I own nothing, not even the two stories this is based on. If I did, well, the factors that inspired me to write this would have gone very differently.

So, this is an alternate ending, in which things go a bit less smoothly, but still come to, I hope, a decent conclusion. This begins with Chapter 2. For the sake of not repeating too much just to pad out the word-count, I'll cut to the chase.

COWARDICE (ALTERNATE ENDING)

"He's a good boy deep down."

I was about to respond, but then something occurred to me. I leaned closer to her, my eyes narrowed.

"Why did you think it was safe to send him to school?" I asked. "With how wound up he is, you must have known it was a bad idea."

Asami blinked, then said, "He looked safe enough, if only barely." Her expression turned regretful. "It wasn't until much later that I realized it was a mask."

I leaned in a bit closer, so close our noses almost touched. "And why," I hissed, "Did you fall for it? You're his mother. Surely, you know him better than that, or were you so desperate for him to make some new friends that you went against your better judgment?"

She hesitated, then said, "Partially, I was desperate, but even if I hadn't been, he had locked himself in his room for four whole years, not letting anyone in."

"Not even you?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Not even me."

My eyes blazed, my blood beginning to heat up from the anger surging through me. I wanted to yell, to hurt someone.

I did neither.

Instead, I took a deep breathe and said in the iciest tone I could muster, "Hyodou, get in here."

There was silence, and then the Red Dragon Emperor entered the kitchen. I turned to face him, my expression stony. I noticed that his own face had become slightly pale, but I ignored it as I advanced on him until we were mere inches apart. With my height, I loomed somewhat over him.

"Who do you think you are?" I hissed.

A look of confusion appeared on his face. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" he asked.

I wanted to shout, to cover his face in saliva, but I kept my head on straight as I worked up the energy to lay into him. "Your mother," I said coldly, "Nearly died because of your asinine behavior, and rather than realize that, you looked for a scapegoat."

"How is it my-?"

"And in the process of doing that, you made her feel isolated, that you were all she had left, so she would have no choice but to become your sex toy."

His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off before he could, my rage building.

"You shut yourself off from others so thoroughly that even your own mother did not know you, and when that led to a series of events that culminated in her nearly getting killed by Fallen Angels, did you take responsibility and try to rectify what caused that in the first place? Well, did you?"

He looked like he wanted to counter, but apparently thought better of it and shook his head.

"No." It was barely above a whisper. I would have none of that.

"Louder," I hissed (I'd been doing that a lot these past few minutes. Am I part-snake?).

"No." It was clearer, but still not enough. My nose picked up two more scents, Vali and the harpy, but I ignored them as I continued to zero in on Issei.

"Louder."

"No." Good enough.

"No, you didn't. Instead, you used it as an opportunity to get yourself a new sex toy, and you had no problem sending the harpy to lie to her boss just to ensure she couldn't escape." The more I said, the calm I felt, even though my rage had not abated. "This could have been the perfect chance for you to realize that behaving like an obnoxious prick is just going to cause more problems for you, but you thought with your penis instead, if you even thought at all."

With a sniff, I went over to the now-finished meal and picked up a tray. "You know," I said without even looking at him now. "The Issei I know is also a pervert. He hangs out with two delinquents, gets beaten up by the girls for peeping on them, loudly rambles about wanting a harem, and Gremory can motivate him to do a jog by sitting on his shoulders and dangling a lacy bra in front of him with a fishing pole." I cast a single, arctic stare upon the alternate version of that boy. "And yet, I still find him more admirable than you. He would never stoop to what you've done just to satisfy his lechery. He would probably spit in your direction if he was here right now."

Having said my piece, I carried the tray, now piled with food, out of the kitchen, ignoring Issei's two companions as they went in the opposite direction.

XXXXX

Dinner was a rather somber affair. The Occult Research Club and Raynare were staring coldly at Issei as they ate the food I had prepared, while the boy in question had his head down as he also wordlessly tucked into his meal. I was surprised that Raynare wasn't being more expressive, but maybe she felt this was a better way to express her contempt for the boy who had tried to enslave her.

