Hello Fanfiction readers! Ashbel Longhart here finally back to bring you, people, another chapter of Second Verse! I hope you all are staying healthy and all right during these difficult times. So sorry to have kept you all waiting, but I managed to squeak this chapter in. Hopefully, it comes out all right. Anyway, cue disclaimer!

(Disclaimer: I do not own Senki Zesshou Symphogear G or Kamen Rider Faiz. I also don't own any songs that appear in this story either. They all belong to their respective owners. All I own is this story and my OC's. Please Enjoy.)

Recap time: A lot of stuff went down. Hibiki finally knows about her condition, the FIS tried to break the seal on the Frontier but failed, Hibiki's family is currently taking refuge with the 2nd Division while also having the Crane Orphnoch prisoner, Murakami tried to bring Haru to his side but failed, Haru tries to regain his Faiz Gear but gets beaten down by Saeko of the Lucky Clover, and then gets rescued by Psyga and Orga before the former reveals himself to Haru. Now, let's go see what happens now.

Open Your Eyes For The Faiz and Let's Ride!

Kamen Rider Faiz: Song of Paradise

Second Verse

Song 10: Bargaining For Peace

(Last Time)

"I won't beat around the bush. Mr. Yamamoto, won't you join us here at Smart Brain?"

"Don't you get it? If you keep this up, you're going to die, Tachibana!"

"There isn't enough power. Even with mechanical amplification, the Shenshoujin's power cannot break the seal on the Frontier."

"Onii-chan is only concerned about one thing: Saving Maria-chan and the others from the grip of a mad man."

"Knock, knock!"

"As of right now, she's in their custody. You're gonna help me get her back."

"Oh! So I'm a bargaining chip."

"It's nice to finally meet face to face without masks covering us. The name's Yugo. Kurenai Yugo."

*CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!*

The sound of metal hitting metal rang throughout the abandoned town, its citizens having evacuated the place due to a Noise attack years ago as vines and other forms of nature slowly overtook what remained of the town.

*CLANG!*

"Kuh!" Maria gritted her teeth as she was pushed back, her feet skidding across the feet as she held her cape out in front of her, having used it to protect herself. Throwing it to the side, the young woman thrusts her spear forward in hopes of skewering her enemy, but the armored man simply sidestepped the attack and raised his weapon which was now resembled something like a rifle and fired the gun at the Symphogear user at close range. It was only be moving her head to the side was Maria able to avoid the close shot as she quickly jumped back to put some distance between her and the omega-themed Rider.

Behind and further away from the black Gungnir user, her teammates and friends, Shirabe and Kirika, were both dealing with their own opponents as the former was trying to hit a man flying in the air with her saw blades while the latter was trading blows with an Orphnoch themed after a crane.

Briefly checking to see if her comrades were doing okay, Maria focused back on her opponent who had turned his rifle back into a sword.

"Who are you? Why are you attacking us?" Maria demanded, a bit angry but mostly confused as to why these three were attacking them.

"Orga," The armored man said, telling what was possibly his name before saying, "As for why I'm here, it's simply to stop you."

"Stop us?" Maria looked at the armored man in confusion.

"The moon," Orga glances up at the rocky satellite in question, its ring orbiting around it like a mini-Saturn. "I know it's falling."

"You know?" Maria asked, surprised that someone else besides the government knew about the moon's descent to earth. There was a possibility that this man could also be from the government, but something in her gut told her that that wasn't the case.

"I do," Orga said, looking back down to Maria. "I also know that you're trying to stop it."

"If you know so much, then why get in our way?" Maria asked, confused by the man's actions. There was a threat literally looming right over their heads and yet this man was trying to stop her from preventing that. It doesn't make any sense.

"Under normal circumstances, I would gladly lend you my aid," Orga said, his tone sincere which caught the Gear user off guard.

"But...!" Orga's grip on his weapon, the Orga Stlanzer, noticeably tightened as from behind his helmet, the man glared at Maria as he shouted, "Are you out of your mind!?"

"E-Eh?" Maria instinctively took a step back in the face of Orga's heated glare, confused as to why the man was so angry about. By now, the others had stopped fighting and were now looking at them.

"Out of all things, to use the thing Serena sacrificed her life to seal away, the Nephilim!" Orga then reached for something behind him before taking it out, showing it to Maria who's eyes widen in surprise.

In the man's hand was a broken Relic pendant.

"Maria, I never took you for the type to spit on your own sister's sacrifices," Orga said before tossing the pendant over to Maria who caught it and looked at it.

"This...This is...!" The relic pendant seemed to briefly shine the second it was in Maria's hands. Something in her mind seemed to tell her just what this relic was, but a part of her was still unsure so she contacted the only person she knew who could identify the relic in her hand.

"Mom?"

{These...These readings...!} Hidden inside the aircraft that doubled as their base, Nastassja let out a surprised gasp.

"Mom, what is it?"

{Maria, that relic...it's Airgetlám!}

"Airgetlám...!" Maria felt her body go numb as the hand holding the broken relic began to shake. This relic in her hands, Airgetlám, was the relic of her late sister.

"You...!" Clenching the broken relic in her hands tightly, Maria's body shook as she raises her head and glares right at Orga. "How do you have this!? Who are you!?"

Orga doesn't respond back at first. Instead he raised his weapon at Maria before saying, "I will stop you, for both Serena's sake and yours."

"ANSWER ME!" Maria yelled with all her might as she practically throws herself at the omega-themed Rider, thrusting her spear forward.

This was the first time Maria and her group had run into Orga's group, and it would not be the last.

(Flashback End)

(Now)

Alone in her room, resting in bed, Nastassja laid wide awake as she stares up at the metal ceiling, thinking of the past.

'From then on, we constantly had run in's with Orga and his group multiple times, all ending with us having to retreat.'

The Rider known as Orga was strong. Despite the many battles fought against him and his group, Maria and the others never once won a single fight. Trying to overwhelm him was impossible as his own teammates were always close behind. Add in the fact that the girls had to rely on LiNKER meant a prolonged fight was ill-advised.

'And yet, despite the constant battles, not once has Orga ever tried to harm Maria and the others,' Nastassja thought to herself, thinking back to every fight the girls had with Orga. During their first meeting, the Omega-themed Rider had completely overpowered Maria using nothing but his fist, striking hard and aiming at weak points. But since then, every fight from then on has Orga only over defended against Maria and the others but never fully fighting back. This confused the group for the longest time...until now.

Sitting up, the purple-haired woman reached over to her bedside and picked up what looked to be a robotic bee the size of the actual insect. Dr. Ver had found this completely by chance the other day and was about to get rid of it when the woman insisted she'd do it. Obviously, she lied as the miniature hacking drone still functioned to a degree.

This was how Orga and his group were able to track down the FIS every single time despite their efforts. Yet, despite knowing that, Nastassja did not dispose of the offending drone. Why? Because she knew who built this thing, having worked alongside him years ago.

"I was a fool to not have realized it sooner..." Nastassja said to herself, smiling wistfully as she stuffs the drone into her pocket before contacting Maria.

A few minutes later, a terminal on the wall lit up as Maria's voice came through.

{You called me, Mom?}

"Make yourself ready, Maria," Nastassja said as she got out of bed and into her wheelchair. "We're going out."

'It's time to confront him one last time, that damn brat.'

(Insert masterpiece by Mami Kawada)

(Instrumental) The song starts as blurry images play at high speed appear. While some images were hard to make out, the image of a fire and ruins, the Relics, the Rider Gears, the Wolf Orphnoch's hands covered in blood, and then the caged Nephilim could be made out before the title appears.

(To aru nichijou wa parallel world ikusen mono jikan ni) The scene shows Hibiki in class, staying after school, but to her surprise, she wasn't the only on there. The camera expands outward to show that with her in the class is Tsubasa sitting next to her right, Chris sitting next to her left, and sitting in the back in the far corner is Haru looking out the window.

(Onaji mono nado nai masutaapiisu de orinasu jikuu e) We then see the hooded man leaning against a display window of a random store. He lifts his head up to reveal violet-colored eyes before the scene changes to the Crane Orphonch up on the roof a building, looking ready to jump and take flight before the scene changes again to Psyga in the air, flying around.

