Reviews:
To DCDGojira: Glad you liked it!
To TheOkWriter: Same. Ryuki is my favorite second to Revice. There will be plenty of battles ahead and like I said in the last chapter, the Mirror World still exists but won't be as important as in the series because it would bring a whole lot of problems to try to excuse(further explanation can be found in the previous chapter). Also, don't worry about Riders being replaced. A little spoiler here but no one else will be replaced like that because otherwise, the series will never end. I just wanted to make it parallel to the series and how Shinji got his deck.
Chapter 5
Guns Blazing
"What? I meant fight ALONGSIDE you!" Hibiki quickly corrected herself.
"I know. I'm no dense." Tsubasa's glare didn't disappear."But-"
"No way." Ryuki shook his head."Get that sword out of her face. Now."
"You treat this like this is a game. An afterschool activity. You do not understand what this means for us, valkyries." She sneered."And you do not know what it entails to possess Gungnir, the mighty spear that can pierce through everything. Step aside, Adachi, and let her come to terms with what it means to be a Symphogear user. Get your Armed Gear ready."
"I don't want to fight you, Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki spoke up after the shock wore down."I really want to fight alongside you. I...I don't even know what this "armed gear" is...I still don't know many things."
"Which is why you should be instructing her instead of going off on her because you feel like relieving some stress!"
Tsubasa sharply turned her head towards Ryuki."What did you say?"
"Yeah, don't pretend I don't know." Ryuki shifted his gaze to Knight."You're all grieving, I get that. And we remind you of your old pals, but that doesn't give you the right to push us around like we don't matter! I've seen how you look at Hibiki, Kazanari-san. With pure disdain in your eyes because you think she's replacing Kanade. And you know what? It's bullshit. I'm sick and tired of it. We didn't join just so we can be bullied like this!"
"Hajime-kun, please, stop." Hibiki grabbed his arm in an attempt to calm him down."There's no need for this-"
"You're too nice, Hibiki-san." Ryuki sighed, taking a deep breath."Way too nice. Too good for this world even. But because of that, one day you might get taken advantage of."
"Taken...advantage of?" Hibiki parroted, perplexed.
"Sometimes, people take advantage of others because they think that the world revolves around them and others don't matter. And if they see someone as nice as you, they don't think twice before jumping at the opportunity." Ryuki drew a card, showing it to Tsubasa."And I can't let that happen to you. So come at me. Both of you."
"You don't know what you're saying, Ryu-kid." Knight and Tsubasa paced around him."You can barely handle me and now you want to take on both of us?"
"Guys, please, don't." Scissors begged, but his words were not heeded.
"You want to protect Tachibana so badly and disrespect our friends by using THEIR power?" Tsubasa narrowed her eyes."So be it. I'll be teaching you what it means to be involved in this fight!"
Tsubasa dashed in first and clashed swords with Ryuki, who had activated his Sword Vent. The two began exchanging attacks, but the new Rider found himself completely outmatched by her swordsmanship. Her strikes were fierce yet calculated, barely giving him a window to react. Jumping back, he hoped to gain some distance, but Knight was hot on his trail.
Sword Vent: Winglancer
ATK: 2000
Ryuki and Knight tried pushing each other off but were for the most part even. Or so Ryuki thought before Knight added more strength, pushing him back.
Tsubasa rose her sword before unleashing a slash of blue lightning.
Blue Flash
Knight kicked Ryuki's leg, prompting him to get on one knee and leaving him in the middle of the attack.
Guard Vent: Dragshield
DEF: 2000
Ryuki successfully blocked the attack, but at the cost of one of his shields.
"Please, stop. Don't fight..." Hibiki's eyes began to water."We're supposed to be on the same team..."
Scissors clenched his fists, failing to find the courage to intervene. He didn't know whether to help his friends or not. He knew they were wrong by tormenting them over something that wasn't their fault, but he was loyal to them.
"Why are you even fighting us?" Knight appeared behind Ryuki and kicked him in the back, dropping him on the floor."Don't tell me you like Tachibana."
"I barely know her but she's already my friend!" Ryuki stood up, charging at Knight and tackling him to the floor."If someone messes with my friend, they mess with m-"
Tsubasa dived him, kicking him in the chest and sent him crashing to a light post, knocking it down."The sentiment is mutual."
Ryuki gasped in pain, leaning over the fallen post light.'This is too much...I can't beat them.'
Before anyone could do something else, a pair of pincers grabbed onto Tsubasa's waist, lifting her up."Huh? Vulcancer?"
