Issei just stood unphased from the fact that Valia, now known to be the Vanishing Dragon, was practically next to his ear and could feel her breath.
Valia leaned back and chuckled at his serious face. "I have to say, out of armor you look very intimidating. Must be why the girls at this school go crazy for you." Valia then reaches to touch his face but Issei grabs her wrist.
"Cut the bullcrap and tell me what you're doing here?" Issei demands. Two swords then cross at Valia's throat.
"Don't you think this joke has gone on long enough?" Kiba says.
"It wouldn't be smart to allow you to start a fight with Black Dragon Emperor here, now would it?" Xenovia adds.
Jack and Asia walk up. "Uh, what's going dude?" Jack asks.
"Hello, Red Dragon Emperor. I must say, from what I saw of your power on the battlefield, it's still...incomplete." Valia states.
Jack widens his eyes. "Who the hell is she?!"
"She's the Vanishing Dragon." Issei tells him.
Valia glances at Kiba and Xenovia. "Is this really the best move? If all of you still fighting couldn't bring Kokabiel down, you'll never beat me. But don't take my word for it, keep going if you feel like causing a scene."
Kiba and Xenovia look to Issei who nods for them to lower their swords. The Knights do so and stand by Issei.
Valia then rests her chin on Issei's shoulder. "From the stories I've heard about Issei, you're quite the devil. Taking down Riser and his peerage, defeating stray devils with just the wave of your hand, and I must admit you did quite a bit of damage to Kokabiel before I arrived."
"You have a point to make?" Issei asks, not moving.
"I do. I really think you should reconsider your position with the Gremory Clan. Someone like you deserves to be treated like a king. Wouldn't you agree, Rias?"
Issei turns and sees Rias with Akeno and Koneko.
"I don't need your advice." Rias says walking up next to Issei. Valia removes her chin from Issei's shoulder as Rias then continues, "Mind telling me what this is all about? If you've come here on behalf of the fallen angels, I can assure you it's a huge waste of time."
"Ha! I merely came to see what our Black Dragon Emperor looks like. And I must say, I'm not disappointed." Valia says eyeing Issei. "Also, from the stories that have been told about Erakhan, most who have any involvement with him or the Heavenly Sky Dragons, have never had the best of luck. Until we meet again, Issei Najasaki."
The ORC watches Valia walk past and leave. Valia turns and adds, "One more thing, the Apocalypse Sisters' hosts are very much looking forward to meeting you out of armor when the summit happens." Valia then leaves without another word.
Rias looks at Issei to see his arm shaking and holds his hand. Issei grips it tightly, making sure that this was in fact, real.
~Something bad is coming. One way or another it won't succeed, not on my watch.~ Issei says in his mind.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Issei and Charn walk down the path of the school. "I can't stop thinking about who the Apocalypse Sisters could be. And why would they be so anxious to meet me."
"Doubt it has to do with Erakhan and your Balance Breaker forms." Charn input.
"Yeah, but what other reason would they have to see me? Me of all people!" Issei says.
"Hello, Issei." Rias says. Issei sees his girlfriend, Akeno, Sona, and Tsubaki all together.
"Oh, hey ladies. What's going on?" Issei asks.
"I hear you met the White Dragon Empress." Sona says.
Issei nods. "Yeah. But I'm not really worried about her, it's the Apocalypse Sisters. Who could they possibly be? Azazel and Valia both said they anxious to meet me out of armor."
"Are you sure there is no one you can think of from your past that would want to see your more than anything?" Erakhan asks.
"No one." Issei sighs.
"Valia and the Apocalypse Sisters all seem to be working for the fallen angels, so I don't think we have to worry about them making rash decisions." Rias points out,
"Regardless of their intentions, I don't any of them on the school grounds." Sona states.
Rias looks down. "Me either. Escpecially since we'll have a much bigger problem to deal with soon."
"Good, we agree. Talk to you later." Sona and Tsubaki then leave.
Issei grips his head, getting another headache. Rias notices and steadies him as he begins to wobble. "Are you okay?"
"Agh, think I got another headache from meeting Valia. I swear, no amount of pain meds gets rid of these things." Issei groans.
"Let's just get to class." Rias says as she helps Issei along with Akeno.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Later at home, Issei had finished his workout and decided to take a shower. When he opens the door, he then see Rias undressing, preparing to take a bath.
Issei immediately slams the door. "Sorry, Rias!"
Rias merely opens the door and drags Issei inside. "It's all right, Issei. Besides, I was kind of hoping to take a bath with you. Mind joining me?"
