A/N: Sorry for the long wait, my life got somewhat even more difficult…sigh…and that not in the positive way…
P.S.: Yes I'm aware of the fact that some happenings are not in order or happen later, that is because the changes were needed for the story to function better…and yep writing in the way Hagrid speaks isn't easy…
VI. News and family bonds
The school was on the next morning filled with excited chatter, well most of them were about the three foregain professors or the little message well more like scolding the headmaster of Rose Cross received and don't forget the strange magic they champion used. Meanwhile were also said "students" of the school talking in excited hushed voices, just to be safe from awkward explanations. It tuned out that there was a second message from Link about which Tyki forgot and he valued his life more then to try seeking out the door to the white piano room. So the receiving of said message needed to wait till the next morning, but it still had a great effect to boost the Exorcists and Noahs good mode, beside seeing Link scolding Tyki for forgetting about it. Link had informed them that due to similar circumates as to why Central attempted to hide the fact about Allen becoming a Critical, not many were surprised, so did they in Kanda's case after the North American incident. This caused a round of cheers and congratulations from everyone to a slightly startled Kanda whom still had both Road and Allen clinging to him. The other news was putting a greater impact on the new General though, seeing that Renee Epstein come to Link a few days ago with news. To be honest was Link pretty much grateful that both Walker and the Noah of Dreams were present seeing that he had no clue how Kanda would react to the second news.
Alma Karma would be returning.
The news had first caused a deep silence in the room before the cheers erupted again. Even Kanda smiled somewhat warmly at the thought of seeing his "older brother" again and this time without them needing to fight to death. Hopefully would this time be everything alright for them all.
The Golden Trio were making they way hastily towards the Forbidden Forest where they would be having they last class for today with Hagrid. To bad that it was always with Slytherin. Reaching the clearing near the forest were they stunned to see the Rose Cross students already sitting there even though the trio made sure to get there pretty early. Looking at them they suddenly spotted that Allen was nowhere to be seen.
"Hullo guys." Lenalee greeted them from her spot beside Lavi who had fallen asleep on her shoulder, a tick book in his lap.
"Hello." come the reply while they tried to hide any form of suspicion, Ron had the most problems by that.
"Where is Allen by the way?" asked Hermione while looking around hoping to sound like everything was normal.
"Ah, he is here in a few minutes, Hagrid took him to the Thestrals, they seem pretty fond of him." Debitto explained hoping inwardly that the boy could get the half-giant to give them a few. If not then they still can create some either in the Ark or with they power of Bonds. Those creatures looked pretty neat and could be helpful in some cases mostly in they newest plan involving the torrmentation of a certain person.
"Erm…what?" Ron asked confused.
"Debi means those skeletal looking horses heee." Jasdero said grinning, those horses were pretty adorable and seemed also rather fond of the Noah part of the group.
"Huh? We have some other horse types beside the unicorns in the forest and the centaurs in some way?" Harry heard himself ask stunned, but even he didn't know why. Who knows what Hagrid has in that forest beside the things they already had the fortune or better unfortune to met.
"Che, wouldn't matter too much for the most of you." at this turned every head in Kanda's direction who sat in a meditating pose under a large tree. "According to your friend only those can see them who had already witnessed someone dying before they eyes." at this fell again deep silence over everyone as Kanda's words slowly sunk in by the wizarding trio making they stomachs tighten. Did this mean that they had all already witnessed someone dying in front of them? The foreboding thoughts were broken when the noise of footsteps hit they ears.
Turning to they side they watched Allen appearing from between the trees a pleased look on his face. After a few seconds Hagrid also appeared talking with professor Camelot about if he was sure that Thestrals wouldn't be a problem to handle.
"My good professor Hagrid, there is absolutely no need to worry the Rose Cross Academy is placed on the top of a mountain just above the cloud line, it is perfectly safe. The forest surrounding the school is also rather large and the Thestrals will be fine." Professor Camelot explained in a calm tone at which Hagrid nodded.
"Hagrid, what is this all about?" asked Harry as he looked suspiciously at the smiling man beside they friend.
"Well ya' lot see, professor Camelot was rather fascinated by our Thestrals an' asked if he could have a few." Hagrid explained while Tyki walked up with Allen to the others.
"But why?" Ron asked not noticing that the Rose Cross students had they gazes on him.
"Well ya' see there ar' not many people who like them. Saying some rubbish about bad luck or so an besides, first time I ever saw Thestrals liking strangers so fast even I got attacked a few times while trying to tame them." Hagrid explained before he seemed to have spotted something behind Harry and friends. "So, the class can start." he said suddenly and only now spotted everyone the large group approaching them.
