Another path

Chapter 3

Hullo!

I'm back from the dead with a new chapter and new pen name! I have absolutely no excuse for the delay, but I apologize for it. I want to thank everyone that followed or faved (or even did both ^.^) and for the wonderful heartwarming reviews! Now, two or three people asked me about pairings. While there is always the possibility that a pairing will pop up, the fanfiction will not be focused on that. I might even put up a poll when the story develops, but I will still concentrate the most on friendship, loyalty and family. How much can you give up for the people you love?

So, anyway, it's time for…

A disclaimer! : I don't own DGM or its characters. I don't even own the idea of time travel. '-.-

'So, I'm here again…'

Allen stared at the dark building that wasn't even as half as scary as the first time he had seen it. But still, a heavy, ominous feeling clung to it. It was like his home was emitting sorrow and sadness. He could almost hear the sobs of the living, he could almost see their tears. What had happened to his home?

'But can this still be my home?'

'Lenalee, will you still be my sun? Will you be the warmth that keeps the ice from freezing over my heart?

Lavi, will you still be my summer rain? Will you give the dying lands of my mind the hope that the fragile flowers will grow again?

Kanda, will you still be my moon, hidden behind layers of clouds? Will you, with your cold light, keep away the shadows that threaten to devour my soul?'

"Hello? My name is Allen Walker, apprentice of General Cross Marian. I have a letter from him for supervisor Komui Lee. Can I enter the building?"

"Chief?"

"Let him in Reever. He can wait for me in my office. I must take Bookman and his student to Hevlaska first." said the Chinese man.

"A-are you sure? He could be an Akuma, right?" How could Komui do something so reckless? Right after they lost more than a hundred finders and six exorcists, he was letting a complete stranger into their home?

"Don't worry. Timcanpy is with him, isn't he?" Komui pointed to the fluttering golden ball. "That should be proof enough."

"If you say so, chief." Reever sighed as he headed to the currently closed gates. 'But… That scar… Is he an Akuma, or just a cursed human?'

The huge gates creaked open slowly to reveal a tall man with sandy blonde hair, faint circles under his eyes and a pristine white labcoat.

'Reever!'

Said Science Division Section One chief was standing in front of him, hand extended for a handshake.

"My name is Reever Wenham. Chief sent me to take you to his office. Nice to meet you."

"Allen Walker. Pleasure is all mine."

Reever's grip was firm, but not too much. Before he could think of something else, a familiar golden ball caught his attention by lightly biting his ear, clearly demanding to be introduced.

"And this is Timcanpy."

The interaction between boy and golem caused Reever to smile a little as he led them into the building. He showed them the different floors, rooms and places in the Order Allen could remember all too clearly getting lost in on the way to Komui's office.

"I'm sorry that you have to wait, but Chief is currently with two other people that are here to become exorcists. He should be here soon, so don't worry."

After that, it was silent.

"Ah, Chief, you're here. What happened?"

"Both of them were able to synchronize with Innocence. Now they are exorcists, we just have to do the paperwork, and it will be official. I have showed them their rooms."

'… Just… the paperwork? The office is buried in it!'

Komui then turned to the white haired almost teen. 'He's just a child… Why do we have to send children to their death?'

"Hello, I'm the European branch head, Komui Lee, nice to meet you. Now, you said something about a letter from General Cross?"

Allen nodded at that and took out the slightly crumpled, but otherwise intact letter and held it out to Komui.
"Here it is. My name is Allen Walker, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

Komui's eyes scanned the short letter, more like a note, really.

'Komui,

The white haired kid, Allen Walker, is my apprentice. I'm handing the brat over to you.
PS. Never play poker with him, you'll hurt less that way.
Cross'
"So, why don't we take you to Hevlaska now?"

The time traveler followed Komui silently, pondering on what would Hevlaska have to say about him now. Would she know that he truly managed to destroy time? Would she inform Komui of it? Or would she say something else entirely?
They were on the floating platform now, going further into the darkness until Hevlaska showed herself. Komui was ready to take notes, notepad and pen in his hands.

