This chapter is a little recess from the dreams. It's meant to be 'a look on the outside' thing, so I hope it isn't so confusing. If you haven't noticed it yet, I tend to be repetitive, especially with my worry about making it confusing… please bear with me, I'm still learning.
Disclaimer: I don't own D gray man
Pairings: This story is not meant to have any pairings, just friendship. But feel free to interpret as you wish.
"Thoughts"
"Talking"
First Interlude
Out of the stage
In the outside world…
Komui walked around his office pondering the situation. He felt very anxious. Every single minute that went by was a second wasted to save Allen's life. How he hated to be the one in control around here when one of his men were at risk. Especially if it was one of his youngest men. Allen-kun was just a child for God's sake, why was he going through this?
He took a sit on his messy desk. He needed to calm down and think clearly. Even if it was horrible to admit it, he couldn't do anything for Allen at the moment. He could only hope, and that was always the most difficult part.
"Come on, Reever, where are you?" he growled in frustration. He had ordered the squad leader to make a quick report of the situation at hand and had yet to get an answer. Yes, komui had important things to be considering at a time like this because, unfortunately, losing Allen wasn't the most terrible thing that could happen. His hands shook at the idea.
Allen was the player; he was the only one able to control the ark. But being unconscious the boy wasn't able to move it. That was the problem. The ark's doors had gone crazy, closing up with a seal that only he could open. People had been trapped within the old machine. If they didn't find a way to open it, the people inside may be as good as dead.
"What's taking him so long?" he was losing his last thread of patience. He needed to know the relation of the people confirmed to be inside the ark at the time of this incident. The higher ups wanted to know it. But more importantly, he had a bad feeling about this whole situation. The golems of many teams had gone crazy almost as soon as Allen lost consciousness. Whatever happened, there was only one thing for sure: Allen Walker, at the end, was going to be considered a traitor. Even if the boy died, he would surely be accused of heresy and of complot against the black order. It felt so wrong to think that either way, Allen was already doomed. "Where the hell are you squad leader?!" he shouted in frustration. He was panting from anger, but soon a soft knocking sound came from the door. He turned and told the person to enter.
Reever entered the room looking as tired as ever, but also somewhat shaken. Komui didn't like how his voice sounded when he talked.
"Sir… we kind of have a problem" was all he needed to hear to know that something unthinkable was going to be said.
Inside the ark…in one of its white streets…
"Master! Master! Pwaaahahahaaaa" cried a young boy as he sat on the cobblestoned 'street way' "Master! Emilia! PWahhhhahaha!" he couldn't help but to make a tantrum. He's being lost for a while, maybe five to six hours and he was feeling quite hungry "Where is everyone?!"
A gentle presence appeared at his side and tried to offer some comfort.
Master, please relax, there's no real danger around so you can try to calm down
The master looked at the illusion of an older self with his teary face.
"B-b-but I'm hungry! We were supposed to be back at the order long ago…" the boy looked at the sky as he cleaned his tears with his coat's sleeve "Why are we still on the ark, divine possession?"
The innocence's spirit looked at his master and then to all the doors aligned to the walls.
Certainly it is weird… but maybe it's nothing to worry about. In any case, master should have done as his tutor told him and stay back near that fountain.
The boy seemed to be about to cry again because of his innocence's words.
"But, but! General Cloud was taking so much time! What if something bad happened?"
The illusion shook his head.
The general went in search of Emilia's squad; she was obviously going to take some time
The boy growled at his companion. He didn't like to be reprimanded by a figure of himself.
"Yeah genius? Why didn't you say anything then?!"
I did Master, but you just didn't mind at all
The boy started crying all over again, this time yelling at the apparition for being so mean. But as he was going to shout again someone called to him.
"I knew I recognized that cry" the boy turned to look at the person who talked "Timothy, it was you. Why are you crying?" The boy frowned and cleaned his face, a scowl forming on it. He really disliked the old vampire guy; he was too kind with him only because he was the youngest exorcist. That could get him frustrated.
"Ara? Krory-san you were right, it was Timothy" great, so sailor man was there too. Just good.
Master you should be happy, you've found some comrades, maybe they know how to get back, and maybe they've seen Emilia or your master!
