Chapter 10
Earlier-Hyoudou Residence
"What do I have to do?" asked Issei.
"Crash a party, save the girl, drink champagne, go home and give her a kiss," said Zero matter of factly.
"Really?" asked Issei.
"Well there's also the fact that you'll have a boat load of devils all intent on stopping you," said Zero. "And of course most of them will have great regenerating ability dew to lineage and some from a large amount of Phenex Tears."
"Oh," Issei muttered.
"Eh don't worry kiddo I'll take on Riser myself," said Zero. "And don't worry once he's out of the way it'll all be over, I have confirmation that it will."
"What kind of confirmation?"
"The super-devil kind," said Zero.
Smiling and standing while pumping his fist in the air, Issei said, "okay how to I get more power?"
Standing and walking in front of Issei, Zero said, "well Issei to be honest you actually have the power already." Tapping his finger over Issei's heart he continued saying, "your sacred gear, it's power gives you strength and speed, and all the abilities of a dragon. In time you'll come to be a powerful being, powerful enough that you might even reach super-devil strength."
"But we don't have time," said Issei panic lacing his voice.
Nodding Zero said, "true, which is why I'm going to give you a kind of jump start."
"So I'll have the power to save Rias?" asked Issei, hope replacing panic.
Nodding again Zero grew serious and replied, "yes but by doing what I intend, means that I'm going to need a sacrifice from you."
Nervousness made itself known on Issei's face, and he asked, "what kind of sacrifice?"
Laughing Zero reassured Issei saying, "don't worry kid I'm not taking anything from you. What I mean in this instance is that what is going to happen is that you'll need to sacrifice your heart entirely. Your sacred gear will take its place, in simpler terms, you'll have a dragon's heart."
Smiling Isei said, "really?"
Zero nodded and then without so much as a warning he placed his hand over Issei's heart and a purple light illuminated the room. Issei gasped as power pulsed through him, followed by a pinching cramping sensation from his heart. The pain increased quickly and the pain felt like it went on forever to Issei. AS the pain and the light faded away Issei fell back onto his bed, gasping for air and clutching at his heart.
As he grasped Issei felt something like metal over his heart, however unlike metal it wasn't cold it was warm like skin. Quickly he took off his shirt ignoring his company and gazed at his chest, there on his chest was the Dragon's Heart Sacred Gear, the gold gem in the center pulsed with each beat of his heart. He also felt power course through him, he felt like his muscles were on burned like gentle embers. But he felt as though these same muscles could burst into a blazing firing of power that could tear the head off a stray devil.
"I take it you feel the changes?" asked Zero already knowing the answer.
Nodding Issei replied, "yeah this is awesome!"
"Then I take it that your feeling up to fighting the Phenexs?" asked Zero smiling beneath his mask.
Nodding Issei grinned and replied, "let's go save Rias's oppai, from that fried chicken!"
"Right," replied Zero ignoring the perverted comment. As he turned to leave he stopped and said, "by the way if I heard right you ecame a devil after being killed by a fallen angel correct?"
"Issei nodded and Zero asked, "did you get a good look at the one who did it?"
Issei shook his head and said, "no, I was walking through the park and he appeared out of nowhere. Stabbed me, and that was when Rias showed up, before I passed out I saw Rias turn the fallen into dust."
"Mhmm," hummed Zero, "Well I hope you don't bear to many grudges against the race, a person who you'll be fighting with was once one of them."
Confused Issei said, "okay."
Present-Phenex Manor
"You dare intrude on this momentous occasion," wined Riser.
"Your one to talk about intrusions you overstuffed peacock," retorted Zero.
"What?" replied Riser, the other devils in the room muttering what was happening and what was said.
Zero pointed at Riser and spoke, "you intruded on Japanese territory, you violated the treaties between the devils and those factions in Japan. And on top of all that you murdered my people."
Zero's last statement really got the devils in the room talking, a member of the Phenex clan had murdered people in the human realm. Riser then spoke laughing he said, "hahaha the treaties are with the Shinto and Youkai factions, not some masked clown."
