Author's Note: I'm not sure when the next update will be but I'll try my best.
I do not own Highschool DxD in any way. All credits goes to its creator, as well as anything else I use from other animes.
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
Spells and attacks
[Ddraig talking]
{Albion talking}
P-Sona = (Past Sona), P-Issei = (Past Issei), P-Asia = (Past Asia), P-Tsubasa = (Past Tsubasa)
Chapter 13: Issei VS Team Kuoh (Part 1)
(Normal P.O.V)
A week passed by very fast and soon it was the summer break for Kuoh Academy. All the students were excited to have a break and have plans for the summer.
The exception was the ORC and the student council as they dreaded the day that has finally come where they fight Issei and his peerage in a rating game.
For the last seven days, they took whatever free time to train, no matter how little it was. They needed all the help they could get.
Azazel even helped out during the week and gave them pointers on what they can improve on and what they can focus on.
It wasn't much as they knew that they are still inexperienced, but they could at least put up a fight against him.
"Okay, the time has finally come all of you." Azazel said.
The ORC and the student council were all gathered up in the student council room as they waited for the time to pass by. But almost everyone could be breathing deeply as they tried to not be as nervous.
The respective kings were sipping tea but anyone can tell that their hands would shake slightly form nerves. The rest of the group were also fidgeting around.
"Alright, are you ready Sona?" Rias asked her friend nervously.
"As ready as I'll ever be." P-Sona responded calmly, but she tried her best to stop her hand from shaking nervously.
"Don't worry Buchou, we can do this!" P-Issei exclaims in an attempt to motivate the group.
"It's good that you have the confidence, boy. Even with the limitations placed on your counterpart's peerage, it will still be hard for you all." Azazel said.
Both Kings nodded as they thought back to some of the rules that limits their opposing team. They know that Issei has a full peerage with fifteen other members. Looking back to some of the limitations applied to Issei:
Issei's peerage can only send a total of 6 pieces to fight.
Only one of each piece is allowed other than the pawn. (1 Rook, 1 Bishop, etc. Having 2 Rooks or 2 Knights is not allowed.
3 of the participating pieces have to be pawns.
The King is not allowed to fight other than giving orders from the sidelines.
Any breach in the rules above is an automatic disqualification.
With the rules applied, Issei can send at his best, 1 Queen, Knight, Rook, and 3 pawns. As well as Issei himself is not allowed to fight and can only coach from behind lines.
"While these limitations do give us an even playing field, we have no idea what other members of his peerage include and what piece they are." Rias said.
So far they only know two of Issei's members' capabilities to a certain extent. The first was Asta who showed during the meeting that he can wield swords that can negate magic.
The other one was Ecchan who helped out the student council during Kokabiel's attack. They noted she was very agile and was using a kind of lightsaber and fired lightning from her hands, much to Rias's otaku squeal.
Despite this knowledge, the group knows that this is not they full capabilities so they are still on edge.
"This works fine for all of you. Part of gaining experience is you always won't know who and are how powerful your opponent is, so you have to improvise on the spot and overcome them." Azazel said.
As soon as he said that, a magic circle appeared behind him and Sirzechs and Serafall appear.
"I see that you all are ready for the rating game." Sirzechs said. "Now this rating game is special as it is a more informal one but you all still need to show your strength."
"Onii-sama, will the underworld be watching?" Rias asked.
"No, this is after all a private rating game. The only ones who are watching are the Maou, Azazel, Michael and both your families." Sirzechs said, much to Rias and P-Sona's relief.
"Onee-san, how powerful do you think Issei is at?" P-Sona asked her sister.
Serafall thought for a bit before answering. "I can only assume based on your counterpart. If she did succeed my position as Leviathan, then chances are he could be around Sirzechs level at his best."
P-Sona could only gulp at the theory as she mentally prepared for a strategy to fight his peerage.
"Anyway, the battlefield has been prepared so now we only need the combatants to head to the site. The other team is already waiting." Sirzechs said.
"Alright everyone, let's win this!" Rias declared.
"Honestly…do you think we should have more limitations on us?" Issei asked as he sat around on a sofa.
