A Noble Cause
It had been a full week since Voltaire's "ball" and not once had Avalon stopped thinking about the EAA. Currently, she sat staring out of the window of her classroom, her mind going blank as she watched the clouds slowly drift by. She let out an audible sigh and licked her dry lips.
SMACK
Avalon jumped a bit out of her seat and stared wide-eyed at her teacher, Mrs. Applegates, who was standing in front of her; her arms crossed and a stern frown on her elderly lips.
"Miss Valise! Please pay attention! I have been calling you for the last minute!"
Avalon bit her bottom lip. "S-sorry…" She stumbled out. Mrs. Applegates shook her head and walked briskly back towards the front of the classroom and began her lecture once again.
Avalon let out a sigh, that was a close one—she thought. Avalon slouched in her seat and let out another sigh; turning her head to her right she came face to face with Mariam. Avalon raised a brow as if asking a question, which went unanswered as Mariam turned her attention towards Mrs. Applegates. Avalon rolled her eyes and pushed herself to sit up straight. She picked up her pencil and began to twirl it mindlessly, ignoring everyone and everything once more.
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Outside Coral Academy for Girls stood a group, two males and one female. One of the males, his hair was as dark as night and stood on ends like a pit full of spikes, pushed his dark sunglasses up and turned to the only female in the group.
The female had long brown hair tied in a ponytail, she too was wearing sunglasses; she was holding a brown suitcase.
"Ariel, is this the school?"
The girl, Ariel, nodded her head. The man then turned to the last male in the group, this man had shoulder length blonde hair; unlike the other two he wore no sunglasses so his ocean blue eyes were visibly seen.
"Mike, you got the device?"
Mike turned his deadly calm blue orbs towards the spike haired man and spoke in an eerie calm voice. "Of course. What kind of a fool would I be Sid to forget?"
"Tch. Just makin' sure. Come on, we're gonna be late."
The threesome made their way into the academy.
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Avalon, still floating somewhere in space didn't notice that Mrs. Applegates had stopped speaking, nor did she notice the three newcomers enter the classroom. So when they began to speak, she paid them no heed, that is until Mariam dragged her back down to earth.
Avalon turned to look at Mariam with a glaze look. Mariam rolled her eyes and extended her hand out to push Avalon's face towards the front of the class where she made eye contact with the blonde. For a split second it was as if time had stopped; Avalon felt a cold chill run down her spine. She tore her gaze and regarded the two other people present.
Avalon noticed that they were all looking at her; Avalon glanced awkwardly around her and began to shift uncomfortably under her gaze.
"I'm glad you returned to earth Miss Valise." Avalon turned to Mrs. Applegates who gave her a disapproving look. Avalon dropped her gaze.
"It's quite alright Mrs. Applegates; there is always at least one nonbeliever in one class." Avalon looked up and found herself gazing at the blonde once more. The blonde adorned a smirk on his pale features.
"Miss Valise was it?" He asked. Avalon nodded. "Do you not believe in…vampires?"
Avalon tensed up a bit and slowly eased up. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat.
"Umm…well, they…they're just…myths…" She started, dropping her gaze once more. Mike let out a melancholy chuckle. "Really? You think so?"
Avalon looked up and nodded. Mike smiled at her. "What if I said I can prove to you that they are real?"
Avalon began to silently panic. "H-how are you g-going to d-do t-that?" She stuttered. Mike, never taking his gaze off Avalon extended his palm out towards Ariel. "Ariel, the suitcase please." Ariel placed the suitcase on top of Mike's palm. Mike brought the suitcase in front of him and opened it up. The suitcase contained a variety of gadgets and photos.
Avalon licked her lips once more, perspiration beginning to form on her forehead. Mike turned to Mrs. Applegates, "May I borrow your desk?"
"Of course!"
Mike placed the suitcase down and picked up a round device and showed it in front of the class.
"This—" He nodded at the round gadget. "—is a scouter. It tells us if vampires are close by or…if someone has come in contact with one."
