Author's Note: Last chapter of the year. Happy New Year's everyone! I hope you can achieve what you aim for in 2024!
Reviews:
Lord Ri The Husbu King: Don't worry about it. Holidays are important, so don't feel bad for that. Yeah, I couldn't help but make that difference. Hajime is a heater while Jades is pretty much a refrigerator with how cold he can get. Nah, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine. Trust. Oh, yes. Their love will be tested. Just like how Hajime and Hibiki were. I'll think about XDU some more. I'd love to see interactions of their reversed characters like the ones I showed you a while back.
FlameFireZero X: Taking into consideration how big his mouth is, it will be a big challenge. Honestly, I'm not sure yet. I don't know if I should even make an opening for this season yet. I am planning on making some for the original season though. And thank you for reminding me of the CAC sheets. I have to update some characters. I've been lazy and left it alone but I'll go back to it.
SoutaAmetsuchi: It all starts and ends with Bragard. And now that he isn't around, Bragi is the poor soul that's being blamed for everything. He has his moments, but he deserves to be happy. I agree. Lol yeah. Hajime is a heater and Jades is ignored since he makes everyone cold.
niclseverino8: Not in xv. In the new season I'm planning. They are the final villains, after all. So look forward to that.
501awezome: I guess the only good thing he has is that he can at least not get killed for being a pervert. So far. I'm glad you enjoyed the fight. It was my favorite start-of-the-season fight/moment. GX was pretty good too. I'm probably going to start requesting more OC card ideas when the new forms come around. Also, don't worry! Everything will be fine and nothing bad is going to happen! But the last part of what you said just described this whole story xD.
Tenzalucard123: Jades and Hajime...one can make you warm and the other one cold. They would stay away from Hajime in summer and go to Jades instead. Bragi has to face his father's experiments and make up for his mistakes. Another concert coming up...And as we know, Tsubasa's concerts never end well. Except for one back in the first season.
Cyclonerider: Yes. But I can't say which. All I can say is that they will have powers.
Chapter 115
Shattering the Mind
"Yes! I did it!" Terunosuke cheered, bawling his eyes out in pure bliss, holding the Tiger Deck in his hands.
Jades, on the other hand, had nothing, staring at his empty hands as they both were in a white room with a glass where Nastassja and some scientists were observing.
"Congratulations, Terunosuke." Nastassja spoke through the mic."It seems your determination and your will managed to get you a Deck."
"Finally, Serena doesn't have to fight alone. I can be by her side and carry that burden for her. I could even fight alongside Atticus too, right?" The excited Terunosuke turned to Jades."Right, Jades-"
Suddenly, Jades slammed his elbow against Terunosuke's head, knocking him out due to the force of the impact. The boy landed on the ground with a thud, his Deck slipping out of his hand and landing at Jades' feet.
"Jades!" Nastassja exclaimed, bewildered at the scene."What have you-"
"Let me be the one to make a contract instead!" Jades announced, Deck in hand."We both know I'm more physically fit to be a Kamen Rider than him! I'm the top candidate in all of FIS!"
"Your ambition is great, but your will falters." Nastassja remarked, rubbing her temples."That's why you weren't chosen. Or so I believe. We still do not understand the true nature of Advent Decks."
"I can change that! Just give me the chance and I'll show you! I can grow stronger and make up the difference!" He clutched his heart."I don't want him to have to fight. Or any of the younger kids. I want to protect them no matter what!"
"Jades, do you realize what you're saying? Are you willing to take this opportunity from Terunosuke? Right when he finally got what he wanted after working so hard? Would you go so far as to protect him by destroying his dream?"
Jades winced at that, shifting his gaze to the unconscious Terunosuke. He knew how much this meant to him. It was the whole reason why he ever joined FIS. To be something more in life. And when he learned of the Decks, he wanted it to protect Serena. To be special. Ever since then, he trained harder and harder than anyone so he could be ready for the day if it ever happened. And it finally did.
"I'm sure." Jades said, his own words shattering his heart upon realizing he just destroyed Terunosuke's dreams so easily."Please, Mom. You can suppress his memories, right? Can you do that?"
"I could. But I thought you were willing for-"
"For anything, yes. But I don't want him to be broken because of this. I want to tell him one day. And I will tell him. But for now, I want him to forget this ever happened. I'll tell him and the others that we were both knocked out and when we came to, I had the Deck. He won't know any better."
"He'll hate you for the rest of his life. And if he ever found out..."
"I'm aware. But...I want to be the one to risk his life for their sake." Jades said solemnly."Let me be the one to be their shield. I won't let anyone die."
"Liar! Serena is dead because of you!"
Jades gasped, he was suddenly in his current age in the middle of a cemetery. In front of him were two graves with the names Serena and Atticus on them.
"You failed to save Serena! She's dead because of your incompetence! You can't save anyone!"
Jades turned on his heels, coming face to face with Terunosuke, except his face was blacked out."T-Terunosuke!"
"Where were you, Jades-nii-chan...? I was so scared..."
The burly man looked to an empty grave, where Andreas was standing by, his face was blacked out as well."ANDREAS!"
Andreas fell back inside the grave, but Jades rushed at maximum speed after him to grab him. However, Andreas grabbed his arm, and Terunosuke grabbed him from behind, pulling him inside the grave that became bigger, like a giant hole in the ground.
Jades jolted awake with a scream, his body sweating and short of breath. Maria stirred awake, awoken by Jades, and turned on her side to turn on the lamp.
"Jades...?" She drawled, rubbing her drowsy eyes. She noticed he was breathing hard, his body glistening with sweat. Worried, she scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around him."Is everything okay, dear? Did you have a nightmare?"
Jades choked a sob and hugged Maria, resting his head on her chest.
"It's okay..." She gingerly brushed his hair soothingly."It was just a nightmare. You're okay now. You're with me."
"I'm a failure, Maria..."
"What do you mean?"
"I couldn't save Serena that day...Because of my decision, Atticus left with Terunosule and died. My decisions are what made Terunosuke the person he is today. And...all the people he's killed died because of me..." He said, breathless. Maria guided him back down on the bed, laying down next to him.
