In the apartment, Mittelt and Asia were on the couch watching a tv show with glee and curiosity as they saw random people running on a platform. Bryce and Izumi were in the back of the kitchen, the former quietly sitting at the counter while the latter was humming to herself as she chopped some vegetables.

After Bryce and Mittelt chatted, Izumi came in with Asia and both were surprised at the seeing the other with someone. After an explanation from both sides, the older teens both decided that they would take them both in. Izumi then suggested that both girls get to know one another while she and Bryce make dinner.

Izumi continued humming as she poured the vegetables from the chopping board into the pot before grabbing the lid and set it on top. Turning around, she turned her gaze to Bryce who was also staring at the girls.

"Hey," She called out to him earning his attention. "I'm really glad that the girls are staying with us."

"Hai." Bryce nodded his head. "They both deserve a home or at least a better life, not the one we're living." He stated as she nodded her head in agreement.

"Yeah, I hear you." She glanced over back to them with a sad look on her face. "Asia is just a sweet girl, she was just helping someone and in return she got nothing but hate and was ostracized for it. She's been on her own longer than she should. She didn't deserve that." Izumi stated with a frown.

"I could say the same with Mittelt." Bryce started as he stared at the blondes. "She had no friends her age and her peers always abused her for the smallest of things and placed the blame on her, apparently the whole Grigori did. She told me that only two people saw her as one of them but even they couldn't be around her all the time, she said that they were important figures but she didn't want to tell me who they were." He explained.

"That reminds me," Izumi started as she turned to her companion with a cold glare. "I need to find the devil that made Asia lose her status as a healer and turned her to a heretic, not to mention pay the Angel faction a small visit."

"Don't." He started stopping her as she gave him a pout.

"Why not?"

"As of right now, we only know that the Angel Faction outed her but we don't know who the devil was."He pointed out. "Did she tell you who it was she healed?"

Izumi moved to speak but paused as she realized that he was right and that Asia didn't tell her about the devil that played a role in her excommunication. She let out a small sigh and crossed her arms.

"No… she didn't." She said looking away from him. Bryce knew that he somehow upset her with his words so he decided to give her a suggestion.

"How about this?" He spoke but she didn't turn back to him. "I go to the place where Asia healed the devil and scout the area, possibly the entire city and find out on our mysterious figure. That way you can go and kill them."

"I'm listening." Izumi said walking over to him as leaned her back to him, lazily raised her hands behind her head to wrap them around his neck. Bryce didn't react to the tease she was giving him as he continued speaking.

"I just need to ask mother about transporting me there and back so I don't take forever." He concluded.

"Well," Izumi paused as she looked up the ceiling in thought. "you know mother is always on the move and never stays in one spot, plus she keeps going back to Infinite Dimension to antagonize Great Red." She put air quotes when she said antagonize. "Of course, this has no effect since he is always replying with jokes and teases her to no end." She explained earning a blank gaze from her companion.

"I didn't know, that Great Red could do that." He said feeling Izumi move her head a little as she had a small smile on her face.

"Well of course he could, not all dragons are the same like mother is. Every dragon is living being like us with emotions, and that includes her. Ddraig and Albion with their pointless rivalry, Aunt Tiamat with her anger towards Ddraig and Uncle Tannin with his joy as he and Ophis trained us." She stated as she sat up and turned her body towards him.

"And our mother, I know deep down that she has love for us in her heart even if she has a hard time expressing it."

"I guess you're right." He nodded as he stood up from his seat. "Still I wish to contact mother."

"Don't worry, when she comes around again then we can ask to help us with that." Izumi reassured.

"Oh my god." Both teens turned their head to the younger girls as they saw Asia staring at the screen with worried eyes while Mittelt was having a hard time trying not to laugh.

"What's wrong Asia-chan?" Izumi asked as she walked over to them and bend her knees.

"That poor man was running on the platform and then he suddenly flew off into the water. He could be hurt why isn't anyone helping him?" she spouted in a worried tone.

Izumi raised an eyebrow as she turned her head to the tv and then realized what they were watching. She simply giggled to herself at Asia's worried expression before placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"No need to worry about him Asia-chan. He's okay as you can see." Izumi reassured her as she pointed to the tv. They saw the man climbing out the water and onto the ladder going up the platform again.

"He is okay," Asia said before her face morphed into confusion. "But why is he going through it again, wont the same thing happen?"

"Not always." Bryce said as he came over and stared at the tv. "This is what people call Wipeout, it's a game show in America where play for a ton of money as they dodge weirdly shape obstacles and other things."

"Oh…" Asia said in understanding while Mittelt gave an irritated look.

"So these humans are playing a dumb game and get themselves into a game show all for money?" She said as she crossed her arms. "That sounds stupid."

"It does." Izumi agreed as she pointed to the tv. "But when it comes to game shows like these where you can enjoy seeing someone getting knocked out of the stage because it's funny and they say wacky comments all the time, it's worth watching."

They watched the same man get up and run across the platform again, this time he jumped over the springing mat and yelled in success. He continued running before getting knocked to the water again by a punching glove.

This earned some laughs from Izumi and Mittelt while Asia gave a cringe look from when she saw the person get hit in the face. Bryce just stared at the tv but inwardly he was glad that the girls were enjoying themselves.

They continued watching until they heard a ding come from the timer and Izumi immediately sprung up and walked over to the kitchen. After checking the pot, she called out to the others.

