"Happy Birthday!" Several birthday poppers went off as the girls celebrated Chris and Shuri' birthday. There was an entire birthday feast set in front of them, courtesy of Rui and Shirabe. Rui went the extra mile for this, making every one of Chris and Shuri's favorite foods.

"This is embarrassing…" Chris rubbed the back of her head.

"Thank you, everybody!" Shuri's smile seemed to glow even brighter.

Chris went over the gifts she had gotten from the others. "A pair of winter gloves, a giant cake fit for a wedding, and a Boy's Day doll?"

"Well, I wanted to pray for your health and victory in battle, and I noticed you started collecting the same types of figures that Rui enjoys, so I figured it was the natural choice." Tsubasa rubbed the back of her head.

"Well, only you would give this type of gift!" Chris chuckled.

"Watch as Oneesan goes the extra mile to make a bigger cake when she and Chris-chan do get married." Hibiki snickered to Miku, only to get an elbow from her older twin.

Shuri went through her own gifts. "A cookbook, a scarf and… what's this?"

There was a small box, and the blue indicated it was from Maia. Opening it, she saw a small row of tickets.

"Courtesy of yours truly, these are eight tickets to get me, Maia Kazanari, to do anything for you." Maia took a knee.

"What are you, four?" Chris asked.

"I'll be sure to put them to good use." Shuri smiled.

Maia started to sweat. Ah crap, I know that smile. I should've just gone with wrapping myself in ribbons. If only the others didn't blab about the apartment!

"So what did you get them, Maria?" Shirabe asked.

"Nothing. I forgot." Maria shrugged.

"What?" Everyone turned to her.

"I was so busy trying to help Tsuabsa through her ordeal, I just kind of forgot." Maria said.

"No! No way! Especially not for such a terrible reason!" Tsubasa said.

"Did something happen between them?" Rui raised a brow.

Maia smirked. "Looks like Maria got to see Tsubasa being a bit silly."

"Just kidding!" Maria chuckled, pulling out two sets of clothes.

"They're beautiful…" Shuri's eyes sparkled.

"Oh, it was a surprise!" Chris realized. "Though, I won't be the only one getting surprised today."

"What do you mean?" Hibiki asked, before they heard knocking on the door. Rui went over to answer it.

"Ah, you're here. Thanks for the assist." Rui said. "Just let me sign…"

The others were curious as they heard footsteps disappear. They wall went over, only to see several boxes in the hall. They all had symbols of polar bears carrying boxes on their backs.

"Whoa, what's all this, Oneesan?" Hibiki asked.

"Please don't tell me you splurged just for Chris' birthday…" Miku sighed, remembering her friend had awful spending habits when it came to Kamen Rider merchandise.

"Nope!" Chris was the one that answered. "The Old Man was the one that paid for the move."

"The move, dess?" Kirika raised a brow.

"Yeah." Rui said. "Help me move the boxes in, will ya?"

"Wait, what's going on?" Shirabe asked.

"Oh you see, starting from today, I'm gonna be Chris' roommate." Rui answered.

…

…

…

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"

"So is their exaggerated reaction a great gift or what?" Rui asked.

"Totally." Chris laughed.

"You one-uppers!" Maia shouted.

Chris was standing in front of the shrine for her parents. Rui stood a bit behind her, waiting. Chris finished praying and held up a hand. "Well, I'm off to school."

Rui smiled, seeing the photo they took for the shared birthday of the Yukine twins. The two left the apartment and started walking to school.

"Think your folks approve of me?" Rui asked.

"Yeah, I think they would've loved to have met you." Chris said. "But I'd probably be a different person if they were still around."

"Guess so." Rui said.

Chris sneezed, before covering her mouth. "It's so cold! What is this, a mini-Ice Age?"

"You were in Antarctica a few days ago, and this is what gets you?" Rui unzipped her bag as Yusuke stuck his head out, holding a handkerchief for Chris in his mouth. Rui took it, and he buried himself back in to hide from the cold.

"Oneesan! Chris-chan!"

Rui turned and smiled to see Hibiki and Miku walking up.

"Good morning! Another cold one, huh?" Miku said.

"I'm doing fine." Rui shrugged, as Chris handed back her handkerchief. "Though Chris isn't."

"Whatever." Chris rolled her eyes.

"But at least your gloves are nice and warm, right?" Hibiki asked.

