Chapter 5: Showdown! A true Dragon's power.
A/N: Well, well, well…where might I begin? To say the least the feedback from my last chapter sure left me turning red a time or two. To those whose asked of my naming of the new Juggernaut drive? I had considered the use of 'King' however given the usage of Emperor thus far be it red or white there was just a sort of ring to 'Crimson Emperor Juggernaut Drive' that gave me goosebumps. I am glad to see this story has proven as positively welcomed as I had hoped. Now then enough wasting time,….a certain beat down must be continued.
"I, who shall awaken anew"
"I am the heavenly dragon who forsakes the path of domination for those I love"
"Befriending the infinite, and the dream, I carry their blessings within"
"I shall become the Crimson heavenly dragon who seeks to protect"
"And shall drown my enemy in the wake of righteous fury"
"CRIMSON EMPEROR JUGGERNAUT OVERDRIVE!"
None of them could stop him, after the first line however they saw something was different. Issei was giving off a powerful aura with a bright light, before they had to look away they saw the color turn darker then red.
It turned to pure Crimson.
A pair of shining green eyes could be seen in that Crimson aura.
As he began the chant, and with that explosion of power, was when those he sought to protect became worried. Rias called out to him. As did most of the others, however they knew it was fruitless.
The words he spoke were different however.
They knew he had spoken a different chant when he achieved the True queen promotion and activated his Cardinal Crimson armor.
This however was not that. It was the Juggernaut drive. The most dangerous and fearsome ability of the Boosted gear as well as the Divine Dividing. A forbidden, for a good many reasons, move as it removes all the seals upon either sacred gear fully unleashing the power of the heavenly dragon onto the host. Yet it came with great cost, as well as risk. Such power drew on the life-force of the host of the sacred gear, pushing them into a state of insanity and berserk rage. The source of this was due to the negative emotions from the past possessor's of either sacred gear.
"Why Ise…why did you do this…you can't" Rias called out.
Her words were ended as now that the aura has dimmed Issei came into sight.
To say he was awesome was only due to lack of better words.
He stood now transformed more so into that of a dragon. Yet this time he looked different. The first change being that his body, and armor had darkened to crimson, like that of his aura, from the previous red. It was the same shade as Rias hair. He was also bigger, even during the first transformation his size had increased but this time it had gone to a new level. At best guess he looked at least ten meters greater in height from the previous change, secondly was the greater mass and muscle. His body also did not have the look of being an incomplete transformation as Vali had called it. It was a blend of the armor from his balance breaker and the body of a dragon like Tannin's. The armor plates around the arms, which began from the clawed hands, were complete reaching to the chest plate but leaving the midriff bare showing the scale like skin and hardened muscle. His head, extended with a thick powerful neck, was fully shaped into the likeness of Ddraig now, at least from the historical records that depicted images of the original bodies of both the Welsh and Vanishing dragons, even with a small horn at the tip of the nose, along with fuller shaped golden horns that framed the side of his head. Finally the wings were complete not just the 'fingers' of the wings but also the membranes between and the jewels all shined brightly.
"He's…different" Rias said.
She said with awe and surprise in her voice as she was looking at Issei's head and could not help but notice there was something different about the eyes for one.
"What do you mean Rias?" Sirzechs asked.
The devil king had heard of this transformation but the first time it occurred there had been no chance to record it and only Azazel had the best knowledge from his study of sacred gears.
If Issei gets pushed into that again, it'll be a real pain no matter how you look at things…still I can't help but wonder if he like Vali might transcend what has been known about those two Sacred Gears to this day.
"He doesn't feel the same as that time before"
"You're right it's almost like…he's positive?"
"Yeah, he's the awesome dude we know"
Xenovia, Kiba, and Koneko also voiced their words to back up Rias claim.
The jewel on the wyvern attached to Rias glowed.
[You are now seeing a complete transformation, well no that's not true you are seeing a new growth, an evolved form].
Came the voice of Ddraig.
However his explanation for now was cut off by a howling roar.
"RED DRAGON!"
Shalba howled in rage as the dark juggernaut charged.
It was not alone as the elder hydra also charged as well moving at impressive speeds for so large a beast. It came at Issei from the left while Shalba charged from the front.
There was no sign of Rizevim.
Issei had not moved since he transformed. The only motions being his larger tail slowly shifting back and forth.
Finally he squatted downward slightly to assume a defensive posture in front of Rias and the others.
Something all of them picked up on.
That isn't the action of a berserker on a rampage…
Were the thoughts of Sirzechs who first was having to consider the thought that Issei would be a danger right now, yet his heart knew better. Rather he knew better of the heart beating inside the man he called brother.
As the two charging monsters were about to reach striking distance.
"You're open Dragon of Domination!"
Rizevim had appeared directly above Issei to attack his blind spot now that his front was being assaulted.
As Sirzechs readied to deal with the Super Devil…
SMASH
BANG
CRASH
Issei had reacted faster than almost everyone could follow. His right hand had shot out as a fist and slammed with thundering force into the chest of Shalba shattering his charge and sending him flying backwards.
His left hand, in sync with the right, had darted and he caught the Hydra by a number of its heads at the base of the necks and squeezed hard causing at least a few of the necks to be crushed before he slammed it downward to meet his knee and send it flying after Shalba.
When these two attacks were being dealt with his tail had shot upward from his back and the end coiled around Rizevim's right arm as he made his assault from above.
It was in that instant Rizevim pressed his left hand to Issei's tail, but nothing happened.
"What?!" he said before he felt himself pulled
In the second he used to try to cancel out Issei's transformation with his ability, he had been hauled downward with enough force to slam him into the ground causing a small crater. Then he was hauled back up, and slammed down again, within sight of the Gremory group.
They saw Rizevim hack up blood as his body was beaten into the ground twice by way of that tail.
Finally with another flick of his tail he sent the elder devil off to join his two pets.
"Amazing…to repel attacks from three different directions…yet the speed of his reaction.."
[You are seeing what is known as true battle instinct]
Ddraig again spoke from the wyvern on Rias' shoulder.
