A/N: Thanks to those of you who continue reading despite my not so regular schedule. Hope you enjoy this chapter I tried to make it extra long.

'One … of them?' Allen looked down at his hands to see his skin was beginning to darken. It was not fully ashen like the others but he could tell the transformation was starting. Allen looked up to see expecting eyes, but with no answer he looked back down at his hands. "One of … you." Saying more to himself than them. The Earl leaned back into the bedside chair "Yes. One of us. Does this bother you Allen? To know the ones you have been fighting for so long were your own family." Allen looked at the Earl with mixed feelings, as if two sides screamed totally opposite opinions. "Strangely I don't feel anything. Accepting the noah within me is making me see in a different light." Allen turned to stand stumbling due to the lack of use in his legs these past few weeks. Road rushed to catch him throwing his arm over her shoulder to ensure he didn't fall.

"Ah, I see Allen. You now see what we do and how we do, yes?" Allen turned back to the Earl "No. I still don't trust any of you and I can't forgive what you people have done. But how I think about it is completely different as if your thoughts are connected to mine. As if the noah within is trying to explain." Road looked at Allen quizzically, She knew of the mental connection each Noah had, like how they all knew when Skinn died, but it usually developed after the full transformation. Maybe the Innocence has something to do with it, but she just wasn't sure. There hasn't ever been a noah with innocence before, so the whole ordeal was very disconcerting.

Allen then turned to face them all "I want to talk to Tyki alone, if you don't mind and then Road." Now focusing on the Earl "I'll see you when I'm done so we can settle me being here for now." Allen sighed as if he just got through a major issue and went to sit down on the bed. The Earl, respecting Allen's wishes left the room saying he hopes Allen changes his mind. Road looked at Allen then back at Tyki who motioned for her to leave. Reluctantly she did. Tyki looked at Allen, who seemed exhausted, and walked to face him. "So? Why me first?" Allen looked up at him who reached inside his shirt and pulled out his deck that Tyki gave him. "Wanna play a hand or two?" Tyki smiled and pulled up a chair and foldable table and began to deal the cards. Whilst dealing Tyki looked at Allen "So Shounen I imagine you had me stay for more than a card game. What do you want?"

Allen continued through the normal motions of playing a game of blackjack but spoke whilst he did. "I don't plan to leave anytime soon Tyki. It's clear to me that the order itself doesn't care for a noah like me, even if I did help them." Tyki raised his eyebrow as he laid down his hand. It was a combination of 19 while Allen had 21. Tyki sighed knowing Allen had cheated but grabbed the deck and shuffled. "So Shounen what's your plan? Are you going to be one of us?"

Lenalee couldn't believe the words leaving her brothers lips. She couldn't – no wouldn't believe them. He couldn't have. Not Allen. Komui looked at his sister he couldn't stand the look of hurt on her face, he moved forward to embrace her but she took a step back. Then another until she turned and sprinted from the office. Fighting back the tears she ran to her room. 'Allen wouldn't kill humans. He, he wouldn't even kill Road because she was theoretically human' She ran until she stumbled over herself falling to ground. As she sat up she finally let the tears flow. All of her friends were gone now, Miranda and Crowley were with Marshall Socalo, and now Lavi, Bookman, Kanda and even Allen were missing. And to make it worse Allen was a branded traitor. She just couldn't take it. It was all falling apart. She didn't know how far she could keep going.

Komui looked at his sister in dismay he knew deep down Allen couldn't be responsible. Not the Allen he knew, branding him a traitor was one of the hardest things he had to accept. He put his arms around his sister. He calmed her down and brought her to her room sitting her down on her bed he knew she had to find it in herself to go on. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Komui crossed the room to open it and was taken aback by the person standing behind it. Long blue hair and the sword at his side it was definitely "Kanda!?" The blue haired samurai looked over Komui's shoulder "Why is Lenalee crying? And why don't I get a proper welcome." Komui looked back at his sister and then motioned for Kanda to step aside and shut the door behind him. "I have a lot to explain Kanda, but before that why did you come back? If you finally escaped the order why come back?" Kanda looked to Lenalee's door than followed Komui "What else am I supposed to do?"

