Chapter I
Yes, it has happened yet again. This is something that wiggled its way inside my mind (Wow that sounded far creepier than I intended) and just would not let go. This is essentially an altered version of Fate of Devils (Again) but this time combined with the properties of Lilith (Like the story Highschool DxD Black I attempted quite a while ago) and with an altered premise. It is not Rias who brings Issei back after his first death. I will not say who does at this time but it will not be her. I recall that (My use of the usual "Issei is revived by Rias" plot) being one of the more common complaints leveled at Fate of Devils. And at that time I did not have an alternative that would still allow for Issei to have any involvement in the events of Highschool DxD. But I have found one. So I would like to hear what all of you think. I will start a poll on my profile page so post there on whether you would like to see me continue Fate of Devils: Redux or if you would like to see me continue along the plot of Fate of Devils: Black. Now unlike Dragon of Zero/Dragon of Zerbst I have no real personal bias here on which version I like better. So give your feedback on the polls and give me your opinions on this story in reviews. As usual my coauthor TheLastNanaya and my secondary author Bakuto Masaki have joined me for this ride so I would like to give them their dues. That about sums up anything I have to say here, so we might as well move on to the actual chapter. Be sure to leave your opinions on the story in reviews and your feedback on which version you like better in the polls.
The sky was reddened as three figures floated in the air facing each other.
The first figure, a man with long silver hair, charged with a lance in his hand as the second figure, a man with short black hair raised a shield.
The third figure, a black, armored, humanoid creature charged the other two and broke their feud.
The first figure fired a blast of energy at the third, but the third smacked it away before firing its own blast of energy.
The second figure charged at the third but the third vanished and reappeared behind the second and swiped at it, shearing off its arm.
The first figure came from below and pierced the third through the chest but it turned around and lopped off the first's head before turning around and flying away.
A teen with short brown hair that had two small tufts at the base of his neck, brown eyes, and wearing a black blazer with white accents, over a white, long-sleeve dress shirt, matching black pants, and blue and white sneakers with a red t-shirt underneath the rest of the unbuttoned outfit, his school's uniform, lied on the floor with a black cat cuddled up next to him.
He sat up abruptly when he heard a familiar, female, voice call out loudly, "Issei-Senpai!"
Issei sat up swiftly and looked around frantically. "Wh-what?! What, where…huh?" He then realized he was wearing his uniform and paled. "Ah crap, Sakura's gonna be so pissed." Standing up, inadvertently knocking the cat to the floor, he then knelt down worriedly, "Ah, Neko-Neko!"
"Senpai?" a voice called softly.
Issei froze and turned around to see attractive young woman with elbow-length violet hair with one bang hanging down longer than the rest on the right side, a red ribbon tied in the left side of her hair, fair skin, and pupil-less, violet eyes, with a slightly above average bust-line wearing a black vest with white trim, which was left open under her chest, a white, button-down shirt with long sleeves and vertical black lines underneath the vest, a black bowtie around her collar, a short, pleated, maroon skirt with white trim, long white stockings, and black shoes, this was their school's female uniform, standing at the top of the stairwell to his basement with an annoyed expression.
Issei turned to her weakly and waved to her. "H-h-hey…Sakura…"
Sakura sighed in exasperation before walking down to where he was. Looking around she asked in concern, "Did you sleep down here, Issei-Senpai?"
Issei slumped his shoulders and replied weakly, "…Yeah…"
Sakura frowned and scolded, "You really shouldn't sleep down here Senpai. It's better for you to sleep in your bed."
Issei looked around in uncomfortable confusion. "Actually…I don't really even know how I got down here." As he looked up at Sakura he noticed the edge of her panties poking out under her skirt. He twitched a lip lightly as he kneeled down, seemingly to pet his cat, Neko-Neko, but mostly to see up her skirt, gaining a perverted grin as he did.
Sakura sighed in exasperation. "Well I guess it's fine. Oh! Miss Morino will be here soon so you should probably get cleaned up."
Issei looked at her surprised. "Aunt Yuko?! Ah, right. She'd probably lecture me if she saw my uniform this messy."
As the two left the basement, Neko-Neko merely meowed happily.
Sakura waved to the cat with a smile.
Issei's thoughts drifted to the night before as he entered his living room to pick up the mess that was there. 'Okay, let's see. I got home, pet Neko-Neko, then…and then…' The image of a nude, buxom, black haired woman with cat ears entered Issei's mind. He chuckled lamely as blood lightly dripped from his nose. 'And there was that dream…that wonderful dream about that mega-hotty. I have no idea who it was but…but those tits…too bad it was just a frickin' dream. Although…I still have no idea how I got in the basement.'
After neatening up his room and fixing his uniform enough that it did not look slept in, despite the fact that it was, Issei made his way back out to the dining room and kitchen where he saw Sakura busily making breakfast and serving it to his homeroom teacher, a tall, mature woman with long, flowing black-blue hair ending just past her waist and bright, emerald-green eyes wearing a pink blouse that was slightly unbuttoned, showing a slight view of her large bust, a long purple skirt reaching the middle of her lower legs with a long slit on the left side going up to her hip, exposing the tops of her long pink stockings, which she wore with purple high-heeled shoes, along with a black sash around her waist that had two, large silver cross-shaped accessories with two portions hanging down, and a choker around her neck with a red jewel.
Issei gulped and walked into the room.
No sooner than his foot touched the floor did the woman, Yuko, suddenly accuse, "So, Sakura tells me you slept in the basement again."
Issei face-faulted and then shouted, "Sakura! I thought you wouldn't tell!"
Sakura giggled lightly. "I never said that, Senpai."
Issei sighed heavily as he sat down at the table, Yuko continuing to scold him.
"You really shouldn't do that, Issei, it's bad for your health and…"
Yuko's words trailed off as Sakura and Issei spoke.
"The food's really good Sakura," Issei complimented.
Sakura smiled happily and responded, "I'm glad."
Yuko looked at the two and sighed in exasperation. "He's not listening."
After finishing breakfast, Yuko made her way out of the house, heading for the school before Issei or Sakura.
Issei and Sakura left shortly afterward.
As they walked, Issei turned to Sakura. "You know Sakura, you don't need to keep coming to my house like this. I finished healing a while ago." 'Heh, heh, not that I don't appreciate a cute girl coming to serve me breakfast everyday along with a friggin' hot teacher! Man, if anyone else knew about this they'd kill me...' He envisioned several male students bludgeoning him to death with baseball bats before shivering.
Sakura shook her head and said, shaking Issei from his thoughts, "No, that's okay Senpai. I enjoy it."
Issei shook the cobwebs from his head and nodded happily. "Right. Well, as long as you're fine with it I guess I am too, heheh…"
As they walked, a voice called out, "Issei! Sakura!"
The two turned to see a teenage girl with wavy brown hair that extended just past her shoulders, medium-length bangs hanging down over her forehead, just above her amethyst eyes, wearing the same uniform as Sakura and round, frameless glasses, running up to them, her large bosom bouncing enticingly.
"Ah, Mina!" Sakura said happily as the girl ran up to them and stopped momentarily to catch her breath.
Mina stood up straight and smiled at the two. "Good morning, Issei, Sakura."
The two greeted in her in kind before continuing their way to school.
Issei glanced at Mina as her chest wobbled and jostled with each step. 'Heheh…man, she's so hot…those boobs. When did they get so big? They've gotta be E-Cup by now…'
Mina looked at him curiously and smiled. "Actually, they're F-Cup, and they got bigger over the summer."
