Once again, Happy Belated New Lunar Year! ^_^
Within a dark cell, behind bars of enchanted silver, cacophonous screams echoed, crying pain bouncing out the cells and into the halls.
"In all honesty, I am starting to find this routine droll."
A tall, muscular figure coated in the purest silver, stood in front of another figure chained against the wall. Cattleya Leviathan had seen better days; her hairdo was undone, her once pristine clothes shredded and torn, revealing most of her tanned skin, which was also covered in bruises, cuts and lacerations.
"...And I think it's safe to assume that you want to end this as much as I do and save us both the time for other activities. For the sake of mutual reprieve, why not give in and spill whatever secrets you hide behind that thick skull?" Silver asked - once again trying to appeal to her supposedly better nature
Cattleya simply spat right at Silver's chest, smirking defiantly at the creature, "...You can't break me, you freak of nature. Compared to our defeat against those pretenders centuries ago, this is merely an annoyance to me, nothing more."
Wiping the spit off with his thumb, Silver sighed, "Well, I suppose I should move on."
In return, Silver took out a book. In its cover was the holy cross made of pure silver. He also took out a small vial of water, along with some more golden trinkets.
Cattleya scoffed at the sight of the objects, "Hmph, how classic. I've fought against angels whose power far surpassed those trinkets in your hands. I say you should just kill me to save us time and effort."
Silver blinked and briefly chuckled, "Oh, no,no. You poor, poor fossil. You are but a soul that lost her way for too long. You, a lost lamb that rebelled against the path, deserve….. Peace." He then began to flip through the bible's pages, pouring some contents of the vial on his fingers, before he pressed his wet thumb on Cattleya's forehead.Cattleya barely twitched her eyes as the skin on her forehead burned, where Silver seemed to draw some sort of two-line pattern. Then much to her confusion, Silver made the cross-sign on himself, while muttering, "...The name of The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit…"
"...What are you trying to do?" The Leviathan could not help but ask, as inexplicable dread crept over her.
"Shh…" Silver held his finger before his lips patronizingly, "The sermon is in session. Please be silent, it will be over soon."
The creature then took a quick glance at the bible on his left hand and began his 'recital', all while holding his right hand right before Cattleya's face, as if he wanted to bless her.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
"...AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHHH!"
Cattleya cried out as her body convulsed against hee chains violently, as the unbearable agony of the sacred verses reacted painfully through her core.
Blood poured from her eyes while smoke erupted from her ears, the reaction was far more volatile than what a normal devil should receive when in the presence of God's biblical verses.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, and only You, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proven right when You speak and justified when You judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the most important place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of Your Righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise."
Each word that came out his mouth brought agonizing pain as Cattleya's skin started to smoke, blood starting to come out of her ears as an unbearable pitch rang through her mind.
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. In Your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of The Holy Land. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight You; then bulls will be offered on Your altar. Why do You boast of evil, O' The Almighty? Why do You boast all day long, You who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!"
Cattleya's mouth instantly dried as her tongue started to burn. No, her entire mouth was burning in holy fire. The devil thrashed around in her bindings, futilely trying to ease the pain running through her. She even began to try speaking, but the sheer agony made it hard for her to form coherent words.
"Oh, I'm sorry, are the words of the Lord reaching you, lost lamb?" Silver asked.
Cattleya's eyes nearly bulged out in pure terror when she began to see the light pierced through the ceiling of her cell, illuminating her as Silver continued reading. Her devil wings spread on instinct before they also conflagorated in white fire.
Her blood started boiling through her skin as red vapors started rose from her pores.
"Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, 'Here now is the man who did not make God His stronghold but trusted in His great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!' But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise You forever for what You have done; in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good. I will praise You in the presence of Your saints!"
Then, Cattleya's eyes widened in an unadulterated terror when Silver's right hand before her began to move in the final blessing.
"...In the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit, Ame-!"
"...RIZEVIM LIVAN LUCIFER!"
Silver stopped short as he looked up from the bible. The woman was a mess, her mouth literally caught in holy fire, her ears and nose also on fire as her entire body smoked like roasted ham.
"...Go on." Silver grabbed a bucket of 'unholy' water and splashed it over Cattleya, dousing the holy flames with a sharp hiss.
Cattleya was wheezing with pure terror trembling behind her eyes.
"Y-You… What were you doing to me?!" Cattleya demanded as she continued hyperventilating as if her life depended on it.
"The standard rites one would use against a Devil. In honesty, I am playing God amplifying the rites with my presence with a bit of my own experimental flavor added. Not even I will know what will happen to you once I am done." Silver playfully chuckled as he closed the book with a thud. "...And it worked well despite you being tainted. So, shall we continue where we left off?"
Cattleya exhaled harshly, learning the gravity of her current situation - caught between rock and hard places.
"...Alright. I'll tell you all that I know." Cattleya bit her lower lip, her Devil pride shattered. The pain was beyond excruciating, but that was not why she was afraid.
No, what was worse was that each word… burned away her power. She could feel every verse stripping her of her strength, a dreadful form of decline that she could never recover.
The creature could do something that not even the angels could: strip a Devil - not only of their power, but as well as their existence completely and utterly. She could feel it in her bones, in her soul. Should the creature were to complete whatever ritual he was doing to her, suffice to say that she would no longer become herself in every sense and word - Cattleya Leviathan would cease to exist in the present and in the world to come.
"You may start with… this Rizevim." Silver gently urged.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh…..."
"Cheer up, bud. You'll get used to it soon enough." Issei patted Vali's back as they walked back home from school.
"School is hell. School is true hell. Like when I was at my shitty old man's mansion." Vali whined as the others smiled awkwardly at his overdramatics.
"Oh, you just don't know how to fit in. You'll get used to it." Issei nudged on his shoulder.
"I still can't believe your parents convinced me to go there." Vali grumbled in return.
"That's because you're a part of the family, dude. Hey, if you want, we can go for a few rounds like the old days when we get back."
Vali glanced at Issei before he sighed, "...Alright, I guess I can do some unwinding myself."
They stopped when they saw four familiar faces standing before the metal gate.
Vali's scowl when he saw Bikou and Arthur giving him the damn cheeky smiles. The little witch girl Le Fay and Kuroka were smiling as wide as they could.
"How was your… pfff, f-first d-day at s-school, l-leader?" Bikou asked. He did not even bother trying to hide his contained laughter.
"...You spied on me, didn't you?" Vali accused the monkey.
"N-No. Pffffffffffffff!" Bikou broke down into stifling laughter as he fell on his knees, holding his stomach.
"...Gay prince." Arthur softly spoke, which caused Le Fay to snort giggles and Kuroka burst with raucous laughter.
"I hate you all. Hate you all so much." Vali replied with a dead-panned tone.
"D'aaw, we love you too, Vali." Issei placed his arm around Vali's shoulder, while giving knowing looks to the rest of Vali team, who returned the gesture in kind.
"...Also, Black told us everything." Arthur added salt to Vali's injury.
"DAMN HIM!" Vali cursed.
Issei was the next to break down into snickers, earning a baleful glare from Vali before the rest of the Devil girls started to laugh, minus Asia.
Arthur Pendragon, the handsome man with lion-like brown hair in a suit and with glasses on, was the descendant of the original King Arthur Pendragon, the first wielder of the original Excalibur, along with Caliburn.
