Issei never did get Ally, he wondered what had to have happened but it seemed like things were going..awry. For him, he knew that there had been certain things that the Great Red Dragon should do, his skills in the ring were supposed to be unrivalled, it's why he found himself snorting because that could not have been further from the truth. He wished to build this racket around something, that would be the White One, his rival, the divine divider himself, Vali Lawlin, the man who earned himself a spot next to Issei Hyoudou as one of the greats. 

It's where Issei found himself now, he was essentially working for the mob, he wasn't stupid. Issei could see the way that the Gremory Clan held themselves, he was to work with them and be the muscle, yet was being given a chance to show leadership qualities, he was ready for such a fate. To prove that the Red Dragon could do it better than anyone else, Issei could look at everyone else, he could feel himself grow with excitement, this league of his, the company he wished to create, maybe it was meant to start here. Underground fighting or as he wished to call it: 'Project Booster'.

The red dragon stood opposite the divine divider, two men who had a history that could go back into their teens, it was not something they forgot easily. Issei knew what Vali could do and vice-versa, this was just the power of how they worked. How they could always work, if Vali and Issei walked together, the world would soon fear what the young dragons would accomplish together as Vali adopted a telling smirk that had Issei back stepping ever so slightly, Vali was unpredictable, those were the ones to watch out for, occasionally. 

"Red dragon, what are you doing here? Last I heard, you were the boosted champion, the one leading Kuoh and Kyoto's best fighters into a new era, what brings you to my neck of the woods, rival?"

Vali asked mindlessly, he was eating a few cashew nuts and gave Issei his attention even though he was looking over the gym they were in. The fighters were sloppy to him, they needed to harness their natural ability and strength, something that everybody had. No one could simply just...not go on without something like that. Everybody had a seeming natural ability, Issei had it with his style of finesse in the ring while Vali had it in the way he lured his opponent in. 

"I'm here to give you an offer, one that would bring us closer together. We both know that Albion and Ddraig would want that, they were fighting each other but they didn't want us to follow in those steps, it was not meant to be that way, ever."

Issei gave him a look, Vali answered back with the blank face Issei knew would come. The man never did like discussing old times, as if it was a plague on his very person that he had the same tutelage that the red dragon did. Out of the both of them, they both knew that Vali had the skill and power to win a fight against Issei while Issei always used technique and strength, the two were not different. 

Their mentors, the former White One and Red Dragon had died years ago, a rogue hit people said, that they both owed money to powers beyond their control. With this, Issei had taken on the moniker of Ddraig's 'Red Dragon' - many people believing him a worthy successor to the throne of the Red Dragon, no one could fight him on it, he had earned it. He knew that much. So when the time came for them to have a fight once more, they never did, it felt different now without the support of their respective teachers. 

"Yes, yes, we both know what they wanted Issei, what's your point? You came here, let's not forget that. I'm here on business, I have to head back to Los Angeles in a few moments, what's your offer? Vegas is not somewhere I want to be right now, alright? We learned from two different people, I know the story, the whole world knows the story Issei, aren't you tired man?"

For once, Issei saw something, he wasn't talking to the White One, he was talking to Vali Lawlin, the man that wished to retire. Issei sighed, bowing his head and leaning against one of the many gyms that this gym boasted about. 

"I don't think I've ever been tired Vali, the fight, the ambition I have for this, all of it, I want to do more, I want to bring about a new era. We're not going to be fighting, at all. This a new fight, this is underground fighting, something that we know a little about eh? You remember those rookie days, right?"

"Of course I do, we fought there every week, what we did is unforgettable, you want to do that again for new people? For what? To let people get their own shine from a fighting pit ran by the Divine Divider and Red Dragon? You have to be kidding me, this is certainly something ambitious Issei but you've come to me of all people, why? I'm questioning your sanity here..."

Issei snorted, why? There was no one else like Vali, the man knew this world, he knew what it was like to feel the rush of victory. To see your opponent submit, although, that was more his style than anything else. Issei knew that the way he played his game with the opponents was different to that of the Heavenly Divider. 

"You're the only one who knows what it is like, this is the way we need to go, how we move around the game and how we play this. We've fought for the greedy owners out there enough, how comes we never made some real money, eh? Tell me that one...we should be the ones that have truly ascended into the leagues that these fucks could never touch on their best days."

