Requiem of Time: Chapter Seventeen - Cross & Allen
Cross took a long drag of his cigarette, the white smoke blowing behind him from the wind.
He stood at the bow of the ship, the very image of calm as the boat rocked up and down with the crashing of the waves. Behind him was the crew, kept small and simple as to reduce the cost of lives if all went wrong, yet enough to keep the ship moving at maximum capacity. Also behind the Marshal was a large coffin, the wood lacquered deep black and decorated with a pure gold cross across the face. Surrounding that coffin was a long, intricate coil of chains. The crew tried to stay away from that.
As the ship crested another wave, Cross drew Judgment, his legs naturally bracing against the heavy movement. There would be a Level Two along the way, a gigantic one in the shape of a gun-heavy sea monster. He was leaving weeks earlier than the first time, but he knew the Akuma to be a guard of these waters. It should be along at any moment.
"Let's do this, Judgment," Cross comment to his gun, and it was warm in his hands. The Akuma had attacked the boat when he was sleeping last time, and he had gotten wet and salty and his clothes waterlogged… His grip on Judgment tightened as his anger increased.
When the sun began to set, he saw the first disturbance in the water. Before the Akuma even rose to make its appearance, Cross was already firing. Bullet after bullet rained down into the water, and after a few moments there was a large explosion, causing a bit of water to spray. Cross was pleased none of that got on him.
The crew glanced at him, then each other, and then shrugged before going back to work.
Cross re-holstered Judgment, a grin on his face.
"Amen."
****
Rhode looked up from her homework suddenly when the door opened. It wasn't Tyki, so she sighed and looked back down to her arithmetic's book. Then, she paused and looked back up again. Lulubell was… smiling. For the last two days she had been crying every time Rhode saw her, and now she was smiling.
Rhode knew the reason behind her Noah sister's earlier tears - she had failed in killing Allen (Rhode smiled) when Millennie had asked her to. Yet, even if Lulubell had come up with another plan - and Rhode would be the first to admit she could come up with amazing plans - the woman never smiled about it, even if it was a success. She only smiled when… Millennie praised her.
And Duke Millennium would only praise her if she succeeded, if she succeeded in killing Allen Walker.
"How was it?" Rhode asked as Lulubell moved from one end of the room to the other.
The black haired woman paused, smile still on her face as she faced Rhode. "He gave himself willingly. I destroyed his Innocence before stabbing his heart." Lulubell was showing emotions; that was never good. The Noah of Form's smile then turned into a frown. "He winked at me before he died, and he was smiling. He was a strange man, but it no longer matters now."
"Aw, I wish I could have been there," Rhode mumbled as Lulubell turned and finally left the dining room. Rhode's homework was forgotten yet again as her thoughts turned inward.
Allen Walker, her Allen Walker, was dead. But… the memories were still there. Those fragments of images and sounds and experiences involving her and Allen were still there. For some reason, she had thought him almost invincible, contributing all those thoughts to his image. Eh, they must have been a passing fancy. And here she was thinking she loved him.
"Humans are too fragile," Rhode sighed out, returning to her homework.
"Who are?" a voice asked from the side. Rhode head snapped up, smiling, at the sound of Tyki's voice coming from the door. He smiled back. "Yo, Rhode."
"Tyki! I-" She trailed off, suddenly. "Oi, what are you doing walking around in that?"
Tyki frowned, looking down at his very immodest white garb. It was a trench coat, one sleeve removed to reveal a gray arm, and it only went up about halfway up his chest, forming almost a spade image with the contrast of skin and coat. His pants were black. "What? I don't complain about what you wear."
Rhode frowned as several phantom memories - those 'passing fancies' - flitting to mind, showing Tyki in those exact clothes, with her and the other Noah in something similar. "That's because I look cute in anything."
Tyki grinned as he sat down at the table. "If you say so. Homework?"
Rhode snorted. "Hardly. Did you hear the news? Lulubell finally got Allen Walker." To Rhode's surprise, Tyki laughed loudly at that, and when he was done he hid a wide grin behind a hand. "Eh, what's so funny, Tyki? She got his Innocence too, you know."
Tyki was still grinning as he responded. "You'll see. The white devil is like a cockroach."
Rhode frowned at him. "You're acting different, Tyki."
That stopped him short, and he frowned down at a hand. "I am?" He stood up suddenly and was headed out the way he came. "I need to go buy something. I'll see you later, Rhode."
"Bye, Tyki!" Rhode called back, but once he was gone she was back to frowning. Something was definitely different with him, and it wasn't just the way he was dressed. For some reason, she could picture him with hair just a bit longer and in a ponytail while dressed that way, and that image seemed more… right, yet to her logical mind it seemed even more wrong.
What was going on?
****
"What… the fuck."
Allen looked at his hand and sighed. It was like he was a cartoon or something in this world, and everything was badly drawn.
But the scenery was important, and he thought he had seen it before, at some time… long ago. The sky was black and starry, the moon large and bright; but in front of him was a glossy lake, and it reflected an opposing white sky, with the moon a dark void.