"Heh…?"
Sakura frowned in disappointment. "You were muttering to yourself again Issei."
"Crap!"
As they continued, Issei's eyes were suddenly and sharply drawn ahead.
As they walked down the sidewalk, a woman with long, mid-thigh-length black hair, short bangs over her forehead with two long bangs hanging down to just above her very sizable chest, framing her face, deep amber eyes, and pointed ears that her hair mostly hid, wearing dark pink lipstick, a very short black dress with red straps on both sides, just below her chest and just over her hips, with two short red parts hanging down to create a full skirt, a thin, black section that exposed the edges of her bosom and connected to her tight collar which extended over her shoulders with sleeves that ended with yellow cuffs, as well as black, thigh-high stockings that were partially covered by her short skirt, and black, high-heeled shoes who carried a large brown trunk with multiple stickers on it walked past the two, Issei watching mesmerized as her bountiful bust jostled with each step. Issei's mind instantly filled with many perverted images of the woman, the spout of blood from his nose nearly knocking him to the ground.
"Senpai?" Sakura asked confused.
"Uh, s-sorry," Issei remarked before regaining his balance and catching up to her.
As the two walked away the woman stopped and glanced behind her before continuing.
Eventually the two arrived near the school and Sakura turned to him with a smile. "I forgot that I have some activities before class so I'm going to go on ahead, okay Senpai?"
Issei nodded as Sakura ran on ahead, her pace causing her skirt to inadvertently flip up momentarily. Issei merely stood in place appreciating the moment before he heard the school bell ring through the air. "Aw crap!"
"We need to get inside!" Mina said suddenly.
"Yeah!" he agreed as Mina ran towards the gate.
However, before he took another step he heard a strange sound nearby. He turned and saw a young-looking girl with waist-length, silver hair that was almost white, skin that was as white as snow, and deep red eyes wearing a collared, long-sleeved purple, buttoned shirt with a matching purple scarf, a long white skirt, purple boots, and a tall purple hat walking towards him, giggling excitedly.
Issei raised an eyebrow in confusion. 'Well that's creepy.'
The girl stopped and looked at him and said with a smile, "You should really get a Servant soon Mister, otherwise you'll die."
Issei paled in confusion as the girl walked away happily. 'Wh…what the hell was that…?'
"Issei! Come on!" Mina called.
"Ah, r-right!"
Issei arrived in class just in time to be greeted by a girl with elbow-length brown hair that hung down over her face in a multitude of bangs, multiple strands of hair poking out behind her head, and some of it braided in two ponytails that hung on the front of her body, amber eyes, and wearing the female Kuoh uniform with the vest covering her moderate bust, and large, pink-rimmed glasses. "Well you certainly got here on time," the girl complimented.
Issei stepped back in mild surprise. "A-Aika! You gotta stop springing outta nowhere like that.
The girl, Aika, snickered as she adjusted her glasses. "You're so easy to startle Issei. It's kinda cute."
Issei blushed lightly. "Well Sakura coming to greet me every morning helps."
Aika huffed lightly.
Issei looked at Aika puzzled before Yuko entered the room.
"Alright everyone," Yuko said to stop the many conversations, "It's time to start."
After the morning greeting and the first set of classes before lunch Issei made his way to his favorite spot to watch the other students, specifically the girls, from afar, a small incline next to the outdoor activity area next to the academy's old school building.
As he looked around at the students wandering around, his eyes locked on one particular student whom Issei considered the bane of his existence, Issei Ryuudo, a teen with short black hair parted on his forehead, narrow dark eyes, small round glasses and the standard male Kuoh uniform buttoned up neatly with a black bowtie around his neck, and, most importantly to Issei Emiya, the same first name as Emiya.
That mattered to Emiya because while he spent most of his time hoping to garner the attention of as many girls as possible, Sakura being but one in his dream, a harem, Ryuudo was always surrounded by multiple girls who were, to Emiya's thinking at the very least, more than willing to sleep with Ryuudo.
As Ryuudo and his encirclement of girls passed by, Emiya growled and fell backwards on the grass in exasperation. "Man, this blows!"
However, when he did, Issei's gaze went elsewhere. He looked up at the old school building and saw a young woman in her late teens with a buxom figure, light skin, long, crimson-red, waist-length hair with a single strand sticking up off her head, loose bangs covering her forehead and framing her face, blue-green eyes and wearing the female Kuoh uniform with a small cape added on that fastened in the front just above her ample bosom. Widening his eyes, Issei released a small gasp. "Whoa…"
"That's Rias Gremory, a third year. Measurements are ninety-nine, fifty-eight, ninety. She's one of the four most popular girls in the school and one of the Two Great Ladies."
"Gah!" Issei shouted in surprise as he saw Aika standing next to him, Mina next to her. "You gotta stop doin' that!"
Aika stuck her tongue out playfully. "But it's just so easy."
Issei sighed and then redirected his attention back to the building nearby. "Man, what is it about red hair…?" As he said that, images of Rias flooded his mind that caused no small amount of blood to pour from his nose. Issei then looked at Rias again and noticed she seemed to be staring at him before walking away from the window. Issei grinned like an idiot with amusement. 'She was lookin' at me…that's gotta be a sign!'
Aika frowned in disappointment.
At that moment, a new voice interjected, "You three seem to be enjoying yourselves."
The three turned and saw a girl with short blue hair and dark blue eyes wearing the female Kuoh uniform without the shoulder cape and round frameless glasses walk up to them with a mildly amused expression.
Issei blinked curiously and asked. "Uhm…you are…?"
Mina looked at him puzzled. "Did you really forget about Ciel-Senpai?"
"Forget about her? I've never met her."
The girl, Ciel, frowned in annoyance and pulled her glasses down slightly as she looked at Issei. "I'm ashamed. Did you really forget about me?"
Issei blinked for a moment before standing up. "Oh…right, Ciel." He smiled abashedly. "Sorry 'bout that. Guess I'm still a little sleepy."
"It's alright. Well, I'll see you three later," Ciel said as she waved while she walked away.
Issei frowned in thought but shrugged and sat back down to eat, Aika and Mina sitting down with him.
After pulling himself from his daze Issei returned to classes for the remainder of the day with Aika and Mina, the image of Rias sticking in his mind, along with many sensual fantasies to accompany it.
However, as they returned to class, Issei happened to notice another student, a teenage girl with light skin and long, wavy black hair tied in twintails with black ribbons along with some hanging loose, and dark blue eyes wearing the female Kuoh uniform with a red coat overtop walking through the halls.
As she walked by the trio Issei looked at her confused and surprised. Again, as if on reflex, perverted images filled his mind.
Aika raised an eyebrow and asked in amusement, "I thought you only liked girls with big boobs, Issei."
Issei nodded lamely but added, "I know, but she's really cute."
Aika shrugged in response. "I guess so. She's Rin Tohsaka, another of the four most popular girls in school. Measurements-" there was a loud thud in the classroom and Aika felt impending annoyance, "a-anyway…I actually found out something interesting about Tohsaka recently. Turns she actually used to be in the student council before Sona Shitori took over."
Issei blinked in confusion and then looked back at the classroom. "Really…?"
After the last of classes for the day, Issei left the classroom and was heading for the front gate when he noticed two students heading towards the kendo club building. He raised an eyebrow in thought. 'What are they doing?' He followed behind the two and saw them crouched near the wall snickering perversely.
Issei widened his eyes in realization. 'Holy crap! They found a peephole!' He gulped in response. 'I really wanna look but…alright, might as well stop them'
Issei snuck up to the side of the building, the two male students not noticing and raised a hand to smack the wall and alert the girls inside.
