Chapter 10: The Rating Game
OCs are mine
Review Responses
EternityDragon2610: Phew, that's a weight of my shoulders. I honestly thought I fucked up worse than I already did. Glad to hear I didn't.
Finally, we're at the Rating Game. I've been itching to finally get this chapter posted. So imma shut it and let you read.
On with the show!
I had some time before our fight against Raiser and his peerage, so I was making a final checklist of what I was gonna need. I had Rebellion sealed into my right arm and I had Red Queen attached to my back. Then I had Ebony and Ivory in their usual spot behind my back while Blue Rose was in a holster attached to my waist.
As for what I was wearing, I decided to change my usual attire to a pair of blue faded jeans, a red t-shirt under a black leather jacket, and a pair of black fingerless gloves. I kept my usual shoes on. After one last rundown of my list I just waited for the alert on my phone to go off. Raynare fell asleep downstairs awhile ago and I would wake her up when we left, because she wouldn't take no for an answer.
{Do you think you're ready?} My dad asked as I stared blankly at the wall with my hands covering my lower face.
"I'm better than I was before, but saying I'm ready is still stretching it." I answered.
[How can you still say that? You spent the last week and a half training with your father, the most legendary devil ever known, myself, one of the heavenly dragons, and your friends in the Gremory group.] Ddraig argued.
"I may not go down in one hit, but I'll still go down nonetheless." I defended in the same tone, still staring at the wall. "With those styles, Rias's training, and my new technique I can defend myself yes, but I still won't be much help. In any case, I'd rather lose with honor by fighting than lose by giving up." I said.
{Because you don't know how to quit?}
"That's right. It's cause of those words, from Koneko, I got as strong as I did. Only wish I got stronger." I said with a small smile.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Michael? Are you in there?" I heard Asia ask from outside my room.
"Yeah. Come on in Asia." I said, lowering my hands and giving myself a less blank expression. She came in wearing her nun outfit, which she hadn't wore since she first moved in with me. "Haven't seen that in awhile, you in that outfit." I said.
"Rias wanted me to be comfortable and I feel more comfortable in this. What do you think?" She asked. She had a small bit of redness on her face showing she was nervous.
"You look great, well,then again you always do." I said truthfully and sincerely.
"Your so nice to me. Do you mind if I stay with you til the Rating Game?" She asked.
"Of course you can." I said. She joined me on my bed and hugged my arm tightly. I could feel her slightly shaking. "You're nervous, huh?" I asked, placing my right hand on one of hers.
"A-A little. I'm just a little scared about what'll happen. But... I-if your with me, I know I'll be okay."
'She has that much faith in me?' I asked myself.
"If I'm with you... I know I'll never need to be afraid." She continued with that sweet smile of hers. "Can we stay like this, until we leave?" She asked, nervously.
"Of course."
"C-Can I... Can I stay with you... Forever?" She asked, gripping my arm tighter.
"You can stay with me for as long as you want. As long as your willing to put up with me, we'll always be together, and I'll always protect you." I said, tightening my grip on her hand as well.
We stayed in that position until my phone went off.
The time has come and so have I
I'll laugh last cause you came to die
The damage done the pain subsides
And I can see the fear clear when I look in your eye.
I turned the alert off and Asia released me so we could get Raynare and leave.
OCR Clubroom
We were all waiting for the okay from Grayfia, who'd give us a ten minute warning before the match started. In the meantime we were making ourselves comfortable, putting ourselves at ease.
Kiba wore his usual school uniform along with a gauntlet on his hand and protection on his lower leg and his sword was leaning against the wall. Koneko wore fingerless gloves and was, calmly, reading a book. Rias and Akeno wore similar gloves and were drinking green tea. Asia was still fidgeting in her seat next to me, who had his feet on the table and made a final adjustment to my guns. Asia would glance at me every few seconds and would calm down a bit after each glance.
Suddenly Grayfia entered the room, via magic circle. "Ten minutes before the match. Are you all ready?" She asked. We all stood up and nodded. "You'll all be taken to a different dimension, where the battle will take place, using this magic circle. It's a disposable field so you may all fight to your heart's content." She explained.
"Sounds like I'm gonna go wild kicking some Phenex ass." I said with fake confidence. I had managed to keep my lack of confidence hidden from everyone, but it was, in all honesty, exhausting. Suddenly I remembered, "Rias, you once told me you had another Bishop, shouldn't they be here?" I asked.
"Unfortunately, he won't be participating today. We'll discuss that at another time." She answered. Guess the matter on the other Bishop is complicated. I mean it must be if this person can't show up to a Rating Game as important as this.
"The game will be broadcasted in front of both households from another location."
"No pressure or anything." I said at Grayfia's statement.
"And among these members, the Satan, Lucifer, will be watching."
"So, Sirzechs is gonna be watching? Interesting." I said the last part to myself.
"That's right, he's quite anxious to see how strong you've become, Mike." Grayfia revealed.
"Then I'll try my best not to disappoint." I said smugly, but inside I felt more nervous than ever.
"At any rate, it's time to leave. Everyone on the magic circle." We did as Grayfia instructed and we were surrounded by a bright light.
When the light faded and I could see again, I saw we were in the same room, but the atmosphere felt different, darker. Suddenly Grayfia's voice was heard over the announcement speaker.
[Hello everyone, my name is Grayfia Lucifage, a maid from the house of Gremory. I shall serve as the arbiter of the Rating Game between the Gremory and Ohenex households. In the name if my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will be keeping an eye on this match. This battlefield is modeled after the school Lady Rias attends, Kuou Academy.]
'I see this is merely a replica.' I realized.
[The area where both teams were transported will serve as their base. Lady Rias's base will be the Occult Research Clubroom in the old school building and the student council room, in the new building, shall serve as the base for Lord Raiser. For the Pawns to use promotion, you must be in the enemy base.]
