His feet pounded against the black road as he made haste. The Tease led him down the main street, bringing him closer to the tall tower. In his mind he could almost hear the seconds slowly ticking by, soon that gate would close and his only chance of escape would be gone. Allen grimaced, increasing his pace.

"How much farther?!" Allen asked the Tease in front of him. The Tease of course didn't answer, but it did do something. The butterfly made a sudden left turn. Allen jerked to a stop, he then figured the gate must be close so he quickly followed.

Once he took the turn he stopped in surprise. A dark gateway was before him. Although it's size was smaller than the usual ones. It appeared like a vortex as it gradually shrunk. Allen breathed in sharply, there it was. With freedom in mind his body bolted towards the door before it could disappear. But as he was about to enter it, he stopped. Maybe he overthinking it but, it all seemed too easy. The Earl wouldn't leave him unguarded when he was known to have tried escaping before right? His silver eyes flickered over to the Tease which was still present. The butterfly hovered over to his left and watched him silently, unlike before it's gaze seemingly was malicious.

Old memories concerning Tyki and his Tease began to arise. After Suman had just died and Tyki confronted him, he mentioned that the Tease weren't his true ability, that the Tease were golems created by the Earl.

It took a while to set in. That he was screwed. No doubt the Earl was watching him and waiting for him beyond this gate. His chest began to tighten as he started panicking, the only sound that filled his ears was the loud flapping of the Tease's wings. He tried to block the noise out, but it seeped through his fingers and was overwhelming him. The constant drumming inside him he couldn't decipher if it was his own erratic heartbeat or the violent noise which had invaded his mind. Allen took a deep breath, calming his nerves. He thought it'd be best just to go back to the room, after all if the Tease really was the Earl watching him he'd have no chance.

Oi what the hell is this?! You are going through the gate! I've been watching you and I can't stand all this sappy stuff! You think the Earl will beat you? Then don't face him-that'll be for another day!

Nea's voice pierced through his muggy mind in a tone he'd never heard him use. Allen was so surprised by the sudden outburst he spoke aloud, "N-Nea? What do you mean?"

Nea scoffed. I mean, you should be able to use the White Ark once you get out of this one. So be prepared and have a place in mind. You have no way to protect yourself, fighting isn't an option. So use the Ark and escape, don't fight the Earl until you're healed.

Allen's eyes drifted over to his left arm. The broken Innocence gave a duller glow than usual, he winced when he thought of the painful experience it'd be when Komui would operate on it. "You're right Nea. And I know just where to go." The smile which graced his lips quickly fell when he looked around for the Tease and saw that it was gone. "Time to go…" He muttered.

He entered the gate, it's thinning shape absorbed him upon touch. He was already humming the familiar tune as soon as his hand had passed through. The destination he'd decided upon came to mind, the place had his earliest memories of Mana.

Ark...take me to England.

A brilliant white light surround him and he was covered in warmth. Instead of the void of the Black Ark he found himself sitting on cobblestone, in the distance he could hear the faint sounds of chatter and carriages passing by. When Allen opened his eyes he felt tears of joy threatening to fall. It actually worked. He was in England. It had the same shitty smells in the alleys and the beautiful sky he'd always used to look up to.

"We made it Tim, we're out-Tim?" He was just noticing it, but the golem's weight no longer was on his shoulder. When had it disappeared? In the Ark? No, he could swear Tim made it out. But where was he now? Now frantic for he feared of Tim being lost or worse Allen jumped to his feet and shouted, "Tim where are you?!" His eyes flittered around, but he didn't spot the golden golem anywhere. Allen pursed his lips. Just great. Maybe he should search the streets, that crazy Tim probably went in search of food...

"My, my~I've found you~"

Time seemed to slow as he turned towards the painstakingly familiar voice. He quickly found the person whom he just escaped from. The Earl stood a few feet away, his frozen grin seemed wider at this moment. The Tease from earlier rested on the Earl's shoulder, with a grimace he realize that must be how he was found this fast. Allen shuffled back a few steps. He could summon another gate, one to the Order, he have to face stupid Lvellie but at least he'd be safe. He began to hum the tune when the Earl spoke again.

"This isn't fair~I have much to attend to so come back to the Ark, Nea."

The Earl's words disrupted Allen's thoughts. He tilted his head to the side, did the Earl just call him Nea?!

He chuckled humorlessly. "Are you so crazy you've forgotten my name, Earl?"

The Earl grew silent. "What do you mean? You're Nea~"

Allen, stop talking with him this isn't a good idea. Something's off. Nea's voice told him. Allen knew he should listen, but he didn't make a move to summon a gate. He agreed with Nea that the Earl was acting strange. He intended to find out what.

"Do you not remember me Nea?" The Earl's voice had grown quiet, he now observed his hands like he was contemplating over if he should do something or not. "Will you remember me this way?" The sudden burst in front of him cause Allen to fall backwards. He watched confused as the Earl did something he'd never seen happen. The appearance of the Earl had disappeared and the thing he'd thought was a suit seemingly melted off of him and turned into a milky substance that flowed through the air until his human form was revealed. Once this anomaly had ended he felt himself start to shake. Now Allen had always thought that the Earl's look couldn't change like the other Noahs, and when it did he probably could get over it. But who was under that suit was what had jarred him so much.

