Requiem of Time: Chapter One - Allen


Defeating the Akuma had been the easy part for Allen, explaining to officer Moore that her brother was now missing because he was already dead and what she had known in recent days was actually an Akuma wearing his skin was not so easy. Allen sighed, shuffled a deck of cards in his hands as his head thumped against the window of his booth on the train. He was forced to forgo his familiarity with her in favor of the standard explanation.

If not a friend, Moore had at least been a comrade or reliable ally during the years he had fought against the Earl. As selfless as any Finder, she helped fight and provided support as he and the other Exorcists fought, even going so far as to save Miranda back when she was first looking for Headquarters among other things.

Now he knew she was no more reliable than any other person he had saved and explained the Akuma to, and that was quite unfortunate in his opinion. He continued his shuffling.

Oi Fourteenth, are you still there? Allen called out in his mind. When his thoughts remained his alone, Allen smiled.

The battle for his sanity had been as trying as the battle for his life with the curse. Speaking of, his smile widened as he rubbed the crimson outline of the pentagram above his left eye. His white hair was a sign that he would die young; it marked him near the end of his years just as it did an old man. While the process should have been relevantly slow - he would have guessed half a normal life but wouldn't have been sure - the curse had spread more and more as his contact with the Akuma and it taking damage increased throughout the years. From Rhode stabbing it and becoming a gear to its later forms, the curse had spread to the point where Allen had been on his last leg. That wasn't even mentioning how little lifeforce he had left from his parasitic Innocence.

That had been the only reason he accepted that last mission to eliminate the Millennium Earl, for all the Dark Order's threats. He estimated a month or two before he keeled over, the Fourteenth Noah estimated three, so a mission to end the war with such a high risk wasn't too much of a difficulty. He only wished that the others hadn't had to go with him, even though he knew he wouldn't have stood a chance otherwise.

Shuffling with one hand, Allen thumbed his unnatural tattoo one last time before using both hands to shuffle. The feel of cards was comforting. The feel of them with his parasitic hand was a blessing. He never could cheat as well with Crown Clown's completed form.

The train made a temporary stop and a pretty woman sat across from him, but Allen paid her no mind. It only reminded him of his wife. Just the thought brought a twinge in his heartstrings. This blessing of prolonged life only went as far as leaving his Rhode behind. She was still alive, certainly, but also without memory of him.

Their relationship had been a strange one to be sure, with Tyki's mutterings about how nothing could come between an Exorcist and a Noah and other difficulties. Only the truth about the Fourteenth had stemmed that and the war enough for them to get married. Also, both he and Rhode had been unwilling to turn sides for the other yet refused to attack each other. On top of Allen's threats for her to not harm his friends and Rhode's to leave her family untouched, both had threatened their own sides not to harm their significant other. Lavi's 'fight' against Rhode just before that Level Two appeared had been nothing more than swinging hammers and flying candles. Not to mention Rhode's adoptive family in addition to her Noah relatives… Allen shuddered.

He had forgotten how or why he had fallen for the girl (his elder by many years), but his previous anger for her had been effectively masked by love over the years. It must have been the inescapable hugs and kisses that she insisted on every time they met. Returning them had only been the next step, after of course weeks of tormented nights of Rhode-filled dreams and the burning memory of her warmth when pressed against him and the sweet taste of candy on her lips and… Allen very nearly faltered in his aerodynamic shuffling.

"You are very good at that," a voice said suddenly, startling him out of his thoughts. He quickly snatched a card that missed out of the air and piled them all on his hand.

Blushing at his thoughts, he turned his attention towards the speaker. It was the woman who had sat across from. Her large blue eyes shifted from the stilled cards to his eyes as she smiled. A neat hat, matching the dark grey of her dress, topped her brown locks. She was indeed pretty, but with Rhode still lingering in his thoughts she could have been plain as a board.

"With the cards, I mean," she continued, still smiling.

"Oh, uh… Thank you. I have had a lot of practice over the years because of my master," Allen answered as he casually started shuffling again.

The girl's eyes were drawn to the cards again, but she cocked her head. "Your master?"

