(A/n Hey everyone! Letting you know Link might not show up until later on because I kinda forgot about him haha. Onto the story!)
They'd just been dropped off in a small boat, not too far from shore. The water was choppy and threatened to push them farther away from their destination. Both Krory and Lavi gripped the oars and pushed against the current, thankfully the closer they got to shore the more calm the waters seemed to get.
"It's too bad the Captain couldn't have taken us all the way." Lenalee said as she glanced towards the horizon.
"Tch, he was cheap." Lavi scoffed.
"But Lavi that small boat could've sunk, there's a lot of rocks over here." Miranda said. Tim flew over to the woman's shoulder as if he was agreeing with her.
"And we can't?!" Lavi suddenly exclaimed, the Exorcist looked like he was about to pull his hair out.
Lenalee chuckled. "Get back to rowing Lavi. Poor Krory is doing all the hard work."
"Ah Kro-Chan can handle it by himself." That earned him a whack from the emerald haired girl. "Alright alright Lenalee!"
With Lavi's help, it took little time to make it to the docks. Thankfully they didn't sink.
The boat drifted to a stop against the pier. The first thing Lavi noticed was that the dock was lively. Fisherman crowded around as they prepared to head out to sea, further in the streets he could spot the shops which looked welcoming.
"So, Allen is supposed to be here?" Miranda asked to confirm as she climbed up onto the dock.
Krory nodded, glancing towards the sky. Something sinister was lurking here. "Yes. But other than that doesn't anyone feel like we're being watched?"
"You're not the only one." Lenalee mumbled. "I think there's Akuma here. It'd make sense if there's a Noah nearby."
"Great. Let's find Allen, and quick." Lavi said. The four people plus Tim began to weave their way through the people and towards the town. Finally they made it off the dock and they stopped to catch their breath.
"Alright!" Lavi said as he pumped a fist into the air, "Let's go get Moyashi-chan back!" The others snickered at Allen's nickname and were about to follow Lavi's actions and put their fists into the air when a loud explosion startled them.
"What was that?!" Miranda asked, bringing her hand closer to her chest as she turned around. Tim began to fly around wildly as if he was warning them something was coming. More explosions soon followed, bursts of pinkish light lit up the sky in the distance and screams filled the air.
"Akuma." Lenalee growled. Her eyes flickered over her friends and she said hurriedly, "We have to stop them before they hurt anyone." In seconds Lenalee had activated her Innocence, her Dark Boots gleamed as the pale sunlight reflected off of them. "I'll be leaving first."
"Lenalee wait-" Lavi began to call out, but he let his words trail off for the girl was already out of hearing range. "Alright. Miranda stick to us and don't use Time Record unless you really need to. Let's catch up to Lenalee." His companions gave him nods.
Krory was ready to suck some Akuma blood while Miranda was slightly nervous. Tim just rested on Miranda's shoulder flicking his tail. And without wasting anymore time the three-plus a golem-ran into town.
oOo
Lenalee flew down onto a Level 2, it exploded on impact and thanks to her Dark Boots purified the soul within. She'd already cleared the area she was in. But in the distance she could spot some Level 3 and 4's, why are those so many Akuma here?! Behind her Lenalee heard the sounds of fighting, with a glance behind her she found the small figures of Krory and Lavi destroying some Akuma who had made it to the ground.
She gritted her teeth. This was a bad situation. Four Exorcists can't cover this whole town and make sure no one gets hurt. Hopefully the residents have already evacuated. She decided to make her way over to the large group before they could touch the earth.
As she flew over she quickly engaged with Akuma's who got in her way. She increased her speed to kick them in their chests, or did a spinning kick into their heads. Thankfully she hadn't run into a Level 3 yet. Those still freaked her out after Edo. Lenalee paused and let herself hover for a few seconds, wiping the little sweat that'd begun to gather on her forehead. Once she had caught her breath she was off.
As she was flying towards the group her eyes scanned the ground. Down below had buildings that were crumbling in some sections but for the most part of it the town looked untouched. As Lenalee got closer to the Akuma she could hear their grumbling and cackles. They hadn't noticed her yet, this gave her the upper hand. She was about to attack when something caught her eye.
Directly below her were two people. They weren't panicking, they were just standing there. And one in particular, had snow white hair.
Lenalee jerked to a stop. Could that be...Allen? Her mouth opened to call out to him, but then she remembered the Akuma flying down towards the town. She had to deal with them but by the time she's done Allen could be gone. She felt conflicted at the worst time.
Her boots began drifting down, losing altitude as if they knew what she really wanted to do. The Akuma hadn't slowed their pace and were on a direct course for the town. Lenalee bit her lip, should I go tell everyone else instead?
Flames suddenly erupted out of nowhere. She flipped around in surprise, hot air blasted in her face as she saw the Akuma getting roasted. She recognized that fire, Lavi. Her purple eyes widened when she saw the redhead on the ground waving up at her with a broad grin. What caused her to be even more surprised was that Lavi and the others unknowingly were a building away from Allen. Now that that horde of Akuma had been taken care of, she stealthy flew down towards her friends.
Lenalee landed gracefully and pressed her back against the wall taking in a deep breath. "Allen is right behind us." She said quietly.
Krory took a step back, "Really?! Then let's go!"
