Wow... people read it... (runs around in circles) Who woulda thought that would happen? Oh well, on with the show, no? Nearing the end... getting so close...

And I hope you can work out when they're thinking, cause I'm too lazy at the moment. Yeah, I know. You're smart enough to work it out, so I don't have to worry, do I?

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Chapter 21: Decisions and Surprises

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As Satoshi felt his feet hit solid ground, he stretched out, keeping his balance in the process. He turned as he heard his name called by the redhead.

"Ah! Hiwatari-kun! So you got back safely?" Daisuke smiled, as dark shadows cast on his face from relief and a sense of sleepiness, "So, did you get the broaches?"

"Kyu!" With blinked, as the blue-haired boy held out the two items.

"I suspect that you were successful, then?" he asked, and the redhead nodded, showing his own broaches.

"So... now we have to wait for Dark and Krad..." he mumbled, casting a glance at his watch, "I hope that they come back soon... Scarlet-san too..."

"We can't do anything about it at the moment, Niwa," Satoshi replied, as he sat down in the bleak void, "you look like you need rest."

"Kyu!" agreed With.

Daisuke nodded slowly and sat down next to the blue-haired boy, his attention focused on the small artifacts that they held. It glimmered, emitting a soft light in the void, and his mind went back to what he had seen and heard in the process.

How... how are they really connected? he wondered, Takada-san and... Scarlet-san... what's the real connection between the two? Was it like what Dark said? Like... they're connected through the DNA inside of them... or is it something else?

"Niwa."

"Eh? Hiwatari-kun?" jerked out of his thoughts, the redhead turned his head to face the other boy, who was staring out at the everlasting void in front of them, "Is... is something wrong?"

"It's about... Takada and Scarlet," Satoshi stated shortly, "have you had any suspicions about the two?"

"Well..." he bit his lip, wondering for a moment whether if not to trust what he wanted to say. But, before he could stop himself, he had started to speak, "I think... Dark and I have spoken about it before... and Krad as well... the two seemed to be connected in one way or another... we think..."

"... So I'm not the only one," the blue-haired boy turned his head slightly to give Daisuke a long look, "what do you know about Takada?"

"Takada-san?" at this, the smaller boy fidgeted slightly, "Well... she's a mystery to us, Hiwatari-kun... that's all I can really say, since I don't really know her..."

"And she knows Celes."

"Wh-what?" at this, Daisuke jumped out, "She... she knows Celes-san? But how? And in what way are they connected?"

"That's what I'm trying to work out," replied Satoshi, turning attention back to the void, "the spirits of the Flames. They, too, seem to know Takada in one way or another, but... it doesn't make any sense... although Takada has shown signs of magic, knowing Celes, and knowing about Krad."

"... She knows about Krad?"

"Yes."

"But then... what..." started Daisuke, but was cut short at the sound of a familiar voice that made him jump up with With.

"Yo! Daisuke! It's been a while!"

"Dark!" the smaller boy ran over to his alter ego, "Did it go okay for you then?"

Dark grinned confidently at the question, as he held up his hand to show the small broaches, "What? You underestimate my skills, Dai-chan. Hey, With! How've you been?"

"Kyu!"

Satoshi remained where he was, ignoring the blond demon, who had stepped up next to him.

"Aren't you happy to see me, Satoshi-sama?"

"Like hell I would."

"That's cold--"

"Life is."

"So, Krad made it back safely as well, I see," Dark frowned slightly when he caught sight of him, "but, on the bright side, we've got the broaches, haven't we?"

"Yeah," Daisuke nodded in agreement, "but... where's Scarlet-san? We're still missing some and... we're nearly out of time..."

As they stood there, deep in their own thoughts, a voice seemed to call out to them, whispering, hissing, in an attempt to catch their attention. On impulse, Daisuke grasped firmly on Dark's arm, eyes wide in surprise, while With hissed.

"If you knew the truth... would you trust my judgement? Would you believe everything I said?"

"Who the hell was that?" growled Dark, as he took a look around them, "And what do they want with us?"

"Do you think I could ever find myself? Could I ever turn back to the past and not regret my own judgement? Is there another chance for me? Why is this?"

"... This is beyond funny," muttered Satoshi as he got up, "what is the meaning behind such useless prattling?"

"The voice, though," Krad pointed out, as he joined the blue-haired boy, "seems fairly familiar; both with our situation and the situation the Spirits have had."

"... So then..." Daisuke blinked, while With continued to hiss, "maybe... the Flame itself?"

In reply to his question, the broaches began to shine brightly, destroying the void around them. Various colours clashed with other colours, creating an abstract effect, as they felt themselves being pulled into yet another dimension.

Within the shadows that had begun to form around them, Dark couldn't help but notice the eerie glowing of the broaches, "This isn't a good sign, for sure."

"Yeah, but..." started Daisuke, as he looked around himself, "these spirits... they're alive... but not really alive. I mean... can you feel the power from them?"

At this, the Thief frowned, "Are you implying to me that I can't feel it?" he snorted, "Of course I can feel it. The thing that's making me uncomfortable is that fact that the power feels just like the spirits from--"

"--the artworks created by the Hikari," finished the redhead, although he looked the least worried.

