Chapter III

Issei and Yuuto made it back to the club house as the sun settled below the horizon. Issei sighs as he finds his eyes growing slightly heavy from all the work he did at school. He looks around to find himself surrounded by some familiar faces. "Is that Kenoko?" Issei asks as he looks at a rather petite short girl. Her hair was snow white and her eyes a goldish brown. In her hand was an ice cream bar melting on the stick.

"Yeah you know her?" Yuuto asked. "Yeah" Issei says, confirming. Yuuto chuckles as the two keep walking down the hall. He smiles as he looks at Issei. "Let me guess?" He asks as Issei smiles back faintly and nods. "Those two." Yuuto laughs a little. "Yeah, she's a freshman and one of our most valued members of the Occult Research Club." Issei looks around after hearing the words Occult Research Club. "I think you can drop that now it's not like we're in public." Yuuto turns around and stares dead into the center of Issei's eyes. "Hey, you're new here. I'll say what goes rookie." A shower could be heard running in the room over as Issei and Yuuto square off. "Your clothes are ready Mrs. Gremory." A woman said as she played with her ponytail. The hair was the length of a snake, and she acted as sly as one. "Thank you." Rias says as she dries herself off. "Mrs.?" Issei asked confused. Akeno turns around and smiles at Issei. "Well yes." Issei looks at Akeno in shock, not expecting her to be so close while being unnoticed.

"Who is her husband then? Wait, wasn't she calling me-" Issei's thoughts were cut off as Akeno interrupts. "That's right Issei you're what gave her that Mrs. title, hehe." Issei looks at Akeno strangely. "She can read my mind?! Oh come on, that's an invasion of privacy." Akeno smiles at him innocently. "There's nothing to be worried about. Everyone is super nice, nicer than you at least in school today. He he." Issei's heart spikes with both offense and guilt. "I'm Akeno. It's a pleasure to meet you." Akeno says as she bows. Issei bows back as his golden brown eyes make contact with Akeno's purple ones. "Wait a second. She's kinda reminds me of someone."

Raynare

"Nice to meet you too" Issei says as he extends his hand as the two get to know each other. "Sorry if I came off a little hostile." Akeno says as she starts to soften up around Issei. "Haha oh no you're hot, I mean fine!" Akeno giggles some more as Rias comes out of the shower dressed. She dries her hair as everyone is gathered in the same room. "I see he's taking a liking to Akeno." She says to herself bitterly. "I won't intrude too much. She does look similar to that fallen angel who used him. I swear I'll make her pay. He's probably broken inside right now. Jeez, who knew there would be conflict already." Rias says to herself before making her way to the rest of the group.

"Sorry I also didn't prepare. I haven't had a shower since I left your place. But now that we're here I'd like to introduce you to the Occult Research Club." Issei looks at Rias confused. "Occult Research what?" He asks. "Occult Research Club. This is just a front though, so that the school will let us use their grounds." Rias explains. "So uh, what do we do here then?" Issei asks. "We're devils, this is just where we meet everyday. Think of it as like your new group of friends." Issei finds himself looking around the room suspiciously. "Now hold on Rias we know you love this guy but he's still allowed to see his other friends right?" Yuuto asks rather concerned.

Rias sighs as she takes a seat on the couch. "I suppose." Rias clarifies. "No, it's fine, Yuuto." Issei says as he takes notice of Yuuto's concern for him. Everyone perks their head up surprised at Issei's response. "I don't see the problem. Just as long as you guys don't turn me into some loser." He gets up smiling at everyone. "Then I think I can do stuff for you guys in return. That's what friends are for right?" Everyone smiles as Issei's optimism flows through their bodies, brightening everyone's mood. "Well Issei for a newly brought in Devil you're more holy and wholesome than those fallen angels who wanna serve God." Issei looks at Rias confused. "What? Aren't fallen angels just another name for devil?" Rias shakes her head. "Some think we're the same but we're not. You see devils fully commit to rebelling against the almighty God while the fallen ones are in limbo. They're just like us but simply can't accept the fact that it's too late to go back to Heaven. You see they walk the earth misguiding humans too but unlike us they wanna please God. Issei chuckles.

