A Second Chance

by half-breed vampire

"Are you sure though? You don't have to start a new life at the place you were dropped in." Sebastian told me. I gave a half hearted smirk as I stared at the ground, "A life as a servant? It might not be so bad... SebasXOc. Warning: Yaoi.

23. Bloody Night

Well Everyone I have decided. I will do A SECOND CHANCE, anime version. I've starting to work on it, but I'm not one to post anything till I'm almost all the way through, so don't expect it so soon, but for sure I will post the story up someday.

Chapter 23

~ASC~

It has been three days now on the ship. I have continued to play my part, keep up with the meetings with the Viscount, and even keeping watch over everything else that is happening. During a break on one of my performances, Shadow brought me back some really good information, unfortunately it didn't knew who he got it from, so I was just stuck with some tidbit of information. Ciel didn't see it that way though, he seemed happy that we got something thing at least.

Tonight will be the night though.

~ASC~

Ciel was being dragged by Lizzie, once more dressed up for her again. They walked down a set of stairs, and into the Campania 1st class passenger lounge. "Ciel, look look! That cake is so cute!" She released his hand and rushed forward to it, "Wait here ok! I'll go get some for you too!"

Ciel stared at her confused out of his mind, "Ah..." When she was gone he leaned against the wall and groaned dejectedly, "Urgh, nobles really don't do anything but gather every day and talk about irrelevant things like what family did this or that...and it feels stupid having abandon work to come here." Snake stared at Ciel in concern and Sebastian just chuckled as he brought some food over, "Well then, will you accept the Marchioness' invitation to give you an introduction to fencing?"

Ciel glared at him, "Are you not going to let me see the statue of Liberty's face at all?" Sebastian smirked and handed Ciel the food, "But more importantly, Young master. It's tonight." Ciel stared at the floor, searching around, "Yeah. From what Matthew told us, it seems the signal for the opening of the 'Aurora Society's' meeting is a waiter walking around the hall, carrying empty glasses. The attendees take one and go to the meeting place. Don't let the signal out of your sight."

"As you wish." Sebastian said.

"Look, did you see that skin..." Snake perked up at that and looked out of the corner of his eye, three women were whispering about him, "It looks just like a snake, doesn't it. When did this place turn into a freak show?" Snake averted his eyes to the ground; his hands turned to fist and shook. "Madam, I think he heard you!" One of them said and they all started laughing. Tears stung Snakes eyes and a small pair of black shoes came into his line of vision, "You aren't used to crowds?"

"I look different from everyone else, and since I'm with you, people will laugh at you too. Says Dan."

"So what?" Ciel said.

Snake looked down at Ciel, "Huh?"

"You're another person so of course you look different. What do you need to be ashamed for?" Ciel grabbed his fork and stabbed a piece of the food, "Besides, I'm free to be with whoever I want. No one has the right to say anything about it." Ciel bit the food and a gloved hand landed on Snake's shoulder. Snake looked up and he stared at Sebastian in surprised. "That's right. Right now you're the footman of a distinguished noble family." Sebastian said, "Besides Matthew would take those women down easily with his words. So straighten up and have some confidence." Snake blushed a warm feeling spread around his body as he remembered that he is wanted within the Phantomhive family.

"How about a glass?" The three perked up as they heard the waiter and looked towards some man's direction. The rich man grabbed an empty glass and ascended the stairs.

"We'll follow him! You clean up!" Ciel said as he handed Snake the plate and he and Sebastian rushed after the man.

Snake looked at the food in his hands and felt something tap his back. He spun around and Matthew was behind him. "How do you do?" Matthew said as he bowed to him. "Fe-" Snake shook his head and cleared his throat, "Hello Sir Matthew, is there anything you need?"

"No, I just had to come see you. Something about you just screams high class." Snake raised an eyebrow at him, and noticed the women behind Matthew, "Honestly, you seem more interesting than these old used crows that cackle of others when they, themselves, are nothing more than whining bitches." The women gasped and huffed as they walked away.

"Y-you didn't have to-" Matthew patted Snake's back, "Yes, I do my friend. Now eat your food and stick with me." Snake looked down at the food and he stabbed a piece of the food with the fork and took a bite, "...! It's good!" Matthew laughed and hooked an arm around Snake's shoulder, "There's more where that came from."

~ASC~

Down in the Campania 3rd class dining hall, was loud rambunctious music and middle class people drinking and dancing.

"Haa this is great! I'd rather have ale than any high quality champagne!" A drunken man shouted, "You think so too right, young'un?"

Ronald's laugh as he tilted his chair back, balancing on the two back legs, "That's what you say, but you gotta have some refined brand-name champagne if you're drinking with your girl right!" He set his ale down and a woman next to him sighed and rested her chin into her hands, "That's so nice~ I'm jealous of your girlfriend!" Ronald smirked as he look down at his watch, "It'd be good if I had one yeah~"

"Huh? You don't have one?"

Ronald laughed as he raised his ale to the others, "Anyway, even though I don't have a girlfriend, I have lotsa time! Cheers to our free time!" Everyone shouted happily and clink their glasses together.

~ASC~

"Would you like some completely purified water? It costs 30 pounds." A waiter said, his back to a double door and a man in a suit standing guard. The rich man from before nodded and said, "I'll have some. This was the Campania First class smoking room, and down the hall peeking was Sebastian and Ciel both in disguise. Sebastian with a large black bow holding his recently grown long hair, his bangs grown out as well, and combed to the front and to the right side, he looked amazing, and Ciel was wearing more childish clothes with bandages hiding his right eye and a blonde wig on his head.

"That's quite an extravagant price for water. This probably means that if one can't afford it, they're not qualified to get in." Ciel straightened up and with one foot forward he said, "Okay, let's go." He was stopped by Sebastian's hand and was pulled back by said servant.

"According to Matthew, the Aurora Society has a fixed greeting. Those who do not know it will be made to leave." Sebastian pointed out.

"Say such things sooner! So? What's the greeting?"

Sebastian bent down and whispered, "That is..."

