There is a small boy, with four pristine wings. He happened to be very happy. He was completely alone though. He was playing with something. Symbols were flying past all around him. He seemed to know exactly what they meant and did. The boy shouted, "Joyeuse! Cortana!" He giggled. Tampering with some of the symbols the boy repeated the names once more. He calmed suddenly, and said, "Durandal." As he went to tamper again with the symbols he stopped just short. Turning towards a hallway he said, "She's coming!" Jumping into the air the boy flew down a second hall and out of sight. Where he had been the symbols slowly faded.

Sometime had passed and the boy was now with a woman. She was very beautiful and also very endowed. Looking at her he asked, "What's wrong Gabriel-chan?"

"Somehow two of the Church's Holy Swords, Joyeuse and Cortana simply vanished without trace. Michael did some searching and it turns out they are new Sacred Gears. This is very concerning because no one besides Michael can be around the active core and he can't even change the Sacred Gear system. This means that the system is changing, evolving on its own."

The boy giggled. "Joyeuse and Cortana? They were bored! We played for a bit before I had the idea of giving them a fun journey! So now they're Sacred Gears!"

"What!? You turned them into Sacred Gears?"

"Well…..yes. I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was causing more trouble! Honest! We were just having fun! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!"

"Hikaru-kun it's okay. You don't have to be sorry. We were simply worried, is all. But can you promise me something? Unless you ask Michael or I don't play like that again okay? I'm so glad you had fun, but we were worried something bad might have happened."

"I promise Gabriel-chan!" The woman smiled at the youth's innocence.

*Present Day*

"What swords are those?" Rias asked into the silence.

"That, sister, are Joyeuse and Cortana. Two of three, from a Holy Sword Trinity. Does anyone know the third sword?"

"..." Yumi muttered something under her breath.

"That's correct. Joyeuse and Cortana are sister swords to Durandal. As per Cortana's inscription, 'My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joyeuse and Durandal." Cortana is the Sword of Mercy. No matter the amount of damage inflicted, strength used, skill used, that blade will not kill. Now when used on a Devil the Holiness may kill, but the blade itself will not. Joyeuse is the opposite of Durandal, the wielders are known to have unrivaled skill and sword mastery. For those who do not know Durandal is the Holy Sword of unrivaled strength. Often times the sword is found to be so destructive that it rarely has a wielder and even then has a tendency to be kept away from this plane. The Holy Swords before us disappeared from the Church's possession roughly a century ago, closer to eighty years based off evidence." I couldn't help but let a faint smile take my features. "Durandal though, is still in possession of the church. In fact a wielder was chosen for the first time in over one hundred fifty years, though the identity has been kept anonymous."

"Wow Hikaru, you really know how to choose your peerage. You have an anti-Devil peerage practically. I can't wait for a Rating Game!"

"I agree Rias." I smiled at my "sister." "It's been a long day for these three. Let's call it a night."

"I can see that. Everyone is dismissed. Goodnight." I walked out with Katase and Murayama, we continued towards their houses. When we got to the intersection I would come back to take they turned to me.

"Could we…. maybe stay another night at your place Hikaru-kun?"

"Yeah, that's okay. I welcome you both anytime for however long you'd like."

Now I was in my living room. The girls had gone to bed. In front of me were two swords, floating in the air, Cortana and Joyeuse. Both were European style swords. Cortana though was plain, the only exception to the dull looking sword was the inscription. Joyeuse though was longer than Cortana, albeit barely. Joyeuse also had a very decorated hilt. It was golden and glittered, royalty compared to Cortana's simple red leather hilt.

"It's been a very long time Hikaru." A voice came from Cortana. It sounded of smooth warm comfort, easily reminding of being with loved ones at a fire.

"That it has. Did you remember me the moment you awaked? Or was it later on?"

"Before we even came out. We could feel your presence. While you've changed an awful lot you are still Hikaru."

"So how have these years treated you Hikaru?" Joyeuse spoke up. Joyeuses voice was a soprano, like bells almost.

I told my long lost friends my story, how I fell, Sirzechs finding me, meeting with Gabriel in recent times. As I brought my tale to a close Cortana floated closer to me, Joyeuse floated to the table.

"Well I'm glad there was a happier ending to this story. Would you like to see what we can do since becoming Sacred Gears?" Joyeuse was the one to ask this.

"I would love to." Cortana joined Joyeuse on the table. Nothing happened for a moment before they glowed and disappeared. In their places were two women. Dressed in red, Cortana, and gold, Joyeuse, light dresses*. "You have human forms. I'm glad. It was odd playing with three swords as a Cherub. Would you give me the honor of your first hugs?" Cortana and Joyeuse nodded and enveloped me in their embraces. "Thank you both. I have a feeling you two will also be reunited with Durandal soon enough. Now I should sleep and you two should talk with Katase. Good night."

A week had gone by. Life was taking on a new routine. While the newbies were not very happy about passing out flyers; Issei was trying to figure out his Evil Piece and seemed to be going crazy over it. Lucky for him Rias was taking him on a Stray Hunt that night. I was considering going and bringing the girls but I wasn't sure if Rias would like that. So I did the only logical thing, I brought it up to Rias.

