Author's note: I do apologize about the timeline of the story being a little out of whack, but, the gang is in fact in Elsida, and it's the day after the carnival that Ese appeared. I know that the Lunafort tower does occur on the same night as the festival, but to fit Ese in, I made it a day later. Sorry for that, but I'll try to make everything else in order. Now read.
Train Heartnet and the Black Cat Series all copyrighted to Yabuki Kentaro.
Esperanza (My OC) is copyrighted to me.
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Black Wings
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Hit four- Showdown at Lunafort Tower
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"I do not know," Ese said. "I do not know about my species, my back round or my health. I do apologize for that, Train-san."
Train sighed and grinned, all seriousness gone. "I know…I don't know why I keep asking. I'm sorry."
Ese nodded in apology. "I understand Train-san."
Train bit the side of his cheek as he stood up. "Well, I have somewhere to go…so…I guess I'll go on ahead."
Ese reached out for him. "Oh, where are you going?" she asked.
Train grinned, "Just out, don't worry. I'll be back."
He patted her hand and strolled out of the room, still grinning as he closed the door. She noticed the long black coat that followed after him. She had to investigate. She couldn't let him go. She had a definite bad feeling that quivered her feathers. She jumped out of bed and found her boots, which she thrust her feet into and found her coat. She almost ran out of her room and to the sliding door.
"Where are you going?" Sven asked, surprised.
Ese froze. "After Train-san," She said. "I feel worried." She murmured.
Sven was about to say something when she interrupted, "He saved my life. It's only natural that I return the favor and watch his, Sven. I don't remember feelings, but gratitude is starting to make itself known. Please do not stop me." Sven closed his mouth and instead said, "I'll pick you two up later." He mumbled and stepped out of the room. Sighing with relief, Ese jumped on the balcony and tugged on her jacket, fitting her wings through the jutted openings on the back. Once on, she leapt and opened her wings wide, flapping high and taking to the wind. She looked to the ground and saw a black speck walking. It was Train and she intended to follow him to wherever he went.
Hours seemed to past as she slowly flew…but there was a mist coming up and she had to land, which she did on rooftops. Train wasn't in her sight, but a big, brightly lit tower was. "Maybe…" she murmured to herself, as she leapt from top to top towards the tower. The last building she jumped to was the last one closest to the tower.
She looked at the tower; so far, it had to be the tallest thing she's ever seen so far in her life. She looked up and down and at the very top, she saw…people? Yes, although small, she saw a hint of a white coat and a man wearing it at the top of the building, looking out the window. As soon as she looked at him, her body almost went numb and a wave of fear rippled through her feathers and ruptured her body. Suddenly, oh so suddenly, she wanted to turn around and fly back to Sven but…her feeling of protecting Train was taking over a little more. She took a step forward. And another step; soon she was at the edge of the building.
She took a deep breath and leapt into the wind, stretching her wings and flying upward to the top of the tower. She swerved as to not get in the line of sight of the man that scared her by sight.
Before she knew, she was at the very top; the wind was so strong she had to snap her wings closed on her back and fall flat on the building as to not get blown away. Crawling, she made it to the window, on the far left side, where no one could see her little face appear through the corner of the large window. Ese noticed that Train was already inside. She also noticed that the window Train stood in front of was shattered, and next to Train stood a short figure with a woman in what appeared to be wearing a wig kneeled on the floor.
"Let the woman go, Creed," Train said in a low tone, "She's got nothing to do with this."
The man named Creed stood smiling at Train as if he'd seen an angel itself. "That's not possible," he started, "At least not until our conversation has ended properly."
Ese shivered; even his voice was creepy.
"I have nothing to say to you…" Train started, but abruptly stopped when he saw Creed…crying?
Ese rubbed her eyes and looked again. Yes, the man with the silver hair and dead on eyes was crying. Tears were streaming down his face. She stared. The woman on the floor stared. Train stared.
They were all thinking the same thing; what a weirdo.
"How I looked forward to the coming of this day," Creed said, still crying, "I suppose you don't know that I've been constantly searching for you these past two years…"
"What?!" Train hissed.