Giggling Zero said, "the treaties are written to accommodate changes in the government of the factions." Zero then dropped the bomb the supernatural world had not known for seven years (allow many leaders suspected it). "The Shinto pantheon is dead, and the governing body of the Youkai's is in shambles, the two factions have agreed to change governments and join together under my own authority. Together we have formed the new Dragon Faction. And due to the way they have been joined all treaties are still viable and hold sway. Meaning you are still in violation of the treaties. Am I not correct SIrzechs?"
The red headed devil noded and said, "indeed you are correct and in the right."
"Oni-san?" said Rias.
"My lord?" said Riser.
The entire room fell silent, some were in shock at the mention that the Shinto's were dead (this included Akeno, whose lineage was heavily involved with the Shinto's). Zero's voice then cut through the silence like a knife, "Riser under the authority of the treaty I ask for your immediate surrender. Note that you were asked this once already, this is the last time you'll be asked."
"I'm a high class devil," cried Riser. "I do not need to listen or care, what you say. You and all your kind are beneath me, my blood line is far more pure and that gives me strength, my immortality. You cannot harm me!"
Zero fell silent, while the other Black Knights bristled, Riser grinned believing he had won. However the silence was broken when Zero started laughing, his laugh sent shivers down the spines of all present. It was full bodied, and his head was tilted back for the force of his laughter, Riser frowned, and said in anger, "you laugh at your betters?"
Laughing Zero said, "with your refusal I will just have to kill you then, since you won't come without a fight." Motioning to the Knights he said, "make sure no one interferes, Issei, Kallen, Raynare with me."
The four made walked forward, the devils separating making a pathway, Zero the spoke saying, "Riser I've great patience and compassion but you have denied them. Because of you, your kind nearly went to war because of you, so it's either your head or those of your people."
"My lord Sirzechs, are you going to stand for this," whined Riser.
Sirzechs frowned, a face he rarely had, he said, "Riser you've become an embarrassment to the devils, Zero is not the only one calling for your head. Other factions have heard what you've done, and simply put if you're not punished it means war with more enemies than we can handle."
Surprised Riser balked at the knowledge that the Maou wouldn't back him and actually was wanting this. Riser turned and looked at the approaching figures, then to his peerage who actually seemed a little shaken. Riser gritted his teeth and said, "I will not be denied what is my right!"
He formed a fire ball and launched it at Zero, said being simply batted away the attack. Zero then motioned to his accomplices and said, "you three, occupy his peerage there innocent of this man's crimes, don't kill them." The three nodded, Kallen's hands tightened around the halberd, its handle was shrunk down to two and a half feet for single handed use. Issei's fists tightened as he eyed his target, Riser's queen and rooks, Raynare's teeth bard and she felt her magic power begin to grow. Zero then said, "the peacock is mine."
"Peacock?!" cried Riser in rage. "Lowly worm I'll burn you!" Riser fired balls of fire at Lelouch in his rage, Lelouch raised his hand and a purple barrier appeared. The phoenix energy was absorbed by the barrier, the energy of the shield rippled upon contact.
Issei roared and launched himself at Yubelluna, energy massed in his fists. Yubelluna was surprised at the power that she sensed from the pawn, she thought, "he wasn't this powerful before." Her wings flared out and she jumped out of the way, just as Issei's fist collided with the pole behind her, the pillar disintegrated into dust. Riser's two rooks took the opportunity of Issei's distraction to pounce, so Isabela and Xuelan each sent their fists at Issei's head.
The gem on Issei's chest pulsed with light and his eyes flashed with it, and with it, much to the two rook's surprise, the pawn of Rias moved out of the way far faster than could be believed. The two rooks stopped and they felt a gust of wind from behind, turning they saw Issei's fist covered in crimson aura.
Issei's gear flashed again with power and his aura flared as his fists collided with the rooks, both were sent flying into the wall. Xuelan's eyes began to flutter and Isabela groaned out, "how did you get this powerful?"
