Chapter 6: Putting Up a Fight
Athena looked at Vash and Knives, then smiled.
" You two will be fun," she said
She pulled out several smaller spears and smiled.
" You are my prey, so run along so I can hunt you," Athena said
" I don't believe you should hunt us we're not very big prey," Vash said
" You're an idiot," Knives said pulling Vash out the way of spears.
Athena threw one at Knives and hit his leg. He fell and looked at the spear lodged into his calf.
" Damn," Knives said
" Knives look out!" Vash shouted
Knives looked up and saw the chained scythe coming for him. Knives dodged the scythe and pulled the spear. He threw it at her and she reflected it with a shield. She pulled a bow and arrow and fired at them. Vash dodged the arrow and looked at Knives as he suffered with a bummed leg. Vash looked at Athena fired a shot with his silver gun and she blocked the bullets.
" You foolish varmint," Athena said, " Your hopeless."
Knives ran at her pulling the blade of Hades from under his coat and shot at her. She pulled the shield in front of her, but the bullets didn't reflect these. The bullets nailed her in her shoulders and she looked at Knives.
" Now you will pay," Athena said
She came at him and threw several daggers, Knives dodged them and Vash came from behind her. He tackled her down and he looked at her.
" You're a pretty little lady, but I'm afraid you need some help with that temper," Vash said
" Vash stop fooling around with her and kill her!" Knives growled
Vash looked at her and she grabbed him by the neck and threw him. He fired a shot and hit her in the stomach. Just as he suspected, the bullets forced their way out and she healed. He sighed and looked at Knives.
" I need to get my coat," Vash said
" It's no use," Knives replied
Athena laughed and she threw sharp disc at Vash and Vash looked. It came at him and made a quick cut across his face before returning to her.
" Shit," Vash said wiping his face
Athena ran at Knives and pulled to daggers from her arm cuffs and cut him. Knives narrowed his eyes and looked at his boots. He smiled as she came back for another hit, he flipped her, but he also stabbed her using the knife in his boot.
" Damn you," she said
Blood dripped from the stab in her mid torso and Knives stood up. He wiped his face feeling the cut across his eye.
" You're a foolish little Titan," Knives said
Athena came at Vash, helpless at this very moment. She pulled two disc out and threw them. Vash caught one and threw it back cutting a strap of her revealing clothing. She narrowed his eyes as he smirked a little.
" How dare you?" she growled
" Why do you Titans ask the same thing?" Vash stated, " It's a flip of the wrist and cuts like this."
Vash threw the second one and cut her across the chest. Athena narrowed her eyes and her eyes glowed with red in them. Knives looked at the pouch he had, the three eyes of Cerberus. He picked the red one up and narrowed his eyes.
" What are you going to do with that?" Vash questioned
Knives placed the red gem into the blade of Hades and looked at her. She leapt at him holding another new blade. With one swipe, Knives thrown to the ground and bleeding profusely. Athena landed straight on her feet and she turned and looked at Knives. She raised the blade and proceed to do as she was instructed.
" No!" Vash shouted
He raised the gun and activated the angel arm for the second time, but the Angel arm he activated would just be enough to throw Athena away from Knives. He fired a direct shot and Athena was thrown. Vash retracted the angel arm and ran towards his brother.
" Come on Knives," Vash said
Knives opened his eyes and looked at his brother.
" Why?" Knives asked
" Because you are my brother and will always be regardless of your actions," Vash said
Vash lifted Knives up and looked at Athena as she got up, she winced in pain and wiped the blood.
" You will pay, because I have the blade of Hades in my hold," Athena said, " My how the tables will turn."
" You'll only harm yourself," Vash said, " That gun was not made for a woman to use."
Vash looked Knives as he breathed deep and then looked at Athena.
" This is your end," Athena said
Vash ran for cover as she pulled the trigger, a bullet flew out and Vash looked at it. The bullet came towards him as tried to dodge it. He took a shot in his abdomen and was hurled into a building. Athena smiled and drew her blade and ran toward Knives as he sat there. She took a running jump to make one quick sweep for Knives' head, he stared at her weakly. As she came down, Knives dodged her move and stabbed the wall. He pulled a blade and stabbed her in her stomach. She looked at Knives and he made his way towards his gun. Knives fell and grabbed it and she looked at him, he then aimed the gun at Athena with the red eye of Cerberus.
