Hey everyone! The response to last chapter was absolutely amazing. Luckily this chapter doesn't have a stress-inducing cliffhangar! Unfortuantely, it's obscenely long XD I got a bit carried away, but there wasn't a good place to stop.

So, in this chapter, we meet all sorts of fun people: Komui, Lenalee, Reever, Hevlaska, Lavi and Marie. That's a lot of introductions! It's also the first time someone at the Order calls Krystal "Krys", which I've been calling her forever. Hooray forward plot motion! It only gets more interesting from here. I have two years of missions to write befor moyashi gets here, however, so this is definitely going to be interesting. XD

About the poll: There's one week left to decide what Krystal's gonna call Kanda's golem! So far, The Magestic Count Olaf III is leading, and I already have an idea for the reasoning (Krys: muahahahahahaha) So vote! =D

Disclaimer: I own...nothing.

Sights and sounds blurred through Krystal's mind. She heard muted conversation and thought she recognized Daisya's voice once or twice, but never made out the words. A young girl's voice sometimes spoke up once in a while.

She turned in her sleep and felt a tug in her arm. She opened her eyes and was greeted by bright, white light. She stirred and sat up in bed, rubbing her head. The conversation in the corner of the room stopped and everyone turned to face her. General Tiedoll and Daisya were talking to the man the General had called Komui. He was a young man with long black hair in a ponytail over the shoulder of his white coat. Next to Komui was a small girl about fourteen years old and wore a coat similar to the exorcists, but was paired with a short skirt.

The girl looked at Krystal, "Oh, you're up." Her voice was kind and she smiled earnestly, "We were a bit worried about you at first, but you're fine now." She had long black hair clasped in two pigtails and her eyes were a dark violet, bordering on indigo.

The man named Komui placed a hand on the young girl's shoulder, "It's nice to see you're up. How do you feel?"

Krystal sat up straighter, noticing that she was in a hospital bed and had two IV's trailing out of her arm. She was wearing a pale blue nightgown and her hair was in complete disarray. She tried to speak, but she found that her voice had abandoned her. I feel fine, she signed. I'm confused, though. Where are we?

"You're at the Headquarters of the Black Order," Komui explained, "I'm the Supervisor of the Order, Komui Lee. You passed out when you arrived early this morning, so we transported you to our infirmary."

Krystal nodded. She turned to General Tiedoll, Why can't I speak? she signed.

The General looked at her carefully, "This only enforces our theory that you're an accommodator. Usually, Innocence cannot remain activated when its user is asleep, so it deactivates. Innocence also takes a great physical toll on its accommodator, especially a parasitic-type, which we think you might be."

Komui elaborated, "The General explained what happened yesterday. Your activation sounds very impressive. Try to focus on how you felt that night when it first activated and maybe it will reactivate."

Krystal closed her eyes and turned her attention inward. For the first time, she noticed a small presence, a sort of warm energy at the base of her throat. She remembered the exhilaration she felt last night, the rush of power and thrill of adrenaline. She directed her thoughts to the warmth, and thought, activate.

The warmth spread through her chest and she breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up, "It worked."

The young girl clapped her hands, "That's amazing."

Komui looked impressed, "That greatly helps our theory, but before we officially declare you an exorcist, would you permit us to examine your Innocence?"

Krystal put a wary hand on her throat, "Examine…how?"

"Oh, nothing invasive, I assure you." He raised his hands, "We just want to gauge a few things about the power and type of your Innocence."

Krystal shrugged, "I guess."

"Splendid. Whenever you feel ready, you can leave the infirmary. You've been cleared." He stepped out of the room followed by General Tiedoll and Daisya.

The young girl stayed in the room, "I'm Lenalee," she introduced herself, "the Supervisor's assistant."

Krystal smiled and held out her hand, "I'm Krystal Cyra," she said, "and I guess I'm going to be an exorcist soon."

Lenalee shook her hand, "I got you a change of clothes," she motioned to a bundle sitting on the bedside table, "I think they should fit. I'll wait outside until you're changed." She left the room, leaving Krystal to her thoughts.

A nurse came in and disconnected the IV from Krystal's arm and placed a cup of water and a small pill on the table, "To make sure you're stable," she explained before leaving again.

Krystal popped the pill in her mouth and drank the cool water, finding herself thirsty. She turned to the clothes Lenalee had left; a pair of black pants and a simple white blouse. The clothes fit well and she pulled on her shoes as walked out of the infirmary.

