OOC: Info
CHARACTER INFO
CHARACTER NAME: Howard Link
SERIES: D.Gray-Man
PERSONALITY: Howard Link is first and foremost faithful to the Catholic church. He proudly serves as a right-hand assistant to Malcom C. Leverrier, head of Central, someone he looks up to and serves diligently. His life is devoted to the Black Order, which Link stands loyal to and firmly respects. He believes in the cause above all, no matter what means it takes to serve their purpose.
Link always keeps his tie straight, just as figuratively as he does literally. He takes a focused and professional approach to what he does, and with any assignment he's responsible for, he gives his very best. He's focused on his beliefs and duties as well as holding standards for perfectionism that he strives to achieve. His reliable and thorough nature shows through further as Leverrier will entrust him with classified missions.
His tolerance for jokes and foolishness is low, and such behavior irritates him. He can also become quite flustered when he feels someone is interfering with his work. With his stern demeanor, he's not above telling someone if he feels they're out of line, so long as it's within his jurisdiction to do so. In other cases, (for example in an incident where he felt the Supervisor Komui Li was partially responsible for and handling incompetently) he'll take proper procedure to file formal complaint.
Despite his absolute, black and white Black-Order-Is-Law root, working with Allen Walker has shown fleeting glimpses of compassion in Link--a trait his respected head Leverrier seems to lack. Over time, his view nudges the slightest bit broader, starting from observing Walker as a potential threat to the Order and constantly interrogating him to someone he fights with side-by-side.
Also, Link has a notable affinity for pies and baking them, like Leverrier does cake. It is, perhaps, the one recreational activity he indulges in. That said, whether it's a high-priority assignment from Leverrier or crafting the most delectable confection, Link sees his work through and through.
TIMELINE: Chapter 187
CANON+AU BACKGROUND: [[All right, so, this is an AU app, technically, but it’s not very AU. ^.^;; I just wanted to have some pre-canon back story to work with.]]
The Black Order is an organization from the Vatican for the purpose of defeating the Millennium Earl and his forces of Akuma and Noah. Among the Black Order are Exorcists, disciples chosen by God to wield Innocence--a holy substance capable of destroying Akuma and purifying the soul they possessed. The Order is spread across the world in various branches.
[AU - speculation + a whole lot of made up]
Born and raised in Germany, Link's life was laid out for him before he even had a concept of what that meant. The Link family didn't necessarily hold high influence in the Order, but the name was still considered prestigious within the church. As such, high standards were expected of any bearing the name.
Memories of any semblance to a typical childhood are few and far between as well as somewhat faded for Link. He never had any siblings, and while his mother was the nurturing sort, his father was the “man of the house” and enforced strict discipline, which back then, was actually pretty start. Suffice it to say that Link learned to stand with his back straight and his shoulders back early on. In fact, as far as acting out goes, the worst he did was reach for deserts before touching his dinner, but who could blame the boy when his mother loved spoiling him with sweets.
Education came with high expectations, and naturally, Link was enrolled in one of the most prestigious schools. By the time he was eight, he was already speaking two additional languages nearly fluently. Although he showed no signs of being compatible with Innocence, that didn’t stop his father from trying to direct Central’s attention toward his son. His father’s persistence and Link’s accomplishments proved successful, and at the age of ten, he made a stunning candidate to begin training for the Crow Unit within Central.
The Crow consists of elite fighters, skilled in hand to hand combat as well as trained in abilities that even allow them to take on Akuma. Their abilities aren’t quite as effective as Innocence, but they can at least immobilize them. The Crow primarily serve as guards, but they’ve been known to accompany Exorcists and/or Finders on their missions as well. Candidates are selected at an early age, so Link was among peers, and his education continued through Central.
Contact with his parents reduced to letters, which grew more and more occasional throughout the years. During these days, the Order was run with a much tighter grip. For example, any Innocence-compatible users were taken in whether they consented or not, so Link's increasing estrangement from his parents was hardly uncommon. This was how life was presented to him, and he didn't question it.
Despite having many peers he frequently found himself working with a young man named Madaro. Madaro was of a fairly quiet nature, though his values and discipline matched that of Link. They worked well together, studying as frequently as they trained. Though neither would probably have ever consciously acknowledged it, they could have been considered friends.
