Finally, the seventh chapter!

Anyways, as you guys have noticed, I changed the format~. I just thought it would look more appropriate.

Sorry for the delays, I've actually been very stupid recently (I think I haven't updated this for an entire year :P).

I was going to write this, but I completely forgot what was going to happen next. It took me months; using vacant days and daydreaming in class to re-establish the plot.Tsk, tsk. Very careless of me, I know.

And the fact that my cousin and I had a little war a few weeks ago. He hacked my account.

Replies:

EgoBastardEmoBitch: Computers really mess up sometimes.

cancer718: *spoiler* It will be revealed in Chapter 8 *spoiler*.

Misaki Yoshino: Yes, I know that story. It's similar to mine… though I think my story is a lot older than that one and mine has a twist *spoiler* from the future. *spoiler*

PockoChi: This is probably too late, but thanks a lot. I may be a writer for a year but I still don't get the hang of every feature in FF . net.

Kichou: *spoiler* More festival fun will come in Chapter 8. *spoiler*

Thank you to: Wolf D. Dragon, Terra-Fair, VenomRogue, It'sMeHereReally, Kirei Nagame, hinamori chrome, Yuuki12397, alexjjije, Soul Vrazy, HiBiRdEpIc (anonymous reader), Butterfree, , TheLazyOtakuWithTooMuchTime, wolfsrainrules, xxaikixxeden, Vongola-Nicole, Yuna's Reincarnation-1, Ira-KSC, TsubasaFan1230, HiBaRixTsUnA1827FaN XD, WinterGuardianAngel24, starred, Fai Senri, 10th Squad 3rd Seat, YuujouKami, Bluelup28, and Anello di Tempesta.

Also, to everyone else (Oh, dear. My story has piled up many reviews *tears of joy*).

This chapter is dedicated to all of you. I'm pretty sure some want to beat me up for taking so long, haha. I also know a few people who thought this story was dead. :3

Just remember: I'll never give up on any of my stories (especially this one and Clockworks)!

I'll try to update Afterlife and The Sky's Blessing (a crossover with KH) this semestral break.

A little note: I changed Yamamoto, Lambo, and specifically Mukuro's names. They're listed in Chapter 2.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO XANXUS (belated), REBORN, AND TSUNA!

Enjoy everyone~!


Chapter 7: Behind the Shadows

Are the enemies, just waiting for the right moment.


Lavoun smirked as she stared at the wonderful purple flame sparkling from her crystal. She was supposed to turn in over to her boss, but decided not to. After all, these fragments are the very core of the corrupted flame and two certain pacifiers. These are simply parts of the don's so-called secret weapon.

"The flame is so clear and at the same time, tainted by the darkness. What a marvelous sight." She murmured to herself. Meanwhile, her assistant had a reluctant look in his eyes. "Lady Lavoun, should we really do this?" His usual smile was not on his face; especially without his former puppetmaster, he feels quite unnerved around his new boss. "Isn't it illegal to act upon our own judgment; more so with the fragments?"

His master cackled like a witch. "It isn't illegal until Don Abbine or Master Morte finds out. Besides, it's all for the good of the Family. Do not fret about such minor details, Granger Bide." He relented and bowed, sensing his contractor's annoyance. "Understood, milady."

They turned their attention to the red-haired couple who were stalking in the dark streets of Venice. Granger noticed that the two were headed for the usual carriage stop. It seems that they were sneaking out of the city. The magician turned to look at Lavoun. He tugged at her sleeve.

She had an irritated look on her face. "What is it?"

The auburn-haired puppet pointed at the horizon, the carriage stop. "The Shimon Primo and Oracion adviser are headed there."

Lavoun grinned. "Good work." 'It really wasn't a bad decision to have struck that deal with Vindice. Now, I've gotten my hands on this obedient little doll.'

"I guess it's worth living as Lavoun Irsi-Bruphne, after all."


Cozart looked around before gesturing at Emma to follow.

Good. It seems that none of the citizens were able to notice them slip by. It wouldn't do them good if they tattletaled to the others.

When they've gotten quite far from the more populated area, the red-haired male saw a glint from the side. He immediately dodged and whipped out his gun, shooting wherever the attack came from. His previous spot had a flame-covered knife embedded on it, deep.

