Jessica & Karter notes: Okay, as you may have noticed there's two people on this account. WhichJessica (Jessica) and AkumaKuma (Karter). Jessica is the general plotter and outliner (big picture) and Karter is the writer and little details guy (nuts and bolts). With the introductions out of the way let's get started.

J: So, explanations, yes? We adjusted the ages and time frames as we saw fit.
K: Because we're cool like that, and the story needs some flow.
J: SO here are the ages! Not in order of appearance. Listen well, cause we're only saying them once!
K: Allen is 17 (mainly).
J: Kanda is 19.
K: We made Mana and Neah identical twins (except Mana bleaches his hair) so they are 22(final) / 30(mainly) respectively.
J: Lavi is 18 (mainly).
K: Lenalee is 21, and Komui is 27.
J: Bak is 23, and Reever is 25.
K: Bookman is ancient...
J: And Cross is...is...wait how old is Cross!?
K: Let's leave that up to their imaginations, hm?
J: Deal. Are we forgetting anyone?
K: Nah, we're good, let's get this party started.

Show Biz: Act I

Prologue:
In fair Tokyo where we lay our scene...

Allen Walker loves K-Pop, and rightfully so. After all, Mana loved it too.

Allen grew up alone. An orphan abandoned in Japan by his irresponsible foreign parents because of his silver hair, eyes, and his paralyzed left arm. When they unceremoniously dropped him off at the orphanage, they told the caretaker that they didn't want to bother with such a high maintenance baby. Everyone treated him nicely, but children have a strangely accurate sixth sense. Allen could tell they felt awkward around him. He could feel the stares of the other children as they gawked at his hair and eyes. As he grew older, he slowly closed himself off from the cold world he lived in. That is, until his seventh Christmas. That was the day a true miracle happened.

It was recess time at the orphanage, so all the kids were outside, playing in the snow with their new toys bought with donation money. Allen was a simple child though; all he asked for was a new ball. The orphanage had had a fundraiser to pay for his arm therapy and, since it was progressing so well, the doctor had said it was time to start using it in everyday life. So Allen wanted a new ball for his new arm.

He was bouncing said ball against the wall when, all of a sudden, a man came sprinting round the corner. He looked about frantically until he spotted a female volunteer near the gates. Then he rushed over as fast as he could. Upon spotting him her jaw dropped as she pointed and squealed, "Y-you...! You're...y-you're...OH MY GO-!"

"Excuse me!" He interrupted, "Would you happen to know where 14th Studio is? I got lost and now I'm running late!"

"I don't know, but I have a computer inside! Follow me!" she said. Before he even had a chance to reply he was being dragged inside the gates and through the front door. Before she closed the door the volunteer looked around then called to Allen when she spotted him. "Allen, could you get this man a hot drink while he waits?"

Without saying a word, Allen picked up his ball and walked past them towards the kitchen. "I'll take that as a yes. I swear, that boy, I haven't heard him say a single word since I've been here...Anyways...I'll just...be a moment...M-MANA-sama!" she managed to squeak out before she ran to another room covering her face.

A minute later the man, MANA as we now know, was already bored. 'How long does it take to look up directions?' he thought. MANA decided to go look for the boy who was supposed to get him a drink. He wandered the general way he saw the kid walk in - better than trying to find his way with his horrible sense of direction and ending up lost...again - and soon ended up in a kitchen-like area. That's when he heard it.

Someone was singing. The voice was light and perfectly on pitch. 'Beautiful,' he thought, 'I wonder who is singing. They must be new, I haven't heard them before.'

At this point, MANA walked around the corner and got the surprise of his life. It wasn't a radio or CD like he had thought, but the boy. He was singing while pouring hot tea into a cup.

'He's good,' MANA mused, "Really good," he muttered out loud before he realized it.

As soon as the words left his lips, the boy stopped singing and snapped his head to where MANA stood. They were left in an awkward silence in which they just stared at each other – Allen with a slightly shocked look and Mana with a deer-caught-in-headlights expression – until MANA burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! That's a nice look on you face, Allen! I was starting to think you were made of ice, what with that pale, expressionless face of yours. It is Allen, right?" he said with his usual polite bluntness.

Allen didn't respond except to hold out the drink for MANA.

