SailorStar9: Chapter 53 goes up. This is Chapter 54. Read and review.
Disclaimers I don't own Sailor Moon and D. Grey-man since if I did own them both, the Planetary Senshi will have equal footing as Sailor Moon and the Allen/Lenalee pairing would be canon. But you don't see that happening do you? However, I do own the pairing, I hope.
Chapter 54: To the God, Whom I Hate So Much
In the infirmary...
"You two, are you okay?" the head nurse asked.
"Head Nurse... we're fine." Lavi assured her.
"I'm glad." the head nurse sighed in relief.
"It shook so much." Lavi remarked.
"It's pitch black..." Lenalee added. "Is everyone okay?"
"We're fine as well. The room's a terrible mess, but..." the head nurse replied.
"You're kidding!" Lavi exclaimed, seeing Krory was still unconscious. "Kuro-chan didn't wake up from that shock!? it's unbelievable!"
"Lavi, you cut your arm!" Lenalee looked at the scratches.
"Yeah, some lightning fell down." Lavi replied.
"I'm sorry..." Lenalee apologized.
"This is nothing!" Lavi assured her.
"Who are you trying to impress?" the head nurse grabbed him. "Come along, we'll treat it."
"I ain't trying to impress anyone! I'm fine!" Lavi insisted.
"Oh? Treating injuries my my job... any problem?" the head nurse threatened.
"My bad." Lavi sweatdropped.
"Wait." the head nurse placed the lamp on the ground and removed her shoes.
"Lenalee, wear my shoes. It's dangerous to go about barefoot." she offered.
"It's alright." Lenalee protested as the head nurse slipped the boots onto her feet. "You'd be in danger, Head Nurse."
"Yeah, it's not safe, Head Nurse!" Lavi agreed. "If it's about shoes, I'll lend you my boots."
"Silence!" the head nurse demanded, growing devil horns. "If you get injured, you'd be adding to my job!"
"Sorry!" the two Exorcists apologized.
"Really..." the head nurse chided. "How many times do I have to repeat myself before you understand? It's really tough here, with patients with attitudes and workaholics. Nobody ever listens to what a nurse says."
"Is it too tight?" she asked, fitting the boots onto Lenalee's feet. "I think the size is right, but..."
"It's warm, Head Nurse's shoes." Lenalee remarked.
"I didn't forget, actually." she added. "I was going to Hevlaska and synch right away. I didn't wear them on purpose."
"My feet... they're warm. they're really warm..." she wept.
"Let's stay here, Lenalee." the head nurse hugged the sobbing girl in her arms. "Really terrible mornings like this will end very soon. Please don't do things like put Innocence into your body. You know how the Chief feels, right?"
"I didn't meant to upset my brother!" Lenalee sobbed. "I really didn't mean to... but what can I do? My brother is crying... what am I going to do? My words; they were probably blaming my brother... I never thought it's okay for me to die! I want to live... I want to live with brother and everyone else! But I have to fight for that, that's all I have. I don't want to make my brother sad! If Innocence didn't exist... why do I have to suffer so much? Why does it make my brother suffer so much?"
"Lab 5 annihilated! Akuma has proceeded to the lab exterior!" the intercom sounded a warning.
"What?" Lavi demanded.
In the makeshift Command Center...
"The current count is one, it has evolved into a level 4!" the intercom added.
"Level 4?" Koumi echoed, before he hurried out.
"We are unable to confirm the safety of the Exorcists in Lab 5!" the intercom reported.
"To all sections! Hurry to the science department with talismans!" Koumi instructed over his comlink.
"Akuma has escaped Lab 5!" the intercom repeated. "It's currently proceeding to the science division floor!"
Upon entering Headquarters...
The Level Four continued its assault, killing a group of Finders relatively quickly.
"Chief!" one of the two Finders guarding Koumi stammered.
"Chief?" the Level Four echoed, landing in front of them.
