FOREWORD: The story is set into stages, mainly 'cause I think it goes with the story. Anyway, this is the first stage of this story (it will drag out for a while since it just isn't one happy ending) and I hope you enjoy it!

NOTES: The first and last bits are in some void or another, where Akane and Celes comment on the story. So if you don't wanna read, you don't have to, since it won't effect anything.

How much humour can I cram into it? I really have no idea, since this isn't as a script (for some reason, they're easier to make more fun of in that way) so don't expect to laugh your head off all the way.

DISCLAIMERS: I don't own DNAngel, nor Cinderella, 'cause if I did, then they'd all be blowing up monsters or something. All too true...

IN THE LAST STAGE: For some reason or another, Daisuke's class decided to do the story Cinderella for their school play. That night Dark meet Krad, Krad attacks with magic, Hikari item activates, pulling the characters in. What now? For the story that they were dragged into is no other than Cinderella...

Other:

() Daisuke

(()) Dark

--- a time space

{} my own rambling opinions. If it annoys you, then just don't read it.

Italics are used when Dark and Daisuke are talking outside the lines of the story. So it shouldn't be too confusing to work out what's going on, hopefully... If you do get confused, just tell me and I'll fix it up.

And I'm open to all opinions: How to make it better, what I shouldn't be doing, etc., 'cause I don't wanna get crushed like last time for something I wasn't even aware of (sadly. I never expected scripts to be kicked out. Hmm... oh well. What's done is done.)

Enjoy!


Stage 1: Definitely NOT once upon a time...


The void, that seemed endless, was nothing of interest as Akane padded in the blank surroundings, frowning slightly as she thought over what had just happened.

"Cinderella... but how could this be? That's the most absurd thing I've heard for a long time," she muttered. She stopped as Celes stepped in, "So... what did you find out?"

"It is all too much for me to just to send them back here," the other girl said sadly, "I am so sorry about this, Akane..."

"It wasn't your fault," she cut in firmly, "but we have to do our best on this side to get them back here."

"Oof!"

"Oh... Dark?" called Akane through a small mouthpiece-type thing, "are you okay now?"

"Um... where the hell am I? ... Daisuke?!" there was silence for a moment, and then Dark's relived sigh, "He's still here..."

"What about Krad and Hiwatari-kun?" she asked, as Celes fell into thought and didn't seem ready to say anything.

"... well, they ain't here, I'll say that much," came back the muffled reply, "so now what?"

"Cinderella," repeated Celes, "you are in that story, so you must be careful. For who knows what will happen now..."

"WHAT?!"

"We'll watch from this end," Akane assured him, "but make sure nothing bad happens, or..."

"Great... another story world playing thing..."

The connection broke off and she sighed, "We can only watch, can't we..."

"It is strange, though," whispered Celes, "but many characters have been replaced by people in this world."

"... now what?"

"We watch... and hope for the best."

-And so, this was how the tale begins... {not with once upon a time, though... pity...}-

The morning sky promised a calm, dry day, and Daisuke took a look out the window, where the breeze played cheerfully with the short strands of red hair. Leaning on the sill, his eyes roved around restlessly, until a knocking sounded on his door. Getting up hastily, he called out.

"Yes? The door's unlocked. You can enter," he said. The door creaked open slowly, and his grandfather, Daiki, entered, carrying with him a large wooden box which seemed fairly heavy, "Oh, grandpa, what are you doing here? I thought you said you were going to the other side of the world..."

With a slight thud, the old man could only shake his head at whatever was running through his head, "I'm sorry, Daisuke, but I guess we kept this a secret from you for too long, and with your mother gone, I am sure it's really hard on you."

Daisuke seemed slightly confused, "Was that from mum, then? Before she got chased out of town?"

"Chased?" repeated Daiki softly, "Do you really think she's still alive? Ah well, go ahead and open it."

The little redhead obliged, and could only stare at the pieces of leather that spilled out before him. Picking one up carefully, he frowned slightly at his grandfather, who shrugged.

"You know she loved to make clothes," he explained, "and she left these in my possession, until you reached the age of fourteen..."

"You mean about Dark?" cut in Daisuke, and Daiki froze at this before giving the boy a suspicious look.

