here it is. the first multichapter fic I've finished since middle school. thank you so much to my friends for the support while writing this.

yes, it's named after angel with a shotgun.

Jr.'s hands burned.

His guns might as well have been searing hot to the touch, for how they felt in his palms. Jr. remembered the shake of every shot, the thundering power in their barrels as though it had been etched into his mind. The smoke burned in his nose. His ears rang.

Jr. didn't know how many times he'd fired them in his life. He didn't think about it anymore. Shooting was as routine as putting one foot in front of the other. He'd defeated so many enemies, neutralized so many threats, but it had never been painful like this. He could feel every shot as though the bullets had torn through his very own body.

His link with Albedo had laid dormant for years, intentionally blocked off in his mind. Now Jr. tore through it, desperately searching for something, anything to hold onto.

Nothing. It was empty.

Albedo was really gone.

Jr. didn't bother to stop the tears. He didn't bother to think about it, to ask questions like if Albedo was worth mourning or saving. He didn't care what Albedo had done. All he could feel was that awful ache, the hole clawing at his heart.

It was so quiet in his chest without his second heartbeat.

Sakura's words were meaningless.

"I don't care," Jr. mumbled, voice heavy with tears. "I don't c-care. I need him."

She was probing, trying to find some way to comfort him. Jr. was grateful for the thought somewhere deep inside, but he couldn't even bear to listen to her.

"I just want him back!" His head snapped upwards, eyes pleading. "All I want is to see Albedo again."

He'd been so stupid. All these years, he'd favored some stupid grudge, a hollow rivalry over Albedo, his brother. Jr. had been so scared of facing his own failure that he'd forgotten about his own family.

If Jr. could fix all he'd done, somehow, he'd do it in a heartbeat.

When the air began to spark, Jr.'s head whipped around in alarm. He'd nearly forgotten he was still in the space time anomaly. He'd never seen anything like this before, and he didn't suppose the space-time anomaly was stable now that Albedo was gone. Was it collapsing now?

"W-what's happening?" Jr. asked aloud. When he looked up, Sakura had disappeared.

Jr.'s mind raced. What could he do? If the anomaly disappeared, he would be floating in space. He had no idea where his E.S. was. Was he going to die here?

A cowardly part of him wondered if that would be so bad.

Jr. thought maybe he really was dying, as the air turned thick and the shadows spread. Everything popped shut like a transmission going dark.

All of Jr.'s senses cut out. His hands jumped to his throat, choked from air, but he couldn't feel his skin on his fingertips. He thrashed in panic, hurling out screams his ears couldn't hear.

As soon as it had started, it was all over.

The returning lights seemed brighter than ever, and Jr. almost collapsed. He doubled over, gasping for breath.

What was that?!

"Little Master!"

Jr. registered Mary's voice once he had enough oxygen to think again. He blinked, raising his head back up and looking around.

He didn't suppose heaven looked like the Durandal.

"I'm back," he gasped, hands grasping at his chest. Somehow, he was back on the Durandal.

"Are you alright? That was a dreadful gasp just now…" Mary looked down at him with worried eyes. Jr. shook his head.

"Mary…" When he looked up at her, his eyes were beaded with tears again. "It's Albedo. He's-"

"The time-space anomaly, I know." She put her hands on her hips. "You just told me about it."

"Huh?" Jr. blinked. "You- aren't mad?"

He'd suspected they would forgive him, sure, but only after an earful or two. Far be it for a fully grown man to sneak off on his own.

"…Little Master?"

Shelley turned from the control panel, eyebrows knit.

"You're acting strange," she said bluntly.

"I'm fine." Jr. snapped back. They were the ones acting strange. He didn't remember telling them about what happened in the anomaly. He didn't even remember how he got back!

When he jerked his chin away, frustrated, Jr. was met with a strange sight outside of the ship.

"That's the space-time anomaly," he said, eyes widening at the magenta glow. "But… how is it still around? Albedo's…"

His mind raced. Did that mean Albedo had survived, somehow? Or was that U-DO now, more powerful than ever?

Mary and Shelley exchanged looks.

"Little Master?" Mary put a hand on her hip, eyebrows quirked. "It only popped up just now."

"What?" Jr.'s head whipped around. "What… time is it?"

That couldn't be it. That was impossible.

"It's 1900 hours."

That was impossible.

"I left at 2100," Jr. said more for himself than anything, mouth dry. He threw himself at the console.

It was all the same. Same date, same readings- everything was exactly as it had been before Jr. left.

Mary and Shelley were saying something, but Jr. couldn't hear them. His blood was pounding in his ears.

