AN: Okay, this took longer than it should have. Ugh, June seems to be a bad time for me. But July, too? Ugh… The part of the chapter that REALLY delayed this was the fight between Red and White (I'll give you all three guesses for who they are and the first two don't count). Ugh, I have a feeling that some of you will find that fight rushed, or unsatisfactory, or something, so sorry in advance, but it just did not want to be written for so long.
Another, though more recent, reason is because… another one o my cats suddenly disappeared. He was around 5 to 6 years old and he just… vanished. At first, I thought he was just hiding somewhere because of all the rain we've been getting here in Northern Arizona, but now… *sigh*. Yeah.
And lastly, I had order another art commission that was meant to be placed in this chapter, but it's taking MUCH longer than I thought. I have honestly no idea when it will be ready. Though knowing my luck I might get the revised WIP or even the final product later this week.
Let's just enjoy the chapter, ok?
From the direction of the club building rippling outward, the aura of the forced Balance Breaker was slowly fading. Based on how slowly the forced Balance Breaker was disappearing, it would still be some time before outside help could arrive, but not long before all within were mobile again.
As evident in how they began to stir. "Wh-what happened?" Momo shook her head, she, Ibara, Griselda, Sona, Tsubaki, Tsubasa, Kudelia, Tye, Milia, and Nezu all began to look around in confusion.
Serafall then caught her sister by surprise by running over and throwing her arms around Sona. "Welcome back, Sona~!" She chirped happily, while Sona blushed in embarrassment.
"Will you get off of me!?"
"It appears that Midoriya's group succeeded," Doctor Strange smiled.
"Lord Michael, what happened?" Griselda asked.
"Oh my!" Nezu gasped upon seeing all of the magicians and stray exorcises outside, along with the large hole in the roof above them caused by Ingvild and Katerea. "It seems we've missed quite a bit."
"That's one way to put it," Mizu looked over the magic holographic map of the school she made. "It looks like Izuku's group made it to the club building without much issue and saved Gasper, Chako, Ravel, and Koneko. They're on their way back, but the school building is still surrounded by the Nilrem idiots and the stray exorcists," the sakura-haired woman smiled at Griselda. "Mind helping Vali, Osanne, Yuuto, Irina, and Xenovia deal with them?"
Above the school, Ingvild and Katerea were continuing to battle with the former being at a significant advantage.
"How? How is a mongrel like you… able to match me?" Katerea panted in disbelief as she tried to catch her breath.
"You're probably just getting tired in your old age," Ingvild replied.
Katerea appeared to be on the verge of an aneurysm.
Nearby, Azazel, who had been watching the fight, smirked at Ingvild's reply. "The girl's got sass. I like her."
"You insufferable little…" Agitated, Katerea pulled out a vial that looked to have a small snake inside of it and swallowed the contents. Suddenly, Katerea began emitting even greater demonic power than before.
'What did she just ingest?' Azazel wondered.
"What did you just do?" Ingvild asked.
"Why bother telling you when you're about to die?" Katerea fired a large and powerful blast of demonic power at Ingvild.
After the blast died down, there appeared to be nothing left of Ingvild. Katerea smirked as she turned to Azazel. "You're next, Azazel!"
Azazel, though, didn't look concerned. "Wow… You're a special kind of stupid, aren't you?"
Katerea felt an eye twitch. "Mock me all you want. It will be all the sweeter when I- GRRRAAAAAHHHH!" Katerea screamed in complete agony as she suddenly felt something pierce through her stomach. She looked down and saw that a spear made of water had run her through.
"Like I said. More original villains in old comic books."
Katerea became shocked when she turned behind her to see Ingvild without a scratch on her. Ingvild was also holding a few spears of water that looked exactly the same as the one that just stabbed Katerea.
"How?!" Katerea demanded.
Ingvild waved a hand, causing one of her water spears to change shape, becoming an indistinguishable clone of her. "Neat trick, right?" The two Ingvild spoke at the same time. "I just teleported behind you and left one of these." Ingvild dispelled her water clone. "And that's not all I can do," she then molded the water into a large, snake-shaped dragon.
Katerea's eyes widened in shock as the water dragon roared at her. She recognized this power. "This is impossible!" Katerea screamed in outrage. "How can a mere mongrel like you have the Sea Serpent of the End while I don't?! It's simply impossible!"
"Last chance, Katerea," Ingvild warned. "Surrender, and I'll spare your life."
Katerea growled. "Don't you dare… Look down on me! GrrrrrrrAAAAAAH!" Katerea arms stretched and her fingers became extra arms, with the fingers on those extra arms forming new arms, all aimed at Ingvild. "I'm using a self-destruct spell on myself and I'm taking you with me!"
Ingvild shook her head in disappointment. With a wave of her hand, she surrounded herself in a thick, spherical barrier of water, one that Katerea's arms could not penetrate. Ingvild's water dragon roared in rage before it flew towards Katerea, swallowing the would-be Leviathan whole.
Katerea gagged, unable to breathe as the water compressed around her. "You really think whatever that was would make you a threat?" Ingvild asked. "I know someone far scarier than you will ever hope to be."
Ingvild then formed the water into a sword and flew right at her relative. In a swift move, Katerea's head was no longer attached to her body, the two floating harmlessly in the water dragon before it vanished, letting the head and body fall to the ground.
"If only you had surrendered when Sirzechs asked…" Ingvild expressed her regret at killing her relative.
"Not bad, kiddo," Azazel clapped. "Came up here in case you needed help, but looks like you had things handled," the Governor General then glanced down at the ground. "And it looks like the Welsh Dragon freed the dhampir boy."
"Izuku did it," Ingvild smiled. "But what was that thing Katerea swallowed?"
"If I had to guess, it might have been a snake provided by Ophis," Azazel shrugged. "Geez. They want to reclaim the thrones their ancestors had, yet they're relying on the power of someone else to do it."
"Indeed."
Azazel and Ingvild blinked in surprise looking up. Floating a few feet above them was a man adorned in foreboding black armor and a fur-shouldered black cloak flowing behind. He had respectable-length brown hair matching his eyes though the right was often covered by its tangled nature. He appeared to be calm, though the killing intent was obvious.
"However, it is a necessary sacrifice to achieve our goal," the new arrival added.
"Oh joy. Had a feeling you might show," Azazel groaned.
"Who's he?" Ingvild asked.
"Shalba Beelzebub. Like Katerea, he's a descendent of one of the original Satans," Azazel answered.
The descendent of Beelzebub took a moment to glare at Ingvild. "To think that both Katerea and Creuserey would fall so easily to filth like you," Shalba spat.
"Creuserey?" Azazel repeated before letting out a laugh. "So he was here, too? And from the sounds of things he got taken out, also. These kids sure are something."
Ingvild looked ready to fight, but Azazel stopped her.
"You head back down and regroup with the others. I'll handle this joker."
"Are you sure?" Ingvild asked.
"Pretty sure I can take on the Wannabe Beelzebub."
"Don't mock me, you crow!" Shalba hissed. "Thanks to Ophis' power, I am far stronger than my ancestor. Prepare to die by my hand!"
"Hyah!" Yuuto cried as he cleaved through the protective barriers that the magicians placed around themselves, cutting down the individual behind the barrier.
He had lost track of how many knights and magicians he had cut down throughout the fight though it mattered little in the end. For every enemy he cut down, two more would take their place.
"There's no end to them," he exclaimed as he blocked a sword strike from an exorcist, countering it and delivering a strike of his own that hit its mark.
"That's what makes it fun!" Osanne grinned like a madwoman, dodging a swing from an exorcist before jumping onto the priest as he fell to the ground in a prone position. "Ready for a joyride, Brother? Cuz I am! Whoohoo!" She gave a kick to the ground, riding on the priest like a skateboard as she drew her other gun and began spinning about, guns blazing in a wild shooting spree with bullets hitting any stray exorcists that were unlucky enough to be in her way at the joints, legs, and shoulders. "WHOOHOOHOOHOO! Alright!"
