Pure Colors

DGM

Chapter 12

The Encounter


Flashback

Allen took a pair of new gloves from Road as the Earl finished his speech about Cross. Apparently he was on his way to Japan and was most likely after something very important to the Noah. The akuma egg. If he wasn't targeting that then he was targeting someone in the Noah clan. He was one of the very few people that new about them before they struck the Black Order a few months ago. So, with everything currently going on, the Earl wanted them all here to protect the new ark and the egg. Sheryl was sent back to the human house after the talk. Which is why Allen was wondering why Earl kept Allen and Road back after the discussion. Because he had kept Sheryl back too. "You did an excellent job Allen. I didn't think you would be able to kill the man." Earl began.

"Thank you sir." Allen said in return.

Road hugged Allen gleefully and just about choked him. "You did it. You finally did it! Yippy!"

"R-Road, please." Allen said, snatching her arms. "Too tight."

"Sorry Allen. I'm just so proud of you! I was worried you would. . Freak. Y'know?" Road told him.

Road released him and stared a his card. Allen could finally go out and do missions and do more than grab innocence. Allen won't be by himself in the ark anymore. He can go out there and give those filthy exorcists and subhumans what they deserve. "Allen, I also have another assignment for you. There's this group of exorcist in China right now. They are following Cross. I'm not sure what their plan is. Whether or not they're coming to support Cross doesn't matter. I need you to keep them from reaching Cross. They cannot follow him over the seas. Not yet. I need you to keep them away for as long as you can. Prolong their meeting. Cross will be coming to Japan in a few days. He's already on the ship. Try and keep him from arriving as well. You will do this alone." Earl said.

"Alone? But I've always been with Road or Tyki." Allen said, looking doubtful. "I don't think I could do this by myself yet. Besides, if I fight them they'll find out I'm human sooner or later. It wouldn't be hard for them to discover my innocence either."

"You will have countless akuma at your disposal. By now you should know they will listen to your orders. And this is the best time for you to do a mission yourself. And remember, only use your innocence if necessary. The exorcists don't even have to see you. Tyki has taught you well. It's your turn to show us your skills. You will be fine. Good luck!" the Earl said, waving.

End Of Flashback


Allen sat up in the hotel bed and read the names on the poker card. He wondered if the exorcists on his list were on their way to see Cross. He would have to find out. Until then, he's gathered some of the strongest akuma he could find. He forgot about level 1's. He knew all too well they were too weak for the exorcists. Especially since one of them was that red head he came across in France with Road. "They'll be in town within two hours tops sir."

Allen stood up and nodded. He walked over to the mirror with a frown and he put his right hand on his left arm. It still bothered him to this day even though everybody told him to be proud of it. He did get most of his powers form it, but there was no reason why it had to look like the way it did. He slipped the card in his pocket as he put his shirt on and buttoned it up. The buttons tended to get annoying sometimes, but he was so used to it to really care. He ought to get some button free shirts or just leave them buttoned up. "When did you start referring to me as sir, Mimi?" Allen asked, his lips forming a smile. This was no time to be upset.

"Do you prefer I call you Allen then?" Mimi asked sadly.

"That is my preference." Allen told her.

"Oh, okay, Allen, what would you like to do?" Mimi responded cheerfully.

Allen stared at his reflection as he put the red ribbon around his neck and tied it. He only kept it because Road had given it to him. He found keen sentiment to it. It actually used to be hers. She decided to make a new dress and this was left over so she used it as a bow or a hair tie. Then she gave it to Allen for some reason. Her excuse was that it looked nice on him. He did like it. "I must find out what they are capable of or at least find out what their names are. If I do then I know exactly how to handle them." Allen told her spinning around and heading to the door.

Mimi followed behind him and nodded, but she was confused. "Their names? What can you do with their names?"

"I'd know if one of them are my victims or not. Plus, through observations with the akuma they've defeated, the Earl and I have recorded who has what kind of innocence and just what they're capable of. Since they are our eyes, we've seen all of them fight. Meaning we know what face is who and what face has what ability. Understand?" Allen explained.

"Uh, yeah. So basically, you know who their names are and the face and powers that match it?" Mimi replied.