"Ah, thank you. Not just for the drink, but for the lovely performance. You have talent, Allen," MANA told him earnestly.

Allen just blinked as a slight tinge formed on his cheeks.

"...Thanks."

Silence followed as MANA's face slowly spread into a huge grin.

"The first time you talk and you say 'Thanks'. That's a good start!"

"...H...how do you know that?" Allen asked quietly.

"Ah, and he's already asking questions! I shouldn't have said anything," MANA joked as he ruffled Allen's hair.

Allen took this for a few seconds until...

"Enough with the hair you weirdo geezer!"

"Geezer!? How rude! I'll have you know that I'm only twenty!"

"Yeah, well-!" then Allen covered his mouth abruptly as if barely discovering that he was talking freely with a complete stranger. He lowered his voice and said, "You mean...you don't think it's weird? The others do."

"What...? You mean...your hair? Of course no-" MANA answered honestly, but was interrupted by Allen's sudden outburst.

"Don't lie. Don't pretend to be nice. Everyone keeps forcing themselves to help me. It's their job."

The amount of bitterness coming from that young mouth both surprised and scared MANA. Just what was going on to make a young child this...faithless?

"...Hey now...It can't be that ba-"

"Have you seen his hair and eyes? Creepy! I feel like I'm with some vengeful ghost whenever I'm around the kid. He doesn't even talk!" a male's voice came from around the corner.

"I know how you feel. Ugh, and I had to fund raise in the freezing cold just to get that kid a doctor. His life isn't even threatened it's only an arm. But I got extra hours for that, so whatever. Now where did MANA-sama wander off to?" a second voice, the female volunteer, joined.

Allen and MANA just stood there in silence. Allen cast his face down in embarrassment as he held his arm at the shoulder, as if trying to curl in on himself and hide away. "It is," he answered MANA's previous statement, "It...really is. Now do you see-" Allen started but stopped in shock as he glanced up to see a look of pure anger on the man's face, the cup of tea clenched tightly in his hand.

Allen didn't say a word as MANA grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him around the corner. The two volunteers noticed him but must not have seen Allen behind him.

"Ah, MANA-sama! There you are! I printed out a map for y- AAH!" she screamed as he poured hot tea on her head and took the paper from her. He looked both of the shocked volunteers in the eyes, his own burning with a sort of passion that one gets when they've decided that enough is enough. The volunteers both flinched and backed away a bit.

"People like you make me sick."

He pulled Allen to the front as he took a business card out of his pocket and laid it on the front desk for a surprised secretary.

"Oh! Oh my gosh! You're-!"

'Funny, everyone has the same reaction. Who is this Mana person?' Allen thought in wonder.

"Yes. I know quite well who I am. I just stopped to tell you this kid is coming with me. Mail the forms needed to the address on the card. I'm in a hurry, so I'll fill them out later and send them back."

"EH!?" Allen exclaimed, making the secretary jump as a hand flew to her chest. She started at Allen in shock as words continued to poor from his lips. "Y-you're what? I'm what!? Why? Hey listen to a person when they're talking to you! I just met you and- hey!" Allen's questions and remarks slowly faded away as he was swept away by MANA, leaving the shocked secretary behind.

"...He...He talked," she whispered incredulously. Then a small smile graced her lips.

"Merry Christmas, Allen."

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"Good thing it's not too far from here or I'd be in trouble. No taxis are running thanks to the ice on the roads. Here, Allen, bundle up," MANA said as he handed Allen his scarf and gloves.

He took them then asked suddenly, "Who are you?"

The question made MANA stop.

He turned and stated, "I'm Mana Walker. But most people only know my...uh...pen name, MANA."

"No not your name. Who are you?" Allen asked again, stressing the meaning behind the question.

"Ah, smart boy," Mana chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll find out pretty soon. Just know that I'm not a bad person, though I may seem suspicious now. I'm actually glad someone doesn't know who I am. That way my first impression is that of a normal human being... I see you've taken to asking questions?"

"Well, I didn't really get to before," Allen said, sensing that Mana wanted to avoid the topic. "...Why? Why are you doing this for me?"