"Please, Welsh dragon, explain" Grayfia asked
[Dragons are said to possess some of the mightiest instincts for battle. We also have very sharp senses, it may not be as precise as that monkey and cat whose mastery of sage arts allow them to sense others around them, but in this form Issei can feel his enemies. This is what is happens when you truly enrage a dragon]
"But Ddraig…isn't he in danger-"
Rias started to ask with deep concern in her voice.
They were all then alerted to Issei growling above them. Looking up they all saw him part his jaws, a flickering light was seen between the fangs in his mouth.
He opened his mouth.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!
A massive ball of fire, so hot those below had to raise their arms from the wave of heat they all felt.
The massive stream was directed towards the three enemies.
Rizevim had recovered seconds after being thrown and was the first to get clear, flying high with his wings to rise up from the path of the fire blast.
Shalba was next. Despite his wings looking only half formed he could still fly and took off to the side.
The hydra however was gone from sight in the massive blaze and could be heard howling from all nine heads as once the blast ended it was on its side looking like a charred husk. It was also lying in a sort of ditch left from the intensity of the attack.
Rizevim eyed the attack with surprise "That was…."
[HAHAHAHAHAHA…ah now that was wonderful partner. That was true dragon fire there. Too bad Tannin isn't here he'd have loved to see that]
"Thanks, Ddraig"
Issei spoke.
His voice had a sort of echo to it. It was similar to that of his voice come from within his armor yet this time it was accompanied by his voice having a deeper tone to it.
Rizevim landed in front of the smoldering Hydra.
"So then, this is the Red Dragon of Domination. The forbidden form?" he asked
He was bleeding all along his right side and his robes were heavily torn up. Despite maintaining his light behavior, his eyes and words suggested he wasn't taking this lightly at all.
"No, wrong all the way asshole" Issei said.
Rizevim raised an eyebrow.
The others behind Issei also looked up curiously.
"I'm not…'that' anymore. I'm the one you deal with when you try to mess with the Gremory family….I'm the pawn, protector, and love of Rias Gremory!"
He said with his usual confidence
Rias could only smile and blush slightly at his rather blunt and loud deflations. While the others could only smile in admiration for such bravado and passionate words.
[Well said partner, but you are forgetting one thing]
"Hell yeah, you're right about that"
Together they spoke
"We are the reborn Heavenly Dragon.. the Crimson Dragon Emperor!"
For the first moment there was but silence as their words sank it.
Then Rizevim laughed "Crimson Dragon Emperor, not exactly a dramatic change. Although given Shalba behind me here is little more than a shadow version of your Dragon of Domination form I suppose I have no grounds for critique"
"How did you copy 'that' and why is he here, I killed him" Issei asked
Rizevim smirked as he watched Shalba to the side holding back for the moment. Before he started to brush himself off and his wounds began to heal up with aid of his magic.
"I believe you and I already exchanged words on the matter of how. However Shalba himself I suppose that is a different thing. It seems his spirit managed to endure just enough that upon a 'recovery' in the Dimensional Gap I was able to find enough to place inside that armor you see before you. Once he knew he'd obtain the power you used to kill him with and could return the favor. Well let's say he more that eager"
So that's it….kinda like what he said earlier…..still that poser isn't a joke he took my hit easy…Ddraig any thoughts?
[Yeah, I know what you're thinking Issei, he's close to what you were that first time even if you don't remember it but we're beyond that now]
"Ise!" he heard someone call behind.
Turning his head to look downward he saw Rias looking up at him. His first thought naturally was how small she and the others all looked given he had grown in size. Yet despite that his eyes could clearly read all of their faces as he knew his senses were even sharper now as a dragon.
"Rias…everyone. Don't worry I'm fine it's still me in here. Not really sure how I'm doing it but I'm not going to let you or anyone else be hurt" he spoke down to them.
At that he could see the tears in Rias eyes shift to those of happiness at hearing his consoling words. The others all looked just as relieved.
Issei then turned his gaze back towards the enemies. Rizevim had not moved as his healing was nearly complete. However he saw that Shalba was readying to attack again. Issei figured the imposter was the greater threat, given his apparent instability.
Just as Shalba was readying to charge forward again…he was suddenly slammed by Issei.
Issei had taken two steps forward and then spreading his wings wide he launched himself and nearly unfollowable speeds to charge Shalba. Their contact made a near deafening bang as without hesitation Issei slammed his fists. Striking the dark Juggernaut's body with punishing blows and pushing him back.
Issei for the moment had the imposter overpowered as he had taken him by surprise but then something felt odd from behind.
To the upper right behind him, he sent his tail.
BANG!
It collided with Rizevim's arms that he raised to guard himself.
"Good reflexes, but your counter is old now" the devil said.
Now he grabbed Issei by the tail with both hands and again nothing happened.
"How troublesome, well let's see you handle this Crimson Dragon!" he shouted.
He released Issei's tail and thrust his right hand to Issei's back palm open as he prepared another attack. Issei however had his hands full as he was still working on completely overpowering Shalba.
"Dodge this" Rizevim said.
He fired his attack a blast of demonic power.
It hit….Issei's wing
Issei had turned his wing inward over his own body and used it as a shield.
"Clever" Rizevim said.
He was then struck from behind by Issei's tail which he had taken his eyes off of.
"That was for slapping Akeno!"
Rizevim hit the ground had. However before he could recover the tail came down on him again hard.
"For insulting and hurting Kiba *hit* Xenovia *hit* and Koneko!*hit*" he shouted as he hammered down on Rizevim time and time again with his tail while at the same time using his fists and even his wings to strike Shalba, giving the fake juggernaut no opening.
Rizevim finally broke free from the tail attacks and flew away to circle around front. However what he meant was much worse than the tail.
SLASH!
As he prepared to attack from the front to help Shalba retake the advantage Issei had struck again this time with his claws. The result behind Rizevim had his upper robes torn and blow away along with two gaping slashes to his body from right shoulder down to the left hip and sending him flying back again with the force of the contact.
