"" - Talking
'' - Thought
[] - Dragon
...
Issei panted tiredly as he tried to regain his strength, Carlamaine smirked after losing Isabella as she spoke
"Apparently both Isabella and I have been taking that "Pawn" and Sacred Gear lightly. Just like I thought, I shouldn't take him as an ordinary "Pawn"." The brunette seemed surprised at the compliment from one of the enemies
"But it's an awful attack. No, I should say it's a scary attack. B…blowing away a woman's clothes"
Kiba quickly spoke up "Yeah, I'm truly sorry. I will apologise as well. I'm sorry for our Ise-kun being a lecher." Carlamaine still held her short sword as she turned back to her opponent as she spoke
"But a demonic sword wielder…what fortune. I may have a destiny of meeting swordsmen who wield magical swords." Kiba looked to be interested from hearing that as he asked
"Hmm, so there is someone besides me who uses demonic swords?"
"No, it wasn't a demonic sword. It was a holy sword"
Everyone noticed how Kiba's expression changed from hearing that, the killing intent from Kiba surprising everyone as Merlin tried to understand why talking about holy swords could trigger that sort of change, soon having to focus his attention back to the screen as Kiba asked "Tell me about that holy sword wielder"
"Hmm, seems like that swordsman has some connection to you. But since we are swordsmen, talking would be rude. I will answer you with my sword!"
"…Is that right…If your mouth can move, then leaving you on the verge of death will be okay." The killing intent from both of them was intense; Issei seemed worried for his ally before others from Raiser's peerage arrived.
"So it's here."
"Huh? Where's Isabella-neesan?"
"Don't tell me she was defeated?" Ni, Li, Mihae and Siris showing up, making this where the remaining members of Raiser's peerage were going to fight, the Queens still battling away while Rias and Asia hadn't been seen.
"Hey. The "Pawn"-kun over there" Siris spoke up drawing Issei's attention as she continued
"Raiser-sama said he's going to fight your princess. See there." She signalled high into the sky, the screen changing to show Rias and Raiser exchanging magic attacks in the air, Raiser didn't look even slightly out of breathe while Rias was starting to get tired from the amount of magic attacks she had been launching at her opponent.
When the screen changed back to the big battle the two beast girls, Ni and Li were in battle stances before Issei as Ravel commented
"They are female beast warriors. Their hand to hand combat is remarkable you know" The two girls disappeared from sight before Issei took a blow to the stomach and the head from them before getting blows over the rest of his body before Issei reacted
"B…Boosted Gear!"
[Boost!] Ravel's eyes narrowed as she spoke to the two Pawns
"Ni! Li! Boosted Gear is a Sacred Gear that doubles the power every 10 seconds! From how the chainsaw twins, Eel and Nel, were defeated, you won't be able to take him after he gets his third boost! Finish the fight in less then 30 seconds. Due to his Sacred Gear ability, he can't fight when he increases his boosts! He will just run away! Aim for his legs! Also don't touch his hands! That person has a shameless move that blows away clothes by touching his opponents!"
Both Beast girls looked scared upon hearing that before starting to rain blows on Issei's legs eventually causing him to drop to after taking a blow to the face. Kiba murmuring to himself as he tried to defeat Carlamaine quicker so he could go help his ally
"Carlamaine! Hold it for another 10 seconds! I know that you can't win against that Knight! But we will be able to defeat the dragon user shortly! Keep that Knight busy!" Ravel called before laughing as she watched, explosions of magic going off above them from the two Kings fighting.
"Give me strength! Boosted Gear!" Issei called, hoping for his Sacred Gear to answer.
[Dragon Booster!]
"More! That time it was Asia! Now it's Buchou! Answer my feelings! Boosted Gear!"
[Dragon Booster second Liberation!] The gauntlet changed into a new form, Merlin looking over it as he hoped Issei's new power would turn the tide.
"Kiba!" Issei called as he pulled himself back to his feet, managing to run over to the Knight as he spoke
"Release your Sacred Gear!" Kiba looked confused before complying as he put his sword onto the ground as he shouted
"Sword Birth!" Lots of Demonic swords appeared out as Issei smirked as he shouted
"Boosted Gear! The second ability!"
[Transfer.] There was a large rumble through the area before all of the sports court became a sea of swords, each as unique as the next as Merlin's eyes widened
'Well looks like he's able to hand out his power now' Merlin thought as he watched the swords pierce all of the remaining opponents aside from Ravel who was flying above them.