Allen grimaced. He knew where this conversation was headed. Five minutes of his life story of his earlier years and that girl would be pawing him for more information on this wonderful Marshal Cross. For some reason girls could never see reason when it came to his master, even years after he disappeared. Even Lulubell had shown a hint of interest, for all her cold indifference.

"Yes, I studied under him for a while," Allen said quickly. "Here, pick a card." He held fanned them out for an old 'magic' trick in hopes of sidetracking her. It worked. "Now, I want you to…"

As he went over trick, Allen let his mind wonder. After the events with officer Moore, he had no idea where he wanted to go exactly. He could go to the Headquarters, like he was supposed to, where he knew Lenalee would be waiting if not Lavi as well. He also knew that Crowley would currently be at his castle, most likely spending quality time with Eliade - Allen felt the vampire deserved that bit of happiness. Miranda, Allen couldn't help but smirk, would have to be trapped at that rewinding town again, near the beginning this time. Perhaps near the third or fourth repeated day. Allen also knew he could attempt to follow Cross with Timcampy, head to Japan with him and do something good there without endangering those who had gone with him last time.

As it was, however, Allen knew he was already on the train heading for Headquarters and that it was his next stop. At least the Director and High Marshals wouldn't be breathing down his next for some time - never if he could help it.

Allen slipped a card from the deck and smirked, glancing at it as he prepared to show her her original card. His breath caught in his throat when he saw it, however. It just had to be that one. His grin was only a little forced as he flipped it over, the ace of spades, and asked, "Is this your card?"

The girl gasped and nodded, gushing over the trick and asking for a repeat. He would have called her smile a grin if she wasn't so elegant in bearing. Things were so different before the Exorcist coat.

Allen had time for only two more tricks before the train stopped and he was headed towards the Dark Order's Headquarters. Reaching the base of the immense cliff, he decided to do things the old fashioned way. Grabbing a protruding rock, Allen began his climb.

He was breathing hard as he reached the top, sweat seeping through his white shirt as he straightened his tie. He needed to get his body back into shape. 300 pushups with his human hand was nothing compared to the 2,000 he was doing daily not one day ago, in his real time. With a final sigh, he grabbed his briefcase and faced the gates of the Headquarters.

"Excuse me?" he called out. "Is anybody here?" There, that certainly made him appear clueless. "I am Allen Walker. I was sent here by Cross Marion to be an Exorcist."

As the giant face began scanning him, Allen had a sinking suspicion that he was forgetting something…

"GET THIS GUY OUTTA HERE!" The head suddenly shouted, pulling back and crying as it yelled. "THIS GUY IS A BUG! THE PENTACLE ON HIS HEAD IS CURSED! OUT! OUT!"

Allen's eyes widened as he waved his arms. "No, I'm an-"

"The pentacle is the mark of an Akuma. This guy is actually… A FRIEND OF THE MILLENNIUM EARL!"

Allen face-palmed, groaning loudly at that. By the time he moved his hand, he could already see Kanda descending with his damned Mugen. Allen sidestepped just in time, sending a dry look towards the Japanese Exorcist as the concrete shattered.

"You have a lot of nerve," the more official Exorcist growled, "coming here alone."

"Would it help if I said that I am actually just a cursed human and not an Akuma?" Allen asked mildly as Kanda prepared his sword again. The swordsman had come far fast from what Allen remembered. He was far from weak or sloppy now, but he was a far cry from what he would be in six months let alone the years before his death. "My name is Allen Walker, and I'm here to be an Exorcist."

Kanda's eyes widened, but he didn't lower his sword. "Gate Keeper!"

The Gate Keeper's sobbing face winced under Kanda's glare. "B-but I couldn't determine his insides! How can we know for sure he's not an Akuma?"

Inside the headquarters, Komui calmly watched this as he took a sip from his coffee.

"Hmph. Whatever. If I check your insides we will know for sure," Kanda threatened as he prepared himself. "Innocence… Activate! Mugen!" The katana became surrounded by the white light of his Innocence.