"Alright everyone, dinner's ready."

Asia and Mittelt sat up by the counters while Bryce was standing earning a confused looks from them. Izumi poured some food into four bowls before carrying all of them within her arms, quickly setting one bowl in front of them before sitting down in her seat.

"Itadakimasu." Izumi said with her hands together.

"Itadakimasu." They all followed. Asia and Mittelt both took a bite of their foods and their eyes were filled with joy.

"This is delicious." Asia commented as Mittelt took another bite.

"It's really good. I didn't know you could cook, Izumi-san." The fallen angel commented as the brunette let out a small smirk.

"Well I am good aren't I."

"Yes, you are." Bryce stated as he continued eating. He felt a tug on his shirt and saw that Mittelt was giving him a confused look. "What's wrong?"

"Why are eating your food while standing?" She asked him.

"We don't have anymore chairs." He gave her a simple answer earning a blank stare from the fallen.

"Then just go get another one."

"What he means Mittelt is that when we first came here we only three chairs to begin with. Two for us and one for a guest. We never expected to have anyone over, so yeah sorry about that." Izumi explained before giving Bryce a seductive look. "Although Bryce, if it made you feel better I can always sit on your lap and we could share~"

"No." He said earning a pout from her.

"Man, I can never get you."

Ignoring the innuendo, Mittelt made a suggestion. "Had you guys thought about getting a bigger place?"

"Well, we wouldn't know where to start. We would want to be close to school and not travel a long way." Izumi answered as she finished her currying. 'Speaking of which we should probably ask Sona-san about enrolling them. I know she'll take Asia just fine but she may have a problem with Mittelt.' She thought to herself.

"School?" Mittelt questioned as she turned her gaze to Bryce. The latter only gave her a pat on the head.

"Don't think about it, we'll come to that bridge when we cross it."

"Okay."

As night fell, all four were now wondering who should sleep where. Izumi decided that Asia and Mittelt should sleep together on the bed while they took the couch. However, Bryce decided to take the bathtub much to her protest and said that she needed the full couch and was fine with the bathtub. Reluctantly, Izumi let him and took the couch while the other two took the bed.

After saying goodnight, everyone changed clothes and went to sleep. Bryce was by himself trying to find a way to get comfortable as he gave it a mild glare.

"This will be… difficult." Bryce commented as he heard soft knocking on the door. Turning around he opened and saw Mittelt staring at the floor with a shy expression on her face.

"Something wrong Mittelt?" he asked her.

"No, no, nothing's wrong. It's just…" Mittelt started place her index finger together as she found the ground a lot more interesting. Bryce would've made a confused face if he could as the blonde fallen continued to remain silent.

Suddenly, Mittelt dragged herself towards him before wrapping her arms around his midsection.

"Mittelt?" He asked again only to feel her tightened her hold on him.

"Can..i just stay with you tonight… please?" She asked, no pleaded in a soft tone as Bryce stared at her form before slowly nodding her head.

"Okay." He then turned his head to the bath tub and realized that they might have trouble sleeping but he had an idea.

After closing the door, Bryce then told Mittelt that he would sleep on the floor but she shook her head not wanting him to let go so the other option he had was climbing into the tub himself and laid flat on his back while she laid on his chest, her ear listening to his heartbeat.

Moments of silence was that they heard until Mittelt spoke once more.

"Bryce…"

"hm?"

"Can you… will you…" MIttelt kept stuttering as she tried to find the right words to say. It was both embarrassing and stupid for her to even ask but the way he spoke earlier about her life made her want something.

"Can you be my… oni-chan?"

"…" Bryce stayed silent as he tried to process what the blonde was asking him. As far as he could remember, she was asking for a sibling. Not by blood but by bond.

"…I mean…" Mittelt's expression morphed into a frown as she closed her eyes. "You don't have to…. It was really stupid of me to even ask. You just met me a few hours—"

"Yes."

"..What?"

"I will take the role of being your brother, Mittelt. And I promise that I will protect you no matter what, as long as I'm here I will not let any hurt you."

Mittelt was deeply affected as his words processed through her head before silent tears flowed down her cheeks as she leaned her head back into his chest with a smile on her face.

"Thank you, oni-chan." She muffled but he could hear her as he nodded his head and made a vow to himself.

'I will not let anyone else suffer the way I did, she deserves to be happy just like Izumi, just like Asia. As long as I'm breathing, I'll kill anyone that hurts her.'

Rias was in the ORC going over some devil pacts, she was by herself as Kiba and Koneko were sent home. Akeno is out on a little mission for her, she had the sadist watch the duo's every move despite Sona's warnings. She knew that the two outsiders were hiding something but she couldn't figure out what. And from what she saw at the church, they were not here to play nice.

She gave off a heated glare and stared at the book lost in thought for half the time until she felt Akeno call her name.

"Rias." The black-haired girl walked in with a sweet smile on her face.

"What is it, Akeno?"

"I come bringing news. Turns out our duo is hiding a little something from us." Akeno said earning Rias's attention.

"Oh and that may be?"

Akeno's expression turned serious. "They are housing two other girls that look younger than them."

"How is that hiding something?" Rias looked at her best friend in confusion and sweat dropped.

"Oh, you didn't let me finish. One of them is actually a fallen angel while the other is human." Akeno explained as Rias eyes widened in shock.