It had been so comfortable he hadn't realized it. It was only now, thinking consciously, that he noticed the heartbeat still strong in his chest.

"I'm back," Jr. whispered, dumbfounded.

Somehow, he could try again.

His hand pressed against the right side of his chest. Albedo's heart pulsed there.

Jr. had another chance. He wouldn't waste it.

"Little Master!"

Mary's hands latched onto the sides of his arms, gripping him in place.

"What is the matter with you?!" She shook him back and forth. Jr. batted at her arms.

"Hey, cut it out! I'm fine." More than fine, now that he knew what an opportunity he had. Mary didn't look convinced, but Jr. knew there'd be no way to explain it to her.

He didn't even know how to explain it to himself. It had been a space-time anomaly, after all, so he shouldn't be surprised time had gone wonky. Still, Jr. had never really heard of anyone time travelling before, except in novels.

It had to be something about Miltia. Something about the black holes causing a time dilation, or how everything had frozen in place down there, or U-DO-

Jr. shook his head. None of that really mattered right now. The only thing that mattered was what he could do with it.

"Where's Gaignun?" He asked, before Mary could press him further. She sighed. Jr. hoped this would make her give up whatever questions she had. His stubbornness was well-documented.

"He's out. He won't be back for awhile." She shook her head, clearly disappointed in Jr.'s distraction tactic.

Jr. frowned. He only realized now that he didn't actually know where Gaignun was.

Hello? Gaignun?

Nothing. It seemed like Gaignun had blocked off the other end of their link.

Jr.'s hands rested on his hips. That was concerning, all right. It had been a bit of a relief when he was trying to sneak out, but now that he had the time to think about this properly, it was kind of weird.

"You're not thinking of goin' and confrontin' him, are you?"

Jr. cursed internally.

They couldn't keep him here, but he really didn't want to have to fight through Mary and Shelley if he didn't have to.

"I'm going back to my room." He said. He really didn't want to discuss this. His mind was more than made up.

He could feel their eyes boring into him as he took the lift down from the bridge.

What had he done last time? He'd talked to Shion and Ziggy, but that was more to make his mind up than anything else. This time, Jr. didn't need convincing.

He sighed, rubbing his fingers against his forehead. The sooner he got to Albedo, the better.

The others probably knew he was headed down to the hangar by now. He didn't care. They couldn't stop him.

"Jr.!"

Jr. paused.

"MOMO," he said, as gently as he could. "Listen…"

"You're going by yourself?"

"I'm the only one who can do this," he explained. "I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna involve you, MOMO. Albedo's my brother, so I have to save him."

"But…" her hands clasped together. "You'll come back, right?"

"'course," he said, with as much of a smile as he could muster. He didn't bother telling her to think of an excuse. He was pretty certain Mary and Shelley knew what he was up to, anyways.

"Be careful!"

He heard her voice cut off as he dashed into the hangar. Jr. hated to blow off MOMO like that, but he needed to get to Albedo as quickly as he could. This was his only chance to save him.

Jr.'s fingers drummed against his E.S. He didn't have much thinking time before he arrived at the anomaly.

What could he possibly do differently? Maybe not fire on Albedo, for starters. At least then he wouldn't die again. Jr. would have to make him see reason somehow.

He sighed. Talking to Albedo was never an easy task. He talked in circles and metaphors and hardly ever made any damn sense.

Too bad Jr. was more stubborn than anyone. He wouldn't give up.

Things would be different this time. Albedo couldn't die. That's what this was, wasn't it? This was the universe correcting its mistake, or something poetic like that.

Albedo was there when Jr. landed, staring at him with those biting purple eyes.

"You're really alive." Jr. breathed.

His voice cracked, but he didn't care. He probably looked stupid, throwing his arms around Albedo right after being threatened to come here, but he didn't care. There was something in Jr. that, no matter what he saw, couldn't believe any of it- not that Albedo had died, not that he had another chance, not any of it.

Jr.'s arms tightened around his brother. He never thought he'd see Albedo again, much less get to hold him. Jr. chewed on his lip as the relief welled up in him. He wouldn't let himself tear up. He had to preserve some of his dignity.

"What's this, Rubedo?" Albedo asked in that low, mocking voice, chuckling uncomfortably. "You don't have a regretful bone in your body."

"Cut the crap." Jr. said with a deep inhale. "I mean it, Albedo."

He stepped away, holding his brother at arm's length. "I'm just here to talk, not to fight."

"Of course not." Albedo laughed again. "You've come to play."

"Albedo-"

"It won't make you any less scared," he said, wrenching away from Jr.'s hands. "Making your peace with me, or whatever you think you're doing… you still came alone. You still don't give a damn about anyone else."

