Hello again, welcome back to more LoCG. Before we get going I want to say, thanks to the fact that I'm no longer trying to force myself to post once a week. I've been taking more time with these chapters. This means improved quality and less stress on my end. So, wins all around, now, Rails will likely give his own responses and thoughts to certain reviews like usual. But damn… I must say, I never thought we'd get this far into the story.

Anyways, reviews!

Whwsms:{Yeah, sometimes the doc duplicates the text upon upload to ffn. Normally I catch it… apparently not this time, well should be fixed as of now.

Sad in that you think we missed out in canon? Or sad in that you realized how fucked up Index could have gotten and that it was for the best she stayed her innocent self?

You shouldn't worry too much about this, as this is the review section. But thanks for being considerate of readers…. Looks like I'll need a diff angle together your thoughts on the last chapter.}

BlueJack22:{yep but it was fixed pretty quickly as you can tell by the other reviews not mentioning it minus one. Oh, KnT was a joint effort between me and Rails. Like he said in last chaps A/N. We went for a combo of Hallow Ichigo and Fate Gilgamesh vibes with his personality. And it really flipping worked, so well that he decided thats how he'll write Kami-yan(which is basically just KNT) in his story Ticket! And I absolutely agree on that, while KnT could bribe Index with food. In the end, she'd know he wasn't her Touma. So, ultimately she'd turn him away.}

Onilink500:{KnT verses Index was the highlight. But it was mainly a backdrop to one showcase the true power of Touma (or my theory for it). And two, to explore Index's own feelings about KnT and Touma as people what made KnT and Touma different and why.

Well, thing is KnT's not even really before memory loss Touma either. But yes, this Index is in no way the old Index.

Interesting, and true, good gods don't meddle. They allow humanity to evolve on their own.}

D. :{He a menace to the entire universe, I want that pink and green bastard prosecuted! And yep, based on the way I interpreted and theorized it. KnT and Touma both have the potential to destroy and recreate the entire universe. Every phase, down to the pure world. Then again so does Index if she keeps eating.

Even when he's outmatched, he's still the number one. Glad I didn't make him seem weaker than he is. And yep, the whole, should gods meddle in human affairs debate. Generally the answer is the same, gods shouldn't meddle, at most. They can guide people to achieve their own goals without them.

Like I said… I google it… flying by the seat of my pants.}

5hadowHand:{Glad you appreciated that, and that is what's gonna stick in your head?… to be honest… it is a cool visual.

SYSTEM:Recall I wish I had a better name for it, but the idea was one that's existed. I just felt it made sense and worked well thematically. Yeah, I can imagine a number of outraged cries of annoyance at KnT using their powers… poor Mikoto. Yep, a classic trope, KnT is Touma's Superpowered Evil Side, and he doesn't play around. Index may be a God and a Devourer. But like I had mentioned SYSTEM is 'God' which is a few steps above her.

Yep, with a combo of Fate Gilgamesh, and Hallo Ichigo energy. But I'll let Rails go in more detail with that. KnT represents the negative and dark aspects of Touma, so yeah… he would do that.

It was an interesting topic to address and I actually talked to my mother on it who's fairly knowledgeable in such subjects. While also looking up a few videos on certain people suspected of the… thing in question. Like the writer of Peter Pan which I had Celt mention. Yeah… poor Celt indeed… how will she ever get through Kuroko's thick ape skull!?

That was the point… you were meant to notice.

I was actually picturing The Watcher vs Infinity Ultron from [What If], but that works.

absolutely…}

Guest1:{1: your late to that but thanks

2: I actually already gave explanations to this. And We know that IB doesn't necessarily stick with Touma all the time. Besides… we don't know if he was born with the dragons and ester power KnT. Just that he was born with IB. Thanks for your input however, I'll give thought to it.}

Princegeoge:{how do you tell someone to rejoice… without spoiling?}

Remember constructive criticism is both encouraged and Desired. With that out of the way, let this tale of an Infinity commence once more!

Chapter 65

The Dragon's return.

Hero/Villain

Two figures clashed within the black void of Index, the world born of Nammu having been destroyed long ago.

Index sent forth invisible tendrils as she tried to restrain Touma. But the boy shifted once more to the dragon king as he tore through them.

Normally, she'd just have torn away his physical form and absorbed him. However, despite him still being inside of her, the purification and cutting off of the world caused by that fake remained. This meant Index was forced to resort to physically consuming Touma with her avatar.

Index distorted space and grabbed Touma. She had to eat him if she was to keep him safe, she needed to eliminate his ability to fight back. No one else could do it, only she had the means and the drive to achieve that.

Touma's body twisted again as he swapped to the spearhead dragon. Instantly Index felt herself grow tired as her energy was sapped away. Allowing Touma to slip from her grip and move behind her head.

He struck back at Index and launched her, the world distorting as relative sizes returned to normal. Index roared in anguish and despair, she couldn't lose Touma. Light poured out and the world within her shifted.

