DxD Fan - Thank you! I'm glad you like it. And I'm going for more of a shonen kind of story with some mystery and adventure. I don't want him to be completely overpowered right from the start. I hope you like the rest of what I've come up with and let me know if you have any suggestions for characters or plot points.

3

"You guys seriously need an upgrade." said Kyoka.

Ryusei, Genta, and Kyoka finally arrived at the warehouse. A large but abandoned factory warehouse stood on the outskirts of Kuoh. According to what Ryusei knew, this used to be a part of an old wood cutting factory but closed down some 50 years ago. Ever since then, this place has been abandoned…which made it ideal for a hideout until they can come up with something better.

"It's old," said Genta. "But it's all we have right now."

The three of them entered the warehouse. It was even worse on the inside. Cobwebs and the smell of dead animals filled the air. Luckily there was a large table in the middle of the warehouse.

"So," said Genta. "Any luck finding the others?"

"Well as far as I know," said Kyoka. "Jushiro is somehow in Egypt."

"Wait, what?" asked Genta.

"What the hell is that idiot doing in Egypt?" asked Ryusei.

Ryusei watched as Kyoka opened a laser keyboard and brought up several holoimages around the table.

"After we flashed away from the Vatican, the spell backfired and we were all scattered across the world," said Kyoka. "Makes sense, the Flashstep wasn't meant to be used with multiple people. But it seems like he's been in Egypt this whole time."

"And Masamune?" asked Ryusei.

"Well that's where we're lucky," said Kyoka. "It seems as though the Church struck a deal with the Angels and Devils, sending out whatever they know on us to the two factions."

"So that's what you mean," said Ryusei.

"Huh?" asked Genta.

"The Church knows next to nothing about Masamune," said Kyoka. "He's a vagabond, he never stays in one spot for too long. And he practically erases all evidence of him being in a town or city if he does stay for more than a week. They don't know where he is."

"But you do?" asked Ryusei.

Kyoka smirked as she began to type furiously. "When are you two gonna stop underestimating me? He's been all over America, I'm guessing trying to gather as much information as he can. He went from Los Angeles, to Houston, to Philly…his next stop should be New York."

"New York?" asked Ryusei. "Does that mean he's going to see the nephilim?"

"That was my guess too," said Kyoka. "But knowing Masamune, he should be alright with or without us."

"Which means for right now…we're all that's left," said Ryusei.

"So…what do we do?" asked Genta.

Kyoka began typing again and pulled up holovideos of a street in Kuoh.

"Is that…a ramen shop?" asked Genta.

"While I was being escorted to Kuoh by Xenovia and Irina, I hacked into every surveillance, street, ATM, cellphone camera in the city and ran a facial recognition scan for Shiro. This popped up."

The holovideo zoomed in…

"Captain…" said Ryusei. "He's alive…Thank god."

Genta smiled as he placed an arm around Ryusei's neck. "Looks like he's alive. Told ya."

"Well he was out having ramen…with these two," the video shifted over to two high schoolers. "What he was doing out in the open? I have no idea."

"The Captain wouldn't risk being seen like this…something's off," said Ryusei.

"Well whatever the case," said Kyoka. "Half an hour later, he leaves the ramen shop and was headed down the street. But the cameras down there are hardly operational."

"Any hotels or motels in the area?" asked Ryusei.

"A few," said Kyoka.

"Look for something old, he wouldn't risk going into a highly guarded hotel with security cameras," said Ryusei.

"And something small," said Genta. "In case he needed to leave."

"Rosebloom Motel," said Kyoka, pulling up an image of old motel building in between a laundromat and a Chinese restaurant. "It fits the description."

"And what about the Devils?" asked Ryusei. "This city is under the protection of the Gremory family, isn't it?"

"That's where this gets complicated," said Kyoka. "Ever since the Church allied with the Devils, all our records went public. If we end up fighting them, it could cause an international incident. The last thing we want is to make an enemy of the Devil King himself."

"We're not left with much options here, are we," Genta scratched his head. "What would Toshiro do right about now?"

"Well we can't really go the diplomatic route," said Kyoka. "They won't listen to us, especially not with Xenovia and Irina here filled with vengeance. Speaking of which, she said attempted assassination."

