Author's Note:  The initial group of Weiß Kreuz characters spoken of in the story is the Glühen characters.  Any original WK characters will be noted when/if they appear. 

(g) – glühen

(o) – original     

Mistakes of the Past

Five men and one woman stood in front of Crawford.  He eyed the orange hair man standing farthest to the left and nodded slightly.  "Schuldig will go with you.  Nagi and I will stay here and monitor your progress."  He closed his eyes momentarily, flashbacks of the past two years appearing before his eyes.  Even as a precog, he hadn't been able to see the events that had happened; events that had actually bonded Schwarz and Weiß together as a team.  Now they had the chance to correct what had happened; and if they didn't, the human race was doomed.

Nagi peeked out from the operating booth he was sitting in.  "We're ready to start." Many heads nodded in response as Crawford walked behind the booth with Nagi.

The six stared at the machine in front of them, every one of them was nervous.  It didn't matter that Omi and Nagi had tested the machine hundreds of times, they were still nervous.  What if it didn't work right?  What if it sent them to the wrong place or time?

Schuldig took the initiative, pushing Aya and Youji up onto the platform.  Ken sighed as he followed them up.  On the floor though, Omi tried to coax the woman who was clinching onto his hand, her eyes clamped shut.  "I can't … I'm scared …" she whined.

Omi pulled the slightly shorter woman into a hug, whispering softly into her ear.  "It's ok Akane.  I'm here with you…but we have to try…you know that."  She nodded meekly and reluctantly followed him up onto the platform with the others.

Youji stood at the back of the group with Ken, both were grumbling about this.  Aya and Schuldig just stood quietly, but their eyes showed their determination to complete the 'mission'.  Omi looked over at Crawford and Nagi at the control booth.  "We're as ready as we'll ever be. Let's get this mission started."

Nagi nodded and started flipping switched and typing in commands on the keyboards.  The platform that the six were standing on started to glow.  Everyone, except for Ken (who had his sunglasses on), closed their eyes shut as the light grew brighter.

Crawford squinted as he watched the light.  Soon though, the light grew so bright that Nagi was forced to press a button which caused the glass of the booth they were in to darken to pitch black.  Finally the computer let off a soft ping, and the glass returned to normal.  Crawford looked at the empty platform and murmured quietly, "Good luck…"

As the light had died away, Ken was the first to open his eyes and view the surroundings.  They were in a rather secluded forest area.  He paced away from the group as Youji checked for all his limbs, Akane clung to Omi who was trying to calm down and Schuldig scanned the area mentally for signs of other people.  Aya followed Ken's idea, but going in a slightly different direction to scout out the area.

Ken and Aya came out of the forest about twenty yards from each other.  The forest bordered on a local park that they were all familiar with.  It was night though, so there were very few, if any people in the vicinity.  Schuldig walked up behind Aya, the others following behind the orange haired German.  "There are three people in the park, and I think we really need to avoid them." 

Ken walked over as Schuldig spoke.  "Why's that?"

Schuldig looked at the other assassin, "Would you want to run into a younger version of yourself?"

"Oh…no….who is it?" Ken asked, with a bit of chagrin.

"Crawford, Nagi and Farfarello…"  Schuldig looked mildly upset at the last name mentioned.

Akane bit her lower lip and looked up at Omi worriedly.  He just shook his head at her then looked at the others.  "We should head to the warehouse…"

Youji rubbed his elbow, still not sure if he was all 'there' "How do we know for sure its there? I mean, what date is it? Did we get to the actual coordinates that Nagi programmed in?"

Schuldig looked distanced for a moment then nodded, "Were a day early actually."

That statement got an immediate reaction out of Youji. "Early???? EARLY???? How do we know that everything else go here right? EH???"  The look on his face was one of concern, but the others just chuckled at him.

Omi chuckled, "Actually it makes sense Youji.  Remember that when 'it' happened, some weird stuff happened." Everyone nodded solemnly at that.  After a moment of silence, Omi spoke again, "A day early…it won't be at the warehouse yet…we'll have to wait."

Aya turned to look out towards the ocean.  "We should go check, just in case."  He turned back to look at the others, just to notice Schuldig in another one of his gazes.  "Schuldig…?" The others immediately turned their attention to the telepath as well at the sound of concern in his voice.

It took a moment, but Schuldig finally responded. "We need to move…the other me…just arrived…and I think he may have picked up on us."

