Requiem of Time: Chapter Fifty-Two – Allen


Allen stepped out of the Gate to a secluded forest.

The trees were thick and grew closely together, the canopy of twisting branches quite a bit above his head. Allen would guess himself in a European forest, by the type of trees, if it weren't for the fact he knew exactly where he was. To his left was a mass of bushes and growth, darkened the further his eye sought. To his right was a cropping of smooth rocks with flattened tops (perfect for resting on, he remembered) that surrounded a shallow pool of water. Feeding the pool was a gentle waterfall, tumbling in several tiers from a large cliff. In front of Allen, however, was the main reason he was here.

He was in pain. Terrible, terrible pain. More than just that hunger that was gnawing his stomach – he had been eating much too little lately – his entire body, from the tips of his toes to the crown of his head, seemed wracked with pain. His hair even hurt, and whoever didn't believe that could go stuff themselves.

More specifically, his innards were a fine mass of partially-regenerated goo. Normally such wasn't much of a problem, its just that there was so much not properly formed yet. And then there was his left eye, his cursed eye... Level Four. Akuma have always been apart of the ambushes the Noah have laid for him, and each time his eye had twitched and spasmed and burned and finally lanced agony through the inhuman organ and spread to the rest of his body.

Speaking of... "I didn't think that you of all Noah would resort to Akuma backup, Lulubell-chan," Allen called as solidly as he could. Needless to say, he was solid as a mountain.

She was the last of them. The last he could approach, the only he had avoided throughout his whole search save Adam. Did he think she would refuse? There was a time the answer would have been a definite yes. Lulubell was known to be the Earl's pet, her greatest personal desire fulfilling the Earl's desires. Now, however... He didn't know. He didn't know, the same as any of the others he had approached, so that wasn't the reason he had avoided her. No, he avoided her because...

"Mimi has been my faithful companion for years and a rewarding servant," Lulubell drawled as she stepped forward, blond hair melting away to black as she reverted to her Noah form and removed her sunglasses. Her lips quirked slightly. "I know better than to believe Akuma could provide any sort of assistance in a battle with you."

At her words, the girl in question – Mimi - revealed herself, though Allen could already see the aura of Dark Matter that had surrounded her in her hiding spot. The eye refused to look away, peering through the tree itself to hone in on the soul. The benefit and curse of the Level Four eye. No object was an obstacle to its sight, essentially 'see-through' vision, but it also meant there was no avoiding the empathetic pain the chained soul caused him.

Well, she had agreed to the meeting, and bringing an Akuma as a servant did not violate his terms, technically speaking. Funny, she was the only one who didn't violate his terms. Allen almost felt like laughing. Almost.

Allen felt young again for a moment as he gazed at the beautiful Noah of Lust, then shook his head as he gathered his coat around him – still unzipped, courtesy of Rhode's insistence all those years ago. Strange how, even including the years of the first life, Allen could still be considered young himself, yet as of late he felt so old and weary.

With a smile that was mostly genuine, partially a mask for his own exhaustion, Allen gestured towards the flat rocks surrounding the waterfall. "Would you care to join me in sitting before we begin?"

Lulubell finally reached him in her cat-like cautious walk, and for a moment it seemed like she was about to take his outstretched hand. Then, her gold eyes regarded him once, and she stepped past him, towards the rocks. He walked with her. Mimi followed.

The seated themselves facing the gurgling waterfall, not as close together as they could have been yet still close. So far, in Allen's mind, this had gone much better than any other attempt. Well, it was time to change that, he thought with a resigned grin tugging his lips.

"I'm going to talk a lot in the next few moments," Allen started bluntly, allowing the water to sooth his distraught mind and aching body. "I just ask that you listen to everything I have to say before deciding, and even then I encourage discussing this before rejecting me entirely."

Lulubell glanced at him, eyes calculating but not cold. She was lounged casually, hands behind her with her legs out and knees slightly bent. She said nothing, allowing herself to listen. Allen smiled his thanks before turning back to the water. Well, here went nothing... and everything, really.

"Hevlaska prophesied that I could never destroy the Millennium Earl... My one goal in life, the only thing I have ever stove for, pretty much deemed futile by one of the most trustworthy people I know. I believe you can understand the kind of position that put me in. Me, Adam's greatest enemy, prophesied to fail." Allen smiled softly and shook his head. "So for a time, I have wondered to myself what I could do. If I cannot defeat the Millennium Earl, what could I possibly do? And then the words of a... friend came to me, and I had a sudden idea. You once told me to pay attention to phrasing, and to be honest I'm staking everything on that. Hev told me I couldn't destroy the Earl, not that I couldn't defeat him.

"The Fourteenth Noah betrayed Adam, the First Noah and Millennium Earl. His intent was becoming the Millennium Earl himself. So, if I can't destroy the Earl, then I can, well... I can be him," Allen finished, a touch lamely in his own mind. However, despite his own doubts and incredulity, he heard Lulubell suck in a sudden breath – another time and he would have been glad to see her so surprised, to give an emotional reaction.

Allen plowed onwards, "For the Noah to exist, there must always be a Millennium Earl, Noah like Rhode, yourself... Even me. I cannot allow Adam to continue his Scenario, and this path isn't hindered by the prophesy. I will become the next Millennium Earl, with the Noah behind me and supporting me, as they have done for the ages..."

There was silence as Lulubell just stared at him, eyes wide and full lips parted slightly in her shock. Growing awkward, Allen cleared his throat and continued, "So... You should switch sides and join me. The others already have, actually. Everyone besides Adam, Wisely, and yourself have dedicated themselves to me and now reside on my Ark, submitting to my authority as the Millennium Earl and pledging themselves my bodyguards to the end of time." Her staring continued, and Allen felt the beginnings of a blush on his cheeks. "You don't have to pledge that, of course, just deny Adam as the Earl and attribute it to myself..."

