This Way

DGM

Chapter 12

Cross Enters; The Battle Ends

The group stared at Allen and Tyki. Marie was the only one who didn't completely know what was going on, but instead of thinking about it, he was worried about Allen and listened to Allen and Tyki. There was no motion except breathing and their hearts beatings fast from the adrenaline. "Am I seeing things?" Lavi asked.

"No. . . . . This is real. Allen is an exorcist, just like the rest of us." Lenalee said.

"What do you mean that damn sprout is an exorcist?" Kanda questioned furiously.

"Before we came to Edo, he showed me his left hand. Innocence was embedded on the back of his hand. Well, that's what it looked like to me. Allen thought so too. He said it has transformed before and he was able to destroy akuma with it for a long time. He didn't tell me much aside from that. All he said after that was that he was planning on fighting with us when we arrived, but something happened with Allen, so he couldn't. Now that Allen has his energy back, he's going to fight." Lenalee said.

"And you didn't tell us this before because why?" Lavi asked.

"Because Lenalee was respecting Allen's will. Whether she knew it or not."

Everyone turned around. General Tiedol had came and he brought the rest of their friends. "I came down to check on everyone. I ran into some friends and thought I'd bring them along." Tiedol curtly explained, but gazing at Allen. "General Yeager and I have met Allen before, as you all know by now. We knew there was something peculiar about him and during one of his training sessions, his sleeve moved jut enough for us to see his arm. Both of us watched him carefully from then on and while General Yeager was walking through the halls of their home, he found Allen. He had taken his glove off and was rubbing his hand which he had hurt earlier. He saw a green cross and thought it was innocence. Though, he didn't talk to Allen about it, he talked to me. Both of us decided to wait."

"What do you mean wait?" Kanda foully asked.

"Allen hadn't been ready to come with us. The reason he challenged you that day Kanda, was his proof. Allen has been training and waiting for the right time to join us in battle and we patiently waited as well without telling another soul. I have a feeling if we had brought him to the Order when we left, he would be dead right now." Tiedol calmly spoke.

"Still, by doing so, both of you neglected your own duties!" Kanda shouted.

"We all have at least once."

Anita stared at her son and though she was worried, a small smile formed. She somehow knew he would be alright. "Thank you General. I think Allen would appreciate that information. Although, I think Mahoja and I were the ones holding him back. I believe he was ready a long time ago, but he wouldn't leave because of us." Anita said.

Mahoja nodded her head. "I've thought the same thing many times before."

"If that's true, then he wasn't ready at all. If he didn't have a clear conscious about leaving his home and his family, then he wasn't." Tiedol told them.

Allen pressed his hand down and Tyki groaned. "Why not finish me off?" he asked.

"Where is Cross?"

"I told you what I know already."

"Fine then." Allen muttered, transforming his arm into a sword and pressing it against Tyki's throat. "I have another question before we finish this. . . . General Kevin Yeager, Daisya Barry, and Suman Dark were all exorcists. . . . Two of them were killed and one is missing. Who attacked them?"

Tyki grinned. "All three of them or individually?" Allen gritted his teeth. Tyki's playful tone practically answered his question. "I did. Suman is currently in China though. Probably in a forest near a port. If he hasn't died already or become a Fallen one."

Fallen one? What was that? Allen didn't get a chance to ask Tyki. His friend picked Allen up by the collar and grabbed Allen's left arm. Allen winced when the man started squeezing the arm, crushing it. Allen swung his legs back and forth until he was able to kick Skin in the face. It didn't do anything to him. "Hold him still. He's a jumpy one Skin." Tyki said.

Allen bit his lip when Skin snatched his other arm. Though he had both of Allen's arms, he only put pressure on the one with innocence. He was also getting angry. "Allen!"

Allen tried kicking Tyki away, but it just went through him. Allen closed his eyes and continued to try and get free, but the Noah holding him had a firm grip and wasn't about to let him go. Tyki reached his hand out and just as he was about to put his hand through Allen's chest like earlier, a gunshot was heard. Allen's eyes shot open and recognition dawned him. He knew that sound well. Too well.

Tyki jumped back and a small bullet crashed into the ground in front of him, where he had stood, and a crater laid there. Allen raised his head and looked around. He only got dizzy and his vision became more hazy, the pain in his head also worsened. However, something gold flashed in front of Allen's eyes. "Timcampy?"

Krory and Lavi were about to free Allen from Skin's grasp at that moment, but Tiedol stopped them. "You'll get in his way."

"Who's way?" Krory asked.

"That attack. . . . . It's. . . . Marian." Anita whispered.

Skin turned his head and Tyki gazed at someone near them. Then, Jasdero and Devit were thrown at their feet. Allen eyed them, but they stood back up and with fury, started shouting. The person in front of them said nothing, but held a gun up and pointed it at them. "You're pathetic kid."

"Shut up." Allen grumbled.

Skin dropped Allen and stomped on his back. The crater got bigger and Allen held back a cry of pain. His foot moved to Allen's head and pressure was put on it. Allen didn't move in fear of his head being crushed if he did. Allen had an idea what Skin was trying to do, but it wouldn't work. Cross didn't fire at Tyki because he was about to kill Allen. It was a warning to the Noah. It wasn't for Allen. And right now, if Cross was to attack, he wouldn't care if he hit Allen too.

