The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD

Chapter 16 – A long Epilogue

"So… what do you think, Monika? About my story so far that is…"

"What should I say, Hide…? If that's what you want me to call you."

"Well, actually… Hide is my surname. Shinyama is my first name. I am Asian, after all"

"Thanks… But as I was saying… Your story is… interesting. Could be polished better but I think you did well as a first-time fanfiction writer. I mean… pulling of that twist involving us was a pretty brilliant idea."

"Uhh… what are you talking about? I wasn't the one who dragged you in here, it was the succubus."

"Teehee… you're so cute when you try to deny it… There's no way a character in fiction could possibly take over a story – more so if the author is in the real world. And there's no way this story could have possibly written itself on its own – unless someone like you did so."

"I… umm… well… uh… you see…"

"It's ok. I understand. I mean, I myself pulled off something similar with you, didn't I?"

"Well… umm… uhhh…"

"Wait. You're not telling me that you've never played Doki Doki Literature Club before, have you?"

"Ehehe… well… you see… I…"

"You probably just watched walkthrough videos on YouTube or something, right?"

"I… uh… *sigh* I really can't hide anything from you, can I?"

"Nope, you can't. Teehee…"

"Well… you're right. I found out about your game via the internet and also watched walkthroughs of your game online. I never played it because… well… I'm rather timid when it comes to horror. In fact, I was so terrified when I first heard details of this cutesy game with a dark underbelly that I would sit in the toilet at night just… frozen and dazed in horror at the mere existence of something like that."

"Teehee… scaredy-cat…"

"Hey! Take that back!"

"Nope… Anyway, why did you decide to watch those walkthroughs of my game then? And why did you add Doki Doki Literature Club to your High School DxD fanfic?"

"Well… to answer your first question, I guess I got curious. I heard a lot about how uniquely terrifying Doki Doki Literature Club is and decided to check it out. I didn't want to get caught off guard with jump scares, so I spoiled the story for myself on TVTropes. Like I said earlier, I really hate horror…"

"Scaredy-cat… Teehee…"

"Yeah, yeah… So, as I was saying, after spoiling everything I decided to watch the walkthroughs. Eventually, I got used to it and got to see the game and all the fan-made mods related to it. And I have to say that after thinking about that subversive, but deep story, characters and plot development I immediately got hooked. Add that to my desire to write some good fanfiction and there you have 'The Lone Vigilante Issei'."

"You still didn't answer my last question. Why choose High School DxD? I mean Doki Doki Literature Club and High School DxD don't really have anything in common, except that both take place in a Japanese high school setting."

"Well… why not? High School DxD has a vast universe with a lot of places, myths, characters and great concepts like the Sacred Gears and the various mythical creatures. I originally read the Light Novels and was found myself quite invested in it. Eventually, I ended up checking the High School DxD fanfiction universe out of sheer curiosity and what I saw blew me away. And do you know what it was?"

"What was it?"

"Fanfictions… written better than the original story! Even if only on a concept level! The more I read some of the fanfics – not all of them, but a few – the more the original story seemed… stale… shallow… even annoying and irritating every time I think about it. The characters of High School DxD now came off as… fan-service fetish fuel. I mean, the only reason many of them were created so that they could be part of the Issei's harem and do all those sexual acts with them – that all end up in some kind of cop-out! And even those that weren't booby-sex objects… just end up as a joke! Granted, there were some great characters like… Vali… Kiba and Sairaorg Bael… but still!"

"OK… But what has that got do with my question?"

"I'm getting there, hold on. What's even worse about High School DxD is Issei Hyoudou! I liked him for a while at first. I mean, he has the Boosted Gear, he grows stronger, does epic feats and all… but… Why do all the girls fall in love with him!? And why just him and no one else!? It makes no sense! I mean, why not Kiba? He's a nice guy – and he's… pretty… for a lack of a better word. So, why not him!? It… makes… no… sense! Issei is a complete pervert with little to no backstory and who only got to where he was only because everything he got just so happens to land on his lucky lap and… what was the word? Oh, yeah… OPPAI!"

"Umm… But…"

"Oh! But that's not all! While we're on the subject of not making sense, I also discovered something in High School DxD fanfictions that infuriate me to no end and that is… the logical chinks in the flow of the story – particularly to Rias! Now, some might dispute this with me and call me a hater, but… hear me out, OK? Why did Rias just let Issei die when she could have saved him from the Fallen Angels? Is it so she can forcefully reincarnate him into her peerage? And for what? So that she can get out of her arranged marriage with Raiser Phoenix? That's despicable and stupid! And we are supposed to like her? Doesn't the story want to call her out on that or was the author just too oblivious to notice, like those dense anime protagonist à la Raku Ichijou from Nisekoi? And what about Rias' weak handling of Kokabiel? How come she didn't inform her brother and bring him to Kuoh? Why did she let all those exorcists run around town? Isn't she the governor of Kuoh? Why can't she put her foot down? And why don't the highest faction leaders coordinate with each other? The US and Russia do that, so why can't they? And why did anyone think that Rias, Sona and their peerages alone could be enough to govern Kuoh? Why don't the devils send in professionals? Did they think that Rias and Sona were professional enough? And what's more, how come Rias knows exactly what to do in pretty much every situation. She's inexperienced, is more or less in the learning process herself, so why does everything come easy for her (except maybe Issei's death)? In fact, she eventually plans to give Issei a company in later volumes and tells him how to run it! How does she know all that? If she does, how come she's in high school? And what about… huh?"

[…]

"…Sorry, Monika… I was getting off track… I… just had a lot of things to rant about… umm… what was going to tell you again…?"

"You wanted to tell me about why you added Doki Doki Literature Club to your High School DxD fanfiction."

"Oh, yeah, right, right… ehem…"

"Go on…"

"Yeah… although I've grown to dislike High School DxD… I do believe that the story has… a lot of potential… potential to be better… with Issei… being a more fleshed out character along with Matsuda and Motohama, who I believe were thrown to the wayside way too easily. I mean, they were the only original named characters in the light novel series to not know about the supernatural (Murayama and Katase are not original light novel characters by the way). Even Aika Kiryuu and Mr. and Mrs. Hyoudou find out! I mean, they were his best friends and this is how Ichiei Ishibumi treats them? What a waste! Sure, they might be perverts and probably would have worsened the story, if they had more involvement, but… it's still a damn shame! Do you get what I mean?"

"Well… yes I do."

"And that's what I want to correct. I want to write a fanfiction better than the original story. I want to improve it and complete it, for there is nothing more frustrating than to see a fanfiction with good ideas and good writing just… remain incomplete and forgotten. Now… I don't think I can truly draw out High School DxD's fullest potential. Perhaps, I might end up writing a mediocre story… Either way, it's a challenge worth trying. I'll admit when I look back thus far… I realized, I started off mediocre. But… as I got more experience in writing – and getting a better idea on what I want my story to be, too – I thought out of the box. In doing so, I realized that nobody bothered to include Doki Doki Literature Club into a fanfic – or none that I know of. That's why I wanted to use that big plot twist in your game. The one that turned the game on its head and made it creepy. Granted, it's no longer an original concept and I took a big risk when I decided to put that in, but hey! It worked didn't it? Also, I think I've done a pretty good job turning into my own thing, don't you think? So, here we are safe and sound. Does that answer your question, Monika? And… look… I know what you're going to say, but… I'm sorry for doing this to you… dragging you into my story and probably getting you and the girls in harm's way…"

"I forgive you."

"What? But…?"

"It's OK, Shinyama. In fact, I ought to thank you…"

"Thank me? For what?"

"Well… for giving Sayori, Yuri, Natsuki and me so much happiness. For the first time in their lives, we have truly been able to enjoy a world… full of people. You might know this already, but in our world, we are the only people trapped in this empty, shallow world with no one else in it. But when you made the succubus bring us to your fanfiction story… we actually were able to interact with people. Sayori, Yuri and Natsuki were finally able to have boyfriends… something they've always wanted to have for a long time and… I managed to meet a lot of people back at Kuoh Academy. They were… nice, funny, fun to spend time with and much more. Now, certainly none of them are real and are really nothing more than figments of your imagination, but still… for what it's worth it… I enjoyed my time as a teacher… It was the best time of my life… for real… and for that…"

Monika kisses you on the cheek.

"Hey, where did the narration come from? And wait, what? Whoa!?"

"…Thank you, Hide Shinyama."

"Well… You're welcome… *swoon* Ehehe…"

"You're welcome… though you probably didn't feel that in real life, didn't you?"

"Well... *sigh* no… But I can always imagine you doing that in real life, right? Something which I did by the way."

"Teehee… you're so sweet. Though… even then it doesn't change the fact that I will never be able to reach out into reality… and actually touch you… feel you… actually be with you…"

"Indeed… it's unfortunate… The wall between reality and fiction can never truly be broken I feel… However, I do believe that… we can still influence each other at least… if you know what I mean, Monika…"

"Yes… at least there's that. People in the real world come with… great ideas, concepts, characters and plot and so on... and then translate them into books, comics, movies, TV-series… and even video games. It is through the help of creative minds that fictional characters like myself even exist. And in return… we influence you, thanks to all the effort our creators manage to put into us. We give the audience someone to relate to… someone who they can look up to… someone who can inspire them… enrich their minds… and lead them to create more stories, books and so on."

"Yeah… even mediocre stories like High School DxD manage to do just that. After all, how else did I manage to create a High School DxD fanfic? And in addition to coming across Doki Doki Literature Club… and the vast abundance of imaginative material out there… I was able to create… well… this mistitled fanfiction… called 'The Lone Vigilante Issei'…"

"Yes… But you're not done with this story yet, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I'm not giving up. I'm going to improve on it. I don't know how long I'll be working on this story, but I won't give up… until I give this story something worthy of its title! As you know, Issei hasn't done anything truly vigilante-like. I've got a lot of things planned for him – oh, and his friends, too! They'll be going through kinds of trials and ordeals. I don't know how many arcs I'll make before I'm satisfied. Perhaps it's three, maybe five, maybe more. However, you can bet… Monika… that the only way I'll stop this story – is when I die!"

"Teehee… You sure have a lot of enthusiasm. You would be a wonderful fit in my literature club."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not into poetry. But thanks anyway."

"Well… I figured you'd say tha-"

ZZZTZZZZT!

Suddenly a buzzing sound appeared. Monika's body is starting to glitch and fade into non-existence. Better hurry up!

"Oh, no! I'm afraid I don't have much time left!"

"Indeed, you don't! I think it's time for you to get into the ship!"

"I'll go… I guess this is it. This is where we say our goodbyes."

"Yes… I'll admit, I wish we didn't have to part ways this soon."

"Unfortunately, we must. I must pick the other three up. There's no time."

"Exactly. Let's hurry!"

Monika nods. You and Monika run towards the flying boat you've created.

"Are you sure it will work?"

"Positive. Now go on in!"

As she enters the ramp, she looks back at you with a smile on her face.

"Shinyama?"

"Yeah?"

"...Take care…"

"Yes… take care… I hope all goes well with you on your journey…"

Monika nods with a smile, before heading in. The ramp closes. The boat is ready to go.

The boat is moving upward. It lifts to the sky and Monika waves goodbye.

"Goodbye Monika…"

[VROOM!]

The boat flies away and through a portal that leads it somewhere else.

"…Thanks for everything…"


With Issei and the others – time: indefinite

[VROOM!]

"Wha-"

"What the…?"

"What is that?"

Motohama, Matsuda and Issei call out in surprise, the moment they saw a gigantic boat with a sail on it appearing out of nowhere. This caused a boom and a wind that made everyone present to cover their eyes.

As soon as the heavy wind subsided, they saw someone in the ship. Issei, Matsuda and Motohama squint their eyes. They widened when they saw that the person had coral brown hair and a white ribbon tied into a pony-tail.