They nodded in response and quickly headed back into the forest and towards the park exit furthest away from the old Schwarz team.

(At the Koneko)  Weiß (orig.) sat downstairs in the briefing room as Persia gave them their orders.  Someone was importing stolen goods from Russia.  Many of the goods were mass weapons of destruction.  Some of the people that had bought the items had already caused mass panic in Tokyo.  The mission…to find and stop the people who were importing and distributing these stolen items and make sure no more items fall into the wrong hands. 

Ken yawned and leaned back, "Isn't this just something the police can handle? Why do we have to do it?"

Manx scowled at him slightly and handed Aya a folder.  "This is a list of some of the items stolen from Russia.  Many were items collected during the time of the Soviet Union and therefore really don't belong to Russia, but other surrounding countries.  While most of the items are dangerous weapons, some hold great historical value for their native homelands."

Youji turned slightly to look at Manx, "So returning those items to their homelands would but the Japanese government in a favorable light."

Ken scowled more, "What does that have to do with us?"

Aya broke in before Youji or Manx could snap at Ken, "Some of these items look like things that Este might be after…"  Ken mouthed a silent 'Oh' after that.

Omi peeked over Aya's shoulder a moment then went to the computer, typing in a series of commands.  "I think I know the approximate area that they may have a warehouse to be operating out of."

The others came around behind Omi and looked at the computer screen.  Manx watched them for a moment, then quietly slipped out.  

(Original Schwarz) Schuldig looked towards the forest, and Farfarello was immediately away in the direction he was pointed.  Crawford stepped up next to Schuldig as Nagi ran after to help Farfarello.  "Who exactly is it? Weiß?"

Schuldig shook his head.  "What I picked up seemed similar to Weiß but completely different at the same time.  I didn't even sense that little brat Bombay."

The group cleared the forest and headed towards the exit at the fastest pace possible.  Schuldig(g) paused for a moment and turned to look back for a moment.  With a grunt he spun and quickly caught up to the others, mentally telling them what happened, "They've sent Farfarello and Nagi after us…"

Omi winced slightly but continued running, thinking to Schuldig, "This is the last thing we need…"

At the road the stopped, Aya turned to face them "Lets split up.  Omi and Akane with me,  Schuldig you take Youji and Ken…meet us at the main warehouse…three hours."  Heads nodded in acknowledgement and no more words were spoken as the team immediately broke up.

Nagi(o) and Farfarello(o) paused at the road glancing both ways, they had barely seen the group break up.  "Could you make out who any of them were?" Nagi asked Farfarello.  The other just shook his head.  With a frown, Nagi queried Schuldig(o) on what they should do.

Schuldig(o) looked at Crawford(o), "Whoever it was split up and they lost them.  They weren't able to make out who it was.  What do you want them to do?"

Crawford pondered for a moment.  "Come back.  We'll deal with whoever it was later."

Night eventually turned into day and the Koneko opened up for its daily routine, minus one member. Aya(o) scowled as he took out the trash then walked back in, "Where is Youji?!"

Ken(o) yawned and looked over from the register, "Still asleep I believe…"  He chuckled as Aya walked into the back towards the apartment muttering.

Omi(o) blinked and walked over with a hand full of flower to arrange. "What's with Aya?"

Ken shifted to look over at him, "Annoyed at Youji sleeping in and not helping out … like usual."

"Oh…" Omi shrugged and set about his flower arrangement.

Ten minutes later they heard a loud thump as Youji hit the floor and a bit of profanity quickly followed.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) for Ken and Omi, the chime sounded as some customers entered the shop.  Omi and Ken looked over to see a brunette woman and an orange haired man.  Both had a knot quickly tighten in their stomach at the sight of the hair.  Their thoughts in unison 'Schuldig'.

But as the man turned and they could see his face, they only saw a vague resemblance to the German assassin; and while it was close, it didn't look enough like him…especially since the smile on his face was obviously genuine when he looked at them.

Schuldig(g) smiled at them, it was so hard internally to not slip up.  At least Akane had the advantage of them not knowing her in this time period.  "They were rather suspicious a second ago, Akane…but I think we're ok for now…" 

She turned to look at him and smiled slightly at him, "Just…don't forget what we're here for…" He nodded and smiled at her.

