Anthony: (enters a room) Hello?... Bakuganman?... The hell are you? I'm back from reading "Sona DxD", that shits getting good! (sees the review section for The Italian Dragon Emperor open and an unfinished document at a desktop computer) Huh, must've been writing and got some reviews. (darts eyes back and forth, and his hair becomes devil horns with an evil smile) I guess he won't mind... (takes a seat at the desk) Alright, lets see here...
From Imperial-samaB:
Well this should be fun
Anthony: It has been, never a dull moment with friends like mine.
From 54godamora:
the main portion of this chapter really confused me. it was like one big fever dream.
Anthony: Don't have to tell me twice, I thought Azazel spiked my drink again... no, seriously. There was this dance he wanted me to go to when I was 14, and after begging me, I finally agreed. He thought it'd be funny to add a little something extra to my orange juice... still can't remember much of that night.
From Calderoneric758:
Please tell me the is th4 story basically a new timeline in which issei never existed from that dream and draig remembers him
Anthony: ... the fuck is this? Chicken scratch?... Hold on... (edits the review)
From Calderoneric758 (edited):
Please tell me that this story is basically a new timeline in which Issei never existed (from that dream), but drag still remembers him
Anthony: Least I think that's what you were trying to say. Well, I don't know what Bakuganman has planned for me... I know! Crazy right? How can an OC not know what he's getting into? Maybe we can figure out that coglione's grand scheme as the plot progresses... who's drag though?
From OechsnerC:
Awesome update
Anthony: Yeah, I am pretty awesome. Just imagine when I become a Queen! Who's next...
From SuperShadic2002:
Wow! The first chapter in 2020 and you did amazing! I like how you included Issei in his vision, and I feel like the way you have it is the way I might end up having it, where Issei is in the past and is Ddraig's user before the MC. It would make sense, but then again, maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, that's just my theory. Trying to remember who might be considered the Dark Magician Girl in Issei's little vision harem...I found it funny how Anthony plays Yugioh and has Blue Eyes...at least, I think that's what that was. Anyway, great job!
Anthony: Shadic?... Isn't the guy that mad lad Chakra-X gave a backstory from an official unused image? LOVE THAT SHIT! And who doesn't love Yu-Gi-Oh? (starts voice mimicking a main character) 'May the heart of the cards guide you, Yugi' haha! Good times, then the show becomes nothing but a pop culture reference machine... still love it though. I also have no idea who that guy Issei is, but I'm gonna find out! (notices a specific part of the review) Hold the phone... user before the...
*Door bursts open* BANG!
Anthony: (twists around in the chair) YIKE!... Oh, heheh... h-hey Bakuganman. Back so...
Bakuganman: OOOOOOOOOOOUT! (Anthony flees, leaving a dust figure of himself before it blows away) *sigh* Can't leave to help 54godamora with his story for 5 minutes and Anthony's snooping around. Let's see where I left off... did I get down that far? (shrugs it off and reads review) Well SuperShadic, thanks so much for the compliment. Issei showing up in the dream was a plot point foreshadowed already, but I can't tell you the exact answer. The Dark Magician Girl is Le Fay Pendragon, which is also a callback to my DxD - Hero Reaction series I did on YouTube. It went unfinished and while I still have the videos, I'm afraid to post them since COPPA got involved. Ya know, all animation is for kids... (mocking voice) 'YouTube is the barrel, and creators are the fish'... Ok Boomer.
From Idaina-o shimo kitsune-sama:
Hey could you please put the OC tag on your story.
Bakuganman: Huh. Never thought to do that. Sure I will, thanks for the tip! :)
From Ace:
I may have an idea. Did Ddraig transfer Issei out of his universe in that fight with Vali and into Anthony's becoming his new host? If so what about a possible second Ddraig?
Have you seen The Mandalorian?
Bakuganman: On one hand, your right, but then your also wrong. Good guess though. I'm not telling you exactly what happened for the sake of lore. I've also seen the Mandalorian, and its a wild ride. Especially when Baby Yoda started using the Force and passed out! Adorable, but also sad... then you have Planters Peanuts ripping him off at the Superbowl. I was gonna say Sonic did too from his movie, but I'm willing to let that one slide since its transformative.
