Chapter XIX

"Alright, is everyone ready?" Issei asks as he looks around the room. Everyone nods as Issei clenches his arm. "Kill at any cost. We cannot afford to offer mercy." The others look at him in fear as his eyes glow. The funny weirdo was no longer alive, this was a new beast. A man of devilish desires. Akeno hugs Issei, scared he's become something far sinister than what they've ever hoped to see one day. He aggressively yet passively gets out of Akeno's grasp and pats her head.

"Let's get out there" he uttered.

Five minutes ago

"You see, Riser has a full chess deck waiting for us at the other end of the school. The campus grounds are the quickest and most vulnerable way to get there so it's not an option. Right here he'll place some rooks and knights, anyone with good mobility. I doubt a queen since they're a little more powerful and need to be spared for other situations." Yuuto nods. "All that matters is that we secure the Gym first. That way we'll have the center of the battlefield and control of no man's land. It's a tic tac toe board, the middle secures the most control." Issei suddenly appears from the dark corner of the room. "You mean the area where our territory borders? We only get a room though." Rias nods. 

"Correct, however it's easier to get the rooms around you and somewhat challenging as you continue further towards your opponent. Thank you Yuuto. I think that's a wonderful plan." Asia, who begins to walk in with the others, sighs. "All this fighting, it's scaring me" she notes. "Relax we have Rias, she's a great leader. And me, I'll lead us all to battle while she commands me from afar. With her experience and my power we'll win this." He then raises his arm. "I'll get in the first hit, and be the last they'll ever see. We're gonna win, that's a fact. Koneko and Yuuto should set some traps out in the woods first. That's where they'll sneak around to attack us since that ground is not very influential and will be used as traversal more than territory. If they decide to set up any bases to hinder our movement they'll be in for a nasty surprise." Yuuto nods and smiles. "On it!" he yells. Koneko summons her familiar as the two start to walk out. "Afterwords Koneko you'll be the one to lock down the gym. Akeno!" Issei commands.

"Yeah?" she asks. "Something tells me that your illusion magic will come in handy with my little trap idea. Be ready." Akeno nods as her smile comes from Issei's confidence. "That's it. And I think that Asia should stick with Rias or we're screwed. Rias you may be powerful but since Asia isn't all that experienced in combat she'll serve us better as your assistant, healer, and a support unit." Rias gets up and sits on the couch.

"Nice planning chief. But before we do anything, put your head here." She points to her lap. Issei walks over confused, yet not questioning anything. "Um, okay?" He sat his head down on her soft skirt above her thighs. As he rested on her he felt a calm sense of peace wash over him. Tingling sensations triggered every nerve as if they were also snuggling. "Hey Rias?" Issei asked. "Yeah?" she asked back. "I'm scared I'm not strong enough for him," Issei admits. "You have the Devil's greatest enemy on your team. I think we're good Issei, because even if we don't win, then something grander will happen. I can feel it" she said as she patted his forehead. "I just wanted to thank you Issei, before I finish casting this spell, thank you for giving me a chance. For everything that you're about to do. I take it all to heart…."

 Thank you

The Present

Meanwhile back at Rodney's house Sarah laid on the ground with her back torn open. She replayed what got her into this situation over and over in her mind. She opened the door to see a man with glasses, a sweater and some jeans. However she soon feels an energy come from him that screams danger. He rips off the front door as his right leg coils with a tail that glows blue. He then grows another one and jumps in the air slashing at the house as he slid on the street. 

"Oh Sarah, you're brother won't be happy about this!" he roared.

The boy spoke as his light brown hair blew with the wind. "SHIT!" Sarah says as she then dodges a rain shower of spikes that fly from the sky. A boy with purple hair flew around with a purple scarf around his neck. He wore some type of medical mask, or something replicating it that only covered his jawline and mouth. His crimson wings make it rain a bloody red, they resembled portals that shot out rocks more than limbs that gave the gift of flight. He lands on the ground slamming the front walkway and uses his wings as one giant tentacle. It pounded the ground as it coiled around shredding up more parts of Rodney's house. "Crap! He'll tear it apart! What do I do?!" Sarah thought in a panic as she attempted to fight back.

"I have to get out!"

