Hey everyone. Like I said this chapter came out much sooner, yay.

First thing, I wanna say is I've done a tiny time skip. Just a few days to get to the nitty gritty. And the reason being Issei. His growth is staggering for a good reason and I just feel doing this will skip some filthy filler we all hate and keep to the plot. So, just know that.

"Issei, he's moving towards you! I've got the lamia, take him out!"

"I'm on it!"

Issei, Kuisha, and Ladora had been chasing the Stray devil for a few days. The first two nights were exhausting as the trio fought and avoided many traps the rogue had in place. Trap doors, monster pits, rigged buildings, and even a giant mouse trap. Why, they didn't know.

And on this night, thinking they finally had him cornered, the three devils found themselves fighting the remaining peerage members who were defending the S-class they had been searching for.

It had been tough battle after tough battle but once they defeated the last knight all that was left was the former queen of the deceased Dantalion heir.

The Stray ran around the corner, Issei already there with his fist cocked back.

"You're mine!"

The stray ducked underneath the strike, Issei burying his hand into the wall. Dust flew and blinded the brunette, forcing him to rub his eyes of the invading particles.

The stray turned back, looking to get a free shot at the pawn. He pulled out a small dagger, aiming to end the boy's life quickly.

Issei pulled his arm out the wall just before the devil could reach him. He quickly parried the dagger and landed a strong right hook to the man's cheek, sending him flying into the next room. Through the wall, of course. He stepped through the hole, hoping to capture the stray this time.

Just as he did, he was met with a hard kick to the abdomen, sending he back into the hallway and into a mirror. Glass shards flew, a few scraping him as they fell to the floor.

The stray grabbed a large, sharp piece and leapt at the pawn. Issei regained himself just in time to stop the shard from stabbing him in the throat. The fellow devil tried his hardest to kill the brunette with his makeshift weapon but the item wouldn't budge against Issei.

They pushed back and forth, fighting for life and death. The weapon didn't move an inch between the two, both sweating and exhausted from the original long chase.

'Ddraig, I could use a little extra power..'

[Boost]

The sacred gear responded to its partner's wishes and Issei felt his strength increase.

He moved his feet against the stray's chest and kicked with all his power. The force sent the devil straight up and slammed him against the ceiling before he fell back onto the floor, face first.

The devil tried to rise and reached for the shard once more. Issei was quick though and rolled to his feet. He ran forward and kicked the weapon away, also knocking the stray in the side of his head.

He then leapt on him, twisting both his arms around his back, holding him there in restraint.

"Gotcha, ya bastard!" The brunette yelled victoriously.

"You putrid devil," he choked out. "Let me go this instant or I'll make you pay."

"Okay, first, you're in no place to make threats. Second, kind of ironic for you to say that when you're a devil too..." Issei stated.

Kuisha walked in, dragging the corpse of a large snakewoman. A lamia, so to speak. She tossed it next to the stray and his eyes widened at the sight.

"You bitch! I'll kill you where you stand!

"Stray Devil Borg, this is the end for you. You poisoned and killed your master before fleeing to the human world. There is nothing left for you but to accept your fate." Keisha had that rare and serious look that Issei had rarely seen. She could be quite scary and, if he was to be honest, very sexy when she got like that.

"You think this is enough to defeat me? You've only sealed your fate when you brought the body to me," Borg growled before he clicked his teeth.

The lamia's body began to glow and expand as an orange-yellowish light could be see in its gut. The pawn and queen's eyes widened as the light filled the room within seconds.

"Kui!" Issei yelled as he released the stray and tackled the blonde out of the way.

KAAABOOOOOM

The explosion rocked the building and took out the floor the trio where on. Issei held onto Kuisha as they fell to the next, slamming on an old wardrobe that shattered from their combine weight.

The Stray had fallen and landed hard on the second floor. But he was still able to recover and pick himself up before running off.

Kuisha quickly rose, looking down towards Issei. "Ise, are you alright?" She asked.

"Y-Yeah, dammit that stings..." He murmured, holding his shoulder.

Slowly he sat up, Kuisha knealing to help with his wound. As she did that, she called their third.

"Ladora, the target is moving towards the south exit. Make sure he doesn't get far," she ordered with authority.

"No problem. He's in my sight, moving towards the abandon factory," the rook replied.

"Alright. We're on our way."

Once she cut the line, she turned her attention back to the pawn. Kuisha could see his singed clothes and light burns. He looked tired and she could tell he used a good amount of energy.

She knew he'd be fine but it bothered her a bit. At that moment she had relaxed her guard and he ended up paying the price. He was quick to react better than her.