Timothy nodded and was about to ask when the two grown ups beat him to it.
"Say Timothy, do you know how to get out of here?" they said together with a sheepish tone. Timothy would have fallen if he had not been already on the floor.
"WHAT KIND OF GROWN UP PERSON WOULD ASK A CHILD THE WAY OUT? YOU TWO ARE REALLY LAME!" he yelled.
The two sweat dropped.
"Guess that means you don't know either" commented Krory "Sorry"
Timothy just crossed his arms.
"Why are you here anyway?" asked the sailor.
Tim tch-ed as answer.
"I was on a mission with master. Then suddenly a door to the ark opened in front of us. Someone called from the other side. He said there was an urgent need for my master's help. Master had her doubts, but it seemed important so she didn't give it much thought. And we ended up in here. Then we got separated, that's all"
More like, you got lost for disobeying her orders
"Shut up" thought Timothy and turned to look at his 'big brothers' only to find them gaping at him. He felt uncomfortable under their scrutinizing gazes "What?!"
Both men shook their heads and looked at each other before asking.
"Nee, Timothy-kun, do you know who called your master?" asked Chaoji.
Timothy thought about it for a while and turned to them with curiosity.
"Well… We didn't see him, but that voice sounded very much like clown aniki*"
The two became serious when he said that. Timothy only called 'clown' to one of his 'big brothers'.
"What's wrong?" asked the boy, nervous by their reaction.
"Timothy, a door also appeared in front of us, and we were also told to go back to the order, because we were required urgently" Timothy's face became worried as Krory talked. This was too similar.
"And the one who called us… was Allen-san" Chaoji closed his hand in a tight fist.
"That… is really weird… even thought we were called by him, and I've been trapped in here for so long, I never really got to see him at all" Timothy turned to look at 'divine possession' who shook his head saying he didn't saw anything.
The three exorcist though together, but in the end they didn't get any answer, and sighed in group.
"Well, I guess it's better if stick together" everyone nodded at Krory's words. And, helping Timothy up, the three exorcists started to walk.
In other part within the ark…
"They are near, I can feel them" growled a big man wearing a red robe.
"Koushi, don't get too hasty. We just have to try to avoid them as much as possible" answered a man with a weird face as he turned to the younger member of their team "Kiredor, are you positive we aren't taking the wrong direction?"
"Wrong or right, that doesn't really matter when there isn't a way out, don't you think so, Tokusa?" the man nodded at the young one's words.
"You are correct" then turned to his other companion who was constantly rubbing his left arm "Koushi, you better relax, if we aren't careful we might end up being scolded by Madarao yet again" the big man nodded as he let his arm fall to his side, cold sweat falling down his face showing his obvious discomfort "That's much better"
"Tokusa?" asked Kiredor.
"Yes?"
"Why do you think Allen Walker summoned us?" the man took a hand to his chin and closed his eyes.
"I wonder why. But looking at our current predicament we could say that he has something under his sleeve"
"Traitor" mumbled the tallest of the group.
"Definitely" agreed the other two "But we must be careful, we shall inform of whatever weird situation happens while we are trapped. If he tries something funny, he'll pay for it" the others nodded to Tokusa's words "Now, where to?"
Silence…
In other place different…but still inside the ark…
The white buildings of the ark were beautiful. No one could deny that. The ark was a master piece on itself. That was why it would be unforgivable if he didn't take the chance to capture it in charcoal on a sketch. He knew his apprentices would surely get angry at him. They would tell him not to waste time, and many other things, but he was a man of priorities. He knew he needed to get out, but he also knew he wasn't going to. It didn't take long for General Tiedoll to understand that he was trapped and that something outside was making it impossible to leave from inside. That was why, priority now was to stay calm, and nothing helped his nerves more than drawing.
He was busy making the details of a beautiful building's sketch when he felt a presence nearing him. He knew that presence very well, so it wasn't a surprise to feel the person lean against the wall he was leaning, just by his side, waiting patiently till he acknowledge her. He knew she did it out of respect. After many years, she was the only one that didn't just shut at him to stop drawing and pay her attention. No, that was normally Marian's and Zokalo's reaction, she was much more civilized. He could have kept ignoring her for a good while, and she wouldn't mind at all, but other was the story when it came to her little pet. The furry creature climbed to his shoulder and peeked at his drawing, making him smile. Lau tended to like his drawings. But, once he smiled, it was obvious he could not ignore the company any longer.