"That was for trying to touch my Rias and her heavenly boobs! Not to mention trying to poison my new mother and father!" he shouted again angrily.
Just then he was stopped as having used one hand to strike Rizevim he had Shaba's strike his head.
Issei roared but more in rage then pain as he turned his gaze back down to Shalba.
"And this is for trying to hurt my Rias….here's enough fire for ten thousand deaths!" he said.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!
Issei opened his mouth and again an overwhelming blast of dragon fire came down onto the dark juggernaut at point blank range. It exploded around them making a large crater into the ground.
From a distance his battle was being watched by those he had just named.
"Ha-ha, seems he's finally ready" Lord Gremory said
"Indeed, still I wonder why it took this to finally make him come to his senses" Venerana said putting her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing.
Akeno had approached Rias as she was rubbing the side of her face which had been hit.
"Oh my, how sweet of him to say such manly things for us all. Watching him fight like this I can't help but be turned on by him" she said with that smiling face she had for Issei.
"Akeno, this is hardly the time" Rias said, however she was herself feeling and thinking similar things
"You're one to talk" Akeno said quietly.
"Amazing Ise, I never can't be anything by amazed by how strong you can be"
"Word, he may have perv goals, but he's the man"
"You can do it Ise!"
"Yeah show what a man can do
"Children from him will become mighty indeed"
Kiba, Koneko, Asia, Gasper, and Xenovia were also voicing their opinions of watching Issei fight with his newly awakened power.
Grayfia had been looking over her shoulder at that, then turned her gaze back as she stood with Sirzechs holding Millicas' hand.
"It would seem our little brother is only increasing his standing. To hold his own against these level of opponents however…I am not surprised" she said with a small smile.
"Such speed, power, and ferocity. I am beyond impressed to say the least. Yet I wonder how he has done this? Azazel had explained to me the nature of the ultimate, forbidden move of the boosted gear yet Issei isn't acting as he did before" Sirzechs said aloud mostly to himself.
[Thank his status as a fool and Rias Gremory]
Came the voice of Ddraig once more from the wyvern attached to Rias.
"Please explain. Unless you must focus on the fight with Ise?" Sirzechs asked.
[I am present in this wyvern the same as I am in Issei. That aside he's got this fight in hand easy. Anyway when Issei's body was destroyed by Samael's curse, the souls of all his predecessor's sacrificed themselves to protect his soul long enough for me to remove it and set it in the scale mail armor. That's how he survived]
The others were not surprised to hear such, having heard the story of how he got a new body. Even so to imagine such perseverance is a hard thing to do.
[After that, without the previous hosts we thought he would not succumb to their negative emotions. Similar to how Vali and Albion sealed their own away. Even so the juggernaut still has immense risk and toll. However like those other two Issei thought he might be able to use his devil power in place of his life force. Never figured out how but seems in the moment the fool just 'did it']
"You also said I'm to thank Ddraig?" Rias asked confused on that part.
Ddraig laughed at first
[Well losing control was still a risk but seems my partner has a simple solution in his head. I believe his exact thoughts are 'if I lose it here and now then Rias will be mad and my ass is gonna be on the line for her discipline of a 1000 spankings]
At that Rias looked down to hide her face in her hair as she turned red
"Oh that….well if it works it works" she said still finding pride in her man.
Sirzechs had listened to all with a very serious air but at that he nodded and smiled briefly. He had not wanted to consider the option of his brother being an potential threat but after hearing the details of his latest, and unexpected, growth he turned back to keep his eyes on the battle, as well as any other observers.
Suddenly a rush of air and whoosh of something flew over them.
Looking up they saw Issei and Shalba were high above. The Imposter juggernaut had of course survived the fire said to be greater than anything hell could create. Shalba was not flesh and blood but a little more than a dreaded evil spirit inhabiting a mimic of something extremely dangerous and powerful. Yet the damage was clear his black armor looked almost melted in some spots here and there.
Exchanging blows back and forth as they like two shots of black and crimson light that soared around high above. At points too fast for the others to follow except for the trails of light.
They saw Issei hammering away at his enemy. Be it his fists, claws, legs, tail and again even his wings using them to strike as means to distract and create openings for his stronger attacks.
All of this aided by more blasts of his dragon fire, it reminded he others of Tannin. He likely was favoring this over the dragon shot due to the close and constantly shifting combat.
[Hey Issei, we won't be able to keep this up forever. You managed to make use of your devil power over your life force but we are running out of time, even now we're pushing things because this is still the first time doing this.]
Ddraig said in Issei's head giving his warning.
Shalba was, all the time, roaring in rage as he fought back as well, almost without care for defense, even not having the setbacks of a normal body he was still lacking in this kind of combat.
As fighters higher ranking devils were not the greatest in terms of close combat, on average. Issei however was the only one ever to defeat Sairaorg Bael, thought to be the underworld's best hand to hand fighter, in combat with just his fist. So a former descendant of the original Beelzebub with renowned Demonic power was at a clear disadvantage, and his body was again just a pale imitation to the fury of the true dragon that was beating him soundly.
"RED DRAGON!" he roared as he locked hands with Issei again and tried to force him back.
However as Issei only reversed this and pushed him back Shalba lunged with his head and bite into Issei's neck.
"AGH! HEY! Well if you are gonna bite me!" Issei shouted as he twisted his own neck and came down on Shalba's neck from above
"I'll bite you right back!" he said
Issei opened his jaws and bite down on Shalba's neck with crushing force.
Then he was at ounce using all he had to keep the urge from vomiting down.
"BLAH UGH AH shit….that was the worst taste I've ever had in my mouth!" he said as he immediately let go.
However the tactic had worked as his stronger bite had forced Shalba to release him and took a chunk out of the body, leaving nothing but an empty hole exposing nothing.
Issei then spun his entire body and struck with the full force of his tail and send Shalba, howling in rage and pain, down to the ground not far from the where they first locked horns in their battle.
Issei then landed as well, descending to resume his post in front of Rias and the others.
