A/N: Sorry for the long wait for an update, but I was having a bit of a mind block and also, with work being busy, plus starting my third story and planning the 4th, I got delayed abit. I'm grateful for all the feedback. I hope you like this chapter.

This is an original story with a twist. I do not own any rights to Highschool DXD but will use the characters and storyline. It will have a harem and was inspired by a few stories. Enjoy :)

'Thinking'

"Talking"

Inner Voice

(Ddraig)

Chapter 8: Battle Of True Kings

Day of the fated battle

The morning after the most intense training session and members train, Issei and the others were finally prepared for the rating game with Sairorg. Meanwhile, his parents tried to convince him not to go and fight, but Issei just ignored it and headed towards the teleportation circle with the others and went into the underworld.

Rias and Sairorgs team had an interview before the battle, which went ayokay apart from some reporters asking stupid questions about if he would poke Rias boobs to get stronger during the match. He ignored all the silly questions, and any related to the match and how they matched up were answered professionally.

"Hyoudou san, you seem like a completely different person. May I ask what brought this kind of change?" Asked one of the reporters of the Underworld News.

"I'm not all the different. All that has changed is my focus on giving Sairorg sama a good match and also giving Gremory sama the match she so wishes to win," Issei said in a stoic tone.

"May I ask what is happening with the Grabbing dragon show?" A reporter from Kids World asked

"It's on hiatus for now as both my master and her queen are preparing to start college in the human world", Kiba replies as he could tell Issei winched at the name.

At the end of the interviews, the team with Azazel sat in the limo, heading to the stadium that would host the rating game battle. All the girls and Azazel noticed Issei was in the corner with his eyes closed and arms crossed.

"Ano, is he taking a nap?" Asia asked, a bit worried about Issei.

"Think so. There's still some time before we reach the stadium, so let him rest," Xenovia said while shrugging her shoulders.

"Well, he's been having trouble sleeping lately, so his sleeping pattern is messed up," Akeno said while looking at Issei, slightly worried in her way.

Rias being naive and not wanting Issei to ignore them, placed a hand on his shoulder to wake him up, but by doing so. Issei grabbed it with a tight grip out of instinct without opening his eyes.

"Ouch! Issei, it's just me. Can you let go, please? It hurts," Rias says while trying to get out of the grip.

A few seconds later, Issei let her go but gave her a death glare for waking him up during meditation.

"I would advise you not to do that again as I was meditating, and what you did could have disrupted my chi flow," Issei said flatly with a bit of anger.

"Can we just talk?" Rias asked while rubbing her wrist where Issei grabbed her as it stung from his pressure.

("Oh hell no, she going to try and creep her way back in forgiveness after what she did") Ddraig thought to himself.

"I have nothing to say to you, and also, this isn't the best time for obvious reasons, so just focus on the upcoming fight," Issei said as he turned around to look outside the window and blanked everyone.

Rias was upset by what he said, and so were the others except for Azazel and Rosswiesse, as they knew she had it coming. Rias just sat next to him in silence, then she tried to hold his hand, but Issei moved it, put some headphones in his ears, and played songs on his phone. He started turning the volume up to block out any of their voices and then closed his eyes again.

"He's still so distant from us," Akeno says sadly.

"Yeah, he still hates us but most likely hates me the most. I don't blame him, but I just wish he would talk to me," Rias said as she looked down at the floor with a defeated look.

"Once the match is over, you can try to patch things up with him, but for now, do what he said and focus on the upcoming match," Azazel said in his teacher mode.

"Right," Everyone says but in a sad way.

As Issei and the rest of the ORC make their way to the seating area before being called to the arena to start the rating game, Issei and Azazel are talking about something other ORC members are confused about. I don't know what he has planned.

"So, Sensei, were you able to get permission for what I asked about?" Issei asks his friend and teacher.

"Oh yeah, and you picked a good one to use," Azazel says with his usual smirk and thumbs up.

"Ano, what are you guys talking about?" Koneko asks while cutely tilting her head.