Allen smirked, his deformed arm turning into its white claw in a flash of green light. Let's see how Yu Kanda does against Marshal Allen Walker. My synchronization level is well beyond what his will ever reach.

Crown Clown or not, Allen and his Innocence were beyond perfect harmony, exceeding one hundred percent synchronization and taking the rank Marshal. Even in its old form, the two were one.

The two tensed, and Allen's smirk became a wild grin. Clenching his claw, Allen started one of his old abilities, "Cross…" A cross of pure white light began to appear before his opponent.

Kanda saw that and responded. "First Illusion…" He swung his sword back, his Innocence summoning the swarm he was about to unleash.

"Gra-" Allen stopped short as a pair of boots suddenly crushed Kanda into the ground. What had really stopped him, however, was who was in those boots.

Lenalee turned with a smile, her beautiful green hair done in its ponytails again. It had taken years to grow that long again after the Japan fiasco, and she had lost it again a few months before the final push that led Allen back into the past. Now she had it back. Again.

Still standing on Kanda's head, she smiled and bowed, "I'm sorry about that, Allen. It seemed my brother had forgotten about the letter of recommendation. My name is Lenalee Lee. I'll show you the way inside."

Allen opened his mouth to say something, but Lenalee went on before he could. Stepping off of Kanda finally, she bent over to face the downed Exorcist. Although married - previously married - Allen couldn't help but curse Lenalee's uniform. He swore she wore it like that on purpose. "And you better learn to control yourself. In case you didn't notice, that's a parasitic-type Innocence in his left arm. If you would take the time to stop swinging your sword and talk, he could have explained." She finished with a rap to his head with her clipboard.

Turning another smile on the surprised Allen, she gestured towards the open gates. "If you would follow me, I'll show you the way."

"Er, right," Allen assented awkwardly. The gate closed behind him with a loud bang.

Outside, Kanda growled as he finally removed his face from the ground. "Stupid woman…"

Allen hadn't even thought of the possibility that Lenalee and the others wouldn't have been sent to the past with him. There were five orbs after all, and there were five Exorcists. However, as Lenalee cheerfully showed him from room to room, Allen grew more and more doubtful that she was actually the Lenalee he knew.

Finally, the tour ended at the supervisor's office. The Chinese man held his old blue cup of coffee with a pink bunny on it as he waved cheerfully. "Hello, how are you today? I am Komui Lee, the scientific group supervisor…"

After a short trip to the medic office where Allen heatedly denied injury in his arm, they took the elevator down.

"I am impressed by your knowledge of what an Exorcist is, but I guess that's to be expected from one who trained under Marshal Cross for three years," Komui said pleasantly as he, Allen, and Lenalee plummeted down into darkness.

When the lift finally stopped, the only thing lit besides it were five men sitting in thrones. Komui gestured towards them. "These are people of our boss, the commander-in-chief." Taking a sly glance towards Allen, he said, "Now show them your value."

The feel of ethereal arms wrapping around him was expected and welcome. It took more than Hevlaska to scare Allen Walker. Only things like… Rhode during his honeymoon, or… Rhode when he gave her flowers instead of candy, or… Rhode on her period. Hmm, a lot of my fears seem to involve Rhode.

"How is he, Hevlaska?" Komui called out from below. "Does he satisfy your needs as an Apostle of God?"

The tendrils reached out and latched onto his anti-Akuma weapon. The ancient Exorcist brought her morphed head towards Allen, and he smiled warmly at her. Her lips quirked into a returning smile. "He shows no fear for his first time. Allen Walker, I will now check your synchronization rate…"

There was a pause as Allen felt her reaching inside him. It was as uncomfortable as any other time, but he forced himself to remain calm. It was then he realized that this might actually be a bad idea. Well, the cat would have to be let out of the bag sooner or later. "Two percent… Twenty-five percent… Forty-three percent…. Sixty percent… Seventy-five percent… What? It is still- Eighty-eight percent… One hundred percent! 115 percent! 127 percent! 138 percent! 148 percent! 155 percent! 162 percent!" (1)

The High Marshals were standing now, gaping openly at the boy Hevlaska was holding. Komui's hands had gone slack, and his coffee cup clattered to the platform, spilling. Lenalee only stared, not betraying a single emotion.

