Chapter 14: The Spark of War
Issei wondered how did he reach this scenario. He recalled he wanted to help out a friend to be at peace with his past. He also was joined up by two other friends. And two random exorcists that were too prideful. One was his childhood friend surprisingly. Now he was currently face to face with an ensemble of enemies. How did it happen? This is how it went.
Flashback
Kiba had stated he had found an enemy base. After explaining to Saji about Kiba's past, the pawn had been more willing to help out. So the group went to check the place out. But when they did they found nothing, not a trace of their enemies. So this started a search everyday for them. But no signs of Fangire, Legendorgas or fallen angels and exorcists were found. It was like they just vanished.
Until the 5th day. Issei was with Koneko and Saji talking about where to go next when he felt it. The Call of the Bloody Rose. He immediately followed it, with Koneko and Saji after him. He found in a warehouse a group of Fangires led by two non-fangires. One was the mysterious armored guy, Issei clashed with on that night. The other was a snake-like monster.
"Well, well" The snake lady crooned. "What do we have here?"
"Hmph, devils," The armored guy said. "And one of them is a familiar face! I owe you for throwing that dragon-castle at me."
"Who are you?" Issei asked.
"I am called Rey. My companion is Medusa of the Legendorgas."
This got them to raise their guards. Already they found one of the Mazoku.
"Sorry for intruding in," Issei spoke up suddenly. He needed to find a way for his friends to get out. "We were just passing by. We don't mean to trouble you."
"Oh really?" Rey said. "As I recall you attacked me before."
"Oh that was because I was helping my friend," Issei said cheerfully. Saji and Koneko were looking at him as if seeing him for the first time. "Just helping out a friend nothing more."
"Really?" Medusa asked. "So you won't trouble us?"
"Of course not. This is clearly not our business at all. And I-" Whatever he was going to see what cut off as three blurs came at the enemies.
It was Kiba, Xenovia and Irina. Of course they came guns (or in this case swords) blazing as they attacked the enemy. Kiba engage Rey, while Irina and Xenovia fought Medusa and the Fangires. Meanwhile the other three just watched the whole scene.
"S-should we help them?" Saji asked.
"...They are very eager…." Koneko mused.
"Uh, I don't know what to do," Issei said.
Just then a wall broke revealing what looked like a crossover between a t-rex and crane machine. Driving this doomsday machine was none other than Ixa!
"Return those lives to God!" He exclaimed. He then began barreling towards the Fangires.
"Who is that?!" Saji said.
"Ixa!" Xenovia said in shock. "That's the Powerd Ixer."
Then it started heading towards Issei and the rest.
"Oh no! Kivat!" He called. The bat flew towards him before summoning his belt. "Henshin!" He transformed into Kiva.
"You're Kiva?!" Ixa screeched. "No matter you will fall!"
"Saji-san! Koneko-chan! Find a way to stop his vehicle." Kiva instructed. "I'll take care of the rest."
They both nodded and split up to dodge it. Meanwhile Yuuto and Rey were duking it out. It was a battle of swords.
"You have skill," Rey acknowledge. "But can you deal with the power of my Excalibur Nightmare?"
Kiba's eyes widened as he took in the blade of his opponent. The feeling it gave him, it felt like a holy sword. It looked to be like a claymore with an unnatural blue sheen to the steel.
"It really is!" He said.
"Yes, the Holy Sword of Dreams. It can do so much, for example…." From the blade came a mist that quickly took form of multiple Rey's. "Which is the real me?" They all echoed.
In a flash they surrounded the swordsman.
"Be careful! Excalibur Nightmare can cast illusions!" Irina yelled.
As they battled Saji and Koneko along with Kiva were dealing with Ixa and his Powerd Ixer. Koneko used her strength to throw things at it. But the Powerd Ixer deflected them or threw energy orbs at it.
Saji then summoned something from his hand.
"Stretch my line!" He said. A slim lizard was wrapped on Saji's hand and had used its tongue on a lever in Ixer's control that sent it towards a wall.
"Stop that!" Ixa yelled.
"Make me!" Saji said.
