4 – The Inner Beast

So, as stated in the last chapter, I'm going to be adding onto the fight between Takeda and Amelie. I'm hoping to show more of her abilities, as well as show more of Takeda and Issei working together as a duo. Speaking of duo's, there's going to be quite a few. There could be Takeda and Issei, Takeda and Okora, possibly even Issei and Vali. I'm hoping to reach the point to where I'll just be making and going off of my own arcs, which will most likely happen once we reach the end of season 3. With that said, let's get started!

DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based story of Fiction

Highschool DxD, New, BorN, Hero and other products related to the DxD series are all owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo and TNK

Please support the official release

NOTE! This Story is recommended for those over the age of 18+ as this story involves actions such as violence, blood, nudity, etc.

NOTE! Any Original Characters (OC's) added into the story were all created by me and are owned by me

Enjoy!


The plan had been given out to all members of the Occult Research Club. Rias and Akeno would go in through the forest surrounding the forest, as a few had been sensed near behind the church. They would act as the diversion as Issei, Koneko and Kiba would go through the front entrance. Unfortunately, no one was able to get in contact with Takeda, but they held hopes he would show up soon enough.

When it came to group 1, they hid behind the trees and bushes right out front of the abandoned church.

"So, how are we going about this?" Issei asked, as Koneko moved out from hiding.

"They probably already know we're here..." She stated. Kiba and Issei looked towards one another, before shrugging and following after her. She kicked the doors open, as the three slowly walked in. They all held cautious stares, as Kiba held a hand on his blade.

"Yahoo~! Welcome, shitty devils!" A sadistic voice spoke out.

From behind one of the pillars, came a man with long dark silver hair and gleaming red eyes. The glint in his eyes showed his joy for battle. Kiba unsheathed the sword at his hip, as Koneko cracked her knuckles. Issei summoned his Sacred Gear

"Lady Amelie did warn me that some shitty devils would show themselves. Freed Sellzen, at your service. And you all, are the shitty devils this beautiful priest is going to cut into itty bitty pieces!"

His desire to fight and killing intent swelled as a sword made of pure light was in hand, along with a silver gun.

"Where's Asia?" Issei asked with a glare, taking a small stance.

"Oh? Well, there is a hidden staircase under that altar. But it's not like you'll get passed me either way, hehehehe~"

Before either Issei or Kiba moved, they noticed Koneko lifting one of the pew that were several times larger compared to her.

"...Get smashed."

After spouting those cold words, Koneko started throwing multiple pews towards Freed who continued to laugh in amusement as he started cutting each of the pews thrown towards him. As soon as he sliced the last one, Kiba appeared in front of him, aiming his sword towards Freed. His metal sword collided against the light sword of Freed, which caused sparks in their clash. Being a Knight, Kiba started to move at speeds that Issei couldn't follow using his eyes, but Freed could, causing sparks in several of their sword clashes and locks.

"Hmmm! Hmmm! Such a pain! Why are you guys so noisy!? I'm sorry for talking in a dead language! Forgive me after you die~!"

After another sword lock between them, Freed pointed his light gun towards Kiba at close range. Seconds before it was fired, Kiba avoided the soundless bullets using his prided speed. Freed clicked his tongue, continuing to fire off light bullets at the Knight, but Kiba dodged all of them. Their sword clash continued after Kiba arrived in front of the stray exorcists slashing his sword, while he blocked without difficulties.

"Impressive. You are quite strong."

Kiba praised as he glared at Freed, who laughed with the same sadistic smirk plastered on his face.

"Ahahaha! You too! You're a Knight, right!? There isn't a blind spot that I can see! This is great! Yes, this is what I'm talking about! Lately, I haven't had an awesome battle like this! I wass about to cry because of that! Hmmm! Hmmm! I'm going to enjoy killing you!"

"Really? Then maybe I should also fight seriously for a bit then."

Kiba smirked as he clenched the hilt of his sword. A black aura that originated from his hand, which started to inch upward around his sword before all of it was covered turning into a sword of darkness.

"Eat this."

