'Ugh...My head hurt like a steam engine train went through it a couple of times...What the heck happened?!'
Officer Moore got up from the hard wooden bench, rubbing her face. Suddenly the memories from last night came to her.
'Charles! Hhe turned to dust...what was that? And that white-haired boy...! How did I get here?!'
Just then one of the other policemen came to check up on her.
"AH! You're awake! How are you feeling?"
"Not too good but I'll manage. What happened Jacops?"
"A suspicious boy brought you here. The chief is interrogating him at the moment."
"I have to see him! Where is he?"
"In room 24."
"Thanks!" - she ran towards the room.
===In room 24===
"YOU DID IT, DIDN'T YOU?!" - the chef shouted at Robin, spit flying out.
"I didn't! I'm innocent!" - the handcuffed Robin said while crying.
He has sitting on an uncomfortable wooden chair. He was being interrogated by the Police's chief in a room with at least six police officers with guns on the ready. The worst part was that the cat was in his lap, constantly bugging him.
'Damn rat-munching fleabag! Bugging me all the time, moreover Tim is still in it's belly! If it wasn't for the fear of being shot and harming the officers, I would have ripped it apart already!' - he thought darkly.
"You're lying! No one else could have done it!"
"But then why would I come here to-!"
"Look at your left hand! It's red from all the blood!" - the chief interrupted rudely and grabbed his arm.
"Stop it!" - Moore shouted as she stormed in.
"O-officer Moore, you're awake. Good, now we can put this psycho behind bars!"
"No, Chief, he's innocent! He saved my life, if it wasn't for him, I would have died last night! Moreover, why would a criminal come to a police station with an officer's body?!"
"I was trying to tell him that!" - Robin protested.
"She's right chief." another man came in "We searched both his luggage and the church. He doesn't carry any weapons, except a fruitknife and a pan, if you could call them weapons. On the crime scene were giant holes, there's no way the weapon could have fit in his suitcase." - the man explained.
"Hhe must have hid it!"
"No. There were no weapons hidden anywhere near the scene."
"OK! We'll let you go." - the chief grumbled.
"Yay!" - Robin cheered and swung the cat around.
"For now that is! You still didn't have a reason to be there! For tonight, we'll have someone watch you! If nothing happens you're a free man. So, who'll take him?"
"I will chief!" - Moore offered. She owed him her life after all.
===With Leenalee===
She got up from her bed in the inn and went out.
"Good morning!" - she greeted the Finders.
"Good morning, miss."
"Are we going there? I want to finish this job and proove my ni-san I can go solo!"
"Yes, we're leaving right after breakfast.
They sat for breakfast on a table in the centre of the dining hall. While eating Leenalee heard some people talking in a hushed tone, so she got curious and tried to listen as she ate her pancakes.
"...heard about last night?"
"Yeah, the cursed church. That place gives me the creeps! Recently even places around it became dangerous!"
"I'm scared. My best friend lives only two blocks away and passes by it sometimes. What if she's attacked?!"
"Don't worry, the police will deal with it."
"Yeah? Just how that man that broke cars with his axe ran amok only TWO WEEKS!"
"I heard some escaped psychopath is hiding there and kills people!"
"No, I heard it's some cannibal that kills them for food!"
"It's those cultists! I'm sure!"
"You're wrong! I heard it's a monster! A good friend of mine heard it from who heard it from the baker, who heard it from a friend of his. Aparently, his friend was returning late because his car broke down and he didn't have enough money to call a carriage, it was also getting dark, so he went on foot. He went through the street behind the church to return home faster but stopped when he heard a scream. He hid behind the corner and peeked at one of the windows. He heard gunshot, as if from a giant gun, sore sreams came after that. As they suddenly stopped he saw a huge figure, taller than two men float by the indow. He couldn't see through the stained glass because of the lack of light but he swore it had no visible arms and legs but was huge and roundish! When it floated away from the window, he ran away as fast as he could."
"Right! Like this could happen! Everyone knows monsters don't exist!"
'AH! This sounds like a level 1 Akuma! This description is too accurate to be fake! He must have really seen it and survived!' - Leenalee thought while drinking her juice.
"I think I know where we should go first." - she tolf the finders.
"In the church, right?" (finder 1)
"Yeah...! How did you know?!"
"We also listen miss Lee. We've gathered rumors from the area and most are related to the so called 'Cursed church'." (finder 2)
"Oh, OK then. Let's go!"
They headed out and went to the church. There they saw police officers and cars waiting in front of it and checking for clues.
"I guess we won't be able to enter." (finder 2)
"Yeah, they may blame us. I guess we'll come here in the evening after dark." - Leenalee said as she passed the cars.
