Draconis: Alright, barring ANYTHING else happening. I should be able to write this out good and well...
Kenshin: You trailed off there.
Draconis: (Lets out a sigh) I'm just not looking forward to the character research, it's so immense!
Kenshin: Aah, I understand it's been years since you actively wrote Negima fanfiction.
Gasper: S-Sorry we took up so much of your time.
Draconis: What are you talking about Gasper? I've had a blast writing this story. I've only been slowing because of work, injury and technical difficulties.
Gasper: "OK!" (patted on the head by Draconis, before Valerie snatches him away with a jealous look.)
Draconis: Relax Valerie. I was just reassuring him.
Valerie: OK...(glares a bit before relaxing.)
Draconis: Sheesh. Anyway...this might be a multi part chapter.
Dragon of the Elements
Chapter 103
Ala Alba vs DXD.
Draconis: Begin!
(Start!)
Ryuushin was flying across the skies of Megalomesembria when he felt two signatures coming in hot. "Hm? !" Ryuushin stopped as he immediately recognized the two signatures as they appeared in front of him.
"D-Dad..! I-It's really you!" Yukari said with wide eyes.
"T-Tou-Chan...!" Miyuki said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"...Hmn." Ryuushin closed his eyes with a smile as he embraced both of his daughters. "I'm glad I got to see you again." He said pulling away, his smile widening.
"H-How are you back?" Yukari stammered out.
"I never left when I visited Kenshin while he was fighting Nagi, and that Yuurei resting inside him was nice enough to give me a temporary body." Ryuushin answered with a chuckle. "Be sure to thank him after this." He said.
"R-Right." Yukari and Miyuki said before the former extended Kazeken and Ryuuga toward him. "Here...they've always been yours."
"No..." Ryuushin closed his eyes with a smile. "Yukari...I always intended to pass them on to you."
"? !" Yukari's eyes widened as tears shimmered in her eyes. "D-Dad..."
"Hmn, they're yours Yukari, use them well and make me proud." Ryuushin said.
"Y-Yes!" Yukari said bowing her head, clenching her hands around her swords.
"Onee-Chan...?" Miyuki said with a surprised look. "A-Aah?" She gasped as Ryuushin wrapped his arms around her, embracing her tightly. "T-Tou-Chan?"
"Hmn...I didn't get to know you until my time was already running short...and I still always felt like I failed as your father." Ryuushin said, petting her head.
"H-Heee...!" Miyuki's eyes screwed shut. "You didn't fail." Miyuki said. "I learned what love is from you, Kaa-Chan, Onee-Chan and Onii-Chan...and I learned how to defend myself from you too Tou-Chan...You didn't fail...you just didn't have the time you wanted." Miyuki said smiling at him with a tearful gaze.
"Miyuki..." Ryuushin said, wiping her tears away with a smile. "Alright. You two should be going, help with the evacuation...and Kenshin is right Miyuki. Your arm is damaged. It's like mine was when I used it against Forbesii before Kenshin was taken from this world."
"I-I know..." Miyuki said.
"Just try to avoid using it, your right arm I mean." Ryuushin said before turning to fly away.
"D-Dad!" Yukari shouted.
"?" Ryuushin turned to find Yukari bowing to him.
"D-Dad...I-I'm s-so sorry for how I acted when we met!" Yukari said, tears burning in her own eyes.
"O-Onee-Chan." Miyuki said with a surprised look.
"Hmn...It's OK Yukari." Ryuushin said. "You hadn't known me for the first years of your life. I kinda expected it." Ryuushin smiled.
"B-But still." Yukari said before Ryuushin reached over and embraced her and Miyuki both.
"You, Miyuki and Kenshin are my children. I will always love you." Ryuushin said.
"!" Yukari raised her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Hey now. It's all in the past...and I still love you all the same Yukari." Ryuushin chuckled. "It's OK, really."
"O-OK..." Yukari said wiping her eyes before smiling. "I...I love you Dad." She said.
"Yeah! I love you too Tou-Chan!" Miyuki said before they both embraced him.
"Aaaaaaahhhh!" A scream alerted all three of them.
"T-That sounded like...!" Miyuki said in dread.
"Mom! We gotta-!" Yukari was halted by Ryuushin's arm. "Dad?"
"Let me handle it. You two get to work somewhere else." Ryuushin said with a smile.
"Are you sure?" Miyuki said.
"It's a lot to handle." Yukari asked.
"Sure, besides, it will be nice to fight side by side with your mother again." Ryuushin said taking off toward a cluster of shadow demons. "Haaaa!" He roared, diving into the fray, sending them flying outward with fatal wounds
"H-Huh? !" Hikari said seeing him extend his hand toward her. She smirked a bit. "Come on Ryuu-kun, you know I had that." She said pulling herself up.
"Sure you did." Ryuushin with a smirk of his own. "That's why you screamed out, while you were getting attacked from all sides.
"Hmrm getting cocky are we?" Hikari said as her claws sharpened. "Come on then dear! Let's see which of us is better!"
"Well I can't adhere to our usual bet, but if you win, I'll give you the best kiss you've ever had!" Ryuushin chuckled.
"Hahahaha!" Hikari laughed. "Deal!"
At the same time Rias was batting shadow demons away from Kenshin when a crowd of water serpents extended forward and knocked them away. "Are you OK Kenshin?"
"Don't bother Sona, he's focusing on bringing out his full power. You know, that full power." Rias said.
"I see." Sona said. "Hrm...it's like he's swirling power through his body in the form of an Ouroboros insignia." She said.
"Yes. He seems to be trying to break out the power of the Demigod State." Rias said as they both took out scores of shadow demons. "Is it just me or are they crowding him?"
"It's because Kenshin's a threat to Ialda and he's a sitting duck." Sona said before feeling a power pulse and a score of flame spears shot outward and killed a score of shadow demons. "What the?" Sona said looking back at Kenshin who was still in deep focus.
"Don't worry about it, it's been happening every so often. I think it's just his body and mind protecting itself along with us." Rias said.
"I see.." Sona said with a nod. "Well if that's the case then, we should stay out of their way."
"It's fine, they're usually fired away from us." Rias said.
With that, the two heiresses continued to attack the horde of shadow demons.
(break)
With Kiba.
"Shinmeiryuu Ougi! Zanganken!" Setsuna shouted out, slashing through a building before taking to the skies with her white wings.
"I ask again, are you sure you're not an angel?" Kiba said pursuing her, his devil wings brought out.
"I'm sure!" Setsuna said, her Yuunagi clashing against Kiba's Garm. "Among the crow demon tribes, white wings are considered unlucky!"
"That's moronic, judging someone simply based on the color of their wings? !" Kiba said as they traded sword strikes in the air.
"Aaahhnn. The duel between them is so intense." Konoka said watching with a carefree smile. "Kiba-San is really quite an accomplished swordsman." Konoka said seeing Asia standing next to her. "Oh? You look quite pretty. Are you one of the girls that's wants to be with Ken-kun?" Konoka said with a smile.
"N-No, K-Kenshin-Onii-Sama is like a brother to me." Asia said.
"Hahahaha, I see." Konoka giggled. "I'm Konoka Konoe." She said.
"I'm Asia Argento." Asia said with a kind smile. "Nice to meet you Konoka-San."
"Hmhmhm." Konoka giggled as they watched Setsuna and Kiba fight. "I'm glad."
"Huh?" Asia said looking over at Konoka.
"..." Konoka's smile widened. "That Ken-kun found so many people that make him happy. After I found out how much he suffered from Yukari-Chan...my heart...kinda broke for him." She said with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I never realized it...that my dear childhood friend went through such a painful experience." Konoka said. "I wished I did more for him."
"Oh Konoka-San...I think you did all you could for him." Asia said with a smile. "He remarked you and Setsuna-San glowingly." Her smile widened. "He seemed to admire and love you two a lot."
"E-Eh?" Konoka said with wide eyes. "R-Really?"
"Yes!" Asia said with a giggle. "Kenshin-Onii-Sama cared a lot about you two!"
"Hmn..." Konoka smiled looking back up at Kiba and Setsuna's conflict. "Oh Ken-kun, I knew you loved us too." She thought with a smile.
"Hrmgh! That seems to be quite the demonic blade you're wielding, it even surpasses the Hina Blade!" Setsuna said as their swords clashed against each other.
"This is the Demonic Imperial Sword Garm, that's why it feels so demonic!"
"The Garm? !" Setsuna said with wide eyes. "I've only heard legends about that blade!"
"Well, it is in front of you now." Kiba said as he slashed up her torso, only to be deflected by her Yuunagi.
"Still, you'll find me hard prey to take." Setsuna said with a smirk.
"I know, Kenshin-kun spoke highly of you, I look forward to a spirited spar." Kiba said.
"Hmn." Setsuna smiled. "I knew Kenshin-Sa...no...Kenshin-kun loved sparing with me." She said. "Shinmeiryuu Ougi! Zanganken!"
