Reviews:
Cyclone fox: Quite literally too. He'll have to just beat him up a bit.
Guest DCDGojira: Glad you liked it
FlameFireZero X: I'm happy you liked it. Card Games on motorcycles, huh?(Sorry I couldn't help it.) There will be fights in bikes, considering that Survive apparently gives you a cool bike to ride, aside from Alternative, since one of his abilities is literally just a bike. I like the card ideas you suggested. I've been trying to go with elemental powers, but sometimes it's not so obvious such as Zolda or Gai, where I just have to improvise. I got an idea of how to make it work for Abyss, and perfect timing too since he'll debut in the next season.
Nexus240: It's too bad it's not the snake year otherwise it'd be fitting of the love Ouja is getting. Yes, this form will be used by other Riders, but not all of them. Probably only a handful but we'll see when the time comes.
lordri25may2001: Ok so this whole thing revolves around power scaling. FIS not only trains children to be prepared to be wielders, but they also performed experiments on them according to the story. The girls were trained to be wielders by use of LINKER, and the boys were trained to be potential Kamen Riders and protectors of them in case Fine were to reincarnate in one of them. In chapter 24, Raiden states that they lack experience in comparison to the Section Two Riders, since they've been fighting more enemies but haven't trained as hard. Raiden also goes on to say that Jades holds back during their training, so Raiden and Andreas aren't as strong as he is. Remember that a Rider gets stronger the more they fight, but it also has to be another Rider, since fighting a Symphogear is less effective. This is a big reason why Raiden went rogue. I never stated this in the story since I thought it could be inferred, but Jades did train with Atticus back then and was trained in more severe conditions. That's why he was that strong when he was introduced.
The second factor is the armor. Yes, it helps if you have combat experience before becoming a Rider but the armor boosts your capabilities to new heights. So if you have crappy armor, like Scissors, then you're more likely to get overpowered. A good example of this is Dr. Ver, who has no combat skills whatsoever but can fight other Riders due to his armor. Without the armor, for example, Takeru is physically stronger than Ouja but since he's faster and more skilled, he closes the gap easily. Hajime doesn't really have any fighting experience other than school fights, which at best makes him a street brawler with no technique. But since he has insane fighting potential and adaptability(this will be explained better), and his armor is one of the strongest ones, he's up there in terms of power. Zolda was raised by mercenaries, but remember that Val Verde terrorists are a joke in comparison to regular military forces, which is why he loses to Ouja more often than not. Another example is Gai. He was trained since he was a kid too, but he stopped training when he escaped FIS and doesn't fight often. The reason he's able to keep up is that his armor is the toughest one, which makes it hard to damage him. Ryuga is a regular kid too but he still defeated Ouja in their first fight because of the power his armor gives up as well as Loki's assistance. There are a lot of factors to consider when comparing the characters' powers. But yeah, right now Ryuki and Knight are stronger than Tiger.
Chapter 40
Picking Up the Scraps
"You felt that too, didn't you?!" Ryuki screamed at Raia, who was still taken aback by the pillar of light in the distance."It's an enormous energy source with incredible power! We have to stop this fight now!"
"Are you kidding me? This is all the more reason why I have to kill you and take your power!" Raia sneered, resuming firing fireballs from his copied Dragclaw.
Guard Vent: Dragshields
Forced on the defensive, Ryuki used his shields to block the fireballs while trying to come up with a strategy.'The hell am I supposed to do now?! The more this fight drags on, the more in danger the others will be!'
Just then, he noticed various monsters jumping around him, surrounding Raia and forcing him to stop in his tracks.
"This is...It can't be!" Raia easily recognized the Gazelles.
"Hajime-san!"
Shirabe, Hibiki, and Imperer made their presence known, stopping the fight as Shirabe undid her monowheel.
"Raiden! Enough!" Imperer shouted."Please, no more."
"Why...why are you here?!" Raia gasped, taking shaky steps back."Why?! Why?!"
"We're for you, of course!" Imperer cried, a hand on his heart."Why else would we be here but to get our family back?!"
"Hibiki-san!" Ryuki ran up to Hibiki, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her."Why are you here?! What if you get hurt?! You don't have a Relic! I...I couldn't..."
"I'm fine." Hibiki grasped his forearms, beaming at him."I came here because I wanted. I want to help people. Shirabe-chan and Andreas-kun agreed to help us in exchange for helping them save their family."
"You're...working with the enemy now?!" Raia snarled at Shirabe.
"We did the same thing, Raiden." Imperer shot back."We worked with Teru-nii and tried to fight our family. We were in the wrong!"
"No...I...I was the one who did it!" Raia hissed."I took that decision! I called the shots! Right now, sides don't matter. I have to kill Ryuki to gain the strength that I need to defeat all the Riders! Only then, I'll be able to get that wish and save us!"
"Is that really what you want?" Shirabe narrowed her eyes at him."Be all alone and shoulder all that pain on your own?"
"I don't trust anyone else!" Raia shook his head."All of you are...just liars! You're lying to me right now! You came to take me away because now you're working with Section Two!"
"They want to help us!" Imperer said, taking a step closer to Raia, who backpedaled.
"All of you are wrong-desu!"
Kirika was standing on top of a rock, hands folded under her chest.
"Kiri-chan/Kirika!" Shirabe, Andreas, and Hajime yelled in unison.
"Zeios Igalima raizen tron..."
Kirika jumped from her spot, landing on the opposite side of Raia and the others.
"Kiri-chan, Raiden, you have to understand." Shirabe tried to reason with them."This isn't the right way to do things."
"It's the only way!" Kirika manifested her scythe, eyeing Raia with a wary eye."You sided with Teru-nii! You probably knew what he did-desu!"
"I did not! And what about you? What's got you so worked up that you'd even think of raising your scythe at Shirabe?!" Raia growled back.
"I have to follow the doctor's way! It's the only way we can survive!" Kirika lunged at Raia, who had already activated his card.
