Chapter 7
Allen POV
Age: 16 (Believed to be 15)
As we were walking down the checkered hallway, Lavi stopped and looked at me concerned. "You ok, Moyashi?"
I looked at him confused then I felt the tears streaming down my face. I wiped at them, but they wouldn't stop. Lero was staring at me with a guilty look on it's face. "I'm fine. It's not stopping; I don't know why I would be crying…" I trail off.
Are you going to be all right, Allen? I don't know if this is such a good idea. I think we should get out of here as fast as we can.
"I know we do, I'm trying to go as fast as I can. The others would be suspicious if I started walking fast, or running for a fact. Also, do you know why I'm crying all of a sudden?" I demand of Neah kindly.
It feels like we lost someone we were close to, but I don't know who, or how we would know…
"It feels like I lost someone dear to me, but let's continue. We shouldn't waste too much-," I was cut off by the thundering sounds of the building collapsing. We all shouted in surprise and started running. Krory was helping Lenalee and when the destruction was coming toward us faster, Krory took all of us in his arms. He drank some Akuma blood to increase his speed to where he was practically flying through the air.
We got to a distance where the destruction stopped and Krory place us on to the floor. "This is bad…" he mumbled.
"Kanda… That means Kanda's gone…" Lenalee sobbed.
Lavi comforted her and stated, "We need to continue forward, or else we won't be able to get to the tower in time. Plus Yuu wouldn't want us moping over him. He'd say stop your crying or something over dramatic."
"You're probably right…"
Allen, this is getting bad, fast. We need to get going.
"I know."
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
We continued walking then suddenly hundreds of empty wine came in to our view. A voice cried, "In one of these bottles is a bomb-."
"And if you don't find it you will all go boom!" another voice screeched.
"A bomb? Is it true?" Choaji questioned, fearfully.
We stood in silence for a second or two then Krory and Lavi started the search followed by Lenalee and Choaji. "Find it! Find it!" Lavi chanted.
I stood stock still as memories came back to me, "I recognize all of these alcohol brands. These are all drinks Master Cross would have me buy…"
Oh Jesus fucking Christ Allen, this is not the time to bitch about Cross. I ignored Neah's protests.
"For General Cross…?" Lenalee asked, confused.
"These would be on the bar tabs as well." A disturbing aura flashed around me, but then I contained it. "That was a harsh servitude. I guess it could have been worse though… But if I begged and apologized I'd be able to bring some sake back for Master Cross!"
Allen! Listen to me! We have to go!
Lavi pointed at me and proclaimed, "Allen, is this really a good time to be remembering this?"
THANK YOU! Someone agrees with me!
"The most expensive alcohol here is…" I trailed off and grabbed a bottle, "THIS ONE!"
"The bomb is in that one!" Choaji yelled.
Well, I guess that's a plus.
I snapped out of it while the others were shouting, "Deactivate it!"
"Hurry!"
"How?!"
"The timer insides gonna run out!"
As that was said it was counting down from eight seconds.
"Hurry it's gonna blow!" Lero shrieked, concerned for his own safety.
I looked at the timer and silently screamed. "Allen! Pitch!" Lavi cried, activating his Innocence. I threw it to him and he hit the bottle away from us in a different direction. It blew up and we all sighed with relief. "Thank goodness."
Kids got a good swing for someone who can't see out of one eye.
"That's Lavi for you."
"That was magnificent, Lavi," Krory sighed out.
"It was nothing," Lavi boasted.
"Why was Master's favorite alcohol here?" I mumbled, mostly to myself. "By some chance, can Master be on this Ark?" I paled slightly at the thought.
"He could be, Allen," Lenalee spoke up.
"Your Master would send a bomb trap to his own student?!" Choaji gasped, fearful.
"My Master would never do something like that! Reallllly. Is what I'd like to say…" At this everyone's sweat dropped.
That's what I thought.
"Well, in that case let's keep moving," Lavi suggested lightly.
"To think my Master may be lying in wait somewhere…" I trailed off, shuddering at the thought.
-/-/-/-/
After a few more rounds of child's play and a small fight with the twins, who I felt bad for and I don't know why, we move on, leaving Krory behind. The walk continuing to the tower is a long and heart filled one. Krory was probably gone forever, but I had a feeling we will be seeing him once again.
"Once I get home, I will eat a plentiful meal made by Jerry!" I cried after being asked what I'd do.
I'm not even living and I'm hungry
"Neah, I'm being serious here."
Well I am too.
"Yeah, I figured," Lavi deadpanned.
Choaji started giggling and then he apologized saying, "I'm sorry, it's just you guys are acting so normal, like us ordinary people. Being servants of God, I would think your way of thinking would be different than ours. Like your jokes or what makes you laugh. If you were afraid… I didn't think you'd feel that." He choked on his words near the end, so I grabbed his hand and reassured him the best I could.