"The crossroads between life and death." A voice mentioned suddenly. "Heaven and Hell. Where will you go, Allen Walker? To Heaven, as an Apostle of God, or to Hell, as all Noah shall?"
The cartoon version of Allen sighed, sitting down at the ledge before the water. His reflection in the water… the Fourteenth Noah. Awakened.
"Well," Allen said finally. "I was hoping that I could Exorcise Rhode just before we died and that we could both get into Heaven, maybe dropping you off down there on the way." He smiled, looking down at the grinning face below him. "But that was just a passing fantasy, wasn't it?"
That dark face, ever smiling, looked eager as its hand reached through the water to grasp Allen's leg. "With one tug I can show you the Hell that awaits us."
Allen reached down and grasped the Fourteenth's wrist. "And with one tug I could show you the Life we could have." Allen's smile was bright, real or fake it no longer mattered, and the Fourteenth's grin dimmed somewhat, making the shadowy figure look uncertain.
Then the world was fading, and Allen and the Noah were separated again by the boundaries of life and consciousness.
Waking up in a hospital was familiar to Allen, and this hospital in particular meant something special to him - particularly the reason he was there now, the first time. They had him drugged up, but still the pain in his left arm - his Innocence - was a bitch, mainly because it wasn't there. Phantom limb syndrome was back.
Allen opened his eyes to find himself propped up in a rather comfortable bed, with a girl lying across it asleep. Fou, a guardian angel sealed into protecting the Asian Headquarters. A prestigious title and statue, yet with her mouth it was a surprise she wasn't Fallen. Allen took the time to simply admire her - she looked so innocence asleep, something one could NEVER see otherwise - and the things she had done with and for him not so long ago to him, yet never in her own mind.
He knew he could leave her there asleep and walk around the headquarters till he reached a wall and pretend he could walk through it again - a lot of sense that made (hey, he was drugged up, remember?). Instead, he reached down and shook the orange haired girl awake. Her crimson eyes opened reluctantly at first before opening wide when she realized that he was awake.
"Good morning," Allen greeted warmly, hoping he would make a better first impression this time. Forcing her to chase him down might not have been the best decision.
The guardian deity sat up, rubbing her eyes, and crossed her legs. "How are you feeling?" Her voice was surprisingly soft, and expression almost… sad.
Allen looked down to the burning pain and saw nothing but a little, bandaged stump extending from his shoulder. "I'm-" his voice hitched when he saw the newest addition to his body. A white patch not of human making blended with the skin over his heart - a patch created by Crown Clown. It really had saved him, again. He brought his right hand up to finger the mark. It was smooth and cool to the touch.
"That runs all the way through you, with another white mark on your back," Fou informed, her voice still soft.
Allen nodded pulling off the bed sheets and letting his feet hit the floor. "Thank you for saving me."
"WHAT?" Allen yelled in shock, not sure if he heard right.
Komui nodded curtly. "The Asian Headquarters in under attack. Director Bak sealed it off, but…"
"Leave it to me!" Allen shouted as he jumped through the gateway to his Ark.
Once on the Ark, the door to the Asian Branch wasn't too far away, and a moment later he was halfway across the world.
Bak and the Asian Science Department were there to greet him, although all of their faces were grave. Allen went cold when he realized who was missing. "Where's Fou?"
Bak flinched, and that was answer enough for Allen. With a dark look he drew the Sword of Salvation and Crown Clown burst to life around him. "Where?"
"Still at the entrance. Please Allen…" the Branch Head didn't need to say more. Allen gave a single nod before running to the room's exit, which Bak unsealed by a small amount so that the Exorcist could slip through.
Allen was eighteen years old, and his girlfriend Cloud Nine had been teaching him how to let Crown Clown fight by itself. So with a warm feeling from the white cloak, both Exorcist and Innocence separated and entered the main chamber, where a war was raging.
"Bring it the fuck on, Akuma-bastards!"
That had to be Fou, and immediately Allen began making way towards here. "Death Ball!" There was an explosion, and a great portion of the Akuma were scattered or destroyed.
The small girl had a wicked grin on her face as she and Allen went back-to-back - her arms the flaming the scythes - and muttered to him, "About time, you lazy asshole."
Allen felt his own grin as he watched the Crowned Clown tear its way through the Akuma. "I'm sorry, I had to fix my hair before I could come, and there was this adorable little puppy I couldn't help but pet."
Fou laughed as she danced around a Level Three and sliced a Level Two in half. "Why does that not surprise me? Were you trying dresses on too, brat?"
Allen laughed as he parried a triple strike from three Level Threes before pushing them back. "Of course. I was picking out a Christmas present for you."
"Touché!" Fou yelled as she engaged a Level Three again. There were so many…
While Fou was locked in a parry with each arm, her eyes widened when she sensed another appearing behind her. She braced herself for an attack, but instead she heard a loud crunch followed by an explosion. She let out an audible sigh of relief when she heard Allen's voice. "Watch your back, Fou-chan."
