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
Story A:
Location: Forest of familiars. General POV.
Our story continues under the full moon, within the famous forest filled with many possible familiars for devils to choose from. It had been barely four days since he woke up, but Ddraig was back in business.
"Keep your power down, Tosca. We don't want to attract other demonic beasts or make them run in panic. We're just looking for the Albino." Ddraig said as he led his daughter through the dense forest.
"Got it. By the way, just how did you get the chance for us to come into the forest? Don't devils always fight over the chances of coming to get familiars?" Tosca asked her father as she took another look at the photo of her target. The beast was like a Honey Badger but completely white with golden eyes. It was a tricky beast to track down, and few were taken as familiars due to its high aggressiveness.
"Few were trying to get familiars tonight, and I did have help to convince them to give us a chance," Ddraig said.
"Serafall?" Tosca questions her father.
"No, the leader of the Phenex clan and the next head helped me. It seems that Riser Phenex was scheduled to come in tonight with his peerage, but his family convinced him to move his plans to the next night. He argued, but his mother and brother made him accept the change. He seems afraid to disobey either of them, especially his older brother." The dragon explained as he detected a particular scent. "We're close."
Tosca sniffs the air and detects a scent that resembles the combination of honey plus blood. "... Honey?"
"Some insects resemble bees, but I wouldn't recommend them as familiars unless you seek to profit from the Honey business… but you would also need a large area to allow it to create a hive, and it would take time for a normal "bee" beast to change into a "queen bee" beast. Our target is a Honey Badger on steroids, so expect similarities." Ddraig said as he followed the scent. "I'm surprised you accepted the Albino as the pet candidate."
"Well, it wasn't the cutest thing when I began researching it, but I grew to like it—tough skin, not a picky eater, and fairly strong combat capacity. It seemed like a no-brainer for a pet for someone like me. I wasn't expecting to get a cute pet, to begin with."
"I wouldn't take you for one to choose a cute pet. I remember when I offered to buy a doll for you and Valerie. Valerie loved the proposition, but you rejected it and asked me to buy you a sword or some kind of weapon. You're a tomboy, and I accept that. Heck knowing my luck, your future sisters might be the same." The dragon jokes.
"So that means my younger future brothers will be feminine?" Tosca questions her father.
"Who knows? I won't see a problem with that. They will be my children, and that's all that matters. No matter their preferences, they will be my beloved children until the end." Ddraig said.
"So you wouldn't have anything against who I choose as a partner in the future?" Tosca asks as her curiosity gets the best of her.
Silence engulfs the area as Ddraig stops walking.
"Tosca."
"Yes?"
"Wait until you're at least 16 to ask me that question. There won't be any such talks until then. I won't allow Isaiah-"
"Who said anything about him?" The young dragoness hides her face as she tries to evade her father's eyes.
"Oh, don't try that strategy with me, young lady. I know. You two better wait until you're at the right age to ask for my blessing." Ddraig claims while holding his laughter back. "I'll be surprised if either of you chooses to be with someone else in the future."
Tosca continued forward, trying not to face Ddraig until her instincts told her to stop. The creature's bloodlust was directed at her from within the bushes on her left. She heard the growling sounds as the creature got closer to her.
"Tosca, stop; something dangerous is coming closer to us," Ddraig said as he extended his tail and dragged Tosca closer.
"Don't you trust me?" Tosca asked as her father released her.
"I do trust you, but I'm still your parent. Now, eyes open. That thing is getting closer. No killing." Ddraig says as his tail awaits the mysterious creature.
From the bushes, a small ball of red fur comes out. Two black horns pointed forward, and three black eyes were focused on them.
"A rabbit?" Tosca asks as she sees the creature.
"No, that's-" Ddraig is interrupted as the demonic "Rabbit" rushes forward and tries to bite his tail off. The Welsh Dragon quickly smacks the beast away as he keeps it away from his daughter and himself. "I present the "Accursed Leporidae or just the devil's rabbite. This "bunny" is one of those beasts that targets everything it believes it can devour."
