These first few chapters will be focusing solely on Issei's development as a character and his growth to maturity.

Any helpful constructive criticism is very much appreciated!

EDIT: Changed title of story, reason will be explained in Chapter 2

Enjoy!

The True Dragon of Dragons

Chapter 1: Irina and Ascalon

Mrs. Hyoudou hummed a happy tune as she made her way through the hall in her home while carrying a basket of clothes. The woman was merely in her late twenties with long dark brown hair tied in a ponytail with two long bangs falling down the sides of her face. Her brown eyes twinkled happily as she headed upstairs to her son's room. The thought of her and her husbands pride and joy brought a smile to her face as she came to his door.

Their son, Issei, was such a cute baby boy when he was born and such a good child too. He baffled the doctors since he only cried once when he was born. After that he was such a quiet baby who grew into their 6 year old bundle of joy. Issei listened and learned right from wrong at a good pace and to their surprise showed he was smart for his age when he learned his alphabet at 2, learned to read at 3 and even learned to write at 4. Such a show of intellect had made them rejoice and hope that their son would grow into a very intellectual man.

Scholarships, Universities, Graduation aahh~

'Although, Issei does seem to not get along well with other kids besides Irina. I don't know why it is, but every time we get called down to the school it's because he gets into fights. Although I guess I can somewhat accept it some of the time since it's either he's beating up bullies older then him or protecting Irina.' that last thought made her smile a bit more. Oh yes, her son and their neighbors kid Irina Shidou had hit it off the moment they met. The two children just clicked the moment they met and since then they were almost inseparable and had become very close. Irina was a real tomboy and she and her son always played around, from climbing tree's, playing Hide-an-Seek, to playing in the mud and playing tag.

Mrs. Hyoudou smiled as she went to open the door to her son's room, indeed her son and Irina were incredibly close. So close infact that she and Irina's mother often made play dates for the two and often spoke about the two becoming boyfriend/girlfriend in the future. The thought was surreal to her...

''Issei!~ Kaa-san's here with some clothes.''

Upon looking into her son's bedroom she saw that it was clean which was a bit abnormal for a child his age who usually always made a mess. Yet her son was smart enough to clean up after himself. His room had everything he needed, a full-sized bed, a dresser, closet, entertainment center and a T.V. There wasn't much decorating his walls making his room seem very spartan.

Then her eyes landed on her 6 year old son and when she saw him doing pushup's on the floor she let out a sigh.

''Ah Kaa-san! Thank you! I'll put them up now.'' Issei said hopping up off the floor before going over to his mother whom laid the basket down on his bed. Mrs. Hyoudou began helping her son take out his folded clothes and began to put them away. However she glanced at him every now and then and a worried frown made its way across her face.

There was another thing about their son, Issei, that made him stand out from his generation. His hair was a tad long with a few spikes jutting out a bit. However he mostly had dark brown hair with streaks of black which she and his father theorized came from his grandfather on her side of the family. He was average in height for his size and had a healthy tan, but it was is unique muscular build. The day he was born, the doctors had been surprised to notice his muscular structure was far above average newborns. They were worried it was some kind of abnormal growth, but since it he hadn't show any signs of change the doctors had said that he was just a very very healthy baby boy.

But that's not all that made him stand out, it was also because of his love of fighting. He began to usually watch wrestling shows besides cartoons with his father. Show's like U.F.C. and MMA which she thought was far too violent for him, but he seemed to really enjoy watching it. And seeing his childlike awe in the shows she just couldn't bear to say no to him. This fascination of fighting eventually led to his father deciding for him to join their town's local Martial Arts dojo. She was against it at first, but Issei had been overjoyed at the prospect and seeing as the sensei of the dojo allowed for students to start at the age of 5 to 6 she consented to it.

Since then her son had been going to school with Irina and afterwards she or if his father wasn't busy would take him to the dojo afterwards. And she had to admit he took to his training very seriously as he always did physical workouts his sensei allowed him to do. And she supposed she was proud of the fact his sensei often complimented their son for his talent in Martial Arts.

She just hoped he never abused it...

