Of Heroes And Devils

by Dark Signer

By a strange twist of fate, Izuku finds himself flung into a world he never dreamed existed. He may be a Devil now, but that won't stop him from fulfilling his dream to be a hero! Even if he has to face villains, Fallen Angels, other Devils, and ALL THESE GIRLS WHO ARE SUDDENLY CLINGING TO HIM! (Polyamorous relationships)

6. Rescue Mission

His focus was set purely on his destination, so much so that he didn't pay attention to Ochako when she made a call to someone, nor did he even hear her begin to yell through the phone.

They needed only to reach the club building on U.A. campus first and foremost.

Ochako felt a sense of awe when she looked upon the school she hoped to go to, but put it out of her mind in a heartbeat. She followed Izuku inside, every bit as determined to gather as much help as they could.

"I already told you, there's nothing more I can do."

Only to hit a roadblock.

He had already explained everything that had happened as quickly as he could, noting how incensed she became on hearing that he had been attacked once more. When he brought up the idea of going to rescue Asia however, she had remained adamant in her previous decision.

"We cannot get anymore involved than we already are Izu. We can't risk the possibility of war with the Fallen Angels starting up again!"

"Then I'll go myself!" He shouted back at her. "I can't let them do whatever they're planning! This 'ritual' they mentioned could kill her!"

"A ritual? Hmm…" Rias pondered as Izuku became more impatient. "It's likely they may try to extract her Sacred Gear from her. If that's so, then she wouldn't survive."

"That's why I'm going! Whether you like it or not!"

"Don't be a fool," she scolded. "They won't hesitate to kill you if you go. There will be no coming back from that. As you are now, you wouldn't stand a chance against that many of their forces!"

Rias had been struggling to keep herself calm ever since she saw him run in with this strange girl, both out of breath and with holes that reaked of the light powers of a Fallen Angel. The more she heard Izuku speak, the more she struggled before finally beginning to shout at him.

"Your actions will have consequences Izuku! Not just for you, but for all of us! Every member of the Gremory family!"

"Cut me off from the family then! I'm going no matter what!"

"You're being impossible! Why can't you just understand!?"

It was rare for anyone in her peerage to see Rias so angered. While it had happened, she had always been quick to calm back down, the incident that enraged her rarely, if ever, being brought up again.

For Izuku though, it was unexpected. While true that they hadn't known him for very long, it was a side of him they never thought he had. They had seen him skittish, they had seen him scared, they had seen him determined, and they had even seen him happy. All were taken aback by how much he was willing to argue with their master over this matter.

All but one.

"What's there to understand!?" Ochako shouted, making her voice known. They were all surprised to see a new face run into the room, but had nearly forgotten her once Izuku began his explanation. "Argento's our friend and we want to help her! We can't just leave her to die!"

"You shouldn't even be here!" Rias shouted back, her face slowly turning red with anger. "You are not a part of my peerage! You belong to another! This is no business of yours!"

"She's my friend too!" Ochako shouted back. "I'm just as involved in this as Deku is, and I'm not backing down!"

"We can't leave her to die!" Izuku shouted, his voice hoarse as his eyes began to mist. "Please Rias! Just let us help her!"

Rias had stopped, her eyes focused on Izuku as she heard his plea. "You're a noble person Izu, as is your friend. I'm impressed by how willing you are to assert yourself in this manner, but my previous point stands firm. The reactions between our factions are not as simple as you seem to think. Devils and Fallen Angels have been mortal enemies for as long as humanity has existed. If we were to attack them like you plan to do, they will retaliate. They're our enemies, Izuku."

"You told me before that the Gremory clan destroyed their enemies. Why is that the wrong choice here?"

The two's eyes were locked together, neither side willing to stand down.

"Asia was once aligned with the Church and their forces. I pity her and her situation, but she could never sit with us. Even if she was never taken by the Fallen Angels, the fact remains that she's an adversary of ours."

"She's not an enemy!" Ochako screamed in frustration. "She's gentle and kind! She didn't hesitate to heal us when we were hurt, and she knew that we were both Devils!"

"We cannot…!" Rias' words were cut off as Akeno stepped toward her, whispering something into her ear that went unheard by the rest of the room. Her expression was serious, though it seemed unrelated to the argument that was going on. Rias' own visage darkened as she listened to her Queen's words.

"Something urgent requires my attention. Akeno and I will be leaving for a while."

"You're leaving? We're not done!" Izuku yelled before Rias silenced him, a finger gently placed against his lips.

"You know what you're capable of Izu, as am I, but there's still greater heights to climb. Keep this in mind whenever you use your power," she said as she reached to cup his cheek with her hand, caressing it gently. As that happened, Akeno had begun charging the arcane circle in the room's center. "You need to feel it. Emotions are a powerful force, even to us Devils. One's own Sacred Gear is not immune from their stronger your emotions, the more powerful your Sacred Gear can become."

His feelings? What was she talking about? Was this involved at all with whatever Akeno had whispered to her?

"One final piece of advice Izu. A Pawn is perfectly capable of catching a King. As it does in chess, it applies to us. Never forget, you're stronger than you may believe."

She gave him a smile as she took her hand away, facing the still quiet Yumi. "I'm placing you in charge while I'm gone."

"Yes my lady," she nodded as she watched her King and Queen depart, their destination known only by them. She then heard both Izuku and Ochako sigh in frustration as they turned to leave. "You two are still going?" She didn't sound surprised.

"Of course we are," he said. There was no hesitation in his voice. No stammering, no stuttering, not even a hint of fear. "She needs our help."

"And she's our friend," Ochako said as she reached for the door's handle. "We can't leave her behind."

"They'll kill you both," Yumi told them, her expression unreadable. "Even with the power you two hold, you won't be able to win."

"We don't need to win," Izuku said as he turned to face her. "We just need to save her. We're going. Whether you like it or not."

"I know," she said as she began to smile again. "And I'm coming with you."

"You-what?" Both teens were taken aback by her words, their mouths beginning to gape open.

"I didn't spend as much time with her as you two have, but you're still one of us Midoriya. That, and I respect the resolve you showed, no matter what Rias may say." The two watched as her smile began to shift ever so slightly into a solemn frown.

"And, if I may speak personally? I care nothing for Fallen Angels or their damned priests. In all honesty, I loathe them entirely."

Izuku watched in surprise as her face nearly twisted into a snarl as she spoke of the priests. She looked cold, angry, and vengeful. Nothing at all like the kind girl he had seen before.

But then he remembered how fiercely she fought against Freed the night before. The entire time, her face looked almost identical to how it looked now. Just what could have happened to make her feel that way?

"Besides, didn't you hear what our dear President said?" She asked as her face reverted back to the smile he had been accustomed to. Though now, it seemed forced, like she wanted to maintain an appearance. Almost like a practiced routine.

"Your Sacred Gear gains power with your emotions, which are more likely to get higher when you do battle. She all but directly gave you permission to go."

Both Izuku's and Ochako's eyes widened as her words sunk in. They had been too incensed to realize the meaning of Rias' words. But why? What had changed her mind?

"Of course, she also said that the two of you wouldn't be able to do it by yourselves. That's why she left me in charge. She basically told me to help you both. If she truly wished to stop either of you, she would have likely locked you up somewhere Midoriya, while contacting your master to do the same Miss," she told them with a bit of a wry grin.

Izuku could feel a massive smile of his own forming, one mirrored by the girl beside him.

"Alright then," he said as he felt himself calm. "They're probably at the church over in the Corusantu ward. That's where Argento had me take her when we first met. We need to hurry!"

"I'm coming too."

Izuku jumped at the small voice. When he turned and saw her, he felt his face begin to burn. In all the excitement, he had forgotten that Koneko was even there. He hadn't even noticed her as she approached him. "Toujou, are you sure?"

"...Three isn't enough. You'll need backup."

"Thank you," he said, his blushing receding as she walked over to stand by Yumi. He also may have been imagining it, but he swore he saw a small smile on her face as she looked back at him.

"Are we ready then?" Yumi asked. Each teen nodded at her, their hearts swelling with determination.

"Then let's mosey."

---

The sun had already set as they approached the church, the light of the nearby street lamps encompassing everything near them in their glow. As the group had approached the church, they had decided to introduce themselves fully to Ochako, letting her know their names at the very least.

Each of them watched the church entrance for some time, with no sign of anything entering or leaving. As they approached, both Izuku and Ochako felt a sense of unease, breaking out into a nervous sweat. Yumi explained to them that it was their body's natural reaction. It let them know that a Fallen Angel was nearby.

He knew he needed to stop. His friend needed his help, but he could not stop himself from shaking. In that church lay the one who had killed him, and likely the other two he had seen mere hours ago. He gulped as he continued surveying the church grounds.

"Deku?"

He nearly jumped as Ochako's voice echoed next to him. When he looked at her, he saw the same nervous expression he knew he had. "Are you…are you okay?"

She seemed like she needed to hear some kind of reassurance. Despite her earlier bravado, she was walking directly into the lion's den, just like him.

She had seen her share of combat in her brief time as a Devil. One of her fellow peerage members had helped her learn how to fight. Yet she still felt scared. She had yet to be in a real life or death struggle, which she knew she was facing.

"Y-yeah," Izuku gulped as he answered. He was lying, and he knew that she could tell. What more could he do?

"You're scared."

Koneko's voice broke through to the two of them. As they looked at her, they noticed her usual stoic gaze, but there was understanding behind it.

"It's only natural," Yumi said, putting down the binoculars she had brought with her to help survey. "We're heading into enemy territory. I won't lie and say I'm not feeling a bit anxious myself."

"Sorry," the two teens said, feeling a bit mortified.

"Don't be," Yumi said as she sat by the two of them. "Koneko and I are here to help."

"We are," the smaller girl said as she kneeled beside the taller blonde. "So where do we begin?"

"Here, with this," she answered as she spread out a set of blueprints. They looked like they outlined the entirety of the church.

'Where did she get these?' Izuku thought to himself.

Ochako had asked the same question, though she spoke them aloud.

"I figured we should know the layout of any potential enemy bases in our territory, just to be safe," she said with a bit of a devious grin.

"That's brilliant! That'll make it easier for us to find out where she might be!" Izuku was quite impressed with the girl's forward thinking, and inwardly berating himself for being ready to go in without any real plan.

Well, he did have a plan, but it only consisted of 3 real steps.

Asia.

her out of wherever she was.

And whoever may get in his way.

Not exactly what one would call a grand plan.

"There looks to be a dormitory near the main hall," she pointed out as the other teens huddled around her. "Though we should probably focus our attention on the nave here," she said as she pointed to each corresponding area.

"So, ignore the other areas then?" Ochako asked.

"Probably. Whenever a group of stray priests and exorcists set up shelter in an abandoned church, they tend to make some form of alteration to the nave, especially if they have any 'rituals' they may carry out. It's likely deep in the basement, maybe even some other underground chamber."

"Why?" Izuku asked.

Yumi answered by flashing the most forced smile he had ever seen, doing nothing to contain the contempt she felt. "Petty vengeance. They perform such acts of blasphemy because they feel abandoned by Him, so they desecrate and defile the most holy sights of the buildings they find."

