Hey readers! What's up? Another chapter comin' out for you all! Thanks for those who favorited, followed, and reviewed this story! You guys rock! As long as I know you're all out there reading my writing, I'm happy. :) By the way, for this entire chapter, I was racking my brain for a suitable way for everyone to meet up and fight. It took FOREVER to come up with something and this is what I got so I hope you enjoy!
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Chapter 34: Cordially Invited
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Kanda's POV
It's been about a few weeks since we all started the training program that Komui set up for us. And not even a single kind of invitation to meeting the Millennium Earl kind of deal. What're they planning? How are we supposed to get there and beat the crap out of those Noah anyway?
These thoughts wrapped around my head as I decided to smack it out with the punching bag. I was the only one training today since the others wanted a break. Landing a few blows with my fists, I maneuvered myself around the punching bag, hitting it again. Continuing for about another thirty minutes, I stopped to catch my breath, putting a hand out to stop the swinging bag. Drenched in sweat, I walked over to the rack of towels that Lenalee had kindly placed and grabbed one, placing it around my neck.
Simply standing there, gazing at the mats in silence, my gaze wandered to the tattoo that was on my chest. Touching it lightly with my fingertips, I closed my eyes as past memories returned for a moment. Pools of water...steam rising from them. I shook my head to be rid of the memories and opened my eyes again, my gaze locked on to the floor.
Nova's face resurfaced in my mind, making my purpose of training clear to me once more. That's right. She'll be way ahead of us if we don't keep up our strength. Clenching my fist, I squashed the pain deep inside me and pulled the towel from around my neck.
"...I swear...when we see each other again...nothing will get in our way of being together." I whispered to myself as the pain of not seeing her grew inside me.
Absolutely nothing will seperate us anymore.
I was about to head back to punching the daylights out of the bag when I heard something peculiar. The sound of a tiny bell. Glancing around the training room, I searched for any signs of a bell when I heard it again. Whirling around, I caught something fluttering at the far end of the room. Narrowing my eyes in suspicion, I grabbed a nearby practice sword and headed towards the end of the room cautiously. Nearing it enough to see what it was, I raised an eyebrow when I saw that it was a purple and black butterfly fluttering against the floor. It was as if it was stuck there.
About to go back to training, something in my gut told me that the purple butterfly was not just a purple butterfly. Staring at it in suspicion, I gazed at it closely, when it suddenly came to me. Those butterflies of that damn Tyki Mikk. These are his. What is this doing here?!
Aiming the practice sword at it carefully, I waited as the Tease butterfly flapped its wings a couple of more times before catching on fire in a purple flame. It burned to a crisp and its remains scattered on to the mats quietly. Not knowing what to do, I pulled away my sword and was about to go tell Komui, when a sudden burst of black and purple flames blew up in my face. Landing on my back, I propped myself up onto my elbows as I watched the scene unfold in front of me.
There was a door that was rising from the flames, as if it were appearing as the flames began to die down. Again, that gut feeling came back again as I saw the design of the door. The red, black and white checkered door from when Nova went with Tyki appeared in front of me, huge and looming. It was closed but it showed no signs of being completely locked. Getting up to my feet, I stared at the door for a few more seconds before turning and making my way out of the room.
Just what was that door doing here?!
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Tyki's POV
"Alright, the first one's already set." I stated as I stood on top of a clocktower in the town with the Black Order. Road floated beside me using Lero, giggling as she flew around and around, irritating me to no end.
"You've only got a lot more to go!" Road cheered on as she glided through the air, the wind blowing in her face. I scowled at her sudden cheerfulness, not enjoying the mood at all. What I was doing was taking a huge amount of work. If we needed the exorcists and those Shigai to come to us, they'd need some sort of way to get there no? So, the Earl decided for me to create doors to our entire home. What a brilliant plan no? Sighing, I shut my eyes and stretched my arms out, sending my entire flock of Tease into the air.
Spreading out within seconds, the purple-black butterflies scattered to many parts of the country, landing in the most random of places. To think this was all to search for those Shigai since we didn't know their exact location. Furrowing my eyebrows at the amount of energy, I waited till all of Tease had landed on a spot. I knew that one of them had to reach the Shigai. Feeling like it was time, I clenched my fists, summoning the doors from the purple burning flames. To think I had to destroy my own pawns for doors. Anything for Earl I suppose.
