Well… this is kinda sudden. UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of A Simple Mission Rebirth. Yes, I am doing one so soon. Mostly because I'm genuinely excited to write the finale of the Rating Game. Of course, I just bought new games include Ultra Sun and planning to buy RPG Maker MV and a book on game design…
Those are a more productive use of my time but now we're here. So screw it! Also, kinda awesome and a bit embarrassing to have you guys encourage me to follow my dream, always thought no one read these Author's Notes and did it more for myself more than anything. So uh… thanks.
…Oh, right, but uh… Merry Christmas! Like, 23 days early at the time of writing to everyone. To my beta Thy Pegasus Box, to my first collaborator JGResidentEvil and all the people who have been reading my stories, old and new, thanks. You made this year one of the best in my life after the hell that was last year. I kinda broke down and almost quit. Hell, I didn't really know what I was going to do next because I just went with the flow. A couple failures later… and I'm bouncing back better than ever.
So Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Onto the reviews! Thank God I have two phones for now so I can watch YouTube while doing this! To col. reader: Yes, I am… despite the fact I'm still going through the Light Novel. Saw some images a while back and gotta admit it's pretty good. And yeah, I was an amateur writer back then until… actually, until I guess this fic came out. I now consider myself experienced now and a lot wiser since those days. I hope to rewrite those old shames away including my first one. Also, uh… actually, I think I wrote in that Yang could heal injuries but I have a better option for a medic later in the story… sort of. To Dragon Rider 66: Well… you're gonna get your wish! Nervous laughter… sweating… internal screaming…
That's it! It's the last chapter of the year, so let's finish this Game… together!
Load Game… Start!
Chapter 19: A Simple Checkmate
Ruby couldn't help it. Her heart raced as they walked up the steps to the rooftop. Despite how tired her body felt and how heavy they felt now, she held her scythes in each hand just in case something happened, like a trap set by Raiser's fallen pieces.
Now… it was only them and Raiser. In a battle to determine the fates of the two Kings.
There was always the feeling of doubt in her mind ever since the Rating Game started. During times of calm like this, she could only imagine what would happen if they lost. Of how they would lose. But as the Game progressed, those thoughts began to disappear as more and more of Raiser's harem fell to their power until finally, it was only Raiser and his sister left.
She felt that they should've finished her off. The possibility of her recovering and getting back into battle was high. But with their numbers, they easily divide each other and take care of them. After running through a few scenarios in her head, she determined that Blake, Kiba and Akeno were their best bet in defeating Ravel if she came back while herself, Rias and Issei fight Raiser. She only hoped that Asia was somewhere safe yet near enough to allow her to heal them if needed. This was going to be a battle of attrition and from the looks of it; they didn't have a lot of time before dawn.
Ruby then frowned to herself as she got thinking. If they really couldn't beat Raiser… what would happen if it was a draw? She remembered reading something about draws in chess, how there could be situations where there was no possible way to get a checkmate. For example; king vs. king. Would they have to make a mutual agreement where both sides win or maybe make it a best-of-three sort of thing or just plain make them go through it again?
Actually, that sounded bad. She didn't want to go through another Rating Game. They couldn't use the same tactics, and they would know what they were capable of. Plus, she didn't have the mental capacity to go through it again. They needed to finish this Game now.
"Okay, we're here." Akeno said as they approached the door to the rooftop. "Now, let's slow down a little and plan ah-"
"What are you talking about!?" Issei shouted out. "Buchou's in danger! We might lose if we delay any longer! Don't worry Buchou, we're here!"
"Hey, don't-" Blake tried to stop the pervert from kicking down the door, only to wince as a barrier appeared and caused him to bounce off and fall down a couple flights of stairs, with everyone flinching with every pained grunt he let out.
"Wah! Issei!" Ruby called out. "Are you okay!?"
"I… I'm fine… Just… broke my everything…" She heard Issei groan out as Akeno undid the barrier.
"Door's unlocked." Kiba announced as he casually opened the door as Ruby quickly used her Semblance to grab Issei and get him back upstairs.
"U-Um… please don't mention this to Buchou." Issei said sheepishly.
"Mention what?" Ruby replied as she shot him a smile. "Come on; let's finish this once and for all."
"Okay… let's do this! Here we come!" Issei called out as he cracked his knuckles. "Promotion! Queen!" He shouted out, only to slump slightly at the amount energy that was drained from his body. He shook his head and stood straight back up before he nodded at Ruby. She nodded back before kicking down the door.
"Prez! We're here to help!" Ruby shouted out as they all barged through the door and onto the rooftop, with Akeno and Kiba unleashing their wings. Rias quickly pushed Raiser away, his body covered in flames, from her to see what was left of their combined peerage. Asia gasped from behind cover as she saw everyone arrive.
"You all made it…" Rias gasped in surprise before smiling. Her uniform was torn in places and her hair was a mess but she was still ready to go, especially after so many of her friends making it the final battle.
"Ruby-san! Issei-san!" Asia called out as she hugged the two.
"The dragon brat and the bastard reaper, huh. Did Ravel let them all pass?" Raiser grumbled to himself, causing Issei and Ruby to growl.
"Raiser, it's over!" Rias declared as she joined up with the group. "All your Pieces are out of this Game! You have none left to rely on! You're outnumbered! We just proved we're better than you! Forfeit now and leave your dignity intact!"
"I admit; I may have underestimated your power…" Raiser stated as he glared at his enemies. "But it doesn't mean I don't have a plan in place should I have overestimated your power."
"That… That's doesn't even make any sense!" Blake called out as everyone took out their weapons. "Raiser, I ask you as a fellow Devil, think this through. Do you think the death of someone in exchange in marriage appropriate for someone of your nobility? What makes you think this is right!?"
"It was your fool of a King who offered her life as a way into this Rating Game that should've been strictly between her peerage and mine." Raiser retorted. "Do not blame me for her recklessness. I merely gave her what she wanted."
"If they didn't help, most of us wouldn't be here." Akeno said. "Admit it Raiser, you were wrong about Ruby and her peerage! With her help, we've beaten you into a corner! She's just as deserving of the King Piece as much and you and Rias-buchou!"
"Oh please, just because she made it much further than I expected doesn't mean she deserves to lead a peerage." Raiser scoffed as he looked at the Red Reaper. "She's useless without her allies."