The Earl sat at the meeting table awaiting Allen to come. He sat where he usually did in the shadows without his suit on. The door swung open and Adam looked up expectantly only to see it was Sherryl "Ah Sherryl what is it my friend?" Sherryl sat opposite to the Earl with a very serious look covering his face. Bringing his hands Sherryl took a deep breath, the recent events have troubled him greatly and the Earl was no help at the moment but he didn't let it interfere with his work. "I have reports from the bookmen. They are slowly breaking now give me a week and they will surely give in." The Earl grinned at his associates accomplishments but was quick to revert it to a frown knowing something hid behind those deceivingly proud eyes. "What else is it you want? Has it to do with Allen?" Sherryl sighed knowing the Earl could read him like a book. "It has everything to do with Allen, If he catches on to my interrogation of his friends things may not go … so smoothly. As well there is the situation of him and my Road. I politely request that you leave her out of his recovery from this point onward." Adam was silent for a moment "Denied." But before Sherryl could protest the Earl continued "Your Daughter and Tyki have the most experience with little Allen." He quickly stood up revealing himself in the light.

"As for our other guests, Allen must not see them until he has confirmed he is absolutely with us, and if he isn't he will join them." Sherryl rose and turned to leave but as he opened the door the Earl made one final comment "I know you are worried about the boy's presence Sherryl but he is one of us now whether we like it or not." Sherryl turned to face him with a fake smile plastered on his face "Of course my Earl."As he exited the room he saw Allen approaching it. Allen caught his eye and Sherryl was quick to turn away his gaze giving a curt grunt of disapproval. As he returned to his favorite two toys he grabbed bookman by the chin to look him in the eye. "Now where were we … oh right, stripping the answers from your mind."

Allen closed the door behind him as he faced the Earl. "Ah Allen have you finally made up your mind?" Allen sat down where Sherryl had been only minutes before. The Earl could tell his complexion was becoming grayer and grayer by the hour soon the stigmata will appear. Allen sighed as he relayed his answer "Earl I've come to terms with the noah in me however I'm not one of you. Tyki has let me know of the current situation of the Ark, so as my thanks for saving my life I will help you get it running with the help of Nea" Adam flinched at that name but let the young exorcist continue "As for joining the fight against the exorcists I'm not going to help." The Earl smiled at Allen's negotiation it was a valiant attempt to try and completely stop the mental transformation. "Very well you may stay Tyki and Road will assist you with your physical transformation and powers. I also hope you will introduce yourself to the others but be warned they may not all be as welcoming of you as I am."

Allen looked on debating to himself whether he should say the next words that he wanted to. He was still, at least in his mind, part of the order and this one last thing would be crossing the line from the people who betrayed him to the people who technically saved him, however involuntary it was. Making his mind up Allen looked back to the Earl. "Earl with your permission I wish to implement the white ark and black ark together, I will also close the gates available to the order." The Earl dawned a surprised look across his face "Combine them you say. What would this accomplish?" Allen berated himself knowing he should not do this, his friends were still using it, but the order doesn't trust him right now so he can't trust the order, right? "I know you have technological problems here do to the incomplete download I can merge them to complete it and the Ark will become stable." Adam contemplated this the repairing of the ark would indeed be useful but just one thing bothered him. "If the old ark is implemented will you alone have the power to control it?" Allen knew the question was coming but not that fast 'Damn the Earl is fast to catch on' though he continued his reasoning "Unfortunately at this time I can't pass the license onto others but maybe Nea could be cooperative and help later on." Allen knew he could never pass on the license but anything to keep him from being betrayed again. "hmm a risk-reward scenario." The Earl commented "Very well when you have fully recuperated from your injuries I will allow you to combine the arks, but only then, no sooner." Allen breathed a sigh of relief the plan had worked and the Earl agreed, if he was lucky none of his friends would be stuck in the ark when he deactivated it.