He gritted his teeth in annoyance. The enemy got to their proximity without any of them noticing. He turned to Emma, who was assembling a rifle. He raised an eyebrow and the girl defiantly did the same. He shook his head. 'Where the hell did she get that?'

Emma readied her own weapon and hid behind a wall. She saw the same glint from above. Her eyes narrowed at this. 'So there are two of them, huh.' Infusing Earth flames with the rifle, she fired a large blast that destroyed a part of the building's upper wall. 'I missed.'

The adviser looked around if someone noticed the riot.

Good. None paid attention. 'I can't say I'm surprised, since they're probably cowering indoors because of Hayako-san's rampage earlier.'

Cozart nodded at her and they splitted up.

From the building above, Lavoun smirked. 'Heh, ignorant fools. You won't know what's coming for you, don't you?' She activated her flames through the crystal. Slowly, pale, almost invisible purple flames danced around the area; trapping the four of them in. She laughed a bit. "The only one who will emerge victorious… is me!"

Down below, Granger quietly watched the flames that started to appear. "She finally used it." He could feel the corruption in the air. The magician shook his head and remembered his creator's words.

"The crystals of Sin can taint anything that has flames. That includes about… every human in existence."

"What happens to them?" The magician asked his master, who's face and body were wrapped in bandages. The man faced him with a serious expression, contrary to his usual psychotic-looking self.

"They will take on the properties of the Sin that corrupted them."

Lavoun's assistant saw a few people that wandered near the flame-covered area. They were all driven mad with lust, matching the Sin which his current employer unleashed.

A sad smile adorned his face. No matter, he had a fight to finish; even if he does not want to. He wanted to quit and just go home, but that would be breaking the contract he signed; and of course, who would ever dare try to disobey an agreement with Vindice?

He may be artificial, but that does not mean he is stupid.

The auburn-haired doll tightened his grip on the broom. Sun flames covered the entire cleaning tool. Granger swung it, causing multiple needles to fire at female redhead. Emma sensed this before she could get hit, and used her flames to make the needles drop to the ground; hard.

A shadow was seen from her periferal view.

The leather gloves on Emma's hands caught on fire and she entered Hyper Dying Will Mode. She immediately flew towards him. Granger gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. 'Shit, she caught me!' He thought as he rearranged the purple hat on his head.

Yellow clashed with brown. An explosion occurred.

When the smoke dissipated, Emma was shocked when she saw her opponent. Who would've thought that an enemy from the future was here? The magician's eyes flashed when he saw her stare. He forced a smile on his face. 'This is not good. She recognized me.'

"I'm sorry and I don't wish to harm you, but Lady Lavoun wants me to." His smile not wavering, he continued his speech. "Now, it's time for you to die." He gathered an intense amount of Sun flames, readying for his next move.

The red-haired female jaw dropped slightly, caught completely off guard.

"W-What the— G-Ginger Bread?"

A flash of yellow soon overwhelmed her.


Cozart imbued his flames to the bullets he fired. However, his enemy was quick to evade and hide at once; so he had no idea how he can pull off a bullseye. The Shimon Primo clicked his tongue in annoyance. 'Why is tracking this guy so hard?'

All of a sudden, muscular mutated beings emerged from the ground. Their faces were distorted, as well as their speech. They all made monstrous groaning garbled sounds. One of them took notice of the redhead and immediately chased after him.

His crimson eyes widened. "The hell?!"

Alarmed, Cozart took off to find a safe place from those things. He sighed, staring at the things he brought out of his pocket. 'Looks like I have to use this, and after so long…' He put on a pair of gloves and lit them up with Earth flames. The compass-like designs in his pupils started to shift, turning into a target pattern.

With eyes that never missed and flames that pull everything down, any mafioso would know who they're up against.

The feared trumph card of Shimon Primo has been unleashed.

"Tierra Incognita(1)."

Those words had just levelled the battlefield. His flames spread out and around, making the atmosphere very heavy. The muscular monstrosities could barely move an inch, feeling their weights doubled— maybe even tripled!