Creed smiled and continued, "Once…you were my partner… and the only person in the world who deserved my respect. That feeling has not changed at all since we parted…I've come to realize that I need you. Train…won't you join forces with me again?"
Train seemed quite surprised at Creed's accusations, Ese realized. She sighed at the cold wind gushing about and huddled her wings closer and settled to keep listening.
"…together," Creed continued, "Let's cause a revolution…on this planet…"
"Creed," Train hissed, his hand trembling in rage, "do you understand what you're saying?"
"What do you think of the world as it is now?" Creed asked in response. "As you know, 1/3 of the global economy is under Chronos's secret control. In other words, 1/3 of this planet is in the hands of those incompetent elders. Doesn't that bother you? Don't you want to try to demolish this status quo? Train!
"These past two years I've traveled to all corners of the world and gathered comrades who possess the power to bring about a revolution, and who agree to my thinking. And I created the ultimate group of fighters, surpassing even the Chronos Numbers…Chronos's prized elite force that you once belonged to!"
Train glared at creed and growled, "A group of fighters, surpassing even the Chronos Numbers? Those battle-crazy people with the same tattoo of time as me…? If what you say is true, then it's a threat to Chronos."
Chronos…Chronos…what is this Chronos Ese kept hearing about?
She almost slipped and to regain her balance, she smacked the window.
Her breath froze in her throat as she scrambled up out of view.
She sat on the top of the building, her hand on her chest, trying to calm her wildly beating heart.
"Isn't it?" Creed continued. She was glad she could still hear the conversation.
"On top of that, if you, who is said to be the strongest of the numbers, become my comrade, destroying Chronos, even turning this world upside down wouldn't be just a dream! How about it? Since you like making a big splash, I though you would want to join in…"
There was silence….then an 'hmph' from Train. He must be angry.
"Cut the crap," He hissed maliciously, "You're just blabbering on selfishly, you think you've got the right to say those things!?" Ese shivered; she's never heard such a deep tone, or one so evil, as Train's voice was now.
"Two years ago," He continued, "You betrayed me, your partner, and killed Saya!"
There was silence, and then Creed continued, "…Saya…? Oh…you mean that witch."
"After two years, you're still thinking about her? That vile woman who led you astray and tried to corrupt you…"
"Bastard!" Train barked.
Ese didn't hear anything until she heard a woman's voice shout, "All right!"
A body hit the floor and growled, "You picked the handcuffs!"
"Don't move!" The woman's voice shouted again. Ese figured that this was the woman who was kneeled on the floor next to the wrapped up person.
"Unless," The woman continued, "You want better circulation around your head? With all that cloth covering it, you must be hot. This may be small, but it packs a punch. Heh, heh…now the tables are turned."
Ese was quite surprised at the turn of the events and leaned forward to see what was going on. Sure enough, the woman stood over the clothed figure with a small gun in her hand, aimed at the figure's head.
"Train!" The woman shouted, "I don't know what's going on, but you don't need to worry about me. Now you should be able to do as you please!"
Train was surprised for a moment and then hissed, "Idiot! Look at your arm!"
"Ow!" The woman cried, and then she looked at her arm. "A…bee?"
She snapped around to hit it, but it just disappeared.
Ese lurched. She wanted to break inside as Train did, but she figured it would only cause trouble and thus, she remained where she was. Only if he was in immediate danger would she come inside.
"Bee manipulating puppet technique," The little clothed figure growled, "These are puppet bees. One of the types of insects that are formed by the ki of my body…Just now, the special nerve poison they secrete has been injected into your body. Your body is now under the control of Shiki the insect master!"
The woman stared curiously, until her arm convulsed and started to aim the gun in a different direction. "My…my arm…it's moving on it's own!?" she cried.
"Rins!" Train called, stepping forward as she continued to struggle with her arm.
He snapped his decorated gun up and aimed it.
"Don't move, Black Cat!" Shiki screamed.
Train froze.
"Accept Creed's request and become our comrade. If you don't, this woman will blow a hole in her own head."
"Y-you!!" Train managed out dumbfounded.
"Make him stop, Creed! I told you, the woman's got nothin' to do with it!"
