Chapter 2: There's Always a Problem
Vash opened his eyes and looked around seeing bright lights. He then felt the coolness touch his face.
" He's awake," a soft voice said
Vash moaned and sat up and looked around seeing he had to be in a town, in some mansion.
" I see you live," a voice said
He looked and saw a beautiful young woman dressed in a beautiful blue and white dress. She had blond locks that flowed behind her as she walked towards him.
" Where am I?" Vash asked
" My, you're a fast one to ask questions," she said, " Your in my home, my servants found you in the hot desert. You would have died of dehydration if it wasn't for them," she said
Vash looked around seeing the marble columns and marble flooring. He sighed and leaned back and the women walked over to him. She sat down beside him and smiled.
" So, foolish," she said, " You won't make it next time."
She gently stroked Vash's cheek so that he would relax a little.
" Why don't you close your eyes and rest," she said, " Let me sing you a song."
She smiled and started to sing a song and Vash closed his eyes. She looked over in the shadows.
" Be careful, he's not as easy to pen down," the soft voice said
" I know mistress," she said
" What about his brother?" the woman asked
" We haven't found him, but one of my sisters will," the girl said
" Good, I don't want them interfering," the woman said
" Yes, mistress, they will die," the girl said
Knives looked around and he felt his eyes playing tricks on him. He saw two shadows walking towards him. He fired a shot or two, and the two shadows vanished. He ripped the sleeves of his shirt off and looked around for the least bit of a sign of life.
" Where am I?" he growled
" Come this way and find rest here, your body is tiered," the soft voice chanted
" No, leave me alone," he shouted, " Your not real."
" Come this way Knives," the voice chanted
He followed and then fell to the ground and closed his eyes. He breathed deep as he tried to get up.
" Rest now," the soft lyrical voice sang
Knives opened his eyes and found he was no longer in the desert, but he rested in a soft bed. He sat up and looked around seeing a young woman with long burnet hair that fell over her shoulders. She wore a soft green dress that flowed behind her. She walked to him and gave a slight bow.
" Please relax, you are safe here in my home," she said
" Where am I?" he growled
" I told you, you are in my home," she said snapping at him
Knives narrowed his eyes at the woman who snapped at him. She stood by the bedside and touched his head.
" Please, just relax, here I will sing you a song," she said
She started to hum and then she sang a soft song. Knives narrowed his eyes and forced her away from him. He rose and reached for his holster, but then another soft voice came in. Knives began to feel tiered and under their control.
" No, I won't," he growled
" Go on Knives sleep," the woman said
Knives collapsed and two servants picked him up.
" Mistress Megami we have Knives," the young woman said
" Good," Megami said
The young woman bowed and walked off and Megami looked at Knives.
" Yes, you will not interfere," Megami said, " You will fail here."
Meryl walked out and breathed deep, feeling the baby that she carried kick her.
" Please, settle down," Meryl said placing her hand on her stomach
" Ms. Meryl," Karen's voice came
Meryl turned and saw Karen walking towards her. She looked at Meryl and breathed.
" Knives, he's been acting strange, he ran out into the desert, but didn't tell me where he was going," Karen said, " I'm worried."
" I'm sure he's fine, Vash went into the desert to find answers," Meryl said
" But he was covering his ears, he heard something that I couldn't hear," Karen said, " Something's wrong and I can't figure out why."
Meryl looked around and then stopped.
" Come to think of it, some of the men said they've heard singing," Meryl said
" Then there is something out there," Karen said
Meryl looked down at her stomach and found the child had settled down. She looked outward hoping to see Vash returning.
" Oh, Vash," she said
In a dark lab Megami flipped a switch and there an experiment laid on table. She smiled and injected a plasma into the subjects veins.
" You are fully revived, now it is time to rise and follow your new masters," Megami said
Raven walked in and leaned against the frame of the door.
" And they say lost technology is worth less," Raven said
Megami walked over and stroked the subject's head. She leaned over and kissed his cheek then grabbed his hand.
" It is time to wake Legato," Megami said
His eyes opened and he looked around and Megami stood beside him. He sat up and Raven smiled. She walked over to him and looked at him, then placed something around his neck.
" Listen to me and listen well Legato," Raven said, " You are to follow your new masters, kill Vash the stampede and Knives Millions. They must not get near these plants. Do you understand?"
" Yes, Mistress," Legato said
" Perfect," Raven said
Megami looked at Raven as she looked at Legato. It was now that the past would return to both Vash and Knives, they were going to feel complete suffering at once. Legato was clothed in a black cotton suit and then long metal armbands that covered his arm to his elbows. Chain mail connected his metal arm bands to his black metal shoulder plates, that had spikes that lined the middle of the plates. The chain mail then connects the rest of his chest plat to the back, which a long metal plate covers only the spine. Legato wore black pants and a gold band on his right leg, with black stones. His boots were lined with a knife in each toe. Legato looked at Raven and Megami and bowed to them.
