Happy summer ya'll, and welcome back to the next chapter of The Italian Dragon Emperor. As always, we began with shout-outs:
1) Rmarcano321: I don't know, never really thought about it. If I had to choose on the spot, perhaps the Twilight Healing or Boosted Gear.
2) Omnisaurus: That IS a good question. Tannin knows about second base, and there is a "panties dragon" in the manga (I could be wrong). Plus Ddraig's last host was a perv in this universe and it had a lasting effect on him, so...
3) Emblemfan1: Really? I didn't think so. The chicken dance was planned by Anthony just before Riser arrived. As stated, Rias confessed everything to Anthony upon him resisting the temptation to sleep with her. He even called Riser a feather-faced nitwit, so he's fully aware of Risers powers and what they are based on. You probably missed that. Thanks for the tip though. As for the bleeding thing, I thought just the opposite, so thanks for that pointer.
4) Jon: I originally wrote down albatross, but that didn't exactly roll off the tongue, so I changed it to duck since some people actually eat Roast Duck. (AN: I never had, never will... ducklings are so cute! And I just love it when ducks wag their tails like dogs when you throw them bread. Adorable!)
In other news... it's time. My DxD Hero Review series (though late) is finally finished! The first episode is up on my YouTube channel if any of you want to see it. Whenever your ready, lets get back to Anthony's training session and see if we can figure out how he's able to use a Sacred Gear at birth... maybe a few more question will be answered... maybe more questions that need answers? Who knows?
WARNING! A glimpse into Anthony's past, his birth specifically, may be visually disturbing to some viewers. If this bothers you, please skip the first flashback scene. Bakuganman and FanFiction are NOT responsible for any mental harm it may cause and therefore, cannot be sued. (AN: For legal reasons, this is a joke.)
Chapter 13: It's All Fun and Games, Until a Dragon Gets Heated - Part 2
"B-Birth?" Asked Rias. She, along with the rest of the ORC, was shocked at what Ddraig just said. This wouldn't make Anthony one of the youngest Sacred Gear users... he now WAS the youngest! But at the same time, it didn't make any sense. Has Ddraig ever seen a baby before? They have no control over their limbs, they didn't know how to use a toilet and they also couldn't see clearly due to their still-developing eyesight... hell, they couldn't form coherent thoughts, which is required to summon a Gear! So HOW? In the BLOODY HELL? Could a FREAKING BABY... USE... A GEAR?!
"That's impossible" Koneko said, bluntly. "That can't be... a baby... can't possibly summon a gear, human or not" said Rias, still trying to process what Ddraig had said.
[Technically Miss Gremory, your right. Demon, Angel, human, dragon... regardless of race, offsprings don't normally have the proper brainpower or the self-awareness required to summon a Scared Gear. Allow me to explain exactly what happened] said Ddraig.
-FLASHBACK: FRIDAY, APRIL 9th, 1992-
Ddraig: If you thought Anthony was crazy, you've never met his family and what they went through that day... the day he was born.
At 2:21PM, an 80's Monte Carlo rushes down the street in a hurry, with a police car leading the charge and clearing the path. Inside the Carlo, was Mister and Misses Messuri... though the wife was in the back seat, panting up a storm for some reason.
"SBRIGATIIIIIIIIII! Guidare più veloce, stronzo!" Cried Misses Messuri before groaning loudly in pain.
"Sto guidando il più veloce che posso, donna. Non è dovuto per altre cinque settimane!" Said Mister Messuri, who wasn't expecting to come home from a hard days work to his wife 'leaking' as soon as he kissed her hello.
"ARRRRRRRRGH!... uggggggggh, non più..." hissed Misses Messuri through her teeth, feeling that the child wanted out... and soon!
Not even 3 minutes after they kissed each other hello at the house, she started screaming in a way that would rival someone's arm getting cleanly chopped off by a machete. The neighbors thought a fight was going on and called the police. The couple was long gone once law enforcement arrived, though they got a call from dispatch saying an officer pulled the husband over a mile or so away... only for the woman to be in labor! Putting the law aside, the officer hopped back into his car and lead the Italians to the nearest hospital, sirens blazing. He also called dispatch to tell the hospital to be ready for an incoming emergency.
