Requiem of Time: Chapter Three - Allen
Waking up alone wasn't nearly as bad as going to sleep. Rhode or whoever was usually gone before he woke, so for the moment Allen contented himself with the silence of the room. Much needed silence.
He remembered clearly his current predicament - sent to the past, just became an Exorcist, just promoted to Marshal - and that troubled him as much as what he had left behind - his wife, his friends, and Crown Clown. Other miscellaneous thoughts snuck in as well, from Marshal Cross still being around to what was sure to be a welcoming party in the cafeteria waiting for him. His stomach emphasized that last one with a rumble.
Without reaching any solutions, Allen peeled off his damp bed sheets and stumbled into a shower. His old Innocence drew his attention for the most part, the deformed flesh capable of turning into a massive claw. There were times he had missed it, such as playing poker, but right now he wished he had the Crowned Clown. He shuddered at the thought of what it would take to get that other form back: a hole in the heart and his Innocence ground to dust.
While in the shower, Allen experimentally tried to draw his sword. To his surprise and joy, he pulled the weapon right out of his arm, leaving the seal on his shoulder. It made sense, he thought as he sheathed it, as the sword had actually been formed as a result of him exceeding the Critical Point. That fact hadn't changed, and neither had his Innocence, even if its form did. This was still Crown Clown, just not in its completed state.
Before Allen finished his shower, he tried one more thing. Closing his eyes, he focused on his Innocence.
His master used Maria, another being, as Innocence - corpse or not. Cloud Nine's Lau Shimin was a sentient creature, yet it was her Innocence. Froi Tiedoll had learned to create giant monsters with his Maker of Eden. Each of those Marshals had learned to give a separate form for their Innocence to control, and since they were at over 100% synchronization, that separate form followed their every command and thought.
Allen had learned as well, although not with this old version of his Innocence. The claw was activated, but although Allen tried he could not give it the form he used to. The Crowned Clown, the armor that protected him on whim, used to fight by his side as he wielded the Sword of Salvation. Although he still had his sword, Crowned Clown was no where to be found. With a growl of frustration, he deactivated his Innocence and turned off the shower.
Dressing in the Marshal's uniform came naturally, black cloth lined with gold. After clasping the gold buckle, Allen slipped on his coat yet didn't zip it up - a habit Rhode had forced on him that he no longer noticed. However, with his younger body the exposed chest muscles were not as impressive as it had been before that Level Two sent him to past. Slipping his deck of cards up his sleeve, Allen finally emerged from his room, Timcampy on his shoulder.
As Allen expected, Lenalee was waiting somewhere near his room and was quick to keep him away from the cafeteria. It appeared the welcoming party wasn't finished yet… Again.
Lenalee smiled sweetly, holding the tray of coffee she often gave to the Science Department and her brother. "In fact, my brother wishes to meet with you down in Hevlaska's pit. You can eat after that. I'll come with you." Allen stared at her - Lenalee, one of his closest friends and not a spark of recognition - before nodding once.
Soon, the two were on the elevator and descending quickly. Lenalee was quieter than Allen remembered, but he supposed it made sense since she only saw the Marshal, not Allen himself. He had expected that. And was saddened.
Upon reaching the bottom, Lenalee made her delivery and was gone just as fast, most likely moving to help with the welcoming party. Komui smiled at Allen, and the new Marshal saw Hevlaska in all her ethereal glory rise from behind him.
After taking a nice long sip, Komui started the speech Allen had heard before, "Marshal Walker, your duty is to find and train those compatible with Innocence." With a gesture, Hevlaska withdrew five glowing pieces of Innocence and held them motherly in her tentacles for Allen to see clearly. "As you are new, you shall start with only five pieces and we will move from there as you successfully bring in more Exorcists.
"If the Innocence forms itself as a parasitic-type, the new Exorcist is expected to have full control over it by the time he or she reaches the Headquarters. If it is an equipment-type, you are to bring them here immediately so that they may have an anti-Akuma weapon formed of it. You have the choice of training those equipment-types yourself or leaving them here for training."
Taking another sip of his coffee, Komui pushed up his glasses and smiled. "As you may or may not already know, the Innocence will react on its own when it comes near a compatible host, so you need not worry about testing each and every person you come by. Also, it goes without saying that you are to destroy any Akuma you come across in your journey for more Exorcists.
