Reviews:
Spitfire377: Oh yeah. Payback is coming eventually. For now, our heroes are going to be struggling, especially Hajime sadly.
Akira: Your wish is my command. Glad you loved that fight.
Guest: Asi es. Me inspire mucho en otras obras y ya veras que se vienen mas referencias a otros animes. Pues Bragard es un caso un poco raro. Es un hibrido de diferentes personalidas. Gilgamesh, Doflamingo, Freeze, para nombre algunos. Tambien me base en Salazar de RE4 en terminos de su pequeño tamaño por su enfermedad.
Daemon of Wrath: I figured making Bragard due it at the very end of the season would be more impactful than...say, Adam of Saint-Germain doing it in the next one in the beginning. This feels more hopeless, in my opinion. I'm happy you liked it. As you said, it was meant to be a flex in Bragard's favor and to show the people there he could have killed them any time he wanted. But maybe his arrogance will be his ultimate weakness. You'll get your answer very soon by the way. We'll find out Odin's true identity.
Tigracho: Yeah, it's not a magical girl show mixed with Kamen Riders if there isn't some traumatic shit going on. And Symphogear is the most tamed one. People may think I made this way too op, but there is a good reason why, and no, I haven't written myself into a corner. His defeat will make sense(hopefully lol). Honestly, I am very into your and lordri's ideas. Like I told him, I haven't really planned much in XV in terms of changes in the story and whatnot. I have a few villains planned, but they'll be an addition to Noble Red. But Hibiki becoming Shem-ha's vessels instead could be a good opportunity to spice things up. The question is...will she have the Gungnir or the Shénshòujìng? And would Miku join the fight in her place? I think in the direction of Hibiki's relationship with Hajime and how Miku's relationship with Hazuki is going, a switch would be a good idea.
primenidus: It's possible. Something similar happened all the way back in G when they first fought the Nephilim.
lordri25may2001: I'm glad to see that a lot of people enjoyed that fight. It's not over, but so far I am loving the results and the feelings it conveys. Yeah, I have no reason to hide this. The last season will be entirely around ending the Rider War and putting a permanent stop to it. It goes without saying, but Odin will be the final villain in that arc. As for the rest, you'll just have to wait and find out. Good call for Another Raiden's origins. I haven't planned some of them out, but I have an idea of their personalities.
Another Hajime(Lingyun in this world): I can't believe the government is foolish enough to have you two clowns working for them. You guys are incompetent, unlike me.
Another Yosuke: I mean, I get the job done, man. Stop hating. Oh, shit. I got work today...Think I can tell the Commander I'm sick so I don't go?
Another Takeru: Out of the question. Be a man and take your responsibilities seriously. You can't be bailing out of work every day.
Another Jades: Soldier boy here is right. Work is important. Keeps the mind occupied and you don't have to deal with annoying people on a daily.
Another Andreas: You only say that because you don't want to come home and spend some time with your family. Seriously, can't you at least say hi every now and then?
Another Raiden: I think it's fine...I mean, we can't force him to want to spend time with the rest of us...
Another Terunosuke: He plays hard to get, but he and Maria are big softies. Seriously, though, Jades, feel free to drop by our house. Serena will be happy to see you.
Another Allister: I just love this family bond. It truly brings me to tears to see a family this happy. It makes me want to cry!
Another Hazuki: Please don't. It's really not that serious. Can someone like...shut this guy up? He's so dramatic. Where's the nurse?!
Another Chiaki: I'm right here. Please don't yell so loud. I am a nurse in training, mind you. So please go to an actual doctor after I finish my diagnosis.
Something like this. I haven't thought about all their personality traits but there's plenty of time for that. But yeah, Hajime wouldn't be necessarily aggressive, but more willing to bicker with someone. So he would get in constant arguments with Hibiki.
Tenzalucard123: I'm sorry! I did not mean to hurt our boy Hajime. He will be fine...maybe?
Chapter 72
The Chateau de Tiffauges
Yosuke and Jades had engaged in combat with the Alternites, miniature versions of Alternative with equal abilities to himself.. They were on the defensive, not having expected the small creatures to put up such a fight as they were.
Knight continued parrying the Alternative's Slashdagger with his Darkblade. He went for a slash, but the Alternites hopped above Knight, with the bat-themed Rider close behind him.
On the ground, Tiger was struggling to block the constant attacks from his small opponent, blocking with his Frostclaws.
"Kyahahaha!" The Alternative cackled, drawing a card from his Deck and scanning it.
Accel Vent
"Huh?" Tiger gasped, feeling intense pain when the Alternative kneed him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. The small fighter spun around, kicking him across the face and sending him flying to a nearby tree.
"Jades!" Yosuke cried, only to receive a sucker punch from the Alternative fighting him."Damn you!"
The bat-themed Rider slashed his opponent across the chest, sending the Alternite staggering backward.
"Gragh!" The Alternite leaped back, smacking Knight so hard across the face that he nearly lost consciousness from the impact.
'T-this is insane!' Knight gasped in shock.'How are these Mirror Monsters so powerful?! The ones we fought in the Kazanari mansion don't even begin to compare!'