"How did you know that?" he asked slowly, as if trying to decide whether this Daisuke was the real one and wasn't a police officer pretending to be his grandson. With a sigh, the redhead nodded and gave the clothes another bewildered look.

"I had my birthday about three months ago," he said, "so this is really for Dark then?"

Daiki seemed fairly shocked, "I was away for so long I forgot when your birthday was!" {Heh... he's being chased out of town as well. Yeah, his 'trip around the world'.}

"That doesn't matter, Gramps," Daisuke waved it away without another thought, "Dark explained everything to me when I first transformed, and he's sleeping at the moment, so we shouldn't disturb him," he them gave a long look at the old man, "does this mean you're staying here?"

Hope shimmered in the boy's amber eyes, but Daiki could only sigh and reply sadly, "No, I have to leave again in one hour. If they were to know I had come her to visit you again."

There seemed to be a flash of pain in the boy's eyes, but it vanished almost instantly, "That's okay, Gramps, I understand," he said in a slightly hurried tone, "just be a little careful, or the police will catch you one day..." {for one reason, I will never know...}

"Just like your mother," patting Daisuke's hair playfully, Daiki smiled, "except maybe not so hyperactive. Just be a good boy and listen to your father and everything will be okay."

"Yeah, okay," with a smile, the boy waved as he grandfather crept out of the room and out of sight {expect unexpected visits from Daiki, he'll be in once in a while.}. As a heavy silence fell, another voice {which Daisuke only knew too well by now} spoke to him in a rather disapproving tone.

((Why didn't you just tell him? He was me before you were, you know {um... that didn't make any sense, did it? I am SO confused now!!}. ))

(Dark? I thought you were still sleeping,) Daisuke replied as he placed the clothes back into the box and shoving it unceremoniously under his bed before returning to the window. The Phantom Thief mumbled something about flying pigs but then answered {um... flying pigs chosen at random. Hm... do pigs really fly? Will they ever? The mystery will forever remain...}.

((Was and will after I finish telling you off,)) Dark finally said haughtily, ((You have to start learning to speak up for yourself. And do you EVER plan to tell your father that his choice in women, after Emiko, really, really stinks {or sucks, whatever you want}?))

"I can't just say that!" exclaimed the redhead, and the Thief snorted in exasperation at his host's innocence.

((Yeah, you are just too kind, Daisuke. It's really going to take you far,)) he said sarcastically, ((one day you're going to lose everything because people do take advantage of you out there.))

(... but that's how I am,) Daisuke finally said, looking out the window again, (I just can't change myself like that.)

((You can't, but I can!)) Dark proclaimed, ((And your lesson is going to start tonight!))

(sn't the wedding tonight?)protested Daisuke, as he left his room, locking it as he went, (We can't just miss it, or we'll be punished.)

((You will,)) chuckled the Thief, ((but just have With take your place. That way,)) the redhead could almost see the smirk, ((we can crash that party to the ground!))

"What?!" screeched Daisuke, stopping at the top of the stairs and tumbling down before he could catch his balance. Flipping forwards, he managed to stay on his feet that time, but couldn't help but yell at Dark, (WE CAN'T DO THAT! THAT'S EVEN WORSE THAN YOU KISSING RIKU-SAN! {ooh, life story, Dark, you're life story! Poor poor Daisuke...} DARK YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!! Although, it would be interesting to see the effects...) {oooh... should we should we should we???}

((Ahem,)) Dark coughed patiently, ((So does that mean we're in agreement? Besides, your father doesn't even know about me, since he isn't of the Niwa blood. Not to mention that he doesn't even know you properly. Doesn't speak to you, play with you, no... father-son bond, if you know what I mean.))

(Okay, fine,) the redhead gave in, opening the front door and leaving the large mansion-like place which was the Niwa estate, (but please don't get too careless and get us caught.)

((We're not going to get caught, Daisuke,)) insisted the Thief, ((now, I'll just have a bit of shut eye.))

Almost instantly Daisuke could hear his other half's snoring uproariously, and shut it out of his mind before going into a brisk stride. The town {turning into city} was peacefully quiet, since it was still early in the day, and he felt relaxed and at ease, unlike when he was trapped in the house, with his company being his darker half and a demon bunny by the name of With. He was also aquatinted with a pair of girls by the name of Risa and Riku, with him having a crush on the younger one {and rejected him, thus leading to his transformation, blah blah blah.}. If there was one thing that Daisuke was good at, it was making friends with practically everyone he met.