"Ah, don't worry, just something to make things a bit more entertaining," Issei says with a smile which held no anger, which made Koneko blush and nodded her head before grabbing chocolate.

"Oh, make what more entertaining?" Riser says as he enters, making everyone wide-eyed as we weren't expecting him to come.

"Oh hey, Kentucky, what are you doing here," Issei says in a mischievous tone.

"Watch it you," Riser says before fist-bumping Issei and laughing.

"What you doing here Riser?" Rias asks with a stumped look.

"I just came to wish you guys luck and also ask Issei something in private", Riser said which confused everyone.

"Sure, let's go to the next room so we can talk," Issei said as he followed Riser.

As Issei and Riser enter the room, he quickly puts a barrier up so no one can listen in, knowing they will eavesdrop on the conversation.

"So what's up, Riser?" Issei asks, tilting his head.

"Ravel told me what happened between you and the rest of the peerage and also your family. I just want to make sure your ok as not only my rival but a close friend after what you did for me and even straightened me up from my past self so to speak." Riser says, looking at Issei.

"Yeah, I'm ok. Ravel and Rosswiesse, including Azazel, helped me out. Yes, I am pissed at them, but I'm happy away cause once this rating game is over, I will be free to travel abit and ask if Ravel wants to join me for where I want to go and collect something," Issei says, looking at Riser.

"Oh well, I have to ask my mother for that first, but I'm sure she will will be happy too. May I ask what you are seeking?" Riser asks out of curiosity.

"Well, it's something that Ddraig's past host left behind, and Ddraig thinks it might be useful for me in the future plus, it is nice to explore abit, if you get what I mean hehe," Issei says as he chuckles.

"Oh, this be interesting then well, again I wish you look and hope we could train together in future as one of my pieces would love to speak to you," Riser says as he waves goodbye.

As Issei reentered the room with the rest of the peerage, it was time to head to the arena, and they could hear Azazel in the commentary box.

"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the official rating game between Rias Gremory and Sairorg Bael. The game will begin in 5 mins, so make sure you all seated down and get what you need as this is going to be a wild match. I can already sense it. The Barriers will also be placed for the protection of you, the audience," said Azazel through the microphone.

"Well, I'll be heading to the viewing area and meet Ravel there as she saved me a seat. Good luck all," Irina says as she leaves and waves. "Issei, be careful, okay."

"Will do Irina say hi to Ravel for me!" Issei said.

The ORC and Sairorg's group entered the arena and sat down while the rules were explained and the type of game it would be, which ended up being a dice game where both kings roll a dice, and the number equals whatever piece that can enter. Due to Issei having all eight pawns, his points count to number 8 for the dice for the King's Rias was 8, and Sairorg was 12 due to his experience in rating games from before.

"Ok, Ladies and Gentlemen, let's get this game going, so please, will the respected Kings roll the dice and prepare for the first match," Azazel says through the comment box.

Both kings rolled their respective dice and a 3, which meant Knights or bishops could go. Both kings choose their Knights to enter the first round.

"Okay, for the First match looks like the battle of Knights with Kiba Yutto for the Gremory and Beruka Furcus for the Bael. With the sound of the buzzer started the match," Azazel says afterwards, the buzzer went off, and both knights fought for their respected kings, with Kiba pulling the win with his new subspecies balance breaker.

A/N: the matches are similar to cannon for most of the matches apart from Xenovias and Gasper, as both stayed rather than Gasper retiring.

As the match progressed, with just only Rias, Issei, Asia, and Gasper left, it was all down to them against Sairorg. His Pawn, which still hadn't entered Sairorg, didn't want to wait to fight Issei, so he suggested a battle royal which was accepted due to Asia being a healer than a combatant and Gasper tired and his previous match it was up to Rias and Issei to make it a victory.

"So Sairorg, I'm guessing your pawn is your trump card," Issei says as he smirks, knowing it was strong and probably a sacred gear user.

"Issei, what do you mean?" Rias asks, confused about what he means.

"You can't feel the power of his Sacred Gear?" Issei said with a deadpan look.

