AN: Hey Guys and welcome to the fourth chapter of "Switching Sides."

I want to thank those who supported this story by Reviewing, Favoriting, and Following; it makes me really happy to see the overwhelming support this story gets :)

I also want to announce that I am making a poll about who I should add to the harem next so please go to my profile and vote for the person you want to see in the harem.

The two peoples with the highest vote count at the end of the vote will be put in the harem.

I also want to stress out that some things in this chapter will not follow canon.

As I said before, some things had to be altered for them to fit the plot of the story and this chapter has few of those things which I also talked about at the end of the story.

This chapter like the previous ones focus on Issei state of mind and feelings, but this chapter will take a darker turn so keep that in mind.

I also want to warn that there will be some sexual things in this chapter so keep that in mind.

I also wrote a few things in the ending AN's regarding that sexual content and the changes I made so, please read that as well before leaving a review :)

Now, without further ado here is the next chapter, Enjoy!

"..." Talking

'...' Thoughts

*...* Actions i.e., Yawning and Sighing

(...) Flashback and time skips

["..."] Talking through the Sacred Gear

['...'] Talking in the Host mind

[...] Sacred Gear Actions and modes

{..} Sacred Gear Mentions

It has been a week since Issei's introduction to the rest of the Hero Faction members and his talk with Cao Cao and Vali regarding his meeting with his new team.

During this week many things happened for the brunette such as many encounters with Vali which helped to slowly improve their relationship.

While Issei still did not trust Vali entirely, he was on his way there, but he knew that it will still take him time to fully let her into his heart and past the walls he erected after what happened with Raynare, Rias, and the girls.

Another thing that happened for the brunette in this week has been the beginning of his training with Vali and Cao Cao who expressed their desire to start training him on gaining control over his new draconic powers which he was still clueless about.

They also agreed that Issei will train with Ddraig in his subconscious every night in order to hasten the training process which by their estimation could take a few weeks, weeks that they didn't have as they had to prepare for the consequences of Issei joining their ranks and the potential increase in heat as the three factions would start to search for the Red Dragon Emperor in order to return him to them at all cost.

Issei at first was very excited for his training as he always looked forward to getting stronger, but his excitement did not live for long after he experienced the first day of his training. Instead, it was replaced with feelings of dread and terror every time he thought about the hellish training he has been put through as his wounds which mostly consisted of broken bones and flesh wounds were treated by Vali and Cao Cao.

At first, his training mostly consisted of physically training as he had to increase his physical strength so his draconic powers would not strain his body.

And so for the first few days, he trained non-stop and he was on the verge of collapsing but to his luck, Vali and Cao Cao announced that his physical condition is enough for now and that his training will be changed to focus on his draconic powers from now on which means that Ddraig will finally start to train the brunette in his subconscious, making the boy thank every god in existence for stopping the physical training while dread filled him when he realized that he had to start to train with Ddraig who was known to be a proud Dragon which meant that he would probably won't go easy on the brunette.

After he finished with the physical training they allowed Issei to take a few days off in order to relax his strained muscles which he gratefully accepted as he spent his first day off taking a relaxing bath before he went to his bed in order to finally sink into the deep slumber he has awaited for a long time.

['You have done a good job during this week partner'] Ddraig spoke in Issei mind, satisfied with the progress his partner made.

'Thanks, Ddraig...' Issei replied tiredly, a bit of sadness could also be heard in his voice.

Although Issei looked like he has made big progress in his recovery from what happened with Rias a week ago, this wasn't the case as the boy only pretended to be more at ease with other people after Ddraig constantly asked him too.

He was still very scared of putting his trust in people as well as struggling to befriend new peoples as well.

Issei also kept to himself as he never really spoke when the situation didn't deem it necessary for him.

The only people he would talk to from time to time were Ddraig and Vali.

He still had nightmares in the nights as he constantly dreamt about the time he spent with his first girlfriend, Raynare and his time in Rias peerage with the girls.

His most repeated dreams were his first date with Raynare who killed him at the end of it and of that night a week ago at the hotel in Kyoto where Rias told him something that crushed the few fragments of his heart that were left by Raynare.

