Not much to talk about right now. This is still going a lot like the anime, but at least they're not working behind Rias' and Souna's back now.
Chapter 18: Clash of Blades
"I can't believe that we demons are forced to wear priestly robes." Kiba complained as he buttoned up his long coat and the collar of a priest. It was a long black coat with golden buttons on the front along a golden strip. He, Saji, Issei, and Koneko were all wearing it to pose as members of the church."
"Hey, I'm just glad I don't have to wear that leather outfit Irina and Xenovia have on." Bri replied as she tied the white-ish robes around her neck. It was long enough to hide the armour she was wearing, along with Ascalon at her waist. Xenovia still looked at the sword as if it insulted her family. "It would be really tight on me."
"We're not expecting you lot to hold sermons for the Church." Xenovia replied. "You just need to pretend to be part of the order long enough to draw out Freed and his allies." Everyone grouped together. "Unfortunately, there has been a change in plans. We just got a letter from the Church saying possible activity was seen to the south. It might be a long shot, but one of us has to go and check it out. Therefore, Irina and I will look at the new report, while you Devils check to the North like we originally planned. If you can't find anything that way, then head to the East side while we circle round to the West. If you spot anything suspicious, make sure to contact us on Irina's cell-phone."
"Got it." Issei said.
"Oh, and while I remember, the report also included information for you Issei. According to the report, the White Dragon has already awakened." Issei remembered what Ddraig warned him about the other say. How his rival the White Dragon was destined to fight him. And now it might be happening too soon. Couldn't this guy wait until after they find the swords? Oh well, with Bri nearby, beating this creep would be a snap.
"The White Dragon?" Bri asked, confused. "What's she talking about?"
"Short version, my Sacred Gear has a rival, and it sound like he's up and about looking for me. We'll keep an eye out for him, but right now we need to worry about Freed."
Bri nodded. "Right."
(**/*\**)
They soon found themselves outside an abandoned mansion, the walls crumbled slightly. Ben and Issei recognised it as where they battled the Stray Devil Viser during their first week. From the looks of things, her attacks had caused the attraction to dry up. Well, since the warehouses were a bust, this would be a good place to check. No one would look here for someone. As they walked up the steps, Ben noticed how everyone else started shivering from something. He quickly got his hand around Ascalon, ready for a fight.
"Up there." Kiba said, looking straight up at the roof. Standing dramatically in front of the full moon was Freed, holding onto a long blade. It was a long, silvery blade that looked as though it had been shattered and then glued back together. Freed yelled in excitement as he jumped down onto their heads, only getting blocked by Kiba's fast sword skills.
"Hey there." Freed said, as if he was greeting an old friend instead of trying to kill someone. "How you doing Devil Prince? I see you're all better from our fight the other night. And look, you brought your friends. The shrimp and the Devil brat. But even with those dickheads and a knight of the Church, you're still no match for me." Ben smiled as he pulled Ascalon free. Now wasn't a time to pretend to be disarmed. Hopefully, Freed will just think it's an ordinary sword. "But still, what's with the outfits? Is this your idea of a shitty Devil Cosplay?" He started licking his sword in excitement. "Well, no matter. I'm gonna kill you all, but not before raping that Church bitch you've got." He jumped forward, aiming right for Ben. He threw the cloak at his face, before swinging Ascalon at him. But he sliced right through the cloak and got his Excalibur in the way. But he obviously wasn't expecting Ben to be able to knock him flying. "What the shit? I don't know what kind of crap you're pulling, but it won't work. This little beauty is Excalibur Rapidly, my special hack n' slash sword. You don't stand a chance."
"Bri, stay out of this." Kiba said as he jumped forward. "Freed's mine."
"What?" Ben asked as Freed and Kiba clashed. "This 'lone wolf' crap is seriously getting annoying Kiba."
"So, this is the Devil whore." Freed said as he pounded at Kiba. "Almost didn't recognise her in that armour. But I'm still going to slice it wide open and having some fun with her." Kiba broke free, and they both moved at amazing speeds. It was almost like seeing two sparks crashing they were going so fast. Dammit, if only he had XLR8 he could help out.
"If only we had some way of slowing him down." Issei said as he charged his Gear. As long as he's going that fast we can't touch him. Bri, you got anything?"
