Chrno Crusade: The End Is Just The Beginning
By:
Guardian Angel of Innocence
Chapter Five: Enter Mary Magdalene Christopher
Chrno swung his blade down vertically, but the white head man, Aion, quickly blocked it with his energy blade. The two glared into each other's eyes.
"You shouldn't have betrayed me," Aion said. "Your little girlfriend could have lived longer."
"Shut up! You have no right to speak about her!" Chrno cried angrily.
"Yes. You are right. She is too weak and dishonorable to talk about," Aion said. "Whatever was I thinking?" He smirked slightly.
"Aion, shut the hell up!" Chrno shouted and quickly sent a kick towards the white haired demon's stomach, slashing at him horizontally afterwards.
Aion winced then glared at Chrno again. He grinned slightly. "Magdalene took you away from me the first time. Then this vixen came and repeated the same exact thing. Why don't you come with me now, Chrno? We will both work together again to bring freedom upon our race."
"I'll die before I ever agree to working with you again, Aion," Chrno sneered.
"Then I sadly, but gladly, will deliver that fate to you," Aion said then charged after Chrno, swinging his blade horizontally.
Chrno ducked and Aion kneed him in the face afterwards. Chrno staggered back a bit then held his blade up defensively...
Rosette groaned as something cold and wet hit her cheek. She weakly opened her eyes to see nothing but darkness. Her eyes grew wide as she sat up, instinctively groping the ground for any kind of weapon. She heard groaning next to her and began holding her hands out in front of her, trying to find out just who it was that was next to here and where she was. Eventually, her hands touched something that felt like braided hair. She let out a sigh of relief, knowing only one person with such a long braid. "Chrno?"
There was another groan and she heard the person next to her roll to their side. "What is it, Rosette?"
Rosette smiled and hugged Chrno tightly, but not too tightly. "Thank God."
Chrno blinked a few times, taken aback by her actions then hugged her back. "Have a nightmare?"
"No. More like a heart attack, well, close to it," Rosette whispered. "Had no idea where I was. It's too dark in here."
Chrno chuckled slightly and held Rosette closer to him causing her to blush. "Don't worry. I wouldn't let anyone even come close to kidnapping you. Sorry I scared you." He kissed her on the forehead causing her to turn even redder. He could see her just fine due to his unique demon vision. Of course, he had forgotten she wouldn't be able to which led him to wonder just how Mia could see so well in the darkness.
"Chrno?" Rosette questioned quietly.
"Yes?" Chrno asked.
"Is it all right if we, umm, stay like this?" Rosette asked, turning a deeper shade of red.
Chrno slightly blushed then smiled gently, understanding why she wanted to stay this close to him. "It's fine, Rose."
Rosette smiled at the nickname as Chrno rolled onto his back, her scooting closer to him resting her left arm and her head on his chest. Chrno wrapped his arm around her waist and closed his eyes.
"Good night, "Rosette," Chrno said quietly.
Rosette closed her eyes, listening to the rhythm of Chrno's heartbeat. "'Night, Chrno. Hope you have sweet dreams."
"You, too," Chrno said, a smile crossing his face.
"Chrno's returned," a small demon said, bowing in front of a throne, the figure sitting upon the chair hidden in the shadows.
"Has he?" the figure asked.
"Yes. And he's brought an Apostle and human with him," the small demon said.
"An Apostle?" the figure asked. "Interesting. I never thought Chrno would be fool enough to have one accompany him here. I see I was wrong. He's more foolish than I first took him. Have the Apostle kidnapped so they may join the rest of their kind that we have here. I do not care if you harm them, just don't bring them to the point of dying. We need them desperately."
The small demon nodded and turned to leave to give off the new orders.
"And do not forget to have Chrno killed. He does not deserve to survive after his betrayal," the figure said.
The small demon nodded again then left the throne room
The figure chuckled slightly then lifted up his wine glass to his lips, his blue eyes slightly lighting up. "A toast to the upcoming battles and victory that will soon be mine." He drank the wine. We will soon meet again, Chrno.
"Oooooohhhhhhhh. What do we have here?" Mia asked teasingly, a smirk upon her face.
Rosette groaned and opened her eyes to see she and Chrno were in the same position they had fallen asleep in. She blushed when she heard Mia's comment and sat up, gently setting Chrno's hand on his chest. "It's not what you think."
"Uh-huh. And my name's not Mia," Mia said, still smirking.
Rosette gave her glare while still blushing then looked away. "Where are we anyway?"
"In a cave that Chrno and I found while you passed out, Miss I'm-Okay-But-I'm-Really-Not," Mia said as her smirk disappeared, her face holding concern. "You okay?"
"I said I was fine and I'm not going to repeat myself again," Rosette said.