"Sounds dumb since God doesn't want humans misguided." Rias nods her head as she stares at Issei. "You certainly act like you know God." Issei snickers a little. "It's common knowledge, princess." He says sarcastically with a flirty smile. "Hmmmm hm." Rias says as she puts her hands on her hips. "Sorry that was out of pocket." Issei says as he dials it back a little. "I'm flattered." Rias says as she gives Issei another soft smile. "Now back on topic, The Fallen Angels wanna wipe us out so that they may look pleased in the eyes of God." Issei butts in. "I'm sorry for interrupting but it sounds like you guys straight up don't like him and these fallen angels just wanna get in his way. So how come you guys aren't allies?" Rias sits back as she takes a seat on the couch. "Same means of getting different agenda's done. That's why." Issei nods showing his understanding. "Those fallen angels, are they also second generations? Who here is the real enemy? Can I even save Raynare, or is she too far gone?" Suddenly Issei hears a voice back.

"More or less. They just take on human form but these aren't devils. Demons are cursed to look hideous since what made them look like beautiful angels was stripped from them when they wanted nothing to do with God. Hell is simply the absence of my presence." Issei looks around to find everything frozen as The Lord himself walks over to him. "Glad you showed up to the party." Jesus smiles as he takes a seat next to Issei. "Hey man, I'm just here to help you." Issei rolls his eyes a little. "Yeah yeah. So you're the boomer with white hair I go to see every sunday." Jesus finds himself smiling at Issei's rather rude joke. "You're lucky you're trying to make me laugh cause I'd turn you to wine if you weren't." Issei looks around once again. "So where's the big guy in the sky?" He asks. "What do you mean I'm here." The Lord said. "The other one?" Issei asks. "We are everywhere, omnipresent. For if you have seen the son, you have seen the father."

Issei takes a look at Rias, who's frozen in place. His eyes start to wander down below the hips when a sudden snapping of fingers causes him to flinch. "Knock it off, what do you think you're doing?" Issei, annoyed at Jesus, asks him a question. "How can you be God and die?" Jesus sighs a little. "Many say I pulled a fast one, but I can lay down my own life for my sheep. For I am the only one with the authority to do so." Issei, who can't understand what Jesus is referring to, just leaves the topic alone and refuses to ask a follow up question. Jesus breaks the awkward silence with some witty chit chat. "Well glad you read my book, I put a lot of work into promoting it for you guys. So listen, you're gonna have to keep this all a secret." Issei nods. "I don't see why I'd tell even if I'd become a devil like this weirdo's." He thought to himself. "So what's their deal? How come demons have to go to school?" Issei asked. "They think they're devils. You're here to reveal the truth when the time comes. They're what you call second generation. Children of the demons. They can be saved because they had no choice in their decision to be born in hell. In fact across the multitude of Hell this specific pocket has a weird society of humans who've been deceived into serving them, so if they choose to repent and leave their lives as devils then they can escape what's to come. I won't force them." Issei nods with understandment. "It's time to continue with what's going on. Don't let them convince you of anything that goes against what I've told you, and remember, I'll always be here even until the end of time." Issei looks at everyone's gaze as they all just study him, trying to figure out what's wrong with him. "Oh uh sorry I kinda zoned out. This is all new to me."

Issei says, chuckling as he suddenly feels the effect of time. "Listen Issei, you remember Raynare?" Rias asks. "Oh crap. She remembers. No she knew who else even remembers my memories with her. Hell I thought for a second that maybe she was fake but this is insane" Issei thought to himself. "A little birdy told me you two dated for a bit. Of course before that you were Romeo and Juliet but friends while your families didn't get along. I know the whole story-" Issei interrupts Rias. "Alright that's enough!" Issei's sudden change in attitude catches everyone off guard. "Look this is just, I can't do this! Do you know why my best friend just left me?! Come on, we were friends for years and she just left! My only real friend! Those other two jerks just hung around with me cause I'm nice with them so I thought hey they're cool! Why did she have to leave? What do you guys know about everything?!" Rias looks at Issei confused. "What's wrong with that? Hanging out with people because you think they're cool?" Issei snaps. "It cost me any chance of being normal at school." Issei then looks bitterly at the floor. "I hate them for that."

