Sorry this was supposed to come out a week ago but turns out the week before finals is the killer one... Last chapter was shorter but had more going on so… This is back up to the 5-6,000 range. The clown who beat up Red in the manga was Kosimo, but in the light novel it was Cosmos. I haven't heard it translated as Cosimov before but I could be wrong. Cosmos is the most common name so I will probably stick with that, thank you for pointing that out though! As for Cross's outfit, it is in fact priest's clothes and that's going to come up again later, but I figured Red hasn't technically met a priest before so I didn't describe his outfit that way, my apologies for the confusion. Mana's 'craziness' will also be addressed later. Rant over: Please enjoy!
Thank you to m0rkl, Ryuakilover, MesuNeko, Lena-luvs-cats, PipeDream, aruhinaFan13149, Ern Estine 13624, JJ45, Jinx, Lunalittle Lunatic, Kat, 13thReflection, and ShadeWarrior for reviewing!
Chapter 3:
The carriage slid to a halt, rocking dangerously across the frozen earth passing for a road.
"Everyone out!" The two children were out and hovering the treeline before Johnny could process the command, issued by the finder. An explosion shook the carriage. Johnny flew, then stumbled towards the woods. The finder screamed as he crumbled, dust catching in the breeze, mingling with the dust of the two mutilated horses.
"Activate, Mugen."
"Innocence activate! Level one, release." In a flash, Kanda ran his fingers down the length of his drawn katana, causing it to glow as he resonated with his Innocence. A split second later, Lenalee was issuing a similar command, causing her stockings to twirl away, exposing her legs, half of which were soon covered by the hardened boots of her activated Innocence. The weapon had but a moment to finalize its formation as Lenalee issued the second command, blue flames of light flared around her ankles as she sprang up to survey. Kanda scanned the surroundings in search of the enemy, but waited for Lenalee's return before striking. She landed, seconds later.
"Three level ones, getting ready to fire again, and a two approaching!" She informed. Her hand gripped Johnny's coat, she kicked off the ground and practically threw him under the branches.
"Take out the ones, then back me up!" Kanda barked and received a curt nod in return.
"Be careful!"
"Tch!" Kanda darted into the smoke, hovering near the edge amongst the rubble, simultaneously taking cover while scanning for the akuma. Lenalee hopped back into the air, twisting her body to slice her boots through a level one. She halted her movement and pushed off the air, back flipping to avoid the explosion. The other two did not wait for her approach, opening fire instead.
"Ah!" She ducked, narrowly avoiding the wave of bullets. The sudden movement sent her tumbling backwards. Her body slid across the ground, the hardened snow offering little comfort. In an instant however she was on her feet, darting below the pair. She leaped upwards to gain momentum, heading dead center for the akuma, and flipping at the last moment so her steel-like heels sliced straight through the monster. She righted herself and slammed down on the remaining akuma, only to hop back to avoid it's bullets. The armor on this one was tougher. The shape was more bulbous, was swollen from an increased number of kills.
"Gah!" She curled inwards, a ball in mid-air, bringing her legs up to block the bullets. They hit her Innocence, sending her flying backwards, down into the brambley branches of the leafless trees. The beast's face, beginning to develop an ego, smirked before floating down towards the fallen exorcists. A butterfly with clipped wings.
Kanda meanwhile was having equal luck, as in not much. He had successfully surprised the akuma with First Illusion: Ichigen. The netherworld creatures severed the leg of the Level two, missing their target, the akuma's center, as the monster nimbly dodged. This would have settled better with Kanda, had the akuma's new ability not been flight based.
Shit! Kanda jumped away from the carriage's remnants as the went up in flame. He shot a glare at the akuma, eyes roving it as he recalled the training he was currently undergoing with his master. General Tiedoll had eliminated akuma of this level in the blink of an eye, if that. But his attempts to do so faltered greatly in comparison.
'Don't get so frustrated Yu! Look closely. Every Level two has a unique ability. See how it shifts different parts of its body into a cannon? While annoying long range, if you get close you can finish it easily. Always look for the ability, so you can counter it. Then finish it off.' He made it sound so damn simple. But he was right, and that was what really ticked Kanda off. This akuma had a large set of bat-like wings, protruding from a mutated body, a sickly cross between a doll and a baby. The wings were quite thick, riddled with holes, similar to those at the end of the cannons on Level ones, and were burning. While the body cackled, the wings took on an orange hue, shifting slightly. They beat once in unison, sending fireballs raining down around him. The volume of cackles increased as a fireball hit him dead on. The heat was unbearable, burning through the uniform straight into his skin.