Asami blew out her breath, and said, "Azazel is going to have to be notified of this."

Issei, Vali, and the harpy all looked at her.

"Mom?"

Asami shook her head. "No, Issei. You really screwed up, and you're going to have to take the consequences." She glared at the harpy. "You as well, Jasmine."

"Auntie..."

"If Azazel decides to take Raynare-chan back home because of this, then that's that." She then went back to her meal, her decision final.

"But, he owes Issei-"

"Oh, get over yourself," Gremory snapped, glaring at Jasmine. "You and Issei are owed nothing, Harpy."

Issei, Vali, Asami, and the harpy all looked at her, but Gremory went on fearlessly. "All you've done is wallow is self-pity. Maybe if you'd been willing to explain why you think you're owed something, I might be inclined to agree if it made sense. But all you do is bitch-bitch-bitch while treating everyone else like trash. And all without telling us why."

She pointed her fork at Issei. "With all that in mind, what exactly makes you think you're entitled to anything from anybody?" She then went back to her meal. "You can't bully your way out of this, Issei."

I expected something. A violent reaction, a display of power to show that he very much could bully his way out of trouble, a self-serving rant, something. But nothing happened. Instead, all four of them stared at her before quietly going back to their meals.

We continued to eat silently, with Asia just looking confused at what we had even been saying. Huh, this one was so innocent that I almost forgot she was in the room.

XXXXX

Azazel arrived the following morning to retrieve Raynare. When he entered the house, we were all waiting for him. Without even looking at Issei, he walked over to Raynare.

"Raynare-chan, I..."

She threw her arms around him. He was silent, then began patting her back. "I'm sorry," he said. "I should have prepared you for this."

She drew back and picked up her suitcase. "Are we going now?" she asked.

He nodded.

As they began heading toward the door, the Fallen Angel passed by Gremory.

"So," she said, "Are you leaving, too?"

"No."

Wait, what?

Time just stopped. It stayed that way for a few seconds, but those few seconds felt like an eternity.

"No?" Raynare had decided to be the mouthpiece for our respective confusion.

"No," Gremory repeated. "I'll be staying."

Issei stared at her. "Weeb," he whispered. "Why?"

Gremory sniffed haughtily. "Don't get the wrong idea, Hyodou," she said coldly. "I'm not staying in this for you. I'm staying because that woman knows who I am and is going to be coming after me, no matter what I do next."

Everyone just stared at her, including me.

She brushed her hair back with one hand. "And right now," she continued, "You are the best source of information about her that I can get. But, as payment for my decision not to leave you to your well-earned fate, I expect some answers. Also, no sexual harassment."

Issei was stunned. I couldn't blame him.

"Well?" she said expectantly. "How about it, Issei?"

It took him almost a minute to regain himself. "Weeb," he said carefully, "I'm not gonna make it easy for you."

"I don't expect you to," she responded calmly. "But I do expect to be briefed on someone who is clearly going to be coming for me since the last time we met."

"Wait," the harpy said, sounding confused. "When did you meet her? How?"

Gremory smirked. "I went into Issei's mind with Asia. It turns out that Issei suffers nightmares if he sleeps for a certain number of hours, because of some kind of illusion that takes the form of an albino woman whom he seems to be afraid of. I confronted her, she ranted and raved, I told her to bitch to someone who cares and blasted her."

Once again, the room was blanketed by a shroud of silence. Then...

"You little shit," the harpy snarled, whirling on Issei, who flinched. "We're gonna have words about this later, I promise you that."

Issei gulped, then turned back to Gremory. Then he blew out his breath. "Fine," he said resignedly. "I'll tell you what you want to know." He glanced at the rest of the ORC. "And what about the rest of you?"

Shirone sniffed. "I don't like you," she said, "But if Buchou stays, I stay."

"So will I," Kiba said, standing next to Rias and glaring at Issei.

"I-I'll stay, too," Gaspar stammered.