"Because I was like you. Young, but forced to grow up fast. No one to turn to, no one to talk to, no one to live for, until someone came along and gave me all that. If I had abandoned you there, it would have been like killing myself. And Allen, I don't know why, but I've grown rather attached to you. If I had a son someday, I always pictured him being like you. Bold and outspoken, when given the chance."

"How do I know...how do I know if you're telling the truth?"

Mana knelt down so his eyes were level with Allen's.

"Listen to me. I want you to forget about those people. I want you to wipe them from your memory."

"It's not as easy as it-"

"Ah ah, stop right there! Alakazam! Abracadabra! Bippity Boppity Boo! Presto!" Mana suddenly exclaimed as he waved his hands this way and that. Surprised by the man's sudden outburst, Allen jumped. He settled down a bit when a pair of warm, strong hands were placed on his shoulders. "There, it's done. Now you're newly born and I'm the first person you've met."

At this point Mana pulled Allen into a snug embrace, surprising the boy for the umpteenth time that day.

"Hello, Allen Walker. I'm your father," Mana whispered as he pulled back, "And I promise, I'll always be there for you. As long as you make a promise to me, okay?"

Allen was in shock but he clung to Mana, the first person to ever show him this pure, deep, unconditional love...and started to cry. Mana didn't move; only tightened his embrace. When Allen had calmed down enough to talk he replied, "O-okay...What's my promise?"

Mana smiled and stood up. Then he grabbed Allen's hand in his own and said, "Keep walking."

Allen wiped his tears away and smiled up at the only real father he had ever known.

"It's a promise."

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"So where are we going?" Allen asked while being tugged along by Mana, adjusting the too-big gloves on his hands and wrapping the too-long scarf another time around his neck.

"It's called 14th Studio. You could say it's my place while I'm here in Japan."

"...You mean...you don't live here?!"

"Bingo. I'm from Korea, although I was born in England."

'England...What are the chances, huh...?' Allen thought off-handedly. "So...will we be going to Korea soon?"

"Ha! Nothing fazes you, huh Allen? Yes, we'll be going to Korea after this."

"And what is it you're going to do?"

"That...is a surprise. Besides, you'll see soon enough. We're here!" Mana said as he gestured to the large building they had stopped in front of. Allen gawked at the magnitude of the structure. When the man had said studio, he'd thought it was...like...a small art studio or something. This was out of this world, but Mana was acting like it was no big deal. Just who was he? "Whew, any longer and my manager would have killed me. He's your uncle, by the way, you'll meet him later. Come on. Let's go!"

Allen followed Mana into the building, where he started to explain the situation in hushed tones to the security guard. They kept looking at him then looking away, making Allen feel uncomfortable.

"I can see you guys you know, stop staring," Allen finally commented with a huff.

They both looked at him then Mana smiled and the guard started laughing.

"You sure know how to pick 'em, Mana! You're right, he is like you when you first started," the guard chuckled. "Well, go on in. Nothing can stop you once you've made up your mind. Are you sure though? You're young, and a kid's a big responsibility."

"I've never been so sure in my life."

"Ha! Well alright, then go on through. Neah is going to have your head for being late."

Mana paled a bit then waved goodbye as they continued down a long hallway with several rooms. Some had small golden stars with names and others didn't. Then they got to one in the middle of the hallway with a huge golden star with Mana's name on it.

Mana opened the door with a key then took Allen's hand to lead him in. That was when Allen noticed…

"Why do you only paint your left nails black?"

Mana glanced down and replied, "Ah, my manager says it's part of the look. Why?"

"Just curiOH MY GOSH," Allen finished in shock as he laid eyes on the room. It was huge. It had luxurious looking sofas and chairs and a long counter with mirrors and bright lighting on the far wall. There were clothes racks everywhere filled with magnificent shirts, and pants, and shoes, and belts, and every other item of clothing you could imagine. Mana picked Allen up – not without a few protests – and plopped him down on the couch.

"Nice right? Wait here; I'll bring you something to eat."

"Food?" Allen said, suddenly sitting up a bit straighter.

"Look at you! Haha, yes food. Sustenance. I'll be right back."

Mana walked out and, sure enough, soon returned with a big bowl of ramen - and not the instant kind either - a plate of beef sashimi, shrimp, and a glass of water.

Allen stared as he set it all down in front of him. "You expect me to eat all that?"