Copy Vent
Replicating Igalima's Armed Gear, they both began swinging their scythes at each other.
"We have to stop them." Shirabe turned to Hibiki."You and Ryuki go ahead. I'm sure you can stop Maria. The LINKER can only synchronize with me for so long, so we have to make this snappy."
"Please make Kirika come to reason." Ryuki pleaded, holding his hand out."I...I want to apologize to her properly after this whole thing is done. If you can do that, I'll happily kick Dr. Ver's ass and destroy his Alternative Zero Deck."
"It's a deal." Shirabe was more than happy to agree to those terms, accepting the handshake. Ryuki nodded, activating one of his cards and summoning his Advent Monster.
Advent: Dragreder
"You can summon Dragreder again?" Hibiki beamed upon seeing the red dragon, who purred in response to her petting its nose.
"Yeah, we're on good terms now." Ryuki helped her get on its back."If there's anything we have in common is our desire to protect you. Isn't that right, partner?"
Dragreder roared in response, taking off into the air.
"Wait!" Shirabe hollered, earning Hibiki's attention. Her eyes flashed to gold momentarily."Believe in the song of your heart!"
"Right!" Hibiki rose her fist, reminiscing of the time Fine had said the same words to her."Hajime-san, that light from earlier..."
Ryuki looked in the distance, noticing smoke coming out from a particular area."We have to trust the Captain and Yanagi-san. Kazanari-san and Chris-san are also doing their thing. It's up to us to stop Maria and Dr. Ver and end this."
Raia slammed his foot against Kirika's solar plexus, knocking her away as he gazed at the sky."Not in hell...Not in hell!"
Spin Vent
Imperer immediately rushed to engage in combat against Raia to prevent him from chasing after Ryuki and Hibiki."You're my opponent now! I'll prove to you that our feelings for you are genuine!"
"J-just stop! Stop talking and just fight me!" He screamed though it sounded more like a plea than a threat.
"Why are you on their side, Shirabe?" Kirika gritted her teeth."You said you hated hypocrites like her! Blacky-kun is a liar who abandons others! They're the worse kind!"
"And yet they chose to believe in us." Shirabe unfolded her armored twin tails."They shine so brightly, I'm envious. They worry about their enemies, even when their loved ones are in danger. And just like they believe in us, I want to believe in them as well. I promise Ryuki I will get you to reason."
"I see..." Kirika's gaze softened."Blacky-kun really cares...But I'm sorry. I can't back down now. I want to leave something behind while I'm still myself!"
"What do you mean, Kiri-chan." Shirabe furrowed her brow in concern."You're not making any sense. What are you so afraid of?"
Instead of responding, Kirika swung her scythe, unleashing dozens of energy scythes.
Kill Juliet
Gamma Style: Infinite Firewheels
The attacks canceled each other out, but the girls were far from done.
Nearby, Imperer and Raia continued their respective fight. Andreas, tried as he might, could not land a single blow on Raiden.
'I knew it. Raiden was ahead of me already, but he's been getting stronger and stronger. I don't stand a chance.'
Using the copied scythe, Raia kept up the pressure, forcing Imperer on the defensive more and more. The green-haired boy jumped back, drawing a card and inserting it into the visor in his knee.
Hop Vent
Two springs attached themselves to the soles of Imperer's boots, helping him leap in the air and avoid the scythe. Growling, Raia tossed away the scythe.
Shoot Vent: Evilauncher
Pulling the trigger, Raia began bombarding Imperer with grenades, unleashing a chain of explosions.
"Why are you so hellbent on doing this, Raiden?!" Imperer continued hopping around, avoiding the bombs."This isn't like you! You've never gone with a half-baked plan like this! You're the smart one out of all of us and you're so brilliant, I can't help but feel dumb next to you! So why can't you see this is wrong?!"
"Whether is right or wrong it doesn't matter! It's the only choice! If I don't kill you and Jades-nii...Someone else will do it!" Raia screeched, unknowingly surrounding himself with smoke after shooting tons of bombs."Teru-nii tricked me and nearly got Jades-nii killed. He...he would never use his wish to revive us. He lied. But I can do it! I can make everything better! If someone else kills you and then I die too, then everything would have been for nothing!"
Imperer appeared from the smoke, prompting Raia to turn on his heels and pull the trigger. However, Imperer used the spring on his feet to block the grenade, causing the grenade launcher to explode and send them both flying in opposite directions.
"But killing your own family..." Imperer sat up, wincing in pain."We're not blood-related, that's true. But our bond runs deeper than blood. We're connected by our hearts. If you kill someone as close to you as a family member...you'll never go back to being you. That's why I've been so scared."
"Scared...?"
"I wasn't scared of dying...I was scared of how that would destroy you..." Imperer muttered, just audible enough for Raia to hear him."I couldn't help but think what kind of change that would have had on you. And it scared me. It scared me because I don't want you to lose sight of who you are! Don't become like Teru-nii!"
"I...I don't have a choice!"
Swing Vent
Raia tightened his grip on his whip, sneering."I have to do this to give you guys a happy life once I win the Rider War..."
"Then I have no choice but to stop you." Imperer calmly stated.'I'll have to find an opening and do what that girl said.'
"Huh? What do you mean I don't have to destroy his Deck?"
"You could do that." Hibiki had told him back when they were leaving the base."But I doubt you'd want to. So why not try to remove his Deck somehow?"
"A Rider's Deck is their source of power." Shirabe nodded."If you can take it away, you won't have to do anything unnecessary to restrain him."
"The question is...how?" Imperer swallowed the lump in his throat."I'll have to improvise."
Maria could only stare, horrified at the fights going on."Jades...Shirabe, Kirika, Andreas...Raiden...They're all fighting each other...How did it come to this? Why...?"
"Maria." Nastassja's voice broke Maria out of her trance."You're alone, aren't you?"