"Ara, ara, it would be unbecoming if I didn't," Akeno said with a cheerful smile, though the look in her eyes was anything but cheerful.

"I guess I will, too," this came from the Fallen Angel. Everyone turned to her, including Azazel.

"Raynare?"

She sucked in her breath, and I could tell she really didn't want to say what she was about to say. "Whoever this bitch is, she sent the others after Asami. And since I like Asami, I wanna shove a spear so far up her ass it'll come out through her mouth." She turned to her boss, and her expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry, Azazel-sama, but I don't know if you can prepare me for that."

Azazel looked surprised, but then his expression became resigned and he nodded. "You're right, I can't."

Raynare then looked at Issei. "But like with Red here, I expect some fucking answers, Dumbass. No more secrets, and no chasing me with a pair of trucker dildoes."

I really did not need to know about that.

Raynare stepped forward, placing her suitcase back on the floor. "I mean it, asshole. If you or that harpy pull any of that shit again, I am out, and whatever you were hoping to do to me will go down the shitter. Do we understand each other?"

Everyone turned to Issei, and for once, their gazes were not contemptuous. The boy just seemed too astonished by the fact that, no, it wasn't the end. Shaking his head, he blew out his breath, as if to stifle a laugh. "You people really are nuts, you know that?"

"Another thing you'll just have to take responsibility for," Gremory replied evenly. "So, what's your answer, Issei?"

Sighing, he nodded. "Fine. I'll tell you this afternoon. But I warn you, if you wanna be prepared to face her, the hoops you're gonna have to jump through are gonna be gruesome."

Once again, Gremory brushed her hair back. "Like I said, I don't expect you to."

"Well," Azazel said, making for the door, "I guess you don't need me here after all."

Raynare scratched her cheek in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Azazel-sama."

He shrugged. "It's okay," he said. The he turned to Issei.

"You don't have that many friends, Issei," he said, his voice serious, "So I suggest you stop taking them for granted." With that, he closed the door behind them.

Issei scoffed. "Stupid Zaz," he muttered. "They're not my friends." He then turned around and began making his way towards the bathroom.

Now why didn't I believe him?

XXXXX

Issei stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, drops of cold water that he'd applied to get rid of the perspiration on his forehead dribbling down his face until they fell from his chin.

He had nearly lost them. And all because of that fucking redhe-

No, a voice (he didn't know if it was Ghost or Ddraig), It's because of you. You thought with your lower head rather than your upper one.

He wanted to bang his forehead against the mirror, but he resisted the urge and turned the water off instead. Then he grabbed a hand towel and wiped the water off his face.

He wouldn't say it, but he knew that Emiya was right: he had refused to let his mother see him for four years, and it nearly got her killed. And when the dust settled, he had lashed out. Just like before. And it had nearly cost him two potential haremettes, one of whom he now considered a part of his treasure horde. She had saved him, no question about it, and he had rewarded her with more horrible behavior.

Jasmine was going to tan his ass later for keeping his sleeping problem a secret from her, he just knew it. But that was nothing compared to the glares they had given him last night and this morning. It reminded him of the last time he had been judged.

Except this time, you really did do something wrong.

That voice again. Who was it? It sounded familiar.

It should. It's your own voice, asshole.

Was it his conscience?

Do I sound like a goddamn cricket to you? You're thinking this on your own.

Maybe he really was insane.

No, you're just an entitled dick. And look what nearly happened.

It was right. He was right. Instead of learning from his mistake, he had tried to find someone else to blame. Like a coward.

Issei Hyodou was many things, but he liked to think he wasn't a coward. Clearly, he'd been wrong.

But it's not too late to change that.

Shut up. Save that mush for the movies.

Don't deny it. You've been given a completely undeserved opportunity to fix your mistake. Don't let it go to waste. Don't let her win.

Her.

The bitch who had caused all of this.

The one who had nearly destroyed him.

The one who turned him into a recluse.

If not for her, he never would have locked his own mother out, and she wouldn't have nearly died.

Don't kid yourself. She didn't make you do that.