Fou pushed the Level Threes back and took a swipe at them, which they easily flew away from. "Don't 'chan' me, Allen Walker!"
"As you wish, Fou-chan."
Fou snorted and was about to retort - a smile on her lips - but then a Level Four followed the other Akuma. Allen's grip on his sword tightened and Crown Clown flew down to assist him, while Fou scowled.
"Well, shit!" was echoed by either of them.
"Where are you going?" Fou asked when Allen stood up. "You are supposed to stay in bed until-"
"I'm going to find Director Bak Chan," Allen responded calmly, already about to head out. He was eager to get back to Crown Clown so that it could be completed once again.
"Oi, no need to interrupt me when I'm speaking, you-"
"No need for that, Marshal Walker," a voice called from the end of the hall, and a moment later Bak passed through the door. "Are you-"
He was interrupted when Fou suddenly flying side-kicked him in the head, a vein appearing on her face. "I was just telling Allen here about not interrupting people when they speak!"
Bak got off the floor and glared at her. "How was I supposed to know?! I was in the other room!"
"You heard him well enough!" Fou shot back.
The two continued to argue, but they stopped when they heard Allen laughing. You two just don't change… Or perhaps I should say you don't change from this.
Bak cleared his throat, his face going serious as he regarded the former Exorcist. "A serious time it is when a Marshal's Innocence is destroyed right after one loses his mind."
That sobered Allen instantly as well, and he met Bak's stare evenly. "The Earl is making his move."
"We are aware of that," Bak answered, "And because the times are serious, I was wondering if you would like to work for us as a Finder, or perhaps a part of the support team. Without your Innocence, you are no longer of use as an Exorcist or Marshal, but that is not to say you aren't of use to God."
Fou's face was hard when she heard that, sending a look Bak's way, but he ignored her as he stared at Allen. Allen, for his part, shook his head, resting his one remaining hand over the patch of Innocence resting over his once pierced heart. "I'm afraid I cannot quit being an Exorcist, Director Bak. I made a promise to walk forward - always - to someone dear to me. Even if I had lost both arms, even if my Innocence wasn't residing in particle form in some room right now, I would take my place on the battlefield as usual - to die, if I had to, but as an Exorcist."
Bak looked shocked at first - as did Fou - but then his look melted into that of a smile. "That's good to hear, Marshal Walker. I once heard that in order to be a Marshal one must come to a certain state of mind - certain acceptance and synchronization with their Innocence. It appears that despite your youth, you too have a reason for your rank." He stared at Allen for a moment in silence, then answered, "Your Innocence is indeed in one of our rooms. It appears you are aware of the situation."
Allen nodded. "I am."
Just then, there was a sudden burst of noise as first Miranda, then Lenalee, Lavi, Bookman, Sarah, and Timcampy entered. Finder Kevin was already on his way back to the Dark Order's main Headquarters with Meilin in tow. Allen smiled as his friends greeted him, taking in his armless appearance.
"Well, you sure seem in a sorry state, Beansprout," Lavi grinned when he saw Allen.
Allen used his good hand to hit Lavi across the head. "Oi, show some sympathy to the new cripple."
Lavi's smile faded as he pulled out one of the glowing green fragments of Innocence Allen had given him. "That was foolish and reckless, Allen. Going out alone to face Lulubell, without telling any of us…"
The room all turned to face Allen, who was smiling pleasantly despite his situation. "It worked, didn't it? Now, let's go return Crown Clown to its glory, so that we may finally bring an end to this war. Bak, if you would please show me to my Innocence? I'm sorry for being so hasty, but I am excited."
Those who didn't truly know him where staring at Allen strangely, wondering what he meant when speaking to Lavi. Bak finally nodded. "If you prove to be well enough, we can go right now."
Allen did a quick stretch and exercises right before them. "See, I'm fine. Let's go."
"Just sit your ass on the bed and prepare to be examined, brat," Fou growled irritably. Angels, it appeared, had little regard for human given ranks like Marshal and Branch Head and such.
With a sigh, Allen sat back down, and Bak hooked him up to various forms of scanners. In the meantime, Allen spoke with his friends - asking if he missed anything important.
Once everything came through as clear, the group made their way to the chamber of swirling mist.
Allen smiled as he held out his hand, letting the particles drift through his fingers like smoke. This was his Innocence, something that saved his life and willed itself to stay by him despite its own destruction. His friends also entered the room, as well as Bak, Fou, Mr. Wong, and the three apprentices from the Science Department.
"Now, Marshal Walker, do what has never been done before and reclaim the mantle of Marshal. Restore your Innocence," Bak encouraged, and he stepped back to watch.
Bookman stood of to the side, and with Lavi they recorded what was history in the remaking.
Allen's smile grew more confident. It had taken much effort and time to complete Crown Clown the first time, from the simple attempts to the spars with Fou to finally facing his first Level Three without an anti-Akuma weapon. This time he knew his drive, knew his reason for living, knew his Innocence inside and out and had synchronized with it beyond logical measures. He would get his Innocence back now.
