Tokyo Ghoul DxD

It had taken the combined might of Akeno, Rias, Kiba, Kurona, and Nashiro to knock Haise unconscious after Issei finally succumbed to his injuries and fell into sweet unconscious.

He was currently lying on the sofa in the clubroom, staring blankly up at the ceiling with a book resting on his chest. The experience he had with his Kakuja was anything BUT pleasant, his body feeling as if it were being torn apart, and his mind eroding away into total madness. Shironeki had warned him that using it would temporarily make him back to how he was when he was with Aogiri, cold and ruthless and teetering on the brink of insanity, yet it was necessary to help Issei with his training.

The results spoke for themselves on the tenth day. By that point, Haise was downright worn ragged and tired for having fought Issei for three days straight without end, his Kakuja cracked, his Kagune all but gone, his clothes tattered, and wounds littered all over his body. Issei himself was no worse for wear, however he had found a new power, one that Rias couldn't help but feel confident in victory in.

The Gremory Peerage had found an ace in the hole, which came in the form of crimson red armor, a pair of bloody red gauntlets bearing gleaming green jewels embedded into the back of the hands, possessing sharp talons, a slim tail lashing at the tailbone, and a helmet resembling the head of a dragon.

"Balance Breaker", Issei referred to the armor as. According to Rias, some Sacred Gears, which housed beings like Ddraig, or any supernatural creature, when in sync with their users, could achieve a special state in which they could bend the rules of their Sacred Gear, adopting a new form, and gaining unlimited power. For Issei, it was Scale Mail, a set of armor that could increase his power as many times as he wanted without a time relapse.

That did not mean this power came without a prince, unfortunately. When the armor faded, Issei's left hand had undergone a drastic change. The sleeve of his jacket and shirt were ripped apart, and instead of pink human flesh, there was a deformed hand that resembled the claw of a reptile, talons for fingers and scales for skin, tinted light red.

Apparently, since his body was not yet accustomed to the Balance Breaker yet, he was forced to give up something in return to Ddraig, case in point being his arm. Rias was very worried about this, and she was not the only one. Everyone else displayed similar faces and expressions of worry and concern, even Nashiro and Kurona. Haise was unconscious, and woke up only a few hours ago to see them off.

Today was the day of the Rating Game.

"You think they'll be able to win?" Rize asked him as she manifested atop on the chair's arms. Unlike how she usually appeared, she had lost her glasses, and both of her eyes had developed a Kakugan. Haise's silence was all she received for an answer, though she herself knew his thoughts. After all, she was just a figment of his imagination, a representation of one of his Ghoulish aspects. "Their opponent can regenerate continuously... That's rather bothersome. A shame you didn't want to participate."

"Oh?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her. "Why do you say that?"

"Because..." the woman drawled, waving her hand about. "We could have brought a fireproof chair and then strap the bastard down while we had our way with him. And by that, I mean give him a dose of the 'Jason' treatment." Her smile grew wicked, delight dancing over her face. "Tear off his toes and feed them to him, shove a centipede inside his ear then cram it inside of his skull, and then make him choose between either a member of his peerage or his sister to decide who gets to live and who gets to die. No mind is strong."

And he knew that from Shironeki. His white-haired self was born as a result of Kuroneki, his black-haired self's weakness. He had to make a decision like that... but he failed. Both of them died, and it was his fault.

It was Ken Kaneki's fault.

"...Haise-kun." Said One-Eyed Ghoul looked up at Rize, her face telling him everything he needed to know. "It's time."

He sighed, closing his book and laying it down on the table before he closed his eyes and leaned back, allowing himself to be lost in his own mind. Slowly, the world around his began to warp and shift, dissolving into what looked like a scenery that no longer resembled a fancy clubroom.

It was also not Anteiku.

It was a wide-open space, far larger than any room Haise had ever seen. It resembled something akin to that of a bird cage, steel red bars trapping him everywhere with black glass hanging over him like a failsafe. The floor was checkered black and white, and disturbingly, there were bloody splatters all over the place, as if some kind of mass genocide had taken place.

