Teal and Allen heard the shouts from the Science Team. "Run! Get away from this thing quickly!" They ran as fast as they could. Johnny was on the ground behind them. In front, there was a piece of that giant akuma that was covered in blood and all the Science Team members were on the ground as well.
'Head Directors… Reever… Everyone…' Teal was horror struck. Her lip was trembling but she did not cry. She couldn't. She took a closer look and realized that they were alive.
"Allen," one member pointed to the giant akuma. "It's… evolved… we couldn't…" The member had pentacles appear all over his body. His body turned black then crumbled into dust.
Something was forming from the akuma. There were arms and legs and then it turned into a massive white blob. Some laughter could still be heard and then there was a white hand, then a child like akuma that peered from behind the corpse. It had two halos above its head, angel wings and it was pure white. The only black part was the pentacle in its stomach. It rose in the air a bit and shouted "I'm level four!"
Allen was trembling. He sank to his knees and started throwing up.
"Allen!" Teal knelt beside him. "Are you alright?" Allen started crying a bit. 'I don't understand… What's going on?' Timcanpy was hovering over Allen.
"Teal…" he said hoarsely, "I fight for humans and akuma." He barfed again and was choking on his tears. "I fight for akuma because I want to save their souls before they are lost to the dark matter. Now, it's too late."
"Allen…" Teal turned her head to the akuma but it wasn't in the same place as last time. It was right in front of them.
"Are you crying?" It asked sweetly. A hand came up and touched Allen's claw. It was Johnny.
"Allen… Teal… I'm so sorry. Help me… help everyone…please…" Another hand was on top of Johnny's. It was the akuma.
"Everyone? Who's that?"
"Get away from them!" Teal snarled. She attacked the akuma to force it back. She could feel herself struggling harder than usual because the akuma had more power than she does. She could only force it back a short way.
"You ain't the boss of me. Unless if you become a Noah, I won't listen to you. And how come you're not crying?" Teal remained silent.
'Maybe it's because I don't have tears left to shed.' Allen charged at the akuma with his sword.
"I'll destroy you, level four." He shouted. Teal and Allen slashed it and it was sent flying. Bookman and Marie saw it.
"This is the noise of an akuma!" Marie said. The akuma looked all around him.
"I almost forgot. I'm at the Black Order headquarters."
"Bookman! There are a lot of people injured! Help them!" Allen shouted.
"A weapon of slaughter… That's why I exist… I better get to work." Allen jumped on its shoulders and Teal jumped in the air, preparing for an attack.
"Like hell you will!" Allen shouted. 'Edge end!' Allen created a hole in the ground. Some rocks went in the air and it was time for Teal to make an attack.
'Secondary Spell: Spell of Ice: Arctic Blizzard' Teal's shoes turned to steel like ice, froze the rocks, shattered them then sent the remains to the akuma. When she landed on the ground, her shoes returned to normal.
"Did we get him?"
"I'll start with you." The akuma hovered behind them and flicked his fingers at Allen and it sent him flying and landed against the wall. Teal could see that he was knocked pretty hard because his mouth was bleeding and he couldn't breathe. His Innocence deactivated and he fell on the fifth balcony from the main floor.
"Allen!" Teal went after him but the akuma shot her. And she was knocked to the ground.
"I have orders not to kill you. If you give up, I'll make sure I'll kill your friends quickly so they won't feel a thing. And I won't hurt you."
"Forget it!" There were enough vibrations in the air for Teal to get to Allen. The akuma raised its leg as it was going to break her leg but when it stomped, Teal was gone. Teal was next to Allen and he was lying face down and got winded very badly. She got herself low as possible so the akuma wouldn't see her.
"Oh, this is 'hide and seek' now. I'll find you later. But for now, time to slaughter! Maybe that will make you come out of hiding."
The akuma opened its mouth and screamed. The scream was so loud that Teal thought her ears would shatter. She covered her ears best as she could but the scream was still heard.
"Tim, cover Allen's ears." Timcanpy obeyed her.
'What's the status of everyone else?' She shut her eyes and she could feel the vibrations of her comrades. Bookman was treating Bak, and everyone else couldn't stand up. Even the Generals couldn't fight back. General Cross was able to summon Maria so he could move his body. General Tiedol's barrier was fading. When the screaming stopped, Teal put her hands down and opened her eyes.