"Correct. Only I know all of them. During free time I would watch them through the akuma's eyes. I do have that accessibility like Millennie." Allen said.

"I never imagined you were so eligible!" Mimi said, clasping her hands together with stars in her eyes.

Allen chuckled lightly and fondly. Mimi was the person to go to if you wanted praise. She would praise Lulubell more than anyone, but she would praise any one of the Noah and she would praise Allen just as much. The fact that he had innocence and she was an akuma never got in the way of their relationship. The only problem was his irritating curse. It was far from easy to disregard her soul. The throbbing could be too much. "But I have a question. Why do you call the Lord Millennie and the Noah don't? Except Madam Road. You all call him differently on most occasions." Mimi inquired.

"Millennie sounds like a pet name, doesn't it Mimi?" Allen responded, not answering her question.

"Well, now that you put it that way, yeah, it does. Surely the Lord would've known that." Mimi returned.

"Lulubell calls him Master and Sheryl calls him M'lord, but I guess it doesn't make it any different when the exorcists call him the Millennium Earl or even when somebody calls him Adam. Millennie is something I use to show my fondness. Lulubell shows her respect and so does Sheryl. I could go on with most other nicknames, but I don't have to." Allen said.

Mimi looked at the back of his head as they walked through the streets. Allen has known this human for five long years. He wasn't as cruel as the Noah, but not cruel and stupid like other humans. The Noah were only cruel to the akuma because they were in control, they owned the akuma. Allen did too. Human or not, but she had to admit, she was impressed and fond of this young boy. He showed appreciation and gratitude and he was so nice, but followed the Noah and with such a harsh past. Linking everything together, she wondered how a human like him surrounded by his kind of life, both past, present, and even the future, could be like this? But maybe that was exactly it. Still. . . . "Do you hate akuma Allen?" Mimi asked.

Allen stopped and turned around. "Why would you ask such a question?"

"You're always kind and hearty to people. To akuma and humans. Most definitely towards the Noah, but you treat the people you hate and the people you love just alike. And akuma are made from humans. So, with these facts, I don't know if you hate me and the rest of the akuma population." Mimi clarified.

"Mimi, it's not that I hate akuma, but with my curse, it's hard for me to be around them with the urge to kill them. I hate humans and think that the suffering I see is what they deserve, but it hurts me dearly and sometimes the sight is too much for me, but that doesn't mean I hate you. So why would I hate you if I being kind? Why would that be any different?" Allen said.

"You just confused me. I don't think anyone would understand what you just said. Not with my question." Mimi said bluntly.

Allen sighed. "I don't hate akuma, but I don't like them either. I do like you, Mimi. I can't it explain it with a long explanation though. Just understand that. Okay?"

Mimi beamed and nodded fiercely. "Got it!"

"Any more questions?" Allen queried.

She did have a few, but she was in no place to pry. Not to mention, if she pried too much, then Allen might react badly. Lulubell and the others all mentioned on several occasions that the wrong thing could send him tumbling in total stress and strain. He can go from sturdy and stable into bending and cracking, a mess. Just look at him and his dreams. "Good, then let's start planning."

"Of course Allen!" Mimi exclaimed, slightly running ahead of him.

She thought about it, his earlier question. He asked when did she start calling him sir. She didn't know herself. Maybe she respected him now. She had known him for a while and even though he was a human being, he wasn't one of them. He can't control the fate handed down to him. He can't control who he is and what life he has been given. Instead, you make it and change it. You can't control the beginning, but you can control it in the end. Maybe that was her reason or it was just another unexplainable thing in life. That, or it was because Allen made her feel like she was more than an akuma. Just like Lulubell made her feel needed, Allen made her feel like she wasn't just a machine or a tool. Also, he's changed so much in the years. It's hard to believe he was that little boy who always mouthed off to everyone.

Allen eyed the Chinese village. Then he suddenly stopped and his grin into a thin line. Mimi didn't like it too much, but she followed his gaze and blinked. "Is that a casino?"

"It reeks of alcohol and cocaine. I can hear the slot machines too. It's definitely a casino. A perfect place for a game of poker. A fast way to earn money. I'm almost out of money. How about a quick stop Mimi? We got time." Allen said softly, walking through the door.

