("…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 XV
"The Red Dragon Samurai"
"... Kenny, my, brave, strong, sweet samurai. Thank you for fighting for someone worthless like myself. I'm so sorry for everything."
"Rias, WAIT!" Kenny cried to her when he bolted up into a sitting position, a hand reached in front of him, and his eyes wide with desperation. However, he was soon confused and shocked by where he was.
He was in the middle of a path, deep within a forest with trees that had their leaves turn to the colors of autumn. The path he was currently sitting on was completely covered with the fallen orange leaves, as was almost everywhere else around him. The trees themselves stood taller than any trees he's ever seen. The soft wind in the air gently made the leaves rattle and shake, causing some to fall off the branches and rain down on the forest floor.
Kenny continued to sit on the ground, before standing up. His face had a memorized expression of the beauty of his surroundings.
"I… I know this place."
"You've been through a lot, haven't you," asked a familiar from behind him. Kenny spun around and saw his ancestor, Samurai Jack, standing there with a small smile. Unlike the first time he talked to him, where he was glowing blue, Jack wasn't this time. He's appeared to look just the same as when Kenny met him, but with hair that was now as white as snow.
Kenny was slightly surprised by his appearance. "Jack?"
The two stood there for a moment without saying a word. This moment of silence was broken when Jack turned his back towards Kenny. "Walk with me," he said while walking away.
Kenny wordlessly followed. He jogged to catch up to the old samurai, before slowing down to a normal pace when they were side to side.
They walked down the path of the autumn forest, going to an unknown destination.
"Jack," Kenny said, "where are we?"
"I'm not sure," Jack said, as they continued to walk. "Does this look familiar to you?"
"Yeah." The teenager looked all around the forest with fondness. "It's a forest back in America. Back when mom and dad were still alive, we'd used go on this walk path in this forest when it was fall, whenever dad got back." He reached up and grabbed a falling leaf with his fingers. "There would be so many leafs that it would cover the ground."
He let go of the leaf and it resumed its path down to the ground.
"But why am I here?"
[The power you currently possess is not of your own making.]
Kenny gasped, startled by the familiar voice, as the winds started to pick up, making the trees rattle around him. "That voice. It can't be."
[No amount of training and combat experience could give something that amount of strength.]
"It's you, the dragon from that dream."
[What makes you extraordinary is the dragon inside your soul, and your family's bloodline that binds you to the Sword. Do not humble yourself with weakness and failure, or the White One will laugh.]
"'White One'?"
[Just like the one known as Aku, he will appear in due time. It is your destiny to stand on that battlefield and fight. But you must get stronger.]
"And is there a way for Kenny to become stronger," Jack asked, surprising the mentioned boy. He could hear the dragon's voice, and wasn't at all surprised by it?
[Indeed there is, Samurai Jack. I've heard of you and your great journey into the future to save our world. The honor is mine.]
"And the honor is mine, as well," he said with a bow. Jack then looked up at the sky with a smile and rubbed his beard. "But I don't believe we've met."
Just then, the entire forest disappeared in a storm of flames. Now the two humans were in a void of blazing fire, and in front of them was the large red dragon, looking down at them.
[I'm the Welsh-Dragon. The Red Dragon Emperor: Ddraig! I'm the one inside of your left arm.]
Kenny looked down at his left and panicked when he saw it was one fire.
[Get stronger for that coming day. I will give you my power any time you want. However, keep it in your mind that it will come with a sacrifice of something great. I will give you something that is worth the sacrifice. You can show it to those who laughed at you. Show them that you're not just a samurai, but a Dragon too!]
When Kenny opened his eyes, he was laying on his back and looking up at a familiar ceiling.
Sitting up, he looked around and saw he was back in his room, resting on his bed with the covers half covering his chest, and dressed in his sleeping clothes. Feeling something on his legs, he looked and saw the Sword, sheathed in the scabbard.
Bending forward and grabbing it, Kenny held it with both hands and stared at it, taking a second to examine the flawless wooden finish of the black scabbard. "How did I… get here," he asked.
The door to his room opened, and in came Grayfia, much to his confusion. When she noticed him staring at her, she closed the door and walked over to the side of his bed. "I'm surprised you're awake," she said, now standing about two feet away from the bed.
"Grayfia? What are you doing here," Kenny asked. He put the Sword down and attempt to stand up, only to grunt when he felt a slight pain in his abdomen, making him stumble. Grayfia stepped forward and caught him in her arms when he did.
"Please, do not exert yourself too much," she said, before helping Kenny stand straight. "You've been badly hurt and are just waking up."
"I'll be fine," he said, but almost felt like a lie, as he was panting a bit. It almost felt like he could collapse if he tried to take a step. "What happened? I can't remember much of anything."
"Lady Rias surrendered, ending the battle and giving the win to Lord Riser," Grayfia answered.
Kenny was left speechless for a moment. "We… lost? But, how? Rias wouldn't have back down like that," he argued.
"She did it because of you," she told him.
"What?" He then held his head as memoirs started to flood into his brain. The fall from the roof. Him trying to cut Riser only to be punched and kicked. Rias trying to get him to stop as he attempted to attack him again. Her voice. Then nothing.
"You did your best. Even with your strength and magic gone, you continued to push forward. Never relenting. Never backing down. But in the end…"
"You don't need to say anymore." He interrupted her. "It was me, wasn't it?" He looked down, shadowing his eyes behind his hair, feeling ashamed and useless. She did it because of him, didn't she? She shouldn't have done that. Not for him. Rias should have fought on to the end. But she resigned when he was hurt and knocked out.
He wasn't strong enough. He wasn't strong enough to stay with her. He rushed out in front of her to attack him on his own when they should have worked together.
Now Rias was Riser's forever, and it's all his fault.
Kenny clenched his fist tightly. "Where is she and the others," he asked, not looking up at her.
"Lady Rias has instructed Miss Asia to say here and take care of you," Grayfia said, feeling pity for the young man. "After all, you were hurt pretty badly. The rest of them are with Lady Rias, escorting her. She wanted them with her for what will be starting soon. They're all at the engagement party down in the Underworld."
He looked up at her with wide eyes. 'Underworld?' Then Kenny's mind flashed back to when Rias told him to be the strongest Pawn, and how she had faith in him.
Kenny's head lowered again. He was unworthy of someone like her. She placed her faith in him and look where that led to.
"Listen, Kenny," Grayfia said, "it's not your fault. Rias is abiding by the decisions of the House of Gremory. Sadly, the outcome of the battle is the way it was always meant to be."
His eyes widened when he remembered Ravel Phoenix's words.
—(flashback)—
"Face it, with our money, tears, and immortality, the House of Phoenix was destined to win ever Rating Game we compete in," she said proudly. "You and Rias have reached your limits. You have no more moves to play, am I right?"
—(flashback ends)—
There was silence in the room for a moment.
She was wrong.
"… Grayfia." Kenny broke the silence with a low voice. "The thought… the thought of Rias being forced into a life she doesn't want is something I can't accept. Riser is unworthy of someone as special as her. I wouldn't accept it! … Grayfia."
He reached back with his left hand and grabbed the sheathed Sword.
The modern samurai looked at her with eyes blazing black eyes filled with determination. "How do I get to the Underworld?"