(Kakinagutte hakushi no shinario ni pensaki ga kooru) The scene then changes to the 2nd Division's new submarine base as everyone else worked on monitoring the data and info in front of them while Ogawa stands next to Genjuro who had the Delta Gear in a briefcase in hand.

(Originality mezase! douse kono michi o yukun dakara) The scene then changes to the hidden base of the organization, Finé. Professor Nastassja, in her wheelchair, is seen monitoring the Nephilim. Shirabe and Kirika are seen together as their Relic necklaces shine under the light. Maria is seen holding a damaged Relic piece in her hands as she thinks about her late sister and a certain boy that held a special place in a heart. Finally, Dr. Ver is seen grinning madly wielding Soloman's Cane as a shadow of the Nephilim is seen behind him.

[Shinjite] (Kakenukete) [Tooku made] Haru as Faiz and the girls in their armor are seen with their weapons drawn. Across from them is Maria and the others, donned in their armor with their weapons out and ready as behind them were the Kamen Riders Neo-Alpha, Pyron, and Seeda.

[Kanjiru] (Daichi o kette) [Daichi kette] Both groups stare off at one another before both groups move and attack.

(Nanika no tame ni kogare, ikiteru kanshoku wa kitto) Chris is seen facing off against Kirika who throws scythe blades at her while she counters with bullets from her Gatling guns. Meanwhile, Hibiki is seen facing off against Shirabe who throws saw blade at her while she punches and kicks them away.

(Darenimo makenai chikara ni Naru) Tsubasa and Maria are seen clashing weapons until they are broken apart by the sudden appearance of Orga who pushes Tsubasa back before he turns to look at Maria before clashing weapons with her as the Crane Orphnoch and Psyga are seen facing off against Dr. Ver and the Nephilim.

(Shiawase tte tabun kono shunkan onore ga shiru) [When I believed it] Haru is seen facing the three enemy Riders by himself until Kanade and Genjuro as Kaixa and Delta appear to help him, each Rider taking on another Rider.

(Kono kandou o atarashii peeji ni kizamu) [I can go to the next stage] Explosions litter the entire area as Haru was pushed back only to bump into Orga and Pysga. The three Riders look at one another before they all jump up and kick forward towards their intended targets; Haru at the enemy Riders, Orga at the Nephilim, and Pysga at Maria and her girls.

[It's only my thing, 'highest masterpiece!' hoo] Everyone looked up at the three kicking Riders as their kicking feet glow brightly, blinding everyone until the camera moves to show off the moon surrounded by a ring of the rubble of its broken piece before the song ends.

(Morning)

Sunlight beaming through the windows, birds chirping right outside, and the sound of something sizzling was all that awoke Haru from his sleep. Blinking a few times, Haru sat up, dressed in grey sweatpants and a black long sleeve shirt. Rolling his neck around, Haru noticed immediately that yesterday's pain was no longer there. Pulling on the collar of his shirt and moving the bandages hidden beneath it, the wound on his shoulder was no longer there. Checking his face next, there wasn't a single scratch on it.

"I really am healed," Haru said, slightly amazed at his rapid recovery.

Kicking off the blanket, the man got up from the bed he was on and exited the room he was in which was completely bare save for a desk off to the side and a clock hanging right above the door. Stepping outside, a wooden hallway greeted him as the smell of eggs entered his nostrils. Following the scent, Haru found himself at a kitchen where standing by the stove wearing an apron was...

"Shit, it really is you," Haru said, getting Yugo's attention who was just about to lay scrambled eggs over a pile of fried rice.

"Oh? Looks who decided to wake up," Yugo said before focusing back on the food before him. Taking a look, Haru could already tell just what the Rider was making.

"Omurice?"

"Yep!" Yugo smiled, spinning the chopsticks in his hand expertly. "Nothing fancy, but I can guarantee that it'll fill your stomach right up."

"Coming from you, that shouldn't come as a surprise," Haru said as Yugo set down the pan and chopsticks in his hands before grabbing all three plates before him and bringing them over to a nearby table.

"Are you just gonna stand there all morning or what?" Yugo asked as he went back to grab some utensils.

"...you're an Orphnoch."

"...I guess the fact that I'm Psyga probably gave that away," Yugo said as he walked back to the table and set down three pairs of forks and spoons.

"...How did you...?"

"Die?" Yugo interrupted Haru before he could finish, finishing the latter's question before answering. "Well, I was on my way back from work when this guy suddenly jumped me and proceeded to stab me to death. The guy was a murder the police had been looking for, and when I woke up as an Orphnoch, safe to say both he and I were surprised."

"Okay. And how did you get here?" Haru asked, emphasizing the last word to ask how did Yugo come to this world.

"There was a fire. Some douchebag people from another restaurant were behind it, probably jealous by the boss's business getting so popular. I was trying to help someone evacuate when some debris fell down and landed on me. The guy I was saving got out all right, but I was stuck under the rubble. That's when the entire building collapsed and well, next thing I knew I was a baby."

That last part caught Haru off guard. "A baby?"

"Yeah, apparently I got reincarnated or something. Had to go through the process of growing up all over again. By far the weirdest thing to happen to me," Yugo said, taking a seat before turning back to Haru. "Weren't you the same?"

"No, I just woke up in a random alley," Haru shook his head as he took another seat and sat down.

"Really?" Yugo raised an eyebrow at that but just shrugged his shoulders.

"What about that friend of yours?" Haru asked, looking over towards the hallway where Orga had yet to come out of his room.

"Aibou? Same as me, apparently," Yugo said as he gave a quick thanks before digging into his food. "Still, who would have thought we'd become actual Kamen Riders?"

"I'm more surprised to find you here in this world," Haru said as he too dug into his food while keeping his eye on the man in front of him.

Kurenai Yugo. To others, this man was just someone who owned a cooking stand which was fairly popular, not that Haru knew that. No, what Haru did know was the man himself for back in his old world, when he was still human, Kurenai Yugo was his best and only friend.

"How do you think I felt when I found out you were here?" Yugo said as he looked down and frowned. "I was shocked when I heard you died in a car crash. Out of the ways you could have gone, you picked the most cliche of them all."

"It's not like I meant to die," Haru said before taking another bite of his Omurice. "Crazy driver just came out of nowhere. Was probably drunk or something."

"He was," Yugo confirmed before continuing. "And if that wasn't enough, I see on the news the one and only Kamen Rider Faiz."

"How did you find out I was Faiz?" Haru asked.

"It was when aibou broke into Smart Brain to save that friend of yours, Amou Kanade," Yugo said. "I was surprised and didn't believe him at first until I saw you at the Kadingir."

"During the battle with Finé...and where I first transformed into an Orphnoch..." Haru said, setting down the spoon in his hand before looking down at the said hand, imagining it being colored completely ash grey with claws covering each finger.

Seeing this, Yugo asked with a concerned face, "Hey, you all right?"

"...I'm not sure," Haru admitted, clenching his hand into a fist. "When I first came to this world and became Faiz, the thought of being an Orphnoch never crossed my mind. Even now I can still hardly believe it."

"Yeah, I've been there," Yugo said, having been through a similar experience. And as if to prove it, markings appeared over Yugo's face, giving a preview of what his Orphnoch form looked like before the markings disappeared. "Coming to terms with the fact that you're no longer human...it's a tough pill to swallow."

"But just because you're no longer human doesn't mean you no longer have your humanity," Suddenly, walking into the kitchen was Orga, dressed in beige khaki pants and a black hoodie with the hood part being raised over his head while a pair of shades hid the man's eyes.

"You..."

"Yo! Morning, aibou!" Yugo gave the hooded man a wave who nodded at him before sitting down at the table and grabbed the only plate left which had obviously been for him.

"The choices we make in life define who we are, not what we are," Orga said, taking a bite first before continuing. "My father used to say that to me even before I became an Orphnoch, and it helped come to terms with my existence."

"The choices we make..."

"Anyway, finish up eating and make yourself ready," Orga said as he scooped up another spoonful of eggs and rice. "Yugo, you take him and get Kyoko back. I'm gonna head for the Skytree and find out just what Nastassja is up to."

"You got it," Yugo said as he and his partner continued eating. Meanwhile, Haru simply sat there, frowning as he continued to look down at his hands.

