Chapter 10
(The Next Morning)
[Alright partner. I want you to run the plan by me one more time.] Ddraig instructed Issei who had both of his hands closed in a thinking position.
"I'm gonna enter the sacred gear and Politely ask the previous possessors to leave me alone." Issei was mentally preparing himself. Ddraig had informed Issei that even though the possessors couldn't hurt him physically that he was at risk of losing his sanity.
[It's more complicated than that!] Ddraigs tone took an angry shift that caused Issei to jump. [This isn't a game Issei. I won't be able to accompany you into that part of the sacred gear, you'll be without my guidance. The past possessors are bitter and cynical after their own deaths at the hand of the juggernaut drive. They only derive joy from seducing the next wielder with the power of juggernaut drive and watching the life drain from them as they slaughter their own friends and family.]
[They will do whatever they can to where away at your mental state, be it promises of immense power, or mocking your short comings. Finally at your lowest point they will overtake your mind and attempt to trigger the drive.] Ddraig speaks as if he's seen it happen before first hand. [You must convince them of your own resolve. Show them your determination, make them believe in your dream. Convince them that you will be the strongest dragon of them all.]
Issei nods his hand as he takes a deep breath. "I understand."
(An hour later)
"This oughta do it." Issei said as he came across a windowless room in the castle's interior. Issei lit a few candles for some ambient lighting making for the perfect meditation spot. Issei stood up to marvel at his handy work with an arm placed on his hip.
The boy closed his eyes and a small grin crept on his face. "Figures Rias couldn't keep a secret." Issei said revealing the other members of the ORC standing behind him doing their best job to keep themselves hidden.
"Please don't blame her." Kiba spoke up. "We're all you friends and of course we wanted to know what was bothering you, and from what Buchou told us this is a pretty big deal."
"Issei, I'm sorry for not noticing you were troubled earlier. I hope I wasn't part of the problem." Asia apologized, her voice filled with concern.
Issei turned to face his friends and gave weak smile. "No Asia, none of you guys are to blame for the way I've been acting. I probably should've said something earlier, but you know what they say about Pride and Falls. Also you guys don't need to worry about me, I've never met a problem I couldn't handle myself. I'm kinda a Welsh Dragon Prodigy." Issei said using false confidence as a cover up.
"You better have this under control like you said." Akeno gave her usual bright smile. "Once you finish with this we should spar again alright."
"Senpai is strong." Koneko finally spoke up. "He's got this." The small girl lifted up her fist.
"I should've kept my mouth shut, now I have a standard to live up to." Issei said rubbing the back of his head. "I guess I only have one lecture left. Where is she?"
Kiba and Akeno stepped aside to reveal Rias who appeared to be hiding
"I-I told them you probably wanted to be left alone, but they didn't listen." Rias said nervously. "I mean you need to concentrate right, and….and…..and"
"There has to be something we can do right!" Rias yelled finally getting to the point she was probably hoping to make all day.
"I-I mean with Akeno's magic we could do something, maybe send Kiba in with you or something." Rias began to rattle off ideas hoping Issei would agree to something.
Issei placed his hand on the worried girls shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. "This is my deal, okay. You gotta go and train for the big fight, and I gotta deal with this. Everything is gonna be alright." Issei let go of Rias before turning to the rest of the peerage. "Now if all of you will excuse I need peace and quiet to perform the ritual."
The room cleared out leaving Issei by himself. The boy took one last deep breath and sat legs crossed in the center of the room. Issei called forth his gauntlet and laid it down on his lap, parallel to the rest of his body. Issei shut his eyes tightly and a green glow emanating from Issei's gauntlet began to fill the room.
When Issei re-opened his eyes he was no longer in Rias' castle. Issei had been transported to a world with a bright green floor which was the same color as the sky above him. The area seemed rather empty almost like a void.
'Damn , this place is dull. No wonder those past possessors jerks have nothing better to do than mess with me' Issei said as he surveyed. Finally his eyes fell upon a crimson mass a couple hundred meters in the distance. 'I guess that's where I gotta go.'
(Meanwhile back in the real world)
"Hey Issei, are you done yet?" Rias said dressed in running clothes with her hair tied back into a ponytail. She walked into the room were Issei was sitting motionless in a meditation stance eyes completely shut.
