Dream World: Simulated Area: Palau Asteroid, Earth Orbit
I was on the Nahel Argama, wearing my Quanta Armor, but I was scaled to Gundam size. I was ready for launch until Rommy spoke up.
[Are you sure? I did up the difficulty with the 00 Raiser and the AGE-1 Titus using Kiba and Koneko's specs respectively with variables to have them acting as if they trained for two months and three Jestas. But to have eight Jestas with four using cannon equipment and using Freed's specs, you won't win.]
"Raiser has 15 servants. If I can't handle 10, then I'm not ready for the game."
[Alright, but pulling through this will be very hard.]
"Roger. Quanta Armor, Roxas Hyuuga, launching."
I launched out of the Nahel Argama ready to start. I saw on my radar 10 units coming from the asteroid.
"Here they come."
Two Jestas and a Jesta-C started firing at me. I shot a few blasts from my GN Sword III ranged mode. I got one, but the others dodged the shots. I then closed in on the Jesta-C and slashed its arms off and push it toward the other Jesta. As they collided, I fired a shot and got them both. But as I did that, I was getting hit from both sides.
"Gwah, not good.", I said as I saw my HP falling fast.
I then went to the group of two Jesta-Cs and one Jesta. I got the Jesta-C after triggering Trans-Am. I kept it on my blade and used it as a shield to get the other Jesta. After kicking it toward the other unit, I fired off and blew them up. I then got shots fired at me, from 00 Kiba. We were in a sword duel, but as it dragged on, my radar warned me of an enemy from behind. As I checked, it was the Koneko Titus. It punched me from behind and damaged my GN Drive. As I was about to be stabbed by 00 Kiba, everything stopped.
[I told you. You wouldn't win. That was reckless when you only concentrated on the 00 Raiser when you still had more enemies on you.]
"Damn it, I was careless."
[You could've gone to the asteroid to get your Wear Pack on. That would've helped your chances.]
"Even so, it's not like I'll get to use them all the time in the game."
{True, but that edge will be necessary.}, said Ddraig.
"Yeah, but that's during the endgame, and I can't retreat in space. If the ship was the King, I would be out of position to defend it if I'm at the asteroid."
[Then how about a change of scenery.], said Rommy as everything changed from space to South Beach.
"Why are we here? Undersea training?"
[No, were here to just relax. You been building up a lot of mental stress doing these exercises. Best to take a break.], said Rommy as I turned to where she was.
She was in human form wearing a silver bikini, her pale skin and curvy figure made it enticing.
[You like?], she asked with a smile.
"Rommy, those double Ds are like lethal weapons to me, my imagination might run wild if you do that.", I said turning around as I was blushing.
[Lethal weapons, huh? How about I bring some girls who have lethal weapons like mine or better. I can just go into the fantasy section of your brain and bring it out. I know you still have that night saved in your head.], said Rommy.
"No thanks, I don't want my head to overload.", I said. I didn't want to have a Rias, Shizuka, and Kanna here in my dreams asking for sex.
{Andromeda, don't tease our partner. You might hinder his training.}, said Ddraig.
I turned to where he was, but I saw a man with short red spiked hair that went outward, green eyes, toned body that was slightly tanned, and he was wearing red swim trunks with dragon scale patterns.
"Is that you Ddraig?"
{Yeah, Andromeda set this up. Though I could've turned into human form myself since we're in your head.}, said Ddraig.
We then sat down on a blanket under the umbrella. Why though when the sun in here is a fake?
[Just relax for a bit. We have been doing this for days, when it has only been a few hours in realtime. Want a drink?], said Rommy as she held a bottle with red liquid.
"Is that soda?"
[Yes, strawberry soda. I can give you some. I'll just stimulate your neurons to simulate the taste. It won't hurt.]
"No thanks, I don't want my neurons messed with.", I said.
[Well that's a shame. Though since you rejected a drink, how about something for you to fill your head with.], said Rommy as she pointed out to the water.
