High School Blade Works:
A High School DxD and Fate Stay Night crossover
Disclaimer: I don't own Fate Stay Night, Kinoko Nasu does. The same goes for High School DxD. For the first thing this disclaimer is meaningless. To those concerned, I am just a faceless person sitting in front of a computer. So why am I typing this disclaimer in the first place?
…Tradition, I guess.
Chapter 2: The Hero of Blades
-x-x-x-
"Trace off." I consult with the voice in my head and reject my magical energy which has created the blades. The blades simply disappear.
My shoulder has healed, and the blood from the bruises has disappeared. Kiba used some ointment which he received from his sensei on me.
Meanwhile, Kiba has drawn a magic circle under Yuuma's body. As he mutters a spell, the black circle suddenly glows silver. Yuuma's body starts burning.
"Goodbye, Yuuma." I watch her, my former girlfriend, burn to a crisp. I feel like crying, but the tears won't come. Kiba walks near me and gives me a pat on the back.
Somehow, that simple gesture is enough to comfort me. I start crying.
Yuuto Kiba is also called the 'Prince' of Kuoh High. If I have a 0% chance of going on a date, Kiba has a 100% chance. If he wanted, he could easily get laid. I have always hated him on principle. If this had happened any other time, I would be acting aggressive against this pretty boy.
After I let the last of my tears fall, Kiba looks at me with an awkward expression. Before an awkward silence falls, he asks me a question.
"Um, so what is the name of your Sacred Gear?" A meaningless question to dissolve the awkward atmosphere. But I still decide to reply.
"Eh, uh…" Just as I was going to reply 'I don't know' the voice in my head pops up again.
Tell him it's Iron Forge.
"Eh, it's called Iron Forge!" Hearing that, Kiba smiles. "Good. My own Sacred Gear is Blade Blacksmith." A flash of light, and a one-handed straight sword is in his hands.
I bring the image of the black and white blades into my mind and say the spell to recreate them. "Trace On." Surprisingly, nothing happens.
The voice in my head provides the reason why. You are no longer facing a life-or-death situation and the adrenaline is no longer in your system. With further training, you will be able to reuse your powers, but not now.
Before the voice goes away, I ask. Um, I don't know anything to call you besides 'voice in the head', so can I know your name?
Archer. You can call me Archer. The voice is filled with a hint of amusement.
"Sorry, Kiba. Looks like the whole thing was just a stroke of luck."
Kiba gives a good-natured smile. "No, you activate your Sacred Gear for the first time, didn't you? Train a little and you will gain proper control over it."
I remember a word that he has been repeating. "Sacred Gear? Is that the name of my ability?"
"Yeah. The God in the Heaven created the Sacred Gear as a boon to humans and to help them stand against the massively superior Angels and Devils." After this, he looks around for a bit. The swords, spears and Raynare's body have already disappeared. It is around 8:30 now.
We decide to go home. As we talk about Sacred Gears, God, Angels and Devils, I feel much better. Sometimes, Archer interjects and helps me understand things. My clothes are still bloody and cut up, but no one is paying attention to me.
"So you are a Devil?" I ask him as we walk by.
"Yes. I am a Knight of Rias Gremory, heir of the Gremory House of the 72 Pillars." Saying this with pride, he perks up his chest. If he would have been a girl, the jiggling of breasts would be interesting… looks like my perversion has returned.
"Gremory… that's one of the demons in the Ars Goetia, isn't it? A woman riding on a camel… I don't remember much about it, but… she has the power to incite love of old women or something."
Kiba makes a pained expression. "That's… true. Were you interested in the occult?"
"No, I read that in a manga." A visual novel, Bible Black, actually…
"Anyway, as I said before, please meet us tomorrow. I'll introduce you to Buchou and she can properly everything to you."
Meanwhile, we arrive at my house. Kiba has already fixed my clothes up so I can just enter in. Before we part ways, Archer's voice sounds in my head.
Ask him about the payment.
I almost forgot. "Hey Kiba, how much do I need to pay you to honor the contract?"
"Well, you have to pay for my help in covering things up and patching up your injuries. I think I offered some counseling as well. The job took around 2 hours, somewhat longer than most of my jobs. So, well, you owe me…" My eyes widen up as Kiba quotes an absurd figure.
-x-x-x-
"So Issei, how was your date?" While having dinner with my family, Dad asks me a question.
The date was pretty good, just the aftermath sucked. The pretty girl I was running around with whipped out a magic spear and tried to kill me and I was forced to kill her in self defense. Kiba helped me out, but it wasn't without a price. I had to empty almost all my savings to pay Kiba back.
Seeing my expression, Dad fills his voice with sympathy. "Ehh, so it didn't work out that well, huh? Don't worry about it. It was good of your friend to help you back home." At any other time, I would have been saying that Kiba was not my friend, but I don't have the energy to refute.
After quickly having dinner and brushing my teeth, I make my way to bed. I am sleeping two hours earlier than usual, but my parents have understanding expressions. I quickly make my bed and lie down to sleep.
