Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition to Rise of the Apocalyptic Beast! I am so sorry about the lack of updates, but I've just been so busy with work and recently I took to binge watching RWBY after some friends finally convinced me to get on it. And holy hell I don't think I've ever watched so much anime straight as I did then. Simply fantastic work from you Monty, Bless your soul!

Now I would like to thank you all for the support, and let me say that I had a hard time writing this chapter because I wanted to do something different from Hilda's memory loss. So, I made my own scenario on how she got them back! I am also working very hard to put every detail I can to flesh out the story for all the characters, not just for Tatsumi and Hilda, but everyone! So bear with me everyone!

I also need to mention this start's 3 year's before the original plot of Highschool DxD, so keep that in mind everyone.

Okay, sorry bout that long authors note. Now how about we get started?

Let's go!

"This...is my child...Tatsumi and I's baby boy...'' ~Hildegarde

Rise of the Apocalyptic Beast

Chapter 2: Ultimatum and Memories

'W-where am I?' was the thought of an extremely beautiful young woman. Her forest green eyes were taking in the sight all around with bewilderment and no small amount of apprehension. Her long unkempt glossy blonde hair billowed in the ravaging winds caused by the storms all around her. Idly she looked down only to find herself in a torn up black and white garment that she couldn't discern and the cold touch of the flooring beneath her registered in her mind that she was barefoot.

But that's when her eyes took in the area around her and they flashed with some form of nostalgia. 'Wait...I know this place.' the young blonde thought to herself as she took in the sight all around her, she was standing on top of a Clock Tower of sorts. It was a giant Clock Tower that was connected to a huge extravagant building that looked like a campus of sorts. This wasn't her first time finding herself in places like this though for among others each one held some form of familiarity to her. It was like that for as long as she could remember, waking up in these type of places that held some form of important link to her, but for some reason she just couldn't begin to fathom as to why. There were people that she thought were her friends, but than some who she didn't quite like at all.

There were some that greeted her warmly, as if she were a close friend and it only hurt to think she couldn't remember them, but she did know their appearance. There was an older looking man that had the power to jump through dimensions, another was a little girl with light pink hair and green eyes that always welcomed her with exuberant excitement. There was a family of three that treated her well, and seeing them made a smile come to her face. Then there were others that regarded her with some form of fright and shied away from her, which had been most of these people that went to this school called Ishiyama High.

Though strangely enough, there was one girl around her age with blue/black hair and sharp blue eyes that filled her with an emotion of a fiery rivalry with the woman, but there was also a twinge of jealousy. Though for what reason, she just couldn't fathom, however there was an ever deeper inkling of respect that she felt when she looked at the young woman. She saw herself sometimes fighting the young woman who wielded a wooden sword while she used a sword hidden in an umbrella, which was weird, and other times when she fought alongside with the woman against thugs and fish faced people.

And after all she had seen, she decided that she rather liked the young woman, despite some twinge of jealousy every time she looked at her.

However the strangest thing of all was that, throughout these strange trips, their were two people that were always around her most of the time. But unlike everyone else, they had no appearance and instead appeared to be a colorless figures of darkness. The first had the figure of a small body, appearing to be a baby of sorts which in the memories was either clinging onto the back of the bigger shadow or was held in her arms. And though she couldn't recognize the appearance of the apparent child she could feel her chest burst with emotions such as loyalty and adoration for the child in her arms at the time.

Apparently the child was important to her in some form, but she just didn't know why.

But then came the other shadow figure that always walked ahead of her when they went somewhere, either to a store or to the school. She was always either staring at his back or watching him from the sidelines, seeing the figure, a male quite obviously, fight off thugs, delinquents and other unsavory characters. Like the smaller shadowy figure she couldn't see his appearance, but the moment she looked at him every time made her whole body fill up with a myriad of emotions that honestly confused her and yet bewitched her at the same time.

She felt at times indifferent about the person, but that was so miniscule to the other emotions she felt that it was entirely nonexistent, it was almost like a facade really. Then came the immense amount of respect she felt for this man, which only confused her. There was some equal amounts admiration and adoration that she couldn't explain, but the longer she stared at his back made her chest tighten up in a way that it was painful to breathe.

Why did she feel this way when she looked at the back of this man? It confused her and yet saddened her to an even greater degree. She knew this man was important to her just as this child was, but it seemed like these two were completely erased from her memory. But the feeling she felt from this man was the same, even if she didn't remember him, it was his aura that made her feel a link to him. It wasn't in the way he carried himself or even the way he walked. It was something else, something much more fierce and feral...it was so...primal in nature that it sent shivers up and down her spine.

And she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing...

Yet here and now she could feel that very same primal force threaten to snuff out all life around her, it was as if the entire world was being subjugated by this feeling. The weather cried out in fear, and the earth trembled in terror of the sheer force that was flooding the world around her. Bolt of lightning streaked across the black sky and struck all over the world lighting the world aflame in it's chaos. But soon the smell of iron grew thick in the air and she turned only to see a sight that made her eyes widen in horror.

There was blood, so much blood, all over the rooftop of the Clock Tower, it ran through the cracks and soaked into the cement and stone. But the stench was so thick she would have gagged if she wasn't taken back when she felt that primal force grow to such a degree it felt like it would have snuffed out all the life from her on a whim. It was so strong, so terrifyingly powerful that the chills returned in full force and she nearly lost all feeling in her legs.

But then she saw something, her forest green eyes peered in the darkness only to widen when she saw the small little baby shadow being approached by a large hulking figure. This hulking figure had an appearance though, he appeared to be some kind of human/fish hybrid of some sort with long red hair and gleaming red eyes that spoke of nothing more than anger and bloodlust. She knew this person, not his name, but she knew him and the feeling of unease began to settle in once she realized this.

However, that vanished when she saw the demon like thing approaching the baby and all that unease vanished in an instant and she tried rushing toward the baby to protect him. She didn't know what came over her, but when she saw the baby in danger it just became her number one priority.

'No!' she tried to call out to the baby, but it seemed all was for naught when the man got close enough to reach him. She heard him speak and it made her blood boil in an rare surge of anger she hadn't felt before.