"Is a rabbit! Why is such a thing so dangerous?" Tosca asks.
"Wait, and you'll see," Ddraig says as he focuses on the beast.
The beast stands up and bears its bloody jaws at Ddraig before its size increases.
"Old man, that thing just grew in size," Tosca says as her eyes grow in surprise.
"Its nickname as the devil's rabbite is not just for show. It is a bloodthirsty beast that hunts anything that it can. Its size will grow to try to match its target strength. I will knock it out, so stay close. We have no time-" Ddraig didn't get to finish as a new participant showed up.
From within the bushes on the other side, a white creature jumped into the back of the "rabbit" and started biting its prey with its sharp fangs. Its claws dug deep into the body of the "rabbit," making it cry in pain.
Tosca analyzes the shape and appearance of the newest beast. It had four eyes, or it used to because a large scar covered one of them. Its fur was white as the snow and seemed metallic in appearance. But with all that Tosca knew, she had found her target. "There it is."
"It seemed that it came to fight the rabbite over its territory, or maybe it was hungry. Let's watch over these two and wait for the final development." Ddraig said as he gave the beasts space to resolve the conflict.
The beasts continue to fight for at least ten minutes, in which the "rabbit" grows in size, and its shape becomes much more grotesque as it continues to fight the "badger." Its claws and sharp fangs tried to pierce the heavy coat of the badger, but its attempts became fruitless as the "badger" proved its ferocity by pushing its opponent to the edge, even if the "bunny" had become much bigger in size.
The fight ended as the "rabbit" felt it had no opportunity to defeat the badger and ran away from the "badger" with all the speed it could muster. A trail of blood was left on its retreat, and one would have expected the "badger" to chase after it, but its eyes turned to Ddraig and Tosca.
"Well, it seems that it is your turn. Fight the Albino and prove your supremacy over it. It won't be easy, but you'll gain its respect if you win. After you win, offer the food and wait for the best." Ddraig said as he took a seat on a rock nearby.
"You seemed too calm for a father letting his daughter face a dangerous creature like this," Tosca said as she took a fighting stance. Tosca summoned her armor for protection, but her tail remained in its base form to not kill the Albino by mistake.
"I trust you, but you shall pay attention. This will be a fight for the ages." Ddraig said with a smile.
"What do you-" Tosca stopped talking as she felt her tail getting bitten by the Albino, which tried to chew it into pieces. "That hurts!"
"You got this, Tosca," Ddraig said as he created a magical circle to make a call. "Tia?"
"How's it going, dear?" Tiamat asks on the other side of the line.
"We found the Albino, and Tosca is fighting it as we speak."
"Let go of my tail!" Tosca screamed as she tried to take the badger down.
"That sounds just like I expected. Tosca will have a long fight ahead of her, but we must trust her. This event is just one of the many challenges she'll have to face." Tia said as she heard her daughter's screams.
"You won't defeat me!" Tosca growled as she continued to fight the beast.
"You got this, sweetheart!" Tia screamed.
"What an odd family we are," Ddraig told himself as he watched over his daughter.
Two hours later.
The badger and dragoness watched each other as they moved in a circle. Each had fought fiercely, but none seemed willing to bend the knee. Although Tosca had held back so as not to kill the badger by mistake, she had to admit that there were many chances in which the badger got the best of her.
The jaws of the badger were impressive as they produced a bite close to hers in strength. Its claws were sharp, like the best daggers in the supernatural world, and its reflexes were impressive. Considering all of this, anyone could see that the badger was a veteran beast that had fought for years against other beasts for food and territory. Only a true survivor within the cruel world of demonic beasts could reach such heights.
"You're a female, aren't you? That fierce determination and bloodlust is impressive. I like you, but I won't admit defeat." Tosca said as her instincts grew in strength. Her true power flared up without really noticing it as she felt the need to defeat the opponent before her.
The badger didn't back down even after feeling the power of her adversary. She had never felt fear as she had fought against her siblings for survival since birth. A Demonic Albino like only knew how to push forward until her objective was accomplished.
