Hi people sorry for the long wait! I hope ya'll enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Trinity Blood.
Chapter 25
"If I may ask are you two finished with your argument?" William tentatively asks worried that the three were not finished with their argument. "Or if not than by all means continue I did not wish to interrupt you!" He quickly says when none of them answer him. We really should be going but I do not really want to interrupt them…perhaps I should try to so we can find the others. He thinks watching the three and takes a quick deep breath. "I know you three are having quite an interesting topic but if I may suggest that we move so we can find the others?" He says smiling a sincere smile and watches as the three nod and stop their argument.
"He's right ya know we really should try to find the others." Tyran says in a mature tone ignoring the fact that the other two were griping at him for how he was the most immature of the three of them. "You guys are just mad that I'm not only older but I can actually drink without I' in trouble." He argues a smug smirk on his face.
"YOU LIAR, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN THROWN OUT BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO YOUNG?" Mickele shouts his face red with rage as he and Tyran start back up another argument.
"Will you two please stop?" Scarlet asks in the most polite and sincere tone she could muster. "I would really appreciate it if you did so we can go and find my cousin and the others." She continues in the same tone a sweet smile on her face. Tyran and Mickele freeze then silently look at each other wide eyed with expressions of fear and shock on their face.
"Right…no more arguing between the two of us." Mickele squeaks he and Tyran hiding behind William both shaking out of fear. "Don't ask why we're scared vamp dude you don't know how scary she is when she's being sweet." He whispers to William who had given them a confused look.
"I see…well as Scarlet said we should get moving, this way." William says as he turns and points toward the direction of the building's entrance a soft sincere smile on his face.
"Right!" Tyran calls and the others watch as the two are already speeding away trying to get away from Scarlet. "We'll meet ya'll there!" He calls again when the two of them are already out of sight.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone be enthusiastic." Abel says laughing softly as Leon and Esther nod in shocked agreement.
"DO YOU TWO EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING?" Scarlet shouts as she grabs William's wrist and chases after them. "GET BACK HERE YOU IDIOTS!" She shouts again dragging William behind her.
Help me. William mentally whimpers as he inwardly cries. Her size hides her strength. He thinks as he is dragged away with the others rushing after Scarlet trying to keep up with her quick pace.
"Scarlet slow down we can't keep up!" Leon angrily shouts at the young teen that instead ignored his shout and sped up. "YOU I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!" He shouts again as he speeds up and manages to somewhat catch up to the girl she was still a few good yards ahead of him. "SLOW DOWN!" He shouts once more and starts to again but trips over a pebble and falls flat on his face. "Oww…" He groans as the other race past him but come back and help him up. "That brat she heard me I know she did!" He shouts and gets to his knees then stands up scowling.
… … …
"Well it didn't take us too long to find the exit did it?" Eva chirps stepping around the bodies of the vampires that Ace had beaten in a few minutes. "You did that quickly didn't you?" She laughs nudging one of the vampires with her foot and looks at Ace who was holding her blade at her side and taking a few deep breaths.
"Well you weren't very helpful were you?" Ace dryly asks giving Eva a cold look then looks at the door that was in front of her and pushes it. "It's rusted shut." She growls pushing it again but it doesn't budge and she tries it again. "Mind giving me a hand here?" She asks Eva who was standing a few feet away twiddling with her fingers.
"Uh…sure but one question." Eva says holding her hand up a blank look on her face. "If it's rusted then how do you plan on opening it?" She asks tilting her head to the side in confusion.
"Maybe the two of us can shove it open." Ace bluntly states gesturing toward the door and kicks one of the vampires in the head when they start to stand up. "Stay down." She warns and knocks him out with a sharp hit to the neck.
"Poor guys didn't even see you coming." Eva says and walks over to the door and puts her ear against the door. "I think I hear voices." She says and listens harder to see if she was just hearing things.
"This one of the exits?" One of the voices asks followed by a soft knocking on the door.
"Hang on, on three we'll ram the door." Eva says as she and Ace take a step back and prepare to ram the door. "THREE!" She chirps and takes off grabbing Ace's wrist as a column of water slams into the door and it flies off of its hinges sideways. "That was fun!" She says and smiles at Ace who was standing there in shock with wide eyes.
"SINCE WHEN CAN YOU CONTROL WATER?" Ace shouts at Eva and points at the door which lay on top of Mickele, Tyran, and William.
"Well since I was a little nothing big." Eva says and sees Scarlet looking at her with a slightly shocked expression. "What did you guys think you were the only ones able to control an element?" She asks and sees the three of the guys stuck under the door throw the door off.