Lenalee turned to Krystal, "Ok, we'll meet my brother at the elevator."

"Your brother?" Krystal asked, combing through he hair with her fingers.

"Head Officer Komui is my older brother," Lenalee explained, "he came to the Order after I was found to be an accommodator for Innocence."

"You're an exorcist too?" Krystal asked.

Lenalee nodded, "I've been with the Order since I was six."

"That's a long time," Krystal said.

"It was bad the first couple of years," Lenalee explained, turning down a hall to the main area of Headquarters, "but when my brother came, things got a lot better." She stopped at the end of the hallway, "He should be here."

Krystal stepped out of the hall way into a circular area with a long shaft stretching far above and below them. Krystal stepped to the guard rail and peered upwards. The entire building followed a cylindrical pattern, a skylight at the top letting sunlight stream in.

A low hum started below them and Krystal looked down to see a square platform rising from a few floors below them. The platform rose to the same level Lenalee and Krystal were standing. Komui stood operating a control box and a tired-looking man with reddish-blonde hair was leaning against the railing.

Komui smiled at the two girls, "Climb aboard. Krystal, this is Section Leader Reever Wenham. He heads the science department and will be observing your Innocence for our records."

Reever waved and gave a small nod, "Sorry if I don't make conversation," he said, yawning, "I was running around making preparations last night when we heard that a possible accommodator was coming."

Krystal followed Lenalee onto the elevator, "I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to deprive you of sleep."

Reever smiled, "Nah, I'm sleep-deprived as it is, working for the Supervisor. One of these days, I'll just take a week off and sleep."

"Now, now, Section Leader," Komui chided as the elevator descended, "if you took a week off, the entire Order would come to a standstill."

"Only because it would be buried under the paperwork you didn't sign," Reever shot back.

Komui's face fell, "That's a low blow, Reever."

Krystal broke up the impending argument, "So where exactly are we going?" she asked, peering into the dark below.

Komui slowed the elevator to a stop, "We want a qualified expert to examine your Innocence, so we can learn as much as we can about it."

"'Qualified expert'?" Krystal asked apprehensively, "what exactly do you mean?"

"Hevlaska," Komui said, nodding.

"'Hevlaska'?" Krystal asked, "who's He-" she suddenly became aware of a massive presence behind her. The presence was similar to the feeling she had last night in the rainy field, except multiplied a thousandfold.

She turned around and saw a giant white being behind her. Hundreds of white tendrils flowed around it. Krystal shuddered and stifled a scream as one of the tendrils wrapped itself around her waist and lifted her off the elevator platform. Other, smaller tendrils draped themselves over her, probing and exploring. She felt as though they were looking inside her. A wave of panic swept over her as one of the tendrils moved towards her throat. She began struggling against the tendril's hold on her, not caring if she fell.

An ethereal voice spoke gently, "Calm down, young exorcist."

Krystal stopped fighting and looked up. A beautiful face snaked down from the head of the tendrils. Obviously belonging to a woman, the face was calm and as pale white as the rest of her body. Her eyes were hidden by the white cowls draped over her body.

"Hevlaska," Komui called from below, "is it indeed Innocence?"

The tendril moved towards Krystal's throat again. This time, Krystal did not struggle. A comforting heat spread through her body as the tendrils probed.

"18…27…48…73…87…91," Hevlaska said. "She has a 91% synchronization rate with her Innocence."

Reever whistled below, "91%. Wow."

Krystal was lowered back to the platform. "I apologize if I alarmed you, child," Hevlaska said, "I best connect with Innocence by touch."

Krystal nodded, holding tightly to the guard rail of the elevator platform.

Komui turned to face Hevlaska, "So, did you sense anything about Krystal's Innocence?"

"Krystal Cyra," Hevlaska said, "your Innocence is one of creation as well as destruction. As you create, do not allow yourself to be destroyed in the process. That is what your Innocence has told me."

Krystal's eyes widened, creation as well as destruction. Destruction to the akuma; but creation of what? And what did Hevlaska mean "do not allow yourself to be destroyed in the process"?

Komui interrupted her thoughts, "Do you have any questions, Krystal?"
There was one question that had been lurking at the edge of her mind, "What is Innocence?" she asked, "Where did it come from?"
Komui nodded slowly, "That is a question many people ask. It started one hundred years ago, when a cube was discovered in northern Europe. Inside the cube, a prophecy was left behind by a civilization that had survived Noah's Flood, or as they referenced it, 'the three days of darkness'."