'Where'd he go?' There was a hand on her shoulder. It was fairly big and she thought it was the akuma. When she turned around, she protected herself but then realized it was Link. He put a finger to his mouth.
"Stay hidden until the time is right. The Generals are taking care of the akuma. If it moves away from them, you strike. Keep your eyes on the akuma at all times." Teal nodded and lay down on her stomach and watched the akuma. It was trying to attack Tiedol's barrier and the Generals put up a defense. It wasn't enough. The akuma created an earthquake that sent rocks flying everywhere.
There was a large pipe that was headed their way. Allen regained consciousness and looked up. Teal pushed his head down and covered her face in her arm as well. She created a barrier over them but it was too weak and the pipe broke through. Link shattered the pipe with a switch blade in his sleeve.
"Thanks Link." Teal said.
"I thought I told you to watch for the akuma." He said.
"Sorry about that." She looked down on the ground and there was a chasm created by the akuma that expanded from the black ark to the other end. The akuma was hovering in the chasm.
"Everyone from the Science Department…" Teal said.
"Miranda… Marie…Master!? They fell?! No…"
"This is ridiculous! The Generals couldn't have." Link was just as shocked as the exorcists.
"They're all alive. Their vibrations are faint but they are alive."
The akuma moved towards the black ark. The skulls were still in a barrier. The skulls asked the akuma if it could shatter the barrier but instead, it killed them.
"What?! They're on the same side. Why would…" Teal asked.
"The akuma only obey the Earl and the Clan of Noah. It is not uncommon for them to attack one another." Link answered. "Be ready, Teal. And you must not be seen by the akuma."
"If I go past the barrier, there would be more humans, right?" The akuma's voice could be heard from where they were. Allen sat up. "Stop this!" He shouted.
"Go now!"
'Silietica' Teal whispered. It was a spell that could be used to silence her movements. Nothing could hear her move as she wished. She flew threw the air and landed on the roof over the akuma. She crawled on the roof like a spider, following the akuma. She wasn't going to attack until it stopped moving. Even if it stopped for a second, it would be the moment to strike. If she attacked too early or too late, she might not be able to attack again. Teal wasn't able to catch up to the akuma and it got ahead of her.
They finally came into the room where Komui and other Science Team members were. Finders used their shields to protect Komui. Teal had to change tactics. Teal moved as fast as her arms and legs would let her. She stopped a couple of feet away from the akuma. When the akuma came into the spot where she wanted it to, she used her attack. 'Spell of Earth: Earth Wave!' She kicked the roof and rubble fell on the akuma and jump kicked it when she let go.
The akuma was under the rubble and used its arms like long scythes. It emerged from the rubble. 'Oh no, that didn't work! And it killed several finders!'
"Head Officer!" There were only a few finders protecting Komui. She turned around and the akuma got past her.
"Head Officer?" It asked. It killed the finders that were guarding him before Teal could move. "You're head would be the same as the other exorcists, right?" It placed its finger on Komui's neck as it was about to strike.
Teal placed herself in front of the akuma.
"I'm the one you're looking for so how about you come after me? Komui, get out of here!" She bent her arms as she was about to strike. The akuma used its arm and threw her against the wall before she could even block. Komui just fell to the ground with his neck bleeding, unable to move.
"Heh Heh, you are too weak by yourself. You need more than your Innocence to beat me." Teal stood up and charged at the akuma and she was thrown back again. She wasn't going to give up easily. She charged at it once more and was able to slash the akuma successfully.
"Oh, so you wanna play, now? Very well, but I will hurt you this time." Teal kicked the akuma but it dodged it and she could only hit it a few times. But her attacks only gave it scratches and minor injuries.
'Damn, this akuma is too fast for me. I can't use full power and the others can't help. I have to hold on best I can.' The akuma slashed Teal's arm very badly and she fell to the ground by Komui. Her healing powers started to take effect but it couldn't heal her wound fast enough.
"I told you I would hurt you." The akuma said.
"Teal!" Komui was by Teal and he examined her arm. He saw the wound was worse than he thought. The akuma cut her side as well. He put his arm up defensively.