The buildings on the sidelines seemed warped, as if they were distorted by an illusion. The move truly lived up to its name. Anyone but the caster cannot recognize the area.

He did not waste time. Flying towards the mutants, he destroyed them; one by one.

Lavoun clicked her tongue when she noticed this. Since she could not move from her position, it wasn't long before Cozart spotted her. Her breath was caught in her throat when she heard his whisper.

"Found you."

And her head was immediately slammed onto the ground. The woman's dark brown hair was ruined; she looked very haggard. Gritting her teeth, she groggily stood up; feeling her consciousness slip. Cozart looked at her with pity. 'I'm sorry, but this is what it means to go against us.'

Lavoun's own eyes flashed in anger. In a fit of rage, she roared at him, "I won't let you pass through in the name of Don Abbine and Master Morte!" 'There. That should be a good distraction.'

Cozart frowned in disdain. "Big words for someone in a pinch."

Irritated by his taunts, the busty woman suddenly took out a purple crystal. She smirked at the red-haired male. "I am going to savor your death." The woman took a bite from it as she cackled madly. "There's just no way I would lose to shrimp like you!" Cloud flames covered her entire being.

Sending a crazed smirk to the other, her own violet eyes gleamed eerily. "Your trick no longer works, boy." She rushed behind him. Taken aback, he could only watch her prepare an attack. "Learn your place," And she punched him hard; the force was so hard that he was sent flying through multiple walls. Some of his blood splattered to her face, and she merely licked the blots near her mouth.

Cozart was still able to stand, but he felt immense pain from his chest. Wincing, he tore a part of his sleeve and wrapped it tightly around his torso to support him. 'I think I just broke a rib.' Lavoun walked towards him, entirely consumed by the power she wrought upon herself.

"Ahahaha! This feels so good. My body," She looked at her bloody hands. "Power is pulsating in my body!" Then she turned her direction to him, aiming for another strike. This time, she had a whip covered in blackish-purple flames. Cozart blocked it just in time with his hands. 'This power…!'

As she continued to rain down attacks on him, the mafia boss could barely keep up. 'What's with her sudden power surge? Is it because of the crystal?'

"What's the matter, boy? Can't take anymore? Pathetic." She spit on him before sending her whip to strike his face. The redhead yelled in pain. He bit his lip and endured the pain before the patterns in his eyes changed. From the target design, it transformed into a pentacle.

"I won't go down without a fight!"


In the shadows, two figures talked to each other.

"Master Sempetta, when are we going to strike?" The pair looked at a certain black-haired beauty.

The mad grin was on his master's face. "Later, when they're too distracted to do something." He saw the man with pale blond hair accompanying his Kyona. He scowled quite visibly. Grolte flinched away from him. He knew better than to be around when someone takes his master's possessions.

"Who is that insignificant ant with her? He doesn't deserve to be around her."

The gaffer sighed before pulling out a crisp folder. He opened it and read the contents. "It says here that the man's name is Alaude, the Cloud guardian of Vongola."

Sempetta took out a red crystal from his pocket, licking it with glee and bloodlust emanating from his being.

"I'll kill him."


Back to Emma and the newly-discovered Ginger Bread, everything was charred. She certainly did not expect an enemy from the future to be here. The red-haired girl clutched her bloody right eye, which was hit badly. She barely escaped in time.

Panting slightly, she took the discarded rifle and tore it into two parts. The two halves of it were connected by a thin, almost unnoticed chain. Infusing her flames with it, she threw the rifle towards the magician. The auburn-haired doll simply sidestepped. "Is that all?"

The rifle then hit a pole, which made it bounce back towards the puppet. Ginger Bread did not expect that. Using that momentum, Emma made a break for it. She sensed Cozart's dwindling flames from her position. 'Hope I make it in time!'

Passing by a couple of buildings and going through a few alleys, she finally saw him. However, the sight made her gasp. "C-Cozart—!"

The male's left arm hung lifelessly beside him, seemingly broken. Blood was splattered on his chest. Flames burned on his whole right arm. There was a pile of rubble on the other side of the street. He turned to her, and she noticed the pentacle in his eyes. She ran towards him. "Are you okay?" At that moment, a burst of Cloud flames came from the rubble and the crazed Lavoun stood up.

