Author's Note: Again the update is late… sorry…

Survive

Madoka watched as Issei and company slowly trudged through the busy streets as he, Kiba (the blonde bishonen) and Koneko (the cute silver haired girl) talked and asked things to various people. Madoka wasn't sure what it was but Issei seemed to lead the group with all seriousness at this task. Not only that, he also seemed a little confused... causing the young woman to get confused as well.

"He is serious at the task given to him yet he has no idea what's his doing?" She muttered and went a little closer to hear the group chatting. Edging to a corner where she could hear them, she pulled out her phone and fiddle with it to look inconspicuous as much as possible. After all, how could she tail them if she gets caught for being suspicious... or being mistaken for a stalker.

"This is ridiculous and stupid." She heard Issei complain. "I know I'm helping you two, but how can we find the person you're looking for when you are arguing with the people helping you and giving them little to no information!"

A round of silence commenced. And from the length, it seems that his companions were shamed of this. Or that what she thought.

"Sorry Issei... it's kinda... church business." Was the voice of Irina trying to calm him. Unfortunately...

"If that was the case I would understand Asia's and my involvement, considering Kyoko always drags me in jobs like this..." A slight pause. "But what about them."

Madoka knew what he meant. He was referring to the two people who were definite not associated with the church at all. Though Issei could be also said to be in the same boat but he, herself, Tsukune and lately Cao Cao would run errands for the lone nun of the church from time to time. In fact it was probably why Kyoko was so joyful of having Asia assigned to her small church.

"They're errr... guides?" It was a pathetic excuse. And Madoka could easily picture Issei glare at Irina for saying something so stupid.

"Guides that one of you glares at and snides at?" A valid complaint. "And if they are guides, why in hell was I called." Another valid complaint. The next bout of silence just pointed out how much poor liars her two new acquaintances are. Thankfully for them, the pretty boy helped out.

"Ah. We were asked Rias to help out with them after they visited the school and first asked there. However I may have not made a good first impression that dragged my other Occult Club into the fire as well." It sounded plausible honestly. But since she and Issei often spouted such excuses as well from time to time, it didn't work.

"I don't buy it... But I supposed I could believe it." Issei played along apparently. Then again it was not good to be overly suspicious. Still, she wondered how bad the animosity is between the two groups for Issei to be this affronted. "Well in any case we're wasting time."

And with that statement the group went off, and to her surprised towards the direction where she was but thankfully not into the side street on where she was. Not that it did any good as Issei clearly saw her causing her to blush in shame. This action made her almost miss the discreet gesture for her to follow. It seems her friend is expecting trouble but his circumstances would prevent him from transforming. The young woman wondered what the problem was for him to ask this?

Letting them move a bit farther, she resumed following them discreetly. At the same time ensuring that her distance was enough so she could hear them.

"So what's special about this rouge priest of yours?" Issei asked and she herself nearly stopped. It was now clear why Issei gestured her to follow. However, it caused the dark feelings she harbored and shut out to invade her heart once more. Uncertain as she was however, she knew she had to follow. For she knew, the life of her friends were now at stake.

*scenebreak*

The information the two nuns gave them were rather inadequate. It was rather annoying to be truth. If not already informed by Kyoko, then they would be walking completely blind. Though since she was so disraught over that encounter, the explanations had to wait til morning for Kyoko and surprisingly the now awake fallen angels to brief them on the situation.

Freed Sellzen, the name of the mad priest she had battled was part of a radical group led by the Fallen Angel Kokabiel. According to Kyoko, the maniac was already certifiably insane the first time she saw him. A maniac who cared for nothing but to slaughter, he was time bomb ready to explode at any moment. Worse of it was the church deemed him fit to become an exorcist at the age of 13 and was said to be a genius. And as one could expect, this was a bad idea.

Never believing in God the first place, he only entered the church so he could 'legally' kill whatever he wants and for a time that worked since he only targeted inhumans. However there came the day where he believed that he could judge those who could live and those who would die as he began slaughtered humans as well. The bastard reasoned that being heretics, those he killed deserved death. This however was a weak excuse to hide his inherent bloodlust.