"I got a little help," said Issei as his gear flashed purple for an instant and a magic circle appeared in the center. Xuelan then fell into unconsciousness and Isabela's head fell as she tried to get rid of her dizziness. Issei quickly twisted his body as a blast from Riser's queen shot past him, turning he glared at the queen. He then said, "two can play at that game."
Issei reached out her hand and a powerful beam of crimson energy shot at the queen, the purple head quickly razed a barrier. When the two magic energy's conected and large explosion blasted out, the barrier fell and Yubelluna fell to the ground.
Kallen's halberd came up and blocked the blows from Risers knight's flaming blades. The knight's teeth were bared in frustrated as there attacks were unable to beat the red head. Smirking Kallen shoved her weapon forward knocking back the knights, and quickly followed up by a set of slashes at the knights, who in turn parried them.
Karlamine spoke breathing heavily, "you're a grand opponent. But I can't allow you to interfere any further."
"Indeed," agreed Siris. She got into a stance raising her zweihander, as did Karlamine and her sword. Both blade's flames flared again, the two swung there blades unleashing waves of flames at Kallen. Flipping into the air Kallen twisted her body dodging the flames, she felt the heat and the wind caused by the flames as they went by. The flames sped towards the audience but before they collided a silver barrier appeared and stopped the attack.
"Excellent job Grayfia," complimented Sirzechs to his queen, who held up the barrier. Similar barriers surrounded the rest of the crowd protecting the attendants, Sirzechs adding his own energy when needed.
Kallen then said, "my turn!"
Her halberd began glowing with destructive energy she aimed at the knights, she unleashed the power. The knights of Riser barely managed to dodge as the energy blast hit were they had stood. Before they can get their bearings two more blasts from Kallen caught them by surprise forcing the knights to separate.
Kaallen then heard two voices saying, "cut her cut, her up, cut her up!"
Turning the red head say a set of twins with light green hair, wielding revving chainsaws. The twins jumped at Kallen, the chainsaws burst into flame Kallen stood her ground as the two came closer. Just before the flaming moving blades could hit her she quickly twisted out of the way. She grasped her halberd in two hands and swung, the axe head crackled with energy.
The blade connected with the enchanted motor of one of the saws cutting into it, the saw was cut in two. The eyes of Ile widened and she barely saw the fist of Kalen connecting with her head, sending her colliding with her sister Nel. Together the twins skidded along the floor, Ile unconscious while Nel was dazed.
"Ile, Nel!" came the cry from Mira. Turning Kallen felt the contact of the wooden staff the pawn wielded hit her stomach. Keeping her balance as she slid back, Kallen quickly brought up her halberd and blocked the overhead strike by Mira. Using the spike on the back of her weapon, Kallen hooked the staff and pulled it away from the pawn. Kallen then sent an upper cut under Mira's head which sent the red clad pawn backwards and onto the ground unconscious.
Raynare's maw opened and from came a beam of dragon/holy light at the bishop Mihae. The magic wielder razed a magic barrier hoping to stop the attack, the two energies collided and the air pressure in the air became heavy. Dust flew into the air, and once it cleared Riser's other pawns Ni and Li who had taken cover behind Mihae jumped out and charge the dragon. Raynare pushed herself up onto two legs, aura wisps swirled around her and her form transformed into her bi-pedal from.
She looked much like her old form, however she wore black leotard looking armor that exposed a large amount of her cleavage. She also wore armored boots that went up and over her knee and exposed her clawed toes. Thigh armor covered the rest of her legs. Armored grieves covered her forearms, and her upper arms were covered in armored sleeves, her black clawed hands remained un-covered. Her wings had no armor and were folded behind her back and her tail swung back and forth behind her.
She had two horns on her forehead and her ears were pointed, her dragon eyes held passion and the fire of loyalty for her master. These things halted the twin cat girls in their tracks, the intimidating figure of Raynare got into a stance and took advantage of her opponent's hesitance. She formed two pink/purple light spears shaped like swords, Raynare flapped her wings launching herself forward.
"Huh?!" cried the cat girls surprised at the speed of their opponent. They covered their fists and arms in flames and crossed their arms in a defensive posture. Rayanre's slashed and her swords connected with the twins crossed arms, the twins skidded back as Raynare pressed her attack.
