Fictions Mentioned:

Episode 15

OP Song:

仮面ライダーBLACK RX (RIDER CHIPS Ver.) · RIDER CHIPS

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Dies irae - Animation OST: disce libens

PART 1

Flashback

It was several years ago, back in the early days of Kamen Rider Black.

The crimson-haired young first-year student—Rias Gremory did not know what to do as she would drink her tea cup with a graceful, but troubled expression. In fact, she was actually quite stumped as to what she needed to do due to her rival and childhood friend's—Sona Sitri's—expression, which was more on the lines of a tremendous amount of concern that Rias had not seen in a long while, and the only times that this expression was seen from Sona was when it concerns her familial affairs. Being the next in line of a powerful devil family would prove to have its benefits and prestige as well as its burdens and responsibilities, for Rias experiences the same kind of life as Sona.

She and Sona are currently in the Occult Research Club building, the old schoolhouse of Kuoh Academy, one that had a trace of wood-paneled rooms with Victorian-style couches and chairs along the walls. They were both sitting in their respective chairs, with one facing the other, but Sona was currently not facing Rias, but rather she was currently looking at the two black pawns that were in her hand, and her violet, scrutinizing eyes that hint at a reflective and sober mood.

"...Umm, Sona?" Rias tried to call out to her friend.

"Huh?" Sona would look at Rias with a surprised expression on her face, but it was quick enough that Sona managed to regain a bit of her composure as she touches the side of her glasses in a delicate fashion. "Y-Yes?"

"Umm...are you...are you alright?" Rias asked gently. Lately speaking, she noticed that Sona had her mind somewhere else later. It wasn't really as obvious, but she noticed that Sona would stare at the windows from time to time, as if she was thinking about something (or someone).

"Ahem. Yes, thank you for asking, but..." Sona would now show a strict business expression. "...I recalled that you called me here because you said that you wanted to discuss something in private and out of earshot, so I'm here and I'm ready to listen."

Rias's expression only continued showing a concerned expression. "...Sona, let me cut to the chase, is this about Shidou Itsuka?"

"Huh?" Sona muttered in shock, blinking her eyes out before slowly regaining composure, her heart feeling like it just stopped upon hearing the name of the young man that caught her eye for a while, first being the time of their dance, and second when he had defeated her in chess. She would hold the sides of her glasses with her right hand and speak with a slight but subtle tone of hesitation. "Why...would you ask such a question?"

"Call it an intuition due to yet finding a bit of concrete proof besides seeing you two sometimes in private conversations...and, I've been keeping an eye on that boy...no," Rias shook her head a bit, trying to correct her wording. "That young man, ever since that young man had saved my nephew from an interdimensional empire with no affiliation with any of the Three Factions. I also noticed that whenever that young man, the one called Kamen Rider Black, became the topic of conversation, you would pay very close attention, even more so than usual."

"Umm," Sona would try to divert the topic, trying to think of a reason, reserving her blank expression. "Well, you could say that I am interested in the sense that he has become quite the topic of controversial implications."

"But this is more than mere politics though, is it?" Rias asked with arms crossed.

"..." Sona did not answer, only opting to remain silent.

"...And then...there's the fact that I noticed that you tend to carry those two pawns on your hand every so often with a very strange look on your face," Rias pointed out.

"Strange? How strange?" Sona asked, making sure to not show a hidden side of concern due to the fact that the two pieces were the same ones that Shidou Itsuka had used to beat her in a game of chess, and it still left a deep impression upon her mind, if only because of Shidou's face that did not possess a hint of triumph but rather of resignation and sorrow that was all covered with a smile, making him look so...worn out...so old...as his eyes told a different story that she could not fathom.

"Strange as in you would look at them both with a much deeper interest, almost like something of importance, a memento if one will," Rias explained. "...Sona, just...forgive me for being blunt, but just...what is your relationship with Itsuka Shidou?"

That was the question that Sona did not like to answer directly.

Recalling that time, she recalled how much of a very long, meticulous, and more challenging than normal chess game that she had a few weeks ago with Shidou Itsuka. In the end, Shidou won the game, unlike all of the times before when Sona's considerable talent and skill at the game would have always paved the way for victory. This incident had become a sort of eye-opener that was as if the coincidence of probability was now under the wavelength of someone else. The more concerning part however was the way Shidou played the game, considering a more unorthodox strategy that in the end left only two pawns standing against her king, granting the checkmate and the win for Shidou, showcasing a deeper level of intelligence.