Mimi paled and eerily followed behind. Since when has Allen been interested in gambling? "Are you sure? Do you think they'll let you?"

"I've come to known gambler wannabes tend to only care if money if drawn. They underestimate kids. especially sweet, classy looking kids." Allen said, smirking. "If only they knew."

Mimi twitched as she watched Allen win game after game and earning dollars after dollars. He did this all with a sweet grin upon his lips too. He clearly felt no guilt, but the men continued to go against him with the poker game. "So he is only cruel during poker. How fascinating." Mimi said, sighing. "Allen, they'll be in town soon. We should begin."

Allen shuffled the deck of cards and his grin shrunk to it's usual, calm and pure grin. "Time?"

"Less than 30 minutes." Mimi said.

"Sorry boys, I must be going now. I have important business to attend to." Allen said, putting the deck of cards down. "Come Mimi, we must roll out the red carpet."

Mimi rushed to follow Allen as they left. She could tell he could care less about the money he earned, but he still counted it and put it away for safekeeping. He probably wanted it for something like candy or somewhere along the lines. "Allen, may I ask where you learned how to play poker?" Mimi asked.

"Why, Tyki f course. Worst thing he could've ever done too." Allen told her. "By the way, the matter concerning the General. How did that go?"

"Oh, right, the horde of akuma have successfully wrecked the ship he was on. There were no traces of another living creature afterwards. No innocence was discovered either. So it's safe to say the General is dead." Mimi exclaimed.

Allen furrowed his brow. He had heard so many rumors about the general and with the things he's seen from the akuma, he knew better. "Don't underestimate that man Mimi. Such a proclamation shouldn't be made that easily. I wouldn't doubt it if he slipped away somehow. No matter, my orders were to force him back for some time and keep him separated from these exorcists."

"You really think he got a way?" Mimi asked.

"He's a General of the Black Order. Not only does he have one innocence, but two. If I remember correctly, they are Judgement and the Grave of Maria. The Grave of Maria has special powers that hid his presence from whomever he wants. At least, that's what it appeared to me." Allen said, staring at the ground in thought.

The Earl really didn't want him to come face-to-face with that General. So with the recent orders he was given, it was quite shocking. But why didn't Millenie want Allen to meet the man? Sure, he was a General, but was that really all there was to it? Jeez, all the complications. "Let's get a move on."

"Right!"

Allen awaited silently on a stone with Mimi at the edge of a forest. Right in front of the village. He had his card out and held it in front of his face. He read and reread the name on the card until his eyes burned. "The whole list will appear for only five minutes, every two hours huh? Then he must really want this guy dead, but he isn't an exorcist. If my research is correct then this man might be-"

"Allen, they're here. Should we call the akuma forth?" Mimi asked.

Allen put the card away and before he could even look up, a giant hammer just about crushed him. Had it not been for Mimi. "Lavi, what are you doing!" Lenalee shouted.

Lavi glanced at Lenalee, but he didn't need to explain much. She must've caught on when the hammer stopped almost near the ground. Somebody had stopped it. "My, my, what did I ever do to earn such hostility?"

The hammer was flown back and Lavi hit a tree. Krory helped Lavi as he weakly stood up and Miranda shrilled, moving away from the early action. "Ohhhh, I knew we should've taken the trainnnnn!" Miranda shouted.

Lavi glared at Allen and raised his hammer. "We have a conversation to finish you bastard!" Lavi screamed.

Allen sighed and stood on the giant stone. He was too high up for most people to reach him, but examining the lot, he realized he could easily be hit by any of them. Except two. Miranda and - "A rookie. I don't remember ever seeing that particular boy with any of the akuma. I better be on my guard." Allen whispered.

Mimi opened her iron fans and her skin darkened as her smile became almost like a Noah's. "Mimi, hold on." Allen said.

"What? But the orders Al-"

"Don't fret." Allen told her. "Let's see, we have Arystar Krory, Miranda Lotto, and Lenalee I believe. But the old man and the red head are bookman. I'm afraid I've missed out on your names, as well as that boy right there." Allen said, staring at Rick sweetly.

"Lavi, is this the akuma you mentioned?" Bookman asked.

