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We were now inside a cave, Archie leading us to where the rest of the group was. He seemed at ease inside, with a flaming torch in hands, and I couldn't help but wonder how no one apparently knew of this place except for the kids.
"This cave is our pirate corps' secret lair" he announced.
A faint noise started echoing on the walls as we approached the bottom of the tunnel, getting louder the more steps we took. After a minute, we reached our destination and my step faltered slightly when I realized just exactly what they were doing here.
"Oh, there you are, Archie, Allen, Aryane!" greeted Bob.
Not paying attention to his work, he brought down his hammer on his finger, and I cringed in sympathy at his pain.
"Surprised?" asked Archie, acting as if it was a daily occurrence. "We're building a ship here!"
He ran to join his friends, and Cheetah opened his arms.
"We're going out to sea!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah, and get those pirates!" added Archie.
"Pirates? You mentioned them before…" I remarked, sending a look at Allen.
"We saw some real pirates" nodded the little Leader. "That night, we came here to see the ferry…"
"You can see the ships come in here before they come into view from the port" clarified Bob.
"It usually comes in during the afternoon, but they were waiting for a storm to pass, so it was night by the time they got here" pursued Archie. "The wind blew strong and sudden, and just then, a weird ship came out of the sudden fog and destroyed the ferry, before disappearing again"
I crossed my arms over my chest, the story becoming clearer.
"We tried to tell the grown-ups" assured the innkeeper's son.
"But nobody believed us!" said Eric.
"So we're gonna go out in our ship and take those pirates down!"
From the corner of my eye, I could see Allen coming to an understanding. He shot me a glance, and I slightly shook my head: It wasn't a kid's made-up game.
"We're serious!" assured Bob.
"Allen, come fight with us!" pleaded Archie.
I cleared my throat, a little annoyed that they left me out.
"I can fight too, you know" I piped in.
Before any of them could answer, Allen smiled a little, and I realized it was the same smile some adults got when dealing with children who wouldn't listen.
Sighing internally, I waited for everything to blow up.
"Fighting pirates is all well and good, but you'll cause your father undue worry" he said.
I refrained the urge to smack my hand on my forehead. Of course, bring the damn family issues into this.
"Don't talk about my dad!" Archie's fist clenched.
"Archie…"
"My stupid, landlubber dad…" he seethed. "I don't want anyone who'd take my dad's side as one of my pirates! Get out!"
The boys tried to protest, but the kid wouldn't listen. As they argued, I went to Allen's side.
"Great job" I muttered. "Let's just go. He won't listen in this state"
He nodded, guilt apparent on his features, and I lightly pushed him outside before waving at the boys and following. Archie was still ranting, so only Dan and Eric saw me and waved back sadly.
Once outside the cave, I sighed heavily.
"Of course you had to bring his dad into this…" I grunted.
"But doesn't he understand how much his father sacrificed for him?" he protested.
"Allen, just smacking the facts in his face won't help" I scolded. "But it doesn't mater anymore. We won't get anymore from them, but from what they said, it's easy to understand it's most likely than not an Akuma attack"
His eyes widened slightly.
"Is that why you insisted for us to join? Because you knew something was up?"
"Kids tell the truth more often than you could imagine" I shrugged. "If they made up the story, they wouldn't get so angry and defensive over it. Maybe annoyed, but a made-up game would just make them laugh"
"And you picked this up when we crossed paths with them this morning" he said dumbly.
I patted his head, grinning.
"I know, I know, I'm amazing"
He scoffed, and we reached the inn.
"I'll join later" I said when he opened the door. "I'll try to talk some sense into Archie. If he gives up, the others will follow"
"Alright, then. Good night"
"Night"
The door closed, and I sighed again, before taking a seat on the porch. I didn't know when the boy would come back, but I'd wait.
After a few minutes, I grunted in annoyance.
I should have taken my book with me.
After what seemed like hours –which was more than probable-, light steps echoed in the empty street. Straightening, I watched as Archie finally arrived.
When he saw me, he froze in place, before his surprise expression turned to a bitter one and he stomped towards me.
"What're you doing up? It's late" he sneered at me.
"I was waiting for you" I shrugged. "You know, to be sure you came back safe and all. I'm sure your father would do the same if he knew you sneaked out"
"Don't you dare talk about him!" he exclaimed angrily. "Oh, you know what? Whatever! I'm going to sleep!"
He placed his hand on the knob, determined to ignore me and go inside without a look behind.
"I had a dad, once"
His grip on the know tightened a little, and I felt him stiffened at my words.
"What?" he simply said.