Before him looking down at him through warm eyes was a man whom he'd thought to be dead. A man who was turned into an Akuma by Allen himself. Standing in front of him defying everything was Mana Walker.

The pair stayed like that staring at each other. Allen could find no words to voice what he was feeling. All the angst, the apologizes, the utter confusion; it was building up inside him and waiting to burst. So badly he wanted to run to Mana, ask him how he was here. But the dark pit forming in his gut gave him doubt and whispered the truth to him. With Mana's appearance he became blind, blind to the fact that seconds before it was the Earl standing in that place not his father [1] . As more time passed the more the dreaded truth seemed to fit together.

That recurring name in Nea's memories; Mana. He'd known thanks to Cross that the 14th was Mana's brother. But since he'd 'killed' Mana all those years ago...how the hell is he here now? And as the Earl no less? And why is he calling him Nea? Is it because Mana thinks he's him? Does he not recognize him? Allen's mind was abuzz. During this whole ordeal Nea had been trying to take over. He'd managed to stop him but the sharp pains that pricked at his skull added to his mental fatigue and lessened his chances of remaining in control. His eyes flickered back and forth between his own and Nea's.

He must've subconsciously summoned a gate for the bright light spilled out from behind him. Allen's eyes flickered to behind him. Should he go...or stay?

"Nea...don't leave…" Mana-the Earl-said as he stretched out his arms. Allen's face contorted and he recoiled afraid he'd get pulled into a hug. Seeing Mana's face like that, so desperate and on the verge of tears, it was heart wrenching.

"I'm Allen...not Nea." He managed to say. He wished he hadn't. Upon saying he wasn't the 14th, pure confusion grew on Mana's face. It was almost as painful as his sorrow. "M-Mana...please don't-" Before he could get another word out a body slammed against his embracing him in a hug. He was in too much shock to return it at the moment.

"Nea, my Nea. Mana's Nea…"

A weak chuckle escaped his lips, was this really happening? He was getting hugged by his enemy, the Earl, but his mind didn't register it as that. Allen slowly let his arms close around Mana's back, he relaxed into the hug, and in that moment of melancholy peace he noticed his face was wet. Unknown to him his eyes had welled up and tears had been spilling out. Absentmindedly he touched one of the watery trails.

"Mana," He began his voice barely above a whisper, "Do you remember me?" Mana lifted his head from where it was digging into his shoulder.

The man gave him a quizzical look saying, "You're Nea."

Those words felt like a punch to the gut. He decided to try again. Allen placed a gentle hand on Mana's cheek while putting his other on his scar. He tried to calm his jittery nerves as he spoke, "Mana, do you know how I got this?" For unknown reasons in his mind Nea seemed angry by the question.

Mana observed the mark. No recognition showed in his eyes. "Did you run into something?"

He was becoming desperate. He wanted to be remembered. His hands now gripped Mana's sleeves and he spoke in a frantic voice, "Mana, it's me. Allen! Please tell me you remember something!" He began to ramble off past memories hoping that'd trigger something, "We met at a circus, you had a dog you named me after him! I had a heavy British accent back then and my hair's changed-I've gotten bigger too-but it's me! Allen! Come on you-"

He suddenly stopped, his throat felt like it was on fire. He exclaimed in pain and brought a hand to clutch his neck, clawing at it hoping to stop the agony.

"Nea?..." Mana questioned towards Allen whom had fallen to his knees.

"Damn stubborn nephew. [2] " It was like someone flicked a switch, Mana noticed it too. The pleading Allen had disappeared, in his place was someone more serious.

Nea stood brushing off his clothes. Allen should've listened to him, as of now he can't handle confronting Mana. Once he'd stood he met eyes with the one in question. He offered a smile, "Yo, Mana. It's been a while." Mana seemed dumbstruck. When he got no reply Nea tilted his head and asked, "That's it? Figured you'd be happier or...something."

"Nea." The word slipped out of the Earl's mouth. Like before he went to embrace the boy but Nea stopped him by placing a finger on his forehead.

A sad smile grew on Nea's face, "I see you've changed your memories as well as your face since the last time I saw you."

"My face...I've always had this face."

Nea stared at his brother blankly for a few seconds before giving a nod. He wouldn't pry into the matter.

"Won't you come back with me? The two of us, Mana's Nea and I," Mana suddenly proposed, his eyes looking hopeful.

Nea shook his head. "I can't return. It's too dangerous for Allen there. And I...promised him."

Silent tears began to spill from Mana's eyes. In a quiet tone he asked, "Do you not like me? Do you hate me? Is Allen better than me? Please don't hate me...Nea…"

Nea winced. "Hate you? Allen being better than you? Absurd questions. I value you both very much."

Happiness made it's way into Mana's expression. As he observed his brother he pursed his lips. Kill him for the 'better good?' Take the place of the Earl? What is it that I even want anymore?

Mana's eyes widened the slightest drawing his attention. "Ah-behind you."