"Mom!" Maria gasped."Y-yes. The doctor went on his way. I believe he went to intercept the Symphogears heading this way."
"Forget about that for now and listen closely. I've analyzed the Frontier's particulars and might have found something that could prevent the fall of the Moon." Nastassja said, analyzing the data on the screen displayed in front of her."It's our only hope. And we'll need your song to make this work."
"My song...But...what can I do?" Maria looked at her hands, tears glistening in her eyes."If Jades-nii couldn't make a difference, how can I-"
"Remember Jades believes in you." Nastassja cut her off sternly."Don't let his trust be misplaced. Please. I need you to believe in yourself."
"Mom...Right. I'll give it a try!"
"Good." The one-eyed woman nodded in satisfaction."Get ready. We need to make a small broadcast first to set the stage."
Knight yelled as he crashed against a tree, nearly breaking through the trunk.
"Huh. You didn't die from that." Ouja mused, lowering his leg after he finished kicking him."Unlike Takeru, you didn't get knocked out. I suppose I'm growing more accustomed to my strength and my limitations. But for now, I still don't know my own strength. Though I must say, I'm impressed. You've surpassed Tiger. No wonder you defeated him at the end."
"Damn...you..." Knight used Winglancer to support himself, but in the blink of an eye, Ouja was in front of him, using his ToxicPincer to grab him by the chin and force him up.
"What's wrong? Are you still dazed by my appearance?" Ouja chuckled."Do I remind you of Goro Tanaka that much? Well, he is part of me now. So I can't blame you for that."
Something inside Knight snapped. He went for a headbutt but coughed up blood from being kneed in the gut.
"Though I am not a liar. So I can't say that he's completely become one with me, per se. His soul didn't mix in with mine or anything like that." Ouja let Knight's body fall against him, patting him on the back while the young man recuperated from the attack."It's more like a part of him became one with me. Maybe not his soul, but part of his subconscious. It's helped me...understand human emotions better than I ever could. Perhaps...that's why I haven't killed you just yet. It tears me apart."
"Is that why...you decided to save Jades from Kuwana?" Knight asked, slowly moving his Winglancer to strike him while he was distracted.
"No, that's completely different." Ouja denied."I just helped FIS because I was contracted under Fine. And also because I promised the Little Lady I would keep her and her siblings safe as long as we were working together."
"Little Lady? Do you mean Shirabe Tsukuyomi?"
"Quite perceptive." The assassin complimented."And before you ask, no. I don't care if the Moon falls or not. I only want to see the-"
"I don't care about your damn reason, you self-righteous murderer. I swore I would kill you for what you did to Goro." Knight growled."And you just gave away an important detail. You don't know your own strength, meaning you don't know the full extent of your new power. Not even its limits!"
Swinging his lance, Knight clashed against Ouja's visor and jumped back to get some distance.
Trick Vent: Shadow Illusion
"So, still thinking these petty tricks can work against me?" Ouja shook his head in dismay upon seeing the clones rushing him."Well, I won't stop you from trying your best."
The clones rushed at Ouja, who easily began beating them down.
'So this is the power a Rider gets when they kill someone...' Knight couldn't help but marble before reality hit him like a train.'No! Yosuke, focus! Think! There has to be some sort of weakness to that form. Maybe it's time based...No. If so, then he would have just killed us already. He's taking his time.'
"I suppose I'm growing more accustomed to my strength and my limitations. But for now, I still don't know my own strength."
'Ouja doesn't seem to be the liar type. Sure, he's a manipulative bastard, but he did drop us a hint to attack him and Gai back in the carrier. Was that a hint just now? If so, then perhaps his power does have a limit, but he doesn't know it yet. I'll have to see for myself.'
Final Vent: Flyinglancer
Ouja killed the last clone, glancing up at the sky and noticing Knight coming at him."Okay. Let's see how well that works."
Guard Vent: VenoShells
Two pairs of shells were equipped to his arms, which he combined to form a bigger shield. Knight crashed against the shell, screaming as he try to push Ouja back. However, the shield proved to be too much, and Knight eventually dropped to the ground. Ouja attempted to stomp on him, but Darkwing flapped its wings to move Knight out of the way.
"Not even my Final Vent can reach him." Knight landed a few yards away, panting for breath.
Ouja simply drew a card, slowly inserting it into his visor
Advent: Genocider
Genocider emerged from the ground, releasing the sound of what could only be the mixture of howling dying animals put together. The creature extends its arms, grabbing Knight's arms with its pincers and drawing blood. Knight screamed in pain, but this was short-lived as the creature pulled him back. Yosuke braced himself, keeping a keen eye on Ouja. But he realized that the one who was about to do something was his monster instead.
Ouja snapped his fingers, prompting Genocider to spit venom at him from its mouth, and thanks to the pincers holding him tighter, he was unable to move out of the way.
Freeze Vent
The spit turned into ice, and the chimera shrieked in pain when its arms were cut to pieces, freeing Knight. The creature immediately attached its arms back before disappearing from sight.
"This is...peculiar." Ouja shifted his gaze to Kamen Rider Tiger."Jades."
"Why...?" Knight grunted, flabbergasted at the unexpected help."Why are you...?"
"I'm returning the favor. For keeping your word and keeping my siblings safe." Tiger looked over his shoulder."And for waking me up. I'm done being a failure. I want them to be happy and live in a good world. But not in the one the doctor wants to create."
"So that's your answer." Ouja sighed, seeming disappointed."Pity. I didn't want to make the Little Lady sad, but I have no choice but to kill you now."
"It's not your job to worry about Shirabe." Tiger narrowed his eyes.
"Very well." Ouja shrugged, lazily drawing a card from his Deck."Let's continue."
Strike Vent: VenoScissors
Two gauntlets appeared in each of Ouja's wrists, forming two pincers in each."Come at me at once."
