Author's Note. Hey guys, sorry for the wait, I should had posted this sooner, but things had been chaotic in my life right now, I just can't get a break. But anyway, here is the new chapter, hope you guys enjoy it :D
Disclaimer: I do not own D. Gray-Man or Vocaloid.
Circus
Chapter Six. The disappearance of A.W.
Tension and nervousness reigned over all members of one European Branch of the Black Order. Fifteen people in particular, were gathered in a circular office at the top of the main tower of their Headquarters.
There were a group of rather strange and different individuals.
On the wall to the left was a tall young man with long bluish black hair, tied in a high ponytail. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his handsome face didn't let any visible emotion.
Next to him was a pair of wooden chairs, where a man and woman sat in silence. The man was tall as well, with dark skin and a pair of black headphones covered his ears. His blind eyes were closed, as he held the hand of the woman sitting next to him. The woman, unlike the two males next to her, was twisting her brown skirt with her other hand. Her brown hair fell over her shoulder, and her eyes looked around the room in nervousness.
On the other side of the room, on another chair sat an old man sat waiting and observing. The man was rather short, and his single strand of white hair stood up in the shape of a question mark. Next to him, stood a red-haired young man with a black patch covering his right eye. His single emerald-green eye observed the room and its occupants. While he gave the appearance of calmness, his hands were clenched and his shoulders tense.
In the middle of the room, three people sat on a red couch. On the left side sat a stern woman with blond hair and a scar over her pretty face. On the middle of the couch, sat an older man with grey hair, tied in a ponytail, with square glasses over his eyes. Sitting on the right side, a tall bulky man with dark skin had his arms crossed over his chest. His mouth set on a grim expression.
On the floor, next to the woman on the couch, sat a young boy, the youngest in the whole room. He had bluish-teal hair, with a green bandanna over his forehead, and wore roller-skates, instead of shoes.
At the back of the couch stood a girl and two men. On the right side stood a tall lean man with black hair and a single white strand covering part of his face. He wore a black cloak, while his face showed nothing but nervousness. There was also a Chinese young man of mid stature with dark hair tied in a way that resembled a pineapple, who unlike the other man, displayed a grim expression on his face. On the middle of both men, stood the girl. She was of Chinese origin with short greenish hair, and a rather short skirt. She was playing nervously with her fingers, while her eyes stared in something akin to fear at the man sitting behind the desk.
Said man had a thick and ugly moustache with his hair combed to one side and completely flat. He had his elbows over the table with his fingers laced in front of his mouth. Behind him stood a Chinese man with white clothes and his purplish black hair tied in a low ponytail. His expression was far from serene as he clenched his hands into fists over his chest. Next to him, stood a blond man with a white lab coat, and moved his eyes nervously between the Chinese man and the man behind the desk.
"Now that finally all of you honor me with your presence, let us commence this meeting." Inspector Malcom C. Leverrier spoke with a cold voice that sent shivers to some of the occupants in the room.
He wasn't a nice man, hunger for power and cruel, and even though they wanted nothing more than rebel, they knew it wouldn't do any of them any good. He had already made sure their lives on the Order were far from calm, and without doubt he could make it worse.
"Supervisor Lee, would you please explain to everyone here the reason of this meeting?"
Said man cleared his throat and directed his attention to the Exorcists.
"In the last couple of months a series of disappearances has taken place throughout the United Kingdom, all victims are young, never past the 23 years of age. All cases share the same circumstances, small towns near the forest, and there is always the visit of a circus. We suspected that this was the work of an Akuma; however recent events made us conclude that it is not the case.
"Yesterday, Exorcist Allen Walker and Inspector Howard Link were sent to investigate this issue. They left in the morning for Bath, the last place where the circus had been seen. They investigated the place, and deduced that their next destination would be Chippenham. They were correct, and decided to get in contact with the cast."
Komui Lee stopped talking, letting the Exorcists assimilate the information. There was confusion written in all of their faces, and he dreaded what they will display when he told them the next piece of information. With a shaky breath he continued.
"It pains me to tell you that Exorcist Allen Walker and Inspector Howard Link had been declared M.I.A."
A gasp came from green-haired girl and the brunette woman, their hands covering their mouths in shock. The rest of the Exorcists had widened their eyes, and were now looking at their Supervisor in alert.
"Surely they must be caught up with something, Supervisor." General Tiedoll tried reasoning.
Komui pursued his lips and shook his head. "At 30 minutes past midnight, we received the call from their Finder, who told us that the circus was gone. And Allen Walker and Inspector Link were nowhere to be found. We haven't been able to reach Walker or Link's radios, as well as Timcanpy."
Dread and tension filled the atmosphere on the office. It wasn't something that happened regularly in the Order, they were always careful and their Finders usually helped the Science Division locate them. The last time something like this had taken place was after Suman Dark sold his comrades to Noah Tykki Mikk.