She was tired herself and that lamia took a great deal to defeat but she was use to that type of thing. And yet Issei was the one who seemed more experience and possibly saved her from getting hurt, if not killed.

"Issei, you didn't have to do that."

"The body was closer to you. Who knows what could have happened if I didn't" he replied quickly. She couldn't see his face but, just from his voice, knew he was serious.

"But you got hurt because of me."

"I'll live. All that training with Ladora and Gandoma wasn't so I couldn't take hits." Issei looked over towards her and smiled warmly. It made Kuisha pause for the moment and she felt her cheeks grow a little warmer. And she realized that Issei's rapid growth wasn't just physically, but mentally as well.

"You're very important in this mission and the last thing I'd want to see is one of my teammates get killed."

"...Issei..."

"Kuisha." Ladora's voice boomed, loud enough to break her from her moment.

"Go ahead Ladora."

"He's entered the factory. I've lost sight of him."

"No worries. We're on our way now. Just hover above and make sure he doesn't slip away."

"Yes ma'am."

She cut the connection once more. "Issei, let's go. He's not getting away."

"Right!"

-XOXOXOXOX-

Once inside, he released a huge sigh of relief. Looking at himself, the devil could see he was at his end. He was panting hard, there were a few specks of dried blood across his tattered clothes. He had a couple of burn marks, and he couldnt help but limp when he put pressure on his left leg.

"Looks like I barely got away. That girl killed my familiar and that boy was better than I thought. Hn, nothing to do now but leave this town and start anew." He tapped his side, feeling the wet pouch that a pack of liquids had been shattered. "What a waste. This was the only place to get such potions and they had to ruin it. Damn the council for sending these devils after me. In the angels territory nonetheless."

Borg continued through the facility, looking around. It was a building next to an old oil liner, condemned and out of work for some time. Perhaps they had sucked it dry and decided to move on. But the company had left a surplus amount of drums behind, leaving the Stray to take slow steps, lest he slip and fall in the few messy puddles.

"Odd for them to leave so much."

Suddenly, the loud creak of a door caught his attention. The Stray's thoughts would have to wait as the noise had come from the way he just entered. He tried to look for another escape but saw none. He was still recovering from his fight with the boy and the makeshift explosion he used drained the last bit of his demonic energy.

It seemed like he would have to fight. But with little to no power left, he might as well be a dead man.

Borg then realized, and his eyes widened. He looked around at all the oil filled drums, seeing a few ooze out tge flammable liquid. A sickening grin spread across his face as an idea sprung in his mind. He hid amongst them and began to move about, ready to enact his plan.

-XOXOXOXOX-

Kuisha, Issei, and Ladora entered from the main door of the factory. Seeing how large it was, the amount of places the Stray could hide was vast.

"We'll have to spread out and cover more ground," Kuisha stated.

""Right."" The two males agreed.

Fanning out, the trio searched for the Stray. Kuisha looked behind old mining equipment, Ladora searched through a few offices, and Issei slowly made his way through the supplies of oil.

The brunette made his way to the middle of it, where there was an old steel container that was probably used to store the oil inside. He climbed on top of it, hopping to get a better viewpoint and spot the devil.

"Ddraig, you ready?"

[As always.]

[Flash!]

The room lit up, allowing Issei to see everything around him. The place was filled with oil drums surrounding him. It was actually scary seeing the large multitude of them. And all of them were surrounding the container in a ring.

"If all of them were to be lit..." Issei muttered to himself as his flash died down. He still was unable to find the Stray.

It didn't fall upon deaf ears as a voice behind him said, "Ah yes, I wonder what would happen."

Issei shot around, throwing a punch, but was met with a block. Borg grinned as he wrapped his arm around Issei's and pulled the brunette in close.

"Lets lighten this place up. Ignite!"

At the order, the barrels exploded as fire raged from within them. Shrapnel flew and embedded itself within everything it could touch. Issei barely broke free and dodged the barrage that came towards him. He quickly turned to find Kuisha or Ladora. They were nowhere to be seen so he assumed they weren't in the blast radius.

"Hehe, don't worry about your friends. I had a few more friends who are taking great care of them."

"You bastard," Issei growled, turning back towards him.

"Say what you will, you devils should have left me alone."

"You killed your master and half of your comrades! And you didn't care when you left the other half to die! You're scum and I'm gonna make sure every last person's death is held accountable on your head!"