Ddraig watched the pair in awe at their interaction as he applauded the determination of each side. "It was the right choice for a pet, others would be running to get away from the immediate area, but the Albino is standing its ground." The Welsh Dragon also detected other presences getting closer as they felt the power of Tosca. Still, he quickly prevented any from getting closer as he released just an inch of his power to advise any other beast from getting closer. "Do it, Tosca. Defeat it and make it your ally!"
The next moments happened in a flash as Tosca closed the distance and went all out against the badger. Her pouches, kicks, and slashes pushed the beast against the rope as the difference in power became much broader. Blood spilled in all directions as the Albino was utterly defeated by Tosca, which bore its own fangs against it.
The Albino's small shape barely stood up from its position near a broken rock as it glared at Tosca. It knew it couldn't match Tosca, yet it stood up until the very end. Fear wasn't part of its core as it was a small package full of suicidal determination.
"That's nice; I like those eyes. I like you. So I will offer this." Tosca's right hand reached into her dimensional storage and pulled out a bloody piece of meat. The bait was the best quality meat, and she offered it to the badger.
Its scent quickly attracted the nose of the badger.
"I want you to be my ally, stay beside me, and I'll treat you well. Join me; I'll accept nothing else." Tosca's deepest desires came to the surface. Like any dragon, she was showing the nastier side of her greed.
The badger felt threatened as Tosca maintained her eyes on her every movement, but the temptation was getting the best of her. The scent of the meat and the threatening proposition was a deadly combination. A proposition that the Albino saw as a hard one to object to, not because of fear but because of what she would gain.
Tosca had gained the fight, which also set the balance to her side, and the meat was the sealing deal—respecting the strength of thy adversary and an offering of peace, such things that meant more than most other things within the world of the supernatural beasts.
With no other way out, the badger approached the meat and ate all of it without a sign of fear towards Tosca. Its eyes remained focused on Tosca at all moments, and once there was no meat left, it waited for Tosca to make her move.
The dragoness smiled as she approached the badger. Her hand reached out again into her storage and took out some bandages to treat the injured beast. "You did great. I'm sorry I injured you, but I hope we are good friends from now on. What should I name you? Vivi?"
The badger growled at her.
"No? white?"
The badger continued to growl.
"Not that one? You're picky. Your scar, you lost one of your eyes. Three eyes…."
"What about Tressa? It means third." Her father says while he watches her.
"Tressa? What do you think?" Tosca asks the badger.
The badger doesn't growl this time. It remains silent as Tosca continues to treat its injuries.
"Tressa it is then. Good girl." Tosca pats the head of her newest friend after she's done with the bandages, only to gain a bite from Tressa. "Ouch! You're one feisty beast."
Tressa quickly moves and climbs on top of Tosca's head. The badger might have admitted defeat but wasn't willing to let Tosca rule its life as she pleased. Tressa believes herself to be the boss of this "partnership" even if she is the weaker of the two.
"Hey, get down, Tressa. My head is no chair for you." Tosca grabbed the badger with her hands. The badger fought back for a few moments within the arms of Tosca until it settled down. "You small diva. Who told you to sit on top of my head?" Tosca smiled as she played with Tressa. The feisty fur ball tried to bite her owner's fingers while Tosca laughed at her actions.
The young dragoness turned her eyes toward her father and smiled at him as she presented the badger as hers. "I did it, old man."
"I know. You must remember that Tressa is now your responsibility. You will be in charge of her needs, and I expect you don't give Raynare any more tasks. As I care for Ascalon and its bloody needs, you must also care for Tressa." Ddraig said as he approached his daughter with a calm expression.
"I know." Tosca then turns to Tressa and lifts her up. "We're going to be together for a long time."
"Likely five centuries or more. Demonic beasts tend to live on for far longer than most animals." Ddraig told himself as he patted Tressa's head.
She bit his hand as expected, but the dragon showed no pain.
"Feisty little fellow. Well, we should go. Your mother and everyone else must be worried. It is past your sleeping hour." Ddraig said as he started to make his way toward the forest exit.
