Caretaker

He Clowns Around

Allen finds himself standing in a familiar place. He's not sure what to make of it, but it seems to be the same place he went to when he died in China.

In fact, it is.

He sees the pond of water, and starts to walk over to it. A sudden flash is behind him. What he sees sends him into surprise.

It was Mana.

Allen stands there speechless. How can he fight this man? He was the only one who cared for him when he needed a friend. He took him in as a son, and gave him a home.

How will he battle his father?

Mana thrashes at him. He punches and kicks the white-haired boy across the landscape. Allen immediately lifts himself up and tries to punch his enemy. Mana dodges and knees him in the gut. Allen coughs up some blood, but punches back. Mana is sent flying to the trees and the white-haired boy tries to regain his breath. He remembers his first time seeing Mana.

Allen walked through the worst circus ever.

Cosimo's Circus.

He was the foulest person Allen had ever worked for. He had only worked at that place for a couple years, and already he hated it. There was a dog that came two days ago along with a man dressed as a clown.

Allen hated clowns.

But this one was different. He acted strange around people, and when talked to Allen, he didn't even glance at his arm. It was like he actually cared for the boy.

Allen hated it.

He didn't want to get close to this man. In the end, he's going to end up betrayed and abandoned. One day Allen became so upset with the man, that he started to beat him bloody. Cosimo locked him up in an empty lion cage to learn his lesson. A couple days later, he was released.

It was Christmas eve. Allen tried his best to hold back the tears. The dog had mysteriously died from unknown causes. He knew that Cosimo had done something to the dog, but didn't want to confront the man. Allen stood above the now grave of the dog named Allen.

"Is he dead?" Mana asked behind Allen. Oh no. Mana's going to be so upset with Allen about the dog.

"Yeah, he's dead. He was covered in bruises. Cosimo probably did it. He doesn't like it when people are better than him, no less a dog," Allen said as he sat down. "He's got no talent, and yet he thinks he does. Aren't you gonna get revenge?"

"No, he was an old dog. He didn't have much to live anyway, so it's alright," Mana said calmly. "Even if I wanted revenge, I couldn't because then I wouldn't be paid. That wouldn't be good, now would it?"

Allen turned towards the dog. "I guess not."

"I'm new, so after Christmas tomorrow, I will move on to another circus. I am a traveling clown and all," Mana said.

"Ah, I see. . ."

"By the way, who are you?"

"I have no name. I do different jobs around here for a place to stay. I've served you dinner before."

"Excuse me for my bad memory. Oh dear! You're also covered with bruises! Here-" Mana licked his finger and started to wipe away the dirt from Allen's face.

"Ah! Don't touch me!" Allen shouted angrily. Mana chuckled.

"Did Cosimo give you those? I thought he was nicer."

"Shut up." Allen wiped the spit from his face angrily.

"Do you have friends? You seem to be quite friendly."

"Shut up! I don't need any friends. Once I get out of here, I'll be free, then I won't need any friends." Just then Allen saw that Mana had his hands placed on his cheeks that pushed it to make a fish face. "What are you doing?"

"Wasn't that funny?"

"Sorry, but I don't like clowns. Actually, I hate them."

"Well, I don't like it when children don't laugh."

"Are you going to cry? He was your friend wasn't he?"

"I'm so sad, I could die!" Mana pretended to be hung from a noose.

"Stop that!"

"But I can't cry. My tears must have dried up, they just won't come."

"That's weird." A moment of silence went by. "What. . . was his name? He licked my hand yesterday, and it was so warm. Why. . . am I crying over him?"

Allen then started to bawl loudly. Mana smiled and muttered something to himself. He then picked Allen up and brought him over to the tent.

Allen remembers that day so well. Mana punches Allen over the head and he's sent into another tree. He then realizes that he must stop Mana by knocking him unconscious. It won't kill him, but it might give Allen the upper hand. The white-haired boy runs towards his foster father. He instantly uses his left arm to punch Mana in the head. The momentum that he had gathered created a large enough hit to send Mana into the distance. Allen sighs heavily. A hand is suddenly felt on his shoulder.

"Well done!" Gabby says as she steps beside him. She places her hand on her forehead to look into the distance. "That was quite the punch you've got there. I'm pretty sure you knocked him good."

"Am I done then?" Allen asks impatiently. Gabby turns to him.

"I don't know, are you?" she asks with a grin. He's about to respond, but he finds himself in the main room again. His body doesn't answer to his commands, so he glances over to see that Link is awake.

Two more left; hopefully they're alive.

I've changed this chapter. It's not into two parts anymore, and I didn't put the fourteenth in. Hopefully you enjoy the story so far, and keep reading. I have more to come in the newer chapters! So, will Libya and Caretaker make it? Or will they both die in their games.

Disclaimer: All characters, places, and or things that are in DGM belong to Hoshino~

Claimer: All that isn't mentioned in DGM belong to me~