Allen focused himself and held out his arm, and the swirling, white mist picked up in speed. Allen recalled his reason for living, recalled the first time he had properly formed Crown Clown. He recalled the shape, the feel of it resting over his body… "Innocence…" The dust went faster, swirling more and more and condensing towards him. "ACTIVATE!"
There was a brilliant, white flash of light. When everyone opened their eyes, they saw Allen standing there with his Innocence… and it was glorious. As opposed to those damnable black cloaks, Crown Clown's almost-heavenly white material surrounded Allen as it always did, the opposing black Crown's Edge forming a new left arm in complete fusion instead of the mangled, red limb that had been there earlier. The mask rested over his right shoulder, the empty eyes peering out at the world like a second head or separate entity - which it was. Allen was radiant like this, completed, back to his reason for living. Like this, he could face the Earl. Like this, he could save the world…
And then that dream shattered. The cloak and arm and mask began breaking down again, drifting away from him like sand as it returned to the swirling mist.
Looks of awe faded to sweat-drops as Allen stood there again with only one arm. He himself sweat-dropped. Well that didn't turn out as well as he had hoped…
****
Cross held his hat against the wind as the waves crashed behind him, the boat sailing into the distance. He was finally here. Japan. A large staircase was before him, and behind that the hordes of Akuma in wait of the Earl's commands. Even he would have to be careful here.
However, as a sorcerer, he was bound to have a bit of fun in the meantime. He grasped the chains surrounding the black coffin, and with one tug, he began unwinding them. He held his hand out and concentrated. "On… Abata-ura-masarakato-on-gataru! Grave of Maria Limit, Release!"
The coffin's gold segments broke apart, and soon Maria - that beautiful, elegant corpse - was standing beside him, awaiting orders.
Cross smiled, knowing her presence aroused the attention of all nearby Akuma. Their snarls and grunts were getting louder, and soon teams of Level Threes and Level Twos made their way towards him. Cross upholstered Judgment...
Not much later, the last Level Three hit the ground with an, "Amen."
That left the Level Twos, six of them to be exact. With a grin, he focused his magic again. "On…"
When the last Akuma - a yellow, childish looking beast - kneeled as a beautiful young girl, Cross smiled. "Rise and rejoice, Sachiko."
The girl, dressed in a pink kimono and with brown hair, smiled and stood to her feet. "How may I serve, cho?"
****
"Activate!" Allen yelled, and he growled with frustration as his Innocence trickled away yet again. "Activate! Activate! Activate!"
"Allen, maybe you should rest?" Miranda offered, placing one hand on his arm. "You've been trying for hours."
Allen sighed impatiently, but he allowed himself to be led out of the room. She was right; he was getting no where… Again.
Later the next day, Bak once again came up with the idea of sparring with Fou, hoping that a real combat situation would inspire the Innocence to resume its true form. With nothing else working, Allen decided to give it a try again. After all, it took being in combat with that Level Three to form the first time, so perhaps it had more of a chance this time.
"Careful, Walker," Fou commented as she phased out of the door she was sealed behind. Her arms were transformed as scythes, the sleeves a form of flames. She smirked at him. "I bite."
Allen grinned back at her, standing calm and ready. He was unarmed, with only one of those at that, but the mist now swirling through this chamber was his. This brought back memories. "Try me, Fou-chaaaaaaan!" That ticked the angel, and she rushed forward, arms swirling into a furious dance of death.
Allen's grin remained firmly in place as he quickly ducked and dodged his way through her attacks, so very close to losing his head. He caught her boot when it went for his chest, but she twisted out of his grip before her could throw her. She hit the ground with skid before leaping back at him.
Even without his Innocence, Allen had been through enough combat situations to meet her evenly, with open-palm thrusts his own form of offense, capable of both pushing her aside and attacking directly. Allen knew he could fight like this for hours - had done it before, almost twenty-four hours straight - yet the purpose of this was to get his Innocence working again, and so after one particular push, Allen met her swipe head on.
"Innocence, activate!"
Fou's eyes widened when her scythe came in contact with a massive sword - one that Allen wielded powerfully with only one arm - before her eyes narrowed when the sword trickled away into dust. "Not good enough, Walker!" She struck out again, forcing Allen to duck. He got a boot to the face for his failure.
Allen collided with a pillar without a wince, and he still managed to slap aside Fou's follow up. Feet hitting the ground again, the angel and the Marshal continued their brutal clash, partial formations of Crown Clown or the Sword of Salvation all the progress Allen made.
Lavi watched this all from the side, recording next to Bookman, as Allen's other friends also watched from their own places. He had explained it to them once, but now they were actually witnessing the rise of the Crowned Clown.
"His Innocence saved him," Bookman commented as they watched, Allen tripping Fou yet getting knocked back again as she hit him while falling. "That's never happened before."
