Well, next chapter is the fight and I've almost finished it, so you can expect it soon as well.
Although, fair warning, there is zero Issei in it.
A few things I should clear up, in response to some anon reviews:
For the record, Issei hasn't changed that much, personality wise. He is exactly the same as canon, except for three things: one, he is now (obviously) somewhat angry with most of the ORC, two, he is now somewhat more shameless, seeing as he has now lost his virginity to Kuroka, and third and finally, he is more open with his feelings now and more honest, thanks to Gabriel.
Issei having ten wings is not rushed.
At this stage in canon, he was so strong that he could beat Sairaorg plus Regulus Nemea, barely, but still, a feat of insane strength. Couple this with him now knowing Senjutsu, I honestly believe that it is reasonable for him to have ten wings, same as Dulio.
I mean, I've seen writers go completely overboard and give him fourteen or even sixteen wings, which, considering that the likes of Michael and Azazel only have twelve, is hugely overpowered.
As for the repeated usage of 'Will you die for me?', that is there for a reason. It shows Issei's state of mind. It shows that Raynare is quite frequently on his mind, which is also why I say she is technically in the harem (not in a healthy way), because she has a permanent spot in Issei's heart and mind. I mean, I never said they were going to have a good/healthy relationship… Raynare is the one thing that Issei can't shake and me saying 'Will you die for me?' is my way of showing what Issei is going through and when she shows up in his mind. Every time I say/use that, Issei is literally hearing those words in his head and seeing her face.
Lastly, I don't hate the ORC.
Honestly, I have a whole story up showing the ORC in a positive light. While I admit I like Rias the least out of everyone in the ORC… ironically, because of what she did in Light Novel 10, the same one this stuff based on, I don't actually dislike her. It is all well and good to want a happy ending for the ORC, let's face it, if we didn't like them, we wouldn't like the show… but this is a different take on things.
You'll see soon enough, some will be redeemed and some won't. In fact, in the very next chapter you'll see someone gain huge ground on that front.
Try and guess who.
Also, I need to point this out again it seems: Issei will never look at Rias, Asia, Akeno or Koneko romantically ever again.
He just can't anymore, the wound won't heal and he blames them the most (along with Kiba) about what happened.
Lastly, I'm not bashing the ORC, everything Issei said is well founded and it isn't like he just randomly and baselessly starting chewing them out. He just called them out for everything.
I mean, he didn't lie.
Akeno is a fallen angel who hated fallen angels and even asked him about Raynare at the shrine, asking if he hated fallen angels, Koneko did follow him and knows what happened, not to mention she was there in the church as well during the fighting, Asia was obviously there when Raynare killed her and saw Issei afterwards, Yuuto also saw the fight between Issei and Raynare, Rias was the one who had him followed and resurrected him… case in point, they all should have had some idea about what might be holding him back, but they were all selfish and only thought about Rias and themselves.
Well, with all of that said, enjoy the chapter.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the High School DxD anime/manga/light novel. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Ddraig talking and Sacred Gear sounds'
"Ddraig thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
Chapter 4 – Responsibility
Issei was walking home after the school day. Not the Hyoudou residence, which had been taken over by the members of the Occult Research Club, but rather, his apartment. Yes, his apartment, not a single room, but a whole apartment that he had purchased, with assistance from Kuroka. It seemed being bad, really did pay well. It wasn't particularly large, but it wasn't small either. Three separate floors, with two rooms on each level. Each room about the size of a small, one bedroom house, complete with kitchen and bathroom.
Issei climbed the stairs to his room, which was the room on the right, on the third floor. Issei pulled out his key and opened the door and saw, perhaps the one person, he was most conflicted about, sitting on his couch by the small coffee table.
'Yo, Issei.' Said Azazel, the leader of the fallen angels.
Issei frowned slightly, before entering his room and closing the door behind him.
'What are you doing here… Azazel?' Asked Issei in a clipped tone.
'Ho, such an interesting response. I was expecting you to sling curses at me.' Confessed Azazel honestly with a smirk.
'You are, perhaps, the only person I've yet to make my mind up about.' Replied Issei, as he walked to the small kitchen and filled up a glass with water, which he briefly sipped at.
'Oh, and why is that?' Asked Azazel curiously.
'You have helped me a great deal. It is thanks to your help that I have actually managed to become stronger as a person. Even your perverted input was… interesting at times… you weren't wrong about Gabriel.' Said Issei, as he placed his cup down on the kitchen counter, while Azazel merely looked up at him in interest from his place on the couch.
'Yes, I heard you had been reincarnated by Gabriel. As interested as I am by how that was possible, I'm rather envious at the relationship you have with her now. I would honestly give my other arm for a chance like that.' Said Azazel jovially.
'Yes, that aside though…' Said Issei, before he heard that same voice in his head again.
'Will you die for me?'
'On some level, I loathe you.' Said Issei, as he picked up his glass, downed the rest of his water, and walked over to Azazel, staring at him from across the coffee table.
