Chapter 20 – The End

This dude right here has some explaining to do.

''Diodora Astaroth? Really?''

He smirks a little.

''Yes. The very same. I see your nun friend still remembers me.''

I look at Asia, who hides behind Rias almost in the same moment.

''Why did you take me here in the middle of nowhere just to fight me? Tokyo isn't good enough for you any longer?''

''Easy. So nobody will find you and your friends once I'm done with you lot.''

''That doesn't really explain much.''

''Oh, you want the whole story? Fine. Remember when we first fought? When I wanted to fuck your precious nun friend there, but you just had to be a hero and get in the middle of it? There's at least one important lesson to be learned for you, Sekiryuutei. Always make sure that your opponent is really dead. I barely survived, but I did. and it was nothing but my forward thinking that allowed me to survive.''

''What do you mean?''

''Before our fight I put a capsule of Phoenix tears in my mouth, to save me in case I die. It saved my life in the end, but you didn't care. You had your precious friend and that was all that mattered to you. But I lost everything that day.''

''What are you talking about?''

''Stupid dragon. I am a descendant of Beelzebub himself, one of the strongest Devils in existence. There was not a single fight or a goal that I lost or didn't achieve. But then you came along. A stupid, green Devil that didn't even know what he was doing. And you defeated me. My reputation suffered. And you didn't just beat me, I didn't even get a chance to fuck the girl!''

How fucked up is this guy? Seriously? He lost everything because he didn't rape Asia? This guy is even more perverse than I am. I didn't even think that was possible.

''What about Freed? He was definitely dead when we were done with him? Also, how did you make him follow you?''

''Freed is a Devil now as well, Sekiryuutei.''

My eyes widen in shock and disbelief.

''What do you mean?''

''I revived him. Like Rias revived you. I needed someone who hates you with at least as much passion as I do. He's my [Knight] now. And a pretty good one, at that.''

I look at Freed Sellzen. His maniacal smile never leaves his face.

''What, shitty Devil? Yes, I am one of you now. But still better than all you scum! I still have faith in our Lord, even though it pains me every time I try to pray.''

Of course, Michael-sama didn't allow him to pray like he did to Xenovia and Asia. Serves him right.

''You know what I'll do to you? After I kill you, I'll fuck your little nun friend. Then I'll fuck those two that are next to her. They look like nuns too. Of course I'll kill every single one of them afterwards. This precious kitten of yours will be next and so on and so forth until only those dudes you have with you remain. I won't fuck them, but sure as Hell I'll kill them.''

He really is demented. I cannot let this happen!

''But enough talking. Let's fight, Sekiryuutei. Freed, you know what to do.''

''Yes, master. Mwahaha!''

In a fit of maniacal laughter Freed jumps on Koneko's chair and hits her square in the face! Even more shocking, Koneko screams in pain! That doesn't happen, never!

''You motherfucker!''

I morph into my Balance Breaker armour and try to jump on the bastard to kill him for sure now, but I hit something.

''No use, Sekiryuutei. The field is made so neither me or you can leave until one is dead.''

''You son of a bitch!''

I lunge at Diodora, who effortlessly dodges my attack and before I stop, I feel something very cold on my back. I turn around just quickly enough to see Diodora throwing another bolt of ice towards me. I barely manage to move out of the way of it.

[Mystic Nature Activate!]

The circle forms and eight orbs move to their places on it. It's actually beautiful. I hear another scream from Koneko, which wakes me up. That fucker! He'll get his due soon! But first I must kill this smug motherfucker in front of me. Let's see what did I acquire from the last time. Let's try blue one first.

[Little Magician Magic Boost!]

Pretty self-explanatory. My magic is obviously stronger now, I can feel it. Okay. Orange is next! I have a faint idea what it could be.

[Red Phoenix Flame Strike!]

A beam of fire shoots from my hand towards Diodora. He doesn't manage to dodge that. His coat is burning, but he doesn't seem to notice.