"And unlike your master," Komui sighed, "you are to report to us at least once a month with an update of your location and activities. You will often be sent on special missions during your search, as is expected of one of your power. The first of which, in fact, has already been commissioned by the High Marshals." He held up a slender file.
Allen accepted the mission file curiously. Considering his age and 'inexperience,' he wondered what kind of assignment they would give him for his first. Opening it, all it took was the clipped picture to send him into a twitching fit. "Supervisor Komui, I would much rather not accept this mission."
Komui was blissfully unaware of Allen's reluctance. "Nonsense. As you were his student, it should be simple for you to find your former master, Marshal Cross."
Allen twitched again at the name. Despair was slowly seeping its way into his soul, only fought back by the slight hope that he was strong enough to resist the man who had turned his childhood into such a hell. "Wouldn't it be much more resourceful to send a regular Exorcist - say… Kanda, for example - instead of a Marshal?"
Komui shook his head. "Due to the elusiveness of Marshal Cross, it will take an unknown amount of time. As you should be out anyways in search of Innocence candidates, you are the best opinion."
Allen twitched again, and with all his mental strength and pride he fought back the despairing wail that threatened to escape. It appeared he had no choice. Perhaps he could delay on sending out Timcampy to find Cross for a week or twenty. Then again, Allen reasoned reluctantly, he still needed to speak with Cross over what exactly had gone on between him and the Fourteenth. Even after speaking with the Fourteenth Noah himself, there were still holes in what had happened that Allen intended to find out.
It was because of these thoughts, after he had collected the Innocence and left Komui, that he had forgotten about what awaited him in the cafeteria. Opening the doors for a quick snack for the road, Allen was suddenly bombarded by a loud cheer, jarring him from his thoughts and causing him to look up.
Most of the Science Department, Finders, and current Exorcists (read: Lenalee) stood facing him, all under a giant banner that read "Welcome Home, Marshal Walker." All were holding cups, and Lenalee led a quick welcoming recital. After another cheer, Allen found himself pulled into the crowd and attacked with the names of everyone he already knew.
Yet for all the thoughts on Cross and the inability to even sit down at a table without someone coming up and introducing themselves, Allen found himself smiling. The banner said it best. He was Home. At least, this Headquarters with Komui as its leader was his Home, where he could truly relax and find enjoyment with his friends.
After awing everyone with a parasitic's apatite at Marshal proportions, Allen was swept again in a tide of partings and well wishes before he finally managed to break through and made his way to the canal. There, he found a Finder waiting for him.
"Good morning," Allen greeted pleasantly upon sitting down, falling into shuffling his cards again. He was disappointed to find that Toma wasn't his accompanying Finder; Toma had liked cards too, not that he ever won against Allen. "My name is Allen Walker."
The man blinked in surprise as he rowed them out. "Oh, uh, good morning, Marshal Walker. I'm Kevin." Allen didn't know him. At least, none of the Kevin's he knew had been Finders; he must have died in the war to eliminate Marshal Tiedoll. Passively, Allen made a note to himself to be in Barcelona Spain the moment after he rescued Marshal Yeegar.
The two were silent after that, Allen lost in his thoughts and Kevin respectfully refraining from bothering the Marshal. They docked at the mouth of the cave and trekked on foot the rest of the way to the harbor, where a ship waited to take Allen wherever he wished. Kevin merely stood off to side, giving Allen space.
The white haired Exorcist smiled at the captain. "I would appreciate it if you took me to Germany." With a nod, the captain turned and began shouting orders at his crew. Kevin moved their bags inside. Miranda first, then to Transylvania for Crowley. Perhaps I'll head Master off there in time. Allen shuddered.
Soon, the ship cast off and they were headed north across open seas. Allen leaned against the railing, watching the sloshing waves without really seeing them. His thoughts had retreated back to what he had left behind. Both hands clenched the metal pole fiercely.
"Allen!" a lithe body slammed into his own, and a soft pair of lips covered his before he could reply. Why did Rhode always greet him this way? They were enemies!
Flash!
This time, Allen had enough of her games. He hadn't gone a single night without dreaming of her in weeks, and everything about her burned into his memory. This time he would put his foot down. No more would he allow Rhode Camelot to be so familiar with him. No More!
That's why he was more than a little surprised when, instead of pushing her away when she latched onto him, he pulled her tighter to him and for the first time kissed her back.
Flash!
"I promised - I - would - try to - kill you," Rhode muttered between kisses as she and Allen rolled across the floor.
