So, entering the Fortune Teller Arc or... whatever it was called. I'm not a big fan of this one, but I still did it, so here it goes. Hope I didn't mess it up...
Answer: They were sleeping pills! I didn't know if I had mentionned them sooner, and they're not that important, to be honest. However, the reason why Ary takes them is.
That's all I had to say. Enjoy!
The next day, we had news from Komui, who informed us that Krory and Allen were fine and that they were going to join us soon. So, forced to stay at the hotel, long hours of waiting ensued. Night fall, but I kept watch, a little worried.
It's only the day after that that they finally made their appearance. However, something wasn't right. Quickly making my way down the street, I finally managed to grasp the extent of their situation.
"Buffy!"
I ran to them, and realized that Allen was unconscious.
"Ary" breathed Krory, apparently relieved.
"You'll explain later, let's get him to Bookman" I said, helping him to transport the white haired boy.
We went back to the hotel, where Bookman took everything in charge while Krory told us what had happened since we parted ways. After that, he went to rest.
We waited.
"Ah ah, Full House!" I cackled. "Et tu t'en prends plein la gueule encore une fois! Ah ah, c'est qui la meilleure?"
Lavi groaned a little, and threw his cards on the floor in annoyance as I kept laughing like a maniac.
"You can't beat me, Bookboy, you know that" I taunted. "Now it's what, seven lunches that you owe me?"
Before he could answer, though, there was a groan from the bed next to us.
"Ugh… where am I?" asked Allen, blinking.
"Lhasa" answered Lenalee, peering over. "Tibet's capital"
"Good to see you alive, Kiddo" I grinned, gathering my cards.
"Lenalee… Ary…" he recognized, looking around. "Did you saved us?"
"It was Buffy, actually" I shook my head with a smile.
He sat up, and Timcanpy flew from my head to his open palm. He then looked around.
"That's right, where is Krory?" he asked.
"I'm right here" informed the vampire look-alike from the other bed. "I'm glad to see you awake"
"You truly owe him your life, Allen" informed Bookman. "If he hadn't used the last of his strength to get the both of you out of the snow before heading here, you two would have long since suffocated"
"Krory… Thank you" Allen bowed his head.
A little embarrassed, Krory looked away.
"We're family" he muttered. "I had no choice in the matter"
At his words, I high fived Lavi, who grinned. Krory was finally considering us his family!
"Anyway, we managed to meet up with one another, so everything ends well"
"And now, we can all set off together" beamed Lenalee.
"Hey guys, I got an idea" I said. "Next time, how about we just don't get separated?"
They chuckled at that, and I sighed happily. We were all back together, all safe and well, and could pursue our journey. However, a thought kept nudging the back of my mind, and I bit my lower lip, playing with my necklace.
We had been lucky this time, but when would that luck run out?
A day later, we were back on the road. However, said road was long. Very, very long. And very, very hot, too.
Plus, I was hungry.
"We're still not here?" asked Allen, pretty much in the same state as I was. "I'm so hungry…"
A lone cat hissed our way, and I hissed back, making it scramble away in fright.
"Same" I grunted, rubbing my empty stomach.
"Yeah, I know" nodded Lavi. "It's been so long… I need a drink, I'm positively parched!"
"Hang in there, you guys…" Lenalee tried to cheer us up.
"You don't look well either, Jumper" I pointed out.
"We should be there soon" assured Bookman with bands of sweat rolling on his forehead.
He then stopped, gazing ahead. Curious, I looked from my dusted boots and my eyes widened.
"L-Lavi, is that…"
"The town!"
"Town?" repeated Lenalee.
"Food!" I drooled.
"Drinks! Drinks!" cheered the redhead.
He then ran ahead, and I quickly followed, Allen hot on my heels, then Lenalee and Krory running happily behind us.
"Hey, there's no one" remarked Krory.
I eyed the empty streets, frowning. Had the town's people been wiped out by some Akumas?
"What happened to this place?" asked Allen.
