"Okay, so the thing is we gotta find all these Vice Angels, stop some megalomaniac, and protect the Demon Universe as well as figure out how to get Mark back. Seems like our usual everyday." Rainbow said.
"Yeah, except we're under a time crunch." Jexi said.
"Okay, we already have gluttony, lust and wrath. And we know who Pride is. So we need to find the other five. Okay St. Erie, any idea where they are?" Akane asked Ira.
"You mean four."
"No, it's five. Greed, Envy, Melancholy, Vainglory and Sloth." Akane said.
"Anyways, I'm sorry to say that I don't have a clue." Ira said. "I just got back a few days ago, and I threw myself into this whole crazy fighting spree. Didn't bother to look them up." Ira said over the comm.
"Hmm...shouldn't be too hard to find angels right? Just look for people with wings on their backs." Franky said.
"It's not that easy, big guy." Panty said. "These guys have been around since before any of you were made. They'd be… well, I wouldn't say hiding, but they're not exactly shouting out their identities. Lucky for you dumbasses, I got an idea. You gotta have a database on this ship, right? Just type in their names and look 'em up."
"Well, nothing ventured, I suppose…" Double D said, bringing up the search engine. "Let's see… if all the angels follow the naming pattern set by Ira and Superbia, then they'll all be the Latin word for their sin. Therefore, if we put in the Latin word for greed… Eureka!" he exclaimed. "I believe I found something!"
"Avaritia?" Ace said.
"Huh, looks like he runs a business in the Demon Universe." Vector said.
"Indeed, and it's… a construction business?" Double D said. "Hmm, not the kind of business I was expecting, I must admit."
"Well, guess demons need houses too." Scarlet said. "Do we have coordinates in there?"
"Yeah. We got the main building." Franky said. "Let's try and get locals for the others while we got this thing up."
"Okay. Let's try the odd ones out. Vanum and Maesus." Jeremie said. "Oh...looks like they're both with the Prideful Crusade."
"So no help from them, got it." Kaminari said.
"All right. Let's try Acedia." Double D said. "Hmm… location unknown, last known sighting in Darkness Universe? That's odd…"
"We can come back to them, I guess." SE said. "What about the last one, Invidia?"
"Well, it does say she's located in a square in Future City in the Future Universe...but it says she hasn't moved from her spot in the last few centuries." Tails said.
"That sounds like a problem." Alkal said.
"Since we have his actual location, let's go meet with Avaritia first." Jexi said.
The Galaxy King headed to the Demon Universe, and the location of Avaritia's company. It was a large High-Rise building that stretched far up into the sky. The group disembarked and approached the building, where a few guards stopped them.
"State your business." one said.
"We're here to see Avaritia." Hope said.
"Sorry, Avaritia is busy right now. If you call the office, you can try and make an appointment-" the other guard said.
"This concerns Superbia. Tell him it's urgent." Hope said.
"...Well, I don't know what that name means, but okay." the first guard said as he pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Sir, the Hero Alliance is here to see you. Something about a 'Superbia'... alright." he said, turning back to the group. "He'll be right down."
After a few minutes, a well dressed man came out of the building and approached the group.
"Are you Avaritia, Vice Angel of Greed?" Ichiro asked.
"I haven't gone by that title for a long time, but yes." Avaritia said before he turned to the guards. "Go take a break, gentlemen, I'll handle this."
"Uh, sir, you know they're-"
"I know, I'll be fine. Go ahead."
"Well, alright." the second guard said as the two went inside the building.
"Now that they're gone, I believe I know why you're here." Avaritia said. "It's about Superbia's video, yes?"
"Yeah, we're here to ask for your help in stopping him." Zephyr said.
The Vice Angel of Greed then sighed. "I always feared this day would come… please, follow me. There are too many ears around here."
Avaritia led the group to a narrow alley, before he turned back to the group. "I apologize for the suspicious acts, but I'd rather not cause a panic by verifying the threat of my old friend."
"Wait, so the demons don't believe the guy is serious?" Bardock asked.
"Most don't, I'm afraid." Avaritia said. "And those that do believe that the Demon Lords will step up and repel the Crusade. However… three of the Demon Lords have left, unbeknownst to the public."
"Of course they would." Sheer said. "Those three are likely the smarter ones. They know things are going to go badly here."
"Exactly." Avaritia said. "Those three are the only ones who know how powerful Superbia truly is."
"Wait, so… just how powerful are we talking here?" ZS asked.
"At present? Powerful enough to slaughter what little remains of the Demon Lords." the Vice Angel said grimly. "And with his favored ability, Romanticist, I fear he may grow stronger still."
"Leviathan and Belphegor definitely aren't weak but they do see non demon species as weak. They will not last long. As for Mephisto, he hasn't been a demon lord long. He is the only one with any chance of survival." Sheer said.
"And Superbia is getting stronger?" Eddy said nervously. "Um, okay… guys, I'm starting to get a little scared here."
"It is wise to be wary." Avaritia said. "I knew Superbia back when I was his second-in-command in the Vice Angels. Back then, he was a decent man… besides his dislike of demons. Back then, I thought it understandable, considering his angel status, but… I never expected him to go this far."