"Haha, nothing can get past you, Issei. Yes, after I heard about your new powers from the Kyoto battle, I decided to bring out my trump card," Sairorg says while grinning.

"Shall I master?" Sairorg's Pawn says in a monotone voice.

"I suppose it's time, go Regulas!" Sairorg shouted.

The pawn took off his mask and began transforming into a 3-meter-tall Golden Lion and roared.

"Wait that's the Lion of Nemea, one of the 13 Longinus gears. It was MIA, and all this time, you had it," Azazel says in shock.

"Ah shit, he doesn't have a gear. He is one," Issei says, palm facing himself. "Rias, you won't be able to defeat it outright. Concentrate on keeping him away from you as much as possible, and don't leave any openings".

"Right, just be safe Issei," Rias says, knowing it will be a tough battle.

"Regulas leave the red dragon to me to handle Rias but don't kill her," Sairorg says while smirking.

"Here I, Sairorg!" Issei shouts as he launches off the ground at breaking speed, leaving a creator where he stands, shocking the audience.

"Bring it, Issei!" shouted Sairorg as he got in position to counter until Issei disappeared, then reappeared behind him, axle kicking to the side of his face.

Boom! The audience was shocked at the speed and power of the Red Dragon Emperor, and he wasn't even in his balance breaker yet. As soon as the dust settles, you see Sairorg stunned but not out and wiping the blood from his mouth. Then suddenly, music started playing and Issei through a thumbs up and got into the zone, now 100% focused on his target.

A/N: I will write my playlist of music at the end of the chapter, but also think of your own choice, as I know everyone has different tastes :p

"Nice on there, Issei caught off guard, hehe, and loving the music choice, so let's give the audience what they want," Sairorg says, getting ready for the next hit.

"Thank you. I trained hard as you are a worthy person to fight with, so I wouldn't dishonour you, so let's duke it out as they say," Issei says, getting ready to launch again.

From then on, both Sairorg and Issei exchanged blows with both their fist and legs, countering each other with a massive smirk on their face, leaving the audience in awe at the power and battle going off. Both were now separated and looked at each other while stretching their limbs like a warm-up that stunned everyone watching, including the Maou's.

"Well, I think that's a good warm-up. What do you think, Sairorg hehe," Issei said as he stretched his arms while looking to see how Rias and Regulas were doing.

"You defiantly trained harder to keep up with me in just your base form and no boosted gear. I am amazed, but now I think its time to step it up, and don't worry about Regulas and Rias. I did say not to go too wild as want to savour our battle," Sairorg says as he releases more of his touki and powering up.

"True, I agree with you on that, so let me show you show you fruits of my training," Issei says as he summoned his boosted gear but also on his other arm as well as armour for his leg as doing a partial balance breaker.

"Wow, Issei learnt how to do partial balance breaker. Now that's interesting, Issei. You better come to the lab I need to check it out properly," Azazel says over the commentary chat making Issei sweat bullets.

Round 2 of the battle between Sairorg and Issei begins as soon as Sairorg disappears and reappears in front of Issei but is blocked. Then Issei sends a roundhouse kick quicker than Sairorg can see and gets pushed back. Boost! Boost! Boost! With that, Issei is on the offensive sending blow after blow creating small craters from the force he and Sairorg were giving out. Still, suddenly, something unexpected got Sairorg, and that's when Issei brought Ascalon out and managed to cut his arm to send him on edge but not out. Sairorg was on the defensive but managed to start pushing Issei back by releasing more of his touki to keep up with his boosts and then landed a blow on Issei, pushing him back which Issei smirked but got in position again to carry on the onslaughts. While this was going on, the audience enjoyed the match a lot, including Sirzechs and Grayfia, with Lord and Lady Gremory cheering their daughter on and supporting Issei's cause of her mess up.

Up in the private booth

"Wow, Ise-Kun is holding his own. Wonder what kind of training he did to hold off Sairorg so easy," Lady Gremory says well, admiring her son-in-law.