"Is she always like that?" Yuuto asked Irina and Xenovia.
"Yes," Irina and Xenovia both answered without hesitation.
Xenovia cut another magician down. "This is becoming a waste of time," Xenovia spoke, slashing through a barrage of magic with Durandal before she was forced into a defensive stance when a group of magicians took note of her and began to unleash a barrage of magical bolts at her.
She was so caught up in defending herself from their onslaught that the azure-haired swordswoman failed to notice an exorcist had snuck up behind her and was poised to deliver a lethal blow. Before his blade came crashing down on her, however, a metallic ribbon appeared out of nowhere and wrapped itself around the knight, catching him completely off guard. The owner of the metallic ribbon revealed itself to be Irina who leaped over the knight, landing next to Xenovia, using her momentum to lift the knight into the air and bringing him down hard on a squad of knights in front of her before reforming her sword back to it blade-like shape and cutting the lot of them down.
The two swordswomen moved back until their backs were touching as they each held the enemy at bay. "Reminds me of that mission to Madripoor," Irina commented.
"You and I remember Madripoor very differently," Xenovia retorted.
"I hope Zuku and the others get to Gasper soon," Irina muttered.
"Less talk, you two!" Yuuto shouted over at them as he sliced through another squad of exorcists before he turned his attention to another squad of magicians who were firing magical bolts at the building where the leaders were. "We've still got a lot to do before we're in the clear!"
Osanne, still riding the exorcist, headed towards that group, and jumped off, the priest she was riding still going forward, and finally stopped when he hit some of the magicians, rendering him unconscious and knocking some of the magicians down. In mid-air, Osanne holstered her guns and took out her sword, a pitch-black blade with red symbols that resembled more of a staff than a blade, and rammed it into the ground as she landed, sending out a red shockwave as the remaining magicians were blown away.
"What… sword is that?" Yuuto blinked.
"It is Ea, the oldest and most powerful Demonic Sword in the world," Xenovia answered.
"Ea? The fabled Sword of Rupture? The weapon that's said to have been wielded by the original hero, Gilgamesh. It's real?!" Yuuto gasped.
"Yep," Irina nodded. "Don't ask us how the Church got it, but it was sitting at the Vatican collecting dust since no one could use it without its demonic aura killing them instantly. That is until Osanne found it. She's so far the only exorcist in all of the Church who's compatible with that thing."
Osanne grinned as she looked toward the other exorcists and magicians. "Anyone else?"
Several of the magicians prepared to fire at Osanne in retaliation. Before they could fire, arrows suddenly embed into their shoulders. The magicians screamed in pain as Osanne turned to see Griselda, accompanied by Momo, Tsubaki, Tsubasa, Tye, and Milia.
"Focus, Osanne," Griselda told her, firing another arrow at a stray exorcist. "This isn't a game!"
"Spoilsport," Osanne whined.
"Are you okay?" Tsubaki asked Yuuto.
"A little tired, but I'm alright," Yuuto replied.
A pair of stray exorcists jumped them from behind, but a giant, see-through-clawed hand smashed into them. Looking up, some of the magicians and exorcists stared up at Tye, generating a large dragon-shaped body around her.
Tyler "Tye" Longshadow. Quirk, Astral Dragon. She can create a translucent orange astral form in the shape of a dragon, of varying size. She can only create this while in a relaxed state and must remain calm and focused to use it at will.
"Breathe… Focus…" she muttered, using her Quirk to swat away at some of the magicians and exorcists.
"Keep it up, Tye-chan!" Kudelia cheered.
Sona fired a barrage of water spells at the magicians and exorcists. But more soon arrived to replace them.
"They just keep coming," Tsubasa muttered, having absorbed some of the ground as she pummeled some exorcists.
"It's like a video game with never-ending enemies," Milia noted, slashing some of the magicians with her claws. Several more magicians appeared, proving her point.
"They have to run out of reinforcements at some point," Kudelia called forth a lightning bolt from the sky, frying some of the exorcists.
Suddenly, a giant water dragon came, roaring as it descended upon the magicians and exorcists. "Everyone okay?" Ingvild asked as she flew down.
"Whoa!" Irina gasped.
"We're okay," Xenovia said to the violet-periwinkle-haired Leviathan.
"What happened to Katerea?" Yuuto asked.
"Dead. Azazel is dealing with another Satan Descendent, though," Ingvild revealed.
At that moment, more Nilrem magicians appeared. They prepared to fire magic blasts, only to be hit by Momo's lightning. "How many of these guys are there?" The Gremory Queen asked.
"I don't know! And what's with all these magicians?!" Irina asked. "I thought Vali was taking care of them."
"Wait…" Xenovia spoke up, her brow raised in confusion as she looked around the battlefield. "Where is Vali?"
At the same time, several meters away, Azazel was busy dodging Shalba's attacks while doing his best to counter with his own light spears.
"This is really starting to bug me," Azazel growled, avoiding the swarms of oversize bees Shalba had created.
"Don't joke with me!" Shalba had his bees return to him, several combining and transforming into an organic cannon-like construct and attaching itself to his left arm. Aiming at Azazel, Shalba fired a condensed sphere of demonic energy at the Governor General before it exploded. The force of the blast pushed Azazel back, his suit ruffled and a small bit of blood leaking from his lips.
"Looks like I struck a nerve," Azazel looked at the organic cannon made of bees in fascination. "But that's a cool trick, if a little disgusting."
"My Lord of the Flies does more than simply summon flying insects!" Shalba boasted. "I can change and modify them however I desire! You've only felt a taste of what I'm capable of. Your jokes won't stop your imminent demise."
"You may be right about that. Guess I'll have to step it up a notch as well," Azazel shrugged, reaching into his coat pocket and producing a strange dagger.
Shalba hesitated, raising a brow. "What is that?"
"Oh, just one of my hobbies…" Azazel grinned, raising the dagger into the air. "Balance Breaker!" Light erupted around Azazel, causing Shalba's jaw to drop as he felt tremendous power surround the Fallen Angel leader.
"Th-that's not possible! How?!" He couldn't help but ask, gritting his teeth.
"This is the result of my Dragon-based Sacred Gear research," Azazel said, the light beginning to dissipate. At its center, an armor not dissimilar to Izuku and Vali's Scale Mail appeared, but its body glistened with gold and dark purple details. His feathered wings still stretched out the back, and a two-pronged yellow light spear extended out from his grip.
"I made this mock Balance Breaker by imbuing Gigantis Dragon's power into the Dragon Spear. I like to call it the Downfall Dragon Another Armor. Looks like my artificial Sacred Gear's a success," Azazel explained, holding the spear out toward Shalba.
"You've actually created an artificial Sacred Gear," Shalba muttered in shock. "But why?! Why even need it if you're so powerful already?!"
"That's rich coming from someone using the Ouroboros Dragon's gift to power themselves up, Shalba," Azazel chuckled.
Shalba gnashed his teeth together, attaching a mutant fly with a saber-shaped stinger protruding from its rear to his arm. "I am Shalba Beelzebub, true heir to the old Beelzebub! I will not allow myself to fall to some Fallen Angel scum!"
"Bring it, then," Azazel swung his spear back, preparing to charge at him.
Down below, Izuku, Rias, Hyde, Ochako, Ravel, Koneko, Gasper, and Itsuka (still riding her Balance Breaker), happened to notice the fight between Azazel and Shalba. "What's going on up there?" Ochako asked.
Izuku stared at the armor Azazel wore in shock. "Ddraig, is that…?"
[No, that isn't a true Sacred Gear.] Ddraig said, cutting Izuku off mid-sentence. [That's an artificial gear that's been forced into a Burst state. It's essentially a disposable Sacred Gear with a single use.]
Shalba created dozens of bees, each conjuring several magic circles around them, with several energy lines shooting out of them and binding Azazel. Extending the fly's blade, Shalba rushed at the immobilized Fallen Angel and struck him, only for his blade to snap in half. "What…?"