But it also showcased his own personality. The thing about chess is that one could also make use of it to tell the type of personality of the person who is playing it. And from what she had gained, she understood that Shidou Itsuka was a person that never wanted to fight and yet must fight, as if he was constrained by the rules of the conflict with no better alternative. And the more she pondered the riddle of the two pawns, the more she thought of the other side of Shidou Itsuka's life as Kamen Rider Black.

As Sona tried to think of an answer, putting her right hand to her chin in a pondering expression, she could not come up with an answer.

"...I don't know."

She doesn't know, which made Rias blink a bit.

"You don't know?" Rias asked.

"...Rias," Sona made a hesitant expression. She really did not want to admit this, but considering the delicate circumstances of this position that she now finds herself in and the consequences this would have within the relationship of not just the Three Factions but also concerning the entire world of the supernatural, she may as well tell someone of a competent mind and of a fellow King like her. And...she was also her childhood friend, one of the only few that she could truly trust with this type of secret and keep it confidential, knowing just how serious this was. "...I...I lost."

"You lost?" Rias asked.

"I lost in a game of chess," Sona admitted.

"...?!" Rias showed an expression of shock. The truth had yet to fully sink in and thought to rethink through and through before she finally came up articulating a response, no matter if she was stuttering like a blushing maiden due to her recognition of such a thing. "You...You lost?! You lost in a game of chess?! And..." Rias would slowly realize the implications, showing an expression of amazement. "...Oh...Oh...You and...You and him..."

Sona slowly nodded, pursing her lips. "...Yes...Since having defeated me in a game of chess, Shidou Itsuka has now become my husband-to-be...And..." Sona showed a concerned and anxious expression, glancing at the two pawn chess pieces that she would now place on the table, and from one point of view, she thought of Shidou. "...I am well and fully aware of just how completely serious such an engagement this is, which is why I thought it most prudent to not broadcast this yet to anyone regarding this sudden news."

"Does your parents know? Does Lady Leviathan know?" Rias asked, showing concern.

"No, not yet, though I plan on at least telling them, preferably saving my sister for last," Sona shakes her head while her arms are crossed.

"And...have you told this to Shidou yet?" Rias asked.

"...I was actually wondering when to slowly break the news to him," Sona said, with her face showing concern. "But considering his responsibilities as a Kamen Rider and to the world at large, I do not want to add yet another burden for him to carry. The man had done so much already for the improvement of the relations between the Three Factions and Lord Sirzechs speaks highly of him in public or in private, and taking to mind the current threats that he fights which threaten this world and other worlds of the supernatural, he has much larger concerns to concentrate about."

"But what about you, Sona?" Rias asked.

"Me?" Sona asked.

"Yes, what about you? We are talking about your life here and that in accordance with the agreement you had made with your father, one that you cannot take back, you are engaged to Shidou Itsuka, known to everyone as Kamen Rider Black, the man who stopped the Great War from continuing, that kind of man who would now be your husband to be. Since it had come to this, there is only one person that I can think of that we can ask for help on how to proceed and this person is closely associated with Black as well, which means we can trust him."

"And just who exactly comes to mind?" Sona asked.

"...(Sigh), I knew that this particular discussion is bound to happen eventually."

"Eh?!"

The one who spoke was Azazel, looking tired as he pinches his eyes. In front of him were Rias and Sona who were seated on two chairs, showing surprised expressions. They were in a private office in Azazel's Laboratory in Kuoh. Rias had been hoping that Azazel could help with the dilemma that Sona had now found herself in. If one thinks of the bizarre situation, there is a hint of irony for devils such as themselves to ask for a fallen angel, who normally speaking, would be enemies. However, Azazel had always been a different sort that one could not simply gauge, for upon appearance, he was quite intimidating and can put people on edge just by his voice, even when he did not seem to be conscious of being so, almost like your staring face to face with a war veteran with multiple experiences.

Nobody knew why, but at some point at the turn of the 20th century, the personality of the casual and relaxed Governor-General of the Fallen Angels had turned to a 180. No longer was his eccentric perversity for the woman's assets seen and his genuine smiles were rare to see for most. There were many reasons why and how the Fallen Angel had suddenly changed, but nevertheless, that did not change the fact that, yes, the man did change, for better or for worst is all a matter of subjective opinion, and he had managed to sweep most of the corruption of his race clean, bit by bit. Now he is known for his effective and unorthodox leadership, having been a main factor that brokered for peace between all Three Factions. By the turn of the 21st century, secretly he would also be known as the man who stopped nuclear Armageddon when all of the world's nuclear arsenal suddenly started acting up for no reason and were targeting every strategic location on the planet. And even during World War II, he is known for secretly providing William Joseph "B.J." Blazkowicz, also known as Iron Patriot, the intel and resources that the latter needed in the war against Adolf Hitler, the most dangerous and most wicked man in all of history.