"He has appeared! One who has surpassed the 'Critical Point!' The Exorcist who will become a new Marshal has appeared!" Hevlaska intoned.

A silence fell between them all. Feeling awkward, Allen scratched the back of his head and let out a nervous chuckle. "So does that mean you'll let me down now?"

"Impossible!" one of the High Marshals shouted.

"He is too young!" another agreed.

A third made his point. "Even Cross Marian was twenty years old when he… This can't be!"

The fifth in the row had returned to his seat, and he was smiling with his hands folded before him. "Allen Walker, is it? You have indeed showed us your value. Let me be the first to welcome you into our ranks… Marshal Walker."

Shifting in Hevlaska's reverent grip, Allen gave them a nervous grin, "Um, thank you, High Marshal."

Lenalee picked up the dropped cup and inspected it for cracks before handing it back to Komui. "Brother, shouldn't you be welcoming him?"

Komui's shell-shocked face only moved enough to see her. Her bright smile seemed to return him to his senses, and he slowly took the cup from her offering hands. At last, he closed his mouth to form a smile. With a nod towards Lenalee, he looked back up towards the newly proclaimed Marshal.

"Welcome to the Dark Order, Marshal Walker!" he called out to Allen. Lenalee followed suit.

Finally, Hevlaska smiled at the boy in her arms and whispered, "Welcome to the Dark Order, Marshal Walker… the one who created the Time Destroyer."

Allen fixed a sharp look on her, finally stopping his squirming as she moved to set him down. Created? Past tense? Surely she didn't mean… That was the Level Two! He was no where near the thing when it leveled up. As his feet hit the ground, he tried to ask her what she meant, but he was swept into congratulations from the Lee siblings before being given the honorary ceremony by the High Marshals. Before he could gather his bearings, they were already out of the pit and spreading the news.

Allen merely stumbled into his room, thoughts whirling, and collapsed on his bed. He was hungry, but he resisted the urge as he tried to make sense of this crazy day. The prophecy that had been looming over him and his Innocence all this time was just some Level Two sending him to the past? That hardly seemed as ominous as it had been made to be.

Sighing, Allen began to undo his tie. While it was true he should have been a Marshal at fifteen, he was never actually promoted until he was twenty-one, when Link was finally released from being his tagalong. Once Allen's shirt was off, he rolled to his side. He was surprised to see the black robes with gold gilding instead of silverwork already waiting for him. They certainly worked fast.

He knew he could request proper quarters for one of his rank, in fact they would probably send him there the next day, but for now Allen just wanted some peace. The news of a fifteen year old Marshal was going to spread fast, with everyone treating him differently and more than a few people enraged. Kanda came to mind.

Closing his eyes, Allen winced at the feel of his arms sprawled to either side. He didn't like sleeping alone. He was already sitting up and about to look for someone, Cloud Nine or Lenalee, when he realized what he was doing. Those two wouldn't even know him beyond 'newest Exorcist and youngest Marshal,' not to mention that cats cradle he had walked into when it came to sparking Cloud Nine's interest. With a sigh, he laid down again and braced himself for a long night.

When sleep came, it wasn't the pleasant world of dreams Rhode took him to. It was the hell of nightmares.


(1) Allen reached a MINIMUM of 110 when he was fighting Tyki. Years after the fact he is sure to surpass that, seeing as the minimum is an increase of 30 percent (from 83 to 110) in less than one year (mentioned to be 15 years old before Hevlaska first scans 83; Komui mentions he's 15 when Allen reaches 110 (or more)).


AN: Man, I had forgotten how nice it was to write quick and fast. Sorry for those who are expecting an epic. The chapters are going to be roughly this small, with each told from someone else's prospective (sometimes overlapping). However, don't expect chapters coming out fast like this in the future. This, my secondary story, is just something to do while I'm stuck in my primary story and want to write. Good news is I finally found something worth forming a plot around.