"Grrh!" Kiba blocked with the Garm as buildings behind him were cut down. The two uncased their wings and flew away. "You're a great swordsman!"
"Thanks, you're good too!" Setsuna said spinning as Yuunagi was coated in flames before turning their swords to the side. "Hyakuretsu Okazan!"
"G-Gaaahh!" Kiba yelled out as sakura petals erupted around him and cut into him, not unlike the Katentou Albireo was using against Rias not too long ago. "Grrhh!" Kiba let out a pained smirk as she slashed Garm downward, sending the sakura petals scattering.
"W-What? !" Setsuna said as Kiba approached her.
"I can't use them like Kenshin-kun or his sisters can, but at least using a wind burst, is something I can do." Kiba said as his eyes flashed from their normal color to red.
"..." Setsuna readied her Yuunagi. "I'm in for a fierce battle here. My opponent wields the legendary Garm. The blade wielded by demons of royalty. It's already beginning to possess him."
(boom!)
"Huh? !" Kiba and Setsuna said as a figure crashed down between them.
"Kiba! If you want to let loose, go let loose on Ialda!"
"Y-Yukari-San!" Kiba said. "Are you sure you can handle that girl?"
"Hmn! Who do you think she was sparring with to perfect her Shinmeiryuu arts?" Yukari said with a smirk.
"Yukari-San..." Setsuna said with narrowed eyes.
"Heya Setsuna, don't worry I won't use dirty tactics like having Konoka threaten to flash you this time." Yukari said.
"!" Setsuna's face went scarlet, remembering the memory.
"D-Did you really do that Konoka-San?" Asia asked with a nervous tone.
"E-Eeehhehehehe...let me put it this way, Secchan and I aren't exactly straight." Konoka giggled nervously.
"E-Eeeehhh? !" Asia exclaimed with a deep blush. "Y-You and Setsuna-San are in love with each other? !"
"Ehehehe~! Yeah...we've even done it together...god her tongue was so good." Konoka sighed blissfully.
"I-I don't need to know that!" Asia said.
"Come on~! Haven't you done it with the guy you love? !" Konoka said.
"! !" Asia's blush deepened, thinking about her time with Issei and Kiryuu. "I-I have, but that's beside the point!" Asia said.
"Oh please don't make this biblical Asia-Chan, that book was written by people, not God." Konoka said. "Otherwise, wouldn't a lesbian relationship like mine be condemned immediately?" She smiled. "Isn't the Almighty supposed to be all loving?"
"Hmn..." Asia giggled with a smile. "You're right Konoka-San. I was just surprised is all, I meant no offense."
"Ahahaha~!" Konoka giggled. "I see! Thank you Asia-Chan!"
"Besides." Asia smiled. "Love takes on all forms doesn't it?"
Konoka smiled back and embraced Asia with one arm. "Ooooh! I wish I met you while I was still alive! I just love people like you!"
"Hahahaha! I wish I met you sooner too Konoka-Chan!" Asia said. "You seem like such a wonderful girl!"
"Thanks! You're quite wonderful yourself!" Konoka giggled.
Yukari and Setsuna both gazed at them. "So, you finally sucked it up and told Konoka how you felt?"
"Y-Yes." Setsuna said with a blush. "I was so shocked at how she embraced and accepted me...saying she loved me too."
"Haa...you idiot." Yukari sighed with a smile.
"Haa!" Setsuna lurched forward, stabbing at Yukari's shoulder. "Raimeiken!"
An explosion of lightning went off as Konoka and Asia were surrounded by shadow demons. "!" Konoka went around throwing sutras at the approaching demons, protecting Asia.
"Eh? You're helping me?" Asia asked.
"Hmn~!" Konoka winked at Asia. "You're not really a threat, and like I said...I wanna help people." Konoka smiled. "I guess that's overpowering Ialda's influence."
"That's great!" Asia said with a wide smile.
Yukari shot out as Setsuna gave chase. Yukari smirked. "Man, I feel like I'm sparring against you again!" Yukari said as her blades collided against hers over and over again, ending in a deadlock.
"Hrmn!" Setsuna smirked. "I see! Then take this!"
"!" Yukari's eyes widened with a smirk as she dodged, the earth splitting below her.
"Why wasn't the Garm user as active against me?" Setsuna asked.
"He knew how important to Kenshin you were so it caused him to hesitate." Yukari said. "He probably wanted to give you the chance to say goodbye to Kenshin."
"A-Aah..." Setsuna gasped softly.
"Come on, you were Kenshin's childhood friend, technically you were his first kiss too...did you not think how Kenshin would think about all this."
(Clang!)
Setsuna blocked both of Yukari's blades with Yuunagi. "I...I..always thought how he felt...that's why...both mine and Ojou-Sama's hearts are breaking! Shin Raikouken!"
An explosive burst of lightning went off as Setsuna panted. "That should have finished you..."
"Balance Breaker! Elemental Overdrive!"
"? !" Setsuna's eyes widened as Yukari donned the same armor that Kenshin had, minus the dragonifcation. "No! Kono-Chan is in danger!" She said seeing the shadow demons.
Yukari kicked her away. "No she's not! I promise you!"
"Fafnir come forth!" Asia called out.
Opanty I have come, Opanty my treasure." Fafnir said.
"H-Heh?" Setsuna and Konoka both said with wide, surprised eyes.
"F-Fafnir, please protect me and this mage Konoka-San against these Shadow demons!" Asia said placing a pair of boy shorts into his mouth.
"Panties I have received, happy~!" Fafnir said as he started obliterating shadow demons left and right.
"Yukari...what kind of friends have you made since you left us?" Setsuna said with wide, deadpanned eyes.
"I-I'd rather not answer Setsuna, trust me." Yukari said, slumping over. "It would just break your mind. Just trust me that Konoka and Asia are in good hands." "
"O-OK." Setsuna said.
Meanwhile a familiar figure was seen kicking down at Ku Fei who expertly dodged. "Nyohoho~!" Ku Fei laughed as she landed across from Ruruko and Momo. "Those grieves are nice!"
"Gah...you're so strong Ku Fei-San." Ruruko said with a tired smile.
"Oh you can just call me Ku-Roshi." Ku Fei laughed.
"Eh? Kuroshi? Are you related to Kenshin-San?" Momo said.
"Eh?" Ku Fei paused. "No, Roshi means Master in Chinese and my name is Ku. Though Kenshin-Sensei did save me from the Triads of our original world." Ku Fei said with a smile. "I never really got to thank him for that."
"The Triads? ! You mean the Chinese crime syndicate? !" Ruruko asked.
"For fuck's sake is there anything Kenshin-San hasn't got involved with? !" Momo said.
"Well, I think he left the Yakuza and the American Mafia alone." Ku Fei said scratching her cheek with an embarrassed smile.
"Haa!" A tentacle thrust down at Ku Fei who jumped to dodge.
"Saji-kun!" Momo and Ruruko both said with relieved smiles. "Aren't you still beat up from the trip to Olympus Mons? !" Momo asked.
"Sure, but I'll be damned if I let my girlfriends get hurt without doing something about it!" Saji said.
"Saji-kun!" Momo and Ruruko both said with happy tears in their eyes.
"Come on! Let's coordinate our attacks!" Saji said with a smirk.
"Right!" Momo and Ruruko said.
"Hahaha! You're in a three way relationship with each other? !" Ku Fei giggled dodging and punching away Saji's tentacles and Ruruko's kicks.
"Yeah? ! What about it? !" Momo said firing spells at Ku Fei.
"Nothing, it's just sweet to see people whom are comfortable with each other like Yukari-Chan and Miyuki-Chan were with Negi-Chan and Kenshin-kun!" Ku Fei laughed as she took a defensive stance.
"Wait, Kenshin was with his sisters and Negi-San BEFORE meeting us?" Saji said to himself. "That bastard! How did he pull that off? !"
"Eheheheh..." Ruruko giggled nervously.
"Oh Saji-kun." Momo giggled.
"Hahaha!" Ku Fei laughed. "Well according to Yukari-Chan it wasn't easy. There was a lot of drama between her, Kenshin-Sensei and Negi-Chan!" She said before punching away Saji's tentacles and Momo's spells before burying her fist in Ruruko's stomach.
"G-Gaah? !" Ruruko gasped.
"R-Ruruko!" Saji said catching her with his tentacles.
"Aaaggh...t-thanks Saji-kun." Ruruko said with a weak smile.
"Hmhmhm..." Ku Fei chuckled. "I'm the one who trained Negi-Sensei, I'm a master of martial arts." She said as a white energy surrounded her hands. "Let's see how you hold up when I'm actually trying-aru!"
"? !" Saji, Momo, and Ruruko gasped as an invisible force, feeling Ku's ki oppress them.
"Heh!" Ku Fei smirked as they all flew back.
"F-Fuck, she's powerful." Saji said.
"Hahaha. Not really, compared to Mana, Kaede and Setsuna I'm only fourth strongest." Ku Fei chuckled.