"...When Shidou first told me about that chess game that he had with you a few months ago, I admittedly grew worried about how I should break the news to him," Azazel muttered, putting both of his hands behind his back as he was looking out of the window. "Since it has come down to this, I would need to call Shidou to come over to my lab, but first..."

The heiress devils would notice the particular smile on his face.

"...Of course, one would need to look into the current progress of everyone's talked about superhero right now."

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Kakero! Spider Man Toei Theme with English Lyrics

When one is a Kamen Rider, one has to deal with a lot of days fighting villains, and there were admittedly a lot of busy days, but he was grateful in a sense since his mind would be more than busy trying to survive and fight than trying to fight. Right now, as Kamen Rider Black, he was currently too busy fighting the Ninders—greyish crow-like robot foot soldiers of the dreaded Iron Cross Army, intergalactic alien invaders that threaten to invade Earth. They were mainly the enemies of Hiroto Tonomachi, his best friend, also known nowadays as the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

With their machetes on the ready, they tried to encircle around and stab Black with their sharp blades, only for Black to simply counter with simple martial arts movements as he punches and kicks every single one of them. If one got close to the southwest, he was greeted by a kick from Black which sends him towards some of his fellow companions, exploding. If another attack from the front, he would be blocked by Black's arms and pushed aside. And another attack coming from the east would make Black move sideways and punch the foot soldier, sending it to a nearby wall that made a crack upon impact.

Another attack from a foot soldier that would jump upwards, only for Black to ceremoniously punch him away before he exploded in the next few meters. Another attack, two simultaneous ones from both west and east, made Black dodge as he would raise both of his arms and punched them away. Black would immediately perform a backflip, dodging the foot soldier that tried to get a lock on him, and Black tagged the foot soldier as red electrical energy would emanate from his right hand, patting him in the back, pushing the foot soldier towards many of his fellow comrades, taking many others, about ten, out.

As he lands, Black eventually dashes forward and sprints over a bunch of leftover wooden boxes nearby, kicking another foot soldier as it explodes. He lowers his head, dodging the machete that one foot soldier had as it moved from the northeast. In a V-turn pattern, it was repeated and enacted by the three foot soldiers that were nearby, only for Black to dislodge their weapons and punch them all away, exploding in turn.

And then, Black would transport himself out of the way like a blip as multiple machine gun fire carrying red lasers were being hurled towards Black. But Black appeared behind them, raising his hands as the foot soldiers all got psychically thrown away for good measure, suddenly exploding away like electrical fries. But of course, more foot soldiers stepped in with their machetes as they tried to get a lock on him, with some having machine guns and opening fire at him. Black would make use of one foot soldier as a shield that parried the first few blasts of the machine guns, creating a spark effect.

Then, Black transported himself to the nearest gunman and dislodged his weapon, knocking him down with a swift right kick before performing multiple backflips and managed to dodge red-colored machine gun fire from a few of the foot soldiers, before they themselves suddenly exploded via Black's punches that were as quick as the light of a feather, taking five out of the picture. Then from the corner of his eye, as he felt the shaking of the earth, he would see the advanced giant humanoid robot called Leopardon that is currently engaged in a battle with a Machine Bem—a giant dangerous kaijin that the Iron Cross Army would make use of for their planetary invasion. It looked like a Carnivorous Plant.

"Sword Vigor!"

And speaking of Tonomachi a.k.a. Spider-Man, he was now making use of his powerful sword that had been attached to his right leg, pulling it out and throwing it at the giant monster, impacting it on the chest.

"KAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

And Black would see the monster explode for good measure. That was one problem down. Now he needed to take care of the Ninders. With a burst of speed that the naked human eye would not be able to keep up with, Black would go through multiple directions, encircling around and delivering a finishing blow to every Ninder that was in sight, killing them all instantly as they explode into oblivion.

After dealing with all of the foes, Spider-Man would contact Black via his earpiece.

"Welp, another Machine Bem bites the dust," Spider-Man smiled a bit.

And then, Black would notice another voice from the comms.

"Black, this is Avenging Angel, I'm going to need you to come back to the lab. There's something that we need to discuss."

"Black, this is Avenging Angel, I'm going to need you and you alone to come back to the lab. There's something that we need to discuss in private," Azazel explained with a smile.

"Roger that," Black responded immediately. "You heard that, Spidey."