Omi and Ken watched the couple.  Ken leaned over to whisper to Omi while the couple apparently browsed the flowers, "She's pretty…so that means it can't be Schuldig…"  Omi chuckled at that.

Schuldig flinched internally at that, but did his best not to show it.  "See anything you like?" He asked Akane.

Akane sighed and shook her head, looking mildly depressed. "No…I don't."

Omi heard her and immediately walked over.  "Is there something I can help you find?"

Akane looked up and smiled at him, "I'm looking for Dendrobium.  Have you heard of it? It also goes by the name King Orchid."

Omi blinked and looked back at Ken who had been listening.  The name of the orchid, Dendrobium, was actually a code word for Weiß members.  But the problem was, were these people really covert members, or were they actually looking for the flower.  Ken nodded slightly at him to let him know he'd watch the strangers so he could talk to Aya.  "I'm not sure if we have any in the back…let me…go check." Omi waited for the two to nod slightly, and then quickly slipped into the back.

Aya stalked out of Youji's room as the elder assassin slammed the door so he could get dressed.  Aya stopped suddenly as Omi rushed up in front of him and explained in detail what happened.  With a nod, Aya turned and walked down the stairs.  Omi blinked, then followed him…all the way to the basement where Aya turned on the camera to see who these people were.  "Schuldig…"

"I'm really not sure if its him or not Aya-kun…" Omi fidgeted slightly.

In the shop Akane attempted to look through more flowers.  Schuldig attempted to watch Akane, but couldn't help but glace at Ken on occasion who was watching them rather intently.  He paused and scanned the room, happening to look straight into the camera at one point.  A mistake he realized instantly, but attempted to play it off.

Aya frowned as Schuldig looked into the camera, "No…that's him alright.  He's done something to alter his appearance, but its him."

Schuldig looked back at Akane as she 'searched' "I think Aya knows back there…and I don't think we'll get close enough to find out what we need." Akane looked up at him with a pout, but mentally she was glaring at him.

Aya turned to Omi, "Just tell them we don't have any.  I don't trust them…"

Omi just nodded and ran up out of the basement, then walked back into the flower shop.  "I'm sorry, but we don't have any.  Ken heard what Omi said and quietly slid his hand to a nearby knife.

Both Schuldig and Akane picked up on the motion though; however, neither reacted.  Akane just pouted more for Omi and Ken, "Oh well…guess we'll have to keep looking…" She turned and tugged on Schuldig's arm, "Come on Jon…"

Schuldig nodded to Ken and Omi, and almost stumbled as Akane tugged.  "Ech…slow down Akane…I'm coming!!!"

With a frown, Aya continued to watch the monitors as the two left.  Youji came stalking down the stares to have more works with Aya when he spotted the look on his face.  "Who are those people…?"

Aya looked over at Youji, "The woman asked for a Dendrobium, but the man with her was Schuldig…"

Youji's eyes narrowed as he looked at the screen as well.  "This isn't good."

Schuldig(g) and Akane made their way back to the warehouse where the rest of the team was.  Omi(g) looked up as the walked in and smiled as Akane immediately walked over and hugged him.  Schuldig walked over to Aya(g), Ken(g) and Youji(g). 

Aya looked at him, "What did you all find out?"

Schuldig glared slightly and muttered, "I don't know why you all just can't remember…"

Ken groaned slightly and shook his head, "Duh…what happened the past two years…."

Schuldig sighed, "Alright, alright…couldn't find anything out…they recognized me…"

Youji grunted, "Told you they would…"

Omi and Akane walked over to the rest of the group.  "They'll be here tonight…around 1 am." Everyone but Omi turned to look at Akane.  Questioning looks compelled her to continue, many hoping she would tell how she knew.  "No one ever asked before whether I was telepathic or not…" She just smiled innocently.

Some grumbles went around before Omi silenced them, "We know when they will be here…we need to prepare.  Let them take care of their stuff…try not to interfere with their 'fights'…and focus on finding 'it' before they find us…"

Akane looked at Omi, "Isn't there a chance that it's already somewhere in that warehouse? Why don't we start looking now! Maybe we could get out of here before they even show up."

