AN: Hey guys and welcome to the twentieth-two chapter of "Switching Sides.". I want to thank everyone who Favorited, Followed, and Reviewed!
I want to apologize for the time it took me to update, but I was pretty busy and unfortunately I will continue to be busy so updates will not be so quick. Rest assured, I will not abandon this fic but be aware that it might take me a few months to update but the slow updates do not mean that the story is dead.
Now, as always I want to remind you to keep your reviews civilized and also that this story is an AU and some characters are OOC. In this chapter especially there will be an AU variation of a canon powerup that you'll see later in the chapter.
I used some parts of the LN here but changed it to fit the story. Regardless, I want to exclaim that I do not own Highschool DxD nor the fantastic fan-translation made by the talented people in Baka-Tsuki that I used in this chapter.
Also, for all of you who are fans of Naruto, and Harry Potter, I am happy to announce that I am working on fics for these fandoms so if you are a fan then look out for them in the upcoming future.
Now, without further ado here is the chapter. Enjoy!
"..." Talking.
'...' Thoughts.
"..." Quotations.
"..." Attacks.
*...* Actions, i.e., Yawning and Sighing.
(...) Flashback and time skips.
["..."] /{"..."}Talking through the Sacred Gear.
['...'] / {'...'}Talking in the Host mind.
[...] / {...} Sacred Gear Actions and modes.
"..." Sacred Gear evolution trigger i.e., Juggernaut Drive chant.
The sound of footsteps echoed around the dimly-lit, spacious halls as Rizevim Lucifer walked towards his destination.
His thoughts occupied by the things that will be discussed in the meeting he is heading to. He stopped as he faced a set of imposing double doors that were decorated in a grandiose manner.
"It's time," He spoke to himself before he pushed the two doors open and entered the room where he saw two figures who seemed to be engrossed in their conversation that they did not notice the opening of the doors.
The two figures abruptly stopped their heated discussion as they heard the sound of his shoes patting the marble floor.
"Ah, good. It seems you have finally arrived Rizevim," One of the figures noted as he turned to face the son of the Morning Star.
Rizevim scowled at the figure before he spoke. "Save me your attempts at mannerism Hades and let us discuss our plans,".
Hades replied, his voice void of the earlier cheerfulness it held. "Very well. Rizevim, Cao Cao, let us discuss the progress of our plans," He looked at the two occupants of the room before lowering his gaze on the table that stood in the middle of the room.
Rizevim cleared his throat before he addressed his colleagues. "My friends, I am pleased to inform you that our plans recently took a great step toward our goal. As of last night, the legendary Evil Dragons has been revived using the two pieces of the Holy Grail we had managed to retrieve and the spear of Saint Longinus that is in Cao Cao's possession. However, our accomplishments do not lay solely on the two Longinuses but also with a group of Vampires from the Tepes Clan that realized the error of their pure-blooded principals and sought to gain the power to fight. We gave them that power, but with a little twist, we turned them into the Evil Dragons we sought to revive thanks to my experiments. Now, with the might of the Evil Dragons combined with our own our goal of defeating Great Red, the current protector of the Dimensional Gap, and invade another world,".
Hades scowled after hearing Rizevim's speech before he spoke up as well. "Do not forget Rizevim about the contributions I had given our cause. If it wasn't for my little "gift" the next part of the plan would surely fail,".
Rizevim gave Hades a sick grin before he spoke with a fruity voice. "Ah! Your gift! How could I forget it? Of course, of course, your gift was most appreciated..." His eyes narrowed, and his voice turned cold as he continued "But do not forget your place Hades or I will be forced to remind me and I can assure you that God of the Dead or not you would regret your actions after I'm done with you. You can ask Cao Cao if you find it hard to believe my words," He looked at the now squirming Cao Cao.
The Skeleton God recoiled slightly from the threat before he threatened dangerously. "You may be commanding me now but the moment you will perish I will make sure your afterlife will be even worse than the Hell that the old tales describe,".
The son of Lucifer only laughed merrily in return showing Hades that his threat did not work on him.
After Rizevim's laughter died down the room descended into an awkward silence that was broken by Cao Cao.
"So... What is our next step?" He questioned his colleagues.
Rizevim smirked before he explained. "That, my dear colleague, will be something that I am sure will give you great satisfaction. After all, it involves your old Faction. You see, we are going to eliminate any possible threat there and capture little ol' Ophis. It amazes me that she seemed never to notice the powers you slowly stole from her or perhaps she did but chose to ignore it? Regardless, the next part of our plans relies on her. We are going to use one of our pals Shalba Beelzebub to kidnap Ophis which will allow us to move once again a step closer to our ultimate goal,".