"Oh yeah," Spider-Man waved with a smile. "I'll handle things from here, Black, just go."

"Right," Black nodded.

From Azazel's Down-Wave computer screen, there were images showing Black and Spider-Man's battles against the Iron Cross Army. Rias and Sona had been watching with very great interest as they both saw Black's martial art prowess and skill. They both knew that this was not everything he can do and this was merely what felt like simple practice for someone like him who had dealt with far worst threats at this point of his career. But still, it was nonetheless impressive for the average watcher to look at.

Her husband-to-be...Sona thought with a concern that made her heart feel troubled. But of course, considering the present context of the situation, there was a small part of her that could not help but worry so much for Shidou Itsuka's safety, especially when the man never takes a break almost all of the time.

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Dies irae - Animation OST: disce libens

As Shidou would enter the lab, he would walk down the hallways with a serious expression on his face. Yet another day's work for his life, and that seems to be literally everything about his life at this point. No social life and yet still had plenty of friends. A man who barely has the time for any fun and games and was always busy. A man who had always preferred solitude whenever he found himself not in need of anything.

He sighed. He felt his body sore a lot. His eyes feel like it was trying to urge him to go to sleep, but he knew that he could not just do so. If only because of the nightmares that would suddenly creep up on him. Some people may suggest that he takes sleeping pills to expiate some of the pain, but for one, he's a literal cyborg, a modified human, and drugs of that caliber would not work on someone like him anymore. Drinking alcohol is also out either, although he is also forbidden from even attempting it under the nagging Kotori Itsuka who always worries for her stupid big brother, and so instead opted to drink milk instead.

So many sleepless days and sleepless nights, for the past is like a gaping hole. You may try to run from it, but the more you run, the deeper, more terrible it grows behind you, its edges yawning at your heels. Your only chance is to turn around and face it. But it's like looking down into the grave of your love, or kissing the mouth of a gun, a bullet trembling in its dark nest, ready to blow your head off. From one trouble to the next, he concentrates on nothing except the following: his studies in school and his work as a Kamen Rider. Yes, sometimes he would be in friendly gatherings. Sometimes. And even then, it's a rare sight for him to even be present in those gatherings. He was always a loner by nature.

He walks through these hallways with a sober and solemn look on his face, with both hands in his pockets. But he senses some other presence besides the familiar one. He turns right as the automatic door begins to open.

"Ah, Shidou, you're here."

He can hear Azazel's voice, the man with a scientist lab coat, flashing a smile that indicated something other than relief, but a grim sensation of a professional that wanted to discuss a private matter away from any ear or eye. He looks to his right, noticing the crimson-haired heiress, Rias Gremory, and...

"...!"

His breath felt taken away as he sees the violet, entrancing eyes, familiar to see, for he, whenever he had free time, would sometimes try to see that beautifully white face with a natural complexion and no makeup needed, that perfect face that seems to make him draw near as his heart ached, feeling almost hypnotized by the reflective violet color of her eyes, and even the glasses made quite the charm that would make his heart stop. He'd recognize the face as the automatic door close behind him. And her face showed a kind of worry that trace upon her cheeks and her eyes were hesitant to look at him. And based on her body expression, he almost thought she was...bashful. Odd was the thought that Shidou had in his mind. The question that was on his mind was what were they doing here at this hour? What were Sona Sitri and Rias Gremory doing here? He sees Rias smile a bit, touching Sona's shoulders as if trying to be a supporting figure.

He looks to Azazel who showed a grim expression.

"Hey, Shidou-kun, remember what we talked about in the bar about a month ago?" Azazel asked.

How could he honestly forget? One of his many therapy sessions. The familiar music that was in the jukebox was still in his mind, the same kind of sad music that evoke a lot of personal and mental images within his mind. And of course, the question that Azazel had proposed before in his mind. On what kind of hero he wanted to be? A question that still haunted him and still had yet to fully find the right answer.

"Yes, what about it?" Shidou asked.

"Did you remember that question that I had with you about a love life?" Azazel asked again.

Again, how can Shidou forget? He had honestly been irritated at specific questions like that. He never could imagine himself loving another woman except for Rinne...who is dead...along with their daughter...It twitched him as he spoke hesitantly.

"...Yes...what about it?" Shidou asked.

But as he asked, he noticed that Sona would be even more hesitant as her eyes were trying their best not to look at his own, with one arm placed to her left arm. Shidou, after doing some quick thinking, made a little hint of a guess as his eyes slightly widen a bit. Hold on, he thought, just what was this all about?