"…You're right." Ruby admitted, causing everyone to look at her weirdly. "Without everyone helping me, from my team, Issei, Prez… I wouldn't have made it so far…" She said as she put her hand on her heart. "But… it makes me far from useless… I'm a Huntress, a warrior, who lost so much from just a simple mission… but now… I don't care!" Ruby declared as she dual-wielded her scy-ifles, her energy flaring around her. "I may not be much to you, but to me you're nothing more than an arrogant asshole! My name is Ruby Rose, and I am a Devil! Together or alone! We'll fight until Rias and I are the ones left standing here! So give it your all Raiser! Don't bother holding back!"
"What she said!" Issei shouted out as well. "I won't let you marry Buchou! Over my dead body, I'll never let you touch her again!"
"We'll see to that." Raiser said as he gave them a devious smile. Ruby frowned at that as she shifted her stance a little.
"That flame armour's going to be a problem…" Ruby muttered to herself. "Issei, Kiba, think you can take care of it?"
"It seems Flame Delete will be useful for this battle." Kiba stated as he got out the particular sword. "Hyoudou-kun, I might need back up for this. Maybe your Dress Break technique will be useful here."
"Um… It doesn't work on guys." Issei admitted. "It only works on girls and fruit. It's how I developed it. Plus, I really don't wanna see Raiser's junk and I'm pretty sure everyone else here doesn't as well."
"Of course it doesn't work on men…" Blake sighed out. "So, what's the plan?"
"It's very obvious Blake." Rias said as she glared at the Phoenix. "We can no longer hold back. Despite everything I've done, it hasn't affected him one bit. It's all or nothing from here on out so give it everything you have!"
"No problem! Give it your all!" Issei shouted out as he, Ruby and Rias took aim. "Your win streak ends now! Dragon Shot!"
"You have no hope!" Rias called out as a ball of energy gathered up in the palm of her hand.
"Now get the hell away!" Ruby yelled out as they all fired. Raiser easily dodged the attacks, but Ruby was fast enough to aim again and fire, hitting Raiser with a headshot. "Gotcha!"
"That's not going to stop him!" Rias said as they saw the injury, which went from his jaw to the top of his skull, heal almost instantly. Issei and Ruby's jaws dropped at the sight as Raiser smirked at the two. Kiba and Akeno charged forward and flew into the air and engaged with the Phoenix. "Asia, treat Blake's injuries first before me. I also need to stay back and rest. Issei and Ruby; guard us until we're ready for the finishing blow. Remember everyone; only Issei and Ruby have a chance to take down Raiser."
"Got it, Prez." Ruby said as she and Issei watched their allies fight Raiser. She slightly regretted not learning how to use her wings to fly since it would negate his aerial advantage, but there wasn't enough time given to allow the more veteran Devils to teach them. She took a quick check of her inventory and Scroll, she saw that she still had some ammo left but her Aura was dangerously low, and Blake's wasn't recovering while Asia healed her wounds. Taking a quick mental note of that, she went back to watching the fight as Blake got up.
"Wait, Blake-san. You're not fully healed." Asia warned.
"I'm healed enough. I need to help the others." Blake said as she spawned three clones. Two of them nodded at the most forward Blake and disappeared. "Just stay behind everyone, we got this. We'll stall him before you guys go for the finishing blow."
"Ready, Issei?" Ruby asked as she channeled her Power of Suffering into the palms of her hands, ready to give it her all.
"Always." The Boosted Gear wielder answered, boosting his Sacred Gear just as Blake dashed into battle. Ruby turned back to the confrontation, quickly analyzing the situation.
Kiba's swords were barely affecting Raiser's flame armour, despite Flame Delete's ability and Akeno's magical attacks were either melting before they even reached her target or barely affecting him. Coupled with his ability to heal from even lethal blows made most of their attacks worthless. She was right with her initial strategy; stalling for time and distracting Raiser as Ruby and Issei were getting ready to end this.
"Need to get rid of that armour…" The former Faunus whispered to herself just as Kiba was punched away from the Phoenix King as Akeno put some distance between herself and the enemy. She quickly activated Shrouded Plague's stink trails, jumped into the air and attacked, holding her breath so she wouldn't gag at the smell.
But Raiser simply tanked the slices, his flame armour preventing her from even cutting his clothes while it also overpowered the smell of Shrouded Plague. Blake mentally cursed before gasping as moving her body as fast as she could.
She watched, as if in slow motion, Raiser's fist lightly grazing her shoulder as she tried to dodge the sudden counterattack.
The next thing she knew was every bone in her right arm breaking into thousands of pieces and lots of pain and blood.
"GARGH!" Blake screamed in pain as her arm was detached from her torso, blood spraying everywhere, before gasping as another fist went straight through her stomach. She coughed and gurgled before slumping down, dead.
Well, until she faded into nothing.
Raiser barely reacted as the two other Blake clones appeared behind him as they went to stab his back. He turned around and with one swift kick, decapitated the two clones before they disappeared as well, leaving only blood behind to signify they existed. He then smoothly blocked Kiba's swords before the Prince of Kuoh glared at the Phoenix.
'Death Clones. Those were Blake's enhanced clones.' Ruby thought as she attempted to calm her beating heart. Issei and Rias grimaced while Asia focused on healing her King, not wanting to see the gore. 'Figured it out during training. The clones Blake creates are almost perfect copies of her; they even have their own minds. But, they're less durable than the real Blake and are prone to rather messy deaths. Bodies remain until Blake recalls them. That's why we call them Death Clones.'
Meanwhile from her hiding spot, which was hanging off the side of the building, Blake watched in horror how quickly her clones were dispatched. Still, it gave her enough tactical information to properly plan a method of attack and stall tactics.
Run the hell away and don't look back.
It… It wasn't cowardice… it was simply getting Raiser to chase them around, tire him out and then let either Ruby or Issei deal the final blow. Yeah… she was done running… running away…
'Oh shit, we can't do this can we?' Blake thought as she felt Raiser's presence crush her chest in. It felt like her heart would collapse under its weight. She tried to clear her mind as she realized Raiser's power was influencing her to give up but she just couldn't get it out of her head. She could barely fathom the amount of power he had, and this was most likely a fraction of his true potential.
