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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
High School DxD, New, BorN, Hero and other products related to the DxD Series are all owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo and TNK.
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Chapter 44: Recovery and Interdiction
Four days have passed since the massacre of Tokyo and Azazel could only tiredly sigh as he finished reading the latest report of the capital's situation.
Covering up the attack on Tokyo had been a job that required a tremendous amount of effort from the Three Factions. The city was quickly rebuilt all thanks to the combined effort of Devils and Fallen Angels, while the Angels took care of dealing with the public and the survivors to the assault.
Correcting some major mass media outlets, mass-hypnotizing a large number of people and then finally make sure to properly help in the passage of the souls to the afterlife proved to be something as astonishing as draining over Michael's sanity.
Even Gabriel was deployed to help around her fellow Angels but the girl would still make some time to visit the makeshift hospital were Hoitsu was currently resting.
The boy was stable, the battle against Rizevim proving to be an extensively straining situation that brought him once more close to dying. While his new 'Balance Breaker'-like form was able to absorb most of the damage, some of the hits did crack some bones and made some cuts all over his body.
His muscles were in a critical state for hours before the effort of good medics from Heaven and Grigori brought him out of the life-threatening situation, the presence of the Twilight Healing user also hastened the process of stabilizing the young man's body.
And while the aftermath turned out to be less complicated than expected, Heaven finally saw some reason within Azazel's words regarding the need to convene a proper negotiation with the other deities.
The time to appease was over, the Khaos Brigade was still a menace to the entire world, no matter the loyalty to a faction or another. Rizevim was still alive and some of the monsters loyal to the chaotic group was still on the lose, possibly ready to rejoin within the Hero Faction and continue with their disruptive activities.
But there was something to be happy about from this situation, the Governor-General mused over with a certain interest, and that was how Ophis decided to forfeit her allegiance to her own organization. Some might say it was out of distrust or because she wanted to take revenge for this brutal attempt that would have seen her captured, but the truth turned out to be… amusing.
After the medics had finished with the still-resting Hoitsu, his room was swarmed by people mostly attached to the Omega Initiative.
Ophis was always in the proximity of the boy's bed, same for Yasaka's daughter, Kuroka's sister, and young Maria Maruse. Other girls stayed around for a while during their visits but their focus shifted to a very… vengeful state.
While interception missions to try and catch some of the surviving monsters were mostly manned by Grigori's associates, Kuroka, Akua, Mio, and Akeno were quickly accepted within the temporary force intended to complete these tasks.
Akeno and, surprisingly enough, Mio proved to be the more brutal individuals of the small group, hunting down actively any of the surviving attackers, either torturing them or brutally butchering them without hesitation.
It was an edge from the eldest Naruse that Azazel thought the girl hadn't inherited by her father, the man known to be particularly violent against those that threatened his family, an instance even saw him erase two minor Hell's clans in a single week.
Speaking of relatives of the Lucifer's clan, Vali visited just once the unconscious human, glancing silently at his sleeping form before deciding to join the garrison's duty over the city as it was being rebuilt.
He didn't comment the current predicament, nor he made any remarks that were usual to him. Soon the rest of his team joined him in his duties, but not even the few teens were keen to answer to simple questions from him.
An odd display of emotion from the young holder of Albion, one that seemed so… strange for him to show.
Issei Hyoudou did the exact opposite, paying several visits to the hospital before returning back to Kuoh Town with his girlfriend, just to make sure the older boy's recovery was assured and undergoing well.
It was a gloomy situation, but the morale wasn't dropping too much low for everyone to abstain from doing some proper work. Good people of Grigori had perished in the defense of the city, but the common feeling was only one: heal and counter-attack.
Revenge, revenge against the despicable enemy that deemed it right to attack civilians, innocents without any restraints in an attempt to drag everyone in a new war. Unforgivable for the Three Factions and also for other Pantheons.
Hunger for war was now present within this generation, but the target was small, minuscule compared to other enemies and thus the worries Azazel felt regarding the length of this war were incredibly little and-
A bright light covered the little room the Fallen Angel was using as his office, causing him to close his eyes and prepare himself for a fight when… a familiar figure appeared in front of him.
He was wearing a simple business set of clothes, nothing particularly special except the insane amount of power hiding within his body. Just a minor glance was enough to make the Governor-General jump in shock at the powerful being in front of him.
