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 Chapter Five: Battle's Begin.

It was several days later, when the finally heard the news.

It came in the form of a bolt of lightning, followed by a scream.

Instantly, the whole Order was up and awake, and running to the windows and doors to peer out alarmed. Rosette stuck her head out and spotted two figures on the lawn running from the small chapel on the corner of the grounds, Elder and Chrno.

Sadly, what they discovered was far from being reassuring. It was a poor soul whom had obviously been an innocent used for this purpose, dead with a note pinned to his chest. Remington bent down, and slowly took the paper off the body, peering intently at it. He scowled, but then turned to face Chrno, and held the note out. "It's for you."

Chrno looked very taken aback, and his aged features sharpened in alarm. He took the note and instantly glanced down at it…and his eyes widened, then narrowed in anger, and his fist clenched the letter, crumpling it as he held it.

Remington watched him carefully. It was obvious since the demon had regained half his powers, that the priest regarded him as more of a threat. However, he also knew that Chrno was nothing if not loyal to those he cared about, which included Rosette, the Order, and Joshua.

"What will you do?" Remington said quietly, watching Chrno closely. "Ion is obviously furious enough to warrant killing innocent people by the dozen now, though he never hesitated killing them before now either."

Chrno shook his head, and then lifted his chin up firmly. "We have to put a stop to this now before it gets out of hand. Ion's gone too far." His voice strengthened, and took on a sharp edge, and Rosette felt a crackling at her heart, and upon glancing down she saw the clock was lighting up a bit. Chrno was furious.

"Let's go." Chrno said in a dark voice, locking eyes with Remington. "And put an end to this right now."

Central Park was dark and somber at this late hour. All the electricity had been completely cut off, per the Order's request, and so no light save the glimmer of handheld torches showed that anyone was present in the park.

Rosette sat in the bushes, watching as the final preparations were set in place. Ion had gone too far. Chrno had told her later, what the letter had spoke of… Apparently, Ion had seen through their little ruse, and grown increasingly irritated at his former comrades' interference. He had decided to make his final move, with a final trump card to boot, and invited Chrno and Rosette to personally witness the glory of his plan, and if they did not come, their precious friend would be forfeit….

Stella….

The Astral Line was a strong focal point here in the park for some reason…why, they never went into details about, but Rosette just understood it was so. Ion had told them flat out to meet him there at midnight, if they wanted a chance to retrieve Stella.

And so they had. However, they had taken additional precautions as well. The entire Magdale Order was gathered, hiding out of sight, in the bushes fully laden with weapons. Rosette felt that this might very well be the final stand. Whatever it was, they were determined and set.

Rosette glanced over at Chrno, whose face was lined with worry and intense concentration. Ever since she had given him his single horn back, he had been distracted in some ways. She wondered if it were possible, would he re-grow the missing horn? Or were horns things that did not regenerate like the rest of a demon's body?

She shook her head, and glanced back up at the sky. It was time.

The sky suddenly crackled with black and red light, and a warp in space opened, and then shut, leaving a tall figure, backed by several others, standing on the rise in the dead center of the park.

Ion.

Rosette's jaw tightened as she saw Ion was dressed in his 'battle' suit, his true form. Obviously, he felt it was necessary…

"Chrno!" Ion bellowed out, the large sword in his hand sweeping the sky above his head, and plowing into the earth with a solid 'thunk'. "Come on, don't keep me waiting all night."

Rosette threw a glance at Chrno, who returned it, and nodded, standing up, and striding towards the figures with an unwavering step. Rosette fell into pace behind him, her eyes intense on the smaller figure on the ground beside him. Stella….she looked badly injured!

Chrno stopped at the bottom of the rise, the wind picking up and blowing his red coat flaps out behind him dramatically, as he lifted his gaze to lock on Ion's. For a tense moment, Rosette knew silent words were being exchanged between the two.

"Hah…" Ion pushed his glasses up his nose a bit, a wry smile on his face. "I never thought you would have gone that far… Manipulating Sheda, attacking Joshua, and sending your friend here…" He pointed a long talon at Stella. "…to interrupt my plans with her sister." His eyes hardened. "You've stopped being a bother, and become a nuisance, Chrno."

Chrno just stood there, hands in his pockets, staring up at Ion with a neutral glare. "Ion…"

Ion spread one hand and shrugged. "We used to be close, once…brother."

Chrno's eyes narrowed more, and Rosette saw his fist clench. Yes…brothers…they had been close enough to be so, but that had all changed after Chrno had picked love over friendship. "Times change." Chrno spoke quietly.

"Indeed." Ion's eyes hardened more, and the light reflected off his glasses eerily blocking the light from reaching his eyes. "More the pity. This must end now, Chrno." His hand lifted, and the sword began to crackle with energy. "I have what I need. I only wish you would have re-joined me. But instead, you will die…just like your lost love!"

The sword came down with a violent impact, and red runes began to spread out from the blade's peak, along the earth, lighting up the whole scene. They could all clearly see the figures behind Ion now…they were the Apostles, all 7 of them. Also, the other Sinners were there, silently backing the group with an ominous presence. As they watched, blue light began to expand from the Apostles, encompassing them, and their voices all began to lift in song…

All but one…

Rosette was the first to notice it, while everyone else around them began to panic, thinking that this was the final move, and they had to act now…but she was quick enough to noticed that one individual was not singing…

Joshua…

His eyes were glazed over like the others, but as the singing began, Chrno stood tall and transformed into his true form, preparing for battle, throwing a glance back at Rosette with wide nervous eyes. However, she turned her gaze back, and locked eyes with her brother. His eyes were normal…and frightened. She saw in that instant, he was aware of what was going on.

It happened quickly, almost so fast that they didn't have time to think that their actions might have been incredibly foolish in retrospect.