As Sarah jumps out a window she finds herself flying around shooting back at him. However as she creates her own coil of wings to clash his she finds herself in a stalemate with him while he shoots spikes at her. He then leaps up and kicks her gut before slamming her into the ground. More Fallen Angels join with red robes as they pull out Sub Machine guns and aim them at Sarah. She then finds herself being chucked back into the house after she tries her best to repel her brother's attacks. The two engaged in hand to hand combat for ten minutes before the older sibling finally won. He walks up to her as he cracks his knuckles and kicks her hard in the gut. "AGH!" she groans as her brother grabs her by the throat. "Sarah, it's been a while" Thomas says. "Go to Hell!" Sarah spat at him. "You weren't thinking about leaving me and our empire now? What's an older brother supposed to do without his little sister?" Sarah attempts to kick him but misses. "Screw off!" Thomas chuckles. "You realize if Drake finds out you're helping his little shit bag son then I'll get beaten for you?!" Sarah snarls at her advisory. "You'd enjoy that you suck up!"

Thomas then feels a sudden rage that makes him grab Sarah by the caller and slam her into the floor several times. "I MAY BE AN EXTRA FAN! BUT THE BETRAYAL OF BEING BEATEN BY MY HERO SO HORRIBLY! AND TO THINK IT'S YOUR FAULT! MAKES ME JUST WANNA LET LOOSE!" He then slams her into the wall as he uses his wings to cut her open. He starts to eat at her flesh as she screams out into the air. "DIE YOU BITCH! JUST FUCKING DIE IN MY STOMACH!" Sarah screams bloody murder as Thomas feasts upon her. A whole minute felt like ten as Thomas finally finished. He then lets her head crash into the carpet as he wiped his mouth of blood. "Disgusting. Why would I ever eat you?" he asks himself as Sarah just sat on the floor crying softly and quietly. The other fallen angel goons walked in with Tyler. As they all searched the house trashing it Tyler walks up to Sarah and rolls her over. "Care to tell where Rodney is?" Tyler asks her. Sarah, who's too weak to talk, just moaned in pain softly. "Of course not, psh" he utters as he walks away. "We'll have to come up with a new plan!" Thomas yells from another room. "The plan was that we use Akeno to get Rodney back! We're sticking to-" Thomas cuts him off. "Well new plan. We propose that Drake keeps Akeno and we use her unique DNA to bring peace-" Tyler butts in. "Fuck peace it's just a cover!" Thomas knocks over some dishware, smashing it on the kitchen floor. "I know but if it actually does so then that's great too." Tyler rolls his eyes. "Well looks like we'll just have to follow through. Who's gonna marry her?" Thomas nods. "I know a guy. Drake will arrange it once he's done playing with her before. That's if he decides whether he wants her for himself or not." Tyler laughs. "Why does the King always have to bang every new bride who gets married?"

"Don't know, don't care. I'll just "play single" for the rest of my life. No point in that crap anyways." Tyler looks at Thomas confused. "And I thought you were a fan?" he asked. "To be honest, I just want the throne. I'm his stupid jester but I'm still fair game against those two idiot brothers and sisters." A cars wheels could be heard on the driveway.

"What the?"

Rodney asks as he pulls up into the driveway and rushes out of his car half beaten but perfectly untouched all in one look. "MY HOUSE! SARAH?!" Rodney yells as Tyler and Thomas hear him. "Shit!" Tyler yells as the two get ready for a fight. Suddenly all of the Fallen Angels fire their SMG's at Rodney, who dodges each bullet. He leaps up into the air and sends sharp projectiles as he swings his two Centipede tentacles around to throw them. They all find themselves inside the robed men. As they fall to the ground bleeding Rodney then lands back down onto the ground and slams into the walkway. He drags Tyler out as Thomas keeps firing at Rodney and slams him around the neighborhood. As Tyler tries to fight back with his coiled tail his glasses break and he's forced to flee from Rodney as little pieces of glass get into his eyes. 

"THOMAS! HELP!" He yells as he's thrown up into the air. He pulls out a pistol in a desperate attempt to fight back, but finds himself stabbed hundreds of times in the gut as Rodney throws each blow at him from the ground. "OH GOD STOP IT! HE'S KILLING ME! HE'S FUCKING KILLING ME!" Rodney then slams him into the street and breaks his skull. He dashes away from Tyler and ends up right behind Thomas before he can even realize it. "You remember what happened last time we fought?" Rodney asks. Thomas feels fear stab him in the back as he leaps away from Rodney and throws a punch. Rodney jumps around him dodging his attacks. With each punch he tries to get another lick in. However instead he just finds himself frustrated at his weak performance against Rodney. He tries to roll under him and kick his head but Rodney rolls under quicker and breaks Thomas's femur bone with a kick to his leg. "AGH!" He screams as he falls to the ground. Rodney then jumps up flipping to his feet as Thomas tries to elbow him. Thomas blocks with his elbow. The force of the two fighters is the same as two deer locked in with their antlers.

