A/N: Hi, I'm new at this whole new fanfic thing. So no flames please! (I don't know what 'flames' are, but they sound really mean.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Chrno Crusade. Though I'd be honored if Daisuke Moriyama turned this into the first anime based on a fanfic. 3
(If there hasn't been one yet.)
Prologue: Asleep in Time
It has been four years since the death of Rosette and Chrono...
The Magdalene Order is now suffering from the effects of the Depression and the looming shadow of WWII.
Azmaria Hendric, a young militia from the Order silently went to her room, reflecting on what happened earlier that day. That day had been especially hard on her, for she was sent by Sister Kate to check the mental status of the 'crusaders'. The crazed looks on their faces as they shouted blasphemy after blasphemy still left a disturbing image on her timid mind.
As she made her back to the convent later she was pained to see so many homeless people wandering aimlessly about. Some where sleeping on benches, others lining up for jobs or food.
Lord why is this happening? She asked herself as she entered the convent gates. However she was surprised to see that so many other homeless were lining up here too. That's when she saw some of her fellow Sisters serving food. Even though, they were doing this for others, they all looked exhausted.
Just then, she overheard two men talking nearby. Both of them really stood out from the crowd for their clothes were clean and well-trimmed. They were probably rich folk.
"Look at 'em Johnson," said one man with a fine mustache, "givin' everythin' they've got to feed the needy but give it a few weeks, this place'll close down and then it'd be their turn to line up."
"Yeah," agreed his companion, an impish miser with a long nose and a thick cigar, "do me good business though."
"Why's that?"
"Lotta fine young gals they've got cooped up in here... if it closes down they'll be ripe for the pickin hehehe..."
With that the two men strolled away laughing as they did. Azmaria couldn't believe what she just heard.. but she had too. In fact she met more and more people who thought the same way, even amongst the Order.
As she quietly entered her room, she thought of all the people that were suffering out there...right now. So many people getting sick and dying because of the hunger and poverty, while here she was, unable to do anything...
Distraught, she fell down on her knees and cried bitterly at her own helplessness. Years ago she could've just sang to make all the pain and misery go away but now she had lost her power just as she lost the ones she loved.
As the hot tears trickled down her smooth face she placed her hands together and prayed harder than ever before. So hard her hands shook.
Lord please! Please! Help me! A lot of people are starting to doubt You! They no longer believe in the power of Your love for them. Please Lord, give me the strength... the strength to help everyone again. So that everyone will be happy! Please!!!
After her prayer she slowly stood up and her eyes fell on the picture frame on her bedside drawer. It was the picture she took on that memorable day at the carnival. On that day Chrono, Rosette, as well as Azmaria's good friend Satella were still alive.
As the young nun looked at the smiling people within the simple frame, she remembered how Rosette always tried to help relieve people of their pain no matter how much pain she herself was in. That's what Azmaria admired so much about her.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Come in..." she replied as casually as she could.
When the door opened she was a little surprised to see that it wasn't nun who came in but a little brown haired girl. It was a member of the Azmaria's children's choir.
"Oh, Millie! What are you doing here?" Azmaria asked quietly as she quickly tried to dry her tears.
"Everyone's waiting for you Sister Azmaria, you promised to lead choir practice today." the little girl replied innocently.
"Oh, that's right." she said taking Millie's hand gently, "Well, let's go"
After a while. As they neared the choir building.
"Sister."
"Yes?"
"Were you crying?"
"Huh?"
"Your eyes are all red and puffy." Millie pointed out.
"Oh..." said Azmaria wiping her eyes again, "It's just... everyone's been so miserable lately, but I can't seem to do anything to cheer them up. Sorry..."
"Why don't you try being happy first?" the girl suggested.
"What?"
"You once told me...'You can't give people what you don't have.' So if you wanna make everyone happy shouldn't you be happy too?" Millie replied sweetly putting both of her tiny hands on Azmaria's.
Azmaria giggled and finally smiled. "Yes, your right. Thank you Millie..." she said a she bent down and kissed the girl's cheek.
"Hee-hee!" the girl giggled.