As it was, while the redhead was occupying himself with the view, he felt his feet leave the ground, and he fell, only to look up at a boy his own age with jet black hair.

"Saehara?!" he yelled, jumping up, "Where did you come from?!"

"As usual, Daisuke, you are too predictable," Takeshi said cheerfully, sitting down, "you always come here at the same time every morning, no matter what the weather, so what did you expect?"

"Maybe I should be asking you why you're here?" smiling, Daisuke sat down next to his childhood friend {for ten years. They've known each other since they were four!}, "You aren't the type of person to go out in the morning to enjoy the sunrise."

"Nah... but Dark Mousy's coming again tonight!" his eyes sparkled with a light that Daisuke only knew too well, "And I found out yesterday from my old man! I couldn't sleep at all, so..."

"I think I get the picture," the redhead cut in, Dark... so you already sent out a notice without my permission. AGAIN...

There was the unmistakable sniggering in the back of his mind, and he sighed, not bothering to berate the Thief, as he had already agreed to the destruction that would reign that night.

"You know, he's after that thing your father bought that woman he's been going out with lately," Takeshi continued, jerking Daisuke out of his thoughts {and Dark's sniggering, which was getting louder and louder with every second that passed}, "so I thought it would be best to warn you so you could warn your father," his face cracked into a grin, "of course, this is THE Dark we're talking about, so there really isn't much one can do..."

Nodding in agreement, he took a look at the clear sky, which was like a faded painting, (I think I'll start painting again. It's been a while since I did a really good one...)

((That was 'cause you were depressed with Emiko's disappearance,)) Dark pointed out, not bothering to pretend to be asleep anymore {Daisuke already knew anyway, with all the sniggering}, ((not that I blame you. Weird as she was, she was your mother and she's a much better woman than that... thing your father's been going out with, he shuddered, you'd have to kill me first to marry something that looked like THAT!))

(She's doing it for the money though, isn't she?) Daisuke asked, (Not out of love.)

((Well, duh! Great work, genius!)) snorted Dark, ((Obviously it's the case, or I'm a psychopath! There aren't many wealthy families around here, so what do you think?))

(You don't have to bite my head off like that,) pouting slightly, he pulled himself back to reality in time to hear Takeshi's question {whatever it was. I never caught it either}.

For one reason or another, Daisuke had a feeling that this tale was not going to be a smooth one.

(Dark, are you sure we should be doing this? Shouldn't we be trying to find a way out?) asked the redhead as the story continued in full flow.

((We have to trust Akane and Celes now, so don't worry,)) replied Dark coolly, ((We'll get out of here.))

Daisuke sighed, (I sure hope so...)

---

Upon entering his home a few hours later, he noticed that the hallways were oddly quiet {not that they had any servants, but there was usually this strange bumping sound which could've been some sort of spirit, but... it was not making the usual bumping sound}. Frowning, Daisuke padded across the hallway and, sliding a door open slowly, he checked inside. He repeated the process a few more times, before finally giving up and going to his own room. His father, he knew, would not be home until sometime after midday, which meant that he would have to kill another four hours elsewhere.

When he entered his room, he was greeted by a small bunny-like creature, which jumped into his arms, 'kyuu'-ing happily.

"Ah, With, had a nice sleep?" asked the redhead, patting his soft fur, "Last night was a close one wasn't it? Good job you were there when you were."

"Kyuu!"

"Yeah, no thanks to Dark," his tone held a slight amount of venom, and Dark laughed nervously.

((How was I suppose to know that someone would put a magical trap out for me?)) he protested, ((whoever it was, they knew what they were doing, but it's strange...))

"Huh? What's strange?" asked Daisuke, turning to a mirror, where he could see Dark, who was frowning slightly. Shrugging, the Thief allowed a hand to pass through his dark violet hair.

((Very few people can use magic,)) he finally said, ((they all lost it after a while, because they were incompetent. The Niwa family had a natural talent in the magic field, but I can't remember any other family that could use it without going bonkers...))