"Hrrnn!" Ruruko grunted kicking at Ku Fei's head.
"Nnn!" Momo grunted as she fired her spells against Ku Fei's ki barrier. "You're weaker than Mana-San? !"
"Oh is she on your side? Yeah, from a skill side anyway." Ku Fei said. "Still I never got to fight against her in that hanyou form of hers." Ku Fei said. "But...!"
A massive swarm of shadow demons swarm the three of them, only to be blasted away from them by a familiar figure. "M-M-Miyuki-Chan? !" Ruruko asked.
"Get out of here you three." Miyuki said. "Take care of these mobs of shadow demons. Trust me, this girl is a bad opponent for all of you, except maybe Saji in his Balance Breaker, but he still hasn't recovered from his own trip to Olympus Mons."
"Neither have you Miyuki-San!" Saji said.
"Yeah, that may be, but I have experience fighting against her, leave." Miyuki said before turning to him with a smile. "Besides didn't you say you were gonna protect them?" She asked before winking. "I'm here defending Onii-Chan's will after all."
"!" Saji realized Miyuki was right. "Right! Come on Momo, Ruruko!" Saji said as he dived into the crowd of shadow demons.
"Hehehehe~ I knew that'd draw you Miyuki-Chan." Ku Fei said.
"Saving someone from your techniques that couldn't take it?" Miyuki said with a smile. "Come on Ku Fei-Chan. Even you have to admit that people like Momo and Ruruko aren't fit to face you."
"Well..." Ku Fei glanced away with a sad smile. "It's...not like my movements and thoughts are my own-aru."
"...I know." Miyuki said before smiling again. "That's why I came. Because I know how to fight you."
"Hmn~" Ku Fei wiped her eyes and smiled back. "Come on then Miyuki-Chan. Let's have some fun!"
"Right!" Miyuki said as the two leaped toward each other.
"Oh? You usually hated this Miyuki-Chan!" Ku Fei said. "Other than dueling against your brother, you didn't like it much."
"Heh!" Miyuki smirked as they drove their elbows toward each other, colliding fiercely. "What can I say? I caught Onii-Chan's battle fanaticism! Can't be adverse to fighting forever!"
"Hey, even I can sense your other arm's hurt!" Ku Fei said.
"Forget it! I'll beat you without it!" Miyuki said.
"Bold statement-aru! Let's see you keep it!" Ku Fei said as they started trading kicks. "So that Saji guy has a three way relationship going huh? Hope he can manage it like Kenshin-Sensei did with you, Yukari and Negi-Sensei!"
"Actually...that particular relationship's become part of a harem...a rather big one." Miyuki said with a sweatdrop.
"Sooo...basically what might have happened had he never left?" Ku Fei laughed. "Come on Miyuki-Chan, a lot of us liked Kenshin-Sensei. So I'm not surprised-aru."
"Yeah I guess...at the least I think Setsuna, Konoka, Nodoka, Yue, Ayaka and you as sure things." Miyuki said as she drove her elbow into Ku Fei's chest.
"Guhh!" Ku Fei grunted, but smirked and buried her fist into Miyuki's stomach, releasing a burst of ki into her.
"G-Guuuhh!" Miyuki groaned, feeling it shoot through her. "Heh!" She smirked and drove her right elbow into the side of Ku Fei's left temple.
"Aaahh!" Ku Fei staggered backward.
"Balance Break!" Miyuki yelled.
"Eh? !" Ku Fei said. "Hey! That was the same armor Kenshin-Sensei was wearing!"
"Onii-Chan, Onee-Chan and I all share the same Sacred Gear, or what this dimension calls artifacts." Miyuki said with a smirk. "Get ready Ku-Chan, cause here I come!" Miyuki said lunging toward Ku Fei.
(Break)
Rias's familiar flew into a destroyed building. She found a young man with purple hair, save a streak of red in his bangs, much similar to the streak of purple in Kenshin's own. Rias' familiar's eyes widened as she realized she found the man she was looking for. She poofed into her human form and lifted him up.
"Hn..." The man groaned as his eyes opened. He saw her face and smiled. "Wow...you're..beautiful."
"...!" Rias' familiar blushed.
"Sorry, just dishing out compliments." He said.
"Kenshin-Sama." Rias' familiar said.
"Wha? That's not my name. My name is the one Alma gave me. It's Luka." He said.
"..." Rias' familiar narrowed her eyes at him. "You kidnapped my master." She glowered.
"Relax. I was working the long con on the Demon King. I wouldn't have actually let her be harmed. I knew Kenshin wouldn't hurt her." Luka said.
Rias' familiar's face relaxed. "I see. Well then...my master and Kenshin-Sama wanted me to give you something."
"Huh?" Luka said as she held out two cards to him. "Oh, pactio cards. I had one of these before we got split up." Luka said holding up one of his own.
"So you know how to use them? Because I do not." Rias' familiar said.
"Yeah you're good." Luka said. "And..really next time your master summons you, tell her Luka says he's sorry for stringing her along."
"Hmn." Rias' familiar smiled. "Well you might get the opportunity yourself, but if you don't I'll carry your message for you."
"Thanks." Luka smiled. "Now you should head ba-"
"Luka Tsuki Kuroshi."
"? !" Luka and Rias' familiar turned to see Entheofushia entering the building. Luka immediately stepped in front of the latter, summoning Negi's artifact to summon the Hama no Tsurugi.
"Relax...I am not here to fight." Entheofushia said.
"Then what's to stop me from ending your ass right here and now?" Luka said with a scowl.
"If you kill me, Ialda Baoth would also die, but the Resonance would persist. It would be a hive mind without control...it would be utter chaos." Entheofushia said. "The same could be said for you and Kenshin, if one of you dies...the other dies with them."
"..." Luka lowered his blade. "I already knew that." He said. "So what do you want?"
"I need to tell you and Kenshin something." Entheofushia said.
"Then why aren't you talking to him?" Luka asked in disinterest as Rias' familiar stood behind him.
"He's being swarmed with this one's master and a strong water magic user protecting him. Even then it's too dangerous...and besides, either you will give him the message when you become one again or this one will convey the message to Kenshin herself." She said looking at Rias' familiar.
"Alright, so what's the message you wish to ferry?" Luka asked.
"The method of how to destroy the Resonance." Entheofushia said.
"Nn? !" Luka's eyes widened momentarily.
"Yes...I know how to do it...and the two of you together were doing it all wrong." Entheofushia said.
"B-But...won't that kill you? !" Luka shouted.
Entheofushia closed her eyes. "I deserve to die for all I have wrought."
"..." Luka narrowed his eyes at Entheofushia. "So...like I was before huh?"
"Yes...while you were trapped in this city." Entheofushia said, opening her eyes, tears in the corners of them. "I'm not asking for your forgiveness, but I am sorry." She said.
"...You wouldn't have received it anyway." Luka said.
"I know." Entheofushia said. "But...please listen, and know that only you and Kenshin together can pull it off."
"Hrm...we'll see about that." Luka said.
"..." Entheofushia let out a sigh. "If you insist on facing her yourself, just be careful."
"There's something else I need to know." Luka said, hardening his gaze. "Before you begin."
"What is it?" Entheofushia asked.
"Tell me this is it." Luka said. "This is the part of me that's still Kenshin talking...but." Luka bowed his head forward. "Kenshin and I both suffered by yours...or rather Ialda Baoth's hands before our soul was split apart." Luka said. "Tell me, if we destroy the Resonance...if we kill Ialda Baoth..and by extension you...that this is the end..." Luka's fists clenched around the Hama no Tsurugi's hilt. "Th...That we can finally move on...and be happy with the ones we love?"
"..." Entheofushia closed her eyes. "If you destroy the Resonance...no...destroy Ialda Baoth...we shall be dead for good. Nothing can bring us back."
"!" Luka's eyes widened at this declaration.
"Does that satisfy you?" Entheofushia said.
"..." Luka's eyes narrowed. "Tell me...tell me how to destroy that bitch."
(break)
Elsewhere
"Hahahaha! They lined up a noblewoman to face me? The scientist known as Satomi Hakase!" A green haired girl, her hair styled in braided pig tails said.
Across from her was Seekvaira, who held her hands crossed in front of her waist. "Just a noblewoman you say." She said with a smile. "These skills of mine haven't been very useful because my opponents have either been too smart or cheated to win, but I'm not a high class devil for nothing you know."
"Oh I know Seekvaira Agares...I know how powerful you are. Which is why I'm coming prepared." Satomi said
"Hm? !" Seekvaira said as limbs shifted out from Satomi's back, made completely of metal. Mainly out of the arms and shoulders. "Oooh my!" Seekvaira said with an excited look. "You look like a mecha!" She said with a laugh.
"Eh? You like this sort of thing?" Satomi asked with a surprised look. "A stuffy noble like you?"
"Aren't you quick to judge a book by the cover." Seekvaira said. "Mechas have always fascinated me."
"Uhuhuhu~" Satomi giggled at this. "I see. I can appreciate someone being into a form of science, but how do you plan to combat this Seekvaira-San?"
