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
Asia's POV.
Asia took a deep breath as she lay atop a magic circle near the ocean's surface. A white sniper rifle was set in front of her, and through its scope, she kept an eye on the guards around the island.
"Take your time, Asia. Don't rush. Gabriel said to keep calm. Find the targets that suit you the best." Tiamat said as she stayed afloat next to the young exorcist apprentice.
Asia said nothing as she kept her mind focused on the task at hand. "You're not killing them, Asia. They will go to sleep until the mission is over. Just stay calm and remember Gabriel's lessons." Her eye followed the first guard, which was taking a piss away from his partner near a tree.
Asia took a deep breath and pulled the trigger. A small projectile followed a straight trajectory at an incredible speed until it finally reached the uncovered part of the neck of the guard.
The guard touched its neck and saw the small wound comparable to a mosquito bite, but his body quickly fell to the floor, unconscious.
Asia quickly switched targets and shot the second guard down similarly.
Both guards were taken care of relatively quickly, and Asia watched as Kuroka and Yukime moved to move the guards into spots where their fellow Asgardians couldn't find them.
"Two down. Six to go. You're doing great." Tiamat said as she watched the whole operation with reasonable expectations.
Asia kept a calm mind as she didn't let the compliment cloud her vision. She still had six to go and wouldn't allow herself to fail now. Thus began a series of shoots highly premeditated in less than five minutes.
Asia watched the guards and waited for the moment their necks opened for her to shoot them down. Each guard quickly fell one by one to the floor, questioning how and why they were now falling unconscious.
"Last two. Go for the shot, Asia. We have to move. Kuroka, Yukime, be ready to rush in if one of them tries to escape." Tiamat said as she checked the time on her wrist.
"Understood." Asia aimed once more as the two guards were talking to each other. "Neck, let me see that neck." Asia looked for the shot for a few seconds until she finally saw the perfect moment.
As soon as she pulled the trigger, the projectile flew at fantastic speed until it made contact with the guard.
The guard quickly touched his neck and saw the blood.
"What is this-" The guards didn't get to finish his sentence as his body fell to the floor, completely unconscious.
"We're under attack!" The remaining guard quickly looked around and screamed for help. He took a few steps back before he thought about running.
"Nobody is coming." A voice said to him.
As the guard turned around, he received a kick that sent him stumbling back before Yukime rushed him in. The daughter of Tannin made quick work of the Asgardian warrior as she broke his right arm and slammed him to the ground.
The guard screamed in pain as he tried to get up.
"Shhhh, go to sleep now." The hybrid Yuki-Onna said as she slammed her feet into the face of the guard.
The man was quickly left out of the fight as his face got buried into the ground.
"That was brutal. You think he's dead?" Kuroka asked as she came out of her hiding spot.
"No, his skull is much harder than that of a human. He will have a bad headache when he gets up, but he'll be fine. Don't hold too much with these Asgardians. Just make sure not to kill them." Yukime said before she touched her communicator. "Done. We got control over the island."
"Got it. Let's move on with this." Tiamat said.
Midg POV.
The dragon awoke on the floor of his "home," feeling dizzy. His body ached as he was still covered in injuries from his previous fight against Odin and his forces. As he tried to catch his breath, the memories of that day came rushing into his mind.
"Midg? Can you hear me?" A voice called out to him.
The dragon looked around and found several sets of eyes on him, some he knew, and others were unknown to him. His family was also there, but they all looked concerned about him.
"Tiamat?" Midg said as he tried to sit up.
"Easy there, Mr. Midgardsomr. I'll try to heal some of these injuries, so try not to move." A young blonde girl said as she put her hand on his injuries.
The dragon watched as a green light started to heal many of his injuries. "Thanks." Midg turned his face back to Tiamat. "What is happening? Where's Odin?"
"Likely engaging my mate in battle as we speak, the alliance is here to rescue a few people, including you, old friend. I need you to hear me, so pay attention." Tiamat said.