"Stand still, you little rascal!" Tiger tried to catch the Alternite, but he moved at incredible speeds behind him, kicking him in the back of the head. The tiger-themed Rider stumbled over his feet, only to receive an uppercut to the face and knocked him to the ground. He quickly jumped back to his feet, grabbing the incoming kick with his claws. The Alternite's leg began to freeze due to the close contact with the Frost Claws, but he did something Jades was not expecting.
"Aya!" The Alternite chopped his own leg off with one fell swoop of his blade, catching the burly man off guard. As soon as he did so, he regenerated and taking advantage of his foe's stupor state, he punched him in the face, knocking him back. However, he wasn't finished. He grabbed Tiger's hand and lifted him off the ground, spinning him around and catching up speed.
Jades couldn't believe what was happening. He weighed over 200 pounds, and yet this thing was mandhandling him like he was a little boy. The Mirror Monster threw him away, sending him crashing onto another tree and knocking it down.
Trick Vent: Shadow Illusion
Several copies of Knight surrounded the Alternaite, each one brandishing their Darkblade in their hands.
Accel Vent
The Alternite rushed through all the Knights with his blade, destroying them and kicking the original in the stomach. But this time, Knight grabbed his leg and tossed him into the air, drawing a card from his Deck.
Shoot Vent: Darkarrow
Inserting his Darkblade into the shield mounted on his left arm, he aimed his visor at the creature, shooting several energy arrows at him. The monster screeched, growling in pain. The Alternite drew his card, scanning it through his visor to activate it.
Nasty Vent: Hypersonic Vibration
Psycho-Rogue appeared in front of Knight, growing wings and moving them rapidly, sending vibrations that paralyzed him. Taking advantage of this, Alternite lunged at Knight, slashing his chest and sending him rolling on the ground.
"D-damn it..." Knight grunted, sitting up with a painful groan.
"So weak."
"Huh?" Knight perked up upon hearing the robotic voice."You...can talk?"
"Of course, I can." Alternite responded."I am an AI created by his Majesty, Prince Bragard, with the sole purpose of delaying S.O.N.G in reaching him. I am a single AI controlling these bodies. I take it you're wondering why I'm so strong. Well, that's because I have been collecting the battle data of all of your battles. From Fine to the Nephilim, and the dolls. I saw it all. That's why I was able to upgrade Damian and Zeke. Now, even they don't compare to what I have become with the data collected."
"Yeah?" Knight gritted his teeth, lunging at the monster."You won't stop us from getting to Bragard!"
With a kick to the face, Knight sent the monster rolling on the ground, only to be hit by a body being flung in his direction."S-Sakamoto?!"
"Uh..." Zolda's Survive armor was broken in some parts, and he was wielding his GigantoAssaulter while holding his new Guard Vent, the GigantoArmor in the other hand, which was an evolved and bigger version of his Gigaarmor."Hey..."
"What happened?!" Knight cried, noticing the other Alternite which he assumed Zolda was fighting against chasing after him. Setting his friend on the floor, he immediately drew a card and activated it.
Blust Vent
Darkraider flew above their heads, activating the turbines in his wings to create a powerful gust of wind that sent both Alternites dispersing around.
"Thanks for the help..." Zolda grunted, sitting up and clutching his thigh."Little bastards came out of nowhere and forced us out of the Mirror World after we defeated Zeke..."
"You defeated Zeke?" Knight was astonished."So the plan worked then."
"Right. Though I can't use the GigantoRailgun right now. And then we noticed a huge tower in the city...kind of like that floating castle thing over there." He pointed to the flying Chateau in the distance."But bigger. That's when those things came at us and forced us out of the Mirror World. Yosuke-senpai...there's some major shit going on in the Mirror World right now. We have to go help the Lieutenant and Chao-Xing."
"Yeah, I know. But we need to help ourselves first." Knight narrowed his eyes, watching as the Alternites were creeping around them."Can you still fight?"
"Hell yeah, I can." Takeru grinned."I'm pretty beaten up, but I can still go. Let's do this."
Both Riders brandished their swords and guns respectively, ready to engage in combat once more.
Meanwhile, down a hill nearby, the Alternite facing Tiger continued to pound against his stomach, delivering quick jabs that prevented the man from reacting. Having enough of the midget, he grabbed his arms, kneeing him in the chest before slashing his chest with both of his claws.
"Grr!" Alternite raised his blade, spewing flames from the tip. Tiger blocked his with his claws, feeling the intensity of the blue flames bypass the coldness of his claws. Eventually, the flames overpowered him, and he was knocked to the ground, left at the monster's mercy.
"Jades-nii-chan!"
An arrow pierced through the Alternite, exploding and blowing up half of its upper body. Tiger glanced up above, meeting gaze with Raia floating above with Exodiver."Raiden! You're okay!"
"Barely." Raiden huffed, watching out of the corner of his eyes at the Alternite fighting him shooting missiles toward him from a tree.
Psychic Vent
He lifted his hand, blocking the missiles with a psychic barrier and bouncing them back. The Alternite screamed as the trees around him exploded."So resistant too! And we're injured from our fight with Zeke."
