Well, I seem to have established myself quite well in the CC fanfiction community. Though I would appreciate a few more reviews.
Balance of Judgment
Chapter 5: Fallen From the Grace of God
"Man, how many aliases can this guy have?"
Zachary was reading a map of Rome, though in Rico's assessment it wasn't with much success. The angel turned it upside down and stared at it again.
"Well, let's see. The directions I got shouldn't be too off. Hmm, you humans make all these machines and yet they can be so faulty."
"Honestly," Rico shot back. "Are all angels so directionally challenged that you have to use the GPS?"
"Well, I'm only directionally challenged on the road of life. Otherwise, I'm fine."
This elicited a chuckle from Chrno while Rico just looked at him questioningly. They went down several more alleys before finally stopping outside of an apartment complex.
"Hmm. This seems promising. Let's see, right now this guy is living under his original name. Well, that certainly makes it a lot easier for us."
"Where do you get your information?" Rico asked. "How can you be sure it's accurate enough to warrant a trip around the globe?"
"Well, it's your opinion how reliable the information is. I trust it; otherwise I wouldn't have bothered coming here."
Rico frowned. "So who are we here to meet anyways?"
"Ewan Remington."
As Zachary pressed the buzzer Chrno and Rico could only stare at him in shock. They would have continued doing so except Zachary was pressing the buzzer several more times.
"C'mon, Ewan. I know you're up there. It's rather pointless hiding like this."
As if sensing his words, the door clicked and unlocked. Zachary smiled and held it open.
"After you, my lady."
Rico just scowled at him. "Next time, tell us what's going on. I really don't like these surprises."
"If you wish."
As she walked in, Rico wrapped her lab coat around her. She had worn it ever since taking over the armory and lab of the Elder and it felt odd not wearing it. Then again, with the new memories, it also felt odd wearing it. They climbed the narrow stairs and stopped in front of one of the doors. After waiting for several minutes, Zachary became even more impatient.
"Remington, you know I'm out here. Why don't you just open the door so we can talk."
It took a while longer but finally the doorknob turned. The door was pulled inwards and a haggard middle-aged man appeared at the doorframe.
"What do you want?" he asked.
Then his eyes shifted to Chrno, and finally Rico.
"What? Chrno? You're alive?"
The demon nodded with a smile. "It's been a while."
Rico stepped forward and looked at Remington. Images of the kind father that had guided and taught her flooded her mind. He had been a man of strength and nobility. The man that now stood before her looked broken and tired.
"How have you been, Father Remington?"
Remington stared at the young woman before him and tried to sort out his thoughts. There was a certain familiarity, but for some reason the fallen angel couldn't figure it out.
"Who are you?"
The smile on Rico's face disappeared for a second before returning again.
"I'm sorry, I guess I should reintroduce myself. I'm Rico Christopher."
"Christopher?" Remington said. "Are you descended from Joshua? I knew he had married, but after that I kind of lost track of him and his family."
Rico shook her head. "Well, since you're an angel, I guess it'll be easier to explain this."
"What?"
"It's me. Rosette."
This time to angel looked into the young woman's eyes. For a split second, he saw it, the spark of life that had been in Rosette Christopher's.
"Impossible!" he said and backed away.
"It's true," Rico said as she extended a hand. "It's really me, Rosette. Mary is also in here. You could say we're all in here."
"But, how!"
"It's because they all share the same soul," Zachary suddenly said. "You're an angel, Remington. You should know at least that."
The shock in the man's eye disappeared, only to be replaced with anger.
"Damn you. After all the pain that you caused her, you would bring her back? For what reason? I know it isn't so Chrno and Rosette can be reunited!"
Zachary scratched his head and just gave Remington a look.
"Hey, you're an angel. You know how the rules work. We can't interfere directly with the affairs of humanity or individual humans. But then again, there's nothing saying we can't affect positive changes during the execution of orders. Unlike you, I actually know when to bend the rules."
The anger hadn't diminished in Remington's eyes as he continued to glare at Zachary. But as he looked over Rico and Chrno standing together, sorrow replaced hatred.
"Do you two realize why he offered to bring you two together again?"
"Because he needed help," said Chrno. "I'm not one to assume his help wasn't with its price."
