The main foyer was amass with the starched white smocks of the science division, dusty, cream finders robes, and the grim, black cloaks of the few exorcists in the Order. The sheer amount of people that had gathered for the week was astonishing! People happily chatted with each other—greeting old friends and awkwardly making new acquaintances. The Chinese director smiled warmly and banged his hands on the podium.
“Welcome back, you guys!” He dare not say everyone, because with the war with the Earl, of course you had fatalities. No need to reopen old wounds at a party. Komui shook his head slightly and resumed his greeting.
“As I was saying, I’m so glad you got to come back home this Christmas. I mean with all of the hustle and bustle of the New Year, travel must have been insane!” A few chuckles rose from the crowd. “It warms my heart to see all of my comrades here, alive and well.” His face softened and all of the pain that come with war made the air uncomfortably dense. “That’s why,” he blinked back tears. “That’s why we must say a word of prayer. For all of the fine soldiers who passed from our world these past months. They fought bravely and no one could ask for anything more. You may have not known them and they might have not known you, but they went out there and fought for you. Those souls and their sacrifices will not be forgotten!”
Everyone bowed their heads in respect and prayed. Utter silence filled the room aside from the occasional sob. A few solemn minutes drew on until Komui raised his head and sighed, “Amen.” The crowd repeated the phrase. The man suddenly replaced the somber expression with a jubilant grin. “Dinner begins at 7:45 sharp! Everyone be ready in your best set of clothes and be ready to PAAAAAAAAAAARTAY!” He jumped on the podium and pulled a small controller from his pocket.” Lenalee, who was standing next to Reever, was overcome with a sense of doom. This wasn’t in the previous rehearsals. She could only hope that her brother didn’t plan anything too drastic like the last time… The final straw was when the west wall exploded sending mortar and brick into the stunned bystanders. The sound of hydraulics pumping and metallic gears shifting perforated the air as the behemoth emerged from the gaping hole in the wall.
Komui had leapt onto the artificial giant’s back and struck a pose. “It’s Komurin II: Special Holiday Edition!” He rubbed the robot’s optical sensor affectionately as the wary spectators flooded towards the back of the room, masks of pure horror plastered on their faces. Too many memories flooded back. Too many horrible, painful, embarrassing memories of Komui’s past homicidal mechanisms. Somehow Komui had salvaged what was left of the original Komurin II from the scrap heap and modified it. It towered at nearly 3 stories (30 feet for the curious) and to top off the absurdity of it all, it was covered in furry garlands of holly and tinsel, had evergreen wreaths around its neck and legs, and a fluffy, custom-made, Santa hat on its chrome cranium. As they prayed that the moment couldn’t get worse, it did. Komui raised the remote and pushed the big, red, ominous button. At first nothing happened and the people exhaled their pensive breath. Then things went bad.
Komui, annoyed by the failure of whatever atrocity he had planned, began to rapidly jab the button. The rest of the Order tensed in sync and had resumed defensive postures. The cautious yet bold Exorcists had moved to the front of the line to form a wall between the ticking-time-bomb of a robot and the party goers. Team Cross, Tiedoll, Sokaro, and Nyne had assembled in the front to form the offense against the dreadful automaton.
“Brother! Stop that thing right now!” Lenalee shouted to the expectant scientist. Komui’s self-esteem seemed to deflate at his sister’s scorn.
“But Lenalee! I’ve removed all of Komurin’s weapons—it should be no threat!” As fate would have it, the moment the words left Komui’s mouth, Komurin’s torso burst open to reveal a staggering array of cannons and other intimidating weaponry. “Of course, I may have missed a few of the hidden mechanisms…” He added, sheepishly.
Kanda had leapt off of the balcony above the robot, Mugen gleaming in hand. “Komui! When this is over, you are DEAD! I’m sick of your broken toys!” Being one of the Order’s most experienced exorcists, the crowd of people cheered as they imagined the monstrosity’s imminent demise at the blade of the katana. They were dead wrong. Komurin swiveled around and fired off dozens of colorful rounds at the Japanese teenager.