Koneko took her chance to jump into the vehicle, throw Ixa to a beam of steel that held the warehouse and punch the controls.
"Damn you Devils! I'll show you."
But before he could Kiva appeared in the air, the Dogga Hammer.
"Dogga Thunder Slap!"
Kiva hit Ixa full front sending the white armored opponent straight into the ground. The symbol of Kiva as always appeared there. As Kiva lifted his hammer he was struck in the back, by Ixa!
"You've grown stronger Kiva," Ixa said. "But so I have with the Excalibur Rapidly. It gives me great speed."
"Nani?" Kiva said. "You have one of the Excaliburs?"
"I will take them all to destroy you monsters!" He lifted his excalibur but Saji grabbed his sword arm with his weapon and distracted him long enough for Koneko to deliver a punch to his chest.
The blow sent him reeling straight into the Medusa who was fighting Irina.
Meanwhile Yuuto was facing Rey's illusions. He attacked and only got air, but Rey kept using his claws to attack him back.
"Surprised at my power? You should, my system which gives me this armor came from the Mazoku race the Gigant."
"What? Impossible they were extinct!" Yuuto said.
"Oh silly Devil, the Gigants were the shock troops of the Fangire during the Great War. Is not easy bringing down such power. Let me show you."
He began taking swipes at Yuuto, who tried to parry them with his blade and was not succeeding. He was in trouble,
Kiva who was currently dealing with Ixa knew he had to end this.
[Boost!]
There it was, the reason he needed a distraction. He quickly rushed towards Yuuto, but Koneko grabbed him first.
"…Ise-senpai. Please help Yuuto-senpai."
Then she threw him straight at the guy.
"Kiba-san! Head up or else there'll be trouble!"
"Uwah! Ise-kun!"
Thankfully the Knight dodge him as Kiva twirled in mid air. He managed to see through the illusion thanks to his Omnilens and managed a double kick to Rey. As he did he transferred his boost power to Yuuto.
[Transfer!]
"…I have to use it since I received it! "Sword Birth"!"
Blades came out of the whole area from the ground. They were of all shapes and size as they attacked everyone. Some Fangires got impaled by them, Medusa dodged them and Rey got hit. Ixa quickly ran from the place using the power of his Excalibur. Kiva attempted to follow but suddenly he felt weak. He dropped to his knees. What was going on? He saw the other feel the same way, minus Xenovia and Irina.
"My, my what a mess we have here." A voice mused.
Standing at the entrance of the warehouse was a man dressed in priest robes. In his hands he held a rapier that seem to illuminate the place.
"Balba Galilei-sama!" Rey said. He bowed to the man.
"…Balba Galilei!" Kiba glared and stood up.
"Such strong willpower. I can see given that you are the possessor of Sword Birth. It's not a Sacred Gear easily handled."
Issei stood up slightly. He needed to make a plan, the old man was doing something. He groaned as went weak in the knee and knelt. This drew the gaze of the old man.
"Oh a dragon-type Sacred Gear!" He then looked at Saji. "Two no less and one is even Kiva. This a good day."
"While I would like to research you lot and your skills, I must go and retrieve the folk here."
"Like I'll let you!" Kiba growled as he tried to walk but failed.
"I'm afraid you cannot do anything young Devil. So as long as I wield the Excalibur Blessing, all you monsters will be severely weakened when in front of it."
Both Rey and Medusa went towards Balba along with the remaining fangires. Suddenly two forms appeared and attacked Balba but were blocked by the former two.
"Yaho! Ise-kun.
"Irina!"
Xenovia was trying to get past Rey who held her off.
"Rebels. I will cut you both down in the name of God!"
Rey scoffed. "Like he can do anything to us if you and your girl there are the only things he sent to face us."
Xenovia growled and engaged him in battle. Before she could Balba thrusted his Excalibur and managed to wound her in the side.
"We have no time for this Shiramine-kun," Balba admonished.
"Balba-sama, we must report to Kokabiel-sama." Medusa said.
"Indeed, there are still Excaliburs to find."
Rey threw a something to the ground, there was a bright flash and they disappeared.