Allen broke from her gaze, feeling slightly flustered, and he returned to the water. This was the cause he had promised Rhode, that he had bled for, almost died for, what he felt was his last chance at beating Adam. However, for the first time, when proposed to a strategist of Lulubell's caliber, his idea felt almost foolish and he was reminded of his own inferiority in the 'plotting' regard.

Well, regardless, this was his idea, and he had to stick with it. Allen Walker, the Millennium Earl. His grey and red eyes returned to hers, seeing the gold and slitted orbs narrowed in thought, and he held it boldly. "And that's what I wanted to say. Do you have a decision, or do you want to discuss it first?"

There was no answer, just her staring at him, her face perhaps a foot or so away. Allen knew that the weaker he appeared, the less convincing his proposal would be, so he gathered what courage he could and let her quick mind run him and his idea through thought processes he could likely never match.

As the silence stretched, Allen's resolve began to wane, but not his yearning for her acceptance. She seemed to be struggling for an answer, and finally Allen worked up the nerve to speak again.

"Please, Lulubell..." he started, hesitating briefly. She was looking at his eyes, listening to his words very carefully. "Please, will you do this for me?"

There was only a moment before Lulubell seemed to reach a decision. She closed her eyes, head facing forward towards the water and she let out a single sigh. Her head remained bowed for a moment before she opened her eyes again and turned back to him. "At the cave, you asked me what I felt for you."

Allen eyed her, remembering the moment clearly. She remained impassive, giving no clue to her response. After a moment, he opened his mouth, "Ye-"

Lulubell kissed him.

Oh.

Well. Allen's mind froze for a moment, caught off-guard by her sudden maneuver. In the back of his mind, his thoughts tingled, recognizing that in essence she had accepted his idea. Then, the rest of Allen's mind caught up with him and he was kissing her back.

Relief that she would be on his side was only for a moment, then quickly washed away by a passion for this woman. Their sitting position made it awkward to maintain, but it was plenty for Allen. Her lips were soft and responsive, and she added a teasing flick of her tongue before he could grow bold enough.

Lulubell had moved herself to hold the contact comfortably, nearly leaning over him, but the kiss wound down and they finally separated. Allen was breathless as he watched Lulubell move back and settle herself, and it took quite a few moments for the fogginess in his mind to clear and a quick rush of thoughts to come roaring up.

However, quick as they came, a voice suddenly made them go very, very, still. "Oh, Alleeeeeeeen..."

Both Allen and Lulubell snapped their heads towards the voice, and they saw Rhode, sitting on one of the lower branches of a nearby tree, watching them with a grin. Once she had their attention, she slipped off the branch, holding her skirt down against the rush of air, and landed flawlessly. Then, she began walking towards them with a little skip in her step.

Lulubell, for her part, remained impassive as her sister-by-clan approached. Worry and guilt were absent from her face, along with anything that would betray she felt otherwise. Allen, however, began sweating bullets, more so at the sight of her grin. Mimi just watched this all with a little blush, trying to act like she hadn't just watched her mistress make-out with a guy.

"Allen," Rhode addressed finally as she stopped just before his rock, leaning forward and smiling cutely. Allen gulped. Then, Rhode's smile dropped and she glared at him. "Stop being afraid right now."

If anything, her demand only made Allen more nervous, making her roll her eyes.

"Allen, you know that if I was going to do something to you, I would have done it by now," Rhode deadpanned. With a big step forward, she was on the large rock, and then both Allen and Lulubell were staring up at her. What to do, what to do...

Rhode took the final step so that she was standing before Allen and bent over him, looking him dead in the eye. He seemed to be struggling with something, likely some excuse or retort, but Rhode beat him to the punch. "Boo," she said with a bored expression.

Allen flinched.

Rhode couldn't help it anymore, she started giggling. This was so ridiculous. As a still speechless Allen stared at her open mouthed, Rhode plopped herself in his lap and comforted herself in lying against the blotch of Innocence on his chest. Finally, her giggles died down, leaving a smile on her face as she rested against Allen.

So maybe she was an intruder on what should have been a private moment, maybe this had turned a little awkward for them. If Rhode had her way here (and she was determined to see it so), this would be the last time Allen felt guilty or awkward or anything but happy after kissing Lulubell.

There was a moment of silence as Rhode considered what to do next, Allen frozen and Lulubell just watching her. Finally, Rhode came to a decision. "Allen, I want you to kiss Lulubell again." She could feel him become even more tense.

Allen's thoughts whirled, almost too fast for him to make any sense of them. However, the Fourteenth had mentioned this. Road had mentioned this. Rhode herself, even, had mentioned this, and he had been considering this for some time. However, there was always that doubt in the back of his mind, that nugget telling him that he was misinterpreting what Rhode meant in his own desires, that she was saying something else entirely that he was somehow missing.

It was pretty hard to mix up what she had just said.

And so for a moment, Allen was perplexed as to what he should do. Rhode was literally sitting in his lap, Lulubell right next to him on his left. Did she really want him to just lean over her and kiss Lulubell or was there some deeper meaning to this, like a test? Allen had no idea what to do.

Rhode rolled her eyes at his lack of action, then looked over at the sometimes blond Noah. "Lulubell, please kiss my fool of a husband."

Lulubell's lips curved in amusement. She would never admit it, but she did have her doubts as to Rhode's position in her own affections for the man known as Allen Walker. The occasional fling, she knew Rhode wouldn't mind, but a budding fondness and affection and devotion that might be love? For the first time, she had been given the signal that her sister wouldn't mind, and she allowed herself to relax and take in the situation for what it was. Mainly, Allen blundering in what should have been a golden opportunity.