"So, eager to jump in the front lines?" Ogawa teased the commander, who sighed in response. They were both boarding a jeep inside of the submarine, ready to join the battle."Why the long face? Shouldn't you be happy that they're giving you this opportunity?"
"Maybe you're right." Genjuro picked at his ear."I am concerned for Yosuke-kun and Takeru-kun. And if that pillar of energy was anything to go by, they might be in trouble."
"That's true. But don't forget that they're resilient." Ogawa reassured him."They'll be fine. It's Hajime-kun I'm concerned about. He was the first to go ahead with Tsubasa and separated from her. Not that I think he'll mess up or anything, but..."
"Commander! Before you depart, take a look at this feed!"
Ogawa pulled up his tablet, watching the live feed Aoi had sent them."That's..."
"Maria Cadenzavna Eve." Genjuro narrowed his eyes at the pinkette on the screen, broadcasting from inside the Frontier.
"I am Maria Cadenzavna Eve." Maria introduced herself."In an effort to minimize the damage that would be caused by the fall of the Moon, I impersonated Fine. The crises we face was discovered roughly three months ago, but was kept secret by the American National Security Agency, the Bavarian Illuminati, and their associates."
She took a moment to catch her breath before continuing."That is because the truth was inconvenient to the elite who dominated the political and financial world. I harbor no illusions that you'll trust the words of a liar like me. But I want you to at least see the truth: that songs can become strength." Taking a deep breath, she began to sing.
"Granzizel Bilfen Gungnir Zizzl..."
(Play Resso Gungnir)
Once transformed, she turned to face the camera."I can't stop the fall of the Moon alone. So, please, help us! I need your songs!"
"We should hurry." Ogawa said, revving the engine of the jeep."
"Commander! One more thing!" Aoi's voice carried a mix of both surprise and concern."Something just entered the Frontier!"
"Something?"
"Presences. We can't pinpoint how many, but they weren't there before!"
"Then we better hurry." Genjuro leaned back on the seat, rubbing his chin."Someone other than us is infiltrating the Frontier?"
Meanwhile, Tsubasa and Chris had successfully infiltrated the Frontier, blindly heading inside.
"Do you think it's a good idea?" Chris asked, her eyes glued to the floor.
"What? There's a lot of things we shouldn't be doing right now." Tsubasa traced her hand across the walls."Like coming in here without a plan."
"I mean leaving Takeru and Yanagi like that." Chris clarified, huffing."You felt that power. It knocked us down on our asses. They needed our help!"
"And yet, there was no other choice but to advance." Tsubasa abruptly stopped."Sakamoto himself said it too."
"He's a dumbass! He says a lot of shit just to act tough. I know him!" Chris yelled, suddenly realizing what she said, and covered her mouth.
"If we stayed, we would have just gotten in their way." Tsubasa approached her, giving her shoulder a supporting squeeze."I know very well how you feel. Believe me, I do. I didn't want to leave them behind either. But you must understand that this takes priority as well. If we let the Moon fall to the Earth, none of this would matter. They're buying us the time we need to stop FIS by risking their lives and fighting Ouja."
"I know...It's just..." Chris closed her eyes, holding back tears of concern."We were separated once before...And we nearly never saw each other because of that bastard. I'm scared that Takeru...might not make it back...He promised he would, but-"
"Then that's all the reassurance you need." Tsubasa cut her off."Believe in him. You out of all people know how strong and resilient he is. Plus, Yosuke is with him. He won't let either of them be killed."
"You're right." Chris slowly nodded."You're damn right they won't lose. And neither we will."
'That's the spirit." Tsubasa smiled in satisfaction."Now, let's hurry up and-"
"Take Solomon's Cane. That's what you were going to say?"
The girls stopped once they reached a spacious room where Alternative Zero waited for them. However, they noticed that his left arm was enlarged, reminiscing of a monster.
"Hand us the cane now or we'll take it along with your normal arm!" Chris growled, but Tsubasa held her back.
"What are you planning?"
"Saving the world of course. The way a hero does it." Alternative Zero chuckled."I suspected you'd get past the others. It's hard to get decent help nowadays."
"Enough talk. Let's settle this." Tsubasa readied her katana."Yukine, you know what to do."
"Right." Chris prepared her crossbows, staring at Tsubasa as she dashed at Alternative Zero.
Sword Vent: Slashdagger
The bluenette gritted her teeth upon feeling the impact of the larger sword, forcing her to skid a few meters away. However, she ran up with a battle cry, taking the doctor by surprise and instinctively summoning a battalion of Noise.
Tsubasa paid them no mind, hearing Chris firing arrows at them from afar, allowing her to chase after Dr. Ver.
Accelt Vent
The doctor began running in circles around, Tsubasa, forcing her to leap into the air to avoid his strikes.
One Thousand Tears
Tsubasa conjured a great number of energy swords, raining hell upon Alternative Zero, who used his speed to dodge out of the way. He failed to notice Chris right behind him, blasting him in the back with a few missiles. Alternative Zero crashed against a wall, and a new wave of Noise appeared.
'It's like Adachi and Sakamoto said, the more we pressure him, the more he loses his cool and summons Noise. He's not a warrior. His minimum battle instincts shouldn't allow him to keep an eye out for Yukine while concentrating on me.' She glanced behind her back, noticing Chris already shooting down the Noise and camouflaging among them.'All we have to do is wait for an opening and keep up the heat before his armor adapts. Though if Sakurai-san was right, the growth in power isn't the same when a Symphogear and a Kamen Rider clash. So he shouldn't be getting that much stronger.'
Advent: Psyco-Rogue
The cricket monster rushed at Tsubasa from the smoke, nearly blindsiding her had she not rolled to the side at the last second. She backflipped, kicking the monster in the face before she dashed at it, kicking it in its chest. Alternative Zero cackled as he descended from the sky, holding his sword above his head. Tsubasa returned the favor, her sword enlarging in size before slashing the air, sending a slash of blue lighting that counter Alternative Zero.