I turned to where she pointed to see Rias and the other girls playing in the water, wearing their swimsuits.
"Oh c'mon Rommy. I told you not to do that.", I said.
[Listen Roxas, you are a man so this stuff should be normal for you. In fact, I shouldn't be telling you this, Ddraig should. You are a kind person and you don't want to hurt their feelings since you don't like to. Your trait of the Dragon is strong in you because of us, more so as you were born on the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese Zodiac. You'll have to accept that trait one day. Women like strong, capable men. And your personality makes you a good man, and that is a plus.], said Rommy as she lectured me.
{Andromeda, don't get me involved in this conversation.}, said Ddraig as he was lying down, relaxing. Why is he relaxing in here? There is no point to it.
"I know that, but some of them are my students."
[But they won't be your students for long. By the time they graduate, they might consider you as someone very special.]
"I know. Rommy, do you want to see your home again?", I asked.
[Now where did this come from? Yes I do, but I'm comfortable being here with you. After being unable to talk to someone for so long, I got lonely. At least with Ddraig here, I got to talk to someone after so long, then you were able to hear me. I felt happy.], said Rommy as I felt a hint of sadness.
{Well I wasn't too happy when you painted me white, Andromeda.}, said Ddraig.
[That's was for not remembering what happened ages ago. How about this, when we see Albion's possessor, I'll give Roxas red paint and paint him red. Deal?]
{...Deal. This may be childish, but I would like to see my rival painted red, just for laughs.}, said Ddraig as he imagined his rival painted red.
"Who's Albion?"
[He's Ddraig's rival, the white dragon you saw in my memory. When those two were beaten, they were sealed into Sacred Gears like I was. The two have powers that oppose each other. Ddraig can boost power as you already know and Albion takes power and uses it himself. They've been at each other's throats for a while. When you see Albion's possessor, know that he will be your rival.], said Rommy.
"Got it."
[It's almost time to wake up. After doing your usual training, find some time to do some Senjutsu training. We haven't found much time doing that as there were other things going on. Now get going.]
"Right."
Morning
In the morning, it was a study session for Asia and I. Kiba started to quiz us on what we know.
"Our greatest enemy are the angels led by God. What is the name given to the top angels? Also what are their names?"
"It's the Seraphim. The members are Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel." , I answered.
"Correct. Next is our Maou-sama. What are the names of the Yondai-Maou-sama?"
"Lucifer-sama, Beelzebub-sama, Asmodeus-sama and Leviathan-sama."
"Correct"
"Now for our group, the fallen-angels. Do you remember the names of our leaders and the name of our group?", asked Raynare as she asked me.
"Your group is called Grigori. Your leaders are Azazel the Governor and Shemhaza the Vice-Governor. The other leaders you have are Benemue, Kokabiel, and Shariel. I also remember two more names, Armaros and Barakiel.", I answered. I though I saw Akeno frown when I said Barakiel.
"Impressive, Sensei. You learned a lot.", said Raynare as she smiled.
We then turned to Asia as she wanted to start her lesson.
"Then now, I, Asia Argento will explain about the basics of exorcists. From the place I used to belong to, there were two types of exorcists…The first type is the ones that appear in films and novels. The father reads a section of the book then he uses holy water to get rid of the devil from the person's body. They are known as the Usual exorcists. Then the Other exorcists would be the ones that are a threat to us."
"Roxas, you also have met him before, but the greatest threat to devils' are either God or exorcists who received the divine protection from the fallen-angels. We, the devils, have been fighting against them for a very long time. They come to destroy us with the power of light received from the angels, and with their physical bodies that they trained to the uttermost limits."
"Now I will talk about the traits of holy water and the Bible. First of all, holy water, it will be very terrible if a devil touches it."
"Yes, that's true. So you can't touch it as well, Asia. Your skin will get harmed.", said Rias as Asia came back to reality.