'The Faiz Gear is in enemy hands and I don't even know how to properly transform into an Orphnoch. What the hell am I supposed to do now?'

(2nd Division)

"Here."

Kanade blinks in confusion as Ogawa handed her a briefcase. Opening up said briefcase revealed the Delta Gear, belt and everything.

"Why...?" Kanade raised an eyebrow at her best friend's manager who quickly explained himself.

"The commander wanted me to give this to you. Since his position limits how much he can act, he wanted you to use this for now until we can find a way to retrieve the other Gears."

"Are you sure?" Kanade asked, looking unsure at the Gear in her hands. "I was the one who lost the Kaixa Gear."

"No one blames you for that, Kanade-san," Ogawa said. "And besides, knowing you, you wouldn't be able to sit still while everyone else was out fighting. At least with this, you won't be left behind, or so the commander said."

"That damn old man..." Kanade said but smiled nonetheless as she closed the briefcase and slung it over her shoulder. "Well, you can be sure I won't go losing this one. Haru-san himself went through a lot to get this and I'll be damned if I lost it before we rescue him."

"I'll be sure to tell the commander that," Ogawa said as he took out a pair of glasses and slipped them on. "I must get going now. Tsubasa-san has several interviews she must attend. As her manager, I need to make sure she doesn't run late."

"I understand," Kanade nodded as the man took his leave, leaving Kanade alone in the halls as she turned and headed off towards the training room.

"Better go see what this thing's made of before I take it out into battle," Kanade said, referring to the Delta Gear.

*ring-ring!*

"Hm?" The redhead stopped walking when her phone started ringing. Taking it out, she saw that it was an unknown caller. Raising an eyebrow in confusion, she nevertheless answered the call. "Hello?"

{Kanade, it's me, Haru.}

"Haru!?" Instantly recognizing the voice of her comrade, Kanade nearly dropped her briefcase as she started firing questions. "Haru! Are you all right!? Where are you!? How are you-!"

{Kanade! Kanade! Calm down, I'm fine. I'm just-Hey!} Sounds of commotion were heard from the other line, confusing and slightly worrying the Rider until a new voice suddenly came through.

{Hello hello? Am I speaking to someone of the 2nd Division?}

"Who is this?" Kanade said, narrowing her eyes while turning around and making her way to the main room. Genjuro and the others are gonna want to hear this.

{I'm the guy who kicked your butt back at the hospital, remember?}

"The hospital?" Kanade raised an eyebrow again in confusion, taking a minute to herself to figure out what the speaker was talking about until her eyes widen in realization. "Psyga!"

{That's right!}

"Kisama(You bastard)...why do you have Haru?" Kanade nearly yelled as she walked into the main room.

"Kanade?" Turning from his position, Genjuro looked towards Kanade in confusion, wondering why she seemed so angry.

"It's that Psyga guy, he's got Haru."

"What!?" Genjuro exclaimed in surprise as Kanade switched to speaker mode so that everyone in the room could hear. There was some commotion coming from the other line until Psyga's voice came back.

{Hello? You still there red? Or is this someone else?}

"This is Kazanari Genjuro, commander of the 2nd Division."

{Oh! The commander? Well, this makes things easier.}

"Why do you have our comrade?"

{Well, after what happened at the Kadingir, I thought about being a good samaritan and decided to rescue your friend for you. You're welcome, by the way.}

"Welp, so much for forming a rescue plan," Sakuya commented from his station, feeling the plans he and Aoi had stayed up all night making had just gone to waste.

"What do you want?" Genjuro asked, knowing that there was more to Psyga's decision to rescue Haru for them.

{Getting right to the point, I like a person like that. Then I won't waste time; you have my friend with you. In exchange for your friend here, you're going to return her to me at the coordinates I'll send you.}

"And if we refuse?"

{Well, let me put it in a way that you'll understand.} The sound of movement was heard for a while, until...

{Hey, what is that? What are you-Ah! AH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH~!} Haru's pained cry was heard from the other line, sending worry through everyone present.

"Haru!" Kanade cried out in worry.

{That was for punching me yesterday. Anyway, I want you to come down to the Tokyo Skytree. We'll do business there. See you then.}

"Hey, wait-!" Genjuro couldn't finish as the call ended. Kanade looked to see the Caller ID but only got the numbers '315.'

"Dammit! What do we do now?"

"Should we do as he says?" Aoi asked. Haru was an important ally to them and their so-called 'prisoner' hasn't really shared any info that could be of help towards them. Statistically speaking, they lose very little if they gave into Psyga's demands.

"I don't like giving in to the demands of an unknown, but Haru-kun is an important ally to us all. Better we retrieve him now then wait for Smart Brain to recapture him," Genjuro said before turning to Kanade. "Kanade, I'm sending you to retrieve Haru-kun. I'd send Tsubasa with you, but she has her interviews right now, and we need Chris-kun on standby in case the FIS show up."

"So I'm on my own for this one," Kanade concluded. There was no need to mention Hibiki giving the girl's condition.

"Can you do it?" Genjuro asked.

"Of course I can, no problem," Kanade said confidently. "All I need to do is get Haru back from the guy and come straight back here before anyone notices. Hell, it'll be a surprise for the others."

"At least you're confident," Genjuro said but smiled nonetheless as he handed the redhead a card. "This is the key to her cell. Grab her, head on over to the Skytree, and bring back Haru-kun."

"You got it, old man," Kanade said, pocketing the keycard before exiting the room and breaking out into a run to hurry on over to where they were keeping the Crane Orphnoch. As she ran, she looked down at the briefcase in her hands.

"I wanted to break you in slowly, but I guess you sometimes need to run before you can walk. Let's see what you're made of, Delta."

(Meanwhile, with Haru)

*beep!*

With a press of a button, Yugo ended the call and closed his Psyga phone, looking satisfied with himself.

"Well, that went well."

*PTHOO!*

With a disgusting *splat* sound, what looked like an uneaten piece of shrimp covered in white sauce struck the side of Yugo's cheek. Yugo, for his part, barely flinched as he grabbed a napkin and wiped off the offending seafood before turning to Haru who was rinsing his mouth with water.

"Ugh! Disgusting!" Haru gagged, rinsing his mouth again before spitting into the sink and glared over at his friend who was giving him a shit-eating grin. "What the fuck was that?"

"That my friend was shrimp dipped in white chocolate sauce. Disgusting, isn't it?"

"Very," Haru replied, still glaring at the man as he was tempted to throw the cup in his hand at him until Orga walked into the room, now dressed in a black long coat and carrying another of the same color in his hands.

"Here," Haru nearly dropped the cup in his hands when Orga tossed him the coat. "We're leaving."

"Already?" Yugo asked.

"Nastassja's on the move," Orga said before he left the house.

"Someone's in a hurry," Haru commented as he finally set the cup in his hands down.

"He's just worried about Maria," Yugo said as he walked over and grabbed a pair of keys hanging by the door. "In case you haven't figured it out already, aibou's got some history with Maria and her group."

"And just what kind of history do they have?" Haru asked as he put on the long coat.

"Sorry, not my place to tell you."

"Even though we're friends?"

"Sorry," Apologizing once again, Yugo opened the door and motioned Haru to follow. "Come on, there's a van out in the back. We'll take that and head to the Skytree."

Haru sighed, a bit frustrated, but not angry as he followed Yugo out the door. As he walked, he looked down at the coat he had been given.

"Guy's got good taste in coats, at least," Haru commented before looking up to see Yugo giving him a knowing smile. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Yugo said, still smiling which further confused Haru. "Wait right here for a sec, I need to talk with aibou."

Haru just shrugged his shoulders as Yugo walked away, but not before saying something.

"Haru?"

"Hm?"

"...it's good to see you again."

Haru's eyes widen at Yugo's words before he turned away in order to hide the blush forming on his face, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Heh, still as awkward as ever," Yugo commented before he walked over to Orga who was doublechecking his gear.

"What is it?" Orga asked without turning to Yugo.

Yugo doesn't say anything at first, simply waiting and looking at his partner as if expecting something from him, but was met with silence. Frowning, Yugo spoke up.

"Are you really not gonna say anything to him?"

"What's there to say?"

"Don't you give me that. I saw the way you were looking at him."

