Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Just as I expected, Fire Force caught Ravel's attention. An entire series and a host of characters, some more powerful than others, using only fire? It was incredible for a devil with fire as her main trait.
Shinra and Sho's fight was still incredible to watch at any point. Ravel and Bella both looked incredulous, and I didn't blame them; stopping time by manipulating fire was downright unreal.
We had to take several breaks because, in total, it took over 30 hours to watch the entire series. But to my surprise, Ravel didn't want to stop. So we watched the entire series. I had to give Ravel one of the special rings so she could use the Feruchemical Bronze to alleviate her sleepiness.
Luckily, The Company had the full anime version. So, we got to see the entire final arc. Shinra ascended to heaven and stopped the cursed moon from falling. Arthur's fight against Dragon and cutting the planet in half. Benimaru stopping his doppelganger, And finally, Shinrabanshou -Man.
"That... wow... I didn't know people could be that strong," Ravel murmured. "I mean. There are the Satans, the gods, and Great-Red. But what Shinra did at the end while he was fused was... simply incredible. Creating a new world, reviving all the dead, creating a god, and altering the concept of death... it's all on another level." Ravel said, entranced. Bella was also staring at the screen, her eyes sparkling.
"So? What did you think of Benimaru? Or which one do you want?" I asked excitedly. Ravel blinked and looked at me.
" Shinra." Ravel said immediately. I blinked a couple of times.
" Shinra?" I asked, confused. Ravel nodded shyly.
"There are many who are just as strong, like Arthur, Benimaru, Dragon, and others with the Adolla Burst, but Shinra … he's cool." Ravel said shyly. I blinked a few times before bursting out laughing.
"If that's what you want, sure." I said playfully. Ravel blushed slightly, but nodded. "Okay, now let's look at the rest of the characters for abilities. Yamamoto is at the top, but we should also check out some others, like Natsu Dragneel!" I said excitedly.
Then, I started showing her the characters and their abilities. There wasn't time to show her the entire series for some of them, even if I wanted to. So I just took care to show her everything she needed. Luckily, The Company's ability compilation videos helped with that.
We started with Yamamoto, as I mentioned, and then moved on to everyone else. There were a lot of fire manipulators. So many that it was almost impossible to count them quickly. We went through at least 20 of them. However, I admit some of them just aren't up to par. At least not at the level Ravel can achieve on her own if she trains properly.
" Hmm, the power of dragon-slaying magic is interesting, but only because of its applications. The ability to 'eat' fire and the magic being inherently strong against dragons can certainly come in handy, but… you're right, Yamamoto Genryuusai is the strongest by far." Ravel said while frowning adorably in thought.
"Not counting that Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force," Bella said dryly.
"Yes, but cosmic pyrokinesis is only part of her powers. She's primarily a telepath," I replied. Bella hummed lightly.
"And you said… we could get more powers later? Like… those fire jutsus?" Ravel asked. I nodded.
"I mean, we just need some way to get access to the Chakra and some kind of basic training to go from there, so that would be it," easy. Still, we definitely wouldn't be able to access special abilities like Amaterasu and other unique skills. Maybe we can cheat a little later. But templates are definitely the easiest." I said. Ravel wrinkled her nose.
"We'd just have to get their eyes, wouldn't we?" Ravel asked simply, my eyes widening slightly before I laughed playfully.
"Yeah, we'd just have to do that if you want," I said playfully.
"So... you said we could buy items with the phone... are the eyes included?" Ravel asked slowly. I stopped. That...
"...I have no idea," I said honestly. I pulled out my phone, Ravel and Bella crowded behind me. I quickly found what I was looking for.
"Yes, they're all there," Bella said playfully. And just as she'd said, all the eyes were available for purchase. The most curious thing was that they were really cheap. 20 credits for each pair of normal eyes with only the Sharingan unlocked. 50 for eyes with the Magenkyou unlocked. But it made sense.
Most ninjas essentially started as T4, while elite ninjas mainly were T5. Those at Kage or Jinchiriki level were at T6, and the absolute monsters of the series were at T7.
That means most Uchiha were in the T5 range, with a few exceptions in the T6, and only Madara in the T7. So the price was right. Plus, the Byakugan was 20 credits. That was good to know.
"Depending on what you want, it might be cheaper to buy the template. At least at first," I said simply. Ravel hummed and nodded.
Shinra and Yamamoto's templates," Ravel finally said. I nodded.
"So you went for Yamamoto, finally." I said curiously. Ravel nodded.
"You were right. He is one of the strongest, no… we haven't seen any that come close to what he can do with his bankai outside of Fire Force. I already have Shinra from there. Maybe I'll pick Benimaru later if I want more precise manipulation and control, but… I want to try that part myself… you said The Company adds talents… I want to try it myself." Ravel said proudly. I laughed lightly.
"And Karna from Fate?" Bella asked. Ravel grimaced.