"I will tell you how to make one afterwards. I don't know if it will be useful but there are a couple of ways to make them."
"Next is the Bible. I have been reading it every day since I was a child, but I'm in trouble now because it gives me a pain in the head even if I only read a sentence of it."
"That's because you are a devil."
"You are a devil."
"...Devil."
"Ufufufu, devil's receive intense damage."
"Sob... I can't read the Bible anymore!"
"But this is my favourite phrase... Oh God. Please forgive a sinful person like myself who can't read the Bible...Ouch!"
I sweatdropped as Asia took damage from that. Poor girl, she gets hurt by the things she likes so much. I wish there was something I could do for her.
Outside, One week later
We continued our training as time passed by. I was doing basics as well as swordsmanship, martial arts, magic, and gun use. For magic I have a few teachers, and as for martial arts, Kiba, Koneko, and Donaseek help me out on that department. For guns, I'm on my own for that. I created several targets using the Creation Gear. As I fired my weapons, I got well placed shots. I then moved on to Senjutsu training by going into the forest.
[That's good. Keep a clear mind. The bugs sense your fear. Keeping a clear mind will help you gather you ki. And the bugs will ignore you and move on their way.]
'Once again, you had to pick a place that has bugs. Way to go.', I thought sarcastically as Rommy picked a place with bugs, again.
{You'll have to deal with it, Partner. This is actually a good method for you to develop quickly. And to beat your ridiculous phobia.}, said Ddraig.
As I was still concentrating, I heard a voice.
"...What are you doing, Sensei?"
I broke my concentration to see Koneko looking at me. I thought I sensed fear.
"I was doing some Senjutsu training. Rommy recommended it. Is something wrong?"
"...No, keep doing what you were doing.", said Koneko as she left.
I continued my Senjutsu training until late at night. I then headed back to the mansion. I then noticed Rias outside, reading something.
"Ara? How come your outside so late?", she asked.
"I was doing some training that Rommy recommended.", I replied as I sat close to her.
"I see. Let's talk for a bit.", she said. I noticed she wore a red negligée with a pair of glasses and her crimson hair tied up.
"What's with the glasses?", I asked.
"Oh this? It's just for looks. I can think more clearly while having my glasses on. Fufufu, this is the proof that I have been in the human's world for so long.", she said as she chuckled. I noticed she looked attractive in the moonlight. Why am I thinking like that? She then closed the notebook she had and spoke with a sigh.
"...To tell you the truth, reading this won't help me at all."
"It's because of his regenerating powers?"
"Yes…A long time ago the mystical beast, Phoenix, was looked upon by humans as a bird that represents life. The tears of the phoenix can heal any wounds, and the blood that flows within its body can give eternal youth to those that drink it. It became a legend and that's how it's told in the human world. The humans gave a different name to the devils' phoenix to distinguish it from the mystical beast phoenix. They gave them the name Phenex. But the mystical beast phoenix has the same ability as Raiser's clan. In other words immortality. We need to fight someone like that. This is the record that Raiser has at the Rating Game. 8 wins and 2 losses. This is the official record of Raiser's Rating game results. He fought 10 times and won 8 matches. He lost 2 of the match on purpose as kindness to one of the households he is close to. In other words he won most of his games. He already became a candidate to obtain a title in the official game."
"For a brat, he's pretty good.", I said.
"I felt something uneasy when I heard that Raiser was chosen as my fiancé. Yes, I think Otou-sama and the others chose him in case something like this were to happen. They chose Raiser so I will have no choice left. Even if it becomes a match between households, they knew that there was no way for me to win."
"Sounds as if they don't trust you to go on your own.", I said.
"When the Rating Game became popular, the ones who rose the most is the house of the Phenex. There weren't that many battles among devils until the game was introduced. In a game where the King also participates, the strength of Phoenix became more clear. The house of Phoenix is the leading group in the ultimate class. Immortal. Devils realised how terrifying this power was for the first time."
