I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*

M for mature topics. No children allowed. *

The Broken Boosted Gear

By Try Another Time

The water was cold and no matter how hard he tried he was unable to escape from the stream that was dragging him around. With every second that went by, his body was getting colder and his energy was being drained to the point where he could no longer keep his head on top. At some point, he lost consciousness and now it was time for him to come back to the land of the living.

Isaiah began to open his eyes and the first thing he saw was a blue unknown ceiling.

"You're finally up."

The voice of a man captures his attention. Isaiah pushed his body until he was sitting on the bed. As he looked around, he wasn't able to recognize the room nor the Japanese man sitting next to the bed.

The man had black hair and red eyes. His face shows a warrior's experience that had seen many battlefields yet there was also some sense of peace.

"Can you talk?" The man asks.

"Yes. Who are you? Where am I? Better yet, where are my friends?" Isaiah asks.

"That's a lot of questions for someone that has been sleeping for the past two days. What's the last thing you remember?"

Isaiah stays quiet for a second before he talks again. "The institute, my friends. We were escaping because they were trying to kill us. We were poisoned and I was being supported by her. Tosca, I need to find her." Isaiah tries to stand up but his legs are still weak. Isaiah also notices that there are multiple bandages around his body and his clothes are completely different than before.

The man stops him. "You need to stop and think before acting. You have been sleeping for two days and lack any information surrounding what happened to you during that time. I need you to focus on me and hear me out. I have information that you might need to hear before doing anything."

Isaiah looks at the man and after thinking for a few seconds decides to hear the man out. "I'll hear what you have to say."

"Good, my name is Okita Souji. I'm the knight of Sirzechs Lucifer. You're in the underworld right now. We found you two days ago right around the time you were about to fall from a waterfall. You're one of the survivors of the holy sword project, right?"

"Yes, I was one of the children inside the institute trying to create holy sword users. Are my friends alive and where are they?"

"One thing at a time. Two days ago, a group led by a member of an alliance between devils, fallen angels, and angels was sent to the building to recover the swords and rescue the children. Based on what I know it seems that the whole project was not supported nor started by the angels thus why they sent a team to take care of the issue. During that event, 4 swords were recovered and as of this moment only 23 children including you were saved from the building."

That last sentence impacted Isaiah more than anything else. 23 was the number of survivors and based on what he knew that meant that 4 people had died. His heartbeat decreased as he began to think about who were the ones that died. Then her name pops up once again. "Where are the others? Where are my friends?"

"You need to hear everything out before you can see them. You are missing important information and if you force me, I will smack some sense into that head of yours. You're my responsibility after all." Okita touches the katana on his side thus letting Isaiah know that he wasn't joking.

Isaiah stays quiet and continues to hear him out.

"Good choice. When we found you at that waterfall you were practically dead. We didn't have the resources to cure your injuries nor to help you recover before your heart stopped beating so we were forced to take a drastic choice." Okita says before he summons his wings. "I was reincarnated into a devil when my life was coming to an end a long time ago and you are in the same situation as I was. When you were about to die you were given a second chance by Rias Gremory. You're no longer human."

Isaiah's eyes look at the man before him and his mind is racing. His memories come rushing back. The waterfall, the underground stream. Isaiah looks at his hands and he feels the weird energy that is circulating his body. He was taught that devils were bad and that they shouldn't be trusted but based on his situation he couldn't trust humans either. "A devil? That's what I am now? Has God forsaken me? I'm supposed to thank Rias Gremory for this? Why should I trust any of your words?"

Okita looks at the boy and sees the distrust on his face. "You might not trust my words now but you will change that attitude of yours once you see them with your own eyes. Being reincarnated as a devil is the best thing that could have happened to you." Okita picks him up and creates a teletransportation circle. "It's time for you to see them."

The pair disappears and reappears back in Grigori.

"Okita? What are you doing here?" Shemhazai asks after seeing the knight of Sirzechs.

"Shemhazai, the boy has opened his eyes and his attitude needs some reforming. Maybe seeing his friends can help the situation." Okita admits as he holds the weakened Isaiah in his arms.

Shemhazai looks at the boy and sees the way he looks at him. The distrust on his face is obvious but there are also some signs of misplaced anger and hate in there as well. "Follow me. I'll guide you to them."

