It's been awhile, right? I'm sorry about that, college applications and whatnot. Please enjoy this chapter!
The Destruction of the Black Order
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The weeks following Miranda and Noise Marie's return was almost unusually calm. Allen almost expected to immediately be dragged into questioning by Leverrier but even the Inspector seemed focused on simply bringing the remaining people back to the Order. The peace that fell sent the Order into a small state of normalcy. Aside from the small glances he and Laura exchanged sometimes secretly, every day was business as usual.
Allen, in the short time of peace, also managed to regain his bearings enough to make a set plan. Or, at least, a semi-coherent plan. With all his new information he knew he now that he needed to to; figure out who the hell was the first Noah he met, why could he specifically control the ark, and how to move forward without getting in trouble. It was a simple list and having a list of things to do helped calm him even if it was only a small amount.
So, in all, Allen could honestly say things were somewhat looking up. It wasn't perfect of course, and sometimes he still felt lonely and sad at random times, but it wasn't terrible.
"We just have to figure some things out and then everything will be fine, right Tim?~" Allen giggled, sitting on his bed. The sun was just shedding light in the sky, marking the morning. Allen laughed as Timcanpy fluttered around, seemingly in agreement, "But baby steps are the key, one thing at a time."
Allen pouted, "It'd be so much easier if uncle stopped speaking in riddles and just told me everything." Nea had been silent days after his explanation, only speaking to put him to bed or greet him in the morning. He had started speaking more often now, either commenting on something someone said or just simply wanting to check on Allen.
He wasn't explaining anything, but it helped Allen not to feel alone.
And although Allen was glad for the peace-preferred It even, he couldn't help but feel like it was the calm before the storm. He knew Leverrier was probably only waiting until the drama calmed down to question him-it was only a matter of time.
Allen heard the telltale sounds of Lenalee, Lavi, and Kanda coming to get him for breakfast. Even down the hall, he heard Lenalee and Lavi laughing. He stood up to go to his closet, pulling on his exorcist coat and letting Thomas and Timcanpy place themselves on his head. He pulled his hood over them to protect them from how cold the Order was in the morning and opened the door, not surprised when he saw Lenalee, Lavi, and Kanda waiting for him.
"Good morning!" He greeted.
Lenalee reached for his hand, "Good morning Allen, let's go get breakfast."
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After weeks of planning, they were finally ready. Road, Tyki, and Wisely sat in the Earl's office to wait for him to come back from, well, wherever he disappeared from. They had expected him to be in his office when they stopped by to explain their plans to him but he wasn't there when they arrived. Then again, the Earl had always came and went as he pleased and it was just best to sit and wait until he came back.
While Wisely sat on the couch with a book in his lap with Tyki looking quietly over his shoulder, Road sat at the ledge of the window, placidly looking out. It was normally for Road to perch herself in off places; she was always sitting on one of the Earl's shoulders or hanging from Lero, but she was never so quiet unless she was thinking. It was the quietest Tyki had seen her in a while. Then again, he didn't think he'd ever understand what went on inside Road's head.
At times she could be very childish, and at times she could be just as mature as her true age allowed her to be.
"Niece," Tyki started, "You don't look very happy." He noted, pushing off the couch to walk towards her. Road looked back briefly, training her eyes on him before looking away to stare out the window again.
"It's nothing." She said.
Tyki scoffed, "It's definitely something if you aren't begging me to entertain you, what's up?" Road turned further from him and Tyki rolled his eyes, easily picking her up and making her face forward.
"Bad feeling?" Wisely piped up from his position on the couch, "Or just not in the mood to fight?" He looked up, closing the book with a snap of his fingers before standing up, "It's too late to back down now that I went in put all this effort into a mission that wasn't even mine."
Road pouted, "You wanted to help." She pointed out.
"I did," Wisely agreed, "But it'll be boring if you get all sad before the mission. Especially after Tyki didn't want to do it."
Road looked away, "I was just thinking about it; I greeted Allen so he'd trust me. We're friends, he said it. There was just so much potential for me to get him on our side-make him trust me more than the Order. That's all for nothing now, he'll know I'm a Noah." She frowned, "I didn't think about it before."
"Earl's orders are orders at the end of the day. This was a bad idea in the first place, but we'll certainly see things start moving." Tyki shrugged, "And we get to make an official debut-not an impromptu one by chasing the generals." He wrapped his arms around her.
"I guess." Road nodded, "I just can't believe I didn't think of this before."
Wisely crossed the room to stand by her, "You trust in our plan, right?"
Road nodded, "Yeah, I made it so it's pretty foolproof." She giggled a bit when Wisely shoved her.