"Durability when channeling Fafnir's aura is good enough," Azazel remarked. "Now, as for strength…"
Azazel exerted his aura a bit, vaporizing his restraints. Before Shalba could react, Azazel backhanded him, the Satan Descendant only having time to turn what remains of his blade into a shield before he was sent flying. Azazel then waved his arm, creating a two-pronged spear of light before hurling it at Shalba, the weapon cutting off his left arm.
Shalba screamed in pain as he placed his remaining hand over the socket his arm used to be. "Damn you!"
"So, ready to give up, then?" Azazel asked.
Shalba shook in rage. His pride as a descendant of the True Satan Beelzebub told him he must finish this fight no matter what. But the more rational part of him said that this fight was lost and he needed to retreat. Growling, he glared at Azazel and declared, "This is far from over, Azazel! Mark my words, I will have my revenge upon all of you!" At that, a teleportation circle appear beneath Shalba, and he vanished.
"He ran away, huh?" Azazel said to himself as his Downfall Dragon Another Armor vanished. Azazel clicked his tongue as he held the jewel-like object, the only thing remaining from the artificial Sacred Gear. "So this is the limit of your capabilities. You've still got a lot of room for improvement; I guess I'll keep you around for a little while longer, Dragon King Fafnir."
"Azazel!" The Fallen Angel looked back, raising a brow as Izuku's group ran toward him.
"Ah, there you lot are. Looks like everything's settled- Oh~" Azazel saw Itsuka's Balance Breaker, staring at it with extreme interest. "Well now, that is certainly a unique Balance Breaker. I wonder how…" Azazel trailed off, feeling a surge of power above him. Looking up, a white light twinkled in the air. Before he could react, that light soon crashed down on top of him, causing Izuku and the others to come to an immediate halt.
"Wh-What the hell?! What just happened?!" Hyde exclaimed, sweat trailing down his cheek as he watched the dust begin to clear.
"Tch… so it was you, then," They heard Azazel's voice. He was still alive at the center, standing but looking battered from the attack. "Vali."
And standing just in front of him was Vali, his White Dragon Emperor armor still equipped.
"That's right, Azazel. Sorry."
"Vali… is turning on Azazel?" Izuku mumbled.
"Wait, what the hell's going on?! Why did he just attack Azazel?" Ochako asked in confusion, looking between the others back and forth.
"I'm not sure. He was supposed to be allied with the Fallen Angels, but… it doesn't look like the case anymore," Rias explained, sweat trailing down her cheek.
"Why now of all times, Vali? I was hoping that if you were gonna betray me, it'd be at a less inconvenient time." Azazel asked, his voice conveying his usual casual tone, though there could be some hurt heard at the backend of it all.
"These guys are just more fun, what can I say? They'll let me go as wild as I want rather than being held back by the red tape you're getting ready to set up with the Angels and Devils." Vali shrugged.
"So the great Vanishing Dragon is submitting to Ophis, eh?"
"Nah, just cooperating. The Khaos Brigade wishes to go to war with the established order, meaning I get to fight a plethora of powerful opponents in the process like the Chief Gods of each Pantheon. That can't happen if this peace of yours spreads throughout the factions, Azazel. And it isn't just me who thinks that."
"There's another traitor here?!" Rias gasped.
"That's right, though they're with a different part of the Khaos Brigade than I," Vali continued.
Izuku quickly turned to Koneko and Ravel, "Go warn the others. Hurry!"
"Hai!" The two nodded before running off.
"I really should have done something earlier on to curb your lust for battle." Azazel grimaced. "I raised you to be strong, but I'm certain I told you not to destroy the world with your power. At least I'm relieved you're not rebelling for an even dumber reason like reclaiming your lost throne."
"His…lost throne?" Izuku frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I suppose the time has come to reveal my true heritage," Vali rose into the air and pounded his fist against his chest. "My real name is Vali Lucifer."
Even with Shalba gone and Katerea and Creuserey dead, the battle continued to rage down below. However, as the portals which brought the magicians and knights into the protective barrier had been closed, the remaining terrorists fell before the onslaught of the Occult Research Club and their allies. Before long, the last remnants of the enemy had been defeated.
"Is that… the last of them?" Irina huffed, out of breath.
"It… appears so," Xenovia wiped away the sweat on her forehead.
"About time…" Tye groaned, lying on the ground.
"Hey!" Turning, they saw Ravel and Koneko running toward them.
"Ravel! Koneko!" Momo said.
"You're okay!" Yuuto smiled.
"Wait… where's Zuku and the others?" Irina asked.
"Dealing with Vali," Koneko answered.
"The Vanishing Dragon betrayed Azazel," Ravel said. "But that's not all. He also said that there was another traitor."
"Another one?" Griselda questioned. "Who could it be?"
As they talked, Koneko heard the sound of a gun clicking. "Watch out!" Koneko swiftly pushed Griselda out of the way as a gun fired. Normally Koneko's Rook piece would enable her to be bulletproof, yet somehow this shot managed to piece Koneko's shoulder. "Gha!"
"Koneko!" Yuuto and Momo rushed to their friend's side while everyone else turned to glare at the one responsible: Osanne, who stood there causally as she pointed the gun at the,
"Osanne?" Irina asked, unable to believe what she was seeing.
"You couldn't have waited a few more minutes before blabbing, Vali?" Osanne grumbled, her smile faltering for a moment.
"Osanne… what are you doing?" Griselda questioned slowly.
Osanne's smile returned before she disappeared, causing everyone to become guarded.
"How did she…?"
"It's simple, Griselda," Osanne's voice cut off Irina. "The Khaos Brigade offered me a chance to shake up the world's status quo," They turned around to see Osanne sitting atop a tree branch. "It was getting stale for my tastes, so I agreed."
"You can't be serious!" Xenovia growled. "The Three Factions came here today to make peace! So why-?"
"As if!" Osanne scoffed. "I wasn't talking about that status quo. Besides, if I help them, they promise to get me something. I would've gotten it myself, but Kokabiel was a good scapegoat. Too bad he didn't deliver."
"Kokabiel?" Griselda's eyes then widened, the dots coming together. "It was you… You're the one who told Kokabiel where the Excaliburs were! You were the one who killed him after he was caught! You did it just so you can get the Excaliburs!"
Osanne clapped her hands. "500 points to the lady," she joked.
"That's it?" Irina questioned. "That's why you're betraying the Church, Osanne-sensei! Just to get an Excalibur!? But you already have the Ea!"
"True," Osanne examined her sword for a moment. "But I need the Excalibur pieces."
"For what purpose?" Tsubasa questioned.
"Ha. As if I'd tell," Osanne scoffed.
"Whatever reason it is, we will stop you!" Irina declared.
"Oh come on, Irina," Osanne dismissed. "We both know you're no match. After all, I was the one who taught you everything you know. Besides, even if I don't use the Ea, you can't win."
"She sure is an arrogant one," Yuuto noted.
"Unfortunately, she's more than able to back up her talk," Griselda shook her head. "If she truly wanted to and put in the effort, she could easily become one of the top Exorcists in the entire Church, possibly even become a Cardinal Priest."
"A Cardinal Preist?!" Tye gasped. "Her?!"
"Yep," Osanne smirked as she placed Ea in the holster on her back. "And I'll prove it with just these," she drew her two guns.
Vali rose into the air and pounded his fist against his chest. "My real name is Vali Lucifer."
'Lucifer?! As in…'
"My great grandfather is the original Great Satan Lucifer," Vali declared as his mask disappeared to reveal his face to everyone. "My father is his grandson and my mother is human. Although it was purely a circumstance of my birth, or perhaps fate, that I possessed Albion's Sacred Gear thanks to my human half. Even though I'm half-human, I'm a true blood relative of the Great Devil King, Lucifer, himself."
Alongside his wings of light, eight bat-like wings appeared on the back of Vali's armor.
