("…Gotta get back…back to the past…Samurai Jack.") There's nothing but a black screen.
("I've finally returned to the past and defeated Aku.") The scene then goes down to reveal Jack. His silhouette all white with a white shadow behind him, standing in the dark with his back turned towards the viewer.
("But, I still feared for the future.") Jack is then shown looking out at the horizon from the balcony of his castle, pink Sakura leaves falling all around him and his empire. The scene then changes to show an opening in a snowbound forest with towering trees.
("Though he's gone, his shadow still remains.") The camera turned slowly to the right and stopped when it shows Jack meditating on the snow covered ground, with his right side facing the viewer. There's then a close up of the sheathed Sword, as the blade is pulled from the scabbard.
("Though I will not be around, I will not let the nightmare return.") The scene focuses only on the Sword's blade, as reflection of Jack's eyes was shown in the metal for a moment, before Aku's eyes replaced them.
("With a simple goal, the Sword was passed down to eldest child of the eldest child.") Jack's silhouette, with the sword in hand, stands on top of a hill looking at his home from a distance. But then the scene changes to where there was a woman standing in Jack's place, looking at another city of the in the 19th century.
("To be passed down throughout the times.") The scene fades into another one, this time to a man looking at a city set ablaze in the night, as American bombers fly overhead during World War 2.
("So that if Aku does comes back, there's hope.") Again, the scene changes. But this time shows Kenny's silhouette looking at Kuoh. The city lit by its neon lights in the night atmosphere.
("I've placed my faith in him, and those around him.") Kenny was now sitting on the ground and leaning against a tree while looking up at the silhouette figure a familiar young woman. The screen suddenly goes black.
("His name is Kenny Kurosawa, the Red Dragon Samurai.") Then the title burns itself into the scene, glowing red as it shines in the dark.
The Red Dragon Samurai
Episode XIII
"Training"
On a hot, sunny day that was devoid of any clouds to provide any refreshing shade, Kenny felt like all the sweat in his body was gone as he panted.
"You're almost there," Rias told him encouragingly. It was almost midday and the peerage was walking on a steep rock and dirt path that lead up a mountain. The pathway was, despite being made of rocks, was smooth and stable. Trees were on both sides that didn't do much to shield anyone who would be willing to travel on it from the sun. Unfortunately, that meant Kenny, who was carrying a large bag on his back that made him hunch his back. He wasn't wearing his uniform. Instead, he had on a brown T-shirt and a pair a shorts. "Just a few more feet." Rias called to him with a wave, as she stood next to Akeno, who drinking from a fountain, and Asia, as they all were standing a few feet away at a flat part of the path. All three girls were also out of their uniform and were wearing more casual/camping style clothing.
"Visualize, Kenny," Akeno said with her sweet smile.
"Easy for you to say, Akeno!" He retorted out of exhaustion and the strain the backpack was putting on his shoulders, causing him to struggle keeping a steady pace on the steep slope. "You're barely carrying anything!"
Asia watched Kenny with a worried expression. "It's okay that I go help him, Rias," she asked the redhead.
"He'll be okay," Rias assured her. "He needs to learn how to keep that much on his own."
Kenny continued to do his best up the slope, but was then surprised when Kiba passed him on his right, carrying a bag about the same size as his. In his left hand was a plastic bag that contained some herbs. "President, I gathered some herbs. Let's use it for the meal tonight," the blonde teen said while passing Kenny, who was lost at words when he saw him carried his bag.
"…How?" Kenny asked himself, trying to think of how the blonde teen was able to walk with that bag as if it had nothing but feathers in it. However, his eyes widened even more when Koneko passed him carrying a huge bag that could have easily fit the entire group in it.
"…See you later," she said.
Stopping with a look of disbelief to watch her go on ahead of him, Kenny sighed and continued on. "How did it come to this," he asked himself.
The reason they were on the mountain path, heading towards their unknown destination, was because of what happened yesterday; when Rias' fiancé—Riser Phoenix—came and pressed the issue to have her marry him, and also threatened to hurt Kenny for stealing the redhead's first kiss. After the Phoenix heir and his peerage left when Rias agreed to a Rating Game, Grayfia offered a handicap to Rias.
Ten days to train and prepare for the match.
Since Rias had no experience in playing the Rating Games, and was going up against a professional, the maid thought it would be fair for the redhead to be given some time to ready her servants for the decisive battle.
Now Rias wasn't a fool. She was a proud and confident young woman, but she wasn't arrogant. She knew that despite her peerage and she were experienced in fighting, Riser was even more so. Going up against him right off the bat would have ended in a fast defeat. And so she reluctantly agreed to the ten days.
'Oh yeah,' Kenny thought with a tired, deadpan expression. 'Now I remember.' However, he also recalled what Rias said to him the other day.
"You ready, Kenny? The purpose of this training is to build your strength. Soon, you'll be stronger, faster, and more powerful than you even were."
"We're here." Rias' voice snapped him out of his thoughts and when he looked up, he was amazed by what the location was. It was a beautiful mansion that was built from the forest and owned by the House of Gremory. The building had the trees surrounding it, with a pond in front of the entrance.
"Wow! How beautiful," Asia said in amazement, with her eyes lighting up with excitement by the sight of the mansion.
"Alright, you guys, let's get inside and get going on this training," Rias told them.
"You really are the devil, you know that." Kenny complained. After trekking up the path, only to be ordered to do the training the second they got there? Not even his ability to adapt to the situation couldn't save him this time.
Rias looked over her shoulder and smirked playfully. "You're too kind, Kenny." She then turned her body to face the others and said, "Let's go in and get ready for training."
"Yes, ma'am!"
About twenty minutes later, they all gathered outside in front of the mansion. The first lesson was sword training. Although Kenny didn't know the reasoning for it, since he's already skilled in sword fighting, he didn't question it and stood ready. Facing him about a few feet away was Kiba. Both boys had a wooden bokken sword in place over their swords, and were wearing their gym clothing. Rias, Akeno, and Koneko were standing a few feet away from them, acting as spectators, while also wearing their gym outfits too.
"Alright," Kenny said with a competitive smile. "I hope you're ready, Kiba. I'm not going easy on you."