A bit different than what I usually do. You guys prefer this or the old way? Figured I'd try it and see if you all approve. Before we really begin, what do you all think of me starting a Twitter? This way I can communicate better and maybe post sneak peaks there instead of updating a chapter that you won't get a notification for. Let me know, now back to The Italian Dragon Emperor!
Season NEW - Chapter 6: Complicated Coincidences - Part 1
Everyone has been on their phones. Not that this wasn't normal, just the fact that girls gazed at Anthony as he walked in the door after saying 'Hi' to Sona and Tsubaki. As he roamed the halls, some girls didn't do this; but as soon as they got a message and opened their phones, they seemed entranced by whatever they received. Maybe it was that Youtuber that flexed on Funimation and MyAnimeList on Interspecies Reviewers? But then why was it when Anthony saw the same person again later in the day, they gazed at him?
Anthony had a Channel himself, but he wasn't too well known. Only about 200 subscribers; and all he did was Reactions, Reviews and Gaming; so why was he suddenly getting attention? It couldn't be the Old Spice body soap Anthony's been using, that marketing tactic stopped working on him long ago. "Smell like Power" his ass.
As he passed the Kendo Club girls Murayama and Katase, who were talking by their lockers, they both received a message at the same time. They both opened them, and listened to a music video that they found incredible.
"Wow. He's a good singer" commented Katase.
"And he got a standing ovation for it... that's hard to pull off" said Murayama.
At the same time, Sona and Tsubaki were walking into the main school building. Sona heard some muttering thanks to her Devil hearing, talking about this amazing music video that was uploaded to YouTube recently. That's not all, she also saw Anthony walk past her and he gave his usual chin-flick and smile as a hello, which she returned with a smile of her own. As he walked off, her phone dinged but didn't answer it. She could look at later, though Tsubaki was a different story.
She opened her phone, wondering whom it could be. It was a link to a video, which she opened. "... Rias is lucky" she said, looking impressed by what she was seeing.
"Pardon?" Asked Sona, not paying full attention to what Tsubaki said, though she did hear the music coming from her phone.
"Oh. Nothing important" said Tsubaki, closing her phone and putting it away.
As both Sitris' approached the school, they stopped walking, noticing 2 figured that clearly didn't belong here. Directly in front of the gates; 2 girls stood dressed in long, white hooded robes. One of them had some kind of object poking out of her back, but it was wrapped in the same colored cloth. The only distinguishing factors for them were long ponytails of chestnut hair, and short blue hair with a green bang...
-TIME BREAK-
"For the last time, I'm not 'getting my sing on' by doing fucking Karaoke" said Anthony for the 100th time. In-between classes, his 2 'friends' were thinking up a scheme to get the hot chicks that are always hanging around Anthony. Yes... it was the Perverted Duo, up to their old tricks again.
"Quit being such a party pooper, yo! Learn to unwind a little bit" said Matsuda.
"I do that away from you guys everyday" Anthony muttered.
"Besides, its not like you haven't sung in front of a crowd before" Motohama said, with Anthony cocking an eyebrow then looking away with closed eyes.
"I never. You must be going through Nipple Withdrawal" said Anthony.
Motohama opens his phone and plays a song... in Anthony's voice!
You raise me uuuuuuuuuuup, so I can stand on mou-taiiiiiiiiiins...
Anthony's eyes shot open, and quickly snatched the phone out of Motohama's hand. On the screen, was a video of slightly younger Anthony in a handsome tuxedo, standing on a stage. Behind him was a chorus of standing girls, dressed in matching white dresses. They looked older than he did, easily between the ages of 18 - 25... actually, a slightly younger Pesca was there too.
[Wow... you have an amazing voice] said Ddraig, but Anthony didn't hear him. Instead, the Italian held the Calculator by his shirt
"Where... did you get this?" Anthony asked as calmly as possible.
"I-Its on YouTube, man" said Motohama.
"Yeah, yo. Uploaded the other day, whole school been talking about it" said Matsuda. Anthony let go of the Glasses Pervert, and scrolled down to the video information.