"Hmm..." looking around his room thoughtfully, it didn't take the redhead long to locate his old painting equipment, "maybe they did go bonkers after it," he suggested, taking another look out the window. It didn't take him long to start a painting, and, in almost no time at all, he had finished a rather quick painting of the sky, and...

((Oi, what's this?)) asked Dark, peering curiously at the small black smudge, ((it almost looks like a person with wings...))

"Hm? Maybe..." Daisuke blinked, "I was just letting my hand do all the work, so..."

Dark seemed oddly silent after that, making Daisuke slightly uncomfortable. After a while, he snapped back to attention and coughed importantly.

((In any case,)) he said, ((let's just go on until the comes, right?))

"Uh... okay..."

Unknown to the two, a single, pure white feather floated past the open window.

((Did Cinderella start like this?))

(No. But why is it that... this is so confusing...)

((And you're telling me this?))

(...)

---

The sound of the front door opening snapped Daisuke back to attention to whatever he'd been doing to pass the time {you know, painting, reading, talking to With... and Dark, etc.}. Biting his lower lip, he shoved all his paintings {he had quite a few done by that time} under his bed where it couldn't be seen and waited until an older male {who looked so much like him, minus the red hair} entered the room.

"Oh, Daisuke," said the man, who was obviously his father, "sorry that I haven't had any time to spend with you--"

In the back of his mind, Daisuke heard Dark snort, ((Yeah, you've been wasting time with that...))

(Dark!) he yelled warningly before replying to his father {who had finished his apology, except they hadn't been paying attention}, "It's okay, dad, I know you've had a lot of work to do lately."

((You mean like trying to figure out whether or not his only son can use magic?)) asked the Thief innocently, ((they're getting rather suspicious now, you know...))

"I mean," Kosuke scratched his head, as if uncomfortable to be with his son, "since tonight is the night..."

"Hmm?" Daisuke blinked.

"I found a message saying that the Phantom Thief Dark was going to steal something during the wedding," he sighed, "and I don't know if anyone can stop him."

"Dark is going to the party?" the redhead asked innocently, "But what is he trying to steal?"

"The ring I bought for your stepmother-to-be," explained Kosuke, and then started to explain about how expensive it had been, but Daisuke was paying more attention to what Dark was saying.

((This is gonna be a cinch, Daisuke. Leave it to the greatest Thief of all times and nothing could possibly go wrong!))

(But, um...) something flashed in the other boy's mind, (I know With is taking my place, but... what if someone want's to talk to him? How is he going to get through with that? How am I going to get through with it?! Dark, there's too much on the line! Couldn't you steal it later or something?)

((No can do,)) declared the Thief, ((by now, your loudmouth friend would've told everyone. Come on, it'll be fun. Trust me!))

Frowning slightly {and only then noticing that his father had left the room}, Daisuke shook his head, I trust you Dark. (But... sometimes I wonder how you can stand it...)

((Because I'm Dark Mousy!))

(As expected,) looking out of the window, the redhead sighed, (But I don't think this is going to be as easy as you say it is.)

Dark fell silent at this, and an uncomfortable feeling began to well inside of Daisuke, (Dark?)

((Nothing's going to go wrong,)) said the Thief, ((nothing.))

But Dark's tone of voice said otherwise, and Daisuke couldn't help but bite his lip. Something was going to happen that night.

But what, he didn't know...

-End Stage 1-

"Ah! The connection's back!" Akane jumped up and ran over to Celes, "Can we talk to them now! I was getting really worried about what was going on!"

"Akane-san?" asked Daisuke's voice, "Are you there?"

"Yeah. So... are you still okay? Haven't lost your sanity yet?"

"No, but... how are we supposed to go through with all this? And what happened to Hiwatari-kun?"

"We are trying to work that out now," replied Celes coolly, "so please do not worry."

"But Dark's gonna..."

"Just be careful."

"Okay... bye."

"Sorry for not being able to get you guys back here."

"It'll be okay. Right?"

"Yeah..."

The connection broke off in a cackle of light.

---- What will happen during this wedding? Well, we won't know until the next part! So this means... please stay tuned! ----

Finished: 31/07/04

Up: 13/08/04