The path seemed endless. The mysterious cloaked man just kept walking through the hellish land, leaving Allen behind, fatigued from the heat and walking. As they traveled, the skeleton prisoners looked up at them; their empty sockets scrutinizing their every move. After they passed however, they continued their excruciating work as if nothing had happened. Who knew Allen's mind was so messed up, or was this no longer a horrid fantasy? Had it became reality, or perhaps an illusion? Well, it didn't matter now. All the fire, skeletons and general doom seemed real enough to Allen. Plus, he couldn't really bring himself to care. All he wanted to know now was the identity of his guide. It was on the tip of his tongue; however it felt as if some sort of barrier was preventing him from reaching the truth. After he'd pass all the hurdles, and finally approach it, he was stopped by a damn wall, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't pass it. He sat in that annoying stage, where you lie equally between two things. He was neither oblivious nor knowing. Well, it's as they say. Ignorance is bliss.
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After what felt like hours, days, or weeks; Allen had lost track, they finally came to a halt. In front of him shone a shimmering lake. It shone with many different colours, even more than the rainbow, and something about it took Allen's breath away. Perhaps it was the way the silver moon glanced of the surface creating a glimmering illusion, or maybe it was the way it seemed to burst with life; lotus flowers littered the surface and fireflies danced about. No, it was something more, something that he couldn't quite put a name to; something extraordinary, a quality so rare that when stumbled upon, it made you wish to hold onto that moment forever.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" His guide asked, mesmerized as well by the finery of their surroundings. Allen said nothing, but the man seemed to take this as an invitation to continue.
"It's known as Memori mizūmi, or Lake Memory. They say that one sip will return all lost or forgotten memories of your current life, as well as previous ones." Allen's eyes widened. One sip to remember…it's that simple… He absentmindedly edged closer to the soft ripples of the silver water.
"That's it, just a little more. Think of it, the joy of knowledge." His past acquaintance cooed. Allen cocked his head.
"Didn't you say that this was my mind? How can this be possible?"
"Oh no, this is very real. Trust me, everything will return."
"As much as I wish to remember, some things are meant to be left behind and forgotten; forbidden knowledge. Knowing too much can only bring pain and suffering, to those who possess it and those surrounding them. I cannot and will not do that to those I love. I will protect them with my life!" Allen spread his arms wide, determined to make this stranger see his way.
"As you wish," he snarled and lunged. "Aren't you going to activate your innocence, Crown Clown? This could get nasty." Allen felt as if an arrow had punctured his head. Crown…Clown? That had a familiar ring to it. He crumpled to the ground in agony, clutching his left eye. It had suddenly begun to throb.
"Crown Clown?" He whispered barely audible.
"Yes, shounen." Allen looked up; a new player had entered the game. He wore a sleek black suit, complete with a top hat. His skin was grey, his hair black and slicked back, and his forehead lined with crosses. Everything seeming familiar.
"Do I…know you?" The newcomer smirked as if he was enjoying himself, which at the moment, he definitely was.
"Aww, Allen! Don't tell me you don't remember us!" This time it was a petite girl with blue hair, a short skirt, a white blouse, and high striped socks. She sucked a lollipop while pouting.
"He forgot, he forgot! Heehee!" Two twins now appeared before him, both dressed as punks, and pointing guns at each other's heads.
"I won't forgive you!" Add a ripped giant to the list of people currently looming above him. He was surrounded.
"W-who are you?" Allen asked his eye still aching.
"Don't worry shounen, we won't hurt you, for now." The guy in the suit informed him, with a voice that hinted that there would be future pain.
"Yep, but I think Earl-Sama may have sent some akuma to clean up…" Akuma, like devils? What was happening?
"Indeed I did, Rhode." A fat, purple man floated down from the sky holding a small umbrella. "Now, let's not doddle here. Reunion time is over, and I have new assignments for all of you.
"Aww, but Earl-Sama!"
"No buts, Rhode! We are leaving."He turned to face Allen. "Until next time, Allen Walker." And with that, they disappeared without a trace, leaving Allen traumatized on the grass.
He was paralyzed. Too much of his past life had been revealed, and he could hardly remember the one he was currently living. He began to spiral down into deep thought; his mind slowly being consumed by his pain. He remembered everything. The past battles, enemy, powers, and his friends. The more he thought, the more he realized how futile it all was. How could he have been so stupid as to believe that he alone could save everybody? He had just been one in many, one soldier in an entire army. What made him special?
Nothing.
"Moyashi, don't give up on me now dammit!" His eyes fluttered open. He was looking up into deep sapphire eyes filled with annoyance, suffering, and pain. Three emotions he knew all too well.