"Would you please check this one too, Hevlaska? He already has Innocence, so you just need to check his synchro rate."

Allen wasn't surprised when glowing tentacles wrapped around him, raising him into the air and in Hevlaska's face. Last time he was caught off guard so he instinctively tried to push away the disgusting feeling of his mind and body being probed by another presence. Now he just let Hevlaska inspect him, and soon after he was pressed against her forehead.

"Two percent… Sixteen percent… Thirty percent… Fifty three percent… Eighty three percent… Ninety nine percent… One hundred and eighteen percent… One hundred and forty six percent… Two hundred and one percent… Two hundred and eighteen percent… It seems that the highest synchronization rate you can reach with your Innocence is two hundred and eighteen percent" she finally said as she slowly lowered him until he stood on the platform once again. Out the corner of his eyes he caught sight of the shell shocked Komui that had long since dropped his notepad and pen and was now gripping the railing to steady himself. His knuckles turning white.

"From what I felt from your Innocence, it's an honor to have an exorcist such as yourself in our midst. The Destroyer that has become The Savior of both human and Akuma, I welcome you"

'May you protect what is dear to you, young Allen. I wish you luck.'

"Komui-san? Are you alright?"

"Huh? Ah, yes, Allen-kun. I have never seen someone with potential as big as yours. You see, Hevlaska has always been right about everything, so I think you can officially become part of the Black Order."
They were walking now and were almost at the main hall.
"You come at very hard times for us, Allen. More than a hundred finders have been killed, together with six exorcists. It hurts me to welcome you into the Black Order when so many have died."

Coffins. So many, white like freshly fallen snow. The trembling figures of men and women, hunched over the damned wooden boxes, shaking with pain, misery, guilt and despair. It was like they were the feelings in his own heart come to life.
She was there. His friend, his family, the last one of them to die was there. Her body covered with the pieces of Crown Clown he left with her, hiding her injures from the world. She too was trembling, crushed in her guilt and despair.

'Lenalee.'

He was in front of her in a second. He couldn't be strong for himself, but he would be for her. He would be her shoulder to cry on, he would always be there, never leaving. A protector, a friend, a comrade, a brother. Whoever she needed, he would be. Now he would pull her from the depths of her sea, and he would be the dry rock the waves and rain could never touch.
He kneeled before her, his right hand on her head, stroking his fingers through her silky green locks of hair in slow, calming moves.

"They died for what they believed in. They died protecting something precious, they fought for their friends and family. They were strong for us, so we should be too."

Her violet eyes were now looking into his, tears streaking her face.

"Smile for them, cherish every moment they gave you. Remember the warmth of the sun, the refreshing coolness of the summer rain. Remember how the world comes to life every spring. Think of the lives they saved, the families that are still together because of them. A smiling child, a caring mother and a proud father."

"See what they won't be able to, and be sure to tell them everything when you meet them again. I'm sure that you will. You are too good and your soul is too pure for anything else."
Her tears became even stronger. She looked at him for a moment or two, and threw herself at him. Her small, delicate, but bandaged hands, were clutching his coat, as if he was her lifeline. Her silence broken, she cried out, her voice echoing through the hall. Allen wrapped his arms around her, his embrace strong but gentle, just enough to show her that there was someone next to her.

'Do what I won't be able to do. I have done too much evil, and even if I hadn't, this isn't an alternate universe. My Lenalee is someone I will make sure you will never become. She suffered too much. I don't want you to through the same.
After her hiccupping sobs quieted down, she asked.

"Who are you?"
"A friend. My name is Allen Walker."
And somehow, for some reason, she believed his words with her whole heart.

Well, I hope this was good. I will try to push myself to update soon, but it's the end of the term for me, and my marks in some subjects (namely Latin and Old Greek) are far from perfect.
Well, I hope you liked it!
Read and review, that's my muse's food after all. XD

splazbee out ;D