His training also included basic survival and life skills--such as cooking for himself. As an aside, Link first discovered a niche for the bakery.
Tragedy struck in his pre-teens when Link received a letter of his father’s passing away due to illness. Already he knew better than to mourn--despair is Akuma’s creator. He couldn’t be so confident about how his mother would take it, however, the concern was irrelevant. As a member of Central, his father was procedurally cremated. Nevertheless, Link’s drive for success was stronger than ever.
During his mid-teens, training turned from a group effort to more one on one. He was separated from his fellow peers and taken under by a senior Crow member. Despite being an apprentice, a good deal of this portion of training had him at his lonesome, to use the skills he had learned and apply them to life. Plenty of times, he was dropped off and left to fend for himself.
During this time was when he first successfully performed the binding feathers technique, taking his training even further by entering the battlefield itself and first laying eyes on an Akuma. He found that in combat, he did best hand to hand and up close, preferring close range weapons. Although he went through some cases of trial and error to discover what he worked best with, he found that switchblades performed ideally with his close range combat style and ease to conceal.
At the age of seventeen, Link proudly accepted the mark of a Crow, two dots permanently burned into his forehead. Rules and regulations amongst the Black Order had loosened when Link entered his teenage years. Innocence-compatible users were at the liberty of choosing whether or not to join the Order, and human test subjects that used to be considered common were now taboo--most cases classified. Although he was at liberty to abandon the path laid out for him all so long ago, his values and loyalties to the Order ran strong. Even at such an age, he set high standards and goals for himself.
Link's service as a Crow primarily kept him within Central. His accomplishment and dedication caught the attention of Central's head, Inspector Malcom C. Leverrier, many times, someone who Link very much looked up to. Acknowledging great potential in the young Crow, he personally selected Link as his apprentice--a position Link eagerly accepted--not only ideal because of his capability and trustworthy nature, but his training as a Crow gave him the multipurpose of serving as a body guard as well.
His duties started off primarily with secretary like work, responsible for mounds of paperwork, taking messages, etc. Some may have considered it routinely and dull, but Link was committed and completed his work thoroughly. As his reliability toward Leverrier strengthened, he was entrusted with more personal assignments and accompanied Leverrier on his leaves. Their work mostly revolved around observing and upholding regulation throughout the branches. A compliment on a job well done filled Link with pride, and it helped that Leverrier shared his fondness for the kitchen.
As he entered his later teen years, times from the war took an even darker turn. The numbers of Exorcists were depleting, and gathering more for the ranks grew increasingly difficult. With regulations not as strict as they used to be, setting forth plans came with a greater delay. To make matters worse, the primary target for the Millennium Earl turned to the Exorcist Generals.
However, because of the increasing worry and need to accomplish tasks with haste in addition to the necessity for increased strength, Link and Leverrier were able to persuade many higher ups of the need to remove some of the laws added within the past years. (Progress for the sake of progress) Many of the proposals Link even wrote himself, and Leverrier acknowledged his talents and assets by promoting him from a student assistant to an inspector.
Indeed, Link was following in Leverrier's footsteps, and he did so with pride.
[OU - SPOILERS AHOY!]
He was of nineteen years of age when he and Leverrier were given the order from the Pope to investigate the Black Order HQ after the return of a certain group of Exorcists.
While on a mission to find General Cross Marian, the Exorcists were taken into Noah's Ark, not only meeting with the General, but taking control of the Ark itself and bringing it to the Black Order Headquarters. In addition to wishing to speak to Cross Marian after his four year cut of contact to the Order, the Ark also contained the Egg: the plant that allows the Millennium Earl to create Akuma, and was controlled by a specific Exorcist, Marian's apprentice Allen Walker, which gave reason to suspect that Walker was associated with the legendary 14th Noah (classified info), as the boy knew the 14th's song in order to control it.
After a meeting with Marian and other Order members, Leverrier’s suspicion of Walker concluded that the Exorcist is to be tried for heresy--if he's in fact associated with the 14th, or more concerning, a host for the 14th's revival, he poses a threat to the Order. After Marian insists they investigate all they like, Leverrier ordered that Marian and Walker were to be kept from contact while they investigate and assigned Link to supervise Walker for the duration.
