Author's note: I do not claim to own any of the characters ^_^ they are a creation that is best kept by it's author. I hope he might read this one day and get inspired to write a sequel to Chrno Crusade.
If you have not read the manga, do so!!! It's good. ^_^ this fic is based roughly off the manga, interspercing some stuff inside of it, so if you're confused that's why.
Denizens of Darkness, Harbringers of Light A Chrno Crusade fanfic by Nightelfcrawler@yahoo.com((author's note: In case you haven't guessed, yes I do live in Eureka ^^hehehe I couldn't resist the opportunity to set something here, sides it fits!))
Chapter Two: Diabolical ProgressionA brilliant flash of light brought Rosette awake with a start. She opened her eyes, and found herself short of breath, though she lay in bed, the alarm going off by her bedside table.
She breathed a slow sigh and briefly closed her eyes, as her hand found the rattling alarm clock and shut it off. A dream… a memory. Like everything else in my life…
She sat up and stretched, and glanced out the window. It wasn't even dawn yet, and her memories had awakened her. They were often this way, sad and bittersweet longing for the life she could have had…. If only….
She shook her head violently and shoved the covers off. She couldn't think that way. If only we hadn't met Chrno… Her life was far more interesting with Chrno, and she would have hated not knowing him… besides, you couldn't change the past.
She pulled on her bloomers and brushed her hair as she shivered in the chill summer morning air. She didn't regret anything she'd done. Not meeting Chrno, not making the contract, not coming here to find Joshua. She was proud of what she had accomplished, and she was determined to see it through to the end.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, and saw lines on her face…. She had been seeing more and more of them as the weeks passed, and she worried that it could be the result of being forced to rely on alternate methods of power, rather than her own. But then, finding Azmaria and going through the battles they had been through had been important to them all.
She straightened her cowl and strode out of her room, back straight, and grin on her face. Well then… time to waking the sleeping victims…er friends… they had a long journey ahead of them today.
She decided to pick on Chrno first, as he was the more gullible victim than Azamaria. The door slowly snuck open as Rosette peeked inside, and saw her unwitting victim asleep in bed. He looked almost angelic like this, she realized with a wry smirk. Despite the demonic points to his ears, and the dark skin, without his eyes open he just looked like another sleeping kid, especially since it appeared he'd thrashed about in the night, throwing sheets and blankets all over the floor, and was sprawled in sweatpants and a shirt on the bed in an odd position.
Her grin widened slowly as she snuck forward, tiptoeing, as quite as she could in thick leather boots. Fortunately, Chrno seemed sound asleep, for he groaned once, and rolled his head to the side, a tense look on his face.
Rosette paused, and frowned, studying his face. So she wasn't the only one having nightmares of the past … There were times when she wished to know more about him… she had made a point of not asking, since it seemed a touchy and painful subject for him… however it also lead to questions from her mind.
She shook her head and drove that out of her mind. Right now it was prank time! With a wider grin, she crept forward, and then chose the right time, and bellowed right in his ear.
"WAAAAKKKKEEEE UUUUP!"
The reaction was well worth the trouble getting there, as he sat up straight, wide-eyed, and scrambled up, fell head over heels, and landed on a pile on the floor on the other side of the bed.
Rosette grinned giddily, and snickered a bit. "Good morning!"
There was silence for a few moments, then a grumpy, quite voice sounded from where the two bare feet poked up from the opposite bed-side. "Ah….right….morning…" The feet disappeared, and were replaced by a rumpled bunch of hair, followed by Chrno's eyes, tired and mock-glaring at her.
Rosette stood up, and threw the curtains open. "Bah, letting yourself open to attack like that, it's not like you Chrno." She teased.
"Maaa, normally I don't have to defend against the vile awakening monster in the monetary." He managed to taunt back, standing up and stretching while yawning wide. He scratched his head again still sleepy, and watched as she began tossing his clothing onto the bed for him. "Why so early?"
"Did you forget where we're going today?" She asked, turning her head to peer at him with a grin in her eyes as well. It greatly disturbed him to see that….
Chrno pondered for a moment, then blinked once. "Ah. But I don't see why we have to get up so early…. We had a late night…"
"Shut up. You whine too much." Rosette shoved his clothes into his arms and opened the door. "We're leaving early to get a head start. I'm going to go wake Azmaria."
"Ah." He blinked watching her, but didn't stop her as she closed the door and exited.