"Yeah, but I don't trust him. As much as I want to talk to him, I rather guaranteed safety first." Lavi answered.

"How do you know our names young man?" Bookman asked.

"Don't you think that's a foolish question? What point is there in explaining that?" Allen responded smoothly. "But aside from the fact everybody calls you Bookman since you don't go by one, I don't know Junior's or the rookie's name."

Rick examined him closely. He had a feeling they all were. What was this aura coming off him? He felt like a deadly enemy, but at the same time, a friend. "But to be fair enough, I'll answer your question seeing how most of you wouldn't know. I know your names for the same reason Lord Millennium knows. Because you are my enemy and how I know is because I did my research." Allen said.

"In case you're deaf, my name is Lavi."

"I'm Rick Aval. The new recruit."

"And what about you?" Lenalee asked.

"Forgive my rudeness. I should show more proper manners when in the presence of women." Allen said, putting his finger to his lip, tapping it. "I've been known to be called many things though. In all actuality, my name doesn't really matter. I am an akuma after all. We mostly leave our names behind when we begin our new lives. It's rare to see an akuma going by their human body's names. It is a new life in the body in the end. So the name wouldn't be theirs any longer unless they wanted it to, would it? In fact, the 'akuma' doesn't remember their past. Or their human past I should say. They were born at that person's death, were they not?"

Mimi gripped her fans tightly. Why did his words irritate her? They were true and she would know this by now. Just like any other akuma with common sense and that has lived long enough. "You're annoying smart ass." Rick said. "Tell us something we don't know."

"Alright then. Did you know akuma have souls? When it's destroyed by innocence then the soul that was brought back to life by the Millennium Earl is lifted and goes up to heaven. If that's what you want to call it. So in a way, I guess you can consider yourselves heroes for akuma as well. Despite most humans considering you monsters and hating you. And that akuma rather stay right here, killing all of your miserable lives. But. . . . If an akuma is killed by something other than innocence, the soul will vanish into thin air. Into nothing. Forever!" Allen said.

"How would you know that?" Krory inquired.

"Wouldn't you like to know exorcist." Allen said lowly.

"Before, you said your name was Allen. Is that right?" Lavi asked calmly.

"Many people call me boy. It can be insulting sometimes." Allen said.

"You're avoiding my question."

"Yes, that is my name." Allen said wearily.

Allen's brow raised when he saw a finder behind them. Then he saw more. "I see we have some more guests."

"Leave them alone!" Lenalee shouted, activating her dark boots.

"Oh, you have no worries. As long as they stay out of the way, they're will be nothing to worry about, I mean. My orders are clear." Allen told her.

"Huh?"

"But I do have a question for you before we begin this." Allen said.

"You. . . . Have a question. . . For us?" Rick asked untrustingly.

"Indeed, I do. You see, I was given a special task and a very significant one. Aside from our confrontation. . . . From the mighty Lord himself." Allen pulled out his card and made sure the name was right. Even though that specific name he was looking up had nothing to do with his question. "Do you know how akuma are made?"

"That's a stupid question. Everybody knows that answer." Rick retorted.

"No, you know the Lord Millennium makes akuma, but tell me how? Do you know?" Allen said.

The exorcists took a long pause to think about that. They kept their guards up though. Just in case he was playing around with them. "Hmmm, guess not. I thought the bookmen would at least know. Would you like to know?" Allen said, tapping his lip again.

"You know, I'm getting pretty fed up with you and your smart remarks and your mouthiness." Rick said, beginning to activate his innocence.

Allen shrugged and scratched his head. "It seems Lavi isn't the only one with hostility towards me."

Rick was about to attack, but Bookman held his arm up. He was suspicious of Allen. Just like Lavi, he was doubtful this boy was really an akuma. He seemed way too clever. "Hold on, if we listen, we might find something useful to us." Bookman told him.