"You better move unless you want to be hurt too." The akuma warned.
Just then, a figure dashed in front of them and slashed the akuma. The sword they used shattered.
"Komui, you bastard, you need to work on the weapon storehouse a bit more." It was Kanda. Kanda drew another sword he was carrying. The akuma was forced back and the finders all combined their barriers to trap it. Chaoji came to Komui to help him. He was between Komui and Teal.
"Supervisor, are you alright? Teal you're injured!"
"It's nothing." Teal said.
"And Teal, I'm sorry what I said before. About it was your fault that everyone died."
"Don't worry about it."
Kanda turned his head to Teal.
"Are you gonna just sit there or are you going to help? That thing won't last much longer so we have to attack now!"
"Alright." Teal stood up and burned herself using her spell. 'This should keep me going for a while.'
"Komui, don't move." Kanda commanded.
"Kanda, you better let me do the major attacks. You don't have your Innocence." Teal said.
"I don't go down that easily." Kanda replied sharply.
Kanda and Teal were about to charge when Komui received a transmission from Hevlaska.
"Komui, come to where I am. I will attract the Level 4. Take the Innocence inside me and get out of here. The ark is still connected to the Asia Head Quarters, get everyone there! If you stay here the damage will increase!" Teal and Kanda turned to Komui. He didn't want to do this.
"As long as there is Innocence, we can rebuild the main Head Quarters."
The akuma was fighting the barrier. Kanda and Teal remained in their spots.
"Calling all departments! You are to follow my directions and get everyone to the third gate of the ark and evacuate to the Asia Branch Head Quarters. The status of the exorcists in the fifth lab is unknown. Our first priority is to protect the Innocence. We are evacuating Head Quarters!" Teal exchanged glances with Kanda. She was worried but Kanda didn't look very worried. Komui went to the elevator to go down to Hevlaska.
The akuma shattered the first couple layers of the barrier. Kanda and Teal went on the lift with Komui and Chaoji followed.
"You get on and you're all history!" Komui shouted.
"My Innocence is also with Hevlaska now. The barrier won't hold on much longer. If that thing gets loose, I'll take it on." Kanda said flatly.
"Don't be stupid! You'll be throwing your life away!" Komui shouted.
"Right, then do your best to stay out of my way and get the hell out of here." Kanda grinned. Komui's transmitter went off again.
"Hurry Komui, and also, Leverrier is bringing Lenalee to me." The exorcists heard this. Teal's eyes widened. Komui gritted his teeth and made the elevator descend.
There was a shattering noise and there was a flash from above.
"It's here." Kanda said. He and Teal braced themselves. The akuma dove down. Teal could hear Lenalee's scream.
"Ni-san!" Before Teal or Kanda could move, the akuma used a powerful spell that destroyed the elevator controls. It was falling and everyone was knocked off of it. Teal skidded on the landing and was stopped by the wall. Lenalee and Lavi were far away from them. Hevlaska was near them as well.
'I'm gonna feel that in the morning…' She groaned. Her powers were somewhat keeping up with her injuries. All she had was a few scrapes on her arms and legs.
Kanda was shielding Komui and he was clutching his arm. A faint black pattern could be seen on his shoulder above his wound that covered his whole arm. His arm looked like it was torn. A strange glow covered his whole body and healed the wound.
"Supervisor, are you alright?" The two finders that were accompanying them asked Komui.
"Yes, are you two?"
"Actually, we…" Their bodies turned black. Teal knew that this was the final stage of the virus. Those who were hit with an akuma bullet would die within seconds as their bodies would be dissolved into dust.
"Komui! Yu! Teal! Are you guys alright?" Lavi was emerging from the smoke and he was carrying a flag pole. Komui looked up. "Lenalee!" Someone was holding Lenalee by the arm and she was about to get her Innocence by Hevlaska.
"Is our game of 'tag' finished, Supervisor?" An eerie voice said behind them. It was the akuma. Teal, Lavi and Kanda pointed their weapons at the akuma.
"You don't have to do this." Kanda said.
"Once again." Lavi replied. They all attacked the akuma but the akuma forced them back. The blast was so big that it even knocked Hevlaska down while she was holding Lenalee to implant her Innocence. Teal was not knocked down this time. Lavi and Kanda were knocked out.