"You're only half right. Do you have any idea how much that price is? You have basically bonded your souls to the Host's will! You've lost any freedom you once had!"
"Hardly true," Zachary countered. "You seem to forget, Remington, that we are two different classes of angels. I know how to properly use the balance of payment, more so than you. Once this assignment is over, regardless of its success or failure, they're free to do whatever they wish."
"Do you honestly think I'd believe that? Do you take me for a fool?"
"No, I take you for a man with intelligence. Now, I cam to enlist your help. Will you assist us or not?"
"You can forget it," said Remington. "I've had it with God's will. I've seen it cause too much pain and suffering on this world."
Zachary sighed and turned away.
"I'd leave you in peace if I could, Remington," he said. "However, keep in mind that those two are my charges right now. Your help would certainly lighten their burden."
By the time Remington looked over at him Zachary was already out the door. Rico looked sadly at the man she had admired so much before. She smiled at him one last time before she too started to leave. Just then, a hand settled on her shoulder and stopped her.
"I'll help," Remington said quietly.
With a brighter smile, Rico turned and hugged him. Remington returned it and sighed.
"I just hope you two know what you've gotten yourselves into."
"So do I," said Rico as she moved away. "But first thing's first. You really need a shower, Remington. What have you been living as?"
The angel smiled and patted Rico on the head.
"I'll be sure to do that. But I don't exactly have any better clothes."
"We'll outfit you with something when we get back to the Order's Rome headquarters."
"Fine. But I'm coming along to help you two, not that blasted angel."
Rico looked at him sadly but still managed a smile. Remington had apparently grown bitter over the years. After returning to the Order's Rome division, Remington took a long bath and emerged in a fresh Magdalen uniform. This time Rico hugged Remington longer and sighed.
"It's good to see you in that uniform again, Father Remington."
"It's good to be back. Maybe this time I can make a difference."
Rico shook her head. "Don't think like that. Last time you made a big difference too. I've also missed you so much."
"I'm glad to hear it. But we need to talk."
"About Zachary?"
Remington nodded. "You don't really know who and what he is."
"He's an angel of the Dominion order," Rico replied. "Chrno told me that. Is that right?"
"Well yes, but there's much more than that."
"Oh?"
"She'll know when the time comes, not before."
Both drew back as Zachary suddenly appeared from nowhere. The angel gave Remington a look. It wasn't menacing or kind, more like curious.
"Oh come now, Remington. Do you honestly think telling her more about me will make a difference?"
"It might," Remington said coldly.
"Oh? Enough of a difference that she refuses to help me? Is that what you wish for? I highly doubt it."
Rico looked at the two men and her expression grew more and more concerned. What was the history between these two?
"Let me ask you something," Zachary continued. "Could you say that I am evil in any way? That I am uncaring? That I went against the will of God or did anything to harm humanity? Come now, tell her any of that and I'm sure she would leave my side despite all the help I've given her."
She didn't know how it was possible, but the hatred in Remington's eyes grew stronger. Finally Rico couldn't stand it anymore.
"Shut up both of you!"
The two men looked over at the young woman. Her face was red with anger and she glared fiercely at both of them.
"I'm sick of you two arguing!"
With that last remark Rico bolted from the room and ran down the hallway. For a moment Zachary's eyes flashed blue but they returned to normally quickly.
"Well, she's quite spirited."
"She'll be fine. But now that we're alone, why don't you tell me what's really going on. Why did you drag Rosette and Chrno into this?"
Zachary sighed and leaned against the door. Though a mortal wouldn't have known it, the angel was also using this opportunity to ensure no one was eavesdropping on them.
"I assume you know what Aion was trying to achieve?"
"Of course. He was attempting to become God."
"Well, he wasn't the only one that has that ambition. However, only one other before him ever attempted to actually usurp the throne. The others never got far enough to even really plan it."
"Lucifer," Remington stated.
"Of course. But let me finish. There is another being out there that is even now moving into a motion a plan of some sorts. The threat is real or else I wouldn't be here. Either way, I am to ensure that the plan fails."
"I assume you don't know what the plan is, or else you wouldn't be enlisting help."
"Very true. And this time, we don't even know who is behind all the activity. Well, we have an idea but no conformation."