Chris smacked Hibiki on the head with her bag. "Stop going on about it every damn morning, dumbass!"

"Don't get carried away. You're embarrassing her." Miku chided.

"Embarrassing her is my job now." Rui chuckled.

"But she really does seem to like the gloves we got her!" Hibiki smiled. "She's been coming to school just so she can wear them, and match with Oneesan!"

"Really? Match with these?" Rui asked, holding up her Kuuga gloves, briefly striking a pose. "I think the prodigy doesn't need to do that."

"Well, now that you mention it, she was already guaranteed a place at college by recommendation." Miku remembered.

"It's just… I thought I should make up for how much school I've missed compared to you guys. And Shuri wanted to stay longer to complete her music classes, so I thought I'd stay with her. You know, like a big sister should. And I can't just ditch my girlfriend." Chris said.

While Hibiki and Miku smiled, Rui noticed a bit of uncertainty in Chris' eyes.

"Though… I fear these peaceful school days won't last much longer." She said quietly.

"Oh, by the way Chris-chan, I wanted to ask something." Hibiki said.

"What?" Chris turned.

"You said you wanted me to stop calling you "Chris-chan," right?" Hibiki asked.

"Yeah. Use something more appropriate!" Chris said.

"So can I start saying "Chris-neechan" since you're dating Oneesan?" Hibiki smiled.

Rui and Miku sighed, as Chris smacked Hibiki with her bag again.

Jeanne was sitting in SONG's lab, while Lala and Elfnein were running tests on Aiba. They weren't exactly sure what had happened, but Aiba just seemed to shut down after getting into close proximity with the coffin. They checked and saw that she was still active, just… locked off from the outside world.

What's going on, Aiba? Jeanne wondered. Why won't you wake up?

Elsewhere in Japan, there were several signs up for Tsubasa's next solo concert. Tsubasa was practicing and going through the motions, but her heart didn't seem to be completely in it. Ogawa and Maria were standing nearby, observing.

"It seems like her mind is someplace else." Ogawa noted.

"Y-Yeah. I'm using my valuable between-mission time to come support her, and look at what a mess she is." Maria said, fixing her sunglasses. "Especially with her comeback show only three days away."

Tsubasa walked up to the two. Ogawa turned to her. "Good practice."

"Not really." Tsubasa disagreed.

"I understand how you feel, considering the looming threat to the world." Maria said. "But the stage is your battlefield too."

"That's true." Tsubasa agreed. "But after what happened on the way back from Antartica, I wonder if I should be here."

She recalled the battle that had happened a few days ago…

"Report!" Tsubasa said, as she ran in with Hibiki, Chris, Maria and Rui.

"Alca-Noise detected above the water!" Fujitaka said.

"The carrier USS Thomas Whitemore is under attack." Aoi said.

"They're after the corpse we retrieved from Antarctica." Hibiki realized.

"Those Yankees just had to refuse our offer." Chris punched a hand into her fist.

"And look what happens. Attempted Grand Theft Custodian." Rui sighed.

"Shirabe, Kirika, Maia and Shuri were on standby. Where are they?" Maria asked.

"Already en route!" Aoi said.

The transport pods holding the four broke open and the four dropped out of the sky. Kirika and Shirabe dove deeper, as the latter held out a tube. "How could you forget your LiNKER?"

"Nice catch, dess!" Kirika said, remembering these were the last few for the special batch Elfnein and Lala made. "Time to return the favor, dess!"

The two maneuvered through the air until they were embracing one-another. Simultaneously, they injected the LiNKER into the other.

"Hah, only you two can make doing that look gay." Maia chuckled.

"Focus on the mission." Shuri said, taking aim with Okami.

"Oh come on, no time for quips?" Maia pouted, pulling out Takemikazuchi.

AME-NO HABAKIRI! AUTHORIZED

ICHAIVAL! AUTHORIZED

RELIC BATTLE MODE; READY

"Zeios Igalima raizen tron~"

(Insert Mikansei Ai Mapputatsu! by Ai Kayano)

TAKEMIKAZUCHI: HABAKIRI MODE

OKAMI: ICHAIVAL MODE

With flashes of light, all four had transformed. Kirika was the first to strike, slashing through several skybound Alca-Noise, before landing and launching two blades.

Kill Juliet

The two blades spun around, slicing through the Alca-Noise as Kirika made quick work of the ones around her. Shirabe was wheeling around on skates, slashing through with her saws, before spinning with a bladed skirt.