"Correct," replied Krad, as he remained bored while they were suspended in mid-air, the shadows still flittering around them, "most of them are Hikari creations, but there are a few unidentifiable sprits floating around."

"So the Flame lives in here," Satoshi decided, "or it feeds on the spirit's power to keep it alive."

At this, he pointed at the dimming shadows, "Obviously they're the main power sources, so once they run out of power, then the Flame starts to die."

"Kyu!" hissed With, who had been sitting on Dark's head.

"What?" he spun around, and watched as another spirit wavered and flickered out in a wisp of smoke, "What the hell is going on?!"

"It's almost like..." whispered Daisuke, "the past is being replayed for us... about why the Flame is dying..."

"Correct, Niwa Daisuke," replied a voice, which seemed close by, "and that is why the future was dim for us."

"Celes," Satoshi said coldly, as the Priestess stepped up to them, "What are you doing here."

"That is cold, Hikari Satoshi," Celes didn't smile as she went over to join them, "but, let me make this clear first," she waved a hand around her, "I am here only spiritually. Scarlet was busy, so I am using my magic to contact you."

"What do you want?" asked Krad, his eyes reflecting the shadows around them, some dancing with an unbound power, others flickering and dying.

"Like Niwa said, this is the past again, shown by the Flame itself," she explained, face nor voice faltering, "many years before, like the Hikari clan, there were many talented artists that specialised in bringing life to the paintings they created. These spirits were strong and loved to give life and joy to its creators, but, after the Cultural Revolution, many of them were killed."

"We already know that," cut in Satoshi.

"Maybe so," she nodded briefly in his direction, "but do you know where a spirit goes when it dies?"

At this, he was forced to shake his head, while Daisuke continued to watch the spirits that dimmed slowly before he turned to face her, his face serious.

"They go here, don't they?" he whispered, "In a void where no one can see them... where no one can bring joy... the creators lost heart when their paintings were no more, so..."

"Yes," she nodded, "the spirits were forced into this dimension, where no one could reach them, except... for one. The Time Keeper, whoever it was, was the only person who could come here to see their beauty, and it seemed to be enough to keep them alive, in an attempt to bring them back to the world they were created for. The Time Keepers were the ones who tried to help them."

"So what happened?" asked Dark, arms crossed as he frowned at her.

"The Flame was supposed to be the only item the Time Keeper had to watch, so... when it found out, it was... displeased. Finally, after a lot of persuasion, it agreed upon the watch of the spirits, but... I believe it must have been the downfall."

"What?"

"It was as if a power began to drain the Flame's spirit, sucking away it's life, and, as you know, if the Flame dies, the world is gone forever, for life and time are needed."

"So then the spirits agreed to be absorbed to keep the Flame alive," Satoshi said coolly, "and when the spirits started to fade off, the Flame came closer to dying."

"Well, now that you know, then," Celes shook her head slightly, "when the Spirits noticed this, they called together thirteen people, all who possessed one of the elements, as you know. They agreed upon placing their power into the form of broaches, the Spirits of it being the host and child. They were together, until the loss of power was too great, and the Flame sent them away. But... it was its undoing, since the power continued to fade, and only the united power of all of the elements might have a chance to save it."

As her words faded off into the void, the final shadows flickered off and died, and the world whirled around them. Before they were sent away, Celes' words echoed back to them.

"You must trust Scarlet... it may be the only way..."

"Oh, you're back now?"

Dark looked around, but Krad was the one who located Scarlet watching them with a small smile of amusement, "You took your time to get back here."

"We're running out of time, I know," she replied shortly, face falling slightly, "by the looks of it, you managed to get the broaches, no?"

"Yeah, we have," Satoshi said, frowning at her, "so are we going back to the Flame or not?"

"Very well."

Without a hint of annoyance to Satoshi's rudeness, she led the two hosts and their alter egos through a transparent area of the void, and it didn't take long for them to return to the Flame.

"It's... it's nearly dead..." whispered Daisuke, eyes wide as he stared at it.

The Flame was guttering slightly, small sparks shooting out in random directions. The other sources of light were gone, and large shadows were thrown on the walls as Scarlet stood up.

"Hold out the broaches," she commanded coolly, "and I'll see if I can do this right..."

Noting the lack of time they had, no one bothered to interrogate her about the Flame and the Time Keeper, and they held out the broaches they had collected wordlessly. Not turning to face them, she began to chant, her voice rising over the pathetic guttering sound of the Flame itself.

"Elements of Life, calling upon your name, who I am, who you are," she started, "fate has brought us back together yet again. Power, love, loathing, the power that we call our own..."

Daisuke frowned slightly at her words, What... these words... they hold a deeper meaning to what she knows... I'm sure it is...

"... Fire, burning, the very source of our hearts, souls, our sprits... Kain... Ice, the opposing element, as one cannot live with the other... Shiro..."

As if in reply to her call, the two said broaches began to glow slightly in the two boy's hands.