In response, Creed murmured calmly, "Your weakness for women and children hasn't changed a bit. You're supposed to be the strongest, but that's your one biggest fault. Well that's why…I brought her here as a guest in the first place. Understand? I want to get a hold of you by any means. I don't care what sacrifices I have to make to do it. On top of that, I plan to grant you whatever you wish. Train, what is your wish? Give it a try; tell me."
"Let the woman go and fight me!" Train exclaimed, "That's what I came here for!"
"Fight you?" Creed asked, "I suppose your intention is to avenge that witch? Train, why don't you understand? I got rid of her for your sake. Oh well…I thought in time you'd return to your old self. But it seems I was a bit too optimistic. Okay…"
Creed grinned, "If I beat you in a one-on-one fight, then you join me and take part in the revolution. How does that sound?"
"Fine," Train hissed.
"There should be enough room up here," Creed explained, "honor your promise, Train. If I win this fight against you, you will join me."
"I'll tell you this," Train growled, "I intend to kill you, Creed."
"That's fine," Creed replied, "I'd rather not have to fight you, but…"
Creed flipped off his white coat and threw it to the floor, in his hand, grasping a sword wrapped in a loose cloth by a strip of cloth.
The only thing Ese could possibly think about was how badly she didn't want Train to be in there, about how she wanted him back at home and safe with Sven and Eve. Her feathers rippled at her discomfort and she felt tears sting her eyes. "D-don't…" she whispered softly.
"Once you understand that you can't beat me even when intended to kill me," Creed continued, "You'll realize it, between that witch and I… Which one of us was right that time…?"
Train held his gun in his hand, tensed and ready for battle. Earlier, he explained to the woman now known as Rinslet, that the numbness in her arm should disperse and that she should run as soon as she was okay. From what Ese saw from the window, Rinslet was leaning against a wall, looking at her arm, fine as ever. So, why didn't she run?
Creed tugged at the hilt of his sword, smiling at Train, who watched back with murderous intent.
Creed pulled out the hilt…but there was no blade.
"…what are you planning, Creed?" Train asked, confused, "You're not gonna fight me with just the hilt, are ya?"
Creed smiled and brought the hilt close to his face, as to show off an invisible sword.
"…this may be the same sword, but…it's a bit different from two years ago, Train." In a swift motion, Creed picked up the hilt and made a slicing motion next to his body. On the floor there was the sound of a sword hitting the ground, loud and clear. Ese gasped and covered her mouth. This Creed had a blade, but neither Train nor even her eyes could see it. His blade was invisible.
From Creed's strike on the ground, a huge crack formed, "Imagine Blade," Creed started, bringing the invisible sword up in a stylish stance, "By visualizing and materializing my own ki, I succeeded in developing the power to create an invisible sword…"
Train took a step back and responded darkly, "You…not…Tao…"
"Yes," Creed responded with a smile, "This is the power of Tao, the ancient Chi Kung battle technique…I am not the same person I was long ago."
Creed took a step forward and struck the ground again with the tip of his blade. "Shall we begin? With this sword of the reborn me, the ghost of that vile witch that still remains in your heart…" Creed took a leap forward and threw his blade behind his head, ready to slice down the middle of Train. Ese winced and flinched at the fear of being sliced by an unseen force.
"…WILL BE CUT AWAY!" Creed screamed, the corners of his mouth curving into a wild smile. Train held up his gun as fast as humanly possible and fired, only to have his bullet stopped abruptly in the air by Creed's invisible blade.
Ese gasped again and then lost her balance and fell forward. She didn't screech, only fell and snapped her wings open, flying softly into the opening Train made a few hours earlier. Rinslet stared at her with horror in her face as Ese held her forefinger to her lips and whispered lowly, "Shush."
Meanwhile, Creed jumped forward and slashed in front, as Train jumped backward, however not fast enough; his skin broke and blood spewed from a sharp slice across his chest. He took a deep breath and suddenly realize that while the blade is imaginary, the pain was real and in desperation, almost, Train kept jumping back to get away from Creed. He stopped a few meters away and held his hand to his wound, feeling his warm blood ooze over his fingers; he applied pressure to make the bleeding stop.