"...You may need to sit down, Itsuka-kun," Rias smiled with empathy and with the grace of a princess. "There is a very long and delicate discussion that I and my friend need to speak to you about."

There was no understating of the fact that it was indeed a very long and delicate discussion. As Shidou was seated in one chair and the two heiresses were seated just nearby with tea sets ready, Shidou would listen carefully. And the more he listened, the more his heart ached a bit and the more he grew concerned, especially in light of the present circumstances.

He was engaged?!

And that only happened because he managed to beat Sona Sitri, the admittedly beautiful young woman that he had been talking with for many days and even some nights for the past few months, in a simple game of chess that took place during their second meeting. In accordance with the agreement that she made with her father, whoever beats her in chess would be her eventual husband-to-be. It was a proposition that she could not take back, and she had the firm confidence at least that those who would try to take her hand in marriage would not succeed in beating her, at least preventing that issue and putting it to the sideways for the time being.

...Until now that is.

Shidou Itsuka was now, at this moment, the chosen fiancé and eventual husband for the heiress of the Sitri Clan, one of the more powerful old devil-class families who specializes in all types of water magic and where Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Satans, came forth from.

...But, he felt very conflicted with this revelation, if only because Rinne Sonogami, the woman that he loved so deeply, was still present in his mind and would pop just as suddenly. The happy memories and the painful separations. That sweet, caressing smile that complemented her eyes and the wind that blew her hair made his mind turn blank with a hint of not being able to breathe.

What concerned him more however was not just about his predicament, but also regarding Sona's. The consequences of such an engagement between him and her were far more reaching the more he started thinking about it, what with Shidou having managed to stumble upon trouble after trouble and made a name out of himself from every single pantheon in the entirety of the known world and of the supernatural and political spheres. All eyes had been watching him ever since, and it started after his rescue of one Millicas Gremory and other events that followed suit. The fact that Shidou was not a devil is completely irrelevant at this point, because aside from the aforementioned events that he had gotten involved in, considering his status as one of the heirs to becoming the next Creation King, and a Kingstone user, making him for all intents and purposes, royalty, was not lost on Shidou as by all rights, he was currently engaged to a devil princess, and that would be Sona Sitri.

Conflicting and troubled feelings made their way to his deep-thoughtful expression as he pinches his eyes out for a moment before looking at Sona directly whose violet, entrancing eyes were full of worry that made his heart feel like it skipped a beat. It made him gulp a bit, seeing her in quite a closer position, for she was seated just near him. His...wife-to-be, Sona Sitri. Never he would imagine this kind of scenario, and the cliché in this situation was also not lost on him.

"Lady Gremory," Shidou, making sure that his tone was respectful since he was still in the presence of the heir of the Gremory family and also would not hesitate to place his right hand at Sona's left hand that was present at the table, making Sona surprised while Rias looked this with an interested face. "...With respect, would you mind me speaking with Lady Sitri in private?"

Rias, seemingly getting the message just by reading the general atmosphere and the expression on Shidou's serious face that spoke to her more of what she needed to know about the man who had become the husband to be of her childhood best friend and rival, would smile a bit and speak with a courteous tone.

"Of course, Itsuka-kun," She said as she placed the tea cup on the table and stood up with grace. With eyes closed, she left the table and walk with a smile. "I will head to Lord Azazel for the time being. Well, Sona, I would take my leave for now, just remember to relax alright." She said that as she winked a bit with a smile before moving forward and heading towards the exit.

Sona on the other hand grew completely nervous as she did not expect this time of reaction from Shidou and also the fact that Rias had left her alone with him and gave her a wink before doing so. Sona would not even blame Shidou for being rather frustrated with this particular situation. But instead, what graced Sona was his kind, gentle probing eyes that would want to look deep into her own, and when she looked at them, she only found the deepest sadness that was likened to a deep well with a hole in the dark.

"...Sona," The familiar name that he spoke made her heart feel like it skipped a beat for a bit. He can feel his hands touching hers, as gently and as accommodating as it is possible. "Are you alright?"

A strange question. "H...Huh?" She muttered.

"I mean, are you alright, with this sudden engagement I mean?" Shidou asked with concern.

But why was he asking her this question? "I...I...should be asking you that," Sona muttered softly, with her eyes turned to him.

"...Well, I'm more worried about you right now, seeing as you are the most affected among us when it comes to this engagement," Shidou explained with a kind smile.

How come Shidou was taking this rather calmly? No, Sona thought, it felt something more than that, but she could not tell what it is due to lack of context.