"Gah!" He dropped down to roll across the snow, struggling to extinguish the flame.
"Ha ha moron! Aren't Exorcists supposed to be smart? Oh well!" The akuma swooped overhead, talking more to himself than Kanda about the best angle to view his death. 'Remember Yu, once you find their ability, you can kill them. Level twos develop egos. Which means they are smarter, but also extremely confident. If you're in a pinch, use that.' Damnit! For some reason Kanda loathed when his master was right. But he was, after all, his master. There was a reason it was not the other way around. Still, this would be a hell of alot easier if Lenalee could keep it still… He glanced about, scouring the surroundings for her. Two smoky clouds had settled about the remains of the Level ones. But Lenalee said there had been three. A whooshing sound caught his attention, and Kanda darted away from the next wave of flames.
The crowds were unusually early, Red noted. Mana accompanied him into the main tent. All the other performers darted about, preparing for the performance. All save one, Cosmos. The clown was dressed for the role, a smug look on his face as he stood, arms crossed, waiting. Any peace obtained from his day with Mana dissolved as he lay eyes on the man, smiling to himself. This… This is the bastard that killed Allen!
"What happened to your partner?" The words were innocent enough, but Red caught the malice in Cosmos's eye, in stark contrast to Mana's, which glinted almost innocently as he tilted his head.
"Who are you? I'm no good with faces…" The smile falters, distorting.
"I'm Cosmos!" He barks, more likely than not far sharper than he intended.
"If many customers come today, it'll be great." Mana turned and exited the tent, with light steps and a faint smile. He seemed almost happy, as if the death of his dog had not occurred at all. Mana may be alright with letting it go, but Red was not.
"You killed him, didn't you?"
"Huh…?" Cosmos gives Red a strange look, one unfamiliar to the boy. But his anger is brewing, so he overlooks this.
"The dog is dead. His body was all beat up. The only person who would do that is you!"
"Oh, that's impossible! Calm down Red. Ha ha!" His face contorted again, into a twisted sneer.
"That's right, that's right. Hey everyone! Let's hear what Red just said!" Cosmos raised his voice considerably, drawing the attention of the other performers, who gathered to investigate the commotion. Cosmos's sneer settles into an imitation of a smile.
"It looks like that cute dog is dead. And Red was the one who killed it."
"Wha…!" The air around Red seemed to vanish. He felt as though Cosmos had just punched him in the gut, in a way he had.
"You were performing some tricks with that clown today weren't you? You thought the dog was in the way, so you killed it to be its replacement!"
"No!" A rush of protests swept through him, all struggling to spill from his mouth. But the gazes of the onlookers only grew into cold stares. His body shook slightly. I'm just a burden. No one would believe me. His pent up rage finally boiled over. With a shout, Red latches onto a discarded piece of firewood and swings it at Cosmos. The scrawny child, only capable of using one hand, musters little strength and yells again in frustration. Cosmos meanwhile clutches onto his shoulder screaming in over exaggeration. The sound of his pleas however, summons the ringmaster, rushing through the small crowd.
"What's wrong Cosmos?!" Cosmos leans toward the ringmaster, pretending to be too weak to move properly.
"This bastard actually used a plank to hit me! Agh! My hand…" The ringmaster rounds on Red. Without a hint of remorse, he picks up the piece of wood dropped by Red, and smashes it into the child's dark bruises. Red stumbled back with the force of the strike. He lay pinned on the ground while the ringmaster beat his nutrition deprived, bloody body. The sound of skin breaking, bones snapping, did not cease until the plank snapped against Red, lodging splinters into his right shoulder from the impact. The ringmaster chucked the broken pieces at Red as he rose to tower over him.
"You… You completely worthless bastard! You're useless!" His fat body shook from the force of his rage, a vein bulging on his forehead.
"I can't tolerate it anymore! Throw this mutt into the animal cage where he belongs!"
He's gonna abandon me… He didn't even ask for a reason… To the others, the truth is unimportant. When it comes to me, no one… Red's anger festers, boils once again.
