Time Again
Issei woke the next morning, thankful that he hadn't had any dreams that involved his memories. His past was a painful one, more pain than any individual should ever go through. As much as he hated it, he also embraced it. It was a time of learning about the cost of even the smallest mistakes.
Mistakes he would never make again.
That said, the first mistake he would correct would be Asia's death. Speaking of which, Asia wouldn't be arriving for a few days, plenty of time to take care of a few things.
"First things first though."He thought to himself."Pawn pieces."
8 extra pawn pieces would be a tremendous boost in diversity when it came to "illegal moves". That and the amount of times he could double his power would be tripled.
After a thorough check, and to his delight, he had 16 pawn pieces. 4 of them Mutation, 12 Evil. Although he only had 1 of the new pieces unlocked, and the only ways to unlock them would be going into his incomplete Juggernaut Drive, or have Rias unlock them for him.
He'd probably get Rias to unlock the rest of them either before or after winning the rating game. It made him wonder though, how strong were the Devils in this universe? How many families made it out of this war compared to where he came from?
He would find out later, today was strictly recon. Tag all of the Occult Research members in his mind, and all of the Student Council members as well. He would train both of them to be the best they could be, especially Saji, if he could get Saji to Balance Break a hell of a lot sooner than he did last time, the scales would tip in Issei's favor.
Issei left immediately after getting ready. After arriving at school, he quickly made his way to his classroom. Turning the corner at the top of the stairs, he crashed into someone causing them both to tumble onto the ground. Not knowing whether said person could support his weight, he turned himself mid-air so that he would take the blow from the fall.
"Hey, are you ok?" Issei asked with genuine concern.
"Yeah, I'm ok, usually it takes a lot more to knock me down, guess you really surprised me, are you alright though?"
Issei didn't recognize the very apparent female voice at all. He opened his eyes and took in her appearance. Her gray eyes bore into his, with a bit of sweetness and concern. Her long straight blonde hair was partially folded on his chest. He also noticed her hair was trimmed around her face as to keep it out of her eyes. Her face pale and smooth, but tinted with reddened cheeks. The most apparent feature though, was the mole under her left eye. Her body was curvy but strong.
He was about to ask her name, but realized his hand was groping her breast, and that they had fallen in a very provocative position, which was the cause of her blush.
"I'm so sorry about that, I was in a rush and wasn't watching where I was going, I didn't mean to grab you like that!"
They both got up off the ground ignoring the watchful eyes of the other students and brushed themselves off.
"Not a problem, I noticed you switched positions with me mid-air so that I wouldn't be hurt, that's very thoughtful of you. I also know that being able to do that is incredibly tough to do, can I ask how you learned to do that?"
Just what Issei needed, someone suspicious of him, his only way to answer was to tell the vague truth.
"My best friend of many years taught me how, we were pretty much brothers in all but blood, but he passed away recently..."
Issei downcast his eyes, the memory was still fresh in his mind and just as painful , 50 years was a short time for a Devil. Before he could think further, his mind went blank in shock when he felt a pair of arms wrapping around him in a gentle, yet firm hug.
"I'm sorry that my question brought up unpleasant memories, I have my fair share as well, I won't pry any further."
This was a first for him, a hug from a girl he didn't even know the name of.
"It's ok, I shouldn't have brought it up anyway. I'm Issei Hyoudou by the way, second year."
She broke the hug and smiled.
"I'm Yumi Kiba, second year as well."
The gears clicked in Issei's head. It made sense now, the blonde hair, gray eyes, strong yet attractive body, painful memories, and the mole under the cheek.
This girl was Kiba.
Issei was about to inquire further, but the bell rang for class to start. Both parties looked at each other and nodded their heads in acknowledgement. They would have to continue this conversation another time.
Time flew by like papers in the wind for Issei, the school day had ended. He packed his things and left for home. Along the way, he had a nagging feeling to return to the fountain where he was once slain. In time with his arrival, he felt the presence of a nearby Fallen Angel. He then remembered that this was the second time he was stabbed with a spear of light, but got saved from further damage by Rias, Koneko and Akeno.
This time around, he would toy with the Fallen Angel, and then kill him when Rias showed up.
"Well what do we have here, a stray Devil perhaps?"
His tone as arrogant as ever. After dealing with as many arrogant people as Issei had over the years, this was an amusing mongrel trying to look good in the eyes of his betters.
"Not so much a stray Devil, but a Devil who is way out of your league to ever think about beating in a fight."
The Fallen Angel was not amused and responded by throwing a light spear at Issei which missed after it was dodged. This continued on for a little while before the teleportation circle appeared with the Gremory insignia.
"You there Fallen Angel, I would ask that you not attack this Devil any further."
Rias Gremory, as beautiful and as commanding as ever.