"Then come at me with everything you've got!" Kiba responded with his own smile. "Now, remember; don't just look at the opponent's sword moments, but also their body movement and widen your view to your surroundings. That way you can be ready for anything. You've been good with that in the past, so this training shouldn't be that hard."
"Got it." Kenny got into a fighting pose. "Then let's get this done."
"Wait!" Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Asia, in her gym outfit, running towards them. However, she seemed to be carrying something in her left hand, but they could make it out. "Please don't start yet," she said before stopping. Bending over with her hands on her knees, she panted to catch her breath.
"There you are," Kenny said. "Where have you been?"
"I'm sorry." She lifted her head and smiled with her eyes closed in an embarrassed manner. Kenny's black eyes traveled downwards towards the object in her left hand and saw it was a dagger tucked in its sheath.
"Asia, what are you doing with that?"
"She's asked me to help so that she doesn't feel like a burden," X-9 said from behind Kenny.
"Oh, okay." Kenny shrugged.
…
…
…
"Wait, WHAT!" Kenny whipped around and was just as surprise as everyone else, except Asia, when they found X-9 standing there with Lulu on a leash. "X-9?!" He exclaimed. "What the hell, man? How did you even get here?"
"I drove," X-9 answer simply, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at his black car parked near the mansion.
"We could have just drove here!" Kenny yelled with his eyes bulging out and his teeth comically sharp. His face went back to normal before he asked, "But why are you wanting to train with a knife?"
"W-Well, I'm not much of a fighter, and I'm mostly best when it comes to healing," she said while pulling out the dagger from its scabbard. "But when I and Rias were fighting X-9, I couldn't help but feel useless because I didn't know how to fight. So I asked him if there was a way for me to know how to protect myself and fight when I need to."
"So like a combat medic," Rias asked.
"Yeah," Asia said with a smile. "So X-9 said that a good weapon for me would be a dagger. Is it okay if we train while Kenny and Kiba are, too?"
"It's quite alright," Rias said. "If that's what you believe is best for you as my Bishop, then I'm not going to stop you."
"Oh, thank you!" Asia bowed with a big smile of joy. Kenny smiled fondly at her, as she and X-9 turned to face each other, before the robot began his instructing. Although it was weird to think that the gentle-hearted girl wanted to know how to fight, he was glad that she was willing to try and better herself.
"We're still sparing!"
Kenny looked left and saw Kiba's bokken coming at him in a leftwards vertical slash. He dodged by ducking his head under the wooden sword before blocking more attacks.
An hour later and it was time for lesson 2 with Akeno. She brought both Kenny and Asia into the house to a big room to train in using their demonic-powers. "It's time you both became aware of the aura and magic surrounding you, and then steam it to a focal point.
Glancing down at his right hand, Kenny stretched it out to the side and attempted to focus his energy into his hand. To his annoyance, he could feel anything, meaning that he couldn't gather the demonic-power. Straining himself, he tried to force the power into his hand to create something.
Akeno walked behind him and traced her hand from his shoulder to his outstretched arm. "Let the image flow through you and be released as magical power," she said with her thumb and ring finger on the back of his hand.
"I did it!" Asia proclaimed with joy. Akeno and Kenny turned their heads and saw the blonde with a beautiful green ball of magic in her hands.
"Ara ara. Look at you good with your little glowing green ball," Akeno praised Asia. "You've got a lot of talent in using demonic-powers." Asia's cheeks got reddened after the compliment. Kenny on the other hand was secretly disappointed in himself for not being able to get his demonic-power under control and control it. But he was proud of Asia. She's really come a long way from when they met.
Akeno had them gather at a table with a plastic water bottle in the center of it. "Now let's change those demonic-power into fire, water, and lightning," she said "You can make this by imagining it. However, it will be easier for beginners to actually move fire and water using their demonic-power." The black-haired beauty then leaned over the table and stretched out her hand over the bottle. Sending her demonic-power into, she commanded the water to turn into frozen spike, ripping the bottle apart.
"Whoa," Kenny said as he and Asia were amazed by Akeno's abilities. "That's amazing."
"And you will be too," she told him." Once you've grasped the technique. Asia, I bet this will be easy for you, so I want you to copy what I just did next. You on the other hand need to spend a lot more time on concentrating your demonic-powers."
"Right." Kenny sighed with an embarrassed smile.
"Remember, the source of a Devil's magic is our imagination and creativity," Akeno informed the other black-haired teen. "Anyway, it's important to materialize what you imagine." She then smiled in a seductive way. "If you want, I can give you something to concentrate on."
With that piece of information, while trying to ignore the last part that made his cheek flush, Kenny placed his chin on his fist to think.
"It may be easier to materialize what you're good at and what you always imagine more quickly."
Now that narrowed down the selection. Not feeling like the latter part of what she said would be the best course to go, as the way Akeno was leaning over the table made her massive mounds hang while covered by her shirt for him to see, Kenny knew that sword fighting was what he was good at.
But how was he going to employ his powers with the Sword?
"…Lesson 3."
BANG!
Pain shot through his back when he slammed into a tree before collapsing on his side. A few feet away from him stood Koneko with her hands behind her back.
As you could see; lesson 3 was sparring with the young white-haired girl.
"…That was weak," Koneko said blankly.
'Oh yeah,' Kenny thought in his head. 'Now I know why Mr. Scotts likes to call upon her.' He then charged at Koneko, but she jumped to the side and round kick the back of his head, sat on his back, wrapped her legs around his neck, and pulled his head pull by his chin.
The swift move brought Kenny down on his back while Koneko continuing to choke him with her strong legs. "…You have to aim at the center of the body when you give a blow where you hit with accuracy and also by thrusting you blow deep into the opponent's," she told him before twisting her hips to choke him tighter.
"AHCCK!" Kenny cried out for air.
—(an hour later)—
As the sun was starting to go down, Kenny grunted when he was sent off a small rock edge after being punched in the face. Luckily it wasn't a long fall, only about three feet down and it had a rough, rocky slope that Kenny was able to stop his movement by using his feet to brake himself to a halt.
"Damn it," he groaned while lying back on the slope. "Without the Sword, I'm useless."
"…If that was true, then how were you able to stand up to Raynare," Koneko asked when she walked edge and sat down. "…we all have powers that are unique to us."
"Yeah, I guess you're right about the first part, but what's my special power?"