"Come on you-" the ringmaster reaches out to grab Red, who easily dodged before charging Cosmos.
He can't be forgiven. The crude bruises covering Allen resurface in his mind. Allen jumping about energetically. Allen following him. He even licked the left hand that disgusted everyone.
At least let me take revenge for him. Even though I'm not his owner. And I only knew him for a short time. But Allen dying, just like that, can't be ignored! Red cast a silent glance at his blood red left arm. Even though it's useless, can hardly move at all, his arm is hard as lead. Red is consumed by his rage, his despair, his hopelessness. He doesn't want to live this way. And if he has to kill to do that…
Red jumps up twisting his body so that all the force goes into his left hand, which swings downwards, right for Cosmos's skull. A loud noise fills the space as two hard objects collide. Sparks, golden shards of light, fill the air.
"Ah" Silver eyes widen as they scan the collapsed figure: not Cosmos but Mana. Mana, who was supposed to be on stage, had returned, rushing to protect Cosmos.
"Mana!" The light shards flitting about Mana's head slowly faded.
"No… You can't kill him…" Red, like roses, began blossom from his skull, pooling around his head.
"You can't do something so tragic…" The ever present smile worn by Mana continued to shine. His face is now dyed in blood, giving the illusion that the man is shedding bloody tears.
"Why…" Red is unable to understand. Despite his dog, his friend, being dead, he continued to smile. He even went as far as protecting his friend's murderer. Red's continues to boil, turning now on Mana.
"Why're you so calm?! Why're you protecting a bastard like Cosmos?!"
"Ah" Mana's smile fades as Red strikes his head again with his left hand. It returns a moment later.
"Don't smile! Don't smile anymore!" He struck the man again, then again, and once more after that. His useless hand could no longer move after five measly strikes. Each time however, had sent light shards flying, mingling with the blood.
"Thank you… For making my friend so happy…" Why, why, why?! Red could no longer think. No longer see the performers shifting, muttering, accusing. Nor could he see the figures gathering outside, hovering in the entrance of the tent. What he did see, was Mana placing a hand on his head. He felt the gentle touch on his body, sour and aching, heavy feeling.
"Allen is... a very lonely dog in the circus. In the beginning he didn't know any tricks, and was treated as a burden… At that time, he was probably… Very lonely." What?
"After meeting you, Allen was very happy…" If Allen was just like me then…
"But don't spread the tragedy anymore…"
"Mana…?"
"Tragedy… Tra...gedy, is…" Something isn't right. Mana is a broken puppet, with broken speech and a blank expression. The thought frightens Red immensely as he takes in what he has just done. Mana covered in blood and shards of light. I hit him with my hand… My ugly left hand…
"Red! Stop it right now!" Hearing the ringmaster's stern voice sends Red crashing down to reality. Two performers acted on the ringmaster's order and seized Red, latching forcefully onto his arms and yanking him away like a rag doll. The ringmaster continued to bark out orders.
"No! Mana! Mana!" Silver eyes never stray from those of gold as he is dragged away.
"Bring him to the animal cage!"
"Tra…gedy…" An eerie laughter follows Red.
"Will… Attract… The Earl." Cheers fill the main tent, despite the obvious lack of performers and the unopened curtains. The performers all pry their attention from Red to the peculiar cheers. Wind grabs at the curtain, throwing it open for them, revealing the performance. A fat man stood center stage, ears sharp, mouth wide and silk top hat perched on his head.
"Who is that guy…?"
"The first act should be done by me! I'll chase him out!" Cosmos growled, charging onto the stage. The plump man took a bow, tapping his pumpkin adorned cane once. The audience all rose, and morphed, shedding their clothes and skin all at once, revealing round monsters, streaked gray and black and white. Human masks served as their screaming faces, as though they were mocking the performers. Mana, collapsed backstage, turned to see what was happening. Gold locked on gold as Mana made eye contact with the figure.
"Ea-earl…" The deafening noise of gunfire filled the tent as the monster's fired into the crowd of performers. They shrieked as they fell, their bodies being devoured by the poison laced into the bullets, spreading stars.
"Che… Just as like I thought" Fiery locks swept about the face of a man, his coat and priest attire caught in the breeze as well. The man pushed his coat aside, drawing a gun, laced with an enticingly intricate design.