Her armored tail slipped out of space and slammed into Touma. Sending him crashing into a rocky fleshy landscape that was once part of the Cosmic horror phase. Heat rose from the ground as twisted abominations pulled themselves out of the fleshy earth.

Index's very presence dyed the landscape in a violet haze as the beasts fled her presence.

This was her world, the true face of her phase held within her, an amalgam of the phases she had consumed along with her own. The world she had held Touma in was merely a single world she had created in which to pacify him parallel to this one.

Light flashed and the ground became white, crumbling into salt. Touma burst forth sporting the angelic look of the Angel dragon. Six feathered wings flapped, sending a wave of feathers forth.

Index flickered away before the earth opened up and her serpentine form erupted forth. It caught Touma off guard, and he was enveloped in her jaws. She quickly reverted to her human form as she felt Touma struggle within.

Her eyes flew open wide as she was suddenly overwhelmed by numerous sensations. The salty, sweet, yet sour taste of flesh. The complex and indescribable flavor of Touma's essence. The sudden rush of power and energy she got from leeching his AIM. The tickling feeling of Touma's struggles as he pressed against her soft flesh.

It hit her like a tidal wave of pleasure, nothing could match it. Not Othinus, Not Nuada and the Magic Gods. Not Trick and his cries, not even the panicked desperate screams of Shokuhou.

It wasn't like when she had been teasing him earlier. Then, she had no intention to actually eat him. So, she hadn't really properly tasted him. She was merely toying with the boy.

However, in her lapsed focus, Touma took advantage. He pried her jaws open and slipped out once again donning the form of the Dragon king. He struck Index as he shifted over to the dragon shell. Sending her crashing against the earth as she slammed her feet down.

Panting, Index's heart beat exceedingly rapidly. Drool fell from her jaws as she felt her stomach growl loudly. A broad grin on her face and she licked her lips. Her mind, breaking under the pressure of her growing insanity.

She was right, Touma was indeed perfect. He wasn't just a strong, dependable yet sensitive hero. Nor was he just a kind, loving and understanding highschool boy. He was also the toughest challenge that provided the greatest pleasure. And yet the softest heart, that granted the greatest comfort.

Now, she knew why all the magic gods had desired Touma so much. He gave them purpose, he gave them meaning. She felt more alive than ever now, the thrill Touma gave her by resisting. It was nothing like she had, or ever could have experienced.

For once, all the gods within her coincided. Othinus, Nuada, the forgotten god, Tezcatlipoca, and Izanagi. Their competitive natures, and desire for challenge amplified Index's emotions beyond what she had before.

Was this how Fiamma, Thor, Othinus, High Priest, Alister, and even that pathetic mortal Stiyl felt facing him? Those determined, piercing eyes, that stern glare and unwavering gait. Was this heat that filled her body the same heat they felt facing him?

She wanted to see those determined eyes break, as she shattered his spirit. To see those broad unwavering shoulders slump, as she dominated him. That stern glare turn to terror, as her jaws swallowed him whole. To feel him panic and squirm, as she devoured him alive. To watch him collapse and break down, as the pain became too much to bear.

And then for him to get back up and regather his strength, only to go through it all again. Her face grew hot as she felt her mind become overwhelmed with the urge to swallow this shining star with her event horizon and make him her's.

It may have been similar to how some people got a kick out of defiling something pretty by destroying it. Her desperation to protect Touma by sealing him within her rapidly melted away.

Why was she so desperate to begin with? Touma wasn't using his full power anymore, so she didn't risk losing to him. She could take her time and enjoy toying with the boy as she pleased. Besides, if she was going to eat him, she should enjoy it.

The world shook around them as she wiped her jaws and looked Touma directly in the eyes.

The great hunt was only just beginning.

Touma swore as Index suddenly appeared before him again. He managed to flicker out of the way just before her jaws shut.

The moment he had managed to slip from her mouth, something had snapped inside Index. She was no longer merely desperately trying to seal him inside her. Touma could tell… she was enjoying this.

She was the predator, and he was her prey. A game of cat and mouse, and Touma was the mouse.

His eyes went wide as he was smacked again by the armored tail of the devourer. Crashing through the twisted landscape, he skidded to a halt and glared up at Index.

She was laughing as she held one arm under her chest, the other on her cheek. "Touma Touma~" she teased. "Are you honestly that bad at dodging?"

Touma twisted and kicked as the tail erupted from space once more. "You try dodging something that literally appears out of thin air!" he shouted before dashing across the landscape.

His body shifted once again to the Dragon king as Index sent forth a blast of god consuming fire. Twisting in place he slammed his fist down against the rotted and fleshy earth.

A purifying shockwave erupted out, turning rotted purple and fleshy red stone into normal rocks and minerals. Corrupt, crimson trees and grass reverted to a familiar green and brown. And the vibrant purple flames were dispelled when Touma brought his hand up to block Index's attacks.