[Raiser Phenex-sama's 2 "Pawns", 2 "Knights", and 1 "Bishop", retires.]
"Yes!" Issei cheered after hearing the announcement, Kiba looking surprised at the area that had came from his Sacred Gear being boosted as he spoke
"Ise-kun. I'm surprised. This power…"
"Yeah Kiba. I used the gauntlet to strengthen yours…" Issei explained before both froze in surprise as Grayfia announced
[Rias Gremory-sama's "Queen" retires.]
"What!?" They spoke in surprise, Merlin had a feeling he knew why although the very idea of Phoenix Tears in the Ratings Games seemed slightly unfair to him although given what he'd been told about Asia's Sacred Gear, it seemed to balance out things.
A loud explosion roared out of the screen, smoke covering where Kiba had been standing as Issei looked shocked at his ally's body disappeared in light.
[Rias Gremory-sama's "Knight" retires.]
The sea of swords around the Pawn started to crumble now that there wielder had disappeared from the battlefield as Issei looked you to see Yubelluna flying there without a single wound on her body as she smirked and spoke
"The Knight, eliminated."
"Were you the one who did in Kiba and Akeno-san!?" Issei shouted angrily as he continued
"Come down here! Akeno-san! Koneko-chan! And Kiba! I will avenge them! Come down! I will take you down with my Sacred Gear so come down!" He tried to provoke her, Yubelluna grinning before flying off to the school rooftop.
He tried to stop her only to fall over on his weak legs, groaning as he tried to pull himself back to his feet. Taking a few moments to pool his strength together before picking himself up
"Are you still going to continue to fight?" Ravel asked curious as she flew above Issei, who quickly slipped into a fighting stance before she added
"I'm not going to fight anymore. Because no matter how you think about it; it's your group's loss."
"Shut up. Neither me or Buchou have fallen yet."
"The power of the dragon from earlier. It certainly was something tremendous. To transfer the power you boosted to the person. I think it's an abnormal power and thinking of Rias-sama's power of destruction and "Lightning Priestess" power's rising scares me. That power would be a threat to the high-class devils in the Ratings Game in the future. But it's your group's loss for this battle."
"…Is it because Phenex is immortal?"
"That's part of it but also because both you and Rias-sama barely have any stamina left. Isn't it? Even if you can heal any wounds, you can't heal stamina. In this situation you will lose because you will get even more worn out. Also…"
"Tears of a phoenix. Have you heard of it? This is it. Our tears can heal all types of injuries."
"Don't say it's cheating... Your group also has a person who possess the "Twilight Healing"."
"And it even is in the rule book that "Only two people participating in the Rating Game can use it". It was restricted because it was too powerful. Well that would be natural. In our case we gave it to our "Queen". That's why our "Queen" was able to defeat the "Lighting Priestess". Also our tears are sold for high prices. Thanks to that, the house of Phenex is very wealthy. Only good things happened since the game was created. Immortality and tears. It is our age." Ravel spoke proudly
"Ho...hold on! Are you ignoring me!? You are going to lose anyway so it's safe to stay here with me!?"
"Shut up. Just talk to yourself bird-girl. If you get close to me I will strip you naked." Issei threatened, Ravel making a stance to defend herself before Issei turned to enter the school.
…
Issei managed to get to the roof of the school, having promoted himself as soon as he got inside the enemy base, the two Kings were still fighting with Asia a safe distance away watching
"Buchouuuuu! Hyoudou Issei has appeared!" He spoke loudly so they all could hear, getting the gazes of everyone on him
"Ise!"
"Ise-san!"
Rias and Asia made a shout of joy.
"The dragon brat, huh. Ravel, did she let him pass?"
Raiser retorted before Yubelluna came down next to him as she spoke
"Raiser-sama. Should I take care of the "Pawn" boy and the "Bishop" girl? Also the power of the "Pawn" boy could be troublesome. His ability to get rid of what his opponents wear..."
Raiser stopped his "Queen" who stepped forward with his hand.
"It would be troublesome if he gets rid of the flame that covers my body? I wonder about that. From that ability and from Rias's "Pawn's" personality, it probably only has an effect on women. I will be their opponent. Then they will also be convinced."
"Don't mess around Raiser!"