However, when he did his hand slammed straight through the wall and the rest of him followed, smashing through the wall and into the room.
Multiple loud gasps and screams erupted as he fell through the wall, Issei also noticed two soft masses in his hands. He picked up his head and paled.
When he fell through the wall, he had landed on two of the girls and currently had their soft mounds in his hands.
One of the girls, a girl with shoulder-length, orange-pink hair and red-brown eyes wearing a white hairband, looked at him in shock while the other, a girl with long brown hair that reached her waist, tied in a ponytail with a red bow, two long bangs hanging down over her moderate bust, with light brown eyes looked at him annoyed.
"H-hey ladies…" Issei said weakly before he looked up and saw all the other girls in various states of undress.
"You pervert!" the girls all yelled as he stood and tried to escape, only to get hit by a barrage of swinging kendo sticks.
Issei walked back towards the school building covered in bruises. "Aw man…this sucks. Why does this always happen to me? I try to help out a girl and instead I keep getting into perverted situations." Issei sighed heavily. "Dammit I wasn't even trying to be a pervert!"
After a moment of thought he rubbed his aching arm and thought, "I guess I should head to the nurse's office and get my arm checked." He then grinned lamely. "I bet Ms. Yukiko will make it feel all better…" he remarked as his head flooded with perverted thoughts.
"Uhm, hello, is there anyone here?" Issei asked as he slid the door to Kuoh's nurse's office open and looked inside.
"Yes?" a mature, female voice responded.
Issei walked in as a woman with long, somewhat wavy green hair that extended down to her ankles, several sections flaring out away from the body of her hair, with sparse bangs that parted in the middle of her forehead and two long sections that framed her face, extending down to her chest and narrow, bright lavender eyes, wearing a pink, button-down blouse that tightly hugged her figure, conforming to even the shape of the peaks of her capacious bosom, a short, purple miniskirt, thigh-high brown stockings, red, high-heeled shoes, and a white lab coat overtop walked out from behind one of the curtains of the office and turned to him.
'Ahh…Ms. Yukiko…' Issei thought dimly as images of Yukiko filled his mind.
"Let me guess, you got caught peeping again?" Yukiko asked with a sly smirk.
"No! I wasn't peeping! I was just trying to help and the wall broke!" Issei argued emphatically, only to flinch as his flailing aggravated his injuries.
Yukiko sighed with a light smile. "Alright, let me take a look."
Issei winced as Yukiko dabbed a cotton ball against the large bruise on his arm. She then wrapped a thin layer of bandages around the black and blue spot. "There. It's nothing major, as usual. I'd say your body is rather used to this abuse at this point." She smirked slyly and, with a sideways glance, jabbed, "Perhaps you even enjoy it."
"Th-that's not true!" Issei argued weakly.
Yukiko snickered lightly before gently tapping him on the arm, causing him to shiver in mild pain. "Now, why don't you get going? It's getting dark."
"Y-yes ma'am…" Issei responded as he walked out the door.
After closing the door Issei grinned to himself. 'A sight of those giant, jumping jublees always makes me feel better…heheheh…'
As Issei made his way out of the school he came across someone he used to consider a friend.
Shinji Matou, a teen the same age as Issei with short, curly blue hair that parted over his forehead, gray-blue eyes, and the same Kuoh uniform as all other boys in the school.
The reason Issei no longer considered Shinji a good friend is that after Shinji had become vice-captain of the archery club he had become full of himself and became condescending to Issei and his friends.
Issei looked at Shinji annoyed, primarily for the same reason he disliked Ryuudo, as he was surrounded by several of the girls from the archery club.
As Shinji and his small group neared Issei one of the girls squealed in fear. "Oh no, it's Issei Emiya!"
Issei twitched an eyebrow in response. 'What? Am I some kind of illness now?'
Shinji noticed Issei and smirked as he took the chance to impress his fellow students. "Emiya, good to see you," he said with a smug tone.
Issei sneered off to one side. "Yeah, whatever, Shinji."
One of the girls snapped, "You shouldn't call him by his first name you pervert!"
Issei growled angrily and was about to snarl back when Shinji interrupted.
"Emiya, if you're not too busy, could you do me, or rather, the girls a favor and clean the archery clubhouse for us?"
Issei huffed and asked in annoyance, "Why would I want to help you?"
The girls glared at him, causing Issei to shrink back some.
Shinji lightly put up a hand and they let off.
Issei twitched an eyebrow. 'Somehow, him calling them off like that pisses me off even more.'
Shinji recommended, "I heard the fiasco with the kendo club earlier, maybe if you take care of this for the archery club they won't be as likely to shoot you if you spy on them instead."
The girls gasped as they looked at Issei.
Issei twitched an eyebrow and then backed away. "Alright, alright! Call the herd off!"
Shinji smirked and snapped his fingers, causing the girls to follow him.
Issei sighed in relief and then suddenly shouted, "I wouldn't want to spy on them anyway, they're all flat as a board!" Issei then immediately took off as the girls started throwing the contents of their schoolbags at him.
Issei stood in the middle of the archery clubhouse and sighed. "Dammit, I can't believe that Sakura's actually the sister of that douche. I suppose I could just let it go and let that jackass get in trouble for slacking off." After a moment of thought he scratched his head and sighed. "But…I agreed to it so I might as well do it right. Plus…" Issei then trailed off as his imagination kicked in, "if I do a good enough job…some of the girls might want to 'reward' me for it. Heehee!"
At that same time atop the school building, Rin Tohsaka stood looking out over the school grounds. "So, the school is empty then?"
A female voice replied, "Yes, I cannot sense the presence of anything on the grounds except for our friend."
Rin smirked happily. "Good."
Back inside the archery clubroom, Issei ran around the area, cleaning the floors with a rag.
After several minutes of thoroughly scrubbing the floors, he dropped the rag into a bucket and sighed. "Phew, this place is bigger than I remembered." He then looked around and noticed a few pieces of gear and clothing lying around. Sighing he moved to put the different pieces of equipment away.
He stopped when he noticed a newspaper lying on the ground. He picked it up and noticed the headline. He frowned as he read it. "I guess those murders have been getting more frequent." However, when he picked up a bow that was lying on the ground, he raised an eyebrow as he looked at the middle section. "Huh…it's cracked. Well that's not good. If it snaps one of the girls might get hurt. And then they'll be pissed. Probably at me." Nodding to himself he looked around and then placed the bow on the ground and put a hand on it and closed his eyes. After a slight delay energy flowed through Issei's arm and into the bow. After a moment he sighed and then examined the bow, flexing it some, and nodded happily. "That should do it. Now it won't break and ruin their pretty faces." He then looked at the long line of bows and sighed heavily. "Might as well…"
Outside, in Kuoh's main courtyard, Rin walked through the area and looked around, before saying sternly, "I know you're here, show yourself."
After a moment, a figure appeared in a shimmer of lights.
Rin narrowed her eyes as she saw a tall, slender woman with shoulder-length blonde hair that flared out at the ends, long braids extending from her bangs down to just above her chest, framing her face, fair skin, and dark blue eyes wearing blue and grey armor that consisted of a small headpiece just above her forehead, a broad, dark blue breastplate with a white symbol on the front, and grey armor on her arms and legs as well as a long blue cape and a long, rounded lance in her hand. The woman looked at Rin curiously. "You sensed me swiftly," she said plainly.