Everyone once more feels shock settle in their heart as they listen to Issei's words. "I'm a loser and now I have no friends left. To make things worse I'm-" Issei stops himself mid sentence, before he calls himself a devil and rebukes it immediately. Everyone looks at him confused. "What are you talking about? That's how I saved you, I turned you-" Issei snaps back. "You healed my wounds. Somehow you guys are like people that can use witchcraft or some kinda magic. But this isn't it. I'm here to prove otherwise. Just give me some time." Rias looks at Issei confused. "So you think you know me like that? Issei what are you trying to say?" Issei looks up from his lap and straight into Rias's eyes. "We're being played to fight them off." Yuuto chimes in just as confused as the rest. "Fight who?" He asks.

"We're the demons' first line of defense and offense against the Fallen Angels and God's army. Think of the Fallen Angels as unofficial mercenaries that God uses to take advantage of when a moment arises. But when's the last time an angel has attacked you?" Suddenly everyone freezes as Isse's question hits a hard spot. "Crap what was I talking about? Of course they've fought an angel, they're devils." Issei says in his head, regretting asking them that question. "Now that you ask, I don't know." Akeno says back. "Yeah same. In fact I think we've fought more demons than Fallen Angels, I mean other clans of households." Yuuto says. "Nope. Nothing rings a bell." Koneko says. "What are you saying Issei?" Rias asks as the truth slowly takes a hold of her mind. Suddenly Issei finds himself on the hot seat as everyone stares at him. Even Rias now has a cold glare on as she intensely looks at Issei. "Look. You're gonna laugh at me but God sent me here to show you, it's not too late for you guys to join him. And together we'll become…." Rias suddenly widens her eyes as she sees Issei's glow a slight gold. "Heaven's Devils."

A long pause breaks Issei as cringe settles in his head. Everyone then giggles, everyone except for Rias at first. Akeno then walks up to Issei and pats his back. "Man, you really do need to rest. Hey look it's okay I'll draw you a bath if Master Rias permits it." Issei felt insult settle into his spirit. "Ha ha, yeah let's just get you all settled. I take care of servants that I pick out." She then walks up to Issei and wraps her arms around him. "Please don't get mad. I know you're still grieving Raynare but I just have to."

She then cups his head and pecks his forehead. "I'll make sure you see what I mean. Issei she's no good. She never liked you. Just give me a chance." Issei just looks down at the ground defeated. "I'm taking this from a biased source. I've known her all my life, we just met." Rias backs away insulted as well as upset. "Do you think she still likes you? After stabbing you?!" Issei turns his head. "I just need answers from her." He then starts to take a step back as Rias tries not to tear up. "I'm sorry" Issei says with a sigh. "No, I get it. Just know that she is real and manipulative." Issei gets off the couch. "Explains why when you said nonsense like how sleeping naked helps grades they bought it. I thought you slipped my parents drugs, turns out you're all capable of trickery."

"Hahahahahahaha, no your parents are sweet." Rias clarifies. "That's the thing! LOOK WHAT YOU JUST SAID!" Everyone once more takes surprise at Issei's tone. "Issei what is going on with you?" Rias asks. "You called them sweet. They're humans. Demons hate humans just like Fallen Angels. Hell you guys could technically just manipulate everyone into just not choosing God if God allowed it." Rias rolls her eyes. "We like to work harder, not smarter. Use music and celebrities like my dear daddy once did." Issei gives Rias a strange look. "Wait, daddy?" Rias nods. "Yes, Satan is my father."

"No freaking way!" Issei yells. "Yup! Your father in law is the DEVIL HIMSELF!" Rias says with excitement. "Well still you're not a demon like he is! You can be saved! Don't follow in his-" Rias cuts him off. "Issei you're such a naive child. Why would God almighty waste time saving us? He sent his son to die for humans and then Jesus slayed so many of us that second day. We call it Slaughter Saturday. It was hopeless fighting back." Issei laughs before suddenly becoming serious. "Rias, listen to me. They weren't you! You didn't partake in that battle."

