Season 2 - The Fallen Angel's Shadow
Chapter 10: The Church Exorcists Arrive
[One Week After Time Patrol Recruitment]
Andrew walked through the streets of Kuoh, a small orange sphere clutched in his hand. The four-star Dragon Ball gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, its red stars clearly visible within the crystalline surface.
Finally found one, he thought with satisfaction. Took three weeks of searching, but it was worth it.
He'd been scouring the planet in his spare time—between Time Patrol missions with Chronoa and his regular school life. The Dragon Balls existed in this universe, scattered across Earth just like in the stories he remembered. Finding them without a Dragon Radar was tedious, but his ability to sense energy signatures made it possible.
Issei's going to love this. A real Dragon Ball, just like the legends we used to talk about.
His phone buzzed. A message from Rias:
"Emergency ORC meeting. Come to the clubroom immediately."
Andrew's expression shifted. Emergency? That's not like her.
He pocketed the Dragon Ball and headed toward the school, keeping his power level suppressed as always. To any devil or supernatural being watching, he'd register as slightly above human—nothing worth investigating. It was a habit he'd developed since returning to Kuoh. No need to broadcast his strength constantly.
[ORC Clubroom - Minutes Later]
Andrew pushed open the door to find the room tense. Rias sat behind her desk, her expression serious. Akeno stood beside her, unusually somber. Koneko, Kiba, and Issei were present, all looking concerned.
And two unfamiliar faces stood in the center of the room.
The first was a girl with blue hair tied in a ponytail, wearing what looked like a modified Church battle outfit. Her eyes were sharp, calculating. She carried herself like a warrior—someone who'd seen combat.
The second was a smaller girl with chestnut hair in twin tails, her expression cheerful despite the tense atmosphere. She had a large sword wrapped in cloth strapped to her back.
Both of them turned as Andrew entered.
The chestnut-haired girl's eyes widened immediately, her entire face lighting up with recognition.
???: "ANDREW?!"
Before he could react, she launched herself across the room and crashed into him with a hug that nearly knocked him off balance.
Andrew: (surprised but laughing) "Whoa! Hey—Irina?"
Irina: (pulling back, eyes shining) "It IS you! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it! You're so tall now! And your hair is still the same! And—"
Issei: (from the side) "Wait, you two know each other?"
Andrew: "Yeah. Irina, Issei, and I all grew up together. She moved away when we were kids." He grinned at her. "Last time I saw you, you were crying about leaving and made us both promise to stay friends forever."
Irina: (blushing slightly) "I-I was ten! And you both DID promise!" She looked between Andrew and Issei, her expression genuinely happy despite the circumstances. "I can't believe you're both here. Together. Just like old times!"
Issei: (smiling despite the tension) "Yeah. Andrew came back about five months ago. Been catching up ever since."
Xenovia: (clearing her throat, clearly unimpressed with the reunion) "Irina. Focus. We're here on a mission."
Irina: (deflating slightly) "R-right. Sorry, Xenovia." She turned back to Andrew and Issei, her expression more serious now. "I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. But it's really good to see you both."
Andrew: "You too, Irina. Even if you're here as a Church exorcist now." He glanced at Xenovia, then back to Rias. "Sorry I'm late, Prez. I take it I missed the introductions?"
Rias: "Andrew. Good timing, actually." She gestured to the two girls. "This is Xenovia and Irina. They're exorcists from the Church, here to hunt stolen Excalibur fragments."
Xenovia: (studying Andrew with narrowed eyes) "You're not a devil. But you're not a normal human either."
Irina: (jumping in, defensive) "Andrew's always been different! He's really strong and kind and—" She caught herself, blushing again. "I mean, he's a good person. You don't need to be suspicious of him."
Xenovia: (not convinced) "We'll see."
Andrew: (shrugging casually) "I work out. That's about it." He looked at Irina. "So, Church exorcist, huh? That's a pretty big change from the girl who used to cry over stray cats."
Irina: (puffing her cheeks) "I grew up! And I'm really good at my job now! Xenovia and I are partners!"
Xenovia: "Irina, we're wasting time."
Xenovia: "Irina, we're wasting time."
Xenovia turned back to Rias, her expression all business. "As I was saying before the… reunion. We're here hunting stolen Excalibur fragments. Three were taken by a rogue exorcist named Valper Galilei and a Fallen Angel cadre. We have reason to believe they're in this territory."
Rias: "And you expect me to simply allow Church operatives to move freely in my domain?"