'Don't think I haven't learned anything. I can survive this attack.' The akuma picked up Kanda. Teal glided to the akuma and slashed it. It blocked her attack but she wasn't going to give up easily.
'Spell of Darkness: Nightmare' Teal created waves of shadows that surrounded the akuma. It let go of Kanda and clung to its head as if it were in pain. Kanda fell to the ground. Teal jumped-kicked the akuma with her boots and was able to damage it a bit. The akuma grabbed her by her leg and threw her half way across the room. She landed not far from Lenalee. The akuma looked around.
"Still more people?" It moved toward Lenalee. Lenalee's Innocence was near her and she reached for it.
"Lenalee… the akuma…" Teal was grasping her arm. She was struggling to stand up and get to Lenalee. 'Please… Please… Make me stronger… I want… to protect… them…' The akuma stepped on Lenalee's head slightly as she was still reaching for the black block.
Teal's heart was beating in her ears. A surge of energy was pulsing through her body. She shut her eyes and focused on her friends. The energy was growing stronger. It was a weird feeling actually. Something surrounded her body. She couldn't see it, but she felt its presence. It was something she couldn't describe. Whatever it was, it was giving her strength when she was thinking of her friends. She felt like it was giving her more strength but she couldn't use it.
She charged at the akuma and made it get off of Lenalee. She was able to hold it off for a while.
"Oh, have I made you angry, Deceiver?" The akuma taunted. She pushed the akuma back and there was another force that pushed it far away. She turned around; Allen was standing over Lenalee. Timcanpy was flying by him. The silver mask that was usually around his neck was on his face. His eyes were blank and he had his sword ready. His clown belt was wrapped around his arms and legs. The akuma was hovering upside down.
"Oh, it's you. It's strange that you can move after I gave you a good beating." Allen signaled Teal to stay by Lenalee. He charged at the akuma but he was knocked to the ground. Teal knelt beside Lenalee and placed her hand on Lenalee's forehead. Her hand was glowing and Lenalee opened her eyes and some of her wounds were healed. She continued to reach for the Innocence. She finally grabbed it.
"I'm tired of grieving… already…" Lenalee said. There was a flash of light that filled up the entire area. Blood was flowing down her face.
"Lenalee…" Teal put her hand on Lenalee's shoulder. "This time, you don't have to. We're in this together." Lenalee rose to her knees and she held the block of Innocence close to her heart.
"Innocence, please take these feelings and transform them into strength to protect everyone. I will follow you until the day it all ends. Wherever you take me…" She prayed. Komui appeared in front of them. Lenalee opened her hands and the Innocence melted into a liquid. She looked up at her brother and smiled. "I'm off then, Ni-San." She drank the liquid. Teal took a step back.
Komui came to Lenalee and placed his hand on Lenalee's shoulder. Her eyes were black and she was shaking. Teal and Komui were hanging on to her arms and supporting her back. Lenalee's ankles suddenly spat out blood. The blood was flowing under the floor. She was breathing heavily.
"Lenalee, are you alright?" Teal asked. 'Her body must be rejecting it! No, wait.' Teal noticed that there was one cross on both of Lenalee's legs. Allen was still holding off the akuma with Kanda and Lavi. There was an explosion behind them.
"Allen, Kanda, Lavi!" Komui and Teal shouted. Teal turned her head to Lenalee. She was holding Lenalee's hand and Lenalee was squeezing it. Teal figured that Lenalee was in some pain.
"Hevlaska, take a look at Lenalee!" Leverrier shouted.
"Just a little longer, Lenalee. You can do this." Teal said in her ear.
"Lenalee…" Hevlaska put one of her tentacles over Lenalee. "Don't touch her legs…"
"The Innocence turned into a liquid itself. As to say 'drink me'" Lenalee said.
"The blood won't stop…" Komui noticed. There was a large pool of blood under them. Komui almost cried.
"What's this? She swallowed it but the Innocence isn't in her body." Hevlaska said.
"Then where is it?" Leverrier asked. He was now behind Lenalee and Komui.
"Her blood. It's gotta be her blood." Teal said. The pile of blood rose up and the blood formed legs with angel wings on top.