"Looks like it won't be easy.", I said.
"You know, it's not like we can't defeat Raiser?"
"Keep knocking him down until he gets sick of it?", I asked.
"Exactly. There are two ways you can defeat him. One is to beat him down with incredible power and the other one is to keep on taking him down until he loses the will to fight. The first method requires the strength of a God. The second one is as you stated. If we can crush the soul of Phoenix, then it's our win. Then their resurrection will stop and they will fall. Well, the easiest way is to defeat him with a power that is on par with God that crushes him down with one strike."
"So my Sacred Gears are the key, provided I mastered them of course."
"Yes, if you mastered both Boosted and Creation Gears, you can crush him no problem. Though I haven't seen you use Creation Gear to make anything new.", said Rias.
"I'm trying to not overuse it. It does have a powerful ability that it's broken. I'm trying to be responsible with it. The stuff I made while it was Imagine Drive should be enough."
"I see. That's understandable.", said Rias.
[Yes, my power is something that many would say is too much. Normal idiots would go power mad with this power. You have my respect for not overusing it to create something completely ridiculous. As for your skill with Creation Gear, you can currently make things that are 30ft 3-dimensionally.], said Rommy.
"Rias-buchou, why are you against the marriage?", I asked.
"...I'm a 'Gremory'."
"I see. They don't see you as yourself."
"Exactly, but the Gremory name will follow me to wherever."
"Do you hate it?"
"I'm proud of it. But it's also something that is a burden to me. Everyone looks at me as Rias from the Gremory. They don't look at me as Rias. That's why I'm enjoying my life in the human world. They don't know that I'm a devil from the Gremory. Everyone looks at me as Rias. I really like that feeling. I never felt something like that in the devils' society, and I never will. The only time I feel like myself is when I'm in the human world.", said Rias with a distant and sad look. I don't care about titles, even though I used one during my Tricky Rebel days. I just did what felt natural.
"I want to be with someone who will love me as Rias. That's my small dream... Unfortunately, Raiser only looks at me as Rias from the Gremory. And he loves me as Rias from Gremory. That's why I hate it. But still, the pride of being a Gremory is very important. It might be a complicated situation, but I want to cherish this small dream I have.", she continued as I wanted to help her feel better.
"I don't care about titles. I prefer to see people for who they are. I like you just as you are, the very Rias sitting next to me. The one who gave me a second chance in life.", I said as I saw Rias blush.
"Did I say something weird?"
"No...nothing! It's nothing!", she said in a panic.
"I better get to sleep. Rommy gave me some extra mental training. I've been fighting different mobile suits while doing it. She told me I might face the Red Comet tonight."
"Red Comet?", asked a curious Rias.
"Char Aznable, the Red Comet from the Gundam series. You'll recognize him for the red mobile suit he uses. You'll like the character's penchant for red things."
"I see. That is quite interesting."
"I should go. Good night, Rias-buchou."
Dream World: Simulated Area: Side 7
As I was in Side 7 waiting to start, Rommy spoke up.
[Roxas, you'll be facing 5 Geara Zulus as well as the Sazabi. Based on some of the suit's data on Rias' style, I'll be using her specs on the Sazabi.]
"Seems fitting, she does like red after all."
I then checked my radar picking up 6 units.
"So you've come, Red Comet.", I said as I saw in the distance the mobile suits that were coming at me.
Two of them started to break point to fight me. I took out my ACR and fired a couple of shots. The damage wasn't much until I fired my G-Launcher. I destroyed one suit with it and changed to my GN Sword III, slashing the other suit in half. I then saw the Sazabi giving commands, the Geara Zulus started to surround me.
"I don't think so.", I said flying up, firing a few shot at the Zulus to keep them off-balance. Then the Sazabi came at me from behind. I turned quickly to block its beam axe. I then broke off into a dive and crashed into one the Zulus. The others started shooting at me, but I used the wrecked Zulu as a shield. That's when I noticed smaller units, the Sazabi's funnels.