Midg saw the severe expressions on his brides' and descendants' faces. His nine kids were all older teens who didn't get to enjoy many connections as they were forced to live isolated on this small island due to Odin's orders. "I'm listening."
"A mission is taking place right now. Two teams are working in Asgard as we speak. Ddraig's team is drawing all the attention away from Asgard's capital and other parts. My team will infiltrate the capital and rescue Thor, his family, Rossweisse's teammates, and Ymir. I need you to take your family and Fafnir to the surface. A second team will come on a train in 10-15 minutes. Use this beacon and get on the train as soon as it gets close enough. Stay on the train, and we can discuss the rest once we leave this place." Tiamat said as she presented a small device to him. "Press the red button, and they'll know where you are."
"Tiamat, this is a lot to take in," Midg said as he held the device.
"Hard times required hard choices, Midg. We know that Odin threatened you to come here alongside your family. There was nothing we could have done back then, but now there might be a place where all of us dragons can live together as an actual faction." Tannin says as he approaches Midg. The helmet around his head retracts to show his face. "A lot is happening, but we can overcome anything together, like when we were much younger. Your brides and kids won't be threatened by Odin anymore in Shangri-La."
"Shangri-La?" Midg says.
"My city and nation. A place in which we won't feel threatened. I just need you to take them to that train. Also, keep an eye on Fafnir. We can't have him causing problems for the rest." Tiamat points her finger at Rossweisse, who's working on releasing the perverted dragon from his prison crystal.
Once the crystal breaks, his body falls to the floor with a loud sound. Fafnir's human form resembles a good-looking, tanned guy with short golden hair in his early 30s. A trimmed beard adorned his face.
He was the classic chick magnet that wouldn't settle down anytime soon.
"Done, Tiamat. We should move on with the mission." Rossweisse said as she stood up. The magic circle that was once on the floor disappeared.
Mini Gaia, resting on her shoulder, awoke after being asleep. "The train is getting closer to Asgard. Tiamat, your team needs to move on with the mission."
"Mom?" Midg tried to speak with Mini Gaia.
"Not the time, Midg. Ymir is my biggest concern right now. Come to earth when the mission is over. I like to meet the children when things settle down." Mini Gaia said.
"Right…" Midg turns to his brides. "Are you okay with this?"
"We hate this place, so moving to greener pastures will do us good, honey." Mira said.
"The kids need social interactions outside themselves. Tannin's kids will likely help with that." Fara joined in.
"Fish and sea monsters won't be our main diet if we follow them. I like a bigger kitchen as well." Eika said as she turned to the kids. "Get your things ready. We're moving out once more. Hopefully, for the last time."
"Sweet. Maybe get my own room." Said the oldest daughter.
"I want one as well. Sharing with Regis is a bore." Said the youngest son.
Each of Midg's kids seemed excited about the prospect of a new home.
"They seemed to have chosen for me," Midg said as his two nephews approached him. The wolves, Hati and Skoll, were the size of normal dogs now. He had raised them like his own children, but he knew they missed their parents. "Maybe it is time for a reunion. Tia, I'll follow your lead." Midg said as he patted the wolves.
"Good. I leave you the rest. Be on that train and stay there at all coasts. Don't leave the train unless it is indispensable." Tiamat ordered.
"We know. Thanks for your help, Tiamat-sama." Mira said.
The whole family bows to their rescuers.
"It was our pleasure. Evade the guards and avoid any fights. We'll see you once everything is over." Tannin said.
Tiamat's group says their goodbyes and exits the home.
Midg and his family watch from the nearest window as the group takes off toward the continent above.
"They are brave. Even two young girls are joining them in this mission." Mira says.
"Those girls are not ordinary. One had the scent of a youkai, and the other had an aura similar to that of an exorcist. She also healed most of your wounds." Eika said as she inspected Midg's torso.
"We need to move. That train is our exit out of this cage. Kids, move along. I want everyone out in 3 minutes." Fara says as she starts moving.
"Yeah." Midg turns his face towards Fafnir. "Get up, my dumb lustful friend. We have a train to catch."