"You think you two could keep your voices down to a whisper," a voice said.
Rosette and Mia both looked in the direction the voice came from to see Chrno had woken up and sitting up, smiling slightly.
"Some people are trying to sleep," Chrno said.
"Do demons even need sleep?" Mia questioned.
Rosette frowned and crossed her arms. "Rather they do or not, it's best they do. How else do they regain their energy?"
"The horns on their heads?" Mia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Does it look like he has horns?" Rosette asked and grabbed Chrno by the ear, pointing with her free hand at his head.
Chrno sweatdropped from her holding onto his pointed ear and tried to make hr let go, but the girl was very stubborn.
Mia scratched the back of her head while sweatdropping and laughing nervously. "No. I guess you're right."
Rosette released Chrno causing him to gently massage his ear, giving Rosette a hurt look. Rosette obviously hadn't noticed it and had crossed her arms. "Of course I'm right. I know more about demons than most people do."
Mia rolled her eyes and muttered, "Hard to believe since you never pay attention in class."
"I might not pay attention, but I do have my sources," Rosette said.
"Yeah. Yeah," Mia said and looked towards Chrno. "So where to?"
"I'd suggest Ending City, but I am not aware if it still exists or not," Chrno said. "It's one of the biggest cities within Pandemonium. We'll have to keep a low profile while there, but we'll get more information. Large cities normally hold much gossiping within them."
"Yeah. But we'll have to be careful not to get fact mixed up with lies, too. Not all gossips are true," Rosette said.
Chrno nodded in agreement.
"You know, that just takes the fun out of it," Mia said and pouted.
Chrno chuckled while Rosette smirked slightly.
"Maybe, but it's better than kicking the wrong bad guy's butt," Rosette said.
Chrno nodded in agreement with Rosette once again. "Far more better."
Mia sighed in defeat then shook her head. "Whatever. Anyways, lead the way, Chrno."
"Tell me again why I have to wear this?" Chrno whispered as he followed Mia and Rosette through the city. He was wearing a big dark blue trench coat, white buttoned up t-shirt, baggy blue pants, black shoes, dark blue finger gloves, dark blue sweatband that went around his forehead, a long white haired wig that reached his knees, what appeared to be brown furry ears sticking out from the sides of his head; his real ears being hidden by the wig, and fake nails shaped to appear as claws. "I look ridiculous!"
"Because we have to disguise ourselves. Duh!" Rosette whispered. She was wearing a white evening gown, white cape with gold trimming around it, a golden brooch that was shaped like a flower and connected her cape to her dress, white dress shoes that had rubies and emeralds near the tip of them shaped like a flower, a white hat that had flowers on the front top of it, a long red violet wig that reached her waist, red lipstick, light blue eye shadow, fake nails that were shaped to look like claws, and what looked like small white furry ears coming out from the sides of her head, the wig covering her real ears.
"Besides, if you look ridiculous, that would mean we look ridiculous," Mia hissed. She wore a red evening gown, red cape with gold trimming around it, a golden brooch that was embedded with rubies that was in the shape of a rose and connected her cape to her dress, black dress shoes that had rubies near the tip of it shaped in a rose as well, red hat that had roses on the front top of it, long baby pink wig that reached her elbows, fake nails that were shaped like claws, fake whiskers that were connected to her face by a type of clue Chrno had created that allowed the glue to be unseen once it had dried, small light brown pointy ears that were on top of her head being hidden by the hat her real ears being hidden by the wig, and a fake light brown tail that was underneath her gown.
Chrno frowned as he studied the two then muttered, "You two do look rather silly like that." He smirked slightly.
Rosette's eyebrow twitched slightly, but she let out a breath to calm herself and hissed, "Shut up, Chrno! You're going to ruin our cover!"
Chrno continued smirking but nodded.
The three entered a bar and sat down.
"Mia, remember to act all proper-like. I know it's really boring, but we have to," Rosette whispered.
Mia nodded and sat down at a table, Rosette and Chrno following suit.
"You know, I have heard rumors saying that our race has suddenly taken a liking to Earth. What does Earth have that we do not?" Rosette said rather loudly.
Mia and Chrno both raised an eyebrow, but caught on soon enough.
"I have heard those rumors as well," Mia said loudly. "If we had stayed better informed, perhaps we would have known the cause."
"I have heard these rumors as well," Chrno said a bit quietly. "Be it perhaps that Earth is far more superior in beauty?"
Rosette and Mia both sweatdropped then shook their heads.
"You mean that awful place? Why, it is covered with nothing but humans. Who would wish to go to such a desolate place?" Rosette said.
"Not me, that's for sure," Mia muttered. "Humans are downright filthy."
"The human race may cover most of the Earth, but it is quite easy to blend in with them. They are so busy oblivious in their own little world that no one would take much notice if one of us made a slight error," Chrno said.