A magic circle opened up next to her head. "Hey Issei." Seekvaira said.
"Eh?" Issei said blasting a group of shadow demons to bits. "What is it Seekvaira-Chan?"
Seekvaira felt warmth at the title he'd addressed her with. "I'd like to do that thing you and I talked about"
"E-Eh? R-Right here...I-In front of everyone?" Issei said.
"I-I didn't mean that you perverted idiot!" Seekvaira berated. "I meant giving me your wyvern faires."
"Hahaha. I know Seekvaira-Chan, I was just playing." Issei said. "They'll be there in a second."
"Hmn." Seekvaira smiled as Issei's wyvern fairies flew in toward her and attached to her. She was suddenly coated in armor similar to Issei's Scale Mail. "Crimson Dragon, Machine Princess!" The armor announced.
"What the? !" Satomi said as Seekvaira raised her hand toward her.
"I'm quite into machinery myself, so I asked my betrothed if he'd mind lending me a set of his armor, because it quite remarkably resembles a mecha." Seekvaira said. "There's also my clan's ability to consider!" She said as she held her arms out. Two of the Fairies detatching from her back. "Time Magic! Haste!"
"Huh? !" Satomi said having to immediately cross her arms as the two wyvern fairies shot Dragon Shots at her before reconnecting to her back. "Y...You can control...time?"
"Hmn." Seekvaira smiled behind her helmet. "To some degree sure. We can quicken or slow the pace of it, we can't go back and forth in time no, but this is enough."
"...Heh." Satomi smirked and stood up, holding a pocket watch in her hand. "Is that so?"
"What is that?" Seekvaira asked with narrowed eyes.
"This is called the Cassiopeia." Satomi said with a laugh. "It's the very contraption that allowed Chao Lingshen to come to the era...and sadly, to bomb Kenshin-Sensei and Yukari-San into the past." (1 )
"..." Seekvaira went silent. "This is going to be troublesome. If she has a time machine, then I'll have to time when I use my time magic."
"You're slow." Satomi said appearing behind her with a smirk.
"!" Seekvaira's eyes widened as one of Satomi's mech fists hit her in the back, sending her tumbling across the ground.
"Heh! How do you like the power of science? !" Satomi said, raising her metal fists.
"..." Seekvaira closed her eyes. "So she makes up for her speed with time travel...kind of like Diodora made up for his shortcomings with Ophis' snake...and Sona with her brilliance...my time magic would be unbeatable otherwise." She thought. "Hmn..." She smiled behind her helmet. "This will be a great dry run for me. I rarely battle against such stout opponents...this should be interesting."
"Hmn!" Seekvaira stood up tall, her mana shooting outward. "I like it just fine, even if I have to crush it!" Seekvaira shouted.
"Oh ho? ! Bold claim! How do you plan to beat me when I can travel time!" Satomi said.
"With time!" Seekvaira announced with a smirk.
"Let's see it!" Satomi said, reeling her hand back with a smirk.
(break)
"Haaa!" Tsubasa Yura had her Twinkle Aegies block the massive shuriken of Kaede Nagase who was flanked by two pink haired girls named Fuuka and Fumaki Narutaki.
"You're quite strong de-gozaru." Kaede said, being dressed in a fuschia ninja gi while the Narutaki's were dressed similarly.
"You're really good!" Fuuka said with a smile.
"Yeah you're awesome!" Fumika said with a laugh.
"Hrn." Yura growled.
"Here, let me help you Yura-onee-san." Yura turned to see Bennia appearing behind her.
"Kenshin said he didn't want them reaped." Yura protested.
"I'll strike with the blunt end of my scythe then. You focus on the busty one." Bennia said.
"Oh ho ho ho." Kaede chuckled while the childlike Narutakis pouted.
"It's not like we're not trying!" Fuuka said.
"We're still coming in dang it!" Fuuka cursed.
"Come on, I'll protect Boss Lust Dragon's future!" Bennia said with an unusual fire behind her eyes.
"You come too!" Yura said her Twinkle Aegis clashing against Kaede's shuriken.
"Hrn!" Kaede smirked, her perpetually almost closed eyes widening with a smirk. "Heh. You're a wonderful opponent Yura-San!"
"Thank you for the compliment Kaede-San!" Yura said as they dueled against each other.
Kaede threw her massive shuriken at Yura who blocked with Twinkle Aegis. "Grrhh!" Kaede growled.
"Hrm!" Yura smirked
"Hm? !" Kaede's eyes widened a bit, seeing lightning and fire magic flare up around Yura's sacred gear. She dodged out of the way and watched as the Sacred Gear flew back to the blunette.
"Hmn." Yura smirked. "Don't underestimate me Kaede-San." She said.
"Hrm." Kaede smiled. "Oh I never do, I was just surprised to see what you could do."
"Hmn. Well I hope I impress." Yura said as Twinkle Aegis and Kaede's giant shuriken met again.
Flames and Light lit up around Yura's Sacred Gear as it ground into Kaede's large shuriken. "Hahaha! Your ability is interesting, de-gozaru!" Kaede said as her shuriken dueled against Tsubaki's magical shield.
Yura smiled as her shield dueled against Kaede's giant shuriken. "Your skills as a shinobi are quite impressive as well! I'm quite the martial artist myself."
"Really? So is Ku Fei, why not fight her and let Miyuki-San come to me?" Kaede said. "That said, it's interesting how your able to use your interesting artifact that almost like a chakram, and call it back like a yo-yo." Kaede commented.
"To answer your question. One of Miyuki's arms is injured. You maybe my enemy and a ninja, but you don't feel like someone who'd be so underhanded as to take advantage of that, being one of her friends." Yura said as her Twinkle Aegis and Kaede's shuriken clash multiple time.
"You're right...I wouldn't...you on the other hand." Kaede said as she appeared behind her. "That's a different story." She said stabbing a kunai at her back.
"Hrm!" Yura turned, focusing her mana around her hand to block the kunai.
"Oh?" Kaede's eyes cracked open.
"I told you, I'm quite the martial artist. Before I became a devil I used to beat monsters and evil spirits with my bare hands. You think I haven't adapted to sneak attacks?" Yura said with a calm smirk.
"Hmn." Kaede smiled. "Fighting Mana was different, as I was just trying to get in close, and even then we still tied in the end." She said. "It will be interesting to see how I do with a fighter who doesn't mind getting in close."
Meanwhile Bennia blocked the much smaller, normal sized shurikens thrown by Fuuka and Fumika Narutaki with her scythe. "You two are raw skilled if nothing else." Bennia said.
"What? !" Fuuka said with an angry expression.
"What do you mean we're raw skilled?" Fuuka said with a whine.
"I mean you need training!" Bennia said as she batted away their shurikens with her scythe.
"Geeh! What are you anyway?" Fuuka said with a glare as she and her sister caught their shurikens.
"I'm a Grim Reaper, or at least half of one anyway." Bennia said.
"E-Eeeh? !" Fuuka and Fumika both stepped back in fright as they heard this. "Y-You reap souls? !" Fuuka said.
"Onee-San we don't stand a chance!" Fumika said with frightened tears in her eyes. "She's gonna kill us again!"
"Don't worry. As a request from Boss Lust Dragon I was asked not to reap you." Bennia said.
"Boss Lust Dragon?" Fuuka and Fumika both said with question marks appearing above their heads.
"You know him as Kenshin Kuroshi." Bennia said sighing behind her reaper mask.
"Whaaaaaaaat? !" Fuuka and Fumika exclaim.
"Kenshin-Sensei is a pervert? !" Fuuka said.
"Actually he was named that due to his heat cycle problem. There's one day out of the month that he needs to engage in sexual congress." Bennia said. "Boss Oppai Dragon is the real pervert."
"Oh..." Fuuka and Fumika said not knowing who Bennia was talking about. "Wait there's a Boob Dragon?" Fuuka asked.
"Yes?" Bennia said.
"Do you think he could help us grow? !" Fumika exclaimed excitedly.
"...I'm...not sure about that." Bennia said with a sweatdrop. "He's more known for his love of Oppai."
"Awwwwww!" Fuuka and Fumika moaned in disappointment.
"I'm sorry." Bennia said with a sigh. "I'm sure you would have grown if you were still alive."
"Oh don't worry about it Bennia-Chan!" Fumika giggled.
"Yeah...we actually had a couple of princes falling for us before we died." Fuuka said with a laugh. "We just wanted to be able to please them more."
"Hmhm." Bennia laughed behind her mask. "I see, that's why you're undertrained. You were seeking love."
"Yeah." Fuuka smiled. "That sounds like a good excuse for slacking."
"Rashi-kun was so good." Fumika said wiggling her hips. (A/N: "Or whatever Akamatsu-Sensei decides to name Fuuka and Fumika's husbands, if he ever does)
"I know right, Roshi was amazing~!" Fuuka said with a dreamy expression.
Bennia sweatdropped. "Um...are we still fighting?"
