Starting another fanfiction?! What's wrong with me?! Oh, right, before DGM continued I became a little panicked, since I nourished a few ideas I played with judging from the spoiler screenshots Hoshino has already removed from her instagram.

So yes, DGM will return on the 17th. The chapters will be 50+ pages, since it will be quarterly released in Jump SQ Crown. So 4 chapters yearly, but I suspect that those will be enough to fill a volume.

Also, I'd like to apologize for being inactive lately, but I came down with a very persistent illness (yea, in the middle of summer, just my luck). I'll try my best to get better, but don't expect update between the 20th and 27th, I'll be off to family reunion (I hope I get better until then).

Though I'm surprised, to me it seems as if there are less fanfiction updates. People have nothing to procastrate? Or they have a life? Dunno. Either way, enjoy. Feels ahead. Of course, naturally DGM and its characters aren't mine.

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Chapter 1 - Decision

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Run, dodge, run, dodge. This was the only way to get away from the berserk Earl. His whole appearance changed, his eyes twitched, rolling separately, the huge palms crushing everything in sight. His speech was jumbled, he kept calling Neah. Not only Allen was chased by Apocryphos but the Noah and the Earl showed up too. On top of that, from the former's presence he couldn't will his Innocence to obey. Fighting the Earl bare-handed was suicide, and then he even lacked a limb. This was bad, civilians might get caught up in this and that wasn't something Allen looked forward to. If things dragged on too long even the Order might show up.

His worry only grew as he spotted Johnny running towards him instead of away. In that moment he was crushed to the wall, the force of the blow shattering the window. Allen briefly blacked out, slumping to the ground.

And again, memories that weren't his threatened to push themselves in his mind. Johnny's voice kept him from sinking in the darkness.

Before the Earl could capture him, Johnny dove in, pushing themselves out of the way. The scientist kept calling out to him and he finally regained consciousness. "Johnny..." he breathed. Damn his whole body screamed from exhaustion and he was pretty sure he broke a few ribs. Not only he was a threat, but a burden also. "Get away from me." He pleaded. He couldn't take the thought that Johnny might die because of him.

"I can't!" Allen was surprised when his only arm was thrown over the other's lithe form. Johnny was trying to drag him away as he risked his own safety for someone who already hurt him almost fatally. "We're getting away together!"he promised.

"Stop this..." he didn't want any more of his comrades die because of him. "Johnny, stop it. Johnny."

"No, together!" the other insisted as he stumbled under Allen's weight. "We're leaving together!"

"Who... are you?" a familiar voice asked.

The man shook as he turned to face humanity's greatest enemy. "E-Earl."

Said Earl lost the little sanity he had left. "YOU! WHO ARE YOU?!" The enormous palm crashed in the ground, sending the two forms away flying.

Somehow this triggered a flashback of sorts in Allen, but at the same time, the Earl was affected by it. A flashback about the Earl claiming that a young man who resembled Neah greatly was responsible for the "tragedy". A young man, who turned out to be Mana at the end of his teenage years. Also the murder of a woman his memories referred to as his mother. Allen couldn't help but cry out his father's name.

"Mana." The Earl repeated, the name foreign, yet familiar on his tongue. "You're right... That's right. Mana. I remember now. Mana. Mana. Mana, Mana, Mana, Mana, Mana! MANA IS THE CAUSE OF EVERYTHING!"

Allen grit his teeth. Nothing made sense. He didn't understand a thing from those fragments, but if he mulled over them he risked being caught up in them. Not only that, but it seems that the Earl himself was affected by the 14th's awakening. He had to get Johnny out of here. At this rate they are going to get killed.

He sprung to his shaky legs, bolting for Johnny's body.

"No, Neah!" the Earl's voice turned desperate. Allen didn't like the tone. It sounded so human, so genuine, so full of sorrow. For some reason a part of him wanted to turn around.

Allen ignored the Earl and scooped up his companion, intent on running, but he was in trouble lacking an arm.

But that doesn't matter. He can't stop now or he'll get caught. If he gets caught they'll surely turn him into a Noah. That can't happen, he needed to get away. With that in thought he threw Johnny's body over his shoulder, ready to speed off.

The Earl let out a desperate cry. "Don't go!" Something heavy hit the ground.

That voice... he recognised that voice...How could he ever forget?