"But we're hanging in there!" Andreas cried. He was clashing blades with an Alternite, dodging around with his footwork. He was fast on his speed, and with his agility, he was able to jump around quite easily."How are the others?!"
"Fine enough!" Tiger smiled, glad to see his siblings were okay. However, he grew pale upon seeing an Alternite leaping above Raia, going for a bicycle kick while he wasn't looking."Raiden! Behind you!"
"Huh?"
"Ha!" The Alternite cried in triumph, kicking Raia down to the ground before spinning after him, slashing his back and cutting through his armor, earning a scream from the brunette.
"Raiden! No!" Andreas tried rushing toward his brother, but he was tackled against a tree, hearing some of his ribs break with the force of the impact. He then was grabbed by the head and smashed against the ground.
"You leave them alone!"
Shoot Vent: Frost Bazooka
A gauntlet equipped with his right arm opened a compartment and revealed several missiles, which he fired in unison.
Advent: Psycho-Rogue
All three Alternites summoned their Advent Monsters, firing missiles from their helmets at countering Tiger's attack."Oh, hell no!"
Blizzard Vent
With a wave of ice, all Advent Monsters were frozen in place, as well as their respective Slashdaggers. He rushed at the Alternites, engaging them in unison. But this time, he was fueled with rage upon seeing his brothers get hurt. So he was able to kick one of them away and slash the other two apart. However, to his shock, they began to regenerate their wounds.
"Are they just like Damian and Zeke...?" Jades muttered in disbelief. In his stupor, one of them kneed him in the gut before slamming him to the ground, leaving a crater where his body lay.
Meanwhile, Zolda continued shooting his Gigantocannons, firing laser beams at the creatures that continued running around them and dodging him. One of them appeared in front of him, forcing him to jump back.
"God damn it! Stay back so I can shoot you!" He yelled, going for a horizontal kick that the monster blocked with his forearm, slamming his fist against his chest and shooting him out of the highway and into a river.
Sword Vent: Darklance
Knight tried to keep at bay the now two Alternites facing him, moving his lance around to separate them. But whenever he did, another one would simply attack his blindside.
"If this is all you can do, you may as well not even go to where Ryuki is." The main Alternite taunted him."You'll just slow him down. You're all weaklings."
'That's right! Adachi and Liang need us!' Knight gritted his teeth, only to receive a missile to the face that sent him crashing against the concrete. In the blink of an eye, all five Riders were on the ground, overpowered by their small opponents.
Hibiki picked up her communicator, putting it next to her ear."Hello?"
"Thank goodness you picked up." Genjuro sighed from the other end."We've been trying to call everyone else but no one is picking up. Let me brief you. Carol and Bragard's plans have entered their final stages."
"Final stages?"
"We don't have any confirmation from the Mirror World, but neither Chao-Xing-kun nor Hajime-kun are responding to our calls. Chris-kun told us Chao-Xing-kun got a call from Bragard saying he had kidnapped her family. So she was the first one to go."
"Wait, but wasn't Damian going to go there or something?"
"We...we have reason to suspect he failed." Genjuro frowned, keeping his voice low, not wanting to worry the young Autoscorer who was nursing Elfnein after she was injured."I picked up the Ryuki signal earlier, but he must have entered the Mirror World. We tried calling Takeru-kun and the boys but they aren't picking up either."
"Sunny..." Hibiki breathed, clenching her heart."I tried calling him too...but he didn't pick up."
"I'm sure they're just busy fighting. But for now, don't do anything rash. Once all the Symphogear users are assembled, you are to engage. But for now..."
"I got it. I'll help with the evacuation to prevent further casualties." She nodded, turning to her father."Dad, we have to-What are you doing?!"
"Uh...I was just..." Akira put his phone away."Recording that thing. I heard you can earn decent money on YouTube nowadays."
"Right now is not the time for-"
"Well, well, well. So that's your father, eh, Hibiki Tachibana?"
Hibiki gasped, recognizing the haughty voice belonging to one of their main enemies.
"Hibiki! Someone is flying over there!"
In effect, Carol was floating on her harp."I couldn't resist the urge to have your dying scream be the first note of the apocalypse. At least, one of the many. I'm sure your little boyfriend will make a fine scream too."
"Carol! Where is Hajime?!" Hibiki demanded, earning a chuckle from the blonde.
"Why, he's in the Mirror World, of course." Carol glanced over to a nearby mirror."I'm sure Bragard must be having fun right about now. It's just a matter of time before the dimensions become one."
"Become...one...?"
"But for now, try to focus on me." She smirked."You have no time to worry about him at the moment. Do you like my castle? This is the Chateau de Tiffauges. The mechanism I devised that will use the Alca-Noise to dissect the world."
"I won't let that happen," Hibiki said with determination.
"I see...You've changed a little. Before you were whining endlessly about how you didn't want to fight. But now, it seems you made up your mind."
"Everyone is fighting to protect our world." Hibiki reached for her pendant."How could I not do the same?!"
"I won't let you!" Carol aimed her index finger, conjuring a green magic circle and unleashing a small tornado from her fingertips and separating Hibiki from her Gear.