''Aw, not going to cry? Oh well, you'll be crying by the time I'm done with you!''

''GET AWAY FROM HIM!'' she screamed for all she could, her fingers would just within inches of reaching the child, but just as her overwhelming fear for the child's safety began clench on her rapidly beating heart.

She felt it.

It happened in a near instant, a black blur appeared infront of her, and she was forced to stop when she saw the figure before her. The figure in question was tall, very tall, appearing to be about 7ft and just by staring at it's back chilled her to the bone. Yet her eyes widened in shock once she realized the presence of this person. It was the very same as that shadowy man from before, yet it was different at the same time.

It was fierce, the figure's body was giving off so much wrath it would have consumed the stars themselves. But there was a warmth in there that she couldn't help, but admire. This proved to be true when she heard it/him speak.

'You hurt them...you hurt her...you hurt my son...' she heard him speak for the first time, and it made her blood run cold. That was not the voice of a human, no, that wasn't even the voice of a devil, that was the voice of something else. Something from the deepest pits of the abyss that not even the Gods dared to tread, it was so terrifying that it seemed the very earth, itme itself went still. As if all of creation was afraid to make a move in light of this person speaking, it was rather scary to think about. What kind of entity had such power, so much force in his very tone that it could do such a thing as this?

'W-who is this man...why is he and this child so important to my memories...who are they?' her vision began to swim as the figure proceeded to rip off the hulking demons arms off faster than she could blink. But just as the figure grasped the prostrated demons skull, she felt the darkness come full force and she felt herself beginning to lose all self-control of being able to stay awake in this land of memories. Yet in the wake of the darkness starting to eat away at her world she heard this figure speak.

As the world was consumed in a bright flash of black and red she heard him speak just a few words that made her heart swell up in such strong emotion.

'Hilda...I won't...I will not allow this to happen again...I give you my word.'

And with that all she saw was the darkness that consumed her...

XxX

The first thing that she felt once she began to awake to the world of the living was the bright rays of the sun peaking through the blinds of a seemingly familiar room. The warmth of the giant ball of plasma was comforting to the blonde as her eyes began to slowly creak open. Her vision was unfocused and swimming, but the silence of the room she was in helped her refocus her gaze so everything began to clear up. The first thing she felt upon coming back to the world of consciousness was a splitting headache, and her body sore all over.

When she looked down she found herself in someones bed and in a pair of light blue pajamas, that were really comfortable in her own humble opinion. Than for a moment she began to recollect on anything she just remembered, and from all the things she remembered there was one thing, something that called out to her, grabbed hold of her and would never let go. It was just as the darkness consumed her whole world that she heard his voice cut through the darkness. It was his words, the name that seemed to tug at her very soul.

'Hilda...he called me Hilda...he was speaking to me...why...why was there so much pain in his voice...what kind of promise did he make me?' the thought ran through her mind countless times, and still she couldn't come up for a reason why that person would promise her something like that. Yet the emotion in his voice was unmistakable, something happened to her on that Clock Tower, but she couldn't remember what.

And that was frustrating the blonde.

However she soon stopped when she finally took notice of something or rather it was someone that was sitting at her bedside in a chair. Looking over, she was surprised to see someone she recognized in her memories, but her name simply escaped her. The woman at her side seemed a tad older than her by a few years. She had shoulder-length brown hair, fair skin and a well endowed chest. She was wearing a simple orange tank top and blue shorts along with a pair of socks and black shoes.

Currently the woman was dozing off, which made her wonder why she was here, and better yet where she was. So, deciding to find some answers she leaned over and poked the older woman on the arm, and that certainly woke up the girl at her bedside who suddenly snapped out of her snoozing only to be greeted a pair of wide surprised brown eyes meeting her forest green ones.

''H-Hilda?'' her voice was filled with shock, not that she really understood why.

Though she guessed that her name was Hilda apparently and just rolled with it, ''U-um...hello-'' she was quickly stopped when the woman literally flew out of her chair and threw her arms around her shoulders and pulled her into the tightest hug she had ever received, at least to her knowledge.

''Oh god Hilda! Do you have any idea how worried we've been!?''

At that Hilda blinked, that was weird it sounded like she'd been in accident or something from the way this woman was speaking. But that couldn't be right, she did feel sore a little bit, but not enough to be life threatening or anything. So what could it have been to make this woman worry so much?

''Um...I'm sorry, but I don't...know...who are you...where am I?'' She had to ask because while the room felt familiar to her and she had seen it many times in her dreams she still couldn't grasp at the reason why or specifically where she was. It was honestly a little disconcerting to her that she couldn't remember a place that had been in so many of her memories. Honestly, there was nothing else she could really say at that moment. There was so many questions rolling around her head that it was a little bit difficult to comprehend everything. Though she was taken back when the woman leaned back to look at her with a bewildered expression on her face.

''Oh my god...Tatsumi was right, you got amnesia!'' though it didn't answer her original question it still confirmed her suspicions that this woman was close to her in some form. Though the name Tatsumi did ring a few bells in her head, she just couldn't fathom as to why nor as to why that made her feel depressed.

'But it seems whatever happened to me explains my loss of memory, I got amenisa. Yet how did I get it? What happened to me?' clearly it was starting to trouble young blonde, she had so many questions and little to no answers that could help her in the predicament she was in. But, she stopped as she just recalled what the woman currently hugging her just said. This Tatsumi person was right about her having amnesia? Than who was this person? Did he/she have the answers she wanted?

Deciding to speak her thoughts she spoke up, ''Um...I'm sorry for the all this, but who are you? Where am I? And who is this Tatsumi?'' she repeated the same question as before. She wanted questions answered not more questions loaded on her, she had enough as it is. The blonde felt the only way to ease this discomfort was to know who she was before whatever happened her to before hand. The discomfort in her was spreading like a disease as time went by, and she needed to know why!

Now!

The brunette seemed to look at her with sadness before giving out a mournful sigh, giving a small nod to Hilda the woman let go of the blonde and got off the bed.