Joshua gave a sharp shove to the Apostle in front of him, and the Apostle stumbled, breaking the blue light, and giving him a free exit. He bolted, even as Ion's head turned, his hand coming up to stop the boy from running.

A flash of black and purple appeared in front of the two as Chrno threw himself between them, grabbing Joshua's shoulders and wrenching him to the side, as Ion lashed out with a hand, glowing power exploding into Chrno's back. He gave a cry of pain, but went into a roll, still protecting Joshua, and the two of them tumbled into the brush, where Remington stood up, all the holy guns instantly aimed at the two, as for a moment, no one breathed.

Rosette ran forward, gasping. "Stop!" She threw herself in front of the two, even as Chrno was slowly rising to his knee, his back scorched and blackened from the blast, but slowly healing at a decelerated rate than normal. Yet, she need not have worried, for Joshua was already on his feet, and wrenching at the remaining horn on his head, with a bellow of pain. As they watched, he physically ripped it from his head, and stood there, gasping, tears of blood running down his face, and streaming from his head where the horn had separated….but a slow smile lit his face, as his eyes landed on Chrno, and he held the horn out to him in silence.

Rosette couldn't hold back her joy any longer, and flung herself at him, not caring that he was bloodied, and disheveled...but he didn't appear to care either, as he wrapped his arms around her, sobbing into her chest. "Rosette! I'm so sorry…so sorry…"

"No….it's not your fault…." She sobbed in return, burying her head in his shoulder. "You're back….finally…."

Remington smiled and shook his head, gesturing for a nurse to step up, and tend to Joshua. Rosette took a step back, still overcome by emotion, but wiped her tears away, streaking Joshua's blood over her face, as she turned to glance at Chrno.

The demon who had fought diligently at her side for four years, was standing tall, and proud, a smile on his face, watching them, as the other horn finished attaching itself to his head, re-uniting his full power again for the first time in over fifty years.

But they couldn't afford to spend time reflecting on nostalgia and congratulations….

Chrno turned, and rose his gaze to lock on Ion's, as the demon stood there, stone-faced, and obviously furious, as his aura fluctuated around him like an angry flame.

The battle had begun.

What followed could only be described as complete chaos. Chrno launched himself at Ion with a bellow of rage, and the two rocketed up into the sky in streaks of light, and began their high-speed battle, which the onlookers below could not follow by simply watching.

Rosette held her hand tightly on Joshua's shoulder, as the nurse finished tying his bandages on. "Chrno…" She glanced down at the clock around her neck, which was still dormant. They were still linked, as he hadn't terminated the contract yet…and she had the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach that it wasn't over yet.

"Rosette…" A quiet voice at her elbow made her turn and glance over at the sandy haired boy smiling up at her quietly. She couldn't help it, and returned the smile, tears still in her eyes. "There is something….I have to tell you." Joshua's face was troubled, and he stood up slowly, casting his eyes upwards at the battle above. All around them, the Magdale Order was absorbed in fighting with the other demons, explosions of sound and light rocking the battlefield. All this was drowned out to her, as she frowned at her brother.

"What…?"

His eyes lowered back to her, and he opened his mouth, but suddenly there was a loud scream, and their eyes shot up as they saw a rocketing streak heading their way. Rosette gasped, and closed her eyes, as an explosion rocked around them, blinding, and deafening them…but not harming them. She slowly peeked, and saw Remington standing there, cross sword held up protectively diverting the power all around them like a beam of light.

Rosette let her breath out, and then her eyes widened. "Chrno!" She surged forward, and rushed past Remington as he lowered his weapon, and knelt down beside the fallen demon, who was slowly sitting up, already healing quickly, despite the smoking crater he lay in.

His eyes were intense with anger, but still clear and focused. "I'm fine, Rosette…but I don't understand it…" He rose to his feet, gazing up intently at the figure floating high above them. "He too, lost his horns…yet he has more power than I…where is he getting it from? That sword?"

Rosette gazed upwards, and her eyes sharply widened. "Look!"

Ion had raised the sword above his head, and black lightening began to focus around him, swirling in runic patterns and lighting up red, sparkling the sky with an eerie bloody glow. As the group watched, they saw the Apostles that had been defended by the remaining Sinners, rise up into columns of light, and surround Ion.

"It's happening…" Chrno breathed quietly, putting a hand up to grip Rosette's shoulder firmly. She glanced up at him, and saw worry on his brow. She felt the same way…what was to happen? All their firepower had no effect on Ion, as the cannons blasted away, but were deflected by the crackling barrier keeping Ion and the Apostles beyond touching reach.

Remington stood up, and frowned heavily upwards. "What is he doing?"

"He's doing some kind of summon." Chrno said softly. "For what though? He has Pandamonia and the Apostles, what more powerful being or entity could he be pulling forth?" He stiffened suddenly, and his eyes jerked over to meet with Remington's the same time the priest stiffened and came to the exact same revelation.

Rosette blinked, and glanced between them, uncertain what they had just realized. Joshua, however, lowered his eyes. "Yes…" He said quietly. "It's 'that'."

"That?" Rosette asked, a twitch of her brow beginning to show. "Um, excuse me. Mind clarifying your damn insinuations?"

Joshua shrugged slightly, and winked at his sister. "Maa, well that's what you get for sleeping in during the nights when I read my books."

*twitch* "THEY WERE OCCULT BOOKS AND WITCHCRAFT!!!"

Joshua cowered beneath his furious sister, as Chrno and Remington stood staring wide-eyed at her in the background. "Ya, take it easy, neesan!" He waved a hand at her, then held a finger up. "Listen carefully."

