04x09 - The Deciding Battle of the Strongest Youth, Begins!

[bunniefuu]

[ISSEI] The president and

her mom have been acting

hella weird lately.

Not just them, but everyone.

Like they're expecting

something from me.

It's either one of two things.

The first is that I've somehow

hurt the prez's feelings

without realizing it because

I'm a total d*ck nugget,

or it could be something else.

And... if that's

the case, then...

[ISSEI] There are three guys

in the Gremory household.

The prez has always

cared about her family,

but something's off.

Like, she obviously

treats me differently

than the other dude-bros

in her service.

For starters, she really

digs the romance stuff

or whatever with me.

I mean, I don't think

girls typically offer

to ride you harder

than a carousel horse

if their feelings are just

indifferent, do they?

No, that only happens in p*rn...

and maybe those harem animes.

So taking her recent actions

into consideration,

could the president

have feelings for me?

Like, for real? There's no way.

She's the master of our house

and I'm just her servant!

We're both devils, sure,

but at the very most

I'm only a Pawn to her!

Literally!

But... what if she does love me?

And I'm in love with her, too.

Not just because

she's my master,

but also because I

love her as a woman.

After all this time...

I've seen so many sides of her.

Her brilliance,

her nobility,

her beauty,

her kindness,

her bangin' bod,

her stubborn temper...

Sometimes she's mature,

sometimes childish.

'Cause of all that, I started

to crush on her pretty hardcore.

She really is the ideal woman.

I'd love to kick things up a

notch and actually date her,

but is that even possible?

I wanna tell her how

I feel, but I'm scared.

[ISSEI]

I guess the real question is

does the prez actually

like me back?

What if I ask and I'm wrong?

It'll ruin everything.

I don't want things to change.

Damn, so what do I do?

This blows. Why do women

have to be so complicated?

[AKENO laughs]

[AKENO]

You don't know how you feel

and you're calling

us complicated?

[gasps]

[yelps, screams]

[ISSEI groans]

Ouch, my pride.

Uh, did you hear me?

Obvi.

[chuckles]

[ISSEI]

Yeah, well, looks like I suck at

thinking about the

president's feelings, huh?

[ANEKO]

Yes, you've sucked very hard.

But to be honest,

you haven't been thinking

about the feelings of any

women in the Gremory family,

including Asia,

Koneko, and myself.

[KONEKO sighs]

[ASIA]

Then again...

...we're just as guilty

because we haven't been trying

to understand what

you're going through.

[ISSEI]

Uh--what I'm going through?

Now it's your turn.

Uh--uh... See ya later, jacket.

Well, here's the thing, Issei.

I know Rias is very

important to you,

but if you're ever going to

be able to understand her

and what she needs, you'll

need to be healed first.

[AKENO giggles]

[AKENO] We're going to suck

out the power of your dragon

right here.

[ISSEI gasps]

Don't just stare.

Hold me already.

Huh? Uh...

I said hold me, Brainiac.

I'm going to perform healing

sage arts like I've done before.

[ISSEI] Oh! Uh, if you

feel anything move,

it's a compliment!

--[KONEKO] 'Kay. Here goes.

--[ISSEI gasping]

[ISSEI] Ohh, you're gonna

suck my finger off.

[ISSEI gasps]

U-Uh--huh?

[giggles]

I shall heal you as well.

Okay.

[AKENO sighs, giggles]

Sometimes you seem scared

when you look at us

and we could never

quite figure out why.

But now we finally understand.

Yes, except only the people who

were actually there that day

would be able to put

two and two together.

Please tell us the truth, Issei.

You're still hurting over

Raynare's betrayal, aren't you?

[ISSEI gasps]

Would you die for me?

[laughs]

Don't worry. That date was

everything I could want.

I was so bored,

I couldn't wait to k*ll you.

I love a man who takes control!

Where was this when

we were dating, huh?!

[RAYNARE gasps]

[RAYNARE]

Please, Issei, I need your help.

You'd never actually let those

devils hurt me, would you?

And I love you,

so won't you help me

defeat these scary devils?

If we do that, then you and I

can be together forever.

She was my very

first girlfriend...

...and she just k*lled me...

...and she k*lled Asia.

She lied to me.

She... used me.

And in the end, I... I...

truly hated that bitch, and...

[ISSEI sobs]

[ISSEI] I'm actually afraid

of something like that...

