Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear

Facing Commander Kazanari's intimidation, Raye merely raised the Sky Striker in her hand. The next moment, roughly thirty-some portals opened in midair.

"Do you intend to defeat me with the long-range attacks of those armaments?"

Commander Kazanari's expression turned grave as he warily watched the portals covering nearly half the sky.

"Armaments? You mean Sky Striker Mechas? Unfortunately, while I would very much like to do that, most of my Sky Striker Mechas are currently being used elsewhere. Besides, using those against you would be somewhat wasteful."

Raye said.

"Since my opponent is a human like you, naturally I should use weapons specifically designed to kill humans."

Raye continued. As she spoke, numerous bizarre monsters familiar to everyone present poured out from the portals in the sky.

"Noise... So it was you behind those Noise with strange behavior patterns that appeared around me earlier, attacking me wave after wave."

Commander Kazanari's face darkened.

The reason he had arrived so late after seeing Ogawa's signal was that dealing with the Noise along the way had taken considerable effort.

Because of the Phase-Difference Barrier, Noise could not be killed by conventional attacks. However, at the instant they attacked, their presence in this world increased. Seizing that opportunity, one could damage Noise even without using Symphogear.

"If you think so, then so be it. Then, Genjuro Kazanari and Shinji Ogawa, let me see just how long the two of you can last under the assault of these killing machines."

Raye said. At the same time, she lightly leapt onto the roof of a nearby building, holding the Sky Striker as she watched the battle on the ground, poised to erupt, in a relaxed posture.

"Commander."

Shinji Ogawa, having shaken off the Sky Striker Mecha, came to Genjuro Kazanari's side.

"Tachibana, can you still fight?"

Looking at the many Noise that had landed on the ground and were gradually closing in on them, Commander Kazanari asked Hibiki Tachibana, who stood behind him after battle upon battle.

"I-I'll do my best."

Hibiki Tachibana wanted to say that, but her trembling body, which looked as though it might collapse at any moment, carried no conviction at all.

"...I see. Today's fighting has been a bit too much for you, Tachibana. In that case, Ogawa, you should be able to protect Tachibana, correct?"

After noticing Hibiki Tachibana's condition, Commander Kazanari turned to Shinji Ogawa.

"Commander, what do you mean?"

Shinji Ogawa asked upon hearing his words.

"None of these Noise are aerial types. There is still an escape route through the air. I can launch Tachibana out, and Ogawa, you will escort her back to headquarters."

Commander Kazanari's stern words made Hibiki Tachibana's face change.

"Wait, then what are you going to do, Mr. Kazanari?!"

Hibiki Tachibana asked anxiously. If she was launched away and Ogawa protected her, did that not mean Commander Kazanari would have to face these monsters, which humans could hardly fight, alone?

"Don't worry, Tachibana. It's not as if I have no way to deal with Noise. Don't forget, I only got here after dealing with the Noise blocking my path. I have some experience fighting them.

I'm only making these arrangements to keep you from being caught up in the aftermath while I fight. Tachibana, you are having trouble even maintaining your Symphogear now, aren't you?"

Commander Kazanari explained.

"Even so..."

Despite Commander Kazanari's explanation, Hibiki Tachibana still felt uneasy.

Though she knew Commander Kazanari had once surpassed Miss Tsubasa in combat ability, facing these Noise that ordinary attacks could not affect without Symphogear would surely be far more dangerous and difficult than she could imagine.

"There isn't much time, Commander. Can you do it?"

Shinji Ogawa asked Commander Kazanari seriously.

Having kept watch on their surroundings the entire time, Shinji Ogawa noticed that the Noise had already formed into a loose formation and were steadily closing in on them.

"..."

Commander Kazanari said nothing, merely giving Shinji Ogawa a silent look.

"I see, I understand. Then, Tachibana, prepare to leave."

Shinji Ogawa understood Commander Kazanari's intentions. This was the plan that would minimize losses under the circumstances.

P.S. Good afternoon.

Gate of Babylon (not really)

[Is that so? You intend to sacrifice one person so the other two can escape.]

Raye easily saw through their plan.

[Sacrificing a human whose combat value has declined and who can no longer use Symphogear, in exchange for preserving the precious individual Hibiki Tachibana, is indeed a very rational approach.]

[Indeed, under the current circumstances, there is nothing unreasonable about taking such measures. If you truly achieve your objective, my gains will indeed shrink slightly.]

Raye thought.

Though carrying out this plan appeared, on the surface, to temporarily remove a powerful combatant from Second Division and greatly weaken the enemies she faced, that was not actually how it worked.

Because compared to before, Raye had obtained the Complete Relic, the Staff of Solomon, which allowed her to control Noise. After obtaining this Relic, Commander Kazanari's supposedly high combat power no longer meant much to Raye.

As for command ability or organizational ability, honestly, such talents that ordinary people could possess were hardly scarce for a nation.

In other words, if they were allowed to carry out this plan, Raye's gains would amount only to one member at the level of an ordinary person. The true core of Second Division would not actually be shaken.

[So, naturally, I cannot allow you to carry out this plan.]

Watching the three people in the center of the battlefield discussing the feasibility of the "sacrifice one person" plan, Raye thought this.

Then, since she could not allow them to carry it out, did that mean she had to stop them?

Not at all. To stop the three of them, Raye did not need to do anything. She only needed to wait here for a certain event, for an event that would alter her plans.

[Judging by the time and distance, she should be arriving soon. The one who realized she had been deceived after seeing that pillar of light produced by that person's rampage.]

With that thought, Raye looked toward one side of the sky. In that direction, the intelligence she had confirmed the moment Hibiki Tachibana went berserk and the plan she had made based on it were about to bear fruit.

