Disclaimer : I do not own High School DxD, or anything to do with the franchise. These characters and events belong to their rightful owners.
A/N: Here we go next chapter. This takes place when the Occult club are training for their match with Riser. Of course it will have my own twist added.
Occult Research Club Room
Everyone sat around the small Victorian style room tensed. Rias had just told them about the engagement and the news had not gone down well with any of the members. No one should be forced to marry against their will, Issei was the most pissed, he owed everything to Rias, she had taken him, given him a new life and an extended family. He would not allow this engagement to go ahead. Everyone eyes were drawn to a magical circle appearing in the room, the seal wasn't that of the Gremory household, but that of Phenex house. Rias stood from her desk, and made her way around to where the others were sitting, she then stood between them and the magic circle. In her palm demonic energy began to form, she wouldn't allow Riser to attack her servants, or insult them. Just then Rias felt a sudden since of of security, as all her servants and family closed ranks around her. They were all facing the magic circle, armed and ready for a fight. It wasn't long before a man with blonde curtain style hair appeared. He was dressed in a blood red suit and white shirt, around him more bodies began to form, until everyone of his servants appeared. Riser grinned at the little gathering that had formed to welcome him.
"Rias my dear, do you really want to go through with this rating game? You know that you have no chance of winning. Why not just give in and accept the proposal to be my wife. We can avoid all this, I would hate to see any of your so called family hurt." The word family and Hurt were said in a very sarcastic tone.
Rias narrowed her eyes, at the man who she was being forced to marry, very sight of him made her sick, and what was he doing here? He wasn't invited. "Riser, even if you were the last devil in the Under world, and our existence was on the brink of disappearing, I still wouldn't marry you let a known fuck you! You're cruel, twisted and nothing but a womanising Pig! Why my parents would ever consider you as my future husband is a mystery. "
Riser narrowed his eyes, he was being insulted in front his servants, and being made to look a fool, he was not happy. "Servants are there to be used Rias, that's why we create them, for them to do our bidding. You're the only one I know who treat your servants as equals, the very thought disgust me. Never mind, that will all change when we are married, I will soon put all your servants in their rightful place..." Riser never saw the gauntlet hand strike him, until it was too late. Riser touched his cheek and noticed a single cut, which was now bleeding. His eyes turned on a boy who had blonde hair, blue eyes and was showing off a gold gauntlet.
"How dare you strike your betters, You should keep your servants in check Rias, or they might get hurt." Suddenly the cut began to heal itself, Riser was still looking at the boy who had dared attacked him.
Rias smiled. "Actually Riser, Yusei, is not part of my peerage. He's just a close friend and Akeno boyfriend. He is also the wielder of the Sacred Gear known as Trinity, my Pawn Issei wields the power of The Red Dragon Emperor, and my new Bishop Asia as the Sacred Gear of Twilight healing. So to answer your question about the rating game. We are more than a match for you and your servants. If this is the only way I have to get out of this engagement, then I will fight you with everything I have. Now will you kindly leave!"
Riser laughed. "So be it Rias, you might have won this round, But I will win the war, and you!" Riser looked right at Yusei, and grinned. "You will regret every touching me." Riser then vanished with his servants and leaving the Occult Research Club members feeling a little more tensed then before.
Rias sighed and then turned to Yusei. "That was a very stupid thing to do Yusei, Riser is a high Class devil, and you at the minute are only human. I appreciate you sticking up for me, I do, but you could have got seriously hurt."
Yusei frowned. "I don't give a damn about who he is Rias, but when he mentioned about making all your servants his, I completely lost it. I will never allow Akeno to become a servant to that dickhead! Neither will allow any of you. These last few weeks, you have accepted me into your family, even when I am not like you, and now it time for me to repay you, by fighting by your side and taking down that jerk a peg or two." Yusei cheeks suddenly blushed as Akeno had wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him firmly on the cheek.
Rias smiled gently, however the smile soon vanished, they had a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it. "Okay, if we are going to have any chance of beating Riser, then we will need to train and train hard. Issei this weekend will be about you and Asia, both of you are new this whole life, and need to learn how to use your powers and strength to your advantage. So this weekend we will all be travelling to one of the Gremory properties to train. I want everyone here at 7am, we will then set off."
Next Day
Issei face had a painful expression on it. He was carrying a huge pack of supplies on his back, what made it worse, the retreat was located in the mountains around Kouh and so they had to hike there. Issei huffed and puffed, but he was struggling. His mouth dropped comically as he noticed Yusei also had a pack on his back, and yet he seemed fine.
"This pack is too heavy, can we take a breather?" Issei noticed Rias didn't look happy, neither did anyone else. They had only just taken a break ten minutes ago. Rias stepped up to Issei.