"Ise! Are you alright?" Rias asked
"Yeah…wish I could wash out that shitty taste in my mouth but I'm fine….have to finish this quick" he said
It was then he felt it again, that sense of danger. It came from his left.
He turned just in time to catch the Hydra by most of its heads with both hands.
"Nhg! You're still alive?" Issei asked.
Looking at the legendary creature he saw most of its body was still regenerating and it still looked like it would take some time. He knew that his fire was equal now to that of a true dragon, not something even legendary creatures, gods or Satan rank devils could shrug off. However he had assumed that his attack had been enough to take it down without having to go for the mortal head.
However the hydra wasn't alone.
Issei felt a skin crawling causing sensation around his feet. Glancing down he saw hundreds…maybe more than a thousand snake hydra spawns. Most of them were swarming at his feet, the rest were slipping past.
Dammit, not good…I can use my fire breath so close and there's way too many for just physical attacks.
"Extinguishing star!"
"Holy Lightning Dragon!"
"Sword birth!"
Three things happened to the swarm of Snake hydra spawns. First one large and slow moving orb of crimson and black power of destruction move along the center of them. Those in the direct path that touched it were turned to dust within the space of a couple seconds, those just outside the direct path were pulled in to join their 'siblings' due to the magnetic pull of the orb.
Secondly, after the orb, came a massive yellow magic circle that unleased a massive surge of holy lighting. Lightning combing with the power of light. It was in the form of an Asian dragon. This ability was something Akeno had developed from the times she had to suck the dragon spirit power from Issei's arm resulting in her retaining some of that power that she could use to shape into a mighty dragon with her holy lightning. It flowed through the ravaged swarm of snake hydras doing damage par with Rias' Extinguishing Star.
Finally as to the many that had swarmed around Issei he saw hundreds of swords sprout from the ground and impale the snake hydras. Some stuck the ones already crawling up Issei's feet but the blades merely glanced off his armored body.
"We got your back Ise!"
"Time for some payback"
Issei saw Xenovia and Koneko fly up in front of his head as he was trying to keep all the Hydra heads contained.
"Taste my Ex-Durandal!"
Xenovia cried as she stuck with her sword. In a flash she cut off two heads as the bases of their necks
"Meow"
Koneko said as she had already entered Nekomata mode and sent a massive wheel wreathed in white flames to collide with the hydra. Its target being the spot where Xenovia had attacked as that wheel, her ability called Kasha, was able to apply the power of purification. The result being on a creature like the hydra it in a way cauterized the stumps of those severed heads and stopped them from growing back.
The two heads that fell already turned into large snake hydras, sprouting tails. These however were stopped in midair and had a purple aura around them.
"Nice one Gasper!"
Rias said patting the young half vampire on the head as she sent another power of destruction attack that easily turned the two heads to dust.
After they had completed their attacks, Koneko and Xenovia cleared out for him. Issei did not waste this opening as he pulled back and drove his fist, not wanting to use claws and risk cutting off any heads for now, into the Hydra and sent it flying away.
"Rias…everyone" Issei said surprised as he turned to look at them.
All of them were standing together and smiling up at him.
"I won't stand by and let me more precious Ise fight alone against these enemies who deserve to die a thousand- no like Ise said, ten thousand deaths" Rias said crossing her arms in her classic king stance.
"Thanks, I'm glad to see you're all back to normal" Issei said.
"As am I, but we must focus on finishing this" Sirzechs said calmly making his way forward
"Ise, how are you holding up?" he asked looking up.
Issei knew what he meant and turned around to face the three enemies again.
To the left was the hydra which had righted itself as was glaring at him. Shifting his gaze he saw Rizevim and Shalba standing to the far right. Shalba was looking in very bad shape. Rizevim as well had not fully healed all his injuries, and despite how bad they looked he was standing still.
[Injuries from the form you're in now aren't something that can just be healed away even by someone as tenacious as him]
Ddraig explained to him.
"I'm alright for now…but Ddraig says I can only keep going for a short while…at most maybe five minutes" he said
Sirzechs nodded as he turned to the right. He signaled for Issei to join him.
"Ise!" Rias called up to him.
Looking down he saw, she and the others walking past him but to the left. Even Grayfia, Millicas, Lord and Venerana Gremory were followed just behind them
"You go finish those two off, leave the Hydra to us" she commanded
Issei smiled inside
"As my master commands, or nah… as my girl wants!" he said starting formal but ending sounding more like himself
Issei then turned and joined Sirzechs
"Thanks, Big brother" Issei said
"No, to fight alongside the Crimson Dragon Emperor as well as my brother, the honor is all mine. I shall keep Rizevim out of your way. End that imposter of yours" he said calmly walking forward.
"Right!"
Without another word he launched himself and flew faster than any could follow to lock horns again with Shalba.
They locked hands in a power struggle while Issei's forward charged propelled Shalba back and up into the air again.
"Damn you Red dragon…how many times…. before you die!" Shalba said sound more and more unhinged as the battle progressed.
He wasn't as bad as this the last time we fought…well maybe him dying didn't help
[That's only half right partner. His spirit has been twisted and warped into this imitation Juggernaut Drive, that's why he can't use any of my powers but even so his power is equal to the time of that incomplete transformation. As a result that power is making him even more unstable, especially for one not compatible as a host}
Issei knew Ddraig's words were both counsel and warning. He had to finish this soon.
Sirzechs came to stand only a short distance from Rizevim. He could see the wounds Issei had inflicted were healing but very slowly.
"Seems your family's pet dragon really has gotten stronger" Rizevim said
His tone was light but under was a hint of anger as well as caution. He was facing one of three, himself included, known as a super devil.
"Again you speak such vulgar insults to a man I call brother, Rizevim. He is not a pet but one considered a pride to my family. So then will you surrender?" Sirzechs asked
Rizevim laughed.
"Straight to the point, usually your words have more verbosity to them. Ah but that could just be due to the fact I was attempted to kill your 'brother' as well as other members of your family Devil-King Lucifer" he said with a mock bow.
Sirzechs closed his eyes a moment as he sighed, then when he opened the irises were a flow of swirling crimson and black color.