No one fell for it. But he didn't care. He had knowledge of the dark side of the church and only that he would be 'rewarded' into the executioner corps instead. Unfortunately for him, not only did the faction that backed his entry was thinning out; but the black ops squad, the executioners he thought to join... no longer existed.

This made him a dangerous element that immediately needed to be elminated. However, he was smart enough to figure that he wouldn't get what he wanted and escape before the church could execute their plans for him.

A dangerous madman equipped with both excellent fighting skills and exorcist combat equipment, he was not a person to be trifled with. And as noted should be met with caution with dealing with him, as his madness enables him to be unpredictable at the same time effective in battle. Fortunately, against a Rider; no matter what kind of weapon he had he was powerless.

Next up on the list was the Fallen Angel Kokabiel. Honestly, by name alone one could figure that he was a dangerous individual. Known as the angel of the stars and a commander of over 300,000 souls, he was someone to be wary of. According to Dohnaseek one of the injured fallen, he was a commander of Heaven's troops during the time of the great war between the devils and the fallen angels.

"He was a brilliant man." Dohnaseek told them. And as he continued, the lore about the man matched up. That he was nothing much than an astrologer, teaching both men and angels about the stars. Mostly a scientist and a lover of peace and life, he still lent his might during the time where war between heaven's sister factions took up despite his beliefs. But that was a mistake. "Wars are incredibly brutal. And honestly as said many times, in any war no side is the winner. The Great War between the three factions were no different."

And that brutality was not something Kokabiel was accustomed to. Scientist he may be, there was a reason why he commanded so many souls, so many angels... and he watched many of them fall. And he didn't mean turn into Fallen Angels when he said it. To be fair, the man endured through the whole thing. But in the end the whole thing became too much for him. The constant loss and the strain of combat finally made him crack. Slowly and noticeably the man started to become erratic. He slowly changed his views about his enemies and temperament had gone for the worse. He became completely violent as well, not to mention unforgiving and bloodthirsty. And the final blow was the 'betrayal' of his father god when his wings slowly turned ash black.

At that point, the man quickly lost it.

He began to slaughter his former Angelic Comrades at revenge at what he saw as the ultimate betrayal. He began to delight in slaughter and mayhem and his transformation into a monster had become complete. Azazel thankfully was able to reign the mad Fallen Angel and took his friend into his ranks. But despite becoming part of a new community, the man never returned to his original persona still hating, still reeling.

At that point, the young woman flinched. She had paid nearly no mind the information given due to her thanks to being distraught. But now that she reviewed the facts and saw the mad man was someone not so similar to herself...

She shook her head. It would not do anything good to wonder what-ifs when there was a 'now' to attend to. And to be honest, the whole thing was a disaster waiting to happen with three church agents, two devils and one 'civilian'. Worse, one of those church agents is a non-combatant and while her friend could hold out on his own, he will not be able to change into his Rider Form which is a more proper form for fighting supernatural opponents.

To be fair Issei did have a Sacred Gear but thanks to ton of things happening at once Cao Cao admitted that they can't find the time for him to summon it and practice with it.

Of course revealing that would be counterproductive in that situation, not to mention according to both Cao Cao, Kyoko and the Fallen Angels; Issei's Sacred Gear is something that would make him a big target. Not because the Sacred Gear would be a hindrance, but because of what it was.

They haven't said what it was though. Leaving Issei and maybe her, to identify what it was...

Not like they can do that.

In any case with the group she's following being rather hostile to the other party (only Issei and Asia were neutral) she hoped that they would get their act together enough for her to swoop in or enable Issei and Asia to flee to safety.

Because as she followed the group and saw the hostile gaze of the blonde named Kiba and her the attitude that Xenovia had...

Well it was a good thing she was there she guessed.