I calm my mind. Now that everything is over, it is easier. I completely empty my mind. Imitating some details from a manga I have read, I contact the spirit sealed within me.
The world has changed. It is swelteringly hot. The ground is parched, with swords buried in every corner, like headstones in a graveyard. The sky is filled with smoke and churning gears. It reminds me of a forge.
A small distance from me, a tanned white haired man is standing. Clad in red coat over his black armor and flaunting a red cloak, he projects the aura of great strength.
…Wow, I didn't expect something shown in an anime to actually work.
-x-x-x-
"…So you are Archer?" I ask the imposing man in front of me.
He gives a small smirk. "Yes. How are you, my little Master?"
"Shouldn't you call me jailer instead? You know, since I am sealing you inside me?" Once more, my stupidity comes forth as I ask irrelevant questions.
With an amused smirk, he replies back. "If you say so. But I believe that 'Master' has a better ring than 'Jailer'."
"Forget about it, just call me by my nickname, Ise. Anyway, why did the… Fallen Angel attack me?"
"I believe she attacked because she was afraid of my power."
"Your… power?" The 'power' was a lame ability to create swords from thin air. Not that it wasn't a good power, but Raynare herself could make light spears appear out of thin air. It was nothing new to her.
Of course, if the power was to create legendary weapons…
"The power of Iron Forge is… Hey Archer, can you create Excalibur or something?"
Archer scowls. "'Iron Forge' is the name of the weakest Blade creating Sacred Gear. If would be wise to not spread information about my existence… it could easily get you killed. Worse, some Devil might kill you, stck a chess piece in you and force you to join his Peerage."
As I wonder about the last bit, Archer continues.
"The True Name of this world is Unlimited Blade Works. And as for your other question…"
Archer walks ahead of me. Pulling out a sword buried in the ground, he hands it to me.
The second my eyes fall on the blade, I am left speechless. This blade is so beautiful that giving it any human appellation of beauty will only tarnish. The power radiating from this blade is immense. On the blade is an inscription in an unknown language.
"Is this… Excalibur?" The legendary sword of King Arthur. More famous than the Knights of the Round Table, more famous than King Arthur himself, this sword can be easily said to be the most famous sword in the world.
"With your power, can I…" I cannot even complete my words. If I had this blade in the fight against Raynare, then I could have beaten her in an instant.
"Pfft… hahaha!" At my question Archer begins laughing. "Someone like you… well, train for a decade and then maybe you'll be able to do it. Add twenty more years to survive the backlash."
"Well, Archer, what do you think I should do now?" I fought Yuuma and survived. I am pretty sure she had comrades. What if they want revenge for her death? I need to get stronger, strong enough to not die. I know this sounds like a cheesy manga protagonist line, but my high school life has turned into an action anime. And I am not sure if I am the protagonist or a expendable side character.
But if I AM expendable, I'd sure like to die in the heroine's arms… Before I can concentrate on the weird train of thought, Archer starts speaking.
"The first step is to get stronger. A low level Fallen Angel like that woman managed to nearly kill you. Even though it was impressive of you to survive and even kill her after activating your Sacred Gear for the first time in a moment of panic, things will get even more difficult. But the first step now, is to sleep. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to handle your power."
Agreeing with him, I once more take tips from the manga ,close my eyes concentrate on my bedroom. The world of swords blurs away and I reappear in my bedroom.
Fully expecting to be plagued by nightmares, I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.
-x-x-x-
As his new wielder disappears from his world, Archer pauses to think about him. Hyoudou Issei… the red knight first met the boy when he activated his Sacred Gear in an adrenaline rush.
Even when outmatched, the boy fought to the end and even survived.
It has not even been a day yet, but the Red Knight believes that his new wielder will be interesting.
-x-x-x-
"Wake up! Baka! Or I'll ki-kiss y-you!" The alarm clock's tsundere voice wakes me up. Eh, tsundere. Then it must be Wednesday today…
You certainly have an interesting alarm. I ignore Archer's jab as I get myself out of my bed.
Last night was horrible. Yuuma cackling after stabbing me in the neck, me cackling after stabbing Yuuma in the heart, killing Raynare with a sword after being fatally stabbed by a spear in the lungs…
Countless variations on how the fight could have went. I shake my head, clearing it of all the grisly ways I could have died, go down the stairs and start brushing my teeth.
A short time later, after completing my morning ablutions, I eat Mom's handmade breakfast and rush out.
"Bye Dear. Don't think about yesterday and just do your best." Tch. Still consoling me after yesterday's debacle.
Still, that advice is worth following. I agree with Archer. Remove all thoughts of murderous girlfriend and just carry on with my life.
As I enter Kuoh High's gates, all eyes are on me. This isn't surprising, as I am a known pervert and many people hate me for my guts. But rather than derision at my perversion, their eyes are filled with- pity?
What did you do? Archer's voice questions me.
I don't know. I just perved on the Kendo Club three days before, but that shouldn't be this important…
You perved on the Kendo Club? I thought you were an otaku, but you are also a pervert now? Archer's voice is filled with disapproval and amusement.