''Interesting attack. But unfortunately for you, I don't get burned by fire. I'm Beelzebub's descendant, remember? Good effort, though. My turn now!''

Saying that, a white circle appears above his head and from it a jet of liquid squirts towards me. A few drops get on my armour, but I mostly dodge it. But something is not right. I feel so cold…

''That ought to stop you for a while.''

I can barely move! It seems that liquid actually froze me in place! All I can do now is hope to survive his attacks. And that I won't be frozen forever.

His attacks are fast, strong and completely unavoidable. Which makes sense, since I am frozen and cannot move. Most of his shots come in my stomach area and I feel I will have to vomit soon.

Finally after some fifty punches I unfreeze, but last Diodora's shot is so strong it sends me flying at least fifty metres back and I crash on the floor hard.

Everything hurts! I stand up. I'll have to refine my strategy to beat this dude. I have an idea!

[Welsh Draconic Knight!]

I move towards Diodora so fast he can not react to my attacks. I hit him, now here, now there, but this isn't enough. Silver orb!

[Silver Sword Critical Strike!]

With that hit, he stumbles. He must be very powerful. Let's try black orb, then!

[Black Cat Oblivion Strike!]

A ball of black energy shoots from my hand, a light similar to one that Kuroka summoned when Freed ambushed us. This one hits a bit better, Diodora is sent flying and lands with a loud crash!

Almost as an answer to that crash, another scream of Koneko catches my ear. I look in her direction and see some kind of a knife in Freed's hand! What the fuck is that fucker doing to my Koneko?'

''Diodora! You said you will only kill Koneko after I'm dead!''

''I said that, Sekiryuutei. And Freed better obey me. But don't worry. This is just to insure that you will give your best in this fight.''

''What do you mean?''

''I want you to be the strongest you can be. Like I was before you defeated me. I was on the top of the world, Hyoudou Issei. And you struck me down. I want you to feel like you're in complete control before I send you into oblivion.''

He leaps towards me. I block his attack and for a while we exchange blows. Up, down, left, down, right, left, up, down, right, left, right, down…

Suddenly Diodora strikes with both hands at the same time square into my chest. Unprepared for it, it makes me stumble. But before Diodora can strike again, I manage to kick the floor from beneath him.

Now is my chance! White orb!

[White Kitten Overdrive!]

The swarm of white cat familiars is bigger than the last time. Most of them manage to scratch Diodora. I forgot he was wearing very thick clothes, however. I wonder if it will have any effect on him. I can't see any blood.

''That was a waste of an attack, Sekiryuutei. I only felt one scratch.''

Next moment, something hits me in the back. Before I blink, I see that Diodora has somehow managed to come behind me when I was pondering if my attack did any damage.

Again, we start exchanging punches. Koneko screams four times before we are done with it. I am starting to lose my breath, but so does Diodora. It even looks like he is tiring quicker than me. That one scratch must have done its job.

''Damn, that was a volatile scratch from a small kitten. A good thing I have this.''

Saying that, he pulls out a small flask. Oh no, he doesn't! Phoenix tears? Seriously?

Using the contents of the flask, he seems to revitalize himself. I need some, too. Green orb!

[Holy Green Maiden Healing Wave!]

It didn't miss! I can feel the green warmth as I fill myself with some energy that I stole from Diodora! At least something that can warm me up in this frozen piece of shit.

Another scream, this time louder again. I can see Freed holding some kind of hammer in the air, Koneko screaming helplessly bound in that chair. This isn't right!

''Diodora, what the fuck is Freed doing to Koneko?''

''Worried, Sekiryutei? Her screams are so loud because that chair is Devilsbane.''

''D-Devilsbane?''

''If a Devil sits on it, he loses his Demonic powers. Right now, your precious kitty is nothing more than a human, with human pain threshold. That's why she is screaming like the little bitch she is!''