My goodness.

Says a girl waving her legs around. She wore tape all around her body and covered herself in a maroon dress, complete with a hoodie.

He's gotten a lot stronger.

A man with a red mask on, similar to Thomas's, and has white hair to match his robe stood next to the girl.

"That's the power of our bloodline. I'm sure fake Thomas here will be upset to find that he's not the first person on fathers mind when he hears the name Thomas. Nor will he be pleased when he finds out that they want Rodney instead." The man commented. His eyes glow red, but unlike the other fallen angels he creates no blood vessels around his pupils that leak into his face. His rage was rather controlled and laid back. A quiet man with a very big stick.

"I think it's about time don't you?" The girl asks Thomas Drake. "Yeah, let's head back and collect Tyler. Poor bastard didn't deserve that." Thomas Drake then finds himself scooping up the young man as he's picked up by the girl in tape. She was rather small in stature standing at 5'3. Rodney withstands against a shower of red crystals as Thomas Ocane flew in the air and rained down on him. Rodney then fell back and looked up to see Thomas Drake looking at him. Rodney then remembered Issei's words about facing his family. However all that could come into mind was how his father horribly tortured him. "I can't…..I'm too weak, God make me strong!"

Thomas Drake along with Tyler and the girl start to run away as the little girl turned into a giant of some kind. As they ran away Thomas Ocane just stood there as he looked down at him. "I'm better than you, pig" Ocane thought.

"I always will be"

He imagines himself in front of Drake as he was scolded and beaten for his failures. "Oh yeah Drake, well at least my son isn't a failure! At least both of my sons aren't!"

"So why?"

"WHY AM I JUST A JOKE TO YOU?! HUH?! SAY SOMETHING RODNEY!

Rodney was off in his own world as he felt his hair turn white. 

"Say something!"

The words echoed all around his ear as he sat on the ground.

SAY SOMETHING!

They were then cut into simpler sentences as he tried to regain consciousness. When suddenly he looked up and saw himself break out of his fathers chair. He wore tattered clothes and just stared down at himself. "Say something….." Rodney looks at the silhouette who now appears to be speaking to him. Before he could even begin to ask it something, he finds himself full of rage as his power kicks into overdrive. He launches himself up and retreats from the enemy for a moment. He then stares at Thomas. "I know why you hate me, because you want to be King even though you're nothing but an average mid tier Demon. You're a nobody in a world full of somebodies." Thomas suddenly lashes out, shooting a flare of crystals at Rodney. "THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN KNOW THAT!!!!!!" 

Rodney jolts back to life and uses just one tentacle to dodge Thomas's crystal attacks. As he lets the shrapnel tear apart the concrete, he jumps right up in Thomas's face and kicks him in the chin before kneeing him in the ribs, breaking six in one blow. Thomas coughs up blood as he lets out a blood curling moan and drops to the ground before getting launched into Rodney's house with another kick. As he lands in the debris he finds himself crying as he laughs. "Oh this is just too cute. You trying to save two girls now?" Thomas yells. "SARAH!" Rodney rushes over and picks her up as Thomas gets back on his feet. Rodney flips around as he carries Sarah and jumps back out onto the sidewalk as he watches Thomas stand with his knees wobbling. "Hey now, don't think you're the only one with a secret…" Rodney glares back at him. "You can't get back at me. I know you hate me and all the Drake's. You want to be the first of your bloodline to rule since you're a petty little brat." Thomas expands his wings. "SHUT UP! YOU ALL LOOK DOWN ON ME LIKE SOME CLOWN!" Rodney chuckles. "I'd be careful, you never know who's listening" Rodney says with a smile. "What?" Thomas asks as he then finds himself under a beast as it snatches him with its mouth. "You petty little creature. I can't wait till we get back." His Drake counterpart declares.