"White Rose Cross." it added, focusing on the emblem on Koumi's coat. "Chief?"
"Please run, Chief Koumi!" the Finder requested, as he and his partner held up their shields. "Fire the talisman!"
The Level Four killed the two Finders a split second later.
"You're the head of the Exorcists of the Black Order." the Level Four floated towards Koumi. "Your head's worth the same as an Exorcist's, right?"
"Chief!" the rest of the Finders exclaimed as the Level Four powered up an energy ball in front of Koumi's shoulder.
Kanda incepted before the Akuma could lay a finger on Koumi, but not before managing to give Koumi some scratches.
"Koumi, you idiot!" Kanda snorted, the blade breaking into pieces.
"Replete the armory a little better next time!" he rebuked, pulling out another sword from his back.
"Kanda-kun!" Koumi blinked.
"Are you okay, Chief?" Chaoji inquired, hurrying beside the injured Koumi.
"Yeah..." Koumi replied.
"Talisman activate!" the rest of the Finders activated their talismans and trapping the Level Four.
"All power, all concentrate on the target!" the leader of the Finders instructed. "Don't leave any openings!"
"Yes sir!" the group chorused.
"This guy..." one of the Finders retorted at the laughing Akuma.
"He's laughing!" Chaoji gasped.
"He's coming out." Kanda noted, stepping forward. "Stand back, Koumi!"
"Kanda-san!" Chaoji gaped.
"This is madness!" Koumi protested. "Without the Innocence..."
"I won't die so easily." Kanda assured him.
"Koumi, can you hear?" Hevlaska voiced over his comlink and stopping Kanda.
"Koumi, come to my place." Hevlaska requested. "I'll attract the Level 4. escape Headquarters with my Innocence! Luckily, the Ark's gate is still connected with the Asian Branch. Get everyone here! Otherwise, the damage will get even bigger!"
"The headquarters can be rebuilt as long as there's Innocence!" she added.
"Koumi!" she pressed. "Koumi!"
Koumi promptly switched off his comlink.
"Koumi! There's no other way!" Hevlaska insisted. "Can't you feel Athena's Cosmo weakening?"
"Negative." Malcolm interjected through his communicator. "There is still Lenalee Lee's power."
"Levellier, Lenalee is not in good condition yet!" Hevlaska protested. "And Exorcist is not a tool! A synchronization without the will would kill the adapter!"
"Innocence is an object to destroy an Akuma." Malcolm retorted. "Why can't we use it?"
"Stop. Levellier?" Hevlaska tried to stop him.
"Are you willing to die, Hevlaska?" Malcolm threatened.
"I have lived in the Order for a hundred years." Hevlaska replied. "The Order is everything for me, Levellier, especially now that we've found Athena."
Malcolm switched off his comlink and threw the infirmary door open.
"Levellier." Lavi blinked.
"Lenalee Lee," Levellier told her. "Are you not an Exorcist?"
"Come!" he ordered.
Back on the Science Division floor...
"What now, Koumi?" Kanda turned to him.
"To all section chiefs!" Koumi shouted over his comlink. "I will only say this once, so please listen carefully! Each will now listen to my directions and lead their sections from the Ark's Gate 3 to the Asian Branch to evacuate!"
"Evacuate?" Jeryy echoed.
"With the safety of the Exorcists in Lab 5 unclear," Koumi added. "Our duty now is to protect both Athena and the Innocence and avoid total extermination. We will draw back from Headquarters. First, the Inspector!"
In the infirmary..
"Did you hear?" Malcolm pressed, switching off his comlink and cutting off Koumi's next instructions. "Apparently they will use Hevlaska as bait!"
"I asked if you heard, Lenalee Lee!" he hollered.
"It is an Akuma!" he gripped her shoulders as he continued his tirade. "I am saying that the thing that an Exorcist must fight against is here!"
"What's with your stare, Bookman Jr?" he looked at a stern-looking Lavi who had pulled his hand away from a frightened Lenalee.
