought you'd be out for longer…"

"I heard it." Rui said, shakily sitting up. "I heard Chris's voice."

"You… heard oneesama?" Shuri asked.

Rui nodded. "I don't know how to say it exactly, but it's almost as if your sister saved me."

Shuri still looked sad, but Rui took her hand.

"I know it's probably worth nothing coming from me." Rui said. "But things are going to turn out alright."

Shuri shakily smiled at the words, but Yumi stood up, almost angered.

"What makes you say that?" Yumi demanded. "Have you seen the thing Hibiki has turned into?!"

"I have." Rui said. "But that's still Hibiki. She's just angry."

"What are you even talking about-?!"

Yumi received one of Rui's famous death glares, shutting her up.

"Because I know my sister." Rui said, looking at the screen. "She's been through a lot of crap in her life."

Everyone looked confused, while Miku was the only one who knew what Rui was talking about.

"My sister's going to come back." Rui said, confidently. "Even if someone has to reach out towards her."

Tsubasa was sent skidding back, as the armor on her shoulder cracked and shattered. Breathing heavily, she kept an eye on Hibiki, who was no worse for wear since Tsubasa remained purely on the defensive.

"Heheheh. What do you think?" Finé laughed, as the tear slowly started to heal itself, pulling her back together. "How does it feel to fight Tachibana Hibiki? It's just what you wanted, isn't it?"

Tsubasa just watched as Finé finished healing back into peak condition. "You're no longer human, either…"

"I have become one with the Nehushtan's regenerative abilities." Finé said, flexing her wrist. "Isn't it fascinating?"

The loud sound of energy charging started up, as Tsubasa looked behind her at the Kadingir, which was readying itself for another blast. "Impossible…"

"Don't look so surprised. The Kadingir is the ultimate weapon, after all." Finé said. "Did you really expect it to be exhausted after just one shot? I can fire it as many times as need be. The invincible sword, Durandal, serves as its energy source in the reactor core! An immortal heart that will never stop beating."

Finé chuckled at her own master plan. It was perfect.

"One flaw." Tsubasa said, aiming her sword at Finé. "If I strike you down here, there won't be anyone to operate the Kadingir."

Seemingly deaf, lost in her own rage and monstrosity, Hibiki slowly walked towards Tsubasa.

"Tachibana…"

Tsubasa closed her eyes, as the sounds of Kadingir faded away, and Finé's presence was gone. Concentrating, the only thing Tsubasa saw was Hibiki.

"Tachibana. I'll stop the Kadingir." She said. "So…"

Hibiki roared and ran at Tsubasa with a claw raised. Tsubasa gripped her sword… before stabbing it into the ground. This got Finé's attention, as Tsubasa stood, not even defending herself.

Armor shattered and blood gushed out as Hibiki impaled Tsubasa with her arm. But Tsubasa didn't even flinch, as she wrapped her arms around her friend, pulling her into a hug.

Everyone watching from the shelter didn't say anything as they watched the scene unfold. Maia had frozen completely, as Shuri squeezed her hand. Rui's eyes widened.

Tsubasa… you...

Despite having lost herself, Hibiki didn't move at all, as Tsubasa grabbed her hand and pulled it out of her chest.

"Your power is one that's meant to bring people together." Tsubasa said, before throwing a knife into Hibiki's shadow, weaving it in place and halting her movements.

Tsubasa walked past the girl, speaking again. "Tachibana… Kanade entrusted you with that power. Please don't use it this way."

Tears began to leak out of Hibiki's eyes. Whether it was from the despair or the pain, no one would know.

But Tsubasa didn't have time to guess, as she walked towards Finé, sword ready. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"A sword to the end, hm?" Finé asked.

"Today, it shall end." Tsubasa agreed. "So that tomorrow, I can live on as a human. I'll show the world that Tsubasa Kazanari can sing elsewhere than the battlefield!"

"The world of humans will never accept a sword!" Finé shot, lashing her whips at Tsubasa. The girl jumped into the air to avoid them.

"Then I'll start by taking inspiration from a friend of mine." Tsubasa said. "By sending you straight to hell itself!"

Rui smirked as she watched the girl fight. "Kick her ass, Tsubasa."

Tsubasa began to sing, dodging and deflecting the whips, before creating an enormous sword and shooting out a slash of energy.

Blue Flash

Yet, Finé's whips managed to block the attack, dispersing it with ease. They lashed out at Tsubasa, but the girl ducked underneath them and rushed at Finé, slashing upwards and delivering a devastating blow, launching her right into Kadingir's wall. Not letting up, Tsubasa flipped into the air and threw her blade, where it increased in size as she boosted it with a kick.