"Oh no!" Hibiki gasped, watching as her pendant rolled several yards away.
"I am not as foolish as Bragard as to let you transform right in front of my face and not do anything about it just to power flex." Carol cast another magic circle above her head."My only priority is to take up the mission my father entrusted me, and take on the world!"
"Take on the world?! Would your father want that from you?!"
"You clearly don't understand, do you?" Carol spat in disdain."You don't know how being entrusted something from your father feels, do you?"
"No...I don't..." Hibiki confessed, lowering her head in shame."He didn't leave me anything..."
"So, you're just like the Boy Wonder." Carol narrowed her eyes."You both lost your father figures. And yet, he fights and holds his head high. He's heading for certain death, but I can say he will die with dignity. As for you...you just don't stand a chance!"
Carol unleashed her attack, aiming to kill Hibiki while she couldn't defend herself. However, the unexpected happened. Akira grabbed her daughter, moving her out of the way at the last second."What?!"
"Hibiki!" Akira shook her shoulders."Wake up!"
"Dad...?"
"I'll admit, I wasn't expecting that." Carol created a golden magic circle with a twisted smile."Very well. I'll begin my study by dissecting you."
Akira yelped upon seeing Carol aiming at them, running for his life."Someone! Help!"
"Dad..." Hibiki watched as her father ran away from her, hearing Carol's cruel laughter.
"Look at him run! What a man! Abandoning his daughter in the face of danger!" Carol kept shooting energy blasts at Akira, purposely missing to entertain herself."My father died with dignity! Until the very end! How shameful."
"Yeah...you're right." Hibiki wiped the tears from her eyes."But that doesn't make me lesser than you."
"Hmmm?"
"Because...I have other people with me." Hibiki began standing back up, giving Carol a defiant glare."Hajime, Miku, and the others. They're my light and hope!"
"Your hope, huh?" Carol muttered."I had something like that before. Back when I was innocent and naive. But the day my Father died...When he was burnt at the stake with the King and Queen. And when I had to watch my friends die and be sacrificed for Bragard's sake...I lost all of that. Hope doesn't last forever. One day, you will lose it too. That love you possess...it will die. Just like how my love died and was replaced by a copy that will never be the original."
"Hibiki! What are you standing there for?!"
Hibiki gasped, shifting her gaze over to her father."This is your chance to escape! Run! If we ever want to fix our broken family, we have to be there together, right?!"
"Enough of you!" Carol fired an energy blast in front of Akira, sending the man crashing against the concrete harshly.
"Dad! No!"
"I'm fine...!" Akira forced a pained smile."This is nothing. Don't worry. I'll be fine..."
"Dad, are you okay?" A small Hibiki looked with a concerned look at the cut on her dad's finger.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine." Akira shot her a wide smile, ruffling her hair.
"That's right...Dad used to say that all the time." Hibiki recalled her past."And that's what I told Hajime a few days ago too..."
"What a pest." Carol scoffed."Just lay down and die. You were running away, no?"
"I was...But I can't run away from the fact that I'm her father!" Akira proclaimed."I know I was a real flake. I know that. But she has so much courage now. She's a completely different person from the day I left them. So how can I call myself her dad if I don't show the same courage?!"
"Courage?" Carol effortlessly avoided the stones being thrown at her."Pathetic."
"That boy...the punch he gave me told me the whole story." Akira gritted his teeth, throwing more rocks at Carol."She's not alone. And never will be. He's out there fighting too, right? All for Hibiki's sake!"
"And he shall die, just like the rest of you!"
"You're wrong!"
Carol dodged the flying object coming at her, but that's when she noticed. It wasn't a rock. It was the Gungnir."What?!"
"I got it!" Hibiki grasped her Relic, closing her eyes to sing her Holy Chant.
"Balwisyall Nescell Gungnir Tron..."
"I said I won't let you!" Carol fired another energy blast, but Hibiki's transformation barrier deflected it as she finished transforming.
"Hibiki! You did it!"
"Yeah...Thanks to you, Dad." Hibiki walked out of the smoke, donning the Gungnir armor."You already gave me something important. I've had it all this time. Don't worry. You'll be fine. Those words...I always remembered them whenever I faced a difficult situation. They kept me going, even if you weren't there. So, in a way, you've been looking out for me, haven't you?"
"Hibiki..." Her father broke into tears upon hearing his daughter's words.
"So what?" Carol snorted."This changes nothing."
"We'll see about that." Hibiki wasted no time, igniting her boosters and closing in on Carol in the blink of an eye.
"How did you-"
Carol was cut short as a fist slammed against her stomach, knocking the wind right out of her."Fuck!"
"I'm not done yet!" Hibiki chased after her intending to make her hurt.
"Like I'll let you! Hermes Trismegistus!" Carol formed multiple barriers of Alchemic formulas, stopping the incoming punch.
Hibiki screamed, changing her trajectory and flying around the barrier, shooting herself toward Carol. The blonde's eyes shot wide open, unable to stop the kick to the face from the cream-haired girl. Unbeknownst to her, on the other side of the battlefield, Hajime had delivered the same attack to Bragard with the same effect, launching her down to the ground and crashing through several trees.