"NEAH!" And again, that voice pulled on his heart. No. Don't. If you look back or that'll be the end of it. He kept telling himself, but his body betrayed him. His legs were rooted to the ground and his head slowly turned back. The body on his shoulder slid down. Don't look. Stop. Don't-

Everything stopped in the moment his silver eyes met amber ones. He now realised that the sound he heard was the Earl shedding his costume. He was in his human form now, running towards him with tears in his eyes. If he didn't move he'll get caught, but Allen couldn't bring himself to raise a finger. The world ceased to exist around him when he saw the human face of the Millennium Earl. The sensation only returned to his body when a pair of strong arms trapped him in an embrace.

"Neah, I finally found you!" Without that ridiculous costume his voice was clear now and all too familiar. Allen was so frozen in shock he didn't even react as the man referred to him as Neah. The person who held him rested his chin on the boy's shoulder. "I've been looking for you for so long... so long... It'll be alright now. We're going home, okay?" Allen heard the man talk, he could decipher the words, yet his brain refused to take them in. Too much was on his mind.

Memories flooded his mind, this time his own, however he took no pleasure in it.

The familiar amber eyes, the same slicked-back styled black hair and the eccentric choice of clothes. He recognised each wrinkle and the feel of his moustache and his scent that reminded Allen of home.

Unintentionally the person he hated the most reminded him of one he loved the most.

How could he not realise it up until now? He felt so stupid for not noticing it sooner. The way of speech, the way they acted, they dressed and talked... It was all the same. A perfect match.

This person... the Millennium Earl... the Creator of Akuma... the destructor of mankind... the sworn enemy of him and the Black Order... wore the same face his late father did. He had the same deep voice as him. He had the same musky scent as him. Everything of this person reminded him of Mana.

But that is impossible. Mana was long dead. And if he was alive then he shouldn't be the one standing here. No. There was a mistake. There had to be a mistake. There's no way this person was him. There was no way this person was Mana.

Mana told so too. He was running from the Earl in order to avoid being killed and to find his little brother. One can't be running from their own selves, right?

Then why? Why was his heart betraying him? How can he let himself get deceived by this face and this voice? Why does he yearn to be held by this person like this? To be told by this person that's everything is going to be alright? To finally confirm if this man had ever loved him...

Was he really that lonely, that he let his arch-enemy hug and cradle him like something precious?

Why did his brain identify this man as his father?

Why?

Mana... Just who were you?

"I hate to disrupt this touching reunion, but we're short on time." Allen somewhat returned to reality hearing Wisely's remark. He only noticed now that there were other Noahs in his presence.

Tyki was smirking at him, but Allen recognised true joy behind his golden eyes. Allen had a feeling that it wasn't only from seeing him again, though it contributed a great deal. "We caught Apocryphos."

"On the other hand the Order appeared too." Wisely added, eyeing Allen's unmoving, stiff form without an ounce of shame. But after peaking in the boy's mind he quickly retreated. Their 14th's outward calm was only a facade, his thoughts were on haywire. The Noah of Wisdom could tell a migraine approaching if he didn't leave the boy's mind pronto.

The Earl reluctantly stepped back from the white-haired boy who was still too shaken from all that happened in such a short period of time, but he was still in his personal space. The Earl placed his wrinkled hands on their youngest's shoulder. "We're going to clear the path for you. Follow us when you're ready." With that he turned on his heels, his costume once again materialising around him along with a sinister aura.

Tyki followed without hesitation, eager to crush his enemies. Wisely hesitated little, seeing the fellow white-head standing in the exact same place, seemingly without blinking. On second thought he followed his kin. It was better to let the new 14th have some space, the whole family would prefer if he came to them willingly. By now he must have realised that he was only running in circles.

And if he ran it's no big deal, Akuma could find him. The transformation could be paused by Apocryphos, but that doesn't mean he can stop it. If the kid could just accept the fact that he's turning into a Noah and accepted His wishes, then it would be a lot less painful. Well, it didn't matter, one way or another he'll be one of them. Soon, the 14th too will realise that the only place he belongs to is the Clan.

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Breeze glided in the small alley, ruffling the freshly washed clothes above the two figures in the alley.

Johnny winced in pain and raised his hand to hold his head. Damn, he's been training for the past three months in all his free time to be able to keep up with Allen, yet he's still a burden. Thinking of the younger, his mind instantly cleared. He hastily looked around for the whitehead, but was surprised to find him right next to him, standing.