[Careful Roxas, Rias does have the Power of Destruction. So to imitate it, it will do double damage, and if you lose an arm, game over.] said Rommy.
"Great, could've told me that sooner.", I said as I threw the wreck at the funnels.
The funnels destroyed the unit and the explosion pushed the last two Geara Zulus back a bit. I quickly approached one and stabbed it with my blade. The other unit charged right in, but I got out of the way as it slashed it's own ally. I fired a shot to the head of the last Zulu and finished it off with a diving kick. Now it was just me and Sazabi Rias. Felt a little odd to face a suit using my master's data. Hopefully she won't take it the wrong way.
"It's down to you and me.", I said.
I saw the funnels arrange themselves into certain formations. I thought I needed a faster rate of fire to catch up with them and switched back to the ACR. I fired a few shot and got 2 of the 6 funnels. As the Sazabi fired its chest cannon, I flew into the funnels, hoping for them to get caught in the blast. They instead got out of the way. I then fired more shots until I had to reload. The Sazabi then got in front of me and cut my rifle in half.
'Not good.', I thought. I needed that gun, I guess I'll have to go with speed.
"Trans-Am", I said as my suit opened up and turned red, with the particles flying everywhere.
I got out my VT7 and slashed the rest of the funnels. Then, the Sazabi Rias fired its beam rifle at me. I dodged as I closed in on it and slashed its rifle in half. As soon as it pulled out its beam sabers, I disarmed it and stabbed the head. The unit then shut down.
[Good, I think you'll be ready on to show your progress to everyone.]
"Yeah."
Morning
The next morning consisted of me facing Kiba. I got Boosted Gear out ready to show my progress. Everyone else was watching.
"Should I get my armor out?", I asked.
"No, for now just use the Boosted Gear. Your opponent will be Yuuto.", said Rias.
"Alright."
"Roxas, activate your Boosted Gear before the spar. Yes...Start the fight two minutes after you activate it."
"Alright then. Ddraig, let's go. Boost!"
[Boost!]
I boosted my strength several times. I realize that I wasn't fainting after a few minutes. I guess my limit increased. That's when Rias spoke up.
"Think that you are a truck. If you carry more package than the truck can carry, then you won't move."
I tested my limit before, usually it would be about three minutes before I collapse. After Rias told me to stop after my 20th time I got ready.
"Let's go Boosted Gear.", I said hearing the gauntlet speak.
[Explosion!]
I felt an unreal amount of power. If this was used with my weapons made with the Creation Gear, it would probably leave a huge hole on a space colony.
"Roxas, you will fight Yuuto in that state, I'll leave you to be his opponent."
"Roger that.", I said making my fighting stance.
"Then both of you start", said Rias as saw Kiba coming at me. The 00 Kiba in the Dream World was faster, even when it used Trans-Am, so I can keep up. I blocked with the gauntlet and saw a surprised Kiba. As I saw that I slashed down with my VT7, but he dodged it. I then looked around to find Kiba, that's when I saw him above me. He only hit an after image when I dodged.
"...He's even faster now.", said Koneko.
"He's that fast when he's hasn't promoted to Knight?!", said a surprised Rias.
"Roxas! Use your magic!" she shouted as I got my Mega-Flare ready.
"Let's go, Mega-Flare!", I shouted, firing my Mega-Flare. It was a fast shot, but Kiba dodged it. The shot kept going until it hit a mountain. The blast was like a nuke going off, leveling an entire mountain, leaving nothing behind. I hope I didn't kill anything in that blast other than the trees.
[Amazing, the one in the game couldn't even compare with yours.], said Rommy. Are you kidding me, I leveled a whole mountain?!
[Reset!]
I felt my power drop fast.
"The spar is over. Good job you two.", said Rias as I put away my weapons and Kiba put his sword down.
"Your thoughts Yuuto?", asked Rias.