"Impossible…" Rias stared at Vali in disbelief. "It can't be…"
"It might sound like a twisted joke, but it's the truth," Azazel said. "With his bloodline, talent, and Sacred Gear, Vali could very well become the strongest White Dragon Emperor of all time."
"And he just wants to fight?" Izuku questioned, glaring at Vali.
"He's not just seeking power for the sake of it."
"Yeah. I can tell that his heart is filled with hatred for someone. Just like mine was."
"Doesn't change the fact he's siding with a bunch of terrorists."
Izuku gasped. Where did those voices come from? Looking around, he saw that the others seemed to not have heard it, instead keeping their gaze focused on Vali.
'…Ddraig, what was that?'
[…Long story, but this isn't the time or place.]
"Gah!" Gasper screamed.
Izuku, Rias, Hyde, Ochako, and Itsuka looked at Gasper and saw that his eyes had magic circles embedded into them.
"Sorry, but I'm sealing that Dhampir's sight," Vali said. "I wouldn't want him to cause any problems. No matter how strong the ability, if an opponent knows how it functions, it isn't all that special. There are a multitude of ways to disable a person's vision. A few illusions could even turn his Sacred Gear against his allies."
'He's right.' Izuku thought to himself. 'Each of us has weaknesses that can be easily exploited.'
Vali then turned his attention to the grounded Izuku. "Fate can be cruel sometimes, wouldn't you agree?"
"Huh?" Izuku looked at Vali with a puzzled expression.
"We both poses the powers of legendary dragons, yet I'm a descendant of the original Lucifer, while you are a mere human whose bloodline, aside from a great great grandfather being an average dragon, is completely ordinary. I would call that a cruel twist of fate. Our dragons may be rivals equal in strength, but the difference in their hosts is immense. But maybe there's a way to change that. How about I kill your parents?"
Izuku found himself frozen and starting to well up with intense emotions upon hearing Vali's declaration.
"That would make you a little more interesting," Vali continued. "If they were slain by my hands, it would give you a purpose to your destiny. Yeah, that sounds good. As they are now, they're just living out painfully average lives. Dying early to serve a purpose is a lot better than continuing to live out such a dull existence."
Izuku felt something click in his head, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. He was so angry now, that he went right back to calm. "That's not gonna happen," Izuku calmly growled, something that unnerved Rias. "You can say or do whatever you want to me, but threatening my family? My friends? I won't let that happen! Balance Break!" Izuku's Sacred Gear suddenly exploded in a fiery, red aura.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
In an instant, Izuku was encased in his Scale Mail armor. Rias, Hyde, Ochako, and Itsuka's eyes all widened at the sight while Azazel smirked. "Izuku's Balance Breaker!" Rias gasped.
"He finally got it!" Ochako beamed.
'Ddraig, do you think we can do this?'
[This will be your first time using your true Balance Breaker, so try not to go overboard. You'll no doubt exhaust yourself if you're not careful.]
'I'll be fine,' Izuku glared up at Vali, who smiled.
"Hah! Look at that, Albion! His power's on a whole new league than before!" Vali laughed in excitement, grinning at his opponent's blooming power. "This is what I was looking for in my rival!"
(Yes. He's possessed with unbridled rage, all directed toward you. Though for some reason I sense another power in him)
"Really?" Vali's grin grew wider as he formed his helmet again. "Good. That'll make this even more fun!"
At that, the two Dragon Emperors charged at each other.
Osanne drew her two guns and began to fire rapidly at the group. Most of them scattered to avoid Osanne's shots, but Momo created a barrier to protect herself, Yuuto, and the injured Koneko. Griselda quickly nocked an arrow and prepared to fire, but a shot from Osanne cut the string of the bow. Growling, Griselda tossed the bow and arrow to the ground and leaped for Osanne with a speed she hadn't achieved in ages. She was practically a blur as she raised her fist to strike, Griselda's face shrouded by a mask of rage fueled by fear. Unfortunately, her blow was stopped as Osanne placed one of her guns in its holster and grabbed Griselda's punch, spinning around and using the momenta of Griselda's attack to send her flying toward some of the others.
"Really, Griselda? I was expecting better from you," Osanne shook her head.
"Osanne!" The traitorous exorcist turned to her right to see Xenovia in the air in front of her, her eyes shining with malice as she brought Durandal down in an overhead strike with both hands. But Osanne cheerfully dodged it, the blade hitting the ground and splitting it in two for a good ten meters.
"Ooh, angry face," Osanne mocked, aiming her guns at Xenovia and fired, who quickly used Durandal as a makeshift shield. "Better be careful, or else you'll get wrinkles," Xenovia tried to attack when Osanne stopped firing, only for Osanne to grab Xenovia's arm and twist it, causing the blue-haired Knight to scream before she tossed Xenovia aside.
With a yell, Irina ran toward Osanne from behind with Excalibur Mimic. Osanne only smirked, dodging and pistol-whipping Irina with one of her guns before delivering a kick to her gut. "Nice try, kid."
Behind her, Tye, controlling her astral dragon body, slammed down one of the arms, only for Osanne to raise her hands and block it. "What?" Tye gasped.
Osanne smirked before pushing Tye back, causing Kudelia's Queen to lose her concentration, making the astral dragon shatter as it fell to the ground.
Momo jumped into the air and fired a large bolt of lightning, but Osanne performed a quickdraw with one of her guns and shot upward to intercept the attack before it even touched her. "You can create things, right?" She asked Momo before she vanished.
Momo quickly realized where Osanne would reappear and turned around… just in time to avoid a shot from one of her guns. But she wasn't able to avoid a kick to her gut before Osanne smashed her down to the ground. "Given enough time, you would be a big threat. So I have to take you out first," she aimed her gun at the incapacitated Momo's head, only to jump back to avoid a blast of water. "Oh right, I nearly forgot about you," Osanne quipped at Sona. "Then again, a lot of people seem to."
Sona narrowed her eyes but nonetheless ignored Osanne's taunt.
"Oh yeah?" Kudelia stood beside Sona. "Try and forget this, bitch!" Kudelia raised her arm, causing the sky above them to immediately darken before a flurry of ice and snow descended upon Osanne. The traitorous exorcist shielded herself from the attack before Kudelia fired a bolt of unholy lightning at her, but Osanne managed to avoid the attack. Kudelia readied another bolt before she suddenly collapsed, causing the miniature storm to disappear.
"Kudelia!" Sona rushed to her friend's side, who was taking deep breaths.
"Hmm," Osanne hummed in thought, seeing Kudelia's current state. "Your demonic power seems… off. Like it's missing something."
Kudelia flinched, her hand shaking as Sona placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
A giant water dragon suddenly lunged for Osanne, who once again managed to avoid the attack. Looking up, Osanne spotted Ingvild flying above, her eight wings on display.
"Heh. You might be the only one here who can put up a decent fight," Osanne holstered one of her guns and reached for the handle of her sword.
A large burst of demonic and draconic energy nearby caught everyone's attention.
"What was that?!" Sona asked.
"Looks like the two Dragon Emperors are going at it," Osanne noted. "Guess now's a good time as any to leave," a vortex of dark energy appeared behind her.
"Stop her!" Griselda cried out, but it was too late. Osanne had disappeared into a fountain of dark energy.
The two Dragon Emperors charged at each other. The two collided, sending them shooting across the sky like clashing starlight. At every turn, they would clash. They were roughly even, but it was clear that the White Dragon had the edge for he was able to avoid most of the hits.
Then Vali expanded his wings to a great size and blew Izuku away from him. But Izuku quickly recovered and attempted to deliver an uppercut. Vali simply bobbed his head back, dodging the punch… only to gag as Izuku delivered a kick to the gut, forcing him back.
"That's more like it!" Vali smiled as he recovered, silver-colored light gathering in his hands, forming a sword. Vali began swinging the blade, launching forth a barrage of needles made of light.
Izuku managed to dodge most of the needles, but one managed to pierce through his Scale Mail armor into his left thigh. "Gah!" Grunting, Izuku managed to remove the needle from his leg, causing it to dissolve. "What was that? Some kind of light?"