Xenovia: "We're not asking permission. We're informing you as a courtesy. The Excaliburs are Church property, and we will retrieve them with or without your cooperation."
The temperature in the room dropped slightly. Rias's aura flared—controlled, but present.
Rias: "That sounded like a threat."
Irina: (stepping forward, looking apologetic) "We're not trying to start conflict! Andrew, Issei—you both know me. We just need to recover the swords before they're used for something terrible. Please understand."
Issei: "We get it, Irina. But you can't just waltz into devil territory and make demands."
Irina: (looking conflicted) "I know, but… the Church's orders…"
Andrew leaned against the wall, observing quietly. Excalibur fragments. Kokabiel. This is the start of the Season 2 arc.
His eyes shifted to Kiba, who was unusually silent. The knight's jaw was clenched, his hands balled into fists. There was something dark in his expression—something Andrew recognized.
Pain. Old trauma.
Xenovia: "The Fallen Angel cadre we're tracking is dangerous. Kokabiel—one of the leaders from the Great War. If he's involved, this situation is already beyond standard protocol."
Rias: "Kokabiel…" She glanced at her peerage. "If a cadre-level Fallen Angel is moving openly, this could escalate quickly."
Andrew: (speaking up) "What's his goal? Why steal the Excaliburs?"
Xenovia turned to him, reassessing. "Unknown. But given Kokabiel's history, it's likely he's planning something that involves restarting conflict between the factions."
Andrew: "So basically, terrorism."
Xenovia: "Essentially, yes."
Andrew crossed his arms, thinking. Kokabiel wants to reignite the Great War. In the original timeline, he attacks Kuoh Academy directly. That means everyone here is a target.
Issei: "So what do we do, President?"
Rias: "For now, we monitor the situation. Xenovia, Irina—I won't stop you from pursuing your mission, but if you cause unnecessary destruction in my territory, there will be consequences."
Xenovia: "Understood." She turned to leave, then paused. Her eyes found Kiba. "One more thing. There's a devil in this town who wields a demonic sword. Kiba Yuuto."
Kiba's expression darkened further.
Xenovia: "The Church considers demonic swords abominations. If you stand in our way, we won't hesitate to destroy you along with the stolen Excaliburs."
Irina: (looking uncomfortable) "Xenovia…"
Kiba: (voice cold) "The feeling is mutual."
The tension was palpable. Andrew could feel Kiba's energy spiking—anger, hatred, barely restrained.
Andrew: (stepping forward, voice calm but firm) "Irina. You don't really believe that, do you?"
Irina looked away, conflicted. "The Church's teachings say—"
Andrew: "I'm asking what YOU believe. Not what the Church tells you to believe."
She bit her lip, clearly torn.
Rias: "That's enough. Xenovia, Irina—you've delivered your message. Please leave."
The two exorcists bowed curtly. As they headed for the door, Irina glanced back at Andrew and Issei, her expression apologetic.
Irina: (quietly) "I'm sorry. I really am."
Then they were gone.
As the door closed, Kiba stood abruptly. "I need some air."
Rias: "Kiba—"
But he was already gone.
[Outside the Clubroom - Moments Later]
Andrew found Kiba standing on the rooftop, staring out at the setting sun.
Andrew: "You okay?"
Kiba: (not turning around) "I'm fine."
Andrew: "You're a terrible liar."
Kiba's fists clenched. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself with."
Andrew walked up beside him, leaning against the railing. "The Holy Sword Project."
Kiba's head snapped toward him. "How do you—"
Andrew: "I've been around, Kiba. Seen a lot of things. Heard a lot of stories." He met Kiba's eyes. "Whatever happened to you with those swords… it's eating you alive."
Kiba looked away. "They experimented on children. Tried to create artificial Sacred Gear compatibility. Most of us died. The ones who survived were discarded." His voice was bitter. "I'm the only one left. And now the Church has the audacity to lecture me about abominations?"
Andrew was quiet for a moment.
Andrew: "Revenge won't bring them back."
Kiba: "I know that." His voice cracked slightly. "But I can't just let it go. Every time I see a Holy Sword, every time I hear about the Church's righteousness… it makes me sick."
Andrew: "Then don't let it go. Use it. Channel that anger into something productive. Protect people so they don't suffer like you did."
Kiba looked at him, surprised.
Andrew: "I'm not going to tell you to forgive and forget. That's bullshit. But I am saying—don't let your past control your future. You're stronger than that."