"No but there is a difference between us you and Ace are lower class elementals." Tyran bluntly answers as he stands up and pops his back. "You just had to hit us with a door." He says and looks at Eva who smiles.
"What do you mean lower class?" Ace asks Tyran a serious look on her face. "And how do you know that I'm one if I am?" She asks him again and frowns when he laughs.
"Ignore Tyran he's not the best a communicating with this sort of stuff." Mickele says standing up and helps William up. "Lower class just means um…how do you explain it? Oh yeah Guardians are just a higher form of elementals." He tries to explain scratching the back of his head and looks at Scarlet for help.
"Doesn't explain a lot but that's the point you guys will find out more once we leave here." Scarlet says and smiles than looks at William with a serious expression. "So where's the next exit cause Alma and Shadow aren't here." She says and William nods.
"We have already checked all the others there's only one left and it is one of an underground pathway that leads…back." William says and points the way they came. "Back to the main entrance it was only supposed to be an escape route and in order to keep enemies out it was lain with traps I'm afraid." He says chuckling slightly with nervousness.
"Great so now we don't only have to worry about those two being alone together but we have to worry about traps, wonderful." Tyran grumbles crossing his arms growing slightly more worried. Shadow is still weakened I'm sure but by now he's had time to gain at least a little of his strength back. He thinks closing his eyes and takes a quiet breath. I'm sure Alma can handle herself but I'm worried if Shadow really was able to use pupa umbra on me…no he couldn't use it on Alma she's immune to it. So why am I so worried it's not even Shadow I'm worried about, I can sort of remember while I was a puppet but it's all confusing the parts I remember Shadow was different he seemed twisted. He silently ponders remembering the few times he could of Shadow while a puppet and opens his eyes when he feels someone tugging his shirt.
"…Tyran come on everyone else is already ahead of us." Scarlet says with Esther beside her Tyran nods and the three quickly follow after the others. I wonder what he was thinking he looked so distant. She thinks glancing at Tyran through the corner of her eye but quickly shakes it off and faces the front to see where the others were.
… … …
"AHHH! I TOLD YOU WE SHOULD HAVE GONE RIGHT ON THE LAST FORK!" Shadow shouts as he and Alma storm through the tunnel trying to out run the boulder that was chasing after them.
"NO YOU SAID GO WHEREVER YOU WANNA GO! SO I WENT LEFT AN' YOU FOLLOWED!" Alma shouts back at him and both duck into another path and watch as the boulder speeds by.
"I THOUGHT YOU'D GO RIGHT!" Shadow retorts after he catches his breath and leans against the wall to exhausted to move.
"I am truly amazed you are not scared of a tunnel filled with traps, twists, turns, and all sorts of other contraptions but you fear him?" Night asks Shadow shock evident in his voice and also disappointment.
"I AM NOT SCARED OF HIM!" Shadow shouts and then remembers Alma was there and looks over to see her backing away and giving him a freaked out look.
"Okay…I don't know who he is but I never said you were scared…" Alma says as she continues to scoot back away from Shadow. That was totally not weird at all…wait 'he' could be the guy behind all the chaos! She thinks and stops a moment. "Who exactly is he, Shadow?" She asks and notices Shadow visibly tense up and look away.
"No one forget I said anythin." Shadow says closing his eyes and mentally scolds himself for saying what he said earlier out loud. Dang it Night you know I didn't wanna tell 'em! He thinks clenching his fists and starts to shake with rage.
"You should have told them earlier Shadow you might have been able to prevent some of what has happened." Night argues in a calm tone that you only hear from a father scolding their child. Shadow shakes his head and doesn't see Alma's worried expression or hear her ask if he was okay.
Yer wrong Night…I probably would have just made it worse. Shadow argues with Night.
"Shadow you alright?" Alma asks in a concerned tone walking over to Shadow and places her hand on his shoulder. He looks at her and she sees the edges of his eyes red from lack of rest and he instantly looks away. "Shadow, if you don't want to tell me right now then don't." She softly says and smiles a gentle smile. "Come'n we need to find the way outta here." She calmly says and pulls Shadow's arm to get him to follow her. He looks up and nods a sorrowful look on his face. I could push him to tell me but then what good would that do it'd be best to wait until he wants to tell me. She thinks as the two head down the hall.
"Shadow you need to tell her the others don't trust you at all! She might be the only one that does and you won't even talk to her about it!" Night scolds Shadow who looks away from Alma with guilt.
