Incredible!
Remember me? Guy with VF1 as 6th fav? Just say this one... and you don't dissapoint very easily!
Your animation skills are top notch, my friend, and you have good taste in music. I caught a few more Guilty Gear references, an X-man one, as well as some other sweet tricks.
The introduction to a plot and story is somewhat appreciated, in the sense that the whole thing is maturing. Personally, I prefered the first one just a little bit more since it was just straight music and combat.
A very good piece non-the-less. I am interested in seeing the next chapter, or whatever.