"Could it be a ghost town?" proposed Lenalee.
"Oh no, than what about our cold, frosty beverages?" whined Lavi.
I swatted the back of his head.
"Show some consideration, what if the city had been obliterated by demons?" I scolded.
"It is odd indeed"
We turned to Bookman in a single movement.
"What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes.
My worry grew by each step we took into the deserted town.
"From what I've seen, this canal runs the entire breadth of the town. And yet…" Bookman trailed off.
"There's no water in it" completed Allen.
"How can that be?" asked Lenalee.
"The water's dried up"
We lifted our heads to a man, who had just arrived in the street. I glance to Allen but, seeing as his eye didn't react to the newcomer, I allowed myself to relax.
"We're travellers" I said. "Would you mind telling us what's happening here?"
He nodded, and invited us to his home. Settling to his table, he served us food that made me drool. Finally!
"I'm sorry, this is all I have for you" apologized the man, handing us some water.
"It's us who should apologize for intruding like that" I shook my head.
I took a sip, before handing it to Krory.
"Please, dig in" he then said.
"Thank you"
"Itadakimasu"
We started eating, and I felt my stomach ease as it received food.
"You seem to be going through a great deal" remarked Bookman.
"Yes, well, the river's source has drained up" our host answered.
"Source?"
"Yes. There was a great lake not far from here, you see" he precised. "A large river formed from it's overflowing banks. However, one month ago, the lake's water level began to fall. We've been hard pressed to find enough water to drink"
"Okay, now I feel bad" I mumbled, putting down my glass.
"And why did the spring dry?" asked the old panda.
"We've got no idea" he shook his head. "According to those who've gone to investigate, the lake's water continue to recede, even after heavy rains"
"The lake doesn't fill even when it rains?" repeated Lavi, who's attention was now caught.
"That sounds suspicious" I remarked quietly.
"How strange" nodded Krory.
"Could it be a paranormal phenomenon?" proposed my girl friend.
"Innocence" I blinked, following her train of thought.
"It could be a possibility" confirmed Bookman.
"Say, would you mind if we investigate this lake?" asked Allen to our host. "We might be able to gain some insight into the matter"
"And help while we're at it" I added.
He smiled a little, seeming more tired than before.
"Of course. To get there, just head out the gate and to your right, then keep going straight. If only we knew what was causing it, we might be able to do something"
"We'll, let's give it a try" said Lavi, getting up.
We now stood at the gates. However, another problem surfaced.
"But I want to go!" I whined.
"We don't need four of us to go investigate" Lavi shook his head. "It would be counterproductive"
"Then why don't you stay here and I go, uh?" I poked his chest, annoyed.
"Because… Ji-ji, help me here!"
"Ary, you stay here and investigate the townsfolk with Allen and miss Lena" ordered the grandpa. "And Lavi, if you know you can't win an argument, don't start it. I taught you better than that"
We both huffed and, annoyed, I stomped back into the town.
"Fine, I'll go investigate" I grunted. "Stupide rouquin…"
"Uh, so you got the memo too?" I remarked when Lenalee and Allen finally joined me.
After an hour or so, I had found out about a certain fortune teller, who's predictions –which were always right- add stop around a month ago. At the same time as the drought. And honestly? I'm not a fan of coincidences.
So, I found the house of said fortune teller in hopes to learn more about just exactly what had happened. The timing was too right for it to mean nothing. However, seeing as I didn't want to go alone –the man living there scared the shit out of me-, I had decided to just wait for the others. Oh, I could have found them, sure. However, I wanted them to get the information themselves. Childish, I know, but I was still mad at Lavi.
"How long have you been here?" asked Lenalee.
"A while" I shrugged.
"Hello!" called Allen, knocking on the door. "Is anyone home?"
But only silence answered.
"There's a man there" I assured. "But I don't…"
Before I could finish, the other two pushed open the door, revealing said old man.
"Who are you?" he barked. "Why are you here?"