He felt himself blanche at the idea. He had never been a religious person. At least, not a devout one. One of his old friends had a great deal of faith in God's message, even bringing him to church with her when they were younger, but that was where his interest in religion began and ended. Part of him felt angry at God now that he knew he was real. He had abandoned Asia to a cruel fate, left to wander by her lonesome before falling in with those who cared nothing for her.

Still, the idea of people defiling a place many had once sought refuge in left a bad taste in his mouth. He had even noticed something he had thought of as odd when they were surveying the church before.

Statues had been set around the church, once depicting what may have been holy figures, now lay smashed and broken. Some had even been decapitated, their heads left to lay on the ground as the effects of weather slowly took their toll.

"We should get moving then," Ochako said as she stood up. She had taken a good long look at the map and memorized it as best she could. She had seen her parents with blueprints enough times to know how to navigate most structures once she'd seen their inner workings. "The hard part's gonna be finding which door they're hiding behind. They probably know we're here already, so we should move in now!"

"Right!"

Moving forward, the quartet rushed past the broken gates before coming across a pair of large metal doors. None of them doubted that the doors had been locked, and were determined to push through regardless. Izuku made ready to summon his Sacred Gear, only to watch as Koneko rushed ahead of them all. With the ease of a professional, she pushed both doors open as wide as they could go, the sound of the doors slamming into the walls along with the clearly broken locks scattering across the land.

"That was awesome," Ochako muttered, her eyes full of stars. Izuku didn't voice his own opinion, though he certainly agreed.

"Thanks," Koneko said as she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, ready to head deep into enemy territory with a bit of caution. After all, if their enemies hadn't known they were there before, they most certainly would know now.

After going through the entryway, they made it to the main hall. To Izuku's surprise, the church didn't look as different as he had expected. Lines of pews were neatly arranged on both sides of the room, lit candles and even several lanterns were strewn about, giving the room a soft but still inviting glow. Even the altar where sermons would be delivered was undamaged.

Not all was right though.

The crucifix located behind the altar had clearly been damaged. The head of Christ missing from where it once rested.

It was enough to unnerve not only him, but Ochako as well, who lightly shuddered at the sight.

"Someone's here," Koneko said, her nose twitching ever so slightly as she gestured to a pillar near the altar. She had to have been able to smell whoever was around, like she had with that Stray Devil not that long ago.

The sound of clapping echoed throughout the room as an unwelcome sight made himself known.

"Well, well. I was hoping to surprise you little shits, but the brat there had to go and spoil my fun," Freed Sellzen said as he grinned maliciously at them, anger seeping through his voice.

Izuku couldn't help but feel a small amount of satisfaction when he noticed that the psychopath's grin had some very clear gaps in it.

"Oh well. Welcome! One and all! What a joyous reunion this is!" He cackled as he watched the group glare at him. "And looky here! You brought a new face to the party! Not bad. Nor bad at all! She looks quite delectable, and the prime age to boot! I'm impressed! I'm impressed!"

"I already hate this guy," Ochako said as she shivered in pure disgust.

"He's the priest that tried to hurt Asia," Izuku nearly growled out. The anger he felt toward this man, who was now clearly involved with the Fallen Angels who took Asia away, was radiating off him in waves. Ochako was quick to join him after hearing his words.

"Oh come on, don't be like that!" Freed said as he began circling around one of the nearby pews. "We've got a connection, you and me. See, here's the thing. I make it a point to never run into the same Devil twice. I take pride in the fact that I've been able to slaughter every single one of you little pussies that I've run into. All so I can kiss their worthless carcasses goodbye as they make their way back to Hell where they belong. It brings me joy! It gives my life purpose! And then, you showed up." Freed's once joy filled visage had morphed into one of annoyance and hatred. "You survived. You messed up my kill streak. And to make things worse, you hit me! You marred my beautiful face! You took away part of what makes me, me! You'll die tonight! You little shits are gonna die tonight! I'm gonna fuck your faces with my sword! Beat tour asses with my bare hands! I'LL FILL YOU ALL WITH SO MANY HOLES YOUR BODY'S WILL WHISTLE AS YOU FALL TO THE GROUND!"

The man looked to cycle through his entire range of emotions before finally settling on pure, primal rage. Izuku watched as he looted through his pockets, pulling out two pistols. He fired them into the air, the light from the special bullets nearly blinding him as the crazed priest spun the weapons in his hand before aiming them at the group.

"You pathetic little shit stains are trying to rescue that cute little nun ain't ya? How kind! How sweet! How disgusting!" He screamed as he spit onto the ground. "That Devil-loving little whore would have been better off letting me have my way with her than falling in with you bitches!"

"Shut up!" Izuku shouted, his Sacred Gear now summoner. "Where is she!?"

"Oh please! Like I'd tell you!"

"You know," Yumi suddenly spoke up, much to Izuku's and Ochako's surprise. She had been rather silent this entire time. "I can't say I care much for your vulgarity, but I do appreciate your decor."

What was she doing?

"That so?" Freed asked, his guns still trained on the group, one staying exclusively on Izuku after his Sacred Gear had been summoned. "Nice to know someone actually has an appreciation for art."

"Naturally," she said as she began walking over to a nearby lantern, her hair lightened in its yellow glow. "With all this effort, there clearly must be more?"

"Obviously," Freed said as he rolled his eyes, one of his hands gesturing to the altar behind him. "Take this part here. Got ourselves a super secret staircase right here. Lets us do just about whatever…we…want…"

The group watched as the wheels turned in Freed's head, his expression going from annoyance to murderous rage.

"You. Little. Bitch. You tricked me. YOU! TRICKED! ME!"

"It wasn't hard," Yumi said as she summoned her blade. "I figured your mind would be a lot like your mouth. Vulgar and quick to boast. It's your own fault for falling for it."

"I'M GONNA FUCKING GUT YOU!" Freed screamed as he began shooting at her. Izuku watched in awe as she dodged every shot with grace.

Off to the side, Koneko had lifted one of the pews above her head. One several times larger than she was tall.

"Here," she said as she tossed the pew to the priest.

Freed saw the pew out of his peripheral vision, dropping one of his guns as he grabbed his sword, slicing the pew in half before it could hit him. Both halves crashed into the ground beside him.

"Wait your turn runt! The big kids are talking right now!"

As he found out, the pew had been a distraction, hiding Koneko from view as she launched toward him, burying her fist into his gut.

The priest was sent flying into the nearest wall, the sound of his body giving a very satisfying sound as he hit it.

"You're strong, aren't you runt?" Freed asked as he stood back up, holding his gut in pain as he did so. "If you really wanted to he next up, you only had to ask!" He shouted as he launched himself back at her, the smaller girl staying rooted in place as he did so.

Izuku saw Yumi rush at the man out of the corner of his eye, her Knight speed allowing her to catch up before he could even get close to Koneko. "We're not done yet."

Freed managed to block her blade before it could pierce into his neck. "Again? You two ganging up on me? I usually wouldn't mind the idea of a threesome, especially with a hot piece of ass like you, but this really ain't the way I like it."

"Shut up!" The blonde yelled as she swiped her sword back at the man, her hits blocked and parried whenever she attacked him.

"That's it! THAT'S IT!" Freed yelled, sounding like he was in ecstasy. "Show me what you've got! Show me something cool! It'll make it all the more fulfilling when I take your head for my own!"

"You talk too much!" The two were near evenly matched with one another, there was no doubt there.

"And you talk too little! Let me hear your screams!" He said as he brandished one of his pistols once again, aiming at Yumi from a much closer range before firing.

She tilted her head just as the gun fired, strands of hair taken by the bullet. She began moving away as he grabbed his other pistol, firing shot after shot in her direction.

Both Izuku and Ochako rushed forward, Ochako's right arm beginning to glow as she rushed forward.

"Wait."

Both turned to see Koneko moving towards them, her usual stoic look mixed with one of urgency. "We'll handle this. You two go save the nun."

"Wait, we can't just…/You expect us to leave you behind!" Both teens exclaimed at once.

"We can't waste anymore time. If you want to save the nun, you need to hurry."

Both teens stared at her in surprise. They knew that they needed to save Asia as quickly as possible, but they couldn't leave them behind.

"Koneko! Go with them!"

All three turned to Yumi in shock, watching as the girl continued to evade Freed's gunfire.

"Yumi?"

"I can handle this one. Help Midoriya and Uraraka however you can," she told the smaller girl as she continued evading every shot taken at her, her speed keeping her ahead of each deadly bullet.

"...okay. if you're sure," she said as she began walking over to the altar.

"Toujou?" Izuku began to ask.

"She can handle him just fine. We should go," she said as she moved the altar over, revealing a hidden staircase.

"I…are you sure?" Ochako asked, watching Yumi begin to get driven closer to one of the church's walls.

"No. But she told me that she can handle this. I have faith in her," she answered as she began descending down the staircase.

"No way! You three don't get to leave!"

Both teens turned to see Freed pointing his pistols at them. Before he could pull the trigger, Yumi had rushed back over, lunging her sword at him, and forcing him to block her strike with both pistols.

"Go!"

Much as they wanted to stay and help her, the two descended the staircase after Koneko, the sound of battle above them becoming more muffled the further down they went.

---

"Think she screwed everything up already?" Mittlet asked as she sat on a nearby table.

Her, Kalawarner and Dohnaseek had gathered in an abandoned building near the church they had chosen as their headquarters, with the three of them pitching ideas as to what they should do after the ritual was completed.

"This is a relatively simple task," Dohnaseek said as he tilted his hat to cover his eyes. "Even she should be able to see it through."

"Doubtful," Kalawarner stated as she sat on a nearby chair, a near empty glass of wine in her hand. "If what he heard from that female Devil is true, then it was her actions that led to the girl being away from us in the first place."

"Who would've thought?" Mittlet asked flippantly. "We gave her the simple task of killing the boy with the potentially dangerous Sacred Gear, and he winds up joining the Devils because she couldn't do it right."

"And not just any Devils, but the Gremory family," Dohnaseel said as he lifted his other hand. Or at least its remnants after Rias had blasted it with her power. "Her mistake gave that boy powerful allies. Doubtless he's on his way to try and save the girl."

"Then it's best we leave to deal with him as soon as possible," Kalawarner said as she raised herself from her seat. "Even if she fails to finish the ritual, any of us could do it. We can finally regain our master's favor."

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Mittlet said excitedly as she leaped off the table. "Can we take her out too? Just say she was killed by one of the Devils!"

Dohnaseek hummed to himself before standing tall. "If what you said about her letting those two Devils live is true, then that wretched girl has outlived her usefulness to us." The Fallen Angel seethed at the thought of Raynare's actions. He never should have let her live after what she had done before.

"So this is where you've been hiding."

The sudden voice startled the three Fallen Ones as they searched for the source of the voice. They then turned, the sound of the door opening moving their gazes to their surprise visitor.

Dohnaseek flinched as he watched the familiar form of Rias Gremory step through the door, an unfamiliar raven-haired girl following her. He wanted to spit when he saw her smiling face. He was reminded too much of that failure he had been made to look after when he looked at her face.

