Saint-Germain stood atop a building, looking down at the city. All that could be heard was the wind, as she held up two white flowers.

"73,800. 73,801."

She dropped them both off the ledge as they blew away in the wind.

"Ever since my mother died, I've grown accustomed to being left behind." Saint-Germain said. "I'll see them soon enough, in any case. My life, like theirs, is not mine to keep."

There was clapping behind her, as she glanced to see Tiki was the culprit. Adam stood by silently.

"My, my, could you be afraid of dying?" Tiki suggested.

"I'll do whatever it takes to make our revolution a reality." Saint-Germain declared. "Better this than to sacrifice someone else."

Tiki laughed. "What's this? Your true feelings, revealed at last?"

"So that's what you were counting." Adam realized. "The sins you had to bear. Pure hypocrisy."

"If you were still human, you'd understand." Saint-Germain looked skyward.


"Done at last! I thought I'd never be free!"

Hibiki had her head down on her desk in victory over finishing all her summer schoolwork, while Rui patted her on the back. Miku picked up some notebooks. "Well done. …Thanks, Hibiki."

"Eh? I should be the one thanking you for helping me!" Hibiki said, raising her head.

"You promised you'd take care of both your missions and your homework, and you're doing just that." Miku said.

"I'm pretty sure that's basic stuff." Rui said.

"I just keep following the path of least resistance." Hibiki rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not smart enough like Oneesan to choose what's right. Kinda reckless of me, huh?"

"Well, Rui is also quite reckless, but that sounds like your way." Miku said.

"Oi." Rui had her arms crossed in mock offense."

"My way?" Hibiki repeated.

A loud bang was heard. "Yes, your day, both of your days, dess!"

They looked at the front to see Kirika had her hand on the chalkboard, with "9.13" written on it.

"Kaixa Day?" Rui said immediately, before Miku smacked her on the back of the head. The two of them had to run this bit every year, much to Miku's annoyance.

"I just realized how close it was, dess!" Kirika said.

"Just two more sleeps!" Shirabe said.

"Both your birthdays are in two da-"

Chris threw one of the chalkboard brushes at Kirika's head, bringing her back down to reality. Shuri sighed from the doorway.

"Wh-What's all the fuss about?" Miku asked.

"Chris-san told us, dess!" Kirika said.

"About Hibiki and Rui's birthday?" Miku said.

"You told them about our birthday?" Hibiki asked.

"O-Of course!" Chris looked embarrassed. "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't say anything about my girlfriend's birthday?"

"Aw, you did remember." Rui smiled. "Though I tend to remember more that it's Kaixa-"

Miku smacked Rui in the shoulder this time. "Push your obsession down for once."

"Well, I wasn't trying to remember. I just happened to. And it just happened to also be the same day as the dummy's." Chris said.

"Oneesama, they're also twins. You do realize it's natural for them to share a birthday, yes?" Shuri reminded her.

"Also, you seemed pretty excited." Shirabe added.

"Yeah yeah, dess!" Kirika grinned. "It was so obvious you wanted to celebrate the birthday of both Tachibanas, dess!"

"Get off my case!" Chris snapped, face red. "We gotta get our butts to HQ, or we'll be late!"

"Alright, Chris. We got it." Rui stepped up, taking hold of Chris' hand. "Let's go."

"H-Hey, I didn't say you had to hold my hand!" Chris said, though she was blushing with a pleased expression.

"Well, you never said I didn't have to." Rui pointed out with a soft smile, as the two walked out ahead of the others.

"Wow, I never thought Rui-san was a romantic, dess." Kirika admitted.

"Well, she always did have a softer side." Shuri said, remembering how she had first met her. "I'm happy for the two of them."

I should ask her for tips. Miku thought to herself.


"Everyone's here?" Genjuro asked, making sure everyone was present. "Then let us begin the briefing. Put it on screen."

"Yes sir." Aoi said with a few buttons pressed.

"Based on the scrolls and legends you studied at Tsuki Shrine, along with your battles with the alchemists, we have concluded that their objective is the mirrored Orion formed by these intersecting lines." Genjuro said.

Aiba beeped, highlighting the lines Genjuro was referring to.

"They will likely attempt to draw the power they seek from the Divine Gate at this location." Lala said, pointing with an extended finger.

"We are coordinating with the Shrine Association to reinforce defenses at these key points and coordinate a full-scale evacuation of the area." Ogawa reported.