Vali snorted at that, his fellow fighter really wished to earn the money here, yet there was a gleam there, something about Issei told him about an unseen greed there, a desire for something. Vali didn't know what it was but he found himself wondering what would have made his friend go to that extent, he never knew but he was still wondering and looking out for his safety. 

"When?"

"Soon enough, I just need to know when the time comes, when that moment arrives, the White One will be ready to stand up and give me the support I need, alright?"

Vali once again stared at Issei, the two seemed to be stuck in that contest for a while, will, if anything else. Vali gave Issei a smile, letting him know that he was with him, through whatever he wished to make come true, this was after all, for their mentors. Albion would be proud of Vali at that very moment, yet for a reason, Vali felt uneasy. 

There was something that Issei was hiding, there was something he didn't even know he would wish to touch, all he got from the red dragon was a smile in thanks. As if he had just given him the answer of his dreams, Vali also realized that Issei was relieved and he needed him, something was happening. 

So Vali asked in his head, just what exactly did Issei need him for?

The White One never got to ask that question as the Red Dragon of Asia soon found himself leaving, deciding that he got what he wished. Issei never once noticed the narrowed eye look that he was getting from Vali, like he knew something more was at play here, and the fact of the matter, there was. 

***

"You really want to do this? Play at it this way, we're here to do just that, yet Rias, there is no way I'm going to be playing host to fixes, I'm telling you that right now."

Issei had since found his way back to the compound of the Panic Room, how everyone moved about, soon he was sitting in Riasora's office as she played at her fingernails with a knife. As if she was a surgeon, easily knowing how to best not cut herself, something Issei found strangely...appealing. 

"Yes, Red, I know your stance on such things, it's going to be legitimate, yet you need to get right with it. Some of these will be fixed, some people want to make money, others wish to simply do what their told and others want to be pains in the ass who don't do as they're told, which one are you?"

She said it as if she was not bothered but Issei heard the edge in her voice, whichever he answered would determine his use to them in her clan, how she wished to move. He scoffed, he had been one of the famous stars back in Asia and here he was reduced to muscle and organizer of fixed games...

"I'm someone who wants to make money but not at the expense of someone's career, do you get that? Maybe I'm not exactly a right fit for all of you guys just yet, hm?"

Riasora gave him a smirk, one that did not soothe his worries, yet the glint in her eyes told him that he would not be meeting his end today at the very least, it was something...interesting for many reasons. 

"Well then, is that what you think? You just spoke your mind, you don't want to fix games, trust me, that won't be happening anyway. The gambling will be smooth and trust me, we will be winning money in the end of this, you want to know why?"

Issei's brow rose then, questioning what was going to happen then. Yet the way Riasora asked, it was like she already had an idea of what was to come next. 

"Because already, you're showing that you're not going to be like those former masters in Asia, currently we are going to be changing the game, little by little and foot by foot, we are going to be taking this small little clan of myself and my team, along with you to the top, because we are going to be doing things that no one would have thought possible until you stepped into our line of sight."

Riasora actually thanked PoisonIvy for that, she had brought him into their circle, made him a part of this group of theirs, something that Rias, at the time, did not think would be beneificial for her clan. She wished to make sure that everyone had a unique set of skills to call upon, then she learned about him. 

The head of Gremory looked at her newest member, Issei would prove to be the key to many things, she had a feeling that the focus would shift now, with many now looking towards Las Vegas besides as the den of sin. 

"Well then, it seems a lot has been placed on my arrival into this world, I have to question what is next for me then, what do you have in store for me Riasora? What is next, I find myself needing to know at the very least, yet, for now, I'll leave. I know that you'll need your time, so whatever happens next...just know that I'll be in my room."

Riasora watched the red dragon as soon after, her other associates came in, each bringing in the take for the day. There was one thing that Kiba was on, the man hadn't returned yet, she needed to know just what Issei had left in Kuoh, the man had many secrets. 

One thing was clear on her mind though, just who was Akeno Himejima and why had Issei decide to leave her behind in Kuoh? When she obviously, followed him here already, leaning back, the head of Clan Gremory took this all in wondering what was going to come in a few days time.