"Wha..." Ciel's eyes were wide with horror, "I can't believe it...do I really have to do that?" He trembled, the secret greeting seemed to frighten him a lot, and Sebastian looked like he'd rather not be doing it as well, "If you can't, we'll be seen as outsiders and will have to leave immediately. So please...do not hesitate under any circumstances..." Ciel gulped and they look back at the doors, "Well. Let's go." Sebastian said.

They handed Ciel a wine glass and filled it with purified water, the two guards opened the door for them, "By all means." They walked into the room, men and women alike were scattered across, mingling and talking. A husky elder man came up to them and asked, "Are you first timers?"

Ciel looked back at Sebastian and the demon nodded to him. Ciel took a deep breath and said, "Th...The complete flame in our chests..." Sebastian started reciting with him, "Shall not be extinguished by anyone. We are... The phoenix!" They posed stupidly with their arms stretched and curved like wings, and one foot up and bent.

Ciel blushed in embarrassment and was hoping and praying in his mind that he will never have to do it again. What's up with this pose! This can't be right! If this is wrong everything will be ruined...Matthew! He screamed in his mind. The old man stared at them and he did the same pose, "The Phoenix! Welcome to the Aurora Society! These are your membership badges." He handed two small emblems, the design was a Phoenix with a laurel circling all around it. "Thank you." Sebastian said as he took it and started placing it on Ciel, who looked ready to die of embarrassment; I'm not doing that ever again...

"Guh. Heeheehee..." Ciel's eyes widen and he turned his head, only to see Undertaker, streams of tears falling down his cheeks, "Eeeeheeehee! To think you'd ever do something like that!"

"U...Undertaker!"

"Saying 'The Phoenix!' With such a serious face hahaha!"

"You bastard!"

"Now, now Young master." Sebastian chided, "Moreover, what are you doing here?"

"My job. The hospital is a regular customer of mine."

"We're investigating the illegal human experimentation going on here though. Do you know anything about the revival of the dead?" Ciel asked.

Undertaker grinned, drool coming out from a corner of his mouth, "I've been getting a lot of laughs lately, especially for the oh so 'famous' Matthew and how he is being 'courted' by the Viscount Druitt." Sebastian glared at him, his words angering him beyond belief, "Well...I guess I can tell you...actually just a sec, if you want information then I want my compensation." Undertaker giggled and poked his bottom lip with his black nail, "Let's see..."

"You said Matthew made you laugh!" Ciel hissed.

"That is entirely a different matter, his was free. Now then, how about you do that pose once more?"

"Who the hell will-"

"The Phoenix!" Ciel turned his head and his mouth fell open in horror as the Viscount Druitt posed exaggeratedly, his leg that should have been curved, was kicked up and roses bloomed behind him, "Sorry, I arranged to pose in my own style."

"Is that the Viscount of Druitt? What is he doing here! I though he was with-" Sebastian covered Ciel's mouth, "Come to think of it, he had a doctor's license didn't he." Sebastian's eyebrow twitched in annoyance; right there right now he could take out the Viscount.

As if sensing eyes on him, the Viscount started walking over to them. "He's coming over!" Ciel whispered. "Oh my, are you beginners?" The Viscount asked as he clink glasses with Sebastian, Ciel hid behind his servant hoping he wasn't seen, "Yes. We saw the article in the newspaper."

The Viscount sighed as he touched his forehead, as if the whole thing bothered him ever so much, "Oh...Madam Samuel's light-lippedness is quite troublesome. To think she'd leak our secrets so easily~" The Viscount noticed two smaller pairs of feet behind Sebastian and he peeked behind the demon, "Oh?" Ciel flinched and the Viscount smiled at him, "Have I met you before somewhere?"

"No! I'm sure this is our first meeting!" Ciel shouted.

The Viscount took Ciel's chin into his hands and brought his face dangerously close to the younger boy, "Indeed, I surely wouldn't forget such a beautiful boy such as you. Ah...but what a pitiful bandage you have." Ciel started sweating like crazy and a lie came to his mouth, "M-my father said that if I came here they could heal it."

Sebastian stared at Ciel, Father...?

The Viscount smirked at Ciel, "That's right. I'm sure Ryan will heal it for you. I'm already looking forward to staring at both your eyes." The Viscount shook his head, and started talking to himself. Ciel took this chance to look back and tried to get answers out of Undertaker, "Hm? Where'd Undertaker go?"

"I wonder what he meant." Sebastian said, more about Ciel's 'father', than Ryan's 'healing.'

"Hey you two!" Viscount grabbed both of them, scaring the life out of them and dragged them to the crowd of people, "It's starting."

They stared at some double doors on the other side of the room and four men carrying a coffin came in. They lowered the coffin onto a large table and a young man came in, "He's the founder, Ryan Stoker."

"That's him...?"

The man stared at everyone and he said, "The complete flame in our chests...shall not be extinguished by anyone. We are...The Phoenix!" He struck the pose and then bowed to everyone, "Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming today's research presentation of the aurora society's 'complete salvation of mankind through medicine.' What is complete salvation you say? That is...complete health!" He shouted unnecessarily. The man started doing different poses, "A healthy body!" He flexed his arm, "Healthy teeth!" He grinned at them, "A healthy spirit within a healthy body!" He touched his chest and then posed as if he was waving to a long lost friend. "And finally a healthy mood! Healthiness is truly splendid!"

Both Sebastian and Ciel stared at the men, they were completely speechless.

"However, there's the worst kind of health issue that we can't overcome no matter how hard we try. What is that, you say?" He touched the coffin, "Death!" Sebastian and Ciel straightened up, when they heard that. "And the great power that will save us from this disaster is...The Aurora Society's Medicine!"

Two men went near the coffin and Ryan stepped away and said, "We will now show you, ladies and gentlemen. The fruits of our 'Complete Salvation of Mankind through Medicine' research." The two men opened the coffin, inside was a women, blindfold, dead, and with stiches across her face, neck, and chest. "Margaret Connor, 17. The young lady lost her life at an early age due to an unfortunate accident. It is truly pitiful. An accident that should not have happened." There was a man and women near the coffin, crying for their dear daughter, "Her death did not only put her, but also her family's hearts into bad health. I want to save them completely!"

