Chapter 5: The Awakening
Knives stared at the newly introduced Titans that stood before him. He smirked seeing he would get great enjoyment out of fighting these three.
" No, mercy," Knives said
" We will never show mercy," they said
The three chanted something and three colored orbs appeared in front of them. Each was given a weapon that suited their ability. The three looked at Knives as they began to sing once more. All around him there were waves of energy that were coming straight for him. He couldn't take much, because he was already wouded, but he wouldn't let them take advantage of that. Knives pulled the gun and shot at the waves and saw explosions circle him. He fired a shot at them and they made it burst before it ever came near them. He was forced back when the first, Carmen, chanted a rather deathly song. His body had failed to move and his gun fell lifelessly on the ground. The second, Sirena chanted a sound life being pulled from the body. Knives began to feel as though he was being choked.
" No," Knives whispered
" These weapons are that of our ability, death," Quiesco said
A dagger appeared and she hurled it at him and controlled it with the humming of her voice. Knives looked and coughed as it came near him.
" No, I can't let them win," he said
He closed his eyes feeling the stab hit him in his chest. The stab wasn't deep enough to pierce his heart.
" Let him go," a voice said
The sierns looked and saw Vash standing there. Vash wore the white coat and held the blade of the Willing.
" Show's over, you sing off key," Vash said
" How dare you," Carmen said
" Easy," Vash said
They chanted and Vash was not effected and he fired a shot hitting each siren in their shoulder. He ran to Knives and suddenly Carmen threw a dagger and hit Vash in his upper right chest. She then chanted and Vash felt the waves of sound hit him. He fell, but pulled the dagger out of his chest. He narrowed his eyes and fired a second shot which was repelled. He dodged their chanting, but the three had no idea, he slid next to Knives and looked at him.
" How are you able to not hear that?" Knives gasped
" Simple," Vash said with a smile
" What is it?" Knives said
" Ear plugs," Vash said
" Idiot," Knives said pushing Vash away
" Meryl made them, here," Vash said
Knives took the made ear plugs and placed them in his ears. He rose slowly as Vash stood in front of him ready to fight.
" So, you've found away to not be effected by our songs," the three said, " But you won't last long."
Each siren looked at Vash and Knives trying to figure out their weak points. They hid them well, but it was there.
" Allow me to help you," Legato said
Legato smiled and looked at the sleeping town and suddenly made it fill with life. The sierns smiled and chanted and the men of the town came towards them.
" What is happening?" one man said
" Legato's here too," Vash growled
" I'll take care of the sierns," Knives barked
Vash looked at Knives seeing he truly was changing. He grabbed his brother's arm and Knives looked at Vash.
" Don't get any ideas," Knives said, " I'm not becoming soft for these humans. I'll kill them in time."
Vash shook his head ran to help the men to wake them, but then another acted strange. The sierns hurled daggers in each direction with their chants controlling them to their targets.
" You can't save them all Vash the Stampeded," Legato's voice echoed in his head
" I will do what I can, all in the will," Vash said, " I'd like to see you stop me Legato."
" You are testing my true power Vash," Legato said
Vash fired a shot and a wave of sound exploded before it hit the towns people. Vash turned around and narrowed his eyes.
Knives hit the ground and breathed deep. His body was beaten up and he bled from his mouth. He stood up and wiped his face laughing a little.
" Are you giving up?" they asked
" No, I'm just getting warmed up," he said
Knives stood up and looked at the sirens, they smiled and Knives looked at his gun. The blade of Hades was his only choice, the out put was to strong evening for his wounded body. The Angel arm was not a good choice at the moment. The third siren was keeping Vash busy along with the absent Legato.
" I need that power," Knives thought, " The power of the double Angel arm."
Knives was thrown as he hesitated to think of a plan. Vash looked and saw Knives hit the ground. He laid there not moving and Vash breathed deep.
" Knives, come on get up," he whispered
Knives pushed his body upward, his eyes were glowing and now was no time to mess with him. His objective was to finish the sierns, he drew the blade of Hades in his hand.
" You can't harm us fool," Carmen said
" Knives," a voice called
Knives turned around and saw Karen carrying the black coat of the World Beyond. He breathed deep and looked at Vash. Vash got up from the last blast he received from Quiesco. Vash breathed deep and heard Karen's voice and he saw the coat.
