To Our Beloved Reader: The chapter length sure has been very irregular lately. It's because I want to divide the chapters according to the story and not the length. I've had no problems with it before, but since the story is reaching it's end I find that I have to be stricter. But do not worry, the shorter the chapter the faster the next release (Considering the complexity and difficulty of the next chapter). Speaking of end of stories, this one is almost over. I'd like to start another story sometime after this one, but in order to do so I'd like to know which story genre would best suit it. So go to my profile and vote on my poll on which genres you would like to see in future stories. It would really help me to write something you would all like to read. If you're actually bothered enough to vote, there are two choices, remember that!

"Koizumi… any plans?" I asked.

Fujiwara didn't seem a bit surprised that we were alive. I guess that makes sense. If he knows this much could this mean that he knows what happens to the reality if I die? He can't shoot me a second time. He can't take any chances, not that he wasn't taking any to begin with. Even if I decide to waltz over to the other side of the street and give him a good punch in the gut, Asahina and everyone else here is disposable to him.

"What are your demands?" Koizumi asked.

"I want Suzumiya." Fujiwara replied tightening his grip on Asahina as she struggled. I clenched my fist in desperation, I was powerless. "You know where she is." He said calmly but hungrily. His eyes hovered over the spot Haruhi sat on the bench, on the brink of dozing off as if he could see her. She was safe and invisible to him as long as I don't…

"Kyon…" Koizumi said.

"What? What do you want me to do?" I asked under extreme pressure.

"Make the choice." Koizumi said simply, he was not smiling.

Koizumi wasn't smiling. Was all hope lost?

"W-what? N-now?" I asked.

"You must make the choice. You were chosen."

Are you freaking kidding me? How can anyone expect me to not crack under such responsibility? Are you saying to chose between saving Asahina or Haruhi? No, this wasn't even that. He was asking me to abandon Asahina or Haruhi…

"Don't give her over!" Asahina yelled.

She was silenced to a mere squeak by Fujiwara; the barrel of his gun was rubbing roughly into the side of her head. I gritted my teeth.

It's alright, she was trained to endure

No! I couldn't forgive myself for having this sense of reasoning…

"I…"

If I don't hand over Haruhi, Asahina will die. If I do hand over Haruhi, it might be the end for everyone I hold dear…

Then I saw her. Nagato was hiding behind a car behind Fujiwara. She was frightened, look of fear on her face as she hopelessly looked on from afar. Not even Nagato can help me now I see… No Nagato… I'm sorry for being so dependent on you in the first place. She came dressed in normal clothes. A nice one piece dress, expecting a nice get together with friends…

"Kyon? Is something the matter?"

My heart skipped a beat. Koizumi was looking at someone behind me alarmingly. I turned, heart beating from the surprise.

"What are you guys looking at?" Haruhi asked.

Koizumi was giving me a look that asked me why she couldn't see Asahina. I have no idea Koizumi… There was a look of pure, sick, excitement on Fujiwara's face, a child awaiting his Christmas Presents. His eyes were wide open, focused on something he couldn't see. He lifted up Asahina who was choking at this point and put the barrel to her forehead.

Can I really betray Haruhi now? She doesn't know anything; she wasn't a part of anything… She has nothing to do with this. Leave her alone…

"HAND HER OVER NOW!" Fujiwara screamed. Nagato jumped and hid completely behind the car.

There are others

Shut up.

The greater good

Stop…

Fujiwara threw Asahina to the ground and I heard a gunshot. Asahina screaming in pain, a horrible sound.

"NOW!"

Leave her

"Kyon! What's wrong?" Haruhi asked seeing my expression.

I didn't know what I was doing… I would have stood there motionless until Fujiwara starved to death, or dare I say, done the alternative…

I pulled Haruhi into a tight hug.

"Kyon?" She yelled voice trembling. "Kyon, you're shaking! What's going on?

"Trust me." I whispered into her ear.

"Kyon! What're you talking about?" She asked trying to wriggle out of my hug.

"Trust me." I repeated pulling her in closer.

"A-alright." She whispered back into my ear.

"Really?" I asked.

"Always." She replied.

I don't know what it was. A rush of calmness suddenly filled me. I let her go and took a few steps back. I can't believe I was doing this.

"Follow me." I said and crossed the street.

Fujiwara held out his hand. Asahina had fainted. At least I wouldn't have to bear the guilt of her watching me betray Haruhi. We made it to the other side of the street. I left Haruhi standing beside Fujiwara. This was it. I'm a fool for handing in Haruhi. It's better than to have a small chance of saving Haruhi rather than losing Asahina for good. I'd rather not have a life of a time traveler on my conscience. Even if Haruhi gets into his hands, he needs the right moment to deliver the code. All we need to do is get Asahina to safety first. Then we'll be free to focus on him.

