Two updates in the same month? Madness. Not really, this is just my birthday present to all of you. I'm also pleased I got some good medical news for a change which has not been the case for some time.
I've also set up a discord with myself and other fellow readers and writers, so check that out if you want, I try to check in on it at least once a day, more often on weekends. (discord. gg/ mgAZ9GGuFG)
Won't blather on too much and just let you enjoy the chapter. As a teaser, the next chapter is aptly named Showtime, so you know what is coming next.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan
Previously:
Issei and the others arrived in London, courtesy of the Sera-Express. The group would then make their way to the hotel and unpack while Issei went to visit his friend Al. Now revealing himself as Issei rather than Ryuujin to Al, Issei booked a reservation for the group, despite some of the restaurant patrons watching Issei suspiciously. Returning to the hotel, Serafall would reveal the group would need to go shopping for their attire for the next day, with Issei planning to take a nap in the meantime.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the High School DxD anime/manga/light novel. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Ddraig talking and Sacred Gear sounds'
"Ddraig thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
Chapter 33 – Formation
Issei shifted in place as he felt a hand caress his hair softly. Issei's eyes started to open, and he felt the hand withdraw.
'Sorry to wake you, it is time to go shopping. Your hair is remarkably soft.' Said Xenovia, meeting Issei's dazed gaze.
'How long was I out for?' Asked Issei.
'Ninety minutes.' Said Xenovia.
Issei gave one more yawn before sitting up.
'Why are you wearing pyjamas?' Asked Issei.
'You are supposed to wear pyjamas in bed.' Said Xenovia simply.
'I thought you said you didn't have anything outside of battle attire and your school uniform.' Said Issei.
'This is also my exercise outfit.' Said Xenovia.
Xenovia was wearing a purple, short sleeve top, and loose brown shorts.
'I mean, I guess they look comfortable enough, but what do you wear on days when you exercise?' Asked Issei.
'It isn't that hard to wash and dry two pieces of clothing, but for more intense training, I tend to wear my battle suit.' Explained Xenovia.
'Ok, guess I better get ready then, see you and the others in a bit.' Said Issei, getting off the bed and getting his outfit, before noticing Xenovia had made no move to leave.
'Um, aren't you going to get dressed?' Asked Issei.
'I am.' Said Xenovia simply.
'Well I'm not and the strip show isn't happening yet.' Said Issei, causing Xenovia to tilt her head.
'That's disappointing, I was hoping for a pointer or two.' Said Xenovia.
'Just have fun with it.' Said Issei.
'I see, thank you for the advice.' Said Xenovia, before giving Issei some privacy.
'I don't know what I'm getting into, do I?' Muttered Issei.
'One performance in exchange for eight seems like a fair deal. I have to say though, I don't think one of my wielders has ever done a strip show before.' Commented Ddraig.
'I think I've done a lot of things your past wielders never did, like Ophis.' Said Issei, causing Ddraig to grumble to himself about the awkwardness of the matter.
'Might as well get this over with.' Muttered Issei, before exiting to find everyone else except for Kuroka waiting for him.
'Let's go already!' Said Serafall energetically, waving Issei over to the elevator where they were waiting.
'I'm coming.' Said Issei, still taken aback by Serafall's boundless energy.
The group made their way back into the non-supernatural side of town and made their way to a large shopping centre. The group started to splinter off quickly after that, with Raynare pulling Xenovia away, Serafall taking Ravel with her, while Xuelan, Karlamine and Irina headed off, leaving Issei by himself. Seeing he was already here, Issei decided to pick up some regular clothes as well, before starting the hunt for his outfit.
"Any suggestions?" Thought Issei.
'Something with red.' Said Ddraig, causing Issei to sigh.
"Helpful as always." Thought Issei, before finding a line-up of mannequins.
'Well, I guess I can select a few options.' Said Issei.
-line break-
Deciding the girls would likely be shopping for much longer than him, Issei took his stuff back to the hotel. After dropping his purchases in his room, Issei made his way back to the girls, only to feel a bunch of eyes on his back. Making his way to a small clearing surrounded by trees, Issei stopped walking and turned around.
'Well, you got a problem with me?' Asked Issei loudly to the empty space.
Seconds after his shout, five people emerged from the clearing, surrounding him. Issei recognised two as those who had been at the bar, while the other three were new to Issei.
'Well, are you just here to stare at me, or are you going to explain what you are doing following me?' Questioned Issei.
'You smell like a vampire.' Said one of them.