Rick stared at Bookman's dead serious face and there was definitely suspicion. Reluctantly, he let the light die down and waited for the boy to continue on. "As you know already, akuma are made from the human sorrow and grief of a lost loved one. So, the Earl comes and questions them. "Do you wish to see your precious loved one again?" Most of the time they'll respond with a yes. Then the Earl shows them a metal skeleton when in truth, it holds the powers to the akuma and will to serve the Clan. The foolish person calls out their name and it writes in the head of the skull. Enraged, the skeleton kills their supposed loved one who did such a 'horrid' thing to them. After that, they wear their skin and walk around, killing for evolution. Then the soul that killed their friend watches as they mindlessly and powerlessly kill their family or friend and continue their job afterwards. Thus, an akuma's soul suffer for their sins and the victim's sins. Meaning, the akuma are made from human sins. Understand?" Allen said.

"Human sin? You think it's a human sin to grieve over a lost friend or an important family member? You call that a sin?" Krory asked angrily, activating his innocence, causing his hair to spike up and his teeth sharpen more.

". . . . Yes. . . But think more in depth. What reason did the first person die from in the first place? Had the person been selfish and tried to get money? Did somebody else murder them? Did they murder someone? Did they treat someone wrong? Did they start a war, were they in a war?" Allen responded simply, smirking.

"Everything you say contradicts your own doings." Lenalee stated.

"Does. . ." Allen tilted his head to the side. "It? We wouldn't be at war if you would just hand over the innocence and surrender. So we wouldn't be fighting if you-"

"Don't even finish that sentence! You're just toying with us. You're just spouting nonsense to get under our skin and annoy us. And you know, it's really working! Why are you stalling for time?" Rick said.

"If you know I'm stalling then why are you asking and not fighting?" Allen asked slyly.

"I've had enough." Rick shouted, his bracelets glowing.

"So have I." Krory agreed.

"Ditto." Lavi said, raising his hammer.

"Oh, are you going to attack me?" Allen inquired dumbly.

"Big hammer, little hammer, grow, grow, GROW!"

"Wait you idiots!" Bookman screamed.

Allen nearly fell off the giant stone when he saw how huge it was. If he got hit, that would definitely hurt. Snapping his fingers, a vast amount of akuma appeared around them. Again, Lavi was thrown back into a tree by an akuma as Krory and Rick were being beat around in the air. Rick hadn't fully activated his innocence before he jumped, which left him vulnerable at the moment. Krory couldn't get a hold on a single akuma so he couldn't even get a hit in. When Allen snapped his fingers again, the akuma let the two boys fall to the ground. "Rick! Krory!" Lenalee shouted, running over to them. "Are you alright?"

"Yes Lenalee, we're just fine." Krory said, wiping dirt from his chin as he stood up. "Right kid?"

"Just peachy. I've had worse." Rick said.

Lenalee nodded and then attacked the level two's until all the akuma were gone except Mimi and Allen. Of course the others helped her. "It's your turn. There's no more akuma for you to hide behind." Lavi said, his smile widening. "You ready to play baseball?"

"Afraid not. You seem to of missed many." Allen responded as akuma after akuma appeared before them. The finders were even forced out of their hiding places. "Although I have to admit how impressed I am about how fast you exterminated so many, but let's see just how fast you get rid of all these."

The exorcists and finders grouped into a giant circle, defeating or capturing whatever akuma they could. They were coming from all sides and it was like the entire village in front of them have been made of akuma. There were so many, they couldn't even count them. "Tell me how many of these can you destroy before losing all your energy or losing a comrade." Allen said. ". . . . . .Kill the exorcists and don't hold back."

Mimi clasped her hands together and stood beside Allen on the stone, watching the exorcists battle. Allen had gathered so many akuma. Most of them were level two's though. The exorcists could destroy level three's, but they've only ever faced a few and it always took a massive group effort to destroy one or just barely with a single person. So a large amount of level two's and a few level three's ought to handle them. Allen was trying to keep himself from having to fight them. They needed more time before they found out he was human. "I thought the orders were to delay them Allen?" Mimi asked.

"He gave me permission to kill them. I'll be surprised if they would live through this, but if they do, they'll lose a lot of energy and a lot of time. We don't want them meeting up with Cross for as long as possible. If at all." Allen explained to her.

"And if they do somehow pull this off?" Mimi asked.

"We'll have no choice but to fight. There will be no more akuma for awhile. Not in this area." Allen told her.