"It's hard to dodge a blade you cannot see, isn't it?" Creed asked, "You should give up already. You cannot defeat me in your current state."
"Shut up!" Train retorted, snapping his gun back up and aiming. Creed's wicked, crazy smile returned as he exclaimed, "In your current corrupted and weakened state, there is no way you can kill me!"
In more desperation, Train pulled out a bomb which sent a blast outward more than inward. The wall gave way and smoke was billowing from the large hole, smoke screening Creed from Train. Train quickly ran in front of a pillar and held his gun up, panting tiredly and keeping his distance.
"You can't avoid my sword's swing, so you used a bomb to gain some distance. You always go to the extreme…" Creed murmured, looking at the blood the dripped in seemingly in mid-air on his blade.
Train was in a jam as he felt his strength deplete. Ese, being rather scared of loud noises, scurried deeper inside the building, hiding behind the pillar Train was leaning on to stay away from Creed. She kept her wings tightly closed to her back as so they wouldn't ruffle and send feathers everywhere…but there's always that one black feather that lands in the battle field…
Train saw it and sighed in almost defeat.
"However," Creed started again, "If you think you're safe from my sword at that distance, you're sadly mistaken, Train. Since this sword is made from my ki, it has no actual substance, therefore…"
Creed sliced forward and the pillar that Ese hid behind and Train was leaning on was sliced diagonally across, just a few inches above Train's head. "The length of my imagine blade can be changed at will," Creed continued, swinging his blade around. The complete middle half of the pillar fell next to them, proof of Creed's blade's danger. Ese shivered and was gasping hard…she never felt fear the same way she did until now. She curled her tail tightly around her leg and curled into a ball, like a ticking bomb, ready to explode and help Train when the time was needed. She just needed a few minutes to gather her courage…
"By the way," Creed continued, "with my ki at maximum output, this sword can be extended to about 80 meters. That means there's no where for you to run. Just give up and come with me, Train, and return to who you were before you met that woman—the all-powerful Black Cat! Having met 'that woman,' and having gained the weakness of kindness, the way you are now, it's impossible for you to win against me." Creed hissed, a crazy glaze covering his eyes.
Ese could feel his insanity radiating as she brought her head up from her curled ball state.
She could only hear the sound of Train's breathing and if she really listened, his heartbeat. His face showed no emotion and no plan of what to do next.
Ese then noticed Rins coming up from behind her, carrying a gun as well, and creeping about in the shadows. Ese paid no mind to her; her thoughts and focus were on Train.
Train stepped away from the pillar and in front of the gaping hole that let in the moonlight, right across from Creed. "Get ready, Creed," He growled, re-loading his gun with its usual 6 bullets, "It's about time we settled this. I'm gonna break that self-assured attitude of yours to pieces."
Creed's eyes widened with newfound curiosity. "Oooooh…?" he asked, "Are you saying that even in your corrupted state, you've found a good way to kill me?"
Train grinned and threw his gun in the air, catching it with his left hand, "Who the hell do you think I am?" He asked, "I'm the Black Cat, who brings bad luck to his enemies."
Ese cocked her head to the side. He switched his gun-hand…?
"Come to think of it," Creed stated calmly, "you did say long ago, 'nowadays I'm ambidextrous, but I was originally left handed…'" Creed smiled, "But, switching to your true dominant hand will increase your shooting speed and accuracy just a tiny bit, right? I don't think that's going to help you destroy my imagine blade…"
"You'll see," Train retorted quietly.
Creed cut into the ground once more with his blade and then brought it up to a stance, "How interesting," he started, "Well then, why don't you show me?" he asked just as Train brought up his gun.
Creed's composure lost itself and the wild grin returned, "Come on, Train!" he screamed, running forward as Train did, "Show me!!"
Creed's arm flung backwards and then forwards again in a hardcore swing, slashing straight for Train's chest again. However, just as Train was coming near Creed, he held his right hand up. Ese caught on before Creed did, or so she thought and she snapped her wings out and flew up. The motions were fast, and Creed's sword was faster than Ese's wings.