"Dammit, let's go Irina!" Even injured she wasn't giving up.
"Right behind you Xenovia!"
With that the two exorcists ran after them. Kiba still struggling from the effects of the Excalibur Blessing followed them also. But before they could a magic-circle appeared revealing four girls.
"What's the meaning of this? Explain." Rias demanded. Akeno was at her side.
"Saji what do you think you are doing?" Kaichou asked. Tsubaki Shinra her Queen was with her also.
Issei paled from behind his helm. They were in trouble now.
"…Destroying Excalibur. You three…" Rias sighed and touched her head as if she got a headache.
They were all currently at a nearby park. Koneko, Issei and Saji were currently in the seiza position as they faced the wrath of their Masters. Kiba, Irina and Xenovia were being treated for their wounds in battle by Akeno and Tsubaki.
"Saji. You were doing something like this behind me? You truly are a troublesome child."
"Auuu…I…I'm sorry Kaichou…" Saji sobbed.
Issei saw the cold look he was receiving from Kaichou and knew he had to do something.
"It's all my fault," he blurted out. "I dragged them both to help me in this. They didn't want to. So if you have to punish someone, well I should." He hoped he didn't sign his death warrant.
"Kurenai-kun while that may have some weight of the truth, the face is Saji still followed after you regardless." Sona said.
"Same with Koneko." Rias replied. "Koneko,why did you do this?"
"…I don't want Yuuto-senpai to go away…" She answered.
Buchou looked more confused than angry at the statement.
"…Saying this when it has already happened won't change anything I guess. But what you two did could have affected the world of Devils. You understand that, right?"
"Yes."
"…Yes."
"How nice," a voice said.
They all turned to reveal three people near them sitting on the bench. One had shaggy brown hair, wore a dark grey coat, magenta shirt and khaki pants. He also had a camera he was messing with. The one to his left had darker brown hair, he wore a white shirt, green jacket and blue jeans. He seemed to be calm as he watched the sky. The final one was dressed in all black, with chestnut hair that fell to his shoulders.
"Who are you?" Sona asked.
"Relax heir of Sitri," the middle guy said. "We mean you no harm. We were just witness to the battle we just saw."
The guy in black scoffed. "You call that a battle?"
"Now relax Takumi-kun, we can't all begin with skills on our journey."
"Whatever you say Tsukasa. All I know is I've seen better fights, right Kenzaki-kun?"
The last guy shrugged. "I think he has potential. Besides not every fight can be a good one."
"Can I continue?" Tsukasa asked. The other two nodded. "Ok, well we came here to warn you."
"What about?" Rias asked.
"The Rider War."
"Rider War?" Issei asked.
"Yes Kurenai-kun, it's something that seems to happen sometimes."
"Except this time it revolves around you," Kenzaki said.
"What?"
"What my friend here is trying to say is that you will play your role in the battle. Already as it begins, you made the choice of trying to destroy the excaliburs. If you had done so the War would've been slowed down."
"It would?" Rias said.
"Hai, dealing with so many dimensions you always see a pattern. And the one trying to insight this world is gonna do something reckless."
"They always do something reckless, they are the bad guys." Takumi stated.
"Well as a Kamen Riders it's our job to stop it."
"Kamen Rider? Interesting name." Issei said.
The three smirked at this.
"Yeah," Tsukasa said. "It always is, so be watchful all of you. You will play a part in this War as those involved with Riders usually are."
Everyone pondered what he just said. Issei for his part wondered what his part in all of this was.
"Now everyone don't move," Tsukasa suddenly said. "This is a good picture to be with they way you are." He took the photo, there was a flash and the trio were gone.
"Well now that was something to think for, Saji it's time for your punishment. A 1000 spankings."
"Uwaaaaaaan! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please forgive me Kaichouuu!"
"No!" With that she began her Pawn's punishment.
Issei grimaced at the sight and the look in Buchou's eyes.
"Issei since you instigated this, you will also get a 1000 spankings."
You could hear their screams for half an hour.