Cao Cao looked at Rizevim in confusion and asked."Why do we need to capture Ophis? Wasn't the power I provided enough to complete whatever it is we need it for?".
"That is a secret Cao Cao but I will tell you that we will be using Ophis to create something grand which is why the option of failure does not exist in this mission," Rizevim informed the True Longinus wielder.
"I have already spoken to Shalba prior to this meeting and told him of our plan. As you can guess he happily agreed only if for his cruelty that made its signs when I told him about neutralizing any threats. He is already ready and is currently on standby as he waits for the designated time we set for the mission which is a few hours from now. Let us part ways now my colleagues until the next time we shall gather here together when the mission is done," Rizevim told everyone before he turned around and proceeded to walk out of the room with the other two silently following.
'Tomorrow... Tommorrow Quilpoth will rise from hiding and will strike the world like never before,' The Son of Lucifer thought as he pushed the set of double doors open, a sick grin on his face.
Issei groaned tiredly as the brilliant rays of the sun invaded his room and interrupted his much-needed sleep. Not wanting to wake up the brunette huffed before he turned his back towards the window hoping that it'll be enough to block the sun.
As if mocking him the heavenly glow of the sun only seemed to increase after that action which caused Issei to moan before he opened his eyes and rubbed the sleep from them. He tried to sit on the bed only to feel something weighing him down. Issei smiled when he saw the beautiful faces of his two lovers as they continued to sleep without a worry in the world. He shook his head knowing how much of heavy sleepers the two are to the point that even the sun in its full might could not cause them to stir even in the slightest. He tenderly moved the appendages that blocked him and sat down on the bed.
He looked at nothing as the events of last night ran through his mind. His reunion with his friends after not seeing them for four weeks has been fun, to say the least. They shared tales about what they did during the four weeks. They bantered with one another about their plights with most of the fire going in Issei's direction as Bikou tightly held his hurting stomach while he struggled to contain his laughter while even the stoic Arthur allowed a few quiet laughs to escape his mask of indifference.
When Issei had enough of his friends he left the table and went towards Le Fay and Vali who seemed to be engaged in a passionate discussion with Ophis. He smiled brightly at this seeing that Ophis began to open up and experience the world like he wanted her too. Sure, she still has a long way to go but he was happy to see the start of it.
During the four weeks, he spent training he and Ophis bonded a lot to the point he considered them good friends and seeing that the eyes of his recently-made good friend no longer seemed dead and full of nothing filled him with happiness. He owed Ophis more than she will ever know and it was that why he took it upon himself to make sure Ophis's existence will no longer be dull. He was certain that by the time he'll be done Ophis will no longer wish to return to the Dimensional Gap to live in eternal solitude.
His gaze lingered on the three before he changes his destination as he approached Kuroka, Yasaka, and Kunou who he sat with for the remainder of the evening as they talked with each other.
The brunette emperor was snapped out of his reminiscent when he felt his two girlfriends beginning to stir.
"Good morning sleeping beauties," He teased as the two rubbed their eyes and joined him in sitting down on the bed.
He was met with a playful punch to the shoulder by Kuroka and a finger flick to his forehead by Yasaka.
"Oww! What was that for?" He faked hurt as he addressed his two lovers.
"Perhaps if you would've kissed us awake your sleeping beauties will not be so grumpy," Yasaka told him in amusement as she held her hand to her mouth to hold back her laughter.
Kuroka pouted as she spoke seductively. "Nyaa only kissing? I wouldn't have minded a more passionate wake-up call by our prince charming here,"
Issei blushed heavily from Kuroka's not so gentle suggestion before he composed himself and returned her gesture. "I did not know you were into that stuff Kuroka. Well, you learn new things every day I suppose,"
Kuroka's cheeks tinted red, and she was about to retort when all of a sudden her hands shot up to her mouth and she bolted to the bathroom where she barfed.
The brunette began to worry as it seems that whatever made Kuroka queasy did not seem to disappear. Sure, it has only been a day since he returned and Kuroka herself said that it would probably be gone after a few days, but there was something... Off. He couldn't exactly pinpoint what that was, but the best he could describe was as if something within him told him to not shrug it off as a minor sickness that would pass in a few days.
It was only a few minutes later that the sound of Kuroka's vomiting faded and the Nekoshou emerged from the bathroom.
"Kuroka are you sure you're okay?" Issei asked, causing Kuroka to tense.