The Advent Monster yeeted her away, landing inside a small lake next to the road.
Knight rose his lance, ready to strike Ryuki again when a familiar bronze Rider stood in his way, blocking his lance with pincers."Goro?"
"Stand down, Yosuke-senpai." Scissors pushed Knight back."This fight is over."
"Goro-san!" Hibiki beamed.
Knight studied Scissors and albeit he couldn't see his face due to his helmet, he knew what kind of face he was making. Scoffing, he dematerialized his lance, reverting to normal.
"Tsubasa-san..." Hibiki hugged herself upon seeing Tsubasa, back in her school uniform, drenched.
"Sorry, Tsubasa-senpai..." Scissors reverted his transformation."But you needed to cool off. Same with you, Yosuke-senpai. I believe Ryuki learned his lesson."
"Lesson? Ugh..." Hajime rubbed his aching sides."She nearly broke a rib..."
Yosuke sighed, walking over to Tsubasa and checking for any injuries."Aside from being completely wet, I guess he did just throw you to cool off. Bold of him to do."
Tsubasa didn't respond, hiding her eyes behind her bangs."Let's go."
"Tsubasa..." Yosuke squinted, trying to see behind her hair."Are you...crying?"
"I am not crying!" She rose her voice, catching everyone off guard."I don't cry. We're warriors...simple swords meant to be used on the battlefield. Things such as emotions...have no place here..."
Understanding how she felt, Yosuke gently grabbed her forearm, guiding her back to headquarters."You'll need to get change out of that if you don't want to catch a cold."
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I looked pretty cool though, didn't I?" Hajime grinned before hissing in pain as Hibiki helped him up."Ow! Don't grab my sides too hard!"
"But I barely touched you..." Hibiki sweatdropped, chuckling.
"Ogawa-san is coming to pick us all up. He'll be here in a few minutes." Goro informed them, holding his phone."I'm sorry. Both of you. For being the ones receiving all the punishment from those two. But they don't mean to be like that, I swear. They're nice people. They're just...we're just still grieving, is all."
"You didn't attack me at the opportunity." Hajime pointed out.
"Well, I didn't know Kanade-senpai and Akira-senpai as long as those two but I still deeply cared about them. They looked after them and showed me the ropes. But I know it's not your fault what happened that day. Nor is it your fault you find yourselves in their shoes."They'll come around. Eventually. Please, be patient with them."
"You got it, Goro-san," Hibiki answered for both of them since Hajime opted for staying quiet. She wrapped his arm around her shoulders, helping him walk back until they could be picked up."Hajime-kun...thank you."
"Huh? What for?"
"I never got to thank you for putting yourself in danger that day for me and that little girl." Hibiki elaborated, a fond smile on her face."I'm not sure I could have dealt with all the stress alone. But you were there for me, despite having just met."
"It's nothing." Hajime closed his eyes."We were in the same situation. And besides, it would look bad if I were to leave a girl running for her life while I pretended nothing happened. It all worked out in the end...By some miracle."
"And why did you stick up for me?" Hibiki glanced in his direction, careful to not headbutt him in the process."You didn't have to anger Tsubasa-san like that and protect me. You're so nice to me and I don't think I've done anything for you."
"Well...there are several reasons why." Hajime opened his eyes, staring at the sky full of stars."For one, I told you this before, but I put my sister in your shoes. If she were in this situation and someone else was here instead of me, I would like someone looking after her to make sure she comes home safely. You have people special to you, right? Secondly, you did a lot for me already. You're kind of my motivation to keep going in this place, despite how much of outcasts we are."
"Your motivation?" Hibiki asked, her cheeks slightly blushing.
"Yeah. I mean, we're literally in the same situation. Both of our lives changed 2 years ago. You got Gungnir and I got this deck. We got powers we didn't ask for but we want to use. And we're both replacing people who came before us. So the way I see it is like this: if you, who are in the same boat as me, are trying too hard, then I have to try just as hard. It's a little egotistical, I know. But it wouldn't sit well with me if you had to go through all this alone."
"Oh...thank you, Hajime-kun." Hibiki gave him a warm smile."I'm happy to have you here as well."
"And thirdly...I guess you remind me of someone." Hajime tried to recall his early childhood."I think I was 6 or so. Very young. I've always been a bit of a problematic child. But that friend...she was always there to play with me when no one else would. She was upbeat, almost too energetic but very kind. I guess if you started bouncing around the place, you'd be exactly like her."