''You. Don't. Insult. My. Koneko!''

I have had it with this fucker! Black orb!

[Crimson Ruin Absolute destruction!]

The strength of the impact leaves behind a huge crater with Diodora in the middle of it. Standing. Like nothing has happened.

''I must admit, Sekiryuutei. That is a powerful attack. Luckily I could dodge most of it. That could have done me in, you know? But it's not soon enough. I can feel it. You're not strong enough yet. Freed!''

''Yes, Master?''

''You know.''

''At once! Gladly! Mwahahahahahaha!''

He pulls out a pack of… Something that looks like… Needles? He grabs Koneko's hand and one of those needle-like things and smashes that thing through her palm! The scream of agony I hear that moment shocks me for a moment. My eyes start tearing up from it. Ddraig! I need your help!

[Partner?]

Ddraig, I can't keep fighting this bastard like this!

[I have an idea.]

What?

[You probably won't like it. But I know that you know what I think.]

You don't mean… No, I can't! I-I… I'm too weak.

[No. Remember, you died and came back. Your flesh is one third Great Red, one third Ophis and one third me.]

But Rias said I'll die if I do it again. You said it too!

[That was before you died. You are now strong enough to probably even have control of your body while doing it.]

I… I don't know, Ddraig.

[Decide for yourself. Just keep in mind that this fight might be long.]

Not now. It's not that bad yet!

Our fight resumes. I throw some punches, he throws some more, I let out an orb attack, he throws some kind of icy projectiles at me. Koneko screams in agony, we fight on.

This goes on for a while. My strength is leaving me again. I use green orb again. I get some back. He doesn't seem to slow down.

Another scream, this time louder than ever! I wouldn't be surprised if they heard it in Japan! I turn around to see what Freed did this time and I see the spike that is passing through Koneko's right arm under the elbow, then out and goes in again above the elbow. Her face is full of blood and there's some gushing from her injured palms and arm.

I can barely see in front of me as my eyes water again. I have to do it. There is no other way. I turn to Rias.

''Rias! I hope you remember the song!''

''What song, Ise?''

A moment after she asks, she remembers. Her pale face turns even paler.

''No, Ise, you mustn't!''

''I have to, Rias.''

''Ise!''

''Don't. Let. Freed. Escape.''

I say that with an ice cold voice. Then I turn around.

Let's do this, Ddraig!

[As you say, partner. You, Diodora Astaroth, made the wrong choice.]

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

[I, who is about to awaken, am the Heavenly Dragon that has stolen the principles of domination from God.]

''What's that, Sekiryuutei? Praying for this to be over?''

[I laugh at the infinite, and I grieve at the dream.]

Even though I am both. I hear Rias, Asia and Kiba screaming ''No!'', but I must disregard them. I can't look at that smug face of this motherfucker even for a second longer.

[I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination and I shall sink you to the depths of crimson purgatory!]

Not smiling now, are you, Diodora?

[Juggernaut Drive!]

The fighting grounds start to shake as it is engulfed in bright red aura and red light emits from all the jewels in my Balance Breaker armour. I can feel so much power… It's… Overwhelming… NO! I must be strong! I can and will have control of this! I will destroy this fucker once and for all!

Large wings, scales, claws, everything appears out of my armour and it almost completely turns me into a dragon!

Ddraig, is that… What you looked like?

[Almost, partner.]

Fucking cool! No! I must concentrate on this, or else I'll lose control! I can't afford that! I will destroy him!

Diodora's eyes are now wide with fear. I think he realised just what he has awakened.

''I can't look at your smug stupid face for a second longer, fucker!''

The voice that comes out is not human. It's not my voice, it's not Ddraig's, it's not from this world! Faintly I can still hear Koneko's screams of pain, but Freed's stupid laugh has died. He must be afraid too. Better for him. He doesn't have a clue what awaits him.