"If...If this is about you being my husband to be in accordance with this engagement, then...then no, I am...in fact in some sense feeling a bit of reprieve, at least if only because of the multitude of potential suitors," Sona simply explained, trying to be as indirect and sensitive as possible.

"...Well, I can't fault you for that," Shidou smiled a bit sadly. "Although...I should probably apologize, since I did win against you in chess during that time we both played together in the student council room."

"No, no need to apologize," Sona shakes her head. "In fact, this was my uncalculated neglect to mention this type of engagement when I should have mentioned it to you sooner."

"And yet, you never really expected me to win in the first place, which I could not also fault you for that, seeing as it delayed a lot of the potential problems that you could be carrying when you probably have other things to worry about," Shidou reassured with a smile, still with traces of sadness.

"...Why...How...Why are you taking this situation very calmly?" Sona showed scrunched eyebrows of concern.

"...(Sigh). Far from it actually," Shidou sighed heavily. "...I feel...honestly terrified...and guilty."

"Terrified? Guilty? Whatever for?" Sona asked for she did not know why except to take a hint from the saddened smiling expression that never leaves him. For Sona, it almost felt like being transported back in time to that particular moment when she and Shidou were dancing at Azazel's party, when she would see that saddened face that spoke of a hidden loss that was so very deep and that could not be overturned.

"..." Shidou remained silent for a bit as she felt the slight touch of his hands tracing her hands and looking as if he was thinking of something beyond this place. He had been silent for a while, and Sona only took care to take the time to let Shidou speak with a heavy sigh of resignation after much internal deliberations. "Considering all of this...the fact that I just became your husband-to-be, I suppose that it's rather fair that you should know plenty about me...although I really preferred not to talk about it at all...taking into account your current status in terms of our current relationship and also of our friendship, and for me to establish honesty between the two of us, with no secrets needed."

And so, Shidou would tell her just who he is, starting with one important thing...

"...I am...not from this world."

Now, such a line would make anyone raise an eyebrow or raise a comment. For Sona, she did not interrupt and simply listened. And he told his story, everything which was of the most important parts. And Sona committed them to memory, every, single, word that was uttered. The main gist of things was the situation involving Shidou Itsuka. That he was originally not from this world but came from a previous one that had long been thoroughly wiped out by a higher cosmic multiversal war and had been reborn into this new world after the war. Providing at least his personal account as clearly as possible, he describes very vivid and clear descriptions of how things used to be, not just in relation to the fact that Sona's world was essentially a mixed mash of many destroyed universes from the War along with a few borrowed elements, on how in the old world, he used to be a young ordinary teenager boy in high school that in the grand scheme of things was living an ordinary boring life and had eventually been tasked to seal the powers of extradimensional beings called Spirits, most of them who were once human, and essentially to keep them all safe and to protect them even if should the whole world go against them.

Of course, he couldn't keep that promise, not because of his own fault even when he tends to blame himself at times, but because of said cosmic war that suddenly came crashing down on everybody's heads and rewriting every happy ending for himself and for everyone else. Timelines kept changing over and over with no fixed change, people who once were would no longer be the same people, and the concept of living and dying hardly mattered in the grand scheme of things when one could just be resurrected via several means but then experience death again and the cycles continued on and on.

Now that Sona thought about it, the dance the other time, it made at least a certain level of sense for Shidou to be very good of a dancer, if only because of the way he moved, like if it was years refined by practice. Moreover, Sona would believe Shidou in his every word, if only because of the tone that he used. There was nothing fake in that voice. If there were certain questions, Shidou would point to Azazel and his human wife Natsuki as both of the recognizable witnesses when it came to confirming the information that he has.

And of course, as Shidou talked, she notice the tears in his eyes and the way he spoke about each of the Spirits. He recited everything that he knew about them in detail, the color of their hair and their eyes, their exact personalities, the things they dream of, and the things that make them who they are, and many other related topics. But the one or two thing that stood out to Sona was...something rather unexpected.

"...And then, there was my wife...and my daughter..."

Yes, a wife. Yes, a daughter. Shidou Itsuka once had a family of two, both of them who are Spirits, and told her about this special childhood friend who eventually became the love of his life and the daughter that they both shared. The happy precious moments, no matter how brief they were, were something completely special to him, and it shows from the way he recited each detail. But tears were leaking even more...

"...I missed them...I missed them every day...I...I have no idea how I managed to carry on without them...without them..."

He was crying. He was showing his more vulnerable side for the very first time. At times before, he would hide behind several layers of a smile. But now, his mask got torn off and he allowed himself to cry in front of another person at long last.