"What's the point?" Issei thought to himself. "They're not listening." Rias laughs. "Issei Hollywood lied to you. That isn't us." Issei in self pity gives up. "I can't get to them. Screw it then" He thought to himself. "It's okay though Issei I'm sure God isn't mad at you. I know you grew up in a Christian environment so becoming a demon is the last thing you'd want but it's not like you had much of a choice. I promise it's not bad here. There' no flames and torture." Issei looks down at his hand as it starts to shake. "You have no idea what you guys are in for."

She then pecks his forhead once more.

"You'll be alright my darling. Here hold out your left hand." Rias says as she speaks rather gently to him. "Why what's wrong with my arm?" Rias chuckles a little. "Come on Issei, just focus on the strongest part of your body and harness all your energy from there into it." Issei just looks at Rias strangely. "Haha what are you people on? What does that even mean?" He closes his eyes but finds something prying them open. "What the?"

All at once Issei felt overwhelmed with Raynare's presence. Every time they hung out, every single pleasant interaction with her. All of it at once rushed into his mind. All ending in failure and fakeness. Her evil grin as she stabbed him with a spear, piercing his gut.

"It's hopeless" Issei tells himself as he once again gazes at Rias lustfully. His reptilian brain suddenly craved more as it eagerly begged for lustful imagery. For the first time in Issei's life, he felt good about doing the wrong thing. He felt relieved of the world and its heavy weights. He felt a rush, a high of pleasantness. Issei felt human. "Issei?" Rias asked. "It's okay my little snuggle bunny. You've been through a lot. You're just unable to focus right now, that's all right. We can try this again later." Issei stares at Rias more as devilish things enter his mind. "Who's side of this war am I even on? He then looks out the window of the room they're in as the moon shines in. "This life I lived has always been about everyone else. But now it's gonna be about me."

"Hey, it's no mistake that I found you. A fallen angel found you a threat enough to spend the last seventeen years of her life just to try and kill you. That's the most I've ever seen them spend on one person. You must be very special Issei if they're going this far to obtain you." Issei chuckles a little. "Yeah but she failed and now I'm alive after a glowing rod stabbed me."

"It's hopeless" Issei tells himself as he once again gazes at Rias lustfully. His reptilian brain suddenly craved more as it eagerly begged for lustful imagery. For the first time in Issei's life, he felt good about doing the wrong thing. He felt relieved of the world and its heavy weights. He felt a rush, a high of pleasantness. Issei felt human. "Issei?" Rias asked. "It's okay my little snuggle bunny. You've been through a lot. You're just unable to focus right now, that's all right. We can try this again later." Issei stares at Rias more as devilish things enter his mind. "Who's side of this war am I even on? He then looks out the window of the room they're in as the moon shines in. "This life I lived has always been about everyone else. But now it's gonna be about me."

"Hey, it's no mistake that I found you. A fallen angel found you a threat enough to spend the last seventeen years of her life just to try and kill you. That's the most I've ever seen them spend on one person. You must be very special Issei if they're going this far to obtain you." Issei chuckles a little. "Yeah but she failed and now I'm alive after a glowing rod stabbed me."

"Yeah but you summoned me. That's how I saved you." Rias pulls out a piece of paper. "What is that?" Issei asked. "I had Koneko fly it in while Raynare was distracted. You summoned me and I was able to save your life. And now you're a servant of the daughter of the great devil!"Suddenly she spreads her wings, reminding Issei why these people think they're devils in Hell.

Later that night

"Man that's kinda crazy God. You want me to convert literally opposites. And why would you give those morons wings? Now they'll never believe they're otherwise!" Issei says as he looks up at the moon. "At least I can see at night now. Must be how they see in Hell. Flames don't create light down there, they only burn." He then rides away on his bike remembering how startled he was when he saw Rias's wings. "You're my servant, she says. Definitely doesn't sound like some kink. Man she's weird." Yet you don't love them deeply. I placed them in your life so you can show them that-" Issei cuts off The Lord. "And they never listen. Instead I'm a "pussy". No screw this and screw them I'm doing what I need to do first.

Let's see how long that lasts then. Issei brakes his bike and stares up at the moon. "Not gonna argue with me otherwise?" Issei asks out of defiance. No point. You've made up your mind. I'll be there for you when the repercussions of your actions bite your butt off. I do not force anyone to do anything. I am a gentleman. Issei just stares at the giant floating rock for a solid minute. "Bite your ass off." He says in a mocking tone.