"Bbut! What if an Akuma surprises us?" (finder 1)
"Look, my brother probably gave you some istructions but I'm not risking innocent people's lives! I'm an Exorcist and CAN deal with an Akuma! He can't keep me safe all my life! Sooner or later I'll have to face many enemies alone, so it's better to have experience than being caught without any!" - she raised her voice, and went to talk to some people around the area and gather more information.
===At the police station===
"I'm sorry you have to sit here but I have a lot of work and documentations to fill in." - Moore sighed as she looked at Robin.
"No problem Officer! I'm used to waiting!"
He was sitting on a wooden stool. His suitcase was next to his left leg and the cat was secured in his hands. He wasn't going to let the beast that ate Tim get away again. He was still a bit flustered from the events from around 20 minutes ago. He had his suitcase returned to him after being searched for weapons or drugs. He was a bit worried someone had seen his underwear, so he didn't notice the leather straps holding the suitcase closed werent clasped. With a loud rustle, all his clothes and underwear were lyin on the floor. He had hurriedly packed them in, so a pice of fabric was poking out.
Guguguuuur.
His stomach suddenly demanded food.
"Hungry?" - Moore looked at him.
"Y-yeah, a little..."
"Good! I also haven't eaten from last night. There's a nice place near here, and it's cheap! Wanna go?"
"Yes, please!"
"Good, I'll treat you."
"No, you don't have to! I also have a big apetite..." - he scratched his cheek while being embarrased a bit.
"It's fine! You saved my life after all!"
They went out, the cat was tied with a belt to a chair in officer Moore's office. They sat next to the window in a small restaurant right across the street. Moore and the waiter were awed by the amount of food Robin had ordered.
(Don't be mistaken, he WILL eat a lot but not as much because he's an Akuma!)
"Sso, last night you said you were after the cat. Is there a reason?" -Moore asked casually.
"Yes, the stupid cat ate something very important my master gave me!" - he answered as he finished his second plate.
"Who is this master you speak of?"
"Cross Marian. He's my teacher. He helped me a lot."
"So, he's a good person?"
"No, he's a rea; demon!" Robin left his food as he clenched both fists "He's a real slave-driver! I can't count the times I suffered because of him! All that work, debts and torture! Also those damn cigarettes! He would rub his lit cigarette in my forehead so often I lost the count!" - he stated and literally inhaled the pasta in front of him.
"Ooh...I see."
===Timeskip===
Officer Moore took Robin to her home, right next to the church.
"Eh? You live here?!"
"Yes."
During the day they talked a bit and she started to like the polite boy more and more.
"But isn't that church supposed to be cursed? I heard it from the other policemen in the station."
"Yes, a lot of strange disappearances happened around here but I can't leave. You see, this is actually my brother-in-law's home. His health hasn't been good these days, so I moved in to care for him. Which reminds me, I have to bring his dishes back here. I'll be back in a second!" - she went out of the kitchen, leaving Robin there.
'She's quite brave to be living here. Huh?!' Robin started to sniff the air 'This smell...!'
A bushy cat's tail whacked him in the face, filling his nose with the smell of cat fur.
"Achoo! You damn cat!"
Just then Moore came in with a full tray and sad face.
"What's wrong?" - he asked while trying to remove the cat hairs from his face and nose.
"It's Mark, he hasn't eaten again. I'm starting to wonder if he starves himself." she left the tray on the table and sat across Robin "So, you said you were going somewhere."
"Yes, I am going to the Black Order's HQ here in Britain. My teacher sent a letter before running away, leaving me alone in India." - he explained, squeezing the table at the end.
"I see. And what's your work going to be?"
"I'm going to be an Exorcist!"
"An exorcist? Like those priests going to homes, spraying water around and shouting 'BEGONE Demon!'?"
"No! It's different. You may not believe, like many people do due to some unknown reason, but demons do exist. They are weapons called Akuma, made by the Millenium Earl. We Exorcists have the power of Innocence, which is the only thing that can hurt and cleanse their souls. It's our work to save people and destroy Akuma." - he explained while showing her his left arm.
Just then the sound of the door opening sounded. A skinny man in a wheelchair had come and opened the door.
"Mark! What are you doing here? You should have called me if you wanted something!"
Mark said nothing as he lowered his head and started to tremble slightly. Moore was just going to get up and go to him when Robin pulled her behind him. His left eye was black with scope-like red pattern, the stitched scar had opened a bit, creating a dark-red almost black line. (Again look up the pilot for a clearer image how it would look.)
"Stay behind me!" - he shouted.
"Robin? What are you doing?!"
"I'm sorry but this is not the Mark you know. This is an Akuma!"
Like on cue a gun barrel came out of 'Mark' and shot at them a few times. The blast destroyed the wall and sent them flying into the church. They crashed with a loud boom.
"Ugh...what the...AH!" - more got out of the rubble and saw Robin holding a giant red bullet in his left hand.
