This is one of the stories I transferred over from- blah blah blah -visit my profile for full details. Be aware that this was my FIRST time writing a fanfiction, EVER! So excuse me if the writing is a bit…well, 'off'. Oh, another thing. The spells I'm using in this fanfic are from the Orphen series. This is because, while writing the story, I was originally planning to make a Chrno Crusade-Orphen crossover afterwards as a sequel to this one. But as it turns out, I never really got around to it. Do read on and continue to support me!

Disclaimer: Chrono Crusade and all its characters rightfully belong to Daisuke Moriyama-sama x3

O' Christmas Tree (part 5)

I was training in The Order's training simulation room practising my newfound powers. Father Remington is up in the other room supervising this practice.

"Keep your eye out. Behind you!" I hear him say.

I turn around and cast a spell; eliminating the virtual monster.

"Good work. There's more coming, stand your guard."

"Roger!" I replied.

I wore this headset with a microphone attached and I was speaking into it and getting orders from Father Remington through it. I ran around the passage ways looking for another monster and spotted one.

"I stroke you, lion's mane!" I recited.

With that a wall of blasting energy shot from me towards the monster.

"Yeah!" I said, and started acting like my own cheerleadng squad, "Go Heidi! Go Heidi!"

"There's more, don't celebrate so soon." said Father Remington.

I paused and turned around to see another monster.

"I summon you, sisters' fourth!"

Three balls of energy shot from my hands and blasted at the monster, eliminating it.

"Okay, what's next?" I asked.

"Something big."

"Big? I can handle – " Just then, I saw the new monster, "– big... AH! BIG!"

Standing in front of me was an oversized creature in the shape of a dog.

"This calls for my strongest spell."

I shut my eyes and focused my mind.

"I release you...sword of light." I held my arm, and aimed my hand at the monster. Nothing happened. The creature was nearing.

"I release you, sword of light!" I tried again.

A faint electric ball of light appeared in my hands but disappeared.

I started sweating. "Sword of light, whom I do release!" Still nothing. As the monster neared me, I shielded myself.

The monster did get close to me, but my shield was no match for it, because a few seconds later, my shield faded and the creature was about to attack, just as Father Remington turned the simulation off.

"Phew…" I breathed.

"You did well, except for that last spell." He stated.

"It's jake." I remarked. "I'll never get that spell right."

"You will someday." He said, reassuring me.

I sighed heavily. "Yeah right, as if. How am I supposed to be the guardian when I can't use my powers at their fullest?"

"Keep at it and you'll get there."

"That's if I DO get there."

Meanwhile...

A sunset yellow beach with a beachhouse on its shoreline. The fifteen year old Joshua is sitting on a chair on the house's balcony staring out into the distance. A dark-haired girl in a maid outfit emerged behind him.

"Lord Joshua, Aion wishes to see you." She said to him.

"My dear Fiore, I still wonder when I'll ever see her again." He wondered.

"Which one are you talking about?" she asked.

"My best friend. She always knew how to make me laugh."

"The job Aion gives you will be to see her. He asks for you."

Joshua sighed. "If that is Aion's orders."

He gets up from where he is sitting and walks away. Fiore spots the rag tied around his wrist, still wondering why he wears it all the time.

……

Two nuns; Sister Anna, Sister Claire, and a twelve-year-old girl named Azmaria were practising for a play. Azmaria said out her lines occasionally getting them wrong which caused the pink haired nun to get more than a little bit mad.

"I-I'm very sorry!" said Azmaria.

Sister Anna sighed. "It's okay, I'm just a little worked up that's all."

I opened one of the church doors and stepped in.

"Hey, hope I'm not interrupting." I said.

"Oh, hello Heidi." came Sister Anna's reply.

"Guardian Heidi!" Azmaria exclaimed.

I grinned awkwardly at her. "Shucks, call me Heidi."

"What was it you wanted?" asked Sister Claire.

"I was hoping if I could chat with Azmaria just for a minute?"

"Sure, but make it quick." said Sister Anna, "We need to get the play done quickly!"

I nodded. "No problem. Come on Azzy!"

Azmaria ran down the church aisle to me and I closed the doors. The both of us sat on the church steps.

"What did you want to talk about?" she asked me.

"Um..well..you see." I glanced at her with a brief smile, "I can't exactly use my powers properly. And since I'm meant to use them for defending purposes…" I paused, "You do know that I'm supposed to protect the apostles, right?"