“DECORATE!” It declared in a loud, computerized voice. “INITIATING ATTACK: ORNAMENTS!” It shot shiny, festive orbs of glass doom at Kanda, who effortlessly sliced them in half. Unfortunately, he wasn’t aware of the hidden counterattack. His eyes widened as golden ropes of shimmery fur spun from behind the shattered decorations and wrapped around his body. He cursed as Mugen clattered to the floor and the tinsel ropes drew him closer to the demonic contraption. Kanda wasn’t known for expressing any form of fear, but this wasn’t one of those times. Heard for the first time by the collected bunch was a scream of fear and rage. Fear as the lad disappeared from sight, dragged by the jolly appendages into the dark entrance of Komurin’s upper body. Rage as his swore and cursed Komui to the very depths of Hades for ever being born to construct this devil beast. He was stolen away into the robot and was seen no more. Then all that was heard was the screams of panic and mayhem as the stiff crowd imploded into a frenzy of cries and voices pleading to God to spare them from death.
“Looks like it’s going to be a busy night. Eh, Bean Sprout?” The orange-haired exorcist known as Lavi ducked and rolled, barely avoiding some bizarre blend of Silly String and super glue. It hit a couple of unfortunate scientists and pinned them to the wall. “Woo! That’s was too close. Poor gents.” He grimaced at the pitifully screaming men. Lavi blinked as Allen’s left arm transformed into the second-stage gun form and blasted another barrage of glass ornaments out of the smoky air.
“How many times do I have to tell you Lavi to stop calling me-“. The boy’s angry yell was halted by a purple balloon to the face. It burst upon impact sending a thick goop all over his head. All Lavi could do was watch in horror as Allen fell to the ground, desperately trying to claw the mess out of his hair. He suddenly stopped writhing and went deathly pale. “W-w-wah?” He clambered back and gasped at the empty space in front of him. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, MASTER!!! NOT THE FLYSWATTER! ANYTHING BUT THE FLYSWATTER….OR THE HAMMER!” He rolled on the ground screaming and weeping uncontrollably.
Komui vanished under a floorboard earlier at the first sign of trouble. He raised his head at the sight of the gooey, frantic Allen thrashing about on the floor. “That looks familiar…Oh yeah!” He snapped his fingers, “that was the Dream-Inducer I gave to Yeegar when he had his insomnia. Gee, and I thought he was the only one who’d go that whacko after taking that stuff.” He shook his head and ducked back under the wood. “Oh well. Tough break for Mr. Walker!”
Lavi’s gaze swept over the remains of the battlefield. The last exorcists were thrashing the almost impregnable robot with all of their might. Even the generals were having a difficult time getting close. Tiedoll was creating vines out of the flooring, trying to hold down the berserk horror, but to no avail. He was thrown back with a backlash of the thing’s massive legs. He collided with Sokaro—who was at that point about to fling his Innocence, Madness, at its target. It soared off course and spun about the room like a crazed Frisbee and amazingly never touched the robot. It just further destroyed pillars, furniture, stone, and anything else in its wake. Now there were two more things wreaking the building: The Innocence, Madness, and the terror of the fleeing members. Wasn’t their anything that could stop this thing?! Sudden thunderous cracks split the air as three of Komurin II’s legs crumpled to shrapnel. Time seemed to stop and everyone turned to the origin of the shots.
“For God’s sake! Can’t a guy get any sleep around this dump?” The last general stomped down the stairs in an expensive-looking, satin, grey and red striped night robe and black, fuzzy slippers. Allen gave a louder tirade of screams at the man who promptly pulled a hammer from his long sleeves and hurled it at the exorcist. It collided with Allen’s head, thus, rendering him unconscious, most likely for the rest of the week. In Cross’ other hand was Judgment, his equipment type Innocence that was fashioned into a large handgun. Smoke drifted from its barrel as Cross holstered it at his side.