She shook her head amused. Something had been bothering him, though, she'd noticed… she'd have to ask him later…. But she had a feeling he wouldn't tell her… There was too much mystery about him, she snorted in frustration.
She poked her head in Azmaria's room, and was a bit surprised to see she was awake. "Azmaria?"
The young girl turned, and smiled brightly. "Good morning Rosette!" She was normally cheerful, nowadays, quite a change from before. It was a relief, in a way, not to see her sad face, not to see her tears.
Rosette smiled back. "Are you all packed?"
"Yes!" Azmaria pointed to her suitcase on the bed. "I'm ready! This is so exciting, isn't it!?" Her smile this morning was over-infectious, and Rosette had to match it.
"Yes it is. I'm going down for breakfast, make sure Chrno comes with you." She turned to leave. "And make sure he carries all the bags down!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rosette whistled, impressed as the three of them stood in front of the large mansion perched on the edge of the bay overlooking ocean to one side, and towering green trees with red bark to the other.
It had been a long arduous trip… one which they had encountered some curious guests that had merely brought up further questions about Ion's plan, and the involvement Chrno had played in it… Rizel… she was gone for now, though Chrno assured them she would probably show up later, as it was very difficult to completely obliterate those whom he was familiar with. Rizel was dedicated, loyal, and Ion cared for her the same he did any of his troupe.
After the train had deposited them in Sacramento, they had boarded the other, and taken the shorter trip up north, winding through mountains, along the coast, and finally ending up on one of the most remote locations Rosette had ever been to, the furthest town north of San Francisco in California….Eureka.
The town was well known for it's timber industry, though the rumors had started long back that gold was the reason settlers had flocked up to this remote outpost on the northern coast of California in the late 1800's. There had been some gold, but that was mostly back in the mountains where they constantly drudged, and this city was the ocean port for the influx of all travelers.
The three had arrived on train, after a beautiful journey. Rosette had seen trees before, but nothing quite as massive and towering as the Redwoods. If she didn't have a job to do, she wouldn't mind exploring and hiking around for some recreative fun… unfortunately, what brought them this far north was not pleasant business.
Every time the Order had located another Apostle, by the time they arrived, that person was gone. This time, they were dedicated to finding him or her before the Sinners did.
The Carson family was the richest and most lucrative family in the city. Their house certainly showed it, as well. Not only did it have a spectacular view of the bay, but it was the most ornate Victorian house in the entire city, with it's green trim blending in nicely with the forest in the background, that was constantly being cut back as the timber was harvested for export throughout the country. However, this didn't stop Rosette from making the immediate contact with the family on representation of the Order of Magdale.
As the three of them exited the cab, Chrno unloading the suitcases, and Az staring about with wide eyes at the beautiful scenery, Rosette stretched and let out a deep breath. "Kyaa…it's good to smell fresh air! You can smell the fish!" She grinned brightly, turning about and glancing down at the boats going to and fro on their way in or out of port. The fog hung offshore, threatening to come in at any time, but the day was still cool yet not chill. Summers were apparently very mild out here, which suited Rosette just fine, since she had to wear heavy garments all the time.
"Chrno! Whatdda ya say we go for a stroll and find some good spot to go fishing after we finish up here?" Rosette turned with a bright smile, and promptly fell over.
Chrno stood there, laden down with all their baggage, which included a couple handles in his mouth, and even a bag on his head as his hands were full. "mmff…" He mumbled giving her a cross look, but not able to do much more.
"Right….." Rosette turned and eyed the wrought iron gate, and rang the bell smartly. Azmaria glanced around, her eyes wide at the towering spires of the turrets on the mansion. It was true to the 1800's style, and very elaborate, far from anything the young Portuguese singer had ever seen, even in New York.
After several moments, the door up front opened, and a woman dressed in gowns that were fit to match the house she worked in, long garments with many buttons, walked up to greet them. "May I help you?"
"Yeah, we're from the Magdale Order in New York." Rosette said, handing over the signed paperwork. "We're expected. I'm Sister Rosette Christopher, and this is Azmaria Hendricks, and my assistant Chrno."
The woman inclined her head, her hair wound tightly in a bun above her head, and square glasses set on her nose. "Yes, Sister, you are expected. Please come in." She pulled the gate open after unlocking it with a gigantic set of keys, and gestured for them to enter, then led them up the path, and into the foyer.