'Fingers crossed that no other Pawn uses promotion.' I hoped.
"Everyone put these transceivers in your ears so we can communicate." Akeno said, handing each of us an earpiece.
"This match shall continue until dawn in the human's time. Remember not to hold back against Raiser's servants." Rias advised.
RING
The school bell rang, showing that it was time to start. "Our first priority is to dispose of Raiser's Pawn. We can't allow them to promote, otherwise this will be troublesome." As Rias was saying this, Akeno was making tea again.
"Aren't we a bit to calm about this?" I asked, showing how nervous I was.
"It's not like this will be over in a matter of a few short minutes. It's like real chess, there's much strategizing and planning involved so it take a large amount of time." Rias explained calmly. "Yuuto." At the call of his name, Kiba spread out a map of the school grounds.
"The forest near us, it's safe to assume this is our territory as well so the new building is Raiser's territory. We'll most likely be ambushed once we enter. It's dangerous to go there straight through the school field, since it's visible from the new building." Rias pondered.
"If we capture the gym, we should be able to gain a route to the new building, seeing as how it's a passage to both buildings." Kiba suggested.
"I agree, Raiser will most likely have one of his Rooks positioned there, so we'll send you in, Koneko. Before that you and Yuuto should set some traps in the forest so they don't get the drop on us." Kiba and Koneko nodded at her instructions and left.
"If I may throw my two cents in?" I asked.
"Of course."
"I think it'd be wise if we sent Akeno to cast some illusions and shit around the forest once they return. Ya know, just to be sure?" I suggested.
"Great minds think alike, I agree." Rias said with a smile.
"Ever so intelligent, and cute above all else." Akeno said to me.
"I try." I shrugged. I got serious again and asked "So what do I do?" Rias sat down.
"Have a seat." She said, I was confused but I didn't ask questions. Once I was seated she patted her lap "Lay here."
"C-Come again!?" I asked, surprised at her request.
"Just lay down." She repeated sweetly.
"U-Umm... O-Okay, if you say so." I stuttered with a red face. I slowly lowered my head onto her lap and as soon as my skin made contact with hers, I felt absolute bliss and serenity. I almost forgot that we were in the middle of a Rating Game. "This f-feels... nice." I said softly.
"I'm glad you're happy. If you want I can do this again for you." She said happily, surprising me again.
"G-Geez, Rias, you're fuckin spoiling me here." I was so nervous I could hardly even look up at her. Though I could see that Asia wasn't liking the current position I was in with Rias. This has become a bittersweet victory. Suddenly I felt Rias place her hand in my forehead, and I somehow felt... different.
"I just unlocked a seal I cast on you." She answered before I could ask. That's when I realized I didn't just feel different, I felt stronger. "When I reincarnated you, your body couldn't handle the power of all eight Pawn pieces. If I didn't place a seal on you, you'd be stronger than even Akeno. Your body would've broke otherwise." She explained.
'So all this time...' Before I could continue my thought Rias started patting my head, causing me to lose my train of thought. As she did this Asia's stare turned into a full glare.
"Rias..." I started softly. She looked at me and I finally asked "Can you please... undo another part of this seal?"
"Huh? Why?" She asked.
"Because..." I couldn't do this anymore, I couldn't keep up this charade. "I'm still not strong enough!" I said sadly.
"What happened to that confidence?" She asked.
"I never had it! I was lying so none of you would worry about me. I'll admit I'm stronger, but I still can't beat Raiser!" I admitted with tears in my eyes.
"Why are you so dead set on defeating Raiser, and only him?"
"Because he makes you unhappy. I can't let that go unpunished." I answered sadly. By now Asia's glare turned into soft, sympathetic, eyes showing she felt bad for me.
"So you only hold this grudge against Raiser, simply because he makes me unhappy?" That was the answer I was expecting but not the tone. I expected her to be a little more firm, instead she sounded a little happy.
"I told you, I wanna pay you back in full for all you've done for me, part of that debt means I can't allow you to be unhappy. I don't want you to stop smiling!" I said the last part a little louder.
Rias lifted me up and held my head in her chest. "You're such a sweet boy. It makes me happy to know you're not just my servant, but my friend as well."She said happily. "But I want you to know you don't owe me anything. I only ask that you fight to you're best ability in this game."
"I... I understand." I said hesitantly. "In that case, I'll just cripple Raiser's army, I can at least do that much." I stated a little happier.
"Then I'll leave it to you, my cute Michael."
"And I'll ensure our victory for you, my beautiful Rias." I teased back. I don't know where that came from but I didn't cause I got to see Rias's cute blushing face. However Asia was glaring again.
Once Kiba and Koneko returned, Rias paired me with Koneko for a full assault on the gym. Meanwhile Akeno would wait for a time to use her, as she and Rias put it, "ultimate move", and Kiba went out on his own.
Before we attacked te enemy in the gym, which was three Pawns and a Rook, I quietly said to Koneko "Thanks."
"For what?" She asked, tilting her head.
"That talk you gave me when we were training. That talk gave me the confidence to get as strong as I did, and I'm sure it'll be my motivation for a long time. So thank you, Koneko." I said sincerely.
"You're welcome." She said back, actually smiling at me.
"We know you're their. We saw you enter." A voice said.
Koneko and I emerged from behind the curtains and I saw a pair of twins, a woman in a china dress, and the girl who I knocked down when I first met Raiser. The twins and the girl with the stick were the Pawns while the other was a Rook.
"Well, take your pick." I said to Koneko as I removed my glove from my right arm and summoned my Boosted Gear.
[Boost!]
"I'll take the Rook. The Pawns are yours." She said, adjusting her gloves.
"Fair enough. Show her who's the better Rook." I said smugly. She nodded and attacked the opposing Rook.
