Chapter 25 Who are you?
Issei sat himself up as he awoke from his well-earned rest. Stretching his arms out, as his body began to start up. Issei felt re-energised when he first woke up. Well the reason being when he realised what time it was.
"What?! It's already 3:15pm! Damn I've missed school. Well I may as well go to the clubroom to let everyone know I'm okay." Issei said as he got up from his bed.
After Issei finished getting dressed into his uniform and made himself look presentable, the brown haired teen left the house and departed for Kuoh academy.
Thanks to Issei's body being back to full health, it took the red dragon emperor no time at all to reach the occult research clubroom.
Issei opened the door with a smile on his face. Excited and happy to see his friends. However, Issei's facial expression soon changed when the door was opened.
Issei's teeth gritted together when he saw that man with his arms around the crimson haired woman he loves.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO HER YOU BASTARD?!" Issei said as he charged the guy who had his hands now groping her breasts.
Issei charged the man in a blinding fury. Remembering this was Ryuu Tatsuo the man he faced at the open class session.
However, Issei's expression of rage changed to one of despair and confusion when he saw a blinding crimson red light blocking his path.
"How dare you barge in here unannounced and attack one of my precious servants!" Rias said as she projected a high powered defence Gremory magic circle.
"You're joking right? I'm your pawn. Rias it's me Issei." The red dragon emperor said as he stared into her crimson irises.
"What are you talking about? My pawn is the one you just tried to attack. Who are you?!" Rias said beginning to lose her temper.
"What's going on here?! Rias it's me Hyoudou Issei! Have you seriously forgotten who I am?!" Issei said startling Asia.
"Hyoudou Issei? Ahhhh!" Rias screamed after reciting the name again. As several flashbacks of a shadowed figure stood next to her.
Rias crouched down on the floor holding her head as if it was being split open.
"President Rias! Kiba I'm scared!" Asia said as she hid behind the Gremory knight.
"Damn you intruder! First you try to attack Ryuu kun, and now you're attacking our master?! Unforgivable! Prepare yourself assassin!" Kiba said as he materialised his holy demonic sword.
"Kiba not you too." Issei said as Kiba began to charge him.
Kiba began his attack on the unknown enemy and tried to slice off his head.
Issei managed to with his quick reflexes dodge him. The blade narrowly missing his neck.
"Kiba please I don't want to fight you! It's me Issei!" The red dragon emperor said after he backed away from the severe killing intent.
"Doesn't ring a bell!" Kiba said after he tried to attack him again this time using his full speed to land a hit.
"Damn I don't have a choice! Ascalon!" Issei shouted unleashing his sacred gear.
(Blade!)
Issei began to fight at long last. Parrying Kiba's sword slashes managing to keep up with his speed surprising and angering the skilled knight.
"Not bad assassin, but I'm not through yet!" Kiba said making another sword appear in his other hand.
Issei managed to block the other sword by making his divine dividing gear appear on his right arm.
"Kiba! Duck now!" Xenovia said as she unleashed the power of Durandal.
Issei dared not to try block the terrifying strength of Xenovia's all-powerful holy sword and dodged the slash at the very last moment.
"You're quite skilled, being able to dodge that fast. But I will not let anyone who hurts my friends leave unharmed!" Xenovia said as she tried to attack him again.
Issei jumped out of the way and as a result, the wall of the clubroom, was demolished.
"You can't escape! Sword birth!" Kiba shouted as he stabbed his blade into the ground and created a whole bunch of swords around Issei.
"Damn I'm surrounded!" Issei said as the swords circled him.
"Skewer him now! Sword birth!" Kiba said causing the blades to point directly at the trapped devil.
"I have no choice! Balance break!" Issei said his body exerting a powerful ruby red aura as his armour began to appear.
Kiba and Xenovia, were sent flying by nothing but Issei's intense power. Which managed to shatter every sword that was aimed at him.
Issei decided his only option now, was to escape and get his thoughts together.
The red dragon emperor, let loose his powerful wings and shot directly through the ceiling leaving remains of the roof on the ground as he took flight and escaped.
Issei was gone in seconds, soaring through the air as he fell into deep despair. Unable to comprehend what was happening right now.
"President Rias are you okay?" Asia said as she crouched down to help her.
"Don't worry Asia, I will help her now." Ryuu said helping Rias to her feet.
"Thank you Ryuu-San! Are you injured?" Asia said curious to see if he was hurt by that mad devil.
"I'm fine thank you Asia. So let's focus on Rias now." Ryuu said as he placed his hands around the ruin princess's waist.
"Hyoudou Issei? Pawn? Sekiryutei? It hurts! It hurts so much! What's happening to me?" Rias said in a panic. Quickly losing consciousness when Ryuu whispered into her ear.
