DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 9: Gremory VS Phenex

Issei sat in bed, fully dressed and waiting for his alarm to go off so he can get going. Asia sat next to him, dressed in her old nun outfit. As the clock struck 4:30 A.M., Issei got to his feet. "On your feet, soldier!" the girl on the clock commanded. "Get out there and kick some ass!"
"It's time," Issei whispered softly as he turned off the clock. He and Asia snuck out of the house, where they found the rest of Rias's peerage waiting.
"Are you two ready to go?" Akeno asked.
"No doubt." Issei fist pumped. "Let's go roast these birds."
"That was terrible," Zach commented as he walked up to the group.
"Didn't expect to see you here. What brings you out at this time of the morning?" Rias asked.
"I'll be with Sona, commentating on the game. It was a last-minute decision," Zach explained. He rubbed his eyes, yawning. "They could've at least given me fair warning that I'd be doing this, rather than Grayfia teleporting into my living room at midnight."
"Well, nothing we can do about that. Let's get going to the game field." Rias snapped her fingers. A magic circle appeared beneath her peerage and they teleported away.
"How am I getting out there?" Zach wondered aloud.
"You're with me." Sona appeared out of her magic circle and walked towards him. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah..." Zach nodded. "Let's get outta here."
Sona imitated Rias, snapping her fingers to summon a magic circle. She and Zach teleported away, leaving the dark street silent once more.

BGM: Persona 5 - Phantom

Rias and her team appeared in the Occult Research Club's room in the old school building.
"Did I mess it up again?" Issei asked, remembering how he wasn't able to use magic circles properly when he first became a devil.
"No, we're here. The game field can look however Lord Beelzebub and his technicians want. They set up a replica of the school grounds for us," Rias explained. She looked out the window. Sure enough, the game field looked exactly like Kuoh Academy.

Sona's voice echoed across the game field. "The Rating Game between Lord Riser of House Phenex and Lady Rias of House Gremory will begin in just a few moments. First, I will explain the rules of the game. Each team has a 'home base' from which the King will organize their respective assaults. Lady Rias's base is the old school building. Lord Riser's base is the current school building. Pawns will be granted the ability to promote by entering the opposing team's home base. Any equipment or abilities are permitted on both sides. Lady Rias, Lord Riser, you have two remaining minutes to prepare for battle." She looked at Zach, sitting next to her in the booth. "I'm worried about Rias."
Zach crossed his arms. "Same. But we have to have faith that she'll beat Riser. There's a lot depending on it."
Sona gazed out over the battlefield from the commentators' room. Zach is right... I have to have faith.

Rias and her peerage sat in the replica of the Occult Research clubroom. "We'll be communicating using these," she said. Six tiny orbs of light floated in her palm. One orb flew into the ear of each member of the club. "Now, as soon as the game starts, we need to be totally ready. Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko will set traps around the battlefield. Use illusions to disguise them." She looked down at a map of Kuoh Academy. "The gym is a central location, so Riser will most likely be looking to capture that area for his team. Issei, you'll meet up with Koneko and get there first. If Riser's pieces are already there, take them down and hold the position. Once that's done, let me know, and I'll provide further instructions."
Issei fist pumped. "I won't let you down, Rias!" he promised, a confident grin on his face. Koneko simply nodded.
"What about me, Rias?" Asia asked.
"As a healer, your powers will be incredibly valuable in this game," Rias explained. "To keep you safe, you're staying with me until you're needed elsewhere." Asia nodded in understanding.
"The Rating Game shall begin in 3... 2... 1..." Zach's voice announced. "Begin!"
Rias stood, placing her hands on her hips. "Get going, everybody!"

BGM: Persona 5 - Life Will Change (Instrumental)

Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko left first, spreading out around the battlefield and placing their traps.
A tiny magic circle appeared over Akeno's ear. "All done on my end, Rias."
She heard Rias's voice in her ear: "Well done. Stay hidden and keep a lookout around the area."
In another part of the school grounds, Kiba checked in with the same message. "We're good to go."
Back at base, Rias smiled. Things were going just as she'd planned. "Perfect. Koneko, are you done?"
"Yeah," Koneko confirmed. "I'm heading to the gym to rendezvous with Issei."
"Great. He's on the way now." Rias turned to Issei, who was still seated next to her in the clubroom. "You don't want to keep her waiting."
Issei stood. "Right! We won't fail you, Rias!" He ran out of the room, heading for the gymnasium.