Meanwhile, at the roads leading out of New York Harbor...
Joshua Christopher, Rosette's last living relative heaved a huge sigh. Man, he thought, what a long week! He'd been gone for nearly two years to Europe in order to assist the Magdalene Order's evacuation of the hapless innocents from Hitler's regime. His book made him so surprisingly famous (even among adults) his influence made the perfect tool to help people.
As the car drove down the usual route to the Magdalene Convent, Joshua saw the many homeless people wandering around and was halfway thinking of using his fortunes to help when Ewan Remington's voice called out.
"Hey!"
"Huh?"
"You sure you don't wanna stop by and rest. You know how Azmaria hates it when you push yourself."
At the mention of the young nun's name Joshua suddenly perked up.
"I-I'm fine!" he stammered his face blushing, "A-and...I'm not tired, really! In fact I can't wait to see her again!"
"Uh-huh, really? Just so you know though," Remington said in a mock serious tone "Azmaria's still a nun..."
At this Joshua's blushing face turned a bright shade of red.
"W-wait! I didn't mean it like that! It's just that it's been nearly two years since I last saw her and we've been only sending letters to each other. I just wanna see how she's doing. I heard things have been hard on her since the Crash."
"Uh-huh..."
Ewan took a look at the young man's face from the rear view mirror and smiled. Joshua was still blushing.
In an attempt to change the subject Joshua said,
"Hey, speaking of those letters. I sent Azmaria a letter with a copy of my book but when she wrote back... I couldn't help but feel how sad she was when wrote it. Do you know why?"
At this Ewan's face saddened. When Joshua noticed it he added carefully,
"And another thing, it's not just Azmaria. Even you Ewan. Everyone at the Order seemed to remember something really sad every time you guys read my story."
After a short while Ewan finally replied,
"Sorry Joshua... but it's confidential to the Order. We're not suppose to tell anyone. Especially you.
"It's about my sister isn't it?" said Joshua, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Ewan turned his head and finally looked directly at the young man. He must over eighteen by now, though his heart is still probably a few years younger.he thought. Joshua's golden blonde hair and tall young frame made him almost look like a younger version of Ewan. Except for the eyes. Rosette's eyes. Even though Ewan had the same color, Johsua's eyes were more like blue sapphires that shone even in the darkest placest. Those eyes reminded Remington of the same young woman who gave so much to save all.
As the car steadily passed through the gates leading into the convent's grounds. Remington turned to Joshua and said,
"Look, if your really that desperate to find out more about your sister why don't you officially join the Order? I hear Sister Kate's still saving you a position, in the Militia too no less."
"Yeah, but does she seriously think I'm ready for something like that?" the boy replied rather sheepishly.
"Well, you never know Joshua... You never know..." was all Remington could say.
Inside the choir building, Azmaria had just finished their first rehearsal when one of the children spoke up.
"Sister, please sing us a song."
"Again?" Azmaria replied rather shyly. Her face flushing.
"Yeah, you sing better than any of us. Besides we've always wanted to sing like you. It helps us sing better too." said one of the little boys in the group.
"O-okay." she answered.
The children giggled happily and huddled closely to hear her sing. Azmaria took a deep breath, placed her hands on her heart and sang...
Then it happened... like a great, vast wind suddenly went through her. Not just through her body, but through her soul. A great vast light shone forth and cast its luminous glow all around her.
Outside, everyone was mesmerized by the power of such an angelic voice. Joshua stood still, eyes wide open. Then suddenly another great light shone, this time from him.
"Joshua!?" Ewan called out, but one look at Joshua's eyes told him that the young man couldn't hear him.
Meanwhile something happened within Joshua's mind. It was like someone started playing a film in his head. All his missing memories played out before him; every single detail still intact. From the incident at the Seventh Bell orphanage, to the time when he was under Aion's control. However, the last thing that played was completely different from the rest. He saw Chrono, his childhood friend, and Rosette, his beloved long-lost sister, sitting together. They faces were calm and Joshua would have thought they were asleep. If it weren't for the fact that their faces appeared to be too peaceful for something as casual sleep...
Rosette...Chrono...
