"" - Speech

'' - Thought

[] - Sacred Gear/ Communication/ Dragons

...

"[Rook], Isabella. I am the weakest and the least experienced member of Rias Gremory-sama's group. But still I will defeat you!" Issei spoke seriously as he looked at the mask wearing [Rook].

The Thought Projection of Merlin rose an eyebrow at Issei's declaration, surprised that the brunet could be so eloquent before the camera panned with the turning of both combatants to see Karlamine's flame covered sword cut through by Kiba's, the brunette smirking as she spoke "Unfortunately, your [Sacred Gear] won't work on me."

Kiba didn't seem bothered by what had happened, smirking back as he retorted "Then I will also tell you this. Unfortunately, this isn't everything of my [Sacred Gear]."

"What? Nonsense! [Knight] of Gremory. Its unsightly for a knight to..." Karlamine started to speak annoyed as Kiba simply held his sword in front of him and uttered "...Freeze."

His sword started to change before settling as a blade of ice which he held in front of himself as he spoke "In front of this sword, [Flame Delete], all types of fire will disappear."

[Idiot. Why didn't he use that sword in the first place?] Tiamat grumbled unimpressed, Merlin mentally agreeing as he added 'It's stupid of him to waste time showing off like that.'

Those on the battlefield aside from Kiba had a shocked expression, Merlin was pretty sure he knew what the blond's [Sacred Gear] was as Karlamine spluttered out "Absurd! Are you telling me that you have two [Sacred Gears]!?"

The brunette [Knight] swung her sword to the side with an impatient look before moving to attack only for her sword to start freezing over as soon as it touched Kiba's blade, forcing her to throw away her sword once the blade shattered. Next she pulled a long knife from her hip, holding it above her head with both hands as she shouted "We are the members of the all mighty house of Phenex, who rule over fire and wind! Taste it! The whirlwind of fire!"

Karlamine's attack swirled around the baseball court with Karlamine and Kiba in the middle of it.

"That Karlamine! Has she forgotten that her allies are here as well!?" Isabella commented, while using her arm to guard her face. Kiba's sword started to melt after receiving the wind enhanced fire. Even so, Kiba still didn't seem to be bothered as he spoke "I see... You are trying to burn us with the whirlwind of fire...But..."

Kiba put his blade-less sword in front of him, a look of concentration briefly crossed his face before he uttered "...Stop."

The wind around him started to be sucked into the hilt with a loud noise. The wind stopping and the baseball court becoming silent as a new sword formed in his grasp as he spoke "...'Replenish Calm'. Its been a while since I last showed more than two demonic swords for one battle."

The sword he held was unique looking and had a mysterious whirlwind in the middle of the blade.

"Multiple [Sacred Gears]. Are you a [Sacred Gear] possessor who takes the weapons of other [Sacred Gear] users and make it their own?" Karlamine questioned, Kiba shaking his head as he answered "I don't have multiple [Sacred Gears]. I also don't take the [Sacred Gears] of others and make them my own. I created it."

"Created it!?" Karlamine asked shocked, Kiba nodding as he explained "Yes. [Sword Birth]. I can make demonic swords. That is the name of my [Sacred Gear] and its true ability."

Kiba placed a hand downwards before swords of different styles and shapes burst out from the ground.

[Boost!] Issei's [Boosted Gear] called, doubling his power and drawing the attention of some of the audience back to him as he smirked before calling out "Boosted Gear! Explode!"

[Explosion!] With the second call from the gauntlet, Issei started to move his arms across before putting them together in front of him before shouting out the name of his attack "Dragon Shot!"

A block of magical energy shot from his hands, forcing him back because of the power contained inside of it. The attack was huge, about five times larger then Issei himself, as it shot towards Isabella who seemed ready to take the attack head on before Karlamine shouted "Isabella! Don't take it! Dodge!"

[It's surprising to see someone with so little magic power be able to launch something like that.] Tiamat mused as Isabella changed her tactic as she moved to evade the attack, just dodging it as the block of demonic power exploded on the tennis courts, the backlash of the attack blasting wind back at them.