And so, without any further prompting, Lulubell brushed back a bang from her right eye and locked another gaze at Allen. She saw the subtle gulp and wide eyes, and then she captured his lips again, smiling to herself. While she preferred that great passion that could fill him at times, this clueless Allen had its humorous perks.

Lulubell pulled back, allowing Allen a breath of air, and suddenly another mouth smothered his. Allen rocked back as Rhode nearly devoured his lips in a sudden fury, hers smaller yet with that addictive taste of candy lingering, this time cherry. Something about it snapped Allen's mind into place, and he relaxed slightly and gave into her kiss, responding with a wry grin.

Rhode then pulled back with a sly smile and winked. She tapped him on the nose with a finger. "There, now you've just given both of us a kiss. Now, I'll make it easy on you. Repeat after me: 'I love you, Rhode.'"

Allen allowed himself amusement at her antics, and decided to humor her. "I love you, Rhode," he stated, smoothly and honestly, filling that simple sentence with genuine emotion.

Her grin widened. "Now: 'I love you, Lulubell.'"

Allen felt that this was coming, and his gaze flickered from hers to the woman next to him. Lulubell stared back - waiting, watching. So, this was it. Rhode was genuine, she meant for him to do this. For a moment, he glanced back at her, but Rhode only motioned with her eyes towards Lulubell and he redirected his attention.

And so, for the first time in his life, the words left Allen's mouth. "I love you... Lulubell."

There was a suddenly blow to the side of his head, and Allen felt a sudden flash of horror that he might have mistaken what Rhode meant. His eyes shot back to her, but Rhode's smile was disarming and amused, even after she just bopped him. "Like you mean it, Allen."

Relief shot through him, and he gave Rhode a mock-glare for a moment before turning back to Lulubell, who's smile drew him in. She was smiling at him, smiling at his hesitant and weak declaration.

Finally, Allen took a deep breath, comforted by Rhode's light presence there in his lap, and he said the words boldly and heartfelt. "I love you, Lulubell."

And then there was a moment Allen would remember forever. Rhode, sitting in his lap and twisted around so that she could grin cutely up at him. Lulubell, a beautiful smile on her face after he declared love for her, her voluptuous body in another of her many lascivious sprawls facing him. And behind them was the beautiful tiered waterfall, capturing the essence and sheer magnificence of what had just happened, a beauty paired with the two before him.

And with that sudden image burned into his mind, Allen could only wonder how much his life had just changed.

XXXX

Everything was ready.

Allen left the room with a surreal feel, walking down the familiar halls of his Ark yet feeling as if this weren't real. There was no way all those Noah in there completely and wholly accepted him as the Millennium Earl, no way that not one but both female Noah loved him in the same way he loved them. This... just didn't seem possible.

Of course, the exhaustion of his body seemed to say otherwise. He wasn't physically tired – well, he was, but that wasn't what seemed to sap every ounce of strength from each limb, drain whatever motivation he summoned for anything besides lying down on a soft bed curled to two lovely women and sleeping for an extraordinary amount of time.

He was so very tired, but the rest he desired couldn't be found in sleep. It could only be found when Adam was put down for good, the peace of mind Allen would have when all his troubles were over and he could pick up the pieces as the new Millennium Earl.

A strange bubble of thoughts rose suddenly, and Allen bit back an incoherent stream of something that would have rambled about the spades suddenly dancing at the edges of his eyes. Insufferable shapes, he would think he saw a spade but as soon as he turned his vision to whatever it was, it only turned out to be something plain like a mounted candle or circular portrait.

Allen wasn't a fool. He knew it for what it was. He was going mad. He was going mad, and he didn't know what to do. And it scared him. He was sure everyone else knew of it by now, but he refused to tell anyone else of his own doubts and insecurities of his mental health. Besides, there was nothing that could be done about it until Adam was gone. And by the chance Allen failed and it was he who died, then he needn't worry about it anyways.

Allen stopped just outside the door that would take him to his room, raising a hand to his head. A strange and almost familiar headache had been rising, building slowly since midday and was still powering on even now at night. The stress of what they would be doing tomorrow was likely getting to him. Allen turned the motion into rubbing his aching left eye – the curse lashed out quicker and more viscous than the Level Two if he delayed in saving Akuma for too long. Finally, Allen shoved all his grievances away and opened the door to his room and stepped inside.

The familiar visage of Rhode, dressed in a white T-shirt and black, lacy undergarments, sat on their bed, clutching a pillow as she apparently spoke with the room's other occupant. Lulubell appeared to be in the final moments of readying herself for bed, and she was dressed in a very interesting and sheer and tiny negligee. Allen had a feeling he wouldn't mind coming home to this every night.

Both girls looked up at him upon his entrance, and Allen smiled slightly at them. He couldn't believe that just this morning, Rhode had finally managed to convince him to admit he loved them both. The day since had been spent mainly together, some of it talking about what they would all do from there but mostly just spending time together for the first time as a... big couple. A... triple?

That was another thing. Allen didn't know what to think about this whole thing, though both girls seemed content with it. However, for the first time since it... happened, Allen had left them for the meeting with the other Noah, informing them of Lulubell's addition and the plans to strike tomorrow, and now coming back seemed... slightly intimidating.

Allen knew Rhode, was married to her. He knew Lulubell, lived her for a year and befriended her. The three of them often got together in free times during the war near the end of the first life, and never had those gatherings been awkward, actually they had been one of Allen's favorite occasions. Now, however... One was technically an ex/future wife, and the other a new girlfriend/lover. At the same time. That certainly put a wrench on how he knew to interact with them.

Should he just walk up to Rhode like he usual would, swoop her up and kiss her? And then kiss Lulubell after? Or would Lulubell take offense to being his second choice? Or would she not want to be kissed at all? Allen didn't know. He was new to this!

