Flashback

Doragonzu speaking

(Ddraig speaking)

[Albion speaking]

Author note

Chapter 9 - New course, same obstacles

"This alliance...is temporary, have no delusions otherwise."

The club room went to silence after that.

"Well, maybe we'll be able to form a...prolonged alliance in the future? Who knows, maybe I can offer you something you'd like." Rias insisted.

"Forget it, Ichigo. Whatever you offer, I'll decline."

"Not even fame, glory, money, power?"

"I have 3 of those already. Anyway, let's move on to more pressing matters. You said the fallen in the church kidnapped one of your own peerage members, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." Koneko said with her monotone voice.

"Is it because she possesses a sacred gear of sort?" Ryūno asked.

"Yes, she has twilight healing, a very powerful sacred gear able to heal any wound, and to any living being." Akeno answered.

Ryūno looked confused, why would fallen angels, want something like that in particular?

"What's wrong, Ryūno?" Kiba asked.

"No offense, but why would they take her, of all people? She's not the only one who possesses a sacred gear here, correct me if I'm wrong, but Kiba has one, as well as Hyoudou, correct?"

"That's...right." Rias didn't know where he was going with this.

"Then why not take Hyoudou, for example? His sacred gear far exceeds the power of any healing type gear that I know, so wouldn't he make more sense to kidnap?" Ryūno asked.

"The reason they took Asia is because she's not properly trained in self-defense, meaning she can't fight back or do anything."

Ryūno deadpanned at that.

"What?" Rias asked.

"Let me get this straight. You have a medic in your peerage, with one of the most powerful healing sacred gears that exist, and yet you didn't train her in defense, not even the basics?"

Rias had to agree that he had a point, even though she wouldn't admit it.

"W-well, no, b-"

Ryūno could only facepalm at that.

"Your insolent imbecility is making the blood in my brain boil. When we get her back, you had best train her in defense, or else she'll end up worse one day."

"She's a nun from a church who's barely a teen! How can we teach her combat?!" Issei yelled.

"She's a nun from a church who got resurrected into one of the most dangerous peerages to ever exist. Understand, you're gonna be a prime target for devils. You have Lucifers sister, Baraqiels daughter, one of the few surviving nekomatas to ever exist, a survivor of one of the deadliest holy-sword projects, a girl with immense healing capabilities, and finally...The Red Dragon Emperor."

Everyone gasped at that.

"How do you-" Koneko was cut off.

"I do research on both my allies and enemies, my dear. It's not a surprise that I know all about your heritage, and how some of you regret being part of it."

Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba looked down.

"...Knowing all of this, d-do you think we're monsters?" Akeno asked worriedly.

"No, you three are the furthest thing from monsters, me and Rias, on the other hand... " Ryūno looked over to Rias.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. I'll explain it to you in private one day, I wouldn't wanna say this in front of your peer-no, family."

Everyone except Rias smiled a bit at that.

"I don't get how I could be a monster. I'm part of the Gremory household, one of the kindest ones that have existed."

"You're nothing like your brother, Rias." Ryūno replied.

"You've met Sirzechs?" Kiba asked.

"Surprisingly, yes. About 2 years ago."

"Can you tell us about it?" Koneko asked in her monotone voice, but she was genuinely curious to hear his story.

Rias and everyone else agreed and looked over to him.

"Hmm, well, I don't see why not. Alright, listen up, it's gonna be a bit lengthy."

Everyone paid close attention and listened carefully.

"2 years ago, I was searching for a worthy battle, getting bored of winning easily over and over again. I decided to pay a visit to the underworld. It took time and effort to get around in a new environment, but I managed to survive. Unbeknownst to me, I was actually in your territory, Rias."

"Wait, really? What were you doing there?" Rias asked.

"I was lost...in an unknown part of the underworld. I thought I'd never make it back, but then, a surprisingly tall man in intimidating armor, came up to me..."

Ryūno was growling in pain from all of the burns he had gotten on his torso, he had trained near a volcano for days now, and he had gotten injured.

"Doragonzu, how the hell do I make it out of here?" Ryūno asked his partner.

"I am sorry, partner, but you do not have the current strength to teleport now, trying to do so would-stop." Doragonzu stopped his explanation.

Ryūno ceased walking and took a look at his gauntlet.

"What is it, Doragonzu?"

"I sense an extremely powerful presence, be on your guard."

Ryūno looked around himself, to spot a certain red teleportation circle.