'Hmm, that is what I was expecting from you to be honest.' Said Azazel with a nod.
'I respect you, as a Sensei, as someone who is knowledgeable on Sacred Gears, as a strong fighter… but, you are a really shitty leader. One who can't keep his subordinates in line: Kokabiel for example.' Said Issei bluntly.
'Is it really Kokabiel that you are annoyed with, Issei?' Said Azazel seriously.
'Will you die for me?'
Issei snarled, clenching his fist in annoyance.
'No. You know exactly who I'm talking about.' Said Issei, anger seeping into his tone.
'Oh, and who would that be?' Asked Azazel calmly.
'Don't fuck with me Azazel! You let that bitch Raynare roam free and I suffered for it!' Shouted Issei, his temper snapping at Azazel's calm questioning.
'Well, I suppose that is true. Although, you did have ample opportunity to confront me about it.' Said Azazel, still in that annoyingly calm tone.
'Yeah, like when I confronted you about it at the meeting between the devils, angels and fallen angels. That went well didn't it?' Asked Issei sarcastically.
'Well, the situation was different then. Things were too serious then. I couldn't indulge your whims at the time.' Replied Azazel in an even tone.
Issei glared at Azazel, but didn't say anything.
'You know… they, and I'm sure you know who, are facing Sairaorg and his peerage tomorrow.' Said Azazel, changing the topic.
'*Hmph* Like I care.' Huffed Issei.
'They most likely will be defeated without you. Not just because of your strength, but also because of the strength you give them.' Pointed out Azazel honestly.
'Well, if that was the case, then they should have cared more about my feelings, if I was as important to them as you say.' Retorted Issei unhappily.
'I won't say they are innocent in the matter, a maiden's heart may be complicated, but a man's heart is fragile, no matter what the media might say these days.' Said Azazel.
Issei hummed at this, but didn't respond.
'Although, don't you think you are being a little unfair with them?' Asked Azazel.
'Funny, Sirzechs asked me almost the same thing… come to think of it, I bet he no doubt contacted you and Michael, after I confronted him and… them.' Said Issei calmly.
'He did.' Confirmed Azazel.
'In that case, I shouldn't need to repeat myself, but I will, just in case you missed the memo.' Said Issei, briefly pausing.
'I wanted to do much worse, but promised Gabriel otherwise, and also, I'm doing being played with, that goes for you too Azazel.' Said Issei firmly.
'Ah, I see. I guess you were serious about that then… very well, as a man, a fallen angel, and, let's be honest here, the reason you are so angry...' Said Azazel, getting Issei to narrow his eyes at him.
'What?' Asked Issei.
'I apologise for my subordinates actions and for the pain it caused you.' Said Azazel, as he stood and gave Issei a small bow, before heading for the door.
Just before Azazel had reached the door, Issei spoke to him.
'I'll be honest here, I acknowledge your apology, but I don't accept it.' Said Issei, getting Azazel to turn his body, to face him again.
'Also, I should point out; that despite it being your fault it was there to begin with, if they… had cared about me and understood the pain in my heart, we wouldn't be in this situation right now and they wouldn't be heading to their imminent defeat, at the hands of Sairaorg and his peerage.' Continued Issei.
Azazel gave a stiff nod and made to turn around, before Issei said one last thing.
'And just for your personal amusement, I've already had sex on that couch four times.' Said Issei, pointing to the couch Azazel had just been sitting on.
Azazel laughed uproariously before turning to the door and opening it.
'Well, at least you haven't changed completely.' Laughed Azazel, as he gave one last look to Issei.
'No, but I have changed a lot.' Said Issei with a smirk, as his ten red angel wings, burst from his back.
'I see, in any case, I'll let them know, you might be surprised though, at what they do now.' Said Azazel, before leaving, closing the door behind him.
"Like I care what they do anymore." Thought Issei with a frown.
'Will you die for me?'
Issei growled, before deciding to go take a shower.
"Man I hate that bitch!" Thought Issei angrily, as his mind was still plagued, by a certain fallen angel.
-line break-
'Hmm, that is rather interesting Ravel.' Said Lady Phoenix, a mirror image of her daughter, Ravel, in her twenties, the only exception, being her hair, which was done up with ornate hair decorations.
'I don't follow mother.' Said Ravel in confusion.
'Well, from the sounds of things, not only has he cut all ties with the Gremory Princess, but, he in fact holds no ill will towards you. There could not be a better outcome.' Said Ravel's mother.
'B-but mother, how can you say that?' Asked Ravel in shock.
'Do you not remember what happened with your brother?' Questioned Lady Phoenix.
Ravel frowned slightly, remembering the spectacle that was the failed marriage between Riser Phoenix and Rias Gremory.
'While there was nothing we could do, since Riser accepted the challenge, it doesn't mean we were happy with it. Sirzechs might as well have cornered Riser into doing it, as, due to Riser's pride, he fell for it easily and we lost the marriage.' Continued Lady Phoenix.
