"This is how my apprentice decides to repay me? After all I have done for you Flynn? Picking your sorry ass up from that battlefield. When you humans decided to have an all out war over the death of some nobleman. I revived you, healed you. I treated you as my own. I took you under my wing and trained you. I even let you keep your worthless humanity. You should be on your knees thanking me. PRAISING THE GROUND I WALK ON! But instead you betray me. You side with the Angels and bring a legion of warriors here to fight me?"

A battle hardened devil stood out on a balcony. He had actual horns protruding from his forehead, they weren't massive, just slightly visible through his long black hair. The Devil was physically akin to war and battle. You could just tell that by looking at him. But it was quite odd that he was adorned in a black and white suit. He was inside of a massive palace, with servants hustling around the courtyard and behind him, All of which were wearing similarly stylized suits, regardless of gender.

"Great Marauder. The Highest general of the Four Great Satan Army. You escaped from the Great war with little more than a few scratches. And you never paid for your crimes. I am here to see to it that you do finally face the music. Today … Mentor… You will die!" Flynn called out.

"Alright… At least allow me to make some final arrangements for my servants… They have no part in this and should not be held accountable for an old dogs war crimes. They were all acquired after the war anyway Flynn… Surely you can understand that they are innocent and should be spared. If you allow them to go free, I will let you inside…"

Flynn pondered for a moment outside of the massive castle. There was a large wooden door for an entranceway and huge stone steps. Trying to scale the thing was a no go. If he just opens the door and lets the angel warriors in, that would surely make this fight easier. Not to mention there were servants in there that Flynn knew… Hopefully lord michael would forgive Flynn especially if he were in fact successful in bringing down the Great Satan General. But in the back of Flynn's mind, he knew his old mentor was up to something.

"Alright… Make it quick, or we will have no choice but to break the door down…"
There was a hushed murmur through the Angel ranks as Flynn agreed to the Marauders demands. "The humans, an idiot.." one said. "If lord Michael trusts him, then he must know what he's doing" Said another.

The General turned and looked to his right, A beautiful servant girl in a red suit scurried to his side. She had white shoulder length hair with stripes of red in it. And she was naturally well endowed in all the lady bits, as was accustomed to every devil in the underworld.

"Listen Bella, take the other servants and go. I will hold them off long enough for you to get away. I have no doubt in my mind that Flynn has some trick up his sleeve. He wouldn't have come here unless he actually believed he could take me down."

The Marauder grabbed the girl's hand, tears welled up in her eyes as she realized that her master was basically telling her goodbye…

" You know, despite who I am, I have always feared death. I just wanted to be remembered. To leave something behind…" Bella sobbed quietly "If… no when he strikes me down I am sure he will try and usurp my power. But It will eat him from the inside out, until he either dies, or passes it onto another… Now listen, this next part is important." The marauder leaned in and whispered something to Bella, She nodded a couple of times, though the tears continued to flow down her face.

"Go now… I will greet them at the door."

Fast-Forward

The massive doors into the Marauders estate slowly creaked open. As it did there were gasps from the angels as they took in the scene before them. There stood the Marauder, green battle armor, blood red eyes and a glowing red axe resting on his shoulder to match. He was prepared for battle, He was going to war…

"I said I would let you inside! I never said I would go quietly. I hope you know what you are doing Flynn, leading these warriors to their death" The Marauder laughed. "Alright, enough fooling around. Who will be the first to die?"

FF

The legion of Angels had been slain. The Marauders estate was decimated and all that remained were Flynn and the old General. "Alright my student, Where is it?"

"Where is what?"

The general laughed. "I know you too well boy, Where is your ace in the hole? Your big trick, I know you aren't stupid enough to come here and challenge me with nothing but those angels. Speaking of them, Why did you bring them here anyway? You knew they would be slaughtered."

Flynn laughed. "Lord Michaels orders, every angel in that formation was on the verge of falling and you know how he is about sending Azazel more troops."

