Hewwo! Not a dark chapter...just not a happy one. By the way, you guys are probably not going to like this chapter. Problems arise but none are answered and out sweet little boy gets suspicious.
It happened during breakfast.
Allen stood beside Lenalee, tightly clutching her dress as they waited in line to get food. Kanda, Lavi, and Komui stood with them. It had been quite some time since Allen really saw everyone together like they were. Komui was usually inside his office in the mornings, Lavi was usually being locked inside the library, and Kanda was usually meditating. In the mornings, it was usually only himself and Lenalee.
He was sure Lenalee probably only attended breakfast at this time so that she could watch over him, but he was glad for the company. Allen smiled softly; he was just glad to see everyone together. Especially since they looked so happy.
"-llen. Allen!"
Allen looked up and jumped when he saw Lenalee worriedly looking down at him. "Yes?" He answered.
"You were spacing out again. Did you sleep alright? You seem so tired lately." Lenalee pressed her hand to his forehead, "Or are you sick? Allen, you need to take better care of your health. Or tell me when you aren't feeling well, and I'll care for you." She scolded gently.
Ah right, sleep.
Ever since that dream, Allen avoided sleeping as much as possible. Lenalee would have a fit if she found out that he wasn't sleeping well-,so he couldn't tell her. He couldn't tell her about that strange dream or that strange man because then Lava would get interested and he just didn't want them worrying about it.
…It was something only he should be bothered with anyway; it was his problem.
"I slept fine…just a daydream, Lenalee." He assured her, "What was it?"
Lenalee stared at him, before sighing, "I wanted to know if you wanted to go to the gardens today? I know you haven't had much time to play because of all the missions and training-and I know you love flowers." She smiled cheerfully, "We can go right after your morning training!"
Allen's eyes brightened, "Really? We can?" He loved the gardens. He loved to smell of flowers-he didn't know why, he just did.
"I'll even let you put flowers and me and Kanda's hair!" Lenalee declared and ignored Kanda when he jabbed her in the back in protest. Allen laughed at the statement and agreed, grabbing his tray of food and walking with the rest to sit down.
"Remember though; exorcists have to report to Hevlaska to get their innocence measured again." Komui reminded, "Not the generals of course; you all already have one hundred percent, but Allen and Lavi-you two have to be there in the afternoon."
Allen shuddered, "I hate it though." He whined; he loved Hevlaska but it just felt so weird.
"I know, but it's necessary. Especially with all the No-" Komui stopped himself; they were refraining from speaking about the Noah yet to Allen, "the sightings."
Lavi paused, "Was there another sighting?"
Komui nodded, "Ro-"
"Head Chief!"
Komui paused as a scientist rushed up to him, panting. It took a moment for them to realize it was Laura, and she was crying. Komui put his hands on her shoulders to steady her, but that didn't stop her from flinging herself into it.
"Laura, what on Earth is the matter?"
"Two more gates shattered! But this time…this time…" She sobbed, "Miranda and Noise Marie were still inside! Miranda was leaving on her solo mission and Noise Marie was returning but the gates shattered, and we can't get responses from either! We're so worried…we don't know if they can navigate the ark well enough to get back home."
In other words; if Miranda and Noise Marie were inside the ark, the chances were that they were stuck.
Allen felt his heart stopped; he didn't know who Noise Marie was but…"M-Miranda's trapped?" He echoed, and his terrified state seemed to snap everyone out of their shock. Lenalee looked at him, saw the tears welling in his eyes and quickly pressed him to her uniform.
She didn't need him crying-everyone was already worried as it was. Lenalee hushed him, "Shh…Allen she'll be okay. Miranda is strong; she's an exorcist just like us." She assured him. When Allen seemed calmer she looked up, "Big Brother…what do we do?" She asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice. Allen would get upset again if he heard it.
"I'm calling an emergency meeting between all scientists and generals. Lavi you are needed as well," Komui ordered, "We can't waste any time." He turned and left the cafeteria, leaving his food untouched. Quietly, the science division followed him.