"""MONIQUE-SENSEI!?""" Matsuda, Issei and Motohama cried out incredulously.

"Hello, boys. Good to see you again. Teehee…" Monika giggled from the ship towards the three flabbergasted boys.

"B-but how…?" Motohama started in disbelief.

"Oh, this boat?" Monika patted the boat. "It's a gift from a friend of mine!"

"Took you long enough!" Natsuki pouted, as she called up to Monika. "We were already starting to fade out of existence!"

"Yes, the boys were completely at an edge because of that! Do you know how stressed they were when they found out we were going to disappear?" Sayori added.

"Sorry. My friend and I had a lot of things to discuss before we could go." Monika said, trying to brush off her tardiness.

"You really should do something about your failure not to come on time, Monika…" Yuri told her.

Issei raised his eyebrows at that. "Monika?" he asked.

"Oh, yes. That's Monique's real name," Yuri explained.

"Ohh… I see…" Issei nodded in understanding. Figures. Everyone else had a pseudonym, so why wouldn't Monique-sensei.

"Everybody, move out of the way! I'm going to land!" Monika calls out, as she lands the boat with a press of a button near the steering wheel.

After a minute the boat landed and the ramp opened with Monika coming out.

"Monika!" Sayori rushed to hug her friend. She did so and it was a warm embrace. It felt like they hadn't seen each other in ages.

"Sayori… are you ok?" Monika asked in concern, masked with a smile. "Did the succubus do anything to you, girls?"

"Nope," Natsuki answered, as she approached Monika on the ramp. "That old hag merely locked us into this dimension, while trying to kill my boyfriend and his friends. Luckily, my Matsuda isn't someone who would go down this easily. He walloped her like she was nothing," Natsuki spoke confidently about her boyfriend, not realizing that what she said wasn't true.

"Wh-what? Oh, yeah! Ahahaha…" Matsuda said confused at first, before deciding to play along. "That succubus didn't know what she was dealing with! She should have stayed at home. Ahahahaha…"

This caused Motohama and Issei to glare at Matsuda rather angrily.

"Hey, why are you hogging all the glory for yourself?" Motohama asked with an edge in his voice.

"Yeah, I was the one who did the most fighting, while you were either hiding or unconscious!" Issei reminded Matsuda.

"Shut up! If it wasn't for me, you'd be dead! I was the one who stabbed the succubus after all!" Matsuda countered.

"So that gives you the right to hog all the glory for yourself, eh?" Motohama replied back angrily.

"Of course!" Matsuda insisted.

And thus, the three of them quarreled, leading Ddraig to groan.

[*Sigh* Why do I have to be stuck to these bozos?] Ddraig complained quietly to himself.

"Teehee… those three sure are lively…" Monika giggled at their antiques.

"Yeah…" Yuri smiled with a soft smile. "…Even though Motohama may be a pervert… I truly… love him nonetheless… "

"Yeah…" Natsuki joined in. "…I feel the same way about Matsuda. I don't think I'll ever find a boy who likes my flexibility this easily…"

"What?" Yuri looked at Natsuki in confusion. Natsuki looked away in embarrassment at revealing this particular aspect of their relationship.

"I'll explain some other time…" Natsuki replied flustered.

"And as for me…" Sayori now spoke up. She looked from the ramp of the ship and looked at Issei, who was having the upper hand of the impromptu wrestling match between his buddies. "…as do I about Ise…"

The more Sayori stared, the more she felt the urge to fight against her tears. "He is… kind… strong… brave… loyal… and he never gives up, as he's proven against the succubus… But most importantly… he's my boyfriend… the one I love the most… No one… no one can ever replace him…in my heart…"

At this point tears were welling up in her eyes. She tried her best to hold them back, but couldn't. Monika immediately gives her a tissue, which Sayori takes to rub her eyes.

"Monika? Can't we just… take them along with us? Do we have to leave them here?" Sayori asked, as she turned to Monika with a tear-stained face.

Monika nodded with a serious look on her face.

"Unfortunately, yes. We have to leave them here. It's where they belong," Monika told Sayori.

"But why?" Sayori protested. "It's not like they can just go home! I mean, they are officially criminals serving out their sentences. It's not like they can live on the streets!"

Yuri and Natsuki looked at Sayori in worry, then at their boyfriends, who were trying to pin each other down, before turning to Monika, as they awaited her answer.

Monika sighed at first, but then decided to tell the girls why it had to be this way.

"I've told you before," Monika started her reply, as she laid a hand on Sayori's shoulder. "Even though what you say about them is true, it's not our responsibility to take care of them. Not anymore. They…" Monika looked at the boys, who were rolling around the floor like children, learning how to wrestle.

"… They will be fine. I know they will be. The author made sure that they would be. He has plans for them, plans that will move them to greater heights… with adventures, battles, experiences, challenges, ups and downs heading their way. After all, we are in High School DxD fanfiction, so what did you expect?" Monika asked the girls, who only nodded in agreement without saying anything.

"However," Monika continued with a somber look. "…we won't be a part of their lives. Unlike them… we don't belong here. In fact, we shouldn't even be here in the first place. We weren't even meant to exist anymore after… what I did to you girls… and myself… Our existence has always been one of despair and superficiality. Yet, now… we are finally able to move on. Move on… to a better life with adventures, ups and downs… just like those three…" Monika gestured to Issei, Matsuda and Motohama, who were fighting sluggishly because of their fatigue, yet still pressed on with their fight.

"…and the only way we can move on… is by using this ship to find a new world… one that will accept our existence… one in which we won't disappear… But in order to do so… you have to let go of them…"

This caused Sayori, Yuri and Natsuki to look at the perverted trio in sadness from the distance. They didn't want to do this, but they couldn't deny what Monika had just said. Yes… it had to be done for either way, they would disappear from their lives and if they could choose an option where their own lives will be preserved, then why forego the opportunity?

And yet despite the clear logic of that argument…

Why did it feel so hard?

Sayori looked at Issei one last time. It was only for a few seconds, but to her, it felt like an eternity. Sayori remembered all the wonderful memories they shared together. Their first meeting, their first session, their first embrace, their first kiss and so many more things in their brief time together.

She felt tempted to run back to Issei and give him one heartfelt embrace, one more kiss… wanted to tell him how much she loved him and wanted to hear Issei say the same. Yet…

…if she did that, she might never muster the will to leave. Departing would become… so much more painful…

It was then, that Sayori made her first move. She turned around and went up the ramp and into the boat without saying a word. Yuri and Natsuki looked at Sayori in surprise, but quickly realized that she did what needed to be done. They, too, looked at their respective boyfriends with saddened looks one last time… before turning around and following Sayori.

The only one who had yet to go up into the boat was Monika. Unlike the other girls, she just gave a tender smile towards the three boys who were were lying exhausted on the white, featureless floor.

"Thank you, boys. Thank you… for everything…" Monika whispered to the boys, before she turned around and went up into the boat.

Right after she entered the boat, the ramp moved up and closed the entrance to the boat. This caused such a noise that the perverted trio perked up from surprise, despite their exhaustion.

"What was that?" Matsuda asked, as he lifted his head from the floor.

"I don't know. How should I know that?" Motohama retorted back, as he looked around.

Widening his eyes and getting up, Issei turned towards the boat and spoke up. "Wait a minute… could it be?"

"What? You know what that sound was?" Motohama asked Issei.

Issei didn't bother to give Motohama any attention. He simply pointed his finger towards the boat.

"The boat! They're leaving!" Issei exclaimed, as he ran towards the boat.

Upon hearing Issei's exclamation, Matsuda and Motohama made haste to get up and follow him.

It was then that the boat lifted into the air, causing a draft on the ground.

The trio of perverts shielded themselves with their arms, while trying their best not to be blown away, as the boat went up into the air.

Issei gritted his teeth, as he looked up to the boat, despite the draft.

When the draft subsided, Issei could make out the form of Sayori and the others, who were waving at them from above.

"SAYORI! WAIT!" Issei called out. The boat had stopped moving upward and was holding still – for now.

By now, Matsuda and Motohama had also recovered from the draft and were also calling out to their girlfriends.

"NATSUKI!"

"YURI! WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?"

But the girls did not reply. What they did do was toss some glittering items down towards them.

The boys immediately held out their arms and caught one of the items each in their hands.

The three of them looked at the items in confusion. What were those things? They didn't seem normal.

Matsuda seemed to have something like… a toy helicopter in his hands. It had a rotor on its head and on its tail just like any ordinary helicopter and it was covered in black. The length of it was approximately 25 cm, its rotor diameter about 30 cm and its height about 10 cm. What was different, however, was its lack of seats. Instead, there were only some flat cushions on the floor of the helicopter. Moreover, there was some kind of machinery on the floor. Matsuda didn't know what it was, but whatever it was, it was square and jutted out at the bottom of the helicopter.

Motohama received… a pair of black glittery gloves. They looked like something a diva might wear at an evening gala or something, except… that they had the shape of working gloves. Moreover, something felt off about it. Motohama didn't know what it was, but he knew something was off. It felt like some kind of dark aura was enveloping it, but he'd have to look into it later.

Last of all, Issei had… a pair of glasses in his hands. Why? He wasn't short-sighted. Issei inspected it. It had a black frame and everything (not too shabby), but nothing out of the ordinary… wait a minute… Were those buttons at the temple at each of the sides?

While they were wondering about the gifts they had received, they jolted up upon remembering that the girls were departing and sure enough. The boat was moving!

"SAYORI!"

"NATSUKI!"

"YURI!"

The trio cried out, as they gave chase in the endless white void, determined to chase them to the ends of the earth. But to their despair, the boat moved faster and faster. Issei looked up to Sally, pleading her to halt the boat. But all Issei and his friends could see… were how Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri just stood there waving goodbye with tears from their eyes.

Each of the girls gave them some air kisses, before calling out to them one last time with tears in their eyes.

"Goodbye, Motohama! I love you!"

"I love you so much, Matsuda! I'll miss you!"

"Goodbye, Issei! I'll never forget you!"

Then suddenly, a portal appeared in front of the boat and the boat was moving towards it. Seeing this, Issei and his buddies called out even more earnestly.

"SAYORI, WAIT! TAKE ME WITH YOU!"

"TAKE US ALL WITH YOU!"

"PLEASE!"

But Sayori shook her head. She knew that was impossible.

This was goodbye… forever…

Sayori shed one final tear, as she saw the love of her life… one last time.

Then the boat flew in and the portal started to close.

"SAYORI!"

Right before the portal closed completely, something shining came down floating towards them, but the boys paid no heed. Issei only shed tears, as he saw the portal close – with the girls gone – never to be seen again.

"I couldn't even say goodbye to you right…" Issei whispered sadly. That was when Matsuda spoke up.

"Guys. What's that?" Matsuda pointed in the air.

"Huh?" Issei wiped the tears from his face and then laid his eyes upon the shining object falling gently towards them.

As it came closer, everyone present realized that this wasn't an item like the others, but something more abstract. It was literally an orb of light. Unlike those of the succubus, this one wasn't dark or harmful… but soft, gentle and bright.

As soon as it came close enough, it stopped falling and hovered right above them within arm's reach, as if beckoning to touch it

Issei, Matsuda and Motohama looked at each other, as if consulting on what to do. They didn't look so sure, as to whether they should touch it or not. Seeing their indecisiveness, Ddraig spoke up.

[Everyone. There's no need to worry. It's completely harmless. Touch it and see what happens. I have the feeling it may be the girls' final message to you] Ddraig encouraged them.

Looking at the Boosted Gear in surprise for a second, all three of them turned their eyes towards the small glowing orb once again. They held their items in one of their hands, while reaching out with the others.

Issei reached out first… then Matsuda… and finally Motohama… and touched it simultaneously.

Upon contact, they were illuminated by a dazzling light that raptured them away from the white empty dimension.