The little blonde girl in a cute magical-girl themed witch outfit was his sister, Le Fay Pendragon - named after the original Morgan Le Fay.
The monkey youkai was Bikou, the son of the Monkey King, one that introduced himself when he participated in a fight in the Hidden Circle.
They introduced themselves when they helped… bring Vali to school - but that was a story for another time. Vali did not give them a passing glance when he walked past them and through the gate with that sour mien as Issei followed him with that shit-eating grin.
When they entered the mansion, they stopped when they saw Saitama in the living room… playing video games with Haruka, Ophis, and Platinum on the couch.
Ophis was sitting on Saitama's shoulders again, using his bald head as an arm rest while learning the controls - they were playing Mario Kart.
Vali and Issei peeked over their shoulders, seeing four different screens…
"Blue shell." Ophis threw the blue shell.
"NO! NO! NO! NO!" Saitama shouted as he started mashing buttons, drifting left and right on the screen. Saitama was Bowser… he got blown up in brilliant sky blue.
"See you, honey~!" Haruka giggled as she zipped past him as Princess Peach.
"Chew on dust, egghead." Platinum smirked as he pushed several buttons, driving past the baldy as Donkey Kong.
"Hmm." Ophis drove past the baldy as Rosalina.
Issei's face was plastered with an amused expression as he watched his father get worked up in a game. If there was a way to defeat the egghead, this would be one of them.
"Hey, mom. Dad. We're home." Issei called out.
"How's Vali's first day, sweetie? Did he make any new friends?" Haruka asked.
"Nah, he's too edgy to make friends on the first day."
"Hey." Vali frowned.
"...But he will make some soon enough. Though I don't know anyone there that can meet his 'requirements' like being able to fight a demon god toe to toe." Issei finished.
"Vali, you should try and find a hobby. You can't socialize if you keep expecting everyone to have Sacred Gears or super magical powers to maintain your adrenaline." Haruka said as she continued pressing buttons.
"I understand, ma'am." Vali rolled his eyes at her words. She knew him too well.
"We gonna eat takeout for dinner this time?" Issei asked since his mother was occupied with the game.
"Mhm. Chinese or Italian?"
"I feel like italian." Issei said.
"What about Genos?" Haruka asked.
"He is staying behind due to teacher work, probably busy writing our tests. Said he'll be done in an hour."
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. You all have to eat without me. I gotta meet up with Genos and someone else." Saitama spoke up suddenly as he struggled to catch up with the others from last place.
Issei, Vali, and Haruka perked.
"You're going out? I thought you were having the week off." Issei asked.
"I do. But I have to meet someone."
"Who?" Issei asked.
"Gabriel."
"...Ah." Issei remembered.
"Ohhhh, her. I remember her asking about you." Haruka remembered. However, Haruka shot a scrutinizing leer at her husband - the game had ended with Ophis' victory, followed by Haruka, Platinum and Saitama. "...But you are basically ditching dinner with your family in favor of meeting… a beautiful holy woman. Are you planning to cheat on me?"
Some of the residents winced at the accusation, with Issei raising an eyebrow at his father. Platinum Sperm simply looked as if he was watching a drama show unfolding, while Ophis simply remained indifferent at the spectacle.
"Haru…. You know me better than that. Genos will be with me, remember?" The baldy did not give an overreaction like the girls expected. "And stop trying to make excuses to get us alone when the kids aren't here."
"I'm out." Issei turned around and started walking away.
"Seconded." Vali joined him, not wanting to hear any more adult insinuations.
Rias and the girls blinked at the two boys walking away, before returning to watch the talk between the married couple.
"Whatever do you mean?" Haruka smirked knowingly as she leaned against Saitama, running her fingers on Saitama's jawline, "I'm just a housewife worrying about her husband meeting another woman." She then pressed her frame against her husband's.
The girls began to look nervously flustered at the PDA(?) - where Saitama simply remained unbudged, despite the proximity between him and his wife.
"Haru, dear? I think we are freaking the kids out." Saitama briefly glanced at the spectators.
When Haruka turned towards the others, Rias fumbled, "U-um, if you want, we can take care of our own dinner?" She said with a nervous tick.
Haruka regarded everyone's expression for a second before she snorted, "...It's alright, dear. I'll join you in a few." She then returned to address her husband, tip-toeing so her lips moved closer to his ear, "...Keep yourself out of trouble, and I can reward you with a 'special menu' later tonight."
Despite her whisper, almost everyone watching possessed a keen sense of hearing and their faces were as red as Rias' hair by that point, while Ophis simply tilted her head in a mild confusion.
Platinum on the other hand, simply cackled, "Welcome to the life of two sexually active adults. Now try to imagine a healthy male with more than one woman with him."
Rias and the other Devil and Angel girls blushed even harder as they imagined a life like that with…
"I-I-I need to be excused!" Asia was the first to flee, fuming red as she ran upstairs.
"...You scared her off." Saitama commented.
"Shhh, don't worry. She's at that age." Haruka giggled.
The other girls of the household started walking up to their rooms with rosy cheeks, unable to handle the matriarch's feminine wiles anymore.
"Whoa…. You guys did this?"
The scars of Genos' battle with Kokabiel were still here.
Much of the land was glassed, literally glassed, wild, smooth refractive surfaces replacing the natural scenery, coupled with the extremely large hole that could not be missed by anyone except the blind.
"Yes, sensei." Genos affirmed as Saitama peered deep into the seemingly bottomless hole.
Ophis was back home, being catered by Haruka. Ophis did not want to leave Saitama's side though, but the appeal of food swayed her.
"Have we ever been here before? This looks familiar for some reason…" Saitama asked, scratching his bald head.
"Yes, when there was still grass and trees. You went here with Issei and Rover and watched them play here." Genos affirmed.
"Hm, bummer." Saitama looked around at the thoroughly ruined landmark. "Anyway, what time did we agree to meet up again?"
Genos replied, "According to the clock, Seraph Gabriel should be arriving around….. Now."
On cue, a flash of light appeared not far in front of them, and when the view cleared up, Gabriel was standing in her beautiful splendor. She smiled at Saitama and Genos as they stared blankly back at her.
"Sir Saitama, sir Genos." Gabriel bowed courteously before the duo.
"Sup." Saitama casually waved.
"Gabriel." Genos greeted with a nod.
A silent pause descended between them briefly.
"...Thank you for coming at my request."
Saitama shrugged, "So, what do you need? You got work for me?" He asked, getting to the point.
Gabriel only walked towards the giant chasm, staring into it for a second before she spoke, "...When I sought after you, I thought you would be able to protect anyone. But with your victory against the True Dragon, and The Dragon God is now at your side…" She paused. "I am convinced that I can trust you with this."
Gabriel turned to Saitama. She handed a piece of paper, no, a photograph in her hand. Saitama and Genos exchanged glances before Genos went first, accepting the photo.
"...I need you to save this man." Gabriel requested as Genos widened his eyes at the picture.
Saitama peeked over Genos' shoulder, "...Huh?" He blinked. "He's here?"
"Hm? Do you know him?" Gabriel asked with pleasant surprise.
"Know him? We fought." Saitama pointed at the picture. "Thought he was still back in my old place… huh."
Genos looked up from the picture.
"Why do you want us to rescue him? What did he do?" Genos asked, almost demanded.