The entire inside of the house was done in deep mahogany wood, and gold and green trim. It was very quiet, and they could hear the deep ticking of a grandfather clock off in the distance. In the sitting room to their right, a fire crackled cheerily.
"Please, set your belongings down, we will see to having them brought to your rooms, Sister." The housekeeper inclined her head. "Please have a seat and wait while I inform the master of the house of your arrival. Would you like tea while you wait?"
"Please, that would be gracious of you." Rosette nodded, and the housekeeper bowed, and walked out. "Wow…talk about rich…wonder if these folk know Stella." Rosette commented, peering at the polished decorations sitting on the shelves delicately.
"I'm sure that would be too much of a coincidence." Chrno commented with a smile as he sank down into a chair, wiping his brow after relieving himself of his load.
"Well, they sure are really lucky to have all this." Az stared with wide eyes at the beautiful porcelain doll sitting on the chair next to the fireplace. "She's beautiful…"
The housekeeper came back with tea, and told them the master of the house would be there shortly, and thanks for waiting, and she then departed again.
Sister Rosette sat down, and eyed Chrno. He was looking rather worn lately. Ever since the incident on the train with Rizel, she had been meaning to ask him more about his role with Ion… he had never spoke about it, and the more mysteries were unraveled surrounding Joshua, the more she realized she should hear what their silent companion had to say on the matter. "Ne…Chrno….?"
He looked up, bright eyes watching her with no sign of guile. "Yes?"
Rosette opened her mouth, but was interrupted as a soft dulcet voice spoke from behind them. "Ah, guests. I apologize for making you wait."
She stood up quickly and smiled brightly, putting her hand behind her head. "Ah, no it's fine! We've had a long trip, it's nice to unwind for a minute."
The woman was tall, and slender, almost to the point of frailty. She was clearly beyond her youth, but not quite so old as to show her age. She, like her house staff, wore old fashioned clothing of the Victorian style, in deep crimson highlighted with a delicate gold pin at her collar. Apparently up here, the roaring 20's was having less of an impact as in the main cities.
The woman smiled, and accepted Rosette's hand as she held it out, and they shook politely, then sank into adjacent chairs to speak in front of the warm fire. "I take it your journey here was pleasant?"
"It's a beautiful trip." Azmaria smiled brightly with energy. "I've never seen such big trees before!"
The woman smiled. "Yes, the geology of this area is very lovely…but it happens to be far from the city on the down side." She shook her head slowly then inclined her head. "I am Lydia Carson. My husband is the one who extended the invitation here for you at your request." She lowered her eyes briefly, then raised them slowly eyeing the three. "You are…interested in our daughter?"
Rosette nodded, and clasped her hands together. "The Order asked us to come first and talk to you, because there are many dangers that may start showing up, because your daughter is special."
Lydia lowered her head, and shook her head. "We always knew our daughter was…something special. We never knew just how special she was until…" She closed her eyes, smiling softly. "She's quite a handful, really. Once we realized that God loved her, we weren't sure what to think… Such things haven't been seen on this earth in a very long time… we were shaken. I'm glad that you were able to come, perhaps you can explain everything to her…"
Rosette grinned and gave the mistress a thumbs up. "We'll do our best! That's what we're here for!"
"I thank you." Lydia smiled and bowed her head. "Please, take use of our hospitality while you are staying here… My daughter is in school at the moment, but she shall return later this evening. Please enjoy yourself while you wait."
And with that, their brief audience was dismissed, and they decided to take a walk along the bay, and thoughtfully grabbed some fishing poles to enjoy themselves as they did so.
The day was perfect for fishing, and by late afternoon, the three were sprawled on the grass, not having caught much fish, but having enjoyed the relaxing unwind from their trip over. "I can't believe we actually managed to track another Apostle down…" Rosette sighed, propping herself up on one elbow. "There are only a few we know about, and every time a representative shows up, they've been kidnapped before we get there. It finally seems our luck has taken a turn for the better."
"Yes." Az smiled and picked a wildflower and smelled it deeply.
Rosette rolled back over, and fixed Chrno with a stare. "Oi…you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"Yes, you." She propped herself up on her elbow and gave him the 'you'd better cooperate' look. "Rizel said something that bothered me."
Chrno blinked, and sat up. "Which part?"