"Like what, only have me participate?" Sona asked, sitting next to him.
"Well you can do that, but everyone wants to have some action. We're gonna get rusty if some of us don't fight even a slight bit." Jeanne commented.
"That's true, so are we going to take it easy on them or a one-sided slaughter?" Sona asked.
"Uh…I don't think we need to go that far…" Asia said.
"Why not? We're basically showing them the difference in experience here." Glenn commented.
Currently, Issei and several members of his peerage were gathered around in a room deciding on who should go for the rating game.
After establishing several limitations on themselves, they could now focus on choosing the members. But it was getting chaotic as almost everyone wants a go at it.
"I'll go first!"
"Screw you! I'm going!"
"I want some action, don't leave me out!"
"None of you are going because I will do it first!"
…Scratch that, they are arguing on who even wants to fight in the first match.
Issei sighed as he was getting annoyed at their argument, so he decided to handle the situation. "Alright guys…calm the fuck down already!"
Soon, everyone had quietened down as Issei cleared his throat. "Okay, I know everyone wants to have a go but for obvious reasons I'll decide on who's going. Are we clear on this?"
"Aww…" Several of them slumped in disappointment.
"You all better not take that tone on me, you guys are making a ruckus on such a simple thing." Issei said.
"Fine, who do you suggest to go then?" Hajime asked with a raised eyebrow.
Issei merely had a smirk on his face as his reply.
Back with the ORC and the student council, everybody was transported to an arena like colosseum where they were all at one side of the place, looking down over the arena.
At the other side of the field, was another area just like theirs which is most likely the place where Issei and his peerage resides.
"Huh, I didn't expect a literal arena like field." Kiba commented.
"Indeed, you think the rating game field would be like during Rias's rating game with Riser." Tsubaki said.
"So why the arena setting?" Rias asks curiously.
Before anyone answered, a voice was heard over the field.
"Hello everybody, I am Sirzechs Lucifer, the Devil King. I'd like to welcome everybody to this rating game. This arena was commonly used for rating game matches back in the days, so we would be using the field as the battleground.
Before this battle starts, I liked to go through a few rules about the battle.
Rule 1: Since this an arena, the battle can only take place in the area, so anyone currently fighting can only fight there.
Rule 2: The Kings can fight, but only after they've lost a minimum of three pieces. Even though Ms Gremory and Sitri are both kings, we ask that one of them chose to be group King and that person will have the restriction on them.
Rule 3: Since neither team have access to a stronghold for promotion, as such promotion is allowed immediately for the rating game.
Rule 4: Each team can only send a maximum of three people at a time to the arena at any point in time.
Finally, the Rias Sona group has been given three Phoenix Tears to use for the duration of this rating game.
In addition, there are the additional rules applied to Issei's team that his team must follow. Any breach in any of the rules will result in a disqualification of that team."
After her brother finished making his announcement, Rias was rooted in place shocked at the nature of the rating game.
"What the…Aren't these conditions a bit too favourable for us?" Rias says shocked.
P-Sona wasn't quite as convinced however. "Rias, those conditions aren't as favourable as you think." Sona says a massive concern on her face.
"What do you mean Sona?" Rias says not figuring out anything.
"Issei has less people to send out and a small area for combat. The extra rules applied to him basically confirms that his peerage members are strong enough to match several of us at one go. Not to mention, I'm sure he is as intelligent as I am seeing that he defeated my counterpart in chess." P-Sona carefully says.
"Wait, he beat you in chess Kaichou?" Momo exclaimed.
"So he is actually as smart as you, Kaichou?" Saji asked.
"Anyway, we don't have a lot of options since our opponents are unknown. So with that…" P-Sona then continued to explain their strategy for this rating game.
"…We clear on that, everyone?" Issei said as he finished discussing with his peerage.
"Okay, we promised not to go overkill on them." One of them sighed.
"I know you all want to cut loose for a bit, but you all still need to remember we don't want to reveal our hand so early at this time." Sona explained.
"In any case, I believe it's time for our first participant to take the stage." Holmes said.