They didn't stand a chance against him. This was a mistake. They… They're going to lose if they don't run… Ruby would…
'No… don't run… don't run…' Blake thought as she went back to the day they found out her true nature as a former White Fang. 'Stop… running…! Stop running! They're your friends... This is for Ruby…!'
"This is for Ruby!" Blake cried out as she jumped back onto the rooftop and charged directly at Raiser. She yelled as she thrust her one of katana at Raiser's face, not realizing she had brought out her tail and whiskers subconsciously. Raiser dodged, only for Blake to wrap her ribbon around his neck, pull herself up and onto his face and slashed at it, not caring for the intense heat between her thighs (it was on fire, you perverts) as her clothes started to burn away until Raiser pulled her off and power-bombed her into the ground.
Akeno, while wincing as Blake cried out in pain, blasted as many ice shards she could muster. Despite taking Phoenix Tears, she was running out of magic fast. Quickly taking a glance at Ruby and Issei, who whose energies were starting to flare wildly around their bodies, she realized they wouldn't need to stall for much longer.
Kiba rushed in to distract Raiser from finishing off Blake as the cat girl forced her body to move away from the fight. She had done her part, now it was time to rest a little.
Meanwhile, Ruby could barely contain her energy, while Issei's body visibly shook to handle the amount of power he was accumulating. "Argh…! I-I can't hold it much longer!" Ruby declared; sweat dripping down her forehead as she tried her best to keep the balls of energy stable in her hands. "If we wanna finish this, now would be a good time." She added through gritted teeth. Rias looked at them before nodding.
"Everyone, get away!" Rias commanded. "Ruby, Issei. Finish this." They both nodded, charging forward. Meanwhile, Kiba was gasping for breath having spent all his energy on attacking, defending or dodging, and Akeno was finally out of magic. When they heard, they got out of the way as Ruby and Issei charged past them. "GO!"
"IT'S OVER!" Issei and Ruby shouted out as they pulled back their arms.
"GO TO HELL!" Issei yelled as he jumped high into the air as Ruby fell into a slide. Issei aimed to punch Raiser straight in his face, only for Raiser to grab his arm at the last second. "Oh shit…!" He cried out as he was thrown back to Rias and Asia.
But that only gave Ruby an opening.
"Game over!" Ruby declared from behind Raiser, only giving him enough time to turn around to see her slam her Power of Suffering into his face.
However, something was stopping her.
"Wh-What!?" Ruby exclaimed as a force field formed around Raiser's head. She tried to force her way through, only to find that it was pushing harder against her. There was no way she can break through! "How are you-!?"
Ruby didn't get a chance to try and adapt to the situation as Raiser grabbed her by the neck, throwing her into the ground. As she bounced off it, he grabbed her neck again and began choking her. Ruby desperately kicked at Raiser's chest and face, trying to break free. She almost lost consciousness when Issei tackled him, causing to let go as Ruby fell and collapsed onto the ground, coughing and desperately replenishing lost oxygen.
"It… It didn't work…" She whispered to herself as she got up. "Why didn't it work!?" She didn't expect an answer as Issei was punched away. She quickly used to her Semblance to catch him, ending up near Rias and Asia.
"It seems my will is much better than what you can output." Raiser said as he gave them an evil smile. "But I think I'm past playing games now. I've been showing you mercy this entire Game, giving you a fighting chance throughout it, but now I realize it's a waste to hold back. I am truly sorry, but the sun will be rising in the human world very soon and I wish not to waste the time of a Maou any longer."
Everyone's eyes widened as his flame armour glowed intensely, changing from red to blue.
"The next time we see each other, Rias… it will be at our engagement party."
Then his flame armour exploded.
Ruby's body moved before she could even think. She grabbed Asia's shield off of her back and stood in front of Rias, Asia and Issei. She screamed in pain as the flames hit the shield, heating the metal and burning her hands. Despite it, she held strong and kept the shield up, protecting the three behind her. When it stopped, she dropped the shield in an instant, her hands feeling numb after that.
[Rias-sama's Queen and Knight and Ruby-sama's Knight have been retired.] Grayfia announced, with Ruby barely hearing it as Asia quickly started healing her hands. She couldn't even move them right now.
"Wh-Whoa…" Issei managed to get out. The rooftop was completely melted, apart from the safe space Ruby created.
"Ruby…" Rias whispered out, staring in awe at her fellow King.
"I'm… I'm sorry I couldn't save the others…" Ruby apologized. "But… Like I said… I won't lose so easily…"
"Ruby… Please, stop fighting…" Rias begged, feeling guilt build up in her heart. "Stop fighting for me…"
"I… I won't…" Ruby replied as she stood up, feeling returning to her hands. This only caused Rias to feel more guilt as she saw that Ruby was barely standing on her feet. "Issei… help me… end this once and for all…" She growled.
"H-Hai!" Issei called out as he got up and went into a battle stance. "I won't stop fighting Buchou as well… Even if my body breaks, my heart won't allow me to give up! I'm dumb so I don't know anything about strategy or fear I can still fight. I can continue fighting as long as I can move my hand! Alright, bastard, get ready for the RxD!"
"You still have fight in you, huh?" Raiser remarked as he glared at those who remained. "Well, enough of this nonsense. Now!"
"Sorry about this!" A voice from above called out. Before Ruby could react, she was tackled into by a hot blur and knocked into Asia, forcing them up into high into the air both off the rooftop.
"WAH!" Asia screamed out.
"RUBY!" Rias yelled as futilely reached for one of their hands.
"AH! Ruby! Asia!" Issei shouted out as he could only watch them disappear over the edge, wincing as he heard a sickening crunch fill the air. He turned around glared at the Phoenix. "You… You son of a bitch! I'll kill you!"
"Well, considering that the Game isn't over yet, it seems the Human King is much more durable than expected." Raiser noted before going into his own battle stance. "But no matter, this Rating Game is about to end already. Give up now, Rias. We have a wedding to plan."
However, the Crimson Ruin Princess clenched her teeth and hands as she got up. "No… all I'm planning is your funeral, Raiser…" She growled out. "If you haven't it through your thick head, let me remind you… I will never marry you. I'd rather die than let you touch me again! I promise… on the blood of my friends you spilled… I'll ensure the happiness of everyone I know and love!"