Avalon tensed up once more, she had remembered that Kai had walked with her to school and she had tripped, landing on top of him. Her breathing became haggard. She hoped that no one noticed. But it seemed that no one did, including the three adults in front. Mike continued with his explanation.
"All I have to do is hold it in my palms and turn it on." Mike did just that. A small 'beep' could be heard. Mike brought the scouter closer to him and looked down.
"Nothing. So, it means that none of you are vampires…and none of you have come in contact with them."
Avalon raised a brow. It must be broken; I came in close contact with one! She thought. Avalon rolled her eyes; her actions didn't go unnoticed by Mike.
"You still don't believe me Miss Valise?"
Avalon let out a bored sigh. "No. Besides, vampires hate sunlight." Avalon received a round of agreements. Mike continued to smile at her.
"True…but to an extent."
"Oh really?" She asked, mock interest seeping through her lips. But Mike's smile never faltered.
"Yes. You see…vampires have begun to…how do I say it—they've began to mate with humans."
Avalon gave him a bored look so Mike elaborated. "What I mean is, they've stopped turning their lovers into vampires…instead they leave them as mortals."
"What does that mean Mr. Mike?" A male student in front of the class asked. Mike tore his gaze from Avalon for a moment. "It means that they've found a new way to stay immune to sunlight. But the older generations—the full fledge vampires—are still susceptible to sunlight."
"What about garlic?" Asked another student.
"That we do not know." Mike turned back to Avalon. "Are you still doubtful Miss Valise?"
"Hn." Avalon silently chuckled; Kai was rubbing off on her.
Mike sly balled his hands into fist but slowly eased up. "You're very hard. I guess pictures are worth a thousand words in your case." With that, Mike held up a stack of photos and began passing them out.
Avalon took one and reclined back. The photo was of a corpse woman; she had long green hair, her mouth was slightly agape, fangs peeking out of her upper lip. Avalon looked up to find Mike staring intently at her. (No surprise there)
"So? You could have easily had someone act this scene out." Argued Avalon folding her arms across her chest.
Mike smirked, but she could see the irritation in his eyes. "You truly don't believe in vampires? What about all the mysterious deaths that has been happening lately?"
"Those deaths stopped a while ago. They could be coincidence; done by the same person." Continued Avalon, playing the nonbeliever part very well.
"You find many logical reasons—not that I'm saying they aren't good—but they are inaccurate. I'm sure a normal human wouldn't leave bite marks on their victims."
Avalon was stuck there. She had nothing. "So? How would you know?" Avalon mentally smacked herself for such a weak comeback. Mike's smile widened. "We don't…yet."
Avalon frowned. "What's your point anyway?" She decided to change the subject.
"Ahh, I'm glad you asked." Ariel was the one to speak up. She turned towards the board and began to write: EAA. Avalon narrowed her eyes, she had guessed right. Ariel turned back to the class.
"EAA—" She began. "Stands for Eliminate All Abominations." Avalon rolled her eyes; she still thought the name was stupid. "Our mission is to eliminate all things nonhuman, including vampires—"
"What about the half-vampires." Interrupted Avalon. Ariel raised a brow at Avalon.
"I thought you didn't believe in vampires?"
"I don't. But you said that the new generations of vampires are half human. What about them?"
"It's the same. The same disgusting and vile blood is running through their veins. If we allow them to roam, they'll continue to reproduce; we can't allow that!"
"But don't you think it's unfair? If they do exist, what have they done to deserve to be 'abolished'?"
Ariel pursed her lips. "Existing." She snarled. "If we let them be Miss Valise, they will suck the human race dry! Not to mention contaminate our race with their sinful blood!"
Avalon clenched her small hands. "That's your reason? That's stupid!" Ariel gave a disapproving look at Avalon. "Just because they exist? That's the best you can come up with! That's pathetic!"