After that, the light vanished and he was standing once again on the convent grounds.
"Joshua?" Ewan called but knew that Joshua still didn't seem to hear him. Somehow he knew what the young man just saw in his mind.
After a while, Ewan was suddenly shocked to hear Joshua speak. Not, because it was so sudden but because the boy just spoke the names of two people Ewan thought he had forgotten forever.
"Rosette...Chrono..." he mumbled.
"What!?" Ewan exclaimed.
Joshua turned, looked at Ewan and repeated,
"Chrono...my old friend and Rosette... my dear sister. They're-"
"Dead." Ewan finished grimly.
Joshua's face now became grief-stricken.
"B-but why? Why!?" he asked desperately, his blue eyes brimming with tears.
"You should know that better than anyone..." he said gravely.
Then Joshua smiled weakly and said,
"It was because of me... wasn't it?...Because of me..."
Suddenly Joshua fell on his knees and angrily punched the ground. Leaving a surprisingly nasty crack on the pavement.
"AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!" he screamed, as teardrops fell from his sapphire orbs and flowed into the cracks that he made.
Ewan watched silently as Joshua vented his rage on the hard pavement. The retired priest had wished that he would find out for himself on what had happened to Rosette. But this isn't exactly what he had in mind. Still, after seeing that Joshua's hand was already bleeding, he made a quick grab for the boy's wrist.
"I think that's enough. I feel your loss Joshua but you should know that four years have already passed since they died. It wouldn't be good to mourn for them while everyone has long moved on." he said firmly but kindly.
Slowly, Ewan lifted Joshua onto his feet. He then gently released the boy's wrist. Joshua was quiet for a while, but suddenly Ewan saw a spark in the boy's eyes. Joshua then looked at him with a face full of determination and said,
"Take me to Sister Kate."
xxx
Joshua marched at top speed through the corridors of the convent. On the way he heard snatches of conversation from the other Order members.
"...Is it true what happened?"
"Yeah, I saw it wings and everything."
"What about her, was she all right!?"
"Don't worry, she passed out for a while but she's fine now."
Joshua didn't know what they were talking about but he didn't care either. All he cared was the he needs to join the Order, join the Militia...right now.
When he fiercely burst into Sister Kate's office, the hapless old nun was so startled that she threw up the reports that she was reading.
"Joshua Christopher!? What is the meaning of this!?" she shrieked. Picking up the scattered papers.
"Make me an exorcist. NOW!!" he demanded.
"What!? After you just barge into my office you expect me to-wait a minute. What?" she said surprised, her anger evaporating into incredulity.
"I wanna join the Order", he repeated.
Joshua then instantly started to explain what happened, with a little help from Ewan. After she heard everything, Sister Kate calmed down and said quietly,
"Very well, however, before I let you join you must know that Aion is dead as well. So I don't think revenge would be a proper motivation for joining."
"I know." Joshua replied "Aion may have been the one who caused Rosette and Chrono to give up so much for me. But I was the one who let him take me away. I wanted power so I could become stronger. It's my fault...that's why I wanna join. It's the only way I could forgive myself."
Sister Kate closed her eyes thoughtfully. When she opened them again she replied in a businesslike tone,
"All right. You'll need a partner to watch your back since your still new. And not just any partner... According to what you said, there is no doubt your Apostle powers have also been restored. So the only person suitable, is another Apostle.
"Wait, what do you mean 'also'?" Joshua asked suspiciously.
Just then the door opened. Joshua's heart suddenly skipped a beat when he realized who it was. The smooth silky white hair, the beautiful pink eyes, and the kind angelic voice that belonged to one who constantly haunted his dreams, both day and night. It felt like it was only yesterday when he left her promising to come back. Azmaria still looked a bit like a little girl back then. But now...
"Sister Kate I-" she was about to say when she stopped in her tracks upon seeing Joshua.
"H-hey Az... I'm back. I promised right?" Joshua said meekly.
"Joshua..." she whispered. Then suddenly as if like lightning she rushed in and hugged his waist tightly.
"Joshua!" she cried happily.
"H-hey, take it easy," he said nervously trying in vain not to blush, "it's been a long trip."