"I mean… it's strong, too strong. Vasavi Shakti is a tremendously strong trump card despite its disadvantages of being able to kill a god with a single use. But… having a sword that reaches the temperature of the sun's core… it can't compare." Ravel said, biting her lip, slightly blushing. I laughed lightly.
"So, I suppose you wouldn't mind having to use a sword? Not that it's opposite to how Shinra fights?" I asked. Ravel shook her head.
"Shinra's speed and strength, then that's the only way I would use Ryujin Jakka, and even then, it would be beneficial to use Shinra's speed to move and attack." Ravel said as if it were obvious. I hummed lightly.
"Yes, that's what you really want." I said simply.
"That's what I want," Ravel said firmly, looking me in the eye with determination. I nodded.
"Very well, I'll buy them right away," I said. Ravel nodded.
"What level do you think I'll start at with both templates?" she asked curiously. I hummed.
"I'd say… Shinra at the beginning of the series. And maybe just Yamamoto's Shikai," I said. Ravel wrinkled her nose. "Although… we could do other things if you want." I said slowly.
"Oh? I saw that option to level up the templates, but I thought it was useless unless it was something urgent." Ravel said. I hummed lightly.
"Yes, but not that option. I was talking more about a Power Swap," I said as I showed her the options. "Right now, you're a T6, so any power you swap with could stay at a T6 without any problem. We could even upgrade it to a T7 for 50 credits, which isn't a significant cost. Then we'd just have to stack one of your 'Ravel Phenex' templates with any other template you want." I explained. Ravel looked thoughtful.
"Would that… affect me at all? Because… it's my template, it's who I am." Ravel said, biting her lip. I wrinkled my nose.
"Not really? While the 'Ravel Phenex' template would be a T4, that's simply… false. Power Swap can't take away all your studies and experience. You would start as a 'T4'. Your talents and abilities would be the same; everything would be the same. Maybe you'll have to train a little to get back to the same level as your fire and magic manipulation was, but everything else would remain the same. Yes, it will remain exactly the same." I said completely confidently.
I meant it. It was exactly what I'd experienced when I lost Severus Snape's talents. By not having Severus's template placed on me directly, I'd lost a considerable amount of Severus's talents. While the company's talents were helpful, it was quite different from what I remembered.
My talent for potions remained almost the same with the advantages. But Occlumency? That was a significant loss of talent. But it wasn't necessary; The Company's defenses were 100 times better than anything I could manage to defend myself with Occlumency. So I just used it to sort my mind.
"I want to do it. I… really want the full Shinra template," Ravel said while biting her lip. I chuckled.
"Sure? I'm sure if you choose Yamamoto T7, the Bankai should be unlocked. Maybe not to the level Yamamoto demonstrated, but it will surely be a tremendous firepower… no pun intended." I said simply. Ravel nodded.
"Shinra's template is better," she said finally.
"Okay, also, I can change them all again and reverse the templates by returning them within a week if you feel uncomfortable in any way. So don't worry. Just... try it if you're comfortable that way. If not, we'll go back and try it again another way." I said, Seriously. Ravel nodded.
Template Stacking I x2 [Ravel Phenex has Ravel Phenex (High School DxD), Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto (Bleach)] [60]
Ravel Phenex(T6) from High School DxD Power Swapped to Shinra Kusakabe of (T7) [50]
Total [50]
I grimaced slightly at the loss of the discounts on Ravel's bumpers when they switched to the Power Swap, but all in all, it wasn't enough to be a problem. I had to start getting more credits.
Maybe I should just go and start destroying everything in Lucifaad? From what we were able to gather from Suzuki with Veritaserum. There were a lot of Akame Ga Kill's characters that were stationed in Lucifaad. There were some pretty juicy targets among them. Several T6s that could give me more than enough credits.
Or maybe I'll take on some easy quests in another world so I can get a large amount of credits. Hmm, perhaps both, though I'll wait for the quest until after I've dealt with Kokabiel,
"I... oh, this feels different." Ravel said while inspecting herself.
"Do you feel anything different with your... normal powers than the ones you're used to?" I asked quickly. Ravel summoned a bag of fire, and she immediately frowned.
"A little… my demonic power feels slightly less, nothing to worry about. I can get back to where I was in a matter of weeks if I try hard. But I also lost a bit of control and strength. Again, nothing surprising. So no. I still… feel like myself. My thoughts are still the same, all the important stuff." Ravel said with a sigh of relief. Something I mimicked.
"Good, excellent. I'm glad you're okay." I said with a relieved smile. Ravel nodded and smiled.
"So… can we go train? I want to see what I can do," Ravel said with a nervous smile. No… wait-
"Definitely, yes! I want to fight you!" Bella said, grinning wildly. I ignored her and looked at Ravel in surprise. There she was, grinning widely, a half-moon smile that trembled nervously, but her teeth, her teeth looked like a shark's, no... like Shinra's teeth. I burst out laughing.
Both girls looked at me curiously, Ravel still smiling. I conjured a mirror and placed it in front of Ravel. Once Ravel looked at herself in her mirror, she froze slightly.
