Greetings strangers. This is my first fanfiction story and I hope you enjoy it.
A little heads up though, this story will be a bit different than some. First off while I have plans of where I want this to go, I am writing this chapter by chapter. I mostly have theories and concepts in my head at the moment and I kind of come up with more ideas as I go along.
That being said, there are some things I think you should all know before diving in to my story. First thing, Draig will not be in this story. PERIOD. while I like Draig, there are just so many possibilities for a replacement, that I felt I needed to try this idea out. Worry not, Issei will still be the red dragon emperor but with a different dragon. Secondly, and what I feel I may get quite a bit of heat from is, there will be no pairing between Issei and anyone in the ORC. This is non-negotiable and quite honestly one of the only story points I am quite adamant about. I honestly like all the characters but romances with them are kinda played out. I myself am a fan of unconventional ideas which is why I like the NarutoxAnko pairing from naruto so much, because it honestly would never happen. Sorry getting off topic anyway I have a request. I would really love some constructive criticism on my story. And in all honesty, things like "I hate your story! I'm not even going to read it anymore." are really unproductive. It usually pisses the writer off, and then it can ruin the story for everyone else who does like it when a writer gets fed up with writing for people who don't respect their work. All in all enjoy the story, and if you don't like it tell me why, or if my story bothers you so much that you feel you have to tell me that you won't be reading my story anymore do me a favor? Stop reading and just find another story, cuz no one really wants to hear your shit kay? Whew! now that that's out of the way let's get started shall we?
Disclaimer: This Tzar does not own Highschool DXD or any other media because let's face it, if I did, I would not be writing this right now and Issei would be less perverted and more badass.
Thoughts: 'I wonder how sensitive Kunou's tails are?'
Regular Speech: "Oh really? Never took you for a Furry.
Sacred Gear Thoughts: 'These idiots better not fight in the house again'
Sacred Gear Speech: "I can't believe you ate that!"
SLAM!
A scrawny body smacked against the dark alley wall, slowly drooping into the damp grime infested puddle below. His face swollen and repugnant held an expression of terror as the blows to his body continued. Attempting to curl into the fetal position so as to hide himself away from these vile creatures intent on making him suffer. Their words just as sharp as the physical torment that was being inflicted on him.
"How do you like that?!" CRUNCH! "Look at him! Cowering like a little bitch!" One yelled angrily.
"Oi! Oi! Look at him!" He's fucking crying! Oh my god this is priceless! Let me snap a picture!" Another chortled.
"Come on ya little twit! Fight back! Get the fuck up you little shit! STAND YOUR ASS UP!" A third roared.
Clothes torn, the young man losing his will to even tremble in fear as crimson ichor oozed from his battered and bruised body.
? P.O.V
'I just want this to end... What do they want with me? I never did anything to them... I don't know how much longer I can take this... I can feel my mind fading... I'm losing consciousne...
3rd Person P.O.V
His head fell to the side as his consciousness left him leaving him even more vulnerable to his attackers. Though now that he wasn't awake to show his fear to his assailants; they grew disinterested in a downed victim.
"Awww come on! He passed out already!" One said dejectedly.
"Hey! Check his wallet for cash! Maybe we can get a free meal outta the little bitch." The
second said animatedly.
"Hehe looks like dinners on you... Issei-kun"
Timeskip Unknown
Light brown eyes opened to the darkness of the alleyway and the darkening sky above him. Groaning in pain, he hoisted himself off the ground and ran his hand through his messy amber locks.