The others glanced at each other and nodded slightly.  "We still have the warehouse personnel to deal with though…"

Schuldig thought a moment, "Maybe we can make the warehouse personnel think we are there to just check the contents…make sure they are intact and what not…"

Aya nodded at that, "That could work…Youji…Ken…go see if you can find us some official looking uniforms."  The two nodded and quickly headed out.  Aya then looked at Omi and Schuldig, "Lets see if we can remember exactly which warehouse it was in…"

Schuldig(o) and Crawford(o) climbed out of the limousine that had pulled up in front of warehouse B-14.  A man in a grey overall suit walked up to them and asked for ID.  Crawford pulled out some papers to show the man, who quickly and quietly moved out of the way and let them in.

Inside the warehouse there were isles upon isles of crates.  Each filled with items ranging from Soviet weapons to historical artifacts from all over Middle and Eastern Europe.  They walked down the isles, checking lightly over the crates.  Finally after an hour, they exited the warehouse.  Crawford climbed back into the limousine again, but Schuldig paused a moment before following.  He looked up at the roof of C-14 and scowled slightly.

A shadowy figure disappeared just as Schuldig looked up.  Crawford looked out at the telepath, "What is it?"

Schuldig shrugged and climbed in, "I thought I felt something."

Crawford nodded, "Weiß…"

"Iie…" Schuldig glanced back at the roof as the limo drove off, "Something…more dangerous to us than Weiß…"

Night had fallen and the team(g) had been in the warehouse for several hours.  After Crawford(o) and Schuldig(o) had left, they had waited thirty minutes then went over (dressed in similar grey overalls) to the man in charge of the warehouse, telling him that they had been sent to inspect inside of the crates.  They had been through hundreds of crates by now and had yet to find the 'item'.

Akane sighed and sat down, looking at Omi tiredly.  "This could take forever…"

Omi, looking just as tired as Akane nodded, looking at his watch. "Unfortunately…we only have till 3 am…"  Akane closed her eyes and nodded, finally sitting back up and going through a new crate.

Outside the warehouse Aya(o), Youji(o), Omi(o), and Ken(o) prepared to go in, already having taken out several guards.  The current owner of the crates and the final few members of his security team rushed into the warehouse only to find crates opened everywhere.  "SHIMATTA!!!" the owner yelled.

Omi(g) and the others quickly hid.  The last thing they needed was to get in the middle of the battle.  Akane glanced out to watch as the younger Weiß members started fighting the security guards that remained.  She narrowed her eyes as she saw four other figures slip in through the open door.  Pulling back she whispered to Omi, "Schwarz is here…"  Omi just clenched his eyes shut at that news. 

Akane frowned at his reaction and peeked back out to watch Schwarz fight with Weiß.  She then watched as the owner quietly scrambled away from the fight.  Her mind decided to follow him, as he may know where the item was that she was looking for.

Quietly she slipped out of hiding and followed him.  The heavyset man made his way towards the back door, but had to pause for breath.  She walked up behind him. "Hello…" 

He spun around and shrieked at her presence.  "What …do you want … from me???"

Her eyes narrowed and glowed amber, "Where is the crate with the Stone?"

His eyes widened and he backed up against the crate…"I…I don't know what you are talking about…get away from me!!!!"

Aya(o), Omi(o), Omi(g), and Youji(g) heard the man's shriek of fright and each made their way to see what was going on.  A second shrill shriek from him increased everyone's speed.  Omi(g) and Youji however, held back when they saw Aya and Omi from the younger team appear on the scene.

Aya and Schuldig glanced at the woman that had the owner pinned against the crates, then looked at each other.  Omi(o) pulled out some darts with sedative on them and tossed them, hitting Akane in legs.

Omi(g) winced as she let out a yelp and fell.  She wasn't unconscious though, just dazed.  The frightened owner just sunk down to the floor.  Aya(o) and Omi(o) walked warily over to Akane who was trying to shake off the effects of the sedative. Youji(g) frowned as he watched as well, he didn't like what he saw one bit.

Omi frowned and hissed, "Aya…she should be out…" 

Aya just nodded his acknowledgement and drew his sword, pointing it at Akane.  "Who are you? What are you doing here?" Akane looked up at Aya and Omi, and then attempted to stand up, with no effect.  "Answer me!"

Omi(g) looked at Youji, "Can you go in there and get her out?" 

Youji(g) glanced at Omi then nodded, "Yeah…give me a second…"  He made his way close to the edge of a stack of crates and aimed hi watch at Omi's(o) feet.  Suddenly the younger Omi felt his legs tied up and seconds he hit the ground as Youji yanked his feet out from under him.