"Can the-"

"Yes. You and your girls may come tonight."

"How….. okay thanks. So when do you think life will get truly interesting?"

"Soon, I can feel it. Can't you?"

"Yeah doesn't mean I have to enjoy the feeling."

"That is also true."

"So when do you think the new Fallen will realize they've made a grave mistake coming and staying in our town."

"When they try and make a move."

"Agreed. It's about time for everyone to be here is it not?"

"Yes, I gave our Fallen friends the night off for the hunt."

"So a Devils only night truly?"

"Yes. Should be fun."

"Aren't all hunts?"

"Not the ones you partake in." Rias scowled at me.

"What's that supposed to mean oh dear sister?"

"You get too into the hunt and don't let anyone else participate!"

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It can be Hikaru!"

"Nah, I know when teamwork is needed."

"Rarely."

"Hello? Buchou?" Issei had arrived.

"I'm right here big boy." I mimicked Rias's voice. Looking over I saw her indignation. I quickly silenced her by jumping behind and placing my hands over her mouth.

"Uh, Buchou?" Issei still hadn't caught on. I wasn't expecting him to either. I had perfect voice imitation.

"Come here Issei-kun. I need a man's company." What Issei wouldn't figure out, was where we were. There was a hidden room, diagonally behind Rias's desk when you first walk into the room. It was my idea to turn it into another office of sorts.

"Where are you Buchou?" Issei had started getting his perverse tone of voice. Even though it had only been a week in close quarters with him I had come to know that tone, so had the girls. Ake-chan always had so much fun with it and him.

"I'm right over here. Quickly now I'm starting to lose my mood. I've been all alone for so long that I had to take things into my own hands." Looking through a crack in the door I saw Issei getting red and "pitching a tent" as it has been called.

"I'll be right there! But where are you Buchou!?"

"Never mind Issei-kun, Hikaru is with me."

"You there Issei? You missed out, Rias-chan really wanted your company." I looked down at Rias who looked very done with my antics. Whispering in her ear I told her, "Oh, just wait for the trump card." Closing the door silently and completely I summoned a magic circle and teleported myself and my unwilling sidekick down the hall of the clubroom door. I could still hear Issei freaking out and trying to find us.

With a flourish I opened the clubroom door and walked Rias in. "Oh? Hello Issei! How has your day been? Mine has been decent, boring but decent."

"WHAT!? HOW!? WAIT YOU TWO WERE-WHAT!?"

"Oh, my dear boy what has you so wound up?" Rias had finally decided to join me in my game.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAT!?"

"I think Issei-san needs a minute to calm himself. What do you think Ri-chan?"

"I agree completely. Issei-kun, come here and sit with me." Rias order him while seating herself on my favorite part of the couch. Issei walked to her in a daze. Rias grabbed him and place his head on her shoulder. "There, there Issei-kun. Everyone should be here soon so we can begin." Just as Rias finished the club room doors opened and everyone walked in. Speak of the Devils I guess.

"Hello Ake-chan! Yumi-chan! Katase-chan! Murayama-chan! Koneko-chan!"

"Hi Hikaru-kun!" Rang out from the my girls.

"Hello Karu-kun." Ake-chan replied.

"Hello Hikaru." Yumi said.

"Hi….Hikaru." Koneko reiterated.

"So what's on the agenda today Buchou?" Ake-chan asked.

"We have a Stray hunt everybody."

"What's a stray?" Katase asked.

"Stray stands for Stray Devil. Stray Devils are Devils that have committed a large crime or have gone against their Kings. Most commonly they are Devils that have decided to use their powers solely for what they want and desire. They commonly commit the most heinous acts in the world. A Stray hunt, is what we do when we track and kill them." Rias explained.

"Oh. So are we gonna see how a Peerage fights?" Murayama questioned.

"As long as Hikaru-kun doesn't get too into the hunt then yes, yes you shall."

"I promise I won't get to into it. I want the girls and Issei to see how we work as a team."

"Okay then. So shall we be off?" Rias finished up.

We were at an abandoned factory on the edge of town. I could feel the Stray inside. It had just finished another victim.

Koneko made a gagging noise. "It smells….of blood."

"It is inside." I told everyone. "Actually, here it comes."

"Kekekekekeke!" This stray had the torso of a woman with large breasts, and the lower body of a giant snake. "You're a pretty one! I can't wait to see that river colored like your beautiful hair! I'm getting bother by it already!"As it finished it grabbed it's breasts and began groping them. Beside Rias Issei reacted perversely seeming to forget before quickly remembering that there was a snake bottom attached to the "woman."

"Alright. Yumi, go!" Yumi raced forward with one of her swords and then used some of her true speed.

"Wh-where'd she go!?" Issei asked Rias.

"Yumi is my Knight, and the Knight's trait is speed so fast the untrained eyes cannot follow. Combined with her skill holding a blade a sword is her perfect weapon." As Rias finished her statement the stray howled in pain. For a second nothing happened, then her right arm fell off. Yumi ran back next to us. To the others she "appeared," next to us once more. "Koneko." Koneko walked forward, directly in front of the Stray.