"Destroy them, Judgement."
"Ah!" Lenalee cried as the branches tore through her uniform, her skin, a few thicker ones through muscle even. This slowed her descent only slightly as she slammed into a tree trunk. The floating sphere fired aimlessly into the trees, view obscured by the multitude of branches. Lenalee's eyebrows furrowed in determination. She leaped under the cover of the woods, not touching the hard snow, only the trunks of trees to mute the sound of her movement. The akuma remained in place, obliterating the trees, marring them with stars before they crumbled to dust. Lenalee flipped away from the tree in front of her, landing silently in the shadow of the beast. She drew in her breath then issued a command:
"Waltz, Misty Wind!" She jumped, arching her back to thrust her legs through the air, releasing monstrous gusts of wind that sliced the akuma to bits, muting the explosion and scattering the debris. Lenalee landed. Then hopped up, sailing through her miniature tornado and coming out far above the clouds as the gusts dissipated. Her obsidian hair whipped around her, barely continued in their ties as she continued to jump above the clouds, scanning for Kanda. She spotted him as a large fireball sent him sprawling across the snow. He regenerated quickly, but was rather unhappy and slightly overwhelmed. There's the Level two. She inhaled, gulping in as much air as possible, steeling herself for her new technique.
"Innocence, Iron Shackles, activate!" The dark boots morphed to meet her command, enveloping her legs and forming a twisted steel spear nearly three times her size. The weapon finished its formation and gravity grabbed her, dragging her to the earth at an incredible speed. Kanda glanced up as a deafening sound pierced his ears. All he saw was the akuma's back being sliced clean off, its wings pulverized on impact while its body was sent hurtling towards him. Kanda steadied Mugen, then sliced the akuma's remains in half, horizontally then vertically. What little was left detonated behind him. He stood, panting slightly as snow began to fall around them, waiting for his skin to regrow. A few minutes later he slunk over to Lenalee. She lay panting, in the center of a crater. He raised an eyebrow.
"Work in progress" she huffed, attempting to recover the energy she lost by the new technique. From what she had told him it was rather demanding. On top of that, the adrenaline pushing her through the fight was wearing off, so her injuries were about to start bothering her. He jumped away from the flames, sliding down into the crater. He traced his fingers over Mugen, deactivating it, then re-sheathed the blade. Lenalee deactivated her own Innocence, then extended a hand. Kanda grudgingly helped her up. She refused to be carried, so he walked slowly behind her as she worked her way over the edge, back to the surface where Johnny stood, wide-eyed and waiting.
"Are you two okay?!"
"Tch."
"Nothing we can't handle." Lenalee smiled but her face was pale. Kanda glanced at the cuts and the blood oozing from her head, but was unwilling to rat her out. Johnny frowned, clearly not believing her, but uncertain of what to do about it.
"Is there, um… A way to contact Headquarters?" Kanda wandered off, scanning for more akuma. Lenalee nodded and worked her way through the rubble to the carriage.
"All finders have communicators built into their packs" she explained. Johnny was fairly new to the Order, it was likely that this was his first time on anything close to a mission, especially considering the fact that members of the Science Department rarely partook in missions. Johnny swallowed, fidgeting, visibly unwilling to retrieve the communicator. Lenalee's vision glazed slightly.
I don't want this… Her body knew all too well what to do in situations when all the adults on the mission crumbled. They didn't die, they crumbled. She liked to pretend that was better, painless. But she knew that wasn't the truth. She had heard their screams. She retrieved the large pack from the shredded tan trench coat, before slinging it over her small scratched shoulders. She walked away from the noxious gas, grabbing the sleeve of Johnny, who had begun wheezing. She pulled him over to the crater, and sat him down by one of the smaller, more controlled fires. While he finished coughing, she pulled out her golem. The diamond bat turned on, hovering on the wire as she fumbled with the buttons on the telephone. The phone rang. Kanda plopped down beside her, crossing his legs and extending his hands to catch some warmth from the flame.
"Hello?" A staticy voice answered the line, interrupting the rings. None of them replied.
"Hello? Lenalee?"
"Ya." Her voice cracked, dry and tired.
"Is something wrong?"
"Ya." A brief phase.
"The finders?"
"Ya."
