The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hey everyone, it's me Hide Shinyama.
I managed to finish this chapter in three weeks and two days! Now that is definitely a reduction of the gap between chapter releases!
But anyway…
In the last chapter we saw the carious characters and factions having discussions on what they were planning to do or whatever problems they had. Also, Issei and the Hulk have arrived at the Grigori.
What is going to happen to them there?
Find out in…
Chapter 60 – Inside the Grigori
14th of November, Saturday, 12:40 pm – not far from the Grigori, Underworld
Issei was chasing after the Hulk to find a way out of the Underworld. Since Issei had no leads on how to get out, he followed the Hulk on a whim. In hindsight, it was blind faith to expect the Hulk to find a way back to Japan, but Issei figured it was better doing this than to stay there in that… dead and destroyed village.
Shaking his thoughts from his mind, he decided to focus on chasing the Hulk ahead of him. The Hulk was fast and could cover huge distances with his legs.
Issei wondered how it was that the Hulk was here in the Underworld. Did that mysterious lightning transport him here, too? And what about Loki? Was he also here? Issei hoped that he would not run into him.
As Issei continued his chase, Ddraig suddenly spoke up.
[Partner, if we continue to go in this direction we will arrive at the Grigori] Ddraig revealed to Issei.
"Grigori!?" Issei yelped in surprise. "You mean the headquarters of the Fallen Angels?"
[Yes, indeed] Ddraig confirmed. [Partner, there is a risk we may get caught by the Fallen Angels if we keep going.]
Issei almost stopped in thought at that. Yet, he continued running despite his doubts, though. Why? It was because of an idea that suddenly sprouted in his mind.
"Yes, you're right, Ddraig. But on the other hand, if the Hulk is truly heading to the Grigori… I think we can use it to our advantage…" Issei explained to Ddraig.
[How so, Partner?] Ddraig wondered.
"We can use the Hulk as bait. The Hulk is most likely going to attack the Fallen Angels head on. We'll use the hubbub to sneak inside unnoticed and then find a way to teleport ourselves back to Japan," Issei explained.
Ddraig was unsure about Issei's suggestion. However, it sounded plausible… In the end, they decided to go through with the plan.
14th of November, Saturday, 1:03 pm – at the Grigori, Underworld
And so, Issei and Ddraig would arrive at the immediate vicinity of the Grigori. As expected, the Hulk rushed and attacked the Grigori and broke into the complex by smashing the magical barrier surrounding it. Issei and Ddraig waited a good distance off and hid themselves.
[Now's our chance, Partner!] Ddraig said to Issei.
"Yeah, let's go!" Issei said and dashed towards the Grigori with full speed.
The magical barrier had been broken and all the Fallen Angels were busy either fighting or pursuing the Hulk, had been knocked out unconscious by him or were trying to recover from their injuries. Thus, Issei had a relatively easy time on his way to the Grigori. There was nothing to hinder Issei's dash except…
[Partner, the barrier! It's about to close!] Ddraig cried out, as he pointed out the fluctuating magic that was trying to rebuild the shattered barrier.
Without a word, Issei picked up speed. He rushed in with full speed and made it just in time before the barrier closed behind him. Without stopping, Issei rushed inside the gap left behind by the Hulk's havoc and had thus successfully infiltrated the Grigori.
14th of November, Saturday, 1:05 pm – Ground Floor, Inside the Grigori, Underworld
Having finally arrived inside, Issei leaned against the wall to catch his breath.
"Hah… hah…" Issei panted loudly. "I made it… Hah…"
[Indeed, you did, Partner] Ddraig replied to him.
After fifteen seconds had passed, Issei decided to venture deeper into the Grigori.
Issei looked around to see if there was anybody trying to stop him or attack him.
There was no one in sight.
Issei snuck down the hallway and past the rubble strewn from the destruction.
[Now, that you're inside, what's your plan now?] Ddraig asked Issei.
Issei suddenly stopped and quickly hid himself behind a pillar.
"Hurry, hurry!"
"We need to move!"
"The green intruder is beating up our comrades as we speak!"
A group of Fallen Angels flew past the pillar where Issei was hiding behind. Fortunately, Issei remained undetected and thus emerged with a sigh of relief.
"About your question, Ddraig," Issei finally took the time to answer Ddraig. "I have no idea. I was not planning this far. I guess my idea was to look around for some… portal… or some kind of object that could bring me back to Japan. You don't happen to know if the Fallen Angels have one, do you?"
[They have the means to go from the Underworld to Earth and back again, yes] Ddraig answered Issei. [But I have no idea if they have a teleportation device. Normally, Fallen Angels use their own magic to teleport themselves, so my guess is they do not have such a device.]
"Figures it would not be so easy…" Issei rolled his eyes in irritation. "Whatever, I guess I'll have to find one of them and ask them myself."
[Tread carefully, Partner] Ddraig warned Issei. [If even one of them finds you and they alert the others, you might not survive.]
"Yeah, I know. But it is better than nothing," Issei said and headed out in any random direction to look for an opportunity.
Issei proceeded to walk down the hallway and make a right turn into another hallway. Then, he was about to go up the stairs when…
"Everybody, downstairs now!" a Fallen Angel could be heard shouting from the top of the staircase.
Issei quickly avoided the staircase and was about to head somewhere else. He wanted to go to another part of the hallway but then…
"Quickly!"
"This way!"
"It's too strong!"
…he saw Fallen Angels approaching from both sides of the hallway, presumably to fight the Hulk.
This was not good… Issei was trapped! He was going to be seen at this rate!