"We're just like ordinary people. We get scared too. But, it's when you're uneasy is the times where you should think of happy thoughts and be cheerful. It'll be ok."
Lero says something snarky that I didn't even bother to listen to. I reply back with, "Shut it, Le Le*!" I stood there for a moment, shocked by what I said. I stare wide-eyed at the umbrella and he stared back.
"M-," it started, but was cut off by Lavi.
"Moyashi, giving umbrella's nicknames now? That's something you don't see everyday. Let's keep moving though. We don't have much more time."
I nod, and look once more at the umbrella, who's giving me a tearful, yet happy look. I activate Crown Clown once more, and push forward through the doorway.
As soon as I walk through the doors I hear, "ALLEN~!" Road was hanging off my neck, buy it looked like an older Road, probably about my age now.
"R-Road?" I gasped in surprise. Suddenly she kissed me. I could hear the gasps and the mutters. I was standing still, confused on my feelings. One part of me is screaming for her to get off and then there is an almost silent voice sighing and saying finally.
Oh Jesus. This is not what we needed right now. Allen, let me have control. I need to teach these people about personal space.
She finally released my face and my brain couldn't comprehend what just happened. I could feel a blush on my face, but I couldn't tell if it was from mortification or of… something else.
Allen! EARTH TO ALLEN!
"Road, you really like the boy that much? Even to change your form?" I heard Tyki question at the table, gaping a little at Road's forwardness. Road just responded in giggles and a wink toward Tyki.
Lavi was trying to shake me out of my daze as I just continue to stare forward in to nothingness. I try to wrap my head around what just happened.
Well, there goes your free will. She's claimed it.
"What free will?"
Touché.
Lero, despite his nature didn't say a word about it. His usual screeching halted. He flew over to Road and whispered in her ear. She giggled and whispered right back. We couldn't hear a word the two were exchanging. Road's hair had grown a lot, flowing down to her mid-back, but the spikiness remained. Bangs framed her face, and she has gotten a lot taller. I hate to admit it but her body has filled out quite nicely.
"Come and sit, Exorcists. We've been patiently awaiting your arrival. Now we can feast," Tyki seemingly purred. He cut in to the meat that was on his plate and started eating. "I want to eat something before our fight. I would also like to talk with you." He stated directly at me, versus the food he was cutting in to.
"I'll have to pass. I take my time while I eat my meals," I curtly replied.
"You don't have a lot of time. You should look outside, it's just marvelous," Road giggled out. My eyes widened and I race to the edge of the room with the others closely following behind.
Lavi gasps out, "The town… it's gone."
"Every place, save this one, has been destroyed. The only building remaining is this one," Tyki coolie said.
We gasped once more. A loud bang was heard behind us and we turned to see Road locking the doors with a pad lock. "Won't you sit down?" she eerily pleaded.
"Take a seat, Exorcists," Tyki stated coyly. "Are you frightened?"
I grit my teeth and narrow my eyes at the empty chair at the end on the table. Directly across from Tyki. As I sit down Road latches back on to me, and I felt nostalgic and guilty. Road was giggling like a little school girl. Was it from something she knew and I didn't? Or was it because of her supposed "crush" on me.
I think it was the former.
"Oh, nice of you to join us again, Neah."
Yeah, yeah. I'm a jerk. I should be here to guide you. Blah blah blah. We go through this everytime.
~~Flashback~~
"Welcome, little lark," the voice rang around him. "Don't worry about your little secret. I'll let you play "hero" for a little while longer. It's too bad your memories were sealed. Only you can unlock them. But first, we'll play." The pure white smile glared down at him sinisterly.
~~Flashback End~~
"I wonder what she meant by that. I never got to ask her."
Well, you could ask her now.
"I could… Yes."
"Road?" I question sternly. I see her cock her head to the side, as if saying she's listening. I have a feeling she already knows what I am going to ask. "Why did you call me "Little Lark" when we first met?"
Everyone's eyes shifted toward Road to see her answer. Tyki looked like he choked on his wine a little, but quickly recovered. "Ney~. You'll find out soon enough, Little Lark~!" she cooed, while tightening her hold on me.
"Now boy, we have some things to discuss. Come on; don't make those faces! This is not a trap or anything of the sort. There is no cheating involved," restated Tyki.
"You're safe, Allen! Don't worry," she smiled. "At the top level of this tower, my door is waiting."
"It'd be nice if it led outside…" I sigh. She just giggled and nodded her head. She raced back over to Lero, and sat on him as she was propelled in the air. "What did you want to talk about Ty-Ty-Lord Tyki Mikk. Or should I call you Sticky Fingers the Evil Bum?" I caught myself quickly this time.
"Neah, what's going on? Why do I keep calling them these nick names?"
Maybe they somehow have to do with your past?
"No way. That's impossible."
