Chapter 40 The Sakuya Situation
I don't own DxD I'm just using the characters
Issei's mission heats up big time.
(Issei's house)
When Issei returned home he immediately called Azazel over to analyze the powder he was given by Mizuki. This was his best clue so far and he needed to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible, "So what do you think Zaz?" Issei wondered once the fallen angel finished analyzing the pills. Irina was with them for moral support.
"Well Issei, I have good news and bad news." Azazel said nervously, which was a red flag to anybody who knew him. The man never got nervous and if he was, it meant there was a major problem on the way.
"Alright, give me the good news first." Issei said calmly.
"The good news is, I've confirmed that the powder is the reason those kids are getting supernatural powers" Azazel revealed.
"I'm guessing the bad news is that Sakuya is connected to somebody you know." Issei guessed. If Azazel knew how he also knew who, Azazel was that good.
"Not quite. Sakuya isn't connected to somebody I know; Sakuya IS somebody I know." Azazel revealed causing Issei's eyes to widen.
"You gotta be kidding me." Irina groaned in annoyance.
"I wish I was. Your student Sakuya is actually my ex-wife Akasha in disguise." Azazel said solemnly.
"I see" Issei frowned for multiple reasons. Sakuya being Azazel's wife makes this whole thing significantly harder. She wasn't going to fall for most of his tricks.
"In other words, she's doing this to get revenge on you. My guess is you got so caught up in your hobbies that you didn't focus on her." Irina accused since Azazel was very hobby centric.
"Sad to say but you're right. We were married for a few years and even had Raynare during that period but my busy lifestyle eventually overwhelmed her. When she ended it with me I felt bad because she was one of the few women I ever truly loved." Azazel shrugged.
"Looks like things just got interesting and not the good kind" Issei groaned. If Sakuya was a fallen angel that meant she knew about him and likely about Leonardo. He had to be extremely careful.
"Sorry Issei." Azazel said sheepishly knowing that this was going to get ugly.
"You're fine Zaz, the moment I learned about the powder I suspected a fallen angel was involved. Since she knows you, it just means things are going to be far more troublesome than I care for." Issei admitted.
"That's right. She'll be well aware of your real identity and aware of your little friend Leonardo." Irina said nervously.
"Yes and that's why I'll find Akasha's lab and stop her." Azazel insisted catching Irina and Issei off guard.
"Why would you do that?" Issei questioned.
"Fallen Angels that are scientist types like me and Akasha, are vicious about our labs and we'll have traps that are extremely dangerous to anybody trying to invade. Since she's aware of your true identity those traps will be particularly vicious" Azazel explained.
Issei frowned since Azazel had a point. Over the years, spies have snuck into Azazel's lab at the main base and the results haven't been pretty. "Are you sure about doing this?" Issei wondered. Azazel did have the best chance of stopping Akasha since he had to keep his cover for the moment. The problem was if something happened to him, it could lead to major problems for the Order and others.
"Yeah" Azazel replied before returning to the Order's base, leaving Issei and Irina alone again.
"Well I guess that solves one problem." Issei frowned.
"Yes but it leaves a bunch more. You should probably get some rest since tomorrow is going to be a headache." Irina teased.
"Care to join me?" Issei smiled. Whether it was sex or a good cuddle, Irina always helped Issei calm down in the middle of a major mission.
"Sure pervert." Irina smiled as the two went up to Issei's bed.
(Scene Skip)
Luckily for Issei, most his Issei's classes were in the afternoon today so when lunchtime came he was still fresh. "Azazel should be going for Sakuya's house right now." Issei smiled as he ate the boxed lunch Irina made for him. Unfortunately for him, his peace was interrupted when Leonardo walked into his office.
"We need to talk." Leonardo said with a nervous look on his eyes.
"About what?" Issei replied.
"Sakuya left class early this morning and I have a feeling you know why." Leonardo revealed causing Issei's eyes to widen.
'This isn't good' Issei thought to himself. "What makes you think I know why?" Issei replied with a calm demeanor. Internally he was furious since Sakuya clearly found out about Azazel and that spelled doom for him.
"Issei, this isn't the time for games. I'm pretty sure Mizuki spoke to you yesterday and she wasn't in class either. Something is clearly wrong and I need answers." Leonardo said angrily
That clinched it. Issei had to come clean to the kid and he knew that he was not going to like it. "Sakuya is a fallen angel in disguise named Akasha and she is the one who's turning your friends into monsters and is almost certainly the one who took Mizuki" Issei said calmly.