" Karen no!" Vash shouted
Carmen and Sirena smiled and together formed a powerful song. The wave came towards Karen and Knives got up and ran to her. Dust flew as he and Vash took towards Karen. Karen looked at both men and then there was a bright light, a sound of gunfire and chanting. Dust covered the town as suddenly the town awoke from the control of Legato.
Meryl ran out and looked and the dust settled, Vash looked at the sierns, his eyes glowed and his gun was formed in the Angel arm. Vash breathed and looked at his torn coat and he fell to his knees. The sierns narrowed their eyes and then melted away from sight.
" Knives," Karen cried
Vash looked up at the stars and felt the Angel arm retract and blood covered his right arm. Meryl ran to him and lifted him up in her arms as he breathed deep.
" My arm," he thought, " It's useless."
Vash looked at Meryl and reached up and touched her face with his left hand.
" Oh, Vash your arm," she said
She looked at it and saw a gold liquid falling from it. She touched it and it became red. Vash looked at her and she pulled him close.
" Meryl," Vash whispered, " my brother."
Meryl looked at Karen as she held Knives in her arms and she stroked his forehead.
" Knives," she whispered as tears fell from her face
" He doesn't look well," Meryl said, " He might not make it."
" He'll make it, I assure you," Vash whispered
Legato looked at the young flutist and she grabbed his hand.
" Don't worry there is still three of us," she said
" Yes, three," Legato said giving the girl's hand a squeeze
They walked off and vanished into the night without a sound.
" I will win," Legato thought
The next morning Vash opened his eyes and felt his arm was a little stiff. He looked at it and saw a bandage wrapped up all the way to his shoulder. He got up and felt he was a little sore, but nothing he couldn't handle. He got up just like any other day and Meryl was making breakfast.
" Morning sleepy head," Meryl said, " You slept longer than usual, it's nearly noon."
" I didn't realize how tiered I was," Vash said
" Vash," Meryl softly said
" Yes," Vash answered as he leaned against the wall.
Meryl turned and said, " Don't go anywhere…I don't want you to leave me again."
Vash looked at her and walked towards her and then she stumbled and collapsed in his arms.
" Meryl," he cried
He lifted her into his arms and ran her to the doctor.
" I need help," he called
Two nurses came and led him to a room and then told him to wait outside. He stumbled back and sat down, he leaned forward and put his hands over his face.
" Meryl please be ok," he said
" Don't go anywhere…I don't want you to leave me again."
" I won't go anywhere," Vash whispered
Megami looked at looked at Legato as he slid his blade into it's sheath. He then turned and looked at her.
" Your not well Legato," Megami said
" I'm fine," he said, " I am to do my job."
He walked past her and she grabbed his wrist and Legato looked at her. She stared at him and bit her lower lip.
" Have you had any flashes of pictures lately?" Megami asked
" Only little bits of them, I do not understand them. They are full of pleads for death," Legato said
Megami nodded and looked up at him, his eyes were showing more life to them. His words that he spoke to her had life to them with every breath he took.
" Legato where are you going?" she asked
" I have to kill those two," Legato said
Suddenly, Legato began to feel a lot of pain and Megami looked at him.
" Legato," she said
She grabbed his arm as he fell to his knees and showed the sign of pain in his face.
" What's going on?" Raven said
" Legato, he's in pain," Megami said, " Lots of pain."
Raven smiled and laughed and said, " Then it is starting."
" What is starting?" Megami said
" The awakening," Raven replied
" But it is not time," Megami said
Legato looked at Raven and breathed deep, she smiled and turned away.
" His body is just reacting to it, just like the plants," Raven said, " Once the baby is born there will be one plant to every human. The new race will come."
Knives opened his eyes hearing a high pitch sound. He sat up and winced in pain looking at his body.
" Not killing is pointless," Knives growled, " My body is badly beat up."
He got up and stumbled down the hall. He could hear the plants calling to him and most likely Vash heard it too, but chose to ignore it. He fell weakly and Karen ran to him. She helped him up and embraced him tightly, covering his ears. Knives breathed and heard a heart beat, he felt warmth come from Karen, but he also felt a presence within her. This presence embraced him too and with the strength there was healing. Knives felt the pain vanish from his body.
" What?" he questioned
Knives sat up and undid the bandage on his left arm and the flesh that had been burnt off from using the Angel arm was healed. His wounds he had received from the fight with the sierns closed up and healed.
" Knives your arm," she whispered touching it
Knives felt her touch on his arm and she looked at his torso and undid the bandages revealing his wounds healed. She glanced up at him as a smile turned up on his lips.