"You think you've beaten me already? Don't get cocky!"

The red-haired girl gasped silently. 'What are people from the future doing here?' She recognized the woman's afro-like dark brown hair, her face which was smeared with make-up, and those violet-colored eyes. It couldn't be anyone else. She had heard from Tsuna about his (her) adventures fighting with Byakuran and saw her from the pictures.

This woman was— "Iris… Hepburn…"

Cozart gritted his teeth and turned sharply to Emma. "Run… tell Giotto, I—"

"B-But…!"

"GO!"

Emma clenched her fists before doing as told. "I'll be back for you, I promise." And she ran for her life. Before she could completely leave his sight, she turned around to bid him one last farewell; but her eyes widened and she almost fell to her knees.

A large explosion occurred.


'That flame…!'

Tsuna's eyes widened and she frantically looked around. She and Giotto were in a café, enjoying tea and cake. This caught Giotto's attention. "Huh? What's wrong Tsuna?"

The brunette looked down and stood up abruptly. "I'm sorry. I need to go." Placing down her cup, she immediately left. The blond quickly paid for their meal before running after her. "Can't you at least tell me what's the matter?"

The Oracion Primo sped up. "Something doesn't feel right." She shook her head in defeat. "Not at all." She tried to ignor the dread in the pit of her stomach. The brunette whispered to herself, "Please be alright."

'I just hope that flicker was my imagination.'


Emma ran through the crowd, trying to look for her comrades. She fought the tears that were threatening to fall. 'I couldn't even do anything for him. What kind of descendant am I?' She noticed a metallic gleam on the side and rolled towards the other side of the street to dodge. From her previous position, five thick and huge needles were protruding on the ground.

The redhead clicked her tongue in annoyance. 'I almost forgot about him!' The magician stepped out of the shadows, staring at her with a strange shine in his eyes. No matter how much she looked at them, she could not understand the expression. 'What's with him?'

"I'm sorry, but you have to die now."

He readied his broom for another wave of needles. Emma closed her eyes and braced herself for the pain. It was too late for her to move. However, moments passed and she felt nothing. It was then that a trickle of liquid poured down on her face. She opened her eyes and saw her savior, bleeding profusely with the needles struck him on the back.

"Are you… okay…?"

"COZART!" Emma yelled in both relief and worry. Relief that he was still alive, and worry about his severe wounds. She stood up and supported him. "Why'd you come?"

He smiled at her. "I managed to… lose the… woman." Cozart turned to the doll. "I'm you're opponent, wizard."

Ginger Bread frowned before swinging his broom to send more needles. "Then I'll just have to finish you quickly to get rid of her." He pointed his finger at Emma. The female nodded at her ancestor before running away, again.

There was no time to lose. She was almost there. 'Tsuna, Mr. Giotto, where are you?'

As she passed through streets, she internally shouted; trying to ask for help from any of her friends.

The image of a black-haired girl with curly locks and a green-haired teen happily munching on snacks flashed.

An asian girl just won a prize in a ball-throwing contest with a male wearing Japanese robes rooting for her.

Two loud-mouthed people shouted cheers at the people in the boxing ring. They were both fired up.

A woman and a man with a weird hairstyle were on a date, perfectly infatuated with each other.

An indigo-haired female illusionist was enjoying herself in the House of Mirrors and the Haunted Mansion, scarring anyone for life.

The raven-haired female, with the pale-haired man for a companion, was patrolling around festival grounds; beating up any rule-breakers.

Last, the image of a brunette happily sipping her tea was sitting with a blond who savored his cake.

'Please, anyone, where are you guys?'

Her pleas were finally answered.

Shefinally saw a brown and yellow blur running towards her direction. She waved at them frantically. "Tsuna, Mr. Giotto!"

The two quickly approached her.


The two kids had grim expressions on their faces. Sunlight seeped through the windows as they stared at the blood red sky. The sunset seems to be far too crimson for their liking. The girl frowned. "I don't like this; not at all, Blanc(2)."

