I finally got this chapter posted, didn't expect it to take this long to write. I apologize for the long wait!
Thanks for all the reviews!
Astaline: I will tried to updated as fast as possible (I'm not doing a very good job of that right now)
ASDFers: Allen will know the basic idea of what's going to happen, he won't know everything. His powers will be limited so he won't have some kind of godly strength. (It will be boring if he defeat everyone just by flicking his hand.)
Addenza: I realized that going with the manga would be dull, but please don't kill me as some scenes will be similar.
Glon: Allen wanted to make some changes and Nobel was the one that reminded him that he could. However we don't know what Nobel's role in this story.
Stoneygeek: Thanks for pointing out the mistakes. Editing was never my forte. I'm going to get beta as soon as I'm not rushing around like crazy. I hope this chapter might have less mistakes. (...I doubt)
Viviene: I'm glad you like the idea with going back in time. I only came across two other stories that had something to do with time traveling (Maybe I missed the rest?).
Darkz13: Not having his future memories? I wonder if I should make him forget, slowly. I kept his new powers because they might end up complicating his life more than his original ones.
I will do my best to complete this story. : )
Disclaimer: I do not own this manga in any form, but Lulubell's ability sure come in handy!
Chapter Summary: What if your memories weren't as well as you thought. What if you had to lie some more. What if you had a dream that you couldn't explain. What if you had to tell people a children's bedtime story. Too many 'what if'? There is a lot more coming.
It was quiet in the Order as the sun rose up. Some members were up to get breakfast, while others tried to get some last minute sleep before they get pulled out of their bed. Lenalee pushed the coffee cart into the science department, she sighed when she saw the scientist.
'They are up early again!' She frowned, but quickly put on a happy face when everyone looked up, "Coffee!" She called out.
"Morning Lenalee. Oh, thanks." Reever took a cup, "I was so sure we got everything done yesterday. I double, no, triple checked the to-do list." He shook his head in frustration.
"We are always getting more!" Johnny slammed his head repeatedly onto his desk when '65' brought yet another stack of paperwork.
"Ow, my head!" Tapp wailed as he too received another stack.
"Just shut up and get to work!" Reever glared at them. He turned to see Lenalee looking at her brother's office, "He's in there."
Lenalee flinched at Reever's voice. She thanked him before going inside.
'Everyone knows how much your brother means to you.' Reever watched her as her eyes shone with happiness that she couldn't hide.
***
Bookman and Komui were going over yesterday's events inside his office and was apparently in a heated discussion.
"Allen might be a threat to the Order?" Komui questioned. 'Come to think of it, he was very jumpy, but Cross always knew who's friend, who's foe. He may be a bit to the 'black' side, but Cross was always respected within the Order.'
"I believe it is safe for him to stay here, but that brat got a lot to hide...I doubt they were bad memories." Bookman brushed his hair with his hand, "I wonder if Earl knew about Clown..."
Komui clenched his pen so hard it almost broke, "He shouldn't. They met before, but Allen's arm was still deformed back then."
"Let's hope this information stays within the Order." Bookman went on, "Clown is too different. He will attract too much attention."
Komui looked up from his paper, "Could he be the -"
"Brother!" Lenalee called out. She blushed when she realized that she was interrupting their conversation. "I didn't know you were busy brother. I thought you might want some coffee."
"Thanks Lenalee." Komui smiled when she poured him coffee.
"Bookman, I got some tea here too. Would you like a cup?" Lenalee asked.
"Ah, yes please. Tea always refreshes me." Bookman replied.
'He will probably do tea reading again.' Komui noted. "Lenalee, could you tell Allen to see me in my lab? Oh, and find Kanda as well, there is a new mission for both of you."
"Sure brother!" Lenalee smiled before heading off.
Bookman watched Lenalee leave before turning back to his tea, "Something on your mind?" He noticed Komui's tense figure.
Komui shook his head, "Nothing important."
Bookman knew that Komui hated himself for sending so many to their death, even though it was necessary for the Order. Those memories were easy to forget, but how could you forget the fact that you were sending your own sister onto the very same battlefield that so many died on?
"I will be returning to the library." Bookman placed his cup down onto the table.
