What on earth...is going...on?

"Y- KILL- -Y M-ER!"

Everything's distorted... I can't...hear properly. My head...isn't being ripped apart anymore?

The intrusive presence was gone. No longer tearing his thoughts to pieces, clawing into his mind, shattering every last meager defense he tried to erect with the force of a steam engine, and making him feel like his head would explode from the invasive pressure.

"I -AW -T! - AIM-D Y- JU-G-ENT -T - -AST-R!"

No... that wasn't quite right, it wasn't gone. Just...inactive. Undirected.

"ALLEN… …TH- M-N W- TR-IN- - S-CRI-FI- -UO FOR -E FOU-ENTH!

The Cardinal's voice!? No, he's no Cardinal, not even human, not with that presence. Why didn't I notice it before!? Dammit! What the hell does he want with Walker!?

"I- T-ING - H-LP Y-, ALLEN."

The Inspector forced his arms to move, to prop himself up while he tried to get his feet beneath him. When he opened his eyes, there was an odd dream like quality to his sight, made even more disorienting by the fact that he seemed to be looking through a fractured mirror. Most colors were muted, replaced almost entirely with bright, warm hues of white, gold, and black.

"T- TH-GH- - BEC-M-G ON- WITH YO-… IT MAK-S ME WANT T- VOMIT!"

Still in a daze, the blond pushed himself to his knees, before freezing as he felt movement from the foreign presence in his mind. It wasn't as forceful as before, as it was not being actively directed by that thing, but it was spreading. Like creeping ivy, or frost. And his recollection of the false Cardinal's entrance to the cell was becoming hazy.

It said I wouldn't remember it being here… is that what's happening? How long do I have before I forget entirely!?

"Vomit, you say?"

The Inspector's head shot up, snapped back into full awareness by the pure menace exuded in those three words, to be greeted through his distorted vision with the sight of Allen Walker, held in place by some monstrous white humanoid radiating a truly horrifying aura of power. An expression of unbridled fury on its face as it raised its arm, intent on damage.

WALKER!

Almost before he even realized what he was doing, the Inspector was already sending a stream of spells towards the white being, hoping for all he was worth that they would be fast enough.

Time seemed to slow, as the ex-CROW watched the first spells slide between it and Walker, locking into place just as the creature's fist rammed into them, halting its forward momentum and shielding both Walker and the Noah-child that had appeared in front of him. The Mamori Bane seals overloaded from the force of the blow, fluttering uselessly to the floor, but they had bought enough time for the Shibari Bane to encircle and bind the humanoid, at least temporarily. Judging by the strength it had already exhibited, the Binding Feathers wouldn't hold it for long.

Where did the Noah come from!? How did they even get in here!? Scheiße! Enemy of my enemy is my friend, at least for the moment. And one of them jumped in front of Walker to protect him from that thing, so for the moment they are the lesser threat. If I'm going to lose my memory of these events, I need to at least...!

The blond struggled to even remain kneeling, let alone stand. The backlash from the overtaxed shield spells had hit his magical core like a particularly vicious sucker punch to the gut, even the Level Three in Paris hadn't had such a violent effect. But he couldn't afford to pass out yet, he had to get Walker away from that creature. Maybe if...? The Noah were an unpredictable wild card, but at this point Walker had a better chance with them than with the monster in a Cardinal's skin.

Please work!

"Tim... I'll undo your bonds."

Suppressing the pain in both his mind and magic, he began muttering the release spell for the tags binding the massive golem, while he did what he could to keep track of the situation through the hall of mirrors that had become his vision. Tim was smart, he would protect Allen from the blast, and get him out of here.

The white being had turned in its bindings to stare at the inspector, what looked like a candle protruding from its eye. To the blond's vicious satisfaction, it looked positively shocked.

That's right, I'm not down for the count just yet!

"You! You're still—"

"RUN FOR IT!"

Just as he ignited the En Ba flame wings on the back of the spells binding the Cardinal, the ex-CROW caught a brief glimpse of the taller Noah grabbing Walker and the smaller Noah, before they were all obscured by the explosion. Exhausted and barely able to stand in the first place, the Inspector was knocked to the ground by the blast.