"Miss Valise control yourself!" Yelled Mrs. Applegates. Avalon relaxed a bit.
"Miss Valise—" Avalon turned back to Mike. "—I know you think our reasons are shallow but please understand; they can endanger the human race."
"How?!" Yelled Avalon.
"That's a lot coming from a nonbeliever." Remarked Sid who had stayed silent the whole time. Avalon turned her pointed gaze to him. "Just because I'm a nonbeliever doesn't mean I don't have my opinions Sir. I just don't see what all the fuss is about! It's not like they plan on having an all out war with the human race!"
Sid grunted and turned his head away. Avalon turned back to Mike. "Do you think what you're doing is noble? Do you?!" She asked in a forceful manner. Mike let out a light sigh.
"Of course I do. If you've seen what I have Miss Valise, you'd understand."
Avalon calmed down a bit. "What do you mean?"
Mike stared intently at her. "What I mean Miss Valise is that, you are too young, you haven't encountered what I have and hopefully you don't. Vampires are nothing but trouble, they cause pain and suffering to everyone. They take away everything that you could hold dear. The mission of EAA is to stop that from happening. I know it's hard to understand since you don't believe, but you have to trust me when I say it's for the greater good."
Avalon clenched her jaw, she didn't see how it was for 'the greater good'; she was friends with vampires and they have been nothing but kind to her. She didn't understand.
"Now, does anyone else have questions?" Asked Mike. Half of the students in class raised their hands. Avalon detached herself from the rest of them and turned her gaze towards the window. She didn't want to get involve with heartless people who understood nothing, whose cause she believed were nothing close to 'noble' but more of the opposite.
Avalon was so deep in thought she hadn't noticed Mike staring at her intently, his eyes clouding over with an unreadable expression.
"She sure argued a lot for someone who doesn't even believe." Whispered Sid to Ariel who nodded in agreement.
"She's a fool. She doesn't understand anything. But she is after all a child still." Whispered Ariel back.
Mike glanced at the two and turned back to the class.
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Kai walked solemnly towards Avalon's school. He had been in a foul mood all day, especially with Ellie. She had become slightly irritating ever since his Grandfather's ball; and especially clingy to him. Kai ran a frustrated hand through his hair and let out a low growl. As he approached the school he could make out Avalon's form bouncing up and down in hurry anticipation. Kai raised a brow but didn't bother to speed up.
Avalon glanced around at the school to see the three EAA members talking with one of the teachers; Avalon glanced at her small watch on her left wrist and let out a sigh.
"What's the hurry?
Avalon jumped slightly, a blush forming on her fair complexion. Avalon whirled around and gave Kai a worried glance. Kai raised a brow in a questioning manner, which Avalon answered by a quick grab of his right hand accompanied by an impatient tug.
"What the Hell? What's up with you today?"
"We gotta go! Come on! While they're busy!"
Kai furrowed his brows but stood rooted to the ground. Avalon whirled around and let out an agitated growl. "Kai! This is important!"
Kai shook his head and was about to speak when someone else beat him.
"My…you sure are in a hurry Miss Valise."
Kai stared at the intruder and narrowed his eyes. Mike gave Kai a friendly smile, opposite to Kai's deep frown. Mike took a swift glance at Kai's uniform and raised a brow. He looked back up to Kai.
"A Darcia student I presume?" Mike extended his hand towards Kai. "Mike Garrison."
Kai just gave Mike a cold stare in return. Mike reluctantly retracted his hand.
"Kai…come on." Kai looked down towards Avalon's pleading look and turned back to Mike one last time before dragging Avalon away.
"Tell me, do you know why your school wouldn't allow us entrance?"
Kai turned around and grunted. "How should I know? I don't own the school; I'm just forced to attend."
Mike smiled slightly at Kai. "Really? That's too bad. I would say your girlfriend could tell you what we discussed, but she doesn't believe in what we've taught." Mike directed his gaze on Avalon who tightened her grip on Kai's hold. Kai snorted.