"So soon? You just got here." Komui looked surprised, "I was planning to send you and Lavi along with Lenalee on this mission. Kanda and Allen will be leaving for Martel as soon as possible. That one can't wait. I guess I will have to make some changes" Komui started to look through the mission files.
"I suppose I could postpone my trip. I will go to Martel myself. Let Kanda and Allen go with Lavi and Lenalee." Bookman replied.
'Didn't he wanted to watch Allen himself?' Komui arched his eyebrows; "I thought I should let Allen get more comfortable with Clown before sending him on a big one."
"There is no need, Allen is more than ready." Bookman stated, his mind went over the conversation between Allen and Clown. "I will inform Lavi myself." Without another word, he left the office.
"I guess I will tell Allen when I see him in my lab." Komui looked at the golden golem that was sleeping on his desk. 'Did you knew that this was going to happen, Cross?"
***
Inside a very casual bedroom, Allen was still in bed mumbling about Mana and piano.
Clown appeared above him with a sneer plastered on his face. He reached down and pinched Allen's nose.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" Clown giggled when Allen jumped up from his bed.
"Oh Clown, you didn't have to do that." Allen yawned as he tried to find his clothes.
Knock, knock.
'Who could that be' Allen thought to himself. He opened the door and found Lenalee standing on the other side. "Lenalee! I didn't know it was you."
"Good morning Allen, A finder told me that you were still in your room. I didn't expect you to be still in bed." Lenalee laughed.
"Still in bed?" Allen turned around to see the sun high up in the sky, he mentally cursed when he realized it was almost 10 o'clock. "Clown! Why didn't you wake me up earlier?!" Allen yelled.
In hurry, he left the door wide open. Lenalee saw a strange white figure giggling at Allen who was currently red in the face trying to find his clothes. The white figure noticed her gaze and fell silent. He turned towards her revealing his silver mask.
Lenalee held back a gasp. 'It's that mask, that very same one!'
"Sorry lenalee, I can't believe I slept till now. Lenalee?" Allen saw Lenalee's tense figure looking at Clown. He slapped his head when he realized that it was the first time that Lenalee met his innocence.
"My bad, I forgot to introduce you to my innocence, Clown." Allen gestured towards Clown who regarded her carefully.
"Oh." Lenalee snapped out of her shock. "I'm sorry for staring, my name is Lenalee in case you didn't know."
"Nice to meet you!" Clown gigged before bowing low.
Lenalee gasped when Clown spoke. She didn't expect an innocence to be able to talk like that, along with a strange childish personality.
"Um...Clown has a...mind of his own so he is capable of voicing his own...opinion." Allen sweat dropped. 'Lenalee looked like she is about to faint.'
"Oh, okay." She nodded weakly, "My brother need you in his lab. I suppose you need to get your breakfast first." Lenalee whispered goodbye before rushing down the hall.
Allen sighed before closing his door, "You have a knack for giving people heart attacks, you know." Allen told Clown.
Clown didn't answer for he had a lot more than that to worry about. 'I told Nobel to freeze the lake! Freeze! Not to destroy it! Now she got the connection again, it's only a matter of time before Allen finds out about it. There has to be a way to cut the connection permanently.' Clown hissed in frustration. '... I am... getting too... attached.'
"Clown, are you okay?" Allen was surprised to see Clown so edgy.
"I'm fine!" Clown snapped before disappearing in a puff of mist.
'Did I miss something here?' Allen wondered as he was changing his shirt. He almost gasped when he saw scars all over his body. 'Nobel told me that I would be placed in my younger body, but the scars were from the older me! How am I going to explain this to Komui?!' His eyes landed on a strange tear shaped white crystal attached to a silver necklace that he was wearing around his neck. "Now that's something I definitely didn't have before."
Allen quickly got dressed and headed for the cafeteria. He was still thinking about his scars and the crystal when he noticed a brick wall right in front of him.
"A dead end, a...dead...end." Allen spluttered, "I'M LOST?!"
***
As Allen tried to find his way to the cafeteria, which was impossible for one who had no sense of direction, Bookman found Lavi in his bedroom, scribbling on his logbook.
"Hey gramps." Lavi greeted Bookman without looking up. "I guess you wanted to talk about what happened yesterday."