Suddenly, the decision seemed to be made for him. Rhode had left the pillow and the bed to latch onto him, a leap that left him staggering back a step as her lips found his. Allen allowed his uncertainties to wash away in the moment as he kissed his Rhode, smiling at her typical behavior. His coat slid off his shoulders as she did that... thing with her own shoulders. Rhode grinned against his mouth.

The next to go was Allen's top hat, set somewhere next to his Marshal jacket, and then Rhode released Allen, allowing her feet to touch the ground again. Allen was aware of Lulubell's eyes on him then, and the smile on his face strained slightly when he saw her eyes scanning the many scars spread over his body. Rhode took his hand and began leading him towards the bed, and Allen allowed himself to be led, smile regaining its strength.

They reached Lulubell and she stopped him abruptly. A cool hand on his chest gave Allen goosebumps, along with little jolts of pleasure. Rhode let go of Allen's hand, aware of the tense moment between him and Lulubell, giving them space. She knew the start would be rocky, but it would get better.

Allen looked down at the hand and saw it tracing a particularly viscous scar, a jagged curve stretching over his right shoulder and down to below his ribs on the left side. His muscles remained firm and noticeable, but the skin was a mess to look at. That scar she traced, it was only one of the many and many. Interesting, that one looked like a spade...

A second hand suddenly cupped his chin, and Allen allowed it to move his head so that he was staring at Lulubell's face. She regarded him shrewdly. "Your scars are not something to be ashamed of, especially in front of me. On top of the fact that I am the cause of many of these, they are not something I find unattractive."

Allen shifted his weight. Well, she called him out on that rather bluntly. His scars... Rhode was one thing, he knew that she found them desirable, knew she enjoyed him having them, and so for her, it was alright... But Lulubell wasn't the same. He couldn't call her the sadist Rhode was. He knew he kept his body and scars on display with his open coat, but... "It's frustrating," Allen responded suddenly. His smile was pained. He looked down and gestured to himself. "You say that they don't bother you, and I'll believe you. But they bother me, even knowing that all but one will only last for another few months with my regeneration. You can even call my distaste illogical, but... what can I say?"

Lulubell met his stare when it returned to her eyes. After a moment, she stepped towards him and pressed her form to his, maintaining eye contact. "It is not illogical to wish for unharmed and undamaged flesh. However, you are uncomfortable when my eyes see them because you do not believe it means nothing to me."

Allen's spine tingled as he could feel her warmth breath when she spoke and the pleasant way her body was against his with very little cloth in between. "Perhaps."

Lulubell's lips quirked to the side. Her hands on his shoulders slid to where one was around him, and she began guiding him onto the bed. Perhaps the mars of his flesh were a minor concern to him in his current discomfort of this new relationship, but she knew a way or two that could easily take his mind from the subject.

As they reached the bed and Allen removed his boots, he felt a trickle of nervousness, knowing where they were heading. A good bout of excitement, but nervous, too. How was this going to work?

However, with the scantily clad Lulubell to his right and Rhode rejoining him to his left at the edge of the bed, taking a hold of his arm, something happened in the center of Allen's mind. The humming music, droning at the back of his mind, became crisp and clear suddenly. Not louder, but very distinct and noticeable. At the same time, the building headache of before reached its peak, a sudden spike of pain just behind the eyes.

And then there was the thought. Hello, Allen. I believe it is time we spoke. Allen had no hesitation in his realization. Fourteenth...

Rhode felt Allen go stiff, and she looked at him in askance, seeing a far away look in his eyes as well as his expression hardening. "Allen, what's wrong?" Lulubell noticed too, then, and her soft hand came to his arm on the other side.

Well, well, well. I go away for only a short amount of time, and it appears you've handled things quite nicely in my absence. If I knew that all it took was a little silence for you to finally get Lulubell, I would have done so some time ago, the Fourteenth droned with amusement, a certain lilt to the thoughts making it easier for Allen to separate them from his own.

Fourteenth... Allen thought angrily, a dozen questions rising nearly instantly. He struggled to spit one out, but all that came was, Why?

The hand on his arm gripped him firmly, trying to take his attention. "Is something wrong?" Lulubell.

Impeccable timing, as always from the Fourteenth. "I..." Allen trailed as his thoughts became fluid. We need to speak, about both you and your plan.

"What?" Allen asked.

Lulubell looked past Allen, eyes narrowed, and she saw a pensive Rhode. "Do you know what is wrong with him?"

"I'm- I'm fine," Allen stumbled out quickly. You are not fine. You are mad.

Something seemed to be confirmed for Rhode, and she gave Allen's arm a little rub as she met Lulubell's searching gaze. "He is speaking with the Fourteenth."

Understanding dawned on Lulubell, and she gave Allen a thoughtful look. She knew all about the Fourteenth and his childish crush on her, and she wondered if it was something he and Allen were having a conflict over currently. She saw Rhode's reaction to this, idly comforting him with a touch, and Lulubell assumed that this was a common thing for them, the Fourteenth sidetracking Allen, and not at all pleasant for him.

You are mad, the Fourteenth repeated. And... I am the cause.

What? Allen asked back, not certain if the Noah was saying what he thought he was. His own thoughts answered him, You're a strong one, Allen Walker. Never did I think, when I chose my next host, that you would be able to fight off my control. Truth be told, you did and you did it quite successfully. And... Well, my only way of gaining control was breaking your mind from within and sweeping aside the pieces before taking control. So, for the last eight years since I awoke, I've slowly been driving you deeper and deeper into madness. Not a difficult process, but very slow, as you can see.

Allen was stunned by what he had just heard, and it must have shown on his face as Rhode muttered soothing words he couldn't quite make out. You... You... The Fourteenth huffed a laugh. I- I- Yes, I've been the main reason your sanity has been slipping away. But that isn't the problem right now, just an obstacle you'll overcome soon. No, the problem is your little 'Allen Walker is the new Millennium Earl' plan. Mainly, it won't work.

