-2: 86
[Play: Kamen Rider Black RX]
Andersen jumped off the building, drawing the attention of Absolute and the Heretics rushing towards them.
Campy 90s synths played in Andersen's helmet, along with a male voice, singing a nostalgic song.
It was in Japanese, of course. But Andersen had listened to it countless times on his missions as a mercenary to know the meaning.
*The aurora of light shines on your body...*
The dome of eternity was still glitching above them, showing a distorted blue sky. But because of that, the white light reflected off Andersen's armor.
As he fell down towards the ground, Andersen could see the faces of the Ark's citizens in the windows, watching with awe as he and the Goddess Squad moved.
*You, who became a person of fighting. Don't be afraid of the pain that it brings, for evil has come to the earth.*
'How ironic...'
When he first heard the song, he thought it was funny. He loved how upbeat it was, and he liked the concept of a masked rider fighting against all odds.
'How long ago was it?'
Andersen didn't remember.
The long decades had washed away the past like a river eroding away even hardened stone into silt.
And even if they hadn't, the time he spent unconscious had done a number to his memory.
*Wake up, the hero!*
Andersen landed on the ground, causing a small crater around him as he did, crouching on one knee. As he slowly stood up, he could feel it.
The citizens of the Ark, who had trusted their safety to his son.
Seeing the Goddess Squad... or at least, most of it since Red Hood still wasn't combat ready.
But seeing them all here, along with Andersen...
*To the never ending battle between light and dark...*
'Six bullets, huh?'
Andersen swept his gaze across the surroundings, taking in the situation.
Was it instinct? Or a sense of pride?
Absolute jumped down as well, landing in the plaza across from Andersen.
As they did, Andersen noticed the crimson hue in their eyes.
'They didn't rebel then. It's corruption.'
Absolute being corrupted... it was almost the worst case scenario.
At least, it would have been before now. But...
*Wake up, the hero!*
Snow White, Scarlet, and Dorothy landed behind Andersen.
"Commander." Snow White spoke and tilted her head towards Andersen, already loading a railgun that she'd stolen- requisitioned from the Outpost. "Orders?"
Dorothy flung her arm out, causing her wings to flutter and scatter feathers. "Isn't it obvious, Snow? We're taking their heads."
Scarlet adjusted the rim of her hat and said, "I concur with Lady Dorothy. We can cure them afterwards. We must also be mindful of the Heretics en route towards us."
*You, who are blessed with love and courage... The gentle times are past. It is important to be fierce like lightning in your anger.*
Andersen held his gun in his right hand, glancing for a bit at the embossed white lily on it. Then he looked at Absolute and said, "Rapunzel. Hide the civilians."
Rapunzel landed and then knelt on the ground, clasping her hands in prayer. "Oh Lord. Guide your wayward children and shield us from harm..."
*Release the universe.*
Golden light spread across the surroundings as Rapunzel's hair floated behind her, like she was wreathed in a sacred gale.
Dorothy glanced over, a nostalgic smile on her face. "...I forgot what that looked like."
Snow White fired, intercepting a rocket from Vesti, causing an explosion to erupt in the air, shaking the nearby buildings, but preventing any damage. "Daydream later, Dorothy. It's been a while... but it's time to be Goddesses of Victory."
Dorothy's breath hitched. But then she focused. "...You're right."
*Wake up the hero with the deep heart.*
Andersen chuckled at how on theme the song playing from his helmet was. But even while he kept it light, he focused.
'Absolute isn't quite up to the same specs as a Grimms Model. But it's close.'
Although his son's artificial goddess and Maxwell had given him this power armor to enhance his combat power, it wasn't quite to the level of a Nikke.
Sadly, he wasn't as skilled in close quarters combat as his son.
But...
*You who are needed but don't realize...*
'...I'm definitely a better tactician.'
The situation in the Ark...
Andersen didn't know the full details, but he knew that Absolute and the approaching Heretics were the greatest threats.
Luring them away wouldn't work and trying to force the battle to an end would result in collateral damage.
*Wake up the hero... open your eyes.*
'I can't fail this time.'