Hid myself in a locker and tried to peek. Unfortunately, my friends were so concentrated on the stripping girls that they didn't let me have a peek. When the girls found out, all three of us were beaten up- and I didn't even get to peek!
It looks like Archer was left speechless at my reply. As I made my way to the classroom, many people pointed fingers at me and gave sympathetic glances. As I entered the classroom, I was jumped by Matsuda and Motohama.
"Issei! We heard how that bitch tricked you! Do not fear! I have gotten you these "'Taimanin Asagi' OVAs! If you want to, the three of us can get together at my home and watch them! Just like the old days!" As Matsuda says this, I instinctually reply.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ise, You don't need to hide anything. Three days before, a girl named Amano Yuuma came and confessed to you. Yesterday, I heard that you went on a date with that girl where she tricked you out of your savings and ran away! Don't worry, we are comrades in arms! Any bitch that tricks you is automatically our enemy!"
As Motohama says this, I flinch at Yuuma's name. On seeing that, the Kendo Club President, Katase pats my back. "Don't worry. That bitch… well, I am sorry she tricked you but it's alright now. Honestly, I thought you would be moping at home about yesterday." This girl who just three days ago, tried to kill me by assaulting me with a blunt weapon, is comforting me! Has the world ended?
Don't worry, it hasn't. The Fallen Angel from yesterday hypnotized everyone here and got close to you under the guise of Amano Yuuma. Since, the person named Amano Yuuma doesn't exist in the school registry, a plausible reason had to be made for her appearance and subsequent disappearance. 'Amano Yuuma came to dupe the stupid pervert out of his savings and disappeared after accomplishing her goal' sounds plausible, doesn't it?
Yuuma didn't take my savings, Kiba did that… Wait, could this be some sort of 'after-sales service' after Kiba's service?
That… makes sense. As it is, try to take advantage of it.
"Don't worry Katase, this Ise will not be defeated by such minor setbacks!" I shout it, announcing my will to the entire class. I was going to add the 'I will definitely get an harem' line, but decided that it would be detrimental.
Just as I said that, the sensei arrived. As I thought I would get a detention for making a loud proclamation in class, the sensei looks sympathetically at me.
Damn, this is great. This is completely worth the loss of my savings!
-x-x-x-
It's lunch break. Just as I finish mom's tastier than usual handmade bento, Yuuto Kiba enters the classroom.
"Hey, Kiba." I wave at him.
"Hyoudou-kun. Can you follow me? As I promised, let us go meet Rias-buchou."
As I follow him, I expected everyone to go "Whoa, why is the pervert being taken to Rias-oneesama!" or something like that. Due to 'Kiba's after-sales service', everyone thinks Rias is going to assure me that she'll track down Yuuma or something like that.
Brace yourself, we are going to negotiate with Devils. Heeding Archer's advice, I put up an air of confidence and walkkk with Kiba.
-x-x-x-
A/N- Hello, this is the rather short chapter 2! Issei is going to confront Rias next chapter! As for now, Issei and Archer are making themselves appear weak, while trying to prepare for Fallen Angel revenge! Just how will everything go?
Since, Raynare is out of the picture, Asia might actually end up fighting Issei! What is your opinion on that?
Also, everyone is being sympathetic to Issei! How is Kiba's after sales service?
Actually, there was supposed to be Fem!Kiba but I shelved that! Thanks for all your reviews!
PS- "The True Name of this world is Unlimited Blade Works." That is the name of the Reality Marble, not the Sacred Gear. I guess I'll have Issei or Archer themselves name it later.
PS/2- Piterio's Review: Issei used his Sacred Gear for the first time. He barely got the first two steps of Projection correct and couldn't add the boomerang ability. And no, no slash.
PS/3-This is more of a fanfic request. As you know, canon!Rias gets her Pieces in extremely unlikely locations and coincidences. (eg. What the fuck was the Maou's sister doing in a place where human experiments were occurring?) So, a fic where Rias is a manipulating, conniving bitch who puts people in despairing situations and kills them, and rescues them by resurrecting them. She plays around with Issei while laughing at his back and uses Sirzech's repo as a Maou for her gain. Riser's situation is completely manipulated by her and she does all that because she hates his guts. Only Grayfia knows about her and has inspired her to become like this. Manipulative!Rias is better than Dumbledore, Lelouch AND Light combined! Just think how that nice bod will help in 'convincing' people!
If that isn't possible, a fic where they find Rias loitering around the Holy Sword Creating Project and capture her would also do. Rias, as the Super Devil Maou's little sister, gets tortured and experimented on as Sirzechs and her peerage are convinced of her death! Kiba is the only person who inspires Rias to live on! RiasXKiba!
PS/4- Did you watch F/ SN episode 3? Berserker owns everyone, period! And when Rin attacks Ilya, does she wait for Berserker to haul her ass out? No! Cue "high grade, autonomous, shape shifting familiars!" Of course, seeing Shirou being overall pathetic was a bit of a dampener, though.