The pair shared a laugh. "I hate Fallen angels"

"Me too… Alright here it is" Flynn produced a glowing red vial from his pocket. He swished it around for a second as a big Cheshire cat smile formed on his face. "I call it 'Berserk' It will make me even more powerful than you teacher"

"Did you get all that human?"

I had been taken on this roller coaster ride, through memories of long ago, The scene shifted and twirled its way into a white nothingness. Everything was gone except for me, and the Marauder.

"John was it? I wanted you to see things from my perspective. Flynn is a junkie, the only reason he isn't still using these vile concoctions is because it would literally put him in the grave. They shortened his lifespan exponentially and he has nobody to blame but himself. He would shoot up on these … drugs just because he could, he would mix multiple ones together to become this relentless murder machine. My power no doubt will do strange things to your human body, but my student Flynn should have lived another couple of hundred years…"

This devil looked me over, He took a quick walk around me, taking in my very essence. "Hmm " he said.

"I do think Flynn made a good choice, now listen, there are a few more things I want to say before my power drains again. I am sure you will have access to these concoctions. I personally would stay away from them, but at the very least. Use them sparingly. I already watched my student throw his life away on them, I don't know if I could handle seeing a second person doing it as well. Next, This path that he keeps bringing up. Yes it is your decision on who to side with but I just think you should be aware that certain paths can be more 'beneficial' than others, if you catch my drift…"

I jolted awake, my chest hurt and I was struggling to breathe. That was a very vivid dream. I looked over to my alarm clock, 2 minutes before it was set to go off, fantastic, I just 'love' those mornings, I thought as I flicked the alarm off. At Least I wouldn't be late for class. Now, what was that weird first dream I had? Something about a Boom prayer, Doom something?

Wait…

What's that on the table?

I forced myself up and out of bed, my hand still clutching at my chest as the pain hadn't fully subsided. I moved over to the center of my small apartment where my coffee table stood and the realization hit me as I stared at the contents on it.

There was that pistol, with the sweetheart grip that I had been given.

My wallet was overflowing with cash.

And lastly, there was a note.

'Left you some cash, so you won't have to struggle. Get yourself cleaned up and I'll meet you after school - Flynn'

It wasn't a dream

I followed my normal routine, nothing was too far out of the ordinary, up until I was prepping to leave.

"Hello, Testing, Test number 28, John can you hear me"

What? I immediately recognized Arlene's voice but where was it coming from? "Yes I can"

"Oh wow! That's even better than expected. Your body has already made a connection with your praetor suit, despite not having summoned it yet! That is going to make this a lot easier. I am going to be monitoring you, to keep you safe just in case something should go wrong. Here let me help you with something real fast before you leave. Grab that pistol"

I did as I was instructed, I lifted it from the table and looked over it in my hand

"Alright, So we will go more in depth for weapons and how they work when you come in today, but for now. I want you to think about a special place for that weapon to rest. Close your eyes and Imagine it either being on your hip in a holster or maybe even a massive rack with other weapons. Whatever place you decide doesn't matter as long as you give it, its own special home."

I closed my eyes and followed her instructions. Picturing a black gun rack with a small 'special' slot just for this pistol. Wait a minute…

My eyes shot open and the pistol had left my hand. Arlene had pulled some matrix shit and yoinked that handgun out of my fingers. Impossible.

"It's uh… it's gone."

"Fantastic alright now imagine pulling that handgun out, You really need it. Imagine reaching into that special place and removing it."

As I followed her instructions yet again, I left my eyes open and watched my hand this time. The pistol slowly appeared into my hand and I clutched the grip just tight enough not to drop it. I didn't want it accidentally going off either. Explaining stray bullet holes would be a nightmare.

