Chapter 16

Disclaimer: I don't own DGM

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The Earl arrived quickly, accompanied by a few Skull and Road. The Skull quickly swarmed around Tyki, mumbling spells. Then they turned to the Earl.

"We can heal him, bit it will take some time. And he should rest a bit afterwards."

The Earl nodded and looked at Allen. "What happened?"

Allen looked at him. "We wanted to visit a few of Tyki's friends, but we were ambushed. I think they were aiming for Tyki, they beat his friends to a bloody pulp to get him angry. One of them used fire, but Tyki originally dodged him."

The Earl looked at him. "Then why is he so burned up?"

Allen sighed. "Because he went below ground to dodge the attack, which was the main intention of the exorcists. One of them controlled earth and impaled him there, raising him right into the flames."

The Earl nodded. "Then what happened? What happened to the one that controlled earth?"

Allen looked at him, his eyes emotionless. "I killed him." When the Earl raised his brows, Allen continued. "He was a bloodthirsty monster that should not exist."

The Earl nodded. "Very well, what happened exactly?"

Allen looked at him. "I'll explain later, right now, I'm worried about Tyki."

The Earl accepted this, but then he asked one more question. "If it was an exorcist that attacked, where is his Innocence?"

Instead of answering, Allen held up a black ax bladed on both sides, with something not clearly visible in the center, right where a green orb had been before. Then he went to Road and looked at what the Skull were doing with Tyki.

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Jesaia and Val were back at Headquarters, exhausted and annoyed. Komui and Levrier were questioning them. Val had gone silent, but it was different from her usual empty silence. She seemed annoyed, but Levrier didn't notice it, perhaps because he didn't really looked at her. Then she simply stood up and left. Levrier seemed confused, then he shrugged it off and turned his full attention to Jesaia, who proceeded to completely ignore him.

"What exactly happened? Did you succeed your mission? Why is Friedrich dead?" Jesaia didn't even look up as Levrier seemed to go down the road to a heart-attack.

Komui sighed and started to talk to Jesaia. "What exactly happened on your mission?"

Jesaia took a deep breath, then he started to talk. "We found the miners and Friedrich nearly killed them." At this point, Komui gave Levrier a surprised glare, but decided they would discuss this another time and turned his attention back to Jesaia. "Tyki arrived, foaming with rage, but he wasn't alone. Allen Walker was with him and when Tyki fell into the trap, he stopped the killing blow. Then his Innocence covered his ears and he said something about Friedrich's Innocence screaming in pain and he proceeded to kick our asses. Then he activated his eye and threw up."

Komui seemed surprised. "Do you know why he threw up?"

Jesaia nodded. "He said his eye could now see though the souls of the living, and that Friedrich was a bloodthirsty lunatic that enjoyed torture and death. He said that Friedrich was even tying the souls of his victims to himself, denying them the peace of death."

Levrier shook his head. "That's on obvious lie. Friedrich Himmelhund was a responsible person doing what was necessary. He was a great man that..."

Jesaia interrupted him. "He was a dangerous madman that loved to kill, he admitted it right after Allen blew his cover. He used Val as a cover for his attack and speared her. If Allen hadn't fixed her up, she would have bled to death."

At that point, Link appeared to report about the topic. "We found out that this weaker and softer Clown Belt stops the flow of blood, disinfects and in fact increases the recovery speed. The head nurse has decided to leave the makeshift bandage on exorcist Nocturn for now."

Komui nodded and looked at Jesaia, while Levrier seemed to be in shock at the revelations about his favorite exorcist. Jesaia decided to give him another push and see if he broke.

"Friedrich said something about the agony of wanting to kill people around him, yet not being able to. My guess is that he would have soon snapped anyway. And then round 2 started and we found out he had been going easy on us the entire time."

Komui looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"When a parasitic-type Innocence is activated, strength, speed and all that stuff is boosted, right?" Jesaia asked. Komui nodded and Jesaia continued. "Well, he had gone into Noah-form when I shot the first fire his way and afterwards he activated his Innocence to save Tyki. So it didn't boost a human, but a Noah. And Noah's are already as fast and strong as an activated parasite. I didn't even see him move when he slashed Friedrich. And then he charged at me, rather, I charged at him when Friedrich was yelling in terror."

"And what were those vines that Friedrich was tied in? We needed Kanda's Mugen to slash through them and the entire plant took forever to burn even under your Hellfire." Levrier had regained his ability of speech.

