AN: Hey guys and welcome to the twentieth chapter of "Switching Sides."

I want to thank everyone who had favorited, followed, and reviewed! I can't believe that this story had already reached it's twentieth chapter and seeing the support it got during its lifespan never cease to amaze me. So I want to thank you all tremendously for all the support you showed to this story!

Now, In this chapter, there will be something that some of you wanted to see for quite some time now and also the debut of the newest two additions to the harem as well as the incorporation of the last member of the original harem into the harem.

As always, I remind you that this is an AU so that things will be different from canon in some aspects. I also want to remind you that there will be OOC moments which I attempt to minimize unless they are necessary for the plot of the story.

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

"..." Talking

'...' Thoughts

"..." Quotations

"..." Attacks

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

(...) Flashback and time skips

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

{"..."} Talking through the Sacred Gear

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

{'...'} Talking in the Host mind

[...] Sacred Gear Actions and modes

"Ahh, where the hell am I?" Issei tiredly asked as he woke up and started to rub his head.

He looked around and frowned when he did not recognize any of his surroundings except for the walls which were the same as the Hero Faction HQ which made him realize that he was somewhere within the HQ.

{'Finally you're awake! If I would've known you are that sleepy I never would've agreed to enter the Boosted Gear'} A feminine voice within his subconscious had startled Issei.

"Wha-! Who the hell are you?!" He asked in confusion as he struggled to remember why there was now a feminine voice in his subconscious.

{'I swear man are so dumb! Don't you remember our fight? How you managed to win against me, Tiamat, and extract my soul into the Boosted Gear so I could be with Ddraig?'} The voice now known as Tiamat inquired in exasperation.

"Ohh right Tiamat, how are you?"

{'How are am I? You bastard has been sleeping for a week now! If it wasn't for Ddraig being a gentleman and a good company God knows what I would've done to you!'} She threatened which caused Issei to sweat bullets.

"I-I'm sorry! Please don't kill me!" He pleaded only to become enraged when Tiamat had started to laugh.

{'Hahaha you should've heard yourself; the mighty Issei Hyoudou, the Red Dragon Emperor, and the new Dragon King begging for his life like a girl,'}

"Stupid Dragon I knew I should've let you die instead of helping you..." He grumbled only to gulp when he heard Tiamat's voice booming within his subconscious once again.

{'What was that boy? I probably misheard you,'} She asked sweetly, but Issei was no fool. He knew the meaning behind Tiamat's tone, and he was both grateful and horrified that she was now inside the Boosted Gear as she couldn't kill him as she wanted too. But at the same time, he was terrified as he didn't know what exactly could she do now that she was a part of his soul.

But before Issei could reply to the furious Tiamat a new voice resounded through the room.

"Finally you're awake Ddraig," The girl whose voice belonged to her had emerged out of the shadow of the chamber he was at.

She was just how he remembered her yet there was a difference that he couldn't accurately pinpoint.

She still had the appearance of a cute young girl with long black hair down to her hips, and gray eyes and the typical gothic lolita that she always wore was also unchanged... Yet, there was a change that didn't take Issei more than five seconds to spot.

"Y-Y-Your... Boobs! They're bigger!" Issei exclaimed in awe as he pointed his shaking finger at Ophis new assets.

Instead of her flat-chest Ophis now boobs that Issei found to be similar to Xenovia's in terms of size.

"You mean these? Since our last encounter, I wondered what there was about tits that triggered such response from you, so I thought I'll test it. Interesting, Interesting indeed," Ophis replied as she inspected her naked boobs.

"I really do not understand what is so special about them; they're heavy and always wiggle whenever I move and my back ache ever since I transformed my breasts. Surely such a thing will be a disadvantage in a fight,"

"Wh-What are you talking about?! Those mounds of flesh are the greatest gift God had ever given us!" Issei rebutted while he used his hand to block the nosebleed he had thanks to Ophis examining her boobs.