BGM: Dante's Office from DMC3
"So who's first?". I ask sarcastically, dropping down from the stage.
"We'll be more than happy to take you out." The twins said simultaneously. They pulled out a pair of chainsaws and started them up.
"Seems a bit dangerous for girls like you to be handling such dangerous tools." I said, though I was a little nervous at the fact that one wrong move will cost a limb.
"Time to cut you up!" They said happily. I found I VERY disturbing that these girls we're happy at the very thought of mutilating me with an honest to Satan smile.
They started charging me and kept chanting things like "cut" or "slice" and other things that involve slicing my body in two. I dodged each swing from their chainsaws. I leaped over one of them but the other one tried to swing at me, so I flipped in midair causing her to miss. Her sister turned around as I landed and swing at my face. I quickly leaned back but she did managed to cut my cheek.
"Take this!" The girl with the stick, Mira, tried to strike me but I quickly twisted my torso causing her to hit her teammate.
[Boost!] Another power boost.
"What the hell!?"
"Why can't we hit him!?" The twins seemed upset that they were unable to slice me in half.
"His speed is incredible." Mira said in astonishment.
"The answer to why you can't hit me is simple, dear ladies." I said. "It's hard to hit someone using the Trickster style."
"Trickster?" The twins asked.
"Trickster style allows me to dodge attacks at speed faster than a knight. This whole time I've been using the dash technique of Trickster." I explained.
[Boost!]
"Allow me to show you another technique from the Trickster style." I said with a malicious smile.
[Explosion!]
I took a step forward and before they could react I disappeared. This was a technique known as air trick. It allows me to vanish before my opponent's eyes and reappear in front of them or behind them, depending on our distance. I reappeared, just as I said, in front of the twin farthest back. I placed my left hand in front of her and unleashed the blast of all the power I stored. It sent her into the wall on te other side of the gym.
"You! How dare you do that to my sister!" The other sister yelled, charging at me with her chainsaw. I used the air trick again and appeared behind her. I placed my right hand on her back. It shined like when I first grabbed Raynare with my spectral hand. I unleashed my spectral hand and slammed her against another wall.
"Hmph, nice." I praised myself clenching and unclenching my fist.
"Ugh!" The Rook Koneko was fighting was on the floor whereas Koneko was virtually unharmed. As I examined the scene before me, Mira swung at my body but I quickly dashed out of the way. I grabbed her stick and broke it like a pencil.
"Grrr, we can't lose to this loser!" The chainsaw twin I blasted exclaimed, trying to stand.
"Yeah, Lord Raiser'll be mad at us for sure!" The other twin said. They both charged me from both sides but I just stood there.
{Now?} My dad asked.
'Now.' I thought with another malicious smile.
My arm started shining green.
Just as the chainsaw twins tried to slice me down the middle, I was enveloped by a green light and the figure in the light became wider. When it faded another me stood behind me and blocked one twin with Agni and Rudra while I blocked the other with Red Queen. This was the technique I suddenly learned when I sparred with Kiba that one night. A clone of me appears and does whatever I tell it to do and is randomly equipped with one o my Devil Arms. The only downside is that it halves my power. But based on the twins conditions, that was more than enough.
I pulled the throttle on Red Queen while Agni and Rudra were surrounded in their respective elements, fire and wind, and we sent the twins flying back. I made sure to send the twin attacking me fling back to her sister. Mira was just staring in amazement at all this. I moved beside my clone and grabbed Agni from him.
"Burn." I said.
"And blow away." My clone said.
We stabbed Agni and Rudra into the ground and sent a stream of fire and wind at them. But even after that they were still in the Game. But it didn't look like they'd be fighting back. My clone shined green and the light flew back into my right arm.
BGM end
[Michael, Koneko, can you hear me?] Rias said over the transceiver.
"Loud and clear." I answered.
[Akeno is ready to deliver the final blow, you should probably leave.] She advised.
"Okay." Koneko responded. "You ready?" She asked me.
"You bet." With that we left the gym and the girls in it.
"H-Hey! We're not... Done with you!" One of the twins said weakly.
"Yeah, why are you leaving? This is an important place." Mira asked, with no hostility in her voice.
"Exactly why we're leaving." I answered, waving goodbye.
Once we were out of the gym and at a safe distance a huge bolt of lightning struck it and the whole gym fucking exploded. I guess that was Akeno's ultimate move. I looked up and started cheering when I saw Akeno floating above us, in an outfit meant for a priestess.
[Raiser Phenex's three Pawns and one Rook have retired.] Grayfia's voice said.
"That was awesome, Akeno!" I said over the transceiver.
"Fufu, why thank you, Michael. You were great in there yourself." I guess she was watching us while we were in there.
"What was that back there?" Koneko asked.
"The Trickster style or the clone?" I responded with my own question.
"Both."
"The Trickster style is one of four basic fighting styles, developed by my father. The Trickster style allows me to dodge and move at lightning fast speed, no pun intended Akeno." I pointed out. "I have three other styles to unveil, but you'll just have to wait and see."
"And the clone?"
"A new technique I learned during training. It creates a clone of me, equipped with a Devil Arm of my choice. It does as it pleases unless I order it to do something else. Downside is it cuts my power in half as long as I have one out. But it's very useful." I explained.
"Cool."
"It's cause of your encouraging words I discovered this power." I said with a smile.
"You're just gonna thank me for every knew power you come across, huh?" She asked.
"Better get used to it." I joked
"Can't ya just buy me some sweets and call it even?"
"Deal." She smiled at me for the second time today, and I was starting to enjoy seeing it. I wanted her to do it more often.
[Excellent work, Akeno, a flawless attack.] Ria's sure sounded happy, can't say I blame her, I was too. Though it's probably cause I just love showing off any new shit I learn. So far Raiser's army has been reduced by three while we still had all our members. [Phase one is complete. Now I want each of you to move on to the next phase.]