Delta Style: Charming Axel Killer

Kirika slashed through several more, before launching one skywards for Shirabe to slice through. She landed in Kirika's arms as the two posed together.

"You guys have been spending too much time with Rui for the showboating lessons." Maia said, throwing an array of knives at the Alca-Noise crowd.

"You can't talk." Shuri shot down several of the fliers.

"A few Alca-Noise won't cause them any trouble." Elfnein said.

"Let's hope so." Genjuro said.

Rui put a hand on the back of her neck. Something felt off.

"Something wrong?" Chris asked.

"Nah… at least not yet." Rui said.

Shirabe and Shuri were on defense duty, as they took down the Alca-Noise that got too close to the soldiers. Maia and Kirika took to the upper deck, clearing out the Alca-Noise before a huge wave of water rose. Bursting from the ocean was a massive Alca-Noise, who swung its hand and destroyed the top level of the ship, bringing down rubble on Kirika and Maia. It was a short-lived victory, as the two burst out of it, taking aim. It fired beams from its hands, but the two surfed on their weapons, before dragging their blades across the monster. Jumping back, their weapons increased in size as they kicked them at the creature, smashing straight through the chest.

Sever Stab Dracula

Heaven's Wrath

The two landed with smirks. They were about to fistbump, before a large blur smashed into them, knocking them into the ground.

"Kiri-chan! Maia-san!" Shirabe shouted.

Shuri followed the whip-like weapon, seeing it retract into a suitcase. She was staring down a girl with pink hair and a few wolf-like features.

"She's the one who summoned the Alca-Noise, dess!" Kirika realized as Shirabe helped her up.

"An alchemist!" Everyone said.

"Just as we thought." Ogawa said.

"The Bavarian remnants behind the recent incidents have shown themselves." Genjuro said.

"Can we identify her?" Forte asked.

"With Aiba out of commission and no way to contact Saint-Germain, it'll have to wait." Lala said.

"Hey there, wolf girl." Maia said. "You looking for your red riding hood or something?"

"I shall be your opponent." Elsa said, turning to enter the ship.

"You say that after blindsiding us and now you're running!" Maia called after her.

"She's not running; it's a scenery change, dess!" Kirika said, as the two jumped down.

"Kiri-chan, you're supposed to be the sensible one!" Shirabe said, watching them jump.

"Shirabe-chan, if she's confident about taking on four of us at once, we should be careful." Shuri put a hand on her shoulder.

"Right." Shirabe nodded as the two dropped down after their friends.

The halls of the ship were a maze, not to mention quite dark thanks to the lack of power. The two walked forward carefully, keeping an eye out for their foe, or their friends. A blur of speed ran behind them, and Shuri took aim, only to see nothing.

"That way." Shuri said, eyes briefly glowing.

"My Shul Shagana won't lose at tag either!" Shirabe said, speeding over to face off against the alchemist.

"Wait, behind you!" Shuri called.

Shirabe was struck from behind from several Alca-Noise. Shuri started sniping them, as the alchemist called. "Attachment!"

A wire shot out of the suitcase and entered a port on Elsa's lower back. A large magenta claw came to life.

"Nail! Rip her apart!" She shouted, as the claw launched forward.

Shuri ran between them and crossed her arms, but the force of the strike pushed her right into Shirabe.

Elsewhere on the ship, the sound of the strike was heard by Kirika and Maia.

"Shirabe!" Kirika realized.

"Damn, she led us astray-" Maia couldn't finish as the wall exploded, more Alca-Noise coming towards them. "Screw you guys!"

"It'll take more than Noise to stop us now, dess!" Kirika declared as they swung their weapons. While Maia sliced through a few, Kirika's scythe got caught in the pipes above. "Ah, dess!"

"Looks like the little red wolf is smarter than we think!" Maia muttered, protecting Kirika from the Alca-Noise's approach.

"Pathetic." Elsa said, standing over the dusty crater, Shirabe and Shuri out of view. "Is this the level of the Symphogears that stopped the perfect being?"

A yo-yo rolled by her feet, before shredding through the Alca-Noise at her side. The claw started gaining cracks, weakening in power.

"Impossible!"

"She changed me." Shirabe said, buzzsaw pushing back the nails and dulling them. "She made me strong."