'Maybe it would be worth the effort to gain a jewel from him' Merlin thought, imagination what he could do with a power amplifier incorporated into his [Sacred Gear] or one of his projects.

"Isabella! Defeat that [Pawn]! That boy! That [Sacred Gear] has the power to change the outcome of the battle!" Ravel commanded, Isabella locking onto Issei before seriously speaking "Affirmative! [Boosted Gear]. It will become a big problem if we allow him to use [Promotion]! I will take him down before that happens!"

The masked [Rook] quickly closed the distance between herself and Issei, throwing punches and kicks at him before getting hit by a left punch from the brunet and sent flying back despite having guarded against it. Issei smirked before clicking his fingers as he spoke "Burst! Dress Break!"

...

"I can't believe how effective that is." Lucy muttered shocked, watching Issei's second [Dragon Shot] take out the young woman who was covering herself, forcing her to retire.

[Reset] Issei's gauntlet called as the [Boosted Gear's] power ended as Grayfia declared [Riser Phenex's [Rook] retired.]

"Hell yeah!" Issei cheered victoriously, pumping his arm into the air before starting to pant tiredly.

"Impressive if not unorthodox method to win." Erza mused, commenting on how Issei had won.

"Apparently both Isabella and I have been taking that [Pawn] and [Sacred Gear] lightly. Just like I thought, I shouldn't take him as an ordinary [Pawn]." Karlamine spoke with a smirk, causing Issei to look surprised at the compliment from one of the enemy before the swordswoman added, "But it's an awful attack. No, I should say its a scary attack... b-blowing away a woman's clothing."

"Yeah, I'm truly sorry. I will apologise as well. I'm sorry for our Ise-kun being a lecher." Kiba apologised quickly, Karlamine still holding her short sword as she turned her attention back to her opponent and spoke "But a demonic-sword wielder... What fortune. I may have a destiny of meeting swordsmen who wield magical swords."

Kiba looked interested at hearing that as he asked "Hmm, so there is someone besides me who use demonic swords?"

"No, it wasn't a demonic sword. It was a holy sword." Karlamine answered. Everyone easily noticed how Kiba's expression changed from hearing that, the killing intent from the blond surprising everyone as Merlin frowned and wondered why he hated holy swords as Erza commented "Hmm, that Kiba is letting his anger get the better of him."

"Something bad must have happened if just mentioning a 'holy sword' caused him to act like that." Lisanna added with a concerned frown.

"Tell me about that holy sword wielder." Kiba asked darkly, Karlamine raising an eyebrow as she replied "Hmm, seems like that swordsman has some connection with you. But since we are swordsmen, talking would be rude. I will answer you with my sword."

"...Is that right..? If your mouth can move then leaving you on the verge of death with be okay." Kiba muttered to himself, the killing intent from both of them intense while Issei loked worried for his ally as the others from Riser's peerage arrived.

"So, it's here."

"Huh? Where's Isabella-neesan?"

"Don't tell me she was defeated?" Were the thoughts voiced as Ni, Li, Mihae and Siris arrived on the scene, making this where the remaining members of Riser's peerage were going to battle. The [Queens] were still fighting in the skies while Rias and Asia hadn't been seen recently.

"Hey. The [Pawn]-kun over there." Siris spoke drawing Issei's attention as she continued "Riser-sama said he's going to fight your princess. See there."

She signalled high into the sky and Merlin switched the screen to show Rias and Riser exchanging magic attacks in the air. The latter didn't look even slightly out of breathe while Rias was starting to get tired from the amount of magic she'd been using in her attacks at her opponent.

Merlin changed the screen back to the previous group, showing Ni and Li in battle stances before Issei as Ravel spoke "They are female beast warriors. Their hand to hand combat is remarkable, you know?"

"Catgirls exist?" Lisanna asked surprised, Merlin nodding as Ni and Li charged forwards to face Issei, the brunet taking a strike to the stomach and the head from them before getting blows over the rest of his body before Issei reacted "Boosted Gear!"