The angered Rias shot her magic ball at Raiser's face! He didn't even dodge it and received it in his face; fire appeared from the part of his blown face and started to form a shape. Raiser's face returned to its original shape. Raiser started to twitch his neck as if nothing happened.
"Rias, resign. You will make your Otou-sama and Sirzechs-sama who are watching from another place look bad. You have no more choices. Everyone already has foreseen the outcome. It's checkmate, Rias."
Raiser said it as if he could see the outcome but Rias was just glared at him.
"Shut your mouth, Raiser. I won't give up! They knew the outcome? I have no more choices? Me, the "King", is still active you know?" She laughed fearlessly.
"Asia!" Issei called her over so she could heal his wounds along with Rias' before Issei spoke
"Asia, stay back after you heal us, if Asia stays then you can heal me and Buchou. You are like our lifeline."
Asia seemed sad but stepped back anyway before screaming "Kyaaaa!"
Asia's foot was trapped in a magic circle, Merlin gulping as he recognised it as own of his own, a spell he'd used against the Beast twins to allow him the time to chant his spell
"Sorry about that. It would make you guys seem pathetic if it takes too long. I could have taken that girl down but... I just made sure you guys can't heal anymore. That magic circle can only be unsealed if my "Queen" is defeated." Raiser said plainly.
Yubelluna had her hand forward, her fingers glowing to maintain the magic circle unlike his own spell which worked on a time limit, Issei seemed to curse under his breathe before speaking to Rias
"Buchou, the battle continues right?"
"Yes it does."
Rias sounded as if she hadn't given up yet, Merlin admiring the determination to continue fighting as Issei spoke with a grin
"But only me, Buchou and Asia are left. And Asia is captured. He on the other hand is immortal. He also has two servants as well. The situation is the worst. But I won't give up. I'm dumb so I don't know anything about "foreseen" or "checkmate". But I can still fight. I can continue fighting as long as I can move my hand!"
"Well said! Ise, let's defeat Raiser together!"
"Yes Buchou!"
"Let's go!"
Issei's body seemed to just fall to the ground, his limit long since passed as he vomited up blood as Raiser spoke to him
"The Boosted Gear's ability exhausts the possessor more than you can expect. Doubling your power is something very abnormal. The burden it puts on the body is several times higher than the ordinary Sacred Gear. You have been running around the battlefield fighting my servants and continued using the Boosted Gear. Rias's "Pawn", you already reached your limit a long time ago."
Issei pulled himself back to his feet despite his pain, Rias looking sadly at him as Tiamat spoke up to Merlin
[Certainly stubborn isn't he…]
'No other way to be in this sort of fight' Merlin mentally replied
"Buchou let's go!" The Pawn spoke as he went running towards Raiser each time getting knocked back to the ground, only to force himself back up
Rias whispered something gently to him, but Issei seemed to try and get up again, his eyes hollow and his mouth open as he staggered to his feet, Rias gasping as she realised that he was already unconscious as she spoke
"...You...Even though you are in this state..." She was crying as she put a hand to his cheek which was swollen
"...You dummy." Rias hugged Ise who tried to move forward before adding
"Good job, Ise."
"Thank you Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, Asia and...Ise. Thank you for fighting for someone worthless like myself."
"It's my loss. I resign." She declared, Sona, Merlin and several others looking to the ground in sadness as Merlin started to come up with his counter plan.
…
It was the day of the engagement party, Merlin was rummaging through one of his bookcases before pulling out a pack of paper dolls as he smiled, mentally thanking his uncle for teaching him how to use them as he pulled one out.
'Just have to write my name on it and I've got an instant duplicate…'
Writing his name on the paper doll, he threw it onto the floor leaving it there for a few moments before it glowed brightly and turned into an identical version of Merlin
"What shall I do?" His copy asked, Merlin making sure he had everything in his mage coat as he spoke
"I want you to go along to the engagement…" Writing a quick note he folded it up as he continued
"…also act like I do and make sure no one suspects that you're a fake…and give this to Rias Gremory when you have a chance without anyone seeing"
"Right…Merlin-sama" The clone copied as he switched his clothes to a black tuxedo as there was a knock on the door, Reina's voice calling into the room
"Merlin, are you ready?"
Merlin activated the magic circle under his feet, to teleport him to Issei's home as his duplicate waited till he was gone before answering the door as he spoke
"Yeah…I am Reina-sama" Reina blushed slightly as she looked at the Copy Merlin's appearance as she spoke
"Come on we've got to meet everyone else before the party starts" Copy Merlin nodded as he followed her downstairs where the other girls were waiting for them.