['Partner remember your promise! I will not let you fall to that dark side again; you're stronger than this!'] Ddraig told Issei, his voice cracking as if he was about to cry.

{'Look what you've done to Ddraig you pervert! I'll get you back for the pain you caused to my love! Shh do not worry Ddraig I'm here now; you won't have to go through this alone anymore,'} Tiamat growled at Issei before her voice turned tender as she soothed Ddraig.

Issei had sweatdropped in return before he returned his focus to Ophis.

"I don't mean to be rude or anything but why am I here Ophis?" Issei asked in wonder as he did his best to maintain his gaze on her eyes.

"I wanted to talk about your latest growth," Ophis deadpanned, her demeanor now completely serious.

"You have been asleep for five days already. After your fight with the Blue King, you immediately passed out from the exhaustion and injuries that added to the great strain that was put on your body after absorbing her. What you did was something I never saw with any of the past possessors. It is similar to what you did with Vali's Scale Mail jewel but at the same time it's entirely different since you absorbed an entire being and that being immense power while being in no shape to do so. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. Ever since you passed out, I took you here and observed you and studied the change in your aura, and I saw that your power had grown exceptionally,"

"Where are you getting at Ophis...?" Issei interrupted her, his patience running thin as he listened to Ophis long speech.

"You now possess two power sources like Vali and as I told you in our last meeting your potential to develop an evolution to your Longinus was very high and after your fight with the Blue King that potential was finally realized. Your powers combined with the entirety of the Blue King's power and my snakes will give you a very powerful evolution. Perhaps even more powerful than Vali's," Issei mouth was agape as Ophis talked.

When he absorbed Tiamat, he did not think about her powers or the effects it'll have on him. The only thing he wanted at the time was to repay Ddraig and allow him to reunite with his lover. He knew that perhaps he would gain a small portion of her powers as evident by his new Third Liberation but he didn't expect to have possession of her full power and for it to allow him to create the new powerful evolution Ophis mentioned in their last meeting.

"Although your new evolution had been unlocked, you will need to train like Vali in order to have your body get used to the strain it'll put on it so that you won't die after a few seconds. That and also, so you'll be able to maintain it as long as you wish like your Scale Mail," Ophis added.

"I-I see. That's a lot to take, but I think I got it. Thank you Ophis!" Issei thanked Ophis, his voice dripping with gratitude toward the Oroborous Dragon.

She might not realize it, but Ophis had done plenty for Issei in the time they knew each other. She gave him more knowledge about his Longinus and in a way helped to strengthen his relationship with Ddraig. She gave him powers and used her blessing on him. And she also helped Issei to get to know the world more.

True, Issei and Ophis had not spent much time after their last meeting, but in that meeting, Issei had found himself attempting to find meaning in stuff that would be considered nothing but plain.

That was what Ophis gave him. She was a Dragon born from nothingness and Issei wanted to be the one who'll show her everything about the world beyond the void. He didn't know why but whenever he thought about her and how he'll show her the world he felt as if his life were suddenly restarted. Experiencing the world all over again from the most basic of stuff onto the most complex ones, getting excited over stuff that others will just take for granted, and experiencing emotions for the first time. That was how he felt when he thought about it. True, he wasn't the one who would feel those stuff, but there was something about Ophis and seeing her reactions that made him feel as if he was the one who was in her shoes.

Ophis had given Issei the feeling of a fresh start in life even if it wasn't truly the case. She gave him the option to put aside everything that troubled his mind and heart and focus on experiencing the world again as if he was a new person entirely, and she caused him to appreciate things that others, including him, would take for granted and for that, he'll forever be grateful for Ophis.

"I am curious as to how you'll name your new evolution. Ddraig always was the one with more creativity,"

"The Diabolos Dragon King! That's the name of my new evolution!," Issei exclaimed in exuberance as he pointed at himself, a smirk plastered on his face.