"No!" Fuuka said as she and her sister started attacking shadow demons. "Ialda seems distracted, her control seems limited to the main fighters like Kaede-nee." Fumika added. "Do you wanna help us Bennia-Chan?"
Bennia removes her mask and smiles. "I like you two. Sure, lets take this shadowy bastardized youkai together!"
"Yay!" Fuuka and Fumika exclaimed with joy.
Yura and Kaede both smiled at this. "Nice to see Bennia making more friends."
"Hahahaha, same with Fuuka and Fumika-de gozaru." Kaede said.
"You trained them?" Yura asked as their Sacred Gear and shuriken continued to clash. Every sneak attack met with a counter.
"I did...they're...like little sisters to me-de gozaruna." Kaede said with a smile.
Yura smiled back. "Everyone in my master, Sona's peerage is like family to me, so I understand Kaede-San!"
Kaede chuckled. "I see, we're both fighting to protect what's dear to us." Kaede said before looking left. "Setsuna-San is fighting to protect Konoka. Her and Yukari are even breaking away to kill shadow demons. Setsuna's love for Konoka is really strong." Kaede said. "These gunshots, knocking demons out of the sky. Mana is on your side? She didn't die?" Kaede said with an amazed look.
"No, Mana Tatsumiya lives on and fights with us!" Yura said.
"Thank you Mana." Kaede said as she appeared behind Yura, stabbing at her back.
"Heh...you and Mana-San were close I take it?" Yura said blocking Kaede's attack.
"We were...rivals in a sort of way." Kaede's eyes opened as she smiled.
"I see." Kaede smiled wider as her giant shuriken and Yura's Twinkle Aegis dueled against each other.
Back with Kenshin. Rias and Sona were being overwhelmed when a bright flash blinded them
"Rrrraaggh!" A very familiar roar called out.
"Huh?" Rias and Sona turned toward Kenshin who was standing, his fists clenched still in the same pose as before, his right eye flashing quickly between blue and gold.
"This power!" Kenshin growled out. "I was unconscious last time...but it feels so intense!" He said sending more spears out into the hoards. "But I won't let those I love be hurt!"
"And we won't let you be hurt either!" Rias said helping Kenshin.
Sona flew up next to Kenshin. "Hey...don't worry so much about us OK? We had the situation handled." She said kissing Kenshin on the cheek.
Kenshin's aura calmed, but his attacks retained their intensity as he smiled. "I know...but...I...I just can't help but worry y'know?"
Sona smiled widely at this. "I know...that's kinda why I love you." Sona said. "Just believe in us."
"Kenshin, you're conscious now?" Rias asked.
"Yeah!" Kenshin said. "If there's any position you're being overwhelmed from, just yell it out! I can do that much as I focus on the Demigod Form!"
"OK!" Rias said, flying over and kissing Kenshin on the cheek as well. But before she could get far a massive stave of darkness stabbed toward her, knocking her back toward Kenshin.
"..." Kenshin looked up, the power of the elements, senjutsu, touki and his own youki still swirling around inside him in the Ouroboros formation. He saw a man dressed in black, wearing a white mask with red eyes. A black mantle draped over his shoulders. "...Hello Kagetarou."
"Zettai Sesshoumaru." Kagetarou said. "Nice to finally meet you in person." He said
"If memory serves you were one of Jack's drinking buddies. What brings you here?" Kenshin said.
"As if it needs saying." Kagetarou said. "Kenshin Kuroshi, the bounty on your head is the highest seen since the Dark Evangel. You know how it is, being a former bounty hunter yourself."
"Difference is I pulled bounties off the Rikudou's board who only targeted problem bounty heads who were trying to disturb the peace. I could have went after you, but you were doing the same as me as me in a way." Kenshin said
"Yes, but you took safety and money away with all your constant hunts. Never willing to share the rewards." Kagetarou said glaring behind his mask. "I'll claim both yours and the Dark Evangel's bounties and live comfortably for the rest of my life."
"Excuse you?" Rias said getting back to her feet. "I'm standing right here, you dare threaten the life of my future husband." She said with a scowl.
"Hrmn...you were blasted back so easily. You really think you stand a chance against me?" Kagetarou asked.
"Oi...Kagetarou...that's my future wife you're putting down." Kenshin said with a small smirk. "Regardless of my feelings. You really think I'd take a lover whom I knew couldn't handle me? I'd help them till they could anyway."
"That's sexually my fellow demon...in battle is different." Kagetarou said.
"Heh." Kenshin's smirk widened. "And I mean she can handle me in every way possible."
"Hmn." Rias smiled at Kenshin. "Thanks for that my dear Kenshin." She said before glaring at the cloaked assassin. "There is such a thing as being taken by surprise." She said, two orbs of destruction magic floating in her hands. "Prepare yourself!"
"Come, I will have the money on Zettai Sesshoumaru's head!" Kagetarou said.
"No! You will not!" Rias said as crimson and elemental magic flared around her, standing in the armor of Kenshin's Balance Breaker.
"Rias? !" Sona said seeing this conflict.
"Don't worry about me Sona, protect Kenshin from the sham demons!" Rias said.
"Right!" Sona said blasting the shadow demons with snakes of water that tore through their chests and destroyed their cores.
"Heh..." Kenshin smirked a bit. "Thanks Sona-tan."
"!" Sona froze at this, but quickly smiled. "It doesn't feel as weird as when Onee-Chan does it." She thought. "In fact...I feel kind of warm if he calls me that."
In another part of the city, Achilla from the Vali team appeared followed by Reya who smiled. "Hey you!" She said as they attacked Yue and the purple shaggy haired mage named Nodoka who spawned a field of nails in front of her.
"You think you can stand the might of Achilla!" Achillla yelled.
"It doesn't matter how mighty you are Achillla-San." Yue said with a smile.
:"As long as we can predict it, we can block it." Nodoka said with a giggle.
"What are you even doing here anyway?" Reya asked.
"Lord Vali was perturbed by the absence of both the Sekiryuutei and the Dragon of the Elements, so he sent me to investigate. I wasn't expecting to run into such a huge melee, I'm really gonna be able to brag to Bikou now." She laughed. "Other than that. He wanted me to investigate a change in the Dragon of the Elements' power from the other day."
"You must be referring to the Demigod State." Reya said.
"The...what?" Achilla said with a surprised look.
"Demigod State, Kenshin's power, the elements and Ophis' mana that she gave him to revive him all begin to merge." Reya said.
"..." Achilla let this sink in for a moment. "Hrm...I don't know how he's going to take that." She said cutting down a charging shadow demon.
"Haa!" Yue blasted her with a fire spell.
"Hahahahahaha!" Achilla laughed boisterously as she emerged unharmed. "Fools! Nothing can harm me! I am sired from the line of Achilles!"
"E-Eh? !" Nodoka and Yue both exclaimed.
"Wait...Achilles...like the Achilles? !" Nodoka said turning to Yue.
"The babe who was dipped into the River Styx." Yue said. "All except the left heel?"
"Hmph. For me it's the right." Achilla said brushing her golden locks out of her eyesight.
"W-Why would you tell them that? !" Reya said.
"The one with the shaggy purple hair can read minds, no sense in trying to hide it." Achilla said.
"Well, you got a point there." Reya said with an exasperated sigh.
"Haa!" Yue said turning her spell on Reya.
"? !" Reya's eyes widened as the spells Yue cast shot toward her.
"!" Achilla moved in front of her, tanking the spell with her arms crossed. The smoke clear and she was revealed to be unharmed. "Like I said...I am invulnerable...!" She unsheathed her sword and blocked a punch from a crimson, flaming demon.
"Oh ho? Seems you're the real deal." A voice said as the 'demon retreated backward, to a girl with dark green hair, holding a sketch pad, wearing a white apron over her maroon blazer and white shirt and black skirt.
"Thank you for coming Haruna." Yue said with a smile.
"Please, you two know you need me." Haruna giggled while Yue rolled her eyes.
"Our opponent is the descendant of Achilles and a girl with impressive mana. We need you to take the descendant." Yue said.
"Done and Done." Haruna said turning toward Achilla after Nodoka pointed her out. However before they could begin a figure crashed down on Reya and Achilla's side.
"Oh my...I wasn't expecting you here Achilla-Chan."
"The Succubus of Kenshin Kuroshi's peerage." Achilla said. "Forget about seducing me and focus on the fight."
"Oh I know...I'll just try later." Alma giggled making Achilla glower.
"Wait, like an actual Succubus?" Yue, Nodoka and Haruna all asked.
"Yep!" Alma giggled. "Not just any Succubus though, I am the Queen of the Succubi. If you don't mind Achilla-Chan, I'll be taking that summon on." Alma said appearing in front of her.
"Very well." Achilla said as she stepped in front of Yue.
"Tch..." Yue grunted.
Reya tapped her Scouting Persona and read Nodoka's posture. He saw her point at Haruna and immediately knew what she was going to do. "Alma-San! That demon is about to tackle you at the waist!"