[Partner, the stairs! Go downstairs!] Ddraig urged Issei.
Issei looked around and found another staircase next to the one leading upstairs. That one lead downstairs and was the only pathway for Issei to avoid getting caught by Fallen Angels.
"Here goes nothing!" Issei said and rushed down the stairs.
Just like before, Issei remained undetected, as the Fallen Angels rushed through the hallway.
As Issei ran down the stairs, he noticed something. First, as he went deeper, the staircase became darker. Second, the air became a bit stuffier, the smell of wet walls and floors assaulting his nose. And third, the staircase was longer than expected. It took him thirty seconds to go down the stairs by running. It must have been a good way underground.
Eventually, Issei reached the bottom of the staircase where he saw tall shelves full of books lined up in rows one after the other, stretching themselves a hundred meters away from where Issei was standing. Also, it was pitch dark in the room, aside from a few magic crystals lighting the room.
"A library?" Issei asked himself.
[This is the Grigori. The Fallen Angels are devoted to the study of Science and Magic. I'm guessing these books contain millennia of research] Ddraig explained to Issei.
"That's… truly fascinating…" Issei remarked with admiration as he looked upon the rows of books.
However, Issei focused his mind on his mission. He was not here for sight-seeing but to find a way back to Japan.
Just then, Issei heard sounds coming from the top of the staircase he had been on.
[More of them! Hide now!] Ddraig said to Issei.
"How many of them are there?" Issei complained to himself and hid himself behind one of the bookshelves.
Once again, a group of Fallen Angels arrived with weapons in their hands. This time, they did not rush through but halted upon arriving downstairs. There were seven of them in total.
"Are we not going to fight the Hulk?" asked one of the Fallen Angels.
"No, we need to fight the monster downstairs!" a second Fallen Angel replied.
"That's right. This mystery creature has been killing dozens of our scientists. It poses as much of a danger as the Hulk upstairs. The only difference is that this creature is sneaky and hides in the dark. Stay on the alert!" the leader of the group of seven Fallen Angels warned his men.
"Yes, sir!" "Yes, sir!" "Yes, sir!"
The Fallen Angels started to sneak their way towards the end of the hallway where there was a door leading someplace else.
Issei quietly stepped out from hiding to see the Fallen Angels head split up right and left at the end of the hallway, implying there lay a crossway in both directions.
"A creature killing dozens of scientists…?" Issei wondered out loud.
[That is none of our concern] Ddraig said to Issei. [We need to find a way out of here. It's getting too crowded.]
"I know that. Except…" Issei stopped speaking when he put his efforts into using his brains to rack up a plan.
After a while, Issei smiled to himself mischievously.
[What is it, Partner?] Ddraig asked his host. [Do you have some kind of plan?]
"Yes, I've got a plan… and that plan involves some sneaking and… polite questions…" Issei answered cryptically, his dragonized eyes twinkling in the dark.
14th of November, Saturday, 1:12 pm – Underground, Inside the Grigori, Underworld
"Be careful! Reports say it is smart and can kill instantly!" warned one of the Fallen Angel soldiers.
"Yes, I understand," said another Fallen Angel.
Currently, the squad of seven Fallen Angels divided itself into two. Three took the right path of the junction and four took the left one. This group was on the left side and was scouring for their target as a group of three.
Using the light of their magic, they navigated around the underground library in what would have been near total darkness.
They looked left and right to find their target. They even looked up and behind them, but they found nothing.
After a few minutes of searching, they were about to meet up with the others and head to the next room until…
[Thud!]
"What was that?" asked one of the Fallen Angels.
"It sounded like it came from over there," the second Fallen Angel said as he pointed over at a certain corner of the room, visibly obscured by some bookshelves. "It sounded like something fell."
"Probably just a book that fell from one of the shelves," the third one guessed. "I'll check it out. Move on with the others. I'll meet you later."
"All right, then. Let's go," the first Fallen Angel said to the second one.
They both went towards the next room, while the third one headed in the opposite direction.
The third Fallen Angel proceeded to walk slowly towards where the noise had come from. Although, he was very sure that nothing harmful was lurking here. Upon reaching the location of the sound's origin, the Fallen Angel patrolman had found out he was right.
It was… just a fallen book.
"Guess I should put this back," the Fallen Angel said to himself.
He was about to pick up the book when suddenly…
"MMMPH!"
…the Fallen Angel was seized from behind and put in a stranglehold by Issei himself. Issei made sure that his left arm was clad with the Boosted Gear, ready to kill the Fallen Angel if needed. Issei also forced the Fallen Angel on his knees to make sure he did not escape.
"Tell me one thing and you can live. If you do anything stupid, you are dead. Understand?" Issei threatened the Fallen Angel.
The Fallen Angel nodded fearfully.
"Good. Do you people have a teleporter or a machine that can take one back to Earth? And if you do, how do you use it?" Issei interrogated the Fallen Angel.
"A… a machine that can bring one t-to Earth? Well, yes… I-In the fourth floor in the West Wing. There is a… a big magical teleporter with a sigil underneath. T-to use it, you just need to use the machine settings on the left of it, th-then set a timer and a location. That's all!" the Fallen Angel told Issei truthfully with stutters.
"Thanks, now good night," Issei said before strengthening his hold on the Fallen Angel's neck, making the latter lose oxygen and pass out.
Issei let the unconscious Fallen Angel rest on the floor before heading back to the staircase leading upstairs.
[That went well] Ddraig remarked. [To think that there really was a teleporter in the Grigori. You learn new things every day.]
"Yeah, yeah… Let's save the talk for when we get back home," Issei answered hastily and quickly made his way back without making any suspicious sounds.