Tyki's eyes widened a little bit, but his surprise went away quickly. "Don't be so harsh boy. You've got to be the first Exorcist to strip a Noah down to his underwear. Don't you think our meeting was fated?" he purred out, a flamboyant look about him.
I heard Neah scoff. "Not really. I've stripped many people to their underwear while playing cards," I stated venomously.
His face held a dead panned look. "What a dark thing to say… Are you really 15?"
"Is this about what the Twins did?" His grin widened significantly.
"I was quite surprised when I heard about it. It's a shock just to see you even standing on your feet since this happened not even a week about."
"Well, I'm here. I've been fighting for my friends. I'm standing, and I will keep walking."
"Oh~. Have you become interested in Allen now, Tyki?" quizzed Road.
"A bit," he replied, leaning forward slightly.
Oh dear god can we just get to the point already? I wanna fight!
"Neah, you're not going to fight. Not against the Noah at least."
You never let me have fun! All I do is just sit in your mind all day.
"Well, another matter is such: how did your heart heal even though the Twins stabbed it multiple times? How did any of your wounds heal so quick."
My friends gasped and turned toward me looking for answers.
"Well shit."
My thoughts exactly.
"Allen!" Lenalee yelled at me.
"I didn't hear about this! You had a wound like that?" Lavi resonated his concern.
"I kept quiet so you guys wouldn't worry, and now… We don't know exactly what happened, but the scientists think my Innocence might have helped the healing process," I lied. "There's no problem."
"I hate lying to them, but how am I supposed to explain that I have more powers than just the Innocence that lay in my arm? How am I supposed to explain YOU, Neah?"
It's tough, and I'm sorry to put you through this trial, Allen.
"Allen was…" I heard Lavi trail off. They all looked so solemn now. I can tell Lavi was mulling something over in his head, but just what…
I think it's about your and that girl, Lenalee's Innocence. That crystal you found her in? That was her Innocence protecting her. Innocence usually does not protect it's owner… unless… No, I do not feel that type of power radiating from her Innocence. Yes it holds great power, but yours on the other hand…
Neah was cut off by Tyki asking, "Road, isn't it time you give the boy some space?"
"What? But I love him!" Road cried in to my ear. I winced because my ears were super sensitive to noises thanks to Neah.
God bless can she be any louder?
"Knowing Road, probably."
Knowing Road? You've only met her thrice now.
"I know, but I usually get good readings off people when I meet them."
"Mistress Road…" Lero stated sadly.
"Is something the matter Lero?" questioned the girl in question. He just shook his head in response.
"Road, come back over hear. We are almost through with the discussion," Tyki said, equally as sad. "You know the Earl's plans? Half of me is in this to just mess around. We lost a loved member of our family 11 years ago, and it has brought down our spirits much, especially our Earl. He has been a mess ever since. And thanks to you, boy, I have become a bit self-conscious."
He choked a bit at this part, "Your extermination, I know I have to take it seriously." A purple butterfly came out of seemingly no where and I automatically reacted before it touched Lenalee.
"Tyki Mikk, I also have something I'd like to say. If you lay one hand on my friends, I may end up ki-killing you," I said uncertainly. He narrows his eyes at my uncertainty. Like it was a cute gesture or something of the sort.
I jump on to the table and start the battle.
I have a feeling of regret deep within me.
Will I be able to finish this fight?
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
"Boy, just relax, and let the darkness take over. Don't fight it. It will just make it worse for you," Tyki smoothly said, caressing my scraped face that was slowly healing. "This is a vacuum chamber, sucking all the air out of this one spot. It's not affecting me because I can choose things, as you probably know by now."
Before I pass out, I feel a surge of power through out my body. Neah's powers and the power of Innocence flowing through me in harmony.
"MY RIGHT HAND IS FOR THE HUMANS," I start, Tyki's eyes widening, and his hands going to his ears to block out my voice. Blood flows out of his ears with the sound of my voice. "MY LEFT HAND IS FOR THE AKUMA! AND WITH THIS POWER, I SHALL GRANT SALVATION TO ALL WHO ASK OR NEED MY HELP!"
I grasp at my left arm and the surge of power flung Tyki out of the deadly sphere. I heard him land outside of it.
I smirk and state, "Critical Point reached. CROWN CLOWN ACTIVATE!" I pull the sword from my arm, transforming it. The black and white sword shone in the darkness. I slash through the vortex.
"What happened Tyki?" I heard Road ask. I come out of the smoke before he had a chance to respond. She gasped as she stood on Lero. "Just now…"
"I'll prove that I'll protect them."
-/-/-/-/-/-/
After Tyki's full Noah awakening, Master Cross came out of no where and kicked ass. Then the Earl came to the rescue of Tyki and Lero. Road disappeared, she wasn't dead, I could feel that. I felt a pull toward the Earl once more, and I felt terrible for what I did to Tyki, and what my Master has done to him as well.