"Damn it's getting dark out, I better get home "mom and dad" will get mad" he stated with a bitter tone. Issei limped his way out of the darkened passage and proceeded to make hid trek home. This was a normal day for the high school boy, his life consisting of waking up, going to school, and getting beaten up afterwards. His home life wasn't any better, usually coming home to an empty house because his adoptive parents were always on business trips. On the rare occasion when they were home, their conversations consisted of berating his progress in school and telling him he wasn't going to amount to anything if he didn't work hard enough. That's not to say Issei was a bad student, he was actually ranked 50th in his year in the last exam, not to mention he wasn't trying all that hard to keep up his grades. He actually answered questions wrong because he wanted to stay inconspicuous and not draw attention to himself for being too smart. It was so easy for him to memorize anything due to his eidetic memory, and while it was a boon in school, remembering everything he saw was a double edged sword. The constant beatings and verbal abuse were forever ingrained in his mind consistently plaguing him.
Hyoudou Home
As Issei finally reached his not so modest 2 story home that bordered on the line of a small mansion he noticed his parent's car in the driveway. Sighing he went to open the back door to try and sneak in so he didn't have to talk to them and explain why he was soaked in blood. As he closed the door, making sure not to utter a sound, he swiftly crept up the stairs. Yet, as luck would have it, as he made the final step there was a loud groan.
"Shit..."
Silently cursing the creaky step, as well as his luck, he dreaded the next few moments as he heard the shuffling of feet from the living room. There was no hiding now, the teen mustering as much courage as he could, prepared for the tirade of queries he solemnly made his way back down the steps.
"Issei Hyoudou" His father intoned. "Do you know what time it is?"
"Well sir it's..." Issei began
"It's past midnight, where could you have possibly been that caused you to be home this late?"
"I was..." The young man tried to get a word in just as his mother turned on the lights and stepped down the stairs.
"Dear what's going on... OH MY GOD! ISSEI! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU!"
"Yes Issei what were you doing to come home in such a manner" Mr. Hyoudou stated losing his neutral tone.
"After school there were these guys..." Issei started to explain
"So, you got into another fight even though we explicitly told you to refrain from such vulgar acts"
"No but I..."
"BUT. NOTHING!" The Hyoudou patriarch grounded out. "This is the last straw! You ungrateful little..."
"DEAR!"
"WHAT!"
"Please, calm yourself and say what you have to say"
"Fine... It won't matter soon anyways"
Issei began to dread what his parents had in store for him. 'I just want it to end...'
His father began "Issei, this was planned for after you turned eighteen, but you've forced my hand...
'What? I don't understand...'
"Your mother and I are leaving, and we are not taking you with us."
'So? They leave all the time, and i never went with them before...'
"We won't be returning."
'What? But that means... no...'
"We're leaving you the house, and we left some money in your account so you can get by."
'Please, let this be a dream... I just want it to end...'
"Don't try to contact us... we won't answer.
'Why? Why can't they understand...'
"And in case you get any ideas about following us your account has been locked until we leave"
'How can they... Did I ever matter to them?'
"This is Goodbye Issei... You were a good tax deduction while it lasted, now go upstairs; we'll be gone when you wake up."
The young man began to feel drowsy and soon enough he collapsed, with a single thought racing through his head.
'I just want it to end...'
With that final thought he drifted off into his nightmares, and the man and woman left the unconscious boy on the ground.
"Wasn't that a little harsh, Mr. Hyoudou?" The female softly giggled.
The male snorted as if amused by her question. "Coming from you, that's rich Mrs. Hyoudou."
The Woman seemed indignant at his insinuation. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean... I'll have you know I'm a dignified young lady!"
"Hehe, that's what you're calling yourself? I'll give you the dignified, seeing as you can be when you feel like it.
'Not like she ever acts like it in the first place'
"But a young lady? That's rich; you're so old your birth certificate is expired!"
"OI!"
"I mean it's not your looks but you're so old when you take a shit, fossils come out!
"STOP!"
"Hey! Being old isn't a bad thing, but rumor through the grapevine is, you're so old you got slapped by Eve for blowing Adam!"
"HEY! THAT WAS ONE TIME!"
"What? Oh shit really!? Holy shit I was joking but you actually... snnrk, and then she... HA! Oh
that is just priceless, oh man wait till Mr. A hears about this!"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Two words, Vacuum. Cleaner."*
"Erk, Fine, You got me I won't say anything"
"Good, I'm glad we ca..."