"Inspector, Chief ordered an evacuation." the head nurse reminded him, pulling Lenalee into her embrace. "We, the members of the Order, will obey the Chief."
"The Black Order is the property of the Central Administration!" Malcolm retorted. "The Central Administration can move the Exorcists freely!"
"Please stop treating these children as if they're mere objects!" the head nurse shot back. "Please leave! Please leave this room!"
"With your evolved Innocence, it may be able to withstand a Level 4." Malcolm stared down at Lenalee. "Why should an Exorcist be protected?"
"Hey!" Lavi hissed, tightening his grip.
"An Akuma can only be destroyed by an Exorcist." Malcolm added. "What would happen if they didn't fight?"
"Stop!" the head nurse tightened her hug around Lenalee. "Don't listen!"
"Fight for the Order, Lenalee!" Malcolm ordered.
"Stop!" Lavi spat.
"Are you not an Exorcist?" Malcolm pressed.
Knowing what she was supposed to do, Lenalee removed the head nurse's boots.
"Lenalee..." the head nurse gasped.
"Le..." Lavi blinked when Lenalee walked out as Malcolm smirked.
"No... Lenalee, why?" the head nurse muttered as Lenalee stopped before the door.
"Please don't come, Head Nurse." Lenalee requested, hugging herself. "Thank you. The day my brother came here, I felt that I couldn't run away form here anymore. I stopped fleeing since that day. I stopped, and became an Exorcist. I made him abandon everything for me. I distorted his future and his liberty. I locked him up in here so I can live with him,w ho gave up everything for me."
With that, she walked off, Malcolm following behind.
"Yes Lenalee..." Malcolm remarked. "You cannot run away afterall."
"I'm sorry!" Lenalee replied, a rivulet of tears rolling down her face.
"This is wrong... this is so wrong!" the head nurse knelt to her knees and sobbed.
"Head Nurse..." one of her assistants muttered.
"Lena..." Lavi was about to go after her when he stopped.
Are you chasing after her? Are you doing this as the heir to Bookman, or...? he asked himself.
"Damn!" he cursed and ran out.
"Lavi!" the head nurse gasped. "Lavi!"
Back on the Science Division floor...
"Hurry!" Koumi urged as the group edged away from the Ark's gate. "Get him away from the gate as much as possible!"
The Level Four smiled as it cracked open the shield.
"You can't run away, Chief." it chuckled.
Back in the demolished Lab 5...
Howard was bandaging Allen's wounds.
Allen winced as he woke up.
Flashback
"There are more people behind this." the Level Four remarked as it approached the Ark's gate.
"I have to stop him, or everybody'll..." Allen replied as he struggled to get up, before falling onto his back.
"With those injuries, it's impossible to even stand!" Howard protested.
Back in the science division...
"3rd gate area, central exit closed!" the intercom announced as the gate slid shut. "Each section should begin evacuation as directed!"
"Please go, Chief!" one of the Finders trapping the Level Four looked down to Koumi who was boarding the elevator. "To Hevlaska's place for the Innocence!"
The Level Four turned and focused on Koumi who was at the elevator's controls.
"Where do you think you're going, Chief?" it inquired.
On the elevator...
"Hey!" Koumi scolded as Kanda hopped on. "You, evacuate!"
"You think I can?" Kanda retorted.
"If Kanda-san is going, then so am I!" Chaoji insisted.
"You'll be punished if you get on!" Koumi threatened.
"There's my Innocence at Hevlaska's too." Kanda reminded him. "It's not a joke if you couldn't get it. The barrier won't last too long either. If worst comes to worst, I'll be the defense."
"Don't be silly! We can't waste your life on something like this!" Koumi objected.
"Then you should probably run away really well so you won't get in my way!" Kanda managed a smirk.