It happened to Lenalee before it happened to Allen… "I know," Lavi commented, the emotionless façade of a true bookman in place. "Do you think he could have the…"
He didn't need to finish. Bookman himself understood what he meant: the Heart of Innocence. "It would appear so. Glad to see all this hero'ing hasn't dulled your reasoning."
Lavi firmly remained quiet at that. Now wasn't the time to bring up that argument.
****
"They're still fighting?" Lenalee asked as she returned to the chamber. Miranda had yet to leave. Or sleep.
The German Exorcist nodded slowly, her eyes not leaving the on-going royal before her. "Allen is determined. He won't stop until his body is out cold."
"He'll kill himself at this rate. How long has it been now?" Lenalee asked, handing Miranda a cup of coffee.
Miranda glanced at the cup with surprise, and she took it gratefully. Despite their disagreement, sometimes it was nice to be reminded that they were friends. After a long, revitalizing sip, she said, "Fourteen hours."
"Activate!" The white armor of Crown Clown protected Allen from the blade before dissolving. "Activate!" Fou had to parry a strike from that white sword with the black cross inlaid in it. That, too, broke down. Allen sidestepped a kick and slapped her leg away, shouldering her when she lost her balance.
Fou back-flipped instead of falling, and she shot forward again with a strike the moment her feet returned to the ground. Her and Allen were grinning as they fought, breathing hard yet showing no sign of slowing. It had been too long since Fou could stretch her abilities, and she found herself enjoying it.
Allen parried a scissor strike by lodging his sword in between, letting out a breath as the sword held momentarily before breaking up yet again. It was no use… but it was fun.
Allen dodged yet another strike from Fou, and while she tried to recover he quickly got behind her and bound her in a hold involving both legs and his arm. There was nothing she could do.
"O-Oi!" Fou shouted as she lost her balance and hit the ground, Allen still holding her limbs. "What the hell are you doing?"
Allen took a moment to gather his breath before smiling down at her. "You're exhausted. Half of your last attacks weren't even material."
Fou grunted, but then she phased through Allen's hold with a loud yawn. "Huh, I guess your right. I'll go catch some rest. See you in a few hours, Walker." The guardian deity phased through her wall to do just that.
Allen waved her off before turning to his friends, getting his breathing back under control. Miranda rushed to meet him. "Allen, you are also exhausted. Come, you need some rest too. I'll-"
"It's fine, Miranda," he smiled at her. "I just want some time to think, for now."
Miranda deflated momentarily, yet when Allen turned to walk away she drew herself proudly. "Marshal Allen "Musician" Walker, you will come to bed this instant!" Allen froze up at her tone.
A sleepy looking Fou stuck her head through her wall. "Oi Walker, listen to your woman. You aren't going to win this one."
Allen sent a look her way. "You know, you could take her place, Fou-chan."
The angel smirked haughtily. "You're a few centuries too young for me, brat."
Allen laughed at that. Not as young as you'd like to think, Fou-chan, right Fourteenth? Silence. Luckily, that brief encounter in the world of cartoons had been a momentary awakening before the Noah returned to sleep, yet Allen felt him stirring. It wouldn't be much longer now. The battle would resume soon. Allen hoped to end the war before then.
And so Allen, knowing he stood no chance against Miranda, resigned himself to sleeping. Yet, at the moment he sat up, still awake, as he rubbed his cursed eye. As it had leveled up, it had grown more and more painful, so much so and so often that Allen had grown used to it in time. Having had an almost three month break from that pain, he was reluctant to see it return. The curse - for that is what it was - demanded he go and save Akuma, to repent for his sin of creating one, and the longer he denied that the more it would hurt.
With a final grunt, he blocked the pain and snuggled up to Miranda, and accepted her warm embrace as she warded him from the hell that plagued him nightly.
I wonder why Crown Clown isn't completing…
****
Allen and Kanda approached the Akuma, side-by-side. This late in the game, so long after the trials of the Alma, Allen was no longer short, taller than Kanda actually. They shared one (annoyed) look before activating their Innocence's. With a duel shout, they engaged their foes.
Allen relished in the feel of the souls returning to Heaven, thanking him profusely as their chains broke. Once the last one was down, one more figure made their appearance.
Allen smiled as Rhode squealed and jumped, ready to catch her and kiss her and… And watch her fly past him, landing on someone else with a different name on her lips.
"Kannnndaaaa!"
Allen's jaw dropped when his wife's smiled before kissing Kanda on the lips, the Japanese Exorcist returning gesture…
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Allen yelled, ripping off the blankets with the force of his waking. He was breathing hard, in a cold sweat.
Next to him, Miranda was drowning in her own despair, thinking she had failed in life yet again as she couldn't even keep Allen's nightmares away. "B-Bad dream?" she asked, sniveling as tears poured from her eyes.