Sister Kate made a dissapproving cough to get their attention. The two seperated rather awkwardly. Joshua's face was still slightly red. He didn't seem to notice that Azmaria's face had a shade of pink too.
"Azmaria, I was just about to tell you that Joshua has officially joined the Order. And since today is his first day, I'm assigning him to be your assistant as well as ummm... partner."
Sister Kate said 'partner' rather uncomfortably, staring at the two carefully. As if she suddenly wondered if she made the right choice. Azmaria, however, didn't seem to notice. She turned to Joshua beamingly and said,
"Wow Joshua! This is great!"
"Y-yeah..." he said nervously. Whoa, wait Azmaria's my partner!? he thought frantically.
"Very well...Dismissed." Sister Kate said reluctantly.
"Cmon..." Azmaria said cheerfully.
"Um...yeah." he said casting a what-the-hell-do-I-do? look at Ewan in which he merely shrugged and smiled innocently.
As the two teens left the room. Sister Kate let out a huge sigh.
"Why do I feel like I'm gonna regret this?"
"I know. When he heard about Rosette he became so desperate to redeem himself, I fear he might do something crazy or push himself too hard."
"Hmm...yes. But oddly enough, that's not what worries me." Sister Kate said rather tiredly. Placing a hand over her face.
"Huh? Really? Then what does?"
"Well, it's just that...Azmaria's been talking a lot about Joshua ever since he left. And when I saw the look on that boy's face when he saw her come through that door! I thought I'd never see the end of it."
At first Remington didn't quite get what she was talking about. However, after realizing about what she meant by the 'look on the boy's face' he couldn't help but laugh.
"He was that obvious huh?" he said jokingly.
"Remington! This a serious matter! Sister Azmaria is a nun-in-training. If she is to become one, she must learn how to practice her vows!" she said reproachfully.
"Well... I suppose so. But still, it wouldn't hurt if Azmaria had a bit more romance in her life." Ewan answered thoughtfully.
"Remington, this is a church convent, not a high-school!" Sister Kate said shrilly.
Joshua looked nervously at Azmaria as they strolled the grounds. He found it hard stop staring at her too much, and he could blame him? They haven't seen each other for two years, yet he's surprised to see how much Azmaria has grown. Though she was still shorter than he was, it was only because he had grown just as much as she had only difference that he never felt it as much as now. Her face was still pure and innocent like a child's, however her body was no longer that of a little girl but that of a blossoming young woman.
Joshua's eyes wandered from the top of her head, then down to her smooth face, then even lower... to her (Joshua gulped uneasily at this point) her chest. It was then did he realize it, Azmaria just didn't 'grow' she had become more and more...
"...beautiful." he whispered.
"Huh?" Azmaria said facing him.
"A-ah! N-nothing!" he stammered Damn, he scolded himself ,couldn't keep your mouth shut could you Joshua?!
Azmaria looked at Joshua, at the young man that he had become. As far as she knew, her deep feelings for him hadn't changed the slightest bit. As she looked at how tall he was compared to her, she couldn't help but blush. He was like a prince to her, even before.
Azmaria remembered that the first time they met four years ago. Remington was asked to bring Joshua to the Order for a meeting on what to do now that the boy is the only surviving member of his family left.
Joshua had gotten lost when he heard someone singing. He followed the voice and found it's owner under a tree surrounded by little children. He was surprised because he thought it was an angel that was singing. Whether he was joking or not, the memory still manages to make her heart beat. They've been best friends ever since...but deep down Joshua was so much more to her than that.
"So..." she asked quietly "...were you there?"
"Huh? Where?" he asked, slightly dumbfounded.
"You know..." she continued, her blush deepening, "when I sang."
"Oh...yeah...you were great." he said silently, slowly facing away from her.
"Yeah, everyone felt so happy and wonderful when they heard me. They say all the sick people around the convent got better... and you know what else?" she added quietly.
"What?"
"I felt happy too... happier than I had ever been. Ever since the Crash everything's just been miserable here and it got worse when you had to leave. At least... for me.