Rin frowned and remarked, "With that weaponry, I assume you are Lancer, correct?"
The woman held the lance in her hand up towards Rin silently.
Rin twitched an eyebrow. "Are you mocking me…?"
"Should I be?"
Rin grumbled and swept a hand in front of her. "Hmph, it makes no difference. Go, Archer!"
In another flurry of lights, a young woman with long red hair that reached down to her knees with two long portions framing her face, a single tuft sticking into the air, and dark orange eyes wearing a revealing red kimono with a bottom section that flared out resembling flower petals, a wide gap on the chest, exposing her very large bust, a pink obi, black armor that wrapped around her waist and cupped under her ample breasts, a black skirt that draped down her legs, black gauntlets, matching armored boots, a black flower on the left side of her hair and a long, purple cape with a red reverse side. In her hand she held a long, extravagant, flintlock rifle with golden embossing down the sides, and a long, katana-like blade attached to the underside as a bayonet. She flipped the rifle up and rested it on her shoulder. "So, this is to be my opponent? Lancer, is it?"
The blonde woman, Lancer, kept her composure and looked at her opponent silently. "So, I shall fight Archer?"
The red-haired woman, Archer, smirked and raised her rifle at Lancer, firing several shots.
Lancer spun her lance in front of her, deflecting the shots, and then charged at Archer.
Sighing as he finished the last of the cleaning Issei smirked to himself. "Right, that's everything. Guess it's time to head home."
As Issei walked out of the archery clubroom something suddenly flew past his face. He tumbled to the ground in shock. He looked to the side and saw Lancer and Archer facing off nearby. "Wh-what the…?"
Lancer charged at Archer, only for Archer to use the blade on her rifle to redirect Lancer's thrust.
Archer then smirked as her gun was pointed squarely at Lancer's head.
"Whoa…, this insane!" Issei said breathlessly.
Hearing this sudden exclamation, Lancer and Archer's fight immediately ceased.
Lancer used her lance to shove Archer's rifle away from her. "I believe our fight must be postponed." Lancer then immediately rushed towards Issei.
Archer blinked curiously and then shouted in shock and confusion, "Are you running away!?"
Issei scrambled to his feet and began running. "Aw crap, I bet this is like some underground fighting tournament. And I suppose the number one rule is don't talk about super-secret underground cosplay fight club."
However, his path was blocked when Lancer appeared before him.
"Shit!"
Lancer raised her spear towards Issei. "I hold no grudge towards you, but you must die."
Issei jumped to the side to dodge the attack before sprinting into the school.
Lancer watched as he ran before sprinting after him.
Issei ran into the school and leaned against a wall breathing heavily. He stepped away from the wall and raised a hand. "Right. I guess it's time to-!"
Issei's words were halted as he felt a sudden, burning pain in his chest. He looked down and saw the tip of a spear sticking out of his chest. He turned around slightly and saw Lancer standing behind him.
"I do not wish to kill you, but there are rules to which I am bound, so take your swift death as my apology," she said plainly before pulling her spear from his chest as he slumped over to the ground and then fell down, blood pooling around him as Lancer vanished in a flurry of lights.
As blood pooled around him, Issei thought, 'Shit…so this is…how I die…? I can't believe that I'm…dying a virgin…'
As those thoughts entered his mind, two figures walked up to him and Issei barely noticed one of them smirk before he lost consciousness.
Rin ran through the hallways before she finally saw Issei lying in a pool of his own blood. "Damn!" She ran over to Issei and knelt down, seeing the injury to his chest. However, she widened her eyes when she checked his wound and realized that while he was in a pool of his own blood and his clothes were torn and bloody, Issei himself was unharmed. Rin scrunched her eyebrow in complete confusion before running a hand through her wavy black hair. "This doesn't make any sense. How is he unhurt when his clothes and the floor look like this?" Sighing she looked at Issei perplexed before something caught her eye around the corner.
However, upon investigation she found that nothing was there. Turning to Issei once more she took off away from him.
Issei suddenly sat up and looked around frantically. "Wh-what the hell happened?!" Standing up and looking around he attempted to find Lancer. However, when he couldn't see her he thought, 'Was it…a dream?' He then looked down at his tattered and bloodied uniform along with the puddle of blood on the floor. His eyes widened and he started running. "Gotta get outta here! If that crazy chick with the spear is still here she'll probably try to kill me again!" As he ran he raised an eyebrow and put a hand over his heart. He realized his shirt was covered in blood and even had a hole in it, however he himself was uninjured.
Sighing, he moaned, "Aargh! This is all insane!"
Atop a series of rooftops, Archer commented to Rin as the former sat on the ledge, resting her face against a fist, "So you decided to let the boy live." She smirked in amusement. "There couldn't be some ulterior motive to that, could there?"
Rin huffed in annoyance. "No, there is not. While it's true that I did not kill him, I didn't heal him either. He was already completely healed when I got to him."
Archer raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What, does he have some kind of regenerative ability?"
"No, somehow I doubt that is the case. All I do know is that if he gets his nose caught where it shouldn't belong again he'll probably really die this time."
Archer sighed and stood up before asking, "So what now?"
Folding her arms in thought, Rin responded, "I suppose we just keep searching for other mages."
Archer nodded as she picked Rin up with one arm.
Rin looked up at her irritated. "Is it truly necessary to carry me in such an embarrassing position?"
Archer grinned in response. "No, I just enjoy it."
Rin twitched an eyebrow as Archer began jumping from rooftop to rooftop, Rin still held in her arm.
Issei ran through the streets to his house with a surprising speed. 'I don't know why…but I just feel really full of energy right now! This is awesome!'
Eventually he made it to his house and locked the front gate before making it to his dining room where his intense speed finally caught up with him and he collapsed.
"Phew! That was weird, well…this has all been weird really…" Sitting up with a sigh he looked around curiously. "Geez, Aunt Yuko's always leaving stuff here. I still haven't cleaned up those posters she left the other day."
Issei picked up the three posters Yuko had shown him the other day and placed them over in a corner of the room.
On the rooftops nearby, Lancer stood overlooking Issei's house. She frowned in disappointment. "Fool." Lancer then vanished in another flurry of lights.
Issei sighed as he went to make dinner but heard something fall over.
When he went to check he found the posters he stacked strewn about the floor. "Guess I didn't stack them as well as I thought." After picking up the last one he felt something sharp lightly poke his back. He turned around slowly, frightened, and, sure enough, Lancer stood behind him.
Issei stood up frightened and surprised. "Aww crap!"
Lancer swung her lance at him, barely missing him as he rolled off to the side.
Unfortunately for him, he rolled straight through his own door, but then took off down the hallway, Lancer giving chase.
Elsewhere, a complex white circle began to form on the ground.
Lancer continued chasing after Issei, stabbing and slashing at him as he managed to evade most of her attacks. "For a human, you're quite skilled."
As Issei turned to respond, he tripped on a loose tatami mat and fell flat onto his face.
"Let it end here and your suffering will be short," Lancer remarked calmly as she raised her spear to strike.
Issei acted instantly and kicked at her shins, knocking her off balance, causing her spear to stab at the ground and her to land on top of him. Despite the life or death situation, Issei couldn't help his instinctual reaction to an attractive woman straddling him as his face turned red.
Lancer remained silent for a moment before remarking, "I will end it here."
Her words knocked him back to his senses as he saw a loose pipe nearby and grabbed it. A faint light shone through the pipe as he picked it up.