Rosette regarded him for a long time, then glanced out at the ocean with a thoughtful look. "Ion is searching for all the apostles, right? What for? He must have a reason for doing it, not just to gather the holy powers…"
Chrno glanced down and nodded rather distantly. "Ah…well I'm not sure what exactly he has in mind, but I know what he wants to do… why he's gathering the Apostles, I don't really know." He glanced up at her with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Hmm…" Rosette rolled over and tapped her fingers on the ground. "Well, if we manage to keep two from them, eventually we're going to have to face him anyway, right?"
"Theoretically." Chrno replied quietly.
"What exactly does Ion want to do?" Rosette fixed him with a strange look. "You've told Remington and Sister Kate what you think, but…"
"I haven't told you because you never asked…" He said quietly, staring at the ocean with a dark look. "And it's not really a cheery subject…"
"Well…?"
Chrno sighed. "Ion is tired of the fate we have…demons have always been consigned to the way of life that we built…the traditions, and the stigma that attaches to us all, is the same in a way, that God puts on the holy bearers of his word." He glanced at Azmaria and smiled faintly. "Yet, it's not inherent in our fate to actually BE that way, Ion believes… He wished to change everything… To make it equal, so that we could act on our own, without fear of breaking away from God's plan."
Rosette let out a long breath. "Riiight…if you ask me, God just takes a back seat and watches it all without lifting a finger." She plopped upright and stretched. "All of this is really stupid. People should do what they want."
"If that happened, there would be anarchy." Chrno gently reminded her. "There must be some semblance of order, or entire Pandemonium would reign…that's why Pandemonium set us up the way she did, because without some form of control, it's inherent in nature that things will collapse. Order is needed."
Rosette looked distant. "Order… Yet, that's not one of the virtues…"
"No, virtues are human sentiments of holy life." Chrno nodded once. "Sins are the opposite. In the middle are the Constants." He shrugged. "Greek Mythology did well in naming the Titans after some of them."
"Hmm..well that really doesn't help much anyway. Ion is collecting all the Apostles… what's he gonna do…? I mean, the girl here is the last one, right?"
"That is correct!" Came a very cheerful voice from behind them, causing the three to turn, and blink with some surprise, regarding a tall figure standing behind them, smiling brightly. It was a young woman, who was wearing something very conservative, in a pin striping suit, with matching hat pulled low over her head, and a long gray coat to match blowing in the light wind as she stepped towards them on high heeled shoes.
"Who are you?" Rosette blinked, a bit alarmed someone had overheard their conversation, and yet been able to understand it.
"You must be Miss Carson!" Az exclaimed with a bright smile, jumping to her feet and running over to grab the young woman's gloved hand and shake it firmly.
The young woman simply smiled, lifting her eyes to glance at Az with a friendly posture. "Azmaria Hendricks, yes?" Her eyes shifted over to Rosette, as she nodded and finally they shifted to Chrno, and stayed there for a long moment.
Chrno suddenly had a very sharp feeling crawl down the back of his spine, and he straightened a bit, realizing something was off here…the woman didn't have a holy aura…
"I'm afraid to disappoint you, though." The young woman put her hand on her hip and tilted her head to the side, the scarf wound around her neck fluttering in the breeze. "I'm not Desiree Carson." She took a few steps down and plopped her bottom on the grass beside them and stretched casually, then leaned back smiling casually as she regarded Rosette with a thoughtful look.
"Well…" Rosette sank down to the grass, puzzled. "Who are you then?"
"Oh, just a friend." She replied cheerfully. "I've come to give you some helpful advice, actually."
"Eh?" Rosette scratched her head, completely puzzled by this random stranger who just happened upon them without any reason, to give them advice on a subject that assumedly she had no knowledge of. "What kind of advice."
The young woman smiled rather coyly, and leaned forward, peering at Rosette closely, her nose nearly touching the young sister's. "Wellll….."
Rosette leaned back, a blush creeping up her cheeks. What was WITH this girl… "W…what?"
"Hmm…" the young woman raised her eyes, and studied Rosette with a speculative look. "You look the same."
"T..the same?"
The woman stood, and turned her back to them, stepping out to the end of the jetty and standing there, her gray coat flapping in the wind gently. "The same as your brother."
The three of them froze, and exchanged a startled glance, and Rosette surged to her feet instantly. "W…what!? What do you know of Joshua." For a brief moment, she thought with some alarm that this woman was being controlled by Rizel, and she had come back from near death to bother them once more…
However, the young woman turned, and stood there, rocking back and forth on her heels, a mischievous grin on her lips. "Maa, maa, it's not a bad thing!" She lifted one gloved hand and wiggled a finger at them. "It was meant as a compliment."