...
...
...
Uploaded by: Lezaza's Incorporated.
'I'm gonna fucking kill him' thought Anthony.
"Bottom line is: your a professional, yo! You have to come with us!" Begged Matsuda.
"Forget it!" Anthony said as he tossed Motohama's phone behind him, with the Calculator fumbling comedically with before successfully putting it away. "That part of my life is over" the Italian explained. "Just imagine it for a second! We could win contests and get inserts!" Said Motohama.
From behind him out of nowhere, in a pervy voice: "And who doesn't love a good insert?"
All 3 boys jumped at the unexpected voice. "Kiryuu?" Said both Perverts, all 3 boys seeing who had approached them.
"So... I hear Frank Sinatra's making a BIG comeback" said Kiryuu, getting close up to Anthony's face and already trying to push his buttons.
"Cause my vagabond shooooooooes..." Anthony began singing mockingly, lifting a leg to point at a shoe. This also got the attention of other students in the hall. "Are longing to straaaaaaaaay, the fuck a-way from Ki-r-yuu! In old, New Yoooooooooork!" Anthony continued, dance-stepping away while still singing... then realized what he had done in his annoyed state.
"*sniffles and sobs* That was so beautiful, yo!" Cried Matsuda.
"I never heard something so moving in my life" Motohama sobbed, wiping behind his glassed with a hanky.
"With a voice like that, they'll be no dry seats in the theater" said Kiryuu, her pervy smile widening.
Fuck me sideways and call me a baloney sandwich, I AM a Gary Stu!' thought Anthony.
"And what was this contest you were speaking of? Who can get the best insert?" Asked Kiryuu.
Anthony was about to say something snarky in response, but then remembered something from earlier this morning. 'Hey, Ddraig?' He asked, already thinking of something devious.
[I already feel the Gears in your head turning, what are you up to?] Asked Ddraig.
'Remember what you said about your power having... effects on people?' Anthony 'asked'.
[Yeah. Some will fight or... oh... Oh-ho, no! Your not!] Ddraig said, getting an understanding of what Anthony was planning, and found it quite interesting. His former master never thought of using Ddraig's natural energy like that to his advantage. The dragon approved, so Anthony tapped into a very small portion of Ddraig's power and flared it. Not enough for it to be visible, but just enough for it to be noticeable to someone in VERY close proximity.
"Ya know... I think your right" said Anthony, putting on a scandalous/confident smile on his face. This surprised Kiryuu, even more so when he got closer to her instead of the other way around. She had to back up, but she was against the wall. As she was looking into Anthony's eyes, an odd feeling came over her, like when she grabbed his hand that day in class just before his arm started hurting. The entire hallway was watching what was going on.
Anthony noticed this of course and boy, were these students in for a show. He put his left hand right against the wall, just above Kiryuu's shoulder. "W-What are you d-doing?" Asked Kiryuu, not using to being on the receiving end of things.
"I'm just admiring one of the best girls in the whole school" said Anthony, leaning in a little closer. Kiryuu stumbled to find words... what was he saying?
"B-Best... girl?" Repeated Kiryuu. She had never gotten this sort of treatment in her life.
"Of course... just looking at you gets my heart beating a thousand times a minute. The glasses, the braided hair... and don't even get me started on the cute smile your always wearing" said Anthony, continuing to compliment her. As Kiryuu keep looking at him, that strange feeling seemed to get stronger. Her eyes widened, her face began to get flushed and her body was beginning to tremble.
...
...
...
"... HA! GOT-EEE!" Anthony said, returning to his normal state and pulling away.
"HAAAAA! HAHAHAHAAAA! HE GOT YA GOOD, SISTER!" Laughed Matsuda. The spectacles-wearing girl just stood there, processing what had just happened. As she stood there, Anthony poked a bit more fun at her, and started making dial-up connection sounds while she was motionless. Once she got over it, she rapidly blinked and cleared her mind of the fog that settled in, realizing she got played.
[*sniff* Issei would be so proud] Ddraig sobbed, which Anthony didn't hear cause he wasn't paying attention.
"I guess I will get inserts... magazine ones too" Anthony joked further. What could Kiryuu say now? Anthony got her good.