After this command was said, the light sword in Freed's hand started to act oddly, the light that made up the light was devoured by the darkness sword in Kiba's hands.

"Wha! What the hell is this!?"

"Holy Erasser, a darkness sword that devours the light."

"A Sacred Gear!?"

Freed summarized as his light sword lost form and vanished, which caused Issei to admire the darkness sword that was within the hands of Kiba. Not losing this change, Issei started to rush towards Freed.

[Boost!]

'Your Sacred Gear, known as the Boosted Gear and one of the thirteen Longinus'. A Sacred Gear that doubles the users power every 10 seconds. The power you can hold with this Sacred Gear will be grand, as long as you put in the work.'

'Since it hasn't been that long since you became a Devil, there are restrictions, so it's probably still impossible for you to be promoted to the ultimate piece, Queen. But you could change to others if you wish strongly for it within your heart, then there will a change in your ability.'

Issei felt his power being double as he remembered the words Rias told him before, causing it to flow across his body, then as Freed directed his light gun toward him to fire.

"Promotion, Rook!"

He called out in a strong voice, as he felt the second change in himself and felt stronger, which caused Freed to realize that he was a Pawn piece. He fired off multiple light bullets towards Issei. However, neither of them could pierce through his skin.

"The traits of a Rook! Unreal defense and..."

Issei reeled back his left fist, then launched it towards Freed, punching him roughly in the cheek, causing him to be pushed back towards the ground.

"...Ridiculous strength!"

After noticing that Freed's cheek was swollen, he realized that he couldn't display the same level of strength as a more experiences Rook like Koneko, who lifted an enormous monstrous stray Devil. Freed soon got back to his feet, realizing that damage was just dealt to him and started to rage.

"Don't fuck with me! You shiiiiit! A mere Devil shouldn't act cocky with meeeeee! I'll kill you! I'll kill you! I'm going to cut you into pieces, you shiiiiit!"

He roared, preparing the last weapon that he had to face them. Just as he was about to charge them, a large amount of killing intent was nearing the church.

Before Freed could react, a pair of shadow made arms came out of the ground, as a dark void like substance seemed to crawl up the walls. The arms grabbed onto him, throwing him around the church, destroying it more than it already was.

Before long, the hands simply threw him far away from the church, shocking the three devils. They all turned to the sound of boots clicking against the ground, and grew wide eyed at the sight they saw.

Takeda, but he was barely recognizable. His hair had grown a bit, looking wild in appearance. His teeth had also turned sharper than usual, as his ears had become pointed, and the most noticable difference were the eyes. Not only did his Sacred Gear look different, but his other eye held emotions within them, emotions Kiba and Koneko were all too familiar with.

Pure hatred and sadness. They were the most noticable emotions he held in his eyes.


Meanwhile, Rias and Akeno both dodged an attack from one of the two Fallen Angels stood up in the trees. The first held bright blonde hair tied up into two seperate, yet short tails. Her eyes are sharp and blue in color, as she wears what looks like a gothic lolita cosplay attire.

The second is a young woman with long purple hair and blood red colored eyes. She holds what looks like a bored look on her face, as she can be seen casually checking her nails.

"Honestly, you all should just realize you are fighting a losing battle." The blonde, known as Mittelt said with a smirk. "Lady Amelie is the strongest one here, with 3 pairs of wings. I mean, what else can you expect from the eldest daughter of Ramiel, the Fallen Angel they call the Flame of Death."

'The Flame of Death...' Rias thought to herself. Ramiel is known throughout the supernatural due to the Great War. He is known as Azazel's greatest allie, believing in his pacifist ways. Even then, he will fight and kill if necessary. 'To think the daughter of the Flame of Death would be here...'

"I will admit, she does go a bit overboard sometimes." The other Fallen Angel, Mayuki, spoke with a shake of her head.

"What do you mean?" Akeno questioned with a raised eyebrow, ready to summon a defensive magic circle if needed.

