I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed.
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
Story 16: A Tale of Two Dragons.
Long ago, before Adam, Lilith, and Eve. Back in a time when the planet earth was mainly the home of dragons, yokai, and other species, a particular pair of dragons met in the most unexpected of circumstances.
A meeting that leads to the beginning of an unusual relationship.
Location: Third level of the Underworld.
An ocean of blood is the most accurate description of this area of the multilevel realm that was the underworld.
The place reak of the scent of blood, and barely now land was available for anyone to stand up. Yet a very particular dragon enjoyed the challenge of this place.
"Come on, give up. I craving to consume you." A young spiky-headed dragon said as he used his tail as a fishing pole.
A large creature deep within the waves of scarlet waves continued to fight back as it tried to get away.
"I'm reeling you in for dinner," Ddraig said as he pulled his tail back alongside his prey.
The upper part of the creature starts to show up on the surface.
"That's it come to papa. I'm making you into a great banquet for myself." Ddraig's mouth began to water up as his mind ran wild with ideas for what to make with his prey after he was done fishing.
The creature's jaw bit down harder before it tried returning to the depths.
"Not happening!" Ddraig used all his strength and pulled his tail up to bring the beast to the surface.
The beast's entire body got dragged out of the water and into the surface. It was as large as a yacht. A hard rocky shell covered its outer skin. It had the shape of a prehistoric fish with at least six tentacles. It had six red eyes, and its scales were white.
The beast tried to swallow the Welsh Dragon up as it came down. The dragon smirks before he pulls his right arm back.
"Eat this!" He transforms his arm back into its proper draconic form.
His claws go inside the beast and pierce its most crucial internal organs. He made a kebab out of the fish creature, and its eyes closed in seconds as the blood poured out of its body.
"Thank you for being a good prey. I promised to enjoy your meat until the last bite." Ddraig says as it admires the body of the beast. "I will have to drain you from your blood and clean you well. The waters of this place are highly toxic and have a pretty disgusting taste."
As he kept enjoying his moment of well-deserved pride, Ddraig ignored the space rift that was opening on top of him.
A giant space rift the size of a large star got forcefully opened, and from it, the massive head of the Ouroboros dragon descended. It was severely injured, and its eyes were closed.
Ddraig instincts reacted at the last moment. The dragon's head turns upwards. "Oh, hell no." Ddraig spreads his wings and rushes away while dragging his prey along.
He tries his hardest to escape, but the Ouroboros dragon's head is too big. "Come on, Ddraig, dying by being crushed by a massive unconscious dragon is not something you want." The Welsh Dragon stops and chooses to face the thing with raw force.
Ddraig completely transforms into his proper form before he charges up his most potent attack. A large energy sphere starts to take shape in his mouth before he charges it up and shoots it against the head of the Ouroboros dragon.
A large explosion occurs as soon as the sphere makes contact with the head, but the explosion isn't big enough or strong enough to cause significant damage to the massive head.
"Danmit!" Ddraig curses himself as the head continues to descend. "This is not the way I wanted to die. I haven't done so many things!" Choosing not to give up that easily, Ddraig continues to fire attacks against the massive head. "Wake up, damn it!"
Ophis POV.
Ophis had lost again. Their battles always ended in Ophis's defeat. Ophis had limitless and infinite power, yet their matches always ended in Ophis's defeat. It was too big to be injured and practically invulnerable to damage, but against Great Red, none of it mattered.
"Why do I lose to him every time?"
"Wake up."
"I just want to go back home."
"Wake up."
"I just want to go back to nothingness."
"Danm it, Wake Up!"
A loud voice kept ringing in her ear. As Ophis opened its eyes, the sight of a tiny crimson dragon came into view. The dragon was practically a fly compared to its own body, but it kept shooting attacks against Ophis for some reason.
The Ouroboros dragon seemed to tire to take the smaller seriously, so it transformed into the shape of a frail older man wearing a black robe. Its body continues to descend into the waters of the blood ocean without showing any care about its survival.
"I just want to disappear."
Ophis closed its eyes and sank into the waters. The blood ocean was filled with deadly creatures ready to attack anything stupid enough to enter the waters.
The creatures surrounded the body in a matter of milliseconds before they went for the kill.
What should have ended on an easy kill was quickly interrupted by a particular dragon showing up at the last second.
Ophis's body was rescued by Ddraig, who grabbed it with his tail before he fought back the creatures surrounding them with his claws and fangs.
Ophis opened its eyes to see the underwater fight for a moment. "Eh... why are you doing this? Nobody can damage me. I'm immortal." Ophis fell to the deepest of dreams while Ddraig continued to fight.
A least 7 hours after; Location: earth.