"I don't know. I'm not really wanting to experiment right now."
"No need." Saji said cockily. "I've got just the tool. Line, activate." A purple glow formed around his left hand, changing into a dark gecko-looking thing with purple eyes. "Now, move forth line." The gecko opened its mouth and fired a blue line that wrapped around Freed's ankle. The Stray Exorcist fell over with a yell as the line grew taunt.
"What the crap?" He yelled, hacking away at it with his sword without doing damage. "What the hell is this thing, dragon-based?"
"Right. It's my Absorption Line. So it looks like you're not getting out that easily."
"Good." Ben said. "Koneko. Get me and Issei up there." Koneko nodded before lifting Issei overhead and throwing him at Kiba. She then ran forward and placed her hands together like a stirrup, while Ben raced after her and jumped off with her push. She jumped high overhead and landed right next to Kiba.
"I told you guys to stay out of this." Kiba said as Issei's dragon power boosted his strength.
"Yeah, but we decided we were getting tired of that 'this is something I've got to do myself' routine you were doing. We fight as a team, we win as a team." Kiba sighed before smiling at her.
"I guess I've got no choice then. Looks like I'm stuck with you two. Ah, what the hell. Let's do it. Sword Birth!" Kiba stabbed his blade into the roof, causing blades to start bursting out around Freed. Freed shattered several with his swings, but then Ben jumped closer to him and he had to block his strikes. As fast as Excalibur was, it wasn't enough to stop his heavy blows. Only the fact that Freed was clearly a better swordsman that Ben saved him from their attacks.
"Ah, Sword Birth. I thought that looked familiar." A deeper, older voice said from nowhere. Kiba stopped growing swords as he looked around wildly, like a caged animal. "A Sacred Gear that provides unlimited potential, and it's power is based entirely on the inherent power of its wielder. Freed, it's clear that you still haven't mastered the full powers of your Holy Sword. I'm a bit disappointed."
Freed smiled evilly. "Well, well. If it isn't old man Valper." This was the guy mentioned earlier. The freak behind the Holy Sword Experiment. Ben inched to go down there and kick his ass, but as far as they knew he wasn't a threat to them. They had to stop Freed first. Getting the Swords was top-priority.
Evidently, Kiba didn't get that memo. "Valper Gallei!" He yelled, glaring at the man below them. Valper turned around to show that he was a kindly-looking old man with grey hair and a small moustache. In fact, if Ben didn't know who he was, he'd think he was a grandfather of some sort. Valper smiled at them, but then seemed to get distracted by Ascalon.
"What's this? A new Holy Sword? Why that's just wonderful. I'm so glad you brought me a present." Ben took a firmer grasp on Ascalon. If he lost it, things would be catastrophic. "Freed, concentrate your will into the blade, and bring me that sword in repayment.
"Focus my will, you say? Eh, what the hell." His sword started glowing brightly, a circle of energy forming around him and pushing Ben away. He sliced at the Absorption Line again, but this time he cut right through it. He started laughing as he swung at Ben again and again. Ben gritted his teeth as some innate will of the Ascalon – or a targeting defence system of some kind – barely allowed him to get Ascalon in place in time. He thought about the shield Old George used against him, and a blue barrier surrounded him, pushing Freed away. But he instinctly took a step back, and fell through the hole in the roof. He had to drop the barrier to grab hold, because he was pretty sure it wouldn't help if fell headfirst to the ground. Freed was about to attack again, but Kiba intercepted him blow. While the two of them fought, Bend dropped the rest of the way to the ground, heading back to the others.
"Ok, enough of this crap. I'm holding a pretty sweet blade here. Might as well use it. Issei, Kiba! Get clear." Ascalon's edge started glowing as the two Devils jumped away from the building. Ben yelled as he swung Ascalon, creating a wave of energy. No one could really see as the building was blown apart by the power of his strike. When the smoke cleared, it looked like he got them both.
"Amazing." Valper said behind them. "Such raw power. It's amazing. But right now it's quite clearly too much for us. I suppose I will have to claim it some other time." Freed moved to throw another flashbang.