Azmaria nodded.

"The thing is," I said, "I really don't think I'm up for it. So I thought since, you're an apostle; I should know how you'd want me to protect ones such as you."

Azmaria thought for a moment. "Hmm...well, I can't really give you a straight answer. But I do know that you could be trying a little too hard."

I was floored. "What? Don't you want me to go beyond my current level of magic, even if it means saving you?"

"It's not that you're not good enough." She said, "I think the best way you can protect me is…just by doing the best you can."

"You mean, you don't mind me the way I am? I'm just an amateur after all."

"No!" she smiled, "I'm fine with you just the way you are. I think all you need to do is protect me only when you have to."

I thought for a while, and smiled. "Thanks Azmaria! You've been a great help."

She gave an assuring smile.

I stood up. "Well, I better get going. Rosette will be expecting me."

Azmaria nodded. "I understand."

She got up and was about to step back into the church when I said "Hey, Azzy?"

"Yes?" She turned back around.

"Do your very best."

Azmaria smiled in return and walked back in, then closed the door behind her. I turned and ran off to meet Rosette. I knew she wouldn't be happy if I was late.

……

It's been three days since I turned up at The Magdalene Order. It was only the morning after I arrived when I was delivered a book on 'advanced sorcery' which I was forced to study in order to awaken my powers properly. Questions still revolve around my head, even now. What's an Apostle? Then I learnt that Azmaria was an example of one. But what are they for? And me, a Guardian? And a sorcerer? Why now of all times? I was just happy to get on with life in my village, at least, until I found Joshua.

When Rosette filled me in that she had been doing the same thing – searching for Joshua – alongside Chrono during all these years, I was guilty knowing that I'd abandoned her that night. All these years, I wondered what might've happened to her, as she had been wondering what might've happened to me. Still, both of us were relieved to have found eachother again.

I knew Rosette wouldn't be happy if I was late. Unfortunately, when I arrived, I already was.

"Where've you been?" she asked, when I arrived.

"I'm sorry I'm late." I answered, "Where's Chrono?"

"Lucky for you, the latest arrival doesn't get a happy reaction from me." She grinned evilly.

I stared at her, unimpressed. A minute later we both see Chrono running towards us in the distance.

"Chrono!" Rosette called. I jumped at the sound of her voice. "You get your big ugly butt over here right now!" she yelled.

I was too busy being frightened of Rosette that I didn't notice how fast Chrono was running.

"AAHH!!" he screamed.

He crashed into me knocking me over backwards and I landed rock-hard on my bottom.

"Ow...sorry." said Chrono, getting up before me, "Guess I wasn't watching where I was going."

Too late for apologies, I was already fuming. "No kidding! You should be sorry, moron! I can get cramps you know!"

"Hey, I was only apologizing!" he said.

"Well you still should've watched where you were going!"

Chrono huffed. "Alright! Then I'll – "

"I'm not finished here!" Rosette cut in.

Chrono and I exchanged glares before turning to face Rosette.

"We still have a job to do, so let's get to it!" she said.

"Right!" Chrono and I replied at the same time.

……

The next morning I got up and changed into a plain black shirt, a trenchcoat and a pair of jeans. It was finally Christmas and I was planning on taking a walk outside before everyone else started the party. I tied the rag around my head and went outside.

I walked along the shops decorated with tinsel and Christmas lights. There was a toy shop I passed by with lots of Star Wars merchandise on sale. This made me think of how happy Joshua would've been to see that. He was really into Sci-Fi. When I finished my walk and finally made it back to The Order, I got changed into a Christmas elf outfit because I was going to give out presents with Rosette and Chrono today. As I made my way there I was careful not to be seen incase anyone laughed at me.

"No, that's not right. You were supposed to look like a 'reindeer'." said Rosette.

"But these are the only horns I could find." Chrono indicated.

"You can do better than that." she replied.

I opened the door and stepped in.

"Ta-daaa!" I exclaimed.

"Hey, you look good in that." said Rosette when she saw me.

"Thanks!" I grinned, then noticed Chrono, "And I'm surprised to see you in that costume."

Chrono stared, unimpressed. I stared right back.

"Right! Let's get to work!" said Rosette.

"You bet!" I responded.

"Okay!" was Chrono's reply.

The three of us were now outside riding on a coach being driven by horses. I sat in the back throwing the presents out to everyone we drove past.