"It took some time, but I've finally tracked you down," Rias smirked as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Guess there's only four of you skulking around my territory. Not exactly enough to cause any real scene, but enough to catch my attention."

"And what do you want?" Mittlet asked, her expression haughty as she spoke to the Devil. "We're doing nothing wrong by being here."

"Actually, you are," Akeno stated, her usual smile now having a small hint of disgust when addressing her. "You're trespassing in my lady's territory. One of yours also attacked one of ours earlier. You're in quite a bit of trouble right now."

"That you are," Rias said as she began stepping forward, not one of the Fallen Angels stepping back as she moved closer. "I gave you a warning before Mr…Dohnaseek was it? This is your final chance. Leave now, or all of you will face destruction."

"All of us?" Kalawarner asked with a quirked brow. She looked like she was about to laugh. "There are only two of you against the three of us. It wouldn't exactly be much of a battle."

"She's right!" Mittlet said as she began strutting over to the two Devils, her hands on her hips as she smirked at them. "You two will probably go down faster than those other two we got earlier."

"I suppose I should repay you for what you did to my hand," Dohnaseek said with a vicious smirk, a blinding light building up in his good hand as it formed a new spear. "I've been itching for a chance to kill one of your kind since you decided to rescue that trash the last time we met."

He didn't miss as Rias' eyes began to narrow.

"Something wrong? Did I hurt your feelings? Are you really that attached to such a worthless Devil?" He mocked as both Kalawarner and Mittlet prepared their own light weapons beside him. "Tell you what. You can make it up to him once we send him to you!"

---

Izuku and Ochako made their way further into the basement, Koneko taking point as she led them down, passing by several doors on their way without a second glance.

"She's this way," she told them, her nose wrinkling as she took in the scents around her. "I can smell her and several other people, including a Fallen Angel."

They finally reached a single door at the end of the walkway. Simple and unassuming, it looked like every other door they had passed by, but they knew different thanks to Koneko.

"Are you two ready?" She turned to ask them, her hands set on the door.

The two nodded without saying a word.

Koneko pushed the door open, a heavy grating creak rumbling through the corridor as they each rushed into the room, everything used for the ritual in clear sight.

Including their friend, and her captor.

"You actually came then?" Raynare asked, her brow tilted as she watched the three pile into the room.

Both she and Asia were dressed differently than they were earlier. Both now wore thin, flowing white garments, each with an arcane circle hovering over their chest. Asia was laid on top of a stone dais, Raynare's hands hovering over the arcane circle above her.

On both sides of them, at least two dozen priests stood beside them, each one grasping the hills of their swords, looking exactly like the kind Freed used.

"I-Izuku? Ochako?" Asia called out weakly, lifting her head to see the two, a small hint of disbelief on her face, as well as a bit of hope. "You're-you're here?"

"Of course we are," Ochako said, unable to hold back her smile when she looked Asia in the eye.

"We're here to save you," Izuku said, his Sacred Gear beginning to hum with power as he too smiled as Asia.

"You guys…" Tears began to drip down Asia's cheeks.

"You shouldn't have come here," Raynare said, annoyance clear in her voice. "Keep them occupied," she said to the priest beside her, each one now brandishing their weapons with sadistic glee. "Once the ritual is over, I'll take care of them myself."

The magic surrounding her began to intensify, leading to Asia screaming in agonizing pain.

[BOOST]

"I WON'T LET YOU!" Izuku screamed as he rushed to the room's center, his fist reared back as he readied himself to save his friend.

"You shall not interfere!"

"Back, foul beast!"

"Your head will be mine Devil!"

Several priests rushed at him, their weapons raised high to strike.

'PROMOTION:KNIGHT!'

Only for Izuku to race past them before their weapons could fall, surprising them.

"What the…? Get back here you-!" The priest's words were cut off as they felt themselves getting yanked backwards, crashing into another priest as the two collapsed to the ground.

Ochako stood there facing them, her left hand resting on her right arm as she kept it pointed at the priests. Resting on her arm was what looked like a small black bracer shaped like a lizard. Its mouth was opened wide, and a long cord was retracting itself back into it.

"She has a Sacred Gear too?"

"Get her!"

"Kill these beasts!"

Several more priests moved in behind her to try and cut her down, only to be stopped by Koneko, who grabbed onto one's arm before flinging them into several others, sending them to the ground. The small group scrambled to pick themselves up, staring at the smaller girl in anger.

"We're here for the nun. Don't interfere."

As both girls kept the priests distracted, Izuku kept rushing forward, his goal now clear and without obstacles. Raynare could only stare at him with a gaping mouth, her last line of defense shattered, leaving her unable to defend herself thanks to the ritual.

'PROMOTION:ROOK!'

"NO!"

"Get away from her!" Izuku roared as he landed a punch directly into her gut, the Boosted power from both his Sacred Gear and his Rook strength sending her flying through a nearby wall.

Wasting no time, Izuku untied made to untie Asia from the dais. He cradled her in his arms as he noticed that her face had gone pale, her skin felt cold, and her eyes were now dull. He felt like he was holding a lifeless shell.

"Asia?" He felt empty as he held her, the sounds of battle that echoed around him not even registering to him as he wished for her to open her eyes. "Asia. Wake up. We came to save you."

There was no response.

"Asia? Asia!? Come on! Wake up!"

No matter how much he begged and pleaded, she never responded.

As he felt his heart begin to shatter, he noticed something new. A soft glow had bloomed above her chest. Before long, he watched as a small orb appeared, floating above her as it went higher and higher.

'Is that…her Sacred Gear?' He wondered to himself as he plucked the orb from midair. 'If…if I put this back in her…then she…'

He wasted no time. He pushed the orb back into where he saw it emerge, still unaware of anything else around him. Two priests had approached him to take his head, but were snatched away by Ochako's Sacred Gear, which had wrapped around their legs before pulling them back to her.

"Please…please work," he begged, hoping that she would hear him. He watched as the orb sank into her body fully, before she began to glow. A soft green color passed over her for the briefest of moments before it began to dim. Once it had vanished completely, Izuku felt a sigh of relief.

Asia's eyes gained new life as her lungs filled back up with oxygen.

"Iz…Izuku?" She coughed out, an almost disbelieving smile overtaking her face.

"It's okay Asia," he told her, helping her stand up. "Everything's going to be alright now. Because we are here."

She stared at him briefly, her lip quivering before embracing him into her arms, tears escaping her. "You're…you're really here."

She thought she had been seeing things. That her mind had played one final trick on her as her life began to fade. But she accepted it. She wanted to see the people she cared about one more time before her end. But now she knew it was real. She squeezed tighter, wanting to feel Izuku's warmth.

"You came back for me."

"Of course I did," he said, not hesitating to embrace her in return. "We all did."

She then blinked at him in confusion. "We?"

Before he could answer, another priest had been thrown past the two, crashing into the stone dais. The two startled teens looked to where he came from, seeing Ochako slamming another priest onto the ground after they had tried attacking her from behind.

"Argento!" She cried out happily once she saw the two, not hesitating to embrace them both. "You're okay!"

"O-Ochako?" She asked in astonishment. They were both really here? It wasn't just Izuku?

"Yup! We're getting you out of here! Let's move!" She then let go of the two, ready to make a mad dash for the exit.

"Foul creatures!" A priest screamed out in rage. "You've ruined everything!" They had pulled a pistol from their robes, one that looked exactly like the kind Freed had used, before firing at them.

Iuku placed himself before both girls in a heartbeat, hoping to shield them from the oncoming bullets.

They never made it to their targets.

Another body had stepped in front of Izuku. Koneko now stood there, each bullet crashing into her as though someone had thrown a wet towel at a wall. While they managed to pierce through her uniform, not one even marred her skin. She didn't even seem bothered by it all. The priest stared at her in horror.

"Guns don't work on me," she sounded almost bored by the attempt, rushing to plant her foot directly into their ribcage.

"Toujou!"

"You three get moving," she told them as the remaining priests began moving closer to them.

"But…!"

"I'll be fine," she assured the worried Ochako, flashing a small smile to the taller girl. "This trash mob won't hurt me."

Though he felt unsure, Izuku began moving, keeping Asia close to him as they neared the stairs. "Please be careful," he said as he passed by the smaller girl, who simply nodded at him before giving him an assuring pat on his shoulder. The three teens made it to the door as Koneko threw herself at the priests, sending one away with a spin kick before the door closed on her.

---

Neither Yumi nor Freed looked out of breath as their battle continued. Even with all the shots Freed had taken at her, she had managed to evade all but the one that had taken strands of her hair.

Though both had managed to do some damage with their blades. Yumi had taken some cuts to her face as well as several on her uniform. Why was she wearing that again?

Freed had taken some cuts of his own, mainly along his torso, though they did nothing to slow him down.

Not that Yumi had let hers slow her down in any way.

Freed brought up his blade as she swung at his chest once more, catching it with a ghastly grin. "You're better at this than I thought, little girl! But not good enough!" He exclaimed as he pulled out his pistol again, firing it as the blonde Knight backed away.

He kept up the rate of fire, pulling out his second pistol as he fired shot after shot. He loved this. This was everything to him. The opportunity to end someone's life never once failed to excite him, and if they were able to fight back? That just made it all the better when he finally got them.

His manic grin grew as she began backing away to one of the walls of the church. Like before, he had her cornered, and this time she didn't have any of her little Devil friends to distract him.

He watched as she edged ever closer to the wall, her back mere meters away before she did something that surprised him.

She turned around before breaking off into a sprint for the wall itself.

Shocked as he was, he wouldn't say no to hitting someone from behind. He kept firing, laughing as she neared the wall. These light bullets, fueled by his own energy like every other exorcist that wielded one, would only stop when he did. And he wouldn't. This was everything he relished.

He watched her reach the wall, cackling as he sent more bullets her way, ready to see her become a gory mess.

Only for her to run up the wall like it was nothing.

His laughter faded as he watched her move further up the wall's surface, each bullet crashing into the she climbed ever higher.

He watched as she reached as high as the wall could go, before she moved to the ceiling, walking on it as easily as he stood on the ground. Then and there, it clicked for him.

"What the shit? You've got a quirk!?"

"Indeed I do. I'm almost surprised you haven't tried using your own," she answered, almost sounding smug as she stood on the ceiling.

Yumi Kiba

Quirk:Reorientation

She can alter her own sense of gravity, allowing her to cling to nearly any surface she chooses, walking along it as normally as one would walk on the ground.

"Like I need one of those crutches! Quirk or no quirk, I'll tear your pretty little skin off your bones!" He shrieked as he began firing again, Yumi moving around each shot with ease. Even when he began aiming in different spots with both hands, she managed to avoid every bullet fired.

She was surprised to hear that this man had no quirk. Outside of Izuku, she had never met anyone without one before. Not that she would ever compare the two. She hadn't known Izuku long, but it was clear to her that he was a kind soul, and that was proven with how much he fought their shared King to save a single person tonight, especially since she was technically aligned against them.

She had been forced to watch the people she cared for most suffer and die in front of her. She would never wish that fate on anyone, and she certainly would not let him go through such a torment.