"Oh? You didn't know? I'm sure since he's apart of your little household, you'd know what Lady Amelie did." Mayuki spoke. "From what she told us, she burned the boys home down. I don't think she even cared that both parents were in the house."

Both Rias and Akeno's eyes widened at this news. That must have been why Takeda wasn't able to be contacted.

"It won't shock me if the boys comes looking for blood." Mayuki spoke, as they all felt the killing intent coming from within the church. "And it would seem I'm correct."


Takeda soundlessly walked down the steps, the others following behind him. Not once did he speak a word, as he trudged down the steps. Issei thought multiple times of asking if he was okay, but feeling the level of malicious aura around Takeda made him decide against it.

Eventually, the group of four came to the bottom of the steps. Without even waiting, Takeda punched open the door, as the other three took in the sight before them.

Lots of stray exorcists filling the sides of the giant room, as a stairway leaded up to where Amelie stood, Asia chained onto a cross with rags for clothes covering her.

"Welcome Devi-"

"AMELIE!" Takeda finally yelled out, as he had suddenly appeared next to her, not awaiting for some speech. She looked a bit in shock, as he punched her in the gut. The force of the punch was so grand that it pushed her back and into the wall, smoke rising and covering a quarter of the room.

A pair of shadow made hands climbed out from under the ground, as they easily pulled Asia off of the chained cross. The shadow arms traveled down, as walls of shadows blocked off the Stray Exorcists.

The hands laid Asia before the other three Devils, as Takeda took notice of a pair of doors on the right side of the room.

"Get out of here..." Takeda muttered, as he quickly moved to the door.

"I was not expecting that..." Issei stated, as he picked up Asia.

"It doesn't matter. He gave us this opportunity, now get out of here." Kiba said, making Issei turn to him. "I'm sure whatever it is these walls are, they won't stand forever to hold back the Stray Exorcists. We'll hold them off, you get the Nun out of here." Kiba said. Issei thought to protest, but still nodded and moved back towards the staircase to the above floor.

"Issei-san..." Asia muttered.

"It's alright, Asia. We're gonna get you out of here."

"If the Sacred Gear of the user is taken, they will die. We need to get her out of there as soon as possible, hopefully before they extract the Sacred Gear. I trust you three to get this job done. Even if it means running away."

The words of Rias were heard in his head, as they continued to run.

With Takeda, he walked down the dark hallway, but to him, it was like the sun was shining in the hall. It was like his sight as a Devil was even better than it was before.

He could hear himself breathe, which sounded more like low growls to him and those around him.

Eventually, he found exactly what he wanted. The walls were covered in cells, and he found the one where he sensed her. Though she didn't appear to be alone.

As he punched the cell bars, breaking them all, he heard yelps. With his incredible sight, he only grew more anger at what he saw.

Kalawarner was pressed up against the cold wall naked, and she seemed to have bruises across her body. From what Takeda could see...she had been violated, played with like a toy. Across from her was a young woman who looked much like Amelie. Her hair a black color, yet her eyes a bright violet. She seemed to be in the same situation as Kalawarner.

From in his palm appeared a black flame, yet it still illuminated the room. When she saw him, her eyes grew hope.

"K-Keda..." As she muttered, she clutched onto him tightly, crying against his shoulder. He held her close, allowing her to let her tears fall. "I-It...it was so...humiliating. She was...going to kill me...a-after they took the...Sacred Gear..." She told him.

"Dry your tears..." He told her, making her look up at him. "She won't be alive after tonight." He stated with a heated glare.


Issei got back to his legs as best he could. Amelie had gotten past Kiba and Koneko, though she did receive a cut across her cheek from the Knight himself. Issei had Asia hide behind one of the few pillars left standing in the church, as he attempted to hold off Amelie. He did recieve two light spears in his knee's, which did force him to the ground. But he promised Asia he'd protect her. That he'd keep her safe, and if taking this damage meant that, he would bite the bullet every time.