"Of course." Bookman sat down on Lavi's bed. "There is something I need to make sure of. Can you hum that tune?"
"The one that Allen was humming? Of course, my memories aren't that bad." Lavi tried to hum, but was shocked when he realized that he couldn't. "Why couldn't I hum it?" He was about to slam his head against the wall. It was unimaginable that he, the heir to his gramps' legacy just forgot something.
"Don't worry about it. I couldn't hum it either." Lavi stared at gramps. It was probably not 'that' much of a problem if he forgot something, but for a full fledged Bookman... "I went over the boy's history, there weren't anything...interesting. Minus the fact that he turned his step-father into an Akuma."
"WHAT?" Lavi went to sit by Bookman.
"I won't repeat myself again, it was clear that you heard what I said." Bookman glared.
"I did, but I'm really surprised. I though he was untouched by such sad events." Lavi started at the ceiling. "What happened afterwards?"
Bookman closed his eyes; "His innocence activated for the first time and destroyed the Akuma, not before getting that cursed eye of his."
Lavi looked interested at the mention of the cursed eye, "What does it do?"
"It reveals the Akuma's soul." Bookman stood up and headed for the door, "I will be going on a mission by myself. You will be going on another one with Kanda, Lenalee, and Allen. I trust that you will keep a close eye on him." The door clicked close behind Bookman, leaving Lavi to digest all the information by himself.
***
Lenalee found Kanda who was still in a heated augment with a group of finder.
'Not again.' Lenalee mentally groaned. "Kanda!" She cried out when Kanda whipped his hand at the finder.
"Lenalee." Kanda released the finder that was squirming in his iron grip before heading towards Lenalee. "Mission?"
"Yes. Brother wants us in his office." Lenalee replied. She was still shocked from the encounter with Clown, and now sitting in the front row seat getting a blast of Kanda's anger and rage wasn't helping. It was putting a lot of unwanted pressure on her head. She sighed as another wave of pain slammed her in the head.
"Headache?" Kanda asked.
"Just a bit." Lenalee tapped her forehead, "It will go away soon." She knocked on her brother's door before going through. She saw Lavi trying to sleep on the couch, but end up getting scowled by Bookman
"Kanda, Leanlee! You guys are all here except Allen, but I will inform him later." Komui's eyes shone with a strange gleam.
"So there was a change of plans? That still doesn't explain why I have to go with Beansprout." Kanda glared at Komui.
"Beansprout?" Lavi looked amused, "Nice nickname, Yu." He chocked back laughter as a vein popped on Kanda's forehead.
"I will behead you with Mugen if you dare to call me by that name again!" Kanda unshed his sword and pointed at Lavi.
Lavi was about to reply when someone knocked on the door. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." A white haired teen stood by the doorway, unsure of whether he should be here or not.
"Ah, Allen. Glad to have you joining us. Take a seat." Komui smiled.
"Oh, was I supposed to be here? I was kind of lost looking for the cafeteria." Allen's faces turned red in embarrassment. A sudden flash of gold appeared out of nowhere smashed him in the head, "Timpanpy! I was wondering where you were!"
"Ah, I was going over the videos last night." Komui grabbed a folder from within his stack of paperwork and random folders. "Let's get down to business. I was going to send Allen and Kanda to Martel, but Bookman volunteered to go there himself. So Allen and Kanda will be going with Lavi and Lenalee."
'I'm glad I got a mission to do, but why did gramps volunteered to go somewhere else?' Lavi spoke, "Is this mission so dangerous that we need four exorcists?"
"Well, to start it's in Hamelin, a city in Germany, which isn't that bad." Komui went over the reports. " But the finder group that was stationed there noticed some Akuma sightings. It seems that the problem is getting worse."
"They will be dead by night fall."
Everyone turned to see Clown floating behind Allen, smirking. Kanda, who had never met Clown before drew his sword and was about to swing down when black claws effortlessly block the attack. Kanda jumped back in shock when he saw Clown's long pointed fingers.
"It's not very nice of you to attack people right when you meet them." Clown gigged before letting his fingers return to normal.
'How did he block my swing so easily?' Kanda's eyes narrowed, "Who are you?"