She launched herself off the ceiling, using her quirk to reorient her sense of gravity to its normal level, surprising the man. He dropped his pistols before pulling out his blade once more, hoping to block her next strike.

Only for his blade to vanish before his eyes.

Freed let out a shriek of pain as he backed away, his instincts screaming at him to move lest he find himself in Death's embrace. He felt blood rushing down his face, the pain from the slash Yumi had delivered throbbing as he felt it.

Standing there, Yumi brandished her Holy Eraser, the blade dripping blood near the tip. She had swapped to her blade as she fell to the ground, Freed not noticing as he made to defend himself.

"AAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH! MY FACE! MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!" He screeched as he clutched in agony. The blade had sliced down diagonally from his forehead down to his right cheek, narrowly missing his eyes. He glared at her in pure disdain, the rage in his eyes being enough to melt steel. "You little shit! You and that upstart little green fuck think you can mess up face and get away with it!?"

Yumi said nothing, only raising her blade again, pointing it directly at him.

"I'll carve you to pieces you bitch! I'll…!" His raving stopped as his ears began to perk, his scowl growing deeper as he spat on the ground. "I can't believe I let a Devil get the best of me twice! You better believe that I'll get you for this. You and your little fuckboi. Falling back sure sucks the big one, but it beats dying."

Yumi just stared at him confusedly until she saw him reach into his coat for something. She made to rush him, but he threw whatever he had grabbed to the ground before she could reach him, a bright flash of blinding light engulfing the area.

When she could see again, he was nowhere to be found, only the sound of his obnoxious voice echoing around her. "We'll see each other again, but for now, TA-TA!"

She ground her teeth together in frustration. She had hoped to take care of him before the others made it back up. For now though, she would have to head down and assist them if they needed it.

Before she could enter the staircase once hidden under the altar, the main doors to the church had opened, the shadows of its visitors silhouetted against the wall. Yumi turned to see them, her eyes widening in surprise.

---

The three teens rushed up the staircase as quickly as they could before finally entering the main hall of the church. To their surprise, they saw no sign of either Yumi or Freed. The room was otherwise devastated, many of the pews having been destroyed, either by being slashed apart or shot to pieces. Bullet holes covered most of the floor and traveled all along the wall, even up to the ceiling. A tiny trail of blood led to a nearby window, but they never took notice of it. They didn't know what had happened here, but whatever it was had left the church off in worse shape than before.

They couldn't dwell on it though. They needed to get Asia out of here, and fast. Both Izuku and Ochako had to help Asia move, she had yet to really recover from the ritual that had nearly killed her.

"I'm…I'm okay," she wheezed out after nearly collapsing again. Her skin had regained some color, but was still noticeably pale. Sure as he was that they had managed to get her out in time, Izuku felt concerned for her well-being.

"Are you sure?" Ochako asked, asking before he could. She looked just as concerned as he felt, the blonde girl having leaned on her while Izuku led them out. "If you need one of us to carry you, we can. We're friends right? You can rely on us."

"She's right," Izuku said, his grip tight on her hand. Ordinarily, he would be a blushing stuttering mess right now, but the adrenaline that had been coursing through him since seeing her in mortal peril had yet to cease, leading him to barely notice. "And there's still other places we have to see. We can even go to the arcade again if you want."

"You two," she said with a small, but joyous smile. She had felt elated once she knew that she was not actually dreaming. These two, these Devils, had risked their lives for her, their friend. Her body felt weak right now, but her spirit felt as free as a bird. "Thank you. I've…never felt so blessed."

The two teens smiled as they kept her close, watching the girl shed tears of happiness. They were so close now. Once they reached the doors, they would be able to get away.

"How foolish."

They all froze. The familiar voice of Raynare echoing around every corner of the main hall. Ochako and Izuku instantly huddled around Asia, Sacred Gears at the ready to defend her however they could as they scanned the room to try and find the Fallen Angel. They took in every nook, cranny, and sound, but found nothing. She had kept herself quiet, not even the slightest whisper of movement making its way to their ears. Even their now natural to see as clear in the dark as one would in the light showed nothing.

One of the threads from Ochako's Sacred Gear wriggled around as she kept it brandished, her every sense kept open for anyone Raynare could make. She had already failed to help Asia before, and this woman had killed Deku before. She refused to let her hurt either of her friends.

His own Sacred Gear glowed as Izuku scanned his eyes over every section of the church he could see. He had hoped that a powerful punch would have kept her down for a little longer than that, but he had been proven wrong. He felt his fingers twitch as sweat dripped from his brow as he moved to check another part of the hall.

Still weakened and gasping for air, Asia too kept her eyes open for whatever she could see. Unlike the other two, she was trembling. Raynare was basically invisible to them right now, with whatever she aimed to do bidden from them. The element of surprise was hers. And even with how strong she knew her friends were, she feared for them, not wanting to see them hurt as they were before.

A sound echoed through the room.

And a light was making its way to Izuku.

Both girls moved, Ochako being the faster one. Firing the thread from her Sacred Gear, she was able to intercept the light weapon before it could hit. The others watched in surprise as the light spear decreased in size, a clear oath of energy traveling down the line into Ochako's Sacred Gear.

"Interesting. So you can absorb energy through those threads," Raynare's voice echoed, it's exact location unknown.

"Yer darn right!" Ochako replied, holding her arm up as another thread shot out of the lizard's mouth, wriggling in place as she glared at the Fallen Angel. "If you think I'm gonna let you hurt my friends again, yer dreaming!"

Ochako Uraraka

Sacred Gear:Absorption Line

This Sacred Gear can fire off different threads from its mouth. Whatever they attach to, they can absorb its power into itself. Its user can also manipulate its lines in limited ways.

"Is that so?" Her voice echoed again. Ochako began gritting her teeth in frustration. She still had no idea where she was! "Then maybe I should get creative."

The three teens stayed rooted to one spot, the threat of her action keeping them from moving too far and exposing themselves to her attack. They began searching more frantically than before, once again having no luck.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Asia saw something.

It was a small light, looking almost like the light of a firefly.

And it was heading directly for Izuku at a pace faster than any firefly.

Asia didn't think, her body just moved.

Izuku found himself being shoved, taking Ochako with him as the two fell to the ground. When they turned to face Asia, their mouths opened wide with horror.

Asia now had a dagger of light piercing her chest.

"ASIA!"

Both teens screamed her name as they rushed to her side. They watched as the dagger vanished, the hole in her chest looking small, but the bleeding they could see showed that the wound was devastating. When they saw where exactly she was hit, they knew why.

Asia had been stabbed directly in the heart.

"Hang on!" Ochako said as she attached one of her lines to the dying girl. Izuku watched as the same light that he saw her absorb from Raynare's last attack flowed into Asia. Ochako was trying to keep her alive for as long as she could.

Despite seeing everything she was doing to help, Izuku felt his heart shatter as he watched Asia's breaths become more haggard. He reached down to clasp her hand, and shuddered when he felt it spasming.

"It's going to be okay Asia. Just stay with us. Please stay with us," he pleaded, unsure if she could even hear him.

"Iz…Izuku…Ochako…" she gasped out as her other hand gripped onto Ochako's, the taller girl beginning to tear up as she felt the same spasms that Izuku felt.

"Shame. Though her suffering will be over soon."

Izuku watched as Raynare glided down from her perch, having somehow moved to just above the main entrance without them noticing. Her face was blank as she watched Asia suffer on the ground. "If you had simply allowed me to finish the ritual, she wouldn't be in such a sorry state. You have no one but yourself for this."

"SHUT UP!" He screamed with all his might, tears running down his face as he felt Asia's grip grow weaker. "None of this would've happened if you hadn't taken her away!"

"She's aligned with us. You're the one who took her away," she said, seeming to not at all be bothered by his anger. "Your pathetic attempts at heroism is what led to all of this. You really need to wake up to reality, Izuku." She spat out his name like it was a poison, her eyes narrowing in anger.

"There are no real heroes in this world. Only those with power, and the one's beneath them. That's how every realm has worked since time began. Those who pretend that they're only there to help just give the powerless a false sense of security. It's all a sham." Her hand started to glow as a new spear of light manifested, pointing it at him with the full intent of slaughtering him.

"Come on Asia," Ochako cried, her face brimming with tears. "You can make it! Come on! You can do it!" The panic in her voice was clear as she began pumping more energy into the girl, her own skin losing its luster as she did everything she could to save the dying girl.

Asia just laid there on the ground, too weak to even speak.

"You can't save her. That should have been obvious from the start," Raynare told them, her mouth now forming a snarl. "This is what happens when you're weak! You fail! And the strong will lord that over you for the rest of your life! But I promise, you won't have to worry about that!" She yelled as she threw her spear, aiming directly for Ochako's head.

'PROMOTION:ROOK"

Only for Izuku to stop it before it could reach her. He could feel the sting even through his Sacred Gear, but he paid it no mind. He threw the spear to the ground, the weapon dissipating shortly after as he glared at the Fallen Angel.

"Promotion? So you're a Pawn then," she hissed out, her anger growing. She readied another weapon in her hand, this time three throwing knives made of light. "Do you recognize this Izuku?" She spat out. "You're the one who gave me this idea. And now, I'll use them to kill you. You can promote yourself to whatever you want, it won't make you strong enough to fight back. You're not going to gain some miraculous new power to beat me. It's time to stop being delusional! Wake up! Nothing's changed for you! You're but a pathetic piece of low-tier trash with a weak Sacred Gear! You have nothing else! No hope! No quirk!"

[BOOST]

"Just accept your place in life already! Stand aside as the real powers of the world roll over you! That's how you survive! Because what you have will never be enough!" She screamed out, an insane look of hatred appearing in her eyes as she summoned more knives to her other hand, ready to take his life.

[BOOST]

Only for her to pause once she heard that sound.

"Maybe you're right," he said, his eyes downcast as his tears hit the ground. Every word she said pierced his very soul. "Maybe I'm just weak. Maybe I always will be. But you don't get to decide that." His eyes flashed back up to stare into hers. She took a step back in surprise when she saw them, and unknown to her, a bit of fear. His eyes had hardened with determination, a fire in his eyes that looked ready to burn the world. "I'm going to stop you. Here and now. I won't let you hurt anyone else."

His words were quiet, but firm. He didn't raise his voice once as he spoke. That only served to rile Raynare up even more.

"Is this a joke!? Don't make promises you can't keep! Did you forget that I had to watch you at your pathetic school! You're a coward! Nothing more than a pathetic waste of space! All you do is let them lord themselves over you! Stop lying to yourself and just die already!" The more she spoke, the more enraged she sounded, her every word filled with hatred, like she was disgusted by his very existence. She raised her knives up, ready to toss them at this boy and end his pitiful existence.

[BOOST]

This time, she refused to let that voice stop her.

"I'm not lying to myself. Uraraka. Asia. I won't let you hurt them. I won't let you hurt anyone else!"

"-You need to feel it. Emotions are a powerful force, even to us Devils. One's own Sacred Gear is not immune from their effects.

Rias' voice echoed throughout his mind as he felt his power start to grow.

"The stronger your emotions, the more powerful your Sacred Gear can become."

He felt his left hand raise into the air, power swirling around it as the thrown daggers bounced off of them harmlessly.