"A childhood friend? I can relate to that." Hibiki's mind went immediately to Miku."Where is she now?"
"Who knows." Hajime shrugged."Suddenly she just...vanished. I never even got a name from her either. But I hope I meet her again one day. It'll be hard to recognize her since it was so long ago."
"If you do, introduce us." Hibiki cheerfully said."I'd love to meet her."
"Only if you introduce me to your friend." Hajime grinned as they laughed together."But I'll need a ton of good luck for that to happen. Who knows? Maybe I'll make that my wish if I win the Rider battle."
Back at HQ, everyone had gathered around the command center. One could probably cut the tension with a knife if they tried. Tsubasa and Yosuke didn't acknowledge their juniors and simply waited for the Commander to speak. Hajime had an ice bag where Tsubasa had kicked him but looked too tired to say anything snarky.
"Okay...no one is talking to one another but they're not trying to kill each other." Ryoko clasped her hands happily"I'd say that's a plus!"
"I guess..." Goro sheepishly chuckled.
The group glanced up at a map displayed on the main monitor with a bunch of red dots.
"Any opinions?" Genjuro asked the newbies."There are no wrong answers."
"Oh. Well, there are a lot of red dots." Hibiki guessed."I suppose that's not good."
Yosuke nearly choked on his drink, stifling a laugh that came out as a cough. Tsubasa and Goro rushed to his side, slapping him on the back."Too hard! Go easy on me!"
"Right you are, Hibiki-kun." Genjuro couldn't help but laugh at her words."What about you, Hajime-kun?"
"What are we looking at, exactly?"
"These are all the areas where the Noise have attacked recently." Genjuro explained, pointing at the map."In this month, to be exact."
"Huh. That's funny." Hajime rested his chin on his palm as he crossed his legs."For being a worldwide level catastrophe, they sure like to target a certain area."
"What do you mean?" Ryoko asked, pressing on to see how much he could provide.
"I mean, you'd figured they would attack someplace else. Osaka or something like that. Maybe outside of Japan. But if that thing tells me anything is that they've been popping around here. A lot."
"Which means..." Yosuke took over."They are after something. Which wouldn't make any sense because Noise are pretty much mindless animals that only attack humans and cause destruction. There is no way they would deliberately organize themselves like that."
"Maybe someone is controlling them." Goro suggested, earning everyone's attention."But would it even be possible? Do you think maybe a Rider is behind this?"
"A Rider capable of controlling Noise? But the Noise have been sighted decades ago." Ryoko shook her head."And the Kamen Riders are a new thing."
"You don't think Odin is behind this?" Hajime threw his thought out there.
"It wouldn't make sense with his actions thus far. He's controlling a game and involving Riders to fight for a wish. I don't see where the Noise would come into his plans. Akira was supposedly the first Rider."
"Supposedly?" Hibiki tilted her head.
Yosuke nodded."We're not sure if he really was. But anyway, who could be controlling the Noise?"
"Whoever they are, they are targeting Lydian Academy deliberately." Tsubasa broke her silence."It's the only thing I can think of given the recent attacks. If that's the case..."
"They are going after Durandal." Yosuke bit his lower lip."Shit. So someone is controlling them."
"You guys are going too fast for the newbies." Aoi spoke from her seat in the computers."Durandal is an almost complete relic that is located below us in the Abyss. We've been researching it under the supervision of the Japanese Government."
"What's so different from a complete relic to the relics the girls have?" Hajime wondered.
"In short, Gungnir and Ame no Habakiri need to be enhanced with songs and used as Symphoghears to be of any use." Tsubasa continued her explanation."But a complete relic doesn't need that. Once activate, they keep their maximum power output and be used by others users apart from the singer."
"And that is the Sakurai Theory I devised!" Ryoko proudly planted her fists on her hips."But a complete relic does need a considerable amount of phonic gain."
"I'm going to pretend I know what that means but I think I get the gist of it." Hajime rubbed his chin."So someone has to sing."
"Maybe Tsubasa could potentially do it." Genjuro trailed off before groaning."If the government even allows that."
"Speaking of that, based on our peace treaty, the United States is demanding that we hand over the Durandal." Sakuya informed them, worsening the situation."Our hands are tied. And if we attempt to activate it, it could become an international problem."
"Can they just do that?" Goro quirked a brow."I really don't get politics."
"Whether they can do something or not wouldn't stop the Americans." Genjuro scratched the back of his head."We've received tens of thousands of attempts to hack our systems during the last few months. Sadly, we can't track down the source, so the last thing we want is to start pointing fingers."