"W-well, you see…"
"We heard that you've been unwilling to predict the future since the river stopped flowing here…" said Lenalee.
"That's no business of yours!" he raised his walking stick.
Instantly, we ran outside, avoiding the angry swings.
"Please, wait!" pleaded Allen.
"Why have you stopped making predictions?" insisted my friend.
"I don't have to tell you anything" he retorted.
"We're investigating the recent drought, you see" she pursued nowadays. "We just want to- oh, who's that?"
I glanced behind the old man and saw a young girl staring at us with wide eyes.
"That's enough! Get out!" he roughly pushed Lenalee aside.
"You're right, we're sorry for intruding" I apologized quickly. "We won't bother you again, please excuse us"
He huffed, then slammed the door in our faces.
"… what a charming personality" I drawled. "But seriously, does neither of you know how to talk to people?"
They chuckled sheepishly, and I shook my head.
"No matter, we'll find another way" I sighed.
We had found an inn easily, and I shared the room with Lenalee. Lying on my bed, I was glaring at the ceiling much like I had been doing when we got here.
"You haven't talked when we contacted the others" remarked Lenalee, sitting at the desk. "Are you still mad at Lavi?"
"I wanted to see the lake" I mumbled. "Instead of searching for potential Innocence, we're stuck here to wait for news!"
"You do realize that with Innocence comes Akumas" she pointed out.
"The Innocence is most probably linked to the drought" I retorted. "If there are Akumas here, they'll be at the lake. And seriously, who the hell does he think he is?
I sat up to face her.
"He's all 'we don't need four of us, it would be counterproductive'" I mimicked, making her giggle. "Counterproductive my ass, he just didn't want to stay here either"
"He's older?" she tried.
"He's just a year older" I retorted. "And he's an as-"
There was a knock on the door, and I tensed slightly. Akumas? No, they weren't polite enough to knock. They would just explode a wall or something like that.
"Allen?" called Lenalee, getting to the door.
"Please, let me in!"
I narrowed my eyes a little as the girl we saw sooner entered the room.
"Hello" she greeted. "My name is Mei-Ling. I'm sorry for intruding…"
"My name is Lenalee" smiled my friend, closing the door.
"And I'm Aryane, but just call me Ary" I greeted. "What can we do for you?"
She sat on a chair, biting her lower lip, and my roommate sat next to me.
"You're the fortune teller's granddaughter, right?" she asked.
"Well, actually…" she straightened a bit. "I'm the fortune teller"
"Is that so? I just thought…"
"My grandfather is simply worried about me" the girl shook her head. "That's why he sent you away like that"
"Don't worry about it. Why did you come here?"
"I'm worried about the town" she admitted, looking down. "There's no water! I-I liked all the attention the people gave me as a fortune teller but, now, everyone's in so much trouble…"
"Do you know why the lake dried up?" I shifted in place.
"I- no" she looked down.
"Just great" I grunted, getting up. "I'm heading out for a bit, see if I can find anything more, and maybe scout out the area"
"Be careful" said Lenalee as I walked out.
I simply waved and closed the door behind me.
Around ten minutes later, Akumas made their way into the city. Knowing Allen would give the alert, I instantly jumped into the fight, itching to blow some steam off.
"Spin Rocket!" I yelled, piercing through five of them.
However, another explosion farther away ensued, and I narrowed my eyes when I realized it came from the inn we were staying at. Seeing as they wouldn't just attack Exorcists because they wanted too, it could only mean…
"Mei-Ling!"
Destroying the weapons while I was at it, I made my way towards the inn, just in time to see a Level Two flying in direction of the lake with the girl between it's claws. I was about to follow but, down below, Lenalee was surrounded by Akumas. I destroyed them, along with Allen, and she jumped after the Level Two. I quickly followed when she was sent away by it's tail, and flew past her as fast as I could as she plummeted to the ground, knowing she's be okay. After all, Dark Boots didn't allowed her to fly per se, but she could easily catch a fall like that one.