The exorcists did one attack after another and another, but it was like everytime they got rid of one, three more came. They were quickly losing their energy. "Heaven Stamp: Violent Thunder, Whirling Skies!" Lavi exclaimed, and hit a group of akuma and pressed the hammer to the ground.

the akuma he hit were destroyed, which took out a great number of akuma, and then a storm of lightning repeatedly struck the akuma for a few minutes. "Miranda, we're going to need your help." Lenalee said, seeing more akuma coming to replace the ones Lavi destroyed.

"Oh no, I forgot about her." Allen said, smacking his face. "Grab the brown-haired woman, now! Bring her to me!"

A level 3 swooped down and grabbed Miranda by the arm. He flew through the group and hurried away before Bookman decorated him with needles. Miranda screamed and Lenalee tried to get her back, but more akuma got in her way. Rick pointed his bow at the level three holding her and carefully aimed. When he released the string, it immediately caught on fire and the level 3 tried dodging it, but it followed him. Stopping, he held Miranda up in front of him and Rick's eyes widened. "Miranda!"

Lenalee dashed over and broke the arrow right down the middle. Rick, relieved, sighed and gritted his teeth. They had to get Miranda away from them. She was set down in front of Allen and she crawled backwards, away from him. "Shall I kill her Allen?" Mimi asked.

Allen shook his head and stared at her arm. Her innocence was attached to her arm, but she wasn't an offensive exorcist. That's what Road told her. Other than that, he only knew she could heal her comrade's injuries momentarily. Which means they could get their energy back. He didn't know all the exorcists' capabilities, but he knew what they could conjure up. Not much about how they use it or how they fight with it for defense or offense. He just knew what their innocence allows to them to do to an extent. So he had to be very careful. "She is too weak and a mouse to do anything." Allen whispered to himself.

Mimi scrunched her nose and watched the show. The exorcists were pretty beat up, but in time, they managed to destroy every last akuma. Miranda was still on the stone, staring at Allen, mentally commenting herself on how she was such a fool and she shook her head, cried and waved her hands about. Allen got soaked because of all her tears and Mimi just held her fans in front of her. "Can I kill her now?" Mimi asked, irritated.

"I suppose, the akuma failed. Be careful." Allen said.

Miranda screamed and crawled backwards on the stone again, but then she realized she went too far. Quickly, she grabbed something and wound up having a hold on Allen. He ended up falling off the massive stone with her and they both landed hard on the ground. Unfortunately for Allen, he landed on his head. He moaned as sat up and rubbed his head. Miranda looked at him then screamed again, moving aside. "If yeh're going to fall, fall by yourself bint!" Allen shouted angrily.

"Awaaaaahaaaaaaa!" Miranda cried out.

"Miranda, are you okay?" Bookman asked.

"That accent, how strange." Krory said, as he kneeled beside Miranda. "He doesn't sound the same as before."

Allen covered his mouth and mentally hit himself. How could he let his accent slip so easily? Caught off guard, Lavi slammed Allen into the rock with the hammer. Mimi tried to help Allen out of the jam, but Rick held his bow and arrow to her forehead. "Move and we'll destroy you both here and now." Rick said flatly.

Mimi looked at Allen. What would he do? "Argghhh, that hurt ye wanker!" Allen grumbled, but making sure only he could hear it this time. "Guess we're in a tight jam now. It was foolish of me to let my guard slip so easily over a fall, but my question is why didn't you attack me instead of pinning me down?"

"We have a few questions for you." Lavi said through pants. "You all okay, Lenalee, Krory?"

"Yes." Krory answered, eyeing Allen and Mimi.

"I'm fine. How about you Bookman, Miranda?" Lenalee asked.

"I'll be fine." Bookman muttered, but also watch Allen carefully.

"I-I guess s-so." Miranda stammered.

"And Rick?" Lenalee inquired worriedly.

"I'm in better condition then most of you. Yeah, I'll be fine." Rick said with a big ol' grin.

"Is this the time to be asking your friends if they're alright. The battle isn't over just yet." Allen said softly.

"Oh, I think it is. If I want to, I could use one of my stamps on you. It doesn't matter what level an akuma you are, it'll send you flying in pain if you don't blow up first. If I don't finish you off, someone else will." Lavi said, pressing his hammer on Allen harder and Allen flinched. "Now you'll answer my questions."