Rias walked up to the boy until she was right next to him. "Hey, Issei. Can you hear me?" Rias said as she carefully poked the boy in the cheek. After receiving no reaction she quickly looked over her shoulder to confirm that she was truly alone.
Rias then dropped down right next to Issei. A small blush sprawled across the young devils face as she leaned towards the boy and nestled her head on top of Issei's shoulder. 'Oh, wow! This actually really nice.' Rias thought as she began to drift off to sleep.
(Back in the boosted gear)
As Issei got closer and closer to the crimson mass he learned that it was composed of hundreds of humanoid figures cloaked in crimson hoods.
'Damn! Ddraig sure does get around.' Issei said with a smug face admiring his incredible comedic mind. When he noticed that all the cloaked figures have turned to face him.
"Ahem!" Issei awkwardly cleared his throat as he wasn't prepared to say anything at that point, but he quickly thought something up. "So you're the ones who've been trying to use my own emotions against me. Well I'm here to prove my worth and show you the strength of my desire!" Issei took a confident pose as he awaited the response.
One of the possessors raised his finger to point towards Issei. "Unworthy!"
This brought shock to Issei. How could that one possessor judge him so swiftly without even knowing the kind of person he was, who was this man to say that he was unworthy of the his title. Unfortunately the one possessors voice would be lost in the ever growing chanting of the masses.
"Unworthy!" "Unworthy!" "Unworthy!" "Unworthy!" "Unworthy!" "Unworthy!" "Unworthy!" And the chanting continued and began to drill itself into Issei's ears.
"ENOUGH!" Shouted on of the cloaked figures who made his way to the front of the crowd. Compared to the possessors this one was significantly larger than the rest and the crowd seemed to follow his orders.
The large cloaked figure stopped directly in front of Issei and shifted his hood downwards, seemingly looking Issei in the eyes. "Greetings current wielder. You needn't introduce yourself young Issei. Everyone here knows who you are." The large man spoke with a very relaxed tone. "My name is Belzard, and I am the strongest possessor Ddraig has ever known. I do not through those words around lightly, in my tenure as sekiryuutei I defeated the vanishing dragon not once but twice and earned the privilege of retaining most of my consciousness here."Issei marveled at this man, the embodiment of who he strived to be as he turned to face the mod of previous possessors. "These poor souls feel nothing but sorrow and range and are only summoned when the cursed power that is juggernaut drive is called upon."
"Then why are they here now?" Issei interrupted Belzard to as he was overwhelmed by confusion. "I've never used Juggernaut Drive, I've never even begun the chant, but why do they torment me?"
"While it is true that you have never activated the Drive, if you'll recall the moment you're now fellow devil was killed and you activated your original technique. The rage you demonstrated on that night was enough to awaken the past possessors and in any other circumstance the Juggernaut Drive should've activated, but fortunately for you it didn't." The knowledge of Issei's life that Belzard displayed solidified the how long he has been observing Issei. "Normally they would have disappeared by, but they seem to be rather displeased by the way you've used your power. In fact they're demanding your head, they wish to force you into using the Juggernaut Drive so that your life force is drained from you while you are helpless to watch as you murder your friends."
"I was about to allow them to do so. No thing against you, I would simply be sacrificing your life to appease the masses." Belzard continued. "That was until I heard the declaration you made not too long ago. The strength of your desire, now that's something I'd very much like to see. So I propose a compromise."
Belzard summoned a pillar beneath his feet that raised him up so that all could see him. "I propose a trial! The previous wielders of the boosted gear Versus Issei Hyoudou. The accused will play the role of his own defence. Each side will be allowed an opening statement and a rebuttal and I will judge my ruling is final. The trial began immediately."
I bright flash of light encompassed all that was visible and when it dissipated Issei and a few of the past possessors had been transported to a courthouse setting. Issei sat down at a table on the right side of the room while a tall slender possessor sat on the right. In front of the both of them sat Belzard holding a gavel.
"Court is in session. Prosecution please make your case." Belzard said pointing his gavel towards the slender hooded man.