Issei was angry. Pissed. Furious. Outraged. And every other word of similar meaning. It was no longer a mission but a personal vendetta to him to make sure this guy paid for his crimes. Abandonment, betrayal, deceit, were all things this devil before him had done. And it was those same three things that led the pawn to where he was now.

The deceit and betrayal of Raynare. And the deceit, betrayal, and abandonment of Rias Gremory. It hurt him to his core, as he still had affections towards both women. And he wanted to prove both of them wrong and become the biggest mistake of their lives.

But first, he had to take care of the trash in front of him. And there was no type of affection towards him.

"You're gonna pay..." Issei growled. His eyes flashed green. It was so fast that Borg didn't even see it. All he saw was the flames from around them dancing in his eyes. And he was ready for it.

"Well come on then."

The two charged each other, meeting in the middle of the container. The fire continued to burn, growing stronger as if it grew excited for the epic battle. Raging in anticipation for the one that may be fed to it. Impatiently expanding as it hungered for chaos and destruction.

[Boost!]

Issei landed a hard right hook to the Strays cheek, Borg following with one of his own. Issei ducked and swept his legs from underneath him before landing an axe kick into his gut.

Borg's eyes widened as spit and blood flew out of his mouth. Issei had risen and was attempting to punch him. But he rolled left to dodge the first and he blocked the second before rolling backwards onto his feet.

Issei jumped for a Spartan kick but Borg sidestepped the attack and grabbed his leg. Thinking on his feet, the brunette spun and swung his other leg for the devils head. The Stray blocked the attack before throwing his elbow down into Issei's gut. Or, almost, as Issei grabbed it and used the advantage to pull himself up and headbutt Borg.

The rogue dropped him and the pawn quickly scrambled up, ready to go again.

"You have no right for those other people to call you their comrades. You lied to them, betrayed their trust, and for what? To save your own ass!?"

"You know nothing pawn. Those devil heirs shouldn't be trusted," Borg stated.

Issei paused momentarily, staring at the former queen. "What do you mean?"

"Hehe, you're pretty stupid not to notice," the rogue chuckled. "To those heirs, we're nothing more than the chess pieces we are reincarnated from. Easily tradable and easily disposable."

Issei had a quick flash of Rias. He felt himself grow a bit depressed and his eyes glazed over as the past resurfaced once more. And Borg could see it all over his face.

"Ah, I see. You've experienced it. You were traded and its caused you to enter this state of doubt. You don't know if you can truly trust someone ever again. Yes, that's it."

"..."

[Issei, don't listen to him,] Ddraig spoke up, feeling his partner's distress.

"..."

"If its happened once, it'll happen again."

[Issei...]

"You'll either be traded or let go."

[That boy took you in when the Gremory girl turned against you!]

"Never truly able to find your place in the universe."

[He gave you a place to call home!]

"All to then be left to fend for yourself. Just as I had to when I took a stand."

[He gave you people who you can call comrades. Friends!]

Issei stood there quiet, his fist clenched and his head low. He didn't move for a few seconds. Those few seconds Borg took to call forth the fire around them and send them towards the brunette.

"Don't worry, I'll help and make sure that won't happen."

[Issei!]

...

The boy dodged the attack at the last second. He charged silently and cocked his fist back for a hard right hook. Borg was surprised but readied himself for the strike.

As Issei landed the punch, he clenched his jaw as the counterattack from the rogue landed in the form of an uppercut. But he quickly grabbed the fellow devil's fist in the moment and wrapped his legs around his enemies shoulders. He then twisted his weight, flipping both of them, and slammed Borg onto his back.

The rogue let out a cry of pain as the pawn placed him in an arm bar. And his cry turned to a scream as Issei pulled back, putting heavy pressure on the joint.

"Gah, dammit! Surge!" Borg cried as he held his hand out towards the fire.

It flew straight towards Issei, forcing him to release the hold and dodge the torrent of flames.

He then noticed the rogue release it and clutch his arm in pain. Exactly where the fire had touched him.

"His Sacred Gear doesn't grant him immunity to the flames."

Issei then came up with a quick idea and raised his Boosted Gear.

'Ddraig.'

[Yes, partner?]

'Thanks for that. I needed the reminder. The past is the past, and I'm happy where I am right now.'

[Glad to see you've come to your senses.]

Issei charged, the gauntlet shining as he did so. Borg, at the same time, called forth more flames before throwing them forward.

[Flash]. The gauntlet announced as the bright green light shined throughout the entire room.

Borg was immediately blinded and covered his eyes from the blinding light. The flames dropped and Issei continued forward.

By the time the light died, Issei was right above the devil, his fists clasped together above his head.