The world had depended on him.
His Goddess Squad had been waiting for him.
And when they needed him the most, Andersen had vanished.
He regretted it.
He regretted it to this day.
*Save anyone who is in trouble...*
...So he'd pay it back by putting his life on the line.
Without a shred of hesitation, he rushed towards Vesti, marking her as the greatest threat.
'Ingrid said that she was the most skilled among Absolute. If she's out, casualties can be eliminated.'
"Commander?!" Dorothy's concerned voice echoed.
But Andersen ignored it, focusing on Vesti and running calculations in his head.
A step left. A leap to the right. Waiting a pause to stagger the timing. Rushing forward...
Explosions erupted all around Andersen as he dodged them by the skin of his teeth, relying on instincts that he had refined with experience and reliving his old battles again and again over the years since he couldn't take to the field again.
...At least he thought he couldn't.
But now.
Since his miraculous son had healed his body.
Since his stupidly smart son had created an AI that supplied a power armor that could bring him to superhuman levels.
Since his instincts that had always been beyond human and limited by his flesh were now lined up...!
*Masked Rider, like the flash of lightning.*
Ten meters.
*Masked Rider, you are the warrior of love.*
Five meters.
*Masked Rider... Black RX.*
Andersen reached Vesti as she was in the middle of reloading and then placed his pistol against her heart. "Sleep for now."
*BANG*
Vesti gasped and fell backwards, crimson coolant spilling from her chest.
At the same time, on the left and right, Scarlet cut off Eunhwa's head and Dorothy severed Emma's head with a blast of her white laser.
Snow White immediately pulled out brain shelters to secure Eunhwa and Emma so they could be recovered later. And after that, she moved forward to treat Vesti.
Vesti coughed, clutching at her chest. Then she slowly blinked, her crimson eyes slowly fading back to their original blue hue. After that, she looked at Andersen and said, "...Ark... Ranger...?"
Andersen laughed. "Nope. Masked Rider, Black RX. And relax. The hero's here now, along with the Goddesses of Victory."
Vesti shifted her gaze over, seeing Dorothy, Scarlet, Snow White, and Rapunzel. Then her eyes teared up and she nodded. "Thank heavens..." After that, she passed out.
But it wasn't over.
Absolute was taken care of.
But they weren't the only threat.
Andersen straightened his body and looked towards the main road where three Nikkes were casually approaching.
...No. Not Nikkes.
Heretics.
Andersen recognized that form. Black visor, tendrils... while it seemed like it wasn't mass-produced Nikkes this time as the base, the method was the same.
Dorothy quickly moved to Andersen's right side. "Commander. How are you holding up?"
Andersen laughed and said, "Better than my prime."
Scarlet moved to Andersen's left and said, "T'would appear so. Lilith would be proud, Andersen."
"...Thank you. Let's go tell her when we're free then. Since Dorothy knows where her grave is."
Snow White and Scarlet immediately turned to look at Dorothy.
Dorothy blushed. "W-What? Someone had to keep it safe!"
"...I have questions." Snow White raised her railgun. "But they can wait."
Andersen cracked his neck. "Enough banter. We can't afford to drag this out. FF Formation. Blitz them. On three. One."
Scarlet rested her hand on her sword hilt.
"Two."
The Heretics noticed Andersen and the Goddess Squad.
Was it an embedded memory by the Rapture Queen? Or did some part of the Nikkes that they used to be recognize the Goddess Squad?
Either way, the Heretics paused for a moment to assess the situation.
"Three."
...And that was enough to end it.
*BANG BANG BANG*
Three gunshots from Andersen that the Heretics foolishly allowed to land.
A blast from Snow White's railgun at a Heretic whose neck looked partially torn already, sending her head flying.
A blur of steel from Scarlet, severing the head of the Heretic with white twin tails.
A lazy flick of Dorothy's wrist, sending a beam of white light to decapitate the last Heretic with hair that was a light brown, almost gray.
And like that...
Andersen powered down and then adjusted his leather gloves.
"Goddess Squad. Mission complete."
...The Ark was saved.