1200 Hours, Sector Seven Base
In the dark holding cell, empty of sufficient light and furniture save for the single white desk and chair, sat a young yet not-so-young white haired man. Allen sighed as he ruffled his wild hair, breathing in the heavy and silent at around him. The welcome he had received after years of self-disappearance was to be expected; as soon as Komui gave the order, the Sector Seven soldiers were all too eager to put Allen in chains and placed him in the maximum-security holding cell. Outside, the Black Order Squad captain stood at the tinted window with a confused frown that marred his handsome face. Lavi mused to himself as he continued to observe Allen that seemed to put on a bothersome and tiresome face. Nothing about this situation made sense to Lavi. Allen had gone through all the trouble to NOT get captured by Black Order, even going as far too by literally destroy the first line soldiers. But in the end, he came straight into the operating base willingly instead. It would seem like Allen lived on a twisted mind, but Lavi wouldn't be surprised. After all, this was the leader of the infamous Noahs Ark Squad he's talking about.
With one more look back to reassure Lavi that Allen was definitely not going anywhere, he retraced his footsteps towards the briefing room. He still had a meeting to attend.
"Now that our dear Allen is finally detained safely, I call this mission to a close," Komui first stated after everyone had settled down.
"What?! You didn't even explain to us fully about Allen!" Black Order was pissed off after being cut off by their only source of information about the mysterious prisoner that was held inside the cell.
"And now, to the 2nd mission of the day," Komui continued as if the sharp glares he received were nothing. Switching the projector back on, Lavi came face-to-face with a tall, dark and handsome man of royal degree. The man looked like he was in his mid-twenties with wavy black hair flowing behind his back. But behind that formal face held a mischievous glint in his eyes that made Lavi weary of this high-caliber man.
"This is Tyki Mikk, WR47H, strategist-specialist of Black Order Squad. He was found guilty for killing innocents recently after he appeared in our sensors a fortnight ago. Your mission is the same as Allen's: Capture him alive,"
"Fudge no, Komui! You're not sending us to kill ourselves again! I'm not sending Black Order in the dark like last time and end up with yet another casualty!" Lavi shouted in oppose to Komui's direct order.
Komui was still as calm as ever, pushing his spectacles back up to the bridge of his nose, "Alright, if details are what you want... 20 years ago, the Noahs Ark did something unforgivable that caused nearly the destruction to the world. Sector Seven fought back to defend what was left of humanity. But the Noahs were too strong, their strengths overpowering us. And just as our last ounce of energy and supplies died out on us-"
"The Noahs disappeared without a single trace, without announcement or logical reason. They've never showed up in our sensors after that incident... Until now," Reever finished, having underwent the same experience with Komui in the past.
Black Order digested this new info slowly. Strange that the Noahs Ark, the ultimate dogs of Sector Seven, turn and literally bite the hand that fed them. Stranger still was their sudden disappearance right before they could claim victory.
"What happened to them?" Lavi finally asked, the silence all too heavy for the ones present. All ears and eyes were on their Section Leader.
"… Sorry, but that information is confidential,"
"In other words, Sector Seven doesn't know either," a new familiar voice chirped from behind. With a sharp turn of heads, their trained eyesight fell on Allen, who was sitting through the entire meeting.
Black Order quickly jumped into action as they took positions in front of Komui. As they raised their weapons to ready, Allen raised his hands in mock surrender. Komui and Reever were not in the least surprised, but the new Black Order was beside themselves as they were facing someone who was supposed to be detained in the utmost maximum-security cell. Reading their minds, Allen answered them smoothly while wiping off an imaginary dust ball on his shoulders,
"I was the one that helped build that 'maximum-security' cell. I think I should already know a trick or two to get out of it,"
Komui snorted, half in proudness for the bright young man and the other half in sadness because of the same brightness. Taking his stand before the still-guarded Black Order, he commanded,
"At ease, soldiers. If Allen wanted us killed, I can assure you that we'd be meeting our maker by now,"
Hesitatingly, Black Order turned to their leader for compliance. Lavi kept his stare at Allen, eyes searching for danger. But instead of defiance, there was that familiar warmth in those silvery eyes. Taking a chance to listen to his heart just this once, Lavi drop his weapons and this signified for the others to do the same.