"Never forget, you're stronger than you may believe."

To the shock of both Ochako and Raynare, his Sacred Gear began to change. While it still resembled a gauntlet, it had grown to cover his entire arm, the ends of each finger and even his thumb now ending in what looked like claws. Two golden spikes had emerged from the back, and the green jewel at the center glowed with a powerful emerald hue.

Izuku noticed none of this.

His goal was simple and straightforward, all the power flowing around him giving him all the focus he needed.

To take Raynare down.

"What? What is…what is this? What is this!?" She screamed in disbelief as she watched his Sacred Gear change.

"Deku?" Ochako was both astonished and worried. What had just happened?

'PROMOTION:KNIGHT!'

Before Raynare could even blink, he had appeared before her, his fist raised high.

And then all she could feel was pain.

Like before, she had been sent flying through a wall, landing outside the church under the moonlight. The pain centered in her stomach screamed at her as she got back to her feet. She had no idea what had just happened.

'How?' She thought to herself. 'He had promoted himself to a Rook before and his punch was nowhere near as powerful as it was now! What did he do? What's going on?!'

As she tried to figure it all out, she watched a figure blur through the hole in the wall that she had made before rushing toward her. Izuku's gauntlet clad hand was raised again, ready to land another blow.

'I can't let him hit me again!'

She sidestepped him before he could his blow, her own experience in combat showing itself as she immediately readied another light weapon. A spear formed in her hand as she rushed to meet him.

Izuku watched as Raynare lunged at him with her spear, evading each attack before they could land. Every time he saw an attack come down, he managed to avoid it with a grace he had never shown before, the speed of the Knight combining with his newfound power to allow him to avoid every blow.

But he still found himself unable to hit her either. She had managed to dodge his attacks even at his boosted speed. Each and every blow he tried to land had been dodged.

'Watch her movements,' He thought to himself as he evaded another swipe of her spear. 'I can't let myself be hit by her weapon. I need to focus!'

When she tried sweeping his legs, he managed to jump over the blow, even flipping himself backwards through the air before landing less than a meter away from her.

[BOOST]

He rushed at her again, charging at her with all the fury of a raging bull. Raynare could do little but try and hold him back once he managed to reach her, only to feel herself being pushed back more and more.

This low-class Devil, this pathetic mongrel was pushing her back!? How!? How was he getting stronger!?

She felt herself pushed back more and more, until she felt her back hit the church wall. She had no more room. Thinking quickly, she formed another light spear in one of the hands holding him back, the length of the spear being long enough to impale his leg.

He cried out in pain, the stinging light permeating every nerve in his leg as he felt his focus waver. Raynare, taking advantage of this, formed several light knives in her hand before slashing them across his chest. She then grabbed hold of his right arm, throwing him over herself and back into the church.

Ochako watched in horror as Deku rolled back into the main hall, his leg and chest now bleeding as he struggled to move. Raynare stepped back into the room, her thin white dress, once immaculate and whole, was now disheveled and torn. She walked over to where he lay, her expression growing rageful.

"I don't know what that was, but it wasn't enough," she said as she watched him struggle to get back up on his feet. The advantage had gone back to her, and she knew it. "You're still nowhere near strong enough to beat me. If you could measure us on a scale from one to ten, you'd be a one while I'd be a twenty. Nothing's going to change that."

Her expression darkened as she watched him stand back up. "When will you get it through that dense skull of yours? You can double your power as much as you want, it won't amount to anything! The weak can never topple the strong! Just accept it!"

As he got back to his feet, she grabbed roughly onto his shoulders, before driving her skull directly into his.

He fell back to the ground, his body reeling from the pain he was feeling. He wouldn't let it stop him. He couldn't. He already told her he wouldn't let her hurt anyone else!

[BOOST]

"You're still trying?" She asked, sounding both exasperated and surprised. "I keep telling you that it's pointless! You can't beat me! You can't stop me! Just watch!" She formed another spear of light in her hand, taking aim at a new target.

She threw her spear at Ochako, the girl unable to move fast enough to get away with how she was tending to the near-dead Asia, and they both knew it.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable as the spear neared her.

Only for it to never come.

When she dared to open her eyes again, they widened in horror.

Izuku had managed to get back up. And moved in front of her to stop the spear.

And it had gone through his other leg.

"DEKU!"

"Why!?" Raynare howled, all composure she once had now lost. "Why are you so willing to throw your life away for them! Is it because they're weak too!? Do you feel like you need to stick together!? Or is it because you still think you can play at being a hero!? What good is there in throwing your life away for them!?"

Izuku said nothing as he stood in place. The flesh surrounding his wounds had begun to char as the light burned at his body. Smoke had begun to flow from his body as the spear in his leg vanished.

"You let yourself suffer from this light, knowing it's poison to you!? Your body's already beginning to break down!" She seethed as she summoned another knife to her hand, walking over to his near prone form as she aimed it at his neck. "JUST STOP STRUGGLING AND ACCEPT YOUR FATE!"

[BOOST]

That voice again!?

"I told you," she heard him wheeze out, his head lifting to stare her right in the eyes, the fire that she had seen before burning as bright as they had before. "I'm going…to stop you!"

She stood in place as she watched him begin to move, staring at him in disbelief. "This…this shouldn't be possible…how are you…is this a quirk? No…it can't be. How are you…?" As he took a single step forward, her rage overtook her again. "No! No more! Just die already!" She aimed the knife down, hoping to pierce his heart.

Izuku backed away, the knife catching the holes in his shirt as it tore open.

"You're not listening," he growled out, his Sacred Gear glowing more intensely than before. "I'm going to stop you. I WON'T LET YOU HURT ANYONE ELSE!"

[EXPLOSION]

The glow from his Sacred Gear began spreading over his entire body, raw power radiating off of him in waves. Even with all the pain he still felt, his legs screaming at him to stay down, he moved forward, approaching the Fallen Angel like a man possessed.

Raynare watched in utter terror as he moved toward her, her entire body trembling as she unconsciously took fearful steps back. "This…this is impossible. You…you're quirkless! Your Sacred Gear is just a Twice Critical! Where did this power come from!? Who…what are you!?"

Newfound power and adrenaline surging through his body, Izuku surged toward her, somehow even faster than he was before.

'PROMOTION:ROOK!'

Her steps backwards were done consciously now, spears of light forming in her hands quickly as she threw them at him. Each one was battered away and shattered as he continued moving, her face paling. Her wings emerged from her back out of pure reflex, her every instinct screaming at her to retreat..

"St-stay away! Get away from me!" As she turned to flee, she felt two different objects wrap around her legs, stopping her ascension. One was the thread from Ochako's Sacred Gear, the girl's teeth bared in rage at the fleeing Fallen Angel, the energy she still had being drained from her, while the other was Izuku's shirt. He had removed what was left of it fast enough to wrap them around her legs, dragging her back down to solid earth. "Stop! No!"

Izuku reared his fist back once more, a primal fury running through his entire body. "No," he growled out. "You don't get to run."

As she gazed into his eyes, she saw something darker. At this moment, he looked more Daemon than Devil.

"After everything you've done, I won't let you get away!"

His Sacred Gear began to explode with energy as he launched his fist forward, landing it once more into the cowering Raynare's unprotected stomach. Ochako's thread had been retracted, and Izuku had released the remnants of his shirt, so there was nothing to stop her body from flying out once more through the hole in the church's wall.

Izuku chased after her again, the remaining power in his Sacred Gear bursting around him like a fire as he caught up to the spiraling Fallen Angel. She had only the time to look at his furious visage before all she could see was his gauntlet covered fist.

"DRAGON SMASH!"

He screamed out his attack with a mighty roar, an instinctual need to stop her from hurting his friends roaring alongside him as she was launched into the horizon. Her body contorted as it went through tree after tree, before finally touching back down, knocked unconscious from his mighty blow.

[BURST]

All at once, he felt all the pain return to him with an intensity that dropped him to his knees. Every blow he had taken, every light weapon he had been struck by, all of them felt like they had been done anew to his body. Much as he wished to, he couldn't get up. He wasn't even able to stop himself from falling, closing his eyes as he waited for the impact of the ground.

Only for it to never come.

"Midoriya?"

His eyes burst wide open in surprise as he realized that he had been caught by Yumi, the blonde girl's taller frame keeping him from hitting the ground. By her side was Koneko. Both girls looked like they had taken some hits, cuts clearly visible on Yumi's face, and even some tears in their uniforms, but otherwise looked fine. He was sure they were better off than he was at the moment.

"K-kiba? Toujou?" He gasped out, the pain from his injuries making him take several gulps of air as he fought to keep himself from screaming in pain. "You're…you're both okay?"

"We're fine." Yumi's words were gentle and reassuring as she helped him stand. Much as he tried to stand with his own power, he ended up having to lean onto the taller girl, a blush forming on his face as he felt her body against his. Koneko walked up to him, reaching up to him and giving him a gentle pat on his shoulder.

"You did well," she told him.

"You were rather remarkable Midoriya," Yumi agreed, not minding the feeling of his body against her own. "The way you fought against that Fallen Angel was quite the spectacle."

"Wait," he said as he looked up at Yumi's face. "You saw that?" She nodded. "Then…why didn't you help?"

"The Prez told us to stay back," Koneko said, her hand now rearing on his shoulder.

"She…Rias…huh?"

"It's because I believed you would succeed Izuku."

Unable to move himself, Yumi spun around with him, Rias standing there with a proud smile. "R-rias? How? Where?"

"The basement," she said with a small sigh. "Once our business was sorted, Akeno and I managed to teleport ourselves there. I'll admit that I was worried. I've never teleported into a church before."

"Himejima's here?"

"This place is quite the mess. You seem to have torn it up quite a bit Midoriya," he heard Akeno's sweet voice as she moved into his view. She had something gripped in her hand that he couldn't make out.

"I knew you'd be able to handle this Izu, well done." Rias approached him, the sight of his injuries making her smile lessen as she got closer to him. His chest had several large cuts on it, the blood flowing at a steady pace, while his legs were still smoking, doubtless because of Raynare's light weapons. "It would be best if we got you to Asia though. These wounds look serious."

His eyes widened once her name was mentioned. He had nearly forgotten. The one person who needed help the most. "ASIA!"

He pushed himself away from the surprised Yumi, managing several steps before he began stumbling over himself. Before hitting the ground, he found himself caught again, this time by Koneko. She placed his arm around her neck as she began moving quickly to the church's main hall, Yumi joined her as his other arm was lifted by her, his Sacred Gear digging slightly into her.

When they arrived through the massive hole in the wall, they saw a sight that shattered his heart.

Ochako was there, her body pale as she cried over Asia's still form. Her Sacred Gear was nowhere in sight, and he couldn't see Asia breathing. Ochako turned to the group, her eyes completely red as the tears rushed out.

"Deku…she…she's…"

He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to believe it. They saved her, didn't they? They got her out. What happened? Why?

Why did Asia have to die?

Izuku managed to break free from Yumi's and Koneko's grip, lurching forward to his fallen friend. Her body was pale, her skin cold, but somehow, she held a smile on her face.