"Is the body real?" Ciel whispered.

Sebastian sniffed the air, and then covered his nose, "Probably. The smell of death is so intense that it's causing my nose to twitch." Sebastian frowned at this; In fact, it's too strong to just come from one corpse. They watched as they placed electrodes on the dead women's body, a large machine near the foot of the coffin came with the wires, and they stepped back, "Well then ladies and gentlemen! I will show you now! The power of medicine!" There was a large electrical hissing and electricity sparked around the coffin, "The complete Salvation!"

~ASC~

Matthew laughed as he remembered the secret greeting, "Ah, I wonder how the two are doing? God I missing the mind connect."

"Mind connect?" Snake said a plate of dessert in his hands. Matthew shook his head and leaned against the wall, "Nothing, it's nothing at all." Matthew brought a wineglass to his lips and he froze, "That's strange..." The back of his mind was tingling like crazy, almost as if ants were running around. "Snake, if anything happens; I need you to go somewhere." Snake nodded and straightened up.

"Something bad is going to happen."

~ASC~

Ronald looked at his watch, "Oh! It's about time." He stood up and grabbed his coat.

"Ah, where are you going?" The girls asked.

"There's some stuff I gotta do." Ronald said as he slipped the coat on.

"Whaaat, leaving already? Well won't you meet me here again tomorrow?" The red-haired women asked.

Ronald smirked and waved at her, "Okay! If we meet alive, that is."

"Hahaha what do you mean by that!" The girls laughed as he started to leave.

~ASC~

The machine hummed loudly and Ryan called to the dead body, "Come! Rise from death! Like the Phoenix!" A small white hand rose from the coffin, and there was gasp coming from the crowd as the upper half started rising along with it, "Take a look! With our medicine, we can even overcome death!" Ciel stared wide-eyed at the undead women and the Viscount smiled happily behind him, Sebastian on the other hand stared at the body, watching it closely.

The parents of the dead women rushed forward and held her, "Maggie! Oh Maggie! Thank you doctor!" They cried.

"This is complete salvation!" Ryan shouted, the people started clapping and Ciel's mouth was open in shock, "What on earth is going on! Did he really revive a corpse?"

Sebastian ignored the crowed and focused on the undead women, his eyes shifted till they were his glowing slits as he watched the women's mouth open wide, "As long as you are alive, mother will-" The undead girl bit her mother's neck, "Kyaa! Ma-Maggie! What are- Ow!" The women screamed as her daughter bit at her flesh. The crowd of people gasped and soon they started screaming and running away, "Sebastian!" Ciel shouted as he ripped the blonde wig off. Sebastian took out a set of knives, "Yes, my lord!" He flung them at the undead girl, and they struck right into her neck, and chest.

"Did you get her?" Ciel asked.

"Stay back!" Sebastian warned, as the body hit the ground, yet continued to move.

"What on earth...is she!" Ciel shouted as he looked in horror as the body rose back up.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, "I'm sure I stabbed her in the heart. It is a being that I do not understand." The women stumbled after them. "The Aurora Society's reviving of the dead may not be 'occult.' I'd never have thought Lau's story would be true." Ciel said as he backed up a bit.

The men of the Aurora Society stared in shock at the undead human. Ryan stared at his creation as well, fear running through his body, and anger, "Shit...It failed!" The monstrous women screamed in anger as he pointed to the two assistants behind him, "What are you standing around for! Take her down already!" The assistants posed and shouted, "Phoenix!" And they took out revolvers and started shooting the women. One of the bullets ripped her left cheek open and she groaned her teeth exposed, and turned to face them, taking a few more shots on her neck, shoulder and leg.

She stumbled over to them and was near the assistants. The gun clicked and the men gasped when they realized that they had ran out of bullets. The beast grabbed the men and started ripping them to shreds with her teeth. Ryan stepped back as he watched in horror and he ran out of the room, "Damn these useless guys!"

Ciel noticed and tried to run after, "Wait-"

Sebastian stopped him and said, "Young master!" The undead women looked at them, her eyes were still covered but she knew where they were, "How the hell are we supposed to take care of that!" Ciel asked, starting to panic.

"How about I dismember it so that it cannot move anymore?" Sebastian said as he took out a few more knives.

"These guys can't be killed unless you smash in their heads, ya know."

They turned around and stared wide eyed in surprise as they watched Ronald's the reaper slam his lawnmower death scythe into the undead women's head, "Like this!" The blades ripped through the skull, bits and pieces of blood and flesh, flew in the air, and Ronald smirked as he looked at the two, "Ya should pay attention to the important stuff." He kicked the dead body away and Sebastian raised an eyebrow at the reaper, "You're..."

The young blonde man ignored Sebastian and flipped through the book, "Ah! See, this chick's totally dead after all! I so told them that I'd collected her properly. No waaay!"

Ciel whispered to Sebastian, "What is he?"

"You should know them well, Young master." Sebastian said as he watched the young man hop onto the lab table where the bodies of the mother and father laid, "This one has it alright." He pressed his death scythe mower to one of the bodies and started the engine, "There we go." Rolls of cinematic records flew around and pictures of the old woman's life were presented to them, "Shezanna Connor, born on the 23rd of July, 1841. Died of shock due to blood loss on the 19th of April, 1889. Remarks...none." He took out a stamp and pressed it into his book, "Investigation completed."

Ciel's eyes widen as he realized what Ronald was, "A Reaper!"

"Hm?" Ronald looked over to Ciel and he leaned on his death scythe as he stared at the two, "Those getups...don't tell me you're the rumored 'Sebas'?"

Sebastian's eyebrow ticked and he laid a hand over his heart and gave a slight bow to Ronald, "I have quite an aversion to that name however...I am indeed the Phantomhive family butler, Sebastian Michaelis. You are?"