"We've talked about this, Jades. Terunosuke chose to be what he is today out of his own volition. It was his decisions that made him the monster he is today. Not yours. Atticus did what he did to make sure he could at least be happy. I believe he would have escaped with him whether you told him or not. As for Serena, she died to protect us."
"But...I couldn't even prevent the kids from becoming Symphogear and Kamen Riders...I wasn't there to save Andreas...And every day they're at risk of losing their lives."
"And look at the good things they've accomplished. They saved so many people and saved us plenty of times. You wanted to protect them, yes. But they wanted to protect you too."
"I know...I know..." He said, covering his eyes."I'm sorry...I just...it gets to me sometimes."
She pecked him on the lips gently."I know how you feel. With everything that's happened. And sometimes, I feel like I can't go on either. But then I look at you all...And remember Serena, Atticus-nii, and Andreas...and it gives me the strength to keep going. We have to be strong for them, Jades. Kirika, Raiden, and Shirabe need us to be there for them. And we need to be strong for each other too."
"You're right. We're a family." He said, a small smile gracing his features."But I guess our family is way bigger than just the five of us, huh?"
"I suppose you're right. We're all family in SONG." Maria giggled.
Jades leaned forward, kissing her on the lips as Maria reciprocated the gesture."I love you so much."
"I love you too. Let me get you some water, okay? It's still early and we need to go pick up Chris-chan's birthday present for today."
"Right...Thank you, love." Jades watched as Maria got up from the bed, waking up Andreas, who slept by their bed, and followed after her in hopes of getting a snack.'Would you still love me if you knew the truth, Maria?'
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
'Maybe things went wrong even before Serena died...'
"God damn it, Hamaguchi..." Chris grumbled, annoyed as she entered the bakery to pick up some things. Takeru was a loyal customer of the store, and ever since she took on baking, she decided to go to the same store as well for the best ingredients."How the hell did this moron forgot to buy the icing to write my name on the cake, and on top of that, he made me go get it! I'm going to kick his ass!"
The silver-haired girl browsed around the bakery for what she was looking for, eventually meeting with the lady that owned the story."Chris-chan. Happy birthday! How are you today, dear?"
"I'm okay. Thank you for asking, Ma'am. Do you have any good icing? It's for my cake. It's vanilla."
"I believe I do. There's this good cinnamon-flavored icing with a hint of vanilla in it. I'm sure you'll love it. I just got some for the holidays."
"Got it. Thank you!" Chris bowed in gratitude, heading for one of the aisles. She came across a small girl with pink hair, trying to reach something on one of the shelves but was too short to get it.
She smiled, shaking her head. Not that she was much taller than the kid, but at least tall enough to get what she wanted. She walked over to her, raised her hand to the shelf she was trying to reach, and grabbed a cup filled with gingerbread cookies."Is this what you want?"
"Y-yes! Thank you!" Mona gladly accepted the help, turning to thank the girl who had helped her."Thank you so much for the help-"
She froze upon coming face to face with Chris.
'Wait a minute...this is Chris Yukine! She's the enemy! Oh, no! What should I do?!'
"Those are really good cookies. Usually, I crumble them to pieces to add on to whatever I'm baking." Chris said, pointing at the jar."Do you like to bake too?"
"O-oh...Yes! I do. I've been practicing...I want to surprise my parent with something delicious since he recently got back together with his childhood friend."
"Is that so?" Chris smiled, completely unaware she was talking to Allister's adopted daughter."I guess I know how that feels. My late boyfriend was the one who loved baking. It's a nice place."
Mona gasped, hugging her jar closer to her.'So Takeru Sakamoto was her boyfriend...?'
"My bad. I didn't mean to tell you some sad shit." Chris apologized, ruffling her hair."I just get melancholic when I'm here. Anyway, I should get going. See you around, kid. If you ever need help or advice, let me know. I come here pretty often. I'm Chris Yukine."
"I'm Mona. Just Mona. T-thank you!" Mona bowed at the lavender-haired girl. Chris waved her goodbye and took what she was going to buy to the register.
Mona glanced down at the jar of gingerbread cookies, frowning.'Father killed her boyfriend, didn't he...? And I just talked to her like nothing...'
"Happy Birthday!" Everyone sang, clapping as confetti rain in the air. They had reunited in Chri's apartment and were currently celebrating her birthday after everyone gathered together.
"This is embarrassing..." Chris rubbed her nape sheepishly."But thanks...The cake is way too over the top, though..."
"That was Shirabe-chan." Hamaguchi wrapped his arm around the petite girl's shoulders, much to her dismay."She wanted to go all in or go home. Guess we know which one she picked, huh? She insisted on it being huge."
"You said I could do what I felt was necessary as long as you got to cook." She pushed him away.
"It's not that I'm complaining or anything." Chris quickly dismissed the thought."It's just I'm surprised you guys went all out on everything."
"Of course we did." Tsubasa said with a smile."You don't deserve any less."
"Senpai, that's such an embarrassing thing to say..." Chris blushed slightly.
"R-really?!"
"Could be worse." Hajime shrugged nonchalantly."Like making the birthday girl go to the store to get something for her cake."
"Bro, Shirabe-chan made me do it!" Hamaguchi raised his hand defensively."I'm just the messenger here!"
"Wait, what?" Miku tilted her head."She made you do it? Why?"
"Yes, Hamaguchi-kun. Why?" Shirabe crossed her arms with a blank expression on her face."Go on. Tell them."
Hamaguchi began sweating profusely, coughing in his hand."Because she's such a wonderful girl and as her brother-in-law, I felt the need to be the one to take the fall! Yeah! That's it!"
"That's not suspicious at all..." Elfnein deadpanned, not at all convinced by his act.
Kirika glanced at Hamaguchi, tilting her head. He nodded at her with a goofy smile. She gasped, blushing and shifting her gaze to Shirabe, who looked at her with a disapproving look."Desu!"
"Now I'm curious to know what's going on with those 3..." Miku muttered to Bragi. She noticed he didn't respond and looked at his face, realizing he was looking at the floor."Bragi-kun?"