"Noah's Flood?" Krystal asked incredulously, "like the story in the Bible?"

"Precisely," Komui nodded, "The people who made the cube tell of a powerful material they used in an epic battle against the Millennium Earl and the akuma. In the end, the result of this battle was the 'three days of darkness'. The material, called 'God's Crystal' or 'Innocence' was the same material that the cube was made of. According to the prophecy, the three days of darkness will return, and the world will fall into the Earl's hands.

That is where exorcists come in. Exorcists are able to harness Innocence and use it to fight against the Earl and his akuma using anti-akuma weapons. There are two types of anti-akuma weapons: equipment-type and parasite-type. Equipment-type are like Kanda, Daisya and General Tiedoll's Innocence. It has been refined into a usable weapon. Parasite-types, like you, are much rarer. They have Innocence in their bodies, making them an anti-akuma weapon themselves. The Black Order exists to find and train exorcists to prevent the prophecy in the cube from coming true."

He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and smiled wryly, "Unfortunately, during the flood, Innocence was dispersed throughout the world, making the Order's task to find Innocence as well as its accommodator. There are 109 pieces of Innocence in the world. The Order's mission is a race against the Earl, who is out to destroy Innocence as well as mankind, to find all the Innocence fragments."

Krystal's eyes widened with the intake of information. She cracked a smile, "So we're out to save humankind from destruction and we're seriously outnumbered. No pressure."

Komui laughed, "That's the long and short of it. As an exorcist, you'll be sent on missions around the world to find and collect Innocence. Besides travel expenses, food and lodging, you make practically nothing." He smiled, holding out his hand, "Welcome to the Black Order."

Krystal shook his hand enthusiastically, "I'll do the best I can to help your mission."

"Krystal," Hevlaska's eerie voice drifted through the conversation, "may God's protection be with you as you set out on your journey. It will be a long one."

"Hevlaska is an accommodator as well," Komui explained, "she is the guardian of the cube as well as any Innocence that has not found an accommodator yet."

"I have been with the Order since its inception and have seen many exorcists," Hevlaska added, "each is special and brings their own talent to the battle."

Krystal place one hand on her heart, "I won't let you down."

Komui pushed a lever on the elevator and it shuddered to life, drifting upward. Reever, who had been dozing on the guard rail, jerked awake, "What'd I miss?"

Lenalee filled him in and Krystal watched as Hevlaska's chamber drifted out of sight. She was officially an exorcist now. She reflected on how twenty-four hours ago, she hadn't said a word in sixteen years.

The elevator stopped a few levels from the top floor. Komui opened the gate, "Lenalee, show Krystal her room and give her an overview of where everything is. I'm going to find General Tiedoll and fill him in."

Lenalee nodded and waved as her brother descended again. She turned to Krystal, "I'm really excited that you're an exorcist," she said, "there isn't anyone our age, except for Kanda-" she caught herself, "I almost forgot. We had another new arrival a few nights ago. He's your and Kanda's age." Krystal nodded, letting Lenalee's words sink in. Lenalee turned to a polished oak door, "I think my brother said that this was your room."

Krystal pushed open the door. The room was relatively small and the ceiling was low, creating a close, homey feeling. Directly across from the door was a large bay window with light blue drapes. To one side was a bed and on the other side was a large armoire with a mirror on one door.

Krystal collapsed on the soft bed, the smell of clean linens surrounding her, "The last time I had my own room, I was seven."

"What happened between then and now," Lenalee asked, "If you don't mind my asking."

"My town was wiped out by an akuma attack. My friend and I were the only survivors, so joined a travelling circus, though it was more of a performing troupe," Krystal explained, "we were seven and eight. A month and a half ago, I met Kanda, Daisya and General Tiedoll. That night, there was another akuma attack, and I managed to survive again. I didn't have anywhere to go, so I went with them. Last night, we were surrounded by akuma, and my Innocence activated for the first time. We ended up here," she finished, "the end."

Lenalee laughed, then she looked at Krystal appraisingly, "You have to be awfully strong to still fight after what happened."

"I fight for my family. Past and present," Krystal explained simply.

Lenalee nodded somberly, then brightened up suddenly, "Let me show you the rest of the Order."