He had only just begun to learn about the dragons he wielded. And even then, he still knew very little about them.

At first, he thought they may each represent one of the major phases. But, each dragon showed traits from multiple cultures. And some showed no traits from any of them, so that was instantly out.

By that same logic, they couldn't each be a dragon from actual mythology. He didn't see any single eight headed dragon. Nor did he see a phase-sized serpent, with god-killing venom.

Index laughed and barreled into him with an excited smile. They hurtled into the air before Index kicked him and space distorted.

Touma twisted in the air and his wings flapped, launching him forward as he smashed the distorted space and kicked Index, who had turned into a serpent once more.

Next he tried applying the seven deadly sins to the dragons. And while it worked a little, he hit two snags.

One, there were well, only seven sins and about 16 dragons.

Two, he couldn't really apply Gluttony to any of them.

It wasn't just appearance, but their powers as well. They were all so vague, and even overlapped. So, it was hard to apply any one attribute to them.

Sure, there were a few dragons at his disposal which could have abilities that seemed gluttonous. But, none of them felt right, one felt close for sure. But it was more like greed considering its jeweled nature.

He shifted to Spearhead again, and slammed an electrified fist against Index's serpentine head. Sapping her energy away and sending an immense jolt through her.

Once again, her armored tail slammed into him as she reverted to human form. Her Touma tumbled through the earth. Breaking through the underground into a hellish landscape, fleshy masses of corruption and satanic symbols dotted the cavern. While Obsidian and hellish brick towers sat in a vast sea of magma. Weird creatures of different cultures and fictions were scattered about. All of which were in one way or another connected to the underworld.

"Of all my segments to get hit by~" Index giggled as she swung a crimson broadblade down at his left flank. Touma swore and brought his arm up, switching to the ice crystal dragon. The Crucible Blade met frozen armor, and steam erupted forth.

Touma did feel he was on the right track however. Something was just missing, but he wasn't sure what. So, he focused on that train of thought by trying to apply the seven heavenly virtues to the dragons.

He started with the opposite of pride, humility. Sure, it could be loosely connected to the way the spearhead drained energy. A way to humble those who flaunted their power. But It just didn't feel right, and it didn't work with the way it channeled electricity. That felt more like it was storing up energy to use later than it being humble.

The Four eyed dragon's sound ability could be explained with humility. It was a beautiful song with immense power. But, it just wouldn't mesh well with the power to create illusions that mimicked reality.

The way the dragon king could strike at the mind and erase memories could be related to humility. Touma could confidently say first hand that it had humbled Izzard the alchemist. And while the way it decursed and purified things could be related… it just felt… arrogant.

Then, it hit him, each of the dragons showed eastern and western dragon traits. That was where the secret lay.

Stories of Dragons were often lessons on human nature. Warnings against certain human behaviors. But, in the west, the dragons generally represented negative traits. While in the east, dragons generally represented the positive traits.

Duality, it was so obvious, yet so obscure.

Index bent back and the ground below Touma opened to a toothy maw. He changed to Dragon king and slammed his fist down, purifying the area once more and negating the change.

This time Index only shifted her lower half into the armored serpent as she coiled around him. Grabbing his head she shoved him into her jaws. Tilting her head back in an attempt to devour the boy with glittering eyes.

Touma nearly panicked, but his instincts kicked in as he struggled to avoid being swallowed. His body changed, the dragon king being swapped out to a new dragon.

A black carapace formed on his head, just above his eyes. The part covering his nose was flat with 8 nub-like spikes on either side. Acid green patterns scattered across the carapace and other similar plates that had formed on his body like an exoskeleton. It was reminiscent of a certain alien from a movie by the same title.

Now donning the form of the Extraterrestrial dragon, he slipped from the known into the unknown, vanishing from reality. Then he emerged into uncertainty as he kicked Index in the back and became known.

He felt confused as he did that he had no real understanding of the supernatural. Esper, magic or otherwise, he just understood people and what made an individual.

At that moment, he had a revelation. The dragons were duality, his duality. That's why he couldn't apply Gluttony to them. He had never had a chance to be gluttonous and thus he had no dragon of gluttony.

The Dragon King was proud and humble. His pride and arrogance to challenge and purify gods. But his humility, in what it means to lose your memories.

Spearhead was lethargic and energetic. The lethargic energy sapping feeling of school and lessons. But the energetic electric excitement of fighting to save someone.

Ice Crystal was Slothful yet diligent. Slothfully ignoring the bigger picture only acting on what is in front of him. However, diligently working to save that one smile no matter what the world throws at them.

The Extraterrestrial was Confused but understanding. Confused at the unknown and complex nature of magic. Yet understanding of the known, and contradictory nature of humanity.

It was but one piece, one piece of the truth behind the dragons who he could command. But with that one piece, he had a foundation, something he could build off of to understand the dragons.

six large tentacles erupted from Index's back and she bound them around Touma. He flickered to uncertainty, but the arms still grabbed him. So, he swapped over to the Wrathful yet patient corpse flame dragon.