"No, more like protect." Gabriel shook her head. "I had to change my plan since you are now the strongest in this world, with new responsibilities. I cannot send you off for too long without the others noticing. You are under watch and at the disposal of all three factions now… so I decided to reach out and trust someone else to find and rescue him. All I need is for you to offer this man protection."
"Uhhhh… as far as I know, this guy doesn't need protection. He is pretty strong, you know?" Saitama pointed out.
"Saitama is correct. The man you're referring to is one of few individuals I witnessed able to stand against him the longest." Genos agreed. "What in this world can possibly be so dangerous to come to us for aid?"
"...The wrath of an entire Pantheon." Gabriel answered.
Her answer stunned the cyborg. Saitama, however, was picking his ears casually.
"...What did he do?" Genos asked.
"It wasn't his fault." Gabriel shook her head. "He was protecting a settlement from a band of humans with Sacred Gears… but one of them did something. I suspected that he was sent to Mount Olympus in… a very intrusive manner against his will."
"...And angered a very territorial God in the process." Genos surmised. "If he is captured, he is most likely in Cocytus."
Gabriel… slowly looked away.
"Um… not exactly…" Gabriel sheepishly poked her fingers together. "It's more like… well… he destroyed Mount Olympus."
"...What?" Genos asked. "What do you mean?"
"...Oh." Saitama perked. "So it was him that flipped the mountain!"
Genos turned around to Saitama.
"Oh, yeah. I went to check out Olympus at Azazel's request. Asked Zeus there what happened… said one guy wrecked him and his place. Also, Azazel told me to keep everything a secret, said it'll cause problems if I talk about it."
"I see… So Mount Olympus is at a precarious precipice where they can be invaded by other Pantheons." Genos remarked with a nod, before he returned to address Gabriel, "In any case, we shall accept this request of yours. Someone on Garou's caliber cannot be left unchecked. However, I'm afraid we need to focus on Irina Shidou's complete recovery first. Is that acceptable for now?"
The Seraph nodded, "Of course. I have faith that Mr… Garou can last until we can rescue him. Although…." Her expression suddenly shifted rather awkwardly as her eyes darted around the glassed landscape. "Is it alright if we move to a more…. Social setting? If you don't mind, I'd like to discuss the rest of the matters over a meal."
Her stomach growled adorably. In response, Saitama's stomach also started growling.
Genos stared at the Seraph before he turned to Saitama.
"Yeah, it's time for dinner. I think I know a place. Follow me."
oXo
Within the training room, an epic battle took place.
Red Dragon versus White Dragon, a cyclical saga rebooted again with the two newest wielders of the Welsh Dragon and the Vanishing Dragon's powers engaging each other with spells and fists in a friendlier setting than those before them could afford.
Rias and the other girls were watching the 'spar' from the sidelines after dinner. It was a breathtaking display of skill and might between the current Dragon Emperors.
"What's wrong, Chuuni?! Don't tell me you still can't do crap with those noodle arms?!" Issei taunted as he zigzagged through Vali's barrage of spells, dodging and deflecting, until he landed a mighty blow that broke through Vali's silver armor and into Vali's unprotected gut.
"Kgh!" Vali spat blood. "I'll show you noodle arms!" Vali retorted heatedly as several seals appeared and fired his strongest magic he could prepare at point-blank range.
Brilliant explosions erupted in the air, as Issei was launched back with parts of his Scale Mail falling off in fragments.
[Divide!]
"Oh, shit…!" Issei cursed as he quickly activated his own Sacred Gear's ability to counter Vali.
[Boost!]
Charged with power, Vali, smirking behind his helmet, reengaged Issei and spells and fist clashed once more.
"Wahhhh…" Asia was in awe, her eyes sparkling at the dazzling sight. Rassei poked out of her hair and cooing at the spectacle.
"So this is the level of the current emperors." Xenovia commented.
"...Hmm."
The Devil Girls and Church Girls glanced at the other spectator.
Ophis was sitting on the floor, watching the fight with an unreadable stoic face, now that she no longer rode on Saitama's shoulders. She was eating a piece of beef jerky. Actually, she had an entire bag of dried meat jerkies.
The Devil girls did not know how to approach this one… they were a little scared. Then a certain dog entered the training room, sniffing the air for food like always.
They watched the dog paddle towards Ophis, all eyes owlishly focused on the little puppy with six red eyes.
The Dragon God registered the dog's presence, and they both had a stare off for a few moments, in the midst of light shows and fireworks. Then, Ophis took a piece of jerky and held it towards Rover. She did not say anything, simply kept the treat hovering before the dog.
"...Want some?" Ophis asked the dog.
The dog barked as it paddled towards Ophis, who dropped the jerky into the dog's mouth. The dog then barked and nuzzled against her.
Ophis seemed confused as Rover continued nuzzling against Ophis.
"Um…." Asia walked up to Ophis, who looked up at her. "He wants you to pet him."
Ophis looked back down at the dog. She then slowly reached out and placed her hand on Rover. She started rubbing his head…
"...Fluffy." Ophis placed down her bag of snacks and picked up the dog in her hands.
"He really is." Asia smiled as Rassei poked out of her hair, cooing with curiosity as he stared at Ophis.
"...Cute snake."
"This is Rassei." Asia introduced her Imoogi.
"...Rassei." Ophis repeated as Rassei flew from her hair and nuzzled into Ophis' hair.
The scene looked absolutely adorable.
A silver figure stole their attention as he flew over their heads and crashed into the wall. When the dust settled, they could see Vali was groaning on the ground. His Scale Mail was wrecked even more than before, as he had difficulty to go back onto his feet.
"Whoo! One more point to the red side, baby!" Issei punched the air triumphantly from where he was standing, "Goldie, what's the score by now?"
Everyone then turned towards the Golden Sperm, who had been standing idly on one spot, overseeing the clash between the Two Heavenly Dragons.
"Red Dragon, thirteen. White Dragon… eleven." Gold smirked at the defeated White Dragon.
"Oh, shut up, you! I can still climb past two points and come out ahead!" Vali indignantly retorted.
"This is why everyone keeps telling you to get some more cardio, instead of focusing too much on your magic, Vali." Issei replied as he approached his rival, offering his hand which Vali begrudgingly accepted. "So what if you can keep your Scale Mail for a month if you lose in less than… ten minutes?"
"So you want me to be cheap and wait you out?" Vali threatened.
"Don't, we don't have all the time in the world to play the long game. It's not practical in combat as well." Issei seriously shot him down.
Vali stretched and rolled his neck, "...One more round?" He asked.
Issei grinned as he started backing away.
"Pardon for the interruption, but may I have your attention, guys and gals?"
Platinum then entered the training room with a dramatic swagger.
Issei knew that smirk on his face, the devious devilish smirk.
"I would like to introduce you to someone, my newest protege." Platinum's smirk turned more sinister when he looked at Rias.
"...What have you done this time?" Issei asked with a hint of dread in his voice.
Platinum's smile reached ear to ear as he took out a track tape and clicked it. Issei recalled the song belonged to a certain famous time-stopping vampire with golden hair and god-complex. Platinum stepped aside, and for some reason, fog suddenly flowed out from the connected hallway.
Someone stepped out of the mist. Issei and the others… could not believe it when he stepped out.
"WWRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYY!"
A certain vampire cosplaying as the famous time-stopping vampire with a god complex roared.
"You think that it is I, Gasper Vladi, the cowardly crossdresser, but it is I! GASPER!" He shouted as the girl-boy vampire started posing as if he was 6-feet tall.
Everyone's eyes went wide as saucers, with Rias' jaw dropped to the ground. "W-w-what - what… Gasper, what on earth are you wearing!?"
"I have abandoned my past, timid-self, my dear President! I am going beyond the reincarnated devil you used to know!"
The church girls had dots for eyes. Ophis tilted her head in confusion.
Tsubasa was not sure whether to laugh or… actually, she wanted to laugh as she puffed her cheeks. Vali already broke down into snickers, clutching his stomach at the ridiculousness of it all.
The rest of the Occult Research Club, however, was watching in mounting horror and mortification.
"YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY ADORABLE GASPER!?" Rias shouted at Platinum with a mix of fury and indignation, her face almost as red as her hair as she pointed a trembling finger at the platinum macho.
"I have shown him the way. He is now one of us." Platinum returned with an evil smile. "You asked us to turn him into a man, remember?"
"No, I certainly did not!" Rias retorted heatedly, "In fact, I was asking Ise…. That's right, Ise! What the hell is this?!" She turned towards the boy in question.
"Err….." Issei raised his hands as he was just as clueless as everyone else.
Vali started to break down into raucous laughter.
"Issei! Fix him or… something!" Rias demanded.
"That is totally beyond my power."
Whatever Black did to Gasper was permanent-ish as far as he knew.
"There is no going back the line I crossed, President! I! AM! NOW! DI- I mean, GASPER!" Gasper shouted with spirit.
"DO SOMETHING!" Rias started shaking Issei back and forth.
"Give it up. He is now a true Jojo fan." Platinum spoke with the evil smile still on his face. "He is officially complete."
"NO, NO, NO, NO! I will not accept this!" Rias vehemently opposed as tears began to well in her eyes, "I want my Bishop back! I want that adorable, crybaby, cross-dressing, introvert to keep running into my arms whenever he's troubled! Not…. Not….! THIS!"
Everyone stared at Rias. Even Gasper looked at her completely taken back.
"...Girl." Platinum was no longer smiling. "You are messed up. You just admitted you want to keep him as a weak-willed crybaby just to coddle him. I know you have some kind of mother complex but…"
"That came up wrong - what I meant to say is…." Rias then took another breath to compose herself, "I want Gasper to be more confident in himself as Gasper Vladi I always knew, not…. Pretending as whoever that is! Is that too much to ask?!"
"He is a growing boy. Let him live out his youth. And to answer your question, yes, yes it is." Platinum said with sincere, harsh honesty.
Rias then turned towards Gasper, giving him a hopeful look. However, whether Gasper simply ignored the look or completely missed it, the dhampir posed by wrapping one arm around his torso with the other covering half of his face.
"I suppose I can understand your woes, milady…" Gasper spoke while intentionally making his voice sound deeper as he chuckled, "But I have forsaken that Gasper! Never again shall I cower in that box like a crybaby in the face of the scary world! I even went outside to buy Jojo merch with senior Platinum!"
Rias then knelt before Gasper and grasped his shoulders, "Gasper, please, get back to your senses! This… This is not you!"
Tsubasa was the next to burst out laughing in tears. The other girls did not know what to do… the Church Girls were not even sure if they should help.
"It is useless! Useless, useless, uselessuselessuseless! Mudamudamuda!" Gasper attempted an evil smile. With that face of his, he looked nothing more than a mischievous boy-girl.
Rias whimpered, tears starting to flow like a broken dam.
Platinum placed a hand on Rias' shoulder, "Accept the inevitable. He is better this way." Platinum smirked.
"No…" Rias' eyes remained on Gasper, who was already on his way out, "No, he's not."
"I shall talk with you again, my friends… For now, I shall indulge myself with…. What this mortal world has to offer." The dhampir's eyes flashed at everyone, who suddenly saw Gasper blinked out of existence.
"...Why'd he bother to freeze us before walking out?" Issei asked.
Platinum brought his finger up, as if wiping an imaginary tears, "He is channeling his inner Dio to the fullest. My pride in my finest work is overwhelming."
"Shut up, this is your fault." Rias chided with a venomous tone, before she addressed the rest of her club, "I don't think I need to explain how grave this situation is. We will return Gasper to the way he was before the summer break!" She raised up her fist with fire in her eyes.
Issei did not bother saying that it was nearly impossible. Vali and Tsubasa were still laughing.
"YES!" Akeno and Koneko raised their arms up with determination. "WE WILL UNDO BLACK'S EVIL NO MATTER WHAT!"
"I don't think that's possible." Issei could not help but voice his thoughts.
Rias glared at him. Before Rias could retort, Ravel interrupted.
"Um…" Ravel's voice broke Rias from her train of thought as everyone turned to the other Devil in the room. "Sorry for my late intrusion, but I am here to inform you that I have talked with my family about my research and am ready to join you in your training. Although… What did I miss? I just passed by someone who looked like your Bishop, Gasper Vladi, but he dressed weird and he spoke in… a very peculiar manner."
The blonde noble girl asked the distraught King. In response, the tears streaming down her face doubled as she started whimpering to everyone's surprise. Issei decided to simply walk out of the training room. He decided it was best for him to go to bed. His tomorrow self could deal with them.
"Good night." he bade everyone farewell.
"Alright, let's brainstorm, girls. How should we approach Gasper and his… his…"
In Koneko's room, plates of snacks and foods between them, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko sat, quickly discussing how to undo Gasper's transformation.
"It is a shame that we underestimated that multiplying bastard." Akeno nodded. "But we can still save Gasper. We shouldn't rely on Issei for this. This is something that only we can do."
"Right." Koneko nodded in agreement.
"Okay… does anyone know how to cure Eighth-Grader Syndromes?" Rias asked.
The other two girls remained uncomfortably silent.
"Nyaaah, it's impossible."
The girls jumped at the new voice, a new hand taking one of the chocolate cookies and nibbling on it.
It was Kuroka, smiling cheshire at the devil girls.
"...Why are you here?" Rias asked.
"I was going to surprise Shirone, nyaaa, buuuuut… I stumbled upon something more interesting so I thought, why not join in for funsies, nyaaaa?" The Black Cat replied as she quickly made her way beyond her younger sister.
Koneko could not escape in time as her older sister wrapped her arms around her frame and pulled her back pressing against her torso, burying her head in her bosom in the process.
"So...? Who's the poor victim?" Kuroka asked as she hugged Koneko tightly, despite the latter puffing her cheeks with futile resistance.
Rias and Akeno exchanged quick glances, then the former decided that she would need every help she could get, "...My Bishop, Gasper Vladi."
Kuroka hummed, "Gasper Vladi…. Oh, that half-vampire with time-stopping powers, nya? I've never met him, but I heard about him from Azazel, nya. Isn't he an introvert and likes to dress like a girl? That is a dangerous recipe for Eight Grade syndrome."
"Well… he was influenced by dark intentions." Akeno corrected.
"Oh? So who turned him to the dark side?" Kuroka asked.
"...You too?" Koneko asked.
"Hmmm, I've been around that multiplying little twerp for a while, nya."