“General Cross!” Miranda cried in relief as she stumbled out of a pile of holly wreaths and teddy bears.
He grunted and mildly kicked his apprentice’s unresponsive body with a slipper, “That’s me.”
Daisya walked up beside Miranda, carrying a dazed Reever (who was enveloped in wrapping paper from head to toe). “Heh Heheh. I suppose you want an explanation.” He swallowed nervously. No doubt the horrid rumors had reached his ears as well.
Cross frowned and scratched his scruffy head of hair. “All I know is that I was enjoying a rather….pleasurable dream when all of this ruckus came and woke me up! That’s all the explanation I need!” He narrowed his eyes at the struggling ruin that was Komurin II. It scraped the floor with its remaining crushed legs and electric wires snapped and popped. “M-M-Merry Christm-.”
BANG!
Three more rounds from Judgment put the sorry monster out of its simulated misery for good. Cross twirled the gun around his fingers and cracked a sadistic smile. Shivers traversed through the small group of exorcists. Cross resumed his speculations.
“As I was saying, when this filthy thing began to cause such noise, I was thinking about shooting straight through the floor. Instead, I just wanted to go to the kitchen and get another bottle or two or five of wine. That’s when I made a pit stop here.” He reached into his robe and retrieved a green bottle of liquor of which he ripped off the cork and promptly began to guzzle it down. The exorcists stood there, dumbstruck.
We could have all been killed! That was the only thought that ran through their heads. Ironically, the only thing that saved them from being shot into Swiss cheese was the general’s alcoholism. Simply unbelievable. Cross pulled the bottle away from his lips and curtly wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “I know this is an obvious question, but who was responsible for this crap?”
“Head….Officer.” Reever hissed from under his holly-jolly, mummified prison. Cross sweatdropped and poked the Section Leader with the end of the wine bottle, “That you Wenham?” Reever squirmed away from the offending container. “Stop it! You know I can’t stand the smell of that stuff!” Cross drew back, “That’s Reever, alright.”
Everybody backed up as Cross drew his Innocence once more and pointed it at a corner of the room. “Komui, I know it was you. Get out…Now.” No response. The crimson- haired exorcist took another drink from his wine and, without looking, pulled the trigger.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Splinters of wood and brick flew through the air and sent a huge cloud of dust into the air. Everyone but Cross gaped as the trembling form of the elder Lee sibling came stumbling from the devastated, underground fallout shelter. He gasped and wiped the dirt from his glasses and looked up at the growing crowd of battered and angry victims. “Um…How’s it going, guys?”………
“That’s what happened, really?” Allen adjusted the ice pack (more like iceberg) on his head. The blow from his teacher’s hammer had caused more damage than the last time. He turned back to Lenalee, “I must have really been out of it for a while!” She nodded and adjusted his pillow.
“Yes. You recovered quickly though…after a few days.” She laughed softly. Allen chuckled too, although he shivered from occasional adrenaline rush after the defective medicine made him hallucinate so much. He pet Timcampy on his head and fingered the golem’s wings. “What about everyone else? Are they alright?”
“Well…Lavi and Daisya had minor injuries, thankfully; Kanda had rope burn, but is too stubborn to get medical attention; Generals Tiedoll, Sokaro, and Klaud Nyne are a little bruised up, but fine; Reever’s still pulling tape from his hair; Azzura was stuck to the ceiling by a mound of Silly String and suffering vertigo, but we got her down; and Miranda’s Time Record is being worked like mad healing and repairing things.” She finished naming off the casualty list and sighed.
“And…Komui?” Allen was surprised to even still care to ask about the man after the nightmare that he put them through. He faintly smiled. Well, his purpose was innocent enough. Lenalee explained that the new Komurin was supposed to shoot confetti and have a laser light show, but things didn’t go quite as planned. I guess I can’t blame him for that, Allen thought. “I guess we’ll have to wait a bit until the party can start.”