"Who is that?" Ryūno asked.

"Lucifer..." Doragonzu said quietly.

"Lucifer..?" Ryūno repeated.

Two men arose from the circle.

"Sirzechs, are you sure someone's trespassing here?"

"Yes, Ajuka. Their presence can be felt from miles." A red-haired man replied.

Ryūno just looked at them in awe.

"I think we should head back, it's probably-" The other man stopped talking as he saw a boy standing not far from him.

"Who are you?" The red-haired man asked.

"Identify yourself, you are trespassing on Gremory territory." Ajuka added.

"Gremory territory?" Ryūno asked.

"I'll ask again, who are you?" Sirzechs asked but with a more commanding voice this time.

"Forgive my rudeness, allow me to introduce myself..."

"I am humanity's strongest!" Ryūno said as he erupted in flames.

A/N - Play Theme "Divine Emperor."

"Dragonic alter: Balance Breaker!" Ryūno yelled.

"But you can call me...The Dragon Emperor!"

"A balance breaker?" Ajuka asked.

"Not just any balance breaker, the balance breaker of...The Forbidden Sacred Gear: Doragonzu!" Ryūno added

Suddenly, Ryūno transformed into an orange and red Chinese spirit dragon.

Sirzechs' and Ajuka's mouths were agape at this, as they stared at something that they have not seen in years.

"Doragonzu..." Sirzechs whispered.

"Incredible." Ajuka added again.

"Now watch, devils! As I strip the flesh from your bones!"

"Ajuka, help me take him down, I have questions." Sirzechs asked of him.

"Yes, as do I." They both nodded at each other and started to use their magic against Ryūno.

"You're smart, you know physical attacks will not damage me, just who are you?" They both ignored his question and kept attacking, Ryūno however, was really fast, so he dodged the magic easily.

"Not bad, but not enough!" Ryūno said as he charged towards Ajuka, who he actually managed to knock down on his knees.

"He's strong, for such youth..." Ajuka said whilst getting back up.

"Indeed, I fear I might have to use my power of destruction..." Sirzechs said.

"That would kill him."

"I guess we will find out."

As they said that, the dragon started breathing fire again, Ajuka and Sirzechs however, put up a barrier in front of them.

"Partner, stop using the balance breaker! You are far too damaged to use it!" Doragonzu warned his partner.

"If I stop using it, they'll just kill me, might as well try." Ryūno replied.

"Enough of this, as the current devil king, I have to eliminate all possible threats to the underworld..." Sirzechs said as he was charging up his power of destruction.

"Ruin the extinct..."

The power of destruction headed towards Ryūno at incredible speeds, eventually reaching the spirit dragon. The dragon roared in pain as it felt the power of the current devil king, eventually, the dragon spirit started disappearing, the only thing that was left was a really damaged Ryūno.

Ryūno was crouching on one leg, trying to get up, but his body wasn't listening to him.

"He's...still alive?" Sirzechs asked in awe.

"Indeed, it looks like he's stronger than he appears." Ajuka agreed.

Ryūno got up as they were walking towards them, holding his bleeding shoulder with one hand, and summoning fire with the other.

Sirzechs, seeing he's still trying to fight, summoned his power of destruction as well.

"Enough, both of you. We've seen enough destruction as it is." Ajuka stopped both of them. Sirzechs withdrew his power, and after a bit, Ryūno as well.

Ryūno held his bleeding shoulder again and was panting heavily.

"Young man, what's your name?" Sirzechs asked.

"Huh?"

"You have immense power and strength, especially for someone your age. I have not known many people who have survived Sirzechs' power of destruction, it is beyond impressive you did." Ajuka explained.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Ryūno asked.

"We wish to meet you again someday, your sacred gear is a treasured item amongst the underworld."

"Yeah...I've had my fair share of people saying that as well." Ryūno commented.

"Oh? And what happened to them?" Ajuka asked.

Ryūno hesitated a bit before answering.

"They're dead."

...

"Well, I can't exactly blame you, I am a man a freedom, after all." Sirzechs answered.

"Tell us, young one, what is your name?" Ajuka asked.

"...Ryūno."

Back to the present.

"After that, they helped me get back to Kyoto, I was badly damaged and needed care." Ryūno ended his story.

"Incredible..." Akeno was at a loss for words.

"Amazing, facing the current Devil King, and surviving his power of destruction, that's quite a feat..." Kiba praised.

"True, and least he's good in combat, unlike blue balls over here." Koneko insulted Issei.