"I'm amazed. I tried to end it in one blow, but he blocked my attack. He read my moves with precision. My sword was rendered useless after he blocked once. Hahahaha.", said Kiba as the sword was already broken when he showed it everyone.
"Thank you Yuuto...", said Rias as she truned to me.
"How did you get so fast? You were fast before, but now..."
"I faced a 00 Raiser Gundam that used Kiba's fighting style...only after with certain variables, a Kiba after two months of training. Rommy set it's speed to be much higher, even with Trans-Am on that suit. Trans-Am triples my capabilities, including speed. That Gundam had the same power plant my armor has and it had higher reaction time. After a few one on one fights, I got used to seeing that speed."
"Amazing...", said Rias as she turned to the huge hole on the ground.
"The level of power is at the level of high-class devils. You could easily blow away almost anything. And after the basic training, your stamina increased so your body can handle a higher limit. Just like you said last night, you're the key to the game. That attack you just used will determine the outcome of the match. If alone, it would be scary as you would have your guard down while charging. But this is a team battle. There are those who will support you. Trust in us. Then you will become strong. So do we. We can win!"
Yeah, but really now, did I kill something over there?
"Let's show it to those that looked down on you. It doesn't matter if the opponent is Phoenix or not. We need to show them how strong Rias Gremory and her servants are."
"Yes!", we all said.
Battle Day
We came back after our time training. The Headmaster and the Student Council said that they will be watching. Before we were getting ready I got a call. It was Mom.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's your mother. How are things?"
"Good. What's up?"
"We got tickets to go to Japan, so we'll be seeing you in about a week. Were trying to find a hotel to stay at.", said Mom.
"Okay, I'll see you at the airport then."
"Also, your father and I want to share something to you. Something important. We'll tell you more when we get there."
"Okay. I have to get back to checking my students progress online.", I said as I hung up.
'Something important. What did she mean?', I thought.
As Asia and I were leaving, we met up with the fallen-angels.
"Go kick that brat's ass out there.", said Donaseek.
"Give him one from me.", said Mittelt.
"Good luck you two, we'll be watching.", said Raynare.
"Beat him good.", said Kalawarner.
"We will", I said as we left.
I noticed Asia was wearing her nun uniform.
"So you're wearing that?", I asked.
"Y...yes. When I asked Buchou-san she told me to wear something that I feel most comfortable in. I thought about it a lot, and I found out that this outfit is the easiest for me to move around in...I'm not Christian anymore, but I haven't forgotten my beliefs. Even though I'm a devil now..."
"Well the nun outfit does suit you.", I said with a smile.
"Thank you. What are those clothes you're wearing, I thought you would be wearing your clothes as a teacher?"
Asia saw my clothes. I wore a black t-shirt, blue jeans, black shoes, a red hooded coat, and a red fingerless glove on my right hand.
"This is what I wore as the Tricky Rebel. I have a lot of memories on this.", I said.
"I see...Um...Ummmm, Roxas-sensei? Can I stay next to you?", asked Asia.
"Of course. You scared?"
"A little... I can't stop shaking when I think there is a scary battle waiting for us. But if Roxas-sensei is with me, I will be okay."
"Then I won't let you down."
"Ehehehe. I'm not scared if I'm with Roxas-sensei after all.", said Asia as she asked me something.
"...Can I stay with you forever from now on?"
"Only if you want to. If you do, then we'll always be together.", I said as I held her hand to calm her down.
A/N: Yeah my brain went to shit after what happened to me earlier. As I was writing this chapter, my computer thought it was funny to freeze up. And I forgot to save what I done, so I had to start over from the beginning. I thought of rage quitting and saving the chapter for tomorrow, but I still remembered some of what I put down. Next time, the whole match of Team Gremory and Team KFC...uh, I mean Raiser. And I think writers block is starting to set in. But after finishing the Phoenix arc, the truth from Mom and Dad.