"Are you fine, Officer Moore?" - he asked her with a smile.
"Am I fine? What about you?!" - she shouted.
'Good, looks like she didn't get infected by the virus.' - he sighed in relief.
"What's this bullet?" - she wanted to touch it but Robin stopped her.
"This bullet is made from an Akuma's 'blood'. It contains a deadly virus that kills anything. Just like your coleague. I have an Innocence, so I won't be affected." - he threw the bullet away.
Just then the stupid cat went after the bullet, not realizing it's dangerous. As it touched the bullet, black stars covered it's body and it turned to dust. A golden ball with wings flew out.
"Tim! I missed you!" - he cuddled and rubbed his face in it.
Just then a loud crashing and scraping was heard. The akuma had transformed inside the small kitchen and was strugling to get out. It had almost gotten out by now.
'What an idiot! Transforming like that and getting stuck. I know level 1s don't have their own will but come on!' - Robin thought while his right brow twitched.
"We have to run!" he pulled her up and pulled her towards the first floor.
===Somewhere else===
Leenalee and her two companions had went out and looked for more clues and eyewitnesses to be prepared for what might happen in the church. Most people were afraid to talk because they believed the curse would come to them too.
'Not much came from asking those people. At least we found that person they talked about in the bar. This helped a bit but the most curious thing was what most people said...' - finder 1 thought.
"...just like with priest Mark and his wife..." - Leenalee mumbled.
'What does that mean?' - she wondered.
"Maybe something happened with them?" (finder 2)
"Yeah! Maybe a relative of theirs has made a deal with the Earl and now the Akuma haunts the place! Let's go there and ask about..."
Boom! Crash!
Loud noise sounded through the empty streets.
"What was that?!" (finder 2)
"It came fron that direction!" - finder 1 pointed his finger.
"I'm going ahead! There may be an Akuma there! Make sure to keep the civilians away!" - Leenalee activated her boots and jumped over the buildings.
===Back at the church===
Robin and Moore had went down by the time the Akume squeezed out of the apartment.
"Hide here!" he pushed her behind a wall on the left "Tim, keep her safe!" - the golem bobbed and landed on her head.
Just then the doors burst open and the Chief along with a dozen or more policemen burst in.
"Ha! I knew there was somethin' fishy about you! You won't be able to escape now, boy!" - the chief shouted.
"You idiots! Run away! You'll die if you stay!"
"Hah!"
BOOOM!
A hole was blown in the church's wall and the akuma floated in. It's round, grotesque body slowly turning to face the people.
"What the hell is this?! Fire!" - he ordered as he took his gun and fired at the Akuma.
None of the bullets fazed it as it poined it's canons at them and shot a rain of bullets. Only their tappeted clothes remained.
"Officer, did your brother-in-law lose a person special to him, a woman?"
"Yyes...my sister died here on her wedding day with him. After that he lost his will to live."
"I see. So that's your sister's soul."
Moore looked at him questioningly.
"I know the pain they feel because I can see the souls of Akuma. I see a crying woman in a bride's dress, chained to that body, forced to kill and do the Earl's bidding against her will."
Tears fell down Moore's cheeks, barely holding back crumbling on the ground to cry.
"Ccan you save her?"
"Yes, I've sworn to free every Akuma's soul from the Earl's control and stop him!" - he said as he removed the fingerless glove, revealing dark-red scaly arm.
"Innocence Activate!" - he shouted and his hand glowed.
It became huge with razor-sharp claws, bone-like appearance, a green flame burning a palm lower than his shoulder and a cross on the back of the palm.
He looked at the Akuma and dashed towards it. The Akuma continuously shot bullets at him but he either dodged or deflected them. He then jumped high up and hit the Akuma, sending it crashing in the floor. He then pulled his left arm back, claws pointed at the fallen Akuma.
"May your soul rest in peace..."
He then slammed his claws down with such force it killed the Akuma instantly and shook the whole building.
"Thank you very much...tell her I'm sorry." - the ghost said before disappearing.
Officer Moore had just stood up when she and Robin heard cracks. The church had taken too much damage and was coming down.
'CRAP! I used too much of my physical strenght just now!' - Robin cursed.
Just then a huge piece of the ceiling was going to fall on officer Moore. He dashed towards her to save her. Although Tim could stop a bullet or two, a piece this big was too much for a figure with long pigtails came running in with amazing speed and took officer Moore outsude the crumbling church. Robin on the other hand ran towards the closest wall and used his leg to kick a hole through it, getting out safely.
Outside officer Moore was gently put down by Leenalee.
"Are you fine miss?"
"Yyes, I am." the church crumbled, leaving a pile of rubble "Robin, NO!" - Moore shouted.
'Robin?' she then noticed Timcampy 'Wait! Isn't that general Cross' golem? What's it doing here?'