"W-what is this?!" Ravel squealed in panic, a smile on her face, as she brought her hand to her mouth and touched her teeth.
"Apparently, Shinra's template comes with those teeth and his nervous tic," I said playfully. "I also got my fangs with Baiser's template," I said, showing her my teeth. Ravel looked surprised.
"B-but?! How can I take this off?!" Ravel squealed in panic with an unsettling smile on her face.
"Oh my God, you look adorable." I couldn't help but coo as I looked at her. She looked remarkably similar to Bowsette! Blue eyes, sharp teeth, yellow hair. The only thing I would change would be her two pigtails to a single ponytail and her eyes. Instead of looking panicky, she had to have the arrogance of the Koopa King, and she would be an exact copy!
I bit my lip and moved my hand. Ravel's hair shook slightly, her drill-shaped twin tails unraveling and tying themselves into a ponytail. Ravel squeaked slightly and touched her hair in confusion.
"Stay calm, Ravel. You're a Phenex. There's no reason to panic," I said seriously. Ravel froze slightly before attempting to toss her hair back, only to punch the air. She frowned but still lifted her chin.
"You're right. This is nothing!" Ravel said arrogantly, the broad smile remaining. That! That look was perfect! She was just like Bowsette. I almost wanted to squeal out loud. Would Ravel let me put a black dress, a collar, and spiked wristbands on her? It would be a-
" Ugh! Bella!" I squealed as I felt the blow to the back of my head.
"Stop thinking about your fiancée sexually when she's having a panic attack," Bella chided with a disappointed expression. I blushed deeply.
"W-what?!" Ravel squealed, blushing. I could feel Ravel in my mind almost instantly. I was too slow to stop her when images of Ravel overlapping with Bowsette were transmitted to her. "Serena!" Ravel squealed, embarrassed. I blushed even more.
"Sorry?" I said, smiling nervously. Ravel just grunted, but I couldn't stop thinking how cute she looked, angry while grinning widely.
"Sera!" they both reprimanded at the same time. I shuddered.
"I'm sorry! But it's not my fault! You look so cute! So adorable! So fierce! So fiercely cute and adorable that it's unfair!" I complained immediately. Ravel blushed deeply.
"Stop saying that!" Ravel squealed, embarrassed. I sighed heavily as I calmed down.
"Actually, if you want to get rid of it, I'm sure it's possible." I said simply as I started fiddling with the phone. " Yep, here it is." I pointed at the screen. Ravel sighed in relief before looking at me shyly. "So, delete- "
"Wait!" Ravel exclaimed. I froze in place and looked at Ravel in confusion. She blushed and looked away. "I... I could keep it if you like it that much." Ravel murmured, blushing. I immediately lost all trace of emotion on my face.
"No." I said simply. Ravel looked at me in surprise.
"What? No? Why not? You just liked me!" Ravel asked, completely confused. I sighed.
"Do I like it? Yes. Do You look absolutely adorable? Definitely. But this is your decision, your body. I'm never going to tell you how you should look. I'm never going to ask you to change anything about yourself in any way. I like you just the way you are. You don't have to change a thing for me." I said seriously. Ravel's eyes widened slightly before blushing softly.
"S-sorry." Ravel muttered. I shook my head.
"So? Do you want to remove them or keep them?" I asked again. Ravel stood still for a few seconds before staring at me.
"I want... I want to keep them. I know you said to ignore what you want, but I want to keep them because you like them. It's something I want, so you can't argue." Ravel said, completely determined. I heard Bella let out a laugh, and I chuckled. I approached Ravel and kissed her softly on the lips.
"You were beautiful, you are beautiful, and you will be either way. No matter what you change," I said softly. Ravel blushed a little more. "If that's really what you want, I won't argue with you. But remember, there's always the option to get rid of them." I added. She felt.
"...now... I just need an excuse for my teeth." Ravel said with a nervous smile.
"Blame Sera," Bella said with a shrug and a shit-eating grin. "Tell them she's been testing potions on you." I rolled my eyes.
"I wouldn't do that without consent, though. You can, if anyone asks." I said simply. Ravel wrinkled her nose before grimacing.
"I'll think about it," she finally said.
"Okay, now, the tic that makes you smile when you're nervous, I think it can also be removed." I said. Ravel just sighed.
"No, leave it. I'll just have to keep my emotions in order better," Ravel said, her mouth trembling slightly before a wide smile formed. I laughed lightly.
"Maybe you can take a fan in the meantime. I saw you use them, and I know you have several of them," I said amusedly. Ravel sighed and nodded.
"Since we've settled that… you said, training?" Bella asked anxiously with a dangerous smile. Ravel smiled widely.
"A-alright, let's do it." Ravel said nervously.
Author's Notes : I was originally thinking of giving her Benimaru's, but while I was thinking of giving her Benimaru's X and O eyes, I thought of Ravel with Shinra's smile, and everything just clicked. So yeah, I gave her the Shinra template just to make her look like Bowsette, I don't regret it at all.