Aya spun and looked at Youji as the older assassin walked out from the shadows, "Youji! What are you doing?" 

Youji glanced at Akane then back at Aya, "I can't tell you that" and quickly shot wire at Aya, trapping his arms to the side.  Youji quickly dashed around the two younger versions of his teammates and scooped Akane up.  Avoiding Aya's swings with the sword, he dashed back into the shadows.  Omi(g) saw Youji get Akane, and quickly moved to meet them elsewhere in the warehouse.

Schuldig(o) and Farfarello(o) had followed Aya and Omi, but they remained in the shadows watching the events.  When Youji outright 'attacked' Aya, Schuldig stepped out into the light.  Something was wrong, and it had a similar feeling to what he felt the night before.

Aya looked at Schuldig and glared, "You did this…didn't you…" Omi grunted as he finally got into a position where he could sit up and was attempting to cut Youji's wire…which seemed stronger than normal.

Schuldig just frowned and shook his head. He motioned for Farfarello to come out and the two Weiß assassins glared at them.  "Cut them loose…"  Farfarello just stood and looked at him as if Schuldig was the one that had gone crazy. "NOW!"  Startled at the forcefulness coming from Schuldig, Farfarello quickly did as he was told.

Once free, the two Weiß assassins moved away. "What's going on?" Aya asked.

Schuldig looked around, "Whoever…THAT was…wasn't Balinese…"

"It…wasn't?" Aya and Omi looked at each other then at Schuldig.

Schuldig shook his head, "Well…it was…and it wasn't…I'm…reading two minds…but of the same person…and the one that was just here…isn't the Balinese that we know…"

"What were you thinking?" Omi(g) hissed at Akane.

She rubbed her eyes and sighed, "Trying to find the location of the Stone of course…"  Youji stood back and watched as the two argued.

"Arg…" Omi turned and punched a crate, his fist going easily through the wood.  Youji frowned…as that shouldn't have been something that the smaller assassin could do.  He was observing things that weren't adding up and it was beginning to worry him.

Akane lowered her eyes and sighed.  Omi went to pull his hand out then paused. "I…found it…"

Both Youji and Akane looked up.  Youji picked up a crowbar and immediately went over and began prying the crate open as Omi backed up to stand with Akane.

A moment later Schuldig(g), Ken(g), and Aya(g) came up.  Schuldig having 'received' a 'message' from Akane about Omi finding the Stone.  The other three men began helping Youji open the box, which quickly fell apart, the sound of the wood hitting on the floor and resounding throughout the warehouse.

Aya(o), Omi(o), Schuldig(o) and Farfarello(o) heard the sound and immediately ran in that direction.  Schuldig quickly told Crawford to hurry to their location…and to bring the rest of Weiß with them.

Crawford looked at Nagi and made a motion for them to go in the direction of the sound.  Upon them leaving so quickly…Youji and Ken quickly followed them, not about to let them get away.

The crate was packed full of the filling that was normally placed in to protect fragile items.  Carefully the group dug through the filling looking for the Stone.  Aya(g) stepped back a moment later, "I have it."  In his hands he held the object.  It was about six inches tall, four inches wide, and two inches thick.  Amber in color, when light hit it, it shone brightly.   On the top of the stone was a type of engraving that was colored in black.

Omi(g) stepped forward to look at it.  "We have to destroy it now!"  The shakiness in his voice reminded them all of how urgently they had to do so.

With a nod, Aya set it down on the ground and backed a step away.  He drew his sword and struck at the stone.  A loud clang was heard all throughout the building, but the Stone was undamaged.

"Let me try…" Ken(g) walked up and tried his hand at the stone.  Sparks flew as he hit at it with the claws of his weapon, but when he backed away, again the Stone was undamaged.

"What the fu…" The group spun around to see their younger counterparts and team mates.

"Great…I knew this was gonna happen…" Ken(g) muttered.

While the counterparts stood and eyed each other, Akane moved over to the Stone.  She knelt down beside it and placed her hands about three inches above it, the tips of her thumb and pointer fingers touching to form a diamond above the Stone. 

Crawford(o) stepped up in front of the younger Schwarz and Weiß teams and eyed the 'clones'.  A moment after studying them, he spoke "You all are from the future."  The statement was pointed more at Schuldig(g) than any of the others.