'I am sorry Ise, but there are sometimes when I think that I made a wrong choice reincarnating you' was the sentence that haunted his dreams and plagued his brain many times as well as remembering things that didn't actually happened which he knew would have happened if the girls were to add to what Rias said that night instead of staying silent.

"I'm sorry for ever befriending you when we were children" Irina spoke in his dream.

"I shouldn't have asked for your help when I searched for the church" Asia also spoke in his dream, both her and Irina had looks of pure hate as they all glared at Issei.

While the rest of the ORC also said similar stuff those two hurt him the most as it came from the two girls he cherished the most, his childhood friend and the ex-nun who he came to consider as the sister he always wanted.

Much to his sorrow Issei was not a stranger to waking up with tears flowing from his eyes from when he slept, his heart clouded with anguish and despair after the memories from the dreams refused to leave his mind.

'Goodnight' Issei told the Dragon before he finally sunk to his long awaited slumber which at the same time was something that he dreaded as he hoped this time he would be allowed to have a peaceful sleep.

Vali was laying on her bed after the tiring day she had.

Today was the final day of issei's physical training for the mean time, and she couldn't be happier with the progress her beloved brunette made.

She began to remember the events that happened during the last week, oblivious to the smirk that now adorned her face.

Vali looked back at the progress Issei made mentality, and she frowned, she knew that despite his best effort to conceal it, he was still broken inside.

She slightly giggled when she realized that she could read the brunette like an open book no matter how hard he tried to close down to which he probably wasn't even aware too.

As she thought about all this, a memory entered her mind, one that she mistakenly allowed herself to forget during the last week, making her eyes widen as she gasped in realization.

Tomorrow was the day that her team would return meaning that their inevitable meeting with the brunette she loved was closer than ever.

She started to panic as she thought that Issei was still not ready for this, her mind working extra to find a solution to the problem.

After spending a long time with struggling to come up with a solution, the silver-haired girl proceeded to ask her partner for help in solving this problem.

'Albion I need your help' Vali spoke to the Dragon in her mind, hoping he wasn't asleep like he always would when she needed him the most, making her really frustrated as she sometimes wished she would have gotten a different Dragon as her partner, one that would spend more time on actually helping her instead of sleeping.

She eventually gave up after not receiving a reply from the sleeping Vanishing Dragon.

As she was about to go to sleep, she suddenly heard Albion talking in her mind.

['What is it that you need my help with Vali?'] Albion asked in a tired voice as he woke up from his slumber after hearing his partners call for help.

'It's about Hyouodou...' Vali said to which the Dragon stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

'He's going to meet my team tomorrow once they get back from their mission and I don't think he's ready for that yet, so I want to help him, but I don't know how' Vali explained with frustration as she felt helpless.

Albion did not answer immediately; he took some time to come up with a proper solution for his partner.

The Dragon never was fond of his rivals hosts as he considered them weak and dishonored unlike his partners who were always strong and noble, or so the Dragon chose to think.

But in Hyoudou's case, it was different; he was the only host of Ddraig that the Vanishing Dragon was actually fond of Issei after learning all about him from Vali.

He also knew how strong the silver-haired girl feelings were towards the brunette and her resolve to help him only made him more proud of his partner who he already considered as his best one so far.

He would never admit it but he wanted to end his rivalry with Ddraig for some time now, and with Vali's strong emotions towards Issei this could finally be possible, making the Dragon quite happy.

['Hmmm...I don't know what could you possibly do other than just being there for him when he meets them, maybe try to hold his hand as well'] Albion suggested after struggling to come up with a better answer.

Vali's options for helping the brunette were pretty limited and they both knew that.

'I see...Thanks, Albion' Vali replied, grateful for her partner's help.

['My pleasure Vali. You should also let him know about the meeting as soon as possible so he won't freak out and attempt to avoid it'] Albion interjection started to make Vali sweat bullets as she realized that the possibility of Issei just running off from the meeting with her team is more than just a possible option.

If she wouldn't be able to help him, then it's exactly what's going to happen.

'Your'e right Albion, I'll go to tell him first thing in the morning' Vali said to which the Dragon just growled in acknowledgment before they both sank into their much-desired sleep.

Vali woke up quite early this morning which was unusual for the silver-haired girl as she would always sleep until late.