The three traded blows blocking parrying and reattacking, Raynare spun around and swiped the twins with her tail. The twins jumped to avoid the tail and as they landed they barely had time to bring up their defenses as Raynare's twin light blades came upon them in a twin slash. As the twins struggled in a lock with Raynare, who managed to force them slightly apart. Li then cried, "now Mihae!"
Raynare looked up from the twins and saw the bishop preparing an attack, Raynare's mind raced and she then smirked. She said, 'oh no you don't."
Raynare then opened her mouth and from it a beam of pink/purple dragon energy shot out and towards the bishop. The bishop was too surprised and slow to raise a proper shield. So when Raynare's attack hit the improvised barrier the resulting energy blast shattered the shield. Mihae screamed in pain as she was burned and sent flying into the wall, cracking it. The bishop slid to the ground and fell into unconsciousness.
""Huh!?"" cried the twin cat girls. "Impossible!"
"Hehe, quite possible," replied Raynare. She ten flapped her wings, propelling herself backwards, she then took her swords into a backhand hold. The swords lengthened into spears, she then threw them at Ni and Li. The pawns jumped away, the ground where they had stood exploded as the spears hit the ground.
As the dust cleared the pawns looked around, a black blur shot threw the hanging dust clouds. Raynare quickly head-butted Ni, the cat girl cried out in pain and fell down, she then stabbed the girl in the shoulder with a light sword. The girl passed into unconsciousness as the pain became too much.
"Sister!" cried Li. The cat girl lost herself in her anger and blindly charged the dragon hybrid. Raynare swung her arm fling a light spear at her opponent, before Li could stop herself she felt the searing pain of the light/dragon magic in her shoulder. As the cat girl fell to her knees, Raynare closed the distance and delivered a clear and hard punch to her opponent knocking her down into unconsciousness.
Meanwhile Kallen continued her duel with the two knights, the three slashed and paired, and stabbed. Kallen slashed in the air and sent a wave of dragon energy at the knights, said knights sent their own waves of devil fire at Kallen. The three attacks collided and a mighty explosion which kicked up dust and smoke, and caused the barriers surrounding them to ripple.
Letting out war cries, the two knights jumped through the haze and swung their swords at were the opponent was. However the red head wasn't there, the two knights quickly took in their surroundings. Theirs eyes saw the crowd watching them, but their eyes were gazing behind the two knights.
Siris then screamed as a searing pain came from her knees, Karlamine turned in time to see Kallen finishing her slash at her counterpart's knees. Kallen then sent the butt of her halberd across Siri's head, the knight slumped to the ground dazed and unable to move.
"NO! Siris!" screamed Karlamine. She jumped forward, rage written across her face, her flaming sword held over her head. As the knight descended upon the red head, she swung her blade down. Kallen then ducked beneath the blade and sent the butt of her weapon into the knight's stomach. Said knight doubled over, Kallen then hit the knight's head with the flat of her weapons blade causing her to fall over defeated.
Issei was sent flying by an explosion, and collided with the barrier protecting the audience. Issei groaned and sat up and heard a laughing Yubelluna say, "you've gotten strong true, but you still can't beat me."
The queen landed as she spoke and her wings dissipated, she raised her staff and prepared to attack the down pawn. However before she could attack a distinct male voice said, "true but that's why he has us."
The queen turned to see the other members of the Gremory peerage, and more importantly she saw the knight plunge his sword into the ground. Blades broke up through the floor heading straight for her in at a fast pace. Yubelluna's eyes widened and she barely manage to dodge out of the way of the blades.
"Marion! Burent! Sharira!" cried Yubelluna to the remaining pawns. Said Pawns jumped into the fray between the queen and the other devils.
"Don't even think about it," came the voice of Koneko. The rook appeared with a large section of a pillar, heaving she threw the pillar. The pillar shattered upon impact with the ground, large pieces of stone and the shock wave sent the three pawns flying and too dazed to fight.