"Ah...sorry. Just spacing out..." He quickly formed a smile."Yeah, you're right. It's pretty mysterious, isn't it?"
Hajime made his way over to the Buddhist altar Chris had in her house, noticing the picture of her and Takeru at the bottom of it.
"You okay, Hajime-san?" Tobias asked the raven-haired teen, holding a cup of fruit punch in his hand.
"Yeah...Just reminiscing, that's all. By the way, how's the party? I know you and Elfnein-chan don't really go out much."
"It's pretty fun!" The Autoscorer beamed."I'm very happy to be here. I'm glad the party is very modest. Thor was telling me parties were usually huge with tons and tons of alcohol and loud music."
"Well, excuse me if the party isn't fit for the God of Thunder." Chris huffed.
"Cut him some slack." Jades said, holding a can of beer in his hand, on his way to being drunk."The parties Gods go to are probably different."
"Why are you drinking in my party?!" Chris shrieked."I told you not to bring any beer here! Don't you dare puke on my floor, Jades!"
"Aw, come on, Chris-chan. It's just to relax, that's all." He slurred, hiccupping.
"A-at any rate..." Hibiki giggled, holding out the gift Miku and she prepared for her."Here you go! Open our gift first!"
"You seem awfully enthusiastic." Chris arched a skeptical brow, but accepted the gift and opened it."Gloves! And they're so cute too!"
"Right!" Hibiki bounced in her seat in pure joy."I knew you would like it!"
"Thanks, Hibiki." The Ichaival user smiled sincerely."You too, Miku."
"How about we open Maria and Jades' present next?" Yosuke suggested."To keep the ball going."
"Huh? Why not the one we prepared?" Tsubasa asked.
"Because we literally got her a-"
"Oh. You guys got me a Boy's Day doll?" Chris blinked, looking at the doll in her hands when she opened the gift while they were talking.
"Why a doll, of all things?" Raiden asked.
"I wanted to pray for her health and victory in battle." Tsubasa scratched her cheek."At the time, it seemed like the only choice. But in hindsight..."
"Okay, Tsubasa-san I understand..." Setsuna pointed at Yosuke."But why didn't you get her anything else, Yosuke-san?!"
"W-what?" Yosuke flinched at her accusing tone."I tried, but...I didn't know what to give her either. I was going to give her money so she could buy whatever gift she wanted..."
"Wow. you guys suck at this." Hamaguchi guffawed, receiving a smack on the back of the head by Shirabe."Ouch"
"Thank you, Shirabe." Kirika nodded sternly, much to her boyfriend's chagrin.
"I mean...I appreciate the gift. It's fitting I suppose." Chris smiled at the couple."Thank you."
Tsubasa and Yosuke sighed in relief.
"Okay! Time for our gift!" Jades announced as Maria handed Chris a bow. Chris opened it and found a red dress inside. She immediately started to cry.
"Chris-chan? What's wrong?" Hibiki and Miku were immediately next to her to console her.
"T-this is..."
"Yeah. You have no idea how many times Sakamoto hammered down in our heads that he wanted to give you that dress for your birthday." Yosuke said, kneeling in front of her."So we all pitched in and bought it for you."
"One day he came up to me and showed it to me online..." Chris said, her endless tears streaming down her face."Every single day he kept saying how good it would look on me. I was fed up...But...but...I love it...thank you all for this..."
"He never left. He's inside of your heart. And that dress is the proof of his love for you."
Chris began to sob loudly, hugging the dress in her arms. They all huddled together to comfort her and calm her down. Despite her tears, she was overjoyed with the gift.
A few hours later, everyone had split into different groups as they enjoyed the rest of the evening before it was to go home. Elfnein and Tobias were watching over Jades as they were watching a movie. The man was passed out on the couch, completely drunk with a big grin on his face. Chris was in her room, trying out the dress and showing it off to some of the girls and boys.
"He sure went out like a light," Tobias remarked, poking the drunken man and receiving no reaction.
"I'm sure that much alcohol is not good..." Elfnein muttered, worried about his well-being.
"Kiri-chan, you can't keep on eating all of this," Shirabe said, watching her sister devour another slice of cake.
"Why not-desu?"
"Because you've eaten a lot already. You'll get chubby at this rate."
"W-what?!"
"I don't see how that's bad." Hamaguchi said, sitting next to his girlfriend and patting her stomach."She's plump in all the right places. I don't mind if she gains a little weight."
"Okay, you're right, Shirabe." Kirika sat the remaining cake on the table, scooting away from Hamaguchi."Pervert..."
"H-how is that being a pervert?! I meant that I'd love you no matter how you looked!"
"You're clearly lying. You're probably having dirty thoughts about Kirika if she was chubbier." Shirabe said, and he couldn't refute that so he opted to just walk away before digging himself into a deeper hole.
"Have you guys seen Bragi-kun?" Miku exited Chris' room, looking around for the monochrome-haired boy.
"He's outside. I think." Shirabe responded.
Miku nodded and headed for the door, immediately noticing Bragi was leaning against the wall by the entrance to the apartment."Bragi-kun? Are you okay? Why are you out here?"
"Sorry to worry you, Miku-san..." Bragi was snapped out of his thoughts."Just needed some fresh air, that's all."
"Are you sure?" Miku reached for his hand, feeling that there was something in his mind."You've been quiet all day long. Normally, you'd be a bit more talkative and have a few fights with Hajime-kun. But you haven't said anything. Is there something wrong?"
Bragi stared into her eyes, feeling her sincere concern. He wanted to tell her how he felt. And how he felt about her.
'What am I thinking? That's not good. I'd be just escaping this guilt by telling her how I feel about her. She doesn't deserve to be mixed up in this mess. Once I can fix all of this, maybe...'
"I'm fine." Bragi reassured her, squeezing her hand gently with a smile."I'm serious. If there was something wrong, I'd tell you."
Miku wasn't convinced at all. But she couldn't force him to talk. If he wanted to tell her, he would."Okay...but if you ever want to talk about how you feel or get something off your chest let me know. I'll always be willing to listen, okay?"
"I know. Thank you."
To his surprise, she brought him in for a hug."Miku-san?"
