Akira: Yeah, everyone is getting a nice power-up to make things even.
primenidus: lol, yeah. In the original Ryuki, it always struck me as odd how Knight and Ryuki were the only ones who got the Survive Cards and no one ever questioned this. Not even Ouja. So here, to make things more interesting, I gave them all their own Survive forms.
Tenzalucard123: Desperate times call for desperate solutions. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. For now, at least.
Daemon of Wrath: Right, only one of them can get their wish. However they are fine with letting Ryuga win since he and Loki promised to revive them in his ideal world. Their dynamics are different from the main group. A main example of this is how they all have the same goal, but different intentions. And they're nowhere near as friendly as the main cast, despite living together in the same place. According to my calculations...you will get your wish granted about 2 chapters from now. GX is coming to an end soon. And all I can say about AXZ, for now, is...it's going to be very interesting.
Chapter 76
A Once in a Lifetime Event
"Where the hell are we?" Tiger pondered, walking in front of the group as they entered further into the Chateau."This place seems...endless. Are we even getting closer to the..."
"Power source?" Raia sighed, a hand to his hip."Dunno. We should have asked Elfnein-chan for a map or something."
"Maybe we're walking in circles?" Shirabe said, making Kirika yelp.
"But then we're just wasting time-desu!" She cried.
"I wouldn't say that." Maria said, hoping to calm her down."I've been slashing at the wall to our right every 20 meters with my dagger since I figured we would get lost. So far, I haven't seen any of my strikes."
"Which means we're going in the right direction!" Imperer beamed, raising a fist."Hooray!"
"It just means we're not going in circles." Raia shot him down."That doesn't mean we're going in the right direction."
"So pessimistic..." Shirabe muttered, much to his chagrin.
"More like realistic." He countered, rolling his eyes."Still, I'd say we go full throttle if we don't get somewhere in the next 10 minutes. Remember everyone is fighting hard right now. Originally, I'd say to stay in our base forms to converse energy, but if worst comes to pass..."
"Right." Jades nodded."Hopefully, everyone else is safe."
"I'm glad to see you're looking out for them."
Tiger froze, recognizing the voice he had not heard in years. Imperer looked up to his brother, as the voice was also familiar to him.
A tall man with long silver hair approached them, wearing a long white coat underneath a white shirt and black pants, holding a Deck.
"No way...Atticus..." Tiger muttered in bewilderment.
"But you won't be able to keep them safe for long." Atticus adopted a sadistic smile, showing them the Gai Deck before inserting it into his V Buckle, turning into Kamen Rider Gai."You can't protect them."
"W-w-why is Atticus-nii-chan here...?!" Kirika shook her head in disbelief."H-he's dead...!"
"And why does he have the Gai Deck...?" Shirabe was equally as stunned."He can't be alive..."
"Teru-nii killed him." Raia gritted his teeth."And he took the Gai Deck. We all saw him donning that armor before. It must be some kind of...defense mechanism to keep us at bay."
"Smart like always, Raiden." Gai chuckled."But not smart enough to not get tricked by Terunosuke. The person who killed me."
The group took a step back once Gai began approaching them.
"Why are you running from me?" Gai wondered."Is it because...you don't want to face your past mistakes? You've all helped bring about the Frontier, an event that nearly destroyed the planet. And on top of that, you left us behind."
"Us...?"
"That's right, Maria-nee-san."
From behind Terunosuke, Serena made her presence known, clad in the Airgetlam.
"S-Serena!" Maria exclaimed, tears threatening to fall from her face upon seeing her long-dead sister.
"You left us behind and carried out with your lives, forgetting us." Serena drawled."You are so cruel, Maria-nee-san."
"You made me take Terunosuke out of the facility. An event that led to my death." Gai pointed at Tiger.
"I-I-I don't..." Jades trembled like a leaf, just like Maria.
"KIRIKA! SHIRABE! ANDREAS! GRAB THEM!"
To their surprise, Raia dashed ahead of them, inserting a card into his Deck.
Swing Vent: Evilwhip
Raia lashed out his whip against the ceiling, breaking the structure and causing it to fall in between them, separating them from the imposters.
"We have to get going!" Kirika grabbed Maria's hand and dragged her along.
"They are not real." Shirabe insisted as she and Andreas pulled on Tiger."They've been dead for a long time now."
"I know it hurts...It hurts me too." Imperer said."But we can't let this bring us down. We made a promise to the others to stop the Chateau and that's what we'll do!"
"But...it's true..." Tiger lowered his gaze."If I hadn't insisted on getting Terunosuke out of there...Atticus wouldn't be dead. And Terunosuke wouldn't have turned out the way it did."
"Serena said we forgot them...We left them behind...Because we were too weak..." Maria closed her eyes, fighting back the tears.
"Maybe so, but we're not weak now."
Raia got in between them, pushing their backs as he ran with them."We still have each other. We've been a family ever since. We made mistakes, sure, but we're trying to correct them."
Maria and Jades exchanged glances, reaching for each other's hands for support. The group continued heading further into the Chateau. After a few minutes, the group encountered a figure that they didn't expect to run into. Especially with a wound in his abdomen.
"Wait, what?" Imperer blinked."Why is Dr. Ver here? Is he another one of those fakes?"
"If so, why is he wounded?" Tiger hummed.
"Don't be stupid." Dr. Ver sighed, clutching his wound."Do I look like a fake? Why would I be wounded then? Our gracious host...gave me this injury. After I generously offered my opinion on her shallow plan."
"Leave it to you to taunt such a powerful enemy." Raia huffed."So? You're just sitting here dying?"
"Well, it's not like I have any other choice." Dr. Ver gave them a grin."But now that you're here, I have one. How about we strike a deal?"
"A deal?" Maria glared at the man.
"Don't look at me like that." Dr. Ver chuckled."As you can see, the Chateau is destroying the world, and from what I heard, the Mirror World is about to become one with this world, courtesy of the young prince. I assume that's why the three of you are here, instead of there?"
"I mean..." Imperer trailed off.
"Yeah, there is a huge tower in the Mirror World." Tiger supplied."That's the Overall. So...you what are you getting at?"
"I am a hero! I can't let the world be destroyed, moron! I live in it!" Dr. Ver exclaimed."There's a console in the throne room. If you can take me there, I can shut this whole place down."
"And we should trust you...why?" Shirabe folded her arms under her chest.