"I had a dad, once" I repeated. "He was strong, kind and brave. He loved my mother like no one else, and I was his little girl. We were a very united family, and he would've done anything to protect us. Which he did, I guess"
"… what happened to him?"
He seemed afraid to ask.
"He died" I answered flatly. "His job… it was a very dangerous one, but he did it to protect my mother and I. No matter the cost he had to pay, he said, as long as we were safe. That's all that mattered to him. But then, he died, and the perfect family was broken. My mother… she died from sadness, I think you could say. I was eleven at that time"
This time, he fully turned to me, fright evident on his features.
"W-why? Why are you telling me this?" he yelled.
"Your dad loves you. When he lost your mother, he just couldn't afford dying because of his job because then, it would mean leaving you alone to face the world. He stopped doing what he loved, he sacrificed his passion, because he wanted you to have at least a parent. What do you think would happen if he lost you too, uh?"
At his horrified gaze, my own softened a little and I gently placed my hand on his head, making him stiffened. He lifted glassy eyes at me.
"All I'm saying is that you should think before acting rashly, and imagine the consequences for both you and your father. Your dad his still here, and you should cherish what you have with all your heart while you still have it"
Having nothing more to say, I opened the door and went inside, knowing he would follow once his thoughts were settled.
"If you're ever around here again, come on by" smiled Jed as he saw us off.
"Will do!" assured Allen.
"Also, so sorry that Archie didn't see fit to say goodbye, even though you spent all day with him yesterday" he scratched the back of his head.
"It's alright, I'm sure he just has a lot on his mind" I smiled kindly. "Thank you for the room and the food!"
I bowed, and Allen quickly did the same. Then, waving to the kind man, we walked back to the port.
"Do you think you managed to change his mind?" asked Allen.
"I have no idea" I answered truthfully. "I just hope he won't do anything stupid. Seeing as we are most likely to deal with Akumas, having to protect him and the rest of the kids will only complicate everything"
"I hope you're right" he nodded.
We finally reached the little cabin at the port, where Allen called the Order to announce our arrival to Komui.
Sitting on the deck, I watched as the ferry slowly made it's way towards us when a scream echoed.
"Oi! Come back here!"
Turning my head, I saw Jed running towards us while yelling at the top of his lungs. However, he wasn't screaming at us, but rather...
"Crap!"
Getting up, I looked closer, but had to come to an understanding: Archie and his pirate corps had just sailed.
"Just fucking great" I cursed.
"Ary, there are Akumas on the ship over there!" warned Allen behind me, his eye activated.
"I'm on it, get a boat to join us! I can't fly with someone!" I exclaimed, putting away my jacket and bags. "Innocence: Activate!"
Ignoring the gasp from the innkeeper, I spread my wings and went after the boys as they approached the black ship, which started firing at the ferry. When I finally managed to catch up to the kids, they had already shot the ship with some fireworks and cheered at their 'victory'.
"Oh, that scared me" echoed an Akuma's voice.
His canon then turned to the little boat and shot.
"Feathered blades!" I yelled.
My wings turning to steel, I spread them as far as I could to stop the blast from reaching it's targets. The attack hit harshly, but I stood my ground –more or less- and gritted my teeth when I felt some of the feathers crack a little. Then, I dropped on the deck before Archie and his friends.
"What the hell were you thinking?" I exclaimed, annoyed.
"A-Aryane?" Archie's eyes widened at my sudden appearance.
"Head's down!"
Forcibly pushing the boys down, there was an explosion behind us, and I saw Allen protecting us with his arm, on Jed's boat.
"Allen! Dad!"
"Allen, Aryane, what's with the wings and the arm?" asked the man.
"We'll explain later" my friend shook his head.
"We'll take care of the ship, get the kids out of here!" I ordered, joining the side of the white haired teen.
"Let's go, Ary!"
"Hai!"
Leaving the civilians behind, I flew toward the ship while Allen jumped on the pointy rocks.
"Ooh, Exorcists?" said the same Akuma as before. "Two? But no matter! I can kill hundreds in a single go, and level up in an instant!"
"We won't let you!" yelled Allen.
"Kiddo, where is the Akuma?" I asked, searching for our enemies, in vain.
"I can't find him! All I can see is the… ship…"
"The ship itself is a demon!" I realized at the same time he did.
"Right you are!" cackled the monster, eyes appearing on both sides.
Allen jumped on board while I tried to find it's weak point by the air. He avoided the attacks and the Akuma, getting annoyed, fired towards the ferry.
"I got it, destroy him!" exclaimed Allen, jumping after the deadly projectiles.
