Reminder that this is an AU, an that the characters are my interpretation of them, to an extent. Expect OOC in this chapter.

When Issei opened his eyes again, he was in a dark room.

He looked over his arms to find that none of the cuts from the fight present.

Guess that was the perk of being a devil.

A few blinks to clear his vision - thankfully the lights were off - later, Issei sat up, despite his side screaming in protest. Looking in the floor mirror to his left showed a body far more toned than what it was just a few weeks ago, with a new jagged scar running down the side.

That didn't look like it was going away anytime soon.

"Good, you're up."

Rias Gremory stood in the doorway, a folded Kuoh Academy shirt in her hands. She handed it to him and he began trying to put it on without hurting himself too much.

"Issei, I am so sorry. I had no idea that an exorcist would be there."

"Why would you just leave her?"

She momentarily paused at the bite in his voice, a face of concern replaced with surprise for half a second.

Only half a second, because she had expected him to be angry in the back of her mind.

"Issei, I told you, only members of our peerage can make the teleportation jump."

"Then we could've not used the circle! Or some of us could've, or we could have just stayed and fought-"

"Issei." She interrupted. "You were slowly dying. Koneko and I wouldn't have been able to defeat the exorcist and multiple Fallen Angels and transport you and the nun here without teleporting quickly enough to save your life."

"Then you should've saved her and left me. I could've-"

"As a member of my household, you take priority. I value your life over this nun you've suddenly become attached to."

"I-"

"You are a devil, Issei. And for whatever reason, she decided to align herself with Fallen Angel's. I trust that I don't have to re-explain the current relationship between The Factions. Is this girl really worth starting another war?"

"Yes" There wasn't a hint of hesitation in his answer.

Rias sighed. "That is a very naive mindset, Issei. Think realistically about this."

"Cowardly, you mean?" Even Issei himself was taken aback from the bite in his voice.

"What's the point of having this power if I can't use it to help people like her? Is my only purpose to serve you?"

"Of course not-"

But Issei was already walking past her and leaving.

Rias watched her pawn storm out of the building.

She had some explaining to do.

That wasn't what she was worried about, however. Her pawn was sensible enough; he would come around soon. Due to his recent his reincarnation, he doesn't understand why there wasn't much she could do in this situation. He had no sense of how shaky the truce was and how easily it could come undone.

Rather, she was more interested in how he stormed out than why.

She saw his injuries when she arrived at the house. He had been cut and shot numerous times by light weapons; he's lucky to still be alive, much less walking just a few hours later.

That isn't normal. He isn't normal, even for a Longinus user.

Issei Hyoudou just keeps getting more and more interesting.

A few hours later, Issei flopped down onto his bed and groaned.

Thankfully, Rias had handled his parents, so he didn't have to worry when he arrived home.

Another night of very limited sleep seemed to be in the cards for Issei Hyoudou.

When his head hit the pillow, there was one question that was in the forefront of his mind.

How did I use that fire?

[It is one of the Boosted Gear's abilities]

Issei jumped, startled. He had forgotten there was someone listening to his thoughts.

"What do you mean?"

[Do you remember what I told about myself? That I had flames capable of incinerating anything in its path?]

"So you're saying I have that power too?"

[You do have a tendency of pointing out the obvious.]

Issei chose to ignore that part. He didn't fancy getting into an argument with an ancient dragon that lived inside his arm. He still did have a shred of dignity, after all.

"No offense, but the flames barely singed Freed's clothes. They didn't look like they could incinerate anything."

[You just gained the ability to use them. The flames will grow stronger as your control over the Boosted Gear does.]

"So, what else can the Boosted Gear do?"

[Many things that you likely won't be ready for for years to come. It is best not to focus on them now.]

With that, Issei decided to head to bed, silently vowing to himself that it wouldn't take him years to master this power. That he would be strong enough to save Asia.

With a plan already forming in his head, Issei slipped into unconsciousness.