"What I would like to understand Supervisor Lee, is why was Allen Walker sent on this particular mission?" The cold voice of Leverrier cut through the silence.
"He was the best candidate. Allen Walker used to work on a circus, therefore had knowledge about their modus operandi." Komui answered in a calm voice.
"Perhaps he was the best candidate; however I must remind you that he was under surveillance for treason. May I inquire Supervisor Lee, under whose jurisdiction was this mission approved?" The man turned around to glare at the Chinese man.
"Why, yours and the Great Generals, of course Inspector." The Supervisor answered coolly, and the man's eyes widened in surprise. "Two days ago, I presented this issue with you and the Great Generals, as well as the other Branch Chiefs. All of them agreed, and you were the one who signed the order for Allen Walker to take on this mission."
Both man stared at each other, one trying to intimidate the other. But Komui Lee didn't back down and never move his stare away. It was the Inspector who broke the eye contact and stood up from his chair.
"I want them found by the end of this week. If they are not here, there'll be consequences to everyone in the European Branch. Do I make myself clear, Supervisor Lee?"
Everyone nodded stiffly, as Komui answered. "Perfectly clear, Inspector."
With one last glare directed to the European Branch Chief, the man turned away and left the office. Sighing, Komui went to his desk and began to take out some documents from the drawers.
"Is it true Komui? About the Allen and Two-Spots?" Asked the red-head.
"I'm afraid so, Lavi". Komui answered in a sad tone.
"Brother, are they alright?" Asked the green-haired girl.
"I don't know, Lenalee." His heart clenched at Lenalee's crestfallen face.
"There must be something left behind. A witness, tracks, maybe even signs of a fight. People just don't disappear without leaving evidence." The blonde woman spoke.
"There is nothing. Finder Thomas Dickens went back to the forest at morning, and they were gone. The circus was gone, and there was no clues left behind by either Allen or Link. It's as if they had never been there."
"Not even Akuma signature?" Marie asked.
"That is the problem; there was no Akuma or Innocence activity. We don't know what we are dealing with."
Everyone looked at each other in shock. None of them believed something like this was happening again. Their friend was missing, and they had no idea what happened to him or where he could be. And the worse of it all, they didn't know who was responsible for it.
"Then what are we going to do?" Asked the Japanese leaning on the wall.
"We are getting them back." The Supervisor spoke with authority, and everyone in the room straighten up.
Komui nodded to the blond man next to him, and he turned to look at the Exorcists. They looked like soldiers receiving the order from their Commander, ready to go into war once again.
"While we don't know much about our enemy, we do have some information that could help us know where they are going next."
Behind him, Reever brought out a giant map displaying the whole United Kingdom, along with Ireland and Iceland. There were some points circled, and several routes highlighted. The Generals leaned forward in interest, the same way Bookman and Lavi looked at the map in calculation.
"As I mentioned before, the last place the circus was seen, before Allen and Link left, was Bath. When they arrived to the town, Allen went to the forest to investigate the site. Turns out that the enemy travels through the forest, and this time they followed the path of the Avon River."
"Why would they follow a river?" Asked the Chinese man with the pineapple hair style.
"For gathering water, isn't it?" Lavi asked, his single eye following the highlighter piece of water.
"Precisely. Allen deduced that they followed the river for two reasons. The first one to get fresh water and the second one to have a path through the forest, where no one could see them reach Chippenham, where they gave one performance. Allen and Link arrived after they did, and followed the signs through the town and the forest, to get to the meadow where they performed."
"How did the kid know they were going to Chippenham?" General Sokalo asked.
"Allen believed that they would need more supplies, and Chippenham has a market. It was a good guess, way too good." Reever answered this time, and then continued with the information. "We believe that they followed the same pattern when they visited Scotland and Wales. We found that the Taff River flows near Cardiff, where Maria Baines disappeared. She was the last one before Allen." He gave Miranda the picture of a small brown-haired girl to pass around the room. "She was only ten years old."
There was a moment of silence, and it didn't escape everyone's eyes when General Klaud placed a hand on top of Timothy. The boy was her first student after the death of her previous team, and he was only nine years old.
Komui cleared his throat and everyone turned to look at him.
"Chief Reever and I came up with a plan. We will divide you into three teams, and send to different sites to investigate, and gather as much information as possible."
The exorcists nodded.
"Lenalee and Miranda, you'll go together to Chippenham. Ask the people about the show, and if anyone from the staff went and bought something. Try to get as much information as possible about what we are dealing with, and see if you can find anything about Allen and Inspector Link." Lenalee took a yellow folder from her brother's hands.
"Bookman, you are going to Cardiff, in Wales, along with Lavi and Timothy. I want you to get details on the disappearance of Maria Baines, everything that went on that day. We need to understand the way they lure the kids to them." Lavi took the folder offered by the Chinese man.