I know that but you don't know what will happen if I tell her! Shadow argues and bites his lip and keeps his head low so Alma wouldn't see his face that was filled with guilt and pain at the memory.
"Fine don't tell her but you will eventually have to tell her and the others Shadow." Night softly but sternly says.
"Shadow come'n what's wrong with you?" Alma asks him and before he can get out of reach she gently grabs his arm and forces him to look at her. "What's going on with you, yer acting like yer arguing with yerself?" Alma asks him but he breaks away and quickly walks ahead.
"Nothing come'n Alma let's get goin' so I don't have to sleep in a dang tunnel." Shadow jokingly says and laughs as he walks ahead of Alma not seeing part of the wall slide down just far enough that when he walked to it he smacked his head and he was walking fast enough to where it dazed him and he fell. "When'd the wall get there did Nox put it there?" He dazedly asks as he sits on the floor his vision going in and out of focus.
… … …
"So this is the way we go down to go into the tunnel where the others are?" Scarlet asks looking down at the stairs that had been uncovered by William. "It's dark and the only one of us able to control fire is Alma who is need I remind you in that tunnel." She states with an eyebrow raised toward William who nods. "So do you have any way to light it while we're gown there?" She asks and he thinks a moment before nodding then pulls out small package of matches from his back pocket.
"There are hidden torches throughout the tunnel so that we can see when we enter." William says as he enters and lights a match then walks over to the wall and lights it so it brightens a small section he continues the steps until the entire corridor is lit then comes back out and smiles. "We may enter now if you and the others wish." He says as they nod and walk down into the tunnel with William in the lead lighting every other hidden torch so the corridor stayed lit.
"How far do you think they are?" Abel asks from the back of the group Ace and Tres had decided to wait outside in case any vampires tried something. "May I ask how far these tunnels go?" He continues and waits patiently for William's reply.
"Well for your first question I have no clue as to how far they could be for all we know they could be right around the bend or on the other side completely and as for your second they extend the entire length and width of the building and then continue on for miles we have not even begun to fully explore them yet." William calmly answers as he stops a moment to light another torch then continues on and starts to explain the tunnels further. "You see we had nothing to do with these tunnels they have been here since perhaps pre-Armageddon and so we simply built atop them. They could have been once used to house people from the battle or simply as a way to secretly transport goods. We probably will not know because it was lost but it gives you something to wonder yes?" He asks glancing back at the group with a soft polite smile then continues on.
"Yes I suppose it is, so William how long have you lived here?" Abel asks William and notices him stop a moment but quickly continue. Perhaps he does not wish to talk about it. He thinks and opens his mouth to tell William he did not have to tell them if he did not want to but William begins to speak.
"I honestly don't know it has been so long." William chuckles in a light tone as he continues to lead the group further into the tunnels. "Scarlet you and the others mentioned something about a lower class elemental, yes?" He asks Scarlet who nods.
"Yeah, why?" Scarlet calmly and bluntly asks William already knowing what he was going to ask by the tone he had used.
"Well I was thinking and I wonder what is the difference between a Guardian and an Elemental, Mickele had mentioned that a Guardian is only a higher form of Elemental but that does not clarify much." William tells her and he gets a sigh from all three Guardians.
"Yeah that was kind a the point ya know?" Tyran grumbles stuffing his hands in his pockets and stares off into space not wanting to answer the question.
"Oh come on please oh please tell us?" Eva begs in a cheery voice as she pulls on Tyran's and Scarlet's arms trying to get them to tell. "Please?" She begs again and gives them her infamous puppy face that earned sighs from the two but still shook their heads. "Why not?" She loudly whines to them.
"Because…well uh I don't know why alright we don't wanna tell ya'll when ya'll haven't even been to our home!" Scarlet stubbornly says after a few moments of confusion.
"Oooh so do we get to see it soon?" Eva asks her eyes shining with curiosity as she and Scarlet are oblivious to the anxious looks on the other's faces each thinking the same thing 'Are they going to show us where they lived?' And of course Able and Leon exchange worried looks at the memory of the last time they were there.
"You know if you guys do decide to take us me and Abel might skip out on that." Leon says laughing nervously but Tyran shakes his head.
"No, no, no, and heck no! Scarlet you can't be serious taking these guys there outta all the places?" Tyran says shaking his head and ignores Scarlet's calm looks that told him he was going to lose the battle anyway so stop whining.
"Tyran stop, just stop it ain't up to me anyway." Scarlet tells him holding her hand up and ignores Tyran's arguments and protest to taking strangers to their home.