Upon the warning he flipped around, but he was already too late. Glowing paper he recognized as the spell strips CROW's used came flying around him and inclosed him inside a circle. His body became heavy due to the damn things and he fell to his knees once again.

"Walker! Or are you-" Nea knew the voice all too well. In front of him was Inspector Link. An unwelcome surprise.

"You found him Link?!" A female voice rang out. Lenalee came running up from behind the CROW. He noticed Tim resting on her shoulder, at least he was safe. She was soon followed by Krory and the swordsman Kanda. He tsked, they better get out of here.

"It isn't Walker, it's the 14th. His eyes are golden." Link said. Nea couldn't tell if it was in disapproval or not. "No matter, who's that behind you? Were you trying to mug someone?"

A flash of panic shot through him remembering that Mana still stood behind him. In both anger and alarm he shouted, "Dammit all of you get out of here now!"

Lenalee flinched still not used to Allen's voice raising like that. She sent a cold gaze towards the 14th and asked, "Why should we?"

Did they not value their lives? Mana could absorb them any second like he did with him! As Nea tried to break the spell strips he shouted again, "If you want to live, get the hell out of here! I don't want to be the one to tell Allen his friends died because of their own stupidity!"

Kanda growled resting a hand on Mugen, "Is that a threat?"

"You're hurting Nea...no one, hurts Nea." A quiet voice stated.

Link heard it and knew it belonged to the stranger. He asked again, "14th, who's the man behind you?"

Nea shot the man the dirtiest look he could and answered. "He's the damn Earl. And unless you four plan on getting absorbed by him release me." Shock coated everyone's faces-save for Kanda who 'ched'.

"The Earl...but the Earl's…" Krory spoke slowly still as he processed what he'd been told.

Meanwhile Mana had been growing angry. "No one, hurts Nea!" The sudden shout made everyone jump. A white flash shot out of Mana and at first was heading towards the Exorcists. They stood in a daze, death by stupidity indeed. When it looked like it was too late it suddenly changed direction, zigzagging backwards towards Nea where it embedded itself in his shoulder.

Nea coughed in pain. Allen's friends gasped when they saw who'd been hit. He smiled ruefully and glanced over at his brother. "Do you plan on absorbing me again like that time?" He was met with silence. Mana merely stared at the place where his Helix of Life [3] had pierced Nea, at anytime if he activated it both Allen's body and Nea's consciousness would be destroyed.

In the background the Exorcists were having some sort of debate about releasing him or not. The releasing side must've won for his restraints dropped seconds later. Nea sighed in relief when the pressure around his body was gone. Now he had to stop Mana. The man was still looking down at him through confused eyes.

Slowly Nea stood. He winced as he drew closer for with each step the thing embedded in his shoulder dug deeper. By now the Helix of Life's tip could be see poking out of his back, blood dripped onto the ground with a steady pitter-patter and his arm was numb. But it didn't really matter.

"Mana, we'll met again. It's not safe here. Go back to the Ark."

"Are you sending me away? But…" Mana glanced over his shoulder to where the Exorcists stood. "They saw my face, they have to die."

Nea smiled, "I'll kill them for you. Go back to the Ark."

Mana's eyes brightened at his words, "You'll do that? Then I don't have to worry, but you'll come after right? I'll see Nea later?"

He nodded. "You'll see me later."

It was silent as a white mist erupted out of nowhere surrounding the Earl. When it cleared the human figure was gone and standing there was the plump suit they knew so well.

"What the hell…" Kanda muttered.

The ground underneath the Earl suddenly rippled and a dark pool appeared. People soon realized that the Earl was disappearing into the Ark. No one tried to stop the Earl as he was leaving, they probably figured since their Allen was here they had no reason to fight him at this moment.

Nea turned his gaze towards Mana who had almost disappeared completely. "Mana, next time we meet, I'm going to kill you."

Joyful eyes changed to confusion, then Mana's head sunk fully into the darkness and and the gate closed. Nea sighed, a form of sadness had burrowed its way into his heart after this encounter. It'd been awhile since he'd seen Mana face-to-face, in his human form at least. He'd always told himself he would kill his brother, but when the time came he couldn't do it.

As he was lost in his thoughts a cold blade resting against his throat brought him back to reality. Kanda stood next to him a sour expression on his face.

"Mind explaining what the hell that was all about, 14th?"

(A/n

[1] So even though Mana is Allen's foster father he probably thinks of him as his dad so we're just gonna call him his dad.

[2] And when Nea calls Allen his 'nephew', since Mana adopted Allen that'd technically make Nea an Uncle and you get it. (putting this here because for an unknown reason I was really confused when I read a fanfic and Nea kept calling Allen his nephew…eventually got it...)

[3] And the Helix of Life! I don't really know how to explain this, but we saw it in action in the recent chapters when the Earl/Mana absorbed a Finder Unit. Pretty sure it was the thing used to deal the final blow to Nea when he was killed in the past.

Hey everyone! I feel like I rushed this chapter and Allen escaping haha...whoops. Well later-maybe not too soon-we'll learn what happened between Kanda and Link. I'm thinking of one or two more chapters then wrapping this story up! Thanks for the reviews, until next time!)