*scenebreak*

It took a long while but thanks to Issei's tenacity and his deduction and observation abilities he gained and honed during the Rider War he was able to gleam enough information to pinpoint the hideout of the bloodthirsty maniac. A feat that severely impressed those who were with him.

"Very impressive Issei." Kiba said while nodding. "You could make a good detective." From where Madoka hid, she smiled as Issei shook his head.

"It's nothing worth noting." He said rather humbly as he thumbed through his phone to recheck all the info they had gathered. "Tsukune is much better than me." Issei could not help but smile at that and Madoka had her smile widened, remembering their now absent friend.

"Tsukune?" Irina asked very curious on who that was. And why shouldn't she? if there was anyone that influenced Issei greatly, it was him. Though it was kinda sad, Madoka thought that Tsukune was no there. He returned to where he came after the Rider War leaving little way to find and contact him.

Though considering who he was, the pink haired young woman would not be surprised if he was extremely busy.

"He's a friend. A very good one." Issei tried to elaborate. "Though he's not here right now..."

"Why?" Again Irina asked, her curiosity was still not sated.

"I would say further, but we have arrived." Issei pointed to a half constructed temple. From the shadows observing, Madoka found the structure was gothic... in fact this would have been a church but something caused it to halt construction. Odd considering that according to the Fallen Angels still recuperating back at the Sakura Church, their base was the abandoned Church near the outskirts of town. This was definitely not it. Did Issei find the wrong info, or did the blonde maniac and is cronies moved to a different place.

Sweat dripped from her brow as she still shadowed them, only this time coming in closer. She was tense, afraid that if a battle occurred this neighborhood would be destroyed. And worse... that neighbourhood seems very lively.

"Issei." Irina's voice cutting her thoughts, Madoka looked at the group and found her friend as tense as she was.

"Even here... even just standing here could I feel such killing and malicious intent." He said while grimacing. In fact now that she noticed, except for Asia who probably hasn't gone into battle before, their whole group was in a ready stance.

"Everyone?" Asia was nervous, to one's surprise. She was after all no fighter. And no one doubted that. Issei on the other hand was more surprising. Though considering both Kiba and Koneko was witness to the young man carrying back a very beat up Raiser... well...

"Heads up!" Any kind of speculation immediately died as an angry scream emanated from the half done temple followed by the double doors that led into it splintering into a thousand pieces. And from it, came a drooling mad Freed flew onto the group fully intending to impale one of them. And considering his flight path, Issei and Asia were the ones who would be hit. Fortunately Issei has combat training and actualy battle experience enable him to dive to the side with Asia in tow. And to further made sure that they were out of harm's way, Issei dragged the poor girl into a roll for a few feet before rising up with the poor blonde girl.

"I'm sorry Asia... but are you all right?" Issei asked with gritted teeth as Xenovia, Irina and Kiba engaged the mad rouge priest in combat. Asia nodded despite the tears in her eyes. "Good because we're a liability at this point." He said eyeing the now dozen rouge priests that flooded the area. Shaking his head he turned to the last member of their little troupe. "Koneko, I need help escaping here with Asia. Can you help me out?"

"Issei-sempai?" Koneko blinked. "Aren't you-"

"Gonna ask? Is that it?" The young interrupted the girl and shook his head. "Not the time for it." He made a bitter smile as he and the small girl put themselves between Asia and the group of angry rouge priests. "Besides. I already fought that blonde flaming nut bag didn't I?" Issei said with a smile and began fighting his way towards freedom.

And from the shadows, Madoka gulped and readied her deck and held it by her chest. However she did not yet move. For she knew that her appearance would do no good but aggravate her friends foes further and may cause unnecessary pain for them. Not to mention that Kokabiel who was confirmed to be with these thugs had yet to appear...

Madoka grimaced and hoped that Issei would forgive her selfishness.

'But in my heart, I feel I should battle that man...' She said to herself remembering the data given to her and how she saw the Fallen Angel leader as a dark reflection of her probable future...

