Author's Note: Chapter six is finally up. This chapter is a mix between comedy and drama, very little action. It took some effort to write as I prefer the comedy and action stuff over drama but, it was necessary to further the plot. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: DBZ, DxD and DMC are all abbreviations that begin with the letter "D" and are owned by their respective owners. I'm simply having non-profit fun.
Broly twisted his body in mid-air, dodging several energy spheres hurtling towards him. He did not need to dodge as the attacks were too weak to actually hurt him but, he did not want to damage his clothes, which he was rather fond of. Brushing his faded grey jeans off, Broly inspected his white full sleeve t-shirt. Satisfied that there was no damage, he turned his attention toward his attackers.
You've got to be kidding me…
Broly stared at the assailants with a look on his face that would make anyone burst out laughing. No matter how hard his brain tried to process the information it was receiving from his eyes it kept resulting in Broly staring slack-jawed. There were six of them, round and furry, dressed in classical ninja outfits and had swords drawn and shuriken ready to be thrown.
[HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now I've seen it all! HAHAHAHA! Ninja pandas!]
…
[Oh this is righteous! I've been in this world millennia and it NEVER ceases to amaze me. HAHAHAHAHA!]
They can't be serious?! These things belong in some freak show zoo!
[Maybe they're gonna try and sit on us! Hahahahahahahaha! Hey partner…w-we might actually die…of laughter! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!]
The pandas then chose to make their move and rushed toward Broly. Using his unrivaled speed, Broly appeared behind the assailant farthest from him and before the large fuzz-ball could react, he grabbed its head and yanked. The other five turned around at the sound of their comrade's neck being snapped. Not giving them time to recover from their momentary shocked, Broly struck with quick lethality.
Once all six bodies littered the ground, maimed and bloodied, he began to float away from the scene of carnage. However, upon hearing the ragged breathing that marked a survivor, he turned back around and headed for the still flowing ki. The still breathing panda bear had scorch marks all over its body and a nasty fist sized hole in its stomach.
"Ha…huff…huff…it doesn't matter…there will be more….huff…huff….the man…..who wants you…dead…is too powerful for even you….Seikiryuutei..."
The entire time the creature was speaking, Broly was flinching at it's voice. It was high pitched and sounded like something from a young girl's doll.
"And just who is this person?"
"D-doesn't matter…you're dead anyways…plus I never give…huff…client info…"
"We'll see….."
Broly's hand descended to the dying panda's face. As the night grew colder, the shrill screams of a creature in obvious torture filled the hollow world.
Rias POV
Where is he? Ugh! He promised he wouldn't ditch!
Rias looked up and smiled nervously at the people seated across from her. Her father, mother and Grayfia, were all sitting on a sofa directly across from her, while Sirzechs had taken to an armchair perpendicular to them. Her mother was nearly an identical clone to her, save for her brown hair and slightly older appearance. Her father, on the other hand, she looked nothing like. The head of the Gremory family had both his children take after his wife however, they both inherited his trademark crimson hair. They all sat in simple silence and in patience of the arrival of the owner of the sitting room, which they were using. It was the Crimson Lucifer who broke the silence.
"Rias, it doesn't seem as if the Sekiryuutei is coming. Why don't we all return home and discuss things there, comfortably?"
Before Rias could respond to her brother, her father began to speak.
"Patience Sirzechs. He will come. This is his home after all. I highly doubt the strongest Sekiryuutei in history plans on hiding from his own guests."
Elated that her father had defended her boyfriend, Rias spoke to her brother with renewed confidence.
"That's right Onii-sama, Broly will be here very soon."
As if on cue, the air grew heavy with power, as it always did whenever the master of the house returned. She glanced at her parents and saw them exchange an unreadable look. She could only imagine what was going through their minds as the oppressive presence became stronger and stronger as it made their way towards them.
The doors to the sitting room drifted open and in glided Broly, looking passive and remote. Rias stared transfixed, as she always did when he entered any room. He seemed to fill the room with his presence and turned the entire world the flavor of his mood. And currently it was a hostile one. She recognized that he saw strangers in his home and that his instincts would label all of her family as potential threats. That's how he saw the world; targets and bigger targets.
They all rose to greet him but, Rias realized that he first needed to lose the heavy presence that was barely being contained and would inevitably crush her family. In an effort to break the ice, she began to introduce her family.
"Uhm…this is my family, my parents, Lord and Lady Gremory, my brother, Sirzechs Lucifer, and his wife Grayfia who've you already met."