"Allen! What happened? Did you manage to get us away?" he asked concerned. His worry grew tenfold when he realised that the fellow runaway wasn't responding. "Allen...?" He wanted to ask if something was wrong, but seeing Allen's expression he snapped his mouth shut. Allen's eyes were wide and unseeing, gazing into nothing in particular. He was in shock, the scientist realised. But what could make such a strong warrior halt like this?

The young man was still rooted to the ground, his lips trembling.

What just happened?

What the FUCK just happened?!

His brain failed to come to a rational conclusion.

Mana looked like the Earl.

The Earl looked like Mana.

The Earl was Mana.

Mana was the Earl.

But Mana died 6 years ago.

He was buried, Allen saw his grave.

The Earl came to bring back Mana's soul.

And Allen called back his soul. He made Mana into an Akuma, then he destroyed it with his own hands. His soul should have been purified. He should be dead. He had to be dead. He was dead.

He was supposed to be dead.

Not walking around playing the Millennium Earl.

No.

No one can perfect an act in such extent. This wasn't some vision or hallucination.

This was... the harsh, bitter and unforgiving reality.

Yet again he has to kill the one he loves the most. That would make three times.

No, he couldn't do it, not again. If he did, this time there would be no one to give his life meaning. After such devastating act no one would be able to put together his broken pieces.

Because he would live. He would stay alive to live the rest of his life in his own hell... Knowling that he once again destroyed the one he loved the most.

This is his fate.

This is his punishment.

There's no escape. Not this time. He was trapped.

Just... what on earth was he supposed to do now?

He was snapped out of his thoughts hearing explosions and blood-curling screams. That's right, meanwhile he's in lalaland the Order members and the innocent civilians were getting hurt! He had to lure the Akuma away to an uninhibited area where he could destroy them.

He grabbed onto the stunned Johnny's hand (careful not to touch the electric bracelet again and ) moved to run after them, but he halted hearing a familiar hum and seeing a faintly coloured but mostly transparent wall in front of him. As he glanced back his suspicions were confirmed: they was encased in a barrier.

Damn, just how much of a moron he was to make such an easy target out of himself? Not only that, but because of him Johnny is going to get into trouble too.

Now that he was trapped the Finder unit emerged from all directions, even on rooftops, holding that talisman thing in his face. "Allen Walker and Johnny Gil had been secured!" the Squad leader of the Finders

"Don't let them escape." An unfamiliar voice ordered from his golem.

"Sir, the 7th and 15th unit has already been wiped out!" another voice shouted desperately.

"Don't give up!" the Squad leader barked and pointed a gun at Allen, his subordinates that didn't hold a talisman following his examples. "We've got to hold out until the Exorcists arrive!"

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With having such little time in their disposal Kanda didn't have time to tell the old man about the threat in their ranks. That guy, who was Innocence... and Accommodatorless Innocence... An independent one...

How was this even possible?

Could other pieces become independent too?

No, more importantly, what did he want from the Beansprout?

He thought of him as a threat? He wanted him dead?

But then why didn't the Bean become a Fallen One? All Innocence pieces belonged to the Heart, didn't they? If the Heart wanted to end the Sprout's life, then it'd do without a hint of remorse. He knew that it didn't mind making Apostles fall even in a densely populated area, like in China. So then the Heart didn't want his demise?

No, what he said doesn't match that theory.

Those words...

"Allen is such a good boy, it seems he haven't leaked any information about me."

When that guy tried to erase his memories he unintentionally leaked what the Sprout held back. Like the fact that Bean knew this guy was after him.

Also, he referred to the brat as "good boy", so it probably didn't want to kill him. But if that's true, why did the Sprout reject him? He's not the kind of guy who'd turn down much needed help out of pride. Especially when other lives were in danger.

Maybe it had something to do with the 14th? Or his escape? With Howard Link's faked death?

"How was the reunion with the master after 35 years, you worthless puppet?"

... So it seems Timcampy was on the 14th's side after all... Or maybe torn between wanting to see his Master, but not wanting to lose the Sprout. He's never going to know.

"During these 3 months you have been a thorn in my side. Allen's reawakening has already started."

Restarted. So, somehow even though he started it with stabbing him with his Innocence, it was stopped last time. If that this guy offered a lasting solution, then why didn't the Bean accept his offer?