"His name is Clown, he is my innocence." Allen answered. He was worried that Clown was going to going to challenge Kanda. 'I won't be surprised at all if Clown asked Kanda to play a game with him.'
"Whatever." Kanda shed his sword
Lenalee mentally sighed when she realized that her headache wasn't going to leave her anytime soon. 'Why did Clown say that the finders will all be dead by nightfall? This matter is too serious to be joked with!'
Bookman who was standing in the shadow watched the four 'brats', five if you count Clown, in silence.
"Since we are done with the introductions, let's continue with the briefing." Komui hid his shock behind his calm mask when he saw Clown easily block an attack that was too quick for him to follow. It didn't help when Clown gigged childishly as if nothing happened. "The four of you will be leaving tonight for Hamelin, more details could be found within your mission folder. Please read them carefully, I don't want any unnecessary accidents!" Komui gave them each a good stare. He was about to send them off when Timcanpy started to flap his wings.
"What is it?" Allen asked Timcanpy who pointed at Bookman. "You want to go with him?"
Timcanpy nodded before landing on Bookman's shoulder.
"I suppose he will be coming with me." Bookman mused.
"Bookman will be leaving as soon as he is ready. You four will be leaving in...8 hours, plenty of time to go over everything. You will need to come with me to my lab, Allen." He called out.
"I can always get breakfast after this." Allen murmured as he followed Komui to another elevator.
***
After a few stops of coffee and paperwork, Allen and Komui finally entered the lab room. Allen took a seat as Komui went over to check some tubes.
"We were all wondering if your innocence is still a parasite type, just a few tests should cover that." Komui grabbed some strange machines that were piled in the corner. "Also, does your left eye work only when an Akuma is nearby or could it also activate by your will?"
"Both, though the latter is much harder and it takes a lot out of me." Allen replied. 'I don't think they should know about the evolved form, there is no way I can make up a story for that, yet.'
"Then never mind." Komui laughed wickedly as he revealed all kinds of medical devices, "Prepare yourself Allen!"
'Those machines were used to fix my left arm, why do I need them now?' Allen shrieked as the Komui brought the machines down on him.
The scientists looked up from their paperwork as they heard Allen's scream. 'So it begins, the Komui torture.'
***
Allen was still sore from Komui's so call tests. "I don't think I can take another step."
"You don't have to." Clown appeared beside him. "We are taking the elevator, to see Hevlaska."
"I know that." Allen sobbed. "I can't believe I forgot how bad Komui's treatments were. I will take a good kick from a level 4 anytime of the day."
"Yeah right." Clown gigged, "I for one do not want to be near a level 4."
"Allen Walker" Hevlaska called out. "Is something bothering your?"
"How did you know?" Allen flinched.
"It's normal for newcomer to visit, some senior member also come for a chat now and then." Hevlaska replied. "Is it about your prophecy?" She asked.
"Yeah." Allen wasn't really sure were he should start. After all, he couldn't give away anything from the future. "Does the prophecy that you make always come true?"
"Yes, they usually come true." Hevlaska whispered, "but there is still a slight chance that they don't."
"Really?" Allen never heard that before. "There are special cases?"
"Yes. If the prophecy didn't come true, then it could be one of the two reasons: A big change in your life, personality and so forth after the prophecy is made. Or outside interference." Hevlaska answered. "It's normally the latter as outside interference is very capable of changing you completely."
'I didn't really change that much after I joined the Order, or maybe I did, but outside interference seemed more likely. Though I can't think of anything or anyone that.... Oh right, there were a lot of people and things that could have changed me. One of them is right next to me.' Allen toyed with all the possibilities in his head.
"If you like, I could check your innocence again." Hevlaska noticed Allen's uncertainty.
"That will be great." Allen sighed in relief; he wasn't sure why he was so tense when it comes to prophecy. Might had to do with the fact that Earl stabbed him in the chest which should have...killed him.
Long vine like material warped around Allen's left arm, almost like a cocoon. Hevlaska frown when she sensed something strange. It wasn't until a few minutes later of searching did she realized that Allen's synchronization rate was zero!
'How? I was so sure that it was one hundred percent last night!' Hevlaska was so deep in thought that she failed to notice Clown staring at her. A strange shiver went down her back before she blacked out.