[Boost!] Ravel's eyes narrowed at hearing the [Sacred Gear's] call before turning to Ni and Li as she spoke "Ni! Li! [Boosted Gear] is a [Sacred Gear] that doubles the power every 10 seconds! From how the chainsaw twins, Nel and Ile, were defeated you won't be able to take him after he gets his third boost! Finish the fight in less then 30 seconds. Due to his [Sacred Gear's] ability, he can't fight when he increases his boosts! He will just run away! Aim for his legs! Also don't touch his hands! That person has a shameless move that blows away clothes by touching his opponents!"

"That's a good plan." Erza commented with a nod, watching as both cat girls looked scared upon hearing about Issei's [Dress Break] before starting to rain blows onto Issei's legs and eventually causing him to drop after he took a blow to his face. Kiba murmured to himself something inaudible as he tried to defeat Karlamine quicker so he could go help the brunet.

"Karlamine! Hold it for another ten seconds! I know you can't win against that [Knight] but we will be able to defeat the dragon user shortly! So, keep that [Knight] busy!" Ravel commanded before chortling as she watched Issei getting beaten while explosions of magic was going off above them from the two [Kings] clashing.

"Give me strength! [Boosted Gear!]" Issei shouted, thrusting his Sacred Gear into the air from his kneeling position and hoping for it to answer him.

[Dragon Booster!]

"More! That time it was Asia! Now its Buchou! Answer my feelings! [Boosted Gear!]" Issei added seriously.

[Dragon Booster Second Liberation!] The gauntlet roared as it took on a new form, Merlin raising an eyebrow in surprise as he was curious to see what Issei's new power would be.

"Kiba!" Issei shouted as he pulled himself back to his feet and managed to run over to the [Knight] as he spoke "Release your [Sacred Gear]."

Kiba looked confused before complying as he stuck his sword into the ground as he shouted "[Sword Birth!]"

With Kiba's shout, dozens of demonic swords erupted from the ground as Issei smirked as he shouted "[Boosted Gear!] The second ability!"

[Transfer!] The call signalled a large rumble through the area before all of the sports court became a sea of swords, each as unique as the next as Merlin's eyes widened as he thought 'Well looks like he's able to handle that power now.'

"Heh, looks like that pretty boy has more swords then Erza does." Gray commented before Erza shot him a glare before focusing back on the screen. Swords had pierced the remaining members of Riser's peerage aside from Ravel who was flying above them with her flaming wings.

[Riser Phenex-sama's 2 [Pawns], 2 [Knights] and 1 [Bishop] retired.] Grayfia spoke coolly, drawing a cheer from Issei, "Yes!"

Kiba looked around surprised at what had happened from their [Sacred Gears] working together as he spoke "Ise-kun. I'm surprised. This power..."

"Yeah Kiba. I used the gauntlet to strengthen yours..." Issei started to explain before both froze in surprise as Grayfia announced [Rias Gremory-sama's [Queen] retires.]

"What!?" Both Kiba and Issei spoke in surprise. Merlin was pretty sure Phoenix Tears were involved, despite how it made things slightly unfair even if Asia's [Sacred Gear] balanced things out somewhat. He glanced around to see everyone enthralled with the match before his attention shifted back to see the explosion cover Kiba along with the roar of sound, leaving Issei looking shocked at his ally's body soon being covered in light.

[Rias Gremory-sama's [Knight] retires.] Grayfia announced as the sea of swords around the [Pawn] started to crumble with their wielder having disappeared from the battlefield. Issei turned to see Yubelluna flying there without a single wound on her body as she smirked and spoke "The [Knight] eliminated."

"Were you the one who did in Kiba and Akeno-san!?" Issei shouted angrily as he continued "Come down here! Akeno-san! Koneko-chan! And Kiba! I'll avenge them! Come down! I will take you down with my [Sacred Gear] so come down!"

[Idiot... He hasn't got the power to stand up to her.] Tiamat muttered as Issei tried to provoke Yubelluna, only getting a grin from her before she flew towards the school rooftop.

Issei tried to stop her only to fall over on weakened legs, groaning as he tried to pull himself back to his feet. Taking a few moments to pool his strength before picking himself up to pursue her.