"So how do those kids play into this?" Remington asked.
"I needed Chrno's assistance as he is a demon. Unlike Aion, I could not bend him to my will so-"
"Wait, what? Aion is still alive?"
"Of course. You saw him in Rome ten years ago. Don't worry, he isn't a threat."
"And how do you know that?" Remington asked. "I knew you were an unconventional one, but I didn't think even you would use a demon."
"Why not if it helps accomplish my mission?"
Remington glared at his superior for a few seconds.
"I see you really don't care."
"Judge after everything is done," Zachary countered. "Now I think you should go talk to Rico."
"For once you're right," Remington replied as he uncrossed his arms.
The fallen angel slammed the door shut behind him. Zachary sighed as he looked out the windows. He would have a tough time keeping Remington in line. Hopefully things would work out. Still, Zachary knew he would have to keep close control over the situation for that to be true.
Rico ran down the halls blindly, not caring where she went. As she turned a corner she saw an elderly man approaching and tried to stop. However, it was too late and the young woman crashed into the priest. Both fell and as the priest got back onto his feet Rico didn't even try. Tears fell down and splashed on the ground.
"What's the matter, my child?"
The reverend helped Rico back onto her feet and handed her a handkerchief. As the young woman dried her eyes she looked up. The man standing before her was rather old, possibly in his fifties. However, he seemed in good shape and strong.
"I'm sorry Father," Rico apologized. "I should have been looking."
"That hardly matters now, child. What were you running from?"
"Rosette!"
Remington had come up behind her and Rico jumped as the angel called her.
"The name's Rico, Remington," she replied before turning to the reverend. "I'm sorry for running into you, Father. As for what I was running from, it is something I must face."
"We all must, my child. May God watch over you when you face it."
Once the reverend was out of sight Remington opened his mouth to speak but Rico stopped him immediately.
"I don't want to hear it, Father. Zachary may want to use us or whatever, but he did bring Chrno to me. I owe that man, angel, whatever, a debt, and I intend to pay it."
"Rose-Rico, you don't know what his real plans are."
"So? Not knowing or having a plan never stopped me before. Father, promise me you won't start arguing with Zachary like that again."
"But-"
"Promise me!"
The look in Rico's eyes was pleading to him and Remington found that he could not resist. They held just a hint of a look that Rosette gave him whenever she needed help. Finally he sighed and nodded. Rico responded by hugging the older man and Remington returned it.
After that little issue was settled, Rico spent the rest of the afternoon with Chrno in the Vatican division's armory. Her reputation for developing advanced weapons and technology had put her here, though one had to weigh that talent with her ability to cause great amounts of destruction as well.
"So what exactly is the difference between the Testaments and the Last Rite?"
"Well, the Testament is actually just a modification of the Gospel," Rico explained. "It's a lot more focused and easier to aim and shoot if you learn how to do so properly. That's why only the Militia uses them."
With all of the holy water and other celestial objects around, Chrno had to be careful as he stood in the room. Using his childish form made him smaller so it was easier to avoid any objects that might be hazardous to his survival. As he looked on, Rico screwed on the tip for another bullet. At the moment she was working on a series of Last Rites for the Vatican division. There were also several others that she was making for herself, though Chrno hoped she wouldn't get a chance to test them out anytime soon. All hopes of that were dashed as alarms suddenly went off around the compound.
"What in the world?"
Before she had even finished speaking those words Rico had charged out with Chrno in tow. She immediately grabbed one of the passing Militia officers.
"Hey! What's going on here!"
"There's a situation at the Vatican! Somehow a demon has managed to break the protective seal at the Sistine Chapel!"
Needless to say, that caught Rico's total attention and she continued to drag Chrno around until they found Remington.
"Father Remington!"
"Huh? Rose-Rico. What are you doing here?"
"I heard about the incident. Can I please come with you?"
"I don't know," said Remington. "This could be dangerous."
The pleading look on Rico's face turned to one of annoyance.
"Remember who I am and who I was, Father. I'm going, and that's final!"
Remington chuckled and patted Rico's head. "I remember a time when you complained about going on too many missions."
"Well, Sister Azmaria hasn't exactly been letting me go out too much."
"For good reason," Chrno supplied.