Ddraig: Anthony was premature. He was born at 35 weeks... despite my limited knowledge on human anatomy, that's bad... very bad. He was still so underdeveloped, he could fit in the palm of your hand.
This was true. After all the screaming and cussing out her husband that 'this is all your fault', Anthony was born... he looked like one of those life-like Barbie dolls that eat and pee themselves, only smaller and 'messier' due to obvious reasons. However, despite the cord being cut and the tiny spank on his culo by the nurse, he didn't cry like a normal baby would... something was wrong! They had to get him to the operating room, ASAP!
Ddraig: Breathing tubes, surgeries, shots; Anthony had it all. Whatever problem a premature hatchling had, he did. But trying to keep something alive that couldn't breathe or eat on its own wasn't easy... or free. Days turned to weeks, and the young boy wasn't showing much improvement... he was dying before his life began. This confused me at the time. Why would God choose this individual for me? My former host died in a fierce battle, so I'm transferred to a body that couldn't even function on its own? It made no sense.
Months went by and thanks to Mister Messuri's huge salary as a government official, Anthony was kept alive... but not for long. Despite hiring the best doctors money could buy or the most advanced high-tech equipment at the time, preemie's were still difficult to treat... and expensive. The Italian family was losing money faster than they could earn it. With Misses Messuri recovering and Mister Messuri bringing home the money alone...
Ddraig: They had to make a decision. Keep delaying the inevitable... or say goodbye. The young boy was dying as it is. It was a tough choice, but the doctors allowed the parents to say their final farewell. I felt bad myself, but what could I do? It's not like I could boost an infants power, that was unheard of and I had no idea what would happen if I tried.
In the hospital room, the Italian parents held the tiny baby, using a stethoscope to listen to his heartbeat as long as they could. They cried tears of joy for making a life, but it was also mixed with sorrow since this was the last time they'd ever see him. They prayed to God to watch over their sweet, baby boy as his heartbeat began to slow...
Ddraig: Then something unexpected happened...
With a tiny flash, a bulky red object appeared on the infants arm. It had horns on the side with a single eye in the middle and a green gem located on the back of the baby's hand. It appeared to be dragon-like. Both Messuri's were stunned with shock... where the fuck did this thing come from? What the hell was it? More importantly, WHY... was it ATTACHED... to they're SON?! Before they could think of what to do next, the object glowed brightly, blinding the parents vision. When it subsided, the device was gone from their sons person. Both parents stared at one another, silently asking if they really saw what they really saw.
Ddraig: It might have been an involuntary reaction, but Anthony managed to summon me somehow. Even I don't know exactly how it happened. The parents then left, lying that they were too emotional... gotta admit, Miss Messuri put on quite the show. What else were they gonna say to the doctors? That they're son had a red gauntlet in his body? All that would've gotten them was a 72 hour lockdown in the nearest asylum.
The next day, when the doctors went to Anthony's room, they were surprised to find him still alive. It made no sense! How was a baby boy on the verge of death able to still breathe? Looking at his numbers, they were now normal! They must've jumped up overnight! His heartbeat was regular, breathing was normal, pulse was steady... he was going to be ok!
-END FLASHBACK-
[It was an unexplainable medical phenomenon, a true miracle. That's when I also realized their must have been a reason I was chosen to be a part of this boys body. The fact still remains that he was the first being in history to use a Sacred Gear at such a young age. Perhaps this is also why he survived, the dragonic energy of the Red Dragon Emperor might have gave his life force the extra push it needed to function on his own... though, I've never had a premature host before, so this is mostly speculation on my part] said Ddraig, finishing the story.
The ORC fell into silence. Not even Asia was aware of all that, that Anthony's life almost ended before it started. Hearing Ddraig's story, it sounded like luck was on Anthony's side that day. The ORC, even Koneko, starting feeling a little bad... "Sounds like the perv had it rough" she said, feeling a little bad herself after hearing what Anthony had been through in his early years. She had her own family issues... she could somewhat relate.
"Poor thing" said Akeno softly, also feeling she could relate. [Yes. And unfortunately, that was only the beginning] said Ddraig, suddenly speaking up again and getting everyone's attention.