Grayfia was slightly taken back by the question, only to find herself staring into his eyes. Those black eyes that reminded her so much of the first man she ever loved. There were defiantly Jack's eyes. The ones she used to always gaze lovingly into. "Fufufu." Her giggling caught Kenny off guard, as he saw her with a smile and blush. "You really are Jack's ancestors," she said to him. "Just by looking at your expressions, I can read you like an open book. You're also a gentle soul that cares deeply for others, and you act accordingly to your beliefs. I've met a lot of devils and people over the years, but never ones quite like you and him. And I'm not the only one who thinks so." She reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of paper and presented it to him. "My master, Sirzechs, feels the exact same way."
The paper she was handing to Kenny was a single paper with a magic circle on it. "What's this supposed to be," he asked, taking it and staring at the circle.
"If you want, this can transport you to the engagement party."
He looked up at her in confusion. "Why are you giving me this," Kenny asked the very beautiful woman.
"It's a gift from Sirzechs, along with an important message," she responded, still smiling at him. "'If you want to save my sister, you better be ready for war, Kenny Kurosawa.' There is also another circle on the back of the paper." Kenny looked back down at the paper and flipped it over to see the second magic circle. "Remember his warning, Kenny. If you are really going to try and rescue her, it's your only opinion."
And with that, she teleported out of the room. Kenny stood still in silence for a brief moment. He knew what he had to do.
He looked to his desk and saw his uniform pants and red T-shirt folded neatly on it. His mind remembered that the samurai armor he was given by Exdor was destroyed in the battle.
Kenny went over to the desk to put on the uniform.
After putting on his pants, he slipped into his red t-shirt, and then the door to his room opened.
Kenny turned his head to it and saw Asia, standing there with a towel and a bucket of water. "Kenny, you're up," she gasped, dropping the towel and bucket on the floor, before running and jumping into his arms.
"Oof!" He stumbled back before falling to his butt, with his back hitting against the nightstand, as Asia hugged him tightly around his body. "Ow! Asia, what's wrong," he asked, pushing past the pain from his back.
"What's wrong?" A familiar voice made Kenny look up to see Karen standing a few feet away, in her sleeping attire, glaring at him. "What's wrong?! You were brought back here, by some sexy French maid, badly injured, with multiple burns and bleeding, and you're asking her what's wrong?!"
Kenny wasn't taken back too much by her outburst. However, he was caught off guard a little when he saw her beginning to tear up. Karen tried to keep herself from crying, but couldn't stop a few sobs escape her throat. It even caught Asia's attention, who was shedding tears. "Karen?"
"I'm so glad you're okay," she said in between her sobs, as the tears started to leak out. "You've been out for two days. You were badly hurt. I… I thought you wouldn't… wouldn't to open your eyes again. And I'd be all alone!" She shut her eyes tightly and sobbed lightly. Kenny stared at her with saddened eyes, before lightly pushing Asia off of him and stood up. Approaching his younger sister, the modern samurai pulled her into a brotherly-loving hug, which she returned and cried into his red shirt.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, stroking her short hair. "I never meant for you to worry so much. This wasn't how it was supposed to end."
"Ms. Grayfia told us what happened after Asia woke up yesterday." Kenny looked up and saw X-9 standing at the door frame. "What are you going to do," he asked. Asia stood up after wiping the tears off her eyes. Even Karen pulled away from the hug to face up at him.
Kenny didn't respond for a moment, before letting out a soft sigh. "Listen, all of you," he said in a serious tone. "I'm going down to the Underworld."
The three looking at him were very shocked by what he said, but they knew what he was about to do. "… You're going to go rescue her," Asia asked, "aren't you?"
"Are you sure that's even a good idea?" Karen questioned.
"What choice do I have," he asked. "I can't let it all end like this."
"Then I'll come with you," Asia said without a second thought, with a serious face.
Kenny turned his body to have his right shoulder facing her, and looked at her. "I can't let you do. You need to stay here where it's safe."
"I don't want to!" She snapped, with tears reforming in her eyes. Kenny was startled by this. "I can fight, Kenny! X-9 showed me how to use a dagger, and I've learned how to use my demonic-powers!" She ran up to him and grabbed his arms, hugging it close to her body. "Please don't leave me Kenny."
Kenny turned his body to fully face her and placed both hands on her. "Don't worry," he said softly with a smile. "I'm going to rescue her, Asia. I'll beat Riser and I'll—"
"Just like you promised her?" Karen suddenly questioned him, making the two Devils to look at her. She stared up at him with a stern frown, before it lightened and became a sadder frown. "You've been beaten by him before, what makes you so sure that things will end differently?"
"If you're going, then at least bring me," X-9 said, taking a few steps forward. "The fight with Riser Phoenix is yours to handle. But you're going to need assistance getting into that party."
The black-haired teen stood there and thought for a moment. He did have a point, the place was a noble wedding, so it's going to be full of guards. "Alright, then. Go get ready." He then looked back down at Asia. "And Asia, I need you to do something from me."
"What is it?"
Kenny then went on to explain what his request.
"… It's important for my fight, and only you can help me with," he said, after telling her the request. "Do you understand?"
She nodded. "If it's important to you, I'm happy to do it," Asia said before exiting the room, followed by X-9, who went to grab his guns and load up. Karen turned around and walked to the door, but stopped when she got there and turned around to look at Kenny.
"Hey, Kenny." He turned around to look at her. "… Don't make a girl a promise… if you know you can't keep it." The younger Kurosawa smile with encouragement. "So bring her back."
He nodded. "I will."
Karen closed the door behind her, leaving Kenny alone in the room.
He then closed his eyes. "I know you can hear me." He said, trying to communicate with Ddraig. "We need to talk." Kenny raised his left arm and stare at the back of his hand. "Show yourself! I'm not pulling the Sword to summon the Gear just to talk to you!" Shortly after that, a bright green circle shined on his hand.
[I am here. What is it that you wish to speak to me about?]
"I want to make a deal."
Rias sighed in annoyance when she walked up to a tall mirror to look at herself. She was in a large, luxurious dressing room, with six maids standing behind. The redhead beauty with wearing an elegant white wedding dress that fit her hourglass form greatly with her crimson hair tied up. "This is an engagement party," she said, annoyed, "so why the hell am I in a wedding dress?"
"Because Riser wanted it." An all too familiar voice said, making her turn around to see a vortex of flames a few feet away. It died down and was gone, revealing Riser to be standing in its place.
"No, Lord Riser, you mustn't," one of the maids pleaded. "Men aren't allowed in here." But Riser walked past her with a raised hand.
"Just a word with my bride and I'll be out momentarily," he said as he approached Rias, who glared at him with her arms crossed. "Look at that dress. You really are a beautiful bride, my love."
"I'm not a bride yet, sorry to disappoint you," she told him. "Now why am I dressed up?"
He leaned closer to her. "'What's with the dress'?" The blonde man moved to her right side and placed an arm around her shoulders. "I just want you to make a good impression on our esteemed guests, my dear," he told her, bringing his face closer to hers. "After all, we need to demonstrate to the world that our two houses have joined together. Right?"
Rias would have tried to lean her head back from the arrogant Devil, as she could feel his breath on her right cheek. However, she decided to bring Riser down a knot. "I see you scar has healed nicely." She commented with her eyes closed.
The attempt was successful, as Riser's smirk turned into a scowl. His family powers may have kept him alive, and healed the gash, but the Sword left him a scar that was thin and pale pink. It wasn't serious, but it was defiantly noticeable. "Yes, that it has," he said, pulling away from Rias, but didn't go far enough away to her liking. The Phoenix heir now stood in front of her, looking down at her with a bitter expression. "That sword caused me quite the humiliation. Some are even questioning my ability to uphold my family's name." His cocky smirk returned. "Although, I can't help but wonder about that sword myself. The only known weapons that are even able to harm a Phoenix like that are Holy Swords, like the Excalibur, but he was able to hold it without being burnt. Not to mention crack the reality of the artificial battlefield, with its combined strength with the Boosted Gear."