Blanc, the boy, held her hand in reassurance. "It's almost time, Vert(3). There's no need to worry." His eyes glowed, malice reflected in them. His free hand clenched into a fist. This was all his fault. If he didn't do it, that man would never exist. He felt Vert's hand tighten on his own.

The girl smiled brightly at him. "It isn't your fault. We've never expected that something like this would happen. Don't go blaming yourself now." She looked at the sunset from their window. "All we can do is pray and hope for the best. They'll make it, I just know it."

Blanc sighed. "I know."


Tsuna and Giotto spotted the bloody Emma running towards them. The red-haired female wasn't fatally injured, so they know that the blood isn't hers. The brunette immediately hurried to her friend and supported her wobbly stance. "What happened?"

"C-Cozart, he—"

Giotto frantically shook her. "Emma, what's going on?"

She broke down into tears, falling down to her knees. She buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Huh?" The blond had a confused face. She's sorry? For what?

"I left Cozart there!" Emma turned to Tsuna. "Ginger Bread and that woman named Iris is here, in this time!" The brunette froze.

…What did she just say?

There was just no way that people from the future, those from the Future battle, were here with them in the past. The brunette's hold on her friend tightened. She glanced at her ancestor. "Go to Cozart, now! I'll look after Emma." The blond nodded before activating his flames and flying off.


Mikuro sat by herself on the fountain. Her right eye pulsated as she stared at her own reflection. She used her index finger to draw a circle lightly on the surface of the water. In the circle, an image of a cerulean-haired man and a hazel-haired woman smiling happily appeared. Her hand clenched into a fist and the illusion was gone.

The illusionist flicked her hair and stalked off. It won't do her any good if she continued to brood like this. "Why am I so out of myself, lately?" The heterochromatic woman shook her head and a malicious aura appeared behind her.

She turned around and saw the dreaded gray-colored flames form a portal. Her eyes narrowed as a baby wrapped in bandages stepped out along with a man wearing a matching outfit.

"What are the Vindice doing here in public, Bermuda?"

"Mikuro Rokudo, find Decimo. This is of utmost importance."


Alaude scanned their surroundings. He felt something odd around them. His hands itched towards his pockets where his handcuffs were stored. The raven-haired woman with him was no better.

Hibari was in a bad mood simply because she caught the stubborn pale-haired herbivore following her silently. It was only when a few minutes passed did she notice him, and that was a big blow to her pride. Her hands tightened on the tonfas, which were hidden in her black flowing jacket.

All of a sudden, she picked up on a hostile presence. She looked up, and steel gray eyes clashed with blood crimson. The man was sitting on top of the roof with an old man by his side.

"Hello, my lovely Kyona." The man even had the gall to smirk at her. She growled. Alaude saw where she was looking at and inwardly scowled. How dare this blond-haired smirking herbivore call his future mate 'my'! He would not forgive him. Before he could do anything though, Hibari already ran towards the stranger with her weapons out; spikes gleaming. She had jumped over the tents of the stalls to get to him.

"Prepare to be bitten to death."


Time's a ticking,

War is brewing.

The ground shakes and buildings rattle.

What lies beyond the battle?


Translations:

(1) Tierra Incognita - Unknown Lands

(2) Blanc - White

(3) Vert - Green


Now you know who Lavoun and Granger are!

Their full names:

1. Lavoun I. Bruphne/Lavoun Irsi-Bruphne = Nuvola Iris Hepburn

2. Granger Bide = Ginger Bread

I bet you guys can guess who the others are. They are very obvious.

1. Abbine L. Morte/Abbine Leomadezini-Morte

2. Macifello S. Leomadezini/Macifello Stogh-Leomadezini

3. Sempetta Israel

4. Grolte

5. Inullsio Shingeki

6. Gigapio Olixigna

7. Neulfim Roudchilmden

Of course, another member of the Morte Family will be revealed next chapter!

Preview:

"W-What did you do to Cozart?"

"Emma, the crystals… they're gone…"

"The owner of the crystals will be determined by the Curse Battles."

"A Representative War? You're fucking insane!"

"We'll face each other in battle, my love."

"You are an eyesore."

"Who the hell are you?

"They call me the Top Lancer!"

"Abbine, I think you've gone too far."

"No, this is just the start of my revenge."