"It's our home Scarlet if they come then they'll tell everyone an' it won't be a secret anymore that's the point of it being hidden!" Tyran barks emphasizing the word hidden and pays no heed to the others that were listening with great intrigue to their argument.
"I know that, you know that, Mickele knows that, everyone knows that but listen to me when I say that we can't stay hidden forever Ty it just ain't possible you know that!" Scarlet argues trying to remain calm and rationalize the situation she sees Tyran stop and think a moment then sigh.
The last time we trusted a human they turned on us can we really risk it again? Tyran thinks with uncertainty his eyebrows knitted in concern. If we can get the first thing straightened out then I suppose we have no choice we need their…or rather Abel's help. He thinks glancing at Abel through the corner of his eye but quickly looks away and runs his hand through his hair. "I know…but if they come then they have to swear to not tell a soul!" Tyran barks and quickly sends everyone other than Mickele a stern parental look. "Cause don't forget what happened last time." He calmly says to Scarlet and everyone notices each Guardian visibly tense up a moment.
… … …
Did he say Nox? He died fifteen years ago so why would he? Alma thinks and shakes her head at Shadow who was still on the ground. Maybe I misheard him I must've…unless no that couldn't happen. She thinks shaking her head before the thought could finish. "Shadow come on we may not have much further left to go." She says to him walking over and helps him up.
"Or a long way to go." Shadow grumbles leaning on the wall for support. "Alma, how did everything manage to go so wrong?" He asks her even more tired now after he collided with the wall.
"What do you mean?" She asks him and offers him a hand so they could get moving, he looks at her a moment then hesitantly accepts it. I think the wall plus his exhaustion has made him…I guess more willing to talk? She thinks as she lets him use her for support and they continue down the hall.
"Just that I wanted to help but I know something went wrong somewhere but I can't figure out where." Shadow softly says trying to stay awake but kept nearly dozing off and waking up from Alma's stumbling when he dozed off. "Sorry." He apologizes in a tired tone.
Well he seems more talkative maybe I should ask him about Tyran! Not directly of course but mention pupa umbra! Alma thinks and confidently nods her head. "Shadow I have a question for you." She tells him in a calm inquisitive tone.
"Yeah? Go ahead an' shoot then I'm all ears." Shadow says and lets out a loud yawn he notices Alma's doubtful look but doesn't say anything and waits for her to ask her question.
"Um…this is gonna sound weird but what do you know about a technique called Pupa Umbra?" She hesitantly asks in a soft voice that was nearly inaudible.
Shadow looks at her a moment then looks a way and rubs his neck nervously as he tries to come up with an answer until he finally sighs. "It's a puppeteer technique and basically makes whoever it's used on a puppet…why?" He asks Alma and notices her tense up a little. Okay…what else should I tell her I can't perform the stupid technique I could only manage to hold it for five minutes at tops and that was with someone willing for my training! "Whoo boy I remember trying to learn that technique I think I passed out the first time." Shadow says out loud without thinking and starts to laugh at the past. "Five minutes five lousy minutes and I passed out from the strain I ain't made to use that Pupa Umbra it takes too much outta me." He continues then realizes he was speaking out loud and looks at Alma who was just staring at him blankly. "Uhhh tell me I didn't jus' say that out loud?" He asks her but she nods her head and he hangs his head in shame.
"Yes, yes you did just say that out loud." Alma says and giggles softly when Shadow's face turns red with embarrassment then she stops and looks at him with a serious expression when she recalled what he had said. "Wait so you can't even do Pupa Umbra for more than five minutes or you pass out?" She asks him and he gives her a cheesy smile but nods his face still bright red. If he can't even do the technique then how could he possibly use it on Tyran? She thinks silently gasping and then inwardly sighs. If that's true then he wasn't the one who was controlling Tyran but who was there aren't many dark wielders left. She thinks not noticing when Shadow starts to speak until he asks her a question. "What sorry I was lost in thought." She quickly says.
Shadow sighs his face slowly turning back to its normal color. "I said yeah an' that was with Ignis an' Nox helpin' me train…Nox told me himself that not everyone can use Pupa Umbra you have to have a certain mind set he said and as blunt as ever said that I would never have it." He repeats laughing softly in embarrassment. "Then I asked you if why you were suddenly so interested in it?" He asks a playful smirk appearing on his face. Man why can't we just get outta here I'm so tired! He inwardly cries wanting nothing more than to sleep though he had to admit actually being able to talk to Alma was nice and it had been something he hadn't done in a long time.