Issei was currently sleeping. After the punishment ended he discovered Xenovia and Irina had left, with Kiba tagging along. Rias sent her Familiar to find them and Sona volunteered her assistance for whatever happened. When he returned home he found Asia (instigated by a certain friend of hers) wearing only an apron, which inspired Rias to do the same. Needless to say he lost a lot of blood from his nose and almost passed out.
As he rested from their antics, Rias and Asia side by side as always. He felt a presence outside his house. He looked to the window to see Rey! He jumped off his bed (waking the other two) as he raced down.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded. Rias came to his side (after she put on clothes).
"Oh did I interrupt something?" He mused. "If so I apologize, not like I know what you do in your own private time.
"Why are you here?"
"Well doing my duties as an emissary of war. Here it is." He snapped his fingers.
Suddenly in the sky a throne appeared and in it a Fallen Angel with ten wings! He wore dark robes with detail accessories, specially a gold belt he had.
"This is our first time meeting, daughter of the house of Gremory. The crimson hair is beautiful. It reminds me of your brother that I hate enough to make me want to vomit." He greeted.
"Nice to meet you, one of the leaders of the Fallen-Angels, Kokabiel. And my name is Rias Gremory. I will also add one more thing. We and the house of Gremory are a being who are closest to the Maou, and also the furthest from it. If you are here to discuss about politics with me, then it's no use." Rias stated.
"This is a gift." He threw two people suddenly.
Issei caught one and was started to discover it was Irina Shidou! The other fell was none other than Ixa. His armor all battered, then it disappeared to reveal the one behind him. It was his senpai Keisuke Nago!
"She came into my base. So I gave her a welcome. Well, I couldn't catch the other two." Kokabiel explained. "As for that one he came with something I wanted and I took it from him."
"Asia!" He called.
The girl in question came from the house, fully dressed and quickly began to heal the injured pair.
"…So what is your motive for contacting me?" Rias asked.
Kokabiel smiled. "I will be rampaging in this town using your base, Kuou Academy, as the starting point. Then Sirzechs will also appear, right?"
"If you do something like that, the War between God, Fallen-Angels and Devils with the Fangires as well it will begin again you know?"
"That's what I'm wishing for. I thought that Michael would start a War if I steal the Excalibur... But what he sent were grunt Exorcists and two holy-sword wielders. It's boring. I'm really bored indeed! That's why I'm going to rampage at Sirzech's sister's base. See? It looks fun, right?"
"…You battle-freak." Rias scorned. Kokabiel just laughed.
"Yeah. That's it! I was bored and bored after the war between the four sides! Azazel and Shamza weren't that keen on the next war. They then started to collect something boring like Sacred Gear and started to do some weird research. Something useless like that won't be of any use to us! …Well, it's a different story if it's a "Boosted Gear" like the one the brat over there has… But it's not something you can find so easily."
Kokabiel looked at Issei. He felt the power of his gaze, it was like he was drowning.
"…Are you guys also after my Sacred Gear?"
"I'm not interested in it. But Azazel might be. His collection hobby is crazy."
Issei frowned at that. The Fallen Angel leader collected Sacred Gears?
"Either way, I'm going to be starting a battle involving the holy-swords, Rias Gremory. For starting a war! A school where both little sisters of Sirzech's and Leviathan's go to. It must be filled with demonic-powers so that I can enjoy the chaos! It's also the best place to release the real power of Excaliburs! It's a good place for the battlefield. Oh it may even bring out the leader of the Fangires who's been keeping their identity a secret! Oh I can't wait!"
"Soon you will all be swallowed in our Master's power." Rey stated. "The Excaliburs will be the first stepping stone for his rule."
"Right you are Takato Shiramine. Soon with the Legendorga, fangire and the fallen angel who follow me I will crush this world under my foot. The War begins now sister of the Lucifer Rias Gremory. Let's have fun!"
With that he and Rey disappeared leaving behind two injured people and three young devils.
"Issei," Rias said. "We're going to the school!"
"Hai, Buchou!"
And so it begins. Next chapter Kokabiel makes his move. Nago comes clean as Ixa. And a battle is fought.