"What do you think they want with those things?" Ron whispered harshly to his friends.
"No clue, but something is strange here." answered Harry.
"Do you think that they could be the ones wanting you death?" whispered Hermione in a worried tone.
"Doubt it, you remember what Sirius said the Walkers openly laughed over Voldemort. I doubt that they are working for him and there is still that thing about the "other war", but one thing is for sure we need to find out what Karkaroff wanted in the Ark." replied Harry, but any further discussions were halted when Hagrid spoke again.
"So ya' lot today asked professor Camelot me if he could hold a special class so pay attention." Hagrid said as he stepped to the side as many whispers erupted between the male part of the student body while the girls were staring excitedly at the man dressed in a Victorian style black tux.
"Thank you professor Hagrid." replied Tyki as he tipped his cylinder, earning himself many dreamy sighs.
"What does that guy think who he is?" grumbled Ron annoyed as he spotted even Hermione blushing.
"Leave it Ron." tried Harry to calm his friend before looking over to the Slytherins where he spotted Draco staring nervously at the twins while clinging to Theodore Nott's arm. Harry wondered inwardly what they had done to him, but looking at the facts he had it was probably better not knowing.
"Well then let's start." Tyki said eagerly while clapping his white gloved hands together before he pulled on the rope, no one had noticed before him holding, and led forth a large cow. "This will be today's special teaching material." at this started many of the boys to snicker while the girls stared blinking at the cow.
"That guy has lost it." whispered Dean.
"What an idiot." mumbled Blaze before throwing as side glance at a pale Draco who looked about to brake Nott's arm if the boy's painful expression was something to go by.
"Be quiet, Blaze." snapped Pansy surprising the boys, she knew that something interesting will happen.
Flashback
Pansy was taking a stroll near the forest. She had just finished her essay for professor Snape's class so she was free till today's last lesson with that idiot of a half-giant. Really, why did she take his class again? Even Divination would be better. Holding back a groan, that is not lady or pure blood like, tried the girl to find something to do. Suddenly her eyes fell on a grazing cow on the field.
"What in Merlin's name…" she certainly would NOT touch that animal now that was for sure.
"So there it disappeared." said suddenly a pleasant male voice from behind her which made the girl jump. Turning around she was suddenly faced by one of the professors of the Rose Cross Academy dressed like an old English gentleman. "Oh pardon me young lady, it wasn't in my intention to startle you. Lord Tyki Mikk Camelot, professor for the Care of Mythical Creatures." he said while taking down his top hat and kissing her hand which made her blush.
"P…Pansy Parkinson." she stammered, that man was absolutely gorgeous and a real old fashioned gentleman, leave alone a lord.
"Really pleased and what a lovely name, I'm sorry for being so rude and not staying longer in your lovely company, but I need to catch the specimen for professor Hagrid's class before it gets away again. I need to admit that my sense of directions isn't all to shining." Professor Camelot said with a little laugh before he noticed that the cow was starting to walk away again. "Oh no, get back here." he exclaimed while gripping his top hat with one hand before running after it.
"Wingardium Leviosa." Pansy said suddenly the first spell which come to her mind. The cow seemed to be shocked when it suddenly four herself floating in the air before it was lowered down again in front of the smiling man who grabbed the rope tied around the cow's neck.
"Ah, thank you Miss Parkinson. Usually it is my older brother helping me, he is really excellent wit binding and controlling charms seeing that in some cases my specimen try to escape and it is bad if they get hurt when I catch them." the man explained while stroking the animal's head. "I had planned to ask either my nephew or niece to help me with it, the twins are sometimes to reckless for that."
"Your nephew and niece?" Pansy heard herself ask.
"Yes, I'm Allen's, Road's and the twin's uncle." this made the girl look surprised at him. "I'm guessing in your school does this seem unusual that a family member should teach you."
"Ah, no I was only surprised professor Camelot." Pansy explained hurriedly.
"I understand. Well then, thank you for your help Miss Parkinson, if I remember your house correctly will I be seeing you on Care for Magical Animals. Professor Hagrid was so helpful in allowing me to take over today's class a truly perfect timing seeing that they will soon hatch." and with that he walked away.
End Flashback
"Well then I know that many of you feel now disappointed by the sight, but don't worry we are not learning about what is outside, but what hides inside." at this looked some students confused while others turned slightly green. "Now, I already had this through with my students, but I think it is always a magnificent sight. Now what needs to lay it's eggs inside a still living creature to hatch?" Tyki asked smiling at which all students perked up as did Hagrid. "Yes Road?" he asked when spotting her hand.
"Teas are the ones placing they eggs in to still living creatures, animals of a larger bread are preferred, but even humans can be used by them." she explained.