"That's not true!" Jr. snapped, before taking another breath. Albedo had a way of getting under his skin.

"Come on, Rubedo," Albedo walked backwards, out of Jr.'s reach yet again. "Let's see if you can reach me. Let's see how much your heart can take."

He laughed, loud and shrill until he had passed through the portal and disappeared. Jr. gritted his teeth, fists clenched. Albedo was like the rest of them. He had no idea what Jr. had gone through, what he had seen.

"A hell of a lot more than you think," he said, before chasing his brother through the light.

Albedo was crouched on the ground, hands pawing through the dirt. Being here in person, seeing it all again made Jr. remember the pound of his heart, the creeping trepidation he'd felt through every horrifying scene.

It still hurt, like a bullet hole through his chest- the thought of Albedo so worried sick over his death, or that furious with Sakura. Jr. hadn't known his brother could hide so much from him.

"I'm digging graves for Rubedo and Nigredo," Albedo explained, breathless. "It's just for pretend, though."

"I know. You don't want to cry when we die, I know." Jr. shook his head. "I'm not here to hurt you, Albedo. We're not gonna fight."

"Oh, but you will…" Albedo stood, hands crawling about his face. "You don't have a choice… what bliss it will be."

"Stop it, Albedo. I just want to talk to you, the real you." Jr. crossed his arms. "No more games."

"A game? You think this is a game?" Albedo's voice was harsh now, sunken eyes glowing. "This is what you were born to do, Rubedo. You'll kill me… and you'll like it."

He couldn't know what he was saying. He couldn't know Jr. had already killed him, had already watched his eyes grow soft and dull and his body fall weak and limp.

It wouldn't happen again. Jr. wouldn't let it.

"I don't care what I was born for. I'm not gonna do anything anyone else wants me to do." Jr.'s brow furrowed. "And that includes you."

Albedo laughed again. "So brave, Rubedo… what lies."

The forest around them collapsed. Now they were in Sakura's bedroom, where Jr.'s breath froze solid in his chest.

He couldn't stand to watch Albedo beat up his friend, their friend, because of petty jealousy. Jr. launched himself forwards, grabbing Albedo and yanking him off of her.

"Don't do this!" he grunted. "Albedo-"

"What?" he laughed, straining against Jr.'s hold. "You can't bear my hands on her, is that it? You have no idea… how shallow and manipulative-"

"Stop it! I just want to talk."

"Stupid girl," Albedo breathed. He kicked her where she laid on the floor, finally free of Jr.'s grip. "She could never have your heart. It belongs to me."

"Quit it. I don't care about your illusions." Jr. gestured to their surroundings.

"I get it." Albedo's smile was thin. "It's easier to pretend it isn't real."

Jr.'s fists clenched. "I'm not scared of you!"

Albedo laughed again, hysterical, and Jr. could feel frustration brimming in him. He fought it, teeth gnashing. He was getting nowhere fast.

"Take me to wherever you are." He growled. "You want to finish this? Let's finish this."

When Albedo's eyes opened again, they were narrow and sly. "If you insist."

It was almost a relief to see Albedo's twisted throne room, filled with glowing pink wires and Kirschwassers in tanks. Jr. walked in less cautiously than he had the first time, now striding easily towards Albedo.

It was really him, still, after everything. It was Albedo- strong, scary, hulking Albedo, who picked up Jr. like he was nothing and leveled barbed smiles at him- but still Albedo, still alive.

"I found you," Jr. heard himself say, relieved.

Seeing Albedo here, face to face, finally made it all real. He really had another chance. Jr. couldn't mess this up. He wouldn't fail Albedo again.

This time Jr. would save him. He would be the older brother Albedo believed he was.

Albedo lifted his head from his fist.

"You're not here to stop me, Rubedo?" His voice lilted, mocking. "This will only keep expanding, you know. I could have the whole star cluster to myself by tomorrow."

"I will stop you." Jr. clenched his jaw. "But I won't do it by fighting."

Albedo laughed, raucous.

"Without fighting, Rubedo?" He leaned forwards, electric with mocking joy. "We are weapons. How do you plan to stop me? With words?"

"I'll do whatever it takes-"

"You won't convince me," Albedo interrupted, breathless. "You can't possibly know what it's like. I've seen wonders and terrors beyond your comprehension, know things you can't possibly dream of-"

"Just listen-"

"Look at me, Rubedo," Albedo spread his arms wide. "I am the most powerful being in the universe. I can shift this whole dimension into a high-order domain. A mortal like you couldn't possibly understand. I could shape this universe beyond anything you could imagine, beyond the pitiful order of those humans you love so much!"