"Oh no you don't, you psycho." Ben yelled as he slashed again. These guys were monsters. If one his strikes killed them he wasn't going to lose any sleep over it. Freed quickly jumped away, carrying the old priest as he leapt. Maybe he'll force him to drop Excalibur to outrun the strikes. But as he swung again, lining up a perfect shot, Freed jumped to show Xenovia was now in the way. She looked at Ben in surprise before blocking it with Excalibur Destruction. But the force knocked her several metres away. Ben snapped out of his anger as he realised what he nearly did. "Xenovia!" He yelled, rushing over to her side. She grimaced as she tried to get up, moving slowly as she did. A flash to their right showed that Freed got away during the confusion. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't realise you were there. I just wanted to stop Freed."
"I think you would've stopped him pretty good if you hit him." Issei said as he pointed back at the building. What had been a solid structure was now nothing more than chipped rubble. Argh, Ben forgot how powerful Ascalon was. Now he could understand how it destroyed an entire planet.
"Dammit!" Kiba growled running off after Freed. Irina helped Xenovia to her feet, then they both chased after him.
"What should we do?" Koneko asked.
"You guys update your presidents." Ben shouted back as he went running. "Someone's got to make sure Kiba doesn't get himself killed."
"And if he does, I'm going to bring him back just to kill him again."
(**/*\**)
Ben sighed as he walked back to Issei's place. He lost them. He can't believe he lost them all. Dammit, why couldn't this sword come with some super speed or something. He tried to go as fast as they were, but after a bit of this his body was screaming at him. He still wasn't fully healed from yesterday. Well, Kiba was a big boy. Hopefully he could look after himself and play it safe. Besides, chasing after them alone would be more harmful in the long-run. Valper made it clear that he wanted Ascalon for himself, and he wasn't averse to killing if his past said anything. Without the Omnitrix, he was going to have to be more careful. As he rounded the last corner, he spotted Issei and Rias walking back from the other direction.
"Hey, Bri!" Issei waved at him as they met up. "Did you find them?"
"No." Ben sighed. "I just couldn't keep up with them. I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Rias said. "We're still not sure if you're at 100% yet. If you guys hadn't been so impatient, I would've forced you to rest for at least another day. Plus, Issei told me that they're very interested in Ascalon. We can't let it fall into their hands."
"I know. But I'm still worried about Kiba. I've seen a friend already nearly kill himself getting revenge. I don't want it to happen again." He opened the door, only to get surprised by Asia.
"Welcome home." She greeted them, giving them a pretty good look down her apron. From the angle, Ben was pretty sure she wasn't wearing a bra. Scratch that. On closer look she wasn't wearing anything at all, something Issei didn't miss. "We were getting a bit worried about you guys. But now you're here we can make some dinner."
"Um…Asia." Ben said. "Just…What is this?"
"Oh, this? My friend Aika called it a 'Hadaka Apron'. She said that this was the best outfit to help people rejuvenate from stress." Goddammit. Was every person here perverted?
"I see." Rias said. "I thought Japan had something like this. Asia, you're going to make a great demon."
"Great, great." Issei said. "Now, please put some clothes on before my mom sees you."
"Too late." Ben replied, pointing down the hall. Mrs. Hyoudo was leaning against the wall, smiling a happy grin.
"Don't worry, you have my complete approval. In fact, I helped her wear it. I used to do this all the time for your father when we were younger." Ben and Issei blanched at the image that came to mind. Parents don't so this kind of thing. It's just too creepy.
"Mrs. Hyoudo." Rias called out. "I'd like to wear a Hadaka Apron too."
"Great. Bri, do you want to join us? I'm sure Sakura would like it."
"Unless she's in the house right now, you can forget it." Ben said, heading off to his room when he was surprised by Sakura. How long has she been here. She looked him up and down, clearly enjoying how this armour gripped his curves. Her grin already set off warning bells. "You're going to have wear one, aren't you?
He didn't think his body could handle the embarrassment.
(**/*\**)
Sakura had to admit, Bri looked good in armour. It showed off just how sexy she was. But she wasn't too sure why she was wearing it in the first place. Maybe they went to a Cosplay thing or something. Well, whatever the reason, Bri would look wonderful in a Hadaka Apron. Hell, she might end up ravishing her right there in front of everyone.