"I wished you wouldn't be so fatherly regarding my sleeping schedule."
"Hey, you're the one that has school tomorrow, and if I remember well, you tend to miss four out of your nine wake-up alarms. When you turn 14, we can discuss the sleeping schedule; until then, you follow the rules like everyone else." Ddraig said.
Tressa closed her eyes as she listened to the duo. Its mind felt tired after the long fight against its new owner. This forest had been her home for a long time, but saying goodbye didn't feel sad or depressing.
Demonic Albinos were solitary creatures, so they had no attachments to previous mates or their descendants. Each one chose its path, and now hers would follow Tosca's.
Story B:
The sound of an early alarm awoke Tressa in the room's darkness. Her ears found the sound annoying, but after a week and several days, she had grown accustomed to what she should do to stop it.
The badger got up from its comfy bed and made its way in the darkness toward its owner's bed. The badger jumped on top of the bed and approached Tosca's head.
Once she was close, Tressa smacked her owner a few times to wake her up.
"Ouch, Tressa, five more minutes." Tosca tried to go back to the land of dreams.
Tressa wouldn't allow such a thing, so she moved down until she found Tosca's tail. The badger took aim and went on the attack.
The reaction was immediate as Tosca cried in pain. "I'm awake; stop it! Tressa!"
The badger continued to chew on the tail for 30 seconds until she confirmed that her owner was standing up. Once their eyes met, Tressa let go and returned to her own bed.
"Stupid alarm," Tosca said as she turned the alarm off before turning the lights on.
The dragoness looked at the timer and gathered the needed items for the bathroom. "See you in an hour."
Tressa didn't react as she went back to sleep.
An hour later.
Tressa awoke to the sound of her owner finishing preparing for school. The badger took a few seconds to look at her before she approached the door.
Although its small stature would normally prevent other animals from making their way out, Tressa had no problems as she jumped and opened the door.
"I'll be there in a second, Tressa," Tosca said as she finished gathering her things.
The badger began to walk through its owner's home as if it was hers.
"Good morning, Tressa," Gasper told the badger as he exited the bathroom. The ghostly shape of his mother chased after him as it helped him dry his hair.
The badger made a slight sound to respond to him before she continued to the kitchen.
"Morning, Tressa. Want to try some bacon?" Rayanare asked the badger as she felt its presence.
"Don't give her too many threats. It will be bad for her in the long run." Elaine said.
The badger stopped by her bowl and patiently waited for the delicious piece of meat.
"Roygun, place two pieces in her bowl. Tosca will give her a true meal in a bit." Rayanare ordered the newest maid of the home.
"As you order." Roygun took the bacon and placed it in the bowl. "Enjoy." The former rating game star seemed surprised by the ease with which the badger adapted to its new home, although she wasn't a devil's familiar.
Tressa ate the bacon in a flash before it drank some water. Its eyes turned to the hallway in search of Tosca, which arrived shortly after and went straight into taking care of feeding her.
"Special mix for demonic beasts—all the nutrients your partner needs. I'm grateful for the devils and their inventions." Tosca said as she read the box.
Tressa ate her breakfast in peace. The taste was unique, but in a good way, as the badger ate every piece until nothing remained. Once she was done, Tressa looked around and began to observe the daily lives of her owner's family.
Today, the kids woke up on time alongside three of the four "maids." Her owner's parents were nowhere to be seen alongside the remaining adults, but the badger expected their apparition soon.
The children seemed happy and healthy as they
"Tosca, do you think we should keep bringing Tressa into school? Shouldn't she stay here and wait for us?" Valerie asked her friend as they finished their breakfasts.
"As long as no humans see her, I feel there's no need for that. Tressa likes to patrol around the school, and it is good that she stays active while I'm not with her." Tosca said as she took some threats for Tressa and placed them in her dimensional storage.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late. Too many documents." Cleria Belial rushed into the kitchen while holding a large suitcase. The principal of Kuoh Academy seemed to have no rest these days as she ran an academy in a year when humans were still accepting the supernatural.