"Regardless of how obvious the culprit looks." Yosuke scoffed.
Ogawa, who was quiet until then, quickly checked his wristwatch."Commander."
"That time, huh?" Genjuro nodded."Very well. We're done with the debrief anyway."
"Thank you." Ogawa pulled out a pair of glasses from his jacket, putting them on."Right. I didn't tell you guys this. To the public, I act as Tsubasa's manager. To keep up appearances, you know."
The brunette handed them his business cards, which they eagerly accept.
"How fancy!" Hajime grinned, handing it to Hibiki."I wish I could have my own business cards."
"Later," Yosuke said to Tsubasa and Ogawa as they exited the command center.
"Well, if it's okay for us to just dip, I want to go home and sleep this pain off." Hajime grumbled, keeping the ice bag close to his chest."Freaking Kazanari-san kicking me with those heels...that hurt, damn it."
"Oh, yeah, how are you liking your new phone?" Genjuro asked, halting his march.
"Aw, man...I still haven't told my grandma about it!"
The next day, Hibiki and Miku were making their way to Flower after classes were done. Much to her relief, Hibiki was allowed to turn in her report and were now heading to celebrate. With an additional guest.
"Yo! Hibiki-san!"
Miki and Hibiki looked behind them, noticing a young man in a school uniform waving at them as he jogged over.
"Ah! Hajime-kun!" Hibiki beamed, happy to see her friend had come as he agreed.
"Hajime...? Hibiki...?" Miku blinked."You said you recently met. Are you on a first name basis already?"
"Oh, totally." Hajime smirked deviously."Hibiki and I have been keeping this a secret but we've been going out for a month. We're totally in love with each other."
"Hajime-kun!" Hibiki gasped, her cheeks turning crimson. She waved her hands frantically in denial."He's lying! Just teasing me, Miku!"
"Of course, I'm kidding, duh. I just suggested it as a joke." Hajime stuck his tongue out before walking up to Miku, bowing."Nice to meet you. I'm Hajime Adachi. I've heard a lot about you from Hibiki-san."
"Nice to meet you." Miku quickly composed herself, returning the bow."I'm Miku Kohinata. I've heard about you from Hibiki as well. How did you guys meet? She never specified."
"Ah, that's easy and she's been keeping this a secret from you." Hajime mused, internally laughing at Hibiki's shocked expression."We work at the same place. A small curry shop around my school. I got her the job because she said she needed money to buy a special present for her best friend. I take it that's you."
"Huh?"
"Ah! I'm sorry! I wasn't supposed to say that!" Hajime grabbed his hair."I'm sorry!"
"So all the times you said you had to go somewhere...was because you had a part-time job?" Miku asked, connecting the dots."And to buy something for me?"
"W-w-well, of course! Plus having some extra money is nice, after all." Hibiki giggled."I can't have my friends buy everything for me all the time."
"I see. That sounds just like you." Miku gave Hajime a soft smile."Thank you for looking after her, Adachi-san."
"Come on, just call me Hajime." Hajime jabbed his thumb against his chest."I wouldn't want you to feel left out. There is enough love from Hajime for everyone!"
'He's a little too overwhelming, but he seems really nice.' Miku fidgeted in place."Then you can call me Miku, Hajime-san."
The group continued making their way to Flow, chatting along the way.
"So how long have you guys known each other?" Hajime curiously asked."I have a best friend too and he and I go way back."
"Ever since we were little kids." Miku replied, walking between them."Hibiki came to Lydian with me because I was going there first."
"That and because the tuition is very cheap." Hibiki added."My grandmother and my mom won't have to pay as much as other schools."
"Lydian is a very prestigious school from what I know." Hajime put his knowledge to the test."All girls' school if I'm not wrong. My sister wants to go there next year."
"You have a sister, Hajime-san?"
"Yup. Two years younger but she's turning 14 soon." Hajime supplied."She looks up to Tsubasa Kazanari, who goes to your school. Though I don't know why. She's very scary if you ask me."
"Yes, we don't personally know her but she does seem a bit intimidating." Miku gave Hibiki a smug smile."And Hibiki here tried talking to her but didn't notice she had some rice around her face."
"Hahaha! I can totally see that." Hajime held his stomach as he laughed."She can be a bit clumsy but she means well. Like this one time at work, she nearly spilled sauce over the manager's shirt."
"Hey! That's not true!" Hibiki said, not sure if she almost blew their cover or not.