Jesaia shrugged. "I have no idea. I was out cold and when I woke up, Friedrich was already hanging in the ropes. Oh and Komui, what type of Innocence is Crown Clown again? I mean, first it was just his arm, then the cape came, so how do you categorize that?"

Komui looked at him. "Allen's Innocence is a body-armor, why?"

Jesaia shook his head. "No it's not. Right now..."

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Flashback

Jesaia looked at the Noah that was attacking Friedrich while he tried to push Allen away. Then his eyes widened. "Impossible!" he hissed. The Noah attacking Friedrich was Allen Walker! He wasn't wearing the cape, but the cross on his left hand was glowing white. But if Allen was over there, then who was he fighting with? He looked at the white figure. It was Crown Clown, but now that he took a closer look, he only saw the mask, the claw he was holding, and white. Maybe it was because the light now hit the mask from a different angle, but the entire mask suddenly looked amused. Then the cape billowed up and Jesaia saw that it was empty. He had been fighting the Innocence, but without the host. Then he was surround by white, before everything turned black.

End of Flashback

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"...it is a Doppelgänger. It can separate from Allen and act on its own. It knocked me out while Allen fought Friedrich. But I wasn't conscious when Friedrich died, and I think Val was still out cold at the time, I woke up before she did." That last part was a lie, but there was no need to inform Levrier about the change that had occurred with Val. He would find out soon enough, and Jesaia hoped it would be a painful discovery.

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Road and Allen had been kicked out by the Skull who needed absolute focus. Tyki would be completely healed, and there was not much they could do. Allen had to make good on his promise and help Road with her homework. It was not that difficult and Allen had no problems solving the problems, but he was worried about Tyki. Road noticed that and looked at Allen.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine. But what happened?"

Allen explained her how Tyki and his friends were hurt and how he fought the exorcists. He described what he had seen with his left eye and how the madman used a comrade as cannon fodder. He described how his Innocence separated from him and made the white phantom appear behind her as proof. He noticed he could somewhat control the Innocence, but it could move without his help, not that it hadn't displayed that ability before. Then he started to describe the last seconds of the battle.

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Flashback

Allen noticed he had split up from his Innocence, but he still had the boost in strength and speed, so he was actually glad that his Innocence was keeping the other opponent busy, though he hoped that Crown Clown wouldn't kill him. The man before him could not be allowed to exist another day, he was like a mad Rottweiler in an nursery, and it was Allen's job to put him to sleep before his madness claimed any more victims, but the boy seemed okay.

Allen dashed at Friedrich, who tried to bring the ax down on him. Allen hit it at the hilt and the weapon flung out of Friedrich's hand and into the air. While Friedrich grabbed at it, Allen noticed a twitch in his left hand. He suddenly knew that his Innocence had just knocked out the boy. It seemed that when separated, he and his Innocence had some sort of telepathic connection. But he would study that later.

Allen grabbed for the ax and closed his fingers around it a moment before Friedrich would have reached it. Suddenly a red aura formed around his left arm and shot up the shaft of the weapon. Then it reached the actual blade. The weapon became bigger and sharper while it turned black. The green crystals that had been visible in the center were covered and shape-shifted. On both sides one could now see the face of a human skull. Then the jaws of both skulls opened and an inhuman cry that curdled the blood of all who heard it resonated from them. Allen noticed it sounded almost like the cries he had heard before thanks to his Innocence, but this cry was different. The cries before had been cries of agony, a call for help. The cry that now resonated in their eardrums was filled with rage. The Innocence wanted revenge for all the lives this man had forced it to take. Allen brought the ax down.

Friedrich had seen what had happened to his weapon and when it screamed, he jumped backwards and the ax missed him. He saw how deep the blade sunk into the ground and realized Allen Walker had been serious when he promised him a swift death. That blow would have split his head and probably a good part of his torso in half and he would have died before the pain would have reached him. But he was not ready to die and give up on all the slaughter he could still cause.

Allen saw Friedrich was on the retreat, but before he could react, he felt something emanating from the weapon. Then a spike shot out of the ground and hit Friedrich right in the center of his upper back. A gruesome crunch was heard as the spike smashed the spine and pierced into the heart. Allen had the feeling Friedrich's heart was looking like what Allen's and Luciano's had looked like, only that what caused the hole was still there. Then smaller thorns shot out of the main spike, shredding the heart and instantly killing Friedrich. All this happened in less than a second. Then the thorns retreated back into the spike and the spike pulled itself out of the man's back with a disgusting sound and sunk back into the ground. Then Allen felt something getting drained out of his body. He shrugged and walked to Friedrich. He gabbed the exorcist's coat the man was still wearing and pulled it off him.