"You're welcome!" I called out.

"Merry Christmas!" Rosette cheered.

"Have a merry Christmas!" said Chrono after her.

We all continued to ride across the town until we spotted Azmaria walking by.

"Hey! Azmaria!" Rosette called out to her.

Azmaria stopped and turned around to face us.

"So, what're you doing here?" I asked her.

"I was just..." she began.

"Why don't you come on in?" Chrono suggested.

"Um, sure." she replied.

I moved aside to make room for Azmaria to sit.

……

There was a night Christmas party and everyone was celebrating. Rosette was getting stuck into the food and I was tagging along with Azmaria explaining to her what Christmas was really about.

"Christmas is all about sharing, laughter and happy reunions." I said to her.

"So where can I find true Christmas?" she asked.

"It depends, just believe what is inside you, and that's where you'll find the real meaning."

"Thank you, Heidi!" she replied.

"For what?" I asked, surprised.

"For being the Apostle Guardian." She smiled.

"Uh, no need to thank me." I said, smiling back self-consciously, "But sure, anytime."

I notice Rosette eating the Christmas food like mad.

"Looks like Rosette found one of her best things about Christmas." I stated.

We both watch her and laugh lightly.

"Everyone please settle down." I hear Sister Kate say.

Everyone went quiet, stopped what they were doing, and turned around to pay attention.

Father Remington explained, "Since Azmaria hasn't had a real Christmas, this year is dedicated to her."

"And as our Christmas present to you, and Heidi too," Sister Kate continued, "We have officially made you both a part of The Order."

Everyone cheered. I squealed with excitement to Azmaria who hugged me in return.

Near the end of the party, I found Rosette standing at the balcony. I wondered what she was doing there and walked over.

"Hey, Rosette." I greeted her, "Something bothering you?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing." She looked back over the balcony, "It's just that I'm really going to miss this place once we leave."

I turned my head to look in the same direction she was looking, "Yeah...well just remember, we'll find him soon enough."

"You really think so?" she asked.

I nodded, "Mm-hm! I've always known so. If we try hard enough, we'll get there for sure."

"I just thought…maybe it'll be better…if Joshua were here for Christmas next year too." she said.

"Yeah!" I replied with enthusiasm.

……

Soon it was the end of the party and everyone had gone to bed except for Sister Anna and I who stayed behind to clean up.

Sister Anna yawned, "I'm so tired, after all that partying."

I giggled, "You can go to bed if you want you know."

"But that would leave you here to clean up the mess alone."

I smiled, "Don't worry. It's really no problem."

She yawned again, "Alright. Goodnight then."

"Goodnight."

She exited the room leaving me with a few torn gift wraps and ribbons lying around. I was putting them into piles when I heard a voice.

"Heidi? Is that really you?"

I froze and turned around. "(That voice sounded kind of familiar.)"

Then I stood up and faced the direction of where it came from.

"(It can't be…) Joshua?"

He stepped out onto the moonlit floor, wearing loosely worn formal wear.

"Yes, it is you." he uttered.

I just stood there in amazement. I opened my mouth to speak when he hushed me to be quiet.

"Noone must know I'm here." said Joshua.

"Of course they need to know!" I snapped, "ROSETTE needs to know! We've been searching for you for four years!"

I started crying at this point. "Four! Long! Years, Joshua!"

He walked up to me and took me into his arms.

"Don't be sad." he said, "We'll be reunited when the time is right."

I began to cry into his shoulder.

"Stop that, you'll stain his shirt." came a girl's voice I hadn't heard before.

I stopped crying and saw her, a dark-haired girl in a conspicuous maid outfit. I freed myself from Joshua's grasp and readied a spell in my hands.

"Who are you?" I asked her.

"Lord Joshua, time is up." She said, ignoring me.

"So soon? I only just got here. I guess lord Aion had his word." he replied.

He made his way to her and I saw the rag still tied around his wrist.

"Joshua!" I called out, "That rag around your wrist! It's the promise we made a long time ago! You can't have forgotten!"

Joshua stopped, before he circled to face me.

He smiled and said "I'll never forget. You always have been my best friend." Then he turned back and walked to where Fiore was standing.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

Joshua held his wrist up to his face and smiled again. "Somewhere far, but I will be safe."

With that Fiore cast a spell that surrounded them both, and they vanished.