14th of November, Saturday, 1:14 pm – Underground, Inside the Grigori, Underworld
"There's someone missing," the Fallen Angel squad leader said to his men.
Counting himself, the Fallen Angel squad leader only counted six men when there were supposed to be seven of them.
"He said he was going to check something at the other end of the room. It must have been a book that fell from one of the shelves," one of the Fallen Angels reported.
"A book? And why would it take so long to meet up here for some fallen book?" the squad leader asked.
"We're… not sure, sir. We…" the Fallen Angel tried to make an excuse.
"Enough!" the squad leader cut him off. "We will deal with this later. What's more important is…"
(Drip!)
Suddenly, a drop of water dropped unto the squad leader's head.
"Ugh! For the love of everything! Why are there so many things interrupting me today!?" the squad leader exclaimed in frustration as he moved a step to the right to avoid any fallen drops.
Just as he was about to continue speaking, he suddenly saw his men looking above him with fearful looks on their faces and trembling all the while.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" the squad leader shouted as he completely lost his patience with everything that has happened in this one minute.
"Sir… above you…" one of the Fallen Angels said, as he pointed towards the ceiling right above the squad leader's head.
"What are you…?" the squad leader exclaimed annoyed and confused at the same time.
He turned around and looked up to where his men were pointing and saw what had frightened his men.
"IT'S THE TARGET!" screamed another Fallen Angel in terror and readied to throw his light spear.
Indeed. The mysterious giant purple lizard with remnants of white fur on its back was hanging from the ceiling from its claws and looking at the squad leader with murderous interest.
Taking on a shocked and fearful look of his own, the Fallen Angel backed away before preparing an attack with his light spear.
But it was too late.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" the Fallen Angel squad leader screamed his last when the giant lizard swung the spike at the end of its long tail towards him.
14th of November, Saturday, 1:15 pm – Underground, Inside the Grigori, Underworld
"What was that!?" Issei exclaimed, nearly yelling out in shock as he turned his head around towards the innermost part of the library.
[I do not know. And I think it is better not to know] Ddraig simply answered.
"Good point…" Issei responded with a nod and picked up the pace in going up the stairs.
Even as Issei distanced himself by going up the staircase, he heard more screams coming from there.
"Help! Someone! HELP!"
(((ROAR!)))
"AGH!"
Issei tried to block out their cry for help, the sound of the monstrous roaring and the sound of people saying their last words. He knew that the ones making that noise were Fallen Angels. And Fallen Angels were Issei's enemies as far as he was concerned, same as with the Devils and Loki.
"WE'RE DYING! WHERE IS BACKUP!?"
[SLASH!] [BOOM!]
"ARGH!"
Issei tried even harder to stop his ears from hearing those pleas for help. If they found him, they would capture him, torture him and even kill him. He just needed to get to the teleporter and then he would be saved.
"PLEASE! ANYBODY! HEEEELLLP!"
Those villagers that were slaughtered a few hours earlier. They were completely helpless by those bandits… they could not fight… All they could do was scream and beg, before getting killed…
…just like those Fallen Angels…
…and just like his parents…!
At that, Issei could not take it anymore. He turned around and ran back down the stairs towards the Fallen Angels.
[Boost!] Issei's strength doubled.
[Partner, what are you doing!? If you go that way…] Ddraig warned Issei.
"I know! I'll get caught and even die! But I can't let those who are in danger and cry for help die when I can save them!" Issei declared as he charged towards the danger inside the library.
Upon reaching the library, Issei found a horrible sight amidst the toppled shelves and strewn books lying across the floor in a huge mess. Three of the Fallen Angels he had seen earlier had been killed, their bodies mauled, and half eaten. Four of them remained (which included the one Issei had knocked out, though that one quickly regained consciousness upon hearing all that racket) with their weapons out and were fighting for their lives.
What Issei saw was a huge purple reptile much bigger than himself with white fur on its back, a long tail with a spike at its end, a long tongue hanging out of its mouth and big sharp teeth. The four Fallen Angels even threw magical attacks at it. But the mysterious creature either endured or dodged the attacks by jumping, rolling, or dashing out of the way. The Fallen Angels had tried their best to avoid the beast's attacks, but it was simply too fast for them to dodge or run away. The only reason they were alive was because the purple beast did not find the time to kill them.
"NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOO!" one of the surviving Fallen Angels cried out in horror as the huge lizard dashed towards him to kill him in one bite.
[Dragon Shot!]
The Fallen Angel and the purple lizard beast noticed Issei's attack in time and dodged it just in time.
The four Fallen Angels looked at Issei in surprise with one of them pointing at him with shock and rage.
"Y-y-you…" the previously knocked out Fallen Angel uttered, as he recognized Issei by the Boosted Gear on his arm.
"Go! Get out of here now! I'll deal with this thing!" Issei ordered them with authority in his voice.
The Fallen Angels, not wanting to be here, obeyed and flew away with full speed. After they had rushed to the hallway where the stairs were, Ddraig could not help but speak.
[You realize they are going to call for help to capture both it and you, right?] Ddraig asked Issei.
"I know. I knew that that risk existed. But I wanted to do this anyway," Issei said resigned, as he got ready to fight the huge lizard, which was adjusting itself to the situation of fighting this new opponent before it.
Suddenly, it froze where it stood. This sudden action and the lizard's perfect stillness caught Issei by surprise. Issei remained vigilant in case of any suspicious movements.
A few seconds later, the huge purple lizard remained as still as before.
