Disclaimer: I do not own High School DxD, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Harry Potter, Naruto, MoTU, and Rifts

Major AU: Do not expect this story to strictly follow canon for High School DxD.

Key: "Talking" 'Thought' [Sacred Gear] (Pailamancy or Telepathy) *Technique*

Author Note: Okay, sorry this took so long. Wild plot-bunnies attacked my muse. My Muse likes to pet all the plot bunnies no matter how silly or evil they are as you can probably tell from some of my one shots.

Date Night Part Three

Rudolphus Phenex watched the 'battle' with a great deal of confusion. He'd been allowed to witness the Rias versus Riser Rating Game. The Gremory Peerage had all been singularly impressive and fought with skill that most Devils wouldn't exhibit for decades. They might have taken some extreme casualties while fighting Phenex peerage, but Riser had been fighting in Rating Games for over a hundred years. What he was currently witnessing was not the well trained Devils of the rating game, but just some talented and powerful Devils. They were getting steam rolled by their King and one measly Pawn. To make matters worse, his little sister had come to their aid. Rudolphus cursed his all too honorable brother for his stupidity.

'How can this be happening?' Rudolphus ranted internally. 'My mind control never degraded anyone's skill this horribly before! This is ridiculous!' The mind mage was flabbergasted at the poor showing of his brainwashed puppets. 'Damn it, they were supposed to kill the Dragon Scum quickly and they can't even fight on the same level he is.'

"Hey, Drow Wannabe, I am actually curious if 'The Works' will affect Devils as much as it did Demons. Care to help me test that?" Xander's grin was nothing like his happy go lucky normal one. In fact if anyone present had known the Scourge of Europe they would have sworn that Xander was the fifth member.

"How? How did you suppress their fighting skills?" Rudolphus raged at the former Watcher. "That Knight alone should have been enough to kill you given his skills and Sword Birth. Adding the Rook should have been overkill. You manhandled them like toddlers. They didn't even show the same skill they displayed in the Rating Games." The middle son of the Phenex family could care less about the banter of the pawn. 'He just has a silly toy and is bluffing.' "Tell me how you did that and I will grant you a painless and quick death."

Xander was actually brought up short by the reaction. Not because he was intimidated at all. It was just funny enough to amuse him. It had been years since a Demon of any kind had that reaction to Xander mucking up their plans. The Scoobies were so infamous for doing that back home that Demons just stopped being flabbergasted. The general assumption was that if the one of the Scoobies showed up, the plans of evil went up in smoke and in surprising ways. The incident of the Succubus Queen's minions all wanting Faith's autograph for the sex video that had been 'accidentally' uploaded to the internet hadn't even reached the top ten for most ridiculous moments. Xander himself was responsible for four of them, and when you consider that Buffy, Giles, Willow, Angel, Spike, and Wesley all had separate entries that said something. At this point Xander couldn't help it and started laughing.

"You dare mock me?" Rudolphus roared.

"Oh GOD… ouch…" Xander winced as the sharp pain pierced his head for mentioning God. He was still laughing as even the pain couldn't make this less funny. "It's been a while since anyone has been so surprised that I foiled their plans. It's what I am known for. I show up and mess with the Big Bad's plans either directly or indirectly. Hell, I once ruined a Demon Lord's plans by simply introducing a kid to the wonder that is Twinkies." Xander shook his head. "It was always so much fun when they'd rant and rave about it. But it just happened less and less, until one day I began to miss it. So you ignoring my not so little threat to rant about how I accidentally ruined your plans just reminds me of better times."

"Xander-koi, why are you bantering with the idiot who interrupted our snu snu?" Rias asked as she landed next to her laughing fiancé. She would have been there a minute earlier, but she'd had to catch Akeno in mid air and gently lower her to the ground. "And what's with the Super Soaker?"

"I'm curious about that, too." Ravel said as she landed on the opposite side of Xander from Rias. "I would have thought you'd use that rifle that Riser-nii fears so much."

"I'm sorry Buchou-chan, but this idiot here was just shocked that somehow his plot to kill me got spoiled." Xander was still laughing a little. "It just brought back memories. He even broke out the 'You dare mock me.' cliché."

