Chapter 7: Sounds of Sadness
3 weeks later
The days were passing and there had been no attacks from the enemy. Vash returned to work after being proven innocent to the crime. Though he was now watched, but there was nothing he could do about it. He was watching each day how Vita grew and how innocent she remained.
" I find it strange, they haven't made a move," Knives said
" It's not strange, they will attack when we least expect it," Vash said, " They know we're alive."
Knives pushed off the wall and pulled the black coat tighter around him.
" We only have two Titans," Knives simply said, " There's nothing we can't handle."
" Don't be stupid Knives, they aren't the only ones we have to fight," Vash said
" Who else?" Knives said, " Raven and Megami, they aren't worth my time."
" Someone else," Vash said
Raven walked down to the edge of where all the plants were and stopped.
" Are you well master?" she asked
" Release me," he said, " send who you have to destroy them."
Raven bowed and opened the capsule and Kaijin stepped out. She wrapped a robe around him then bowed.
" Come, it is time to release those who sleep," Kaijin said
Raven nodded and walked Kaijin back up to the surface. Megami ran down the hall and slipped and slid across the floor.
" Shit," she growled
A hand reached down to her and she looked up seeing Legato standing there. Behind him stood the flutist. She grabbed his hand and he helped her up, then stared at her.
" I've come to tell you, that you are to go now," Megami said, " Knives and Vash are alive."
" I know mistress," Legato replied
She stared up at Legato seeing he was dressed in his armor. She reached up and kissed him and Legato looked at her and kissed her back this time. Megami pulled away and smiled.
" I shall be waiting," Megami whispered, " Come back please."
" Yes, mistress," Legato replied
He put his hand out and the young flutist grabbed his hand. Her flute at hand as they walked out into the desert lands and vanished. Megami smiled and touched her lips and a smile formed into her lips.
" Legato, please," Megami said, " I shall come incase."
Legato and the young flutist stopped just outside the town. The little girl looked at Legato and he smiled.
" Show complete suffering," he whispered
" Of course my master," she said
She walked into the town and looked at Vash and Knives talking. She smiled and gently played a soft tune that floated along the out skirts of town. Vash and Knives looked around hearing the music.
" Music," Vash said
He walked towards the center of town and stopped.
" Knives Millions," a voice siad
" Sounds like a fight," Knives growled
" Vash the Stampede," the voice said
Vash growled and narrowed his eyes as he backed up and then without warning both went flying backwards. Knives hit the ground and hit a building wall, Vash tumbled as he landed then stood.
" Waves," Vash said
Knives stood up and rubbed his head and looked around. He touched his holster and pulled the blade of Hades.
" We can't shoot," Vash said, " Put it away."
Vash dusted his clothing off and he took off towards the house.
" Don't let him go inside," Legato told the flutist
" Right," she replied
She hit a high note and Vash went flying and Knives ran in the direction that the sounds were coming from. The flutist smiled and blocked his shot and she pushed off the wall.
" Foolish man," she thought
She played a haunting melody and all around people began to come out.
" Knives, she's controlling them," Vash said
" Shut up and get inside, get your gun!" Knives shouted
The people of the town were coming at Knives and he looked around. Vash took off inside and ran into the house. He ran into the room and saw Vita was gone, he looked around franticly. He grabbed his gun and the coat, then ran down the hall.
" Meryl," he called
He pushed opened the doors and then saw Meryl on the ground. He ran to her and fell to his knees and collected her.
" Meryl," he said
She opened her eyes and looked at Vash, she gave a small smile touched his face.
" I tried, he was too strong," Meryl whispered, " Vita…is gone. He took her Vash."
" Who, took our daughter?" Vash said
" Legato," Meryl said fainting
Vash pulled Meryl close and embraced her, he began to cry and his hand touched the blade of the Willing.
" You won't win!" Vash shouted
" I believe I have," Legato's voice echoed
Vash lifted Meryl into his arms and walked down the hall. He laid her down and then looked at the armor. He grabbed it and dressed in it and slipped the coat on. He ran down the hall pulling the blade of the Willing. He fired a shot past Knives' head and Knives looked at him.
" What the hell!" Knives shouted
Vash looked to his left and then looked at Knives.
" To your left!" Vash shouted, " Fire there!"
Knives turned and both shot and the flutist smiled and walked out after they had stopped.
" Why do you shoot?" she asked
" The culprit appears," Vash said
The flutist smiled and placed her flute up to her lips.
" The curtain has opened and a new musician has walked on stage," she said, " I am, Calliope the 5th Titan."
" Joy," Knives remarked sarcastically
" Why are you here?" Vash questioned, " Where is Legato?"