Rias immediately stood up from her desk. "A fallen angel? With them!?"

Akeno nodded her head in confirmation. "Yes, and it turns out she's the other fallen from the deceased group back at the church."

"So, she was the one missing." Rias said to herself before narrowing her eyes at the desk. 'Those two traitors, I knew they were planning on doing something to us. This has got to stop, this trickery has gone on long enough.'

"Akeno. I need you to do something for me…"

Rias was giving her instructions on how they would deal with the fallen angel and keep the duo from stopping them.

But what she didn't know was that, in the next few days however, she and her whole peerage would understand the wrath of a protective dragon and puppet master.

(TimeSkip)

Over the next week, nothing stirred much trouble for duo.

And that was the problem. Neither of them had gotten into any conflict with the ORC since their last meeting. Akeno would give them a sweet smile but Izumi knew that she was lying and that she wanted revenge on her, while Kiba and Bryce had crossed paths where the latter just passed by the blonde knight.

The said knight was still wary of latter after he almost squeezed the life out of him, not that he blamed him since he made the first move to provoke him. While Kiba kept his distance, he did seem a little guilty on how he acted towards the emotionless teen and tried to apologized only to receive nothing but blank gazes.

As for Rias, she was keeping a constant eye on them, Bryce in particular. Whenever he was alone, she would follow him regardless of wherever. The library, cafeteria, sometimes even when they have the same class. While he knew that she was on to him, he didn't care for her search party. As long as she didn't do anything related to Izumi or Mittelt or Asia, then he didn't really care. However

Bryce was by himself as he was sitting in class. He and Izumi left the younger teens back at the apartment not that he didn't want to. He felt that it would've been better if they had someone watching them but Izumi said that she trusted the girls by themselves. Izumi went to go and talk to the president of the club Sona.

He found himself conflicted about this. One he was worried about were the girls, he wasn't sure if leaving them on their own was a good idea. He and Izumi could take care of themselves but he wasn't sure if Asia and Mittelt would be able to.

From what the brunette told him, Asia is a healer and not a fighter at all. Which meant that she could only support in a real battle. That would have to change soon. And Mittelt she knows her way around spears but from the abuse she suffered over the years he could tell that she didn't fight back out of fear and has some low self-esteem. He would have to help her out of that, also the latter has gotten comfortable being around him and calling him Big brother. Izumi noticed this and smiled, glad that not only MIttelt was adapting to living with them but that her best friend was becoming a little more open. Sure, that it was only around them but he was opening up nonetheless.

Bryce would've continued thinking about the past if he didn't feel someone tap him on the shoulder. All the students in the room gasped at who they were seeing as the latter wondered why they were reacting in a dramatic fashion. Turning his head, he saw Koneko staring at him with a blank gaze as she pulled on his sleeve.

"Yes, Koneko?"

"I need help." She spoke as she then attempted to pull him out the room.

"Koneko-san!"

"It's the mascot, Koneko! She's so cute!"

"SO cute!"

Bryce threw all a glare and everyone immediately closed their mouths and shuddered from his gaze. He was a bit annoyed that all of them were causing a ruckus over something small, then again it's not like he knew the petite's girl status around school.

"Come on." She spoke again as she tugged his sleeve once more, the latter just nodded his head and followed her out.

As they left the classroom, Koneko stopped and let go of his sleeve turning her body towards him.

"What do you need help with, Koneko?" he asked.

The cat girl suddenly looked away from him as her mask began to break and she adopted a nervous expression on her face. The boy was confused as the younger girl started poking her index fingers together.

"Could you… meet me at lunch on the field?"

"Why?"

"I just…" Koneko stuttered as she tried to come up with some words. "I just want to get to know you a little better, that's all. I mean… it wouldn't hurt to spend some time to know someone… would it?"

Bryce just stared at her with a blank gaze as the petite girl shifted her foot on the ground.

"Okay. I will meet you there—"

RING! RING! RING!

"I guess I will follow you then."

"Hai." Koneko nodded as she turned around and walked ahead, motioning for him to follow. Bryce knew she was hiding something but he couldn't figure why, something told him that things will go bad today.

Koenko on the other hand, was feeling guilty for this. For what she was doing to someone other than her peerage she considered a friend. She was stalling him to keep him away from their charge so Akeno and Kiba could go and take care of her.

She didn't know why she was feeling guilty. She was doing what Rias told her to do. What her King ordered her to do. That should be it, she should have no problem doing it.

'..So.. why… why does my chest hurt so much?" The cat asked herself as using her left hand to clutch her chest.

Back at home, Mittelt and Asia were watching tv when someone knocked on the door, earning their attention. Asia decided to go and open the door when the fallen angel felt a presence enter the air and was about to speak until she felt someone cover her mouth and held a sword to her neck.

Asia opened the door and greeted the person with a friendly smile.

"Hello."

"Hi there, Asia-chan."

"How do you know my name…?" Asia asked in confusion while the older teen just smiled at her.

"Oh, your friends Izumi and Bryce told me about you." Akeno told her but the blonde wasn't buying it.

"That's not true." She said giving the elder teen a frown. "Onee-chan and Bryce-san never mentioned anything about you other than school. And they said they would take us there when things died down." Asia countered.

"So who are you really?"

"I'm sorry Asia-chan." Akeno suddenly said.