Ronald smirked at Sebastian, "The Shinigami Dispatch Association, Collection Division: Ronald Knox. Thanks for taking care of my senior."

Sebastian hm'ed at that, and he asked, "You just said you can't kill them unless you smash in their heads but...do you Shinigami know something about the revival of the dead?"

Ronald shrugged, "Nope, we don't know any details either. Just...we had reports of corpses whose souls had surely been collected moving around and stuff. So since administration put in a claim saying it was our miss. I came here to investigate, however..." He placed a foot on his weapon and pointed to the corpse of the younger women, "This here thing really was a genuine, soulless corpse. Cos I definitely got Margaret Connor's soul 2 weeks ago."

"So the dead didn't get revived. It was just the corpse moving." Ciel mumbled.

"Is it possible for a soulless body to move around?" Sebastian asked.

"My bosses said it's totally impossible but...the fact remains that they're actually up and about like this so the Shinigami Dispatch Association is looking into it too."

"Your bosses are quite stupid then." They froze and turned their heads as Matthew walked into the room, blood covering his clothing, even his mask had blood dripping down, and a blood red sword was in his hand. "Don't tell me, they used electricity to bring back the dead." Ciel blinked stupidly and nodded slowly, "Oh those stupid fools, they shouldn't have messed with the dead. If it didn't work for Frankenstein, what makes them think it will work for them!"

"Who are you?" Ronald asked as he walked over and looked Matthew up and down with a curious eye. Matthew backed up a bit and cleared his throat, "My name is Matthew, anyways, Sebastian. As brilliant as you are, something tells me you know jack shit about zombies."

"Zombies?" Sebastian said, "You know what these creatures are."

Matthew shrugged as he leaned against a wall, his breathing becoming ragged, "Sort of...i-in my world...we have movies...about them...and they always shoot their brains out or at least cut or smash their heads off." Matthew slid to the ground and he tried to catch his breath, "Ho-hopefully if you get bit, you don't turn into one."

"Matthew." Ciel called to him, but Matthew didn't respond as his body sagged and soft breathing was heard from him. He was out like a light. "So the only thing you know for sure is 'if you want to kill it smash it's head.'..." Sebastian thought over what Matthew and Ronald's had said, and muttered, "It's not really 'killing' though, just 'stopping their movement.'"

Ciel frowned and started walking forward, "Looks like our only option is forcing Ryan to spit it out. Let's go!" Ciel ordered as Sebastian went to Matthew to pick him up. There was a sharp whirring noise and Sebastian turned his head just in time to see the lawnmower coming at him. He caught it, dropping Matthew to the ground, and Ciel rushed over to Matthew. "Matthew wake up!" Ciel shook the unconscious summoner.

"If administration gets wind of there being a demon on board... you betcha they'll be going 'Aren't you just hiding the fact that you let the beast snatch all the souls away'?" Ronald's said as he pressed forward, Sebastian struggling to keep it away from his face as it inched closer and closer. "Don'tcha think that those kinda false accusations will get me into a loooot of trouble? And I'll totally pass on any overtime. So won't you just vanish?"

Ciel stopped shaking Matthew and looked at the door, seeing a figure running away. "Tch. I'll go on ahead! After you're done playing, hurry up and follow me!" Ciel ordered Sebastian. Matthew's hand shot forward and grabbed Ciel's foot, he looked up at him and said, "I'm coming to." He struggled to his feet and stared at Sebastian, "I'll protect him as best as I can. But please hurry up."

"As you wish." Sebastian said.

"Whoa! Man he's nasty, kids these days." Ronald's said as he stared at Ciel.

Sebastian's eyes went straight to Ronald's, seeing an opening, "Should you really be looking the other way?" He flipped the weapon away and kicked at Ronald's face. The blonde man barely dodged the kick, his nose almost being kicked off, and with the weight of his death scythe he flipped backwards and landed a meter away from Sebastian.

Sebastian jumped and threw knives at Ronald.

Ronald smirked and swung his scythe, catching all the knives with the bottom of his mower, and they were coughed out by the machine into broken pieces. Sebastian landed on the ground and smirked, "As expected of a Reaper. It's impeccably sharp, isn't it?" Sebastian said as he hopped backwards.

"That it is!" Ronald said as he stared the machine again and it went forward at Sebastian. Sebastian kicked off the ground and kicked at Ronald again. The reaper leaped off, nicking Sebastian's cheek, and he landed on his mower, making it skid a few times.

They stopped and stared at each other, Sebastian wiped the blood from his cheek and Ronald smirked, "Ya know, for shinigami to be all about their death scythe..." His smirk became a smile as he held up a hidden blade, "Is kinda old fashioned."

Sebastian glared at Ronald, his eyes shining bright red, "Kids these days really are nasty, aren't they."

~ASC~

Ciel and Matthew walked down the stairs, Ciel out of breath and Matthew, pale as a ghost. Ciel looked down and stared, there was no sign of Ryan anywhere. He held his gun and saw something dashing at the ground and disappearing, he leaned against a corner, holding up his gun, "He sure runs fast."

"Yeah, I should have stayed and fought the reaper; I'm no good to you right now." Matthew said as he clutched his heart, "I think my body will be going into shock the longer I keep this up." He pointed to his sword and Ciel nodded, "Let's finish this quickly then." They walked forward and a black gloved hand reached out towards Ciel. Ciel caught the movement and gasped as he pointed his gun at his fiancé.

"Kya!" Lizzie screamed, holding a cake in her hands.

"Lizzie!"

Matthew sighed in relief, his heart beating loudly, Thought for a second...phew.

"Uff, are you planning to shoot your fiancé!" Lizzie shouted.

"Why are you here anyway?"