"Long ago, when God created the world, he didn't begin with simply the Earth, as we believe. Instead, he created several constants, demi-gods beneath him, who were the basic principles of life. Greek and Roman Mythology talks about them greatly, and we use them from time to time in modern day to explain many things…" Joshua lifted his eyes to the sky. "Each demon has an affiliation with one of these demi-gods, or the other… and each human has an affiliation with muses. It normally is something we never realize…but Ion was able to break through that barrier, and determine what he could manipulate… He discovered that he could summon one of them and re-create the world according to his ideas…free of discrimination, where everyone has equal reign without the stigma of 'demon' or 'angel'." Joshua glanced over at them, his blue eyes intense. "But of course it will destroy this world in the process, for nothing can survive a restructuring of society…"

Remington sighed. "Like we thought…Ion seems to be the bearer of Havoc."

However, Joshua shook his head. "No…he doesn't want disorder. He wants Order and Creation." Joshua turned to look at them, his eyes wide. "He believes he's the New God."

Chrno growled a bit low in his throat. "His ideas were appealing at first…we all agreed that our fate was not one that we desired…" He sighed, and put a hand to his head in thought. "But…the way we had to go in order to achieve what he thought was the right  path was…too costly for me. And I'm beginning to think the others have doubts as well."

Remington glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes. "Can't you stop him?"

"From summoning?" Chrno shook his head. "It's gone beyond where I can stop it…At this point…" He stopped, and stiffened.

His eyes slowly drifted over to Rosette, standing with her hand on Joshua's shoulder, then to Stella, who was laying with the nurses, barely conscious, and lucky to be alive, to Remington, standing tall and somber, ready to battle to the death, to the sisters and brothers working to fight for their right to live….

He closed his eyes, letting the wind blow his hair about, feeling the air, hearing every last sound, smelling the scent of danger, and seeing their faces.

Rosette instinctively knew what he was about to do. "Chrno…no there has to be something else we can try first…!"

He held a hand out towards her, in a halting gesture, his eyes smiling kindly with his face. "Rosette…Joshua…" He faced them both, and then gently took both their hands in his own, kneeling in front of them. "Whatever happens, you have my eternal thanks for everything… I would never take back anything that we have done together…and you have taught me more than I could ever hope to learn in a lifetime." His genuine smile was calm and peaceful. "We have shared much together, good and bad… and whatever the result, I am thankful for everything we have done together."

Rosette's bottom lip trembled. "Chrno…"

Joshua simply nodded, and then threw his arms around Chrno tightly. "Good luck, Chrno-niisan." He murmured quietly, pulling back to stare back at the demon whose horns had so ruined his life. He hated him, yet still loved him for everything he'd gone through to help Rosette. Theirs was a complex association, to be sure.

Rosette pushed Joshua aside, and grabbed Chrno's face in her hands, and stared him flatly in the eyes, much to his surprise. His slit crimson eyes widened, as he was forced to stare into her eyes. "Chrno… You'll win." She said flatly, her eyes intense, filled with tears, and locked on his. "No whining."

For a moment, the demon said nothing, then a quiet smile graced his features, and he put his own hand up to her cheek, and brushed away a tear fondly. "I understand."

At that moment, with the glowing red light behind them, flooding the park in it's eerie glow, provided the perfect backdrop, as the two slowly leaned into one another, and met gently as their feelings finally became clear, in this final moment. Rosette's heart pounded, from fear, excitement, and an ache that she couldn't describe. Somehow, she was calm, and panicked at the same time… In the deep gut inside her, she knew that this was it…and there was a good possibility that they would never have the chance to meet again after this. She closed her eyes, feeling his lips against hers, and a tear rolled down her cheek, and she wasn't surprised, to feel a matching one that wasn't hers, on the other cheek.

They slowly pulled back, and shared one more silent moment, before Chrno rose, and turned around, planting both feet on the ground firmly.

Ion's barrier was increasing in intensity, and beginning to shrink, into a pinpoint of light between the center of them…it no longer protected the Apostles from any outside attack, and as the group watched, their limp forms began to drop to the earth, one by one….

The order rushed to catch them, as the light continued to constrict upon Ion and Pandamonia's head in the center of the circle. Brilliant red light began to shoot out in rays in every direction, as a strange crackling and ripping of something unseen began to occur.

However….

Chrno crossed his arms before him, and a crackle of blue energy began to focus around his body, like electricity jumping from point to point, wrapping itself around him, and then encompassing itself into him. As they watched, the wind began to pick up around his glowing form, and strange runic patterns began to form beneath him, similar to the runes that surrounded Ion, but different in shape.

Everyone held their breaths, and Rosette stood watching, her heart pounding. What was this…? There was something not quite right… He's holding back!

There was a sudden click at her chest, and her eyes widened in time to see the clock's seal open.

Her breath caught again, but this time in sharp pain, as green light began to spill out from the clock around her neck, and streak in pinpoints of light towards the growing runic designs absorbing the light and intensifying in increasing amounts.

For Rosette, all she saw was a warm green glow, and Chrno's face, concentrating intently, as blue runes began to creep up the sides of his neck and face, as he summoned the power required to unleash his ultimate attack….

And everything slowly faded to black, as Rosette felt the last breath of life from her chest, expel itself, and rush towards Chrno with all the love she had left to give to him.

Her body slumped, and she didn't even hear the cry of alarm that came from Joshua as he caught her body, as her consciousness faded out, into eternal night….

While everyone else was scurrying to Rosette's side, Chrno remained oblivious to the proceedings behind him, as the blue runes grew with more intensity around him, lighting to a point where it was too blinding to even look his way.

Joshua watched, with tears in his eyes, thinking it was probably for the best that no one pointed out what had just happened to the demon…otherwise he might lose momentum over grief.

The glowing red above them was nearly finished converging on Ion, and they could see his form outlined from inside…distorted and warped into something else. Chrno, however, did not hesitate a moment longer.

They heard the sound, something akin to the Freeze Barrier, but different, and Chrno shot up like a beam of blue light, and streaked through the sky directly at Ion. For a moment, everyone held their breath, as time slowed while the two grew nearer….

