Author's Note: Sorry I forgot to address the fact that Phara is still alive, so I didn't show her flashback. She is going to basically talk shit to Tsubasa and Maria and tell them that the Ignite Module was helping them before she blows up. But that will be the next chapter. And we will get a flashback.
Cards Introduced Last Chapter:
Sword Vent(Frostsaber): Slimereader1
Strike Vent(Froststripes): Author
Sword Vent(Frost Blaster): Slimereader1
Sword Vent(Frost bazooka): Slimereader1
Reviews:
lordri25may2001: Yeah, I'm glad you caught that. The relationship between Yatsuhiro and Yosuke will be further expanded upon in XV. There is a reason why Yatsuhiro didn't want Yosuke with Tsubasa at first but I think you can get an idea why. But yeah, it has something to do with Fudo. Also, I forgot to mention that Phara is not dead yet. But we'll get her flashback when she does so don't worry. Also, good theory. Yeah, Hamaguchi could be the new successor to the Abyss Deck. We'll have to wait and see.
FlameFireZero X: I don't want to spoil anything so we'll have to wait and see for that.
Tenzalucard123: A happy ending for Yosuke and Tsubasa. And now they can finally be truthful about their relationship. Maybe? Unless Tsubasa's grandfather finds out. What is Chao-Xing thinking about drugging Hajime? Does she want to face Bragard alone? Or is there something more? I was crying when I wrote the Damian and Tobias scene. I have to admit it, it's one of my favorite scenes in the story so far.
Chapter 67
Dirty Tricks
Damian and Takeru walked down the outskirts of Tokyo, heading to the city via an empty highway.
"It's so scary walking down this highway with no cars." Takeru commented."Usually, this shit is so packed. Even during night time."
"Yeah...It's bizarre to me. Seeing as in my time, such things didn't exist. And yet, I also have knowledge of modern automobiles. It kind of throws me out of wack."
"I can understand." Takeru nodded."I know it's not the same, but I felt the same way when I came over to Japan from Val Verde. We didn't have half as many nice things as we do here. Dude, there's no fucking Mcdonald's in Val Verde! How the hell did I live my whole life without fast food?!"
"It's a shame I won't enjoy them." Damian closed his eyes, a small gracing his features."I hope Tobias gets to enjoy them."
"He will. Don't worry man. Your son is in good hands." Takeru reassured him, patting him on the back."Still...I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now..."
"Compared to what all those people are my friends felt, this is nothing." Damian glanced down at his hand."I was given a second chance to at least put an end to what started years ago. To make sure the prince gets what he deserves. I couldn't save my friends, but if I can at least save something...I'll be happy. I'm a failure. I let so many people down. My kingdom was destroyed and my friends were killed. My wife...But I still have my son. Although I wish he were a normal human and not a doll."
"At least he's alive."
"True..."
"But I understand how you feel. I felt the same way. I was an ex-mercenary. I...had to kill all of my comrades to so I could get Chrissy out of that hell. Only to land in another hell. But damn, I don't regret a single thing." Takeru smiled fondly."I look at her smile now and how she's enjoying her new life and all my worries just...disappear. She's the only thing keeping me alive right now. After all the bad shit I did...Well, her and my friends."
"Protect them." Damian planted a hand on his shoulder."Mercenary, knight, we're similar in those regards. Our hands have taken lives, but we've lost protected lives. That's what Garie used to tell me. I was so afraid of holding Tobias because I took lives with my hands. But she taught me that just as I took away lives for my kingdom, I protected those who I held dear. And kept people safe. Much like you. Like Garie always said, if we're going to do something, we have to do it right."
"Yeah...that's a good way to look at it." Takeru smiled."I guess Garie was quite the lady. I don't know much about her aside from her...doll personality and all. But I'm sure we would have gotten along under different circumstances. I can't believe you guys are married though. How old are you? Or how old were you before you...you know..."
"21." Damian responded with a wistful smile."She was 20. We met when we were in our teens. Around when I was 16 and still a squire in training. I had to attend this ball and she saw me struggling trying to dance. All night long I was being dragged around by her, but she moved with such passion and love, I was immediately attracted to her. You're married too, aren't you? I saw that ring."
"Oh, this?" Takeru pointed at his ring."Well, we're not exactly married. But we might as well be. We're too young though. But this is a Promise Ring. It represents our promise to one day marry."
"I see..." Damian nodded."Well, I wish the best for you. I know you'd be a great husband. It might be rough, but when you have your first kid...let me tell you, it changes your worldview."
"Aw, are you guys having a heart-to-heart?"
The group stopped, staring in front of them at the source of the voice. Zeke stood in front of them on top of a light post."Hello. Running around with new friends, are you, Damian? And you even got a new friend, eh?"
"Zeke..." Damian grimaced."Please...you have to reconsider. You have to stop this. Now."
"Yes...I have to stop this." Zeke grinned."I have to stop this act of insubordination, you ungrateful prick. You're heading for one of the entrances to the Overall. Don't tell me you brought this disgusting bag of meat here to help you stop our plans. Do you honestly think you'll ever get close to Lord Bragard?"
"You dolls lost." Takeru chimed in."It's not too late to stop this. Think about your sister. Damian said you cared about her and Micha. There has to be part in you that still cares."
