Sona and her peerage all stand with their hands out as a giant shield gets covered over the school.
"We've put a protective barrier around the entire school. If nothing drastic happens, it should keep everything inside it from getting damaged." Sona says.
Rias smiles. "Thank you Sona. This means so much."
"Understand that this will only work if conditions remain the same."
"Got it." Rias nods. Tsubaki then appears.
"Tsubaki. How's Irina?" Sona asks.
"Her condition isn't life threatening anymore. You can thank Issei for that." Tsubaki says gesturing to Issei.
"It's what I do." Issei states. "I hope Xenovia or Kiba will show up."
"Have you heard from Kiba?" Saji asks.
"No, but I've got a feeling he won't miss out on this." Issei says crossing his arms.
"I'll keep the barrier Up an de keep the school from collapsing. As much as I'd like to avoid it." Sona declares.
"I'm not going to let that happen." Rias says.
"Rias, it's not too late. You can still try to contact your brother." Sona suggests.
"You know what I don't see?" Rias asks. "You trying to contact your big sister."
"With good reason too. Sirzechs loves you. He'd want to assist us. There's no doubt he'd come here as soon as you called him."
"There's no need." Akeno says walking up. "I've already contacted Sirzechs."
"How could you do that without asking me first?" Rias demands irritated.
"Look Rias, I understand that you don't to bother your brother unless you absolutely must. Our enemy is a Leader-Class Fallen Angel. He's not someone you can take on your own. I think that qualifies this as a must." Akeno explains.
Rias looks at Issei. "Issei?"
"She makes a good point." Issei shrugs.
"(Sigh) Fine." Rias sighs, defeated.
Akeno smiles. "I thank you for your consideration, President. Sirzechs is on his way. I believe his forces should arrive here in just about an hour."
"Good grief, girl." Rias shakes her head. "I cannot win against you, can I? Should be a fun hour."
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
The ORC walks to the other end of the school grounds as Rias explains her plan.
"Jack. I need you to be on support this time." Rias orders. "I want you to use your power to transfer to the rest of us to increase our strength."
"No problem! I'm all over it!" Jack grins confidently.
"In the meantime, I think we can stall until Jack can transfer his power to us." Rias says looking to Koneko, Akeno, and Issei.
"Yeah, I bet we can manage that." Akeno agrees.
Koneko nods. "Absolutely."
"Hell yeah! I've got a couple of trump cards that I've been saving for a fight like this!" Issei chuckles.
"Trump cards?" Jack questions.
"Just trust me. They'll come in handy when the time comes." Issei assures him.
Rias then adds, "Let's concentrate on being the offensive for this battle. We have to get to the school and prevent Kokabiel from releasing his power, whatever that may be. Unlike the fight with Riser, our lives will be at risk this time."
Issei grabs her hand, stopping her. "No one is dying on my watch. I want that understood. If Kokabiel hurts any of you, his head is coming clean off."
Rias smiles and kisses his cheek. "And that's what I love about you."
Issei sniffs the air, sensing danger. "This way!" Everyone follows Issei's lead where they see Valper surrounded by yellow light.
"What in the world is that?" Asia asks.
"It seems like the four Excaliburs have been made into one." The ORC looks up and sees Kokabiel sitting on a floating throne. "That is just so Valper, you know?"
"Kokabiel!" Rias shouts.
"DEATH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!" Erakhan declares as Issei summons his dragon armor.
"So is big brother on his way yet? Or is it Serafall instead?" Kokabiel asks.
"Right now, we're the ones here ready to fight." Rias states. "That's all that matters."
Kokabiel snaps his fingers and sends a giant spear of light at the gym. Issei shoots between its line of fire and crosses his arms, blocking the attack from hitting the gym.
Issei then gets sent back by the blast, blowing him into the forest.
"Issei!" Jack shouts.
"Ignorant boy. Since you came all this way to see me, I might as well let you play with my favorite pets!" Kokabiel's throne sends a giant light of energy into the ground that releases the humongous three-headed dogs.
"Cerberus?!" Rias exclaims in shock.
"Living at the gates of hell, its the watch-dog of Hades." Akeno explains.
"So he's real?" Asia whimpers. "What're we gonna do?"
"Bringing it to this world is forbidden!" Rias states. "Let's send him back! Akeno! Koneko!"
"Yes ma'am!" They both say.
"Jack use the Sacred Gear to enhance our power!" Rias orders.
