Starlit laid on her back, her breathing growing more rigid as she felt herself weaken.
"I… did it…" Her pool of blood kept growing. "They should… get the message… please… make it in time…"
Looking up at the night sky through the open roof, she smiled. She reached upwards, as if attempting to grab the stars.
"I suppose… I'll be… seeing Ryoko now… Protect this world… Rui Tachibana…"
She closed her eyes for the last time, two tears falling, as her arm gently fell over her chest. Her hand was atop the pocket with the photo of her and Ryoko; the last thing to be stained by her blood.
Every one of the wielders had arrived at the bridge to see what was going on. They saw the mysterious machine continue to glow, seemingly gathering more power.
"What is that?" Maria asked.
"We're not sure." Aoi said. "But the tracker that was given to Rui-san is getting a reading from inside that machine."
"Is she piloting it?" Shirabe asked, echoing everyone's worries.
"That's what we're trying to figure out." Fujitaka said, typing away. "But our scanners are having a problem with it."
"Hmm… Should we go try and get a better look?" Jeanne suggested.
"Good idea. We'll scout ahead of time before sending in the wielders." Ogawa said.
"Wait, it's doing something!" Chris shouted, pointing at the screen.
"Damn it… damn it… damn it!" Rui kept cursing, trying to pull out of the restraints, but they were completely locked down.
"I can't believe it…" Forte muttered. "Tesla… he really did this to us… he would… he would've never…"
Lala didn't say a word, similarly in shock.
"Are you just gonna complain?" Rui snapped. "Just think of a way to escape. We need to get out of here and stop him."
"There's no way out… Lala knows Tesla wouldn't leave any openings." Lala muttered grimly.
"You ever heard the expression "don't give up on life"?" Rui asked them, as they both looked up. "Well I'm not giving up anytime soon, and neither should you two."
Gjallarhorn started to glow in front of them, before the wires attached to their Elekleid's began to sparkle with energy. Forte and Lala screamed in pain as they felt the power of Gjallarhorn siphon through them and through the wires, but Rui kept herself focused.
I'll get out of here… I refuse to let Tesla do this!
Tesla pressed several buttons and pulled a few levers, directing energy into the Achtzehn Blitz.
"The power is rising at a fairly decent rate…" Tesla said with a smile. "But already, I can change this world."
Pressing a few keys, he finished by pressing a larger red button.
"Now… it begins."
"What is it doing, dess?" Kirika wondered, watching as the machine crossed its arms.
"Energy levels are rising rapidly!" Fujitaka shouted.
"It appears it's about to open fire!" Aoi reported.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!" Genjuro commanded.
The Achtzehn Blitz glew brightly, shooting energy in an expansive burst that shook the entire world. Everything went completely white as it washed over them.
Hibiki winced, blinking a few times as she sat back up. That was bright but… I feel okay…?
"Is everyone alright?" Maria asked.
"Ugh, I'm still seeing spots in my eyes." Chris grumbled.
"Shisho, what happened?" Hibiki asked.
There was no answer.
"...Shisho?"
She looked around, but he was nowhere to be found.
"Uncle, this is no time for a joke." Tsubasa said, looking around.
"Wait, where did everyone else go, dess?!" Kirika shouted.
The girls looked around. Genjuro wasn't the only one gone. Aoi, Fujitaka, Ogawa, Jeanne and Elfnein were also no longer in the room. Aiba was on the floor, in her hamster form, looking around for Jeanne.
"What… where did they go?" Shirabe said.
Aiba hopped onto Fujitaka's seat and started to use the computer in his place. I am scanning the entire base, but the only human presence is everyone in the bridge, as well as Maia Kazanari in the medical room. Judging from the time between the white flash and now, there was no way for them all to get to a far enough distance, and there are no cloaking devices inside the base.
"They're just… gone?" Miku asked.
While Tsubasa was relieved Maia was alright, she put that aside for now as she took charge.
"Aiba, is there a way for you to increase the distance of the scan?" Tsubasa asked.
"I have already done so. I am getting the results now."
Aiba was silent as the others watched on, concern growing.
"...scanning complete."