"Honestly, to think you would still fight those way above your level. Keep this up, and you'll die. Seeing as you've already been reincarnated, if you die here, you die for good. No damn devils to bring you back to life once more." Amelie stated, before she lifted her left arm. Around her wrist was a pink frilly bracelet, the same one Issei had given Raynare during their date. "You recognize this, don't you. Such a sweet little gift, probably the best you'd expect from a once worthless human." Amelie spat out coldly.

"...She was my first girlfriend."

"Ah, yes. You know, this isn't the first time I had my dear little sister do these kinds of things. No matter how many times she's protest, I'd show her who was the eldest and who was in charge. That's just how things work, the eldest should always be respected and listened to. Out of all the people who's hearts I had her practically toy with, I have to say that you were my favorite toy."

"...I was serious about taking care of her."

"Yes, you did take good care of her. Each time she looked troubled, you managed to take care of it and made sure that she didn't get hurt. But, that was all a trick...who would want to be taken care of by such an inexperienced guy?"

"...I made sure our first date was planned carefully."

"Hahaha, it was a fun date to remember. My personal favorite was seeing your face after I stabbed you. Such an expression~"

"You..."

"Ufufu. It was a wonderful time you spent together, Ise-kun. But I'm afraid little Yuuma won't be around for much longer~"

"Amelie!" He looked at her with pure hatred, which only made her smirk grow.

"Such an expression. Where was all of this vigor before~?" Issei went to move forward, but found the pain in his legs too much. "Had those light spears been from a lower classed Fallen Angel, then maybe you would have made some comeback, but against me..." She released all 6 of her wings. "...You stand no chance, Ise-kun~"

She summoned another light spear, and instantly threw it. The spear was headed directly for the heart, and Amelie held a smirk on her face as she already turned to head back down below the altar.

"And just where the hell do you think you're going?" She showed a bit of shock, as she turned back around. Standing right in front of Issei was Takeda, his body turned to the side as he held the light spear in his hand. He didn't care if the light was burning his hand, the hatred and rage within him only continued to grow as he stared at Amelie.

"Well, well, well. Look who shows his face again. That was quite rude, interupting me as you did earlier. Such a naughty boy." She fully turned to him, as she watched as a shadow like aura overcame the light spear. The burning in his hand stopped, as the spear now gave off a malice filled aura, and he broke the spear into pieces.

"You will die tonight..." He muttered. Amelie only laughed at his proclamation.

"Is that so? What is it you could possibly do to me, you damn brat?" She asked, summoning another spear. Takeda didn't respond this time, as suddenly, the entire room was filled with the same malicious aura that surrounded the spear in his hand. Before Amelie knew it, spears and swords of all kinds shot out from all sides. The cieling, the walls, and the floor.

But there was more about them, they weren't just made of the malicious aura, no. They were surrounded by flames, flames of black. It was the flames that the aura was coming from.

'Hellfire...' Amelie thought, seeing the flames before her very eyes. Takeda's hair began to shadow over his eyes, some lifting upwards as if they were created by the black flames themselves.

"You killed them...two innocent people who had nothing to do with any of this...Just like that...the people I called my mother and my father...you took them from me...and now..." He looked straight up at the Fallen Angel, as his own wings spread. The one Devil, the other Black feathers of the Fallen Angel. The black veins began to crawl farther down, covering most of his body, his fists completely covered. "...I will take you from this world."

Before she could move, many of the swords sticking from the walls sprung out and flew towards her. She barely dodged any, before Takeda was already above her. With great force, his right fist plunged into the wooden floor as Amelie dodged again. From the punch alone, the floor itself began to shake.

'This power...just where the hell is this shit coming from!' Amelie thought to herself.

"...Stay back, Issei. This fight is mine...and mine alone..." Issei made to protest, but Takeda turned his eyes to him. From the stare alone, Issei had been frozen in place. With a nervous gulp, he nodded.

Suddenly, Issei was being help away. When he turned and saw who it was, he could only believe this was Raynare, the Fallen Angel that Takeda had fought so hard for.

"R-Raynare." He said in shock, as she held him close. Next to her was Kalawarner, holding her own body closely.

"I can see it already...she will not survive tonight." Raynare stated, finally getting Issei back to where Asia was. There, the Nun healed up his wounds.