As the dust cleared, he struggled to raise his head; Allen, the Noah, and the massive form of Timcanpy were nowhere in sight. Only the creature remained, still standing despite the smoke billowing off of it. Along with the shockingly intact cell…

There should be a hole and rubble from Tim crashing through the ceiling. Where are they, what went wrong!?

The Inspector's attention was drawn to the far wall, as a heart shaped door faded from existence.

Dammit! The Noah child used one of her portals! If they had just escaped outside, he would have had a chance to get away from them and retreat back to the Order, but now... Well, if anyone can escape from wherever the Noah have taken him, it'll be Walker, hopefully he'll be able to use their disturbing fixation with him to his advantage. Good luck Walker...

"You really are something, Inspector."

Despite knowing beforehand that this would be the outcome of his actions, the ex-CROW couldn't help but tense as he became the sole focus of the monster's attention. Clenching both his fists and jaw, the Inspector let his head drop back to the ground; resigned to simply listening to the steps of the white being echo in the empty cell, as it slowly made its way over to him.

Finally, the echoes halted, as it came to a stop just in front of his head. The exhausted blond heard it release a put-upon sigh, before it grasped him by the neck and lifted, giving him his first clear look of its face. Well, as clear as it could be when he was still seeing through shattered mirrors, the effects of which only served to make its ethereal appearance seem all the more threatening.

"Now you've done it," it remarked, almost blandly. As if it wasn't using the Inspectors own weight to hinder his breathing.

"If my memory is going to be erased, I'll make him kill me to leave a trail." It tightened its grip, allowing only enough air to remain conscious. "That was your intention, am I correct?"

The gist of it, yes, though you seem to have left out the part about helping Walker escape an enemy of unknown origin, power, and intention. The ex-CROW thought with a grim sort of humor.

"An extremely foolish idea, Inspector. Given the situation, anyone would conclude that the Noah, or Allen himself, had killed you. Yourself included."

Struggling for breath, lack of oxygen adding an alarming amount of contrast to his already distorted vision, and fully aware he was about to die, the Inspector couldn't help but smile. Granted it was slightly too mocking to be called real, still, it was the closest he'd come to one in years. The cold chill of dread was still there in his stomach, but he was satisfied with the knowledge that the so-called-Cardinal was very incorrect in its assumption.

Do you really believe the Director won't become suspicious? He hasn't survived in Central his entire life through dumb luck and family standing alone.

The creature seemed to come to the same conclusion, as its expression darkened and the next thing out of its mouth was,

"But HE would doubt it! Malcom C. Leverrier! He casts a doubtful eye on everything!" It snarled through clenched teeth.

His grim facsimile of a smile still on his face the Inspector used what little air he had to choke out a reply,

"It appears that you dislike the Director… "Cardinal"."

Well, if he was going to die anyways, no point in holding his tongue.

The sarcastic response appeared to anger the white being, its lips drawing back into an even deeper scowl; but then its expression turned contemplative, before breaking into a sick imitation of what would have been a kind and welcoming smile, had it been worn by a human face.

"He can't be suspicious of who the true killer was, if there was no death in the first place." Its eyes closed as its grin widened. "And I do believe you have the potential to become very useful. Leverrier does not choose his dogs lightly, and you are indeed very skilled. It isn't often that someone is able to overcome my feathers, and catch me off guard no less. And after all, "Allen" was even more troublesome than you, before I intervened, and look at what a splendid, devoted Exorcist he has grown into."

The blond's smile had dropped when the Cardinal had revealed its own, and upon hearing its words, the ice settled in the pit of his stomach trickled up his spine; causing the shorter hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. The grip on his throat had slackened, but he found it no easier to breathe; his airways restricted no longer by the constricting hold on his neck, but by the fear of the now very real danger that there would be nothing to alert the Director, or anyone for that matter, to the existence of this creature hidden within their own ranks.

The Cardinal payed no notice to the Inspector's growing despair, its expression darkening as it stared through him, focused on something only it could see.

"But of course, Cross couldn't help sticking his insufferable nose into things and creating a mess. Taking the boy on as his apprentice, and passing on his infuriating obstinance. I'm trying to help Allen!"

The humanoid's grip returned to a crushing force as it was lost in its fury, only realizing it was now cutting off the ex-CROW's air supply entirely when he started to weakly raise his hands in a useless attempt to loosen the suffocating hold.