Broly's eyes followed Rias hand as she gestured to her family and at the mention of her brother's name, he stopped and stared at him with narrowed eyes. Not really understanding what was going on between the two, Rias simply stared as the two openly glared at one another. Not wanting the two to break into a fight in the middle of the newly built house, she began speaking again in hopes of dissolving the tension.
Clearing her throat, she said, "My family has been very eager to meet with you ever since you fought with Riser and in light of our relationship."
Her father was the first to a move, he approached the still hovering Broly and thrust out his hand.
"I am Lord Gremory, it is a pleasure to meet to Young man."
Broly's feet touched the floor as he took her father's hand.
"Broly, and the pleasure is mine."
"I am Venelana Gremory, Rias's mother."
"And here I mistook you for her sister." Broly said as he bowed slightly and brought her mother's hands to his lips.
Eh? Eeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh?! What just happened?!
Not five seconds ago he came in all warrior and death and now he was acting the part of Prince Charming! Rias stared, mouth agape, as her vicious and ruthless boyfriend played all civilized and noble with her parents. He was making small talk with her father now and while her mother, much to her dismay, was examining Broly appreciatively. After greeting Grayfia in a similar fashion to the way he greeted her mother, Broly came to another glare-lock with her brother. Approaching one another they shook hands or rather, attempted to break the others hand and by the strained look on Sirzechs' face, it seemed Broly was winning.
Smirking, Broly said, "Pandas? Really?"
Everyone else looked on in confusion, obviously, the strange question had meant something, as Sirzechs' eye was twitching and he was laughing nervously while massaging his hand. However, when neither man pursued the question further they all decided to let the matter fall. Motioning the others to take their seats, Broly led Rias to the sofa where she had been previously sitting and sat them down, draping his arm over her shoulders. Not knowing what was going through his mind, she glanced up at him, trying to discern hid thoughts. He looked down at her, eyes solemn yet, retaining their warrior-like edge. He leaned over and grazed her temple with a light brush of a kiss. Rias blushed madly, the open affection in front of her family being completely unexpected and made all the more uncomfortable by her mother's look of adoring approval and her brother's venom filled eyes. Rias felt his chest vibrate in amusement as Broly suppressed his laughter at their reactions.
"I apologize for the delay but, I had some unexpected business that demanded my attention. Now, Rias tells me that you have been wishing to meet with me for quite some time. I understand that my display in the underworld was rather flamboyant, thus I expect that you are somewhat curious about me as I am now involved with Rias. Therefore, please, ask of me whatever you wish."
Rias stared at him in open shock. He was talking firmly but, with every civility and politeness etiquette could demand.
What's gotten into him?
This was not her Broly. Her Broly was all raging fire surrounded by thick glacial walls. His was an overwhelming presence that suffered no challenge and smothered attempts at flattery. This Broly was charming and courteous and was acting perfectly…human. Her father cleared his throat and began to speak.
"I must know, to fully fulfill my role as father, what are your intentions towards my daughter?"
"You will have to elaborate Lord Gremory."
However, it was not the lord but, rather, the lady of the house who responded to Broly's question.
"You played a vital role in nullifying Rias's engagement to the young man of the Phenex family and you are openly affectionate with her. To wit, do you love her?"
Looking back at Broly, what she saw there made her want to cry. His eyes had taken on that pained look he only revealed in their lovemaking. She knew that he loved her but the question was did he? He fully leaned his head back, stared at the ceiling, and let out a sigh. She saw that he closed his eyes and knew that he was seeking inwards, the answer to the question he himself so desperately wanted to know. She leaned into him, burying face against his chest. The sound of his strong heart thumping against her cheeks was oddly comforting to her.
"I don't know," he whispered.
She looked up at him to find that he was staring down at her intently. Rias fully understood what he meant. He was unsure of himself, his emotions beyond his grasp.
"WHAT?!"
Rias, startled, turned from Broly to see that Sirzechs had risen to his feet and had his face contorted with anger.
"Asshole! What do you mean you don't know? Are you just playing around with my baby sister?!" Lucifer demanded.
Grayfia decided to intercede at this point.
"Sirzechs calm yourself. You're embarrassing all of us."
"Grayfia this piece o-…"
"Sirzechs if you continue this tirade I will be forced to do that tonight!" the silver haired beauty said darkly.
Sirzechs visibly paled and his anger washed away instantly as he stared in open horror at his wife.
"Y-you can't be serious?" asked the shaking Satan now seated.
"Try me." The cool beauty said curtly.
A monetary silence lapsed and Rias was finding herself to be relieved that her brother's anger had been derailed. She also realized, shamefully, she felt relief at that Broly had not outright said no in an attempt to keep his pride in front of these relative strangers.
Here he is, basically subjugating himself to an interrogation and I'm doubting him.