"And why would I? I am no mere doll anymore." He pointed at the horn growing from his head."I have become God's right hand. The being that has grazed the territory of the Gods. At this moment, I am the third strongest person on this planet. Only behind Lady Carol and Lord Bragard. And they have sent me on this mission to kill the traitor and all of the remaining Riders, except Ryuki. We still need his energy."
"I guess talk is useless..." Damian closed his eyes, balling his fists."Then I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Zeke. But what I can do is stop Prince Bragard's plan. He's not the person we once knew."
"If you want to get to him, you have to get through me." The moss-haired man grinned."And that ain't happening. You fought me before. You saw how that turned out. You can't compete with me."
"Maybe not him...But I can." Takeru stopped him, jabbing his thumb against his chest."I have a score to settle with you, you fucker. Don't think I forgot what you said about my Chrissy and how you pretended to be her."
"Oh, yes. I did do that." Zeke rose his chin, glaring down at him."I am beyond that, though. Do you think a mere Rider alone can fight me?"
"Well, why don't you try your luck then?" Takeru challenged."It should be easy, right? And once you kill me, you can go right after Damian."
"The funny thing is, I know you're playing me." Zeke's smiled widened."But you're right. This won't be a challenge for me. Fine. Damian can go. I'll just catch up to him and kill him when I'm done with you."
"Takeru..." Damian frowned."Thanks..."
"Just go and stop this. We're counting on you." Takeru gave him a thumbs up."Your kid is in safe hands."
"I know..." Damian shifted his gaze to Zeke with a troubled expression."I am sorry, my old friend. This is where we part ways. I am sorry. I didn't save you, Micha, Garie, Leiur, Lulu, or Phara. And as such, we ended up this way. You might not believe this, but I enjoyed our time together as Royal Guards. It was...interesting to work with you. But you were also my best friend. Goodbye...Zeke."
"See you soon, you mean." Zeke guffawed."I'll catch up with you soon enough and kill you. And even if you somehow get to the Prince, he'll just kill you himself. Go on. Get moving."
Damian nodded, leaping past Zeke and heading to the city.
"And now..." Zeke took out his Deck, his V-Buckle materializing around his waist."I wonder if I should use my new power and kill you right away?"
"Don't hold back on my account." Takeru copied his action."I'll make it quick, for Damian's sake."
"Henshin!"
"This place is huge!" Kirika marbled at her surroundings. The group had just boarded off their submarine and were about to enter Neptune's Palace.
"We're not here to sightsee." Chris patted her shoulder, walking ahead."Let's get going."
"Right." Kirika nodded along with Shirabe. Chao-Xing walked ahead of the group, her mind elsewhere.
"Yo."
"Yes?"
"You okay?" Chris asked the oriental girl.
"I am. Thank you for asking." Chao responded sincerely."Just...thinking, that's all."
"Uh-huh." Chris folded her arms."You mind telling me why you came with us?"
"What do you mean?" Chao rose a quizzically eyebrow."I believe I told you my reasons."
"Right..." Chris scoffed."You expect me to believe you deliberately came here to help us out of the kindness of your heart?"
"I don't blame you for suspecting I may be ulterior motives." Chao glanced in her direction."But I genuinely came to help. You can't expect any backup down here. Though...I did come here for the girls. You're only secondary."
"And there we have it."
"You can't be upset about that, can you?" She rolled her eyes."Since when do you care about my opinion?"
"Whatever. Just don't do anything rash. Last time, you nearly electrocuted us."
"As long as you watch your bullets, no issues from me."
"Where's Blacky-kun?" Kirika asked, prompting the raven-haired girl to avert her purple orbs away.
"He's...still training. We need him to be ready for when the real fights start." She regarded Kirika with a skeptical glare."Why do you call him Blacky-kun?"
"Because he has really dark hair. Like really dark!"
"Okay. So how come you don't call me Blacky-chan or something like that?"
"Ah...well, y-you see...You're just very...you know...scary." Kirika twiddled her fingers."And I wouldn't want to anger you-desu."
"Smart girl." She grinned.
"And also because Kiri-chan had a crush on Hajime-san," Shirabe added, much to the blonde's chagrin.
"S-Shirabe! Why are you throwing me under the bus-desu?! That was when we were kids and I didn't know he was dating Hibiki-san!"
"That's okay, Kiri-chan. After all, you are now interested in Kuroiwa-san, correct?"
"Absolutely not!" Kirika crossed her arms in the shape of an X."I would never fall for someone like Hamaguchi-kun! He's a pervert, despicable, smelly, and insensitive-desu!"
"Really now?" Chris wagged her eyebrows."So why are you on a first-name basis with him?"
"Y-you're wrong! I-I just-"
"Look out!" Chao-Xing grabbed Kirika from the collar of her shirt, pulling her away from a barrage of cold coins coming her way.
"It's that doll!" Chris sneered.
"Hello, Symphogears." Leiur tossed a coin in the air."I hope you can make this a flashy show with me. And my sister, of course."
"Sister?"
From the ceiling, another doll landed on the scene. Its hair resembled Leiur but its body was covered in bandages, looking more like a monster than a doll.