"…You've got a way with the ladies," she said, making him sigh with annoyance. "But wait, there's more." Kenny looked over his shoulder to look at her. "You're also a really hard worker, if you lose a fight, you come back stronger and more determined, and you're the one who's going to save the world from Aku. You're not strong when it comes to being a Devil. Not now. But I believe that soon, you'll be the one that'll save us all."
Kenny stared at her as he let her words sink in. That was probably the longest he's ever heard her talk, but it was no doubt the most positive she's ever said to him. But a blush started to form when he saw how her sitting position made her cuter than before. Almost like a cat. He smiled softly at her. "You're right," he said before getting up. "Thanks, Koneko."
The white-haired girl gave him a tiny smile. "…Suck it, Goth." It wasn't emo, but it was more than enough to get Kenny mad. Koneko flipped backwards before he chased after her into the forest.
"That's no better than emo!"
BAM!
"OW!"
"Now lesson 4," Rias said, having brought Kenny and Asia into the kitchen.
"Isn't there any other colors for me?" Kenny asked, wonder if there was a different apron that had colors more suited for a boy than the pink one he was wearing. Luckily he was able to carry the Sword on his back again.
"So are we cooking," Asia asked in a hopeful tone, wearing a red apron with a pink heart on her breast.
"That's right," Rias said. "Magic can come in handy anywhere. And you're going to use only your magic to cook dinner for everyone. Have fun."
She turned and walked out of the kitchen. Asia turned around to face the pot filled with water on the stove. "Okay water," she said, placing a hand over the water. "Will you please boil?" Her palm started to glow green with her demonic-powers, causing the water to instantly heat up and boil.
Kenny pulled out two draws and then a third one, searching for utensils. Feeling like he wasn't going to be of any help in the cooking process, he tasked himself with peeling and cutting the onions and potatoes. However, he couldn't find the peeler and a knife. He sighed and said, "of course she'd get rid of things we need to do anything."
"Why not use the Sword?" Asia suggested.
"Looks like I don't have a choice." Kenny pulled out the Sword and placed the edge on the onion. He narrowed his eyes to concentrate. "Just got to… do it…" Suddenly, right when the blade cuts into the onion, the vegetable was instantly and completely peeled as if he did it with a snap of his fingers. It shocked not only Kenny but Asia too. Curious, he grabbed a potato and did the same thing with the onion. Focusing, he cuts barely a centimeter into it, the skin of the vegetable peeled off in an instant. "Woah," he said in amazement. "How did I…"
"Wow! Look how good you're getting!" Asia praised him.
"You really think so?" Kenny raised an eyebrow before giving her a smile. "Thanks."
"I'm so proud of you!"
"Yeah, but it feels like I've done this before." Thinking back, Kenny tried hard to remember what made this some familiar. He gasped when it hit him.
—(flash back)—
"RAAAHH!" He quickly runs his hand across the sword.
A green light shines on his hand as his wings sprouted out. Kalawarner stop in midair and looked in horror before she was pushed back by a powerful gust of wind that came from Kenny. Kenny watched in amazement as an emerald green jewel appeared on the back of his hand before a red fingerless gauntlet formed under it with yellow accents.
Wasting no time, he grabs the sword with both hands.
WA-SHHHH!
Suddenly, a red aura blazed like fire on him, as he flies across the street straight at Kalawarner.
SLICE!
He slashed upwards across her body.
The buxom Fallen Angel screams out in pain as Kenny passes her, as blood gushed out of the gash wound that went from her left hip to her right shoulder. Her clothes did not survive as they cut in half and fell right off her body.
—(end flash back)—
"That's right! When that one Fallen Angel, Kalarwarner, attacked me and I first deployed my Sacred Gear," Kenny said, before look at the blade of the Sword. Could it be? There was only one way to find out. With the Sword in his left hand, he stretched out his left arm to the right, then gently waved it to the right.
In an instant, all the onions on the corner were peeled.
With a smirk at his accomplishment, he waved the Sword to the right and peeled all the potato. "That's how I'm going to control my magic!" He proclaimed before raising the Sword over his head. "Now it's time to cut them all up!"
Unbeknownst to him, the Sword was starting to give off a red aura with the back of his left hand having a green glowing circle.
"Uh, Kenny," Asia called out to him as she was starting to get a little nervous. "I think that's…" She didn't even have a chance to finish her sentence when Kenny swung down his blade.
SLASH!
Instead of all the vegetables being cut, all they saw was a flash of red light. Then there was an explosion in front of them that knocked them both back.
The door flew open and Rias and the rest of her peerage rushed in. "What's going on?!" She demanded before she and the others had to block their faces for a cloud of dust that engulfed most of the room.
A few seconds later, the dust cloud finally settled and cleared up. Rias opened her eyes and lowered her arms to see what had happened, only to be left in shock.
There was a large, sizzling hot cut in the wall that went from the ceiling, through the kitchen court, and on the floor. Streams of smoke were coming off of the edges of the orange glowing cut was starting to grow dim.
Kenny and Asia were sitting on the floor and staring with large, wide eyes and gaping mouths, astonished and terrified by the results of the Sword's power. All while destroyed onions and potatoes laid everywhere.
Kenny turned his head to towards the shocked and surprised group that came in and only said one thing; "Oops."
"So you want to explain what happened in the kitchen," Rias asked Kenny with a stern and firm stare. The incident in the kitchen as destroyed all the ingredients for the dinner they had planned, and with everyone hungry from training, she ordered a bunch of pizzas that were delivered quickly to the mansion by her familiar.
"Well…" Kenny scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, while avoiding eye contact. "We didn't have any knives to cut and anything to peel the vegetables, so I used the Sword."
"And so you were able to peel over thirty perfectly good potatoes and onions, and then cut the wall in two," Rias assumed with a cocked brow and arms crossed.
"… Well, it wasn't intentional. When I peeled that onion I remembered a similar thing a happening mouths ago. When I fought against one of Raynare's followers and activated the Sacred Gear for the first time. I guess that somehow I used the Sword to channel my demonic-powers."
"It's uncommon, but there are a few Devils out here that aren't able to use their magic without the aid of a magical instrument, such as wands or staffs," Akeno told him. "Remember that one servant Devil from Riser's peerage that blow you up?"
