Greetings! This story is an Alternate Ending story (something I don't normally do. Typically I'm a story Continuer). I feel there is so much more left for Rosette to do and learn. Likewise, I feel there was so much more left to be said of Chrono's fate after death (which originally inspired this story) that has yet to be answered!

My view of this universe comes solely from watching the anime series in Japanese (with English subtitles). I have not read any of the magna.

Note: I do not own Chrono Crusade nor its characters.

"Greater love has no one than this,

that he lay down his life for his friends"

John 15:13

Prolog

Sitting at her side on the front porch swing, his breathing was labored, as was hers. It took so much effort to just suck in an ounce of air. His body was at war to stay alive until her last breath. There had been so many promises he had failed to keep during his time on Earth that he could barely stand himself. Yet in this one thing, this one promise to stay by her side, he refused to disappoint. He would not die before her.

As the sun set he finally felt her weight shift as her heart finally stopped. He had always hated the sound of that dammed ticking clock, forever reminding him her time was short because of him, however to hear the last tic followed by silence made his ears ring and his heart beat painfully. Regardless that he knew it was going to happen, the moment the clock stopped his tears began.

"Rosette," his voice broke in a sob. It was too painful! "It hurts," he cried squeezing his eyes shut. He felt like his heart was mercilessly being slashed to shreds. This was far more painful than ever before. He couldn't bear it.

He was shaking, for so many reasons, but he slowly released her arms from around his waist. In her final moments she had clung to him desperately. He still couldn't fathom how she could love a wretched creature like himself. He choked and worked to breathe as he propped her upright on the bench swing. He could feel his life force draining from him rapidly and wanted to curse his life and what little good it had ever done. She was dead. The love of his whole existence had died, far too young, because of him. As he steadied her straight, he bit down on the inside of his cheek to bite back the screams of his heart. He could taste his own blood, but didn't care. He too was taking his final breaths. Then he looked… his heart skipped. This human woman, whom he so desperately cherished, had left him with one last gift… a peaceful smile. His heart ached.

"Rosette," he could only whisper, "Thank you."

As the remaining glow of the sun left the sky, Chrono couldn't help but smile as well, and hand in hand he died in the enveloping darkness.

….,₀o0O0o₀,….

Azumaria couldn't handle the scene depicted before her. It was the most beautiful yet tragic thing she had ever seen. Rosette and Chrono were sitting side by side on a porch swing in peaceful death. The three women behind her, Sisters Claire, Anna and Mary were crying uncontrollably, yet she was numb.

The young Apostle couldn't fathom nor accept the fact that her most cherished friends were dead. She stammered to the door of the little run down cottage in disbelief. Rosette was strong. Rosette was passionate. She was fearless and brave and had a heart of gold. There hadn't been a single day that had gone by where Azumaria didn't doubt that she was still alive.

'This can't be the end for them,' her mind cried. 'It can't!'

Looking back into their faces, their smiles… her heart felt so compressed. Her life proved once again to be destined with one loss after another. To forever suffer the endurance of a deep crushing and sorrowful pain. She hadn't even gotten the chance to say goodbye. To tell them how much they had meant to her. Yet as her watery eyes stared blankly around her dark spiraling thoughts slowly calmed. Suddenly she realized she could see beyond her grief. Astonished, she could envision how they had spent their final days together. It must have been refreshing eating together, fixing up the place, and making it a home. Rosette and Chrono had spent their final months of solitude in peace. A peace they never before had tasted. Hadn't they earned that much?

Looking back at her most treasured friends, the morning breeze was soft and fragrant and the light of the new dawn seemed to cradle her loved ones in a protective hold, preserving their last moments. Yes they had died, and yet, even though so much was taken from them, they were truly at peace. She had to acknowledge that undeniable truth. Before she realized it, she smiled too. It was just so like them to smile in the face of their own deaths.

Sister Claire, Anna, and Mary continued to weep, but neither of them moved. How could they be too late? They had all been there, fighting alongside those two in their last battles a year ago, and had learned that this was to be their fate. Yet the tragedy of it all was just too much. If anyone deserved some happiness it was them. The older women stayed back from the porch knowing young Azumaria had become closer to Rosette and Chrono then they had ever been. Rosette had always been so full of life and energy. They wished they hadn't taken the time they had shared for granted.

A few moments past and the tears began to ebb… and a firm choice was made.

"Alright then," Azumaria spoke suddenly. Gone was her timid self.

The Sisters were startled to hear the young girl speak so suddenly, and with an unwavering voice that spoke of a strong conviction.

The tension in the air grew and the very wind itself seemed to die.

Azumaria turned and walked off the old wooden porch, causing the trio to jump further back, and then turned back to stand in front of the old house. Azu then bowed her head and brought her hands together in prayer.

'Father, you who hold a deeper love than I know, who delights with your children in their happiness and mourns with them in their sadness. You who hold the power over death itself please hear and answer my final prayer. Lord, you raised up Lazarus from death, I beg of you now… please have mercy on us and restore to us our most beloved friends and in return, if it pleases you, I give my life to you.'

Sister Claire cautiously moved forward to see into her dear little friend's face and grew instantly worried at the intensity of Azumaria's face. Gone was the soft sad face of one in mourning and before her was the face of deep concentration and focus. She reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder only to jump back quick as the Apostle gave off a quick flash of white light.

Azumaria then opened her eyes from her silent prayer and lifted her arms and face to the heavens. She then began to sing a melody that was thick with both sorrow and hope. It was a song that could pierce any heart and was rooted in love.

Sister Mary and Sister Anna were standing together closely and were completely entranced by the soft yet powerful words that hung in the air. Slowly a soft aura of light began to envelope Azumaria's form right before their eyes.

Claire moved around the light towards her partners in uncertainty. Sister Anna was on high alert and grabbed her comrades and pulled them even further back. She had no idea what Azu was doing… she supposedly didn't have any power left! So it was best to play it safe.

The three watched and listened in wonder.

The young Apostle's song grew stronger and bolder and to the on looker's surprise, wings once again emerged from her back, however they were bound together with a silver cord. As she sang out, her wings twisted and flexed to break their binds and eventually succeeded. Her bright white wings snapped the silver cord and spread out to its full length, ending her song.

It was an awe filled sight to behold the splendor of her beautiful pure white wings. She was a true vision of Heaven to come. And just as smiles began to creep into the women's faces, Azumaria's body swayed and crumpled to the ground.