The strangest detail was that he looked just like that… 'darkness' from Hoitsu, that Shiranai.
"Oh, I'm finally here. Good." The young man smiled and nodded, Azazel's eyes narrowing on him.
"W-Who are you?"
The smile faltered, some embarrassment glowing through the stranger's features before he schooled himself a proper poker-face.
"Right, I'm John Shinihachi and you… are Azazel, correct?"
"T-That's my name." The Fallen Angel replied, trembling a little at the insane energy held within this being. Was he even human? He didn't felt like a real Deity or any other supernatural beings the man has ever seen.
"Good, then I think I will be able to deal with this issue before my wife and kid question about my disappearance… I need to tell you about some of the things you will have to deal after this little clash-"
"An entire capital is almost decimated and you call it a 'little clash'?" Azazel questioned, feeling aggravated by the way the grave event was labeled by this 'Shinihachi'.
"For someone that fought over planets and went against some planet-busters, I can assure you the term I used wasn't to diminish the gravity of the lives lost in the battle, but compared to my past years? It's small." He explained, failing to get the Governor-General to stand down. "Alas, we've little time left and I seriously don't want to deal with another apocalyptic predicament with my wife. She can get terribly cranky when I'm not around and I don't want my daughter to cry too."
"Then speak, I'm not here to-"
"The Khaos Brigade isn't your worst enemy." The 'human' interrupted calmly, drawing a frown from Azazel. "There are some deities ready to make some political wars very soon and they will use the new emotion going through everyone's mind to just spark the blast. Indra and Hades can't be trusted and… I would have someone keep an eye on Loki too."
"And how am I supposed to trust you? You could be one of their lackeys-" The Fallen Angel asked skeptically, drawing a long, tired sigh from the 'Shiranai-like' figure in front of him.
"Really? A lackey? You could have said, I don't know, one of those 'Villains'? Maybe I'm a manipulative mastermind and-" Another sigh left his lips and he nodded. "Look, just tell Hoitsu to train- to train really, really hard because this is but just the beginning of some difficult stuff. For the rest, I think you and the other leaders can do on your own without the need of someone carrying you to victory."
He held two fingers up, smiling as light engulfed him. "Peace, Azzie, and tell Hoitsu that he needs to get laid soon or later." A final chuckle and some words as he vanished away. "People might be thinking wrong things about it after all."
...Azazel blinked, once more alone in his makeshift office, his mind trying to deal with the whole 'strange messenger' predicament he just experienced and… he sighed tiredly.
"Fuck it, I'm going to get shit-faced with some booze."
He moved away from the paperwork and walked towards the door.
"This isn't just the day nor the lifetime to deal with this encounters of the bullshit-kind."
My head was ready to explode right as I regained bearing of my whole self. My brain was close to just quit life itself and my body felt oddly strained by some weights over my chest and legs.
Maybe I had… some heavy bandaging going? I could still remember the beating I got from Rizevim, way too memorable to just forget so easily, but I was unsure how things then unfolded.
I remember being carried away by Issei in his Scale Mail Armor, yet I don't think I was sure about the 'how' and 'when' did he arrive. There was confusion, clarity but still some massive confusion about what happened 'after the beating'.
Lots of weird stuff. Let's just say that we aren't alone right now.
Do I have to fear waking up or can I just glance around to understand where am I?
No lewd nor gruesome scene around, you may take a peek right now.
And so I did. My eyelids opened slowly, the light of the room something I had yet to get accustomed too but I was swift in catching the figures sleeping soundly over my body.
Kunou was sprawled over my chest, her head tilted as to not have her ears cause any distraction to my chin while also having her arms wrapped around my chest.
Koneko was sitting on a chair beside the bed and nuzzling on the free space left on my chest, I could see her tail waggling slowly but determinedly.
Then my eyes saw Ophis, the girl literally between the edge of the bed and my body, pressing on my side as she rested her head on my shoulder. She looked ready to wake up but… she seemed to be genuinely enjoying that awkward position.
Hopefully the sweetie isn't getting any soreness from being squished like that.
After finishing studying the whole situation, I turned my attention to… a pair of golden eyes staring back at mine. Kunou blinked, surprise perfectly visible in her face as she realized that I was awake.
I smiled and was about greet her but I was interrupted as she literally headbutted me right in my forehead. The impact was short and harmless, but I flinched as she gave me the harshest of glares.