"There you are, Lulu." Leiur walked up to her sister, caressing her cheek."I can finally feel your face in my hands. You can shrink down to my level thanks to Lord Bragard's help.'
"..." Lulu said nothing, glaring at the girls with emotionless golden eyes.
"So you've come." Carol addressed the group."But you're a little too late I'm afraid. I already have the Yantra Sarvasva in my hands."
"And your hand is about to come off your body." Chao-Xing seethed, flexing her bionic arm."Your little boyfriend did this to me. So I'll be returning the favor!"
"Very well." Carol smirked haughtily."Bragard let you live but I am not so foolish as to purposely sabotage my plans."
"Kilterr Ichaival Tron..."
"Various Shul Shagana Tron..."
"Zeious Igalima Raizen Tron..."
"Malice Delal Mjolnir Tron..."
(Play Freedom - Ado)
The girls split into two, Shirabe and Chris against Leiur while Chao-Xing and Kirika faced off against Lulu.
"GRAAAAAAH!" Lulu screamed, raising her right arm as it suddenly expanded in size. She swatted Kirika away before she could make a move, focusing her attention on Chao-Xing.
"What the-"
Cladding her giant fist with rocks, Lulu sent Chao-Xing flying across the area, crashing against a wall.
"What just happened?!"
"Chris-san!" Shirabe immediately rushed to intercept Leiur's coins using her Monowheel form, successfully blocking them.
"Lord Bragard has blessed my sister with great power." Leiur boasted, coins between her fingers."Right now, she's even stronger than I am."
"Is that so?!" Shirabe lunged at Leiur, swinging her armored-twin tails at her but only managing to hit the air after the doll leaped away.
Leiur prepared to fire more coins, but Chris quickly intercepted her with a pair of SMGs, spraying her artillery on her.
Meanwhile, Lulu kept Kirika and Chao at bay, enlarging her arms and legs accordingly. She easily blocked Kirika's scythe, grabbing it and hurling the girl away. Chao began rapid-firing thunderbolts, but the monstrous doll enlarged her hand, blocking the lightning.
"How the hell is she doing that?" Chao-Xing sneered."Lightning should be able to destroy rocks due to the impurities in the dirt as they naturally conduct electricity."
"Grr..." Lulu growled, her arms returning to their small size.
"I think...I think her powers don't revolve around regular rocks..." Kirika muttered.
"You'd be correct." Carol supplied."While it is technically earth Alchemy, her powers are more so on the side of igneous rocks. Which do not conduct electricity. In other words, you can keep shooting your thunder at her. You won't defeat her with power alone."
"Just watch!" Chris switched to her missiles, immediately raining hell upon Leiur, who summoned two giant coins to block them.
"How pesky..." The Autoscorer snorted. She noticed Shirabe unfolding her twin tails, releasing hundreds of buzzsaws toward Carol."They're not aiming for me?! Master!"
Carol furrowed her brow, conjuring a magic circle to block the attacks. However, her body was still not functioning properly, and in that split second, one of the buzzsaws slashed the tablet in her hand."No! The Yantra Sarvasvra!"
Kirika summoned a copy of her scythe, throwing one of them toward Leiur and forcing her to jump, only to be hit by one of Chris' missiles.
Shirabe skated behind Lulu, who swung her arm behind her. But thanks to her great flexibility, she arched her back and avoided the strike, swinging her yo-yo's against the monster's leg, forcing her onto one knee.
Chao-Xing focused her Phinic Gain on her gauntlets, pulling the pistons back as she dashed at Lulu. With a battle cry, she slammed her fists against the Autoscorer's stomach, hammering down the position in her gauntlets and releasing an explosion of electricity, and launching her into a wall.
"And now you're the only one left standing!" Chris's armor transforms into a large, braced backpack, unleashing several missiles at Carol. However, Lulu and Leiur fired both coins and molten rocks at the missiles, destroying a few of them on impact. But they understimated the amount of missiles behind the strike.
"Master!" Leiur screamed while Lulu grumbled.
Carol's eyes shot wide open, unable to block the missile that was sure to hit her. To her surprise, from the smoke, a monstrous arm came out and grabbed the missile.
"It's been so long since I tasted a relic." Came the crazed voice from within the smoke. Soon enough, the missile was absorbed by the arm, and once the smoke cleared, a bespectacled silver hair man stood in front of Carol."I just can't get enough of this sweet, enchanting flavor!"
"It can't be!" Shirabe gasped, recognizing the man.
"It can't be true..." Kirika paled.
"Not this freak again..." Chris grumbled in disdain.
"Who the hell is this?" Chao-Xing rose a brow, being the only one out of the loop.
"I see some familiar faces. But one I don't recognize." Dr. Ver, who had escaped after Shirabe's buzzsaws collided against the wall behind Carol, chuckled."You ask who I am, girl. I'm the man of truth...I am..."
Flicking his hair, Dr. Ver pointed at the group with his Nephilim arm."Dr. Ver! A hero!"
"Tch. Giving me major Nakahara flashbacks here." Chao-Xing said, unamused."Do all our enemies have to be crazy? Hero, huh? Well, assholes tend to use that word around a lot lately."
"This one is more lively than the others." Dr. Ver seemed unperturbed by her insults."Still, I see you and the other two are using previous-gen LINKER and hoping it doesn't break on you. How unfortunate! My LINKER was made with love! You're missing on the best product!"