"So they mean to conduct an even greater ritual using the ley lines." Maria said, remembering the battle against Yohualtepuztli, and how they only barely came out on top with Rui's assistance. "What kind of monster are they trying to create?"

"It may be no monster, but a god that rises from that gate." Tsubasa said.

"Can we even fight something like that?" Chris asked.

"Why are you guys panicking?" Maia asked. "We handed Tesla's ass on a plate, and he tried rewriting our whole universe."

"You mean how he took away our powers and Rui-san had to beat him with a surprising miracle?" Shuri reminded her.

"Well, we would've beat him if he didn't cheat." Maia shrugged.

"And that was me drawing upon a lot more power than I usually have." Rui looked at the Elekleid bracelet diagram on the screen. "I doubt I can just call upon that strength again on a whim."

"We have to. We'll find a way." Hibiki said, determined.

"There may already be a way: the power of deicide." Genjuro said.

"Deicide?" Shirabe asked.

"What's that, dess?" Kirika asked.

"There are stories all over the world of so-called gods having to face death." Genjuro said.

"It seems that wartime Germany obtained a power related to the death of gods as the ultimate result of their eugenics research." Aoi said.

Shirabe's eyes widened in realization. "That means-"

"Unfortunately… the promising documents we received from Val Verde and all the relics from the war had been stored in the former Kazanari HQ, the same one annihilated by Lodgemaster Adam Weishaupt." Aoi said.

"However, it's notable that they made a special effort to destroy everything." Genjuro said. "They could well have been trying to cover up any clues that could lead others to realizing that power."

"In other words, their actions suggest a power capable of defeating them exists." Maria realized.

"And because they haven't tried anything particular against me or Rui, that means it's probably much stronger than our strongest forms." Maia added.

"Indeed." Genjuro nodded.

"Deicide…" Hibiki said.

"...is real?" Chris finished.

"Ogawa, Jeanne." Genjuro turned to the man.

"Yes, sir." Ogawa nodded. "We'll coordinate with domestic and international intelligence agencies to gather any related information."

"Hold on. Jeanne, can you give Aiba to Lala?" Lala asked.

"Hmm? Why?" Jeanne asked.

"Lala thinks that maybe she can try drawing out Aiba's locked off power, or at least enter her memory reserves." Lala explained. "Maybe we can find another clue there with how Aiba's history as Argus' Eye means she's been through a lot."

"That sounds logical to me." Aiba's voice chirped.

"Alright. If you're fine with it." Jeanne held out her hand, letting Aiba pop out and assume her little hamster-like form. She handed her off to Lala, before running out of the room with Ogawa.

"We're counting on you two." Genjuro said, watching the two leave.

Lala held Aiba in her hands. Lala will find the answer… Lala can do this!


The wielders and SOUL had gathered in the cafeteria to discuss what they heard (as well as have some dinner).

"A god-slaying power to defeat a divine power…" Maria said, remembering Rui kicking Yohualtepuztli. "Could it be the Gungnir?"

They looked over at Hibiki and Rui, who were getting their food. Rui was chastising Hibiki for taking too much. Maia was behind them in line, amused at the mountain of food on Hibiki's tray.

"I also considered that possibility." Tsubasa admitted. "However, while we did acquire it from Germany, it has no god-slaying legends associated with it."

"At this point, all we can do is wait." Chris said. "Let's give Elfnein time to clean up the aftereffects on our Gears."

"Right, dess!" Kirika suddenly appeared in front of Chris' face. "Listen up, everyone! I've got a great idea! Hibiki-san and Rui-san's birthdays are in two days, on the 13th! Let's throw a party!"

"What, here? And now?!" Hibiki said as she walked up with her sister and Maia.

"You guys wanna discuss this now?" Rui raised a brow.

"Are we imposing?" Shirabe asked.

"No, no, I'm glad you offered!" Hibiki admitted. "It's just difficult, given the circumstances. Kirika-chan and I are the only wielders that can fight at this point, after all."

"Hey, I'm still here, y'know." Maia pointed out.

"I don't think you count in this instance." Shuri said.

"Rude."

"But it's your birthdays, dess!" Kirika said.

"I guess, but…" Hibiki said.

"You can't have a birthday without a birthday party, dess!" Kirika said.

"Dunno about that? I mean, you still get a day older regardless?" Rui said.

"Get a clue." Chris said to Kirika. "Don't be so naive!"