"...Black, of course." Rias bitterly spoke the evil demon's name.
"Oh… I must say, I didn't think he could pull it off." Kuroka looked genuinely surprised. "Jojo? Wait, Dio, right?"
Rias, Akeno, and Koneko stared at Kuroka for knowing Black's preferences.
"Sorry, but let's backtrack a little." Akeno interjected, "What did Black actually show Gasper that caused this change, to begin with?"
"I think…. You should include Ise-chin in this one. Of all people I can think of, he's your best shot to… y'know, cure your lil' dhampir, nya." Kuroka suggested.
"He can't help us." Rias frowned.
"Can't, or won't?" Kuroka retorted.
"More like both if what his face said is true." Akeno sighed.
"Nyaaa, can't blame him. But seriously, I don't know how to do it… Wait, what about Vali?" Kuroka asked, perking at her leader's face in her head.
"Why him?" Rias asked.
"I heard those two grew up together for a good few years, so he's your next best shot to be familiar with Black's playful pranks. Other than that, consent yourself to a life with a real chuuni in your Peerage, nya." Kuroka replied.
The club exchanged glances.
oXo
"...Why are you asking me instead of Issei?"
Vali grumbled as he found himself sitting in his room with the Occult Research Club girls plus Kuroka… And Ravel, who was standing by the entrance with a curious mien.
"He looks like he wants nothing to do with it." Rias grimaced.
"I don't blame him. I don't want anything to do with this either." Vali admitted.
"But please, there must be something you can do to help us!" Rias pleaded.
"Why should I help three girls that barged into my room for something I have and want no part of?" Vali narrowed his eyes as all of the girls were giving him the cute pleading eyes, something they have honed with dedication.
A few seconds later, Vali sighed in acceptance, "...Jojo's Bizarre Adventure."
"I beg your pardon?" Rias asked.
"It's the name of Black's favorite show, and it's what he showed to your Bishop." Vali replied, "Watch the show until…. At least the third season, then you can start working from there. After that, pester Issei for his assistance until he gives in. You can try the Baldy if you want but don't rely on him too much just because he is the strongest man."
"...That is a good start." Rias admitted with a nod.
"Also, beware of Black. He can be everywhere at once. Keep an eye on all of your peerage members if you want to keep their sense of identity safe… or not, I don't care. He is the kind of imp that likes to have too much fun if he could. Now, please leave my room. I want to get some rest before my next… school day."
The three girls then left Vali's room as he closed the door behind them.
"...What do we do now?" Koneko asked.
"First, as much as I hate to say it, we'll have to do some research and… delve into the world of anime first thing tomorrow after class." Rias announced, then she turned to her Rook, "Koneko, I need you to prepare all materials you can get your hands on - anime episodes, comic books, even fan-made works if you have to."
The petite Nekoshou nodded, and Rias turned towards Ravel, "Ravel, I'd like you to keep an eye on Gasper; update us on what he's up to every one hour."
Ravel looked uncertain at first, but she acquisized, "...Understood, Lady Rias."
"Actually, I forgot to ask - how long were you standing there?" Rias asked the blonde.
They did not notice Ravel standing outside the room during their entire conversation with Vali.
"I was waiting for you to finish. I wanted to ask you if I can join your peerage so I can stay in shape for the Rating Games, but you were busy with something important that I do not understand so I decided to wait until you're finished." Ravel informed.
"...Right, we'll talk about that later. Akeno" Rias then turned to her Queen, "You and I will see if we can persuade Ise to help us. Now, I need to call Yuuto and inform him of this development…"
Rias suddenly picked up a telepathic call. She pressed a magic circle against her ear, knowing that it was from Yuuto by signature alone.
"Speak of the Devil, Yuuto, I was about to call you." Rias answered.
[Um, President. There's something wrong with Gasper… and for some reason, one of the Black clones is following him. He cackled when I asked about Gasper, so… What is happening? What did he do?]
Rias sighed, "I will explain in the clubroom tomorrow."
It was going to be a long, long week.
"I will say this again no matter how many times you ask - no. It is impossible. You cannot simply cure Eighth Grade Syndrome once it sets in and gets to that stage." Issei said as he chewed on his sandwich, unfazed by the girls' pleading eyes and pestering.
It was lunchtime on the next day at school - Issei and Vali were sitting together with the Occult Research Club sans Ravel, who was still running surveillance on Gasper. On that note; Irina, Xenovia and Asia were currently spending time with the other girls of their class.
"We are begging you, Ise. There must be some way to snap Gasper out of his…. Funk!" Rias pleaded further, "Like, reforming him or something!"
"The only cure is time. Then he'll start to hate himself once he gets older… assuming Black didn't drag him that deep in the rabbit hole." Issei swallowed.
"...Then we need time magic for this?" Akeno concluded.
Issei stared at the school beauty as if he was looking at a dunce.
"Akeno. Accept reality. Give it up. Gasper is in complete chuuni mode. You'll have to wait out the phase until he mellows out enough for him to turn back to his old self." Issei bit another piece of his sandwich.
"Issei, nothing is impossible if you put enough effort." Akeno argued.
"I called Vali a Chuuni for a reason." Issei jerked his head at the hybrid in question, who simply scowled without saying a word before returning to his Ramen, "I know what it's like. Deal with Chuuni Gasper until he tires out." He repeated.
"That could take forever!" Rias retorted, reaching out and grabbing Issei by the collar. "I will not go to the Rating Games with Gasper like this!"
"Why not?" Issei asked, "His swagger aside, I think Gasper is more confident now. It's not like he's turning his back on you and going stray or anything."
"True. Your questionable insistence is both pointless and useless." Vali added with a nod.
"It's not about… it's not just about his confidence issues!" Rias nearly screeched as she started shaking him. "Do you know how….. Disturbing he's acting?! He looks like someone who kills puppies just to spite their owners!"
"...You do know he plays with Rover, my dog, don't you?" Issei asked like he was being insulted.
"Ise, I was talking about normal, regular dogs." Rias retorted.
"Rover's a good dog."
"You know my point. Please, just… anything you can give. There has to be something you can do!"
"I'm not exactly a part of your peerage, so I have nothing to lose by not helping you." Issei reminded as the girls frowned. "But fine, fine. I still think Gasper is better this way. If you want to know where to start… Do you watch anime? Read any manga?"
"I watched some Sword of Stranger, Ruronin Kenshin, and Sengoku Basara." Rias replied.
"I was accompanying her." Akeno replied.
"I watched Haruhi and some crappy magical girl shows with my clients." Koneko shrugged.
"I, err, just started Fate Stay Night on Black's insistence. I have to say, Shirou Emiya's power was a very useful reference in developing my powers." Yuuto sheepishly replied.
Issei blinked at the replies and nodded, "Huh, didn't expect that from you girls. I don't have to worry about any of you going Chuuni, so… start by following Vali's advice. Watch Jojo until the third season so you can better understand his condition. From there, the hard part begins."
Rias inhaled to compose herself before she nodded, "...I understand. Would you… stay with us until then? We can use your input."
"No idea why, but… I did watch Jojo with Black. It is one of the most creative and dramatic series I've ever watched. You'll definitely love it if you're into anime with substance."
"I don't really care much about that. I only care to find a way to snap Gasper out of this." Rias replied. "Very well, once we get our hands on everything we need, we will learn everything about…. Whoever Gasper is emulating this weekend."