"You...! You despicable bitch!" Carol snarled, throwing gems around Akira and summoning Alca Noise at her will."If your father gives you strength, that will be the first thing I take away!"
"No!" Hibiki rushed to her dad, but she wasn't going to make it in time. To her surprise, another miracle happened. Dozens of arrows rained down on the Noise, killing them instantly.
Carol glanced up above her, leaping out of the way to avoid the giant sword crushing her body. She hissed, wiping her head to her left and noticing the group of Symphogears from afar.
Back in the outskirts of the City, the Riders were engaging the Alternites in battle once more, hoping to defeat their foes and aid their friends.
Guard Vent: Darkcape
Knight's cape grew larger, forming a dome around him to protect him from the missiles fired at him. The cape began to try and slash at the creature, forming a drill around Knight which he used to attack. The Alternite spewed flames from his sword, setting the cape on fire, but Knight wasn't backing down. He tore through the monster's left side, paralyzing the creature temporarily.
However, this didn't last long, since it regenerated instantly. And with a growl, he made a beeline toward Knight kicking him across the face.
Tiger drew a card, instantly activating it and closing up his visor.
Sword Vent: Frostsaber
Choosing to switch things up, Tiger began changing blows with the Alternite's Slashdagger, using his double-edged greatsword. This time, he was also wielding his Destvisorzwei, catching the Alternite off guard on various occasions with his double-edged battle axe.
Accel Vent
Using his enhanced speed, the Alternite vanished, appearing behind Tiger and slamming his foot against his back, earning a pained groan from the man. He then raised his blade, but an energy drill hit him in the sides, sending him flying away.
Shoot Vent: Terazelledrillers
Two gauntlets with drills at the end were equipped to a battle-damaged Imperer, who with great difficulty blocked his foe's strike, shooting another drill in its stomach and piercing through it.
Advent: Terazelle
Terazelle was summoned onto the field, and with him, were about 30 or more Zelle creatures. All of them rushed at the Alternites, causing them to focus their attention on them and leaving the others alone.
"Nice job, Andreas." Raia limped over to his brother, holding his aching side."You okay?"
"Just about..." Andreas confessed with a sheepish chuckle."But I think I have a few broken ribs..."
"You and me, buddy." Takeru groaned, holding his wounded leg."The fuck do we do now? They aren't dying."
"If they're this strong, then Alternative must be even stronger." Jades surmised."If that's the case, Hajime-kun and Chao-Xing-chan must be fighting quite the battle..."
"Which is why we can't go down here." Knight huffed, pointing at the contraption in the distance."We can't waste any more time here. We have to finish them off in one fell swoop. Bragard is mass-producing the Alternative Deck. We have to stop him now"
"Is he really mass-producing them?"
"Huh?"
Raiden watched on as the Terazelle and his army began to lose ground as more Zelles were being destroyed by the sheer power of the Alternites."I mean, if he was, wouldn't there be way more than just 5 of them?"
"Come to think of it, he's right." Zolda nodded."I mean, if Bragard could truly mass-produce those Decks and if he intended to slow us down, he would have made an army already."
"I see...Which means he still hasn't beaten Adachi and stolen his energy!" Knight found himself smiling in realization."We can still make it in time!"
"Then let's hit them with everything we have!" Jades flexed his bicep."If they're strong, then we just grow stronger. We're Kamen Riders. We grow in each battle we take part in."
"I'm down." Raia nodded."So, we attack with all of our strength and leave no trace behind."
"Right." Zolda agreed."If we do, they'll regenerate. Just like Zeke, we need to disintegrate every atom so they won't come back."
"Guys, they're coming." Andreas pointed at the Terazelle, who had done a tactical retreat after running out of companions.
The Alternites cackled in triumph, all of them drawing a card from their Decks and activating them in unison.
Final Vent: Dead End (x5)
"Let's hit them with everything we have!" Knight cried, raising their cards in the air.
"Yeah!"
Co-Link Vent (x5)
Immediately, they activated their Final Vents, sharing their powers with each other.
Final Vent: Shippudan
Final Vent: Psycho Dive
Final Vent: Tera Drill Breaker
Final Vent: Barrel Full Burst
Final Vent: Tiger Blizzard Storm
Magnugiganto appeared in the middle of the battlefield, easily towering over several trees due to how huge it was. Zolda jumped on top of the cockpit situated in its head, piloting it as if it were a Mecha. He began firing missiles and laser beams at the Alternites, forcing them to scatter around. However, Tiger was riding on top of Frostwilder in its bike form, making it roar and sending a frozen wave that froze the Alternite's wheels, slowing them down and lose control of their bikes. They opened up their compartments on the sides of the bikes, preparing to launch missiles at them until several psychic beams hit them, preventing them from firing. Finally, a stampede of Zelle monsters collided against them, stepping over them and kicking them around, breaking parts of their body.
"All together!"
Bladed Riders
Zolda's mecha began shrinking down, forming a gigantic tank that led the way to the bikes behind him, bombarding the Alternites with several rockets, destroying their Psycho-Rogues and allowing the others to ram into them, easily destroying their bodies and leaving no trace behind. All of them hopped off their vehicles, exhausted but knowing full well the battle was not over.