"Excellent and as I see it is time, so watch closely." the students did as they were told and looked at the cow. Soon many people gasped in shock when the cow started to systematically disappear into a cloud of ebony black butterflies. "These butterflies are named Tease, they are a pretty unique bread as you can see." Professor Camelot explained as he held a hand out on which one of the black creatures landed just like by his own students, the black butterflies seemed to like Kanda the best from them.
"So beautiful." exclaimed Lavender happily as one of them landed on her finger.
"The first time I find myself agreeing with a lion." Pansy said as a third Tease landed on her hand.
"And this is the first time that I see you act like a girl." Blaze told her at which she only glared at him. "What? I'm only saying."
"Well, they are certainly interesting." Nott remarked while holding back a smirk when a Tease landed on Draco's nose.
"I'm happy that you like them, Tease are truly beautiful creatures, I think not many people would truly believe that these little creatures are carnivores and as such feed on flesh. Human flesh is actually they favorite…
On the night sat the Golden Trio inside the Griffindor common room. Run looked still pale as he tried to calm his beating heart. They other classmates went already to bed.
"Was that guy bloody mad? I mean, human eating butterflies!" he nearly yelled. When the foregain professor told them what those insects eat started most people to break out in panic. "Only Malfoy going hysteric was amusing."
"Don't be like that Ron, we weren't attacked by them and Allen and the others seemed fine. Did you see how many were by Kanda and even Parkinson had at least five on her arm and staid calm." Hermione tried to calm her friend while her own heart raced like mad.
"One ting is for sure, we need to get inside that Ark." said Harry after a long time.
"But Harry, how do you plan to get inside and beside that we still need to figure out what the second task is." argued Hermione.
"I'm sure that you will figure out something." he replied which made the girl blush while Ron was still mumbling something about "human eating butterflies".
At the same time was everyone already sleeping inside the Ark. They pretty much enjoyed Tyki's class at which the man admitted, after giving a few Tease eggs to Hagrid and gathering the newly born ones, that it was General Yeegar who had given him some tips. Not surprising seeing that the General used to be a teacher before becoming an Exorcist after an Akuma murdered his class. The twins certainly enjoyed the panic by the students regarding the Teases diet before Allen hushed them. Komui had only smiled at this before sending everyone to bed seeing that tomorrow they should try figuring out what the second task could be. So was everything silent in the night Allen had created inside the Ark, everyone was sleeping well expect one person. Suddenly a white door materialized on the white street near the well as a white haired boy exited the room. Allen couldn't sleep and even cuddling up to Kanda didn't help, his mind was too occupied in figuring out the next task. Usually when he had too much on his mind, helped a little stroll through the white city of the Ark. This was his world, here he set the rules and the endless white around him calmed his soul. He was the White Clown ruling over his white city. He was soon passing the fourth street when suddenly a strange whimpering hit his ears. Lifting his right hand he commanded the Ark to open him a way to the source of the noise, when it did he walked inside having a bad feeling. Inside the room he immediately noticed that it was Tyki's, he also found said man tossing and whimpering in his sleep, face twisted in pain.
"Tyki!" Allen exclaimed as he run to his brother's side trying to wake him. "Tyki, please wake up!" he pleaded while shaking his shoulder. After five more minutes woke Tyki up with a panicked scream, sweat covering his body, breathing rough.
"S…shonen…?" he asked in a faint voice as golden eyes fell on silver ones.
"It is alright Tyki." Allen said in a soft voice as he wrapped his arms around the older male's shaking body.
"I…I ca…can't forget it…a…all t…the pain…my blood flo…flowing out…t…the E…Earl s…smiling a…and tell…telling me tha…that we a…are a fa…family and that he…he will ma…make e…everything allright…" and with that he broke out sobbing.
"I know Tyki, I know how it had felt." Allen said softly as he made small circles on his brother's back, letting him cry.
"I…I k…know…he…he di…did the sa…same t…to y…you Mu…Musician…" Tyki sobbed, but slowly started to calm down, strangely they always felt safe near Allen. He couldn't remember much from the time they come seeking help to the Order. He had lost to much blood and was tired from the brutal torture the Earl had put him through in the name of "protecting him from human foolishness". Sheryl was near a hysterical breakdown, but he and Lulubell had done everything they could to threat his wounds and keep him awake. He would have died hadn't Road found him.