"What's going on?" Asked Asia, who pushed herself through the crowd that was now dispersing. Seeing this, the evil look in Kiryuu's eyes returned. It was her turn to bite back.
"Oh, Anthony just showed me his amazing singing voice" Kiryuu said.
"What? Anthony? Sing?" Asked Asia, apparently not knowing this fact.
It was here Anthony's confidence began to plummet. "Asi..." he tried to say, but Kiryuu stopped him by pulling out her phone. "Here, listen" she said, handing her device to the Ex-Nun. The Perverted Girl had pulled up that same video of him singing from Lezaza's YouTube Channel, and Asia's eyes were glued to the screen.
"Oh yeah, he used to be a choir boy for our church. I thought you quit though" Asia said, revealing another piece of Anthony's past then looking up from the screen at him. Anthony was about to confirm this when Kiryuu interrupted again.
"That's strange, he and the boys just invited us to go Karaoke with them" she said, glancing at Anthony with her sly smile. Asia beamed at the thought of doing Karaoke with Anthony, maybe they could do a duet... she slightly blushed at the thought.
"Really? I'd love too, Anthony! Just like old times" said Asia.
Anthony had to fix this quickly. "Asia, she's..."
POW! (2x)
Both his 'friends' punched him in the face at the same time to shut him up and knock him down, each hitting an eye socket. "Yeah, it was all his idea" said Matsuda.
"We're all going this weekend" said Motohama, both him and Matsuda having equally pervy smiles on their faces.
"That sounds like fun, I can't wait" Asia cheered.
Poor Anthony laid on the hard floor, with 2 fist-sized imprints in his eyes, moaning and groaning from both pain and regret. [Well that backfired, didn't it?] Ddraig stated.
-TIME BREAK-
At the end of the school day, both Anthony and Asia walked to the clubhouse. When they walked in, they took notice on how shiny the floor was. It was so shiny in fact, that if Anthony looked down, there was a clear view of Asia's... he looked away, feeling weird for seeing that, even though he's seen her naked already.
"I still can't believe you started singing again, Anthony!" Said Asia.
"Neither can I..." Anthony grumbled. That joke seriously backfired, the whole school probably knows by now.
"I'm proud you started again. Miss Ganim said you had amazing talent" said Asia.
"That didn't stop her from kicking me out" rebutted Anthony.
"When was that video taken? That woman looked like your neighbor" asked Asia, curious as to why a younger Pesca was in the video.
"2 years ago, give or take. I was doing her a favor. The original singer had gotten lung cancer, she asked 'Lezaza' if he knew anyone, so I volunteered to help her out" said Anthony. Asia looked concerned. "Don't worry, the guys fine. In fact, he showed up to watch the show and congratulated me afterword" said Anthony, already knowing what Asia was about to ask, which she breathed a sigh of relief to. As they continued to the club room where the ORC met, Asia slipped on the floor, perhaps it was still wet in that spot.
The waxed floor didn't help, cause she slid all the way to the end of the hall. "ASIA!" Anthony called out. His first instinct was to run after her, but figured that would make the situation worse...
-FANTASY-
As Asia walked, she slipped down the hall. "ASIA! WHOA!" Anthony called out, running after her, but that caused him to slip and fall as well. He ended up slamming into her, and both tried to get up as they continued to slide. This however, made both friends start feeling each other in a variety of ways: Asia's breasts got touch and squeezed (which she gasped at), Anthony's package got stroked (which he said: "D-D-Don't touch that" and Asia apologizing for it); and they both crashed into the end of the hall, moaning and groaning.
Asia ended up with her back on top of him, while Anthony's head poked out from beneath her skirt.
-END FANTASY-
Thankfully, the G-force wasn't enough for Asia to get hurt, though her rump felt kinda sore. "You ok?" Asked Anthony, slowly helping her stand up after getting to her.
"Oh... yeah, I'm fine" said Asia.
BA-DUM!
Both friends' hands began to tense up for some reason, but they already thought they had an idea what it was. It was probably their Sacred Gears reacting to each other. "Oh! Is Ddraig's arm acting up again?" Asked Asia, worried about Anthony's arm. In fact, she already held out her hands in case her own power was needed.