"Well come on." She said as she led Bri up to her room. "Start getting changed. I can't wait to see you in it."
"Slow down." Bri said nervously. "I'm still not completely comfortable with this."
"But you'd wear it so well. And you owe me after forgetting to call yesterday like you promised."
"What? I…Oh. Sorry. I had a lot on my mind."
"And none of it was about your girlfriend? That's just mean. Please, you have to wear it to make it up to me." Bri sighed, and Sakura nearly cheered. Bri held onto a sword with one hand, and the armour started flowing down into it. But as she stood there in normal clothes, she started swaying and fell onto the bed. Sakura moved over to her, worried that she was too tired. Bri was now panting in exhaustion, like she had run a cross-country course. As she looked closer, she saw that part of her face was bright red, like a burn mark. And there was another on her hand. In fact, she pulled her sleeve up to see that it went right up to her elbow. "What happened to you?" She asked fearfully. "You've been burned. We need to get some cream on this right away." Bri mumbled a bit as her head flopped around, making Sakura get even more worried. She rushed into the bathroom, grabbing the entire first aid kit and a towel. She then moved back into Bri's room, where she was lying on her side, a gloopy green puddle on the carpet. Sakura placed the towel down on the covers, and started peeling Bri out of her clothes. The poor girl hissed when a burn patch rubbed against her clothes. Now naked, Sakura lowered her gently onto the towel and got out the burn ointment. She just hoped there was enough. "What happened?" She asked again.
"Uh…" Bri moaned. "Omnitrix… had a malfunction. Changed me into a form that burns in the daylight. Barely got it to stop in time." She hissed whenever Sakura rubbed the cream on a patch of red skin. She looked on in despair. They were everywhere. She didn't need ointment, she needed a doctor. "I know what you're thinking, but it's not that bad."
"Not that…? Have you seen yourself? I don't think there's an area of skin that hasn't been burned."
"But they'll want to talk to my parents, see my records. I can't let them find out I'm not from this world." Sakura moved to turn her over, but she realised she couldn't do it without getting the ointment all over her clothes. She had an idea to take her clothes off, and then lifted Bri enough to turn her over. If it wasn't for the pain Bri must be in, this would be so sexy. As it was, she tried to stifle her gasp when she saw her back. The damage here was even worse than the front. It looked as if someone head stuck her to a frying pan or something. She looked at the tiny tub of ointment in her hands in despair. It wasn't going to be enough. It wasn't going to be anywhere near enough. She jumped as she heard knocking on the door.
"Sakura." Mrs. Hyoudo called. "Are you and Bri joining us?"
"Sorry Mrs. Hyoudo." She called back. Bri's feeling a bit tired, and she needs to rest."
"That girl." Mrs Hyoudo sighed. "Alright, but just be careful. Issei might barge the door down if he found out you two were sleeping together right now."
"We'll try not to make too much noise." She knew Bri would kill her for that, but it was better than Mrs. Hyoudo coming in and finding her like this. She quickly, but gently, started rubbing the ointment on her, Bri biting down on the towel against the pain. Once she covered as much as she could she wrapped all the areas in bandages. This ended up being most of her, and all the Hyoudo's stock of bandages. Bri had passed out partway through, and was only now waking up.
She smiled at Sakura, blushing like crazy. "I can get why I had to be naked. But why exactly did you have to join in?"
"I didn't want to get the burn cream on my clothes. And you're a lot calmer about this than usual."
"I'm too worn out to really be panicking. Besides, it's a better reason than normal." She groaned as she tried to move. "I can't wait for Azmuth to get here."
"Who's he?" Sakura asked acidly. Bri never mentioned some other guy. "Is he an ex or something?"
"God, you're so paranoid. He's just the guy that made the Omnitrix. He's only coming here to fix it. Besides, he's too tiny. He's the size of a mouse." Sakura sighed in relief. She kept forgetting that Bri used to be a guy. Probably cause she made such a cute girl. And if this guy's parts were that small, then she didn't have anything to worry about. "Still, at least you're not getting me into that apron."
"Oh don't think you're getting out of that girlfriend stuff. If you weren't so injured I'd be groping you right now. But I guess this will just have to do for now." She leaned in closer, careful not to put any weight on the bandaged parts of Bri's body. They had a deep long kiss, their bodies getting hotter from the contact.