"Yeah, go on ahead. They'll definitely won't expect this surprise from us." Issei gives a thumbs up to the person going first.
"Sure, though I'm pretty sure our last surprise we have for them is really going to blow their heads off." The person going first went ahead to the arena.
As the groups each prepare their tactics, in the spectating room, Sirzechs sits in anticipation for the difficult battle that's sure to come. The three faction leaders have gathered together hoping to enjoy the festivities.
Are you worried Sirzechs? You know that this will be a complete one-sided battle." Azazel said, smiling from ear to ear.
"Of course Azazel. As much as this is only a friendly match, they need to learn to throw away their pride when the time comes." Sirzechs said.
"Putting aside their pride is one of the hardest things that devils can do." Michael said as he sighed from the whole thing.
As the strategy time comes to an end the time for the rating game to begin has arrived.
"Alright everybody, the time for the battle has come so get ready. Now let this rating game begin." Sirzechs announced.
The group that team Kuoh sent out for the first battle consists of Reya, Momo and P-Tsubasa as the trio appeared into the arena rather quickly, with Reya lagging behind slightly.
"Geez, slow down. I don't get why you two have to go ahead so quickly." Reya says as she caught up to the two who went ahead.
"Well, someone should already be on the field ready to fight." P-Tsubasa said.
"Yeah, but it's more of you among the three of us that is eager to fight the first opponent." Momo commented.
"Listen girls, we are in uncharted territory. Remember, I'll let you all judge the situation for yourselves, if you can't handle your opponent, then retreat immediately as quickly as you can." Sona says, communicating with the girls.
As they finished talking, they sensed their opponent entering from the other side and got into positions. Then came the surprise, as Issei only sent out one person, but the greatest shock comes when they see the opponent they have to face.
"Geez, you guys came right into the arena straight away. I wanted to appear here first and surprise you all." A familiar voice spoke.
Walking towards in front of the trio was a blue-haired girl that had a tomboyish look and was fairly tall. The person before them was none other than Tsubasa Yura.
"EEHHH!?"
"TSUBASA?!"
"M-M-MEE?!"
"Hey there, I guess it's more accurate for me to say it's good to see you all again." Tsubasa slightly waved at everyone.
Back in the Team Kuoh base, everyone is freaking out at this revelation, they were certainly not expecting another counterpart of one of their friends fighting.
"Another Tsubasa?!"
"What the heck!?"
"Are you kidding me?!"
'I expected several things about Issei's peerage, yet here he goes and breaks them all! So he actually has more of our counterparts in his peerage!?' P-Sona mentally screamed.
"Kaichou, what do you think of this?" Tsubaki asked her King, obviously dumbfounded.
"Honestly, I don't know what to expect anymore." She replied as they all continued watching the match.
"Okay…can you explain this, me?!" P-Tsubasa shakily pointed a finger at her counterpart, still in shock at the surprise.
"Basically, Issei and Sona are not the only ones who arrived here." Her counterpart explained.
"So, there are more of us?" Reya asked.
"Uh-uh, that would be spoilers." Tsubasa wagged her finger.
"Okay, while this revelation is shocking to say the least, you came here alone?" Momo asked.
"Yup, Issei was confident that I can handle this by myself…which I intend to." Tsubasa in a condescending tone.
Tsubasa opened her hands to reveal motes of blue light appearing before condensing further to form into handles that she grabbed onto, revealing her weapon.
In her hands were two identical daggers with sliver blades and golden hilt with a vine-like pattern on the hilt and two blue gems in the centre of the blade.
"What the…" Momo asked.
"Whoa!" Reya exclaimed.
"Since when do I use daggers?" P-Tsubasa was surprised that her counterpart used weapons rather than her fists.
"I'll tell you right now, this is my sacred gear." Tsubasa said as she slowly got into a stance, which got the group's attention.
"Wait, are you actually going to fight us by yourself?" Momo said as the trio got into battle positions.
"I'll say this…my fighting is very different from your friend." Tsubasa said. "Try to keep up."
With that, she rushed forward towards the trio at a speed which surprised them, as they certainly didn't expect her to cover the distance between them so quickly.