"Where am I?" Hevlaska asked as she viewed her surrounding. A castle like mansion fit for the richest noble was on her right. An extravagant garden on her left was filled with flowers, bushes and trees. They waved along with the wind that toyed with her hair. She reached up to brush her bangs out of her face when she gasped in shock.
"How?" Hevlaska looked down to see the body she had before she received her innocence. Her sandy brown hair ran pass her waist tied back by a pale yellow ribbon. She was wearing the dress that she loved dearly, the very one that she wore on that fateful day. She fell down to her knees with tears running down her cheeks. "When was the last time I cried?"
"Is it painful to see yourself human again?" A figure walked up to her. His white hair danced with the wind.
Hevlaska looked up, "Allen?"
He lifted his head revealing a silver mask. His right hand brushed her across her forehead. "For Allen's sake and yours, please forget."
"Hevlaska?" Allen called out when she froze in midway of checking his innocence.
'Why do I feel like I just forgot something?' She shivered. "The prophecy is still the same and everything else is in order, so there is nothing you need to worry about."
Allen smiled and whispered a thank you before going to the cafeteria. He was still troubled about what happened to Hevlaska. 'I thought she blacked out. First Lenalee, now Hevlaska,'
***
While the four exorcists were studying their mission folder, Reever and the other scientists were going over their mountain sized paper stacks that were left by their desk.
'We won't be able to sleep tonight.' He sighed warily before going through his stack. A folder, probably Komui's, caught his eyes. 'I wonder why it's here.' He went through the folder.
Name: Allen Walker
Age: 15 years old (not exact)
Height: 168 cm
Hair colour: White
Eye colour: Gray
Blood type: O
Little is known about his past except for what I had found from Timcanpy's video. His stepfather Mana is shrouded in mystery. Allen Walker himself could be said as an enigma. There seemed to be numerous scars on his body. He said they were from accidents, but I believe that was not entirely true. There was a small hole on his heart that was covered by a piece of innocence... He should have died.
Note: There seemed to be a lock on certain videos that we couldn't access. I believe General Cross created these locks, reason unknown.
Innocence: Parasite type
I did some test on Allen myself today. The tattoos seemed to be going in a pattern, which was proven after doing some scans. The black ink like substance (unknown material) coated the arteries of his left arm, which eventually led to his heart. Clown himself could be considered as an enigma as well. It was impossible to get any data on him, every test result turned up as unknown or error.
I classified Clown as a Parasite type. I will add more information as soon as the other test results come through.
Cursed eye:
It seemed that this eye was given the ability to see the soul of Akuma. It was the work of Allen's stepfather. It did raise some questions about his stepfather's origin. Perhaps the ability to curse came from black matter since his stepfather could be said as an Akuma at that time. Allen claimed that he could use the eye at will, though it would drain him both mentally and physically. This statement has not been proven yet!
Misson log:
none
Reever shut the folder and placed it on his desk. 'I got to give this back to Komui.' He quickly went back to work even though his mind was still going over the folder.
***
Allen watched the starry sky as the train rushed pass cities and villages. 'We wouldn't get there until morning. I wonder how's Bookman doing. I hope the Akuma won't have that annoying ability like last time.' He sighed.
"Nervous Allen?" Lenalee who was sitting across from him asked.
"A bit. Though I wish the train could go faster." Allen replied.
"I rather get a bed." Lavi groaned as he banged his head against his seat again.
"Che." Kanda mumbled something about idiot and beansprout under his breath.
"Lavi, did the reports remind you of anything?" Lenalee took out her mission folder.
"Something wrong?" Lavi rubbed his head. He winced when he felt a bump.
"It reminded me of this story I heard from somewhere with all the disappearance of children, music playing at night and sightings of rats." Kanda answered.
"That one!" Lenalee blushed when she realized that she had yelled out.
"Which one?" Allen looked confused like always.
"The report sounds almost like this legend that was told to children." Lenalee spoke. "Why don't you explain to Allen, Kanda?"
'Wasting my time.' A vein popped on Kanda's forehead, "Fine! It goes something like this. I will not repeat myself."