"If you're expecting me to be a 'good wife' and tell you about the Sword, then you're dead wrong." Rias said, interrupting Riser, before opening her eyes to glare up at him. "All I'll is that that sword…" Her mind flashed back to memories of Kenny's final fight with Raynare, when he called upon the powers of his ancestors, and the three powerful blacksmiths in the clouds that made the sky thunder with each strike of their hammers. "… is more special than you can possibly imagine."
Riser chuckled, surprising her a little bit. "Is that so," he asked before turning around. "Most interesting."
Rias couldn't help but have a bad feeling about how he said that. 'What are you thinking?'
"Oh, and don't worry about the dress." Riser stopped a few feet away. "When the time comes, you'll be dressed in a gown of flaming feathers." He opened a teleportation circle, summoning a flaming vortex. "It's only fitting for a lady of the House of Phoenix!" His voice echoed as he was engulfed in the fires, and disappeared.
Rias stayed where she was standing when he left, not very pleased to hear her future wedding dress's design. "'A dress made of flaming feathers'? I'd think I'd be better off killing myself," she said to no one in particular. She couldn't believe that this was having. That she was going to be married to Riser Phoenix of all people.
But, she would've made the same choice over and over again, just for Kenny.
She could still see his beaten, bloody face as she held his face. Rias resigned because she knew that without Kenny, the one person she wanted to fight ago side with, and her drained magic, she had no chance of beating Riser. She knew that his body hadn't disappeared, like it should have, and Riser would have attacked and killed him when he saw the chance.
'Kenny…'
"Lady Rias, it's time."
"… Right."
The engagement party was held in a large ballroom with two large wooden doors. In the room were many noble Devils wearing elegant dresses and suits talking and greeting one another.
Among the Devils was Ravel Phoenix, dressed in a purple dress with matching gloves and boots, giggling as she held a pink folding fan in front of her mouth. "My incredibly talented brother won himself a bribe by demolishing the Gremorys," she bragged to a few Devils in front of her. Standing around her were Riser's servants, all dressed nicely for the occasion. "Of course, I had no doubt he was going to win from the beginning. But he had to keep it close, so it wouldn't a total bore. Hahaha."
A few feet away, Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno were watching her talk, not showing any grudge or anger towards the. All there were doing with drinking from fine glass cups. Kiba was wearing a tuxedo with his hair combed back and a black bow tie, Akeno was wearing a black kimono, and Koneko had on a pink dress with white gloves.
"She's delightful," Kiba commented.
"Yes. The girl has quite a mouth on her, doesn't she?" said a familiar voice. The three turned their heads to find Sona in a blue dress.
"Sona, what's up?"
"While the outcome of the battle wasn't want we wanted it to be, I thought it was a good match," she responded with a smile. "Although, I won't have complained if the end results have been a bit different."
"Thanks for support, but I promise this thing isn't even close to being over," Akeno said, surprising Sona a bit.
"We'll get another shot at them, I'm sure." Kiba said. "Only next time we'll be ready for their tricks."
"… Yeah, screw those D-bags," Koneko said before taking a sip of her drink.
Sudden a Phoenix transportation circle formed in front of one of the large doors, and the usual vortex of fire shot from it. Out of it came Riser, wearing a white outfit that exposed his chest. "Greetings, renowned Devils of the Underworld!" He announced to all in the room. "On behalf of the House of Phoenix, I, Riser, would like to thank each and every one of you for coming today. This is a historic moment for the world of Devils, and I want our dear guest to know, two great dynasties are about to become one. Lord Riser of the distinguish House of Phoenix will wed Lady Rias of the illustrious House of Gremory!" He then gestured his right arm and hand to the right of him. "And now, I present to you my new bride—Rias Gremory!"
The redhead appeared next to him.
BAM!
The other door on the other side of the room suddenly barged up.
Rias gasped in shock after it happened, as did her peerage, Riser, his peerage, and Sona as snapped their heads towards the door. This also included everyone in the room.
Standing there at the door with the Sword drawn and Boosted Gear out was Kenny.
"Kenny!" Rias called to him, catching his attention.
"Rias!" He called back to her with a relieved expression. Glad that he made it in time.
"Who you think you are, boy?" Riser demanded, pointing at him.
"My name is Kenny Kurosawa, Pawn of Rias Gremory!" He responded before getting in a fighting pose. "And I'm here to bring her back! She never wanted to marry you, so as her samurai, I'll protect her honor for as long as I live!"
Rias gasped as her face formed a bright blush.
"How dare you!" Riser exclaimed angrily.
"Seriously," Ravel said with a raised eyebrow, as she found herself blushing for some reason. "Is this guy mental?"
"Cease him!" Riser commanded, and not long after, Kenny was surrounded by Devil guards. Armed with spears, they pointed them at the black-haired teen.
Kenny then smirked, before a blue and black blur jumped out from behind him and over his head. The guards looked up and were shocked to see it was X-9, with handguns in each hand.
Twirling around in the air, he aimed his right gun at a guard and fired, hitting him in the head and knocking him on his back. But the guard wasn't dead, only knocking him out. 'Rubber bullets,' X-9 thought to himself, before his computer brain locked onto another guardsman and he fired, knocking him out too. 'They weren't easy to get.' He fired again. 'But I'd say it was worth the expense.' He knocked out a four guard.
The robot stopped twirling and landed on the floor, making it crack. The sudden appearance of the X-Model shocked and astonished everyone in the ballroom.
"Is that X-9?" Karlamine asked, standing next to Xuelan and Isabella.
"Wait!" Ravel exclaimed in shock. "You mean one of those robots that attacked you?"
Soon more guards came in and surrounded the two. Three of them rushed to attack, but they were stopped when suddenly jumped in front of them with his ice sword. He swung and froze two of them. "We got your back, Kenny!" He exclaimed.
BASH!
"… Suck on that, douche." Koneko said to the three guards, who she kicked in the face.
Kenny sighed in relief with a smile. "Thanks you guys," he said, before hearing a group of guards coming at him from behind. He turned around to confront them, only to see them be hit with multiple lightning bolts, knocking them out.
"That was like super-hot," Akeno said, making Kenny turn his head towards her. He had to admit, she looked very lovely in the kimono. "Go save Rias, Kenny." She gave him a smile, along with Koneko and Kiba. Even X-9 flashed him one.
Kenny nodded and turned towards Rias and Riser. His face formed a serious and determined expression, as he started walking towards them.
"Is this your doing?" One of the Devils demanded Riser, who was snarling at the approaching black-haired teen."
"Lord Riser," said another guest, "what is the meaning of this?"
"It's just a little entertainment I've prepared," said a voice to Rias and Riser's right, making them look in that direction. Even Kenny, who was a few meters away from reaching them, stopped to look. The person who spoke with a handsome and young man, appearing to be about in his early 20's, with shoulder length crimson hair and blue-green eyes. Standing next to him was Grayfia.
"Who's he," Kenny asked.
"My brother's here?" Rias gasped. Kenny glanced at her with shock, before looking back at the man. So this was Sirzechs Lucifer. The man then spotted Kenny and approached him, with the grey-haired maid following.