Thomas Ocane gulps as he looks at the man in his already naturally red eyes. As he finds himself full of fear Thomas Drake then looks down at Rodney as he holds Sarah in his arms. Rodney just stares back at his brother as the two say nothing, only communicating with their presence before the older brother breaks the silence. "I just want you to know that there's nothing between us, no animosity. You're not Riser. You have my respect." Rodney however does not match Thomas Drake's energy. "You cowards couldn't do it. You couldn't help me overthrow him and break me out of my cell. Now you want me to be King?" Thomas shakes his head. "You weren't strong enough back then." Rodney clenches his fists bitterly. "Too bad, that was your chance. Now, now I'm coming back, and I'm gonna kill you all right after I'm done with Riser. Mark my words my queen and I will get married over your corpses. We'll rule your land for you, and we'll terrorize every last citizen of our kingdom for what you've done to me."

"Hahahahahah, you think God's just gonna drop you a wife cause you prayed a lot? You don't get it Rodney, we're alone now. One day we'll all be burning in Hell because of what our parents have done." Rodney interrupts. "And I've been sent here to show you otherwise." Thomas glares at him. "Well until that day, just remember who's been stalling for you two." Rodney looks at his brother confused. "Good luck…..brother."

You'll need it.

The four all fly away as Rodney holds Sarah in his arms. He looks at his wrecked house and decides to run down to the basement. He placed Sarah on a bed as he opened a portal. "What are you doing?" she asked softly with death in her breath. "All this time I've been too damn passive. I've let fear rob me of my joy." I have to go back…."

"Be careful." Sarah whispers.

"Yeah you-" He looks to see Sarah gone, as if she vanished in thin air. "What the? Where did you go?" He asks as he finds himself puzzled. "Sorry, I can't stick around. I'll only make things worse" she says to herself. She stood on top of a telephone pole as she put on her mask and activated her wings, ready to spread them and fly away. "Something tells me that this won't be the last time we see each other Rodney."

Meanwhile Yuuto, Koneko, and Akeno were setting up the traps with their familiars as they walked around the woods. Issei felt his power surge as he rested his head on Rias's lap. "You know you can just ask and we can do this whenever you want." Rias smiles. "Really?!" Rias snickers with a goofy smile. "Once this is over, we can do whatever we want," she says jokingly. Issei however doesn't laugh. He stares off into the distant horizon through the window.

"You've mastered so much of your ability. You've even been able to unlock portions on your own. I only let you access so much so that you can handle the power itself. I just unlocked another portion for you. I have this authority as the head of the household." Issei nods. "Makes sense." he utters. "When you go out there, don't go easy on the foot soldiers either, or the pawns. I know they're girls but they'll take you out as soon as they get the chance. I'm your only girl now, so act like it." Issei laughs as he gets up. He then looks back at her with a smile. "I know" he says cheerfully. "I can't wait to see what you can do out there. Issei thank you, you make me proud." Issei then cracks his knuckles as he gets up and stretches. "Hey, you know about Akeno's situation too, right?" Rias nods. "We all talked about it earlier today. I think you missed it but it's horrible." Issei sighs. "I trust Rodney. I know he'll protect her. For now though, let's focus on what's going on here. "I know what will make Riser tick, but I'll have to get close to him." Rias looks at Issei confused. "Um, okay?" she asks. "Let's get going to the gym. Akeno is giving us the go." Everyone nods as Issei makes his way to Koneko. Yuuto waited with his sword drawn. "Alright everyone. Operation Phenex ashes are in effect, we may be missing Rodney, and Phenex may be a gifted warrior among his own household, but we have something they don't. Something that no devil can say they have."

"We do?" Koneko asks. "What is it?" Yuuto chimes. Akeno jumps off the roof smiling as her hair waves around. "Oh I know this one, even I'm surprised." Rias grins. "We have someone representing God. Our trump card is our enemy's enemy." Everyone breaks into the gym ready to fight as the lights all turn on at once. 

It smells like Gremory filth!

One of them says,

Come out wherever you are!

"Looks like this method won't work. We can't stealth our way" Issei says. "I hate stealth," Koneko adds. "Agreed" Issei says as he says, activating his ability. The two walk out on the stage as four devils look back at them. Two were small little girls with green hair and blue eyes. One carried a red bag while another held a blue bag. Their poses mirrored each other as they stood with confidence for their victory. Another devil had blue hair, a white robe and red jacket over her shoulders. She had her hair tied and held some kinda double club. The one shouting for Issei had blue eyes, a revealing dress and white cloth of some kind tied around her abdomen. 

Look at this, the little pawn needed some help.