"Right! Boosted Gear!" Jack says summoning his gauntlet.
Akeno and Rias dodge various flame attacks from the Hell-Dogs while Koneko jumps in and kicks one of the heads down.
One of the Cerberus dogs was about to jump at them but gets stopped. It looks back and sees Issei grabbing its' hind leg.
"Bad puppy." Issei grunts as he then swings the dog over him, slamming it into the ground. "'Bout time I used my trump cards. Charn! Indo!"
Charn and Indo then appear in their power forms.
"Time to use your 'gifts.'" Issei orders. They both nod. Indo gets down on all four as Issei then sends a ball of fire at him and does the same to Charn. They both growl and roar as they transform and grow in height.
Indo then roars as he stands 50 feet tall.
Charn howls with fire surrounding him as he stands 40 feet tall.
Issei flies up between them and points his finger at the Cerberus dogs. "Sick 'em." Indo and Charn roar as they charge and fight the Hell-Dogs.
"Uh, care to explain when Charn and Indo could change into monsters?!" Jack asks.
Issei shrugs. "I live to entertain." One of the Cerberus dogs breaks away and heads straight for Asia. "ASIA LOOK OUT!"
Asia screams before suddenly the middle head of the Cerberus gets cut off.
"You need a little help here?" Xenovia grins.
The rest of the Cerebrus then gets stabbed with various swords before Xenovia cuts it down the middle. Kiba then jumps in front of Asia, smirking.
Indo tears the heads of off the Cerberus he was fighting and smacks away the body with his tail. Charn and his Cerebrus were breathing fire attacks, pushing against each other. Charn then overwhelms the Cerebrus and it erupts in fire.
"Awesome!" Jack laughs joining Kiba and Asia. "That was so cool."
"'Awesome' is a bit of a stretch." Kokabiel states standing. "Though I must admit, I am deeply impressed by your skills and power Black Dragon Emperor. You should really reconsider your position of where you stand and become my right hand. Think of all the fun we'll have then!"
Rias grits her teeth before sending a blastwave of energy at Kokabiel. "TAKE THAT!"
Kokabiel merely deflects the attack, sending it at the basketball court and destroying. "Impressive, look how much stronger you've become just because I offered your servant a better life than what you've given him."
Rias gasps before Issei flies up in front of her. "Don't listen to him, Rias. My life with you is something that I can't explain in words as to how grateful I am to you. Remember, I'll always love you."
"It is complete! Finally it is done!" Valper cackles as the light dissipates and swords combine into one.
"Now I get to have the massive power that results from the combination of the swords." Kokabiel says greedily. "That's our trade off. Sweet deal, right?"
"So that power is what you used to make the ground collapse?" Rias asks.
"Seriously?!" Jack says shocked. "So then what?! Does that mean you're gonna use it to make our town disappear?"
Valper chuckles. "I suggest you leave quickly. This whole area is going to be destroyed in less than twenty minutes."
"If you wan to save your town, you'll have to defeat me." Kokabiel makes his throne disappear and spreads his ten wings. "READY RIAS GREMORY?"
"I'm ready!" Rias and Akeno both send blasts of their power at Kokabiel which he catches in the palms of his hands before combining them and sending the a giant blast at the King and Queen.
Rias and Akeno yell out in agony as they then fall before Issei zooms in and catches them both.
"Issei..." Rias groans.
"You'll be okay." Issei says as he lands softly on the ground and places them on their backs. "Asia!"
"I'm here." Asia runs up with Jack as she heals them.
Issei turns and sees Kiba walking towards Valper. "Kiba! What the hell are you doing?"
Kiba stops several feet from Valper. "Valper Galilei. I'm a survivor of the Holy Sword Project, or more accurately of those you tried to murder. I was able to live because I was reborn as a devil. I refused to die because I knew that one day, I would avenge the deaths of my comrades!"
"KIBA!" Rias screams as Kiba jumps at Valper.
Kokabiel sends a blast at Kiba that blows the whole surrounding him, but keeping Valper shielded from the attack.
When the dust settles, it reveals Charn still in his monster form an de having protected Kiba from the blast. Charn gurgles blood that drips from his teeth before keeling over and falling on his side.
"CHARN! NOOOOO!" Issei rushes over to the wolf as he transforms back into his original form. Issei brings Charn's head into his lap. "Stay with me, pal. You're gonna be okay."
Kokabiel chuckles. "Your pets are very loyal to you and your friends, aren't they Black Dragon? Freed!"