"You better take good care of my apprentice, Bookman. I can't guarantee the safety of yours if you don't." General Klaud fixed the old man with a hard stare. Lavi gulped in fear at the General's words, he had no doubt that she would unleash a hungry Lau-Jimin over him.
The man blinked at the woman's warning, and calmly answered. "Understood, Madam."
Komui coughed nervously, gathering the attention again.
"The third team, composed of Chaoji, Krory, Marie and Kanda will go to Malmesbury. Based on Allen's deductions, we believe that they are traveling north, therefore this is their next destination. You four, unlike the other teams, will engage the circus. You are to go to their show, and at the end, you will follow them, and stop anyone from being taken. We believe that it will be at least another day and a half for them to get there."
Chaoji accepted the folder from the man's hands. The Supervisor turned to look at the three people sitting on the couch.
"I would like to send you with them, but Central was adamant on the Generals staying back in Headquarters. I am sorry." He said and lowered his head, ashamed.
"It is alright, Komui. We trust their abilities to carry on with this mission." Tiedoll said with a small smile, but the Chinese man knew that he wasn't keen on the idea of sending his three students to fight their unknown enemy.
"Now, moving on, Chief Reever, please show them the new equipment."
Said man took several boxes from the shelf behind him and began distributing them. "We got all of you new radios, ones with greater range. We designed new golems, similar to Timcanpy, capable of recording audio and are able to work as a direct line to contact us."
"You will all leave tomorrow morning to London, where you'll meet your respective Finders. From there you'll use the Ark to get nearer your destinations. Bookman, you will get to Bristol and then take a ferry to get to Cardiff. Marie, you guys will get to Stroud and a carriage will get you to Malmesbury."
Everyone nodded at the indications given, and waited patiently as their Supervisor regarded every single one of them.
"This mission will not be easy. Many people have already been affected, and we have two missing comrades. We don't know what happened to them, and the only thing we can do is pray that they are doing fine. We don't know have details on whom our enemy is, how it looks, what it wants, or who they allies are, if they have any. They could be anywhere, they could be anyone."
He paused, and he was answered with silence. He had the complete attention of every Exorcist in the room.
"I don't want to lose any more of you, so please be extremely careful. Do not trust anyone. Do not call the attention; don't even wear your uniforms. Create new identities, a new story for why you are there. Work, vacations, whatever. Just don't let anyone know who you really are."
He stared at each of the Exorcists, everyone nodding in understanding at their Chief's words.
"I want a report by lunch time and dinner every day you are out. If we don't receive any of you by the end of the day, we'll assume the worst, and send backup." Everyone nodded. "You are all dismissed."
…o0o…
"You changed a lot, I can hardly recognize you."
Cold fingers caressed his cheek, he tried moving away from them, but they caught his face in a tight hold. He would never forget that voice, that smooth and cold voice. Its owner had been the object of many of his nightmares, and given him a lot of pain so many times ten years ago.
His head was forced in the direction of the voice, where his eyes could lay eyes on the monster hiding beneath the skin of the beautiful woman. Long black hair, with a pair of beautiful emerald eyes. She was dressed in black from head to toe, with her red painted lips set on a cruel smile.
She passed a hand through his hair. "Oh, but those beautiful eyes, how could I ever forget them."
He trembled with fear.
"Having you here again completes our little family. Ah, I'm so happy you decided to come back." She sighed in feigned happiness. "But I will have to punish you for leaving."
She snapped her fingers and two men dressed in dark circus clothing, with black joker masks covering their faces walked in. They took the boy by the arms and began dragging him away. His scream was muffled by the cloth on his mouth, and he twisted around desperately trying to break free from the men iron grip. The sounds of the chains around his body filling the dark room.
"Oh, wait." She said, and the men instantly stopped. "I heard that you brought a friend with you." His eyes widened in shock, and began to quickly shook his head."Don't' lie to me, boy. I know he came with you. Tall, blond hair, looks like he can work hard. I think he will be good addition to our gorgeous madness. We shall get started on his… initiation."
She cracked a smile that twisted her face into an horrendous expression. The lady in black walked to the boy and kneeled down, staring at him directly in the eyes. A chuckle escaped her mouth.
"I saw that golden thing you carried inside your coat. Who would have thought little Red would become an Exorcist? What a shame, you have always been my favorite." She moved her finger across the scar on his face. "Such a beautiful mark, it makes me jealous of whoever gave it to you, it must have hurt so much. Maybe we can fix that." She slapped him, and the boy's face was left with a red mark. "Take him and make sure I can hear him. Despair makes one fine melody afterall."
She snapped her fingers and the Jokers began dragging the boy away. He tried struggling once again, knowing what was waiting for him on the other side of the curtain. The woman's cold chuckle felt like a bucket of ice falling over him.
"It seems like disaster continues to follow you around, Red. How marvelous." She grinned and turned around. "Welcome back, my dear Demon Child."