Everything exploded.

The light was more brilliant than the focus of what an atomic bomb might produce at it's nucleus. Everyone shied their eyes away, as a sound barrier of silence exploded out, momentarily deafening them, and blinding them as the two converged.

Several moments later, when their eyes began to re-adjust with black spots dancing before them, and their ears tuned back into the throbbing pulse of the wind, and the sound of breaking timber and moaning earth as it rippled beneath them, they saw the result.

Chrno hovered directly before Ion, his fist extended, the runes running all up and down his visible skin, glowing with a fading light as the last amount of his power expunged itself from his body.

However, Ion's hand was firmly gripped over Chrno's fist, as he hovered there, face impassive, and eyes glowing bright red.

Chrno's eyes widened, and he looked completely floored…his attack had absolutely no effect on Ion… But it was clear it had been a very powerful strike, as the leaves, grass, and even the earth all around them had been eradicated into absolutely nothing….the ground turned to rock beneath their feet, the trees reduced to seedlings, and the grass wilted into ash…

Joshua slowly let his breath out. "It…didn't work." He whispered.

Remington gripped his sword tighter. "How is that possible? I thought this was supposed to be an infallible means of attack!" His eyes narrowed. "It had the opposite effect of the Freeze Barrier…instead of freezing everything around him, it accelerated or reversed the process of aging…everything either turned to ash, or was reduced to it's primary element… such a thing is incredible, and yet…"

Ion's laugh rang out strong around them, echoing eerily off the barren patch the two hovered over. "Chrno…you continue to surprise me." He grinned darkly, his eyes flashing with amused intent. "You have powers that I never imagined. But I'm sorry to disappoint you." His fist released Chrno's hand, and all below watched as he brought the sword up, and whipped it around with violent force, to knock Chrno back in a concussive blast, a good fifty feet.

Chrno managed to right himself, and hover there, though his power was fluctuating around his body, growing weaker. He had just expelled everything he had into that attack, as well as Rosette's last breath of life…and he was very low on resources now.

Ion spread his hands, and they watched as red light crackled between his palms, and to their shock and surprise, two horns shot up from his temples, and took their place on his head once more, longer, sleeker, and covered in red runes. "As you see, you were too late. I have received the power I seek." He held the sword out, and then tossed it carelessly into the air, and the whole thing disintegrated into black ash, which was blown away on the wind as quickly as a breath of cold air. Ion smiled coldly. "You put up a valiant effort, I must commend you. However, it seems my will won out in the end." He shook his head, and put both hands together, in almost a gesture of apology. "It's too bad you decided to allow your petty emotions get in the way of your brain…but it's too late now." He straightened, and his eyes glowed with a new intensity. "At least you will have the peace of going to rest with the two whom you care so much for…." His hand lowered, and pointed at the ground…directly at Rosette.

Chrno's eyes finally lowered, and widened in complete shock, as he saw Joshua, Remington, and Azmaria all gathered around Rosette's limp form, the clock open, and empty of all light.

The howl of agony was loud enough, that to this day, those who were in New York City and lived to tell the tale, would remember it as something that shook the roots of their soul at it's piercing cry of anguish.

Ion watched with a rather sad look on his face, as his former associate nearly bowled the others over in his frantic need to jump to Rosette's side.

Joshua grit his teeth a bit, but stepped back as Chrno fell to his knees, eyes wide and locked on Rosette's face, as tears rolled down his cheeks, falling like raindrops on her pale cheek. Sobs shook his body, as he collapsed onto the ground beside her, gathering her head into his lap and clinging to her tightly, as the full realization of what he had just done, hit him like a train going at full speed over a cliff.

No one could gather enough courage to say a word to the mourning demon, and just stood silently by his side.

Silence…peace and calm… Am I dead…? This must be, I remember watching Chrno…I remember dying… This can't be what heaven is…

"You're half right…" A soft voice came echoing to her, like a breath across the distant chasm of darkness. "Open your eyes."

Slowly, she responded, and did just that. The darkness faded back as her awareness became associated with her surroundings. It was still silent, but the light began to filter through her vision, and she slowly sat up, and glanced around.

She was in an empty chamber, round and smooth on the sides, made of an unidentifiable substance. In the very center, was a glowing ball of intense light, that was so bright she couldn't stand to look at it for more than a second. It throbbed with a pulsating rhythm, and the color around it was tinged in a bloody red aura.

"Welcome, Rosette Christopher." The soft voice emanated from behind her, and caused her to turn her head to see who it was who spoke.

Standing there, with a gentle smile on her face, her hair blowing lightly about behind her in an invisible wind, appearing just as Rosette remembered her, was Mary Magdalene.

"You look surprised." She smiled gently and approached, holding a hand out to her as she leaned over.

Rosette blinked, and slowly took her hand, and felt the warmth of it, and smelled the soft fragrance…yes…this was real… "How… I mean… you're dead, aren't you? Am I dead now too?"

Magdalene smile and laughed softly, her laughter sounding like a tinkle of merry bells. "Well… yes and no. I am surely dead, and you have just died. However, it's not a simple as that."

Rosette blinked, and glanced down. She was dressed in her usual outfit, but uninjured from any of the attacks they had just been through. "I don't understand…"

Magdalene smiled and turned to face one of the walls. "Here, let me show you." She reached out a porcelain fine hand, and touched the wall nearest to them.

Instantly, it lit up and then faded, showing them a clear picture of a scene….

Rosette's eyes widened. "That's… me….but then…?" Her breath caught as Magdalane smiled.

"Yes, you have it. Here." She touched another portion, and sound flooded in to them. The sound of Chrno sobbing, and murmering Rosette's name over and over.

