Who is this lazy girl posting chapters months after the previous one? UNFORGIVABLE! Truth is, I haven't been in a creative writing mood lately. Hence my late update. *gets ready to dodge a brick* But thank you all for sticking with me this far. We're getting closer to the end, and I will finally get to work on my other stories (cough Vampire Knight cough) without the distraction of this one. Not that I didn't enjoy this one! ^^;

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'. Ignore the mistakes you may find in these chapters. Also, the spells I used 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.

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

Armageddon (part 23)

Azmaria's shout broke through my feeling of content, "We've gotta hurry! Before Pandaemonium shows up!"

I turned around to see her standing over Rosette's platform and Joshua standing at the pipe organ.

"Just...what are we going to do?" I asked.

Before I knew it Azmaria spread out her arms and wings and sang the song I heard her sing on the train where we fought Rizel.

"Star of Bethelhem star up high..."

I stared, "Azmaria...?"

"Unbelievable..." said Joshua, "She's using the astral organ as a booster..to gather souls...can Rosette's truly be found this way?"

Azmaria continued to sing as an aura of light surrounded her and grew brighter, "I can see them...I hear their voices...I sense..the memories of the dead..."

I ran to the pipe organ standing beside Joshua to take a closer look, "Is she really..."

"Please! Help me...tell me where Rosette's soul is!" she cried.

The apostles spoke one right after the other, "Useless..."

"Hopeless..."

"Fruitless..." Xiao Xiao finished.

I turned to face the apostles and raised an eyebrow at my friend, "…Fruitless?"

"There's a time to live...and a time to die..." she answered.

"Noone...not even us...can make the river of life change its course." said another apostle.

"For we are merely ferryman on the River Styx!" they all said.

I stood there, looking dumbfounded, "What...what're you..."

"In comparison..." they continued.

"In contrast..."

"Our common enemy Pandaemonium...feeds on souls. Herein lands mankind's greatest dilemma."

"Her death will distort the face of the earth...while her continued existence will eventually cause all souls to be devoured..."

The youngest apostle, who appeared to be no older than six, stepped forward, "Hold! Let us observe this situation further...before we pass judgment!"

All the apostles fell silent.

I turned back to the platform where Azmaria was continuing to sing. I clenched my fists in determination, "Azmaria! Any progress?"

"I see...railway tracks!" she said, "I've almost found..."

"C'mon..." I muttered.

"Just a little bit more..." Joshua added, "There may yet be a chance..."

*KRASHHHHHHHHHHH*

The sudden noise appeared to be the sound of breaking glass, and it was coming from behind us! Joshua, Azmaria and I all stopped and spun around in shock.

"Ah, finally found you, fair lady." Aion came cruising down onto the ground a short distance from where I stood beside Joshua, "But...it's over!"

Azmaria crossed her hands together to her chest. I could see she was crying through gritted teeth, "Ah...I was so close...so very close..."

I turned around and shot a glare at Aion.

"STOP IT AION!" Joshua shouted, "There's still hope for Rosette...she may yet be saved!"

"Absolutely NOT!" Aion bellowed, "I am but a single step away from realizing my goal! MOVE! I cannot delay any longer...for he is right behind me!"

"Behind you...?" I wondered, "You mean – "

*KATHOOM*

The ceiling above Aion crumbled and crashed open then fell to pieces that fell to the floor behind him along with something else.

"Chrono!" I blurted out.

Hw was looking infuriated, and held a sword in his hand as he made his strike on Aion.

*KLANG*

They were now trying to push eachother back with eachother's swords. Aion was feeling very annoyed with Chrono's action, "You're a real pain in the neck...is that girl so important to you? Why're you so obstinate? Unlike us..she is a mere human...a puny life-form that cannot escape the grim-reaper's scythe! Saving her now will not spare her from this fate! In the end...your actions will be for naught! Why? Just because she's your contractor?"

"To you...the reason may seem incomprehensible." said Chrono, "She is the person I hold dearest to my heart...and that...is reason enough for me."

"HA! Then both of us are adamant on our own stand. Then let us duel...one shall stand, one shall fall!"

Joshua, Azmaria and I widened our eyes and watched in shock as we saw what looked to be the final blow.

"RYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH...!" They both cried.

*WHOOSH*

I was taken aback, "Y-you!"

The apostles had gathered around with their wings out-stretched.

"The die is cast..." said Xiao Xiao.

"We can't allow Pandaemonium to enter a new host..." stated Jasmine. "The chances may be slim...but as long as the possibility for success is present..."

The youngest one flew forwards and landed in front of me, "We will offer our assistance!"

I was so gob smacked by their offer, that all I managed to say to them in return was, "I...uh...um...thank you..."

"Grr...go on! Oppose me! All of you!" said Aion, "I need you no longer, nothing you do can change the outcome now!"

*KRAK*

I spun around to fin Chrono's half-off arm regenerating.

*KRAK KRAK KRAK*

"RYAAAAAAAAAAAH...!" Chrono leaped forward and grabbed Aion's arm, "Begone...Aion!"

He finished Aion off with a blast of incredible energy! And then, silence.

"Chrono! Behind you!" I shouted.

*SHIINNNNNNNG*

An enormous white glow appeared behind him. It was the shape of a big ugly blob, but the top looked like that of a woman's head with horns.

"Too late...it's Pandaemonium!" Azmaria cried.

I grabbed hold of Joshua's hand in fear, Joshua gripped it in return. Even Chrono was stunned.

*WHOOSH*

"NO! Stop her!" Joshua exclaimed.

"Azmaria! Can you do anything?" I shout.

"We can't...we'll never make it!" she cried.

"Just whaddaya mean by THAT?" I snapped.

