This is one of the stories I transferred over from my other website. (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.

Finally, to the lovely people who left splendid reviews and are still following this story, I can't thank you enough!

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

Sword Of Light (part 8)

Chrono had been standing by watching Rosette and I looking concerned. I was lost in the intensity that I obviously did not know he was behind us until he asked "Rosette, what's the matter?"

"GAH!" I flinched back, then turned around to see him, "Oh, it's you…" I stared at him, unimpressed.

"Ah..umm…" Rosette began, "The washroom door seems to be jammed...bummer I tell ya."

Chrono looked at Rosette with some suspicion when a boy suddenly bumped into him from behind.

"Oof!" the boy glanced up at Chrono, "Excuse me mister--have you seen my mommy?"

I bent down to look at the boy's face, "Aww…did you get separated?"

"Ooooh yes!" Rosette forced a thoughtful smile, "I saw her somewhere in the carriages at the back."

I shot her a sideways glance and whispered, "Way to go to get rid of him."

"Alright, let's go look for her." said Chrono.

"Okay!" the boy replied.

Chrono lead the boy by the hand towards the carriages at the back, but just as they left I could've sworn I saw an evil smirk on the kid's face.

"Heehee...that was a smart move." said a harsh, women's voice, "You've just saved that kid's life. You've made an interesting friend, Sister Rosette."

This made me spin around with outrage. "Who are you and what do you know about Joshua! Answer me!"

Rosette pulled up a chair at the table where the woman she helped before was sitting as the voice was coming from her. She sat down and crossed her arms and knees.

"I am fully aware of how psycho you can be..." Rosette said to her, "What do you want from me?"

"First...your gun and pocketwatch, please. Do not worry, Master Joshua has ordered that...you are to be unharmed." The woman ordered.

Rosette put her gun and pocketwatch on the table in front of her. I stood beside her chair.

"…How's Joshua?" we both asked at the same time.

"He's doing very well," she replied, "...after all...Lord Aion favours him."

There was a brief change in expression on the woman's face at the mention of 'Lord Aion', a look of jealousy? Possibly anger?

"(Eh? That split-second change of expression..She..'hates' Joshua? What can I do? I haven't even mastered my strongest spell yet.)"

The woman picked up Rosette's pocket watch by the string, and said, "Anyway, this has turned out quite smoothly...now I can go back without any worries."

She snapped her fingers and there was a loud crash coming from the back of the carriage. I glanced out the window and gasped. "Rosette, look!"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you...your friends were not invited." said the woman, "You'll have to say your farewells to them now, I'm afraid..."

Rosette was against the window looking out panicky.

"That boy Chrono, he's a highly dangerous one...phew! Now I can breathe more easily." the woman pointed out.

"Um…that compliment I gave you for getting rid of him..." I muttered to Rosette, "I take it back."

"YAAAAAAAH!!" Rosette had grabbed her gun and was holding the woman down while holding the gun to her neck. She didn't look very happy.

"And..? What're you gonna do next?" asked the voice, which didn't come from the woman this time, "Fire at this woman? She just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"SHUT UP!" Rosette shouted.

Suddenly I was grabbed by the arms and held back by two hostages.

"Let go of me!" I yelled.

"Poor little guardian…" said the voice, "A useless sorcerer who can't even master her own spells. What a pity…"

I groaned loudly in response.

"Remember, no matter what..they're just ordinary human beings."

"(Damn..I can't attack these people. If I do, I'll be hurting them. Not the voice.)"

The woman being held down by Rosette was now sobbing and crying.

"Please, don't kill me! I have a child." She sobbed, "Jimmy..."

Rosette began to loosen her grip on her gun and the expression on her face had changed into a look of despair.

"Rosette…?" I tried.

Suddenly a wicked, raucous laughter erupted from all the people inside the carriage, "KYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"YES! That's it." said the voice, "THAT'S the expression I SO wanted to see!"

The woman grabbed Rosette's head and pulled her face closer to hers. I tried to break free from the hostages holding me back but I wasn't strong enough.

"Rosette!" I called.

"Sister of that detestable brat…" said the woman, "Now, what shall we play next?"