Shuri punched forward, the Ignite energy transferring through her strike and shattering the claw. She lowered her arm, red cracks on her face as her right arm had transformed into a demonic claw of her own. "Your underestimation will be your downfall."

"We won't go down so easily!" Shirabe declared, firing several smaller saws at Elsa, who blocked them with her arms while drawing out another claw from her suitcase.

(Insert Mijuku Shōjo Buttagiri! by Yoshino Nanjo)

The two rushed forward. Shirabe wheeled across the wall with quick movements, while Shuri's were much more animalistic in approach. Elsa found herself on the back foot, unable to properly trade blows and forced to dodge their strong strikes. Shirabe's yo-yo bounced all around her, with Shuri constantly changing the trajectory by shooting it with a smaller blaster in her normal hand. Elsa realized too late the threads had surrounded her completely.

Beta Style: Prison Thread Dance

Back with Kirika and Maia, the two had shrunk down their weapons to smaller sized blades. They tore through the Alca-Noise with equal success.

"A little downsizing, and it's fine in cramped conditions, dess!" Kirika grinned.

"Looks like bigger is better is just a rumor!" Maia threw a knife, piercing through several Alca-Noise as they ran towards the sound of battle.

Elsa was jumping back and on the retreat, dodging Shirabe's scythe blades and Shuri's bullets. Unfortunately for her, she looked behind to see that Kirika and Maia had blocked her backway escape.

"Shirabe!" Kirika called.

"Yo! You guys had no trouble, yeah?" Maia asked.

Shirabe nodded before drawing a hand back and launching two yo-yo buzzsaws at Elsa.

"Do you think I won't dodge your attacks?" Elsa easily shifted to the side.

"Fool." Shuri said softly.

Kirika swung her scythe like a baseball bat, catching the buzzsaws on the head of her scythe as they morphed and combined.

"Impossible!" Elsa shouted.

"Not for these two, and not for us!" Maia shouted, throwing a handful of knives at Elsa. She managed to deflect them, turning around to block Shuri's bullets and Shirabe's saws. Kirika pulled a cord, launching the blades as they started wheeling towards Elsa. She kept dodging as Shirabe pulled on the wires, maneuvering them like tops. Elsa tried to jump as they started closing in, but found herself rooted to the spot. Looking down, she realized one of Maia's knives were stuck in the ground.

Shadow Weaving

She could only watch as the two bladed tops drew closer, slashing right into her and exploding, blasting a hole through the side of the ship and causing rubble to fall down. The dark hallway grew brighter with the light.

"We got her, Kiri-chan!" Shirabe smiled.

"We're having steak tonight, dess!" Kirika cheered.

Maia and Shuri shared a look. While Kirika and Shirabe were surprised when the rubble moved to reveal Elsa underneath, the two members of SOUL didn't even flinch.

"You got nothing!" Elsa shouted. "I held back in accordance with my mission!"

"That's right, Elsa-chan." Vanessa's voice in her earpiece said. "You can't just sink the Corpus Dei along with the ship. Now withdraw."

"Withdraw?" Elsa said. "Just like that?"

"It's not worth ruining your pretty face." Vanessa said.

Elsa briefly blushed, before nodding. "Understood. Returning now."

Just before she could break the teleportation crystal, Maia and Shuri stepped forward.

"It's pretty funny you say you're holding back, because we could've torn you to shreds without any problem. We just prefer to give our foes a chance." Maia wasn't smiling as she went on. "And honestly, I think that arrogance of yours pisses me off more."

"Tell your group that if you make any further attacks, we won't hesitate." Shuri's eyes briefly flashed red.

Elsa seemed a bit nervous as she teleported away.

"We… won?" Shirabe asked.

"Well, we managed to protect that creepy mummy, at least." Kirika said. "And then Maia-san and Shuri-senpai scared her so that makes a win, right, dess?"

Maia put a hand on Shuri's shoulder. "You alright?"

Shuri slightly lowered her head. As of recent, the memory of when she first activated her Ignite powers and saw Tsubasa covered in blood, screaming her lungs out in despair, was the strongest in her mind.

"I'll have to be…"

"Dispatch a rescue team immediately." Genjuro said.

"A new threat to the world enters the stage." Tsubasa muttered.

Rui clenched her fist. More of them, huh?

Returning to the present, Tsubasa continued to speak. "Shouldn't SONG be protecting the corpse as well?"