"Yo, Sasaki." Haise turned to see both Shironeki and Kuroneki, both dressed in their usual outfits... but they had one thing in common now.

They were both wearing his mask. Black leather covered the lower half of their face, bolts sticking out from the neck with lipless teeth bared with a zipper between the white fangs. "It's been a while since we actually came to meet like this." Kuroneki remarked, his hands at his sides, standing while Shironeki sat atop a chair, both arms resting on his knees. "So... have you made your decision yet?"

Haise nodded, but lowered his head, hiding his eyes. "...Before we make any decisions, can I ask you two something?" he questioned, his tone soft. Shironeki raised an eyebrow, and Kuroneki looked concerned, but they nodded their heads. "Which one of you... is the real me?"

"The real you?" Shironeki frowned. "The hell are you yapping about now?"

"I want to know who I really am..." Haise answered, looking up at the two. To their surprise, his left eye had a Kakugan. "Whether or not I'm simply Haise Sasaki..."

Memories from his life up until the day he first met Issei Hyoudou flooded back into his mind. All the good the memories, and all the bad memories were gathered up in front of him, replaying like a movie in fast forward. He remembered to how he was so annoyed with people trying to find him, all because of either his looks or his personality or his overall character in general. He remembered to how he first saw Issei's nature beneath that perverted facade he always wore, the face that reminded him much of Ken Kaneki. He remembered to how he learned that all of the ones that chased him, sans Kiryuu and two of the three Perverted Trio, were Devils. He remembered how he came to help the Occult Research Club, while not being a Devil himself.

There had been a part of him, the part of him known as Haise Sasaki, that did not want to forget his time at Kuoh Academy.

Pain erupted along his back, but quickly subsided as the familiar bloody red tendrils burst out from his back, lashing and quivering until they became poised, their tips as sharp as spears. "Whether or not I'm simply Ken Kaneki..."

He recalled the garbled memories of how he used to be, fragments and pieces all scattered until they started to piece themselves together, forming a film of the life he led before. He recalled how he loved to read the books his father left behind after he passed away. He recalled how he had been so lost, so lonely without his mother after she had overworked herself. He recalled how the Asaoka family had begun to ostracize him, his aunt constantly comparing him (and to an extent, his mother), to her lazy son (and to an extent, herself). He recalled how he lost his loneliness after he met Hide for the first time. He recalled how he became enticed to Rize Kamishiro when they passed each other on the street. He recalled his new life as a One-Eyed Ghoul after he awoke in the hospital, his humanity lingering, if only barely.

There had been a part of him, a part of him known as Ken Kaneki, that did not want to forget the memories of his life up until he became Haise Sasaki.

Shironeki and Kuroneki both saw him, their faces serious and passive before they too followed his example, allowing their Kakugan and Kagune to emerge. They understood his desires now, his confusion and want to learn more about the him that should exist. "Or... whether or not I am both." Haise said, preparing himself as the two representations of his human and Ghoul side placed themselves into a combat stance, each waiting for the other to make a move.

As soon as one did, the battle would begin. A cold, tense atmosphere oppressed them, desires burning in their eyes, and strength formed in abundance.

The moment Haise shot forward, Kuroneki and Shironeki charged straight in.

The next clash that occurred, here and now, was a battle for identity.

Issei gasped for air as he stumbled back a bit, his battered form limp and heavy, blood leaking down the side of his face and covering his eye. His clothes were completely battered and torn apart, burn marks all over his body with cuts and bruises. His dragonic left arm was no better, the hand practically scorched and throbbing in fiery hot pain.

"How..." the Red Dragon Emperor panted, looking at the defeated, battered form of one Riser Phenex. "Do you... like that... ya son... of a bitch...?"

'H-holy crap...' Issei thought, his body barely able to support itself. He could literally feel as if he were about to keel over any second, and wondered if he was actually on the verge of death or the likes. 'Even with that hellish training Haise-san put me through... that was horrifying...'

