A/N: And I'm back! Wow, I wrote that a lot quicker than expected… Though it's also on the short side. Normally, I can just call it the epilogue and be done with it, but this is still continuing off from the last chapter, so that wouldn't even make sense. So yeah, you get a short chapter. Sorry about that, but you should all be grateful I even wrote it!(: And as always, thank you so much to WordsLeftBehind, i love pink, Takei Daloui, Deugemia, Twistedmind64, Lena-luvs-cats, XxxBellaBellaxxX, NeahWalker14th, amenokuma, and titania2811 for taking the time to leave your thoughts and comments! It's always fun getting to know the reactions of my readers, and I love knowing you guys are actually there!(:

As for this chapter, sorry if it sucks even a little. I was reading through it, and it doesn't feel like my best work… Then again, I somewhat forced it, since I wanted to get it over with. If anyone has any advice on improvement, that'd be greatly appreciated! But either way, I hope you all like it!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: In my own perfect, little world I like to think I own these characters. I've literally been writing and reading about them nonstop for over four years and it's like they're a part of me. Unfortunately, I'm only borrowing them for the time being.(:

Chapter 5

Time Frame — Afternoon of November 5th, 1863

—3rd Person POV—

~Allen~

Allen didn't bother paying attention to where he was headed, adrenaline-filled limbs pumping forward as he tore through the streets, thoughts racing furiously. WHERE AM I?! was the predominant thought that constantly shouted over everything else. Where on earth had the Ark dragged him to?! Not the past—an alternate dimension?! A dream?! How was everything so perfect?! Everything that had ever pained him: Mana's death, the curse, the Fourteenth, his arm—wait! His arm! Not pausing for a second, Allen wrenched his sleeve up mid-sprint, eyes widening in horror as small chunks of Innocence began to flake off, similar to the curse-scar, regular human skin appearing beneath. He almost choked on his own breath, but continued to run even faster.

But how could such a reality (a reality in which everything was so perfect for him) exist?! Allen couldn't accept it—refused to accept it. He had known pain from the moment he was born, and he felt so utterly sick, recalling his comrades—how they were still fighting a war, facing death and carnage at every corner, overcoming all obstacles and becoming stronger to defeat the evil that plagued those in despair, as the Millenium Earl continued to take advantage of them all.

How could he just leave them all to that fate?

But the Fourteenth… In a matter of hours, the Noah that clung to him would be snuffed from existence, and then the idea of ever returning would die with him. No Noah equaled no control over the Ark. And he would be stuck here, forever wondering what had become of those he cared for.

"Allen!" Mana gasped, catching up to him. Without even realizing it, Allen had slowed down to a halt, right at the base of the forest. The auburn-haired teen reluctantly turned, moonlit eyes filled with regret as he gazed at Mana, who had yet to catch his breath.

"But… I accepted your death so long ago, and they're still surviving, waiting for me…" Allen murmured softly, inaudible to Mana's ears. I want to be selfish; to be happy living life with Mana and Neah—hell, even the Noah aren't so bad as humans, and even Lavi and Lenalee are here. But they're not the same people, and I'll only ever look at them as they once were. If only… If only I had really lost my memories…

Allen swallowed thickly, stumbling back, not taking much note of Neah, who had only just caught up. "Allen," he gasped, gulping desperately for breaths of air, "W-what the hell?"

Swallowing the thick lump constricting his throat, Allen clenched his fists, coming to a decision. "Do you… do you guys recall asking me where I'd been during that week I was missing?"

"Of course," Mana replied, straightening up, expression crinkled with concern. He took a small, hesitant step forward, as if afraid Allen would take off any second. "A-are you ready to tell us about it?"

The silence was tense, as Allen shifted from foot to foot before finally admitting, "I have to return to that place. I'm sorry." Allen took a step back, and then another, but before he could turn, Neah called out.

"W-wait! Allen, are you fucking kidding me?!" Neah demanded, face contorting with rage. "Get the hell back here! You're not going anywhere."

Allen took a deep shuddering breath, teeth clenching. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be Neah. I've made my decision."

"Fine," it was Mana who surprisingly said this, tone clipped, features expressionless. He took another step forward, this time, more firm and confident. "Do it. But don't believe for a second that we won't be following you every step of the way."

Allen parted his lips, protest at ready, but Mana's determined face caused him to falter. "That's right!" Neah nodded, before Allen gained the courage to protest once more. "And there's nothing you can do to stop us!" Neah crossed his arms in a stubborn manner, earlier rage forgotten as he smirked at Allen.

The repercussions this could cause… Allen briefly thought, but even he couldn't convince his own self. Oh, to hell with it I guess. "Then I guess," he slowly began, a fond smile tugging at his lips, "You're coming with me."

"So, what exactly are we doing?" Neah asked, glancing about the forest clearing they currently found themselves in, expression already relaxed with boredom.