"Hey, he's had years of training!" Issei defended himself.

"True, I have. And yes, your brother really is a tough cookie. I had to recover for a full week after that fight."

"You...fought my brother, and got away with it?" Rias was surprised the most.

"Indeed I did, maybe it was because I wasn't a devil or fallen angel, I am human, after all."

"You said you were gonna meet him again, when?" Akeno asked.

"I don't know, we didn't see each other again after that, though I have a feeling...that we'll see each other again real soon."

"Why didn't my brother tell me any of this?!" Rias was confused. Ryūno just shrugged.

"He probably just forgot, from what I can tell, he's a pretty care-free guy."

"Well, you're right." Akeno giggled.

"Alright, we have to prepare to attack the church, I hope you enjoyed my story. Take it as inspiration for what's about to happen, if you will."

"Right." Kiba agreed.

"Sure." Koneko added.

"Alright, handsome." Akeno complemented.

"Man, I wish I was as strong as you." Issei said with jealousy.

"Well, train hard, and you might be able to be. Let's head out, the church awaits."

Time skip, Kuoh Church, 4 PM EST. Ryūno's POV.

Rias and her peerage were hiding behind the bushes near the church, along with Ryūno.

"Alright, guys. What tactic do we use, do we go in loud, or stealthy?" Rias asked everyone.

"I'd say-" Kiba was interrupted by Ryūno.

"Loud, stealth is boring." as he proceeded to walk out of the bushes and towards the door of the church.

"I like his style." Koneko said.

"Ugh, fine, let's go, everyone." Rias and her peerage followed after.

Ryūno kept walking until he reached the church doors, he then proceeded to kick them down.

"Anyone in there?" Ryūno asked no one in particular.

...

"Well, look who it is!" A voice was heard.

"Hmm?" Ryūno hummed in confusion, until he saw someone standing there, with a devilish smile.

"Hello there, my dear friend! I am Freed Sellzen, and I'm here to kill you!" He said excitedly whilst skipping around in circles.

"Actually, that would be me." Ryūno replied.

"Ohoho, you're surprisingly calm for someone who's about to get diced up into pieces!"

"Nothing here can hurt me." Ryūno replied without an expression.

"We'll see about that, devil trash!" Freed said as he charged towards

'Devil trash?' Ryūno thought.

'This fool is not worth our time partner, let the devils deal with him.'

'You're right, I've gotta find Kalawarner, and then rescue Asia, it might make them trust me more.'

Freed continued charging at Ryūno, until he was completely gone from his sight.

"Huh? What? Where'd he go?" Freed looked around him and saw that Ryūno was behind him.

"Huh, how'd you get there?" Freed asked.

"Look behind you." Ryūno said in a cold tone.

"Wha?" Freed was slashed in the chest by Kiba.

"You should really pay attention, Freed." Kiba mocked.

"Oh, goodie! Devils aligning with more shitty devils! Fantastic! I'll enjoy killing you all. But you cutie, you'll have to wait, I wanna slice up that rude coat-caped bastard-" Freed turned around and saw him continuing to walk towards the basement of the church.

"Hey, don't you walk away-"

"Pay attention!" Rias yelled as she used her power of destruction.

Whilst that battle was going on, Ryūno was walking towards the basement, where he sensed a fallen angel and a devil.

"How interesting, I wonder what's happening over there..." Ryūno said to no one in particular.

He opened the doors to the basement, to only see a very disgusting sight.

A blond girl was nailed to a cross, half-naked, and injured badly.

"What an unholy sight." Ryūno commented.

"That was a terrible joke, partner."

"Everyone's a critic..."

" ūno?" Asia called out to him, half dead.

"Oh, you're still alive, good. That'll make this easier." Ryūno said as he turned to the fallen angel beside him.

"Who the hell are you?!" She screamed.

"Your demise." Ryūno said as he took out his amulet from his gauntlet.

"What are you-" before she could finish, he fired the amulets magic at her, knocking her down quickly.

"Stay down." Ryūno said sternly. He later walked over to Asia's body, releasing her from the cross, and carrying her body.

"T-thank you." Asia said.

Ryūno didn't say anything and simply nodded, before using his red lightning to teleport over to the outside of the church.

Outside of the church, Akeno, Koneko, and Rias could be seen, Akeno was zapping Dohnaseek, and Koneko was fighting with Mittlet.

Rias saw him with Asia's body.

