~Yay! School's back on!~ Issei cheers sarcastically in his mind. He, Jack, Asia, and Xenovia were sitting in class, waiting for the new transfer student to arrive. Issei lazily looked up and widened his eyes at who walked.
"Hello, everyone." Irina waves. "My name is Irina Shidou. It's a pleasure."
"Well...that's something." Issei says aloud.
Irina then spots him. "Oh, hi Issei! I didn't see you there!"
Matsuda then glares at Issei. "Hey! Why's my future baby mama talking your dumbass?!"
Issei punches him in the face without looking as Irina then says, "Oh, Issei and I have become awesome friends! We've known each other for almost several months now!"
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The ORC and Irina meet up in the club room after class.
"Looks like you had a safe trip." Xenovia says.
Asia nods. "We didn't think we'd see you again so soon."
"I know, right? I missed you! Come here!" Irina giggles and hugs Xenovia and Asia, making them shrug out of her grasp. "What's the matter?"
"Sorry, it's just hanging around your neck." Xenovia states.
"It hurts us." Asia adds.
Irina gasps. "Oh! That's right! I forgot the crucifix hurts devils. Forgive me."
Issei shakes his head with Koneko sitting in his lap, licking a lollipop. "Oy-vey. I swear I can only take so much angelic innocence before I have to puke."
Koneko shoots him a glare. "Hey, I'm eating here."
Gasper shifts uncomfortably. "I'm kind of freaking out. Wasn't she a member of the church?"
"That's right." Kiba says. "Kind of wondering why she transferred here too..." Rias and Akeno then enter the room.
"Great. You've already gathered." Rias smiles. "Welcome, Irina. Did you enjoy your first day of school?"
Irina nods. "I have. Thank you so much, Rias. Everyone's so nice. I'm really happy to be here."
"Wait, Rias you know about this?" Issei asks.
"It's not that complicated." Azazel says appearing behind him.
"Genie, for my first wish, I want you to go back in your lamp." Issei states.
Azazel rolls his eyes. "Very funny. Figured I should come say hello to your new transfer student too. After all, she's here because Michael thinks the rest of us aren't strong enough. So he's boosting our numbers against the Khaos Brigade."
"Hey, we did work pretty well together." Kiba points out.
"It'll take getting used to, but it'll be fun." Akeno adds.
"And since I'm here, you guys don't have to worry about a thing." Irina says, sprouting her wings and halo ring. "As a reincarnated angel, I'll protect you with Lord Michael's blessing. Amen!"
"Isn't being prideful a sin?" Jack questions.
Issei puts his hand over his mouth, struggling not to puke. "Yeah, I'm gonna reach Niagara Falls soon."
"She sort of terrifies me." Gasper gulps.
"I still can't believe you're an angel now." Xenovia says. "How did that even happen?"
"With God dead and all, there's no way for new angels to be born." Azazel explains. "So they've gotta be made now, kind of like the fallen angels and devils do."
Irina makes her wings disappear. "This is how it works: A high level angel is ranked as a king. The king commands its' brave saints which rank from queen to ace and there's everything in between."
"Oh, I get it." Kiba says. "While we're based on chess pieces, you guys are like a deck of cards."
Issei then chuckles. "I feel bad for whoever gets the Jack or Joker cards..."
"A whole deck of cards to choose from." Asia awes. "Which one are you, Irina?"
"I was hoping someone would ask that!" Irina says giddily. "I am a Rank: Ace. I was beyond honored to take this prestigious position for Lord Michael's deck. What a joy! Such a blessing! Lord Michael, thank you!"
Issei then hurls over the side of the couch, making Koneko grimace. "Really, dude?"
Issei wipes his mouth. "Blame her! I told you I could only take so much!"
Asia looks to Xenovia. "It's nice to see Irina so full of purpose. Lord Michael must've done a lot for her."
"I guess so." Xenovia agrees. "It proves when you're lost, your life still has direction. I think you and I can relate to that."
"So true." Asia smiles.