''Come with me and I'll try to answer any questions you have. I've got you some clothes right there on the dresser so once your dressed just come meet me downstairs, okay?'' the brunette seemed a bit put off by the whole situation that much was pretty evident by the troubled expression she wore. It wasn't like Hilda could really blame her, this was a rather strange situation, but then again maybe it was more than just this that was troubling the woman. But she wouldn't push the reason why, she felt it would be too invasive at this point.

''Very well...'' and with just one more glance the woman walked out as the blonde got out of bed to get dressed. And just as the door closed behind her, Oga Misaki, older sister of Tatsumi leaned against it, closed her eyes and let out another sigh.

'What's going on here Tatsumi...what is it you won't tell me...or mom and dad? What's happening to you?' that was the single thought running through her mind as she recollected on all the events that happened after the supposed terrorist attack that wiped out the west mountain regions of Ishiyama. After that happened it seemed everything went to hell in a hand basket, and strangest of all her little brother had been acting incredibly strange since then. After coming back home after it happened, with a injured Hilda and slightly cut up Beelze. She nearly wrecked him on the spot once she saw their state.

Now it wasn't uncommon for Tatsumi to come home injured because he more of a delinquent than she ever was when she was still in school. He always shrugged off his injuries like they were nothing, but the state he came home in looked like he had been in something really terrible, far beyond some simple thug fight. Plus the fact Beelze had a few scrapes and Hilda was unconscious had only led to her and their parents wondering just what the hell happened. She had been the one to demand Tatsumi to answer her as to what happened, but he said nothing, and she would have decked if not for stopping cold when she saw his eyes.

They were empty, dead to the whole world around him. There was little to no life in his eyes, it was more akin to that he was awake and alive on sheer willpower alone or more like he was a zombie than an actual human being at that point. His eyes were completely void of any light, and she would have been lying if she hadn't been, at that exact moment, scared of Tatsumi.

Those weren't the eyes of her little brother...

Those were the eyes of someone else...

And it honestly troubled the elder sibling...

Since that night Tatsumi hadn't been himself, that much was pretty evident, it seemed as if his mind was somewhere else. Even now he was gone with Beelze, though it was his first time out of the house since the incident, he left while waking her up to keep an eye on Hilda. Clearly whatever happened to him was so severe that he needed time to think and she couldn't understand what or why because he refused to speak about it or to their parents.

'Then again why would he? We've not exactly treated him right...' that much was very true seeing as she always bullied him when they were younger. Not out of sheer malice though, but because she had always been privy to the fact that Tatsumi was very different from everyone else, especially in their own family. Something she always questioned her parents about, but they always passed off the question and onto something else. He was unnaturally strong for his age, physically more enhanced than...well..any human she had ever seen. The first sign of this was when she saw him at the age of 5 lifting their widescreen TV off the floor as if it weighed like a feather.

She may have been just a bit jealous about her brother's seemingly abnormal strength, and always picked on him when they were in school because of that, but in hindsight that probably only increased his own ire in the family and made him out to be such a terrifying person in the eyes of other people. She had seen first hand of how strong he had gotten as he grew older, and when he was annoyed.

After all, how can you forget a boy no older than 10 complete destroy a biker gang using their own motorcycles as a club?!

She certainly didn't.

It was for that reason she secretly supported the supposed relationship her brother held strong with Hilda and Beelze, even though she herself knew it was completely strange how it all happened. She felt it would help her brother break out of his cold exterior, and it did...for a time.

At least until now that is...

Reaching up to her arm, Misaki looked down with a frown as she walked down the stairs. Thinking about her brother, and wondering what it was that was bothering him to such a degree.

'What's wrong with you, Tatsumi?'

What indeed...

XxX

''Amnesia?!''

This was the worried cry of the two parents of Misaki and Tatsumi, they were seated alongside a pensive Misaki while Hilda stood before them with a nervous expression. The four were currently in the dining room where 3 of the 4 was seated. The mother, Oga Shouko was a middle-aged woman that appeared to be her late thirties or early forties. She had light brown hair that was graying and worried black eyes that stared at the young blonde standing infront of them. She wore a simple light purple blouse and an apron. The father on the other hand was Oga Youjirou, he was a middle aged man with combed back black hair and rectangular shaped glasses which obscured his normally black eyes. He was wearing a light blue shirt, a brown belt and a pair of light blue pants and black shoes.

Misaki was in the same clothes she was before, but Hilda on the other hand was wearing a pair of clothes that oddly felt comfortable to her despite it's appearance. It was a elegant apparel of black and white frills that resembled something akin to a gothic lolita fashion. Yet it resembled something akin to a Nurse or Maids outfit. Still it was comfortable to her, and that was all she needed, especially in the current situation she was in.

''You don't remember a thing?'' the mother of the family spoke only for Hilda to look downtrodden. ''No, I'm sorry.'' it was all she could say really, what else was there to say? It wasn't like she could explain how she lost her memory in the first place. The father on the other hand was currently rubbing his temples as he tried to think on how this happened.

''I'm willing to bet Tatsumi did something stupid again, didn't he?'' he said causing Hilda to blink and Shouko to frown at her husband, though Misaki didn't remain silent. Maybe it was out of defense for her brother, but after the way she had seen him for the past 2 days she just couldn't leave it alone like this.

''Oi! Leave him out of this dad, Tatsumi is having a hard time as it is!'' coming to the defense for her brother was something that both her mother and father didn't expect, clearly seen from their bewildered expressions. However she didn't pay it any mind seeing as every time it came to her brother she couldn't think of nothing more than the cold dead look in his eyes. After seeing that she just couldn't let anyone insult him right now, it was as if he was going through something far more than anyone of them could possibly understand.

And after what happened with the terrorist bombing, she had an inkling suspicion she was right on the money.

''U-um if I may ask, who is this Tatsumi?'' Hilda broke the building tension with a rather curious question, at least it was to her. At that Misaki sighed before deciding to give her that knowledge right now, it was better to let her know now than later.

''Tatsumi is my little brother, but more importantly...'' here she pointed directly at Hilda who leaned back a bit with increasing nervousness. ''He is your husband and is the father of your child!'' right then and there she declared that tid bit of information to the young blonde who could only take what was just said in stride. And for a moment she kept a uneasy expression...before what was just said finally dawned on her.