"Ddraig? Why is that thing frozen like that? Why is it not moving?" Issei asked Ddraig, hoping that with Ddraig being a reptile that he might say something from experience.
[I'm not sure, Partner] Ddraig said truthfully. [I do not know why… huh?]
Suddenly, there was movement. But it was not the kind of movement they expected. What Ddraig and Issei saw was the skin of the lizard bulging and puffing itself up at places, making sounds of popping in the process. For Issei and Ddraig, it almost resembled a cocoon with the butterfly inside trying to break out of it...
Wait a minute…
[Partner! It's trying to shed its skin!] Ddraig exclaimed.
"Shed its skin?" Issei asked Ddraig confused.
[Yes, there are times when reptilian creatures grow too big for their skin. But unlike other beings, such as humans, they cannot shed their skin bit by bit, rather they shed their entire skin in one go. Once they break out, they leave with new skin on their bodies and leave their old skin behind. And that's exactly what is happening here!] Ddraig quickly explained to Issei. [You must kill it before…]
Ddraig was interrupted as more sounds came out of the lizard's huge body shedding it skin.
"I got it!" Issei answered and readied the Boosted Gear.
[Crimson Scale Mail!]
With a flash of green from the Boosted Gear, Issei equipped the Boosted Gear and started boosting.
[Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!]
Issei charged his attack. The purple reptile remained where it was, still shedding its skin. But what Issei noticed was also that leathery wings had sprouted from its back. It was transforming just like caterpillar does before becoming a butterfly. Issei was spooked at imagining the result of this creature's transformation. And so, when the purple lizard's skin was at its limit and about to be shed completely…
[Dragon Shot!]
Issei fired a full-blown attack at the creature before it could shed its skin.
[BOOM!]
The Dragon Shot hit the purple creature head on in a huge blast that caused the underground library to shake in the wake of the explosion.
Issei's shielded face looked intently at his target inside the smoke.
"Did I get it?" Issei wondered out loud.
As the smoke cleared away, Issei saw the answer to his question.
It was "yes" and "no".
The purple reptile had been hit and hurt in the chest, but it was still alive and well. What was more was how different it looked from before. The purple lizard was still purple, still had its long-spiked tail and had its long tongue sticking from its mouth. But now, it had leathery wings coming out of its back. And worst of all, it was standing upright instead of being on all fours like before. Overall, it looked less like a huge lizard and more like pterodactyl. After finding its bearings, the newly evolved purple creature let out a piercing shriek making Issei close his ears in pain.
"Ngh!" Issei grunted in pain.
[Partner, watch out!] Ddraig cried out.
The purple creature flew at Issei with its claws and fangs bared at Issei.
Issei barely had time to uncover his ears when the winged reptile grabbed Issei with its arms and used its jaws to bite Issei's head off.
"Ngh!"
[Partner!] Ddraig cried out again.
Fortunately, Issei was wearing the Crimson Scale Mail, which protected Issei from its jaws and claws. Unfortunately, being bitten like that still caused Issei some pain as he felt like his head was close to being crushed.
"Let… go… off… me…" Issei grunted, as he tried to pry off the creature's jaws off him.
Issei clawed at its scaly skin as it clamped down on Issei's head. Issei was about to change tactics by switching to use his Boosted Gear's Dragon Shot.
The creature immediately noticed the surge of power coming from Issei's gauntlet and changed tactics as well.
Issei was suddenly released from the purple creature's jaws, the latter who had now taken flight with its wings.
"What!?" Issei was so caught off guard by the change of events that he was momentarily stunned.
But at the next second, Issei felt himself get taken into the air by the creature and…
[SLAM!]
"UGH! AGH!" Issei grunted and cried in pain, as he felt himself being slammed into the nearest wall...
[KRRRRRRRRRRK!]
…and dragged along the wall as if to shred Issei into pieces. Issei was fortunate to be wearing armor once again.
[Partner, you must act! Quick!] Ddraig urged his host.
"Yeah, I get!" Issei called out annoyed in response.
Issei raised his arm to shoot at it. This time, Issei was determined to shoot this creature no matter what.
[Dragon Shot!]
The purple flying reptile quickly let Issei go and dodged the beam in the nick of time.
[BOOM!]
The Dragon Shot destroyed the upper corner of the room, leaving a huge hole behind.
Issei himself fell on a fallen bookshelf with fallen books all over it.
The flying dinosaur-like creature flew around the room in a circle over Issei like a vulture eyeing its prey from above.
Issei grunted, as he got off the fallen bookshelf and books and readied another Dragon Shot.
[Boost!]
Issei was charging another shot, before firing another Dragon Shot at it.
[Dragon Shot!]
Issei fired, but the creature was just too swift. It dodged the Dragon Shot once again.
At that, the flying reptile launched a new move. It opened its jaws and it glowed from within.
[Partner, watch out! It can shoot fire at you!] Ddraig warned Issei.
Issei widened his eyes, then clicked his tongue in annoyance and just as the creature fired a huge ball of fire at him…
[BOOM!]
…Issei jumped out of the way. But the blast caused the room full of bookshelves to burst into flames and throw Issei a good distance away from the shock wave.
"Ugh! Agh! Keuk!" Issei grunted each time he bounced off the floor.
By the time Issei landed, he found himself in the room further inside the library.
And just when Issei was about to find its bearings…
[KABOOM!]
…the flying reptile came crashing through the wall, toppling over another bookshelf to the ground.
Issei scrambled up but he was not fast enough for the creature quickly grabbed him by its claws and lifted him into the air again.
"Damn it…" Issei cursed, as he struggled to get out of its grip. "This thing does not give me a chance to attack!"