"Naive…?" Kirika said, frowning. "...I guess my naivete put you on the spot, huh…"

"N-Not at all! Thanks for trying!" Hibiki said, reassuring Kirika.

"If it's between our birthday and saving the world, I think we can delay the celebration a few days." Rui said. "Besides, Miku would get less annoyed with me talking about Kaixa Day."

"What day?" Shirabe asked.

"Well, it gives Oneesama more days to find you a birthday gift then." Shuri said with a smile.

"Shuri!" Chris blushed up a storm. "I told you to keep that quiet!"


While Elfnein continued to work on fixing up the Gears to make sure they were in tip-top shape, Lala was in her lab alongside her, with Aiba sitting on a small podium. The small sentient relic retracted itself into its eye form. Lala's fingertips retracted, turning into small plugs.

"This might tickle a bit, Aiba." Lala warned her.

"I do not get ticklish." Aiba said.

"Well, it might." Lala said, before putting her fingers on Aiba.

The second they connected with the small eyeball, Lala's vision went white. When her sight returned, she widened her eyes at where she was.

"Is this… a library…?"

She was in a large white space that had bookshelves lining the entire place. Walking around, she could only see more unmarked bookshelves around.

"So these must be Aiba's memory banks…" Lala realized, pulling off one of the books, the cover blank. "Well… this might take longer than I expected."


"73,808. 73,809."

Saint-Germain walked forward, killing the guards around the shrine. The energy bolts honed around, piercing through them and turning them to gold particles.

"73,810. 73,811."

"They're all over the area." Tiki said, leaning against one of the shrine gate pillars. "Doesn't this mean they've figured out our plan? What are you gonna do about that, Saint-Germain?"

"Nothing at all." She answered, dropping her robe. "I'll use the life energy I've gathered so far to set up the central control plinth."

Tiki merely sighed, watching on as Saint-Germain began to chant.

"Like an emerald gem it flickered among the stars, as the souls of many and more joined it."

Her back lit up, the markings surrounded by hexagon sigils.

"Suddenly a wild wind rose in the dark of the night, and even the light of the moon shivered in fear."

A golden pillar of light rose from her. Spreading all over the city in different directions.


"Commander! Look!" Fujitaka called, pulling up a visual of the energy spike.

"Send out word immediately!" Genjuro commanded.


The golden energy beams connected with the other shrines scattered across the country.

"As master of the seventh light, I'll use my own life to supply the energy we need to open the Gate." Saint-Germain declared.


"Yes? Yes. Yes. I understand." Hibiki was sitting up in bed as she ended the call.

"Hibiki?" Miku had woken up.

"I have to go." Hibiki said.

"Ah, wait-" Miku held out a hand and Hibiki stopped. "Ah… sorry."

Hibiki put her hand over Miku's. "I'll be okay. Oneesan and I's birthday is coming up, right? I'll be back before you know it."

Miku smiled and nodded.


Hibiki ran outside after getting dressed. Maia was waiting there for her, on one of Tsubasa's motorbikes.

"Shit's not looking good." She said, tossing Hibiki a helmet. "Let's get going."

Hibiki caught it and nodded. "Right!"

Maia grinned as Hibiki hopped on. "With Kirika joining us later, SONG's most reckless duo's about to become a reckless trio!"


Tiki watched as Saint-Germain continued the ritual, her sounds of pain getting louder as it went on. The phone started to ring and she walked over to pick up. "Adam?"

"It seems everything is proceeding smoothly." He noted.

"Eyup! All thanks to Saint-Germain!" Tiki nodded, looking up at the night sky, seeing the constellation. "The moment the Orions of the sky and ground match the aspect specified by the ritual, the gate will be drawn on the horoscope. Calculating the precise time and place is my job! And…"

Her eyes started flickering, zooming in and out to find the spot dead-on.


"What is that?" Maria asked, seeing what was presented on the screen.

A video call turned on, revealing Yatsuhiro. Tsubasa was surprised by his sudden appearance. "Father?"

"Our preparations are complete." He said. "Whenever you're ready."


"I have to hurry! The Bavarian Illuminati are pulling ahead!" Elfnein said, looking at the monitor in her room.

Lala had not reacted, her eyes still closed. In her mind, she was still looking through all the books that represented Aiba's memories.

"This is a lost cause." Lala said, tossing one of them aside. "If this would be all stuff Aiba would know… then Lala needs to find…"

She looked around, before noticing a few books that stood out from the shelves, due to the chains enwrapping them. She saw the designs had a few red crystals on the covers.