Allen wiped his sweaty brow, his one hand shaking with the lingering effects of fear. Thank God that wasn't a memory. "A nightmare of the very worst kind…"
****
"Master," Sarah addressed, "Why don't I use my own powers to reform your Innocence? I believe I've seen its partial-reformations enough to know its form, so I…"
Allen shook his head, sitting on the ground back-to-back with Fou as they both fought to regain their breaths. "N-no. This is about a bond between me and Crown Clown." We did this alone… Crown Clown, why can't we do so again? The mist swirled uncertainly.
With a sigh, Allen leaned back against Fou and turned his head to face her. "Shall we continue?"
Fou grinned back at him. "Thought you'd never ask." Allen leapt away as her arms burst into the flaming scythes, and the two reengaged.
Sarah deadpanned at this. "Weren't you both just exhausted a second ago?" She went unnoticed.
Before Allen and Fou could actually really get into their fight, alarm bells went off, the room flashing red with the siren. Allen sent a curious look Fou's way, but she shrugged. "That's not me sounding the alarm, dumbass. I'm right here."
Then Lenalee burst into the room, her Innocence already activated - the crystallized Dark Boots. "Allen, it's- it's… Suman."
Suman Dark of Marshal Winters Sokaro's team was known for having the same Innocence as Allen - mainly, his arm replaced to form his parasitic Anti-Akuma weapon. After betraying the Dark Order by giving away the names and locations of the other Exorcists, his own Innocence judged him and deemed him unworthy of being one of God's Apostles, turning the once Exorcist into a Fallen One…
Allen shivered. Fallen Ones, one of the few things capable of scaring him. Where one's own Innocence takes command of the fight against the Earl, using a human's lifeforce as its energy… He had feared so many times Crown Clown doing the same to him, rejecting him for his Noah implant. Luckily, his Innocence had other plans…
"Oh, do you mean to judge me, Crown Clown?" 'Allen' asked, grinning at the opposing white cloak, his skin ashen, hair curly, and the standard band of stigmata across his forehead.
Crown Clown, the furred, white cloak with its fierce, laughing facemask silently stared back. Allen's hand curled into a fist, ready to retaliate against his own Innocence if it attacked. He had the passing thought of becoming a Fallen One, but he told himself he would destroy his Innocence before allowing that to happen. He was a Noah; he could destroy Innocence.
Instead of attacking him immediately, the cloak hovered closer. The Noah Allen frowned, taking a step back. Still the Cloak came, until it was too close for Allen to do something if it did attack. Crown Clown formed a white tendril of its material - a Crown Belt - and Allen flinched when it carved a cross into the air between them. Then, with the tip of the spike, his Innocence poked him in the forehead.
Allen felt the Noah within him bleed away, resealing within him once again.
Allen managed to grab a jar and will the particles of his Innocence inside it before sealing it. With a nod to Lenalee and the others, he hitched a flying ride and they headed out, jar in tow.
The time to save Suman Dark had come, and unlike with Yeeger or Daisya they would succeed.
****
"So you two are sisters?" Cross asked, reclining on the wooden desk of a temple. He and his 'guests' were currently hidden under a Magdala Curtain. He took a sip from the wine his modified Akuma had found and brought to him.
Two of the modified Akuma, both attractive girls in their lower twenties, giggled and nodded. "How may we serve, master?"
Cross smiled at them, and the two Akuma blushed. He lit a cigarette. "I'll think of something…"
****
Allen couldn't help his excitement, despite the situation. There were Akuma, so many Akuma - hundreds, thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of souls all ready for him to save. Even without an Innocence… Yet, he could feel Crown Clown stirring, responding to the Akuma. It craved their freedom as much as he did, both slaves to the obsession of destroying Akuma and saving their souls. This was their union, their synchronization, their binding motive. Their thoughts were perfect reflections of each other on this matter.
The Fallen One came into sight, that massive, deformed monstrosity of Innocence. A white torso of a human being, the bottom replaced by disgusting, severed roots. And in the heart of that headless, limbless torso was Suman, his body being stripped away from life like an actual beating heart. He screamed loudly, and there was a building of power.
Lenalee cursed and hit top speed in a sudden burst, nearly killing Allen at the sudden movement as they landed on Suman just as he started spinning. The two nubs where arms should have been fired out thick beams of pure Innocence, devastating countless numbers of the Akuma surrounding and attacking the Fallen One.
Allen stood on the monster's shoulder, and he sent a hard look Lenalee's way. "Get out of here!"
Lenalee placed her hand on Allen's shoulder and squeezed hard while glaring. "Stop sending me away every time there is any danger. I'm an Exorcist too, Allen. Stop taking every damn thing on by yourself!"
Allen grunted and slid down the Fallen's one's body, stopping himself by grabbing onto the spikes surrounding the hole in the chest where Suman resided. Lenalee flew down and stood on one of the other spikes. Suddenly, a girl broke through the glowing plasma that surrounded Suman.
"Help me, mommy!" the little girl screamed, the plasma trying to suck her back in. Allen reached in and yanked her out, fighting the plasma's pull before succeeding. That part was easy, yet he knew pulling Suman himself out would be infinitely harder.
