I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
Gasper was sitting down on his desk as he paid attention to the professor. After being chained to a wall and living surrounded by darkness for most of his life he couldn't feel happier about the present.
The air, the smells, the light, the food; everything was a new experience for him and he was just a curious child taking it all in. Since Issei offered him and Valerie the chance of going to school they had accepted although they lack most of the knowledge necessary for a young student with their age. Raynare acted as their first professor which helped them to get ready for the life of an elementary student.
Having Asia and Tosca alongside was also helpful for the pair of dhampirs but life wasn't all calm and roses at least for Gasper.
He enjoyed school, but it also had its own problems and they weren't that easy to take care of.
The bells of the school rang throughout the school which told everyone that it was time for lunch.
"Okay, class. Time for lunch, go ahead and enjoy your time. You have 40 minutes." The teacher says before exiting the class.
Gasper looks around and his eyes meet those of Asia, Tosca, Valerie, and surprisingly Vali as well. The young dhampir extends his hand towards his bag and slowly grabs the bento box inside it.
"Gasper-chan, are you going to stay with us for lunch?" One of her fellow female classmates calls him out. Her eyes were shining with excitement as they focused on him.
"No way. Our cute Gasper is ours. He/she is our goddess." Says one of the boys.
"Goddess? I'm a man!! Danmit why is this happening to me?" Gasper stands up with his bento. "I'm sorry guys but I have plans with the rest of my family." Gasper begins to walk away.
"Boss Tosca is not going anywhere. She is our leader and needs to eat alongside us." Another boy says.
"Valerie-chan is our friend so she is staying with us." Another girl joins in.
"Asia is the true goddess of the class. She is ours."
"Our platinum princess Vali should come first before the rest."
All young members of the Chaos residence look at each other. The class was pretty divided when it came to them. Some boys considered Tosca the boss amongst the boys due to her strength and strong attitude. Other boys and girls continued to discuss Gasper's gender while also elevating him into some sort of godhood status. Asia was seen as a saint and goddess that most wanted to approach. While Valerie was popular for her charm and calm attitude. Vali had also gained a title due to her beauty and strength which also meant having fame that she didn't call for.
They were popular even if that wasn't their intention.
The door opens and other students get inside.
"Gasper-chan we came for you." The new group of students shouts.
"Dammit, everyone run!" Gasper shouts before he bolts out of the room with his Bento box in hand.
"This needs to stop!!!" Valerie follows after him.
"Wait for us." Tosca grabs Asia's hand before she does the same.
"See you later, friends. May God's blessing be with you!!!" Asia says as she is dragged alongside Tosca.
"I just wanted a normal school life!" Vali shouts as she follows after the rest of the group.
"Capture them!!!" The whole student body starts the daily chase after the young group of four.
"Why is this happening every day? Is every elementary school like this?" Gasper asks.
"I don't know but I'm more than sure that the answer is a hard no." Tosca replies.
"We just want to eat our food!" Valerie and Vali exclaim with tears in their eyes.
"May the Lord help us to escape this trial once more." Asia prays for the success of her group.
The rest of the elementary classes continue to chase after them. Kuoh Academy had many students and their elementary branch had most of all. This was a daily routine for the small group as their fame spread out through the school.
10 minutes afterward.
"Did we finally lose them?" Gasper asks as they hide on top of a tree.
"Let me see. Don't move an inch." Tosca pops her head out before she surveys the area. "I don't see them."
"Are you sure? I want to eat my bento. We don't have too much time." Valerie says while trying to stay hidden.
"This needs to stop. We have been doing this for far too long. Being friendly is one thing but their obsessiveness is a bit too much." Vali says. "Maybe this is the reason why Issei didn't want to go to school with us?"
"That's not the reason. But after experiencing this for so long I might believe it as truth." Asia starts to get down from the tree. As soon as she gets down she feels the hand of someone on top of her shoulder.
"Took all of you long enough to get here." Asia turns around and finds Akeno standing behind her.
"Akeno-senpai, when did you get here? And how?" Asia asks.
Akeno smiles. "It's easy when you use your powers to make them forget your presence for just enough time. Come on, get down. We're safe at least for now."