“Maybe so,” Lenalee smiled. They howled with laughter for a few minutes, but stopped after both realized that they were still staring at each other’s eyes. Allen flinched and hurriedly pet Timcampy to distract himself, although he couldn’t hide the blush on his face. Lenalee stood up out of the chair and shakily collected the food trays. She had a definite red hue to her cheeks as well and she beat a hasty retreat out of the room.
Allen relaxed his shoulders and sighed, “I guess I’m still no good at talking to girls, especially Lenalee.” He looked at the slow drip in the bedside IV and lowered his gaze. “I should, I can say something but she’s just…” He huffed in frustration as he tossed his pillow across the room. It hit the door as it swung open again. A small cry of surprise came from behind it.
“Ah! I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-.” He stopped in mid-sentence as a nervous, petite face framed by wispy pigtails peeked from behind the door. “Lenalee.”
She slowly edged her way out from the door and twisted her mouth, as if unsure what to say. “Allen, I just wanted to apologize for leaving like I did earlier…and….” She raised her head and sighed. Allen waved his hands in the air and stammered, “It’s alright! You have other people to look after. You’re in a hurry; don’t worry, I understand.” He smiled, warmly. Lenalee returned the smile and gazed at her friend. “Thanks you, Allen.”
Allen’s blush returned and he rubbed the back of his head, obviously embarrassed. “Aw. It’s no problem at all.” He felt a firm, but comforting grip around his shoulders and he opened his eyes. “L-Lenalee?!” She hugged him tighter, “Thank you so much, Allen.” He stopped struggling. What did she say? He looked out of the corner of his eye. Her back occasionally quivered, but she made no sound. Allen then looked down on his hospital shirt and his eyes fell upon a few tiny spots. Tears…
“Thank you, Allen.” Lenalee spoke softly and truly. “You’ve been one of my closest and dearest friends. I’m sure you know that there have been certain obstacles…”…The Earl, the akuma, Mana… “but I am always here”… Road nearly killed you. And the level 3 almost did too. How can you be so sure…?… “Even so, if you have anything you wish to tell me, please don’t hesitate.”…about the 14th? The Noah? My…feelings…? “Allen, I’ll tell you, too, but right now I just want to make sure that you’re okay. You’re precious to me, Allen.”…Mana used to tell me the same thing. Don’t disappear, Lenalee… “You’re my entire world. If we, if I lose you, what will I do? Don’t disappear, Allen…”
Without thinking, Allen returned the embrace and wrapped his arms around the object of his determination…and his affection. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to leave anytime soon.” His eyes never saw hers, but there was an insight between the both of them. “Thank you for letting me know about this.”
Lenalee never looked him in the eye as she withdrew her arms and stepped towards the threshold. The sudden strength left Allen. His face dropped with his arms and he felt as cold inside as he had before. A fluffy object that careened into his face brought him back to life as he flailed his hands and squeaked with surprise. It was the pillow that he had thrown. He looked up to see Lenalee’s face peeking from behind the door. She giggled happily and waved. “Get well soon, Allen!” She shut the door and the click of her Dark Boots got quieter as she went farther down the hall.
Timcampy teetered over to the edge of the bed and nibbled on the fringe of the pillowcase. Allen was too still to notice. However, the feeling began to return to him starting with his face. Slowly, but increasing with time, a smile spread its way with the increase with the warm, comforting oblivion of emotion that only came from the love of a relative…or a friend. “Yeah,” that same dreamer’s expression still plastered on his smile, “I’ll do that.”
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!! This is officially the longest chapter that I have ever done for a serious fanfiction! Hooray! Remember that I do it to please you, dear readers! =^_^= Did you like it? I know I said it would be a Daisya-centric fic, but I might do some other chapters around other characters. Maybe the Noah, I don’t know yet. I was surprised how well I was able to keep the funness in the beginning balanced out with the scariness! Hahaha. Holidays of DOOM! >:D This was also my first time putting fluffy pairings into a fanfic. I’m a fan of the AllenxLenalee pairing, so please hang with me okay? I’m sorry if you don’t like it. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Later, Otakus! 83