"You must be Kenny Kurosawa," Sirzechs said as he approached him. "I've heard a many great things about you." The friendly not only confused the teen, but other Devils at the party. He then held out his hand. "If I may?"
Kenny stared at the hand, knowing that the Satan wished to examine the Sword. Grayfia nodded at him with assurance. Hesitantly, he placed the handle of the Sword in the palm.
Wrapping his fingers around the grip, Sirzechs takes the Sword and examines the beautiful blade. Running his fingers down the shining metal, he's amazed that after all that it has been through, it still looked brand new. "I never would have thought I'd ever see this sword again," he said, before looking at Kenny. "Or that my own little sister would recruit Jack's descendent."
"My lord!" Riser called out, not liking that he was being ignored. "What do you mean by entertainment?" Sirzechs turned around to face him, with the Sword still in his hand.
"I watched the game, Riser, and honestly, I was underwhelmed by you," the crimson-haired man told Riser, much to his sister's surprise. "My sister lacks your gaming experience, yet against your considerably larger force, she nearly had you beaten."
"It's the final result that counts, my lord," Riser argued.
"In the past, the games don't mean what they use to. Besides, Riser, you were nearly brought to your knees by a first time competitor. And let's not begin to talk about that scar you got, but I wasn't too surprised, considering this sword. I can't image your family's proud of the way you preformed. I think you should be given another chance."
This surprised not only Riser, but everyone in the room.
"Well then, Sirzechs, how do propose to do this," asked a handsome looking middle-aged man with long crimson hair that was tied in a loose ponytail with a black hairband, bright blue eyes, with a short and red beard.
"And why are you so fascinated about that sword there," asked a woman standing next to the man. She looked strikingly identical to Rias—in both beauty and body—only with shorter brown hair and violet eyes, and looked to be a few years older than the crimson-haired girl. She wore a white dress that didn't leave much to the imagination, as her figure easily rivaled Rias'.
"Come now, mother and father." Sirzechs gestured towards Kenny, who stood there in confusion. "Doesn't this young man remain you of anyone?"
Rias' father examined Kenny's feature closely for about three seconds, before his eyes widened. "Could it be?"
"Indeed it is. Kenny Kurosawa here is the descendent of Samurai Jack."
This caused the woman to gasp surprisingly, while everyone in the ballroom was left in a state of confusion.
"And is that supposed to mean something, my lord," asked Riser, who was also puzzled.
"I wouldn't go into full, detail Riser," Sirzechs told him, before pointing the Sword at him. "However, I can tell you that the reason you have that scar is because the blade of this weapon was forged by the three great gods of the ancient years; Odin, Ra, and Vishnu. All for the sole purpose of destroying the greatest evil the world has ever known." He then turned to Kenny and present the Sword to him, holding it to him with both hands, so that he could take it back. "And this boy right here is the descendent of the man who vanquished that evil, Samurai Jack."
Kenny glanced between him and the Sword, a little surprised. For what he gathered, Sirzechs knew of Aku and Jack, and he also must know about him being banished to the future. Knowing this wasn't the best time to ask of such thinks, he grabbed the Sword.
"Besides, I want to make my cute sister's engagement party into a flashy one. It's not every day we have a celebration like this one." He turned back to Kenny. "And not only do you have the Sword, Kurosawa, but you are also possessed by the Red Dragon Emperor. A fantastic combination, I say. I want to see what you're made of, which is why I had Grayfia bring you here this evening."
"I see," Riser said, bring back his arrogant smirk. "You want a fight."
"Dragon vs Phoenix. Yes, I believe our guess would quite enjoy a head-to-head match between two powers such as yours."
Kenny looked at Riser, and saw how eager he was to fight him. The stage has been set, and the only other opinion left was to fight.
When Rias saw the determined expression on his face, Rias knew that Kenny was going to accept the challenge. "No," she begged, "please don't!"
"An excellent idea, my lord," Riser said. "I'd be more than happy to show my last performance before getting married."
Sirzechs nodded to him, before turning to Kenny. "And you, samurai. There are many who have quite an interest in seeing your abilities. Especially after cracking the Rating Game dimension with your attack. Would you kind enough to show them what you're capable of?"
"Hell yes," Kenny said with missing a beat.
"Kenny, don't do it." Rias again begged him. Riser placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax, Rias," he said, not taking his eyes off his opponent. "Mr. Kurosawa is a big boy. Riser is certain he can handle himself."
"So tell me, samurai," Sirzechs said to Kenny, "if you are the victor, what would you like to have as your reward?"
"You can't be serious!" The guests criticized.
"A reward for a lower class devil?"
However, Sirzechs was having none of it. "Silence," he said sternly. "Your king has spoken. Lower class or not he'll get his prize. I'm the one that's requested this of him, I must give him my compensation for his troubles. Now then, what would you like? A title? A woman of great beauty? Ask, and if you win, you shall receive."
"… There's only one thing I want." Kenny stated. "Rias Gremory!"
Rias' expression turned to a very happy one.
"Very well. If you win, you may have Rias."
"Wait a minute, please." Riser suddenly spoke, making everyone turn their attention to him. "I'd like to double the stakes," he said with a cocky grin. "Just to make this match even more exciting."
"Oh?" Sirzechs raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "And what would that be?"
Riser's grin grew. He pointed his finger towards Kenny. "I want for you to serve Riser forever. You'll preform ever task I give you, without question, and without hesitation."
Kenny was very wary of the demand. If he had to guess, he would image that if Rias was to marry him, then he and the others of her peerage would technically be under his command, too. But then again, they were loyal only to Rias, so he can't follow all of his orders willing, not unless Rias gives them permission. If he loses, then Riser could have him do whatever he wanted, and Rias wouldn't have a say in it.
"I'm fine with that," Kenny agreed, startling Rias and the others apart of their group. "But if you lose, and I win?"
"I won't lose," Riser stated firmly, his arrogance acts up again.
"Let's just say that you do," Kenny continued. "What happens then?"
Riser growled lightly with his eyes twitching a bit, before he took a breath and regained his cocky composure. "If I lose—which, again, won't happen—I'll give you… my two Rooks."
Xuelan and Isabella gasped in shock at his statement. He couldn't be serious.
"My Knight, Karlamine."
Karlamine gritted her teeth in anger. Now the others of his peerage were scared. Who else was he going to offer next? Even Ravel was surprised by her brother's actions.
"… And my Queen."
This shocked and devastated Yubelluna, as the ballroom erupted into the guest talking and muttering to each other. "My lord, surely there's something else you can offer up," the purple-haired woman protested.
"I agree," Kenny agreed with her, shocked and upset that Riser was willing to bet his own peerage. "They're your friends, aren't they?"
"They're not my friends," Riser stated harshly, "they are my Evil Pieces, my servants, and I'll do whatever I please with them."
Kenny gritted his teeth in anger as his hold on the Sword tightened to the point that his hand trembled, further despising the man before. How could he do this to the people that have been by his side for who knows how long. Now with Rias, and the girls on the line, including his free will, he knew that he had to accept.
He sighed. "… Deal."
"Alright then. I'll prepare the stage." And with that, Sirzechs snapped his fingers, and a teleportation circle formed under the two combatants. In a flash of red light, they disappeared from the ballroom.
The next thing that Kenny knew, he was standing at the far end of a ruined arena. The arena with a large one, with statues of chess pieces around the edge. On the other side was Riser. The sky over their heads was dark red, with no clouds in sight.
Then, a selection of the sky slipped open by a white light, revealing Sirzechs' face looking down on the two. "Alright." His voice echoed throughout the arena. "It's time to get started."