Rico's response was a fist connecting with Chrno's skull and an innocent smile.
"Well, you might as well come along," said Remington. "At least this way I get to see what you're capable of."
"All right! Can I drive?"
"No," both Remington and Chrno said at the same time.
Once they were in the car they joined the convoy of Militia leaving for the chapel. Because it was in the Vatican itself, it didn't take long to get there. Italian police officers had already ringed off the area with the help of Vatican officials. However, it was clear that the civilians were distressed. A large group was rather vocal about their panic.
"What's going on?" Rico asked.
Remington had put on a headset and was listening to all of the reports coming in. After a few seconds he finally answered.
"Apparently the demon inside is holding children as hostages. We don't know what its objectives are but it can't be good."
"Children? That's just despicable! Let's go and take care of that!"
"Easy, Rico. Charging in there might get them all killed."
"And if we take too long they'll get killed anyways. We should at least check out the building!"
"That's certainly something a small group can handle," a voice said.
Rico screamed, jumped, and aimed a kick at the man standing behind him. This time Zachary was ready and dodged it.
"I don't intend to repeat past experiences, Ms Rico. Now, if you're ready, suit up."
"Huh? What?"
"We're going in," he said. "The demon in there isn't just any demon, it's another fallen angel. The Order is setting up a Dominion-class attack barrier as well as a seal, but until they're ready we have to do something."
"Wait, if it's a fallen angel, isn't it too dangerous?" Remington countered.
"Not if we three gentlemen escort her," Zachary replied. "We can handle the fallen angel if need be. Now, I suggest we get on it."
"This is too dangerous," Remington insisted.
"Father Remington, remember what I said earlier?" Rico interrupted.
Though his reservations were great, Remington slowly conceded and nodded bitterly. There wasn't any point arguing with Rico over this. He knew how stubborn Rosette could be, and it seemed that Rico had inherited that particular trait.
"Fine, but you stay by me!"
"Don't worry, Chrno suddenly said. "I'm not about to let Rico get hurt."
And that was true too. With this Remington knew he had lost the argument completely and handed Rico a pistol. He himself took a sword while Chrno grabbed a rifle. Zachary didn't bother to take any weapons and the four began their infiltration. When they first walked into the chapel all was quite. However, that did not last long. At the altar a group of children had been chained together, all boys save one. They were all crying and calling out for their parents. Rico felt her heart ache at such a sight but she knew she couldn't do anything at the moment. Her attention was quickly drawn to the being that stood on top of the altar. He looked incredibly handsome and both wings shed bright light throughout the massive chapel.
"What's going on?" Rico whispered. "Is he really a fallen angel?"
"Look closer," Zachary advised. "His light is a false light."
Rico took that advice and squinted her eyes trying to see. At first all she witnessed was the bright light until she caught a flash of something. It was barely there and Rico wasn't sure if she had even seen anything. Then it appeared again, then again. There were moments where part of the light shifted to gray, but it happened so quickly that it was almost impossible to distinguish.
"I see what you mean," said Rico. "So how do we take him down?"
All of them looked over at Zachary.
"What? Didn't I say before I can't interfere directly with the affairs of humanity?"
Rico was ready to jump on the angel and give him a pounding but Chrno's hand stopped her. She sighed and settled down again.
"Okay, I have a Last Right with me, but that's way too powerful. Hopefully Testaments will be enough. However, I need to get a clean shot at him or I might accidentally hit one of the kids."
"We'll distract him," said Remington. "How about a bit of information about our opponent, Zachary?"
Rico smiled as Remington was actually talking civilly to Zachary. It was certainly a step in the right direction.
"Yeah. Watch out for the snake."
Just as he said that Zachary pushed Remington back and rolled away in the opposite direction. A viper smashed through the wall they were hiding behind and created a large crater in the ground. Remington's rune blade lit up and he sliced at the snakehead. The weapon cut right through the creature and the head dissolved into dust. The rest of the body retracted and a new head was already growing from the wound.
"That's just sick!" Rico shrieked.
Within a second Chrno had transformed into his true form and took off. He flew down the chapel and tried to ram into the fallen angel. Just as Chrno was almost upon his opponent, the angel held up a hand and the demon was flung back. He crashed into the benches and tumbled through the broken pieces of wood.