Nayghty, naughty," chided the giggling Akeno. Yubelluna quickly raised a barrier to counter the crackling bolt of lightning sent her way by the Gremory queen.
"Issei!" cried Asia as she ran and knelt by the pawn. A green glow emanated from her hands as she healed the wounds of Issei.
Issei's eyes widened and said, "Asia, everyone."
"You didn't think we'd stay out of this fight dida?" said Kiba.
"Come on pervert, lets beat this chick," said Koneko in her flat voice.
Issei grinned and jumped up and said, "right."
The gear on his chest pulsed and Issei felt the dragonic power course threw his veins, Akeno giggling said, "oh I'm starting to get hot." Once again she sent a blast of lightening at the phenex queen, said queen's barrier held but she was forced to descend to the ground.
"Sword Birth!" cried Kiba once again plunging his sword into the floor. Where in devil blades shot up threw the ground heading in a line towards Yubelluna. The queen quickly flared her wings again and jumped out of the way, she then heard the war cry of Koneko. Yubelluna quickly raised a barrier to stop the incoming punches of the rook. The Gremory quickly gave a series of punches cracking the barrier before she jumped away. The rook then said, "now Issei!"
"Right," confirmed the perverted pawn. His gear flashed and he concentrated his power in his hand, where a ball of energy formed.
"Ahhh," cried Issei as he sent his attack at the purple haired queen. The dragon/devil energy hit the barrier, the explosion shattered the barrier. Yubelluna cried out and clenched her eyes at the light of the explosion, as she opened them she saw the approaching aura covered hand of Issei. Yubelluna raised her staff to block the attack, when hand and staff connected the staff exploded sending the queen into the ground covered in scratches and bruises.
"Ohh," groaned Yubelluna. She attempted to get up but felt the cold metal of Kiba's blade against her throat, looking up at the knight Kiba spoke saying, "I wouldn't if I were you."
Riser roared in anger his flames flared and wind began blowing, Zeros coat tails fluttered as he raised his hand and a purple barrier appeared. Riser flung attack after attack at Zero, the barrier rippled with each hit but showed no sign of giving way or weakening.
"Is that all you've got!? Phenex," cried Zero. "Is really the devil that has never lost a Rating Game?"
"RAWWW! You are nothing to the great Riser," roared the enraged devil. Raising both hands Riser charged a powerful attack and then launched the massive fireball. The flames ballooned out upon impact, when the fire and smoke died down Zero was no longer standing there. "HAHAHAHA! No one can stand against Riser! HAHAHAHA!"
"Oh really?" came Zero's voice. Looking up Zero floated in the air, his large black wings spread wide. "I think otherwise."
Zero then pushed his hands forward and two blasts of purple energy shot forth, Riser flared his own wings and jumped out of the way. In a black blur Zero's fist hit Riser and sent him flying into the wall. Riser quickly pulled himself upright his healing flames sizzling away his injuries, he then shot a glare and Zero then launched himself at the dragon. His fists covered fire Riser launched a barrage of punches at Zero, while Zero's arms and hands blurred as he block all of Risers attacks.
Riser punched with his right hand, Zero's hand came up and knocked Risers hand away. Zero then covered his other hand in aura and punched Riser in the chest. The crunch of bones was audible to all and Riser was launched back, Riser coughed and spit up blood.
"GRR!" growled Riser. "You think you can beat, me I'm immortal!"
Zero smirked under his mask and said, "hardly."
Zero then unleashed a large blast of purple energy, the blast it Riser square. The devil screamed in agony as the energy seemed to become purple flames, and cling to him. The flames died out almost immediately but Riser's upper clothes were burned away and his right shoulder were burned. Riesr continued screaming and clutched his shoulder, he said, "wha, why? Why am I not healing?"
"Drago fire is more powerful than phoenix fire," said Zero. "Especially my fire specifically."
"Oni-sama!" cried Ravel. She attempted to get to her brother, however Kallen's halberd blocked the way, and Raynare's hand on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks.