Link introduced himself to Walker with one of his own fresh baked pie, which won the Exorcist over for a moment anyway. Link pushed loads of paperwork on him and constantly interrogated him about his knowledge of the 14th and his ability to control the Ark, but Walker insisted he knew nothing about the 14th or why he was able to control the Ark.
Shortly after, there was an attack on Headquarters. Led by the Noah, Lulubell, Akuma as well as Skulls (minions of the Earl who are care takers of the Egg) invaded to reclaim the Egg. Walker rushed to the scene, but the entrance to the chamber containing the Egg had been sealed off. He wished to break it down, but Link knew of an alternate route and led him and Bookman there.
Lulubell nearly reclaimed the Egg, and since there was no way they could take it back, Supervisor Komui Li ordered its destruction, lest it fall back into the Earl's hands. Leverrier disagreed with this, as the Egg is "valuable", but as that was there only choice, he reluctantly allowed it. Leverrier then sought out Link, assigning him a "special job". Link entered the scene with Walker and the others, his training put to good use, though his true intent was to retrieve fragments of the Egg to return to Leverrier.
Although the Egg was successfully destroyed and enemies were either defeated or else they retreated, one Level 3 Akuma survived, evolving into a Level 4--something even Bookman had no prior record of. The strength of the Level 4 was impressive, and it caused much destruction of Headquarters in its wake, but it was ultimately Walker's perseverance that leads them to victory. After which, Link carried him to the infirmary.
And then...
ZOMBIES!
No, really.
Because of the attack on Headquarters and the damage sustained, it was decided they were to relocate. During this process, an outbreak spread of one of Komui's failed remedies that instead of keeping people sharp and alert, zombifies them, and is contagious through bites. Because of Komui's flippant and remorseless attitude toward the ordeal, Link wrote up a complaint, but Komui's recent model of Komurin (a robot bearing Komui's likeness) ate it. And he ended up getting bit by zombie!Tiedoll anyway. Turns out a ghost who didn't want them to move was the one behind it all, but it's cool because apparently Bak Chan (Head of the Asian Branch) came in the next day and made a vaccine for everyone.
Anyway. The relocation of Headquarters was successful. After which, General Cross Marian came to an agreement with Leverrier: he will give the information he knows of Walker and the 14th, in exchange, he gets to speak with Walker. During this meeting, Walker's arm was bound with a Crow's seal. Hooded men served as guards to the meeting, and they were in fact Crow, one of them being Link even, hidden under the robes.
Marian revealed the full truth to Walker, about his adopted father, Mana, and his association with the 14th. He told him that the 14th does in fact reside within him, and that when he does emerge, Walker will have to kill someone he loves. During the exchange, Link suspected he witnessed Marian hiding something in his golem Timcampi, which he later reported to Leverrier.
A short time after, General Cross Marian was found dead. It was curious actually. Marian's mask was left behind damaged, and the amount of blood suggested he was in fact killed, but there was no body at the scene.
Later, Leverrier, Link, Walker, and a few other Order members and Exorcists had a meeting, where they explained the truth of the 14th, which was otherwise confidential. The order was that should Walker show signs of being taken over by the 14th, he is to be killed.
Link accompanied Walker on a quick mission to retrieve Innocence (in which Link has to have a chess match against a spirit to receive it as everyone else who took the challenge lost; Link was victorious). Back headquarters, Walker and Leverrier had a tense encounter that ended briefly, leaving Link and Leverrier to have a discussion. Leverrier stated Marian's death was at the hands of Central, and that the action was carried out without his notice. Link insisted on accompanying Leverrier back to Central, but Leverrier ordered that he continue supervising Walker. Immediately after which, Leverrier received a phone call from the American Branch Head, confirming they received the Egg fragment and will carry out his duties with it.
When a group of Finders were arrested in France under the pretense of being the mysterious Thief G, some of the Exorcists were dispatched to find them, including Walker, which naturally meant Link accompanied him. The local authorities incarcerated a mass of people in ridiculous costumes, claiming that they were all Thief G, but the Finders (also stuck in the costume) claim he was a ghost that can possess people and that the victims have no recollection of it afterward. Inspector Galmar and the other officers didn’t believe them.