"Chrno!" Rico screamed.
Ignoring the potential risks, Rico fired off two Testaments at the angel. Surprisingly they impacted upon the angel and he was forced back. A roar was his reply and more snakes appearing out of nowhere. The creatures all charged towards Rico as she tried to retreat. Remington jumped in and with several swings sliced through the advancing serpents. However, more simply raced past him and shot towards Rico. This time it was Chrno that was panicking.
"Rico!"
"Laden!"
With a flash something sliced through all of the snakes and their bodies fell to the ground. At the center of the carnage stood Rico with a long, blue lance in her hand. Their attention was quickly diverted back to the angel, who screamed and pulled back all of his remaining snakes. The reason for his retreat was soon apparent as Zachary was advancing quickly upon him. Though he had no weapons on hand, the angel was avoiding all counterstrikes and shortening the distance between him and his opponent. At the last second the fallen angel stepped away and vanished in a wisp of dust. Zachary landed on the altar and simply sighed. He stepped off and nodded to Rico.
"I suggest you three work on getting these children free," he said.
Rico nodded and walked up to the children. They cringed but she smiled reassuringly. With a tap from the lance the first of the chains shattered. Chrno returned to his child form and broke the chains with his bare hands. He glanced over at Rico as they worked.
"You're a jewel witch," he said.
"Yeah, that's right," Rico replied with a smile. "I told you my mother is from Germany."
"Oh. Well, are you related to Satella?"
"I think so," Rico said softly. "I always knew that one of my relatives played a role in defeating Aion, but I never knew who she was. Now, with Rosette's memories, I think it was Satella. I'm glad I got to know her though. She really was a strong person."
"You two did argue a lot," Chrno pointed out.
"Yeah, but we were still friends."
Once all of the children were free the boys started running out immediately. However, the little girl clung to Rico and she smiled at the child in her arms.
"Don't worry, everything is all right," Rico assured her.
Remington guided the children out of the chapel and Zachary stayed on the side, following them. When the doors opened the boys poured out and almost immediately their parents came forth to greet them. Reporters began taking pictures immediately of the reunited families, though the police did their best to keep them back. When Rico came out with the girl in her arms, that proved to be an even more tempting target for the photographers. She winced at all the flashes but Chrno placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. The parents came forward and Rico handed them their daughter with a smile. The girl started crying like the others but she gave Rico one last smile.
It wasn't long before the four were ushered over to the waiting vehicles, though it was difficult to get through the sea of microphones and other media officials. Once in the van, Rico let out a sigh.
"Man, I thought we would never get out of that."
"Well we did," said Chrno. "But there is something else."
"Huh?"
"You already know almost everything there is to know about me, and yet I still don't know you. Mind sharing now?"
"Well, I guess this is the time to do it, while we still have some peace. You guessed right, my mother is a jewel witch. I inherited that ability from her, though I don't use the glove. I have this."
Rico pulled out a small necklace with a single shining gem at its end.
"Because it is so small, I can only use it to summon my lance. However, it's more than enough for most cases."
"Amazing. You've certainly developed some new tricks."
"You'll have to follow suit," said Rico. "We're about to enter the twenty-first century."
"Of course, Rico."
"I hate to break the celebration," Zachary suddenly interrupted, "but the situation has grown a bit more serious."
"How so?" Remington asked.
Zachary looked at the angel and frowned. "I'm surprised you didn't recognize our opponent, Remington."
"What?"
"It was Astaroth."
"What!"
Rico almost jumped at Remington's outcry and she looked at the two men again, hoping this wouldn't develop into another argument.
"This can't be a coincidence," said Zachary. "We have now encountered two fallen angels in such a quick span of time. No, let me rephrase that. We've encountered two dark angels."
"Mind telling us what's going on?" Rico asked.
"I will once I know myself," said Zachary. "However, the implications are too important. This could become very serious if it is dark angels moving once again."
"How so?"
"It means this time we're dealing with powers greater than Pandemonium," Remington answered instead. "And we aren't ready to face them."
End of Chapter 5
Though I've been to Rome and the Vatican, I've never been to the Sistine Chapel. Why? It takes like three hours to get in because of how long the line is. And leave me reviews, people.
Z98