'That's what I get for throwing my laundry in with Gasper I guess.' Said Issei.
'So you admit it?' Asked one of the others.
'So? You didn't really expect me to hand wash all my own clothes.' Said Issei.
'Are you making fun of us?' Asked another one.
'No, but I don't think knowing a vampire is enough reason for you to stalk me. I know a lot of people.' Shrugged Issei.
'Well we don't want to know you.' Said another one of the group, who took a step forward, hoping to frighten Issei.
'I mean, I don't particularly want to know you guys either, but you are starting to annoy me.' Said Issei, flexing his left hand slightly.
'So you won't disappear voluntarily, that's fine, we can help with that.' Said the last member of the group.
Issei watched as the pair in front of him growled, before they started to become slightly more animalistic, their fingers seemed to break and reform into claws, while their knees seemed to buckle inwards. The group started to circle Issei, drawing closer and closer with each revolution.
'I guess you don't realise who you are messing with.' Said Issei, before letting his armour surround him.
The group seemed momentarily taken aback, but their moment of fear led to rage, which caused them to lunge at Issei. Issei slammed his fist into the ground, cratering it and kicking up a dust cloud, before jumping, causing the dust to spread out and cloud the vision of his attackers. Issei capitalised on the distraction and used the jets of his Scale Mail to propel him into his first target, who he grounded with a knee in the back, knocking them out instantly, but also clearing the dust. The other four became enraged at seeing one of their own taken out and rushed Issei in a triangular arrangement, one in the front, one in the middle and two at the back on either side. Issei sighed before dashing over to the side and launching a dragon shot in a line, targeting the middle and left attacker, breaking the formation as they dodged. Issei capitalised and picked off the one on the right, launching two quick jabs to the gut before round-housing the winded foe and putting them into blissful unconsciousness.
'Do we really need to keep going?' Asked Issei, but noticed the lack of reason left in the eyes of his foes, causing him to sigh.
Issei jetted up into the air before shooting forwards, arms outstretched, catching two in a double lariat, before throwing them at the last opponent, following up with a shoulder barge and a kick that sent the three crashing into each other, before smashing into and collapsing a tree.
'What a waste of time.' Yawned Issei, before removing his armour and walking out of the clearing.
'Don't forget, most fights are a waste of time to you.' Commented Ddraig.
'True, guess it was more exciting than shopping, but I hope this doesn't cause any troubles for Al. What were those guys anyway?' Asked Issei.
'Werewolves would be my guess, especially with their fixation on vampires.' Answered Ddraig.
'Why is that?' Asked Issei.
'Werewolves and vampires have a history not to dissimilar to the three factions.' Said Ddraig.
'Really? Why?' Asked Issei.
'Do you really expect a good answer to why races hate each other? As both are creatures of the night, both seek to be seen as the superior specimen. It never made sense to me, as a creature who can only unleash their certain type of power at certain times of the day, could easily be destroyed outside of this time.' Said Ddraig.
"Hey Ddraig, did it just get colder?" Thought Issei, before jumping backwards, as a wave of icicles rained down from the sky on him.
Issei looked up and noted a cloud made of ice above him.
'You're one of the Conduits, aren't you?' Asked Issei.
'That is correct. I am Lucy Kuo.' Said the figure atop the ice cloud.
Issei could only make out a head of dark hair atop the cloud, with the constant melting and reforming of the ice making it difficult to see his attacker properly.
'What do you want?' Asked Issei.
'Isn't it obvious?' Said Kuo, before launching a rain of hail down at Issei.
Issei donned his armour again, letting the frozen particles crash into him harmlessly, before his boosters revved up and he blasted up at his aggressor. The cloud of ice quickly started to dissolve as Kuo leapt off it, but not quickly enough, with Issei's impact crushing the remaining ice and launching chunks outwards. Kuo quickly created another cloud of ice and steered it through the blasts. This task proved to be enough of a distraction, as Kuo never noticed wings come out of Issei's boosters, or the red blast he was charging up. As the sky above Kuo turned red, she finally looked up and noticed her folly.
'Take this.' Said Issei, letting the tiny ball of compressed power float downwards, before moving to punch it, only for a stream of bright purple energy to strike the ball, causing its power to be launched off to the side instead of straight down.
Issei turned to his side and saw a blur of neon-coloured lights move towards Kuo.
'We need to go!' Said a girl with dark pink hair, before the pair disappeared.