Vali finally decided to speak up, "And what is your vampire's current condition?"
As if on cue, the doors leading to the cafeteria were opened, and all eyes were drawn towards the entrance, which for some reason looked darker and was emitting a faint mist for some reason.
Then, Gasper went in - his hair ornament was still there, but much to his classmate's surprise, he was clad in a boy's uniform. The real eye-catcher was the sheer confidence Gasper had in his posture as he walked in with an off-putting smirk on his effeminate face.
"...Are you sure you want to do this? He's making good progress in breaking away from his NEET status." Issei pointed a thumb at Gasper.
"With honesty? Sometimes I wonder why Gasper was born as a boy." The redhead replied with a small snide in her tone.
Behind him, Ravel followed him.
Issei watched as he bit into his sandwich with curiosity. The boys were eyeing Gasper with probably a strange mix of arousal and discomfort when seeing the one person they thought was a girl was a guy all along, at least that was what Issei was imagining.
Gasper waited in line for food as Ravel walked towards their table, her eyes not leaving Gasper for a few moments until she sat next to Rias.
"Ravel, what is the status with Gasper?" Rias asked her newest bishop.
"Well… he is a bit quirkier than I imagined. A lot of the boys were surprised to see Gasper in boy's clothes in my class. The girls were… charmed by the revelation. They weren't deterred by his strange persona."
"I suppose since Gasper has hardly attended classes, nobody really knows how Gasper actually behaves." Akeno remarked.
"Did he cause any problems?" Rias asked.
"…He did try to intimidate the teacher… but he was disregarded since no one was intimidated. He looked rather cute instead."
The girls of the ORC sighed in relief - it appeared the situation was still salvageable.
"I still don't see your problem with this version of your Bishop." Vali said as he started eating his salad. "In fact, I find him more amusing than anything."
"This is why Ise and Genos think you are lacking social life, Vali." Rias merely retorted, eliciting snickers from Issei.
"...But, in honesty, I still think he's better this way. If chuuni mode is the price to pay for confidence in his male identity, why not let him?"
"GAASPEEEERRR!"
Everyone flinched at the sudden cry of Gasper's name.
They turned to the source, seeing a random boy confronting the swaggering chuuni.
"Please don't tell me it's true! You can't be a boy! You just can't!"
The boy's eyes were bloodshot. Issei and the others had no idea why he was shouting like this, though they had a hunch. Normally, Gasper would be flustered immediately, stuttering a few words before running away in panic. However, in front of a random student who was prostrating in tears before him, Gasper simply gave him a side-way glance, took a sip of his juice before huffing.
"If you have a problem with that, then get lost. You are being an eyesore."
"NO! NO NO NO NO NO! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!" The boy shouted. "I know! Let's see if you're really packing down there!" The boy immediately pounced at Gasper from his prostrating position to everyone's surprise.
"MUDA!"
However, what was more shocking was Gasper immediately socking in the face with a clean uppercut to the jaw.
"MUDA! MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!"
Gasper then proceeds to throw the standard rapid punch combo, continuing to pummel the random boy for five seconds before finishing it with a right hook so strong that the guy spun like a top before he fell, his face now a nest of swells and bruises, looking like he provoked a nest of bees and paid for it with his face.
"WRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
All of the students who watched were mortified at the display of violence, particularly Rias and her ORC, along with the other girls were horrified. Issei and Vali on the other hand, only stared until the former nodded, "Ooookay, maybe we should keep an eye on him."
"Oh, so now you think we should do something about this, huh!?" Rias replied heatedly, as her horrors came true.
"In all fairness, the victim was attempting to molest him if his words reflect his intentions but… I confess that he needs some tweaking. Some guidance at least." Vali admitted.
"That's still an excessive use of self-defense!" Rias barked in return.
"Alright, alright, let's just focus on damage control before we all get in trouble with the teachers, okay?"
Issei then stepped up and approached Gasper casually.
"Hoh, so you dare to approach me?" Gasper started posing, bending his knees halfway and slipped his hands in his pockets.
"Uh huh, I know the climax scene from Stardust Crusaders. Look, Gasper… crap, don't know how to say this right. Alright, first, let's just walk away from the crime scene before the teachers come in and get you in trouble. I admit, I'm kinda impressed you could pull this off, but seriously, just one punch in the jaw is enough."
"You think you can just walk up to me and tell me what to do? Me? GASPER?" Gasper lifted his chin, seemingly trying to look down on the taller male.
"Okay, enough roleplaying. Seriously, Gasper. All I want to say is to tone down the Dio in you. I get what you're going through, but please, keep it on the down low at least, will you?"
"Just because you're taller than me, you think you're above me?!" Gasper accused.
"Dude. I am kind of your senior in this school and the Jojo department." Issei pointed out. "Look, Gasper, either we do this the easy way, or the hard way. And before you pick…" He then narrowed his eyes, focusing his aura just a tiny bit - enough to be felt by the dhampir in front of him, "Do you really, really want to throw it down with all of us, me included, here?"
Gasper remained somewhat unfazed by Issei's intimidation… no, Issei saw cold sweat leaking from Gasper's pores.
"...I suppose I can humor you, for now." Gasper continued tilting his chin up. "But don't expect me to give you the same response! I am GASPER! I am below no man!"
"You gonna say that to Black in his face?" Issei dared.
Gasper remained silent as his chin fell. Issei smiled, knowing the hierarchy between Gasper and his 'mentor'.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Come on, let's go eat and get out before the teachers come and ask questions."
Transylvania was the birthplace of the first vampire.
On the surface, it was an ordinary rural country with no significance. But if seen from the supernatural world, it was the home of the legacy of the first vampire, albeit a divided legacy.
Two households formed under the first names of the first two vampires, segregated by preference of gender dominance, one patriarchal and the other matriarchal.
The world of the vampires was stuck in time, forever trapped in the Romanian era, the aristocracy as long lasting as their immortal lifespans.
One of the two - the Carmilla faction was trapped in the medieval era, feudal society still present without the touch of modernization evident be it architecture, technology, or even way of life for the common folk.
Men could not reach the status of nobility, the closest they could touch was being a concubine or a warrior before the female knights and sword maidens, skin-tight armor and leather their traditional attire since the nobility's formation.
But a stagnant world of the past, out of place from the present, could never stand against the fangs of change whose dark intent of the present set its eyes upon it.
Unknown humanoid creatures breached the gates in broad daylight. Vampires were prepared for an assault in their time of weakness, Magic prepared to block out the sun when ready. However, not a single cloud was moved, only the pure veil of blue and the shining rays were above them.
Their Arcane-Arts were interrupted, and worse, enemy spells magnified the rays of daylight to further worsen their condition. Missiles rained upon their strongholds, their mansions, obliterating any protection they had against the sky.
Even when clad in Day armor and battle leather, the humanoid creatures unleashed holy and sun beams of energy at them, the knights and battle maidens forced into retreat as the humans that lead the assault infiltrated their mansion.
"It won't be long until the Queen arrives with her royal guard, Cao Cao." Siegfried advised as he followed Cao Cao and Jeanne outside the ruins of the mansion doors, ancient architecture that lasted hundreds of years now splinters and rubble.