I snap at Diodora's arm and before he can react, he doesn't have it where it is supposed to be. I start chewing the whole arm, bones, clothes and all. The blood squirts violently from the wound. I gulp the soft mix of flesh, bone and cloth while not breaking eye contact with Diodora. Koneko's screams are muffled by his now.

Without thinking, I prepare myself for the Longinus Smasher. He wants power? He'll get power!

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

The launcher starts to come out of my chest and it pains me, like it's coming directly from my stomach, but I don't make a sound other than the enraged roars of a dragon.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

[Longinus Smasher!]

A deafening explosion. I can feel the grounds are starting to get sucked in by the enormous amount of red aura that emanates from the launcher.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

When the red light disappears, I can not see Diodora anywhere. Where did that fucker go?

Then I see a small puddle of blood where he stood, but everything else is completely nullified. The grounds, the castle, everything.

''Rias! Sing for me!''

The otherworldly voice comes from my mouth again. I must get out of this form. I can feel the strength of it getting the best of me. I must get out of it now!

''Rias! Do it, now!''

And I hear the song, like an answer, like a prayer. One that will definitely come true. Yes, Rias, sing for me! Asia, Kiba, Gasper, Xenovia, Ravel, Kuroka, everybody, sing for me!

''THERE IS AN OPPAI-LOVING DRAGON LIVING IN THE EDGE OF A CERTAIN COUNTRY
THE DRAGON GOES FOR A WALK WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD
DRAGON DRAGON OPPAI DRAGON
GROPE-GROPE SUCK-SUCK PAFU-PAFU
THERE ARE SO MANY TYPES OF OPPAI
BUT HE LIKES THE BIG ONES THE BEST
THE OPPAI DRAGON ALSO FLIES TODAY

IN AN EDGE OF A CERTAIN TOWN, THE OPPAI DRAGON WAS LAUGHING
EVEN IN A STORMY DAY, THE OPPAI DRAGON BECOMES HAPPY BY PRESSING OPPAI
DRAGON DRAGON OPPAI DRAGON
CLICK-CLICK ZOOM-ZOOM IYAAAN
HE HAS SEEN LOTS OF OPPAI, BUT HE LIKES BIG ONES THE BEST
OPPAI-DRAGON ALSO PUSHES TODAY''

Every time it's repeated, I feel calmer and calmer. After the tenth repeat I feel I am getting out of the armour, and everything is so light and nice.

Then I fall on the ground. The taste of snow in my mouth wakes me up immediately.

I check the place where I last saw Diodora again.

''This time I'll make sure you're gone forever, Diodora Astaroth.''

Then I run to where Rias and everyone else was before to see if Koneko's all right. When I come there, I see Asia is already healing Koneko, Kiba and Kuroka are holding Freed in their arms, who is staring at me, his eyes widened in absolute fear.

''You f-freak of nature! No, nature isn't like that! You are just a freak! This isn't happening, this can't be happening!''

''Shut up, you worthless piece of shit!''

The anger in my voice is so strong even his stupid mouth finally manages to close. I start morphing into my Balance Breaker armour again.

''Ise, no!''

''Don't worry, Rias, it's just Balance Breaker. Though I'd love to get all [Juggernaut Drive] over this bitch right here in front of me.''

''What are you planning to do?''

''Let him have a seat in that chair.''

I show at the chair that held Koneko captive not long ago. Asia has healed her, but she is still weak. I will see how she is after I finish Freed.

He doesn't move his eyes away from me for one second. All I can see in them is fear, and lots of it. Good.

As Kiba pushes him onto the chair and Kuroka chains him to it like Koneko was before, he is still looking at me, motionless.

''Now, everybody get away from the chair. Behind me, it will be safest there.''

I see Kuroka wants to say something, but she walks away just the same. They don't even dare to say no to me now. They just get behind me quietly.

''Freed Sellzen. How do you like the comforts of Devilsbane?''