Schuldig(g) blinked and looked over at his current team mates.  With a signal from Aya(g) he turned back to Crawford. "Yes, we are."

"What the fuck is this?" Schuldig(o) let burst out, stepping up next to Crawford.  "If he's me…why is he working with them?" pointing accusingly at the former Weiß team.

Aya(o) and Youji(o) stepped up as well.  "We'd like to know that as well." Youji asked accusingly.  The rest of the two teams quietly made their way 'around' the other group, somewhat encircling them.

Omi(g) sighed and stepped up next to Schuldig(g) to face Crawford and the others around him.  "We…work together now…we have to in order to survive."  The skepticism on the faces told him to continue.  "We came back to … stop a terrible disaster from happening.  If we don't stop it … everyone will die."  The rest of the team from the future kept an eye on their younger selves and teammates.  This really wouldn't bode well for them if they wouldn't believe what Omi told them.

"What type of disaster?" Crawford asked, the procog definitely did not believe him.  "If there was some great disaster that you speak of, I would at least know of it."

Omi closed his eyes for a moment. "You didn't see this one coming.  No one did.  What happened was greater than any human mind could comprehend."  He slowly opened his eyes again, staring straight at Crawford.  What Crawford saw in Omi's eyes caused him to take a step back. 

The discussion was cut short as a light that had slowly been growing in the room began to glow bright enough to it to seem as if it were day.  Everyone's attention turned towards Akane.  Her hands were aglow with a bright white light, and the amber color of the Stone was reflecting it.  Sweat beaded up on her forehead.  Her eyes stared blankly ahead as she concentrated on her task.

"What…is she doing?" Nagi(o) asked.

"Trying to destroy the Stone before … it's too late …" Omi's voice cut off and his teammates looked at him worriedly.  "AKANE! GET AWAY!" He lunged at her, knocking her away from the Stone. 

Everyone moved away from the Stone as it seemed to grow.  Light was emanating from it on its own now.  The engraving on the top opened and a blackish-reddish light streamed into the room.

"Iie…Iie…" Omi(g) murmured. 

"I think its time for Plan B…" Ken(g) muttered to his teammates, pulling out a pack and carefully opening to reveal several pieces of wood.

Youji(g) looked over at Ken and nodded, pulling his trench coat back to pull out their former teammate, Kyou's weapon.  "I thought this might come in handy."  Aya(g) looked over and nodded slightly.

The younger teams just started on in awe…not sure what was happening or what to do.  Schuldig(g) turned to them.  "If you aren't going to help…get out of here!  We already know how to fight this demon…so get out of here before you become casualties!"

The younger Schuldig took offense at his elder's remarks.  But before he could say something, Crawford turned to him, "He's right…we need to get out of their way…"  With that from Crawford, Schwarz began back out of the area.

Aya(o) watched Schwarz leave, then looked at the scene unfolding in front of them.  "Let's go…" and with that Weiß also dispersed.

Schuldig(g) looked over at his teammates, just in time to catch a piece of the wood tossed to him by Ken(g).  Aya(g), with his katana still drawn nodded to the other three who each had weapons.  "Let's spread out…"  The others nodded and they surrounded the still growing Stone.

Schuldig came around to where Omi and Akane were and looked down at them.  They were sitting on the floor, backs against a crate, huddling against each other.  The fear on their face was enough alone to tell the telepath that both were too fear struck to help.  His attention was suddenly drawn back to the Stone though as a loud ripping was heard accompanied with a shrill shriek.  The glow began to die and what remained of the Stone fell away like limp cloth, leaving only that of a figure clad in black.  The figure stood at most at 5'10".  Its eyes glowed red as it turned to scan the room, its eyes landing on Akane and Omi.  "So you are the ones I have to thank for my release…" The voice was that of a male, but it was cold and raspy.  Slowly he started to walk towards the two.

If they were going to succeed, they had to act now.  The four who were prepared to fight rushed in towards the man.  Youji swung the ax at the man's head, but the man simply put out his hand towards Youji and he the assassin was flung backwards into some crates.  

"SHI-NE!!!!!!" Aya screamed, coming down at the man with the katana prepared to slice through him. The man's eyes glowed brighter for a second and he turned, his hand outstretched at Aya, sending him as well into a stack of crates.

Ken and Schuldig both rushed in while he was distracted with Aya, stabbing the wooden stakes into the man's chest.  The man screamed and flung the two assailents back as well.