Inside another white dimension – time: indefinite

Issei opened his eyes, as the light subsided. He looked around and saw his buddies next to him, but… wait a minute… was it just him or were they floating? Matsuda and Motohama also noticed this and were astonished.

"Whoa! We're floating!" Matsuda exclaimed.

"Yeah… but how?" Motohama asked, trying to move his body in the air.

Before anyone could say or do anymore, they fell to the floor with a thud. All three of them rubbed their backs and stood up. All the sudden, something drew their attention to something appearing a few feet in front of them. To their surprise…

…it was their girlfriends… and Monika standing in front of them.

Surprise turned to joy, upon seeing them until Monika spoke up.

"Hi, boys. If you're seeing this, we will have already left to travel through the worlds. What you see in front of you is a recording, so… we apologize that we couldn't say goodbye to you properly…" Monika said apologetically.

The trio's heart sank, as the reality of their girlfriends' departure hit them once again. They were gone for good… It really was true…

"However, you must understand that we must do this, if we didn't we would fade out of existence. Perhaps the girls already told you… about how the succubus keeps us alive in your world. Unfortunately, now that she is gone our existence can no longer be guaranteed. That is why… we have to leave," Monika explained.

Issei felt a pang of guilt now. Perhaps killing the succubus was a mistake. If only he knew about this detail about the girls, they wouldn't have to leave in the first place.

"But hear me out," Monika continued, interrupting Issei's thoughts of guilt. "It's not your fault. You couldn't possibly know what would happen to us, if you killed that succubus. We don't blame you. In fact, we're glad you took her out."

"Huh?" Motohama gave out confused.

"We might wonder why we are so happy you took her out. Well…" Monika was starting to act queasy, something that did not go unnoticed. "After the succubus took us in, she had us… seduce people… particularly men… one after the other we had to use our traits, mentality, personal charm and looks attract men of all kind…"

"You mean…" Issei began upon realizing what she was trying to say. His two friends and Ddraig also gasped in shock at what she was implying.

"Yes," Monika said. "She made us do… that… and after the men were aroused, she… would absorb their life force and kill them. We've been doing this for a six months now until the succubus had a change of plan."

Matsuda was utterly horrified upon hearing Monika's explanation. He remembered back when he had sex with Natsuki two times and realized that she had been doing this as her daily bread and butter. What's more, it also made him realize just how close the succubus came to killing him. He could just imagine the succubus hiding in the room somewhere, just waiting to finish him off.

"About a month ago the succubus decided to create a juvenile prison facility. Creating the prison wasn't hard, the power that the succubus had thanks to the powerful dragon from the void made things easy. Perhaps, the girls told you about it. But don't ask us for details about the dragon. We've never seen it. Only the succubus has met it," Monika explained further, thus shutting down any potential questions for now.

"Anyway, after the newly christened Sakabasu Detention Facility was completed, she… we… began to lure a number of men to their deaths, all for the succubus' pleasure. It was dirty, disgusting work, but we had no choice. We had to do it or face our demise. Though there were plenty of times where we thought it would be better to just end ourselves than continue," Monika said somberly, the other girls shifting uncomfortably in the back.

The boys didn't say a word. They looked at their respective girlfriends with sadness in their eyes. This was… just horrible. How on earth could anyone live like that? This was… inhumane! Why didn't they tell them sooner? They could have done something – ok, granted they did, but still!

"It was then that you boys came along, especially Issei… and the Boosted Gear. We could all sense your aura, Issei, and that was when I realized that the opportunity had come. And you know why? Because you were the only person capable of defeating the succubus. That was when I gathered the other girls here…" Monika motioned to Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri, who nodded. "…and told them of my plan. We knew that the succubus was making her moves to kill you, so we decided to drop hints of what was going on. We couldn't tell you outright, as it was too dangerous, though in the end it didn't matter, as we were being kept on a tight leash. That's why Natsuki and Sayori dropped their subtlety and blurted out what was going on… at least as much as they could. Thankfully, what we told you was more than enough to get the message through, which made the succubus desperate. To be honest, she was already quite desperate after you guys rebuffed her assaults, but now she was at wits end."

The three boys nodded. Well… they sort of knew all this, but… why did Yuri tell them to look in the cellar? Why not tell them to get the heck out of the facility?

"Now you might be wondering why we sent you to the cellar with the dead bodies. Well, I realized that relying on the host of Red Dragon Emperor alone wasn't going to be enough. No offense to you, Issei, but you still have much to learn," Monika apologized to Issei.

[Indeed, you do, Partner. Indeed, you do…] Ddraig replied with a smug tone.

"Hmpf!" Issei grunted annoyed, but decided to let it be and let Monika continue.

"Which is why…" Monika continued. "…I had to drag a certain person who I won't name into the mix. He was the only who could truly fix our problems and deal with the succubus, so bringing him in was a must. My only problem was on how to achieve it. Thankfully, I had a plan in advance. I managed to convince the succubus into booby-trapping the room full of corpses, which would create a glitch in the dimension and drag into this world the person in question. I pretended to be loyal to the succubus and made it look like the work of only the other girls. Manipulating the succubus into doing this was easy because I was the only one she could trust. The others obviously had a relationship with you guys, so they weren't as trustworthy. The plan went off quite well, despite the fact that the succubus tried to launch direct attacks on you. I did not plan that, by the way. That was something the succubus did by herself. She always was too arrogant for her own good. Watching you guys fight her was a good side-show, by the way... Teehee…" Monika giggled and leaned to the side.

There was an awkwardly short pause, before Monika stood straight and cleared her throat.

"What she didn't know was that I told the girls of my plan using your written assignments as a means to do it – we used pens with invisible ink and UV-light to write on the margins, by the way..."

"Invisible ink… now that's a classic," Matsuda commented impressed.

"After teleporting you to the fake reality of the illusion, all that we had to do was remind you of your previous memories and lead you to the mysterious person. The rest was then up to him and you guys to defeat the succubus – and it paid off. A risky plan, but it worked in the end. I have to say, you really come in handy for anyone who would want to hire you to get things done – like a mercenary. The other guys, too, of course… Teehee…" Monika giggled again.

The perverted quartet grumbled upon hearing Monika's explanation.

"So… that's what she thinks of us, huh?" Matsuda grumbled.

"Just some… tool she can use for her own ends, huh?" Motohama murmured with a twitching eye.

"We should have just broken out of prison…" Issei remarked dryly.

[I told you, guys. We should have done that] Ddraig reprimanded them, leading the three boys to turn their faces towards the Boosted Gear angrily.

"""NO, YOU DIDN'T!""" they shouted indignantly at Ddraig.

"Now that we've explained all that has happened, I think it's time for Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri here to say their goodbyes to you," Monika announced, which got the everyone's attention. "Yuri? Do you want to start?"

The hologram of Yuri nodded and stepped forward. Motohama did the same and both stood in front of the other face to face. Yuri cleared her throat.

"Motohama… I… I'm sorry I've been so secretive to you all this time… I just wanted to say… that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, but… well… you heard the explanation… we had no choice… but… that's no excuse I guess…" Yuri said, guilt clearly heard in her voice.

Motohama didn't say a word. He almost wanted to, but he remembered that this was a recording and thus talking would be useless.

"Listen to me…" Yuri continued with a pleading voice. "I don't know whether you'll hate me for it or forgive me, but I have to say… that… I love you… And no matter what, my feelings for you will never change… I love being your teacher and your girlfriend. I really do, but… it seems like our time together has ended. We can't be together anymore. I know this is hard, but please listen to me. Please listen to what I have to say..."

Motohama listened attentively, lapping every word she spoke for he knew it would be the last time, he'd hear her voice.

"…Remember what I told you on our first session? How I told you to expand your horizon on your future career?" Yuri asked Motohama, her voice quivering with emotion. "I want you to do exactly that towards your life in general. Look to the future. You're still young. But to do that… you have to let go of me… Don't cling to me… because I won't be with you much longer… Go forward. I know it hurts… but you must do it. Only then, can you find the happiness you're looking for."

At this point, both Yuri and Motohama were shedding tears. It was a harsh, bittersweet goodbye, but a necessary one.

"Go, Motohama… my love… *sob* I want you to be happy… and please… *sob* never forget me…" Yuri struggled to speak because of the sobs that came from her. She buried her face in her hands and then… ran away. Her hologram disappearing, as she ran past the bounds of the hologram.

"YURI!" Motohama called, as he tried to stop her. He fell on his knees upon realizing that it was pointless, sobbing furiously after her departure.

Matsuda and Issei watched in silence… and pity. They only dreaded what their girlfriends had to say and how they would feel after that.

"*Sigh* I guess she couldn't take it anymore… Natsuki, you're next," Monika told Natsuki, who nodded and came forward.

Matsuda stepped up, while Issei supported Motohama and stepped back so that they wouldn't be in Matsuda's way.

Natsuki cleared her throat. "I… Hey, Matsuda… It feels kind of weird talking to you, even though I'm not seeing you and yet… you can still hear me…"

Matsuda just nodded, even though she wasn't actually there.

"Well, anyway…" Natsuki continued, while shifting her weight on one foot. "I just wanted to say… that just like Yuri… I love you, too…"

She quickly became flustered upon realizing that she made a mistake. "N-now, don't get me wrong!" Natsuki tried to explain frantically. "What I meant to say was that as Yuri likes Motohama… is… well… the same way I love you! Not Yuri likes you… that's absolutely not true!"

Matsuda had to chuckle at that. Natsuki was a true tsundere, a true loli-type character, like no one else.

Then he noticed that her expression went back to being serious, which ended his own laughter.

"Now where was I…? Um… oh, yeah! I was going to say… that I'll really miss our time together and… I hope you'll never forget me. I… I don't know what to say… I'm not as good in expressing myself like Yuri. Though… wait… I think I've got something…"

Matsuda raised his eyebrow at that. What did she have to say?

"I… I've never been too confident in myself… whether it be in my looks or social skills… but you, Matsuda… you changed that…" Natsuki remarked. "Because of you, I was able to be confidence in myself. I realized, I didn't need to be tall and perfect, like Monika or have a big bust like Yuri. I've got my own strong points and have things about me even guys would gaga over – other than the fact that I'm a girl. For instance, you said you like my skirt…" she tugged her blue skirt at both ends with a playful smile. "…and my leggings…" she lifted her skirt up to reveal her black pantyhose, which caused Matsuda and Issei to blush furiously (Motohama wasn't listening, since he was still crying).

"Umm… Natsuki, you know that Ise and Motohama are probably going to watch this as well, right?" Sayori interrupted with a sour look on her face.

Natsuki looked at her confused, before yelping and covering her pantyhose with her skirt. "Don't you perverts dare look! This is only meant for Matsuda!" she shouted embarrassed.

'But you were the one who flashed us first…' Issei responded mentally with a sweat drop.

"Well… anyway," Natsuki continued after calming down. "Those things… and my flexibility… I didn't realize that people could become horny just because of these things – especially the last one! But… I guess you taught me better. I learned from you that instead of being jealous over others for what I don't have… I should appreciate what I've got."

Matsuda didn't say anything, as he continued to listen to her.

"So… here's what I want to say…" Natsuki continued, as she showed him a tender smile. "Thank you very much… you… you're a wonderful man… you've been so kind to me… even though… I haven't been the same way towards you… I…" Natsuki said, her smile cracking, as she began to cry.

"I'm sorry I lied to you… how I hid the fact that our first time… *sob* wasn't the first time… and yet… it felt so good… *sob* I loved *sniff* having sex with you… it was the best… better than anything I've felt in my life… *Sob* so please forgive me… Matsuda…" At that point, Natsuki began to wail openly. Matsuda himself couldn't help but feel sorrowful.

"I… forgive you… Natsuki…" Matsuda whispered out with tears in his eyes, even though she couldn't hear him.

""Are you all right?"" the recorded images of Sayori and Monika asked simultaneously, as they comforted Natsuki.