"What are you-?" Lancer asked but was interrupted as Issei knocked her on the head and consequently off of him with the Reinforced steel pipe. Lancer fell over harmlessly as a knot formed on her crown.
Issei took the chance and stumbled out the doorway to his yard.
Lancer stood up slowly with the knot on her head and wordlessly followed after Issei after pulling her lance from the floor.
Issei stopped near his house's old shed and panted heavily. "Holy crap…I don't know who this chick is but she doesn't give up…too bad she's tryin' kill me…heheh, she does have a nice rack though…" Issei shook his head fervently. "Focus dammit!" Issei turned as he saw Lancer walking towards him. "Crap…I'm stuck…" Concentrating he raised a hand. A magic circle appeared in his hand, his body then becoming covered in a fluctuating blue aura.
Lancer walked towards him with a mildly annoyed expression. "I was trying to offer you kindness by killing you swiftly. Now, I will simply strike you, if your luck is high the result will end your life swiftly."
Issei assumed a sloppy fighting stance and responded shakily, "I won't die that easily!"
Lancer narrowed her eyes as she raised her spear. "Your fighting stance is very poor. You are not even aware of how to fight, are you?"
"W-well…no, not really…Dad just taught me a few simple things…I'm in trouble aren't I…?"
"Your suffering will only be prolonged at this rate," Lancer remarked before rushing forward.
Issei's eyes widened as he faltered from her speed, stumbling back as her spear passed right in front of him. He grunted as he fell backwards through the door to his shed. His eyes widened when he saw a large, complex, glowing, white circle on the ground.
Lancer walked in and then noticed the circle as well in surprise. "A magic circle? Are you…?" Lancer narrowed her eyes in confusion before raising her spear to strike at Issei.
However, as she prepared to strike, a figure emerged from the circle and immediately rushed at Lancer, swinging a sword she couldn't see at her.
Lancer jumped back just in time to dodge the strike.
Issei shook his head clear of the cobwebs and saw who it was that had managed to come to his rescue at the last minute.
A young woman who appeared to be in her late teens with shoulder-length, golden blond hair tied in a bun with a blue ribbon, emerald green eyes, and soft, white skin, wearing an old-fashioned blue dress with puffed shoulders and gold lines on several places with shining silver armor overtop in the form of plated waist armor down the sides of her long skirt, greaves, a different gauntlet on each hand, and torso armor that covered her chest and the lower portion of her back that was connected to the waist armor with a black corset.
Issei sat wordlessly, simply looking at the woman. "She's so…beautiful…"
However his trance was broken when the armor-clad woman charged at Lancer and made a motion to swing a sword at her.
As the armor-clad woman saw Lancer her eyes widened. "It cannot be…Lancelot…?"
Lancer looked at the woman with apprehension. "Your highness…it seems that it is unavoidable that we are on opposing sides."
"Yes…it does seem that way, Lancelot…"
Lancer, Lancelot, raised her spear towards the other woman. "If you are yet again Saber, then our fight is inevitable."
The other blonde nodded in agreement and the two charged at each other.
Their blades clashed before they separated.
Issei watched in shock. 'What the hell is going on…? This chick just randomly appeared out of a magic circle and now she's fighting the chick with the spear…wait…did she say…Lancelot…?'
Lancelot charged at the other woman once more.
As the flurry of strikes were launched the armored woman jumped back.
Lancelot narrowed her eyes. "Are you still attempting to hold back, Saber?"
The other blonde, Saber, tightened her grip around her invisible blade. "You are still holding rage about that, are you not…?"
Lancelot grit her teeth. "Should I not be…?" she asked with withheld anger.
Saber frowned in response. "I cannot answer that."
Lancelot then rushed forward and continued her strikes.
Saber spun to the side and swung her blade at Lancelot, the latter using the staff of her blade to block Saber's strike. Lancelot moved in one swift motion to turn herself around, and then flipped her spear, knocking Saber off balance, before jumping back and raising her spear to her side.
Saber narrowed her eyes as she raised her blade.
As Lancelot pulled back on her lance, the blade became covered in light. "God-Slaying Spear!" she shouted as she then launched forward at high speeds.
As Lancelot approached Saber, Saber merely stood motionlessly for several seconds before suddenly dashing to the side, narrowly avoiding Lancelot's strike and slashing downward at Lancelot's side.
Saber's slash almost hit, but Lancelot kicked off from the invisible blade to dodge it.
Lancelot then slid to a halt and stood up with her blade in hand. However, as she was about to launch another strike, her eyes narrowed. She lowered her blade and looked at Saber with irritation. "It seems that our battle must come to an end here." Lancelot glanced at Issei once more and then vanished in a flurry of lights.
Issei blinked in disbelief before he heard a voice nearby as Archer and Rin landed in his yard.
Saber heard this and turned to prepare for a fight.
Issei jumped up and ran between Archer and Saber. "Wait!"
Saber narrowed her eyes and demanded, "Master, what are you doing?"
Issei blinked at her dumbly. "Er…M-Master…?"
Rin raised a confused eyebrow at Issei.
Saber nodded. "Yes, you are the one who summoned me, therefore you are my Master, are you not aware of this?"
"I don't even know what the hell's going on!" Issei shouted in exasperation.
Archer couldn't suppress her amused chuckle as Rin put a hand to her face in frustration.
Issei sighed and slumped to the floor. "Somebody help me…"
Rin stood opposite from Issei in his dining room, with Archer behind her and Saber behind Issei.
"So you truly know nothing of what's happening right now?" Rin asked in annoyance.
Issei nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, I'm totally lost." Looking around, Issei smiled perversely as he thought, 'But right now, I've got three really pretty girls in my house. I don't think I need to know more than that…' He froze in fear as Archer looked at him curiously. He looked around and tried to whistle innocently, though it didn't help.
Archer smirked in amusement. "You're a total pervert."
Issei stumbled to the side.
Rin sighed and responded, "Believe me, I am already very aware of this. He is part of a trio of students at my school who are well known because of their perversion."
Archer raised an eyebrow. "How interesting. You must really be desperate."
"Ahh shut up!" Issei shouted.
Sighing, Rin asked, "So tell me, what do you know about your current situation?"
Issei scratched his cheek as he looked around. He pointed at Archer and explained, "Well…I know…I saw her and the woman in the coat fighting in the school yard…the woman in the coat then stabbed me…ah! How did I survive?!"
Rin looked at him confused. "You mean to tell me you do not know how you survived?"
Issei nodded. "Y-yeah. I've got no idea."
Rin sighed and then pressed, "Anything else you know?"
"She attacked me here at my house and then…uhm…" Issei looked at Saber thoughtfully.
Saber sighed and answered his silent question, "Saber."
"Ah, then Saber appeared out of a magic circle and fought her. Then you showed up."
Rin slumped her shoulders and criticized, "You truly are an idiot, aren't you?"
"Hey! It's not my fault weird crap is happening all of a sudden!"
Rin sighed and then stood up. "I suppose there's no reason for you to stay in here Archer, go stand guard outside."
Archer nodded as she stood up. "Right, right." She winked at Issei as she walked out.
Issei looked at her curiously as she left.
Rin glared at Issei, resulting in the latter shrinking back fearfully. Sighing, Rin walked over to the shattered window in the hallway.
Issei got up and followed her, asking, "Erm, what are you doing?"
"Fixing this," Rin responded as she took a piece of the broken glass, spread a small droplet of her blood on it before the blood disappeared and the shards of the window reassembled.
Issei gaped and exclaimed, "Whoa! How'd you do that?!"