'However, now, we might gain something even better.' Said Lady Phoenix, getting Ravel to look at her curiously.
'An angel. One who cannot fall. Add to the fact, that he is the holder of the Boosted Gear… well, that is quite a rare specimen, any way you look at it.' Said Lady Phoenix thoughtfully.
'I realise that, but considering the situation with President Rias.' Said Ravel uncertainly.
'Come now, Ravel. You know what we are: we are devils. It is in our nature to be selfish. Besides, it was not us who caused the problem. From what you said, this has been the case even before the Gremory battled with Riser. The fact that the Gremory couldn't see the pain her pawn was in, is in no way our fault. The blame is solely hers to bear.' Said Lady Phoenix.
'I suppose that is true, nevertheless, I feel somewhat guilty.' Confessed Ravel, as she looked down.
'My dear, I'm not saying you must do anything right now. All I am saying, is that you should act as you would have prior to this incident. You don't need to feel guilty, for something you did not do.' Said Lady Phoenix kindly.
'…He did say he doesn't hold any of it against me.' Agreed Ravel.
'Indeed, and he even considers you his friend still, you are fortunate.' Said Lady Phoenix, before sighing, upon seeing Ravel's still unsure expression.
'Listen to me Ravel.' Said Lady Phoenix kindly, getting Ravel to look at her again.
'I may sound selfish here, but I only want what is best for my children. No matter what has happened to him, I can still see that you care deeply for the Red Dragon, or rather, Issei Hyoudou. Whether he was a devil and part of Rias Gremory's peerage, or whether he is now an angel, nothing has changed for you. I don't want you to have any regrets and if you really love Hyoudou, you should continue to pursue him, if that is what you want. While it is all well and good to be considerate of others, you should not do so at the expense of your own feelings.' Said Lady Phoenix kindly.
Ravel nodded at this with a smile.
'I understand mother… and thank you.' Said Ravel.
'What are mothers for?' Questioned Lady Phoenix, with a smile of her own.
-line break-
Issei walked to school the next day. Thanks to Azazel, he knew that the Occult Research Club would not be at school today, which he was somewhat relieved about. The day started off normal enough, but after lunch, Saji was sent to pick up Issei, as Sona wanted to talk with him. As the two walked, Saji observed Issei for a while, noticing that not only his appearance, but even his mannerisms had changed quite a deal. Even simple things, like the way he walked and the way he held himself had changed.
'So, is there a reason Sona wants to see me?' Asked Issei curiously.
'She wouldn't say, only that there is something she wants you to see.' Replied Saji.
There was a lull once again, before it was broken by Saji, as they neared Sona's office.
'Why did you do it?' Asked Saji curiously.
'That's a pretty vague question.' Said Issei, getting Saji to frown slightly.
'Alright, just a joke, I know what you are talking about, no need to get all moody.' Said Issei with a small chuckle, before turning serious.
'Tell me, Saji, if Sona turned on you, would you still care about her?' Asked Issei.
'What do you mean, why would Sona turn on me?' Asked Saji genuinely confused, as the two stopped just outside Sona's office.
'If Sona betrayed you, would you still care for her? Could you still proclaim you love her, if she broke your heart?' Asked Issei with a frown.
Saji didn't respond, and merely looked at Issei strangely.
'If the rest of her peerage turned on you, if nearly everyone you thought was your friend, turned on you, could you look at them the same way?' Asked Issei again.
'What do you mean? How did they turn on you?' Asked Saji in confusion.
'Answer this for me, Saji. If you risked your life for someone, put your body through hell for someone, endured endless suffering for someone, just so that someone could be happy… would you consider that proof of one's love?' Asked Issei.
Saji blinked at this, before responding as Issei expected him to.
'Yeah, I suppose.' Said Saji with a small shrug.
'Well, apparently, that wasn't enough for Rias Gremory, who seemed to think that everything I did for her, wasn't enough to show that I loved her.' Said Issei, before opening the door to Sona's office.
Sona stared at Issei with a frown, but also possessed a hint of surprise in her eyes.
'Hmm, based on that look, I take it you must have overheard what I just said to Saji.' Concluded Issei.
'I did.' Replied Sona curtly.
'Do you disagree?' Asked Issei.
Sona stared at Issei for a few seconds, before shaking her head.
'No, I suppose you do have a point. Rias is my friend and I want the best for her… but even I can't deny that she made a mistake here.' Said Sona coldly.
'Well, in any case, what is it that you wanted?' Asked Issei after a moment.
'Although you are no longer a part of her peerage, I believe that you should at least watch her match with Sairaorg.' Said Sona, as a small screen dropped down behind her.
Issei blinked at this, before sitting down in the seat opposite Sona and settled himself in, to watch Sairaorg's peerage and Rias' peerage battle for supremacy.