"Oldest looking one? Long purple hair? Has a staff with her," Kenny asked.
"Her name is Yubelluna," Rias informed him with a serious tone. "She a Queen and the strongest member of their team, second only to her master. As you saw, she had a scepter with her and uses it to direct her attacks and use her magic. You must be the same as her, and with the Sword being a magical item, it's like your wand. Only that it's not a wand and can kill someone."
Kenny sighed in sadness, leaned back against his chair, and looked up at the ceiling. "So without the Sword, I'm useless."
"Knowing is half the battle," Rias said jokingly. "You shouldn't feel totally useless, though. Between Asia's healing powers and your Boosted Gear and sacred sword, you two have become great assets. Your opponents will always be aware of this, so you two must gain enough energy to escape from that situation so you wouldn't slow the rest of the team down."
"I guess that makes sense," Kenny said as he and Asia nodded. 'Besides, I'm the one who dragged Asia into this life, so it's unavoidable that she's going to in the fight. She might be learning to defend her, but I need to get stronger to protect her. No matter the cost.'
"Well, this wasn't the meal that I planned for us, but that was some good pizza," Rias said pushing herself out of her chair. "Now it's time for bath."
"Wait, together?!" Exclaimed Kenny out of surprise.
Rias giggled when she found his comical question funny to her. "That was the plan, but the way you think, silly boy," she said with a smile. "But if you'd like, I'll allow you boys to bathe with me and the girls."
"H-Huh?"
"Akeno, would you mind?"
"Fufufufu," Akeno giggled before saying, "No, I think it sounds like fun. Besides, I've always wondered how his hair would feel when it's wet."
"W-Wait! Hold on," Kenny protested. "You don't really…"
"Would you mind they've come, Asia," Rias asked the blonde girl. "I wouldn't want any of us to feel unconformable."
"Sure," Asia said, causing Kenny to turn towards her with anime tears in his eyes. It's not so much that he didn't want to see them naked (as he was still a teenager), it's just that he thought it wasn't the most appropriate and felt embarrassed at the thought of being surrounded by many beautiful women, all stripped down to nothing, in a single room. Girls that left him in confusion about his feelings towards them.
"What about you," Rias then asked Koneko, snapping Kenny out of his thoughts.
At first the small girl had her head down and didn't say anything, before a small blush appeared on her cheeks. She then looked up at Kenny and cute scowl. "…J-Just Don't try anything, playboy."
"Aahh~" Kenny let out a stress-relieving sigh through his smiling lips as he sank into the warm water. About waist deep in the water, he leaned back against the edge of the giant tub and rested his arms on it, the shinai bag laying behind him parallel to him. His black hair was wet down and sticking to his shoulders and back. "That's better," he breathed out.
"You sure look like you're relaxing," Kiba complimented a feel feet from him. Both of them were stripped naked and sitting in the water of a large, triangular, marble bathroom that had one of its walls gone so that the nightly scene was visible. The girls allowed them to bathe with them, but Kiba and Kenny were able to get in before the girls, who still weren't there yet.
"How can I not," Kenny asked, staring up at the painting on the ceiling. "I guess unlike all those other times, I'm using both magic and physical abilities. Whereas I got by fine while relying on the Sword. I'm not doing all this to live, but to keep Rias out of that prick's grasp."
"I can feel you." Kiba stared up at the ceiling too, as his mind goes back to days long gone. Certain days that've gone by, but were still there. Days that still haunt him. "She's been there for all of us," he said. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. That's why all of us wants her to be happy and out of this marriage.
"…Yeah." There a sense of somberness in Kenny's voice that it caught Kiba's attention. When he looked in his direction, the Knight was greeted with the sight of Kenny looking down at the water with a troubled expression. A few locks of jet black hair were hanging downwards and floating on the water.
"Is everything okay," Kiba asked concerned. He figured that Kenny was bummed because of his inability to use magic.
The voice of his friend snapped Kenny out of his thoughts. He turned and smiled at Kiba. "Yeah, it's all fine," he responded. "Just something else was on my mind."
A second later the doors to the bathroom opened, catching the boys' attention. Standing there were Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia. The girls were stripped completely, with the exception of a towel wrapped around their bodies to cover themselves. "Looks like you two are doing well," Rias complimented, she and Akeno's hair was done in a loose bun that had a few pieces sticking out.
"Don't mind if we join you," Akeno asked with her sweet expression.
"Uh-uh, s-sure," Kenny shuddered with his face flushing up, before quickly looking away as Rias and Akeno made their way towards him and Kiba. The two Great Ladies of Kuoh stripped off their towels and stepped into the water, each on one side of the young modern samurai.
"Wow!" Asia exclaimed in amazement, as she and Koneko took off their towels and stepped into the tub. "I've never seen a bath tub some big and beautiful! Your family really knows how to make a wonderful house!"
"Yes, it's very nice," X-9 said as he suddenly stepped into the room carrying Lulu in his hand. He was out of his usual outfit and had a towel wrapped around his waist.
"X-9, what are you doing here," Kenny asked, more curious than surprised that the robot was in the room as if he was wanting to take a bath.
"Everyone else was here, so I felt it appropriate to be with all of you in the same manner."
"You're more than welcome to join us," Rias told X-9, prompting him to sit at the edge of the tub and dip his legs in. "And thank you Asia. It's only appropriate that one of the last three great families is able to afford these kinds of luxuries. At least that's what others say."
"Wait a second," Kenny said, turning his head towards her, who was sitting on his right side. "What do you mean by that? When you say 'last three great families'?"
"Go question," Rias got up and walked forward through the water. When she was in front of everyone she stopped and turned around to face them, crossing her arms under her large breasts. "What I mean is that there are only three noble Devil families left in existence."
The answer suspired Kenny and Asia a bit, whereas the others didn't seem too affected by the statement. "How did that happen?"
"The answer to that data back quite a bit. Some would say close to an eternity ago. As you are aware, there was a time when Devils, Heavenly Angels, and Fallen Angels were at war. A massive, destructive, three way conflict that in the end ended in neither side claiming victory, nor defeat. Every single battle fought ended with several of our members whipped out or missing in action. Our life span, sense Devils have very low birth rate, are nearly eternal to insure our population. Yet our existence as a species is at risk due to the impact of the war."
"So how many were there," Asia asked.