A boney plate grew over his face, and his body ignited with soul burning fire. He tore through the tentacles and swung a flaming fist at Index.

She met his soul burning fire with her own soul burning fire. The collision caused a detonation that pulled them out of the underworld of Index and back to the surface.

"Touma, human~ come ooon~ let me eat you please!" Index giggled as she pushed Touma over and pinned him down. "Things will be so much easier if you do. I'll protect you, I'll take care of you. And I'll protect your world for you~ you can live that normal life you've always wanted!"

She lifted him up by the neck, licking her lips as she grinned. "What type of house would you like? Nothing grand I assume." She slammed him against the ground causing the earth to crack. "I know! How about a rural small town home. We could raise our kids there without the stress of the crowded city."

Her tongue was drawn across his cheek. "Speaking of kids, I'd say we should have at least four, two girls, two boys. But I'm perfectly willing to have as many as you want~" The flushed smile on her face told him she wasn't kidding.

Touma glared and kicked Index, shifting to the dragon shell once more. He reached his arm out and four dragons manifested. They struck at Index and Touma brought up an arm which became wrapped in psychedelic fibers.

Index, however, only laughed as she changed again. This time large wings erupted from her back like a bat. A jeweled spear appeared in her hand and she carved through each dragon. Appearing behind him she shoved him through space. The two tumbled into golden halls of what was once Asgard, but was now a hybrid of Asgard, Tír-Nall, Takamagahara and similar.

"I can just Imagine their little smiles as they rambunctiously played in the backyard." She slammed her fist against Touma and he crashed through the front door tumbling into the grand Norwegian yet Scottish city with a few Japanese and Aztec structures on the outskirts. A futuristic wall that may have been part of the cosmic horror phase surrounding it.

For a brief second, the combination of Index lifting him by the neck. And the Norwegian aspects of the city sparked a memory of Othinus doing the same to him. Pain struck through his heart as he remembered what Index did to her.

She then gestured with her finger, a sly smile on her face. Touma was pulled to her and her armored tail erupted out of space again. It wrapped around his body, and she grabbed his face and looked at him with lustful insanity.

"They would wake up and tease their adorable father as he made them breakfast like the wife he is. Then when mommy woke they'd settle down and eat. At noon, they could go to school and we'd hear how they got into a scuffle with one of the bullies." A tentacle emerged from her back and she grabbed his leg, tossing him into the air.

Touma flared his draconic wings out, glaring down at Index only to find she had moved. He was sent careening outward as a shockwave occurred behind him. Index appeared once more in front of him as she opened her jaws to engulf him.

Changing to spearhead again, he zipped out of the way as her jaws snapped shut.

"Then, when they came home, we could scold them for their naughty behavior. Read them a nice bedtime story, and then go out to eat at a nice restaurant while they slept!" Index appeared above him and swung her legs down. The armored devourer tail appeared a moment and smacked Touma.

He was sent careening through the immense wall around the city below and through the ground. Breaking through into a distorted space like landscape.

Crashing into a corrupted planet's surface. Touma got up, the form of the Ice Crystal dragon clear as day upon him.

"Are you Kidding me!?" he shouted up at Index. "You haven't even asked If I want any of that! You're just assuming I'll be with you and have kids to begin with! This isn't about protecting me! This isn't about protecting my world! This is about keeping me to your fucking self!" he roared up into the heavens.

Once more, the Corpse flame dragon's form emerged and Touma slammed his head into Index as she tried to grab him.

"Even Othinus would have the decency to at least admit that!" He grabbed Index by the shoulders and threw her upwards.

Changing to the Extraterrestrial, he slipped into the unknown. And punched Index through Uncertainty. The two emerged into the known, crashing into the grassy lands of the main world in this amalgam phase. A futuristic city surrounded by a wall with lights in the dark night in the distance.

Touma changed over to the Dragon shell and braced as Index dropped a sphere of plasma on him with an excited grin. "I already told you," he shouted. "I can't see you as anything other than a sister! Besides, how the hell am I meant to have all that with you if you eat me!?"

He suddenly paled as something grabbed his leg and he was pulled upside down. Index had shape-shifted again. Now sporting a lovecraftian elder god-like look. Her legs were covered in a writhing gown of tentacles like the King in yellow. Her back had six large tendrils with thin purple film stretched between them like freaky butterfly wings. Four large tentacled arms emerged from slits on her sides. Just above the abdomen and just below the arms.

"And I told you I can't see you as my brother Touma~" she giggled and pulled Touma to her. The upper left tentacle opened and latched to Touma's neck. Sucking the AIM from his body. "You're too perfect, in every way to be my brother. And you're right, this is about keeping you to myself. I want to have you to myself and I'm done lying about it."