"You got it." I responded. The next phase was for Koneko and I to meet with Kiba at the sports court to defeat the enemies there. Before we could even move, something struck us, or rather, struck Koneko. "Koneko!" I shouted, worried. I quickly ran to her and I saw that she was in bad shape. She had a lot of injuries and her clothes look like they just went through a shredder.
"Damn. I missed the boy." A disappointed female voice said. I turned to where the voice originated and I saw a woman wearing Mage robes. Raiser's Bishop, perhaps? No, that attack was too strong for a Bishop. She's his Queen.
"Ugh..." Koneko groaned in pain.
"Koneko!"
"I... I just wanted to be of more use... to everyone." She said, weakly.
"You were great today. I couldn't have asked for a better partner in there. Get some rest, Koneko, you've earned it." I said softly while I stroked her hair and her damaged face. She smiled at me once more before her body started to fade and soon disappear in my arms. She wasn't dead by any means, that's just what happens in a Rating Game. Any members who have been defeated and transported somewhere else do the can rest while a medical team treats their injuries. Koneko would be in good hands. But that didn't mean I wasn't pissed. I stood up and glared at Raiser's Queen. "Alright, bitch, let's dance! You and me!" I said taking a fighting stance.
BGM: DE28A from Deadman Wonderland
"Such a foul mouth. Didn't your master teach you any manners? I suppose I'll have to discipline you myself!" She readied her next attack and I was ready to counter with my own. But Akeno suddenly stood between us.
"Michael, go meet with Kiba. I'll take care of her. Raiser Phenex's Queen, Yubelluna. Or should I call you the "Bomb Queen"." She said.
"That name is in such bad taste, "Lightning Priestess"." Yubelluna scoffed. "You were my target."
"I'll take care of her. You go on ahead." Akeno advised. I had faith in our Queen so I agreed.
"Very well. Try not to get your pretty face messed up." I joked.
"Fufufu. Don't worry I won't." She responded sweetly yet serious. With that I went to find Kiba. On my way I heard another announcement from Grayfia.
BGM end
[Raiser Phenex's three Pawns retired.]
'No doubt that was Kiba.' With those three gone we had officially disposed of seven of Raiser's servants, and I was sure that Akeno would make it eight. If she defeat's the Queen, our odds of victory will surely go up.
An arm pulled me to the side and I saw that it was Kiba.
"Nice job with those Pawns." I congratulated.
"Same to you." He said. Then he looked down, solemnly. "It's a shame we lost Koneko, though." He said. Then I looked down.
"I could've done something." I said. Kiba shook his head.
"You weren't aware of your attackers presence, don't blame yourself." He assured. "We'll avenge Koneko by winning this thing." He said, extending his hand.
I smirked and tightly grabbed his hand with my own. "Lets rock!" He nodded and we proceeded to the sports courts. I chuckled softly, so he wouldn't hear, and thought about how I never would've thought of being Kiba's friend. But now he's like my brother so the irony of all this just make me laugh a bit. "Any idea what we'll be up against?" I asked him.
"We'll encounter a Rook, Knight, and a Bishop for a total of three pieces." He informed.
"That's quite the resistance."
"Nervous?"
"A bit, yeah. I've only been up against Pawns so I don't know how I'll do against other pieces, so I'm a bit tense now." I said also with a chuckle and small smile.
"Well don't worry, we're a team, so we should be able to take them on." Kiba assured. I nodded and before I knew it we were at the courts. We were greeted by a rather cute girl in rather badass armor.
"I'm Raiser Phenex's Knight, Carlamaine." She introduced herself. She then gestured towards Kiba. "I challenge you, Knight of Rias Gremory, to a duel!" She challenged.
BGM: Dangerline by Avenged Sevenfold
"She doesn't waste time." I remarked.
"No she doesn't." Kiba agreed, taking a step forward. I did the same. "I am the Knight of Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto."
"I'm her Pawn, Michael Williams."
"I admire your bravery for coming from the front. That's something people wouldn't normally do." Carlamaine complimented us.
"Well we're not exactly "normal"." I stated sarcastically.
"Either way, I simply adore fools like you. Shall we begin?" She asked, unsheathing her sword. Kiba did the same.
They charged each other and their swords clashed. Kiba had a smile that showed he was already enjoying this fight, probably because he was against a fellow Knight.
"Now what do I do?" I asked myself, scratching the back of my head.
"Maybe we can entertain you." A voice said. I turned around and saw a girl wearing a mask that cover a bit more than a quarter of her face. She looked quite aggressive, so I assumed she was a Rook.
"That Carlamaine, always thinking about swords. She also had a butter expression when the Pawns were sacrificed. Does she not agree with the flawless plan her master, the King, created? But I guess I got a little crazy too when I saw a cute boy, shame he turned out to be another sword freak." Another voice said.
"How bout we talk about you bad luck with guys, while I start kicking some ass?" I taunted.
I doubted that this girl was a Pawn and the other Knight and Rook was her, so I figured she was Raiser's Bishop. I recognized her from the time I attacked Mira and she asked what my problem was. If I remember correctly, her name is had blonde hair styled in two drill-like ponytails. She was wearing a long pink dress, making her look like royalty.
"So your the Pawn my brother's fiancé is so fond of? You don't seem to special." Gotta give her points for honesty. I walked towards my opponents and raised my Boosted Gear.
"Well then, let me show you how special I am!"
[Boost!]
"*sigh* Isabella, why don't you take him?" She suggested. Isabella nodded and walked towards me.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? Don't wanna dirty your hands?" I teased/taunted.
"Forget her, she'll just be watching us." Isabella stated.