"Because you don't have any other choice, duh." The man scoffed."What is your alternative? Rushing in and smashing everything in sight? You'll kill us all, including your dumb friends down below if you do anything carelessly."
"Fine." Tiger turned to the brunette of the group."Raiden."
"Sure thing." Raia opened up his visor, sliding a card inside.
Advent: Evildiver
Tiger grabbed the man carefully, setting on the monster as it hovered with them."So, where to?"
"Keep going straight." Dr. Ver commanded."I haven't seen you in a while. You look as lost as ever."
"Shut up-desu." Kirika hissed.
"And you're still being manipulated by a greater power." Jades was quick to counter, wrapping his arm around Kirika to calm her down."Indeed, we're still a far cry from being on the right path, but we're making some progress."
"I can tell." Dr. Ver noticed Tiger and Maria grabbing each other's hands."And what of Terunosuke?"
"He's joined up with Ryuga and Ouja." Maria elaborated."He'll get what's coming to him soon."
"Ominous." Dr. Ver mused."But I can understand. I can also understand that you've grown as Kamen Riders. It seems that you did deserve them after all, unlike him."
"I guess..." Jades trailed off."But I'm sure that under different circumstances, he would have made a better Kamen Rider than me."
"I wonder..." Dr. Ver muttered."If someone like him easily submits to darkness, then probably not. But then again, you're both a bundle of fuck ups."
"Hey! Shut up already!" Kirika growled, but Jades simply ruffled her hair."But Jades-nii-chan..."
"Let's just focus on getting ahead."
A few minutes later, they finally entered the throne room by following Dr. Ver's instructions.
"As I said, destroying it will just make things complicated." Dr. Ver hopped off Evildiver."Let's get this started. The world is crumbling apart and-"
All of a sudden, Alca Noise began flooding the area, cornering them from all directions.
"Did they figure out our intentions?!" Shirabe clicked her tongue.
"Or was it you?" Raia shifted his gaze to the doctor.
"Look at me! I haven't moved from this spot! This must be the defense systems at work."
"Shit! Alright! Everyone, stay close!" Tiger commanded."Dr. Ver! We'll protect you while you do your thing! We're counting on you!"
"Always so trusting." Dr. Ver sighed in exasperation."Fine! But you better not let them near me! I am running low on blood, so I can't defend myself!"
"You got it!" The group stood side by side, covering each other's backs."Let's get this over with!"
"Things are not looking good." Genjuro bit his thumb upon looking at the many things going on on the screen. For one, the structural disintegration of the world commenced. Carol's plan had entered overdrive. And two, he had lost contact with all the Riders except for Jades and his siblings.
"Not looking good is an understatement." Sakuya bit his lower lip."Maria's group needs to shut down the Chateau soon."
"Even if they do..." Aoi scowled."What about Bragard's plan? You saw that crack in the sky..."
Earlier, they had detected an insurmountable number of energy signals. Signals similar to a Kamen Rider. The source was the sudden crack in the sky that appeared above the Chateau.
"We detected over a million energy signals..." Genjuro grimaced."What is going on in the Mirror World?"
"At least, those Noise were dealt with. Albeit, maybe not by the best of people." Aoi commented, reluctant to admit she was glad the Disasters had intervened.
"Who would have thought the Disasters would turn against Bragard like that." Sakuya couldn't help but remark."I thought that they'd get in the way just like they did in the Frontier."
"I suppose two groups who want world domination cannot coexist." Genjuro shrugged."Still, we should be grateful. I was worried since we got all hands on Deck and we didn't have anyone to go defend those cities."
"I can't stand this anymore."
They all shifted their attention to the last Autoscorer, who had abandoned Elfnein's side."I have to go to the Mirror World."
"What?!" Elfnein cried, wincing in pain due to abruptly moving her body.
"Out of the question!" Genjuro denied the idea."Damian didn't go on this mission just so you can follow in his footsteps and-"
"I know! I know he went off knowing he would die! But...He failed, didn't he...?" He croaked, tears glistening in his eyes."The Overall...must have been completed. It's why we detected that energy earlier. The dimensions are going to merge into one thanks to the Overall. But I can't stand by and let this go on anymore. I have to go there and do what I can to help."
"Don't!" Elfnein reached for his hand, shooting him a pleading look."Please, don't...You'll die...I can't lose you too."
"Elfnein..." He grasped her hand."I'm sorry. But I have to go. I don't want to live in regret knowing I could have done something to help. My Mom and Dad died protecting me. They loved me. And if I don't do something...even if I don't go, there's a good chance things will still turn bad. So I have to go. To make sure my Dad's sacrifice wasn't in vain."
"But you have no Deck and you can't use alchemy to the same degree the Autoscorers could." Aoi pointed out.
"True." He smiled, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, one of them had turned silver."But he does have me."
"Thor...Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Genjuro, we haven't had any communication with Hajime, Chao-Xing, or Yosuke for hours. It's like the Mirror World is a dead end at the moment where information isn't coming through." Thor said."I want to at least confirm what's going on there and do what I can to stop Bragard. You saw that crack in the sky. Bragard's plan is progressing, meaning he hasn't been defeated. As such, there is a good possibility the others are in danger. So I will go. Even though I don't have access to the majority of my powers, I have to go. Also...the lad deserves to know what happened to his father."
Genjuro folded his arms, regarding the God of thunder before he sighed."Fine. I can't deny him that. But go in quick and out. If you see yourself in trouble, don't hesitate to come back. I can't believe I'm actually giving orders to a God."
"Hahaha! Worry not for the details, Lad!" Thor grinned in a friendly manner."Among men, we are equal! I will bring back your subordinates safe and sound. Lass..." He approached the crying Elfnein, grabbing her shoulders."Be strong and don't lose hope. Because that's all we have and the last thing that we should lose. I'll bring back your prince charming and keep Tobias safe"
The homunculus blushed at the implication, her mind drifting over to Raiden. "O-okay...Just please be careful..."
Giving her a nod, Thor proceeded to exit the command center, rushing down the hallway toward the exit.
"I'm sorry for being so stubborn, Thor."
"No need to apologize, Lad." Thor reassured his host."I understand what it feels like to worry about a father. Once upon a time, I too, was close to the Allfather. So I can relate to your feelings. Do not worry. Even though I don't possess access to my full powers, I should still be able to offer a good fight in case we run into trouble. Fortunately for us, I can enter the Mirror World."
"I just hope the others are okay and that we're not too late."