"That doesn't include you, asshole!" Issei called out as his Boosted Gear started building up his strength. "Let's do this, Buchou!"
"Gladly." She said as their Devil energy flared as the Power of Destruction flowed through her body.
"Well, if you insist to lose…" Raiser said before appeared in front of the two in the blink of an eye.
But Rias had already countered this.
She ripped open her uniform's blouse, revealing her bra and a large black revolver with red demonic symbols tucked in between her breasts. 'Take off the safety, channel your energy into the chamber, then go and pull back the hammer…' Rias thought as she went through her practiced motions for a quick draw before aiming it at Raiser's neck. "Then… boom."
BOOM!
Issei was stunned at the sight… because Rias had accidentally ripped off one of her bra's cups, revealing her left boob to him. The gun wasn't that much of surprise, he watched Ruby make it for her after all, and it was explained to him that it was secret weapon to catch Raiser off guard because Rias mainly used her Power of Destruction to fight. But he was surprised the force of the "bullet", which was purely made of Rias' own power, stopping Raiser in his tracks and covering Rias in blood. She didn't hesitate to follow up it up by unloading five more shots in the Phoenix's chest… before grimacing as she put fifteen more into his balls before putting one more into his head.
Issei then snapped out of his thoughts before punching Raiser in the face, forcing him back onto his side of the rooftop.
"Gotta thank Ruby for Devil Trigger and the lessons." Rias muttered to herself as she twirled her revolver around as Raiser's body healed from the bullet barrage. While using her Power of Destruction without the gun was much more powerful, it could be much easier to block especially against people like Raiser. But through Devil Trigger, it was basically instant. There was no travel time, she just needed to point, shoot and deal with the recoil. "Aw… are you hurt? Didn't expect a princess to pack heat, did you?" She mocked before aiming at him again.
"That was kinda brutal, Buchou." Issei admitted as he raised his arm in front of his eyes to censor himself from seeing the Phoenix's junk.
"We have to fight with everything we've got, Issei." Rias stated. "We're the only two left who can fight Raiser right now, so get ready…" She said as she heard Raiser growl and flare his own Devil energy. "Because I think I just pissed off the fried chicken."
"Whatever you say, Buchou." Issei said before looking at the edge where Asia and Ruby went over. 'I really hope you're okay…' He thought before the two charged at Raiser.
(Front of the School)
"WAH!" Asia screamed out as she and Ruby were sent high into the air and off the rooftop by Ravel, which caused Ruby to curse to herself as she turned her body around and hugged the former nun. "Ruby!?"
"Asia!" Ruby called before turning her back to the ground just before impact. There was a sickening crunch as Asia shut her eyes, her head bouncing off of Ruby's chest. Asia groaned as she quickly applied Twilight Healing her neck and head to heal from the pain of getting whiplash from the impact. However, when she opened her eyes… well, it wasn't a pretty sight.
Ruby's limbs were sticking out at odd angles, with a few bones sticking out of her clothes and skin. There was also blood splattered everywhere and oozing out of old and new wounds that she suffered in the Rating Game. Asia spotted the shattered screen of Ruby's Scroll and saw that her Aura was completely empty. The only indications that Ruby was even alive were the quiet pained groans and faint yet heavy breaths she let out.
"R-Ruby-san!" Asia shouted in horror as she started desperately healing her friend. Asia frowned when she studied her wounds much more closely as she tried to put the bones back into place. The wounds she had were very severe. The Game should've ended when they landed, and yet she was still here. Why wasn't it over yet? She saw the Red Reaper trying to move, placing her hand on her forehead to stop the wounded girl. "St-Stay still… please don't move… it's only going to make it worse…" She said as she tried to force down the tears falling down her face.
"I… I can… I can still fight… I can't give up…" Ruby managed to get out. "My heart won't let me…" She chucked a little since she quoted Issei, only to stop to let out a small pained grunt.
"I'm so sorry about that." Ravel sighed an apology as she landed back onto the ground. "I thought you could take much more punishment. Unfortunately, I was wrong."
"Y-You…! You hurt Ruby-san!" Asia exclaimed. "Why would you do such a thing!?"
"Don't you know you're fighting my brother?" Ravel said. "I can't dishonor the name of the Phoenix, and at the end of the day… you are my enemy." The blonde shifted into a battle stance as flames started to surround her. "And aim to finish this once and for all. No hard feelings, please."
"A-Asia… go back and help Issei and Rias…" Ruby said as she slowly tried to stand up, surprising Asia into stopping her heal. Ruby's body screaming in pain as she did, trying to tell her she had pushed it past its limits. She tuned that voice out, readying Death Rose. "I'll… I'll…"
"No." Asia interrupted as she forcefully took the weapon out of Ruby's hand. "You and Issei have been protecting me all this time, so now I'm protecting you. Please, Ruby-san, stay behind me and rest."
Ruby only stared at the former nun. She had an awkward stance and was struggling to carry the weapon, and she was shaking on her feet. Ruby knew she was a pacifist, and this wasn't going to be a fight Asia would win. She had to stop her.
"Asia, you can't do this! Let me-ah!" Ruby tried to reason as she got up on her knees, only for her legs to flare up in pain, causing her to collapse onto the ground. "I… I can still fight!"
"Well, technically you can." Ravel deadpanned. "You're only eliminated if you can no longer fight and even in the state you're in… you still have the ability to fight. Which means I have to beat it out of you."
"Y-You have to go through me first!" Asia called out as she tried to comfortably hold the scy-ifle. "I won't let you hurt my friend!"
"…This is going to be way too easy." Ravel sighed out. "How about this, if you manage to touch me in any capacity I'll temporarily join your peerage. Deal? I'll even give you a free shot."
"If it stops you from hurting Ruby-san…" Asia said as she tried her best to intimidate her with a glare but couldn't.
"Please… don't do this…" Ruby begged, only for Asia to smile at her.
"Don't worry about me. I won't give up because my heart won't allow me to." Asia said before firing at Ravel… with the recoil causing the gun to whack in the forehead, making her drop it as she rubbed the extremely sore area. "Ow ow ow…!"
"…I am surprised she hadn't knocked herself out with that." Ravel muttered to herself before creating fireballs in the palms of her hands. "Well, my turn."