"Oh well…um I just-I kind of…" Alma stutters as she tries to quickly think of what to say but Shadow's calm and questioning look made it so very hard for her to think of a lie that he would believe. "I don't know how to put it!" She whines in defeat not wanting to tell Shadow truth be told she wanted Tyran to tell Shadow not her for fear that it would only make it more complicated.
Shadow is taken back a moment but quickly recovers and chuckles softly at the fact that Alma's face was starting to turn red like it did when she was very embarrassed, nervous, or indecisive. "Alright, alright Alma calm down if ya don't know how to put it then don't tell me. I think I'll be able to survive." He teasingly says but freezes when he sees a light from around the corner. Alma opens her mouth to speak but he covers her mouth. "Hang on I'll try to hide us again alright?" He asks her as he removes his hand.
Alma nods her head and walks toward the wall helping Shadow who was still using her as support. "Okay but don't strain yerself you already look like yer about to pass out, got it?" She sternly orders Shadow who laughs quietly at the fact that she could be so bossy and yet so shy at the same time.
"Alright got it miss Alma." Shadow says as her flame that had hovered above them vanished and the two were enveloped in darkness. I hope I have enough to hide us until they've passed. He thinks and starts to concentrate pushing himself to not pass out when he feels the darkness cover him and Alma his strength already being pushed at its limit.
… … …
"I thought I saw a light ahead!" Eva and Mickele call as they run ahead of the group past William and into the darkness that held its place around the corner. They wait for William who had skipped several torches to catch up to them and help them see.
"You two may not want to rush we do not know who it may be." William tells them as he lights another torch illuminating the dark corridor to reveal nothing. "That's odd…I could have sworn there was a light this way…" He says perplexed by what he saw or rather did not see. I'm certain I saw one coming from nearby. He thinks rubbing his chin as he tries to come up with an answer.
"Hey William you're a vamp right?" Mickele asks him and William looks at him a moment trying to determine whether it was joke or not.
"Yes but I'd prefer it if you said Methuselah why do you ask or have you not believed me this entire time?" William asks in confusion not understanding why Mickele would need to ask that when he has known all along that yes William is a Methuselah.
Mickele rolls his eyes at William's obvious confusion and shakes his head ashamed that William was so confused and could not understand what he was asking. "Vamp-sorry Methuselahs, can smell good why don't you take a sniff and see what you smell." He states and smacks his face when a look of realization dawns on Williams face and he nods.
"I understand what you are asking but why did you have to confirm that I was indeed a Methuselah?" William asks still confused at Mickele's previous question but after Mickele gives him a look that told him 'you really want to know?' He drops the topic and smells the air. "These scents are familiar but they are further down." William says and quickly strides further down the corridor ignoring the fact that he had no light because he was following his now he saw now need of the light. I know these scents they are Shadow and Alma! He thinks once he realizes he was completely surrounded by darkness his ears droop slightly and he tries to look around in the darkness to find the two but saw only that darkness.
Alma sees William through the veil that was hiding her and Shadow from the others' sight she quickly nudges Shadow and points to William who was still trying to find them but could not see past the darkness. "Shadow look it's William I don't think we need to hide anymore." Alma whispers to Shadow who was barely awake. "Shadow come'n hang in there a bit longer alright?" She asks Shadow who shakes his head to wake himself up and nods to her.
Shadow closes his eyes and lets the darkness unwrap itself revealing him and Alma to William who had been standing virtually in front of them. "Yo, William long time no see you should really make a map of this place." Shadow jokingly says and sees William jump in shock and surprise.
"Where did you two come from?" William quickly asks and blinks when one of Alma's flames brightens their area and she waves to the others who were looking at her shocked.
"Hey guys sorry it took so long we kind of got lost!" Alma cheerfully says and looks at Shadow who looked like he was about to pass, murder someone, or maybe both. "Could ya'll wait to question Shadow he's about to pass out an' looks really irritable." She tells them pointing to Shadow who was not happy at all with the fact that Alma's light was keeping him from sleeping.
"I am not irritable I'm jus' tired!" Shadow whines followed by a yawn. "Ya know what I'm too tired to care." He grumbles as he lays his head on Alma's shoulder and quickly falls asleep not really intending too but the fact that his powers were pushed to their near limit along with all the tumbling he had done he quickly drifted off.
Alma looks at him a moment trying to decide whether she should move him to her back or just stand there until someone else picks Shadow up, she decides to go with just putting him on her back so he wouldn't wake up. "Alright now forward and march!" She cheers pointing forward and tries to take a step forward and instead nearly falls backward. "Or fall backwards." She huffs and adjust Shadow so his weight didn't pull her backwards again. "Now we forward and march!" She says again and starts to walk down the tunnel.