"Yes sir, your honor." The man stood up from his seat and spoke with very weasley voice and sounded exactly like a lawyer. "There's almost no need to state my case it's obvious that Mr. Hyoudou is unworthy of the massive power that is the Boosted Gear. The Red Dragon Emperor is supposed to strike fear into the hearts of mankind as a whole. Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Jack the Ripper, Joseph Stalin. Just to mention a few of the possessors who embodied this philosophy. A real dragon would leave a trail of corpses in their wake, obliterate villages, rape the widows of his victims. Mr. Hyoudou doesn't possess this mindset, he's no killer. He's a high school student, top of his class. He flirts with girls. He joined an after school club. I guess he can't be blamed for trying to act like a normal teenager, being that he was never supposed to unlock Ddraig's power in the the first place." His Statement was short and to the point Issei didn't act very dragon like and this bothered the past possessors.
"Alright Issei Hyoudou, your opening statement." Belzard said gesturing to Issei.
'Alright Issei, you got this. Remember there is no jury so there is only one person I have to convince.' Issei hyped himself up before "WHAM!" Issei slammed his hand down on his own table, getting the attention of the courtroom.
"Obviously you all forgot who I was. I am Issei Hyoudou, youngest wielder in history to unlock Ddraigs power. I achieved at seven years old what it took some of you geezers your entire lifetimes to do. Not to mention I was the youngest possessor ever to achieve Balance Breaker, as well as one of the few yielders to unlock a unique ability." Issei's boasting had shut up the entire crowd. "Yeah I wasn't supposed to ever be able to use the Boosted Gear, but I did and I became a prodigy. I denied the Juggernaut Drive the very curse that cost all of you, your lives. You say I'm not a killer but how many Fallen Angels have I massacred while the lot of you boast about slaughtering humans, who can't hope to fight back."
"Let's get to the, why I'm here." Issei continued. "Every last one of you is afraid of change, but let me tell you something. Throughout history the Red Dragon Emperor has always played the role of the worst part of history. That ends with me, from now on the Welsh Dragon will no longer be associated with hate or fear, but instead strength and hope." Issei's words of change had attracted the attention of Belzard as well as another cloaked figure towards the back of the room. "And it starts five days from now, when the welsh dragon saves an innocent girl from an unhappy life with a disgusting Phoenix Devil, and if you don't like it then that's tough because it looks to me like I'll be here a long time." Issei said shooting a glare at the tall possessor.
"SMACK!" The sound of the gavel hitting the desk rang throughout the courtroom and then Belzard spoke. "Opening statements are over, next the defense will make their rebuttal. The use of memories as evidence is now allowed." With that a small projector screen raised from the floor.
"Yes your honor." The weasley figure rose again from his seat. "It's been brought to my attention that Mr. Hyoudou may be confused as to why this trial has come to order. We are not here to deny the strides this wielder has made and as impressive as they be it does not excuse the fact that he has still misused the power of sacred gear. Issei hyoudou said himself that he was the youngest possessor to ever unlock the Boosted Gear as well as the youngest to ever achieve Balance Breaker, but still ten years after learning of Ddraigs existence and over a year of being able to effectively use Balance Breaker and he has yet to even come in contact with the Vanishing Dragon much less attempt to fight him, which might I remind you is the sole purpose of the Welsh Dragon. He also mention how he vanquished multiple fallen angels, but let's not forget how he was also shamefully killed by one due to his own ignorance." Almost on cue the clip of Raynare stealing a kiss from Issei before impaling him played on the projector, causing Issei to wince slightly at the memory of it before the Lawyer Possessor continued. "But let's not forget his greatest crime, which he committed against himself." The projector then began playing the memory of Issei's parents death. "Mr Hyoudou after being shamefully slaughtered by the Fallen Angel became devil in order to selfishly preserve his own life. He abandoned humanity for the very race that cost him his own parents!" All attention was drawn to the monitor which was frozen on an image of the night sky which revealed a shadowy figure flying away from the scene of the crime sporting a pair of bat-like wings.
"Enough, the prosecution's rebuttal has ended" Belzard said hitting his gavel to the desk. "Issei, your rebuttal."