"Az..." Joshua said, She missed me...she really did miss me! he thought excitedly but looked at her worriedly.
"But things are better now! You're back, everyones happy, it's just like old times! Heehee!" she giggled.
"Yeah, everyone's happy..." Joshua said sadly.
"Joshua? Joshua what's wrong?" asked Azmaria, surprised on why her best friend was so down.
Joshua sat quietly on nearby fountain and said,
"When I heard your voice, I didn't just feel happy I felt something else. It was like a bright light in within me started glow after being out for years. Looks like your not the only Apostle here Az."
"What? Joshua that's great!" she said brightly, but noticed that Joshua was still gloomy.
"However," he continued, " my powers weren't the only thing that came back."
It was then did Azmaria realize what he was talking about.
"Oh... Joshua, I-"
"I hurt my friends... I killed hundreds of people." he said shakily looking at his hands and clenched them. And my sister, my own sister, is now dead because of me! It's all my fault!"
"Joshua, you sholdn't blame yourself." Azmaria said gently as she bent down in front of him.
"I joined the order because it's the only way I could ask for their forgiveness." he finished bitterly.
Azmaria watched him sadly, she understood how he felt because she lost lots of people close to her because of her powers. Her parents, the orchestra in which she sang in... all of them gone because of her.
Suddenly, Joshua felt something warm gently touching his fists. When he looked up he saw Azmaria holding up his hand and nursing the wounds that he got from mashing the pavement earlier.
"Azmaria..." Joshua said, and hung his head shamefully as the girl took out a hankerchief from her pocket and used it o bandage his hand.
"Joshua," she said in that kind and gentle tone of hers, "why would you ask for something that you already have?"
"Huh?"
"Rosette and Chrono both loved you very much to the point that they gave everything to bring you back, including their very lives. So something like forgiveness shouldn't be hard for them to give.
"Besides", she added as she tenderly tied the knot on Joshua's bandage, "they wouldn't have liked it if you had lost your memory. They'd have wanted you to be well and happy."
"How'd you know what my sister would have liked for me?" replied Joshua rather cynically.
Azmaria merely stood up, smiled kindly to him.
"Because Rosette was like a big-sister to me too..." she said as she turned away and looked up at the sky.
"When she and Chrono rescued me from the demons, they didn't do it because I was an Apostle." she continued, " They did it because I was their friend and they cared for me. Rosette was always taking care of me when I was feeling lonely, she also kept telling me on how much she cared about you too Joshua."
"Az..." Joshua said. He stood up. She's right he thought, Rosette and Chrono gave up their lives to save mine. So I shouldn't be wasting their sacrifice by moping around and pushing myself like this.
With that, he finally smiled. He walked right behind Az and said, "Thanks.." as he kissed her in th cheek.
Azmaria was so surprised by his kiss that she instantly blushed scarlet. Even though it was just on the cheek, her heart wouldn't stop racing.
When she looked at Joshua's face, she was surprised to see him blushing too. But he was smiling at her. Azmaria always liked it when he smiled at her like that. It only made her happier still. And today, she couldn't ask for anything else.
Slowly, she put her arms around one of his and smiled back. Together, they walked back towards the convent. Azmaria made a silent thanksgiving prayer to God for hearing her. The two of them could've just stayed that happy like that forever...
However, their happiness was shortlived.
xxx
The night sky was filled with black smoke as people were running and shouting too and fro. A horrible inhuman howl could be heard as numerous exorcists opened fire upon the endless swarm of Legions. It appears that the Apostles' powers weren't the only thing that reawakened.The sound of gatling guns and pistols rattled the night air as the exorcists desperately try to take out as many of the endless horde as they could before they overrun the convent.
Sister Kate looked upon the inevitable destruction, the fire and the smoke mirrored in her spectacles. She and Remington had a feeling that this would happen. That's
why she ordered him not to come to the convent that day, for reasons only she and Elder knew. They've suffered countless casualties and their supplies were dwindling at a rapid pace. Just then, Sister Anna burst into the room.
"Sister Kate, they've already overrun our third line of defense. There's no stopping them!" she said exasperately.