Orga again goes silent as he takes a second to finish looking over his gear before he finally faces Yugo. Despite the shades covering his eyes, signs of nervousness can be seen, breaking the cold impression he had been building up.

"We haven't seen each other in years, more so for me than him. I...I just don't know what to say."

"That's an excuse and you know it," Yugo said, not buying his partner's excuse. "What are you so afraid of?"

"...I don't know," Orga said, frowning at himself. Seeing this, Yugo sighs and scratches his forehead.

"Can't you at least stop being so stubborn and ask for his help?"

"No," Orga said in a stern tone. "This is my problem. I refuse to let others get dragged into it, especially him."

"And yet you have me and Kyoko-chan helping you," Yugo pointed out.

"Enough," Orga said, forcibly ending the conversation. "We're wasting time just standing here. We need to go now."

"Alright, alright," Throwing his hands up in mock surrender, Yugo begins to walk away but not before saying, "Both you and I know that if you just asked, Haru would come to your side in a heartbeat. He's just that type of person."

"...All the more reason to finish this as quickly as possible," Orga said as he got on his bike and put on his helmet.

Yugo sighs again as he starts walking back over to Haru, muttering under his breath how stubborn his partner and Haru were.

"But I guess it runs in the family, doesn't it?"

(Tokyo Skytree)

The Tokyo Skytree. Standing at an impressive 638 meters, it is proudly the tallest tower in the world and one of the tallest structures in the world, second only to the Burj Khalifa which stood at 829.8 meters tall.

This was where Hibiki found herself as she stared absently at a tank full of various fish.

Don't you get it? If you keep this up, you're going to die, Tachibana!

Tsubasa's words from yesterday rang inside her head, making her think of her current condition.

'Die...If I keep fighting, I'll die. When you think about it, it's pretty obvious.' The power inside of her, the power of Symphogear. Ever since she discovered this power, she's been thrust into this world of singing and battle where the threat of death was high, hanging right over her head. And yet...

'At some point, I'd just grown numb to it, like it didn't apply to me.' Since donning the Symphogear, she's moved from one fight to the next, getting stronger and stronger as a result. (There was also the added bonus of becoming a better singer.) She never once thought about it, but the power the Relic fragments inside of her gave her...it was incredible, exhilarating even. Helping people had always been her hobby and the power her Symphogear gave her helped her do that and more.

But now that very power inside of her was threatening to kill her. She could brush it off all she wanted, but she would not forget how her body heated up during her encounter with Ver, how the very air around her seemed to catch on fire because of her very presence. Her friends tell her she simply had to stop fighting, but...

'If I don't fight, will know one need me?'

I told you already, didn't I? I promised to protect you no matter what.

"Haru-kun..." Hibiki muttered the man's name, wondering how he was doing and if he had anything to say that could help her. He always seems to know just what to say to her, most of the time. Would he say the same thing everyone else was telling her? Would he just try to brush it off and tell her not to worry about it? Or would he—?

"GYAH!" Hibiki's thoughts were cut short when she felt something cold press against her cheek, causing her to shout in alarm which drew the attention of people around her. Turning around, Hibiki found Miku holding two cans of orange juice, one of which was probably what touched her earlier.

"Don't shout like that," Miku said as she handed her friend her drink.

"B-B-But anyone would yell if you did that to them!?" Hibiki exclaimed.

"It's your fault, Hibiki."

Said girl blinked in confusion. "Me?"

"We came here to have fun, but you look so bored," Miku said. She had offered for Hibiki's family to join, but the two elder women insisted it be just the two of them as they stayed behind with the 2nd Division.

"Gomen(Sorry)," Hibiki apologized.

"...Are you thinking about Haru-kun?" Miku asked, having heard her friend mutter the man's name.

"Kinda..." Hibiki awkwardly admitted before she quickly put on a smile. "But don't worry! Both you and I know well how tough Haru-kun is! I'm sure he's fine! The others are working on a plan to rescue him and besides, it's been so long since we've had a date! Of course, I'm having fun!"

"Hibiki..." Miku looked worriedly at her friend, knowing well that Hibiki's smile was slightly forced.

I believe that the peaceful time she shares with you is the only thing that's holding back the Gungnir.

Genjuro's words came to Miku's head, reminding her of why they were here, why she was here. While worried for Haru, she had to trust the others would get him back. Right now, her job was to protect Hibiki in her own way!

"Let's continue our date!" Hibiki said, grabbing Miku's free hand. "We don't get to come here often so we've gotta enjoy everything there is to offer!"

Miku simply smiled and nodded, letting her friend drag her around.

However, unknown to the two friends, they weren't the only ones here at the Skytree today.

(Upper Floors)

*ding-dong!*

With that sound, the elevator came to a stop and its doors opened, allowing for both Nastassja and Maria to exit as the latter pushed the former's wheelchair forward.

"Mom," Maria spoke up. "When you said I no longer had to play Finé, what did you mean?"

"Exactly what I said," Nastassja said. "Up until now, we've taken on the role of terrorists. However, our true task is to find a way to stop the Moon's impact. Am I wrong?"

"No, but are you saying we can't save the world as we are now?"

Nastassja doesn't respond back as the two arrive at their destination. Waiting a moment for the doors to slide open, the two enter only for Maria to gasp as a group of suited men were found waiting for them in the room.

"Mom, who are they?" Maria asked, confused and wary.

"Agents of the US government," Nastassja answered. "I called them here for negotiations."

"You want to strike a deal with them?" Maria asked, still confused about the current situation.

"I have already informed Dr. Ver," Nastassja said as she drove herself over to the meeting table. "Now then, let us discuss the important details of what will come next."

Maria could only look at her mother figure in complete confusion, wondering why she was doing this. Acting as terrorists had been their plan from the start because they couldn't trust the government and yet the woman wanted to negotiate with the government now? It didn't make any sense.

Unknown to the Symphogear wielder and everyone else in this room, Nastassja's true goals lied somewhere else.

'He should be arriving any second now.'

(Outside)

Parking their vehicles in a parking garage located near the Skytree, Orga, Yugo, and Haru all got out as the former grabbed the case containing his Rider Gear.

"Yugo, you stay here and wait for the 2nd Division to come. I'm gonna go pay Nastassja a visit."

Yugo nodded as Orga quickly took his leave, leaving him and Haru, who had his hands tied with zip ties acting as handcuffs, the only ones here now.

"Was tying my hands really necessary?" Haru asked, waving his cuffed hands in front of him as the annoyance was clear on his face.

"Knowing you, you'd try to kick my ass and make a run for it which I can't have," Yugo said as he put a pair of shades much like Orga's and a blue cap over his head.

"Good call," Haru said, outright admitting that he would have kicked Yugo, probably in the nuts, and make a break for it.

Yugo simply glared at Haru for that who in response just gave his friend a smile. Of course, just because his hands were cuffed didn't mean Haru still couldn't fight back, he just decided not to right now.

*VROOM!*

The attention of both men was drawn by the sounds of what they recognized was a motorcycle. Turning they're heads, they saw the Side Basshar driving in into the parking garage followed by two cars.

"Well, they sure got here fast," Yugo commented as the three vehicles all stopped right in front of the two.

Removing her helmet, Kanade shakes her head to free her hair while suited men all got out of the cars, totaling four, as one of them pulled the Crane Orphnoch out and pushed her forward.

"Psyga!"

"Hey, Kyoko-chan!" Yugo nonchalantly smiled and waved at the female Orphnoch. "How've you been?"

"I've been doing all right," The Crane Orphnoch said a casual shrug before glancing over at Haru who she noticed was looking at her. Before he could open his mouth, the Orphnoch spoke, already knowing what he was going to ask. "The Tachibanas are fine, there's no need to worry."

"That's a relief," Haru said, letting out a relieved sigh before turning over to Kanade. "Is it just you, Kanade?"

"Yeah, everyone else was busy so they sent me," Kanade said. "Don't you worry, Haru. I'll get you out of here and then we can go hit a cafe I passed by along the way here, take a few pics, and then show them to the others to make them jealous."

"As long as you're paying," Haru said, shaking his head in amusement.

Kanade herself smiled briefly before putting on a serious face as she faced Yugo, bringing the Crane Orphnoch over to her side.