"Impossible. I would've been able to sense if she was a fallen angel and even if she was, why would she take Mizuki." Leonardo countered.
"I didn't sense her either, but Azazel was the one who confirmed it personally." Issei replied with a hint of annoyance in his voice. His senses should've easily picked up Sakuya being a fallen angel but he was fooled and now a student of his was in danger.
Leonardo frowned since Azazel would know that information, "Okay so Sakuya's a fallen angel, what does that have to do with Mizuki?" Leonardo asked angrily.
"Yesterday, Mizuki stopped by my office and gave me a powder that she was given by Sakuya. I had Azazel analyze the powder and he confirmed that it was how your friends were given those powers and confirmed Sakuya's real identity.
Leonardo frowned heavily, "Knowing Mizuki, she would've tried to find out more today and she would've discovered the truth so Sakuya kidnapped her."
"Yes but that's the least of our problems. Sakuya may also have Azazel and if she does we have a major problem." Issei said nervously as he reached for his phone in order to contact his boss and let him know that Akasha was on the way. Almost like a cruel joke the phone rang at that time and it was Azazel's number, "Hello Sakuya or should I call you Akasha." Issei said bitterly. She definitely had Azazel and that was not good.
"Hello sensei or should I call you the Red Dragon Emperor." Sakuya replied in a slightly more mature voice then her usual tone.
Issei's expression darkened, "I take it you have Azazel." Issei said coldly.
"Ufufufu yes I do. You can come rescue him later but for now I want to have a chat with my ex." Sakuya continued.
"What about Mizuki? Is she there also?" Issei asked nervously hoping that the young woman was safe.
"She's there and in perfect health for the moment. Tell Leo that she's fine since I'm sure he's worried about her" Akasha said in a teasing voice.
"Alright, so how are we going to do this?" Issei wondered staying calm during the whole thing. Akasha confirmed that she knew about Leo and that she had Mizuki and Azazel. This was going to be annoying.
"I'll have a chat with my husband for a little while and once school is done you can try to save him and Mizuki. I won't do anything for now since I find the idea of facing the Red Dragon Emperor and a powerful sacred Gear user like Leo to be entertaining" Akasha replied showing how calm she was.
"Works for me" Issei replied before hanging up and turning towards Leonardo.
"So it's as bad as you thought huh?" Leonardo said with a frown.
"Oh yeah. She's got my boss along with Mizuki though everyone's safe for now. It seems like Akasha is going to have a chat with Azazel while we're dealing with school." Issei replied appreciating the absurdity of it all.
"We should go now. Mizuki could be in danger." Leonardo said hastily.
"She's fine and Sakuya promised that she'd keep her safe until we arrive. I believe we can trust her for now. We will be dealing with her once class ends though.
Leonardo frowned but considering who he was talking to, he knew that it would be okay. "I understand. I'll meet with you after class Red Dragon Emperor." Leonardo said calmly.
"Fine with me. Oh and we'll take it easy during gym." Issei replied with a smile.
(Azazel P.O.V)
I could only look on helplessly as Akasha hung up from the conversation with Issei and I gazed at the figure of my ex-wife for the first time in over 50 years. "Your student is quite impressive Zaz, though I guess I shouldn't be surprised since he is the leader of the Order of Draconis" Akasha said with a wicked smile on her face. Akasha basically looked like Raynare but 10 years older and that hadn't changed since the last time we saw each other. She still looked damn good in a lab coat after all this time and made the leather straps of a fallen look good. If I weren't imprisoned by her, I'd be pretty turned on right now.
"You won't get away with this Akasha." I growled as I turned to find the girl who was in the room when I first arrived. I could tell from her uniform she was one of the students at Issei's school and I couldn't explain why Akasha had her.
"I'm aware of that. My opponents are the Red Dragon Emperor and the wielder of Annihilation Maker. This won't be easy." Akasha replied with a smile.
. 'Good luck Issei.' I thought to myself. I was right to come here before Issei since the traps she prepared for him were incredible. The fact she wasn't making knew ones meant that this was going to be a wild rest of the day
(Normal P.O.V)
Once class was over Issei returned home to let Irina know what happened. Needless to say she was not happy that Azazel was captured and she wanted to get more people involved, but Issei convinced her to let him and Leonardo handle it alone, "Are you sure you don't want any backup Issei." Irina said nervously as Issei prepared to leave.
"I am the leader of the Order of Draconis. I have to step up in moments like this or I'm not worthy of my title." Issei replied as he got into his Draconis outfit sans the mask.
"Okay but if you need me I'll be a phone call away." Irina said nervously before kissing him on the lips.