Asia was confused before feeling a slight jolt, her eyes widening and suddenly closed as she fell into Akeno's arms. Mittlet let out a muffled scream as she saw Asia placed on the ground before the sadomasochist turned to her.

"Ara ara, a fallen angel here alone with a normal innocent human girl." Akeno said as she placed a hand on Mittelt's cheek, the latter shaking with fear as she felt the older girl's hand.

"Naughty, naughty."

The next thing that happened was that Mittelt felt the same thing that happened to Asia happen to her and suddenly felt her eyes become heavy as she faded into unconsciousness.

"Now that we have what we came for, why don't we go on and head back to Rias?" Akeno said as Kiba nodded his head, carrying the younger blonde on his shoulder before a red teleportation seal appeared below them and they sunk into the floor disappearing from the room.

After 10 minutes, Asia groaned as she struggled to open her eyes from what she felt like a small migraine forming in her head.

"Huh…" Rubbing her eyes to regain her vision, she blinked a couple of times as she looked around the room. "What happened?"

"The last thing I remember was watching tv with Mittelt and then someone knocked on the door. I answered the door and saw this woman that—" Asia paused as she suddenly gasped and her eyes widened in alarm as she remembered the event from earlier.

"Mittelt? Mittelt!" Asia called out as she frantically searched the small apartment for her roommate. She searched the bathroom and then the bedroom but found her nowhere. Panting, Asia's eyes were becoming watery as she realized her friend has been taken away by someone.

Not thinking straight, Asia put on her shoes forgetting that she was in her pajamas and ran out the apartment went for a beeline towards the school to find Izumi and Bryce.

Izumi stopped walking as she heard someone call her name. Sona who was walking beside her, notice and spoke.

"Is something wrong, Izumi-san?" She asked as the brunette just shook her head.

"No, everything's fine Sona. I just thought I heard someone calling me, just a second ago." Izumi stated as she turned her head to look behind them but saw numerous students that were chattering with each other.

Sona frowned at this and wondered if it was exactly who she was talking about.

"Izumi… is Rias-san or any of her members bothering you lately?" She asked slowly as the brunette put a hand to her chin.

"Well no, not directly anyway. I know they've been keeping an eye on us from behind closed doors but it's starting to get annoying. They even followed us to our house one day as well." Izumi explained as Sona nodded her head while pinching her eyebrows in frustration.

"That is becoming a problem." She knew that were friend was stubborn but she forgot how stubborn she can be, especially if her pride was insulted.

"Speaking of which, Sona." She called out to the Sitri heiress earning her attention. "I need to talk to you about something."

Sona nodded her head and guided Izumi to the Student Council. Once entered she closed the door behind them and put up a sound barrier. It was just the two of them as Sona's peerage were either doing class activities or peerage assignments.

"What do you wish to tell me, Izumi?"

"It's about two things actually." She said as the other girl motioned her to continue. "Remember when the fallen angels that were residing here a few days ago?"

"Yes, I learned from Rias that they found them taken care of." Sona grimaced as she remembered the details the redhead told her. "Aside from the gruesome deaths."

"Hehehe, sorry about that." Izumi apologized as she brought a finger to her cheek with a sheepish expression. "That's just how my companion towards enemies, mostly those that threatened or have taken innocent lives."

"Noted."

"Anyway, we may or may not have taken in a little girl who is a fallen angel." Izumi's smile was still sheepish.

'Wait What!?' Sona thought in surprise as Izumi continued.

"Yeah." Izumi then let out a frown that confused Sona. "She was actually the only fallen there that had no intention of hurting people."

"Only fallen?"

"It's better if I explain it to you." Izumi said as she proceeded to tell Sona about everything that she learned about Mittelt's life. As she spoke the entire time, Sona expression was stoic the entire time but she did get angry when she learned about the abuse Mittelt had to take before meeting them. While Sona kept her eyes trained on her, she saw no hint of deception or hear any fake sadness in the Izumi's voice.

It was all real. She knew that they were hierarchy in the devil society she didn't expect to be the same for the fallen angel faction or for things to sound different. To think that a little girl like Mittelt was suffering abuse from her fellow peers and always tried to scared to fight back, having her confidence slowly weaken until she became doubtful of herself.

It sickened her.

As Izumi finished her story, Sona let out a breath as she placed a hand to her forehead letting the info sink into her head.

"That is quite a story. So where is this girl now?"

"She's at home with someone watching her. While that is a bad idea to leave her behind, I wasn't sure how you would react to having a fallen angel on school grounds." Izumi explained.

"I see." Sona nodded her in understanding. She wouldn't talk first and then attack like her childhood friend would, she would play things out carefully and then make her move when necessary, to avoid fights that could lead to troubling confrontations.

"Which brings me to my second topic." The brunette said as she gazed into Sona's eyes with seriousness. "With your permission, I want to enroll Mittelt and Asia here in Kuoh."

Sona raised an eyebrow at this wondering what the brunette's intentions were.

"I have no intention of causing anymore unnecessary drama between us, all I want is place for them to fit in. Mittelt isn't comfortable being alone and will cling herself to Bryce since he saved her, and I want her to have a life where she isn't tormented by her fellow peers or looked down. Despite her heritage, she's still a girl, a girl questioning her own life and in need of warmth. I understand if you can't do that, I really do but I will not allow anyone to hurt her. Not anymore, if they want too they will have to answer to me." Izumi told her.