Allen pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to ignore the mounting migraine, and he fell back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. That helped, sometimes. Well, you're a bastard. Care to tell me why it won't work?

Rhode leaned over him to say something to Lulubell, who was new to him having a spat with the Fourteenth. Likely, she was explaining it to her. Allen busied himself with studying their faces as the conversation continued. While it is sound in theory, and it would work spectacularly if it were, say, myself becoming the next Earl, you are not me. Because of your resistance, you are merely my host still, not the Fourteenth himself, and thus, while you may enjoy my many perks such as regeneration, you are not a Noah. You simply cannot become the Millennium Earl without becoming a full Noah.

Lulubell appeared to be considering something, then she folded her arms before her impressive bosom and said something back to Rhode. That outfit she was wearing, Allen really liked its sheer nature and the flesh he could see through it. Sorry, a little distracted. I'll answer you simply: I am not giving up. I will not give up this body to you to win this war. If that's what you are trying for, it isn't going to happen.

Believe me, I rather like where your eyes are straying, actually, the Fourteenth laughed, and Allen snorted in amusement. On topic, yes that is exactly what I meant. Whether you like it or not, we will have to merge our minds.

Not going to-

Just shut up for a moment, brat, the Fourteenth snapped. This is harder for me than you would think, and it is entirely in your favor. Allen fell silent. Thank you. I'll say this clearly. I recommend that we merge, but instead of me taking over you... I will instead have you take over me.

Both girls seemed to notice Allen stiffen in shock again, and they stopped talking to look down at his stunned expression. A brief grasp of control from the Fourteenth had Allen's eyes run down Lulubell's form for a moment, then released control before Allen could muster a defense.

What are you saying? Allen asked finally. His own thoughts returned to him. I've never done this before, but in theory this is what should happen. All my memories will be yours, and you will become a full Noah. However, you will also keep your current form and personality and everything else that makes you the whiny little boy called Allen Walker.

Allen didn't give rise to the jab. How do I know this isn't a trick? That your memories won't overwhelm me and turn me into you? A derisive bark of laughter, then, Think of what memories are, you fool. They are just past experiences that you can recall consciously or can come forth with certain stimulants. They don't define you, just remind you. How you look at a memory and allow it to change you is entirely up to you, and based on your own thought processes during the exchange... Don't get me wrong, the merging itself will be quite painful and you will be forced to witness every memory going into you quite quickly, but it won't change you much. Perhaps a couple of unconscious habits from my own experiences, but that is all.

Allen was silent, wary, keeping his own thoughts a wordless stream that he had long ago found the Fourteenth couldn't view. If I do decide to do this, how would it work?

The Fourteenth made a very obvious grab for control of his mind, and Allen easily brushed the attempt aside. That, Allen, is what it'll be like. I'll put my entire being into a reach for your mind. You must let me reach it, and I'll pour all of me into it. I don't know how long it would take, how painful it would be, and to be honest the extent of how you'll change. All I DO know is that this will be my last act in life, and it will give your plan a chance of success.

Lulubell was doing that thing with her pony tail where she curled her hair around a finger and let it unravel. That meant she was deep in thought. Rhode was harder to read, but Allen had more experience doing it. She was watching him, waiting for him to finish. He could see the confidence she had in him, the love sparkling in her dark purple eyes.

Allen sighed, internally. Why would you do this?

Hmmm? the Fourteenth drawled, why go through all that effort trying to break your mind, spend all that time finding a new way to gain control of your body, let all my careful plans go to waste and simply give up my entire being just for you? Well, I can tell you it certainly isn't because I like you. A rich laughter in his mind. I want nothing more than for Adam to be saved from that darkness within him. I gave my life trying to see it happen. When I woke up in you, this childish boy with such heart touching words and foolish determination, I knew the cause was hopeless. I needed to take control of you to see things happen, for there to be another chance of success... However, between your strength in holding me off and even the resistance to my efforts of driving you mad, I've recently come to realize that perhaps my best chance is letting you lead. I can finally rest and leave it all to someone else. To be honest, it's not a bad way to go.

Allen realized it then. The Noah were immortal... If the Fourteenth was sincere, this would be like a form of death for him. At the same time, Allen himself would become an immortal Noah. Perhaps... Perhaps that would mean he wouldn't die soon? Allen knew that even if he beat the Earl, he only had a few more years in him. The cursed eye took many years from his life, and the parasitic Innocence drew its power from his very life force. Rhode had been determined to see otherwise, see him live a full life, but even she had seen truth before the end.

That's another thing. My mind, the damage you've done to it... What happens with that? It still scared him. He could still see the spade in the corner of his eye, and looking he saw only a tie that held Lulubell's garment closed. Another, to the left, and it was just Rhode's lips as she smiled softly. Allen felt a giggle trying to rise in his throat, and it died with a whimper.

The Fourteenth waved him off. Likely a complete recovery. My work will be undone in the merge.

Allen sighed again, pinching the bridge of nose. The headache grew worse and worse the longer they spoke, as it always did, but he didn't have a choice in that right now. In fact, he didn't really have a choice in this decision either. The Fourteenth was deceptive and always striving to take over him, but Allen couldn't recall anytime he had lied about something this crucial. If Allen wanted to beat the Earl, he would have to trust the Fourteenth and accept this.

Is there anything else...? Allen asked, still a little lost.

There was a moment of just his own thoughts, then, I do have a 'last request,' if you will. Allen took a deep breath and made his decision. We'll do this. What do you want?

Sleep with Lulubell again before we merge. I don't have to be in control or anything, but we do share this body so it would mean something to me.