"You don't deserve to wear this." he muttered and suddenly three glowing red waves washed over the coat and it turned to dust. Allen shrugged, apparently he figured out something new about his power: matter couldn't take his power in rapid succession. Then, suddenly and without a warning, black, thorned vines wrapped himself around Friedrich's arms and pulled him into the forest. Allen looked at his hands, then at the ax.

"Did I do that or was that you? Or maybe it was both of us?" He wondered as he followed the mans trail. He found him in a kneeling position with arms spread. His Innocence had returned to him and draped itself around him. Allen smiled. He had seen how the chains that bound the souls to him had broken and how they had vanished, a relieved smile on their faces. Allen noticed that while the thorns had shredded his insides, not a single one of them had pierced the man's chest. Allen decided to leave a message for those who would find him, just so they knew what they were facing. He carved the word sinner into Friedrich's chest, the immense hatred inside of him had not yet completely vanished even with the man's death.

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Inside of Allen's mind, the musician was howling with laughter, knowing that Allen couldn't hear him.

"Wonderful Allen." He shouted, still laughing. "You are surpassing my wildest dreams. To think that this was your ability. I understand it now, and it has no restriction but the ones you give it, even the normal bounds of Influence-types cannot hold you. Once you master it, you will be an unstoppable force. I was known as one of the most powerful Noah of all times and you dwarf my power by far. While I was the lord of all that could hear, the very creation itself is your plaything, your toy. Nothing in this world is beyond your grasp, not even Innocence or Dark Matter. None can stand above you, even the Earl is your equal at best. You will succeed where all others have failed. You will avenge me and your other brethren. You are not dependent on anyone, what you desire you can claim. The very rules of creation that are too far above the world to affect it are trying to restrict you, and even their effect can be bended by your power. Only god and those that have his ability can withstand you and deserve the title of your equal. Once you can fully control the power, you may accomplish what myself and others could only attempt. Mana, you could not have picked a worthier successor. While his power will take longer to fully master, even the Earl will have difficulties facing him and reaching a draw when he reaches perfection. Once he has attained enough control, our wish can be granted, Cross has already said he would help. He holds the key to our success, and Allen will make it possible to reach the lock. But for now, let's give this marvelous flower some time to bloom."

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Then he activated his left eye and looked at the other two. The boy's soul was not connected to any chains, but Allen could see some other things that told him a lot about him. Allen figured that what he saw meant the boy was hiding emotional scars behind a smile, but that the smile was more than a simple mask. The boy was most likely always good for a joke, but when he became serious, he'd be frightening. Allen had a feeling this boy had not shown all he could do yet. Allen wondered how high his ratio was and the mask once again slid over his face to answer.

94% was written right above the gloves. Allen was impressed and turned towards the girl.

To his surprise, she was awake and looked at him. Allen gasped when he saw her soul. It was wrapped up in spiked chains! Allen had never seen anything like this before, but he knew he wouldn't leave it at that.

End of Flashback

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Road had listened to Allen without interrupting him once, and Allen was grateful for that. Then Luciano ran into the room, gasping for breath.

"You gotta come see this." He managed to stammer ."The Earl has pitted Michael against ten Level 4."

Without a word, both Road and Allen jumped up and followed Luciano.

When they arrived, they saw that it was not a fair fight. Ten against one, that was not an even match. For that, they needed at least twenty. Michael was in his true form and it was clear that the Level 4 didn't stand the ghost of a chance. The Earl seemed to see that as well, as he soon after stopped the fight and looked at the damage. Not a single Level 4 had gotten away without multiple injuries, but most were fixable. But the Earl kicked two Level 4 away.

"These are damaged beyond repair, they're of no use to me anymore." Indeed, those two were looking terrible. They were covered in cracks and holes the size of melons were in their torsos. One of them was missing more than half his face and the puppet-like limbs on both of them were broken many times. Indeed, that was far beyond the point of no return. The Earl took the still usable ones and vanished. Allen looked at the broken figures that had landed in front of his feet.

"Well, if he doesn't need them..." He muttered and a white aura surrounded his left arm. He turned the pentacle on the first ones forehead and a burst of white energy flowed into the broken form that melted together to a big, white lump that twisted as it changed form. Allen ignored the display and repeated what he had done on the second Akuma and he started to change shape as well. Allen suddenly felt shaky and Road rushed to support him.

"You're not used to using your power yet. When Tyki started, he couldn't walk through a closed door without collapsing. Jasdevi would require a break when they materialized a paper towel and Skin couldn't even get enough juice going to make a light bulb glow. What you're doing is amazing, but there's no need to push it." She sounded worried.

Allen smiled. "Yes there is. Those two looked like they wouldn't stick around much longer and when will I get the chance to awaken another one of Michael's kind, let alone two? What I do ends the soul's suffering, the darkness is destroyed and the soul and the body actually unite."

Road sighed. "So you're still thinking about the Akuma? You need to relax."

Allen grinned. "I am Noah's compassion, it's only natural I care about suffering."

Now Road started to grin as well. "Right now, you are exhausted, weakened and essentially helpless, so you're at my mercy." Allen gulped. She was right, he would barely lift a finger. Then she kissed him again as she pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.

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Lulubelle had been watching this display of emotions together with her new maid, Sophia, with interest.

'Maybe I should tell Cyrill about this, or mention it the next time he asks me if I saw them together, he asks that at least five times a day. He would kill Allen and save me the trouble.' She thought to herself. Then she looked at her nails which Sophia had just finished.

'Or maybe I should just forget this.' Sophia was working very hard, not only on her nails, she was a better cook than the Akuma and she kept both Lulubelle's room and Lulubelle herself looking great. 'Yes, I think I should forget this. At least when Cyrill is around. That doesn't mean I can't tell Allen what I saw.' She smirked. That would be amusing.

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When Road decided to release Allen, the new Level 5's had formed. One of them looked like a young woman that looked to be in her early twenties. Unlike Michael, her entire torso was covered by the white, silk-like material that also covered his lower body. The other one looked like a nine-year-old boy with short hair. Both were without color except for the blood-red angel wings on their backs. They were kneeling in front of Allen. Allen first turned to the little boy.

"What's your name?" He asked.

The boy seemed to think, then he shrugged. "I don't remember. Name me as you wish, my master."

Allen shrugged in disappointment and turned to the woman. "Do you remember your name?"

The woman focused, then she nodded. "My name is Gabrielle, unless you wish to change it."

Road looked at them. "Are all Level 5 such puppets?" The nameless boy stuck his white tongue out at her. Road looked at him. "I'll take that as a no."

Allen seemed to be lost in thought, then he turned to Road. "Do you think I should make them a group?"

Road grinned. "Why not? The Earl has a few groups, so why shouldn't you? Besides the Noah, he has the order of his five most powerful Skull, it's called Pentagram. Can I pick a name?"

Allen looked at her. "Sure, but I won't promise I'll use it."

Luciano decided to talk. "I practically already founded a group of Deminoah even though I'm the only one that fights right now. I am one of the Fallen."

Allen smiled weakly. "It sounds nice. I guess someone told you about the Togaochi, huh?"

Luciano nodded. "Your friend Lavi did."

"I've got it!" Road suddenly shouted. "We have a Michael, and if Gabrielle agrees to shorten her name a bit we have a Gabriel, so why not call the group Archangels?"

Allen nodded. That sounded good. He looked at Gabrielle. "Would you mind if we changed your name to Gabriel?"

The woman smiled at him. "Not at all, as I've said before, we are yours to command. We owe you our souls and we will not forget that."

Road seemed surprised. "Who would've thought that your care for souls would really repay itself?"

Allen ignored that. "Do you know your abilities? Michael knew his one right away. Oh, that reminds me, Michael, would you mind helping me with an experiment?"

Michael shook his head. "Negative. What should I do?"

Allen held up the ax. "Can you use the Nirvana Field on this? I want to see something."

Michael nodded and a black ring appeared five feet above their heads. The ring itself was two feet wide and started to expand in the attempt to become an orb. Allen threw the ax into it before it closed completely. The black orb hovered there for a second, then it vanished. A piece of Innocence was floating in the air for a moment, then it dropped. Allen caught it as a thunder was heard.

Road looked at Allen. "What just happened?"

Allen explained. "Michael's special ability summons that ring you just saw, the size of it can be fragments of millimeters or hundreds of miles. The ring turns into an orb, the Nirvana field. Everything within that field, except for Innocence, is reduced to nothing. Matter, energy, air, gravity, and everything else you can think of, nothing is in that space. Once it vanishes, it leaves a vacuum. Air fills that vacuum and we hear a thunder. Basically just like lightning. I've forbidden Michael to use it."

Road nodded. That was way too dangerous to be let loose, it could destroy the entire planet. She looked at the other two, who seemed lost in thought. Gabriel spoke first.