"Five minutes, my body aches," Fafnir says as he recovers his conscience.
"You have one minute, or I'll let Skoll and Hati chew your arms," Midg says.
The two wolves turn to the dragon with hungry faces. "Food? Dragon Steak?"
Fafnir quickly gets up as he feels threatened by the wolves. "I'm not food."
Midg smirks as he joins the rest and prepares for the departure.
Tiamat POV.
With Tiamat at the lead, the group advances towards the floating continent with a clear path in mind. As they flew and got closer to the continent, the screams and sounds of explosions became much clearer.
The fight had already begun, and everyone knew exactly what it meant.
"He's fighting Odin. Is he and the rest going to be alright?" Asia asked.
"They know what to do, and he won't allow anything to happen to them. He can't lose. He won't allow himself to fall in battle." Yukime said as she kept her hidden face focused on the path forward.
"But he died once and can't use "Infinity." So it is normal to be worried about him." Kuroka argues.
"Keep your mind focused on the mission. That's an order. Ignore Ddraig and the fights taking place over there. Distractions won't help us now. I need my team on track. So please block the fight out of your minds. We have our task, and he has his. Trust him as I do, and everything will be fine." Tiamat said.
Every other group member could see she was worried about him but decided against letting it get the best of her. None could argue against her since Tiamat had experienced his death once, yet she trusted her mate.
She believed in the Welsh Dragon and that he would be victorious against the one-eye Asgardian god.
"Listen to her, Youngsters. The mission is far more important now. Ddraig will be fine. So stop worrying." Mini Gaia said.
The group couldn't argue against Gaia either, so they decided to keep their worries to the side for now. The group continued to fly until the noses of several members detected the scent of mining equipment.
"Stop. I think we're close to the target area. Rossweisse, is this the area?" Tiamat asked.
"Likely. We just need to find the airways that usually exist in any mining operation in Asgard. Each mining site has an artificial tunnel that connects to the outside. These tunnels allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged much more easily. Those tunnels are not big enough for someone to enter or exit the site, but we can make an entrance for ourselves if we find the right one based on the scent of the minerals. Tiamat, Tannin, or even Yukime-san can find the exact one." Rossweisse says as she removes one of her earrings. "This is pure Mythril. My parents gave me these years ago when I entered the Valkyrie Academy. So go ahead and take in the scent."
The three members approached her and took in the scent. The scent was almost unnoticeable to normal noses, but it was easy to tell to the dragons and Tannin's daughter.
Once they had the scent, the trio took different directions as they followed the smell. Each inspected a separate area, tracking the exact point at which most of the precious mineral could be found. The three meet in a specific area of interest in less than a minute.
"Here," Tannin said as he charged a beam inside his mouth and blasted the area with his flames.
Several pieces of rock and debris fell to the ocean as Tannin made a path for them to invade the mining area. It took barely 1 minute for him to reach the main mining site with his flames.
"Everyone inside. This is likely going to draw attention. We have no time to waste around." Tannin said as he waved his hand.
The team entered the entrance Tannin had made for them and continued to fly at full speed. As they traversed the tunnel, they found the pale bluish mineral on the walls and many pieces of equipment that had been left for later usage by the miners.
From pikes to drills and even security measures such as oxygen tanks, the group could see that this was not an amateur operation but a professional site of work that had been active for many generations.
As they moved deeper into the area, they saw more equipment until Rossweisse's eyes caught the next checkpoint for them.
"There, the hatch to the surface," Rossweisse said as she saw the area that would be the passage between the underground to the surface.
"Classic; I see no elevator." Kuroka said as they approached the area.
"We didn't need it to begin with," Tannin said as he charged another attack and blasted the security doors that prevented someone from accidentally falling into the elevator mechanisms below.
With the path open, the group invaded the dark elevator hatch and flew upwards with Tiamat still at the lead. The hatch was tight, and their wings scraped the sides, but none stopped.
The mission needed to continue. There was no time for minor inconveniences, such as being unable to spread their wings to the fullest.