True enough, Issei was once more thrown against the nearest wall with a huge impact and then dragged against it.
"GAAAH!" Issei cried out in pain, as he felt his body aching from the one-sided beatdown it was taking.
"It's no use… I can't fight back…" Issei said, as he felt himself getting weaker.
[Don't give up, Partner! This thing may be quick to dodge Dragon Shots, but you have other weapons in your arsenal – the ones that don't require the enemy to be at long distances to be used] Ddraig advised Issei.
"I see…" Issei said as his eyes lightened up. "Take this!"
Issei the grabbed one of the creature's arms, as it continued dragging Issei against the wall.
[Absorb!]
The creature stopped dragging Issei and struggled to stay in the air. It wanted to let go off Issei, but to its surprise Issei held its arm firmly. The purple reptile felt itself getting weaker and weaker.
The purple flying creature shrieked as it used the free other claw to pry Issei off it. It even tried to tear Issei to shreds with the claw. But it was of no use. Issei shrugged off whatever punishment it inflicted on him, the latter still holding unto the creature's arm with a vice-grip and regaining his strength.
The purple creature fell to the ground with a faltering roar, as Issei continued to absorb its strength. Despite that, it was not out of the count yet.
With a shriek, it used its tail to hit Issei from the side…
"OOF!"
…sending Issei flying and tumbling to the other end of the room.
The purple creature was exhausted and weary. It took to the air once more and proceeded to fire a fireball once more.
"Tch!" Issei clicked his tongue once again.
He proceeded to run away, as the fireball…
[BOOM!]
…exploded, incinerating the room and all its shelves and books. Issei, having escaped to the next room, had avoided the blast.
The room Issei found himself in was different from the ones from before. This time, it was a larger open room with some item displays standing here and there like one would find in a museum. What the items were for, Issei had no idea.
Just like before, the purple flying reptilian creature smashed through the wall to get into the room. Only this time, it did not approach Issei but remained in the air, flying while firing fire balls from its mouth.
[BOOM!] [BOOM!] [BOOM!]
"Dang!" Issei cursed, as he ran around the room to dodge the blasts, while being knocked around by the impact. "I can't shoot it since it can dodge my attacks. I can't use my absorption ability or my freeze ability either since it is too far away. What should I do?"
[You still have one thing left…] Ddraig said to Issei.
"Yeah, I do… and that's…" Issei was about to say it.
[The booster on your back] Ddraig answered, expecting Issei to come to this very same conclusion.
Issei, however, did not come to this conclusion, as he looked confused at what Ddraig had said.
"Huh? What do you…? Guah!" Issei was about to ask when one the fireballs aimed at him hit Issei and sent him flying against the wall.
Issei was alive, but the impact of being thrown against the wall made Issei slump to his knees in pain.
[What? You mean you were not thinking about doing that? Then what were you thinking about?] Ddraig asked Issei.
"I was thinking about the Raotome Secret Technique that Sanma taught me. You know? Running away until I come up with a better plan?" Issei reminded Ddraig of the technique he had used before on Planet SR388.
Ddraig only deadpanned at that.
[Really? That stupid technique? Why on earth would I suggest you do that?] Ddraig asked Issei rhetorically.
"I could not think of anything else. Why? What is your plan?" Issei asked Ddraig.
Just then, the purple creature saw its chance. Flying in the air, the reptile prepared another fire ball attack to finish off Issei.
[The plan is to use the booster on the back of the Crimson Scale Mail to propel yourself in its face and then finish it off once and for all] Ddraig explained his plan.
"Oh… that's even better," Issei said and smirked.
[Boost!]
Issei boosted his strength and power once again just in time before the flying reptile had finished charging his attack.
[Boost!]
It shot its fire ball attack towards Issei. Issei ran away once more to avoid the blast. This time, he ran not to the next room, but towards the other side of the large room.
[BOOM!]
The impact of the blast nearly threw Issei off balance. Nevertheless, Issei remained standing.
[Boost!]
With the third boost ringing out, Issei was ready.
"Take this!" Issei yelled at his opponent.
The booster on his back shot out a flame and propelled Issei towards the flying purple beast with maximum speed.
This caught it by surprise for it did not expect Issei to do such a move. Moreover, it was still recovering from unleashing its attack, so it could not dodge.
[BAM!]
Issei slammed into the purple beast with full impact, pushing himself and the purple reptile towards the ceiling in a near vertical manner.
Ddraig was about to tell Issei to grab the purple beast and then drain the life out of it with the absorption ability. But then Ddraig stopped upon realizing that Issei had strengthened the output of the booster on his back.
[Partner, what are you…?] Ddraig wanted to ask, but Issei was too focused on the fight to listen.
What Issei did instead was to throw himself with the purple creature against the ceiling with full power.
[CRACK!] [KABOOM!]
The multiple blasts that had been unleashed by the creature had weakened the walls and ceiling of the underground library so much that Issei could simply smash through the ceiling with his opponent taking the brunt of the impact.
But Issei did not stop there. Issei flew further upwards and smashed through ceiling after ceiling.
[CRACK!] [KABOOM!]
[CRACK!] [KABOOM!]
[CRACK!] [KABOOM!]
[CRACK!] [KABOOM!]
After smashing through several floors, Issei stopped flying upward and proceeded to smash his opponent into the ground…
[CRACK!]
…leaving spiderweb-like cracks on the floor with the purple reptile clearly beaten and weakened.
Issei felt weak but he also knew he could not stop there.
[Absorb!]
Issei used the last of his strength to absorb his opponent's energy.