"Most of the family lines consisted of pure-blood, upper-class Devils that made up what was known as the 72 pillars. And that was the total number of noble Devil families there were in the beginning. The war claimed all but thirty-three. Among the remaining thirty-three is my house, the House of Gremory, the House of Sitri, which is Sona's, and then Riser's House of Phoenix. Out of those seventy-two, our families and more are all that's left."
"Damn," Kenny said, completely surprised that they were all that was left of seventy-two families. War really is hell, even for Devils. "But wait, if that's true, then how come there are still other Devils?"
"That's because we started to recruit humans after the war," Rias informed him, "to replace the numbers in their houses. And after that, came the Rating Games. This allowed Devils that were the masters of their household to give recently converted humans combat experience, as well as show off their own abilities. Now a day, it's still has quite the impact. One's record in the Rating Games has a huge impact on their nobility and status."
Kenny frown. "And for Riser, it means his status will skyrocket if he defeats you, his fiancé," he implied.
"That's right." Rias nodded.
Then Kenny had to make sure he was ready for Riser.
"That's quite a story," said a man sitting in the shadows of a large dark room. In front of him was Grayfia, who was standing in a source of light that came in through a slightly open current.
"Indeed," Grayfia said, prompting the man to chuckle for a moment.
"Sounds just like Rias."
"Honestly, I don't think she has any chance of winning."
"No, that she does not."
"But you let her go through with the training anyway?" Grayfia raised an eyebrow.
"I let her make her own decisions," the mysterious man stated, leaning his head on a hand, letting long locks of crimson hair be seen in the minimum light. "She's next in line to be the head of the House of Gremory, after all. I seriously hope she's capable of at least that."
"As do I."
"By the way." The man leaned forward, with a tone that was of a curious nature. "What is he like?" Grayfia was slightly taken back by the question, even though she knew what he was talking about. "That boy? The one possessed by the Dragon Emperor?"
"…He looked…so much like Jack that it was scary," Grayfia confessed with a saddened expression. "His long hair and his fierce gaze…"
"Do you still love him? Jack I mean."
"How could I not. Does that bother you?"
"Grayfia, you know I'm not usually the one to get jealous and that I'd do anything for your happiness. Besides, how could I be envious when he was the one who brought you over to the side of good? He's the reason you're here with me as my wonderful Queen and wife. That's why I gave Jack that offer. I just wished he'd accepted it."
"He's said it himself," the maid said, blushing when he called her wonderful, "he wanted to see what the long road would lead to."
It was the night time, and Kenny laid in his bed while staring up at the ceiling. Shirtless, his broad chest was displayed as the covers only went up to his waist, as his long hair spread out on the pillow. Leaning on the side of the bed was the sacred katana out of the shinai bag and in its scabbard.
He couldn't remember the last time he's ever felt this sore. It's been a few days since this week of training started. The training would last from morning to night, repeating many defense formations, as well as combinations that they may use in the game. Asia's knife fighting training going a little ruff with her tendency to trip and be slower than the others. Nonetheless, she was getting better and her magic abilities were incredible.
Also, she's given them a little lesson about preforming an exorcist that was a little fun to know about. She explained that a priest used mostly Holy Water and a silver cross to vanquish Devils, while also reading from the Bible to drive them off. But then she tried to read from her bible and ended up with a series of headaches.
Kenny looked towards Kiba, who he was sharing the room with, sleeping soundly in the bed beside his. Kenny had to admit that Kiba was the better swordsmen than him. The skills he attained with his own talent and great amount of training.
Turing his head away, Kenny looked back up at the ceiling and started thinking about a certain redhead. Things he knew he shouldn't be thinking about it, but couldn't keep his doubts down. Why did he have to be so confused? With a sigh, Kenny sat up and grabbed a white shirt that was at the foot of his bed. Slipping it on, he got off the bed, grabbed the Sword, and walked out of the room silently.
Walking down the corridor, he approached two doors. Opening one of them, he exited the hallway and entered into the living room.
"Kenny?"
The familiar voice of Rias caught his attention and he turned his head to see her walking down the stairs. She was wearing a red negligee, a pair of glasses, and oddly had her hair tied up into a ponytail while carrying a book in her hands. "Rias? What are you doing up so late," Kenny asked. "When did you start wearing glasses?"
"Oh, these?" Rias took them off to examine them. "It's just for looks, really. I can think more clearly while having them on." She then giggles for a brief moment. "Fufufu, this is proof that I have been in the human's world for so long."
"Well, it's a very nice look for you," Kenny admitted, making her smile at him with a blush. The two of them remained silent for a moment, not knowing what to say to each other.
"…Do you mind giving me some company," Rias then asked, slipping the glasses back on.
"Uh, sure." Rias walked the rest of the way down the stairs before gesturing for Kenny to follow. They then entered into a large living room that had a large round table that was loaded with papers that had maps and strategies on them.
Rias goes past the table and approaches a long sofa that was against the wall. Letting out a sigh, she sits down in a manner that Kenny assumed meant she was exhausted. Turning her head to look at him, she pats the sofa cushion for him to sit with her. Kenny goes over a seated himself on her right.
There was a brief moment of silence.
"…To be honest, the only thing I will get from reading that book is to have a peace of mind," Rias said while making a sigh with her eyes closed, placing the book she was carrying in her lap.
"Why's that," Kenny asked.
"If the opponent is another High-class Devil, then we could fight by reading that book. It was written with lots of research. But that isn't the problem."
That confused him for a moment. "Then what's wrong?"
"It's Riser," she said bitterly, like the mention of his name was toxic for her mouth to say. "No, the biggest problem is that we're going up against a Phoenix." Rias opened her eyes and looked down to open the book. Flipping through some pages, she stopped at a page that had a picture of a flaming phoenix. "And let me tell you, the name is most appropriate. A Devil, but he is also a Marquis counted among the 72 Pillars. We've got our work cut out for us."
"Is he really that good?"
"His abilities are the same as the legendary bird his family's named after. Immortality."
"T-That's crazy," Kenny exclaimed as he was taken back by that piece of information. "How's that even possible?"
Rias smiled sadly as she brings her knee to her chest, taking her cold feet off the ground. "It just is. He's indestructible. He regenerates immediately following an attack. His family's flames won't even leave a bone left. Riser win-to-loss ratio is 8 to 2. However, he lost those matches on purpose out of respect for the households he's close to."
