An Idiot Apprentice and his Idiot Master
The Fic's Current Story Arc: A Troublesome Interlude
Part 3: Zero Hour
Current Chapter's Summary: It gets serious as a party goes underway. But before that, Allen learns that he shouldn't leave his things with Cross.
Warnings: Spoilers from chap 129 if you're actually paying attention; Addition to writing style? - There are some time skips and some parts might seem awkward to read.
Woah, this chapter is twice longer than the last chapter. (8 pages!)
Story arc cover preview link in profile. When's it's done, it will be 'linked' here. (It'll reveal something about the plot though, but you won't know until you get there.)
It's been five days since Cross and Allen arrived in town.
Currently, Allen was in the doctor's filing room organizing the catalogues and records. He had taken on most of the secretary's jobs and there was a lot to be done; In a few more days, he could actually pay back all his debts to the doctor, whose delight overcame his surprise when Allen actually managed a lot more work than was expected.
Outside, the night had just begun and his work bored him, so his thoughts started to drift to a few days back…
xxoxx
During the second day of their stay, Cross had come to visit him again. Allen was a bit suspicious that his Master wasn't in a trigger-happy mood like in his earlier visit. He was stuck in a place without feminine company and good alcohol after all, according to what his master had told him then.
"Here." Was the first thing the General said to the boy as he handed something over.
"…Thank you, Master."
It was Allen's suitcase that was left in the inn and Allen tentatively took it. He knew something had to be wrong somewhere if the General was being helpful like this.
'It feels really light,' the boy thought. He immediately opened the bag to find it completely empty; even the secret places where he kept some emergency money were fully exposed. The boy didn't look up, but with a dark undertone in his voice, asked: "Master, what did you do with my things?"
"I sold them and used the cash to order some Romanée-Conti, express delivery, from the next town. I was going to sell the suitcase too, but the guy didn't want it." There was no remorse at all.
'So he sold all my material possessions to buy insanely expensive alcohol…' thought Allen.
It was bad enough that he had to go through some kind of hell to fulfil his Master's requests, but he felt that this was one occasion where retaliation was acceptable. He had half a mind to use the extensive language he had heard in bars, or at least use something hard to hit his master with. Since he was a gentlemen, he opted for the second option.
THWACK! went Allen's suitcase as the boy swung it right into the General's leg with his more powerful left arm. The man had to lean over slightly to nurse the throbbing appendage, faintly acknowledging that he might have deserved that. He sold the items because it seemed a good idea at the time; The Finder only just had enough money to cover some of the wine's cost after he paid for his other expenses. He had sent, or maybe kicked, out the man to get a job once the shops were open.
"And it was ok to sell my things without asking me?" Allen asked in the sort of voice that a demon might use as it rises from the fire and brimstone.
Cross thought, as his student continued to glare daggers at him, that if it weren't for the injury, this would have been a good time to start a combat training session. "Don't look at me like that. At least the doctor was good enough to lend you some clothes until you buy new ones."
Said clothes happened to be far too big for the boy; The long, baggy sleeves that had been rolled up many times over kept falling back down, making his arms into floppy white flippers. The length of the shirt reached his knees so he didn't need pants. Doctor Abel told him that he looked like some sort of penguin before doubling over with laughter.
'At least Master isn't laughing,' Allen thought as he looked on the brighter side of things, smiling a bit.
"By the way, you look like one messed up baby penguin."
Then Cross started to laugh heartily, as if he was just waiting for his student to think that. Allen could only look on with distaste as his Master continued for a few more minutes.
Soon they both got down to business.
"Have you found any Akuma, Master?"
"Not yet. Tim is out there looking around now and if there's anything, he'll come straight back to me." Cross didn't intend to tell Allen of the new 'help' from the Order he had just 'recruited' because it was unnecessary trouble. It wasn't like they would even see each other anyway, especially with the boy being stuck in bed and all. "Meanwhile, you keep out of the way."
Allen knew full well that the General doesn't really need him to hunt down Akuma, though his cursed eye was very useful. But to be a burden...
Even if Cross did take care of the problem soon, he'd have to wait until Allen could walk before leaving, or at least until the two weeks were up. The guilt had pricked at him ever since he realised just how much time he needed to heal.
"I'm sorry, Master," Allen started, with regret dulling his silver eyes. "I should have told you about my ankle sooner, so it wouldn't have needed so much time."
"…is that all you have to say for yourself, idiot apprentice?"
Now it was Cross's turn to hit his student. He looked on with a frown as he watched the boy try to soothe the new bump on his head. The idiot apprentice didn't realise it at all, but the reason Cross was angry with him about this incident was because he wasn't thinking for himself: What kind of moron won't help themselves just because they don't want others to worry?
There's no way Cross was going to be the one to tell him that though. He doubted the boy would understand anyway. With a sigh, he started heading for the door.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
Allen could only watch him leave in silence. There was nothing to say. Soon he began to think of what needed to be done. He'd just started taking the doctor's special elixir and he needed to earn some money somehow. 'Maybe I could ask the doctor for something to do…' His gaze wandered to the suitcase at his side and he was reminded of another problem: He still had the clothes he was wearing, which were now drying in the sun. But…
Allen couldn't believe that even his spare underwear had been sold too. He summed his frustration into two words:
"Stupid master."
A bullet curved through the crack in the door and embedded itself into the suitcase. "I heard that idiot apprentice!" came Cross's muffled voice from below.
And so a shocked Allen had to add a new suitcase to his expenses…
Farther away, the Finder was in a phone booth finishing his call.
"…a lot of them. Very good." The Finder looked about as he put down the receiver and caught sight of a 'Help Wanted' poster on the shop opposite. He checked it out, hoping that the pay was good.
'This is going to be a long few days,' the Finder thought unhappily.
xxoxx
Back in the present, Allen heard Doctor Abel entering the building to bring him dinner. Using a crutch, he hobbled over to the next room and found the doctor somewhat thoughtful.
"Is anything wrong Doctor Abel?"
"Oh, no need to worry yourself dear boy. I've just bumped into Miss Carter earlier."
'Ah, Miss Carter was the receptionist who was also the doctor's secretary. The doctor hasn't said much about her so I haven't asked…' Allen thought to himself.
"I didn't expect to see her out and about but I suppose it's been long enough. She was all dressed up to go to a party in the manor at the other end of town. Said she was invited. There were many people from other towns who were invited too, I heard. I wonder what the occasion is?" The doctor looked a little sad as he talked.
"Was Miss Carter sick?" asked a concerned Allen.
The doctor seemed to sag as he continued. "She was sick at heart, so I suppose she was. I couldn't do anything for her brother when he was brought here too late. She probably didn't forgive me for being unable to save him and stayed away."
He paused, as if trying to understand something, but not knowing what. "I had hoped she would come around after she had some time to mourn, but now she seems very different."
Allen felt a pang of worry as he heard this. It sounded too much like an Akuma's tragedy.
"Well, I'd better head back home. Sorry to burden your young heart with an old man's worries." Leaving the bag of food in Allen's hands, he left.
He wasn't feeling hungry just then. He left the bag on the counter and called the inn instead to ask if his Master was around. The innkeeper mentioned that he had just left, saying something about 'inviting himself to a party' and seemed to be heading for the one at the end of town.
'So Master is already on his way there. I shouldn't worry.' Or so Allen tried to tell himself. He just had a really bad feeling...
xxoxx
DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH!
The Akuma's spikes ricocheted off Allen's invocated arm, flying off in all directions as he ran at it's source and slashed it from below. He fell to one knee when he tried to move to the side; his partially healed fracture was really hurting from the mad dashes he made.
In the end, Allen had decided to investigate the party anyway. He had broken off the plaster cast in order to move faster, not wanting to be handicapped if his fears proved true. Though it was still painful and awkward to use it, his left ankle worked far better than it would've without Doctor Abel's elixir.
He was more than halfway to the manor when he found four other finely dressed people headed the same way.
They were Akuma.
The first Akuma was easy; it didn't suspect him nor even see him as he killed it from behind while it was still in its human skin. The second one did see him and managed to avoid a direct hit before converting to its Akuma form. The other two caught on and did the same.
Then all hell broke loose.
Allen managed a sideways lunge just when the third and fourth Level 1s let loose another slew of spikes, creating a messy trail that threw earth and poisonous points into the air as the Akumas traced their victim's path. The boy kept ahead of the attack, weaving to and fro before impaling the Akuma from the right, destroying it. Immediately after, he was shoved backwards and downwards into the jagged rocks of the destroyed pavement, just barely managing to guard the bulk of his body from the sudden barrage.
Then there was silence.
All that he could hear was the throbbing pain from all his wounds, the thundering beat of his racing heart and the sharp gasps that he drew.
Pant. Pant. Pant.
Where did it go?
Pant. Pant.
'Behind!'
Twisting around, he forced himself into motion, dodging under the fire from the Akuma in the air. It was high enough that his deadly reach couldn't touch it.
Or could it?
Allen swung himself onto the nearest railing, scaling it until he reached the top of the nearest fence post. From there, he pounced atop the thing and brought down his holy weapon, smashing it to pieces. With the last one destroyed, he looked back to see the soul cease its tears and disappear into the heavens. Again, he couldn't help but ask himself 'Why are they all sad?'
"Gh!" He grabbed at his ankle and flinched as it sent painful waves throughout his system. He really should have paid attention as he landed on the star-scarred ground. Apart from that, there were the various bruises and gashes from the indirect attacks. He felt lucky not to have been poisoned.
But there was no time worry about those things. He quickly picked himself up and continued to the manor. There had to be a reason why the Akuma were headed to the party.
xxoxx
General Cross lavished in the attention of the gorgeous ladies that had attended the ball from far and wide. Pity the wine was only second rate. Not too far away, Gregory the Finder kept a close eye on his surroundings.
It hadn't been hard to get invited in, especially when the hostess was so enamoured with the dashing priest.
Now if she would just stop calling him those ridiculous names…
A shrill voice twirled up to his side. "Oh Cross Buns! Is there anything else I can get for you?" The skinny figure fluttered her eyelashes in what was supposed to be a charming manner.
Inwardly, Cross grimaced, careful to keep a radiant smile on his face.
'At least it's better than 'my red sweetie kins'… By a small margin.'
"Don't stress yourself my dear. You've done a wonderful job of the party but I'm sure the other gentlemen are suffering without your gracious charms."
"Oh my! How thoughtless of me! I must go, but don't miss me too much now" She blew a kiss his way before finally moving off.
'Finally.' Cross went back to flirting, but his true attention lied with two men who were on the other side of the crowd.
Yesterday, Gregory had managed to overhear a conversation between the Head Judge and the Chief of Police that implied their identities as brokers for the Millennium Earl. Since it would've been hard to approach them without causing alarm, this party was the perfect chance to corner them and confirm that. If they were brokers, Cross would make them reveal who in town were Akuma. The General and the Finder were even wearing evening wear so as to catch them by surprise.
Cross watched as the two men broke away from the crowd and entered a room. This was his chance. Having excused himself from the ladies and signalled to Gregory about what he intended to do, he made his way after them.
The two men started as Cross closed the door behind him, shutting out the idle chatter. A soft click! foreshadowed unpleasant dealings.
"Gentlemen, I believe we need to talk."
"J-Just who do you think you are, sir!?" Drawing up his dignity, the Head Judge tried to look haughtily at the somewhat intimidating red head before him.
"A General Exorcist from the Black Order."
The two figures started to back away.
"So you've heard of us. From the Millennium Earl perhaps?" Cross drew Judgement from his coat.
They said nothing, backing further into the shadows.
"You'll tell me-"
GGGGHHHHKKRRAAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKK
A huge beam of light seared through the wall behind the General and swept overhead, destroying the floor above. He sidestepped between all the rubble and mess that followed and saw the two men just stand there with stoic expressions on their faces, even when they got hit by the pieces of furniture that rained down.
The moment the beam was cut, Cross shot the door down and saw its cause.
It was a Level 2 Akuma that was shaped something like a large, pot belied lantern with large limbs. It had Gregory's face on it. What surprised him just as much was that his idiot apprentice was there, looking battered, with his invocated claw lodged into its side. It couldn't go deep enough to kill it though.
So the Finder almost killed him and his idiot apprentice just saved his life. But the surprises didn't stop there.
The people at the party were quiet. Cross thought that it was just shock and soon everyone would run amok and start screaming, until Allen's voice reached him from across the room.
"MASTER! THEY'RE ALL AKUMA!"
With that, the Level 2 managed to use it's large arms to rip the boy off itself and forcefully flung him into the back wall. Allen fell to the ground with a sickening thud.
Everyone in the room and the two from behind Cross started their conversions into Level 1s and formed a circle, surrounding him and obscuring his student from view.
Cross didn't wait. He'd already started to take down a row of Akuma as well as the ones behind him. Suddenly the lights went off, leaving him in a sea of darkness. The lamp lights were too far away and there was no moon to shine through the windows on this unlucky and starless night.
Gregory the Level 2 started to guffaw from behind the Level 1s. "The Earl's going to be so happy after we surprise him with both your corpses and your Innocence!"
The dozens of Akuma began to shoot, peppering the blackness with their spikes. In the distance, a clock tower chimed the eighth hour.
"Die Exorcist!"
xxoxx
Omake
Cross's Combat Training Method #3
The master and apprentice are in a shady tavern. Cross was aloof while Allen was resting after working hard for most of the day. An Angry Man enters.
Angry Man: Hey, you! Red head! I warned you to keep off my girl! (approaches Cross with massive pounding fists)
Cross: (Evil glint lights up in eyes) Combat training time Allen. (tosses idiot apprentice at the Angry Man)
Allen: Eh?! (looks up at Angry Man and shivers at the sheer bulk) Eek.
Cross: Who wants to bet how fast that guy can clobber the kid? (starts to collect bets from the crowd that gathered around)
5 minutes later…
Cross: (counts the huge wads of cash) Heh, they never suspect a thing. You still have to work on those kicks of yours though. You almost lost.
Allen: Yes Master! (sobs)
Cross & Allen: (continue to run while being chased by the cheated crowd and, when he wakes up, the Angry Man)
Disclaimer: Allen Walker, Cross Marian, Akumas, Exorcists, Finders, The Black Order/Headquarters and all things "D.Gray-Man" belong to Houshino Katsura.
Author's Note: First of all, thanks again to everyone who's reviewing/faving/alerting this! You guys really make my days. (sniff)
Should have been studying, but I finished the chapter instead (and it's twice as long than normal)... Oh dear. I'm not sure how long the next chapter will be but since my exams are this week and next, don't expect the update so soon (as much as I want to write it).
I hope you guys don't mind this change of pace with the story, but it's actually the main part of this small plot. Eheh. Also, sorry for the cliffhanger.
Some things might not make sense now (Like wasn't the Finder guy supposed to be dumb?), but I hope it'll be cleared up in the next chapter. I think Allen needs more cool (but less painful) scenes. X3 Oh, and this is before Allen learns the real reason why Akuma cry.
Btw, there's some details up in my profile concerning my continuing fics and stuff. You guys can check out what I'm sorta planning to do and maybe get some extra data/hints. :D
Gah, I think my Cross is rather OOC, but I hope it's not too much. Cross seems to be a pretty laid back guy and not really as abusive as some fics make him out to be, I think. He has one hell of a twisted logic though. And apparently Allen does get to mess with his Master sometimes. (Manga chap 137)
Kinda wish FFnet would let us use tildes and other symbols like they used too.
An extra yay for new reviewers!
- Firehedgehog: Glad I could make you giggle. Evilly even. ;)
- xxToxicButterflyxx: I do too! But there's hardly any out there. D: Heh, and Cross's slaving of Allen is one of the reasons why I'm writing this. XD
- seasnake.756: Totally agree. Cross was just born badass and ready to backrupt the world! 8D
- Kayday: lol, I really wanted to use that idea of yours at first. I was also pleasantly surprised when you mentioned an Akuma army. Thanks for dropping the suggestion! I'd love to incorporate fan suggestions when I can, so don't stop giving them if you do have something in mind. :D
- Lonely Kitty: W00t! Manga person! (glomp) Cross will always be that kind of person whom you love and hate. (Sorta like Komui's subordinate's "99 percent trust, 1 percent murderous intent" thing). Guess you must hate the 'Finder' now. I know I do! How could he do that to little injured Allen!! DX Since Allen did kinda just saved Cross's life, he might do something nice. Maybe. Yeah, maybe...
- ranmyaku-neko: Wow! Must have been you're luck wishing that made this chapter so long. XD And thank you for loving this. Yeah, unfortunately Allen is not going to have to best of times in this fic. He's supposed to be traumatised after all...