...happening again.

[gasps]

It's hard, 'cause

I love gozangas...

...but... they remind me of her!

[ISSEI sobs]

[ASIA] It's okay, Issei,

because I love you so much.

I wanna be with you forever.

[ISSEI]

Asia...

I admire you and yearn for you.

You're the most dependable

guy that I know.

I truly mean it when I say

I wanna be with you forever.

I can't imagine life

without you in it.

[ISSEI gasps]

I wouldn't worry

too much about Rias,

because I think it'd

be impossible for her

to really hate you.

After all, you always fight

harder and more passionately

for her than anyone else.

All of us in the Gremory

family are able to see that.

[ISSEI gasps]

Regardless of what

the future may hold,

I really do believe

you can overcome this.

You're a strong person.

You just have to believe

in yourself a little more.

[ISSEI crying]

--[AKENO giggles]

--[ISSEI gasps]

Exactly. Don't forget how

many of us love you, Issei.

Yeah, she's right, perv.

It's time to put the memory

of that fallen angel slut

into the f*ck-it bucket.

Such a lady.

Koneko's right, though.

So, from now on,

I'm the only fallen angel you

need haunting your memories.

We've got your back,

so just be confident.

Uh, sure. That makes sense.

The point is, we all

want to be closer to you

and lend our support

as much as we can.

You do?

Of course, silly.

That includes Rias, Xenovia,

Irina, Rossweisse, Kiba, Gasper,

and everyone else in

the Gremory family.

We all love you so much

and we want you to

succeed and be happy.

I wish you could see the

wonderful things we see

when we look at you.

You'll just have to trust us.

[ISSEI chuckles]

You're right, yeah.

You guys have always

been there for me.

And... I promise to

return the favor.

Let's stay together...

for the rest of our lives.

That way I can love you forever.

Please!

That sounds good to me.

I want to love you

forever, too, Issei.

Oh, my. This is a real pickle,

since I also want to

love you forever.

Speaking of pickles,

I'd like to claim the one

I'm currently sitting on.

Huh?!

--[door opens]

--[ISSEI gasping]

[XENOVIA]

Hey, Irina! Check this out!

[IRINA]

Huh?

They're in here chowing down

on Issei's man ham without us!

Yo! We want in on that

action, so make some room!

I've got dibs on the pork juice.

Uh, I dunno what I should do!

But I have to think

about Lord Michael,

and doing this would be

a big win for heaven!

[clears throat]

Okay, I'm goin' in,

so save me some of that

ham bone, Xenovia!

Whoa, ho, ho!

That's my lead singer

and his back-up vocalists

you're talking about,

and they are not meant

for consumption!

That's right, and I have

front row seats to the show!

Don't be greedy!

Concerts are a group event!

Okay then, I've got

dibs on the encore!

Yay sloppy seconds!

[ANEKO]

That's fine.

The real party is always

backstage, anyway.

Right, Koneko?

[KONEKO] I'd rather it be

a purr-ivate party. Meow!

[ALL yelp]

[ALL laugh]

[ISSEI]

It's weird.

Sometimes I feel like

I'll never understand

what chicks are thinking...

...but I'm so grateful.

Asia,

Akeno,

Koneko,

Xenovia,

Irina...

Thanks for telling me

what I needed to hear.

I'll try to see me

the way all of you do.

Maybe then I can

give the president

the answer she's looking for.

Maybe then... I can finally

tell her how I really feel.

[ISSEI] Whoa. This

place is legit as f*ck!

Yep, this is what the

floating city of Agares

looks like up close.

Originally, the Bael faction

wanted to have the game

in their domain,

but then Archduke

Agares intervened

between the Great Satan

and the Great King.

Blah, blah, blah. So the game

is being held here. We know.

Hold on, I just

thought of something.

Is our Rating Game supposed

to represent the battle

between the Great King Bael

and Great Satan Lucifer?

Well, there are some people

who would look at it that way,

so I guess, yeah.

Talk about reading into it.

Meanwhile, we're only

doing the Rating Game

because we wanna kick some ass.

[AZAZEL laughs]

Then that's all that

really matters.

I think it's a good idea

to just focus on the match.

Even if you lose,

none of it will affect Sir

Zech's political standing.

Although it would probably

make the politicians

backing the Great King

and Sairaorg pretty happy,

but try not to worry about that.