The upper right, bottom left, and bottom right elder-arms, latched onto Touma's right shoulder, left flank and right thigh respectively, allowing Index to drain immense amounts of AIM from him. "So, I'm going to make you mine, and we're going to have kids whether you want to or not!" She spoke with a flushed grin as she experienced the pleasure of draining his AIM.

A rush of power filled Index as she felt her body yearn for more. She wanted this, needed this as she brought Touma face to face with her. "If I need to protect your world in order to have you, then I'll do it." She drew a finger along her tongue. "Besides~" her human form rapidly changed and Touma paled.

Her hair darkened slightly, changing to golden locks. Her eyes shimmered as they changed to an emerald shade of green. A leather eyepatch formed over her left eye as her voice deepened and matured.

"Did you really think Othinus wouldn't do the same if she had her full power Understander?" Index declared, she looked at Touma using Othinus's face, and spoke with Othinus's voice.

Touma felt his breath hitch as he shook in anger. But, he pushed past it. "You still haven't answered, how I'm supposed to have all that if you ate me!"

Index only laughed as she held his chin. "Well duh! I can bring you back as many times as I want Touma~. I don't need to worry about you dying because I can pull your soul straight from hell if need be!" She smirked her hand on his cheek. "But if it helps, I'll play your understander for you human~"

The boy went silent for a moment, realizing just how far Index had broken. His head went down as his eyes became shadowed. "You really think Othinus would do the same? Kill me, and bring me back… just to keep me to herself" he asked.

"Absolutely!" Index giggled through Othinus's lips. Touma's body had grown hot and Index could feel his rapid beating heart. "I may have devoured her but, even now, her emotions live on in me." She smiled softly as she ran her hand through his hair. "She loves you human. And she doesn't want to share you with anyone else. Why would she? she is still your understander, just as you are ours!"

Touma's head came up suddenly, and he was on fire. The form of the corpse flame dragon emerging from an illusion crafted by the four eyed dragon. "How, DARE you pretend to know how my Understander feels!"

He slammed his head against her's and gazed deep into those galaxy colored eyes. "Look into my eyes Index, is that what you really believe!? That she would murder me for her own enjoyment? Or is that just you!" he shouted.

Index stumbled back, letting him go as her form returned to normal. She gripped her head in agony as Touma stood. Sweat rolled down her brow as she fell to one knee gasping for breath. A distorted look of excitement on her face, as she clutched her chest.

"You ate people… innocent people! You claimed it was to protect me. But you just enjoyed it didn't you! ADMIT IT INDEX! You enjoyed the suffering, well now you're feeling it. WAS IT WORTH IT!?" he shouted and changed to the ice crystal. His fist slammed into her as a cone of sub zero cold erupted out.

Whipping his body around he changed to the Dragon king and kicked Index. Sending the ice crystal, spearhead, and corpse flame dragons out, using his right hand to strike Index.

"I don't blame you for eating Othinus!" he said as he swung his hand to the side. The three dragons whipped along with it, tossing Index away from the distant city. "She killed me who knows how many times. So, you killing her was understandable and I forgive you for that."

She crashed into a mountain as the ground shuddered. Touma used the Extraterrestrial dragon to slip through uncertainty and emerged next to her. "But, even she never killed me just for the fun of it." His body changed over to the Ignorant yet Knowledgeable blind dragon. "She may have indeed enjoyed it at the time. But, even then she wasn't doing it purely for pleasure."

The fearful aura of its Ignorance wouldn't be of use. However, the foresight of its knowledge allowed him to slip aside just as Index's jaws snapped onto his location.

"So don't you dare! Insult her by using her power to avoid the consequences of your actions!" Touma shouted as he changed again. Index was about to try and cause him to collapse from a neurotoxic cloud, so he adopted the best form to counter it.

His head became encased in a worm like maw, little teeth lining the inside as spikes covered the carapace. His back became a darkened gray scaly texture as his feet and the bottom of his arms became similar to the bottom of a caterpillar.

Index slammed her foot down and a toxic purple cloud erupted forth just as Touma had seen. But, the indifference of the strange worm-like dragon allowed him to ignore its effects. Using its curiosity to change his shape, he slipped under Index's foot as she tried to kick him.

"What about You Touma! You're just as twisted on the inside! Who the hell places the blame for the death of someone they never even knew on themselves!? Who the hell selfishly carries the burden of the world on their shoulders!?" she demanded him.

He changed back to the dragon King as Index vanished and a shadow was cast over the planet. Touma looked up and paled as he saw Index's immense jaws begin to envelop the sky.

His hand twisted and the Extraterrestrial emerged. It pushed him into the unknown and pulled him into uncertainty just behind Index as he slammed the purifying fist of the dragon king against her.

The cosmically giant Index returned to her original size as she faced Touma, pouting. A mass of lovecraftian tentacles burst from her back. She used them to grab Touma, pulling him into that mass of arms, enveloped him. Dragging him towards a gaping maw in Index's back.