"And?" Chris asked.
"Aside from everyone in the base, and I would assume the TEC members in that giant machine, there is no human presence at all in the city." Aiba answered.
Everyone widened their eyes.
"No one… No one is in the city?" Shuri asked.
"I've extended my search to all of Japan, and it has the same result. While I was unable to access every part of the Earth, several other countries I was able to access such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, England, Korea, Russia, China and France have all given identical results." Aiba said. "There is no human presence in any of them."
"Wh-What…?" Hibiki said, shocked.
"For all I know, the Symphogear Wielders, SOUL and TEC are the only remaining humans on Earth." Aiba said.
The dread hung over everyone in the room. Did they hear Aiba right?
"We're… the only ones left…?" Maria said quietly. "How…?"
"That bastard… he must've done it!" Chris shouted. "We gotta get out there and take him down!"
"But… will defeating him bring everyone back…?" Shirabe wondered.
"It does not matter if it will." Tsubasa said, arms crossed. "We cannot allow something like this to abide, even if we're the only ones left in this world."
"I will remain here to help manage the bridge and oversee things." Aiba said. "Miku, if you would assist me in conveying my findings to the others when needed?"
Miku nodded. "I will. I can't go out there, but at least I can help here."
Hibiki reached into her pocket and felt around, feeling the keychain that Rui had gifted her.
"Everyone…" Hibiki looked up with determination in her eyes. "Let's get our world back."
The others prepared to go, but Tsubasa visited the medbay one more time to look at her sister. Maia's condition was relatively stable, but nothing had changed. Aiba had promised Tsubasa that she would keep the medical equipment running to make sure the girl would survive.
Looking over at a nearby table, Tsubasa saw that the Proto-Ame-no-Habakiri was laid there, alongside both Takemikazuchi and Kagutsuchi. Tsubasa picked up the artificial relic, before looking at her sister.
"Neesama… I'll be going now." Tsubasa said, placing the relic into her sister's hands. "Please… wait for me."
As Tsubasa left, a small glint of light shone on the Proto-Gear.
Tesla looked at the readings within the Achtzehn Blitz, seeing the energy levels rising at a stable rate. Only a while longer… Once it reaches that point, I can restore this world to how it truly was meant to be.
A small alert went off, as the radar showed several blips.
So… they've finally arrived.
SONG's helicopter had landed on top of a nearby building via the autopilot. Stepping out were the wielders, along with the sole remaining member of SOUL. Tesla opened up the faceplate of the Achtzehn to look at them.
"SONG. You've made it." He said. "I'm amazed that you are all still here."
"Nikola Tesla, what have you done?!" Maria demanded.
"I have drawn upon the power of other worlds, and begun the process of creating a perfect world." He calmly explained.
"You did this?!" Chris said, anger in her voice.
"Indeed."
"How could you?!" Shuri shouted. "Those were billions of lives you just-!"
"Destruction must come before creation. That's just how it is, correct?" He said. "Worry not, once I create everything anew, I will restore all of them."
"Where's Oneesan?" Hibiki asked, voice low.
"You do not have to worry. Rui Tachibana is helping me create this new world." Tesla said. "Within this machine, she is one of the conduits for its power."
"You're…?!" Shirabe grit her teeth. "You're using her as a tool?!"
"She, Forte and Lala were rather uncooperative despite supporting my idea initially." Tesla stated. "And I need the Elekleid in order to continue the plan."
The team noticed one name was left out. "What about Starlit, dess?" Kirika asked.
Tesla's face shifted to one of regret. "She… She will be reborn in this new world as well."
"You… Did you-?" Tsubasa realized.
"But that is in the past." Tesla said. "I am looking towards the future, and you are all in my way. While your connections to the Symphogear relics may have let you survive the initial cleansing, I will not allow you to stop me. I will create a new world of peace."
"Built upon countless bodies." Tsubasa spat.
"We won't let your insanity ruin our world any further!" Maria declared.
"We're beating you down and making you put everything back the way it used to be!" Chris shouted.
"Everyone!" Shuri pulled out Okami. "Let's finish this!"
"Right!"