*scenebreak*

As the young woman stewed with her emotions, her friends were fighting fiercely for their survival. And despite Madoka's thoughts, Issei did not begrudge her for not immediately appearing. In fact he thanked her for delaying her entry into battle.

'Seeing that loon swing his sword madly with one arm while in full power and is able to occupy three swordsmen despite that?' Issei shook his head. 'Any more fury would be harmful to us. And considering who sliced off his arm, I don't think Madoka as Femme appearing would be good thing.' The young man grimaced then moved his head to the side a little so his opponent's attack would sail away from his head (which is a sword thrust with those lightsaber-ish things) and immediately countered with a devastating right hook that flung the man into his nearby partner causing the both of them to stumble.

With that done Issei immediately grabbed Asia and lunged, avoiding gunfire sent their way. Koneko on the rear pounced at the gunmen and practically shoved them away into the unforgiving stone wall of the temple they hid in. Issei snorted at the sight.

Focusing on running away, he unashamedly run over the two men that fell to the ground after making them stumble over, Asia apologizing all the while. Though within minutes of stomping on the two, another two more angry priests blocked their way out and readied their fancy light blades.

"Sempai dodge!" Koneko shouted from behind. Reacting instantly, Issei pulled Asia hard and sidestepped and saw another rouge priest fly into his two comrades. The collision of three immediately took them out... and why not, the poor smucks rolled a few feet after colliding and showed how much force was put into the throw.

Giving a thumbs up to his junior. Issei continued to run with Asia away from the area as fast as possible despite the annoyed feeling that he is forced to flee and leave one of his juniors to keep fighting. He gritted his teeth. It was one of the major downsides of having a secret identity.

*scenebreak*

Watching both of her sempai safely away, the small silver haired girl now attended to the now waking up rouge priests that her Issei-sempai incapacitated earlier. Honestly from the moment her sempai appeared with a beat up Raiser and then claiming he was a dragon, the small girl knew he was someone special. The fact that he could also fight, and fight as effectively as he could despite guarding a defenceless nun was impressive. In fact she noted that the only reason these men could still stand was because her sempai prioritized in evacuating her from the battlefield.

Also she could see it in his eyes. The desire to stay and fight. The desire to protect even those that he knew little of. In fact she saw the regret and grief of not being able to stay and battle, not to mention leaving her behind. She smiled remembering how often it was said that he was a notorious pervert and here she only found a resourceful, kind, joyful, somewhat snarky and reliable sempai.

She had this strange inkling that she should recommend Rias into recruiting him she hadn't already thought of it.

But for now, she had to hurry up and beat these thugs so she could help Kiba and the nuns.

Or at least that was the plan.

For as just a she readied herself, lances of light came raining down near position and killed the rouge priests... and...

*scenebreak*

"Kyaaaaaa-!" When the screams of men began to echo and their opponent backed off. The three swordsmen (well a swordsman and two swordswomen/nuns) were immediately on alert, and more importantly as they heard one of their number screamed in pain... extremely worried.

"Koneko!" Leaving his spot with the two nuns, Kiba rushed and caught the smoking and shivering form of the young girl. She was still alive thankfully, but she was extremely weak. Then he suddenly flinched when he felt an overwhelming presence.

"I don't need weaklings." A voice said in distaste. "You are lucky Freed that you showed that you are still useful despite your handicap." The mad priest just gritted his teeth. Clearly what said was no compliment.

Looking up, both the two nuns and the lone standing devil grimaced. As all of them finally saw him. Clad in dark robes, the demonic looking fallen angel proudly spread his wings. And adding to the scene the sky became dark as clouds covered the sky.

He has finally come. The mastermind behind this whole incident…

*scenebreak*

"Kokabiel..." Madoka gulped as she said his name by the shadows. It was finally time... time to see if her path was right or wrong... Time to see if had the conviction... the strength... "Mother... Father... Little brother... This battle shall be the test."

Readying her deck… she transformed and set out…