"Hmm. I see you didn't disappoint once again Ddraig,"

"Well then. You should go and train for your new evolution. I'm sure Ddraig will tell you the trigger command for it so you should try and enter your evolution for a few seconds every few hours so your body could get a taste of your new powers and adjust accordingly," Ophis advised before she turned and walked into the shadows again.

"Wait, Ophis!" Issei called out to the girl, who stopped walking and turned halfway to Issei so she could gaze at him.

"Yes?"

"W-Why won't you come back with me? I really want to get to know you. Besides, in our last talk, you said you'd spend more time with me so you could get to know more about me and I'm still waiting for that," Issei said with a gentle smile and a slight blush.

"I see. Very well, I shall come with you," Ophis said in her usual emotionless voice as she turned back and started to walk towards Issei.

'Humans are indeed very weird,'

The minute Issei had stepped back into his room he was immediately tackled to the ground by three people.

"Issei! We were so worried you jerk! Where the hell did you disappear to?" A voice which Issei instantly recognized as Yasaka screeched in anger.

"Yeah, we all feared that you'd kick the bucket early in your fight and after you put our worries to rest you suddenly disappear? Not cool Issei! And here I wanted to reward you for your hard effort in the fight, but I guess you didn't want it," Kuroka teased, her tone sultry which caused everyone but Ophis, who did not know what she meant, to go crimson.

"K-Kuroka!" They all cried in embarrassment while Kuroka laughed at their reaction.

"Haha, that was priceless. I was joking ya know. But I was serious about that reward nyaa," She whispered the last part to Issei, whose blush intensified.

"Whaa Issei I'm so glad you came back! And you also brought a friend with you! Who is she?" Kunou asked childishly upon spotting Ophis after she untangled herself from Issei.

Kunou's remark caused the two girls to untangle themselves from Issei as well and stare at Ophis.

"Who's this Issei? You got sick of us, so you found yourself someone else?" Yasaka asked in exasperation, a scowl on her face.

Kuroka just continued to stare at Ophis in what seemed like a mix between recognition and confusion.

"Who's this Issei? She looks oddly familiar, but there's something about her that makes me unsure," Kuorka quizzingly asked as she struggled to come up with an answer.

"This is Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon," Issei said as he gestured to Ophis, who remained unfazed by the attention she suddenly received.

"Nyaa? Are you sure this is Ophis? Last time I checked Ophis was a loli and now all of a sudden her bust grew to the size of a teen girl?" Kuroka asked in skepticism as she circled Ophis so she could get a better look at her.

"Yeah that's Ophis, Kuroka," Issei sighed as he continued to observe as Kuroka seemed to hear his words yet continue to inspect Ophis.

"Hm... This is Ophis! Why is she with you Issei? Is Gothic the new Neko for you?" Kuroka tease caused Issei's blush to return in full force especially after hearing Yasaka and Kunou's giggling.

"Sh-Shut up!" Issei retorted.

"Hahaha messing with you makes my day everytime Issei. So really now, why is she with ya?" Kuroka asked, dropping all playfulness.

"Apparently I passed out after the fight with Tiamat, and when I woke up, I was in a room with Ophis. She explained to me about things related to the Boosted Gear and the effects of me absorbing Tiamat's soul and power into the Boosted Gear. When I was about to leave I remembered something we both agreed on in our last meeting and reminded her of it which resulted in her coming with me,"

"Is she here to stay or is just a visit then?" Yasaka spoke again for the first time since the scolding she gave Issei.

"She's here to stay. I promised I'll show her the world and everything about it including what it's like to love," Kuroka's jaw dropped upon hearing Issei's determined promise.

"Issei you do realize that Ophis is a being born from nothingness and thus teaching her stuff like love will be next to impossible! Heck, she doesn't even know the difference between genders considering how she used to be an old man," Kuroka told Issei which caused Yasaka and Kunou to widen their eyes at this new information about what seemed like an innocent young girl.