"What do you know about Joshua!" Rosette strode forward and came within inches of the woman, then stopped. The woman was a good deal taller than she, for her limbs were lanky and well proportioned. But there was an odd cast of youthfulness that made the stranger appear younger than her body seemed to resemble.
A single finger raised, and held itself before Rosette's nose, halting her in mid stride. "You're wasting your time here, Sister Rosette. The Apostle of Prudence is already gone."
"What!?"
The woman seemed nonplussed by Rosette's outrage, and kept smiling. "You're wasting your time here. You cannot stop Ion from gathering the apostles…" Chrno stiffened, his eyes widening, and Az put a small hand to her mouth, and eeped a bit at this sudden revelation. "However," the woman continued, "I don't wish to see you get hurt…" Her eyes slowly lifted, and shifted to stare directly at Chrno, with steady intensity. "Any of you." Chrno's breath sucked in sharply, and his mouth opened, but the woman held her hand up again, stopping him from speaking. "Go back home, Sister." She said gently, turning her head back to Rosette who stood there quivering. "There's no need for lost lives, and lost souls." Her eyes glanced over sharply at Chrno again, though he was standing rigid and still. "However…there is one thing you can do." She reached into her pocket, and pulled out a card, and handed it to Rosette, with a smile, and then leaned forward, her lips brushing at Rosette's ear gently, as she whispered something very softly, then pulled back, as Rosette's eyes widened, and locked on the woman.
Then, she gave a small wave of her hand, and with a jaunce of lines, she faded out from view, vanishing in broad daylight, as the last rays of the sun faded from view.
Rosette let out a slow breath, and closed her eyes, then turned and glanced at Azmaria, and then Chrno, who was standing with his fists clenched, a puzzled look on his face. "Chrno..?" He glanced up and blinked at her, the expression swiftly losing it's grip on his face, as his eyes turned to her. "What's going on here…? How does she know about Ion and Joshua!?"
Chrno let out a slow breath. "I'm not entirely certain but…" He hesitated, and reached for the card that Rosette held in her fingers, and turned it, staring at the address written there. "I think we can find out."
~~~~~~~
Fisherman's Warf was a popular place during the day, fishing boats, trades, barter, and the raucous laughter of the sea-faring who busied about up and down the piers on their way in and out of boats and warehouses….
During the night, however, things were quite a bit more sullen.
The three stood on the wharf, the cold wind from the bay blowing at their faces, and pondered the old warehouse they stood in front of… it was empty, condemned, and about ready to fall off the pier into the bay. Yet, this was the address listed on the card the strange woman had given them.
On the ride down from Eureka to San Francisco, Rosette had tried to get Chrno to talk about what was going on, but the stubborn demon just shook his head, and told them to wait until they reached that place, and they would see. So Rosette had given him a noogie of a lifetime, and he still refused to talk… Repeat that scene several times, and you had practically the whole train trip lain out.
Yet now, as they stood before the building, Rosette had her doubts. Whoever the strange woman was, it had been clear she was a demon when she vanished. Chrno seemed to know something about her, but was reluctant to give out information for an unknown reason, yet all they could do was trust her. Rosette assumed they weren't in any real danger, or else Chrno would have spoken up, but still she couldn't help but be wary about their predicament.
"Right. Let's go." She yanked her gun out just in case, and slammed her foot into the barred wooden door, which gave way with a rotten creak of wood that shattered upon impact of her boot.
The inside of the warehouse was empty, cold, musty, and rocked a bit with each wave that hit the bottom of the supports. They could see holes in the middle of the floor where the boards had given way and fallen through into the water, and they were very reluctant to make their way onto the main part of the building's floor.
"Look, Rosette!" Azmaria pointed over to the right, and they could see light coming from a staircase off to the far side. Apparently SOMEONE was home…
Carefully, they made their way around the outside perimeter of the wall, finding the boards were less rotten the closer to the walls you were, and carefully made their way to the staircase without incident. The light spilled out from deep down, and Rosette wondered with some curiosity, how deep this flight went, since the water was practically level with them as they descended down.
The stairs ended about twenty feet below the surface of the water, for they could feel the damp walls as they passed down. It followed into a corridor, which ended at the far end with a door where the light originated from, into a larger room. Carefully, they went down the hallway, aware that this could easily be a trap… Rosette kept a firm hand on the clock just in case, for if the water was to suddenly flood them, the only chance of them getting out before drowning would be using Chrno's powers.