"There."


Saint-Germain's discomfort and pain grew, as she started remembering her fallen allies. Cagliostro. Prelati. I won't let your sacrifices be in vain. Mother. I've worked to overcome all oppression. I…!

Green energy spread around the entire city, before a ring of golden energy expanded.

"The Divine Gate has opened!" Tiki cheered.

Saint-Germain raised her arms. "I use the very life of the planet from the ley lines. I add to it the idea of the maiden blindly, obediently in love."

Tiki rose into the pillar of divine energy, as the power started flowing into her. "I can feel it inside me!"


SONG's helicopter flew overhead, with Hibiki, Kirika and Maia observing the destruction and chaos below.

"Look over there, dess! It's really happening!" Kirika pointed.

"Is… Is that it…?" Hibiki said, looking closer.

"The mirrored Orion, dess!" Kirika recognized the symbol.

"You'd think we'd be used to "end of the world" scenarios by now, but nope." Maia shivered. "This is still pretty messed up."

"All the more reason to stop it!" Hibiki said.


"We're observing massive amounts of energy focusing to one point through the ley lines!" Fujitaka reported.

"At this rate, it's only a matter of time before the Divine Gate materializes!" Aoi added.

"With me, Gen!" Yatsuhiro held up a key.

"On your mark, Brother!" Genjuro held up a key of his own.

The two inserted the keys into special ports. "Authorization… confirmed!"

KEYSTONE ACTIVATION

Across the city, various priests and elders slashed apart the binding ropes on the keystones, as they all began to glow red, forming a protective circle that cut off the divine power.

"Keystones positioned on the ley lines have been activated!" Fujitaka shouted.

"Ley lines successfully cut off!" Aoi reported.

"You let us figure out too much of your plan, alchemists." Yatsuhiro said, fixing his glasses. "Don't take us pen-pushers so lightly."

"Heh, if Maia was here, she'd be proud of you, Old Man Kazanari." Rui smirked.


"It's gone… gone…" Tiki felt the power disappear as she plummeted to the ground.

"Tiki?" Saint-Germain said, before feeling a gust. She looked up to see SONG's helicopter overhead, as three figures dropped out of it.

"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron~"

"Zeios Igalima raizen tron~"

"Croitzal ronzell Gungnir zizzl~"

(Insert Hitsuai Duo Shout by Aoi Yuuki and Ai Kayano)

All three of them transformed, donning their armor and landing on the ground. Maia was going all out from the start, having activated her Dual Relics mode.

"It's over, dess!" Kirika declared.

"Symphogear? Is there no limit to your tenacity?" Saint-Germain said.

"I dunno, is there no limit to the Illuminati and their tendency to go butt-ass naked?" Maia asked with a whistle.

"Shuri-san's going to kill you, you know, dess." Kirika said, as Saint-Germain transformed and donned her Faust Robe.

She charged at Hibiki, who did the same. The two clashed, as Hibiki donned the Ignite Module, blocking Saint-Germain's attack.

"Is fighting the only option we have left?" Hibiki asked.

"You and I both fight for what we believe is right, holding our justice tight!" Saint-Germain declared. "There is no other way!"

Hibiki dodged several of Saint-Germain's slashes, before jumping back to avoid several bullets. Kirika and Maia jumped in, slashing and stabbing at Saint-Germain, who fired back in retaliation. They blocked the bullets with the shafts of their weapons, as Hibiki ran in behind them. The two jumped back to allow Hibiki to rush in.


"Gungnir, Igalima and Takemikazuchi have engaged the enemy!" Fujitaka reported.

"The unison between Gungnir and Igalima is stable, with Takemikazuchi's support furthering the unison!" Aoi added.


Saint-Germain grit her teeth, forcing herself to withstand the onslaught of the trio. Kirika jumped back and raised her scythe, as it transformed into a massive pair of scissors.

Twin Cutter: Cinderella

Hibiki and Maia rushed in from the other side, as Saint-Germain launched herself up on a pillar of gold to dodge the attacks. She fired down upon the three, who blocked the bullets and climbed up the pillar of gold. They each attacked once, but Saint-Germain blocked them with a shield. She fired more shots, which Kirika spun her scythe to block it, but one of the larger bullets exploded into water, forcing them all in a vortex that sent the to the ground.

