DxD: The Joker of Spades

Chapter 1: Baraqiel's Joker

(Kuoh Academy, Kuoh Town, Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan, Asia, Earth, DxD / Draconic Deus Universe)

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(Ryūjin Himejima POV)

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‘’We've got a problem, old man.’’ He said to Azazel.

‘’They killed someone before you arrived, right?’’ Azazel responded with a sigh.

‘’Yeah, but that's not the worst part. It was the Welsh Dragon. Girl got lucky though, she had a flier from Gremory before it happened. Now she's Gremory's Pawn. What do you want me to do?’’ He asked Azazel.

‘’What are our options?’’ Asks Azazel.

‘’I could end it, kill the rogues. But that raises questions. Puts the Devils on edge, last thing we need and it doesn't give the Red Dragon Empress closure. I didn't want to make the offer, but if we want any hope of credibility at the peace table we hope to convene, then I'll have to make contact.’’ Says Ryūjin.

‘’I'm sorry kid, I know it's not the reunion you were hoping for.’’ Azazel said.

‘’It is what it is, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. You'll have to arrange the meeting though, I don't want to tip the rogues off. It's not easy hiding my presence.’’ Says Ryūjin.

‘’Ryoukou town?’’ Azazel asks.

‘’Yeah, send them to my place.’’ Says Ryūjin.

‘’Your house or your Company?’’ Asks Azazel.

‘’My Company. I ain't letting them know where I live.’’ He says, even if it does hurt to say that considering Akeno's part of the Gremory Group.

‘’I'll contact Sirzechs.’’ Azazel sighs.

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(POV Shift: Rias Gremory)

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She didn't know why her brother suddenly contacted her asking her to meet with the head of Ryūjin Industries.

All he had said was that she needed to take everyone with her. Thus Sona was temporarily placed in charge of Kuoh while her group made the trip to Ryoukou Town.

She'd protested because Ryoukou Town belonged to the Fallen Angels, and she was currently dealing with a group of them ignoring her authority as Governor over Kuoh.

But Zechs had insisted.

The Governor-General had granted her special permission for the trip and her brother had all but begged her not to embarrass him and their house by making him tell the Governor-General to take back his permission. In the face of that she couldn't say no, even if it required her to be escorted by two Fallen Angels.

She and her Peerage were presently in the Boardroom of the company waiting.

‘’Why are you still here? The CEO isn't a Fallen Angel.’’ She heard Akeno ask the two sharply.

‘’Tsk, tsk, tsk. Come now sweet sister, have you really forgotten your own brother?’’ Snapping their attention to the head of the table, they see a Fallen Angel in the CEO’s chair.

‘’Ryūjin?’’ She heard Akeno ask, her voice sounding weaker than Rias had ever heard it.

‘’You look like mom.’’ The Fallen Angel said, and that was enough for Akeno to leap into his arms.

‘’I thought you were dead!’’ Akeno said, crying.

‘’Just passed out from exhaustion. Though…what exactly is your excuse for abandoning me and mom?’’ He said a little colder before chuckling at Akeno's face. ‘’Relax little sister, I'm only joking.’’ He said before turning his attention to her. ‘’Thank you.’’ She heard him mouth to her in a barest whisper. She understood what for quickly enough.