"Here's your breakfast and lunch. Here's some coffee and green tea for later. If you need more, let us know." Elaine said as she gave the containers to Cleria.
"Thanks. I'll see all of you later." Cleria disappeared as a small magic circle transported her to school. Although she lacked many of her powers, she was finally regaining some of them.
"... Is still weird that the school's principal is living with us." Le Fay said as she finished her breakfast.
"Nothing is typical in this house or our lives. We're far from a normal family. Shall we go?" Asia asked the others.
The remaining youngsters nodded.
"Be safe. We'll see you later. Le Fay, take care." Elaine said as she began to give everyone their bentos.
"Thanks." The youngsters said as they began to make their way out of their home.
Tressa barked at the maids before following Tosca and the others.
"Keep an eye on them, Tressa," Rayanare said as they departed.
Ddraig's POV. A few minutes later.
The Welsh Dragon and the remaining adults made their way to the kitchen alongside the last of the maids. He carried a very sleepy Kuroka over his shoulder, which he carefully placed on the couch before returning to the others.
Aurora quickly approached the other maids before she bowed to them. "I apologize for being late." Her tone held a hint of cheeky insanity.
"You're still training. You'll get better. Master has high expectations, after all." Rayanare said while keeping a calm yet authoritative tone with Aurora. She knew it was her responsibility to make her an appropriate maid.
The Welsh Dragon appreciated her efforts, although he imagined Aurora wouldn't listen if he didn't hold the "chain." Even now, his power flew from the tip of his finger into the collar around her neck to keep a hold of her rebellious and dangerous attitude.
"Let's sit down and eat before the food turns cold," Tiamat said as she led her mate to the table.
"Give us some coffee, please," Ereshkigal said as she followed them.
"One for me, too," Gabriel said.
A magic circle appeared near the kitchen, and a well-known face appeared.
"Am I late for coffee?" Serafall asked.
"Join us," Ddraig said before he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
"Japan continues to adapt to the new way of life as the influence of Gaia and the Alliance becomes much more visible in many aspects of human lives. Crime percentages have dropped astronomically as the fear of divine punishment has increased while previous criminals that had escaped justice have vanished from the public eye." The presenter says.
Ereshkigal drinks from her coffee with a calm expression as she knows that this will increase the souls coming to her in one way or another.
"The national economy is still adapting to the new governmental institutions' changes as we move from the yen to a multi-realm coin. Several industries have been drastically affected, but the new government seems to be working hard to offer new options to those affected by the changes. A new form of gas and energy is expected to hit the market later this month due to the help of the Alliance."
Serafall smirks as she knows this will mean profit for devils as more contracts come their way.
"On the international front, chaos continues to take over as whole nations are broken into two by those that want to return to the surface and those that wish to remain free from godly influences. Japan is one of a small group of nations that remain on the surface of the planet, which can shortly change as more people unite under the dream of returning to the planet that they call home. There have been claims from the United Human Front regarding reclaiming the planet, but as it seems, they're nothing more than desperate claims of those who can't accept a world with limited access to weapons of any kind. Japanese experts have released the results of their research, and it seems they have been unable to create even the simplest of guns. The result will be the same as long as the materials came from Gaia."
"This was bound to be the result; hopefully, they begin to accept the status quo and focus on the Arc," Gabriel said before she took a bite from her breakfast.
Ddraig turns off the TV as he sees no need to continue to listen to it. "We should focus on us and have faith in them. They will come around. We have other things to worry about. I plan to visit the vampires' death realm with Azazel, Ajuka, Raphael, and Elmehilde to see what we can do about it today. If everything goes in our favor, we'll likely have the Carmilla Faction as our allies very soon."
"I'm close to using the bracelet to start with the creation of Shangri La. Once we have the basis, we'll be ready to start moving many of our plans into action. I'll take Kuroka, Roygun, and Aurora to help with the cleaning efforts. They'll appreciate stretching their muscles for a day." Tiamat said.
The nekomata continued to sleep while the maids seemed excited about this.
"Have you found anything while investigating the depths?" Serafall asked.