Rin stared at Issei appalled. "You've never even seen something like that? It's a most basic spell, even a grade schooler can do it."
Issei frowned and answered, "Well, sorry. All I know is Reinforcement Magic and Structural Analysis."
Rin looked at Issei incredulously. "Seriously? That's beginner stuff."
"Don't blame me. It's all my dad taught me."
Sighing, Rin asked, "Do you at least have a Magic Crest?"
Issei blinked and then sighed. "No, Dad didn't give it to me."
"Unbelievable. You're not even a true magus and all you know is the most basic of basic spells and yet you summoned a Saber class Servant?"
"I don't know! I don't even know what all this Servant crap means!"
Even Saber looked at Issei surprised.
Rin put a hand to her forehead and sighed heavily. "This has to be a joke."
Issei sighed dolefully.
"Well, I suppose there's only one thing to do at this point."
Issei raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"
"I'm assuming you know nothing of the Holy Grail War?"
Issei looked at her puzzled.
"I'll take that as a yes. And since it seems your abilities as a magus are so pathetic that your Servant can't assume Spirit form nor can she fully materialize her weapon I'd say it's safe to assume you don't know anyone who could explain it to you. So with that knowledge I'd say the only option at this point is to take you to the person who oversees this whole War so he can explain it to you."
Issei nodded in agreement. "Sounds good. I'd like to know what's going on before I get myself killed."
Rin just sighed in anger.
As Rin, Issei, and Saber walked toward their destination, Rin grumbled and asked Issei in frustration, "Couldn't she have worn anything else?"
Issei chuckled weakly. "She refused to take it off."
What they were referring to was Saber, who was walking closely behind them, still in her armor, with simply a green raincoat overtop to hide her armor. Issei had attempted to get her to wear a different outfit, yet she refused.
"Look, you can't go around town wearing medieval armor!" Issei argued.
Saber folded her arms and rebutted, "I refuse to compromise my ability to fight merely to blend in. Especially when you are with another Master."
Issei just sighed in defeat.
Letting the matter drop, Rin explained, "The person we're going to see is someone I've known for ten years. He's also my legal guardian."
Issei raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is your father not around?"
Rin shook her head. "No, but that's not important. This man is also the overseer of the Holy Grail War."
Soon, the trio approached a large, old church off to the edges of the city.
Gulping in aversion, Issei followed Rin who turned to Saber and suggested, "Why don't you stay out here and keep watch?"
Saber looked at her incredulously but Issei waved a hand and reassured, "I'll be alright."
Saber narrowed her eyes but sighed and nodded as she stayed at the front gate.
Archer appeared and winked at her playfully.
Saber huffed in annoyance.
Archer frowned in disappointment.
As Rin and Issei walked further into the church, Rin mentioned, "As I said, he's my legal guardian I know him quite well. Though that's part of what makes him such a big pain in the ass."
'For someone who's supposed to be her guardian, she really doesn't like him very much,' Issei thought. Though a small voice in the back of his mind told him there was likely a reason.
"You know, that is not very kind," a new voice remarked about Rin's comment.
Rin and Issei turned to see a tall man with shoulder-length, unkempt, dark brown hair, and dull, pupil-less brown eyes, wearing a priest's vestment with a long purple robe, and a golden cross hanging from a necklace walking towards them.
"Ah, Kirei, about time you showed up. I thought you had already gone to bed," Rin chided.
Kirei chuckled lightly and responded, "I am not quite that old and decrepit young lady."
Rin motioned to him and introduced, "Issei, this is Kirei Kotomine, my legal guardian and overseer of the Holy Grail War." She then pointed to Issei and said, "And this is Issei Emiya, a schoolmate of mine and an insane pervert."
Issei glared at her, "Hey! That part's not important!"
Kirei chuckled in amusement. "At the very least you do not deny it. At any rate, why have you brought him here, Rin?"
Nodding, Rin explained, "Issei is a complete fool. He has no Magic Crest and barely knows any spells. He also unintentionally summoned his Servant. In addition, he knows nothing of the Holy Grail War."
Kirei raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Is that so? Intriguing. Very well, I assume you wish for me to explain?"
Rin nodded. "If you wouldn't mind, since I can't be bothered with explaining it to him."
Issei twitched an eyebrow.
"Very well," Kirei answered before he turned to Issei and began, "Boy, you have been pulled into the Holy Grail War, a War that has been waging for the past two hundred years in an attempt to obtain the Holy Grail. Every time the War occurs, the Grail selects seven people to become Masters. These Masters then summon and form contracts with Heroic Spirits, or Servants. The seven Masters will then wage a secret war sending their Servants to fight for them. And then, when the last Servant and Master are standing, the Grail will appear and grant both their wishes."
Issei narrowed his eyes in thought. "Wait, you mean…we're sending people out to kill each other for this Grail?!"
"Not people," Rin corrected, "Heroic Spirits. The spirits of dead heroes and legends of old resurrected in our time to fight for us to obtain the Grail."
"How can they not be people!?" Issei argued angrily. "So what if they've already died?! All that means is we're pulling the dead out of the ground to fight for a war they didn't ask for!"
Rin snarled at Issei however Kirei smirked in amusement at his argument.
"Quite the interesting viewpoint, Emiya," Kirei commented.
Rin folded her arms in a huff. "More like stupid."
Kirei put up a hand. "Now Rin, every Master's viewpoint is different. And Issei's is no less valid than yours." He then turned to Issei. "Though I must ask you, do you intend to participate in the Holy Grail War?"
Issei frowned in thought as he suddenly noticed markings on his right hand.
Rin twitched an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you've just now noticed those…"
Kirei chuckled and asked, "So, do you know what those are, boy?"
Issei shook his head.
"They are the Command Seals that tie you to your Servant. You have three of them. They allow you to give a command to your Servant that they must obey, even if the act is against their will."
Issei looked at the complex, arrowhead shaped marking in surprise. "So this…forces her to do what I want…"
"Before you go on thinking about simple things, be warned, you only have three Command Seals, and once all three are gone you are no longer that Servant's Master. So if you use all three on frivolous acts you will lose your Servant."
Issei moaned as waterfall tears ran down his face.
"You were going to have Saber do something perverted weren't you?" Rin asked knowingly.
"Ah…well…n-no…" Issei responded unconvincingly, sweating heavily.
"Unbelievable," Rin chided as she shook her head.
Kirei chortled before continuing, "So, knowing everything I have told you, Issei Emiya, will you fight in the Holy Grail War?"
Issei looked at his Command Seals as he thought about everything Kirei had told him. Clenching his fist, Issei shook his head. "I've got no interest in making Saber fight for an object that I don't even know exists. That's not right."
Kirei smirked as he heard Issei's words.
"Are you stupid?! Of course the Grail exists! This War wouldn't exist otherwise!" Rin argued.
"Before you make your final decision," Kirei began, "let me ask you, is there more behind why you wish to not fight in the War?"
Issei nodded in response and answered resolutely, "Because it's wrong to force people to fight in a War they didn't ask for and for people they don't know. It's selfish and stupid."
Rin grumbled angrily.
"If that's so, then you should want to participate," Kirei challenged.
"Why?" Issei asked incredulously.
"Because if you choose to give up your right as Master, your Servant will simply be transferred to another Master who will use her to fight for his own ends."
Issei tensed as he realized the consequences of what Kirei said. He remained silent for several moments before clenching his fist. "Then…then I will fight! I will fight…to put an end to these stupid Wars!"