After a while, they entered Flower and were seated by the waitress.
"Just coffee?" Miku asked once their orders came in.
"Yeah, I'm saving my appetite for later tonight." Hajime said, playing around with his phone."The meteor shower happens today and I was planning to make some beef stew. Well, not me. My grandma. I can't cook."
"Oh, that reminds me, will you be able to come to the meteor shower, Hibiki?" Miku addressed her best friend.
"Yup! You bet!"
"You can come with us if you want, Hajime-kun."
"Nah, I wouldn't want to impose. You girls have fun." Hajime politely declines the invitation."Besides, I can't be out too late today. I have to finish my essay about parallel universes."
"Parallel..."
"Universes...?"
Both Miku and Hibiki exchanged glances."Yeah. We were told to write about something that interested us and I picked that. I watch a lot of conspiracy videos online and this is what caught my eye. There could be other universes out there with different versions than us. For example, maybe another Hibiki is the exact opposite of how she is. Maybe she's cold and detached and grumpy. Among other things."
"That does sound interesting." Miku agreed, smiling when Hajime handed her a notebook he was using to write on."But I can't picture her any different than how she is."
"Maybe other versions of you think the same. Who knows, really? Endless possibilities. By the way, thank you for introducing me to your friend, Hibiki-san. Now I'm up to hold my end of the bargain."
"Hajime-kun said if he ever meets his childhood friend again that he'll introduce her to me but in exchange, I would have to introduce you to him." Hibiki quickly explained.
"A childhood friend? That sounds nice. When was the last time you saw her?"
"Honestly I can't remember for certain." Hajime sighed."It happened years ago. I don't think I ever got her name. Or if I did, I completely forgot."
"It does sound difficult, but I'm sure that you'll find her one day." Miku offered her sympathy."The world is small, after all."
"Yeah...you have no idea."
Meanwhile, in a huge mansion located in the middle of nowhere, Chris and Takeru stood in a straight line, waiting for instructions. Takeru was facing the other way, his face flushes as a woman with cascading hair paced around completely nude.
"You better not look," Chris whispered to him, nudging him in the ribs.
"Why can't Fine just put something on when we have these meetings? I'm a growing guy for crying out loud, it's different for me." Takeru whispered with his teeth clenched.
"Today's task is quite simple." Fine eventually sat in one of the dining table chairs."Retrieve the girl wielding Gungnir. But given the number of enemies you'll deal with, it's best if you split up your workload. Chris, you take care of the target, and Takeru will fend off the Kamen Riders and finish them off. If he can take care of the 3 of them, we'll be one step closer to getting that wish."
"Understood, ma'am." Chris and Takeru echoed, causing Fine to chuckle, dismissing them. After gearing up and heading outside the mansion, they finally got a chance to talk.
"Sheez, Fine loves strolling around butt ass naked." Takeru took a deep breath."If she weren't a complete psycho I might be into her. But I only have eyes for you."
"Do all men think with the wrong head?" Chris huffed, annoyed."Anyway, enough about that, you know what we gotta do, right?"
"Hell yeah, Chrissy." Takeru gave her a thumbs up with a wink."We bash some heads in."
"We'll be working independently from one another for a change." She furrowed her brows."Are you sure you'll be fine taking on 3 opponents by yourself?"
"Pfft. Do you know who you're talking to? I'm the strongest Rider for a reason." He brandished his green deck."What about you? Should I worry about those poor girls' well-being?"
"You do that." Chris rolled her eyes, a small smile forming on her lips."Be careful."
"Same goes for you." Takeru shot her a wink again.'Soon enough, this will all be over.'
"I'm so excited! Miku, are you almost done bathing?!"
"I'll be done in a few minutes!" Miku called from inside the bathroom. Hibiki continued browsing her closet, trying to pick a cute outfit for herself."I can't wait to make a wish."
"You said you would treat me to some food after, remember?" Miku's voice came from past the door."And since I know you have some extra cash, you wouldn't mind spending a little extra, right?"
"Of course! No problem." Hibiki cringed, realizing she had no such money. They weren't being paid after all.
"Hmm." Hibiki felt something vibrate in her drawers. She tried convincing herself it was just her imagination, but after a minute, she realized her worse fear had come true. She didn't bother looking at the phone and chose to walk up to the bathroom door, gently knocking."Miku...I just got a call from work...someone called in sick and they really need a hand. But it'll be for a few hours! I'm sure I can make it if I-"
"Hibiki. I understand." She heard the faucet turn off."You can't help but want to help as much as you can. And Hajime-san must be there already, right? I'll go ahead and wait for you. But don't take too long, okay?"