"So, how do you want to do this?" Kanade asked. "Should we just send over both our guys at the same time?"

"Well, you can first have your men in black step away for a bit, they're a bit too close," Yugo said, noticing how the suited men stood behind Kanade as if ready to spring into action should anything happen.

Deciding to do what the Rider says, for now, Kanade motioned for the men behind her to back away a little which they did.

"Now then, you're gonna send my friend my way first then I'll send your friend your way."

Kanade gave Yugo a look of suspicion but complied anyway as she gently pushed the Crane Orphnoch forward who then began walking. After taking five steps did Yugo then push Haru forward while he and Kanade kept a critical eye on each other.

Both sides watched the other carefully as Haru and the Crane Orphnoch continued walking forward, soon passing by each other. Haru threw a glance at the female Orphnoch who threw a glance at him too. Other than that, they passed by each other without incident as both sides were soon reunited with their respective teammates.

"Are you okay?" Yugo asked, looking at the Orphnoch from top to bottom to spot any signs of injury, but found none, thankfully.

"I'm fine. Where's onii-chan?"

"Making his way to the Skytree to confront Maria," Yugo said before looking towards Kanade's side to see the suited men reaching into their coats. "We better move it soon before things escalate here."

Meanwhile, with Kanade's side...

"Good to have you back, Haru," Kanade said, glad to finally have her friend back.

"Yeah..." Haru didn't seem to share Kanade's enthusiasm as he frowned at him. "Look, Kanade...I'm—"

"—are an Orphnoch, yeah I know. I was there when you transformed," Kanade interrupted the man. "You gave us quite the scare, you know."

"Sorry..."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I mean, sure you went a little berserk, but you didn't hurt anybody...too badly anyways. Besides, it's not like this changes any—"

"You knew."

"Huh?" Kanade blinked at Haru's sudden interruption.

"Back during the fight with Finé, when I first became an Orphnoch," Haru said, looking up at Kanade, still frowning. "You were there so I know you know."

Kanade's mouth forms a straight line, unable to speak back to Haru for his words were true.

"Who else knows?"

"...everyone," Kanade answered with some hesitation. "Your transformation was caught on video, and we showed it to the others who were unconscious then."

"So you all knew," Haru said as he grew noticeably angrier. "And you didn't think to tell me when I couldn't recall the first time I went berserk?"

"We didn't want you to worry—"

"Worry!?" Haru interrupted the redhead again, his eyes flashing silver briefly. "I tried to kill Hibiki when I first transformed and I tried to do so again the second time I went berserk!"

"But nobody died," Kanade said.

"This time, but what happens if I go berserk again? Then what?" Haru asked.

"Then we'll stop you, simple as that," Kanade said, her tone filled with confidence.

"That's easy enough for you to say—"

"And the others would say the same," Kanade interrupted Haru before he could continue. "Tsubasa, Chris, and especially Hibiki. If you somehow go berserk again, those three would be the first to try and save you. You know it just as much as I know it."

Haru didn't have a comeback for what Kanade had said was correct. Tsubasa, Chris, and most of all, Hibiki. Those three would do everything in their power to help him should he ever go berserk again. They were just that kind of people, especially Hibiki.

"...is Hibiki all right?" Haru asked as the last thing he remembered was the sight of Hibiki's arm being chomped off and fighting her in her berserk state. The former memory sent a spike of anger through Haru, but he did his best to push it down.

"Oh, she's fine, no need to worry," Kanade said, though Haru couldn't help but notice how quick the redhead's response was.

Before Haru could ask further questions, something landed right in between both sides. Taking a look, it was a round, metallic object with a circular center. Said center started beeping as it blinked the color blue. Alarm immediately made its way around everyone as Haru was the first to respond.

"Oh shi—!"

*BOOM!*

The object which everyone identified to be a sort of grenade exploded, sending debris everywhere and everyone flying back where some crashed into nearby cars.

"Oof!" Haru was unluckily one of those people as he had been the closest to the explosion and was thus send flying further due to the shockwave, crashing and breaking the back window of a random car before rolling off and falling to the ground.

"Haru!" Kanade scrambled up to her feet and rushed over to the man's side.

Over with Yugo and the Crane Orphnoch, both of them were fine for the most part as the former helped the latter up.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, but what just—?"

"Gah!" The sound of pained cries drew everyone's attention as Yugo, Kyoko, Kanade, and Haru all saw the suited men fall to the ground before disintegrating into piles of ash. And standing over these ashes was none other than Xiao Li accompanied by the Lucky Clover members, Takuma and Saeko, and a small group of Riotroopers.

"Xiao Li!" Haru exclaimed, recognizing and glaring at the man who put Hibiki's family in danger.

"We meet once again, Yamamoto Haru," Xiao Li said as the Faiz Gear was already around his waist.

"You!" Kanade exclaimed, recognizing Takuma. "You're the bastard who took my Kaixa Gear!"

"Wait, he what?" Haru snapped his head over at Kanade in surprise, having not known that. What had happened while he was gone?

"It's good to see you too," Takuma replied back sarcastically as he strapped on the Kaixa Gear. "And need I remind you that this is Smart Brain property? It was never yours."

"Save it for someone who cares," Kanade said as she quickly runs over to the Side Basshar which had thankfully been undamaged by the grenade explosion and grabbed the case containing the Delta Gear, quickly opening it up and strapping on said Gear.

"Oh? You have the last Rider Gear with you? How kind of you to bring it to us," Saeko said, smiling.

"And who the hell are you?" Kanade rudely asked as this was the first time she's met the woman.

"That's Kageyama Saeko, another member of the Lucky Clover," Haru quickly informed the Rider.

"Another Lucky Clover?" Kanade exclaimed in surprise, having not expected to meet another member of the Lucky Clover so soon.

"That's right, a pleasure to meet you, Amou Kanade," Saeko said, gracefully bowing to the former pop idol.

"So you know me?" Kanade said, not at all surprised that the woman knew her name.

"Yes. Many of my targets were big fans of Zwei Wing," Saeko said. "I, however, do not share their opinions. Your music was never quite my cup of tea."

Kanade's right eye twitched at that.

"I already don't like you," Kanade bluntly said as she raised the Delta Phone up to her lips.

"Got room for two more?" Yugo asked as he and the Crane Orphnoch walked up to the redhead's side, the Psyga Gear already strapped to his waist and the Psyga Phone in his hand.

"...sure," Kanade said after a moment of hesitation. While she didn't fully trust the Rider, she knew it would be difficult to fight by herself. Might as well divide up the work.

"Then let the game begin," Yugo said in perfect English as he flipped open the Psyga Phone and quickly dialed: 3-1-5.

STANDING BY

In response to this, both Xiao Li and Takuma brought out their own respective phones and dialed their transformation codes while Kanade shouted into the Delta Phone: "Henshin!"

STANDING BY

In a show of strength, the Crane Orphnoch named Kyoko tore off the handcuffs binding her hands while Saeko herself assumed her Orphnoch form just both men from her side shouted: "Henshin!"

COMPLETE

In flashes of red, yellow, blue, and white lights, Kamen Riders Faiz and Kaixa stood on one side while the other side stood Psyga and Delta, both sides accompanied by an Orphnoch.

As for Haru, he stared down at the plastic cuffs binding his hands before muttering, "Shit."

*BANG!*

As if Haru's words were a starting bell, one of the Riotroopers opened fired as both sides charged at one another.

"Haru! Take cover!" Kanade shouted over to her friend before quickly raising her left arm to block a punch from Takuma.

"Dammit!" Haru cursed, frustrated that there was nothing he could do. Following Kanade's words, Haru went to go find cover—

"After him!"

Only to be forced to run for it when Xiao Li ordered some Riotroopers to chase after Haru who cursed again when they began shooting at him.

"Haru!" Kanade cried out in worry for her friend before quickly crossing her arms to block a punch from Takuma which sent her skidding back.

"Eyes on me, sweetie," Takuma taunted as he inserted the Mission Memory into the Blaygun, forming the blade seconds later.

"Tch!" Clicking under her helmet, Kanade grabbed and raised up the Delta Blaster, determined to not only get back the Kaixa Gear but also the Faiz Gear from enemy hands.