Meanwhile, the Symphogear were still locked in combat with Carol. They too, had also noticed the dimensional rift above them, but couldn't divert their eyes from Carol.
"So are you going to start explaining shit or what?" Chris huffed."Why are you singing? What the hell is that crack in the sky and what happened to our friends?"
"Are you nervous?" Carol chuckled."To be honest, not even I know. Bragard didn't tell me the specifics about his plan and I didn't tell him about mine. While our goals are similar, our methods are different. But what I can tell you is the reason for my singing. Seven planets. Seven musical scales. The harmony of the universe that lies at the core of Alchemy is the harmony of music. That harmony is the basis of all truths."
"Does this rambling of yours have a point?" Tsubasa sneered, having enough of Carol's roundabout method of answering them.
"So impatient. But there is nothing strange about it at all. Allow me to enlighten you." Carol raised a hand toward the crack in the sky."Back in the prehistoric era, the curse of Balal robbed humanity of their mutual understanding."
"Yeah, Fine mentioned that..." Hibiki recalled her former friend and enemy's words.
"Without that mutual understanding, people sought to achieve that ability by other means. It was said that knowing all creation would make understanding possible again. They tried to connect the world through means beyond words."
"You mean...songs?" Tsubasa breathed, receiving a nod.
"Correct." Carol smiled."Alchemy and songs were both created to fill the gap left by lost universal language."
"But that can't be!" Chris was quick to refute the idea."It just can't!"
"Oh, but it can be." Carol grinned."And it is. It should be obvious to you, seeing as how your main energy source is your songs. But now..."
"Songs...are being used to destroy the world..." Hibiki gasped in horror.
"Tokyo lies on the focal point of the ley lines that crisscross the planet." Carol continued." Which makes it the perfect place to send songs echoing throughout the world."
"I see..." Tsubasa furrowed her brows."So that's why you destroyed the keystones that formed the town's spiritual defenses. "
"So...is there nothing left we can do...?" Chris lowered her guns."I don't even know if the others are okay...I'm so worried about Takeru..."
"Hajime never called me back...And Chao-Xing and him went to the Mirror World before anyone else." Hibiki clenched her chest.
"Yosuke...you said you would contact me in case anything happened..." Tsubasa closed her eyes in frustration.
"You know...I get it." Carol sighed, folding her arms."The pain of being concerned about your loved one. I too, was worried about my love."
"Right...you said your love died." Hibiki recalled her words."Damian mentioned that this Bragard is not the real one. It's a copy. And you said that too."
"Bragard died when we were children." Carol grimaced upon remembering the heartbreaking funeral."He...He meant the world to me. He was sick with a terminal disease. My father and his friend worked tirelessly to find a cure. While they were able to find one for the plague tormenting the kingdom, they couldn't find one for his disease. He died..."
"I get it. So that's why he calls himself Bragard Second." Chris said."I thought it was his middle name. But it's more like a title than anything else."
"Is he...a Homunculus then?"
"That's correct. The King told my Dad to..." Carol averted her gaze, but they could swear they saw a tear streaming down her cheek."We all decided to give it a shot. No one wanted him gone. So...My Father and his friend created a Homonculus body with his memories. At first, he seemed normal. But...Somehow, word about him being an artificial human spread. And the kingdom faced a civil war. On top of that, enemy kingdoms decided to attack since they thought the royal family would be in disarray due to losing their youngest member."
"Civil war?" Hibiki parroted.
"They deemed this act as a slander against God. So they burnt the King and Queen along with my Father..." Carol clenched her fists."Bragard...I don't know how long he had been planning his schemes, but he used a ritual. A ritual that wiped out all life in the kingdom and converted them into his Philosopher's Stone. Ever since then, I've been living with him. Forced to look at the face of the boy I once loved. He has the same face, and sometimes he acts like him. No matter how I try to convince myself that it's not him, some part of me loves him. But underneath, that's not the person I fell in love with. No. It's a demon in disguise."
"Carol..." Hibiki muttered, feeling sympathy for her foe.
"But that's all in the past now." Carol shook her head."You shall feel the same pain I felt. Losing the love of your life. There is nothing you can-"
"Yes, there is!"
All of them gasped upon hearing the familiar voice of the big brother of their group. The bluenette was the first to react."Jades!"
"There is plenty we can do! We'll keep on fighting until the end! For the sake of our home! We'll show you what the cursed children are capable of!"
"Cursed children?" Maria couldn't help but chuckle, lashing out her bladed whip to wipe out a bunch of Noise."I guess it's pretty fitting for us."
Copy Vent
Raia made a replica of Maria's whip, using it in conjunction with his Evilwhip to attack the Alca Noise."Crude. But not inaccurate, I guess."
"But even cursed children like us can be blessings too!" Imperer yelled, hopping around and impaling the Noise with his spear. Kirika was close behind, covering his back by tearing through the Noise with her scythe.
Shirabe circled them, wiping out the Noise that dared to try to flank them with her buzzsaws as she skated around.
A hologram of Carol formed in front of them, revealing Carol glaring daggers at them."Dr. Ver. So you're still alive! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Of course, I'm alive. Your mistake for not finishing me off properly." He taunted her."I'm reprogramming your Chateau. All alchemy is based on decomposition, analysis, and last but not least, reconstruction!"
"You imbecile! The Chateau could never handle the load! It'll-"
"Explode, yes, I know." Dr. Ver cackled maniacally."It'll still reform the world! It's too bad I couldn't do the same to your beloved prince, but oh well! I get to fuck up someone's plan regardless!"
Shook Vent
Suddenly, the ground shook violently, causing them all to lose their footing. Metalgelas stomped on the ground, cracking the floor below them with its heavy footsteps. Kamen Rider Gai stood by the door.
"It's that fake again!" Raia pointed at the imposter.
"When are you going to tell them the truth?" The doppelganger asked Tiger."That you weren't meant to be Kamen Rider Tiger."
"Huh?"
Dr. Ver furrowed his brow.'So they don't know? Jades...always keeping secrets, are you?'
Before they could ask what it meant, another doppelganger appeared, this time, with the appearance of Maria clad in her Gungnir attire. This Maria rose her lance, splitting it open to fire a large energy cannon.
HORIZON†SPEAR
Freeze Vent
Tiger quickly canceled out the attack by freezing it in place, but Gai had other things in mind.
Confine Vent
The ice disappeared, allowing the attack to go through. Maria tried blocking it but was overpowered and sent crashing into Tiger.