"Won't say anything if you get back before I do! See ya!"
"HEY! GET BACK HERE!"
A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED
Issei woke feeling miserable, his whole body stiff from sleeping on the floor; he winced as the blood throbbed through his temples like a steamroller. His mind a blur, he recalled the previous night's conversation, tears built in the corners of his eyes, slowly flowing to his chin and trickling into a pool in front of him.
'Why? They weren't here that much, and we were kind of distant, but they were my parents! Adopted or not, I thought they cared about me a little bit... I... I don't think i can do this anymore... I'm all alone... no one cares... i just want it to end.'
With a solemn determination, Issei languidly walked to his supply closet and pulled out a bottle of bleach. He shouldered the heavy bottle and made his way to the kitchen, proceeding to take a cup from the cabinet. Sitting at the dining room table he poured himself his cup of death, lifting it up, he held out his glass.
"Kanpai " He muttered sardonically.
With a steady hand he haltingly drew the cup closer to his waiting lips.
'Inch by foreboding inch,
This Daunting cup I take,
With each breath I keep,
Brings me closer to my fate,
This chalice of death is my salvation.
By-Issei Hyoudou'
Hesitation. No sooner than the cup reached his lips he stopped, resisting the embrace of death he sought. Again his hand moved toward his perceived salvation, reaching, yearning, to end his suffering.
"STOP!"
! His hand released and time seemed to slow, as the cup sluggishly fell to its doom he frantically attempted to reach for his savior, but his body would not respond. As if by magic the moment his cup touched the floor he moved, and fell to his knees, the salty tears returning, as he desolately gazed at the floor, where his savior lay empty.
'I'm such a coward... I suffer every day and I finally muster up the courage to do it, but the moment I try, I wimp out at the last second.'
"Damn... Damn it... Damn it all!"
The tears began to cascade down his face; he began to hug himself trying to will himself back to normal, to be able to function, to go to school.
'Who knows maybe something good could happen today?' His positive side thought, whatever was left of it anyways
"Heh, yeah right, like that would ever happen."
The teen pushed himself off the ground, and made his way up the stairs to get ready for school. As he made his way to school, Issei overheard the latest gossip, and it wasn't good.
"Hey look, I heard his parents left him because he was so violent that they couldn't handle him anymore."
"No way, really? I heard he beats up kids after school and steals their money"
"Wow I'm glad my child isn't so unbalanced, I'm surprised his parents didn't leave him earlier"
With each passing moment, the whispers, the glares, Issei shrunk into himself and tried to ignore the hurtful words.
'Where did they even hear those things? I've never done anything like that... Don't they have
anything better to do than to harass me like this?'
? P.O.V
A lone figure could be seen, sitting along a riverbank, upset over something.
'Shit... His life-force almost gave out. I'll need to empower his soul a bit, should keep him spirited for a while, but he'll need someone to keep him in good spirits... A friend perhaps? No, to slow on the uptake... Hmm... a sibling perhaps? Maybe, but it isn't a very solid idea. I mean where would I even get him one, let alone a stranger showing up to his doorstep claiming to be his sibling. No, what he needs is someone that can be as close as a sibling, perhaps even closer. Parental figure? Definitely not considering what recently happened... What am i leaving out? There has to be something I'm missing, but what could it possibly...!
"That's it! A lover! A girlfriend would be perfect! Although it can't be anyone he's familiar with understandably, so a person he's never met huh? I'll have to keep an eye out for any new faces around him. I just hope he can hold on that long, i don't know if I'll be able to stop him next time..."
A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED
Stepping on to school grounds Issei sighed to himself.
'Why am I even here? I should have just stayed home...'
Making his way to the second year classrooms, Issei heard several girlish screams, followed by the voices of which he assumed belonged to the girls kendo club.