''Thanks for the help, Kaa-san.'' her's sons voice broke her from her thoughts and she gave a smile and nodded towards. ''You're welcome sochi, now remember Irina's coming over for supper and to stay the night, okay?'' she said, reminding her son of that fact. Her parents were going out for a night out and asked her if she and her husband could watch Irina for the night which she gladly accepted.

After all Irina was like a daughter to her...

Issei's eyes lit up and nodded excitedly, ''I got it kaa-san! '' smiling at his enthusiasm she ruffled his hair. ''Good, then get washed up she'll be here soon.'' she said making him nod. Then taking the basket she walked out leaving her son watching her leave his room with a smile. Then as soon as his door closed behind her.

His smile dropped into a frown before the boy dropped face first to the ground only to catch himself. Then he continued his pushups without restraint.

{You know if you were any other child, your training regime would have made their body break down when they got older.} the inner spirit of of the Heavenly Welsh Dragon, Ddraig, spoke to him from within his mind. The 6 year old Issei just grunted before rolling over where he began to do sit-ups. 'Ddraig you know me better then anyone else so you know the difference that set's me apart from regular children.'

{True, but I still find it puzzling at how your body just adapts so quickly to your exercises. I know God said there would be changes to you before you attained all that you once had. Yet he never specified anything that we've come across. For example; your muscles heal faster then they tear during training, your muscular structure is far above that than any child your age. Not to mention your change in attitude...} Ddraig finished with a mutter causing Issei to mentally nod in agreement with his partner.

'I know, I don't know what it is, but I've just come to love fighting so much now. Hell it's been replacing most of my thoughts to the point my fetish for Oppai is becoming nonexistent. It's just so much fun now, I wonder if it has anything to do with my Alien heritage?'

{Hmm, I would think so because you weren't like this at all in your first life. The only times you seemed to show enjoyment in battles was against Vali and Sairaorg. Rest of the time you were hesitant to fight until after you got stronger.} the dragon said which was true, he did find some strange enjoyment when fighting Vali and Rias cousin, Sairaorg.

'True, but I gotta thank dad for allowing me to do Martial Arts, its a good way to vent my frustration from the idiots at school. Plus its a good sport for me...I just hope I don't become a battle maniac like Vali.' he thought with a sweat drop, finishing his sit ups he rolled back on his stomach. Pushing himself up, he began to do push ups again only now alternating with one hand each time he pushed himself up.

{That's another thing, your temper has risen to a pretty frightening degree. In all my time of knowing you even when you were small, I have never seen you show such anger like you do to those school bullies.} Issei felt his frown deepen at hat as he continued his exercises.

'They bullied Irina, Ddraig, kids older then us and picking on people smaller then themselves makes them lower then scum. You should know I protect my friends above all else.' he said which the Dragon agreed with him. On multiple accounts Issei had proven to always fight and protect those he cherished even against those many times stronger then himself. But that's one of the many reasons why Ddraig respected and saw Issei as his best host.

Finishing his exercises for the day, Issei jumped up only to fall onto his bed. As he stared up at the ceiling he raised his left hand and looked at it. Narrowing his eyes, he focused what energy he could muster, but all he saw was the slightest apparition of his Booster Gear which faded as quick as it came. This caused him to sigh before he closed his eyes for a little rest from exercising.

'No changes, its remained the same, I can barely muster up enough energy to bring you out in spectral form, Ddraig.' this had been something he had tried many times. Testing to see how much energy he could bring out while still alive as a human, but so far it stayed the same resulting in him only being able to call up his Booster Gear in a apparition form. He wasn't mad about it because God had his reason for putting the seal on him, from all that he now had he was sure his human body wouldn't be able to handle the strain. Seeing as his soul had the imprint of Great Red's and Ophis power, Ddraig's soul, Ascalon the Holy sword that slew Dragons, and finally his mysterious Alien heritage.

Yeah he was sure his body couldn't take the strain of all that, maybe one of those descended from the Heroes of Myth, but not him.

Sighing, Issei opened his eyes only instead of looking up at the ceiling he was starting to see the faces of his friends. Kiba, Gasper, Koneko, Akeno, Irina, Xenovia, Asia, Sairaorg, Sona, Sirzechs, Kunou, Ravel, Rossweisse, and Ophis. He reached up trying to grasp onto those memories, but they soon faded causing him to frown deeply. Clenching his hand he grit his teeth and swore to himself in his mind one solemn oath.

'Yes...none of you know me...Irina only knows me as her childhood friend. I thank you, God, for sending me back because now I will use this chance to become stronger. Strong enough to surpass everyone, strong enough so no one can threaten my loved ones every again...whatever the cost...'

{…..Issei...partner, you ok?} Ddraig spoke in concern, sensing from within the depths of Issei's soul the thrum of his unwavering determination, the very same that made his existence echo across the supernatural plains.

'...Yes, I am perfectly fine, Ddraig.'

The Welsh Dragon remained silent after that choosing to just accept that and get some sleep. Sensing this, Issei nodded before he heard his mother's voice. ''Issei! Irina's here, come down here and wash up!'' upon hearing that Issei quickly masked his frown and brought up a brightened expression. Jumping off his bed he ran out his door while answering his mother.

''Coming Kaa-san!''

Hours passed until it was night out and under the roof of the Hyoudou Residence, the two 6 year old children lay in bed inside Issei's bedroom. It was common for the two to sleep in the same room together which their mothers found to be adorable because it showed just close the two were. It was in this room that while Issei lay in his bed still awake while Irina was sound asleep beside him, his eyes were staring out at the window above his headrest. This had become a common thing for him at night, just staring up at the moon. Reason for it was unknown to him, but now that he reborn he felt some strange pull every time he looked up at the moon.

It was a soothing yet strange sensation which was at its peak when the moon was full, the pull was at its strongest then and it had its effects on him. Ddraig always said he was rather moody on those nights, and would toss and turn in bed as if he were in a nightmare. He didn't know what it was about the moon and he even thought at one point that maybe his Alien heritage was the reason and that maybe he was apart of some Werewolf alien race or something?

Crazy right?...Yeah...

Unknown to Issei though, Irina was indeed watching him from his side, her violet eyes watched him curiously as he stared up at the moon with such an intense gaze. Slowly she scoot closer to him until her hand reached his cheek. ''Issei? Are you ok?'' flinching at the sudden touch, Issei looked to the side to see Irina's eyes boring back at him. Filled with curiosity and a bit of worry, but for that moment Irina swore she saw his own eyes seemed glazed over with a pigment shade of red.

''A-ah? You were awake?'' he asked which she nodded causing him to sigh. Blinking Irina saw that shade fade from her best friends eyes causing her feel relief in that. But when Issei saw her worried pout he grasped her hand which made her blink before he pulled her close. This caused her eyes to widen as well as making her cheeks turn pink as Issei placed his other hand on her head.

''Don't worry about me, Irina, I'm fine now lets go to sleep.'' he said this and she nodded into his chest, her hands clenched into the fabric of his shirt. But the way he spoke made it seem like her childhood friend/crush was...

Sad...

'Why do you sound so sad, Issei?' the girl thought to herself just before she let her eyes drift before finally closing succumbing to sleep just as Issei had. Laying asleep in in his arms was possibly the most comfortable thing that young girl felt at that moment. It was on that night though Irina burned the abnormal behavior she felt from her friend deep within her mind.

Falling fast asleep, the two and Issei's parents were completely unaware of those watching them, for standing outside the Hyoudou Residence were two cloaked figures. They both wore a full body white cloak with light blue and gold linings. A hood shadowed their faces, but the pair of white angel wings cemented the fact they were not human. The first one looked to the other and nodded his head.

''It was for a moment, but the mission to watch over Michael-sama's person of interest, Hyoudou Issei has proven beneficial. For I sensed the slightest spark of Ascalon, it was only a moment but it was there.'' the first angel spoke while the other seemed to agree with a nod. One of the Four Holy swords, Ascalon the Dragon-Slayer sword once wielded by Saint George, had disappeared from Heaven. Micheal their current acting leader of Heaven and the Archangel issued a search for the sword while he pinpointed its general location in this town. After extensive search Michael had found out that it disappeared on the date a newborn had been born, and the only baby to have been born on that date was Hyoudou Issei.

''Yes, let's report back to Michael, he will want to hear that the Holy Sword, Ascalon, has definitely chosen its wielder. We must let him know that the mortal, Hyoudou Issei is indeed, a potential interest.'' the second angel, female by her voice, said which the first agreed with a nod.

''Hai, let's be off.'' and with that said the two angels vanished in a golden light not noticing the slight shimmer a few feet away from them. The shimmer fluctuated before it faded revealing a single gruff-looking man with a muscular build, he also had black hair and facial hair. He was dressed in a black shihakusho and sandals, but a total of 10 black angel wings were let loose from his back.

Scratching the back of his head, the Fallen Angel, Baraquiel sighed as he cast his gaze from where the angels once were before they looked down at the Hyoudou Residence. ''Damn gotta hand it to Azazel, his object to hide my presence from Michael's angels worked out well. Plus it seems I've learned just what exactly has caught Micheal's attention so greatly. So, Hyoudou Issei huh? Same age as my little girl Akeno, and yet he's a mortal that's been chosen by Ascalon, eh? Interesting indeed.'' scratching his chin the man seemed to nod his head before he vanished in a spiral of black energy.

Leaving only a single black feather to fall before it sizzled to ashes...

Next Morning

''Issei! Irina Time wake up!'' Mrs. Hyoudou came up opening the door to her sons room only when she turned on the light she covered her mouth in surprise at the scene she saw. She did her best to hold back an aww when she saw Irina hugging onto Issei whom was holding her close. Quickly, but quietly she pulled out her phone and took a picture of it before sending a copy to irina's mother.

Oh she will be thrilled!

''Okay kids, rise and shine!'' she said only to laugh when Issei grumbled and pulled the covers over him and Irina.

It was later in the morning that we find a wide awake Issei eating a bowl of cereal along with a groggy Irina. As he dug into his cereal he missed the glance he received from Irina whom remembering last night blushed a bit which his parents caught making his mom smirk knowingly while his dad tilted his head. Turning to look to Irina, Issei's mom spoke, ''By the way Irina dear, your mom called and said after breakfast you need to come back home, it seems important, okay?'' the girl titled her head, but nodded anyway.

Then his father looked to Issei, ''Issei, why don't you take her back?'' he asked which Issei looked up with a mouthful of cereal. Blinking he nodded before digging back into his cereal causing Irina to giggle while his parents sighed. There was that one one thing about their son and that was his table manners and abnormally high metabolism.

That was his fifth bowl of cereal after eating two plates of pancakes...

Swallowing it down Issei stacked the now empty bowl upon his stack of dirty dishes before jumping out of his chair, ''Alright, well you ready to go Irina?'' the girl nodded after finishing her breakfast. Hopping out of the chair she followed after him while waving at his parents.

''Thank you for letting me stay and thanks for supper and breakfast, Mr and Mrs. Hyoudou!'' she said while the adults waved her bye. Once the two kids were out of sight Mrs. Hyoudou sighed before a smile made way on her face.

''She's such a good girl, I know she's a good match for our son.'' she said causing her husband to nod agreement.

With the two children, as Irina came out of the house Issei closed the door before the two began walking to her house. It wasn't that far since it was less then maybe 3 or 4 minutes away. But as the two got onto the sidewalk Irina looked Issei's way before smiling. She surprised him when she took his hand in her own making him look her way then down at their hands. At that moment Issei remembered his solemn promise to himself just yesterday and because of that his eyes glazed over with a steely determination.

'I remember this day, this is the day Irina's parents tell her about moving to England. I don't want her to move, but I know she will be much safer away from this place. She'll meet Xenovia while gone and become the strong woman I knew...still...I can't let her leave without something to remember me by.'

{What do you plan than, partner?} Ddraig asked wondering what his partner had planned.

'This...'

He surprised Irina then by intertwining his fingers with hers while a smile made way on his face causing Irina's cheeks to redden from the intensity of Issei's expression. It increased when Issei looked her way and for a moment she swore she saw his eyes glaze over with that same pigment shade of red from before. Caught staring into his strange glowing eyes she blinked in surprise when he spoke as they got closer to her home.

''Irina...let's always be the closest childhood friends, okay?'' he asked to her confusion, but when she heard that same saddened tone she felt compelled to comfort him. Whatever it was that was making her childhood friend sad really was bugging him. She wanted to just stay with him and make sure he wasn't sad anymore. Irina just smiled, brimming with all the innocence she held within her and just nodded with a hum.

''You bet! We will always be the greatest of friends!'' and she meant it, she couldn't admit it to anyone, but herself that she had been crushing on her Hyoudou friend. However she still wanted him to know that they would always remain friends. She didn't know exactly why he was saying something this strange and so suddenly, but she would assure him all the same. It wasn't like anything bad was going to happen to separate them or anything.

...Right?

Issei smiled at this taking her words too heart as childish as they may seem it still assured him that they would remain very close despite whatever the future held for them. And so when he and Irina reached her house and got too her door he stopped just before knocking. Turning to Irina he surprised when leaned down a bit since he was a tad taller then her and pecked her on the forehead. This caused her eyes to widen in shock and cased her face to lighten up to a good shade of red. She looked at him as he pulled back only to see a strange smile on his face, it was...almost painful to see his smile at that one moment.

''I-Issei?'' she spoke, only to see him shake his head. Patting her on the back he just scratched the back of his head with a nervous chuckle.

''It's nothing Irina...I just felt like doing...eh I don't know something for us remember our friendship is all hehehe'' he chuckled while she blinked before joining him as she erupted into a fit of chuckles as well.

''Yeah, I won't ever forget!''

Glad to hear it Issei watched her go to the door, opening the door she stepped inside while announcing her presence, ''Kaa-san! Tou-san! I'm home!'' as he watched her go Issei's eyes widened when he caught sight of two cloaked figures inside the household. They wore the same clothing as Xenovia and Irina once did in his first life. As soon as he saw them he remembered all the crap he and his friends went through because of these people, the surge of anger was so intense it made his hands ball up into fists.

'The Holy Sword Project was funded by the Church...by these people...the same project that conducted human experiments on life humans, children and the elderly even!'

His memory went to Kiba who had been the sole survivor of the project and dealing with the man responsible had angered him. However it was worse that he had to watch his childhood friend, Irina go with these people which made him all the more angry at both himself and those associated with that damnable project! Maybe he was being blind to the fact that the Church as a whole excommunicated the man and all those that dealt with the project in his first life. But the fact remained they still let it happen up to that point it became a genocide of innocent people, right under their very nose. His eyes narrowed as one of them looked back at him only for their eyes to widen when they found him staring, glaring back at them for briefest moment he instinctively held back the urge to attack. His power was sealed righ now and he couldn't go attacking strangers in Irina's home.

No matter how much he wanted to reduce everyone associated with that project into a bloody smear...

However the stare of was cut off as Irina came back to the door quickly he masked his expression as to not scare Irina.

''Sorry Issei, kaa-san says there are some things to talk about so...mmm'' clearly she was uncomfortable to leave him alone, but Issei while fighting the urge to do something, anything just waved his hand. ''Ah no worries, I'll just see ya later then, okay?'' he said this, but he knew it wouldn't be happening.

''You betcha!'' clearly unknowing of what will be spoken inside her home agreed to those words.

Not knowing that would be the last time the two would get to spend time together as childhood friends...

Completely unaware though to Issei was 3 pairs of eyes following him back to his house, sickened grins made way onto their face as one cackled in twisted glee.

{Yessss that's him the sweet abnormal scent comes from that mortal boy. I can already taste that succulent mortal flesh kukuku}

{Calm yourself, we must wait for just little longer for if we move now those damnable Priests and Exorcists crawling around the city will slaughter us on the spot.}

{Yes, we will bide our time...and strike when the chance presents itself...but rest assured that boy is as good as dead. Hehehehe} the third of the three figures cackled as a black and red aura glowed around the persons body.

That ends this chapter shorter then the prologue, but the next will be more eventful!

Hope you enjoyed it!