Afterward, there was an announcement from Thief G stating when and where his next crime will take place, and in addition to authorities covering the scene, the Exorcists followed as well. Thief G stole the National Treasure, but it was the Exorcist Kanda who cut him short. For a moment, they thought they had caught him, but the "Thief G" they’d caught woke up with no memory of committing the crime, and another figure wearing the costume had the treasure. Walker, Kanda, and Link went after the next Thief G and easily overpowered him, but then Thief G possessed Link's body--not only wielding his switchblade but having access to his Crow abilities as well. Of course, from Link's perspective, he suddenly woke to find himself battered and bruised (and also impaled by Walker's Exorcist Sword, but IT'S COOL, because the weapon is meant to cleanse evil and thus, doesn't harm anyone "not evil"). During this time, something Walker did upset the real Thief G to
the point he continuously sobbed hysterically, and the Exorcist Noise Marie was able to track the sounds of his cries.
This led them to an orphanage, where a collision between nine-year-old Timothy Hearst and Allen Walker ended with the orphan accidentally possessing the Exorcist. They concluded that Timothy was Thief G and suspected the power was gained from the peculiar orb on his forehead. They told the matrons if it was Innocence, they would have to take him back to the Order, much to Timothy's dismay. However, before they could come to any sort of agreement, the orphanage was attacked by a group of Akuma.
Walker wanted to open the Ark to allow everyone to escape quickly, but Link stopped him as he was not allowed to control the Ark without permission from Central and the Order. Despite Link's protest, Walker attempted to open it anyway, but Skulls had placed a seal around the building that prevented him from doing so (and also prevents Walker's cursed eye from seeing the souls of Akuma).
Link found this far too organized to be a random attack but turned his focus to Timothy and one of the orphanage's attendants, Emilia, in an attempt to lead them to safety. They found many of the others in the building had been turned into plastic dolls, and also encountered one of the nuns, who turned out to be a "broker" for the Earl--giving away information for money. However, that encounter was brief as two more Akuma entered the scene. One of them was responsible for the ability to turn people in dolls by simply staring at them for six seconds. Link rushed after them and nearly took the Akuma down but was a second too slow and also got turned into a doll.
Timothy discovered his full abilities during this battle and ultimately purified the soul of the responsible Akuma, which lifted the doll curse. Back to his feet, Link summoned his seals, but the lift wasn't instantaneous, so Link was still quite vulnerable and not at full power. Luckily, the Crow Madaro arrived on the scene, literally absorbing the Akuma--a sight that left Link stunned.
Meanwhile, Walker, Kanda, and Marie had been battling another Level 4. In order to hit the Akuma, Walker also had to impale himself on the Sword of Exorcism, which shouldn't have been a problem in theory, however, the weapon caused the 14th a great deal of pain, and the Noah made a brief cameo via Allen Walker. Link witnessed this. Kanda swiftly destroyed the Akuma and shouted at Walker, and the Exorcist soon came to.
Back at Headquarters, Timothy had accepted the role of an Exorcist (not without demanding certain expenses taken care of, of course). While watching the boy have parting words with the head of the orphanage, Walker idly commented about his past guardian, Mana. Link almost found this sentimental for a moment as Walker never spoke of Mana, but the moment was ruined when Walker bemusedly stated he must regard Link as an equivalent to furniture now.
While Walker was writing a report of their last mission, he was randomly attacked by the Crow Goushi, to which Link immediately demanded an explanation for such behavior. It was revealed that Crow members Madaro, Goushi, Tokusa, Kiredori, and Tevak had all been turned into Third Exorcists: on top of Crow abilities, they were genetically fused with the cells of Akuma, making them Half-Akuma. Goushi's attack on Walker was an accident, a "side-effect" in reaction to Walker's Innocence. Even Link found this news shocking.
Later, they were given another mission, and after retrieving Kanda from the Asian Branch, they headed to Jordan, accompanied by Madaro and Tokusa. During this time, Walker and the Third Exorcists were confronted by Noah. Link was unaware of this, however, busy searching for Walker as they had been separated.
ABILITIES: As a member of Crow, Link's been trained in physical combat as well as trained to use abilities that allows him to hold his own against Akuma. Link keeps a serrated switchblade under each of the cuffs of his jacket and displays impressive skill with them. Additionally, although he is not compatible with Innocence, he can summon anti-evil seals that will bind and weigh down his opponent (Hijutsu Shibaribane Baku or Secret Technique: Binding Feathers).