"Your existence might have mentally supported Allen to endure this isolation. That makes me wonder if I should eliminate you. But I already decided."

Why would he care about the brat's mental well-being?

" Oh, and if you try to fly to where Allen is, I will use this Mugen owner as a hostage."

Why did it bother him, that he was referring to the Bean so casually, while the fucktard didn't even know Kanda's name?

"Sooner or later I will assimilate Allen."

That's just plainly disgusting.

"Being a gentle person, Allen will definitely not abandon his comrade."

Damn, he would have been used as a hostage like he was some shitty damsel in distress.

"If you stay here, I will leave Allen alone for today."

So when he's about to be devoured by the 14th and he's most vulnerable then you pop in and have him for yourself, huh?

In addition, that bastard destroyed Timcampy, their only lead with some wooden chip-shit. They could have gotten some info about the 14th yet, this fuckface destroyed it. He doubted people could do much for the golem back at HQ, but maybe they can tell what that wooden shard is. Komui was an idiot but maybe he can replay Tim's memories to see what happened really.

Damn, brainstorming and such shit wasn't his strength. His Master was way better in it. No matter how much he didn't like it, he'd have to ask for help... Again... The old man is going to be overjoyed to have a secret bid together "father" and "son". Ugh, the thought made Kanda shudder in revulsion. He did respect the man for all he's done for him, but he was sick of the way he was so familiar with him. Tsk, at least he was reliable.

"General, please hurry!" a voice in their restarted golem said. "We managed to secure the fugitive Allen Walker and Johnny Gil, but since the former is a Noah, there's no telling how long the barrier will last, so please hurry."

Kanda was relieved for a moment the Sprout wasn't absorbed, but then he cursed aloud. Here he was asking Tiedoll to help him get the Bean a head-start, and that annoying brat managed to get himself caught! Just what the fuck-

Kanda unsheathed Mugen just in time to block a black-tainted claw from piercing his chest. He wasn't surprised to see the curly-haired Noah bastard smirking at him. The fucker even had the nerve to use his other hand to hold his cigar. "It's been a while hasn't it Mister Kitchen Knife?"

"Not long enough." The Japanese growled back. Damn, just what they needed, Noah. Everyone just had to get their hands on the Bean.

"General, leave him to me, you proceed to where Allen Walker is."

"That won't do." A familiar voice said in an unfamiliar tone. Kanda realised that the Millennium Earl was talking. His Master readied his Innocence. "I.. have finally found whom I have been looking... for so long..." Kanda scowled, he didn't like that tone. Sure, he despised that mocking, overly happy voice.. But hell, this deep and threatening voice could mean one thing. The Earl was going to fight seriously. He tightened his grip around Mugen, shuddering at the eerily calm voice." Do you really think I'd let you take him away from me?"

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Shit! Allen didn't want to face his friends in such state. Not only he wouldn't be able to activate his rebelling Innocence, but if his friends found out it could be dangerous. They could be targeted and hunted down by that thing too.

His stomach jumped in an uncomfortable knot. Kanda. What happened to Kanda? It's been a few minutes since the Finders called him and he wasn't that far. What was taking him so long? He wasn't captured was he?

No, Kanda could detect a sneak-attack sooner than any stray cat could. He should be fine.

But then what about Timcampy? It's been a while since he called for his mute companion, yet he still wasn't here. He definitely couldn't have been caught, he was too fast for that. And he was together with Kan-

...Fuck. Shit, fuck, damn, bullocks.

If neither of them comes to his way, it means that they were ambushed. The Order? No, he already cancelled that idea, Tim would be able to fly high enough to be unseen, then return to his side.

Noah? No, it doesn't make sense. What would they want from a mere golem?

Then who-?

"Briefing incoming! General Tiedoll and Exorcist Kanda Yuu engaged in battle with the Noah family!" a Finder cried.

"What?!" another exclaimed in panic. "Then what do we do now?"

Shit, he shouldn't dally around here, daydreaming, he had to go and help Kanda. There are at least three Noah in vicinity, even with the General on his side he can't take on this many! On top of that, the Earl is really unpredictable right now.

These barriers were designed for Akuma, right? He can just slip through them without a-

Allen hissed out feeling intense pain shot through his right shoulder. Unintentionally he stepped back a little. He could feel blood ooze out of the circular wound as his Innocence worked to push the intruding object out and close up the wound. "Don't dare you move, you damned Noah!" Damn, to think that these guys would seriously shoot him. Right, the bullets weren't laced with Dark Matter, so they are able to slip through.