Krystal agreed and they left the small room. Lenalee showed her around the chapel, where all the pews were pushed to the sides, leaving a large open space in the middle. The ceiling was large and vaulted, with stained glass windows letting colored light dance on the floor. Krystal noted the open space.

"We use the chapel for funerals," Lenalee explained sadly, "there was an attack in Serbia and we lost a lot of finders a few days ago."

Krystal lit a memorial candle on the side for her friends and family, as well as the Order members who had died. When she finished, she looked up at the ceiling, "The acoustics in here are amazing."

"Really," Lenalee said, looking up as well, "I never really noticed."

They left the chapel and Lenalee showed Krystal the Science department and the dining hall. She pushed open a pair of heavy oak doors, "This is the library," she explained, "I'm not sure if anyone's in here."

Krystal walked inside, the cool air greeting her along with the smell of paper and ink. There were small wooden tables scattered around the library, each with a few armchairs at each table. Bookshelves with heavy leather-bound volumes filled the room.

At the center of the shelves, someone had pushed two of the small tables together and covered the surface with a stack of books at least two feet high, as well as filling three armchairs with yellowed scrolls. In the fourth armchair, a young man around eighteen sat cross-legged with three books open at once, flipping the pages and deeply absorbed in his work.

Where Krystal's hair was a reddish-auburn, this boy's hair was bright red and sticking up at various angles, held back by a black bandana. One green eye scanned the books in front of him, while the other was covered by a black eye patch. He held his tongue between his teeth as he mad a note in the margin of one of the books.

Lenalee's eyes brightened, "That's the new exorcist I told you about," she explained. She called to the red-haired boy, "Lavi!"

Lavi jerked his head up, two gold earrings flashing in the lamp light. He flashed a smile at the two girls, "Hey, what's up?"

"This is Krystal," Lenalee introduced her, "she just got here last night."

Lavi nodded, "I heard the commotion." He turned to Krystal, "I'm Lavi."

"Krystal," she said. She looked at the massive pile of literature surrounding him, "What's with all the books?"

Lavi grinned, "Just a bit of research," he shrugged and slid out of his chair stretching, "I've been in here since lunch." He turned to Lenalee, "What time is it?"

She checked her watch, "Five o'clock."

Lavi shuddered slightly, "Five hours." He looked around, "You haven't seen the Old Panda around, have you?"

"Bookman? No, why?"

Lavi sauntered to the door, "I'm done researching for today, I'll hit the books again tomorrow." He threw one arm around Krystal and another around Lenalee, "So, where are we going?"

"I was just about to find my brother," Lenalee explained.

"Great," Lavi said, steering the trio out of the library, "I'll go with you."

With the addition of Lavi, they strolled down the corridors back towards the science department. Lavi appeared to be the polar opposite of Lenalee. Where she was quiet and passive, Lavi was loud and boisterous, sharing outrageous stories from times he had travelled with "the Old Panda".

Krystal had tried shrugging off his arm once or twice, but he had only returned it to her shoulder a minute later.

"So," Lavi changed the topic of conversation and turned to Krystal, "how old are you?"

"Sixteen," she replied.

Lavi nodded, "So am I. When's your birthday?"

"Today," she said with a small smile.

Lenalee smiled, "Happy birthday."

"No way," Lavi jumped back, "that's so cool. I'm still older than you, though; my birthday was two weeks ago, on the tenth."

Krystal nodded; glad to have his arm off of her for the moment. They walked through another doorway into the science department. Komui was talking with General Tiedoll, Kanda, Daisya and another man who Krystal didn't recognize. He was easily the biggest of the five, towering over General Tiedoll by a head. He had dark skin and his head was shaved, except for a patch on top that was tied back in a single braid.

Komui said something and General Tiedoll nodded. Kanda, apparently, disagreed, "Our team?" he shouted, "it's already the largest group. Why can't she be with General Klaud? She's looking for new students."

"Yu," General Tiedoll said dangerously, "she'll be with our group. She already knows you, Daisya and I, and I have a feeling she and Marie will get along fine."

By this time, Krystal, Lenalee and Lavi had reached where the four exorcists and Komui were standing.

Lavi looked at Kanda and leaned over, whispering loudly, "What's up with Yu?"

Kanda turned quickly on Lavi, drawing his sword, "What was that?"

"Relax, Yu," Lavi said nervously.