Issei stood motionless. He couldn't speak, all he could do is stare on in horror at the monitor. 'All this time there was a culprit, and the culprit was a devil. How, why? This doesn't make sense. I don't believe it.'
"Issei! Your rebuttal!" Belzard said louder trying to get the boy to snap out of it.
'No, no. It's not possible. How could this be? Why me? No.' Issei was just staring at the scream as emotions began to flood his head to the point where he couldn't here Belzard's demands.
"Issei if you have no rebuttal than the prosecution wins by default." "BANG! BANG!" The gavel struck wood twice. "The sentence is death!" After Belzard said this glowing green chains erupted from the floor binding Issei's arms and legs finally snapping him out of his trance.
(Outside World)
Rias' eyes began to blink open as the gem on Issei's gauntlet began to glow a bright red.
"I-Issei." Rias said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
(Inside the sacred gear)
"Activate the Juggernaut Drive!" Belzard announced
"Wait! No! Stop!" Issei yelled as he struggled with the chains attempting to free himself. "Please!"
Belzard raised his hand causing the chains to retract towards the floor tightening and eliminating Issei's movements. "SIlence. I hoped to see your resolve, but you truly disappointed me. Your fate has already been sealed."
The projector began to display what was going on outside the Boosted Gear.
(Outside the Boosted Gear)
The red light flashed brightly obstructing Rias' vision and when it had finally died down it revealed Issei's body now clad in Balance Breaker Armor.
"Issei! Whats going on?! Did it work?!" Rias asked but received no answer instead the Boosted gear began to speak.
[I, who is about to awaken!] A huge plume of aura erupted from Issei's body.
Glowing green orbs began to escape from the gems along the armor.
"At last it's starting" One of the orbs spoke in a feminine voice.
"Indeed the time has finally come" Replied an orb speaking with a male voice this time.
"Yes this wielder has at last disregarded love, for the sake of power." A different female voice announced.
"Disregarded love?" Rais asked as she shielded her face from the intensity of the aura.
[Am the Heavenly Dragon who has stolen the principles of domination from God!] The very castle began to shake.
(Inside the Boosted Gear)
[I laugh at the "infinite", and I grieve at the "dream"!] The events from outside were playing on the projector screen as the glowing green world itself began to shake. Issei was left to watch helplessly tears flowing from his eyes.
'No! Rias, everyone, I'm so sorry! I failed. I couldn't handle it, now everyone's gonna die and it's all my fault." The tears began to fall faster as Issei tried to cringe in order to keep himself from bawling out loud.
[I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination!]
That's when he finally remembered something.
(Flashback)
"WWWWAAAAAHHHHHH!" A small Issei sobbed by a pile of smouldering rubble moments after the tragic death of his parents. His wails echoed into the night sky, but that's when a shining red gauntlet manifested itself on his right arm.
[Young one please dry your eyes. There is nothing tears will do to help this situation.] The voice of the dragon reappeared and tried to convince the now orphan to calm down.
"B-But, my Mom and Dad. They're gone. I loved them so much and now they're gone forever." Issei began to ramble still too filled with sorrow to comprehend Ddraigs words. "I have no choice but to be sad."
[That's where you're wrong partner.] Ddraig countered. [There is always a choice no matter what the situation. Of all emotions Sorrow is the most useless. Anger, Fear, Jealousy. All negative emotions as well, but all can be used to fuel determination of some form, but Sorrow can't do that. I hate to be cruel, but as my new partner I can't have you wasting your time on such a useless emotion so I have a very simple piece of advice that you can use in any situation. Feeling sorry for yourself is essentially the same as giving up, so don't get sad get mad!]
(End of flashback)
Issei shook away the tears and let Ddraigs words echo through his head. 'Don't get sad get mad! Don't get sad get mad! Don't get sad get mad! Don't get sad get mad! Don't get sad get mad! Don't get sad get MAD!'
"RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW!" Issei screamed at the top of his lungs as he let his anger overtake him. His dark green eyes began to glow brighter and brighter as the yelling continued. A small red glowing circle began to appear below Issei as opposed to the previous green. Finally Issei's scream which was echoing throughout the Boosted Gear, getting the attention of Belzard and the Past Possessors became more like a dragon's roar.