Once again, Sona was taken aback by Izumi's resolve. This girl that started a over a week ago along with her friend, was willing to take in a fallen angel and protect her those that would hurt her. And if she didn't allow her to come in school, she was okay with it. Izumi was willing to go this far for one person… she couldn't help but let out a small smile.

"Ok." Sona suddenly spoke earning a confused look from the brunette. "You are curious individual Izumi. Willing to go far for someone you just met and will protect from anybody, even if it means losing trust or earning hostility from others."

"So that means…"

"Hai, I will enroll Mittelt here at Kuoh."

Squealing in joy, Izumi leaned over and wrap Sona in a tight hug.

"THANK YOU SONA-CHAN! THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Izumi shouted in glee as she rubbed her cheek against the bespectacled girl who was sweatdropping at her actions.

'I'm glad I had a sound barrier in place, she screams louder than my sister.' Sona thought with a blush on her cheeks.

Izumi released her and smiled at the heiress. "You are a really nice person Sona-chan, underneath all that cold and stoic expression of yours, you're a big softie like Brycie is."

Sona had to stop herself from giggling at Bryce's pet name given from Izumi.

"I'll remember that." Sona then looked out the window and her expression changed from happy to confusion. "Why is there a girl in pajamas running on school grounds?"

Izumi turned the window as well and looked down and her eyes widened in surprise as she noticed who it was.

"ASIA! What's she doing here!?" Izumi already rushed out the room and headed to the front entrance where Sona followed her. When they got to the main hall, they saw Asia looking around the school as if she was trying to find somebody.

"Asia!" Hearing her name the blonde turned her head spotting Izumi and instantly rushed towards her. Once close, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and immediately cried into her shirt. "Asia-chan!? What's wrong what happened?"

"Izumi-nii…Mittelt… She…." Asia was letting out ragged breaths as she tried to speak with Izumi rubbing her back.

"Asia…"

"She's gone!" Asia nearly screamed as she gazed at the older female with tears running down her cheeks. "…someone took her… they… they took her and…. I couldn't do anything….she's…"

"What?" Izumi paused as she heard her Asia's words. 'Someone took Mittelt?"

Sona, not wanting to interrupt, silently tapped Asia on her shoulder earning her gaze. "Did you know who took her…?"

"It was only for a moment but… I saw… I saw a woman with black hair and a yellow ribbon…" Asia said. Sona and Izumi's eyes widened in shock as they knew who took MIttelt.

"Akeno took her… but why…"

"Where is she now?" Izumi asked.

Suddenly all three of them froze as they felt a massive wave of killing intent wash over them. Sona was panting while Asia was holding Izumi like a lifeline when she felt the wave hit her, it was like death itself was stalking them.

Izumi, though, she knew where the killing intent was coming from… and after hearing what Asia told her, something told Izumi that Bryce not only found out but he was also going to follow his promise.

"Sona…" Izumi turned her head to the Sitri heiress who was still recollecting herself as the wave was still washing over her. "We need to find Rias."

"W…Why?"

"Because… if my hunch is right… not only will you lose Rias, but the peace between all factions will once again be ruptured and we'll be right back at the start…We'll be back at War." Izumi explained as she picked up Asia bridal style, the latter clutching her neck tightly and burying her face into the brunette's neck, before running off to find Bryce and stop him.

Mittelt awoke to the sight of Rias looking at her with a neutral expression. She was about to get away when she felt her back hit someone's leg. Looking up she saw Akeno giving her a sweet smile but she could tell that there was killing intent behind her.

"Ara ara, trying to run away are we?" Akeno teased as she bent and moved her hand towards Mittelt's arm.

Mittelt recoiled a bit as she felt Akeno tap her arm confusing her. At first nothing happened until suddenly she felt volts of electricity run through her body shocking her.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!" Mittelt screamed loudly.

"That's enough." Rias ordered as Akeno let out a pout and released her magic. The lightning leaving her body, Mittelt was panting as she stared at the girls in fear. Rias then ordered queen to leave which she did as the sadomasochist giggled and blew a kiss to Mittelt before walking away, leaving the two alone.

"P…Please… I don't.. want any trouble…"

"Don't play dumb with me." Rias said in a cold tone as her gaze was piercing into Mittelt's soul scaring the latter once more. "I don't know how you escaped or why you are alive but you should be dead. That shut-in said he took care of all the fallen except one which meant you."

'She's talking about.. Oni-chan..' Mittelt wondered as she heard them talk about Bryce. "Me?" she questioned.

"Yes you. In all honesty, you shouldn't even be in my territory and yet you are." Rias answered.

"What do you want from me?" Mittelt asked her. Rias just gave her the young blonde a smile as she leaned toward and spoke.

"I want you to tell me about your guardians, Izumi and Bryce." Rias stated.

"Why?" Mittelt asked.

"Because… they are a threat to the people here. And I will not allow them to harm innocent people or cause any trouble." Rias explained as she stared at the blonde.

"B..but.. they haven't done anything." Mittelt protested earning another glare from Rias.

"Even so, you've been with them long enough to know something about them. Even for a short time, you must've learned something."

"What do you mean?" Mittelt asked with a frown on her face.

"I mean why else would they take you in," Rias asked with a perplexed gaze. She was planning on tricking Mittelt into giving information. If she learned something personal, she might gain the upper hand and get rid of the girl at the same time. "You were dying and out of pity they saved you."