''I-It's… Less c-comfortable than I thought.''

''Soon it will become the most comfortable thing you have ever sat on, believe me. Say your prayers, you worthless piece of shit. Nobody tortures my Koneko and gets away with it.''

He doesn't even try to negotiate with me. He knows all is lost for him.

[Mystic Nature Activate!]

The circle appears again. All orbs are in their places.

[Welsh Draconic Rook!]

Let's see what happens if I mix the orbs a little bit.

''You'll meet with your precious master now, Freed. I won't even say farewell to you, you don't deserve it.''

Which ones should I try to fuse? I know! Black orb, crimson orb, fusion!

[Black Cat Oblivion Strike! Crimson Ruin Absolute Destruction!]

[Fusion!]

[Crimson Absoute Oblivion Strike]

A bright flash of light that's neither crimson nor black erupts from my hand and engulfs Freed and Devilsbane inside it. I don't even hear the scream of the fucker. When the light disappears, there is nothing there but a small splinter and a few drops of blood.

I morph out of my armour and check Koneko. She can barely stand, that's how weak she is. Gasper is holding her so she doesn't fall. I pick her up in my embrace and start crying. Finally I am reunited with my love! When I pull away to look at her face again, she smiles at me weakly.

''… I… Knew you… Would… Come for me.''

''I will never let you out of my sight again, Koneko! I can't afford to lose you again!''

''Ise?''

Rias is worried about something.

''Yes, Rias?''

''Why… Why did you use [Juggernaut Drive]? And how come you're still alive?''

''Ddraig told me I should try.''

''You mustn't listen to the voices from your Sacred Gear! You know that!''

[Dear lady, I can hear everything! I only said he should try it because he is a third me, a third Great Red and a third Ophis! If I knew he wasn't strong enough to survive, I wouldn't say it to him!]

''I-I…''

I can see she is puzzled by the fact that Ddraig spoke directly to her.

''I am just afraid for him, sir.''

[You shouldn't worry. He had complete control over the form for the whole time. The only thing he didn't have control over is the devolvement to Balance Breaker. But nobody has that power.]

''I apologize.''

She bows her head in silent defeat. Then something occurs to me.

''Rias?''

''Yes, Ise?''

''How are we going to get back home?''

''Don't worry, we can use the magic circle. We couldn't use it to get here because i didn't know where exactly we want to go, but I know where your living room is, so it shouldn't be a problem.''

My mouth widens in a smile. That's amazing!

''And we should do it quickly. You're going to need some serious Bouchuujutsu to replenish your strength. Seeing that we have two Nekomatas capable of doing it, it shouldn't take too long, though.''

She winks at me. My mouth widen in a lecherous grin that is soon overtaken by the tired look in my eyes.

Before I know it, we're back in my house, Koneko soundly asleep in my arms.

''I think I have enough for a few days. I'll just go to sleep.''

I say that, say goodbye to everybody and go in my room with Koneko still in my arms and lay down in my bed and close my eyes, never letting go of Koneko not even for a second.

Everything else can wait. I need sleep now, and I need sleep with my Koneko. But most of all, I need peace. Hopefully the attacks and terrorists find another Devil to torture. I have had enough.

Hey guys! A double chapter due to last week's absence. A pity that this site doesn't give you an option to publish something at a later date, like most such sites do. Doesn't matter, though.

This is the end, my dear old friends. It's been a great pleasure writing this. To think it only started as a stupid idea back in August of last year. Thank you for all your support throughout the process, thank you for waiting over winter for me to write some more stuff, thank you to everyone who read this, commented on it, followed it, favourited it and so on. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I can't promise I'll write more DxD stories, but I'll probably write something completely different for a completely different category.

At the time of publishing, there have been 41.009 views to my story! That means at least 2158 different people read it, which I find amazing! 143 followers and 109 favourites also sound pretty nice. I am humbled. Again, thank you for keeping up with this one!