"I'm surprised that apparent loli's sister doesn't wanna kick my ass, after I tried to whoop his sorry ass." I was trying to get Ravel riled up, but it wasn't working.
"I'll leave you to my brother, assuming you somehow avoid getting the shit kicked out of you by Isabella." She responded, calmly.
"Here I come!" Isabella shouted. I wasn't paying attention and she managed to punch me in the face. Since I was in Trickster I used another move called flipper to land gracefully. Basically I summon a magic circle when I'm blown away by an attack and plant my feet on it to easily recover.
"That's some strength. Guess I should switch it up." I said as I landed. I stood straight, snapped my fingers and called "Royalgaurd!" I was surrounded by a blue aura and electricity as I snapped my fingers.
[Boost!]
"Pathetic. How could you not dodge something so basic?" Isabella asked in annoyance.
"Sorry, I was distracted. How bout we try again?" I offered. She was confused at first but went for it nonetheless.
[Boost!]
"With pleasure!" She tried to kick me away but I blocked just as her attack was about to connect, and I felt nothing. That's one of the effects of the royal block, if I time my block from my enemy's attack just right, I take no damage and I store the energy from the attack, for something special.
"That all?" I asked with a smug smile.
[Boost!]
"Huh?" Isabella tried to punch me again, but once again, I blocked just as he was about to hit me, storing more energy away. Now she was getting irritated. "You're not even flinching!" She complained.
"Maybe you're just not as strong as you thought." I shrugged. Now she was full fledged pissed. She kicked me once, I blocked it. She threw a punch at my face, I blocked by putting my hands over my face. But when she kicked my stomach I failed to block and was sent flying back.
Since I wasn't in Trickster, I couldn't recover as well. I caught myself on the ground and was introduced to a barrage of punches and kicks from Isabella, and I was unable to block them.
Meanwhile with Kiba and Carlamaine, the enemy knight managed to break Kiba's sword, Holy Eraser, with her flame lit sword. Things weren't looking good for Kiba, but he was smirking for some reason.
"What's with the smile? You're defenseless, you Sacred Gear doesn't stand a chance against me." Carlamaine gloated.
"There's more to my Sacred Gear than you think." Kiba said. Carlamaine was puzzled at his statement. "Freeze." Kiba said softly. Suddenly a new blade formed in his empty hilt. It appeared to be a blade made of ice. "In front of this sword, Flame Delete, all fire vanishes." He explained.
"W-What!? Are you telling me... You have TWO Sacred Gears!?" Carlamaine asked in shock and disbelief. She swung her sword, and as soon as it made contact with Kiba's, the flaming sword froze and instantly broke. But that didn't stop her, she pulled out a short sword from her hip. "Members from the house of Phenex just don't rule over fire, but wind as well!" There was suddenly a whirlwind of burning hot wind, as if Isabella's attacks weren't enough, now my skin is on fire.
"Have you forgotten your allies are here too!?" Isabella asked, still attacking me,but Carlamaine ignored her. Kiba's sword started melting, but it didn't phase him.
"Good strategy..." Kiba started, raising his bladeless sword. "But.." He smirked again, "Stop!" The hot gust was sucked into Kiba's sword, so now I was just worrying about Isabella again. "Replenish Calm, been awhile since I used more than two demonic swords." He said.
"Just how many Sacred Gears do you have!?" Carlamaine asked.
"Just one, the one I created." He revealed.
"Created?" I was just as lost as Carlamaine. I had no clue he made a Sacred Gear.
"Sword Birth, it slows me to make any demonic sword. The name's a little self explanatory." He explained. Kiba put his hand down and multiple demonic swords emerged from the ground.
[Boost!]
Meanwhile, Isabella finished her bombardment of punches and kicks with one last kick to my stomach, and I fell to the ground.
"What do ya have to say about my strength now, you stupid Pawn!?" She asked tried stood back up.
[Boost!]
"I'll admit, I was sorely mistaken." I said wiping some blood off my bottom lip. "You're stronger than I thought, and I shouldn't have underestimated you." I "apologized".
"For taking the high road, I'll make your defeat slightly less painful." She retorted, cracking her knuckles.
[Boost!]
"I... appreciate your "kindness". Here allow me to retaliate!" I held out my hand and readied my attack.
[Explosion!]
"Dragon shot!" I pulled my arm back, making a fist, and snapped it forward, unleashing my dragon shot. For a second Isabella just stood there. Until Carlamaine spoke up.
"Don't just stand there, Isabella! Dodge!" Isabella was hesitant at first, but still dodged before it hit her. Next thing that happened was I think I blew up the tennis court.
"Whoops." I said, slightly embarrassed.
[Reset!] The Boosted Gear called, saying that I was back to my base power.
"Isabella! Take that Pawn out! His Sacred Gear could change everything!" Don't know if I should feel complimented or not.
"You're right. We need to take him out before he gets the chance to promote. He's dangerous with that Sacred Gear, and who knows what he's like with that right arm." She said the last part to herself, but I still heard it.
"Wanna see exactly, what I can do? Let me show you." I said, pulling out Red Queen and cutting my left arm.
"What the hell!?" She said in shock.
Blood flowed out of my arm and into my other arm. It glowed it's normal blue color and I started imagining my weapon. I was sacrificing enough blood to keep it for about half a minute or so.
A silver lance formed in my right hand. It was a little shorter than me and was surrounded by blue electricity.
"This is the power of my Unholy Arsenal." I said before charging Isabella. "I can make any weapon I can think of at the cost of some blood." I missed my first stab but I jerked my arm to the right and when I made contact there was a loud explosion, originating from my lance, Thunderbolt, and Isabella was sent flying into a pillar. But she wasn't out yet. She charged me again. I disposed of Thunderbolt, and took the stance I used to block her attacks before. I was ready to unleash the energy I had stored from all those royal blocks. Just as she was about to swing her fist, I connected my open hand with her stomach. "Royal release!" I clenched my fist and Isabella was blasted back into the pillar as I released all of the energy at once.