Not really knowing what she could possibly do at this hour, she went to train a bit at the gym they had inside their HQ, something that she would do very often.

She had trained for two hours before she went outside to the battleground to train on improving her attacks with Albion who she hoped was awake as well.

['You should practice on the new mode you and Ophis started to develop a few weeks ago'] Albion suddenly spoke in her mind, confirming the girls hopes to be true which made her happy.

'You think so?' Vali asked with a small smirk on her face as she remembered her new attack.

['Yeah, it's still in very early stages, and you still have a lot of practice to do before you can actually use it, it does look very promising'] Albion said, voicing his opinion on the new mode with happiness evident in his voice from the tremendous growth his partner was showing.

Vali did not answer and just hummed in acknowledgment before she got into a battle stance.

"Balance Breaker!" Vali had shouted before she was enveloped in a bright light.

[Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker] Albion voice roared through the battleground as the light died down, revealing Vali clad in her white scale mail.

Upon entering her Balance Breaker Vali started to focus on drawing her Lucifer powers and combining it with Albion powers, something which she learned was possible from Ophis who also gave her her blessing.

(Few Weeks Ago...)

"You wanted to see me Ophis?" Vali asked in curiosity as she entered the Ouroboros Dragon room,

She was told by Cao Cao earlier this day that Ophis had an urgent matter to discuss with her which made the silver-haired girl spend her entire day thinking what could Ophis possibly want that it would be so urgent, but she and Albion who was also surprised from the urgent summon couldn't come up with anything.

"Yes Vali, I wanted to talk to you about your powers, " Ophis vaguely said which made Vali cock an eyebrow in confusion while inside she felt a bit excited.

Vali was well known for being obsessed with powers and wars but what only a few people also knew was that to her comrades and friends Vali was one of the nicest and caring persons as she would always value them a lot.

"Ok then, what is it?" Vali asked, eager to know what Ophis meant with his powers while leaning as close as she could.

"Right now you possess two primary power sources" Ophis started to say.

"One is the power of Albion, The Vanishing Dragon and the second is your Diabolic powers which you inherited from Lucifer, your grandfather" At the mention of his grandfather Vali had his eyes widen in surprise.

"What I wanted to talk to you about is the possibility of creating a new mode for your Longinus by infusing your Lucifer powers with Albion powers," Ophis said in her emotionless voice as Vali's jaw dropped to the floor from what she said.

"Is this really possible?

"Yes, but sadly you cannot do this in your current situation but I believe that you will be able to obtain this in a matter of few months," Ophis said, making Vali's excitement die down a lot after hearing this as he slumped his shoulders.

"I see...Is there anything I could do in order to fasten the process?" Vali asked, hope clearly evident in his voice.

"You could try to increase the training you make with your Dragon and Lucifer powers in order to hasten your magical growth but you will also need to grow physically" Upon hearing this Vali perked up a bit as hope started to slowly return to her.

"I am also going to give you my blessing which would grant you some advantages," Ophis said to which Vali's jaw dropped a second time.

"Thanks Ophis!" Vali said gratefully before Ophis cut her off with an abrupt question to which Vali did not expect.

"How are you going to name your new mode?" Ophis asked in interest which was a very unusual behavior to the Dragon God who rarely showed any kind of emotions.

Vali stayed quiet as she thought a new before a big grin appeared on her face.

"Diabolos Dragon Lucifer"

(Flashback End)

Issei woke up quite early himself as he was once again having a nightmare about the girls that plagued his mind.

He wiped off the tears from his eyes, something that much to his dismay he was already used too before he got up from his bed and started to prepare for the day.

As he took a shower his nightmare from last night refused to leave his mind just like any other nightmare that he had but, like always it eventually faded.

After he finished getting ready for the day he went to get something to eat before he went to train a bit at the battleground.

As Issei reached the battleground he was met with a sight that made quite a few emotions to build up inside of him.

Arousal, Lust, Curiosity, Affection and Anguish were the emotions he felt as he saw Vali who panted in exhaustion as she sweated a lot which aroused the brunette as well as the outfit she was wearing for her training which consisted of a tight tank top which strained to contain her bust as well as tight sweatpants which showed off her ass.