Blue Flash
However, Alternative Zero overpowered Tsubasa's attack and struck her with the hilt of his sword. The idol was sent rolling on the ground, hissing in pain.
"Is that all?" Alternative Zero no doubt had a smug smile under his helmet."I was expecting a little more."
"Then you'll get it!" Tsubasa jumped on her feet, throwing her katana and the man, who barely dodged it. Intimidated, he created more Noise, but this time Tsubasa flipped upside down, and used the blades on her ankles to cut through the Noise and close the distance."Yukine!"
Reverse Rakshasa
"D-don't get cocky!" He rose his arm, ready to summon more Noise. But it never happened. His grotesque arm had been shot off, dropping Solomon's Cane on the floor."W-what?!"
Red Hot Blaze
"Bang! What do you think of that, Kazanari-senpai?" In the distance, Chris had transformed her armor into a large crossbow-like sniper rifle with a targeting scope."An arm for an arm, asshole. Serves you right for what you did to the dummy before."
The man screamed in agony, frightened upon seeing Tsubasa make a beeline toward him. He sunk into the ground, heading for the inner parts of the Frontier.
"Coward." Tsubasa huffed in disgust, picking up the cane."It's no wonder that he wields fake armor. He would never be able to be a real Kamen Rider."
"It's not like some of the current ones are worthy of being Riders." Chris grumbled bitterly, only to yelp when Tsubasa threw her the cane."Hey! Watch it!"
"Retrieved. That's one less thing to worry about." Tsubasa patted her on the shoulder."So...senpai, eh?"
"I-I-I..." Chris stammered."It just sort of happened, okay? Don't think too much of it."
"It's fine." Tsubasa offered a wistful smile."It's just...it's been a while since I've been called senpai so genuinely...Anyway, let's go regroup with Tachibana. The sooner we can stop this whole thing, the sooner we can go assist the others."
"Do you think they're okay...?"
"If Ouja isn't here, then yes." Tsubasa solemnly stated."I'm sure they're fine."
Final Vent: Drive Divider
A horde of Gazelles hopped around Raia, who had copied Imperer's Gazellestab and was skewering through them.
"So annoying!" Raia gritted his teeth, easily dealing with the Gazelles as they continued to close in on him. He used one of them as a platform to jump in the air, calling forth Evildiver
Final Vent: Hide Venom
Landing on the stingray's back, he began to cut through the Gazelles, scanning around for any signs of Imperer. 'Did he run away?'
As if life had cruelly answered him, he noticed Imperer coming at him from the side, having jumped from a tree using his Hop Vent. Raia yelled, going for a stab, but Imperer countered with the original weapon. He tackled Raia off Evildiver, grabbing onto his Deck before pulling it off his belt and throwing Raia against a rock. The brunette coughed up saliva as his armor vanished from his body, leaving him vulnerable.
Imperer undid his transformation, dropping both decks on the floor to make it fair and square.
Andreas cried as he ran toward Raiden, punching him square in the face, and knocking his glasses off his face. He grabbed his wrist, slowly pulling back his arm and revealing Raiden with a smile, blood trailing down his nose."Might want to try a bit harder than that.'
Gritting his teeth, Andreas went for a second punch, then a third, then a fourth. Raiden spat blood, his smile never leaving his face. The youngest sibling growled in frustration, his knuckles tainted in red.
Unceremoniously, Raiden decked him in the face, knocking him a few inches away.
"Andreas, you've always been the weakest out of all of us, and you thought it was a good idea to throw away your advantage and come to me with your bare fists?"
"I've always wanted to go toe-to-toe with you. Fairly." Andreas rubbed his aching cheek, forcing his body up."I wanted to fight you on equal terms. Because that's how I feel about you! I want to be good enough like you!"
Awestruck, Raiden didn't react in time to the elbow to the face by Andreas, causing him to stagger back. He retaliated with a punch to his nose, which he dodged by ducking at the last second and tackling Raiden. The brunette began to furiously pound Andreas' back in an attempt to make him let go of him, but when none of this worked, he hoisted him up and slam him on the ground, finally making him release his grip.
Raiden frantically searched for his deck, but his search was cut short when Andreas ran up to him to attack him. Growling, Raiden threw another fist, connecting with Andreas' cheek which threatened to knock him out.
'If I fall now, Raiden will continue on this destructive path that will kill him...I can't let that happen...because...because...' Using the momentum from the punch, Andreas swiftly turned around and delivered a back-kick against Raiden's temple, effectively disorienting him."BECAUSE WE'RE FAMILY!"
Raiden stumbled back, holding onto his head and feeling his legs grow weak. Andreas tackled him one more time, pinning him by sitting on his chest and wasting no time repeatedly punching him in the face. Each blow was stronger than the last, with Andreas crying out in anger as he continued to beat him up to a pulp. With a scream, he slammed his fist one last time against Raiden's cheek before falling onto the ground next to him.
Both boys lay on the floor, their breaths ragged. Raiden's face was swollen with bruises, blood being spat out of his mouth and one of his eyes forcefully closed."You...didn't pull your punches, didn't you? I didn't take you for the violent type. And that kick just now..."
"You taught me it. When receiving a punch, use that momentum to kick your opponent in the temple. It jolts their brain and paralyzes them temporarily. I'm sorry..." Andreas apologized between breaths, already regretting hurting Raiden. His knuckles ached, wincing upon feeling the breeze on his tender skin."I just...it was the only way. To beat some sense into you. You're a lot stronger than me, with and without armor. So...I had to get creative..."
"I will beat the shit out of you until you understand!" Raiden recalled Ryuki's words back on the carrier.
'I guess he was right. It ended up happening.' Raiden moved his head to face Andreas."Why did you come this far? Just to beat some sense into me? Do you really think...I'm worth that much after what I did?"