Allen handed the small child to Lenalee, and the look on his face left the command unspoken yet clear. Lenalee narrowed her eyes as she accepted the child, and with a curse she took to the skies again so that she could return the child to safety.
That left Allen without distractions, and he glared at the mindless, screaming form of Suman, who no longer even looked human. "Suman, can you hear me?" Allen shouted, hoping for some response. There was only more screaming, and the thick beams of Innocence started again, reaping more hordes of Akuma.
So many souls saved from that alone… but at what cost? Suman's life.
Allen cursed, and with no other option he dove inside the plasma surrounding Suman. It accepted him greedily.
Immediately Suman's thoughts, emotions, and memories hit him, invading his already tangled mind. Move over, make space. New voice coming through, Allen thought ruefully, almost chuckling. Now wasn't the time for that… Or was it? Allen cocked his head, but his train of thought was interrupted when he saw Suman's Innocence.
"Innocence, hear me!" Allen shouted, forcing his way through the thick substance. "Suman has sinned against God, this is true, but please spare him! He fears death, fears for his family. He sins are based on caring for his daughter. He can no longer be an Apostle, but spare his life at least! Find a new, better host. Please, just let him go!"
Was there any arguing with the retribution of the hand of God?
Allen reached the Innocence, still fighting its pull for him to get away. Allen reached up for it, hoping to remove the fragment, yet stopped when his hand began searing away. He glared. "Innocence, activate!"
Crown Clown appeared, and with Crown's Edge Allen tried to snatch the Innocence yet again. One claw made contact, but then the body of the Fallen one tried to force him out. Allen grasped the Innocence firmly, triumphant, and let himself be propelled out. He barely caught himself from a very painful and humiliating death of falling by grasping one of the spikes surrounding the hole in the chest.
Allen pulled himself up and looked at the Innocence in his hand… only to find it not there, his own arm having dissolved back into mist instead of staying true. Allen felt frustration well up inside, which only increased when the plasma wouldn't even let him back inside for another try.
Allen knew he couldn't do this with only one arm, especially one as weak as his human arm. He couldn't do this alone. He needed Crown Clown. He needed the Crowned Clown!
Do you sense them, old friend? Allen thought to his Innocence, the mist in a jar. The Akuma, the imprisoned souls? They need our help, and I know you want to help them. So Crown Clown, my old friend, my faithful companion, my angel and my armor, please, come back. Please, let us save those souls and this human, as we once promised to do with our two hands. Our left hand is for Akuma, our right for humanity. Before us are both Akuma and a human in need of saving.
Please, Crown Clown, take up your crown again and fight with me. Bear the burden of this war once more, and together we shall end it. This we promised, and so it shall be.
Crown Clown… ACTIVATE!
And this time, it activated. The burst of light was different, the joining more complete. Every Akuma ordered to kill the Fallen One and destroy the Innocence felt this joining, pausing in their relentless assault to merely feel the union of a Marshal and his Innocence. The white cloak took its rightful place on Allen's shoulder, its body draped across him like an embrace from God. The Crown's Edge became Allen's new left arm, now a complete fusion of Innocence to arm as opposed to its earlier green glow where they met.
This time, it didn't break down again. Crown Clown was finally complete, after so many trials and errors.
Allen flexed his bladed hand, staring at the crown-shaped rings. He smiled, basking in the warmth of his Innocence.
"Amen."
****
Cross took a long sip, finishing his small saucer. One of the Akuma moved to refill it as he let out a content sigh. "I love sake…"
****
The first time Allen had confronted Suman - back in his first life - he had had the man bite down on his human hand and pulled him out that way, only to be too exhausted and wounded to stop Tyki Mikk from killing him. Then Tyki ended up destroying his Innocence and having a Tease eat through Allen's own heart - much like what Lulubell had done, only less messy. This time, Allen had his completed Innocence, the foreknowledge, and a better approach.
"Suman, you can hear me now, right?" Allen asked, smiling and unable to stop moving his hand around, relishing in the feel of it.
"Curse… Curse you. Curse you. Curse you! Curse you! CURSE YOU! CURSE YOU! CURSE YOU!"
Been there, done that, haven't we, Mana? "Good. I'm going to pull you out, so that you may return to your daughter, Jamie." Suman twitched at that name, stopping his rant. For a moment, he looked unsure. Then he went back to cursing and raging, and the body of the Fallen One charged up and began spinning again, sending out a wave of power to save hundreds more of the attacking Akuma.
Several Akuma bullets slammed into Allen's back as he spoke with Suman, but Crown Clown shrugged them off without a care.
"Prepare yourself, Suman, for I will save you." And without further adieu, Allen shoved Crown's Edge through the plasma in a straight path towards the protected arm of Innocence.
Did this man deserve to be saved? With his trip inside the plasma, Allen had refreshed himself of Suman's life, of his drafting into the Dark Order and forcible separation from his wife and child. This man, after watching his teammates being slaughtered by Tyki Mikk, had betrayed the Order by giving away the locations of every member, leading to the deaths of twelve Finders - seven of which were in Barcelona - and six Exorcists. In exchange for this betrayal, his Innocence was using Suman's own lifeforce to destroy thousands of Akuma. It was his punishment, his divine retribution.