"You'd have to be a masochist to be able to withstand the world's malice like that. So, just what kind of sick twisted mind is needed to think that kind of behavior is normal?" Index shouted, as she shoved Touma into her back.

His foot slipped inside and he swore trying to pull himself out. "At least I'm not indulging in my pleasures at the cost of others!" Touma changed to the Ice Crystal dragon and tore himself free. Swinging Index around, he threw her towards the planet.

He didn't understand how he could breathe in the vacuum of space. Nor did he know why he could hear Index. However, he suspected it was connected to the divine nature of dragons. Granted, that was likely a stretch but he wasn't about to question it.

Index reached up and grabbed the air, swinging her fist sideways and down. A distant planet was torn from orbit and swung at Touma. It crashed into him as an immense rift opened to swallow it up.

Touma swapped to the Extraterrestrial and swung his fist. The rift's exit changed from the known of Index's jaws. To the uncertainty of the rift's exit. Before finally becoming the known, that led to the planet's original orbit.

Touma leapt through uncertainty and slammed his fist into Index. She had an immense grin on her face as she excitedly grabbed his arm. "Silly Touma! You can't lie to me!" she giggled and threw him.

The head of the armored serpent emerged behind Touma. Its mandibles slammed against his sides, causing him to gasp in pain as Index held her cheek and shook her head in glee. The serpent's head, moving with it.

"Delicious!" she teased, as the head threw him and Index tackled the boy. They screamed towards the ground, crashing into the earth outside the city he had seen earlier.

Touma changed to the repelling, yet charismatic four eyed dragon. Its powerful singing was unleashed from his lips and sent Index flying back. Crafting an illusion. He moved behind Index and changed to the dragon shell again.

"Lying!? How have I lied!?" he shouted. "Tell me when I've ever indulged in pleasure at the cost of others!"

Index ducked away as his fist crashed into the earth. Alarms blaring from the city a little ways away from them. Figures on the wall rushing around before one gestured.

A hail of energy fire flew from the ramparts of the city. Index kicked Touma into them and he grit his teeth in pain swapping to the ice crystal dragon to weather the attack.

But Index grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the earth, as she glanced at the city. It was torn from the ground in its entirety and distorted so it would fit in Index's hand.

"When else Touma?" she asked, popping the offending city into her mouth. "Back when you were in my perfect world!" she told him.

"W-what!? H-how did I indulge there!? I was trying to stop you the moment I knew something was up!" Touma retorted as he slammed his fist into her gut. Trying to force her to vomit up the city she just consumed. But, the blow felt weaker for some reason. He felt his heart squeeze realizing he had failed the people of the city. Their lives, lost as Index's avatar, absorbed them.

Her grin only widened as she teleported them. Kicking Touma into a sunken city. "Really?" she asked, as Touma got up, donning the strange dragon again. A set of gills forming on his neck. "Then, tell me… why did you only go to confront me after I erased Rolf Ansgar?"

Touma paused as Index's words penetrated him. "Wh… what do you mean?" he shook. Why did he feel Index had a point? "I… I didn't know what you were capable of until then."

"When has that ever stopped you?" Index pointed out as she snapped her fingers. The sunken city shook and the three headed, three tailed, six armed, draconic beast Accelerator had fought, rose from the ground. "Certainly didn't stop you against Stiyl, against Izzard, nor did It stop you against Othinus and the magic gods."

Touma barely brought out the Ice crystal dragon in time to block the flicker beast. The Extraterrestrial, dragon King, and spearhead all emerged from his right arm alongside the Ice crystal dragon and latched onto the creature.

He suddenly felt Index grab him from behind. Her left hand was against his left cheek, as her right hand grasped onto his right side and she placed her head over his shoulder. "I may have suppressed your memories. But that shouldn't have stopped from confronting me once you learned I was manipulating memories."

Index's seductive whispering caused Touma to twitch. The dragons tore the flicker beast apart and Touma gasped, his eyes shaking as the creature fell to the ground. Its body in pieces as it tried to pull itself back together.

"Even after you learned you were immune to my powers. You Indulged in my fantasies, going to karaoke with me, taking me to the park, and going out to the movies. You wanted to keep me happy even at the cost of other people's memories!" Her hand moved to his chin as she drifted in front of him.

"The truth is, you wanted that world to be real. You wanted that normal life that I gave you. That's why you avoided facing me until I erased Rolf, isn't it!"

Touma was silent, unable to move as the world shifted around them again. Index once more, transporting them somewhere else.

Index was right, he realized, it really didn't make sense that he would just sit around while Index manipulated the minds of his friends. It just wasn't like him, he had never let something like not knowing someone's full power stop him before. Why would it be different when he was facing Index?

Now sitting in a large bedroom within a castle of cosmic stone and metal. Index distorted space as she slowly lifted Touma to her jaws. Her humid breath washed over him as she shook in anticipation, cheeks flushed.

Did he really want that world to be his world?