" Already gone," Calliope said
She played a soft lullaby and everyone collapsed and they looked Calliope. Knives lifted the blade of Hades and prepared to fire. Vash placed his hand on it and Knives growled.
" No," Vash said, " We won't kill."
" Then you will die," Calliope said
" Her power is the flute, so aim for the flute," Vash said
Calliope looked at Vash and smirked then played a hard note. Vash was thrown and Knives fired a shot.
" Wrong move," she said playing several notes
She blocked the bullets and let them fall to the ground. Vash stood up and looked for Legato, he had to be there.
" Legato you bastard, come out," Vash growled
" Temper, temper, perhaps the dead has the upper hand on this," Legato said
" I will kill you," Vash said
He put his sunglasses on and then loaded his gun.
" Give me back my daughter!" Vash shouted
His eyes began to glow and he fired at Calliope and hit her flute. Knives smiled and fired a second shot at her. She jumped and grabbed the flute and played a high pitch movie.
" Your guns have no effect, I've made this beautiful flute out of a special material. I studied Mr. Midvalley's errors and knew you would try the exact thing," Calliope said with a smiled
" She's good, but how is it possible?" Vash thought
" Cause she's had the best to learn from," Legato said
Vash looked at Calliope as another blast came to him.
" She's got a flaw," Vash said, " Find it."
Calliope played several and then the towns people came up.
" Don't harm them Knives," Vash said
" What do you want me to do pat their heads and send them off to play?" Knives growled
" That wouldn't be the best," Vash said
Knives swatted some down, but they came back up. Vash looked at Calliope and narrowed his eyes, she was good. She was just as clever as the man who controlled her.
" Use the gifts," a voice whispered
Vash looked down on the coat and grabbed a diamond and held it.
" Light Vash, use the light," the voice whispered
He threw it up and fired it and a blast of light engulfed them and Vash broke free from those who shielded their eyes. He grabbed Knives by his collar and dragged him out.
" What's that light?" Knives said
" Breaking from darkness," Vash said
They stood in front of Calliope and she smiled a devious smile.
" Hey Knives she smile's like you," Vash said
" Shut up!" Knives growled pushing Vash
" So, those muses did help you, well their gifts will be nothing," Calliope said, " Let's waltz shall we?"
She played something and the ground around Vash and Knives began to open up. Vash stumbled back and fell toward the opened ground. Knives grabbed Vash's hand and pulled him up.
" Don't drop him, Knives Millions," Calliope said
She played a sharp note and Knives growled to the high pitch and his hand let go.
" Knives!" Vash shouted
" Don't break my heart Knives," she said
The waves attacked him from inside and he breathed in pain.
" Damn you!" Knives said
He grabbed Vash's hand and pulled him up.
" Can't breath now," she said playing another note
Knives began to suffer, and he lost hold of Vash's hand. Vash fell and the ground closed around him. Knives looked at Calliope and fought the pain, and punched her. She stumbled back and he fell to his knees.
" I won't die here," Knives whispered
He closed his eyes and fell face first. Calliope smiled and looked at Legato in the distance. He held Vita in his arms and nodded for Calliope to return.
" Nicely done," Legato said
Calliope walked towards the desert when Vash broke free from the grounds hold.
" It's not possible," she growled
Vash breathed deep and looked at her.
" Don't you think you've practiced enough," Vash growled
He dropped a green stone and looked at Calliope.
" I've been a little under my real goal, but I'll make sure you know that I'm not joking," Vash said
" Bastard," Calliope said
" You shouldn't use words like that, you can get in a bad habit," he said
She played a note and nothing happened. He pulled the gun of the Willing.
" Forgive me," Vash said
He fired a shot and the bullet went through her hands. She dropped the flute and looked at Vash.
" My hands," she said
" You don't study enough. A musician's hands are very delicate," Vash said
She breathed deep and pulled a gun and Vash looked at her.
" Farewell Vash the Stampede," she said putting it to her head
" No!" he shouted
She fired and shot herself and Vash shouted. The towns people stood up and looked around and looked at Vash. He fell to his knees and breathed deep.
" It didn't have to end this way," Vash whispered
" Vash," Meryl called
She ran to him and knelt down.
" Leave me Meryl, take care of my brother, I need to finish this all now," Vash said
" No, Vash," Meryl said, " You can't, not in your condition."
" Meryl listen to me, get Knives help now. Once he has recovered don't let him out of your sight," Vash sternly said, " It's for his own protection."
" Vash you can't fight this alone," Meryl said
" He has Vita and I won't let him keep her," Vash whispered, " Please Meryl do as I ask."