Suddenly, the group heard what seemed to be the elevator mechanism coming into motion.
"Shit. Someone is coming down." Kuroka said.
"What should we do?" Asia asks.
"We're going to pierce it," Tiamat said.
"But what about those coming down?" Rossweisse asked.
"Be at ease, Rossweisse. None of them is dying. Kuroka, get ready. You and I are doing this. Everyone else, ensure your masks are tight around your mouths and noses." Tiamat says as she extends her claws.
Guards POV.
"The system must be going crazy." One dwarf said as he descended with his teammate.
"Hey, Asgard is under attack. Maybe it is a false alarm, but we have to check. Our task is to guard the mines. We just go down, check, and come back. Nothing more and nothing less." The other dwarf said.
The elevator continued to descend towards the Mithril mining site until both dwarfs saw how a pair of claws pierced the elevator floor.
"Kuroka now!" A voice screamed as the claws pulled away.
Unknown to them, a large amount of colorless sleeping gas invaded the small elevator, and before long, both fell unconscious.
The claws came back and finished the job as they created a hole for everyone to enter the elevator.
The first to come in was Tiamat, who quickly made another hole in the ceiling of the elevator before she exited through the same hole. "Next!"
Kuroka followed suit, and so did the rest of the team in an orderly fashion, leaving the dwarfs alone inside the damaged elevator.
Neither of the dwarfs woke up until at least an hour later with visible confusion at the two holes in the elevator.
General POV.
"I applaud your quick thinking, Tiamat-san," Rossweisse said as they left the elevator behind and continued forward.
"I'm the team leader for a reason. Let's reach the surface." Tiamat says as she leads them toward the surface.
Before long, the group reached the top of the elevator hatch, with another set of doors preventing them from reaching the outside. Tiamat used her claws to cut the doors down, which allowed them access to the surface.
After exiting the tight space of the elevator hatch, the group found themselves in a small underground area similar to a subway station.
"The exit is that way, up those stairs. From here on out, we need to be extra careful. One wrong step and our mission will be a failure. I'll guide us to the Aesir gods' main residence." Rossweisse said as she started to walk forward with visible tension.
The group went up the stairs until they reached the ground level of Asgard's capital. They were on one of the main streets with several houses and buildings surrounding them. The capital's architecture made Tiamat and Tannin remember European cities, such as Stockholm in Sweden, with a much ancient charm. The stores possess signs written in runes, and one can see that the night lamps contain unnatural golden flames.
Not a single soul was in sight, even though a titanic dragon had just attacked them.
"No time to admire my old home. Follow me while nobody is around." Rossweisse said as she ran towards an alleyway. "From what I can see, mostly everyone is out of the city, and those that remain are asleep or guarding specific spots. That also puts us in danger as Tyr, Freyr, and Freyja-sama guard the city. Vidar-sama is bound to follow Odin, while Baldur-sama will stay put in the castle."
"What about Frigg? Will she join the rest in guarding the city and castle?" Tannin asks.
"Frigg-sama is asleep as we speak and has been for the past 1000 years. She drained herself, trying to help Odin-sama to increase the protection seals around the realm. There's a tale that says that Odin-sama placed several seals around the realm in hidden places to prevent Surtr from invading Asgard. I don't know if this is real, but it does make sense that Surtr has not invaded Asgard to this day." Rossweisse explains.
"What would happen if someone were to attack the seals?" Kuroka asks.
"Hell. Our school taught us that Surtr would come to Asgard as soon as he saw the chance. Surtr is the brother of Ymir-sama, and he likely holds a grudge against the realm that sided with the ones that slayed Ymir. Gaia-sama, how accurate would this be?" Rossweisse asks the goddess on her shoulder.