"Tch, you guys have no self respect" Issei utters. Excuse me? The devil asks. "I'm Xuelan and I'm a rook." The one with black hair, pearl eyes, and white ribbons said. "And I'm Mira, a pawn." A girl with blue hair and the staff said. "I'm Ile and I'm a Pawn!" One of the twins said. "And I'm Nel and I'm also a pawn!" Issei bursts into laughter, throwing everyone, even his own teammates off. "Yeah well you're all one to talk! You say I need help but you're all in a group of four!"

"That rook is already a problem," Koneko says. "I guess I'll take the other three then, just cover me." Issei says as his gauntlet roars. "As long as that demon inside me is contained I can use its power, and the Harem. I won't have to worry about hurting Rias with it anymore. Or anyone hurting her!" Koneko puts on two gloves that glow red in the center palm as Issei rushes out to battle. "Issei wait!" Koneko yells as Issei rushes up to the three pawns. He blocks Mira's double handed club. He jumps off it and soars in the air as Il and Nel laugh to the top of their lungs, pulling out chainsaws as dark magic escapes the bag.

"So they decided to attack the gym. Things are going as planned. What about the other front?" Riser asks.

My lord.

Says a woman with purple lips and hair, the same woman Riser kissed right in front of Issei and Rias. "I have servants Shuriya, Burent, and Marion there as we speak" spoke the Queen of Riser's clan Yubelluna. "Damn there's so much fog I can't even see" one of the maids yelled, as she stood with another maid and a woman dressed in revealing attire. Suddenly a red pentagram goes off and shoots a trap at the three ladies. They all dodge as two more traps go off, missing them. "Did they really think that lame trap would work?" The woman in revealing clothing said. "The Gremory's are lamer than we thought." The other maid said.

      Meanwhile back in the gym, Koneko dodges several kicks from Xuelan's fire foot. As she keeps swinging her calf, Koneko dodges each hit, watching the flames flicker as Xuelan breaks form and goes for a punch after kicking mid air. Her movements are swift and energy efficient. So were Koneko's. Xuelan throws a kick to the face that Koneko blocks, causing sparks to fly everywhere as she pushes against the weight of Xuelan's foot.

Her clothes rip as the flames act as a knife cutting into her. "YOU OKAY?!" Issei yells.

Mira sends a breathtaking blow to Issei's gut, sending him flying across the gym as wind pushes him back. He crashes into a concrete wall as he feels the pain surge through his body. He then looks up to see the two twins hiding something behind their backs. The sounds of chainsaw mortors cause Issei to get a second breath and dodge their swings. "Oh shit!" He says as he looks over to see Koneko parrying Xuelan's kick and punching her in the face. "Nice one" Xuelan says with a smile wiping her wound. Koneko, unsure if it was good sportsmanship or cockiness, rams her with her full weight and strength. Xuelan fell back and looked up from the ground as Koneko's golden eyes looked into her soul. "Who are you?! Dammit tell me!" Xuelan demands. "I'm Koneko.....Suck it."

Issei runs away from the two twins as they chase him with chainsaws. 

"What are you doing?! KILL THEM!" a voice roars. "NO! THEY'RE JUST KIDS!" The two girls laugh and scream hysterically as they rev up their chainsaws. "What's wrong, don't you like chainsaws?!" Il asks. "Yeah come play with us!!!!" Nel demands. The twins laugh like hyenas as Issei retreats from them. Suddenly Mira tries to jab Issei with her club but Issei jumps over it. As he leaps over them he finds the two chainsawing fiends right on his tail. He dodges their swings as they chant how badly they wanna slice him up. Yelling "Slice and Dice" over and over until they wear out the sounds of their words.

"Alright, I got this. I won't let you control me for too long now. It's just his anger with my emotions, nothing crazy…." Issei thought.

   "Yesssss!"

His demon hissed. Issei then dodges their swings as they spin around in the air. He taps them as he lets his energy surge through his gauntlet. As he gets close to Mira he grabs her staff and punches it, breaking the stick as the twin Riser pawns fall to the ground. Mira looks at Issei with shock as she watches her only weapon fall to pieces by Issei's hands. "What the?" she asks.

"Nothing personal" Issei says with a serious persona. He looks down at her with rage in his eyes. "Too bad Riser picked you to be on his team, otherwise you woulda lived longer." Issei then holds up his gauntlet with two fingers ready to snap. "Goodbye."

   To be Continued...