The pillar Isabella hit, collapsed this time. I saw a familiar light surround her. Just like Koneko, Isabella's body began to fade and eventually disappeared.
BGM end
[Raiser Phenex's Rook retired.] Grayfia announced.
After hearing that I turned to look at Ravel. "Your turn, princess!" I threatened pointing at her. Meanwhile I saw that Kiba was still fighting Carlamaine, only he seemed angrier. Before I could help other enemies appeared. They were obviously the last two Pawns and the last Bishop.
"Hey, where's Isabella?"
"Was she actually defeated?"
Other than Yubelluna, Raiser's Queen, who was being taken care of by Akeno, thi seemed to be the last of Raiser's forces. We may just win.
"Hey, Pawn!" Ravel called to me. "Lord Raiser said he's gonna fight your princess, take a look." She revealed pointing to the roof of the new building.
She wasn't lying. There were three figures on the roof. The first had wings of fire, that was Raiser. The second figure had red hair and black wings, that's Rias. And the third figure was none other then Asia.
"Asia, what's going on up there!?" I asked.
[Michael, Raiser just challenged Rias to a fight and she just accepted. We were able to get into the new building without any problems.]
'No problems? That makes no sense though.' I pondered in my head. I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Ravel laughing.
"What's so funny?" I asked stoically.
"The "Crimson Hair Princess of Ruin", the "Lightning Priestess", "Sword Birth", "Boosted Gear", and it's owner the son of Sparda. Just the names give me chills. But you can never defeat an immortal bird." Ravel stated.
"Even an immortal being can lose." I retorted.
"And just how do you plan on winning? Fight til my brother can't anymore? Or are you gonna hit him with a force stronger than God? It's funny just knowing you think you can win." She laughed.
"And why's that?"
"Because Rias never stood a chance from the very beginning." She looked to Carlamaine. "The Knight's all yours, Carlamaine. But we won't hesitate to jump in if you start lowering the name of Phenex." Carlamaine nodded and Ravel looked to one of the other girls. "Sieris, deal with this one." She ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Sieris stepped forward and raised her sword.
BGM: Never Surrender by Combchrist
"She's my brother's other Knight, only she won't fight with the honor of one like Carlamaine." Ravel warned. "Ni and Li, give her a hand." The other two girls stepped forward, next to Sieris. "They're beast warriors, very brutal fighters."
Jump to chorus
"Hmph, so am I." I said. I snapped my fingers and switched styles. "Trickster."
"Hiya!" The beast girls cried. Before I could react, and dash, they started attacking my legs. I finally found an opening and dashed out of the way of their next attack.
"Time to kick it up a notch, Boosted Gear!"
[Boost!]
"You need to defeat him before he gets his third boost. His power increases every ten seconds so you have thirty seconds to win." Ravel informed.
"Come on, kittens, let's play." I taunted while clapping my hands.
One of them tried to trip me but I jumped up. The other lunged herself at me, but I used another move I learned, air hike, to get away from her attack. Air hike is basically double jumping.
[Boost!]
'One more!'
"Oh no you don't!" The first sister called, jumping off her sister to reach me. She placed her foot on my stomach and it was still there when she sent me back to the ground, causing me to cough up some blood.
"Mike!" Kiba called, worried. He was still fighting Carlamaine so he couldn't back me up.
"Keep him busy for another ten seconds Carlamaine! You can't win against him, but we can easily defeat this one." Ravel said, observing my situation and laughing about it. The beast girls wet mainly going after my legs while I was still down, at this rate they may break them. I started feeling light headed.
BGM end
I looked to the roof of the new building and saw Raiser and Rias still duking it out. Rias looked badly damaged and Raiser didn't have a scratch in him, not even his clothes were damaged. I started thinking about what would happen if we lost. Ross Wouk have to marry that asshole and be miserable for the rest of her life.
'He makes you unhappy! I can't let that go unpunished!' My words to her earlier played in my mind.
'I can't lose.' I thought to myself. 'I can't let that bastard make her suffer!' I gritted my teeth and tried to stand, despite the immense pain in my legs. 'I said that I'd protect her! That I would win for her!' I was standing but I was leaning back and forth due to the pain. 'Raiser... He can't have her! He can't...' My right arm started glowing and Rebellion appeared in my hands. 'He can't take away the girl that I love!'
BGM: Lost in the Echo by Linkin Park (start at second chorus)
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"
[Boost!] My Boosted Gear started powering up again.
"More! I need more power!" I demanded from it.
[Boost!]
"Come on! GIMME MORE!"
[Boost!]
"You came through for me when needed to save Asia! Gimme the power to save RIAS!"
[Dragon Booster Second Liberation!] Sounds like I got a new power. Good.
The gauntlet on my left arm began to change. The gauntlet covered even more of my arm, a second jewel, similar to the first, also appeared, and there were now some spikes on the gauntlet.
'Ddraig, what can I do with this?' I asked the dragon sealed in my left gear.
[This is the Boosted Gear Gift, with it you can transfer your power to another being or object.] He explained.
'In that case...'
"Kiba! Use your Sacred Gear now!" I shouted. Kiba hesitated but he stabbed his sword into the ground.
"Sword Birth!" He called. As he do this, and demonic swords appeared from the ground, I shoved my fist into the ground as well.
"Here goes! Boosted Gear, Gift!" I sent the boosted power into Kiba's demonic swords.
[Transfer!]
The entire area was surrounded by swords, Kiba's demonic swords. There were swords of all shapes and sizes, some I never even thought possible. It was truly a thing of beauty, as well as my new ability.
"Impossible."