"Come now, the ever pacifist thinking Lucifer is ready to unleash 'that'?" Rizevim asked
"I will not hesitate to end threats to the safety of the people of the underworld, as well as my family" Sirzechs replied
"You and I both know, even in the shape I am in, that taking such a path would not be healthy for others present. Shall we just enjoy the show?" Rizevim asked
With that he turned his gaze up to watch the battles involving the Hydra, and dark Juggernaut.
Sirzechs knew full well there was no opening present, and that Rizevim had been correct. A battle between the two would pose a great risk to the others. Still his presence would keep the descendant of the original Lucifer from interfering directly while Issei ended things.
He glanced upward as well and wish his brother, and the others luck.
Only a short distance away the Gremory group, along with Lord, Lady, Millicas and Grayfia, were making their way towards the Elder Hydra. It had retreated upon seeing new foes making their approach as clearly it was still regenerating. Its heads were all but back to normal while the body still had several, severe, burns all over. Still it was no less dangerous.
BANG!
Above they all saw Issei and Shalba clashing, Issei appeared to still maintain the advantage.
A glance to the right showed Sirzechs standing only a few meters from Rizevim. They couldn't hear what the pair of super devils were saying but it was clear they were only standing there to keep each other from actively partaking in the battle.
Rias then glanced over at her friends, and family. She could see most, Grayfia, her parents, and Millicas, were focused, yet some were clearly eyeing the other two sights of the battle aside from the Hydra they were making their way too. It was not hard to see that thoughts were wandering.
"Listen up everyone" she called out.
This drew all attention to her
"I know this situation looks serious, but don't forget… our brave Ise has opened this path for us with his power. We will defeat this monster before us and then we shall watch with pride as Ise and our devil king show the pride of the Gremory family by making them pay for their disrespect and daring for attacking our home. So then are you with me?" she asked in a voice full of pride and that of a commander readying her troops
"Yes Rias!"
Came the replies of her peerage
"Do not forget, a Heavenly Dragon watches over us all" she said ending her morale boosting speech
Her parents moved up as to walk on both sides of her
"Well done Rias. You've become a truly skilled king" Lord Gremory said
"My, my, seems there is little that I can scold you on these days" Venerana said teasingly
Rias smiled
They had now approached the Hydra.
It snarled at them all as they were just outside of the range of its many heads. Before anyone of the Gremory group could make a move however it lowered all its heads and spewed forth yet another swarm of snake hydra spawns. The number only slightly lessened as it was down two heads.
"How predictable, that won't work for you anymore. Mother, Millicas!" Rias called
At once her mother and nephew joined her side and together they summoned forth the power of destruction. As one they wove together their power centered onto Rias.
"Extinguishing star!"
This time the orb she sent forth was massive and much faster. It swept through the swarm of snake hydras and wiped them all out in a matter of seconds.
"What astonishing power"
"A brilliant move"
Lord Gremory and Grayfia said with pride. Rias' peerage having seen Rias develop her technique watched with silent pride.
The final target of the orb was the Elder Hydra but it dodged the coming attack and moved onto them from the side.
"Akeno, Kiba, Xenovia. Take the charge. Akeno use your holy lightning to slow it down. Kiba and Xenovia get rid of some of those hissing heads!" Rias commanded.
"*giggle* I'm dying to dish out some punishment" Akeno said as she took to the air and let loose her holy lightning making a wide range blast as to strike the entire body of the hydra.
It was a success as it followed with Issei's earlier dragon fire wounds and slowed it down.
SLICE!
SLICE!
In flash four heads were cut away by the two sword wielding knights of Rias Gremory.
This brought the total from seven remaining down to three.
However they knew what was coming
"Asia stay behind me and be ready for the worst. Gasper, Koneko you're up!" Rias said waving her arm to send them forth.
Asia nodded to Rias and stood ready.
"Yes Rias!" Gasper shouted as he stepped out from behind her and fixed his eyes on the four fresh stumps. At once they stopped twitching and no new heads sprouted forth.
"You pwned them Gaspie, my turn"
Koneko said again summoning not a single Kasha wheel but two as the heads cut were on opposite sides of the body. A real display of her growing mastery of sage arts, she sent them spinning so they purified and sealed the stumps from sprouting new heads.
This however left four huge snake hydra heads hissing with fury as they slithered forth towards the 'command' group.
BANG!
In a flash two of the heads were all but turned to mist in a second while the other two took such crippling blows they were broken before they hit the ground.
"Can't let all the kids have fun now"
"I will permit no harm to my family"
Lord Gremory and Grayfia had seen to those heads. The Lord still holding up his hand from the magical attack he had used to turn the two lead snake hydra heads to cinders while Grayfia with just two blows, one from her fist, the other her foot, had easily dispatched the remaining two.
Rias nodded to herself as her calculations on what the severed heads would do, as well as the speedy actions of her father and sister in-law. Asia was standing directly behind her like Gasper but fortunately the back up plans of needing her to use her healing skills was not needed, a symbol of their growing strength led to what she was certain would be this monsters end.
"Now, the mortal head is exposed, everyone!" Rias called
"Sword Birth go!"
"Be gone!"
"Later d-bag"
"It was fun, but time's up"
Came the cries of Kiba who shoved his sword into the ground to make a couple dozen sword sprout from under the Hydra as to pierce its legs, feet, and underbelly stopping it entire.
Xenovia who sent a power wave with Ex-Durandal aimed for the heads to disrupt them.
Koneko fired multiple shots of sage power as well to hammer all over the monster
Akeno, from above, unleased a final massive bolt of holy lighting onto its back.
Finally as the beast howled weakly still trying to move and fight back….
"Time to DIE!"
Rias, again in tandem with her mother and Millicas sent another huge Extinguishing Star that took out all three remaining heads turning them to dust. The attack had such force behind it that it even took out half of the hydra's body before dissipating.
The spread out members rejoined their king as they all felt pride in their defeating the legendary beast.