" He's almost as charming as Master Kaijin," Megami said
She looked at him and held out a sleek black trench coat, it's sleeves were cut so it would go over his metal shoulder plates. She took a black belt with spikes all around it and closed the coat.
" Your ready to fight your enemy," Raven said, " You will no longer see darkness Legato."
Raven walked off and Megami looked at Legato, then nodded.
" You will find them," Megami said
" Yes, Mistress," Legato said
He walked off and Megami smiled and then look down at the miles of capsules of plants.
" Soon you will awaken," she whispered
Vash opened his eyes and saw young women sitting in the room staring at him. He sighed and sat up and then looked around.
" Our mistress is not here, tell us stranger, who are you?" one asked
" No one, but a weary traveler….who's married," Vash said
" Oh, he's married," they squealed with excitement
All 9 of them walked over and sat by his feet and looked up at him as if he were a god.
" Who are you?" he asked
" We are the mistress' muses," one said
" Tell us stranger is your wife with child?" another asked
" Yes," he replied
The nine smiled and said, " Then you must take us, we are the 9 who will sooth your child's spirit. With knowledge and art."
" You should call her Vita," another said, " She is the one they call the first of her kind, a leader she will be."
" Vita," Vash whispered, " But how?"
" Vita's name was chosen by the stars," they said
" Beware of the Titans they are strong, there are 6 of them, all wish to destroy you and keep you from finding what you search for," one said
" Cerberus, the triplets," one said
" Athena, the warrior," another said
" Calliope, the flutist, be careful her flute plays such high notes," a third one said
" Diana the hunter and archer," a fourth said
" You have already met one of the Titans, Carmen, Sirena, Quiesco are the Sirens that called to you. They are the first Titan you have met," a fifth muse said
" What is the 6th?" Vash asked
The 9 women looked at Vash and shook their heads.
" We don't know, we only know these 5, but there is a 6th, he has been reborn into a mortal form," they said, " he will be your challenge."
The nine women stood up and kissed Vash on his cheek.
" Let us weave you something for your journey young stranger," one said, " it will protect you."
They walked off and a mist filled the room and they were gone. He looked around and breathed deep.
" I guess it's time to face the music," Vash said
Knives narrowed his eyes at the nine women dressed in fine white dresses. They knelt by his side and explained to him the task at hand.
" So, strong, you will be the easiest to tempt with power, but don't threat," one said, " there are powers with in evil that are made from pure thoughts. Take that road and it will bring you straight to where you want to go."
" Who are you?" he growled
" We are the 9 muses of our mistress," a second replied
" Who are these Titans you speak of?" Knives growled
One stood and walked over to him, she looked at him and stroked his cheek. " You are a man of little patients," a third said, " The Sirens' spell will wear off and you will be free, but they will find you again, they are the first of 6 Titans you will meet. You are aware stranger that these 6 follow a power higher up. Perhaps you could remember a time when you once controlled 12 warriors to kill your brother."
" How did you know that?" Knives growled
" We are muses and three of us are fates, it was the past that called you here," a fourth said, " Listen if you are to return alive you must defeat 6 of the Titans to reach the higher power."
Knives growled and stood up and two of the women pushed him down and placed their hands on his shoulders.
" Listen well, your brother has already started his journey, you would do well to let us weave you something for your journey. Lay and rest young stranger," they said
They all got up and walked towards the veranda and vanished in a sudden mist. Knives stood up and looked around. He touched the columns of marble, he narrowed his eyes.
" The Sierns," he thought, " This should be fun."
" We don't know, we only know these 5, but there is a 6th, he has been reborn into a mortal form," the women's voices echoed, " he will be your challenge."
" Who is the 6th Titan?" Vash said
Two of the nine women walked out of the mist carrying something. They laid something down and three more came from behind. Vash looked at them as they walked over to him. Two held his black suit and dressed him in that then a second upper body suit was placed on him. Finally, a long white and gold coat was placed over him.
" Consider yourself safe," the five women said, " We have made you everything you need."
" The white coat of the heavens, the armor of the world beyond," one said
" Finally, your last necessity," one said, " The blade of the willing."
She presented a silver gun much like his own, but with a much more out put.
" Why are you helping me?" Vash said, " I'm your enemy."
" You are no one's enemy, but our mistress' mistress'," a second one said, " Your brother has already started his journey, you will meet him once you've come across the second Titan, there you will go your separate ways until your next goal."
Vash nodded and each gave him something placed on his coat. They took his hand and walked him through the mist and he was in the desert.
Knives was clothed in a similar style.
" The black coat is that of the world beyond, the armor is that of the heavens," one stated
" Finally, your last necessity," another spoke, " The blade of Hades. We believe you will be able to handle it's true."
" This is your power, then what about my own?" Knives growled
" All will come into contact once your brother has met you. That is what you want isn't it Knives? To feel the power that defeated your younger brother," a third said
" Yes, how can I get it?" Knives questioned
" Soon," the muses said
They grabbed Knives by his hand and walked him into a mist where he returned to the desert. Knives smiled as he looked at the black coat, he lifted up his left arm feeling power already.