In their current position, Allen was straddling Rhode's smaller body, his sword parrying two sharpened candles that Rhode held above her head, rendering her arms useless. Despite what they were doing, despite the forbidden relationship between them, Allen knew that if he relaxed in the slightest Rhode truly would kill him with those candles. One of them had even tasted blood already, its tip smeared with crimson - although there was a clean part where Rhode had tasted it as well.
Using her ability, Rhode charmed the candles into continuing their struggles against Allen's sword. With her hands now freed, she pulled off the red tie around her neck. Allen watched, only partly concentrating on the candles as Rhode began unbuttoning her blouse. The next to go was his coat, and he was helpless to stop her with his one arm occupied.
With a growl of frustration, Allen used Crown Clown to wrap around and bind the candles before sheathing his sword back into his arm. His following kiss was primal, causing Rhode to smirk - delighted. Let it be said, with the candles twisting furiously in their confinement, that Rhode had kept her promise that night.
Flash!
"Do you, Allen Walker, take this woman, Rhode Camelot, to be your lawfully wedded…"
Flash!
Snuggled against his chest, Rhode's smile twisted into the frighteningly demented grin she had at times. "So Allen-kun…" she breathed out hauntingly, "do you want to see my true form?"
With a kiss to her stigmata riddled forehead, Allen nodded once. He understood what it meant to see her true form, and he loved her all the more for trusting him with it.
Flash!
"Touch my husband one more time, Wisely, and it will be last thing you do this generation," Rhode threatened with a deathly calm. Her point was emphasized when hundreds of candles appeared, all pointed at her fellow Noah.
Flash!
"Lavi," Allen started with his usual smile, "if Rhode so much as stubs her toe in the next five minutes…" A shadow fell across Allen's face, and Lavi would swear afterwards that Allen's skin turned the grey of a Noah. "I will kill you myself." It didn't help that he was still smiling.
Lavi get a nervous laugh and took a step back, sweat trickling down his back. "H-heh, no worry's here!" Sometimes you scare the hell out of me, Allen, Lavi thought dryly.
Flash!
Rhode, her skin the fleshy color of a normal human, flashed a dazzling smile Allen's way. "Allen-kun, meet my father. Father, this is-"
"Papa Antenna, Activate!"
For all that Cross had done to Allen when he was a child, nothing prepared him for Sheryl "Desires" Camelot, the Fourth Noah.
Allen was smiling by the end of the chain of memories, yet he was close to tears as well. Rhode was still here, but she wasn't his Rhode anymore. For all he knew, she could never be the Rhode he knew, even if he did manage to catch her attention again this time around. All he could do was follow his promise to Mana - and keep walking forward.
With a weary sigh, Allen retreated below deck, to where Kevin had said would be Allen's private room. Removing his coat was a simple manner of just shrugging it off his shoulders, and soon Allen started a new batch of one handed pushups, this time with the added obstacle of a rocking ship instead of teetering chair.
Night came fast, but Allen refused to even look at his bed. The previous night's nightmares had been too much, and for now Allen simply wished to avoid them altogether until he found someone willing to sleep with him. Suddenly, Allen let out a chuckle with no mirth. I sound like Master, even if it is an entirely different kind of sleep.
Lighting a candle when it became too dark outside to see well - the act tugging his heart painfully - Allen settled himself into a chair that was fastened to the floor and drummed his fingers against the equally strapped-down table. He was bored, but he refused to go to bed. Cards were ruled out as they would have slid back and forth across the table with the waves, and Allen didn't see an instrument of any kind that would allow him to play one of the Fourteen's melodies.
Allen leaned back but grunted when he was reminded that the chair was fixed to the floor. Drumming his fingers for another ten minutes, Allen decided on another batch of pushups. This was going to be a long night, but at least it was better than its alternative.
With a final sigh, Allen balanced himself into the air with one hand before bouncing down and up. "One… Two… Three…"
AN: Alright, folks. The plot is beginning to look sound in rough outlines. You won't actually see it until two chapters from now, but still, it's on its way. And for any of you know know me, I could actually have written chapters 1-5 (more like 1-20 at this rate) in one chapter, but that's not the purpose of this story. Quick, easy updates are the theme here, so if you are expecting quantity/quality, I got some bad news for you. Still, I'm putting some effort in here and hope you DGM fans are satisfied. It gives some peeps a break from that... that... Yuullen. Well, meet Rhobellen. That's right, power to the Rhobellen.