"Hibiki is always telling me how a hug usually helps someone feel better. So I'm hugging you so you can okay."
Bragi instinctively hugged her back, wanting to tell her everything he was feeling. But he couldn't. She didn't deserve that.
'I'm sorry, Miku-san. But this is a cross I must carry alone.' He thought, resting his chin on her shoulder.'I have to fix this mess the Second...my Father, left behind.'
A few days after the party, Chris was walking to school, rubbing her hands together with her new gloves."It's so damn cold..."
"Morning!"
The lavender-haired girl looked over her shoulder, noticing Miku, Hibiki, Bragi, and Hajime walking behind her. Hibiki was clinging to Hajime since Dragreder was constantly keeping his body warm, acting once again as a portable heater. Bragi on the other hand, blushed while Miku had her arm wrapped around his since he had his gravitational field on and was keeping the cold air away from them.
"Oh. Good morning, guys."
"It's pretty cold today too," Miku remarked.
"Right? But lucky for Chris-chan, she has those nice gloves to keep her warm!" Hibiki said with a teasing smile.
Chris growled, swinging her back at her, which she dodged by the skin of her teeth, hitting Hajime instead."Stop bringing that up every day, damn it!"
"What the fuck, why me?!" Hajime rubbed his bruised face.
"You should have hit him harder, Chris-dono," Bragi said with a smirk.
"I'll hit you too if you keep instigating, Junior." She threatened, silencing the hybrid.
"She does have a good point, Hibiki. You need to stop teasing her." Miku reprimanded her friend.
"But she does like them, though." Hajime noted, deciding to get back at Chris for hitting him."She wears them every day. She's coming to school every day just to show them off."
"No shit, Sherlock. It's cold as fuck! And obviously, I can't be missing more school than I have already just because I've been accepted into college!"
"Now this is a surprise! Good morrow, Cousin!"
The group halted, noticing Wei, Despia, and Yomi approaching them.
"Not this fucking guy..." Chris was immediately set off by Yomi's presence.
"Yomi..." Hajime muttered, blinking."And Despia and Wei. Wait, you guys know the twins?"
"Yeah. We met them before when you were..." Hibiki chose her words carefully."In a coma. You met them too?"
"Just recently..."
"Judging from both of your reactions, I guess your first meetings with them weren't the best," Bragi commented.
Wei glared at Bragi, something that did not go unnoticed by Yomi.
'So, that's the mini Bragard Yomi was talking about.' The blonde magician noted with a smirk.'Looks identical to the Dad. And...what's this?' He noticed how closely Miku and Bragi were walking with each other.'Aw, that's cute. They're totally in love with each other. How sweet. It's more entertaining when there's an emotional attachment.'
"I apologize for Yomi's eccentric behavior, Chris-san, Hibiki-san, Miku-san. I found out that he was quite...bold when he first met you." Wei said, choosing his words carefully.
"What exactly happened?" Hajime blinked.
"If I had to guess, probably the same thing as you," Wei said, shrugging.
"Why the fuck isn't he the one apologizing?!" Chris seethed at the blonde.
"Apologize for what?" Hajime asked, confused as to what exactly happened.
"He was hitting on all of us!" Chris yelled.
"Wait...what?"
"And he fought the dummy"!
"It wasn't really flirting, but I do admit I went overboard with you guys." Yomi gently pushed Wei aside."I humbly apologize for my rudeness. We started on the wrong foot and for that, I am sorry. I just get a little overexcited, that's all. Forgive me."
"Forget it." Hajime raised a hand."It's cool."
"Yeah. It's okay, really." Hibiki waved her hand."We're not upset or anything. Hajime, you fought him? Is that why you were covered in bruises?"
"Yeah. He's pretty tough, not gonna lie."
"I'm also okay with you, Yomi-san." Miku smiled.
Bragi said nothing, his mind elsewhere entirely since he had nothing to do with the conversation.
"Cool! Then we can start over, eh, friends?" Yomi leaned closer to Hibiki and Hajime, grabbing their shoulders."It's great to meet another person like me and my sister. I'm not exactly a hater of the Liang clan, but hey, us halfbreeds gotta stick together, isn't that right?"
Hajime recalled Yomi's words back in the Liang compound.
"All I have to do is find a way for you to fight me."
He shook his head, deciding that it was probably him messing with him. He looked like the teasing type. But then again, why did he and his sister follow him all the way there?
"Fine. I guess we can let bygones be bygones." Chris scratched her head."But if you do anything out of line, you'll be answering to me, got it?"
Despia frowned, taking a step forward to defend her brother, but he held his arm out."Relax, Despia. She has a good point. I did start the misunderstanding after all. So it's normal for her to keep her guard up around me. But I guarantee you, Chris-chan, I-"
"It's Yukine for you."
"Yukine-chan then. I guarantee you we'll get along just fine. If you like Wei, you'll like me too, right cousin?"
"Right," Wei said.
"Sorry, I'm late! I overslept!"
Setsuna ran as fast as she could, a piece of bread stuck in her mouth.
"Seriously, Setsuna?" Hajime sighed."Did you go to bed late again?"
"No?" She batted her eyelashes in a cutesy manner."Yes? Maybe?"
"It's okay. At least we still got time before class starts." Hibiki chimed in."I used to do the same thing she does."
"Yay! Thank you for being so understanding, Hibiki-onee-chan!"
'So that's Hazuki's sister, huh?' Yomi glanced at Wei, who just stared back.'Still, as we guessed, she seems to be extremely loyal to her other brother and friends. So how does Hazuki-"
"Wow! You're so pretty! I love your hair!" Setsuna gushed over Despia's appearance, looking at her with sparkles in her eyes."You look like a princess!"
Despia blinked, blushing at the sudden compliment. She bowed slightly, giving her a saccharine smile.
"Oh? Did I offend you? I'm sorry if I did!"
"Nah, she's just a mute." Yomi quickly said."Go on, Despia. Don't leave her hanging."
Despia took out her notebook and scribbled something on it at insane speed.
"Thank you so much! You didn't offend me at all, but like my brother said, I am mute. But I'm really fast at writing in my notebook to communicate with others. I like to take care of my hair. If you'd like, I can tell you the products I use for it."