"Right." Hibiki sighed, reassuring herself that she would definitely make it back in time. Wanting to get this over with as fast as she could, she practically jumped back into her school uniform and dashed out of their room.
A fireball collided against a Noise, disintegrating it on impact. Ryuki walked down the empty streets after being the first one to show up in the area.
"Not much activity here." He reported over his communicator."What about the others?"
"Hibiki-chan is currently engaging in combat with the Noise." Aoi responded from the other line."Tsubasa is coming to help her soon and your backup should be-"
"Right here." He cut her off as he watched Knight and Scissors jump from a building down, attacking the Noise that were beginning to pour outside the streets. After a few minutes, they managed to clear out their area, leaving no Noise behind.
"That's it? I thought there was more." Ryuki sounded disappointed."That's dull."
"Try not to sound too concerned next time." Knight threw a jab, leaning against a tree.
"I'm worried too, but-"
"Guys, Aoi-san told me that the remaining Noise around us are disappearing." Scissors informed them, holding his hand against his helmet."They're gone. Something just killed them."
"What? What was it?"
Unbeknownst to them, a Kamen Rider clad in a green jumpsuit and grey armor leveled his gun to his eye, aiming down at one of the utility poles. Pulling the trigger, a volley of bullets pierced the pole's base, knocking the thing down and causing the whole street to go dark. The Riders quickly jumped out of the way before they could be squashed.
"Look sharp, cadets." He jumped down from his position, landing on a tree branch.
Using the moonlight as their light, they noticed the green Rider staring down at them.
"Another Rider?" Ryuki was amazed at how cool he looked.
"Who are you?!" Knight demanded, not wanting to commit the same mistake he did with Gai."Identify yourself!"
"Oh, tough guy, huh? Not bad, cadet, you impress me. But to answer your question...I'm Kamen Rider Zolda." Zolda took a seat on the branch, crossing his leg."Sorry, but I can't let you go back with your girls."
"Tsubasa, what's the situation over there?" Knight reached for his communicator."Tsubasa, do you copy?!"
"My comrade must have got to them already." Zolda told him, chuckling."She works fast. Hella fast at that. Wonderful girl but a bit rough. She's had it rough."
"Are you the ones behind the Noise attack?" Knight demanded, reaching for his visor.
"Yeah." Zolda nodded nonchalantly.
"Can we convince you to join our side?" Scissors tried to settle things with words."We don't have to fight."
"Kamen Rider Odin is playing us all. We-"
"Yeah, I have to stop you right there." Zolda rose his hand."I have a wish I want to be fulfilled. It's very important to me and I won't stop pursuing it. I have no past. Only plenty of time to fulfill my mission. And that is to kill you all and be one step closer to winning this shit."
"Now he's speaking my language." Ryuki leaped across the street in his pursuit."Let me handle him!"
"Ryuki, wait!"
Zolda merely aimed at Ryuki, firing a round of bullets that caused him to drop to the ground. While the bullets didn't pierce his skin or hurt as he had imagined, they still stung.
"Fucking A. Maybe I should have ambushed them instead of taking them all on at the same time. Oh well. Fuck it." Zolda jumped off the tree when Knight threw his Winglancer at him, stabbing it into the tree.
Zolda drew his card, using his magnuvisor and inserting the card as if it were ammo.
Shoot Vent: Gigalauncher
ATK: 2000
A rocket launcher appeared in Zolda's hand, aiming at Knight. The shot was potent enough that it knocked Zolda back a few yards. Knight jumped out of the way, but the shockwave of the attack caused him to hit a building, breaking through the wall.
"That's so cool! He has guns!" Ryuki didn't bother hiding his excitement."Why don't we have that?!"
"You're just trash compared to someone like me, cadet." Zolda aimed his RPG, shooting at Ryuki.
"Ryuki!" Scissors landed in front of him, activating his Gaurd Vent.
Guard Vent: Shelldefense
DEF: 2000
The rocket collided against his shield, breaking it instantly and launching them across the area.
From his peripheral vision, he saw a black figure running along the sidewalk. Turning on his heel, he fired his rocket, causing an explosion. But Knight had jumped in the air before, avoiding the explosion.