"Asia!" Ruby shouted out as Ravel charged at her, throwing fireballs all the while. Asia's body moved before she could even think, stumbling out of the way to the shots before diving to the ground just in time for a fireball to miss. She got up as quickly as she could and started going back for Death Rose, only for Ravel to kick it away, throwing more fireballs.
Ruby had been trying to move her body to help Asia the entire time, but found out that despite everything she couldn't. As she stared up at the sky, she saw flashes of light and heard gunshots. She was struck with an idea. "ISSEI! RIAS! SHIELD!" She shouted out.
"Huh!? Ruby!?" Issei exclaimed before going under one of Raiser's punches. He spotted Asia's shield on the ground and dived for it, just in time to guard against a large blast of fire before using it to bash Raiser away. "Buchou!"
"Got it!" Rias called out as she appeared behind Raiser, stuffing the barrel of Devil Trigger into his back before firing. She then turned him around, slapped him in the face and put another bullet between his eyes. While Rias drew Raiser's attention to her, Issei tossed the shield off the roof and next to Ruby.
"Are you okay!?" Issei asked as he constantly glanced back at Rias and her fight with Raiser, right before seeing Asia being blasted by a fireball. "Shit! Asia!"
"Don't worry about us! Just keep helping Rias!" Ruby ordered as she painfully sat up. "We got this!"
"…Okay." Issei replied hesitantly before throwing himself back into the fray. Ruby grinned, grabbing the shield. Seeing that Asia was nearby, she knew it couldn't have been a more perfect time.
"Asia! Heads up!" Ruby yelled out as she slid the shield towards the former nun. Asia quickly spotted it, picked it up and held it up just in time to stop another fireball.
"You think a shield's going to stop me?" Ravel taunted. "I've been holding back this entire time because I felt sorry for you, and you're barely surviving my attacks! So why do you even bother fighting?"
"I'm not fighting! I'm protecting my friend!" Asia called out.
"I'm protecting a loved one too, you know." Ravel countered. "Don't assume it's black and white! Now stop running away and attack me already!"
Asia looked at Ruby, who only gave her a worried look, before looking down at the shield she held in her hands. She tightened her grip on it before looking Ravel in the eye. Despite her mind telling her that this was suicide; that this was only going to hurt…
She remembered the pain everyone went through to rescue her from the abandoned church all that time ago… and ran at the Phoenix's little sister with her shield raised.
Ravel just looked at the comparatively slow girl recklessly running straight at her and sighed. "That's it, this is just getting pathetic." She mumbled to herself before easily knocking away the shield when she got near before blasting her with a few fireballs and punching her in the gut and then the face, causing her to skid across the ground. Asia struggled to sit up after taking such a blow. She blacked out for a second back there. "Once again, I'm sorry but-"
"You lose." Asia finished off.
"Huh?" Ravel got out before looking down… only gasp as she saw there was a mark on the middle of her chest. "What the-!? Is this…!?" She exclaimed as she panicked.
"You learn a thing or two after you experience it yourself." Asia explained, deciding not to mention the actual number, before holding out her arm. "Forgive me for this, from those above to the people here on the ground. Dress Break!"
"NNNNOOOO!" Ravel cried out in horror as her clothes exploded into nothing but shreds. She quickly covered herself as she shivered. Damn, it was cold! "WHY!? I promised I'd join your peerage!"
"I'm sorry but… You would be betraying a loved one then. And… even you're the enemy, I just know that you would never do that under normal circumstances." Asia admitted. "So farewell."
"And good-bye." Ruby said as she aimed Crescent Rose at Ravel's head. "It's been fun while it lasted."
Ravel just closed her eyes, knowing that she was done for… and that she needed a new set of clothes.
BANG!
[Raiser Pheonix-sama's last piece has retired. I repeat; Raiser-sama is the last of his peerage left in this Game.] Grayfia announced. Ruby just out a sigh of relief, before wincing as she felt pain rush up her shoulder. She still couldn't face Raiser in this condition, so… it would be probably best if she sat out… but she didn't want to. She wanted to help Issei and Rias fight Raiser. While she was very confident in the two… she wanted to be there fighting with them. Hearing more gunshots and feeling energy radiating from the rooftop, she forced herself to stand up.
She wasn't going to leave them alone.
However, Asia put her back down and started healing her once again. Ruby noticed how tired and beaten she was, making her relent to the smarter idea of her staying out of the fight for the rest of the Game, but now she had to convince the former nun to stop helping her and help Issei and Rias. "Asia… thank you but… support the others… they need you more than me." Ruby said. "I'll be fine."
"…Issei-san and Rias-buchou don't need me." Asia replied as she shook her head. "You can't even stand up properly… you need me more."
"Asia, you look like you're about to collapse." Ruby stated.
"I am." Asia said, causing Ruby to quietly gasp. "I… I won't be much help soon… I'm too tired, I can't fight. It's a struggle… to stay awake right now. At least the last thing I will do in this Game is helping you on your feet."
"Asia…" Ruby whispered out before the Twilight Healing user helped her up. Ruby now noticed how tired she felt, but at least now her injuries were minimized. Some were still there, but they were just minor scratches and bruises. She still felt sore all over but she was in a much better state than she was in only a minute ago. She took one last look at her body… before hugging the former nun "…Thank you."
Asia only giggled as she felt her consciousness starting to fade away. "You're welcome… Ruby…" She said as she started to glow. "Please… finish this…"
"I will." Ruby replied. The next thing she knew, she was only hugging air.
[Rias Gremory-sama's Bishop has been retired.] Grayfia announced. Ruby took in a deep breath as she wiped away both her own tears and Asia's, looking at the rooftop again where she saw Issei being thrown into the air, Raiser axe-kicking him back down. Ruby frowned, put away both her scythes before stumbling back into the school, too tired to use her Semblance or go faster than a walk.
She had a Rating Game to win.
(Rooftop)
"Having fun yet!?" Issei called out as he quickly assaulted Raiser with flurry of berserk punches, kicks and flips before drop-kicking him away. He didn't know how times he boosted, he didn't bother keeping track of how many, but the power he felt was unimaginable. He couldn't believe this was the power of a Queen Piece, it was amazing! Combined with his Boosted Gear, he felt unstoppable. "Got that one from the arcade!"