"President Rias!" Kiba Said as Rias stopped talking.
"It's alright Kiba, she just passed out from trauma. And who could blame her after such a thing just happened." Ryuu said making Kiba understand.
"Oh my, what happened here while I was away? What happened to the ceiling?" A voice said as they entered the room.
"Oh Vice president, I'm glad to see you are alright. You see, a madman just burst in here and tried to attack Ryuu Kun. He also caused the president great pain to the extent she passed out." Kiba said alarming Akeno.
"Ryuu-San, who was that just now? It looks like you know him." Asia said innocently as she tried to stay calm.
"Unfortunately I do. You see, his name is Hyoudou Issei the red dragon emperor. And he is also a lead member of the powerful rebels known as Khaos brigade!" Ryuu said making everyone shocked and alert.
"What?! Why is Khaos Brigade targeting you and the president?" Xenovia said alarmed by this revelation.
"Most likely, it's because Rias is the sister of the demon lord and I am seen as the one closest to her to protect her." Ryuu said making Xenovia and Kiba angry at the unknown intruder.
"Don't worry everyone, I will get revenge for Rias and pursue him myself." Ryuu said as he placed Rias on the sofa and walked out the hole in the room which was once a wall.
A huge hole in the ground appeared when the red dragon emperor lost his focus and crash landed.
Issei's balance breaker deactivated on collision, showing his face as it leaked with tears.
Issei began to shake as he felt a nostalgic feeling.
"It's just the same as before. This loneliness I feel. It's just like when my parents died and I had no-one. And now everyone has forgotten who I am, I am once again alone." Issei said remembering Rias' face when he tried to fight off the pervert who embraced her.
At this point, Issei cried out in pain and despair to the extent he could no longer hear Draigs voice. His voice being drowned out by his cries of pain and the falling rain that suddenly appeared.
"Issei kun! Are you alright?! What happened to you?" A voice said making Issei look up.
"Akeno san?" Issei said feeling a glimmer of hope shine.
"Of course it's me, what happened to you?" Akeno said making Issei break down.
"They've all forgotten me Akeno! Even Rias! I don't know what to do anymore! I'm so confused." Issei said welcoming her hug as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Watch out partner!" Draig shouted but his voice was once again not heard.
Issei fell to his hands and knees as he felt the cold steel pierce his body. The blade caused him to cough up blood.
"Akeno… San?" Issei said in between coughing up blood.
"Not exactly!" The woman said as her body began to glow.
Issei's breath was taken away in an instant. The moment the light vanished and showed to him this person's true form.
"You are! But that's impossible!" Issei said as he stared in fear at the new arrival.
"Ha-ha! That was hilarious watching you drop your guard like that for a woman! Well was my disguise deceiving? I do take pride in this particular skill of me red dragon emperor!" The voice said making Issei worried now.
"It can't be! One of the great dragon kings! Yu-Long?! Why are you here?! What's going on?!" Issei said in a panic. Not noticing the next guest who just arrived.
"Are you surprised Hyoudou Issei? Well let me answer your questions. Yu-Long is you could say my partner! And now you're going to die!" Ryuu said making Issei cough up more blood.
"What did you do to me?!" Issei said as he stared at his normally red sacred gear which had now turned black and the gem's light was not responding or lighting up.
Ryuu yanked the blade from Issei's abdomen and lifted it up to show it to him.
"This is a rare treasure known as the Dengen Sutoppa! This sword has the ability to seal your sacred gear and your magic power for 24 hours. So you have no way to fight back!" Ryuu said making Issei angry.
"You bastard! Just what did you do to Rias?! To my friends?!" Issei roared feeling a strong desire to rip this guy's head off.
"It's perfect isn't it? I met up with all of your friends. Those you care about the most. And erased you from their memories! Everything you did for them. Every heroic battle you fought. They will see me in your place. You no longer exist in this world Hyoudou Issei! That is the power of my sacred gear Kioku sochi!" Ryuu said making Issei fall further into despair.
"You bastard! How could you do this to my friends! The people who took me in when I had no one. So it's true after all. They have truly forgotten me." Issei said as he looked at the ground unable to hold back his tears no longer.
Issei stopped crying for a second to observe the object that was just tossed in front of him.
The blade that moments ago pierced him and still was tainted by his blood, lay right in front of him.
"I'll give you the chance to end it yourself. Think of it as mercy. You no longer have a place in this world. And you had no desire to keep on living before. Didn't you want to meet with your parents again? Why waste your time here in despair, when you can take that blade and end your suffering? Face it, this is the end Hyoudou Issei. Whether I do it, or the dragon or yourself, your life is going to end. So why not make it less painful and end it yourself?" Ryuu said making Issei pick up the sword.