*BOOM!*

Suddenly, the sound of an explosion followed by screams was heard outside, drawing the attention of everyone.

"What was that?" Yugo thought out loud while noticing that the explosion sounded close by.

Thinking the same thing, Haru made a break for it, running outside of the parking garage and looked up to his left to see Noise in the skies attacking the Tokyo Skytree.

"Oh, that's not good."

(Minutes Earlier)

With clear reluctance, Maria handed over a data chip containing their information regarding heretical technology before walking back over to Nastassja.

"We gladly accept and thank you for the information you've provided regarding heretical technology," One of the suited men said as he stashed away the chip in his coat pocket.

"I will assist you in making full use of it," Nastassja said. "Now then..."

The sound of cocking guns stopped Nastassja from continuing as the suited men all took out handguns and aimed them at the two women.

"Mom!" Maria exclaimed in alarm at the sight of the firearms pointed at them. She opened her mouth to sing only to realize...

"A bullet can kill far faster and with little hesitation than your songs," The man who had taken the data chip earlier said with a confident and smug smile.

"You had no plans of keeping your end of the deal," Nastassja stated, not in the least surprised that things went this way.

"We've got what we wanted. Now we simply need to dispose of what we don't," The suited man said, about to pull the trigger when he heard a stage sound coming from...outside? Turning his head, he and the rest of his men all cried out in alarm.

"Noise!?"

Indeed, a group of Noise was flying around the Skytree, surrounding the building. One such Noise entered into the room and proceeded to kill most of the men. Those that survived turned to run only to stop when more Noise started entering the room and could only scream as they too were killed.

"The doctor..." Nastassja muttered, looking outside. No doubt the man must be nearby, having followed her and summoned all these Noises.

"Mom, get back!" Maria said as she stood in front of her mother figure and began singing.

"Granzizel Bilfen Gungnir Zilzz..."

(Insert Ressō Gungnir)

In a flash of light, Maria soon donned her black Gungnir, wasting no time deploying her lance as she swung and started killing Noise left and right, not paying much attention to the amount of damage she was causing around the room, until...

*Boom!*

Up above on a higher floor, people noticed the commotion happening downstairs, letting out confused mummers. Amongst them were Hibiki and Miku.

"What was that?" Miku thought out loud until she and everyone noticed Noise flying around outside.

"Is that Noise!?"

"Run!" And just like that, everyone started panicking as they ran rushing off to the nearest exits. Hibiki, on the other hand, was about to run off to see what had caused the earlier explosion only to be stopped by Miku who grabbed her arm.

"Don't go! You mustn't go!"

"Miku...But I have to go!" Hibiki said, being the only one here who could do anything.

"I won't let you go," Miku said, opposing Hibiki's wishes. "I won't let you fight. I...don't want you to leave me!"

"Miku..."

"Okaa-san!" Suddenly, a crying young boy was heard, having been separated from his mother by the sounds of it.

Looking over at the boy, Hibiki turned back to her friend. "I'll be fine as long as I don't use the Gungnir. I have to do something!"

"Hibiki..." A pained expression made its way to Miku's face. Having known Hibiki for as long as she has, she knew full well that her friend couldn't stand by and do nothing. Despite Hibiki's words, Miku still worried about the girl and it pained her that this was the limit of what she could do.

"Come on!" Hibiki said as she broke away from Miku to chase after the boy. Having no other choice, Miku quickly followed after her friend.

*STOMP!*

With the heel of her armored boots, Maria crushed the data chip in anger as if to spite the now-dead American agents. Having cleared all the Noise in the room, Maria soon picked up Nastassja, carrying the older woman over her shoulder, and ran out of the room. More Noise appeared into the halls, but she made quick work of these Noises with simple thrusts and swings of her lance.

As she neared the elevators, one of them opened up as men dressed in green and wielding guns all ran out. As soon as the men caught sight of Maria, then wasted no time firing their guns at her.

'More government agents!' Maria thought as she used her cape to block the incoming bullets, making sure to shield Nastassja more than herself as she kept running. Once close enough, Maria willed her cape forward, smacking down two men to the ground before running up and kicking another man right in the jaw.

"Maria, let's try to escape via the upper floors to avoid any ambushes," Nastassja instructed the woman who did as told and kicked a door right off its hinges and ran up the stairs.

*BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!*

Explosions rocked the entire tower as more Noise started crashing and entering the building, causing major damage. But Hibiki and Miku both stayed calm as they escorted the lost boy over to one of the exits.

"Come on now. Boys shouldn't cry," Miku said to the kid, trying to get him to stop crying.

"Let's take shelter like everyone else. I'm sure your mommy is there waiting for you," Hibiki said as they soon arrived at an exit where one of the workers staying behind in case anyone was still around met them.

"Are you okay?" The worker asked as he went and picked up the kid, carrying him in his arms. "Was there anyone else?"

"It's just us," Hibiki said, confirming that there was no one else around on this floor.

"Then you two need to evacuate quickly!" The worker said as he took the boy down the exit. Nodding, the girls went to follow after him when a Noise crashed into the building, causing further damage as the ceiling came down. Seeing this, Miku quickly acted.

"Abunai(Watch out)!" Miku cried out as she tackled Hibiki out of the way.

*RATATATATATA!*

Bullets flew as Maria had her cape up to act as a shield again, protecting her and Nastassja from harm. Unfortunately, civilians who had yet to escape were caught in the crossfire and were shot. Seeing this, Maria quickly acted as she used her cape to knocked out the men shooting. Standing up, she looked down at the civilians who were shot only to find, to her horror, that they were dead.

"Maria..." Nastassja looked at the girl in worry, already knowing what the girl was feeling right now.

"...it's my fault," Maria muttered to herself before turning around and glaring at more incoming government men. "It's all my fault for failing to become Finé's vessel!"

In a fit of rage, Maria screamed as she sent her cape flying forward, striking and sending a few men flying, only this time she wasn't holding back her strength. Running up with speed to fast for the men to react, Maria kicked one man so hard that she drew blood and no doubt broke something. Still enraged, the woman gripped her lance with and raised it up.

"No, Maria! Wait—!" Unfortunately, Nastassja's cries were too late as Maria swung her lance...

*SPLATTER!*

...and drew blood. With tears in her eyes, Maria just took her first life.

"Y-You bitch!" The remaining men opened fired at Maria, now seeing her as a threat.

Still enraged, Maria ran forward, using her cape to shield herself before thrusting her lance forward, spearing through one man who coughed up blood. Almost instinctively, Maria used her cape to cover herself before any of the blood could get on her as she threw the now dead man off her lance before using her cape to grab the remaining men and pulling them towards her wherewith one last swing, she cut them down.

Huffing and puffing, Maria soon came down from her adrenaline before looking around her. The walls, floor, and ceiling and spots of blood all over them as dead men lay at her feet. Just the sight alone made Maria want to throw up as her legs felt weak.

(Song End)

'Oh gods, what have I...?' Maria did her best not to let her horror show as she willed herself to keep standing while also pushing down the bile threatening to rise up in her throat.

"No!" A scream came from a few civilians still on this floor as they all backed away from Maria in fear.

"Someone help us! Someone help!"

"Don't panic!" The people flinched away from her at her sudden outburst. Seeing this, Maria calmed down and spoke quieter this time. "Don't panic. Just go!"

Not being told twice, the civilians all ran for the exits, leaving only Maria and Nastassja left on the floor.

Don't panic!

Those words, those were the words she spoke at the concert when she made herself an enemy of the world. She had directed those words in order to calm down the people there but in reality...

'In truth, those words were directed at myself, not at those people.'

"Maria..." Nastassja, laying against the wall, muttered to herself as she looks worriedly at Maria while also feeling like she had failed the girl.

*ding!*

Suddenly, one of the elevators sounded, alerting Maria and Nastassja that something had arrived.

"Tch! More of them!?" Maria said as she holds her lance in front of her while also trying to ignore how her hands shook.

In anticipation, the two women expected more men to appear from the elevator, only to gasp when stepping out was Orga, full transformed.

"You!" Maria exclaimed while cursing in her mind. Of all the times to show up, why now!?

Orga said nothing at first as he looked around, taking note of all the blood splattered everywhere before seeing the dead men behind Maria.