"Issei! Move!" Rias shouted out, causing the Pawn to get out of the way so Rias could put more bullets into Raiser. She quickly shoved her shoulder into his stomach before following it up with a few jabs and shots before getting away. He was healing from every attack and they were starting to feel fatigue, but they kept going strong, putting as much pressure on the Phoenix as they could to wear him down until there was nothing left of his will. "We can do this all day Raiser! We won't give up!"
"You talk about not giving up, but you know it's not true." Raiser said as he stood, not worse for wear. "You've already lost!"
"That's what we should be saying to you!" Rias retorted. "It's three-against-one, Raiser! Every single piece you have is retired!"
"I'm sorry; you still count that sorry excuse for a Devil lying broken on ground level? Don't make me laugh." Raiser said, causing Rias and Issei to growl before charging at him. He only smirked as Issei got to him first and started throwing punches at him. He countered every single one easily, pushing his fists away from him and getting in a few quick jabs which hit like a truck to the Pawn. Issei stumbled back as he clutched his side before narrowly dodging an uppercut.
Issei realized he was starting to get sloppy, straight up hand-to-hand combat was becoming a less viable method of attack. Thinking quickly, he grabbed the arm as used the momentum of the uppercut to get into the air.
He did a twist in the air to properly maneuver himself into the right position before he managed to land on Raiser's shoulders. Wrapping his leg around his neck keep himself stable and to choke Raiser out, Issei proceeded to whack the Phoenix's head as he tried to get the Pawn off his shoulders. "Buchou! Shoot! Shoot!" Issei called out as he tried his best to stay on.
Rias hesitated for a second as she realized there was a possibility that her Pawn might get shot by her own bullets before concentrating more of her Power of Destruction into her revolver. The drain on her energy was starting become noticeable but manageable. She wouldn't need to pick her shots any time soon.
Speaking of which, she fired eight shots at Raiser. She missed with the first shot but the next five shots hit their mark; one in the right foot, one for each kneecap, one straight through the sternum and the last into his forever regenerating genitals.
The last two hit Issei in the right shoulder and, after going through Raiser's head, his stomach.
"ISSEI!" Rias cried out as the Pawn fell off, hitting the ground as he clutched his wounds. Issei just coughed before rolling away as Raiser tried to crush his head with his foot. He got up and threw a few more punches, only for it to be countered and made him wide open for a beatdown.
When he managed to escape, Issei was nothing more than a bag of meat, sweat and blood. Rias could only watch as he forced himself to keep conscious, let alone move his body.
"I'm… I'm good! Just keep fighting!" Issei shouted out as he took a step forward and threw his gauntleted fist, only for it be met with Raiser's own fist. Issei felt the wound in his shoulder get worse as he felt like he just punched a skyscraper. His arm shook as he tried to overpower Raiser, only to find himself on the losing end. He threw his other fist only for it to get caught as well. "Shit!"
Rias just watched as the ground beneath Issei started to crack as he slowly down to his knees, struggling to keep Raiser from destroying him. Rias didn't want to attack because she feared she would only hurt her Pawn even more.
"No…! I… won't… lose… in front of Buchou…!" Issei growled as he flared what was left of his Devil energy as he started to stand on his two feet. "I will win... I may be just a lowly Pawn now... but I will become the ultimate Pawn...! For Buchou! For my friends! For my dream! Give me everything Sekiryuutei! I WANT TO BECOME THE HAREM KING!"
Issei roared as he felt his Sacred Gear go into overdrive as he began to push back Raiser, his Devil wings out as more and more power grew within him. With one last cry of effort he crushed Raiser's hands, took a step back before pulling back his fist. "TOUCHDOWN!" He shouted out as his pupil narrowed into slits, feeling the dragon within awak-
[Rias Gremory-sama's Pawn has retired. Only Rias-sama, Raiser-sama and Ruby-sama remain.] Grayfia announced just as Issei burst into particles of light.
"ISSEI!" Rias cried out at the empty spot her only Pawn was before collapsing to her knees, her legs unable to keep her standing from the shock of Issei's sudden retirement.
'Issei… you pushed your body too far… it couldn't handle such power…' She thought as she looked at Raiser, who only smiled at the riddance of the Pawn. '…For someone who doesn't deserve it…'
"It seems your Pawn tuckered himself out mid-attack." Raiser remarked as he turned to future bride. "I always knew he was unfit for such a Sacred Gear. It wouldn't have even affected me even if he managed to not eliminate himself from the Game."
"…No." Rias whispered out before getting back on her feet. "That would've ended this Game… I know my servants like the back of hand and I guarantee… you wouldn't be here talking to me! He may be just a Pawn… but you cannot look past it and realize I'd rather marry him than you!" She loudly admitted. "Not because of his strength or blood, but because of his courage, his will… and his belief in me…" She mumbled as she placed a hand over her heart.
"Gremory-chan, face facts. We're both out of Pieces but I have proven multiple times in the past that I can finish this Game at any time I want. And that Human King is no longer here to help you, like she would be nothing more than a damsel in distress." Raiser said. "Now why keep fighting when it would be only delaying the inevitable?"
"Shut up! Ruby is…!" Rias shouted out only to calm down. "Ruby treated me like no one special, that I was simply another person not someone you should put up on a pedestal… She doesn't care about me being a Gremory, but rather me being Rias. I just know both of them… they'll become some of the greatest Devils in history and make sure you're nothing more than a memory!"
Rias just closed her eyes as she started remembering everything the others had given her… but what stood out were the memories of Ruby and Issei.
"There's a simple unstoppable force that binds us together. In life and death, we promise… we'll never leave you alone…" Ruby and Issei whispered to themselves as Asia opened her eyes.
"After all, I like Buchou as Buchou already. I don't know anything about Gremory or about the Devils' world, but to me Rias-buchou is Rias-buchou… Nggh, I don't understand all the complicated stuff but to me the usual Buchou is the best!" Issei declared with his biggest smile.
"Yeah, I mean, Rias is the reason we're friends in the first place, not Rias Gremory." Ruby said with a smile plastered onto her face.
"That's bullshit!" Issei shouted out. "There's no way anyone has a right to do that! Not even your own family!"
"…Trust me, Prez." Ruby said softly. "I won't lose that easily."