Ryusei narrowed his eyes. "The old man's alive?"

"I don't know, but her wording made it sound like he is," said Kyoka with a smile. "Father's alive after all…"

Ryusei smiled. "We were framed, they set in motion a plan that we know nothing about, but the Captain does. Now the entire world is after us…our first priority is to retrieve the Captain."

"Well Ryusei," said Genta. "Looks like you're in charge, Lieutenant."

"This…This doesn't feel right…" said Issei.

He, along with the rest of the Occult Research Club, save for Rias, were in a viewing room looking at a one way glass wall with Toshiro sitting at a table with his hands bound by a magic circle. Interrogating him were the two exorcists sent from the Church, Xenovia and Irina, with Rias standing in to make sure they don't do anything stupid.

"This does feel a bit…barbaric," said Akeno. "Sona-San, are we sure this is him? He doesn't seem quite…a threat."

"According to the two exorcists and the intel we received from the Church," said Sona. "This is Ozora Toshiro, the Paladin."

"Why did you kill the High Chancellor?" asked Xenovia.

"I told you," said Toshiro. "I don't remember doing any of that, I don't even remember anything before last week."

"That's quite the convenient story, don't you think?" asked Xenovia.

"Hold it Xenovia," said Rias. "So you really don't remember a thing? How did you get to Kuoh?"

"I…I don't remember," said Toshiro. "I woke up in the forest outside the city. And after I got here, I couldn't remember anything. Not where I'm from, who I was…or even how I got there. All I remembered was my name…and even then I didn't know if that was actually my name or not."

"And you don't remember how you lost your memories?" asked Rias.

"Well lady," said Toshiro. "If I did, I wouldn't be telling you that I lost my memories now would I?"

Rias smirked. "I don't think you're in any position to be making wise remarks right now, Ozora-Kun. Do you realize what you're telling us?"

"That I don't have any memory of committing the crime you're accusing me of?" asked Toshiro.

"Not remembering the crime isn't an alibi," said Xenovia. "You and your friends tried to assassinate the High Chancellor, everybody saw it."

"Did they?" asked Toshiro, with a raised eyebrow. "Where's the proof? Who saw me? Do you have anything to go on other than your words?"

Rias looked to Xenovia. "He has a point. So far all we've been working on is the verbal claim that they did this…we haven't actually received any actual evidence. Do you? Have any evidence?"

Issei watched the whole thing. He had watched a lot of crime shows with his dad, and Toshiro and Rias made one hell of a point.

"All the evidence we need, is that the High Chancellor is fighting for his life with tubes running out of him, and that he and his friends escaped when we tried to ask them questions," said Xenovia. "Tell me…if you really were an innocent man, why did you run?"

"Well, this may just be my amnesiac and delusional self talking," said Toshiro. "But seeing as there's only two of you who the Church sent to get me…and you barged in with a sword to my throat…I reckon you lot wouldn't have really bothered to listen. Am I right?"

"Well you're not wrong," said Rias. "I'm beginning to think that I'm being played here."

"You would listen to him, rather than us?" asked Xenovia. "We brought you one of the Generals!"

"Perhaps," said Rias. "But that brings me to another point. Each one of those Generals are extremely dangerous, well trained assassins and killers. Hell, one of them has a Sacred Gear that can basically predict the future by using past information, and another is the top ranked exorcist in the Church. And yet with all of that, they failed to kill one man? One human? That doesn't sit right with me…"

"Xenovia…" said Irina. "She has a point."

"Irina!" cried Xenovia.

"The facts aren't lining up Xenovia!" said Irina, looking to Toshiro. "How long have we known Toshiro-Kun and the others? How many missions have we been on together? Did they ever come off as cold blooded killers? Even once?"

Xenovia balled her fist. "I don't care how long we've know them…the fact still remains…"

"What fact?" asked Rias.

"That they left us!" Xenovia slammed her hands on the desk, almost smashing it apart. "The entire Vatican thrown into chaos, every exorcist with their swords pointed at the Paladin and his Generals. And they left us there…after all we've been through, I had begun to thought that we were family. And you left us there?"

Issei was beginning to get the picture here. She wasn't fixated on capturing him because he tried to commit murder, it was because he didn't take them with him.

"You know exorcist," said Rias. "It is not wise to mix personal business into your profession."