...And Sona did the one thing she could only do in this situation. She gave him a well-needed hug. And not for the first time had she done this, for she recalled the one time when Shidou had beaten the serial killer ex-exorcist to death and saw, to her horror, the bodies that lay there. And now, she had the full context, and she could not help but embrace this poor soul who is well needing of a comforting embrace after everything he had been through.

And now, at this very time, Shidou and Sona grew closer and their relationship grew, more closer than just mere friends but almost not yet to the point of being lovers. There were still plenty of stages for that to fully happen. But until then, there was only a warm, comforting embrace from the wife-to-be, and the instinctive urge from Sona to take care of this admittedly tired man was rather strong, and it had developed through several encounters that they had in the past few months.

After a few minutes of embracing, with Shidou leaking every tear from his tired, worn-off eyes, would simply be content in some sense to stay close to Sona like this. He did not know why but feels rather warm when being gently embraced by her, and it was a kind of warmth that was rare for him to find except only when it came to his parents of the New World or even the Kotori Itsuka of the New World, but was also of another category of warmth that he could not fathom. All he could tell was that his heart, filled with so much burden, was resting at long last after a very long while.

An hour had seemed to pass by, and suddenly, Shidou and Sona would suddenly hear the automatic door open, surprising the two of them as they turn in the direction of the door.

"...Onee-sama!" Sona muttered softly, widening her eyes.

There was a beautiful woman walking towards them, with solemn footsteps. She had black hair tied into twin tails and blue undeciphering eyes that were locked onto Shidou, who could not help but be a bit unnerving because he knew that a.) she's one of the most powerful devils in existence and one of the Four Satans and b.) based on the rumors or even hearsays, this woman definitely cares a lot for her little sister, Sona Sitri, and knowing that, it felt like he was now being confronted by a literal nuke (well, Shidou is basically nuke-proof anyway, but it's hardly comforting at this point).

Serafall Leviathan. The older sister of Sona Sitri.

For courtesy's sake, Shidou would let go of Sona's embrace and would try to regain composure, trying his best to wipe the tears from his face, knowing who was in the room. Now, Serafall was standing just very close to him, her eyes looking at him with those two undecipherable eyes of hers, showing a kind of serious expression that one could not gauge.

"Itsuka Shidou, correct?" Serafall asked, with an inquiring tone.

"...Yes," Shidou muttered clearly with a respectful tone, readying his heart a bit, feeling like sweat was coming from his brow.

...And then suddenly.

"...!"

Much to the surprise of Sona and Shidou, Serafall suddenly embrace Shidou, and it was a very gentle and accommodating embrace. Shidou could feel a light hand touching his hair as if shushing his interior turmoil.

"I do believe that we've met before, back during the party that Lord Azazel hosted long ago. And now, even before that, I knew who you really are...because Lord Azazel had told me and three of my other fellow Satans in secret," Serafall spoke softly with a saddened, empathetic smile.

"...!"

Does she know? Shidou would think with a troubled expression.

"Do not worry, nobody else knows, just the Four Satans, myself being included in that number, and..." Serafall would gently pat his back while still carrying a sad smile. "...When I heard from Lord Azazel about this situation, I knew that I just have to come straight here so that I can at least assure you of one thing...that you shouldn't have any need to be afraid of me. Don't you think you've suffered more than enough worries in your lifetime? In any case, from now on, consider me officially from now on as your older sister, Itsuka Shidou, and you can talk to me also if you want to unload all of your burdens and ask for my help when you are in need of it. Consider this my first official request. Is that alright?"

Sona couldn't help but be shocked. Her older sister is becoming very accepting of Shidou so easily. She never even thought of such a possibility, knowing just how overprotective her older sister was to her. So this uncommon scenario was far beyond her way of thinking.

Shidou however became very silent. An older sister? He...never really had an older sister nor experience something like that before. But...it felt rather nice, feeling like the younger one for once. As his head was laying down on Serafall's chest, his body started shaking, and feeling the warmth and care, would let loose another round of tears as each of them counted with the amount of memories that were now in his head.

Sona, regaining composure, seeing Shidou cry again, would put her hands to his back before looking at Serafall, who gave her a silent nod. And so, the Sitri sisters would be busy for a while in comforting a man who had at this point become a part of their family.

Insert Song: End

Insert Song: Start

Super Mario Bros. Theme Song

PART 2

Present Time

"I'm seriously regretting this decision right now," Azazel muttered to himself with a resigned exasperating voice, pinching his eyes right now.