Takeda lifted himself to a vertical position, staring holes through Amelie. The Fallen Angel looked down at her dress, taking notice of the few tears in it now from the earlier attack.

Once she looked back, her eyes widened as Takeda was in front of her once again. Before she could react, he grabbed onto her head, dragging her across the floor, before slamming said head down against the ground several times.

He threw her up in the air, before stomping on the ground. Next to him appeared a spear from the ground, getting Amelie right in shoulder. She gave out a short cry of pain, before Takeda gave her a roundhouse kick through one of pillars.

She coughed several times, getting to her knee's. She looked up again, this time taking in the aura around Takeda. It was pure black, and seemed to form a Dragon's head atop his own. It appeared to be grinning down at her, as if enjoying seeing her receiving pain.

'This...Is this the power of a Dragon...?'

With a huff of annoyance, she stood up once again, giving her own glare towards the Devil/Fallen Angel hybrid.

"You are starting to piss me off, boy!" Her own aura began to grow around her, being a mix of red with a bit of dark pink in it's color. It held evil intent in it, but nowhere near as malicious as Takeda's own aura.

With a charge, the two ran at one another. Instead of conjuring a light spear, Amelie cocked her fist back, as did Takeda. When the two fists connected, the shockwave pushed back the three bystanders quite a bit, as the building itself shook once more. Pieces of the walls started to crumble, as the roof was about to collapse.

Neither stopped they, as they traded punches back and forth. Just then, both noticed the roof about to fall on them all.

Amelie jumped back, conjuring up 5 light spears around her. She smirked, sending all five towards Kalawarner, Raynare, Asia and Issei. Takeda growled at her way of fighting. He looked around the area, and just as the roof began to fall down, he rushed towards the bystanders, taking all five light spears in the back as he slammed his hands on the ground. From doing so, a barrier surrounded them all as the rubble slowly stopped.

Due to the roof falling, all of the weapons sticking from the walls began to break as the rubble hit it the barrier broke, it pushed all of the rubble off of them.

"This is what happens to those who try to save those around them in a battle. They are a nuisance, and you are now heavily injured. Just what will you do now-" She stopped when she witnessed him take out each of the light spears.

"...If you think...some puny spears of light...are going to take me down, and stop me...from killing you..." Takeda simply turned his head towards her, his glare still as hard as before. "...Then you don't know who you fucked with..."

Before Amelie's eyes, the wounds began to close when the aura still surrounding the area began to crawl onto the wounds and close them. Soon enough, there were no traces of injuries.

"I-Impossible. Just what the hell are you!?" She yelled with a glared filled with hatred. For the first time, anyone watching heard Takeda give out a laugh. He held a hand to his face, as he still stared at her through the open spaces to where he could see. He looked crazed when he looked at her.

"...Me...? Hehehe...I..." The dragon made in his aura seemed to speak alongside him. "...Am the Shadow Dragon..."

[Prove it to me you, brat. That you are worthy of wielding my power. That is what I asked of you. Well done, brat.]

The feminine voice spoke out for all to hear, as Takeda's power seemed to grow. Amelie took a few steps back. As Takeda's grew a second pair of wings.

Not the wings of a Devil or a Fallen Angel, no. But the wings of a Dragon. Pure black in color, with a few tears in the sections between each part of the wing.

[I don't expect you to lose to such filth, brat. If you do, I'll kill you myself.]

"I wouldn't dream of losing her. Not until this bitch has met her end. I'll show you I can handle this power...Elder Dragon Erebus."

The dragon seemed to laugh in response, which sounded more dark than it probably was supposed to be.

With a roar from the Dragon Goddess herself, Takeda charged at the fearful Amelie. She had been frozen in place ever since Takeda's power had grown. She tried to step back, only for a shadow made tail to appear at Takeda's back, grasping onto her arm.

He pulled her closer to him, before his right leg found itself behind her. The task of this was to trip her, and as she was falling back, Takeda punched her straight in the gut. The force of the punch caused a bunch of the rubble to fly back at the growth of the wind.