"... Water, the source of our purity... affiliation to Ice... Undine... Lightning, a spark in the form of a darkened life... Clef..."

What the hell... thought Dark impatiently, as the broaches glowed as they were called, Why does she know so much about the broaches... and when did all the spirits have names?

"Wind... blowing gently, kindness flowing gently... Milea... Earth... from where we are born, and where we will finally rest in the ends of time... Shia..."

"To trust me... to trust yourself... are we doing the right thing?"

Daisuke shook his head, as he watched as a faint aura began to glow around Scarlet, as she continued flawlessly.

"Wood... Nature... twins in the property fulfilling the calls of life and honor... Leah and Zeike... Poison... to face the reality of life... Elena... Gravity... illusions among illusions... Farea..."

::So we were forced into a useless game of cat and mouse, I should have known,:: thought Krad, as he watched without a change of expression, ::the elements used to be together, but then they were scattered, and then they had to comer back again. I don't see why they needed the help of Niwa and Satoshi-sama...::

"If fate was to forever hate me... would I have a choice to fight back? Will fate always be decided for me?"

"Light... glowing, love and passion... to know yourself and to know the people around you... Raine... Dark... opposites, in perfect balance... the very love of our lives... Ryu..."

She closed her eyes, "The blood of the Hikari and Niwa... Time Keepers, watchers over Time itself... joining powers... to know us and to know you... combining powers back to us to know..."

The different beams of power shot around the room, and were swallowed whole by the Flame. Silence fell and Scarlet turned slightly to face them.

"Scarlet-san..." started Daisuke, somewhat hesitantly, "is it... is everything going to be okay now?"

"... now we have to wait for the Flame's decision."

"What?" spat Dark, "What does that spirit sucking demon want from us this time?! We brought the thirteen broaches, like you said, so what more could it ask for, dammit?!"

Her face clouded over at the question, but she waved a hand over to the Flame, suddenly avoiding their gaze, "A blood sacrifice."

"Blood..." repeated Satoshi coldly, "you're not saying that..."

"Niwa Daisuke," she whispered, "the Flames of Time will consume you. Only then can it can fully revived."

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Celes looked up as she watched the Flame growing stronger, "So now she has to tell them... oh, please... please be okay... we are running out of time..."

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"Like hell he is!!" yelled Dark indignantly, as he jumped in front of the startled redhead in an obvious form of protection, "I ain't letting him get eaten by a stupid spirit thing!"

"But we don't have a choice," she sighed, "it only wants the blood from the Niwa clan, and Niwa-kun is the only one who really holds that blood in him. It's the only way..."

"Well, think of another bloody way, then?!"

"We are running out of time... Niwa-kun, do you accept or decline. I'm not forcing you to do anything."

Daisuke took a long look at the Flame, and at Scarlet, "... Dark, I... I have to do it... I'm the only one who can..."

"Daisuke--!"

"Don't worry, Dark," he smiled, "if we can save everyone from the fate, then I'll be happy..."

He pushed past the older boy and, without another glance, he entered the Flame's belly. On impulse, Dark jumped to follow him, but was repelled forcefully. He swore as he scrambled up, hitting the barrier with his fist.

"Daisuke! Daisuke! Don't do it!"

"..." Satoshi stood, not looking at the Flame.

"So is this the end...?" hissed Krad, "I didn't even get to..."

"How the hell could you let him do this, Scarlet?! How could you?!"

"... fate has to change. He will change it. Trust my judgement, Dark Mousy. Only then may we know if fate can be defied. Please."

The voice that had replied had not been Scarlet's unusually confident tone, but a softer, more pleading type of tone, which made the remaining three boys to turn to face her.

Standing in her place, was a girl with flickering flame-orange eyes, her hair still out wildly as she stepped up to the Flame.

"The Flame... if Niwa-kun can fight its power... then he won't have to stay here," she stated simply, as she placed a hand on the Flame's barrier and dissolved it, "as the Time Keeper, it is my duty. And... I would never forgive myself for letting him sacrifice himself for this."

"Akane..." spluttered Dark in disbelief, "I knew there was a connection!"

"I'll explain it later," she nodded at them, "come. We have to stop the Flame, and... we will change fate itself."

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Hah hah hah... yep, you have to wait for the next chapter now!!!!!! Well, if you can wait, then everything will be explained in the... (counts on fingers) about two or three chapters, I think. Have to do that... (laughs hysterically) Hope you come back for more!

--The people I love (Only cause no one else was reading/reviewing it, so you get special attention!)

-Staryday: I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You managed to read through all this without running off screaming insanely! You don't know how much this means to me!! I started this AGES ago, and then people didn't even hange around to the end! (sobs) Well, soon it'll end. This is my main priority, you know, and there's a sequel to it... AAAHHH!!!

-myinuyasha04: Yeah, they're related, although I don't give too much about the relation here, as you might have noticed. If you want me to ruin it for you... then I can, but I think it's better if you find out yourself, you know? I mean, here it's kinda blank, so it's more safe, so... you know. Glad you liked the fic, and it means a lot to me!! I know you'll love DNAngel, so I hope you like the end, when it comes...