"That's it. Just let it all go." Ryuu said as Issei lifted up the blade nearer his head.
All of a sudden, Issei took the sword and threw it like a javelin pole directly at Ryuu stabbing him in the arm.
"You fool! The power of sealing, is no longer active in this blade. I tried to give you the easy way out!" Ryuu said making Issei retaliate.
"Don't fuck with me! You think I'm just going to give up?! On my friends?! On the woman I love?! I don't care if I have no power left in me. I don't care if I have to beat you with my bare hands. Either way, I'm going to defeat you and return everyone back to normal! I swear it you bastard! Until I take my last breath, I will never give up on those who changed my life!" Issei said as he got to his feet.
Issei charged towards Ryuu and aimed a punch his way.
However, Issei was sent flying by Yu-Long's mighty spiked tail, smashing him into the ground.
"I tried to grant you mercy. Now you will be torn to shreds by the mighty dragon! It's ironic really!" Ryuu said making Yu-long pierce through Issei's flesh with his mighty claws.
The battle was a nightmare to see. The ground covered in puddles of blood. As time and time again, Issei was pummelled into the ground and stabbed by the fearsome dragon.
Ryuu stood over Issei as he lay on the ground unable to move.
"Goodbye Issei. Don't worry, I will take great care of the Gremories!" Ryuu said as he aimed the sword at Issei's heart.
"You bastard!" Issei said as Ryuu was moments away from piercing his heart.
"Come forth lightning!" A voice echoed in the darkness a lightning bolt shooting from the darkness.
"What is the meaning of this? Well? Akeno-san? Koneko Chan?" Ryuu said to the two devils who stood in front of the severely injured Issei.
"Have you forgotten all we have been through Akeno? Remember it was I who saved you in our fight with Kokabiel. It was me who accepted you for who you are and restored your confidence. And Koneko Chan, it was me who has always protected you." Ryuu said to the two devils who glared at him menacingly.
"Shut up you pervert!" Koneko Chan said feeling angry at this man for what he did to Issei.
"There is only one person who I truly treasure. He has always been there for me and saved me. I deeply care about this man and I will do anything to protect him. That's right! This time I will save Issei-Kun!" Akeno said with determination in her eyes.
"Oh? I see that my sacred gear has had no effect on you. You shouldn't be able to remember this man. No matter, Yu-Long! Kill them all!" Ryuu said making the dragon charge.
"Now Gaspie!" Koneko said making the mighty dragon and arrogant memory manipulator turn purple.
Akeno and Koneko grabbed Issei by the arms and took flight with their wings. Their objective to get Issei as far away from danger as possible. His life was in danger and they had to save him.
Issei blacked out whilst in their arms.
When Issei opened his eyes again, he felt a warm heat source next to him.
"Issei Kun!" Akeno said as soon as she saw him open his eyes.
"Issei senpai!" Koneko and Gasper said together.
Issei looked around the room and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing an illusion.
Issei sat upright and felt a huge pain in his abdomen. Issei touched his torso and realised he was covered in bandages.
"Try not to move Issei Kun, I managed to stop the bleeding but I'm not as good as Asia at healing. So please don't push yourself too far." Akeno said trying to support him.
"This is real isn't it? How? How do you all remember me?" Issei said well aware of Ryuu's power.
"Luckily for us, that guy's sacred gear has one flaw." Akeno said as Koneko and Gasper gathered next to her.
"The sacred gear does not work on Hybrids!" Akeno, Koneko and Gasper said in unison.
"I'm half fallen angel and devil. So I'm not a full-fledged devil. Gasper is half vampire and Koneko is a Nekomata. So we were all unaffected by his power." Akeno said to clarify the reason they weren't victim to Ryuu's power.
"Koneko you're a Nekomata? Wow that's amazing." Issei said making Koneko face away to hide her sad and frightened expression.
"Issei senpai. What are we going to do?" Gasper said clearly worried for his friends.
"There is only thing we can do Gasper. We are going to defeat that bastard and return everyone back to normal!" Issei said making them all smile.
"That's Issei Kun for you. But first you need to rest up. We can formulate a plan once you're healed." Akeno said helping Issei rest onto his bed.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Issei said complying with her.
Issei closed his eyes thinking one thing in his mind. "Wait for me Rias, I will come save you as soon as I am healed."
That's chapter 25 completed! If you have any questions, please post it in a review or message me directly and I will happily answer any you should ask. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be uploaded, as I have to plan this out step by step so it flows fine. I will hopefully only take two days' maximum, but please be patient if I fail to do so. As I am trying to make this arc as awesome as I can for all of you because it is what you truly deserve. Until next time!