And that was when Bri realised her lips were burnt.
(**/*\**)
Issei sighed as he looked out the window, wondering where Kiba was. They hadn't heard anything from him after he ran off and Bri chased after him. He hoped that he hadn't run into any trouble, or get attacked by the church for being a 'Stray'. But that wouldn't make any sense. They wanted the swords as much as his team does. They wouldn't betray him. But they might allow him to 'distract' Freed long enough to get Excalibur off him. And then interrogate that creepy priest. Man, that guy seemed obsessed with Ascalon.
And that was another thing. Bri acted a lot differently than normal during the fight. As soon as she saw him she started going crazy. If Freed hadn't grabbed that priest and ran, they would've died from that first blow. And Xenovia nearly did die. If she hadn't been blocking with Excalibur Destruction, Bri would've cleaved her in half. Was she already going extreme with power?
"Hey Issei." Motohama said with an evil grin, looking none the worst from Bri throwing him out the window. "Why so serious?" Issei yelled as they got right in his face. "Could it be that you're busy thinking of whose boobs to fondle this morning?" Ah. They were still jealous of him.
"I'm always thinking about that." Issei replied, noticing the door opening for a student. "It's titty heaven in my group. Got the whole sexy spectrum just waiting for me."
"You two-timing bastard." Matsuda cried as he and Motohama went into a funk. "You know, one of these days you're going to get killed by one of those girls' groupies. They're not happy with you stealing them from everyone and hoarding them for yourself."
"I don't care. Boobs weigh heavier than a single man's life. If I am to die for enjoying my heaven, then so be it."
"Oh come on, Issei." Bri said as she sat down next to him. Motohama and Matsuda had vanished into thin air. Guess they finally learnt their lesson. "You're just being melodramatic. Right?"
"Somehow, I doubt it." Issei laughed. But then he got serious. "But what about you? Are you feeling better today?"
Bri nodded. "Yeah. I've just got make sure I don't push myself so hard today. Ascalon hid all my pains until they just piled onto me."
"Well, in that case. How was Sakura's 'healing technique'?" Normally he wouldn't be so bold as to ask that, but Bri's loosened up since she got to see her home again.
"I had burns everywhere and I had to be wrapped in bandages. Trust me, we didn't really do much last night." Bri was blushing deeply as she said this. Issei got the feeling Bri never even got to second base with girls before. "How about we talk about something else."
"Right." Issei decided to talk to her about the attack. "Last night you seemed to kinda lose it. What gives?"
"I'm sorry. I just… That creep killed all those kids for some crazy experiment, and he's still out there doing God knows what. I just hate hearing about things like that. Look at all the pain that he's put Kiba through. He deserves it."
"He will get punished, Bri. But you just need to calm down. After all, you can't tell Kiba off for going crazy for revenge when you do it too." This got Bri giggling a bit.
"Ok, ok. I promise I'll try to keep myself on the level from now on."
"Right. Or you have to wear a Hadaka Apron for a week every dinner."
"Uh uh. No way. I haven't even done it with Sakura. There's no way I'm doing it with your family. I mean, your mom's weird."
"Oh come on. She's not that weird." He then remembered that she had been the one to suggest Asia wore a Hadaka Apron, and even help Rias into it. "Ok, maybe you've got a point."
"Yeah, no kidding. The night we first found out about the Holy Sword Experiment? While I was having a bath your mom offered to get me some 'toys' if I felt lonely. Do you have any idea how creepy that was?"
"Stop right there. If I think about it anymore, I think I'll need to bleach my brain."
"Preaching to the choir Issei. Preaching to the choir."
(**/*\**)
By the end of the day, there had still been no word from Kiba, Xenovia, or Irina. Rias decided they couldn't wait any longer, and had then send their familiars out to look for them. Rias' bat familiar found Irina alone on a country path, injured and her clothing slashed open. The others used a Devil portal to get to her, while Ben just had to use Ascalon and hope he got close. Fortunately, Ascalon followed a magic trail left by the Devil portal, and ended up right behind them.