['Partner she is right you know. Ophis is a being born from nothingness and is a being of infinite power. Teaching her concepts like love will be impossible but if anyone could accomplish that it'll be you considering how you made the impossible possible on more than one occasion during our time together,'] Ddraig's statement brought a smile to Issei's face knowing how highly his friend thought of him.

'Thanks, Ddraig; I really appreciate it!'

He focused back on Kuroka just as she furrowed her brows after not receiving an answer to her last statement.

"I know Kuroka, but just because she was born in the nothingness doesn't mean she can't learn and feel things like love," Issei replied, his tone oozing with confidence that such a feat could be accomplished.

"I'll believe you Issei, but only because it's you we are talking about,"

"Thanks, Kuroka," Issei replied with a thankful smile aimed at the Nekoshou, who smiled in return.

"Well... Kunou why won't you go and show Ophis your powers as a Youkai? I'm sure she'll love to see it," Yasaka suggested with a blush, surprising everyone in the room but Ophis who seemed indifferent as usual.

"You sure? Don't you think someone like her will be bored with seeing my powers?" Kunou dubiously asked as she narrowed her eyes at her mother, suspicious of hidden motives behind her mother's suggestion.

"Yes, I am sure Kunou! Besides, don't sell yourself short; you are really strong," Yasaka nervously replied, hoping to wave this off before her daughter catches her true motives.

"If you say so, Mom. C'mon, let's go Ophis!" Kunou said in enthusiasm as she gestured to Ophis to come with her.

It wasn't that she did not want to spend time with Ophis rather she was suspicious of the reason why her mother pushed her to do so and why this caused her to blush. She was going to ask Ophis to come with her anyway so they could play if it weren't for her mother's suggestion.

"What was that all about?" Issei asked as he stared at the retreating forms of Kunou and Yasaka only to be met with complete silence by the other two occupants of the room.

He turned around to face them only for blood to burst out of his nose when he saw the heavenly sight of Kuroka and Yasaka hugging each other naked on his bed.

"That is our reward for winning the fight," Both said with a lustful voice as they winked at Issei suggestively.

'I swear if this is the reward I'll get after each fight I'll win then I'll get into ones much more often,' Issei thought to himself before he stripped and jumped into the bed where the three of them would have an hour full of nothing but love, pleasure, and moans.

After Issei and the girls had finished their encounter, Issei laid there while the girls slept before a thought flashed in his mind.

'Vali...' He frowned when he saw her in his thoughts. Her silver hair, her light blue eyes, her body, her smile. There wasn't a single feature of the silver-haired girl that his minded seemed to miss, but that wasn't the reason behind Issei's frown.

No, the reason for that is when he remembered that day in the clearing where he and Kuroka had lost their virginity. The tears that flowed freely from her eyes, the sadness and pain that emanated from her and the disappointment that to this day remained unclear to him. He hated being the one who caused Vali to cry more so when it was related to a heartbreak which he knew his fair share of. Issei wasn't dumb; he knew that Vali felt something for him considering how she kissed him that day when he trained with Ddraig after his first talk with Ophis. Issei realized that in a way, what he did to Vali was similar to what Rias and the rest did to him and this was something that made his self-loathing to increase ten folds.

'I need to talk to her... I need her to know why we can't be together right now,' With that thought in mind Issei untangled himself from the girls, careful not to wake them up, and left the room in search for his silver-haired rival.

It didn't take Issei more than fifteen minutes to finally find her in the training grounds where she destroyed yet another practice dummy.

"Vali," Issei called out to her, knowing that if he would just sneak up on her, his fate will be that of the practice dummy she just destroyed.

"Issei?!" Vali replied in surprise, startled by his sudden appearance.

"Vali can we talk for a minute?" He asked, his voice showing her that whatever it was then it was serious.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I feel that I owe you some explanations," He told her after he finished walking towards her.

"Ok..." She replied in confusion as a feeling of uneasiness suddenly plagued her.