Allen deadpanned, then shook his head roughly. Lulubell is mine, Fourteenth. As a matter of principle, that request is denied. He paused for a second, tilting his head as he watched the two Noah converse again. But there is something I don't mind doing. She might kill me for it, but...

Allen lifted himself up just enough to get an arm around Lulubell's trim waist, and he pulled her down suddenly. He could feel her tense, but without regard to his own health he brought her down so she was on top of him, and he kissed her passionately.

Rhode checked only to make sure it wasn't the Fourteenth in control, then allowed herself to relax and watch Allen's rather bold move. She hoped this meant he was getting more comfortable with both of them together.

It took only a moment for Lulubell to respond, and Allen could feel the smile on her lips as she kissed him back. One of his hands remained low around her back, holding her to him, while the other made a slow run over the soft fabric covering her stomach upwards. Lulubell's own hand went behind his head, pressing them together, while the other held her up. Allen's hand reach the bottom of her breast, and with only a slight hesitation and the reassurance that she hadn't stabbed him or anything yet, he cupped it.

Lulubell purred approvingly. Allen continued for a moment, letting the moment build in its passion, but just before it could escalate any further, he pulled back.

It took a moment for the lust-filled haze to leave his mind, him a little out of breath. He could see Lulubell's face still hovering over his, obviously desiring that they continue. Allen smiled up at her, and after the kiss he found himself a little reluctant to speak right away.

Lulubell seemed the same as she stared down at him, a smile of her own on her lips, but then she asked him quietly, "Does that mean you are done with your conversation with the Fourteenth?"

Allen bit his lip at that and sighed before shaking his head, both of his arms around her currently. "Unfortunately, no. I'm sorry, I just needed to do that real quick."

Lulubell tilted her head before moving to withdraw, and he let her go. She remained settled on her knees as she stared at him, then glanced over at Rhode. "Do his conversations usually take this long?" The slighter girl shook her head, then turned her gaze back at Allen.

Allen could tell from the look she wanted a kiss like that too, and he smiled at her apologetically. He addressed both of them when he spoke, "There is just one more thing. Please, give us a moment. The Fourteenth and I are going to merge." Do it.

Both girls' eyes widened at that, and Allen smiled at their looks as he felt the most massive attempt yet from the Fourteenth approaching his mind. He knew that fighting it off would be very painful and difficult, but he was confident he could deflect it if needed. He didn't need to.

"No, Allen!" Rhode gasped, at the same time Lulubell started, "Wait-"

Believe it or not, that kiss was more than I was expecting. Good bye, Allen Walker. The presence touched his mind.

XXXX

It. Was. Agony.

Allen felt he could now properly empathize with what the others had gone through under the Destroyer of Time, and he faintly felt his mouth twist into a loud scream of pain. Among this maelstrom, his body felt somehow distant, its seizes not really a part of him. Those hands, so far away from his mind, clawed at the shell separating them. Perhaps they were clawing at his face? Yet, that felt distant too.

Presently, image after image was slamming into Allen's mind. He didn't know beforehand how this process went, absently assuming it might be like a long stream of memories, the key word there being 'stream.' Instead, it was like each event stacked behind each other in a couple of millennia long line, and he was a train slamming through each one. To make things worse, he hit those memories (they hit him?) like they were brick walls, completely stunning and disorienting him as a web of thoughts and actions and images that weren't his coiled and stuck to his mind. He would still be trying to process one before the next hit, and then another, and another...

After the first few, Allen lost his focus on his own individuality, as he had feared beforehand. Instead of being Allen Walker, he was the Spectator. He witnessed these memories, but true to the Fourteenth's earlier words these memories weren't what he became. No, they were another man's memories, and he would forever remember them. Whatever sense that made.

He saw the small boy lying in a pool of his own blood, saw the world through that boy's perspective. He felt the anger and bitterness and grief his position was causing him. Then the Millennium Earl appeared, and the offer was made. He saw the hand reach up and grasp the man's, accepting the deal.

The hands were still clasped when he hit the next image, and there were the rains too. The rains, an aftermath of a disturbing battle. A battle between the Millennium Earl and the man named Noah. They were bodyguards for the First Noah – not called that at the time - bloodied and beaten in their efforts of keeping The Millennium Earl alive. He could feel the concerns and worries for the Earl, his brother Adam. Adam had been grievously injured.

The next image hit, and they were also on a boat. An Ark. Himself and thirteen others. Together they were the fourteen Noah clansmen. After Adam's victory over the apostle Noah, the Millennium Earl named them. On this powerful Ark, capable of bending dimensions and Space, they alone survived as the world drowned away in the terrible Flood.

They were still on that Ark when the next image slammed into him. Innocence had survived the Flood. The battle continued, this time against the many Exorcists who found the fragments of the original Innocence. The fragments meant nothing, though. Only the Heart of Innocence, the weapon of Noah, mattered to them.

Memory after memory. Sticky brick wall after sticky brick wall. He plowed through them as the Spectator. Holes in Allen's memory of the world's history were filled in. The Noah cast a bloody and dark influence on the world, influencing governments and leaderships to an extent he had never before believed.

Centuries after centuries of these terrible memories. A man in Nazareth had found the Heart of Innocence. They managed to kill him before he could unleash its potential. Centuries later, another found the Heart. So many Akuma were destroyed, but again they killed the host and again the Heart disappeared before they could destroy it. Adam needed to restock his Akuma army, bringing in a terrible age of darkness and sorrow. A plague brought by fleas was blamed.

So much bloodshed and slaughter... He felt he was drowning in the blood he had spilled. Dark thoughts, treacherous thoughts. Adam, his reign over the Noah clan, was becoming something he found himself despising. The Millennium Earl never changed throughout the ages, of course, but the girl... The girl with the flower...

Slamming into another image, coiling around the many before it, there was the girl with the flower. As her blood dripped down his hands, as he watched the final spark of life leave her eyes, he came to a decision. Adam had gone too far. No, Adam simply was too far. The promise, the promise over that very corpse, that he would do whatever it took to bring the First Noah out of the darkness and have him saved.

A new image, and there was the sword. God apparently had a sense of humor, for the day after his promise was formed he stumbled across the sword. It was the perfect match to Adam's own, the Sword of Damnation. This, he decided boldly, would be the Sword of Salvation. It was funny, he, a Noah, wielding a blessed blade.

The sensation of slamming into a new memories was something he was growing numb to, instead it was like a blanket covering a blanket over a blanket. While it was all just one blanket, yeah?

He was dying. It was funny. He thought he would die in an epic struggle against Adam, brother fighting brother to the very end. Instead, some Exorcist punk with a slingshot proved more than his match in single combat. He saw the gold flanking the kid's uniform, but the knowledge that it was a Marshal ending this body meant little to him. He wondered, briefly, if he would still be reincarnated, or if his decision this time to save his brother would mean this was the end... His life ended.

A new blanketing memory added to the others. He was reincarnated, and he found himself happily reunited with his siblings-by-clan. They didn't know. He had another chance. He was slapped for an overzealous grope of Lustul's rather delectable derriere, but all seemed right for the moment, surrounded by his family.

Another washed over him. The brother of the body he had taken over, Mana Walker, accepted him still, and the host's memories that added to his were overjoyed. While his clansmen were his family, Mana was still his brother by blood. Trusting his brother, he told Mana of his plan. He would save Adam, he would replace him as the next Millennium Earl. Mana approved.

Road, forgive him! He prepared his sword for the final sealing blow, as he had done to Joyd just yesterday. Road, lithe form quivering after her defeat (only because she was caught off-guard by his treachery), resigned herself to her fate. He wrenched his eyes shut as he impaled her, the power of Innocence burning into her form. The Eldest would be sealed away.

On the run. Adam had found out his plan, and he had been unable to finish with Road. Everything about her had reverted back to her host's original body when she had first woken up, no memories of her life as a Noah, a mere thirteen year old girl, but Road had not been sealed away entirely. His carefully planning, up in flames. With Mana at his side, they were on the run, still just kids.

Years passed, never a moment's rest. His former family would confront him at any time, destructive battles raging before he could barely slip away. A terrible, burdensome life. Mana remained optimistic. He grew fearful. There was some good, though. In some of the battles, he managed to seal away his siblings.

His body was around twenty now. Year after bloody year had passed, so much Noah blood needlessly spilled in the conflict. His heart grieved for his family, what he had caused it. He had planted his essence in a woman, fortunately, so if he would at least have another shot if he failed here. Another host. He had done it, finally, though. After so many years of barely surviving, he had sealed away the last of his siblings, sent them to another cycle of reincarnations. They would come back to a new Millennium Earl, and all would be well. Only himself, Adam, and the strangely young Road remained. For the first time, he had stopped running. It was a time for action.

He lost. The Millennium Earl made sure he remembered this moment, slowly ripping his body to shreds, burning away his own Dark Matter from the inside. Adam was too powerful for him, too ancient even against himself. His only regret, as the last of his life slipped away, was what he had failed to finish. He would save Adam with his next (and maybe final) life, no matter what it took.

The final few coatings of memories came to him, of the life within the mind of Allen Walker, the frustrating resistance to his take over. His brother had filled the boy with too much determination, ironically enough. Allen Walker, a boy bearing his own last name. In a way, it was almost like being thwarted by his own son, which amused him. Frustrated him, but amused him as well.

The memories continued all the way to the very moment his being touched Allen's mind, and then everything came to a crashing halt.

The Spectator remained suspended in nothingness, feeling a distant body breath labored breaths. It was strange, this nothingness surrounded him entirely, his thoughts nonexistent. The only thing that was anything was that body, located so far away from him, that body he could feel everything from, just faintly with the distance.

He focused on that body.

It was exhausted, aching. The breaths came hard. It was lying on something soft, its shirt or usual coat removed in favor of an entirely bared chest. What else, he could faintly feel two sources of contact. Hands, a small one and a larger one, both feminine. Both were cool to him, or rather his body very hot. He felt he should recognize who the hands belonged to.

His mind drifted for a few more moments in silence, just taking in whatever else he could about that faint body. Nothing really seemed to change, besides the breathing slowing down to more manageable levels. He felt like he was waiting for something, but what?

Finally, he learned that he could drift closer to the body. It was a slow movement, just a recognition that he and it were getting closer. Details about it became clearer, more pronounced. The closer he got to the body, the more he could feel... the more he remembered.

He had really only barely approached it before a sudden spark shot through him, a reminder of things. He was Allen Walker, and he was recovering from merging with the Fourteenth. Those two ladies were waiting for him.

Allen struggled and fought, clawing his way through the dark to get back to his body, and all in a rush he was there.

The breath filled his lungs, his lungs, and his eyes flew open as he reconnected fully. The world of color and life filled his vision, and for the first time reality – the true world outside a few millennia of history – became the focus of his mind. Allen felt the hands holding him down in his sudden jerk awake, and he looked and saw the two who were waiting for him.

"Road, Lustul..." he muttered, relieved, and then the exhaustion hit him and he feel asleep, his last sight his two clanswomen looking at each other in confusion before the blackness consumed him.

XXXX

Allen woke up a short time later. The first thing he noticed was the soft voices speaking on either side of him.

"So you believe he is still Allen within his mind?"

"Well, he still looks the same, and we both have seen how the Fourteenth's body would replace him when he was the one in control."

"That is tr- He is awake."

Allen opened his eyes.

Rhode's fingers tapped his chest idly from his left side, and he could see her head propped up with one arm as she stared at him. "Well, this has been an eventful day for you, hasn't it, Allen?"