"We'll see about that Lavi." Allen responded.

"Why did you come here?" Lavi questioned.

"I told you, I was given a special task." Allen answered like it was obvious.

"That's not what I meant. I want details." Lavi said, crushing Allen more.

Allen gasped for air. With Lavi pushing his hammer in his stomach so hard, he struggled for air to breathe. It did hurt a lot too. He already knew he had a few scratches on his back and a giant bump on his head to match. "I'm afraid that is confidential."

"If you were sent here to kill us-"

"I wasn't sent here to kill you today. I'm merely a hindrance." Allen told him with an emotionless face.

"For what? Answer me akuma." Lavi said and the stamp appeared and lit up. "Before I burn you to a crisp."

"Doing that won't solve anything. Not if you want answers that only I have. Don't give out empty threats Lavi. Aside from that, why do I see question in your eyes when you called me an akuma? Ever since I arrived, something has been on your mind. No, before I arrived." Allen said, tipping his head.

Allen stared directly into Lavi's eye. Just as he thought. The bookman in training didn't buy the lie. So why didn't he say anything. "Why are you important to the Noah family? What significance does an akuma, their tool and weapon, hold to them?" Lavi asked slowly.

Allen clenched his fist and his teeth. Why did he feel annoyed by his question? Did he know something else? Maybe the hammer crushing him was getting to him. It wasn't exactly comfortable. "Who said I was important to them?" Allen asked, despite how much he hated to. He couldn't stand the thought of the Noah thinking of him like a. . . . It hurt him deeply.

"Road Camelot seemed to be close to you. The way she hugged you and spoke to you and the way she protected you." Lavi said.

"Oh, I see where you're going with this. It's too bad. Our confrontation has expired." Allen said.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Lavi asked.

Allen closed his eyes before his left eye activated. He saw them akuma, but if his eye were to change in front of them, they might figure out it was a curse. And only humans were acceptable to curses. "Look up. I bid you farewell and leave you a parting gift. Come Mimi." Allen said as the ark gate opened and akuma sprawled out of it and two more opened, causing Allen to disappear in it and Mimi too. "Goodbye exorcists. Have fun."

"Wait!" Lavi tried grabbing him, but hit the stone.

"Lavi, now isn't the time. There's more than before. Miranda, we're going to need your help this time." Lenalee said.

"He planned this." Rick growled.


"I hope they die pitifully." Allen said lowly as he stepped inside the ark. "But they won't. Will they?" Allen unclenched his fist. "There is a slight chance one of them will die, but that isn't important. By time they get to the town they need, they will discover Cross is gone and they'll be days delayed. They'll need to rest for energy, but it'll take some time. I've set up a large amount of groups in possible routes."

"Allen, you're talking to yourself. . . ." Mimi said.

Allen shook his head, looking at Mimi. She had a scratch on her cheek and was bleeding. He wiped the blood away and smiled. "We're not done yet. We will watch them on their travels. Make sure they are delayed. The longer, the better. Alright?"

Mimi held her cheek and looked at her feet, blushing. Why did he do that? It was only an akuma's blood. She did not matter and it was a simple scratch. "I see the question in your eyes Mimi." Allen said, covering his left eye, hissing. "I do the things I do because you took care of me and you're my friend. Even if you are an akuma. I'm glad you didn't get seriously hurt. I'm sure Lulubell would be infuriated with me for letting that happen. However, I didn't get as lucky."

Allen held his stomach. It was sore, but he did have worst. Still, he could feel some blood going down his back. The stone wasn't smooth, so he got some deep scratches. They would heal in a few days too. "Allen, your eye." Mimi said.

"I'll be fine. It just stings." Allen said, sitting down, hissing again. "With so many akuma there at once, it strained it. I guess it took some of my energy too. It wants me to. . . . Gah, blasted."

"Allen!"

Allen weakly smiled and stood up. He wouldn't hurt Mimi. He considered her family too. "Let's hurry. I'm sure Lulubell is going to want you back as soon as possible."

Mimi watched him walk off. Probably to the door that led to the next village they were heading to. "How can you be so strong, but so weak Allen?" Mimi murmured.

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