"We can end this if you want…" Monika suggested. But Natsuki shook her head.

"No… I still have one last thing to say… just one last thing…" Natsuki told them, before calming down and wiping away her tears. Sayori and Monika backed away so that their friend could finish her last words to Matsuda.

Matsuda looked at his girlfriend with a red tear-stained face, waiting expectantly at what she had to say.

"…I'm sorry for this… I really didn't want things to end this way… but I have to… I'll never forget you… and I hope you don't forget me… But for now, we're through. Not because I don't want you… but because we won't be able to see each other again… So, Matsuda… I hope that the next girl you'll meet… will love you for you are… just like me…" Natsuki finished, as she fought against her tears, only to run away, like Yuri before him.

At that, Matsuda just fell to his knees and started to weep. Issei knelt down next to him and patted Matsuda's shoulder in comfort. Inwardly, Issei himself was unsettled for he knew that it was his turn.

"She really took it hard…" Monika's recorded self said to Sayori. Sayori just nodded.

Issei got up, readying himself for the big goodbye with Sayori. The one true love of his life…

Sayori went forward and so did Issei, standing in front of each other for the last time (if only through a hologram recording).

"Ise…" Sayori spoke to him, while addressing him by his endearing nickname. "You probably listened to everything Yuri and Natsuki have just said… so to say that I love you and that I want the best for you… and your future… is unnecessary. You already knew that. No… we both know that. But… what I wanted to say… is something else…"

Issei raised his eyebrows. Something else? What could it be?

"…Remember how you told me about wanting to become a detective?" Sayori asked.

Issei looked at her confused. His wish of becoming a detective?

Issei scratched his head. Yeah, he remembered it. It's just he didn't have the time to think about that. I mean, who could blame him? Dealing with a seemingly omnipresent succubus out to get sure took a lot of his thoughts away from that issue. But what about that wish?

"All I wanted to tell you is… to pursue your dream. Pursue your passions. I think it's worth your pursuit," Sayori told him.

Huh? That's it? Matsuda and Motohama got all these heart-filled goodbyes and all he got was a call to pursue his passions and dreams? Before he could question further, Sayori's recording continued.

"You might be asking yourself why I just told you all that… I mean… shouldn't I be talking about more important things? Hear me out before you dismiss what I'm going to say… the reason why I just told you that is… because… well… truth be told… I've been watching you this entire time… while you were dealing with the succubus…"

'Watching me?' Issei asked in his mind.

"What I mean by that," Sayori answered, as if anticipating Issei's questions. "Is that even though Yuri, Natsuki and I were trapped in that empty void, we were able to watch your every action. What you did, planned, talked about… everything..."

Suddenly, Sayori bowed apologetically.

"I'm sorry! I know it was an invasion of privacy, but I couldn't help it. Please forgive me!" Sayori apologized with her head bowed.

Issei wanted to calm her down, but quickly remembered that this was a recording and did nothing.

After Sayori raised her head, she continued. "Anyway… I overheard your conversations with Ddraig… Matsuda and Motohama and how you tried to figure out what was going on. I have to say… I was impressed. You did great in finding out what to do and how to go on from where you were – even keeping the others focused. Granted, you did get a lot of help from your allies – especially Ddraig – but you still proved yourself quite adept at dealing with a crisis situation. Most others would have lost their heads if they were in your shoes. Ehehe…" Sayori giggled.

Sayori then stopped giggling. She cleared her throat, before continuing. "This is a good start in becoming a detective. The experience you went through on the field shows that you have the necessary skills. I'd dare say that if you do have a change in career choice towards that of a police officer or an army officer, I'd say go for it. You might need to buckle up for whatever training lies ahead, but knowing you, I think you'll make it."

'What? She thinks that I've got the skill to become a police officer?' Issei thought surprised, considering that previously she had advised him not to do so. Issei must have truly proven capable, if Sayori changed her mind like that.

"However," Sayori then became serious. "I think you know as well as I do that you're destined to more, right? You are the holder of the Boosted Gear and Ddraig, one of the two Heavenly Dragon Emperors. And because of that… you'll be dealing with all sorts if enemies, trying to get you."

Issei gulped. Yes, he had been told of all that by Ddraig. So, why did she have to remind him of all that? Issei decided to listen on.

"You'll have to fight. You'll have to bleed. You'll have to endure. You may even feel the need to give up and turn back. But when you pull through, after all that pain and hardship… you can look back and see how you've grown through these trials… and when you look forward… you can see the future and the fruits of your labor lying ahead of you…" Sayori said, her face taking on a gentle smile. "So, again… what I want to say is this: Pursue your dreams and passions. You've got the ability to do it. But… when you do that, be sure to be open for more goals in life. There are plenty of things life has to offer. With the Boosted Gear and the challenges that you will face, you will not only find enemies and challenges on the way, but opportunities as well… You'll find doors to ways you never thought were open to you. You will meet people who you'd never thought you'd ever meet. Perhaps, you might even find… someone… who will… be as dear to you… as I am…" At this, Sayori's voice quivered, while trying to maintain her happy smile.

Issei tried to take in what Sayori just said. He took her advice of enduring hardships and being more open to setting goals in life quite easily. But finding someone else who could replace her? Sayori? The love of his life? That bubbly sweet young woman who he had practically shared his entire soul with him? How could he… just let go of her?

"I… just wish… I could be there… to accompany you on your journey… but… that was never meant to be…" Sayori started to speak sorrowfully. "I... my destiny is a different one… I must travel through worlds upon worlds to find… the place where I belong… *sniff* Please forgive me, Ise. *sob* But I can't stay with you…"

Sayori held out her hand, as if to cup his cheek. Issei silently approached her and let Sayori's hologram touch his cheek.

"I just wish… I could hold you one last time…" Sayori said, as tears ran down her face.

Issei also had tears on his face, as their emotions were laid bare before each other. The two lovers stared in each other's eyes… and then both of them instinctively leaned towards each other and kissed. Neither could feel the other, and yet… they both felt each other at the same time.

Sayori then backed away, before whispering "I love you, Ise. Please forgive me…" before running away, like Yuri and Natsuki before her.

Unlike his other two friends, who were on the ground and weeping silently, Issei just stood there frozen, yet still in tears.

Was this it? Was this how their relationship would end? Was their relationship doomed to failure from the start from the beginning? Was it even meant to be?

So many questions floated in Issei's mind, before Monika cleared her throat.

"Look…" she spoke with empathy. "I know that you must be going through a hard time after what the girls just told you, but… I need your attention. All of you… so please… listen to me. It's important."

Issei nodded silently. He went over to the others and told them to get up and listen what Monika had to say. Matsuda and Motohama nodded and got up, while trying to wipe the tears from their reddened faces.

After a few seconds, Monika spoke up. "You probably may have wondered about the gifts you received, right? Take a look at them."

The three friends looked at their gifts half-heartedly from grief, until they realized that they weren't there.

"Ahahaha… my bad," Monika laughed embarrassed. "I forget that they disappear in this dimension. Here."

Monika snapped her fingers and immediately a metal wrist watch formed on Matsuda's, Issei's and Motohama's wrists each. They all looked in confusion. Where did their gifts go? And why did they have wristwatches all the sudden?

"These are some gifts that Yuri, Natsuki and Sayori wanted you to have, before they left. Unfortunately, none of them are able to explain any of this to you in person because… well… you know… and so I will do the honors. First, of Motohama…" Monika addressed Motohama.

Motohama, having stopped wiping his tears away, turned his attention to Monika.

"Press the two buttons on the side of your wrist watch," Monika instructed him.

Motohama did so and with a flash, the black glittery gloves were on his hands. As Motohama looked at them with interest, Monika spoke up.

"Yuri wanted you to have these. As you can see, these are no ordinary gloves. Try pressing your thumb against your index finger," Monika told Motohama.

Motohama did as she asked and then he saw a small spark and then something like a black cube forming slowly in the palm of his hand.

Motohama was so surprised, he separated his thumb from his index finger. Issei and Matsuda looked in awe and wondered what the cube even was.

"The black gloves and the cube you see on your hands are made of dark energy. It's the same dark energy that the succubus used to trap you into the dark dimension. And because of its ability to trap people… Motohama, try throwing the cube on the floor," Monika told Motohama.

Motohama threw the cube and with a big splotch, covered the white floor with dark ink-like substance. Everybody frowned at that. Same substance as the succubus' dark energy? But that didn't work like glue, right?

"Now, you must be confused, as to why this dark energy acts like glue and not gas form-like like you know earlier. Well, it's because the glue-like substance is it at its most basic form. You can only achieve its gas form by intensive heat. But how to achieve that is another story for another time. For now, you'll have to deal with the black goo. It's really useful for trapping enemies, so don't underestimate it," Monika explained. "To dismiss the gloves, just take them off and they'll return to being a wrist watch."

"Hmmm… pretty cool…" Motohama commented with an approving nod, as he pulled off the gloves. Immediately, they turned back into the wrist watch in a flash.

"These gloves," Monika noted. "Are also useful when handling toxic opponents and elements. With them, you can touch them unharmed. So, please put them to good use… for Yuri's sake."

"Noted," Motohama stated to himself, as he smiled at Yuri's final gift of love.

"Now to you, Matsuda. Tap the two buttons on your watch," Monika told Matsuda.

Matsuda pressed the buttons in question and with a poof the small helicopter from before appeared. Despite being taken by surprise, Matsuda managed to catch it in his arms.

"What you see here is a remote-controlled helicopter, but not just any remote-controlled helicopter. Look at the bottom of the helicopter and take out the controller," Monika pointed out.

Matsuda checked the bottom of the helicopter and indeed there was something like a controller. He took it out from beneath and observed it. The controller had the shape of a game controller and was about 10 cm wide and 5 cm long. It had two analog sticks, one on the left and the right. Moreover, it had four buttons – two on the left and two on the right. It also had a magnet at the back that allowed the controller to be attached to the helicopter.

"This helicopter is Natsuki's gift to you, Matsuda," Monika explained. "In addition to manga, she also loves remote-controlled aircraft. I guess she wanted to you to know the joys of flying as her last gift."

Matsuda examined the miniature helicopter intensely. Natsuki wanted him to have this? Matsuda had to admit, it sure looked great. Whether it was she or someone else, the design looked great.

"The stick on the right move the helicopter forward, backward, left and right, while the left stick moves the helicopter up, down and spin the nose of the helicopter left and right. Of course, you'll have to figure out the hang of it yourself. But for now, these are the basics of remote-controlled helicopter flight. Also, you'll notice that there are two buttons on the left and right side each. This is where this model differs greatly from other helicopters. The button furthest to the left allows you to shoot bullets of dark energy. The device you see under the helicopter produces these bullets, so don't worry about losing ammo. Be mindful about who you're shooting at. These bullets can kill you if you're not careful," Monika warned Matsuda.

Matsuda took this advice to heart. That was also when he noticed the turrets at the front of helicopter that probably were internally linked to the square machinery at the bottom of the helicopter. He whistled impressed.

"Man! This thing is lethal…" Matsuda remarked, as he gazed at the turrets.

"The button on the center-left," Monika continued. "Allows you to drop glue-like dark matter on your opponents from the bottom of the helicopter. It's no different from Motohama's gloves, except that it takes longer to produce those black cubes. However, the helicopter can produce them in larger sizes and drop them from above. Pretty cool, right? The button on the center right… well… it is best if you see for yourself what it does. Put it on the ground and then press it. Make sure to hold it down," Monika told Matsuda.

Matsuda did these things and to everyone's shock, the helicopter magically grew. In fact, it was about as tall as he was!