"Best product?! Not if it's made by someone like you-desu!" Kirika shouted.
"We'll show you we don't need your LINKER to fight." Shirabe frowned, ready to continue the battle.
"Hold on." Chao-Xing rose her arm, signaling them to halt."We can't hurt him. I'd be happy to blast him, but if what you're saying is true, he's the only one who knows how to make LJNKER, right?"
"W-well, yes..." Kirika scratched her cheek."That is true."
"We're running on a limited supply." Chao-Xing continued."If one day we run out, we'll be useless. We must capture him alive."
"Correct!" Dr. Ver cackled."If something happens to me, you'd be out of LINKER for good!"
"Not quite." Carol brushed a strand of hair from her eyes."I'd appreciate you if you didn't just ignore me."
"This man...is he friend or foe?" Leiur eyed him carefully.
Lulu stood next to the doctor, sniffing him as if she were a wild beast, startling the man.
"We retreat for now." Carol ordered, conjuring several magic circles and firing simultaneous elemental attacks at the Symphogear."Dr. Ver, follow me. There is someone that wants to meet you."
"Meet me?" Dr. Ver rose a brow."Well, I'd ask who or why, but I suppose circumstances don't allow it. Lead the way."
Once they recuperated, the girls glanced around, realizing their enemies were gone.
"God damn it!" Chris marched up to Chao-Xing, staring directly into her eyes."Why did you stop us?!"
"Why, you ask? The answer is simple, Chris." Chao-Xing took a step back, not wanting unnecessary confrontation."If we kill him, we lose our only way to make more LINKER."
"But because of that hesitation, he got away!"
"Not all of us can be naturally Attuned!" Chao-Xing barked back."The girls and I need that LINKER! And I refuse to let that opportunity go to waste just because you want to stand out from the rest!"
"Huh?!"
"You're insecure. I get it." Chao-Xing began walking away, much to Chris' anger."But I want no part in that. We are here on a mission. So get your head in the game and think logically."
"Oh, I'll show you logically!" Chris began marching toward her again, but Kirika and Shirabe stopped her in her tracks.
"Please. No fighting." Shirabe pleaded.
"We're on the same side!" Kirika cried.
"Fine." Chris scoffed, storing her weapons away. With no more words, the group waited for instructions, awkwardly standing away from each other.
"So...you're Dr. Ver." Carol mused as they teleported to another location of Neptune's Palace."You were the one responsible for the Frontier incident. What are you doing here?"
"Those bastards pretended that neither the Frontier incident nor my wonderful contributions ever took place, so they dumped me here!" He rose his Nephilim arm with a sneer."And because I became one with the Nephilim, I lost all my human rights! Now I'm treated as an object!"
"Nephilim...I remember Bragard mentioning that." Carol rubbed her chin."That's your left arm."
"That's right. I didn't stop the Ichaival's attack, I absorbed it using the Nephilim."
"Fascinating. I suppose Bragard's investment in you was worth it after all." Carol turned on her heels."Follow me."
"Very well. But I have one condition." Dr. Ver splayed his arms."Take me to the center of chaos!"
"Center of chaos?"
"Because that's where a true hero shines!"
"Have it your way." Carol relented, waving her hand dismisivally."But you'll have to tell me more about this arm of yours on the way."
"Before that, I recall you saying someone wanted to meet me...?"
"Oh, right. Well, he's not here. But we can call him." Carol cast a blue magic circle, projecting the image of Bragard as he appeared sitting down on his throne.
"Keep quiet or I'm going to rip your tongue out-Oh." Bragard blinked in surprise, regaining his composure."If it isn't my fair princess. To what do I owe the pleasure, darling?"
"You were arguing with someone?"
"Indeed. These human vermin are so noisy." Bragard tapped the armrest of his throne impatiently."I should have cut their vocal cords or something but I need my bait alive."
"Bait..." Carol furrowed her brow."So your plan is starting now. Are you at the Overall?"
"I am. Just waiting for a few...guests to arrive." Bragard smiled darkly."And what about you? Keeping busy I hope?"
"Is this the person that wanted to meet me?" Dr. Ver approached the hologram with a baffled expression."This little kid? Is he your boyfriend or something? Should we really be doing this right now?"
"Our relationship is very complicated. But worry not. I know everything my foes are doing." Carol stepped aside."Bragard. Seems like you're getting your wish after all."
"Oh! It's really you." Bragard beamed."My good doctor, how wonderful to see you! It's been a while since I've seen you. Huh. I see they let you keep your attire and your...peculiar arm. Are humans truly so foolish as not to take more security measures? No matter, I suppose."
"You speak as if you know me. Who are you?" Dr. Ver leaned forward to the hologram's height.
"Me? Oh, right. I suppose I never gave you a name other than an alias. Nor have you ever seen my handsome face. I am the great, almighty, and all-powerful prince Bragard Second Hyperion. The person who gave you that toy you broke."
"W-w-wait a second...Are you...our sponsor?!" Dr. Ver took a few steps back, bewildered.