"You..."

Taking notice and following his gaze, Maria winced when she saw what the Rider was looking at before turning back to him.

"They...they were shooting civilians, and I...I couldn't just—!"

"You killed them," Orga stated, interrupting the woman.

Maria suppressed a wince as she bit her lip, hard. She made no attempt to deny what the Rider had said for the blood on her lance was all the proof needed to confirm her sin.

"...dammit!" Orga said, gripping his fists and cursing at himself.

Slowly, Orga reached for his Orga Stlanzer. Seeing this, Maria tenses up and goes to stop him...

"Enough!" When Nastassja suddenly speaks up, stopping either side from engaging one another. "Maria, stand down."

"But Mom!"

"That includes you too," Nastassja pointed over at Orga before adding in, "It's time we had a talk...Natsu."

It was like time had stopped for a brief second as Maria processed what her mother figure just said. Eyes wide with shock, Maria slowly turned to Nastassja and said,

"Eh?"

(Back with Haru)

"Whoa! Shit!" Haru cursed as he barely dodged the laser fire that came from the Riotroopers chasing after him. He ran past fleeing civilians, cursing to himself again when he saw more than one person getting hit by stray gunfire.

'Dammit! I got to get away from here! There are too many people!' Haru thought to himself as his eyes wandered over to the Tokyo Skytree currently being surrounded by Noise.

"...fuck it!" Saying that to himself, Haru ran to the streets, sliding over abandoned cars while also using them as cover to avoid the Riotroopers' fire. Eventually, Haru made it to the tower...and found himself surrounded by Noise.

"Tch! Out of the frying pan and into the fire," Haru muttered to himself as he quickly swung his cuffed hands at a nearby Noise, knocking it away as the plastic cuffs around his hands carbonized and fell apart, freeing his hands at last.

"Finally!"

*BANG!*

"Gah!" Haru, just as he was feeling relief, cried out in pain when he was struck across the shoulder, throwing him forward. Holding his slightly smoking shoulder, Haru turned around to see the Riotroopers have caught up.

"These guys just don't know when to quit," Haru said before looking down at his hands. He stared down hard at them as if expecting them to change, but nothing happened no matter how hard he stared.

*BANG-BANG-BANG!*

"Shit!" Cursing again, Haru gave up trying to transform and took off running only to be tackled down to the ground by a Noise. Had he not been an Orphnoch, he'd have been disintegrated into carbon dust right then and there.

"Get! Off!" Haru exclaimed as he pushed the Noise on him before kicking it away. Standing back up, Haru was immediately attacked by a Riotrooper who had gotten close and would have cut him down had Haru not quickly jumped back.

With the Axel Ray Gun in its melee form, the Riotrooper ran up and swung his weapon at Haru who dodged each swing thrown at him before kicking the Rider grunt away. Just when Haru thought about fighting back, he was beset by more Riotroopers who swung at him, forcing the man to jump back as the rest of the Riotroopers regrouped. A total of six Riotroopers stood before Haru now.

"Geez, all this for a guy like me," Haru said as he took off the jacket Orga gave to him and threw it aside. "I don't know if I should feel flattered or not."

*BANG-BANG-BANG!*

Spark flew as laser fire suddenly struck the Riotroopers, causing them to stagger before Kanade suddenly appeared, jumping over the Rider grunts and landing right in front of Haru.

"You should be running is what you should be doing!" Kanade practically shouted in Haru's face before she turned around and shot at the Riotroopers, hitting a few while the others wisely moved out of the way.

"I can't just do nothing!" Haru exclaimed, not wanting to run and hide like some useless coward.

"You don't have a Rider Gear with you and the last thing I want to see is you transforming into an Orphnoch!" Kanade exclaimed, causing Haru to flinch at her words.

She doesn't want him to become an Orphnoch? She probably meant she didn't want him transforming with the risk of going berserk. He understood that he really did, but that didn't mean the phrasing of the words didn't hurt.

EXCEED CHARGE

Suddenly jumping over the Noise that surrounded the two, Xiao Li appeared, equipped with the Faiz Shot as he punched down towards Kanade who quickly jumped back when seeing him. The Rider's punch struck the ground and the force behind it caused a small shockwave that destroyed any nearby Noise.

"Surrender the Delta Gear," Xiao Li said as he stood back up and removed the Faiz Shot. Further behind him, Takuma and Yugo followed by Kyoko and Saeko soon entered the area, both pairs fighting against one another.

"Sorry, not happening," Kanade said before she raised her Delta Blaster and fired at the Phi-themed Rider who quickly rolled out of the way before removing the Faiz Phone from his belt and converted it into its blaster form. Soon both Riders were shooting at one another.

"Damn!" Haru cursed to himself as he watched the fight from a safe distance while feeling absolutely useless. He stared back down at his hands, trying to get them to change, but like earlier, nothing happened.

'Dammit! I know it's risky, but I was able to stay in control back at Hibiki's place. So how the hell do I transform?' The Tv show and all the Orphnoch's he's fought up until now all made transforming seem so easy, yet here he was standing around like an idiot unable to produce anything.

'Come on, Haru, think! Just what was it that caused the transformation? There's got to be something, some sort of trigger or—'

*BANG!*

"Stubborn bastards!" Haru exclaimed as he reacted in time to dodge a shot from a Riotrooper before ducking under another grunt trying to take his head. Standing back up, he went and punched the Riotrooper that had tried to slice him and was able to send the Rider grunt back at the expense of hurting his hand due to how hard the armor was. Holding back another curse while holding his hand, Haru quickly jumped back from another attacking Riotrooper, escaping with only a sliced tear in his shirt.

*BOOM!*

Suddenly, from up above, the top portion of the Skytree exploded. This caused Haru who looked up in surprise, distracting him as a fourth Riotrooper ran up behind him and kicked the man's back, sending him forward to where another waiting Riotrooper spun and kicked Haru back to the trooper who kicked him earlier. Grabbing a hold of Haru, the Riotrooper spun him around and threw him over to the last Riotrooper who threw a perfect right hook to his face, sending Haru rolling to the ground.

"Haru!" Kanade, seeing her friend in trouble, went to help but was stopped by Xiao Li who tried to punch her, forcing her to focus on the Rider lest she pays for it.

"Dammit! I'm being tossed around like a ragdoll!" Haru said to himself as he pushed himself up and looked to see the Riotroopers surrounding him. "Shit, now what?"

"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron..."

Suddenly, a familiar singing voice echoed in the air until a flash of light occurred in the air, drawing everyone's attention.

"Hibiki?" Haru said, recognizing the girl's voice anywhere. What were the odds she was here?

"Dammit, no!" Kanade exclaimed as she looked worriedly behind her helmet at the light descending down.

(Earlier, with Hibiki and Miku)

Coughing in order to expel the dust in their mouths, both Hibiki and Miku were fine for the most part, their clothes just a bit dirty.

"Thanks, Miku," Hibiki thanked her friend for the close save.

"No problem," Miku said, glad that she was able to save her friend from being crushed by debris. "Um, Hibiki—Wah!"

Miku never got to finish speaking as the ground underneath them shook violently before a section started coming apart. Both girls quickly stood up, trying to regain their balance, but unfortunately for Hibiki, she was caught on the side that was falling.

"Hibiki!" Moving quickly, Miku leaped forward with her hand stretched out, grabbing her friend before she could fall thousands of feet.

Hibiki briefly looks down, seeing how far the ground was from up here. Despite the situation, she wasn't afraid of falling as her time using the Symphogear has allowed her to get used to falling from such heights. Of course, there was her condition to consider, but with the situation being as it is...

"Hm?" Hibiki noticed some commotion down below. Trying to look as best as she could from her position, she could barely make out the sight of Riders Psyga and Delta fighting together against Faiz and Kaixa. And not too far from them was someone being surrounded by what looked to be Riotroopers.

*Creak~!*

Hibiki snaps her head back up, hearing the sound of straining metal from under Miku who was desperately trying to pull Hibiki up.

"Miku! That floor won't hold for long! Let me go!"

"No! I have to protect you!"

"Miku..." Hibiki watched as Miku tried with all her might to pull Hibiki up. However, she just didn't have the necessary strength to do such a feat. Even still, she kept on trying despite the odds.