She leaped through the air before launching a flying kick at Momo, but her counterpart managed to get in front of Momo and blocked the attack with her arms.
Her counterpart was pushed back quite a bit, but she held her ground as Reya saw this opportunity to fire several magic blasts at Tsubasa.
Tsubasa saw this and jumped back to avoid them, there were a few magic blasts that were close to hitting her but she deflected them with her daggers.
'I didn't expect her to move so fast, is she a Knight rather than Rook?' Momo thought.
"Are you a Knight now?" Reya asked what Momo was thinking.
"While that explains her speed, it doesn't explain that attack. I felt that kick pretty hard, it's lie she's a Rook." P-Tsubasa said, shaking off her arms.
"Well, good guesses, but I'm actually a Pawn." Tsubasa said.
There was a silence in the air after she said that, until the trio exclaimed in unison.
"WHAT?!"
"SHE'S WHAT!?"
Team Kuoh also exclaimed at the sudden reveal. They though that Tsubasa was a Rook, just like her counterpart.
"W-what-t? Tsubasa-senpai is a Pawn?!" Saji exclaimed.
"I'm pretty sure she is NOT a Pawn from her first moves alone!" P-Issei exclaimed.
"Could she already be using Promotion?" Akeno asked.
P-Sona actually had second thoughts about it. 'Even if she already used Promotion to have the Queen status, there's something off about it.' She thought.
"What are you thinking, Kaichou?" Tsubaki noticed her King's expression and wanted to know her thoughts.
"Well…while she could be using Promotion already, I think there's more to that." She answered.
"Kaichou?" Tomoe asked.
P-Sona didn't respond as she went in her thoughts about it. 'Hang on, since I have to take into account of mine and Hyoudou's counterparts' strength…'
That is when she has a revelation. 'Oh no, why didn't I think of this earlier?' Her face went slightly pale in shock but the rest of the students didn't see her face.
"Don't tell me you are already using Promotion." Momo asked.
"I'm not telling, but I'll definitely wipe the floor with you girls." Tsubasa had a small smile on her face.
"We'll see about that!" P-Tsubasa sped on towards her counterpart while Reya and Momo fired multiple blasts all around and past her.
The blasts that flew by her were easily dodged by Tsubasa who simply moved her body slightly, then her counterpart came in her peripheral view to deliver several punches at her.
She blocked the punches using the flat side of her daggers or dodged the attacks. At the same time, she had to avoid the magic shots at her by the Bishops.
"Keep firing Reya! Don't give her an opening!" Momo exclaimed.
Momo and Reya thought that they have her in quite the predicament seeing her on the defence, but P-Tsubasa thought otherwise.
'Momo and Reya don't notice this, but I haven't landed a hit on her yet. She keeps avoiding or use those daggers to parry my attacks…not to mention her counterattacks are very quick.' She sweatdropped as she raised her leg to strike her.
It was easily avoided, and as she thought, Tsubasa launched a quick thrust at her, but she quickly used her hand to alter the dagger's course to hit air.
But despite the successful avoiding of counterattacks, P-Tsubasa still had several slash marks on her arms and hands. The cuts weren't bad, but enough to draw blood.
Seeing this, Tsubasa thought that she had to step it up and end this soon. 'Okay, warm up's over. Now to put some effort in.'
She thought as she kneed her counterpart, sending her back a bit. "Alright, let's see how you handle this. Promotion, Knight!"
As soon as she said that, a red glow aura surrounds her she got into another stance, getting the trio and the whole of Team Kuoh's attention.
"She wasn't using promotion until now?!" P-Issei asked.
"She's only getting serious now?" Saji had a similar reaction.
"Damn it, I can't believe I didn't realize this earlier." P-Sona sighed heavily as several people looked at her reaction.
"What do you mean Sona?" Rias asked.
"Since Hyoudou's counterpart is basically the equivalent of a Maou, that means he basically has a Maou's peerage." She explained.
That is when the respective Queens had shocks on their faces. "Kaichou, doesn't that mean…"
"Yes Tsubaki, it's very likely that Tsubasa's counterpart is around High-class devil." She finished her theory.