"Innocence, have you accepted my resolve?" Lenalee smiled. The Innocence was forming with her legs and they turned into crimson version of her boots. But they were slightly different in style. They had two rings on her ankles and a butterfly on each heel.
"Alright Lenalee, let's sent that thing back where it belongs." Teal said.
The girls charged at the akuma that was about to finish Allen off. Lenalee jumped on its arm.
"How dare you do this to our home." She said.
'Spell of Earth: Earth Wave!' Teal sent sharp rocks at the akuma and it went in the air but it balanced itself out.
"Reinforcements, huh?" The akuma was about to unleash an attack then Lenalee grabbed Allen and Teal and dodged the attack. Lenalee was flying faster than she has ever done before.
"Wow, Lenalee, I didn't know you could go this fast." Teal said. She turned to Allen who was pale green.
"Uhh… too fast…" he covered his mouth. The akuma came from below them and kicked Lenalee's boots as if it was trying to destroy them. Teal and Lenalee kicked back and it was forced away.
"Lenalee… you can let me go. I can use my Clown Belt. And Lenalee, I'm sorry I couldn't protect everyone. I've failed."
"I'm sorry too. For showing up so late."
"Now it's time to finish him!" Teal finished. Lenalee was the first to attack. She kicked the akuma and sent it to Teal above her.
'Spell of Heaven: Heaven Meteor' Teal did a flip backwards and kicked the akuma on the head and sent it all the way to the ground. Allen pinned it with his sword before it could move. He got it in the akuma's stomach but it needed to go deeper to finish it. Teal and Lenalee moved up in the air. Teal used her meteor attack first. Allen's sword went in a fair bit.
'Lenalee's attack should do the trick. But still…'
'Spell of Water: Ice Casket!' Teal created ice from steam around the room and froze the akuma's arms, legs, wings.
"That should hold it down for a while." Seconds later, Lenalee came down and drove the sword through the akuma. It wasn't quite enough to defeat it. Just then, the wall the exorcists were by exploded. General Cross was standing there with Maria and Judgment. Teal returned her attention to helping Allen and Lenalee. The akuma was no longer moving.
Komui's transmitter went off.
"Reever? Is that you?"
"Yes. I just regained consciousness. We are surrounded by rubble and flames. Everyone is alive."
"Ni-San, is that true, there are survivors?" Lenalee heard the transmission.
"Is everyone alright?" Teal asked. Komui smiled and went out the door to go to the fifth lab.
"I take that as a yes." Teal turned to Lenalee. "Better yet, the evacuation will be called off!" Teal put her hands together and smiled. She turned to Allen. He was supporting himself with his sword that was still in the akuma. He was severely injured. He started to cry and he bowed his head.
The akuma started to move again and struggled against the sword.
"I hate Innocence! I hate it! I hate it!"
"No way! I thought it was destroyed!" Teal exclaimed. The akuma broke through the ice on one of its arms and forced Allen back. He went against the on the other side of the room wall and the akuma threw his sword at Allen and it pierced his chest.
"Allen!" Lenalee and Teal screamed. They flew to him and the sword was actually beside him. The akuma emerged from the smoke and was on the edge of the landing they were just on.
Cross jumped on Allen's sword. "It's about time you are destroyed." He jumped off the sword, went up to the akuma and shot him. The akuma was still standing.
"You think that's gonna stop me?"
"Did you just see one shot?" He asked slyly. Blood was flowing from the akuma's head. Then bullet holes appeared all over its body. His entire body swelled up. His arms and legs and the rest of the body were extremely bulky and was increasing by the second. It looked like it was going to burst any minute. Teal thought she was going to hurl.
"Where was I? Oh yes, the reason." General Cross continued. "Let's look at all the things you did to the Order and its members. I'm not that cruel of a man. But then you messed up my clothes." He smiled.
"He's an idiot." Teal whispered.
"You just figured that out?" Allen said. "I can't blame you if you didn't. He blinds all women from what he really is."
"No, I noticed it before." Teal crossed her arms. The akuma started to fly up. Hevlaska couldn't use the shutters fast enough to stop it. Allen used his Clown Belt to hold it back. The shutters were half way closed.