Kirei's smirk widened greatly. "Splendid! I am certain with that conviction and such a noble desire you will do many interesting things in the Grail War. After all, the only way to end the War, is to fight in the War."
Rin sighed and turned around, "If that's decided and you know the basics then come on, Emiya, let's go."
Issei nodded in understanding and bowed to Kirei before following behind the stubborn ravenette.
As they left, Kirei left Issei with some parting words, "Rejoice my son, you have a chance to make your dreams come true!" Kirei's smirk darkened as he watched the two leave out of the front door of the church.
"Ow!" Issei shouted as Rin whapped him on the shoulder.
"What is with you!?" she demanded.
"What're you talking about?!"
"First you have no clue, then you won't fight, but then, once you learn Saber would get a different Master, you want to fight. Why? Are you that obsessed with your perverted fantasies?!"
"Oh come on, that's not it at all!" Issei argued before altering his vision to the ground, a downcast expression forming on his face. "Well…it's simple really. I don't want Saber to fight. If she gets a new Master she'll be forced to fight other Servants."
Rin gaped at Issei. "Now that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. You really believe you can win the Holy Grail War by yourself?"
Issei smirked weakly. "Hey, I'm stronger than I look."
"You yourself said Reinforcement is the only magic you know."
Issei flinched in response. "That doesn't matter, I'll do whatever it takes."
"Do you even realize how little sense that makes?" Rin sighed before Issei could respond and snarled, "Whatever. At this point it doesn't matter. I've helped you with everything you need so for the time being we're back to being enemies. So let's just leave and get this headache of a night over with."
Issei twitched an eyebrow angrily. 'She's one of the school's most popular girls? That's unbelievable.'
As the two approached the gates of the church, Saber and Archer turned to them.
"So, are you finished with your business here Master?" Saber asked.
Issei looked off to the side uncomfortably. "Could you…just call me Issei? As cool as it sounds it's a bit weird for you to call me Master."
Saber raised an eyebrow but nodded in agreement. "Very well, Issei."
As the group left the front entrance of the church, they turned when a child's laughter rang through the air.
Issei turned and widened his eyes. The girl he ran into earlier that morning came skipping towards the group. "Y-you, you're…!"
However, their attention swiftly switched to an armor clad person whose form was not visible as a blood red haze flowed and ebbed around them with Issei only being able to make out long, curved horns on their helmet, and a long, wide sword on the person walking behind the girl.
"Wh-what's up with that Servant?" Rin asked with trepidation.
The girl bowed gracefully and introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Illyasviel von Einzbern, but I know that's a long name so you can just call me Illya."
Rin narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Von Einzbern…? Then that means…"
Issei looked at the apparition behind Illya and gulped. "I don't know who or what that thing is…but man it is scary…" 'As if the creepy little girl wasn't enough!'
Illya smiled kindly at the group and pointed to the being behind her. "By the way, this is my Servant, Berserker. Berserker's going to help me with a favor I'd like you all to do for me."
Issei frowned and muttered, "Do I even want to know…?"
"Would you please be so nice as to die for me?"
Issei felt shivers up his spine, "No I don't."
Saber stepped in between Issei and Illya, however Illya frowned when she heard Berserker start to tense. She looked back at Berserker then to Saber. "I see…well that's fine then." She smiled and pointed at the group and ordered, "Got get'em Berserker!"
The mist-clad Servant rushed past Illya and ran straight for Saber.
Saber raised her invisible blade to meet Berserker's, but was caught off-guard by the amount of sheer force it put into its swing.
"Saber!" Issei shouted. He clenched his fist as Saber and Berserker's battle began. Issei felt a sensation like a voice in the back of his head telling him to fight, but he felt frozen with fear and uncertainty.
Saber swung her blade at Berserker, however it blocked the strike with its own sword and forced hers back, slamming its foot into her stomach, knocking her off balance. Berserker raised its sword to take advantage of Saber's off kilter position, however Saber managed to dodge to the side as its sword slammed into the ground.
The voice sound louder and clearer to Issei's mind, his body tensing more.
Berserker howled angrily as Saber dodged and rushed after her.
Rin narrowed her eyes as she watched. 'For a Berserker, he's very agile.'
Berserker sent a flurry of swings at Saber, the blonde swordswoman not having any time to retaliate against the barrage. Berserker then swung with extra force and knocked Saber critically off-balance, allowing it to raise its sword and slash at her back.
"Gah!" Saber shouted as Berserker's sword broke partially through her armor and left a large gash down her side.
Issei watched as blood splashed onto the ground.
The voice sounded clear in Issei's mind, it shouting grandly and loudly 'Fight!'
"Saber! No!" Issei shouted angrily before charging at the powerful Servant.
"Emiya! You idiot!" Rin shouted.
"Get away from her!" Issei shouted as he swung his fist to punch at the Servant, however, as he did, he felt energy swell up in his hand before it burst out in a blast of red energy.
The others around him watched in shock as Berserker was sent flying and slammed into a large pole and slumped to the ground.
Illya looked at both Berserker and Issei stunned.
Issei ignored everything around him as he looked at the red, plated bracer that left his hands exposed and covered only a portion of his forearm and had several golden spikes, and a green jewel on the back of the hand that covered his arm. He looked at the strange weapon in awe, however, he wasn't the only one.
Saber's eyes widened greatly as she saw the weapon. "B-Boosted…Gear…"
Berserker tensed as it looked at Issei before it turned to Illya.
Illya frowned with a sigh. "Well, I suppose I'll let you go this time. But next time, you'll all die for sure."
Berserker grabbed her and then jumped off into the distance.
"Wait!" Saber shouted as the two vanished. She then turned to Issei in confusion as he looked at the gauntlet on his arm.
"Emiya!" Rin called as she ran up to him. "What on earth was that?!"
Issei shook his head silently. "I don't have…any idea what…this is…?" he asked as he showed her the gauntlet.
Rin looked at the weapon puzzled and shook her head.
"Boosted Gear."
Issei and Rin turned to Saber surprised.
"You, you know what this is called?" Issei asked.
Saber nodded in response. "Yes...however, I hope you will excuse me for not explaining in front of the enemy."
Rin folded her arms in a huff.
"Hey, focus! That thing tried to kill Tohsaka too!" Issei argued.
"Be that as it may, Tohsaka herself said we are enemies. It is unwise to reveal such important information in front of said enemies," Saber rebutted.
"As rude as she put it, I must concur," Rin added.
Issei sighed and then looked at the gauntlet at his arm before a voice from it shouted, "Reset!" Issei felt all strength in his body vanish before he collapsed on the ground.
"Issei!" Saber shouted.
As he passed out, Issei remembered the last conversation he had with his adoptive father, Kiritsugu.
On the deck of his home, Issei sat next to Kiritsugu, a tall, pale-skinned man with shaggy black hair, vacant dark grey eyes, and a small amount of stubble on his sunken cheeks wearing a simple grey kimono, looking up at the moon.
"When I was young, I used to want to become a champion of justice, too," Kiritsugu responded to a remark Issei made.
"Used to?" the young Issei asked. "Did you just give up? Why?"
"Well…it's hard to put into words. I suppose the best way to put it is, heroes don't last long. And the older you get to be, the harder being one is. I only wish I could've realized that sooner."
Issei looked down in thought and then back up at Kiritsugu. "Oh…I guess it won't happen for you then…will it?"
"No, it probably won't," Kiritsugu responded plainly.
"Well…since it's not gunna happen for you…I'll just have to be one instead. Then, I can get all the boobies! You may be too old for it but I've still got plenty of time!"