The situation was starting to look ever grimmer. If Riser was that go, then he knew that the chances of them winning were starting to look bleaker. "Damn…"
"Ever since the Rating Games were put into effect, the House of Phoenix has dominated the playing field. They've always had the highest score. Can't say I'm surprised." Rias looked at Kenny out of the corner of her eye. "How are you supposed to win against someone who's immortal?"
Kenny stared at her for a few seconds to take in the information he was given before leaning back against the sofa with a sigh. "This is FUBAR," he groaned.
"FUBAR?" Rias tilted her head in confusion. "What's that?"
"Fuck-Up-Beyond-All-Recognition," he said. Rias stared at him for a moment before started laughing hysterically. Kenny was a little surprised by this, but started laughing with her. It was a sweet moment for them as they continued to laugh with each other before calming down to let air in their lungs against.
"That's basically the whole situation," she said between giggles. It was then that Kenny felt that it was time to ask her something. Something that was bothering him since the incident with Riser.
"Is that why you made me a Devil?"
The question was definitely out of the blue. Rias turned her head to see Kenny looking at her with a fixed stare. "W-What you do…?"
Kenny stood up and turned his body to face her. "It's something that's just popped into my head a few days ago, but I need to know," he said looking down at her. "Did you bring me back as a Devil… to help you get out of this marriage?"
It was a very hard thing to ask her, but Kenny needed to know. He knew that she's turned him into a Devil because she made him a promise to repay him for breaking her fall when he collided into her on his first, but because this marriage situation has stressed Rias and drove her to try and have sex with him to end the marriage, he couldn't help but think that she was thinking the same thing before she revived him. In all honesty, he didn't know how he would react if she said yes. Would he be angry or hurt? It almost scared him to know the truth.
Rias stared up at him for a moment, almost refusing to let herself tell the truth. The motives for her reviving him was because of that promise, but he wasn't wrong completely. In truth, when she first saw him, she was more than sure he was that glimmer of hope she was looking for, especially with the mysterious power he had in him. Rias back then knew that the Fallen Angels would have gone after him, and planned to mock them by bringing him back when they killed him.
But he wasn't completely right, also.
She lowered her head in shame and said, "That… that used to be the reason. And I can't forgive myself for thinking that way."
Kenny, at first felt a mixed surge of emotions in himself for a brief moment, but when he heard the last part he left puzzled. "What do you mean," he asked, before she stood up, refusing to make eye contact with him out of guilt for how she thought at the time.
"It all started when you first fought Raynare. I was sleeping in the old school and when I heard the fighting I rushed outside. I was amazed that a human was able to keep up with her. She may not have been the strongest one, but she was still a Fallen Angel. And then when you manage to get her on her back, I really thought that you were going to kill her. I was afraid of what would have happened to you if you did."
Kenny looked down as he remembered that night. Honestly, he too was afraid of what was going to himself, too.
"But when I saw you willing to let her, I knew that you weren't just a normal boy, that you had the heart of an honoring warrior," Rias said before looking up at him, while her eyes were starting to tear up. "I…I was…really wasn't going to turn you into a Devil." Kenny's eyes widened. "But then-then Raynare had to backstab you. It was unfair that you had to die because she wanted power."
"So… you really did it because of that promise," Kenny asked with a saddened expression, feeling ashamed for ever doubting her as a person.
Rias nodded. "I wanted you to have a second chance, Kenny. And I'm glad I did," she said before approaching him. Place a hand on his cheek, she smiled lovingly, as the two teenage shared into each other's eyes. "I've watched you, Kenny. I've watched as you've grown stronger with every loss and win. I've seen the strength and bravery you have. And every time I see that part of you, I feel like everything is going to be okay. That's why I came to you that night. Because I know that with you, I feel safe and powerful, yet weak and fragile. You've given me a sense of hope, Kenny. Hope that I dream of every night I'm in your arms." Rias then got closer and pressed her buxom body against him, before wrapping her arms around him.
Just like Rias the night she came to him, Kenny felt his feeling for the crimson-haired girl deepened by her touching words. He was more than certain that he was in love with Rias Gremory. But he wasn't one to let his doubts go so easily. "And if I didn't have the Sword," he asked. "I'm useless without it. Would you have…?"
"I would have still picked you for the same reasons and more," Rias assured him. "Because that's who you are. You let your losses fuel you and make you stronger." That's all that Kenny need to hear before returning her embrace. The two of them stay like that for a few moments in silence. Only they were in the room, with no one to witness the loving hug they were in. "We're going to win, Kenny, together. I promise."
"I know we are," Kenny whispered. They then separated from each other, while holding their hands as they smiled. "You have done so much for me. You're an incredible person, Rias. The best girl I could ever ask to meet. And it's time I cash in my promise. One way or another, I'm going to beat that asshole, and get you out of this marriage."
Rias nodded with a smile. She then looked away with a blush and asked, "I-I'd like it if you sleep with me in my room. Just like old times."
Kenny continued to whole his smile before leaning down a bit and lightly kissed her head, then place his forehead on hers as they glazed affectionately into each other's eyes. "I'd love that," he whispered to her.
That night was one of the best sleeps they've had in a long time.
"You're going to use the Boosted Gear and the Sword, Kenny," she told him before he and the others could start their training the next day. In her hands was the latter mentioned weapon tucked in its sheath. "Can you handle that?"
"I thought that I was forbidden from using the Gear," Kenny said as he stood with Asia—who had her knife unsheathed and in her right hand—Kiba, and Koneko, while Akeno was standing next to Rias. The black-haired boy didn't have the Sword with him, as he was only allowed to the wooden bokken sword to spar with the Knight. The only time he's allowed to have the Sword on him is when he's training with his demonic-powers.
"Weren't supposed to use it without my permission," Rias explain. She then tossed the Sword to Kenny, and he caught it one-handed. "Kiba, why don't you pair up with him?"
"Sure thing," Kiba said. He and Kenny walked away from each to have space, before turned their bodies to face each other. Kiba got into a fighting pose with his bokken sword. "I'm going easy on you!"