"We took a long time to beat these things..." Knight huffed, catching his breath."We can't waste any more time sitting around. We have to split up into two groups. Jades, take your siblings and head over to that flying castle over there. Worst comes to pass, Carol's plan is the one that is situated in the real world while Bragard's relies on the Mirror World. So we must stop the imminent threat. Sakamoto and I will go assist Adachi."
"Hold on. Are you insane?! What if you-"
"Damn it, don't argue!" Yosuke snapped."Just do what I'm saying! We'll do what we can to slow down Bragard or beat him. But if Carol activates the Chateau here in the real world, we don't know what will happen. You must prevent it. Besides, I'm sending you three because...well..."
"Hey, I get it." Tiger placed his hand on his shoulder."We're the three weakest members. So naturally, we can deal with the weakest threat that is Carol. But make sure you beat Bragard if you can. We're counting on you."
"Who the hell said we're the weakest?!" Raiden grumbled in annoyance."Fuck it. Let's just go. I just want a fucking coffee..."
"Save Setsuna-chan for me please!" Andreas yelled.
"I'll tell her her prince charming will come for her soon enough. Good luck, guys." Takeru waved the group goodbye, watching them get on their bikes and speed off into the city."Let's save the Leuitenant and Chao-Xing."
"Right. Is your leg okay?" Knight inquired.
"Just about. I have another fight left in me. There's a pond nearby. We can enter the Mirror World through there."
With that, both Riders jogged over down the highway, jumping into the small lake underneath the bridge. Once they entered, they immediately noticed the thunderstorm going on.
"It's...pouring?" Knight stared at the thundering sky, puzzled."But...it's not raining in the real world..."
"It wasn't raining when we were pushed out." Zolda remarked."I mean, I saw thunderstorm clouds in the distance, but...Oh, shit...Yosuke-senpai, look over there!"
Knight followed where he was pointing, and his heart sank. In the distance, he noticed the dark tower, easily taller than Tokyo Tower. He also noticed several rocks and debris flying in the sky as well as a very familiar flame chasing something in the sky, jumping from rock to rock.
"What the fuck happened...?"
"Carol! Please, stop!" Hibiki tried pleading with her enemy one last time. If she could talk her down before things took a turn for the worst, she was going to try.
"Stop? Now? You seriously think I'm just going to stop after coming this far?" Carol bemused."Do you think so little of me as to believe I am easily persuaded? There is no stopping now. I'll burn every last memory if I have to!"
The blonde ran her fingers through her harp, her body growing in size into an adult body and her Faust Robe cladding her figure.
(Play Senkin Dur Da Bla)
"I guess there's no convincing her, huh?" Maria grumbled."Then again, for someone who has been crafting this master plan for centuries, giving up is not an option."
"Fine with me." Chris cracked her knuckles."That just means we have to force her to stop."
"Still, the Dur Da Bla..." Shirabe frowned."It shines just like our Symphogear."
"That's right." Carol smirked."And I'll show you that the similarities don't end there. Bragard may have makeshift Rider armor. But this is no toy or cheap imitation. This is the real deal!"
Suddenly, another unexpected occurrence happened. Carol began to sing, and immediately they felt the immense energy coming off of her.
"Phonic Gain?!" Genjuro stood up from his chair."What is going on?!"
"Commander! We've detected huge Noise signals across the cities nearby!" Sakuya informed him."They're massive..."
"Tch!" Genjuro clicked his tongue."And we have no idea what's going on in the Mirror World...Things are not looking good..."
"Elfnein..." Tobias grabbed the homunculus' hand."Did my Papa...?"
"I'm sure he's fine." Elfnein reassured him, though she didn't sound very convinced."We just have to have faith. That's all we can do for now."
"C-Comander!" Aoi gasped, a horrified look on her face."We just lost signal of the Ryuki Deck and the Mjolnir Relic!"
"What?!"
Carol continued her signing, creating a sphere of energy between her hands before absorbing it into her body."Genocide! And genocide!"
Releasing golden hurricanes, the Alchemist forced the Symphogear to disperse to avoid being by an attack of such magnitude.
"She's using her fucking Swan Song!" Chris growled."Just fucking great!"
"I knew it felt familiar." Tsubasa landed on top of a rock."But still..."
"She's singing her Swan Sing without any strain on her body?!" Kirika yelped, being pushed away from the line of attack by Shirabe.
"Kiri-chan!"
"Thanks for the save-desu!"
"Honestly, I'm just glad we're fighting them separately." Maria swallowed the lump in her throat."If we were to fight both Carol and Bragard together, this would have been quite messy, to say the least."
"Don't panic everyone! We can use our S2CA!" Hibiki reminded them.
"Don't." Tsubasa shook her head."You can't withstand that power anymore. You're not fused with the Gungnir anymore."
"But-" Hibiki stopped, her eyes shooting wide open as she clutched her heart.
"Tachibana?"
"Something...something happened to Hajime...I can feel it..." Hibiki muttered, unaware of the blast of energy coming in her direction.