"I understand how you feel, but it was agreed diplomatically to leave its handling and examination to the US." Maria said.

"Sure, because the US is totally able to handle things without fucking things up." Maia said, walking up with Shuri.

"Neesama. Shuri." Tsubasa said.

"A number of countries don't want to let Japan and SONG get any more closely involved with the relics." Ogawa added.

Tsubasa continued to speak. "But by guarding it personally we may be able to prevent further dama- ow!"

"Focus on what you can and should be doing for now." Maria said, having flicked Tsubasa on the forehead. "I thought singing on stage was an important duty to you as well."

"Maria's got a point there." Maia agreed. "Rui told me she's pretty damn excited to see you perform again. With Rui being honest? You know it's big."

"I'm not happy about this, but you've got a point." Tsubasa agreed, before reaching over and taking Maria's sunglasses. "However, I do have one condition of my own."

Maria looked confused as Tsubasa smiled. Maia had a big stupid grin on her face, knowing what Tsubasa was gonna say.

Shuri however, had remained silent the entire time. She seemed rather concerned about something, though she herself was unsure about what.

But better safe than sorry.

"I read your report. That was a valuable sample of prehistoric civilization. Relinquishing our right to examine it to the US, even for diplomatic reasons, was pathetic beyond measure."

Genjuro frowned, in a meeting with Fudou Kaznari. "They've meddled in many of the recent affairs, even coming to the brink of launching WMDs. We need to approach them with the utmost of caution."

"You even let the Bavarian remnants off the hook." Fudou said. "Even with one of their strongest under our employ."

"We're working on that-" Genjuro started.

"Don't you dare bring shame to the sentinel's blood in your veins." Fudou said, ending the call.

Sitting back, Genjuro let out a breath as he loosened his tie.

"Here, Commander." Aoi entered with Forte, handing him a cup of coffee. "It'll warm you up."

"Thanks. It does feel warm." He thanked.

"Kamakura had been quiet for a while, but lately it's felt like there's been no end to his complaints." Fujitaka said, turning in his chair.

"Yeah. You're right about that." Genjuro agreed.

"What, isn't he like a million years old or something?" Forte asked with a grin. "Maybe his old age is catching up to him. Tesla once told me he had back pain even after transferring to new bodies."

The others had to hold back a few chuckles at the comment.

The highway to Tsubasa's concert was completely packed, going for miles.

"I haven't been to a concert in forever!" Hibiki said to Miku. "And it's Tsubasa-san's big comeback, too! But we're not gonna make it like this!"

"Complaining about a traffic jam isn't gonna make it go any faster!" Chris said, as the car she, Shirabe and Kirika were in wheeled up. "And don't make sad puppy eyes because Maia chose Shuri as her special VIP over all of us!"

"And Maria had to cancel at the last minute, too." Shirabe added.

"It never rains but it pours, huh?" Kirika said.

They heard the roar of a motorcycle as Ride GearStriker sped past them. Rui was driving on the right side of the road; a clear violation of traffic laws.

"Oneesan?! What are you doing?!" Hibiki tried shouting after her.

Rui had gone far enough she couldn't hear the others yelling after her. She tapped the dashboard of her motorbike, seeing the urgent message from Shuri.

I hope that gut call of hers is wrong. Rui thought. But with Shuri? That's almost a zero percent chance.

The performance was nearing its start. Maia and Shuri were standing on the top row, watching over things. Shuri put her phone away.

"She got the text?" Maia asked.

Shuri nodded. "And Ogawa-san said they took extra measures."

"Alright then, let's enjoy the show." Maia clapped her hands, watching as the lights started flashing. She was enjoying the shocked reactions of the audience as Maria joined Tsubasa on the stage. Then again, she had also enjoyed Maria's reaction from Tsubasa's proposition.

"Not a chance! I can't do that!" Maria protested.

"You said once that you wanted to sing all night with me, right?" Tsubasa reminded her.

Maia had to punch her own stomach to stop herself from laughing at her sister's poor choice of words. Shuri even smiled at the familiar denseness.

"But I…" Maria looked away.

"I love singing." Tsubasa said. "What about you?"

As the performance went on, Shuri smiled, seeing her friends do what they loved. Maia was similarly smiling, though it was more that Shuri was able to relax at the moment.