Mittelt flinch as Rias spoke earning a hidden smile from the redhead.

"They would have no need for a fallen like other than to spy or use you for other reasons. You are their slave… you are nothing more than a servant." Rias explained as she kneeled beside MIttelt and tugged the latter's arm. "Even your outfit is an example of what you represent. That's all you are, nothing more than a tool."

MIttelt couldn't help but whimper and shake as Rias' words getting into her head. She's been by herself all her life wondering about her role and was a little confident in her own skills but when she started getting abused, fear and doubt settled in her mindset.

If what Rias said was true then why was she here? Is she really useless in the world? Why did they save her?

All these conflicting thoughts swarmed in her head over and over, and just when she was about to submit to Rias, Bryce's words ranged in her head.

"Every life in this world is precious, whether you are a human or a fallen, devil, angel, or simply something else, no life should ever deal with pain and hatred all their life'

Mittelt gasped as she remembered his words. How he sounded when he talked, he sounded emotionless but when he spoke to her about saving her, he spoke with warm and comfort and was ready to help her in a heartbeat. And the promise he made to protect her, she knew that she was welcomed into the family.

He was the reason she was living, he was the reason he gave her another opportunity at living a normal life, he was the reason she now had a family to go back to.

"Don't you see… that's all you are… just a tool." Rias continued as she was about to touch her chin until the blonde spoke.

"…go to hell…." Mittelt whispered.

"What did you say?" Rias asked leaning her head closer to the younger girl.

"I said… Go to HELL!" Mittlet shouted as she headbutted Rias in the chin.

"Ugh! You little…" The redhead growled in pain as she rubbed the sore spot.

"I won't say… anything… he gave me a home… he gave me warmth when everyone didn't… he cared for me when I wanted to die…. I won't tell you anything about them... I rather get tortured then tell you anything about him." Mittelt growled as she glared at Rias who was surprised by her newfound resolve.

'A little fight left in you, I like that.' Rias thought as she stood back up. "Well, even if you don't tell me anything, I'll get it out of you one way or another, or we can just skip to the dying part?" She threatened flaring up her destruction magic in her right hand.

Mittelt took small breath before pointing her head up into the air and spoke only one word as loud as she could. She knew he would be able to hear here, he had to. She just hoped she did.

"ONI-CHAAAANNN!"

The scream caught Rias off guard as where Akeno and Kiba who looked at the closet door in confusion before suddenly turning their attention to the front doors of the gym when they were suddenly blown off.

Dust clouds covering their vision, Kiba and Akeno looked to the doors and were stunned when they saw Bryce standing in the doorway, with a blank gaze but they could see his aura. It was flaring angrily and he was ready to kill them.

Rias dragged Mittelt roughly by her arm out of the closet as they saw Bryce. Rias eyes narrowed while Mittelt looked at her older brother with tears in her eyes.

"Oni-chan."

Suddenly, Bryce moved from his current spot and appeared in front of Rias surprising all of them. She had no time to react as she felt a kick connect to her stomach forcing her to let go of Mittelt and crash into the wall.

The said boy turned his attention to MIttelt and kneeled in front of her. He took note of the damage done to her, and quietly growled.

"Are you hurt?" he asked as he checked her arms for any bruises. The blonde was still in shock at Bryce standing in front of her.

"N-no, just a little shock but I'm fine." She told him as she let him continue to inspect her.

"I'm glad that you are okay." He said as he gently ruffled her hair, the latter loving it as she buried her face into his chest.

"I'm glad, that you came… you really came." Mittelt whispered as she started shaking, she felt his strong arms wrap around her frame comfortly.

"I made a promise didn't I, I always keep my promises." He stated.

They heard groaning and saw Rias slowly getting back up from the attack and Akeno and Kiba ready themselves for a battle. Narrowing his eyes, Bryce quickly grabbed Mittelt and suddenly rushed to the other side he was on where Koneko was standing by broken doors.

"Stay here, I'll take care of them." He started walking back to the gym before hearing Koneko suddenly speak.

"Wait…" He turned his head back to the little neko who was still looking at him with guilt in her eyes. "Please don't kill them."

"I'll try not to."

Now with his attention focused on the three in front of him, he wouldn't have to worry about Mittelt around Koneko since the latter was feeling guilty about earlier.

"A knight, a queen and a king." He started earning their attention. "This will either be fun or very boring, depending on how long you'll last."

"I knew I couldn't trust you." Rias started as she glared at the blank teenager. "You lied to us about the fallen escaping when you simply took her into custody and shielding her from us. Do you know where that puts you, it makes me think that you are in alignment with fallen angels."

"That's a bit hypocritical of you. You think just because I'm housing a fallen angel suddenly makes me an enemy? I could say the same about you and your group of just staying here and hiding your race from humans and call you out but that would be petty of me now wouldn't it?"

"Are you saying that I'm being petty right now?" Rias growled her teeth at his accusation.

"That aside, I'm really itching to fight you. Well, really I just wanna see where your levels of power are at otherwise it's pointless."

"Pointless?" Kiba narrowed his eyes at his words as he summoned his sword. "Are you saying we're not worth your time? For someone who acts like a robot you sure are cocky."

"Ara ara, cocky or not, I think he needs to be taught a lesson." Akeno giggled as sparks of lightning dance through her fingers.

"A lesson? From the hybrid and survivor of a sick project?" Bryce questioned as he raised an eyebrow. "This should be fun." He said as he raised his hand in front of him.