Okita follows Shemhazai as they walk down into the area in which the rest of the survivors are being treated.

"You're one lucky child. The evil piece that was used to make you into a devil has allowed you to escape the critical state in which your friends find themselves in." Shemhazai opens the door and they enter the area. "Each kid that was found in that building had their lungs and respiratory system drastically damaged due to the poison that was circulating on their systems. We are using all of our resources to help them but it is going to take months and maybe years for all of them to recover. Some may have lasting effects afterward."

Isaiah looks around and sees how each kid has many machines connected to their bodies. Each one of his friends looked so weak and decrepit. The younger ones were having the worst time and he wanted to punch some of the staff of the holy sword institute after seeing their condition. "Please, put me down. I need to get closer to them."

Okita began to put him down and watched as the boy pushed himself to walk around. His steps were messy and his legs shook like crazy but the boy did his best.

One by one Isaiah approaches each of the kids. He touches them and tries to talk to them but they don't talk back to him. They were in too much pain and were put under strong medicine to help them alleviate the pain.

"Gretta, Thomas, Antoine, Camila, Jenette, Leo… Each one of you is alive."

Okita and Shemhazai heard how he called each of their names but they realized that he still looked sad and angry after seeing them.

"Why did you help us? Are you planning to use us just like the researchers? Or are you expecting us to pay a price for this act of kindness?" Isaiah asked after turning back to the adults.

Shemhazai looks at the boy before he answers. "I understand your distrust but you better keep that sharp tongue of yours under wraps. We are helping all of you because the alliance calls for our participation. We are also thinking about the future but we are not the researchers that did all of this nor are we going to force any of these kids to pay us back for the help we are giving them. None of the sides of the alliances are behind this tragedy so think twice before thinking that we are similar to those researchers. That project was made by humans without the influence nor collaboration of any of us. Don't bite the hand of those that are trying to help you. If Rias Gremory didn't find you that day you would have been dead and if we didn't offer our resources each of these kids would be dead."

Isaiah hears the words and feels the seriousness behind Shemhazai's words. He had doubts and he couldn't easily trust any of these beings but he had to admit that Shemhazai was right in this case. "I apologize for my words. I appreciate the help my friends are being given and I'll promise to watch my words from now on." Isaiah lowers his head as a sign of apology.

Shemhazai nods. "Remember my words child, not everyone is trying to hurt you and you should pay all of your debts. Anyone can be evil but very few offer a hand when someone needs it. We fallen angels will take care of your friends and you should think about your future from now on. May I also know your name?"

"Isaiah."

"Good. We are going to see each other more regularly. Do you have any other questions?" Shemhazai asks.

"Are these all of the kids that survive the poison?" Isaiah asks after not finding Tosca nor Pietro.

"Yes, except for one last one. Another child is under the care of the Welsh Dragon. He and his group were the ones that went to the institute to recover the swords and rescue the children. If I remember well the last kid is a girl but her situation is way different than the rest. Lamentably, no other children were found alive by the team." Shemhazai admits.

Isaiah clenches his fist in anger. Prietto was dead and he was going to keep his memory alive through the rest of his life. "Thank you. Mr. Okita, can we meet this dragon? I need to confirm who the last survivor is and how she is."

"We need to go back and get you some actual clothes. You need to meet Rias as well. She is the person to whom you owe the biggest debt and your future is now connected to hers. You're my responsibility as much as hers." Okita admits as he gets on his knees that he and Isaiah are at the same level. "She is only nine years old and I appreciate it if your attitude towards her is not antagonistic. She gave you a second chance and that has more value than what you may think right now."

Isaiah looks into his eyes and then answers. "I'll do my best to not be rude to her but please understand my situation as well. I can't trust anyone that easily and it's going to take me time before I can trust any of you."

"I understand." Okita stands up once more. "Shemhazai thanks for this. We'll see you at another moment."

"Take care and come back whenever you can," Shemhazai says as he watches how the pair leaves.

Back in the Gremory Household.

It didn't take long for Okita to get some clothes for Isaiah. A small grey yukata that matched his own was prepared for the boy by the maids of the house.

"You asked for this didn't you?" Isaiah looks at his new clothes with curiosity.

"I told you. You are my responsibility. Until I make you into an outstanding knight for Rias, I'm going to be your tutor and master. I felt potential in you since the moment I caught your body at that waterfall. So, I will train you in the way of the sword to make you into a master swordsman."

