Chapter 11

Author's Note: Thank you for the numerous reviews. They make my day! More are always welcome. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Allen gasped as he saw Kanda tumble from his shoulder. Their fall had been hard and Kanda's head made a nasty sound as it hit the cement. Allen tried to get up but the Queen wrapped her large hand around him. He stayed still, hoping that he would retain some breath if he didn't waste it on struggle. Lenalee was wrapped in the other hand and Allen noted that she was unconscious.

"More toys," the Queen said. "Tell me, are you as exciting as my pet down there?"

Allen opened his mouth the answer but the Akuma pushed its head in close before he could vocalise a response.

"Allen Walker," she whispered.

Allen tried to hide his surprise. Considering how many people knew his name before he even met them, he felt that he shouldn't be so surprised anymore. Especially when it came to anyone connected to the Noah. They all seemed to know who he was. He waited for the quick death blow or attack. There was none.

Allen heard the grate of iron and he lowered his gaze to see a level 1 Akuma opening one of the cells below them. Lenalee was place on the bed that was without a mattress and Kanda was dragged to stop in one of the many puddles of water on the ground.

Allen winced as he noticed his friend's blood mixing with the water. His world moved around him as he was lowered and the hand released him. He tucked himself into a ball to absorb the impact as he hit the ground. Rolling to his feet, he made a run for the closing door but he was too late.

Allen hung onto the bars as he heard the Queen issuing some orders.

"Watch," he heard her say. "Wait...my return...bringing...Earl."

Allen shuddered at the mention of that name. He should have guessed it when she recognised him. Of course the Earl would have the final decision in his fate.

Allen shook the bars but they wouldn't move. He tried to activate his innocence but saw with despair that his arm had suffered greatly during his fall. It wouldn't activate no matter what he did now. He could probably bend the bars if he was willing to sacrifice a limb or two but then their chances of escape would be even less. He decided to wait until Lenalee, at least, had woken up.

He made the effort to pull Kanda from the puddle of water and move him to a more comfortable spot on the floor. If they did manage to get out of this, Allen didn't want to be accused of giving Kanda a cold. He then took a few moments wrapping Kanda's more serious injuries before moving onto Lenalee.

There didn't seem to be anything wrong with her other than a possible concussion. When she woke, they would probably be able to escape with the use of her innocence but would it be fast enough?

Allen waited, his dark thoughts matching their darkening cell. He had thought he was an optimistic person but when faced with two injured friends and a seemingly hopeless situation, he couldn't quite summon the urge. Instead he felt anger. He would return the damage the Akuma had done to his friends: tenfold.

Lenalee stirred and Allen shot up. If they carried Kanda between them, they could make a quick escape and gather reinforcements to fight another day. Lenalee did not wake up. Allen's excitement fell. The day was dying. They had to escape soon. Considering that the Noah had unrestricted access to the Ark, it could be minutes or hours before they arrived.

Allen was on the brink of just sacrificing his own limbs to escape when he heard two thuds from outside his cell. Running to the bars, he craned his head around to see if he could get a glimpse of the events going on out there but he could see nothing. Deadly patient, he waited and was rewarded.

A red head poked around the corner and a black eye patch came into view.

"Lavi!" Allen shouted.

Lavi ran over, followed by Krory and Chaoji.

"Allen? What are ya doing in there?" Lavi asked.

"Quickly, Lavi. Get us out. The Noah is coming!"

Lavi's eyes widened. "Stand back," he said.

Allen obeyed, pulling Lenalee and Kanda along with him. Lavi's hammer made short work of the cell bars and the other Exorcists rushed to aid Allen. Krory took Lenalee carefully and Lavi stopped when he saw Kanda.

"It's that bad?" he asked.

"He was conscious a little while. It looks like he got a nasty hit on the head, though." Allen explained.

Lavi nodded shakily and took Kanda from Allen, slinging him over his shoulder as if he were a bag of glass.

"There was no one else to provide back up so we're on our own," Lavi said.

"Did you get rid of the Akuma guarding the place?" Allen asked.

Lavi nodded his head. "They're gone so let's get out of here while we still can!"

The small group of exorcists slowly made their way to the exit. They were almost there but then, the inevitable.

"Just where do you think you're taking my toy?" the Queen asked.

The exorcists turned. The Queen was there, backed up by ten Level 3 Akuma. Krory and Lavi propped their unconscious burdens against a wall and joined the first line of defence.

"Well, this should be interesting," Lavi said.