"It doesn't change anything," said Xenovia.

Issei watched as Toshiro began to act…strange. His head suddenly dropped and he began to laugh in a distorted, almost alien voice.

"You humans are so funny," said Toshiro, but not in Toshiro's voice. It was much deeper, and the voice somehow made Issei's arm begin to throb. "And tiny."

"What?" asked Xenovia.

"Who is this?" asked Rias.

"Do with this vessel what you will," said Toshiro. "Know that I do not care, but seeing you humans squabble over something so puny. My amusement has quickly turned to boredom."

"What kind of sick trick are you pulling her Tohsiro?" asked Xenovia.

"I don't think…this is a trick," said Irina. "This isn't Toshiro-Kun…it's like something's possessed him."

"Possessed being the opportune word, child," said Toshiro. He lifted his head to reveal a more menacing one. He had a wide smile, with fangs, and his eyes more beady and intimidating. His left eye…instead of the orange that Issei was accustom to, was an icy blue. Somehow, despite it being one way glass, Toshiro looked over and it felt like he was staring Issei directly into his soul. "My old friend…I see you've found yourself a suitable young vessel."

Issei fell to his knees, the pain in his arm becoming almost unbearable.

"Issei?" Asia and Akeno dropped down to check on him.

"What's wrong?" asked Akeno.

"M-My arm…" said Issei, gripping onto his left arm. "It's throbbing…It feels like something's trying to claw itself out."

Akeno opened a magic circle and began to examine him. "Hang on…"

"It seems the boy has not yet fully fused with you," said Toshiro. "Dear Ddraig, and I was hoping we could have a chat after all these centuries."

"Ddraig?" asked Rias. "Who are you talking to?"

Toshiro stood up and broke the magic circles binding his arms, with relative ease. He cracked his neck and stared at Xenovia.

"Exorcist girl," said Toshiro. "Whether or not you kill this vessel, I truly do not care. But seeing as this whole insignificant plot can be much more entertaining for me, there's something you should know."

"And that is?" asked Xenovia.

"The man you call Genryusai," said Toshiro. "He will die within the-"

Issei heard the sound of wings flapping, as Rias, Xenovia, and Irina were thrown outside of the interrogation room and slammed against the wall behind them.

"Prez!" Issei struggled to run to her, but tripped over when the pain in his arm became even more unbearable.

"Who's there!" cried Akeno.

Issei forced himself to his feet to look inside the interrogation room, but it was empty.

"W-What just…" The pain his arm subsided, as he looked closely inside. It was the same as in Toshiro's motel room. The entire room had started to freeze, originating from where he was standing.

"Issei-Kun," said Akeno. "Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine," said Issei. "But Prez, she-"

"She'll be fine," said Akeno, looking over to Rias and the others. The members of the Student Council had already begun to check on them.

"What do we do now?" asked Asia. "This is getting complicated."

"It is…" said Akeno. "But for now we have to regroup, and discuss what we know. How's your arm?"

"I-It's fine," said Issei. What was that…His arm had never ached that much before. It was completely different from when he fought Raynare. What was happening to him?

"Come on," said Akeno. "They need our help."

Issei nodded. "Right."

Ryusei sat on the roof of the abandoned warehouse, looking up at the stars, as Kyoka scoured for more information on where Toshiro was. It had been a week since it happened, but none of this felt real to him yet. It hadn't sunk in that they were fugitives of the Church and every major faction in the world, that their lives of exorcising Stray Devils and working with the Angels were over now. Worst of all…their leader was no where to be found.

He had hated himself for a long time. Not being able to help the Captain more, not being there when the Vatican began their hunt, and especially now…not being there for him. What kind of lieutenant was he? It was his job to keep the Captain safe, yet all he's done so far was let his entire squad get wiped and scattered across the world. Did he even have any right to face the Captain anymore?

"Please tell me you're not moping around up here," Genta sighed as he walked towards him on the edge. "You know none of this is your fault."

"It really doesn't feel that way," said Ryusei.

"You couldn't have known that Alistair would turn on us like that," said Genta. "And even if you did, what could you have done?"

"Something! Anything!" cried Ryusei. "And look at where we are now…"

"Are you mad that you didn't know what would happen? Or are you mad that Toshiro didn't tell you," asked Genta.