"That crimson hair, I recognize it, you must be Rias Gremory. I had no idea that the younger sister of the Crimson haired Lucifer had staked a claim in this town. I take it that Devil is one of your own?"
Skirting the issue, not a bad tactic, but one that wouldn't work against Issei. Before Rias could answer, Issei spoke up.
"Your wings, I remember now, that girl Yuuma had the same wings as you, and she stabbed me with a weapon like yours, what do you people want with me?"
The bait was set, now all he had to do was wait to see who bit first, Rias, or the Fallen Angel.
"That's what I would like to know, what is your business with my servant?"
Before anyone could react, a light spear pierced Issei from behind. The pain was immense and this was not part of the plan, time to improvise.
"Fuck that really hurts! I'll get you for that!"
Issei extended his right hand and built up his magic, creating a ball of magic the size of a baseball. He pulled his arm back at let the energy fly loose as he thrust his arm forward. The intense magical energy was that of a high class Devil and was probably overkill in this situation, but being in intense pain made concentration near impossible. The blast hit the Fallen Angel and with a cry of anguish, he was vaporised in a shower of feathers.
Issei smiled, and then passed out from the pain.
"My, my, I can see why you had to use all 8 pawn pieces on him Rias, it seems he's just as powerful as you are." Akeno was quite surprised.
"Yes, but I don't think he knows how to control it. It seemed like what he did was a response to the pain from the light spear, speaking of which, why didn't you stop it?" Rias was more curious than anything.
"I'm sorry Rias, if I had gotten here in time I would have, but I only arrived in time to see Issei blast away the Fallen Angel." Akeno apologised. "Speaking of Issei, he'll die if we don't attend to him soon."
"He's my servant, I'm responsible for him and I let him get hurt. I'll take care of it. Please inform the others that we'll introduce him tomorrow after school."
Rias then picked Issei up, and created a teleportation circle to take Issei home. She walked into the circle and the night became silent once again.
Issei woke up the next morning free of pain, he was also free of clothes, which meant Rias was sleeping in bed next to him. Naked. He relaxed into his bed, these past few days he'd been seriously injured twice. At least he got to get payback this time.
Asia would arrive in a day or two, and he now had the strength to protect her until he could train her in defensive magic. Freed would be a different matter, he knew Freed had no interest in doing anything to Asia, but the next time he met Raynare, there would be Hell to pay for what she did to Asia.
The sleeping body of Rias shifted as she woke up. The covers fell off of most of her as she sat up. She yawned and stretched and blinked away the weariness of her eyes.
"Good morning Issei, did you have a nice sleep?" She smiled.
"I did actually, I probably had one of the best sleeps of my life since you were here."
"Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Hyoudou." She said sticking out her tongue out at him.
"Mr. Hyoudou?" Issei dramatically feigned shock, a cheeky smile donned on his face. "Since when was sleeping in someone's bed naked so formal?"
They paused for only a moment before they both burst out laughing, it only lasted a moment as Issei's mom walked in the room. She stood there in shock as for the first time in her life, a girl was naked inside of her son's room, in his bed no less.
"Good morning mom, this is Rias." There was nothing else Issei felt like saying at this time.
"Hello Mrs. Hyoudou, I hope you don't mind that I took care of your son last night." Rias teased playfully.
Issei's mother stood there for a few seconds before she turned and went downstairs without a word.
"As much as I'd like to sit here and play 20 questions with you Rias, we both have to get to school." Issei didn't need to be told what he already knew.
"You're right, as much as I'd like to explain everything to you right now, appearances have to be kept. I'll send someone by to get you after classes are done and I will explain everything then." Rias proceeded to pick up, and put her clothes on.
When they were both ready, they quickly left the house and headed straight to Kuou Academy. When they arrived, all eyes were on the two of them, hurried whispers flew about between the students and no doubt some rumors would happen because of this.
"Like I said before Issei, after school, just wait in your classroom and I'll send someone by to pick you up."
"Got it." Issei confirmed. "See you later I guess?"
Rias nodded her head in confirmation, she then turned and walked up the stairway to the second floor only to be greeted by Sona at the top of the stairs.
"Good morning Sona, how have you been?" Rias greeted.
"I've been good, I take it that boy is your new pawn?" Sona's eyes observed Issei as he walked to class, she could sense something from him but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pinpoint it.
"Yes, he is, I'm planning to introduce him to the others later today." Rias confirmed.
"Let us hope he isn't too shocked by his new situation, but something tells me he's used to getting thrown into situations outside of his control." Sona deduced.
Rias just nodded, acknowledging the judgement of her close friend.
School had just ended, and Issei had finished packing his backpack. He only had to wait a few moments before he heard the excited whispers of the other students.
"It's her!"
"It's Yumi, why is she here?"
"She's so cool!"
Issei could only chuckle at the comments, Kiba had gotten the same type of comments back then too.
Kiba.