Even if she did have amnesia, even she knew what the word husband and father meant, and the way Misaki phrased the whole thing only proved it. And in that moment Hilda's stomach did a flip as she came to the realization of what was just said.

She was a mother...she had a husband...

...This was her family!

'Oh my...' suddenly she felt very faint as realization of what was just said caught up with her, and she began to stumble back catching their attention. For a moment she could hear the three shouting her name, but just as she was about to fall into sweet unconscious bliss.

…

She felt her back stop, falling against a firm and broad chest which shook her awake as a strong hand held her shoulder keeping her balance. For a moment she was struck as to who was behind her, but that was soon answered in a few moments as was able to pick up her fragmenting thoughts to recognize the presence behind her. It was that signature which in her world of memories seemed to have brought the entire world to it's knees.

''Oi, I think that's quite enough don't you think?'' feeling her breath hitch Hilda slowly looked up to see a rather intimidating yet peculiar sight. Standing behind her was a young man around her age with loose dark brown hair and pitch black eyes, eyes that seemed to suck in all light were staring down at her with a flash of emotions that she couldn't discern fast enough. The young man appeared to be her age, maybe 16 years old with a fair complexion. He was currently wearing a worn out white T-shirt, a brown leather jacket and blue jeans along with a pair of shoes.

But what was even more peculiar about it was the green haired, green eyed baby sitting on top of the mans head which the young baby was staring at her with tears welling up in his big green orbs.

And yet...the baby was butt ass naked...

'What in the...'

''T-tatsumi? Where have you and Beelze been?'' Misaki asked, trying to strive off her growing unease which didn't work when she met his black eyes. Eyes that were once filled with some kind of emotion such as annoyance or even irritation just had nothing at all. It was as if she was looking into a deep dark hole that you could never hope or dream or even pray of ever getting out of. No matter how much you crawled, climbed or even dug you would never get out of that abyss.

She didn't even notice she was trembling a bit...

''I went out for a morning jog, and to get Beelze some more milk and Hilda some more medicine.'' he said showing a bag in his other hand. Well that explained why he was out so late cause to Misaki he had left at around 4 in the morning so she could understand why he left so early. Stores usually didn't open up till 5, but with what happened 2 days ago there was a nervousness around the entire city that made some shop and store owners nervous to even open up till maybe 6 or 7.

For Hilda she couldn't find the words to say as Tatsumi moved to put the bag of supplies on the table, she was just stuck on the spot unable to say anything as she looked at the man called Tatsumi. The very same who carried that incredible, terrifying signature within him. The very same man who she just found out was the father of the naked green haired and green eyed baby on his head, and most importantly was her husband!

Idly, she could have sworn she heard wedding bells off in the distance, but she figured that was a figment of her imagination.

After putting the bag down though Tatsumi turned toward her again and she was bestowed with the sight of Tatsumi coming closer toward her. Then he grabbed Beelze and absently held him out to her. This allowed her to see her 'child' reaching out to her with teary eyes which only seemed to pull at her heartstrings.

''First off, Beelze wants you, right now.'' Tatsumi said this to her, and for a moment she hesitated, but with all that was happening Hilda couldn't stop herself from looking at him and then at the baby with a conflicted expression. But, slowly, she did reach out for him and once the little boy was in her arms she could not longer come up with any kind of counter argument to the whole discussion. Once Beelze was in her arms, everything felt so right, so much so that everything else just didn't matter.

'This...is my child...Tatsumi and I's baby boy...' it was somewhat hard to swallow since she couldn't remember anything at this point, but she just didn't care anymore, she just looked at the little boy in her arms before smiling brightly. Then she brought him close and hugged him close to her bosom.

''My son...my little Beelze.'' she muttered to herself, but it was heard by the whole family and while it was a heartwarming scene to all. To Tatsumi's eyes a flash of regret went across his eyes when he saw Hilda and Beelze together. It brought him a sadness that hurt as much as when Jabberwock impaled him through the chest. Maybe more. He wasn't in the mood to even try and diffuse the situation nor would he want to try at this point when he saw how happy Hilda was at the moment.

In fact after all that's happened he couldn't hold back his own relief for seeing her okay, even if she didn't remember them. After what the entity within his soul told him and showed what he did that night, he couldn't stop himself from doing what he did right then. Stepping toward her, he surprised his entire family when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her flush against him. Her eyes widened and her went beet red when she felt the warmth his body encompass her body. This was only grew when she felt Beelze in-between them relax in the touch of both his parents.

Words didn't even need to be said at that point, what he did was enough to show her, to show them all how relieved he truly was to see her alright. Her apparent amnesia didn't even deter him at this point, he was just glad to see her awake, alive and breathing. That was all Tatsumi needed to put his worry at ease.

'Never again...I'll...I'll set this world ablaze before anyone hurts them again...' in the shadows of his hair his black eyes flashed flashed a malicious royal purple.

And that was a promise...

XxX

Saotome Zenjuro was not having a good morning...

That much was pretty evident from the black ring around his left eye...

After he called Nazune the night before, she quickly made her way to Ishiyama after giving a brief explanation as to what happened, and the moment he met her at the docks she completely decked him. Not enough to break bones, but enough to get her point of frustration across, and he couldn't really blame her after all that had happened. After he picked her up and took her to a hotel he spent most of the night explaining to her what happened, and what had been done to control the damage.

After that she decked him again...

'Good thing I left when I did otherwise she may have actually tried to kill me...I had no idea that kid made such an impression on her.' that was one of the reasons she was so mad with him. It seemed Tatsumi and Aoi had made a deep impression on her when they trained with her in the Black Tech style on Decapitation Isle. So, when she heard of what happened to Tatsumi she nearly went on a rampage on him if not for fact he said that he was alive and well.

That was probably the only thing that saved him from being put in the hospital...or worse.

Still, even with today he had something to do that would probably be as troublesome, but it had to be done. There was no doubt in mind that after what happened, more dangerous and much stronger opponents would be coming for Tatsumi's head, and he had to get it clear across those that fought with him. He had to separate those that would continue fighting with him and risk their life's or completely cut ties with him from there on and live their life's like normal.