"Are you mad? You continue to mock me." Rudolphus was equal parts confused, angry, and intimidated. Being so casually dismissed was not something anyone other than Sirzechs had ever done. "Forget a simple death. I will remove your limbs and use you as a wall decoration."

"See what I mean?" Xander gestured to Rudolphus. "That's a classic C-ranked villain threat. How am I supposed to take him seriously?"

"Yeah…" Rias reluctantly agreed as she crinkled her nose in disgust over how melodramatic Rudolphus was being. "I've heard better from the Strays we hunt down."

"That was pretty lame, Rudy-nii." Ravel was shaking her head in dismay at her brother's antics. "You sound like the villains on Magical Girl Levia-tan. And not the good ones either."

"Now you've corrupted my own sister?" A vein in Rudolphus' forehead actually started pulsating he was so angry. "Forget just making you a wall ornament in my living room. Oh no. You are going up in my bedroom so I can make you watch as I take those little strumpets over and over again. Rias will be hanging right beside you, Dragon Trash, until her mind breaks from watching. Then I'll turn her into a broodmare as well."

Immediately, Xander stopped laughing like someone flipped a switch. Every bit of warmth and levity just left his face. His right eye twitched a little as his lips pressed into a thin line. The green gems of both gauntlets began flashing faster and faster as time passed. Then there was a shattering sound as cracks appeared across the gauntlets and for the second time since Xander first manifested them, they seemed to molt as they changed. The forearm braces extended a bit more towards the elbow, revealing another emerald gem. Each gauntlet's color now perfectly matched Rias' crimson hair and the burnished golden spikes were multiplied as the celtic knots covering the surface became more intricate.

[Boosted Gear: Second Evolution!] Ddraig's voice announced as Xander was engulfed in a pillar of viridian energy.

"Well there goes any chance of capturing you alive, baka." Rias shook her head as she realized just how Xander would react. Turning to Ravel she bowed in apology. "I am so very sorry for the imminent loss of your brother. I do hope you won't hold it against Xander or House Gremory."

"W-what?" Ravel could only stutter out.

"As if this Dragon Trash has the ability or balls to kill me." Rudolphus sneered. "He got lucky with Riser, but his luck has run out."

Xander was standing in the Sunnydale Library once again. As before the others were there, with a few additions. Koneko was sparring with Buffy and Faith, the three of them having the time of their lives. Angel and Kiba were crossing blades as Giles and Spike refereed. Asia was talking with Dawn and Tara as they spoiled Xanrai. Rias and Akeno were sitting with Cordelia and Anya, what they were discussing Xander didn't want to know. Raynare was hanging out with Jesse and Kendra. Joyce and Jenny were just wandering around talking with everyone. Drusilla was still in her corner humming softly, muttering about a little boy in a dress. Sineya was perched atop the bookshelves just watching, but she wasn't the only one just watching. Towering above everything was Ddraig in all his glory.

"Ddraig, I've come to bargain." Xander said solemnly as he addressed the soul trapped in the Boosted Gear. "I need the power to end this completely."

"You ask much, Partner," Ddraig responded, his voice nearly shaking the entire library. "You have just unlocked the Second Evolution. Your body is not quite ready for the Balance Breaker."

"Who said I wanted the Balance Breaker? I'll unlock that on my own, Ddraig." Xander shook his head as he refuted the idea he was there to bargain for the most coveted power of any Sacred Gear. Steeling himself he spoke his true desires. "I wish to use the Axe to end Rudolphus."

"The Axe? You are that determined to kill him?" Ddraig had actually reared back in surprise. The Welsh Dragon would not openly admit it, but that particular weapon of Xander's was terrifying even to a dead entity such as himself. "You cannot survive using it as you are. The Blessings on the weapon would be like holding a Cross and being bathed in Holy Water while Angels plunge Light Spears into your flesh. The Red Witch poured as much power into creating that weapon as she did in her attempt to cleanse your world."

"Yeah, I know." Xander sighed. "I can't use the Axe as I am. However, I did read about how you can claim parts of my body in exchange for a boost in power. I am here to bargain away my arms. They will be yours."