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Back at the house, Irina sees Rossweisse hugging her legs to her chest.
"Hold on, Rossweisse is still here? I thought-"
Issei covered her mouth. "Don't even ask."
Irina then says, "You were left behind."
Rossweisse lifts her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't know why I'm crying. I should be used to this by now. It's not like any other man has wanted me by his side, so why should my own boss?"
Issei exhales and sits next her, pulling her head to his shoulder. "Come on, it's his loss for losing an attractive and unique woman like you."
Rossweisse continues to cry. "Oh, yeah sure. Once one of those bars he goes to have special events, he'll be the first one in line. Maybe I should apply to be a dancer so he'll see me and realize he forgot me!"
As Rossweisse continues to babble, Xenovia leans to Irina. "Do you regret asking yet?"
Irina sighs. "Yeah..."
Issei huffs and neck-chops her painlessly, knocking her out. "I'll put her to bed."
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Later, Jack and Asia came back with the groceries and explained to Rias and Issei about Diodora.
Rias holds her chin. "Interesting. The current great devil, Beelzebub, is a descendant of the Astaroth family. And Diodora is the heir to that title. I didn't realize you two were acquainted, Asia."
"Actually it's quite the surprise for me too." Asia states. "A lot was going on back then, I didn't recognize him. He only came today to introduce himself, he didn't linger or anything."
"Well, that's fine." Rias says. "Diodora was sheltered and can be a bit socially awkward. I'm sure he was just excited to see the girl who saved him. Ignore him, and he'll go away."
Issei scoffs. "Guy sounds like a Class A: Jackass if you ask me. Seriously, through all the bad guys we've fought, they've all had nothing but stupid titles and in the end, they meant nothing once they got put asunder!"
Gasper then peeks through. "Hey, we're all set up downstairs for the party."
Rias stands from her bed. "Perfect timing. Are you guys ready?"
Asia nods. "Yeah."
Issei then notices Jack lost in thought. "Jack, you still on up there?"
Jack then looks up. "Oh, uh yeah. Hey, if that pretty boy bothers you again, don't worry about it. I'll sending him packing!"
Asia smiles. "Thanks!"
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The ORC, Rossweisse, and Azazel were in the living room, sitting and looking at Irina.
"I wanted to thank you. I'm happy to be here." Irina says gratefully. "You know, I used to think of devils as my sworn enemies, so I hunted them mercilessly and I would've killed you all."
Gasper shakes as he hides behind Issei. "I really hope this stays in past tense."
Irina then continues, "But that's over. Lord Michael said we should put the past behind us and work together for a better future. Which is great, because I'd much rather be friends with you, anyway. I'm honored to represent the church here. Let's make our communities proud."
Azazel smiles. "It's nice to see youthful idealism. Our sides have been fighting each other too long. Some still won't approve, though. But you kids put that aside to stop a god's rampage. It was an excellent demonstration of what's possible when we work as one. I wanna thank you all for what you represent."
Jack rubs the back of his head. "When you put it that way, nearly dying sounds like it was almost worth it."
Issei jabs his arm, playfully. "Almost."
Azazel shrugs. "Come on. It worked out in the end. The real travesty is that there weren't any fallen angels around to make my team look good."
"Not true." Akeno says. "There was a fallen angel. And it fought, united with a devil."
"Damn straight." Issei agrees.
"You're right." Azazel nods. "I'm mistaken. And I know one guy who'd have been proud to see it."
Rias sips her tea. ~We were all proud. And still are.~
"And on that note, good news, Issei." Azazel says, eyeing the Black Dragon. "I had some business to take care of back in the Underworld and found out you've become quite the celebrity there."
"How exactly, if you don't mind my asking?" Issei inquires.
"Wow! That's wonderful news, Issei!" Asia says happily.
"It makes sense." Xenovia agrees. "He, Jack, and Gasper did work together to kill Loki and save all of Hell."
Azazel chuckles. "Actually, it's not just because of Loki." Azazel snaps his fingers activating the TV and playing a video.