"I saw you run off so I followed you!" She said, as if it was that simple, "Even though I told you to wait you just disappeared." She pouted, sticking her lower lip out, "Oh yeah this is your ca-" Ciel covered her mouth and shushed her, "I'm sorry but I can't be fussed with you right now. It's dangerous here so go back to Aunt Frances! Matthew and I have something to do." Lizzie looked at Matthew and her eyes widen, "Matthew! You're the pianist!" Matthew nervously chuckled at her and removed his mask, "Surprise..." His eyes widen as he realized that he still had blood on him. Quickly, he removed his coat and threw it down the stairs, not wanting Elizabeth to see the blood and worry over what was going on, "Ciel." He whispered. Ciel nodded and released Lizzie, "Got it?" He told Lizzie as he rushed over to Matthew.

"Ah, Ciel!" Lizzie pouted and waited on the bottom step. "No~ Don't leave me here by myself~ Ciel!" She rushed after them.

Their feet made soft clanging noises as they walked down the steel stairs. Ciel was holding a lantern that Matthew had found and he looked around, "This is...Campania Bottom Freight Storage." Matthew said as he panted.

"A freight storage..." Ciel repeated as he looked around. There were some strange sounds and Ciel pointed his gun and the lantern to the direction of the noise, "Who is it!"

Snake froze and closed his eyes, the light blinding him. "S...Snake!" Matthew shouted, and then thought, You're supposed to be hiding. Matthew slapped his forehead and sighed. "T…too bright...says Wordsworth." Ciel pointed the lantern away and shouted at Snake, "What are you doing here!"

"Fea- I mean Matthew told us to come down here, and to stay out of trouble. And he gave me some food, and the food was really good, so I thought I'd share it with everyone. Says Dan." Matthew sighed and pressed his palm to his forehead, "At least you're safe." He muttered.

"The cake was even better than the food." Lizzie said.

"I see...hm?" Ciel turned his head and his mouth fell open, "Lizzie!"

"Miss Elizabeth, you shouldn't be here, it's too dangerous." Matthew said, his eyes behind the mask suddenly seemed focus as he looked into the darkness.

"Come on~ Don't leave me~"

"I told you to go back up!"

"Ciel." Matthew called.

"But I wanted you to eat the cake..." Lizzie said, "It's the cake with strawberries you like so much. I even got the biggest piece for you. See!" She held out the plate, and the cake was gone, "Behind you!" Matthew shouted as he ran towards Lizzie with his sword. She looked behind herself and gasped as zombie covered with the cake, stumbled over to her. The three gasped and Ciel grabbed Lizzie and Matthew threw them backwards as he slashed at the zombie, missing his head and instead cutting the body.

"Damn!" Matthew shouted and the Zombie came forward, the lantern that had fallen long ago was shining at the zombie, a coffin behind him. "This isn't the one from just now. There were more!" Ciel looked over to the coffin and he noticed a symbol, "That's... the mark of the Aurora Society! Ryan brought another revived corpse?" He shook his head and watched as Matthew fell on one knee, the zombie coming at him, "Snake! I'll do something about him, so you take care of Lizzie!" Snake stared forward, "Snake? Hey. Are you listening to...?" The slithering reptiles went forward and Snake pointed at the same direction, "That bird mark...there's a lot more over there. Says Oscar."

Ciel gasped and looked towards the direction. His eyes widen in horror as he noticed rows upon rows of coffins, they were shaking. The Zombie now had Matthew by the shoulder and it opened his mouth, Could...could…all of these be! The coffins started to shake violently and slowly, they opened. They stared in horror and Matthew open his eyes, they were in green slits and he rammed his blood sword into the zombie's neck and ripped it off, "Back off!" He shouted as he kicked the body and threw the head away.

The bindings on the coffins ripped open and everyone gasped as the coffins started to open completely. Hordes of zombies started crawling out, Matthew panted and stepped backwards, fear gripping his body. "Sebastian..." He called out, "Please...help."

~ASC~

Back in the First class smoking room. Sebastian was dodging once more as the lawnmower came at him. He flung more knives at Ronald, who easily dodged and the young blonde smirked, "You're as good as the rumors said you'd be."

"Thanks." Sebastian said as he appeared behind Ronald. His hand shot forward and Ronald barely dodged, "Whoops! It's almost time!" He shouted as he looked at his clock. He pointed his mower to the direction of the door and he said to the surprised Sebastian, "I wasn't supposed to be playing around! No way am I gonna write an apology for being late! One should know how to do their job, right?" Ronald stopped and gave Sebastian a wink, and a two finger salute, "So anyway, see ya! Sebas~" He then ran off and Sebastian raised an eyebrow in confusion, "What?"

~ASC~

Ciel pulled Lizzie hand and started running away from the zombies, "Lizzie run!" He shouted as Snake followed after, Matthew cutting some of them away. "Don't stop running Ciel, I'll try to hold them off as long as possible!" Ciel didn't reply to Matthew as he ran to the stairs. He stopped when he saw there was more zombies up ahead, "They're in front of the exit too..."

"Ciel!" Matthew shouted.

Lizzie turned her head and gasped as one of the zombies lunged at her. Ciel stepped in and shot at the zombie's head and it fell to the ground. The zombies came forward, Matthew buried in the mass of bodies, and only the sounds of his shouting and blood being thrown in the air gave sign that he was still alive. Ciel looked around and noticed the wooden crates stacked up. "Snake, take Lizzie to the top of the luggage! Quick!" Snake nodded and grabbed Lizzie as Ciel shot at the zombies.

The gun clicked, signaling that the gun was empty of bullets and Ciel pressed his back to the crate, "Shit! There's too many..." Matthew rushed out of the horde, his sleeves torn, mask covered in blood, and bite wounds littering his arms, and one on his right hip, "Ciel!" He rushed forward and held the sword pointed at the zombies, "Shit where's Sebastian!" Matthew muttered.

Lizzie looked down at the two and gasped when she saw a shadow moving at Ciel, "Ciel!" She shouted in warning, "Behind you!" Ciel flinched and covered his face, waiting for the attack. When it didn't come he opened his eye and stared in shock as a large boa was wrapping around the zombie's body. In fact there were all of the snakes wrapped around the zombie hordes bodies, "These are..." Ciel couldn't finish the sentence as Snake shouted, "Smile! Feather!" They looked up and Snake held his hand out, "Come quickly, while we're restraining them! Says Oscar." Matthew dropped the sword and lifted Ciel up so he can reach Snake. He then started climbing up and he clung to Snake, leaning on him for support.