"Awesome. So that's the basis for retrieving and stowing weapons John. As you practice you will be able to do it seamlessly. Alright you can put it away and I will be here in case something happens, See you when you get out of class"

Akeno … Akeno H something. I'm terrible with names. She had always been flirty with me. But today was extra and I had slipped up. I was out of my element and she was taking full advantage of it. She loved to tease me because I was 'different' so to say. I was noticeably taller than the other students, something she loved to bring up. But back on topic, today has been hell. No pun intended. I could just sense the different aura's about some of these students. They were different. Quite a few of them are devils. Or at least that's what I figured. They had this weird smell about them too. A few notable ones I've noticed have been Rias, Sona, and Tsubaki. But Akeno was different. There was more to her than just the 'devil' smell. It's such a weird thing too like it's a blink and you will miss it kind of deal. Not overpowering like a foul odor. But more so a kind of hint of something that I feel would be certainly overlooked… Well, would be had I not had the very Heart of Hell transplanted into me. These two smells meshed together quite poorly, and I was not sure if I cared for it or not. It was a very peculiar thing to behold.

RIIIIING

The final bell brought me back from my thoughts. I started to gather my things but before I could react, I felt a faint breath against my ear. "You smell different today, Did you get some new cologne?"

Akeno giggled and winked at me as I tried to find the words to say. 'SHE KNEW' was the only thing running through my head as she relished in watching me struggle. She planted a finger on my lips and smirked "You should wear it again, It's quite interesting I think I like it"

And with this she skittered off and I was left there, looking like a fool yet again. Did she know? I think I will have to wear this cologne again only because I can't very well pull the demon heart from my chest. What would I do with it even if I did?

"She has no idea" Arlene said with a laugh. I had almost forgotten that she was monitoring me all day because she had been silent. "I have extra masking levels up for you. You are completely incognito and there's no way a devil of that power would be able to detect who you are. From what I saw today she is just one of those girls who likes to tease and mess around. And you fell right into her trap haha"

"Thanks" I muttered to myself as I collected my things.

"Well if you enjoyed that you are going to love what is waiting for you outside" Arlene laughed again.

"What is waiting outside? Arlene?" Silence

I hurried through the school halls, What had Arlene meant? What exactly was waiting for me outside? As I pushed through the front doors, I saw it. It was an unimaginable horror.

Flynn was outside, putting on his best old man impression again. "Hello, Have you pretty girls seen my grandson? He's supposed to help me do some gardening today! He just loves gardening!" He was overall just making an ass of himself in front of everyone. He was struggling to walk with his cane and passers by would giggle and laugh.

"Hey John, your Grandpa's here!" Someone called out, pointing him towards me.

"Oh, there you are Johnathan. He really hates when you call him that" Flynn said with a laugh to one of the girls as he passed by.

"Alright Grandpa, let's get home and do some of that gardening you asked for" I said as I forced a smile on my face. I was trying to take control of the situation as any sensible person would do so as to not be embarrassed more than I already had been. I led Flynn off to the side, knowing the plan would be to just teleport to the fortress, but he kept his old man antics up the entire time. After finally getting out of view, The familiar Flynn was back and a portal opened.

"Sorry, I never had any kids so that was the only chance I was going to get to embarrass someone at school"

I… I completely understood. It sounds cheesy but… Growing up without parents. That was the first, and possibly only, time someone would embarrass me at school. I was embarrassed but I could feel it was something I would look back fondly on with time. I nodded and we stepped through the portal.

"Alright let's try this again. Same thing as before. Think back to how we did the weapon summoning this morning. But now all around you. It's there, you just have to pull it out."

Arlene was behind a computer typing away, while Flynn, Adorned in his praetor suit, stood by her side.

We had gone over some more weapon fundamentals and how they worked. The life essence of the dead would usually refill my ammunition reserves. And those were in that sacred space. My arsenal as we decided it would be called. It was a bit complicated but from my understanding. Kill bad guys, weapon doesn't run out of ammo. Easy enough.

Currently, we were in the process of summoning my praetor suit. The marauder had one that I saw in the visions he showed me. Flynn gained one when he took control of the Marauders heart. Still wasn't entirely sure how that happened yet but all I know is that it did. And I have earned one, My link with it was already present, it was just a matter of learning to retrieve it. I took a deep breath and focused. Green suit. But I wanted it to be my own. I didn't want it to be quite as lame as the Marauders. But I also didn't want to look like a cyborg-like Flynn did. Maybe some combination of the two?