Nagi looked at Crawford.  "Was it wise leaving them like that?  What if they were telling the truth?  What if they fail?  Will we suffer this disaster they were talking about?"  Nagi's questions stopped them all…both Schwarz and Weiß.  None of them had thought of that at the moment.  "Well I'm not going to walk off and wait to see what happens…"  With that, the young member of Schwarz turned and ran back to where the fight was going.

Crawford watched Nagi run off then looked at Farfarello, "Go with him."  At the word of 'go' alone, Farfarello was off, following closely behind the telekinetic boy.

The members of Weiß watched as the two ran off then looked at each other.  No words were spoken, but all turned and ran back in as well.

Nagi skid to a stop just as Schuldig and Ken hit the floor.  Youji was attempting to get up from his blow, but seemed to be in too much pain to do so.  Instead he was aiming his watch to fire his wire at the assailant.  Nagi glanced over at Aya and saw that he was out cold. 

The man paid no heed to the attack that Youji seemed to aim at him.  Instead he was walking towards Omi and Akane again.  Nagi looked at them and saw the fear on the girls face, but wasn't the least surprised when Omi got up and moved between her and the assailant. 

Schuldig(g) looked over at Nagi, "Kill him…you have to kill him…"

Nagi looked over at Schuldig, "How?"

Schuldig winced and rolled over a bit, "See the broken pieces of wood…? Embed those into his heart…"

Nagi looked around and nodded, then turned to Farfarello. "Go in and distract him for me."  Farfarello grinned and went in, sending knives flying at the man in black. 

The man turned to look at Farfarello, his eyes glowing bright red.  He stretched out his hand in an attempt to knock Farfarello back like he had with the others, but Farfarello avoided the attack.  Nagi used the time to cause the pieces of wood to rise up, focusing all of his energies into the task.

Omi turned and helped Akane up while the assailant was distracted by Farfarello.  "Omi…" Akane pointed to the pieces of floating wood.

He turned to look at them then looked over at Nagi and smiled.  "Ok…let's get the others out of the way…"  She nodded and they went separate directions.  Omi went and moved Aya and Schuldig out of Nagi's way, while Akane helped Youji and Ken.

The man was getting frustrated with Farfarello.  He couldn't seem to get a good hit on the man, and even when he did, it didn't seem to affect him all that much.  Nagi opened his eyes, and the wood went flying at the man, avoiding Farfarello in the process.  The wood embedded itself in him and the man let out a howl of pain, falling to his knees.

Akane's eyes widened, "It's not going to be enough!"

Weiß walked up and looked at the man.  "What needs to be done?" Aya(o) asked coldly.

Omi(g) looked at him, "Cut his head off…"

Aya(o) nodded and ran at the man, quickly unsheathing his katana and striking down on the man.  As Aya turned around, the head of the man hit the ground.   Then, as everyone watched the head spoke, "I may be gone…but I'm not the last…"  Evil laughter filled the room as the head and body turned to ashes.

Schuldig(o) and Crawford(o) finally joined up with the rest.  "That was a little too freaky for me…" Schuldig mumbled as he looked at the pile of dust.  The elder Schuldig(g) looked up at his younger counterpart, then shook his head.

Ken(g) rubbed his neck, "Hey…guys…if we fixed the future…why…are we still here?"

Those from the future turned and looked at Ken, then at each other.  He was right.  Had the future been altered like it was supposed to, they would have disappeared…returning 'home'.  Aya(g) frowned, "He said that he wasn't the last…but…he was the first and without him there wouldn't be any others…"  The six looked at each other. 

The younger teams looked at each other, mainly confused because they didn't know what was going on.  Finally Schuldig(o) spoke up.  "He was a vampire, wasn't he?"  Nods answered his question.  "So…you came back to stop him from creating others like him who would then terrorize the world?"  More nods confirmed this as well.  He stepped back, eyeing the group from the future.

Nagi frowned and looked at them, "If killing him was supposed to take care of the vampires…then you all would have gone home the instant Aya cut off his head…"

Omi(o) eyed the older version of his teammates, "So either there is another one of those stones…or one of you is a vampire…"

"Actually…it's two of us…" Omi(g) stepped forward with Akane right behind him.  Ken(g) turned away, and  Schuldig(g) and Aya(g) looked at them both sadly. 