Most of the next couple of days were a blur for Issei. He spent most of the first one healing, stuck in his bed. For the rest, he was on autopilot throughout school and handing out flyers, which Rias mentioned that he would be done with soon.

That was a relief, considering he still had to shove them in mailboxes for the most part.

Throughout the day, his mind was preoccupied, like it usually is during school, but this time, not with training or contracts or flyers. But on a certain green eyed nun.

This time his mind was solely filled with two things. Getting revenge for himself and saving Asia.

Freed had mentioned Fallen Angels before Rias made the decision to leave - flee - he didn't need many guesses to figure out who they were.

He supposed it was about time for another meeting with Raynare.

Issei got back to the Old School Building at the same time Rias was leaving, citing that something had come up.

Good. That just made things easier.

Issei put the flyer bag where it always was and was prepared to leave when Kiba's voice stopped him.

"You're going to die there, you know." The Knight's tone was casual, despite the subject. Issei stiffened.

"... I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb, it's easy enough to figure out what you're going to do."

Issei turned back to him, face set in stone, and doing his best to ignore the dragon in his head agreeing with the blonde devil.

"You aren't going to talk me out of it."

Kiba chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it. I want to help."

Issei's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"We're in the same peerage, can't have you dying just yet." He had that coy smile on his face that Issei heard made all the girls in the Academy swoon.

"You too, Koneko?"

The small girl shrugged. "You would be a waste of pawns if you died this early."

"Besides," said Akeno, who was returning from the kitchen area, "We always help each other."

Issei hesitated for a moment. If he was being honest with himself, to have even a chance of saving Asia, he would need all the help he could get.

"Alright then, let's go."

"The system picked up an odd hike in power near some abandoned buildings, but when I checked it out, there was nothing." Sona Sitri stated. "Certainly weird, considering I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Nor did anyone in my peerage."

The Heiress of the Sitri Clan was currently sitting across from Rias Gremory in the Student Council room, two cups of tea on the desk.

"Neither did any of mine, at least, nothing that they've told me." Rias sighed. "Quite troubling indeed. Do you have any idea of what could have caused this?"

"No. I hope it was just a natural occurrence, but that doesn't seem very likely. I told Tsubaki to look into it further." Sona adjusted her glasses.

"Please keep me informed on any updates. I'm afraid I've been too busy with my new Pawn to be paying close attention to Kuoh. My apologies for that."

"Ah yes. Hyoudou, correct? The transfer? How are things going with that?"

"A little rough right now, but he'll come around." Rias stood up.

"Wait, one last thing."

Rias turned back. "Yes?"

"Is there any reason you requested me to tell you this in person?"

The crimson haired devil smiled. "No reason."

"I must be going now, I have a feeling the rest of my peerage will need me soon."

It wasn't a very long walk until Issei was near where he was earlier when he had first left Asia, overlooking the church. It wasn't long before Kiba spoke up.

"So, what was your plan to save her?"

It was around that moment when Issei realized he had not come up with a single good plan.

"Maybe sneak around and try to find a different way in."

They all gave him looks of bewilderment. Or just a blank stare, in Koneko's case.

"What?"

"You realize you can't get near any humans without alerting them, much less Fallen Angels, right?" Akeno asked.

Oh.

Shit.

Well, that only leaves one option.

"Looks like we're going through the front, then." Issei started towards the church again, Koneko not far behind.

"So much for the element of surprise" Kiba sighed, but followed.

The large double doors to the abandoned church flew open, one almost flying off its hinges. All because of one kick from Koneko.

It was sometimes terrifying how strong this girl was.

"You didn't have to be so loud." Kiba chided.

"They already know we're here" She responded, voice as emotionless as ever.

They entered the church, there were no lights but all four could see fine, on account of being devils.

"So, we meet again, devil scum." Freed was standing next to the altar, the gun and sword hilt Issei was all too familiar with in his hands.