You're good at this, Chrno, Rosette told him mentally. Must be because of all those years that you lived, ne?
Yeah. But you're not so bad yourself, Rose, Chrno told her and smiled slightly.
Rosette blushed from the nickname and quickly shook her head, trying to hide it. I took acting classes when I was little.
Chrno smirked slightly from the blush and nodded. Ah. I see.
"Excuse me, but I could not help but overhear your conversation," a girl's voice said, interrupting Chrno and Rosette.
Mia, Chrno, and Rosette turned their attention towards the young small girl demon looking at them.
The small demon wore a dress that reached her knees; the ends of it being ripped while the ends of the sleeves were also ripped and it was covered in dry dirt and mud hiding its original color, her feet are bare and covered with bruises and dirt, she had long messy black hair that almost reached her feet, small black devil wings that came out from her back, three sapphire jewels on her forehead, and an x shaped scar on her left cheek. Her skin was a light tan while she had small pointed ears. Her violet eyes held something akin to sadness and hope.
She's dressed in rags, Rosette thought and felt sympathy for the scrawny demon. She gulped, not being so sure she could speak so rudely to one such as her.
"And what would a lowly class demon such as yourself know of this situation?" Mia sneered.
Rosette and Chrno both gave Mia a surprised look then shook their heads knowing they were supposed to still be in character.
"I have heard the Lords and Ladies speaking of it when I was down in the alley searching for food," the tiny demon said.
Food? Oooohhhhh. She must be a homeless orphan! Rosette thought. "Eavesdropping is rather rude." She leaned forward a bit and whispered in the young girl's ear, "It could get you into a lot of trouble. I know how rough the higher rank demons can be when it comes to that stuff." She sat up straight and regained the posture of one who didn't care for people such as the little girl, but her eyes told a different story; holding concern and sympathy as well as understanding for her.
The little girl's eyes slightly widened and she nodded. "Yes. I know. But if you wish to know more, you must follow me where we can talk more secretly."
Rosette, Chrno, and Mia all exchanged glances and nodded.
"Then led us to where it is you intend to brief us," Rosette said, smiling as she stood up.
The young girl's eyes lit up and she quickly nodded, grabbing Rosette's hand and dragging her off quickly, Chrno and Mia following suit. The little girl ran pass the crowd, excusing herself and her three comrades as they ran through. She finally came to a stop when they all had arrived outside the city in front of some ruins.
Rosette looked around and smiled slightly when she saw that the sky above them was lit up, the sky finally being cleared of any clouds and the sun shining down upon the yellow green grass. "It's beautiful." The wind slightly blew by as she sat down on a boulder.
"Much more better than what we've seen so far," Mia said and sat down in the grass.
Chrno leaned against one of the ruins with his arms crossed. "What is your name, Little One?"
"Mary Magdalene Christopher," the girl said smiling.
Mary Magdalene?! Chrno thought as his eyes widened.
Christopher?! Rosette's eyes widened.
Mia nodded.
"Who are your parents?" Rosette asked.
Mary sat down. "My father is Aion. I don't know who my mother is."
"Aion?!" Mia, Rosette, and Chrno all chorused at once.
Mary nodded. "Yes. Aion. He had me adopted by the slaves a year after I was born. I suppose he was ashamed since I wasn't a full demon."
"Who was your mother?!" Chrno and Rosette both cried out.
Mia sweatdropped and shook her head.
Mary watched each of them then sighed. "My mother was Rosette. She's dead now."
Chrno and Rosette both exchanged glances. Chrno looked away and growled as his hands turned to fists, his gaze upon the ground.
"Chrno, be careful. You're going to cut yourself or something," Rosette said, remembering the fake nails. She growled in frustration and quickly took off her costume, her real clothes being underneath it. She quickly took the fake nails off then went up to Chrno and grabbed his hand gently, removing the fake claws.
Mia watched the two and smiled slightly.
Chrno watched Rosette and smiled slightly. Rosette caught his smile and returned it while also blushing slightly.
"How did your mother die?" Mia asked.
"Father killed her after I was born," Mary said. "He... Dad, umm... Raped her."
Rosette's eyes widened in horror as she looked towards Mary.
Chrno growled again and was about to take his hands away from Rosette so they could turn to fists once more, but she prevented him from doing so.
"Calm down, Chrno," Rosette said, her face filled with concern as she returned her attention to him. "I know how you feel, kind of. But you can't let your anger get the better of you." She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, her other still holding his hand.
Chrno gazed into her eyes then slowly nodded.
Rosette blushed when she noticed what she was doing and quickly looked away as she continued to remove the fake claws. This caused Chrno to smirk slightly even though she hadn't caught sight of it.
