Tainted Innocence
Chapter #24
"So, why did that Innocence take human form?" Kanda stared directly at Mei when he was talking. He had a hunch that she knew all the answers, but it would be tough to get them out of her. "Why is it after you two?"
Allen could remember, his first encounter with Apocryphos. It was a thing that was a force to be reckoned with, something that was immune to the power of his Innocence. But, he heard that Mei and Sin's Innocence was able to injure it. It really confused him.
"I…don't know." Allen had an expression similar to a mixture between uncertainty and focus.
Mei exhaled lightly, leaning her head back against the curtains. "Well, you've probably heard the gist from Komui or something, but the guy's made of Innocence. It's a little complicated, but the Apocryphos wasn't originally in human form in the beginning." She was digging up the memories of her past 7000 years ago; some were incredibly painful to remember, and some just pissed her off.
Tiedoll glanced over his shoulder into the carriage where they were talking.
She's almost like a phantom. She comes and goes like she pleases, and reveals information on a whim. I don't know if what she's saying is true or not, but the facts do add up.
The General averted his eyes, just listening as he instructed the movements of the horses.
She's got something that all sides want—I'm surprised she's lasted this long without getting ripped apart.
"The Apocryphos wasn't human?" Johnny questioned with wide eyes.
"Well, obviously. Haven't the others stated that it's made of Innocence, like, several times?" Mei gently karate chopped Johnny's forehead. "But, he didn't have this form. Originally, what he looks like now belonged to someone that wielded the Innocence that overtakes him now."
The exorcists and scientist looked at Mei like she was crazy at revealing the information. It wasn't something that they heard every day, nor was it something that they would see coming.
"What?" Allen was the first to speak, a little confused.
"What do you mean by that," Kanda's question came out more like a statement. He was intrigued by the treasure trove of information she had.
"Wha, huh?" Johnny just made sounds of confusion.
Mei raised a brow. She knew that they didn't know, but the type of reactions from each of them were kind of expected, but silly and funny. She let out a giggle at how she expected such reactions, but covered her mouth, mumbling an apology.
"What's so funny?" Kanda made a face at her.
She waved her hand in front of her face in dismissal, "All your reactions are something I expected, but it was funny.
"Anyway, as I was saying, Apocryphos was actually a single Innocence long ago with an accommodator. But, when some stuff happened and he wanted to kill me for it, he was, I guess in a way, eaten, by his Innocence. And then he killed me. His Innocence became independent like that, with a will on its own. It may have been the will of the former accommodator, but he roams the earth in search of Innocence that need, what he calls 'salvation'.
"It's near impossible to kill him, so the only thing you can really do is injure him and run. But, he'll be after you again." Mei summed it up simply, ending with a nod.
"That's…" Allen looked like he was having the shock of his life. He didn't like the sound of being on the run 24/7 for the rest of his life. He couldn't imagine how it felt for Mei to have done that with all her reincarnations. It would have been hell.
Kanda's brows furrowed. "That thing has been after you for 7000 years?"
Mei didn't even bat an eyelash. She just nodded, because fact was fact. "Yeah. Hasn't given up yet, that guy."
She heard sobbing to her side, and looked to who was crying, seeing the scientist. He was trying not to cry, but the tears just wouldn't stop. It was overflowing, flowing to the point that he had to keep on wiping them.
"W-why are you crying so much?" The Seraphim user asked.
"It's because, y-you've been chased by, by, by such a thing for so long, for, for, so long!" He sobbed and wiped the tears, "A-and, each time, y-you've been killed each time, each time by it…how…how can you l-live like that? It's just, it's just cruel…!"
Mei was honestly a little shocked at Johnny. He struck her as an innocent, naïve boy that took everything head on and believed in small things that would make him seem more childlike than he was.
But, this honesty is refreshing,Mei found herself thinking.
She gave him a smile, a smile that wasn't happy, nor was it sad. It was one where it was hard to describe. She wished that she had someone like Johnny that was around every incarnation. Someone who would cry for her, empathise with her.
But now's not the time for those kinds of thoughts, she shook her head, chuckling at her own thoughts. What was she doing, thinking of stuff like this now?
"Johnny, you don't need to cry over something like this. It's okay. I'm used to this kind of thing—"
"Don't say you're used to this kind of thing! You never wanted to die, right?!" Johnny, in a fit of sobbing mess, cried out. His exclamation surprised everyone, and even the woman herself was in a state of shock that someone like him shouted at her.
"Huh…?"