Ddraig paused for a moment as he regarded Xander. "Then you know that I cannot simply take them even if you offer them freely. I must provide you something of equivalent worth. Very well, I can grant you use of the Balance Breaker for a full minute to be used at a future date, but not today."

"Agreed. " Xander said with a feral grin.

"What? How can our son be that idiotic?" Zeldra had a petite figure, barely reaching five feet tall with subtle but clearly feminine curves. Her skin was onyx black with slight hints of blue and her hair was bone white. At the moment her eyes were flashing red, but normally a deep royal purple. While she resembled a Drow Elf from fantasy, her race was just a special subspecies of Devil that prided intellect and charm over brute power. "He can't possibly believe that Alexander will leave him alive after such a threat."

"Reginald believes…" Reginald Phenex began to explain his thought only to be interrupted by a knife being pressed to his privates.

"As much as I love you, Darling, I detest the way you speak in the third person around those you view as beneath you." Zeldra hissed out. "Continue to do so and I will make sure all your wives are solely reliant on their dildo collections."

"As I was going to say, unfortunately while our son has inherited your gift for mind magic, he lacks your intellect and discernment," Reginald shook his head ruefully as he watched the scrying pool. "His obsession with winning is also playing a factor here. It's a shame he could not pass this final test. We'll have to start working on another Heir for the Black Market, perhaps Lolth?"

"Perhaps… She is a little obsessed with spiders, but that can be useful as well." Zeldra frowned in thought. "And we will have to keep her away from the Gremory family. Perhaps encourage her to court the Astaroth Heir? He's rather sheltered and does not associate with the other families very much."

"Yes… yes. That could work wonderfully. He is an avid customer of the Market for items to keep his peerage in line." Reginald considered, "Will you be able to forgo any revenge on Alexander?"

"Reginald, if I wasn't in love with you I would have Alexander father my next child, as per my family's traditions." Zeldra smirked, "Culling a useless member of the family is practically a courting ritual."

"A simple yes would have sufficed." Reginald was more amused than jealous. He'd spent decades learning of Zeldra's people and thus understood just how cutthroat they were. "Feh, I don't need to watch this. I have more important things to do, like remind you exactly why you became my second wife."

"Oooh… that does sound like more fun." Zeldra purred, "Use the cat-o-nine-tails this time."

"This water cannon is filled with a cocktail of brandy made from communion wine, kosher salt, silver nitrate, white oak shavings, four leaf clover, cold iron shavings, wolfsbane, and blessed oils. It dissolves demonic flesh like a super acid and it's flammable producing holy flames." Xander said as he held up the super soaker for Rudolphus see. "Given your regeneration you'd probably survive as this only holds a gallon." He paused for a moment and passed the water gun to Rias. "That isn't going to do it for me. You crossed a line, Rudy. I was quite willing to let you live until you threatened to rape my girls. Now, you're gonna die."

Reaching behind his back, Xander grasped a handle that everyone would have sworn was not there a moment ago. With a slight grunt of effort he unslung the axe from his back, swinging it around in front of him. If one could only use one word to describe it, that word would be massive. The haft was five feet long and two inches thick. The double blades started flared out spanning across three feet from the curved edge to edge. Anyone who had seen the old Masters of the Universe He-Man figures would have instantly recognized the weapon.

"This is Rosenberg," Xander said as he took the ready stance.[Boost!] "Any last words?"

"I see reason has left you completely," Rudolphus sneered as he drew his own sword, a matte black Long Sword with a decorative golden phoenix hilt. "I am a Phenex and thus immortal." With surprising speed he lunged forward with a wicked slash aimed to open Xander from shoulder to opposite hip. Only to find Xander easily blocked the blow with Rosenberg.

"I've heard that claim from others, Rudy." Xander growled as right eye flashed green while the Eye of Omen began to glow red. "Usually, just before I kill them." Pushing on Rosenberg, Xander forces Rudy's sword out of line before using the haft to break the middle Phenex son's nose.

"Gah!" Rudolphus grunted in pain as the blow actually made him take a step back. "You bwoke my nobe!" He blurted out as he reached and felt it. He was of course a little surprised as he normally could take a roundhouse from a rook and come out with only a busted lip. The haft of the axe hadn't hit him with nearly that force. The fact he'd been injured by such a weak blow paled compared to the fact that his nose was not healing. "How?"