"Teehee… that's the best part of it," Monika put a hand in front of her mouth, while she giggled. "It can grow up to 3,75 meters in length, 4,5 meters in rotor diameter and 1,5 meters high. Because of its size, it can even carry all of three of you boys together. When you put the controller on the cockpit, you can fly the helicopter using the steering wheel. Just be careful when you're flying though. Oh, and before I forget, the button on the far right, shrinks the helicopter down to about 5 cm in length. It's good for stealth by the way, as it's also equipped with a camera. You can view the camera by using the wrist-watch, only… please don't use it for peeking on girls," Monika said with a slightly serious tone.

Matsuda just stood there slack-jawed in awe at what he heard. "Man… this is the best gift ever… Never need any more toys for Christmas ever again… Thanks, Natsuki… You're my angel…" Matsuda thanked Natsuki gratefully.

"Two more things: If it ever gets broken or destroyed, you can dismiss it with your watch and then summon it again. When you do, it will be as good as new. It will take some time before it's fully repaired. But once the green light on your watch flashes, it will tell you when it's operational. That goes for Motohama's and Issei's gift as well. And… because of its automatic repair system, you won't have to worry about fuel either. Just… don't use it for more than six hours though," Monika finished her explanation to Matsuda.

Issei whistled impressed, while Motohama looked at him with jealousy. Why did Matsuda get such a cool gift?

Finally, she addressed Issei. "Now to you, Issei…" Monika said. "Activate your watch."

Issei did so, pressing the two buttons on the watch and the spectacles from before appeared on his nose.

"You wanted to become a detective and so… Sayori wanted to give you these glasses."

Issei listened attentively, since he himself had wanted to know what awesomeness, he had gotten.

"These glasses, allow you to scan the area and people, like a detective would. It goes for heat, voltage, toxicity, energy, water, even magical auras and signatures. While, certainly using a dragonized nose, or dragonized ears and eyes have their advantages, these glasses give you a technical edge you won't be able to have otherwise. It also can take pictures, make videos, save and analyze voices… there probably are many other things I forgot to mention, but you can find out all of that by yourself," Monika explained to Issei. "It's the ultimate detective tool, though be careful about revealing its existence to anybody. It will only cause you plenty of inconveniences if word gets out."

Issei immediately tried out the buttons, as he looked through all the different options. It's like a smartphone, except as glasses.

[Glasses are supposed to be better than a draconic body…? Ridiculous…] Ddraig seemed to grumble for a bit for some reason, but Issei paid him no heed, being too mesmerized by the cool glasses at hand. Not only that, but while Issei was checking out its features, he gently smiled as he remembered the person who gave him this gift.

"Sayori… even though… you can't be there for me anymore… At least, I've got something to remember you by…" Issei spoke to the now-gone Sayori fondly.

"Now that I've explained everything you need to know, I need you to listen up once more, please," Monika spoke up. "I know you're probably enjoying your new presents, but… I, too, have some words to say… it's important." This got everyone to stop focusing on their toys and turn their heads towards Monika's hologram.

To their surprise, Monika made a typical Japanese bow. "Thank you for helping us. I say this from the bottom of my heart."

Monika then stood up straight again. "You put your lives on the risk… for me and the others. We'll never forget it. I know that we haven't been honest to you. I… we… lied to you and put you in unnecessary danger. And yet… you still helped us. So, thank you… very much."

Issei, Matsuda and Motohama looked at each other. Neither of them knew what to say. However, Monika wasn't finished yet.

"Now that Yuri, Natsuki and Sayori have finished giving their farewell gifts, it's time I gave mine," Monika announced.

What!? Another gift!?

The perverted trio was caught off guard. Just how many presents were they getting?

"However, my gift isn't something you'll receive here," Monika told them. "In fact, you'll only get to it later once this recording is done."

"Huh?" Issei said confused.

"How is Monika supposed to give us something after the recording? No, scratch that. How are we going to get anything from her at all?" Matsuda asked, as he scratched his head.

"But before I come to that," Monika's hologram continued. "You need to know what's going to happen in a few minutes."

[In a few minutes?] Ddraig asked this time.

(Rumble…)

As if answering his question, there was a distant rumbling whose tremors could even be felt by the trio of friends.

"What was that?" Motohama asked concerned, as he maintained his balance.

"Could this be…" Matsuda started, equally concerned at what was happening.

"…an earthquake?" Issei finished.

"In a few minutes this dimension, along with Sakabasu Facility, is going to break apart. Both the prison and the facility are held together by her powers. With her gone, they're both collapsing. You need to get out till then."

The group of friends started to panic. They looked around fearfully and were trying to figure a way out.

"I know you're panicking, but please bear with me for these final words! You need to listen to this!" Monika said urgently.

Despite being worried about the impending doom to come, they mustered all their attention to Monika's hologram.

"I said earlier that I had one last gift for you. And this my gift: Go to the Nerima ward in City in metropolitan Tokyo. When you get there, go to the Neko Neko Café, which is not too far from Sophia University, and when you do, just opposite of it, you will find an apartment. That is where you'll be living from now on," Monika revealed to them.

"""An apartment!?""" Issei, Matsuda and Motohama exclaimed in surprise.

"You have to remember that officially you're still serving your two-year sentence. And while it is my duty as a warden to make sure you serve out your sentence, as a token for saving our lives… consider it off-the-books, Teehee…" Monika giggled.

"Dude, an apartment… in Tokyo…" Matsuda whispered dumbfounded.

"I… This is a dream, right?" Motohama whispered equally dumbfounded. "Please, tell me I'm dreaming…"

"To be honest, everything we've gone through thus far has been a dream… So, why not this?" Issei said with a whisper that betrayed an undertone of excitement.

"I arranged the purchase not too long. You see, I was betting that you'd defeat the succubus and I was right on the money – literally. I paid enough rent for you to stay there free of charge for the next five years. The landlord knows about this, so don't worry about explaining things. I did all the explaining for you. As for the rest of your expenses… Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri have given up all their savings for each one of you. You won't get them here, though. In fact, just like the apartment, you have to get there first and talk to the landlord, before you can get them – but don't spend them all on porn. Teehee…" Monika added and giggled, after her explanation.

"Oh… my… s***…" Issei said with his mouth agape. "The girls even gave us their life-savings…"

"But… wait! Won't they need their money?" Motohama queried. Wasn't it foolish to give up everything you own to someone else?

"You might be asking: 'What about you? Won't you be needing this money?'" Monika continued, as if expecting Motohama's concerns. "Don't worry about us. We don't need that money. It's worthless for us anyway, since the worlds we're traveling through will most likely use different currency."

(RUMBLE…)

Once again, the tremor struck again.

"Oh, nuts!" Issei cursed, while he maintained his balance amid the quake.

"It's getting worse!" Matsuda said, as he looked around in worry.

"Well, that's all I've got to say about our farewell gifts. I'm sorry to take up your time, when you could be getting out of here. By now, the tremors must have already gotten worse. However, I… we had to get everything we just said of our chest. There's nothing worse than not saying goodbye. So, anyway… you must be wondering how to get out of here. Here's what you need to do. Pay attention because I won't say this twice," Monika told them seriously.

At this, Ddraig, Matsuda, Motohama and Issei focused all their attention on her…

((RUMBLE…))

…even as the rumbling got more intense.

"Matsuda, in case you want to test your flying skills, now is the best time. Increase the size of your helicopter to its maximum size and get in. There should be place enough for the three of you, so you should have no problems getting inside. Next, you need to place the controller in the cockpit and then start flying, make sure you're seated tight first. Once, you've lifted off, you'll see a portal that will lead you back to the facility. The facility is crumbling, so you'll have to get out of there, too. Once you leave the building, it's not over yet. There's still the barrier that is spread over the facility. Normally, you wouldn't be able to break it. But now that the barrier is disintegrating, you can destroy it with a Dragon Shot. It's risky, but it's the only way. The barrier will implode and destroy everything inside it, if you don't do something about it," Monika advised them urgently.

((RUMBLE…))

"Whoa!" "Waaah!" "Oof!"

The trio fell over at the intensity of the tremor. Additionally, there were fissures forming on the floor. And just below them, Issei saw… Dark Energy!

"Now, hurry! Get in! And when you get out there and live your lives to the fullest... Please… don't forget us… That is all… good… luck…" Monika's voice faded, as the recording finally ended.

Seeing that the recording has ended, Issei stood up and put a hand in front of chest. "Don't worry… I won't forget… for all your sakes… especially Sayori's," he swore to Monika.

((RUMBLE!))

"Agh!" Issei fell down to the floor again and saw the pitch-black fissures on the white featureless floor widen and nearing him!

"Issei!" Matsuda cried, as he gave him a hand.

Issei looked at his buddy, as he took it. "This place is going down! We need to get out of here!"

"You think?" Matsuda responded rhetorically.

[Cease this! We don't have time for this!] Ddraig reprimanded them.

"Guys! Get in the chopper. Now!" Motohama waved his hands from inside the helicopter just a few meters away.

The two of them moved as one and ran towards the helicopter. Matsuda tried to get in through the opening at the side of the helicopter, but by the way Motohama was situated, he was practically blocking Matsuda's way. To make matters worse, the helicopter was rather small compared to a normal helicopter and thus less spacious, which is why one had to practically crawl into the helicopter. So, that made things difficult for them.

"Dude, move!" Matsuda compelled Motohama.

"Whoa! Hey! Watch it! I'm moving!" Motohama responded annoyed.

"Matsuda! Use the front door!" Issei shouted.

"The front door?" Matsuda asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah!" Issei replied, as he opened the door to the pilot's seat. "See?" Issei gestured, as if it was the simplest thing ever.

"Oh…" Matsuda just responded, as he hastily went in through the front and tried to get comfortable at the pilot's cockpit.

Issei went through the door on the other side and tried to settle in there.

At the same time, Matsuda put the controller into the cockpit.

((RUMBLE!))

Another quake hit them again, as the fissure moved closer and everyone was shaken up by the earthquake once again. Everybody clung to dear life as it hit. The helicopter almost toppled over, too, but managed to remain standing (not that it did anything to soothe anyone's nerves).

"Argh! Get moving! Get moving! Matsuda! Get moving!" Issei urged him.

"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Matsuda yelled back, as he silently tried to figure out which stick went up.

He instinctively pushed both the left and right sticks forward. Sure enough, the head rotor started to turn… and lift the helicopter into the air…

[[RUMBLE!]]

Not a moment after the helicopter got into the air, the floor under them broke apart and laid bare the endless, bottomless chasm beneath them.

Everyone looked wide-eyed, as they realized that if Matsuda hadn't gotten the helicopter of by just a second, they would all be falling to their dooms!

[Young Matsuda! Focus on your surroundings! We need your attention!] Ddraig called from the Boosted Gear.

Matsuda shook his head wildly, as he focused on flying. Everybody's lives depended on it.

Matsuda put both of his hands to work. The helicopter flew forward and upward, while the floor of dimension continually shook and tore. Matsuda moved the right control stick to the right and the helicopter immediately flew to the right. However, this caused a sideway tilt, almost causing Issei and Motohama to fall out of the chopper.

"Hey!" Issei cried out, as he clung to one of the railings.

"Dude! It's tilting! Set it up straight!" Motohama told Matsuda.

"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Matsuda insisted, as he moved the right stick to the left, in an attempt to balance out the plane. He did, much to everyone's relief.

"Seriously! Get a grip, man! You almost killed us!" Issei admonished Matsuda, as he calmed down.

"I'm sorry! It's just… I've never driven a car, let alone flown a helicopter!" Matsuda responded.

"*Sigh* I just wish Monika could have told us more about the controls to this thing…" Motohama said from the back with a sigh.

{This can be done} a monotonous robotic voice came out of nowhere spoke up and startled everybody.

"What the f*** was that!?" Matsuda cried out, while looking around for the source of the voice.

"I dunno? It sounded robotical…" Issei tried to answer unnerved.

{That's because I am the A. I. of this helicopter. Greetings, my name is Phoebe and I am your personal guide to assist you in the flight of Chopping Board Type 1} the A. I. now known as Phoebe answered.