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"Che, it took you long enough Sleeping Beauty." Kanda looked down at Allen, but something wasn't right. His expression was blank.
"Who are you?"
"What do you mean? You can't remember me?" Kanda was shocked to say the least. So this is what it feels like to be forgotten… He thought. He sat there, his hand lingering on Allen's face, not wanting to let go of their past. In the end, Allen broke their contact by standing up. He looked off into the dark, midnight sky.
"It's beautiful, Lake Memory, I mean." What the fuck? He can remember a fucking lake, but not me? Kanda thought frustrated. "I heard that one sip can return all your memories."
"Where'd you hear that shit?"
"Neah told me." It's official, he's gone mad. Kanda realized.
"And who the fuck is that?"
"I don't know." Allen replied in a far-off voice. "All I know is that we were very closely connected."
"Found them!" A strange machine jumped out from the bushes behind them, causing Allen's eye to go berserk. "The Earl will be pleased, any last words, exorcists?"
"Che, you don't know who you're messing with." Kanda drew his sword, preparing for combat.
"Go ahead and try to kill me! You won't be able to dent me with your weapon in that condition!"
Nobody, nobody insults Kanda Yuu and gets away with it. He lunged head on at the machine, making a victorious arch at the thing, hoping to slice it in half. When he landed on the ground and turned around he was met with a huge grin.
"See, what did I tell you exorcist? You cannot beat me!"
"What the hell are you?"
"He's an akuma." Allen answered. "A weapon of destruction, created from the souls of the deceased. They are brought back from the dead by grievers, and forced to fight. They are tormented and twisted beyond recognition. This one is a Level 2, but there are many Level 1s surrounding us in hiding." Kanda turned to Allen in surprise.
"How do you know so much?"
"I drank the water."
"Then why don't you remember me?"
"Forbidden knowledge. I have gained possession of it, and I now pay the price."
"I wouldn't turn your back on me, if I were you, exorcist!" The Level 2 approached Kanda ready for attack.
"Innocence, activate!" Allen was engulfed by a blast of pure white light. When it cleared, Allen stood cloaked in a flowing white cape and a silver mask. His hair was spiked up, and his left hand was black with thin claws for fingers and his right was the purest of white.
In one fluid motion, he jumped over Kanda and shielded him. Next, he proceeded to slice the akuma in half with his clawed hand.
"Rest in peace, tormented akuma soul." Allen whispered, but the battle had just begun. With their leader destroyed, the Level 1s erupted into chaos. They rose up above the two and began to rapid fire; killing many of their own.
"What is this monstrosity?" Kanda asked, disgusted and frightened.
"Look, I need your help. There are many more akuma than I can handle by myself," Allen begged frantically. "I realize you don't remember much of your past, but please try. The Level 2 akuma called you an exorcist, and you seem fairly experienced with that sword. The fact that it didn't shatter at first contact with an akuma is proof enough. You are an exorcist, an accommodator of innocence. Please, activate it!"
Kanda tried to recall something, anything really that might help him. However, try as he might, nothing came. Try harder! He thought to himself. With every passing second, his need became direr. The millions of akuma began to close down on them, as Allen fought the never ended force alone. I am left with no other choice… He crept towards the water and cupped his hands into it. He could feel the power surging through it, and with one gulp he swallowed it.
Imagine getting hit by a truck, and then multiply that pain a million times. The pain you'd feel would be minor compared to what Kanda currently felt. He was being drowned by a tidal wave of memories. However, it left as quickly as it had come, leaving Kanda wondering whether it had ever happened. Something had changed, though. He now knew exactly what to do. Smirking, he redrew his blade and ran his finger down it.
"Mighty Mugen, draw on my life and rise!" Power coursed through his veins as he faced the enemy. "Prepare yourselves for destruction!"
What happened next passed in such a blur that Kanda hadn't realized that it was over.
"Good Job, baKanda. I was worried for a second there that you weren't going to activate your innocence." A rough grunt was all Kanda could manage before collapsing from exhaustion. Allen smiled one of his rare genuine smiles, and placed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"Good night, Kanda. I'll explain everything to you when you wake up."
First off, I want to apologize. This chapter is so late =.= I'm sooo sorry! Secondly, I will be gone from June 12-17, so I may be even more delayed for future updates… I am going to Washington D.C. and New York City! Yay! Haha :) Oh, and Lastly I posted a poll that I would appreciate if you checked out. It's about a possible side story to this one, so let me know what you think!
Thanks again for reading!
-pathless
P.S. Reviews would be amazing!