Heaven's Wrath

Finé created a barrier, but the enormous sword failed to pierce it. But Tsubasa used the blade as a makeshift pole vault, launching her at Kadingir as she spread her arms with dual blades. The swords caught aflame, as did the blades on her heels, sending her flying up like a majestic creature.

Soaring Phoenix's Slash

"So Kadingir was your target from the start?!" Finé yelled, lashing her whips at Tsubasa.

She briefly glanced back and flew to the side to avoid them, but her speed was not enough, as they both struck her, dealing critical blows. The flames burnt out, and Tsubasa started to fall.

Damn it… In the end, I wasn't...

What's gotten you so discouraged? A familiar voice rang out.

Tsubasa saw a familiar red-head, one who was close to her. Kanade?

Tsubasa… Kanade took her hand. You and I, Zwei Wing… Together, we can fly to the ends of the Earth.

As Tsubasa fell, she knew what she must do. Yes… Zwei Wing, together as one.

She swung out her blades, as they ignited once more to Finé's shock. Tsubasa kicked off of Kadingir's support beam, and soared to the sky.

We can overcome anything!

Finé lashed out her whips again, but it was useless, as Tsubasa flew right through them, her flames having turned blue.

"TACHIBANAAAAA!" Tsubasa yelled, soaring as a blue phoenix, before smashing right through the side of Kadingir. Beams of light shone through large openings throughout the tower, as it exploded from the top down. Finé screamed as the light of the explosion blinded everyone within the blast radius.

Tsubasa, weakened, found herself in the epicenter of the destruction. She wondered if this truly was the end for her, as the white hell took her over.

But she smiled. She had succeeded. Though there was only one regret in her life.

Forgive me, neesama… Tsubasa apologized, as she closed her eyes and remembered her playful and doting sister. But I suppose this is my end… I… love… you…

The tower's explosions subsided, revealing that Tsubasa's attack had blown away half of the tower.

"Once again… my wish has been denied?!" Finé yelled.

The dagger that had kept Hibiki in place turned to dust. Not that it was even needed, as Hibiki had turned back into her normal self. The tears were still on her face, as she stared at Kadingir's remains.

"Tsubasa-san…" She choked out, falling to her knees.

"We're no longer detecting… any traces of Ame-no-Habakiri." Sakuya said, gripping the keyboard tightly. Aoi turned away to cry, while Genjuro clenched his fists.

"So you sacrificed yourself to destroy the Kadingir, Tsubasa?" Genjuro asked. "Your songs really have reached the world."

Maia was oddly quiet as she sat down on Rui's bunk, her eyes shadowed by her hair.

"Maia-san?" Shuri asked, after wiping her own tears.

"Tsubasa told me." Maia said, shakily. "That if this were to ever happen, I shouldn't cry."

Rui put a hand on her friend's back, trying to comfort her.

"This was the path that she had chosen." Maia said, keeping her voice as steady as she could. "She always told me…"

Shuri hugged Maia's head, surprising the girl.

"You can cry on me, Maia-san." Shuri said. "You let me do the same for my sister. It's only fair I do the same for you."

Finally letting the tears leak out, Maia sobbed into Shuri's chest, while being comforted by her two friends.

Yumi, crying out of fear and sadness, spoke up. "I don't get it! Why do you all fight?! You're always in pain… Always suffering! Do you fight because you don't want to live?"

"You don't get it?" Miku asked, almost angrily.

"Are you really this fucking dense?" Rui asked in a low voice.

Miku grabbed Yumi by the shoulders, their tearful eyes staring at one another. "Do you really not get it?" She repeated.

"You watch anime religiously." Rui said. "If none of that's taught you anything, you're hopeless."

Yumi could only scream and cry.

Finé let out a shout of anger as she slammed one of her whips into the ground.

"This is unbelievable!" She roared. "Had I destroyed the Moon, the Curse of Balal would have been released, causing a gravitational disturbance at the same time. People all over the world would fall into disarray as natural disasters shook the planet."

She turned and approached Hibiki, who was still mourning.

"They would panic, and come to me for protection, because I possess the unrivaled power of a relic! Pain is the only bond that can connect people! That is the one inviolate truth! And you… You stood in my way!"

She kicked Hibiki in the chest, causing the girl to roll into her front. But Hibiki didn't even have the will to defend herself. Finé grabbed her by the hair.

"But I guess you were pretty useful after all." She said, lifting Hibiki up. "The first known fusion of a relic with a living organism… I was able to fuse myself with the Nehushtan armor thanks to your example."