Ryusei balled his fists. "I'm his Lieutenant…why wouldn't he have told me?"

When the coup happened, the Captain convened everyone from the squad into his office. He said that he was sorry that he didn't tell them everything, and that it was happening faster than he had anticipated. Which meant that he knew Old Man Genryusai would be targeted, and yet he chose to remain silent. The others Ryusei understood why, but he had thought that after everything he and the Captain have been through together, he would have trusted Ryusei more.

"You know how Toshiro is," said Genta. "If he feels like us knowing would put us in more danger than we already are, he wouldn't think twice to lie to us if it meant it would keep us safe."

"But he doesn't have to," Ryusei gritted his teeth. "I thought he trusted us…trusted me."

"Does that mean you don't trust Toshiro anymore?" asked Genta.

Ryusei widened his eyes. "I…I do…but…AH I don't know anymore!" Ryusei began to scratch his head.

Genta laughed. "Come on, it's you and Toshiro we're talking about. You've been with him longer than any of us. Even if you say that, I know you still do."

After the Captain had saved him…gave him a home, a family, how could Ryusei not trust him?

"Yeah," Ryusei smiled. "I guess you're right."

"Told ya," Genta slapped him on the back. "Now stop moping, or else Kyoka's gonna give you a stern lecture."

Ryusei got chills. He remembered the last time Kyoka gave him a lecture. She made Houki cast a spell on him that prevented him from falling asleep and began to give a 48 hour lecture on the history of chocolate…fucking chocolate.

"Wait," said Ryusei. "Do we know where Houki is?"

"Kyoka hasn't said anything," said Genta. "But knowing her and Masamune, they'd avoid trouble as much as they can."

"Do you think…" Ryusei pulled out his pocketwatch. A silver pocketwatch with the emblem of the insignia of the Church engraved on it.

"That'll be up to you," said Genta. "Until we find Toshiro, you're our leader now."

The Captain had given each of them a pocketwatch. It held a powerful spell that once activated, would send a distress beacon out to anybody who had possession of the watch. It would allow Kyoka to make direct telepathic contact, meaning they'd be able to talk to each other. However…if the spell activates and one of them didn't have it, it would mean giving away their location to an enemy. Worst case scenario, the Captain has already fallen into the enemy's hand and sending the distress beacon would give away where the three of them were, as well as the other three.

"G-Guys!" cried Kyoka. "Get down here! Now!"

Ryusei and Genta jumped down to the ground and ran inside.

"What is it?" asked Ryusei. "What did you find?"

But she didn't have to tell them. Ryusei felt it…the immense magic pressure that was released when a certain Sacred Gear was activated. It sent chills down his spine.

"This…This pressure," said Genta.

Kyoka nodded. "Divine Sunderer's been activated."

"Why? How?" asked Ryusei. "Someone forced the Captain to use his Sacred Gear?"

"I don't know," said Kyoka. "But now we have a location on Shiro. He's moving…fast. Headed West."

"Genta," said Ryusei.

"I'm ready," said the swordsman.

"Kyoka?" asked Ryusei.

"I'll link us so I can contact you from here," said Kyoka. "Go…bring him home."

Ryusei nodded, before he and Genta dashed for the door and ran into the forest.

Toshiro felt like he was just floating. His body felt so heavy…even opening his eyes took so much strength. Everything felt off, like he was just floating in the middle of nothing. What…What happened?

Did you already forget about me?

"W-Who's…Who's there?"

I had almost forgotten how much a pathetic and weak human you were. Wake up now, Ozora Toshiro.

Toshiro forced open his eyes, only to be met with a massive blast of icy winds. He was standing on ice, as if he was in the middle of a hurricane. The sky was darkened with storm clouds, and everywhere he looked there was hail raining from the sky.

"W-What the hell!" cried Toshiro.

Don't tell me…you really have forgotten about me.

A deep voice spoke, as a massive figure materialized from the ice. Toshiro fell to his butt as a creature easily three football fields, formed in front of him. Freezing over like ice, a great lizard began to appear. It's head was easily the size of a house, with it's orange eyes staring directly at Toshiro. It's wings spread open as its legs formed. It's neck was decorated with an intricate necklace that held a golden gem.