"There was this unnamed city that attracted a lot of tourists with its arts and music. The people who lived there were very proud, they bragged about their culture and celebrations. Some believed they angered God with their attitude for a huge disaster soon struck the city."
"That doesn't sound like a story that kids should hear." Allen shivered. He thought the story would be more cheerful, but then again, it was supposed to have some similarities with their mission.
"Shut up and let me continue!" Kanda growled.
"I'm sorry!"
"Hundreds or maybe even thousands of rats infested the city. They ate the crops, clawed at the tapestry, bit through the wooden polls. Basically they were destroying the city along with its 'glory'." Kanda paused as if he was deep in thought, "The nobles called a meeting regarding the issues with the rats. Some wanted to send the cats, while others wanted to use poison, the rest wanted to use fire to drive the rats out. Their plans were horrible failures." Kanda frowned in disgust.
"The version I heard weren't like this." Lenalee looked paled. "Oops. Sorry Kanda." She realized that she was interrupting.
Kanda just shook his head, "The cats were the ones that ended up eating the poison and the fire burned their dead corps. None of the rats were harmed. When the town people were on the verge of despair, a lone traveler appeared bringing hope along with him."
"I'm glad there is some hope for the town." Allen sighed in relief, oblivious to the murderous intent coming from Kanda.
"He told the town that if he got rid of the rats, they would pay him for every rat he killed. The town agreed. The traveler drew out a pipe and played a smoothing melody that seemed to drive the rats mad. They squeaked in pain as they ran blindly towards the river. They dived in and drowned themselves."
"That's a horrible way to die." Allen commented.
Kanda pretended that he didn't hear Allen and continued with the story. "The traveler told the town to pay him, but they refused. They stated that there weren't any rats, so there weren't any reason to pay. The traveler was furious and told them that they would pay, at a higher price." Kanda stiffened when he realized everyone, as in every person on the train was listening to him. 'How did Lenalee talked me into this?'
"The traveler appeared at the very edge of the town under the moon and played a joyful tune. He played and played until he was exhausted, but it paid off in the end. All the children in the town came to him. They left the city following his footsteps, never to be found." Kanda sigh in relief as he finished the story.
Lavi chuckled at Kanda's tense figure. "You know Yu, you should pursued a career of storytelling."
It took both Allen and Lenalee to hold Kanda back as he was about to behead Lavi on the spot.
"Let me kill you!"
***
Using the darkness to their advantage, the finders hid behind a stonewall
"The phone won't connect!" One of the finders cursed
"We have to warn the Headquarter!" Another was trying to catch her breath.
"Quiet! He's-"
Suddenly screams of agony filled the night as a strange creature ripped a finder in half. Blood rained down rendered their pale yellow cloak to a dark crimson red. The air reeked with the smell of rust and salt.
"Jason!" The female finder cried out when she realized that her friend was killed.
"Cherry, get out of here!" the finder beside her pushed her away.
"I found you!!!" The strange creature howled in laughter as he cut through another finder. His crimson eyes burned with madness as he surveyed his work. The scent of fear and the sound of frantic heartbeats caught his attention. His eyes narrowed into slits when he saw the female finder trying to escape. He jumped behind her when she reached a dead end.
"You are ruining my fun, little girl! Time for you to join your friends!" He swiped his claw at the finder as she turned around. Her mouth formed a silent scream as she collapsed in her own blood. Thousands of ruby eyes watched from the shadow, hungry for blood and flesh. He chuckled at their excitement, for he too could not resist the call of fresh kill. But it was too early to celebrate for there will soon be stronger preys trapped within their grasp.
"Don't keep me waiting, Exorcists!"
squeak....squeak...squeak, squeak.
The story told by Kanda was a modified version of ((Pied Piper of Hamelin)). The idea of using this legend was inspired by ((Keys to the Kingdom)) which had its own version of Piper, his children and rats that sail on boats. I wasn't sure if adding a completely different mission at such early stage was a good idea. Nevertheless, I hope you guys will be able to continue enjoying the story. : )
This chapter is the last foundation that needed to be laid, so I can move on with the actions and things like that. Let's see how well Allen will do with this mission as he has no idea what's going to happen.
Happy early/right on time/late Easter everyone!!!