Kenny nodded at him before unsheathing the Sword. Dropping the black scabbard, he placed his hand on the blade of the katana and runs the hand drop the length of the blade, releasing the Boost Gear. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he proclaimed as he pointed the Sword at Kiba with only his gauntlet hand. "Grant you your power! Now Boost!"
[Boost!]
By the words of his command, Kenny felt the power flowing into his body as if it was coursing through his veins and blood. A familiar sensation that he felt when he boosted his strength.
"Go, now keep it coming!" Rias commanded. "Use your sword to bring out your power!"
"Boost!" Kenny slipped the Sword left.
[Boost!]
"You can do better, Kenny!"
Kenny glanced at her for a split second, before slashing the blade across to the right. "Boost again!"
[Boost!]
The jewel on the red gauntlet shined, as a greenish clear aura started to appear around the Sword.
"Great, keep it coming," Rias exclaimed.
"Boost!" Kenny raised the Sword high above his head.
[Boost!]
"Don't let up!
"Boost!" Kenny swung the Sword downwards.
[Boost!]
"Again!"
"Come on!" Kenny exclaimed with determination and slashed the sword to the left. "Give me everything!"
[Boost!]
The green aura was now like as if someone as set the blade on fire, as it blazed off the Sword gently, and was now also covering the gauntlet. Kenny lifted his arm and sword to look at it, as the calm fire-like aura continued to blaze. He felt it. He felt the power in him at a level he was unfamiliar with. Yet, he felt his body being lighter and stronger than anything he's experienced.
"Alright, that's enough," Rias said. "You feel it now, don't you? You've never been able to endure this must power before in the past. Your battles with Raynare, Freed, the Fallen Angels, the X-Models, that masked man, those tigers, and now your training, this is the result of everything you've been through. You are now stronger than you've ever hoped to be!"
Kenny heard her, but continued to stare at his reflection on the blade. This could be it. This could the power he need to beat Riser.
"Let's keep this moving," Rias said. "You have my permission to use the Sword in this spar, Kenny."
"Right!" Kenny got into his stance against Kiba. "Give me one more Boost!"
[Explosion!]
Yellow marking started appearing around the jewel of the Sacred Gear. Then a column of silver light exploded from underneath him, as a massive amount of power collected all around his body. The phenomenon caused his long black hair to stand tall upwards, and the flaming aura cloaking the Sword and gauntlet turned the same color and started to become fiercer, like a raging wildfire. The blade of the weapon even turned bright white, just like when he defeated Raynare.
"What's happening," Asia asked as she and the other girls, including X-9, watched in amazement at the bright light. Even from where they were standing, they felt the energy. It felt like demonic-power, but there was a mighty amount of righteousness in the air that overshadowed the demon-power.
"He's perfecting a new call, one that's not only drawing out the power from his Sacred Gear, but his sword," Rias said, still impressed by the event before her. "This is a great thing. He'll not only connect all the power in his body, but also the Sword itself. Normally it would only be his body, but with that blade, he's been able to create a much stronger attack." She turned her head towards Kiba. "You're up, Kiba!"
The blonde Knight nodded and charged at Kenny. He jumped into the air and raised his wooden over his head to bring it down on him. When he saw him coming down his way, Kenny raised the Sword, causing only the silver column of light to disappear and his hair to fall back down to normal, while the yellow marking on the gauntlet and the flaming silver aura continued to cloak it and the katana.
CLASH
The wooden sword and the god-made one met when Kenny blocked Kiba's downward chop. Thinking quickly, the black-haired teen kicked at the blonde, but Kiba jumped away to his previous position, landing in a crouching position. "Okay, Kenny," Rias said to him. "Try using it all on him."
"Great, but how," Kenny asked with the Sword positioned in front of him.
[Remember what I told you that night, Kenny?]
"Jack?" Kenny eyes widened when he heard the samurai's voice in his head. Looking down at the Sword, he listened to his wish words.
[Don't just have faith in the Sword, but yourself too.]
Standing still for a second, Kenny nodded with determination and faced Kiba again. Out of some instinct inside of him, he raised the Sword high over his head, the tip of the blade pointing up towards the sky. The silver flaming aura on the Sacred Gear moved upwards and added itself to the aura on the Sword, creating a much larger flame to ignite.
"I hope this works," he said to himself, as Kiba was now charging at him, his bokken sword stretched out to the side to strike.
"Trust yourself!" Rias told Kenny.
"HYAH!" Kiba lunged at him to attack.
"RAAAAHH!" Kenny let out his battle cry, and swung the Sword downwards.
SHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKK!
What happened next was the silver power was released from the Sword, and it created a large white mass that took the form of an arch that left the blade and rocketed at Kiba at incredible speeds.
Kiba saw the attack coming towards him and, with his Knight abilities, dodged it with ease. But as it passed him, the intensity of the white arch knocked him to the ground.
With it missing its target, the arch attack moved towards one of the mountains, next to the one the group was and made contact.
BAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNG!
To everyone's astonishment and disbelief, the arch cut through the entire mountain and continued soaring through the air before breaking away and disappearing, leaving behind a large V-shaped cut in the landscape that looked as though it was cut in half.
Kenny, with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, just stood there with sweat rowing down the side of his head, too startled and speechless by what he just did. He has just cut an entire mountain in two! More than a little bit of an overkill. Then again, the combined strength of the Boosted Gear and the Sword wasn't going to turn out as nothing more than a light, but this was beyond anything Kenny was hoping to achieve. To be honest, it almost scared him.
[Reset]
The Gear disappeared and Kenny the withdrawal of the power from his body. The strength in his legs left without warning and he fell to his knees. Stabbing the Sword into the ground to stable himself as his head hung.
"Kenny!" Asia said worriedly, before rushing towards him. "Are you okay?"
"Looks like he's used up all of his strength on that last on," Rias commented with a smile. Even though she too was astonished by the attack's devastation, she had to get him props for the success of preforming it. The redhead turned to Kiba. "So want do you think? He's improving, isn't he?"
"That's an understatement. To tell the truth, I'm astonished," Kiba answered her, as he stood back up, groaning as he felt sore. "Throughout the training, and from witnessing previous battles, it's clear that he's a skilled fighter with a sword. We're almost evenly matched." He then lifted up his bokken sword. "However, that last move was unlike anything I've ever seen."
Snap!
The wooden sword broke at where the blade part would be on a real katana.