The next thing Issei knew, he was washing Rias's back as they sat in the tub. ~Why does stuff like this happen to me? It's not that I don't like it! I just always manage to get into situations like this whether I want it to happen or not!~
"I think you've washed me enough. My turn to do your back." Rias says.
Issei shakes his head rapidly. "N-No! I mean, it's fine I can do it!"
Issei reaches for the soap but Rias beats him to it. "I'm washing your back. End. Of. Discussion." Rias says calmly but firmly.
"Yes ma'am." Issei gulps. He turns so his back faces Rias as she then begins to scrub his back. Issei sighs as his thoughts wander.
"Thinking about the Apocalypse Sisters again?" Rias asks.
Issei exhales. "Why would they want to meet me so badly? Why? I agree with Charn, I don't think they want to see me because my power but for something else. I just can't figure out who though."
Rias wraps her arms around his neck and kisses his black hair. "I know that everything has been we've been through seems to be getting harder by second, but me, Jack, Akeno, everyone will be there to help you. None of us will ever give up on you like your other family did."
Issei lets his head fall back against her chest. "I know. I love you."
"I love you too." Rias smiles.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
It was here. Open House. All the parents were in the classroom, including Anaria, and were watching their kids make their own creations with clay.
Issei just stares at his modeling clay. ~What the hell could I possibly make? I got legit nothing!~
"Maybe I can help." Erakhan says in his mind. "Close your eyes, Issei. Try to picture what you enjoy most. Then take the clay and form it into your own image."
Taking his father's advice, Issei closes his eyes. Only seconds passed by and when he opened them he had made a mini-sculpture of him and Rias kissing along with Erakhan in the background, wings spread and roaring.
Everyone in the class gathered around Issei's sculpture in awe and amazement.
"How did you do that?!"
"Dude, I'll pay you to make a sculpture of me and Rias kissing!"
"No! Make a sculpture of you and me kissing, Issei!"
Anaria walks up and hugs her son. "You are one talented little boy, Issei."
Issei slaps his forehead. "WHY ME?!" When class was over, Issei shows Rias the sculpture he made of them.
Rias stares at it in amazement. "Issei, you made this? It's beautiful!"
Akeno giggles. "You really don't know when to stop being a charmer, do you Issei?"
Issei shrugs. "I'm being honest here, I literally have no clue how I made that. I just closed for several seconds and bam! Just like that."
"You should make a statue of me, I'll be sure to pose in the right 'positions' for you." Akeno says licking her lips.
"Uh, sure...I guess?" Issei says unsure.
"No, he won't." Rias says firmly.
"NO WAY! A MAGI-GIRL PHOTO SHOOT!" A guy screams as he and several make their way to the gym.
"Magi-girl?" Issei questions.
"It can't be!" Rias says.
"Or can it?" Akeno giggles.
They make their way into the gym and see the group of guys taking pictures of a girl in a cosplay outfit.
"As if this day couldn't possibly get any weirder." Issei sighs.
"Knock it off!" Saji says stepping in front of the girl and addressing the guys with cameras. "We are still on school property. You've seen enough of this. We don't need this kind of commotion on the day of Open House. Get out of here!"
All the guys groan and leave, cursing under their breaths.
"Are you related to someone at this school?" Saji asks the girl as she nods. "Well, they should've told you that this kind of outfit is unacceptable here."
The girl then twirls and says, "Sparkle shine! Your command is mine!"
"You have to stop that!" Saji orders.
Issei whistles. "Hey Spike. What's up man?"
"Hey, Shadow. Look I don't have to talk right now." Saji says.
Sona then enters the gym. "Saji! What's going on here?"
"Oh, hey Sona. This girl says-"
"I finally found you Sona!" The girls says, making Sona shocked and uncomfortable.
"I'm guessing that's the girl you thought it couldn't have been, huh?" Issei asks Rias who nods.
The girl runs over to Sona. "I'm so happy to see you! What's the matter, you look sad? Your face is all red. Aren't you excited to finally be seeing your big sister again? I'm gonna require a lot more happiness from you, come on! You should run into my arms and tell me how much you miss me! And I'll say, 'Oh Sona, I missed you too!' And I'll give you a big, fat kiss and you'd kiss me back and that'd lead to girl on girl actions and wouldn't that be hot?"
"Sounds like someone twenty cups of coffee this morning." Issei chuckles.
"That is the Lady Serafall Leviathan." Rias states.
"'Lady' who?" Jack questions walking up with Asia.