She replied, her voice a bit shaky. "I-I'm okay Issei you do not need to worry. I already feel better than I did yesterday," She lied hoping Issei would leave it at that.
He looked at her as if searching for any indications that would prove otherwise before he shrugged it off and spoke. "We should probably hurry up because Vali told me last night that she wanted us all to come to the main hall when we wake up and I don't think that making her wait too long will be such a good idea," He shuddered as thoughts of Vali beating him into oblivion for being late entered his mind.
When Issei entered the shower Yasaka's gaze immediately turned to Kuroka.
"You know you'll have to tell him soon. I could tell that he was feeling that something was off with your "sickness" and it won't be long before he presses the issue when he sees that it's not getting better,"
Kuroka sighed in resignation as she spoke. "I know, I know, but it doesn't make it easier. Sometimes I want to hit him for his selflessness, but that's his most charming trait, and I do not want it to change. Still, I think I'll tell him tomorrow as I'll spend today to prepare myself for that mentally,"
Yasaka smirked. "And I'll make sure to help you as much as I can. Still, seeing the bold, shameless Kuroka reduced to a shy teenager trouble me greatly and I want to begin repressing those memories as soon as possible,"
Kuroka scowled at Yasaka as she gave her the finger in reply while inside she was grateful for the Nine-Tails Youkai for being her friend.
After Issei emerged from the shower, clueless about the news that he will hear tomorrow, the two girls woke Kunou up and the three took turns in showering before they left the room and went to the main hall where Vali and presumably the rest awaited them.
"Ah, I see you honored us with your presence," Vali sarcastically said as she glared at Issei and the girls.
Issei gulped. " S-Sorry about that I was pretty tired from last night," He told her.
Vali's gaze slightly softened. "Fair enough. I'll excuse you for this one time but don't test me again," She threatened before she motioned for them to join the others.
"So... What did ya drag us here for? I could've spent this time sleeping," Bikou inquired, his voice annoyed.
Vali scoffed. "You always sleep you lazy monkey," She remarked much to Bikou's ire and the others amusement.
"Anyway, what I wanted to talk to you all about is our next course of actions. As you all know our fellow members of the Hero Faction were slaughtered by none other than Cao Cao. Currently, we have no knowledge about Cao Cao's current location or allegiance as someone like Cao Cao is bound to find another group. I know that you all feel the need to make him pay and I do too but we need to be smart about it. Cao Cao is a powerful man, and with the right allies, he could spell death for all of us here. I already planned the best course of action for us to take but I wanted to hear your opinions before I decided," Vali told everyone.
Much to the surprise of everyone, it was Ophis who spoke first. "They abused my gifts and did not help me with my goal. We should destroy them," Her usually unemotional voice was coated with a hint of anger.
"I think we should kick his ass," Bikou added grinning.
"Perhaps we shall attempt to talk to him first? To understand his motives better before we decide what to do?" Yasaka timidly asked.
"How about we-!" Issei began before he was suddenly cut off as a loud noise erupted in the room.
The noise was familiar for Issei. It was the same noise when a hole is created in a dimension.
Issei snapped his gaze upward towards the ceiling and his eyes widened when he saw a hole in the sky through the broken ceiling.
The one who intruded by making a hole in the dimension is a man with light-armor and cape. Issei narrowed his eyes as he saw him knowing exactly who the intruder was.
"It has been awhile Red Dragon Emperor, Vali," The man spoke with uncontained hatred as he landed in the middle of the room and glared at both Dragon Emperors.
Arthur redirected his gaze towards the intruder. "Shalba... Beelzebub. The leader of the Old-Maou Faction,"
Issei frowned when he heard Arthur speak of the man identity. This was the man who he saw during the incident with Diodora. But how was he still alive? The last Issei remembered of this man was killing him when he went into Juggernaut Drive.
"What are you doing here Shalba?" Vali asked.
"No hello? You wound me Vali! But to answer your question I'm here to retrieve something," He replied with a smirk before he suddenly vanished causing everyone to frantically look around.
"Ah!" A feminine cry resounded through the room causing everyone to snap their gaze toward it only to see Vali defending herself from Shalba.
"What's wrong!? Vali! What happened to your proud demonic-powers!? Your power of the White Dragon Emperor? What happened to it!? Fuhahahahaha! You are just a mixed breed with a human so there was no way for you to win against me who is the real Maou!" He taunted as he continued his onslaught.
"I don't want to hear it from you who names himself a Maou while borrowing the powers of others," Vali retorted despite her struggle.
"Fuhahahahahahahahah! It only matters if you win in the end! Now, I'll take the thing I wanted!" Shalba pointed his hand towards Ophis! A spiral demonic power appeared, and it wrapped Ophis up like a rope.