Issei had once again put through the ringer as he and the rest of the Gremory peerage began their battle to protect Rias. The first part had been simple, teaming up with Koneko to take out a couple of underlings, mainly pawns and a rook, while Kiba took other a few others, along with a Knight. Akeno had her hands full dealing with the Queen, and everything after that was a blur. Asia had to stay behind with Rias, being the only Bishop they had on hand right now. Of course, Issei learned they had another Bishop, but for unexplained reasons, they were unable to participate.

Koneko had been blown away by Riser's Queen, as had Akeno shortly afterward. Riser had burned Kiba to a crisp, and Rias had nearly given in after Riser had beaten the crap out of him. He was practically beaten and burned, helpless as a tearful Rias was held in the hands of a smirking, arrogant Riser.

Anger filled him. How dare that bastard lay his filthy hands on Rias? How dare he try to take her from him? What right was he given? He, a filthy piece of Devil shit, had the nerve to try and take his precious Buchou from him. That was a crime, a crime in the blatant face of everything Issei valued. Ddraig sensed his newfound emotions, and once again offered him the Balance Breaker known as Scale Mail.

Of course, like last time, a price was needed. For ten seconds, after giving up his left arm during his training with Haise, he had unlocked Scale Mail, but somehow, something that astounded even Ddraig, he continued to fight past that time limit, his body screaming from the pain. For three days, he overcame that pain, and came head to head with something that had horrified him completely.

This time, however... Issei offered up four things. For ten seconds of Scale Mail, he would give up his heart. For twenty seconds, he would give up his lungs. For twenty seconds, he would give up his eyes. His heart thumped harder, beating stronger than what a human heart could ever hope to do, his breath deeper and longer, lungs gulping down ten times the amount of air he could gather up before, and his vision enhanced to the point where he could see deep past the school and out in the horizon. His eyes were no longer that chocolate brown luster, now they were emerald green, bearing slits.

Just before the announcement of Rias' forfeiting was about to be official, Issei found himself back up on his feet, and delivered the strongest right hook he had ever thrown in all of his life. He could still see the absolute shock on Rias' face, but found himself grinning from ear to ear as he watched Riser plowed through several buildings before coming to a complete halt, straight into the very edge of the forest.

Hot damn he had a hell of a right hook!

"W-why you..." Riser spat out blood as he stood up, his body barely able to support itself, much like Issei himself. "H-how dare... a filthy low born scum like you... try to defeat... me...?!"

Though it burned him, Issei grinned, and lifted up Boosted Gear to his face, his fingers curling until his hand was a fist. "I can defy you..." Issei announced with pride, Boosted Gear's green gem glowing brightly. "...because I've got people counting on me!"

[BOOST!]

"You..." Riser spat, flames erupting from his hand. However, unlike previous time they had appeared, it was very weak. Issei could hardly feel any heat from it at all. "Bastard...!"

["Giri Giri Chop!" – B'z]

Issei swiftly moved to the left, evading the fist. Riser was practically running on fumes at this point, but Issei still had some energy left. He glanced down at Boosted Gear, making a quick weave below a swipe of a leg by the yakitori, rolling out of the way and swiftly turning around, raising his arm to block an elbow strike. Hot breaths of scorching wind splashed up against his face as he was pushed back, the ground tearing up as he was forced to move away.

"Issei!" Ddraig cried out in alarm, worried about his partner, but Issei offered him a carefree grin, his confidence never wavering. Riser seethed in rage, shooting off fireballs. Issei continued to dance around and evading the flames, some of them scraping against his body and causing him to hiss in pain. One got too close for comfort, leaving a burn mark on his ribs. "Thirteen seconds left!"

Issei smirked in victory.

Boosted Gear flashed once again.

[BOOST!]

"No matter how many times you boost, it won't change anything!" Riser screamed as Issei continued to move away, evading fireball after fireball. "You are nothing but an insect! Even if you have a Longinus, it is wasted on someone as pathetic as you!"

"Not as pathetic as you, yakitori!" the Red Dragon Emperor shot back hotly (no pun intended), ducking underneath a wave of flames before charging straight at Riser. The blonde anticipated his attack and swung a flame-coated leg at him. Unfortunately for him, Issei literally leaped over him, landing on the ground and quickly using the momentum he built up from the run and whirled around, delivering another hard strike to Riser's face, knocking the man back slightly.