When Ophis opened its eyes again, the location had changed once more. Ophis quickly realized that this was no longer the blood ocean from before; its body was now lying on top of the sand of some unknown beach.
The sky on top was filled with stars, and the chilly breeze reaching Ophis's body made the dragon shiver.
"You finally up?" A voice asks.
Ophis starts to stand up just to see the spiky green hair of Ddraig. The dragon was sitting in front of a large bonfire. Several sticks filled with a combination of fish meat and some kind of vegetables were placed close enough to the fire to get cooked.
"I thought that you were going to sleep for a century. It is the first time I have seen somebody commit suicide by allowing themselves to be eaten alive. Heck, this is the first time I ever saw a suicide attempt. I thought that the concept was a lie. Who in their right mind would choose death before their time is up? There's so much to try and do." The dragon said nonchalantly.
Ophis didn't seem amused by Ddraig's words. "Why did you interfere? I'm immortal." Its voice sounded broken and didn't seem to be even it's own.
"Immortal, yes, but you still feel pain, don't you? Ouroboros dragon, this is the first time we have met. Hello, my name is Y Ddraig Goch. Thank you for not crushing me with your body."
"..." Ophis looks unamused. "Why did you interfere?"
"Was I supposed to let you drown? You look injured, and I wanted to at least pay you back for not crushing me. Although you're to blame for it to begin with."
"Right." Ophis started to stand up. Its pale old body lacked hair except for a long white beard. Its black eyes were as lifeless as they came. Ophis wanted to get away, but its stomach started to rumble. "Stupid hunger."
"That sounds like someone hasn't eaten in years. Want to try some of my food?" Ddraig says as he offers Ophis one of his fish kebabs.
Ophis's mouth waters as the scent of the kebab reach its nose.
"Go ahead; it's not poison," Ddraig says while he takes a bite from the one he was eating. "That hits the right spot."
Ophis's hands slowly reach out for the stick. Its instinct becomes unbearable, and in an instant, the Ouroboros dragon eats the kebab with newly found energy.
"How is it?"
"More," Ophis replies.
"Oh, that's good. Here you go. It is good to know that my preparation was good. Draining the blood and cleaning the meat was a hassle. After that, it came down to knowing which spices to use and which veggies to go well alongside them. I learned about these things during my trips to Svarga. Those guys know a lot when it comes to spices."
"Stop talking and give me food," Ophis retorted.
"Hey, now one must appreciate food and how it got created. Thank the Hindu servants for it. This kebab tastes so well, mainly from what I learned from them."
"I don't care."
"You ungrateful brat."
"Food."
"Bitch!"
Thus began a back-and-forth between the dragons as Ddraig got angry about Ophis's lack of interest in carefully preparing the shelled beast from the blood ocean.
After an hour, the dragons had eaten the shelled beast entirely; both dragons were now resting in front of the bonfire.
Ddraig eyes were fixed on the sky above them.
A large white halo continued to spin around the planet as a sign that Gaia was still protecting their home.
"Mother Gaia, thanks for allowing me to bring this brat here. Another being has finally enjoyed my seafood plates." The dragon puts his hands together and silently gives a prayer to his mother figure.
"You pray to gods?"
"I pay my respects to Mother Gaia. This place has been my home since the beginning, thanks to her. So yes, I do pray to one goddess. She allowed me to bring your unconscious body here."
"She did?"
"Yes. Welcome to Gaia's garden of Eden. The exclusive season is now, meaning only a select group can enter. The rules are simple, don't start troubles inside the planet, and don't attack Gaia. Simple enough, right?"
"... You're an idiot."
"I'm just trying to ensure you don't mess up this chance. Also, why did you choose that form? It doesn't feel right with you."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't feel like an old man that sounds like he's about to die. I heard you could take any form, but this one feels weird. Feels like you're forcing yourself to appear older."
"Idiot, I-" Ophis stops. The dragon couldn't remember why it had chosen the form of a frail older man. "I can't remember."
"See? It feels weird, even the way your voice sounds. This appearance matches my dragon form; Tiamat looks like a young lady with pale blue hair because it matches her, and Midgarsormr looks like a man with platinum hair because it fits him. Every single one of us has a human form that matches ourselves, something that feels personal. So you should try it as well."
"Personal?"
"Yes. Think about it."
Ophis grew silent as it began to think about it. "Personal, something that matches my proper form. Black like the void of my home. Big like my dragon form?" Ophis went deep into the rabbit hole.
Her form started to change while Ddraig watched with curiosity.
From a young man, an older woman, an athletic bald man, and even a baby, Ophis continued to change until it finally settled on a young girl with black hair and black eyes. Pointy ears and small stature. She looks like a young child, but for some reason, she feels comfortable.
"How does it feel?"
"It feels-"
"Change the masculine voice. It sounds as broken as before."