From behind Allen, Lenalee sighed, "…he called generals as well. That means all three of us have to go." Lenalee looked down, "Allen, will you be alright by yourself? I'll try to take you to the gardens tomorrow-"
"It's okay." Allen interrupted, "the others are in trouble. I'll just go by myself-I'll be fine, promise." Even though he did want to go with the others, but there were things more important than that.
…And besides, he supposed he needed to do some thinking as well.
Lenalee blinked at him, "…are you sure…?" Her chest hurt; Allen was too selfless for his own good. Way too selfless-he was only a child. She knew he wanted to go with her; it had been awhile since she had watched him play.
"I'm sure!" He affirmed, nodding cheerfully. Hesitantly, Lenalee nodded and moved away to stand beside Kanda, taking the cuff of his sleeve in her hand tightly.
"…well okay. Lavi, Kanda…we should go now." She leaned down to quickly kiss Allen on the head. Lavi paused to ruffle his hair as well while Kanda only nodded at him.
Lenalee smiled, "Well, we're off Allen. Please don't get lost while trying to get to the gardens."
"I won't get lost." Allen pouted. The group laughed and left, leaving Allen alone in the cafeteria. He waited until they were fully out of sight before looking down at his food. With the recent new, it looked a lot more unappetizing than it normally appeared.
Silently, he walked out of the cafeteria as well.
~insertlinebreak~
The gardens were just as breathtaking as they were when he first saw them. The Order's walls were all grey and black. There was no point in decorating a place that was constantly under the threat of attack from Akuma or the Millennium Earl-but the gardens remained so pretty.
He knew there was another garden somewhere, but Lenalee wouldn't even let him near it. He didn't think much about it; it was just another secret that he didn't know.
Allen chose to sit beside the white roses, watching Thomas and Timcanpy play. It was a game of hide and seek it looked like; Allen was content to watch.
"The gardens kind of remind me of that field," Allen sighed, "it has the same endless feel to it. Except there's no huge tree-or weird man." Allen played with the petals of a rose, quietly thinking.
Seemingly feeling his anxiousness, Timcanpy flew over to him.
"I'm okay Tim-I just feel weird…I hate feeling this way," Allen sighed, "I just can't shake the feeling that the ark so much more than they're telling me."
Allen laughed, "Or am I crazy? I just think it's weird that we have something so powerful and we can't control it. Somebody had to have made those gates before-but Komui said once that we only had the ark for a short time. The person who made the connections should still be here. It's weird…and then that dream. I feel like the ark is pulling me towards it now."
Timcanpy tipped back his head, and the song started to play.
"Oh…you want me to sleep?" Allen whispered, "Yeah…maybe you're right. Maybe sleep would help."
He laid his head own, and to the sound of Thomas playing in the flowers and the lullaby, he fell asleep.
~insertlinebreak~
He woke up in the field again.
This time, Nea didn't hesitate to help him up, smiling gently at him. Allen immediately took several steps back, putting space between them.
"My nephew…how are you?"
Allen crossed his arms, "Who are you? Why are you here?" He asked coldly. A look of sadness flashed over Nea's face, before the man was smiling again.
"I suppose you are only worried about that exorcist and the ark, right? No need to be cold with me, Allen." Nea walked to him, kneeling in front of him, "You need not fear the gates of the ark-they're yours Allen." Nea smiled, "Don't ever be scared of them."
Allen blinked, "What?"
"They belong to you-the ark is yours. Not even that filthy Order can take that from you-your friend will be fine…but you should wake up now." Nea smiled gently, "It seems that time passes differently here. You've been asleep for hours my dearest."
He moved to kiss Allen's forehead to wake him, but Allen quickly went back, "Nea…" He paused, "Uncle. I don't understand any of this…I feel like everyone is keeping a huge secret."
Nea laughed, "Because they are, my dearest! Everyone you've talked to is keeping a secret. Lenalee…Cross…Road."
"…Road…? But she's-"
Nea interrupted him, "So trust only me. Only listen to what I say. I'll be your guide from now on, alright? Now wake up my dearest."
And he kissed Allen's head.
Allen woke up once more.
Correction; Sweet little boy gets suspicious and Nea really doesn't help. Can I just give y'all a piece of advice If you don't want to get heartbroken? Please don't assume that anyone with the exception of Lenalee, Allen, Lavi, and Kanda are the protagonists.