"I am Fine." Her clone stated."Yes, I am the one named "the end"!"
"You're...the culmination of our mistakes and missteps." Maria picked herself up, helping her boyfriend up as well."Our past still haunts us..."
"But shameful pasts exist to be rewritten!" Kirika cried out."We'll correct our mistakes and never make them again!"
"We'll overcome our sins." Shirabe chimed in.
"We won't let them define who we are." Raia said solemnly."Not anymore."
"We're different from how we were back then!" Imperer yelled."So don't go assuming we're still the same!"
Wordlessly, the fake Gai activated another ability.
Metal Vent
Metallic spikes emerged from the ground, forcing the group to spread out in different directions. Maria and Jades rushed toward the fake Maria, wielding a dagger and claws respectively.
The clone parried the claws with her lance, eyeing Maria while she tried to attack from the sides. Once she dashed at her, she simply leaped away to avoid her, twirling her weapon before smashing it onto the ground, forcing them to jump away. She used her cape to form a tornado, choosing to go after Tiger and making him block with his claws. Sparks of energy cracked around them, but Maria finally intervened by kicking her doppelganger away.
'Maria! Can you give your communicator to Dr. Ver?"
Maria recognized the voice of the homunculus coming through her communicator."What do you have in mind?"
"I'll fight..." Elfnein took a deep breath, despite her injuries."I will fight the only way I can!"
"Do it, Maria." Tiger nodded."We have no choice. I can tell she's determined."
"Alright..." Maria reached for her communicator, hurling it over to the mad scientist."Doctor!"
"What?" Dr. Ver blinked, catching the communicator with his hand."Yes?"
"Connect this to the Chateau! I'll support you!"
"Oho! Sounds great! But are you up to it?!" With a mad grin, he slammed the device onto the terminal, connecting S.O.N.G with the Chateau."What now?"
"I'll handle half the calculations to alleviate some of the burdens." Elfnein responded."Please dedicate all the Chateau functionality you control to the reconstruction!"
Meanwhile, as this was going on, Gai was putting pressure on the younger heroes. He immediately opened his visor again.
Advent: Metalgelas
Metalgelas charged against Raia, tackling him against a wall, prompting Imperer to go to his help. The monster grabbed the stingray-themed Rider and threw him against his younger brother, sending them both rolling on the floor.
Gai, on the other hand, jumped from spike to spike, kicking Kirika in the stomach and launching her in the air. Shirabe gasped, rushing in to help her and unfolding her twin-tailed buzzsaws.
Strike Vent: Metal Horn
Gai easily deflected Shirabe's attack, sending her crashing against a wall and continuing his pursuit of Kirika.
"KIRIKA!" Raia cried out, but Metalgelas was still preventing them from moving. Kirika closed her eyes, bracing herself for the attack that never came.
Confine Vent
The clone's Metal Horn disappeared, and before he could react, he was shot in the head from afar, causing him to fall to the ground.
Someone caught Kirika with their arms in bridal style, finally allowing the blonde to slowly open her eyes to see...Kamen Rider Gai."Another clone!"
"Seriously...I just got here and I'm already saving your sorry ass." Gai sighed in exasperation."Always the helpless one, huh, Little Kirika?"
"Little...Kirika...?" Kirika blinked. That nickname...Only one person called her that."You're...Teru-nii...?"
"I would call you slow for taking this long to realize that, but..." He eyed the Gai clone from afar."Under these circumstances, I can't blame you."
"It's a fake, Kiri-chan!" Shirabe frowned at the Rider.
"Huh? A fake?" Gai turned to face the purple-eyed girl."Yeah, yeah...that's it! I'm a fake! Nice deduction skills, kiddo!"
"Drop her!" Raia growled after finally neutralizing Metalgelas with Imperer's help.
"Drop her? If you say so." Gai shrugged, carelessly dropping Kirika on the ground.
"Ow! That hurt-desu!" Kirika rubbed her rear in pain.
"No...that has to be the real Terunosuke." Tiger and Maria landed close to them, allowing Maria's clone and Gai to regroup."I can tell by the level of sarcasm in his voice."
"Yeah, it's me." Gai sighed."Seems like you guys are having a rough time here, huh? I guess it's a good time your reliable brother is here to save you."
Kirika and Shirabe rushed to Jades' side, all siblings standing on the opposite side of Gai."Why are you here?! Are you here to help Carol and Bragard-desu?!"
"Are you retarded or something? Why would I do that?" Gai groaned, shaking his head."Didn't they tell you how a fucking big ass Noise appeared in Minato and I took care of it?"
"Wait...that was you?" Maria gaped."We were told that several Noise appeared in 4 different cities...But you are the one who took one of them down?"
"So...you're not working with Bragard?" Tiger arched a brow.
"Nah. Never did. He was just using us to form his personal army." Gai waved his hand dismisivally."But we can't let the world be destroyed by him and his bitch. So we decided to step in. I had a feeling you guys were here when I didn't notice you down there. So, here I am."
"Did you go into the Mirror World?" Jades asked, taking a step forward."Do you know what's going on there?!"
"No idea, honestly." Gai responded."But...I can't enter any of the mirrors around the area, for some reason. It's like...the mirrors on the other side have been destroyed. Something big is going on there. That's why I'm here to...well, I'm here to ask you to help me."
"Huh?! We're not helping you!" Imperer pointed accusingly at him."You're helping us!"
"That's...a rather childish thing to say, both of you." Shirabe deadpanned."Look, why should we trust you anyway? You clearly want us dead. You killed Atticus-nii-chan."
"Well, you're trusting that waste of space over there." He jabbed his thumb toward Dr. Ver, who was too focused to notice him."So how about we call a truce? Of course, we can kill each other right now. But then what would happen to the world?"
Maria scowled. He was right. They had no time to fight him.
"Okay." Tiger sighed after thinking for a few seconds."We'll work together. Against a common enemy."
"But we don't trust you and we haven't forgiven you!" Kirika emphasized."And if you think of betraying us again, we'll beat you up-desu!"
"I don't need your forgiveness, kid." He flicked her in the forehead, marching past them."I just need you to support me."
(Play "Arigatō" wo Utai Nagara)
All 7 siblings took a battle stance against the clones and lunged at each other. Maria, Jades, and Raiden faced off against the fake Maria while Imperer, Gai, Shirabe, and Kirika fought Gai's clone. However, another Gai emerged, this one being a Terunosuke's doppelganger.