…
Merlin sighed in relief as he appeared in Issei's room, much to the surprise of Grayfia and Asia as the latter spoke "Merlin-san, what are you doing here?"
"Yes…you should be with Reina-sama heading to the engagement" Grayfia added.
"Technically I am…" Merlin spoke with a smirk, he could check in on his duplicate and see what he was doing but at the moment it and Reina were going to the party.
"How…?" Asia asked confused as Merlin shook his head as he spoke
"I don't have time to explain, Asia-san…I've just come to help Hyodo" Heading over to the Pawn he pressed two fingers to Issei's forehead as he quietly chanted a spell, a small magic circle forming on his forehead as he started to pull Hyodo out of his deep sleep.
…
Copy Merlin looked around the large hall, feeling the eyes of his true self's Dragon ally keeping tabs on him as they waited for Rias to show up as Ruval and Ravel was talking to Reina, the former turning to Merlin as he spoke
"Thank you for saving Reina…I'm glad my sister has such a dependable Bishop. I heard you've developed a way to use Holy energy…" Ravel shivered slightly on hearing that although she knew Merlin wouldn't use it unless they deserved it, it still scared her that a servant of her family was able to use every devil's weakness.
"It's not perfected yet…and I injure myself whenever I use it" Copy Merlin replied formally as everyone turned as the doors opened and Rias walked in, a sad look on her face as Merlin spoke to the trio
"I would like to offer my congratulations to Gremory-hime for a well played Rating Game"
Reina nodded as Copy Merlin moved along, noticing the amount of people spread out and Raiser talking to his parents as he approached the sad crimson haired girl who was standing next to her Queen.
"Gremory-hime…I'd like to congratulate you on a well played game"
"Oh…thank you Merlin…" Rias spoke slightly surprised as Copy Merlin moved closer so he could speak quieter
"I was asked to deliver a message to you…" He slipped the small piece of paper into her hand, bowing his head to her before turning to head over to Saeko and Yukihana. Rias opening the small paper before her eyes widened at what was written inside
'You're Dragon is on his way…'
…
Issei looked around the white space he found himself in, his eyes finally falling onto Merlin who was stood before him dressed in his combat clothes as he spoke
"Good game Hyodo...but now is not the time to rest…you've got a princess to save"
"Buchou!" Issei spoke as Merlin nodded as he rested his staff against his shoulder as he spoke
"The engagement party is going on as we speak so…prove to me that you can win and I'll help you"
Issei looked confused at him as Merlin called his Chaos Cannon to his hand, pointing the gun at his fellow dragon, Issei slipping into a fighting stance as he activated his Boosted Gear.
"Right!" Issei charged only to find himself having to duck under a black beam as he continued to move forward
[Boost!] Issei managed to dodge a Dark Spear round as he continued trying to get closer to Merlin, deciding on launching a Dragon Shot attack only for Merlin to smirk as he dodged the attack easily with the help of some wind magic.
"You're stronger then this…" Merlin spoke as he started to rapid fire water rounds at him.
"Shut your face…you smartass. I don't have powerful magic like you" Issei shouted annoyed
"Do you think that matters? I might have been born with magic but I still had to train with it... I'd not be as strong as I am now if I had a peaceful childhood" Merlin retorted angrily
"What…?" Issei spoke surprised, faltering slightly
[Boost!]
"Mages are trained from the age of nine…I had to start at seven because my family kept getting attacked…Hell, I would probably be dead if my parents followed tradition…" Merlin explained as he blasted a twister of wind magic at Issei, who countered with a Dragon Shot.
"You're still better then me…and more popular with the girls" Issei shouted angrily back as he found Merlin behind him with Chaos Cannon pressed to his back as the devil mage spoke
"You think I'm better then you well I consider myself cursed to be hunted for the rest of my life"
Issei's eyes widened at that comment as Merlin continued "I should've died that day in the park…and so my duty is to repay those who saved me…even if it kills me"
Removing his gun from Issei's back Merlin decided to hand over a piece of advice "Battles are mostly won on spirit…even if you're outclassed or injured as long as you get back up you still have a chance to win"
…
Author's Notes
Here's another chapter, think I got the paper doll idea from Negima although probably have tweaked it. Enjoy.