"Well done my dear servants. You have made me so proud. We have triumphed over this monster, with thanks to our Ise for wearing it down for us!" Rias said her voice overflowing with affection and pride
"Let's be fair Rias. If that thing was at full fighting strength I am sure you would have still won"
"Yes, do not dismiss the power you and your friends possess as one. True Ise's early contributions made the fight with that beast shorter but it was well within you and your friend's power to win against it"
Rias parents said praising their daughter.
However the celebrations had to be short as the battle was still being waged.
BAANNGGGGG!
The ground around them shook violently as not far from them something was sent crashing down from above.
They all raised their arms to cover their heads by reflex. Once things settled they all saw it was Shalba.
Trying to rise from the small crater he had formed on his impact with the ground he was stopped by Issei who was on him again in seconds.
Issei grabbed Shalba by the leg of his imitation Juggernaut armor and hauled him up only to slam him again into the ground, again, again, and again before he tossed him way to crash along the ground very close towards Sirzechs and Rizevim.
"Amazing, Ise has him utterly beaten, but how can that fake still fight?" Rias asked aloud
She and the others watched on. Seeing Issei pummel and beat his copycat this entire battle but something have been off the whole time. Even after multiple blows that would cripple many, as well as blazes of dragon fire this dark Juggernaut still kept moving.
[He's nothing but that armor with a pissed off spirit inside. Still being just a 'shell' is odd he can fight even if he's nothing but a head but that Rizevim…he's got something planned]
Ddraig spoke from the still present Wyvern.
Only steps from them Rizevim and Sirzechs saw Issei throw Shalba, again besting the fake dragon.
"The sight of you being the Crimson Dragon's bitch is starting to get dull Shalba. Seems it's time for the final move, still it's enough to get me hot and bothered at what could happen though" Rizevim said
Suddenly, before Sirzechs could stop him, he summoned his wings and flew straight towards his creation.
He landed on the downed juggernaut's shoulder and placed a hand on its neck.
At once Shalba's voice could be heard howling in rage and pain as a dark and foul feeling aura was coming from his body and growing in intensity.
"What the hell is he doing now?" Issei said aloud
He had been flying towards them all but stopped and landed as soon as he senses that aura emit from Shaba. Whatever it was he just knew it was bad.
"It appears he is channeling his own power into that thing. They must be preparing for a powerful attack."
Sirzechs said
He had appeared on Issei's shoulder and was standing as though perfectly used to this.
"Big Brother?" Issei asked confused
"Sorry, but since he joined his dragon I felt I should rejoin you. Issei what do you sense from him?" Sirzechs asked
Issei looked back at Shalba as he got to his feet.
"Now then. Let us end this" Rizevim said
Suddenly they rose up high. Stopping close to the wall of the barrier a good distance away from everyone.
"Why so far?" Sirzechs asked narrowing his eyes trying to read the intentions in the movements
Issei's vision however was even more super charged and he saw it…..
Shalba's wings spread and what looked like several dark jewels began to shake and rattle as the aura around the juggernaut was rising sharply.
Then his chest opened
Oh shit…..
[Issei this is bad, listen…]
Ddraig said in his head as to quickly explain what was going to happen.
"Hold on Bro" Issei said
Without warning he turned sharply and flew at top speed towards the others.
Stopping just before them making a sharp gust of wind hit them all.
"Ise? What's wrong?" Rias asked.
They all had seen Rizevim join Shalba, as well as Sirzechs do the same with Issei, and watch the pair rise up high above.
"Listen this is bad and I can't explain….. Please just do what I'm gonna tell you" Issei said in a hurried tone
Without hesitation Sirzechs jumped from Issei's shoulder and joined the group
"What do you need?" he asked
The others sensed the urgency in his tone.
Issei however merely turned and shifted so he was directly between them all and the pair above. He could see and sense their aura charging, he had maybe a minute or two.
"Everyone, group together tightly…then, Big Bro and Big Sis, form a barrier make it as small and strong as you can" Issei said
They were only confused a moment before they did as asked.
The Gremory group gathered tightly, and together Sirzechs and Grayfia raised their hands and a dome shaped red barrier was formed. While most of the wizard types in the group could form wall like barriers it was clear something sturdier was needed.
[Issei, this is going to be a really dangerous…with what they are going to use, our only chance is 'that' but this transformation is still new and-]
"I don't give a shit Ddraig! You know how I feel and I'm not going to let them fuck with us anymore!" Issei shouted as he cut off Ddraig.
The others could hear the Welsh dragon speak through the Jewel's on Issei's body as he was close enough.
"What are-"Rias started to ask
"I will protect my lovely Rias, my friends, my new brother, sister, father and mother, Ddraig. Let's do this!" Issei said aloud.
[…..hah! Sorry partner it shames me to question your resolve. Very well, let's do this thing, and survive as only true partners can!]
Issei spread his wings wide and all of the jewels on his body light up brightly.
His aura began to grow and shoot up with immense speed and intensity. His chest plate opened as well, revealing the core jewel in the center, his aura and power swirled around that as the focus.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
The numerous cries of the boosting ability of the sacred gear.
Issei was building for an immense attack.
Most of the group had an idea what was coming
Issei also began to scream from inside, it was that of someone trying to endure immense strain while trying to wield immense power.
"Ise!" Rias cried in worry
"I CAN TAKE IT! I CAN TAKE IT! KEEP GOING!" he shouted
The ground around Issei cracked and split as he had reached a new level.
.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
[BOOST!]
"Impressive, but you've already failed. Now perish!"
Came the call from Rizevim far above.
All the power he and Shalba had generated collected around the dark jewel in the juggernauts chest and a massive black beam was fired down towards Issei and the others
"NOW!" Issei shouted.
[LONGINUS SMASHEEEEEEEEEEEERRRR!]
An equally massive, crimson colored, beam was fired from Issei.
Even with their barrier up the Gremory group still felt a massive jolt from the ultimate attack of the boosted gear being fired. The attack itself was something Issei would only use in a truly dire moment. If used carelessly it could even permanently affect the surrounding environment of where it was used. It now became clear that Rizevim had joined with Shalba to empower him more so and for them to use an imitation of the Longinus smasher. The distance was to protect them from the backlash of using this ability inside their own barrier.