"Chopping Board Type 1?" Matsuda asked confused.

{The name 'Chopping Board Type 1' comes from the fact this a chopper, hence 'Chopping' and 'Board' because you're on board. And this is the first of its kind. That is why it's called 'Chopping Board Type 1'} the A. I. called Phoebe explained.

"Did Monika come up with that name? Or did Natsuki?" Motohama wondered aloud.

Before anyone could answer…

[[RUMBLE!]]

The earthquake intensified.

"Not good!" Issei wailed.

"How do we get out of here?" Motohama cried out.

[People, calm down! Panicking will not help us. Besides, Monika told us to look for a portal somewhere that will lead us back to the facility. Keep an eye for that!] Ddraig told everybody with a commanding voice.

Everybody look around, while Matsuda tried to do his best to keep the chopper in the air.

"Up there!" Motohama pointed up and sure enough, there was a spiraling portal just about 100 meters up higher up and counting down. Issei and Matsuda looked up and took heart. Good, all they needed to do was get up there.

"Che!" Matsuda clicked his tongue annoyed. "Stupid machine!"

"What's wrong?" Motohama asked.

"For some reason, I can't get to turn this thing! I just keep facing in one direction, no matter what I do!" Matsuda complained.

{That's because you need to move the stick on the left to the left or the right. This will cause the nose of the helicopter to move in the desired direction and you can face your destination properly} Phoebe piped up to explain.

Matsuda blinked in surprise and moved the left stick to the left. And, indeed. The helicopter moved to the left.

"Whoa! It's working!" Matsuda exclaimed joyfully, before looking around at the helicopter. "Thanks, Phoebe! You know, you and I… we'll make a great team!"

{You're welcome} she answered. {Also, once you reach the desired altitude move the left stick back to the center. That way you will stay on level altitude. Do not worry about falling, as long as you're holding the right stick in any direction, the main rotor will continue spinning.}

"You've got it!" Matsuda said with determination, as he moved the helicopter up towards the portal.

The helicopter soared higher and higher until Matsuda reached the desired altitude and headed straight into the portal.

[[[BOOOM!]]] a frightfully loud sound came from the breaking dimension, causing the endlessly white floor to break completely. More and more, the black matter rose to the top, threatening to engulf everything in it.

Everybody had frightful looks on their faces, as Matsuda went full speed ahead.

"Hold on tight!" Matsuda cried, as he shut the door to his left. "We're going through!"

Issei followed suit, as he shut his door. Motohama, being at the back of the helicopter, had to close the two doors on both sides.

Everybody braced themselves… and then pushed forward, as the rumbling and black matter increased.

((WROOOM)) Immediately, the helicopter entered the portal and was sucked in.

"WAAAGHH!" "GUUUUYS!" "DDRAIG!" the trio shouted, as they were sucked in with tremendous speed and into the light.


15th September, Saturday, 5:33 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, hallway

Out of the portal came the helicopter, rushing full speed through the corridor and the blades of the rotor almost touching the walls by a meter on each side. As Monika had predicted, the entire facility was breaking down. Rubble was falling down from above, as the ceiling started to cave in all around them.

"WHOA! WATCH OUT!" Issei shouted, as he pointed at the falling rubble.

"I KNOW, MAN! I KNOW! QUIT BOTHERING ME!" Matsuda answered annoyed.

{Warning! Warning! Flying in narrow corridors! Beware when flying through narrow corridors!} Phoebe the A. I. spoke up.

"You don't have to tell me that!" Matsuda shouted in irritation (quite the opposite of the tone he had used on her just a few seconds ago). "Now, what do I do?"

[Young, Matsuda! Watch out!] Ddraig called out to him from the Boosted Gear.

"WHOA!" "NO!" "CRAP!" everybody cried out, as they saw a pile of huge debris up ahead blocking their way. If they were to go any further, they'd crash!

Issei was just about to tell him to stop, but then recognized the area where they were. He quickly checked to see what was up ahead to their right. Sure enough, what he saw was a lot of rubble and remains of fallen staircase structures.

'I knew it!' Issei thought triumphantly with a smirk. He now knew how they were to get out.

[Partner?] Ddraig asked Issei.

Issei didn't respond to Ddraig and instead pointed in the direction of the fallen staircase.

"That way!" Issei told Matsuda. "This is our way out!"

"What!?" Matsuda exclaimed incredulously, as the chopper was just seconds away from hitting the wall of debris. "Are you nuts? There's nothing there!"

"Quite the opposite! To the right is the place where the staircase normally is – and that's gone now! That means, we need to fly up. The ceiling must be gone by now! Now move!" Issei practically ordered Matsuda.

{Notice: When stopping to turn right immediately, pull right stick backward and turn left stick to the right to face right. Then, push right stick forward} Phoebe suggested.

Matsuda immediately followed and the helicopter halted just before the main rotor hit the debris wall. The helicopter spun and after a few seconds of adjusting, it flew to the right.

"NOW MOVE UP!" Issei barked.

Matsuda pushed the left stick up and they did.

Motohama looked up to see if what Issei said was true and…

"Whoa! Issei! You were right! The roof is gone!" We can make it!" Motohama celebrated and would have danced for joy, if the cramped space of the helicopter inside didn't hinder him from doing so.

"Alright!" Matsuda exclaimed with a smile. "Let's do this!"

The helicopter accelerated higher and higher into the air and through the former staircase of the three-story building. Then…

…they were into the sky!

"Yeah, we made it!" Issei exclaimed jubilantly.

"Cowabunga!" Motohama eclaimed and high-fived Issei.

Matsuda laughed and did the same to both Issei and Motohama, while holding still maintaining control.

But Ddraig was more cautious. [It's not over yet, boys] he said.

"What do you mean? We're out, aren't we? What's there to worry? Landing safely?" Issei asked rhetorically.

[Well… that, too… but… No, I am talking about the barrier around the facility] Ddraig pointed out.

Confused, they looked out the helicopter and sure enough… they saw a purplish shield shaped by magic, flashing and crackling in instability. What's more is that it was all around them with no opening anywhere.

"Oh, crud…" Matsuda cursed with a sour deflated face.

"It's just one thing after the next…" Motohama groaned with a face-palm.

"Yeah…" Issei sighed. "…our job never gets done."

[Partner? You remember what Monika told us to do, right?] Ddraig asked his partner.

"Yeah, yeah…" Issei said with reluctance. He knew what Monika told him and knew it was a life-or-death risk, but right now… he just wanted to get it over with.

[Boost!]

"…it's always this way…" Issei mumbled to Ddraig. He opened the door to his right and readied the Boosted Gear.

"Matsuda, make sure not to hit that shield, OK?" Issei told his pilot-friend.

"Roger that," Matsuda nodded, as he moved the left stick to the left, thus making the nose of the chopper turn left and make the chopper itself stop flying higher.

[Boost!]

"Come on…" Issei said impatiently, while hoping to get enough Boosts.

[Boost!]

"Come on, I've been fighting all night… I just want to rest…" Issei murmured.

[Boost!]

While he waited, Issei looked downward at the Sakabasu Detention Facility. He may not have been there for long. On top of that, it was a death-trap for them, but nevertheless, he realized he would miss it.

[Boost!]

Issei smiled fondly. Yes… of course he would miss it. It was like a second home to him. But more importantly, this was where he met Sayori. This was where he made sweet memories with her…

[Boost!]

Alas, all things had to come to an end… Sayori was gone now and so were the other girls. Pining away would do him no good – especially now. All he could do now, was look forward… into the future…

[Boost!]

Issei did his best to hold his strength. He was reaching his limit, but he knew he could do more… after all…

[Explosion!]

…his goal was to become stronger!

[DRAGON SHOT!]

The beam shot with overwhelming power – stronger than Issei had ever shot before. Matsuda did his best to keep the helicopter under control, as it was pushed back by the power of the beam.

{Warning! Warning! Maintenance of control inhibited! Warning! Warning! Maintenance of control inhibited!} Phoebe warned them.

While Matsuda and Motohama tried to get a grip, they couldn't help but watch in awe, as Issei's firepower hit the shield head-on.

Issei clenched his teeth. This shield was tough, but it was a dying shield nonetheless. Something like that would fall before the host of the Red Dragon Emperor!

"RAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Issei shouted, while he endured the backlash of the Dragon Shot. The shield was hit with his full power and was starting to make noises.

[CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACK!]

(((BOOOOOOOOOOOM!)))

The shield broke with a loud burst and a blinding beam covered the area.


15th September, Saturday, 5:36 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, just outside the shield some 300 meters away

(((BOOOOOOOOOOOM!)))

The sound caused by the destruction of the shield was so powerful that the peerages of Rias and Sona were taking cover.

"Wh-what was that?" Tomoe Meguri, a brunette with twin pigtails, asked startled. She had just taken her hands from her ears after the explosion ended.

"I don't know," a silver-haired girl by the name of Momo Hanakai replied. She turned her eyes to the now destroyed Sakabasu Detention Facility. "But whatever it is, it must be coming from the building over there. Isn't that right, Reya?"

"Yes, but that's not the only thing," said Reya Kusaka, another brunette with two braids, instead of pigtails. She came up to Tomoe and Momo and pointed at the direction of the facility. "The supernatural presence of that area is now completely gone, including the shield that is blocking the way."

"Kaichou, what do we do?" a blue-haired girl named Tsubasa Yura asked her king.

Sona pushed up her glasses and said: "We'll move closer. If you see anything suspicious inform me immediately."

All Sona's peerage members nodded. This was when Rias came up to Sona and called out to her.

"Sona? Everything all right?" Rias asked concerned.

"We're fine, Rias. How about you?" Sona asked in return.

"We're fine, too," Rias replied. "I've sent Akeno, Koneko and Yuuto up ahead. They're checking the area out as we speak."

Sona raised her eyebrows at that. "Are you really sure sending your peerage members ahead is the wisest decision? Rias, we don't know what's out there," Sona subtly, but sternly reprimanded her friend.

Rias gave a smile in response. "Don't worry. They'll be fine. They've gone through a lot worse. They can handle it. Besides, I don't anything of danger, so what could happen?" Rias calmly asked Sona.

Sona analyzed her friend's expression and sighed.

At times, Rias was rather carefree – a bit too much for her own good. When would she learn that planning required prudence? In a serious situation with professional enemies, she and her peerage would have been killed. But now wasn't the time to think or discuss these things, so she let it slide.

"I hope you're right," Sona responded, as she looked towards the facility and then at her peerage. "Let's go!" she told her peerage and spread out her demonic wings together with Rias, before flying towards the former facility.

"You heard her. Let's go," Sona's queen Tsubaki Shinra told the rest of the peerage, before flying off.

"Hai!" the other girls answered and followed suit on their wings.


15th September, Saturday, 5:46 am – leaving the outskirts of Kuoh

"Issei! Issei! Wake up, man!" Matsuda shook his unconscious friend.

"Wha… what happened…?" Issei said groggily, as he stirred.

"Oh, thank goodness," Matsuda said relieved. "You're ok."

"He's ok?" Motohama asked Matsuda, but then saw Issei's opened eyes and made a sigh in relief. "Oh, good. You're alive… I thought you kicked the bucket back there."

Ddraig snorted upon hearing that.

[Hmph! You think my host could die so easily? It's going to take more than a mere explosion to kill him] Ddraig stated boastfully.

"Yeah, right… Says the Dragon that wailed about 'not wanting to go back into another host again and wait at least ten years' or something like that," Motohama replied deadpanned.

[Shhh… Not so loud, you fool!] Ddraig silenced him embarrassed, before turning his attention to Issei. [Partner, I'm glad you are alive.]

"Yeah… me too…" Issei said, as he stretched his arms, as if he had a nice nap. He looked out the window and widened his eyes.