"Doesn't matter. We have the map." Cao Cao held up a rolled up parchment of paper. "I doubt the queen cares about the miscellanea of some nobles in this chaos."
The siege against the Carmilla faction was far easier than they expected. They anticipated a lot of fierce resistance from the ancient aristocracy, but this day proved that those stuck in the past were fragile things destined to be broken.
They were way ahead of schedule. The female vampires did not expect anyone to attack them, thinking that their caste system and supernatural powers could protect them against the outside world.
"Is it really a map to the legendary Atlantis?" Jeanne asked curiously.
Atlantis - the ancient lost continent that was said to be sunken by the Great Flood, perpetuated by the Biblical God for reasons that many scholars fiercely debated to this day.
"A piece of it. The legendary Gilgamesh wouldn't make it easy for anyone searching the lost continent."
Cao Cao and his group continued walking as black, muscular, cyclopean creatures landed next to them and fired holy sun lasers from their monocular red eye at the zombie slave warriors around them, incinerating the fodder as Cao Cao unrolled the parchment.
"...It's blank." Siegfried noted.
In response, Cao Cao simply narrowed his eyes at the blank page, "Look around. There might be something we missed." He ordered as he began to flip and turn the paper around.
"Isn't there the clue from the thing that pointed us to the statue of Gilgamesh?" Jeanne asked.
"'I can see in the dark, in the shadow away from god. Shepard paved the path with his blood purified of polluted faith and light, his torch of applewood lighting the clay path to life.' That is one excerpt I remember." Siegfried said.
"What does that mean?" Jeanne asked.
"A riddle that needs to be picked apart. We'll need to take the contents into account when we get back. Let's return to George before-"
Cao Cao! We have incoming!
Cao Cao stopped.
In the skies, there was a presence. It was close, fast approaching, it made itself known on purpose just when it landed like a meteor, dust and dirt scattered and bathed the small group in obscurity.
The presence was powerful, overwhelming. Cao Cao had never encountered a presence this powerful. The strongest man was powerful, but his presence was so close to nonexistent that it was hard to take him seriously.
The dust cleared out, and before everyone's eyes, stood a man.
It was a pale man, his hair was a mixture of jet-black and snow-white, eyes so sharp that his gaze pierced them deeper than any sword or spear they could imagine. He wore a black trenchcoat from the neck down.
"…What pleasure do I have to acquire the attention of someone so esteemed?" Cao Cao carefully greeted. The cyclopean constructs tensed, their red eyes glowing with energy.
"I'm not here for pleasantries." The man dismissed.
Siegfried and Jeanne slowly took out their swords as the man started walkingg towards them, out of the small crater of dirt.
"...Where is he?" The man asked as his right hand flexed in a clawing manner, popping out some cracking sounds from his fingers in the process.
"Die, invaders!"
From behind, a vampire knightess shrieked as she ran towards the stranger with her sword.
Cao Cao widened his eyes when the sword shattered as soon as it made contact with the stranger's back, much to the vampire's utter shock, before her body was swatted away by the stranger's casual swing of his arm.
"I know you have him."
The humanoid constructs charged at the man, firing their lasers from their eyes. However, the man was unfazed as the lights seemingly vanished on contact. The constructs raised their mighty arms, ready to smash him.
Cao Cao saw a spitting image of that man when the stranger decimated them. His hands leaves blue contrails, moved like a flowing stream, a deceptively gentle motion that hid the devastating might of his blows.
The constructs were like Swiss cheese, full of holes punched through faster than their eyes could blink.
"You - those moves….!" Cao Cao grit his teeth as he immediately summoned his Holy Spear.
"So you know…." The stranger walked past the dead constructs, leaving the stunned vampire knightess behind as he glared at them, "I know Indra handed him to you. Release him at once."
"What relation do you have with him!? Who are you!?" Cao Cao demanded with barely sustained calm as he and the others readied their weapons.
"...A friend." The man simply replied before he moved again.
Jeanne, Siegfried, and Cao Cao all unleashed their Balance Breakers.
A dragon constructed of holy swords rose from under Jeanne while four more metallic arms sprouted from Siegfried's back. Cao Cao grit his teeth while he started twirling his spear as it unleashed his most devastating attack.
It was a power he obtained after making a deal with a certain faceless deity as many spheres of lights formed around him. He could only sustain this technique for a limited time, but until then, he could summon forth an unlimited amount of energy attacks.
Jeanne's dove in with her holy sword dragon, Siegfried summoned his six demon swords, Cao Cao unleashed a flood of energy spheres at the stranger.
Jeanne's dragon shattered and fell like a house of cards, the girl was launched away like an arrow. Siegfried immediately tasted the dirt, his head buried in the ground.
Cao Cao lurched forward when the stranger's fist twisted inside his gut, all of his energy spheres dispersed, the three of them were defeated instantly. Blood spilled out of Cao Cao's teeth before he fell on his knees, all strength and breath leaving him.
"Pathetic. To think you managed to… hm?" The stranger stared at the back of his hand. He flexed it in thought, feeling a strange numbness.
The stranger scanned the heroes and his eyes laid upon one particular sword in Siegfried's grasp, "The sword that slew Fafnir. Of course… seems I still have much to learn."
Cao Cao, who was barely conscious, took in the stranger's reaction towards Siegfried's dragon slayer and connected the dots. "...You are a dragon."
The stranger did not even spare him a glance.
"Why… is a dragon…?"
"I do not like to repeat myself. But I will say that he's the most fascinating human I've ever seen. The same can't be extended to you." The stranger then gave Cao Cao his attention.
He grabbed Cao Cao's throat, lifted him until he was at eye level, causing the latter to choke when he felt the stranger's hand piercing through his ribs.
"Tell me what I want to know."
Cao Cao's hold on consciousness renewed but his life was slowly slipping, "You… will never find him!" He spat blood into the stranger's eyes.
"I am the one who will decide that."
Cao Cao grimaced when the stranger gripped his heart and squeezed.
"You value your life. You won't let yourself die like this. One last chance." The stranger squeezed - and Cao Cao strangled a grunt, feeling his ribcage cracked further under the applied pressure.
Cao Cao glared at the stranger defiantly as he shouted, "Now, Georg!"
The stranger then noticed that a thick layer of mist had enveloped his immediate area, obscuring his vision of the surroundings. He immediately squeezed, attempting to crush the human's heart into paste. However, when the most cleared, he found himself in the one place he never visited often.
There was only one location with distorted polychromatic colors breaking and contorting without rhythm nor rhyme.
"...So they banished me to the Dimensional Gap. A clever trick." Crom Cruach scowled as he looked at the infinite emptiness of the Dimensional Gap.
Now he understood why his friend failed to crush them on the spot and had to decimate Olympus.
"They will pay for their cowardice…." The Evil Dragon swore.
He looked at his hand, the blood of the spearman still wet on his palm. He only partially managed to crush the heart, but he would not escape in their next encounter.
He turned around, and froze when he saw another dragon in this realm. He did not expect to see the magnificence of the strongest dragon in person, so up close, the size of the creature so great he could be mistaken for a mountain.
…Or so he thought…
[Waaaaaaaaarrggghhhhhhhhh!]
Crom stared at the creature - a giant red dragon that looked like the Great Red curling into a ball while bawling like a baby. Crom stared at it before he slowly rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not hallucinating.