"You called? I'm here!" Freed snickers appearing.
"Not you again!" Jack sneers.
"This our last piece of entertainment. Use the power of the four swords of Excalibur to get rid of all this debris." Kokabiel orders.
"I would love to!" Freed says. "You know that fancy Excalibur with those ridiculous specks? Surprise! I just got one as a gift. Now who wants the pointy end of this bad boy first?! Well I'll just go ahead and chop off that devil and bitch believer then! THAT SOUND OKAY?!"
Xenovia then jumps in and tries to slash at Freed but he disappears.
"Too slow!" Freed chuckles. "Have you met? Say hello to the chopper rapidly. This bad boy can make anything happen!"
Xenovia spins on her hands before kicking Freed in the face.
"My face! Who kicks a beautiful face like this?!" Freed screams before Issei pounces on him and grabs him by the throat.
"It's not like you're any less uglier than before. Especially since I burned half of it off!" Issei growls before slamming Freed into the ground and tossing him to the side.
Freed growls before his sword stretches and goes various directions around Issei and Xenovia.
"It's not just mimicry you know? IT'S A NIGHTMARE!" Freed laughs.
"Shut up!" Issei says annoyed before grabbing the tendrils and sending Freed crashing into the dirt.
Kiba gets up from the ground, coughing as the dust dissipates.
"I've heard about you." Valper says. "They'd said one of the subjects had escaped. How tragic to survive only to live as a lonely devil. I am grateful to you and the others, you given me what I need in order to complete the project. The subjects we used didn't individually have enough of a particular gene required to use the holy swords. After I realized that fact I came to a conclusion, so all I did was take out the gene from the kids who carried any of it. Then I found a way to combine and crystallize their genes."
Valper then pulls out a crystal. "This crystal contains the exact quantity of the gene. It's the last one made from those pathetic little brats!"
Freed laughs hysterically. "The other guys they tested on died halfway in because they were too weak to take all the gene goodness! If you think about, you're lucky to be fighting on of a kind!"
Xenovia widens her eyes. "The crystal! Holy sword users receive a blessing. Something like that is put into their bodies. A gene deficiency, it must be what they were using them for."
"So you aren't born a holy sword user, you're turned into one!" Issei concedes.
"Those hypocrites." Valper sneers. "After excommunicating me as a pagan, they shamelessly used my research? Typical church behavior. Of course we're talking about Michael, so even if he took genes from his subjects, I bet he didn't take the time to kill them."
Kiba grunts. "There was no need to kill us either. How could you?!"
"You were nothing more than materials used in a top secret project." Valper states. "We had what we needed, what were we supposed to do?"
"We believed what we were doing was for God! We bore everything because of that faith, and then you just threw us away like trash."
Issei curls his fingers into fists as they shake. ~Sick, twisted freaks!~
Valper tossed the crystal to Kiba. "Here, why don't you take this? I no longer need it, we've gotten to the point where we can mass produce high quality crystals. No martyrs required."
Kiba takes the crystal in his hands and closes his eyes. "How many? How many lives did your cursed research cost? How many deaths did it take?"
Suddenly blue beings of light started to form and stand around Kiba.
"Look. It kinda seems like people." Jack points.
"It's probably the different powers from the battlefield combining." Akeno explains. "And Kiba's power on top of the trembling of his heart must've freed the souls from the crystal."
"I prayed." Kiba states crying. "I wondered why I was the only one. Why me? It wasn't fair for me to survive. There were kids with bigger dreams than I had. Kids who wanted to live more than I did. It was a mistake, someone else should've made it out of that nightmare."
One of the beings tugged his sleeve. "It's okay. Let's all gather together. Take us in, it's time. You don't have to be scared. Even if there is no God. Our lights will forever be one." Kiba smiles as tears stream down his face.
Rias, Akeno, and Koneko all smile as Jack and Asia cry.
Kiba then gets surrounded in blue light.
"Young Yuuto has piqued." Erakhan speaks in Issei's mind.
~What're you talking about?~ Issei asks.
"It happens when the thoughts and wishes of the user oppose nature. When they go against the course of natural things in this world. The sacred treasure piques, or as it is also known, the Balance Breaker."
The light dissipates around Kiba and he glares at Valper. "My comrades, they never wanted me to wish for revenge. They wanted me free. But I'm not, first I need to destroy the evil in front of me. Then no one else will have to suffer."