"I see you are here too" he commented, letting her know that he wasn't busy anymore and was open for a conversation. He used a thumb to pet Lau Shimin's head.
"I was going to say the same" she answered, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"He called you too?" she became serious when he mentioned 'he'.
"Yes. I guess the same might have happen to everyone here" he laughed softly.
"Yeah, I think so too. At least most of the people I saw said that. I must admit I'm quite surprised that he has such an influence over everyone to make them come" she nodded, silently agreeing "And I guess that includes us, huh?"
She sighed. The little monkey jumped to her head hearing her master's distress.
"Froi, have you seen my young apprentice?" he turned immediately with a surprise expression.
"You mean the youngest?! Oh, MY! You lost him?!!!!" he said overreacting as only he could "CLOUD!"
"I didn't!" she answered embarrassed at his actions "I told him to stay near a fountain while I looked for a group of finders, but he went and got himself lost"
"Oh, my… these things would not happen if he was my apprentice" mumbled the general playing with his index fingers.
"OH yeah?! What would you have done, oh so great tutor!?"
"I would have embraced him and kept him close to me for as long as I could so he wouldn't be out of my sight! As a good father would!!" he did descriptive movements with his arms to explain how he would have hugged the young boy… which made Cloud feel a little freak out.
"You know what? Forget it… I'm sure he'll be alright" she said trying to change the subject so she wouldn't have to hear his paternal rambles "Have you met with many finder squads?" he nodded "Me too. I've been leaving them on an open square, In hopes of keeping together and maybe calling other's attention"
"Heh, great minds think alike" he commented with a smile "I did the same" he packed his drawing materials on his rucksack "Come on. Let's get my group to yours. That way it'll be easier to keep them calm" she nodded following him "You never said anything about my last statement"
"You mean the 'as a father would' statement?"
He laughed sheepishly and answered "Nah… I meant the 'his influence includes us' statement" she looked "About the fact that Marian's apprentice does have much influence over us" she turned her head away, and he smiled gently.
"It's unavoidable" she said making him look at her "He is after all, the only living person Marian did care about. In his twisted and weird way, Marian accepted that child. I guess that even if he wasn't the greatest person, he was still our comrade, so it's unavoidable that we feel for his apprentice… especially after all the weird situations that he had been involved in" Tiedoll nodded.
"That could very well explain why we went inside the door without thinking it twice. Yet, I wonder, what pushed others to do so… and I really want to know: was it really Allen Walker who called us all here?" he looked towards the sky as they walked "For some reason I feel something is out of place…"
"You are right" she answered "Guess is better to stay together" he nodded "Let's get the finders, I'm starting to worry about Timothy" she covered his mouth before he could comment anything "And keep your parental ramblings to yourself Froi Tiedoll. Hearst is my apprentice and he will never be yours, so deal with it!" after that, a black cloud of gloom could be seen over general Tiedoll's head.
And yet, in other part inside the ark…
"Here you go, this will help with your headache Marie" A wet clothe was placed on his forehead and eyes, and he had to admit it felt quite nice. He could feel the buzzing in his ears starting to diminish.
"Thank you, Miranda" he said as he got comfortable in his sit against the fountain.
"You're welcome" she took a sit next to him as she looked up to the sky. It's been a while since they entered the ark fallowing a rather desperate call of help. She could have sworn that it was Allen-kun but she never saw anyone. And to top it all, once they entered, Marie was attacked by a terrible headache caused by a loud buzzing generated from an interference on his headphones that had left his sensorial abilities very unreliable, so she had been guiding them around.