Finally, they paused at the entrance, and stepped inside. The whole of the
inner chamber was lit by an eerie green light, that was so brilliant compared
to the dim darkness they had just come out of, they had to shield their eyes
from it to begin with. The hum of dozens of generators and equipment filled the
room with a throbbing whirr, and as their eyes adjusted, they saw all kinds of
gizmos, whodigits, didlybads and whizbangs everywhere.
"Ah! So you've come!" A cheery voice sounded from up to their left, and they all glanced over to a tall stack of crates, where on top, was sitting the young woman, dangling her feet casually off the high edge. "Great!"
She jumped off the crates, and landed with a sound 'thunk' on the ground, wobbling a bit on the heels, but otherwise pulling it off fairly well. She stood up tall, crossed her arms, and smiled, her eyes barely visible from beneath her hat, just like last time. "Welcome!" And with that, she spread her arms, and whipped out some little remote box, and pushed a button on it.
Instantly, around them there was a bright whirr and flash of light, and the door slammed shut, and a shimmering green barrier of some sort touched the walls, and held there, keeping them inside.
"What the…!" Rosette brought her gun up in alarm, not sure what to do, as Az squeaked, and Chrno shot a quick glance at the woman.
"Maa, maa, calm down." The woman waved her hands, and grinned. "It's just a precaution so that we can talk freely. Look." She walked over and stuck her hand to the green glowing mass, and it passed right through to the wall unharmed. "You can leave any time, but no one can enter, or listen in… You never know what prying eyes and ears might be listening." She flipped the device back into her pocket, and then spun around on one foot, and did a little goofy bow, then *poof*, her appearance abruptly changed.
Standing there in front of them with a bright smile on her face, was a young girl who looked the same age as Rosette, but had quite a bit more developed portions. She had the same general appearance as the older version of herself had, but instead of wearing the pinstripe suit, she wore a simple pinstripe sweater with a long necklace dangling down her chest, simple pants and shoes, and a long white lab coat. She straightened, and gave a wink over to Chrno, as she straightened her large round glasses on her nose, and tilted her head to one side, a long cat tail twitching behind her, and matching ears on the top of her head perked in curiosity.
"Sheda…" Chrno smiled, and shook his head, closing his eyes and looking amused. "I thought so."
"Maaa." Sheda grinned and hopped over to Chrno and gave him a very energetic hug. "You've gotten shorter! You're not as fun to tease anymore." She pinched his cheek and winked with a giggle. "But it's good to see you!"
Rosette blinked, and slowly began to put her gun away. "Um… Chrno…?"
"Ah, right…" Chrno took a step back from Sheda, and the cat-demon smiled brightly and stood facing Az and Rosette with a cheerful face. "This is Sheda.. she's an old friend… one of the Sinners too." He smiled and pointed a finger at Rosette's chest, and it took her a moment to realize he was pointing at the clock around her neck. "Sheda is the one who made that."
Rosette blinked, but shrugged and smiled. "Really? Well, any friend of Chrno's…"
"Yosh!" Sheda clapped her hands enthusiastically, and then took Rosettes hand and pumped it up and down with vigor. "I've been wanting to meet you for some time now, Rosette Christopher." Her large eyes squinted mischievously up at Rosette and she smiled wider. She seemed to be just a bubbling bundle of energy, positive and very un-demon like.
"So… why did you ask us to come here, Sheda?" Chrno asked, glancing around at the many devices she had going all around.
"Maa…" The cat-demon stuck her hands in her pants pockets and rocked back and forth on her heels. "I couldn't talk freely up north with you guys… While Ion probably doesn't mind if I poke in and say hi, what I have to say might not be very well taken…" She looked somber for a moment, then shook her head and gestured. "Come, sit. We'll talk."
They made their way over to a console where she had many crates and chairs gathered, and Sheda plopped down in a plush chair in front of a large screen, and turned to face them. "I asked you to come for a reason…What you're getting yourselves into is going to be far worse from here out.." She sighed a bit. "And as much as I wish things had gone differently back then…" She shot a glance at Chrno, who averted his eyes. "…what's done is done, and we can't undo it…so the best thing to do is move forward… unfortunately Ion sees you all as an obstacle in his way that must be eliminated."