-FLASHBACK: Anthony's School Years-
7 years had passed since then and Anthony had grown up. However, he was shorter than most kids his age due to his prematurity, and made fun of because of it. It was minor however, so he didn't let it bother him. He still had a good family and friends, fun teachers and an overall nice childhood.
Ddraig: He had normal ups and downs like every hatchling did. He was picked on on account of his size. This lead him to met a young Irina Shidou, she was called a boy since she was also underdeveloped and had short hair. He defended her honor and they became fast friends.
One day at recess, a young child was playing on her own, minding her own business. She had short chestnut hair and violet eyes, she was a cute girl though she looked like a boy. Two girls approached her, both giggling as they did so. The first girl had short purple hair and a small bust, while the second one had long dirty-blond hair with a slightly larger bust despite her age.
They made fun of poor Irina about normal things girls shame each other about: legs, nails, clothes, boobs, etc. This caught the attention of Anthony, who was playing his Gameboy Color he snuck into school (his teacher was cool about it though, she didn't mind her students using them when they weren't in actual class). He saw Irina start crying, and seeing the girls tears made his heart bleed. His first reaction was to get his teacher but seeing as how she was busy helping another student who got stung by a bee... maybe he could have a little fun.
"Didn't your mother teach you and Jen Aniston some matters?" Said Anthony, making his presence known. Both girls tuned to face him, and Irina's eyes widened in surprise. No student, let alone a boy, had ever come to her defense before.
"Butt out, shorty. Why don't you go back to catching your little Pokémon?" Said the dirty-blond girl.
"As a matter of fact, I think I see 2 Jynx in front of me now. And they can talk! I thought only Meowth could" said Anthony. The girls took this as an insult. They never played Pokémon but they have heard of a certain one that looked like a fat female.
To them, this boy was calling them fat and ugly! The worst possible names in the book! Irina couldn't help but giggle a bit, she never seen the expressions on these girls faces before, and it was refreshing... also, she was a video gamer herself and knew exactly what Anthony was taking about.
"H-How dare you! Y-You... uh... dummy-head!" Said the purple haired girl, mostly cause she was caught off guard that someone was actually standing up to them and couldn't think of anything better to say.
"Dummy-head? That's it? You need much better material. Second of all, it looks like Barney gave you a facial, and MISSED!" Said Anthony, continuing his roasting streak.
While none of them knew (except Anthony apparently) what a facial was, it still had the desired effect and both girls backed off... Anthony was punished, of course. But so were the 2 girls that made fun of Irina, since a few witnesses came forward to tell the principal what happened. Regardless, what Anthony said was inappropriate and still needed reprimanding.
His parents didn't punish him however. In fact, this got them to get to know Irina's mother and father, both families were like bullets in a barrel. Both children had also became friends ever since, playing video games together on weekends and such.
Ddraig: And of course, a year later...
The fire that Raynare caused burned throughout the evening until firefighters finally put it out hours later. Unfortunately, they were too late to save the victims. An investigation was started, and it was labeled as a murder-suicide due to finding Mister Messuri's body on top of his wife.
Although they couldn't explain how some raven feathers survived the blaze, the real truth was buried forever in darkness...
Ddraig: For the first time in his life... he felt alone. The church took care of him after that, where he met Miss Argento, but didn't socialize much. He feared that if he got too close to someone... it would happen again. He still had contact with Miss Shidou's family, though limited. Once he recovered from the trauma, he became friends with Miss Argento... a friendship that was definitely needed. After finding himself again, he started trying to get his life back together, which included Miss Shidou ... (chuckles) it was basically his first Love Triangle.
Irina and Anthony played Super Smash 64 with Asia watching them. Anthony mentioned this girl a few times, but being in the same room with her made the in-training nun feel funny.
"Anthony? Can I try?" Asked Asia sweetly, putting a hand in his leg since he was sitting criss-crossed. Before Anthony answered, Irina did it for him.
"Why?! You don't even know how to play!" She blurted out.
"So? I can learn!" Said Asia.