"…Because it's not inevitable!" Rias declared as she opened her eyes, aimed Devil Trigger at Raiser in one hand while charging the Power of Destruction in the other. "My destiny isn't set in stone! It can't be written by my brother, you or anyone else in this world! The answer is so simple that you're too blind to see it! My name is Rias, and I decide my own fate! Now get out of my sight!"
With that, she threw out a large ball of death in Raiser's direction. Raiser was prepared to get of it… until Rias shot it, causing it to explode between them. Rias quickly shielded herself from the blast, keeping her feet planted on the ground. When she stopped, she saw that Raiser was missing. Automatically, she saw him in the air with his fist engulfed in flames.
Shooting him wouldn't stop him so it was time to get a little more… personal.
She quickly reached under her skirt and pulled out her second surprise for Raiser (that Ruby made, of course); a red dagger with a dragon's head for the hilt and the blade designed to look like fire with touches of gold on the eyes of the dragon and on the blade.
She didn't think as she jammed the dagger into his neck while using her other hand to grab onto his side. She then used the momentum of Raiser's attack and used it against him, throwing him to the side and onto the ground while simultaneously pulling out her weapon and using her wings to get some distance from him.
Raiser recovered rather quickly as he cracked his neck, the wound healing in an instant. "Really, you think a knife if going to win you the Game?" Raiser had to ask.
"No… but it will run out the timer." Rias replied as she smirked as another announcement was made.
[Thirty minutes until dawn. Be aware, there is only thirty minutes until the end of the Rating Game.] The sound of Grayfia's voice filled the air of the mostly empty and ruined battlefield.
"…You've been trying to force a draw this entire time." Raiser realized. "There has never been a draw in a Rating Game."
"Until now." Rias finished as she started to explain her way of thinking. "I know I can't win and I know Ruby is climbing up those stairs right now to try and help me. I know I can't win now, but at least I can drag this out into a draw. This could go several ways; It could come down to a vote on our performance and I'd say me and Ruby's entire peerages of Low-Class Devils defeating several High-Class Devils, as well as this being our first Rating Game, I'd say we'd win by a landslide. We might also have to participate in another Rating Game, and given the fact how injured our peerages are, we're going to have a rest period to heal and train back up. And given the fact we managed to come this far with only ten days of training, imagine what we can do with much more time. Again, this scenario involves our combined peerage winning. Or, lastly, it'll be simply declared a draw and nothing happens or we reach a compromise. This one however is my least favorite of the three because all the compromises I can think of involves me carrying your child and that… that just can't do. If it doesn't have a conclusion I like… I'll just stop using the Gremory name, and simply become another Devil, no longer connected to any of the seventy-two pillars destroy what little chance you have of continuing the line of Pure-Blooded Devils into nothing."
"WHAT!?" Raiser exclaimed. "You are seriously considering abandoning your own clan!? Do you know what will happen!?"
"Yes. Very much." Rias said as Raiser tried to comprehend Rias' threat and decision. "I've done some things that can be considered despicable… but admittingly I choose to ignore it. But as soon as Ruby put everything on the line, I did as well. I'd even take her place if I had to, but then so many people would miss me… we're bound by an unstoppable force that connects us all. Raiser, everyone here was fighting for my happiness, fighting because they knew that if I ended up with you that I'd be miserable. I'm even feeling miserable just standing near you. This wasn't an obligation because they were a part of my peerage, no Raiser. It's because they knew me, they trusted me and well, Ruby decided to bet her life on this. Some were scared, some were ready but they all know how important this thing is. It only resorted to violence, to this primal way of settling disputes, because you couldn't understand that this would only you happy while everyone else suffers. It's like a quote I heard once. It goes: You know; there's one thing you Freelancers always seem to forget. And that's the fact that we've managed to kick your ass time and time again. Oh sure, you've got all your smart plans, and your fancy technology, and your advanced training, but, in the end, what has that gotcha? Without a team you can count on and your fellow soldier by your side, all that doesn't really amount to squat, now does it? So instead of standing there bellyaching all day, just tell us, are you gonna keep playing it safe... Or do you wanna get a little reckless?"
Raiser only stared at Rias after the long speech she gave him and tried to remember if he read that quote from somewhere… only to figure out that no book in existence had that quote by using simple logic.
"By the way, I was just wasting as much time as possible until I ran out of stuff to talk about. We only have fifteen minutes left." Rias happily informed. "You wanna punch me right now, don't you?"
Rias didn't even blink when she had to dodge a punch to the face, she was expecting it. She countered by shooting him in the leg, only for the Phoenix to push the barrel away just in time for it to shoot the ground, but Rias slashed his face in retaliation, stunning him.
Rias didn't lighten up her assault as she stabbed him in the stomach, twisted the blade before pulling it up, and slashed away at his chest before jumping away as she shot him in the face.
'Keep stalling him until this Game ends. Hopefully Ruby doesn't get here in time.' Rias thought as she moved out of the way of a counter attack. The attacks were absolutely brutal. She could see the sonic booms created with just his punches and feel the intense heat on her skin and it burned. But she kept going as ducked under one kick before tackling him to ground, stabbing him in the chest repeatedly while shooting him in the face.
Raiser got Rias off him and kicked her in the stomach, forcing her onto the ground face first before stomping on her back to bury her in the rooftop, but not before Rias got another shot off and his Raiser in the crotch for the millionth time.
The Ruin Princess groaned in pain before stabbing his foot and pulling herself up to her feet to shoot him in the stomach. She then smashed the revolver into his head while stabbing his eye out, only to be grabbed, raised over his head before getting hit with a back-breaker.
However, she recovered quickly and did a roundhouse kick, sweeping him off his feet. She grabbed him and flew into the air. Then as she neared the edge of the barrier, she threw him up as hard as she could, put away her gun to charge up another orb of destruction until it was just bigger than her before blasting it Raiser, causing a huge explosion that made her shield her eyes.
She regretted doing that as Raiser flew out of the destruction and straight at her, his clothes in ruins. Rias cursed before intercepting him with a few swings with the dagger as he punched and kicked her all the while as they fell back down to the rooftop, blowing each other away at the last second with their Devil energy.
They both pulled themselves out of their craters and glared at each other. Rias was clutching onto her arm as she kept a tight grip onto her dagger, blood running down her face and leg while Raiser was perfectly fine apart from the damage to his clothes.
Just the sight of him only reminded Rias how powerful a Phoenix was.