"Hn. And what could that be?"
Kai felt slightly peeved as Mike's smile widened. "I'm glad you asked. Tell me, do you believe in vampires?"
Kai stiffened a bit and narrowed his eyes. "Humph. Why would you want to know what I believe in?"
Mike shrugged his shoulders. "Just curious…so do you? Or are you like your girlfriend over there?"
Kai didn't bother to correct him on the girlfriend part; he just merely turned around once more and dragged Avalon with him.
"You should be careful! You never know who to trust nowadays!" Called Mike towards them; Kai let out an audible growl but didn't bother to respond.
Once Kai and Avalon were out of earshot he turned towards her. He had an unreadable expression on his face.
"You mind explaining?" He asked, not too nicely.
"He's a member of the EAA; they came to our school to warn us about the vampires…Kai…what if he knows?!"
Kai snorted. "I highly doubt it."
"But they have devices—even though I think they don't work—but still!"
Kai rolled his eyes and began to walk off. Avalon ran to catch up. "Kai! This is serious!"
"Hn. Don't think about it…you'll only get hurt in the process." Kai smirked mockingly at Avalon who stuck her tongue out at him. Kai let out a low chuckle and turned serious once more. "But seriously…don't worry about it. Let my Grandfather and the other adults deal with it."
Avalon let out a sigh. She didn't understand how he could act so calm about something so serious.
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"Did you hear about the meeting Kai's Grandfather's gonna have tonight?" Asked Tala, maneuvering his neck so he would be looking up at Renée. The pair was sitting in Spencer's living room, more of Renée was sitting on the sofa while Tala was sitting on the floor; they were there to meet Spencer's cousin, Monet.
Bryan, who was sitting across from the new couple, raised a brow. "So it's not a rumor? About the EAA trying to enter our school to 'warn' us about…well, us?"
Tala nodded his head sternly a light smirk playing on the corner of his lip. "They also went to Avalon's school."
"You don't…you don't think they know…do you?" Asked Renée timidly. She didn't want to move again. Tala shook his head.
"I highly doubt it. But I think they suspect that we're hiding out here. But that guess is close to zero." Responded Tala, squeezing Renée's hand for reassurance.
"Hn. You sound sure of yourself Tala."
Tala smirked at Bryan. "That's cause I am. They won't find out. We won't let them." Bryan rolled his eyes. Just then Monet walked in. "Who won't we let find out?" She asked, hoping that made sense. Bryan looked up and gave a curt nod.
"We were just discussing about the EAA."
"Oh!" Monet took a seat next to Renée. "So what everyone was saying is true then?" She received affirmative nods from all of them. Monet bit her bottom lip and glanced at the teens. "Shouldn't we be doing something then? You know…take safety precautions?"
Tala chuckled. "Don't worry; Kai's Grandfather is holding a meeting tonight with all the other adults. He'll find a way to work things out. They probably already have some plan to keep the EAA from finding out about us. I mean, it's been at least ten years since the…last incident."
The teens all turned their eyes towards different directions, none wanting to meet each other's gaze. The incident of ten years ago was a horrible memory that none of them ever wanted to remember…or relive again.
"Why's everyone quiet?" Asked Spencer as he entered the living room, taking a seat on the floor next to Bryan, who was sitting on the loveseat. Spencer glanced around, but no one spoke. Monet, feeling that the awkward feeling had to end stood up and clasped her hands.
"Who wants cookies?"
She received mumbled replies of 'yeah' or 'sure' from the teens. She began to make her way towards the kitchen when Renée stopped her.
"Here, let me help you with it."
The three males watched as the females left the room.
"You know that subject is sore for most of us Tala, including you."
Tala rolled his eyes at Spencer and mumbled a 'whatever'. Tala leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "Kai said that we should watch Avalon from a distance for a while…he thinks the blonde member of the EAA suspects her of something…"
Bryan and Spencer exchanged glances. Bryan spoke up. "Don't you think he's…over exaggerating?"