"You're a growing boy aren't you? If there's one thing I know how to do it's feed a person! I'll help finish it if need be, but for now shove it down your throat . With vigor! Oh! And here's the last dish, the food of life: DANGO! Now eat up; I'm going to start getting ready," Mana told him as he walked towards a clothes rack.

"…."

And so Allen ate...and ate...until his stomach was distended. Then...he ate some more. Finally, he finished the last bite of food and plopped back on the couch.

"I never…want to see…another…dango…again. Uuuuugh."

Mana walked back in time to hear his last statement. He was dressed in an all white outfit. A perfectly pressed white suit, white boots, and white tie. The only but of color in the outfit was the blue shirt. He had been adjusting his silver cuffs when he heard what Allen said. He started to chuckle.

"Ah, you'll change your mind. Anyways, I should head to the studio room. Neah, will kill me if he walks in and-"

BANG!

"...too late."

"Mana! Where have you been!?" Neah said in a rage, "I come back from running around looking for your lost behind, and then i get here and the guard says you're in your room and I'm 'in for a shock'. Do you know how worried I- Mana who's the kid?" Neah asked as soon as he noticed Allen.

"He's my son," Mana answered casually, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"..."

"...?"

"...your...WHAAAAAAT!?" Neah screeched incredulously.

"Well, not officially. The documents should be arriving at your office in a few days," Mana continued like the outburst never happened.

"Mana," Neah said seriously, attracting Mana's attention, "This is by far the most outrageous thing you've ever done. We're going to discuss this. Now. If you can't give me a good reason, then the kid goes. Understand?"

"Neah! He's not a pet. We can't just kick him out."

"Understand?" Neah said more firmly.

Both of them stared at each other, resolute in their decisions. Then Mana replied bitterly:

"Fine."

He followed Neah outside, but not before smiling gently at Allen and giving him a little wink.

The door closed and Allen was left alone in an awkward silence.

'What's going to happen to me now?' he thought.

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A few minutes later they both came back in. Neah looked Allen in the eyes for a long moment, then looked down and sighed.

"Alright kid, you can stay."

Allen immediately smiled in relief. "Really?"

"On one condition," Neah continued.

'I knew it was too good to be true. He'll probably have me do something impossible, and then kick me out. I'll have to go back… 'Allen thought solemnly.

"W-what…what is it that I have to do?" Allen asked Neah hesitantly.

"Sing."

The silence rang throughout the room before allen started flailing around.

"Excuse me, what? I…I can't I mean-"

"It's alright, Allen. I believe in you, or else I wouldn't have let him do this," Mana told him.

Allen looked at Mana one last time, silver meeting a piercing hazel in a moment of understanding. And so, Allen built up his courage...and started to sing.

"That's my boy," Mana whispered.

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As soon as Neah and Mana exited the room Allen rushed to the door to hear what they were saying. He pressed his ear into the wood to make out the voices on the other side. He heard a single word escape from Neah's lips.

"Wow."

"What did I tell you?" said Mana, "He's got talent."

"Yeah, I can't deny it now. My new nephew is amazing," Neah said as he smiled gently at his twin brother. "Now, we'd better go back in and tell him he can stay."

'Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Wait, shoot I need to get back to the couch!' Allen thought as the doorknob started to turn.

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"I'm sorry I had to test you like that, kid. Mana told me your story. It brang back memories that I'd rather just forget… He also said that your voice was what first made him like you. I wanted to hear it for myself," Neah told Allen as he led him through the halls of the 14th Studio.

"Allen."

"What?" Neah asked as he heard the small voice behind him.

"My name. It's Allen."

"Ha! Mana's right; you're a lot like us when we were younger. Outspoken and ready to go. Well Allen, here we are," Neah said as they reached their destination. The studio room.

Mana had left after telling Allen that he was definitely going staying with him, then ran off to the studio room to "get to work" as he had told Allen.

"So what exactly does Mana do? He must be someone important right? I don't much about stuff outside the orphanage…Is he famous? He has his own room in the studio and everything."

"Mana is amazing. He's the biggest star in Asia and Europe, and he's getting big in America, too. His songs are dynamic, beautiful, and so meaningful that even the politicians use quotes from his songs. He writes all the lyrics and parts to his songs himself. Since his debut, he climbed his way up to the top. Once he got number one, he stayed there. You could say he's a once-in-a-generation musical genius."