Another voice cut in, "I'm afraid playtime's over."

"Wha..?" I said.

*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT*

The train had suddenly changed colour as if...

"Th-this is..." Rosette said, standing up.

"A barrier??" I finished for her.

"Yo! Miss me?"

We both looked in the direction of a window and saw that it was open because…Chrono is hanging there! I was surprisingly happy to see him.

"Dumb Devil!" I smiled.

"Chrono!" said Rosette.

"From your expression," he said, "I sensed something was wrong...later I found a bug on the kid's neck."

"Chrono," said Rosette, "How did you know I…"

Chrono swung into the train from the window and landed in front of her.

"You tend to speak in a flutter when you lie." He smiled at Rosette, "I know you inside-out."

"After all," she said, "We've been together for four years."

She put on a on a teary, yet relieved facial expression, before hugging Chrono out of the blue.

"Ack!" Chrono let out, as she hugged him.

They stayed hugging for quite a while.

I started to grin, "Oh, I see what's happening here. Hey, you two together?"

Rosette half blushed, "Uh – we should get going…" She shoved Chrono away from her.

"Right!" said Chrono, "First we stop this train."

"Then we meet up with the others." said Rosette.

I jumped in at the chance, saying, "And finally, we make that demoness PAY!!"

Rosette bent down to get her watch from the woman lying down when she saw that it -

"The watch...it's gone." She muttered.

"A little too...optimistic aren't we? I still have plenty of trump cards." Came the voice again.

We all spun around and started to run at this point.

"And the best part is...I have drawn a winning card!" it concluded.

Rosette kicked the door open to find a train guard hostage holding Azmaria by the neck and Satella was on the floor of the corridor, injured and tired out. Rosette pointed her gun at the hostages.

"Azmaria!" I called out, "I'm sorry, I should've stayed with you."

"Satella how did you let them defeat you so easily?!" Rosette asked, outraged.

"It's not like that Rosette, I'm sorry." replied Azmaria, "Satella was trying to protect me."

"Understand now?! EVERYONE on this train is my hostage!" the voice pointed out, "I can order them to their deaths…and they will obey without question! These girls were smart enough to end it!"

Rosette's expression changed when she heard Chrono speak.

"Still the same I see...'Marionette Master' Rizel!" he said.

"Now, shall we change the rules of the game?" said the voice.

I stayed firm and tried not to tremble.

"Dear Apostle Guardian," the voice began, "Kindly aim your hands at Chrono and Rosette, and cast your strongest spell."

They all glanced at me with concerned looks on their faces. My eyes widened.

"Chrono, Rosette, you shall both stand in the center. And you Heidi, shall fire."

I muttered quietly, "But I don't know my – "

"Oh, and I advise you not to miss. Because if you do, you'll hit the hostages, including the little apostle girl."

I gritted my teeth in anger.

"Now what sort of guardian would you be then? Kehehe...either way, you lose!"

"You haven't changed one bit, Rizel." said Chrono, taking a step forward, "Your methods are – "

"Silence!" The voice cut in, "I am talking to the Apostle Guardian! You are not FIT to talk to me!"

"Hmph..." said Chrono, who then took Rosette's hand and pulled her along until they stood together in the center.

"Do it Heidi…" he said, "There's no other way."

I stared at him wide-eyed, "But – "

"HEY!" Rosette shouted, "Do you know what you're saying..?"

Chrono saw her eye to eye and asked "Rosette…do you trust me?"

Rosette studied the look on Chrono's face while she contemplated this, ".....Yes."

"Then make sure you hit the target." said Chrono, to me.

"Ah! Of course!" the voice exclaimed.

"Well..okay then..." I answered hesitantly. I got into my sorcerer pose and concentrated my head as clearly as I could.

"No, don't..." I heard Azmaria say.

"Azmaria...please sing a song for us to send us on our way..." said Rosette, "The one you sang when we first met…"

As soon as I was ready, I cast my spell, "I release you, Sword of Light!"

*SHINNNG...BOOM!*

***

Another cliffhanger, MWAHAHAHA! That's all, wombles! So I hope you will be patient until my next chapter is done. Thanks to everyone who supported me!