"Albedo!" Jr. could feel the power radiating from him, almost painful in its unimaginable strength. It seared right through his mind, racing down and stoking the frustration building in his gut.

Albedo wasn't lying. He could do any of the things he was talking about. Was he too powerful to be reasoned with?

Jr.'s head swam. His vision blurred. That couldn't possibly be it. Why would he come back here if he was doomed from the start? There had to be a way to solve this.

But what? His mind was racing. He couldn't think of anything. He couldn't kill Albedo, but he couldn't let him go through with this, either. Words weren't working.

Time was running out.

"Albedo, stop it." Jr. pleaded. "This isn't what you want. This isn't who you are!"

"I am the eternal chain," Albedo said in wonderment. "The perfect life form! I am everything, Rubedo!"

The power radiating from him was only getting louder. It was deafening.

"I just want to help you, dammit!"

"You want to fight!" Albedo's voice was rising. "Listen to the beating in your chest, Rubedo!"

Red dragon was boiling within him, vibrating in every atom of his body. He felt limp when it took over, like a mere marionette set alight with fury.

"No!" Jr. wrenched his eyes shut. Not now! He couldn't lose control now, not during his chance to save Albedo!

"Don't fight it, Rubedo," Albedo cooed. "There's no use in pretending."

"I'm not gonna let you die!" Jr. shouted, clapping his hands over his ears. "I'm not gonna fight you!"

He didn't want to hear it, the whispering of U-DO and Albedo's pointed taunts. It was like a thousand tiny pricks, like being held over a fire and slowly lowered in.

"Come, Rubedo."

Ether blasts began to pummel him.

"Show me your anger, your fury. I long to see it on your face, to feel your bullets on my body."

They hit hard on his aching body, tearing at his coat. It was like he was being ripped apart.

"Stop it," Jr. shouted over the noise. "Stop it!"

To his surprise, Albedo did.

He still hummed with U-DO's power, too bright to look at. Jr. brought his arms down from where they clutched at his sides, panting wildly.

Before he could hope, he shot upwards into the air.

It was the feel of U-DO on him, razor-sharp like ice in his veins. Jr. thrashed against the grip. His struggle proved fruitless, as whatever force suspended him dragged him over to Albedo, holding him still in place.

"So, Rubedo?" Albedo asked, breath fanning onto Jr.'s face. "Is this your answer? Will you just stand there and watch me re-form this world? What a pitiful little hero you made."

"Stop… whatever this is," Jr. ground out. "I won't… kill you. You won't… die this time."

"Rubedo… my beloved Rubedo." Albedo's eyebrows knit, almost pitying. "What have they done to you? This isn't the Rubedo I cherish."

His hand traced around Jr.'s face, brimming with revolting power.

"Go on. Show me it's still you, my Rubedo."

His other hand plunged its claws into Jr.'s stomach, and something in him finally snapped.

The red dragon waves burst from him, piercing through Albedo. Jr. fell to the ground when Albedo's grip slackened, landing in a heap on the floor.

His head snapped up immediately, despite the impact. Jr.'s vision swam, and he panted from the effort of pulling back his waves.

Something told him it was already too late. Dread spiked through him as he stood and dashed to Albedo's side, even though he felt heavy, too heavy to hold himself up.

"Albedo…?" he asked, his voice small and pathetic. Albedo was laughing softly to himself, lying limp on his stupid throne.

"See, Rubedo?" Albedo asked softly. "You enjoyed that."

"No! I didn't!" Jr.'s voice only got more desperate. He couldn't believe this was happening again.

U-DO's waves were gone. It was just Albedo, lying there, just Albedo without the monster he'd linked with, the thing he'd entrusted his body and soul to.

He was dying again.

Jr. had been given another chance, and he'd failed.

"This can't be happening," he said, eyes brimming quickly with tears. He couldn't stop them. He didn't even try. How could he come this close to saving Albedo and fail like this?!

"Rubedo," Albedo said, voice so smooth and eyes so kind despite it all. "Your eyes…"

"Of course I'm sad!" He wiped at his eyes forcefully. "Damn it! Albedo!"

It wasn't the red dragon, this time. This was genuine anger, frustration burning a path through his body.

How could he lose Albedo again? Why would the universe bring him back here, only to watch his brother die again?

Why couldn't Jr. do anything?

"This is what I wanted, Rubedo."

A long finger brushed away the tear running down Jr.'s cheek, as the room began to fade again.

Albedo's lips quirked up. "…freedom, at last."

The world went black again.