"If this is how you're going to perform Issei, then there is no point playing this rating game. Riser and his team are three times stronger than we are, Yusei as exactly the same stuff in his pack, yet he not struggling or complaining."
Issei looked to see Yusei, was already half way up the path, he turned his head as he heard his name mentioned. This just infuriated Issei more. Yusei was making him look weak in front of Rias. Issei growled and heaved the huge pack onto his back, he then begin to hike up the path, with everyone following him.
Few hours later
Everyone stood in front of the huge white building, the house was huge, it had its own large front garden, with a large circular pond, a huge drive lead up to it. On either side of the property was more grass and open spaces. Issei was speechless.
Rias stepped forward and climbed the steps, she then opened the door with her key. "Okay everyone, please come inside. Issei and Yusei, you can dump the packs in the lobby. After that you all need to choose rooms. Once you are settled in, then come downstairs and I will explain what this weekend is all about." Everyone followed Rias inside, Yusei and Issei placed the huge packs onto the lobby floor. They then followed everyone else up the stairs to find rooms. Issei opened one of the doors and noticed Kiba was unpacking. He noticed the blonde looked up and smiled.
Hey Issei, you're welcome to stay in here, the girls have taken most of the room, we guys are going to have to share."
Issei looked around the room, and noticed there were two beds, he wondered where Yusei was going to sleep, however he noticed that Yusei wasn't behind him. "I see only two beds, where is Yusei going to sleep?"
Kiba grinned. "Akeno has saved him a room next to hers, those two must seriously be into each other. Anyway, I am just about done. Rias has asked me to go through some things with you. Its mainly to work on your speed, precision and reaction time."
Kiba then walked past Issei, and left the room. Issei walked over to the vacant bed and then placed his pack down. He then began to unpack, why did Yusei, get his own room? He wasn't even a devil. Issei was getting a little fed up with his best friend and wanted to take him down a peg or two. Issei finished unpacking everything and soon left the room and walked down the stairs where Rias and the others were waiting for him.
Rias looked up and smiled. "Okay, now that everyone is here, it time to talk about the routine we will be following. In the morning Issei and Yusei will be training with Kiba, Asia you will be training with me and Akeno in harnessing your magic. Koneko, I believe you said you would help Kiba with training Yusei and Issei."
"Issei a wimp, need to toughen up." Koneko went back to eating a chocolate bar, however the comment had caused Issei to almost blow a gasket. Rias quickly decided to get things back on track before a fight started and Issei was beaten to a pulp.
"As I was saying that is the routine for the morning. In the afternoon, Akeno will take Issei to train, and teach him how to use his demonic powers. Yusei, you not being a devil, then you won't be able to use magic, but I suggest you talk to Slifer and see what else your Trinity Gear is capable of. Asia again will be working with me on her magic. As the bishop her role in the game will be to heal, not fight, so she doesn't really need combat training."
Yusei was sat on one of the chairs, with Akeno in his lap. "So what exactly is this rating game, is like a giant life size chess game?"
Rias nodded. "For the most part yes, however we are not restricted to a board. The game will take place in a virtual setting, which will be agreed by both kings. Each team then position their pieces over the map, we will each have our own base, and the object will be to infiltrate Riser base by taking control of the other territory around the map. When you are defeated you will be retired from the game. The winner is the one who is left standing at the end."
Yusei nodded in understanding, "That seems simple enough, are there any other rules?"
Rias smiled. "Well there is one rules, Pawns my only be promoted once they infiltrate the opposition base, as for any other rules, anything goes, so watch out. Riser will be playing to win, and know doubt will use every underhanded tactic available to him. Now I suggest we all have dinner and then retire to bed, we have a busy day tomorrow and it would be an idea if we are all well rested."
Next Morning
Issei roared as he charged towards Kiba, he was holding a wooden Katana in his hands and was swinging towards Kiba, who was blocking the strikes.
"Being a good swordsman is not all about knowing how to wield a blade, but being able to predict and keep an eyes on your opponents every move. A good swordsman also make sure he his familiar with his surrounding and knows how to use them to his advantage. "Kiba blocked another strike then used his own sword to Knock Issei out of his hand. "As a Pawn you will be on the front line so if anyone needs to improve their fighting ability its you. Now why don't you go with Koneko she will be teaching you hand to hand combat. As you can't alway count on a weapon being to hand."
Issei groaned, he was not looking forward to this one bit. He had seen first hand how strong Keneko was, the girl might have been small and cute, but she knew how to handle herself. Issei followed Koneko to a clearing away from Yusei and Kiba who were now sparing. He noticed Koneko stood in the middle of the clearing, and stood in a fighting stance. She then beckoned Issei to try hit her.