"Knight? I still don't understand a lot of this but I imagine I have no way out."

"You don't. When a devil uses an evil piece on a being, that being is reincarnated into a devil. That piece gives you life and power but in exchange, you become part of the peerage of the devil that owns the piece. Rias is the younger sister of my king. She had only one member in her peerage until we found you. You owe her your new life and I recommend that you think about ways in how to use it but remember to never betray her above all else. Never become a stray devil or I will come for your head." Okita said.

Isaiah stays quiet while he reflects on the words of his new tutor. He once again had lost his freedom but he understood that he owes a debt to these devils.

Once they were ready, the pair began to walk through the house. Isaiah didn't pay too much attention to his surroundings as his mind was set on finding out if Tosca was the last survivor. He cared too much about her and not knowing whether she survived or not was eating him from the inside.

"Isaiah." The voice of the old swordsman calls out to him.

The boy turned his sight towards the door in front of them.

"Is time." Okita opens the doors and both enter a library.

Rias and Shirone are sitting down at a table while they read some books. The two girls' eyes move away from their books and focus on the pair.

"You finally woke up! You don't know how long I was waiting for this moment." Rias jumps from her seat and approaches Isaiah with excitement on her face. "I'm Rias Gremory. I have so many questions for you but can we start with your name?"

Isaiah is taken a little back by her attitude but tries his best not to sound rude. "Isaiah. Mr. Okita told me about the evil piece and how you gave me a second chance. I thank you for saving my life but I don't fully trust you so don't expect that we are going to be on friendly terms for some time. I understand that I owe you my life and I will pay that debt but don't forget that I have my objectives."

Rias smiles. "I expected this from you and I'm happy about it. When we found you were practically dead and yet you called out a name. You said Tosca and I imagined that is the name of someone very important to you. The strength of putting the lives of others before your own is something I can trust. Isaiah, you might not trust me right now but I have high hopes for you. Okita believes that you can become strong and I need allies like that within my peerage but I also need people that I can trust. Grow strong and one day you will become a devil with the ability to get its own peerage and offer a second chance to someone else. I need allies and not just pieces of a set that follow my every order. So become my ally in the future." Rias says in a cheerful tone.

Isaiah doesn't know how to react to these words. For a devil, a creature that was described by the church as the most disgraceful, dishonorable, and dislikable among all of those in the supernatural world, her words were far from what he was expecting. He expected anger or any other kind of negative reaction and yet she was acting completely differently.

"Rias you're forgetting me." Shirone approaches the trio. "My name is Shirone and I'm the other member of her peerage. I hope that we can become good partners with time."

Isaiah looks at her cat and tail with amazement. "A youkai?"

Before anyone could continue, Okita interferes. "If presentations are out of the way we should move on. He needs to meet the Welsh Dragon."

"Right. Issei asked that we bring him to the human world once he woke up but are they back from their mission? Nee-san said that they were going to Rome. She said that the angels asked them to eliminate the ones involved with this whole situation and other members of the church that are not following 'the word of God'." Shirone says.

"We should go and check," Rias said with visible excitement.

Isaiah stays silent as he reflects on the things he was hearing. The Welsh Dragon and his team were the ones that saved his peers and Tosca might be with him as well but he was also hearing how he was taking care of the people behind the project. His emotions were a mess. He felt happy about the fact that those who were behind his suffering were paying the price but he also felt mad because he was unable to do it with his own hands.

A few moments after, Kuoh Town.

The small group appeared in front of the Chaos Residence. It was the first time they had come to visit and they were amazed at the sight of the place. A big tower surrounded by smaller buildings and a garden wasn't a sight that one would expect in a normal neighborhood of Japan.

"We weren't expecting any visits today." The voice of Raynare captures their attention as she approaches them from one of the gardens. Raynare opens the gates and allows them inside. "Welcome to the residence of the Chaos Dragons. I see that we have a new member in our group Rias-sama."

"You don't need to be so formal with me Raynare and yes, this is Isaiah. He is the boy that was sleeping for the past two days. How was Rome?" Rias asks.

"Hot. I don't think I was ever going to see the Vatican in flames but that's exactly what happened. Although humans are calling it an accident and a tragedy, the reality behind the fire is far different. Come with me and we can continue the discussion in a more adequate place. The others are still getting accustomed to the place." Raynare begins to guide them through the place.