"I wanted to tell you why I chose to accept Kuroka and Yasaka and not you," Vali frowned upon hearing this and sorrow had flickered through her eyes before she managed to conceal it.

She was about to tell Issei that it was not her business when Issei started to talk again.

"It's not that I don't feel anything for you Vali. In fact, you were the first one I started to have feelings for after I joined the Hero Faction and started my new life and the feelings I have for you are unlike those I have for the rest. Of course, I also love Kuroka and Yasaka otherwise I wouldn't be with them, but my feelings to you are unique because our destiny is connected. You are the White Dragon Emperor, and I am the Red Dragon Emperor. We are rivals, and because of that we have a history together, and we share things that no one else will ever understand which makes me feel really close to you despite you being my rival," Issei told Vali, his voice tender as he spoke.

"Then why? If you feel that way then why don't you want to be with me? You know that I love you and I felt that way for a long time now, and I'll never betray you as that Gremory bitch did. You even accepted Kuroka and Yasaka which means that you healed from the pain she inflicted on you so what is stopping you from accepting me? What is stopping us from finally having OUR happy ending?" She asked, her voice anguished before she broken down and started to sob uncontrollably.

"I know all that Vali, and I did heal enough from what Rias and the rest had done to me thanks to all of you but that isn't what's stopping me from finally accepting your feelings and being with you," He replied. His voice strained as he tried to hide the pain he felt from seeing Vali like that and knowing that he was the cause of it.

"Then what is it?!" She practically screamed at him.

"I can't be with you Vali until I help you heal just like you helped me," His reply caught Vali completely off-guard which caused her to widen her eyes in shock.

But once again, before she could reply Issei had beat her to it.

"I know that you hide something from us Vali. We all saw how different you were when we met with Valerie back in Romania. I don't know what it is, but I know that it pains you greatly..." He had said before Vali interrupted him.

"W-What are you saying?" She asked, her voice sounding as if she was horrified.

"I am saying that the reason I cannot be with you right now Vali is that I can't accept your feelings knowing that whatever it is that cause you to feel pain and horror still exists. I swore to myself that I would help you shoulder that and help you vanquish it, so you will be free from the chains that this thing has you tied in. Only then will we finally get our happy ending Vali. So please, tell me what it is so I could help you," Issei explained, his demeanor serious before it switched to one of desperation as he pleaded Vali to tell him what it is that caused her to be like this so he could help her.

After all, she did the same for him. She shouldered his burden as her own and swore to help him heal and feel loved and she did not give up even after all the hardships she faced. The least he could do for her would be to repay her by helping her the same way so they could get the happy ending that they both wanted.

"I-I can't! I'm so sorry Issei; please understand! Vali begged in panic, hoping that Issei would understand why she can't talk about it.

"I understand Vali, but please try to find it in you to tell me so I could help you. No one should face anything like that alone! How could I call myself your friend and how could I feel worthy of having you if I can't help you deal with the horrors of your past?" Issei asked in sadness as he placed his hand on Vali's cheek while he met her eyes with his gentle gaze.

"You can do this Vali! You are the White Dragon Emperor! You are strong, kind, loving, caring. I have seen you handle things that other people will die from just glancing at them. Even if you think that you aren't strong enough to deal with it, which I highly doubt, then tell me! Share it with me so I can give you my strength so we could face it together!" Issei reassured Vali, his tone showing the absolute seriousness behind Issei's words.

"I-I'll tell you Issei, but only the things that I can deal with talking about," Vali replied with a smile of pure gratitude for what Issei had done to her in just the short time that they have been conversing.

Not only did he give her an explanation why he can't be with her, an explanation that put many of her doubts to rest and most of her pain to numb, he also helped her make the first steps in dealing with her past while also showing her that she isn't alone in this. With him, at her side, she felt like she could conquer the world and vanquish all her worst fears and any remnants of the horrors of her past.

And so, Vali had started to tell Issei about her past while telling him whenever she skipped something because she couldn't handle talking about it. She owed him that much seeing how he was dead set on helping her and leaving information from him would only make her feel guilty.