"And you trust the Earl?"
Road nodded, "Of course I do."
"Then the boy's immediate trust isn't even needed. Now let's wait for the-"
The door opened suddenly, and the three all but ran to stand in front of the Earl's desk as he walked in. As he sat down, he looked over them quietly, "Good morning, my dears."
"Good morning, Earl." They chorused. With the standard greeting out of the way, the Ealr finally let him smile.
"Aw, you all look so formal and professional in your uniforms! I was afraid you'd never wear them again!" He cooed, eyeing their black and white uniforms in delight. They had certainly cost a fortune and raised eyebrows at the strange design requests.
He let himself calm, "Are you ready, my dearest family?"
"Yes, Millennie." Road nodded, "Everything is ready. We have four level fours ready, and twenty level twos and threes."
The Earl nodded, "And everything is set? If you feel like you are being overpowered-retreat immediately. They defeated Lulubell once. Although I doubt they'll be able to harm you-you three work well together."
"Yes, yes, we get it Millennie." Road stretched her arms over her head, finally letting herself relax with a smile; well, it was too late to go back on their plans now anyway, right? Even if Allen hated her, even if everything changed after this, she might as well enjoy it. Or else, what was there left to look forward to?
Tyki smirked, placing his hands on Road's waist as he came to stand behind her, "Well then," He drawled, "Can we proceed, Earl?"
"Yes," The Earl grinned, "Proceed."
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"I hear Leverrier will start questioning soon," Lavi said absentmindedly as he ate, "Bookman told me this morning-said I was sitting in on the interrogations to record them." He grimaced at the thought the idea of any more interrogations made him sick-actually no, the idea of sitting in on the interrogations made him sick. It was his duty though as a Bookman though, and Bookman would give him hell for complaining about it.
Lenalee looked up, "Wait, really? I thought he was just letting it go-since Miranda and Noise Marie got back safely." She looked at Allen briefly, saw that he was paying attention to the conversation and by reflex stroked his head gently.
"That's what most of us thought," Lavi shrugged, "And since I haven't been attending any meetings I haven't been given any different information. But yeah, it's happening. Not really an interrogation though-there's no investigation going on. Central's too relieved that we have control over the gates."
"Hypocrites." Lenalee muttered bitterly in response, "We had control over the gates three years ago."
Lavi shrugged, "Yeah well…"
A giggle was suddenly heard. Both Lenalee, Lavi, and Kanda tensed; that voice was familiar.
Dark Matter can't enter through the gate….it can't be.
"Well," Lenalee shook it off, "I'm glad there's no investigation."
Another giggle-then full blown girlish laughter. Now, the three stood up; they knew that voice…!
"Oh, exorcists~!" Someone sang, "Look up!"
Slowly, almost painfully, all inhabitants on the cafeteria looked up, including Allen. Allen's eyes widened.
No, it couldn't be-
"…Road…?" Allen questioned, seeing the young girl floating on top of an umbrella. She was dressed differently-a more gothic look than her seemingly preferred pink dress. White and black-fanned out like a flower. Still, she looked normal.
Road looked down, "Allen…!" She smiled widely, "It so good to see you again, I missed you, you know!"
"I…missed you too." Allen breathed, "But what are you…why are you here? Why are you floating…" He felt a sharp pang in his head.
Uncle…?
Shh…my nephew…it's alright. Do you remember what I told you before?
Lenalee gripped Allen's hand, "Allen, when and where did you meet her?"
"My first mission, in London, why?" Allen answered, "She…she was walking alone and I kept her company because her uncle left her and Master left me. But why does that matter?" Then he looked up, "Road, come down from there. What's wrong with you…your eyes…they look so evil…"
Road closed her eyes, smiling sadly, "I'm sorry Allen…" She opened her eyes again, looking down at him, "I love you, you know that right? We're still friends no matter what." Her skin began to grow darker, almost ashen. Her eyes blinked and suddenly they were gold as stigmata formed on her head.
She took a flying leap from her umbrella, landing on the floor with the upmost grace, "Ladies and gentlemen; the ninth Noah, Road Kamelot has arrived." A door opened from behind her, and Tyki and Wisely walked through.
You met one Noah before me…
"No…Road that person was you…?"
Road giggled, "Lord Millennium, is in search of you!" She sang, "Searching for the heart now, have you heard he news? Maybe you stole it from him, I'll see if it's true!" A hoard of Akuma followed.
"Who is it that has his heart, oh I will find you soon."
With a sweeping gesture, Road giggled, "Attack."
Aaaaand shit hits the fan XD. Please tell me what you think! I must've went through like three different drafts-and they were ALL different. It t'was mess.