Setsuna took a few seconds to read everything and beamed."Really?! Thank you so much! I'm Setsuna!"
"She's Despia." Hajime placed a hand on his sister's shoulder."And that's Yomi Kugisaki. They're twins. And are our cousins."
"Cousins? Like cousin Wei?"
"Something like that. We say cousins, but our mother wasn't remotely related to your Father from what Wei told us. So we're just related because we're from the Liang clan. But hey, family is family, right?"
"Yay! I'm so happy!" Setsuna twirled around."Our family got bigger again!"
Hibiki, Hajime, and Miku smiled at her reaction.
But Yomi smiled deviously, his true expression hidden by his fake smile.'And we found our way in. Good. Maybe Despia can make herself useful and start grooming the kid. Did you know this would happen, Hazuki?'
Yosuke and Jades watched on as Maria and Tsubasa rehearsed for their upcoming concert. The latter was sitting on a stool, his eyes mesmerized by Maria's figure.
"You've been pretty quiet lately. You and Dienheim. I guess you both got a lot in your minds." Yosuke said, handing him a bottle of water.
"I keep thinking about it, Yosuke...About what I did to become Tiger. And I...I can't believe I'm looking at them in the eyes after what I've done..."
"Hey, with the choices you had, you did what you could. Plus, you were a kid at the time, right? It's not like you knew any better." Yosuke said, placing a hand on his shoulder."Don't regret the choices you made. Just make sure they aren't for nothing. Every choice, every sacrifice, we have to give it meaning."
"And where has that led me? Atticus died, Andreas Died, and Terunosuke went rogue. I know you said he chose this. Maria said the same thing, but...I have to tell them."
"I don't disagree, but...How do you think they'll take it?"
"They'll be mad. Extremely so. I lied to them so many times. After the whole Fine thing, I told them I wouldn't lie to them again. But..."
"Hey, guys!" Maria waved at the males. They walked over to them as they decided to take a break."So, what do you think?"
"I think you'll do just fine." Yosuke told her."You're both always in synch when it comes to performing."
"It's been a while." Maria said, glancing at Tsubasa."I think it was right before the whole Carol and Bragard incident."
"Yeah. We haven't done in one Japan yet, other than when we first met, "Fine"." Tsubasa teased the pinkette, making Maria blush.
"But still, you guys will have us and Ogawa-san on standby at all times." Yosuke reassured them."Tsubasa's concerts have a nasty track record of ending up in tragedies."
"Yosuke!" Tsubasa gasped."How can you say that?!"
"I'm sorry, but it's true." He said with a solemn tone."So this time, I will be extra vigilant. The first sight of trouble I see, I'll come running. I won't let another concert end up in tragedy."
"You're exaggerating. What could possibly go-"
"Don't finish that sentence." Maria silenced her boyfriend, placing a finger against his lips."I don't want you to jinx us."
"R-right...Sorry...But from what we know, the Bavarian remnants are targeting Bragi in particular."
"That and they have reasons to go after the Sarcophagus we retrieved." Tsubasa said, rubbing her chin."I understand going after Dienheim since they are Bragard's failed experiments and probably want revenge on his son, but why the Sarcophagus?"
"We can worry about that later." Maria told her, wrapping her arms around them and bringing them closer for a huddle."For now, let's concentrate on giving Japan a concert they'll never forget!"
(Play Angelic Remnant)
Later that night, the girls began performing, and the crowd immediately went wild to see the 2 top idols collaborate once more.
"All good on your end?" Knight asked through his communicator.
"Yeah. All good." Tiger responded, watching from on top of the stadium."Hey, man. Are you sure you aren't being paranoid about this?"
"Trust me. This has happened more times than I care to count." Knight said in a somber tone."I know it sounds dark. But every Tsubasa concert has ended up in disaster. Maybe it didn't end up as bad back in England, but...back then...when Kanade, Goro, and Akira were around..."
"The Zwei Wing incident." Tiger mumbled under his breath."You're afraid something like that will happen again."
"That day...none of those people survived. It was a massacre. We lost two dear friends, and Tachibana suffered because she survived. I...I don't want anyone else to go through that if I can help it."
"Gotcha. Well, in that case, I take back my earlier statement." Tiger heaved a sigh."The others aren't here yet. I guess traffic must be pretty bad. I feel bad for Setsuna-chan and Hajime. Their favorite idols are finally performing together and they're missing it."
The girls finished their first song and waved at the crowd, receiving a loud cheer in return.
"It's not like they'll only play one song." Knight reminded him."They'll make it in time for a few and-"
Suddenly, red portals opened up in the skies, making Alca-Noise rain down from the heavens down to the ground. From the mirrors, Mirror Monsters began pouring out, immediately sending the crowd into panic.
"Fuck!" Knight growled, immediately rushing into action."Jades!"
"Already on it!"
"What's going on?!" Maria said through gritted teeth."Why are Alca Noises and Mirror Monsters here?!"
"It's...happening again..." Tsubasa trembled, memories of trauma flashing through her mind.
"Get it together, Tsubasa!" Maria grabbed her by the shoulders."The guys are fighting! We have to join them!"
"R-right! You're right!"
Down below, Tiger and Knight were already fighting off the hordes of the monsters, wielding Destclaws and Winglancer, but so many people were starting to get killed.
"We need to speed things up!" Knight bellowed opening his visor as a whirlwind surrounded his body, destroying as many Noise around him as he could before activating his card.
Survive: Shippu
"Alright!" Tiger slashed apart a few Mirror Monsters with his Destclaws, manifesting his visor and mimicking Knight, creating cold winds that froze the enemies around them, preventing them from chasing after more civilians.
Survive: Fubuki
Both Riders were not in their Survive forms, their speed and strength magnified, and their weapons evolving to Frostclaws and Darklancer respectively. Suddenly, Tsubasa and Maria, in their Ignite Modules, landed next to them, assisting them as they all began to mow down through the Noise and Mirror Monsters faster than before.
"Tsubasa, I-"
"We can talk later." Tsubasa said, holding her blade firm and her gaze filled with anger."I won't forgive them...I will never forgive them for this!"