Ciel looked down at the zombies, "Seems like they can't climb up here."

"What are they? Aside from our poison not affecting them, they have a horrible smell. Says Webster." Snake said as Wordsworth tried to help stop the bleeding from Matthew's wounds, by wrapping around him. "I don't know the details, but for some reason these corpses began moving about." Ciel explained.

"Corpses!" Lizzie shouted in surprise.

Ciel ignored her and looked down at the zombies. They seemed agitated, and seemingly desperate to get to them, "They don't seem to have any intelligence anyway. Nor any sense of sight or pain."

"How do you know? Says Oscar." Snake said as he looked to Ciel. He looked to Matthew and the blonde struggled as he sat himself up, "They didn't react to the snakes at all. If they could see or feel pain they would try to shake off the snakes first." Matthew explained he looked down to the zombies; he narrowed his eyes at them and took out his book.

"And also..." Ciel said as he looked towards the stairs, "If they had intelligence they would leave us and head upstairs, right? They would find a lot more food that way."

"Food you say!" Lizzie shivered in fear.

Ciel turned his attention back to the zombies and started thinking aloud, "Ahem. The only thing left is their hearing. If they rely on their ears, we might be able to get away by distracting them with some kind of sound." Matthew didn't listen to them as he stared at the book thrumming in his hand, and then at the hordes of the undead.

There was a tapping sound and Snake looked down, Emily was tapping the plate in his hand. "How about we try throwing this?"

He was still carrying it... Ciel thought, "Ok try throwing it." he said.

Snake flung it and it hit one of the crates, Ciel then looked down at the zombies and they still crowded underneath them. "No use huh..." Ciel rested his chin on his finger and thought in his mind, Then how are they following us? There are some without noses as well and I think it'd be pretty hard to follow our bodies' scents with this putrid smell around... The crates underneath everyone started to creak and groan and soon it started shaking violently, causing the group to scream as they clung on, "What's going on!" Ciel shouted, he looked down and gasped, the zombies were gnawing and scratching on the crates.

"With their teeth and nails!?" Matthew shouted, he soon flipped through the pages and looked for something to help them.

"Snake! Can't you stop them with the snakes?" Ciel asked, Lizzie clinging to his neck as the crate shifted underneath them.

"Of course not with this many! Says Oscar."

Why is your playtime taking so long Sebastian! Ciel thought as he looked to Matthew, "Matthew can you do- Matthew!" Matthew eyes rolled back and he fell forward, hand tightly holding onto his book, and the undead hands trying to grab him. Snake snatched Matthew and tried to pull him back up and Lizzie screamed as she clung tighter to Ciel. "C-Ciel!"

"...It's ok." Ciel said through his teeth, his heart racing in sheer terror, and he tightly held her, "I'll definitely protect you at least! No matter what happens!"

"How admirable, Young master." Knives went straight to the four zombies head, killing them instantly. "That's how an English gentleman is supposed to be." Sebastian was standing at the stairs, and he smirked when Matthew opened his eyes, they seemed almost hollow, and slightly dazed.

"Sebastian! Don't stand about, clean them up already!" Ciel shouted.

Sebastian dashed forward, "As you wish. It's not very stylish...but if just destroying their heads is enough...then I guess this..." He grabbed one of the zombies head and with a manic glee he smiled as he crushed it in his hand, "Is the fastest way." Snake gulped as he stared at Sebastian, and Ciel covered Lizzie's eyes.

With pure delight, Sebastian went forth and started attacking all the demons, kicking them away and ripping them to shreds, and Ciel watched all of this, eye wide as he saw the monster Sebastian truly is, and Matthew not in his right state of mine, softly uttered, "A fierce creature, you truly are one who takes delight in all this mayhem. My demon, my Sebastian."

Splattering crimson, a dancing demon, this is...the same scene as that day. Memories flood Ciel's mind of being kept in the cage, of witnessing the onslaught of the torturous humans being ripped apart by Sebastian's very hand. Something touched Ciel's shoulder, causing the boy to snap out of it and he looked up at Matthew, and his arm was clasping Ciel's shoulder tightly as he stared at Sebastian.

No, it's not the same. I'm outside of the cage. My butler isn't killing the ones who soiled me, Ciel isn't here anymore. I am Earl Phantomhive and, I am me, and I am...

"Ciel!" He looked down, realizing he was gripping Lizzie's shoulder roughly, "Li...zzie." The sounds of flesh being ripped apart were gone and everyone stared at Sebastian, blood scattered across his face, a smile on his lips, and standing in a pool of dead corpses and blood. "I'm done, Young master." Ciel started breathing hard, "What's wrong?" Sebastian said. He stretched his blood stained hands out and said, "Come. Please come over."

Matthew patted Ciel's back, shaking him out of his thoughts once more and Ciel frowned as he stepped off the crates, "Don't touch me with those hands. They're filthy." Sebastian looked down at his hands, suddenly realizing his mistake, "I'm very sorry. I'll change them immediately." Sebastian removed his gloves and slipped on a pair of new ones. He then helped Ciel down and Ciel groaned as he stared at the blood covering the bottom of his shoe, "...Couldn't you have done it a little more elegantly?"

Sebastian helped Lizzie down and Snake hopped off. Sebastian held out his hands waiting for Matthew and Matthew slowly, with the help of Sebastian, went down. "Just like a beast." Ciel said as he glared at Sebastian. Sebastian placed an arm under Matthew's, and helped him forward, "...I'm sorry. It was an emergency." Sebastian replied, his eyes glowing at Ciel. Matthew stumbled away from Sebastian and was behind Ciel, his body moving from side to side. Sebastian kicked at one of the bodies and smirked, "Also, their bodies seem to be much softer than regular human beings. They're quite weak."

"But why are there so many on this ship?" Ciel asked.

