Letter Bee: Light and Darkness: Chapter 21: Alliance
"Am I right, Caribs Garrard?"
The thin man revealed himself, along with a large, yellow-haired man behind him.
Lag turned around, both he and Noir drawing their guns.
"Caribs Garrard...and Hazle Valentine." Noir threw Caribs a look of disgust. "Rather practical, remaining the sly dogs you guys once used to be."
Caribs merely smiled and said calmly,
"Tsk,tsk. And I see you've remained the raven black marauder, Noir." He said. "Always diligent, just like the person you once was, the famous, yet nonexistent, Gauche Suede..."
"Shut up." Noir said firmly, tired of his taunts.
"What do you want from us?" Aria asked, her eyes almost as disgusted as the look on Noir's.
"Relax, people!" He replied, as if he didn't give a damn about this at all. "It's a wonderful night, isn't it? Don't ruin my high spirits, wouldn't you?"
Noir's right fist tried very hard to control the surge of issuing a shot from his gun. Nevertheless, he simply remained quiet.
"To chat about old times, and leisurely use our time?" Largo asked, the smile on his face remaining, puzzling the others. "I don't think so. You're not that kind of person since the day I knew you."
Caribs took in a puff of cigarette smoke. "Exactly. I wouldn't be so dumb as to ask a bunch of imbeciles to spend some time with me."
Noir's right fist gripped his gun tighter as Lag began to tighten his grip on his gun as well.
"So spit it out." Noir said, trying to calm himself. "What do you want,and why do you need us?"
"No need to rush," Hazle said from behind. "Be rude and I'll kill everyone on this ballroom, one by one, starting with that little girl that you use as a dingo."
Hazle's words struck Noir with a force of a blow. He quickly turned around, lunging at the large man behind him, gripping his neck tightly.
"If you even dare to touch her, I-"
"He's bluffing." Caribs interrupted. "We are not here for violence, Hazle. Stop it."
Noir loosened his grip, and turned around, his teeth clenched.
"Tell me something, our black friend. Is it true that you've joined this...organization after you left Reverse?"
Noir barely nodded. Aria seemed very concerned about what was going to happen next.
"What are they planning?"
Noir seemed very surprised. Yet he still was very sceptical and couldn't trust him.
"Give me a very good reason why I should tell you."
"Because if you do, " Caribs put emphasis on these words, " I'll tell you how to get your memories back."
Lag and Aria seemed to flinch, especially Aria. He actually could bring the memories of the person known as Gauche Suede back to the body itself, to let the disappeared person known as Gauche Suede be reborn...
Noir felt confused rather than surprised. He liked his new life, but would becoming Gauche Suede be better?
Aria gave him a desperate look, wishing for him to accept it.
Nonetheless, he frankly answered:
" Very well. "
"Excellent."
Aria seemed to be very relieved and happy that he had accepted.
Noir took a deep breath. After calming down, he silently replied:
"Unlike Reverse, this time they plan to use the sun for world domination. They can increase, create, fuse and control Gaichuu, but the real mystery is how another Cabernet appeared, and actually could be in control of the organization's hands."
"Interesting." Caribs said, flashing a harlequin's grin. "May I know the name?"
"Dark Union." Noir replied. "The name of the organization is Dark Union."
"Is there anything they are after?"
Noir seemed hesitant whether to tell him that the organization was pursuing Lag. Nevertheless, he replied:
"The Child of Light." He said. "Whether they possess or kill the child, it will be beneficial to them."
Caribs secretly peeked at the boy behind Noir.
"Very well, then." Caribs suddenly said. "Using the light to conquer Amberground and start a revolution? I can't have that."
"Well, well." Largo said. "Ever since when did you ever care for anything about Amberground, Garrard?"
Caribs turned to look at him.
"Ever since I retired becoming a Bee."
"What do you mean by that?" Aria asked him. "You had such a bright future in becoming a Head Bee, then why did you retire?"
"Because of all of you!" Caribs shot back in a roar, furious. "Don't you understand? Letter Bees are killers! Murderers! Assasins! Keeping the hearts of Amberground connected? Don't make me laugh!"