Issei like always charged head first, and ended up on the receiving end of a painful beating, which included being tossed against a tree, and being put into a choke hold by Koneko, which had almost made him pass out. Issei was struggling in another hold.
"You need to learn, when to defend and when to attack, just charging into a fight, without first studying your opponent is bad news. When you attack you have to be precise, aim for the centre of the body, and inflict as much pain as you can on a single point. Just like I am doing to your neck now."
Issei had his head, trapped between both Koneko legs and he was having a hard time to breath. Issei tapped on her leg and was grateful when she loosened the hold. He then sat up and breathed heavily, he was ashamed with himself, he couldn't even beat a little girl, what chance did he have against someone like Riser. Issei lowered his head.
"I am a failure, how am I suppose to protect Rias, when I can't even defend myself. I am the weakest member of this team, even Yusei is more useful then me, and he is not even a devil." Issei noticed Koneko sat down next to him.
"You're not weak, you just have to find that special something that makes you unique, then use that to your fullest potential. I can think of one thing you beat everyone hands down on, and that is your perverted mind. No ones a bigger pervert then you are."
Issei head dropped, how was that suppose to help him, He slowly stood up and began to walk back towards the mansion. "Thanks for the training Koneko, see you around...Ouch" Issei found his arm locked behind his back, he turned his head and noticed Koneko was frowning.
"We're not finished yet" Issei gulped, he was afraid she was going to say that.
Secluded area
Yusei stood in another clearing, his sparing with Kiba had been well worth it. Both boys had given it their all in the bout, and Kiba had only managed just to beat him. Now though he was taking Rias advice and was working on harnessing the power of his Sacred Gear.
"Trinity Gear Activate. Sky Dragon balance breaker!"
Yusei felt his Sacred Gear unleash its powers, soon red and black armour was sliding into place over his body. Until finally he was stood dressed in his Sky dragon Balance Breaker. Yusei pointed his dragon head gauntlet hand towards a group of tall trees. He focused his power, and watched as a yellow orb charged within the closed mouth. He then pointed the mouth towards the row of trees. He imagined Riser laughing and stripping Akeno, he then roared. "Thunder Force Strike!" The energy blast was twice as big, as what he had used against the stray, it hit the row of trees slicing them in half. However the beam didn't stop there soon twenty or so trees that had been in a single row was now sliced in half. Yusei gulped at the damage he had caused he then heard Slifer laugh.
[Yes Yusei, the stronger your emotion the more powerful the blast, but don't forgot you can also use the elements of lightning, don't just rely on your main attack, use everything to your advantage. You can manipulate lightning to do anything you want it too, all you have to is believe.]
Yusei nodded and then closed his eyes, he imagined he was holding a blade in his hand. He opened his eyes and was stunned to see a blade made of pure lightning in his hands. He then closed his eyes and felt the sword change. He then opened his eyes once more to see he had created a Lightning whip.
[Creating weapons is easy, focus on that tree, now imagine you want to wrap it up in chains.]
Yusei did what Slifer told him to. He focused his power and watched as from both his hands chains made of lightning shot out and wrapped themselves around the tree. "This is awesome!"
[Your final ability in this form is to create a manifestation of me to intimidate your enemies. I can also use my power of lightning to aid you. However using this power will come at a cost.]
Yusei frowned. "What is the cost?"
[Your life force will be the cost. This ability will reduce your overall life span, and as I said should only be used in real emergencies.]
Yusei gulped he didn't like the sound of that, still at least he now knew. Yusei turned and focused on creating more weapons, and using his other abilities. Unknown to Yusei, Rias had been watching him from distance. She had seen what he had done, and for the first time in her life she was scared. Yusei ability were off the scale, and she was just happy he was on their side, she couldn't imagine what would happen if one of the other factions got hold of him.
Inside the mansion
Issei and Asia was with Akeno who was teaching them how to use their demonic power, again Issei was failing big time. It didn't help that Akeno had a tight shirt on and her breast were stretching the material. Issei knew Akeno was off limits due to Yusei, but still he couldn't help but imagine her naked and those breast bouncing up and down.
"Issei focus!"
Issei mind snapped back to reality, he noticed Akeno had now moved behind him. "To use your magic, you only need to focus and use your imagination. You can make any of your thoughts a possibility by focusing and believing that is what you want."
Issei closed his eyes, all he wanted was to see all the girls naked. He suddenly heard a cry and opened his eyes. He gulped, there standing in front of him, trying to hide their important parts was Asia and Akeno. Issei remembered what Koneko had said about him being the biggest pervert, well he was going to use that to his advantage. He noticed Rias had walked into the room, wondering what the loud scream was. Issei closed his eyes and imagined Rias naked, he heard another cry and looked to see all of Rias clothes had been blown apart, leaving her shocked and naked. Oh yeah this was going to be fun.