"Guys! We need some help by the south exit!" Ogawa's voice came through their comms."Tons of Alca Noise and Mirror Monsters have gathered there and the civilians are stuck since there's too many of them and aren't going out orderly!"
"I'll go. I'll come back in a jiffy. You guys handle this." Knight said, dashing toward the said exit, and was immediately met with a brutal sight. Mirror Monsters were devouring humans and the Noise were disintegrating them. He saw red and lunged at the creatures with all his might. He was moving so fast, he looked like a black blur practically teleporting around the area, clearing it of all monsters.
"Is everyone okay?!" Knight asked as he jogged over to the civilians, who were struggling to fit through the exit."Everyone! Calm down! We can-"
"THAT MONSTER IS TAKING THAT BOY!" A man yelled, pointing at a Mirror Monster that was carrying a child in its arms. The Monster noticed Knight and immediately ran for it, but the Rider wasn't going to let it happen and chased after it, killing more monsters on his way.
Back on stage, Maria, Tsubasa, and Jades were continuing their fights through the seemingly endless siege of monsters that kept appearing. They heard maniacal laughter coming from above, and on the screens, Millaarc's face was being projected.
"Quake in your boots! Cower in fear! For I am here!" She splayed her arms, staring down at the members of SONG."And the one I'm here for is you!"
"Tch!" Tsubasa didn't think twice before swinging her blade, sending a slash of blue lighting at her.
Blue Flash
Millaarc spread her wings and avoided the attack, landing on the ground gracefully."Kazanari Tsubasa!"
Tiger dashed toward her faster than Tsubasa, trying to end the fight and hopefully prevent more monsters from appearing. However, Angelo came out of nowhere and smashed his claws into him, sending him flying into the seats.
"As you can see, I also have a protective boyfriend." Millaarc rested her arm on the demon boy's shoulder."So, why don't you make this easier for us and let us crush you?"
"You must be insane!" Tsubasa rushed in, blinded by her rage. Angelo was about to make a move when he noticed several projectiles being shot toward him.
Frost Bazooka
"Sever!" He thrust his arm, lashing out several slashed at the missiles and destroying them. From the explosion, Tiger appeared and kicked him in the chest, sending him crashing against a wall.
"Maria! Handle the Noise and the remaining Mirror Monsters!"
"Okay! Be careful, you two!"
Tiger nodded, shifting his focus back to Angelo."I felt bad for you. Because you're Bragard's experiments and all that. But what you did today has no forgiveness. Do you realize how many families...how many friends...YOU JUST KILLED?!"
"And do you realize how many people died because of the injustices of the world? The injustices we suffered? I think not. Where the hell were you when we needed heroes to save us? Of course, your flawed sense of justice can give you the excuse you need. But no more. I am taking that justice into my own hands..." Angelo said, his body beginning to morph."Satan...let's go for a full-on transformation!"
An explosion of flames went off, making Tiger take a step back.'What an intense heat! It's just like Hajime!'
Once the smoke cleared, a demon-like creature stood in place of Angelo. It was a horned beast covered in flames, with a demonic presence to him. His body appeared to be made of pure molten lava, as his skin was darkened and cracked open, revealing lava underneath it.
(If you want a visual reference, I based his appearance off of Final Fantasy 16 Ifrit, just human size instead of the giant.)
"Now then...shall we begin?" Came the distorted voice of Angelo before moving so fast that Tiger couldn't even react in time to the tackle, sending him flying into the audience seats and crashing through several chairs.
'This...is a problem...' The tiger-themed Rider thought as the demon let out a roar, flames escaping through the cracks in his body.
Knight chased after the Mirror Monster taking the child, wielding his Darklancer, and dashing at full speed. The monster eventually hit a dead end and attempted to jump through a mirror, but Knight pierced its head, killing it. The child fell on the floor, wheezing.
"It's okay! You're safe now!" Knight knelt next to him, helping him sit up.
"N-no! You're a monster too!" The child shook his head, pushing Knight away.
"No, I am not!" Knight removed his helmet, placing it on the floor and mustering a gentle smile."My name is Yosuke Yanagi. I am a Kamen Rider. Don't worry. We're here to save you all. Let's get you back to your mother, okay?"
"I can't believe it..." The child muttered, his bangs covering his eyes.
"What did you say?" Knight leaned forward, not hearing the boy due to how low his voice was.
"I can't believe...HOW STUPID YOU ARE!" The child's eyes glowed brightly, a demented smile plastered on his face. He grabbed Yosuke's face and forced his jaw open. Suddenly, silver liquid emerged from within him and entered Yosuke's body through his mouth, ears, and nose until he took all of it into his body. Yosuke pushed the child away, backing up and hitting a wall as he coughed.
"W-what...what just...? What just happened...?" He trembled, reaching for his neck.
"Are you seriously this dense? It's obvious I went inside your body." Said the voice in his head.
"W-what?!" Yosuke gasped, glancing at a nearby mirror. Instead of his expression being mirrored, he saw his face warped in a sadistic grin."How...?!"
He shoved his fingers down his throat, attempting to make himself throw up.
"Oh, don't bother. I'm way inside of your head right now. Practically attaching myself to your brain as we speak. It'll take a little bit, so how about we get acquainted before I take complete control of you?" A face appeared on Yosuke's cheek, speaking as if it was a completely different part of his body.
"Control of me?! I won't let that happen!" Yosuke tried reaching for his Deck, but his hand froze, unable to move it.
"Can't control your body as you'd like, right? That's normal." The voice laughed hysterically."My name is Psykos. And normally by now, you'd think I'm some sort of parasite. But it's far more complicated than that."
Yosuke began pacing around the empty halls, his reflection now of Yosuke's terrified look while his real version had a twisted smile. He rubbed his face, checking his appearance."I was created by Bragard using the Relic of Asmodeus. My purpose was to be a virus. A plague that would be spread through the world to brainwash people and take control of them, taking control of every government and allowing Bragard the ability to rule the planet in preparation to face the Bavarian Illuminati. However, I was deemed a failure. Since my fusion with the Relic was incomplete, and I could only take control of 2 people at most."