Tyran and Scarlet exchange looks to one another slightly worried by her behavior. "Um Alma what are you doing?" Scarlet asks her cousin who had Shadow on her back.
Alma looks at Scarlet in confusion a moment then motions to Shadow with her head. "What's it look like he fell asleep an' I'm carryin' him." She bluntly states and walks past Scarlet. "Come'n we should go…the exit is this way right?" She asks tilting her head to the corridor in front of her.
Tyran nods and looks at Scarlet both exchange the same look of 'what the heck is she doing?' Tyran sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I don't even wanna know." He sighs shaking his head at Alma who gives him a confused look.
I should tell him what Shadow told me but then again he needs to tell them. Alma thinks as she continues to head toward the exit. "Off we go!" She calls speeding up to get the others moving.
… … …
I look around me the hallway was familiar but it seems so much taller than what it usually is. "Why is that?" I ask then look down and see myself in the mirror my jaw drops at the sight. I'm ten! I think in shock then shake my head knowing it was another memory of mine and decide to go along with it.
I grudgingly walk into the room that Nox had told me to be at before the sun had even risen. Stupid Nox I don't care if he is my mentor I'm ten years old and would like to sleep in until the sun rises at least. I think rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and let out a loud yawn. "What do I have to learn again?" I tiredly ask wanting to go to sleep right now, the room was nice and open with plenty of Alitura's plants around I could use for shade. "Why'd you make me get up so early anyways?" I ask looking around for Nox but find that he was nowhere to be found. Of course…I bet my hairs sticking up everywhere again. I think and try to flatten it so that it does not look so bad.
"I want to show you a technique known as Pupa Umbra." Nox tells me walking into the room still in his pajamas with his hair in disarray too. I laugh at the sight of him normally he is stoic and clean but right now was just the opposite. "Not a word Shadow I want see if you will even be able to use Pupa Umbra." He barks at me obviously he was not a morning person either I can tell by how he pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head at me.
I look up when I hear footsteps and see Ignis standing there I wave at him when he sees me. "Hi what're you doing here?" I ask him and notice how even this early his fiery red hair looked like it always did and his burning ember eyes were bright and shiny. Well obviously he is totally a morning person. I think and let out another yawn I hear Nox scold him on being late but then Ignis taunts him with how he was not looking so stoic and poise anymore.
"Ignis leave me be you were the one that volunteered for this now be quiet while I tell Shadow what he has to do!" Nox barks at him in anger. Ugh Nox always gets so aggravated in the morning when he's not awake. I think inwardly groaning at the fact that I will have to be on my best behavior so I do not accidently encore his wrath.
"You want him to learn a forbidden technique what do you think I'm going to do just stand here and wait on him to use it on me?" Ignis scoffs and I see Nox throw him a dark glare then stomp over to me.
"Actually Ignis yes I did expect you to do that now shut up!" Nox snaps at Ignis and I see Ignis back down which is not easy considering he had a lot of pride and stubborn like a bull. "Alright Shadow watch what I do and I want you to repeat it okay?" Nox asks me and I nod knowing that I have no choice in the matter.
"Alright I got it." I grumble and watch as he closes his eyes and his hands start to glow a shadowy black the danced like a flame. Whoa that is awesome! I think watching with intrigue as he concentrates and then a dark black swirling orb appears in his hands and he looks at me.
"This is Pupa Umbra a forbidden technique only able to be wielded by Dark Wielders. In English it roughly translates to shadow puppet and that is what it does it makes whoever it is used on a puppet all their senses controlled by the master. This orb is a manifestation of one's power and usually harmless." Nox says with a smirk on his face when he says usually. "But with Pupa Umbra you force your energy into another's and take control, I'm not particularly fond of it though." He says and the orb vanishes into thin air. I gulp when he motions for me to do the same as he.
"Uh…okay." I uncertainly say and close my eyes trying to concentrate but the only thing I get a sudden explosion that blasts me all the way across the room with a loud BANG than a THUD as I hit the wall then the floor. "I don't think it worked…" I dazedly say holding my hand and head up then both fall back to the floor and I can hear Ignis laughing at my misfortune.
"ARE YOU FEAKING SERIOUS? AHAHAHA THAT WAS A TOTAL FAIL SHADOW! THAT WAS AWESOME!" Ignis laughs and I raise my head up to see him rolling on the floor clutching his gut with tears streaming down his face. Was it really that funny? I think then look at Nox and see him chuckling softly which means yes, yes it was indeed as funny as Ignis was making it out to be.