"My ability is the Realm of Privacy. I create a field, either stationary or mobile, and only those who I let may remain or enter. There are two settings. In the first setting banish, all who are in the field and not wanted there are thrown out of it and it keeps them out like a forcefield. The second setting vanquish, does not keep anyone from entering, but it completely annihilates everything that I do not want in my realm. I can change the settings at will."

Allen nodded. This could be useful. He looked at the boy.

"My ability is the Light of Judgment. It has two settings, but those are for the intensity, and three stages. The first setting, dim, works like normal light, it throws shadows in which my power takes no effect, while bright pierces all and there is no hiding within its effective range. My light only affects those I see as enemies. The weakest stage, blind, simply blinds my enemies for a while, just like a bright light normally would. The second stage harm inflicts pain on my foes, it burns them like fire or causes pain without marks, depending on my will. The last one, destroy, annihilates all my foes."

Allen nodded. Also useful abilities. "I have decided. Since you have forgotten you name, I will call you Uriel. And I'll take Road's idea. You all are my Archangels."

All three bowed and spoke in unison. "We, the Archangels, are at your command, Allen Walker."

Luciano could resist. He bowed in slight mockery. "And the Fallen are as well. That is, should you decide to make some more."

Allen grinned. "There is in fact someone who might want to join, but all in due time, my friend. Right now I'm starving, let's go eat."

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Valkyrie was laying on her bed, looking at the ceiling. She was thinking about those few moments that had changed everything.

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Flashback

She had lain on the ground, helpless and in pain. She could only watch as the boy who had killed the monster Friedrich came closer. She had known that he was mad, but the fear had always stopped her from speaking. She was broken and she didn't care if she died because of an Akuma or Friedrich's thirst for blood. In fact, she could hardly await the day she would leave this world behind. Then Allen Walker was by her side, looking at her with eyes filled with sorrow and care.

"Don't worry," he told her "I won't hurt you, I won't kill you, I will free you." Valkyrie didn't understand what he meant, but then she heard chains and suddenly, she was free of her fear. She felt complete again, just like before Levrier had broken her, just a little sore from the wound. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she realized what she had lost and now regained.

"Thank you." She whispered and Allen smiled.

"I don't know what they did to you, but they can't do it again. You can protect yourself now, so Levrier won't be a problem. As for me, you can be my friend or my foe, I will not hurt you. You have suffered far too much already. Goodbye."

With that, he gave her a last smile and turned away. He released the sphere around Tyki, took him and vanished through a gate. Val slowly stood up and dragged herself to where Friedrich's body lay.

She remained there for a while, then she went to look at Jesaia. He was still unconscious, but his eyelids fluttered. Then they opened.

"You're awake." She said.

End of Flashback

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She smiled. There were many things she wanted to do, so it was time for some planning.

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Meanwhile, down at the Order's equivalent of a morgue, the door opened and Jesaia appeared. He went to Friedrich's coffin. He looked at the man with disgust.

"If Allen wouldn't have done it, I would have, and it would have been a lot more painful. You don't deserve to be here Himmelhund, besides all these people that gave their lives for a just cause. So I will do now what I should have done long ago."

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When the sun rose, Levrier was busy yelling at Jesaia. The coffin with Friedrich's corpse had vanished. All that was found were a few traces of ash at the bottom of the mountain. And Jesaia had been so sure that the wind would have scattered it all away.

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And chapter 16 is done. My basic guideline for chapter length is 4000 words, but I get the feeling people are starting to expect more because I am in a giant writing rush. Writing just one story is not easy, two at the same time can be nearly impossible. But enough of my ranting. I apologize for the delay, I had to rewrite this, the first version was crap. I shouldn't write in working breaks.

Anyways, this chapter has brought a lot of new information. I summoned two new Level 5 and explained the powers of all three. I cleared up a few open questions from last chapter and gave some vague ramble about Allen's power. It might not seem that great in the beginning, but it leaves infinite possibilities for me to work with.

And here my questions:

1. How do you like my Archangels and their powers?

2. I will reveal Allen's power next chapter. Does anyone have a idea what it might be?

3. I've given Crown Clown even more new abilities, how do you like them?

4. How do you think will Valkyrie take revenge on Levrier?

5. How do you like this chapter?

6. Put everything else you want to tell me here

And here my usual communication with my readers.

To addenza, signrain and Winged Golden Tiger: Congratulations, all of you were right, Allen was the one that attacked Friedrich. And WGT you were close, it was an Innocence that screamed in rage, just not Allen's.

To Jay O'Toole: Fight scenes are hard because everyone thinks they're easy and expects more.

I've also changed my mind again, I will upload chapters when they're done and I think they're okay.

My work here is done, now your work starts:

Please Review