" Times, up," Knives said
Athena turned and Knives fired the blade of Hades and the red eye began to burn as it flew. It hit her and sent her back hundreds of yards. He breathed deep and fell to his knees and looked at the building.
" Because you are my brother and will always be regardless of your actions,"
" You're an idiot," Knives whispered, " It all turns out bad not killing people."
Knives lost consciousness from his wound and let the blood drip from it. Karen and Meryl ran and looked at Knives.
" Knives!" Karen cried
Karen fell to her knees and cradled Knives in her arms. She leaned her head down on his head and began to cry.
" Knives, you idiot," Karen said, " You didn't have to do this."
" Vash!" Meryl cried out
She walked to the building and walked through the rubble. She found no sign of him and fell to her knees and began to cry.
" Vash," she said
Vash pushed up from some rubble and gasped for air.
" Gee wiz it's hot under there," Vash cried
" Vash!" Meryl exclaimed
Vash got out and Meryl hugged him and he winced in pain. She looked at him, then pulled away seeing he had been shot directly in his abdomen.
" Vash," she said
Vash fell towards her and she caught him falling to the ground.
" Vash, please wake up," Meryl said
Legato looked at the scene and looked at the young flutist and smirked.
" I'm afraid our job is done, you will have to find someone else to kill," Legato said
" But I wish to kill them," the flutist said
" Perhaps in another life," Legato replied
They walked through the desert and returned to where Raven and Megami were. Megami looked at Legato as he returned and she waited to hear.
" Knives Millions had not been killed, but the job is done and so is Vash the Stampede," Legato said
" Good then we are ready to release the plants," Raven said, " The dream will be alive."
Raven walked off and Megami looked at Legato. She walked too him and stared up at him.
" Don't," she whispered, " You are very much a living person Legato."
She reached up and touched his face with her soft hand.
" My life has no meaning to it, I only live to serve to die," Legato replied
Megami shook her head and reach up and kissed him fully on his lips. His lips were warm, but yet they were losing their warmth. His eyes showed confusion, something she wanted to see as she pulled away. She gently ran her thumb across his lips and smiled.
" You have certain qualities that bring you to life," Megami said
" I'm sorry, but I do not understand," Legato said, " what qualities do I have that bring me to life?"
Megami looked at him and pushed his hair from his face. She smiled and looked into his gold eyes, that often showed both life and emptiness.
" You have, life in you that let's you be your own person, deep down inside I can see a very caring person. Though you may plead for death, I won't let you any longer," Megami whispered
" But that is the whole purpose, I have served my purpose," Legato replied, " Death is all I need now."
" I need you," Megami burst out
Legato looked at her and she stared at him, tears fell from her face.
" Your wasting your tears on a fool like me," Legato said
He turned away and walked off towards the sleeping quarters. The flutist leaned against the wall waiting for him.
" Master Legato, mistress Megami seems to be fawned of you, why do you reject her?" the flutist asked
" I do not understand these things, as you do, after all I am dead still," Legato said
" You have heart, that beats, you have everything a human should have," the flutist said
Legato put his hand out and the little girl grabbed his hand. She was silent the rest of the way. They came to Legato's quarters and the flutist played a melody for him, as she often did since she was introduced to him. Legato removed the armor that he wore and remained in the black clothing he wore underneath.
" Master Legato," the flutist said
" Yes," he answered
" Why do you speak so highly of death?" she asked
Legato turned away from her and looked at his left hand and his right.
" It is our destiny, I do not live for the moment," Legato said, " Continue your playing."
" Yes, master Legato," the flutist said
Legato laid down and the flutist played until she knew he was asleep. Once she knew he was asleep, she slept on the spare bed in Legato's sleeping quarters.
Knives opened his eyes and gasped for air. It was dark in the room and he saw nothing. He reached around and then felt a hand, soft yet small, it was like a child's hand that grasped his own.
" Are you well?" the little voice said
" Where is Karen?" he whispered
" Resting," the little voice said
" Why are you here?" Knives spoke
" A messenger," the little voice said
Knives felt distrust to this person who had his hand and said, " Are you going to kill me."
The little voice laughed and squeeze his hand tightly.
" Why would I kill you, you're my father?" the voice asked
" Father? You must have me confused with someone else. Go back to your parents. I can care for myself," Knives said
Knives felt the hand release his own and then suddenly there was light before him. He saw a little girl standing there, her blonde locks floated over her shoulders, her fair skin was like pure light, and her features matched Karen's and his own.
