I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
The skies of Tokyo and the surrounding areas had turned crimson red for unknown reasons. Slowly, other places were also getting affected, and those with sharper senses in terms of the supernatural could detect the rising danger soon. Humans looked around for a logical explanation, but the reason behind them was far more malevolent. Many started to pray in shrines and churches as they sought the aid of the divine to resolve the issue. Still, luckily for them, the Alliance was already preparing to resolve the issue.
Shangri-La, Alliance's Reunion Hall.
Leaders of the Alliance and prominent members took their seats in the large hall. Each one wore the uniform that corresponded to each of their groups, and a few new faces could be seen amongst those present.
"Good, it seems that everybody is present. I'm glad to see that the Alliance is growing in numbers." Mini-Gaia said as she walked through the table.
"If things go well with Midg and the Elves, we will see more allies in the future." Ajuka comments.
"They will come around with time. Elves had remained neutral for as long as I can remember. A significant step such as joining the Alliance won't be so quickly taken, yet I remain confident in their ability to see what's at stake." Bastet said as she placed some documents down.
Alongside Sekhmet and other of her fellow gods, she had left their home and moved to Shangri-La.
"The elves are a secondary concern right now. We should focus on the more critical issue. The curse area is close to a breakout. Mount Fuji's curse will spread into Japan's population if we wait any longer to act. The consequences will be dire, to say the least." Raphael argues as images of the current crimson skies are shown all around the room.
"Humans do like to create their own problems and not fix them until it is too late. Ms. Himejima, why did your clans wait so long and not purify the land before it reached this point?" Thor asks as he turns to face Suzaku Himejima.
Suzaku takes a deep breath. "They saw the area as the perfect training ground for our exorcists to practice and grow. I have never agreed with the idea of keeping it as such, as each year, it just grows in danger. It doesn't help that the other five clans are acting as brats and letting the containment barrier grow weaker with each day. I sincerely apologize for the mistakes of my ancestors."
"What's done is done. We can't change the past, but we can fix the present to protect the future." Falbium says as he points a finger to the map on the table. "We can't wait any longer as a breakout is imminent, so we must act now. I recommend isolating the mountain and evacuating the closer areas. We should also set up barriers all around Tokyo and other cities already under the effects of the crimson skies."
"We're going to have to displace many people in a matter of a few hours if that's what we want to do. Yasaka, are you up for another mission?" Hephaestus asks.
Yasaka nods. "I'm ready to act. My injuries have fully healed already."
"Good; you and Suko could lead the teams, placing the barriers to contain the miasma and whatever monsters try to get out. I could focus on evacuating the humans and supporting your groups by fighting any monsters that make it out with my forces." Sirzechs says.
"That's alright, but we need to resolve the curse. There has to be a core inside the inverted Mount Fuji. A primary force should go inside and fight the large hordes, while another party should search for the core. I like to lead the central fighting unit inside, but we need a team that can destroy the core without many issues. Athena, can you lead that team?" Tiamat asks as she turns to the goddess.
Athena is taken a bit by surprise. "Does thou don't need mine strength within thy group?"
Tiamat shakes her head. "You can totally be of use anywhere, but we need someone who will get the job done. You can lead a team that will eliminate the core without too many problems."
The other members nod as they understand how strong Athena is and how effective she can be.
"Very well, I shall not oppose the idea, but I like to have certain people within my team. Welsh Dragon, is thou paying attention?" Athena asks as she looks at the empty seat, which has a magic circle floating on top.
"Loud and clear," Ddraig responds, thanks to the circle.
"Would thou recommend any of the children for this mission?" Athena asks.
"... Do you want me to recommend any of them for such a task? I'll admit I planned to bring them for the original plan, but we're on the verge of a breakout. I'm unsure if I should recommend them so easily." Ddraig admits.
"Maybe it is time to lead some of them to get more direct experience on the field. It is a mission that could prove helpful to see where some of them lie regarding training." Azazel adds.
The group heard a deep sight from the dragon. "Kuroka, Asia, Rias, Isaiah, Vali and Tosca. I can also recommend Akeno if Baraqiel doesn't oppose the idea. Michael, Liv, and Yukime should join that team to secure all possible unaccounted factors. I can't recommend anyone else so easily for an emergency like this."
"My daughter? Do you really feel like she's ready for a mission?" Baraqiel asks.
"I trust you and how you have been training her. If you feel that she's ready, she can join the mission." Ddraig adds.