"OUTTA THE WAY!/MOVE IT WILL YA!" Two voices screamed
"GET BACK HERE YOU PERVERTS!" Was the collective cry of the enraged females.
WHAM!
Issei was suddenly on the ground, underneath the two males.
"Shit, Matsuda!"
"Oi! Motohama! Their gaining on us!"
"Hey kid, hold onto these for us okay? We owe you one." Finished with their conversation, said perverts ran off leaving the unfortunate young man behind with a rather full, manila envelope. The kendo girls had reached the point of collision just in time to see the pervy duo hand off the envelope to the confused Issei.
"Hey look" whispered one of the kendo girls. "It's that weird kid whose parents left him."
"Look! He's hiding something for them!" another yelled. "I knew he was bad, but to think he was a pervert like the idiotic duo..."
"Let's teach him a lesson about what we do to perverts like him!"
"Wait this isn't..." The poor boy tried to explain.
"GET HIM!"
"MAKE SURE HE PAYS!"
"please... stop..." 'why... Why... WHY... please I don't wanna hurt anymore... make it stop... I just want it to end... let me be...'
"I think he's learned his lesson, let's just trash the pervs garbage and get to class." With one last hit to the suffering boy, they went off to their classes.
"Everything will be okay soon enough, child"
! Issei turned around trying to find the voice, but no one seemed to be around.
"Ahhhh" He ran his hand through his hair. "I guess I'm finally losing it..."
Pushing himself off the floor, he silently made his way to class, and moved to his seat near the back row. Even though he tried to ignore the class banter, he couldn't help but overhear a few things.
"Did you hear? That Issei kid is in with the perverted duo now, the kendo team caught him with a whole stash of pervy items from their collection."
"I heard there is a new transfer student in our class today, and it's a pretty girl!"
"Well we better warn her about the new pervert before he gets too close!"
Before the banter could get any further, the homeroom teacher walked in the room. "All right class settle down, and before any of you ask, yes there is a transfer student, yes it's a girl, now pipe down, and let her introduce herself, Come on in Amano-san."
The few moments before the classroom door opened, were excruciating. The eager anticipation from the boys, the slightly jealous glares at the door from the girls, you could cut through the emotions in the room with a knife. With a soft click, the door slowly slid open and Issei's world went silent. No cheers or whistles from the boys were heard, neither were the silent groans of the girls heard, as if the whole world stopped for this girl. Beauty, Earth-shattering, time-stopping, all-encompassing beauty. In all his life, Issei had never seen such loveliness. From her deep violet eyes, to her ebony locks that flowed like an obsidian river, the angel-esque smile on her ever so slightly angular face. Time began again, and before the teacher could have her introduce herself, the classroom exploded into shouts of semi deranged boys, and thoroughly aggravated, and partially blushing girls.
"UUWWOOOOO!"
"HELL YEAH!"
"SO HOT!"
"Tch..."
"So annoying..."
"Really? Another one..."
Writing her name on the board, she turned to face the class.
"Greetings everyone!" She curtsied. "My name is Amano Yuuma! Please take care of me!"
With that greeting, she gave a blinding smile and directed her attention to the teacher for her seating arrangement. The poor teacher couldn't even get a word in before the room erupted once again, this time with slightly different reactions from the girls.
UUWWOOOOO! AN ANGEL! AN ANGEL CAME TO OUR CLASS!"
"HELL YEAH! ANGEL-SAMAAA! MARRY MEEE!"
"SO HOT! ANOTHER GREAT LADY OF KUOU HAS DECENDED!"
"Wow... she's so nice."
"Oh my! She seems just like Akeno Onee-sama!"
⁓blush⁓ "My love... We will be together soon..."
Having enough of his student's nonsense, the teacher decided to start the class."THAT'S ENOUGH!... *ahem* Now that you've all settled down, we can begin. Amano-san, there is a seat near the back if you would, please."
'Fuck you teach... Fuck you.'
Once more the classroom was filled with shouts of protest.
"Nooooo! Teacher don't make her sit by the creep!"