Skin smirked as he stared at Allen. He was moving his left arm. Allen was going to activate his innocence again. So, to keep him from trying to fight back, Skin stepped on hand. Using his other foot, he trampled on Allen's left arm repeatedly until he screamed. Not too much longer, everyone heard a loud crack. "Allen. . . . . Allen!" Lenalee tried to run off again, but like last time, someone grabbed her.

This time it was Marie. When he shook his head, she fell to her knees, shaking. Why was she so useless? Lenalee felt helpless! No one would let her help him and no one was trying to help him. They only watched as Skin crushed Allen's body. Anita placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed tightly. "It will be fine. . . . It will be fine." Anita repeated, reassuring Lenalee, but also herself despite the tears running down her face.

"Anita. . . . . . ."

Allen grimaced and he tried sitting up, but Skin kicked Allen back down. Cross watched, bored. Allen tried again, using his right hand to support himself. Skin pressed his foot on Allen's back, but this time, he didn't smash Allen into the ground so easily. He wasn't steady, but he slowly rose and disregarded the pain. Once he got to his feet, he gripped Skin's foot the best he could and kicked the other one, forcing Skin away from him.

Skin laid on his back, thinking about what happened. How did someone so small bring him down? "Allen. . . . .sama. . . . " Chaoji muttered.

Allen jumped high in the air and when he came back down, he landed on Skin's head with a great amount of power. Boulders were created and they flied off the ground. Skin's hand rose and almost snatched Allen again, but Allen swiftly got away from him.

Allen remained still in his position. He sucked in air like there was no tomorrow and then he coughed up blood. He couldn't move his left arm. The pain he felt was massive, but it soon numbed. Not that much it seemed. Allen's back stiffened from all the pain. Allen had taken one step forward and then he crumbled to his knees, barely sustaining that position. He couldn't move anymore.

Allen held his left arm and his eyes widened. The numbness was disappearing. The pain seared. All his focus was on his arm. His arm twinges with sharp discomfort. It hurt. . . . It hurt so badly. Allen even felt tears sting his eyes. None fell, but that's all he wanted to do. Allen wanted to cry. He wanted to scream. "Something's wrong. . . . Lavi!" Bookman whispered, then he took off.

Lavi instinctively followed Bookman. They ran over to Allen who didn't notice them. His face twisted and Allen hunched over, choking on sobs. The agony Allen was enduring was laying on his face. The expression was undeniable and Lavi already knew the source of his troubles. "His arm, Lavi, we need to examine his arm. Hold him." Book told him, breaking Lavi's train of thought.

"R-right." Lavi set his hammer down and kneeled beside Allen. He gripped Allen firmly and Bookman gently rolled Allen's sleeve up. Bookman was as careful and gentle as anyone could be, but when he touch Allen's arm, Allen flinched and a small cry escaped his mouth. "Allen?"

Allen didn't answer Lavi. "His arm is broken. . . . Perhaps shattered." Bookman noted.

"Shouldn't it be numb then? Or at least, not this bad." Lavi askd.

"His innocence is in his left hand. The pain is greater than it should be because of this. That's my theory. We need to treat it quickly." Bookman said.

"Right now?"

Bookman nodded. "The pain he feels must be immense. It could get worse if we don' try and fix it soon."

Bookman grabbed Allen's wrist and took a needle. He was going to try to relieve some of the pain with acupuncture, but Allen couldn't keep still. It didn't matter how firm Lavi's hold was on him. Krory came over and tried helping Lavi in holding him still. It worked, but he whimpered like a little child. His eyes dulled and the pain showed through them. "It hurts. . . . . It hurts!" Allen tried wiggling free, but he couldn't succeed. "Hurts. . . . Hurts. . . . So much. . . ."

Allen stopped after a few minutes and Timcampy landed on his shoulder. Allen's vision went black. His last few moments of consciousness was unclear, but he heard Cross' voice. He said something to the Noah and fired Judgement. That was the last he remembered.

However, before any bullet hit any of the Noah, an akuma jumped in front each of them and smoke appeared. When it died down, the Noah were gone. Cross grumbled, annoyed. "Damn Earl, interrupting something he shouldn't. Fleeing when they're the ones that started this? Ha, cowards." Cross scoffed, turning his head. "That idiot. Can't he listen for once?"

Bookman worked on Allen's arm. It was the best time to. Since Allen was unconscious, he didn't move much. Either the eyes were on Allen or General Cross. "Allen will be okay, right?" Miranda asked.

"Yes, but it seems he sustained more severe injuries than anyone else here. However he pulled off that last attack is a miracle. That Noah could've broken his back or completely crushed him. He is quite lucky." Bookman told her, eyeing Cross. "If the General hadn't come when he did, Allen would be dead."

"That would be his problem. If he can't take care of himself then he shouldn't of came here. I told him not to come after me to begin with and to keep his simple-minded Mother home!" Cross said.