The group walks for a few moments across the gardens and outside buildings before they reach the center building.

"The main building has twelve floors and one massive basement. We're still learning about it as we check around. Tiamat had many specifications regarding how she wanted her home on earth to be and as you might expect for a dragon the place is stacked with spells to protect it. I haven't seen so many types of protective magic in one place." Raynare admits.

"Dragons are known for being territorial and very protective when it comes to their homes. Tannin did the same for his whole territory. No devil can cross into his territory without being invited." Okita says.

"The home of Issei. Shirone, would you like to live in this place in the near future?" Rias asks.

"Living with Nee-san would be wonderful but we can't stay in the human world without the consent of your parents. We also would need to ask Issei and Tiamat about it." Shirone responds.

While the others are conversing without a care in the world, Isaiah reflects as he looks around. Becoming a devil, having his peers in critical conditions, and not knowing what happened to Tosca was eating him from within. He had hoped to find Tosca within this building but he was scared of finding something completely different instead. His mind was racing and he blocked everything except for the path ahead.

Seconds became minutes as they ascended into the higher floors and Isaiah ignored most of the things that were being said by the others until they arrived at the 7th floor.

"Here we are. This floor is the one that works as the current home for all of us. It has 8 rooms, a small living room, 3 bathrooms, and a small kitchen. The main kitchen of the building is on another floor alongside the dining room." Raynare said as they exited the elevator.

"Shirone!" Kuroka exclaimed from her location in the kitchen.

The younger nekomata ran into her arms. "Nee-san." The pair of Nekomatas purred as they embraced each other.

Asia and Issei were sitting on the couch while Rael was floating while reading some kind of document.

"You came to visit and I see that you brought the child." Issei stands up. "Welcome to our home."

"Thanks for having us," Okita says after lowering his head as a sign of respect.

"I had to visit your home at least once," Rias says before hugging him. "Don't stop visiting us."

He pats her head. "I won't. I need to keep my eye on you after all." Issei says before he is released by the redhead. She smiles at him and then turns to Isaiah. "I feel that you and I have a lot to talk about. Do you want to talk in here or do you prefer a more private place?"

Isaiah looks at Issei with curiosity. He expected an adult or at least a reptilian being and instead, he got a child that was around his age but he knew that appearances could be far from the truth. "A little more privacy would be preferable."

"Follow me then." Issei walks to the elevator and drags Isaiah alongside him.

The rest of the group watches as the pair leaves.

"Should we be following them?" Shirone asks.

"Not recommendable. Isaiah has questions and he has many things to discuss with him. Too many people can interfere." Okita says.

"We can watch them on the tv. There are cameras all around the place and I have an idea of where they are going." Raynare says.

The group takes their seats and gets ready to spy on the conversation between the pair. Even Rael gets curious about what they are going to talk about.

Rooftop, a few moments after.

The two males exit the elevator and begin to walk through the rooftop.

"You're tense." Issei begins.

"I'm dealing with a lot of things right now."

"Seems like it, let's try something. Try to follow my lead. My name is Issei Welsh. What's yours?"

"Isaiah."

"A name from the bible? Was it given to you by the church or someone else?"

"Nuns at my first orphanage."

"It's a good one, nonetheless. Do you remember your parents?"

"Never met them. I have been in the orphanage since the beginning of my life."

"Got it. The young blond girl that you saw downstairs can relate to that although her past is a bit different from yours."

"Is she related to you?"

"She is family although we don't share blood. Feel better?"

"A bit."

"Let's keep going then. Ask anything and I will answer. I expect the same with you."

Isaiah breaths and begins to ask. "A girl. White hair and aquamarine eyes, I need to find her. She is important to me."

Issei nods and takes out the egg from his pocket dimension. "The day in which we attacked the institute I found that same girl in one of the caverns beneath the wild underground currents. She was cold, her skin was too white and the scent of death was covering her body. She was practically dead by the time I reached her. Yet she was lucky to be found by me within that place. While Rias saved you by using the power of an evil piece and making you into a devil, I did the same for that girl by using this artifact. She is inside this egg and thanks to my blood she was saved but she is no longer human. This artifact can make a human into a dragon so that girl is becoming one just like me as we speak."