"Right." Kenny took off the shinai bag, which had the scabbard in it, and set it on the ground behind him. He turned back towards Riser and got in a fighting pose, with his gauntlet already deployed. "I'm ready if you are, Phoenix!"
The sky slip again to reveal Ravel glaring down at him. "You messed with the wrong family this time, Kurosawa! My brother's about to tear you a new one!"
"Yes," Riser agreed from where he was standing. "He's quite the confident one, isn't he? But don't worry, I'll take him down a few pegs." He held out his right hand, and a tall, thin stream of fire ignited from his palm.
When the fires died down, they left in their place a sword with a long, thin, silver blade, and a handguard and handle filled with many rubies and gems, with the pummel having a large ruby in it.
"Much like that sword of yours, Kurosawa, this blade has been passed down the Phoenix family," he explained as he looked down at. "It was forged by our ancestors down in the Inferno, the birthplace of the House of Phoenix." Riser looked up at Kenny with an arrogant. "And now it will be the sword to destroy you!" He opened his wings and launched himself into the air. "Now fight me!"
"We'll see about that!" He exclaimed and rushed towards Riser. 'Time to start the ten second countdown.'
As for Rias and the other guest of the party, they had moved outside into a courtyard, where there watched the battle from a large screen that showed the battle. Rias was standing next to her brother, who was sitting on a throne, along with the rest of her family.
Next to the Gremory family was the Phoenixes. Among them was Riser's peerage.
"He… He said I was his favorite." Yubelluna was whimpering, as she looked down at her feet with wide eyes. She couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Riser, the man who gave her a second chance and a new beginning, as just betted on her and her closest friends. Xuelan, Karlamine, and Isabella, who were standing next to her, quickly got over that fact. However, they did feel sorry for the busty woman, and did their best to comfort her.
All they, including Rias, her peerage, and X-9, could do was watch and hope that Kenny would win.
As he charged at Riser, Kenny quickly Promoted to Queen. The power of the piece flowed through his body, making him stronger.
"It's no use!" Riser proclaimed before pointing his sword at Kenny. From the tip of the blade, a stream of fire shot out and flew towards the modern samurai. Kenny saw the flames, but continued to charge at Riser.
'I don't have the sword-fighting talent as Kiba, and I don't have Akeno's gifts with magic. Koneko's strength surpasses any level I can hope to get to, and I'm not a healer like Asia.' He said in his head, before stopping and back flipping out of the way of the stream of fire. 'Even so, I made a promise to Rias to beat Riser and stop the marriage.' Kenny landed on his feet a few feet always from where he jumped. Afterwards, he started to power up the Boosted Gear, and transferred the Sword over to his left hand. 'For her, I'll take on the world! I'll take on Aku right here and now if I have to! I will protect her!'
He raised the Sword up, with the tip of the blade pointing to the sky.
"SHINE! OVER BOOSTER!"
The green light of the gauntlet's jewel turned red, and it shined brighten than it ever has in the past. It was so bright, that it covered the entire arena. All while a deep crimson red aura clocked Kenny's body.
[Welsh Dragon Over Booster!]
Kenny closed eyes and stretched out his limbs, as if he was letting something take over.
And he was.
Suddenly, the black-haired teen's body was having pieces of red armor attached to his body. First was the breastplate, along with shoulder guards, and a second gauntlet for the right arm. Then his legs and feet were armored up. A long tail was also added, before finally the helmet and mask.
"This is the Dragon Emperor's power!" Kenny exclaimed after the armor was complete. It resembled the armor given to him by Exdor, only with very noticeable differences. The armor was red, had a sharper shape, and was bulkier. The plating of the armor gave it the motif of a dragon. The gauntlet remained on his left arm, but his right arm also had one equipped. His armored boots had three sharp toes. The jewel of the Boosted Gear was now present on his arms, shoulders, knees, and the middle of the torso. The tall helmet was replaced with a shorter one, which still had the horns, but now they were yellow. The mask was sharp-like, with green eyes as visors. And finally on his back were things that resembled rocket booster propulsion. "Balance Breaker, Boosted Gear Scale-Mail!"
"Balance Break?" Rias asked out loud in shock, as the other party members were also surprised by the sudden transformation. Riser gritted his teeth in frustration. "Where did that come from?"
"Fascinating," Sirzechs commented from his throne, as Kenny's rocket boosters ignited with green fire. "The 'Forbidden Move', but yet it looks very much like a samurai's armor."
Kenny launched himself into the air, charging directly at Riser.
—(flashback)—
"I want to make a deal," Kenny said, back when he was still in his bedroom, after X-9, Asia, and Karen exited.
[Sounds interesting. Are you sure you're ready for this?]
"That doesn't matter." Kenny argued. "Now are you in, or out?"
[Like I said, I will grant you a power worthy of your sacrifice, you will only have ten second to use it. Any second later, and your body will be destroyed.]
"I'll take those chances then. I'll finish the fight by then. If I can't, I've got another trick up my sleeve."
[Alright. But I should let you know. When you do call upon the power, it will come in the form of an also impenetrable armor. However, the armor that you wore during the Rating Game had something strange about it. They were coded runes on the inside of the pieces that when into your body.]
"Really, what do they do?"
[I've looked at the runes, and can only see that they're only decided to change the appearance of the armor from its original form.]
"How did Exdor get his hands on something like that?"
[I don't know, but I can tell you'll like it very much…]
—(flashback end)—
Kenny flew until he was over Riser. Grabbing the Sword with both hands, he charged an attack into the blade, causing it to glow silver. Raising it over his head, he slashed it down, making a white arch of power shot out towards Riser.
[X]
Riser quickly got out of the way of the arch, right before it cuts half way into one of the large chess pieces, and exploded.
KA-BOOM!
The explosion created a dust clown that engulfed the blonde man. Once in it, he looked around desperately to try and find the teenager.
"Over here!" Kenny was suddenly in front with his boosters speeding him across the air, and swung the Sword horizontally at him. Taken back by the sudden appearance, Riser quickly brought up his family sword up to parry the Sword.
CLASH!
"GAH!" The force of the Sword clashing against Riser's sword knocked the Phoenix heir away.
[IX]
Twirling uncontrollably across the air for a moment, he regained his balance in the air and stop himself from slamming into one of the chess pieces. "What the hell was that," he demanded, grunting from the strength of the Sword. "I've never seen such power." Riser looked at Kenny, who was floating in the air only a few meters away. "Who do you think you are, Kurosawa?! You've mocked me since you stole Rias' first kiss, something that was rightfully mine as her fiancé! And now here you are continuing to mock me with your powers! You nothing compared to Riser! NOTHING! I'm a Phoenix nobleman," his flaming wings grew larger and wilder with his howls, as a whirlwind of fire surrounded him, "the flames of the immortal bird burns within me! The hellfire of my clan will scorch you to dust!"
He rushed towards Kenny, sword raised over his head.
[VIII]
Kenny flew towards him. "Bring it on! But I've made a promise to Rias, and I'm keeping it!"
CLASH!
The two blades connected, creating a large discharge of magic and power that resulted in a blinding light that covered the whole arena.
Suddenly Riser punched Kenny across his masked face, creaking the mask and making him feel the inflicting pain of the punch. It might have made Kenny back away for a moment, but Riser wasn't done, and slashed flaming, jewel and gem handle sword across his stomach. Kenny gasped when happened, and quickly moved back and landed on his feet, while placing a hand on the cut.