"That is for me to know and you to die wondering about." Xander's feral grin only promised more pain as he came in swinging. [Boost!]

To any observer it would appear that the attacks were completely random, the actions of a wild berserker who cared little for his own safety. However it was not random or wild. Each stroke of the axe put Xander in position to follow up with a wicked backstroke. Rudolphus quickly learned that parrying was not the best option as each blow carried such power that his bones were literally rattling from the impact. Dodging was not any better as he couldn't even make any attempt to counter attack as he was scrambling to avoid getting sliced in two. He'd never had to learn how to avoid blows at all, let alone fight as he was doing so.

"How dare you try to strike down your better?" Rudolphus shouted as there was finally a lull in the attacks. He was only able to speak clearly thanks to wrenching his nose back in place before Xander's flurry of attacks. "You are nothing but a slave who needs to be taught your place." Releasing his flaming wings, the devil began gathering his powers for a magical attack. "*Flame Wave*!"

"*Dangerous Shield*" Rias threw up her hands and unleashed the *Power of Destruction* forming it into a barrier that would destroy the *Hellfire* on contact. She normally would have just erected a barrier around herself, but she needed to protect the rest of the peerage.

*Shield!* Ravel threw her hands to create a barrier but knew it was hopeless. She was indeed more magically powerful than her brother, but she didn't know any elemental barrier shields that would stop the incoming wave of *Hellfire*. If it was a smaller attack the standard shield would suffice, but the *Flame Wave* was infamous for literally flowing over the *Shield* and consuming the caster.

[Boost!] Xander moved so quickly one could have mistaken him for being a Knight and not a Pawn. Coming to a stop in front of Ravel he slammed on hand to the ground. "Secret Zeppo Art: Foxhole"

"Eeep!" Ravel yelped in surprise as she ground under suddenly dipped even as an earthen rampart rose. Instinctively ducking down the *Hellfire* simply passed over her, not even singing her hair.

Xander hadn't fared as well as Rias, Ravel, or anyone else. Ravel's *Shield* and his own defenses were all that protected him from the *Hellfire*. Standing there naked, the only parts of his body not covered in second degree burns were where his boxers had covered, his face, and his arms. There were weeping blisters covering his chest, beck and legs. Ashes were all that were left of the hair on his head.

"Xander!" Rias cried out as she saw how badly Xander had been burnt. Almost immediately she began chanting the beginning of a healing spell. She wasn't as talented as Akeno let alone Asia, but she wasn't without some skill.

"You were willing to kill your own sister? That's it! You're finished!" Xander growled as he raised his axe to the sky. Dark clouds gathered above the battlefield despite the fact they were in a bounded field. "BY THE HEART OF SINEYA!" As he shouted lightning poured out of clouds striking the axe in a continuous barrage, the power flowing into Xander causing a fascinating transformation. The young man began to rapidly grow another foot in stature. The already impressive physique of the demon hunter bulked up until it resembled a Mr. Universe contestant. The various burns and blisters over his body faded away completely as his skin took on a deep bronzed tan. Black hair grew out of his bare scalp down to his shoulders. "I HAVE THE POWER!"

"What the…" Rudolphus started to express his disbelief but found it impossible to utter anything else as an incredibly powerful blow struck him. He folded up with the impact of the Xander's fist. Time slowed for a moment as his body literally rippled under the force of the blow. Then everything sped back up and Rudolphus was launched by the sheer physical force of the blow. The dark-skinned Phenex flew through the air before crashing through a cinderblock wall, even then he tumbled a few times before coming to a stop. "Ow…"

"GRAAAH!" Xander leapt after the devil easily covering the forty feet in a single bound. Grabbing Rudolphus' leg he lifted him up before literally using him as a club. "YOU…" Xander screamed as he slammed the devil into the already broken wall. "WILL…" Rudolphus was then slammed into the floor cratering it from the impact. "NEVER.,." A different crater was created with the devil's body. "HURT…" More of the wall was destroyed as Rudolphus impacted it again. "MY GIRLS…" Rudolphus was slammed into the ground again, creating an even deeper crater in the concrete. "AGAIN!" With that Xander released the leg before bringing his foot down to crush the devil's pelvis.