Sister Kate looked at the many people fighting down on the grounds. Despite the seemingly hopelessness of the situation of the whole thing, everyone was fighting with renewed vigor. All thanks to the miracle that happened earlier that day. In fact she herself woudn't want to go down without at least taking half of that accursed horde with her! But she had to do something first...
"Sister Anna, find our two Apostles and take them to the Elder.
"Roger!!"
Time for the last resort. I'm sorry you two... Azmaria, Joshua... but you two must live! There is still so much for you to do! she thought silently.
Azmaria and Joshua found Sister Kate and Elder standing outside a small door that had no sign but was securely locked. When Azmaria looked to Sister Kate for an answer all the old nun said was , "Follow me."
As Elder unbolted the many locks on the door and inside was a one-way elevator. As they climbed inside Elder pushed a button and they instantly plunged down, far, far underground.
As the elevator closed to a complete stop, the two of them were shocked at what they saw: two steel tanks the twice the size of humans, were standing side by side. A porthole on the front showed that the tanks were filled with a strange eerie teal liquid that a cast a pale glow on their faces.
Joshua quickly turned to Elder and asked,
"W-what are those?"
"Chrono Chambers!" the old man explained grinning proudly, "Special containment tanks that can preserve their contents by using a special mixture of Astral energy and the power of Chrono's last remains: his horns."
"Chrono's horns!?" gasped Azmaria.
"Yes", Elder replied "Those horns are main core of these two tanks. Not only do they help them work they amplify the strenght and durability of these babies to the point that not even Pandemonium can scratch 'em."
"So we're gonna trap the demons in these things?" Joshua asked confusedly, "How? It doesn't make sense."
"Of course it doesn't! Because it's not for the demons...it's for you." Sister Kate anwered gravely.
"What!?" shrieked Azmaria.
"I'm sorry, Azmaria but the Chambers here were built to save you. A last resort in case someting like this ever happens." she said apologetically.
"Your crazy! There's no way we're gonna abandon you!" Joshua furiously, "I've already lost most of the people I care about because of me. I'm not about to lose a hundred more!"
"He's right Sister Kate please!" pleaded Azmaria, tears glistening.
Sister was about to answer, when a nearby phone rang. She rushed over and picked it up. "Sister Mary what's the current situation."
"...Ugh! They've already breached...convent overrun...everyone's-AGH!...BEEEEEEEP."
Slowly and heavily, she placed the phone back in its place. Then without facing those two, Sister Kate said to them.
"Joshua...Azmaria. Don't think your abandoning us. You've done so much for us, this is the least we can offer you. We wouldn't have gone through all this trouble just to save you if we felt that you were abandoning us."
"B-but why us!? Azmaria cried, tears already running down her face.
"You must live! Your powers were returned to you for a reason. Now go!!!" she said taking out what suspiciously looked like a gun. "Me and Elder will hold them off."
"B-but..."
"GO!!!" she shouted, as a large explosion sounded from above.
"Grr..C'mon Az. We don't have a choice..." Joshua said bitterly as he gently led Azmaria by the arm. I can't believe I'm gonna have more people sacrificed for me. he thought furiously.
"Just stand on that red circle and the machine will do the rest." Elder instructed, taking his position behind a control panel.
Azmaria, was suddenly had the wind knocked out of her as a glass tube shot out and encased her. Same thing happened with Joshua. The tubes then lowered themselves into the centers of their respective tanks. Azmaria felt the warm liquid suddenly surge in from slots on the sides and was surprised at the way it seemed to eat away her clothes until there was nothing left but her naked frame deep inside. However, before she could even think further, her eyelids were starting to feel unusually heavy. She took one last fleeting look outside, tears in her eyes at the loss of so many friends. But was greeted by a greater shock.
All of her friends were looking at her with happy faces. Joshua was next to her. He too seemed to be seeing the same thing, thought they were in different tanks. Then Sister Kate spoke gently to the two of them, "Remember children, we will always be with you. Just as God is always with you."
Everyone
After that, Azmaria Hendric and Joshua Christopher, the last two apostles, fell into their long, long sleep.
Frozen in time...