"Seriously, Raiden, you're the smartest person I know but...you're so dense. Ironic, I know." Andreas chuckled."You're worth so much more than that. I didn't want to see you throw your life out like that. We love you. I don't know how else to make you understand. That we'd go to hell and back for you. All you have to do is ask. So please..." Andreas reached out for Raiden's hand, squeezing it gently."Let's go back home, Raiden...We'll figure things out. Together. All of us."
"All of us." Raiden repeated, a smile gracing his features."I'm such an idiot...I needed everyone, strangers and enemies included, to make me understand. How lame of me...I thought everyone was against me, but...my family always had my back. And always will...My parents were in debt to the Yakuza after borrowing huge amounts of money. They "traded" me as insurance while they collected the money they needed to pay off their debt. They promised me they would come back..."
"Raiden..."
"But they never did. They took their own lives because they couldn't live with the fact that they had sold their own son. Ever since then, I was extremely apprehensive around other people. Maybe that's why I never truly felt safe, even around you guys. All that paranoia made me unable to see the true love you guys had for me. It's funny. Now that I sit down and think, I can see it. The difference between your genuine love and Teru-nii's fake affection. I was such a fool."
"Everyone makes mistakes. You didn't know better. Honestly, it's all our fault too. We went about things in the worst way possible. But it doesn't mean we can't correct our mistakes. Now, we just need to get Kirika to calm down and-"
"The girls...the girls! We have to stop their fight!"
"R-right!" Both boys helped each other up, grabbing their decks."We moved away from them during our fight, but we can make it! Oh! Your glasses!"
"Never mind that!" Raiden ran ahead."They've broken anyway! I'll be fine for now!"
Shirabe and Kirika clashed with giant saws and scythes respectively. Shirabe was forced back with Kirika hot on her trail. The purple-eyed girl grimaced, combining both of her buzzsaws and forming a monowheel.
Extreme Sigma Style: Forbidden Full Moon
The blonde gasped, quickly creating another copy of her Armed Gear and merging them together.
Twin Cutter: Cinderella
Forming a large scissor, Kirika grabbed onto the monowheel, lifting her up without either of them getting the upper hand on the other.
Noticing the lack of progress on either side, Shirabe undid her attack and leaped back, avoiding Kirika's scissors and unleashed more saws at her.'I don't have much time. I have to settle this soon!'
'I can't see the boys anymore. Where did they go?' Kirika ran up to the saws, taking on the challenge, and breaking them apart with her twin scythes. Shirabe extended her armored twin tails, matching Kirika blow for blow before both of them stopped momentarily.
"Kiri-chan, why won't you back off?" Shirabe asked.
"If you want me to step down, you'll just have to make me." Kirika tossed her a LINKER seringe."If your feelings are not understood, then you've got no choice but to force your way through!"
"Kiri-chan, don't-"
"Gatrandis Babel Ziggurat Edenel..."
With no other choice, Shirabe picked up the LINKER and injected herself with it, using her Superb Song as well.
"Emustolronzen Fine el Balal Zizzl..."
"Wait, don't!" Raiden shouted as they tried approaching them, but the burst of energy kept him at bay."Kirika! Shirabe!"
"Gatrandis Babel Ziggurat Edenel..."
"Please stop!" Andreas begged, tears in his eyes."Don't use your Superb Songs!"
"Emustolronzen Fine el Balal Zizzl..."
Kirika's scythe grew to ridiculous degrees, practically riding as if she were a witch riding on a broom. As for Shirabe, her arms, and legs were transformed into giant buzzsaws, effectively turning her into a mecha.
"Igalima's Superb Song is capable of cutting off a person's soul." Raiden gritted his teeth, transforming into Raia and summoning Evildiver to get in between them."If she connects that attack...!"
"Why are they going so far?!" Andreas cried."Why?!"
"It's because..." Both girls faced each other with determination, tears streaming down their cheeks as they yelled to each other."I LOVE YOU, YOU IDIOT!"
Kirika struck Shirabe, who countered by raising her arm and blocking. She noticed Evildiver flying around them, shooting lightning beams at her to prevent her from moving."Raiden?!"
"Put those things away, you moron!" Raia sneered."Before you do something you may regret!"
Imperer used his Hop Vent to leap into the sky, meeting gaze with Kirika."Please, Kirika! This isn't like you! What's making you do all of this? You were never like this!"
"Because it's the only thing I can do before I get overtaken by Fine's soul!" Kirika swung her scythe at him, easily destroying the Gazellestab in his arms and forcing him back to the ground.
"Fine?" Raia parroted, his attention fixated on her."What...what are you talking about? I thought Maria was-"
"It's not Maria! It's me-desu!" Kirika screamed, tears glistening in her eyes."I won't ever see you again! So before I go, I want to at least save you all!"
"Those few who you save the doctor's way will feel the same loss as all of us." Shirabe narrowed her eyes."There has to be a better way. We're not the only ones fighting right now. We started this whole thing and now we have to end it."
Kirika swung her scythe, using the boosters of her weapon to spin so fast that she looked like a miniature tornado flying toward them. Shirabe shielded Imperer with one of her saws, but it was broken into pieces. Raia commanded Evildiver to shoot lightning beams from its tail, only managing to disperse them as they made contact with the scythe.
"And what can we do? What feasible thing can we do to prevent the Moon from falling?!" Kirika shouted, fighting back her tears."Nothing! There's no other way! If we don't do this, the whole world is doomed, including you! So I have to do this, even if you end up hating me for it!"
"I know I'm the last person who has any right to be lecturing you right now." Raia began."But you can't shoulder all of that pain alone. If what you're saying is true and you'll be overtaken by Fine, do you want your last memory with us to be one big fight?"
Copy Vent
Raia copied Kirika's original scythe since he was unable to copy the Armed Gear while using their Superb Song."What about how we feel? Do you want our last memory with you to be like this?!"
Kirika closed her eyes, screaming as she slammed her scythe against Raia's. However, Shirabe shielded him from the impact, costing her another one of her saws, leaving her vulnerable when she fell to the ground. Imperer rushed in front of her, but was taken back when Raia stood in front of them protectively."Raiden!"