Hibiki pulled out her pendant. Oneesan… hold on a bit longer!
"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron~"
(Insert Rikka Ryoran by Aoi Yūki, Nana Mizuki, Ayahi Takagaki, Yōko Hikasa, Yoshino Nanjō and Ai Kayano)
All of the girls donned their armor, ready to end this battle. The faceplate of the Achtzehn closed, glowing as it raised its arms.
"Come, Symphogear!" Tesla shouted.
Tsubasa and Maria created large blades and slashed at the Achtzehn, which blocked it with one fist. Kirika and Shirabe tried coming in from the other side, but their weapons were blocked by the other arm. Tesla felt a small tap on the front of the Achtzehn, before an explosion of ice from Okami encased it in place. Hibiki rushed forward, drawing her fist back as she charged up her power.
"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAH!" She screamed.
Hibiki Style: Spear's Violent Destruction
Throwing her fist forward, she shattered the ice, causing the Achtzehn to stumble back. She kicked off the chest of the machine, as Chris was the next to attack, having prepared several dozen missiles.
"EAT THIS!" Chris screamed, firing all of her missiles.
MEGA DETH PARTY
All of the missiles exploded on contact, but failed to cause any noticeable damage. Chris grit her teeth. "Tough bastard, aren't you?!"
"This machine has the power of several worlds, and will only continue to grow stronger." Tesla said. "This conflict is meaningless, and yet you still fight."
"Because this world doesn't belong to you!" Maria shouted, swinging out her blade and wrapping it around the Achtzehn's leg.
Shuri aimed Okami, firing a blast of ice to encase the other leg. "We will not allow you to take away our future!"
"Akatsuki! Tsukuyomi!" Tsubasa called.
"Right." Shirabe nodded.
"You got it, dess!" Kirika shouted.
Tsubasa jumped into the air, summoning a massive sword and kicking it down towards the front of the Achtzehn Blitz. From behind, Kirika and Shirabe created a wicked saw blade on a staff as they pushed forward.
Heaven's Wrath
Prohibited Fitting β Style: ZABABA Sun and Moon
The two attacks smashed into the Achtzehn Blitz, but the weapons cracked and shattered.
"Useless." Tesla said.
"Then we just need to kick it up a notch!" Hibiki declared, putting a hand on her gem, as the others all followed her lead. "Ignite Module! Bakken!"
Dáinsleif
Inside the core of the Achtzehn Blitz, Rui could hear the battle going outside. Thanks to the way the core room was constructed, there was barely any force felt from the inside.
"So they're going at it, huh…?" Rui realized.
Once again, she tried fruitlessly pulling at the restraints, but was kept locked in place.
Lala watched as Rui kept trying to break free, before she spoke up. "Can… Can Lala ask you something?"
"Go for it." Rui said. "None of us are going anywhere for now."
"How… How do you do it?" Lala asked.
"Do what?"
"Keep going on… everything that happened to you is horrible… but you never give up." Lala said. "How… How do you do it?"
"Well, did you ever give up when it came to learning how to cook?" Rui asked in return.
"No… Lala would always keep trying."
"And why don't you stop?"
"Because Lala wants to learn to cook for the people she cares about."
"Lala…" Forte said quietly.
"It's the same for me." Rui answered. "I'll never stop fighting, if it's to protect the people that I care about."
Lala smiled hearing that, before her eyes glew. "This is…!"
"Huh? What is it?" Forte asked.
Projecting from Lala's eyes was a video. To their shock, it was Starlit, heavily wounded, but standing.
"Starlit!" Forte shouted.
"You three, I don't have much time left, so I hope this recording reaches you all." Starlit spoke.
Sadness washed over Lala and Forte, as this meant that their friend was no longer with them. Rui, while she didn't spend as much time with her in comparison, still felt the loss, as Starlit was the one that had saved her life.
"There are two flaws in Tesla's plan that he is unaware of, ones that you three should be able to exploit to break free." Starlit spoke. "First, while the Achtzehn Blitz is powerful, it heavily relies on the Elekleid units to function. If at least two of you find a way to break from the power source, you should be able to shut down part of its functionality. You know of a way to do this, but I only hope you can find a possible alternative."