[Old fly... carrying one dragon's raging waves, feather]

An impassioned song approached from afar. A blue-and-white meteor emerged from the distant black canopy of night, descending upon the battlefield with unstoppable momentum alongside the singing.

"Miss Tsubasa!"

Hibiki Tachibana said excitedly, as though she had seen a savior—no, for the current situation, she really had seen one.

"To think she returned at a time like this."

Raye said with a surprised expression.

[Judgment, sky dance, fly]

The meteor crashed into the earth, accompanied by dozens of blades piercing more than ten Noise on the ground.

[Sure enough, in this place...]

The stirring battle song continued. After the meteor landed, what immediately appeared was a blade storm formed of three sharp edges, spiraling through the battlefield and reaping Noise.

[Play, seven doors, stone, dragon, crimson, fading above]

Finally, accompanied by a brilliant sword aura, the last Noise turned into carbon dust and completely scattered in the evening wind.

"...Whew, thank goodness I made it."

Tsubasa Kazanari, wielding broad swords in both hands, let out a long breath. Her eyes were full of self-reproach and relief.

"Miss Tsubasa!"

"Tsubasa, are you all right?"

"Tsubasa!"

After clearing out the Noise, the unceasing battle finally paused for the moment. The three quickly joined up with Tsubasa Kazanari, who had briefly caught her breath.

Thus, Second Division's main combat force, which had been scattered ever since the battle began, finally gathered together. Though none of them were in good condition, they had at least reunited.

"Everyone, I apologize. I fell for the enemy's diversionary tactic and failed to notice that you were engaged in such a difficult battle. It is a disgrace for me, as one who protects others. Once we return, I will accept the punishment I deserve."

After regrouping, Tsubasa Kazanari was the first to apologize to them verbally.

After being led away, she had failed to notice the enemy's scheme and had remained focused on chasing that point of light flying through the sky.

It was only after she heard the tremendous crash, saw a gigantic pillar of light in the direction she had come from, and found that her communicator could not receive any messages at all that she realized she might have fallen for the enemy's plan.

Furthermore, just as she realized it, her beloved motorcycle exploded under the control of some device. She had no choice but to travel by intermittent leaps and gliding, resulting in the scene of her falling from the sky just now.

"...In any case, it is good that you returned. Tsubasa, let us fight together from here on."

Faced with Tsubasa Kazanari's apology, Genjuro Kazanari thought briefly before letting the matter pass and encouraging her.

"Yeah, let's fight together, Miss Tsubasa."

Hibiki Tachibana said excitedly. Tsubasa Kazanari's rescue and the possibility of fighting alongside her squeezed another trace of strength from her body.

"Tsubasa, we can think about that later. For now, let's fight together."

Shinji Ogawa said with difficulty, enduring the most severe injuries among them.

"...I understand."

Facing the three people's encouragement, Tsubasa Kazanari seemed to think of something. Then, understanding what mattered most now, her gaze became resolute.

"It looks like you have finished talking."

The instant Tsubasa Kazanari replied, Raye's voice drifted softly down from above.

Her voice also drew the attention of the four below, making them look up toward Raye's position.

Then, they saw a sight they might never forget for the rest of their lives.

"Those are... that many?"

Tsubasa Kazanari's pupils trembled violently.

"Haha... Miss Raye, you really are so strong it is suffocating."

Hibiki Tachibana, who had also seen the scene in the sky, said with a somewhat despairing smile.

As for Shinji Ogawa and Genjuro Kazanari, they were already trying to notify the scattered Second Division members nearby to evacuate the civilians.

"Sky Striker Airspace: Zero Zone. I have fully deployed this domain here. Therefore, the number of Sky Striker Mechas I can use within this space has reached its limit."

Raye spoke slowly. Behind her, the sky was packed with glowing white portals, layer upon layer, filling the entire field of view.

That was also why Raye had seized this opportunity. Only outdoors, without the protection of Heresy Technology, could she spread her Sky Striker Airspace to the greatest possible extent without being discovered, allowing her to unleash the maximum output available to her.

"Then, this will be the final battle. How long can you endure before my ammunition reserves are exhausted?"

Standing at the edge of the rooftop and looking down at Second Division's four members on the ground, Raye said calmly.

P.S. Good night. That was satisfying to write.

Swan Song (4k)

White portals filled the sky, and all kinds of weapons continually emerged from the indistinct curtain of light.

"Ha—"

The blue-haired girl bent her knees and leapt, attempting to place her blade against Raye's neck before the terrifying number of firing ports could open fire. It was the only way she could think of to win at that moment.

But clearly, such a simple and direct attack could not possibly accomplish her goal.

"Your reaction speed is very fast, but unfortunately, within the airspace, my attacks are faster."

Raye said.

The next instant, several portals appeared beside Tsubasa Kazanari, and several black Grappling Anchors fired from them.

Though Tsubasa Kazanari did her utmost to evade immediately, she was still slowed down. The other Grappling Anchors that followed completely bound her in midair.

"Ugh, you bastard!"

Bound up, Tsubasa Kazanari tried to continue forward, but unable to gain leverage in the air for the moment, she could not quickly break free of the Grappling Anchors wrapped around her.

"Though you have indeed improved, I have not been standing still either."

Looking down at the blue-haired girl bound several meters below her, Raye pressed the device over her right eye. The portals behind her, containing weapons that had already been loaded, aimed at Tsubasa Kazanari, who was bound in midair.

"Calm down a little, Tsubasa Kazanari."

Raye said.

A fierce barrage concentrated on Tsubasa Kazanari, and the powerful impact sent her crashing straight down to the ground.