Tala let out a puff of air and sat up straight, his legs crossed. "Yeah…but…he said he saw one of them following them home—it was a girl though…"
"Does Avalon know?" Asked Spencer. Tala shook his head. "Kai said that Avalon was already freaking out as it is…he didn't want her to go and do something drastic or accidentally spill the beans that she's friends with vampires…It's something she'd do if she found out she was being tailed."
Spencer nodded. "So how do we do that? Don't you think she'd suspect something's up if we suddenly decided to hang out with her all the time?"
The three exchanged glances before smirking. "Nah" Was the simultaneous reply before the three males began to chuckle. Avalon was too dense and naive to suspect anything.
"Hey! What are you three laughing at?"
The males stopped when Monet and Renée entered the room with the freshly baked cookies. Spencer smiled at his cousin and shook his head.
"It's nothing…"
The girls gave each other knowing glances but chose to brush it aside. Boys will be boys.
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"Order please! Order!" The crowd of adults began to silence themselves and turn their attention to the man before them. Voltaire Hiwatari stood in front of the fairly large crowd, his stoned filled eyes skimming through the throng of people. He opened his mouth to speak.
"As you know, the EAA had arrived at Darica High, hoping to 'warn' our younger generation of our kind!" He paused for a moment, letting the people murmur for a bit before continuing.
"Do not fear! We do not have evidence to believe that the EAA has found us after ten years of hiding! It's mere coincidence that they had appeared now. It could have been the cause for the mysterious deaths—
"But Voltaire—" Began a man from the crowd. "—what if they find the bodies and see the marks?"
Voltaire held his palm up. "Don't worry. I have people taking care of that as we speak. Tomorrow there will be news of a fire destroying the morgue. There will be no evidence." Voltaire smirked, his eyes dancing with a new born flame.
There was a sound of approving murmurs.
"But do not let your guard down! We can not be too careful! One wrong step and it could be the end for us all! We do not want to let happen the events of ten years ago where we lost most of our clan members! Our loved ones! Our children! Our—"
Voltaire continued his speech, oblivious that his grandson was listening to everything being said. Kai especially became uneasy at the mention of the incident ten years ago. He clenched his fist tightly until he drew blood. His head was lowered, his bangs covering his eyes. Quietly, he got up and descended the stairwell of the secret entrance that lead to the Hiwatari mansion. His movements seemed slower, as if he were drained; Kai walked up to his room in a mechanical sort of way. Closing the door behind him, he slid to the floor, burying his face in his hands.
Ten years ago…I won't let that happen again…not again…
The full moon was the only light that illuminated Kai's room while he reminisce the scene that plagued many of his kind...the images that will forever be in all their memories…the day their clan was nearly destroyed.
TK: Yo! First of all I would like to thank everyone who has stuck through with this fic and to those who have been reviewing! I know I've been dragging lately with my updates but school's become a great hassel! I have finals next week and I'm seriously going crazy!
And to those who took the time to answer my questions: THANK YOU! I've got a good generalization of how people want this to turn out and those who continue to read but don't review don't think I don't appreciate it! I really do! It means a lot that you take the time to read this fic!!! So...THANK YOU!
I don't remember if I answered everyone...I hope I did...but anyway...I'll answer some now
1.Yes, there will be more RenxTala...but that will be later in the fic...much later...but there will be slight fluffs here and there.
2. I've elaborated a bit of the EAA. As you know...they want to eliminate vampires and all things unhuman. And it seems Avalon's already getting suspected...who knows...something could happen and could put everyone in danger...but...I won't say just yet. Just know that they'll be playing a HUGE role now as the story progresses and could lead up to some...unexpected changes amongst the characters in the story...hehehe
3. And about Spencer and his cousin being an item...nope! But I have other plans for Monet...hehehe
Umm...I think that's all...I think...eh...Don't forget to review!!! And thanks for reading and sticking with me!!!!
♥TK♥