"I could ask you the same thing" said Anthony. Fully standing up, Anthony and Asia began to brush themselves off, when Asia asked him another question.
"What's this?" She asked as she finished brushing off before Anthony did, pointing to a door wrapped up with chains around the handles... and Keep Out tape plastered all over it. Anthony recognized it immediately, thinking back to a small tour Rias gave him the day after he officially joined the club... which was also after the infamous chess match to the death.
-FLASHBACK-
"... And this room, as you know, is the main office" said Rias, gesturing to the main chambers where the club members usually are.
"So this whole building used to be a schoolhouse? Pretty cool" said Anthony, looking around. That's when he noticed a door at the end of the hallway, wrapped up in 'Keep Out' tape and such, that Rias neglected to mention.
"Alright, now I need you to hand out some flyers for me" said Rias, beginning to walk off, but Anthony grabbed her by the back of her shirt with his right hand.
"Hooooold up there, Tiese" he said, pulling her back gently and making her wide-eyed since she didn't expect it. "*breathes in* What's that?" He asked bluntly, while pointing to the door in question with his left hand. He stood there for a solid 10 seconds, waiting for a response, so he turned to asked Rias again...
He was surprised to see he was holding an empty shirt!
Turning around, she was walking away with a new shirt on. How did she...?! "RI!... RIIIIII!... COME ON! YOUR STILL MAD OVER THAT CHESS MATCH? IT'S A FUCKING BOARD GAME!" Anthony called out to her, walking back down the same hall they cam from, as a closeup shot of the chained handles is shown upon Anthony yelling about chess being just a board game.
-END FLASHBACK-
Rias never gave an answer about that door since, even after Anthony asked a few more times before he gave up on it. Anthony stared at the door before reaching out to grab the handle slowly, his curiosity peaked. Even if the chains were there, maybe he could use Ddraig's power to snap them open? The closer his hand got, the more tensed up it felt, and he was literally an inch away when...
[DON'T TOUCH IT!] Roared Ddraig, making both Asia and Anthony jump, the green light on his hand. [Back up! Both of you!] Ordered Ddraig.
"For what rea-... AH! DDRAIG! STOP IT! TAGLIA, TAGLIA!" Said Anthony, refusing at first; but Ddraig then took control of their shared arm, getting the Boosted Gear out and lead it on the opposite direction, almost like someone was pulling on it. Asia just followed behind, not sure what else she could really do.
As they kept fighting, the gem shined, signaling one successful Boost. Ddraig outstretched their shared arm, and launched a Dragon Shot himself. It shot towards the door...
...
...
...
Nothing happened. No explosion, no scattering wood/metal/plastic from impact, no nothing. It's like the shot just disappeared. "... eh?" Was all Anthony could say.
"It didn't... do anything" said Asia. She had seen just what kind of damage a Dragon Shot could do, even with one Boost, so she was stunned to see absolutely nothing had occurred. Looking down, Anthony noticed a bottle cap. Testing a theory, he picked up the cap with his Geared arm and tossed it as hard as he could towards the door. As the cap flew closer and closer to the door, magic circles of the Gremory Clan opened up.
Upon contact, the bottle cap disintegrated into ashes, and the ashes disintegrated into nothing.
Both Asia and Anthony stood wide-eyed, slowly comprehending what they just saw. [Its not just chains and banners. That door is sealed by powerful magic, at least 100 layers; and has been enhanced by the Power of Destruction] said Ddraig, which explained why he wanted the two curious friends to get the hell away from that door in the first place.
"But... why would Rias do that?" Asked Anthony.
[Beats me. But whatever's behind that door, it caused both your Gears to react to its presence... even through its multiple seals] said Ddraig.
This left both Asia and Anthony more intrigued, but their wasn't much else they could do instead just head to the main room where the others were waiting. They did silently agree that whatever was beyond that door... was something powerful indeed.
-TIME BREAK-
As soon as Anthony entered the room, Akeno and Kiba were absent, but he saw both Rias and Koneko in their usual spots (at her desk and on one of the sofas respectively) on their phones... and heard the familiar music video everyone's been raving about.