At the same time, Sona and Izumi with Asia in her arms arrived at the scene and saw what was about to happen.

"Oh no, we're too late." Izumi whispered as she watched her friend and then turned her gaze to Mittelt. "Mittelt-chan!"

"Mittelt." Asia shouted jumping out of the brunette's arms and ran straight over to her other half wrapping her arms around her. "Are you okay!? I was so worried when you were taken."

"Mmhm. I'm fine, just a little shocked that's all." Mittelt said as Asia inspected her for any bruises and cuts.

Sona gazed at the shorter blonde as she remembered what Izumi told her. 'So this is the blonde, Izumi was talking about enrolling, she doesn't look that threatening and the fact that this girl and Izumi are comfortable around her confirms that she's not dangerous.' Sona thought to herself before turning her attention to Rias and the others.

"We need to stop this." Sona started as she was about to head over but was stopped by Izumi who put a hand out in front of her.

"No. We can't get involved, plus as much as I want to hurt Gremory for spying on us and kidnapping Mittelt, I'll let Bryce do that… after all, brother suppose to protect their younger siblings right." Izumi stated earning a look of confusion from Sona.

'What does that mean?'

"So ready to face your punishment?" Rias mocked as Bryce just shrugged his shoulders.

"Whenever you're ready." He said letting them have the first move.

{King} Rias Gremory, {Queen} Akeno Himejima & {Knight} Kiba Yuuto Vs. Bryce Hayate

Kiba took the opportunity as he suddenly vanished from sight. Bryce stood still as he stared at the two other opponents before feeling movement from behind him. Ducking his torso, Bryce dodged the first strike as Kiba appeared behind him missing his attack.

Kiba released a barrage of slashes towards Bryce but the latter just dodging or ducking the sword. "What's wrong, can't keep up?" Kiba taunted as Bryce continued dodging. The knight then decided to end his attack with and upwards slash jumping into the air before descending down with a overhead slash.

Dodging both attacks, Bryce grabbed Kiba by the arm when he landed pulling him towards before letting go and use the same arm to hit Kiba with a blow to the stomach causing the latter to gasp in pain. Bryce then followed up with another attack to the face as he gave him an uppercut sending him crashing to the floor.

"Can you shut up, you're annoying?" Bryce questioned as he glared at the knight.

"Then how bout we amp up the energy?" Akeno teased as lightning gathered in her fingers before raising them in the air and summoned lightning. Yellow lightning emerged from the sky and Bryce quickly jumped to the side, the electricity barely missing him.

He then felt dark energy coming from behind as he saw Rias charging up her PoD magic and aimed it towards him. Blasting her magic, Bryce kept jumping around to dodge the blasts while avoiding the lightning from above.

'This lightning is seems familiar.' He thought to himself.

On the side, Izumi noticed what Bryce was doing as he kept dodging the attacks.

"What's he doing?" Koneko asked as she finally stood beside them despite not being part of the fight. "If he doesn't defend himself, he's done for."

"Bryce." Asia said as she watched her other guardian continue dodging the attacks.

"He's analyzing." Sona said as she pushed her glasses up her nose. "He's not just dodging their attacks, he's simply observing them and waiting for an opening to appear."

"Not just that." Izumi interrupted. "He's doing more than just analyzing."

Kiba then planted his sword into the ground chanting his sacred gear.

'Sword Birth!" He summoned as a multitude of swords surrounded the gym. He then grabbed another sword and stormed towards Bryce once again. Before he reached him, he vanished at the last second and confusing the latter before feeling a kick to the chest sending him flying.

Bryce grunted as he recovered from the attack, he was about to move when Akeno grabbed from behind, wrapping her arms around him.

"Hi there, cutie!" She greeted as she smiled at him. Licking her lips, she flew upwards to the ceiling before stopping and used her momentum to throw Bryce towards the ground. She planted her hand against his chest and summoned lighting, using it to send him downwards.

The said boy gasped in pain from the electricity before landing on the ground with a hard thud and leaving a small crater. Slowly getting up he felt someone tap his shoulder, he looked upwards and saw Rias holding her hand out with a PoD orb.

"Got ya." Rias fired her magic and the boy was hit dead on as the light blinded them, causing MIttelt, Asia, and Sona to worry while Izumi's expression remained calm.

As the light died down, it revealed Bryce laying in the crater with his uniform in tatters and blood dripping from his hair.

"Oni-chan!" Mittelt shouted in worry as she was about rush to him but was stopped by Izumi.

"It's okay."

Rias walked over to him and stared at it with a small smirk on her face.

"I'll be honest, I kind of expected something more but you were all bark and no bite." Rias commented as she shrugged her arms. "Simply disappointing."

"The only thing disappointing around here is your level of power." Rias, Akeno and Kiba eyes widened in shock as they turned their heads and saw Bryce standing in the same spot with no injuries on his body, not even the blood.

"W..What?"

"How is that possible?" Akeno said in a startled tone. "I was sure I zapped him on contact. He shouldn't have been able to get up."

"Is this some illusion?" Kiba questioned as everyone on the sidelines were also confused at what happened.

CRACK!

Everyone heard a small cracking noise and they looked at the crater where Bryce should've been. Instead in his place was a mannequin with cracks and holes all over it's body, burn marks from the blast and scorch mark on its chest from the lightning.