Tears stung her eyes as she listened. "Chrno…"

"He cares deeply for you. Perhaps I should be a little jelous." Magdalane smiled at Rosette gently. "But I'm happy for him. He has such a caring person in my place."

Rosette closed her eyes. "So… we're inside of Chrno?"

"Yes." Magdalane folded her hands together and tilted her head. "Is it so surprising to you? The clock absorbs your life and soul slowly. Yet you never realized what might happen when your time ran out." She smiled sadly. "You must remember who created the clock."

"Sheda." Rosette nodded, but still frowned in puzzlement. Magdalane smiled calmly, watching her, until Rosette's eyes widened in understanding. "She altered it didn't she?"

Magdalane nodded, and put a finger up. "Exactly. The contractor's soul is absorbed the more he uses it, but part of it becomes cyponed off here, stored until the last bit of it is used, and then your conciousness is transferred here." She tilted her head to the side again. "In truth, this is a small place inside the clock where we are directly linked with Chrno. But in effect, we're inside of his mind."

Rosette's mind spun at this. "So what does that mean? I'm not dead yet?"

"Well, you are. However if we can finish this, and transfer your conciousness back, then you can still live." She smiled. "If we don't hesitate. However, we have to help him stop Ion first."

Rosette nodded slowly. "Right…but how? I mean, he didn't beat him with that attack did he?"

"No…" She shook her head. "But there is a way."

Rosette stood up firmly, her back strong and her jaw set. "Tell me what to do."

~~~~~~

Chrno's eyes were swollen shut with tears, as his mind kept running over the thought that Rosette was dead… that it was the second time that someone had died at his hands, because of his selfish nature…

~Chrno~

He could still hear her voice….

~Chrno!!~

It was taunting him…teasing him….

~Stop that, idiot! OI! Over here!~

He rose his head, and blinked. What…?

~Yo!! Get a clue! In here~

Chrno closed his eyes, and turned his gaze inwards.

Rosette stood with her hands on her hips, glaring as a shimmer of light coalesced into Chrno, standing before her, with a baffled look on his face. "About time you clued in, baka."

His eyes widened. "R…Rosette?" He took a half step forward, before his eyes slid to the side, and he stumbled backwards, bumping into the wall behind him, his wings wilting along with his ears, as his eyes shot open.

Magdalane calmly stepped up beside Rosette, smiling. "It's been a long time, Chrno."

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, and he weakly grasped at the concept as best he could. Rosette had no patience for that however.

"Look, we don't have much time. We have to do something or Ion will destroy everything." Chrno's eyes slid back to Rosette, brimming with tears. "So we can deal with this later, ne?" Rosette grinned coyly at him. "Two girls at once…I knew you were a closet perv."

THAT got his attention, and he stood up taller, his face reddening. "Rosette!"

"Look…I know this is sudden, but we have a plan." Rosette pointed at the glowing orb in the center of the room. "And if we act quickly, we can help you."

His eyes slid from both women, and then he slowly approached, his boots echoing hollowly in the round room. "What…needs to be done?"

Rosette smiled up at him, and grabbed his hand tightly in hers, and gave it a squeeze, as Magdalane touched his other one, and wrapped her arm around his.

~~~~~~

To all those watching, Chrno's sobs suddenly ceased, and his body straightened, and he sat there for several long minutes, then slowly his eyes opened.

Joshua leaned forward, peering intently at the demon. "Chrno…" He spoke softly. "It's too late…for her…but we have to stop Ion."

Chrno's eyes turned and locked steadily on Joshua's, and the blonde-haired boy pulled back startled. Chrno's eyes were a vibrant blue color, and as the demon stared out at him, Joshua had the distinct feeling that he was being watched by more than one pair of eyes. "C…chrno?"

The demon slowly rose to his feet, and turned about, raising his eyes skyward to face Ion' as his opponent hovered there, watching him with faint interest. "Well? What move will you do now? Your power and contractor are gone…" Ion shrugged lightly. "Nothing? Well then, it's time I made MY move then."

The rippling crimson energy that surrounded Ion's form began to intensify, glowing at an increasing rate, and crackling around him like the sound of a live wire of electricity.. The air positively hummed with power, and as they watched, small divots of electric red light crackled into the air around Ion's form as his eyes closed, and his concentration grew.

Then suddenly, there was an answering reflection in the sky, as the Astral Line itself began to swirl and bend.

Ion's head jerked up, and his eyes went wide with alarm, as the green energy of life began to ripple and fluctuate into a spiraling mass of energy above them.

Everyone's eyes flew back down, and latched on Chrno.

The demon was standing still, with his eyes shut, one hand in the air pointed at the sky in a grasping motion, and his claws were slowly closing, as they did, the energy in the sky seemed to reverberate, and shudder with every motion. It was clear to everyone, that HE was the one manipulating it, not Ion.

"How on earth…." Remington's voice was half-in awe. "No one can manipulate the Astral Line but…" His breath paused, and his eyes widened more.

"That's correct." The voice that came from Chrno's mouth echoed with a strange frequency that caused everyone to cringe, but also brought immediate realization… Chrno's voice was hollow, but with it, two more echoed speaking in sync… two female voices.

"Rosette!" Joshua surged to his feet, eyes wide, tearing them from the body of his fallen sister, to Chrno, and back.

"Magdalena." Remington spoke calmly, a strange smile on his lips. "I understand now… Chrno didn't just drain their souls for his power…he absorbed some of who they are as well…"

"Something like that…" The odd echoing voice answered in reply. "Now, Chrno, use it while you can. Grasp the Astral Line, and channel it."

Chrno's eyes opened, as the two girls gave him control, as the green energy of the Astral Line swirled around them all, like glowing embers of light. For a moment, no one could breathe, and Ion stood there stunned, as they watched the light suddenly begin to swarm forward, passing through everyone and everything, to converge in a single point. It appeared to be a single intense ball of light, like a small sun, glowing intently and shrinking slowly.