"Maybe it is time for her to spread her wings for once, Baraqiel," Gabriel adds.
"... Sure. I'll ask her and Shuri." Baraqiel says.
"Athena, are you fine with my suggestion?" Ddraig asks.
Athena nods. "I understand thy choices, but I'll also need one last favor of thee."
"What is it?" Ddraig asks.
Athena crosses her fingers. "Support. Act as our support. Thou nods these children so thy words will inspire them to do their best. I know thou can't move too much, but at least thou can act as the one giving each of them an extra push."
"... I know what you're doing…. But I'll try. I'd like to see how far they have come." Ddraig admits.
Serafall smiles as she listens to his upbeat tone. It was evident that Athena wanted to have him involved, although it was indirectly. Give him a sense that he was still crucial to the future of the Alliance. "Sounds like we have a plan. Everyone in agreement?"
Everyone nods.
"Very well. It seems like we have a plan. Move out, people. We have a curse to eliminate." Shiva says as he stands up.
A new mission was about to start.
Several minutes later.
Athena, Michael, Yukime, and Liv watched as the seven chosen children by Ddraig were arriving before them.
Asia was already wearing her fighting suit and checking her weapons and ammunition.
Kuroka wore a black kimono with light armor, which protected her most crucial areas.
Isaiah wore a light black armor that covered his whole body. It was heavily inspired by samurai armor. One katana rested on his hip. An ominous aura engulfed said Katana.
Rias wore an armor that gave her the aura of a devil general, but she held no visible weapons. She was currently going over a small book of unknown precedence.
Akeno sat beside Asia as she silently meditated before her first mission. A similar suit to Asia's covered her body, but it was purple in color.
Finally, it was the final two members of the team. Their corresponding armor covered Tosca and Vali.
"I was waiting to see you join a new mission, Vali. Yet, I never expected to see that Ddraig's offspring would be your partner so soon. Remain calm and do your best." Albion said as Vali's right arm's jewel shone.
"I know, Albion. Tosca, let's do our best. Your dad will be cheering us on." Vali said as she patted the shoulder of Tosca.
Tosca smiled, yet she said nothing. Tressa was walking beside her as an extra addition to keep her safe.
"I won't be able to come to your aid. Tiamat will also be busy, but Athena and the others will be there to watch your back. Remain calm, my child. I will give you advice, but I might also go unconscious at the worst time. Do your best to achieve victory and come back in one piece with the rest of the team."
The words of his father repeated themselves as she took each step. It was a serious mission without any time for preparation or extra training. This wasn't going to be like when they went into Asgard.
The tension was at its highest, and the young daughter of the Welsh Dragon felt the weight that her father had to carry.
Hesitation wouldn't be acceptable now.
"I see good and determined faces before mine eyes. I'm also glad to know that all have accepted this emergency mission. My name is Athena, and I shall lead this mission." Athena says as she presents herself before the group.
"My name is Michael, and I expect all of you to listen to our orders. This won't be a walk through the park." Michael follows.
"I'm Yukime, and I'll cover for your faults, but don't abuse my aid." Yukime joins in.
"I'm Liv, and like the rest said, I expect orders to be followed. Our lives and those of many others are at risk." Liv ends.
The children bow their heads as they understand the expectations of their elders.
"There is someone else who will be supporting us and cheering you on from afar. Each one of you holds this small earring aid in your ears. This will serve to keep communication between each of us if we get separated or for advice from someone you know very well. Ddraig, are you there?" Michael asks as he touches his ear.
"I hear you loud and well," Ddraig replies.
Everyone hears his voice, thanks to the equipment.
"I will be listening and checking your vitals, thanks to the equipment that was placed in your suits and armor. Don't panic, and remain calm. We'll guide you back home." Ddraig assures the children.
Athena smiles as she sees the expression in the faces of the children soften after hearing his voice. "Well, time to discuss the plan. We will infiltrate the Inverted Mount Fuji through the Aokighara forest. Yukime will aid our infiltration. Tiamat will lead our main forces, and they shall invade through other areas. Their goal is to draw the attention of most of the apparitions and monsters that dwell inside the Inverted Mount while also preventing as many of them from reaching the human world. Our goal will be to find the core of the curse."
"We expect the core to be deep inside the mountain, but we should be ready to make changes as necessary," Michael adds as a small projection appears before the group.