Issei realised that an abrupt retreat could only mean two things, either they had been overwhelmed and failed their task, or they had accomplished their goal. Issei gave his wings a flap and headed towards the hotel. Landing on the roof, Issei took the stairs down to the eighth floor, before finding the doors to both of their rooms were still closed.
'Kuroka, it's me!' Said Issei loudly, knocking on the door to the girls' room.
'You can come in.' Said Kuroka from inside.
Issei opened the door and noted the room didn't look as damaged as he would have expected if a fight had taken place, but noted all the microwaves were smashed.
'Uh… did you get attacked, or try to make microwave popcorn?' Asked Issei.
'Attacked. The microwaves were spawning mini angels and devils.' Confirmed Kuroka.
'So I guess this means the pawns have moved into place?' Asked Issei.
'Did you get attacked as well?' Asked Kuroka, to which Issei nodded.
'Twice actually, but I don't think the groups were related.' Said Issei, causing Kuroka to tilt her head to the side in confusion.
'What was the other group?' Asked Kuroka.
'Werewolves.' Said Issei.
'Werewolves? In the daytime?' Asked Kuroka.
'I'm just as confused as you. I didn't think Al would have people in his restaurant that would randomly attack people.' Said Issei.
'So werewolves attacked you and they know your friend Al?' Asked Kuroka.
'Seems so. I always thought Al might be involved in something, but I don't think he would send people out to attack me.' Said Issei.
'Guess we can find out soon then, they're back.' Said Kuroka, before the door opened.
'Issei! We were looking all over for you.' Said Serafall.
'I finished an hour ago and didn't want to bother all of you, so I went for a walk.' Said Issei.
'And returned to terrorise the appliances from the looks of things.' Commented Xenovia.
'That was me actually.' Said Kuroka.
'Couldn't figure out how to warm up some milk?' Asked Raynare.
'I know exactly how to get warm milk.' Retorted Kuroka.
'So should we get going then? Isn't it almost time?' Asked Irina.
'Sure, I guess so.' Said Issei.
The girls dropped off their purchases as well, before the group set out to Al's restaurant.
'So Issei, any reason you seemed to be randomly powering up today?' Asked Serafall.
'You felt that?' Asked Issei.
'Felt what?' Asked Xenovia.
'Issei seemed to be exercising, unless I'm mistaken.' Said Serafall.
'Werewolves and conduits.' Said Issei.
'Is that so? You know, the two of you should really keep me in the loop about these things.' Said Serafall, looking to both Issei and Kuroka.
'It wasn't like we had any warning.' Said Kuroka.
'Next time, how about you tell me before I ask?' Suggested Serafall, but it was clear from her tone she expected them to do so anyway.
'So does that mean we missed out on a fight?' Asked Karlamine.
'Yeah, but don't stress, there'll be more.' Said Issei.
A few minutes later, the group arrived at the restaurant and found it largely empty, aside from Al and the stewardess.
'Right on time, please come in and have a seat.' Said Al, gesturing for the group to come sit.
As the group sat, the stewardess placed a menu in front of each of them. Kuroka seemed to fidget a little, before locking her gaze on to Al.
'What do you recommend?' Asked Kuroka.
'For you, I would suggest the T-Bone steak.' Said Al.
'Thank you, I will have that then, Al. That wouldn't happen to be short for something, would it?' Asked Kuroka.
'It is actually short for Alphonse, but that is a bit of a mouthful.' Said Al with a smile.
The others placed their orders after that, some also asking for Al's recommendation.
'So did you find anything good today?' Asked Issei.
'Too early to say at this stage, we won't know until tomorrow.' Said Serafall.
'What about you, did you pick up anything good?' Asked Raynare.
'I guess, I also did some normal clothes shopping too.' Admitted Issei.
'And yet you still finished before all of us.' Said Xuelan.
'Boys just shop differently to girls.' Said Issei.
'And here I thought I wasn't as girly as some of the others.' Said Karlamine.
'I thought the same. Although this was my first-time shopping.' Admitted Xenovia.
'Your first-time shopping was with Raynare? How much leather did she make you buy?' Asked Issei.
'She told me the first time you go shopping everything has to be leather.' Said Xenovia, causing Issei to glare at Raynare.
'Have you no shame?' Asked Issei.
'Absolutely none. Say the word and we can do it on this table.' Said Raynare.
'Not before dinner you won't.' Interjected Irina.
'We can save it for dessert.' Said Raynare.
'What about the puppies though?' Said Ravel quietly.
'Oh the whelps, that's right, Issei did tell me a few of you wanted to see them. Finish up here and we can go across to see them, don't rush though.' Said Al, returning with a stack of plates balanced on one arm.