"You will have to explain to me what imply by saying that you are unaware of your own feelings." Her father said.
Rias leaned into Broly deeper and clutched at his chest, trying to keep herself from dragging him away from her family's prying eyes and to somewhere where she could hold on tight to him and never let go.
She saw Broly give her father a hard and impassive look before turning his gaze towards her. His eyes softened a touch and he raised his thumb to trace around the edges of her lips. Closing his eyes, he sighed again.
"My power…the price of using it is what some would call a heart. To be warrior in full, to immerse myself in battle completely my feelings are suppressed by my mind. Rather, it would be more accurate to say they have evolved to be weaker than another creature's. I cannot say that I love because I no longer recognize what it is. For instance, I know that at some point I loved my parents yet, I can no longer feel that love. It is but a distant memory for me. Something I can touch but, never fully hold."
Crying. Rias was crying because she knew that he couldn't. The Gremory family is an exceptionally affectionate clan by the devils' standards and here he is, telling them he is exactly opposite of them. Their emotions are strong and they fully embrace them. His are but hollow vessels, barely held aloft.
Lady Gremory, who had unshed tears in her eyes sniffed as she looked at the young man. Recognizing for the first time the conflict taking place inside him, she could not help but feel extreme grief as she saw in his eyes how his instincts shattered his own heart. The sadness this young man was enveloped in was made all the more unbearable by the fact he was entirely ignorant of his own crushing sorrow. She felt as if she was looking at a helplessly lost child and wanted to crush him to her chest.
Lord Gremory then spoke.
"Forgive me, it is not my intention to make you out to be some sort of manipulating schemer. I simply need to know for the sake of my daughter."
"Understandable, now what do you wish to ask of me next?"
"Actually, this next question is for my daughter." Turning toward her, Lord Gremory asked something that had been on his mind since the revelation of Broly being the Seikiryuutei. "If you love him why haven't you reincarnated him? Surely you wish to stay with him through the millennia."
"U-uhm…well…."
Broly ended up answering for her.
"Rias is incapable of reincarnating me. Simply put, she's too weak."
Rias hung her head in embarrassment. She shouldn't be surprised. When it came to terms of power, he was brutally honest. If someone were contemplating jumping off a building, he would push him or her off before allowing them to make up their mind because in his world, everything was based on survival. If you didn't think you could do it, he wouldn't bother trying to encourage you. He'd simply toss you aside as useless.
Still, is it too much to ask for some consideration?
"It would have been near impossible to reincarnate me on my own but, with the Welsh Dragon as well? She's out of her league."
And the hits keep on coming. Sigh. Wasn't I feeling sorry for him not one minute ago?
"On that note," her father said. "Just what are you, if you don't mind me asking? As the possessor of the Welsh Dragon, you must carry human blood in you, yet you are too powerful to be pure human. Are you some kind of hybrid?"
"Father!" "Dear!"
Mother and daughter cried out indignantly at the same time.
"Ah. I'm terribly sorry, that was incredibly crass of me to say so. Please forgive me; I tend to get carried away in my curiosity."
"Hmm…" Broly was not paying attention at all to her father's apology; instead, he seemed to be running something through his head.
"Would you believe me if I said I'm not human what-so-ever? In fact would you believe me if I said that I'm not from this world at all?"
' ' ' ' ' !' ' ' ' '
[Eh? You sure you want to tell these guys about your origins?]
What do I have to lose? I'm not some superhero who needs a secret identity. Someone wants trouble from me and I'll disintegrate them. It's worked fine so far.
[If you say so.]
Therefore, Broly began to explain that he was from another dimension and that he came from a race called Saiyans. He explained what they were and how they had been a warrior race for thousands of years and he told them of the legend of the super saiyan and that he had fulfilled that legend. He left out the details of his life and simply told them he died in battle and ended up being reincarnated into this world. They were extremely shocked to learn there were other beings like him and held similar powers. Afterwards, he described his life as a human, the accident that happened and his subsequent reawakening into his memories and powers.
[You left out the part where you rampaged across that universe, blowing world after world into smithereens.]
Some things are best left unsaid, Ddraig.
[True. I never told my fourth wife I killed her previous husband. On that note, never eat a giant fish flying in China. It might just be a local river deity in disguise.]
…
You've been married four times?
[More than four kid. Sometimes to several girls at once. Polygamy is what makes the world go round.]
Seriously?
[You're thinking in human terms partner. Morality is pretty much non-existent in the supernatural world. I mean, for the love of Ophis, you're screwing a she-devil!]