[ISSEI]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised

about how much politics

come into play.

[AZAZEL]

True.

What took you guys so long?

[RAVEL]

The match isn't scheduled

to begin until nightfall,

so until then,

they've asked you to wait

in your designated room

next to the venue.

[ALL gasp]

[AZAZEL] Well, if it isn't

the god who rules over the dead

of the Netherworld.

Hello, Sir Hades.

What brings such an avid

devil and angel hater

such as yourself here?

[laughs]

I can't help it.

You crows have been

squawking so incessantly,

I had to see what all

the noise was about.

It's nice to see

the Welsh Dragon.

I will admit that

I miss watching you

and the Vanishing Dragon

run wild in the depths of hell.

It gets rather dull without you.

At least tonight's match

should be entertaining.

[SIR HADES]

Do me favor and try not to die.

[SIR HADES] I don't want

to have to reap your souls.

[ISSEI] Putting the crazy

Skeletor doppelganger aside,

I'm actually kinda

surprised that Lord Zeus

and Lord Poseidon

are gonna be there.

I'm not. That's how much

attention this game is getting.

--[door opens]

--[RISER] Excuse me.

Hello. I'm here for the match.

--[ISSEI gasps]

--[RIAS gasps]

[ISSEI]

Whoa! Riser?!

Big brother?

You must be excited.

Your match today is

garnering the same attention

as a professional one.

Hopefully you'll be able to

show off your strength here.

It would certainly

make a strong point.

I'm more nervous than excited,

since I'm not as talented

as Sona in battle tactics,

nor am I as powerful

as Lord Sairaorg.

All I have is a

wonderful family.

Battle tactics and strength

are all well and good,

but they're both something

that anyone can gain

with enough experience

and effort.

And more importantly,

someone who has a natural talent

for finding and gathering

skilled individuals is special.

I honestly believe it's

that particular ability

which has given you

the wonderful family

you're so quick to

boast about, Rias.

Perhaps, but they could also

be here just because of Issei.

You're the one who recruited

the Red Dragon Emperor,

so it's still because of you.

Take a look around.

--[footsteps]

--[gasps]

[RISER] See? These people

are here to support you

because you all share something.

Believe in their strength.

[gasps]

[RISER]

Hm.

I should go.

[RISER]

Oh, and Red Dragon.

Huh?

[RISER] I've never

forgotten the way it felt

when you punched me

during our game.

Know that I intend

to return the favor.

But I can't do that

until you win this match

and come up to the

professional league.

Right! Don't you worry.

Next time we battle, I'm gonna

wipe the floor with you.

Also, you'd better watch

over my little sister.

If you make her cry,

I will roast you alive

and serve you for dinner.

Eyes on the mini

babe. You got it!

Uh, excuse me!

He's not my keeper!

[OTHERS laugh]

Oh, that's right.

I'm supposed to give you

a message from Sir Zechs.

He said he needed a

moment of your time.

Huh?

[SIR ZECHS]

Thank you for coming.

Your fans sent you

a little something

that I wanted you to see.

Really? They did? So what is it?

Go on and take a

look for yourself.

I hope you win the game,

Grabbin' Dragon,

and good luck out there!

[ALL]

We love you!

--Mr. Grabbin' Dragon

--Kapow!

--you're the coolest!

--Take that!

--Boop, boop, go!

--Summon Tig Ol' Bitties! Yay!

[laughs]

Balance break! Yeah!

Do your best today!

I'll be cheering you on as

loud as I can from home, okay?

I hope you win! [laughs]

This is what I

wanted to show you.

Children from all

over the Underworld

will be watching tonight.

They admire you, Issei.

No matter what,

there will always be adult

politics in these games.

That's how matches

have always been.

Even so, I'd like to be so

bold as to ask you a favor.

If at all possible,

can you please fight

for the dreams

of these children?

And while it's important

to protect their dreams,

I hope you'll fight just

as hard to protect your own.

Yeah, of course I will.

Because after all,

I am the Grabbin' Dragon!

[CROWD cheering, applauding]

I'm too nervous to go out there.

[KONEKO]

Don't freak.

If you do, just imagine the

audience buck naked or whatevs.

Hey, Xenovia, is it true

that Irina is leading

a cheer squad for us?

Totally.

I think she's set up a small

group over in the fan section

of the special Grabbin'

Dragon seating area.