Kiba then summons his sword. "No one but you."
Valper backs away. "Freed! Help me!"
"I'm here!" Freed cackles stepping in.
"Time for a new sword. My comrades, we shall overcome this together, all our dreams that were stifled can now come true. I'll create a sword for Rias and all of my fallen friends. SWORD BIRTH GO!"
White, black, and blue energy surrounded Kiba's sword. "It's called the Sword of Betrayal, a sword with both holy and devil powers. Try and stop it."
Issei flies over and puts his hand on Kiba's shoulder. "Let me give you an upgrade." Issei then sends Red energy that courses through Kiba as his sword then glows and amplifies. Kiba then walks towards Valper and Freed.
Xenovia joins him. "Talk to me Knight of Gremory, are the two of us still fighting on the same side?"
"I'd like to think we are." Kiba states.
"I have a thought then. Why don't we destroy that Excalibur togther?"
Kiba glances at her. "Are you sure?"
Xenovia nods. "I understand we're up against a holy sword. But there's nothing holy about that." Xenovia then stabs her sword into the ground. "Oh Peter, Besyllius, and Dianysys. And the Blessed Virgin Mary. I ask you to please here my prayers."
A sword wrapped around in chains then appears.
"In the name of the saint living within this blade, I hereby set you free!" The chains disappear as Xenovia then wields the sword. "This sword is called Durandal."
"A sword on par with Excalibur, said to cut everything in this world!" Akeno states.
"That's impossible!" Valper states. "My research didn't go into how to use Durandal! No one should be able to wield that thing!"
"You're wrong." Xenovia smirks. "Unlike Kiba or Irina, I'm one of the rarely found naturals."
"One who is perfectly suitable. A true holy sword user!" Valper scaredly proclaims.
"This kiddo cuts everything he touches to pieces." Xenovia states. "He doesn't always listen to me either. Besides that he's infinitely dangerous unless stored in another dimension." Xenovia and Kiba then clashs against Freed with ease and break his sword.
"My sword broke!" Freed yells. "Are you kidding me?! How could I be taken out by lame devil scum?!"
Issei then floats in front of Freed. "Don't underestimate your opponents jackass. Indo!"
Freed turns and sees Indo looming over him, still in his monster form. Indo then raises his foot and stomps down on Freed, breaking every bone in his body.
Valper falls to his knees. "How is this possible? In theory the fusion between holy and devil powers is impossible! Wait, yes I understand now! If the balance between holy and devil is disrupted it could be possible which means not only the Devil King but also Go-AGGHHH!"
A spear of light stabbed through Valper, killing him and making him disappear.
"Oh Valper, you really were very talented." Kokabiel says. "Unfortunately, you weren't supposed to figure that part out."
"Okay Kokabiel, what are you trying to do here?" Rias demands.
"I'm destroying everything I find tedious." The General states. "Now I'm even more bored than before. Hey there, little boy."
"Yeah, what do you want?!" Jack says.
"Raise as much power as you can and transfer it to the Black Dragon Emperor."
"Yeah, why is that Kokabiel?" Issei demands.
"Because I only want to fight you." Kokabiel states.
"So what?" Rias scoffs. "Are you offering to give him a chance? Don't bother, he doesn't need it."
Kokabiel laughs. "You're being ridiculous, Rias my dear, he'll need more than a little power up because you don't know the deal I'm offering the Black Dragon."
Issei flies up to Kokabiel. "What deal?"
"If you manage to beat me and I'm rendered defenseless, then I will leave and never return to harm this town again." Kokabiel says placatingly.
"An if I lose?"
Kokabiel smirks. "Then you will join my side without hesitation and I promise not to harm your friends and family. It is a good deal, Issei Najasaki, one in which either scenario you win."
Issei looks down at the ORC and Xenovia, but mainly Rias. "Deal."
"What?! Issei, no!" Rias shouts.
"I'll give you a few minutes to recover and recharge." Kokabiel nods.
Issei flies down and approaches Jack, retracting his helmet. "You heard him, transfer whatever you can to me."
Rias walks in front of him. "Issei, are you insane? If you lose, he'll take you away from us! From me!"
"I won't lose. This guy sure as hell isn't gonna win against me." Issei states. "I refuse to let him." Jack then transfers his power to Issei, making him crack his neck. He looks to Rias and kisses her. "He won't win. I promise, and I keep my promises."
Issei turns to Kokabiel and summons his helmet. "Let's dance, freak!"