She looked like she was happy right at the very end.

'thank you'

Her voice. They had reached his mind as he fought against Raynare, but he didn't hear them. Now, they echoed through his skull. Her final words.

Izuku joined Ochako in sobbing, the two leaning against each other, seeking some form of comfort in their grief.

The remaining members of the peerage watched with heavy hearts as the two broke down. Yumi felt her own heart ache as she watched.

She never wanted him, either of them to go through something like this. She knew all too well what it felt like as you watched someone you cared for die as you were powerless to help them. She felt Koneko's hand grip hers, the smaller girl looking just as saddened.

Both Rias and Akeno watched them with hardened faces. The two glanced at each other, an entire conversation passing between them in seconds without words.

"There's still a way to help her."

---

She found herself floating through a white void. The pain in her chest was gone. She saw a light at the far end of the void.

Asia knew that she had died.

She felt herself dying once she took that blow for Izuku. She held no regrets over it. She cared deeply about him, despite only knowing him for less than a day. He had helped her, talked with her, showed her around his home town, all of that while knowing that they belonged to two different worlds.

It was only natural for her to help him in return.

She only hoped that he and Ochako heard her thought to the two of them. She wanted them to know how much she appreciated everything they did for her. That she cherished them both.

Maybe in her next life, she could be born in the same town as them. Go to school with them. To be friends with them again.

That would be her final wish as she crossed over.

"Where are you going?"

The sound of someone's voice shocked her so much it made her jump.

Who would be talking to her here?

When she turned to face them, she was taken aback. Sitting near her, on what looked like a cloud, was a pale woman, so pale her skin looked as white as bone, dressed in black attire, a studded belt looped around her pants. Around her neck was a silver necklace, adorned with a symbol Asia had never seen before. Her dark hair passed to her shoulders, and her eyes glowed with a pure white light.

And she was smiling at Asia like an old friend.

Her appearance was strangely off-putting, yet at the same time, carried the familiarity of one who had known you for a long time.

"M-me?" Asia asked, pointing at herself in confusion. The pale woman nodded, still smiling at her. "I'm…I'm going away, aren't I? I'm dead."

"For now. Your time on Earth is not yet over."

Asia blinked in confusion at her. Her time wasn't over? But, she was dead. Wasn't she? There was no coming back from that. Right?

"You've got yourself some pretty good friends Asia. Just listen a little. You'll know."

"Wait. How do you know my name?"

The woman's smile grew more gentle, but still as friendly as before. "I've known you from the day you were born Asia. Same with Izuku, Ochako, and even Rias and the rest of her peerage."

"Huh? But I've never even met you before." What was this woman talking about? She knew her when she was born?

Wait. Was she…? Could she have been…?

"I'm not your mother, if that's what you're wondering. I'm there when everyone is born. And I always show up when everyone crosses their threshold," the woman told her. "But we don't have the time to discuss all that. Just listen to everything around you."

She was still weirded out by the woman. Just who was she? But…maybe she knew what she was talking about. If she really knew her, Izuku, Ochako, and those other girls, then maybe she could believe her.

Asia closed her eyes and listened, the silence of the void that once echoed around her being drowned out by voices so familiar.

"What? What do…do you…?"

That was Izuku. He sounded like he had been crying. Was he really that sad that she was gone?

"You…you mean…?"

Ochako. She sounded the same. But what were they talking about?

"Do you two recognize this?"

That was the red-haired woman. Rias Gremory. What was she talking about?

"I had one of these left. The Bishop. The role given to those who would protect and support others in the peerage. I can think of no better piece for someone like Asia."

Bishop? What did she mean? Peerage? Her group? What was…?

Suddenly, she felt an energy grab onto her very soul. It felt dark, yet at the same time comforting. As it gripped her, she heard Rias speak once more.

"I, Rias Gremory, call to thee, Asia Argento! Heed my command! Return thy soul from the shadows of death! Rise once more as my new Bishop! Rejoice! For I shall give you life anew!"

Her eyes opened wide as a light encompassed her entire form. It glowed a deep crimson, before turning into a warm green hue.

Then she felt herself being pulled away from the void.

"I told you," the woman said again, a joy in her eyes as she watched as Asia floated higher. "You have some wonderful friends. And you're going to have a beautiful life. It will have its ups and downs, and you'll eventually see me once more, but it won't happen for a long, long time. Enjoy your life, Asia Argento." The woman sent one last smile as she fiddled with the ankh around her neck.

---

Izuku and Ochako watched as the Bishop piece sunk into Asia's body. They watched as her body glowed an intense shade of crimson before moving to a soft green. They held their breath, watching as the energy surrounding her subsided.

Asia's eyes began to open.

And they felt tears running down their faces anew.

Only now, they were one's of happiness.

"Wha?" Asia said groggily as she sat up under her own power. Her voice still sounding strained, but healthy. "Where was…?"

"ASIA!"

She felt the embrace of her closest friends, their tears flowing like waterfalls as they held her close to them, as though they feared she would vanish when they let go. "Izuku? Ochako? What happened? I…!" She let out a sudden gasp as her eyes cleared up, the moonlit night now looking like the sun was shining down on them. "You're both hurt!"

Upon her declaration, both teens looked at each other for the first time since Asia's death, horrified by what they saw. Ochako had been bleeding, wounds around her body that Izuku had only now noticed with her skin as pale as it was. Her battle with the priests had not let her escape unscathed.

They paled in comparison to how injured he was. He had already lost a great amount of blood, his skin almost as pale as Ochako's, and he was sweating profusely.

Asia was quick to use her Sacred Gear on both of them, mending their wounds as quickly as she could. She watched as their injuries sealed themselves, and the two even began to take a healthier glow to their skins, but still noticeably pale. Once the two were healed, she let out a sigh of relief.

Then she embraced the two in return.

"Thank you," she said with panting breaths, her chest heaving as she began shedding tears of her own. "Thank you both so much!"

Rias and the others smiled at the sight before them, happy with knowing that these friends could be together again.

There were things they needed to discuss, stuff that was important, but they could save it for later. They did not want to take away from their moment.

"...damn…you…"

But it seemed that not everyone shared in that desire.

The familiar voice grabbed the attention of the three teens, Izuku quickly standing before his friends as his eyes scanned for Raynare again, thankful his Sacred Gear was still summoned.

He didn't have to look far though. Raynare was already there.

And her wings had been in Akeno's firm grip.

He could now see just how injured she was from their fight. Her cheek was swollen, bruises littered her form, and she was bleeding heavily from a broken nose.

Izuku began to blush heavily when he saw that the thin white dress she was wearing had been basically torn apart, being than small strips of fabric that barely connected to each other, leaving very little to protect her modesty.

He didn't think he had hit her that hard.

"It's nice to see you awake, Fallen Angel Raynare. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rias Gremory, the next head of the house of Gremory. We're long overdue for a talk."

Raynare lifted her head tilted sneer at her, still held firmly in Akeno's grasp. "I'm not…I'm not done yet. There are still the others. They'll be here. And when they do…when they do, they'll…" Her words were cut off as she began coughing heavily, small amounts of blood shooting out of her mouth.

"I'm afraid that will be quite impossible," Rias said as she reached into the pocket on her blazer, pulling out three objects that made Raynare's skin pale.

Held in her hand was three black feathers, each of them varying in length. "You recognize these, do you not? The Fallen Angels known as Dohnaseek, Kalawarner, and Mittlet I believe their names were."

Raynare began to tremble in Akeno's grasp.

""I had guessed that there were several Fallen Angels plotting away in this town once Dohnaseek attacked Izuku. I assumed at the time that you were all working on something collectively, so I chose to ignore it. I am not foolish enough to try and take all of you myself. But after you and your friends attacked my precious servant, Akeno and I decided to have a chat with them. One would think that they wouldn't be dumb enough to talk about their plans where anyone could overhear them, but there are always those that surprise you. We didn't even need to try and talk to them about it. Their whole goal of using this little plan to try and elevate their status in your society. In the end though, they were just like you are. Lowlifes who think that they're far more clever than they actually are." Her hand glowed with power, the same one she had used to execute Vyser before, reducing the feathers to nothing.

'She…she killed them?' Izuku thought to himself.

"Rias is known as an up and coming prodigy back in the Underworld. Gifted in the art of destruction, there are few that can stand up to her powers," Yumi told him, her usual smile looking out of place as she explained that to him.

"There are some who even call her the 'Crimson-Haired Princess of Annihilation'. Akeno said with a small chuckle, her grip on Raynare's wings never once going slack, even as the Fallen Angel began to struggle.

'THAT'S A SCARY NAME!' Izuku, Ochako, and Asia thought to themselves in unison.

"...how though?" Raynare asked as she continued to struggle, another cough of blood falling to the ground. "How did some quirkless nobody beat me with a Twice Critical?"

"Izuku doesn't have a Twice Critical," Rias said as she moved to stand next to him, her eyes scanning his Sacred Gear. "I was confused at first, but the more I looked into it, the more obvious it became. It was dormant before now, but there's no doubt. Izuku holds the Boosted Gear."

Rauanre gasped as another coughing fit took over, a look of shock and horror on her face. "This kid!? This kid…has the power of the Red Dragon Emperor?! One of the Sacred Longinus'? It's said that it can rise above the power of not only the Four Satan's, but even God himself! How does he have such a power!?"

Rias turned to Izuku, a small chuckle at his shocked look. "According to legend, the Boosted Gear can double the power of its user every ten seconds. With it, even the weakest of beings can find themselves surpassing even the strongest of beings, and like the Fallen Angel said, even God himself."

Midoriya Izuku

Sacred Gear:Boosted Gear

The user of this Sacred Gear can double their power every ten seconds for a brief period. It's true potential is unknown.

'I can do that!?/He can do that!?' Izuku and the two girls thought to themselves. He began to stare at the gauntlet on his arm, seeing something on it he'd not seen before. There was an emblem depicting a dragon carved into the gauntlet. He could only stand there in shock at the sight, completely flabbergasted at this new development.

"Of course," Rias continued, "with as powerful as it is, it has a clear weakness. With so much time needed to charge, few would be stupid enough to wait for the wielder to get that strong. How fortunate that there was someone here just that stupid." She looked to Raynare who's face had paled even more than before.

"How? How is that possible!? This little quirkless nobody shouldn't have such a power!" She screamed out before coughing again, hacking up even more blood. Completely missing the dark, threatening look Rias was giving her.

"If you had any sense left, you would be wise not to insult my servants in front of me," her voice came out calm, but everyone could feel the intensity behind it. "I don't know why Izu has the Boosted Gear, but it doesn't matter. For me, that's little more than a bonus." She sent a smile towards him, much to his surprise. Leaving him both blushing and flummoxed, she turned to face Raynare again, her face now filled with scorn for her. "Now, the only thing left is what to do with you."

Raynare began to squirm, trying her hardest to escape, but Akeno's grip held firm. "Honestly, I should purge you from existence here and now, but I feel that that's just too simple." Rias turned her attention to Asia and Izuku. "She's done the worst damage to the two of you. It's only fitting for the two of you to decide her fate."