The purple creature shrieked and thrashed about, as it fought to get Issei off it. But it was too weak, as it felt the last of its strength vanish. It went limp and shriveled up, as Issei absorbed its entire life force, giving him the rejuvenation, he needed.
[Reset!]
The Crimson Scale Mail vanished, leaving Issei without armor. Issei slumped next to the dead creature to recover his strength for a bit. After ten seconds, he got to his feet.
"Man, that thing was annoying!" Issei remarked, as he stood up while looking down at his defeated opponent with his hands on his hips.
[Indeed. I have to say you carried out my plan differently from what I had imagined] Ddraig said to Issei.
"What do you mean?" Issei asked Ddraig confused.
[I was going to suggest you just propel yourself towards that thing, latch unto it and then drain it. I did not think of using it to smash through the ceiling like that] Ddraig explained impressed.
"Well, no way I could let it off that easily. I mean it smashed me against the walls, so I should repay the favor twofold," Issei answered with a satisfied sigh. "Anyway, where are we?"
[It seems like we broke through to the fourth floor. I counted the number of times you smashed through ceilings and through it figured out where we are] Ddraig answered Issei.
"And the teleporter is on the fourth floor on the West Wing… was what that guy said," Issei remembered.
Issei looked around and saw some signs telling him where he was.
Seeing the sign that said, "West Wing", Issei promptly followed it.
The halls were empty with only dust and debris everywhere. Issei's battle with that creature must have taken its toll on the Grigori building.
'Then again, the Hulk is also here, so I guess this could also be his doing,' Issei deduced.
After a bit of searching, Issei came across the room he was looking for. It was a huge room with a sigil and a machine right beside it. It was just like that Fallen Angel guard said.
"Now, all I need to know is how to use it…" Issei said to himself, as he approached it.
But after taking only a few steps…
[Partner, watch out!] Ddraig cried out.
Issei immediately whirled around to see light spears head towards him. Issei dodged it in the nick of time.
The origin of those spears came from several Fallen Angels that had flown into the room with light spears and magical attacks ready.
"You will not get away from us here! Surrender now! You are surrounded and there is nowhere for you to go!" the leader of the Fallen Angels declared to Issei with a pointed light spear.
Issei looked left and right and saw more Fallen Angels flood into the room to deal with him.
"Damn it! Just when I thought I could go home!" Issei cursed to himself, as he got ready to fight.
[Get ready to fight, Partner!] Ddraig said to Issei.
Issei was about to boost himself when suddenly…
"Wait!" a man's voice could be heard calling out from behind the Fallen Angels.
The Fallen Angels immediately gave way to the owner of the voice, revealing a man with dark and blonde hair, a short goatee and a suit stepping forward towards Issei.
The man looked at one of the Fallen Angel guards. Issei recognized him. It was the guard that Issei had interrogated earlier.
"Is he the one who forced you to tell him about our teleporter?" the man asked the guard.
"Yes, I would not mistake him for anyone else. It is him!" the guard answered and pointed at Issei.
Issei was getting nervous though he did not let the Fallen Angels see it. Appearing weak was the last thing one should do in front of enemies.
"I see…" the man with the goatee said, as he turned his attention to Issei. "My men here told me that an intruder with a red gauntlet had appeared in our territory. Judging by your description, aura and your abilities there can be no mistake. You are the current holder of Ddraig Y Goch, the Red Dragon Emperor. Is that not right, Ddraig?"
[So, you could sense me. As expected from you, Azazel – the current Governor General of the Fallen Angels] Ddraig said as he manifested himself with the Boosted Gear. [It has been a long time.]
Issei looked at the Boosted Gear and the man named Azazel with shock. He was speechless. This man was… the leader of the Fallen Angels?
"Yes, it has been, Ddraig," Azazel answered with a nod. "But enough with the pleasantries. The current situation is not one where we can talk leisurely."
This made Issei and Ddraig wary and grim. Of course, they understood why that was so. Trespassing unto Grigori territory was no offense that could be treated lightly for the Fallen Angels.
"I must ask you this: Why are you here?" Azazel asked sternly.
[We are…] Ddraig was about to speak but Azazel cut him off.
"I did not mean you, Ddraig. I meant you, Issei Hyoudou," Azazel looked at Issei.
"Me…?" Issei pointed at himself with shock.
"Yes, you. I have been briefed about you by our agents. I have been told that you have killed several of our men over the past few months and have disrupted a lot of our plans," Azazel began. "So, I ask you this. Why are you here? Is it to hurt and kill our kind and ruin more of our plans?"
Issei shook his head.
"No!" Issei answered vehemently. "I just wanted to… get home."
The Fallen Angel guards could not help but scoff at Issei's answer and glare at the boy, but Azazel held his hand up to make them hold their peace.
"Explain more," Azazel told Issei.
"I…" Issei began hesitantly before swallowing his nervousness. "I should start on how I got here. I was in Tokyo minding my own business when the Hulk – that's the green man rampaging around here is called – went on a rampage in the city. I ended up fighting the Hulk and the Nordic God Loki as well and then I sort of teleported to the Underworld after lightning hit us. I went up and down the wilderness until I came across some bandits that had murdered a whole number of villagers. I killed them all to avenge their deaths… to make sure they never hurt anyone again…"
Issei became emotional at this, but then suppressed his emotions to resume his story.
"Then I found the Hulk running through the Underworld. I followed him, hoping that it lead me to a way out as I had no clue on how to get back to Japan. The Hulk lead me here. I do not know why the Hulk decided to go berserk on you all, but I can assure you that I did not instigate him whatsoever. I infiltrated this place, then found your guard over there and had him spill out about this teleporter that could lead me back home. After that, I got into a fight with this purple monster, killed it and came here, but… well… the rest you know," Issei finished his account.