"Tachibana!" Tsubasa acted quickly, grabbing the girl in her arms and jumping out of the attack.
"Look at the Chateau!" Maria pointed toward the flying fortress as it shined.
"Is it resonating with Carol's song?" Tsubasa pondered."She's amplifying it!"
Suddenly, they all noticed something off that one would normally miss since it happened in a second. The world...cracked for a fraction of a second. The atmosphere had turned green but returned to normal. And in that split second, they had noticed a giant tower behind the Chateau.
"What just...?" Chris grabbed her head."Did everyone see that?"
"It's the end of the world!" Carol cackled."The Mirror World is about to become one with the real world! Your precious Messiah has lost the battle!"
"What?!" Hibiki turned pale.
"Liar!" Chris barked, baring her teeth."What the hell do you know?!
"Am I lying? Am I really?" Carol mused."Did you not notice how the world shifted for a split second? The Overall must be fully activated as well. There is no hope for you now."
The Chateau shot a sphere of green energy at the ground that split up in different directions. The ley lines, which were now visible from outer space.
"Yes! Yes! Soon, I'll be able to start the dissection of the world!" Carol beamed in utter joy."Once humanity ceases to exist, I can finally begin!"
"I'll stop you!" Hibiki screamed, launching herself toward Carol. But her fist never reached her. She was stopped by wires that the Alchemist had cast around her, preventing the Gungnir wielder from moving.
"Oh, please. You can't even reach me anymore." Carol slapped her cheek tauntingly."So sad. What? Are you upset your boyfriend is dead?"
"He's not dead!" Hibiki shouted at the top of her lungs, but the blonde was not amused.
"Really? Then why don't you stick around and find out? Soon, the streets will be filled with Mirror Monsters once the dimensions become one.
"We have to stop that machine!" Maria leaped into action, jumping from building to building.
"We're coming too-desu!" Kirika shouted, Shirabe close behind her."We'll work together to take that thing down!"
"You can count on us, Maria." Shirabe nodded."We'll help you help the others."
"Girls..." Maria smiled at their courage."Very well! Let us stop Carol's plans together!"
"Hmmm." Carol flung Hibiki away, glancing over her shoulder."So you think the power of friendship can stop me? Hah! How childish. No one can stop me no-"
The blonde sidestepped, watching as Tsubasa missed her with her katana."Game over."
Suddenly, she was distracted by Chris' Gatlinging gun, forming a barrier of wires around her. She combined the wires into two whips, swatting Chris and Tsubasa away. She then clad her fist with different elements and slammed it against Hibiki's stomach, launching the girl away with the others."Bare witness to my song!"
"Shit..." Chris fell on one knee, panting for air."How the hell do we even begin to fight her?"
"We'll have to think of something..." Tsubasa used her katana to suport herself."I doubt we can last long enough for Maria and the others to shut off the Chateau."
"And the boys?"
"I...I don't know..." Tsubasa closed her eyes in uncertainty."I just don't know..."
Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika reached the entrance of the Chateau, only to find a pleasant surprise fighting off the Noise."Guys!"
"Oh! It's the girls!" Tiger beamed, slashing some Noise away with his Destclaws."You girls are okay!"
"Thank goodness." Raia sighed in relief, using his Evilwhip to strike the Noise that were flanking him.
"How are the others?!" Imperer asked.
"We should be asking you that!" Shirabe countered, hugging the green-haired boy."Your armor..."
"It's a shit show." Tiger informed as he landed next to the Symphogear."The others are in the Mirror World. Some major shit is going on over there and Yosuke and Takeru were to go help Hajime. But..."
"But what?" Maria scowled."What happened to Hajime-chan and Chao-Xing?"
"We don't know." Raia supplied."But we were distracted for a while by some powerful Mirror Monsters. We were tasked to stop this machine, since it poses an immediate threat to the world, unlike Bragard's Overall since it's in the Mirror World."
"Carol mentioned the dimensions are about to become one..." Shirabe rubbed her chin.
"Wait, what?" Raia blinked."Become one?"
"Does that mean the Mirror World and the real world will...?"
"I guess it was a good call to get split up." Tiger beckoned them to follow him."Then we must put a stop to the Chateau and eliminate the second problem! Let's go!"
"Yes!"
All siblings followed Maria and Jades as they entered into unknown territory with the hopes of at least getting the edge in their battle.
Hajime could only stare at the stumps in his arms, then over to his detached arms on the ground, his brain not processing the pain just yet. And when it did, a boot to the face silenced him, knocking him to the ground on his stomach. Several rings of dark matter attached themselves to his feet, thighs, arms, and neck, pinning him to the ground as well as engulfing his wounds, stopping the blood from continuing to pour out.
"So, did that tame you a little? Dragon?" Alternative knelt in front of him, sporting a twisted smile on his face."I do apologize. I guess I don't know my new strength. I didn't know I was so strong that I could just cut your limbs off like butter. But this works, I suppose."
"You sick fuck!" Chao-Xing bellowed."How fucking dare you?!"
"Shhhh." Alternative brought a hand to his mask."Wait for your turn."
"It's over..." Wei collapsed to his knees."We're doomed..."