No, but she had a hand in making him want to do that. Was it part of her plan? To make him utterly alone so he would be easier to capture?

Don't put it past her. And don't let her win.

Don't let her win. Like hell he would. And if keeping his libido in check and taking an unpleasant trip down Memory Lane were what it took to deprive her of the victory she sought, so be it.

He would tell them what they wanted to know. He would answer their questions. He would train them to be able to dismantle that bitch's power base brick by brick, until she had nothing left. With the aid they could provide, he would have his revenge. He and Jasmine. And maybe, just maybe, he could learn how to smile again. How to laugh joyously again.

Yes, they could help him do that. And, even though they had every right not to, they had decided to continue trying.

He would make it up to them. He'd lost so many people who had tried to help him, but not all of them. He would destroy her, for their sakes as well as his own.

He would be the better man.

END

So, it's been almost a year since I first wrote this. And I am proud to say that I don't regret it. I admit, at the start, I was ambitious enough to hope that this would provoke Third Fang, but in hindsight, that was expecting too much. He's clearly doing his own thing, and we're never going to meet face-to-face, so I might as well give up on imagining cracking his nose.

Anyway, this was inspired by a thought I had yesterday while doing a jog. It was based on a conversation I had with someone who is a fan of Third Fang's story, though he acknowledges its flaws. I initially blamed Asami for stupidly sending Issei to Kuoh, but then, as he pointed out, Issei locked himself in his room for nearly half-a-decade, so of course she wouldn't see through his mask of sanity. With that in mind, the entire plot happened because Issei wouldn't let anyone in. The aftermath of the attack on Asami would have been the perfect moment for him to realize this(or have someone point it out) and begin a slow, methodical process of lightening up. But instead of seizing this opportunity, Third Fang just decided to have him be an even bigger jerk, blaming Raynare when his own dickish behavior put Asami in danger in the first place. As far as I'm concerned, by refusing to see that, he crossed the Moral Event Horizon and became a full-on Villain Protagonist, undeserving of even an iota of sympathy.

And yet, I decided to throw him a bone. Maybe it's because, deep down, I do feel he has a right to be angry AT THE PERSON WHO OBJECTIVELY SCREWED HIM, who is living the high life right now. Maybe it's because I'm a bleeding heart. Maybe it's because I feel Shirou in this story is a bleeding heart. Speaking of him in this version, yes, he was judgmental, but I think that, with this particular revelation in mind, he'd be less inclined to pity. Or maybe this was his plan all along? Make of it what you will. I'm too straightforward when it comes to writing to go into big expositions.

This was an alternate ending, and one I just kind of thought about before deciding to take a shot at writing it. You choose which one is "official". I might make edits/additions to it in the future, as I did with the other chapters. I hope those of you who bother to read it enjoy it, and if your opinion is strong enough in either direction, please say so in a review, and be as honest as possible. I appreciate opinions, even constructive criticism.

I will say this for Third Fang: he did inspire me to write again, and I do thank him for that. He likely doesn't care, though. Oh well. Bye!

(05/07/2022): So, it was recently pointed out to me that I got a number of things wrong here. Issei did go out every now and then; and Asami could go into his room (but had to get permission first), though he wore his Mask of Sanity during each of their reactions, so she was still ultimately fooled by it. The person pointed out some other things they feel I got wrong, or didn't take into account, but IMO, it's not enough to completely absolve Issei of any blame for what happened to her, and it certainly doesn't excuse his lack of character development, especially after Rias had that confrontation with Carnelian in the center of his mind. Aside from an outside claim that he regards her as a part of his treasure horde, nothing changes. Obviously, it would be too much to expect him going full-blown Nice Guy, but since Rias is clearly involved now and the story's main villain is gunning for her, she is entitled to know what she's dealing with. Regarding Raynare, this deduction will likely be criticized, too, but I feel Issei may, to an extent, know that she isn't to blame, but saw an opportunity to make her his slave officially and took it, which is truly disgusting. Anyway, that's just me. Feel free to tear my ears off with how wrong you think I am. Ta.