CHARACTER NAME: Howard Link
SERIES: D.Gray-Man
PERSONALITY: Howard Link is first and foremost faithful to the Catholic church. He proudly serves as a right-hand assistant to Malcom C. Leverrier, head of Central, someone he looks up to and serves diligently. His life is devoted to the Black Order, which Link stands loyal to and firmly respects. He believes in the cause above all, no matter what means it takes to serve their purpose.
Link always keeps his tie straight, just as figuratively as he does literally. He takes a focused and professional approach to what he does, and with any assignment he's responsible for, he gives his very best. He's focused on his beliefs and duties as well as holding standards for perfectionism that he strives to achieve. His reliable and thorough nature shows through further as Leverrier will entrust him with classified missions.
His tolerance for jokes and foolishness is low, and such behavior irritates him. He can also become quite flustered when he feels someone is interfering with his work. With his stern demeanor, he's not above telling someone if he feels they're out of line, so long as it's within his jurisdiction to do so. In other cases, (for example in an incident where he felt the Supervisor Komui Li was partially responsible for and handling incompetently) he'll take proper procedure to file formal complaint.
Despite his absolute, black and white Black-Order-Is-Law root, working with Allen Walker has shown fleeting glimpses of compassion in Link--a trait his respected head Leverrier seems to lack. Over time, his view nudges the slightest bit broader, starting from observing Walker as a potential threat to the Order and constantly interrogating him to someone he fights with side-by-side.
Also, Link has a notable affinity for pies and baking them, like Leverrier does cake. It is, perhaps, the one recreational activity he indulges in. That said, whether it's a high-priority assignment from Leverrier or crafting the most delectable confection, Link sees his work through and through.
TIMELINE: Chapter 187
CANON+AU BACKGROUND: [[All right, so, this is an AU app, technically, but it’s not very AU. ^.^;; I just wanted to have some pre-canon back story to work with.]]
The Black Order is an organization from the Vatican for the purpose of defeating the Millennium Earl and his forces of Akuma and Noah. Among the Black Order are Exorcists, disciples chosen by God to wield Innocence--a holy substance capable of destroying Akuma and purifying the soul they possessed. The Order is spread across the world in various branches.
[AU - speculation + a whole lot of made up]
Born and raised in Germany, Link's life was laid out for him before he even had a concept of what that meant. The Link family didn't necessarily hold high influence in the Order, but the name was still considered prestigious within the church. As such, high standards were expected of any bearing the name.
Memories of any semblance to a typical childhood are few and far between as well as somewhat faded for Link. He never had any siblings, and while his mother was the nurturing sort, his father was the “man of the house” and enforced strict discipline, which back then, was actually pretty start. Suffice it to say that Link learned to stand with his back straight and his shoulders back early on. In fact, as far as acting out goes, the worst he did was reach for deserts before touching his dinner, but who could blame the boy when his mother loved spoiling him with sweets.
Education came with high expectations, and naturally, Link was enrolled in one of the most prestigious schools. By the time he was eight, he was already speaking two additional languages nearly fluently. Although he showed no signs of being compatible with Innocence, that didn’t stop his father from trying to direct Central’s attention toward his son. His father’s persistence and Link’s accomplishments proved successful, and at the age of ten, he made a stunning candidate to begin training for the Crow Unit within Central.
The Crow consists of elite fighters, skilled in hand to hand combat as well as trained in abilities that even allow them to take on Akuma. Their abilities aren’t quite as effective as Innocence, but they can at least immobilize them. The Crow primarily serve as guards, but they’ve been known to accompany Exorcists and/or Finders on their missions as well. Candidates are selected at an early age, so Link was among peers, and his education continued through Central.
Contact with his parents reduced to letters, which grew more and more occasional throughout the years. During these days, the Order was run with a much tighter grip. For example, any Innocence-compatible users were taken in whether they consented or not, so Link's increasing estrangement from his parents was hardly uncommon. This was how life was presented to him, and he didn't question it.
Despite having many peers he frequently found himself working with a young man named Madaro. Madaro was of a fairly quiet nature, though his values and discipline matched that of Link. They worked well together, studying as frequently as they trained. Though neither would probably have ever consciously acknowledged it, they could have been considered friends.