"Shhh," Allen hushed him, eyes closed in concentration, "I'm honestly not even sure if doing this is possible anymore. Just give me a second." Slowly, and with fingers crossed, Allen began to hum out the familiar melody. Fortunately, before Neah could demand how singing his own song would accomplish anything, Mana smacked him upside the head, (his other hand occupied with holding Timcanpy the puppy, as they refused to leave him behind), a glower thrown his way for good measure. So Allen continued, and just as Mana was contemplating interrupting him himself, a bright light began to envelope the clearing, bathing it with its luminescence. Mana and Neah could only gape in wonder, ogling the blinding shards of light that formed like misshapen puzzle pieces before them.

Allen gasped, feeling slightly breathless as he murmured, "I can't believe that worked. But only just…" He turned back to Mana and Neah, and it was then that he recalled where exactly he was dragging them to; a world ridden with war and demons. He faltered. "Listen, I—"

But before he could continue, Tim barked happily, seeming to spur Neah into action as the teen clamped a hand onto Mana's free forearm and pulled him forward, almost rushing past Allen, before he grabbed onto him too, and dragged them both through the gateway, stumbling into the radiant, white city that was the Ark. And as the brothers gazed about them in wonder, Allen flinched, hearing the doorway behind them permanently slamming shut. Turning, Allen gazed solemnly at the blank wall, knowing that now there would never be a chance of returning to that peaceful reality. But he had made his decision, and he would see it through.

When Allen noticed Mana drifting in a certain direction, he almost felt his heart come to a stop. "Wait! Not that way, Mana!" he called, rushing around the familiar corner, where Mana turned to him with a perplexed expression.

"What's the matter, Allen?" Mana eventually asked, while Allen could only scrutinize the lane beyond him, features a peculiar mixture of confusion and horror. Fortunately, Mana's voice brought him back to reality, and he shook his head in reply.

"Nothing, I could've sworn…" he trailed off, and as the moment passed, it was clear he would not elaborate further.

Neah caught up to them, and ignoring whatever strange atmosphere had enveloped them, he declared, "Mate, this place is brilliant! But uh, what exactly is this place…?"

Allen sighed. "It's a very long and complicated story, and I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"Sheesh Allen," Neah rubbed the back of his head with a dubious expression, "You were only gone a week. Can't have been that complex of a story."

Mana elbowed him in the gut, and then smiled encouragingly at Allen. "How about you start at the beginning?"

"Trust me when I say that I don't even know where this story begins and ends," Allen pursed his lips in thought. "It's compiled of so many different backgrounds and stories, it is anything but simple. But… I guess I could start by giving you a rundown of the basics."

Allen carefully regarded his reflection. It's been a couple hours, but I doubt there'll be any change, he finally admitted with a small, inaudible sigh. Rather than returning to his previous appearance, it seemed that his new features had cemented. His hair had finally settled on a dark red, while the last of his cursed scar had deteriorated and flaked off, leaving a practically invisible impression underneath. Ultimately, the only thing that had really survived had been his left arm, as whatever damaged the Innocence had received was gradually beginning to repair itself. But what had really disturbed Allen even more was the absence of the Fourteenth at his back—only the wisp remained, and Allen had a feeling that that small part of the Noah would forever remained with him. The thought made him shudder, but it at least resolved that problem.

"That's… insane." It was Neah who finally broke the silence, so Allen turned back to the duo (Timcanpy was currently exploring the Ark, making Allen briefly wonder if he would ever see his golem version again). They were currently occupying a room—an actual room; yes, the Ark was capable of making those too—in which Allen had only touched upon the basics of the Holy War, explaining the sides of the Noah and the Black Order. He had been careful not to mention names—despite the fact that he'd vaguely describe his own world as an alternate dimension, he didn't want to freak them out, especially considering Neah was technically dating a version of one of them.

"But, there's one thing I don't understand," Mana eventually spoke up, a small furrow to his brow. "If this is a different world, how is it that you somewhat recognized us?"

Allen rubbed his forehead as it trying to keep a headache at bay. "And that's where it gets a little more… bizarre. Ultimately, it means that there are similar versions of the people you know, running amuck in my world."

The brothers gaped at him, and Neah eventually exclaimed, "You mean we have doppelgangers?!"

The auburn-haired boy grimaced. "Not exactly…" How do you explain to someone that their alternate selves are pretty much dead? And if he explained it as bluntly as that, they'd demand the whole back story, which would bring up the fact that Neah was once a Noah and that Allen had always looked up to Mana as a father-figure. It would just get weird all around.

"Allen, did you have a close relation with our alternate selves?" Mana asked, curiosity piqued.

He chewed on the inside of his cheek, before finally replying lamely, "Like I said before, it's really complicated. And strange. On many different levels."

"Well you can't just leave us hanging like that!" Neah demanded. "What's my other self like? Is he—"

"I think," Mana cut in, "That this can probably wait till morning. Can't tell what time it is around here, but my internal clock is demanding sleep. How about we all get some rest before getting too tangled up in the happenings of this world?"

