Of Music and Meister Ch 11

Ch 11

Something wasn't right. Soul just knew it and it was more than just the obvious that this was not an entirely abandoned factory. There was something far deeper going on here. As soon as he, Maka, and Blair were out of the ventilation shaft, Soul shifted into his scythe form. He felt a little better this way since Maka had more protection with this arrangement; plus there was the bond. A special bond had appeared with their first Soul Resonance and had grown stronger each time. Since the battle for BREW, the bond no longer needed Soul Resonance to link their hearts. He felt her every time they fought together; emotions, concerns, even some of her thoughts were open to him. It almost felt as though they were one person when they fought together. He loved the closeness this new experience brought but was leery of it at the same time. It had occurred to him that if the bond was allowing him to feel her emotions then it was undoubtedly doing the same for her and there were some emotions he wasn't ready to share just yet.

Maka moved to begin her initial search, jarring Soul from his thoughts while Blair trotted happily by their side. It was clear no one had come or gone in at least a few years. The atmosphere was thick with rust and decay. The dials were frozen and all visible machinery was rusted and still, taken by death long ago. Despite the obvious death around them, a deep, rhythmic and automated harmony pulsed through the metal building like a booming heartbeat and steam hissed as it rose and fell like rasping breath. The feel of it all sent chills down Soul's spine.

"Maka, you still don't feel anything?"

"Nothing…" Maka responded, her voice full of obvious confusion. She peered around warily out of habit but at the same time, she seemed oddly relaxed. Soul assumed it was because nothing was being picked up by her Soul Perception. Instead of feeling relaxed, Soul felt even more distrustful. He didn't possess a 'soul radar' like his meister, but he could sense danger as well as the next guy and he was starting to wonder if her special abilities were dulling her instincts. He was so busy observing his meister, Soul completely missed the strange man behind them; alerted at the last second only by the creaking of pipes.

Maka heard it at the same moment and whirled around to a frightening sight. Pipes from the factory walls had awoken, slithering like metallic snakes as they propelled themselves towards the weapon and meister with frightening swiftness. It was too late to react. The pipes quickly twisted around the duo, firmly trapping them in darkness.

"Dachichichichi! On the first try. How easy."

Maka was shocked. There had been someone watching them the whole time and she never knew it, never felt their presence. She fought her bonds, trying desperately to at least free Soul. If she could do that, they may have a chance.

Soul felt Maka's surprise and fear. It echoed through the bond with disheartening clarity. He could feel her arm struggle against his handle but he knew it was no use, the pipes held him fast. The only thing they could do was wait.

"Pump pumpkin, Pumpkin!" A flash of light then and explosion assaulted Soul's senses followed by the feeling of cool ancient metal shredding and falling away with a groan.

"Don't take me lightly!" Blair chuckled as the room came back into focus. Maka faced their attacker. He was a creepy sight. Soul wasn't even really sure what he was. He floated a few feet above the ground and laughed insanely as he gawked at them with wide staring eyes. His head seemed stretched and his face molded into a permanent, unnatural smile, framed by dark blond dreadlocks contained mostly by a simple stained grey velvet hat. His skin was ghastly and his lanky body seemed loose and lithe like a long rotting corpse.

The phantom was dressed in what appeared to be a white, long-sleeved dress shirt. A red neckerchief held the high collar in place and over the shirt was a rough-looking green and black striped vest which was held tightly to his lanky frame with a wide yellow belt, held in place with what looked like two large steel rivets. Black, loose pants covered his upper legs and were tucked into filthy grey knee-high socks which ended in simple grey riveted boots. He hung there, laughing manically at them as they stared back. Eventually, Soul's repulsion of this… creature faded enough that he could think again. The same seemed to be true of Maka.

"So you finally came out. What are you doing in this factory?" She interrogated, hiding any hint of fear. The phantom continued to laugh as if he hadn't heard her but he did eventually reply.

"Kishin-sama has been revived. I've been waiting for this moment. Everybody is doubtful of themselves. Kishin-sama will wipe out all those doubts with a single light. I am the 'Flying Dutchman' a prisoner of insanity." The phantom spoke in a slow, deliberate voice as his head bobbed from side to side. Well, 'flying' was right but 'Dutchman'? *I guess when you're crazy you can be anything you want* Soul mused.

"You're a servant of the Kishin?" Maka asked, her interest piqued.

"This factory is the cradle of insanity and 'the clown' will raise his first cry here… The one who will give people their freedom… Now then, both of you from Shibusen…" The Flying Dutchman trailed off, tipping his hat in farewell as he melted into the factory wall.

"Wait!! You know the location of the Kishin, don't you!?" Maka cried after the Phantom Dutchman as she ran to stop him but it was too late.

"Prepare to be immersed in the terror of this factory." The Dutchman disappeared, leaving only this last message behind him to fade as he had. Maka placed her hand carefully against the spot the madman had disappeared through only to find the cold steel very solid and undisturbed. Another close creek caught her attention. She whirled around and looked up to see more pipes slithering rapidly towards them.

"Maka!"

"Yeah!" Maka called, signaling to Soul that she was ready to fight.

"Witch-Hunter!!" They cried together, slashing pipe after pipe with ease. More pipes took the places of their fallen comrades within seconds. Maka cut them down like wind through tissue paper but they kept coming faster and in greater numbers. Maka screamed in frustration and urged Soul to resonate with her further.

"Whirlwind Cutter!!" The last of the pipes fell before their combined might. A cry rose form somewhere within the walls and Blair squealed as a slash narrowly missed her. Soul chuckled a little at the unintended friendly fire. He was enjoying the power he and Maka possessed together and honestly didn't mind hitting the flirtatious feline for all the torture she put him through. However, Soul underestimated how much strain the whirlwind was having on Maka. Her power momentarily spent, she collapsed beside Blair.

"Just a little break…" She muttered from the ancient tile floor. Eventually she sat up again, holding her spinning head. Blair had run off in the confusion and she had no clue where the Dutchman was. As far as she knew, they were alone for the moment.

"You ok Maka?" Soul asked. She groaned in response, head still pounding.

"Where'd he go? He isn't coming out at all…" Soul muttered as he scanned the room.

"Can't you feel his soul wavelength, Maka?"

"I can see it for sure but it's somewhat dim. It seems like he's hiding in the steam…" She froze mid thought, something else stealing her attention completely. She spun to stare intently at a corner of the ceiling.

"What? Something else is coming out…" Soul gasped as something moved and was still. Whatever the thing was moved again and proceeded to disconnect itself from the factory wall. Soul's breath caught in his throat. He had never seen something so terrifying in his life.

"I am the Clown… the one who invites people into insanity."