"You can't get used to death! No matter how many times you die, how many times you're reincarnated, how many times you must die, don't you have any attachment to life?" His voice sounded like it wanted to crack, but he held on. "Sin—no, Mei, you don't seem like the type of person to seek out a fight whenever, even though you're strong enough as it is! How come you have to die each and every time? It's not fair! Not fair to you that someone else takes away what they don't need to!" The scientist was breathing heavily by the end of his rant, having lifted himself from his sitting position to one where he was on his knees, but the rest of his body risen.
Mei blinked a couple of times. She had only been told that a few times in her life, and it was between thousands and thousands of years.
She took a slow intake of breath, then released, telling Johnny to sit down with a gesture of the hand. "Johnny, I really appreciate your care and worry. But, really, you don't know me enough to say any of those things." Her words weren't meant to be incredibly harsh, but they came off as such with the tone of voice she used.
Johnny's expression flickered with shock, then he pressed his lips together, looked down and clenched her hands into fists. He didn't utter a sound, only clenching his teeth together, frustrated that she didn't care as much as he did about the matter.
"Moving on, if you guys are going to regenerate Timcanpy, I doubt you would need me." Mei lifted her hand, index finger up. "I get that Allen is on the run and thus he needs to be here so that he doesn't get captured again or run into any more dangerous situations, but might I ask, why am I here? I never wanted to be dragged along with you guys."
"Are you not in the same situation as Allen Walker?" Tiedoll was the one to speak up this time.
Mei tilted her head slightly, "Not really, but sure, why not. Similar." Then, her crimson irises narrowed, "But that doesn't explain why you've taken me along with you. So, what is it?"
"So demanding." Tiedoll laughed lightly, like he just heard a joke. "Why don't you relax a little and rest?"
"Stop avoiding the question."
Tiedoll just looked over his shoulder and smiled, but it held no malice nor happiness. It was merely a formality. "You know why you're here, Mei."
Mei glared at him, wondering what he meant. He was still smiling, as if he knew what was exactly going on in her mind.
What does that geezer know?
"I don't know why I'm here. I wonder why I'm asking." She decided she would feign innocence.
"Well, if you piece two and two together, it would make sense." Tiedoll dropped the smile. "You seem to be well versed with how to handle Apocryphos, and the information you have may be beneficial to us."
"That's nice." She spoke in monotone. "Well, I have my own goals, so what would you do if I ditched you right here right now?"
"I don't think you'd want to do that," The Art of Eden user laughed, "There are Finders all around the city, and exorcists are coming so that both of you can't escape."
"What, you think that can tie me down?" Mei questioned with the raise of an eyebrow.
"…no, not really. But wouldn't it tie a certain other person down?" Tiedoll's smile returned, but his words hit Mei like she didn't expect.
Her eyes widened just slightly, but enough that Kanda, being the sharp eyed eagle he was, noticed.
How the hell does he know about that?She returned to her normal state of thinking. She needed to stay calm in situations like these, especially with people that may or may not be the enemy.
"…okay, fine. I'll stay for the time being." Mei said after a moment of reluctance. She wanted to do her own thing, but she couldn't if there were so many obstacles to go through. She could probably kick them out of the way but that would take forever with reinforcements and exorcists.
What a damn pain.
Tyki had his hands shoved into his pockets when he arrived where the twins were. He had previously been strategizing; how would he get Sin back, and how he would get Mei to stop being a confusing woman and tell him straight what she was after.
It's more complicated than it seems, huh.
Tyki didn't hate Mei, in fact, he was reminded of Sin whenever he saw her and conversed with her. It's just that, although it did, it wasn't really. It was different. It sometimes reminded him of himself, the flipside of a coin. His black and white sides respectively, and her black and white sides. But, with different consciousness's.
"So," Tyki approached the twins and Maashima, the Noah of Pity. The independent Innocence was held by the Twins' creation ability, holding it in place so that it wouldn't leave easily. "How did you capture this thing so easily?" He raised a brow at the twins, a small, calculating smile on his lips.
He was eager to do something to the monster Innocence. To the thing that destroyed what his Noah held dear back many thousands of years ago, and to the thing that wanted to keep killing off the Seraphim user's hosts. Even his inner Noah felt the same; he could feel his blood starting to boil, and the rage coming through.
But, he held it to a minimum. He didn't want to jeopardise the capture with something so selfish, and they had to get some information out of him first. And thus, he had to keep his inner Noah and emotions in check.