Meryl nodded and Vash stood up and hugged her tight.
" I'll get Vita back," Vash whispered, " I won't let him harm our daughter."
Meryl nodded and looked at Knives then looked up at Vash.
" I'll take care of your brother, don't worry about a thing," Meryl said
Vash took off and into the pitch blackness of the sandy desert.
" Vash the Stampede, his journey isn't half way over," Raven whispered
" I know, but it is not he who I desire to fight, I have no quarrel with Vash," Kaijin replied, " I have my debt to pay with Knives Millions."
" Then I shall retrieve Knives Millions for you," Raven replied
" Do, as you wish, but I believe he already knows," Kaijin stated
Legato walked off with a content look on his face and vanished into the sandy winds of the desert to returned as promised. Megami ran down hall upon hearing of Legato's return.
" Stop your foolishness Megami," Raven growled
She stopped and collapsed her hands in front of her.
" He is dead," Raven said
" You're only fooling yourself sister, he is very much alive," Megami said
" Have you forgotten his purpose?" Raven spat
" No, he is serving his purpose, he's choice was to die months ago Raven, but he lives for the moment now," Megami said, " Just as master Kaijin does."
Raven walked to her sister and stepped in front of her. She slapped her across the face and Megami turned the other cheek.
" You can not be with this man, his purpose is to serve and die. His death is near," Raven said
" Then I haven't much time," Megami said, " What ever you say can not turn my feelings away….I am in love with Legato Bluesummers."
" He's dead Megami," Raven said
" You don't know him," Megami said
Megami pushed aside and ran down the hall, to see Legato walking in. She smiled and ran towards him and stopped.
" You've come back," Megami said
" Yes, mistress," Legato replied
Megami walked to him and reached up and kissed him.
" Legato," she whispered, " Your alive."
She kissed him once more and this time Legato returned her kiss. She had not failed to teach Legato feelings, because it was there when he returned the kiss. She grabbed his hand and kissed it.
" Stay with me, and rest with ease," she whispered
Megami guided him away from sight of any and walked down the hall. She kissed him again and led him to her sleeping quarters there she looked at him.
" Legato," she whispered, " I want to be with you for as long as I can."
She touched his face and pushed his hair back and stared up at him. She removed his armor piece by piece, until he was only dressed in the black clothing. Legato looked at her as she ran her hand down his chest. Megami reached up and kissed him and reach under his shirt feeling his nice build, then she removed his shirt.
" Mistress," he whispered
" Don't be tensed," she whispered, " I'm yours Legato."
Her words had seemed to help inspire him a little because he gently kissed her, but in a whole knew way from before. Megami worked her way down and undressed him and he undressed her. Megami locked her quarter doors and dimmed the lights and walked to Legato.
" Let me ease your pain," she whispered
Raven narrowed her eyes as the sound of her sister's quarter doors shutting. Kaijin walked from the shadows holding Vita in his arms and Raven looked at him. She bowed on one knee and he looked at her.
" So, it was pointless for your sister to fight off her feelings," Kaijin said
" You mean with a dead man," Raven said
" Yes, a dead man," Kaijin said
He walked to the endless plants and looked at her.
" You are the one who will lead a new race," Kaijin said, " Starting now, my young goddess."
" You call her a goddess, why?" Raven asked
" Because she is perfect, she will have no errors, no regrets or sadness," Kaijin said, " After all this pathetic planet needs a warrior of perfection."
" What about Knives' child?" Raven asked
" That abomination won't last long," Kaijin said
Raven smiled and shook her head, she walked over to Kaijin and looked at Vita.
" Life gave birth to life," Raven said
Knives opened his eyes and looked around, he saw Karen and Meryl standing there. He then sat up and winced in pain, Karen ran to him and grabbed his hands.
" You can't be up yet, your still healing," Karen replied
" I need to go," Knives breathed
" Vash told us to keep an eye on you," Meryl said
" My brother is an idiot," Knives said, " If I'm not there he won't kill that idiot of a younger brother."
" Kaijin, he's alive?" Meryl said
Knives looked at Karen and she kissed his head.
" If you leave you will die," Karen said
" I can't die," he said, " I'm a plant….I don't shrivel up and die like humans," Knives said
Meryl narrowed her eyes and walked over to Knives, she slapped him hard across the face. He narrowed his eyes and grabbed Meryl by the shirt.
" Stupid woman," Knives growled
" Stupid plant," Meryl said, " You're a selfish bastard. All you want is power and look what it has done to you."
" I don't care," Knives growled
He pushed Meryl away and she stumbled back slightly. Knives placed his hand on his chest and breathed.