She sighed. At first they thought of founding a way out, but they didn't found the door. That's why Miranda thought that it would be best to stay somewhere till Marie felt better, maybe someone would eventually appear. But she got them lost and lost… and then she became confused and nervous, and Marie's ears were in pain and she didn't know how to deal with all of this and…
She felt a hand taking her own and giving it a soft squeeze. She looked and saw Marie smiling with his eyes covered by the cloth. "That's right, I'm not alone. Marie needs me right now. So I mustn't let my fears overtake me. Be strong Miranda!" All she had to do was wait and keep Marie comfortable. The ark was always full of investigators and finders, so, soon someone was due to find them. And if Allen-kun entered the player's room he would be able to see them from there…
"Allen-kun"she thought, worried. They heard Allen's voice. He was asking for their help. Something about an urgent situation. He sounded in pain. Where was he? Was he alright? He had to be… she would do anything to help Allen-kun. He was… he was the reason she found the purpose in her life… she'll do all she could to help… if only she knew…
"Un?" she turned to Marie in confusion.
"Marie? Are you in pain?" she asked wary of the answer.
"No" he said, but for some reason she didn't feel relieved "The buzz… it's gone… completely, but…wait!" he took the cloth from over his eyes and sat straight closing his blind eyes concentrating his energies on hearing. The man placed his headphones back over his ears praying they would work right this time and help him hear.
"Do you hear anything?" she asked, hoping a friend was close by.
The man opened his eyes with a perplexed expression "Marie?"
"Music"
"Uh?"
"I… I hear music" he said placing a hand over his ear "I think I have heard it before, when we entered the ark… but it was covered by the buzzing… the sound is clearer now…"
"Could it be… Allen-kun?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not really sure… but it isn't the usual melody of the ark… I wonder what it is…"
"What should we do?"
He thought for a moment.
"I think our best chance is to get to the place where the music comes from. If it's close to Allen maybe we can get out" she agreed and helped him stand up, he was still a little unstable "I'm sorry for this Miranda" he said embarrassed of having to lay part of his weight on the shorter woman.
She only smiled.
"No problem Noise, you can trust me" he blushed a little but smiled, he really liked to have her as partner. Between all his comrades, he tended to prefer her company. She might be insecure and confused, but she was very reliable when the time came and she knew how to enjoy a moment of silence to rest. He was glad that in this time that he had to be lost, he was lost with her. And thought he didn't know it, she thought along the same lines. It seemed that when together they were able to be themselves. And so, they went on with their quest.
"Exorcists: Timothy Hearst, Arystar Krory, Chaoji Han, Noise Marie and Miranda Lotto. Generals: Froi Tiedoll and Cloud Nyne, yet to confirm Winters Zokalo. Third exorcists: Koushi, Kiredor and Tokusa. Presumably eight squads of finders, around thirty two finders in total. A team of officials, identities yet to be confirmed." He read and read, once and again, and again. How could the situation get any worse?
How? That's what he wanted to know. How?
How almost all his exorcist found their way inside the ark at the precise moment it went crazy? How did the generals ended there? How did three third exorcists were trapped inside? HOW?!!!!!!
He let himself fall on his chair as he felt himself being overwhelmed by panic.
"Komui?" asked Reever waiting for him to react "Chief Supervisor, what do you want us to do?" Komui looked up at the squad leader and sighed.
"I want the identities confirmed once more. Find out who the officials are and try connecting with any other remaining team on mission. If someone sees a door to the ark, I want them to report it and NO ONE gets near it, is that clear?" Reever nodded before leaving the room.
Komui leaned back on his desk looking at the report in his hand. "Allen-kun… you can't die… definitely… you can't, if you do, all our friends… all our comrades… all of them may disappear forever" he closed his eyes tight. He had to think about what he could do… but no matter what he did, time kept walking, morning was approaching and the time limit became more and more real.
Ooo
Well, that's it.
I hope no one minds the use of the word 'aniki' I know it's Japanese, but I kinda like it. I think it fits well with Timothy's attitude. Aniki means "big bro" in Japanese. Normally, it's used between none related people, where the younger one or inexperienced one calls to its companion aniki out of respect, admiration or care. I think that word fits Timothy quite well, so I will be keeping it.
And now! It's cookie time!
These are the prizes!
Two cookies for the ones who noticed that the order was already said in the first and second chapter.
One cookie for the one who just guessed it was KANDA!
And a cookie picture for those who didn't guessed at all xD
Hehe
Well, that was funny to write. So, yeah, next victim…. I mean, partner of dreams is Kanda Yu!
So see you next chapter. And don't forget, any questions and opinions can be post on your reviews!
Bye!