"Guys! Calm down, there's plenty of me to go around. I'll just, get another controller" Said Anthony, dense at what both girls were really fighting about. While he was busy going through his game drawer for another controller, he failed to notice sparks flying between both girls' foreheads as they glared at each other.
Ddraig: (chuckles) He didn't exactly catch onto it either. As he grew closer to Miss Argento... well, I assume she already told you...
That day in the garden replays; when Anthony used his Boosted Gear, the same one he activated at birth, to save Asia from Scott. After boosting once, he punched Scott right in the face, the boy slid across the dirt and blacked out as a result. He was also taken to the hospital... the doctors couldn't explain how a single punch could cause so much damage however. They figured he was lying when he said Anthony punched him... no way a young [and underdeveloped] boy could punch like the Hulk, right?
Once Scott was released, he noticed that Asia and Anthony were much closer than ever. It was either jealously or curiosity, but Scott made it his mission to spy on both of them whenever he could... he saw Asia enter Anthony's room one stormy night, and neither of them came out until the next morning. A week later, the church "found out" because word spread that Anthony slept with the in-training nun.
Everyone at the church community scorned Anthony, calling him a monster and sinner; so much that the faculty could no longer ignore it... but instead of investigating (AKA: actual work), they banished Anthony to save face to the people.
Asia and Irina were the only ones who tried to defend Anthony; but no one, even Irina's parents who had grown to love Anthony like their own son, paid them any mind. The argument was; since he was older than either girl, they were "easy to manipulate". All 3 friends cried out to each other, tearing streaming down their faces as their hands reached out in vain to grab their friend...
For the second time in his life... he was alone again...
-END FLASHBACK-
[He was transferred to another orphanage, his past followed him and no one took him seriously or really cared. After a few years of it, he had enough and ran away. The only reason he was able to survive was because an old man took him in, and raised him as one of his own. This experience left a huge impression on Anthony. He didn't want to go to High School, fearing history would repeat itself. After much convincing, he was enrolled at Kouh Academy... the rest, you already know] said Ddraig revealing Anthony's past in full.
The ORC was definitely rendered speechless now. They had no idea Anthony's life was filled with such turmoil, one thing after another. Yet despite all of that, he still retained the personality they've grown fond of. "I had... no idea..." muttered Rias. In comparison to her life growing up, she was giving everything at hand and foot. But Anthony... he literally and figuratively fought for his life everyday. Things he treasured were taken from him in the blink of an eye.
[Its ironic, isn't it?] Said Ddraig, getting everyone's attention. [After everything he went through, all the hardships life threw in his face... he continued on, giving love and support to those around him. How was he repaid? By being outcast like a leper. Any normal human, especially that young, would've given up and wanted to end it all. It's this strength of will and his pure heart is what I think lead me being bound to this boy] Ddraig said.
Rias ended the training early, seeing as Anthony needed time to recover. As Kiba and Koneko lifted the boys unconscious body, [Miss Gremory...] Ddraig spoke, making the Devil look at Anthony's arm. As he spoke, she could feel tears coming down her cheeks.
[I overheard you both last night... and about the arranged marriage between you and the phoenix. It's despicable, your family forcing you against your will. So as Anthony's partner... and on my honor as a dragon... I will make it my mission to do everything in my power to make sure you win this Rating Game. Anthony truly cares for all of you, which is why he deliberately went over his limit. Your all closest thing he's had to a family in a VERY long time... he won't give it up without a fight, so neither will I. That much, I can promise] said the Red Dragon.
She felt so relieved. Risers days of harassment will finally be a thing of the past...
Anthony's Italian Dictionary:
1) Sbrigati! Guidare più veloce stronzo!: means "Hurry up! Drive faster, you asshole!"
2) Sto guidando il più veloce che posso, donna! Non è dovuto per altre cinque settimane: means "I'm driving as fast as I can, woman! He isn't due for another 5 weeks"
3) Non Più: means "not anymore"
Sorry... not many new words to teach you this time around, but our favorite Italian was knocked out. At least we know him a little better thanks to Ddraig. Speaking of which, are you all liking this original version of Ddraig? I know I do, seeing as he interacts with the rest of the ORC more. That's all for now, see you at the Rating Game!