"There will be no flying above a certain altitude. We need to be fast and discrete, as one wrong move could lead to millions of apparitions and monsters surrounding us, which could compromise the mission. Understood?" Liv asks the kids.
Each one nods as they understand the severity of the situation.
"We understand the mission and the consequences. We shall do our best to reach the expectations placed on us." Rias says.
"Death and defeat are not options," Akeno adds.
Michael nods. "It seems like you understand. Athena, I think it should be time to depart."
Athena takes one last look before she nods. "Time to start the mission."
Japan, nearby cities.
Evacuation efforts were in full swing as the skies turned even more red with each second. Humans moved as far away from the affected areas as forces of the Alliance moved in.
"Mama, look an angel." A kid said as he signaled a fully armored heavenly agent who had descended near his location.
The mother picked him up and ran alongside the rest of her family. Deep inside her, she knew this wasn't a safe place, and no humans should be around right now.
The angel stepped forward alongside his allies as they prepared barriers to contain the impending chaos.
As more troops arrived, getting closer to Mount Fuji, the severity of the situation became a matter of national defense and possibly the world, as the curse could easily spread to other parts of the planet if left alone.
Tosca POV. Aokighara forest.
Her body could sense that the area in which they found themselves was not safe. Her body screamed at her that she shouldn't be careless with her movements from now on, as a wrong step could spell doom for her.
Like her, the rest of the group felt the same, as not even the singing of birds or the whistling of the wind could be noticed within this forest.
The atmosphere seemed to draw anyone who stepped inside to go deeper, to lose themselves away from the main paths, to get lost and never be found again alive.
"This place is dangerous. It's far too dangerous for normal humans to visit." Asia sensed the malevolent aura that likely had driven many victims to put an end to their lives before it was their time.
"Based on the reports, exorcists and priests were ordered to regularly purify the main trails and set up talismans to prevent humans from being affected by the curse. Too many human conflicts occurred around Mount Fuji, and many were never written about, nor was the area purified. It is a curse that is almost as old as the nation itself." Ddraig informs the group. "Take deep breaths, and don't let the voices get to you."
Athena and the older members of the group kept a close eye on the kids as they walked deeper into the forest.
Each step was as if they got closer to the jaws of a beast that was determined to swallow them whole and consume them as another meal.
"Tosca, why did you survive? Why were you allowed to live on and not us?"
Tosca shook her head as she thought that she heard the voice of Pietro and the other orphans who died at the institute. Her eyes looked around until she met the eyes of Isaiah.
The boy said nothing, but his shaking head reassured her what she already knew.
"Is not real. None of those voices are."
Knowing this, Tosca pushed on alongside the group.
The sunlight diminished as they went deeper inside until only a reddish fog started to surround them.
Athena quickly summoned several spheres of light, which started to levitate around the group to guide them through the fog. "Remain calm and don't follow the voices. We're almost there."
"You shouldn't have survived. I had my whole life ahead of me."
The voices continued, but the young dragoness ignored them. "Pietro… all of them died to allow us to escape. They did for our sake; we must live on for their sake. To remember them and never forget why they die."
Tressa's head looked around as it detected a presence. Its eyes saw a figure amongst the fog, which seemed to tent it to come closer. The demonic beast growled and stayed close to its owner as it felt the danger that emanated from the apparition.
"Even Tressa feels that something is wrong with the area. Father told me that I should remain alert at all points, and I can see why he was so afraid of letting me come along." Akeno comments as she charges a small holy needle.
The apparition sees this and quickly disappears as it knows that Akeno is serious.
"Danger lies everywhere, even amongst the weakest of beings. Although humans are not the strongest of beings, they can lead to the creation of the most horrendous of things. This is just a product of their past mistakes." Rias says as she focuses her senses to detect a disturbance in space. "We're almost there."
"Good sense. Be ready, everybody. We're about to enter the Inverted Mount Fuji." Yukime says as she starts to spread her power to hide the group's presence.
As she activates the power, the group stops hearing the voices.
After a few steps, the group finally reached an open space that seemed devoid of any trees.
Asia gulps as she feels the ominous, malicious aura growing in strength.
Athena touches her ear. "Team B has reached the designated area. Tiamat, are thou ready to start the mission?"
"We're ready. Mobilizing all forces in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….. We're inside. Good luck, Athena." Tiamat cuts the call.
Tosca silently prays for the safety of her mother and the others.
Tiamat's POV. Inverted Mount Fuji.