Once all the doors were set, I heaved a heavy sigh and crouched down, holding my head in my hands. I felt a huge headache coming along any second. I felt a hand tap my shoulder and glanced up to see Road smiling at me. She waved her hand in the air, summoning the same door I had. Opening at her command, she tugged on my arm, an excited look in her eyes.
"C'mon Tyki~! We need to start!" She exclaimed as she pulled my arm, getting me on to my feet. Following her reluctantly, I held the side of my head as I trailed after her inside the door.
Soon we were back are our huge place, standing in front of the Earl himself. Staring at him in a distressed manner, I was relieved when he met my gaze and nodded. Turning on my heel, I made my way to my room where I could relax for a few hours. It would be a while before I fought any exorcists.
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Victoria's POV
Ugh...this overwhelming presence...it's almost too heavy for me to stay awake...
Struggling against the immense pressure of the hatred in the air, I pulled against the chains that kept me from escaping this place. My ears were ringing and my head was pounding. Avon must be taking in this hatred. It was like being forcefully shoved against the ground, the pressure making it hard to breathe.
I shut my eyes as I tried to pull through when I heard a faint sound. To think I would be able to hear something in between this crushing state. I opened my eyes slightly when I heard it again. It was a tiny ping that rang through the air.
What is that? A bell? Why..would I be hearing a bell? Ugh, whatever. I hope Sam's alright, being imprisoned by that Master and all.
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Master's POV
I opened my eyes as I heard the sound of a tiny bell. Glancing around me, I realized I was still hooked to the machine. Moving my arms, I suddenly froze as the surge of power flowed through my veins, sending this body's heart racing. Grinning at the strength that was now mine, I forcefully pulled my arms out of the tubes, breaking the metal instantly. Stepping on to the cold stone barefoot, I clenched my fists as adrenaline rushed through my blood. I almost wanted to just come out with my true form right then and there. But it wasn't the time yet.
Hearing the tiny bell once more, I raised an eyebrow and began to head towards the sound, making my way out of the cavern. My footsteps echoed against the rock walls as I walked down the corridor. Reaching the end, I turned to the right slightly to see the rest of my followers awakening from their own machines. My grin widening, my gaze met my right hand man's. She locked gazes as she nodded towards me.
They all seemed ready to give their lives to me.
"Excellent work, Avon. Perhaps you're not a mistake after all." I grunted as I made my way towards the bell. It was at the entrance of our hideout. With my other followers behind me, I stopped walking when I came across a purple and black butterfly on the ground. Its wings suddenly burst into flames, and to my surprise, a door began to rise from the burning embers.
"Who dares to summon a door in my presence?" I growled to myself as I unconscious clenched my fists, my nails digging into my skin.
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Nova's POV
Cross and I stood in front of a familiar looking door in an alleyway of a pretty busy city. We were here to look for some akuma in the area to further my training, when I started hearing a tinkling sound somewhere in the area. That's how we got into this alleyway. We were just staring at a familiar looking butterfly when it suddenly burst into flames, allowing a black and white checkered door to appear out of nowhere. This got my suspicions started. This had to be the work of the Earl. This door was his.
"What do you think this is for?" I thought aloud as I glanced over at my mentor. He remained silent as he stared at the door, replying to my question with a shrug.
"Just be on your guard, if we have to go in, be ready." He warned, his tone containing a bit of concern. Something only I could identify from how long I've been training with him.
"Right." I mentally prepared myself as memories of my conversations with Kanda emerged. Our promise that we would fight the Earl together resurfaced within my mind, telling me that we would meet again. That was part of my fate.
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Lavi's POV
"You weren't kidding were you, huh Yuu?" I said out loud as the entire exorcist team stood in front of the door that Kanda had told us about. He barged into the cafeteria with a distressed look on his face, only to tell us that a door had appeared out of nowhere and that we should see it. To think he was actually telling the truth.
"Of course not." Kanda snapped back in response, crossing his arms angrily. We were all armed and ready, in case something popped out of the door.
"So it really just rose up out of the flames like you said?" Allen inquired as he put a hand to his chin, an eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"Yes, I don't lie, Moyashi."
"Tch, it's Allen."
"For the last time, I don't care."