It was a hard decision, and normally he would have left this to Tatsumi, but the kid was going through far too much too even consider this. So it was left up to him, and besides as his teacher he needed to do it anyway, because most of these kids didn't have the skill nor potential to even fight let alone survive with a serious opponent that would be aiming for Tatsumi.

This was how Saotome found himself standing in his classroom in Saint Ishiyama High with his class in full attendance, some had tried to skip, but he had made it very clear to them all. If he saw anyone skipping he would break them in such a manner they'll never be able to look at a pretzel the same again. This was far too serious of a matter to be ignored, and he would be damned if it was shrugged off by anyone.

''Glad to see you shitheads are all here!'' he said with a grin causing many of them to sweatdrop none more so then a slightly bandaged Kunieda Aoi. The young swordswoman didn't look at all pleased to be there, especially after the harsh training regiment her grandfather put her through this morning. But when Saotome insisted she really had no choice in the matter.

''What's this about, Saotome-sensei?'' Furuichi spoke the question for just about everyone in the classroom, some just didn't feel like doing it and others just had other things on their mind. Especially Toujo who seemed to be always frowning as of late. At Furuichi's question Saotome's grin was wiped clean before he made sure the door was locked and the blinds were shut. This action garnered the classes attention more as the older man came back to the front of the class and spoke.

''This about the incident that happened 2 days ago with your fight against the Demon incursion called the 34th Division.'' here his eyes grew cold as they narrowed. At that the entire class went ram rod straight at that, the tension that grew in the room was so thick in the air it was almost unbearable yet out of the whole class it was Natsume that spoke.

''What do you mean Saotome-sensei? Wasn't it you who taught us to prepare us for that battle? Are we in trouble getting involved or...is this about what happened on the Clock Tower?'' he deducted which was proven true by the deepening of Saotome's scowl. At his words the entire class seem to have went completely silent as they all remembered what happened on that building.

They weren't there, but they had felt the powers conflicting on that giant building. It was so thick, so terrifyingly monstrous it caused a few of them to pass out frothing at the mouth. While some had puked their guts out from the sheer maliciousness the power gave off. There had even been that black and red blast that knocked them all of their feet which exploded far away from the city yet when it detonated it created strong enough shockwaves to decimate the entire city from miles away. So yeah, whatever happened on that building only few were privy too, but they all knew that was where Toujo and Oga went to save Hilda.

So, whatever happened there, only those two knew, or at least that's what most of them thought. Furuichi on one hand had seen the entire thing and knew first hand of what transpired, from Oga and Toujou fighting Jabberwock, to the giant demon killing Oga, and to Oga turning into a black specter of death and destruction which proceeded to literally tear Jabberwock apart and release an energy blast that rocked the entire country side.

On Aoi's side she was privy to very few details, but her Grandfather had made it very well known that it had something to do with the target of her not so secret affections. This only confirmed her own suspicions when she realized that Oga had been aiming for the Clock Tower the entire time, so whatever happened their had something to do with him, and since he wasn't here made her only worry for him even more.

At this Saotome mentally applauded Natsume's deduction before speaking. ''That's right, as you all know the battle was cut short when the blast decimated the entire western region of Ishiyama. But what you don't know is what caused this, and how this actually affected the battle.'' here he stopped not to build tension, but to gather his own thoughts on the matter. He was after all about to from a bombshell on these kids, and he had to prepare himself for the consequences for what he was about to say.

''W-what happened, Saotome-sensei?'' Aoi could only slightly stutter out a response, even she was unnerved by the look the older man had who glanced her way with a strange pained expression before he sighed.

''In short? Jabberwock, the General of the 34th Division did confront Oga Tatsumi and Tojou here, but they were soundly defeated. But it didn't stop there, the demon had been merely toying with them, and at last decided enough was enough. So...he nearly killed Oga and put Toujo out of commission.'' at this the entire classes eyes widened while some turned to look at Tojo with a look of complete shock. Toujo though was staring at Saotome with wide eyes, as if what he just said hadn't registered in his head.

Saotome saw this and gave a rather subtle wink which spoke they would talk about it later. Furuichi on one hand saw what Saotome was doing, he was keeping what he said a half truth so they didn't realize that Oga actually did die, for a moment. That is before he turned into a black skinned monster with enough power that nearly suffocated him on the spot.

'But..he wouldn't have turned into that if it wasn't for what they did to Hilda...' he thought with a morbid frown. Even he understood the severity of the situation at hand, and it was one he would never forget for many years to come.

However the one most affected by this news was none other than Kunieda Aoi whose eyes had grown immeasurably wide at what was just said. Her hands began to tremble and moisture began building up in her eyes as she turned her stare directly toward Saotome who caught it very easily. Many of the class, including those of the Red Tail went silent since most if not all knew Aoi's affection for the strong bastard. So, it came as to no surprise that her reaction would be the most troubling of all.

''W-what did you just say...he nearly died?...Oga...nearly...died...'' any amount of anger she felt was washed away in her own soul wrenching despair at the sheer thought of Tatsumi dying. The thought alone was ludicrous, Tatsumi didn't die. He was too stupid, too stubborn and far too strong to die!

Saotome deciding to quickly placate the young girls worries spoke up again. ''Indeed, Jabberwock broke nearly every bone in his body, and in response to this Toujo tried to retaliate , but Jabberwock was simply far too strong and crushed him. But...thankfully, Tatsumi had just enough power to kill him before he succumb to his own injuries. It is why he nor Hilda is here right now, he is still injured from the incident.'' he said, deciding to not completely tell them the whole truth, but give them a sugar-coated half lie at best.

He couldn't tell them the truth until he knew those that would continue following Tatsumi into the very depths of Hell and those that just couldn't do so. What happened to Tatsumi was apart of the supernatural world, and there was a thin line he was playing at with these kids, which is why he was being so careful about it. The truth of the supernatural could never reach public knowledge, not without bring down severe consequences for all the races of creation.

Mankind just wasn't ready...