"It's the Demonic Brilliance of Evil Light. Evil Light for short, it's the ability of the Lucifer Clan," Vali revealed. "The sinister light that is poisonous to both Angels and Devils and can consume holy power to grow even more powerful. But that's not all."
Vali raised his hand high, with a large curved blade of blue ice forming above it, imbuing it with the Evil Light. The White Dragon Emperor then charged, ice sword of Evil Light in hand.
Growling, Izuku ignored the burning feeling spreading throughout his leg, sparks of energy from One for All coursing throughout his body visible on his Scale Mail. 'One for All, Dragon Veil: 10%!'
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Transfer!]
Raising his power and transferring it, Izuku rushed toward Vali, blocking the Vanishing Dragon's attack with one arm, to Vali's shock. However, the ice sword of Evil Light was able to crack the armor, at the cost of the blade cracking as well.
Unfazed, Izuku Izuku swung his arm at Vali's head. But Vali ducked down, then attempted to kick Izuku away, but his leg bounced off of Izuku's armor, forcing Vali back. "How…?" Vali questioned before he realized. 'Don't tell me… did he transfer the power to his Scale Mail, increasing his defense?! And that power radiating off him… Is that what you sensed, Albion?'
(Indeed. But it's only a fraction of it.)
'A fraction? He must not be able to handle all of it, yet. Let's see if we can change that.'
Vali flew up into the air as…
(Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide!)
An announcement came from Divine Dividing's wings, with Izuku feeling as if his strength was being sapped.
[He's using it at last.] Ddraig's voice echoed from Boosted Gear. [The Vanishing Dragon's ability to halve the opponent's strength as long as he has the stamina for it and their reserves aren't too massive.]
Izuku didn't answer, channeling a bit more of One for All's power into his legs and using it to propel himself upwards, all the while.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
Regaining his strength and then some, Izuku aimed a kick at Vali.
"St. Louis Dragon Smash!" Izuku did a roundhouse kick in midair, aiming for Vali's face.
The White Dragon was unperturbed as he enveloped more of his Evil Light into the ice sword, but the kick easily shattered the ice sword, hitting Vali and sending the White Dragon flying, but he quickly recovered…
In time to see a large spare of demonic energy gathering in Izuku's hand. "San Francisco Multi Dragon Shot!"
Like a machine gun, multiple beams fired from the sphere at Vali. The White Dragon managed to avoid some of them, but a few managed to hit. Grunting, Vali stopped trying to avoid the Dragon Shots and spread his wings wide.
(Half Dimension!)
Following that announcement, a dazzling glow came out of Vali's wings. At the same time, the incoming Dragon Shots began shrinking. A couple of lampposts in the distance, the rocks around, everything started getting halved. Izuku landed on the ground and grunted in pain as he felt like his body was being squeezed from all sides by a hydraulic press.
"What…!" Izuku said through gritted teeth as he struggled to remain standing. "Ddraig… What's going on?"
[It's Half Dimension, one of Albion's most troublesome abilities.] Ddraig said. [As the name implies, it's an ability that can halve the size of everything in the White Dragon's surroundings. You either have to counter it with a similar technique, or power through it.]
"In that case…!" Izuku gritted his teeth, increasing the percentage of One for All to 20%. Izuku howled as he unleashed a massive explosion of demonic and draconic aura from his body, boosted by One for All. Izuku's hands (unbeknownst to him) also began to glow blue, and he heard a KA-CHUNK sound in his head.
All of a sudden, the world seemed to slow down just a little, as he lunged at Vail, who attempted to conjure several barriers, but Izuku was upon him before Vali could even finish the first barrier. With a swift kick, Izuku sent Vali hurtling toward the ground, a large cloud of dust coming a second after Vali hit.
Izuku blinked in surprise, now noticing how everything seemed to have slowed down. 'What…? How did I move so fast?' He thought as everything sped back up.
Landing on the ground, Izuku watched as Vali got up, his Scale Mail slightly damaged, but otherwise fine.
"As expected of my destined rival!" Vali continued to grin underneath his helmet.
Izuku growled as he grabbed onto a rock that had been blown out of the ground by Vali's impact, it glowing blue and he heard another KA-CHUNK. He noticed the glow this time because it wrapped around the rock, which then rocketed forward and tore off a piece of Vali's Scale Mail.
"How did I…?" Izuku looked at his hands as the blue glow disappeared.
"Interesting…" Vali's grin turned into a smile as his armor repaired itself. "Albion?"
(I have no idea what that was.) Albion said in Vali's head. (No other Red Dragon Emperor had demonstrated such an ability, and it wasn't magic in origin because I did not sense any demonic power. It could have been part of that power I sensed. A Quirk, maybe?)
Vali gave an excited laugh. "Whatever it was, it just made this fight a lot more fun!"
Nearby, Rias watched the fight continue with a worried expression, wanting to help her boyfriend yet knowing she would just get in the way. "Izuku…"
Feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder, the redhead looked to see it was her brother. The look in his eye told her that she shouldn't get involved, which didn't fill Rias with any confidence.
*CLASH! CLASH! CRASH!*
The ground shook, which caused Rias to return her attention to the fight. There, on the ground, were Izuku and Vali, having stopped fighting for a moment. "Izuku!" Rias cried, seeing her Pawn's current state.
Izuku was panting heavily, removing his helmet to make it easier for oxygen to enter his lungs. He was exhausted, as Ddraig had warned him. He was liable to drop his Balance Breaker any second. But at least it looked like Vali was getting close to his limits, also.
"Heh. You're full of surprises. Along with a mean punch…" Vali breathed out, sweat and blood trickling down his face. "But let's see if you can handle something stronger than a Scale Mail. My Juggernaut Drive!"
"Juggernaut Drive?" Izuku questioned.
(Vali, don't!) Albion pleaded as Vali began to recite a chant.
"I, who am about to awaken, Am the Heavenly Dragon who lost all to the principles of supremacy-"
"Hold it right there!" Vali clicked his tongue, he and the others looked above to see a magic circle appear in the sky. Two figures swooped down and landed next to Vali. One of them was a young man with short brown hair and eyes, who was wearing ancient Chinese armor and holding a staff in his right arm. The other was what appeared to be a young woman wearing black robes, a cloak, and a blue and white kabuki mask.
"…Bikou, Kame," Vali said. "Why are you two-?"
*Slap!*
To the surprise of everyone, the girl slapped Vali. "Juggernaut Drive? Have you lost it, Vali!?"
"Kame, I was-"
"Too lost in your fun, again!" The girl interrupted the White Dragon Emperor. "That pride of yours is going to be the death of you one day, Vali. You know that, right?"
"So you say, but you would have stood your ground and fought as well in my place," Vali smirked. "Am I wrong, Kame?"
"Well, that might be true," Kame shrugged.
"Who are you two?!" Izuku shouted and pointed at the new arrivals.
"The guy is Bikou, a descendant of Sun Wukong," Azazel answered.
"'Sun Wukong'?" Izuku asked. "As in 'Journey to the West' Sun Wukong?!"
"The very same," Azazel confirmed. "More accurately, he's a monkey Youkai who inherited Sun Wukong's powers. As for the girl, all I know is that they go by Kame and that she's a master of water magic. Still, while I can't say much about Kame, I never thought that Bikou would ally himself with the Khaos Brigade."
Bikou snickered at Azazel's comment. "I'm not like my legendary ancestor! My life is my own and I'll live how I like! It's nice to meet you, Red Dragon Emperor."
"So he's your 'destined rival'?" Kame looked Izuku over. "I get that you're excited to finally fight him, but threatening his family? Really? We both know you don't have the heart to do something like that."
Vali gave a nervous laugh, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. "Haha, you heard that?"
"Huh?" Izuku blinked. "Wait, he said that just to rile me up?"
"Pretty much," Kame nodded. "Just like what his notebooks said."
"Kame, please!" Vali hissed.
"Notebooks?" Izuku questioned.