I sighed at their idiotic bickering and glanced back at the Generals that were behind us. Komui was there, as well as the others in the Science Division. Tigress suddenly slipped in between everyone, coming up next to Kanda to sit down beside him. Seems like they all wanted to see what was up.
"This looks like the door that the Noah summoned back then," I murmured to myself as my thoughts went back to that day.
"I thought so as well." Kanda suddenly added, jolting me out of my daze.
"Hm, then this may be the work of the Earl then." Komui assumed from behind us, the glare of his glasses blocking his eyes.
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Complete Third Person
It seemed as though the Earl had everything thoughtfully planned. He sat in his chair, grinning as Tyki stood beside him. The entire Noah family stood in front of him, waiting. Then, as he met Tyki's gaze, he nodded. That was the signal. Taking a deep breath, Tyki stretched an arm out and unclenched his fist, a bright white light emitting from the front of his hand. As it continued to grow brighter, he pulled his hand away, breaking the concentration of light into tiny shards of white.
All at once, the doors that Tyki had placed around the country; at the Order; where the Shigai were, and unknowingly to all of them; with Nova and General Cross, unlocked and opened at the same time. They opened wide till they could open no further, a bright white light shining from within.
Tyki let out a slow breath as he turned to the Millennium Earl and handed him Tease. Perched on his finger, the Earl chuckled slightly, grinning widely. Clearing his throat, the sound could be heard from all of the doors that had been opened.
"Attention to those who stand in front of these doors today. For those who would like to finally challenge me, do come on in. We cordially invite you to our home of the Noah's. You exorcists of the Black Order would like your friends back yes? Victoria and Sam was it?"
The exorcists in questioned bristled at the mention of their missing companions.
"And the Shigai, for those who possess the two I just mentioned, you want to come fight me too as well, don't you? Well come on in! I'd be happy to destroy all of you today. The same goes for you exorcists. Today is the day for all of you to die. Some come and welcome your deaths."
The Master of the Shigai was fuming in rage as he heard the Earl speaking. He was literally this close to exploding.
"Well, that is all. Now take your steps into the doors and come meet me face to face!"
The Earl handed the single butterfly back to Tyki, who sent it away immediately. Meeting his family's gazes seriously, he nodded, signaling them to leave and take their positions.
In the Black Order, the exorcists, Generals, and scientists all spoke, deciding on what to do in the next few moments.
At the Shigai's base of operations, the Master was giving orders to Avon, who in turn relayed that information to the rest of the followers.
With Nova and Cross, they were both giving each other anxious gazes.
"We can do this, right? I'm not going to die, right?" She asked out of nervousness, trying to steel her emotions. Cross shook his head no as he put on his hat, checking for his Innocence.
"No, you're not going to die, Nova. You've been trained enough. You know your Innocence well enough to know where your limits are. You won't die." He reassured as he reached out to give her a pat on the head. Seeing her hesitating gaze, he put his hand softly on top of her head and ruffled her hair slightly. Seeing a shadow pass in front of Nova's face, he narrowed his eye and lifted his hand, pulling her hood over her head.
"You're ready."
Everything was set.
The three parties turned toward the doors that were wide open for them. With determined gazes and unwavering loyalty, they trudged forward and took their first step inside the doors.
They were ready to meet the one who started this all.
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Hey guys! So...
Lemme just say: writing that whole third person scene made me feel EPIC. It was...amazing.
I cannot express how awesome it felt to actually write out that scene. My mind was all like: Omg FallenWing, they're all going to meet the Earl! What is this? Are you crazy?! That means this story is almost ending?! What are you doing to your readers?! You're going to make them utterly miserable if you end this story! You need to make these next couple of chapters as EPIC and FIGHT SCENE WORTHY as possible!
Yes, that is what my mind feels at the moment. I do hope that this chapter wasn't horrible. I don't THINK it seems rushed...does it? Yes, it doesn't. Convince yourself, FallenWing and try to cope with the reality that Nova and Kanda are gonna meet again and that you've gotta make it as sweet and epic as possible.
Oh yeah, and the whole Tease turning into the door thing? And the bell sounds? That just popped out of my mind too. Lemme know what you thought of that idea!
Anyway, have an awesome week of having this cliffhanger and see you all next week for a new chapter!
FallenWing21