Shalba grinned. "Just like the information I received said! The current Ophis has an unstable power and even my current self can capture her! This is a gift to the cooperative partner of this I, the real Maou! I will have her give me a snake again since my powers are down! I will be taking her now!"
"Like hell, I will let you!" Issei bellowed as he assumed his Balance Breaker form and stormed Shalba with a speed like never before.
"A curse! This is a curse! I shall become the poison who will devour the Underworld!. Those devils who declined me! I have no business with such an Underworld! I don't care about them anymore! I don't care about the authority and possession of the Underworld anymore! Fuhahahaha! This Shalba Beelzebub shall use his last bit of power to destroy the Underworld together with the monsters!" He said while laughing madly.
This was no longer the descendant of an old Maou. This was no longer the man Issei fought while in Juggernaut Drive. This was a complete madman! His eyes no longer normal but instead filled with madness.
"Vali! We need to take Ophis back!" Issei shouted at his wounded friend.
"You're...You're right," She said as she struggled to regain her breath.
The two dived after Shalba just as the brilliant light enveloped him and Ophis taking the four of them to the Dimensional Gap.
When they all appeared Shalba was watching the two unplanned additions with a scowl plastered on his face as he held Ophis.
"I can understand Vali coming after me despite her injuries, but for a failure of a Heavenly Dragon such as yourself to come after me! How much do Dragons have to look down on me?!"
"What is your reason for coming after me!? Are you also trying to ignore me, one who carries the blood of the real Maou!? Or are you trying to obtain power by having Ophis!? It's you who is a Heavenly-dragon! You must be hiding the desire to dominate the human world and Underworld!" He asked further.
Issei sighed as he realized that all Shalba cares about is bloodlines and domination.
"Even if you say something complicated that I don't understand. You take my friend and tried to hurt the others and for that, I will never forgive you," Issei told him while pointing his finger at him.
"The pressure coming out from you has increased. You are a Heavenly Dragon who acts in ways I can't possibly understand. Well then! Get tainted from my curse and die in this dimensional gap, Red Dragon!" Shalba uttered.
"You are the one that is going to die you, lowly Devil!" Issei venomously replied as he continued to increase his powers.
'It's time to show my trump card!' Issei thought as he remembered the fruits of his four-week training.
"I, the one to awaken am the Red Dragon Emperor who holds up the truth of the King up-high!"
["Let's go Hyoudou Issei!"]
["Yeah that is right! We are the Red Dragon Emperor who protects the future of those we care about!"]
["It is the time to walk the crimson road of regal righteousness!"] The voices of the past possessors of the Boosted Gear spoke.
"Holding the infinite hope and indestructible dream and walking the road of royal righteousness. I will become the Emperor of the Crimson Dragon and the King of the Blue Dragon"
"And I will lead you to the path of the Heavenly Kingdom glowing with the true Crimson and brilliant Blue lights!
[{Cardinal of the Heavenly Dragon King!}] The voices of Ddraig and Tiamat roared.
Shalba pointed his hands at Issei and a warp was created and bugs... No, not bugs but bees. Something that looks like bees appeared and covered the whole area.
"I will show you the power of the real Beelzebub!" Shalba cried.
Shalba then controlled the army of bees in creating many circles and he then started to randomly shoot out enormous masses of aura from them!
"Star Sonic Booster!" Issei used his new ability to instantly dodge and close the distance between Shalba and him before he released a punch aimed directly to his stomach.
Shalba coughed out blood. "You low lifeee!"
Shalba created many magic-circles that reminded Issei of Rossweisse. He shot out a full burst of different elemental attacks! But each and every one of his attacks was thick!
Issei did not dodge the attacks but instead rushed forward while hitting them away. He shorted their distance using his new speed and released his fist at him again.
"Solid Impact Booster!" A gigantic fist hit Shalba in the face which caused blood to come out from all over his face.
Seeing the extent of the damage Issei dealt Shalba, Vali spoke with a bored voice.
"Is this it?"
Veins appeared on Shalba's face. "What?
"You said you were a Maou, so I thought you had power like that of Sirzechs and Vali. I battled both of them so I can understand the power of the Maou "Lucifer". But I don't feel any strong pressure from you like I did from them." Issei interrupted not caring that the Beelzebub descendant was pissed.
Shalba laughed loudly. You sure say a lot! A mere rotten Dragon! A former human who is the same as garbage, to make a fool of this real Maou!"