"Wait! He's with someone else. I think we should approach carefully." Lenalee suggested. "Like be quiet."
Lavi grimaced and shifted his hammer which rested on his shoulder, "Why do I feel like that was directed at me?"
"Okay! Let's get Allen back!" Miranda said with a smile. The other's shared a glance before they began to creep towards the end of the building they'd been standing behind.
Upon peaking around the corner Lenalee's eyes widened and she whispered, "Is that Road? I mean, she a Noah so we shouldn't be surprised…"
"Noah or not if she gets in the way of taking our friend back I'll fight her." Krory declared going to step out of the buildings cover. The others were about to follow his lead, Tim bouncing eagerly on Lenalee's shoulder, when Lavi suddenly said,
"Wait wait wait, doesn't Allen seem, off?"
Miranda shot Lavi a questioning look, "What do you mean?"
"Well I mean-"
"N-Nea? Is that...you?" Road's shaky voice cut through the air and caught everyone's attention.
"Nea?" Lenalee began confused. Then it dawned on her as she took a closer look at Allen. Her feet started to move forwards and a cold pit formed in her stomach. "Guys...do-that's not Allen!"
Lavi brought his hammer in front of him seeing what the girl meant. The person there wasn't their Allen. He had gray colored skin; no doubt when he turned to face him he would have the golden eyes Lavi suspected he had. Before them was none other than the 14th. "Dammit…" He muttered. If only they'd been quicker.
As the three Exorcists started to run towards the 14th-or Allen, he said something that caused them to stop in their tracks. The Noah aura that leaked out of the 14th put fear in Miranda, a pressure had built up in the air and she was more than thankful when it was gone.
It had gone dead silent, the sounds of destruction silenced in a split second. What had happened was the Akuma were no longer following their order to destroy this town, it was for the 14th had given them something else to follow. A simple word.
Stop.
Miranda's hands shook as she watched the 14th turn towards them. It was Allen, but at the same time not. It angered her that the 14th could take over her friend's body just like that. It also scared her. No matter what they couldn't harm him; for if they did they'd be harming Allen as well.
Nea faced the three Exorcists before him. His eyes landed on a golem hovering over one of female's shoulders. A smile grew on his face and he held out his hand saying, "My Timcampy, it's been a while." Hesitant at first, but the golem eventually came over to him landing on his shoulder and nuzzling into his neck.
"Tim!" The female-if he remembered from Allen's memories her name was Lenalee-exclaimed. "That's not Allen that's the 14th!"
Nea's eyes scanned each of the Exorcists. He wouldn't harm them, even if Allen wouldn't remember this he didn't want the boy to find out that his friends were injured by his hand. "Lavi, Miranda, Lenalee, Krory. I ask that you stay out of my way. Allen is safe for the time being, but he can't go back with you."
Lavi scoffed and slammed his hammer into the earth, "And why the hell not?"
Nea ignored the question and turned back to Road who was still standing there. She had prepared to fight the Exorcists, flaming candles surrounded her their tips deadly sharp. Road wouldn't give up Allen without a fight, especially to them. "No need to worry, I have something to do quick then back to the Ark it is."
Road narrowed her eyes. Even though Nea spoke in a lighthearted tone she sensed he was up to something. But as always she couldn't tell what.
"14th we're taking Allen back with us, we're not going to let you go back onto the Ark." Krory protested.
Nea glanced at the man, he shrugged. "I am going back. If you'd like to fight someone Road would be more than willing to." The female Noah glared at the man, saying nothing. "Now, to finish this off. Akuma," Nea spoke again addressing the Akuma. Hearing Allen speak in such a cold tone made each of the Exorcists to become unnerved, "Go back to the Ark."
Rumbling echoed throughout the air and slowly the Akumas drifted back into the clouds where open gates that led to the Ark waited. Seeing this Lavi grimaced, what was the 14th's true agenda. "Now that's done let's go Road."
"Hey. Didn't we say we wouldn't let you leave?" Lavi spoke. He sent a fierce glare in the 14th's direction.
Nea merely smiled at the attempt of intimidation. "If you intend to fight me, I suggest doing it quickly. But keep in mind, this is Allen's body, so every hit I take damages him. Walk away and forget you ever saw me." He played a dirty card, but it was necessary.
"Forget we ever saw you?!" Lenalee exclaimed. "No way!"
He narrowed his eyes, "I'm not the enemy here. Allen let me take over to save this town."
This seemed to have some effect. The one known as Miranda said slowly, "Allen let you...take over?" Nea nodded.
"Bullshit. Even if it was to save this town, how could Allen even put an ounce of trust in you?" Lavi said his voice low.
The boy's words didn't effect him, they merely caused him to think. It was indeed surprising that Allen could trust him enough to save this town. He would wonder more about it later but for now it was time to leave. "Road let's go." Nea said, swiftly turning around and gripping the girl by her shoulder pushing her along.
"Hey back off!" Road huffed as she shook off his hand. "Lord Millennium should open the gate soon." As if on cue, a black door appeared in front of them.
"Allen…" Nea turned at the sound of the white haired boy's name. It was Lenalee whom had called it.
He stared at the sad girl for a few seconds before saying. "Allen's not here." And with that he entered the gateway.
(A/n I might revise this chapter later on, just to add more description. Hopefully you liked it, until next time!)