"Did you destroy the akuma?"
"Ya."
"Is Kanda with you?"
"Ya."
"Are you alri-"
"Are you sending someone or what?!" Kanda snatched the line from Lenalee and growled into the device.
"Y-yes. Reever went with Tiedoll and Marie to pick up the accommodator, they should be passing through there soon. Sit tight." The line went dead.
Fierce growls sounded from the cage before the boy. The performers held him in a tight grip, and too tired to resist, he allowed himself to be dragged forwards. The atmosphere had grown dark, clouds covered the moon, hid the stairs, only agitating the carnivores in the cage further. The air reeked of rotten flesh. If he entered the cage, Red was positive he would be torn to death.
Death? In a place like this? Is that what I was born for? He mustered strength from nothing, forcing his body to move, a combination of anger and fear.
What is my purpose for existing? Is it only to be killed? Cheers rung from the main tent, such a faraway reality.
"Throw it away!" The ringmaster's cold voice enveloped Red and he was thrown away, into the cage. The door slammed behind him and the lock clicked into place. Imprisoning him, where everyone thought he belonged. Darkness enveloped him in the small space. Through the darkness however, he could make out the massive outline of the tea colored beast, growls menacingly filling the space.
There's no more hope… The beast roars. One of the few times Red feels warmth, it is his demise. Except it wasn't. A golden sphere broke through the bars. The beast's lunge ceased, permanently, as the beast fell dead. The boy's silver eyes shrunk, as he shied away from the light and the sudden appearance of the winged creature.
What? He rose, forcing his aching muscles to move. Having shakily stood, Red followed the creature through the broken bars, exiting the cage. The creature flitted over to the red-haired man from before. Breathing irregular, reeking of liquor and cigarettes. Something about his clothes… But all Red saw was the red. Red was oozing around the two performers and the ringmaster, who lay on the ground, still as statues. Red. Red… Why?
A fist hooks his jaw, jarring him out of his thoughts.
"You stinking brat!" His voice is cold, a familiar chill filling his ears with familiar words as he falls to the ground. He rights himself quickly in defiance. What did I- The cool metal of a gun is pressed into his forehead. The man's gaze was unlike any other. Cosmos had cruel eyes, the ringmaster had eyes of authority, but this man's eyes were empty: save an undeniable intent to kill. How many people had to die for that man to gain such an expression? Eyes of blood…
"I told you not to get close to Mana didn't I?" he growled. This time I'm going to die… With a thud, the golden creature chucked a metal bar from the cage directly into the man's head, sending him reeling back, cursing.
"Tim?!"
What is that? Is it alive? Why does it keep saving me?
"Che! You're a lucky son of a bitch, I ran out of bullets." The gun left his head, but remained pointed in his direction. With his other hand, the man gruffly latched onto Red's collar, yanking him off the ground and snarling:
"Don't forget, this is all because of you." Then he was released, dropped onto the ground, and left to watch.
"Disappear." The man sighed, fingers poised in a strange position as he, along with the creature, turned and were enveloped by shadows, vanishing. Red stares at the darkness for a second, then snaps into focus. If I stay here I'll be killed… Red struggles to his feet, stumbling to right himself with only his sore right arm. Once up, he scans his surroundings, darting through a massive hole in the thick tarp of the tent, shying away from the ashen edges.
I can't stay here anymore. Night has long since fallen and he heads for the cover of the woods, waiting in shadow for light to come, bringing with it a new perspective on the situation. His concern for Mana grows, but knowing he will be unable to cause anything but disaster, he stays where he his. What should I do…
Kanda nudged Lenalee awake with a start, unwilling to allow himself to be seen by his master performing anything considered nice. She woke, head sliding off Kanda's shoulder as he rose.
"Master…" It was a cross between a growl and a genuine welcome.
"Yu, are you alright?" Kanda turned, beginning to skirt the flames and continue down the road.
"Hello miss Lee, are you alright?" He knelt down and offered her a hand, noting her wincing when she took it and stood. We'll get you cleaned up when we reach our destination." Without asking permission, Tiedoll scooped her up, set her on his back and followed after Yu. Lenalee 'humphed' but soon fell asleep. Marie and Reever kept up a light conversation as they followed suit, leaving Tiedoll to ponder the situation.
