"Is this okay?" Allen calls out, holding up the wooden supports.
"Yeah, thats great!" Reever calls back, checking his notes.
The construction of the new Black Order is going smoothly. They've reclaimed their original location atop the cliffs.
"This looks great!" Lavi waves as he heads over to Allen, dropping some boards at his feet.
"It's coming along really fast." Allen admits. "I'm kind of surprised."
"That's because everyone is chipping in!" Lenalee adds, falling down by Lavi.
"Where'd you come from!?" Lavi exclaims, stepping away from her.
Lenalee giggles and points upwards to the roof-in-progress. "I was helping out."
"Hey!" Alma shouts as he and Kanda head over.
"Hey." Allen greets, smiling at the two. "How's work?"
"Boring." Kanda complains.
"It's fine." Alma answers, jabbing Kanda with his elbow. "We were just going to get some lunch. Wanna come?"
"You know I do!" Allen says excitedly.
"Jerry's really getting attached to that tent." Lavi notes.
"We'll just have to make the new kitchen so good that he can't resist!" Lenalee cheers.
"Huh?" Allen looks up at the sky as his eye activates.
"An Akuma?" Lenalee asks, also looking upwards.
"Yeah." Allen confirms, squinting his eyes at the bright blue sky.
"I'll get it." Lenalee calls as he activates her Dark Boots.
"Wait!" Allen's eyes widen. "Let it land."
"So…" Lavi stares at the sky in the courtyard with everyone else. "When's it getting here."
"Soon." Allen answers, eyes still fixed at the sky.
"Why are we waiting here?" Kanda asks grumpily.
"I'm not sure but…" Allen looks over at Kanda. "It looks like one of Master's converted Akuma."
"Converted?" Lavi echoes. "But weren't all the converted Akuma destroyed?"
"They were." Allen nods. "Which means this is a new one."
"You think it's Cross?" Alma wonders.
"No." Allen shakes his head. "But I think I have an idea."
A little while later, a large black speak appears above them, speeding towards the ground.
"Is that it?" Lavi asks, watching the thing grow closer.
"Yup." Allen watches the Akuma as it slams into the ground in front of them, exploding into a cloud of dust.
"Great." Kanda coughs.
"Ugh." Lavi waves his hand, dismissing some of the dust.
The Akuma is brightly coloured and clown-like, like a juggling ball.
A clocked future stands atop it, face shield by a large hood.
"Who are you?" Kanda asks, one hand on Mugen.
The figure jumps off the Akuma and walks over.
Allen smiles as he steps forward, meeting them.
Lavi notes with a start that the two are exactly the same height, meaning it can't be Cross.
"You took your time." Allen grins, eyes staring to water. "Bastard."
"I'm glad to know you care about me, Al." The hooded figure answers, putting a hand on his hip. "I had some things to do."
"You're still a bastard." Allen moves closer and pulls down the figure's hood, revealing his face.
"I'm glad you think so." Neah grins at his adopted brother. "I do try."
"You-" Allen tries to glare, only for a held back sob to rise.
"Sorry." Neah apologises, relaxing his shoulders. "Really."
"…Welcome back." Allen grins up again, trying to hold himself back, especially in front of his friends.
Neah smiles sadly and pulls Allen into a tight hug, causing tears to stream down both faces as Neah finally whispers.
"I'm home."
THE END