Nasty Vent
ATK: 1000
Darkwing flew over Zolda, releasing a loud screech that caused him to drop his bazooka. Knight grabbed his lance with both hands, giving a battle cry. Zolda grabbed his visor from his holster, aiming at Knight who instinctively froze, landing back on the street. However, Zolda quickly aimed next to Knight, shooting at a hydrant and unleashing a stream of water that launched Knight into a building, breaking through the glass windows.
"Man, y'all a bunch of scrubs." Zolda mocked."I don't know why the boss lady said you guys would be a threat. If this is all you got to offer, then I was worried over nothing."
"He's using the environment to his advantage." Knight grimaced under his mask, holding the side of his head."Guys, are you alright?"
"Kind of." The voice of Scissors came through."He's too strong. And we're a little cramped fighting in the middle of the street like this."
"I have a plan. He's keeping us at a distance for a reason. If we can get close enough and make him flustered, we'll have an opening to knock him out." Knight devised a plan in his head."Scissors, Ryuki, and I will be the decoy. When you see an opening, attack him with your Strike Vent."
"G-got it." Scissors nodded in determination."Did you hear that, Ryuki? Ryuki?"
Strike Vent: Dragclaw
ATK: 2000
Ryuki was busy leaping from car to car, avoiding Zolda's shots as he fired fireballs of his own.
"Your aim sucks dick." Zolda barely even had to dodge the fireballs due to his experience on the battlefield
"Woohoo! This is so fun!" Ryuki drew his card as he leaped into the air.
Ryuki punched the air, unleashing a fireball that took the shape of Dragreder and flew at Zolda.
"What a fighter!" Zolda laughed, not concerned.
Guard Vent: Gigaarmor
DEF: 3000
Zolda manifested a bulky shield, blocking the attack with relative ease."Oh, you almost had me there. I'm lying. You totally suck."
"You jerk!" Ryuki made a run for it, activating his Guard Vent.
Guard Vent: Dragshield
DEF: 2000
Zolda snorted, aiming his visor and firing all the rounds he could at the shields. Ryuki continued running, grunting in effort when he felt the energy bullets against his body.
"Okay. You prove to be a nice contender. So I'll reward you for coming this far, cadet." Zolda inserted a card into his visor.
Ryuki's shields came apart, stopping a few meters away from Zolda."You...cut it out with the military terms, you assface!"
"How cutting." Zolda shook his head in disbelief as two rockets appeared on his shoulders.
Shoot Vent: Gigacannon
ATK: 3000
Both cannons shot simultaneously, sending Ryuki flying like a ragdoll against a building, leaving him stuck inside.
Zolda heard footsteps approaching him. Belonging to more than 3 people. Turning around, he realized that Knight had more than one trick up his sleeve. 8 Knights surrounded him from all sides.
The green Rider began shooting indiscriminately with his cannons, destroying the Knights as they came. The shots were quick and gave no opening for Knight to exploit. Zolda aimed with his visor at the real Knight, shooting 4 bullets, and forcing him to his knees.
"And like that, it's game over." Zolda grinning in triumph behind his helmet."Or not." Aiming behind his back, he pulled the trigger, hitting Scissors before he could hit him with his pincers. Zolda marched to the fallen Scissors, aiming with his cannons."End of the line."
Scissors cowered, trying to crawl away but Zolda stepping on his back prevented him from doing so."P-please, don't! Akira-senpai, help me!"
"Huh?" Zolda was flabbergasted at the sudden request."Akira? Who the fuck is that?"
"Scissors, attack him now!" Knight yelled, attempting to get up but was unable to."Summon Volcancer!"
Scissors whimpered, memories of seeing his friends die in front of him tormenting him, afraid of being next.
"Fuck...I hate when people do this." Zolda sighed, stepping off his back."Why the fuck did they send this crybaby here? Did they know I'm sensitive to defenseless people? Well, whatever I guess."
Final Vent: Flyinglancer
ATK: 5000
Zolda's eyes shot open, realizing that Knight had taken off into the air with his Advent Monster. A black tornado flew down at him at alarming speeds.
Advent: Magnugiga
ATK: 6000
"6000 attack points?! Just his Advent?!" Knight cried out in disbelief as a mechanical arm swatted him and Darkwing like flies. The steel giant in question was a mechanical minotaur.
"Magnugiga isn't like your run-of-the-mill Advent Monster. Just like me, he's damn near invincible on the battlefield."
"Suck on this!" Ryuki yelled from above, wielding his Dragsaber."Got you!"