Kyoko nearly fainted upon seeing her grandson's condition, but Huan held her up."Hang in there, Kyoko!"
Hajime bit his lower lip, not wanting to give Bragard the satisfaction of hearing him scream in pain. He was terrified. Beyond scared.
"And now, I have your energy." Bragard smiled, looking up toward the sky."Finally! The Overall is completed! I just need to wait for 30 minutes or so for it to start working properly. But now, I can start unifying the dimensions and bring hell to the real world. But first...How about I test something out? Let me show you...THE TRUE POWER OF AN ALCHEMIST! Witness, Chrysopoeia!"
A golden sphere appeared in Alternative's hand, shifting the atmosphere around them."I always wanted to transmute gold. A nuclear fission-level feat!"
However, as the golden sphere became bigger, it suddenly fizzled out of existence. Much to Bragard's confusion."What?"
He summoned four different magic circles for each element, but they all became a dull black color, losing their effect."Why...? Why?"
"WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING?!" He screamed in frustration, shooting several black projectiles around."I am being powered up by the Riders' powers! Is there something missing?! Must more blood be shed?! Why can't I use my Alchemy?!"
"Serves...you right..." Hajime muttered from his position on the ground.
"You bastard." Alternative marched over to him, delivering a kick across his face that knocked out a few teeth. He stomped his head on the pavement, opening up a rather deep gash on his head."Talking so much shit when everything you love is falling. You are at your lowest, and I am rising higher! I am perfection incarnate!"
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Chao-Xing bellowed, but she was ignored.
"It's because of your cursed father that I am unable to use my Alchemy. That fucking traitor ruined me! And after I worked so hard-!" Bragard took a few deep breaths to compose himself."It's fine...It's fine...I still have my spare body. I may be able to use Alchemy there. In the meantime...I will make you feel the same way I felt when your father backstabbed me. Odin! Are you watching?!"
"I am." Came the heavenly, almost angelic voice.
The Adachi and Liang family covered their eyes from the blinding light coming from the heavens. Once the light died down, Kamen Rider Odin made his presence known, his arms crossed.
"That's Odin..." Chao remarked, seeing as how it was the first time she ever laid direct eyes on him.
"Why is he here...?" Hajime pondered, watching as Bragard walked to the God, hands on his hips.
"I see your plan is going smoothly so far," Odin commented with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"It is, naturally." Bragard scoffed, holding his head high."I am a genius, after all."
"And yet, you are still hiding."
"That is beside the point." Alternative brushed off his comment."I have become the Ultimate Lifeform. The perfect being. Now, all I have to do is become a God so that I may challenge you. And you even had the gal to say my plans wouldn't work. You must be feeling pretty stupid right about now."
"I still stand firm on that." Odin responded, surprising the prince."You will fail. Your hubris will bring about your demise. False Messiah."
"Tch. We'll see about that." Bragard sneered."I already won. No one in this world can oppose me now. I defeated the Messiah. The other one must be dead by now too. The Goliath Noise I sent must have killed him and if not, I'll do it. But perish the thought. I called you for something else."
"Oh? Are you finally going to tell him?" Odin mused, hands behind his back."When you have him at his lowest?"
"Sure." Alternative chuckled."Go ahead then. Tell him"
"What a twisted creature you are," Odin remarked, advancing toward Hajime, his hands going toward his helmet.
"W-w-what is this?! What the fuck are you planning now?!" Hajime demanded, growing more nervous by the second.
"I told you before, I will ruin you. I will make sure that by the end of this, you're begging me to kill you and put you out of your misery. I will make sure you remember this day until the day you die. Which is today. But you get the point. I will make you suffer just like how your father made me suffer." Alternative glanced over his shoulder."Have you ever wondered what I meant by my advice last time? When I said Hazama-dono was closer than you thought? I wasn't kidding. He's been here this whole time. Watching you. Or rather, his body has been here."
"Bragard!" Kyoko shouted from above."What are you saying?!"
"What do you...?" Hajime couldn't finish that sentence. Odin pulled his helmet up exposing his face. His face had no color. Completely grey like it had never seen the sunlight before. His eyes were hollow as if someone had gouged them out. But he still recognized it. The short dark hair. He's seen that face many times in his childhood. In his dreams. He had never forgotten what the face of his father looked like, even in this state.
"Allow me to introduce you to Hazama Liang, the host of Kamen Rider Odin." Alternative grinned maniacally."Your father and my teacher. There you go. Your search is over."
And there's another big reveal. I know some of you called it day one, but no one has been faithful to this theory other than Daemon of Wrath. He's been saying Odin was Hajime's dad since G. If not earlier. But yes, there it is at least. But why is he Odin? Well, stick around to find out.
Next chapter we're coming back to this immediately, since I am not cruel enough to leave you guys without knowing for too long. Then we'll jump over to the Disasters and how they're faring against the Goliath Noise, then back to Carol. I am doing it this way so that everyone gets an equal chance of taking the spotlight. And besides, I know this is probably what people are most looking for. So if I finish the Bragard fight now and leave the others for later, the whiplash will be insane. Also, all these fights are meant to take place around the same time. So keep that in mind if you see something weird.