But the Earl thanked us for making Tyki awaken. He left, leaving us on the crumbling Ark. We lost Lavi and Choaji after that, but Lenalee, Cross, and I were still safe. Cross had transported us to a more safe location than where we were before. We were in the room where the Akuma egg is held.
"Ok, I just need to destroy this and then we need to get out of here, quickly. This place is just about to collapse on us," Cross relayed to us, but I stopped him before he could go any further. "What do you want, Brat?"
"Just hold off for a while. Do you think you can slow down the process?" I questioned. My seriousness took him by surprise, but he nodded his head.
Neah and I spoke at the same time, "Tim, you know where to take us." Cross's eyes widened, something finally clicking in to place.
I was getting some memories of when Neah was alive, but my past is still a mess. I still don't know anything before I was five. Tim nodded his head and came near me and a light enveloped me.
"Allen, wai-," Cross called but it was too late.
I arrive in the 14th's room, it was peaceful, calm, and has not been touched by the destruction. I saw Neah's reflection in the mirror and we waved to each other. I bring myself to the piano and start playing.
The memories of my past first were fuzzy, but then they became more clear as I continued to play. I couldn't believe it. My father. I've hurt him so many times. I've cursed his name on multiple occasions. My family, I've hurt my family. Skin, oh no Skin's dead.
Allen, pour your wants and desires in to the piece, and the Ark will grant it for you.
What I… want?
I felt my head split open and I faltered a little on my play, the tears also distracting. My hand slowly turning gray, as is the rest of my body.
Allen, you have to concentrate. What do you want?
"I want… I want my family safe. Both of my families! My Noah and Exorcist family! I want Kanda, Krory, Lavi and Choaji back, but I want Skinn back as well. I want Tyki well enough to play cards with again soon. I want the Ark to restore itself so Uncle Cross and Lenalee don't have to suffer any more. I want my friends wounds healed."
I could feel it. I could feel the Ark restoring itself. I could feel where everyone was on the Ark. The blood made the keys sticky, but my tears cleared most of it. After the song was over, the Ark was restored once more to its peak. I commanded the Ark to clear the blood that was on the piano and for a rag with water to appear so I could clean myself off. After doing that I returned to my normal skin tone.
I looked at my Innocence as if questioning it. How could it choose me? I had Noah genes in me all this time. Hell! My father was the Millennium Earl, its sworn enemy.
Innocence is a strange entity. No one knows for sure what it does. If it choose you, even before you were born, it must be something to do with destiny.
"Hey brat! You going to let us come in to see you?" cried Uncle Cross in to my headset.
"Allen, are you ok?" Lenalee asked, concerned for me.
"I'm fine, Lenalee. Thank you. I'll let you guys in hold on," I respond. I hum a note and a door opens from the Akuma factory to the 14th's room.
"Wh-what is this place? Do you think the others are safe?"
"I know that the others are safe, and I can't really-," I began to explain before Lavi's voice rang through out the room.
"Allleennn! Dinnner time! Food!" Lavi cried, trying to get my attention.
I face palmed as a screen popped up. "Lavi, I don't think he's a dog," Choaji responded to Lavi's calls.
"Wait, if we're still alive do you think-,"
"Che, it was your annoying voice I was following this whole time?" Kanda spat as he was carrying Krory.
"Whoa! Is that Crow-chan?"
"Kanda, Lavi, Krory, and Choaji? They're all alive?" Lenalee questioned, tears falling down her face.
"Where's the baka moyashi at?"
"Hey! Who are you calling a baka moyashi?" I yelled, tears also falling down my face.
"Huh? Moyashi? Where are you?" inquired Lavi, searching about for me. Kanda and Choaji looked confused as well.
"Kanda, close the door you just came through," I commanded. He, for once, did as he was told, and I hummed a higher note and the door began to glow. "Now go through the door and you should end up where we are."
"Che, baka moyashi always telling me what to do." He opened the door anyway and he walked through the door.
"Wow, what is this place?" questioned Lavi. I just shrugged my shoulders, not saying a word about the room.
"Well, we should get down to the others, shouldn't we? Then we can go home and see if Krory can get some help," I suggested.
"I agree," Cross said. I looked at him with wide eyes and he just smacked me in the back of the head. "Just do it."
I smiled and replied, "Ok, Master."
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Yes. Cross did not know Allen was the 14th nor that he was the Earl's son until just now. Why? Because then we wouldn't have a story, now would we? Yes, Allen started remembering some things near the end, like nick names, the familiarity of the Ark, and such. And yes I was a jerk and had the collapse of the part of the Ark Kanda was in happen before the Twin's events.
So, what do you all think? Lero, Tyki, and Road know that Allen is the Earl's son. How will this end? Find out, next chapter.