"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
[WELSH DRAGON DOMINATING RAGE: SOUL MERGE!] Ddriag's voice rang throughout the Boosted Gear and the next thing you know. "CRASH!" Issei had shattered the chains that had previously been binding him.
(Outside World)
[And I shall sink you to the depths-] The Boosted Gear's voice stopped and the orbs along with Issei's violent aura had disappeared and Rias rushed over to the now seemingly lifeless armor to see what was going on.
(Inside the Boosted Gear)
Issei who was sporting intense glowing green eye, hair that was slightly spikier and more messy and an intense red aura but no armor. He slowly made his way towards Belzard as some of the generic cloaked figures attempt to flee behind the strongest possessor.
"Hyoudou do you wish to challenge me?" Belzard took a stance that indicated he would not be backing down no matter what.
"I have prepared my Rebuttal." The merged voices of Issei and Ddraig came from the boys mouth.
Belzard stood there for a moment before eventually nodding his hood in agreement.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am Issei Hyoudou, and I represent change. My argument is that I haven't misused my power, because I just changed the rules." Issei said as he hovered above the crowd. "I don't care that I messed up your system by becoming a devil, because I changed the system. The fact that a devil killed my parents doesn't change anything about the choices I've made, because being Rias Gremory's pawn is the best decision I've ever made. You know what each and every one of you has in common? You're all dead , which is what makes you different from me. All of you chose hate or power as if they were the only two options, but I will make my own decision. Juggernaut Drive is my power, it's no longer yours, and I will use it as I see fit."
"Mark my words here and now. I will be the most powerful Host that history has ever seen and if you want proof then simply open your eyes. My soul is merged with the king of domination himself. This is the strength of my desire that you so desperately wish to observe." Issei stared down at Belzard as he finished his rebuttal.
"I object!" Both Issei and Belzard turned their attention to a voice that was coming from a cloaked figure who was sporting feminine curves that were visible even through her robes. "This boy has moved me with his resolve and made me believe in his dream. I Elsha, second strongest wielder and the strongest female wielder object to the guilty ruling involving Issei Hyoudou."
Belzard turned to Elsha and nodded. "Since neither side can come to an agreement, this case will be acquitted and the accused will absolved of all charges." Blezard re summoned his desk and gavel and forcefully struck the wood "WHAM!" After that all of the past possessors disappeared with the exception of the two strongest.
"Well done Issei." Elsha congratulated the boy by giving him a pat on the shoulder. "I don't know a single possessor in history who has managed to dodge the curse that is Juggernaut Drive twice." She quickly scanned the horizon before turning back to Issei. "And it looks to me like avoiding the Drive will no longer be a concern of yours. Congratulations your emotions are once again yours, now go. You have a pretty young Devil waiting for you."
"Yes Issei." Balzard followed up. "You made the two of us believe in your dream. I'm almost certain that one day you will join us as one of the greatest wielders of all time, but one last thing before you go….."
(In the Real World)
Rias was sat atop the shoulders of the balance breaker armor, desperately trying to yank the helmet off the armor but to no avail. Suddenly the armor started to glow and fade and Rias began to fall.
"Waaahh!" Rias' screams were stopped by ssei who caught her before she could hit the floor. Rias looked up at the boy who flashed her a bright smile, filled with joy. Letting her know he was back with all his emotions intact. "Oh Issei! You did it!"
"Yeah I told you not to worry and there's no way I'd ever let you down." Issei's words caused Rias to pinken a bit.
'Yep I'm back, and It's good to be back!'
(Author's Notes)
Yay! Cheesy Endings! I'm not gonna lie, ending aside this was probably one of my favorite chapters I've ever done. I think the court setting was the perfect mixture of serious cause of the stakes and goofy because it's essentially ghost court.
This chapter aside what's really important is that next chapter will be the Season 1 finale, because finals are starting and I'm gonna be busy for about 2 weeks with no update. Don't worry though next chapter is gonna be super long, and if you miss me that much check out my dude Nosferatu869's story The Red Dragon Of Golden Light. He helps me alot with these chapters so he deserves tones a credit. (and he might actually be a better writer than me) Anyway thats it for now. All the luv possible, BBBBBBBye