"I suppose I should have explained it better." Nox finally says shaking his head at me then walks over to Ignis who had stopped rolling on the ground. "Close your eyes and concentrate on forming a shadow orb in your hand." He calmly tells me and I do as I am told. I form the orb in no time and smile when it doesn't blow up in my face. "Good now come over here to Ignis." He tells me and holds Ignis still. "Ignis don't move, think, just relax." He tells Ignis who was starting to look nervous the closer I got to him.
"Uh Nox you sure this is a good idea?" Ignis asks him trying to move back but Nox was holding him in place.
"I'm sure now Shadow close your eyes and imagine the orb entering Ignis." He tells me after which me and Ignis give him crazed looks. "Just do it I want to go back to bed and Shadow think of an order." He orders me irritation in his voice.
"Oh okay…" I say closing my eyes and place the orb on Ignis' chest I feel it enter then hear a soft thump. I crack open my eyes and see Ignis lying on the floor his usually bright ember eyes dull. "WHAT?" I shout in shock and immediately kneel down and start shaking him. "Ignis? Ignis? Nox what do I do?" I ask Nox and see him shaking his head at me I hear Ignis grunt softly then nothing.
"Tell him to do something Shadow." Nox tells me pinching the bridge of his nose. I quickly look up when I hear a cough and see Lu standing in the doorway his shaggy silver blonde hair slightly tangled a toothbrush in his mouth with toothpaste around his mouth and towel around his neck.
"Why's my bro on the ground?" He asks in a slightly concerned tone I see Nox smack his face and shake his head at me. "Well you two have an answer or do I have to ask him?" He calmly asks raising one of his eyebrow in question.
"Uh…no Ignis get up come on!" I say pulling his arm but he stands up almost immediately after I say it so I end up dangling from his forearm. I hate being short. I think and drop to the ground. "Uh Nox what am I supposed to do?" I ask him looking at Nox and then Ignis whose eyes were still dull. What do I do? I think hiding my panic from Lu who was walking over to us wiping the toothpaste's foam on the towel.
"Tell him to give Lu a hug he hates those." Nox whispers to me and I look at him than Lu.
"But he doesn't hate them from Alma." I tell Nox who smacks his face again and tells me that it was because Alma was his little sister she was the exception.
"Uh…" Ignis says his eyes beginning to regain their gleam and I feel relieved but then I feel a massive headache.
"Shadow you're losing control do it now." Nox snaps at me in a low tone so Lu doesn't hear us.
I jump and nod forgetting about the headache. "Right Ignis go give Lu a hug!" I say and point to Lu who stops and gives me a weird look.
"What?" Lu asks in shock and coughs when Ignis gives him a big bear hug. I thought I said hug not bear hug? I think scratching my head in confusion. "WHAT THE HELL? IGNIS LET GO OF ME OR I SWEAR I'LL KICK YOUR BUTT TO KINGDOM COME!" Lu shouts trying to break free of Ignis but Ignis' grip gets tighter. Oh boy this is not going to end well. I think and scoot behind Nox for protection.
Ignis grunts after a few moments of his older brother trying to kick him to let go. "Can't…" He manages to say in a strained tone as he tries to hold onto Lu who keeps shouting threats and all sorts of words that a ten year old should never hear.
I start to feel dizzy again and the world starts to sway back and forth. "Nox I don't feel so good." I say and put one foot back so I will not fall. I look over and see Nox smack his face again. How many times has he done that already? I wonder.
"This is going to end up bad." Nox grumbles shaking his head when Lu catches sight of him.
"NOX!" He shouts and continues to try to get away from Ignis. "LET GO!" He shouts his face turning red with rage at least I think it was I can barely see straight. I let out a soft groan and collapse to the floor Nox manages to grab me before my face connects with the floor though…
Ignis finally releases Lu and falls to the ground huffing as his eyes return to their bright burning ember color. "Never again." He huffs as he lays on the ground.
"JUST WHAT WERE YOU DOING?" Lu demands, glaring at Nox his neon blue eyes cold as ice.
Nox gently picks Shadow up and shakes his head. "Well I was trying to teach Shadow something and Ignis volunteered." He bluntly answers holding the young Shadow bridal style careful not to drop him.
Ignis sits up with a groan and holds his head in pain. "Agh my head why's it hurt so much that wasn't even what ten minutes?" He asks Nox as he holds his head and rubs his sore ribcage. I think Lu broke a bone. He thinks rubbing his ribcage that he was sure was black and blue.
Nox calmly shakes his head. "No it was only five." He corrects Ignis who huffs and continues to groan in pain.