"Indeed I am! How wonderful to see you again, my good doctor. I wanted to express my gratitude to you for facilitating the evolution of the Alternative Deck. Now, I have completed the final product and is ready to be mass-produced. As I have promised, I do intend on giving you a taste...So once you're out of there, feel free to swing by my base. I don't particularly enjoy holding my deal with disgusting humans, but for you, I shall make an exception."
"I find it hard to believe that you're the one..." Dr. Ver muttered, still perplexed.
"I suppose I shall show you when the time is right." Bragard grinned."For now, I leave you in the competent hands of my princess and her guardians. Leiur, Lulu, I trust you'll protect her."
"Not like she needs protection, but we shall do our job, my Lord." Leiur nodded. Lulu just grumbled, giving a small nod.
"Very well. Anyway, I must depart for now. I have...some things to do. Ciao!"
The hologram disappeared, leaving a very perplexed Dr. Ver."Did that just...happen?"
"Don't worry about him for now. Let us continue."
"Shit! How far do we have to go?!" Chris cursed as they ran around, looking for their enemies."Are we really going the right way?!"
"Yes, but they're moving away from you," Aoi responded through their comms.
"It shouldn't be that surprising." Chao scoffed."But it brings me great concern that they're particularly heading in a direction that directly correlates to ours. It's as if..."
"Did Bragard find a way to hack HQ?!" Chris gasped, prompting everyone back in the base to be alarmed.
"But...how would he hack us...?" Sakuya blinked, a cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
"It would make sense. Either that or we have a mole..." Aoi frowned."But that's impossible."
"It's not me!" Elfnein suddenly cried, surprising the group.
"M-maste-I mean, Elfnein..." Tobias reached for her hand."No one said it was you...If anything...It might be me. I am an Autoscorer, after all...Maybe Bragard did something to me."
"Don't worry your little head, Tobias. It is Elfnein."
Suddenly, a blue hologram appeared from within Elfnein.
"Carol!" Genjuro rose from his seat.
"W-w-what do you mean I'm the mole?!" Elfnein took a step back from her original."It's...me?."
"Indeed. But you had no idea." Carol adopted a smug smile."I simply hijacked your sight, hearing, and other senses. We're both homunculi made from the same original, after all."
"B-but that can't be..." Elfnein covered her eyes in shame.
"But it can." Carol smirked."You thought this whole time that you were helping them when you were in fact helping me as well."
"H-how dare you!" Tobias hissed."You used Elfnein like that! Just like how you're using the others!"
"I suppose you know the truth then?" Carol addressed the patchwork Autoscorer."Damian knew as well. Damn, Bragard...Regardless, you lot are all our tools. We just used you as we saw fit."
"Commander! Please, lock me up!" Elfnein grew teary-eyed."Put me in some solitary cell where I can't come in contact with anyone! But...the damage is already done, isn't it...? Just get rid of me..."
"No!" Tobias shook his head."W-we can't! Please, Commander! She's innocent! Don't hurt her! She's...I lost my Mom and my Dad is going away too! She's the only family I have left! So please-"
"Seriously..." Genjuro cut him off, putting his hands on their heads."We won't harm either of you. Your resolve to stop Bragard and Carol is enough proof for us to know you're on our side."
"That's right. The enemy just used you. It wasn't your fault." Sakuya smiled at the blonde.
"So don't go blaming yourself for something you had no control over," Aoi reassured her.
"Tomosato-san...Fujitaka-san..." Elfnein wiped her tears from her eyes, taken aback.
"You guys are the reason we made it this far. You want to thwart their plans, right? So you better see the end of it." Genjuro glared at Carol, who was fuming."You're always welcome here. Both of you. No matter who might be listening."
"Thank you, sir..." Tobias sighed in relief.
"Yes! Thank you!"
"Tch. You'll see." Carol grumbled before her hologram disappeared.
"She's just a tool. How dare she?!" Carol grinded her teeth in fury."Damian...You gave them the confidence to stand up against us, didn't you?"
Lulu growled, prompting Carol to look in her direction."What is it?"
On cue, the 4 Symphogear caught up with them, stopping a few meters away.
"End of the line, Carol!" Chris rose her fist.
"It appears that way." Carol sighed."Unfortunately for you, I've already found a replacement for the final piece I need to complete the Chateau."
With a wave of her arm, Carol threw out a handful of crystals, spawning in a battalion of Alca Noise.
"Let's go all out!" Chao-Xing yelled, reaching for her pendant. All girls squeezed their Relics in unison."Ignite Module, Bakken!"
"Dainsleif."
(Play Trust Heart Ignite Version)
In a wave of darkness, all Symphogears were clad in their respective Ignite transformations.
"Jump!" Chao commanded, and all 3 girls jumped in place as she touched the ground, electricity cracking through her hands.
Forgotten Punishment
The Alca Noise was immediately dispatched by black lightning covering the ground. Lulu formed a barrier of earth around them, protecting them from the electricity. However, some of it managed to bypass the barrier, forcing Carol to create a barrier of her own.
"This black lightning..." Leiur muttered in shock."Can it bypass Lulu's igneous rocks? It matters not. As long as my sister and I fight together, we can't be beaten. Leave the rest to us, Master."
"Fulfill your job, Autoscorer." Carol nodded.
"I'll be sure to put on a show when I do," Leiur smirked, spawning her batons. Carol threw vials on the ground, a red glow encasing her and Dr. Ver, who waved at the girls.