"So he's arrogant enough to think we won't get out of this." Rui realized, smirking. "Good."
"But how will we do so?" Lala asked. "Unless…"
Forte was silent, seemingly thinking about Starlit's words.
"Second, Rui. Your Elekleid has special properties thanks to your usage." Starlit said. "Because of your close-attuned rate with Gungnir's user, as well as your own experience using it, it changed the function of the Elekleid."
"Gungnir… and Elekleid…?" Rui repeated.
"I cannot say for sure what will happen, but I analyzed the data from when you were nearby your sister. The readings of the Elekleid were off the charts." Starlit said. "There is a chance to tap into this power, and it's something Tesla won't expect. This is all based on Ryoko's theories related to technology similar to the Symphogear, so it's a guaranteed chance."
"Elekleid…" She looked down at her armor. The Elekleid that had replaced her Relic Battle Mode. It had the chance to turn the tide? And even now, Ryoko Sakurai's theories were supporting them…
"Forte… Lala… I want to say that the years we spent together were the best years of my life." Starlit smiled. "I'm grateful to have called you two family… Please, live your lives out for me."
"Starlit…!" Tears fell down Lala's face, as well as Forte's.
"And Rui Tachibana… I'm glad that I got the opportunity to meet you. Please, look after Lala and Starlit for me. Protect the people that live here. Every valuable life…"
While Rui knew Starlit was gone, she still nodded. "I promise."
"I know you three can do this… protect this world." Starlit said, coughing out some blood. Looking at her hand, she clenched her fist. "I'll be watching over you three… Good luck."
With one last smile, the recording ended.
"We'll keep living for you, Starlit!" Lala promised.
"You heard her, let's get the hell out of here." Rui said.
"But that still doesn't solve our problem." Lala said. "We're still stuck here."
"I know what to do." Forte said.
"You do?" Lala asked, surprised.
"Tesla needs at least two of us, yeah?" Forte said. "Then Lala, we should overcharge our Elekleids."
"Overcharge-?! Forte, are you sure?!" Lala asked. "Lala was trying to think of a different way!"
"Hey, if it works, it works." Forte smirked.
"...Lala supposes we have to." She said.
"What are you talking about?" Rui asked.
"This is a function I think Tesla and Starlit didn't tell you about because of your body's condition." Forte said. "The Elekleid has a function similar to a Superb Song. If we overcharge it, we can increase the power hella fast."
"Wait, why didn't you use that when you fought SONG?" Rui asked.
"Well first of all, you guys were too weak to even bother with that." Forte said.
"Not now, Forte." Lala said.
"But it's because this thing is really risky and a one-time use. Once you turn it on, there's no going back until the Elekleid is heavily damaged." Forte said. "And you only have a five percent chance of surviving it."
"Five percent?!" Rui shouted. "Hell no! There has to be some other way!"
"We have no other options." Lala said. "And Starlit said your Elekleid is the key to victory."
"Don't you throw away your lives for this!" Rui yelled.
"We're not throwing them away." Forte said. "Like you said, we won't give up on life!"
"Elekleid…" Lala concentrated.
"Show us what you got!" Forte shouted.
Surges of red and turquoise electricity surged out of their armor, as it widely sprayed everywhere. Lala and Forte screamed as the power was tearing away at their bodies. Rui could only watch as the two kept pushing themselves forward.
Survive… Survive this, please! Rui mentally begged.
Back outside, the Symphogear users had all activated the Ignite Modules, but the overall fight against the Achtzehn Blitz was still against them.
"He just keeps getting stronger, while we're on a limit!" Maria shouted, as Tesla deflected an array of swords and knives from her and Tsubasa.
"This isn't even fair compared to everyone else we've fought!" Kirika complained, as the Achtzehn deflected another of her scythe slashes.
"This struggle is useless." Tesla said. "If we can come to an understanding, we could change the world together."
"This isn't reaching out!" Hibiki shouted. "This is just taking away!"
"Hibiki Tachibana, do you not wish to be reunited with your sister, normal once more?" Tesla asked.