" Knives, please rest," Karen said, " I beg you rest, your body needs it."
" My body has betrayed me," Knives said, " As it has many times."
She dabbed his face and looked at him then kissed him on the lips to make him remember that she was there. He weakly returned the kiss, but he fell back out of consciousness.
" Knives," she said
She grabbed his hand and held it tight. Meryl looked at Karen as she worried about Knives, she looked out the window and sighed.
" Vash, why are you carrying this burden on your shoulders alone," Meryl said
Kaijin walked down the hall and walked down to the plants. He stood before them and looked at all of them.
" Today you are free," Kaijin said
Vita began to cry and all around the plants reacted and the capsules began to open and the plant's opened up their eyes. Vita looked at them and Kaijin smiled and looked up and saw Raven was gone. He smirked and then looked at Vita.
" Your people have awaken little one," Kaijin said, " You are to prepare yourself as a leader."
" Not if I can help it," A voice said
Kaijin turned around and saw Vash standing there. He raised his gun at him and narrowed his eyes.
" Vash, what a pleasant surprise to see you," Kaijin said
" Give me back my daughter," Vash growled
" I believe she belongs here," Kaijin said, " She has her people to help start the new race."
Vash narrowed his eyes and charged at Kaijin and Kaijin narrowed his eyes at Vash. Vita continued to cry and the plants reacted around them. Vash was thrown back and slid across the ground. Kaijin held Vita and smiled and then looked at Vash.
" How can you be a father Vash, your so weak and unworthy to hold a perfect child," Kaijin said, " Where is your selfish half?"
" Thanks to your goons he's injured," Vash said getting up, " I'm standing in."
" How sweet brother, your sentimentalism continues to grow, it will be your end," Kaijin said
" Give me my daughter back," Vash said his eyes glowed
He got up and drew his silver gun and Kaijin smiled.
" Not, that damn gun, Knives apparently knew nothing when he made those," Kaijin said
" What do you mean?" Vash said
" Your Angel arm is so weak, but I could create a more powerful one," Kaijin said
Vash narrowed his eyes and fired at some of the plants that walked out and Kaijin looked at him. He narrowed his eyes and pulled a gun and shot Vash.
" Damn you Kaijin," Vash said
" Shut up you weakling," Kaijin shouted throwing Vash back, " Unlike you and Knives I have been reborn with a second gift."
Vash breathed deep and listened to his heart beating. Vita continued shedding tears and Vash was becoming angry.
" I have to protect my daughter anyway possible…..evening if it means I have to do something I don't want to do," Vash thought
He closed his eyes and pulled out the blade of the Willing and breathed deep.
" Don't do it Vash," a soft voice said
Vash opened his eyes and he looked around. The nine muses stood there behind him and one reached out her hand.
" If you shoot your brother, your daughter will die as well," one said
" Use what is in your heart," another said, " Your brother isn't like you or Knives. All three of you have different qualities and different dreams at looking at life."
" But I can't let this race live," Vash said, " The human race will die if this one is born."
" No, Vash your daughter will teach them that they have free will, even though Kaijin has not given them that choice," another muse said
Vash put the blade of the Willing down and the muses vanished. Kaijin smiled and shot Vash. The bullet didn't break the surface of the armor of the World Beyond, Kaijin narrowed his eyes.
" We're different brother," Vash said, " You have certain dreams that I could never realize. Knives has dreams too, that I could never understand. But we have one thing in common."
" What is that?" Kaijin asked
" We are brothers," Vash said
" I can not believe after all this you still want to be so clean and not kill," Kaijin said, " You are a fool and will die a fool."
" Countless people have died trying to live with fighting, but it only brings eternal pain," Vash said, " You haven't experienced that because your afraid that the world will eat into your flesh like uncivilized beings."
" Shut up!" Kaijin shouted
" Your trying to take away a piece of life that should never been taken away," Vash said
Kaijin fired a shot at Vash and Vash looked at the bullet coming at him. He went to dodge it, but there was no way he would make it. Of course there was always someone looking out for him. Another bullet was fired towards Kaijin's bullet and both collided and exploded.
" I believe this is my fight," Knives' voice came from the back
Knives walked out dressed in the same exact suit as Kaijin, along with the black coat and smiled.
" Knives," Vash said
" I have to agree with one thing Kaijin has said so far. You're weak Vash, time to seal up that bleeding heart of yours for those unreliable humans," Knives said
" Knives, what a surprise, I was wondering when your weak decrepit body would show up," Kaijin said, " You've managed to prove me wrong on how stupid you are."