"You disgust me!" Terunosuke swatted his clone away, only to have Atticus shoot him with his one-barreled shotgun. Kirika spun her scythe, tearing the weapon away and Imperer delivered a double kick to his stomach, launching against Shirabe, who swung her saws and slashed at his body.
Terunosuke slid another card inside his visor, activating a new ability.
Metal Vent
More spikes emerged from the ground, but his clone reacted quickly.
Confine Vent
"Tch." He clicked his tongue, watching as Kirika, Shirabe, and Andreas fought Atticus. He heard them sing, surprised to hear Andreas, Raiden, and Jades singing along with the girls. He didn't understand why. They were Riders. Not Symphogear. They weren't required to sing, thank God.
Atticus's eyes shifted around, trying to figure out where Andreas would attack as he hopped around with his springs. Kirika swung her scythe, making Atticus block with his Metal Horn. But with a swift movement, she used her weapon to slash at his leg, causing him to fall to one knee.
Shirabe twirled around, her skirt lifting up as it spun around rapidly, crashing against the tough armor and breaking it slightly.
"You have to put your back into it!" Terunosuke slammed his Metal Horn against Atticus' body, sending him crashing against his own clone. Shirabe gave him a nod, but he rolled his eyes."Fine, just this once!"
To their shock, Terunosuke joined in on the singing, letting himself get in the moment.
"No way! He's actually singing too!" Jades couldn't help but laugh."Holy shit!
"Pay attention!" Maria scolded him, pushing him out of the way of the cape. Feeling his confidence reinvigorated after hearing his siblings sing in unison, much like how they used to back in FIS, Tiger manifested his visor and activated his Final Vent.
Final Vent: Crystal Break
Destwilder lunged at the fake Maria, grabbing her by the back of the head and dragging her over to the real Maria and Jades, who brandished their weapons in anticipation. With a battle cry, both of them pierced their respective weapons against the clone's body, destroying it.
Final Vent: Heavy Pressure
Both Gais were being pushed by back the Gigazelle and Evildiver, bringing them closer together in one spot as Terunosuke performed his attack.
Kirika and Shirabe kicked the fakes from the sides, slamming them together for Terunosuke to pierce through them, killing them in one fell swoop.
"We did it!" Kirika beamed, jumping with joy."We did it!"
"We did." Shirabe nodded. Andreas and Raiden removed their helmets, sighing in relief.
"That was a close one." Raiden remarked, eyeing Maria and Jades making their way over to them."You guys done too?"
"Yeah. Though they spoke like them, they weren't the real deal." Jades smiled at them."I would have gotten my ass handed to me by the real Maria."
"Oh, stop being so humble." She punched him lightly in the arm.
Terunosuke observed them from afar, reminiscing about the days when he used to be closer to them. When they would just talk for hours and hours about any subject it never seemed boring. They were...united. He can see it now. It reminded him of...better times? No, definitely not. Simple times? No, that didn't sound right. Just...different times.
'If only things were different.' He snorted, removing his helmet as he looked away.'But maybe in the new world Kaburagi-kun and Loki-sama want to create...'
"Hey, Terunosuke."
The dark-haired man looked back at them, watching them make their way over to him. The girls and the boys seemed reluctant, but Jades had his usual goofy smile on his face."Thanks for the help."
"Yeah, thank you-desu." Kirika and Shirabe bowed."You're not...well, you're pretty terrible. But you helped us."
"I'll take the compliment, I guess." Terunosuke scoffed."But I don't need your thanks. I only did this because it benefits me."
"So...are we fighting you next?" Andreas tilted his head.
"Hah! Yeah, you're definitely a little retarded." Terunosuke laughed aloud, his mocking laughter earning glares from the girls.
"Is it so hard for you to not be such a fucking asshole?" Maria growled, fed up with Terunosuke already.
"If you have nothing good to say then don't say anything at all-desu!"
"Yeah, by that logic, you would all be mutes." He chuckled at their expense."I guess some things never change."
"I'll say." Raiden begrudgingly nodded."You're always giving everyone a hard time. But...I guess when it matters, you come through."
"Again, not because-"
"Not because you wanted to help us. We got that." Shirabe rose her hand after interrupting him."But...thanks. We appreciate your help."
"Appreciate..." Terunosuke's eyes widened slightly at that."You...do?"
"Yeah, we do." Andreas nodded with a sunny smile."You can be a little mean...And you did very bad things, but...you still saved us."
"But we're going back to being enemies...right?" Jades offered a sad smile.
"After this is said and done." Terunosuke looked over his shoulder."Hey! Dr. Ver! How long are you going to take?!"
"I'll take as long as I need!" Dr. Ver sneered before he glanced at Terunosuke."Huh?! You're here?! But-"
All of a sudden, the whole Chateau was hit by a potent beam of energy and everything around them went white.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Carol screamed in utter despair, having just blasted the Chateau with her Alchemy in an attempt of pure desperation."NO! NO! FATHER! FATHER! MY TASK!"
"The girls were in there..." Chris' eyes began to tear up. The castle started to fall from the sky, and the world around them was reconstructed.
"No..." Hibiki shook her head in disbelief.
"Carol!" Tsubasa screamed, distraught."Surrender at once! The future you saught is now naught but ruins and rubble! You lost!"
"I lost...?" Carol began to tear up, unable to hide her emotions."But I can't...No...The task my father left me..."
"Carol...it's over." Hibiki sniffed."Your father...I'm sure he didn't want you to end up like this. Neither would the first Bragard."
"It's true! Papa didn't want that!"
A hologram appeared from Carol's body, revealing Elfnein.
"You...you're mimicking what I did earlier?!"
"Papa didn't want you to destroy the world." Elfnein shook her head."The Prince neither. That prince...is different from the one we have now."
"You have no idea!" Carol seethed."You weren't even around! You weren't there when Bragi died and my father was burnt alive!"
"Maybe not, but I was created by you." Elfnein gave her a sad smile."Recall Papa's words...He said he wanted us to learn more of the world."
"What about it?!"
"The ultimate goal of Alchemy is to understand all creation, and through that each other, in perfect harmony with the world..."
"Are you implying that Papa told us to accept the world that rejected him?!" Carol couldn't believe what she was hearing."That's nonsensical! You're making this up!"