Isaiah grows quiet as he takes all that in. His hands reach out to the egg and touch it. "Tosca." He calls out to her as he feels the heartbeat. "Is she really inside this?"

"She is. I could have let her die there, but I feel compassion because I once needed help just like her. I was not always a dragon. I was human once but a tragic event took everything away from me. Both of you didn't ask for any of this but you're alive no matter what. You were given a second chance so don't let it escape your hands."

Isaiah is unable to say anything as he just drops to his knees while holding the egg. "Tosca…." Tears are running down his eyes as he lets the feelings he was holding inside come out. The pain, the anger, the suffering, each one comes out. Even his wings pop up as he cries.

It takes him some minutes before he can get it back together and Issei waits patiently.

"If you want to hold it for the rest of our conversation you can but I need it back. My blood runs through her beings now and once she wakes up a few days from now. We don't know how she is going to act after she exits the egg. I'm the Welsh Dragon and I know that my instincts can be troublesome."

Isaiah is taken by surprise once his voice changes but he doesn't argue against it. He knows that objecting is not a possibility for him. "I will. I want to thank you for saving her and all the children."

"You don't need to do it. The alliance between devils, fallen angels, angels, and I requires eliminating all obstacles or problems that any faction might have. That project wasn't something that the seraphs approved nor supported. I was asked to take care of it and I did. I also went ahead to give a visit to the Vatican and took care of all the other problems that opposed the seraphs. The pope, cardinals, almost all the ones involved with this tragedy are dead except for one."

Isaiah looks at him. "Who?"

"Valper Galilei, the director of the project. The seraphs confirmed his escape and we are looking for him but it seems he escaped into a place where not even heaven can look into. He has to be around the lower levels of the underworld or he has allies around earth capable of hiding him. He has in his possession three of the seven Excaliburs, the seraphs have three and I have one."

"I don't care about the swords. I want his head. I need to find him."

"Not like this. I get it, you want vengeance but you're weak, and chasing him like a mad dog is not a good plan. Just like you, I have a fallen angel that I'm looking to get my hands on but I need to wait patiently until he shows his head. Vengeance is not my primary goal and it will never be. I have two brides, a nekomata and a former nun under my care, a fallen angel maid that is addicted to literature, a floating girl that I'm yet to understand, a redhead with a bright future that needs my support, a daughter that is sleeping inside that egg, and a life that I want to enjoy among other things. Vengeance is momentary and a pleasure that lasts very little. You have a second chance at life. You owe a debt to Rias, to the other orphans in Grigori, to this girl inside the egg, and to yourself. Become strong not only for the sake of vengeance but for the sake of protecting those that are important to you. Valper will appear one day and I can help you to get your vengeance but you shouldn't live only waiting for that moment. You have other things that matter more than just getting the chance to kill him."

Isaiah reflects after hearing those words. His tone was calm and each word had weight behind them. He could feel the difference between the experience of both. He was a child while Issei was more like an old guy that had lived for a long time. "… Do you promise to help me get that chance?"

"Only if you grow stronger for the sake of protecting those that matter to you. That girl inside the egg is important to you and if you two are so close to each other that connection should be more important than Valper. So, grow stronger Isaiah, pay your debts, and protect what matters the most. Valper will come but he should be the last of the things on your list."

Isaiah looks at the egg and sighs. "I… I understand. I will get stronger and I'll pay the debts I owe while also protecting my dear friends. Take care of Tosca if you truly want to see her as your daughter."

"I will. I know what a family feels like and I will make sure that she feels that feeling. You can come at any time and visit her once she wakes up."

"I will."

The pair continues to talk about small things while the egg in which Tosca sleeps continues the process of making her into a dragon.

While all of this was happening in a lower level of the Underworld, a devil was making her way back to the higher levels after being tossed into the depths by her own family. She was injured, tired, and drained out all of her powers but she kept pushing on. She was determined to reach the city of Lilith no matter what.

"Cousin, I'm still alive. I will come back and tell everyone about the truth."

She held information that could drastically affect the future of the rating games.

A new conflict was about to knock on the door of the alliance and it involved a single chess piece.

*Author's note: Tire, sleepy and drained. Work and resident evil 8 have destroyed me. I hope that you like the chapter. A special message to a special reader: You got what you wanted. We are going there and I hope you're happy with it. The King piece arc is on. *