"Oh?" Alma said as the flame demon golem dove at her. She leaped above it and kneed it's head into the ground before kicking it back to Haruna, who glared."
"You aren't the only one who can gather information here." Reya said with a smirk.
"Krh..." Haruna said drawing her golem over. "So you have the power to read minds?"
"No just the power to gather information and act as a shield." Reya said. "Like Achilla said...there's no use in lying."
"Hey Achilla-Chan." Alma said. "Kenshin-Chan said he didn't want these girls killed so go easy on them"
"I kind of figured."Achilla said. "Get ready mage!" Achilla said dashing toward Yue who prepared to defend.
"Yue!" Haruna said.
"Worry about yourself sweetie." Alma said curling behind her putting Haruna into a sleeper hold.
"A-Aggh..? !" Haruna said feeling it to be hard to breathe
"? !" Yue and Nodoka gasped.
"I won't let you interfere!" Achilla said slashing at Yue with her greek sword.
"Hngh? !" Yue said as she jumped back.
"Haaaa!" Reya leaped forward, toward Nodoka.
"Grh!" Haruna sent one of her lesser demon drawings to take the hit.
"Oh?" Alma said as she witnessed his. "Do you like being a pawn to Ialda Baoth?"
"Ghh...No!" Haruna shouted. "I...I just don't want to see my best friends hurt again!"
"Hm? !" Alma said as Haruna's golem charged her from behind. She kicked Haruna to the side spinning around and caught Haruna's golem as her lower body landed on it's shoulders, reaching over and snapping it's neck with her legs.
"Ghh? !" Haruna grunted.
"Sorry, I'm quite adept at grappling." Alma said with a carefree smile, twirling her tail in her hand.
"You're so nonchalant." Haruna huffed.
"Don't worry" Alma shrugged. "We're not here to kill you, we're not even here to hurt you. We just wanna keep you all busy until that Ialda bitch is dealt with. Your friends are in no real danger...well maybe from Achilla, but if she gets out of hand I'll go over and discipline her myself." Alma said with a disarming smile while winking.
"Hm..." Haruna smiled at this. "If you're being truthful. I appreciate the kindness." She said.
"Of course." Alma giggled. "Even if we devour them, we Succubi always treat our prey with kindness~!"
"S-Succubi?" Haruna said, pausing as she drew her next golem. "You mean you're a Succubus?"
"Ufufufu~ Not just any Succubus, I'm the Queen of the Succubi~" Alma giggled with a wink. "Come to think of it Haruna-Chan, would you like to be a Succubus? From reading you, you certainly have the temperament for it~" Alma said.
"P-Please don't..." Yue said blocking Achilla's blade with various barriers.
"S-She's already lewd enough." Nodoka said with a wincing smile as she and Reya dueled with magic barriers.
"Too bad!" Alma said as she stabbed her tail and hands at Haruna, who dodged. "Oh?"
"D-Don't get me wrong. I'd love to be a Succubus, but Ialda's magic is forcing me out of the way." Haruna said with a laughing smile.
"Aaah hahahahaha!" Alma laughed. "I see, I understand Haruna-Chan! If you'd love to be a Succubus, I can make that dream a reality."
"Ufufufufufu~!" Haruna giggled. "Then please make Yue and Nodoka into Succubi as well~!"
"E-Eh? !" Nodoka said being knocked back by Reya
"W-What? !" Yue said as she flew back from Achilla's range.
"What?" Haruna said with a wide smile. "You two are my best friends! I wanna enjoy life with you two forever! Besides! Turning into Succubi would probably help you with your shyness!"
"Mmmhmhmhmhm~! I promise, just put on a believable fight for your own sake." Alma said with a wide smile.
"OK~!" Haruna, Yue and Nodoka all shouted with smiles.
"Hey, Achilla! Don't treat them too roughly!" Alma said.
"Sure, I understand!" Achilla said.
On board the Paru-Sama.
Mana was standing on the deck shooting Ialda's demons. "These demons seem to follow simple patterns." Mana said.
"Well, Ialda can only control so many souls that aren't fully connected to her." Mana looked over and saw a girl with short brown hair wearing a full set of army fatigues.
"Yuuna...I know you like gunplay as a sport...but...are you sure you can take me on?" Mana said with a smirk.
"Heh," The now named Yuuna smirked back. "I don't know, we'll just have to find out!" Yuuna said with a smirk of her own.
Mana nodded. "Very well, just don't be upset when you lose." She said.
"Right back at ya Biathalon Girl!" Yuuna said as the two fired at each other.
The deck door opened and Somo dived out in his panther form, scratching and slashing at the shadow demons. "Men! Move out!" Somo ordered.
"Wow..." Yuuna said before dodging a shot from Mana.
"Sorry Yuuna, but I show no mercy." Mana said with a calm smirk
"Heh. According to Kaede and Ku you were...or are a bounty hunter." Yuuna said as she held her guns at the ready.
"I still am." Mana commented. "It was for a good reason however. I sent the money I made to an orphanage I grew up at."
"Well that's good." Yuuna nodded as Somo's squadron and the shadow demons battled around them. "From what I've read most bounty hunters keep the money for themselves."
"Most do, I don't keep any more than I need." Mana said as the two kept firing at each other.
"Heh." Yuuna smirked. "Well...I respect that...still...my body is commanded to take you out."
"Oh? Did Ialda prioritize me that much?" Mana asked with a smirk.
"Not exactly. I chose this for myself! I always wanted to prove myself as good a shooter as you Mana!"
Uncharacteristic of her though it was Mana smirked widely. "OK Yuuna. I'll take you on."
"Heh! Finally you show an expression!" Yuuna said with a smirk of her own. "You're always so expressionless!"
"Ha!" Mana shouts. "It's just that nothing ever interested me until Serizawa and Kenshin!" Mana shouted.
"Oh? Are you in love with Kenshin-Sensei?" Yuuna asked.
"Who knows." Mana balked, shooting her sniper rifle expertly at Yuuna, but to Mana's surprise, Yuuna fired a bullet the knocked hers away. "Hoo?" Mana said.
"I told you I wanted to prove myself...so I studied your form constantly in this near year I've been alive again." Yuuna said with a smirk.
"Hmn..." Mana smirked a bit. "I see, this will be interesting. Serizawa was skilled but he ran out of ammo in the Mahora Festival. Sorry though Yuuna, merely studying me won't be enough." Mana said.
"Well, I said I want to prove I'm a better shooter than you, but...I'm not exactly expecting to win." Yuuna laughed with a sweatdrop.
"Hmhm...I'm willing to help you out. Who knows even after all everything being done...maybe this won't be the end of your life. We have someone on our side who can revive people from the dead."
"I...I will kinda miss my Dad though." Yuuna said before turning and shooting another bullet out of the sky.
"Of course, you always were a Dadcon." Mana said.
Yuuna's eyes bugged out in response. "Oh sod off Tatsumiya! My Mom passed away while I was still a baby! He was all I had!"
"Hahahaha. Relax Akashi I'm just teasing." Mana said.
"You're teasing someone? !" Yuuna blanched with wide eyes.
"Hahaha." Mana laughed again. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
"You mean like how you're a half demon?" Yuuna asked.
"Hmn?" Mana stared at Yuuna curiously. "How interesting...you know that about me?" She said as her hair dyed white. "Come on then Yuuna, I'm ready for you."
"Hrm!" Yuuna fired a bullet into Mana's shoulder.
"Grh!" Mana grunted and dug the bullet out of the wound, throwing it away. It disappeared on impact. Her hair returns to it's black hue. "? !"
"Did you forget?" Yuuna said with a smile. "One of the abilities of my artifact is Spirit Transformation Cancellation. You being a half demon is technically a transformation."
"Tch...if that's true...why aren't you attacking Kenshin then? His powers are literally derived from spirits." Mana said.
"Because he's still a skilled fighter at close range who knows how to deal with long range targets." Yuuna said. "Even more than you."
"Ok I'll give you that." Mana said with a small glare as the two began to fire bullets at each other
"Damn!" Yuuna cursed as she dodged, just barely or knocked Mana's bullets from the sky. "What the hell? ! Were you holding back? !" Yuuna shouted.
"I've been shooting all my life..." Mana said with a smirk. "Don't assume you can equal me." Mana said.
"So you were holding back." Yuuna glowered
"Of course I did." Mana said. "Who goes all out on their friends?"
"Friend? You...considered me as a friend?" Yuuna asked with wide eyes.
"You had a similar interest as I, though not as strong." Mana said with a smile. "If we were both still alive. I'd have loved to teach you." Mana said
"Hahahaha~!" Yuuna laughed merrily. "Well, if you're offering~!"
"Well we do have a person who can revive the dead, although it's at cost to herself like I said." Mana said as the two traded shots. "Hm? !" She looked over seeing a smaller ship flying near them, a minigun equipped to it, a white haired girl cranking the pulley on the minigun. "Aisaka Sayo? !" Mana exclaimed.
