Chapter 32: POTD 4 Dragonic Lessons
I don't own DxD; I just use its characters and techniques. All credit goes to its creator. Same applies for anything that I used from other animes. Warning, other animes' techniques will appear.
Regular humans speaking
Real Issei and all members of the order of Draconis when they're speaking.
Draconis himself talking
Ddraig and other dragons talking
Welcome everybody to the final chapter of Rias's story in the Dragon's Path challenge. After this, we make our way towards the battle with Issei. After all the buildup, I promise that I won't disappoint. Now get ready, today the Dragon's Path ends.
After Azazel's talk with the ORC, the gang returns towards the gates for the Path of the Dragon. To their surprise, waiting in front of the group is Natsu but he's surrounded by 3 more people. The first is a young woman no taller than Asia her blue hair flying in the winds. The Second man is much taller. He has Black hair and piercings all over his body. His black jacket and jeans hide a clearly muscular physique. The final person is a young woman. Long blue hair adorns her slender body. Ice blue eyes and a blue dress that flows in the wind.
"So Natsu, who are these people?" Sona asks heavily confused.
"Simple, these are your trainers. May I present Wendy, Gajeel, and the Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat. Well honestly Gajeel and Tiamat are trainers, Wendy's just here to heal everybody from what are sure to be violent training sessions. These guys are all incredibly strong, and starting tomorrow they'll be your training partners along with me. Listen, the two mages go with Tiamat, her knowledge of mage weapons will help you guys get a whole lot stronger. Plus she'll teach you a bit of technique. All the close combat fighters will go with Gajeel. His ability to lecture in close combat will be vital and, although he's in his human form, as a dragon, his scales are unmatched by anybody."
"Heh, trust me, you guys will get way stronger but it'll hurt like hell." Gajeel says with an evil grin.
"Vritra, Sona, Tsubaki, Rias, Akeno, you five will stay with me. In order to get you guys on a level where you can give that bastard Draconis a fight, I'm gonna train you guys. Don't worry, Wendy can heal any injury, no matter how bad. And with four days to go, believe me, that will come in handy. With Azazel's help you guys will get a whole lot stronger and faster. Once you do that you can possibly give that Draconis bastard a challenge." Natsu says with a huge smirk.
"What about Gasper, Natsu?" Rias asks concerned.
"Gasper will be going home." Azazel says cruelly. "I realized after watching that battle you're better off without Gasper in this fight."
"I understand, take care of him while I'm away." Rias says concerned.
With that the groups separate, Momo and Reya make their way with Tiamat. Koneko Kiba along with Yura Tomoe and Ruruka go with Gajeel. Finally Saji, Sona, Tsubaki, Rias, and Akeno go with Natsu to train. Gasper leaves with Azazel, the young vampire very disappointed.
(With Natsu)
"Listen guys, the reason I was fighting you guys before was because I was told to test your strength, but now I'm going to tell you my best advice on what you guys can do. I got some information about the group from Azazel, and based on what I can tell, you'll have problems. "Vritra, you aren't used to your power, but take the rest of this time to work on your skills. Since you also have a dragon you're a huge asset against Draconis and Vali but you're gonna struggle to beat them without help. Sona, your power will be incredibly useful. I remember that you'll be facing that kid Vali and divine dividing struggles to deal with wide range attacks. Akeno your fallen angel abilities are useful against devils, but against these guys, you're gonna have huge problems. Again, much like Saji, combos are the way to go. "
"There's a much bigger problem, Natsu." Azazel says appearing with the group. "I can't speak for the Sitri girls but Rias's entire crew has trained with these guys, so hiding their secrets is impossible. The fact their power is incredibly mismatched means they have to be much smarter."
"Gotcha, Azazel." Natsu says with an understanding. "Now we're going to prepare you guys by having you face each other. Sona you will fight Tsubaki. For the next two days your goal is simple. Try to attack Tsubaki with your water but do it in a way that the SG she has won't be a problem. I saw that mirror and I noticed its danger immediately. Rias and Akeno I want you two to spar, but occasionally I'll have you two work with Saji to fight me. Your goal will simply be work together and hit me with attacks. Saji, as I said, you'll face me but the girl's will help." Giving the group their jobs the first group starts their training."
(With Gajeel)
"Gehehe, you guys are something else. Apparently all of you are close combat battlers so I won't need to worry." Gajeel says with a smirk that irritates the group. "Using your strength, you guys have one goal. Break my iron scales. It can be done, but you have to work really hard."
"Bring it on we can do this." Yura says with her usual confidence. The rest of the group agrees with this sentiment and the determination of the group is clear.