"Irina!" Issei yelled as soon as they got there, rushing to her side before the others. Asia wasn't far behind, and began healing as soon as she was in range. As the scars and cuts faded, Irina stirred awake. "Irina." Issei said again. "What happened? Where are Kiba and Xenovia?"
"They managed to escape." Irina whispered in exhaustion. "That person's strength isn't something to be taken lightly. Please…be careful…" And she fainted from exhaustion and pain. A blue Devil portal appeared behind her, revealing Souna and her Queen, along with Saji.
"I'm glad you could come." Rias said, sighing in relief.
"Well I couldn't just sit by and watch after receiving that message." Souna replied as she looked over Irina. "Poor girl's suffered severe physical damage."
"Yes." Asia said. "My Twilight Healing can't recover the exhausted strength of an individual."
"There's proper equipment back at my place that could help her. We need to get her there pronto." Her Queen, Tsubaki, gently picked Irina up and headed back through the portal. As soon as she left though, everyone started clutching their stomachs as though they had eaten something bad. Something Holy was near. Ben readied Ascalon for a fight.
"Well, hello there." Freed said as she walked out from behind a tree. In his hand was another sword, one that looked like a red blade and a white blade fused together. "Looks like I've got all my prey in one easy spot. Damn I'm good. Nice to see you all, you shitty demons."
"Freed." Issei growled, looking ready to punch his lights out. But Freed was distracted by Asia.
"Oh look. It's the recently-turned shitty demon Asia. Having fun as a blasphemous whore demon?" Asia trembled from having one of her tormentors so close again. But Issei and Ben made sure to move between her and him.
"You bastard." Issei growled again. "If you even think of touching Asia, I'll kill you." Souna and Rias moved in front of them, readying their magic.
"Hey hold on, hold on." Freed said, waving his hands. "I'm just here to deliver something to the crimson-haired lady." Rias and Souna dissipated their magic in confusion. Why were they waiting? He was right there, they could make him pay right now!
"What kind of something?" Rias asked suspiciously. Freed just grinned at her with his crazy smile.
"Why, my boss of course." He replied as the sky changed. It was now a wavy purple alien sky, bathing the world in twilight colours. The last time Ben saw this was when they dealt with Raynare. Everyone looked above Freed to see a Fallen Angel hovering overhead. But this guy seemed different to Raynare and her buddies. His wings were so much bigger, and seemed to be made from several pairs folded together. He had glowing red eyes and pointed ears. And he wore a big billowing robe of some kind.
"A Fallen Angel with five pairs of wings." Rias gasped. Ben remembered a little bit of Christian stuff. He was pretty sure that more wings meant he was stronger.
"I believe this is our first opportunity of meeting, daughter of the Gremory Family." The Fallen Angel said in a very deep voice. "My name is Kokabiel." This was the guy they were after. Ben was going to cut those wings off and force-feed them to him.
"Good Day, Mr. Cadre-level Fallen Angel." Rias said back to him. Why did she have to be so polite? He deserved to be killed. He deserved to scream. He deserved to…
Oh man. He was starting to lose it. He had to keep it together. Just until they won.
"Such a crimson beauty you are, Ms Gremory." Kokabiel was saying, a lustful smile on his face. "You look just like the crimson-haired Demon Lord. Both of you are an eye-sore, soothing to make me puke."
"So to what do we owe the pleasure of this meeting? To have a Cadre of the Fallen Angels come in person to say hello is quite unusual."
"I was thinking of taking that powerful sword from your bimbo friend there. And then I'll use it and the other swords at the heart of your city for my plan. I imagine that even Sirzechs would take action if I was to attack your stronghold and kill you all. Am I wrong?"
Rias glared at him. "If you do that, then the war between God, Devils and Fallen Angels will break out again. Surely you can't be serious?"
Kokabiel merely laughed at her. "Oh, but I am. Why else do you suppose I stole the Excalibur blades? A pity that they only decided to devote low-level priests and two Excalibur wielders against me. Such a bore. In fact, it's been completely boring after the War ended. Even my fellow Fallen Angels, Azazel and Shemhazai, don't agree with me, and would rather just laze about."
"You want to start a war just because you're bored?" Ben growled at him, his blade ready to strike. Kokabiel just looked down at him and smirked.