"Damn bastard, guess he thinks he's all that, getting to sit next to the newest great lady."
"We'll teach him a lesson after school, like always right?"
"EEEWW! YUUMA ONEE-SAMA! TAKE MY SEAT DON'T SIT NEXT TO THE PERV!"
"Don't worry Yuuma-Chan! We'll fix this!
"Fucking damn punk-ass perverted little bastard... I will make you suffer. "
"Now now class, Let Amano-san form her own opinions about Hyoudou-kun... And since you don't seem to pay attention in my class Hyoudou-kun, perhaps you would give your textbook to her, till she gets her own."
'Son of a... he's just making things worse for me... I'll just give her the book and leave her be...'
Issei silently handed his book to his new neighbor, without as much as a look in her direction.
"Ah... thank you, Issei... kun"
There was no response, but the young lady smiled and turned her attention to the teacher.
A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED A SOUL IN NEED
The final bell had rung; Issei had put his things away quickly, hoping to avoid yesterday's bullies. Not bothering to say farewell to his classmates, Issei quickly made his way to the school gates. Just as he was about to cross the threshold of the thrice damned institution, a familiar female voice called out to him.
"Issei-kun! Let's walk home together!"
Stopping in his tracks, he turned his head to the voice, and spoke a single word.
"...why?"
She giggled softly, as if the reason for her odd request was the simplest thing in the world.
"Because I wanna talk with you, silly!"
"...you shouldn't." With those two words, he walked away, leaving behind a confused, but determined Amano Yuuma. As Issei made his way back to his home, he got the feeling that he was being watched. Turning quickly, he looked at his surroundings and found nothing.
'Odd... I could've sworn someone was following me...'
With a slight uneasiness in his step, he continued his way home
"Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii"
"!" Almost frantically, he spun his body around again, searching for any sign of his tail. Catching a glimpse of black behind a house, the young man had had enough of his secret follower.
"Hmm... someone, or something... is following me, maybe it's whatever is hiding behind that house over there..."
"!" Flinching, Issei's secret follower desperately thought of a way to turn him away. Overcome with impetuousness, the hiding figure made a decision.
"Nyaaa... nya nya nyyaaaaa nyaroooo *ahem* nyaaa nya."
Sweatdropping, Issei continued to the hiding figure.
"Oh, it was just a cat, how silly of me... guess I'll just head home then..."
"phew" The foolish stalker let out a heavy breath.
"You're a bit of an airhead, aren't ya?"
"Kyaa!"
*sigh* "Amano-san, why are you following me..."
"Well... I... I..."
"Please... just leave me be, you being near me will just make things worse for me..."
Issei turned and started walking again.
"Listen... I'm going home; I suggest you do the same."Leaving the saddened girl behind, Issei continued on his way home.
'Issei-kun... how much have you suffered from their plans..." A surge of determination appeared on her face. 'No more! I won't let them hurt you anymore! I SWEAR IT!'
With that final thought, she left the area, plans forming in her mind, to save Issei.
Upon returning home, Issei began to contemplate the day's events.
'What is her deal... Can't she just stop pretending to care? Like they all do... I will not let anyone in again... Not after what happened last time...'
Moving to his room, Issei walked in, kicked off his shoes, and flopped down on the bed for another dreamless sleep.
Dreamscape
Fog. As far as the eye could (or couldn't, in Issei's opinion) see, there was fog. Not knowing where he was, the confused lad decided to see if anyone was here with him. After what seemed like hours wandering around, Issei recognized the sound of running water to his left. Turning towards the sound, he cautiously moved closer to it, growing ever closer to the source of the noise. As Issei neared the noise, the fog became clearer and started to thin out.
'Now that it's clearing up, I can almost make out something ahead...'
"Not yet child, it's time to wake up"
ISSEI'S ROOM
"!" Issei woke up in a cold sweat, panting heavily from the sudden jump to consciousness. Getting out of bed, he drew back the curtains from his bedside window.