When he looked to see the damage, he was relieved to see that it only damaged the armor. He sighed in relief. He must be more careful.
[VII]
"HAHAHA!" Riser's laugher brought Kenny's attention upwards, where he saw the man with his sword raised over his head, collecting a large amount of fire to surround the blade. "You're scared, aren't you?! He exclaimed with a murderous, egotistical grin on his face. "Are you afraid of me!? Of course you are! Without that Boosted Gear and Sword, you would be mere trash! With that armor to hide behind, Pawn, there'd be nothing more than a smoking pile of ashes! And you are not worthy of that power, not even that damn sword!"
He sent the gather flames towards Kenny, but with his quick reaction, he dodged the attack by flying into the air to the right. When it hit the ground, the floors of the arena exploded into a sea of raging flames.
"You're right," Kenny said as he raced towards Riser. "I'm not worthy of my gifts." When he reached the blonde man, Riser swung his sword at his head. It was painfully obvious that he didn't know how to use a sword at all, so Kenny simply ducked under the slash.
[VI]
"But you are unworthy of someone as wonderful as Rias!"
SLICE!
Once again, the Sword cuts across his chest, from the right side of his hip, to the top of his left shoulder.
"GAAAAAHHH!" Riser howled in pain as blood splatted and gushed out of his wound, coughing up some blood as well, as he fell from the sky. Landing on the stone ground of the arena, the man pressed his hands on his wounded chest, as he sat on his knees. "This pain…!" He cried out in agony. "It burns!"
Kenny lowered himself gently to the ground. "I guess this thing did work," he said, before extending his left arm towards Riser and opening his figures.
Riser's eyes widened when he saw what was dangling from his hand. "Is that a cross?!" He demanded. Kenny didn't say anything, as he let the silver cross be displayed for a moment before closing his hand around the chain.
[V]
"Where did you get that!?" Riser demanded again as he attempted to stand, only to fall back to his knees. Blood continued to spew from his gash wound, as steam and smoke came out of it. His regenerating powers were having a difficult time trying to heal him.
"I borrowed it from our Bishop, who was once a Nun. Before I crashed the party, I add a boost to it. And with it in my hand, I was able to increase the righteous powers of the Sword, which was originally made to destroy an immortal being." Kenny stated, wrapping the chain of the cross onto the handle of the Sword. "So in the end, Phoenix or not, you're not going to be able to heal that wound for some time."
[IV]
"Impossible!" Riser argued. "A Devil cannot hold a cross!" He pointed accusing at him. "Even wearing your dragon armor shouldn't have stopped that thing from destroying you!"
However, Riser most had noticed something, because his eyes widened and gasping. Simultaneously, Kenny flinched when he felt as though a pulse caused a tightening around his left arm.
"… It can't be," Riser said in disbelief, taking a step back. "… Did-Did you give your left arm to the Dragon, didn't you?"
[III]
"That's right!" Kenny proclaimed, as his eyes burned with determination within his black eyes. "And now I'm going to take you down, you son of a bitch!"
—(flashback)—
Asia stared at Kenny in disbelief, as X-9 stood behind her with a blank expression. In her hands she held a small box that possessed the cross inside of it.
"This arm is no longer mine, do you understand," Kenny asked her.
"What?"
Kenny didn't respond, and just opened the box with his gauntlet arm and pulled out the cross by its chain. Showing it to her, he flicked the silver cross up and had it land in his palm, before clenching his fist around it. "See, it doesn't hurt me," he told her with a soft smile. "I'm okay."
Asia only show of emotion was her smile and tears welling up in her eyes. He gave up his own arm for this.
She knew that he was going to win. He'll defeat Riser and bring Rias back home.
—(flashback ends)—
"Are you insane?" Riser exclaimed as Kenny started walking towards him. "After what you've done, you'll never be the same again!"
[II]
"Like I give a damn!" Kenny retorted. "If it's for Rias, I'll give up my other arm. My legs. I'll let him take my heart if that's what it takes to protect her!" Kenny rocketed towards Riser, the Sword raised to cut him down. "Because she's worth more than I could ever give her!"
And then, in the blink of an eye, the armor was gone.
Kenny gasped in shock, before stumbling forward. He was luckily able to stay on his feet. However, he looked at his hands and saw that only the Boosted Gear was still on him. The dragon-like samurai armor was gone. He was back in his normal clothes. "What the fuck? I know I had about a second and a half left."
[True, but even with the price you paid for my power, your basic stats are too low to control my powers. You don't have the training to acquire that level of power.]
"Take what even you need to bring it back." He demanded, look at the back of his hand.
[I'm sorry, but a second Balance Breaker in such a short period of time is impossible for you now.]
Kenny gritted his teeth in frustration. He was so close, but in the end he was too weak to withstand the powers he was gifted with.
[However, the moment I took back the armor, I transferred a bit of the power to the jewel. It has the power to overwhelm Phoenix for a short amount of time, but you'll only be able to use it temporally. Whether it is enough to counter his regenerative abilities is unknown.]
"That's more than enough for me," he said, right before he was grabbed by the neck and lifted off the ground by Riser. The sudden choking hold made him drop both the Sword and the cross, as Kenny tried to pry Riser's hands off.
"I praise you for doing this well for a Pawn." He said with his arrogant smirk, but he didn't seem to be joking. His eyes carried a more serious look in them. His clothes and body looked worn, and his wings were smaller than before. "But it's time to end this little contest. But don't worry, after I marry Rias, and you are under my control, I'll train you into becoming stronger Devil." Riser's face changed to where his pupils were dilated, giving him a look that boarder on almost insanity. "Right after I make you hand over that sword to me so I can destroy it!"
Kenny was left shocked.
"Is he insane?" Rias exclaimed indignantly, further despising the blonde man. "Why in the world would he do that?"
"If I had to guess," Sona said, "I'd say that with the broadcasting of the Rating Game, many saw him get hurt by the Sword and that really hurt his pride. Now he wants to destroy it because it's a weapon that can be held by a Devil and damage a Phoenix. It could also be that with the Sword's righteous powers, it could have damaged his mental health."
Kenny gritted his teeth while glaring at Riser. "You're crazy!" He struggled to speak with his windpipe being tightly crushed. "D-Do you… have any idea… how important the Sword is?"
"Like I care." Riser snarled with a venomous glare. "I'll make an example out of its destruction. That no one bests Riser Phoenix! And the fact that I bleed because of a Pawn! Unforgivable! You are nothing alone, but with that sword, then you'll continue to be a threat to Riser!"
"I'm… not powerless without it," Kenny said with a smirk, surprising Riser. Taking his left hand away from his arm, the black-haired teen dug into his pocket and pulled out an object. Unbeknownst to Riser, it was a small glass bottle that contained holy water. "If you're going to put out a fire…"
[Playing Division Ruine by Carpenter Brut]
[Transfer!]
The Boosted Gear glowed green, as the water in the bottle glowed bright gold.
Kenny then brought his arm back.
"Then you're going to need water!"
SMASH!
Swinging his arm in an outwards arch, Kenny's hand smacked into the right side of Riser's head, smashing the bottle of holy water all over his head and face. The impact causing it to shatter on impact, and the water to disperse everywhere.
"UGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Riser screamed out in agony. His grip on Kenny's neck was released, along with the Phoenix family sword, allowing him to quickly scoop up the Sword and then gave himself some distance, as the blonde man grabbed his face with both his hands. He howled under the painful effects of the holy water, as parts of his face had major burns and had steam coming off it.