"She's currently one of the four Devil Kings." Saji explains. "I'd always heard things about Sona's sister. But I didn't recognize her since this is the first time we've met."
Rias walks up to her. "It's certainly been a while, Lady Leviathan."
"Oh, yes it has, Rias!" Serafall says giddily. "How excited are you to see me?"
"Very. Thank you for asking." Rias nods. "Did you come here to visit Sona for Open House?"
Serafall makes pouty face. "Yeah, but I had to find out about it on my own! Sona's a meanie and didn't tell me. I was so mad when I found out the truth. I almost attacked Heaven out of frustration."
Issei leans over to Jack and Saji. "While I believe she could, kinda hard to take her seriously in that outfit."
"Agreed." Jack and Saji say together.
Serafall then spots Issei and gasps with stars in her eyes. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my GOSH! You're Issei Najasaki! I've heard so much about you! Saving Rias from that fried chicken Riser and then sweeping the floor with Kokabiel? You're son really is something isn't he, Erakhan?!"
Issei's hand glows. "Hello Lady Serafall." Erakhan says flatly.
"Why is everyone so depressed around me?!" Serafall cries.
Issei chuckles nervously and scratches the back of his head. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Leviathan."
Serafall just giggles. "No need for formalities, Ky-Ky! You can call me 'Little Levia'!"
"Ky-Ky? Now I understand what people are getting depressed about." Issei mutters.
Sona steps forward. "Listen to me, I am responsible for the entire Student Council here. Even if you are family, this is inappropriate school attire. You're going to have to change!"
"Why do you have to be like that?" Serafall whines. "Can't you hear the tone of your voice right now? You're borderline violent! You know that I've never asked for anything. All I want is to be a magical girl!"
"Okay, now it's even harder to believe that Serafall is Sona's quote unquote 'big' sister." Issei sighs. "Plus, she even LOOKS younger than Sona!"
"I'll take that as a compliment, Ky-Ky!" Serafall says making everyone but Sona laugh.
"Please stop calling me that." Issei begs, annoyed.
Serafall then spins her staff. "With my sparkling staff, I will do my duty and obliterate all the angels and fallen angels!"
"Do you have any respect at all?!" Sona shouts. "If you start sparkling you could obliterate a small country in minutes!"
Jack cocks a brow. "Hey, I just had a thought. Why didn't Sona mention her to us earlier, like when Kokabiel attacked. You think she would've like, needed her help. Is it because they don't get along?"
"No, it's the opposite." Akeno explains. "The problem is that Lady Serafall loves her little sister a little too much, some would say she's obsessed. Sona could've asked for help, but it would've gotten out of control."
"Also, if she found out that her baby sister had been violated by a fallen angel, she would've started a war right then." Saji adds.
"I can't take it anymore!" Sona cries running off.
"Sona, wait!" Serafall shouts running after her.
Saji chuckles. "Looks like Sona's gonna need my help. Talk to you later."
Issei pats his back. "I gotcha. See ya on the flip side, Spike!"
"Saji's headed for a rough time, isn't he?" Asia asks.
Rias sighs. "It's not really my place to say, Asia. But yes, he is. All the Devil Kings are like this. He's got his work cut out for him."
"What does 'like this' mean?" Issei inquires.
"High strong and excitable." Rias states. "It can be exhausting...Ky-Ky."
Issei growls and pulls Rias to him. "You call me that one more time and you're getting spanked when we get home."
Rias giggles. "How's that supposed to stop me?"
"...I hate my life." Issei mumbles.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Issei, Rias, Jack, Asia, and Akeno all walk in the main hall.
"Oh, Issei! Over here!" Anaria calls.
"Hello, mother." Issei grumbles. They see that Anaria is with Jack's parents and a red-headed man not a day over thirty.
"There you are. I've been looking for you, Rias." The man says.
"Hello, father." Rias sighs.
"Wait, what?!" Issei says shocked. "That's your dad?! But, he's so young!"
Rias's father extends his hand to Issei. "You must be Issei, my daughter's boyfriend. Nice to meet you in person. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
Issei shakes his hand. "Absolutely, sir."
Jack leans to his father. "What's going on?"
"Your mom, Anaria, and I ran into him in the hallway." Mr. Hyoudou states. "And here we are, still talking to each other in a hallway. Why don't we go back to the house where there's room to sit?"
Zeoticus nods. "That's sounds like a wonderful idea."
Issei and Rias stiffen.