Making his way around the table, Al placed a plate in front of everyone, before heading back into the kitchen and returning with a few sides and dips. The group dug into their meals with everyone enjoying things, despite some of them not being familiar with this manner of cooking.
'Ah, I love a good steak.' Said Karlamine.
'It is certainly heavier than the food we normally eat.' Said Xenovia.
'The texture is so delicate though for something presented so plainly.' Said Ravel.
'My philosophy is let the food speak for itself, no need to put a dress and wig on it.' Said Al, enjoying the praise.
'Hey Al, where are all of your other customers?' Asked Issei.
'I'm not sure, the regulars said they were going out for a walk but haven't come back yet. Knowing them, they saw something just shiny enough to distract them.' Said Al.
'What about other customers though?' Asked Irina.
'Well, I don't get too many guests in these parts. Probably has to do with me keeping the place so plain.' Said Al.
'So your philosophy about food applies to other areas too.' Commented Xenovia.
'Pretty much.' Said Al.
'Well I think that's great. It isn't easy for people to focus on substance over appearances.' Said Serafall.
'I like to think so too.' Said Al, before noting everyone had just about finished eating.
'Well, with that all done, how about we head next door?' Asked Al, to which the group nodded.
'Perfect, just give me a minute to pop these in the wash.' Said Al, collecting everyone's plates and taking them back to the kitchen.
A short while later, Al returned, and was using a dish rag to dry his hands, before placing it on a small hook on the counter.
'Come on then.' Said Al, before leading the group to a door against the side of the wall.
Opening the door, the group saw the inside of an obstacle course. A few gasps of surprise were heard, when they saw just how big the course was.
'You have puppies run a course this big?' Asked Irina.
'They are energetic pups, let me go check on them.' Said Al, before walking towards what looked like a storeroom.
Returning a moment later, two lines of half a dozen puppies were following him.
'They are really well behaved.' Commented Xuelan, seeing the puppies standing attentively.
'Ah, that's just because they don't know if we are here for training or fun yet.' Said Al, before leading them over to the course.
'Slow now.' Said Al.
The first two pups in the line entered the obstacle course and stated to leisurely make their way through the course, climbing along a log, jumping across to the waiting platform, sliding down a makeshift slide, before making their way across a series of clockwise rotating platforms, before looping back to the group, finishing up by jumping over a high bar in a zigzag motion. As the two returned, Al crouched down and patted the two on the head before scratching them under the chin.
'That was impressive.' Said Xenovia.
'Just wait. Fast now.' Said Al, and the next two pups charged into the course.
It looked like the puppies were in combat with how they powered through the course, finishing it in half the time the first two did, before receiving praise from Al.
'They might be pretty young, but they sure are energetic.' Commented Al.
Al led the pups back outside the course.
'Fun now.' Said Al, and the puppies instantly broke formation and started fooling around with each other, with the more curious of the group walking over to the others.
'They are friendly right?' Asked Ravel, only for one of the puppies to jump at her, causing her to involuntarily catch it, before it gave her a big lick on the cheek.
'I think they like you.' Said Al, as two more puppies circled Ravel's feet.
'T-they do?' Stammered Ravel.
'Yeah, they usually don't get that rowdy unless there is a flock of birds around, they love chasing them around.' Said Al.
'They don't hurt the birds, do they?' Asked Xuelan.
'Not if they are just playing.' Said Al, causing Ravel to release her breath that she hadn't realised she was holding.
'Guess they are really well trained then.' Commented Karlamine, walking over to one of the pups, who looked up at her before circling her once.
Karlamine dropped down to a knee and it jumped on to her knee, allowing her to pet it.
'What are you training them for though?' Asked Xenovia.
'Why not? It is good to learn how to do different activities and behave in different situations. We do competitions occasionally as well to get some extra funding, but it is mostly for fun.' Said Al.
'Do you just train dogs?' Asked Kuroka, warily eying the pups.
'Mostly, we do get a few exotic things every now and again, but that is usually for people who need help with their pets, rather than us raising them from scratch.' Said Al.
'How exotic?' Asked Serafall curiously.
'We did have a mountain lion once.' Said Al, causing the others to look at him in disbelief.
'Who keeps a mountain lion for a pet?' Asked Issei.
'You'd be surprised what comes through here sometimes.' Said Al with a shrug.
'They sure are affectionate.' Said Irina, as two puppies vied for her attention and kept rubbing up against her and giving her puppy-dog expressions, leading to her picking both up and cuddling them.