" Daddy, are you shocked to see me?" the little girl asked
Knives had no words, but she walked over to him and gently touched the wound he had. She healed the slash and then looked at him.
" Daddy, you're all better now," she said, " Do you really love Mommy, Daddy?"
Knives breathed deep and looked at the innocence of the child. He lowered his head, he had a better understanding of humans, but he didn't like them. He looked up and the child placed her hand over his left eye and healed it leaving a scar. She kissed his cheek and hugged him. He embraced the child feeling the warmth that she gave off.
" Find in your heart Daddy, the love for Mommy's kind, it will bring great healing to the scars that you wear on your heart," his daughter said
She then placed a hand over his eyes and then she vanished without a sound. Knives opened his eyes seeing the morning light. He sat up and sighed and saw Karen lying beside him, he saw his wounds were healed
" It wasn't a dream," Knives said feeling his eye
Karen moaned and turned and opened her eyes, she saw Knives sitting up. She looked at him and rubbed his back with her soft hand.
" Knives," she said
He turned and looked at her, he stared down at her. She saw the scar on his eye and sat up.
" Your healed," she whispered
" I know," he breathed
Karen sat up and embraced him and he looked at her. He saw tears falling from her face and he sighed. He embraced her and leaned his head on hers.
" Since we've gotten married, I was more afraid of losing you," Karen said
Knives sighed and kissed her head.
" Since I've met this woman I've become weaker and careless with my life since I have," Knives thought, " She's put my life in more danger than I have put myself. I can't let it happen."
She looked up at him and wiped her eyes then kissed his cheek.
" I'll make us some breakfast," she said
Knives nodded and looked over at the coat of the World Beyond. He smiled a devious smile as Karen left the room.
" It was fight I shall remember," Knives said
Meryl laid beside Vash as he slept. He was still out and she stroked his cheek as she sat there.
" My Vash," she whispered
Vita began to cry and Meryl got up and lifted her up. She walked over to the bedside and looked at Vash.
" She's right here, Vash, she's looking down at you," Meryl whispered, " Her beautiful green eyes that just look deep down in your soul."
Meryl rocked Vita in her arms and began to hum to Vita.
" Hey, wake up," a voice said
Vash opened his eyes and saw a younger version of himself standing there. Vash sat up and looked at little Vash.
" What's going on?" Vash whispered
" Your pretty funny to be me in the future," little Vash said
" I've done a lot of stupid things," Vash said
Little Vash sat down and looked up at Vash and saw the ring on his left finger.
" You have a ring on your left finger, Rem told me that was a symbol of marriage. Are you married future me?" little Vash asked
Vash smiled and rustled little Vash's hair and chuckled.
" Yeah, that's right. You get married in 180 years, to a beautiful petite woman. You have to be careful though she can easily get offended. Just be polite," Vash said, " You have a daughter too, her name's Vita. It means life in an old language that Rem will probably tell you about if you ask her."
" Really, I want to know about this language," little Vash replied
" Where's Knives?" Vash asked
Little Vash said, " He's around, he goes where he pleases, but sometimes he comes around."
" Don't be naive around him, he's a little out of it," Vash said
Little Vash looked at Vash and looked at his arm.
" That's not your real arm, what happened to it?" little Vash said
" I lost it in a fight, a long time ago, in the town of July," Vash replied, " What's with the 50 questions I can't answer everything."
" Sure you can," Rem's voice said, " As long as you don't alter the past and future."
Little Vash turned around and smiled then got up and ran to her, then hugged her.
" Oh, Vash," Rem said, " Go, see if the crew needs help and find Knives, he shouldn't be alone."
Little Vash nodded and turned too Vash.
" Bye future self," little Vash said
" Bye, stay strong," Vash said
Rem walked over and sat down beside him. She pulled her knees up to her and looked forward.
" Is the future, that bad?" Rem asked
" I've seen nothing, but pain since that day Rem," Vash said
" There is always pain and you can't always fix it," Rem replied
" Some things never change," Vash said, " Knives has though, he's grown strong in different ways, but I'm so afraid he won't stay that way…you know be the brother I grew up with before the incident. Rem I don't want to lose what I have changed and I know I look to you for your guidance."
" Vash, you've only hurt because of me, but I see that your heart told you to follow it as well. Your married and have a child," Rem said, " I bet she's beautiful Vash and I bet she has a dream just like you."
Vash smiled and nodded and looked forward.