The stray began to laugh. "I'll crush you puny girl! DIE!" The stray sent its limb to crush Koneko.

"Koneko-chan no!" Katase cried out. "Hikaru-kun do something!"

"Wait Katase. Now watch."

"Koneko is my Rook. The Rook's special tait is unrivaled strength and defense."

The new recruits turned their attentions back to the fight. A single word was heard from the area of battle, "Fly." Koneko's small voice reached us. Directly after hearing this the Stray was thrown into the air. Koneko had held the creature's limb before launching it away. As the cretin met the Earth once more Koneko laid a powerful blow into its face sending it into the factory's wall. Recovering the Stray grabbed its breasts and pointed them at Koneko. Immediately following, laser beams shot from the nipples aimed directly at Koneko. Koneko jumped out of the dual beams path allowing the attack to hit the factory's perimeter wall, obliterating it.

"That's enough Koneko. It's Akeno's turn. Akeno, have fun." Ake-chan walked forward.

"Ufufufufu. Are you ready to have some fun?"

"Akeno is my Queen. The Queen has all the traits from the other pieces. For Akeno the number one trait she harnesses is the Bishop. The Bishop trait is increased magical power and reserve."

Lightning descended from the heavens striking our prey. It screamed in agony. Ake-chan, in front of the beast, was enjoying herself. "Ufufufufufufu! Can you take anymore Stray Devil-kun? Let's see just how much you can take!" Again lightning descended from the heavens striking the stray. It screamed once more. Ake-chan's body shook and she spoke once more, "Oh you can take so much! I'm enjoying this a great deal so don't die just yet okay?"

"Not only is Akeno our strongest fighter, she's the ultimate sadist in battle. And unfortunately for you new girls, she's rubbed off a great deal on Hikaru over there."

"She has not! I've just found myself enjoying the thrill of battle."

"Oh really? How come you have a hard on Hikaru? You haven't even been in this battle."

"I do not have a hard on!"

"You wearing your school slacks you can't hide it!"

"Oh shut up and stop her so you can finish this!"

"Sadistic pervert."

"I am not a pervert!"

"But you admit you are sadistic?"

"I'm not sadistic either!" Rias didn't bother replying,

"Akeno that's enough!"

"Aw, and things were just getting fun. I was even a little wet ufufufufufufu."

Rias walked into the center of the courtyard, standing above the stray. "Do you have any last words Stray Devil Vizzor?"

"You're going to die girl. Kekekekeke."

"Fine, then. Be erased!" Rias summoned a sphere of her Destruction power and sent it towards her target. I knew something was up. Something wasn't right. A defeated Stray wouldn't say something like that. I ran towards Rias. Looking to the right a second stray had come. I wouldn't make it to Rias. I changed my trajectory. I wasn't going to get to her first. It was getting to me. Launching at each other myself and the new stray collided. We flew right behind Rias, barely missing her. It was on top of me. I couldn't see what it was. But it had fur, lots of fur. Fur was flammable. We crashed into something, it was hard, the perimeter fence I think. It had claws, and they hurt. I was not going to die here. I could feel my fire, fighting to get out, to burn anything and everything around me. I could hear screaming on the outside as well. Rias. She was yelling orders. My flames were on my hands. They were winning. They were free. Rias yelled again. I heard footsteps, they were not coming towards me. That was good. Rias must have remembered what to do when my flames win. I closed my eyes and knew I could just let go. My flames surged up and just let loose. I couldn't see or feel the creature on top of me anymore. It was just light, ethereal light. Everything was light, the light was everything. Nothing was no more. Now there is blackness. Nothing, as the light was everything, the darkness now is. I'm sorry, my loves.

*Elsewhere*

"So when you cannot release your power, cannot unseal yourself, cannot fight. You burn everything. You are now my play thing boy. You will be my toy until you can unlock your flames. Until your flames are truly unleashed. And then, I will destroy everything you hold dear, using you as the blade. The original Cerberus may not have been fireproof enough to win, to kill you and resist your sparks. But I have my data. I know your secret. I know the past. I own the future. Good luck, surprise me some more okay, Hikaru-kun." The speaker, a beautiful woman with skin so pale the light of Heaven could not compare. Along her face and and exposed arms were black tendrils making an intricate pattern of symbols, very similar to the ones played with by the young Hikaru. In middle of her forehead, between her eyes, exactly where the nest of nerves called a person's third eye; was an eye. A red eye with slit pupil. As she turned away from a transparent screen with no viewable ending(on which the events Hikaru was going through played), this eye blinked and she said, "Let the games begin, in my world of fun, my shiny new toy."

A/N

AND THAT'S A WRAP FOLKS! What do ya think with this introduction of a new little character and exposure of Hikaru's little defense mechanism? So I'm proud to say that this was a little late due to me moving from my old house and now not having internet. AND I've started my first original story! Please review and follow and favorite and all that jazz!

When Joyeuse and Cortana are described in their human forms picture Arya from the Sacred Blacksmith in different color dresses.