"Sheda…?" Rosette frowned and leaned forward. "Why are you helping Ion? You don't seem the kind of person who would want to destroy the world."
Sheda laughed at that, her ears twitching in amusement. "Maa… well, if you put it that way…" She sobered a bit, but a smile still remained on her face. "Ion doesn't want to destroy the world, he wants to change it. And I support his idea because I feel the same way…we all did." She glanced at Chrno, who sighed a bit. "Unfortunately, other issues were put in the way, and made things more complex…" She shook her head. "I'm sorry that I can't help you more, but I believe what Ion wants to do is the right thing, and I will support him through that to the end. However…" She leaned forward, almost conspiringly. "That doesn't mean I can't help friends out from time to time as long as I don't intervene with our plans." She smiled brightly, and Rosette had the saddest feeling in her gut suddenly as she realized that while Sheda was a nice person, and wanted to help, she would still be on the opposing side they were.
"I understand." Rosette said quietly. "I wish it was different."
"Ma, so do I." Sheda shrugged a bit. "But enough of that. I can't spend too much time with the shield up, Ion doesn't care that I have my own lab down here, but he does stop by now and then, and though he's distracted right now, if he needs me I'd be best he didn't walk in and find you." She winked a bit, then turned and began rummaging through a box. "Hora.." She pulled out some tools, and then held a hand out towards Rosette. "Let me see it."
Rosette hesitated, putting a hand on the clock, and glanced at Chrno, who nodded in affirmation. "Go ahead." Rosette drew it off, and handed it over to Sheda.
Sheda merely grinned. "No need to be reluctant, I made it! I won't disable my own genius work!" they all sighed in slight embarrassment. Sheda certainly was self-confidant in her work.
The cat-demon turned, and began to push on the plate covering the device, and it popped off, revealing the sealed mechanisms within that released the power when activated. She carefully placed it in a slot on the console, and it snapped open, but the light from the center did not glow, as no power was being released, she was simply examining the circuits.
She spent several minutes looking at it, then began to tinker while talking. "What I need to warn you guys of…is the fact that (otttta! This doesn't go there!) …that you can't stop Ion from doing what he needs to do. (ahh what was I thinking….that's so inefficient…) Anyway… Instead…you need to focus on finding another solution….look for something that's not been found yet….(wah! Nonononoo…ah yosh…) Something that will help protect those you need to protect…even if the cost is…(ah! There done!)…"
She turned back and pushed the release on the console, and the watch closed up, and popped back out, and she held it back to Rosette. "There you are! It should function much more efficiently now." She grinned widely, and Rosette smiled taking it back from her and nodding. "Thanks."
"What were you saying about….?" Chrno began, when suddenly the light shifted red in the room.
"Ah! You'd best go now!" Sheda waved her hands quickly, pointing at the door, which slid open the moment she depressed the button on the box in her hand. "Quick!"
They turned and fled up the stairs, passing through the green barrier, and heard a voice behind them that sent chills up their spine as they recognized it…Ion had just shown up, and Sheda was laughing with him, explaining about testing some radioactive equipment.
They emerged back up top, and exchanged glances. That had been probably the weirdest meeting they had ever encountered….
~~~~~
"So…" Ion rubbed his chin with a raised eyebrow at Sheda, as she waved her hands energetically rambling off about particles in a flux-stream. "Well, anyway… were you able to test the prototype?"
Sheda nodded and punched a button on the console, and the link was formed back with her secondary laboratory back on the beach house, and the diagram came up. "It should be all ready. I tested it with theory methods, and it all checked out…Of course I can't try it for real until we have all the Apostles…" Her eyes shifted over once to Ion and she raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm… well the only one left is the girl with Chrno…" He smiled lightly, pushing his glasses up his nose again with a faint smile. "And that will be an interesting meeting…" He glanced down at Sheda, who was watching him with her hands in her coat pockets. "You were unable to locate the seventh Apostle?"
Sheda nodded. "It seems that the seventh doesn't exist. There is no soul on this earth that even registers high enough to qualify as an apostle…" She shook her head. "I think the soul was destroyed, not reborn."
"Hmm…Just as well." Ion said smoothly. "Magdalena was more trouble than we bargained for…I suppose it's best her soul remains lost. Maa, well we'll move forward once we have the sixth." He turned and strode towards the transport pad, and Sheda trotted after him, after powering down her lab, and throwing a quick glance over her shoulder, back at the stairway with glittering eyes.