"I'll destroy you here and now!" Allen shouted. The akuma got caught in the shutters. Allen used his Clown belt to pull it down. Then he, Lenalee and Teal made the final attack and it was destroyed.
------------------------------
A few days later…
"Oh, you came too, Tim?" General Cross and Inspector Leverrier were in the water way, about to leave for Central Office. Tim landed in Cross's hand. Komui and Reever were about to watch him leave.
"Be careful, General Cross." Komui warned.
"What are you, my mother?" Cross retorted.
"No, I'm just worried that you will disappear again."
"I'll make sure he won't, Komui." Teal came behind them with her backpack. She was wearing her black jacket with blue pants and her white shirt under her jacket.
"Sorry I can't help you pack up, Komui. I have to go with Cross." Teal gave a small bow.
"That's fine. General Cross told me about that. We'll get the rest of the things in your room."
"Thanks a lot, Komui!" Teal smiled. "I'll see you in the new Head quarters!" She hopped in the boat. Before Cross went in the boat, he placed Timcanpy in Komui's hand.
"Oh, Tim's not coming?" Teal asked.
"Nah, he says he doesn't want to come."
--------------------
The Head Quarters were on an isolated cliff near London. You could see the majority of the city behind you. The Head Quarters looked like a huge castle and Notre Dame Cathedral mix together. There was a forest that surrounded the building and the cliff that it sat on had an entrance under it.
'This place is awesome.' When they disembarked, Teal followed Cross to the main hall. There were about 9 other men there. They were all in a line. They wore long robes and masks. Teal suspected that they were Central agents and had a very uneasy feeling about them.
Teal and Cross entered a small room. There were two chairs and a small table between the chairs. One of the Central men brought a tea pot and two tea cups. Teal and Cross sat down and the man left.
"General Cross… Why did you give the Innocence to me? Did you know that I was a Noah?" Cross paused for a moment.
"In a way, I knew you were a Noah. I'm just going to cut to the chase. Before the Fourteenth died, he passed some abilities on to me. One of them is to detect other Noah. I noticed the Deceiver inside of you and I knew you were the host. She was faintly visible, but she was still there. An Innocence I was carrying reacted to you and I was debating whether or not you should join the Order. If the Deceiver took over, she could easily get the Innocence. On the other hand, you could've destroyed what was left of her."
"And then I still become a Noah and I now have Central deciding my fate." Teal was annoyed.
"I knew that you were going to be the new Noah of Memories and Central might be getting on your case, but this time, you have more control. As long as you have a strong heart, the Noah won't possess you. So this is a good situation at the moment." Teal drank her tea to help her relax.
"Did I have any connection to the Fourteenth? I know his song and I've seen him before." Cross sighed.
"I wouldn't say you have a connection to him. But I don't deny you met him before. He told me that he found the Deceiver's host. You were still a child when he found you. The Deceiver was looming over you and he feared that the Earl could find you and he would kill your family. So he erased your memory to conceal the Deceiver and placed you in the care of another family member." Teal spat her tea out and started coughing.
"Hold up, what did you say?"
"He erased your memory to conceal the Deceiver?"
"No, the other thing. I was placed in the care of another family member? What about my parents? Are they still alive?"
"I don't know. All I do know is that when he erased your memory, you remembered the song."
'I have parents… And maybe a brother or sister…'
"Now the Earl knows about you, you are in serious danger. You are not to leave the Order except on missions."
'Dammit. I hate being watched 24/7. What's worse is I can't go outside.'
"There's another thing you may want to know. All Noah are burdened with a curse. I do not know what the curse is or how to break it. But I do know it is powerful and it has a connection with Noah becoming monsters like that Noah in the ark and it could make Noah truly immortal."
"Okay, you lost me. What does the curse have to do with me being in danger?"
Cross paused for a few moments. "Well, since you are a Noah, I thought you might want to know. And if anything bad were to happen, that could be the result of the curse."
'Okay, he reeeally lost me. I don't know what the curse does, but if I am no longer connected to it, then I finally can be mortal. I have to find out more about the curse. And my parents may be still alive! I'm not sure how I feel about that. There's so much running through my mind, I don't even know where I'm supposed to start! I think if I want to break my curse, I shouldn't use my Noah powers again. Not even my visions. Then again, my visions are the only thing I can use to find my family.'