"That's… That's it" Arlene said, but I already knew. That was the trick.

I felt the armor instantly surround me. I could see through the visor, I instantly felt stronger, and well …taller. I clenched and unclenched my fist. Taking a few steps to get a feel for this new armor. I took a step over to the giant glass window and gazed at myself in the reflection. It was a literally a combination of the two. More so like an evolved version of Flynns suit. My gauntlets we cut off around the elbow and my biceps we exposed up to my shoulder. My left hand was a murky brown color while my right hand and everything else but my stomach were a similar shade of green to Flynns suit. That patch on my stomach also being a murky brown color.

"Alright, We have work to do John, let's get started" Flynn said.

Rias and Akeno are sitting in the club room, an 'intense' round of chess was being played.

"I don't think I need another muscle head Akeno. Koneko already is our muscle"

"Oh you and I both know John is not just a muscle head. I really think he might bring some usefulness to the team."

Rias stood up and paced around the room for a moment. The truth was she had been looking into john. He would have made an exceptional devil. The only issue was that today as she had checked once again. Something was blocking her from sensing his power. It was like a gray spot when she had passed by him in the halls. Like suddenly that potential power she saw inside him had vanished. She figured it was nothing, but had someone gotten to him before her? Maybe it was Sona. Rias made a mental note to ask Sona about him the next time she had a chance.

Rias found herself staring out the window. She was gazing at the three notorious delinquent boys who were outside. Her eyes lingered on the boy in the middle, before turning back around to Akeno and continuing her conversation with akeno.

"Who was that boy?"

"What boy?"

"The kid who was sitting in the middle"

"Well, I think he's in class 2-B. If I remember right his name is issei hyoudou… Why? What makes you ask about him?"

"Oh nothing, I just wondered if you knew who he was, that's all…"

Rias had sensed something in that boy. Issei… She would have to look into him and see if he was worth picking up, especially of John had already been swiped by someone else.

"Oh, Checkmate" Rias said, defeating Akeno once again in a game of chess.

I had spent the last couple of days training with Flynn, I had gotten the hang of summoning my armor and weapons. Well weapon. Since I hadn't gotten anything else besides this pistol yet. There was a virtual training gym for us to work in so I wasn't completely green when it came to fighting in my suit. We also practiced detecting different types of supernatural beings. I was slowly gaining confidence in myself.

I had finished training about an hour ago but was starving, I left my apartment to go look for what was basically a midnight snack. I had stopped at Denny's, the same Denny's that Flynn took me to the night he saved me. After finishing my food and exiting the establishment I heard Arlene call out to me.

"Hey John, There's a barrier nearby… I'm gonna break it down just so you can take a look, Its at this building down the street. I'm marking it on your hud. I think you should go take a look and at least see what's going on in there."

I always had my armor close by, It was a weird sensation. Almost like wearing those glasses that google had created but way better, I literally had visible pop ups on the world that I could see. It was literally like a sci-fi movie but far cooler.

Anyway the house Arlene was talking about began to glow slightly, alright cool it wasn't too far away. I began jogging towards the home. "Barriers down" Arlene said , I was using the tools from my praetor suit to check and see who was inside through the walls. There were three being inside, well three living ones and a dead body on the floor. Two male, one female.

I quickly ducked in between some bushes as I continued to analyze the situation.

There was an exorcist and a devil and some sort of priestess. Okay, Freed Sellzen - exorcist. Asia Argento - exiled priestess and lastly the devil Issei Hyoudou. I had seen him around the schools but had never paid him much attention. I noticed there was a star next to his profile and a note left by Flynn. 'Recently turned devil.(Rias) Special power. Keep eyes on'

The pieces were all coming together, There appeared to be some sort of fight that had taken place. Hold on. I watched in horror as the Exorcist pinned Asia up against the wall and began fondling and violating her. My blood began to boil. Someone had to do something. I stood up and my armor formed around me.