Issei's attack met with Shalba's
Then in a flash the black beam was broken and shattered as the crimson one went forward full steam ahead.
"Well that's not good" Rizevim said.
"DAMN YOU RED DRAGONNNNNNNNN!" Shalba howled seeing his end coming.
The beam struck and in a flash the dark juggernaut was gone.
It kept going and even struck the barrier Ladon had given to Rizevim. A nearly impenetrable barrier in its own right the beam struck with a deafening bang.
Two things happened simultaneously
The impact of the beam sent a sort of ripple along the barrier and caused it shattered, but in that second of an impact a massive shockwave was created that was being sent back inward even as the majority was directed outward with the barrier breaking apart.
"Grayfia, the shockwave!" Sirzechs called
Together they put their all into the barrier to ready themselves.
Inside they all saw it coming and just as it was about to hit.
A shadow fell over them
Issei had turned, at the precise moment when his attack struck the barrier.
He threw himself overtop the barrier and those inside and curled his body around as to use himself as added protection. That was why he told them to make the barrier small as possible.
"Ise no!" Rias shouted
Her cry was half drowned out as before they knew it the shockwave struck and the deafening rush of wind and noise from the colliding forces drowned out almost everything else. They still all heard Issei shout out in pain as he took the brunt of the force.
…..
….
….
While intense the shock wave ended after a handful of seconds as they got the lesser half of it.
Getting back to their feet, Sirzechs and Grayfia had managed to stay standing.
"Ise!?" Rias called out first
Her cry was joined by others as they all looked around. Issei's body had been large enough to cover them almost entirely. The bulk of his torso had borne the brunt of the blast going all around, while he coiled his neck, head, wings and tail around to cover atop.
"ugh…"
They all heard him groan as the body around them shifted slightly.
"Ise!" Nearly all of the group shouted hearing him.
"Please….stop shouting….it hurts" Issei said groaning.
The light was let in as Issei uncoiled himself and slowly, but surely, he rose to his feet above them all.
They could see his body had endured the attack fairly well. It was hard to read the damage from the mix of armor and dragon hide but it looked like he was only bruised up.
"Ise! You idiot that was way too reckless" Rias shouted up at him with tears in her eyes.
Issei just chuckled as he looked down.
"Rias….the situation was serious and Ise did what he knew would save you and us all. Isn't that right brother?" Sirzechs said placing a hand on his sister's shoulder and look up.
"Yeah…sorry but explaining things wasn't an option-"
Issei had started to explain but then his head jerked to the side and he turned swiftly
The others followed his movements
"Well, well, well. That was truly amazing. While ours was not a true Longinus smasher, it was still powerful, yet you cancelled it out with your own. Killed Shalba, again, and broke the barrier all in one. Well he was linked to it after all so the latter isn't a surprise"
Rizevim was back on the ground a short distance from them.
From the look of him he clearly had broken away from Shalba just before the impact of the beam but not without more damage. His entire left side, mostly arm and torso, was bruised, broken or bloodied. Combined with all the earlier injuries he had sustained from Issei it was a wonder he was standing, speaking, and looking still so confident.
"Seems I've really taken a pounding. I should complement the Red? No Crimson? Oh whatever color Dragon Emperor. Yet having now blown your load, I think now you'd be easy pickings"
Still seemingly interested in battle Rizevim raised his right hand.
Issei roared at him and took a ready stance. Already the flickering light between his open jaws could be seen signaling a coming assault of dragon fire.
"Oh not limp, but hard and rearing to go still?" Rizevim asked amused, something in his tone suggested he was not entirely certain anymore.
"Charming as always, but he doesn't stand alone"
Sirzechs called as together they stood to Issei's right. At once all of them made ready to keep fighting.
This time four users of the power of destructions made ready for a combined attack. Sirzechs, Rias, Millicas, and Venerana. As support for them Grayfia and Lord Gremory also stood ready.
Not just them however.
Akeno, Kiba, Xenovia, Koneko, Gasper, and Asia who was using her Twilight healing to restore everyone's powers back to their max from the earlier usage against the hydra.
Everyone was ready to take on the wounded Super Devil.
"Hmm, seems the chaos is to end for today. Ah well, the end result will be achieved. Thank you all for a lovely evening. Happy New Year to you all"
Then as others became to appear through magical circles…
Rizevim summoned his own and vanished.
He had retreated. The battle was over and won.
Rias and the others all breathed a sigh of relief. Together they saw others moving over the join them. Namely the other Devil-Kings as well as some of their respective best servants.
Before any words could be said however…
Issei collapsed…
He fell to his knees hard with a grunt of exhaustion.
"Ise!" Rias said running over to him. She was followed by the others of her peerage.
He was panting heavily. It was easy to see now that his earlier stance and readying a fire attack was all for show. Meaning to bluff Rizevim into retreating but now he was utterly spent.
[Partner, you've pushed past your limit. We need to revert back to normal now]
Despite concern in Ddraig's voice, Issei could still hear pride in it.
"Yeah, right" Issei said breathlessly
He lowered his head to his chest. His entire body began to glow
[Oh, watch that first step]
Huh?
Then, as his dragon body and armor broken apart and disappeared he saw that he was falling to the ground. As he reverted back to normal his body was above slightly, about ten or so meters up.
Oh shit…..
Bang!
He hit the ground and landed flat on his back.
"GAH!" he shouted
He wasn't sure why but that landing hurt a lot more then what he should have felt as he was sturdier then a normal human, and even among devils his endurance wasn't a joke.
"Owww….Well that hurt….Dammit Ddraig" he said weakly
[Hahaha! Sorry partner, didn't have enough time to warn you. Even so I'm sure as hell proud. That fight was the shit, no kidding]
Just as he managed to sit up and was about to ask something else, he felt himself 'attacked' again.
"Ise!" Rias shouted.
She had reached him first.
Upon falling onto him, almost straddling him, she grabbed his head and kissed him so hard he felt her teeth click against his own.