Kiritsugu chuckled mirthlessly.
"So just leave it to me! I'll make that dream of yours come true someday, Dad! And I'll be the coolest guy ever! I promise!"
"Thank you," Kiritsugu answered simply. Lowering his head, Kiritsugu said with a smile, "That's a relief son."
Issei leaned back with a smirk on his face as he imagined the possibilities for himself. However, he noticed an odd silence from Kiritsugu and turned to look at him puzzled. His eyes widened as he saw Kiritsugu's peaceful expression as he sat motionless next to Issei. As the realization hit him, a single tear fell from Issei's eye.
Issei suddenly burst up from his bed in shock. Issei then put a hand to his head in a vain attempt to silence his rather intense headache. He looked around his room and tried, fruitlessly, to remember what had happened the previous night. With a frustrated sigh he got out of bed.
Finishing his morning routine, he noticed blood as he finished rinsing his mouth. "What the…? Why is there…blood…?"
Issei walked through the halls of his house attempting to remember the events of the previous night before walking into his dining room. "Wwwhhhaaa..!?"
"Well good morning," Rin greeted politely. "I hope you're not upset, but I decided to let myself in."
Issei looked at her lamely as his brain worked over time. He pinched his cheek and thought, 'Okay…this has to be a dream. One of the most popular, and cutest, girls in school is sitting…in my dining room.' "Eh, not that I'm…complaining or anything, but…why are you here?"
Ignoring his question, Rin asked, "Do you realize there is not a single packet of decent tea in this entire house? If you insist on using tea bags, at least use the triangular ones."
Issei blinked curiously and asked, "The difference is…?" He then shook his head and asked again, "Tohsaka, why are you here exactly?"
Tohsaka put up a hand and insisted, "Shouldn't you be thanking me for carrying you all the way home last night?"
Issei blinked in bewilderment and then muttered, "Huh…?" Issei folded his arms in thought before looking at his left hand. "Ah! That's it!" Issei's memory finally jogged as he remembered the fight with Berserker and his use of Boosted Gear. "We were attacked by that other Servant…then I used that weird…thing…"
"Boosted Gear."
"Hmm…?"
"Saber said it is called Boosted Gear."
Issei remained silent for a moment, "…Ah! Where is she?!"
Rin sighed and responded, "Sleeping quietly in her room." Rin then redirected, "But more importantly…what were you thinking, you idiot?!"
Issei fell back in shock. "Wh-what was that for?!"
"You running into the middle of a battle between Servants like that!" Rin sighed to calm herself and then continued, "No other Master I know of has done something quite as insane as that. Though I'd say it's obvious you're no ordinary Master, if that strange weapon you used is any indication."
Issei frowned regretfully. "I don't know why I did that, it's just that…that something inside me was compelling me to help her."
"Compelling you? That's rather ridiculous, you do realize that, right?"
Issei looked at her annoyed. "I'm not joking, it's like I actually heard a voice in my head telling me to fight."
"I think there are treatments for that."
"I'm not crazy dammit!" Issei shouted as he slammed his hands on the table. He then sat back down with a huff. "Damn…all I wanted to do was ogle pretty girls and now I'm involved in this bizarre War for some reason. My life sucks."
"It could be much worse."
"Would you stop that?!"
Rin sighed as she continued to stir her tea and asked, "Well then, Emiya, what's your plan of attack at this point?"
Issei raised an eyebrow and then sighed. "I don't really…have…one. I just…don't want what happened ten years ago to ever happen again."
Rin looked at him curiously.
"All this Holy Grail crap is meaningless."
Rin sighed heavily. "You know, I knew you'd say that. Be warned, if Saber hears that, she'll kill you."
Issei looked at her worried, "Sh-she'll…kill me…?"
Rin frowned at him. "Wake up Emiya! You think Servants do this without some goal of their own?! It isn't just the Masters who get their wishes granted by the Grail. If a Master and Servant obtain the Grail, both get their wish. A desire for the Grail's power is the reason that many of the Servants became Heroic Spirits in the first place. Why else would they answer the summons of another person? They each have something they yearn for the Grail to grant."
Issei narrowed his eyes in frustration. "So you're telling me that Saber's just doing this for the Grail too? Gahh!" Issei put his hands behind his head in frustration. "But she's just as human as me, she lost lots of blood last night!"
"Servants may seem alive but they truly aren't. When they die they simply return to where they came from."
"That's not a good reason to kill each other!"
Rin then rebutted, "If you just let the other Masters run around unchecked then innocent people will die!"
Issei's eyes widened as he realized what she said.
Rin sighed and then explained, "Servants use spiritual energy, or mana, as 'fuel'. The more mana they manage to absorb the stronger they get and the closer they get to as strong as they were in life."
Issei blinked in thought for several seconds. "I don't get what you're saying…"
Rin sighed and simplified, "It's quite simple. They use mana to power themselves and their abilities. Human souls are some of the most concentrated sources of mana."
Issei's eyes widened as he realized what she meant. "So you're saying that…some Servants will eat human souls and kill people to survive…?"
Rin nodded. "Yes. Normally a Master would need to force their Servant with a Command Seal to do this but some Servants are willing to do so quite easily."
Issei narrowed his eyes as he thought about Saber and shook his head vigorously. "No way! There's no way Saber would do that!"
As Rin poured herself more tea she asked, "So then what will you do? Just stand by and let the other Masters run amuck?"
Issei sighed and answered as she sat down, "If they do something like that, I'll stop them."
"You're kidding? You're not willing to attack a Master, but if he does something evil then you'll defeat him?" she asked incredulously.
Issei couldn't find the right response to her question.
"So you basically want to have your cake and eat it too."
Issei frowned and said exasperatedly, "Yeah, I know that I'm trying to have it both ways but…I just can't think of anything else!"
Rin sighed and then asked, "Mind if I explain the flaw with that train of thought?"
"What do you mean?"
"That Master we ran into last night will hunt us. And will continue to hunt us until she kills us."
Issei flinched.
"That Servant she summoned is way beyond anything we can handle."
Issei smirked and rebutted, "Yeah right! You saw me! I used that Boost Gear thing and blew that armored jerk to hell!"
Rin twitched an eyebrow. "No…you merely knocked the Servant off-balance. The only reason Illyasviel retreated was because an event she hadn't expected occurred so she fell back to reassess the situation."
Issei narrowed his eyes angrily.
"If we sit around and wait we're as good as dead. I doubt you'd even get the chance to reawaken that Boosted Gear, even if you knew how."
"Wh-what do you mean if?" Issei asked annoyed.
"Do you? Could you activate it right now if I asked?"
"Ah, well…no…"
"Exactly."
Issei sighed and then remarked, "It'd help if we knew who her Servant was."
"Not particularly. In a way it may help, but with as powerful as that Servant was even if we knew, I doubt it would help. And I'm fairly certain she was just toying with us last night. Plus, you never expose your Servant's true identity, it exposes their vulnerabilities."
Issei then put his cup down and mused, "That makes me wonder who Saber really is."
"I think it's probably best if you remain in the dark on that. You certainly seem like the type who might let it slip to the wrong person," Rin said bluntly.
"You mean…you, right?" Issei asked thoughtfully.
"Last time I checked we are still enemies."
Issei twitched an eyebrow as he berated himself for forgetting.
And finito. That puts a cap on the first chapter of Fate of Devils: Black. Let me know what you guys think of it in a review and make sure to put your vote in on the poll on whether you wish to see Fate of Devils: Redux or Fate of Devils: Black be the story that continues.