"... Idiot." Ophis takes a second before she settles down for a new one. "What about now?" Her voice sounds feminine and young, a bit on the older side.
"Much better. Now how do you feel now?"
"... Better. I never noticed how weird it feels to walk around like an older man."
"See?"
Ophis looks a bit annoyed by his teasing tone. "Why are you so friendly? I'm stronger than you. You should fear me."
"Why should I fear you? you're not a fighter." Ddraig's tone turns serious.
"Not a what?"
"A fighter, a warrior; you lack any fighting spirit."
"You're calling me weak?"
Ddraig shakes his head. "Indeed, you're stronger than me, and I wouldn't challenge you, but it is not because of your power. I don't challenge you due to your lack of fighting spirit. Ophis, of all of the dragons I meet in my short life, you're the only one without a fighting spirit."
Ddraig stands up and while he looks at her. "Everyone I ever fought, even those I didn't respect, had a fighting spirit—a desire to win against me or kill me in battle. The driving force that pushes them to challenge me. You have none of that."
"I don't have a fighting spirit?"
"No, but that's not wrong. Many lack a fighting spirit. Not everyone is a fighter; some can't pick a sword or throw a punch."
Ophis stands up, and her eyes fire up. "You are a cheeky bastard for even saying something like that." She transforms her arm and tries to cut him down with her claws.
Ddraig easily blocks the attack, but instead of fighting back, he pats her head. "Don't try it. I won't fight you. You're not my enemy or adversary."
Ophis's eyes grow wide as she sees him turn around and show her his hack.
"This back is filled with the scars of my fights. You can attack me now, but you'll never leave a lasting mark. You're not a fighter Ophis; whatever you're trying to reach by facing Great Red can't be achieved with your hands. You can't win against him. Find another way to reach your desire or find something else to feel the void."
Ophis couldn't say a word. Ddraig had practically crashed her dreams with just a few words. "What am I supposed to do then?"
"Only you can find that answer. Good luck, Ophis. May you find that answer soon enough." Ddraig quickly transformed before he flew into the sky.
Ophis could only watch as he disappeared.
That day marked Ophis's existence. Nothing was the same after that.
Since that day, Ophis silently chased after him trying to know what he meant for a fighting spirit. She watched every one of his fights, the ones he won and even those he lost. She began to stalk his every movement as she tried to understand him and what made him different from her.
She practically became his stalker as she followed him everywhere without him knowing.
Even on the day he died against the united power of several factions.
Ophis, watch him at his most broken. His wings had been cut to pieces, his left eye had been crushed into mush, his horns were broken, and Shiva ripped two of his limbs. Odin had pierced his remaining heart with his spear, and even then, Ddraig fought back.
"Why?"
He was attacked from all sides.
"Why do you keep fighting?"
Albion got up and fought alongside him. They were determined to fight until their bodies couldn't move anymore.
"Is this an idiot's determination? You're not immortal."
The pair roared as they fought back. They bleed profusely from every corner. The reapers were patiently waiting on the sidelines to claim their souls.
"Why are you like this, Ddraig?"
He was finally killed after receiving a combined beam attack from several gods, including the bible god.
After the war and by the time every survivor returned to their pantheons, Ophis decided to return to the place where Ddraig got slain. Her hands touched the spot where the Welsh dragon made his last stand.
"I'm not like you. You were right. I don't have what it takes, but you do." A twisted idea formed that day in her mind. A vision in which Ddraig returned and became her replacement in the fight against Great Red.
The dragon grew a twisted grim at the idea of finally killing Great Red with Ddraig's help.
Yet, in the present.
"Ophis want an ice cream cone?" Ddraig asks as the pair walks through a dock packed with food stands and fair games.
"No," Ophis replies as she walks alongside him while holding a teddy bear in her hands. She was hugging the thing with all of the care in the world.
"You know, an Ice cream won't damage the bear. I can hold it while you eat."
Ophis shakes her head. "I won this myself; I want to hold it."
The dragon couldn't help but smile at her reactions."Too cute." His eyes turn to the sky as he remembers their first meeting.
"It was a night like this. Do you remember?"
Ophis takes a few seconds to reply.
"No, it wasn't," Ophis says after she connects the dots. "It was much beautiful back then and much quiet."
"True. Do you remember the kebabs?"
"I do. I'm waiting for the day you prepare some more."
"Only if you promise to listen to my suggestions a bit more."
"I'm willing to negotiate," Ophis replied. "They truly left us by ourselves."
"They are close by, so don't you worry. Let's enjoy the moment. I'm still curious about some things."
"What things?"
"What did you do after we separated that night? I never looked for you, but I never heard about another fight between you and the old man. You disappeared from everyone's radar."
"I did, but I also didn't. I was always around you; You just didn't see me."