His training also included basic survival and life skills--such as cooking for himself. As an aside, Link first discovered a niche for the bakery.
Tragedy struck in his pre-teens when Link received a letter of his father’s passing away due to illness. Already he knew better than to mourn--despair is Akuma’s creator. He couldn’t be so confident about how his mother would take it, however, the concern was irrelevant. As a member of Central, his father was procedurally cremated. Nevertheless, Link’s drive for success was stronger than ever.
During his mid-teens, training turned from a group effort to more one on one. He was separated from his fellow peers and taken under by a senior Crow member. Despite being an apprentice, a good deal of this portion of training had him at his lonesome, to use the skills he had learned and apply them to life. Plenty of times, he was dropped off and left to fend for himself.
During this time was when he first successfully performed the binding feathers technique, taking his training even further by entering the battlefield itself and first laying eyes on an Akuma. He found that in combat, he did best hand to hand and up close, preferring close range weapons. Although he went through some cases of trial and error to discover what he worked best with, he found that switchblades performed ideally with his close range combat style and ease to conceal.
At the age of seventeen, Link proudly accepted the mark of a Crow, two dots permanently burned into his forehead. Rules and regulations amongst the Black Order had loosened when Link entered his teenage years. Innocence-compatible users were at the liberty of choosing whether or not to join the Order, and human test subjects that used to be considered common were now taboo--most cases classified. Although he was at liberty to abandon the path laid out for him all so long ago, his values and loyalties to the Order ran strong. Even at such an age, he set high standards and goals for himself.
Link's service as a Crow primarily kept him within Central. His accomplishment and dedication caught the attention of Central's head, Inspector Malcom C. Leverrier, many times, someone who Link very much looked up to. Acknowledging great potential in the young Crow, he personally selected Link as his apprentice--a position Link eagerly accepted--not only ideal because of his capability and trustworthy nature, but his training as a Crow gave him the multipurpose of serving as a body guard as well.
His duties started off primarily with secretary like work, responsible for mounds of paperwork, taking messages, etc. Some may have considered it routinely and dull, but Link was committed and completed his work thoroughly. As his reliability toward Leverrier strengthened, he was entrusted with more personal assignments and accompanied Leverrier on his leaves. Their work mostly revolved around observing and upholding regulation throughout the branches. A compliment on a job well done filled Link with pride, and it helped that Leverrier shared his fondness for the kitchen.
As he entered his later teen years, times from the war took an even darker turn. The numbers of Exorcists were depleting, and gathering more for the ranks grew increasingly difficult. With regulations not as strict as they used to be, setting forth plans came with a greater delay. To make matters worse, the primary target for the Millennium Earl turned to the Exorcist Generals.
However, because of the increasing worry and need to accomplish tasks with haste in addition to the necessity for increased strength, Link and Leverrier were able to persuade many higher ups of the need to remove some of the laws added within the past years. (Progress for the sake of progress) Many of the proposals Link even wrote himself, and Leverrier acknowledged his talents and assets by promoting him from a student assistant to an inspector.
Indeed, Link was following in Leverrier's footsteps, and he did so with pride.
[OU - SPOILERS AHOY!]
He was of nineteen years of age when he and Leverrier were given the order from the Pope to investigate the Black Order HQ after the return of a certain group of Exorcists.
While on a mission to find General Cross Marian, the Exorcists were taken into Noah's Ark, not only meeting with the General, but taking control of the Ark itself and bringing it to the Black Order Headquarters. In addition to wishing to speak to Cross Marian after his four year cut of contact to the Order, the Ark also contained the Egg: the plant that allows the Millennium Earl to create Akuma, and was controlled by a specific Exorcist, Marian's apprentice Allen Walker, which gave reason to suspect that Walker was associated with the legendary 14th Noah (classified info), as the boy knew the 14th's song in order to control it.
After a meeting with Marian and other Order members, Leverrier’s suspicion of Walker concluded that the Exorcist is to be tried for heresy--if he's in fact associated with the 14th, or more concerning, a host for the 14th's revival, he poses a threat to the Order. After Marian insists they investigate all they like, Leverrier ordered that Marian and Walker were to be kept from contact while they investigate and assigned Link to supervise Walker for the duration.