"Hurry Koumi! Collect the Cube and the Innocence within me! Athena's already weakening from activating the 'Heart' for too long!" Hevlaska urged. "Besides, Levellier will bring Lenalee here!"
Koumi gasped when he recalled Lenalee's request.
Flashback
"I'm going to have Hevlaska put Innocence into me!" Lenalee told him.
"Descent!" Koumi slammed his palm into the controls.
"We're counting on you, Chief!" one of the Finders looked down.
"I'll play with you, Chief." the Level Four chuckled. "I'll give you 10 seconds. 10."
In the lift...
"It stopped..." Lenalee blinked when the damaged lift skidded to a stop on the bottom floor.
"I thought I was gonna die." Lavi remarked as Malcolm patted himself down.
"It's broken because of the quake." Malcolm supplied. "Ah well, we progressed further than we thought. We'll take the stairs from here on."
By the way, why are you here, Bookman Jr?" he turned to Lavi.
"Recording huh?" he snorted as Lavi looked away. "Bookman are like hyenas on the battlefield. Oh well, it's in the regulations. Do as you like."
"Thanks." Lavi replied.
"Lavi." Lenalee looked at the older teen.
"I didn't come to stop you." Lavi assured her. "If Lenalee decided so, I can't say anything. But let me come with you!"
"Stop Levellier!" Hevlaska's voice sounded over his comlink.
"Is it you, Hevlaska?" Malcolm inquired.
"The Level 4 will come here soon!" Hevlaska informed him. "There's no time for us to wait for Lenalee and the Innocence to synch properly."
"We only need a moment." Malcolm told her. "All we need for you to do is put Innocence inside Lenalee's body."
"What?" Hevlaska demanded.
"Don't mistake, this is a request from Lenalee herself." Malcolm informed her. "She happened to know about the past experiments."
"Don't be ridiculous! Lenalee is one of us!" Hevlaska protested. "Such a thing..."
"One of us?" Malcolm echoed. "This is an order, Hevlaska! What is so different from what you have been doing, obeying our orders, for the past 100 years?"
Flashback
"You aren't a saint!" a younger Malcolm spat when he was presented before Hevlaska. "You family murderer!"
He was rewarded by a slap on the face by his father as Malcolm glared up at his father.
"It is an order, Hevlaska. Do it." Malcolm ordered.
"Nothing," he told the teens behind him. "Hurry!"
As they descended the stairs, Lavi recalled what Bookman had told him about the Levellier family.
Flashback
"Malcolm C. Levellier." Bookman begun. "There are many Levelliers in the upper stratum of the Central Administration, and this man especially is at the head of the family. The Levelliers are the family who began amassing power rapidly soon after the Order was established. There is a record from that period that states a daughter of the family was offered to God as the saint. There is no record that states what happened to that girl after that. After that, the Levelliers were promised important positions and were given duties as the blood kin to that saint."
The duties were probably the human experiments that tried to sync the blood kin to the adapter to the Innocence; that used to go o until Koumi became the Chief. Lavi realized. That, and probably providing the specimen for the experiment. The method can be easily imagined. To let a blood-relative to go through that... for 100 years.
"Inspector, what are you here for?" he voiced out.
"Pardon me?" Malcolm inquired.
"I'm asking why're you running right now?" Lavi clarified.
"There is nothing but to defeat the Earl." Malcolm told him just as the elevator Koumi was boarding entered Hevlaska's place.
Up top...
"0." the Level Four finished its countdown and proceeded to annihilate the Finders in its path.
"That noise... is that from above?" Koumi hissed.
Below...
Both Hevlaska and Athena gasped as the Level Four continued its rampage just as Malcolm burst into the room with Lenalee and Lavi in tow.
"What was that noise?" Lavi inquired.
"It's coming!" Kanda frowned at the incoming Level Four.
"Hevlaska!" Koumi shouted downwards.
"Brother!" Lenalee screamed.
The Level Four grinned and fired its charged up energy at the descending elevator.