"I know, dear, he's doing well. It's just a shame that Rias and the others messed up, and I hope she can make things right, but from what I heard, she's been making it worse, as well as the others," Lord Gremory says while sighing.

"Well, I have warned them and only their own doing even with Issei as a free piece, he could not have come today, but he honoured the request of Sairorg, and it just shows his worth," Sirzechs says while seeing Grayfia looking at Issei with a small smile showing how proud she is.

"Yes, and I'm proud of him if things don't get resolved with him and Rias. I was thinking of probably adopting him as I know you said he had a rough patch with his parents," Lady Gremory says, a finger on her chin.

"Now dear, you told me off before trying to push him calling me father and your mother. I don't think it would go well, not yet, at least," Lord Gremory says, making Venelana pout.

"He is right, mother, but I am going to push for Issei to make him into a high class instead of going to mid-class. First. He's earned it on my account," Sirzechs says while looking at his wife with thought.

"Oh, that be wonderful news if you make it happen. Do you know what he will do after this game is over as being a free piece and all?" Lord Gremory asks in thought.

"Well, he said he is going to explore an area which has some bits of Ddraigs from a past host which would help him and train some more," Sirzechs says while smiling.

"Hm, wonder what that be, but either way, least Issei already planning what to do rather than getting held back or down, should I say," Lord Gremory says while pondering.

"Could be anything, sweetheart, but I hope everything will be ok as I know how stubborn my daughter can be?" Lady Gremory says as she holds onto her husband's hand.

"Yes, that is true, dear", Lord Gremory said as he accepted his wife's hand and rubbed his thumb in a circular motion.

"Well, we just have to see what the future holds after this match is done," Sirzechs says while looking back at the match in awe of Issei's new power.

Back to fight

The match is pretty much stalemate at the moment, with neither side giving up, and now, seeing Sairorg wearing Regulas in his balance breaker form after nearly retiring, Rias says Issei gave her a phoenix tear and told her to rest. At the same time, he takes on the newly formed Sairorg in his balance breaker armour.

"I hope you are ready, as this is going to be the true power of the king of the beasts", Sairorg boasts while releasing his full touki in decoration.

"I wouldn't say it better myself, Sairorg, so let me give you my new improved balance breaker, Balance Break!" Shouted Issei as a huge aura went over Issei, sending shockwaves throughout the arena and arousing the female population with his dominating aura demanding respect.

"Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker! Scale Armour Improved!" Responded Ddraig through the boosted gear.

Once the aura was gone and formed, Issei's new balance breaker with such deep red highlighting Ddraigs colour and representing the Gremory colour and showing how strong this variant is while making Azazel foam at the mouth at this new armour upgrade, the next thing you see is Issei disappearing and appearing in front of Sairorg.

"Heads up! Ascalon Spear Mode!" Issei shouted and hit Sairorg right in the stomach.

"With sudden change, Ascalon was in spear mode and hit Sairorg straight in the stomach with such force when he landed, he made a massive crater but suddenly, a loud boom! He heard two charged blasts coming from Issei from what looked like his bishop form, which left Sairorg stunned a shaking from such power and tactical moves. He was now raising his touki even move and vanished to appear in front of Issei but blocked his attack with his rook form on his arms and managed deal more blows to the exposed area that's was on Sairorgs chest but what people didn't notice was the fact Issei had his knight form, but on his legs, so he still had speed with the power of the rook.

"Wow, I am struggling to stay up. This has been the best match so far, and it has felt fulfilled. Thank you, Issei I hope our next battle will be as you as a King rather than just a pawn with your team," Sairorg says as he fades into retirement.

"Thank you, Sairorg, and I will honour you again when that time comes, but for now, we can have training spars if you accept," Issei says as he smiles.

"Sairorg Bael Retires! Your Winner, Rias Gremory!" shouted Azazel through the commentator's box.

After that message, all you heard was the fans and the other audience cheer for the match of the lifetime. With that, a magic circle appeared above the Oppai Dragon fan's corner and seeing merchandise coming out of it, all signed by Issei and others for the kids which were loved by there families as well as the Moaus as didn't expect that to happen. But they noticed Issei winking and smiling at Ravel for a excellent job on her part.