"Where have I heard those names before?" Issei whispered to himself. "Of course. Raynare mentioned them when we first met."
"Azazel is the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels." Akeno told him and Ben. Ben itched to strike this creep down with every second. With Ascalon at his side, he would be unstoppable. But no, he had to think about the others. If he screwed it up, they would suffer for it.
"That Azazel was not only against the idea, he's also started collecting those unexplainable things you lot call 'Sacred Gears'. He's completely engrossed in his research.
"So, not only do you want the Excaliburs, but you plan on stealing all the Sacred Gears too?"
"If you're talking about your Boosted Gear-class, then it won't even function as a weapon. It does not interest me one bit. But your friend, however. She's of great interest to me. Her shapeshifting Sacred Gear allowed her to defeat the immortal Riser Phenex. And, I know she isn't really a reincarnated Devil." Souna and Saji gasped at that. "I noticed how Lady Grayfia didn't mention what 'piece' Bri and her 'triplets' were. My, my. Bringing a mere human to a Rating game, Ms. Gremory? You're lucky they survived the attacks. Imagine what she could do for us."
"You're completely insane if you think I'll ever join you, creep." Ben shouted at him. But Kokabiel just smirked at him again, as if he knew something Ben didn't.
"The Three Great powers are walking on a thin equilibrium." He continued saying. All I need to do is give one side a push, and War will break out between them. It will be glorious. And if I attack and kill Lucifer's sister Rias Gremory, and Leviathan's sister Souna Sitri, well then they'd most certainly want revenge against Fallen Angels. And if we use your academy as a battlefield, then the energy from the attacks will wreak havoc upon this pathetic town. This will be a grand place to start our war."
"Oh, shut up!" Ben yelled, his temper pushed past the breaking point. He swung Ascalon at the Fallen Angel, a wave of energy heading for him. The Fallen Angel merely smiled, readying a shield to block it. But he looked on in surprise as the blast punched through his shield like it was paper, before slashing him across the body. He yelled in pain as he started bleeding. Ben was going to strike again, but his next attack was blocked by Freed. Now that he was closer, Ben saw Excalibur Mimic wrapped around his arm. Bastard must've stolen it from Irina. He felt a blow to his writs, but Ascalon's armour managed to defend from the strike. However, it did cause him to stumble as Freed jumped back.
"You piece of shit whore." He growled. "How dare you attack the most awesome guy ever. Once he's done with you, I'll fuck you over and over until you're begging for me." Their fight was interrupted by a glowing green circle in the air. Kokabiel glared down at them, his face scarred by Ben attack, and started raining knives of light. Rias, Souna and Akeno created their own circles, blocking the attack as everyone else scattered. The sky cleared up, and returned to normal. Kokabiel and Freed had vanished, the line of blood the only sign they had been there.
"Where did they go?" Ben shouted, looking around wildly. That freak was going to learn the true power of Ascalon when he buried it in his throat.
"They most likely ran for Kuoh Academy." Souna said, pointing at the school.
"He's really planning to attack the school? With that attack?" Issei asked in disbelief.
"No. He said it was the centre of something big, so this will only be the beginning. A Fallen Angel of his rank would be strong enough to wipe out this entire city." Ben had a vision of everyone he knew here dying in an explosion of light. That was not going to happen.
"Everyone." Rias ordered. "Back to the school. We have to begin preparing defences." She looked worried, but Ben wasn't. He already managed to injure that creep with a single blow.
He wondered how surprised Kokabiel would be when he had Ascalon buried in his chest.
And the battle is nearly beginning. And someone also noticed that Bri wasn't actually a Reincarnated Devil.
We're beginning to see the effects of Diagon whispering in Bri's mind, tempting her to kill someone. That might be a problem later on; it might not. We'll just have to wait and see. And I had Bri attack Kokabiel because it just felt weird to have them all just stand there and talk. I get it's because none of them are strong enough to beat a Cadre, but in this story Bri has a world-killing weapon. So I had her lash out at him like that.
And for those of you wondering if the bad guys will get their hands on Ascalon, not really going to happen. Either they know what they're doing and have the strongest weapon around; they don't know what they're doing and might end up destroying a lot of property; or I nerf it so that the good guys can get it back. So it'll stay in Bri's hands for now.