Amelie coughed up another bit of blood, feeling her ribs being broken from the punch. Amelie didn't see this as the fighting style of a warrior. No, to her this fighting style, and the way he moved. It all looked animalistic.

Takeda didn't stop on his assault, as he continued to punch her in the gut. Over and over and over again. Blood continued to be spat out from each punch, as Takeda finally stopped. Instead, he grabbed her by the arm, throwing her up into the air. Just as she was about to land, his fist landed in her abdomen again. To finish it off, he gave her another roundhouse kick a few feet away from him.

"Y-You...shouldn't have been...t-this strong. I-I won't lose to some filthy hybrid like you!" She somehow stood back up, although on wobbly legs. Takeda made to move once again, only to find his legs unable to move.

He looked down, seeing skeletons holding him by his legs. They were coming out of small magic circle that opened to what looking like a world made of fire and lava.

When he looked back up, Amelie was in front of him once again, kicking him up into the air. He tried to regain balance, but she was above him already. With her glare heavy, she began to punch and kick away as he fell. She ended it all with a double hammer fist down and into the ground below.

It created a small crater, which Takeda slowly climbed out of. As he got to his feet, Amelie rushed him again. She attempted many hits, but he blocked and dodged them all, truly showing his skill in hand-to-hand combat and self defense.

Takeda even had to flip backwards to dodge a close kick aimed at his chin. He landed perfectly, allowing his left hand to form into that of a sword, blocked her punch easily. He pushed her back, cutting her right at the joint of her shoulder.

"G-Gaah!" She let out a small cry, as the arm fell limp. Takeda immediately took charge again, going for a flying sidekick.

Just barely, Amelie lifted her still good arm, clenching it tightly. From the skies above, another magic circle opened. From it appeared a skeletal warrior, that knocked Takeda back. He flipped a few ways, landing on his feet again.

'These portals...just what the hell are they?' He asked himself, his glare still as evident as ever.

"Takeda!" The raven haired male turned towards Issei, who had stepped forward. "Please, let me help you. I heard what you said, and I understand your anger. No, I don't know how that feels, but please, this is my fight just as much as it is yours. So please, let me help you!" The brunette exclaimed with a fire in his eyes.

In truth, Takeda wanted this fight all to himself. For revenge, he would show that he could take her alone. But...Issei was right. This was his fight as well. Amelie was the one who toyed with his heart and killed him. He had just as much of a right to fight against her, as he did.

He sighed.

"Fine...but the final kill is mine, you hear?"

"I hear you, just a few licks in is enough for me!" Issei stated as he stepped forward. "Come on, Boosted Gear!"

[Boost!]

The Sacred Gear appeared, as the two stood side by side. Amelie glared at them both, as Issei looked towards the Red Gauntlet.

"Hey, Dragon. I don't know if you can hear me or not, but give me enough power. Just enough power to help take this bitch down! Can you do that!?"

[Boost X5!]

Issei's power grew a bit more, as the winds around him picked up.

[Explosion!]

"Alright! Let's go, Takeda!" The raven haired simply nodded, as both young men charged at the Fallen Angel. They attacked at the same time, forcing Amelie to focus in dodging more than attacking.

As she dodged an attack from Takeda, Issei landed a punch on her cheek, forcing her back. But Takeda was already behind her, before a spinning back kick to push her back into Issei.

With as much force as he could muster, the brunette performed an uppercut. Amelie soared through the air, trying to regain balance. She looked around frantically, before clenching her teeth.

"Grrrrr...ENOUGH!" She yelled, as flames sprouted off of her body, pushing the two back. Issei flew into a piece of rubble, while Takeda hit a tree back first, knocking the wind out of himself. The flames didn't stop, as they continued down into the forest trees nearby. Seeing the flames nearing, Takeda sprouted his wings, taking off from the floor. Quickly, he landed down in front of the others, slamming his hands down on the ground. From below appeared a wall of shadows, working to surround the group not in the fight.