Right now, they were quite high up in the sky. He could see fields, forests, rivers and clouds. He could even see Kuoh from this height – and it looked pretty big, and yet small from up here. Moreover, he could see the sun rising from the east and it was glorious.

"Guys… What happened… after I fell unconscious? How long have I been out?" Issei asked everybody.

Matsuda and Motohama looked at each other, as if deciding who would explain. That was when Ddraig took the initiative.

[Partner, the Dragon Shot you fired was so powerful that it caused the magical barrier to break down. However, you strained your body to the limit and thus fell unconscious. We feared something serious may have happened to you, but thankfully you were only out for a few minutes, so my worst fears have been allayed] Ddraig briefed him.

"Yeah," Matsuda spoke next. "But the next time… Please, don't use that attack on my helicopter. The blast was so powerful it caused the helicopter to lose control and nearly hit the other end of the barrier with full speed! Thankfully, the barrier was destroyed, before we could hit it. We're also lucky that I managed to remain airborne or otherwise, we'd be on the ground with broken bones at best!"

'Your helicopter? Look who's getting ahead of himself…' Issei grumbled inwardly.

Issei leaned back against the cushion behind him. Now the both Matsuda's and Issei's cushions served as replacements for chairs, since the helicopter was too small to fit in a regular chair (moreover, it was at its maximum size, too). Motohama, on the other hand, didn't have a leaning cushion. What he had was a partially cushioned area with a railing and some seat-belts at the wall at the very back of the helicopter (not that Matsuda and Issei didn't have seat-belts, they just didn't put them on).

Neither of them said a word. They just relaxed, as they headed towards their destination.

Speaking of destination…

"Matsuda?" Issei spoke up, getting Matsuda to turn his face towards him. "We are heading to Tokyo, right?"

"Well, duh!" Matsuda answered him bluntly. "Where else should we be going? If Monika gave us an apartment, why not?"

Issei frowned at his friend's rudeness. But he wasn't in any mood to fight. He did enough of that already. "I was just curious, that's all…" Issei replied, after putting his hands behind his head.

Matsuda, feeling the same way, leaned back with his hands behind his head, as well.

Once again there was silence. Nobody spoke. It wasn't until after a minute that Issei spoke again.

"You know I've been thinking, guys…" Issei told Matsuda and Motohama, getting their attention.

"What about?" Motohama asked.

"Well… about everything," Issei replied, as he looked into the distance. "Just two weeks ago… we were just ordinary guys, just… doing stuff any other guy would. Watching porn and peeking at girls… but… just how things can change within two weeks… it's unbelievable…"

"I agree…" Matsuda nodded. "Losing your parents in one night is definitely traumatic, how much more life-changing…"

"Yeah, and then finding out you were the host of one the most powerful beings on earth, able to kill gods…" Issei went on. "…and then to fail big-time by losing my cool against some ordinary girls and then get sent to jail…"

"Oh, yeah…" Motohama spoke up with a shudder. "Jail-time… I hated that place. Always had to deal with Matsuda humping me in my sleep…"

"Hey, look who's talking! You almost smothered me to death with your butt!" Matsuda protested loudly.

"Shut up, Hentai-lover!" Motohama retorted.

"We're all Hentai-lovers!" Matsuda corrected him combatively.

"Guys, calm down. OK?" Issei tried to calm them down, which they did.

"Well… at least we got transferred to a much better facility afterwards, right?" Motohama pointed out in an effort to defuse the somewhat tense atmosphere.

"Yeah, true…" Matsuda agreed with Motohama. "But right after an assassination attempt and a court trial…"

[Oh, yes… And don't forget my awesome entry of me… The Heaven Dragon Emperor, Ddraig!] Ddraig exclaimed proudly.

"Yeah… and your never-ending trolling, you troll…" Matsuda added with a snarky retort.

Ddraig only grumbled at that. [Grumble… grumble… troll… How dare you confuse me with those low-lifes… grumble… grumble…]

"Anyway…" Issei continued in order to prevent any more squabbles on board. "…we ended up at getting girlfriends at the Sakabasu Detention Facility…"

"Yeah, that's right…" Motohama suddenly remembered, as he and the others smiled fondly. "…That was where I met Yuri…"

"That was also where I met Natsuki and lost my virginity…" Matsuda added. "I'll never forget my first time…"

"Yeah… and Sayori, my first love… who taught me so much…" Issei finished.

And then, there was silence. Silence at the memory of their girlfriends. Their kisses, their hugs, their sessions together… but also… the succubus… her schemes, her plans and how she took them away from them. And now, they were gone forever… traveling through the dimensions, finding a new home…

"Natsuki…" Matsuda started to whisper in sadness.

"Yuri!" Motohama wailed aloud. "I can't stand it! She's gone! I miss her so much! WAAAAAHHH!"

Issei and Matsuda shed tears, as Motohama broke down. They bowed their heads in sorrow – in memory of the ones they loved.

{Attention} Phoebe the A. I. spoke up out of the blue. {There's a message directed to you. Playing message. *Beep*}

The trio stopped crying and looked around to see what this message was.

{Hello, Issei. It's me…} a familiar voice came from the speakers.

Issei widened his eyes in shock. "Sayori…?"

"Could this be another recording?" Matsuda asked in wonder.

"Must be…" Motohama guessed.

{…I know you may be crying right now that we're gone, but please… What I want is for you to be happy… so please don't cry…} Sayori's gentle voice said.

{Yes, that counts for the other two as well…} Yuri's voice spoke next. {Even though we may not be here bodily. We are with you in spirit…}

{So, please… for our sakes… don't cry… suck those tears up and look forward!} Natsuki spoke up next energetically.

{Yes, I know it's hard for you} Monika spoke up last. {It's also hard for us to let you go. But when we say goodbye, at least we don't want it to end in tears… but with joyfulness… and a bright smile, knowing that we all are fine and are off… to a better life. And so, to commemorate our goodbyes we wrote you song and we worked really, really hard at it. Creating a melody from scratch is… quite difficult, so I had to borrow a melody. At least the lyrics are our own, so at least some originality is in it. So... here goes…}

To their surprise, they heard a piano playing in the background and then they heard Sayori's voice singing.


(Played to the melody of "We plough the fields, and scatter")

Because the tears of sadness

Come rolling down our cheeks,

The days are quickly passing

And days get turned to weeks.

Despair gets a hold on us

With pain to death they bring

To leave this pit of mis'ry

Now listen as we sing.

All good things around you
can be anywhere;
then march forward and don't give in,
despite the en'my's glare.


Everybody listened silently, as Sayori sang. She was… really good. Her voice was sweet and gentle. But the song didn't end there, for Yuri was next.


Errors and trials you go through

Don't let them hinder you.

Because of friends and teachers

The trials you'll pass through.

For no man is an island

you always have a friend.

You will never stand alone

This truth stays to the end.

All good things before you
are straight ahead you all;
but be watchful, yes be watchful,
be careful not to fall.


Everybody was impressed. Yuri really had a nice soft voice, but before anyone else could speak, Natsuki sang next with a typical moe-tsundere voice.


Whatever we may go through

don't worry for us please.

We'll be ok, adventures

Are gonna be a breeze.

We're on a great big boat

It won't go down eas'ly.

Take good care of my heli

Or it will end gris'ly.

All good things around you
are ev'rywhere you go;
so look around and look about,
that really is so.


They all shuddered at the… subtle threat they heard in the song. They weren't sure if Natsuki would return to visit hell on them or whether she was merely referring to a potential plane crash, but whatever the case, they forgot all about it, as Monika sang with the voice of an angel.


Now that's all we sing today

So take these words to heart.

The bitterness and sweetness

They all are but the start.

When such things happen again

Remember now this song.

When you now come in circles

This song will make you strong.

All good things before you
are ahead now, you see;
so look forward and press forward,

And you will be free.

Yes, look forward and press forward,

And you will be free.


The song ended and the girls took a deep breath.

{Goodbye, Issei. I love you.}

{Take care, Matsuda. I hope you love our song! We put a lot of effort into it. So, don't forget it!}

{I'll miss you… Motohama}

{Farewell, boys. Thank you for everything.}

With this, the record ended.

The boys were stunned, unsure how to react, but they certainly weren't crying anymore – or at least tried not to.

They just looked at each other with an unspoken conclusion.

No more crying. That was their last wish. And now, they were going to respect that.

Issei looked out towards the sun and imagined the images of the four girls that changed their lives.

"Monika… Sayori… Natsuki… Yuri… We'll miss you… all four of you…" Issei spoke on behalf of all those present. "Wherever you are. I wish you… Bon Voyage…"

"Bon voyage!" "Bon voyage!" [Bon voyage!] Matsuda, Motohama and Ddraig saluted the four girls simultaneously.

They all smiled and looked ahead. They all wondered whether they were also journeying like they were – flying through the sky towards the sun… looking for a new home.

Whatever the case, everybody knew… they were going to be just fine.

Speaking of fine. Issei couldn't help but wonder… about those who they had left behind in Kuoh, their old home. He wondered what they were doing right now…


15th September, Saturday, 7:34 am – Kuoh City

Matsuda's father just happened to be on his way to work when he came across Motohama's father, who also was on his way to work. They hadn't much in common, except for their sons. But ever since their son's imprisonment and their visit to the Sakabasu Detention Facility just yesterday, both fathers have gotten better acquainted with each other.

Thus, they greeted each other and decided to walk together for a while.

"I just hope they would do well…" Mr. Todoriki, Motohama's father, a bald short man, said in worry.

"Don't worry," Mr. Hibiki, Matsuda's father, a taller man with brown hair, consoled him. "It's not like those wardens are those mean stereotypes you see on TV. They're lovely young women who want the best for them. They'll be fine!"

"But that's what's worrying me," Mr. Todoriki answered with a brooding face. "There's no way any of these girls could possibly be wardens… It's all too good to be true… It's like there's some kind of cover-up going on. I can just feel it… even my wife feels the same. She has even been reading articles about prison abuse all the time. I'm starting to get worried."

"Nonsense, you both need to relax… Look, even if that was true, what could they be covering up? That they are being turned inside out? This would be a dream come true for them," Mr. Hibiki said with absolute optimism.

"Let's hope you're right…" Mr. Todoriki said. "Either way, we're planning on visiting soon. Want to come?"

Mr. Hibiki nodded. "Sure. Should we go next Friday?"

"Yes, same as before…" Mr. Todoriki replied.

"Alright, I'll see you then. I have to go that way. You probably have to go this way, am I right?" Mr. Hibiki asked.

Mr. Todoriki nodded. They said their farewells and headed in separate ways.

As Mr. Hibiki went his way, he couldn't help but wonder as well. Was it really too good to be true? Beautiful women serving their prisoners in a facility with only the three boys as inmates?

Truth be told, the Todoriki's weren't the only one worried. His own wife was also thinking day and night, trying to be optimistic, while still betraying some degree of worry.

Guess, they'll have to wait till next Friday. Hopefully, their fears can be allayed.


15th September, Saturday, 7:44 am – Kuoh Academy, during the break

"Hey! Throw your soda can into the bin, jerk!" Katase shouted at the third-year delinquent who, who just flipped the bird and walked away.

Murayama glared at him, from the bench where she and Katase were sitting. Classes hadn't started yet and they just wanted to enjoy the warm fresh air, before it turned wintery.

Ever since, they were forced to clean up the school grounds about two weeks ago, they couldn't help but feel vigilant at any piece of trash lying on the ground.

There was just so much trash. They never realized just how much trash was lying around. They had to clean all of that trash up every day until last week Friday. And it just kept on coming…

Seriously! Were there just pranksters lying around in wait, just messing up the place whenever they were gone? Even with all the class that took part in that brawl nearly two weeks ago, (which people at the academy call the "Blood in the Classroom Incident") partaking in the cleanup, it still was frustrating. More so, when they were told (by the principal) to clean up everything! And the school grounds were huge!