"Bragard...So you...?!" Yosuke was sweating bullets, trying to control his movements.
Yosuke was now moving freely through the halls, hearing the distant screams of horror in the distance. He smirked at his reflection, admiring his appearance."That's right. I was locked away since he had no use for me. At some point, the Bavarian Illuminati took me in but kept me locked away. Until you guys took down the brass. So I must thank you for your efforts."
"What...what's your goal?!" Yosuke yelled, falling to his knees. He felt as if his head was being split open from the inside.
"Revenge. Among other things. But I don't seek revenge in particular. I just do what I must for my friends. Just like you. We're not that different in that regard. You're just unlucky enough to be picked to spend the rest of your life as a prisoner in your own body." Psykos cackled."Though...I guess you're not REALLY unlucky. You were a predetermined target. And I've spared you the terror of seeing your friends die. Kind of."
"W-what?!"
"And now, Yosuke. It's time to say goodbye. Don't worry. I'll take good care of your body..."
"NO! I REFUSE!" Yosuke screamed at the top of his lungs, standing back on his feet.
'He's resisting...more so than any other host I've taken!' Psykos gasped at how much control Yosuke still had.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU...CONTROL MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Meanwhile, the battle with Millaarc and Tsubasa continued. The vampire girl had clad her fists with her wings, giving them a grotesque and monstrous appearance too, but giving her a boost in strength to match Tsubasa's blows. But Tsubasa was faster, not only matching her attacks but more often than not, surpassing her. The Ignite Module was proving too much for Millaarc, and she felt it when Tsubasa slashed at her arms and kicked her in the stomach, causing her to reel in pain as she crashed into a boulder.
'This bitch is insanely strong!' Millaarc gritted her teeth but noticed something, or rather, someone, next to her, petrified in horror. She smiled maliciously.
Tsubasa chased after Millaarc, her eyes filled with the flames of determination. But all of that died the moment her blade almost connected against a poor girl's neck when Millaarc held her in front of her."What?! You coward! You're taking a hostage?!"
"Of course I am." Millaarc said with no shame."We're too weak and imperfect to take you down through normal means, so we have to play dirty if we want a shot at beating you. And of course, I have something else to ensure your defeat..."
"WAIT, DON'T-"
Millaarc's hand went through the girl's torso, impaling her. However, her body exploded into a dozen bats, causing Millaarc to take a step back."What the fuck?!"
Illusion Vent
Knight kicked Millaarc away, holding the girl she had a hostage in his arms, safe and sound.
"Yosuke!" Tsubasa beamed, glad that he had made it just in the nick of time. Knight turned to face her, smiling at her.
"I'm happy to see I made it in time, Tsubasa."
"Phew..." Maria sighed in relief.
"Impossible!" Millaarc gritted her teeth in frustration."Don't tell me you beat Psykos!"
"That's right! I am Yosuke Yanagi, Kamen Rider Knight! I will never falter and let my friends down! I have a lot of people to protect, so don't think that we'll allow this senseless slaughter to continue. Let's stop her together, Tsubasa!" Yosuke cried out, putting the girl down. Tsubasa smiled at the girl, giving her a gentle nod. The girl slowly began to approach her, her eyes sparkling with glee since Tsubasa was her favorite idol.
"Is that what you thought I'd say?"
"Huh?"
Knight grabbed his visor, unsheathing his Darkblade, and with a swift motion, slashed through the little girl's head. The kid couldn't even register what happened or that her head rolled off her body, blood splattering from her neck and bathing Tsubasa and Yosuke in blood as her body fell on the ground, dead. The idol was too shocked to move.
"What?!" Maria gasped in horror."Y-Yosuke?!"
Angelo and Tiger stopped their fighting to see what was going on, and Tiger's stomach sank.
"You hit me pretty hard, dumbass." Millaarc snarled, rubbing her abdomen.
"Yeah, my bad. I guess I don't know my own new strength yet." Yosuke said, brushing his hair with his blood-stained hand, combing it backward as his hair began to change colors to green. A black eyeliner appeared around his eyes, and the sclera of his eyes went from white to red and his pupils turned green.
"Why...WHY?! WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! YOSUKE!" Tsubasa screamed, too many emotions going through her head as her voice cracked."WHY?!"
"You poor thing." 'Yosuke' approached her, slamming his fist against her face and knocking her down."It's not Yosuke anymore the one speaking to you. Today marks the rebirth of I...Psykos! I have finally made Yosuke Yanagi's power...entirely my own. You may refer to me as..."
He stomped on her head, making her scream in pain.
"Psykos Yosuke."
While all of this was happening, the rest of the group were stuck in a traffic jam.
"No! I'm missing out on Tsubasa-san's songs!" Setsuna shrieked, pulling at her hair. She was currently in a car with Hajime, Bragi, Miku, and Hibiki"Why must God punish me like this?!"
"You think that's bad? I can't believe I'm missing out on Maria-san performing..." Hajime sulked, hugging himself in the front seat. Bragi was sitting next to him, rolling his eyes in annoyance.
"They are siblings, alright..." Miku giggled at their reactions.
"Why don't we just transform and just fly there?" Raiden asked from the car next to them, sitting with Hamaguchi, Chris, Shirabe, and Kirika.
"Because we already paid for the Uber, idiot. And I'm not letting that money go to waste!" Chris said stubbornly. Suddenly, they saw an explosion go off in the stadium.
"What the fuck?!" Hajime mumbled, getting out of the car."Something's happening!"
"The concert is being attacked?!" Hibiki asked as she was on the phone with Elfnein. She ended the call, addressing her friends."They're sending a helicopter to pick us up!"
"Fuck that!" Chris yelled."We need to go right now!"
"Yes! Fuck that! I completely agree!"
They all got out of the car and saw a girl standing on top of a light post wearing a blue dress and white stockings."Hello, bitches! Nice weather we're having!"
"Y-you...you're one of the Bavarian remnants..." Bragi frowned, his heart aching upon seeing another victim of his father."Listen, I don't know what it is you're after, but we can-"
"Bla, bla, bla! I don't wanna talk with you, cazzone!" Reina huffed."I came here to kill you all. And you in particular. And to show you that I'm serious...Come to me, Leviathan!"