Issei had pushed his body up and maneuvered around the rubble to outrun the flames, before they eventually came to a halt. Takeda and Issei both looked up Amelie, seeing she was breathing heavily, but the hatred in her eyes never left. Slowly, Takeda allowed the shadow barrier to fall. At that moment, he took notice of the evil smirk on Amelie's face.

"You...really should have kept that barrier up." She stated, confusing Takeda, before he felt another presence behind them. He turned quickly, noticing Amelie there behind them. No one else seemed to notice, as her right hand was covered in fire. just as he went to move, it was already too late.

"Heuurgh!"

His eyes widened, as blood spat out of her mouth, her eyes widened just as his. Slowly, Amelie burst into flaming feathers, revealed to be a clone, leaving a hole in her chest, as she slowly fell to the ground. Quickly, Takeda ran to her, hoisting her up into his arms.

"Kala! Hey, come on! Talk to me!" Raynare and Asia had come closer, Twilight Healing coming to life.

"Don't even bother, devil trash! Those flames were aimed directly for the heart. If that weren't enough, I crushed her heart as it is. The Twilight Healing cannot regenerate limbs or organs, so as I said, there's no point! She's gone! Without a heart, not even the evil piece's of the devils can return her to life!" Amelie yelled out with a crazed smile. Even after she finished speaking, Asia didn't stop trying to use the Sacred Gear. Amelie began to laugh, before she felt a presence coming her way. She turned, only to find a fist hit her right between the eyes. She flew backwards, crashing through rubble.

"Kala...talk to me...tell me your alright...please..." Takeda practically pleaded. If was as if the universe didn't want him to find happiness. First his parents were taken, and just as he was beginning to find happiness in another person, they get taken from him as well. Did he do something to cause such hatred and anguish to turn his way. Slowly, his breathing increased.

Finally, Asia ceased her Sacred Gear, her head turning towards Takeda.

"I'm s-sorry-" She stopped, seeing his shoulders had began to tremble. Issei suddenly landed nearby them, coughing heavily as Amelie walked closer again.

Given that he was fully wearing clothing, no one could see the image that had appeared across his back.

"Have I finally broken you, boy? Are you finally coming to realize that it doesn't matter what you do, for I will always come out on top!" Amelie yelled out, a crazed look in her eye. She went to speak again, before Takeda slowly lifted his head. The right eye was back to his Sacred Gear, but the left eye had changed as well this time. It had also turned red, the pupil small and rounded, with two marks to the left and above the pupil.

'That eye...where have I heard of it before...?' Amelie questioned, before Takeda appeared before her again. With sharpened teeth, Takeda bit into her already injured shoulder, causing her to scream in pain. Issei rushed forward, as both ran after her, neither wanting her to regain any power or stamina.

Issei continued forward, as Takeda sunk into the ground via that shadows of the trees.

[Boost!]

"Promotion: Rook!" With his strength now increased, Issei shot his fists forward, hitting her again and again. With a knee, Amelie was pushed back, as Takeda appeared behind her, spinning and kicking her back towards Issei. The two continued to hit her back and forth between the two of them, not giving her a second to breath or relax. Sharpening his hand with shadowed claws, Takeda cut into a tree, lifting up trunk and throwing it Amelie's way.

Issei pushed her forward, forcing her to collide with the tree.

Takeda jumped forward, pulling the trunk off of the fallen angel, only to find a skeleton left there.

'What the...' Small screeches and roars covered the area, as multiple skeletons crawled out from the ground. Takeda and Issei backed up towards one another.

"Listen, I'm sorry about-"

"Now's not the time." Takeda cut him off, already knowing what he was going to say. "As much as I wanna break down right now, it's not the time. For now, focus on taking these things down. Got it?"

Issei lifted his gauntlet covered arm.

"I hear you. Let's go!"

[Boost!]

Both sprang into action, taking down skeleton after skeleton. Each time they took one down, it would burst into flames, before another would sprout from the ground.

[Brat, stand under shadows, and I'll do the rest.]