Kanda lunged for the redhead. Lenalee and Krystal sprung into action, Lenalee dragging Lavi away, and Krystal grabbing Kanda's arm, preventing him from slicing Lavi in two.

Komui raised his voice, "That's enough, Kanda." He turned to the other exorcists, "This is Lavi. He is a member of the Bookman clan and is here recording the war against the Earl. He will also be on active duty as an exorcist, so please," he aimed the next part at Kanda, "try to get along."

Kanda sheathed his sword and Krystal let go of his sleeve. Lavi eyed Kanda nervously, wondering if it was safe to come out from behind Lenalee.

Komui turned to Krystal, "I was explaining that you will be learning under General Tiedoll, along with his other three apprentices; Kanda and Daisya, who you've met already, and Noise Marie," he motioned to the large man standing behind General Tiedoll, who as of yet, had not said a word.

Krystal gave Marie a small wave, "Hello."

Marie's brow furrowed, and he touched the silver earphones he wore, "Komui," he said, his voice deep and slow, "her voice…there's something I can't-"

"Ah," Komui smacked his forehead, "I forgot to tell you. Krystal's Innocence is in her voicebox. As a parasite-type, her voice is controlled by the Innocence in her body."

Marie nodded, "I see," he held out a large hand, "It's nice to meet you, Krystal."

Krystal looked at his hand, three inches to the right of her shoulder. She scooted over and shook it, "It's nice to meet you too," she smiled.

"Marie's blind," General Tiedoll explained, "It might take a few days to for him to fully situate himself with a new addition to the team."

Mari smiled apologetically, "I apologize in advance for any mistakes I might make," he gently squeezed her hand, "You're smaller than I thought, having such a big voice."

Krystal smiled, "Thank you."

Komui clapped his hands, "Well, now that the introductions have all been made, I need to get back to work, or Reever'll have my head."

"I might take it anyway, Supervisor," Reever called from behind a large machine.

"Right," Komui eyed the machine and the Section Leader behind it nervously. He turned to Krystal, "You'll receive your first mission in a few days, if not sooner. If you need any help, you know where to find us." He disappeared into the chaos of the Science Division, calling, "Section Leader Reever, have you seen my coffee mug?"

Lenalee smiled, "That's my cue. It was nice meeting you, Krystal." She waved and ran after her brother.

"Nice meeting you too," Krystal called back.

"Well," Daisya said, "I'm going to dinner, who's in?"

"Me," Lavi raised his hand, still eyeing Kanda nervously, "Yu?"

"It's Kanda," he corrected, "I'll be down soon."

"I'll go down too," Marie said, "I just got back from Scotland. I could use a warm meal."

Krystal shrugged, "Sure, why not?" She followed the others, thinking about everything that had happened today.

Daisya cut across her thoughts, "Krys, I almost forgot."

She looked up, "What?"

Daisya pulled the pad he had been keeping score on, "After last night, I re-tallied the score, adding you as a contender. I rounded a bit, estimating the number of akuma you destroyed to around a hundred and forty. Making the total; me: a hundred and twenty-three, and you beating Kanda by four, him with a hundred and thirty-six and you with a hundred forty. You won for this mission. Good job."

Krystal was stunned, "Um…ok."

"Of course," Daisya said nonchalantly, "it could be beginner's luck. We'll have to see what happens after you've had some training."

Krystal grinned, "You're on."

Daisya cackled, "That's the spirit! Welcome to the team."

Krystal smiled as the others entered the dining hall, thinking, I did it. I'm finally at the Black Order as an exorcist. Now I start my real journey.

It was Kanda's turn to interrupt her reverie, "Krystal."

She looked up at him, "Yeah?" His dark blue eyes were just as mysterious and clouded as the night at the gypsy camp, drawing her in. If I look for another moment, she thought, I'll understand.

"Happy Birthday," he said. He held out his hand, "and welcome to the Order."

She shook his hand, feeling the calloused roughness from using a sword often. She smiled, "Thanks," and went into dinner with her new friends.

It's not exactly over-emotional sharing, but with Kanda, what is?

Kanda: Hey!

Don't you hve an emo corner to occupy?

Kanda: ...grrrrr...

Krystal: Hey, look, soba! C'mon, let's get food *drags angry Kanda away from author*

That child'll save my life some day.

So review! I'm not sure if I got Lavi and Lenalee right, so tell me! Also, my traffic is down again, so tell me what you think! =D And don't forget to vote!

Love, music and soba!

~~BJ