"Unlike the Sword, which cuts through his immortality and is able to hurt him as if he was a normal person, the holy water is severely depleting his stamina and mental strength," Sirzechs explained from his throne, as fire burst from Riser's face and the side of his head in an attempt to heal him, but to no avail, as his wings started to form out of control. "Even if he's a Phoenix, he can't regenerate his mortal mind."
The steam stopped, and Riser's body was left in a weakened and worn out state. Kenny placed the Sword, with the cross still around the handle, in his left hand, which was still dripping with holy water. "Doesn't feel so good, huh? Asia told me that Devils are weak against the cross and holy water," he told Riser, as the blonde man glared daggers at him. "Increasing the ability of both of them simultaneously would mean even a Devil like you doesn't stand a chance!"
"SILENCE!" And enraged Riser shoots a large ball of fire at him.
SLICE!
But to his surprise, Kenny cuts down the middle of it, splitting the attack and crashing into the walls of the arena behind him, exploding on impact. "Kiba told me to widen my vision when I'm against an opponent!" He tossed the Sword over to his right and then, with his left hand still soaked with holy water, wiped it against the length of the blade, applying the water onto the metal. After that, he tossed it back into his left hand.
Gathering all the demonic-power in his body and directing it to his hands, Kenny changed it to a Dragon's power, and then transferred it to the cross and holy water in his hand and the blade, before finally bringing it all to the Sword.
[Transfer!]
The entire blade of the Sword was suddenly covered in a gentle, rainbow colored fire that was radiating holy and righteous powers at an incredible level. So powerful that the weapon was shaking in his hands.
He raised the Sword up to have it pointing to the sky, scowling determinedly at Riser. "Akeno told me to gather the power that flows within me and release it at a single point! Which in this case is the Sword!"
Kenny point aimed the tip of the blade right at Riser, who panicky grabbed his sword off the ground to defend himself.
"And Koneko told me to aim for the center of the body!" The teen exclaimed. "To strike with accuracy into the heart of my enemies!" He then grinned. "And that means you!"
At this point, Riser was more afraid than he ever has been in his life. "N-No! Hold on! Stop it!" He demanded, but it came out as if he was trying not to beg. "Think about you're doing! This engagement is important and critical to the future of Devils! A mere servant like you has no business getting involved in the affairs of your betters!"
"And like I said, I don't care!" Kenny shot back, the rainbow fire of the Sword shining brightly on the arena. He charged that him, making Riser panic even more. "Rias is the only thing that matters. You forced her to be with you, even though she hates! And as her Pawn—no, her samurai, I'll give up everything for her and more!"
He stopped in front of Riser.
Riser tried to slash at him in a left swing, but Kenny ducked under the attack.
Kenny then thrusted the Sword forward, stabbing Riser in the stomach.
WAAAAAAASSSSHHHHHH!
Then a rainbow colored column of power shot out from Riser's back, right where the Sword's end stunk out of his back.
"GAHAA!" Riser howled in agony, coughing blood.
The beam didn't last long, and within three seconds it was gone, and the Sword returned to normal. As for Riser, he now had a wide hole in his stomach, with blood coming out of it. Kenny back away and carefully took the Sword out of the intense injury, and wiped in the air to flick off the blood.
Riser took a few steps backwards while placing his hands around his gaping hole. "For me to lose like this…" he said in pain, before falling on his back.
"Don't hurt him!" Ravel pleaded as she opened her wings and flew towards the arena. Rias was standing there with an expression of joy and relief.
[End music]
Kenny was approaching towards his fallen enemy. He was still breathing, meaning he wasn't dead. That was a good thing. As much as he wanted to end the man's life for all the misery he brought onto Rias, he wasn't going to kill him.
Then a magic circle appeared in front of him and Ravel came out of it. She glared at Kenny as she stretched out her arms protectively, trying to defend her brother.
Before she could complain, she tightly closed her eyes when she saw the teenage boy thrust the Sword at her face. But when she didn't feel anything, Ravel opened her eyes to see that Kenny had the edge of the blade resting on her left shoulder, near her neck.
Kenny scowled down at her. "Don't worry, he's alive. I didn't have the full power to do kill him anyways," he told her. "I just want to say something to your brother."
Ravel's face started to blush as she stared into his black eyes. How did she not notice how handsome he was? Remembering that she was trying to protect her brother, the young Phoenix girl blushed harder and only shook her head rapidly.
Kenny's scowl narrowed, frightening her a bit. But he reluctantly sighed and took the Sword away from her neck. "Then give him a message for me." He told her, which she nodded in agreeance. "Tell him to remember I could have done worse to him. That I didn't have to spare his life. I could have finished him right here, right now, and be down with it. That if he ever tries to bring harm to Rias, or any one of us, then I want him to remember me, Kenny Kurosawa, the Red Dragon Samurai… I want you remember the one man who beat you, Riser."
And with that, the match was over.
Suddenly the arena rumbled, startling Kenny as Ravel was brought out of her trance. She quickly picked up Riser, just before the dimension disappeared, giving way to a sky that was purple.
"AAAAHH!" Kenny yelled as he was too weak to open his own wings, meaning he was forced to fall from the sky. However, Koneko was suddenly below him, and caught him bridle style. Realizing he was safe, he sighed and smile at the girl. "Thanks from the caught."
"Way to rock the house!" Akeno congratulated him when she flew up to their level of altitude. Kiba soon joined them in the air.
"You totally nailed it!" He cheered for him. Kenny smiled gratefully at them, but started to panic when Koneko raised him up a bit, as if she was going to throw him.
"… Yep." She then tossed him down. "… See you later."
"WHHYYY!" Kenny cried out as he resumed his rapid descent.
However, he was saved when Rias suddenly appeared from below him and caught him in her arms. With her samurai in her hold, the beautiful redhead hugged him, which he returned. "Kenny," she whispered with joy as they descended to the ground. "You just saved my life." Their feet soon touched the ground, but the two didn't let the other go. "Thank you."
Kenny didn't say anything, and only continued to hold her in his arms, smiling happily.
A moment later, after getting back the scabbard and shinai bag, and placing the Sword back in it, Kenny decided it was time to return to the human world. With them already in the courtyard, he took out the magic-circle Grayfia gave him. Kenny turned it on its other side.
Shine!
The circle glowed and appearing from it and in front of him, Rias, her peerage, X-9, and Sona was large griffin. The majestic beast lets out a shrieking roar that echoed all around, before resting on its stomach.
"So, you're going already?" Asked a familiar voice, they turned around to see Xuelan, Karlamine, Isabella, and Yubelluna. "You saved the day and got the girl," Xuelan said, with her left hand on her hip. "Why not relax for a change."
Kenny smiled at them. "Sorry, but I've got to get her back home," he replied, grabbing Rias' hand, which made her smile at him. "I've had enough for one day." He then remembered the bets and looked at them seriously. "You don't have to come with me, you know. I'm not forcing you into doing something you don't want."
"As a knight, I must honor the conditions of the match," Karlamine said, placing her hands behind her head. She wanted to sound displeased, but that smile on her lips said otherwise. "Besides, it'll be great to get away from Riser."
"And we're not leaving with you just yet." Isabella said with her own smile. "There's still some Phoenix clan drama that needs to be dealt before we can go with you. We still need to pack our things and say goodbye."