'That they are, especially at this age.' Agreed Al.
'So what are they like when they grow up?' Asked Kuroka.
'A bit rowdier, but still good at following instructions if given a firm order.' Said Al.
'Do they ever do anything they aren't ordered to do?' Asked Issei.
'Eh, they can, but I try to keep an eye on them.' Admitted Al.
'You haven't ever ordered them to do anything naughty, have you?' Asked Serafall.
'No ma'am, I keep myself out of trouble and make sure my pups do the same, well, as much as I can.' Said Al.
After a few more minutes of playing, the puppies broke off from the group, with Al directing them back to their room, filling their bowls with some food, before shutting the door.
'Thanks for today, Al. Sorry if we caused you any trouble today.' Said Issei, handing the man some money, as the group returned to the restaurant.
'Ah don't worry about it, I always like catching up with old friends.' Said Al, taking the money gratefully and patting Issei on the shoulder.
'Look after yourself.' Said Issei, before the group left.
'Betty, why don't you head home for the night, I'll close up.' Said Al, dismissing his sole employee for the night.
Al went to the back and unloaded the dishes, which had now been washed, before grabbing some cleaning product and a rag, before wiping down all the hard surfaces. Finishing up, Al took the cleaning equipment back and washed his hands, before grabbing his own stuff and preparing to head home, only to find a man wearing a red suit standing in the doorway.
'Sorry, we're closed for the day.' Said Al.
'Oh, I am not here for a meal, regrettably. I am here to have a conversation.' Said the man.
'Oh, and who are you?' Asked Al.
'You can call me John White.' Said John.
-line break-
As the group returned to the hotel, Serafall and Kuroka both made their way to Issei's room for a discussion.
'Now then, why don't you tell me what happened today. First Issei, then Kuroka.' Said Serafall calmly.
'Well, after I finished shopping, I went for a walk and felt someone was following me. I went to a secluded area and called out who was following me, and it was a group of five people, two of which I had felt following me after leaving Al's in the morning. They said they wanted me to go away because I smelt like a vampire and revealed themselves to be werewolves after a small transformation, or at least that is what Ddraig said. After I beat them down, I tried to head back to the hotel and got attacked by one of the conduits, Lucy Kuo. It was a pretty short fight since after initial contact, another conduit with dark pink hair came and redirected my attack, before they both fled. Then I came back to the hotel and landed on the roof, before making my way down to see Kuroka was in the room with all the microwaves smashed, but no other signs of damage.' Said Issei.
'Must have been Fetch.' Commented Kuroka.
'Fetch, otherwise known as Abigail Walker?' Asked Serafall to which Kuroka nodded.
'Very well, moving on, what happened with you, Kuroka?' Asked Serafall.
'I was just taking a nap when I felt and then saw a bunch of lights glowing in all of the appliances. The lights started to form into solid creatures and knowing that it was likely an attack by Eugene, I destroyed all of the electromagnetic appliances in the room, stopping the attack. It wasn't long after that when Issei arrived.' Said Kuroka.
'To clarify, Eugene as in Eugene Sims?' Asked Serafall to which Kuroka nodded.
'I see. Well, it does seem like the two attacks on Issei are from different parties, but it can't be ruled out at this stage that the Conduits are using the werewolves, knowingly or unknowingly.' Said Serafall.
'Al wouldn't be working with them; I know him, and he is loyal to his friends.' Said Issei.
'However, as you are his friend, your opinion is biased in his favour. For what it is worth, it seems like he isn't working with the Conduits, but it cannot be excluded at this stage.' Said Serafall.
'With that being said though, it seems like those other werewolves you ran into today could potentially be working with the Conduits, since they didn't seem to like you very much.' Continued Serafall.
'Do you think Al knows that he has werewolves coming to his place?' Asked Issei.
'Again, it is difficult to say, but it would seem likely.' Said Serafall.
'Man, I thought this was supposed to be a vacation.' Sighed Issei.
'Don't be like that, there is still the strip show tomorrow.' Said Serafall optimistically.
'I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is turning into more work than I expected.' Said Issei.
'Not everyone can just pull of a strip show without preparation. Me on the other hand.' Said Kuroka, before pulling the top of her robe down slightly.
'Now, now, save it for tomorrow. Get some rest Issei.' Said Serafall, wagging a finger at Kuroka, before motioning for the pair to leave Issei alone.
'What a day.' Sighed Issei, before heading to bed.