"Hee! It was easy!" Jasdero, although more mature in appearance with the absence of the strings over his mouth, was exactly the same personality wise. He waved his gun around as he gave a funny dance.
David was more rational of the two, but was still the same hot headed teen as before. He grinned devilishly at the successful capture, "Easy!"
Tyki had completely ignored them, going to Maashima in favour to ask where his brother was.
"HEY! DON'T IGNORE US!"
"He was here just now," The African explained, "I think he went to go get something."
The tall Portuguese male wondered what his brother was getting. He turned to the independent Innocence that had been captured, narrowing his eyes at it as it was held in place.
This thing isn't even moving…he realised. If he didn't know better, it didn't seem like the thing was putting up a fight. If I recall correctly, this guy can move differently than humans.
"Oh, he's back." Maashima tilted his head in front of him, towards Tyki's direction.
The Noah of Pleasure turned around, only to see that Sheril was there, with something in his hand. "What did you need to get?"
"Oh," Sheril showed Tyki his hand, which held the ticket that they used to get into the circus. "I found this nearby."
Tyki raised an eyebrow, wondering why Sheril would have a circus ticket. "Why don't you just buy it rather than pick it up off the ground?"
Sheril held it up and pointed to the day that it was for, tapping at it to emphasise that that wasn't his intention in the first place to just pick it off the ground for nothing. "This was when you went out to see the circus with Sin and Wisely before she disappeared!"
Tyki didn't need to be told twice. He took the circus ticket, shoving it in whatever pocket he could find. He was sure that Sin would want the ticket back, considering she collected things like that back when they were travelling together. After all, when they did, they were always travelling from place to place for work, and whatever entertainment they had, if there were tickets, Eeez and Sin would collect them so that they wouldn't forget the memory.
"Thanks, Sheril." Tyki really was. The sincerity in his voice surprised his older brother, who just smiled at him after a fraction of a second of changed expressions.
"You're welcome," Sheril turned to Apocryphos, "Now, what will we do with you?" His tone had gone from light to one with a mocking tone.
"Noah…all of you, Noah…" Apocryphos spoke slowly, with a deep, deep voice that didn't even seem like his own. It might have been because his head was changed with the twins' creation ability, but it was strange.
"Just like back then…you all, you all…do not interfere with Innocence...or God, God, God…God!"
Wisely stood up from sitting. He made sure that the Earl wasn't awake when he stepped out of the room, making his way to where the other Noah were. They had called for him and were waiting at where they captured Apocryphos. Tyki was going there too, it seems, so he had to hurry in case something happened.
The Earl should be fine, for now, Wisely let the sound of his footsteps fall on the ground as he leisurely walked to a different part of the Ark that led to his destination.
Now that we've captured Apocryphos, it should be relatively fine to torture it to death, or just until we get enough information.
He thought for a moment, stopping briefly before continuing, huh, if Mei was here she would've loved to see it get tortured or die. Or…on a second note, maybe not. She never did hate him to begin with.
Wisely pressed a finger to his temple, rubbing light circles.
He had actually gotten a glimpse into Mei's mind when she died. 7000 years ago, she wasn't able to put up barriers like now, so he could read her mind and thoughts as clear as day.
That was how he found out that Mei never hated Apocryphos, her former colleague and friend, the one who turned on her because of her forbidden relations to the Noah. She actually understood why he was after her, why he began to hate her; she understood it all. But she risked her friendship with him just so that she could pursue the one she loved.
And that was how friendship and love became a regret.
In his memories, Wisely recalled that Mei, as the closest and most favoured by God, was someone who had lots of responsibilities to shoulder within the village that she lived. It was almost fate that the now-independent Innocence grew up in the same village, which were all made of travellers from different nations that decided to come together.
She had to travel a lot to other places so that she could protect the people, Wisely wondered how much a burden that would have been for her. She never injured other people, just the akuma that had terrorised places and people. She didn't even attack Noah when she saw them. Although they looked different, she didn't hurt them.
Wisely was one of her first friends from the Noah family. He had met her through Joyd. He and she would normally sit down to talk and chat, about various topics, even though he could read her mind. Sometimes, she would surprise him by blurting out things that wouldn't even cross her mind, and it would leave the male stunned at her frank thoughts.
Sometimes, when he was disguised as a human, he would visit where she was, and they would chat at her house. The male who had Innocence that would later be known as Apocryphos, was a good friend and would come over. He didn't know Wisely was a Noah, and treated him just like he would treat a friend.