After the match, everyone was teleported to the medical room to be treated and rest from a good match. Both Sg and Issei were sharing a room and resting till they decided to talk Sairorg wanted to know what had happened since they saw each other as could they tell something was off.

"So, Issei, what happened to you? I can tell something happened for you to go to such lengths in training and not show any sign of perversion. It's like looking at a completely different person?" Sairorg asks out of curiosity.

"Well, something happened between me and the rest of the ORC, and just say I found some truths that I won't say as it's their problem, and only a select couple have been there for me and know the truth," Issei says to Sairorg while staring, at the ceiling.

"Hm, well, I hope whatever happened sorts itself out then as you are a good person with a heart of gold which is very rare to find," Sairorg says. "Also, I enjoyed that match. Maybe whenever you are free and just want to hang out we can spare and maybe train together with my peerage if your up for it".

"That be awesome, and it is kinda sorted to a certain extent, but the rest is up to them on how to fix the problem they did," Issei says, making Sairorg wonder what the girls did for him to be like this.

While Sairorg and Issei were chatting, they heard a knock on the door, and Sirzechs walked in with Grayfia behind him, looking at the two with big smiles.

"Hey, Sairorg and Issei, that was a brillant match and shows how many promises you young devils have to show for the future. If I may, I need to tell Issei something." Sirzechs says to the pair.

"Thank you,, my lord, of course,, would you like me to leave so I can speak in private?" Sairorg asks.

"No, I like you to hear this too. Issei, myself and the rest of the Maou's, including the devil council, have seen fit to promote you to a High-class devil and skip Mid class. Also Akeno and Kiba are getting promoted but only to Mid class." Sirzechs says with a big grin on his face.

"Ehhhh, but how would I have thought I will be doing Mid class first? Wouldn't this cause a big problem in certain areas?" Issei says, shocked and confused, making everyone giggle at his response.

"Normally, yes, but due to what you achieved and be through and how you fought with Sairorg here, they understood what needed to be done, so in a few day's time, before you head out to your journey Grayfia will fetch you to take you to Ajuka to give you your evil pieces," Sirzechs says with his hand on Issei's shoulder.

"Wow,, thank you, I will make you proud as a fellow devil and other things," Issei says in a whisper thathich Sirzechs heard and smirked.

"You're welcome, ok I'll leave you too rest for now and will see you soon, Issei," Sirzechs says as he gets up and leaves the room with Grayfia behind him who also has a slight smile on her face.

"Congrats Issei. I guess your dream to become a kind has finally been achieved. May I ask where are you are planning to go on your trip?" Sairorg asks out of curiosity.

"Thank you, and I don't know specific, but its somewhere hidden by the past user of the boosted gear ,which Ddraig said might be useful to me so such times," Issei said, trying not to leak too much info out.

"Ah ok, by the way, how did yomanageed to change Ascalon from a sword to a spear? As I always heard ,it was a sword?" Sairorg asks with a curious face.

"Well actually Ascalon has ability to change from spear to sword depending on the user at the time. Not many knew about this since last time the spear mode was used was by St George when he slayed a dragon hence why it became a dragon slayer weapon" Issei said shedding some light to Ascalon.

"Oh its first time I heard about this, but then again alot was hidden between the factions when first had conflict with each other" Sairorg says now questioning himself.

"Well it was written in the bible so it would be hard for you to know about it but was also some parts was posted on to the internet these days if you know what you looking for" Issei says to make Sairorg palmface himself not thinking of that.

A/N: So leaving it at this point the next chapter will be when Issei receives his pieces and also goes to explore looking for the items Ddraig has for him also for Issei peerage members its going be a tease but will give you an idea who be in it and more will reveal itself in time ;)

Issei - King

N/A - Queen

N/A - Knight

N/A - Knight

Ravel - Bishop

N/A - Bishop

Rosswiesse - Rook

N/A - Rook

N/A - 8 Pawns