"I figured you wouldn't believe me." Elfnein winced in pain."I'll answer in his stead...The answer to the task he gave us..is forgiveness. To forgive, to understand, and to connect with the world. To end the cycle of hatred that boxes humanity in and causes endless fights. To obtain harmony. That is the answer."
"Forgiveness?!" Carol exploded."You expect me to believe he wanted me to forgive this world?!"
"That's why Bragard is doing what he's doing! Because he's full of hatred! Full of malice!" Elfnein cried, but exerting herself only caused more pain.
"I've had enough of this!" Carol swiped her hand, dispersing the hologram."The Chateau de Tiffauges is in ruins, but the Overall is still in play!"
Above them, the dimensional rift had become even bigger than before, and the cracks in the sky began to expand."Your friends still haven't won. Nor will they ever win!"
"Are you willing to put your faith in a heartless bastard like Bragard?!" Chris fumed."Are you so desperate to do that?!"
"I am! If I have to offer my life to that monster wearing the face of the person I love, then so be it!" Carol declared."I shall abandon the past and crush the present!"
Her body began to glow, a clear indication of the transmutation of her memories."Time for revenge!"
"We won't let you!" Hibiki proclaimed."Ignite Module, Bakken!"
All girls entered their Ignite Module in retaliation to Carol's increase in power.
"What a desperate attempt to stop me. I am still superior, no matter how many of you bundle up together with the Ignite Module." Carol laughed, casting a golden magic circle to stop Hibiki's punch. She stepped out of the way, blasting her back with a fireball before lashing out her wire, forming a wall to block Chris' bullets.
"Yes...I can feel myself getting stronger..." Carol grinned wickedly at her own power, easily flying out of the way of Tsubasa's Azure Flash. She brought up several barriers, blocking their combined attacks from all directions, an action that the Riders had tried before against Bragard.
"Keep trying to brute force your attacks past my defense." Carol mocked them."All I have to do is stall until the dimensions merge. Then, this world will truly end."
"Our boyfriends are still fighting!" Hibiki continued punching the barrier, trying to break it."That's why Bragard still isn't here to come to your rescue!"
"And even then, do you think he cares about you?!" Chris asked, receiving a piercing glare.
"Tch!" Carol snapped her fingers, her barriers pushing the wielders away from her."Even if he doesn't that's fine with me. I only care about destroying this world. That's all. Everything else comes second."
(Play Senkin Dur Da Bla)
Carol started to sing, increasing her output to new heights.
"Impossible..." Tsubasa breathed, astonished."She can still go this far?"
"But we can still go higher too!" Hibiki reached for her pendant, followed by the two girls next to her."Unsheathe! All safeties release!"
Reaching the final phase, the girls increased their power even more to match Carol's, though they were struggling to push back the golden sphere she had thrown at them.
"You're all hopeless fools!" Carol cackled in delight."My song has the Phonic Gain of seven billion Swan Songs!"
The golden sphere overpowered the Symphogear, and went up into the sky, heading for the dimensional rift and exploding, making the rift larger than before.
"Huh...they didn't die..." Carol narrowed her gaze."They had no time to move...So how...?"
"Maria-san! Shirabe-chan! Kirika-chan!" Hibiki exclaimed, picking herself up from the floor upon seeing her friends, clad in their Ignite Module."You're okay!"
"Let's just say...we got a little lucky." Maria smiled.
Juggernaut Vent
While some areas of the Chateau had suffered significant damage, Terunosuke had used his Survive form to use his new ability to take in the full force of the attack and disperse it, saving his siblings.
"Teru-nii...!" Maria gaped, watching her destroyed surroundings."What...happened?"
"I used my new move." Terunosuke explained, reverting to his regular form."It boosts my defenses to new extremes. And with that, I can disperse the damage somewhere else. I absorb the damage, essentially, and can redirect it or just spread it around, which is what I did. Though I can't move while doing that."
"So you got your own Survive form now, huh..." Raia hummed."That will make you more formidable to fight..."
"Hey, I just revealed an important piece of information about my abilities. And saved your life again!" Gai pointed out."So be thankful for once. If Serena was here, she would be."
"He's right." Maria grabbed Raia's shoulder."We must be thankful. Thank you, Teru-nii."
"You are welcome." Gai scoffed, folding his arms."Though...I'd be lying if I said I didn't aim to get him killed."
Kirika was going to ask what he meant, but she noticed Dr. Ver, his lower half crushed by a rock."Look!"
"Dr. Ver!" Maria exclaimed, rushing toward the doctor.
"What the hell!" Raia threw his arms up."Why?! You didn't have to do that!"
"I was going to kill him anyway." Gai shrugged."Besides, why do you feel bad about him? He's a fucking weasel and a bastard. He deserves to die. Didn't he force that high school girl with a Gear? Miku something, was it?"
"And who are you to decide that?!" Raia snapped back.
"Doctor..." Maria knelt next to the dying man.
"There's...nothing we can do...his wounds are..." Jades closed his eyes.
"Don't give me that look." Dr. Ver chuckled, looking up to see the couple."I saved your life and helped you so you can tell the world about my heroic deeds. So you better get out of here and show me that I wasn't wrong when I decided to do this!"
"Shit...Doctor..." Jades ran a hand through his hair."I didn't...want things to end like this..."
"It was bound to happen. I lost too much blood as it is. I was going to die regardless. Whether by Carol, the prince, or your..." He glared at the rogue Rider."Complicated brother. Here, take this, as a parting gift."
Dr. Ver tossed them a chip."It's love. My love."
"Meaning?" Raiden folded his arms under his chest, not in the mood for hyperboles.
"Seeing as how I'm...losing consciousness and you're as impatient as ever..." Dr. Ver chuckled, closing his eyes."It's the formula to make LINKER. It should help you. Now that you have another one amongst you, right? So...take it...and use it to repay for your sins..."
Maria took the chip, and both she and her boyfriend offered the doctor a sympathetic look.
"Maria...Jades...was I able to become a hero...?" He asked weakly, taking his last breath.
"Yeah...The worst hero of them all." Maria nodded. Dr. Ver smiled at her words, finally passing away from his injuries.
"About time." Terunosuke walked over to them, spitting on the floor."Disgusting. I can't believe you guys feel bad for this piece of garbage."
"You're one to talk," Raiden muttered, but his brother ignored him.
"Anyway, we shouldn't waste any more time." Gai put his helmet back on."You girls have your battle to go to, right? And if you guys are done wasting time, we have a Mirror World to go to."