Allen couldn't help but toss him a grateful glance. "Sounds perfect!" he agreed, much to Neah's disgruntlement, and with a silent command, willed a couple of bedrooms to expand upon the sitting room they currently occupied. Before long, they all separated to their chosen rooms for a goodnight's rest. And personally, Allen couldn't be happier for the end of the most exhausting day of his life. Being back hadn't changed his status as a fugitive from the Order, and it would be that much more difficult to keep Mana and Neah safe, especially if the Noah were to recognize Neah. That was just a disaster waiting to happen.

Allen grimaced, rolling on the bed, as earlier thoughts returned to worry him. He was still confused about earlier; when he'd attempted to prevent Mana from turning around that corner, it was because he knew that's where a lot of the registered entrances that the Order used were located. He may have been considered a lost cause when it came to finding his way around most places, but he naturally knew the paths of the Ark like the back of his hand. And he honestly wouldn't have been surprised to find that Order might have deceased with the use if the Ark if they thought it to be dangerous, but that particular path had been surprisingly barren. None of the signs Bak Chang had put up were there, as well as whatever new contraptions he knew Komui and Bak liked to toss around back and forth. The sight had been slightly unsettling.

The teen felt himself drift in and out, doubts and worries still plaguing his mind, and when he finally thought he could calm them down to get some rest, an odd noise outside his room caused him to rouse. What are Mana and Neah up to? Allen wondered, wearily getting up, and making his way towards the door. Cautiously pulling it open, silver eyes peeked out, immediately catching sight of Mana's wide-open door. Stepping out and curiously moving forward, Allen was surprised to find the bedroom empty, with random items knocked down, as if Mana had been tumbling around with absolutely no motor control. And the slight disaster led right to Neah's room, the door only a crack open.

Apprehensively, Allen tip-toed forward, pushing the door open. He suddenly felt as if his heart had suddenly made its way up his throat, choking him up completely.

"A-Allen, I think there's something wrong with us," Mana whimpered, kneeling beside Neah's bed, the brothers clutching onto each other, their expressions pained as they moaned in agony.

Allen stumbled back, the blood draining from his face in horror. "T-this can't be happening," Allen whispered in revulsion, as he studied the way splotches of graying skin spread like a disease, and the way their foreheads were drained of their blood, Stigmata imbedding themselves painfully across. "I—" Allen shook his head, taking a couple steps back before he turned and fled, clutching his ears in a pathetic attempt to ignore their protests.

Time Frame — Dawn of November 6th, 1863

Allen stumbled along the cobblestone streets of a town he didn't know the name of, where he'd made his escape. I'm such a damn idiot! Why didn't I see this coming?! If I so easily could turn into their Allen, why the hell didn't I realize that bringing Neah here could turn him into a Noah?! And Mana! Oh, Mana… Allen's thoughts trailed off with taints of utter betrayal that made him want to dry heave once more. Had his Mana also been a Noah?! Is this why the current Mana was being affected as such? The fact that he could think of no other explanation, hurt him deeply. He had become an Exorcist for Mana! If he'd known; if he'd had the slightest knowledge of knowing that Mana was on the Earl's side, would he have chosen a different path? The very thought made him feel nauseous, and he had to pause for second, to shake away the thought.

But it still didn't lessen the betrayal. To think that Mana had been one of them, and still could be only brought a bitterness to him he didn't know he could contain. Eventually, the boy stumbled to the side of the street, before dropping onto his rear in a miserable pile of limbs. He ignored whatever odd looks he received as the roads became busier, all too willing to wallow in his misery. Ultimately though, he knew he would have to face them.

With a grimace, Allen was about to pick himself up, when he took note of a crumpled newspaper that had been blown beside him. Gingerly picking it up, he smoothed it out, wondering how long he'd been gone (maybe time had passed differently compared to where he'd been. It could have been months!). Unfortunately, he quickly paled.

November 6th, 1863

1863?! How is it still 1863?! Unless we didn't travel back…? But if that were the case, Mana and Neah wouldn't have been affected like that! The paper between his fists between began to tear and shred from the pressure, knuckles white from how hard he clenched them. I came back, but I'm still stuck 35 years in the past!

Allen could feel himself beginning to hyperventilate, as his thoughts ran rampant, eventually connecting the dots. And he could only come to one solid conclusion. One that almost made him retch, right there and then.

"Mister? Mister, are you okay?" a young girlish voice asked from beside him, a tiny hand clamped on his shoulder. "Mister, are you sad? Do you want to cry?"

Slowly, Allen turned to her, a lame excuse ready on his lips, but he was forced to stop short. The girl (maybe ten or eleven years old) that stood beside him had a frightening resemblance to Road. The difference though, was this girl's truly innocent expression.

"Mister?"

There was no doubt about it. By bringing Mana and Neah here, Allen had been the catalyst for everything to come.

A/N: You should have all seen this coming. At least, the time traveling part! I mean, what? I've written like three other time travel stories for D. Gray-Man? Yeah… Anyway, hoped you enjoyed that short little story, and sorry it took me so long to get this out.

Anybody have any suggestions for new stories? I've completed most of the on-going ones I have, and I'm kind of at a blank…

Don't forget to drop a review!(: