Reviews:
TheOkWriter: Nah, it would have been redundant for him to do that since I didn't think it was appropriate to drag on this arc by adding a recap chapter like in the original Ryuki series. Time Vent will be implemented just not to that extent. Or maybe it will. I haven't decided yet. Also yes, Abyss will appear.
maxfz19: Me alegra que te haya gustado!
DCDGojira: Glad you liked it, friend.
Author's note: We finally made it to the end of the first season. I can hardly believe it took 20 chapters but there was so much to cover. I know the story started slow, but honestly, that's how I felt about the first season of Symphogear and the first 10 or so episodes of Ryuki. To establish characters and their motivations. Season 2 will be more proactive and after that, the story will go full throttle. This is the longest chapter I've written but I felt the need to end it all in one chapter instead of just splitting it. I'll be taking a few days off to rewatch G. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy it!"
Chapter 20
Shooting Towards the Moon
The devastation of a good chunk of the city was the result of Odin's Final Vent after unleashing its power. Buildings had crumbled, and the explosion created a chain reaction of smaller explosions from cars and other things that contained gasoline.
A hoarse cough came from underneath the rubble, and the person beneath it kicked it away. Knight coughed violently, half of his mask gone and revealing his face covered with dirt. He was currently inside a huge hole in the ground, covered in muddy water.'Sewers...'
He pulled on the person he had grabbed at the last second, bringing Ryuki to the surface of the water, hearing him gasp for air. His outfit was completely torn to shreds, revealing some of his school uniform.
"Ryu-kid...you...okay...?"
"No..." Ryuki fought the urge to puke."Smells like shit here...and I think some of it what in my mouth."
Knight sighed in relief."Good. If you have the energy to complain, you're fine..."
Ryuki groaned, splashing some sewer water on Knight, much to his annoyance."You're an ass."
"I saved your life and this is how you repay me?" Knight chuckled, sitting up and grimacing as he felt his legs getting wet."You're something else..."
"I guess."
"You're not mad?"
"About you not fighting with us?" Ryuki asked, scoffing."If it were me back when I first met you, I'd be beating you to a bloody pulp right now. But...I understand. He...he's the one that changed your life. All of our lives. And he killed Akira-san. I'd be surprised if you weren't traumatized by him."
"And despite that, Goro charged in without fear." Knight grabbed his head."He stepped up when I failed. I'm proud of him. And you. But at the same time, I'm ashamed of myself. For failing you and cowering in fear..."
"You're giving me too much credit. I rushed in because I was obvious to Odin's power." Ryuki brushed off the praise."Besides, I'm not one to back down. No matter how tough things get, I don't back down. That's what I strive for."
"Is it because of your dad?"
"You know about that...?" Ryuki's head slowly turned to face him.
"Yeah, the Commander mentioned it. He was vague, so don't worry. But I do know that he walked out on you when you were a kid."
Ryuki grunted, hugging his knees as he pouted."Yeah. The bastard just walked away a few years after Setsuna was born. He just disappeared. Even when mom died, he never showed up. So I vowed to never run away from anything. No matter how tough or hopeless it looks. I will never run away from my problems and leave others by themselves. That's why I stuck around this long. For Hibiki-san. That day, if I wasn't there, she would have been all by herself. You guys too. I just couldn't turn my back away from all of this. If I run now...I'd just be like him. A coward that runs as soon as things get difficult."
"I see. I guess I was right about you after all." Knight removed his helmet, tossing it to the side."You were worthy of that Deck after all. Good thing I didn't Final Vent you when we first met. We'd be dead by now."
"Heh...yeah. You owe me." Ryuki leaned back, removing his helmet as well."How long are we going to be here? We should go help the girls..."
"Trust me, I want to. But..." Knight patted his chest."We're in no condition to fight. Odin's Final Vent didn't hit us directly but the shockwave got us good. If we go now, we'll be a liability."
"So what? I don't care. We can't just not go." Ryuki moaned, feeling every inch of his body hurting but got up with pure determination."We have to go help them! You saw what happened to Chris-san."
"When you put it that way...I can't say no." Knight huffed, holding his arm out. Ryuki grabbed it, pulling him up.
"You guys are okay!"
They rose their heads, watching as Scissors waved at them from above the hole."You're alive!"
"Goro!" Yosuke sighed in relief."Thank goodness..."
"Where's Takeru-san?!"
"He's...okay. I suppose." Scissors glanced up behind him. Zolda was sitting on the ground, his gaze set on the floor and not moving an inch."I managed to pull him into a building. Good thing only the upper floors collapsed, otherwise we'd be dead."
Ryuki reached for Scissor's hand, as the latter pulled up him to the surface. They then helped Knight up, falling on the ground, exhausted.
"We survived...we did it..." Scissors chuckled, still in shock."We're alive..."
"Somehow..." Knight nodded slowly.
Ryuki made his way to Zolda, squatting in front of him."Takeru-san..."
Zolda rose his hand, sighing. Like him, part of his helmet was gone, revealing the left part of his face. And Ryuki could see the tears clear as day in the darkness of the night."Come on, Captain. We have a job to finish. We have to go defeat Fine. The girls need us. Kazanari-san survived her Superb Song. I'm sure Chris-san is okay. Out of everyone here, you know how tough she is."
"I...She has to be okay." Zolda nodded slowly."I have to go. I still haven't heard her say she loves me."
"What? Did you confess? Man, you work fast." Ryuki helped him up."All the more reason to return to her. Tell her how much she means to you."
"You gonna do the same with Tachibana?" Knight shot him a grin.
"If we survive the night, I'll ask her for a date. How's that?"
"Good enough. Let's go." Knight took a step forward, grunting in pain."Shit...my leg..."
"Ouja stabbed you, right? I wonder what happened to him and Gai." Zolda muttered."I know Ryuga teleported away."
"Who cares. Hopefully, they were caught by the explosion..." Ryuki grumbled darkly."Although...Gai is doing all of this for his sister. I...can't help but sympathize."
"I feel the same." Scissors confessed, wrapping Knight's arm around him as they started walking in the group. Unbeknownst to them a dark silhouette was following them from behind, hiding in the shadows."But killing needlessly...is not the solution."
"Whatever his intention is, it's clear that no one is strong enough to fight Odin. Not even as a group. We'll have to get stronger."
"But to do that...we have to kill other Riders..." Scissors frowned, unsure of how to feel."And on top of that...only one person can remain standing. If there isn't a sole victor, the game will never end and no one will get their wish. I wanted to cure my father so I can see him on his feet again like before when mother was alive...but I couldn't kill someone for that..."
"Honestly...if Chrissy is okay, then I do not need that wish." Zolda stated, taking them by surprise."I just want a life with her and to make her the happiest girl in the world. Other than that, nothing else matters to me."
"I wanted to revive my Mom...but if I do that, I know my grandma and my sister would not be happy. And...I don't have it in me to kill."
"Honestly, we can just keep fighting the Noise as it is. No one needs to die." Knight said after a few seconds. We'll just have to destroy the other Riders' decks and prevent them from doing what Odin wants. The game will never end, but no one will die."
"Fighting the Noise...with our friends." A smile graced Ryuki's features."Doesn't sound bad. But if we beat Fine, wouldn't the Noise go away?"
"We have to retrieve Solomon's Cane." Zolda pointed out."But it's possible. God, I can't wait to bash that bitch's face in for everything she did to Chris."
"Then it's settled. We'll take a break and then we'll head for Lydian. We'll end this, together." Knight declared, earning several nods.
"And we can go to the mall with Takeru-san and Chris-san." Scissors excitedly said."The more the merrier."
"You guys are a riot..." Zolda sighed, shaking his head."So full of optimism. Well, I guess it's only-"
Advent: Venosnaker
ATK: 5000
Venosnaker spat venom at the group, causing them to scatter around to avoid the toxic venom. Ryuki and Zolda landed on top of rocks, causing them to grunt in pain.
Knight had tackled Scissors to the ground, barely avoiding the venom.
Final Vent: Veno Crash
ATK: 6000
Ouja's cackles reached their ears as he rushed at top speed with Venosnaker behind him. He leaped into the air, Venosnaker spitting venom at him and propelling him as he began to bicycle kick, aiming at Knight.
Scissors gasped, grabbing Knight and using all of his strength to toss him away, receiving the full force of the attack. Ouja kicked him relentlessly, each kick destroying a part of Scissors's armor and breaking his bones before he delivered a final kick to his belt, destroying his deck, sending him flying toward a wall, bouncing off of it, and falling on the floor. His armor came apart, revealing a heavily wounded Goro as he spat blood.
"I'll be taking this." Ouja grabbed Volcancer's card."I told you before. Once I get a job, I finish it. You're next, Takeru."
"GORO!" Knight screamed in bloody murder, rushing towards his friend.
"CYPHER!" Zolda shot energy bullets at Ouja, who began fleeing from the scene. Zolda chased after him, firing bullets. Ryuki was about to give chase, but he stopped, hearing Goro vomit blood. His transformation became undone, running with tears glistening in his eyes.
"Goro!" Yosuke grabbed his arm, helping Goro raise his head."You're okay, buddy. Just take deep breaths. You're fine."
"I...it hurts to breathe..." Goro muttered, coughing more blood."I...I think he...h-h-he burst something inside me...it's getting...difficult..."
"Don't talk, Goro-senpai! Please! Save your strength!" Hajime cried historically."Just...hang on! We'll take you back to HQ!"
"You...you called me senpai..." Goro smiled weakly, blood covering his lips."I'm...so happy...so happy...And...at least I...I contributed...I made a difference today...By protecting you...I...I did something good..."
"You did great, Goro!" Yosuke exploded, tears streaming down his face."You became so strong! I'm so proud of you! Akira would be proud too! Just...just hang on, damn it! You'll be fine..."
"Yosuke...senpai...please..." Goro grabbed Yosuke's hands, squeezing them."Please...protect them...guide them...guide them towards...that future that Kanade-senpai...saw...Please...they're depending on...you..."
"Goro-senpai..." Hajime whispered, holding his other hand.
"I'm so cold...so scared..." Goro wept, shaking his head slowly, his voice breaking."I don't want to die...I don't want to die...My daddy...will be all... alone..."
Closing his eyes for the last time, the last image he saw was his friends crying for him, no longer hearing them scream his name. His body began disintegrating into particles, leaving no trace behind except the pool of his blood.
Ryuga came out of a portal in front of Lydian, nearly being struck by Hibiki who had gone berserk."Woah!"
"Ryuga?!" Tsubasa gasped at his sudden appearance.
"Why is he here?!" Fine rose a brow, puzzled."Where is Ouja?"
"What's going on here?" Ryuga wondered, his eyes following the berserker girl in front of him."What happened to you? Where's the other one?"
"I...It's a long story. " Tsubasa frowned."Where are the others? What happened in that city? That explosion just now..."
Ryuga shifted his gaze to the horizon, watching as a cloud of dust floated over the city."Long story. I don't know where your friends are but I presume they're fine. Maybe."
Hibiki roared, rushing at Ryuga, who drew a card.
"Don't hurt her!" Tsubasa pleaded.
Ryuga clicked his tongue.
Guard Vent: Dragshield
DEF: 3000
Two shields appeared in his arms, as he blocked the fierce punches from Hibiki. He knew she was strong before, but now, he could feel his body rattle with every impact."What's with her?!"
"She's rage incarnate," Fine commented, watching in amusement. His shields began to break, causing him to fall back."Ara? What's wrong? Running away?"
'I'm too tired from our encounter with Odin...I don't have a lot of strength left...'
Hibiki kicked Ryuga away, sending him crashing toward a pile of rocks before she headed for Fine.
Asgard
Fine conjured a barrier, holding Hibiki's attack in place.
Strike Vent: Dragclaw
ATK: 3000
A volley of black fireballs hit Fine from the side, causing her to lose focus. Hibiki broke through the barrier and sliced Fine's body.
"Tachibana..." Tsubasa could only stare in horror at Fine's body split in half.
"I thought I made it clear that I have become one with the Nehushtan's regenerative abilities." Fine's body began healing back up, making her good as new."It'll take more than that to stop me."
"Not good..." Ryuga sighed."If only I was in peak condition...I might have been able to incinerate her."
"Stop it, Tachibana!" Tsubasa tried reasoning with her friend."You'll only accelerate the rate of fusion!"
Hibiki slowly turned to Tsubasa, growling like a feral beast eyeing its prey.
"I'm going to have to warp her out of here." Ryuga tried reaching for his Deck, but a whip wrapped itself around his arm.
"Ouja told me about your teleporting abilities." Fine addressed him."You're that boy going around claiming that humanity needs to be wiped out to be reborn from the ashes. Someone with ambition. I like that. You're just like me."
"Don't get it twisted. I'm doing what I do for the sake of humanity's sake." Ryuga tried breaking the whip, but his body was too weak."I'll save the world from evil. And you will be purged alongside that."
"Very cute." Fine lashed out another whip, grabbing Ryuga's other arm and pulling him forward. Ryuga reacted, double-kicking the woman in her chest, sending him rocketing away. She scoffed, pulling him due to her whips still stuck to him, and slammed him on the ground.
"Ryuga!" Tsubasa was forced back by Hibiki, who continued to relentlessly attack her. Things were getting worse.
"Ryuga!" Miki could only stare at the screen, helpless.
"Why is Ryuga here all of a sudden?" Aoi asked."And he looks so damaged..."
"Was he fighting a Rider?" Sakuya pondered."If so, which one?"
"Let's just hope the others are okay." Genjuro frowned."I still haven't been able to reach them."
"We're done for..." Yumi covered her mouth."It's over..."
"How can you say that?" Miku glared at her friend sternly."Ryuga just got here. He'll help Hibiki and Tsubasa out!"
"Hibiki?! Look at her! She's gone crazy! And Ryuga is losing!" Yumi argued, crying."We're going to die!"
"Ryuga...Hibiki..." Miku was left speechless."Please...we're counting on you..."
Tsubasa fell on her back, part of her armor coming off after receiving a direct blow.
Hibiki snarled, ready to continue on her path to destruction.
Ryuga wasn't doing so well either. He was reduced to merely blocking Fine's whips with his Dragsaber. With a grunt, Ryuga's left eye turned to gold, as he jumped back into a portal.
"What?" Fine looked above her, noticing him coming down the sky with his sword down. He slashed her down but left himself open for a whip to strike him across his back, breaking his armor. The boy rolled on the ground before landing next to Hibiki, who locked eyes with him. She attempted to stomp on him, but the Rider grabbed her foot, and his eye returned to normal.
"No!" Tsubasa saw Kadingir beginning to charge again."Again?!"
"Did you seriously think Kadingir could only fire one attack?" Fine scoffed in indignation."What kind of fool do you take me for? The Durandal serves as its energy source in the reactor core! An immortal heart that will never stop bleeding."
"So you say..." Ryuga managed to throw Hibiki off of him after Tsubasa kicked her away. The girl helped him up, realizing she had no choice but to temporarily ally with him."But to me, it sounds like we just need to either destroy the reactor..."
"Or kill you." Tsubasa finished, raising her katana.
"Hibiki Tachibana." Ryuga addressed the girl in front of him."Come to your senses. Do you think Miku wants to see you like that? That Ryuki wants to see you like that?"
"Ryuga. Please don't interfere with what I'm to do." Tsubasa lowered her weapon."I need you to trust me on this."
"What do you have in mind?"
"I'm getting her back. I don't know what happened to the others. If I fail, then you'll be the only one left to stop this."
"Wait, you don't mean-"
Hibiki slashed at Tsubasa's chest, but the girl did not retaliate. Instead, she pulled her in for a hug.
"Your power is one that's meant to bring people together." Blood came out of Tsubasa's mouth, but she smiled. A small blade came out of her compartment near her thigh, pulling it out and tossing it on Hibiki's shadow.
Shadesticher
Ryuga watched in awe at how Tsubasa managed to tame the beast."Incredible..."
"Kanade entrusted you with that power. Please..." She released her hold on her, walking past her."Don't use it this way. Ryuga. I heard of the things you've done. But I know some people believe in you. Would you help me stop this and save the world?"
"I will help you stop Fine." He clarified."I think I know what you have in mind. Let's do this."
"To see former enemies team up in a desperate struggle." Fine nearly vomited at the thought."How repulsive."
"Maybe so. These guys are so naive I can hardly believe it." Ryuga commented."But still, you are evil. So I'll side with them for the time being."
"We stand together to stop you!" Tsubasa and Ryuga broke into a sprint, trying to flank Fine.
Strike Vent: Dragclaw
ATK: 3000
Ryuga began firing fireballs at the whip coming after him, but they seemed to be doing less effectively than intended. He leaped back, avoiding being struck by it.
Tsubasa cut through the whip following her, swinging her legs in rapid motion as her sword grew in size, slashing the air and firing a slash of energy.
Blue Flash
The whips combined converged momentarily, overpowering Tsubasa's attack.
Black Vent: Calamity Gate
Before they could pierce through her, a black portal opened up in front of her, redirecting them towards Fine. The woman reacted in time, only being graced by them but regenerated immediately. The portal closed, destroying Fine's whips and allowing Tsubasa to strike her with her blade, sending her crashing into her tower.
Final Vent: Dark Rider Flying Kick
ATK: 7000
A purple crystal trapped Fine's legs, preventing her from moving."Damn you!"
Her whips morphed into a giant shield, stopping Ryuga's kick."Dragblacker!"
The dragon roared, helping Tsubasa by grabbing her with its tail and launching her into the sky. Tsubasa was now wielding two long swords as she took off into the air. Flames erupted from her swords and feet, forming wings.
Soaring Phoenix's Slash
"I won't let you!" Fine screamed, lashing out her whips after Tsubasa.
"I need you..." Ryuga's eyes went back to yellow as the Rider rose his arms."You better not lose now, you dumb girl!"
Two portals opened up, absorbing the whips and tangling them with each other, preventing them from reaching Tsubasa.
"DAMN YOU! CURSE YOU, RYUGA!" Fine screamed in frustration, receiving mocking laughter from him.
"Ha! Like anyone would lose to a pathetic scum like you!" Ryuga mocked her."You're praying to the wrong God, dear. You're looking at the messiah right here!"
Tsubasa thanked Ryuga in her mind, the flames surrounding her turning blue. The girl managed to ram into Kadingir, destroying the core and causing the tower to explode. The once shining tower was now a dull, broken piece of what it used to be.
"My wish! My wish has been denied!" Fine yelled in despair.
"Nice..." Ryuga's eye returned to red, falling on his knees."We nearly died. But...it paid off, didn't it."
A portal opened next to Ryuga, revealing a heavily wounded Tsubasa on her last straws.
"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki's dark form slowly dissipated, revealing the cream-haired girl everyone loved."And...Ryuga?!"
"It's not over yet..." Ryuga reminded her, his eyes locked on Fine, who was now fuming.
"You ingrates! Do you realize what you've done?! Had I destroyed the Moon, we would have been free from the Curse of Balal! The world would have come to me for help! And I would have had them eating from the palm of my hand! Pain is the only bond that can connect people!"
"You're wrong!"
They all turned to the source of the voice, staring at Ryuki and Knight standing behind Fine, all of them with their armor in bad shape.
"You guys are here!" Hibiki beamed."You're okay!"
"Impossible...Ouja lost?!" Fine snarled.
"Where is Goro?" Tsubasa asked, receiving uneasy glances from her friends."Guys...?"
"Alright, then. If you want to die together, so be it." Fine chuckled madly."I'll just kill you all and show you that no bond can surpass pain!"
"I don't think so." Ryuki frowned, turning to Knight."Any ideas?"
"By the looks of things, the girls are in pretty bad shape. So is Ryuga."
"I have an idea." Ryuga drew a card from his Deck."To create a miracle, the power of belief is needed. Symphogears rely on their songs to activate their relics, right? So how about we amplify that a little bit? Give me a second."
Ryuga activated his Calamity Gate, jumping inside of it.
"Guess we have to distract her until then!" Ryuki took a battle stance.
"Good. I have so much unyielding rage right now..." Knight followed his example. Both of them dashed at Fine, engaging in hand to hand combat with her.
Ryuga appeared inside the shelter protecting the survivors from Lydian's attack, startling them.
Genjuro narrowed his eyes."How did you-"
"I can teleport, remember? At least anywhere I've been. And no, I haven't been inside the school. Figure that out yourself."
"Why tell that kind of secret?"
"Honestly, I don't even know what I'm saying right now..." Ryuga shifted his gaze to Miku."But..I'm going to need your cooperation."
"Our cooperation?" Shiori looked unsure at his crimson eyes.
"That's the boy Miku's obsessed with?" Kuruyo leaned to the side, whispering to her other friend.
"I guess so...Here I thought she liked that Hazuki-kun."
"Can you get in contact with them from here? Any speakers or something?"
"Well, not at the moment." Sakuya deflated.
"But we might be able to if we get the school's computer systems working again," Aoi explained.
"That might take too long." Ryuga shook his head."I have a better idea. But you might not like it."
Tiger was carrying an unconscious Chris on his back, slowly making his way back toward Lydian.
"Chris!" Zolda gasped, rushing to meet Tiger halfway."What happened?! Is she okay?!"
"She's...alive, at least." Tiger replied."We need to get her medical attention. We can still save her. What happened to you? You look like crap."
"You wouldn't believe it." Zolda shook his head.
Ryuki screamed in pain as his arm was twisted, nearly breaking it if Knight hadn't jumped in, cutting through the whip with his Darkvisor.
"Since ancient times, I have served God as his priestess." Fine rambled, as she enjoyed seeing Ryukin and Knight dance around, trying to avoid her whips."One day, I fell in love with Him. The Creator. But I couldn't reach him with my heart. The very words I wished to speak were stolen from me. From humankind!"
Trick Vent: Shadow Illusion
ATK: 1000
Before Knight could come up with a plan, his clones were dismissed by a swing from Fine's whips.
Sword Vent: Dragsaber
ATK: 2000
Fine blocked Ryuki's strike with her arm, choosing to have her arm sliced off but punched him in the face, knocking him away.
"The Curse of Balal robbed us of the common tongue that was our one means of communication with the Creator. You don't understand how long I've worked! So that one day I could use the common tongue to tell Him how I feel."
"And you think shooting down the moon will help you with your love problems?" Ryuki scoffed."Communicating with God isn't the problem. Your personality is just straight-up shit! No one would ever fall in love with you!"
"And what does a brat like you know!" Fine barked, lunging at Ryuki and slamming her elbow against his face, breaking the front part of his mask."You've never even been in love before!"
Knight caught Ryuki, sending both of them skidding until they came to a halt."You're wrong...I've...I've known what it feels like to be in love for quite a while now." His eyes focused on Hibiki, who blushed in return.
"Love?! Ha! What you feel is a mere high school crush! Just delusion!"
"Hibiki! Hajime-kun!"
Fine stopped in her tracks at the new interruption. A black portal had opened up, revealing everyone Ryuga brought along.
"You guys! You're okay!" Hibiki screamed in utter joy at her friends.
"Uncle..." Tsubasa muttered as Genjuro gave her a proud smile. The group began singing in unison, putting their feelings into the song.
(Play Shiritsu Lydian Ongakuin Kōka)
"Ryuga! So that was your plan?!" Fine's eyes shot wide open."To have them give them a high amount of phonic gain?!"
"You shouldn't be surprised." Ryuga looked down at her."You invented this. Didn't you?"
"How?! How do you know that?!"
Three pillars of light erupted towards the sky as the three Symphogear were empowered past their limits and clad in a new set of armor.
"Symphogear!" Hibiki yelled with all her heart. All girls were clad in a white version of their armor, with their respective colors acting as highlights in some parts along with energy wings.
"So...this is the miracle you mentioned?" Miku stood next to Ryuga, who gave out a weary sigh.
"I suppose so." Ryuga nodded."Let's just hope it's effective."
"It's pretty reckless of you to just have brought us here." Yumi placed her hands on her hips, jabbing her finger against his chest plate."We could have been hurt! You were supposed to be like an anime character, protecting us from harm! But no! You brought us out here!"
"But his plan did work." Kuriyo held her friend back." We should be thankful. I feel like...we're fighting alongside them."
"Chrissy..." Zolda felt himself tear up, watching Chris alive and well flying in the sky.
"Seems like we're good for now." Tiger exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck."Consider my promise fulfilled."
"Yeah...thank you...you leaving?"
"Not until I see her die with my own eyes." Tiger shook his head."Let's go."
"Right."
"With these Gears, born from our friends' songs, there's no way we can lose!" Hibiki declared, looking down at Fine and causing her to sneer."Their songs are what gave Chris-chan and Tsubasa-san the strength to stand up once more. Some grant more than the power to fight. They give life!"
"High-level phonic gain!" Fine felt the pressure of the immense power, causing her to take a step back."Just like how it happened 2 years ago."
"Who gives a damn?!" Chris rose her fist, but her mouth did not move.
"Telepathy?! Don't look down on me! Even with the limiters of your Gears removed, you don't stand a ghost of a chance!" Fine pulled out Solomon's Cane, spawning a wave of Noise.
"Girls! Let us deal with the Noise!" Ryuki yelled at them from below."You handle Fine!"
"Are you sure?" Hibiki asked in concern.
"We won't let you fight alone." Knight nodded."We're together in this. We can still fight."
"Don't make the mistake of assuming this will be the same, boy!" Fine summoned even more Noise, creating so many that they reached all the way to the destroyed city."The Noise are autonomous weapons created by mankind who had lost their common understanding to slaughter each other. The gates to the treasury of Babylon are being held open. They used to escape through that door once a decade at most, but I made it happen constantly. They're simply a power source for me."
"Oh, come on. That's just unfair." Ryuki groaned in dismay.
"Hey, what the hell happened to the city?!" Chris gasped once she noticed the mess left by the Rider battle.
"Long story." Knight cryptically answered."I guess we'll need your help after all."
"There's no shame in receiving help." Tsubasa smiled at her friend."We'll do it together. Just like you said."
'Right..." Knight trailed off, fighting the urge to cry. How was he going to explain the news to her?
"Let's roll!"
(Play First Love Story)
The girls flew in different directions, followed by Ryuki, Ryuga, and Knight who were now riding in their Advent Monsters. Two dragons coursed through the sky, breathing fireballs at the flying Noise as well as the ones below.
Knight slashed at the Noise, using Darkwing as wings and maneuvering around.
"Alright!" Chris unleashed a barrage of homing lasers.
Mega Deth Party
The Noise were powerless to stop her powerful attacks.
"Man, she's so strong now!" Ryuki couldn't help but admire."If she's a good shot while aiming like that, I don't want to see her actually aiming at something."
"Huh?! What do you mean?! I was aiming at all of them!" Chris snapped, earning a yelp from Hajime.
"Alright, then I'll show you some real scatter-shot!" Hibiki rose to the occasion, flying down below and watching in horror the state of the city. She shook her head, deciding to leave that for later. Now she had more important matters to attend to. Multiple bullets appeared on her gauntlets. In a punch, she fired her bullets at the Noise, destroying them with ease.
"Seems I lost him. Heh. He's a stubborn one. Sorry, Fine. This is where we part ways." Ouja glanced at the horizon, watching as the battle raged on against the Noise and the sun began to raise. He pulled out a card from his deck that said "Contract".
"So this is the power gained from killing another Rider." Ouja marbled at the card that had appeared in his Deck after killing Scissors. He wordlessly took out the card he stole from Scissors' broken Deck and inserted it into his visor, prompting Volcancer to be summoned.
Advent: Volcancer
ATK: 3000
Volcancer rose its claws, furious at Ouja for having killed his master. The crab monster lunged at him but Ouja rose the Contract card, absorbing Volcancer into it. Once the contract was sealed, the card changed from being blank to Volcancer's card, but instead of Scissors' symbol being on it, it was now Ouja's.
"This power..." Ouja felt something swell inside of him."I feel it already. I've become much stronger than I was before. Hmm?"
His Deck began to glow due to a card emanating a significant amount of power. He drew it slowly, his eyes widening in shock and a wicked smirk gracing his lips."So that's how it is, huh? The truth about the Rider War...is this..."
"FINE!"
Fine glanced over to Tiger and Zolda, who had finally caught up after running for a while.
"You!" She sneered."I just keep getting reminded of my failures!"
"You mean failing at killing either of us or just in general?" Zolda rhetorically asked, earning a scornful glare from her.
"It's over Fine. This is where it ends." Tiger proclaimed, grabbing onto his Destvisor."By the time the girls are done with the Noise, you'd be long dead."
"Do you truly believe you can stand up to me in your current condition?" Fine chuckled."Please, you look like you're ready to fall over and die."
"Not without seeing you dead first, you worthless bitch."
Strike Vent: Gigahorn
ATK: 2000
Strike Vent: Destclaws
ATK: 3000
Fine lashed out her whips at Zolda, but Tiger jumped in the way, shattering them with his claws. Zolda ran to the side, approaching Fine. She recreated her whips, sending them toward Zolda once more.
Freeze Vent
Fine's whips froze in solid ice, allowing Zolda to pierce her right shoulder with his horn. The woman screamed in pain, but she didn't have time for anything else as a pair of claws slashed her legs off. To finish things off, Zolda inserted a new card into his visor
Shoot Vent: Gigacannons
ATK: 3000
Zolda shot Fine point blank, sending her and the two flying in opposite directions due to the explosion. Fine's body was left broken, slowly regenerating and her face showcased her anguish.
"I-impossible..."
"I wonder how many times we can kill you before you die." Tiger rose his claws, splashing blood on the ground."Like you did to those children, I don't mind experimenting on you and finding out."
"We have plenty of time." Zolda scowled."We can be here all day, trust me."
"I...I won't fall here!" Fine rose Solomon's Cane.
"You're gonna hide behind more Noise?" Tiger bellowed, making a beeline for Fine."Like that'd make a difference!"
Fine grinned maniacally, stabbing herself with the staff, stopping Tiger in his tracks.
"What the hell?!"
"She just stabbed herself?!" Zolda was equally perplexed.
Several tendrils emerged from the cane, attaching themselves to Fine as the remaining Noise began being pulled to her. More Noise were summoned, only to be added to the pile.
"She's absorbing them? How is that possible?!" Tiger turned to Zolda, yelling frantically."Use one of your cannons or whatever! We can't let her finish doing whatever she's doing!"
"On it!"
Final Vent: End of the World
ATK: 7000
Magnugifa displayed all of its arsenals while Zolda ran up behind him, inserting his visor into its back.
The red blotch shot at them in an instant, striking Magnugiga and pushing it down, canceling Zolda's attack.
"Come, Durandal!" Fine yelled as the blotch went into the remains of Kadingir, engulfing the sword. A crimson snake-liked beast emerged from the ground, towering over the terrain. The beast shot a beam of energy, sending Tiger and Zolda flying as collateral.
"Takeru!" Chris screamed in concern, growling at Fine."How dare you?!"
"You have invoked my wrath." Fine said, sporting a new appearance in the form of a long red dress and dark red armor."I hope you're prepared for what is to come."
"Shit. Can we just catch a break already?!" Ryuki groaned, fighting the urge to just pull on his hair in frustation.
"I'll give you a break." Fine smirked at him."An eternal one."
The snake fired a new beam of energy at the dragons flying around the Symphogear. Dragreder and Dragblacker breathed fire, combining their flames together but were quickly outmatched. Tsubasa quickly fell by, grabbing both of them before they were hit by the blast.
"Thanks, Kazanari-san." Ryuki sighed in relief.
"How dare you hurt Takeru right in front of me?!" Chris raged, unleashing a volley of beams from her armor, directly impacting the snake. Much to her shock, the beast protected itself with several panels that had grown across its body.
Blue Flash
Final Vent: Flyinglancer
ATK: 5000
A slash of energy collided against the snake's head and Knight pierced through it, leaving a massive hole that quickly recovered. Hibiki began punching the thing from below, but her punches were as ineffective as their previous attacks.
"Even with the combined efforts of Kamen Rider and Symphogear alike, they're powerless against a complete relic." Fine boasted with confidence."This is over."
Darkwing flew around, holding Ryuga and Ryuki by their backs."Ryuga, can you redirect one of that thing's attacks with your portals?"
"I don't have enough energy to make them without a reason." Ryuga confessed."And even if I did, it would just regenerate."
"But there is a way." Knight chimed in, landing on Darkwing's back."They haven't given up. Have you, girls?"
"No way." Chris smirked, clenching her fists with anticipation."As if we'd lose here."
"We can do it, right, Tachibana?"
"Yeah! We can do it!" Hibiki nodded as they headed off to face Fine. The Riders followed behind as backup.
"We'll clear the way. I'm running on fumes here." Knight said as both dragon Riders readied their visors.
The snake unleashed a new round of beams, prompting Chris to do the same to counter it.
Ryuga and Ryuki equipped themselves with their respective Dragclaws, winding their fists back before unleashing red and black flames that merged together, forming a giant dragon that took a bite out of the snake's body. Chris quickly went into the snake's body as it regenerated, coming face to face with Fine. The lavender-haired girl smiled, jabbing her thumb upwards at Darkwing, who unleashed a screech that paralyzed Fine's movements.
Tsubasa took advantage of this, her sword increasing its size and slashing the vulnerable area of the snake's body.
Blue Flash Destroyer
There was now a hole large enough for Chris to throw Durandal from and escape before Fine recuperated control over her body.
"This is your chance! Grab it!" Tsubasa commanded, and Hibiki did just that. However, much like before, the sword's power managed to consume Hibiki, leaving her in her berserker state.
"Was this your genius plan?" Fine guffawed, assure of her victory."Were you really so desperate as to leave everything to her?!"
"So what?! We believe in her and we know she won't lose so easily!" Ryuki proclaimed, turning his sights on Hibiki, who was doing her best to fight for control."Hibiki-san! You can do it!"
"Fight on." Was all Ryuga said.
"You are definitely worthy of that armor too, Tachibana!" Knight yelled at the top of his lungs."I'm proud to have you on our side!"
"This is a battefleid, Hibiki-kun!" Genjuro and the others made their presence known from afar."I know you're better than this! You are one of my star pupils after all!"
"Focus on yourself!"
"Remember who you are!"
"And remember who you want to become!"
Ogawa, Sakuya, and Aoi joined in giving their piece.
Tsubasa and Chris stood by Hibiki's side, providing more support.
"Don't give up, Tachibana." Tsubasa grabbed her right shoulder."Show me you can stand on your own two feet!"
"We believe in you!" Chris grabbed her left shoulder."That's why we're all putting everything on the line! What's gonna happen if you don't believe in yourself?!"
"I've had enough of this!" Fine rose her hand."I'll silence all of you at once!"
The snake lashed out its tendrils, aiming to strike down the Symphogear. However, missiles, rockets, and beams of energy crashed against them, before striking the body, and pushing it back.
"What?!" Fine exclaimed, taken aback.
The girls looked down to see Zolda behind Magnugiga, glaring at Fine."That's...for everything...you bitch..."
"Takeru!" Chris yelled, beaming with happiness that he was alright.
Just then, Hibiki's dark form vanished as soon as it came, her energy wings growing in size and glowing to an almost blinding degree. The girls grabbed the hilt of the sword together, raising Durandal as the sword grew in size, reaching the heavens.
"I won't lose to that!" Fine glared at them."You're just stupid little children! You're powerless to stop me!" The snake fired a potent beam of energy, putting all of its power into it.
"Don't underestimate the power created by my friends' singing voices!" Hibiki countered, swinging the sword down."Symphogear!"
Synchrogazer
The sword of light completely destroyed the beam of energy, cutting the snake in half and overloading its regenerative abilities.
"What's wrong, Nehushtan?! Regenerate!" Fine commanded, but it was too late."I will not be destro-"
A colossal explosion came from the snake as everything turned white.
"You know...getting caught in a huge blast twice in a single day...isn't really my idea of fun." Ryuki threatened to fall, but Knight grabbed his arm in time."Thanks...So...where's everyone?"
"Over there." Knight pointed at their friends had were gathering around. To their surprise, Hibiki was helping Fine walk towards them."That's...she saved her?"
"I'm not surprised." Ryuki chuckled weakly."To us, she is still Ryoko-san. Is it over...?"
"Yeah...Let's go. I'll...give Tsubasa the news..."
"You don't have to do it alone."
"No. I'll do it. It has to be me."
Zolda jogged over to them, his helmet missing."You guys okay?"
"Yeah...Kind of...Goro-senpai..."
Knight began walking towards Tsubasa, who smiled happily at him.
Ryuki slapped Zolda on the back, ushering him forward."Go talk to her, man."
"Huh? But-"
"At least one of us deserves a happy ending today." Ryuki encouraged him, despite a few tears streaming down his face.
Zolda nodded, bowing."Thank you. For your kindness."
Takeru rushed towards Chris, ignoring his injuries and his body begging him to rest. Chris gaped, tears glistening in her eyes as she stared at her childhood friend.
Before Chris could say anything, Takeru tackled her in a bear hug, spinning her around as the girl giggled."You're alive! You're alive! Thank God you're alive!"
"You're alive too, silly." Chris returned the hug, rubbing his head soothingly."I love you."
"Huh?" Takeru pulled back, eyes nearly bulging out of his skull."What did you say?"
"I said I love you, Takeru!" Chris grabbed him by the cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss to his lips."Like, I really love you! I want to stay with you forever."
"I love you so much." Takeru returned the kiss, rubbing her nose with his own."I've been wanting to say that so badly now...Ever since we got split up, I felt like I lost part of my soul. But now that we're together again...I know that you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I'll marry you!"
"W-w-w-what?! You're taking it too fast! We just became a couple!" Chris squealed, embarrassed by his words.
"Sorry..." Takeru rubbed his nape."I just...I lost hope, I'll tell you that. So since we made it out alive, I just want to say how I feel."
"One day. One day we'll get married." Chris pressed her forehead against his."I would love nothing else."
The couple went back to their hug, crying in each other's embraces as they muttered sweet words of love. Fine watched from afar, frowning and feeling something in her chest. Memories of her first meeting them flashed before her eyes. They were completely different people now.
"I'm so happy they're finally together." Hibiki breathed in relief, sniffing as she had tears of happiness.
"Yeah..." Ryuki muttered, his lips thinning.
"Where is Goro-san?" Hibiki glanced around, looking for their senior.
"I...he..."
"NO!" A scream filled with agony reached their ears.
Tsubasa shook her head desperately, wailing."No! No! No! God, please no!"
Knight took her into his arms, rubbing her back as they cried for their friend. Another friend was gone.
"No...Goro-san..." Hibiki muttered, and Ryuki took this chance to engulf her in a hug as well.
"I'm sorry...He...didn't make it..."
Genjuro bit his lower lip while Aoi and Sakuya were unable to contain their tears at the loss of their friend and coworker.
"So Ouja did end up killing one of you." Fine scoffed."Look at you. Humankind can't understand each other as long as that curse remains. You may have beaten me, but humanity will continue on its path to destruction. Wars will continue being wagged. Conflict will arise. Nothing has changed."
"Not as long as you're alive."
Ryuga landed in front of them, holding his Dragsaber in hand."You're correct. Humanity is destined to die and there's nothing we can do about it. Because people lile you continue to appear. That's why you will die."
"Ryuga, please, stop." Hibiki stood in front of him."It's over. There's no need to kill her."
"Are you really siding with evil again?" Ryuga narrowed his eyes at her."If you stand against the ultimate good, that makes you no better than this scum is!"
"Ryuga, please, stop!" Miku cried out, catching his attention."No more...no more needless killing..."
The dark Rider was left speechless, stunned due to Miku's words.
"Ryuga...I don't know what you went through. Or what made you give up hope on humanity." Hibiki formed a smile on her face."But it's never too late to try to understand each other. It's more than just words that connect us together."
