Disclaimer - I do not own DGM
Chapter Four - Performing
"You'd best get ready Allen," Mana called out over his shoulder as he opened the door of the little caravan trailer that he and his son called home. He was already dressed in his full costume and had every intention of doing a little last minute practicing before the show began.
"Alright, alright," Allen said as he pulled a costume from his suitcase and held it up gingerly. This was the part about being a street and circus performer that he had never liked.
The costume that he was forced to wear.
But he had always dealt with it because he realized that it was all part of the gig. And because he would do absolutely anything to make Mana happy.
The man who had taken him in when no one else had wanted him meant the world to the boy and he sought only to make Mana proud. Allen didn't want his foster father to ever regret the decision to take him in.
And nothing had changed about this fact. Allen still wanted to please Mana more than he wanted anything else which was why he would once again don the costume that he loathed. He would do anything that Mana asked of him. He owed the man so much more than his life. Owed him so much more than he could ever repay.
Allen listened to the sound of the door closing and then he went about dressing in the annoying costume that he was forced to wear for the upcoming performance. This brought back a flood of memories from his childhood and Allen smiled involuntarily as he thought back to the days that he and Mana had spent together.
The best times of his life.
With these thoughts in his mind Allen quickly changed his clothes and then painted his face with the thick white makeup. Then he added the finishing touches before making his way outside to join Mana.
"About time," the older clown commented as Allen stepped out of the caravan to join him. Mana glanced at the young man without even losing the rhythm of his juggling.
Without a word Allen somersaulted across the grass toward his foster father and, when the was close enough, leapt up into the air and seized the multi-colored balls.
"Show off," Mana muttered as Allen began to juggle the balls that he had snatched.
"Yes," Allen muttered, a smirk appearing on his face as he gazed over at his father. "Yes I am."
Allen liked the fact that he didn't have to force a smile when he was with Mana and this was one of the things that he had missed the most. He could always be himself when with his foster father without having to worry.
It was the greatest feeling in the world.
"So are you ready for the show tonight?" Mana asked as he walked over to his son and swiped the balls back from the boy.
"I suppose," Allen said, his eyes widening as Mana retrieved the juggling balls that he had taken.
"You'll do fine," Mana said, catching each of the brightly colored balls and then wrapping an arm around Allen's shoulders. "You always do."
Allen didn't verbally reply to his father's words but he did offer Mana a small smile. Somehow he always knew the right words to say.
"It's too bad that this is all a dream," Allen found himself thinking once more as he and Mana slowly made their way toward the largest of the assembled tents.
The noise from inside the tent was deafening so Allen and Mana decided to wait just outside for their cue. Neither were overly fond of large crowds so it was just better for them to do things this way.
"Now be careful not to mess up," Allen said with a grin as the two clowns received their musical cue.
"Allen…" Mana said, shaking his head as he and the boy rushed forward.
The young man merely smirked.
As Allen and Mana entered the tent they were greeted by loud applause from the assembled crowd and the two clowns immediately began their act. Unlike the other clowns, who specialized in tricks to make people laugh, Allen and Mana's act involved more acrobatics than pranks.
And the crowds absolutely loved it.
The routine was familiar as Allen and Mana ran through their paces and the young man found himself somewhat surprised that he actually remembered it. So much time had passed since he had performed with his foster father and yet it seemed as though it had been only yesterday as Allen went through the familiar series of stunts. Nothing had been forgotten in the years that had passed and this fact brought a smile to Allen's face.
A genuine smile.
"Wow," Allen muttered to himself as he and Mana took their bows and exited the tent. "I forgot how physical this line of work is."
"What was that Allen?" Mana asked as he came to stand beside his son.
"Nothing," Allen said quickly.
Mana didn't look convinced but didn't get the chance to further pursue the matter. The sound of gunfire echoed through the air and Allen's gaze instinctively went to the sky.
Where his horrified gaze fell upon at least twenty Akuma.
The young man's blood ran cold at the sight and he held up his arm, prepared to fight. However, try as he might, he couldn't activate his Innocence.
"It won't work," he thought to himself in a panic, his eyes wide and horrified. "Why won't it work?"
A/N - Hope that you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review and tell me what you thought.