Allen stood and excused himself, aiming for Road's room. He didn't have much to go on but the directions Tyki gave him but he needed to thank her for saving him from the confines of his own head. After all its not every day you lose your mind to someone else. Fortunately for him finding Road wasn't too hard because Road found him. Throwing her arms around him from behind as she is pretty much guaranteed to do at this point Allen just sighed in defeat. "Hello Road." Road let go of the white haired exorcist, letting him turn around, only to see her pouting. "Is that any way to greet someone who just saved you?" Allen shrugged "No I guess not." Road giggled and took his hand leading him through the hallways, surprised by the action all Allen could do was let himself be dragged around. "Come on Allen I'm gonna introduce you to the family!" She exclaimed grinning from ear to ear. 'She is way too excited by the situation I'm in. It's not like I'm staying forever.' The girl took him through many halls until he was well and good lost he noted that while she pulled him through the building within that the colors were inverted of the white Ark The sky was a permanent night, the buildings were back stone, and the tower at the top was much more imposing. Before he could observe anymore he crashed into the excited Noah ahead of him. She was staring right into his eyes causing him to blush a little as her golden eyes pierced through his gray ones.

"Allen, you're staying right?" Allen looked away not sure if he should tell her the truth or not, he could tell she was infatuated with him, whether he reciprocated the feeling or not. "Well … you see … I was just going to-" She sighed in defeat and released his hand "I see. You don't plan to stay even after they did those horrible things to you." Allen looked anywhere but at her however old she may be she still had the body of a young teenager and to see her sad still pulled a heart string or two. Allen reached out and pulled her into a hug. Utterly shocked Road didn't know what to do as she just let her arms slowly raise to hug him back. "Thank you Road, for helping me and worrying but I cant stay for very long I may be a Noah but I'm also a exorcist I'll be staying at least two weeks and then I'm leaving." Road was feeling mant emotions right now hurt, sadness, anger, and hope. Hope that he'd change his mind but anger won over right now. Pushing on his shoulders she pushed him back glaring daggers at him "And why not! Why cant you stay with us! We who saved you in favor for those who don't trust you and threw you in a dungeon to rot just because of who you are! Just because your like us, like me." She grew quieter on the last two words hugging herself and turning away. Allen had a hurt, almost confused look on his face but before he said anything she continued " That's what they do Allen when they don't understand something they shun it leave it to rot in a dungeon or an alleyway until someone who cares and knows your pain comes along and saves you." She had tears slowly falling from her face as she remembered the dark days behind her. Allen sighed and turned the other way "That's just the way it is Road, some things never change." She started to fade, leaving to her dream world leaving Allen with one last thing "Your door is on the right. Number 13." And then she was gone.

Allen felt a twang of guilt as she left and started making his way to his room he thought of all he had left behind. The order, Timothy, Komui, Lavi, and Lenalee. He never even got to say goodbye to her the one person he cared most for at the order and he left without even a simple farewell. He remembered the look in her eyes just before he broke free. The hurt and concern in them when all he could do was stare. He then thought back to what Road had said 'She does have a point the order did turn their back on me' Opening the door to the room he resided in for the past few days he noted that Tyki had taken the liberty of organizing it a little, and snuffing out a cigarette on his side table. He went to the restroom set in the corner of the room washing himself off from all the dirt he had gathered from the eventful past week. Stepping out of the shower and wrapping himself in a towel he saw in the reflection of the mirror Nea's aspect staring back at him. "What do you want Nea?" He silently was glad that Nea wasn't permanently gone even if he did bug him from time to time. "I didn't bring you here so you could leave and die in some desert. This is where we belong." Allen smashed the mirror with his hand letting the blood drip to the sink below, he didn't want to hear it. He knew he should stay but half of him said this was foreign enemy territory and the other half said it was home and he didn't know who to listen to. He heard Nea speak in his head 'Redeo' and the mirror shimmered and fixed itself from Allen's strike, even removing the glass from his hand. The image of Nea still remained and spoke clearly as ever. "As I was saying now that you have accepted your Noah your appearance will change, your Innocence will act up and lash out, and your mind will be fragile. The best place for you to be is here." Allen left the bathroom and quickly got dressed in the clothes provided for him. The white Noah jacket and pants he wasn't very crazy about but it was all he had right now. Turning around he saw Nea's aspect fully materialized before him.