"Bye-bye!"
"Like hell!" Chao-Xing created a spear of thunder while Chris switched to her crossbows, firing several arrows along with the spear. However, Leiur and Lulu blocked their attacks with their Alchemy. This allowed Dr. Ver and Carol to vanish.
"Damn!" Chris cursed."I guess we'll have to deal with the dolls first!"
"Not going to try and reason with me?" Leiur said with faux hurt."How mean."
"We know we can't reason with you!" Shirabe swung her yo-yos at her, but the woman parried with her baton. She twirled away from the way of Chris' arrows, creating coins in her hand and rapid-firing them.
Chris leaped around while Shirabe swung her yo-yos in quick succession, blocking the barrage of coins. Leiur enlarged two of them, attempting to crush Shirabe with them. However, Chris grabbed one of the yo-yos and pulled Shirabe away.
Leiur's sister enlarged her hand, grabbing the two coins and throwing them at Kirika. The blonde girl gasped, realizing her scythe wasn't going to be able to deflect such a thing. But Chao-Xing flew past her and detached the two mallets on her shoulders, connecting them with electricity and enlarging them, slamming them together to destroy the coins.
However, Lulu appeared from the smoke, grabbing Chao-Xing and going past the ceiling with her.
"Chao-Xing-san?!" Kirika cried out.
"Where is she taking her?!" Chris demanded, causing Leiur to chuckle.
"Somewhere more favorable for my sister." Leiur responded."She can't go all out in this cramped space. And your friend can't use her powers if she's in the ocean, otherwise, she'll shock herself."
"Then we'll have to destroy you now!" Chris extended her skirt armor, revealing two missiles loaded up and firing them in unison.
Leiur clicked her tongue, throwing some coins on the ground and forming two earth spikes that blocked the attacks. However, Kirika and Shirabe appeared from the sides, flanking her. The Autoscorer growled, blocking both scythe and buzzsaws with her batons, her feet buried into the ground due to the force of both girls.
Chris rushed in, kicking Leiur in the face before she sprayed her with bullets from her SMGs. Leiur stumbled backward, finding herself overwhelmed by not only their power but their advantage in numbers.
"Sending your sister away was a huge mistake!" Chris combined her SMGs, forming a huge rifle, and aimed Leiur.
Red Hot Blaze
"Do you truly believe so?!" Leiur lunged at Chris, kicking the rifle to avoid being shot."You have no idea what she's capable-Gah!"
Chris smacked Leiur in the head with the rifle, sending her flying toward the ground."Just like you have no idea that this rifle can be used as a club!"
Kirika and Shirabe lunged at Leiur, focusing their Phonic Gain on their Armed Gear and enlarging their weapons. Kirika swung her scythe, forcing Leiur to jump back, only to be in the way of one of Shirabe's armored twin-tails.
"I got you!" Shirabe swung her buzzsaw, prompting Leiur to block it with her batons, but this left her open to the other one. She was forced to drop her weapons, jumping out of the way just in time to avoid being sliced in half.
"You can't dodge in midair!"
Leiur gasped, realizing two giant missiles were right on her. No amount of coins would save her from the imminent death staring into her face.
"Game over!" Chris declared.
Mega Deth Fuga
Leiur grinned manically as the missiles were inches away from her.
"Leiur...do I have what it takes to be a good performer like you?"
"What...?" Leiur's eyes shot wide open, scenes from her past flashing before her eyes.
A younger Leiur stood in front of a little girl as they stood in front of a stage, watching a play.
"One day, we'll perform on this very stage. Leiur watched on with glee at the performance being shown."We will show the kingdom a show they'll never forget. You and me, Lulu."
"Yes...Yes, you're right, sister." Lulu nodded, hugging her older sister."I'm so excited!"
"Lulu! My sister!" Leiur cried as the missiles connected against her, creating a huge explosion.
"We did it!" Kirika cheered.
"But it's not over yet." Shirabe pointed out."We have more work ahead of us."
"We have to go help Chao-Xing!" Chris declared, rushing away with the two girls following after her.
Meanwhile, Chao-Xing winced in pain, feeling the water pressure hurting her body and also Lulu's hand expanding in size. The Autoscorer was adopting her real form, a gigant that easily towered over their submarine.
'If I didn't have this Gear on, my eardrums would have burst by now!' She looked over to the submarine as it try to resurface.'This should be far enough.'
Chao-Xing bit her lower lip to avoid screaming and swallowing ocean water, releasing an aura of electricity that not only shock her but also Lulu. Lulu shrieked in pain, tossing Chao-Xing with all her might to the surface.
The wielder of the Mjolnir relic, let out a scream of pain, touching her headset.'I can still hear...But my fucking body is numb...I shouldn't have put that much power...'
Lulu emerged from the water, releasing a powerful roar that made the ocean tremble.
'But if I can't defeat this abomination, how can I hope to stop Bragard?! Furthermore, how can I protect my friends?!"
"Founder, help me..." Chao-Xing shook her head, composing herself and igniting her boosters. Her feet were clad with lightning, shaping two lightning boots that helped her stay afloat.
"It's do or die!" Chao-Xing yelled, blasting herself toward Lulu."I'm coming, Lulu!"