Suppressing his laughter at Ddraig's well made point, Broly returned his attention to the Gremory family that was staring at him like he had grown another head. It was the taller, male version of Rias who had tried to kill him with the living stuffed animals that finally spoke.
"You're saying you're from another planet?" he asked if he hadn't heard clearly the first time.
[Leave this to me partner.]
[No you moronic walking strawberry, he said another dimension.]
They all looked around in alarm for the source of the voice while Broly inwardly groaned as a headache suddenly descended on him. Lord Gremory looked at him in surprise, realizing to whom the voice belonged to.
"The Welsh Dragon!" he whispered.
[Damn straight its me! Hmph, I see you Gremorys are still trying to rip-off my color.]
They all stared at Broly in open wonder, even Rias seemed a little taken aback at the interruption from the dragon.
"Rip-off…? Ah yes, I see. So it's true then, my great-grandfather changed his hair color to red in mark of celebration at the sealing of the Sekiryuutei."
[Hmph! I don't know if it was your great-grandfather or not but, I know that it was a Gremory and that damn Mephistopheles who sealed my soul away. Regardless! The kid speaks the truth. Not to sure how but, his soul crossed the dimensional boundaries and ended up in this world.]
"Yes, well, thank you Ddraig. I believe this satisfies all of your questions Lord Gremory."
"Yes however, there are a few other things I would like to discuss with you as well."
"Such as?"
"I was doing a background check on you prior to this meeting and, I'm not sure if you know or not, but, I am one of Kouh Academy's administrators and I looked through your file. After some digging it became obvious to me it was an entirely false document."
"Eeehhhh?!" Rias cried out in surprise. Broly purposely ignored her as she glared at him angrily. For weeks he had let her think that what was in that file was completely true and that it dictated the life he lived up till now.
"Yes, I found it to be filled with false documents and fictitious information on you. Though I believe this was done by your human parents in order to protect you. Your father, after all is on the board of Capsule Corporation, one of the largest technological companies in the human world."
Rias looked at him in both awe and anger. "You're super rich?"
"It's not like I was hiding it. I lived in a luxury apartment before you turned it into all this," Broly said waving his hand at the giant room they were sitting in.
Childishly, Rias huffed, crossed her arms and pouted, refusing to look at him. Rolling his eyes, he returned his attention Lord Gremory. "What does my father's business have to do with this?"
"Yes well, you see we devils make the majority of our wealth by bartering and making contracts with humans. However, we've had a difficult time gaining access to the Americas as the mythologies there are none to keen on having us there. The competition in Europe and Asia will lead to the eventual decline in House Gremory's finances."
Realizing where this was going, Broly decided to finish Lord Gremory's thoughts for him.
"Capsule Corp, being the global power it is can help establish your devil owned human companies in areas where you normally would not be able to access due to international laws of separate factions. However, this is easily bypassed utilizing the human legal system by which, according to international law among the factions, cannot be interfered with by supernatural forces."
"Just so. It seems that aside from being a warrior, you are quite the shrewd businessman. That being said, perchance you could arrange a meeting of fathers?"
Lady Gremory quickly found herself exasperated at all this talk of business. She much preferred the young man when he was locked in the deep throes of his heart, the raw emotion apparent on his face. No he looked every part the predator; cold and calculating.
"Really my lord, we came to discuss our daughter's future, not haggle our way into into of your business negotiations."
"Oh you worry too much, besides, this way I'll be able to meet the boy's father, and soon enough we'll all be dining together as one big happy family."
Ah…a slip up on his part. So that's what he's aiming for.
[This guy is quite the weasel isn't he? Trying to make his way to your parents and then selling the idea of their son marrying his daughter. And all in the name of good business too probably.]
Being the ruthless cutthroat executive he is, my father will jump at the chance on furthering the company, even if he's technically selling his son.
[Aaah cut him some slack. Yeah your old man can sometimes be a bit money-oriented in his thinking but, he genuinely cares for you.]
Don't go getting soft on me now you ancient playboy.
[Right back at you partner. Gremory wants something so he's gonna have to buy it for a steep price.]
The two Sekiryuuteis laughed to themselves darkly at the thought that they were about to scam a devil.
"Lord Gremory, why don't you send me a portfolio of the companies you wish to expand. Projected growth, market share, and financials for the last fifteen years should be sufficient enough for me to convince my father into getting you an audience with the board of directors."
"Excellent excellent! Well that will be all and I suppose we've discussed all there is to be said so let's be off then, shall we?"
"A moment dear, you may have said all that you want but, I still have something to add."