"I can ping Rias, she should be able to break this up so we don't have to get involved…this could get nasty…"

Don't have to get involved… right I forgot. Flynn had warned me about playing superman. But I just couldn't sit by and let this go on. "Ping her" I said. I began repositioning. Moving forward towards the house. I was outside the front door and still hadn't been detected by its occupants. I watched as other devils began coming through a portal to help Issei. There appeared to be a stand off now.

"You were supposed to make a barrier! You stupid bitch!" I heard the exorcist yell angrily at the girl. He began stomping her and cursing under his breath. I couldn't help but feel responsible. We had been the ones to take down that barrier. So this was my fault that the priestess was receiving a beating.

A magic circle appeared behind the Sellzen. Fallen angels were preparing to jump to intercept them. I slinked into the entrance of the house. I was inside and at the end of this hallway was where this whole fiasco was taking place.

"John you really need to get out of there. The devils are going to leave John it's over you need to-" Flynn appeared on my hud, he was next to Arlene and he had cut her off "No Arlene, let him make his own choices. John, your actions against the factions have repercussions. Go in there and save that girl if you want. It's about time for you to see the effect you have on people. Arlene. Make his presence known."

"Yes sir"

Arlene said "Cloaking offline"

"We can't leave, What about Asia?" Issei said.

"Wait, Why is HE here?" "Akeno hurry up" "I'm trying"

I stepped out into view. Rias Gremory and her peerage were right in front of me. They gazed upon me and all I could see was fear. They were afraid of me, even though I was here to help… They didn't know that… How could they possibly know that? Especially after the reputation that Flynn had created for me. For us… for the Slayers. Rias and co made the jump. I was left all alone in the room with Asia, Sellzen, and the newly arrived Fallen Angels.

"Freed you idiot, Why did you piss off the Slayer" One of the Female FA's said. Everyone in the room immediately bowed before me.

"Sorry, Doom Slayer, Whatever he did we will make it up to you…" She appeared to be the leader of this little posse. She had long black hair and was wearing a very revealing outfit. Raynare is the name that appeared on my hud. "We - "

I didn't hear the next part. I was deep in thought. I was still utterly pissed at how this girl had been treated. This girl that had no way of fighting back. My body acted on impulse. I charged Sellzen and grabbed him by the throat. I hoisted him into the air and slammed him against the wall. There was a slight gasp from Asia as I pointed at her. His eyes followed my finger and the realization hit him. He knew that I had seen everything. Flynn's voice invaded my mind before I could make another move.

"Don't kill him. Remember what I said about playing superman. She is going to have to go back with them anyway. You killing him won't change that, and will just put an even bigger target on your head. She's part of their faction. And that is where she will remain"

My mind ran through a million scenarios. But in the end, I knew Flynn was right. She was one of them. Me playing hero wasn't going to change the fact that she was part of their faction. I had read her File while moving closer to the house. She was stuck with them, whether she liked it or not. Nothing I could do would change that… Maybe they would treat her better though if I roughed him up a bit? I would feel better at least if he got a taste of his own medicine.

I sucker punched him in the gut and tossed him to the floor. He clutched his stomach and coughed up a bit of blood. I placed my boot against the side of his head and pressed down, not enough to do damage, just enough to apply an uncomfortable pressure to his head.

"Get her some clothes" I ordered.

One of the FA's in the back, a female one, immediately moved forward towards Asia. A new outfit appeared in her hands and was given to the priestess, who quickly dressed herself. Sellzen squirmed underneath me for a few more moments before I removed my foot and grabbed his arm. I slid him over towards his buddies and crossed my arms.

"Don't make me come back here. Now leave before I change my mind"

These Fallen ones did as they were told. They collected Asia, summoned a teleportation circle and left. I stood there for a moment. Taking in what had just transpired for just a second, before I began the trek back home. I was sure Flynn was going to have a lot to say about this during our next training session.

Upon arriving back at the hideout with Asia, Raynare began scolding Freed Sellzen.

"No more stupid games until the ritual has ben completed. We really don't want the Slayer to interfere with it, especially after all this planning… One thing is weird though. Who would have thought that the Doom Slayer has a heart"