But, Wisely tried to turn a blind eye to the male; his name was Aelius. He wasn't a bad guy, he was a good guy that would help out Mei whenever there was something happening. If it was anything like the myths and legends, Wisely would have to say that Mei and Aelius were something like side-kicks that would battle evil.
The Noah didn't hate him back then, he never did. But, it was only when that unfortunate situation happened that he started to hate it.
I wonder why I turned a blind eye back then, Wisely stopped in front of the door that led outside to where he would meet the others. His hand went onto the handle, but he stayed still.
It may have been because Joyd was already claiming her as his, but the reason Wisely turned a blind eye to Aelius was because he felt sorry for him.
Wisely's hand pushed down onto the handle and he walked out to where he would meet the others.
Love really is the greatest tragedy of them all.
"They got away," Link reported to Rouvelier. He was situated in a position that was far away from others; where he wouldn't be seen.
He had to make a status report because his targets had fled.
"Find them, and befriend them." The Rouvelier's voice sounded through the golem, instructing his supposedly dead underling, "It may be easier to become an acquaintance of Mei instead. The 14th showed you hostility; Mei may, but it's uncertain what she's thinking at this point. But find her first."
"For the Flame of Purification, sir?"
Link could almost imagine a nod from his boss. He wasn't so sure as to why he was so obsessed over getting that power, but he was sure that it was something that would help exorcists and the like.
But, he was only his servant and nothing else. Therefore, he couldn't seem to muster the courage to ask.
"One of the survivors who were acquaintances with Mei, they gave us information regarding what that power is."
Link looked at the golem with surprise. It wasn't like Rouvelier to say such a thing, but the voice coming from it was just the same. "Is this the same man that we have under Central's supervision that told us about the 14th?"
"Yes. It seems Mei told them something that would benefit us. We've heard it from other sources as well; the same information. There is a very likely chance that this is the real deal.
"It's said that the Flame of Purification can erase the existence of akuma on a large scale, and it can be taken by taking her Innocence."
"Sir? How do we take her Innocence? That's impossible if we don't use Hevlaska!"
"No, it's not impossible. She doesn't have one Innocence, she has two."
Link's eyes widened, this was the first he'd heard of that.
"All you need to do, is take the Blade of Seraph that is her hairpin—her sword."
Link's face scrunched together in a focused expression.
How could he get close to Mei without her wanting to kill him? Last time he remembered, she was someone dangerous that could injure many without even acquiring a scratch.
"Report back to me when there are developments."
"Yes, sir!"
The line cut between the master and servant, leaving the former CROW member to put the golem back into his clothes, turned off. He crouched down when he heard some voices from the side, maintaining his hiding spot.
Reflecting on his superior's words, he wondered if it was the right thing to do.
It seems she won't kill on first sight, from what I've seen. Is she more rational, or is she someone who analyses and decides on that factor? How is this easier than befriending the 14th? Mei is just as dangerous, if not more!
But orders were orders, and he had to carry them out.
"So how long are we going to stay here?" Mei questioned, rubbing her nose. She had the itchy feeling that she wanted to sneeze, but it went away mid sneeze, and left her with a weird feeling.
Wonder if someone is talking about me.
"Until we get out of the city."
"Yeah, I mean how are we going to get out of the city without getting caught?" She deadpanned. "Like, I see that we're with a General and Kanda, but judging by how Allen and Johnny reacted, Kanda, are you not with the Order anymore, or, I don't know, what the hell are you doing?" She was a little confused with what exactly they were doing. Were they loyal to the Order or were they just doing whatever the hell they wanted?
"Helping fugitives kind of makes you guys' fugitives too."
"If there's a 3rd side to this war, we're going to find that out," Tiedoll was the one to reply, "It may help with the war between the Earl and exorcists right now."
Mei kept her silence. She didn't want to let slip that she already knew what the 3rd side of the war was. If she did, they would interrogate her.
She sighed lightly, turning to Kanda, "So? What have you, O strongest warrior of the Order, have to say about this?"
"We're going to leave the city to find Katarina." He said it with a face that almost seemed like he was saying 'what, did you not know that already, dumbass?'
She clenched her teeth together when she saw that and kept her calm, though her hands were formed into fists that clenched until they were white.
"Yeah. We are." She almost growled out. One thing she hated most, was being called an idiot by another idiot.
Johnny turned to Mei, "So why are you in London, Si—Mei?" He caught himself and lightly laughed, "Sorry, I'm not used to seeing you as Mei since you're in Sin's body."
