High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

After parent-teacher day, the Occult Research Club stands before a sealed classroom door in the old school building, marked with "KEEP OUT" tape and magical sigils.

"Another 'bishop' is here?" I ask.

"Yes. Their power was too much for me to handle, so my brother sealed them here," Rias explains.

I never sensed anyone. Some special spell? What kind of power overwhelms Rias?

"After Riser and Kokabiel, Sirzechs said it's time. Thanks to you all," Rias says.

"No way. You've worked hard too, Buchou. Right, everyone?" I say.

Everyone nods. Rias's grown stronger since we met. Sirzechs must've seen that to allow this.

"Thanks. I'm opening it," Rias says, dispelling the sigils.

I sense a presence. The seal blocked it.

Rias opens the door. A piercing scream erupts. "Eeeeek!"

"What the?!" I yelp. Asia, Miu, and Xenovia jump. Rias sighs, entering with Akeno.

"Greetings. Glad you're well," Rias says inside.

"What's happening?!" a panicked voice replies.

That's our line. Rias and Akeno's voices are calm, but the other's freaking out.

"Oh my, the seal's broken. You can come out," Akeno soothes.

"No way! I like it here! Outside's scary!" the voice wails.

Hardcore shut-in. Who is this?

Curious, I step inside. The dim room's adorned cutely stuffed animals, but a coffin in the corner. Why a coffin?

A blonde, doll-like beauty with red cheeks stands with Rias and Akeno. Wait…

"Buchou, that's a guy, right?" I ask.

"Impressive catch," Rias says.

Asia, Miu, and Xenovia gasp. Yup, thought so. Looks like a gorgeous girl, but the aura's male. I'd have been thrilled for a double blonde with Asia, but…

"Why's a shut-in cross-dressing?!" I blurt.

"Didn't mean to say that out loud!" I add, but it's true.

"It's cuter!" the figure whines.

"Don't say 'cute'!" I groan. My dreams of another blonde beauty, crushed.

"Dreams are fleeting," Koneko quips.

"Clever, but stop! And don't read my mind!" I snap. First time my eyes and senses don't match.

Rias pats the figure's head. "This is Gasper Vladi, my other bishop. Half-human, half-vampire."

"Vampire?!" I spot tiny fangs.

"Gasper, please come outside," Rias pleads, kneeling.

"Nooo!" Gasper shakes his head.

That bad?! Even rejecting Rias? Unthinkable!

"Gasper, is outside that scary?" I ask.

"Y-Yes! Who're you?" he stammers.

"Issei Hyoudou, Rias's pawn. Nice to meet you."

"Asia Argento, bishop. Pleased to meet you," Asia adds.

"Xenovia, knight," Xenovia says.

Gasper looks at Miu. "I'm Issei's sister, Miu. Nice to meet you," she says.

"P-Pleased to meet you," Gasper mumbles.

"So, why's outside so scary?" I press.

"It's terrifying! I want to stay here!" he cries.

Something's up. Must get him out, even if it's forceful. "It's fine. We've got your back," I say, touching his shoulder.

Time stops. The room turns monochrome, everyone frozen except me, Miu, and Rias. The clock's still.

Gasper's power. Time stoppage. Dangerous if misused. Why aren't we affected?

Rias explains, "Your sacred gears make you immune. Gasper's is Forbidden Balor View, stopping time for anything in his sight. Stronger targets resist."

Time resumes. "What happened?" Asia asks.

"Something did," Xenovia says.

Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko sigh they knew.

"Don't be mad! Don't hit me!" Gasper wails, cowering.

"Chill, I'm not hitting you," I say. I wasn't stopped. "No harm done."

Gasper's uncontrolled sacred gear triggers with emotions. That's why he was sealed.

"Issei, I need a favor," Rias says.

"What?"

"Akeno and I have a meeting for the summit. Can you watch Gasper until I'm back?"

"Got it."

"Kiba, come with us. Sirzechs wants to discuss your Balance Breaker," Rias adds.

"On it. Issei, Gasper's in your hands," Kiba says.

They teleport away.