Seeing her friend try so hard made Hibiki smile. She knew that her friend, despite her effort, wouldn't be able to pull her up. There was only one way the both of them were getting out of here alive.

"One day, when I'm really in trouble...you can save me then. So let me do a bit more on my own today."

Hearing those words, tears of frustration started welling up inside Miku's eyes. And with them came memories from long ago. Bitter memories.

"But I..."

She had been out jogging, practicing for an upcoming track race when the sounds of laughter drew her attention. Sparing a glance to her right, she saw a group of people that she recognized from her class harassing someone. Just when she was about to run by as it had nothing to do with her, she caught sight of brunette hair and stopped in her tracks when she saw just who exactly was getting picked on.

It was her friend Hibiki.

"Hey—!"

*WHOOSH!*

Faster than she could blink, someone ran past Miku and before she knew it, the people harassing Hibiki were lying on the ground, groaning in pain. And there, standing before a crying Hibiki...

"Are you okay? You were crying and..."

One Yamamoto Haru offered a hand to the brunette who, with tear-filled eyes and shaky hands, grabbed onto the hand almost as if it were a lifeline.

And there she stood, starring dumbly while having not moved an inch from her spot. From inside of her, a feeling of bitterness started welling up inside.

'Even I...!' Miku thought to herself, tears falling from her face before saying, "I want to protect you!"

Hibiki merely continued to smile as Miku's hold slowly started slipping until finally, the brunette fell.

"Hibiki~!" Miku cried out as she desperately reached down in vain towards Hibiki.

As the winds blew all around her, Hibiki couldn't help smiling to herself. She really had good friends.

Taking a deep breath, Hibiki opened her mouth...and sang.

"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron..."

A sphere of light surrounded Hibiki's form, hiding her from the world until the light burst and out came Hibiki donned in her Gungnir Symphogear.

Flipping herself around, Hibiki landed on the ground feet first, knees bent as the impact of her landing caused the ground beneath her to crater.

"What the-!" The person who had been surrounded by Riotroopers let out a cry of surprise.

As for the Riotroopers, they had been blown back by Hibiki's sudden appearance and landing. Quickly recollecting themselves and getting back up, they all aimed their weapons at the Symphogear wielder.

"Toriyah!" Faster than anyone could blink, Hibiki dashed up to the closest Rider grunt and sent him flying with a devastating uppercut. Spinning around, the girl sent another trooper flying with a powerful kick. Two out of the four remaining Riotroopers swung their weapons at her, but Hibiki simply ducked, got on her hands, and performed an upsidedown split kick. Flipping back up to her feet, the boosters on Hibiki's backside ignited and the girl practically flew as she closed the distance between her and the fifth trooper who she proceeded to punch right in the face and sent him flying much like the rest of his comrades. Turning her attention to the sixth and last Riotrooper, she quickly moved to close the distance between them, dodging gunfire in the process as she pulled back the piston of her gauntlet and punched the Rider grunt right in his chest. Soon after, the piston flew back into its original position, empowering Hibiki's punch as the trooper she punched flew back in a straight line and crashed into a group of Noise which soon got destroyed.

"Yosha(All right)!" Hibiki cheered to herself before turning to see who she helped only to cry out in surprise. "Haru-kun!?"

"Nice to see you too, Hibiki," Haru said, surprised to see the girl here.

*Whoosh!*

"Whoa!" Haru jumped in surprise when Hibiki closed the distance between them in an instant.

"Haru-kun! Are you okay!? Are you hurt!? When did you get here? How did you get here? I thought you were captured and—!"

"Hibiki! Hibiki! I'm fine! Calm down!" Haru said, trying to get the girl to slow down in her questioning.

"Right, right, sorry," Hibiki said before breathing a sigh of relief as she stared happily at Haru. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"I'm sorry for worrying you," Haru said before looking up. "Where did you come from anyway?"

"Ah!" Hibiki cried out, remembering why she was here in the first place as she looked back up to the top of the Skytree. "Miku's up there!"

"What!?"

"Sorry, Haru-kun, but I gotta-!"

*BOOM!*

The sounds of an explosion caused the two heroes to freeze-up. Slowly looking up with dread, they both saw a cloud of smoke and fire emerging from the Skytree...right exactly where Miku had been.

"No...no, no, no!" Tears starting filling Hibiki's eyes as she fell to her knees in disbelief, not wanting to believe that her friend...that her best friend was...

"MIKUUUUUUUUUUUUUU~!"

"No way..." Haru muttered in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that Miku was...

*BANG!*

Haru's eyes widen in surprise when he turned and saw Hibiki falling to the ground, something having shot her in the back.

"Hibiki!" Haru cried out in alarm as he was by the girl's side in an instant, lifting her up as in the girl's shock at her friend's supposed death, her transformation was subconsciously canceled, leaving Hibiki back in her civilian form. Luckily, whatever shot Hibiki had done so while Hibiki's Gear was still active leaving minimal damage. However, the girl was now unconscious, probably having fainted from shock.

Deducing that Hibiki was fine for now, Haru turned and spotted one of the Riotroopers Hibiki had just fought lifting up his Axel Ray Gun, no doubt the one who just shot Hibiki.

"Kisama(You bastard)...!" Haru growled as he stood up, carrying Hibiki in his arms as he not only growled at the Riotrooper...but at the world itself.

'Just how...how many times...how many times will this world...'

Memories of the past came flowing through Haru's head. All the times he saw Hibiki getting harassed by people, throwing insults and rocks at her, telling her how she should have died back at the concert two years ago. Then there was the fact that Hibiki's father, the man who she had looked up to as a child, outright ran away from his family. Learning such news made Haru recall the bitter memories of the bastard that was his grandfather leaving him alone to deal with the land sharks while he ran away to save his own sorry hide.

If that wasn't enough, Hibiki's old teacher had turned out to be an Orphnoch and killed all her friends. Hibiki didn't show it, but Haru knew that the girl stilled blamed herself for their deaths. And now, Miku too...

'Just how many times...will this damn world...keep pushing this girl down!?'

Thinking back to it now, all the times Haru transformed into an Orphnoch; his battle with Finé where the ancient priest was beating Hibiki's downed form, the fighting against the Nephilim where the monster had bitten off Hibiki's arm, and Xiao Li putting Hibiki's family in danger. Every time Haru became an Orphnoch, one thing triggered Haru's transformation.

Rage.

"RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

With a roar that seems to echo all throughout the city, blue flames started enveloping Haru's form, drawing everyone's attention.

"Well, this just got interesting," Takuma commented as Saeko silently agreed.

"Dammit! Not again!" Kanade exclaimed, not liking the blue flames that seem to come out of Haru's body.

"Kyoko," Yugo turned to the Crane Orphnoch who nodded in understanding before looking back at Haru.

With a burst of power that almost threw everyone back, standing in place of Haru while holding Hibiki protectively in his arms was the one and only Wolf Orphnoch. And it didn't take a genius to see that the grey beast was pissed.

"AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

And...done! Well, that took longer than expected. Sorry, this took a while to finish, but I've been getting swamped with classwork while trying to adjust to my new "situation." I hope you're all having a much easier time than I am, but I digress.

So about the chapter, I think some areas could be better, but for the most part, I think it's solid enough. I got to showcase Haru's relationship with Yugo, but I feel like I could have shown off more before getting to the Skytree incident. Also, I know it's called the Sky Tower in the anime, but I called it the Skytree in the last chapter so I'm sticking with it. Plus, the building is obviously the same Skytree found in Tokyo so I really don't see the reason for the name change. But again, I digress.

Not sure if I did Maria here any justice since she doesn't act any different than from the episode, but that was just a setup for her to meet Natsu who is, surprise surprise, Orga. I'm sure a lot of people already figured that out. I also got to show Kanade transforming into Delta. Since she doesn't have the Kaixa Gear right now, it only makes sense for Genjuro to give Kanade the Delta Gear since the man is limit to his position, not that it would stop him from acting I'm sure.

Anyway, that's all I have to say for now. Tune in next time to see what happens now that Haru's become the Wolf Orphnoch again. If you think Haru's gonna go back to the 2nd Division, then think again! Until then, this has been Ashbel Longhart here, signing out. Until the next ride!