"Yeah...this isn't over yet." Tiger nodded, followed by Raia and Imperer."The Chateau is done, but we still have the Overall to worry about. Let's save the world. The first step to atone for our sins."
"When are you going to tell them you weren't meant to be Kamen Rider Tiger?"
Jades clenched his fists, shaking his head and pushing those thoughts out of his head.
"By the way...I know we worked together and all.." Terunosuke glanced over his shoulder."But after this, we're back to being enemies. I want to create a perfect world without evil for Serena to exist in. Of course, you guys will oppose us. Right?"
"Yeah." Jades nodded, leaving no room for argument."We won't let you have your way with humanity."
"Figures." He chuckled."Who in their right mind would say no to such a world, anyway?"
Carol marbled at the sight of the X-Drives. Hibiki had used her Gungnir to bring their combined Phonic Gain together, and Maria used her Airgetlam to control it and distribute it among them. To add insult to injury, they had even Carol's Phonic Gain and absorbed it into them, making their X-Drive transformation possible.
No longer were they clad in their dark-colored outfits. In contrast to that, they were clad in pure white Symphogear with their respective color schemes.
"Impossible...Simply impossible..." Carol muttered in disbelief, seeing a miracle happen right before her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Mirror World, things were getting out of control and fast. The combined efforts of Ryuki, Zolda, and Knight managed to push them past several hundred Alternatives. 3 Final Vents against a million.
'They're all going down relatively easy.' Knight mentally noted.'In contrast to how much of a nightmare it was to kill a single one. Could it be that their durability is far weaker since there's more than one main body now?'
"Look at you go!" Bragard laughed as if he was watching a play."You look like ants in comparison to my army!"
"We have to head for the tower!" Knight yelled."If we can destroy the source, we can destroy the clones!"
"A nice strategy. If you somehow get to me, you won't have to kill the 10 million Alternatives!"
"10 million?!" Zolda felt his heart sink to his stomach."B-but you just said it was one million! And we've killed over a thousand of these things already!"
"True. You have destroyed over 6 thousand. But I just made a few million more to replace them." Bragard guffawed."You're fighting a pointless battle! Even if you were in peak condition, you could never kill them all. They are nearly infinite in number. You destroy a thousand, but I can just make a million more."
"Don't listen to him!" Knight screamed, but knew he wasn't lying, as much as he wished he was."He's just trying to get into our heads!"
"Well, you can keep on destroying them if you want." Bragard said."But you won't get anywhere. You're all just scum underneath my feet. I am now untouchable! The perfect being with no equal!"
"F-fuck...!" Zolda's power began to flicker, their combined attack slowing down."I'm sorry...I can't...!"
"Sakamoto! Don't give up!" Knight tried to encourage him, but he was running on fumes too."We have to keep going!"
"I-I-I can't! It's too much!"
Zolda was the first one to collapse to the ground, dispelling the combined attack. Knight landed on his knees, but Ryuki continued strong.
Booster Vent
The half Liang rushed through several Alternatives, with Dragranzer assisting him by providing support fire."COME OUT! COME OUT AND FACE ME, BRAGARD!"
"Come out and face you...?" Bragard scowled, remembering those same words being said to him years ago.
"Come out and face me, Bragard!" Hazama, donning the Odin armor, tore his way through the other Riders with ease."This ends today!"
"You know..." A twisted smile graced the albino's features."It's staggering to think of how many people died to get you this far."
"Don't listen to him, Adachi!" Yosuke screamed, blocking a sword with his Darkblade and blocking another with his arm shield."He's just trying to get into your head!"
"No, no. Really, think about it. Hazama died to protect you and your family. Your cousin, your uncle, and your grandmother died just now to protect you because you were too weak to do anything. And after all that trust they put in you." Bragard chuckled, his laugh coming from all the clones."How sad. They must be turning in their graves right now."
Ignite Vent
"SHUT! THE FUCK! UUUUUUUUUUUUUP!" Ryuki manifested two giant arms of fire, smashing every Alternative that got in his way. There were simply too many of them, coming from all directions at all times. He tried making his attacks wider, but this did little to help. So he focused his attention on the main threat. The Overall. He opened up his visor, sliding a card in the side and igniting his boosters.
Red Vent: Chaos Gate
He glanced at the Overall, teleporting in front of it and barely missing a barrage of missiles from the Alternatives. With a bloodcurdling scream of anguish and hatred, he began to pounce on the Overal, only to hit an invisible wall that protected it. He did not care about this, however, and continued striking it with all his might.
"Look at the Boy Wonder go!" Bragard cackled, clapping in amusement."Go on! Just a little more! I'm waiting inside! But, hey! What is life without a proper challenge, right?"
Ryuki grimaced, hearing a volley of missiles being shot from a battalion of Alternatives. He glanced down at the ground, staring at an Alternative that was focused on Knight, and switched places with him, forcing it to take the full explosion of the missiles instead.
"Adac-Shit!" Knight's back was slashed by a Slashdagger, and someone kicked his legs, sweeping him off his feet.
"I investigated a little bit..." Bragard stifled a chuckle."About Hibiki Tachibana."
Ryuki froze in pleasure, much to Bragard's enjoyment.
"After surviving the Zwei Wing massacre, she lived through hell. I heard people from all around her neighborhood would break her windows with rocks, send death threats, and vandalize their property. I once heard that they pushed her off the stairs at her old school, nearly killing her. Poor girl. I suppose...spreading out those fake rumors was too much, huh?"
"What...did you say...?"
"That's right. I am the one who started those rumors." Bragard boasted."About her planning that Noise attack. I made her life a living hell, much like you. I just thought it would be funny that the only survivor of that attack had to live the rest of her life in utter misery. I also heard...that she tried to kill herself several times. Hahahaha! You couldn't tell based on her appearance, but that smile of hers...is hiding the worst agony of all."
"THAT'S IT! I'LL KILL YOU! RIGHT NOW!" That was it. Ryuki saw red again and released a roar, his body starting to mutate again and Dragranzer roared in response.
"ADACHI! HE'S LYING!" Knight cried out, jumping around and trying to catch his breath, but the attacks were endless.
"HAHAHAH! HE ACTUALLY BELIEVED ME!" Bragard guffawed in sadistic glee."Of course, I'm lying, dumbass! Why the hell would I take an interest in that bitch?! But hey, you're getting mad again! Maybe you can be a better challenge now."