"It's because he's become a Fallen Angel. And according to Ira, he's so deep in his sin, it's impossible for him to come back from it." Hope said.
"That's what I was afraid of…" Avaritia sighed. "That day… it must've done more to his psyche than I imagined."
"That day? You mean the day Ira went crazy?" Eddy asked.
"Yes, it was his first solo mission." Avaritia said. "Superbia was proud of him. We received communication from him for months, and then… the world he was on was destroyed, and Ira went on a rampage, destroying any world he came to. The day we fought, we almost all perished. Two of us did… the rest of us were saved by the intervention of the original Dimensional Heroes."
"I see….so it was Superbia who laid the final blow. That must have weighed on him for so long." Tanjirou said.
"The two were almost like brother and son, best friends." Avaritia reminisced. "The shock of what happened that day… it must have turned his dislike of demons into full-blown hatred."
"I fail to understand what demons have to do with all this." Double D said. "How would Ira's death be linked to Superbia's hatred of demons?"
"Because the mission Ira was sent on… had to do with an unofficial cult dedicated to Satan." Avaritia. "I did some digging afterwards, and it appears the cult was planning to unleash a beast they thought was a powerful servant of his. Complete lunacy, all of it."
"That's how most cults are, insane right off the bat." Ace said.
"Insane, and almost successful." Avaritia said. "From what I gathered, they had a ritual where they sacrificed a pure maiden, which would open a gate for the beast. However, whatever it was, it didn't get far."
"Because Ira killed it when he started his rampage!" Issei realized.
"What was the name of it?" Spade asked.
"Samael." Sheer said.
"The Poison of God." Miriam said.
"Satan's successor and the beast known as the Demon Universe's most destructive dragon." Sheer said.
"Well, destructive or not, Ira's attack on it heavily damaged it." Avaritia said. "Superbia wanted it killed, but… the rest of us did not agree. We had already lost three of our numbers, and we knew we stood no chance. That is why we disbanded."
"He makes Bael sound like child's play." Al said.
"So that's why Superbia started the crusade." Emo mused. "I guess I kinda get where he's coming from, but he's going way too far, wanting every demon dead."
"All because he couldn't kill one demonic monster? That's so stupid." Saki said.
"While I understand his pain, he can't just annihilate the Demon Universe. It'll upset the balance of the worlds." Madoka said.
"That is right. There's a balance that needs to be maintained." Sheer said. "Plus if the Demon Universe is gone, you would be out of a business. I think that should be enough enticement to get you to join our cause."
"That is secondary." Avaritia stated. "Primarily, if the Demon Universe is destroyed, billions upon trillions will perish. I cannot allow that."
"Plus, demons aren't the only beings in this universe. Humans live here too." Madoka said.
"Yeah, if this plan of his works, he'll kill all the humans too." Issei said. "What, does he just not care?"
"I want to say no, but… at this point, I cannot say." Avaritia said. "Thus, I will join you against the Prideful Crusade."
"Alright! That's seven down, two to go." Eddy said. "Now we gotta find Invidia and Acedia."
"Actually… I believe I know where you can find Acedia." Avaritia said.
"Yeah. It said their last known whereabouts was the Darkness Universe but nothing about it was current." Tails said.
"That is because the place they may be cannot be found on any map." the Vice Angel said. "We must travel to the Darkness Universe, then I can show you."
"Well then, guess we're heading to the Darkness Universe again." Moltar said.
"Yeah, remember to pack your flashlights!" ZS chorteled.
"Let's…" Issei said as his comm buzzed. "Huh? Oh, it's… what the hell?!"
"Issei, what's wrong?" Shirou asked.
"I'll tell you what's wrong, Ira was way off! The Prideful Crusade is attacking our world right now!" Issei said.
"What?!" the group exclaimed.
"You guys need to go and defend your home." Hope said.
"But if they do, they'll…" SE started.
"There's no choice in this, except theirs." Bardock said. "With Mark out of commission, I'm in charge of Team Chronicle. Occult Research Club, if you truly really want to go and defend your world, I'll give you leave."
"Is that even worth a question?" Issei said, summoning Boosted Gear to his arm. "Of course we're going! Right everyone?"
"Of course." Rias said. "Everyone, continue on without us. We'll contact you if… when we repel the invasion."
"You sure you guys will be alright?" Rin asked.
"Don't worry, we've dealt with worse than some wannabe Crusade." Koneko said.
"We wish you the best of luck, everyone." Kiba bowed.
"Yes! I know you guys can do it!" Asia said. "You can save Mark, I know it!"
"Farewell, everyone. We'll give the Crusade a bit of punishment for you all." Akeno giggled as the group raced to use one of the Galaxy King's scout ships.
"I hope they'll be okay…" Hope said. "Right now though, we've gotta hurry and find Invidia and Acedia."
"Yeah." Jexi said as he watched the ship leave the Galaxy King. "You guys...why do I get the feeling this may be our last meeting?" he pondered as they sped off.