"Can't… kill… me that easily." Rudolphus taunted as he felt his bloodline begin to heal him. The multitude of broken and shattered bones were piecing themselves back together as he stared up defiantly at the creature than dared to hurt him.

Xander for his part just grinned as he raised Rosenberg for a strike. [Transfer] Power flowed from Xander into Rosenberg as the Blessed Axe's powers were magnified by each of the *Boosts* that Xander had absorbed. The age glowed with a golden brilliance that hurt for the devils to even look at. Xander then swung, bringing the blade down into Rudolphus' chest. There was just the slightest spurt of blood as the axe easily cut through the armor and devil flesh. The devil didn't even have the chance to scream as green flames engulfed his body over taking the *Flames of Regeneration* and snuffing them out before continuing to consume Rudolphus completely. In a matter of seconds there was nothing left of the obsidian skinned devil but a scorch mark on the concrete rubble. "He-Xan wins! Brutality!"

"Is that going to become a thing with you?" Rias shook her head as she landed next to her fiancé. She had witnessed what could only be described as a curb stomp. "When you kill someone you'll quote that game?"

"Yeah, but to be fair I didn't start it." Xander shrugged his massive shoulders. "I made the mistake of introducing Illyria to Mortal Kombat. She REALLY liked it and when she'd kill demons she'd start saying that. I kind of became a Council thing. Even Giles did it once." Raising Rosenberg to the sky again Xander chanted. "The hunt is done. Let the Power return!" The transformation back to normal was far less flashy. Xander just seemed to shrink back into his normal teenage body which had thankfully been healed by the change. Shaking his head a bit as if clearing it, he slipped Rosenberg back into it's holding place. "I really hope you don't get in trouble for letting me kill him."

"I won't. He attacked us with intent to kill you." Rias murmured as she placed a hand on Xander's shoulder and concentrated on a simple spell. In moments the pair of them were dressed in their school uniforms, their Hitai'ate over the sleeve. "Honestly you just saved my brother the effort of executing him."

"Y-you killed him." Ravel was in a fair bit of shock as she landed on the other side of Xander. She stared at the scorch mark that was all the remains of her least favorite sibling. "How? His regeneration was as strong as Riser-nii's but it wasn't that weak."

"Rosenberg is a True Death weapon," Xander stated as if that explained everything. "I am sorry about your loss, but he threatened…"

"I was right there when he did. Kaa-sama would kill him for that even if Tou-san would have made excuses for him." Ravel cut off Xander before he could continue. "I suppose I should thank you for protecting me. Not that I needed you to or asked. I would have survived the *Flame Wave* just fine without you."

'What a tsundere.' Xander and Rias weren't aware that they shared the same thought.

"It's just what I do, protect pretty girls who can kick ass." Xander dismissed the need to be thanked.

"How dare you use such crude language in front of two high class Ladies!" Ravel shouted even as she turned blushed from the very slight profanity. "You're nothing but a barbarian!"

"Well, my Ex did always say I was a Viking in the sack." Xander conceded with a smirk. It was always fun to verbally spar with the self-important rich girls. "I'd offer to let you confirm that, but my Rias-hime has first dibs."

As Xander expected Ravel just began sputtering as her face turned tomato red. Rias for her part, covered her mouth as she giggled at the scene.

Rosenberg
Bearer: Xander Lavelle Harris-Hyoudou
Manufacturer: Willow Rosenberg
Appearance: A steel axe that resembles the He-Man MOTU Axe
Powers:
Prowess of Rosenberg. Willow poured a great deal of power into the Axe and as such it is almost unbreakable and eternally razor sharp as well as functioning as a True Death weapon
The Power of Sineya: Xander's natural abilities will be boosted to the levels of Buffy or Faith for a brief time. This has a drastic effect on his prowess as his Devil, Primal, and Boosted powers all magnify his natural abilities. The Activation Phrase: By the Heart of Sineya! I have the Power!
Return to Xander's Hand: No matter where it is or what barriers stand in the way, Xander can call the weapon to him.
Holy Icon: Rosenberg acts as a Holy Symbol to all Demons