" Speak for yourself little brother," Knives said, " I've managed to torture him longer, when you can't even hold your body together."
" This is minor problem," Kaijin said, " After all my rebirth was sooner then expected because of two unwanted pest."
Knives smirked and looked around at the miles of plants. Knives pulled out the blade of Hades and smirked.
" For once I'm going to finish this, not some child," Knives said
He fired a bullet and Vash fired one to cancel his attack.
" Idiot," Knives said the plants reacted
" My daughter is in his arms," Vash growled
" So, have another kid," Knives said
" That child's a perfect being, a superior being," Vash said
Knives narrowed his eyes and said, " She's a filthy half being that will kill us off too."
" This is all very amusing, but I have a job," Kaijin said
" We're not done with you!" Knives growled
Vash ran at Kaijin and punched him and Kaijin stumbled back. Vash managed to get Vita back into his head.
" Vita," he whispered
" Get out of the way!" Knives shouted
Vash looked at Kaijin as he stood up and pulled a fast one on him. He fired a gun and shot Vash directly in the right side of his chest.
" Vash!" Knives shouted
Vash was thrown back, but he protected Vita. Knives fired a shot hitting Kaijin in his arm. Knives looked at Vash and Vash breathed deep. There was blood and a hole where the bullet went threw.
" Idiot I told you to move," Knives said
" Knives take Vita," Vash said, " I'll be fine."
Knives looked at the child Vash was holding in his arms, the next generation of life. Knives knelt down and took the child in his arms.
" Take her back," Vash said, " She's safe now."
Knives stood up and looked at Kaijin and narrowed his eyes.
" We're not through yet!" Knives shouted
" I look forward to our next meeting Knives," Kaijin said
Vash placed his hand on his wound and stood up and breathed.
" You've only created pain for people, made them suffer. Why can't you expect that you are one of them," Vash said
" I am not one of them!" Kaijin stated
Vash touched his gun, and pulled it out. Kaijin prepared to fire at Vash.
" Your pitiful," Kaijin said
Vash placed his sunglasses on and narrowed his eyes.
" I'm strong, just in a different way," Vash said
The plants around Vash and Kaijin began to step out of their capsules and Kaijin prepared to take that advantage.
" Prepare to die Vash the Stampede," Kaijin said
Kaijin began to shoot and Vash dodged his bullets and suddenly plants began to get in his way and surround Vash pushing him back towards Kaijin. Vash looked at his silver gun and sighed.
" I have to break free, but how," Vash thought
He looked at the seven stones that remained. He turned and fired a shot at it and flames engulfed the plants around. Vash ran towards the surface and climbed upward. Blood still dripped from his wound and as he came up, someone grabbed his hand. Vash looked up seeing Knives standing there holding Vita in one arm. He pulled Vash up and Vash fell to the ground.
" I told you to get Vita back," Vash whispered
" I don't listen to you," Knives said
Knives looked down at the flames that were engulfing the millions of plants.
" So, burned alive," Knives said
" I didn't want to kill them," Vash whispered, " I didn't."
" You were forced," Knives said
" How could you?" a voice said
Knives narrowed his eyes and said, " You should have learned that you should never raise the dead."
Raven narrowed her eyes and fired a shot at Knives and Vash.
" Stop it!" another voice said
Megami walked out and looked at Raven and Knives, then at Vash.
" Master Kaijin's dream isn't dead yet," Megami said
She walked over towards Knives and he growled at her. She touched Vita's face and smiled.
" This is the beginning of the new race and one day there will be more with time," Megami said, " One by one they will grow."
" Megami how could you betray me?" Raven said
" I didn't sister, I just took another way of living a dream….using master Vash's method…not killing," Megami said
Vash looked at the woman and looked, she seemed pleasant and it was then he realized that there was always another who found the same meaning to life.
" Let them go," Megami said
Vash fell to his knees and fell unconscious from his wound and Knives sighed. He knelt down and lifted Vash and threw him over his shoulder and walked past Megami and Raven.
" You are weak Knives Millions, I thought you were stronger than any," Raven said
Knives stopped and smirked and said, " You are wrong, I'm still the most powerful being on this planet and I will find that power."
He walked off and out into the desert and vanished out of sight. Raven looked at Megami and narrowed her eyes.
" Where is the dead man?" Raven asked
" Sleeping," Megami said
Megami walked down the hall and entered her quarters and looked at Legato. She stripped away her clothing and slid in beside him. She kissed him on his lips and laid down.
" It's only time now," she thought
AN: Final chapter coming soon. There might be a third story…hehe there's so many strings that need to be tied