"I'm not letting you do something so stupid as to hurt them. They've suffered enough. We've suffered enough." Raia watched as Kirika began closing the distance."So if you have to hurt someone, hurt me! I'm the third oldest sibling and when Maria-nee and Jades-nii aren't here, I'm the big brother!"
"Raiden!" Shirabe screamed in horror, attempting to reach out to him.
A purple barrier formed in front of them, stopping Kirika's attack, which prompted her to stop."What the...? Shirabe...it was you...?"
"Of course it was her." They heard the sultry voice of a woman."I should have made it clear. But I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
In front of them, a woman wearing white robes suddenly appeared out of thin air.
"Who the hell are you...?" Raia stared in surprise, receiving a chuckle in return.
"Me? Well, I'm the reason why your cute little sisters are fighting right now."
"Does that mean...you're Fine?" Imperer asked, bewildered."But...but how?"
"Originally, I hadn't intended over taking anyone's body." She sighed."But I couldn't let Shirabe die either. And seeing how things turned out, I had no choice but to come out."
"So then...I tried to hurt Shirabe and the boys..." Kirika dropped her scythe, horrified by her actions."I tried to hurt them! I-"
"So did I!" In an instant, Raia had engulfed Kirika in a hug."I tried to hurt all of you thinking I could just wish you all back. But the fact of the matter is, I was wrong for even attempting to kill the only people who ever cared about me. So don't hate yourself for this..."
"N-no! I can't! I don't deserve your forgiveness!" Kirika pushed Raia off of her, causing her scythe to come back to life and head straight toward her. Raia tried to get in front of her, but a barrier stopped the scythe, dispersing it into nothingness.
"I appreciate you being a good older brother and trying to atone for your mistakes, Raiden, but getting yourself killed isn't going to cut it. And Kirika, don't go try killing yourself like that. It won't accomplish anything." Fine stated, noticing her body flickering."Oh. So even when using a shield, the redirected energy comes back to me, as I am just a soul."
"You're...sacrificing yourself for us?" Raia blinked."Why? You're supposed to be evil incarnate. The worst person to ever roam the Earth. You're the reason we're here!"
Fine smiled at the boy."A fair observation. I have no way of denying any of those claims. I suppose...after playing the villain for a millennium, I wanted to do something good. But I have no right to say that my past actions can ever be forgiven, even with this."
"But why us? We're just random children that were meant to be prepared to be your potential vessels." Shirabe said, frowning.
"And we were raised as warriors to protect said girls." Imperer chimed in.
"Well, they are my descendants." Fine shrugged, a slight smile gracing her features."It's the least I can do after being the reason your lives are the way they are. Besides, I've seen everything through Shirabe's eyes. I don't want Jades to suffer any more than he has. Back when he rebelled against me and helped Section Two fight me, I knew immediately he did it for you. The extent that boy has gone for your sake is enough to make me realize how precious you are to him. Never doubt that. Got it, Raiden?"
"I know." He nodded reluctantly."Though your words don't mean much to me anyway."
"My time is up. With a bit of luck, I might see you all again. Though I doubt it." Fine's body began disappearing."Tell Hibiki-chan to believe in the song of her heart. It will guide her on her path. And one last thing. Tell Cypher-kun he doesn't need to keep wanting to complete that mission I assigned him before. I know it's silly, but I do want what's best for that boy too."
The siblings watched on as Fine's body disappeared completely, but not before saying her goodbyes."The future should be protected...by those of you who are living in the present."
"She's gone," Raiden confirmed, his armor becoming undone as Andreas'.
"Yeah..." Shirabe nodded absentmindedly."Believe in the song of your heart..."
Andreas pulled all of them in a group hug, catching them off guard."I missed you all so much! I missed hugging you and just cuddling together! I don't ever want to be separated from you guys again!"
"Sheez...do you have to be so clinging." Raiden chuckled, though wrapped his arms around all of them."But I guess...one hug doesn't hurt the soul. Thanks for believing in me."
"And me." Kirika nodded, her cheeks nuzzling Shirabe and Andreas' faces.
"Of course. We're family, after all." Shirabe nodded, wiping a few tears of happiness upon having her siblings back with her again."Now, all we need to do is save everyone. Maria and Jades-nii are waiting for us."
"You girls go on ahead." Andreas pulled away from the hug."That light from earlier...it has to be Section Two fighting someone. Maybe Ouja. I want to repay them for helping us be together again."
"I'll go with you. I know for a fact Jades-nii is probably there too." Raiden nodded, shifting his gaze to the girls."You girls go on ahead, we'll catch up with you when everything is settled. Stop that asshole Dr. Ver and kick him around before I get there."
"You got it/-desu!"
With that, the siblings split into two groups, heading in opposite directions.
"Maria! Try once more to restart the Lunar Ruins!" Nastassja cried out to an exhausted Maria who was on her knees.
"It's no use! My song can't save anyone!" She hung her head dejectedly."I can't..."
"This is our last chance to prevent the fall of the Moon." Nastassja tried to encourage her."I know you can do this!"
"So this is what you've been up to, huh?!"
Dr. Ver had suddenly appeared, injecting himself with LINKER mixed with the Nephilim's cells, reforming his grotesque arm back. The pseudo-Rider ran up to Maria, swatting her away with his reformed arm.
"You stupid bitch! I can't have my way until the Moon falls!" Alternative Zero seethed, heading to the controls.
"Dr. Ver, you must listen to me!" Nastassja sounded desperate, causing Dr. Ver's smile to widen."Use the Frontier to project concentrated phonic gain toward the Moon and restart the Lunar Ruins that sustain the Curse of Balal! Then the Moon can return to its orbit!"
"Do you honestly believe I want that to happen?" Alternative Zero scoffed."Fine. If you care about the Moon so much, THEN FLY UP THERE YOURSELF!"