"Haruhi…" I said.

"I'm confused Kyon. Can you please explain? What is it?" Haruhi said nervously.

"The person next to you is Fujiwara. I would like you to meet him." I said robotically.

As soon as I finished the sentence, Fujiwara grabbed Haruhi by the wrist.

"Hey! Who are you? Let me go!" Haruhi protested. She soon became silent as she saw Asahina on the ground.

"What happened to Asahina?" Haruhi asked. "Tell me Kyon! What happened to Asahina? This doesn't make sense!"

I kneeled down to pick Asahina up to carry her back to where Koizumi was. As I started to cross the street I was forced to turn my back to Haruhi's as she pleaded for answers. I was halfway there.

"Kyon! Look out!" I heard Haruhi scream.

This cry was different from the others. It was on a completely different sense of urgency. I looked back. Fujiwara had his gun pointed at me with a malicious glint in his eyes. No, this wasn't supposed to happen. If Fujiwara kills me this whole reality falls apart, unless… he doesn't need me.

Bang

Koizumi pushed me out of the way, the two of us along with Asahina fell onto the ground as the projectile hit the pavement. I could only watch as Haruhi tried to fight Fujiwara. He was too strong. There wasn't anything she could do in her position. Fujiwara aimed his gun at me and prepared for the second shot.

Then from behind, Nagato appeared and tackled Fujiwara with full power. The force of her tackle was amazing. It lifted Fujiwara off his feet as he released his grip from Haruhi.

"Who the fuck are you?" He spat, slithering back up onto his feet. He then pointed his gun at Nagato and pulled the trigger.

Bang

The shot hit Nagato square in the middle of her forehead. She fell backwards and remained quite motionless.

"No!" Haruhi screamed in place of Koizumi and I who were speechless at what just happened.

I tried to get up as fast as I could, not it was to no avail. My body became weak with sorrow and hopelessness. I stumbled as I tried to stand and somehow made it over to Nagato. I kneeled beside her and looked at her forehead. There was no mark what so ever. She was staring off into space with her empty eyes that no longer felt welcoming.

"Kyon!" Koizumi yelled seconds later. "The code! The timing doesn't apply to him!" He yelled pointing at Haruhi and Fujiwara.

I knew what was happening. The brief feeling of sorrow and hopelessness turned into hate and fury. Fujiwara had Haruhi once more, he had his eyes locked onto hers and was chanting something. It reminded me of how Nagato chanted when she used her alien abilities. A new kind of energy filled by body as I sprinted over to Fujiwara and gave him the mother of all punches to the face that I had the ability to conjure. I could feel my knuckles cracking from the impact. I don't care. I want this bastard away from Haruhi. He went flying just as he did when Nagato tackled him.

I turned my attention to Haruhi. Whatever he'd chanted it did something to her. She was expressionless, her eyes were as empty as Nagato's. I tired shaking her to her senses but it didn't work. The reality began to flicker.

"What did you do?" I yelled at Fujiwara.

"I don't know! You interrupted me!" Fujiwara laughed.

The ground began to quake. It took a lot of effort to keep my feet on the ground.

"Haruhi!" I yelled at her. "Snap out of it!"

There were storm clouds in the sky, swirling. There was blue lighting rippling across them. It was much like a storm but the sense of eeriness came from the fact that there was no wind. The clouds were turning blacker as they were descending about to swallow everything underneath it including everyone here. Nagato and Asahina were being lifted into the air. Their rag doll like bodies rose higher and higher and joined two more. They were sucked through the eye of the swirling cloud above us and were visible no more.

"That's right Suzumiya! Kyon abandoned you didn't he?" Fujiwara yelled over the low rumbling sound echoing throughout the reality.

I don't know why Fujiwara was yelling at a non responsive Haruhi. Was it because she could hear him? Was he just taunting me even further? I don't know anymore.

"Haruhi! I didn't mean to!" I yelled at Haruhi who probably wasn't listening or could hear anything I say over the thunder and rumbling. "I'm… I'm…"

I was beginning to rise into the air as well. Haruhi slipped from my grip as I was lifted higher and higher, just like Nagato and Asahina. Koizumi was right alongside with me.

"The reality is over." He said gravely.

"Where are we going? What's going to happen?" I asked him.

Koizumi merely shook his head.

I looked down to have a final glance of the reality I was about to leave.

"I'm sorry…"

Once again, everything was black, but this time, I kept everything.

Thanks For Reading: LordPlagus777