"Haha, by the way, I may fight back so be ready." IRON SCALES "Now come get me." With a smile Gajeel takes a battle stance and the group attacks.
(With Tiamat)
"You girls are doing pretty well so far." Tiamat says as the girls sit and focus their energy. "Your rings will increase your magic but it's crucial you learn to control it. I've met Le Fay Pendragon and I know about Kuroka's power. If you're going to get into a mage battle, the key is control, because even with little power, control will be your greatest weapon. But more importantly if you come up against the swordsman or god forbid the White Dragon Emperor you guys will be doomed if you can't control your magic."
"Thank you, Tiamat Sensei." Momo says with a smile.
"Thank you, Sensei." Reya says smiling as well.
"No problem girls. By the way, Momo was it, you smell like Vritra. Don't tell me you're his mate." Tiamat says with a smirk.
Blushing quickly Momo loses focus "No, Tiamat Sensei, I'm not. I want to be, but I'm not." as Momo quickly stutters from the taunts, she's nailed by a blast of energy from Tiamat.
"Careful there. Remember, if you lose focus, I'll attack." Tiamat says with a smile. "Now stay focused you have a few hours of this before we work on your spells."
As the days go by the groups train carefully. Everybody improves greatly as the time for the battle with Issei goes forward. With a day to go, the groups stop their training and meet with their masters one last time.
"Not bad girls, you managed to get stronger, although remember be smart and learn to control your strength." Tiamat says looking at her students with pride.
"Gehehe, well done guys. It took you guys an entire day to break the armor at first, but after that you guys really surprised me. Fighting as hard as that, you'll give the Order of Draconis some hell." Gajeel says with a large smile.
"Not bad. Not bad. You guys did better than I expected, but remember, you're fighting against a strong group of fighters. It's gonna take everything you got to win. Luckily the rating game will allow you some leeway." Natsu says beaming.
"On behalf of our group, we thank you for all you've done." Sona says with a smile.
"Watch us fight and we'll do you proud." Rias says as everyone has gathered.
"Alright guys listen when we get back you can meet up with Katase and your other members and rest in preparation for the battle. Most likely Sirzechs will give you details once you arrive." Azazel says beaming at the progress of his students.
The group then transports back to the ORC clubroom. Once they arrive Gasper is there smiling along with Murayama Katase and Asia.
"Welcome back Lady Rias I hope your training was well." Murayama says with a smile.
"Thank you Murayama I take it you haven't went to visit Draconis since you've returned." Rias says with a smile.
"Master actually assisted us with our training. Once the battle ends we'll rejoin you as the twin dragons." Murayama says with a smile.
"Ara Ara Katase what's wrong." Akeno asks surprised at the sullen expression on Katase's face.
"My training didn't go as well as Murayama's so I'm a little upset." Katase says a little sullen. "Though don't worry Lady Rias I'll be ready to go."
A magical circle shows up and Sirzechs and Serafall appear. "Glad to see you're well Rias." "Glad you're doing well Sona-chan" The two Maou say to their siblings.
"So what are you guys doing here?" Rias says surprised.
"We've come because we want to tell you more details about your battle. We just spoke with Issei and everything is prepared." Sirzechs says when all of the sudden gets hit on the head with a fan.
"Sirzechs-sama we agreed to call him Draconis in Lady Rias's presence." Grayfia says having appeared during the conversation.
"Oops, my bad." Sirzechs says embarrassed. Getting serious again Sirzechs looks to the group. "I won't reveal the battlefield since that wouldn't be fair to either party. I've heard from Draconis that the main squadron will be your opponents that means Kuroka Vali Le Fay Issei and Bikou are all going to be your opponents. They'll be ready and be tough so you guys need to get ready."
"Thank you Onii-sama." Rias says with a genuine smile.
"I'm surprised you're so serious Onee-sama." Sona says with a surprise. "So who will you be rooting for your lover Draconis or me your sister."
"That's easy I'll be rooting for you Sona. Issei is a wonderful lover, but you're my sister. I'll support you anyway I can that's why I gave you that outfit." Serafall says surprisingly serious. "I can't wait to watch you fight."
"Thank you Onee-sama" Sona says with a slight blush.
"Alright everybody let's go home." Rias says ending the day.
As the group heads home everybody is prepared for what surely will be a brutal battle. Rias is about to face her toughest opponent in Issei. Everybody is determined and ready to see what they can do. So the curtain rises on a critical battle.
That's it for Chapter 32 and the end of this aspect of Path of the Dragon. Next chapter will finish the training of the twin dragons with Katase. Afterwards the battle with Issei will begin. Get ready everybody this story is about to heat up. If people were wondering why gasper didn't train it's because Gaspers abilities to stop time may be useful but I don't want him in this battle.