But she wanted to keep fighting, to drag on the fight as best as she could until dawn.
[Five minutes until dawn. I repeat; it is five minutes until dawn.] Grayfia announced, causing Rias to smile.
"It's not over yet Rias-chan." Raiser growled out. "Your hand will be mine."
"Then you just have to rip it off my corpse if you win." Rias said as she went into a battle stance.
"I won't lose!" They shouted out as they both charged at each other, clashing the middle. Rias winced slightly before kneeing the Phoenix in the stomach to force him to stop, only for him to push harder. Rias started to panic as she quickly saw herself losing in this test of physical strength.
That was, until a door blind-sided him and knocked him away.
Rias was stunned as she jumped back and looked in the direction where the door came from.
And there she saw Ruby, leaning tiredly on the doorframe she just kicked off its hinges and clutching onto Crescent Rose.
"I… I'm here Prez." Ruby panted out as she started walking towards Rias. "Everything still kinda hurts… had to drag myself upstairs from ground level… and I wanna sleep so badly… but I'm here…"
"Ruby! Go away! Now!" Rias warned just as Raiser recovered from the attack and rushed towards Ruby.
"No! We can beat him!" Ruby shouted out as countered Raiser with an overhead swing of her scy-ilfe, stopping him in his tracks before cutting open his stomach, stabbing him in the heart with the bottom of her weapon's shaft and then blasting him in the face while kicking him away. Ruby quickly grimaced as she almost collapsed to her knees. She did those motions a little too quickly. "We can do this! Together."
"You're in no condition to fight." Rias said as she frowned at her fellow King. "We only need five more minutes!"
"And end in a draw!? We don't know what happens with a draw!" Ruby pointed out. "And like you're one to talk! You look like you've gone through a meat grinder! Don't you want my help!?"
"You help wasn't needed in the first place!" Rias growled out. "I had this covered from the beginning, but you had to go and sacrifice your life against an immortal opponent for someone like me! I don't need your help, Ruby!"
"Oh puh-lease…" Ruby said as she rolled her eyes. They were now completely ignoring their opponent, who only looked on with an amused expression on his face. "Me and my friends helped you because your happiness was on the line!"
"It wasn't their problem! It's not your problem! You dragged them into this!"
"Because I don't want my friends to be miserable, you stupid bitch! Seriously, why the fuck have you been trying get me out of this Game when I'm trying to help you!"
"BECAUSE I FUCKING LET YOU DIE!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Silence fell upon the rooftop as soon as those words left Rias' mouth, and she didn't look regretful as she continued to yell at the Human King.
"I LET YOU AND YOUR TEAM FUCKING DIE BACK AT THAT FALLEN ANGEL THING, JUST SO I COULD HAVE MORE ALLIES FOR THIS STUPID FUCKING RATING GAME SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS FUCKING MARRIAGE WITH THAT FUCKING JACKASS!"
"Rias…" Ruby tried to stop the King, but she ignored it and kept going.
"AND AS SOON AS YOU WERE REVIVED BY SOMEONE ELSE, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOU SO I TRAINED YOU, TRYING TO MAKE YOU A BETTER DEVIL JUST HOPING YOU'D TRUST ME AND HELP ME! BUT THEN YOU HAD TO GO AND THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY FOR ME JUST TO BE HERE AND LOOK AT WHERE IT'S GOT YOU! FIGHTING SOMEONE WHO OUTMATCHES US IN EVERY SINGLE WAY WHO CAN'T BE BEATEN BY NORMAL METHODS! WE HAD TO HAVE THE STRENGTH OF GOD TO TAKE HIM DOWN!"
"R-Rias…" Ruby said, her voice getting weaker.
"AFTER ALL THESE DAYS OF KNOWING YOU, I FELT GUILTY FOR EVERYTHING I'VE DONE! I LIED! I DECIEVED! I TRICKED YOU INTO THINKING YOU SHOULD TRUST ME! WELL YOU FUCKING SHOULDN'T NOW, BECAUSE YOU KNOW EVERYTHING! I LET TEAM RWBY DIE!" Rias finished her rant before calming down slightly. "Now sit back, shut up, and let me fight to make this up for you so you'll never have to see me again!"
"Rias." Ruby was barely audible, but it was enough to set Rias off again.
"I said, SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Rias screamed out. Now, the only sounds that filled the air were Rias panting as she tried to regain her composure. It felt like… a weight just lifted from her chest. "I'm… I'm sorry… it had to be this way. Good-bye Ruby." Rias mumbled out before heading towards Raiser…
…Only to stop as she heard two words come from Ruby's lips.
"I forfeit."
Rias automatically turned around and saw Ruby on her knees, her hand raised in the air as Crescent Rose laid to the side. "R-Ruby… What are you… No… Don't…" Rias begged, her problems forgotten as she solely focused on the Red Reaper. "RUBY!"
"I…" Ruby swallowed as she uttered the final nail in her own coffin.
"I, King Ruby Rose of Team Nokori, forfeit myself from this Rating Game. I accept all responsibilities of all my actions… and will obey the terms of my loss."
[…Are you sure?] Grayfia asked.
"I am sure. It's my loss." Ruby replied automatically as she closed her eyes. "…I resign."
And with that… she was gone.
As Rias stared at the spot Ruby just was as the sun started to rise behind her, she closed her eyes as well. As she felt herself being teleported away, she could only just whisper to herself as tears fell from her eyes. "Ruby… Everyone… I... No, I..."
She didn't even bother to hear the last announcement.
[Ruby Rose-sama forfeits. Raiser Phoenix-sama wins the Rating Game.]
Save Game… Quit!
Oh fuck, I actually did it. So… uh… quick little uh… reveal: I totally lied about choosing between the possibility of Ruby and Rias winning the Rating Game. It was planned from the very start so I could get people off my back about it and to mislead you. I didn't even have a scenario where they would win other than it would end in under-aged drinking. I know it's gonna piss off a lot of people but, here's the thing… it's sort of really important. They had to lose because of the way I planned this fic out.
But hey, you got what you wanted. Ruby knows the truth about her death. And don't worry, there is retribution coming. And the under-aged drinking thing. Don't… Don't drink while under the legal age.
Ha ha ha ha… Nervous laughter…
Merry Christmas, from the UknownHero! And have a Happy New Year!