One second he's in pain on the ground trying to sit up, the next he's in the pinnacle of bliss getting a burning hot kiss from his beloved girlfriend.
Even so the speed of the moment was putting his brain on the freeze. Yet it had only just began.
After the brief but intensely passionate kiss Rias broke it off and promptly shoved Issei's head right into the valley of her breasts, much to Issei's delight, and was hugging him very hard.
"Ise..Oh my sweet, lovely, wonderful Ise. I love you so much! You did just so wonderfully" she said losing her regal manner and going straight to cute pink mode that she did when alone with Issei. Clearly her joy of the moment was the reason.
However the feedback wasn't what she expected.
Rather than a usual response to her affections. She felt Issei was struggling.
It was then she realized he was moaning in his throat, due to the fact she was gripping him to her body so much tighter than normal. She was suffocating and crushing the life out of him essentially.
"Oh no!" she said as she relaxed her hold
Issei breathed in heavily finally free
"Gah!"
"Sorry Ise, I guess I was too excited" Rias said blushing but still holding him.
"T-That's ok…if I had to go out…that would have been an awesome way" Issei said between deep breathes.
"Oh Ise" she said with loving eyes
"Rias" Ise said back
Just as they were about to kiss again.
"Ise!"
Came the call of several others.
Issei and Rias looked over and all of them saw, in growing horror. Asia, Akeno, Koneko, Xenovia, and yes even Gasper and Kiba had all come charging ahead clearly all as eager to embrace Issei now that the battle was won.
"Wait no!" Issei cried out.
However he was too slow, he was hauled up from under Rias and suddenly, from all around, he was hugged, kissed or gripped by loving friends.
Issei however only felt the pressure of being crushed again.
Ah hell….not gonna make it this time…
"Enough all of you! You're going to crush him!" Rias shouted over all the cries of the others.
Despite their excited joy they realized the truth and broke apart.
Issei could only mumble incoherently swaying unsteadily on his feet.
Again the speed was too much. One second he was under his dear Rias, the next he was upright and almost crushed again.
He could feel himself starting to slip and was getting incredibly dizzy.
"Well done my dear younger brother" came a calm happy voice.
He felt someone support him from behind, thankfully much more gently then the others.
Looking over his shoulder he saw it was Sirzechs. Behind him stood Grayfia holding onto Millicas, along with Lord and Lady Gremory.
Issei froze with a look of silent horror on his face.
He wasn't seeing the others, or rather he was but something behind them.
"Oh shit!" he said
"What's wrong Ise?" Rias asked
Issei just pointed.
It was then everyone else looked and saw he was pointing at the ruin that was dining hall from earlier but also the smoking craters and dug outs. All the result from his battle. Be it blasting the Elder Hydra with Dragon fire, to beating Rizevim of Shalba into the ground.
"Ahhh! What did I do!?"Issei shouted in horror.
Then suddenly with renewed vigor, he ran to fall to his knees in front of Lord and Lady Gremory.
"Father, Mother! Please forgive me for all the damage I caused to your home and grounds!" he said clearly speaking without thinking.
The result was a chorus of laughter from everyone.
"Ahaha. Oh Ise, my boy. Well it's about time you finally started calling us that. Still your worries are unnecessary"
"Oh I don't know darling, he is having an profoundly positive effect in the aftermath of all this"
Lord and Lady Gremory said while the others all laughed. Issei could even make out rarely heard laugher such as from Grayfia, and Koneko to name a couple.
No way….they aren't mad…and I called them father and mother and they seem happy…wait why is this so funny?
"Now then Ise I believe, as you mentioned several times during your heroics that you had something important to do which, If I'm not wrong, involves asking us something?" Lord Gremory asked
That broke Issei's confused train of thought.
"Oh! Yes sir!" he said
"Then please stand and go ahead" Venerana said.
It took Issei a lot of effort, as the others watched with amused pride. Yet he managed to get back onto his feet as his earlier panic fueled vigor was already fading.
He took a deep breath
It's time!
"Lord and Lady Gremory, I want to ask for your blessing-"
At that moment it hit him. His knees buckled, eyes rolled back up into his head, all feeling was going.
Ah dammit…so close….good night cruel world
Were his thoughts, he knew he was passing out. However just as he did he felt something that he could only describe as utter paradise and made him think of Rias…?
"My, my, what a remarkable boy"
"Hah! I can think of none finer for our daughter"
"Well said Father, he is without equal"
"Indeed"
"Big Brother Ise you are awesome
Came the humored remarks of Venerana, Lord Gremory, Sirzechs, Grayfia and Millicas at watching Issei.
"Talk about a brazen way to pass out, still I'm sure that wasn't his intent"
"A complex endgame tactic perhaps to seek such a treasure, no he's not 'that' good"
"Ballsy perv…heh meow"
"Way to be a man Ise!"
"Ise you!"
"Oh my *giggles* Well now Rias what do you have to say to that?"
"Well 'this' time I know it's an accident. He did just save us all after all"
Kiba, Xenovia, Koneko, Gasper, Asia, Akeno, and Finally Rias could also hardly belief how things had come to this point.
This led to another brief bit of laughter.
Issei had fallen forward, been caught by, and ended up face first right into Venerana Gremory's breasts.
A/N: Wow that took a while to finish up. Mostly because I kept re doing either sections to nearly the entire thing. I wanted to make this good…honestly I'm still being critical of myself on this I have always found battle chapters to be something I take forever to do because seriously trying to make all like something you'd watch in an anime episode…tricky. Ah well end of the day I know if it felt right in the flow of things that I can post this.
So anyone expected Issei to go lights out that way? Hah I figure at some point Ishibumi is going to do something similar given the nature of DxD so I decided what the hell the fight has to end with love of awesome boobs. Hope you all enjoy the direction I took for this battle as well as my new evolution idea for Issei. I did take a lot of what some suggested in recent reviews to heart but all in all there is a plan for things. So now with this done the battle is over, but I've got some more fun in mind.
Hope you all enjoy.
Stay tuned