Erebus spoke, as Takeda did as the Elder Dragon said. Quickly, he maneuvered around the skeletons, now finding himself under a tree, the moon above shining down on it. Before his very eyes, the shadows began to creep onto his body, as he felt his stamina and power returning. He quickly understood what was happening, before he took the shadows and creaating his own clones, each springing into action and destroying a skeleton. Any time a clone of his would be defeated, it would return to a shadow and cover a skeleton, basically defeating it.

Suddenly, Takeda sensed something behind himself, so he turned and lifted a hand, catching a fist. It pushed him back, but he held it tightly, as Amelie glared him down. He returned the look, before doing something she didn't expect.

"G-Gah!" She recoiled, as Takeda had just spit in her face, hitting her right in the eye. To him, he didn't care how disrespectful he would be, this was a fight to the death, and he promised himself she would die. "You little shit! How dare yo- urgh!" Not being able to fully see, she didn't see the incoming shadow fist that slammed her through multiple trees.

Slowly, she regained her vision, as she moved a broken log off of her body.

When she looked above, Takeda had summoned a fireball in his hands. Even if she blocked it with her arms, the fire would still bring harm to her.

'The hellfire of Erebus, said to easily melt through flesh, even through clothing and armor. I get hit by that, and I'm dead...' Amelie thought, as her own flames appeared in hand. She pushed it forward, as did Takeda.

The two attacks collided, trying to overpower the other. Both Amelie and Takeda clenched their teeth. With a mighy roar of a Dragon, Takeda pushed forward, placing all the power he could muster into the black flames.

Amelie felt what little power she held slowly growing lower and lower. She tried to push on, but slowly her flames were being consumed by Takeda's own flames. The difference in power between the flames alone was incredible, as the nearby skeletons were melted because of the heat.

"No, no, nooooooo!" With another mighty roar, Takeda pushed on, before the hellfire of Erebus began to consume Amelie. "Damn you, Erebus! Damn you, Nakamura Takeda!"

With that yell, Amelie was finally erased from existance. The hellfire slowly disappeared, revealing not even her bones had been left, having also been consumed by the flames of Erebus. With their master gone, the skeletons fell apart, sinking into the ground, allowing Issei to relax as he wiped his forehead.

With his breathing heavy, Takeda slowly descended to the ground. His hair slowly went back to normal, Sacred Gear disappearing along with all of the black veins, along with the void like substance. His left eye also returned to normal, pupil returning to its normal size, as the two marks disappeared.

The malicious aura around him slowly disappeared as well, as he finally hit the floor. Just as he nearly collapsed, he had been caught. When he saw who it was, he allowed himself to relax a bit.

"Sorry for being late." Came the words of Rias, as she held him up. "The Stray Exorcists were a bit stronger than we originally believed." She stated, as Takeda's hardened gaze slowly fell. He began to remember why he had fought so hard just now. "I heard what had happened from one of the other Fallen Angels." She said, making Takeda look at her with wide eyes.

"I-I...I..." His face slowly crumbled, allowing sadness to overcome his features. Rias still held him close, rubbing his back slowly.

"It's alright, Takeda. You don't need to hold back your tears now. I'll be here to hold you close." With those words, tears slowly fell down Takeda's face. He did as she said, allowing himself to cry just this once. What came out was more than just sadness from this one day, but years of sadness he held within himself, for things he never wanted to remember.

Takeda won the battle that night, yes. However, he still lost more than he could ever gain.


And so it ends. We showed a bit more from Amelie. For those who may be wondering what Amelie's abilities were to begin with, they will be revealed eventually, given her and Raynare's father will show up eventually. We also saw a bit more of the Shadow Dragon abilities, and we've revealed something of Takeda's much, much sooner than I had done in the original. With Kalawarner dead, some may be wondering who will fill the third slot for Takeda's lovers, and I already have it covered. It will be a while before she appears, but she will have some history with Takeda.

The next chapter will be a new one that I didn't have in the original, which will show more of Takeda's grieving and how he'll handle it. Until then...

Stay Safe...

Stay Healthy...

Have a good one!