Bikou giggled. "He wrote three separate notebooks when he was younger…"
"Bikou…!" Vali growled.
"…for preparation for when he meets his destined rival."
"The White Dragon Emperor… is a chuunibyou?" Rias muttered.
Vali facepalmed with a blush as Bikou and Kame chuckled. "As fun as this is, we must be off-"
"BIKOOOOOU!"
Bikou's smile quickly disappeared as his complexion turned white. "Oh no…" he squeaked.
Stomping over, Mizu gave a very haunting glare that promised pain to Bikou. Everyone else present watched the scene in confusion, except for Azazel who had a smirk.
"H-Hey, Akari!" Bikou nervously greeted. "How are ya doing?"
"Been better, especially since the last time I saw you," Mizu replied. "Already causing trouble, I see."
"You two know each other?" Rias asked.
"We used to date," Mizu revealed.
"Wait, Bikou," Kame glanced at the human monkey. "She's the girl you told us about."
"Uh, well…"
"Oh, he told you about me, huh?" Mizu interrupted. "Did he ever mention all the times he's been late to our dates or the time he just stood me up? How about how he always made me pay? Oh, and did he ever mention when I finally dumped him?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Bikou waved his arms. "Let's get one thing straight! You didn't dump me, I dumped you! It was a… mutual dumping!"
"…Wow…" Kame shook her head while Vali sighed.
"Uh, you're gonna try and kill me, aren't you?" Bikou muttered.
"Oh, no. I won't. But there are plenty of things that are worse than death," Mizu smirked evilly.
"…Look at the time! Gotta go!" The monkey Youkai made a long pole appear in his hand and he spun it over his head a few times before pounding one of the ends into the ground, creating a magic circle beneath himself, Vali, and Kame.
"You can't run forever, Bikou!" Mizu yelled out, ready to jump into the magic circle after him. But red bands restrained her.
"Akari, calm down," the Sorcerer Supreme commanded.
"Doc, let me go!" Mizu growled as she struggled against the crimson bands as Doctor Strange landed behind her.
"Oh, thank goodness," Bikou breathed a sigh of relief.
"We'll continue our fight some other time, Midoriya," Vali called out. "Keep getting stronger until our next battle." After saying so, Vali and his comrades vanished.
The moment they did, Izuku's Balance Breaker disappeared, and he dropped to his knees.
Azazel stared at him with an impressed expression. "Even if it was only for a short moment, he released an explosive amount of power. He's out of steam," he said.
Rias then came running past the Fallen Angel and rushed toward Izuku with a panicked expression. "Izuku!" Rias got down on her knees and hugged his head close to her breasts. "Are you okay?"
"Just… tired… Really tired," Izuku muttered. "I'm glad… you and the others are safe."
"Oh, Izuku," Rias said lovingly and gave him a kiss on the head.
Izuku smiled before looking at his hand. 'But what was that glow? Was that part of the Boosted Gear's abilities?'
[No, that was One for All's doing.] Ddraig answered.
'Really? How?'
[You'll find out soon enough. For now, get some rest, kid. You've earned it.]
With the battle over and the block on teleportation magic finally removed, the reinforcements of the Three Factions finally arrived and began disposing of the magicians' and stray exorcists' corpses and apprehending those that were still alive, as well as repairing the extensive damage done to the school and its surrounding grounds while Sirzechs, Michael, Azazel, and Strange gathered to discuss the events of that night and their next steps.
"I must apologize for the actions of Katerea, Creuserey, and Shalba," Sirzechs expressed his regret. "Their grievances were with us Devils, not the Angels or Fallen Angels."
"Don't worry about it," Azazel waved away his concern. "I'm at fault here for Vali's actions, too… In hindsight, I should have done something sooner before things turned out like this…"
"We'll have to discuss our peace terms and counterstrategies against this 'Khaos Brigade'," Michael said.
"It is not just them we should be concerned with," Nezu spoke up, resting on Strange's shoulder.
"Ah, you mean the League of Villains Rias mentioned in one of her reports?" Sirzechs asked.
"Yes, Akari told me about them also," Strange nodded. "What worries me about them is how they were able to capture not just a devil, but also a Kitsune, and possibly others, and turned them into their mindless Nomu."
"Yes, that is very worrying," Michael nodded.
While the leaders talked among themselves and gave orders to their subordinates, Ibara was cleaning the stab wound on Itsuka's foot, who finally deactivated her Sacred Gear.
"That stings," Itsuka winced.
"Bear with it for a few more minutes, Itsuka. I still need to apply the antibiotics before I begin healing your foot," Ibara replied. "I'm surprised that you haven't lost consciousness. You lost a lot of blood."
"Maybe it's because she's a descendant of the Asmodeus family?" Ravel guessed. "Even among devils, the original Four Great Satans were strong. There's a reason they were the original leaders of devils."
"Maybe," Itsuka muttered.
"You… gonna be okay, Kendo?" Hyde asked.
"I'm… I'll be fine," Itsuka forced a smile.
"Kendo, there's no reason to put on a brave face," Izuku said.
"He's right," Momo walked up. "We… know about what happened to your mother. We're sorry that happened."
"Saying sorry won't change anything," Itsuka uttered.
"Pardon me, but I have news regarding her," Grayfia approached the group.
"Grayfia," Rias said.
"What news?" Itsuka asked.
"We're not sure how, but Lady Lasha still clings to life, albeit barely," Grayfia revealed. Itsuka's eyes widened as Sirzechs's Queen continued. "She is currently being taken to a Sitri-owned hospital in the Underworld for treatment, though it's too early to tell if she will survive."
"Wha… Are you serious?" Itsuka nearly got up had Ibara's vines not stopped her.
"Yes," Grayfia nodded. "Though as I said it's still too early to tell if she will live."
Eyes wide, Itsuka's gaze turned downward, tears beginning to run. Izuku sat down next to her, placing his arm over her shoulder as she gently hugged her. Itsuka leaned against him as she began to cry, the emotions she had bottled during the past hour pouring out all at once.
Meanwhile, the leaders had finished talking among themselves and approached the group. "Well then, if that's all for now, I must return to Heaven," Michael said. "Not only do I have to inform the rest of the Seraphs about the peace treaty, but I also need to send messengers to the other Pantheons regarding the emergence of the Khaos Brigade and the identity of their leader. With any luck, the looming threat of Ophis will be enough to convince the various Chief Gods of the need to form a wider alliance."
"Would be nice if things were so simple," Azazel said. "Sadly, they rarely are. Hell, even though we've decided to make peace with each other, members from all three of our factions will be dissatisfied with this. That's especially true for your side, Michael. Many Exorcists won't be too happy to hear they'll have to work alongside their mortal enemies now. There's going to be a lot of dissent, I'm sure."
"I am aware," Michael said. "Regardless, I shall do my best to keep tensions down to a minimum. Nobody said this would be a simple undertaking after all."
"True enough," Sirzechs said. "We also need to hammer down the details of this treaty, but there is time for that later. An immediate response against the Khaos Brigade is our priority for now. Who will you be contacting first, Michael?"
"I was thinking of approaching the Norse Pantheon first," Michael said. "Odin is a difficult fellow to reason with, so I figured I should start with the most challenging one."
"Good luck handling that cranky old geezer," Azazel said. "As for me, I'll start by contacting Mount Meru. From there I can also get in contact with the Taoist gods, given their close relationship."
"Very well," Sirzechs nodded. "As for us, we'll meet with the Youkai Factions of this country and the Shinto Gods."
"I'll help arrange these meetings in any way I can," Strange offered.
"That'll certainly make things easier," Azazel said. "Sirzechs, about the matter we discussed, I trust I have your permission for it?"
"Of course," Sirzechs said with a smile. "I'll entrust everyone to you, Azazel."
"In that case, I shall take my leave here," Michael said. "Until we meet again, everyone."
"Excuse me, Lord Michael, can I have a moment of your time?" Izuku asked as he approached. "I have a request for you if it's not too much trouble. I was going to wait until the conference had concluded, but with the way things turned out…"
"A request?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "Very well. If it is within my power, I shall grant it."