'Five more seconds...!'

Issei gritted his teeth as Riser fought back, slamming his forehead into his and ramming his knee into his stomach. Blood spurted from his mouth, crimson liquid dribbling down his chin. Riser lifted his hands together, as if to smash him down to the ground, but he wasn't about to give up.

'Four seconds...!'

Issei thrusted himself into Riser's stomach, knocking them both to the ground. Issei struck first for this skirmish, Boosted Gear grabbing the yakitori by the collar and lifting him up before he delivered a hard punch to his face. Another punch followed.

'Three...!'

Riser grabbed the next punch, and used his free arm to slam Issei back into the air. He was helpess as Riser leaped and grabbed him by the ankle, tossing him back to the ground. The earth shuddered beneath the force, and Issei felt his entire body cry out in pain.

'Two...!'

Riser sneered as he floated back down, looking at Issei with a condescending glare. "Now do you see the difference between us, you little brat?" he asked, bending down and ignoring the pain in his back as he grabbed Issei by the hair and lifted him up, his feet a few inches off the ground. "No matter how many boosts you do, it will NEVER be enough to match me! I am superior! I am the next head of the House of Phenex! You are but an ant fighting against the elephant!"

'One more second...' Issei's grin came back, angering Riser to the point where he delivered a hard punch to his abdomen. More blood was spat, but Issei didn't care. He was already nearing victory anyway. Riser still had no idea that he had something saved up his sleeve, something he learned from Akeno during one of their magic training sessions.

"You know... Riser..." Issei said through gritted teeth, baring his fangs. There was some blood streaming down from his gumps and out past his lips, streaming to his chin. "You should never... underestimate a pawn... that was what... Haise-san... told me..."

"And that One-Eyed Ghoul didn't choose to join you." Riser smirked, flames gathering into the base of his hand, ready to finish him off. "Had he, you would have won... a foolish decision, one that will cost you your life, filthy low-level scum!"

[BOOST!]

"Hey..." Issei chuckled as he placed his hand against Riser's chest. The man must have thought it was an attempt to shove him away, because he grinned out of amusement, thinking he must have been getting delusional or hopeful. "Did you know...?"

Riser didn't notice the light beginning to shine from Boosted Gear's gem.

"It's possible... to store boosts..." he laughed at that last part, his strength starting to finally ebb away from him at long last. A shame it was so late, otherwise Riser would have definitely have won. "Can you guess... how many I stored... back in Balance Breaker...?"

Riser frowned, wondering what he was getting at before he finally noticed the light from Boosted Gear. His eyes widened, realizing what had just happened. "I stored... seven boosts..." Issei smirked in victory. The light continued to glow brighter with each passing moment, and red energy began to flow into the base of his palm. "Seven... plus three... equals ten... So, take a guess..." The look of absolute fury on Riser's face was priceless. He should have brought a camera for this, he really should have. "What level.. I'm at now...?"

"Y-YOU!" The flames grew hotter, and time slowed to a halt as he threw the punch, ready to incinerate Issei completely. "FIILTHY SCUUUUM!"

It didn't matter.

Riser had lost.

"Dragon..."

[EXPLOSION!]

Issei's smirk became feral, and his dragon-like eyes glowed. "...Shot."

The last thing he saw was Riser becoming engulfed in the brilliant blast of energy, completely overwhelmed and blown away. He didn't know what happened after that, as his body had been sent flying from the recoil, being tossed into the air before it was tumbling away, pain beginning to manifest again as he slowed down.

He was completely limp, his body aching all over, and his entire body covered in wounds. Still though, if what he heard about battle wounds scoring chicks as true, then he couldn't wait to show all these off to Akeno, Rias, and Koneko!

He was going to be a harem king, after all!

"Hahahaha..." Issei winced in pain, stabs of irritation twitching at his chest. "Ow... Man, it even hurts to laugh..."

"It's a wonder how in the name of every God of every religion and myth that you are even still conscious, or alive for that matter." Ddraig remarked in astonishment, having never seen such tenacity and unbending will in all of his life. "Out of all my hosts, Issei... You are truly something else."