The former queen, in a panic, summoned forth as much fire as he could. A large wave of fire appeared on both sides, ready to encase both of them and finally end this fight.

But, as if faith had different ideas, a large shadow appeared from behind the fire. Then, with a burst of wind, Ladora burst through in his full dragon form.

Issei felt two large claws grab him by the shoulder and pull him out of the fire just before it collapsed on him. The pawn knew the rook was there and baited the Stray to make the risky move of trying to take both of them out. He expelled the last of his energy and harmed only himself, all due to his carelessness and lack of comrades around him. His former peerage members, his familiar, and even himself, all done in by his own selfishness.

However, he needed to make sure the devil stayed down, for good. So he opened his gauntlet-clad fist, the original red ball appearing from within.

"I trusted in my friends, bitch. Dragon Shot!"

DOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN

The attack rocked the foundation of the building and destroyed a large portion of the factory. It left nothing in its wake and all that was left was the smoke and gravel the blast had caused.

It wasn't long after that Ladora dropped Issei in a field, not too far off from the factory. Kuisha was already waiting, a small smile on her face. But it didn't look all too happy. And it wasn't long before a humanized Ladora landed next to them.

"Issei, you're an idiot," Kuisha said first.

"I know, I know. I'm just glad Ddraig got the message to you two in time."

""I've got this. No worries", huh? That's just gonna make me worry even more, idiot."

The queen stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the brunette, bringing him in a tight embrace. Issei, in turn, was shocked and stiffened up in the show of affection. It was almost like the way Rias hugged him, but it was warmer and eased him.

"I trusted you would be okay. But that won't ever stop me from worrying about you."

"...Kui-chi..."

Then, in a whisp of the wind the devils stiffened immediately. Holy energy had entered the area and it was directly behind them. How they hadnt noticed till now put them on high alert, seeing how they had erected a barrier to conceal all that transpired. They turned to find out who this mystery holy being was and how they found them.

When Kuisha and Issei's eyes landed on the person, they widened considerably. And the duo felt their hearts jump up into their throats.

"Hey Issei, Kuisha, glad to see you're doing alright. Been a few days."

""Dulio!""

The trio became defensive but they were stopped when the older blonde held up his hands nonthreateningly.

"Woah, woah, I'm not here to fight. I actually need your help..."

Kuisha quickly stepped forward, standing in front of the rook and pawn. She was the leader and she had to protect those two despite the fact she wasnt at one hundred percent either. They worked the hardest and needed rest.

"Our help? You're and exorcist, are you not? And how did you find us?"

"So you knew? Then that means I was correct that you are devils. And its a secret I can't tell you."

Kuisha narrowed her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was face the exorcist. Especially since they were still in the angel's territory.

"We are devil's. And we are sorry we had to decieve you but we had a mission."

"No worries, I thank you for getting rid of that Stray. Less work for me. I'm actually just gonna get straight to the point, Irina and Xenovia need you."

This made the trio of devils pause. Issei's eyes widened at the mention of Irina and that she needed help. Was she hurt, lost, or possibly dead?

"...Excuse me?" Kuisha questioned in the brunette's stead.

"They need you. They are in danger in Kuoh. And I fear the situation is much more than what I could have imagined for them."

"Why can't you go? They are apart of your faction."

"I wish I could. But it could be seen as an act of war. You are devils, its your territory. You three going can just be waved off as defensive measures."

They had to admit, that did sound logical. But what was so bad that a human going to Kuoh could be seen as an act of war? Besides the fact he was an exorcist it was common of them to show up and be gone. So what could be such a trigger?

"What's so bad that requires us to go instead of you?" Issei asked, stepping past Kuisha.

"Ise...?" He looked back at her with reassurance.

Despite it being Kuoh, he had to go. Irina was in danger, and as much as he wanted to forget, Rias was too. And he had to help them.

"A fallen angel leader has attacked. And he plans to destroy the city with everyone inside."

And we're here at the end. I was a bit rushy but I enjoyed this chapter. I pushed Issei's character to a little more maturity as well as given you a glance at his power. The reason I held it was for a bigger stage with bigger stakes. Chasing a Stray is fine but with what I have planned for our little pervert, I need a much bigger opponent for him. And I feel Kokabiel can fit that bill.

Don't have much to say but I do gope you enjoyed. And ill try to get the next chapter out before the week is out.

oh, and for those asking about the whole language thing, I'm going to have everyone learn the actual languages simply as a way to push Issei's intelligence. In a way .Kind of give him another bonus towards Sairoarg thinking of Issei rather than himself .

Later