Youji(g) closed his eyes, "I knew something was up…Omi's(o) darts hardly having any effects on her…then you just punching through that crate like it was paper…"

Omi(g) nodded slightly.  "We didn't want to tell you…because we knew that you couldn't destroy the Stone yourselves.  One of us would have to destroy it.  Unfortunately we weren't fast enough and he managed to escape the confines of the Stone."  He lowered his eyes slightly to look at the ground.

Ken(g) looked back at the two and gulped slightly, "So…in order for the rest of us to go home…you two…have to…die?"

"That is correct…" Akane responded.

The other four members of the team looked at each other.  They all knew that none of them could willingly put to death their friends.  Finally, after watching the team from the future stand in silence, Crawford(o) spoke up.  "We'll take care of it then…"  Eyes shot up to look at the cold look on Crawford.  The members of the future team realizing it wasn't the man they had grown accustomed to. 

Omi(g) finally looked up, "That would probably be for the best."

Crawford nodded then looked to Nagi.  With a slight sigh he resigned himself to the task once more.

Akane slipped her hand into Omi's.  He gave her hand a slight squeeze trying to reassure her.  It hadn't been that he wanted to become what he was.  Nor had he really wanted to bring her down with him…it had just been so lonely having become what he was.  Not being able to tell his friends because they would have to kill him.  She had willingly joined him…maybe because she felt sorry for him…maybe because she loved him.  He didn't know for sure, but none the less, she had been there for him when he had needed her. 

But now, it was resulting in both of their deaths.  They knew that the sacrifice had to be made.  If they were allowed to live, eventually the hunger would become more than they could bear and then they would become the monsters that they despised so much. 

With their deaths would come the freedom of humanity...their future rewritten on the canvas of time.  Their fellow teammates would go home to a different world.  Hopefully a better world than that they had come from.  That's all any of them could hope for.  Surely it had to be better than living in fear for your lives…for that was what the whole world had been doing since that night.

Suddenly though it seemed as time stopped.  Omi opened his eyes, having realized he had closed them.  He looked down at the wood sticking out of his chest.  It didn't hurt as badly as he had expected.  He looked over at Akane.  In her chest also stuck a piece of the wood.  She smiled at him sadly as if to say good bye.  He smiled back at her, a tear rolling down his cheek.

Everyone watched as the two disappeared into dust.  A solitary tear falling down with the dust and landing softly in the grey powder.  Instantly, the four remaining members of the team also disappeared, returning to where they belonged.

Omi(o) walked over to the remains and knelt down beside them.  At best he was in shock…having watched himself die…yet die so respectably.  He ran his fingers slowly through the dust, scooping a little into his hand and letting it slip through his fingers.

"Bombay…let's…go home…" Ken called to him.  Omi rose, walked over to his teammates and held out his hand.  In his palm rested a small tear shaped rose colored crystal.  The other three just stared at it.  A moment later, Schuldig, Nagi and Crawford walked over to see what Omi had found.

"Keep that, Bombay…and never forget what we witnessed here tonight…" Crawford spoke softly.  With that said, he quietly turned and left the warehouse, the rest of Schwarz following in quiet solemnity.

Omi slowly closed his fingers around the crystal and looked at the other three, "Yes…let's go home…"

The four returned to their time and looked around.  They wondered if anyone would remember what they remembered.  They wondered what had happened these past two years.  They were in the same room that they had left from, but the electronic equipment that had been there before was not present now.

Crawford walked into the room and turned on the lights.  Nagi and Farfarello followed in behind them.  The team looked at them, then at each other, not sure what to do or say after what they had just been through.  Crawford eyed them all, "You…just got back, didn't you?"  They nodded in response.  "Then its time that we caught you all up on what has been happening since you…left…"   With that, he turned and walked back out.  The four filed out passed Nagi and Farfarello, who then turned and followed them.

Crawford led them up some stares and down a hall with plush carpet.  They came to a stop in front of two double doors which Crawford pushed open.  The room looked like an office with some couches.  One couch faced out a window where there was one figure sitting there.  He heard the door open and the people filing in.  He then rose and turned around to face them.  "Welcome back…" he held up a tear shaped crystal which caught the light…and filed the room with a soft blue light.

April 15, 2003

Chapters
Hello
Life...
Imaginary
Taking Over Me
Whisper
The Man Without Fear
Fade Out/Fade In
Mistakes of the Past