The rest of the kids get down as well with no problems. Gasper looks around and finds the shade of the area good enough for them to relax.
"Sit down. We need to have lunch." Akeno shows her own bento to the rest.
"Right." Gasper takes a seat and the rest of the girls do as well. The small dhampir opens the box. The scent of the food invades his nostrils. "It smells so good."
"Let me look." Vali approaches Valerie and looks at the box. "Issei seems to take good care of all of you. Purple sausages, steamed vegetables, eggs, and even rice. He's like a Shemhazai."
Gasper, Valerie, Tosca, and Asia shake their heads.
"He's an older brother." Gasper and Valerie said at the same time.
"An old man that takes good care of us." Tosca says.
"A good friend that is also my family." Asia admits. "Shemhazai-san is totally a mother but Issei is not even close to that. His aura is much different than Shemhazai's. Also, Shemhazai is stricter than Issei."
The rest of the kids nod after listening to Asia's words.
"That's true. I can't forget how many times he has taken a newspaper to punish dad (Azazel) for his mistakes. I almost forget the fact that dad is the leader of Grigori during those moments." Vali smiles after she starts to remember the funny moments alongside fallen angels.
"The only one that doesn't fit the mold of a strict mom is Tiamat. She is friendly and she only shows me a strict side when training is involved. Maybe it has to do with the fact that Raynare takes care of the house." Tosca ponders.
"We help around as well but Raynare is pretty amazing. For one maid to take care of such a big house on her own seems impossible." Valerie says before picking some food out of her bento. "So good."
"Raynare is just a super maid and we can thank the best maid of all for that. Grayfia-san was the one that trained her and I do believe that her skills are far beyond those of Raynare. She took care of so many things while being pregnant and we didn't even realize it until she had Millicas." Asia reminiscences about the small child that Sirzechs and Grayfia had which took many by surprise except for those that learned the truth before the rest.
"His birth is a blessing for the devils. Having children is hard for them and I imagine that having another child in the house is making Rias very happy." Gasper says. "But sadly, she might not get to see him that much after she comes to live with us."
"If she wants to come to the human world she has to be ready to give something up. I wonder how it is going to be after she gets here. I'm the oldest one in our small group. I wonder how her arrival is going to affect the school. If having all of us is creating a lot of chaos around the school, I can imagine that having the beautiful heiress of a devil clan is going to create even more chaos. We might even become friends." Akeno ponders.
"I don't doubt that. Rias is very friendly and I have yet to see someone that she openly dislikes." Asia admits.
And like this, the children continue to chat and eat alongside each other while having several fallen angels keeping an eye on them. There was no way in hell in which Azazel would allow Vali's time in the human world without some guards to protect her.
Meanwhile, Tannin's territory.
Several knives and weapons use for assassination filled the room from head to toe. The grinding sound of a knife as it was being sharpened was heard even with the door closed.
"So, tell me Yukime, how is he? Is he passing the trials or is he not the right one for you?" A beautiful woman with skin that was white like the snow asks Yukime while she continues to sharpen the knife on her hands.
"He has yet to fail any of them, mother. No signs of uncontrollable lust. Hasn't given in nor has he accepted any of my approaches. He continues to offer me friendship instead of trying to touch me in any sexual way." Yukime admits while she checks some of the knives.
"What about the other ones? How many adversaries do you have in your path?"
"There's Tiamat as the closest one to him. Rias Gremory seems to have a crush on him based on the information I have collected. Serafall Leviathan has shown interest in him and they have gone on several outings together alongside her sister. Leviathan's sister doesn't seem to harbor any sort of romantic affection towards him. Kuroka and Shirone, the nekomata sisters seem close to him but I'm still confirming the full extent of their feelings for him. Asia Colombo, who used to hold the last name Argento seems like a possible adversary as well based on my information. She is under his protection and considers him a family member. Then we have the human that goes by the name of Le Fay Pendragon, whom he goes to visit every couple of weeks. The remaining ones are the mysterious angel Rael which in reality is Gabriel and the fallen angel Raynare who are yet to show any kind of romantic approach towards him but still hold a high chance of becoming interested in him. At the moment those seem to be the targets." Yukime explains.