"Highly possible. From what I got from Sirzechs, Surtr Secundus, his first rook, is the son of Surtr, and Surtr created him after he separated his hope, mercy, and positive side from his main body. Secundus is his son but also Surtr's clone. He holds hope while his main body is consumed by rage and a grudge against Asgard. I haven't spoken to Surtr in a long while, and he hasn't reached out either, which only proves my fears. Surtr won't stop until we can prove to him that Ymir is alive, but even if we did, I doubt that he would stop. Let's hope the alliance never has to face Surtr in that state. His blade can cut planets in half, and his flames resemble Shiva's destructive powers. In terms of power, he sits right below Shiva. The flame that once gave life now can give only destruction." Gaia explains.
The group gulps.
"Let's evade a confrontation with the primordial flame. We're here for a rescue mission and nothing more." Tannin says.
"Right." The rest of the group joins in.
"Anyways, Baldur-sama won't be a problem if we meet him as he's not a fighter, but the Valkyries around him won't doubt in killing us. At no point should anyone attack Baldur-sama." Rossweisse continues.
"The messiah of the Asgardians. Is he that peaceful?" Yukime asks.
"I don't know about the messiah from heaven, but Baldur-sama is the closest thing to a perfect being. Just being near him makes anyone feel shame at even daring to look at him with malicious intentions. If Odin was to die one day, everyone, including Thor, believes that Badlur should lead Asgard. Baldur is reasonable and a proactive leader. While Odin-sama governs from the throne, Baldur-sama is in the fields and streets working with the denizens of Asgard. Baldur-sama, alongside Vidar-sama, are in charge of most of the minor problems of Asgard. Food, economy, legal disputes; most fall into their hands." Rossweisse continues.
"What about Vidar? What can you say about him?" Tiamat joins in.
"Proud general that sits as the youngest remaining brother. After Hod-sama died in the last war, Vidar-sama became the youngest son of the official sons of Odin. Instead of being the one that needs to be protected, he acts as the one that wants to keep everyone else safe. If Thor is the war hero, and Baldur is the leader in times of peace, Vidar is the general that balances both. He's very protective over Asgard and his family, but this also means that he doesn't have the guts to face Odin like Baldur. When Odin forced the operation on my team and me, Thor-sama was the only one that believed us. Baldur-sama and Vidar-sama evaded our pleas while Thor-sama took our side and faced Odin. Neither wanted to accept that Odin would use his allies as lab rats, nor could they believe that Ymir was trapped within a lab. Maybe they knew it to be true, but none had the guts to face Odin." Rossweisse said with a sad tone.
The rest of the team felt sad for the girl. Someone using their status to force their followers into cruel situations is not something the alliance members didn't lack experience in. Kuroka, the devils under Diadora, the church, and Kokabiel; the alliance had many stories to tell about these cases, and Rossweisse was adding one more to the list.
"Anyways, we have other things to think about. Here we are, the residence of the Aesir gods." Rossweisse said as she stopped near the alleyway entrance, looking at the main gate into the massive castle complex.
"Mother Gaia," Asia said as she saw the large gates.
"How can we climb that?" Kuroka asked.
"We won't. Yukime is your turn again. Can you do it?" Tiamat asks.
"It's going to drain me, but I can do it. Dad, be ready to carry me for at least 5 minutes. I'm going to push my abilities to the max. I'll get us as deep as possible, but we'll have to take different paths at one point. Thor and his family are in the cells, and Ymir is in the lab of Odin. We can't continue together for a while." Yukime said.
"Rossweisse, Kuroka, and I will go to the lab, Tannin, Yukime, and Asia will go for Thor. Once you have Thor and the rest, make your way outside any way you can. Forget about us and escape the castle. We will do the same. Use the beacons to join Shiva and rest." Tiamat said.
Rossweisse turns to Asia. "Here is a map that will lead you to the cells. Be careful and avoid as many fights as possible."
Asia takes the map and reads it for a few moments. The path is hard, but the girl records every detail in her mind. "I got it. Be careful. We have to keep our eyes open for Loki. We have orders not to engage him unless the situation is unavoidable."
"Right. I hope I don't have to use any of the tools given to me." Rossweisse says as she touches the blue lantern hanging from her belt. She also pats the coffin-like bag hanging from her back.