"Cougcough! That was close!"
From the side of the church a boy covered in white dust came out, dusting himself with almost no result.
'Is this the Robin she talked about? Also...that arm.'
"Robin, you're fine!" - Moore was glad for her savior. Without him she would have died twice by now!
"Yeah, a bit dusty but I'm fine. Who are you?" - he asked Leenalee. His hand turned to normal.
"Oh, nice to meet you. My name is Leenalee Lee an Exorcisr from the Order!"
"Nice to meet you, my name is Robin Gray, call me Robin, I'm the new Exorcist. Sorry I was late and you had to come and look for me but I had a bit of trouble with the police due to a misunderstanding. It won't happen again!" - he introduced himself politely put firmly.
"Eh? I didn't come to look for you. I came because of the Akuma rumored to be here. Also, I haven't heard you were coming at all."
"Eh, really?!" - he was shocked.
The two finders finally came.
"Take the woman to the hospital and have her checked!" - finder 1 said to 2.
"Yes!" - he lifted the dazed officer Moore and caried her away.
Tim flew off her head and nestled inside Robin's white locks.
'The golem of Cross is with him, so he mustn't be lying...then why no one in HQ knew?...Ni-san!'
"I'm sorry but can you wait for a bit Robin? Can you give me the phone on your back? I don't have a golem with me." - she asked finder 1.
"Of course!." - he put the phone on the ground.
Leenalee dialed the number for HQ and called.
[Black Order, who is calling?]
"It's Leenalee Lee. Call my brother and tell him I have to tell him something important."
[OK. Wait a moment. I'll call Chief Komui in a bit...]
She waited a few minutes when her brothers voice came through the phone.
[Leenaleeeeee! Are you fine? You didn't get hurt, right? Do you want your ni-san to come and take you?]
"No, I'm fine, really! More importantly...You haven't done your work again!"
[Leenalee, why so sudden?!]
"Because here with me is the new exorcist, no one even knew about!"
[New exorcist? I haven't heard about new members.]
"You herd him." - she looked at Robin.
"Bbut my master sent a letter a few weeks informing the chief about my arrival!"
"Ni-san! You haven't read the mail again, have you?! It's Cross' disciple! he has his golem!"
[Eh, really?]
===At HQ===
"Chief, you have to find the letter, right now!" - Jhonny told him.
"Why should I?" - he sipped from his mug.
"Because Leenalee will probably take him with her, and you don't want some unknown person to travel with her, while she's alone, right?" - someone else cirped in.
"LEENALEEEEEEEEE! Come and help me!"
He dashed to his office with inhuman speed.
"Ah Leenalee, wait there a bit, your brother went to his office just now. He'll return soon."
[OK. We'll wait.]
Komui burst through the doors, a crumpled letter in his hand. How he didn't spill his coffee was a mystery.
"Read it!" - he saif to 65.
"Ahem...'Chief, I'm sendin' my stupid disciple, Robin Gray. Take good care of im. Signed Cross.' This is what it says."
"It looks like he was telling the truth." - Komui sipped from his mug again.
"Leenalee, the boy's telling the truth. Take him here when you finish the mission." -River told her.
[Oh, the Akuma's gone thanks to Robin. We're catching the mornig train at 6:30. See you later!] - she closed, leaving the others with gobsmacked expressions.
'That boy...Cross had never taken a disciple untill now. What's so special about him? I guess I'll find out when he comes.' - he sipped from his mug again.
===Back in London===
"Yosh, everything is fine now. Welcome, Robin, I hope we'll be friends!" - she extended her hand for a handshake.
"Me too!" - he shook her hand.
His master's warning from just before he disappeared came into his mind.
===Flashback===
-Somewhere in India-
"Listen now, stupid disciple! You'll be going to the Black Order HQ in Britain. I sent a letter to the Chief. This branch is the easiest to fit in and they'll accept you quickly, BUT don't let your guard down! Don't allow anyone know you're an Exorcist Akuma or you'll be done for! If the higherups hear, at best you'll die, at worst you'll be a guinea pig untill you die! That's if you aren't killed by someone with a grudge before that happens. Also don't use any of your Akuma abilities, unless there's no other way! And watch out for that seal! If you use too much energy at once, it may weaken or fall temporarily! You remember what happened then, don't you?"
"Yes, master!" - Robin was sitting in front of him.
"One last thing, don't allow them to examine your body. They will find out if they do!" - he took out Judgement and with evil glint aproached Robin.
"Wwhat are you doing?!"
"Cnocking you out.I'm never going back to that place!" - he then whacked him with the gun and cnocked him out for few hours.
===End===
'I'll do my best not to get caught!' - he thought with determination as he followed Leenalee and the finder.
He forgot his suitcase and had to return to get it, but other than that there were no other bumps on the road towards the Black order's HQ.