"Not you guys too" Anthony sighed.
"At least you have one good talent" Koneko dryly stated. Anthony wanted to respond to that, as shown by his deadpanned expression, but couldn't think of a good rebuttal to go along with it.
"I truly have the best Pawn ever, getting 2 viral hits in one day" said Rias, which confused Anthony and Asia.
"Two?" Asked Asia. "Um, what two?" Asked Anthony.
"Oh, the one uploaded this morning. Check it out... its my favorite" said Rias, holding out her phone for Anthony to grab it. When he did, the Kings head was propped up on her desk by her elbows, and her chin being held by her interlocking fingers from both hands. She was also smiling, but there was no happiness behind it.
Did he dare look down at the phone and away from her?
...
...
...
Anthony witnessed the "conversation" between him and Kiryuu from this morning.
He began to sweat coldly. He looked up to try and defend himself, but as he did, Rias was now directly in his face... that smile looked no better than from a distance, in fact it looked worse. [Your dead] said Ddraig.
*PULL!*
Anthony: ARRRRRRRRGH!
Rias yanked on his ear... very hard. "What else do you like besides glasses and braided hair?" Asked Rias, pulling a bit harder.
"ARRRRRRRGH! I CAN EXPLAIN! IT WAS A JOKE!" Anthony insisted.
"Really? Looked like you were being pretty serious" said Rias, twisting Anthony's ear in addition to pulling it.
"ARRRRRRRGH! I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU, MA'AM! I SWEAR!" Cried Anthony.
"You sure?" Rias tortured him, already knowing full well the whole thing was a joke, but was having too much fun messing with him. The truth was, she was in the hallway at the time of this event, and seeing it triggered an odd reaction in her. Her heart started racing while she watched, and she gained the sudden urge to jump in and scold Anthony right then and there. This feeling came out of nowhere, but figured she just wanted to be in the circle and jump in on the teasing as well... that WAS the only reason, right?
"YES, YEEEEEEES! YOUR THE ONE WHO RAISES ME UP, SO PLEASE LET ME GOOOOOOO!" Anthony whined, begging Rias to stop. After a few seconds, she was about to oblige when...
"Yeah, everyone's h..." said Akeno, walking into the club room because she was leading Sona and Tsubaki inside. The 3 of them watched for about 4 seconds.
"Are we intruding?" Asked Sona. Hearing her friend/rival, the Gremory King looked up to notice him, then released Anthony's ear.
"Not at all, do come in" Rias welcomed, while Anthony started rubbing his ear. Geez, it'll be sore for a month...
"So... how's my second favorite King and Queen doing?" Anthony asked, still ear-rubbing.
"Sorry Anthony, but now's not a good time... besides, seems you got an earful already" Sona said, meaning no disrespect towards him, but she needed to focus right now.
[That and more] commented Ddraig.
"Rias? Would you mind coming to my house right away? Its urgent" said Sona, her voice very serious.
"Sounds serious" Rias nodded.
"That's an understatement... its serious, and VERY complicated" said Sona, her serious face hardening. Anthony immediately started feeling bad for the Devil, knowing she must have a full plate being as high ranking as she was.
"Anything me and Ddraig can do?" He asked.
"With all due respect Anthony, this isn't something that should be discussed in the open, and only concerns us Devils" Sona politely denied him, still retaining her emotionless (yet clearly emotional) state, though she did appreciate the gesture.
Rias walked towards the door where her guests awaited. "Club activities are canceled for the day, have a good night" Rias said; leaving the room with Akeno, Sona and Tsubaki.
"At least Kiba isn't the only one who gets a day off" said Koneko, getting up from her seat to get her things. Asia was too, but noticed Anthony stared out the door Rias and the others left out of... what was up with Sona? It wasn't like her to lose her cool like that.
-TIME BREAK-
As Anthony was walking home with Asia and (surprisingly) Koneko, waiting for a traffic light to change so Koneko could cross. While waiting, he just couldn't get over how Sona was reacting earlier. "I just don't get it... what made Sona so on edge today?" Anthony asked.