" The Heaven and the Underworld have been released, are we right to let them hold such power?" one of the nine women said looking into an orb
" Of course, it was the wishes of our mistresses," the muses said
Vash made his way through the desert and he looked around feeling the air become heavier. A growl came from the distance and Vash placed his hand on the holster.
" Are you Vash the stampede?" a growl came from the distance
" Depends on who's asking," Vash said
There was silence and then a very large dog came at him, but this dog, it was no ordinary dog. It had three heads and drooled very badly, Vash wiped the drool of his face and punched the dog.
" Who the hell are you?" he growled
The three head dog transformed into three young girls. He raised an eye brow at them.
" We are Cerberus the triplets, second of the Titans you will meet and the three that will destroy you," they growled
" You've got it wrong," Vash said
Vash stood up and drew his infamous silver gun and smirked.
" A simple gun will not harm us our masters have given us a great protection," one of the three said
" You talk to much, where are your masters?" Vash asked
" You won't get past us to find out," Cerberus said
" But I will," a voice said
Vash turned around and saw Knives standing there holding a black gun.
" Knives Millions, we presume," they said
" Cerberus," Knives said, " Your no challenge."
Knives lifted the gun and fired a shot and the triplets spilt before the blast. Knives looked at them and he narrowed his eyes the three came at them forming the dog.
" Shoot Vash!" Knives growled
" No," he said
Knives fired a shot with his new gun forcing the dog back and Vash shot three bullet's from his infamous gun. The triplets appeared once more and a bullet hit each on the right shoulder. Vash smiled and the triplets smiled at him, they healed their shoulders. Vash just stared at them as they smirked. All three pulled three guns and aimed them at Vash. Vash lifted his silver gun and Knives smiled and ran towards Vash. Knives grabbed the trigger on Vash's silver gun and suddenly they fused together like the last time.
" No!" Vash shouted, " I won't let it happen again!"
He grabbed the new gun and aimed it for Knives' shoulder. He fired a shot and Knives pulled back from the power.
" I won't kill," Vash shouted
" But you will hurt," Knives growled
He kicked Vash's legs from under him and grabbed with his right hand on the trigger to make a final connection. Vash was fighting as much as he could to prevent the angel arm from appearing. The angel arm began to form, their arms fused together and the angel wings sprouted from behind. Feathers of black and white fell to the ground and the faces on the gun were seen from a distance. The triplets looked in fear and Knives laughed.
" Run away!" Vash shouted, " Do it now!"
" What is that?" they said
" Get out of here!" Vash shouted
That was the last thing Cerberus heard before a direct hit was made. Vash fell to his knees and Knives smiled dropping Vash's gun. He walked over to where Cerberus stood. Three gems black, white and red remained.
" The eyes of Cerberus," Knives said, " It's amazing."
" Why," Vash said, " No one had to die."
Knives placed them into a pouch and laughed a sinister laugh. Vash got up and tackled Knives and Knives forced him back and kicked Vash in his side.
" How are you going to be father when your so weak, Vash," Knives growled, " Get up."
Vash growled and stood up then grabbed his gun. He slipped both into the holster and narrowed his eyes.
" I came to find answers not to fight and start a war," Vash growled
" Well, give it up," Knives growled
Vash looked at Knives as he flexed his wrist, the coat had protected them both from sever injury after pulling from the angel arm. Knives walked off and Vash looked at him.
" Where are you going?" Vash growled
" Away from a weakling like you, find your answers and die a pathetic man," Knives growled
He was going in seconds and Vash blinked to make sure he saw what he saw. He looked at his arm and saw the coat had fixed it's self. Knives stopped and looked around, his eyes closed as he heard screaming all around him. He covered his ears and shouted in the distance. It stopped and Knives looked up to see a beautiful woman, with pure skin that hadn't be touched. Her long flowing silver hair covered the design of her pure white fabric top. Her slender form gave off that of a seductress and not of an innocent woman. She wore thin sandals that laced up to her calves, her long flowing lower garment were made of three pieces, two long flowing pieces of fabric, front and back, with gold trim and a belt that held the pieces together. Knives looked at her long gold armbands that held her arrows and her blades. Her ankle bracelet chimed to the sounds of her steps as she neared him and her bow strung across her shoulder.
" Knives Millions, I've been waiting for you," she said, " They didn't lie to say that you were very handsome. I can see how the human women admire you so. I believe it would be a shame that you and your brother must die one by one."
Knives smirked and drew the blade of Hades from his holster.
" It's a shame that you won't last but a second in my eyes," Knives said
" I see, well you have been armed by the muses, they tend to take care of those weaker than a goddess," she said
" You fancy yourself as one, but all you are is a obstacle with arrows," Knives said
" Then let the war begin," she said
She drew her bow and pulled an arrow and fired a shot at knives cutting his cheek.
" I am the third Titan, Diana the hunter and archer," Diana introduced herself.