"The fact that Devils receive damage when praying, that's due to Heaven's System, right?" Izuku asked. "If so, it should be possible to alter it slightly, correct?"
"Alter it, you say?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "In what way and for what reason?"
"Is it possible to allow Ibara and Xenovia to pray without receiving any damage?" He asked. Everyone was surprised by Izuku's sudden request, Ibara and Xenovia most of all.
Michael was also stunned for a few seconds but then smiled. "I see," Michael said. "It shouldn't be an issue to tweak the System a bit to exempt Ibara and Xenovia from its damage-dealing effect. However, let me ask you both. Though God is no longer with us, would you continue to pray?"
"Yes," Ibara immediately answered. "The Lord may be gone, but I'll pray all the same."
"Likewise," Xenovia nodded. "I pray out of gratitude to the Lord and to you, Lord Michael."
"Very well." Michael nodded. "I will see to it right away once I return to Heaven."
Ibara happily embraced Izuku. "Whoa, Ibara!" Izuku muttered.
"Oh, Izuku! I love you!" She exclaimed out of pure love and kissed him right on the lips. While surprised, Izuku returned the kiss.
Once they were done, Xenovia approached. "Thank you Izuku."
"It's not that big of a deal," Izuku waved off.
"I think it is," Xenovia leaned up and kissed Izuku on the cheek, to his surprise. 'Maybe I should ask if I can join his harem later?' The blue-haired swordswoman thought to herself.
Yuuto then approached Michael. "Lord Michael, one other thing…"
"Concerning the Church's holy sword research, correct?" Michael guessed. "Our investigation continues. The project is under strict management, and I swear that no others will be sacrificed in its name. To continue to treat our precious followers with such disdain would be a grave error indeed."
Yuuto smiled. "Thank you so much!"
"There is one thing you should know, though," Griselda walked up. "I looked into all of the victims that were used for the Holy Sword Project, and… I found out that there were two survivors."
Yuuto stared at Griselda in shock. "What?"
"It's true," Griselda nodded. "You're one of the survivors, the other is a girl named Tosca."
"Tosca!? She's alive?! How?! And where is she!?" Yuuto demanded.
"The reason she survived while all the others perished is due to her possessing a barrier-type Sacred Gear, which protected her from the poison gas but it kept her in suspended animation," Griselda explained. "As for where she is, we don't know," she admitted. "She was originally kept in a hidden chamber at the old Holy Sword Project facility, but someone broke in and took her."
Yuuto, while still in shock, nodded with a smile. "Thank you, for telling me," the blond swordsman then walked off.
"Yuuto…" Rias said sadly as she watched her knight wander off.
"I'll keep an eye on him," Tsubaki offered as she followed close behind.
"Oh yeah, Red Dragon Emperor," Azazel called out. "I'll be sticking around here for a while, so I hope you'll all humor me."
"Eh?" Rias frowned. "What are you talking about, Azazel?"
"Nezu, I look forward to our school's joint project," Azazel said to U.A.'s principal, ignoring Rias's question.
"As do I," Nezu returned.
"The Red One wishes to be a hero, while the White One wants power," Azazel monologued as he walked towards the school entrance. "Both are surprisingly simple and pure in their motives. Then again, perhaps that's why this generation is so interesting…" After saying so, Azazel left the area while whistling.
Nearby, Yuuto had stopped and was staring up into the night sky. "Kiba…" Tsubaki spoke as she walked up to him. "Are you okay?"
"Honestly… Yes, I'm fine. Relieved actually," Yuuto turned to Tsubaki, revealing that he had been crying. "For so long I thought I was the only one of my friends from then to have survived. To hear that someone else survived also, I… I'm just so relieved."
Tsubaki smiled. "I'm glad to hear that one of your old friends is alive, also. Do you plan to look for them?"
"Of course," Yuuto nodded, his voice filled with renewed resolve.
"Then I'll gladly support you in any way I can," Tsubaki said. She squeaked as Yuuto suddenly hugged her.
"Thank you," Yuuto said. Tsubaki was speechless for a moment before returning the hug. Once the two parted, Yuuto noticed something about Tsubaki's appearance. "Your eyes."
Tsubaki wasn't sure what he meant. "What do you mean?"
"I just never noticed how pretty they were before, is all," Yuuto casually said.
Tsubaki's face began to burn. "D-Don't go saying things like that!" She stuttered. "I must return to Kaichou, now. There is much work to be done." Tsubaki practically ran off at that, leaving behind a confused Yuuto.
"What was that about?" He questioned before shrugging. Yuuto then looked up into the night sky, a determined look on his face. "Tosca, I swear that I will find you, no matter what."
A 14-year-old girl with white hair and orange eyes stopped her walk and looked up into the sky, a sudden feeling overtaking her. 'Isaiah?'
"Hey, Tosca, why'd you stop?" Another girl, one with dark gray hair and gray eyes, who was a couple of years older, asked. "Are you still tired from Genji's training?"
"No, I'm fine," Tosca answered. "I just… felt nostalgic all of the sudden."
"Hey, would yuh kids hurry it up?! We need tuh get movin'!"
"We're coming, Remy!" Tosca yelled back.
In the sewers leading away from U.A., Bobby Ball groaned and grunted as he staggered away, having managed to get away before the Three Faction's forces could apprehend him. "That brat…" he growled, recalling how Hyde beat him. "Shit," his eye began twitching. "Shit. Shit! Shit! SHIT!"
"That could have gone better," Bikou muttered. Currently, he, Vali, and Kame were resting in the middle of a forest. "How do you think Shalba is handling this?"
"Knowing him? Not well," Vali answered. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's having several aneurysms right now. Probably popped a few blood vessels."
"I almost wish we could see it," Kame said as she removed her mask and cloak, revealing her appearance. She had silver hair, purple eyes, and wore yellow and green miko-like attire. "Still, he won't be happy with you, Vali. You did kinda let Katerea and Creuserey die," Doumon Genbu pointed out.
"They insisted on dealing with their clan's 'stains' alone. Besides, I'm pretty sure they were planning to kill me eventually," Vali said.
"Like they ever had a chance," Genbu laughed before planting a kiss on the Vanishing Dragon's cheek.
At that moment, a communication magic circle appeared on the ground, causing Vali to grimace upon seeing the familiar symbols on it.
"Uh-oh," Bikou smirked. "Looks like someone is about to get scolded big time for his naughty attitude tonight."
"…Shut up, Bikou," Vali grumbled as he channeled his aura to the magic circle. A projection of Azazel appeared from it, staring at Vali with a stern expression on his face.
"Mind telling me what the Hell was that back there, Vali?" Azazel said, cutting straight to the point. "Juggernaut Drive of all things? Seriously? I told you to make your 'betrayal' convincing, but I sure as Hell didn't tell you to try and kill everyone around you in the process. You're damn lucky Bikou and your girlfriend showed up when they did."
"Right…" Vali muttered. "I may have gotten too lost in my fun, as Genbu said."
"Oh, you admitted it," Genbu smirked. "That's good. It means you're learning."
"Genbu…" Vali playfully glared at her.
(You should listen to them, Vali.) Albion spoke up. (Even though you have a way to negate the downsides, it is still unwise to resort to the Juggernaut Drive like that.)
"Okay, I promise that I will not use Juggernaut Drive until I've fully mastered it," Vali said.
"And I'll make sure he doesn't," Genbu offered.
"Very well," Azazel said. "Still, aren't you worried about the Doumon Clan finding out, Genbu?" Azazel asked.
"Not really," Genbu replied. "Suzaku-san is still in the process of changing the clans' old ways, even becoming a hero to do so, but there's still resistance from the older members. Besides, I already told her and a few others I trust about this, so we should be good. Not to mention my disguise should keep my identity secret for a little while at least."
"And you complain about Vali being overconfident," Azazel teased. "Speaking of your mission, though, do you have any information on Osanne Creuset?"