Mei turned to him with a relaxed expression. She didn't get angry at Johnny because he was actually one of the nicest people she's ever met. But alas, still kind of dumb. But a good dumb.
"That's fine. I'm used to it already. As for London…" She had to think about this for a little bit. Technically, she was in London so that she could find the 14th, or Allen, for her goals. Now that she's found him, what she wanted to do wasn't supposed to be eavesdropped by others, since it deemed suspicious.
Guess I got to make up some shit on the fly.
"Well, I was here because it was the closest city to where Sin's travelling friends were." Mei wasn't actually lying, because it was, but she left it at that.
Allen looked at her with a weird expression, like he wanted to say something, but was hesitant.
"Spill it, beansprout." Kanda didn't even hold back. He just wanted to lay everything down onto the table so that they can move on.
"Weren't you in London looking for me?" Allen asked, pointing to himself, "Or, um, the 14th?"
Mei was silent for a moment, contemplating her reaction, then raised a brow, "Huh? How did you come to that?"
"Well, when I dropped down from the roof you grabbed Johnny and me, and well, you wanted to run away, right?" He didn't sound too sure of himself.
"Well, I guess? I don't think leaving you to die there would have been a good idea." Mei had her arms around her bent legs. "Sin would be sad."
Allen was about to say something, but Mei cut him off.
"But I do need you for something. 2 things, maybe."
"What?"
Mei just smiled at him. The boys didn't say anything in return, only questions running through his mind.
"So what are we going to do with Timcanpy? How do we get him back up and being a golem?" The sudden change of topic was a reminder that there were definitely other things that were happening.
As much as Allen wanted to question what Mei's other motives were, they couldn't because there were other things that they had to do.
"If Cross was here he'd know what to do." Mei looked at the jar, "Do you think this Katarina woman will be able to resurrect him?"
Kanda stared at the Seraphim user for a moment, then at the others, before replying. "That's exactly why we're going that way."
"Yeah, and we need to get out of the city first to achieve that." Mei stopped the urge of wanting to roll her eyes at the Mugen user. She turned to Allen, "Do you know where this Katarina is living?"
"Uh," He was a little stunned to have been put on the spot like that, "It was out in the country, somewhere…"
Everyone just stared at him like he was useless. The information he gave was vague and didn't give any directions at all.
"Stop looking at me like that!" He complained, "I only know that it's in the country in a big house, and there's a huge wheat field, I think, and this big tree too!"
"Yeah, very descriptive, Allen."
"Good job beansprout. Try thinking harder."
"Now, now, let's not badger him so much, you two." Tiedoll interrupted. He was still instructing the horses, but he looked over his shoulder briefly, "It's not the most descriptive and there are lots of areas that look like that, but if it's Allen, he'll remember some other details." The General smiled.
"But I…there isn't anything more I can remember." Allen pressed a hand to his forehead, thinking deeply about what dreams he's had while Nea had overtaken his body.
"If you can't remember, then there are others who do." Tiedoll put one finger up as in a pointer.
"You mean the 14th?" Allen spoke up after a while. "You want me to ask the 14th? The one that's going to take over my body again?" His words shook with a frightened and angry note.
"Who are the others?" Kanda's words didn't seem to be a demand but a genuine question.
Did he get nicer?Mei wondered, compared to what he was like when Sin first met him, he's definitely mellowed down.
Tiedoll put another finger up, "Cross, but we don't know where he is or if he's alive or not," he put up the 3rd finger, "and, the woman sitting in this very carriage."
Mei's crimson coloured eyes narrowed at Tiedoll's words. "What are you insinuating, Tiedoll?" Her words were not harsh, but they were cautious.
The General only smiled, putting his hand down to hold the reins. "One of those closest to the 14th and someone who's able to communicate easily to the Earl, someone they don't want dead," He paused, a light hum on his lips, "so why wouldn't you know Katarina? Or at least, where she lives and stories about her?"
"Just because I was on good terms with Nea doesn't mean that I know every single detail about his life." Mei refuted.
There were truth in her words, but she didn't verbally deny or agree with Tiedoll's words.
Of course, Tiedoll was correct in his reasoning. She did know Katarina. And she did know most of Nea's backstory and how he grew up and whatnot.
"I don't see you disagreeing with it." His words were playful.
Mei let her lips curl up a little. Her mind went through many processes to think of a positive situation for her, arriving at one conclusion that may be the quickest route yet.
"Well, if you believe that I know where she lives, then I'll lead the way. But, first of all," She turned to Allen, "I'll need your cooperation."
"Me?"