Kenny nodded at her, before turning his attention towards Yubelluna. He had a feeling that the three younger women were more than happy to get away from Riser, seeing their reactions when he kissed them in front of him, but Yubelluna seemed to be one of Riser's most loyal servants, and the gloomy expression on her face was enough to know that she was hurt when he betted on them. "Yubelluna." Kenny walked towards her, letting go of Rias' hand. "I know this is a big chance, and you're probably hurting, but I promise that I wouldn't make you leave if you don't want to."
She looked up and stared into his black eyes. The former Queen was very doubtful of his good nature, due to want happened with Riser. She really thought he cared about them, but that was a lie to have their powers and bodies. How could she be certain that this young man wouldn't be the same? She then felt a hand being placed on both of her should. Looking to her sides, she saw that Karlamine was on her left and Isabella on the right. Both of them smiling encouragingly at her, as Xuelan came up on Karlamine's left, and also smiled at her.
"Just think about it." Kenny said before turning around and walking to Rias and the griffin. He stopped a few feet away and turned to Akeno. "Do you mind bringing X-9 back to the Clubhouse?"
"Not at all," she said with her signature sweet smile. Kenny nodded and offered his hand to Rias. She graciously accepted it, and the pair climbed onto the back of the beast. After they settle down on it, the griffin stood up and took to the air, crossing the skies of the Underworld.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sirzechs asked his wife, as the two of them watched from a balcony. Watching the griffin fly away from the mansion. "I had that griffin ready in case they needed to make a last minute escape."
"Thank goodness it didn't come to that," Grayfia said. "We would have had quite a mess to clean up."
"I wouldn't worry too much. My father and Sir Phoenix came to a common ground. Such a shame though, for an engagement to fall apart like this."
Grayfia turned her head to him with a smile. "Yes, you're right. Very sad. You look devastated." She commented on the glad expression he had on.
"You were right about him," he told her. "When I look at that young man, I can't help but feel as though I traveled back in time to face Jack again. And for him to have both the Sword and Red Dragon with him? Truly a miracle! I never dreamed I'd ever see the day they'd come over onto our side."
"It seems as though an encounter with the Vanishing One, the White Dragon, could be upon us soon."
"And not only that. I got a feeling that everyone now knows about the descendent of Samurai Jack, and they'll have their eyes set on him."
In the skies, Kenny watched the purple sky all around him and Rias. It was beautiful, with bright stars clustered together.
He was broke from his trance when he felt a hand touch his cheek. Turning his head to face forward, he saw it was Rias, who was seated in front of him. She smiled sadly at him with a relieved expression, as if a great pain were lifted from her. "Are you okay," he asked.
"… Silly boy," she said, looking down sadly at his left arm, which was still covered in the red scale gauntlet. Rias place a hand on it. "To get up your arm, just for me."
"Yeah," Kenny said bitterly, turning his hand over so that he can gently hold hers. "It was a good deal. It's not going away, but I'll live with it."
"… You may have broken this engagement, Kenny, but I promise you that there'll be a new engagement that'll be brought up, believe me. If you keep on doing this…" She stopped when Kenny's right hand cupped her left cheek, making her gasp a little and look at him with wide eyes.
She didn't know if he was silently telling her what he thought, or if it was her own mind putting two and two together, but Rias knew what his soft gaze and his loving smile was saying to her. He really was willing to risk it all, just for her. All to protect her. Because he was her samurai.
Rias' eyes teared up. God, she really did love him.
She put her hands around his neck, and Kenny placed his hands on her hips, and then their lips met. It was wasn't a deep kiss, but it was more than enough to have their feelings for one another be known. He loved the sensation of her lips and the smell of her crimson hair, while she loved his rougher lips and his strong arms around her.
After about a minute, they overlapped their lips, and Rias' left his. They stared into each other's eyes, before she started to giggle. "What is it," Kenny asked, chuckling with her.
"When I came to you to have sex, I gave you my first kiss. It's something that girls treasure in Japan, right?"
"I wouldn't know anything about that." He scratched the back of his head, blushing a little bit. "D-Did you like it? The first time we kissed, I mean."
"I loved it." She closed her eyes and looked away, blushing, still smiling. "And I such be asking you that, also."
"They were wonderful," Kenny responded with a smile, before pulling her closer into his chest. Her smile grew wider, as Rias melted into his warmth. The same warmth the redhead had come to know and love after many nights of sleeping in the same as bed, letting the sensation of his hold protect her from all her troubles. She wished that she could always feel this way with him.
… Well, why couldn't she?
The next day, after Kenny and Rias returned and sleep with each other the rest of the night, this happens.
"So, that's that," Rias said with a bright, sitting next to Kenny and Asia on one of the sofas in the living room, with X-9 and Karen sitting on the other one. "I, Rias Gremory, will also be living here at the Kurosawa residence. I may be inexperienced, but please allow me to care for you too, sister."
Karen at her with an expression that said 'how do I react to this?' while X-9 looked blankly at her. Kenny looked to the blonde beauty and saw Asia with teary eyes and an unpleasant face.
Even Kenny didn't know how to take this sudden desire to stay with him. Rias said she wanted to 'strengthen the relationship with my servants', but he wondered if she was really okay with living in his house.
'Man, I can't under High-class Devil at all.'
An almost tense atmosphere was in the air, as Karen stared at Rias with narrow eyes. She really likes Asia staying here. It gave her another girl to talk to. Like sisters. But Rias was different for her. She was the one Kenny loved the most, and all the young Kurosawa wanted was for him to be happy. It was why she was protective of him when it came to girls.
But, she knew that the crimson-haired girl was good to him, and he was to her. It's because he loved her, that he gave up his arm for her. And by the way she caught Rias look at him at times, she knew the feelings were mutual.
However, so was Asia's feelings. Karen's seen this many times in anime, when a guy would have many girls fall in love with him. She thought it was fun to watch, but now that she was looking right at it, happening to her brother, with two very nice girls.
How was she supposed to react this development? Karen sighed. 'Guess there only one thing to do, lay down the law.'
"All sexual activities are to be done in Kenny's room," she stated, much to the moment teenage boy's shock and embarrassment.
"KAREN!"
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…."
Kenny: "What the fuck! How did you get here?!"
Karen: "Kenny maybe my brother, but as his sister, I'm the top bitch in this house!"
Kiba: "Do you remember this sword?"
Narrator: "The Red Dragon Samurai. Updates coming soon."
Kenny: "Get your head in the game, Kiba! KIBA!"
Narrator: "Only on Fanfiction."
So did anyone catch that one Batman: The Dark Knight Returns quote? :D
And there you go. That ends the Rating Game Arc, and technically season 1 of The Red Dragon Samurai.
Not much to say about this episode, other than I'm glad to have gotten around to doing it.
And now I'm going to be working on the first chapter of my Gravity Falls story, "Weirder Things".
And another thing, I was thinking of charging the ending for the next season. If you can think of an anime ending song that I should use, then please let me know. I was also thinking of changing the opening monologue into an anime style anime opening as well, but that may not happen.
Also, in case you didn't notice, I've started a new crossover story called "Welcome Back, Mr. ED!",and it's a male OC-Based crossover between Assassination Classroom and Ed Edd n Eddy. I got to admit, it has some mistakes here and there, as I went back in and tried to go back in and fix and add some things in it, before just giving up on fixing it and just leaving it as it is. But I promise to do better on the next Edventure (chapter). So I'd appreciate it if you could go take a look, and favorite and follow it.
And that wraps up for today, please be sure to favorite, follow, and review if you enjoyed this episode. And if you got a request for a male OC-based story/crossover you want me to do, please put in the review, or PM me so we can talk about it.
Unit next time, peace out!