Fine smirked, leaping at Hibiki since her back was turned and lashed out one of her whips. Hibiki reacted, pushing Ryuga aside and going for a punch that stopped a mere inch from her target.
"I shall be victorious!" Fine cackled sardonically as the whip extended further and further until it reached the broken part of the moon. Fine pulled on it with all her strength, the remains of her armor breaking apart entirely, leaving her bare.
"You're kidding me!" Ryuki threw his arms up."How the hell did she just do that?!"
Ryuga growled, jabbing his thumb at Hibiki."You stupid moron! Look at what you did! Because of your own weakness, we're all doomed!"
"There's an easy fix for that."
Tiger appeared out of nowhere, impaling Fine's heart with his claws. The woman spat out blood.
"Why?!" Hibiki cried out."She was-"
"Already dying, anyway." Fine's eyes turned back to purple as her voice reminisced that of Ryoko."You all are hopeless children...But if you managed to beat me today...then perhaps...your answers were the right ones after...all..."
Tiger didn't bat an eye as Fine's body turned to ashes."That's for my family..."
Chris hiccuped as she was the closest thing she had to a mom in years dies in front of her eyes. Takeru brought her close to him, frowning. Deep down, he had come to feel the same way.
"My promise is fulfilled." Tiger dematerialized his claws."I leave the rest to you. The next time we meet, we'll be enemies."
"Tiger..." Hibiki frowned as she watched the imposing Rider walk away.
"Assuming there will be a next time." Hajime clicked his tongue."Ryuga, can't you make a portal to stop that thing?"
"No way I can make one big enough for that." Ryuga shook his head."Besides, where would I even teleport it to? I can only teleport things to places I've been. So it'll just crash against the planet regardless."
"I'll stop it somehow." Hibiki shook her head."I was the one who saved Ryoko-san. So it's up to me to deal with the consequences of that."
"Like hell you're going alone." Chris clicked her tongue."It wouldn't sit right with me to leave it all to you like this."
"I...I also can't stand the idea of leaving all that burden to you." Tsubasa said, her face flushed after crying for a while."We'll go with you. If we don't, a lot of innocent people will die. We can't let that happen."
Chris grabbed Takeru's hands with a heart-melting smile."Sorry. We just got back together and I'm already heading off again."
"Yeah, well, I don't blame you." Takeru chuckled, peeking at her lips."Looks like destiny doesn't want to make it easy for us, huh?"
"Tsubasa...are you sure?" Yosuke asked his best friend."I mean, maybe I should-"
"It's fine, Yosuke." Tsubasa responded."Only we Symphogear currently possess the power to stop that thing from falling. And besides, in case things go south...I don't want to lose another friend...I wouldn't be able to take it..."
"Then how do you think I feel?"
"Don't worry, Yosuke-san." Hibiki shot him a grin, giving him a thumbs up."I won't let that happen. Right, Chris-chan?"
"Why do you have to bring me into your promises?" Chris groaned, but smiled."Fine. Let's just go already. That thing is entering the stratosphere."
Miku and Hajime both stood together, watching as their friend headed off into the sky."Hibiki..."
"She'll be fine, Miku-san." Hajime grabbed Miku's hand in an attempt to comfort her."She's a tough cookie. We have to believe in her."
"Listen..." Ryuga muttered to himself."Can't we do something about this? I mean..."
"Are you seriously asking me that now? You realize that we're barely keeping the transformation as it is, right?"
He winced at the voice in his head."But if they die..."
"Humanity will die anyway, what does it matter? And think instead of speaking aloud. People are going to think you're crazy. More than you already are."
"But they can be of use for our plan." Ryuga countered."If we let them live, they might be able to take out a few Riders along the way and make our job easier."
"Hmm. A valid point, I suppose. Fine. I guess it won't hurt to give them a hand."
Ryuga's left eye turns yellow before leaping into the air, summoning Dragblacker. The dragon roared, catching the girls' attention.
"That's Ryuga!"
"What's he doing?" Chris frowned, not trusting the black Rider's intent.
"I can't keep Dragblacker out for long, you buffoons! Grab me and take me with you!"
"Huh? But-"
"Just stop being so damn stubborn and do it!"
The girls nodded at each other, slowing down so Ryuga could catch up to them. They grabbed his arms, pulling him up with them.
"The hell is Ryuga doing?" Takeru grimaced."I hope he's not getting any funny ideas."
"He might have a plan." Yosuke said."And honestly, any plan is better than watching our friends sacrifice themselves."
"I trust him. He just doesn't want to see Miku-san crying over Hibiki."
"Huh?" Miku gasped, earning a chuckle from Hajime.
"So what's your big plan, dingus?" Chris asked, earning a glare from Ryuga."And what's up with your eye?"
"Look, just as soon as we're out in space, release me and start bombarding that meteor with everything you've got. But don't make a mess either because I need you to move the debris into the portals I'll make."
"Wait, but where will they come out?" Tsubasa inquired.
"I'll shoot them right back out into space. Hopefully they'll hit the sun eventually or crash into another planet. But hey, better than the earth, right?"
"Okay!" Hibiki nodded."Then let's Ryuga a hand!"
"Fine." Chris sighed."Not like I want to help him, but there's no other choice."
"I hope you know what you're doing," Tsubasa told him.
"It's my goal to save humanity." Ryuga shrugged."This is a good start."
Once they reached outer space, the girls released him and went to unleash their arsenal at the meteor. The giant rock began breaking and Ryuga opened up the biggest portal he created above him. The girls redirected the rocks into the portal as best as they could. Ryuga created another portal, this one aiming far away from the earth, and the rocks flew out into space with their momentum. They continued doing this until the fragment of the moon was no longer a threat to the planet.
(Play Fukahi - SymaG) Ending for Record of Ragnarock
Kuwana lay on the couch of his cramped apartment, an ice bag over his head. A few days after the whole battle with Odin and Fine. His whole body was covered in bruises, including the one ugly purple one in his stomach where Odin had struck him.
"I can't believe I've been ridiculed again." Kuwana tossed the ice bag onto the floor."It's not enough that I lost to that Ryuga brat, I also lost to all those damn kids and their little girlfriends. And then...I came so close to getting my hands on my wish to bring Serena back and I failed. I have to get stronger..."
He heard a knock on the door, and he grumbled, sitting up from his comfortable position."Not to mention that knucklehead is probably going to go back to tell the other retards about failing to capture me. Soon enough, I'll have all of them on my ass. The last thing I need is to hear baby Kiri crying like she always did. Though perhaps that's for the best. If I play my cards right, I might be able to get rid of all of them alongside the old hag. Then I can have my beloved all to myself. Don't worry, my sweet love, I'll give you your sister back. As a proof of my love to you."