Strike Vent: Gigahorn
ATK: 2000
Magniguga's head became a gauntlet with two horns, serving as Zolda's weapon and blocking the sword."Did you think that by shortening the distance between us you'll be able to get the drop on me? As you can see, I'm still as capable in close quarters as well. Like this."
Before Ryuki could retort, Zolda kneed him in the gut, twisting his arm and disarming him. He threw him over his shoulder and then proceeded to kick Scissors to Knight, knocking them down.
"It's time to finish this." Zolda announced loud enough to cause an echo in the area."Don't take this personally. But I made a promise to my friend. And unless you die and I get closer to my wish, she'll suffer for the rest of her life." Drawing his card, he showed them the image of his monster. Slowly walking behind Magnugiga, he inserted his card in his visor.
Final Vent: End of the World
ATK: 7000
"Attack power...of 7000..." Scissors fell on his knees, giving up.
"We can't survive that...damn it...damn it!" Knight punched the ground, realizing they had no way of running in the crowded area. Judging by the heavy armament on Magnugiga's body, it was sure to cover a large area.
Final Vent: Dragon Rider Kick
ATK: 6000
Everyone gasped, watching as jumped into the air with Dragreder flying behind him. Dragreder then breathes fire at Ryuki, propelling him into a flying kick that was aimed at Magnugiga before Zolda could pull the trigger. The kick caused Magnugiga to drip over its feet, nearly crushing Zolda.
"Yeah, you're strong. But so what?" Ryuki panted, exhausted after landing on the ground."Like hell, we'll give up! We'll stop you right here and now!"
"He stopped my Final Vent." Zolda groaned, sitting up."I guess that's what I get for being so theatrical. But then again, it takes some time to set up...You're a riot, Ryuki. I guess I was wrong about one of you. You're not a cadet. You're a whole Luitentant."
"Uh, thanks..." Ryuki scratched the back of his head."That was really cool though. Your monster is impressive. It's like your a walking army."
"You're not so bad yourself for a little shit." Zolda rubbed the area where his nose would be."But like I said, I have a promise to keep."
"Yeah. I get that." Ryuki prepared himself to keep fighting.
As both Riders were about to lunge at each other, they both received a message from their comms.
"What's the matter, Chrissy?" Zolda asked.
"Tsubasa is going to use her Superb Song!" Aoi's voice nearly deafened the 3 Riders."You have to stop her!"
"Superb song..." Zolda clicked his tongue, shooting a few bullets at Ryuki before running away."I'm coming, Chrissy!"
"Don't, you idiot!" Chris felt cold sweat dripping down her forehead. Due to the shadow bind, she was unable to move."You'll get caught in the blast too!"
"Calling your comrade here won't do you any good." Tsubasa thought as she continued singing, a tear streaming down her cheeks.'I'm sorry...Yosuke...Goro...looks like I'll be joining Kanade and Akira...'
"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki screamed, her body bound by the Noise.
Advent: Dragreder
ATK: 5000
"Everyone aboard!" Ryuki and the others jumped on Dragreder's back as it took flight in the air. Zolda leaped in the air, grabbing at the dragon's tail.
"I can't...I can't lose her too..." Knight grabbed his head."I can't lose another friend! Fly faster, Ryu-kid!"
"Dragreder is going as fast as he can!" Ryuki exclaimed, holding his chest."Hibiki is there...she's in danger too!"
"This is all your fault!" Knight pointed at Zolda, going off at him."If you didn't stop us this wouldn't be happening!"
"Fuck you, you cunt! How would I have known your suicidal friend would pull this shit!" He snapped back, aiming his visor at him. Dragreder swung its tail, throwing Zolda off it. But this worked to his advantage. They weren't too far away from the girls, and thanks to the dragon, Zolda could see Chris up ahead."Chrissy!"
"Don't! Stay back!" She gritted her teeth, having Tsubasa right in her face. Tsubasa smiled, blood pouring from her mouth. Her Superb Song was activated successfully.
"Tsubasa!" Knight tried reaching for her when they landed, but Dragreder curled itself with the Riders and Hibiki."Let me go!"
"It's too dangerous!" Scissors said.
And dangerous it was. All the Noise died instantly and Chris was shot miles away, feeling the attack head-on.
"Chrissy!" Zolda held his Gigaarmor."I got yo-"
But the attack was powerful enough that even Zolda was caught up in it, holding Chris tight as they crashed through trees and into mountains. Tsubasa, bloody from head to toe, collapses to the ground, unable to hear the screams of her comrades as they rushed to her side, afraid for the worse.