"I really, really hate that shit." Maia spat out some of the water she swallowed.

"Your beliefs are hollow and fragile!" Saint-Germain shouted, dashing with a blade outstretched. Kirika ran up to defend the group with her scythe again. "We'll use the divine power to seize the Lunar Ruins! Then we'll free mankind from the Curse of Balal and end its history of oppression!"

She fired a shot, launching the blue wolf of energy, knocking Kirika away. Hibiki and Maia drew their fists back, forming huge drills.

"Even so!" Hibiki shouted, as the two Gungnir-users punched forward to clash with the energy wolf. "It's not worth sacrificing others for!"

"32,931 sacrifices and 40,977 casualties! Those are the sins I must carry." Saint-Germain declared. "At this point, changing my ways is not an option!"

"It's always an option, you dumbass!" Maia aimed her spear. "You're feeling too sorry for yourself to see it!"

Saint-Germain fired at the two, but the bullets entered a hexagram. It reappeared between the two and exploded, separating the Gungnir-users. Saint-Germain jumped upwards and dove at Hibiki with her blade outstretched.

"Hibiki-san!" Kirika called.

Maia pushed herself back up. "She's all good!"

Hibiki had caught the blade with her arm, before the boosters on her back launched her forward for a punch straight at Saint-Germain's gut. Kirika jumped towards Hibiki, their boots connecting, as Kirika added her own boost of speed to increase the power of the attack. Maia jumped past them, charging up her spear and rushing straight at them from the opposite direction. The spear crashed into Saint-Germain's back with a flaming burst.

Certain Love Duo Shout

STARLIGHTSLASH

The clash from the attack completely destroyed the road behind Maia, as Saint-Germain was sent flying past her and crashing into the ground. The Ignite Module disappeared from Hibiki and Kirika, as they stood up to join Maia. Saint-Germain grit her teeth as she pushed herself up. "For the sake of this planet's future… No one should ever… No one should ever suffer that shame. I'll overthrow oppression!"

She stood up, as the girls tensed, ready to fight, but it was clear that the damage was far too much for her, and she collapsed.

"I've come this far with my fists clenched tight around what I believe in." Hibiki said. "But…"

She walked forward towards Saint-Germain.

"I know there are things you can't change with fists alone." She said. "That's why…"

Saint-Germain looked up in shock to see Hibiki holding her hand out to her.

"I'm not afraid to open my fists."

The alchemist was genuinely surprised by the notion from Hibiki. Maia and Kirika were both smiling at Hibiki's choice.

"Using a godlike power to break a curse created by God is wrong." Hibiki said. "People need to change as people."

Saint-Germain was moved by Hibiki's words. Kirika rubbed her nose, while Maia patted her on the shoulder.

"Even so…" Saint-Germain looked down. "That unbending, unreasonable "even so" of yours… Maybe that represents the true power to change the world. Both you, and Tesla's Instrument of Change."

"That's my Oneesan, and she has a name." Hibiki laughed. "I'll introduce you to her later!"

Smiling, Saint-Germain held up a hand towards Hibiki's.

"I think this pity party of yours has gone on long enough."

Maia quickly pulled out her spear and aimed it behind her, as the others turned to where it pointed. Standing in the air was Adam, looking down upon all of them. Above him, several alchemic circles formed in the shape of the constellation, gathering energy.

"What's going on, dess?!" Kirika shouted.

Tiki's body was glowing with divine energy, though she seemed unaware of her situation as she slowly rose up. "Adam… Adam, you came…"


"Ley lines in the sky?" Elfnein looked closer at the monitor's footage. "He's not using the life of this planet, but of the stars themselves. To achieve that, he uses Orion itself to symbolize the Divine Gate. But the distinction of macro and macrocosm is the most fundamental law of alchemy! I don't…!"

Lala's eyes flickered, as her fingers retracted from Aiba. She stood up, picking up the small sentient relic as she made body again.

"Lala? Were you able to find something in my memory banks?" Aiba asked.

"Lala was able to… Lala's not sure if this is a good idea, but Lala knows it might be the only way forward."


"He's using the sea of stars to open it?" Yatsuhiro said, stunned.

"The other gate of gods…" Genjuro said.

"Incoming energy burst! It's off the scale!" Fujitaka shouted.


"You can't cut off something so far out of your reach." Adam said, rising up higher as Tiki's body was enveloped in a red pillar.

"I'll stop you!" Hibiki shouted.