"Glad... to know..." Issei chuckled before wincing in pain again. "Aw, man... Am I dying or something...?"

"No, you are simply exhausted." the Dragon informed him. "To be honest, I'm surprised you're even awake right now, much less able to talk. To expend that much power is something only a few of my hosts were able to accomplish."

"R-really?"

"Really, Issei." Ddraig smiled in pride. "Rest for now, Issei... and take pride in being the Pawn of Rias Gremory. After all... you have won her the freedom she deserves."

Issei smiled, and looked up at the sky. Even though this had been a replica dimension of Kuoh Academy, he noticed a few differences here and there. For example, there had been a dark, stormy sky above him, however for some strange reason, all the clouds were red.

However, now... Now the clouds had parted, revealing nothing but a beautiful, azure blue sky above him. "Hot damn... talk about beautiful..." Issei remarked before a thought passed by, and his smile increased. "Ya know... I dunno if you can hear me or not, but... I'm glad I got to know you... as Haise Sasaki..." His vision was starting to blow. "Remember this, man..."

I've always got your back.

He could have sworn he heard a familiar voice cry out, "ISSEI!" as sweet unconsciousness finally claimed him.

["Glassy Sky" – Tokyo Ghoul Root A OST]

Arima had to admit; he had not expected such a change.

"So, you're ready to go?" he asked the boy in front of him. He was no longer dressed in casual clothes, forgoing loose fitting and comfortable garments for the school uniform. Arima had to admit, he actually looked very good in it. The blazer was open, revealing the buttoned shirt underneath, and the red tie wrapped around the collar tightly, but not too much. The sleeves of the blazer were rolled up to the forearms, a brown belt bearing a silver buckle kept his black slacks from falling off.

"Hai." the boy responded. Arima nodded, and opened the door for him. The two stepped inside the car, the boy closing the door behind him. With a knock at the black glass window, the car began to move, the scenery of Kuoh passing them by.

"You're different." Arima said at point blank, looking at the boy curiously and wondering what sort of change had occurred. "Did something happen?"

"No, not really." the boy shrugged his shoulders before smiling, scratching his cheek likely out of embarrassment. "Do I really seem different?"

Arima nodded. "You're not cold... in fact, one could say you are quite warm. Did you decide to reject the darkness?"

"No, I've decided to accept it." the boy answered the question, holding a hand to his chest. "But, I haven't tossed aside the things that make me human either."

Arima smiled at this before he grabbed something by his feet, placing it on the seat next to the boy. "As you know, this offer will require you to face Ghouls, some more powerful than others." Arima informed the boy. "Of course, it will not be just Ghouls, you will also have to face Fallen Angels, and possibly even other Devils."

The boy did not answer right away. He just accepted the briefcase, laying it on his lap. Unlike the other cases, this one was black with a gold trim, housing one of the Quinque that Arima had used a long time ago... the one that Ken Kaneki had destroyed. "I will be entrusting IXA to you." Arima told him. "Consider it an early birthday gift."

The boy chuckled. "Gee, thanks, Dad." Arima smiled again, and watched as the car roll away from Kuoh City, making it's way to Tokyo.

Somewhere inside of him, he knew that everything was changing. He knew how things were chaning, and it was because of the decision he had made to spare that boy's life, making a personal request to the Head Director of CCG. There were reasons for this, of course, but he had not indulged them to anyone. As far as anyone knew, this was a decision made by the higher ups.

For the first time in a very long while, Kishou Arima had become glad he had made this choice.

-Chapter END-

Only two chapters left guys. Can you just FEEL the excitement?! I know I can feel it! I also apologize that I skipped Haise's big fight with Kuroneki and Shironeki, but it was meant to live it to everyone's imagination as to how it all went down. Anyway, I'm giving you guys a free spoiler alert, I am introducing a very familiar, very chaotic, very psychotic, and very scary batshit crazy Investigator next chapter. I warn you, these last two chapters will be short, and will focus on two different view points.

In the next couple of days, expect to see Commission of Counter Ghoul once again.

Adios, and let us meet again in the near future!