"Koumi!" Hevlaska gasped as the elevator came crashing down.
"Brother!" Lenalee screamed as she and Lavi looked over the ledge.
"Help!" Lavi remarked as he jumped down. "We might still be in time!"
"That's...!" Malcolm exclaimed, looking up.
"Level 4." Lavi added as he ran to the crush site. "Please be alive, Koumi!"
"Brother, brother!" Lenalee teared.
"If the elevator's like that, it's impossible to collect the Innocence now!" Malcolm remarked as he grabbed Lenalee and pulled her before Hevlaska. "Hevlaska! Innocence for Lenalee! Hurry!"
In the crash site...
"Chief..." one of the two Finders charged with protecting him muttered.
"Koumi!" Kanda remarked.
"Chief!" the second Finder called out.
"Damn, the elevator... will it still move?" Koumi cursed, looking at the demolished elevator. "From the looks of it, it's..."
"Kanda-kun!" he blinked at the smoking Kanda. "You protected me..."
"You're loud. Shut up." Kanda retorted, using his healing power.
"Chief, are you alright?" one of the Finders asked.
"Yes, thank you." Koumi turned to the two. "Are you alright as well?"
"We're..." the Finder smiled, before the both turned black. Knowing what was about to happen, Koumi turned away as the two crumbled into dust.
"Koumi! Yuu too?" Lavi voiced out.
"Lavi!" Kanda turned towards the voice.
"Oh good, you're alive?" Lavi asked, emerging from the smoke.
"Of course." Kanda retorted.
If Lavi's here... Koumi realized and turned towards Hevlaska.
"Lenalee!" he exclaimed.
"The tag game's over, Chief?" the Level Four mocked.
"You can stay back, you know." Kanda remarked, the two eighteen-year-olds positioned themselves before Koumi.
"Not yet!" Lavi grinned.
"Not yet." the Level Four repeated as it charged.
Up top...
"Now Hevlaska, put Innocence inside her body!" Malcolm ordered, tossing Lenalee onto the platform.
Hevlaska relented and lifted Lenalee with her whimsy appendages.
"Lenalee..." she remarked, presenting the black cube before the sixteen-year-old.
"I'm okay. I can do it, Hevlaska." Lenalee assured her.
"I'm so sorry, Koumi." Hevlaska added.
"Put it in!" Malcolm ordered.
"Heart Innocence, activate." Athena whispered, triggering the 'Heart' as Hevlaska proceeded to place Lenalee's Innocence into the girl.
Just then, the Level Four's attack blasted Hevlaska from the back, severely injuring the 'Innocence Keeper'.
"Hevlaska!" Lenalee screamed as she fell out of Hevlaska's grip, Athena being thrown bodily out of Hevlaska by the aftershock.
"Hevlaska! Hevlaska!" Malcolm hollered.
"There are still people around." the Level Four chirped, holding onto Kanda before dropping him. "What are you doing here?"
"Damn!" Lavi cursed.
Lenalee... Koumi's eyes widened.
"Brother..." Lenalee muttered.
"Innocence..." she reached out to the black cube.
My visions... fading. She realized. No... no. Please... Please! To God, who I hate so much! Lend my your power. This is the first time I want Innocence so much...
"Lenalee, do what you must." Athena told her.
"Ami-nee..." she looked over at the weakened Athena as the Level Four stepped onto the platform.
SailorStar9: Finally a longer chapter. Now that's done, in the next chapter, realizing that it is Athena who had stopped it before, the Level Four approaches the Goddess menacingly. Lenalee remembers her life before the Innocence forced her to live at the black tower. She reflects on how Koumi joined the Black Order to be with her. Lenalee drinks the Innocence that had been infused with Athena's blood and then blood pours out of her legs. Later, the Innocence uses her blood to materialize into boots; thus avoiding the need to become parasitic. She battles the Level 4 with Allen and they end up pushing Allen's sword through the Akuma.