Slamming his Nephilim arm on the console, causing the control unit where Nastassja was to shoot itself toward the sky.
"Mom!" Maria gasped in fear when she noticed the flying part of the Frontier.
"Across all of history, great heroes have never been able to rule mankind because there have always been too many people." The doctor clicked his tongue."But what if the number of people is reduced to a more controllable number? Then that way, I can become the King of Heroes and rule over all!"
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Maria summoned her spear."I'll kill you right here and now!"
"Kill me? Please, I'm far beyond you now." Dr. Ver snorted, looking down at her."Did you forget? This armor is nearly perfect. It's gained power through the fights I've been in and I had almost no trouble with the Symphogear I've faced!"
"Then how about a Kamen Rider?!"
Suddenly, Ryuki appeared out of nowhere, punching Alternative Zero straight across the face, launching him across the room and into a wall."You think you're tough when you're punching girls?! Try punching a man, you fucking asshole!"
"We made it just in time!" Hibiki ran over to Maria.
"Why are you here, Human-Relic Fusion Specimen One?" Maria gritted her teeth."This isn't your fight!"
"I'm not some specimen! My name is Hibiki Tachibana!" Hibiki scowled."I'm here to talk to you! Leave Dr. Ver to Hajime-kun!"
"There is nothing to talk about! That man killed my Mom! He has to pay with his life!" Maria turned her gaze over to the hole where Alternative Zero was crawling out of, heading for him with a thrust. However, Hibiki grabbed her spear, cutting into her skin."Why? For someone like him-"
"It's not like that." Hibiki shook her head."I just don't want you lowering yourself to his level. If you kill him...you'll never come back from that. Think about your siblings. Jades-san is helping my friends fight right now! To protect you!"
"You're better than this, Maria." Ryuki said his piece."Your songs are what motivated me to keep going. They strengthened me. I still believe in my idol. Just as you inadvertently pulled me out of that darkness, I will do the same for you."
"Hajime-chan..." Maria gawked in shock.
"I'll kick his ass for you." He shot them a thumbs up."So just sit back and enjoy the show!"
Ryuki headed for Alternative Zero, leaving the two girls to talk by themselves.
"Don't give up on living." Hibiki offered a warm smile, reciting the word Kanade had told her."Balwisyall Nescell Gungninr Tron..."
"What...? What are you-"
The spear began to glow, vanishing alongside her armor. The particles encased them both, filling the air around them."This isn't possible. Fusions aren't meant to be compatible with other Relics!"
"But we have the same Relic." Hibiki responded, her bodying being clad in her Symphogear armor."The piercing spear GUNGNIR!"
Maria couldn't believe her eyes, staring at the solemn expression on Hibiki's face."She attuned...with the Gungnir?"
Ryuki kicked Alternative Zero's face, causing him to crash against a nearby wall."It's over, Dr. Ver. Your armor seems to be unable to keep up with the real thing. What a surprise."
"N-no! I refuse! A hero cannot lose!" He desperately searched for something in his suit, pulling out a small transparent cube."It's not completed yet, but I have no choice but to release the Mirror World here and now!"
"Mirror World...?" Ryuki shook his head, making a beeline for him."Fuck that! I'm stopping you here and now!"
The doctor's cackles died down instantaneously, causing Ryuki to halt. He dropped the cube onto the floor, his body shaking uncontrollably."No! No! I can't move!"
"My dear doctor." He heard a voice inside his helmet."Did you think I was going to let you off that remark from earlier? It is true I only let you come this far because I knew you weren't going to succeed, but I was not about to cut your fun off so abruptly. I am a man of my word, after all. But when you decided to open your big mouth, I had no choice but to remind you who is really in control here. And besides, I must see what Ryuki is capable of. So I will make use of your body. I hope this doesn't present a problem?"
"No! Stop it! Get out of my head!" Alternative Zero dropped to the ground, writhing in pain.
"What is happening?" Hajime could only stare, dumbfounded. Just as he had started convulsing, he stopped. Alternative Zero picked himself up, groaning. He examined his arms, flinching in disgust when he saw the Nephilim arm connected to him.
"What a frail body. It's no wonder the doctor never won a fight. Less than ideal, but it will suffice for the time being."
Alternative Zero's voice had changed. Now it sounded as if someone was talking from a video. Ryuki nodded and the voice sounded completely different from Dr. Ver's. This one was refined, soft-spoken, and yet with a hint of arrogance and superiority. If he had to describe it, it reminded him of when Ryuga would suddenly start speaking and sounding differently.
"Humans are such slimy creatures, are they not? Give them a bit of power and they believe they're untouchable." He snorted, hands on his hips."How uncouth."
"What the hell...You're...not Dr. Ver!" Ryuki took a step back."Who the hell are you?!"
"Ah, here I am speaking of others having no manners, and yet I have not introduced myself yet." The stranger chuckled, the person now controlling Dr. Ver's body smirking upon seeing Ryuki."I am pleased to finally meet you, Ryuki. Or should I call you Hajime Adachi?"
"Again, who the hell are you and what did you do to Dr. Ver?!"
"I would appreciate it if you didn't raise your voice at me, you putrid human." The stranger sneered, not taking too kindly Hajime's tone."Do not concern yourself with my identity. As for what I did to the good doctor...I merely reprogrammed his brain so that I could control his body. This is possible because he's wearing MY armor, after all."
"You..." That caught Hajime's attention."You're telling me you created the Alternative Zero...?"
The stranger grinned."Of course. Only a genius such as myself can fully create such a complex armor. Back to your previous inquiry, if you need to call me anything...I suppose you can call me...the Emperor. Now, vermin...let us fight."
Sorry, this chapter took so long. I've been busy with school and work has been rough this month. Hopefully, I can conclude this season in the next chapter, and if not, I'll publish an extra chapter as an epilogue so I don't crowd everything into one chapter.