"Wonderful. We'll see you back at the house, Ky-Ky." Anaria giggles leaving with the Hyoudous and Zeoticus.
Issei glares at his friends. "Which one of you told her?!"
"Guilty as charged." Erakhan laughs.
Issei looks at his right hand. "What?! Why?!"
"Son, what kind of father would I be if I didn't give your mother a cute nickname to call you by?"
"I hate you so much." Issei cries silently.
(HEY GUYS! PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS PARAGRAPH FOR AND ANSWER ME HONESTLY: ARE WE ALL GONNA TURN OUT LIKE OUR PARENTS AND EMBARASS THE CRAP OUT OF OUR FUTURE KIDS?! WE ALL SAY WE WON'T BUT THE CLICHE IS WE DO!)
Sirzechs laughs as he descends from the stairs. "That's brilliant."
Rias looks at him. "Why are you laughing?"
"It looks like we're having a family slumber party with father tonight." Sirzechs states.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Back the house, a whole feast was spread as Zeoticus, Sirzechs, Anaria, and Jack's dad all talked.
"This is splendid." Zeoticus states.
"Everything looks delicious." Sirzches agrees.
"Let's raise a glass to our new friend!" Jack's father suggests. They then starts watching the films they've recorded of Jack, Asia, and Issei. "Jack, why do you always look like you ate a sour lemon when we film you?"
"After this, I'd love to show you Rias's." Zeoticus says.
"You got video too? Splendid!" Anaria says giddily. The video then plays showing Rias waving her hand to put the camera down.
Asia looks around. "Where's Issei?"
Jack chuckles. "He's in his room with a pillow over his head. Can't exactly blame the dude. But Charn's keeping him company so he should be good."
"The way I see it, it's part of a father's duty to embarrass his daughter at school." Zeoticus chuckles.
Rias covers her head in her hands. "I feel like I'm in the lowest level of hell right now."
"Isn't that sweet, our little Ri-Ri is answering the teacher's question." Sirzechs states.
Rias stands from her seat. "I've had about enough of this! I'll be in my room, stupid jerks!" Rias leaves the living room and goes upstairs, sitting with her head on her knees.
She hears footsteps and gasps when she gets picked up bridal style. Rias sees that Issei had picked her up and was shirtless with sweats on. "They embarrassed you too, huh?"
Rias sighs and nods.
"Come on, pouty face. Let's go to my room." Issei walks to his room and opens the door quietly, as to not wake Charn. He sits down on his bed against the frame, still holding Rias as she has her head against his shoulder.
Issei rests his head on hers. "Guess we both got embarrassing parents, huh?"
"Yeah..." Rias sighs.
"But, look on the bright side, at least they're getting along." Issei points out. "Plus, we don't have to worry about them not wanting us to be together."
"I know." Rias pushes herself off Issei's shoulder and looks him straight in the eye. "Issei, can I ask you something?"
Issei nods. "Sure."
"Be honest...are you glad that you met me?" Issei was taken aback, not expecting this. Rias continues, "I'm very happy here."
"Of course! My life would be just normal and average if I hadn't met you!" Issei states. "Everything we've done and faced together has been one great memory after another that I'll never forget! Rias you're the best thing that could ever happen to a guy like me!"
Rias smiles and kiss Issei which he accepts as he falls on his back with Rias on top. Issei wraps his arms around her back as her nails dug into his back.
The lights turn on and they both sit up to see Sirzechs there. "Am I interrupting something?"
Issei drops his head on the pillow and huffs as Rias stands. "What now?"
"There's something I've been meaning to discuss with you." Sirzechs states.
Rias nods. "Go ahead."
"Okay, I was thinking it might be about time to release the other bishop." Rias gasps at the statement.
"'Other bishop'?" Issei says confused. "Wait what happened to this bishop that it had to be locked away?"
"His power was too out of control." Rias explains. "So he had to be sealed away. You're the one who organized all this, aren't you?"
Sirzechs nods. "Guilty as charged. Rest assured, after the fight with Phoenix and Kokabiel I've reconsidered."
"Then, why?" Rias asks.
"There are a lot more pieces to work with. And you're stronger now than you've ever been. I am more than confident that the time is right. Release the bishop, Rias."
"If you-I mean yes, if the Great Devil Lucifer orders it done." Rias nods. Sirzechs smiles and leaves the room.
Issei gets up from the bed and hugs her from behind, making Rias sigh in bliss. "We'll help him. Don't worry."
"It's not really a question of helping him, Issei." Rias states. "It's rather if he wants to be helped."