Link introduced himself to Walker with one of his own fresh baked pie, which won the Exorcist over for a moment anyway. Link pushed loads of paperwork on him and constantly interrogated him about his knowledge of the 14th and his ability to control the Ark, but Walker insisted he knew nothing about the 14th or why he was able to control the Ark.
Shortly after, there was an attack on Headquarters. Led by the Noah, Lulubell, Akuma as well as Skulls (minions of the Earl who are care takers of the Egg) invaded to reclaim the Egg. Walker rushed to the scene, but the entrance to the chamber containing the Egg had been sealed off. He wished to break it down, but Link knew of an alternate route and led him and Bookman there.
Lulubell nearly reclaimed the Egg, and since there was no way they could take it back, Supervisor Komui Li ordered its destruction, lest it fall back into the Earl's hands. Leverrier disagreed with this, as the Egg is "valuable", but as that was there only choice, he reluctantly allowed it. Leverrier then sought out Link, assigning him a "special job". Link entered the scene with Walker and the others, his training put to good use, though his true intent was to retrieve fragments of the Egg to return to Leverrier.
Although the Egg was successfully destroyed and enemies were either defeated or else they retreated, one Level 3 Akuma survived, evolving into a Level 4--something even Bookman had no prior record of. The strength of the Level 4 was impressive, and it caused much destruction of Headquarters in its wake, but it was ultimately Walker's perseverance that leads them to victory. After which, Link carried him to the infirmary.
And then...
ZOMBIES!
No, really.
Because of the attack on Headquarters and the damage sustained, it was decided they were to relocate. During this process, an outbreak spread of one of Komui's failed remedies that instead of keeping people sharp and alert, zombifies them, and is contagious through bites. Because of Komui's flippant and remorseless attitude toward the ordeal, Link wrote up a complaint, but Komui's recent model of Komurin (a robot bearing Komui's likeness) ate it. And he ended up getting bit by zombie!Tiedoll anyway. Turns out a ghost who didn't want them to move was the one behind it all, but it's cool because apparently Bak Chan (Head of the Asian Branch) came in the next day and made a vaccine for everyone.
Anyway. The relocation of Headquarters was successful. After which, General Cross Marian came to an agreement with Leverrier: he will give the information he knows of Walker and the 14th, in exchange, he gets to speak with Walker. During this meeting, Walker's arm was bound with a Crow's seal. Hooded men served as guards to the meeting, and they were in fact Crow, one of them being Link even, hidden under the robes.
Marian revealed the full truth to Walker, about his adopted father, Mana, and his association with the 14th. He told him that the 14th does in fact reside within him, and that when he does emerge, Walker will have to kill someone he loves. During the exchange, Link suspected he witnessed Marian hiding something in his golem Timcampi, which he later reported to Leverrier.
A short time after, General Cross Marian was found dead. It was curious actually. Marian's mask was left behind damaged, and the amount of blood suggested he was in fact killed, but there was no body at the scene.
Later, Leverrier, Link, Walker, and a few other Order members and Exorcists had a meeting, where they explained the truth of the 14th, which was otherwise confidential. The order was that should Walker show signs of being taken over by the 14th, he is to be killed.
Link accompanied Walker on a quick mission to retrieve Innocence (in which Link has to have a chess match against a spirit to receive it as everyone else who took the challenge lost; Link was victorious). Back headquarters, Walker and Leverrier had a tense encounter that ended briefly, leaving Link and Leverrier to have a discussion. Leverrier stated Marian's death was at the hands of Central, and that the action was carried out without his notice. Link insisted on accompanying Leverrier back to Central, but Leverrier ordered that he continue supervising Walker. Immediately after which, Leverrier received a phone call from the American Branch Head, confirming they received the Egg fragment and will carry out his duties with it.
When a group of Finders were arrested in France under the pretense of being the mysterious Thief G, some of the Exorcists were dispatched to find them, including Walker, which naturally meant Link accompanied him. The local authorities incarcerated a mass of people in ridiculous costumes, claiming that they were all Thief G, but the Finders (also stuck in the costume) claim he was a ghost that can possess people and that the victims have no recollection of it afterward. Inspector Galmar and the other officers didn’t believe them.