"I think..." Sebastian stopped and he threw knives to the right of him. They went straight to Ryan Stoker, cutting his fringes and he squeaked in terror, "It would be good to ask him." Sebastian said.

"Ryan Stoker!"

"I-it's not like that! That was an incomplete salvation and…I didn't plan on reviving them in this unhealthy state..." He pressed his back to the wall, as Sebastian started walking towards him. "Please listen to me!" He turned around to run, "I'm in a hurry and- ow!" He screamed as Sebastian twisted his arm behind his back, "No need to be hasty. There is plenty of time until we reach New York, so we'll listen to your story leisurely."

"Wai-wait a second!"

"What is it? I already cleaned them all up so-"

"It's not that!" Ryan shouted.

"What?"

"This ship has the latest gigantic boiler with a reciprocating steam engine installed at the center. This place is divided in to two sections, the boiler separates them." He screamed.

"What of it?" Ciel asked.

"In other words, this ship is divided in to a front and a stern. There are two freight storages!"

Sebastian and everyone else froze, and Matthew's eyes widen and he shouted, "What...what does that mean!"

"In the front freight storage... we have stored... ten times as many samples as there were here." The air was still, and silence crept up at them as Ryan's words went around everyone's mind, finally Ciel snapped out of it and shouted, "Ten times as many!"

"W-we...I..." Matthew shook his head and grabbed the book, "Uroboros can probably destroy these soulless monsters." He opened the book and tried to draw the symbol, but his arms kept shaking, and the blood just dripped down to his elbows, it not able to become the symbol. Sebastian stared at Matthew in concern and looked back to Ciel, "Well this turned into something unpleasant, Young master."

"Do you think 'Unpleasant' covers it! Even one of those monsters is a hassle. Just..." He turned his head to see the dismembered bodies and the coffins that littered the room, "Imagine...ten times this!" Muffled screams echoed down to the room, and they all knew, the undead were free and running amok, killing everyone in their way.

~ASC~

In the Campania communications room, two telegraphers were reading messages that were being sent to the ship, unaware of the dangers around them. "To my dear Mary'...? Jeez what kind of lame telegram is this?" Through his headset the beeping started becoming erratic and he raised an eyebrow, "Uh?"

"What happened?" His partner asked.

"It's a warning signal from the ship preceding us." His eyes widen "What! This is bad. The ship's going to...!" He started madly scribbling on a piece of paper, the message he was sent, and he handed it to his partner, "Go tell the captain!"

"Yes!" The younger man took the paper and opened the door. An undead man charged at him and attacked the poor unsuspecting human.

~ASC~

"...So basically this ship is...mostly likely, infested by a horde of them at this time. This is..." Ciel paused for a moment and looked to Sebastian, "Sebastian. Go ahead and take my aunt and the others to a safe place."

"What are you going to do?" Sebastian asked.

"We'd just be a burden. I also have a gun; we'll be ok for a while." Ciel said, "Come back as soon as you sure they are safe!"

"Certainly." Sebastian rushed off, leaving Ryan in the hands of Snake's boa constrictor.

"Matthew, stop your spell." Matthew stopped and looked to Ciel, "To call something that massive, even if it can help us, will kill you. At the most, use your hunting knife to fight with."

"But-"

"You've lost too much blood...anymore and you'll break your promise of staying with me to the end." Ciel whispered softly to him. Matthew froze and fell to his knees, "F-forgive me. My lord Ciel." He made Matthew rise up and ordered him to put the book away. "Well then," Ciel turned and stared at Ryan and pointed his gun to the man's head. "How about telling me everything? And be brief because I'm not very patient." The man gulped and complied, "First of all, how should we deal with them?"

"Eh?"

"There is no way you decided to transport something so dangerous without any kind of insurance. Isn't there another way to stop them aside from smashing their heads?"

The man looked down, a bead of sweat slid down his cheek, "...We...well, there is one...There is a device that allows you to render patients subjected to complete salvation inactive again, by exposing them to special supersonic waves."

"And where is it?" Ciel asked.

"...In my room in first class."

Ciel pressed the barrel of the gun, harder to Ryan's head, "Take me there." He demanded.

"A...all right! There is a freight elevator in the boiler room. We can use that to go upstairs." Ciel made him stand up and he forced him to lead the way, with Matthew by his side holding a lantern.

"I have another question. How can corpses move?" Ciel asked.

"Electricity." Matthew answered.

Ryan looked at him, wondering how he knew, "Yes how...we implant a special device in to the dead's brain that generates a weak electric current. This way we can send signals to the various parts of their body and they recover the healthy physique of when they were alive, basically..."

"That's enough. Do you think you can resuscitate people?" Ciel ordered, "I'll change my question. What is the purpose of carrying all these guinea pigs to America?"

Ryan shook his head, "I can't tell you that."

"I see." Ciel said as he stared to the side, not looking please at that answer. He pressed the gun to Ryan's ear and threatened, "I reckon you want me to pierce your ears?"

"Wha! Wait, wait! If you shoot me you won't be able to use that device!"

Ciel sighed and shook his head, "You're right. It's annoying, but I guess we'll just stick to smashing their heads." Ciel squeezed the trigger and Ryan shouted, "A-a certain company bought our complete salvation technology!"

"A certain company?" Ciel asked.

"Yeah... It's called Osiris. Rumor has it that they're developing a new drug." Ryan answered.

Ciel hm'ed and thought over, It's probably a dummy company created to make the deal. I'll investigate that when we reach land. Also... if it doesn't harm the Queen, then it's something I have nothing to do with. Ryan stopped in front of a door, heat was pouring off it, and loud clanking noises were heard inside.

"It's in here." Ryan said.

Matthew went forward and opened the door, hot steam escaped the room and Ciel looked to Snake, "Snake, take your snake off of Ryan. It will go smoother if we pretend to be his comrades." Ciel said, noticing that there were men walking around in the engine room.

"Alright. Says Webster." The boa slide off of Ryan and all together they walked into the room.

"It's so loud!" Lizzie shouted.

"Hey! Passengers shouldn't come here!" A man shouted as he walked over to them.