" I'm afraid of the future though Rem, she's going to grow up in a world of war. Technology that will bring the dead to life," Vash said
" No, she won't as long as you teach her what she needs to," Rem said, " You've seen what the world offers you. Vash, the next time you dream you might learn from yourself and seeing your past must have helped….right little one."
Little Vash smiled and walked over to them.
" Maybe you can think about it," Rem said
Vash looked at his past self and reached over and rustled little Vash's hair. Little Vash smiled and Rem laughed a little.
"Oh, Vash you never change," Rem said
She kissed his cheek and Vash smiled.
" Go on and wake up, we'll be here," Rem said
Vash opened his eyes and looked around. He saw Meryl sitting in a chair holding Vita humming Rem's song. He sat up and winced in pain and Meryl looked up.
" Vash," she said
" Meryl," he whispered and started to get out of bed. He saw the bandages up to his mid chest. He winced as he tried to moved and Meryl laid Vita down. She walked over to him.
" You should rest, you were hurt badly last night," Meryl whispered
" But, I must go before the plants are released," Vash siad
" Vash, you can't do anything in your condition. It's too dangerous," Meryl said, " plus the sheriff still has you as a murderer."
Vash laid down and breathed deep. Meryl looked at him and stroked his head seeing tears fall from his face. His face now would show a scar, for his ways of not killing.
" Vash, I'll get the doctor ok, he'll tell me what to do for the pain," Meryl whispered
" I'll be fine in a day or so," Vash said
" But you lost a lot of blood," she said
" In a day," Vash said sternly, " in a day."
Meryl nodded and stroked his head and then laid down beside him.
" I'll work for us," Meryl whispered, " You need to rest."
That evening Meryl sat down at the table and Millie handed her a cup of coffee and some soup.
" Wipe those tears away Meryl, we can't be sad," Millie said, " Mr. Vash will be fine. He's just going through another stage in his life."
Meryl nodded and heard Vita crying and she went to go get her out of the bedroom. She then heard silence in the bedroom, she opened door and looked at Vash holding her in his arms. She smiled and then heard him talking to her.
" Are you a little goddess?" Vash whispered
Meryl watched him as he rocked her in his arms and told her stories. Meryl shut the door and walked out, then sat down.
" He's such a good father," Meryl said, " He's always been a good father figure person."
" See, he's already doing fine," Millie said, " Now eat up before dinner is cold."
Knives sat out and looked at the stars, he reached up and traced a set of stars. He smiled and walked out and looked at the millions.
" These stars have different stories to them," Karen said
Knives turned around and looked at her, then she walked to him. She embraced him and leaned her head on his chest.
" Knives, where's our star?" she asked
Knives looked at her then pointed at a bright star.
" There," Knives said
" It's beautiful," Karen said
Karen grabbed his hand and she looked at him. He looked at her and entwined his fingers with her. Karen smiled and Knives looked at her and felt his body leaned towards her. She reached up and kissed him and wrapped her arms around him.
" I love you Knives, I don't want you to leave me again," Karen said
" I might have to," Knives said, " I have something to finish."
" How long will your be gone?" she asked
Knives looked at her and saw her tears swelling in her blue eyes.
" I don't know, but I will come back," Knives said
Raven folded her arms as she stared at the plants. Megami kept track up them and Raven looked down at them.
" I'm going down there," Raven said
" Alright," Megami said
Raven walked down and placed a suit on then went down a hundred feet and walked onto the dark soil. She walked towards the back and Megami watched as Raven vanished. Megami only wondered what was down there that made Raven often visit. Legato walked in and looked at Megami as she stared there. He started to walk off, but he couldn't stop staring at her. Megami leaned over and Legato turned around to face another direction. She then knelt down to reach for a plug and Legato leaned over to look at Megami.
" Master Legato," the young flutist whispered
He turned and looked at her and she smiled.
" Go talk to her," the young flutist said
" I rather not," Legato said
" Legato," Megami said
Legato walked in and Megami looked at him. He was fully dressed in his armor again and Megami smiled.
" Remove your armor," Megami said
" Is there a problem?" Legato asked
" No, just remove it," she answered
Legato removed the armbands and then the Chainmail, then everything else. Until he was only in his black clothing he wore underneath everything. She walked towards him and stopped, then looked at him.
" Spread your arms," Megami said
Legato did as she said and he looked at her strangely, then she walked to him and embraced him tightly. He looked at her and breathed deep and Legato looked at the flutist for help. The young flutist smiled and told him to embrace her, Legato put his arms around her and pulled her tightly into his hold. Megami closed her eyes and felt his strong embrace and she heard his heart beating.