Afterward, there was an announcement from Thief G stating when and where his next crime will take place, and in addition to authorities covering the scene, the Exorcists followed as well. Thief G stole the National Treasure, but it was the Exorcist Kanda who cut him short. For a moment, they thought they had caught him, but the "Thief G" they’d caught woke up with no memory of committing the crime, and another figure wearing the costume had the treasure. Walker, Kanda, and Link went after the next Thief G and easily overpowered him, but then Thief G possessed Link's body--not only wielding his switchblade but having access to his Crow abilities as well. Of course, from Link's perspective, he suddenly woke to find himself battered and bruised (and also impaled by Walker's Exorcist Sword, but IT'S COOL, because the weapon is meant to cleanse evil and thus, doesn't harm anyone "not evil"). During this time, something Walker did upset the real Thief G to
the point he continuously sobbed hysterically, and the Exorcist Noise Marie was able to track the sounds of his cries.
This led them to an orphanage, where a collision between nine-year-old Timothy Hearst and Allen Walker ended with the orphan accidentally possessing the Exorcist. They concluded that Timothy was Thief G and suspected the power was gained from the peculiar orb on his forehead. They told the matrons if it was Innocence, they would have to take him back to the Order, much to Timothy's dismay. However, before they could come to any sort of agreement, the orphanage was attacked by a group of Akuma.
Walker wanted to open the Ark to allow everyone to escape quickly, but Link stopped him as he was not allowed to control the Ark without permission from Central and the Order. Despite Link's protest, Walker attempted to open it anyway, but Skulls had placed a seal around the building that prevented him from doing so (and also prevents Walker's cursed eye from seeing the souls of Akuma).
Link found this far too organized to be a random attack but turned his focus to Timothy and one of the orphanage's attendants, Emilia, in an attempt to lead them to safety. They found many of the others in the building had been turned into plastic dolls, and also encountered one of the nuns, who turned out to be a "broker" for the Earl--giving away information for money. However, that encounter was brief as two more Akuma entered the scene. One of them was responsible for the ability to turn people in dolls by simply staring at them for six seconds. Link rushed after them and nearly took the Akuma down but was a second too slow and also got turned into a doll.
Timothy discovered his full abilities during this battle and ultimately purified the soul of the responsible Akuma, which lifted the doll curse. Back to his feet, Link summoned his seals, but the lift wasn't instantaneous, so Link was still quite vulnerable and not at full power. Luckily, the Crow Madaro arrived on the scene, literally absorbing the Akuma--a sight that left Link stunned.
Meanwhile, Walker, Kanda, and Marie had been battling another Level 4. In order to hit the Akuma, Walker also had to impale himself on the Sword of Exorcism, which shouldn't have been a problem in theory, however, the weapon caused the 14th a great deal of pain, and the Noah made a brief cameo via Allen Walker. Link witnessed this. Kanda swiftly destroyed the Akuma and shouted at Walker, and the Exorcist soon came to.
Back at Headquarters, Timothy had accepted the role of an Exorcist (not without demanding certain expenses taken care of, of course). While watching the boy have parting words with the head of the orphanage, Walker idly commented about his past guardian, Mana. Link almost found this sentimental for a moment as Walker never spoke of Mana, but the moment was ruined when Walker bemusedly stated he must regard Link as an equivalent to furniture now.
While Walker was writing a report of their last mission, he was randomly attacked by the Crow Goushi, to which Link immediately demanded an explanation for such behavior. It was revealed that Crow members Madaro, Goushi, Tokusa, Kiredori, and Tevak had all been turned into Third Exorcists: on top of Crow abilities, they were genetically fused with the cells of Akuma, making them Half-Akuma. Goushi's attack on Walker was an accident, a "side-effect" in reaction to Walker's Innocence. Even Link found this news shocking.
Later, they were given another mission, and after retrieving Kanda from the Asian Branch, they headed to Jordan, accompanied by Madaro and Tokusa. During this time, Walker and the Third Exorcists were confronted by Noah. Link was unaware of this, however, busy searching for Walker as they had been separated.
ABILITIES: As a member of Crow, Link's been trained in physical combat as well as trained to use abilities that allows him to hold his own against Akuma. Link keeps a serrated switchblade under each of the cuffs of his jacket and displays impressive skill with them. Additionally, although he is not compatible with Innocence, he can summon anti-evil seals that will bind and weigh down his opponent (Hijutsu Shibaribane Baku or Secret Technique: Binding Feathers).