Mia nodded in understanding. "Why are all the demons coming to our world?"
"There is an illness going around that's killing all of us rapidly. Luckily, it hasn't reached our city yet. All the Apostles are being taken so they can cure us. But there's one missing. We need the last Apostle, but we don't know where they are," Mary explained. "The lord is Aion, but he is busy fighting a war against Lord Auron. Our forces have weakened because of the disease. Many more people are dying. And the plague is spreading faster before the blink of an eye."
"I see," Mia said as she got out of her costume. She smirked slightly. "Then let's cure the demon race and, umm... Find out who the bad guy in the war is then kick their butt."
Rosette finally removed all of the fake nails then helped Chrno out of his costume. She smiled slightly. He was right. He did look rather silly in it. She giggled.
I heard that, Chrno told her and smirked slightly.
Rosette stuck out her tongue as she removed the last parts of his costume. She then hugged him tightly, Chrno taken aback by it since he hadn't expected it. Chrno hugged her back.
I'm sorry about what happened to my grandma, Chrno, Rosette thought as her expression filled with sadness. I know she didn't deserve it.
Chrno's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked off towards the distance whispering, "It's not your fault."
Rosette looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination. "It's not yours either."
Mary shook her head and smiled.
Chrno sighed a bit then shook his head as he placed his hands gently on Rosette's shoulders, looking into her eyes. "It is my fault. If I had known she was still alive, I would have saved her."
"It's not your fault and you didn't know. It couldn't be helped. Besides..." Rosette looked away. "What happened if something had gone horribly wrong and you died while trying to save her?" She looked back towards Chrno, tears filling her eyes. "I wouldn't have met you if that had happened."
Chrno's eyes widened slightly and he wrapped his arms around her waist then drew her close to him, using one hand to run through her hair. "You're right. I'm sorry, Rose." He kissed her on the forehead causing her to blush, him smiling warmly down at her while she smiled back shyly.
"Hey, Mary, you don't have horns. How are you able to use your powers?" Mia said.
"Simple. You see, that necklace..." Mary ushered towards Rosette. "Was tweaked a bit by a friend of Grandma Azmaria and Grandpa Joshua. Don't ask me how they knew I existed and stuff. They just did. Anyways, they made it so that if Rosette, yes, Rosette, they knew Joshua wouldn't make a contract, formed a contract with Chrno, he would drain her life energy and all that good old stuff. While doing so, I would receive some of that Astral Energy as well. Or..." A bright light took the place of her and after it had vanished, Mary stood there much more taller, taller than Rosette and Chrno. Her ears had become more pointed and her eyes had changed to the color blue. She no longer wore the rags, but, instead, wore a white tight long sleeve shirt, black skirt that reached her feet, and black shoes. Her hair had become shorter, only reaching her shoulders, and a long skeletal tail could be seen coming out from all her hair.
Rosette sweatdropped then suddenly made a disgusted face. "Eeeewwww! That means I'm related to Aion! Gross!"
Chrno's eyes widened slightly at Rosette's comment. He closed his eyes and shook his head. I have to protect Rosette, Joshua, and this girl, Mary. It's what Rosette, Joshua, and Azmaria would want. He frowned as he opened his eyes. Why couldn't they at least have given Rosette and Joshua different names? It would help to sort out any confusion.
"Not really, Rosette," Mary said. "Though, I'm related to you and that would make us cousins, I think."
"I think that would be second cousins," Rosette said then shook her head.
"Whatever. Point is, you can't be related to Aion because, one, you don't have any of his blood flowing in you and, two, he never married Mom," Mary said.
"Rose, she's your first cousin and you're her second," Chrno said, smirking slightly.
"Oh! Be quiet, Mr. Know-It-All!" Rosette cried and stuck out her tongue at him.
Chrno chuckled slightly.
Mary smiled. "You guys make a cute couple."
Rosette and Chrno looked towards Mary then blushed crimson.
"Give me a break! I'm not even going out with him! And I don't like him that way!" Rosette cried and pointed her finger at Chrno.
"And-and..." Chrno frowned and crossed his arms, unable to come up with an explanation. "Well... What she said." He pointed his finger at Rosette.
Mary laughed then smiled. "Come on. We can stay at my place. Henry and the others are waiting for me to return anyways."
"Henry and the others?" Rosette questioned as she, Mia, and Chrno began to follow Mary.
"Oh. That's right," Mary said and looked towards the three, smirking slightly. "Welcome to Deadly Mafia."
So, what did you think? I wasn't aware that Magdalene's whole name included Mary in it until today so, of course, I had to slightly edit this chapter. Mary just came to me naturally for the girl's first name x.x But, anyways, hope you enjoyed and don't forget to review. I'll put up the next chapter as soon as I complete it.