It vanished.

Chrno stood there, appearing untouched, and with no aura around him anymore, the wind whispering quietly all around them, and the Astral Line gone from sight.

Ion let out a long breath. "That was impressive…however it appeared whatever you had planned did not work. All the pity, it would have been quite a show, naa?" He shrugged lightly. "Nonetheless, it will be a relief to end the sadness and pain of this world." He raised a hand up, and brilliant ruby light began to form in his palm, and then with a streak of energy, it all rocketed directly at Chrno's silent form.

Everyone shied their eyes away and gasped in alarm, as the light converged, and exploded into a blinding aura of light, once again dazzling their vision…

But then, it shattered. There was no sound, but the light suddenly appeared to fracture, and then burst apart into glittering stars of light, raining down upon the ground harmlessly.

"W…what!?" Ion's eyes widened in surprise, as he stared in fascination as Chrno slowly lifted his head.

They all saw the change instantly. His eyes were completely shot through with red glowing energy, and glowing red runes adorned his face, as if they had been tattooed with glowing lines of blood. It was an intricate pattern, that was undecipherable to the humans below, but clear to Ion, facing Chrno.

Ion's first reaction was shock, then slowly, resigned admiration covered his face. "I see…. You are stronger than I gave you credit for." He bowed his head once, and slowly folded his glassed up, tucked them into his armor somewhere, and bowed his head. "Chrno…I would never have guessed."

It happened all at once.

Chrno's hands came out, and green power suddenly fluxed around him rippling, and hovering in waves, and then as it intensified around him glowing brighter, and brighter, it turned red…. And then exploded.

The resulting effect was something like a sonic boom, visually, and physically as well as aurally. Everything was blown flat, or backwards by the implosion, and everyone pressed their hands over their ears as the wind whipped around them. For a moment, they all swore that their lives were over, and the world with it, then it fell silent.

Joshua slowly risked a look, and was stunned to see the runes had been shattered to pieces, and the holy barriers were down. However, the explosion had only been contained in the park, and the surrounding buildings seemed to be intact. His eyes instantly flicked over to the single figure standing only a hundred feet before them. Chrno's head was bowed, the glowing runes not brilliant, but still visible, the rippling power still coming off him in waves, but not leaking onto the ground like dripping water.

At first, they thought that Ion and his forces had been completely obliterated…but then, they saw the tattered remnants of Ion's coat, fluttering on the ground, as the demon struggled to rise to one knee again, but it was clear to everyone that his power was shattered, and he lacked the strength.

His long hair was blackened, and sheen short, his face drabbled in blood and wizened beyond his years. His armor was cracked, his wings in tatters, and his eyes glazed over with a white sheen of one who had been blinded.

However, he managed to lock his gaze on the shadowy figure of Chrno standing over him, and laugh softly. "Chrno…Indeed, I would not have guessed you would have been able, no, willing, to call forth the full effects of that power….Of all the ways I imagined going, it was never by your hand…" Ion's figure began to waver, and become transparent, his voice fading softly to but a mere breath on the air. "But…it seems…I….still………..won……"

At first, there was nothing but complete silence. All traces of Ion's army was gone, and the demon appeared to finally have lost his foothold and admitted defeat. Everyone stood in stunned silence.

Then, the cheering began. It was faint at first, but then slowly, every member of the Magdale Order began to cheer at the top of their lungs from within the battlefield, until a celebratory roar was all that could be heard from all sides around them.

Joshua let his breath go, and sank to his knees in relief. "It's over…" He whispered, glancing down at Rosettes' peaceful face. "We stopped him… finally."

A soft intake of breath from behind him caused Joshua to glance up, and see Stella being supported by the shoulder of a Sister, watching around her with wide eyes. "Fi…" She murmured, before lowering her eyes. "One day…"

Azmaria woke on the side, and sat up, looking dazed, as the other Apostles began to come to similar realizations, freed from their spell of captivity, and they gazed about in wonder and confusion at their surroundings. "Rosette!" Az gasped seeing Rosette's prone form, and rushed to Joshua's side, staring in fear. "Is she…?"

Joshua took his sister's cool hand, and then raised his eyes to watch the still unmoving form of Chrno, standing where he had been facing Ion. "I'm not sure…for a moment I thought she was there, with him…"

Az stood, and took a step forward." Chrno!"

A firm hand on her shoulder pulled her to a halt. "Azmaria…Wait a moment…something is not quite right." Remington's voice was tense, and low, causing them all to glance up at their friend.

The rippling red aura was still surrounding him, and slowly, Chrno turned. The moment he did, they saw the snarling expression, totally blank of recognition, his eyes still glowing red, the runes still throbbing with every heartbeat, and his posture tall, and offensive.

"Ch…Chrno…" Az put her hands to her mouth, eyes wide. "What's wrong with him?"

"He warned us." Remington said softly. "That he might lose control…"

"Like Ion, Chrno pulled forth a higher power." Joshua said softly. "His namesake… While Ion sought to rebuild, and create with the power of Creation, Chrno's power is different…he manipulates time…"

"Chronos…" Remington sucked his breath in. "The unstable element of both past, present, and future… Time is fickle, and can be destructive, and regenerative…"

"And it's a very fine line of maintaining control on such power." Joshua spoke softly.

Rosette….Help him!

**

Inside, things were a little less calm.

"Now, Chrno, use it while you can. Grasp the Astral Line, and channel it." Magdalena and Rosette both spoke together, as they held firm grips on his shoulders, while Chrno had both hands intent on the glowing orb at the center of the small room.

His eyes closed the moment he touched it, and lines of power began to throb up his veins, flooding his body, and making his whole posture rigid. His eyes and mouth opened in a silent scream of agony, as they saw blood begin to dribble out the corner of his mouth. Touching the Astral Line, even with the power Magdalena lent him, and the human stability Rosette lent him, was still almost enough to kill him straight off… even if the blood was a mental projection of what he himself was feeling, not physically his body, it was still agonizing to watch.