The two stared at Rias in surprise before turning to the Fallen Angel. Despite everything she had done, when they saw her, weak and near powerless as she sat there in Akeno's grip, they felt only pity.

Asia was the first to speak, all fear she had for the Fallen Angel now all but gone. "I…I can't. I know she has done awful things, but I cannot abide by her dying for them. I believe in forgiveness. That one who has turned their back on the world can find a new life for themselves. Even then, I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me." She thought to mere moments ago, her two friends who were so grievously injured as they fought to rescue her. "Never again."

If Rias was disappointed, or even surprised by her declaration, she didn't let it show before turning her attention to Izuku.

He didn't really know what to say, what to think. Part of him hated her for everything she had done, but…that part of him wasn't sure if he wanted her to die for it. All Might's words tung through his head.

'There are people out there that make the monster you faced last night look like a house cat, but there are still those who would say no. That everyone deserves a second chance, no matter how much they've squandered their first one. I'm not really sure I can give you the answer you need, Young Midoriya, I think the only one who can really do that is you'.

He began to tremble. He wasn't sure if he really knew what the right answer was. He felt a grip on his shoulder, and one on his hand. Ochako and Asia stood by his side. They would support him, whatever he chose.

"I…" he began before Raynare began having another coughing fit, more and more of her blood splattering to the ground. He wasn't certain, but it sounded like she was about to speak up before she began coughing.

"I…I don't want her to die."

Raynare stared up at him in complete surprise.

His decision had been made.

Rias turned back to Raynare, a look of pure disdain on her face. "Consider this a stay of execution. Should I ever see you again, I won't hesitate."

She looked surprised, hopeful, and then terrified all in the span of moments. Not just by what was happening before her, but for everything that could happen to her in the future. Akeno released her grip, the Fallen Angel falling to the ground as her eyes stayed on the three teens who stood side by side. Her expression became more unreadable as she stared at them, before shakily taking to the sky. Like before, there was only black feathers left behind in her wake.

All of them kept their eyes in the air, watching as her form faded into the night sky. Rias let out a tired sigh before turning to face her peerage, a warm smile on her face. "I think it's time we all went home. Well done everyone."

Yumi, Akeno, and Koneko nodded at her, while Izuku, Ochako, and Asia stayed in place. None were really willing to let the others go right now.

"What…?" Asia began, gulping nervously. "What will I do now? Where can I go?"

"My offer's still open you know," Ochako said.

"Asia will be staying with me tonight. There's much we have to discuss now that she's one of us," Rias said as she walked over to the three, offering the young nun a hand.

"One of you?"

"Yes. I was able to revive you, but the only way was to make you like us. You're a Devil now. A member of my peerage. Because of that, you now serve under me for the foreseeable future. You can never truly return to your old life now. I'm sorry," Rias said as gently as she could, her hand still offered to the smaller blonde.

Asia had a look of shock on her face at the news, the entire thing sinking into her mind.

She was a Devil now. One of the damned. Forever disgraced by God and his teachings. She could never return to any church. Never confess her sins. She was like this forever now.

She felt the embrace of both Izuku and Ochako beside her grow tighter, a gentle warmth flowing through her at the contact.

Maybe it would be alright.

She took Rias' hand. All three teens rose at once, still in contact with one another.

"My my Midoriya," Akeno said as she watched him rise, looking impressed and amused. "I never knew you were so muscular. And holding two cute girls so close to you while shirtless? How positively scandalous," she finished with a sly wink.

The three teens froze in place as they looked down to Izuku's chest, their faces erupting into simultaneous blushes. Both Asia and Ochako found themselves staring at his muscled torso with heavy gazes before reality crashed back down to them.

"KYAHHHHHH!"

It was hard to know who screamed loudest as they all backed away from each other, their scarlet faces turning from each other as Izuku began covering himself.

"Here," Rias offered him her blazer, clearly holding back some chuckles of her own. Izuku quickly placed it over his bare chest without thought. The smell of strawberries wafted through the air as he placed it over himself. Was that Rias' shampoo again?

It smelled nice.

"Oh, and Ochako?" Rias said, catching the girl's attention. "You did excellently as well. Your master would be rather pleased."

"I…well,' she said bashfully as she rubbed the back of her head. She didn't think she had done that much. She then became startled as she remembered something important. "Oh no! I totally yelled at her earlier when she told me not to go! I'm gonna be in so much trouble!"

"Worry not," Rias told her, brushing her concerns away. "I know your King well, and she's not really one to hold a grudge. I'm sure she'll forgive you once you two talk about it." She decided not to mention that it didn't mean the other girl couldn't be quite vindictive at times. "Now, we should all really go home. It's been quite the night."

They all agreed, Ofhako still feeling worried, while Asia was still confused, embarrassed, and rather exhausted.

Few words were said as they all began to teleport themselves closer to home, Rias holding onto Izuku so he would travel alongside them.

The entire time, Izuku felt his mind wander. He had heard before, especially from one of his old friends that God had a plan for everyone. He was never too sure how he felt about that, that some near invisible force, real or not, dictated his actions, but he wondered now if God had placed Asia along this path, guiding her to meet them. If this was where she was meant to go. He wasn't certain, but he couldn't help but be curious.

On a whim, he did something he knew to be foolish, but felt was right, just this once.

'God? I don't know if you'd be willing to listen to a Devil, but…if it was your will to bring Asia to us, so that she would never have to be alone again, then thank you.' The headache he got once he finished was something he ultimately considered worth it as the two locked eyes once more, both offering a sincere smile, with Asia's being thankful.

He felt the magic of the arcane circle take hold of him as they began teleporting back to the club room. He had no idea what would be happening in the coming days, but he wouldn't be alone. Not anymore. He had some good people by his side who would fight by his side, as they had proven tonight.

He couldn't wait to tell All Might!

Oh.

Oh…

He was going to have to tell All Might about tonight.

He suddenly dreaded the coming days.

---

Rias allowed Asia to use her shower as well as a fresh change of clothes as the rest of the peerage went back to their separate ways. After everything the girl had to go through this night, it was the least she could give her, something the others agreed with before they left to their own rooms in the apartment complex. The building being owned by Rias' family, it was easy to get them all good rooms for them to stay in.

Save for Akeno, who was the only one who opted to find a place of her own, which she had been fine with. She may have been their master, but her servants were free to live where they wished.

"Was it truly wise to let her live, Rias?" Akeno asked as she followed her King into the apartment room, having chosen to stay the night in case other Fallen Angels decide to seek vengeance.

"She's no longer a threat to us," Rias answered as she began preparing herself to go to bed, placing a spare blazer for her U.A. uniform on the nearby table. "We should be okay after everything that happened tonight."

"Are you sure?" Akeno asked as she too prepared to go to bed, a spare bedroom made specifically for her for whenever she needed to visit. "We did attack a church tonight. Surely there would be consequences for this."

"I am quite certain," Rias responded as she began meticulously stripping herself bare. As she had told Izuku, she was far more comfortable sleeping without clothes than in them. "That church had been abandoned for some time, and while those Fallen Ones may have made it their base, and we did stage an attack on it, but we never once encroached on their territory. That likely would have caused rather unfortunate results. This should only be seen as a minor scuffle between a single Devil and one Fallen Angel. Nothing more," she said as she removed both her shirt as well as her skirt, leaving her in nothing more than her bra and panties. "Even then, it's likely that Raynare would not try anything soon. She may not be bright, but I doubt she's as foolish as the other three we encountered. If she does try anything, it won't be for some time, which would give us plenty of time to prepare for her."

"Very well, if you're certain," Akeno said, being used to seeing her King in various states of undress. It had inspired her to do the same, sleeping without a shred of clothes on at night, which was why she had already begun disrobing herself. "Although," she said with a bit of a smirk as she stood now only in her underwear. "We may have to be careful around our cute little Pawn, unless he somehow steals our hearts as well ."

"Whatever could you mean?" Rias asked as she removed her bra, her generous bust now exposed to the night air.

"Is it really not obvious?" Akeno asked, now in a similar state of undress as she moved to remove her panties. "It was rather clear that not only our new little Bishop, but also Uraraka care quite deeply for him, whether they're truly aware of it or not. And you know what the other legends say about those who wielded the Boosted Gear, aren't you?"

"Ridiculous," Rias said as her panties joined her bra in her clothes hamper, leaving her as naked as the day she was born, her uniform folded neatly on the table closest to her bed. "I do adore Izu, but my feelings for him are purely platonic. He feels like a younger brother I want to protect from harm. Although," she began to admit with a bit of an impish grin. "He is quite fun to tease."

"Too true," Akeno responded as she finished stripping herself, now as bare to the world as her King as she tossed her own clothes into the spare hamper. "It shouldn't take him much longer to realize it though. We Devils are creatures of sin, lust and desire being chief among them. It's quite likely he may end up charming us along the way without even knowing," she admitted with a bit of a perverted giggle. She sounded like she was looking forward to it.

Rias tossed a pillow at her face.

"He should be happy enough with either Asia or Ochako. Or both of them if that's how it works out. It's unlikely that we would all end up falling for him," she nodded, as though that was the end of the conversation.

Akeno tossed the pillow back at her.

"Deny it if you wish," she said with a small wink. "Oh, and speaking of Uraraka, you're certain she'll be alright? Her King can be quite vindictive when she wants to be."

"Well," Rias thought to how her oldest friend would react once she knew Ochako arrived home.

---

Ochako let out a sigh as she closed the door behind her as she entered her apartment. It had definitely been an exhausting night.

Meeting that creepy exorcist. She really wished she could've gotten a chance to hit him at least once. The battle against those priests. Trying to stop that Fallen Angel.

Then watching Asia as she…as she…

She didn't think she would ever forget watching as Asia's life slipped away before her eyes. She knew that seeing death was possible, especially since she wanted to be a hero. Try as they might, not every hero was able to save everyone, she knew that, but only now did she truly understand.

She never wanted to see it again.

She wanted to save people, and that want had solidified itself more than ever tonight. She may not have succeeded, but Asia was still here. She was alive. She felt her heartbeat when she hugged her. No matter how much the sight of Asia's final breath may haunt her, that knowledge that she was alive eased her guilt.

She couldn't let something like that get in the way of her dream after all. She would be a hero, just like Deku.

For now though, she felt she should get some rest.

"Hello Ochako."

She jumped at the familiar voice, a shiver running up her spine as she turned slowly to see the speaker, hoping that her mind had been playing tricks on her.

They were not, however. Right there, sitting on her bed, was a girl a year older than her. She was just as tall as Deku, with a slender build, and short dark hair styled into a bob-cut which was held up by a single hair clip on her left side. Her violet eyes appeared to glow a shade of pink in the dim light of her apartment as they stared out behind her red oval glasses. Like Rias, she wore a U.A. uniform, but unlike Rias, who carried herself with a relaxed grace, this girl carried herself with a stern professionalism.

Her name was Sona Sitri. The King of the peerage Ochako belonged to.

And she did not look happy.

"You seem to have had quite the adventure this night, one I specifically told you not to go on," she said sternly as she sat up, her every step forward making Ochako flinch. She sounded just like her parents did whenever she misbehaved as a child. "Which reminds me, when you called me earlier and I told you not to go, just where exactly did you tell me I could 'shove it'?"