Four tendrils sprouted from her back as she used them to smash around cars and crush people to death before the cars exploded, creating a chain reaction of death.
"No!" Hibiki cried out in horror.
"Miku-san, take Setsuna and get out of here," Hajime ordered the black-haired girl, taking out his Deck.
"Right!" Miku nodded.
"Be careful, Haji! Hibiki!" Setsuna said as Miku grabbed her hand and led her away.
"Ready to fight me? Or should I keep killing more people?" Reina asked, gills appearing on her cheeks.
"You want a fight?!" Chris took out her Pendant."Then you got it!"
"Henshin!"
"Balwisyall Nescell Gungnir Tron..."
"Kilterr Ichaival Tron..."
"Zeios Igalima Raizen Tron..."
"Various Shul Shagana Tron..."
In a flash of light, they were clad in their respective armor.
"It's 8 against just you." Abyss pointed out."Do you think you can win against us alone?"
"You don't look very strong." Shirabe narrowed her eyes."About my age, if I had to guess."
"So you can count! Favoloso!" She clapped her hands sarcastically."But you're right. I can't take you on by myself. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Plus...a partner. Isn't that right, Allister-san?!"
"Did she say...Allister?! The Disasters of Valhalla are working with the Bavarian remnants?!"
In cue, Ouja landed on top of a destroyed car, making his presence known."Sorry, I took so long. I didn't want to ruin your debut as a villain."
"You're so thoughtful! Gosh! Boys are the best!" She shivered, a blush on her cheeks.
"It's been a long time, eh...Shortcake?" Ouja stared down at Chris, who was fuming in anger upon hearing him say the nickname Takeru had given her.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL ME THAT!" Chris bellowed, readying to rain hell on the Rider."I will make you suffer for taking everything I love from me!"
"Wait! Chris-chan!" Hibiki yelled after her."You can't go all out! There are still people around here!"
"Then I just have to get close and personal, don't I?!" Chris switched to her crossbows, lunging at Ouja, who calmly opened up his visor, and inserted a card.
Dupe Vent: Zolda
Kamen Rider Zolda appeared from the ground, his head hanging. He slowly reached for his helmet.
"That's...!" Rai's eyes widened.
"It's just a puppet!" Ryuki quickly refuted."That's not him!"
"I know that!" Chris said, but the image of Takeru's Rider form made her start to cry. Zolda removed his helmet, just as Ouja uttered the words to activate his consciousness.
"Awaken."
Suddenly, the grey, corpse-like color of his body was replaced by his regular skin tone, and the cracks around his body became smaller. His hollow eyes now had two hazel orbs, much like his eyes when he was alive. He moved his head, watching as Chris looked on, baffled.
"Chrissy...?"
Chris stopped, landing on the ground when she heard the voice she never thought she'd hear again."Takeru...?
"What the...?" Kirika mumbled, her mind unable to understand anything going on.
"What's...going on? Where am I?" Takeru glanced around, puzzled."Wasn't I just in Val Verde? Did I die? Is that why I'm seeing Chris in front of me? Is she supposed to be my guardian angel?"
"It's...it's really you...!" Chris' eyes widened as her tears streamed down her face, a smile gracing her features. She took a step forward, but that's when everything came back to her. The news of Takeru's death, the funeral, the lonely nights in her apartment, and the pain of not having him around. The first and last time they ever spoke to each other.
"Captain..." Ryuki took a step forward, but Alternative held him back.
"That's...not Takeru Sakamoto." Bragi shook his head.
"What are you talking about?" Shirabe asked, tears glistening in her eyes after seeing her deceased friend again.
"Wait! This...this isn't heaven!" Takeru gasped."Chrissy! Don't tell me...you died too?!"
"Relax, Takeru. Bragi-kun is right." Ouja walked up to Zolda, patting him on the back."Takeru Sakamoto is indeed dead. As you may know, Riders are capable of summoning puppet versions of the Riders they kill. Or at least, we can, since Bragard gave us these cards while we were working for him."
"Wait...Dupe Vent...? What you used to summon Goro-kun back then!" Takeru said in realization.
"The Second made those cards?!" Alternative clenched his fists.
"But this isn't like a miracle card that's capable of reviving the dead or anything like that. You see, the people created from it are homunculus. Empty husks. Since we can't use the Sea of Souls to give them back their souls, we make a copy of their memories and stuff them into these vessels. So this right here isn't even the real Takeru. He's long been absorbed into the Sea of Souls and purified of all evil in his tainted soul."
"Sea of Souls?" Raia asked.
"The thing we need to purify all of the souls that die. How do you think Hazuki-kun is planning to cleanse all evil from this world? When people die, their souls are transported to the Sea of Souls and cleansed from all impurities, resting until the day of reckoning is upon us and Ragnarok occurs."
"Lieutenant! You're back!" Takeru noticed Ryuki in the crowd."I knew you would come back!"
"Captain..." Ryuki couldn't help himself and started sobbing.
"What...? How long have I been dead?!" Takeru asked, trying to move his body but was unable to."Wait! Where are Tsubasa-senpai, Maria-san, Yosuke-senpai and Jades-san?! Don't tell me they're-"
"Calm down. They're alive. Just not here. And it's been about 4 months or so, revenant." Allister responded."It's December 30 today."
"Oh, shit..." Takeru finally met gaze with Chris, who was just staring at him not saying a word. He smiled at her, his body unable to cry but his heart, if he even had one, was breaking into a million pieces upon seeing her so distraught."Chrissy...I guess I ended up crawling my way back from heaven, after all, huh? Just not the way I was hoping for..."
"Takeru..." Chris covered her mouth, dropping her guns.
"Chrissy..." He stared at her hand, noticing she was wearing both of hers and his rings. He mustered the best smile he could, despite their current circumstance in hopes of giving her some comfort."Happy late birthday, Chris."
And that's when Chris broke.
And now, shit hit the fan, and we're entering a spiral of chaos. Brace yourselves, as next year, the story will continue and our friends will find themselves in difficult positions all around.