The world where he could wake up, make breakfast for Index. Go to school, get into an argument with Tsuchimikado and Aogami and get reprimanded by Fukiyosie. Go home, make dinner and watch TV with Index, and then go to sleep. Without needing to worry about being sent to some distant part of the world to stop an incident.

Was that the world he had wanted so much that he had been willing to indulge in normal activities at the cost of other's smiles?

As Index placed him into her mouth, her pearly white teeth closed around him. Touma came to his answer.

Yes

He had indulged in that normal world.

His eyes flared violet as armored plates began forming on his body.

He had wanted that world to be the real one. So, he had chosen not to face Index.

A metallic headguard began to form around his head. A set of mandible-like jaws placed either side of his face.

He had ignored the fact, Index had altered memories under the excuse of information gathering. Because he had enjoyed hanging out with Index and not worrying about money.

A segmented chestplate and leggings formed as the gaps between glowed reddish purple. Touma gazed down Index's throat as time began to slow. Index tilting her head back in order to devour him.

That… was his gluttony.

But

When he had the chance, Index offered to give him that world. He had rejected it, just as he had rejected Kamijou no Touma's power. He didn't want to take the easy way out. As without risk of consequences, what point was there in living?

And that, Was his Temperance.

Slipping through uncertainty as the Extraterrestrial slipped back into his hand. Touma's fist moved, it slammed into Index's gut and she gasped.

Power flowed from her into him, and he held his hand up. Vibrant purple essence-burning flames erupted forth at the shocked Index and she was launched back.

Standing, Touma looked up, donning a form oh so similar to Index's armored serpent. "You're right… I did, I indulged in that world and let others suffer because of it. But, despite that, I still gave it all up once I realized how bad things had gotten."

Touma clenched his armored fist as he glared at Index. "I did want that world to be real. But it wasn't, not the way I wanted it to be anyways. I need to earn that world, and to do that I need to save you. But I'm not going to take the easy way out by relying on overwhelming power."

Index shook her head, her face twitching as she smiled. "Ah… That's… my human… of course you'd find an answer like that." The world shook and she grinned, "but I'm afraid you're too late" she licked her lips. "I'll be eating you now Touma, my human~"

The sky shifted and flickered as glowing fluids fell and crashed onto the surface. The vibrant purple enzymes ate through the planet as the sky began to turn to flesh. Touma's eyes widened as he realized that Index had broken through Kamijou no Touma's purification. She could now freely absorb him without trouble.

"I hope… you can grow to understand why I did this." Index said smiling, "if not… I look forward to seeing your hatred, My Understander Touma!~"

Touma felt his body being torn at, as his physical form began to dissolve.

Before platinum wings erupted forth from Index's avatar and she gasped.

Instantly the pain vanished and Touma stood. Tears ran down Index's face as she looked at him pleadingly. "Took you long enough… Accelerator" he smiled, "I'm going to save you now, Index! So, don't get cocky!"

Charging forward, Touma swung his right fist, plunging it into the center of Index's stomach where the wings of light had emerged. He grabbed hold of the strands of clonothian energy and hung on.

As he felt himself getting pulled Kamijou Touma grinned. He had faced his heart, and earned the dragon of Gluttony and Temperance.

The world flickered, then shifted as countless places passed by.

And then, he was enveloped in light.

Muireann walked across the sargasso, clicking every so often to find faults in the ground below her. Using a combination of Ultrasonic, and infrasonic frequencies she mapped the structure of wooden planks, fiberglass sheets and metal plates.

This was not an inherent skill, but one taught to her by her father. By enhancing her hearing with a spell she was able to accurately map the earth below her using sonar. She stopped, finding a large gap in the sargasso filled with water about, 16 meters below her feet. Based on what she was hearing it was probably caused by one of the many burrowing aberrations that the espers fought. She made her way to the water's edge and dove in. Her coat stretched over her body, and she changed into a seal. A trail of frozen seawater followed her path as she continued to click.

Normally, a harbor seal couldn't hear below 400 hertz; her spell enhanced that down to the infrasonic levels. And an inversion style spell changed her normally ultrasonic sound waves into infrasonic ones. However, without her father's training, she wouldn't be able to properly use them.

Finding the gap in the sargasso her body lit up with runes and she slammed herself into the side of the sargasso. Ice formed across the surface of the ship graveyard and she manipulated the water around her to force the fault shut.

Bursting out of the water, she left a trail of ice behind her. The snow queen's aura didn't freeze saltwater instantly. But, it did mean that staying still in it, wasn't a viable option.

Returning to the center of the sargasso, she approached the Amakusas who were in charge of the dig site. "The stability of the sargasso has been restored. We shouldn't need to worry about any underground pockets disrupting the ritual."

"Good, we've finished reinforcing the walls of the pit and the final chamber." Tatemiya said as he looked over. "Looks like the espers have finished repairing the artificial cave, and added the finishing touches to the actual structure itself."