"So around 9. You have an easier path ahead of you, Yukime. At least this man is not like your father. When I met him he had many wives and children. I almost lost my cool after learning that the man I have started to develop an interest in was already taken. I was planning to kill all of them but Tannin made me take another path. I stopped being my past self because of him and thanks to that I'm no longer the White Dead. Yukime, you're my daughter; You're the descendant of a proud lineage of Yuki-onna who have taken the life of assassins for the sake of survival. We choose men that are capable of passing our trials, men that choose to get to know us first instead of trying to fuck us, men that can accept our worst and our best. Follow my example and forget our ancestor's past actions when it came to men. I was the first one to join a harem, our ancestors are surely angry at this but I don't care. Tannin was the first man to see the face behind the veil that kept my face hidden for many years. You need to make sure that the Welsh Dragon is the right one before you allow him to get to see your face. Keep testing him my child, learn everything about him and allow him to learn everything about you. Keep your feelings in check and do what's necessary to make sure that he is the right one."
"I know mother. I'm going to continue to test darling until I'm completely sure about him. I have high hopes for him and if he continues to prove my expectations right I might completely fall for him. I might
become unable to be without him. I might even kill for him." Yukime's tone turns darker. The knife on her hand begins to get covered in ice.
Yukime's mom turns around. "That's a good mindset, my child. You need to protect your chosen one above all. Only you get the right to kill him and nobody else. Just remember that there's no need to kill the other girls around his life…. At least not the ones that seemed to be good for him. If a vixen ever tries to hurt your chosen one you must eliminate her without wasting time. I have been making sure that your father is safe alongside the rest of the women in this house. You need to be ready to do the same. This is the path that I took for me and I hope that you follow it as well."
Yukime lowers her head. "I know mother. Your lessons are always in my mind and I'm going to follow them until the end of my days. This is our path."
"The path of the assassin driven mad with love. Never forget the path, my child. Go ahead and continue to test him." Yukime's mom goes back to sharpening her knife.
"As you wish mother." Yukime turns around before exiting the room.
"Are you done with Shizue-mama? I was waiting to ask her for a favor." A tall, tanned horned devil asks after seeing her.
"Yes, go ahead nii-san." Yukime says.
"Thanks. Say hi to Ddraig for me." The devil says.
"Got it. See you later." Yukime starts to walk away with a bright smile plastered across her face. "It's time to visit you again. What will I try this time? Keep proving my expectations right, D-A-R-L-I-N-G."
A magic circle appears before her and then she gets transported into a different location.
Back in the human world.
Issei was setting up the grill for the meat in one of the areas near the pool inside the residence but then his instincts were alerted to the presence of a certain frozen beauty. "Yukime."
He knew that the girl was going to make her way inside even if they tried to stop it. She had the ability to force her way inside barriers without breaking them. It also seemed that her mother had taught her many ways in which to hide her presence and make her way towards her target without being detected.
"She's back. Are you going to stop her?" Ophis asks.
"It's a waste of time. She will find a way to cross any barrier we set up and no amount of security can really stop her." Issei continues to set up the grill.
"Let's hope that this stops one day. She's getting on my nerves with all of her actions." Tiamat says. She was floating in the pool.
"You two are taking the hard route. Just kill her." Ophis says.
"No, Ophis. Killing is not the answer to everything. Yukime's actions are disturbing and obsessive but that doesn't mean that she deserves to get killed. She's Tannin's daughter and I want to have a good relationship with her and the rest of Tannin's children. She is not an enemy." Issei says.
"Then what is she to you? Why are you willing to endure the harassment and all of her actions?" Ophis asks.
"Because she is an ally. Ophis, not everything has to come down to killing. If I had killed each enemy or being that has opposed me since I came out of the egg back then when you gave this power without offering a chance of surviving I would continue to be the same Ddraig that died at the hand of the gods." Ddraig takes over. "I decided to change and become a different me. Not just killing for the sake of eliminating any threat. I kill with a reason but I also offer each enemy one chance to evade certain death. One chance to walk away alive. I let go of many things and I'm going to continue to change even more. This is the path that I decided to walk."