Allen glanced at the Squad Leader and a sense of déjà vu hit him. Those eyes... he recognised the look in them. His heart squelched as he looked around and realised they all had the same look in their eyes. The result of brewing fear with anger: hatred.

These people despised him for being a Noah's host.

They despised him for existing.

Even if they fought side-by-side for a year, their fear made them turn on him.

"Listen up, you Noah bastard, make another suspicious move and you'll get a hundred times more of this."

How ironic. Everyone thought of him as a monster before he decided to become an Exorcist. The situation was similar, he was different from the others, so they ostracized him.

He himself, didn't understand the situation.

He just wanted to have people who accepted him for who he was.

When he joined the Black Order, he didn't expect to find there people who embraced his imperfection. With time, he even came to think of the people there as friends, than that deepened into family. And now, those people that previously accepted him were hunting him, like an animal.

Damn. Some luck he had for sure.

No, this was... Karma for sure...

It's the same old song isn't it?

It looks like... in this world... there's no place for someone like him, eh?

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... Shit, just when did he become so pathetic? If his Idiot Master saw him he'd probably beat him with his mallet until he "got sense" in his Idiot Apprentice. Well, that bastard wasn't mistaken much, he was an idiot. What was he doing here, indulging in self-pity when Kanda, who had his half leg in his coffin was fighting? He had to go where he was.

Suddenly he felt a tug on his left, and the sensation was slowly returning to him. The feathers of his Innocence were swirling together and took on the form of his left arm again. For a minute he completely forgot about the fact, that guns were pointed at him, he raised his left arm and flexed it. No more disturbance. Apocryphos wasn't around anymore. The connection was back.

You haven't forsaken me yet?

Pulsing warmth was the response.

...Thank you.

With this power he can protect himself and Johnny.

Seeing the sudden change in their captive, the Finders once again warned him. "Stay right there-!"

That's nice and all, but you just don't tell Allen Walker what to do.

In a blink of an eye, he activated his Innocence and grabbed onto the startled Johnny, keeping him under the protective cape. Without further ado, he kicked off the ground and as he expected, he could slip through the barrier with ease.

In their fear, the Finders started shooting him and that fear intensified seeing their precious bullets fall to the ground, crumpled from hitting Innocence. It was as if they were shooting an indestructible wall. The traitor proceeded as if mere bugs were flying at him.

The Squad leader panicked, fearing his own life as well as his companions'. "DIE YOU MONSTER!"he fired all his bullets in an instant, but those as too were ignored.

His subordinates begged him to run, but he knew it was useless. He couldn't fight a Noah. From what he heard he can't outrun them either.

I guess, that's it. He thought, tearing up, frozen from the dread of knowing that once that boy reaches him he's dead. The difference between our powers are too great. We can't win against this thing.

He readied himself for the finishing blow as the Noah closed in on him. His steps grew louder. 5 meters, 3 meters, 1... He's here.

He didn't dare to blink, he was left wide-eyed staring at the enemy who was going to kill him. He was right in front of him and he was getting closer and closer. He was right next to him then-

His heart skipped a beat when the malicious Noah passed by him. He heard his footsteps get more and more inaudible as the distance grew between them.

But they couldn't follow him. They couldn't move an inch.

At last, the Squad leader turned around, watching the retreating whiteness in disbelief. That Noah... spared him.

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To get a better view, Allen climbed up to the rooftops. He tried activating his eyes, but it seemed that there were no Akuma nearby. Only Noah.

He cursed his luck. Unlike them, he couldn't track other Noahs down.

The rising hair on the back of his neck was the only warning he got. Allen expertly dodged to the right, mindful to keep Johnny covered. He was mentally thanking him for being so silent, the scientist must have realised the gravity of the situation.

He was only half-surprised to see black eyes, full of hatred staring at him. "I have finally found you, you traitor."

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The chapter title's translation came out, also it's going to be 55 pages long, it has many interpretation but they basically say "the boy who has forgotten love". From Allen's point of view that's not true, because the love he feels makes him move. That can only mean one thing: the reason he forgot love because he was unloved for 3 months *retreats to cry in the corner* ALLEN NEEDS MORE LOVE! *replaces label on "bag of attention" to "bundle of love" and throws it at Allen, then continues nervous breakdown*