Releasing the blond to collapse to the floor, coughing and gasping for air, it returned to its original façade of benevolence and continued.

"An irksome man to be sure, but I will not allow for such an error this time."

This isn't good. Dammit, this isn't good at all! What the hell does he mean, "intervened with Walker"?

"Hmm, there is the unfortunate fact that completely erasing you, as I have done with others, will not work. Your usefulness originates from your skill which would be lost along with your memories. However, I cannot allow you to continue to be tainted by Director Leverrier's influence, if you are to be of any use to me at all." It crossed one arm over its chest, and rested its chin on the hand of the other. "Now, what to do?"

Not risking any sudden movements, lest the creature turn its full attention back to him, the desperate Inspector's mind raced, trying to figure out a way to leave some clue to the true events of the evening; even as the memories of those events became increasingly difficult to recall.

Completely erase my memories!? And he's done this to Walker!? What on Earth is he- never mind, that can be figured out later. How can I make sure someone finds out what really happened? Walker didn't leave of his own will, he was kidnapped, but the higher-ups will surely take this as a chance to condemn him for certain, especially with how they were speaking of him earlier… If I can just leave some clue, then maybe I can at least prevent a kill-on-sight order—DAMMIT.

The ex-CROW burned with frustration at his own uselessness.

Goushi and Kiredori are dead, Tewaku, Tokusa, and Madarao are now considered full-fledged akuma, and there is no way the higher-ups will ever consider sparing Walker now. Not for anything less than absolute proof that he is not, nor does he contain, the Fourteenth; and even then… Walker; you idiotic, forgiving, trouble-magnet. Even if he manages to escape the Noah, he will be hunted by both them and the Order itself, not to mention this…whatever it is. And I don't have the physical or magical strength left to DO anything to stop it! There has to be a way to reveal this thing! It can't be allowed to continue to hide in the shadows of the Order!

He ran out of time to construct a plan with the sudden exclamation and the sound of a fist hitting the palm of a hand, from above him. A hand reached down and dragged him up by the lapel of his jacket, and another landed on his forehead. For a split second, the blond felt the presence in his mind that had slowly been eating away at his memories of the evening's events, writhe to life; before his mind went blank and his vision went white with the return of the head splitting agony of before, now magnified tenfold.

"Now, what to do?"

Apocryphos ignored the sound of coughing and labored gasps for breath from the troublesome Inspector at his feet in favor of concentrating on the problem at hand.

I can't repeat what I did for "Allen" exactly, completely erasing his memories would render him useless, and I have don't have the time to chaperone him personally to ensure no one like Cross corrupts him while he is growing; good riddance to that incorrigible man, really, the Americans in this day and age have no—Ah. Now there's a thought, perhaps I'll take a page from the book of the original Americans. As I recall, the indigenous peoples of that land would set forest fires to clear out the underbrush choking the forest to make room for new growth, all the while leaving the trees themselves unharmed, some trees even need the fires in order for their seeds to germinate.

The independent Innocence smiled at the fitting metaphor.

Yes, clear out the current poisonous influences in his mind to allow him to reach his full potential on the correct path. It will be a more delicate endeavor than the usual replacement or complete erasure, but not impossible. That still leaves the matter of where to place him while he re-matures. I can't risk losing another useful tool to outside influences… So. Where to—

"Ah!" Apocryphos brought the hand that had been under his chin down to smack the palm of the other as inspiration hit.

Yes! That's perfect! I've finally regained that ability, it's irksome that it takes so long to recharge, but no matter. Not only will he be kept away from the interference of those in this world, but it will even give him the opportunity to increase his abilities! I'll even be able to set the entryway and exit within the time alignment, so it will only take a few months on this end!

The Innocence being reached down to haul the ex-CROW up to a more manageable level, placing a hand on his forehead to more accurately instruct the already implanted feathers on their new task. They would still function without a physical connection to their source, but this would need to be precise.

The Inspector let out a feeble cry of anguish as the feathers set back to work.

It's a pity this has to be so painful, normally it isn't, but then, normally those on the receiving end don't have such strong minds to fight back with—oh?

Apocryphos was shocked to discover that the blond had nearly managed to subdue the feathers, before they had been reactivated.

If I had not activated them again, you may have even been able to retain a few subconscious recollections. Well, with that tenacity, all the more reason to have you on my side.