"Don't worry I have this!" Mana turned to see Theodora exiting the bridge.
"? ! Lady Theodora, please get back inside! You're in danger!" Mana said.
"No I'm not." Theodora smirked as her mana flared up. "Come forth Vrixho Nagasha!"
A huge white dragon appeared in front of the ship and roared at the ship Aisaka Sayo was on, cranking the minigun's handle until it couldn't fire anymore as Vrixho Nagasha dodged out of the way.
"Sorry Ghost girl..." Theodora said with a smirk. "But I won't allow you to beat me." She said.
"Hahahaha!" Sayo laughed brushing her light blue school uniform about. "Come on Lady Theodora! Show me a good time!"
Theodora smirked. "If that's what you're asking for. Just remember! This is the real Vrixho Nagasha. The one Kenshin defeated last year was a fake!"
(Break)
With Sairaorg, Evangeline and Albireo.
Ialda stood, floating in the air before all of them. Albireo was panting, but Sairaorg and Evangeline looked no worse for wear.
"So this is the strength of Kenshin's friends...I must say it's quite...strong, but pathetic in comparison to my own power. " Ialda said.
"Krh...!" Sairaorg grunted angrily, prompting Evangeline's and Albiero's warnings as he launched forward.
"Such an evil woman! I won't just strike you down for Kenshin! But for Justice itself! !" Sairaorg yelled as his golden plated Balance Breaker fist slammed into Ialda's chest.
"Gah!" Ialda gasped out as she was sent rocketing to the ground.
"What was that all about?" Evangeline said as she and Albireo flew next to him.
"I don't care about your warnings..." Sairaorg said with a glare as he stared at the crater he sent Ialda into. "This woman..." His glare intensified. "She's made so many innocent people, including Kenshin suffer..." A golden aura wrapped around him. "I WON'T ALLOW HER TO HAVE HER WAY!" Sairaorg roared. "I am Kenshin's friend and I will protect his future!" He said rushing into the smoke to strike Ialda
A strand of darkness stabbed into his torso for his efforts. "Guh!"
"You feel for the suffering of Kenshin and the others. Fool, the only way to cure that is with my plan!" Ialda said
"Like Kenshin said, you could ultimately guide them to nightmares!"
Sairaorg watched as Kiba cut him free from Ialda with the Garm. "Thanks Rias' knight." Sairaorg smirked.
"Heh." Kiba smirked back, holding the Garm. "Please, just call me Kiba." He said.
"Very well." Sairaorg chuckled.
"Oi Kiba!" Evangeline shouted.
"Trust me Evangeline-San! I'll be fine! I've got a girlfriend to get back to after all!" Kiba said referring to Tsubaki.
"Ha! So you finally confessed. Good for you Yuuto I'm happy for you two!" Evangeline said as ice spells spread everywhere all heading toward Ialda.
"Grh!" Ialda growled as Sairaorg's powerful punches and Evangeline's spells headed toward her.
"Small Heavy Black Hole." Albiero said appearing behind Ialda.
"? !" Ialda had an arm torn off by Albireo who smiled nonchalantly.
"What? We are enemies after all." Albireo said with one of his trademark smiles.
"Graaaaahhh!" Ialda roared as multiple tendrils of her mantle shot out at Evangeline, Albireo, Sairaorg and Kiba.
"Everyone DODGE!" Kiba shouted.
"Like I need you to tell me that kid!" Evangeline shouted.
"G-Grah...!" Sairaorg grunted as he was hit by some of them.
"Relax, I'll heal you." Albireo said with a smile as a white light hovered over Sairaorg.
"Gah...Thanks...umh...Albireo-San was it?" Sairaorg said.
"Yes." Albireo smiled. "Just relax, your injuries will be healed before too long."
"I understand." Sairaorg said. "Just let me get back out there."
"Hm?" Albireo said.
"Kenshin's...like a kindred spirit to me...no...almost like...another brother." Sairaorg said. "I don't know what it is, but something makes me want to help him."
Albireo smiled. "You could say that we all have those feelings. I had them for his parents. What you're feeling is normal Sairaorg-San...you consider Kenshin a close friend that you want to help."
"Hmn..." Sairaorg smiled at this with his eyes closed. "Maybe you're right." Sairaorg said as he sat up.
"Oh?" Albireo said.
"I'm fine thanks for the healing...now...let's go get that BITCH!" Sairaorg said as his mana welled up as he took off with Albireo.
"I agree! She's been making a mockery of my master's existence for too LONG!" Albireo said as the two rushed by Evangeline and punched Ialda, the latter, increased the gravity for Ialda, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Heh!" Sairaorg smirked.
"If you're thinking that did her in, you're wrong." Evangeline said.
"I know..." Albireo said with a baneful look as a dark aura wrapped around the crater they had sent Ialda in. "She may very well be sustained by the three billion suffering souls she has within her."
"What?" Sairaorg said with wide eyes.
Albireo glanced at him while casting a healing spell on Sairaorg and Evangeline. "You heard me right, Sairaorg Bael-San. If you subtract the still living suffering souls connected within, Ialda's still got three billion souls to draw power off of in the Impure world."
"You're kidding!" Kiba said, holding the Garm at the ready.
"I'm not...I fear the only thing that maybe able to kill Ialda Baoth is Kenshin." Albireo said. "No...Kenshin IS the only one who can kill her...because of the Resonance. After all...when she found out Tertium tried to unlock Asuna or Amater...Ialda's daughter through Hottan who had magic cancel...she reset the seal."
"? !" Everyone's eyes widened as Ialda's power welled.
"I will have the silence I so desire!" Ialda shouted, which Kenshin heard
"Like Ophis..." Kenshin thought.
"No...I don't want silence like this."
"!" Kenshin's eyes widened, hearing Ophis' voice.
The four Satans, Michael and Azazel, as well as the Gremory parents and Grayfia stood around Ophis who had a conflicted expression on her face.
"Ophis...What...do you want?" Kenshin's voice called out.
"I want to be able to call my friends...my family whenever I want..." Ophis said.. "No, not just that...I...I...want to be able to call you." She said. "I don't want to extinguish all life."
"!" Kenshin saw her face and saw the tears in Ophis' eyes. "Heh." Kenshin smirked. "I want that as well."
The four Satans' Michael's, Sun Wukong's, Azazels, Millicas' Zeoticus' and Venerana's eyes widened as Ophis disappeared.
Kenshin's power suddenly exploded. "W-Whoa! This feels close to the Demigod State!" Sona said with wide eyes, seeing it eradicate the false demons rushing in.
"It's not, but you still need a self mental push...I'm just here to make it possible." Ophis said.
"Thank you so much Ophis." Kenshin thought with a smile, feeling Ophis inside him. .
"You're welcome." Ophis said with a smile.
"That said...I'm glad to make you happy." Kenshin said with a smile of his own. "I want to keep seeing it."
"Aaah?" Ophis paused, letting out a soft gasp as her cheeks reddened., feeling feelings she'd never felt before. Embarrassment, Shyness, Acceptance of Kindness. Anger, Frustration and so much more. "You'd better keep your word." Ophis thought.
"Hmn...Of course I will. I'm a man of my word after all!" Kenshin thought with a grin
"Hmn..." Ophis smiled a bit.
Kenshin looked up at Sairaorg, Evangeline, Kiba and Albireo battled Ialda. "I won't lose...I will destroy her and return home to my family and friends!"
(break)
With Luka.
"Ghh..." Luka said as he hopped across roofs toward the battle against Ialda, Rias's familiar on his shoulder in bat form. "So...to beat her I have to compromise her body...then kill the Resonance Core with the Hama no Tsurugi." Luka glanced down at the cards in his hand. "Do I have the power to do that though?" Luka wondered, before shaking his head. "No! I shouldn't think about that!"
"Luka!"
"? !" His eyes widened as Erubetie appeared in front of him.
"How are you back?" Erubetie asked.
"Kenshin...cracked his soul in half to prevent Ialda from destroying it." Luka said before narrowing his eyes solemnly. "Erubetie...I'm so sorry for what I did to you, Granberia and Alma-Chan."
"..." Erubetie closed her eyes and smiled, reaching over and embracing Luka, shocking him.
"It's OK...you were being forced to do it or Forbesii would have killed you." Erubetie said. "I completely understand Self Preservation."
"Erubetie...Thanks..." Luka said embracing her back. "And for what it's worth...I think you should totally pursue a relationship with that perverted dragon. I mean Kenshin...or we rather already have Undine." Luka chuckled.
The slime around Erubetie's cheeks darkened but she smiled. "You always have been trying to find a lover for me. You even suggested yourself at one point but Alma butted in."
"Heheh!" Luka chuckled. "Succubi are possessive like that."
"Haha. Indeed." Erubetie laughed.
The two turned and took out shadow demons to their left and right. "Go!" Erubetie said. "Focus on either reuniting with Kenshin or fighting Ialda Baoth!"
"Right! Good luck!" Luka said.