"Riser won't be defeated by you!" cried Riser launching his attack. Zero dodged around the shots and sent his own towards Riser. Said devil succeeded in dodging as well, Zero flapped his wings and shot towards the devil. Riser flared his wings and shot towards his opponent intending to intercept him, however Zero stopped and launched another set of energy blasts. Surprised Riser was unable to stop himself in time as he flew straight into the attacks of Zero. The devil hit the ground hard and screamed out.
Riser groaned and slowly worked himself up, burns and scratches covered him and split skin leaked blood. His white pants were stained red, his face had several bruises that were accented by Risers sneer. Riser picked himself up and clutched his bleeding side and then said, "what are you?"
Snickering Zero said, "I'm a dragon, the dragon, I'm justice and vengeance, I'm Zero."
"You're a dragon?" wined Riser. "So why are you doing this for mere humans?"
Frowning beneath his mask Zero said, "you murdered those men, my people. People under my protection, you left their families mourning." Zero clenched his fists and said through clenched teeth, "you took loved ones from loved ones, and that his something I cannot permit."
"What are you talking about?" said Riser. "Humans are nothing the most they can do for the supernatural is provide fodder for our ranks and an outlet for our pleasures. That's all there kind are good for, them are nothing but reincarnated devils waiting to happen."
Gasps went through he crowd, while true many in the crowd held to their beliefs of pure bloods they still didn't dare go so far. The peerages of Gremory and even Riser's own peerage looked on with wide eyes and mixed emotions. The Gremory devils looked on I anger and hate, while Riser's peerage looked on with hurt eyes filled with betrayal. Even Ravel's eyes were wide and filled with tears, she had come to love the other girls as sisters and to hear what her own brother really thought of them was like a knife to her heart.
And it was also this statement that finally broke the damn on Zero's wrath, stretching out his hand a magic circle appeared in the air. From the circle a black handle with jewel at the end appeared, Zero took hold of the handle and began pulling the object out. A cross guard appeared, the guard was shaped a pair of black dragon winds. At the center of the guard was a dragon head that had glowing purple eyes, from the mouth of the head came a black blade. The double edged blade pulse with purple aura, and sent shivers down the spine of Riser.
"Behold," said Zero, his voice was held a tone of hate and wrath. "The dragon Excalibur, "Requies" the Requiem Blade."
Riser's breathing quickened as fear from an unknown source took over his mind from nowhere. He turned around to run, Zero flapped his wings once and launched himself forward. The black dragon slashed his sword, the blade cut through the devil skin and the devil screamed out in utter agony. Riser fell to the ground and writhed in pain, his wounds steamed as his healing flames tried in vain to heal the devil.
"You've insulted dragons," said Zero as he stamped his foot down on Risers left leg. The devil scream as Zero continued, "you've insulted, humanity." He then slashed Risers lower back and then stepped on his back. Zero then said the final conviction, "and you've betrayed those that loved you, you're nothing in my eyes anymore."
"Somebody help me," cried Riser, tears streaming down his face. His peerage didn't move tears of betrayal streaming down their faces, even his sister made no move, not even trying to get to him, she simply looked away. Those in the crowd just stood there, some in fear, others in anger against the unstart Phenex. Riser cried, "PLEASE!"
Zero raised his sword, Riser struggled to get free, crying all the while, Zero than said, "your hands are stained by the blood of the innocent. Now pay the price."
Zero's flashed purple as it swung down, and a barely a second later Riser cries ceased, and the only sound his body made was a quiet thump as his severed head it the ground. No blood pooled, the steam from his wounds stopped as the devils fire went out, and his heart stopped.
Zero stepped over the body and faced the crowd and spoke, "this is your one and only warning. Humanity is no longer your play things, the Black Knights and the Dragon Faction are the protectors of the humanity. Cross us and you'll pay. I'm Zero and this is my pledge and my promise! Justificatum Vindicta!"
A.N. Okay quick update on things with this story, in regards to Zeros daughter, I've decided to combine two characters from both the highschool dxd and code geass universes into one. Has anyone managed to guess who Zero's daughter is yet? (And for the record even if you guess right I won't tell if your right till theat chapter comes out.) Till the next chapter. See ya.