Lenalee and Kanda were on the same level. The same amount of fighting experience, resonance with their Innocence, and hatred of the Order. Lenalee's new technique put her ahead of Kanda, who still only had the one, but the after effects cancelled out her strength. This was the first time he had seen it, like a falling star: only faster. Tiedoll had also seen the crater. Equipment types were not usually so taxing, but their were always exceptions and the girl's age did not help much. Tiedoll sighed, his own resentment for the Order increasing. And they were on their way to retrieve yet another child.
They arrived around dawn, having had to walk since the road was currently impassable for a carriage. Finders had been taking care of that however so a carriage would no doubt arrive shortly to retrieve them. The site that met their eyes was, well, tragic.
Red wakes with a start, with no memories of falling asleep. Dawn has broken, scattering shards of light across the horizon, bringing with it a pang of guilt at the familiar scene. Red steps out of the woods, setting out to examine what's left of his way of life. People encase the rubble, whispering. Red silently works through the gossiping crowd, eavesdropping as he goes.
"Disappeared?"
"That many performers?"
"The ringmaster and a few others are still around but-"
"Where did they all go?"
"Seems like the show cannot go on…"
Red's eyes widen, he halts his movement as the words sink in. In the cage... I heard cheering… If that wasn't from the acts, what was it?
"They couldn't have run away!"
"That's right, look! Their clothes are still there!"
"Is that a bullet hole?"
"There were rumors that it was an attack."
"Where are the bodies?"
"It doesn't make any sense!"
"What really happened? Even though it's Christmas…" Unable to bear the comments and the small space, Red exits the crowd, breathe catching and heart beating too rapidly. What happened? Did Mana disappear too? Who was that red-haired guy? He wanted to…"
"Ah! Mana!" Red cannot help but shout as a familiar figure emerges, clown suit dirty and ragged, resembling his own attire. Blood was caked onto his face, but his smile was soft.
"Where have you been Allen?"
"Eh?" Red's expression grows blank with shock, before his brows furrowed skywards, concern etching onto his small, somewhat swollen features.
"Mana?" Allen is a dog's name… A dead dog's name… Mana failed to notice Red's uneasiness and continued talking.
"Today is Christmas! Alright, let's move on!"
"Mana…? What's wrong? I'm not Allen. Allen is…" Red's pleas are ignored and silenced as Mana takes his right hand and begins walking.
"Right, where should we go next?"
"Forget that! Your head's all broken! You gotta fix it!"
"Does Allen have a place he wants to go?"
"Mana!" Why is Mana so strange?
"Mana? Hey, Mana?"
"Hmm… Where should we go? Strange, why am I travelling?" Mana tilts his head, geniune confusion dancing about his face. Red halts, eyes wide.
"You said… To look for your little brother…"
"Little brother?" Mana ceasing walking as well.
"What's that?" Mana offers a reassuring smile to Red, causing the opposite effect as the boy's shoulders stiffen. He forgot why he was travelling… Why? Because I hit him too much?
'Don't forget, this is all because of you.' Cuz' of me…? Someone like me isn't able to do something so… But that cursed hand might…
"I feel like… I'm looking for something really important…" Mana's smile remains, his tone even, but his body shook. Mana was sad too. Because he lost his memory.
"You're looking for your brother! Your little brother that got lost! You said so!" Red's words were lost on the smiling man. One night and Mana had changed entirely. Red stares helplessly at Mana. Something white drifts about beside them. Snow, falling silently and collecting on their still bodies. Snow that can turn everything white.
"Mana…" Mana can't go back anymore… Silent tears fall from silver eyes, empty and lost and desperate. Slowly, Mana's hand extends towards him. Red flinches slightly despite himself as Mana wipes away his tears.
"Don't be sad… If you are sad the Earl will come." His voice is empty resiteing empty words who's meaning is now lost on the speaker himself.
Mana… The person destroyed by me…
"Take me with you Mana. I'll tell you, what you have forgotten… I'll remember it for you… Please. Take me with you…"
This is my reason for living. Mana… That night, playing in the snow with Allen… Then going to the streets with you… That was the first time I've ever felt 'happiness' before… So this time it's my turn. I will make you happy. I will become your Allen.
"We'll always be together, Allen." Those innocent words cruelly pierced Red's heart.
"...That's true, we'll always be together…"