Shuri kept telling me she had a bad feeling about the concert. And Rui did mention those sort of things always seemed to happen at places like these… Maia thought. I'll make sure this'll be the last one that has it happen. It's my duty as Tsubasa's older sister.

They clapped as the performance wrapped up and the two artists waved at the crowd.

The artists and the audience are connected. Maria thought. It feels like we became one! It's just like the miracle my homeland's song brought forth.

Though all good feelings went away, as the sky turned red with hexagrams. The crowd didn't think anything was wrong, believing they were part of the show.

"Those things!" Tsubasa realized, remembering the tragedy at the Zwei Wing concert as the Alca-Noise started to fall.

"Alca-Noise detected at the event venue on the Yokohama coast!" Fujitaka shouted.

"Get the Gear users there! Ready a helicopter!" Genjuro ordered.

"Both Takemikazuchi and Okami have activated at full power!" Lala called.

(Insert Kimi to Iu Oto Kanade Tsukiru Made by Minami Takayama)

A spear was thrown into the sky, into the horde of Alca-Noise, before piercing the largest one.

SAGITTARIUSARROW

The explosion from the attack stopped the oncoming Alca-Noise. Maia caught her spear, having already transformed into her Dual Relics Mode. Shuri's wings were spread, turning into a rainbow blur of speed as she started evacuating civilians out of the arena.

"Imyuteus Ame no Habakiri tron~"

Tsubasa and Maria had both transformed, helping Maia fend off the Alca-Noise. With Shuri's speed and mobility, none of the citizens had been casualties yet. Tsubasa found herself back to back with her twin.

"Sorry, Tsubasa." Maia apologized.

"What?" Tsubasa threw several knives at a smaller horde of Alca-Noise.

"Me wearing this is probably dredging up some bad memories, isn't it?" Maia thrust forward, impaling an Alca-Noise before throwing it skyward at a flier.

At first Tsubasa wasn't sure what Maia was talking about, but then her vision changed once more. It was as if she was at the Zwei Wing concert again. She looked back at her sister, and saw a brief flash of vermillion, as if seeing the spirit of their old friend.

"Just don't die on me." Tsubasa said quietly.

"That, I swear." Maia said, as the two went back to battle.

"Alca-Noise in the stadium?" Hibiki asked, having been contacted. "But that's where Tsubasa-san's show is!"

"Yes. A helicopter's on its way to pick you up." Elfnein said. "You Gear users get on and hurry to the venue!"

The air shook around them, as Miku looked forward. "Hibiki! Look!"

Smoke was rising out of the stadium, as Chris stepped out of the car. "Alca-Noise at a concert? What the hell are those alchemists after?"

She saw a few flashes of rainbow fly in and out of the stadium, and she knew it was Shuri. What was going on?

Several miles ahead, Rui was getting closer to the stadium. She pulled out her pendant, inserting the Proto-Gear into Kagutsuchi.

GUNGNIR! AUTHORIZED

RELIC BATTLE MODE; READY

"Henshin!" Rui shouted.

A flash of orange crystals, she donned her Relic Battle Mode.

KAGUTSUCHI: GUNGNIR MODE

The crystal on her chest was glowing with power as she raised her wrist. Her emotions overflowed as she felt the power within her.

"Elekleid, Henshin!"

Tsubasa slashed through a row of Alca-Noise, before dodging several falling boulders. Maia had switched to defending, as she flew through the air, smashing through the debris to keep the few civilians safe. Landing on the upper level, she saw a winged assailant in the air.

"Quake in your boots! Cower in fear! For I am here!" Millaarc laughed. "The real show's just beginning, and it's gonna go down in history!"

Maia tapped her comms. "Shuri! How many more evacs left?!"

"We're about 95% done!" Shuri said.

Maia grit her teeth, looking around for the few stragglers. Tsubasa swung her blade, launching a sword beam at Millaarc.

"And the one I'm here for is you, Tsubasa Kazanari!" Millaarc said, dodging and landing in front of her.

"One of the Bavarian remnants…" Tsubasa aimed her blade. "Don't stain my songs with blood!"

Millaarc raised a hand, as it morphed into a bulky mutated arm to block the oncoming sword slash.

"Be a good girl and just let me crush you, okay?" Millaarc asked.

"Don't insult me!" Tsubasa shouted, slashing outwards and knocking her back.

"Tsubasa! Don't let her lure you in!" Maria shouted.

"Tsubasa!" Maia tried running forward to help her, but the Alca-Noise interfered. "Get out of my way!"