"Are you still going to continue to fight?" Ravel asked curiously as she flew above Issei, who quickly slipped into a fighting stance before she added "I'm not going to fight anymore. Because no matter how you think about it; it's your group's loss."

"Shut up! Neither me or Buchou have fallen yet." Issei retorted, Ravel scoffing as she retorted "The power of the dragon earlier. It certainly was something tremendous. To transfer the power you boosted to the person. I think its an abnormal power and thinking of Rias-sama's Power of Destruction and "Lightning Priestess" power's rising scares me. That power would be a threat to High Class Devils in the Rating Games in the future. But it's your group's loss for this battle."

"...Is it because Phenex is immortal?" Issei asked with clenched teeth, Ravel nodding as she explained "That's part of it but also because you and Rias-sama barely have any stamina left. Isn't it? Even if you can heal any wounds, you can't heal stamina. In this situation you will lose because you will get even more worn out. Also..."

Ravel pulled a small vial from her dress, showing it to Issei as she asked "Tears of a phoenix. Have you heard of it? This is it. Our tears can heal all types of injuries... Oh, and don't say its cheating... Your group also has a person who possesses the [Twilight Healing]."

Issei closed his mouth as any retort was cut off by Ravel's point about Asia before thinking of another one as Ravel continued regardless in a proud tone, "And it is even in the rule book that "Only two people participating in the Rating Game can use it". It was restricted because it was too powerful. Well that would be natural. In our case we gave it to our [Queen]. That's why our [Queen] was able to defeat the "Lightning Priestess". Also our tears are sold for high prices. Thanks to that, the house of Phenex is very wealthy. Only good things happened since the game was created. Immortality and tears. It is our age."

Ravel blinked as she turned her focus back onto Issei only to see him walking away from her at a sluggish pace before she blurted out outraged "Ho...Hold on! Are you ignoring me!? You are going to lose anyway so it's safe to stay here with me!?"

"Shut up. Just talk to yourself, bird-girl. If you get close to me I will strip you naked." Issei threatened, Ravel making a defensive stance before Issei turned and entered the school.

...

Issei arrived at the roof of the school soon after managing to promote himself to [Queen] as soon as he got inside the enemy base. The two [Kings] were still fighting with Asia a safe distance away from Rias watching.

"Buchouuu! Hyoudou Issei has appeared!" Issei spoke loudly so they could all hear and getting the gazes of everyone onto him.

"Ise!" "Ise-san!" Rias and Asia made a shout of joy at seeing him.

"The dragon brat, huh? Ravel, did she let him pass?" Riser retorted before Yubelluna landed next to him as she spoke "Riser-sama. Should I take care of the [Pawn] boy and the [Bishop] girl? Also the power of the [Pawn] boy could be troublesome. His ability to get rid of what their opponents wear..."

Riser stopped his [Queen] who stepped forward with his hand as he retorted "It would be troublesome if he gets rid of the flame that covers my body? I wonder about that. From that ability and from Rias' [Pawn's] personality, it probably only has an effect on women. If he was like my sister's [Bishop] then I'd have something to worry about... I will be their opponent. Then they will also be convinced."

"Don't mess around Riser!" Rias shouted angered, firing off her magic ball at Riser's face, who didn't even attempt to dodge it.

The [Thought Projection] of Merlin frowned as he caught the looks of others directed to him as Reina quietly explained to her parents "Riser-nii insisted on seeing if Merlin-kun was strong enough and he defeated all of Riser's peerage in several spars."

[Heh, looks like you'll have more eyes on you now.] Tiamat spoke amused, [Let's just hope they don't try and draft you onto making more [Artifical Sacred Gears].]

'Well, all attempts to make one with a different power source break after their first use and I'm not going to use your jewels beyond the other two I was going to work on.' Merlin thought back to her as he focused on the screen where Riser had perfectly regenerated from his injury.

"Rias, resign. You will make your Otou-san and Sirzechs-sama who are watching from another place look bad. You have no more choices. Everyone already has foreseen this outcome. It's checkmate, Rias." Riser spoke in a knowing tone only to get Rias just glaring back at him.