Before their eyes lay an area that exuded malicious aura and miasma in all directions; corpses of long-forgotten human soldiers from several eras and other victims were found in each corner of the area.
The scent could be described as that of rotten corpses, blood, and putrification taken to an eleven on a scale of five.
"Holy Gaia, forgive their sins, for they don't know how far the rabbit hole goes." Tiamat watched as a gigantic red-eyed skeleton warrior who wielded a broken curved blade arose from the forest in the distance.
Under the reddish moon that shined on this accursed land, millions of apparitions and monsters from Shinto mythology took shape as they sought only one goal.
"Consume and increase the curse."
It was like an infection that couldn't be reasoned with. The regrets of an unknown number of human lives have come together to create a monster that could consume Japan in a few weeks if allowed to its own devices.
"Everyone, pick up your weapons. The fight starts now. Don't let them escape." Tiamat said before she changed shapes and rushed forward alongside her troops.
The fight had begun, and soon, the humans would learn how dangerous human-born curses could be.
Back to Tosca and the rest.
"... Push on. Trust Tia and the rest to draw the attention of all those apparitions to themselves. You have a goal, and as long as you achieve it, everything will be fine." Ddraig told the group.
"Right." Liv turns to Yukime. "We follow you."
Yukime claps her hands before she slams them to the floor. Black water starts to spring out from beneath the ground. "Don't be afraid and remain calm."
Their bodies begin to sink into the water as if it were quicksand.
"Take deep breaths," Michael recommends to the group as they sink faster.
The children did as told, and soon, their bodies were consumed by the dark waters that lay below them.
As the group sank, they felt the immense pressure of the curse. They even felt as if the hands of thousands of souls full of regret and pain grabbed their bodies to bring them deeper into despair.
"Get your hands away from us!" Yukime screamed as she dispelled the malicious aura that surrounded them.
As the kids opened their eyes, they saw a full crimson moon on top of them. The trees that surrounded them were as tall as skyscrapers, and none offered consolation to either of them.
"Keep your eyes wide open from now on," Ddraig said.
Tosca looked around as she felt many dangerous presences all around.
"This area is not Japan." Ddraig continues.
Eyes could be seen peeking out from the corner of trees, although neither could detect them.
"This is a cursed land. Kuroka and Asia already experienced similar places. Up and down don't matter. Distance is all a lie, and whatever you hear might not be real. Be alert and only trust what your senses detect as real." Ddraig finished.
"Get up and be ready. The mission starts now." Athena tells the kids as she jumps from one branch to the other until she can reach the top of the tree.
The kids spread their wings or jumped like Athena until they reached the top alongside the other adults.
Once on top, they got a more detailed view of the area in which they found themselves. Endless miles of forest spread out in each direction, yet one particular visage attracted their attention.
"That mountain is our target. Feel the nasty miasma that spills from within. Monsters and apparitions will continue to appear until we eliminate the core of this curse. Ignored everything else and focused only on getting to the top as a team." Michael said as he summoned his scimitars.
For the first time, Tosca finally understood the dread that her parents must have felt as they fought against the odds.
This wasn't going to be a walk through the park. This was going to be their baptism through real fire.
Ddraig's POV.
Our protagonist held his chest as he listened to the breathing of Tosca and the rest.
"Old man…. I see it now. I promise I will come back in one piece." Tosca said.
Ddraig couldn't say anything as he felt scared like never before. The dread of being unable to aid Tosca and the others was eating him from within, but he had to remain calm and trust them.
"Be calm, Nii-san. You choose each of them for this. They can do it." Valerie told Ddraig as she looked at the vitals of each member of the team in the monitors around the room.
Ophis, Eury, Shirone, Gasper, Valerie, Aurora, Elmenhilde, Raynare, and Roygun accompanied him as he sat on his bed while he communicated with those whom he sent on the mission.
Gabriel and Serafall were already helping with the barriers that would contain the possible breakout, yet here he was, bound to a bed. The only thing he could do was to hope for the best and give them the support they needed.
"She's your offspring, and you know her best. She won't fall on this night." Ophis said as she took a look at the vitals of Tosca. "If anything, this might be her time to shine and show what she can do. Keep your eyes open, for she might surprise all of us."
*R-Evolve- 30 Seconds to Mars*
Maybe she was right, but even then, a father could only worry about where he had just sent his daughter and a group of kids.
But who knows what destiny had in store for them on this crimson night?