'Nor will they ever be at this rate...' Saotome thought morbidly, but shook his head to get back on track.

The class was still reeling at this bit of news, and you couldn't really blame them. The two strongest among them was soundly defeated by this great demon. It was more shocking to the fact that this...thing nearly killed Oga, the undefeated monster that was the Rampaging Oga! The sheer thought alone was too terrifying to even think about!

''….What's this really about, Saotome-sensei?...You wouldn't have told this without a reason.'' Toujo finally spoke, and at this the man sighed before closing his eyes for moment.

''...This is about you guys and how you decide to live your life's from this point forward. I know a lot of you have followed Oga's back for your own different reasons, but up until this point it has been you guys facing thugs, delinquents and gangsters. However...'' at this his eyes creaked open revealing nothing, but two icy cold black orbs that pierced into all their souls and took a firm grasp onto their very existence.

''This is no longer a game...if you continue to follow him you will be facing people, monsters and entities far stronger than you could even begin to imagine. That night when Oga killed Jabberwock he declared War on these demons, and in turn they will be coming for his head in droves. There will be no helping this, and Tatsumi knows this all too well. He knows he will be facing stronger opponents with the power to level countries, nations hell the entire world.'' he growled at the end causing a few that were already trembling from what he was saying nearly soil themselves.

This wasn't a simple fight between thugs and delinquents anymore, this was the real deal, and he would not have the deaths of these kids on his conscious if he couldn't help it. It's why he was laying this on so thick, but every word he said was true.

At this point most of the class looked ready to bolt, even the loyally driven Red Tails looked rather unnerved at the whole ordeal. However there was a few that caught Saotome's eyes that didn't seem conflicted in the slightest. Which inwardly he praised them immensely for, for those were the kids that would have Oga's back through and through.

''Which is why I pose this question to you all, and bear in mind whichever you choose will have to stick to that choice for the rest of your life's.'' taking a moment to calm himself, he spoke.

''Those of you that will continue to follow Oga Tatsumi even in the face of this new knowledge step forward, right now. And those that do not may leave this classroom, but don't think if you choose this as cowardly it's for your own self-preservation for something that is most definitely suicidal. So...make your choice.''

At that the entire class went silent, but it didn't take long before those of weaker wills finally succumbed to the whole situation and began walking out with their heads low. It started with MK-5 and other students before there was only a handful left; then soon enough someone stood up to do the exact opposite.

It was Kunieda Aoi who stood up resolutely before walking forward with a dead set expression on her beautiful face. Despite Nene's shocked expression at what the former leader of the Red tails was doing, the look in her eyes was all Saotome needed to know which only made him smirk inwardly, immensely proud of the young woman.

''Whatever Og-no whatever Tatsumi decides to do, I will stand beside him, and I will not let him face this danger alone! I swear this on not only my honor as a Kunieda, but as his friend and someone he can rely on to have his back when the time comes!'' she proclaimed which only made Saotome visibly smirk at the daughter of Shinobu.

'You would be so proud of her, Shinobu...' then he cast his eyes back onto the class whom seemed to shocked at Aoi's choice, but soon enough Toujo stepped forward with firm frown taking its place on his face.

''I...I can't let what happen that night happen again. That...that was the very first time I've ever witnessed something so...so...horrific. I can't let it happen again, I won't allow Oga to fight enemies like that alone, count me in, Saotome-sensei.'' there wasn't any hesitation in his voice, and he truly meant what he said. He hadn't gotten any sleep over what happened, at how weak he truly was in the face of such foes. It had been the first time he was made to watch as someone he considered his equal die infront of him like that.

And Tatsumi would be facing even stronger enemies than that bastard? There was no way he would let him do it alone, not this time.

At that Saotome nodded in his direction, an inkling amount of respect in his eyes for the young man before him just before he turned his gaze to the still seated, but no less nervous class before him. However he didn't need to wait much longer before someone else stood up, and this time he was unprepared for who it was..

Because it was Furuichi who stood up next, and this did surprise Saotome and what was left of the class.

Takayuki Furuichi stepped forward.

''I know I'm weak, that's a given but...Oga's my friend, he's always been my friend since we were in middle school. I can't just let him do this alone, not after everything we've been through together, not after all he's put me through to get this far.'' with a chuckle Furuichi scratched the back of his head in a sheepish manner. ''Besides, no matter what becomes of him, I promised to always be standing at his side, and I'll be there...through the end of it.'' he said shocking everyone in the room.

But then Aoi and Tōjō smiled/smirked at him while Saotome blinked for a moment before he let loose a small grin at the albino haired young man.

'Interesting. Out of everyone it's the one people think to be the weakest...but truthfully the one with the most abnormally high potential in magical power.' that in of itself was a truth that Saotome himself had felt when he first met Furuichi, although he had kept him solely to himself. He had felt Furuichi's potential, though it was very deep in his soul he could feel it, and it was strong.

'Well said kid...very well said.' without a word, but a nod towards Furuichi he turned his gaze back onto the class. ''Now...anyone else?''

At that moment the lot of them remained silent, contemplating on what their next course of action should be. It was a decision that would undoubtedly decide the fate of their life's from there on in, but they had to decide, then and there.

XxX

''U-um, why aren't we going to your school today Tatsumi?'' Hilda questioned him as she, Beelze and Tatsumi made their way out of the Oga household. After their tender moment together they ate breakfast with the family, and afterwards Tatsumi suggested to take her and Beelze out for the day. So he could get Hilda out of the house after being cooped up in there for so long, and for them to rest and relax.

It was doing wonders for Beelze as he rested in Hilda's arms.

Taking a moment he answered her, ''School's been closed due to repairs, and besides now that you're awake I'd rather make sure you're completely fine before anything else.'' which was half true. Schools were under repairs, but were still in session. However now that she was awake, he wanted to spend all the time he could making sure she was fine. He hadn't had any good sleep due to reliving that nightmare of her burning on that cross. There was also the reason why he was out like this and not visiting his friends like Furuichi and Aoi.

'That reminds me, I need to pay her a visit and make sure she's okay.' it was something he had been meaning to do, but with everything that happened, he just couldn't find the time. He knew Furuichi was fine when his sister text him and told him he was okay, that he was just resting.