He pushed those thoughts out of his head, now was not the time, he would have time to mourn another time. He stood up to greet Yumi.
"I take it you're my entourage for tonight milady?" He mocked bowed at Yumi.
Yumi chuckled, "A sense of humor eh? You and I will get along just fine." She finished with a playful wink.
The entire way to the club room, Issei couldn't help but smile, Yumi's personality was similar, but opposite of Kiba's. She was outgoing, and energetic. Kiba was calm, and reserved.
"So where exactly are we headed Yumi?"
It wasn't like he didn't already know. Something about Yumi's voice though calmed him, so he wanted to keep a conversation going.
"The old schoolhouse, that's where we hold the Occult Research Club after school."
"That would explain why I never see you or Rias when I leave." Issei pointed out.
Yumi just nodded her head in confirmation.
They soon arrived to the club room after a short walk. It looked exactly as he remembered, the main wooden desk that Rias used, the sofas that he and his family sat on so many times.
He was truly at home here.
He walked towards the sofa opposite of the one Koneko was sitting on, she was enjoying some sort of sweets from the look of it.
Just looking at the sweets earned a glare from Koneko, who moved the sweets closer to herself.
"You can't have my sweets, I won't let you."
"But I didn't..." Issei started.
Koneko glared at him harder.
"Alright, I get it, no sweets."
Koneko started ignoring him at this point and only paid attention to her sweets.
"My, my, not even five minutes and you're making a move on Koneko, how forward and brave of you Issei." Akeno teased as she entered the room.
"I'll pretend I haven't heard any of the teasing I've received, or will receive as of today." Issei outwardly drawled.
Inwardly though, he couldn't have been happier, his family was here, safe, alive, and while not quite as emotionally, mentally and obviously, physically developed as he remembered them, he had them back in his life.
"I see you've met Koneko and Akeno, and it also appears you're acquainted with Yumi."
Rias had finally arrived.
"Now that you're here, can you explain why my sight and hearing are so much better since that night, and can you explain how I shot energy out of my hand and destroyed that guy with the black feathered wings?"
Issei was curious how this conversation would go if he took the lead at the start.
"You produced energy powerful enough to destroy a Fallen Angel in one blast?"
Yumi turned to Rias with an astonished look before she questioned her further.
"Why am I hearing about this just now?"
Rias sighed, this was not how she wanted this conversation to turn out so she decided to make it simple.
"I'll answer your question in a moment Issei." She turned to Yumi.
"For your first question, yes, he did, I haven't seen his current strength yet though, but from the display he put on, offensively he's about as strong as me or stronger."
Yumi looked at Issei in shock.
Issei just shrugged in return.
"For your second question, I would have told you if the chance had come up, I didn't want this information being possibly overheard by just anybody."
Yumi nodded her head in understanding, and a small amount of embarrassment.
"As for your question Issei, it's because you're a Devil. To be specific, a reincarnated Devil."
Issei's expression didn't change, but he put on what he thought to be a somewhat 'confused at the situation' face when Rias and the others revealed their wings.
"Well... I can't say that was on my list of things that could have possibly happened, but I suppose being dead is a worse alternative."
It was true, while Issei had no fears of death, he would not die so easily without protecting his family.
"You're not surprised at finding out you're a Devil?" Yumi was somewhat confused.
"I wouldn't say I'm not surprised, because I am, I never imagined I'd ever be thrown into a situation this crazy!"
It was the truth, when this happened the first time, he was as surprised as anyone would have.
"So, can you tell me what happened with Yuuma and that other man? They both had black feathered wings, what are they?"
"Issei, those were Fallen Angels, Angels that gave into their lustful and selfish desires that have fallen from God's grace." Rias explained.
"I see, what would they want with me then? I'm nothing special!"
"You are special though Issei, let me explain."
She took a seat next to him and pulled out a chess piece.
"Can you tell me what this is?"
Rias held up the King piece.
"A chess piece, the King to be exact."
"Correct, Devils use the 'Evil Piece' system, it mimics the pieces of a chessboard so we have the King, which is me."
"I am Rias' Queen, Akeno Himejima, nice to meet you Issei." She gave him a lustful smile.
"Seeing as we've met once already, I'll re-introduce myself, I am Yumi Kiba, Rias' Knight!" She finished with a bright and happy smile.
"Koneko Toujou, Rias' Rook." She didn't bother saying anything else.
"I am the King obviously." finished Rias.
"So what am I then? A Bishop? A Rook? A Knight?"
"Pawn." Rias stated simply.
"Pawn?" Issei said with false disbelief.
"That's correct, but don't think too low of yourself, if you remember, Pawns can promote themselves in the deepest part of enemy or with the King's permission."
Since gaining Triania, Issei was free to promote whenever he wanted to.
"I see, so how many other Pawns are you going to get besides me?"
"None." Rias replied.