"I don't need luck." Erubetie thought with a smile as her slime rushed forward, creating multiple sharpened extensions. "Slime Partisan!" She shouted out, killing hundreds of shadow demons at once.
"Still...how many of these things are there...it's like they keep coming." Erubetie said before getting into contact with Granberia and Alma through the slime she'd poked into their ears. "Listen, Kenshin cracked his soul in half to save himself from Ialda Baoth...Luka is back on the field. If you see him do not engage."
"What? !" Granberia said as she cleaved a trio of shadow demons in half.
"Wait! Are you serious? !" Alma said swatting Haruna's golem away.
"I am. I just met him myself." Erubetie said. "He...apologized for what he did to us." Erubetie said.
"Hrm..." Alma said as she blasted Haruna's summon away with wind.
"Grh..." Granberia growled.
"I think it's OK to take him up at his word on it. I think these were his real feelings." Erubetie said.
"Might be...why else would he bend to Forbesii's will?" Granberia said.
"I knew Luka-Chan wasn't like that...still he's getting an ear full from me!" Alma Elma shouted.
"Heh, for once we agree Alma." Granberia said with a smirk.
"Hmn, I'm sure he's expecting it." Erubetie said with a calm smile.
"Hmn! Well, we'll all give him or Kenshin an earful together!" Granberia said.
"Hmn." Alma giggled as she kept battling Haruna's summon. "Come on, let's let him know that while we still..."
"While we still hold him in contempt for killing us!" Erubetie said with a smile.
"We're still his friends to the bitter end! He's our friend, and so is Kenshin!" Granberia said.
Luka heard all these thoughts and feelings and tears slipped from his eyes. "Alma...Erubetie...Granberia..." He wiped his eyes with a smile. "Thank you so much! I'll accept whatever punishment you want!"
"!" Alma, Granberia and Erubetie all gasped at this as they heard Luka's voice.
"Ufufufu." Alma giggled. "Be careful Luka-Chan. That might be a heavy price~!"
"Hmn..so you wish to face my Ares?" Granberia smirked.
"If you insist." Erubetie said.
"I know! But just keep it limited till after we're done!" Luka said with a smirk. "We still need to deal with Ialda!"
"RIGHT!" Granberia and Erubetie both shouted while Alma battled Haruna's summon.
Luka clenched his his fists and looked up at Albireo, Sairaorg, Kiba and Evangeline battling Ialda. He suppressed his power and took off to the skies. Using Shundou to go even faster. He noticed Ialda vanish and reappear behind Kiba who was at the back of the formation while everyone else looked around. "Hrmmmm!" He appeared and cleaved Ialda in two, knocking her away.
"? !" Albireo, Sairaorg, Kiba and Evangeline all turned to him in shock.
"A-Aagghh..." Ialda groaned in pain .
"Heh, ya like that ya bitch?" Luka said with a smirk. "I sure hope so because I've got plenty more where that came from." He said pointing the Hama no Tsurugi at Ialda.
"You!" Kiba said pointing the Garm at him. "You're the one who kidnapped Rias and Sona in Makai! I thought you died!"
"Is that any way to thank the guy who just saved your ass?" Luka drawled. "Besides, I'm sure Kenshin told you I was working the long con on Forbesii. Yeah I had to have Kenshin and Rias fight to do it, but they were in no real danger. I'll apologize to them both later."
"How are you here?" Evangeline said.
"Kenshin broke his soul in half." Luka answered.
"...That reckless idiot..." Evangeline drawled.
"Eh, he kinda had to do it." Luka explained. "Ialda was gonna destroy it."
"Ah, well makes sense." Evangeline nodded. "Still a reckless idiot."
"That you're in love with." Luka joked coyly.
Evangeline raised her hand with ice around it. "Don't make me kill you." She smirked.
"You won't because ya do me in Kenshin dies too." Luka said with a shrug.
"OK, I'm confused, WHO is this?" Sairaorg asked. "He looks even more like Kenshin's twin than Yukari."
"Well I wouldn't say that." Albireo said. "This is Luka. He's the vessel that contains half of Kenshin's soul."
"Hrm..." Sairaorg turned to Luka.
"Ah crap this guy could break me in half if I'm not careful." Luka thought trying not to sweat.
"Hmn!" Sairaorg clapped a hand down on his shoulder. "Well if you're supposed to be Kenshin why the name change?"
Luka's eyes became white dots. "Eh? Well uh, can't have two guys with the same name runnin' around, it'd be confusing."
"True. Well I look forward to fighting alongside you." Sairaorg said with a smirk.
"Yeah, especially since that didn't do her in, even if it looked fatal." Luka said turning to where he sent Ialda.
"Yes..." Albireo said narrowing his eyes.
"Uncle do you know as well?" Luka asked.
"No, Entheofushia-Sama always kept this to herself after becoming Primordial of Life." Albireo said. "She told you?"
"Yeah." Luka said.
Before Luka could explain what they were talking about Ialda's voice cut in. "You're going to pay for that sneak attack, you purple haired Kenshin clone."
Luka turned to Ialda and smirked. "Am I now? ! Bold thing to say to someone who knows how to kill your ass!"
"!" Ialda's eyes widened a bit.
Back in Lucifer's Castle. Millicas laughed. "Wow there's two Onii-Samas now!"
"Still the fact that he kidnapped Ojou-Sama in Makai doesn't sit well with me." Grayfia said.
"It doesn't with me either." Venerana said with a sour look.
"Well if he's telling the truth about her not being in danger, we'll accept his apology." Zeoticus said. "Still we'll have to scold him for making Rias and Kenshin fight."
"Right." Grayfia, Sirzechs and Venerana nodded.
"Still what does he mean by knowing how to kill her?" Azazel said.
"Well, let's pay attention." Ajuka said.
Ialda glowered at Luka whose smirk only widened. "Three Billion Souls or the power therein." Luka said. "Still it can be considered that you have three billion souls inside you. You kept them all locked away in the Agartha Asteroid until now. This is as strong as you're ever going to get."
"Damn you Entheofushia..." Ialda growled under her breath.
"You're like a fucking Raid Boss in an MMORPG." Luka said. "Sure you can be soloed or tag teamed by insane fuckers like Nagi or Dad in their primes, or hell even Kenshin and I combined in the Demigod State, but really it takes a team effort to kick your ass. If you're not finished off by the team effort, the souls will recover their power. Once that body of yours is compromised, the Resonance's true form reveals itself...and then I can kill it with this blade." Luka smirked.
"Tch!" Ialda growled.
"So...if we're comparing her to an MMO Raid Boss. It'd be logical to assume she has a health bar of three billion HP?" Kiba asked.
"More or less, each soul has it's strength after all." Luka said. "Remember, Kenshin and I combined with Dad. Rias and her other servants did some damage as well."
"I see." Kiba nodded.
"So just keep doing damage then?" Sairaorg said punching his left fist into his right hand. "We can handle that, right Regulus?"
"RIGHT!" Regulus roared. "Let's let loose Lord Sairaorg!"
"Heh." Ice began to collect around Evangeline who smirked as well. "Finally after all these years. The time of your death has come. Your Permanent End!"
"Hmn." Albireo raised his hands, two black orbs floating above his palms. "I see...finally I can remove the stain on my master's name."
Ialda stared at all of them. "Such confidence. So you know how to kill me. Still if I kill Kenshin or that purple haired Kenshin...Luka was it? Your plan fails."
"I don't plan on dying!" Luka smirked. "Our power might be halved but Kenshin and I prepared for this fight."
"Cute." Ialda said. "Well if you think you can take me down...then come on! Let's see what you got!"
(Chapter end)
Draconis: (sighs)
Kenshin: I know. Work's been kicking the shit out of you.
Draconis: Like you wouldn't believe...I apologize to everyone who likes this fic for taking so long, but I've hit a serious rut with this fic. I'm not quitting by any means. It's just I'm trying to get back to DXD canon at this point, but still trying to make this arc's end good.
Kenshin: Basically at this point he wants to be done with this arc as much as I want to be done with Ialda.
Draconis: And to think...I've got another arc planned involving the Dark Goddess.
Kenshin: Well, you've got your ideas for that one figured out.
Draconis: I thought I had my ideas for this one figured out.
Kenshin: True, but you'll have less of...well 'my past' to work with. So that should help. Plus less characters to have to research.
Yukari: Seriously Drac you're too hard on yourself.
Miyuki: Yeah, you'll be fine!
Hikari: Hmhm. Relax and let yourself think. No one can really think of good ideas when their wound up.
Draconis: Haa...thanks. Anyway! Pep talk from his own OC's aside. I know I've said this before, but I'll try to get these out faster, but if I don't just know it's my job whooping my ass. I like doing this and it sucks not being able to. Well that aside as well. See you all later!
Footnotes
(1 ) Satomi doesn't have enough mana to travel time for more than a second or two with the Cassiopeia. Chao and by extension Kenshin and Yukari were only able to do it when the World Tree at Mahora's mana was at it's peak.
Draconis678 out