'Thank you, Issei'

(Meanwhile at another location...)

It was dark outside when a girl with a silver-white hair had sat down on her bed after another tiring day.

'Issei...' Her thoughts went back to the brunette who captured her heart.

Her thoughts took her to their last meeting where their relationship was still nothing but professional. She couldn't afford to have a different kind of relationship with him even if she wanted to as such thing was forbidden and would lead to her being fired from her job.

But then, when her friends returned from their trip to Kyoto without the brunette something suddenly snapped in her. What she considered as friendly feelings were suddenly realized as something far from that. She realized the truth behind her emotions and the reason why he was the subject of her thought most of the day when he and the rest were gone to Kyoto.

She understood now that he was irreplaceable as he was one of a kind. She was sure that no man would match him in his kindness, his strength, his caring, and love. He was the only one who would not judge or make fun of her, he was the one who she knew would protect her no matter what, and he was the one who'll care for her unconditionally.

That was just how he was, and that is why she loved him as she did.

But she discerned all of it too late when he already left.

She reminisced about how devastated she was when she first heard about what happened to him as she feared that she lost him forever. But when she learned that he's alive she felt relieved although not for long as worry took its place when she heard how different he was. She knew why; they also told her what happened prior to him leaving and that is why she acted so cold towards everyone for such a long time. He was broken, and she wanted nothing more than fixing him. Eventually, this desire of her changed when she learned of how he seemed to be better and instead she wanted just to show him how much she loved him. She wanted to finally know how it felt to be loved and cared by someone. She wanted to know how it felt not being alone. But for achieving all of that she had to find where Issei was so she could reunite with him and show him how much she loves him by staying by his side even if means going against her friends.

'I'll never have a boyfriend...' She thought in bitterness.

'... Not until I'll find Issei,' Her mood seemed to brighten when she thought of the one she loved being her boyfriend.

(At the same time in another location...)

A brunette girl walked in the dim, wide halls of what seemed like a mansion.

She gazed at the sky outside from one of the many windows that were present in the hall and saw the gloomy sky in their full glory.

The brunette continued to stare intently at the sky that reflected on her purple eyes while her thoughts drifted elsewhere.

'Issei Hyoudou... You sure are a fascinating young boy. Whenever I think about you, my body feels hot, and my heart flutters when I recall the things my daughter and her peerage had told me about you. Such kindness, such bravery, all in a shell of a handsome young boy with powers that can spell the end even for God himself if only he were alive. If only I could live a free life that is full of love and happiness. Instead, I have an unhappy life while in a loveless marriage with a husband that abuse me and only treats me as a tool and a symbol when he doesn't put the facade of a loving husband like he always does in public. The only comfort in my life that brings a tiny fraction of happiness to my heart are my kids who I love dearly...' A tear rolled down her cheeks as thoughts about her unhappy life and loveless marriage passed through her mind.

'But no more! For years I wanted to run so I could get a fresh start but I never had the courage. Sometimes it was my own inability to go through with that and sometimes it was the worry about my kids. But now, they are older and able to defend themselves against any injustice that comes their way so the chains that bound me are finally free and the courage to go through with that is now gushing vigorously in me. I will not make the same mistakes my daughter had done. I will not get jealous when I see him with his other women, I will not let negative thoughts haunt me, and I will not doubt the love we will feel for each other. Yet, I am not naive; I know that he will not love me the second I appear in front of him, but I shall do everything in my strength to make it, so his heart will find a place for me. I'll shower him with adoration and show him the admiration I have for him,' She wiped the stray tear that slipped past her walls and smiled before she retreated from the window and continued her walk toward her soon-to-be old room.

'So please, wait for me Issei Hyoudou. Wait for me because I want to spend the rest of my long life with you! For I see no other man that will ever come to be even a fraction of you. For I see no man that I will ever come to admire and love as I do you,'