Maia was running alongside her. "Don't get cocky cause you're walking on air, asshat!"

The two jumped skywards, only for Adam to throw his hat at them. It was much tougher than they expected, hitting Hibiki in the face and Maia in the gut, sending them crashing back down.

"Keep your distance!" Saint-Germain ran over to the two fallen Gungnir users, before looking back up at Adam. "Tell me, Lodgemaster! Can this power really free mankind from the chains of oppression?"

Adam caught his returning hat and put it back on. "It can. I guess? Not that I'd use it that way, or ever intended to."

"You duped us?!" Saint-Germain demanded. "Cagliostro… Prelati… All the lives who formed the foundation of our revolution?!"

"You're starting to irritate me." Adam snapped his fingers. Tiki's body was forced upright as she fired a massive blast of golden energy out of her mouth, causing a huge explosion that tore through the area. Adam's smirk briefly dropped at the extreme output, before he smiled again. "Oh? I like this power!"

Though his smile fell again, realizing his foes were still alive. An eerie melody rang out, drowning out the sounds of the explosions.

"Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal~

Emustolronzen Finé el balal zizzl~

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal~

Emustolronzen Finé el zizzl~"

Kirika was singing her Superb Song, spinning a huge scythe blade to protect everyone.

"Kirika!" Maia shouted. "What are you doing?!"

"Sure, you bet I'm naive!" Kirika shouted. "But without someone naive enough to have no worries of their own, who'll shoulder the other's burdens when they're suffering?!"

"A Superb Song?" Hibiki muttered.


Lala ran into the bridge, Aiba on her shoulder, just to see the huge explosion on screen. "Oh no…"

"NO!" Shirabe screamed.


The blast shattered Kirika's weapon before dispersing, as the girl hit the ground painfully.

"Kirika-chan!" Hibiki ran over with Maia. Saint-Germain watched the two. "You used a Superb Song to block it? What were you thinking?!"

"We could've helped! Why did you do that?!" Maia demanded.

Blood was dripping down Kirika's face as she looked at Hibiki. "It's almost your birthday, Hibiki-san… The most important part of a birthday is to still be around for your next one."

"This isn't the time for that!" Hibiki said.

"I don't know my real birthday…" Kirika murmured. "So that makes other people's birthdays all the more important to me."

"You…" Maia gently wiped the blood from Kirika's eyes, as Hibiki started tearing up.

Several empty bottles rolled out of Kirika's skirt, which Hibiki recognized. "LiNKER?"


"She suppressed the Superb Song recoil by overdosing on LiNKER?!" Elfnein realized. "But the side effects will still damage her body!"


"Kiri-chan! Kiri-chan!" Shirabe screamed.

"Get Kirika-kun out of there immediately!" Genjuro ordered. "Prepare an emergency medical team! We need to get the drug out of her system!"

"Yes, sir!" Ogawa said.

"The upgraded LiNKER shouldn't cause any permanent damage, but we need to act fast!" Lala said. She held Aiba up to Jeanne, who picked her up and placed her in her eye socket, before running off with Ogawa.

"Kirika… we're coming!" Jeanne promised.


Saint-Germain held out an arm, standing in front of the wielders. "I won't let you hurt them any further."

"Hoh?" Adam said. "Is that the choice you've made?"

"If you want the divine power for yourself, then you are the oppressor I must face." Saint-Germain concluded.

"You're a stubborn one, huh?" Adam chuckled. "That's what irritates me so much about you. No matter. The divine power will soon be complete. At that point, you will no longer be able to stop me."

"We hold what we believe is right." Saint-Germain said, as Hibiki and Maia walked up to her. "We are enemies who can never possibly reach an understanding."

"But now we face the same direction, squaring off against the same opponent." Hibiki said.

"And lucky us, this enemy happens to have a real punchable face." Maia shouldered her spear.

"The enemy is great, the odds overwhelming." Saint-Germain said. "What do you say, Gungnir wielders?"

"I say we kick his ass." Maia smirked.

"And I'll say the same thing I always say when confronted by the impossible." Hibiki said.

"Even so!"


A/N: And we're about to kick off the climax chapters of AXZ.

Maia joining Hibiki during the final few scraps of AXZ was something I always had planned. I really like writing how different their dynamic is compared to their interactions with Rui and Tsubasa.

Also is anyone really surprised that Rui prioritizes Kaixa Day over her actual Birthday.

Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.