"I'm coming" I gritted my teeth, hoping I'd be in time.
As I caught up to them, we were already at the lake, where Lavi and Krory were fighting a bunch of Akumas while Bookman was nowhere in sight, while a giant vortex swallowing all the water was forming in the middle of the lake.
"… it's the crystal ball you threw in a month ago, we believe it is the Innocence we are searching for" I heard the Level Two say.
So the girl really was a host, uh? But no matter now, I had to get her before they threw her in the lake or something like that. The Level Two started laughing. Apparently, Mei-Ling had said something, but I couldn't here her from here.
"No matter if you admit it or not, we'll know when we drop you in the lake" he cackled.
"I jinxed it" I grunted, picking up the pace.
There was an eruption of flame, but I didn't pay attention, closing in onto the Level Two, which had joined another one. I clicked my tongue in annoyance. It was now or never.
"Feathered Blades!"
Surprised by my sudden appearance, they scattered, effectively avoiding my attack. The one keeping Mei-Ling flew ahead, getting closer to the middle of the lake.
"Aryane!" yelled the little girl.
"I'm coming!" I yelled back.
I was hit into the side rather harshly, which sent my body encounter with a few trees. I hissed as pain flared into my ribs, but shrugged it off at the high-pitched screamed that suddenly echoed.
"NOOO!"
"Mei-Ling!"
Jumping, I flew with only one thought in mind: catching her. However, as I got closer, there was a blinding light. Then, a dome formed, violently rejecting the girl. I finally managed to caught her, and I flew the both of us back to safety, cradling her little body against mine.
"Mei-Ling? Are you alright? Mei-Ling" I shook her.
The ground started shaking as the light became even brighter, and a sudden surge of energy blasted us away. At the last moment, though, something blocked the brutal wave of Innocence, and I sighed in relief when I realized that Lenalee and Allen were here, the last one protecting us with his hand. I landed on the ground, and handed the little girl to Lenalee, before turning to the lake. In the middle, there was a bright sphere that I recognized at the crystal ball, or rather the Innocence.
It was sucking up all the water of the lake too.
"That's my crystal ball" recognized weakly Mei-Ling.
"That's not just a crystal ball" Lenalee refuted.
"It's Innocence" I confirmed. "And you're it's Host"
"Host?" she repeated.
"I'll go check on Lavi and Krory" I frowned, not seeing them around. "Keep an eye on her"
They nodded as Lenalee started explaining the main lines of Innocence, Akumas and Exorcists, and I soon found the other two standing on top of some trees.
"Are you two alright?" I asked, posing on the branch next to Krory.
"We're alright" nodded Krory. "Who is the girl?"
"The Host" I shrugged. "We…"
The ground shook again, and the underground waters joined the party.
"It's getting bigger" frowned Lavi.
"What…"
At the same moment, one of the Level Two from sooner –not the one I was pursuing, though- rose behind us and flew at the crystal ball.
"Now's my chance!" he cheered.
"What an idiot!" exclaimed Lavi, expressing my thoughts.
"An Akuma directly touching pure Innocence" I rolled my eyes as it's arm exploded under the pressure of massive energy. "What a moron"
"NOOO! NO, NO, NO!"
"Mei-Ling" I frowned.
Lavi and Krory following behind, I flew back to them, and saw Mei-Ling wailing and shaking her head in what seemed like denial.
"Allen, Lenalee!" called Lavi, appearing behind me.
"You're okay" the white haired boy sighed in relief.
"What exactly happened?" asked Krory.
"Well…"
We all turned to the little girl, who kept denying who-knows-what.
"Mei-Ling…"
"No! I won't- I won't touch it again! Never!" she kept repeating, frightened.
"Mei-Ling!"
My voice snapped her out of her trance-like state, and she turned glassy eyes at me.
"What did you see?" I asked calmly. "Before throwing it away, you saw something, didn't you?"
Her eyes widened slightly, and she choked down a sob.