" I'm healed," Knives said
Vash saw a doctor coming towards him. He rose and the doctor removed his face mask and gave a smile.
" How is she?" Vash asked
" She's fine, in fact they're both fine," the doctor said
" Both?" Vash questioned
" Yes, you're the father of a beautiful baby girl," the doctor said, " I don't believe I've every seen such a perfect baby."
Vash smiled and the doctor nodded.
" When can I see them both?" Vash ased
" Meryl's in a different room the baby will be there soon too," the doctor said
He walked Vash down the hall and into Meryl's room. Meryl looked at him and smiled softly.
" Vash," she whispered
Vash sat down on the bed at her side and took her hand. He leaned over and kissed her on her head.
" She's beautiful Vash, just like an angel," Meryl said
" Because an angel gave birth to her," Vash said
A nurse walked in holding the little girl in her arms. She walked over and placed the baby in Meryl's arms.
" Welcome to our world Vita," Meryl said
" Vita," Vash whispered
Meryl looked at the little girl as she stared at them, Vash smiled and gently took her into his arms and he felt that warmth.
" Hello again Vita," Vash said, " You kept your mother safe and for that matter you kept me safe in our last battle."
" Huh?" Meryl said, " But Vash."
Meryl then smiled and placed her hand on Vash's shoulder as held Vita.
" A birth of a new race," a nurse said
8 others stood next to her and smiled.
" Yes, a new leader that is now going to be a superior race," another said
" Will she be one of us sisters?" a third ask
" It is up to the fates to decide if this girl is to be higher than us, a goddess of this planet," a fourth said
" Come sisters we have other matters to deal with now, a second will be born in 6 months if she doesn't come early like our impatient new beginning," a fifth said
The 9 women walked off into a mist and all resided.
Raven looked at Megami as she leaned against the wall.
" His body is weak we can use another," Raven said
" No," Megami said, " No more raising the dead."
" How dare you say that," Raven said
Megami narrowed her eyes and said, " You have your plants Raven go lead them away from here."
Raven narrowed her eyes at her sister. Megami looked at Legato and stroked his head. She looked at the endless images that appeared on a screen.
" It makes sense that Knives used this man as his own minion, though he is so against humans, but yet he is helping the race increase," Raven said
" He's a man to serve only those that will kill him in the end," Megami said
Megami looked at Raven and Raven growled.
" Don't give me that look Megami, he was bound to die again anyway," Raven said
Megami shook her head and grabbed Legato's hand.
" Master Kaijin would not have let this happen Raven. You know that," Megami said
Raven walked to the millions of plants that awaited to be released. She leaned against the glass and then felt a tug on her sleeve.
" Mistress, do I go?" the young flutist asked
" No, you will remain here, Athena will go," Raven said
The flutist walked off and Raven closed her eyes.
" What do you want?" Raven asked
" We have come to bring you news that Vita has been born," the nine muses said, " We are being summoned back now to our superior."
Raven looked at the nine and said, " You have not finished your half of the deal."
" It is finished, the first Titan has destroyed Knives Millions, his foolish weakness was after all a human. So, we depart," the muses said
Raven nodded and the muses walked off leaving something on the ground. Raven looked away and sighed.
" So, Knives Millions is dead," Megami said
" Yes," Raven replied
" Is that what you really wanted it, for him to be dead?" Megami asked
Raven looked at Megami and said, " Are you questioning our master's purpose?"
" No, I question yours, our master hated his brother, but in the end it was the human that destroyed him, the weak one," Megami said, " It is said that sometimes one has to be weak to be strong."
" He is weak!" Raven shouted
" I don't believe so," Megami replied
Megami looked at the soon future that awakened waiting to be released. Megami placed her hand on the glass and the plants around them reacted to her. Raven looked at Megami and narrowed her eyes.
" I'm going to finish what Legato has started," Megami said
" There is no need to do so mistress," Legato's voice said
Megami turned around and Raven looked at Legato.
" Do you know who you are?" Raven asked
" I have seen many things that have caused me great pain, but that is not me," Legato said
Raven smiled and then opened the door.
" Go then and finish our bidding, give them a little gift Legato," Raven said
" As you wish mistress," Legato said
He walked off and the flutist followed behind him. Raven looked at Megami as she stared at him.
" Death," she said, " He is pleading for death."