"What did you say just now? That even Sector Seven, known for its contained secrets and confidential information, doesn't know what happened to their top team?" Lavi asked curiously, not believing that Sector Seven was info-less about Noahs Ark Squad. Allen didn't once break eye contact with him, satisfied by diving into Lavi's open soul. After what seemed to be a century to Lavi, The tugging spell was broken by Allen turning his head away from the hungry eyes.
"Only a Noah knows what happened to the Noahs," Allen said, with deep sadness that couldn't be covered by his shadowy smile. The silence returned double-fold, now with a dangerous but mind-boggling prisoner in their midst.
"Okay, everyone settle down~" Komui said in the tone of voice that mothers used to reign in naughty children. Lenalee only shook her head at her brother's futile attempts to break the moody mood. Taking back their seats (with Allen in their sight); Komui cleared his throat once more before continuing where they had stopped. With a click, the picture changed into a small building with a large gateway that stood normally with the rest of its surroundings.
"Sensor sweeps say that Tyki is currently residing in this building. At 0900 hours tomorrow, we'll be sending a squad to intercept the target and-"
"Not gonna work, Komui," Allen broke in, boredom clearly viewed in his voice.
"And how would you know of this, Allen?" Krory said skeptically. Allen looked at the quiet one with calculating eyes before he deemed it appropriate to respect him by answering his simple question with a simple answer.
"Because it's a trap,"
"A trap? How's that a trap?!" Lavi threw the ball back into Allen's court with great vigor. Again, Allen's hidden wise eyes fell onto him like a weight.
"Because Tyki told me so," Allen replied wearily, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and the Black Order is too stupid to see it.
Komui leaned forward more, making Allen leaned back at the sudden close proximity and intrusion of personal space. Ignoring Allen's warning growl, Komui glared at him and shouted with surprise,
"You made contact with Tyki Mikk?!"
Allen's growls grew louder and his red left arm came out to push the shocked Section Leader away. As if the question offended him physically, Allen's body gave out a shiver.
"Me? Making contact with him? You make it sound like we are still close friends.." Allen brr-ed, "He came to me two days prior to your 'welcoming party' saying something about his great plan: To destroy Sector Seven and to annihilate the world.. Not that I mind the first goal so much.."
Again, Lavi's mind was sent into confusion at Allen's words. He sounded his question that was bothering him since just now.
"If you don't give a shit about Sector Seven, why'd you come back here willingly?"
Allen's eyebrow tilted up as he comprehended the question. Tired of using his mouth to answer the hounding questions that never seemed to end, Allen reached into his pocket to pull out his most treasured item. Everyone but Komui and Reever was still clouded with confusion. The twinkling compass looked old and ancient, extravagant was its clear details of lines as decorations. What was the grand color of gold, now only a dull brown paint the outer layer.
"Oh... You still have that with you?" Komui said remembrance in his mind about that navigation item in Allen's possession. Allen gave a curt nod before tucking the compass back into its original position.
"About Tyki..." Allen started; everyone's back stiffened at what was to come.
"Take my advice: Don't go after him. Please don't wake the wheels of fate by making the first move. If you value the world's future, do not do anything at all..."
2312 Hours, Lavi's Bedroom
No matter how many twists and turns Lavi made, he still couldn't sleep a wink. Allen's words kept pestering Komui in that all-too serious voice in his that made Sector Seven pull back their command to attack Tyki. Lavi wasn't surprised at Allen's ominous voice, as if he could predict what would happen if Sector Seven had went on with their plan to capture Tyki. But why would Komui listen to this prisoner instead of his superiors? In Lavi's opinion, Tyki was a mass murderer only waiting for his next victim to come strolling into his front doorstep. It was only natural for Sector Seven to bring Tyki into justice. But what Allen said otherwise planted doubt in his mind.
"Look at it my way; for 20 whole years Tyki's been undercover, in silence and undetected by Sector Seven's sensors. Then suddenly out of the blue, he goes about killing people and out pops him onto the scanners… Doesn't that at least seem strange to you?"