The Fallen Angels murmured among themselves. Some just glared at Issei with hostility and others shook their heads in disbelief at what Issei said. On the other hand, Azazel had listened to it with an open mind. He thought for a while about what Issei had said before asking him another question.
"There is something that does not add up. If you really infiltrated the Grigori to get back home. I presume you wanted to do this unnoticed, am I correct?" Azazel asked Issei.
"Yes, that's correct," Issei replied.
"Then tell me something. Why did you save the lives of my men?" Azazel asked Issei once more.
"Huh?" Issei voiced out stunned. The question took him off guard.
"It is clear to you, me and everyone else here that we are enemies. We don't owe each other anything other than inflicting pain, misery and death to the other. So, why did you – an enemy – go out of your way to come out of hiding and fight this purple monster and save my surviving squad of four?" Azazel questioned Issei.
Issei did not answer at first as he was still taking in what the Fallen Angel leader had said. But after a few seconds, Issei knew what he had to say and spoke.
"I… couldn't stand the idea of abandoning people that need my help," Issei admitted truthfully. "Even if they are enemies, I… just could not do it… After my parents were killed in front of my eyes and Ddraig saved my life with his powers, I knew I had a responsibility…"
Issei's mind went back to when his parents died and when he promised in front of their graves.
"I promised them that I would protect my friends and make sure nobody ever suffers the same tragedy I did. As I went on my journey, I met a lot of people… people that I cared for and… people that took care of me… and took care of other people, too."
Issei fondly remembered the four wardens at Sakabasu, especially Sayori… He remembered the friends he made in Nerima Ward… Sanma… Ryuga… Kasumi…
"I grew stronger and trained hard… but even then…" Issei's face showed sadness, making him look down.
He remembered the girl he beat up back in Kuoh Academy, Misaka Ito was her name… her brother the prison warden at the detention facility… the villagers he could not save…
"I failed to save them… Sometimes, I ended up hurting them instead… I did my best and yet somehow, I feel like it isn't enough… That's why…" Issei looked up with determination on his face. "I will do the utmost to save the weak and helpless. Even if they are the enemy… and even if they could betray me, I… still don't them to suffer the grief and loss I did… I mean, you all have family and friends as well… don't you?"
After hearing his explanation, Azazel nodded with a stoic expression on his face. He then proceeded to walk over to the machine, passing by Issei as he did so.
Issei nervously alternated between looking at Azazel and the unsmiling Fallen Angels ready to kill him once they were ordered to.
Azazel turned to Issei upon reaching the machine.
"I have heard what you had to say and I have made my decision," Azazel declared.
Issei tensed at that, and the Fallen Angels were getting ready to kill or arrest Issei Hyoudou.
"You're free to go," Azazel said to everyone's shock. "Now, where exactly do you want to be in Japan? It's a big place after all."
The Fallen Angels were looking at each other in bewilderment. Issei was also shocked at what he just heard.
"I… did I hear you right? You're letting me go?" Issei asked Azazel skeptically.
"Yes, you heard me right. I'm letting you leave," Azazel answered, as he started the machine next to the teleporter. "And as to why that is, I'll tell you. It's because you're a good kid. And I have more than enough life experience to tell when one is a good or a bad person. I also can tell if somebody really means what they say or is lying. And judging by the tone of your voice I can tell you're not lying to me. Which is why I am asking you: Where exactly in Japan do you need to be? Japan, is a huge country after all."
Issei could not help but crack a smile at that. But then, the Fallen Angel that had knocked Issei out objected.
"Lord Azazel, with due respect, this human has infiltrated the Grigori premises, attacked, and hurt me. He could have hurt or killed others, too. Additionally, he has caused so much destruction here. How can you just let him go unpunished?" the Fallen Angel guard demanded in disbelief and outrage.
This question received approval from the other Fallen Angels assembled who voiced their agreement with their colleague and their disapproval towards Lord Azazel's decision.
"Because he saved your lives," Azazel answered them with a firm tone. "Sure, he hurt you and interrogated you. That is a big no-no for us, I agree. But then he singlehandedly went out of his way to save you and your three colleagues to fight that purple menace. In doing this, he not only saved you four, but possibly everyone in the Grigori as well."
This statement truly shocked everybody in the room, including Issei.
'That purple thing was that much of a threat?' Issei thought in shock.
[I should have known that creature was not normal. I guess you have something to be proud about] Ddraig remarked positively.
"From what I have heard," Azazel continued. "The dead monster lying outside was cunning and intelligent. It has already killed 19 of our men and would have killed many more, had it not been for Issei Hyoudou – our enemy. He went out of his way to fight this animal and kill it with everything he had. He didn't have to save you. He could have just run away, then gone home to Japan with this device here. And before any of you object by claiming that there is no way to use this teleporter because of the lack of available instruction manuals or experts, let me tell you that it is easier to use this teleporter than it looks. It may take a bit of time and some trial and error, but it is still possible. Even a common monkey could learn how to use it and I even conducted an experiment on that subject myself."
With that said, the Fallen Angels could find no argument against what their leader had said and kept their peace.
"Now, Issei Hyoudou if you could step up here, please," Azazel spoke to Issei. And gave him a warm smile.
Issei walked up to the center of the sigil where the teleportation would take place.
"Your destination, please," Azazel requested of Issei.
"Nerima Ward, Tokyo," Issei answered with a toothy grin.