"Y-You almost died." She yelped, her own forehead sporting a bump now. "A-again and-"
I didn't let her finish, my free arm moving to bring her closer to me as I ruffled her hair. Her eyelids half-closed, but a determined look made me realize she wasn't going to let go this matter.
Just like that time.
"And you are fine." I smiled calmly. "At least I was the only one that messed up, eh?"
She snorted softly, but didn't restrain herself from enjoying the warmth of the embrace. "You are a moron, Niichan."
My smile widened. I never heard an insult sound so much… delightful.
"And you are a lovely girl." Her eyes narrowed at the compliment.
"I will train from now on." She proclaimed quietly. "I will become stronger, stronger than you so..."
"So I can make my rescue attempt more epic-"
"N-Niichan, I don't want to see you get hurt-"
"And I wouldn't like the opposite case to happen. I don't wish to see my little imouto hurt by some demented idiots out there."
She giggled and closed her eyes. "Kogane-tan shall beat Hekishoku."
"But also not."
We both smiled. It's been a while now since we shared a little moment and… God, I missed it. I missed the peace of being back home, minding my own business and intervening when necessary. I thought the mask of Hekishoku would have worked, that I would have been able to enjoy the quiet life of a normal student… but my power kept growing.
By becoming stronger, and pissing of Murphy, I got forced to give away my identity, I was forced to enter the dreadful chessboard the various deities and supernatural beings were happy to make use in their conflicts, either against unknown threats or each other.
Kunou had been in this system because her mother was important, she never enjoyed the chance of growing up normally and have some good friends. Getting to live in my house offered her this chance… initially.
She was happier, she was safer. And now she is stuck with me in this massive war in the making.
And I've come closer to die.
If I had died back against Dohnaseek or Raynare? It wouldn't have done much of a difference. I wasn't important and just a few tears would have been given as a reaction.
But now I was sure of one thing. If I died against Rizevim, I would have messed up the world even further. Not only it would have meant Issei or Vali stepping up to take the mantle of facing those troubles, but it would have also meant the complete disband of the Omega Initiative.
The latter ripple wasn't out of arrogance, but from Azazel's very words. 'There is nobody in Grigori that could have done it better'.
Nobody within the organization would be able to fit the bill to assemble an effective force, something to counter the growing danger left by Khaos Brigade… without trying to take over Grigori itself in a fit of power-mongering.
I had to be careful. The people I knew, those I cared for, there were so many of them.
I managed to get myself entangled with so many characters that… I was now afraid of what would happen after I was killed. The scenarios were all dreadful, none truly worth of even thinking about without getting guilty.
Sighing, I felt the other two girls shifting in their sleep and… Ophis' stared right at me, the girl squeezing her small arms around my waist without hesitation and making me chuckle.
"I'm alright." I tried to ignore Kunou's pout and the Infinity Dragon frowned.
"You were almost gone." The dark-haired girl said blankly. "I would have missed you."
I could feel Shiranai choke on those words.
I think I might have… to cry a little.
Can you do it in your corner?
S-Sniff, I will t-try.
"And I… would have missed you too." I patted her head and she proceeded to press against the warm palm.
It was in that exact moment that I felt someone tugging from the other side and I saw Koneko pouting at the interactions, her cat ears twitching in annoyance at the lack of affection.
I sighed and I moved my hand away from Kunou's head and into Koneko's… the blonde pouting instantly the moment she stopped being petted.
"N-Niichan!"
I-I've two hands!
And sadly, a very big heart, bigger than what your two hands can do.
"Mhh… What about..." I smiled deviously as I stopped head-patting and… proceeded to scoop the three of them in a big hug, bringing them all together.
Kunou giggled, Koneko's smile twitched and Ophis seemed to be in her happy place by being in that warm bundle of people.
I chuckled a little, enjoying just that precious moment after enduring some nasty beating and-
The door opened, Kuroka stepping inside while looking clueless and… froze at the scene. I blinked, ready to give some explanation about the situation, but soon Akeno, Akua, Kahlua and… the entire Omega Initiative entered inside, Baki's girlfriend too.
They all stared down, some amused smile entertaining their faces as I felt a tad bit nervous as the predicament.
"T-That's so cute!" Kozue proclaimed, picking up her phone and starting to take photos of the scene as the other girls chuckled with each other.
"Ara, Ara~ Hoitsu-kun sure is a lovely big brother." Akeno complimented, Kuroka nodding right at her.