"If I need you, that means I'm in deep trouble and I hope it doesn't come to that." Issei replied cheekily.
"Just get going you jerk." Irina pouted as Issei left to meet with Leonardo and deal with Akasha.
(Scene Skip)
Luckily for Issei, Sakuya's house wasn't in the middle of the town but at the edge isolated from nearly everyone else. "I never thought I'd see the day I was fighting with a member of the Khaos Brigade." Issei smirked causing Leo to deadpan.
"Shut up. I'm doing this for Mizuki and Suzuki, if you die that's fine by me." Leonardo huffed in annoyance.
Issei could tell that Leonardo liked Mizuki, but figured that anything happening between them was hopeless due to his true lifestyle, "I got it Leo. Just save your crush and I should be able to manage Akasha." Issei smirked as the two made their way up the hill towards the house ready for anything and everything. As they arrived at the doors to the large house he was pleasantly surprised that nothing was waiting for them.
"What's going on? I thought for sure she'd have some kind of trap waiting for us." Leonardo said nervously.
"I guess Azazel really did disable any traps she may have set." Issei said in disbelief.
"It's more likely that she realizes that it wasn't worth it. One of you is the Red Dragon Emperor and the other can use his sacred gear to create beasts of his own. If she's anything like Azazel she doesn't want to waste effort." Ddraig commented for both to hear.
"He has a point." Leonardo deadpanned at the blunt response.
"Well let's not look a gift horse in the mouth." Issei shrugged as the pair calmly walked through the doors and into the form. Much to Issei's amusement the first floor was pretty standard for a mansion
"Hello there boys I'm glad you could make it." Akasha said through loudspeakers.
"Enough dramatics Akasha? Where the heck are you?" Issei replied with a snarl on his face.
"You're no fun Red Dragon Emperor, I just wanted a little banter before the fun began." Akasha teased.
"I'll pass. You have my leader and one of my students and I want them back." Issei said angrily.
"You're no fun but okay. The door to your left leads to my location but you'll have to face a few of my pets before you get to me." Sakuya smiled.
"Do we have a choice" Leonardo said angrily the annoyance clearly growing.
"No but at least it won't be any of your classmates. Annoyingly enough I couldn't get to Kaiser and Suzuki after class and I haven't started my experiments on Mizuki yet. See you soon Leo, Sensei." Sakuya replied.
"Well then let's go" Leonardo said angrily as he quickly walked towards the door.
"Good grief" Issei groaned quickly following the young man When they arrived they found a large empty room with only a single door behind it.
"What is this place" Leo wondered.
"I don't know but I imagine we'll find out soon." Issei replied. Sure enough the sound of a loudspeaker being prepared permeated around the room.
"Welcome to the first part of our little game boys. That door leads to where I'm waiting, but before you get to me you must win three battles. If you manage to beat the creature I send towards you that door will lead you to the next round" Akasha explained through loudspeakers
"Bring it on" Leonardo said with ferocity in his voice that Issei didn't expect.
"Ufufffufu, somebody's eager to get started." Akasha said wistfully before the first door opened.
'I wonder what's coming first.' Issei thought to himself curious what Akasha had planned. Much to his disappointment the first door revealed a basic ogre with a loincloth and a large club. "Leonardo this weakling is yours." Issei said calmly not wanting to bother with the simple creature.
"What's that supposed to mean." Leonardo replied angrily.
Issei frowned before walking over to him, "Akasha is likely saving the strongest beast for the last battle but she's curious how powerful we are." Issei whispered.
'I got it' Leonardo replied calmly. "Get ready beast" Leonardo said proudly as he focused his sacred gear. Much to Issei's amusement a group of lions appeared from the shadows and quickly swarmed the large ogre. The ogre was quickly overwhelmed and within five minutes the beast fell at the hands of the Hero Faction's youngest member. It was a flawless battle and Issei couldn't help but approve.
"Not bad kid" Issei smirked as the door opened. When the pair went through the door, they realized that it was an elevator and that meant Akasha was in an underground lab.
"This is cliché as hell." Leonardo scoffed.
"Yep but that happens sometimes. Let's just go" Issei smiled. The next battle was his and Issei was looking forward to a proper battle after all this time.
That's it for Chapter 40 everybody and the second part of this new arc. Next time Issei and Leonardo's journey into Akasha's lair continues.
AN: To say that this chapter is long overdue would be a massive understatement. Sorry for making you guys wait so long and I have no excuse since I've been pumping out other chapters as this one went without an update. I hope you guys enjoy this and I swear I won't make you wait nearly this long again.