"Alright, everyone, gather up. We're going in." Yukime takes the lead. She touches everyone's head, and a small symbol appears on their heads. "Stay close to me. Kuroka, use your charms to make our sounds unhearable to others."
"Got it," Kuroka says as she forms her magic circles.
After all the preparations are done, the group stands before the gate.
A clear path ahead stood before them. It was reasonable to be scared, but none dared to turn back.
Without saying a word, the group rushed forward to meet their fate.
Meanwhile, Shiva's POV.
Inside the train that would lead them to Asgard, a large group stood seated in their seats as they listened to their leader.
"We come from many backgrounds. A range of ages separates us. Some are barely eight years old, while I'm the oldest amongst us." Shiva said.
Many smirked at his words, for he only looked like a middle schooler.
"Some of us are angels, fallen angels, devils, humans, descendants of dragons, and even members of the golden race, but none of that mattered as we came together under one symbol. Under similar values. Under the hope of peace and union. We share many differences, but we are united to achieve those goals. I don't stand here as your god but as one of the leaders of this mission. This is not a war mission but one to rescue our allies in Asgard. I asked that you prevent any deaths on the side of Asgard unless it is entirely unavoidable. We are all coming back in one piece from this. I won't accept the death of any of you. All of you know your missions and tasks, so do your best to achieve them. If you need help, ask for it and help those around you." Shiva says as he looks at each of them.
The train had several cars, and his voice was getting transmitted to each car alongside a hologram of his face.
The alliance members held their weapons and tools with faces lacking doubt or fear.
Each one knew what they needed to do and how to approach it.
Even Typhon, who had joined the mission as a member for emergencies, seemed calm as he kept his eyes closed.
"We're two minutes away from the gate. Please be ready for the wild movements of the train. Gravity will be turned off to ease the impact of some of the maneuvers. Please tighten your seatbelts. Gasper Welsh and Valerie Welsh, be ready to act when the time comes." The voice of Eury alerted them to the incoming chaos.
"You hear her. The time has come. Remember my words as we entered enemy territory." Shiva said as he turned around and exited the car.
As he entered the new train car, his eyes met Athena, Tosca, Le Fay, Elaine, Gasper, and Valerie, who sat around a floating orb.
"Are you ready for this?" Shiva asked the four.
Everyone nods.
"Gasper, use the orb for your time ability; Limit the time shifts between 10 and 15 seconds with intervals of up to 1 minute; if you feel like you're reaching your limit, stop and take a break. Don't abuse it." Shiva said.
"Understood," Gasper said.
"Valerie, use that ghostly melody for the whole mission if possible. Limit your healing ability to the gravest injuries. Other healers can take care of minor injuries. Gasper might need your help, so stay next to him. Don't come out of the train." Shiva said.
The ghost next to Valerie gave him a thumbs up as it prepared its melody.
"Understood, sir." Valerie said as she held Gasper's right hand.
Shiva then turns to Athena and the rest. "Protect this train and its passengers. We need it to get out. If it is necessary, let Typhon "play" outside the train. Hopefully, he remembers self-control."
"Hopefully, he won't need to join the battlefield," Athena says as she takes a deep breath. "Is time."
"It is," Shiva says as the sounds of explosions reach his ears.
*S_TEAM- Hiroyuki Sawano feat Eliana*
As the team looked out their windows, they saw the open plains of Asgard around them.
They had finally arrived at the home of the Aesir.
Now there was no turning back for them.
General POV.
In the back of the train's last car, Typhon smirked as the sound of explosions reached his ears.
"Be ready for what is outside. If you need my help, give me a call. I'll see what Asgard has to offer me."
Every alliance member nods at him. From Sirzechs to even his rook Secundus.
Even if he was a battle maniac, he was still their ally.
Secundus, a tall man with long strands of flaming orange hair and charred skin, took a deep breath as the land his father was destined to destroy came into view.
The reincarnated devil touched his imperfect heart as he feared the sensation on his chest. "Will Asgard fall on this night?"
Only the future will tell.