(Play New Genesis - Ado)
Lulu conjured two giant magic circles, creating two giant scorching rocks and throwing them at the flying girl.
Chao-Xing's body was covered in electricity, zipping around and leaving a trail of lightning around as her speed was enhanced.
Elegant Star Trail
She shot a barrage of thunderbolts as she circled the giant, forcing her to cover her body with her rocks in makeshift armor.
A giant tentacle made of rocks emerged from the water, swatting Chao-Xing a good several yards away. More earth tendrils emerged from the ocean, all of them shooting toward the oriental girl.
Chao-Xing landed on one of them, running toward Lulu while dodging the others. More rocks began surrounding Lulu as she growled, orbiting around her. Chao-Xing quickly fired a round of lightning spears, and due to the nature of her black lightning, shattered the rocks with ease.
"Thunder and lightning!" Chao-Xing slammed her gauntlets together, black lightning cracking through her body as she formed a black thunderbolt, hurling it at Lulu.
The giant created a wall of earth, attempting to stop the attack, but it easily broke through, slamming against her stomach. and knocking her off her balance.
"Let's finish this!" Chao-Xing propelled herself toward the sky until she was several miles in the air. She then aimed her hands toward Lulu, firing countless black thunderbolts as if the heavens themselves were raining hell on Earth.
Stardust Meteor Shower
Lulu could only snarl in pain as the attacks began covering her whole body until they merged together, forming a gigantic ball of lightning that sent her down to the abyss, her body breaking to pieces.
"Leiur...where are you...?" Lulu stopped screaming, yearning for the safety of her sister's arms."I'm so...scared..."
The explosion generated by the attack caused the water to shoot toward the sky, finally indicating the fall of the giant.
"It's over." Chao-Xing sighed in relief, descending to the submarine where Chris was waiting for her. She took a look at the horizon, admiring the sunrise."And just in time..."
"That was quite the light show." Chris folded her arms."But...I'm impressed. I thought your lightning would go out of control and kill us all. But all of your attacks were calculated. Guess you're not that crazy after all."
"Thanks for the compliment?" Chao rose a brow, unsure of her intentions."The girls?"
"They're fine. But Elfnein was hurt due to the rapid resurface of the submarine." Chris clenched her fists."Something was about to hurt Fujitaka-san, but Elfnein got in the way. But...she's hurt. She's bleeding a lot."
"Shit." Chao-Xing clicked her teeth."That girl...for someone so frail and small, she has guts. How reckless."
"You're one to talk! We thought you died!"
"Well, sorry to disappoint."
"No! I was...We were worried, okay?!" Chris yelled, surprising herself due to how loud she was."I...I'm just going to say this once, okay?! I'm sorry. For snapping at you earlier. All this time I thought you were just a battle-hungry maniac but today you proved me wrong. You...really have changed. And so fast too. Unlike me. It took forever to change my perspective. It took a lot of people. But you did it so easily..."
"Chris..." Chao placed her hand on her shoulder."We're two different people that went through very different life experiences. Which made us into who we are today. I...In hindsight, I don't think I've changed at all. I used to be like this when I was a little girl. My pride and arrogance are what changed me and made me into an antisocial pompous asshole. So when I met all of you and spent time with you, I think...I realized that my pride was what was holding me back. That I am no different than you. And only then, I was able to see past myself. So no. I have not changed because I've always been this way. I was only tainted by arrogance. I wish I had realized this sooner. Maybe things would have been different for me. I'm sure you were different too, before disaster befell you as well. But unlike me, your life was shifted around by lies, manipulation, and deception by the woman who took you and Takeru."
The pink-eyed girl met her gaze."So if anything, I'd say you have the most potential to be a kind person. I could never replace you. Nor do I want to. So allow me to apologize for lashing out as well earlier. I hope we can get along in the future. We do make a pretty good team, don't we?"
Chris blinked after seeing Chao extend her hand out for her. With a smile, Chris gladly took it and shook it."Yeah, we do. The loudest and most badass of the group, I'd say."
"Then it's settled." Chao smirked."Let's get along and-"
Suddenly, their communicators were off simultaneously. Chris muttered."Must be the old man wanting to give us our new orders."
The girls picked up their comms, and before they could utter a word, they heard the giggles belonging to a child.
"Salutations, S.O.N.G!" Bragard spoke through their comms."Good morning! Beautiful day so far, huh?"
"Bragard!" Chao snarled.
"How the hell is he talking to us?!" Chris cried in confusion.
"I see you've defeated Lulu and Leiur. And Phara is down as well. I guess that just leaves Zeke and Damian left. It truly brings me to tears! But the show must go on and I have a little announcement to make. I'll make it quick since I have an uninvited guest about to make his appearance. My dear Chao-Xing...I have your family..."
"What?!"
"That's right. And not only yours. I also have the Boy Wonder's family as well!" He cackled like a child, clapping his hands."I took the liberty of sending you some pictures to your phone in case you don't believe me."
In a hurry, Chao took out her phone, her heart skipping a beat when she realized she had received a message from an unknown number on her phone. Clicking the image open, her heart sank to her stomach. Missing his bionic leg was Huan, laying face down on the floor inside a black cage. And next to him, was her brother, Wei. Kyoko and Setsuna were curled together, with the older woman glaring at the camera.