"The complete flame in our chests!" Ryan started.

The man paused his movement and said, "Shall not be extinguished by anyone...We are..." They both posed together and shouted, "The Phoenix!"

"Would you let me use the elevator, my friend?" Ryan asked.

The man nodded and looked towards Ciel and the others, "Ok...who are they?"

"They're comrades as well! Right!" The man signaled to them to do the embarrassing pose, and all four, even Snake's reptiles, who actually hissed, shouted "The Phoenix!" Matthew slapped his forehead, his cheeks stained red on his pale face in embarrassment, and Ciel was a bright cherry color.

"Are you ok Ciel?" Lizzie asked.

"Here in the back!" The man said as he led the group forward.

~ASC~

In the Campania elevator hall. The marchioness was wielding a rapier, with three women behind her. She frowned as she stared at the approaching zombies and she stabbed one in the heart. The zombie staggered a bit then continued forward, "W-what!"

"Marchioness!" A black blur landed on the zombie, crushing its skull, and the figure appeared to be Sebastian, "Are you injured?" He asked.

"Butler!" She shook her head and went back into her fencing pose, "What are they!"

"I don't really know...but there is only one way to defeat them." Sebastian said, he raised his leg and bent it as he got ready for them, "Smashing their heads!" He kicked the zombies in the head, and the Marchioness Frances slashed at the other ones heads. "Uhm..." Marchioness turned and faced Sebastian, "Apparently what you said is true. In consideration of the advice, this time I will excuse your slovenly face and hairstyle."

Sebastian sweat dropped at her comment and just said, "Thank you."

"Frances are you alright!" The Marchioness husband came around the corner, his son by his side.

"Dear!"

The two men rushed over and Edward asked Sebastian, "Butler! What happened to Lizzie?"

"She is with the Young master. They are both safe." Sebastian answered.

Alexis moved over to his wife and held her close, "If they're together, we have nothing to worry about." Alexis told her, she nodded to her husband, "Yeah. That boy will protect his fiancé at all costs."

Sebastian smirked, "At all costs...you say. I was ordered by the two of them to escort all of you to a safe-"

"Impossible."

Sebastian's smile faltered, and looked at them in confusion, "Eh?"

Alexis took out his sword and held it up, "The members of the Midford household have protected England for generations. As knights we would never abandon our people in danger." Edward took out his own sword, "We are English knights." He said, "We protect the weak." They both turned their heads and stared at Marchioness, "Right? Frances/Mother!" They said, sparkles appearing out of nowhere.

"Yes!" She said, "Go back to where they are right away." She ordered Sebastian.

"But..."

"Don't you trust our ability as swordsmen?" She asked him.

Sebastian sighed and bowed to them, "As you wish. Please be safe."

"Be sure to tell Ciel, that if anything happens to my sister, I won't forgive him!" Edward shouted.

"Certainly." Sebastian rushed off, back to the others."

~ASC~

Campania Third Class Passengers Dining hall.

Bodies littered the room, broken chairs, tables upturned, and a smirking Ronald was looking into his book, "See. I did say we might not meet alive! Since you're on the list." He pressed his stamp over the picture of the red haired women that had wanted to meet him, not one ounce of sympathy in his actions. He closed his book and stared at his strange watch, "I'm sick and tired of this seriously. I'm so friggin' busy already. And the worst has yet to come."

~ASC~

The ship continued onward into the dark, any signs of the horrors from the ship, was gone unnoticed to the two men in the crow's nest. They shivered, the portly one saying, "So cold~"

"Hey, aren't they a bit noisy downstairs?" The skinnier man said as he looked down.

"I bet it's just the usual drunkards making merry." They both laugh and the skinny one said, "Must be having some fun." The men stopped laughing and looked into the dark sea, "By the way, there's no moon tonight, look how many stars you can see. This is what you would call a sea of stars." The skinny man said.

They both stopped and squinted, "Hm?" They saw a large black shadow, and as they came closer, their eyes widen.

"A…an iceberg!"

"This is bad, it's huge!"

The skinny one rang the bell while the other picked up a phone, "We must tell the captain!"

"Why didn't the other ship warn us?"

"Please answer! Please someone!"

~ASC~

Campania Wheelhouse.

The captain was on the ground, blood coming from a wound on his back. A small undead child was near his body, and an undead woman was roaming around near the wheel of the ship. No one alive was able to drive the ship.

~ASC~

"Why aren't they answering? At this rate we'll-" The iceberg came closer and closer.

On the other side of the crow's nest was Ronald, watching the scene before him, "Uff~ I swear we've got a super overtime course here. Though I never work overtime on principle. The guys in management are really asking for the impossible. How can we collect this many souls, when there's only two of us?"

~ASC~

On the iceberg a lone figure was on it, a chainsaw on their back, and the person laugh, "You shouldn't be so rude on a maiden's first night." The figure said, "If you ram such a big thing into her...she will...break~" The figure smiled, revealing a row of sharp teeth, and the ship slammed right on to the side of the ship. The figure jumped off and started their weapon as the ship continued to scrape its side on to the iceberg.

On the deck were some zombies roaming around and the figure went straight to them, "A broken, bloodstained maiden trip. You can't...stop!" The figure slashed at their heads, "You can't go back! It's too late to turn around!" The figure did a back flip, "This is like a big~ guilt trip of..." The figure landed on the deck and posed, "Death!" Grell shouted, his long red hair cascading around his face.

The iceberg finally reached the ship's tail, and the motor broke off, leaving the ship to be stuck in the water, slowly drifting. The ship creaked and groaned, and in a sudden burst, the walls of the right side that were scraped, burst open with water, and the ship started to be filled up.

Grell rushed forward at the other zombies, "The pitch-black sea, reflecting the countless twinkling stars..." He slashed 360 degrees and the bodies fell to the ground, their heads gone, "Is dyed red, like my favorite roses." One of the heads rolled away and fell into the sea, "This situation! Is perfect for me to play the heroine! Seems like tonight will be the best!"

...TBC...