There was something cautious about her tone, her eyes narrowed just a tad in wariness. Allen could read that look easy enough, and he could recall the same on Road a thousand times. He smiled softly, knowing the merge had been a success. "Yes, it has. How long... How long did everything take?"

Rhode shrugged and looked over to Lulubell, on Allen's other side. The Noah of Lust answered him, "You were screaming for perhaps ten minutes, showed signs of being comatose for another five, and you've slept for the last fifteen." Her golden eyes regarded him gently, and she ran a hand over his arm caressingly. "It is a relief to see you are yourself."

Allen huffed a laugh at that. "Don't tell me you are going to go soft around me now, Lulubell-chan."

Her hand curled in an instant, so that her nails were against his flesh, and Allen readied himself for the burst of pain that... didn't come. Lulubell had a sly smile as she only gently dragged her nails over his arm in a pleasant way. "I should punish you for the suggestion. However... You have done what no other man has, and you have made me soft. Also, I don't think we should bring back your scars just yet, considering our earlier conversation."

A quip about her speaking so much at once died on Allen's lips as his eyes suddenly left her beauty to witness his own body. Sure enough, and he hadn't even noticed before, every single one of the formerly countless mars had vanished, leaving only smooth skin. In fact, the only thing that remained was the blotch of Innocence resting over his heart, and likely a matching one on his back. Another benefit of the merge, Allen was certain.

Allen felt tears building in his eyes suddenly. That wasn't all there was. His mind was clearer than it had been in some time. The sensation was odd. He hadn't thought there was any other problems besides the occasional bubble of madness. Now that it was all gone, he found a smooth and extraordinary silence and clarity. His thoughts were his and crisp, and he found himself just thinking things to himself for the fun of it. More, though, the Music was as loud as its ever been. It was the same as if he had activated his Noah form, the enthralling song pulsing through his entire being... yet, it was more ignorable now than it had been as the continuous buzz in the back of his mind. It was simply just another part of him, as it had been for thousands of years.

He was a Noah now, healthier, stronger, and more sound (no pun intended) than ever before. The Noah of Music, the Fourteenth Noah, the Millennium Earl. Truly. And he was still himself, as had been promised.

Good bye, Fourteenth. And thank you.

Allen had an urge to hug something, and, you know what, he had two arms, so make that somethings. He captured either girl in an arm, and he clutched them both in the sheer happiness of the situation. After an awkward moment of being squished together by Allen's zeal, Rhode and Lulubell managed to maneuver around each other and return his embrace, slightly.

Allen tilted his head forward and kissed Rhode, slightly surprising her for a moment, and then he tilted his head the other way and kissed Lulubell, who was more prepared for it. There was something about the motion, the tilting of his head either way to kiss both girls, that told him it was something he was going to grow used to fast.

His mood was infectious as both Rhode and Lulubell smiled back at his obvious joy. His grip over them loosened to where they weren't rubbing shoulders anymore, and Allen's high spirits gave him a sudden confidence. His beaming smile became a grin, and his hands began a slow descent over their forms.

"Well, considering that tomorrow may be our last day alive, I say that we make the most of this night. Now, my only question is how is this going to work, since I can only be with one of you at a time?" He had been with both girl before, separately, but this was beyond him. But, to be honest, their relationship together was new, so he could be stuttering and awkward until the girls guided him right, or he could be bold and shameless and see where that got him.

As Allen's hands reached their destinations, Rhode shot Lulubell a wry smile. "As a fair warning, get used to this feeling now. Allen is an ass-grabbing pervert."

Lulubell, one arm against his chest, brushed a bang from her eye and smirked. "So I see."

Rhode then turned back to Allen with a playful grin. "To answer your question, husband, I'm going to have to say you are going to need some creativity. Order us to... do something," Rhode suggested mischievously, then leaned in. "You are, after all..." She kissed his neck. "..our new..." Another. "...Duke Millennium, Master of Noah." She began to suckle a spot on his neck.

Allen raised an eyebrow at her behavior before glancing at Lulubell, trying to ignore the sparks of electricity Rhode was starting to send through him with her actions. The woman was sitting in a way that gave him quite the eyeful of her cleavage, and her expression was suiting for the occasion, with her half-lidded eyes and smirk.

"I'm afraid I'm a bit of a dominatrix," Lulubell confessed, smile growing predatory. "If you want to order me around, you are going to have to prove yourself worthy of that control."

Allen turned his head so that he nuzzled Rhode's for a moment before the gesture became more forceful and she broke off, glancing down at her handiwork approvingly. Her dark purple eyes then rose to meet his, waiting for his word and already having an idea of what he would say by her wide grin.

"Rhode-chan, would you be a dear and help me deal with a little problem? Lulubell here doesn't seem to want to submit to her new Duke," Allen asked offhand, grin playing on his lips as he eyed the French vixen.

Rhode moved off his right side and sat up, eyes glinting with amusement. "As you wish, my Duke... Would this be of assistance?" A length of rope appeared in her hands suddenly, as well as a pair of handcuffs.

Lulubell appeared to recognize the disadvantage of numbers here, and she didn't seem to mind at all. It appeared she would end as the 'Earl's Pet' yet again, and in an entirely new way this time. So far, she had to admit, the three of them were off to a rather promising start in this budding relationship.


AN: Yeah, I just beasted out this chapter in two days, using a third to edit it. 10.5k words. If I may say so, this entire second half came out completely different than what the outline said it should have, but I don't mind. Well, and here it is, folks. Fifty-three chapters after the suggestion of it in the VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH of the story, the Rhobellen pairing. My contribution to the male half of DGM fanfiction has officially been made. :D

Zomg, zomg, zomg! Two more chapters! One more for this story, then an epilogue! So excited!