"Kenny," Rias said when she turned back to him, as Asia had his left arm over her shoulders as she helped him up. "You are the key to the game. Your attack will critically affect the direction in which this battle moves. Have faith in not just us, but yourself as well."
"I already do," Kenny said while panting, thinking back on the last night. He promised to beat Riser and that's what he was going to do. He had the power and training, as well as the team ready to back him up. Nothing was going to stop him from victory.
Rias then remembered that moment the night before, too. He really has come a long way. Put a light clenched hand in-between her breast, she shared at the black-haired teen as the others gather around him, congratulating him for getting stronger.
I know you'll beat him, Kenny. I just know it.
To Be Continued…
{Playing Shine by Mr. Big}
[Instrumentals] The opening fades into the inside of a dark room with the moonlight coming from the window. The light moves against the wall, turning the areas that became covered by it a light blue. As it gradually shifts, it soon reveals the handle of the Sword, as the weapon leans up against the wall. The light then touches the unsheathed blade, causing it to reflect and shine off the metal.
[I never really feel quite right] Kenny, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, was out at night standing in an open plain with a few trees behind him. His hair flying in the wind and his hands in his jean's pockets as he looks upwards, the green grass under and around him flowing against the wind as well.
[And I don't know why, all I know is something's wrong] The scene stays like this for a moment, before switching to present a close up of his face. Showing an expression that tells the viewer he was deep in thoughts, as his black eyes weren't focused and his lips were parted a small bit.
[Every time I look at you, you seem so alive] High up on a white balcony in the night time, Rias stands there in a white sundress, with her arms on the railing as she leaned on it while looking up at the moon. She face carries a bright smile as her vixen figure is seen slightly through the dress as it and her elegant crimson hair flies in the wind gracefully while glowing into moonlight.
[Tell me how do you do it, walk me through it] The scene changes to show different images. The first was of Akeno as she smiles sweetly at the viewer in a lovely kimono, holding an umbrella in her arms with her in a bun. The next image is of Kiba as he stands in a gym, wearing Kendo equipment and the mask tucked under his armpit, giving the camera his charming smile, while in the background were many girls smiling at him back with hearts in their eyes.
[I'm following every footstep] Koneko's next shown, sitting on the sofa in the clubhouse with a piece of chocolate in her mouth, looking at the viewer blankly as she holds up her hand in a peace sign. The final image shows Asia in her nun outfit, brushing a few stray hairs behind her right as she smiles brightly, while standing in the park with the playground behind her.
[Maybe on your own you take a conscious step] Returning back to Rias, the camera shows her up close from the left side, with twinkling stars shining in the background. Her bright expression turned to a sad look as her gaze fell. She placed a hand on her left breast and sighs with her eyes closed.
[Do you wanna give it up? All that I want…] Her eyes opened, but only half way. Showing that she's hurt in some way and sadden about something. The camera then shows the left side of her, before Rias turns her head to the left and a surprised expression appeared on her face.
[Is for you to SHINE~] The scene changes to a white surrounding and the camera moves upwards, showing Kenny in his average school uniform, with his back facing the camera, the Sword in his right hand, and the scabbard in his left as his long black hair flows in the wind.
[SHINE~ down on me] The camera zoomed out to show Rias, now naked, staring at Kenny's back with her right shoulder facing the viewer and her head turned towards him.
[SHINE on this life that's burning out] A side angled view, and Kenny now is seen facing Samurai Jack, whose ghost stands a few feet from him. The camera focused on Kenny face for a movement, before switching over to Jack's. The samurai gives him a smile and disappears. Kenny lets out a sigh with his eyes closed, as he was now standing on a cliff as the sky turns orange in the afternoon.
[SHINE~] Rias, now fully dressed in her usual school uniform, walked up to his right and places a hand on his shoulder. Kenny looks at her as she gives him a smile, then Akeno comes up and stand with him too. Then Asia, Kiba, Koneko, Ranny and Aoimoku.
[SHINE~ down on me] Kenny smiles fondly at them for a moment, before his expression quickly turned serious and he faces forward. The others do the same, readying themselves for battle.
[SHINE on this life that's burning out] The scene changes to show their backs and zooms out to revival Aku's towering silhouette before them, with the setting sun behind his head.
[SHINE~] The image then changes into a watercolor-like painting. Then everything fades out, as the song comes to an end.
Narrator: "On the next episode of The Red Dragon Samurai…."
Karen: "Is that what I think it is?"
Rias: "Show no misery, as none will be shown to you."
?: "But we are Phoenixes, and there's no way you can defeat us!"
Kenny: "It always seems bad at first, but then I find a way."
Narrator: "The Red Dragon Samurai. Updates coming soon."
Kenny: "I'll find a way, I have…and I always will."
Narrator: "Only on Fanfiction."
AN;
And so the Rating Games starts. Will Kenny come out on top, or will Riser win?
Now many of you have shown some concern for Grayfia being shared by Kenny and Serzechs and after thinking it over, I've decided to take her out of the harem. She'll still have some affection for Kenny, but will not be one of his girls, if that makes any sense.
And so Asia is willing to learn how to use a knife in battle. Not something that would go with her character, but after the events of the Assassin Arc, she wants to be of help and not be weak.
And as for Rias and Kenny's late-night talk, I wanted to do something more than Rias talking about her burden that comes with her family name and Kenny telling her that she's special to him. He's already done that in the last episode when she came to him to have sex. So I had them talk about why she was wanting to have him as a Devil. I always felt that Rias originally had Issei turned into a Devil was because she was looking for something to help her with her predicament with Riser, and I'd wised that other stories would have done the same (Issei or OC). So I decided to have them talk about her original motives, to truly bring them closer as lovers.
I got to tell you guys the truth, I most likely am going to have the group lose. Now I know that not many people are big fans of this plot point appearing in fanfictions, as it and the wedding feels cliché to some, and that you guys really want to see Kenny beat the crap out of Riser, there are reasons that I might not have Kenny defeat Riser. Certain minor and critical points that I feel are only able to fully happen during the wedding episode. But we'll see.
And so that concludes this episode. I hope you enjoyed it. Anyway, please review, favorite, and follow the story if you like it, and I'll be updating as fast as I can. I've made it to college, some I can't make any promises on fast updates. Have a good day.