''Oh, okay.'' when he said that, Hilda felt her cheeks warm up into a rosy pink. No matter how many times she repeated the phrase that she was his wife and he was her husband. She couldn't get used to the way he treated her, there was an amount of warmth and the urge to protect her that she almost felt alien from him, but it wasn't something that she hated, in fact she loved it. It showed her that he truly did care for her and Beelze so much that he would rather skip school to make sure she was truly okay.

''Dah...Dabuh...Aih...'' little Beelze mumbled while sleeping in Hilda's arms, it seemed the little boy was all puckered out, from what she didn't know. He was wearing some clothes to shield him from the cold, and that was from her own demand. She would not allow her son going out in public butt ass naked and risk himself getting sick. Which is why she put him in some clothes that still fit him when Tatsumi first got him. Which was why he was wearing a little toboggan, a white shirt, blue hoodie, pants and shoes. It had been a rather difficult task for Beelze to agree, but after much struggling he was forced to do so, much to the little boys frustration.

With that the family of three walked along the sidewalk taking in the state the streets and buildings were in, it was a bit intimidating to Hilda to see no matter where she looked, it looked as if a storm or earthquake came through the entire city and decided to tear everything apart. Even with the officials cleaning it up for 2 days straight, there was still buildings reduced to rubble and glass all over the streets. It truly did leave her wondering just what could have happened to cause the city so much damage.

She didn't notice her grasping Tatsumi's jacket in a bit of fright as she scowered the damage with a worried expression. ''What in the world happened here?'' she asked to which Tatsumi who had his back to her could only frown in response. He couldn't flinch, he didn't want to risk her seeing it and growing even more worried. He did not want her having any suspicion that in fact the one who completely ransacked the entire city of Ishiyama.

Was walking infront of her...

''No clue.'' he lied in a nonchalant manner, it was better in his mind than telling her that he did it in a fit of rage, and blasted an attack that was the power equivalent of an atomic bomb. Which could have nearly wiped out the entire city, maybe part of the country, and nearly killed millions upon billions of people in the blink of an eye.

….Yeah that didn't sound like it would go all too well...

Besides that, Tatsumi did have something else on his mind, and that was Hilda's current state of mind. He dearly wished to have the Hilda he respected back. He really, truly did want her back, but this Hilda was just as equally welcoming, if not more easy to be around. She was, for the first time he had ever known her, to be truly utterly happy about her current situation. And to try and turn herself back into who she once was seemed almost like a bag thing to do.

Maybe it was selfish of him, but he rather wanted Beelze and Hilda to enjoy their time together as a true mother and child.

'But keep in mind, this peace won't last forever. We DID kill Behemoth's son, and I know we wounded Behemoth, so no doubt he's taken word of what's happened to his King.' the voice within him spoke causing Tatsumi to inwardly scowl. He knew for a fact that was most definitely the case, but just taking one look at Hilda and Beelze made his eyes hardened over with a reforged resolve.

'If that bastard tries something...I'll kill him.' there was no hesitation in his voice. If the Demon King tried to wage a war on him for what happened, he wouldn't hesitate to tear him apart if given the chance. In his eyes that bastard was not Beelze's true father, he just pawned Beelze onto him, hoping he would raise him to be the destroyer of mankind, butt it wasn't going to be like that, not if he had anything to say about it.

Beelze was his son dammit! And he would sooner plunge hell into the deepest darkest abyss before he let any of those bastards try something again.

'Hmph...well said.' the entity within him seemed...pleased? That brought up another problem for Tatsumi, even though the entity within him helped show him what had happened he was still left figuring out just who this entity was. It had to have some kind of goal for helping him, but what that was he wasn't sure. It had showed hyim what he had become, the monster he turned himself into, and the power he beckoned to destroy Jabberwock and defeat Behemoth, but beyond that it was being entirely evasive of exactly who or what it was. But he didn't put much thought into it as he came back to the world of the living to see he, Hilda and Beelze had walked into the city park.

Getting a glance from Hilda he sighed before finding a bench, bringing her over they both sat down, Hilda uncomfortably close to him, but he said nothing as she leaned against him while holding a sleeping Beelze, and as she did this Tatsumi took a moment to look at her before throwing his arm over her shoulder. Which she seemed to take with great enthusiasm if her leaning into him even more was any indication.

''This is nice...don't you think?'' it was Hilda her broke the silence between them, and he merely kept staring out into the woods around them. He did in fact like the silence, it certainly helped that was for sure.

''Yeah...'' it was all he could say, but then he felt her tugging on his sleeve, and he looked down to see her strangely intense forest green eyes that was well known to usually strike the literal sense of fear into any unfortunate soul to catch her annoyed if not irritated. Which now looking up at his with innocent curiosity.

''You know...even if I don't remember who I was before this...I am sure you cared for her just as you do for me now, hm?'' it was an innocent question, but not an easy one by all means for Tatsumi who inwardly frowned at this. To say that he cared for Hilda before this would be a lie, it was more like he respected her for her loyalty to Beelze, and he was sure if the old Hilda was here he was almost positively sure she would kick his ass all over the pavement for doing even a 3rd of what he's done today.

But after what happened to her, regardless if she lost her memory or not he would have cared for her this way anyhow, even if she didn't want to. He was not nor would he ever be at ease anymore without being sure she was safe with Beelze.

His smile wavered as he answered her question. ''Yeah...Yeah I did...''

And at that the family of three just sat there relaxing on the bench for who knows how long, all that mattered was their time together, despite how small it was. Every minute was precious to both Hilda, and especially Tatsumi.

XxX

It was much later in the afternoon that would find Tatsumi alongside Hilda walking back home, it was in the afternoon, and yet Hilda was getting rather sleepy with all of today's ordeal, not that anyone could truly blame her. Which was why Tatsumi was holding onto her while Beelze was latched onto his right shoulder.

''It's been a very good day, hasn't it Tatsumi?'' the young blonde mumbled into his shoulder to which the young man in question frowned before allowing a small smile to cross his face. It had been a good day, in what felt like a lifetime for him now, after visiting the park, he decided to take her and Beelze out into the city. Just for the enjoyment, for what little he could bring the two.