"Mana…is really that great? Why….did he notice someone like me?"

"Well, you tend to stand out! And…and we're like you. We have no parents. Well we do...somewhere. They abandoned us on a trip to Korea when Mana and I were five. We were in the streets until a small company scouted us for modeling thanks to our dashing good looks," Neah joked, though the smile soon slipped from his lips. "Once we got big, we went independent. And now, here we stand. So, are you ready?"

"Ready? For what?" Allen asked as Neah walked towards the studio doors.

"This."

The doors swung open, and Allen was blinded.

There were lights everywhere, cameras at every possible angle, fog effects, music playing, and in the middle of it all was Mana. Shining like a star. He was amazing. His body twisted into flips, turns, slides...and his voice. My God, his voice was like an angel's. Going from high to low in a beautiful symphony. To Allen, it was the most perfect thing he had ever seen.

That's probably the one moment when Allen truly believed in a higher power. For what else could create someone so amazing?

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"Father, where do I put this?" Allen asked as he moved a box into the living room.

"Ah, that. Unpack those onto the table there," Mana told Allen as he finished arranging books on a bookshelf.

The contents of the box turned out to be scented candles. Once he was done arranging them, Allen looked around his new home and smiled.

Mana stopped what he was doing to look. "You've been smiling more often, Allen! It's so cute~" he teased, "Aaah, my cute little son! Who could be more adorable than you~" Mana continued as he went to smother Allen with his Son-Complex.

"F-Father! Please stop!"

"No! Don't wanna!" Mana said stubbornly, refusing to let go as Allen dragged him around trying to get loose.

"Grrr…Uncle Neah! He's at it again!" Allen cried for help.

Neah stopped hanging pictures in the next room and walked over to see what his stupid twin was doing now. When he saw what was going on he sighed and went to help pry Mana off before he strangled the boy.

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"A tutor?" Allen asked Mana, thinking he hadn't heard correctly, "What about school?"

"Yes, well, your situation is a bit different. This is something your Uncle and I have agreed upon completely for three different reasons. One, we don't want the press to drag you into this mess. Two, we don't want people taking advantage of you, or for you to get hurt."

"And the third reason?"

"Obviously, we want our little Allen all to ourselves!" Mana said as he tried to snuggle Allen again.

"Oh no you don't!" Allen laughed.

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"Your birthday is coming up soon, Allen. What would you like?"

Allen sputtered on his hot cocoa before. He'd just been thinking about something he wanted - though it wasn't because of a birthday or anything like that - and it felt like his father had just read his mind or something. Incidents like this had been happening a lot, with increasing frequency. It's one of the things that had made them so close so quickly. Allen wiped his mouth before replying, "I….I don't have a birthday. We used to celebrate all together once a year."

"Of course you have a birthday! It's on Christmas, the day I met you!"

Allen was stunned for a second, then smile a large, happy, content smile and said, "In that case, I want a new ball."

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"Happy eighth birthday Allen!" Mana and Neah said together as they twirled sparklers and popped streamers in Allen's face. As the colorful strands floated through the air, he wondered if this is what going to a circus must feel like. All joy and colors and warmth.

He smiled a true smile.

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"Piano lessons?"

"I saw you watching me while I played last time. You looked interested. Do you want to learn?"

"Y...yes!" Allen replied immediately, leaning forward eagerly.

"They'll be private of course. I'll teach you myself. People know I adopted a son so they would swarm all over you the minute you stepped out..." Mana said with a sad smile.

"Yeah...I know." Allen replied in a melancholy tone. He shook it off and asked, "So, when do lessons start?"

Mana looked at him a gave Allen a lop-sided smile. "Right now, if you'd like."

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Allen woke up in the middle of the night to hushed voices in the dark. He rubbed his eyes, wrapped his blanket around him, and got out of bed. He followed the voices, curious, and arrived at Mana's bedroom door.

"...close call today, Mana! You're just freaking lucky I told the guard to go with y-"

"I'm fine, Neah. Nothing happened to me-"

"That's not the poin-!"