"You can't leave me behind, in the musician's room and in here I am free as if I had my own body." Allen sat and stared at his uncursed hand noticing it was already a few shades darker and his head was starting to pain him. "Why don't you listen to me Allen you accepted your Noah but you haven't accepted that you ARE a noah. Whether you like it or not you can't just ignore it" Hoping to change the topic Allen asked a different question "How were you able to repair the mirror?" Nea tilted his head a bit, confused by the sudden change in topic "You're not getting away with that, have you forgotten I'm in your head too, But if you must know if Maiitora controls the technology of the Ark, you control the very being of it." Nea sat down on the opposite side of the room directly across from Allen. "The transformation will be starting soon I recommend you be lying down now, it will hurt." Allen scoffed at him and stood up turning his back to Nea "I don't need your- Aaahhhh!" Allen gripped his head in pain as it felt like someone was dragging a blade across it digging it to his skin little by little. Nea rushed over picking him up and placing him on the bed knowing that only Allen could help himself through this it must be persevered. "Nea … Help me" Allen Cried as the first stigmata had written itself upon his head. "That's something only you can do Allen. Calm your mind and let it be." Allen gripped his head and let out another scream of pain as the second stigmata began to form.

Allens door swung in and Sherryl stood there assessing the scene he quickly used his wires to stop Allen's flailing "Be still boy, Now my darling Road can you please induce a dream on him, just for daddy." Road appeared behind her father and went over to Allens side across from Nea, She glanced at him before saying "Sorry Allen it's going to hurt." She put her hand to his forehead and Allen's struggling stopped instantaneously. Sherryl released his wires and stepped into the room. Glancing at the shadowy figure "I assume you're the 14th that has everyone all worked up your lucky I came to berate this boy for hurting my sweet little Road's feelings." He sighed as he looked at the now sleeping boy who occasionally flinched with pain. "Unfortunately that looks likes its going to have to wait." Nea stood and stared at Sherryl with his never-ending smile. Sherryl raised an eyebrow before turning to leave "Does the Earl know you're here." Nea looked down at Allen then back at the older man. "No." Sherryl scoffed "Best keep it that way, he doesn't exactly do well when it comes to the topic of you. Road, Come." He curtly left beckoning the young Noah to follow. She started but before she got through she turned back to Nea "Tell him I'm sorry for yelling Nea." If he heard he didn't show it, continuing to stare at the boy whose forehead was bloodied by the now three stigmata on his head.

Allen awoke with a start, bolting upright in his bed. Wait when had he gotten into his bed. He scanned the room for anyone. Unsurprisingly Nea sat in the corner holding a book; surprisingly he looked like himself and not the featureless aspect of himself. "Oh you're finally awake I took the liberty of reading a few of the books here." Staring down at it he cast it aside into a pile of more books. "Nothing I haven't read yet. How do you feel? 'Cause you don't look so hot." Allen stood from the bed glancing down at his hands; sure enough they were fully ashen now. Running to the mirror he checked to see his appearance. Just as he suspected his eyes had turned gold and the seven stigmata as is custom of noah lined his forehead, crusted with dry blood. Nea stood behind him "Yes you're really something aren't you? A innocence wielding noah. We are gonna have to find out how compatible you are with dark matter." Before Nea could continue a knock came from the door. Allen walked to open it and his arm activated immediately to the sight of the akuma before him. Holding his arm back with all his strength he asked "What is it, hurry up with it." The level two demon squirmed in its place "Master Allen, Master Maiitora has asked to see you. Right now." Allen's eyes flashed with anger "Don't call me master, I'm nobodies master go tell him I'll be there soon." The demon bowed and scurried off back to Maiitora's chamber.