[NAUD]

Coming in from the East Gate,

may I present the

Sairaorg Bael team!

[CROWD cheering]

[NAUD] And coming in

from the West Gate,

may I present the

Rias Gremory team!

Before we go out there,

I just want to thank

each and everyone of you

for being a part of

my precious family.

Is everyone ready?

Let's show them

what we're made of!

[ALL]

Right!

[CROWD cheering]

[NAUD] How is everybody

doing this fine evening?

I'm Naud Gamigin,

your MC for tonight!

I'd like to take a moment

to present the

arbiter for the game.

Give it up for

Rudiger Rosenkreutz!

We also have a few

special guests.

Welcome one of

our commentators.

You know him as the

Governor-General

of the Fallen Angels.

It's Azazel!

--[ISSEI] Huh?!

--[AKENO, RIAS gasp]

Achtung, darlings!

We also have with us

the current champion

of the Rating Game. It's...

...Diehauser Belial!

[CROWD cheering]

Let's discuss the

rules, shall we?

Tonight we'll be utilizing

a popular variant item.

Behold, a Dice Figure Game!

At this time I'd like to invite

the Kings from each team

to step up to the special

platform, please.

For those not familiar

with the Dice Game,

I will take this moment

to go over the rules

of how this will work.

For each round, the Kings will

use a normal six-sided die.

Both Kings will then roll

their individual die

and the resulting

total of both numbers

will decide the

members of the match.

For example, if the numbers

rolled are equal to eight,

each team may send out

members that add up

to that specific number.

The value of each player

depends on what sort of

evil piece they consist of.

Pawns are one point,

Knights and Bishops

are three points,

Rooks are five points,

and Queens are

equal to nine points.

Multiple players may

be chosen for the match,

so in the case of eight points,

the King may send out

two Knights to participate,

or it's also

considered acceptable

to mix and match

your evil pieces,

so you could also send

out a five-point Rook

or a three-point

Knight to fight.

The number of evil pieces

used for a family member

is also taken into

account for calculating

who to send into battle.

For instance, Issei

Hyodo is made up of

eight pawn pieces,

so he has a point value

equal to the number eight.

But remember, you

are not permitted

to send out the same

piece consecutively,

so choose carefully, my pets.

And of course, we mustn't

forget about the Kings.

Like normal, the game will

end if the King is defeated,

and so, after taking

all of the above factors

into consideration,

the review board has decided

what the point value will be

for each the two Kings.

All right, my dears,

hold onto your hats,

because we are about to

announce those numbers!

Sairaorg Bael will

be worth points!

Rias Gremory will be

worth eight points!

--[CROWD gasps]

--Now, now,

Lord Sairaorg may have

a higher point value,

but that also means he

cannot participate in a match

without a maximum roll of ,

so that could work to

Rias Gremory's advantage!

The last rule is

regarding phoenix tears!

Thanks to the Phoenix family,

each team will have

one vial available to use

at any time during the game.

Great, meaning we have to

prepare for the possibility

of defeating Sairaorg

not once, but twice.

Balls.

[NAUD]

Enough, my blood-thirsty rubes!

Let's get started.

The match begins now.

Lord Sairaorg Bael and

Princess Rias Gremory...

...let's get ready to rumble!

[CROWD cheering]

[RUDIGER] It's time to

decide the first match.

Kings, please pick up your die.

Let's roll!

[NAUD]

Rias Gremory has rolled a two!

Sairaorg Bael has rolled a one!

The total is three.

Since the value of the pawns

on each side is too high,

only a Bishop or a

Knight may be chosen

to participate in

the first round.

Now the question is whom

will each family choose

to send out for

this opening match?

[RUDIGER]

You have five minutes to plan.

Please choose your champion

within that time frame.

[IRINA]

This is it.

I wonder who they'll

choose to go first?

[RUDIGER] The five-minute

time limit is nearly up.

[ISSEI]

Kiba!

It's all up to you,

so go kick some A.

I'm planning on it.

[ISSEI chuckles]

[KIBA]

Hm.

[NAUD] It looks like the

participants from each team

are now entering the

designated battle field.

The Gremory family has chosen

the Noble of God-like Speed,

the Knight of Princess Rias!

Give it up for Kiba Yuto!

[CROWD cheering]

Finally, the game's

about to begin.

♪

[ISSEI] "As a Family

Member of Rias Gremory."