Lady Gremory turned to Broly and continued. "Now, as per your agreement with Riser, his peerage now belongs to you. According to the contract they should have become yours, the moment the battle ended, however, the House of Phenex was hesitant to yield over one of the girls. Yet, the contract has proven to be inflexible and seeing on how no one wants there soul incinerated they have given up that effort and have requested that the girl in question be allowed special privileges."
"Why?" he asked.
"You see, she happens to be the youngest child of Phenex clan, their only daughter. They want her to be treated as not a servant and be allowed to visit her family whenever she wishes and however long she wishes."
[The walking piece of fried chicken made his own sister into a servant?]
"Hmm…denied. If the Phenex family wants different terms then they can come up with a new contract and fight me on those terms."
Broly did not give back what is his just because the loser of the bet felt bad. If they beg he'd rub it right in their face.
"Very well, legally speaking, she and the other girls belong to you; therefore, do with them as you please. Oh and Rias, you are returning home with us."
"Huh? Why?" The look on Rias's face and the way she latched onto Broly made it clear that she did not intend to leave his side.
"Dear have you forgotten? Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Dread-Moon Drift."
Face palming herself, Rias muttered under her breathe and Broly only heard due to his incredibly sensitive saiyan hearing. "Damn I forgot…"
"Dread-Moon Drift?" he asked
Rias was is the one who answered him. "Once a year in the underworld, the moon there becomes pitch-black. Females of the Gremory family perform rituals during the week long period the black moon is out. Non-magic rituals though, simply traditional."
"You'll be gone the week then?"
"Don't worry, I'll call five times a day and make sure the others will be moving in soon, so you won't feel lonely."
"I'm going to have fifteen beautiful girls to entertain me so I doubt I'll be lonely," he said dryly.
The look she gave him was priceless. You'd have thought he slapped her with the look she was giving him. "Well then! I guess this is goodbye." As she began to sink into her red magic circle he smirked. "For now."
One by one the Gremory family disappeared. Broly turned towards the door to find that it was blocked. One of the Gremorys had decided to stay behind. It was the male clone of Rias.
What was his name? Sir Mix-a-lot?
[Hey! This strawberry cracka got nothing on Swass!]
The man approached, with a hard glint in his eye. There was obvious anger etched on his face and Broly prepared himself for a battle against the strongest person he had encountered on this planet so far.
This might actually be fun.
As he got closer, his eyes slowly began to widen and moisten over. His lower was quivering and he sniffled uncontrollably so much that Broly, for the first in either life, took a step back. Suddenly, in loud wail, he threw himself onto Broly and began sob and weep hysterically.
Eh? [Eh?]
Neither Ddraig nor Broly had any inkling on what just happened and simply stood there dumbstruck. Broly could only look on in horror as the Rias clone cried wildly into his shoulder. Broly realized that it was attempting to say something but, he could only discern one word through all the sobbing.
"Uh….Ria-tan?"
The sobbing stopped momentarily and the red head slightly lifted off his shoulder. Sighing in relief, Broly quickly turned the sigh into a groan as the clone tightened its embrace and began wailing with new vigor and volume.
[Damn, Lucifer must be rolling in his grave. This crybaby is his successor? I almost feel bad for killing him.]
You never told me you killed the original Lucifer.
[I didn't actually kill him so much as that he died from the wounds I gave him, so yeah, technically I killed him.]
So what do we do about this one?
[No idea, but this gives completely new meaning to the phrase devil may cry. Great game by the way. Have you ever pla-]
Be serious Ddraig.
[What do you want me to say? Kill the guy because he's crying his eyes out?]
Deciding enough is enough, Broly yanked the crying Satan off him by the collar and dangled him in mid-air. Still wailing loudly, he was immediately silenced by Broly's hand making contact with his face, which resulted in a rather loud boom that shook the walls and furniture.
[Dude, you just bitch slapped Lucifer…]
"Listen up you retarded ass sis-con. Your sister ain't exactly a little kid anymore. She doesn't need you to hold her hand and make every decision for her. I'll be doing that from now on. And if you got a problem with that I'll happy to plant your face into the floor and rip you apart. Get it?"
[Nice speech partner but, uh, I think you knocked him out when you treated him like your bitch.]
Oh…
Shrugging, Broly threw the Satan's unconscious body to the floor and purposely stepped on it on his way to the door.
Time for dinner. What you in the mood for Ddraig?
Author's Note: It was difficult writing this chapter. One, I was suffering from a nasty cold and two, it was damn impossible to keep Broly his badass self and be a little emotional. Next chapter is deviating from the main story plot a bit as Rias will be stuck in the underworld for a week so expect some original characters. Ah, something I've been wondering about for some time; should Grayfia have an affair with Broly? I'll put up a poll for you guys to decide. Review and share your ideas please and I hope you enjoyed.