"None?"
She nodded in confirmation.
"I used all 8 pieces on you Issei, coming across servants like that are incredibly rare and far and few in between. I took a chance and from what I've seen, you won't disappoint me."
She smiled and got up from where she was sitting and walked over to her wood desk and took a seat in her chair.
"It's official then, welcome to the Occult Research Club, Issei. We hope you enjoy your stay."
"Happy to be here, President." Issei gave a short bow in respect.
"Now that we've got that out of the way, I have a job request for you to get you started. Akeno, if you could set up the teleportation circle for Issei?"
Akeno nodded her head and set up the circle.
"Now all you have to do is step in the circle and you'll be on your way, good luck Issei!" Akeno gave a small wave as Issei stepped into the circle.
"Make sure you get a contract Issei, you'll need them if you ever decide to become a higher class Devil."
"I understand Rias, I'll try to get a contract." Issei figured that even after 5000 years, his chances of getting a contract were still zero.
The circle activated, and he was teleported to his destination.
It was late at night, and like Issei expected, he didn't get a contract. Not that it bothered him any, he had quite enough magical power and knowledge of Devils and battle to achieve an official title of Ultimate Class Devil.
He was enjoying the cool night air as he walked back to the club, he had business to take care of before he could teleport back to the clubroom.
The air around him thickened, he could feel a magical barrier being placed so that he couldn't escape.
A Fallen Angel was here.
Sure enough as he turned around, a woman was walking towards him.
"How strange, I don't seem to have the wrong person. I, Kalawarner, have been ordered to erase all traces." She stopped. "How utterly strange."
"How so?" Issei responded while grinning at her.
"Why are you alive? She killed you!" Her wings sprouted from her back as she created a spear of light.
She threw it straight at Issei who side stepped it.
"I would reconsider doing that if I were you, unless you want to die?"
"Cocky brat, die!"
She hurled the spear of light again at Issei, but before it could connect a flash of Crimson light blinded her eyes.
[Welsh Dragon, Balance Breaker!]
"What!?" She screamed in shock as she took in the sight before her.
The red Scale Mail of the Red Dragon Emperor.
"I warned you. Now die you shitty Fallen Angel!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
"No! Please! Forgive me I beg of you!" A final plea for her life escaped her lips as she cried.
"Die! Dragon Shot!" No mercy.
The beam of energy raced towards her at a tremendous speed.
She couldn't dodge it.
"No!"
The final word escaped her mouth as the beam consumed her entirely, causing her last word to echo through the night. The magical barrier collapsed silently as its source of Mana was now gone.
[You really are cruel when you're fighting, sometimes it's really scares me.] Ddraig half joked.
"You're right, I am cruel, but you don't have to go as far as to joke that I scare you."
Over the years, Issei became more and more cruel with his opponents, even Vali once swore he would never get on Issei's bad side every again. Time after time Issei's attacks would be relentless, ruthless, and downright deadly.
[We should be heading back now, you need to give your report to Rias about the Fallen Angel.]
Issei dispersed his Scale Mail, eliminating all visual trace that he was the host of a Heavenly Dragon.
He activated a teleportation circle, stepped inside, and disappeared from the street in a flash of light.
"A Fallen Angel attacked you? Are you alright?" Rias was concerned for her new servant.
"Yeah, I mean, I managed to kill her, she didn't put up much of a fight like that man did."
"My, my, you're quite the powerhouse aren't you, I wouldn't mind tasting a bit of that power myself."
Akeno's eyes were pretty much undressing Issei on the spot.
"Really? if that's the case then..."
"No." Rias interrupted.
"No?" Issei asked with minor desperation.
"No, you are my servant after all, you won't be doing anything like that without my permission." Rias seemed adamant on this.
"My, my, could you be jealous Rias?" Akeno teased.
She really knew how to push Rias' buttons.
"I am simply keeping my servants mine Akeno."
Definitely jealous, surprisingly somewhat jealous faster than last time she fell for him.
"Issei, try to avoid fighting Fallen Angels from now on, you might not be so lucky as you were this time around, it sounds like she wasn't the best fighter and she paid the price for exerting her weakness."
"Understood president, I'll see you later tomorrow."
Issei turned and left the clubroom before activating a teleportation circle and leaving for his room.
Authors Notes: Hello long chapter! Yeah, I know, no Raynare showdown or Asia in this chapter, I really did think I would get it to fit in this chapter, guess not apparently. Oh well, next chapter for sure will have it. Reviews are welcome! As of this chapter this story has 80 follows, holy crap you all are amazing, I never thought this story would get this much attention. I appreciate all of you!
Edited: So it was brought to my attention that "Kiba" was actually the family name rather than the given name. I have corrected that mistake after a bit of research. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Edit 2: Fixed a name to its proper spelling, thank you based DxD wiki. I really should use it more when it comes to names.