Earlier before Issei left

"Isn't this exciting, you're one of us now!" Akeno yells as everyone else spreads their devil wings. Sharp bat-like limbs unlike the softer looking fallen angel wings. Suddenly Issei feels his own pair pop open. "What the? Why isn't there a hole in the back of my shirt?" Issei asks as he finds himself with a pair. Fear overwhelmed Issei as he stared everyone down. However he hid it well. "That's it huh? I'm a devil now. Or one of these hybrids God told me about. Dammit this sucks! I hate my life!" Issei says as he looks around. "You're one of us now Issei. Welcome." She says with a smile on her face. One with no evil intent. "We're glad to have you." She then hands him a suitcase full of cards.

"You see our powers come from the elders. If they get enough we get what's left over. They draw them from human souls. They used to draw circles into the ground that you call pentagrams but now we have cards that we deliver to make things easier. "They use them to damn people by selling their soul. God what did you get me into! SHIT!" Issei thought. "Normally we have messenger devils but I think it'll benefit you to do this one since you're new. Who knows one day you'll have servants of your own." She says whispering into his ear seductively. "Great so you want me to do your errands." Issei ays grumbling.

Twenty minutes later

"I'm really doing this shit." Issei thinks to himself as he throws the suitcase away into the water of a beach. "Just keep one of them and head to this address. You can do what you want afterwards." Issei rejoices silently. "Yes THANK YOU!" Issei says. "Just don't expect it to be repercussion free." But Issei was still too angry about Raynare to think clearly. "This is just my luck. At least I saved some souls though." Issei finds the last card he had flown out of his hand. He watches it join the rest as they all float out into the pacific ocean. "DAMMIT NOOOOOOOO!"

Meanwhile back at the Clubhouse.

"Rias, do you think he's ready?" Akeno asks. "I'm sure he'll do fine." Rias says reassuringly. "Yeah he's not just some loser human. Well I know some cool humans but he's like no other." Yuuto says. "I'm gonna say I'm honestly not sure if he's ready." Koneko chimes in when suddenly a slam interrupts everyone.

SLAM!

The door opens and Issei walks in as the others all turn to him. "Speak of the devil. Welcome back my darling." Rias says. "Look, just because you're hot doesn't mean we're married." Issei says with furrowed brows. Rias gives him a big hug as the others all watch. "How was the delivery run going?" Rias asks. "I lost one of them. The last one for Dr. Frederik Ferklhimer." Rias looks at Issei with rather gentle eyes. "Oh no worries. I actually wanna try something with you." She says as she takes Issei's hands. "Oh?" Issei asks. "Hold out your right hand." Rias commands. Issei complies. "Here, I'll brand you with our family crest so that you'll be identifiable."

"I wish that bitch just killed me." Issei mumbles softly. A part of him inside weeps as he struggles to accept reality. It screamed "Wait, no not Raynare. She's my-" Issei however cut the voice off. "She tried to betray you! I HATE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!" Issei freaks out as the demonic voices scream into his ear. "KILL HER DAMMIT JUST-" Suddenly the voices stop as a breeze of calmness passes over him. "Yeah yeah!" He shakes the voices out of his head as he looks at Akeno's pentagram. "Now just relax and do what I say. He'll recognize the mark and know what to do." Rias says. As Akeno sets up the giant circle Issei walks out into the center of it. "Make me proud baby!" Issei chuckles a little as he looks at Rias. He almost sympathized with heras a part of him, just like her, couldn't accept reality for what it was. "Wow you really aren't gonna stop?" He chuckles as he smiles at her. "Of course not!" She says back smiling.

"Well it doesn't matter. I'll allow you a part in my Harem, but after all the crap I've been through in and out of school don't expect some white loser knight." Issei suddenly feels the pentagram working as he allows its power to take him to the desired location, but then suddenly it stops. "HEY!" He yells. "Oh my it looks like you're not ready for that." Rias says as everyone else groans awkwardly. "It's okay though I have an idea."

Five Minutes Later

"Man this blows! What kinda demon is summoned on a bike?! I was just using this to go home!"