She ran off and Raven rolled her eyes and watched her foolish sister vanish after Legato.
" Master," Raven whispered, " The next move is yours."
2 weeks
Meryl and Vash stared at Vita as she slept and they walked out the room quietly.
" Shut it quietly," Meryl whispered
" I know," Vash said
" Gently," Meryl said
" I know," Vash said
" Easy," Meryl said
" I know," Vash replied
He covered Meryl's mouth as the door clicked and both breathed. They looked at each other and Vash kissed Meryl. They walked towards the kitchen when once again Vita began to cry. Vash and Meryl sighed and both walked back in, Vash lifted Vita into his arms and Meryl looked at him.
" Go ahead and rest," Vash said
Meryl nodded and kissed Vash on the cheek and then Vita on her head. Vash sat down and held her in his arms. He looked at her and she just seemed to shine a special kind of light. It was so pure that nothing could corrupt it. Vash kissed her head and began to hum the song Rem sang.
Meryl leaned against the wall and listened and smiled.
" Oh, Vash," she whispered
Knives looked at Karen as he took her hand in his. He slipped a ring on her fingers and vowed his loyalty to her. She slipped a ring on his finger and vowed her loyalty to him. They were pronounced husband and wife and Knives kissed Karen for the first time with meaning. It was a little bit odd for him to care so much for a human, but he still hated humans.
By the next morning Vash went to work and stopped then looked around. He entered work and walked to the back as he always did. The cook was in the back working and he greeted Vash.
" How's the baby?" the cook asked
" Sleeping like one," Vash replied
" I see your going through that stage with the child, you take it two steps at a time," the cook said
By the end of the rush Vash went out to get some fresh air. He watched the children playing and smiled. He knew that one day his daughter would be running around with the children playing. He couldn't help, but to smile and drift away from reality. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
" Vita," he thought, " The life that gave me life."
" It's been awhile, Vash the stampede," Legato's voice interrupted Vash's day dream
He sat up and looked around and saw Legato still casually behind him.
" Don't turn around Vash, I might kill you," Legato said
" And why would you do that?" Vash asked
" Because I am capable of doing such a heinous thing," Legato said
Vash slipped his sunglasses on and closed his eyes.
" So, you've come to fight again," Vash said
" No, I've come to create a formal memory Vash the Stampede, now that your brother is dead, you're the only one I have to kill," Legato said
" Dead?" Vash questioned
A smile turned up in Legato's lips as he sat a bag down and got up.
" I've come to give a heart warming congratulations on the birth of Vita the Goddess of life," Legato said
Vash gasped and Legato chuckled.
" That's right Vash, she's the first of her kind," Legato said, " In 9 years she will lead her race to a war against the humans. She's very unique isn't she Vash. Enjoy her happiness why you can. Before I leave I have to give you a gift. I shall leave it here in this bag. I'm afraid it's not perfect like you baby girl, but it will have to do."
Vash turned and looked at Legato standing up and then faced him.
" In seconds your life will change, Vash the Stampede," Legato said
And just like that the town resided to it's normal pace, but like Legato had said; his life would change in seconds. Just at that moment the owner of the saloon he worked for reported a murder. Vash turned and looked at the bag and breathed deep and his heart raced.
" It can't be, it's not true, How can he know?" Vash said
Vash walked over and towards the bag and saw this was only the start.
" No!" Vash shouted
" I'm afraid Vita will have to be without a father, that is how it starts," Legato said to him
" Legato you Bastard," Vash said
The Sheriff of the town ran over and the boss explained how he found his cook lying dead on the ground. Vash listened from a distance and watched from the corner of his eye. The boss had directly pointed out who was the last person to talk to the cook. Vash narrowed his eyes and looked at the bag.
" I will kill you Legato, I will show you no mercy," Vash thought
" We'll see who kills who, three to go," Legato said
" Vash," the sheriff's voice broke his thoughts
Meryl and Millie had walked out and looked at the sheriff as he approached Vash. Meryl laid Vita in Millie's arms and ran over as the sheriff handcuffed Vash.
" What is going on?" Meryl asked
" I'm afraid your husband isn't the quiet type any more," the sheriff said, " Come on."
" No, you can't take him," Meryl cried grabbing the sheriff's arm
" Let go," he said
" He hasn't killed anyone," Meryl said
The sheriff pushed Meryl back and she stumbled back into someone's hold. Meryl looked up and saw Knives standing behind her. His hands rested on her arms and he narrowed his eyes.