Chrno hadn't been very responsive when the two girls had explained what he had to do earlier. Channel the Astral Line through him, and use that as his powers to call forth what he hadn't been willing to do before…he had been afraid to completely commit himself to summoning the last power that he hadn't opened himself entirely to. The Astral Line would substitute for the drain that he'd already spent on the previous attack, Magdalena would help him access it, and Rosette would keep it stable. Without both of them, it wouldn't be possible to do. However, he still knew that once he committed himself, it could still go wrong.

Which is exactly what happened. Rosette and Magdalena, once having relinquished control of his body back to him after the Astral Line had been summoned to their location, watched as his whole body went rigid, and the power fluctuating around him in the tiny room seemed to increase, blinding them, and an intense scream of agony pierced through their ears as they watched in horror, as the light all around them shifted from a glowing white, to a glowing red.

An echoing voice, that sounded like Chrno's but with much more malice and air of something more terrible, rang through the room.

~Thank you, lovely ladies, and accommodating demon, for summoning me here. It has been so long since I was able to play about on this plane…~

Rosette's heart pounded loudly in her ears. "Chronos…"

~Correct, young lady. It has been a pleasure. Now if you please, I have matters to attend to.~

Rosette watched in horror, as through Chrno's eyes, she could see the powerful entity begin to take control of his body, even though his consciousness was still catatonically rigid in front of them, locked in a struggle, pain lancing through every part of him. "Chrno!" Rosette rushed forward, but hesitated not wanting to touch the crackling power rivets that surrounded his arched body. She instinctively knew if she did that, she would be destroyed. "Fight him! You can't let him out! Not after we've come so far!"

Chrno's eyes half-opened, trickles of blood running down them, though Rosette couldn't even see anything but light shining out of them. He heard her, but…

Magdalena came up beside Rosette, and watched with sad eyes. "He's trying with everything he's got left, Rosette, but it's not enough…"

Tears stung the young girl's eyes. "We have to do something!"

**

"Joshua." Remington's voice was quiet, and tightly controlled. The young boy looked up at the tall priest with tears in his eyes watching their friend apparently cease to become the person they knew. "There's only one thing left to do." He glanced down at the gun laying on the ground beside Rosette, where it had fallen when she had collapsed. "We have to stop him now, before things get worse. He wanted Rosette to do it, but she's unable to do so. It falls to you now. I think he would have wanted that."

Joshua's breath sucked in, as Az and Stella's gazes locked on Remington in shock. "I can't kill him!" Joshua protested, even as Remington picked the gun up and pushed it into the boy's hand. "It's…it's not right…it's not fair…"

Stella's lips pursed. "We don't have a choice… if Chrno truly has lost control of the power he called down, he's not himself."

"Joshua…" The minister's voice was sad. "…he was already dead the moment he committed himself to using that power… he knew the risk, and went in despite that. This person isn't Chrno, it's pure evil. It must be ended before more harm can be done…"

Azmaria turned her head to the side, and buried it into Stella's dress sobbing. "No…"

Joshua's gaze fell down upon his sister's still form, then raised up to watch as the power around Chrno's tall form began to increase more. All around them, the grass, the trees, everything began to whither and die, as a barrier of time began to surround him in whorls. Within a few minutes, it would expand and begin to reach everyone still scattered about in the park…something had to be done.

Slowly, he raised his hand up, and brought the barrel around to bear on Chrno. It shook slightly as Joshua's vision blurred from the tears in his eyes. Before, he had attacked Chrno and Rosette because he had been driven to near madness… it was much harder voluntarily bringing the gun to bear on a friend.

"Chrno…I'm sorry." Joshua said softly, closing his eyes briefly. "But…I'm sure you would understand…and Rosette wouldn't want you to be consumed by what you fought so hard to avoid all your life…"

His eyes opened, and his grip on the barrel firmed, the wavering stopped, and the barrel aimed solidly at the glowing demon.

"Forgive me."

**

Magdalena's eyes opened slowly, and she smiled sadly, as she watched Chrno fight the hardest battle he had fought in his lifetime, the control of madness over his reason.

Rosette's eyes were no longer dry, and her whole body quivered at the thought that her closest friend might just become something he feared. At the moment, Chrno seemed to be able to stop Chrnos from fully consuming him, but he was losing the fight quickly, as the power continued to seep up through his veins, throbbing red, and spreading slowly, creeping farther up his neck and face as the more time passed. He spoke no word, and his body was arched in a rigid position that looked impossible to hold, his eyes open and staring at nothing, head thrown back. The air became more stifling, and Rosette felt the oppressive weight begin to make her dizzy. She knew if they hesitated any longer, their own souls would either be forfeit, lost, or expelled for good.

"There must be something…"

"There…is only one thing we can do." Magdalena said quietly, glancing over at the younger girl with a wistful look. "I'm not sure what long term effect it will have, but…it may help him get enough strength to put a stop to this…"

Rosette quickly grasped the older woman's hand. "What is it? Tell me what to do."

Magdalene shook her head. "There's nothing you can do…in fact, it would be best if you returned now. I am the only one who can assist him." She turned her head back to watch Chrno with a thoughtful look. "If I merge with him…he will be able to draw on the Astral Line once more, and undo the summons we helped him unleash."

"Merge…" Rosette blinked. "What do you mean, merge? Wont' that…"

"Magdalena smiled softly. "This is why you cannot do it, Rosette. You can still live, if you leave now and return through the watch. I am dead, and in reality, I have no wish to go on to the Astral Line in peace…" She put a hand out, and fondly touched Rosette's shoulder. "I have been with him for this long, it is fully my intention to remain with him. If I merge with him, then I can forever be a part of him, though my soul will vanish."