"I noticed that too, hope she's alright" said Asia.
"And then there's Kiba. Its not like him not to show up either" Anthony added in.
"Same. Kiba's always been the most passionate about the club, almost as much as Rias. I'm worried about him" said Koneko.
"Me too. Poor guy's like me. He lost people for the sake of power. I wonder if there's a way I can help him, cheer him up somehow" said Anthony.
The light finally changed from red to green. "Yeah... well, see ya" said Koneko, walking along the crosswalk.
"Bye, Koneko! See you tomorrow!" Asia said. She started walking off, but noticed that Anthony was watching Koneko leave. "Anthony? You ok?" She asked.
"Huh?... Oh, just thinking about how we all ended up joining this crazy club" said Anthony, breaking out of his trance.
"What do you mean?" Asked Asia.
"I mean; you and me almost died, and Kiba wants to destroy a Kings sword... but Akeno and Koneko... what are they're reasons?" Asked Anthony. After watching Koneko disappear, Anthony lifted up his left arm. "You've been kinda quiet, Ddraig. What are your thoughts?" Anthony asked his arm that he lifted up. No answer. "Yo? You sleeping already?" Asked Anthony, which then got his hand to glow.
[Huh?... Oh, sorry. I too think we should help Mister Kiba somehow. Perhaps get him away from all this for a while] said Ddraig, giving his opinion.
The wheels in Anthony's head began turning again. He had the perfect idea. "That gives me an idea. Your still a genius, Ddraig; why didn't you say anything sooner?" Asked Anthony. There was a pause before the dragon answered. [To be honest... no ones ever asked me about anything.]
This left both Asia and Anthony looking confused.
"What do you mean? We ask you allot of things" said Asia, as the dragons statement didn't make sense to her. Whether it was about Anthony's new arm or the effects of certain types of magic, the group usually asked Ddraig his opinion. The club treated him as much as a member as Anthony when he revealed himself during the 10-day training. Since then, he's been considered a valuable member of the team, providing them with knowledge that he accumulated over the years of his life-death-rebirth cycle.
He could get pretty vocal with those opinions, but still...
[Well... I never had this before] he said. "Er, had what?" Asked Anthony.
[This... people asking my opinions or just talking to me... like I actually matter, ya know? Allot of my conversations were just me to my current master and rarely to anyone else. Outside of that, I never had close relationships with anyone since I was sealed in here, just left to observe from the sidelines] Ddraig admitted.
"Seriously?" Asked Asia, feeling surprised at this, and also feeling bad for Ddraig himself. Anthony did too. He had no idea...
[Yes. I was always overshadowed by my master. People would be like: 'oh look, its the amazing Red Dragon Emperor'... but never actually me. Just who wields my power. The only exception was the one before Anthony. He was the first one I was really close too in a long time, but never to those around him. This Occult Research Club though... its a nice change of pace] Ddraig said, which Anthony and Asia immediately understood. Ddraig must've felt like nothing but a tool his entire life after being destroyed physically, and then being constantly reborn spiritually.
It was kinda weird Ddraig called the club This and not The, but Anthony brushed it off thinking it wasn't that important. Anthony put his other hand on their shared hand. "We're glad to have ya, partner. Your as much of a member as all of us" said Anthony.
Ddraig began to tear up a little. [R-Really? Y-You mean that?] He asked, wanting to be sure he heard correctly.
"Duh! If it wasn't for you, I might be dead before I had a chance to live" said Anthony.
"And who knows what Freed would've done to me if you didn't Boost Anthony or warn him of his presence?" Said Asia, who had heard the story from Anthony before.
"And that's not even counting everything you did at the Rating Game and Wedding Crash. Ddraig... if the others were here, I'm sure they'd say the same thing" Anthony assured his dragon, to which said dragon felt touched. No one except his former master had EVER treated him with such respect. So much so, that the gem actually shed a tear.
"Ddraig! You ok?" Asia asked, quickly.
[I-I-I'm sorry... n-no one's ever... told me that before. That was... nice of you. I just... need a moment] Ddraig replied in-between sobs and trying to control himself, then his light vanished. Anthony and Asia smiled at each other, thinking they helped out Ddraig.