"Yes, and now I can't help but wonder how it will be when he will become a parent." The Nekoshou 'wondered' loudly for everyone to hear.
Akua looked thoughtful over the comments. "Hoitsu… a parent." She stared right at me and nodded to herself. "A strong and good father."
Once more I opened my mouth, blushing madly as I was finally ready to explain how things had turned out like this when I saw someone in particular making steps toward the bed, looking smug and determined.
Maria was smiling, her approach slow but certain as her eyes were fixed on my plight as she shaw the chance of doing some… intervention. I paled a little and tried to stutter out something.
"M-Maria, please-" I tried to protest but she seemed adamant in proceeding with her idea.
"Hoitsu-sama." She said in a clear and serious voice, ignoring my pleas of not going ahead with her plan. "I, Maria Naruse, have a dream."
I paused, frowning at her words and slowly connecting it to the proper reference.
Seriously, are we causing an outbreak of Jojo's references?!
"Y-You have read Jojo Part 5?!" I exclaimed, feeling dread and cringe mixing as she giggled happily, looking ready to make her move any moment now.
"I learned from Kuroka-sama that Jojo is a powerful inspiration and now I am convinced of it myself."
And then, she jumped right onto the bed, beginning what could be described as the Third World War.
"Wry~!"
Kunou, supported by Koneko, tried to push away the perverted Half-Succubus, only ending up to get her fairly close to my face where she started to kiss my neck, panic rising beyond the normal limit.
This wasn't a good way to wake up from that long rest. Of that I was fairly sure!
The struggle continued for ten minutes and my poor body was used as the very battlefield for this war. The only non-combatant individual was… Ophis herself.
The dark-haired girl decided that letting the fight happen without intervening was better, considering that she got the chance of enjoying more nuzzling on my chest.
A very greedy dragon for sure…
AN
This is an interlude to Volume 4 and next chapter will see the return to Kuoh Town. Expect a lot of revelations as some characters from DxD will be placed in… strange situations.
Especially Xenovia, she was there against Kokabiel and well… she didn't fare too well against the Fallen Angel. No permanent damage in her body but… she lost something in that fight. (And before any virtue fighter rise up, no it isn't something bodily in general. I ain't some kind of psycho to drop the drama to that level.)
But before I leave you, just a little… Omake!
Omake 4: Just Sayin' (or 'Why certain Crossovers will not happen!')
Hypothetical Scenario
"Say WHAT!?" I shrieked to the receiver of the call, Azazel groaning in annoyance at the loud tone.
"I said that I found this guy, he said he was from some parallel dimension and that he would like to fight on our side-"
"His name! What's his name-"
"Goku. I think his full name is Son Goku and- Oh? You are back? What do you mean that you found Khaos Brigade and dealt with them already- Oh? I see." I was close to die from a stroke and then my psyche collapsed as the following words sunk in my brain. "It would seem like the need for an Omega Initiative is no longer required, you may tell your members that-"
And our adventure was over, just like that. Not even a chance to be in a big fight.
Training? Useless.
Planning some strategy to avoid getting attacked? Unneeded.
I gave the news to the group and the next day we all departed away, Kunou and I with Koneko and Kuroka returning to Kuoh Town and enjoying the rest of our lives in relative peace.
We would never learn of the massive conspiracies and the deep lore of our adventure because someone decided it was nice to put an overpowered character in the universe.
The balance was broken but peace was restored in the most anti-climatic way.
I wonder whatever people meant with 'being like Lucifer' and all of that.
Dun't care, pash me 'nother of twat lovely beer, yeh crazy drake!
'H-H-Hewe re go~ hehe!'
Moral of the Story: Learn the AN, it might have some interesting info about how I plan to do things.
Someone might be asking why I did this Omake, it is so short and… dumb. Well, the answer is pretty simple: Do you remember how I said I wasn't going to bundle up any obscenely OP characters? Well, someone missed the memo and decided to leave a weird comment at the story.
Quick note for the people in FF: 'John Shinihachi', better known as Unit 428, is the MC from The Living Bot, a story I've written in SB, SV and (partially) QQ. I decided against posting it in FF because the category which was most appropriate for it was X-Overs/Star Wars.
Anyway, turning my attention to some more serious things, we passed another milestone. It would seem like we need to step up a little more.
Can we reach…
Future milestone 1: 800 Followers and Favorites.
P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin
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