(Issei SINGING, Jack AND KIBA ON GUITARS, SAJI ON DRUMS)
Everyone looked at Issei, Jack, and Kiba with wide eyes. Issei eyes Azazel with venom in his voice. "Why did you post that?"
Azazel shrugged. "Couldn't resist. Besides, lots of the women in the Underworld have begun to want to see more of you three and Saji perform. They're calling you four 'The Dragon Swords of Hope'."
Jack looks at Issei, grinning. "That's a pretty badass name when you think about it."
Kiba nods. "Makes sense too, seeing as how me and Issei have swords, and you, Issei, and Saji all have dragons."
Issei rubs his temples. "Why do I have a feeling this is gonna go wrong in so many ways?"
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Issei immediately snapped his eyes open when he heard a loud explosion. He looked around and saw everything around him was burning.
Issei then made his way to the top of a cliff and was horrified at what he saw.
Issei shakes his head as he backs into something and turns to see Rias there, crying. "Rias, what happened here?"
Rias doesn't say anything as she then looks up at him with hatred in her eyes. "You're a monster."
Issei widens his eyes at her statement. "What? I-I don't-"
"You did this! You destroyed everything! You killed everyone and everything! You turned this place into a living place of death and demonic devastation!" Rias yelled.
Issei backs away as Rias walks forward. "I can't believe I EVER loved you! Reviving you as my servant was the worst mistake of my life! You made this place into a hole darkness!"
Issei then looks down to see some type of vortex forming beneath him.
Issei looks back and sees Esdeath in Rias's place with a sadistic grin.
"It's as I said before, you are mine." Esdeath laughs. "Look at what you've wrought, my boy. Killed everything you achieved and come to know. Destroyed billions of innocent lives in and outside of Hell itself. You have no one now...but me. And you'll be mine no matter what you say or do."
Issei then slips as Esdeath laughs manically and he falls down into vortex. "NOOOOOOOO!"
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Issei opens his eyes and sees Rias leaning over him, saying his name. "Issei! Issei, wake up!"
Issei immediately sat up and saw they were in their bedroom. He clutches his chest, in relief. ~Just a dream. Just a dream...~
Rias grabs his cheeks, making him turn to her. "Issei, what happened?"
Issei went to grab her hands, but looked down at them to see them literally shaking. He curled his hands into fists and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just a bad dream."
Xenovia then starts to wake up. "Did I miss something?"
Issei felt something shift beneath the blanket and pulled it off.
"Well, that certainly isn't cute personified." Issei says sarcastically.
"Koneko?" Rias questions.
Koneko then wakes up and smiles. "Meow."
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Later after breakfast, Issei found Rias staring at a bunch of letters.
"You okay, Rias?" Issei asks.
Rias makes the letters disappear and looks back at Issei. "I should be the one asking you that. What was it that scared this morning?"
Issei shakes his head and sits down next to her. "It's nothing. Really. So what was with all those letters, anyway?"
"Diodora." Rias states. "He's been sending Asia tons of gifts. Letters, chocolates, stuffed animals, the whole shebang."
Issei's face hardens. "I got a weird feeling about this guy. And I don't think it's because of his interest in Asia."
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Back the club room, Rias tells everyone about what's to happen next.
"A Rating Game?" Kiba questions.
"That's right." Rias nods. "More specifically, it's designed to test and rank the power of the next generation of devils. It was supposed to be held over the summer break, but then Loki attacked and you all know how that ended up."
"No, I don't wanna. I'm too scared." Gasper says shrinking into a ball.
Issei cocks a brow. "So, hold up. If we're going to be ranked for this, does that mean we're gonna be fighting Sairaorg?"
"Yes, and he's one favored to win the championship." Rias nods. "With good reason too, he's on a whole other level. Fortunately, we're not paired up against him in the first round."
"They've already chosen the brackets? That's wack." Koneko says.
"That's right." Rias confirms. "We're fighting Diodora Astaroth."
Jack growls. "I hate him!"
Issei cracks his neck and smashes his fist together. "When do we start?"