Kuroko appeared with Misaka, Celt pouting next to her. "Agnese and her people finished drawing out the circles with help from each party. And Celt informed me that the spiritual Items are all done." The teleporter smirked, "we are almost ready."

"All we need now is for Saten, Uiharu and the rest of their team to finish the piggyback idol theory, and we should be ready to seal Index." Misaka dusted off her tattered outfit.

Celt nodded, and smiled. "I was planning on heading over there now, loves. With you two and Kazakiri, there should be enough creative energy for me to really speed things up."

"Finally…" Muireann felt a small smile form as the cold pain in her chest eased up. "We can finally… save Touma-sama…"

A short gasp was heard and the much younger looking Beria dropped a tool she was using. "Miss Conan… when did you get your emotions back?" she asked.

Silence fell as Muireann's eyes widened and she whipped around. If she had her emotions back, it only meant one thing.

Light erupted out from just above the sargasso, and the world shook. The sound of shattering glass echoing out so fast it sounded like a roar.

All eyes turned to the glow, as cracks of light stretched out from what could only be described as a white hole. A hand emerged, a right hand, then an arm, a shoulder. Followed by a torso and head. Before someone tumbled out, and the light vanished.

Muireann was too stunned to react as the figure fell towards the earth. She merely stood there staring as a warm feeling filled her chest. However, even as the others began getting their act together and started to move. A figure dressed in a black priest's outfit entered Muireann's vision.

Moving rapidly towards the falling figure, a red haired priest took two rune cards from their outfit and slapped them onto his feet. Just before the falling figure hit the ground, the priest jumped. Twin fiery explosions erupted from his heels, as he tackled the falling figure.

The two sailed through the air before crashing down. They tumbled, sending splinters and more upwards before slamming against the side of the artificial cave meant to mimic the entrance of Yomi.

As the dust settled, the figure coughed and blinked, looking up in shock at the one who saved them. "S-Stiyl!? Wh- why!?" they shouted with wide eyes.

Stiyl groaned as he looked down. "I've had a lot to think about after you asked for my help back in Russia. Now get the hell off of me!" He kicked the figure off him.

They stumbled to their feet and dusted their legs off before reaching out their hand to help Stiyl up. "Well… thanks anyways, I probably wouldn't have survived the fall if not for you."

"Don't get used to it," Stiyl said, slapping the hand away. "I'm only doing this because you're part of that girl's happiness. So, keeping you alive is important."

Muireann's eyes welled with tears as her heart beat rapidly. The frozen crown, crumbling away as her icy armor fell off, her frosty cloak melting. The snow queen's heart had been thawed as she had found love.

Her coat thief, the boy who stole her away from the sea.

Kamijou Touma, had returned.

A/N: [Craytherlay; aaaand thats a wrap! This one was… interesting, to say the least to write. The start there wasn't much of an issue, just wording tweaks. Having Index believable be able to switch from desperation to sadism was something I needed to put a little effort into. As it's showing just how far she's fallen, but still retains how she does indeed love and want to protect the world Touma loves. If just for purely selfish reasons.

The fight itself was a little easier, but I still wanted to hint at the true nature of the 'phase' inside Index. To show what exactly she really has in there. But not dwell to much on it as the main focus was on the duo themselves.

Now… the dragon… oooooh the dragons, I had to figure out what exactly I wanted to do with them. But still have it keep in line with what we already knew about them. I had a bit of difficulty there, but then it hit me in a similar way I had it hit Touma. Duality… duality was the key, Toaru always has themes of Duality in it. Especially when it came to dragons. So, it was so obvious, but at the same time by being obvious I overlooked it. It was perfect for my purposes in this story. Especially when I framed them as Touma's Duality. Thus it meant every time he embraced and accepted a new part of himself he'd earn a new dragon. Hence why he earns his dragon of Gluttony in this chapter. And yes... I did have Touma ghost rider penance stare Index

Having Index and Touma go back and forth was also a thing that needed to continue. Them pointing out each other's flaws, but then accepting it and countering each other was fun. It further showed Touma's resolve, but also Further showed just how twisted Index has become in this story. She's stopped caring about Touma's wants and needs and now is selfishly forcing her desires onto him…. anyways… take it away rails!]

DragonRails: Hey Readers I just wanted to thank everyone for the feedback on the way KNT was written I'll be honest it really helped me out with getting the rust off, Cray gave me a great opportunity to see what I needed to work on with KNT's personality and what I needed to change in my own story (The Touma Ticket) so I appreciate you the readers and Cray.

As for this chapter in my opinion it was more or less a psychological battle which took me and Cray awhile to figure out a good balance between Touma and Index's responses, while we didn't want to have the chapter to drag on I felt that we made some good progress, although I'm also curious to see how you readers liked the way Index pretty much said "if this form doesn't suit you , THIS one should be better right?"

With that being said I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and hope you stick around for the next update. Have a good day :)