"Shhh! You'll wake up Alle-"

"Father?" Allen interrupted, naive to the situation at hand, only knowing that he didn't really like the sound of their voices. Quiet shouting. Whispered secrets. It felt off. The twins whipped around to face him, immediately halting their argument. "Father aren't you tired? What's the matter?" Allen asked in a sleepy drawl, his half-asleep mind only knowing that he wanted to help if there was something wrong.

Neah sat dejectedly on the bed, and Mana crossed over to Allen. He knelt down and pulled Allen into a sudden, tight embrace. "Nothing, son. Daddy's fine. Come on, let's get you back to bed."

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"No..."

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"You're turning nine soon Allen! Do you want anything special? Not another ball again I hope!"

"Oh...um...I don't really need anything..." Dammit, he'd been caught thinking about it again.

"Ah but you want something, don't you? Tell me. This is one of the only days you let me spoil you so tell me anything you want, and I'll get it for you."

"I..." The boy bit his lip.

"Yes~?" Mana coaxed.

"I'd really really like...myownpiano," Allen rushed, afraid to be asking for something so expensive.

Mana stared at him for a moment before his light peals of laughter filled the air.

"Is that all?" Mana said, surprising Allen, "Haha! Ah, Allen my boy, listen well," Mana told him as he sat next to him on the couch. He slung a strong arm around his son's shoulders and hugged him slightly before continuing. Suddenly sounding a bit airy, he said, "You need to love what you love, and who, without any restraints. Don't do anything unless you want to, and don't make anyone do what they don't want. If you live life true to your heart, and have someone you can trust with all your being, then I promise you that everything will be okay in the end."

Allen hugged his father and told him, "I love you, Mana."

Mana smiled gently down at his son and whispered, "I love you too, Allen. I love you so much, my amazing, lovely, gifted boy...Now, finish your homework, do your arm exercises, and then we'll get you off to bed."

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"Wait...stop..."

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"So how about we go piano shopping tomorrow, eh? I know it's a day early, and it'll ruin the surprise, but the shops will be closed on your birthday," Mana told Allen.

"No, Mana, it's fine. Besides, I stand out too much. That's why I don't go outside that often," Allen said.

Mana sighed and scratch the back of his head. "Allen, I know I normally say you shouldn't go out too much, but this is your birthday we're talking about. It's horrible to keep you cooped up. Besides, if you don't mind, I have an idea," Mana replied as he pulled out brown hair dye and contacts along with a maniacal smile.

Allen just looked at him for a second, before he broke into an identical grin.

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"Don't...! Mana..."

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"Aw, come on, Neah! Just this once," Mana begged his twin, hands clasped earnestly in front of him.

"I said no, Mana. That's final!" the other snapped.

"Please?" Mana threw in desperately

"It's too dangerous. You already had one close call, and the guy is still on the loose!" Neah shouted in frustration.

"That was months ago! Neah, please, it's the day before Allen's birthday. He won't even get to go outside on the actual day...so please, just this once. Let me go out alone just this once. No guard, just me and my son, okay? If not for Allen, then for me." He knew that last part was a bit of an underhanded tactic - Neah and him were almost like one person. They'd do anything to make the other happy, and Mana knew that - but he wanted this more than he could properly express.

"...Fine. But just this once."

Allen stood guiltily outside the doorway, eavesdropping. 'What close call?' he thought.

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"No..."

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How had it all gone so wrong?

That morning, after dying Allen's hair and putting in the contacts, Mana had made a big fiasco out of the change - "Huh? Where did Allen go?" "Hello strange lad have you seen my son?" - then he'd also put on a disguise. The man had donned some old, average clothes, glasses, and a medium length black wig to cover his bleached sandy hair. They had walked around a few shops. Laughed. Enjoyed themselves. But after ordering the piano at the store a strange man stepped out of an alley. Mana immediately pulled Allen behind him just in case and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Sweet dreams little pop star~"

Then the man shot Mana.

He shot Mana.

Allen stood there in shock, watching as a deadly crimson flower bloomed on Mana's back. Mana collapsed into a heap, and Allen's knees gave out as he reached out to his father.

"Ah..." Allen chocked out as tears started running down his face, "Ah...ah ah Mana! Mana!" he cried as he held him.