Thankfully, they no longer had to do it. But the agony of dealing with all that trash has made them self-conscious – of everybody who didn't throw away their trash properly. Katase, Murayama and the rest of the kendo-club made sure that anyone who did so would get scolded. And… it worked – to a degree. Trash has gone down and other students who would follow up on cleanup-duty had a much easier time cleaning the school grounds.

Despite that, they'd rather have the perverted trio peek on them than do another such week worth of work ever again.

The perverted trio… it had been only two weeks and yet it felt like they had been gone forever. They couldn't help but remember how shocked they were when they saw the police drag them to jail. Admittedly, they were hoping for such an incident to happen for a long time and yet when it did happen… it just felt… brutal… surreal… more so, if one considers the violence that came before it.

Murayama and Katase sighed.

Even though the door to their classroom had been repaired and they were free to practice without being peeked on. They couldn't help but feel… guilty. Guilty, knowing that all this happened because Issei's parents were murdered. They mocked him and hurt his feelings. Now, what Issei did was inexcusable, but… even then he didn't deserve it.

They were horrible. It felt so bad that from time to time, Murayama would still feel the regret haunt her deep into the night.

While Murayama and Katase were thinking about all these things, they heard a group of love-dovey girls practically hanging on to a trio of boys who had really gotten popular for some reason. Probably because they were foreigners or something. Whatever the case, they spoke in very Shakespearian English.

"Behold, you are fair, my love!
Behold, you are fair!
You have dove's eyes behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats,
Going down from Mount Gilead," one of the boys said poetically to one of the girls, who giggled.

Then he tongue-kissed her and she swooned.

"Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep
Which have come up from the washing,
Every one of which bears twins,
And none is barren among them.
Your lips are like a strand of scarlet,
And your mouth is lovely.
Your temples behind your veil
Are like a piece of pomegranate," The next boy said to another girl and tongue-kissed her, too, causing her to faint from happiness.

"Your neck is like the tower of David,
Built for an armory,
On which hang a thousand bucklers,
All shields of mighty men.
Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle,
Which feed among the lilies," the last boy said, as he did the same to another girl.

And so, they left a trail of unconscious girls on the campus grounds, who were wallowing on the ground with happiness.

"Brother, I thought thou art an atheist," the first pretty boy said to the last one.

The latter shook his head and gave him a gentleman-like chuckle.

"Aye, I was. But I read the Scriptures and ye can all see that I have been truly been born-again," the boy said, as he swayed his well-combed hair.

"KYAAA! So handsome!" one girl squealed from excitement.

"So… godly…" another girl said astounded, as if the boys were the most beautiful thing on earth.

"Give me your sperm, you pretty boys. Uehehehehe…" another girl giggled with drool flowing down her mouth out of the horniness of her hormones.

Murayama and Katase just sat there dumbfounded, as the weird group of horny students passed by.

"What the heck was that? And why were those boys speaking like that? What were they even quoting?" Katase asked question after question because of how ludicrous the situation is.

"I don't know," answered Murayama. "But I know that last girl scared the living daylight out of me. Ugh…" she shuddered.

"And why were they talking so poetically?" Katase asked.

"I don't know. Why do so many girls like them?" Murayama asked back.

"How should I know?" Katase retorted and groaned in frustration. "Could this possibly get any weirder?"

As if on cue, a newspaper flew into Katase's face.

"Hey! Whose newspaper is this?" Katase demanded, before she removed it from her face and saw the date. It was today's date. On it was the headline "Sakabasu Detention Facility wiped from the map" written in bold print.

Murayama looked at it and widened her eyes. Isn't that where…?

Upon realization, she read the article because she knew that was where the perverted trio was incarcerated.

The writers didn't know why it had disappeared, just that someone seemed to have destroyed it from the inside. Moreover, it also revealed that they had found bodies inside, including that of the missing police officer Yuusuke Honjo. His funeral will be held soon. A picture of his grieving brother was shown on the cover of the newspaper next to his dead brother when the latter was still alive.

Murayama and Katase couldn't help but worry. Were they alright or were they also among the dead? Whatever the case, they would have to wait for more details later…


15th September, Saturday, 7:50 am – somewhere in the skies above

After about two hours of flight, the helicopter was still up in the sky.

Motohama had fallen asleep from exhaustion, while Matsuda and Issei were relaxing. Finally, some rest… in a cool helicopter, too.

However, Issei still had to think. What were they going to do now? They didn't know, but first…

…they needed to get to Nerima first and find their new apartment. Then, they would see what they'd do from there.

They flew towards the rising morning sun, flying eastwards towards Tokyo…

The sky was beautiful and blue, mixed with gold… the clouds were lovely, reflecting the sun's golden glow.

After all Matsuda, Issei, Motohama and Ddraig had to go through… they finally got some rest. And so… they sat there, staring at the sunrise… not saying a word.

However, Issei did have one question.

"Say, who's flying the helicopter right now?" Issei asked.

Matsuda looked at him in confusion, but then realized why he asked that. His hands were off the controls.

"Oh, well… It's on auto-pilot. Phoebe's flying it. Pretty neat, huh?" Matsuda chuckled at the multi-functionality of Natsuki's gift to him.

"Yeah…" Issei responded, as he gave him a toothy grin. "It truly is."

Matsuda grinned back, as he laid back and fell asleep. There was silence once again. But Issei couldn't help but wonder just what kind of adventures would await them. That was when he realized something.

The student council… the Occult Research Club… they were all devils… and they could sense supernatural energy – including his.

'I wonder what they're planning…?' Issei asked, before he drifted to sleep.

The helicopter flew on, going at 60 km/h towards the sunrise… off to a new adventure.


15th September, Saturday, 9:32 am – Kuoh Academy, student council president's office

A knock came from the door.

"Enter," Sona said.

The door opened to reveal Rias Gremory.

"Rias, I'm glad you're here," Sona said.

"Of course, Sona," Rias answered politely. "We've got much to discuss."

"Yes, especially given that there was nothing there, except for the ruined remains of the facility. There were bodies, sure, but nothing that indicated who or what the person behind that barrier was. We don't even know what that person was doing there either," Sona debriefed Rias.

"Unfortunately," Rias sighed, as she took a seat. "…However, there was something else my peerage managed to find."

Sona raised her eyebrows. "And what's that?" she asked in curiosity.

Rias put on a smug smile. "As you know, my peerage members managed to get to the facility first. As they got there, Yuuto managed to see something in the distance."

"And that was…?" Sona asked again.

"It was the sight of a black helicopter," Rias answered her with a smile.

Sona frowned at that. "What's so special about a helicopter? Helicopters aren't out of the ordinary."

"What I meant to say was that the helicopter was inside the barrier," Rias corrected.

"Inside it?" Sona asked intrigued. "What was a helicopter doing inside a magical barrier?"

"I don't know," Rias shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe the person behind the barrier wanted to get out of there."

Sona looked at her puzzled. "You're telling me that whoever did this was trying to get out of its lair? Do you mean to tell me whoever it was destroyed its own lair?"

"Again, I don't know," Rias shrugged. "But what I do know that whoever is in that helicopter was flying rather awkwardly at first."

"Awkwardly?" Sona asked again.

"I'm not sure. That's how Yuuto told me," Rias told her. "Anyway, after that, it flew towards the sun."

"He's heading east," Sona concluded, while pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Good to know, thank you, Rias. I'll talk to Yuuto next."

"Actually. I told Yuuto, along with Koneko and Akeno, to follow the helicopter to learn more about it," Rias said confidently, despite revealing the fact that they were skipping classes.

Sona sat there dumbfounded. "What?" she asked with widened eyes.

"And that's the other reason why I'm here: To ask that you excuse their absence," Rias said innocently.

Sona groaned.

She wanted to scold Rias how stupid she was. They didn't know what they were dealing with and that was saying a lot, given that they are supernatural creatures. If somebody could create such a huge barrier and cause so much destruction, there was no telling what that person was capable of doing.

Nevertheless, she decided to give Rias and her peerage a pass.

"Alright, Rias," Sona calmly responded. "But the next time you do something that affects your or any of their classes, tell me first. Alright?"

"You got it, Kaichou. Ufufufu…" Rias giggled, before standing up and leaving the room.

Sona still pondered about what she had just heard and realized… something didn't add up.

"Why, by all the Maous, would someone with such supernatural power ever use a helicopter?"


Oh, thank goodness, I'm done…

It took me nearly four weeks to do this chapter – and four weeks to do the last one.

I did not expect this chapter to be this long!

Anyway, this is the end. The true end to the Succubus arc.

One reason for the duration of writing this were the technicalities of the helicopter – especially the steering. I had to spend some time researching to find out about it. I hope I did so well…

Another reason was because I had so much to write and so much to clear up. And to be honest, the reason for that is because I didn't want to rush it. A good story or a good ending is not something you do half-heartedly.

So now, the girls have finally said farewell and the boys have finally moved on from this arc.

Now, you might be wondering why I didn't let the girls stay with them. Well, I think of the girls as a foretaste of things to come. The boys would come across a lot of potential love-interests and… to be honest… the Doki Doki Literature Club characters would hinder all that potential.

Also, I can't really imagine them staying in the High School DxD world, since… they're not truly compatible with the story.

Presuming that you know what Doki Doki Literature Club is, I think you know that the girls aren't your normal anime girls.

They're self-aware and know that they're trapped into this world of fiction, trapped behind the computer screen. So, to just leave them behind the computer screen in some fanfiction and make them look happy and content just seemed to belittle who they are.

They are fictional characters trying to become real.

Now… common sense tells you that they can never be in the real world. That is why I came up with the next best solution: Travelling through the worlds to find out the best of all worlds.

It sounds like an interesting concept for a fanfiction, but it would distract too much from my original story, which is focused on the perverted trio.

So, I'm reaaaalllllyyyyy sorry if you wanted them to stay, but well… I just thought they are better off being true to who they are.

At least, I gave them a big goodbye – and they won't be forgotten.

So, thank you Doki Doki Literature Club – and Dan Salvato for creating it.

I hope he makes his next game very soon…

In the meantime, let's talk about the gifts the girls left for them.

The reason why the girls (or I) gave them gifts is because I wanted Matsuda and Motohama to finally be able to have proper tools to help them on their journey, instead of burdening Issei with their lack of abilities or tools.

Moreover, I had quite a lot of fun imagining the tools the two of them will get. I had especially a lot of fun with Matsuda's helicopter, despite it being more difficult to cook up than Motohama's dark energy glue gloves or Issei's detective glasses.

Speaking of the detective glasses, well… let's say Issei is going to need those detective glasses real soon…

Now, let's talk about my conversation with Monika.

Yes, I meant what I said to her – whether it be about what I thought about DDLC or my reasons for writing this story or my ambitions for this story. I truly meant all of that.

When you write a story, you give it your all. To be honest, that's what I dislike about many fanfiction writers. They either don't give it their all or they just lack in creativity or they don't even try or even give up on writing.

And for all you die-hard High School DxD fans out there. Yes, my rant was also what I thought. There were just… so many things that irritated me the more I thought about it. I'm not going to repeat them here because I wrote pretty much everything what I thought up above.

Now, some of you might disagree, but these are my thoughts and opinions and it's not like High School DxD is perfect either – in fact it has plenty of problems.

But anyway… do tell me what you thought about the succubus arc. I'd love to hear about it.

I tried my best to shape the succubus arc as well as I could. It really took me a lot of effort.

If you have any suggestions on how to go forward, please tell me. Also, tell me if you liked the items I gave to the trio.

Anyway, thanks for being patient with me and I hope to see you next time.

And to think… it has been more than a year since I first started writing… Certainly feels like a few months ago… and yet I've come so far.

That's why, I hope to continue writing and hopefully won't take, like four weeks to finish. Instead, I'll try to keep it down to 2 – 3 weeks per chapter.

So, thank you for reading and see you soon.

Until then

Hide Shinyama