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! KILL YOU! KILL YOU!" Ryuki continued to scream, tearing through the Alternatives but his aura quickly began to fade.
"Fuck! He's having a mental breakdown!" Knight panicked, turning to face the dragon in the sky."Dragranzer! You have to stop! If you fuse with him again, you'll kill him! Stop it! Sakamoto, we have to do something! Adachi is-SAKAMOTO! NO!"
Zolda was on the ground on all fours, his armor completely broken and surrounded by Alternatives holding down his arms and legs, with another one standing above him with his blade dangerously close to his head."F-fuck...I can't...I can't move..."
Ryuki was tackled by an Alternative, but he blasted it away, thrashing around. But this didn't last for long. He was vastly outnumbered and unable to keep up. Knight tried his best, using his Tempest Vent to blow away several Alternatives, but he had also reached his limit. He was forced to the ground, and soon, all Riders were incapacitated.
"This...this is it..." Knight grimaced, feeling powerless.'I can't...I can't save them...'
"Ah, the show is over, huh? Well, it was certainly interesting. I sure hope your beloved women provide me a better challenge than this." Bragard snapped his fingers, prompting the Alternatives to raise their blade in unison to finish the job.
Blizzard Vent
A wave of ice froze the Alternatives around them, and several arrows were shot at them before exploding on impact. Drills of energy were shot toward the Alternatives that hadn't been frozen, piercing through them and making the others take a step back at the sudden interference.
Kamen Rider Tiger, Raia, and Imperer had joined the battle, rushing to help their friends.
"Sorry, we took so long." Tiger helped Knight up, apologizing."I...I'm sorry..."
"Just glad you're here..." Knight groaned in pain. "The situation is...critical, to say the least...And the Chateau?"
"Destroyed." He informed him."Also...where is Chao-Xing? I thought she'd be here fighting with you guys. She's not in the real world."
"She...she didn't make it." Knight said, clenching his fists."She's dead..."
"What...?" Tiger's eyes widened in shock."I see..."
"You okay, Takeru-san?" Raia and Imperer helped Zolda sit up."It's not your day today, huh?"
"It's never my day." Zolda chuckled, only to end up coughing blood."Shit...I feel like complete shit right now...How is-"
"Chris-san and the others are fine." Imperer cut him off."Also...we sort of brought a little help..."
Shatter Vent
A tremendous shockwave spread through the area around them, shattering the Alternatives' Slashdaggers as if they were mirrors. Gai landed in front of the group, wielding his visor."Oh, yeah. Now this is a true shit show."
"W-why is he here?!" Knight tensed up upon seeing their enemy.
"He's here to help." Tiger told him, sitting him back down."As surprising as that sounds."
"I brought some friends too." Gai shifted his gaze toward a black portal opening up above them, shooting several spheres of darkness and destroying a great number of clones. Ryuga opened a portal next to Ryuki, appearing before him.
"You look like you could use some help." Ryuga offered his hand, but Ryuki swatted it away."Sit down. You need to rest."
"I can still fight!" Ryuki sneered, but his legs gave out on him and his Survive form fizzled out.
"Yeah, see. Just take it easy for now and get some rest. You're falling over." Ryuga turned his attention to the Overall.
"We came late to the party." Femme flapped her wings, safely landing a few yards away from the group, licking her lips."I can cut loose here. This will be so much fun!"
"They're here too?" Takeru blinked, baffled upon seeing their enemies coming to their rescue."Then that means-"
"I'm here too." Ouja suddenly was next to him, squatting down to his level."Hello there, Takeru."
"Figures." Zolda sighed at his sworn enemy."So, you got your Survive form too."
"As did you." Ouja examined him from head to toe."Not the worst you've looked. I think I still hold the first place in that regard."
"Oh, yeah. I never got beat up as much as before. Remind me to return you the favor." Zolda shot back."So what? You're here to help out of the kindness of your heart?"
"Let's just say that circumstances have forced us to unite against a common enemy." He cryptically said.
"But you want to destroy the world just like he does." Raia pointed out.
"True, but we will reform the world anew and revive everyone who died." Ouja quickly replied."Unlike him, who wants to create a new species after his image. Besides, our plan is a far cry from being completed. So in a way, we're not your biggest threat."
"Honestly, I'm against working with the enemy like this." Knight sighed in indignation, turning off his Survive Mode."But...it's not like we have a choice. Do you think you can get to that tower? Unless we destroy the Overall or shut it down, these clones will continue to be mass-produced."
"Even if you can't, just buy me some time." Zolda showed them his ace in the hole, the GigantoRailgun."If I can charge this attack, there is a chance I can bypass that barrier and blow a hole into the tower. This card defeated the Divine Weapon, so if we have any chance of winning, it's this."
"Alright." Ryuga relented."Then start charging that. The two of you, take a breather. You're no use in this fight in your current condition. We'll buy you the time you need."
"Reliable as always, aren't you, Sakamoto-kun?" Femme said with her bubbly persona voice."I know we can count on you~!"
"Nakahara-san..." Zolda muttered, remembering that this was the same girl who had become his tutor all those months ago.
"Enough with the mind games." Gai groaned."Let's just get this over with."
"So, the Disasters are teaming up with S.O.N.G? I suppose the Goliath Noise were not enough to stop you." Bragard mused, all Alternatives gathering around the city and staring down at the small group of Riders."Who would have thought the day would come when all Riders would unite against a single enemy?"
"We're not your puppets." Ryuga bellowed, standing in front of the group."If one Messiah isn't enough for you, you got another one right here. You don't have what it takes to get a hold of humanity."
"And what, you do? You fool. Even with a God inside of you, you are no match for me. Your pathetic counterpart far outclasses any of you and he stood no chance. I am the Ultimate Lifeform. I have...entered the realm of divinity. Sure, there are 10 of you, but there is an infinite number of me. I have no equal now! My power right now exceeds the power of 10 million Final Vents! And I'll show you by doing just that."
Shoot Vent: GigantoRailgun
Takeru took the position in front of Ryuki and Knight as they rested and started to charge up his sniper. Gai and Femme stood on their sides, assigned with defending them while the others faced off against the army of Alternatives. 10 Riders, united against a stronger foe. 10 Riders against 10 million fake Riders. The sheer number of Alternatives covered all of Tokyo and the outskirts. Two Messiahs against one. A battle that involved Chaos, Calamity, and Catastrophe. The final battle for the world had started.