"Now, now, dear, she is after all one of the only literal few that could keep up with your innovative and eccentric line of thought," Natsuki Minamiya reassured her husband, although there was the hint of a humoring and amused smile.

"But still...why do I have to call her of all people for this situation...?" Azazel asked, more so in relation to himself.

Azazel and Natsuki were now currently discussing one particular person that was being called in by the hovering screen of the Down-Wave computer. Issei and Vali had now currently left the lab and were now reporting what they had heard to their close allies, either Rias and the rest of her peerage, Vali's entire team, and the two devils that Azazel had in mind. On the hovering screen, a beeping sound would occur, and then multiple orange carrots would begin to erupt from the screen, making Azazel twitch a bit due to seeing the familiar motif from the screen, one that had multiple carrots that were dancing like a Western cartoon on a Saturday morning.

And then, suddenly...

"Hai, hai, hi de ho, my dear fallen angel hubby, this is your always ready and available superstar, Shinonono Tabane, your best bunny girl ready to hop- I mean, to assist you in anything that you may desire in order to taste your raw- I mean, how may I be willing to assist you tonight?!"

From the screen, a cheery, ditzy voice was heard echoing from Azazel's ears, for there was a young beautiful woman who appeared on the screen, waving very energetically at Azazel, as if she was very happy to see him. Oh joy, Azazel would think to himself with a grimacing expression as if he did not want to look forward to this.

He would see on the screen a young woman who was in her mid-twenties. Her hair was long, with dark purple-pink being the color, extending to her hips with some loose bangs which cover her forehead. Her red-purple eyes show a hint of cheerful excitement and exhilarating pleasure coated with a sleepy demeanor that felt like she had yet to have any proper way of sleeping in her life, but of course, underneath lay a woman of greater intelligence that should never be completely underestimated. She had a very slim, voluptuous figure with large breasts. She was wearing a frilly maid-like blue and white dress, ribboned pantyhose on her legs, a pair of robotic rabbit ears on her head, a lab coat, and Mary Jane shoes (similar that like in Alice in Wonderland) revealing a great deal of her cleavage. She also wears a grey bracelet on her wrists.

Tabane Shinonono, the well renown creator of perhaps the most powerful and influential weapon to date which had turned the tide of history and initiated a new dawn of new and open horizons for the international and supernatural spheres that made humanity more than just a mere blip to be ignored by the rest. The Infinite Stratos (IS), a weapon that would surpass every weapon that came before, ushering in new technological innovations such as further space exploration without having to worry about things like lack of oxygen, but of course, potentially deadly weapons of warfare that could bring entire last generation Arm Slaves, or in some cases, even the latest generation ones, to their knees.

A trillionaire, eccentric genius, and profiteering philanthropist, all in one. She would also be the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of an international and interdimensional aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies corporation with unique interests that she had founded when she was in her teenage years. It was called Shinonono Express.

As he glances to his right, finding his wife smirking with amusement in seeing him suffer, he turns back and sighed before sporting a serious expression.

"...(Sigh). Tabane, can you come to my lab for a moment? I need your help with something, and it involves the both of us working on something that relates to a particular situation happening right now in-"

"Tenguu City?" Tabane interrupted as she brought a tablet machine with bunny ears attached to the front sides, and she was speaking with a cheery smile. "Oh yes, I'm more than aware of what's happening right now, my hubby, and I, Shinonono Tabane, had been monitoring the fluctuations of the reiryoku energy that had been causing interdimensional shakings for the past few hours. And considering all of that, I decided to try to fire up one of my latest babies that I've been working on for a while."

"One of your babies?" Azazel raised an eyebrow. "Can this baby of yours deal with potential spacequakes then?"

Tabane smirked a bit as if challenged and taking the bait. "Oh my dear hubby, it does far more than just dealing with spacequakes."

Of course, Azazel thought with a deadpan. "Can you bring your baby over then so that I can check it out for myself?"

"Why of course, anything for my dear hubby! Standing by for now, for the cutesy little wabbit is on her way! Oh, and hi and bye to you too, Natsuki-chan!" Tabane spoke with a cheerful, childish demeanor before the screen cut to black.

"Hmmm."

Azazel pinched his eyebrows a bit while at the same time speaking to his wife who was giggling at him.

"You really do find my predicament completely funny, don't you, honey?" He said.

"Oh," Natsuki looked amused as she waved her fan with her eyes closed. "Whatever do you mean by that, dear?"

Insert Song: End

ED Song:

Dareka ga Kimi o Aishiteru

New Characters:

Ninders

Tabane Shinonono - VA: Yukari Tamura