Issei ignored Shalba's pathetic taunts and said. "Shalba. You may have great talent and demonic-powers. You were born with things greater than me,"
"That's right! I am a Devil that was chosen! A Maou! The real Maou!"
"But its no good. Your attacks are nothing compared to others I've fought! You won't be able to defeat me with attacks like that! If you shoot your demonic powers, I hit them away. If I punch you then your body curves. I shoot down your creepy bees with my Dragon shot as well! I am at an advantage here Shalba!." Issei uttered while Vali laughed.
"You shitty Heavenly Dragon! How about this then"
While sprinkling blood, Shalba created a magic-circle within his hand. What appeared from there were...two arrows?
It flew at the two Dragon Emperors at high velocity and hit Issei in his right arm and Vali in her shoulder and pierced their armors.
They tried to pull out the arrows when a wave of intense pain hit the both of them.
Through Issei's arm and Vali's shoulder. Intense pain spread throughout their bodies. At the same time, it felt like their powers were leaving them. Their hands began to shake uncontrollably.
"What is this?" Issei whispered through the pain.
Shalba laughed at the scene in front of him. "Fuhahahahaha! It's painful right!? It's hard to endure right!? Of course! The tip of that arrow is covered with the blood of Samael! I received it from Hades! If you have high demonic-powers like Vali then you could have endured it a bit. But for someone like you who seems to have no talent in demonic-powers, then you will die," Shalba gleefully replied.
"I see. Samael's blood. This is the poison and curse of the Dragon-Eater. Wait, you allied with Hades?" It was Vali who spoke.
This was the first time Issei was on the receiving end of a dragon-slayer damage. His body was cold, and in pain, shaking.
['It even reached here Partner. It's so strong that I lost my consciousness for a time. Tiamat is still unconscious'] Ddraig spoke in Issei's mind.
The brunette widened his eyes in response. It even reached Ddraig and Tiamat who were just souls!
Meanwhile with Vali things were the same as Albion roared in anguish as well shocking Vali as she knew that he was just a soul.
A tear escaped her eye. 'Is it the end? After everything, we went through? I would've happily embraced my death if only I would've gotten to experience the happy ending I wanted to have with Issei and the other girls,'
While the two emperors suffered through the pain that was even more unbearable than the pain that a Holy Sword can inflict on a Devil Shalba smirked wickedly as he took the suffering of the two with great joy before he attempted to escape with Ophis.
Unfortunately, his attempt at escape was noticed by Vali who despite the pain managed to close her distance to Shalba and deliver a punch to his face that threw him back before she used her Lucifer powers to get rid of Shalba.
"Ahhhhhhhh" Shalba's howls resounded through the Dimensional Gap as he was enveloped in the crimson aura of Vali's powers.
"He's gone," Vali said as she gasped for air.
She turned around to look at the man who captured her heart only for it to break when she saw his condition.
It was clear to her that at best Issei only had a few more minutes to live and she wasn't far behind him. Due to her unique heritage, she was able to endure Samael's curse longer but it did not mean that she was immune to it. No, it only meant that her death was delayed.
She used the last of her strength to approach Issei and enveloping him in a tight hug.
"V...Vali," He struggled to say as the helmet of his Balance Breaker shattered and he violently coughed up blood.
"I know... I know that we said we'll wait until the time is right; until we'll both be completely healed but please for the short time we have left let us act as if that time has come," Vali pleaded as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Issei gave her a watery smile before he wiped off the blood from his mouth. "If we're going to die then lets at least do it with a smile on our face," He told her.
Their eyes met, and at that moment everything they felt for each other was clear as the morning sky.
"I love you, Vali. Now and forever,"
"I love you, Issei. Now and forever,"
They took each other in a kiss that was full of passion and love as all their emotions even those they struggled to suppress or vanquish poured into the kiss.
Reluctantly, they broke the kiss and gave each other the brightest smile they could as they held each other hand.
They lamented the abrupt ending of their lives and their hearts broke when they thought about everyone's reaction to their death. They would've done everything to return to their friends but it wasn't meant to be. They accepted their death none the less as in their last act they saved a part of their evergrowing family from a gruesome fate while they eliminated a threat that could've haunted their family even after their death.
They looked around the Dimensional Gap. The place where Ophis used to reside before Great Red interrupted her solitude. This was a place that even beings who lived hundreds of years could never hope to see the entirety of it. They silently thanked the true Red Dragon Emperor knowing that it was his interruption that allowed them to meet Ophis.
Drawing their last breaths they averted their gaze towards each other for the last time and gave each other one last smile before they knew no more.
AN: Don't forget to Favorite, Follow, and Review!