"Letter Bees are not killers." Lag said tersely. "We risk our lives delivering the precious hearts of others-"
"To that damned artificial sun!" Caribs interrupted, his twisted face now screaming like a madman. "Do you realize how indirectly you have killed so many people without notice? How cruel and selfish the people in Akatsuki are?"
"Perhaps they are," Noir said firmly, " But we aren't. There's a possibility the government started all this. The attacks, the organization, everything that had happened would have been blamed by the government. If there is anyone to blame, do not blame us- we are different."
"I understand you can't get over the guilt of killing so much people, Caribs, or so you think. Noir is right- the Amberground government has kept too much secrets from us. It might be time for us to get to the bottom of this." Largo said, his face reflecting his consternation.
Slowly, Caribs calmed down, sulking in his chair.
"Fine. At least you all agree with me. Pardon my short temper."
"What do you intend to do?" Largo asked him.
Caribs gave a soft sigh.
"There's nothing we can do now." Caribs said, rather nonplussed. "All we can do is wait for our little black friend here to flush out more about this Dark Union. And your little Bee brat here must be under the guidance of at least one skilled Bee. Particularly you, Lloyd."
"And after we overthrow the organization?" Largo asked again.
"I don't know." Caribs replied. "For now me and Hazle work as mercenaries. Perhaps I could snag a well-paid job in Akatsuki, I guess. However, when the time comes, I will get my revenge on the cursed Amberground government for this useless torment. That is my primary goal."
"And perhaps you will." Noir replied. "Finding out what the Amberground government hides and the true plot of the organization is our primary focus. United we stand, divided we fall. We will look into this together."
Caribs seemed to nod in agreement. "Very well. We share the same goals, so working together might seem a solid plan, yes?"
"We'll keep in touch and share our info." Largo began. "After sufficient information has been gathered, we will plan our assault on the organization and act accordingly."
"Sounds like a good plan." Noir replied.
"That aside," Aria suddenly spoke, "You told us that you could bring back Gauche's memories, remember?"
Noir seemed rather interested in Aria's persistence.
"I never said I could, I said I could tell you how." Caribs said. "For that reason is why I invited young Seeing here."
"How could I help?" Lag asked, rather surprised.
"You are promoted to Akatsuki now, right?" Caribs said firmly. "The key to recovering Gauche's memories lies in Akatsuki. The source is a mysterious bullet found only near the sun. The sun absorbs the hearts and memories of many people, perhaps even Gauche's. Expose it to the sun, and the memories will be imprinted on it. Then, with a heart bullet, fire it to recover your friend's memories."
"Just like that?" Lag asked again, surprised that the task was fairly easy.
"It's not that simple." Caribs replied. "The memories imprinted on it will be random, slim chance that the ones on the bullet might be Gauche's, although if you find multiple ones you will have many memories and hearts. Additionally, risk getting too close to the sun will result in your own heart being sucked away."
Lag understood it now. He glanced at Noir, as if he was asking him what to do, confused by what Caribs had said.
"Very well then. " Noir suddenly said. "Whether or not we succeed in reviving the person known as Gauche Suede is still unknown. However, we must realize our top priority is the stop Dark Union and reveal the secrets of the Amberground government."
"Noir is right." Lag spoke. "Reviving Gauche's memories can wait. For now, if we don't stop Dark Union, we might even lose our chance."
"Well, I believe that settles it then." Caribs said. "We conclude that we work together to stop the Amberground government and revive Gauche's memories afterwards." He began to turn and leave. "Thanks for your time."
Aria and the others left the room, but Noir and Caribs stayed.
"Why are you helping us?" Noir asked, still disgusted.
"Help me, help you." Caribs grinned. "Let's just say I have my reasons."
The two men turned around, not facing each other, like mirrors reflecting the opposite. As Noir placed his gun inside his right pocket, he silently spoke to him, and Caribs whispered back, so silently as if they were talking through their minds.
"If you even try anything, I wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in you."
"Don't think you can best me."
Chapter 22 coming soon!
Well, hope you guys like this! Caribs Garrard agrees to call a truce to stop Dark Union and reveal the secrets of the Amberground government. But will their alliance be in peace? And will they succeed in recovering Gauche's memories?
P.S I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING ABOUT LETTER BEE/TEGAMI BACHI. ALL CONTENT BELONGS TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS OF TEGAMI BACHI.