"Ryūno!" She shouted. Ryūno walked over to her, handing Asia to Rias. Rias set Asia down near a nearby tree so that she could heal her.

"We need to get her sacred gear back, or she'll die!" Rias told Ryūno.

"Yeah, fine, I'm on it." Ryūno teleported inside again.

"Hehehehe, that fool left me. That little girl will die without this sacred gear and-" Her monologuing was stopped by Ryūno entering the room.

"I've heard enough of this appalling nonsense." He said as he started transforming into his spirit dragon form.

"W-wait, what are you..."

"Akeno, nice job neutralizing Dohnaseek!"

"Hehehe, it was my pleasure, president."

"Fly." Koneko said, punching Mittlet into the wall.

"Nice one Koneko."

Issei and Kiba were heading out of the church as well.

"Asia!" Issei screamed.

"I-Issei?" she was happy she saw him.

"Oh, thank Satan you're alive!" Issei was on the verge of tears.

"We need to get her sacred gear back, she doesn't have much time." Kiba reminded.

"Yes, Ryūno is already inside the church where Raynare is."

"Then let's go help him!" Akeno suggested.

"Right!"

They ran towards the church, when all of a sudden...

The church's wall exploded, and what came out of it was an orange spirit dragon, in its mouth, the fallen angel Raynare.

"W-what is that?" Issei asked.

"A...dragon?" Rias was amazed.

"Wait, look, it has something!"

"Raynare!"

As they said that, the dragon kept flying, and hurting Raynare, before launching her into a tree.

The dragon finally released the wounded fallen angel, as she laid near the tree, covered in blood, missing a wing and a broken leg as well as tears on her face.

"A-ah, s-stay away! H-help. Mittlet, D-Dohnaseek, anyone?!" Raynare cried out, but no one came to help her.

The orange spirit dragon transformed back to reveal Ryūno, standing there, a dark orange glow tinting his eyes.

"Walk it off." He said carelessly, moving closer to her.

"N-no, please, no more!" He didn't listen to her and kept moving closer to her.

He looked at her fingers, to find a ring.

"I'll take that." He took the ring of her fingers.

"I believe this is yours." Ryūno said tossing the sacred gear back to Rias. Rias put the sacred gear back on Asia's finger, and Asia already started looking more alive.

"R-Rias, Issei?" Asia said weakly.

"Thank Satan, you're alright!" Issei said hugging her.

Everyone else in her peerage smiled sweetly at her, before looking over to Raynare and Ryūno.

Ryūno was looking at Raynare with an intense glare, Raynare was shivering.

"I'll do whatever you want! Just please...don't kill me."

"You know what, I feel merciful today, I'll spare you if you can tell me where your friend 'Kalawarner' is."

"Like I'd ever-" Ryūno wasn't having any of it, he picked her up, and broke one of her fingers.

"Don't test me. You still have a lot of bones left that I could break." Ryūno said coldly.

"Y-you're insane!" Raynare cried out.

"Maybe I am." Ryūno replied, breaking her second finger, which Raynare screamed at.

"Goddamn, your voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Just tell me where your friend is."

"S-she's gonna come here tomorrow, she got delayed, so she wasn't there today, please, stop..."

Ryūno finally got the information he needed and dropped her on the ground.

"W-wait, you're just gonna leave me here?"

"Yes? What of it?"

"I'll die! You have to help me!" Raynare yelled.

"I said I'd spare you, not help you. Adios fallen angel." Ryūno said as he started walking off.

Rias' peerage looked at Ryūno with a mix of fear and happiness at the same time.

"T-thanks for helping us bring back Asia." Koneko thanked him, a bit scared.

Ryūno nodded.

"No problem, kitty." Koneko looked away from him, what a weird compliment...

"See you tomorrow, everyone." Ryūno said as he walked away from the church.

Everyone smiled and waved at him.

"He's scary..." Koneko said

"But, he did bring back Asia, we have to thank him for that." Kiba added.

"We will, tomorrow. As for Raynare..." Rias looked over to where Raynare was laying, only to see her not there anymore.

"That's strange...well, in any case, good job, everyone. Let's head home." Rias and her peerage went on their ways.

Ryūno was walking towards his house, he still remembered he had to tend to Kuroka, and somehow make her a meal...

'I cannot wait for tomorrow, Doragonzu.'

'Indeed partner, you may finally get your long-awaited revenge.'

'Kalawarner, your death inches closer...and every bit closer.'

To be continued...