With a shout, she threw Hibiki forward, causing the girl to painfully crash into the ground. But Hibiki didn't get up. What was the point?

"Tsubasa-san… Chris-chan… They're both gone… And the school's in ruins… They're all gone… Oneesan… I don't know if she's okay… Why… Why am I doing all this? What am I fighting for?" She asked herself. "Everyone…"

"Commander!" Ogawa said, returning with several civilians. "I found these survivors while checking nearby shelters in the area."

"Really? That's a relief." Genjuro said.

A little girl's face lit up. "Mommy! It's the cool girl!" She said, pointing at the screen.

"Hold on a moment!" Her mother said, as the girl walked up next to Sakuya and looked at Hibiki on the screen.

"Wait… that girl seems familiar…" Rui said. "Where did I…?"

"Sorry about this." The mother apologized.

"You know Bikki?" Kuriyo asked.

The mother thought for a second, before responding. "I can't tell you the details, but she saved my daughter's life."

Rui realized what she was talking about. She remembered that day. How could she forget?

"She put her own life at risk to keep my daughter safe." The mother continued. "I know she's saved many people that way."

"Hibiki… saved her life?" Yumi asked.

"Hey, can't we do anything to help her?" The little girl asked.

"That's easy to say." Shiori said. "But, from here, there's not much we can do."

"Then let's cheer for her together!" The little girl said, before turning to Sakuya. "Hey, can we talk to her from here?"

"Well, not really…" Sakuya said.

The proposal the girl had sparked an idea for Miku. "Cheer for her…" She looked at Genjuro. "Is there any way we can tell Hibiki that we're alright? I want to help her!"

"Help her?" Genjuro repeated.

"If we can get the school's computer systems working again, we can send your voice over the network." Sakuya said, as a look of determination appeared on Miku's face.

"Since ancient times, I have served him as his priestess." Finé said, staring up at the moon. "Then one day, I fell in love with him… with the Creator. But, I couldn't reach him with my heart. The very words I wished to speak were stolen from me… no, from humankind."

Hibiki said nothing, as Finé continued.

"The Curse of Balal robbed us of the common tongue that was our one menas of communication with the Creator. I have worked for millenia to release that curse, so that one day I could once again use that common tongue to tell him of my feelings."

"Your feelings…" Hibiki said.

"You're questioning my motivations?!" Finé yelled, turning around in anger. "You don't even know how it feels to be in love!"

Hibiki felt the grip on her hair tighten, as Finé threw her once more.

Miku had gone with Ogawa and the others to restore the power. Rui watched as Finé continued to beat her sister, before she couldn't take anymore.

"I'm going." She said.

Genjuro looked at Rui. "Rui-kun? You can't-"

"I'm going, Commander." She said, throwing her hoodie over her shoulders. "I'm not going to let my sister get killed by that bitch."

Rui tried standing up, but her legs practically failed her as she fell forward. Thankfully, Maia had caught her.

"Rui…" Maia said softly. "You can't go-"

"My sister fucking needs me, Maia." Rui said. "I'm going there, with or without help."

She picked up Kagutsuchi and tried to put it on her waist, but her shaking hands refused to cooperate.

Maia sighed. "Even after almost dying, you're still this stubborn."

"You know me... partner." Rui said with a smirk.

Maia smiled at that, before turning to Genjuro. "Uncle, I'll go with her. It's not like me to sit around and cry, after all."

Genjuro frowned. "But still…"

"I'll go as well."

Shuri was the one that had spoken up, surprising the others. Her soft expression was gone. Now, a determined look on her face that was comparable to her sister. She gripped a familiar light blue pen in her hand.

"I'm done with crying. I want to make oneesama proud."

Genjuro was about to object, but heard Hibiki get slammed into the ground once more. "Very well. But if things get ugly out there, I want you all to get away as fast as you can."

They all promised, as Maia helped Rui walk. The three of them made their way to the exit of the shelter, which was locked shut.

"Is there a code or something?" Rui asked.

"Nope." Maia pulled out Takemikazuchi once more, as it unfolded into the twin broadswords. Leaving one on the floor, she stabbed it into the steel door, cutting through it with the rocket boosters supporting the cut. Finally, a hole large enough for them was created, as the door chunk fell inwards. Light shone through the opening, as they all briefly shared a look of agreement.

"Let's go." Rui said.

"The greatest flaw of the Symphogear system is the damage that the Superb Songs cause to their own user." Finé said. "As a researcher, I'd be fascinated to find out how much a fused creature like yourself might be able to withstand that damage."

Hibiki was responseless, as she lay on the ground.