" Your alive," she whispered, " your not dead."
" I don't understand what this proves," Legato said
" Human emotions," Megami whispered
Raven stood in front of one capsule and knelt down bowing. She lowered her head bowing.
" They are alive Raven," a voice said
" I know my master," Raven replied, " They are just a little hard to kill."
" They have the luck of the gods," the voice said, " You understand that I can not help in my current condition. I will help in three days, all I can do is control these plants."
" Yes, I understand Master Kaijin," Raven said
" I hear that you have brought a piece of the past back to life," Kaijin said
" Legato Bluesummers, Knives' minion, but I'm afraid Legato knows little about who he was months ago. We have removed his memories," Raven said, " and increased his strength."
Raven tapped into a capsule and opened it up and Kaijin stepped out of it. She wrapped a robe around him and looked at the wounds.
" Your arm has been replaced and your body is fully healed," Raven said
Kaijin smiled and Raven kissed his hand.
" You have been reborn," Raven said
Kaijin placed his hand on Raven's face and she pressed her hand on his hand. She looked at him and he kissed her forehead.
" Perhaps, Raven it time for your rebirth," Kaijin whispered
" Not, yet," Raven whispered
Kaijin wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck, and pulled her close.
" Your sister was foolish to let her emotions get involved with the dead man," Kaijin said, " Kill him before it gets to involved."
" I understand my master, Legato Bluesummers will not last very long," Raven replied, " his body is slowly deteriorating as the days go by."
Kaijin turned Raven to face him and slipped his arms around her and kissed her.
" Good," Kaijin replied, " It is for her own good."
Raven kissed him on his lips and he pulled her close.
" Tomorrow, I will have Legato send Calliope," Raven said
" Good, have her tear them to pieces, I want nothing but their heads," Kaijin whispered
Raven nodded and pulled out something.
" Your daily dosage master," Raven said
She then once more set up the capsule and helped him.
" Sweet dreams master Kaijin," Raven said stepping up and kissing him
She then looked at him as the capsule filled with water and Kaijin closed his eyes. She walked back to the elevator and went up. She found Megami gone and she narrowed her eyes.
" Calliope," Raven called
" Yes, mistress," Calliope said
" Where is Legato?" she asked
" I do not know, I was looking for him myself," She said
Raven looked at him and walked down the hall of the sleeping quarters. She narrowed her eyes finding it strange Megami and Legato would both be gone.
" That sister of mine," she growled, " Where is she?"
2 weeks later
Knives woke up gasping and he saw Karen was gone. He wiped the sweat off his face and breathed deep. He looked around and walked to the window, he jumped up into the windowsill and stared up.
" My past," he thought, " Yes, that's right, my true objective."
He grabbed a shirt and placed it on then made his way down the hall. He walked onto the porch and looked straight into the desert studying movements that possibly could be seen.
" It's out there," Knives said, " My destiny….my power that I desired."
Knives stepped off the porch and then stopped and turned.
" I love you Knives, I don't want you to leave me again,"
" Damn it," Knives growled
" You've never felt this way have you brother," Vash's voice came from the side
Knives looked at Vash as he held Vita in his arms. He walked over towards Knives.
" No," Knives said, " It's making me weak."
" It's making you understand that there are other people in this world than yourself," Vash said
Knives looked at Vash and sighed.
" Is that her?" Knives questioned
" Yes, the destine one," Vash said
Knives looked at her and looked at Vash.
" May I?" Knives asked
Vash looked at Knives and nodded. He gently placed Vita in Knives' arms, and watched him hold her. Vita stared up at him and Knives looked down at her.
" Warmth," Knives whispered
" What if there was away that there could be a small group," Vash said, " One that we could taught to not do what Kaijin has planned for them, but teach them that there is another way."
Knives looked at Vita and then looked at Vash.
" What are you saying?" Knives said
" A new race has been created, Vita is suppose to be destine to rage war against humans," Vash said
" A rebellious daughter, I bet you didn't see that coming," Knives said
Vash smirked and Knives handed Vita back to Vash. A cool wind blew and Vash looked at the desert sand being tossed away.
" It's only time that they find out we are not dead," Knives said, " And I for one am ready to die if I must to destroy something that should have never been created."
Vash sighed and stared out then looked at Vita.
" What do you think?" Vash said lifting her up