"Nothing, I'm afraid," Genbu answered. "As far as we knew, Vali was the only agent in the conference."
"Guess this means the rest of the Khaos Brigade doesn't trust us yet," Bikou said.
"I see," Azazel said. "Try to find whatever info you can about her, and anyone else of interest. Still, I can't say I'm comfortable with you acting as a double agent for us. It was a risky suggestion, Vali. Even Sirzechs and Michael agreed on that."
"It was a great opportunity," Vali insisted. "Since they approached me after the Kokabiel incident, I figured this was a chance for us. Now, I can get closer to Ophis, and perhaps gain a better understanding of its motives and why it emerged now of all times. Furthermore, I can give you a heads-up the next time these terrorists make a move…though I'm not certain I can promise that. As Bikou said, none of the Khaos Brigade's factions seem to trust us very much."
"However, these aren't the only reasons you joined the Khaos Brigade, are they?" Azazel asked. "Don't try to hide things from me, young man. I'm the one who raised you after all."
"Nothing gets past you, eh?" Vali smiled, and then his expression became serious. "It's true that I have another reason for joining the Khaos Brigade. The terrorists have their own information network, one that might aid me in discovering the whereabouts of my dear grandfather and father."
"Still obsessed with revenge, I see…" Azazel sighed. "I understand your hatred after everything they did to you and your mother, but I don't want you to destroy yourself in the pursuit of vengeance, Vali. Many good people have ruined their lives because of it."
"My father aside, the death of Rizevim would be cause for the whole world to celebrate," Vali said. "You and I both know that bastard's insanity is only matched by his abnormal power. He must be eliminated as soon as possible for everyone's sake, not just for my own self-satisfaction."
"I understand that," Azazel said. "In any case, as agreed beforehand, I will keep the details of your mission secret from everyone apart from the leaders to prevent any potential leaks. I will contact you again at a later time. Be careful and take care of yourself, Vali. Genbu, keep an eye on him as well if you would. You've been such a good influence on him, keep it up."
"You got it, Governor-sama," Genbu responded
"What about me?" Bikou asked.
"You would just go along with it, and maybe even encourage Vali's bad habits, given how the Sorceress acted."
"Eh, fair enough," Bikou shrugged.
"We'll meet up with the others," Vali said. "I get the feeling we have much to do."
"You sure do," Azazel nodded. "Oh, before I sign off, Vali, Genbu?"
"Yes?" Genbu questioned while Vali halfheartedly listened.
"Be sure to use protection, okay?" Azazel smirked at the way Genbu and Vali's faces turned bright red. "Always best not to take chances."
"AZAZEL!" The two screamed. Albion let out a hearty laugh while Bikou had been reduced to rolling on the ground laughing.
"Catch you kids later!" Azazel waved with a cheeky grin as the communication ended.
"I should've clipped his wings when I had the chance," Vali grumbled.
"We haven't even… done anything remotely… like that yet," Genbu uttered, steam rising from her head.
Bikou managed to calm down slightly. "Yet?" He looked at Genbu and Vali with interest. "Does that mean you two-?"
"Shut up, Bikou!"
Azazel cracked a smile, staring at the picture of an embarrassed Vali and Genbu he had managed to take. "I'm saving this for later," placing the photo on a table, Azazel walked out to the balcony of his apartment and pulled out his phone. Dialing a number, it didn't take long for him to get an answer. "Hey, Shemhazai."
"{Azazel, how did it go?}" Shemhazai, Azazel's Vice-Governor, asked.
"About as well as you can expect," Azazel shrugged. "Sorry to say, but the rat and I did a little taking, and I might be sticking around here for a little while.
Shemhazai groaned. "{Understood… But Azazel, many of our own don't think much of the current peace.}"
"Well, we never said it was gonna be easy," Azazel said. "But what about you? After all, you got a kid on the way."
"{Always deflecting…}" Shemhazai sighed.
"Take care of that devil wife of yours," Azazel instructed. "She's a good woman, risking assassination this whole time and having a kid with you. I get the feeling that kid will build real bridges between devils and fallen angels in the future."
"{Sometimes I wish she'd just resent me instead…}" Shemhazai muttered.
"Don't cry, Shem. We're plenty used to resentment. I'm taking on all the burden here, so just shut up and follow me!"
"{Yes, sir…!}"
"That's the spirit!" Azazel grinned. "So, did you find out if it's a boy or girl yet?"
"After the leaders finished their talks they left to inform the leaders of the other factions," Ingvild said through her phone, alone in an alley not far from U.A. "Also, I heard that there will be a joint project between U.A. High School and Nephilim Institute, so Azazel may stay at U.A. for a while."
"{Interesting…}" the voice at the other end of the line, a man, hummed in thought. "{Continue to monitor for now until further notice.}"
"And I will be free of my debt, right?" Ingvild nervously asked.
"{Of course,}" her quote-unquote employer replied. "{You will be free to do as you wish… once you're no longer of any use.}"
Ingvild gulped at the implication, placing a hand on the blue star gem on her black choker. In reality, it was a device that monitored her activities, as well as end her life if her employer ever wished it. Ever since her employer managed to wake her up, she had been effectively forced to act as a spy for him. Why, she didn't know. 'Maybe's now the time to find out.'
"Sir, I do have one question," Ingvild took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "Why do you want me to spy on the school? On the Gremory group?"
"{Doom's reasons are his own. Do not question them, girl,}" Doom replied.
Ingvild whimpered in fear. "R-Right, my m-mistake."
"{Hmph. I will contact you in a week's time.}" At that, Doom cut off the line.
Slowly, Ingvild put her phone away, leaned against the wall of the alley, slumped down, and began to cry. "Someone… help me."
AH: Ugh, I'm exhausted. So much of this chapter just didn't want to be written. Got it done, somehow, so there's that. The part that really held this back was the fight between Izuku and Vali. That was a real bitch to figure out. Obviously, Izuku won't get a sudden power-up from the thought of the girls' boobs getting smaller, though he still got pissed at Vali threatening his parents. Thankfully Vali was just bluffing.
But it turns out he wasn't the only agent of the Khaos Brigade who infiltrated the meeting. Osanne, the exorcist who we briefly first met ALL the way back at the end of Chapter 25, is an agent. Not only that, SHE was the one who told Kokabiel where some of the Excalibur fragments were. Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, Osanne is basically like a blond, female Dante from Devil May Cry, with a bit of Kingdom Heart's Xigbar thrown in.
At least both Katerea and Creuserey are dead while Shalba is crippled. I'm sure that'll turn out well later on (sarcasm, by the way). And yes, I know that the Beelzebub Clan's special ability is called "King of Flies" in the novels, but "Lord of the Flies" sounds better and is more accurate.
And surprise, Vali ISN'T a traitor! He's a double agent for Azazel. The reason is because of how different Vali's character is in later appearance compared to when he first appeared. Plus dvdryms also did it in "High School DxD: Inheritor of Malevolence" and I liked the idea. Bikou and Kame, I mean Vali's girlfriend Genbu, also make an appearance, with Bikou being Mizu's ex. And yes, Vali has a girlfriend. For those of you who have only seen the anime, Genbu first appears in Volume 24, but she meets Vali (and develops a crush on him) in Volume 3 of SLASHDØG, which is Ichiei Ishibumi's previous series that has been reworked as a prequel to DxD. While she isn't Vali's girlfriend in canon (yet), she is here. Guess she managed to get through Vali's thick head, huh?
But man, Ingvild is an unwilling spy sent by, well, I'll see if any of you will figure it out. But I will say that, if they decided to intervene directly, they're arguably the biggest threat in the whole story.
And with that, the Peace Conference between the Three Factions is over! Now up next is the final exams. After everything they've been through, this should be a breeze for Izuku and the others. Unless of course Azazel has a hand in them, but there's no way that'll happen, right? Hahaha…
Until then, stay safe, stay healthy, and don't be racist! Go beyond, PLUS ULTRA!