Although they just met, Issei could feel it. This Azazel guy was a great man. And if circumstances were different…
[BOOM!]
"What the…!?"
"It's here!"
The sudden noise of a wall breaking down along with the cries of Fallen Angels shouting in panic made Issei and Azazel turn their heads.
It turned out to be the Hulk who had rushed into the room. And he was heading straight for the teleportation sigil – which was where Issei was standing!
"Stop him!"
"What is it doing here!?"
Issei readied the Boosted Gear in a panic and started boosting.
Azazel was also shocked by the turn of events. He was getting ready to fight… but at the last moment, he changed his mind. Azazel had another idea. He pressed some buttons on the machine and pressed a location on the touch screen map in a hurry.
"HULK SMASH!"
"No, wait!" Issei called out, as the Hulk had stepped foot in the sigil center with Issei.
"Now!" Azazel called out, as light magic brightened the sigil and illuminated the room, making Issei and the Hulk vanish in a second.
Just before Issei vanished, Ddraig noticed something.
[Wait, that aura… Could it be…?] Ddraig said before vanishing with Issei.
With them gone, all the Fallen Angels sighed in relief.
The Hulk was gone. The situation had been resolved.
But then Lord Azazel looked at the settings and discovered that when he pressed his finger on the touch screen map, he picked the wrong destination.
"Oops…" Azazel voiced out embarrassed.
"Lord Azazel! Are you alright?" asked one of the Fallen Angel soldiers that had come in to chase the Hulk.
"Yes, I am fine," Azazel replied. "But how come the Hulk came here?"
"Lord Azazel," the Fallen Angel guard made his report to his leader. "That Hulk has destroyed nearly the entire East Wing. We used our best cadres to deal with it, but they were utterly defeated. They are undergoing treatment as we speak."
"Any deaths?" Azazel dared to ask with a grim look on his face.
"None, sir," the Fallen Angel guard answered. "Fortunately, Lord Shemhazai, Lord Barakiel and Lady Penemue have deterred this Hulk from inflicting more damage to us. However, the three of them were hard pressed in their fight against it. In the end, that Hulk ran away and… you probably know the rest."
"That's good to know," Azazel sighed in relief. "And what of Kokabiel? Is he not here?"
"No sir," the guard answered honestly. "From what I know he is out on an errand. I don't the details of it."
Azazel groaned inwardly. That Kokabiel… what was he up to? Azazel had always known Kokabiel to be a warmonger with treacherous intentions. But even so, he would have hoped that Kokabiel might be here to fight off this common threat. So, why did he have to be out at this hour on this day?
"Azazel," a silver-haired young man said as he came in. "Albion and I sensed the holder of the Welsh Dragon Emperor. Where is he?"
"He left just a second ago, Vali," Azazel answered. "Both he and the Hulk have been transported out of this place."
"That's a shame," Vali remarked with a shake of his head. "I really wanted to fight him."
"That will have to wait, Vali," Azazel told him. "There is a lot of clean-up work to be done."
Vali left after hearing this and went out of the room.
Azazel himself followed Vali out with the rest of the Fallen Angels marching behind him.
"Given what has happened here, it seems we really have no choice," Azazel said to himself as he walked down the hallway. "Political alliances with the Devils have always been seen as a near impossibility with the Grigori, but now it may become a reality. At the same time, this doesn't mean that it will be easy…"
14th of November, Saturday, 1:25 pm – with Issei and the Hulk
But what about Issei and the Hulk? Well, they found themselves teleported some fifty meters from each other in the same location. The Hulk was on the roof of a certain building complex and Issei was at the empty poolside of the same building complex.
"What the… where…?" Issei said as he regained his bearings.
He looked around and saw that this was not Nerima in Tokyo.
"HMPF!"
Issei suddenly heard a grunt from somewhere and saw the form of the Hulk jumping from wherever he had landed after the teleportation.
As the Hulk jumped away to wherever he was going, Issei did not leave right away. The reason for that is that Issei could not help but recognize his surroundings immediately, which put him in a shock.
"This isn't Nerima, this is… Kuoh Academy!?" Issei voiced incredulously at where was.
And that was the Chapter 60 of The Lone Vigilante Issei.
A whole chapter dedicated to Issei and his fight with the mysterious creature. And for all those who guessed the identity of the creature in the comments, congratulations!
It is indeed… Ridley from the Metroid series! Yes, the unkillable archenemy of Samus Aran – well, except that it can be killed. I based this version of Ridley on the clone Ridley from "Metroid Other M", especially considering its growth from an infant to an adult in this story. Now, I realize that some of you might object to Ridley dying off so easily. Yet, you have to understand that the Ridley clone from "Metroid Other M" also died very quickly. Also, it had just evolved into its adult form, so obviously it would not be as strong and developed as the normal Ridley would be (because it had been an adult for who knows how many years).
As for Issei, I wanted to give Issei yet another challenge to his decision on being a hero and his promise to his parents at the beginning of the story. This time, the challenge was about saving people even if they were enemies that could turn on him. And Issei decided to save them anyway. As it turned out, that was the best decision that ended up earning the respect of Azazel himself. I have to admit, this part here was quite enjoyable for me to write and is easily one of the best parts in this story.
And now with Issei and the Hulk finally back in Japan, Issei know has to ask himself what to do next, especially considering he is back in Kuoh – in the middle of Devil Territory on the premises of Kuoh Academy.
In the meantime, what did you think of this chapter?
Did you like it?
Please read and review, I would like to hear from you.
And as always, I hope to see you around next time.
Until then.
Hide Shinyama