Lavi hate to admit it, but Allen had a point there well taken. The meeting ended when Allen had taken his leave, announcing that whatever Sector Seven was planning, he would not have any part in it. The atmosphere without Allen was a little heavier, as if the man acted as a second air-conditioner in the room. Now, Lavi could only assume what Sector Seven would do when the superiors find out that they haven't acted against Tyki's mass murder case. While he was playing with his thoughts, Lavi heard soft footsteps from outside his room. Carefully, he got up and saw that his hallway was empty. All except a flash of white hair that passed through a corner before it too disappeared from view. Quietly, Lavi followed Allen, in case that the trapped prisoner was about to do something suspicious.
Allen fleeted his way over to the infirmary with a large bag behind his back. He was wearing his brown cloak, as his usual clothes were far too noisy at this time of day. As quiet as a ghost, Allen stepped into the sick bay and was assaulted by the heavy smell of hospitals. His face slightly pulled up as he looked around the familiar smell that he missed so much. Then, his silver eyes fell onto the injured man on the hospital bed. All was silent except for the constant beeping of the heart and the rhythmically breathing of Kanda himself. The girl, what was her name? Reneree? Leneree? Lenalee? Allen couldn't be bothered by the name, was sleeping ever so soundly by the swordsman. Slowly, Allen placed his bag onto the floor and was about to open the bag when another friendly voice whispered silently from behind.
"I'm afraid you're too late, Allen. Even with my expertise, Kanda is far from healed," an old man hobbled his way towards the startled Allen. Upon recognizing the frail old voice that he took comfort in at times of distress, Allen breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's nice to see you again too, Zu Mei Chang. How are you doing, old man?" Allen embraced the elderly with a big hug. The experienced medic of Sector Seven gave a hug in return before looking at his only patient who was still sleeping. Allen followed his gaze as his face turned sad again and his heart twisted painfully at such a sight. Zu Mei Chang patted Allen's shoulders like an old friend.
"You can't do anything now. Even if Kanda recovers, he will be in no condition to wield his sword any longer. I'm afraid Sector Seven will put him off," Zu Mei Chang expressed his report guiltily. Allen didn't reply, only opening his bag and revealing a large sealed scroll. Looking back at the sleeping couple, Allen's mouth was pressed into a thin line as his eyebrows knitted together to give him a troubled expression.
"I know this picture so well, that it even hurts me to look at them… I know how painful it is to lose the one you love… But unlike before, I now have the power to change what was once hopeless,"
Releasing the scroll, Allen summoned his energy and transferred it into Kanda. The ink writings on the scroll lighted up bright red before burning off as Allen mumbled incoherently. Kanda's heartbeat began to increase as the energy was absorbed, before returning back to normal heart rate. The now-useless scroll was thrown away by Allen, still keeping his eyes on the unchanging sleeping couple. This time, their fate was changed. Allen's gloomy face now lifted a small smile, convinced that he had done the job well.
"Well, it's good to see you again, Zu Mei Chang. But now I've gotta go.. I appreciate it if you didn't speak a word of this to anyone,"
Zu Mei Chang only gave the youngling another tight hug before allowing him to breathe again. With a last kiss to the forehead, Allen took his leave with the now-empty bag. After a few moments, Zu Mei Chang chuckled as he felt the silent presence of yet another visitor who was watching from the shadows this whole time.
"You can come out now, Lavi. He's gone,"
Pulling away the curtains, Lavi appeared from behind with his face looking like a kid who was just caught with his hands in the cookie jar. Zu Mei Chang amused himself by rearranging the already neat apparatus on the nearby table.
"So.. You're attracted to Allen, huh?" Zu Mei Chang said playfully.
"WTF, Zu Mei Chang! What. Who. Since when. ARGH!" Lavi's silver tongue seemed to take this opportunity to turn to lead. The old medic only ssh-ed the spluttering leader before he wakes up the sleeping soldiers. Grabbing his hand, he led Lavi into his office.
"It's so nice to see someone who cares about Allen again... After what he's been through, God knows he needs someone by his side,"
This perked Lavi's interest and the last statement was momentarily forgotten.
"You knew the Noahs?!" Lavi said, pointing a finger at the elderly. The medic gazed at the Black Order leader offended by the question.