Ochako could only laugh nervously as her King drew closer, before an audible gulp could be heard throughout the room.

---

"She should be fine," Rias said, brushing it off with little worry. "Sona's never been one to be cruel to her servants."

"I suppose you're right," Akeno said as she prepared a new set of clothes for the next day. "Goodnight then." She made her way to the spare room, her backside sashaying in Rias' face the entire time.

She just rolled her eyes with a smile. She had become used to her Queen's antics as they grew to know one another. She made her way to the comfort of her own bed, hoping that she would be able to surrender herself to sleep's embrace.

'I'm already well aware that Izu is going to be discovering that particular part of being a Devil soon,' she thought to herself as she laid down, the soft mattress nearly lulling her to sleep already. 'If he hasn't figured it out already of course. He's rather intelligent, as well as being a quick learner. It would make whoever ended up with him quite happy.'

She was indeed very well aware of the history of those who had been recorded as being the host of The Boosted Gear. How many of them went to bed each night with a partner in both arms, able to woo and seduce whomever they preferred.

'That certainly won't happen to me,' she thought to herself as her thought stunned darker. 'He doesn't even know that I…' She fought to brush the thought away from her mind. She wanted only to focus on the better things now that everyone was safe at home. Not only had she gotten a new addition to her peerage, but Asia had already proven herself to be quite the boon, able to heal all the damage Izuku had taken in his fight with that Fallen Angel.

She nearly growled at the thought of her. She knew that Izuku was strong enough to beat her, he just needed to know it himself, but that didn't mean that she didn't desire to swoop in and rip that oversized crow to shreds for daring to harm one of her own.

But she was back to those more negative thoughts again. She needed to focus on the knowledge that everything was fine now. All that needed to be done now was to let Asia know everything about her new life.

"Um, th-thank you for letting me use your shower Miss Rias. I…! Huh!? Wh-why are you naked?" Asia asked as she stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in a clean pair of clothes.

Oh. Right. She would also need to explain that.

---

She had no idea just how long she had been flying for. Nearly every part of her was in pain. Her stomach, her face, even her wings stung as she moved as far out of that Devil's territory as quickly as she could.

When she could barely fly anymore, Raynare landed shakily on a rooftop close by. She felt herself shudder in pain as every part of her that still ached screamed at her to just take it easy.

When she moved her hand to her stomach, hoping to at least ease some of the pain away, she felt just how torn her dress was. Her eyes narrowed in anger. Those Devils. They had not only beaten her, humiliated her, but had tossed her aside with basically nothing on her, leaving her all but naked in the night.

And where could she even go now? It was likely that any safe houses they had would be raided soon by either the Devils or human law enforcement. She could never return to the Underworld now. If she were to even try to return to the Grigori, she would be executed on the spot. That would be the punishment for her failures.

She wouldn't even be surprised if they had already placed a bounty on her head. And why wouldn't they? She had gone against her leader's orders when retrieving the nuns' Sacred Gear, and worse, she had all bit gift-wrapped the Red Dragon Emperor to the Devil's side.

Dohnaseek. Kalawarner. Mittlet. They were gone too.

Part of her felt glad. She hated them. She had for a long time. They had always mocked her, both behind her back and to her face. Never once stopping themselves from insulting her for her failures, no matter how small they may have been.

But they were the only thing she had in this world. She had nothing and no one.

Her only other choice would be Kokabiel, and she would rather face the full wrath of God himself than return to that man.

She was all alone now. Just like she had been before.

As she finally began to catch her breath, she noticed something on her leg. A torn shirt was still wrapped around it, the garment having somehow never once fallen off during her flight. As she thought back, she began to fume.

So close. She was so close! She would have finally had the power to stand by her peers! Enough power to simply stop being a piece on the board! To never be tossed aside like garbage ever again!

And it had all been taken away from her by them.

They screwed everything up. They got it her way. Midoriya Izuku. Asia Argento. Rias Gremory, and that girl with the Absorption Sacred Gear, whoever she may have been. They were the reasons she was alone again. Why she was still the same Raynare she was before. They had destroyed her dream before her very eyes, and forced her to live with it. She was scared at the time the Gremory girl had her at her mercy, the thought of death almost enough to make her beg for her life. But now? Death would be preferable to the life she would now be forced to live.

"Damn you," she hissed out, doing everything she could to ignore the tears she knew were falling down her face. "Damn each and every one of you. I swear, I will make each and every one of you pay. You'll all pay!"

"Well. This is interesting."

She was strategic as she turned to see where that voice had come from, her eyes widened as she saw a circle of what looked like pure darkness.

They widened more as a shape walked out of it.

Whatever they were, they held the form of a man, but it looked…off. While he wore what looked to be a bartenders uniform, everything about the rest of him simply looked…wrong.

He didn't seem to have any flesh, just large pools of darkness in the vague shape of limbs. Whatever may have passed for hands just looked like large globs of shadows constantly moving about, as if they were unsure what shape they should be. Jutting out of his shirt collar was a strange metal contraption, whatever it was appeared to be another collar, but for what she couldn't tell. Then there was the head. Or at least, what might have passed for one.

There were no features to speak of. Just like his hands, his entire head was just a larger glob of shadows, constantly pulsing and moving every which way, but still staying in some sort of shape. The worst thing we're the eyes. Or were they eyes? They just appeared to be yellow slits in the middle of what may have been a face. They didn't move at all like the rest of him, they stayed completely still. The sight of whoever they were unnerved her more than she'd truly admit.

She barely stopped herself from shivering at the sight of this…whatever it was as she stood back up. A small light dagger formed in her hand, held before her in case this creature had foul intentions. "Who…what are you? Answer me!"

"I had heard from both the Master and the Doctor that Fallen Ones had been spotted in this area, but I didn't expect to find one," the being said, ignoring her words completely, as though she hadn't even spoken at all.

"I asked you a question!? What are you!?" Raynare screamed as her wings began to twitch. Whatever this…this thing was, they were beginning to make her feel uneasy, and she had long learned to trust her instincts whenever she felt that way.

"So you did. Pardon my rudeness. I am known as Kurogiri," the figure said, their masculine sounding voice echoing over the building as they, he she supposed, placed what may have been his hand to his chest as he gave a slight bow. "I had been sent out to monitor Fallen Angel activity, but I never expected one to all but fall into my lap."

"Is that so?" She asked as her wings began to twitch more and more, her uneasiness beginning to bloom into fear. She wasn't strong enough right now to kill him, this knife was taking up most of her remaining power. "And what are you planning to do with me?"

"Simple," he responded as he stretched his appendage over to her, like he was offering her his hand to take. "My orders were to bring in any Fallen Angels I may find while I search. Both my Master and the Doctor are interested in studying all they can about you," she said to her casually, like he had been offering her a drink at a bar while he stood behind the counter. "I would suggest making this easy on yourself, and come quietly."

"NO!" She screamed as she threw the knife at the shadow man, taking to the sky as she watched the knife Saul to where she thought his heart was.

It never made it. It never even touched him.

Just as it looked like it was about to make contact, the shadow man's body twisting and contorting, before passing through him.

"I asked for you to not make this hard for yourself," he said as his body seemed to expand into a familiar circle of shadows, beginning to fade away as she heard him continue to speak. "Now, it appears that I'll have to use force."

She didn't want to take any chances. She watched as he disappeared into that shadow circle before it too would vanish. She took further in the sky, hoping to escape whatever this Kurogiri was. Her heart hammered in her chest, the heavy thumping echoing in her ears as she soared ever higher, hoping that she would be beyond her reach.

"Now, come with me."

Only for another one of those shadow circles to open right in front of her.

She tried to turn, to escape, to keep this creature from taking her, but she could do nothing as his arm reached out to her, gripping her neck in a vice grip. She gasped for air as she brought her arms up to try and make him release his grip, only for him to grab both of her arms in his free one. She tried to scream, for help, for the sake of her sanity, but all that escaped her throat was a garbled squeak. She couldn't even breathe at this point.

"I believe my Master has several things he would like to discuss with you."

Her vision began to fade as he drew her into his darkness, everything around her fading to black. She felt her consciousness slip away as the grip of her neck never once ceased, the last thing she heard before everything faded away being the sound of this creature's voice.

"Welcome to the League Of Villains."

Here's the preview!

Izuku:I'm glad that Asia's alright. I hope she never has to go through anything like that again.

Asia:I never thought my life would end up this way, but…I feel happy

Izuku:Huh? Mom? Are you alright? Wait?! What's happening!?

Asia:These past few months have been difficult, but somehow, in some way, I feel like it's all worth it now.

Izuku:I don't think All Might's very happy about what happened last night.

Asia:All Might? Do you know him?

Izuku:Um…well…

Next time! A New Life

Asia:Izuku, I…I want to stay with you forever.

Izuku:Go beyond!

Both:PLUS ULTRA!

It's done. It's finally done.

This became a bigger chapter than I expected. And it's easily the longest chapter by far. Why am I so freaking wordy?

It was originally even longer, but I cut some bits out. I really liked those bits, but they cut into the pacing of this chapter. I'm pretty sure I can squeeze them into the next one.

Which reminds me, remember when I said that this chapter would be the final one in this particular arc? I made a mistake. Next chapter will be the conclusion, this chapter was merely the climax and part of the falling action.

And what a climax. I'll admit, I still don't think I have the ability to write good fight scenes, which was something I struggled with especially with Yumi's little battle with Freed, but I hope that it's not too much of a mess.

We also have final confirmation on who Ochako's King is, so that should make some of you breathe a sigh of relief.

And of course, Raynare survived this night. The largest change from canon I've made so far. As you can tell, I have plans for her, and she will not have an easy road to walk.

We also got a surprise cameo in this chapter. For those not aware, that woman is Death from The Sandman series. I've been in a real Sandman kick lately, re-reading the comics, listening to the Audible version, and even watching the Netflix show. I simply figured that this would be a good place to put her.

Now I'm sure you're all wondering something. Will Death appear again? Will she play a significant role in the plot? Does this mean I'll start copying what dinocam did and bring more series into this crossover? Will Death end up in a relationship with Izuku?

The answers to all these questions will be answered.

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Right now.

In that order, yes, probably not, I plan to but I'll keep the amount of other series small, and absolutely not.

I am not changing my mind about that last one. It's not happening.

I kind of already placed a little shout out to a series I love back in chapter four when Freed brought up Featherman. Featherman is a sentai series in the Persona games, and is a holdover from one of my original ideas to blend the Persona world into this one, but it ended up not panning out. So the reference is all that remains.

I plan to use more than just characters from other series though, several plots will be adapted into this little universe I've mashed together so it can at least look semi-coherent.

I'm really glad I was able to get this done before the month ended. Hopefully the next one will be done soon. But like with every chapter I've written so far, I'm going to take some time off from writing so it doesn't feel like work to me. Just a few days, nothing serious I assure you.

As always, like, comment, and subscribe to my channel for…wait that's not right. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing what you guys have to say, and if it helps me improve, then it's all the better as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you all for continuing to read this silly little story of mine. See you all next time, and remember to be good and be kind.