''Yeah it was...'' he replied earnestly to which the smiled prettily which for some reason or another cause his cheeks to heat up before he looked away. This was so weird! Hilda didn't smile like that! It was even weirder that...he enjoyed the way she smiled at him.

'By all that is unholy...quit with the mushy thoughts already, you're gonna give me diabetes at this point!'

When Tatsumi heard that his cheeks darkened once he realized what the entity was implying, but notably enough he didn't deny it. 'Oh kiss my ass, you bastard!' there was a hint of heat in his voice, but all the entity in him did was give a small 'hn' before delving back into the depths of his soul. It wasn't like anything interesting was happening right now.

However because Tatsumi was preoccupied he never saw the stray tree root that tripped him, which made him instinctively latch onto Hilda. ''Oh shi-!''

And in a crash of limbs the three fell through the bushes, Tatsumi on his back, Beelze having rolled a few inches and Hilda ontop of him. For a moment, the young man tried to shake away the stars in his vision, but he noticed something rather weird, foreign even. He felt something pushed against his lips, and it was soft, tender even. Yet it carried the scent of something that was almost...luring in a way.

That's when his eyes noticed wide forest green ones staring back at him, and it was only then did he notice Beelze's...strangely amused expression...that's when he realized what it was...

Hilda was ontop of him...kissing him.

….He was kissing Hilda.

….

For a moment...for a single define moment Tatsumi truly enjoyed the taste of her lips before he felt the whole world explode in a series of stars!

'OH MY FUCKING GOD!'

'Well then...I dare say this is interesting, yes?'

However Tatsumi was shaken from his stupor when he noticed Hilda's eyes close before she fell to the side causing him to stutter and panic.

''Oi! Hilda! Oh crap, Hilda, what's wrong!'' he turned toward her only to see her eyes slowly closing, but her half-lidded eyes moved to him. It was then that a strange smile, one that greatly confused Tatsumi spread across her face. Then he started to panic when she reached up to his face and cupped his cheek.

Unknown to even Tatsumi when they kissed at that exact moment it opened a gate that unleashed a plethora of all her memories in one giant tidal wave. The sensation was intense, and it taking all she had to stay awake, but among those memories, Hilda saw how the darkness of the one who saved her lifted in her dream world revealing it to be none other than Tatsumi. The very same who turned into that monster to save her...the very same who killed Jabberwock to rescue Beelze.

In her myriad state of emotional turbulence she could only smile beautifully into the face of the man who broke all her expectations, and did the impossible...for her and their child. Taking in a moment she held her hand on his cheek as she spoke only a few words before she succumbed to darkness once more.

''...I am fine...just let me rest...for a little while longer...my King.''

….

Tatsumi was completely struck bewildered by what Hilda just said to him, however the entity within him stopped and seemed to grin within the darkness of his soul.

'Oho? Now this is intriguing.'

Indeed, it seemed interesting times were to come...for Good...or Bad.

XxX

In the deepest stygian pits of Hell, within the Beelzebub Kingdom spoke three men within the throne room.

''We cannot allow this to go unpunished, the human Oga Tatsumi, Contractor to your youngest has officially declared war on us with his latest action taken toward us, and the fact your son is aiding him has not gone unnoticed...it is time you took action, now.'' the voice of the first man spoke with supreme authority that brook no argument. His identity was masked in the darkness, but his sheer presence alone commanded loyalty and fear for all those that dared to look upon him.

The second man sitting on the throne merely tapping his armrest before finally sighing. ''You're right. Play time is over, I've let En have his fun and Beelze's gotten little to no start on destroying mankind. I think it's time to remind them who they are dealing with.'' the second person was none other than the biological father of En and Beelze, the Demon King Beelzebub the 3rd. His long dark green hair waved to the side as his smoldering ruby red eyes moved across to the 3rd man who appeared to be the youngest of them all.

''Go! Seek out Oga Tatsumi and that traitorous Wet Nurse...and bring me their heads, Shalba!'' he ordered out to the third man in the room who walked out of the shadows revealing a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties with long brown hair that went down to his hips with many bangs covering his right eye while his left smoldered in a blackness that seemed endless. He was dressed in full clad black armor with a fur-collared black cape with the Beelzebub royal family crest on the back.

Bowing, the young man gave a cold smirk that was only hidden by the shadows of his hair, ''As you wish, father.'' spoke the voice of none other than the firstborn son of Beelzebub III, Shalba Beelzebub, a direct bloodline descendant of the true Beelzebub. Then he turned always and melded back into the shadows, but his glare did not lessen in the slightest if anything it grew in intensity.

'I'm coming for you...the one who killed Jabberwock and wounded even Behemoth...your life...is mine!'

Chapter 2 Completed!

HOLY MOTHER OF CHEESE! That was my longest chapter too date, but I would like to blame the fact I had to split the chapter up into two since otherwise it would have been too long.

I admit this went down a bit different from what I originally intended, but I am still satisfied with it nonetheless.

NOW before you guys go I need to say that I've been busy brain storming idea's and writing them down on a separate document and for what I have planned, I am pretty excited. Since I also have another document that's like a Chapter Table or a rough backdrop for future chapters.

Tatsumi kissing Hilda and vice versa was my own method of her getting her memories back because in the manga I felt it should have happened in some comedic fashion. I'm also focusing more on Tatsumi's family, especially Misaki if you hadn't noticed. Trust me, it'll be interesting to see down the road.

So...yeah Shalba shows up! Yeah in DxD canon it's not revealed anything besides his relation to the original Beelzebub so I made it like this. He is the Firstborn of Beelzebub III who is actually the Great Grandson of the original of Beelzebub. Just like a certain Lucifer is to the original Lucifer.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the long chapter, hopefully it makes up for my absence and for my absence on May 19...because of Witcher 3. :) ALSO if anyone is interested in BETAing my story please send me a PM!

Now leave me nice long constructive reviews, but no flames please. :)

That said, have a Good Day Everyone! ^^