Ophis looks into his eyes. "Your eyes continue to shine bright and lack any signs of lies. Very well Ddraig, continue to amuse me." Her mouth forms a smile. "Walk whatever path you want, as long as you keep your promise to me, I won't oppose your actions or beliefs. Now get back to that food. I'm starving."
Ddraig sighs. "You're going to be a big headache until the time comes aren't you?"
Tiamat continues to stay silent while hearing the conversation. "I hope that this ends well at the end for all of us." Great Red wasn't one to keep many secrets from her. She knew everything that her mate had discussed with Great Red while dreaming. The path that Ddraig had chosen to take was a dangerous one and it was practically a bet against the worst kind of adversary. Once the truth came out, there was a high chance for Ophis to go out of control due to her rage. They were living with a time bomb that was set to go off at some unspecified time.
They needed to make this work or the result was going to be disastrous.
Before any of those present was able to continue with their activities, a cold freeze started to creep in.
The three dragons felt a chilling sensation before they heard her voice.
"Hello everyone. Good to see you, your majesty Tiamat." Yukime said in a low tone as she entered the room.
"Give it a rest, Yuki. You don't really respect it either way since you keep making your way inside even with a strong barrier around our home." Tiamat says.
"I can't stay away from my darling, your majesty. We both know that he is too good to be left alone but if you really want to keep me out why don't you use your influence to force me to stay away? You are the True Dragon King after all." Yukime dares Tiamat.
Tiamat doesn't look amused but decides not to fall for her trap. "I want to see how you fail. If you really believe that by tempting him you're going to get something out of him, then you're more immature than what I initially believed. I sleep with him each night; I take baths with him all of the time and for the past year and half he hasn't gone past a kiss or a few bites here and there. He is not one you can reach through lust, my dear frozen subject." Tiamat's eyes shine with confidence. She wanted to go all the way with her mate but she knew that trying to force him wasn't the way to go. To get to him she needed to wait and waiting is something she was good at. She wasn't afraid of someone getting ahead of her, she knew that she had won before the race even started.
Yukime continues to smile. "My dear monarch, that is what I want." Yukime continues to walk alongside the pool towards her goal. "A male that is not driven by lust nor carnal desires." Her steps are slow but confident. "A male that is interested in me and not just my body. Someone that is able to ignore my approaches and that chooses to learn about me before falling for my true self." Her eyes focus on the small form of Ddraig. "Are you finally the right one?"
Ddraig turns around. "Hello Yukime. Are you here for another one of your weird visits or are you really here to visit us?"
Yukime smiles before she cuts the distance between them even more. "You tell me. How was my last gift? Did you use it?" Her tone is soft and low but there's a noticeable intent behind it. It was like a succubus trying to incite a reaction.
Ddraig sighs. He can't see her eyes nor her full face because of the veil but he can tell that she is smiling through all of this. "It's right with the rest of the other ones. Waiting for you in a bag near the laundry room. Please take them away. I'm not a pervert that gets excited about the used undergarments of a woman." Ddraig turns around and goes back to the grill. "If you want you can stay for the BBQ but please stop with your approaches at least for today. We might have visitors today."
Yukime keeps her sights on him. Her smile softens behind the veil. "Maybe you're the one. Maybe my search is finally over." Yukime snaps her fingers and her clothes get replaced by a white two-piece bikini. The veil stays on even with the clothes exchanged. "I accept the offer."
Yukime jumps into the pool before swimming away feeling a bit happier than before.
She looked young just like many of her siblings but Yukime was older than she seemed. 43 almost 44 years ago, her parents met for the first time and shortly after their relationship became formal she was born. A dragon kin born out of the love between a dragon and a Yuki-onna. She was trained by her mother from a young age in the arts of her ancestors who were famous for becoming assassins. She was also taught one tradition that had continued on for many generations.
"This veil will protect your face until the day you find the right male. The one that will see your face for the first time and the one who is to become the love of your life. The search is going to be long and tough but one day you're going to find him, my child. Until that day you need to cut down any inadequate male that tries to get too close. Only one, Yukime. Only one."