"You...you...!"
"You kidnapped their families?!" Chris hissed."You coward!"
"I wouldn't say I am a coward for doing this." Bragard chuckled."I am merely using my resources to set up the stage. That is all."
"I swear to all that is holy in this world if you LAY EVEN A SINGLE FUCKING HAND ON THEM-"
"If you don't want them to die, I suggest you head to Tokyo straight away." Bragard hummed."Though if my calculations are correct, from Neptune's Palace to Tokyo, it's a couple of hours. And I'm sure Lulu left some damage to your little submarine. However, if you were to fly over here, perhaps you can make it in time before I execute them. How does that sound?"
"And why the fuck would I believe you?!"
"Well, you can come and find out. Or I can just kill them and ship you their corpses. It's a gamble. So, what will you do? Will you let them die and then deliver the bad news to the Boy Wonder? Or will you take a stand? I'll send you the coordinates. Though...I have a feeling you'll know where I am. I'll prepare a special messenger just for you. Hahahaha-"
"BASTARD!" Chao-Xing destroyed her communicator in a fit of rage.
"Calm down! You better not be thinking of actually going!"
"I don't have a choice!" Chao-Xing hissed, pushing past Chris and walking up the submarine.
"It's a death trap! You'll die if you go alone! Don't let your damn ego get in the-"
"This isn't about ego!" Chao-Xing turned sharply to face Chris."It's about protecting what I love. What I cherish! I love my family and...Xiangling and Lingyun called me their sister. I have to protect their family too. Their grandmother is all they have. So maybe I'm heading into a trap...But I have to do this. Bragard killed all of my clan and more innocent people. If I don't go, he won't hesitate to kill them."
"But you'll-"
"I'll be fine. Trust me." Chao-Xing gave her a reassuring smile."And if you don't believe me, tell the Commander to hurry this damn ship up." The oriental girl looked at the sky, noticing a few thunderclouds in the sky."I've had a lot of fun with you guys. The best days of my life. It was...fun. Thank you. For everything. Hopefully, we can make even more memories when this is all over."
"Wait, Chao!" Chris lunged at her, but barely missed her hand by a few crucial inches. Chao-Xing blasted herself to the sky, entering the clouds and making her way to Tokyo through them, making it look as if there was a storm coming.
"You...You better not do anything stupid." Chris muttered, staring at the horizon.
"It ends today, Bragard!" Chao-Xing said with determination as she used the clouds to travel as if she were actual lightning."The day you pay for all the pain you've caused! This ends here!"
Hibiki stood by the window of her room, staring at the sun rising in the sky, holding her phone to her ear.
"Heya! This is Hajime! Yup! Adachi Hajime! Right now I'm doing stuff so feel free to leave a message and I'll call back whenever I can!"
Hibiki's shoulders slumped in disappointment but decided to leave a message regardless."Hey, Sunny. Sorry for calling you so early. I bet you must be sprawled on your bed, still snoring after going to bed late, huh?"
The cream-haired girl giggled."I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. It's been a few days since we last spoke. And...I've missed you so much. Your voice, your laugh, and everything. I heard some people say that we're too clingy to each other. And I don't think that's a bad thing, right? Miku said it was normal. I hope you don't feel uncomfortable I like to spend time with you."
The girl paced around her room, thinking about how to phrase what she wanted to say."I decided to talk to my Dad again. Surprisingly, he hasn't returned to Okinawa, so he's still around Tokyo. I'm going today. I think I should go alone this time. Not because of what happened last time, but because this is something I have to face myself. Like you always say, we have to face our problems instead of running away. This time, I won't run. I'll tell my dad how I really feel. I just...wanted to talk to you before that. Your words encourage me."
"But it's fine. I think it's better if we wait for a bit. But I do miss you a lot. And I hope you're doing. I love you, Sunny. Call me back when you're awake."
With that, Hibiki hung up her phone, heading for the bathroom to get ready for the day. Unknowingly for her, Hajime was in a deep slumber across the city. And even more unbeknownst to her, this day would change all of their lives forever.
"Well, that's done." Bragard closed down the black magic circle he conjured, focusing his attention on the red carpet from his throne leading to the door, watching as a figure approached him after blasting through the door."I have a few minutes to spare. So how about we have some fun, eh, Damian?"
Damian approached Bragard wordlessly, having ditched his jacket and tie. Now, he was dressed in white dressing pants, a blue long-sleeved shirt, and a white hat."You have a lot to answer for...Prince Bragard. For every single life you took."
And with that, all-female Autoscorers have been defeated. Except Phara, who is still alive for now but cut in half. I guess we can say we're starting the final battle. Or at least, after the battle with Zeke since Damian is going to confront Bragard soon. But yeah, I guess we are in the final battle! I can't believe we made it this far! I don't remember when I started GX, but holy cow. And we still got a few chapters away.
Like I said, much of Carol's fight will remain the same. But Bragard's fight will be a bit longer, considering that it will be divided into several phases, starting with his fight with Damian. And yes, Carol and Bragard will fight in different places. Otherwise, we'd have a shit ton of characters fighting in one place and it will make things more messy.
Anyway, feel free to leave a review or comment, as they are always appreciated.