"This is the dragon's power?" All of Raiser's servants were caught in the field of demonic swords and they couldn't believe what they saw and felt, which was the feeling of cold, hard, steel penetrating their skin. Their bodies were enveloped in light and disappeared.
BGM end
[Raiser Phenex's two Knights, two Pawns, and one Bishop retired.]
"Haha. Eat it." I said weakly. That new ability took a lot out of me, but I was gonna be fine.
"That was some power, Michael." Kiba complimented, staring, in awe, at the field of his demonic swords.
"I can transfer my boosted power to anyone or anything, that's how it works." I explained, flashing my Boosted Gear gauntlet.
[Rias Gremory's Queen retired.]
"Huh!?"
"No fucking way!?"
Did I hear that right? Was Akeno really defeated by that other Queen? How was that even possible? But it was true. In the distance I saw Akeno, in her tattered priestess outfit, fall to the ground and eventually disappear in a white light.
There was suddenly an explosion from behind me. I turned to see Kiba on the ground, with smoke coming from his body, with blood all around him. I hardly had time to step forward before he disappeared in the same light as Akeno, leaving only me in the same spot at the sports fields. The demonic swords Kiba had created with the help of my new power, shattered at the loss of their master.
I looked to the sky and saw Yubelluna, Raiser's Queen, flying above me, without a scratch on her. Was she really that much stronger than Akeno, that she could completely wipe her out without a scratch?
"You bitch! You'll pay for what you did to my friends!" I shouted in anger. I tightened my grip on my sword. "Get down her and fight me!" I demanded. She didn't give me any more than a laugh before flying towards her master and mine. "Don't you ignore me!" I ran towards her, but I was so spent I fell to the ground.
"Still think you can fight?" I heard Ravel ask me. Guess she evaded mine and Kiba's attack by flying away, judging by how only the other bishop was defeated. If I could fight Raiser's Queen, I'll fight his sister. "It doesn't matter if I fight you, you've lost."
"Not as long as Rias, Asia, and I are still standing!"
"That was impressive, that power from before. Transferring your power to another, thank kind of a scary thought if mixed with Rias's power of destruction or your Queen's deadly lightning magic, but even still, it's over for you and your group." She said.
"Why don't you come down here and we'll see just how scary I can be!" I threatened. She didn't dignify me with a response. Instead she pulled out a bottle.
"Ever hear of a phoenix's tears? They can heal all kinds of wounds. Kind of like your Bushop's Twilight Healing."
"So that's how you Queen defeated Akeno. If it weren't for those tears, Akeno would've kicked her sorry ass." I realized.
"Only one of us is allowed to use them, so we gave it to Yubelluna. They're sold at a high price as well, which is why our family is so wealthy."
"Like I give a shit about your wealth. If you won't fight me I'll gladly show your brother a thing or two." I said walking towards the school building.
"You can't just walk away from me!" She shouted in anger. guess her pride is her weakness. Same can be said for Raiser.
"If you try and stop me, I'll fill you with bullets." I threatened, still walking away.
I entered the enemy base so I could finally promote. "Promotion: Queen." I said quietly. Then I quickly snapped my fingers and switched to Royalguard I started running up the stairs to get to the rooftop.
'I have to beat him! Losing to Raiser is NOT an option!' I repeated in my head.
I finally made it to the entrance to the roof. I decided to make an entrance so I kicked it in, so hard it almost hit Raiser. "RAISER!"
"Michael!" Asia and Rias said together.
"It's you. I'm surprised you're still even here." Raiser said in astonishment, but his tone didn't match his words.
"Shall I take care of him, Lord Raiser?" His Queen asked.
"No, I shall dispose of this trash myself."
"Don't mess around, Raiser!" Rias shouted in anger as she threw a ball of demonic energy. I was shocked to see him take the hit head on. But after he was hit, his face immediately began to heal itself. This was the power of the phoenix.
"Just surrender, Rias. Otherwise you'll make you father and Lord Sirzechs look bad. You're out of options, I've won." He claimed.
"Not as long as I'm still here!" Rias argued.
I walked in between Rais and Raiser, intentionally hitting his shoulder with my own. "Asia." I called. Asia looked at Yubelluna and came to me. No one tried to shoot her or stop her, they just let her heal me. Assholes. Soon the pain I had been feeling disappeared. But she can't heal my stamina. "Your our main asset if we get hurt Asia. Until we need you I want you to stand back." I said, putting my hands on her shoulders. She didn't say anything, she started to move but was stopped somehow.
"Kyaaa!" She screamed. That's when I saw a magic circle below her.
"Sorry, but Raiser can't let you be healed. The only way to undo that deal on your Bishop is to defeat my Queen, which I doubt you'll be able to do." Raiser said, smugly.
"Damn you!" I cursed. I took a deep breath and looked at Rias. "Leave this to me, Rias." I told her in a serious tone.
BGM: Sugar Skull by Envy on the Coast
"What!? Are you crazy!?" She asked. "You told me yourself you couldn't beat him! Why do you choose to fight him alone!?"
"Cause it's time I proved myself wrong. I'll prove to you, him, and myself that I can kick Raiser's fucking ass!" I said in a tone that said I won't take no for an answer. Ross was about to say something but then she saw how determined I was.
"Then as your master, I order you to win!"
Jump to last chorus
"Damn straight!" That was my order: Beat Raiser. I'll do it. I'll kick Raiser's ass and make him sorry he ever fucked with us.
I charged at Raiser with every ounce of speed I could spare.
Once I was up to him he prepared to punch me but I royal blocked him and stored away the energy. I kicked his face and he stumbled back. "Impressive, you managed to hit me this time." He complimented.
"I tend to do a lot more than just hit you!" I said summoning Rebellion and changing it to Gilgamesh. "Come on!" I said using the "bring it on" gesture.