No, the crying giant dragon with the Great Red's appearance was still there.
It was extremely disconcerting to see what looked like the strongest being acting like a child. The sight of river-sized streams of tears running down the trembling reptilian eyes was… it must be one of the unexplained phenomena of the Dimensional Gap. Not even he knew all of this realm's secrets.
There was no possible way that the strongest dragon could act like this.
Crom closed his eyes, this time counting to ten in his mind to calm his throbbing nerves. He mentally reminded himself of his objective, gathering and channeling his inner anger. As he opened his eyes, he shed his human form in favor of his original form. He would need the flight to swiftly return to the human realm and hunt them down again.
Omake 1
"There is nothing you can do to make me enroll in that place!" Vali declared, pointing his finger at the cyborg.
"…But we thought it'll be the best chance for you to have a normal life." Haruka interjected.
The teen was about to glare at the woman, but his eyes slightly softened at the last second, "I understand you have my best interest at heart, but I assure you, I am satisfied with my current life now."
"So you're telling me all you want is to fight people forever with nothing else in mind?" Genos asked. "It is an unhealthy and disastrous formula that will lead you to the wrong path."
"Dude… find a hobby." Saitama's input, ironically, was the most damaging out of all the criticism.
"One last chance. Are you sure you won't attend willingly?" Genos asked.
"...While I'd rather not say this, but….. Over my dead body." Vali then, uncharacteristically, flashed a middle finger at the cyborg with pure defiance.
"Very well." Genos tapped his ear. "Plan A failed. Initiate plan B."
"Plan what-?!"
Immediately, magic circles appeared around his wrists and ankles. Next, the surprise spell pinned Vali to the floor, but Vali immediately broke free and scrambled to his feet.
"What the hell?!" Vali shouted as the door opened, revealing four faces, each smiling at Vali.
They were Vali's teammates, from Kuroka to the monkey youkai.
Arthur was holding… a kuoh school uniform on a hanger. He immediately understood his debacle as Issei immediately wrapped his unders from under his armpits and locked him.
"Quick, start with the pants!" Issei shouted.
For some reason, Kuroka was the first to grab on Vali's buckles.
"No! No no no no no! Don't you dare do this!" Vali struggled as the girls watched the strangers (other than Kuroka) undress Vali's clothes before their eyes.
"Hold his legs down, nya!"
"Look out for his boots!"
"Ow, OW! My eyes!"
"GET OFF ME!" Vali struggled even harder.
"The less you struggle, the sooner we can get this done and over with!" Issei cackled as they started putting the uniform on him.
"I WILL KILL YOU ALL! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!"
Vali's howl echoed throughout the building.
Kuoh's Streets were the first to see the white dragon emperor dragged to school by five people.
Omake 2
Akeno pushed the power button on a remote control, turning off the large-screen television mounted on the wall, as the light was returned to illuminate the room the Occult Research Club was in.
The occupants were sitting either on a couch, floor or leather chair; some of them had drinks and snacks in hand, as they relaxed after just finished watching the entire series of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure from Phantom Blood until its latest Stone Ocean release.
"...Well?" Issei, who was sitting on a love-seat with Tsubasa and Irina sandwiching him, broke the silence. "What do you think?"
Rias and her peerage stared at the blank screen.
"...I admit, the show is far better than I imagined." Rias concedes.
"Just because Black corrupted Gasper doesn't mean the source material isn't good." Issei scoffed.
"I don't really care about the quality of the source material, Ise." Rias replied while massaging her temple, "...What I am wondering is, why in the world, that Gasper decided to emulate the bad guy?! Why not either one of the Jojos - like Josuke or even Jotaro!? Jotary can also stop time! Hell, I can even accept if Gasper were to decide to emulate Koichi, or maybe Emporio! So again, why would Gasper emulate Dio friggin' Brando out of everyone!?"
"I think it's because he relates to Dio due to his tragic backstory. Minus the bad parts… and the fact that they both are vampires who can stop time. Though I'm not exactly sure about Gasper's Sacred Gear since it looks more like stasis than time stop." Issei gave his opinion.
"Dio isn't exactly a vampire in the traditional sense." Xenovia corrected.
"Same word, different interpretations. Anyways, there you go, now you know why Gasper fell to the darkness called Eighth Grade Syndrome. So… you have any questions?" Issei asked.
"...Is there really nothing we can do to make Gasper….. Go back or at least drop this persona?" Rias asked.
"You can't just get rid of the energy. He is like an inflated balloon, only the rubber is unbreakable and there is only the tiniest hole in the universe for the energy to leak out." Issei reminded her. "Your only choice, like I said for the millionth time, is to deal with it. The problem is not Gasper at this point." Issei then pointed at Rias, "...It is you."
Rias blinked, "...Me?"
"Yes, you." Issei nodded, "I'll tell you now Rias; you are currently acting like an overbearing mother who cannot accept her son growing up. And seriously, that's not cool."
"I- No, I'm not!" Rias denied, "Of course I want to see Gasper growing up from his fears and his past, but properly!"
"Uh huh. Said the girl that in the past, didn't help her peerage get rid of their issues." Issei gestured to Koneko, Akeno, and Yuuto.
"I was never in position to force them around, okay? I'm still a rookie, for Pete's sake!"
"Then if you want to redeem yourself… roll with Dio Gasper and work with him. Honestly, you kinda messed up when you blurted out you want the wimpy crybaby introvert… you just can't cover that up. It shows you're the clingy type of mother that refuses to let her children grow up." Issei added.
"He's… kinda got a point." Tsubasa agreed as she wrapped her arms around Issei's head.
"Not to mention, Gasper has no actual male role models. That is kinda the opening Black went for and he struck the mark. I am still very impressed he pulled it off…" Issei followed.
"So he became Gasper's actual first friend other than Rover?" Irina summarized as she leaned against his shoulder.
"Oh yeah. Definitely major big bro points for Black there."
"Anyway!" Rias then cut in, "...While I can see your point, it does not sit well with me that Gasper is emulating a villain. In fact, I won't have any problems if Gasper is acting like Jotaro or Giorno - I can deal with rude and callous types, but not downright villainous."
"That's…" Issei rolled his eyes around, "Very petty, I admit. But at the same time, it is kind of better if he takes notes from a positive male role model. Giorno is a good example since he is a son of a Jojo vampire and a human mother… Wait, is Gasper's father human or vampire? I didn't ask."
"His father is a vampire, yes." Rias answered.
"Okay, if you want to know where to start, have Gasper try and be more like Giorno or take notes from him, though I'm not exactly sure if Gasper watched Part 5 yet since he and Giorno have a lot more in common in terms of tragic backstory. Anyways, good luck. You're on your own this time." Issei flashed Rias a thumbs up.
"...What?" Rias blinked.
"You want to redeem yourself as a King, right?" Issei asked. "I can't be there to hold your hand all the time. And it's more likely my presence will ruin any progress you'll make here in this case. Sometimes, you just have to do it yourself to make it work. It is better that way."
"I… But…" Rias looked conflicted.
Issei watched Rias turn to the others of her peerage. They did not give their input, leaving Rias alone with her thoughts.
"...I… alright. I will do it." Rias took a deep breath. "But… how do I talk to Gasper without sounding like a Chuuni?"
"And that's our cue to leave." Issei immediately rose from his seat and walked away from Rias.
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