Those words had driven her path for many years and through several failures. Issei wasn't the first one that had grabbed her attention but maybe he was the one that she was looking for.
Only time will tell.
At the same time, Gremory house.
"Come on Rias. Give me your best." Sirzechs says while he evades multiple destructive spheres that were being shot at him by Rias.
"Nii-san!!!" Rias screams before she continues her assault against her brother.
The ground shakes as the encounter continues.
Not too far from there, the rest of the family continues to watch from the side lines.
"She is really determined. Maybe too much." Zeoticus says. "Since she got involved with the Welsh Dragon she has become more enveloped in her training. Maybe that mission with him and the fallen ones wasn't the best option."
"Maybe it is the fact that you told her about the marriage proposals. Many want her as a wife, even more now that Sirzechs and the others have full control over the whole faction. Everyone wants some way of getting closer to the heads of the faction." Venelana looks calm but she is deeply concerned. "Dear maybe we should accept her proposal. I doubt that she is going to accept any kind of marriage unless it is with him."
"Rias fighting each suitor until none are left? That's an insane idea. I can't just accept her plan. She can't defeat each man that tries to get her hand in matrimony. That would be insane." Zeoticus says.
"Father." Grayfia, who's sitting with a small sleeping baby Millicas in her arms, decides to join in. She lacked her usual attire as she wasn't working at the time. "We all know that she won't accept any proposal that you set up for her. Unless you want a red wedding in which Rias kills the groom and goes on a rampage, our only way out is to accept her proposal. She wants the right to choose her own groom. She is just like Sirzechs, she doesn't want to get marry someone she doesn't love. We don't have a reason to accept any proposals for her. Nobody can touch us or force us to accept a proposal."
"But what about the rest of the families? They won't respect and accept her that easily even if she gets to marry who she wants." Zeoticus argues.
"Then led her proved her strength and worth. Let her climb the ladder of challenges that try to oppose her. As long as she is strong enough, nobody would dare to oppose her. She is going to prove that no devil alive is worthy of her hand. She knows what she wants and she is ready to do what's necessary to obtain it." Grayfia says. "Or are you forgetting how I defended my marriage with Sirzechs."
Zeoticus trembles in fear. "Never, my dear daughter in law. You have been just the best since the beginning."
Venelana shakes her head. "I don't know which I prefer more. Grayfia the maid or Grayfia the daughter in law. I never thought that another woman would be capable of making Zeoticus tremble in fear except for me."
Grayfia smiles. "Behind each strong man, there's an even stronger woman." Her eyes turn towards the encounter. "Rias needs to be able to do the same if she wants to stand beside the Welsh Dragon. The number of women around him will keep increasing as time goes by and each one needs to match Tiamat in some way."
"The True Dragon King is not a title that can be easily surpassed. I doubt that Rias can ever reach her strength." Zeoticus admits.
"There's other ways in which Rias can match Tiamat. If my baby girl is able to push past every single suitor, then I don't think that she won't be able to stand at the same level with Tiamat. Determination is a powerful tool." Venelana says.
"It is, but it is also a double-edged sword." Grayfia's face turns somber.
"Grayfia? Is something wrong?" Venelana asks.
"I'm okay. I'm just thinking about the job in my hands. I have been trying to help those girls for more than a year and their progress is all over the place. Their minds are almost completely gone and I'm being forced to take drastic approaches to try to save them." Grayfia admits.
"The members of that kids peerage. It is indeed a troublesome project you have taken into your hands but I believe that Ddraig is going to accept your actions even if they seem cruel or too drastic. He wanted to save them; he didn't specify what methods were necessary for it to be achieved. We're devils, and sometimes a bit of extreme approaches is necessary to achieve the desired results. Keep your head high Grayfia and do your best." Zeoticus says.
Grayfia nods after receiving the support of her father-in-law. "You're right. As a maid, I have to be able to achieve what seems impossible or I couldn't keep calling myself one."