"Really? That power of yours is a nasty one. So what did you see me doing?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Don't I have the right to know what my little stalker was doing?"
Ophis rolls her eyes. "I saw you and Tiamat taking a lava bath in Muspelheim. I saw your visits to Hephaestus over the years. I was present during your heist in Asgard. That one time you fought Grendell? I was also there. You tend to go fishing in dangerous places that are practically uninhabitable. You ironically evaded 99% of females except for Tiamat, so there are no romantic moments to tell. Except for one time you got hit on by an amazonian and rejected her advances before she tried to kill you, and you had to knock her out; I was on the sidelines eating a few fruits. I could quickly write a book about your past, which would sell off quite well."
"You're quite the stalker. Please don't go inside my room with Tiamat. I prefer if my private affairs stay private."
"I won't. I prefer if I don't have to beat her again."
"... Will you ever tell me why you two fought in the past? Tiamat doesn't want to talk about it."
"..." Ophis looks at the sky. "After the war, I keep visiting where they killed you. One of those times, she was there. We argued about you. I told her that she didn't do anything to stop you, so she shouldn't be depressed. She argued that I was a child that knew nothing. The rest is history."
Ddraig didn't know what to say at first.
"Don't fight again. I don't want any of that happening in our home. I'm not an acceptable reason for anyone to fight about, especially not my former self. If you two have a reason to argue, never turn to violence. Leave the fighting to me."
Ophis saw the seriousness on his face. "... I know. You're my sword, after all. Make my dream a reality, and I won't lift a finger."
"Got it." The pair continued to walk in silence until the rest of their group finally caught up to them.
"Ophis-sama, we found more games with cute prices over there," Sona said as she approached the dragon.
Tsubaki was right behind her while she carried a giant bunny.
"I couldn't believe it when you told me about this, Sona. You're friends with the Ouroboros dragon." Rias said.
"Acquaintances. It is still too early for that kind of terminology." Ophis said.
"Ophis-sama, don't say that." Sona's face saddened at Ophis's dejection.
"Ophis is a tsundere; don't take it too hard," Tiamat said as she approached them with other group members.
"Cow tits." Ophis turns to Tiamat.
"Midget."
"Loli-baba."
"Shota lover."
"Food black hole."
"Lustful dragon."
Sparks fly as the two dragons face each other.
"They never change," Gabriel said with a cheerful smile.
"Just wait; one day, you and I will face each other like this." Serafall stood beside Gabriel with a calm smile.
"Lord Welsh, I need some help with the kids!" Raynare said as the younger members of the group dragged her around.
"Candy!" Tosca screamed as her sweet tooth guided her. She was holding Le Fay over her shoulder like a bag of potatoes as she went on a sugar rampage. The young blonde was laughing and enjoying her time.
"Tosca, stop!" Isaiah tried her best to stop her.
"Tosca, wait for us." Gasper and Valerie were right behind them.
"Tried to keep up, girls!" Valerie said as she smiled at the girl behind them.
"So what should we try next, Asia?" Kuroka asks as she calmly walks with Asia, Akeno, Vali, and her sister.
"I don't know. What's left on the list, Shirone?" Asia turns to the younger sister.
"Corndogs and caramel apples. We have tried almost everything on the list." Shirone replies.
"I don't think I can eat another piece of candy." Akeno admits as she holds her mouth.
"I feel you. I don't know how dragons can do it." Vali did the same.
The Welsh Dragon couldn't help but smile. As his eyes looked around and saw them interacting and having fun with each other, he couldn't help but smile.
"We'll put our lives on the line to protect all of this," Issei told his partner.
"Is worth it. The joy I felt while facing Albion can't reach my satisfaction now."
"Is it worth facing Trihexa?"
"Is totally worth it, don't you think the same?"
"I do."
The dragon began to walk alongside his allies and friends, knowing that no matter how bad things may turn in the future, it would all be worth it for their sake. But, no matter the injuries or the pain he might have to face in the future, he would continue to fight because of the things he wanted to protect.
The Welsh dragon's eyes turned to Ophis. The Ouroboros dragon continued to argue with Tiamat, but their words lacked malice.
"I'll/we'll protect you as well, child of the void. Just leave it to us."
Many things awaited them all. Ragnarok will arrive one day, but for now, they could enjoy a night to laugh and have fun.
*Dreamcatcher- NANO*
*Notes of the author: Let us thank Ddraig for interfering and making Ophis the cute Loli-baba that we all love. I haven't decided which chapters are next, but I'm also going back to previous chapters to rewrite many things. 1-5 have been revised, and I'll try to do almost all of them by the end of the month. I'll likely see all of you the following Monday if God of War Ragnarok doesn't get in the way. Wish me luck.*
P.S.: The ultimate maid might get a chapter as well.