"But I don't need to experiment on you anymore." Finé said, approaching Hibiki with the whip chains aimed at her. "Now that I too have become fused with a relic, I think that the world only needs one such demigod to be its ruler."

She had a sadistic smile on her face.

"I'll eliminate anyone who can stand up to me." Finé stated. "But perhaps, I'll torture you a little, just like I did to your sister."

"Well, you did one shitty job of that."

Finé grit her teeth, recognizing the voice. She turned around to see that, standing a few feet away, was Rui. Maia was supporting her, as the two stared her down.

"You just keep crawling back…" Finé said, annoyed.

"Sorry to disappoint." Rui said, shakily flipping the bird at Finé.

"Oneesan…" Hibiki said, seeing her sister.

"Hibiki, you're not gonna let this bitch keep prattling on and on, are you?" Rui asked.

"But… there's nothing left…" She said.

"You're wrong there, Hibiki." Maia said. "There are always things to protect."

"Silence!" Finé shouted, turning her whips to the two. "You're both making things far more irritating than they should be."

"Mission accomplished, asshole." Rui said, with a smirk.

Finé aimed her hands at the two, before she saw something from the corner of her eye.

BANG

The bullet embedded itself into her hand, but it hardly bothered her. She looked at where it had come from.

Shuri stood on top of some debris, holding a large sniper rifle that was icy-blue. She had finally used Okami.

Finé simply laughed. "So, you would defy me as well, Shuri? And with such a pathetic attempt-?"

"Freeze." Shuri said, her eyes becoming cold.

The bullet in Finé's hand expanded as the temperature dramatically dropped around it. Within mere seconds, Finé's hand was encased in a chunk of ice, along with part of the chain whips.

"What?!"

"Cryokinetic bullets." Maia said with a grin as Shuri joined the two. "You should know all about it, since you made it for her."

"That one was for oneesama." Shuri said, as the Okami retracted back into a pen.

"You animals…" Finé said. "You would go so far for someone that isn't human anymore?!"

"Do you think that fucking matters?!" Rui yelled at her. "Hibiki's my sister! No matter what happens, that's never going to change! Someone like you can't understand what it's like to have a sister!"

Finé gnashed her teeth in rage, while Hibiki slowly smiled. "Oneesan…"

"Hibiki, there are still things left to protect." Maia said, holding up a fist.

"We're still here, Hibiki-san." Shuri said with a smile. "We all are."

A song sung by many began to resonate throughout the ruined school. Finé broke free from the ice and looked around. "Ugh, that sound… What is that annoying noise? What could it be?"

"You really don't know even though you've been to the school countless times?" Rui asked. "God you're an idiot."

Hibiki recognized it as it continued. It was the school's anthem.

"Looks like Miku and the others pulled through." Maia said, with a small fist pump.

Down in the shelter, Miku and the other school survivors continued to sing, not even faltering once.

Hibiki, we're all right! Miku thought as she sang. We're all waiting for you to come back to us! So don't lose!

"If only I could stop that irritating song." Finé muttered. "Wait, a song?!"

"I can hear them…" Hibiki said. "I can hear your voices… They're always right by my side, singing for me… So..."

Hibiki tightened her fist. Her resolve renewed.

"I can sing on too. I can keep going… I can fight!"

A huge burst of energy from her knocked Finé away. Rui held her arm up to shield her face, but smiled.

"You can still fight? From where do you draw the strength to stand? What do you hold onto that gives you the power to fight? Is it that unsettling song?" Finé asked in indignation. "That's right… What is this armor in which you are clad? Your heart was broken already… Then… Then what could you be using? Something I created? What are you using?! What?!"

Aura surrounded Hibiki, as she stood up. Three pillars of light shone. One from Hibiki. Another from within the forest, and another from the remains of Kadingir.

"No way…" Maia said, looking up at the tower.

"Could it be…?" Shuri said hopefully, looking in the forest.

The pillars of light collapsed down onto the three spots. Hibiki, took to the skies in a new, almost angelic, form. Along with her, in similar armor, were two souls that were thought to have gone.

"Tsubasa!" Maia shouted in relief.

"Oneesama!" Shuri shouted in happiness.

In her shock, Maia let go of Rui. But to Rui's surprise, her leg didn't hurt anymore. Looking at the scratches on her arms and hands, she saw that they were disappearing.

"Whoa…"

"Impossible!" Finé yelled. "What is this power?!"

Hibiki spread her wings and tightened her fists, before screaming the answer at the top of her lungs.

"SYMPHOGEAR!"

A/N: We're in the endgame now, folks. The Season 1 finale is on the horizon. See you all then.