"Shut your mouth, Riser! I won't give up! They knew the outcome? I have no more choices? Me, the [King], is still active you know?" Rias shot back with a fearless laugh.

"Asia!" Issei called, beckoning her over so she could heal his wounds along with Rias' before he spoke "Asia, stay back after you heal us, if Asia stays back then you can heal me and Buchou. You are like our lifeline."

Asia seemed sad but understanding of her role as she stepped back before screaming "Kyaaa!"

Merlin's eyes widened as he saw that Asia's foot was trapped on a familiar magic circle. It was a spell he had used against Yubelluna in a one-on-one spar to stick her in one spot and seal off most of her magic power although he could tell this copy was a weaker version then his own and didn't seal off her power from what symbols he could read.

"Sorry about that. It would make you guys seem pathetic if it takes too long. I could have taken that girl down but... I just made sure you guys can't heal any more. That magic circle can only be unsealed if my [Queen] is defeated." Riser said plainly. Yubelluna had her hand forward, her fingers spread and glowing to maintain the magic circle unlike Merlin's own version which had a time limit unless he actively fed it more magic.

Issei cursed under his breathe before speaking to Rias "Buchou, the battle continues, right?"

"Yes, it does." Rias spoke with a nod, sounding determined which was admirable in the situation as Issei spoke with a grin "But only me, Buchou and Asia are left. And Asia is captured. He on the other hand is immortal. He also has two servants as well. The situation is the worst. But I won't give up. I'm dumb so I don't know anything about 'foreseen' or 'checkmate'. But I can still fight. I can continue fighting as long as I can move my hand!"

"Well said! Ise, let's defeat Riser together."

"Yes Buchou!"

"Let's go!"

Issei's body seemed to fall to the ground at that, his time limit long since passed as he vomited up blood as Riser spoke to him "The [Boosted Gear's] ability exhausts the possessor more then you can expect. Doubling your power is something very abnormal. The burden it puts on the body is several times higher than the ordinary [Sacred Gear]. You have been running around the battlefield, fighting my servants and continued using the [Boosted Gear]. Rias' [Pawn], you already reached your limit a long time ago."

Issei ignored him as he pulled himself back to his feet despite his pain, Rias looking sadly at him as Tiamat spoke up [Certainly stubborn, isn't he?]

'Well, this is their fight for freedom. Giving up now would just make things worse especially as the system of the Rating Game hasn't taken him away already.' Merlin thought back with a frown, wondering why he hadn't been retired.

"Buchou, let's go." The [Pawn] spoke as he went running towards Riser, each time getting knocked back to the ground only to force himself back up again and again.

Rias gently whispered something into Issei's ear as she hugged him, but Issei was still trying to get up again, his eyes hollow and his mouth open as he staggered out of her grip and onto his feet. Rias gasped as she realised that he was already unconscious as she spoke "...You...Even though you are in this state..."

Tears dropped from her eyes as she put a hand to his swollen check before muttering "You dummy."

She hugged him once more, stopping Issei from trying to move forwards before adding "Good job, Ise. Thank you Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, Asia and... Ise. Thank you for fighting for someone worthless like myself."

"It's my loss. I resign." Rias called, Sona, Merlin and several others looking to the ground in sadness as Merlin stated to come up with a counter plan.

...

"I-I suppose in the end its too hard to beat someone with regeneration." Lucy spoke a little teary eyed at the ending of the Rating Game. She was leaning into Merlin's side as he dismissed the [Archive Magic] screen.

"You do have a plan to help her, don't you?" Lisanna asked hopefully, Lucy soon looking at him in the same way as he spoke "I'm working on something but truthfully, I can't be open about it due to one of my bosses' being his little sister."

"Can you at least tell us how it is resolved then, Merlin-kun?" Levy asked hopefully, Merlin offering her a slight smile as he replied "I will but I can't guarantee a happy ending, even with my help."

"That's fine. At least you'll have tried your best to help." Erza spoke with a resolute nod.