The pained sounds of the blond were suddenly drowned out by the blaring of the alarms, echoing throughout the labyrinth of corridors and cells that filled the Order's underbelly. The independent Innocence blew out a vexed sigh, knowing it wouldn't take long now for guards to make their appearance, and likely Director Leverrier himself as well considering the circumstances.

Why was the alarm triggered anyways? It's not as though they are aware that there were intruders, if the Noahs had not set it off with their entrance, it is unlikely they would have set it off exiting the same way, and it is a bit delayed for it to have been caused by—Ah. That would do it.

One of the guards outside the door had regained enough of their senses to activate their communicator, though not enough to reply to the now frantic shouts demanding they report. That would be enough of a reason to set off the alarms, yes. The Innocence being's attention turned back to the irritation in hand, starting the process that would send the soon-to-be-ex-Inspector out of reach of any from this world. It would be troublesome to have to replace the memories of all the people that were sure to be swarming the cell any minute now, and the transportation process couldn't be interrupted until the temporal synchronization had been established in the gateways. And unfortunately, there wouldn't be enough time to do so if it waited until the feathers were finished with his memories. The entrance and exits would just have to be ready by the time the feathers had completed their job. Leaving them to do their work without direction was too great a risk, considering the mental strength Leverrier's dog had exhibited, though the process of de-aging could be left to complete on its own once started, as it wouldn't take long to reach the full intended effect.

"Ah, there we are, the gateways are set. And by the time you get there you will find yourself very different than what you are used to, not that you''ll remember once my feathers have done their job," The Innocence crooned. "Safe travels, my dear Inspector. I won't be seeing you for a while, though it will be longer for you. I trust that you will be of great assistance to me upon your retur—Agh!"

A sharp, stabbing sensation in the hand holding the ex-CROW's jacket startled Apocryphos into losing concentration, and breaking both the grip that had been anchoring the Inspector to this world and the Innocence's connection to the unfinished feathers. The blond disappeared with a crack and a rush of displaced air, but not before the Innocence being caught a glimpse of a small, smugly grinning golden orb peeking from where it had been hidden within the red corduroy of the Inspector's jacket.

Apocryphos stared in shock, before throwing back its head and releasing a scream of all consuming rage.

"THAT DAMNED CROSS AND HIS THRICE-CURESED GOLEEEEM!"

The curse was punctuated with a punch to the floor that left a crater in its wake, accompanied by heavy breathing as the enraged Innocence reigned in its temper.

"No matter," it said with a deadly calm to its voice.

"All the golem has done is remove itself from any position it had to hinder my search for "Allen", the inspector's abilities would have been useful, but they are not necessary, all that has been lost is my ability to use the gateways for another decade."

As Apocryphos stood, his previous appearance of a Cardinal reformed around him. Shaking out a newly reformed handkerchief from his pocket, he removed his glasses and wiped them down in a familiar, calming gesture. Replacing the handkerchief and his glasses, he made his way to the open doorway of the cell, intending to be gone before anyone was the wiser.

"Right now, "Allen" is the top priority, he must be removed from the Noahs' possession immediately. And as for the matter of Levverier's dog," He paused at the doorway to re-erase the memory of the guard who had awoken.

"In three months' time, I'll simply have to remove him from the picture. After all, I can't have you interfering again like you did tonight." His eyes narrowed, steps echoing in the currently empty hallway.

"Inspector Howard Link."

AN: Hello! Thank you for reading my first ever post to Fanfiction . net. I've had this story idea bouncing around in my head for a while now, and to be honest, there really aren't enough Link-centric fanfics, so I thought I'd make my own contribution. I hope you enjoy!

For the excerpts from canon, I used a mix of translations; from the officially translated hard copies of the manga, an online translation, and even the subtitles from Hallow; combining them however they flowed best.

A couple things I realized while writing his:
What is it with Road and candle-stabbing people's left eyes? She's done it twice now, and both times it's been the left eye, why not the right? Also, no one can convince me that the Shou Tucker look-a-like over there doesn't have rage issues. That punch that caused Road's dream to "break"? That was originally aimed at Allen, who Apocryphos had previously been claiming to want to "help". He can't do whatever weird extraction/fusion he claimed was so important if Allen's dead.

LeapFroggy out.