"You brought the little girl with you again. That's great! And… Oh, you two are new."

"Kiba Yuuto, nice to meet you" Kiba smiled politely. He raised a sword - where the hell did he get that - and got into a lax fighting stance.

"If there is one thing I won't allow, it's devils waltzing into the House of God-" The priest was cut off when a bench came flying at him that he narrowly dodged, courtesy of Koneko.

He grinned. "Pretty strong, for a runt."

"Shut up."

"Freed, what is- oh." A blue haired woman appeared from a door behind where Freed was standing.

"Kalawarner! How nice of you to join us, I was just about to slice up some devils. Though… Aren't you supposed to be helping out down there?"

"Raynare kicked me out, said she needs peace." Just the name caused several different emotions to stir up inside of Issei.

"No matter though, this looks like much more fun."

A light spear formed in her hand.

[BOOST]

Issei summoned his Sacred Gear.

Kalawarner flung her light spear at Akeno, and the battle began.

Akeno and Kalawarner took to the air, while Issei, Kiba, and Koneko focused on Freed.

[BOOST]

Well they were more so focused on not getting skewered by stray light spears and lightning bolts from the battle that raged on above them.

Freed dodged a small fireball and another bench before he lunged at Kiba.

Their two swords clashed together. Though, instead of breaking apart and swinging again, Kiba's sword turned black and started absorbing the light from Freed's sword.

"What the hell?"

"It's the Holy Eraser." He grunted, struggling to hold Freed back.

Sensing the opportunity, Issei darted toward the door Kalawarner had came from.

Rias Gremory stood on a path surrounded by trees. Though her stance was casual, her eyes were calculating, staring straight at two others.

Standing across from her was a young looking girl and a man, each with a pair of pitch black feathered wings.

"I truly wish we hadn't met again, Gremory." The man spoke. "You should have told your servants to stay out of our business."

"Now we have to kill them… and you." A light spear formed in the hands of the younger one.

The door lead to stairs heading down.

Against the back wall of the basement room was a large cross, with a unconscious girl chained to it.

"Asia!" Issei ran to her.

"She can't hear you, you know."

The voice behind him sent chills down his spine. If he was being honest with himself, if it wasn't for the threat of a light spear to the back, he wouldn't have wanted to turn and face her.

Excuse me, are you Issei Hyoudou?

He turned, and came face to face with her.

She didn't look the same from their date. It was as if she had aged five years since the last time he saw her.

"Do you like the new look? Couldn't bear to stay as the innocent little girl for that long."

But it was still her, without a doubt.

"Asia's been unconscious for quite some time." The Fallen continued. "It's easier that way... Anyway, you deserve a reward for making it this far. How about I let you keep the body after I kill her?"

Like hell.

Issei charged.

Raynare laughed at the effort, easily sidestepping him and shoving a light spear through his thigh.

Just like that, Issei was reminded of how painful her spears are.

Will you go out with me?

"I wonder if killing you again will be as fun as the first time…?"

The helpless feeling began to sink into him again. He'd gotten stronger, but it didn't matter.

There is one more thing I'd like for you to do, to commemorate the date…

[BOOST]

"I don't think so. You expect it this time, seeing the shock and betrayal on your face the first time was absolutely priceless."

[BOOST]

Will you-

No.

Murder...

[BOOST]

Issei felt something snap in him.

[BOOST]

A black aura exploded around him, not unlike what happens during the Boosted Gear's Explosion. His effect got far stronger as well, rooting the Fallen Angel in place.

[Hyoudou-]

Paying no mind to the dragon, he lunged, and his fist collided with a very unsuspecting Raynare.

Raynare smashed into the far back wall.

Bringing herself back to her senses, she hurled a light spear at the advancing Issei.

It flickered out of existence when it got within ten feet of him.

"What the hell?" She threw another one, this one far larger, it shattered against the gauntlet on the devil's arm.

[Explosion]

He shot forward, delivering an uppercut to Raynare's jaw, sending her careening back into the wall.

He didn't need- no, he didn't want to use fire for this.

Kill...

Raynare didn't know how he was he even able to stand.

She growled.

"Enough of this!"

She aimed a kick of her own at him, catching him in the side, making him stumble back.

Perfect, that was all she needed.

Issei had to dive behind a table to avoid being skewered by multiple light spears.

Torture...

Raynare tried to flee. She launched herself into the air with her wings. She would smash through the wall if she had to, she-

Something grabbed her foot. Raynare looked down to see it wasn't Issei's hand, or even the gauntlet.

Is that… a shadow?

She was able to free herself from it, but the flailing motion caused her to lose her balance in the air. Her back hit the stone floor again.

When she got up, Issei was in front of her.

He drove his knee into her abdomen, knocking all the wind out of her body. And struck her in the head with a gauntlet clad fist.

Hatred...

A cry of pain suddenly rang out.

Issei turned around to see something bright being ripped out of Asia's chest.

He bolted for her immediately.

His gauntlet clad hand was able to rip away the chains holding her to the cross with ease, and Asia's motionless form fell into his arms.

"No…"

Issei carried her in his arms for a few feet, laying her down onto the floor once they were away from the cross.

"I'm... sorry, Asia." His tears started to fall onto her white dress.

"It's… no use," Raynare said in between coughing out blood. "The ritual is complete. She's dead."

The things that had been ripped from her chest were now floating in front of him.

They were two silver rings.

Slowly, Issei reached out and grabbed them, placing them in Asia's hands.

He turned back to Raynare, pure hatred in his eyes and started walking towards her.

Raynare's fell to the stone floor yet again, courtesy of a strike from Issei.

"Please…"

He crouched down and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her face just inches away from his.

She couldn't even recognize him anymore.

This was not the awkward boy who took her on a date.

"You know that fear, that feeling like you're completely powerless to change what's going to happen to you? I felt that because of you once, Asia too, I'm sure."

"S-stop…"

"I'm going to make you feel the same thing we felt."

"Please..."

"I just have one question for you, Raynare." He pulled harder.

"W-what…?"

"Will you die for me?"

Two dead Fallen Angels and a few minutes later, Rias arrived at the abandoned church.

Entering it revealed another dead Fallen, this one blue haired.

She expected that. One Fallen Angel was no match for her servants, however inexperienced one is.

It also revealed the priest from two days ago escaping via a teleportation card, probably made for him by one of the Fallen.

Oh, well. They would deal with that later.

There were more pressing matters at hand anyway. Like Issei.

He wasn't with them.

She saw the door to the Church basement hanging open, she could guess where he went, and who was down there with him.

What she couldn't have guessed was what was happening down there.

There was the lifeless body of a girl, the clothes determining it was the Nun he had wanted to rescue.

Rias understood why he would do this, nobody deserved that.

It felt like she had a Sacred Gear.

When she saw Issei, she was shocked.

He was…

She didn't know if fighting was the right word, considering the Fallen Angel he was attacking wasn't putting up much of a defense.

Raynare had put her hand up in a futile attempt to stop his advance. He grabbed her forefinger and bent it back far enough for the Fallen to feel her finger nail on the back of her hand.

A howl of pain was released.

No, this wasn't a fight.

He was torturing her.

There was an odd, dark aura surrounding him.

"ISSEI"

He turned and faded, unfocused eyes looked back at her own.

"R-Rias...?"

[Reset]

Issei collapsed, unconscious.

The true AU part begins.

Ddraig was said to have 'flames capable of incinerating anything in its path'. I'm not sure why that didn't carry over to his Sacred Gear right away. Granted, I'm sure (hoping) it was explained at some point in the Light Novels, but I stopped reading them at some point out of laziness.

Vali will also have Albion's poison.