...

The next couple days passed by relatively quickly as Merlin prepared his plan, his gaze currently looking at the purple jewel he had got from [Chaos Cannon] and had Tiamat modify. Tucking the jewel into the inside pocket of his tuxedo, the Magician closed his eyes in concentration before using [Thought Projection] to create a duplicate that would attend the engagement party for the first part.

"Merlin-kun, are you ready!?" Aya called from outside, Merlin nodding to his [Thought Projection] who smirked back before leaving the room only to see ginger haired beauty dressed in her Kuoh Academy uniform.

"Yeah, I am. Are we meeting the others there?" The [Thought Projection] asked curiously, Aya nodding as she explained "Reina-sama wants us to meet at the Phenex Manor first so we can properly get ready."

Merlin smiled once his copy and Aya had transported away before taking a moment to ensure Grayfia had left the Hyoudou residence before activating his own magic circle under his feet to take him to Issei's house so he can put his plan into action.

...

Appearing in Issei's room, Merlin caught the brunet's surprise as he looked from where he stood to where the Magician assumed Grayfia had left from before asking "What are you doing here, Tsunagi?"

"I'm here to offer a little help." Merlin answered pulling the purple jewel from his pocket as he added "In return though, I'd like a jewel from the [Boosted Gear]."

"What is it?" Issei asked warily, Merlin pleased that he was using his brain as he explained "This is a jewel from the [Chaos Cannon], Tiamat's [Sacred Gear]. Within it houses a portion of her power, part of which is known as the [Universal Affinity] which means you could wield any element with enough practice."

[How do we know its not a trap?] Ddraig spoke up from Issei, surprising him as Tiamat retorted with a snort [My partner convinced me of the advantage of this deal, Ddraig. You are the one who broke my treasure, so you should be the one who shouldn't be trusted.]

[I-I don't know how it happened.] Ddraig grumbled back, Issei looking confused before asking "Should I take this deal, Ddraig?"

[As much as I loath to admit it... Tiamat's power would only aid your plan and would probably enhance the time limit you will have.] Ddraig replied with a huff, [I'll prepare the jewel.]

"I'll accept it then." Issei spoke with a nod, Merlin handing it to him as he added "Just press that jewel against the [Boosted Gear's] one and it'll absorb into it based on your willpower."

Activating the [Boosted Gear] Issei was surprised as the upper jewel of his gauntlet fell out as Ddriag spoke [It's done.]

"Thank you." Merlin replied, levitating it towards himself before looking it over. He summoned the [Chaos Cannon] to his other hand before flicking the hand cannon to open a revolver styled chamber which he put the green jewel into it before clicking the chamber back into place. As he was doing this Issei put the purple jewel into the now empty spot of his [Boosted Gear] and waited for something to happen.

A surge of power and light flared from both [Sacred Gears] as they incorporated the jewel from their counterpart, Issei looking amazed while Merlin smiled pleased. A few moments passed before the two dragons within them declared.

[Welsh Dragon's power taken!]

[Chaos Karma Dragon's power taken!]

"And that's that." Merlin spoke with a sigh, looking over the [Chaos Cannon] to see if it showed any changes only to spot none before he dismissed it and turned his focus onto the [Boosted Gear].

At first glance it looked unchanged, the upper jewel turning green to match what had originally been there but as Issei turned over the gauntlet the change was obvious as now embedded on his palm was another green jewel that didn't hinder the movement of his hand in any way.

"Cool. I've got a repulser like Ironman." Issei spoke with a grin amazed at the slight change in his [Sacred Gear].

"If they ask, just say its an upgrade cause of your imagination." Merlin pointed out, "It's best they don't know you have a portion of Tiamat's power given one of my [Kings] is the sister of the guy you want to fight."

"Right." Issei spoke with a nod, turning as the door opened to reveal Asia holding a closed box "Issei-san I brought what you asked for."

"Thanks Asia." Issei replied, accepting the box before turning to see Merlin had disappeared.

...

Author's Note

I know its been an age since I've updated this so sorry for the wait with this. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well as the changes that I've included.