Tsubasa rapidly slashed at Millaarc, clashing with the vampire girl. She was relentless, but Tsubasa's skill proved superior, as a slash sent her straight into some debris. Ready to finish things, Tsubasa rushed forward with her sword, but was forced to stop. The tip of her blade was inches away from a little girl.

"What?!" Tsubasa's eyes widened, realizing that Millaarc was using the crying girl as a human shield.

"Good one, Tsubasa Kazanari!" Millaarc laughed. "After all, we're too weak and imperfect to take you down."

"Weak?" Tsubasa repeated.

"That's right, I'm weak." Millaarc said, drawing a clawed hand back. "Which is why I'm not ashamed to do this!"

"Stop-!"

There was an explosion of blood as Millaarc's fist tore into the child's chest, killing her. The blood spilled everywhere, landing on Tsubasa. She took a step back shaking.

"Ah… Ah…!"

"Tsubasa!"

Millaarc screamed in pain as she held the bleeding stump where her hand once was. Rui kicked Millaarc back, glancing at the corpse on the floor. Anger seemed to flow through her, but she pushed it down as she turned to Tsubasa.

Tsubasa was staring at her bloodied hands. They were trembling. The sword she held was about to drop to the floor.

"Tsubasa!" Rui gripped Tsubasa's wrist.

"R-Rui…"

"Pull yourself together!" Rui shouted.

"But… I can't… protect…"

With a hiss, Rui's mask opened to show her face. There was anger mixed with sadness, but the determination in her eyes pushed it down.

"Maybe not alone!" Rui said. "But I'm here! Maia, Maria and Shuri are all here! Together, we can protect more people!"

"Rui Tachibana…"

"I hate that I couldn't protect everyone here, which is why we have to work harder to protect the people still alive, right? We need to fight, so their deaths aren't meaningless!"

The light returned to Tsubasa's eyes. She wiped some of the blood from her face. "That's right… I can't falter here. My duty is to protect as many as I can!"

Tsubasa tightened the grip on her blade, aiming it at Millaarc. The vampire was getting up, nursing the wound.

(Insert This love never ends (Emperor Edit.) by Kouji Seto)

"We've done as much evacuation as possible." Rui told Millaarc, stepping forward. "The least amount of casualties possible. The others are making sure of it."

"Why you-!" Millaarc started, before Rui cut her off.

"You want to know something?" Rui asked. "The Zwei Wing Concert was one of the best experiences of my life, even though it ended up becoming utter hell."

She was glaring at Millaarc, her eyes burning with nothing but pure anger, yet she kept herself controlled.

"But the Zwei Wing tragedy doesn't need a reprise, and I'm feeling reasonable today." Rui held up her blade, crackling with purple electricity. "What will it be? Are you gonna come quietly, or do I have to beat you down here and now?"

"I…" Millaarc steeled herself, raising the stump as it reformed into a hand. "I'm not going to give up now! For them…!"

Rui closed her eyes. "Fine then."

There was a bit of blood on her sword, but disappeared as she dispersed the weapon. She stood next to Tsubasa, taking up a stance.

"Will you join your blade with mine, Rui?" Tsubasa asked.

"I lived through that nightmare once." Rui said, remembering that fateful event, as her mask closed over her face. The eyes glew red. "I'm never letting that nightmare happen again."

"Good." Tsubasa smiled. "Then together as one!"

They rushed forward at Millaarc, shouting with determination.

The willpower and rage to prevent the same tragedy all those years ago was burning in their hearts.

With the American scientists observing the Custodian's corpse, they were scanning it over with a laser sensor. When it ran over the odd-wrist armor, it seemed to activate. There was a blinding flash of light, as the corpse turned to dust. The gold wrist armor was all that was left.

"Record this and send a report! Hurry!"

"Understood!"

The remaining piece seemed to glint under the light.

A/N: When I said there would be big changes to XV, I meant it. Now let's go over a few things.

For eagle-eyed viewers, you might've noticed I didn't italicize everything for the fight against Elsa. Unlike other flashbacks, due to that one being, well, a good chunk of the episode, I decided not to italicize everything. It feels more proper that way.

Tsubasa's arc is going to play out differently here, as there are many more players on the board than in canon. Things simply can't go the same way they did in XV proper. How much has changed? Well, you'll have to see as we keep going.

Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.