"Of course I knew them! They were my usual patients in my infirmary; always getting into danger and trouble… Can't actually blame them, they were orphans and had no parents to begin with. Even without that proper guidance, the Noahs Ark quickly rose up the ranks," Zu Mei Chang mused.
Zu Mei Chang was appalled at the sight before him; 7 children, each no less than 16 years old, was wearing Sector Seven's armor and carrying loaded weapons while chatting casually. As they passed by him, the medic could sense the hidden power inside the children. But as all innocent children go, they were naïve to the harsh world; only contended on victory and missions. Once too often, the children will have to be treated for their injuries from another hard mission, but even Zu Mei Chang couldn't deny the strong bonds and love between the orphaned family.
"They were greatest among the best, always heading into the danger zones where no man had dared entered… But one day, everything changed,"
"Zu Mei Chang! Over here! Quickly! Jasdero's in trouble! Please help him!" Shouted the Noahs. Jasdero's whole foot was bloodied, as if pressured by something extremely heavy. After finishing the mission, the Noahs wasted no time to bring their injured family member to the sick bay. Zu Mei Chang did his best, but the fates were unfortunately against the team that day.
Jasdero's entire left foot had to be cut off.
"Allen blamed himself for the tragedy. As the Noahs were inside my sick bay, crying their hearts out for Jasdero, Allen only stood outside the door with his poker face on. It brings me into tears to watch the young Allen, who was new to failure, bearing the world's responsibilities on his shoulders. Allen was the leader of them all, and to see Jasdero lying in bed like that broke that little kid's heart. That's probably what spurred Allen into healing Kanda; he didn't want to make the same mistake twice…Tyki pulled him out of his shell because he couldn't stand watching his lover in pain,"
"Wait! His lover?!" Lavi cried out.
"Tyki loved Allen, and Allen loved Tyki. Well, past tense, seeing that times have changed that relationship.."
"What happened?"
This time, Zu Mei Chang did a disgusted face, as if annoyed by a fact that couldn't be removed no matter how much he stared into it.
"Sector Seven happened. Before the Noahs could fully recover, they sent them into another top-secret mission. All of a sudden, the Noahs turned against us and brought the world's destruction with them. Fight after fight, I watched as the youngsters I helped take care of fight against Sector Seven. Until, the long-lasting fight ended as fast as it started. My young Noahs were nowhere to be found after that and I have not heard any news about them till now…"
Lavi bit his lower lip in concentration. There were so many holes in Zu Mei Chang's story that it made Lavi only assume the rest.
"What happen to the Noahs?"
The old medic only shook his head with grief.
"No one knows, Lavi. Only a Noah knows what happened to the Noahs,"
Lavi didn't answer, his head fueled with unanswered questions. Zu Mei Chang's words were exactly the same as what Allen had answered.
Meanwhile, Allen was back in his room, sitting at the window seat as the shining stars shone their brightest to compete futilely against Allen's own white hair. The darkness around him caressed the young man's wet cheeks softly. Like a blanket, the shadows covered the young boy who grew up too fast in its blackened wings. His eyes were filled to the brim with more tears that threatened to escape its captivity, his trembling hands played lightly with the small compass. Allen couldn't see where the needle was pointing at, his heart confused and blurry as he reminisced the past. He remembered the time when Sector Seven had reached out to pull them all from the dirt of streets. He remembered those magnificent times when the Noahs Ark Squad was called the ultimate dogs of Sector Seven. Those smiles, those laughs, those shouts of cheers, and his one love; Allen missed them all so dearly. Then he remembered his helpless state when Jasdero was held in sick bay. Everything went downhill so fast from that day onwards that Allen couldn't hold himself still as he shivered coldly at the sharp memories. He recalled Zu Mei Chang resenting him with a title he refuses to accept until this very day.
"Once, Allen was regarded as the savior of heaven…" Zu Mei Chang told Lavi. "But now, he is nothing but a broken angel,"
Phew, that's done! I do hope you're enjyoing this chapter ^^ Now, I wanna go read manga and take a break before my fingers come off from all that typing! Haha But it was all worth it, seeing that I've finished another chapter for you to read. I really do hope you're happy with this update! I wanna thank these people who stood by me:
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for all your wonderful support, here's a kiss MUAH! XD Please don't forget to leave a review and I wish you a happy day! =D