Lu's eyebrow twitches as his temper rises, "Just what were you trying to teach him Nox?" He demands glaring at Nox who takes a few moments to think of what would be the best way to answer that.
"Well I was trying to teach him Pupa Umbra and honestly he sucks at it." Nox finally answers and ignores Lu's shocked looks.
Ignis scoffs and crosses his arms, "No kidding." He growls then looks at Lu with a sheepish smile. "Uh sorry for hugging you bro." He says rubbing the back of his head and laughs nervously.
Lu opens his mouth to speak but Nox starts before he manages to get the first words out of his mouth. "I know that it is a forbidden technique but I wanted to see if he would be able to learn it and he won't ever." Nox states as he looks down at the sleeping Shadow with an expression of relief.
Lue and Ignis exchange confused looks then ask Nox why he looked so relieved about Shadow not being able to perform that technique but both start to laugh when Shadow mumbles something about cookies in his sleep.
"I think you have your work cut out for you." Lu says after Nox refuses to answer their question but Ignis continues to laugh at what Shadow had said.
"He won't ever be able to use it." Nox says catching both their attentions.
"What?" Lu asks in shock while Ignis tries to argue and say that he had used it on him not a minute ago Nox nods his head agreeing with Ignis then takes a deep breath.
"That's the point Pupa Umbra is always at its strongest when they first wield it." Nox explains in a calm voice hoping they would stop questioning him and get the point.
"In other words he won't ever go over five minutes?" Lu asks in a skeptic tone with a thin eyebrow raised in question.
Nox nods then laughs, "Just like I thought." He says shaking his head when the three start to vanish into darkness along with the room the four had been in.
… … …
Shadow grumbles something in his sleep then starts to softly nibble the ends of Alma's hair that were in his face and continues to mumble about cookies.
"Uh…Alma I think Shadow is eating yer hair." Tyran says pointing to Shadow who woke up a moment and spit the hair out of his mouth.
"Ugh why do I have hair in my mouth?" Shadow asks and tries to move when he sees that he is on Alma's back. "Uh…" He starts but stops as his face starts to heat up and he lowers his face so Alma wouldn't see him blushing. She's carrying me? Why would she I don't remember falling asleep. He thinks then flinches at the memory.
"Well you can get down now we're at the Vatican." Alma says as they stop a bit of ways from the gate. He looks a lot better I guess he needed a nap. She thinks laughing when she sees Shadow blush and he quickly hops off onto the ground.
"Wait why're we at the Vatican?" Shadow asks her looking at the massive cross and blinks a few times trying to recall the last time saw a cross that big he came up with nothing.
"This is where we stay." Tyran dryly answers keeping his distance from Shadow who barely seems to notice mesmerized at the sight of all the lights. The fact that he acts like he has no idea is really getting on my nerves. He thinks closing his eyes to calm down.
"Really? It's so massive!" Shadow gasps then sees the guards at the gates. "Can we just walk in?" He asks blinking a few times looking straight at the guards who ignore him. Well aren't they friendly. He thinks feeling his mouth twitch.
"I would very much like too but I am afraid I must take my leave my kind is not very well welcomed here." William says waving to the group as he leaves to go back to the building they came from hoping to get everything back to normal.
"That's right we should get going to." Ace says and sends Shadow a dark glare before she grabs Eva's hand and takes off toward her home. "If you guys want our help then I guess you will just have to find us." She calls over her shoulder with Eva waving happily at the group.
"BYE! HEY SHADOW HAVE FUN WITH THE QUESTIONS!" Eva happily calls a wide smile on her face as she waves to the group and then the two vanish around the corner.
Alma watches the two until they vanish and laughs nervously she turns to see if Shadow had even heard but when she looks she doesn't see him. "Where'd he go?" She asks then hears people shouting and looks over to the guards who were yelling at Shadow for something. Oh boy this is going to be fun. She thinks rolling her eyes as she follows Abel who had rushed over and was trying to calm the guards and Shadow but it ended up with Shadow kicking one of them in the shin and then turning his back on them. Alma and the other Guardians sigh and sweat drop at how he was acting.
Shadow: Why am I actin' like a child?
Alma: Because you are a child.
Shadow: Are not!
Alma: Are too!
Shadow: Not!
Alma: Too!
Shadow: NOT!
Alma: TOO!
Author: Okay while they do that I wanna say I hope ya'll like and remember reviews help me improve the story XP Hope ya'll liked bye!
Shadow/Alma: Bye!(go back to arguing)
Author: (Sighs) bye hope ya'll liked!