"You've used Oneesan like a tool!" Hibiki shouted, jumping at the Achtzehn Blitz. "I can't forgive you for that!"
She threw her fist forward, setting it ablaze. She smashed it into the chest core of the machine, before using the momentum to launch herself skyward, finishing with a propelled flaming kick on the same spot.
Hibiki Style: Star Stream Spear
That sent the Achtzehn Blitz back several feet, but it was still standing.
"An impressive effort." Tesla complimented. "But this won't-"
Alarms started to go off within the cockpit, flashing red. Tesla widened his eyes, looking at the reading.
"The power is going haywire?!" He read. "How?!"
"Everyone!" Miku's voice rang through the comms. "Aiba reported that the power of the machine is destabilizing!"
"Destabilizing?" Shuri repeated.
"Then that must mean…!" Chris smiled, looking at the Achtzehn Blitz.
CRASH
A fist punched out of the core of the Achtzehn Blitz, shattering the front. Coming into view was a figure in violet armor, one they all recognized.
"Oneesan!" Hibiki smiled.
Rui was carrying both Lala and Forte. Their Elekleid armors were scorched and cracked all over. Their bodies had several horrible burns on them, and they were barely breathing, but they were alive. She jumped out of the core, landing nearby several pieces of debris and gently laying Lala and Forte down.
"Just rest for now." Rui said quietly. "I promise I'll handle this."
"No!" Tesla shouted, aiming the Achtzehn's hand towards the Elekleid users. "You cannot-!"
A huge blast of explosive electricity nailed the Achtzehn dead-on.
Blitzfirewerk
The Achtzehn slowly fell towards the Earth. Rui lowered her arms, having created a large cannon with the weapons. She looked at her hands, impressed. So this is what it can do with Gungnir around.
"Oneesan!"
Rui turned to see Hibiki running in for a hug. One she gladly returned.
"I knew you would pull through!" Hibiki grinned, as the others ran up as well.
"Welcome back, Rui." Tsubasa smiled.
"You had us worried, you freaking Chuunigure!" Chris laughed.
"You returned to us." Shuri looked a bit remorseful considering the fight they had before, but was relieved to see Rui again.
Maria had her arms crossed, but had a smile as well. "It's good to see you again."
"I always knew you would come back, dess!" Kirika grinned.
"So did I." Shirabe nodded.
Seeing everyone again, Rui smiled. The last few times she had seen them all, it wasn't on the best terms. Now, she was with them all once more.
"I'm home, everyone." Rui said with a thumbs-up.
Hibiki held out a comm link for Rui, as she put it on her ear to hear one more voice.
"I'm glad you're back, Rui." Miku's voice said. "But now isn't the time for that! Tesla's coming!"
The ground trembled, as the Achtzehn landed on the ground nearby. The faceplate opened to show Tesla. Rui was surprised to actually see his face contorted by anger.
"Rui Tachibana!" Tesla shouted, rage in his voice. "You will return to stabilize Gjallarhorn! I will not be denied-!"
"Croitzal ronzell Gungnir zizzl~"
Those words rang familiar to Hibiki, Rui and Tsubasa. Before Tesla could react, a massive spear pierced the shoulder of his machine.
SAGITTARIUS∞ARROW
The attack had completely torn off the Achtzehn Blitz's arm, as it fell to the ground with a boom. The spear returned to its user's hand, as the others all looked.
A familiar blue-haired girl was holding the spear. She was garbed in an armor that resembled both Symphogear forms of Gungnir and Ame-no-Habakiri. Her right eye had a black sclera, but the iris was a familiar dark red. Her other eye? The usual indigo they all remembered.
"Hey everybody!" Maia Kazanari grinned, shouldering her spear. "Did you miss me?"
A/N: The first part of the final battle is here. Get ready, cause it's about to get crazier from here on out.
And as we enter the last stretch of things, I'm also going to be accepting questions for a QnA, which will be covered in the Supplementary Plan this time around. Ask any questions about the development of the story or similar and I'll try to answer them. Any questions about what will happen in AXZ and XV will not be answered, however.
Feel free to leave a review (I encourage it this time). I'll see you all next time.