Nea whistled as Allen shut the door "Noah's of Activity don't usually call for visitors, should be fun." Allen grimaced as Nea treated this like some kind of honor Allen turned and shouted at him "I already told you we're not staying her for very long! So stop acting like they're my family!" Nea sighed and gripped the bridge of his nose "You just don't get it. Now that you look the way you do the humans AND the exorcists will hate you on sight. You don't have a choice to stay. You either stay and live with us or leave and die." Turning away from Allen Nea tried to calm down "I'll make it easy for you to get to Maiitora so you don't get lost. Regero." Nea snapped his fingers and Allen's body shimmered like mist and the next thing he knew he was standing in front of a large black door. Looking to his the left and right there was nothing but hallway. Not a soul in sight. Nothing else to do he entered the door silently cursing Nea. Allen quickly found himself dodging tools and machinery left and right as he made his way to the center. The noah of Activity sat there meditating as he always did. "Greetings fourteenth." Maiitora spoke Allen was a little taken back by the strange way he spoke, but seeing as he wore a red wetsuit as normal attire Allen didn't find it that strange. Allen spoke up "I presume you're Maiitora." He stood and turned to look at Allen "Correct."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I wanted to see you. What you measure up to be. And I have. Disappointed." He then turned back around and sat back down. Nea pestered Allen in the back of his mind 'Let me take over for a sec.' Allen was willing to do anything for a little reprieve and switched out. Nea immediately started humming a tune similar to the one used to move the ark but faster and harsher than the other tune. All the machinery slowed and pieced themselves together forming one giant machine above Maiitora's head. Others pieced themselves together in smaller machines in other general locations. It was very similar to the science department machines as they flew where they needed to be finishing the job that Maiitora would take hours to do. The Red clad Noah turned back to Allen "Impressive, more than expected. Statement retracted." Maiitora walked to Allen, who now retained control of his body, and placed a finger on his stigmata "You have my support Musician." He then turned and walked back to his place snapping his finger causing a loud crack as it echoed throughout the large room and all the machines powered to life in a dull hum around the room. "This will help the ark. Until you implement the white ark. You may leave now." As the words left Maiitora's lips Allen heard Nea repeat he word he said earlier 'Regero' As Allens body shimmered out and back into existence he found himself back in his room. Nea sat where he was earlier a different book in his hand.

Allen walked over to the bed sitting down before asking "How are you able to do all these things Nea? Like teleporting and such." Nea threw the book in the ever growing pile beside him resting his head on his hand. "As I said earlier, our power controls the very being of the ark. You have only begun to learn its power by creating gates while humming the melody and closing them through the word "Arda". I know more words and tunes to do other things with the ark. Though all the songs are rooted around the song Mana taught you." Nea stood and walked over to Allen lying down across the bed next to him. "Singing it in different manners and tempos results in various effects. I can teach you which ones are which but you have been asleep for two days after the transformation." Allen turned immediately to Nea "Two days!? I didn't know it took that long." Nea chuckled "Well normally it doesn't but since you must've been tired you took your time waking up." Allen looked downcast 'Two days, it's only five more before I have to re-implement the ark' Nea's image started to falter and he became more transparent. "Ah, looks like my time is up in the way of combining the two arks you only have to play the regular melody and focus on what you want. Remember what Cross said Allen. When you first controlled the ark."

At the mentioning of his name Allen remembered his late master, Timcampy also flew over onto Allen's head, now shrunken from the overgrown state he was in. Cross was still a uneasy subject. "Nea." Allen said, Nea looked up to see a look of sheer determination on Allen's face. "I'm staying here, for my friend's safety I can keep the Noah Clan away from them. Until I defeat Apocryphos and avenge my master. I will stay here." Nea smiled as he faded away 'that's more like it nephew that's the you I've come to know.' Allen stood and called out the word "Arda." And he could feel it in him as he cut his gates to the black order, it sickened him inside. But he knew it must be done to keep them safe they must have nothing to do with him.

Komui's desk was exploding in calls each o ne the same as the last, another Gate closed and another, one after the next. Komui repeated his statement telling them there was nothing he could do about it. All he could think of was Allen. 'So this is your response Allen, You really have joined them.' Komui left his desk and stared out the window in his room. "I'm sorry Allen." The phones continued to ring as they all called in the closing Ark. He looked up overhead to see that it was starting to glow brightly until it zoomed away into the night sky. He went back to his desk to answer the rest of the calls. He knew that Allen could change the tide, a difference in the war either side must have. A new time was beginning the hunt for Allen Walker began.

A/N: hope you enjoyed the longer chapter it is after all 1000 words longer than the last long chapter. I tried to somewhat the outline of the 14th's and Maiitora's abilities. If it seems farfetched just know that Arda is actually a thing in the manga the other words are my creation. I'll see you guys next chapter.