"But…"
My eyes suddenly landed on Archie's boat, making it's way towards Allen as he barely stopped the attacks. One of them hit the mat, which started falling on them.
"No!"
"Archie!" yelled Jed, before sending his own boat under it to divert the trajectory.
The boat was wrecked in two before I could move, but relief washed over me when I realized everyone was okay.
My fists shaking, I turned to face the Akuma.
"Now, you pissed me off" I snarled. "I don't care if I don't find your weak point, I'll just destroy you one piece at a time if I have too! Spin Rocket!"
I pierced through the hull once, twice, trice, before I had to stop, some of the steeled feathers damaged sooner falling into the deep sea.
Panting, I gritted my teeth when I realized it was going to shoot me down. I was to tired to escape without injuries. Then, as it was about to fire, something flew above my head and hit it's 'head'. Looking back, I realized it was Archie and his father firing some more firework. Grinning, I shot them a thumb up before spreading my wings wide.
"One last time" I grunted. "Feathered Blades!"
I fired at the head, feeling relieved at the cries of the monster, and Allen ran past me, now able to move without having to protect the ferry.
"Together!" I yelled.
"Got it!"
His arm changing to this weird bazooka-thingy, he shot too and, a moment later, the Akuma exploded, sending water flew everywhere. I sighed happily when drops hit my face, my smile disappearing when I suddenly dropped towards the water.
Allen caught me before I could hit the rocks, and I grinned at him.
"We make one hell of a team, don't we?"
"You shouldn't tire yourself like that" he shook his head, smiling lightly.
"But I was awesome, right? I know I was" I insisted as he hauled me up.
He simply shook his head, making me laugh, and Timcanpy sat on my head.
I deactivated my Innocence, knowing I shouldn't use it for a few days, and let him help me back to the port, where Archie, his friends and his dad were now waiting for us.
Once on the firm ground once again, I let myself drop on the pavement, sighing heavily.
"Note to self: Angel is not a shield" I grunted, feeling a little drowsy. "Or at least, not against Akuma canon balls"
"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Allen, frowning.
"Just a little tired" I shrugged it off. "I'll be fine in a day or two, no sweat"
"Allen! Ary-nee!"
"Hey, a new title!" I grinned as we turned to greet the little bunch of brats.
"Are you two okay?" asked Jed.
"I'm fine, but Ary…"
"I'm fine too" I glared at Allen, who chuckled sheepishly.
"But your wings…" Archie trailed off, apparently still struggling with everything that happened.
"They'll be back in shape in three days at most" I assured, patting his head.
Then, I roughly whacked the heads of each of the boys.
"What the hell were you thinking, you stupid brats? Going after danger like that, with fricking fireworks? Even I am not that crazy, and that's saying something!"
"We're sorry!" they looked down, ashamed, and I sighed.
I couldn't stay mad at them when they looked like kicked puppy, seriously.
"Just… don't do it again. Next time, you won't be so lucky as to have the amazing me around, plus her sidekick" I smirked.
They sweatdropped a little, but Allen then smirked back evilly.
"I'm still taller"
"TAKE THAT BACK!"
Three days later, I was fully healed –gotta love Angel, really- and we were now leaving on the repaired ferry.
"Three days, and we're finally back on the road" sighed Allen.
"I can't wait to see Jumper" I grinned. "It seems like forever since I last saw her!"
"It has been a while" he nodded, then glanced at the sea. "Hey, look!"
Obeying, I saw everyone on Jed's new boat waving at us. I waved back, smiling brightly.
"Kick some bad guy's ass, Ary-nee!"
"You too, Allen!"
"Bye bye!"
"Be careful, you brats!" I yelled back.
"Jed-san started sailing again, and Archie's group became his apprentices" remarked Allen, smiling.
"And they're going to be awesome" I added.
Finally, the boat disappeared as we fully left the port.
"Well then, off to meet up with Lenalee and find my Master!"
"I swear, once I get my hands on him, I'll make him pay for making us run after him like that" I promised darkly. "Seriously, I met him not a month ago! How can he have gone so far?"
"Count me in" nodded my friend. "So, up for a snack?"
"Sure. You're paying!"
I started running towards the restaurant, the teen on my heels.
"O-oi! Ary! No, Ary, I'm not- Ary!"
Laughing, I kept running ahead.
So, I had some reviews, which I'm so thankful for! Also, for anyone wondering: when deactivated, Aryane's Innocence has the same appearance as Allen's. Ohterwise said, she has two crosses on her shoulderblades, one for each wing.
Question: What was Ary's father's job?
Reviews are love, and new chapters too!