"Allen..." Mana whispered. He put up a trembling hand to his chest, pressing weakly, but his life was seeping out too quickly for anyone to stop it.

"Mana! Don't! Don't leave me! Please, please don't leave me alone! I don't want to be alone again...please...Mana!"

"So...rry..."

"Don't..." Allen's voice broke. He didn't want to hear "I'm sorry"s. He wanted someone to pop out and yell "Psyche!". For someone to tell him it was all a cruel joke or test. Anything to stop this. To make it end. Te halt the horrible shaking that made him feel as if he was going to fall apart.

He was drenched in blood. He knew, even though he was too numb to feel the liquid soaked into his clothes and pooling on the ground around them. He stared through the tears at the hole. So small...how could something so small ruin everything in a single moment? It wasn't fair. Not one bit.

"Allen...I l-love...you..." Mana breathed.

"I love you, too, Mana...Mana? Mana. Mana! Mana, no! No, please!" Allen sobbed uncontrollably as he refused to accept that the only one who had ever loved him unconditionally had just died in his arms.

Mana Walker. His father. A good brother. An idol. A hero...he was dead. Just like that.

"Ah, I hate to interrupt kid, but it's late. You don't want to wake up the entire neighborhood now do you~?" the murderer cooed as he walked menacingly towards Allen, who was still calling Mana's name hollowly.

"Tsk tsk tsk, we can't have that now...can we?" he suddenly growled as he pulled out a dagger and grabbed Allen. Then he started to drag him away from Mana's body and towards the alleyway.

"Mana!" Allen yelled with new vigor, desperately kicking and scratching, "Mana! NO! LET ME GO! MANA! NO, MANAAA! MANAAAAA!" Allen kept yelling all the way until the blade pierced his skin, and everything went black.

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"Mana! NO!"

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"This just in. It brings me great sorrow... to report that this country's, no, Asia's pride, motivation, and inspiration, the musician MANA... has died, late last night. He was accompanied by a small boy of nine who is believed to be MANA's rumored adopted son. MANA took one b-bullet to the chest and died of blood loss shortly there after, before either the authorities or medical teams could arrive on the scene. The boy, who's name will remain undisclosed by request of his adoptive uncle Neah, is currently in critical condition due to severe blood loss from several deep cuts to his face and also broken bones from blunt force trauma. The culprit has been caught. It is unknown at this time what will become of him... meanwhile, MANA's f-funeral... will b-be held l-l-later this week...that is all...cut...cut the cameras, please..." the newswoman reported solemnly, breaking down near the end as the screen abruptly cut to black, then a chilling white noise.

Several similar newscasts were going on nation wide, as a boy and his uncle watched them all silently from a hospital room.

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"...why?"

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Neah didn't talk to Allen at all after that. Allen figured that Neah blamed him. Why wouldn't he, when even Allen blamed himself? If he hadn't have been so selfish and kept his big mouth shut, then none of this would have happened...

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Allen was released from the hospital after getting stitches and a cast for his leg. The left side of his face still throbbed painfully under it's mass of bandages, as if his new wound wanted to remind him of all that had happened, and all he had lost.

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Allen stood solemnly at Mana's funeral. Neah had made it so that only a select few could come, but reporters and fans still crowded around the edge of the cemetery.

Allen didn't shed a tear. At least...that's what he told himself as the heavens started to rain.

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All my fault all my fault all my fault AlL MY faUlt all My Fault ALL my FaULt ALL MY -

Allen...I l-love...you...

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"MANA!" Allen cried out as he bolted up in his bed, his face drenched with sweat and tears. He breathing was deep and ragged, as if he had just run a marathon. He swiped away the hair clinging to his forehead. His wide eyes looked frantically around the room as he tried to recall where he was.

Then he remembered.

He was in Cross' house, in the room he'd had for seven years.

It was three in the morning on Monday, June 6th, and Mana had been dead for eight years.

And after that day, Allen hadn't sung. Not even once.

[ Scene end. ]

T. B. C.

J: *claps in staunch approval* Well done. Indeed. *twirls mustache*
K: Thanks, Jess!
J: So...favorite?
K: Or review?
J: Please?
K: Don't make us beg.
J: DON'T.
K: IT GET'S UGLY YO.