The invisible blade cut through cloth, flesh and bone and straight through Train's arm, hitting the barrel of his gun and revealing to Train, the invisible blade's location. He shot his gun, just as his arm fell from its original ligament, and Creed's sword, or the hilt as far as Ese could see, went flying away and out of Creed's hand. The blood started to spurt out of Train's now nub of an arm as he braced his stance at the on-coming pain. "It's over, Creed," He growled, "You underestimated my resolve." Despite his trembling, bleeding nub, he grinned and growled, "This'll be a big bang!" and swiftly brought his gun up and shot Creed square in the chest; the bullet seemed to explode and cause further damage. Blood spewed from Creed's mouth as he chocked on it and fell to the ground.
Train only stared in tired victory as the pain from his arm took hold of his body. Ese flew over to him as he was wobbly stepping backward to sit down. Before he could sit and take a rest, the ground, still weak from Train's earlier bomb extraordinaire, gave way in crumbles and was taking Train along with the falling boulders of the building.
"Train…!" Ese screamed, pumping her muscles to flap her wings faster. He was in mid air now, free falling; she went to grab him, only to be struck by a boulder to the back. She swiftly flew from under the boulder and flipped so her belly was facing up, only to find that she was lower than Train's location. She paused for only a minute as she was about to fly back up. It was then that two large pieces of debris, each with sharp, jagged tips, struck both of Ese's wings and gravity was dragging her to the ground. She kept screaming, "Train!!" even if it was futile. With the help of the heavy debris boulders and no help from air-resistance, Ese struck the ground with an earth-cracking thud, causing a small cracked crater to appear where her body landed. She felt blood in her mouth as she looked up anxiously and still saw Train falling in mid air. There was pain and warm blood as she struggled and kept screaming, held captive by debris of the fallen building. She looked up once more to see Rinslet jump for Train and grab him, then launch some sort of cord in the air and swing to the side of the building that wasn't fallen apart. Relief swept through Ese as she calmed, even through the pain in her feathers. She knew that she had to act and struggling around a little more, she concentrated hard on the boulders with her mind. Just as she killed the man on her first night in the outside world, or the man in the bar, the boulders started to convulse and then, blow into small pebbles. More relief flowed through her body as she rolled over onto her stomach and forced her body up on its hands and knees. Ese then heard Rinslet scream and her head jolted up. Sure enough, Train and Rinslet jumped from the building, now in midair. Train fired two gunshots, which launched Train and Rins into a clear passage to a pond. Even still, with many grunts and groans, Ese forced her wings to snap out and she jumped and flew after them. She wrapped both arms around them to ease the fall into the pond, which was exactly what she did. Once in the icy water, she grabbed Rins and Train, who she knew was armless, and started to paddle.
"Th-Thanks…" she heard him grunt.
They got to shore and Ese climbed out. Rins had fainted and Train was crouched, clutching his bleeding nub.
Ese crouched in front of him, her breathing shallow. That fall was quite a number on her body. "T-Train…" she mumbled before falling over and passing out as well.
She didn't even notice the footsteps closing in on them…
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As Ese felt the streams of sunlight strike her face, her mind was a blur. She stiffly sat up in the bed, her whole body aching.
"Hey there," She heard Train say with a grin. She turned. He was in his usual seat next to what seemed to be her bed.
"Oy," Ese whispered, "What happened?"
Train sighed. "You fell from Lunafort Tower…with two boulders crunching your wings. We weren't quite sure on a doctor or a vet, but a doctor did the trick…you shouldn't use them until they're healed…and also, your back and neck were damaged from the fall."
It all came back to Ese in a flash and swiftly, she grabbed Train's right arm which, surprisingly, was back to normal, hand and all.
"H-how…" She started, but Train shushed her. "Listen," He whispered, "I'll explain later, but I'm worried about you and I think you need to rest." He smiled. "I think Rins is awake…so you go on and take it easy."
Ese nodded and laid back down in the bed as Train left the room.
"Creed," She growled lowly and angrily as the recent night's events played through her brain. Train's angry face made her boil.
"Creed," She growled again, "Consider yourself dead by my black wings."
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Oy, the longest chapter yet! You didn't find out much about Ese except that she can sorta swim...I suppose...but more information will come soon.
Thanks for the reviews!
-Rie