He also felt affection as he remembered that this was the girl who despite being his rival came to love dearly as well as appreciate as he saw how hard she tried to fix him which made him feel anguish as he knew that she must have a really hard time.

The brunette was also curious as to why Vali was working herself so hard so he decided to closely observe her.

The more he observed her training the more he was surprised as he saw how strong his rival was.

He was so focused on the training that he didn't notice Vali who now looked at him as she called out to him before she started to jog towards the observing brunette

"Hyoudou? Why are you up so early?" Vali asked as she stopped right in front of the brunette and eyeing him up which made her blush madly as she noticed the bulge in his pants.

Issei who looked at Vali saw the direction she had her gaze set on and the heavy blush that appeared on her face was confused at first before he made the math and he as well started to blush furiously when he realized that Vali noticed his erection as she realized that she was the cause of it.

"I-It was hot in my room so I couldn't sleep" Issei lied, hiding the fact that he had yet another nightmare in order to not worry Vali.

Upon hearing Issei speak Vali got out of her trance and averted her gaze to the boy's face.

"I-I see..." She said as the blush on her face only intensified.

"I think I should go...I am actually really hungry" Issei said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, his heart beating like crazy as it threatened to burst out if his chest.

"Wait! I need to talk to you about something" Vali said in as serious voice which startled Issei a bit.

Issei did not speak and instead waited for Vali to start talking which she did.

"Today my team is coming back from their mission which means that you will meet them today..." Vali started to say to Issei who frowned in return.

She couldn't say that she didn't expect this reaction, in fact, she expected worse but to her luck, she had a plan.

"I know you are worried but me and Cao Cao will be there as well and you know that I wouldn't let anything bad to happen to" Vali reminded the boy who blushed once again from what she said.

Vali herself did not blush as her mind was too distracted with Issei and her meeting with the team.

"Everything is going to be ok," Vali said as she placed her hand on his shoulder in order to reassure the boy before she started to walk off towards her room in order to take a much-needed shower, a huge smile was on her face from the happiness she was feeling.

"I am going to take a shower so I will talk to you once it's time to meet the team," She said as she kept walking away from the brunette who told his goodbyes in return before he as well went to the cafeteria in order to grab something to eat.

(A Few Hours Later...)

It was now time for Issei to meet his new team.

He was pacing his room back and forth for the last half an hour as he tried to calm down from the sheer anxious he was feeling.

Issei dreaded this moment ever since his talk with Cao Cao and Vali at his introduction to the Hero Faction a week ago.

['Partner you have to calm down'] Ddraig told his partner in worry after sensing his distress.

Issei did not respond but after hearing what his partner said he started to take deep breaths as he slowed down his pacing.

By the time he calmed down a knock on the door could be heard before it was opened by Cao Cao who now stood at the entrance with Vali.

"It's time kid, are you ready?" Cao Cao asked Issei as he noticed the sweat on the brunette's forehead.

"Y-Yeah," Issei said weakly before he started to follow Cao Cao and Vali to the main hall to meet his new team.

During the walk towards the main hall, no one dared to speak a word while Vali and Cao Cao would look at Issei from time to time to see if he was doing ok.

They knew how scared the boy was and they both agreed to do their best to ease it up for the brunette.

As they got to the door of the main hall both Cao Cao and Vali stopped in their track before opening the doors as they averted their gaze to Issei.

"Here it goes kid, I hope that you're ready" Cao Cao said before he opened the doors and went inside with Vali and Issei following suit.

As Issei entered the main hall his gaze quickly landed on the unfamiliar faces before he saw one face that he knew all too well which made him frown.

He could never forget her.

Her blonde hair that reached her shoulders, her blue eyes, her slim body and the alluring aura that calmed the brunette down.

This was none other than Le Fay Pendragon, the crying girl who he cheered up on that night.

AN: Don't forget to Follow, Favorite and Review :)

I do want to address few things that were in this chapter.

The last interaction with Vali and Issei in the battleground was made for a reason which will be explained next chapter so don't worry.

Regarding the "Diabolos Dragon Lucifer", I have no idea how it was created in canon and how the name came to be but that's my version of it.

As I said there will be some alterations from time to time for the sake of the plot but I will always try to make them minor.