Kiba was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.
Kiba: "…Thank you."
Andrew: "Anytime." He pushed off the railing. "And Kiba? When this thing with Kokabiel goes down… you're not facing it alone. We've got your back."
Kiba managed a small smile. "I appreciate that."
[Later - Issei's Room]
Andrew sat cross-legged on Issei's bed, tossing the four-star Dragon Ball up and catching it.
Issei: (entering) "Bro, what are you—" He froze. "Is that…"
Andrew: (grinning) "Yup. A real Dragon Ball. The four-star, to be exact."
Issei's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. He practically lunged forward, cradling the ball like it was made of glass.
Issei: "No way. NO WAY. This is real?!"
Andrew: "As real as it gets. Found it last weekend during a… let's call it a field trip."
Issei: "This is insane! I thought you were just telling stories when we were kids, but actual Dragon Balls exist here?!"
Andrew: "Seven of them, scattered across the planet. Gather them all, and supposedly you can summon a dragon that grants wishes."
Issei: (looking up, eyes shining) "You're giving this to me?"
Andrew: "Yeah. Consider it a gift. You've been working your ass off with Balance Breaker training. Figured you earned something cool."
Issei clutched the ball to his chest, genuinely emotional. "Thanks, bro. Seriously. This… this means a lot."
Andrew: "Just don't lose it. And don't let anyone steal it. There are probably people out there who'd kill for these."
Issei: "I'll guard it with my life."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
Issei: "Hey, Andrew?"
Andrew: "Yeah?"
Issei: "Seeing Irina again was… weird. She's so different now. More serious. The Church really changed her."
Andrew: "People change. Doesn't mean she stopped being our friend."
Issei: "You think she'll be okay? With everything that's about to go down?"
Andrew: (thoughtful) "Irina's strong. Always has been, even when we were kids. But yeah… I'm worried about her being caught between the Church and what's right."
Issei: "Should we try to help her?"
Andrew: "If she'll let us." He paused. "But right now, we need to focus on the bigger threat. Those Church girls today… they felt dangerous. And Kiba looked like he was about to explode. This Kokabiel thing… it's serious, isn't it?"
Issei: "Yeah. It's serious. A cadre-level Fallen Angel doesn't move without a plan. And if he's collecting Excaliburs…" He trailed off. "We need to be ready."
Andrew: "Ready for what?"
Issei: "War."
[Time Nest - Same Night]
Andrew stepped through the portal into the Time Nest, his school uniform replaced by his orange gi. Chronoa was waiting, arms crossed, a scroll floating beside her.
Chronoa: "Right on time."
Andrew: "You said it was urgent."
Chronoa: "It is. We've detected a temporal distortion in Timeline 7-Alpha. Someone's trying to alter a key historical event—the signing of a peace treaty between two warring factions. If it fails, the timeline collapses into endless conflict."
Andrew: "So basically, stop whoever's messing with history."
Chronoa: "Exactly. I'm sending you with Trunks. He's already on-site gathering intel."
Andrew nodded. "When do I leave?"
Chronoa: "Now." She hesitated. "And Andrew? Be careful. Towa's energy signature was detected near the distortion. This might be a trap."
Andrew: (smirking) "Let her try."
Chronoa smiled despite herself. "That's the spirit. Now go. And come back safe."
Andrew: "Always do."
He stepped through the time rift, disappearing in a flash of light.
Chronoa watched him go, her expression soft.
Elder Kai: (appearing beside her) "You're worried about him."
Chronoa: "Of course I am. He's walking into potential danger."
Elder Kai: "He's also one of the strongest warriors we have. He'll be fine."
Chronoa: (quietly) "I know. But that doesn't mean I have to like sending him into danger."
Elder Kai chuckled. "You've got it bad, Supreme Kai."
Chronoa's face flushed. "Shut up."
[Earth - Weekend Mission Complete]
Andrew materialized back in his room Sunday evening, exhausted but unharmed. The mission had been successful—the treaty was signed, the timeline stabilized, and Towa's agent had been driven off.
He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Time Patrol on weekends. School and devil politics during the week. Dragon Ball hunting in between. And now Kokabiel's about to make his move.
He closed his eyes.
I need to get stronger. SSJ2 isn't going to unlock itself.
His phone buzzed. A message from Rias:
"Kokabiel has been spotted near the town's outskirts. Emergency meeting tomorrow before school. Be ready."
Andrew sat up, his exhaustion forgotten.
Here we go.