'Jeeze... It's still dark out... what the hell was that dream about though? It seemed too real to be a dream...'
"*Sigh*" He looked towards his clock with an irritable expression.
"Man... 2:30? Tch... falling asleep is gonna be a bitch and a half... Might as well read something."
Having an eidetic memory, even with its drawbacks was a great boon for learning. With Issei being an introvert with no friends, his hobby repertoire was vast, consisting of activities such as, reading, playing music, cooking, and a few others. Looking towards his bookshelf, he lifted himself off the bed and made his way over to the books. While making his way over to the bookshelf, Issei noticed a lone crimson red book with emerald green lettering, sitting on his desk. Making his way to the desk with ardent curiosity, Issei picked up the book.
"Life magic? The legend of ***********, hmmm… can't make out that last bit."
With a puzzled look on his face, Issei turned to the first page.
Life. The culmination of all things. The force that drives the very universe, to its core. Some ponder upon its meaning, others curse its name. While some seek to understand its workings, many more seek to end it. Whosoever holds this book, is one of the chosen few who have received the blessing of ***********, an honor which has only been given to a select few, such as ***** ******** and ********** ******, both of whom are deceased, or put into items like the *** ******** which has long since been destroyed. The Powers manifest to the users personality, such as a pendant, or Magical Tome, but in your case, the power has yet to awaken and only small fragments of information are available. You have most likely been made aware of this as the previous owners of this power, as well as the magical artifacts that contained this power have been, magically redacted from your mind. However, as you are the first user in many centuries, you already have an ability that was manifested on the day of your birth... Think upon your life and what abnormal ability you might have. Do you remember? Yes? Good, your benefactor saw fit to release a minute portion of power to you when they foresaw some of your future trials. This power divulged itself in your eidetic memory; quite a boon for a budding magician, wouldn't you say? That being said, the one who holds this power has a choice to make. But first, here's a question for you. Is life inherently good? Is death intrinsically evil? Or is it possible to pervert the ways of life? And if so, then can the path of death also be rectified? You must choose; what will you become? Shall you take up a shield to defend all that you hold dear? A vanguard of might, one who fights, be it for good or evil? Or will you become a denizen of the dark, who seeks only chaos? The choice is yours, do with it what you will. And come what may; remember that your actions have consequences. Be they virtuous or wicked, you shall bear responsibility for your actions. Life is not a game to be trifled with, do not forget that Issei Hyoudou. This book will now imprint itself on you. There will be a slight shock, but do not be alarmed, the process is perfectly safe... Mostly...
"Oww! Damn it!"
The book fell from Issei's shocked hands. Thoughts racing, he sought an explanation for what he had just read.
'Okay... what the hell was that... If what I just read is true, then... No, you know what? I am soo not dealing with this right now. I am going back to sleep; and putting all thoughts of mystical semi-sentient books on the backburner. Seriously... its three forty-two, I need to get some sleep or I'm gonna be a zombie when I wake up.'
With that final thought, he went back to his bed to try and sleep whatever was left of the night away.
? P.O.V
'His power is manifesting faster than I expected. Odd, for someone who not even a day ago, wanted to die, to be so in tune with life. I can only hope that he will choose the correct path, and I will aid him in any way that I can.
END Chapter 1
A/N
Well there you have it! The first chapter of A Soul In Need. Tell me what you thought and also im open to ideas of what you guys want. If you can, I'm still trying to figure out what physical form his sacred gear should have. I've got most of the powers down and who is residing in it, just not a clue what it should look like. Keep in mind his powers are mostly magic based. So if you could pop some ideas in the reviews I would be Super grateful, and whoever's idea I use will be mentioned as the co creator of said gear in my future A/N's as well as anyone else who helps out.
By the way, if anyone is wondering what the vacuum cleaner thing was in the beginning? I'll tell you the story next chapter if you guys want me too
Stay Safe, and know that your Tzar cares for his people.