Knock Knock Knock!

"Hey Mr. Ferklhime! Devil's knocking at your door!" Issei yells as a man with glasses and long black hair opens up. He looks at Issei with annoyance before slamming the door on him. :It's doctor and go away!" Said Ferklhime. "No wait, I'm here from Rias! I'm the devil you summoned!" He yelled. "Since when does a demon come to your front door?" He asked. "Tonight's your lucky night?" Issei asked. "Screw you I'm not an idiot! I know how this works. Koneko comes through the portal and hooks me up. Now get off my porch!" The man yelled. "Look I tried okay! I tried and I couldn't do it so they put me on a bike! A BIKE!" Issei yells as he's on the brink of tears. He slams to the floor on his knees sobbing out of embarrassment. "Alright fine." Issei watches the door open and walks through. Dr. Ferklhime hands him a glass of green tea. "Thank you." Issei says as he sighs with relief. "Alright if you're the stand in you need to prove yourself. Show me some cool devil tricks you can do." Dr. Ferklhime says. "Uh okay? Like what does Koneko do?" Issei asked. "Hm well let me see, can you put this on?" Ferklhime asked. Issei watches the man pull out a cosplay outfit. He had a white t-shirt on and blue jeans with no socks. He stood at around 6'3 and was very lean and unkept. "No what?! Why?" Issei asked. "I always summon cuties to sweep me off my feet every night, but unless I wanna go out and pull one off from the streets-" Issei interrupts. "Wait? She sweeps you off your feet?" He asks. Dr. Ferklhime nods with enthusiasm. "Whatever gets me closer to Raynare, so I can get some frigen answers." Issei says to himself. "So what can you do then?" Ferklhime asks. "Alright here." Issei feels himself grow in anger, his eyes glow a yellow that strikes fear into Dr. Ferklhime. He then backs up as Issei releases a ball of energy that evaporates instantly, doing no damage.

"Oh I uh. I'm sorry. I can't do anything cool yet, that was just my attempt at protaling away like Rick Sanchez can do with his portal gun. But I can't teleport as you can see." Issei says, backing off as regret settles within him. "What the hell did I do? I almost killed him." Ferklhime nods. "Not bad, but it seems that you've only watched the reruns. My generation watched it all first hand." Issei sighs. "Dammit. Another fan. Just because I like a show doesn't mean I like the community. How could he tell I liked Rick and Morty from that?"

"Your generation may have had the reruns, but mine had the show. Take a look." He shows Issei his collection of all the first edition novels he had kept. "No way. Well I have all the special additions and his portal gun so suck it!" Ferklhime laughs. "Oh yeah!" For hours Issei and Ferklhime debated on who's collection of Rick and Morty was better as well as the lore, the fan base, and all that the show touched was set on the table for an argument. Then as Issei talked with the man he noticed something in the corner of his room. He looks at it and keeps staring at a poster that hangs on the wall. It looked like a simple medical diagram drawn by a child in art class.

"What the?" Dr. Ferklhime notices Issei's distracted eyes and gets up to block his view. "What are you doing?!" Ferklhime asks rather panicked. "I uh." Issei asked. "Get out!" Ferklhime yelled. Issei, who's feeling uncomfortable, decides to do so. "I'm gonna keep note of this. That's so creepy." Issei said inside his mind. He keeps walking out as the door is slammed behind him. "Jeez what the hell? Why was I told to go here? Wait." He then puts two and two together. "Don't tell me he's gonna try that." Issei looks at the card he was supposed to have the man sign and decides to forge his signature so that he can track him. Usually this never works but since it was a God given miracle somehow it did. "I don't like where this is going." Issei says as his eyes suddenly glow. As he's about to get on his bike a portal opens. Walking towards him is a woman with slender legs and a dress that stops at her thighs, skin tight with high heels on. "Who's that?" Issei asks himself. "So you're the one I've been sent to destroy" The woman says as she keeps walking towards the boy.

"What?" Issei asks. "Is she a teacher at my school? Wait, I had her for homeroom! Mrs. Karlawaner!" Issei yells. "Hold still, and I'll make this painless." Karlawaner says as she spreads her wings and summons a light spear.