A/N: A shout out to The Moyashi Beansprout Midget, Lena-luvs-cats, The Ruisu, Takei Daloui, and jy24for all reviewing. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I've been writing for this fandom for over two years. Think I own it now?

Chapter 11

Time Frame — Morning of January 13th, 1896

—3rd Person POV—

~Allen~

Bursting into petrified tears, the Gatekeeper shrieked, "HE HAS THE MARK! THE MARK OF EVIL! HE FAILS! A PENTACLE IS THE MARK OF AN AKUMA! HE'S A MINION FROM THE MILLENIUM EARL! HE'S COME TO KILL USSSS! HE'S A SPY! A SPYYYYY!"

Faster than Allen could process, he was suddenly sprawled on the ground, a massive battle axe splitting the ground between his legs. "Eh?!" he squeaked, eyes bulging out, now almost as terrified as the sobbing Gatekeeper. And above him stood a tall, broad man, his cool gray eyes glaring stonily down at him, a single fist curled around the handle of his axe.

"What the hell are you?"

Allen soundlessly opened and closed his mouth, attempting and failing to explain, and when it seemed that the older Exorcist was about to slit him to pieces with his enormous blade, Lenalee was suddenly there. With her boots already activated, she swiftly curled her arms around his torso and gripping him firmly, launched themselves back a good distance away.

"I can fully assure you that he's human," she hissed at both the Gatekeeper and Exorcist, still clutching onto Allen tightly.

Allen nodded frantically. "I really am an Exorcist!"

The much older Exorcist straightened up, giving them a hard look before swiveling his gaze over to the Gatekeeper, shoulder-length blonde locks flipping at the motion. "Gatekeeper?" he simply demanded.

Sniffling pathetically, the Gatekeeper shouted defensively, "What?! He has a pentacle on his face! Just because he says he's human, doesn't mean he is! I'd rather be safe than sorry!"

"Kid!" the unknown Exorcist suddenly barked. "Mind explaining why the hell you have that damned mark on your forehead?"

"It's a curse, from an Akuma…" Allen whispered, fingers involuntarily tracing the jagged scar along his cheek, wondering for the nth time why he could never recall receiving it. The information he'd just given out was all that he knew. And seeing the shocked expression on his face, he instantly added, "Any more information you'll have to get from General Cross." Which was next to impossible, considering how scarce the General had made himself once the last war had ended.

"I can vouch for him," Lenalee then added fiercely, finally releasing him and standing beside him, and it warmed Allen's heart, knowing he had her full support despite only knowing each other barely a week. Maybe he wasn't as alone as he made himself out to be. And maybe, accepting others in his life was now an actual possibility.

Blowing out a deep breath, the Exorcist nodded, and with a nod of his head, the Gatekeeper was forced to allow them entrance, a deafening groan echoing as the rusty, wrought iron gates began to lift themselves on either side of the Gatekeeper. "Sorry about that kid. Name's Sol Galen," the blonde Exorcist finally introduced himself, and though feeling slightly wary, Allen shook his extended hand nonetheless.

"Right. Allen Walker," the fourteen-year-old replied, pumping his hand, before stepping back beside Lenalee.

Sol shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, but it's part of the job description. Good luck!" he called as he launched off, vanishing into the shadowed crevices of the towering castle above.

"I'm really sorry about that, Allen, but he is right," Lenalee said apologetically as she began to lead him through the gates, her tone remorse. "Exorcists who are already of age are either usually on duty, taking on the few missions available, or when they're not, they're normally stationed at different branches of the Order as guards. Though there're always the few exceptions that take on the duty of teaching over at the academy, like Bookman or General Klaud."

"What are the Generals supposed to do?" Allen wondered, distractedly gazing around the vast halls, because he was pretty sure that his Master was hardly the epitome of a submissive soldier.

"Well," Lenalee began thoughtfully, switching over to lecture mode, "During the war, a General received top secret missions, though their main duty was to seek out Accommodators and train them. Nowadays though, General Klaud is the one assigned to prepare us. The other Generals are in charge of traveling the globe and making sure to eradicate any of the stray Akuma that might still be alive and only loyal to the first Millenium Earl. The numbers have steadily dwindled over the years, but it's the Order's way of making sure that the current Earl hasn't followed in the footsteps of his brother."

"Huh, I see," Allen murmured, surprised to finally learn something new. Though over the years, Cross had packed his head with all sorts of information, the General's own duties were something he'd always kept tight lipped about. Probably so that there wasn't more material Allen could use to nag him with, as the General paid more attention to the pretty ladies.

"Oh, my sweet Lenalee! I heard you were here to visit your amazing brother~!" a golem abruptly swooped down beside them, Komui's voice bellowing enthusiastically from it. "But you must wait at least a few more minutes! I woke up the Science Division so that they could set up a welcoming party for you in the—no, no, no! You fool! I said Lenalee likes chocolate cake, not strawberry!"

Mortified, Lenalee snatched the golem up and shouted frantically, "Brother, stop that this instant! Under no circumstances will you be throwing a party for me! Allen and I are here to be briefed on our mission!"

"Oh…" Komui trailed off, the disappointment in his voice practically visible as he deflated. "… Are you sure, little sister?"

"Yes," Lenalee insisted, "And in any case, weren't you supposed to schedule Allen for a checkup since his Innocence weapon has yet to be checked over?"

Quite abruptly, Komui's voice brightened up as he exclaimed, "Yes! I forgot! I'll go get my drill!"

A/N: Sorry the visit to the Order is taking so long. I really thought I could cover it in a single chapter, but at this point, I might have to cover it with another two. Anyway, please review.

P.S. Hey guys, a few of you might not be American, but Thanksgiving is coming up, and I just wanted to remind everyone to be as grateful as they possibly can for everything they have. Tomorrow there's a funeral. The man who died did something so sickening, I hardly feel sorry for him. I will never understand what was going through his head when he… It was dinner time, and he grabbed a knife and slit his throat right in front of his wife and twelve-year-old daughter. I can't even describe… Things just kind of suck right now. Please, be grateful for those you have.