Kuwana opened the door, narrowing his eyes at the delivery boy holding a bag of Chinese food."Delivery for...Terunoke Kuna?"
"Terunosuke Kuwana." Kuwana snatched the bag from the delivery boy's hands, handing him a handful of yen and closing the door on him."I swear...Serena, I'll get you back. No matter if I have to sell my soul to the devil himself."
Code Cypher sat on a bench alongside an elderly couple in the earliest hours of the morning, waiting for the train. He had a suitcase with him, containing his belongings as well as his Deck on his lap.
'It has been an interesting month, to say the least.' Cypher leaned back, staring at the shy rays of sunlight on the horizon.'A true eye-opener. It's been a long time since I felt something like this...I almost felt an emotion inside of me. I was close. Now I know I'm on the right track.'
The rumbling sound coming from the train drew ever closer, indicating that it was time to get going.
"I'll miss the game. But unfortunately, I have some jobs to finish overseas." Ouja grabbed his Deck with both hands, pulling out a card."However, it's not like I'm in a rush to end it. With Odin around, we now know what we're facing. There is a lot of improvement to be made. But this is a good start."
Unite Vent
"I can't wait to try out my new power." Cypher smiled, putting his new card back into Deck away and grabbing his luggage."Something tells me that we have yet to see what this game can truly offer us."
In an unknown location, the door leading to a large basement opened up, letting a bright light illuminate the room. The room itself was empty with the exception of a wooden desk with a stuffed penguin sitting on top and a metallic stool on the side. The figure descended the flight of stairs, standing in front of the plushy, holding his arm out. A green aura emitted from his body, transferring into the penguin.
"Finally!" The penguin suddenly came to life, flapping its cotton flippers."I've been dying to stretch!"
"It hasn't been that long." The figure sighed, taking a seat on the stool."Stop complaining."
"Speak for yourself, Superstar. Then again, I don't envy you. You're the one doing all the heavy lifting." The penguin danced around on the table, enjoying its freedom."Too bad it's not my actual body. But it works well enough for the time being."
"Having second thoughts on making a contract with me instead of just tricking me to give you my body like the poor idiot who gave his body to Odin?"
"What? No way. Like I'd ever stoop lower than the Allfucker." The penguin scoffed."I want to free humans, not trick them. Besides, I like ya. We're similar in more ways than one. We're like the perfect duo."
"So you say." The young man snorted."But still...You never told me Odin was that powerful. I could have died."
"But you didn't!" The penguin pointed out."He couldn't kill you. He wasn't going to kill anyone there. It would ruin the point of his little game. That's how he's always been, that piece of shit. Always manipulating, always sitting back and enjoying the show. But we can beat him. We just need to buff you up so you can harness more of my power and take care of the other Riders. Once you do that, we'll be able to begin our plan to reset the world back to its origin and mark a new beginning for mankind free of evil. Just like how we want."
"Right." The figure nodded absentmindedly."For the sake of humanity's salvation. Fine is proof enough that humanity will wipe itself out. We're the only ones that can give humanity a second chance."
"By the way...you should probably stop trying to protect that Miku girl so much. At least, her specifically. They're not stupid. They'll put two and two together one day and they'll find out who you really are...So maybe try to save other people too so they don't get the wrong idea?"
The figure sighed, stepping away from the stool and standing in front of the light from the door, revealing his blonde hair, a burnt mark on his face, and a pair of hot pink eyes with black sclera.
"Hazuki...don't tell me you're getting attached to her." The penguin pointed one of its flippers at him."Seriously? You're falling for her? That's fine and all, but don't forget about our true objective. Humanity is depending on us. If you lose sight of that, then everything will be for nothing. Besides, if she was to die, does it really matter? Everyone will come back to life in our new world. All these deaths are just a price to pay for salvation."
"I know." Hazuki muttered."I'm...I'm sorry. I just...I felt like she can still enjoy whatever beauty there is in this world. Look, it's all under control. I won't lose sight of what we strive for. I'll win this war and save humanity. Besides, you're one to talk. You helped them save the earth from the moon's fragment."
"It was for the greater good. It wouldn't have been ideal for humanity to be eradicated before we can execute our plan. Anyway, for that to happen, first you need to defeat all the other Riders." The penguin pointed out."But while they've lost Scissors, they've gained Zolda as an ally as well as Chris Yukine. You're looking at 3 Kamen Riders and 3 Symphoghear as well as Ouja and Gai on the side. And who knows if other Riders are teaming up as well. As it stands, even you, with the power I'm able to grant you, won't be enough to win."
"But we have-"
"Even if we have Chiaki, her power isn't enough to make a big difference. We'll need to gather more allies if possible."
"That is true," Hazuki admitted, choosing not to argue further. He extended his arms towards the plushy. The penguin groaned, his essence flying back into Hazuki, his left eye going from pink to yellow."We have a lot to do."
Hazuki turned on his heel, heading for the stairs as he slowly ascended towards the light."Let's save humanity together...Loki."
A week after the attack on the moon, the group had gathered in a cemetery, saying their final goodbyes to their friend who sacrificed himself. Tsubasa, Genjuro, and Jo Tanaka stood in front of the empty casket. The others listened to the Father preaching.
Yosuke sat in the back with Hajime on a log, the older boy hanging his head.
"I can't believe he's actually dead." Hajime rubbed his face."I...It feels so surreal. I feel like at any point he'll call us and say he wants to have lunch with us..."
Yosuke said nothing, prompting Hajime to keep going.
"I used to think this Rider stuff was fun. That it was a game. But then you talked to me that time and said that there's a lot at risk. And I understood that we could die at any moment. But now...shit. It feels way too real...we really can die."
"Like hell I'll let you die." Yosuke turned sharply to Hajime."I lost a friend again. Unable to do anything for him. But now I know better than to drown in depression. Like when it happened with Akira. Goro wanted me to keep going, guiding you guys to a better tomorrow. I'll protect you all. I won't let anyone else die. I swear it on my life."
"Sounds to me...like you also want to protect yourself from suffering like this again." Hajime pursed his lips, wiping his tears with his sleeves.
Yosuke immediately covered his face, unable to contain his tears, and began sobbing.
"Don't worry." Hajime sat closer to him, rubbing his back."I feel the same too. I thought I wouldn't lose anyone important to me since my mom died but...I guess...it never gets easier."
That day, they all went mourned the loss of their friend as well as the innocent people who died that unfortunate day.
Current Riders:
Ryuki: Hajime Adachi
Knight: Yosuke Yanagi
Zolda: Takeru Sakamoto
Ouja: Code Cypher (Real name unknown)
Gai: Terunosuke Kuwana
Ryuga: Hazuki Kaguragi
Tiger: Unknown
Odin: Unknown
Deceased Riders:
Scissors: Goro Tanaka