"Nothing yet. Hopefully, we don't. I don't want to find an old, forgotten weapon at the last moment." Tiamat says.
"Expect the unexpected, Tiamat. Maybe you won't find a weapon but something far more precious to the Old Satans. Enemies such as those tend to hide things even from themselves. Devil's Records have shown me a few inconsistencies with missing people. Since that civil war, several devils have been missing, and I know I have none of their souls. I doubt that other gods have them. Devils such as Ingvild Leviathan and Lilith haven't shown up in any records for centuries, meaning they are alive and hiding somewhere." Ereshkigal said.
"Ingvild and the missing sacred gear case. You think she's alive?" Ddraig asks.
"She has to be. The gear has no return to us. We only get such sacred gears back when its user passes away." Gabriel says.
"She was 18 when she went missing, based on the records—one of the few hybrids that existed within the old satan faction. She was kept in the human world for long periods, but nothing else is known. She held no title, no formal arranged marriage, no power; she was a mystery to us. The only impure daughter within the Leviathan clan, I saw her once in a dance while I was barely 14, and I vividly remember her confused face as she didn't fit within the Leviathan clan. We only know about her sacred gear thanks to you, seraphs." Serafall says.
"If we find her, we must secure and bring her to our side. Her sacred gear can pose a significant risk to us if she falls into enemy hands." Ddraig says.
"A sacred gear that can affect dragons. Do you fear it, Ddraig?" A voice calls out to him.
Everyone turns to see Ophis in her pajamas coming into the kitchen. Ouros was resting around her neck.
"I have to. Imagine if one sacred gear can force me or any other dragon to obey its will." Ddraig admits.
"You should-" Ophis is interrupted.
"No, I won't kill that girl unless she is our enemy. She's a mystery; I prefer not to take a life if she can be an ally. Killing is not the only option, Ophis." Ddraig tells his "friend."
Ophis sighs. "I won't object, but if that girl reappears and her power is as mighty as they claim, only you and Tiamat can face it. You have my blessing, and Tiamat has Great Red's; mind control won't be possible. I know; other idiots tried their luck against me and failed. Do what you must."
"Here is your breakfast-" Rayanare was interrupted as she tried to offer the breakfast to Ophis.
"Ophis, go brush your teeth," Ddraig says.
"... Damn you. You'll pay for this." The Ouroboros dragon turns around in anger and goes back to the bathroom.
"You're good. The magic of parenthood?" Serafall asks.
Ddraig shakes his head. "I just know her. Also, take a shower. Sixteen hours of gaming make you sweat."
"F*ck you," Ophis screamed.
"Anyways, Tia, we should keep this in mind. If Ingvild reappears, she will be an important target to secure or eliminate. We'll have to be ready to act when the time comes." Ddraig says.
"I know." Tiamat took a sip of her coffee.
"Hopefully, it doesn't require violence. That girl could prove to be a great ally if we can find her." Serafall said.
Everyone seemed concerned about this.
Kurkoka slowly rose from the couch, but once she saw the expressions on their faces, she went back down as not to get involved so early in such problems—a typical cat.
Location: Underworld, coordinates: unspecified.
A coffin laid sealed and forgotten away from anyone's grasp. Deep down in a cave long forgotten and kept secret from almost everyone within the clan. Unknown and forgotten, a particular hybrid continued to sleep without realizing the age she knew had passed.
Her fate was close to changing with the creation of a new city. Will she arise to become a musical diva or be tragically slain by the hands of the Enforcer? Only the future will tell.
*Eve- Don't replay the boredom*
Notes of the author:
Another chapter ends. A bit of clarification, Le Fay is indeed going to school with the rest, but she's also still studying magic alongside Elaine. This is to give her a closer resemblance to the "normal" the other younger cast members get. As of now, the only ones that aren't going to Kuoh yet include Rias, Shirone, Isaiah, Sona, and her queen, Ravel, and finally, the Bael siblings, which are bound to show up in the next few chapters. To those that expected to see Ingvild, you got your wish. Soon, you'll have your dragon diva around, enchanting more than one flying lizard.