"For an unofficial exorcist, I think he protected himself well." Tiedol said.

"What about his arm?" Lenalee asked.

"It's definitely broken. I've done what I could for it right now, but he will need more work done on it when we return. The innocence in his hand was damaged so I think we should take him to the Asian Branch. They could easily repair his arm. I don't think he could use his innocence for awhile and in his state, travel won't be good for him. We will have to go to headquarters without him." Bookman informed.

"But, I don't want to leave him behind. We can't do that. After everything he has done for us, we should wait for him." Lenalee said.

"Lenalee, he is in an unstable health condition. Allen will need real medical support as fast as possible. If you remember, he was fighting Tyki. We had discovered earlier that he could phase through anything he wishes. When Allen wasn't near us, he had screamed and we all heard it. I can't find any external injuries that could've made him scream like that aside from the ones we witnessed being done to him. Meaning, he was probably internally injured." Bookman told her.

"Where are you going with this?" Lavi asked.

"Allen may die before we even get to help."

"Then it'd be his fault." Cross muttered.

Anita almost slapped him when he said that. "Allen came here for you Marian. Not just to support everyone here. You should know that. Think what you want, but please do not say bitter things about my son in front of me."

"Allen won't die." Tiedol said aloud. "He's too strong to die right now."

"Even so, he may not wake up any time soon. His head received most of his beatings. He may have a concussion. He probably had it before his fight." Bookman explained.

"But he was fine when we arrived!" Chomesuke protested.

"Not entirely."

Lenalee stared at Allen. He had been fine. Maybe he pretended to be. After all, when they left him behind, he didn't look too well. They should've never done that. "What do you propose we do then?" Marie asked.

"We need to go back to China. The Asian branch isn't far from the docks. Maybe an hour at most."

"Is there anything else we should know?" Kanda spat.

"Calm down Yuu. Get over the idea that no one told you about his innocence. You would've forced him there if we had told you." Tiedol said.

"That's not why I'm angry." he seethed.

Lenalee felt tears run down her face and she kneeled in front of Allen. Why did he fight Tyki on his own? Why did Allen have to be hurt so badly? How come no one helped him! Didn't anyone feel any shame? Just because they might have gotten in the General's way meant nothing if a life would be lost if they sat back. Allen didn't deserve it. Allen didn't deserve his suffering. He didn't deserve this torment or the curse or anything that has happened to him! Allen was a kind and sweet person. An amazing person. Lenalee couldn't even help him nor could she stop her sudden tears that fell for him.

Before he passed out, his eyes showed her something terrible. The no longer had that sparkle of wonder or sincerity. There was no light and he looked half-dead with those eyes. The pain hidden in those stormy orbs, Lenalee couldn't bear it! "This isn't fair. . . Allen shouldn't be the one suffering. . . He hasn't even fought the entire time. . . . So why is he the one in this condition?" Lenalee sobbed, placing her head on his chest and hitting the ground. "It isn't fair."

"Lenalee. . . ." Lavi whispered. "He'll be fine."

"How do you know?"

"Don't be pessimistic now. I'm sure Allen will be fine. From what I've experienced, Allen is strong." Marie said comfortingly.

"Don't fret over the boy. He's too stubborn to die right now. If he died easily then he would be dead already. After everything I've put him through. . ." Cross said.

Lenalee looked at the general. Cross was complimenting Allen in a way. Lenalee could see a hint of respect fro Cross towards Allen. There had to be a reason why Cross took Allen on as his first and only apprentice and without an order to. "That's almost reassuring." Lenalee admitted.

"It should be reassuring. The reason why Marian never had a disciple before was for several reasons. Either he'd kill the person or do something terrible that's close enough to killing the person. His training was probably brutal on Allen. I doubt this is nothing to Allen." Tiedol said gleefully.

"That's a scary thought." Miranda mumbled.

Lenalee wiped the tears form her eyes. A small smile formed. "Okay, then lets go home together. Before anything else happens."

A week later. . . . . . . . .

Lenalee caressed Allen's cheek. They safely made it back to China a few days ago and everyone's wounds were healed or almost gone. Except the serious ones. Allen still hadn't opened his eyes and she felt bad about leaving him here alone. Cross was even leaving with them today. Anita and Mahoja, along with Maosa, Ky, and Chaoji were coming with them to headquarters. Anita would help keep Cross in order and make sure he didn't run off.

They had found out Chaoji was an exorcist when they were surrounded by more giant akuma while leaving Japan. So he was another new accommodator and the other two men were going to be finders. As for Anita and Mahoja, she didn't know yet. What she wanted most, though, was to let Allen know everyone was okay and that they found Suman. He was being treated while they were in Japan and was on his was to HQ already. Now all that was left was Allen.

Lenalee removed her hand from Allen's face and faintly smiled. Allen would be fine. The doctors had confirmed that. Lenalee trusted them with all her heart. They said he would be in a coma for a while and they might not see Allen for some time. She was going to miss him. "Lenalee, it's time to go."

Lenalee nodded. Lavi smiled and she placed something beside Allen. A letter. Everyone had written something for him to read when he woke up and there was a small package there too. "I'm coming."