Soon the sobs ceased and Tyki stopped crying, but still clinged to Allen's nightshirt. He understood the unspeakable pain his brother needed to suffer. He still remembered the day not to long ago when he was training in the forest when suddenly Road's door opened. He didn't even had time to prepare himself before a blood covered Road was clinging to him, her face was covered in tears, eyes filled with fear pleading to him to save Tyki. When her words finally registered he already spotted a nearly hysteric Sheryl and a deathly pale Lulubell carrying an also deathly pale Tyki covered in horrible wounds, his clothes were bloody and torn on some parts he was even sure that he saw shattered bones, the twins were also staring worried at they brother as did the other Noah. Dark memories had resurfaced from the 14th 's memories. He knew those wounds, the same wounds he had suffered before his death. Biting back a shudder he led each Noah inside, trying to calm them while also those they had passed. Reaching the infirmary he ordered Matron together with the present doctors and nurses to take care about Tyki. No one dared to object against the young General and Matron seemed to understand and ordered her people to get to work immediately and sent a nurse for Komui and Allen sent Tim to the Asian Branch for more help. After Komui got there had he promised to explain everything while he asked Reever to inform Link while he tried to calm the Noah. Luckily were they in time, but still was Tyki nearly a whole month long in a coma and for two days on the thin line between life and death. The Pleasure still had occasionally nightmares about that day as did Sheryl. Sighing Allen gave a little kiss on Tyki's forehead, smiling at his brother.
"It is alright now Tyki, Adam can't hurt you anymore. I won't allow it to him, never again brother." he whispered reassuringly to his brother. "Should I try waking Road or Jasdevi? Or would you like to sleep by me for tonight?"
"I don't think that I would survive if I sleep tonight beside Road and in Jasdevi's case…Jasdero is always tossing around in his sleep and Debitto sleep talks as for you," at this he gave a weak smile "wouldn't your samurai lover mind?"
"Yuu will understand even if he will play annoyed just to hide it." Allen replied grinning.
"He sure will." Tyki answered. "Thank you shonen, we really have to thank you for everything you had done for us even after all the pain we caused you and your friends." he said in a sad voice.
"Tyki, we went already over it, you are my family no matter what." Allen said smiling softly as he pulled the older man out of the bed, leading him out of the room.
Yes Allen knew that Kanda would be annoyed at him, but as a younger sibling, he would understand then family was what could give them strength in this endless seeming night.
To be continued…
A/N: so this was the newest chapter, hope I got the feelings out alright and now some spirit lifting scene and in the Omake of the next chapter you will see what happened to Draco…
Omake:
Inspector Leverrier lay in his hospital bed, his body fully bandaged because of he burns he had received. He was sure that it was a dragon which had attacked him, but Link said that it was an oven accident. Even four Crow members and two other Inspectors had said the same. Did this mean that he had hallucinated? Who knew. Link was currently talking with the doctor while a nurse finished with the rest of his bandages. He should send Link over to his house to get him some books because he was bored. Turning his head slowly to the side, it hurt when moving, to look out the window he felt his eyes widen. Oh dear God no! there outside his window was General Cross Marian sitting on a grayish-green skinned horse which looked more like a corpse then a living animal with bat like wings, he had a pleased smile on his lips while in either hand he held a cigar and a glass of vine.
"C...Cross…Cross Marian!" he screamed in panic making the three people in the room stare at him.
"Sir, by all due respect General Cross is dead." Link said in a calm tone, but on the inside he was smirking, oh how good it is that Central doesn't know that Cross is still alive and those bills from hell are not old ones.
"I know that myself Howard, but there he is smiling that annoyingly pleased smile of his with a glass of vine and a cigar sitting on a strange horse!"
"Inspector, there isn't anyone." the doctor said while looking at Leverrier. "I think you may have got a smoke poisoning."
"No." Leverrier said stubbornly as he looked again out of the window spotting him again. "There he is!" he yelled.
"Sir, I will give you something to calm your nerves, you are suffering from hallucinations." the doctor said while taking out the injection.
"No, no! He is there, I'm not hallucinating. Cross Marian is there sitting on that flying horse!" Leverrier yelled now nearly in hysteric before the needle went though the vein and he calmed down.
"We will keep him here for a few days in hope that he will get better. Inspector Link do you think that Inspector Leverrier might work to much or, it is hard to say it, but maybe he should visit a psychology therapy group." the doctor suggested after Leverrier fell asleep.
"I will speak with his Holiness." Link said before the other nodded and left. After this he looked out to Cross who was sitting on a Thestral beside Grave of Maria. He started too really like Walker's ideas before leaving.
Cross meanwhile sipped a bit more from his vine, he certainly enjoyed tormenting that idiot.
"And now back to the Order, hopefully had Tiedoll managed to calm down those damned rumors. The siblings of my idiot disciple would never let us live that down." Cross groaned as he directed the Thestral in the Headquarters' direction.
Owari