Rosette blinked, but nodded slowly. "I guess I can't help but being a bit jealous of you… you two will always have a connection that I can never understand…"

"True.." Magdalena smiled. "But I think you two have a better connection with one another… you've taught him to laugh, and enjoy things that he lost after he went into his own personal mourning. You've taught him how to truly live, and that's something I could never teach him, for I never learned what it was like…I was sheltered due to my powers from birth…" She shook her head. "No, Rosette… don't be jealous. Be happy."

Rosette smiled sadly, but nodded a bit. "Good luck then."

"Thank you Rosette." She smiled and pointed a hand at the glowing light. "Now go, quickly."

Rosette nodded, and steeled herself, then ran straight for it.

It was a weird feeling…electricity shot through her, and it felt painful, but at the moment she felt the pain, she knew she was alive again, and her eyes opened, as she gasped for breath, nearly startling Azmaria and Stella to death as she sat up sharply.

"R…Rosette!!?" Az fell back, and looked as if she'd seen a ghost, and Stella's mouth dropped open.

Remington's head jerked down, and his eyes widened as well. "You're…"

"STOP!" Rosette bellowed, and with the waning strength she still had, she jumped forward from her sitting position, and latched her arms around Joshua's waist as he leveled the gun at Chrno. "Don't shoot him yet!"

Joshua gasped, and nearly shot right then in there out of surprise, but glanced down at her, eyes wide. "R…rosette!?"

Rosette's breath came sharp and forced, and she realized just how tired she was. Her soul hadn't been completely consumed, but it was still very low on reserves… "Don't shoot him yet! Wait…we're trying something first… give him time!"

Joshua slowly lowered the gun, and gulped a bit, his mouth dry from fear, but secretly glad that he didn't have to shoot his friend. "W..who?"

"Just watch…" Rosette turned her eyes to lock on Chrno, her heart pounding. Come on, work…!

Long moments passed, and it appeared that all their efforts might be in vain, for nothing happened.

Nothing.

Rosette blinked. That was it! Nothing was happening. Chrno was standing there, not moving, and the aura around him was not growing, or shrinking. There was definitely a battle being waged inside! They weren't letting Chronos take over just yet.

You can do it. I have faith in you, Chrno. Rosette bit her lip, watching, her mouth dry with fear, and her heart pounding. We promised that the three of us would explore the world…don't break that promise! Come back to us!

Then, suddenly, without warning, it happened.

Chrno's whole body went rigid, and the red power glowed more intense suddenly, as if it were about to explode out towards them. However, instead, it just throbbed a few times, and then a very strange thing happened.

There was a ripple in time, as if a very intense heat wave had just created a mirage in front of their eyes, then standing there, glowing faintly and transparent, two figures emerged from Chrno. One was Chrno himself, eyes intense and determined…the other was Mary Magdalena, her face soft, and warm. Together, they turned around, and faced the center version of Chrno, which now seemed much more sinister and foreboding.

The crowd watching this scene couldn't hear anything being said, but it was plain that the two spirits were singing in unison, their voices seemed to have an adverse affect on the figure left, as it cringed and writhed, a third spirit seeming to detach itself from Chrno's body, leaving it an empty shell, standing there motionless.

For one long moment, the Astral Line lit up brilliantly around them once more, and everyone was forced to look away again as the bright light stunned their eyes…but Rosette forced herself to keep watching, and saw what happened.

The two spirits of the lovers grasped hands, and then slowly overlapped, becoming one, until all Rosette could see, was Chrno stepping back into his body, a bright blue glow surrounding him, mixing with the green from the Astral Line. At that moment, Rosette could hear their two voices raised in song, something sad and sweet, but fitting, before everything intensified so much, she had to close her eyes.

There was an explosion of air, and the sound of something like thunder, and an enormous shockwave rocketed out from the center of the action once more, but this one was soft, and gentle, compared to the violent explosions that had happened before.

Everyone slowly looked back, and saw the Astral Line's glow fading, but the blue glow around Chrno remained, illuminating him, and lighting his face.

A soft breeze played about on his face, which was set in a smiling peaceful expression. His hands were extended slightly, as if he had just finished embracing someone, and then the blue glow slowly faded, and he tipped forward, and fell to the ground with a soft 'thump' on the earth.

Rosette slowly let her breath out, and rose to her feet, though her legs were shaking so bad beneath her, it threatened to knock her down once more. "Is he…?"

Remington slowly walked over and knelt down beside the fallen demon, as one by one, the clouds that had covered the sky above began to dissipate, allowing the moon's light to spill gently down onto the silent scene, the stars twinkling merrily.

Remington gently placed a hand over Chrno's head, paused a moment, then he smiled. "He's unconscious, but alive." Even as he spoke, a shimmer surrounded Chrno's body, and his true form faded away, leaving his adult form behind, face relaxed, still with a soft smile upon his features, as if he had simply fallen asleep after thinking of something pleasant.

Remington lifted his head, and rested his eyes on the scene before him. Rosette, Joshua, Azmaria, Stella, the Order, and Chrno…all in one piece, alive, and their enemies vanquished.

Rosette slowly made her way over to the two figures, and threw her arms around Remington first, and embraced him tightly. "Thank you…for everything, Minister Remington…"

"My pleasure, Rosette." He gently patted her back in re-assurance, and smiled over at Joshua, who was wiping tears from his own eyes. "My pleasure."

Rosette pulled back, and bent down kneeling beside Chrno, and brushed some of his hair out of his sweat-drenched face. "Baka… you had me worried for a minute there." She smiled and then leaned forward, and kissed his forehead. "You kept your promise…thank you."

It might have been her imagination, but Rosette thought that Chrno's smile widened a bit…and she liked to think that even in peaceful sleep, he had heard her words.