Now what? I train physical fighters, but Gasper's a mental case. First, get him outside. He's already hiding in a cardboard box.

"Let's train him, Issei. No weaklings," Xenovia says, yanking the box's rope with Durandal. Vampire hunter mode?

"Nooo! Durandal's user?! I'll be purged!" Gasper shrieks.

"Quit screaming, vampire. Want a cross, holy water, or garlic?" Xenovia taunts.

You're a devil too, Xenovia. "You'll take damage too," I point out.

"Is this okay?" Miu asks.

"Let's watch," I say.

"Worrying," Asia mutters.

Evening, outside the old schoolhouse. Xenovia chases Gasper, swinging Durandal. "Run, or you're sword bait!"

"Nooo! Don't hunt me!" Gasper screams.

"Xenovia's thriving," Asia notes.

"Her eyes are sparkling," Miu adds.

She's venting stress. "Gasper's a daywalker vampire, right? Sun's okay?" I ask.

"Special type, can handle daylight," Koneko explains.

Gasper collapses. "I'm done!" he pants.

Weak as he looks.

"Gasper, okay?" Koneko asks.

"Koneko-chan…" he whimpers.

"Garlic's good for fatigue," she says, holding some.

"Garlic?!" Gasper bolts.

He can still move. Koneko chases, smiling. Rare sight.

A presence approaches. "Yo, Occult Club," Saji says.

"Saji! Here for the shut-in?" I ask.

"President told me. Where's he?" Saji asks.

"Being chased by Xenovia and Koneko," I point.

"Blonde beauty?!" Saji perks up.

"Cross-dressing guy," I clarify.

Saji slumps. "That's a scam! Why's a shut-in cross-dressing?!"

"I feel you," I say. The shock was real. Asia and Miu accept it, but it'll take time.

"Fallen Angel Governor?" I call out.

Everyone freezes. "I hid my presence. Impressive, Red Dragon Emperor," Azazel says, appearing.

"Need to fully erase it to fool me," I reply.

"Azazel?!" Saji gasps, activating his sacred gear. Xenovia readies her sword, Asia hides.

"Why so calm?!" Saji yells.

"No need to panic," I shrug. Azazel's smirking, not hostile.

"No fight here. Relax. Only Issei could challenge me, maybe the black-haired girl," Azazel says, eyeing Miu. "Came to see the holy-demonic sword user."

"Kiba's with Sirzechs," I say.

"Missed him," Azazel sighs.

"You look thinner," I note.

"Was tied to a chair 'til yesterday. Shemhazai's trying to kill me," he grumbles.

Your fault for slacking. Raynare's stressed too.

Azazel spots Gasper hiding behind Koneko. "Forbidden Balor View. Dangerous if uncontrolled. A sacred gear aid could help, but devils lag in that research. Sensory-triggered gears are risky without enough capacity."

He eyes Saji. "Black Dragon Vein, right? Perfect for training. Connect a line to absorb Gasper's excess power, reduce rampages."

Forgot Saji's gear drains power. Smart idea.

"Best shortcut? Drink Red Dragon Emperor's blood. Vampire, right?" Azazel adds.

Good tip. Azazel's a sacred gear expert.

"Sorry about Vali. He's curious about you," Azazel says.

Great, another guy interested. "Wish it was a cute girl," I mutter.

"I'm off. See you at the summit," Azazel says, leaving.

In the gym, we train Gasper to stop volleyballs I throw, using his sacred gear. Saji's line drains excess power to prevent rampages. Looks awkward, though.

"Here goes, Gasper!" I throw.

"Y-Yes!" he stammers, activating his gear.

"Again?" I sigh. He stops everything in sight Saji and Asia included. He tries to flee.

"No escaping," I say.

"Why're you moving?!" he yelps.

"Your gear doesn't work on me, remember?"

Training continues, but Gasper needs Saji's drain to control it. "Tough. Azazel mentioned my blood," I say.

"No way!" Gasper cries.

"You're a vampire!" I retort.

"Blood's gross!" he whines, crouching.

Really a vampire? "Weakling," Koneko says.

"Koneko-chan's mean!" Gasper sobs.

Poor guy.