" Knives," Meryl said
" Stand up," he said, " Go inside. I'll take care of this."
Karen ran over to them and took Meryl inside. Vash struggled now after the sheriff had pushed Meryl.
" What do you think your doing pushing my wife like that?" Vash growled
" She was interfering, now get moving," the sheriff said
Vash stopped and the sheriff shoved Vash. Vash stumbled forward and walked then the sheriff stopped.
" Move it, I'm taking this criminal in," the sheriff told Knives
" I'm afraid your taking the wrong man in, you see sheriff there is more than one crime that has been committed in the three minuets you wasted your time cuffing that dumb bastard right there," Knives said
" I thought you two were brothers?" the sheriff questioned said
" Sadly there are many other names he uses, but these names seem to be his favorite," Vash sighed
" Some brother," sheriff said, " I'm afraid I can't turn my back on this one."
" Sure you can, with the right persuasion," Knives said
Vash looked at Knives as he pulled out the blade of Hades. He smiled a sinister smile and fired two shots, missing two people by centimeters.
" Is this some kind of joke?" the sheriff asked
" A very sick one I'm afraid," Vash mumbled
" No, not at all," Knives said, " I believe that shooting is the best form of killing, but I decided, that it takes to long so, let's try this one."
Knives lifted Vash's infamous silver gun and aimed it at towns people. The angel arm formed and everyone began to run in fear.
" I can kill a whole town in seconds, my brother can't even shoot a can off a fence," Knives said, " What criminal do you want?"
The sheriff threw both Knives and Vash into the jail cell and Vash sighed.
" Idiot," Vash growled, " So, much for persuasion."
" Shut up!" Knives growled, " it's torture enough sharing the same cell with you."
" Oh, give it a rest," Vash said
Meryl and Karen walked up to the sheriff.
" Vash and Knives didn't commit the crime," Meryl said
" Sorry ladies I'm afraid that's not easy to prove, you see Vash was the last to talk to the cook. For all we know they could of had a fight and Vash…well excuse me for the gory saying, but ripped out his heart," the sheriff said
" Yuck, for one if Vash wanted to kill someone he just shoot them, but he's never killed anyone," Meryl said
" Knives was just protecting his brother," Karen said
" He threatened people," the sheriff said
" Look, I assure you he didn't," Meryl said, " Vash has a child, and for a man who says love and peace a lot, do you believe he would rip someone's heart out?"
Legato looked at the flutist and smiled and she smiled.
" Is it my turn yet?" she asked
" No," Legato replied, " Athena, it's your turn to take the stage."
" Is it?" Athena said, " Then let the true war begin."
Legato put his hand out and Athena took his hand then the little girl grabbed his other. They walked towards the town and the dust blew around and people went in.
Vash stood up and saw Meryl and Karen, he sighed
" Your wasting your time he won't listen to anyone," Vash said
Meryl walked over to him and took his hands.
" Vash, I'm going to prove your innocent," Meryl said
" Legato is here," he said, " I want you to keep Vita safe. He's come to kill me and he already thinks Knives is dead."
" Me dead?" Knives said, " I'm not that easy to kill."
Vash turned and looked at Meryl. He studied her face and then kissed her on the lips. He looked at her and looked into her eyes seeing the reflection of someone. Suddenly, a spear came through the barred window. Vash pushed Meryl and dodged the spear and he saw the sheriff get stabbed.
" Whoops, I missed," Athena's voice said
Vash turned and saw in the distance three figures, a child, a man, who he knew was Legato, and a woman, Legato had his arm wrapped around. He narrowed his eyes.
" Forgive the intrusion Vash, but I believe this is your end," Athena said
A chained scythe wrapped around the bars and pulled the wall down. Vash looked at the falling wall.
" We could use her to move some things," Vash said
" Don't be stupid Vash," Meryl said
Knives unlocked the hand cuffs and stood up. Vash looked at Knives and saw his eyes glowing.
" Knives your suppose to be dead," Vash said
" I'm the living dead Vash," Knives said
Vash undid the cuffs and walked to join Knives on the battle field with Athena.
" Who, are you?" Vash shouted
" I am Athena the Warrior fourth Titan," Athena said bowing with her weapons
" I'll be watching Athena," Legato said
" I will make you proud," Athena said
" Bring me the head of Knives Millions and Vash the Stampede our mistress desires it," Legato told her."