It seems your memories truly are gone…How pitiful. To think that a human would forget about me, the great Trishula.

"T-Trishula?" asked Toshiro. "You're a dragon…and you're speaking to me?"

The dragon began to laugh. It seems…with your memories stolen, our connection is steadily disappearing. How bothersome.

"S-Stolen?" asked Toshiro. "You mean someone took my memories? How is that possible?"

You live in a world where myths and legends are reality, a world where gods and angels rule the skies and Devils inhabit the Underworld. Have you truly forgotten?

"I'm getting really sick of saying this," said Toshiro. "But yes!"

Trishula laughed. How amusing. It takes quite a powerful mage to steal an individual's memories. I would be impressed if it weren't so bothersome having my vessel forget about me.

"As much as I want to ask, I have more important things to ask," said Toshiro. "Do you know who took them?"

Trishula shook it's head. Unfortunately, I do not. But there are only a handful of mages who can. One of your warriors, the one who wields the Necklace of Circe…she may hold answers.

"N-Necklace of what?" asked Toshiro.

Before Trishula could answer, the world he was in began to crumble. Towers of ice formed by Trishula's appearance began to break and fall down, tearing apart the landscape.

It seems this is as long as we have. Our connection has been severed from your lack of memories…

"What the fuck!" cried Toshiro.

Find the one you call Houki. Perhaps she holds answers that I do not…Good luck human.

"W-Wait…" Toshiro shot up. "Wait!"

He…He wasn't in that world anymore. He was laying on the ground, with a blanket over him and on a cliff overlooking the city of Kuoh.

"Oh," said a figure sitting in front of him, eating chips and looking out into the city. "Good morning. You hungry?"

The figure turned around to face him. It was a boy…around Issei or Rias Gremory's age, with long spiky blonde hair and gentle green eyes. He wore a green fleece jacket with brown cargo pants, tucked into boots. He munched on a bag of potato chips…well, several bags. He was on his third one.

"Who are you?" asked Toshiro.

"Oh, right….amnesia," said the boy. "My name is Dulio. Dulio Gesualdo. You told me to keep an eye on you and to save you if you ever fell into Devil hands."

"I…I did?" asked Toshiro. "Was I really that paranoid?"

"That's one word to describe it," said Dulio with a chuckle. "I'm disobeying about 4 different orders helping you, but I owe you one."

"W-What do you mean?" asked Toshiro.

"It's a long story," said Dulio. "But it seems I came a bit too late. Your Sacred Gear, it already activated by the time I arrived. Meaning that your friends in town have already found you, if anything they're headed here right now."

"They are?" asked Toshiro.

Dulio nodded. "Now, you have a choice here. When you told me to come get you if the Devils ever got you, you were scary specific that your memories might be gone. It seems you're caught up in something extremely dangerous, everybody seems to think that you murdered the High Chancellor of the Church."

Toshiro sighed. "For the last time, I-"

"Don't remember, I know," Dulio smiled. "But you were very adamant on the fact that you didn't want to involve your friends. I can take you away, to a safe place where you can recuperate and maybe find out what happened to your memories. Or you can go with your friends."

What the hell? He told Dulio that he didn't want his friends to know? Toshiro had no memories of who he was before…but why would he tell him that? It didn't make any sense…

"You don't have a lot of time," said Dulio. "I sense them…two magic pressures headed here right now."

What should he do? Should he go with what his old self had wanted? There would be a slim chance he can get his memories back, but he needed to find this Houki person. And the only way to do that would be to get more information. That means the only thing for him to do is…

"I'm gonna go with my friends," said Toshiro. "They have to know something."

Dulio smiled. He stood up and stretched his back. "Well then, I guess that concludes my contract. If you need anything else, Toshiro, just send a prayer. I'll hear you."

Toshiro raised an eyebrow. "A prayer? What are you? An Angel?"

Dulio smirked, before he vanished with the sound of wings flapping as Toshiro heard the sound of bushes ruffling behind him.

He turned around to see two boys emerge from the forest. One with crimson red hair, lighter than Rias's but with darker red eyes. The other had shorter, navy blue hair, and azure eyes.

"C-Captain…" said the boy with the red hair.

Toshiro held up a hand. "H-Hi there…long time no see?"