Deep within the Sacred Gear where he couldn't be heard however, Ddraig was going over things in his head, and it was making him frantic. [ARGH! I can't! I can't keep lying to them! I wanna tell them, but I can't risk it either! Who knows what'll happen?... I don't even understand myself! Why is everything repeating itself? Altered yes, but similar nonetheless... does that mean everything will play out exactly as it happened before?] Ddraig asked himself, before sighing and speaking to himself one last time:
[Issei... was there another way? Did we really do the right thing?]
-TIME BREAK-
Rias, Akeno, Sona and Tsubaki walk into some kinda of sauna. It had beautiful multi-colored rocks around a sitting area with a sink with 4 spouts on a pole in the middle. Each girl had a towel around them, which they then took off as they took seats around the pole.
"Haven't been here in awhile" said Rias.
"You came here often?" Asked Akeno.
"Me and Rias gather here sometimes to chat, or tell each other secrets" said Sona.
"This sauna was made for Sona's personal use. Since its directly connected to the Sitris' stronghold, no one gets in or out without permission" explained Tsubaki.
"Oh? So that's why you both didn't want Anthony to come. He might give Rias and I more attention" Akeno joked.
"All we really do down here is complain about our families. Silly stuff like arguing with my parents... though Sona only ever complained about her sister" said Rias, jokingly as well.
"About sweet Serafall? I never would've guessed" said Akeno, still messing around.
"As nice as it is to reminisce over the past, there's an important matter to discuss" said Sona, getting to 2 Gremorys' back on topic. Rias had always been bold with her statements, but they've become more-so ever since Anthony came along.
"So what are we here for this time?" Asked Rias. Sona looked at Rias silently for 2 seconds before answering.
"Two members of the church approached me and Tsubaki this morning, they asked about you and requested to speak with you" said Sona, taking her glasses off and began cleaning them with a small circle of magic.
"Speak with me?" Asked Rias.
"Why would they want to speak with a Devil?" Asked Akeno.
"They didn't say, just it was urgent that they spoke with Rias Gremory as quickly as possible" said Sona, putting her newly-clean glasses back on.
"What did you tell them?" Asked Rias.
"Only where to find you, so they might be paying you a visit" said Sona.
"They were also carrying Holy Swords... powerful Holy Swords. We even felt their auras from a distance" added Tsubaki.
"That's allot to consider then. Why would they come to this town?" Rias asked aloud, her hand on her chin.
"There's something else..." Sona stated while looking down.
"Isn't there always?" Rias said.
"True... but your not gonna like it" said Sona, looking back up.
"I already don't like the fact that members of the church are running around my territory willy-nilly, I think I can handle it" Rias assured her friend/rival.
Sona mentally sighed... if only Rias KNEW what she was about to say... "One of them was VERY adamant, she requested a personal favor from you."
"A favor?" Asked Rias.
'"Yes. She wants... she wants to..." Sona said, muttering whatever it was she was gonna say. She knew Rias well, she seriously wasn't gonna like this, no matter how many times the Gremory would assure her otherwise.
"... What? What does she want from me?" Asked Rias, getting slightly annoyed.
Tsubaki then giggled. "Not what... but who" she said.
"Who?" Rias repeatedly questioned. This was a strange request indeed. They already requested an audience with her, what else could they possibly want?
"I tried to convince her otherwise, but she wouldn't have any of it. She asked if she... if she could see..." Sona stuttered, already predicting Rias' reaction. While all Devils cared about their servants to varying degrees, it was the Gremory's well-known reputation of being overprotective of them, especially their prized/favorite ones. And if she knew Rias as well as she thought she did, a certain someone DEFINITELY fell into this category.
"Who? Who do they want, Sona?! Spit it out!" Asked Rias, fed up with Sona dancing around the subject. While she was prepared for almost anything, Rias was NOT prepared for the next 2 words that left Sona's mouth:
"... Your Pawn."
Anthony's Italian Dictionary:
1) Coglione: means "mother fucker" in this instance, but more commonly "asshole".
2) Taglia: means "stop it" or "cut it out"