Allen crushed that arm, grasping the fragment of Innocence it excreted. Almost immediately, the Fallen One began rumbling and breaking apart, its flight ending as it began plummeting towards the ground. Akuma bullets, which the massive, white monster had deflected earlier, were now piercing its body and assisting in turning it to scraps of flesh.
Timcampy was there, of course, and Allen gave the golden golem the Innocence for safe keeping yet again. Then, again with Crown's Edge Allen grabbed Suman's whole body and yanked him out of the plasma, fighting the pull with tremendous effort. Then, the plasma gave and both Allen and Suman were air borne, falling away from the breaking Fallen One and towards the unforgiving ground.
Well… Allen thought to himself as he eyed the approaching forest. This would be a great time for Lenalee.
Pulling Suman to himself for a better grip, Allen shouted, "Crown… BELT!" Immediately, long spikes of the cloak formed and rocketed towards the ground, impaling through before lodging in place. Allen used the length of the spikes to work as a cushion, forming a steady resistance until their fall was at a controlled level, then lowering him and his passenger until they were safely on the ground.
Suman had tears in his eyes, crying as he thanked Allen over and over again. But it wasn't over yet.
Allen grabbed his left wrist and pulled out the Sword of Salvation, his left arm vanishing in a burst of light and a seal appearing over his shoulder. He turned to Suman, who stopped his blubbering at the sight of that.
The Fallen ex-Exorcist bowed his head at this. "I- I deserve death, don't I? I-I'm sorry, for what it's worth. I just… I just wanted to see my family again. Please, tell my daughter…" He trailed off and looked back up at Allen, the irises of his eyes the white as the rest. "Don't tell her."
"Suman," Allen addressed, reading his sword. The way Suman was kneeled, it would be easy to cleave his head clean off. "You have sinned. For that, consider this a cleansing." Allen swung, and the sword rent through the man from shoulder to hip. Allen spun quickly and did the same from the opposite shoulder.
It took Suman a few seconds to realize the strikes hadn't killed him, and when he did he looked up at Allen with confusion, mouth open as he gaped. Allen smiled back at him. "The man you sold your soul to, the Noah named Tyki, place corrupted golems called Tease inside your body, where they were feasting and breeding. In around one hour they would have consumed you to the point that you died. This sword can only destroy those that are truly evil - it purges Dark Matter.
"The cost of your betrayal is much of your lifeforce - you will die a natural death much sooner than you should have - and your right arm. However, I believe that you may have gained a few years to visit your wife and daughter before that catches up to you. Make what you can of that time and repent for your sins, for you have betrayed more than the Dark Order - as you can see by your Innocence." Allen gestured behind him, to where the body of the Fallen One was finally touching down with a deafening sound.
The Akuma began to move in towards the fragments of the white body, looking for the fragment of Innocence.
Suman gaped for a few moment longer, before he bowed down completely from his kneeling position and cried. "Thank you, thank you so much. Jamie, I promise I won't leave your side again. I'll give you your father again, and no one will take me away. I-"
Crown Clown stirred from Allen's shoulder, rising up suddenly in shock or anger. Allen himself took a step back, surprised. Suman looked down to see a hand protruding from his chest.
Tyki was there behind him, the half of his body phased through the ground with his arm going through Suman's chest. He was grinning madly, his skin a dark gray and dressed in a white coat. Allen went cold when he realized something: that was not Tyki.
"Joyd, no!"
The Noah yanked his arm back, and with it came Suman's heart grasped firmly - still beating. The organ gave a couple more beats, not realizing its new location, which caused blood to spurt into the moonlit sky. Suman himself put on hand over his heart, a strangled sound escaping his throat, before he slumped forward - it was ironic how this final position looked so similar to the bow he had just given.
Tyki grinned up at Allen, throwing the heart behind him as he stepped out of the ground and stood fully. The Noah of Pleasure bowed.
"Hello, Brother…"
AN: "Oh, write faster, Sub!" "Finish by Sunday, Sub!" Give me a break, folks, I had just posted four chapters over a span of four days! Well, here it is. As demanded by Angel Fantasy, chappy 17 - done by Sunday. And for you complainers, I added that Rhode scene near the top (literally, I added it just now - right before posting).
And as you folks can tell from this final scene, the Noah are NOT magically good guys in this. They are still evil, murdering bastards, every one of them. That's what makes pairing Allen with them so fun. Ah, and before I forget (I've been wanting to say this since like chappy 2 but keep forgetting (a reviewer just reminded me)), My Mind's Eye by Sirenia is a great song that goes with this. Every time I listen to it I can just picture that being Rhode's thoughts towards Allen.
Thanks for reading, folks. For sparky's sake I'll be working on my primary a bit more, so for the love of God allow me more time between updates. Well (sigh...), cya then. :D