"That's the spirit." Venelana smiles after seeing Grayfia return. "Now about Belphegor's former heir, is she ready or does she need more training? Sirzechs put her under your care shortly after her trial. She has to be ready by now."
"I hate to admit it but she is. I put her under one of my most rigorous training regimes since Sirzechs asked me to make her into someone capable of supporting the Welsh Dragon. She was a mess but she has advanced a lot since then. My plan is to bring her alongside Diodora's former queen to the human world in a few days." Grayfia explains. "My former student might be needing a few extra hands by now."
"So, two more maids for the Welsh Dragon? It would have been easier if he just accepted a few of our own maids in his home." Zeoticus says with a defeated tone.
"Dear, don't call them that. They are people that are getting put under his orders for very specific reasons. Roygun is getting sent as a way of reclaiming her honor and the former queen of Diodora is being sent because she needs someone to keep her under control. A reincarnated devil always needs a stronger devil that is able to keep them in check. The Welsh Dragon is just filling that role. The maid training is just Grayfia being Grayfia." Venelana turn towards Grayfia.
"I won't deny it." Grayfia replies. "But I don't doubt that he enjoys maids. A maid can recognize a maid fanatic anywhere and Ddraig is one of them."
Back in the human world.
Ddraig sneezes. "Is someone talking about me?"
Back in the underworld.
"You're looking too much into it, Grayfia." Venelana's eyes turn back towards the fight. "My young daughter, you fell for a dragon and chose this path due to those same feelings. I can only watch and wish you the best, my child. Defend your love until the very end."
They could only watch as Rias began a path that was going to make her into one of the most recognizable and respected devils around.
Many hours later. Back in the human world.
The children were back home alongside Akeno and Vali who had decided to join the group for some food.
"Hey, guards, you can come in as well or you can go back to Grigori. She is going to be fine here." Tosca screams at the guards who were making sure that Akeno and Vali were safe.
"We're alright. We're going to be back around 9. Princess please enjoy." Says one of the guards in charge of Vali.
Another guard approaches Akeno. "We're already talked to your mom, Lady Akeno. She said that you should stay here for the night. Here is your bag. She said the following: "Your dad and I are going to have a date tonight. Please enjoy your time at the chaos residence." It's Friday so it should be okay."
Akeno grabs the bag. "Mom, is this another one of those dates?" She was ten now and thanks to her interactions with Grigori she had learned many things that no child should know. "Thanks for the bag. I'll see you tomorrow. Take care."
The guard nods before he opens his wings and disappears alongside the rest of the guards.
"Akeno-senpai, you and Vali are practically princesses of Grigori with all these guards." Valerie says in a cheerful tone.
"Vali is a princess. Me a princess? Not even close. I'm just a girl with a target on her head." Akeno says non-clamantly. "We should go inside. I want to take a shower."
The rest of the group nods. They knew that Akeno disliked the fact that even after moving away her life was still in danger.
They had heard about the many attempts against her life and even the ones in which Issei had to intervene to make sure that Akeno and her mom were safe. The number of attempts was low when compared to her previous home but each new attempt was a different menace that tried to take her life.
Akeno was grateful towards Azazel and Issei for being the ones making sure that she was safe but she was starting to dislike the current status quo. She wanted freedom and peace, none of which could be really achieved with Shinto priests trying to take her life.
Something needed to be done but for now Akeno was happy to forget about the whole mess.
A Friday night was made for fun and relaxation.
Notes from the author: And that's it. Two chapters for the new arc. I wanted to take the time to use the first few chapters to show the daily lives of our cast and how much they have changed since arc 0. I hope that everyone likes these calm chapters that lacked any sort of big battle involving Issei. Even a dragon should get some peace and quiet at least for now. Regarding Gasper, I made the active choice of keeping some of his original appeal as an androgynous character but instead of going in the feminine path were going with a path that is more shota related. It wouldn't make sense for him to be the same Gasper that cross-dresses since this one is different from its counterpart. If you have any questions make sure to leave them in the comments or send them as private messages. We're willing to answer them. Until the next time. *
Editor Batman here I just wanted to let you guys know that this is one of my favorites chapters so far.