"A mannequin?" Sona questioned as she saw the fake figure in the crater.

"A puppet." Bryce answered as he calmly walked towards the crater and gazed at his substitution. "He's been the one you released your team attack on."

Everyone was shocked at his words. They were fighting an inanimate object the entire time.

"We were fighting a puppet the entire time?" Kiba questioned.

"Not the whole time, the attacks you received were from me." Bryce said as the puppet in front of them suddenly broke down into multiple pieces of wood before breaking down into ash and disappeared. "I able to switch out with the mannequin anytime I wish in order to fight you." he explained.

Rias gritted her teeth and growled at the situation. She thought she was taking out a spy for the fallen and showing him not to underestimate her but no that wasn't it. He was toying with them as he watched them fight a puppet while they wasting their energy.

"You coward." Rias said as she clenched her fist. "Are you looking down on my peerage?"

"Pride will be your downfall." He answered only to receive an outburst from her.

"Answer me!"

"Doesn't matter, you all took your chance and failed." He said as he closed him eyes and took a small breath before opening them again and stared at them with a cold gaze. "Now it's my turn."

He suddenly vanished from sight before appearing in front of them. Just when they were about to attack, they all were blasted off into different directions. Skidding to a halt, Rias stood up only to clutch her stomach as Kiba rubbed his jaw and Akeno with her arm.

"What was that!?" Asia shouted as her and Mittelt watched the fight in awe. "They all just went flying."

'I didn't even see them get hit.' Sona thought as she tried to figure what had just happen.

"The knight." Bryce shouted as he appeared in front of Kiba and then used his right hand, delivering a powerful blow to his solar plexus causing the knight to cough up blood, following up on the attack he turned and used his left hand to grab the blonde's head and slammed his head down into the ground, knocking him out.

"Kiba!" Rias shouted and Akeno watched in shock as they saw their knight just easily get pummeled to the ground like he was nothing.

"Take this!" Akeno shouted as she gathered up more lightning and aimed it towards him. The boy moved vanished from his spot and reappeared next to her, placing a hand on her back.

"Zap." He said and suddenly a bolt of lightning enveloped Akeno as she started screaming.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"Akeno!" Rias shouted in worry for her friend.

As the beam died down, it showed Akeno with electricity discharging from random parts of her body and her clothes were in tatters, showing off her navel and revealing her legs. She lost consciousness as she fell backwards til Bryce caught her and gently laid her on the ground.

"That's two down." He whispered and slowly walked over to Rias. "All that's left, is the king. Long live the king."

Rias gritted before flaring up her magic. She put her hands together and started charging up a massive PoD orb. She was about to fire until…

"Ugh." Her body stopped moving and her magic suddenly disappeared. "W-what's going on? Why… why… can't I.. move?"

Rias struggled to move her head when she noticed something tiny with what look likes a wire around her wrists. "Wires…?"

"Threads." Bryce answered as he held up his hand showing off his fingers that were small threads trailing from to Rias' body. "Thanks to these, I can control the movement of your body."

Rias tried to get out of his hold but she could not break free, as she felt her self being pulled towards him. They were now a foot away from each as Bryce stared into Rias' eyes with a cold glare.

"Do you yield?" He asked her slowly. Rias refused to answer as she tried to break free from his grasp once more. If there was one thing, she would never do it was surrender to her enemies, she will not surrender to this boy in front of her.

"Your choice." Bryce commented as he pulled back his fist and hit Rias in the solar plexus causing to gasp in pain before fading into unconsciousness.

(Loser){King} Rias Gremory, (Loser){Queen} Akeno Himejima & (Loser){Knight} Kiba Yuuto Vs. (Winner) Bryce Hayate

Sona, Asia, Mittelt, and Koneko were left in a shocked state as they saw Rias, Akeno and Kiba defeated so fast as if they were nothing by a human no less.

As Bryce walked to them, he ignored their stares and stopped in front of Mittelt as he kneeled before speaking.

"Sorry, I'm late." He spoke with a sad tone, or at least tried to they couldn't tell because of his face but Izumi and Mittelt could tell that he was really sorry.

Mittelt shook her head and reached up wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I'm just glad you came, oni-chan." Mittelt spoke in a soft tone as she felt his arms wrap around her making her extremely happy.

Izumi smiled at them before turning over to Sona.

"Sona-chan, can we have a few days off from school? I think we need a small break from school."

The Sitri heiress softly sighed and nodded her head. "I shall inform your teachers about your 'absence', right after I clean up this mess." She told Izumi and then turned to Bryce. "I am sorry for what has happened today."

"It's fine." Bryce said as he carried Mittelt onto his back, wrapping her arms around her legs as she wrapped her own around his neck and leaned her head onto his shoulder. "But remember this, if Rias or her peerage do anything to my family again, I'll kill her."

"I.. hope we do not come to that." Sona said with a frown as the boy nodded his head and walked past her and Koneko with Izumi and Asia trailing behind.

Sona sighed to herself once the four people left the gym and turned back to the damage in the gym. Seeing Rias on the ground, Akeno a few feet away with her body still sizzling and Kiba with his head dented into the ground.

Sona then realized that she hadn't told Tsubaki or the rest of her peerage about the situation which reminds her that she needed to tell them. She wished Izumi was still here so it would be less of a pain in the neck to explain.

'This is gonna be a long day.' She thought letting out a heavy sigh.