That got silence from the group until Gasper broke it. "S-so since she is about the same class as B-buchou and Kaichou, t-then…"
"They're not going to last long against her now." Rias said as she had a solemn look as she looked at the battlefield.
"Wait…so this whole time you were in base form?!" Momo exclaimed.
"Yup." That was the reply she got.
"But still, you're keeping a Rook and two Bishops busy like it's nothing." Reya commented.
"Regardless, you're finally taking this seriously huh." Her counterpart got into a stance.
"Not exactly, I'm actually putting an end to this." Tsubasa said as her daggers began to glow yellow and the air around her started to waver a bit.
Her counterpart noticed this and shouted to the duo. "Don't stay in one spot! Split up and get ready to avoid her attack!"
Reya and Momo got the message and moved so that all three of them are in different positions, but that only got Tsubasa to smirk at the action.
"Good decision to not stay as a group, however…you're still in my domain." She said.
She then moved so fast that the trio couldn't see where she moved, the only thing that showed her movement was a trail of flash-like thunder.
"Wha the…"
"That was even faster than the speed of a Knight."
As they were shocked by the speed, they saw several times a flash like thunder around them. Seeing this, Reya had a chilling sensation of what's coming.
"We need to get away from here now, or else- ghh!" She said as she tried to move away from the area but she found herself falling to the floor.
"Wha…I can't move…" Reya was now stunned, she was struggling to move her body.
This was the same for Momo and P-Tsubasa as they were also stunned on the floor as they tried to move their bodies.
"When did she…"
Momo noticed there was a lightning field around her that basically trapped her, she also saw similar fields around Reya and P-Tsubasa.
"Is this her Sacred Gear? One that manipulates lightning?" P-Tsubasa asked.
"Sort of." The trio struggled to look and see Tsubasa standing at a distance, her daggers showing lightning streams being emitted.
"When I moved earlier, I cut you all with my daggers, they send a lightning stream into your body and shocks them, causing you guys to be stunned." She explained.
"Huh, never thought you use lightning like Akeno-senpai." Reya commented.
"Actually, I can do more than that. You girls got anything else to say before I finish this?" Tsubasa said, ready to end the match.
"Are the other participants as strong as you?" Momo asked.
"Yes and no, I went first just to surprise you guys." She answered.
"Damn, you certainly did that well." P-Tsubasa said.
Tsubasa simply sheathed her daggers. "Sorry about this, but this is the difference between the both of us. Delayed Thunderclap."
As soon as she said that, the three of them were struck by lightning explosions as the attack surrounded them.
Smoke filled the surroundings as Tsubasa dismissed her daggers, seeing that her battle was over. "Well, this should make quite the first impression." She commented as she walked, leaving the arena.
[Team Kuoh: two Bishop and one Rook, retired.] Grayfia made the announcement, getting the nerves of the ORC and the student council.
Issei's Peerage:
King: Issei Hyoudou
Queen: Sona Sitri
Rook: Nagumo Hajime (Arifureta)
Rook: Jeanne
Bishop: Noelle (Black Clover)
Bishop: Yue (Arifureta)
Knight: Asta (Black Clover)
Knight: Esdeath (Akame ga Kill)
Pawn: Mysterious Heroine X Alter (Fate: Grand Order)
Pawn: Tomoe Gozen (Fate: Grand Order)
Pawn: Tsubasa Yura
Pawn: Asia Argento
Pawn: Stella Vermillion (Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry)
Pawn: Ikki Kurogane (Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry)
Pawn: Glenn Radars (Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records)
Pawn: Sherlock Holmes (Fate: Grand Order)
Harem: Sona(main), Heroine X Alter, Tomoe Gozen, Tsubasa, Asia, Esdeath, Jeanne.
Finally, I managed to update after a long time.
I couldn't really find the time to sit down and write, but finally I managed to do so. Though I will try to update the story when I got the time so I hope that you all can be patient.
So team Kuoh and Issei are fighting it out, you guys can comment how guys want who to fight who. Though expect any future updates to be slow.
Anyway, do leave me a review so that I know how is it I can improve on the story.
With that, thank you for reading!