"A- a month ago" she croaked. "I saw- I saw a terrible future. It was dark and filled with death and sorrow… I just wanted to tell people's fortune! I only wanted to do something nice for them all! So why? Why!?"
The ball seemed to react at her cries, and it grew even larger as she sobbed.
"All right, that's enough" said softly Lenalee, walking away.
"What does that mean?" asked Krory. "What did she saw?"
"I believe it was her own future" answered Allen.
"But why does she seems so frightened?"
"She's an Innocence Host. What she saw was her future as an Exorcist" replied Lavi. "We all know our paths are dark and stained with blood, but being unable to see to its end is what keeps us sane"
Krory shot me an unsure glance, most probably thinking about our conversation we had on the train when we first recruited him, a few months sooner, but I ignored him and kept a steady gaze on the glowing ball, searching for a solution. A few moments past, before the rock pedestal on which was resting the crystal sphere exploded, and the Innocence fragment elevated above the ground, apparently entering it's final stage.
"This is getting bad!" I yelled above the wind. "We've got to do something, and fast!"
"The Innocence is going berserk!" added Allen.
"How do we stop it?" asked Krory.
"Mei-Ling"
At Lenalee's voice, we turned to the two of them.
"It is possible that much greater pain than what you already saw awaits you" she warned seriously. "Even though, do you wish to continue?"
"Hai" answered honestly the girl.
"Let's do this, then" smiled my friend. "We're all with you"
The girl smiled at that, and Lavi cheered.
"Yatta!" he spin his hammer.
"Let's do it!" exclaimed Allen.
"Let us indeed!" Krory piped in.
"God, always picking the cool lines" I mumbled. "Just get on with it!"
They chuckled at that, and my eyes landed on the Akuma still above.
"Let's just clear the path a little" I proposed. "Lenalee, you get Mei-Ling there. We'll cover your backs"
"Got it" she nodded.
After that, the guys climbed onto Lavi's hammer while I flew next to them towards the Akuma.
"Hey, ugly!" I called.
As it turned around, I kicked it's head while Allen and Krory jumped on it's back.
"Lenalee!" yelled Lavi.
She ran on the extended hammer, before jumping into the sky. They started falling towards the crystal ball, before my friend activated her second level of Innocence, accelerating their course. A second later, everything exploded in a bright light. When I opened my eyes again, Lenalee and Mei-Ling were floating above us while water poured back into the lack.
"I got you now!" yelled Krory, jumping back onto the Akuma.
The other two cheered, but then ran away as a massive wave crashed onto them.
Me?
I just laughed my head off at their faces. The Akumas were destroyed, the water was back, we found the Innocence and we even had a new Exorcist.
I think we're allowed to relax for now.
"At least we got out alive…" mumbled Lavi, soaking wet as he walked out of the now full lake.
"What an awful night" added Krory, in the same state.
I smiled as the bright sun hit my face.
"Hey, look!"
We did, and saw Lenalee floating above the lake with Mei-Ling in her arms, who herself had now her crystal ball back in hands.
"All's well that ends well" I sighed happily.
"Glad it's over, though" Lavi leaned onto me, using my head as a support.
I frowned, before taking a step away. Seeing as he put his whole weight to lean onto me, he lost his balance and struggled to stay up. I kicked his leg, sending him to fall back into the lake.
"Ary!" he whined, spitting out some water.
"I'm still mad because you made me stay behind" I huffed, crossing my arms. "That'll teach you to try and boss me around"
He rolled his eye at me, before smirking evilly.
"I'm older, though…"
"One year!" I retorted. "It's only one fucking year, so don't…"
"And I'm taller too"
"TAKE THAT BACK!"
To clear something, I know that Allen and Krory are actually found in the moutain, but I forgot about that when I wrote this part and then, it was kind of too late to change, so whatever.
French traduction: "And you suck once more! Ah ah, who's the best!?"
"Stupid redhead..."
Question: Mei-Ling is bound to get a nickname from our dear Ary. What will it be?
Reviews are love!