Raiser charged me this time and tried to hit me, his first surrounded by fire. I barely got to royal block that one. He went to kick my shin, but I stepped back just before impact. 'Just a few more royal blocks.'
He tried to punch me again, I royal blocked just in time again. I grabbed his wrists and used the jets on Gilgamesh's gauntlets to swing him around. I tossed him into the air, and he summoned his wings if fire. I saw that he was displeased with this. He divebombed back down and I readied an attack with Gilgamesh. I charged the jets three times, and hit Raiser square in the jaw, uppercutingg him back into the sky, along with me. I switched Gilgamesh to Rebellion again and sent us back to the ground with one swing.
"Grrr! How dare you!?" Raiser shouted.
"Shut up and fight!" I ordered. He tried punching me again but I blocked royally again. One more if those and I'd be ready. "Come on, your servants gave me a better workout than you!" I taunted loudly.
He attacked me again and once again I royally blocked it. 'NOW!'
I grabbed his wrists again and tossed him into the air again, but not as nearly high, so this had to be quick, since he was already diving back down. I took a stance with my legs spread and my fists at my side. A yellow ball of light originated in my chest and black energy started to come out of it and surround my body.
"HAAAAAAAH!" I howled as the black energy overtook my body. There was a bright flash of light, which was right as Raiser was about to hit me. When the light faded my appearance greatly changed.
My entire body was shrouded in darkness, except for the yellow light at the center if my chest, my hands and feet turned into razor sharp claws, my arms were covered in red hard spikes that acted as armor, and I had a helmet, which glowed orange in the openings, that covered my face. I was surrounded by a yellow aura while my helmet and the spikes on my arms were surrounded by a red and black aura which flowed constantly. This was the embodiment of the Royalguard style, the Dreadnaught.
Raiser had his fist on my member but I didn't feel a thing. This was another thing I could do with the royal blocks stored away energy, I could channel it around me and create an unbreakable, indestructible, armor that protected me depending on how much power was stored. I had about fifteen seconds, hopefully it was all I needed.
I grabbed Raisers wrist and dug my claws into his skin and used my other hand grab his face. I flipped him over me and planted him onto the ground. I pulled out Rebellion and prepared to stab him, but he rolled to the side an tried to kick me. I let him do it but I felt nothing. I grabbed his leg ad tossed him back into te air. I used my air hike to get to him. He tried to punch me, but I moved my right arm to take the hit, causing Raiser to stab himself in the sharp spikes.
"Ahhhh! You bastard!" He cursed. Just cause his wounds could heal isn't mean he didn't feel any pain from them.
"Takes one to know one." I said with a distorted voice that would send chills up a normal mans spine. I thrusted my arm forward, stabbing Raiser's chest, and plummeted us to the ground, causing my spikes to go deeper.
"AHHHH!"
"I suggest you surrender, before I get really pissed." I told him, right in his face. He didn't look nervous but he was certainly angry. He spit in my face. I stood straight with my foot on his chest and pulled out Rebellion. Before I coul thrust my sword I returned to normal. "Shit, no!" Raiser smirked evilly.
BGM change: Sad Song from Yu Yu Hakusho
He grabbed my leg with his arm on fire, and pulled on it, sending me to the ground. I was about to stand but Raise already got up. He grabbed my face and started slamming my head onto te ground. I had no opportunity to get out of his grip. Once he ceased smashing my head in he grabbed my shirt and started punching me with his burning fist. "Raiser can forget everything you just did, if you beg for mercy." He offered. It was hard to speak but I mumbled something. "What was that?" He asked pulling me closer, hoping to hear me beg.
"G... Get b-bent, you s-sorry... sack of... shit." Raiser growled ad hurled me to the ground again. He summoned a giant fireball that would've surely burned me alive when he tree it. But Rias stopped him. She stopped him by growing her arms around him, with tears in her eyes.
"I-I surrender. You win, Raiser." She said.
"Hmhm, a wise choice, my dear Rias." Raiser said, walking away.
[Rias Gremory surrenders. The winner is Lord Raiser Phenex.] I heard Grayfia say as Rias walked towards me, barely conscious.
"You were incredible today." She said to me in a sad tone. "My, Michael. My adorable, Michael. Thank you for fighting for someone as worthless as me." She said putting my head into her chest. I wanted to tell her not to cry, to say something to make her feel ether, anything, but I couldn't. It didn't take me long to pass out
BGM ends
Sparda's POV
"You fought well today, my son." I told my son, who I knew couldn't hear me at the moment. He would be devastated when he woke up, learning of his defeat and hearing that she'll have to marry that Phenex boy. "However I doubt that you'll walk away quietly."
"He was very impressive out there." Ddraig said.
"He's not finished with the Phenex, I'm certain. If I know my son, he'll no doubt challenge him to a rematch. But he lost when Raiser was weakened, he won't stand a chance against him when he uses his full strength." I said sadly.
"You let me take care of it, Dark Knight."
"You have a plan?" I asked.
"It's not much of one, but yes." I was silent for a moment, but after awhile I crossed my arms.
"Then I'll leave this one to you, Ddraig. I trust you'll do what you think is best?" I asked him.
"He's my partner, that's part of my job."
Finally. Got it. Done. And up. Holy fuck I'm exhausted from all that typing. Almost ten thousand fucking words. But I don't care, cause next time I'm finally wrapping this arc up, then I'll do some extra chapters before the next one.
And here's the harem I promised: Rias(main), Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Raynare, Ravel, Le Fey, Kuruka, Gabriel, Serafall, Ophis, Irina, Xenovia, Himari, Kuesu (both from Omamari Himari), Mizore, Kurumu(both from Rosario+Vampire), maybe Moka(WIP)
Not much but it's something.
Next Time: Fall of the Phenex