Pandaemonium rushed forward.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHH...!" Chrono sped toward it to stop it by standing in the way in hope of holding it back, but the spirit just whooshed right through him like a gust of wind. Chrono spun around…and was petrified to see it heading straight for Rosette's body.

"NOOOO...!" I yelled.

"ROSEEEEEEEEEEETTE!" Pandaemonium reached Rosette before Chrono could, and disappeared as a beam of light above her body. Chrono grabbed hold of Rosette's shoulders and called her name, "ROSETTE...!"

No response.

"Rosette!" He tried again, "Open your eyes! C'mon! You're not that weak are you? Get up! You won't allow Pandaemonium to take control so easily, right?"

Still no reaction.

"Answer me! ROSETTE!"

The rest of us observed in sad silence. I felt Joshua's grip on my hand fall loose, and turned my head to see him fall onto his knees. I could see the tears in his eyes when he asked, "Is there...no more hope for Rosette?"

I glanced back at Rosette and Chrono, thinking of how Rosette could've survived. I suddenly shouted, changing the current atmosphere, "Of course there is! Rosette would never give up at a time like this! She has never given up!"

Azmaria supported my response, "Right, she can't truly be dead yet...her body and soul must be linked somehow...because the watch is still running!"

"It IS?" I quickly turned to face Chrono and demanded him to – "Release the seal! QUICK! Rosette's soul is inside the watch!"

"Uh – " Chrono was snapped out of his despair and did as I told him. With the click of the watch opening there was a sudden 'stabbing' sound and the face of the watch was suddenly cracked.

I put my hands to my mouth in reaction to what I saw, "Oh...god...Aion?"

Aion had run his blade into Chrono from behind. His blood had starting running onto the face of the watch, "PANDAEMONIUMMMMM...!"

I could see that he was missing his left leg and arm. I turned my head to see both of them frozen in the air by Chrono's last attack.

"Away with you Chrono, she must die!" Aion ordered, "I will...bring down...the system! If all it can be is a nuiscance...it must be removed from existence!"

Chrono slowly turned his head to Aion, "Ai...on..."

*ZZT ZZT ZZT ZZT*

"Oh no...the geas...fight back, Chrono!" I exclaimed.

"Hear this, Aion!" said Chrono, "Rosette...still lives! So long as there's hope, no matter how small it may be...she won't give up!"

I stepped forward, "That's right! Rosette will never falter...never surrender...not to you...not to Pandaemonium...not even to death itself!"

Suddenly, a whisper echoed through my mind, 'The dagger...use the dagger...'

I thought to myself, "(Of course! The dagger! I've almost forgot about it completely!)" I pulled out the dagger and the sorcery inscriptions on the blade became clear:

'Grand Advance, Gale of Light, Elimination of Darkness. Prevail!'

I read the words out loud to myself, "Grand Advance...Gale of Light..."

A whirlwind of light took form and surrounded me, which made everyone widen their eyes in surprise.

I knew what to do, "Hey, Aion!"

He turned to me with a look of alarm.

"Chrono…I was wrong about you..." I said, "You're not the dumb-devil...HE is!"

I threw the dagger and it hit Aion on the side. The inscriptions began to glow.

"What is this –"

"Elimination of Darkness! Prevail!" I declared.

The sword that Aion was holding(which was currently stabbing Chrono)shattered into a thousand tiny pieces, soon the dagger's magic paralyzed Aion and he was struck with horror.

"WHAT? I-can't move!"

"Here's a tip...don't mess with my friends!" I raised my hands, "Sword of –"

*WHOOOSHHH*

"What the - ?"

Illuminated wings shot out from behind Rosette as I saw her sit up and raise her gun at Aion.

*KAPOOOOWWWWW*

What I witnessed in that instant...would be etched inside my mind for the rest of my life...amidst the burst of brilliant light that signaled Pandaemonium's passing...a smiling figure could be seen...it was the first time I met this person, but I felt as if I had known them for a long time. A series of images passed by in front of our eyes, and then disappeared.

*WHOOSHHHH*

I shielded my eyes until the light faded in a gust of wind, "Ah...what was that all about?"

An unnamed apostle said, "Memories of a visitor..."

"They're gone...all gone...and they'll never come back again." Azmaria had tears coming out of her eyes, but I didn't know why.

"Oh yeah! Rosette, Chrono!" Joshua exclaimed.

We all turned to see the teariness that was...Rosette and Chrono, embracing in eachother's arms.

"Chrono..." said Rosette, "I..I'm back!"

"Yes...this a miracle..." Chrono replied, "I've never felt such happiness before..."

"This is no miracle...Chrono, I heard your voice. And...I just had to find a way to answer you. That was what...brought me back!"

"Never leave me again...never."

Joshua smiled in relief, Azmaria and I smiled through tears of joy.

Joshua's expression suddenly changed and I saw him turn around in the other direction for reasons unknown.

"Joshua? What is it?" I asked him.

"Aion...?" he muttered.

Aion was nowhere to be seen. Just as I was taking this in, the whole floor started rumbling beneath us.

"What the-? What's happening?" I asked, anxious.

"It has begun..." said an apostle, "The sands of time for Pandaemonium are running out."

Azmaria, Chrono, Joshua, Rosette and I all gave her the 'ARE YOU SERIOUS?' look.

Another apostle continued explaining, "If the legion continue to scatter, the whole planet will be polluted...

"Causing at least half of all living beings on earth to become mutated..." Jasmine added.

XiaoXiao concluded, "This is the result of Pandaemonium's final annihilation. Nothing can stop it now."

I was floored, "How could this –"

I felt a hand on my shoulder that made me stop for a moment, "Chill, there is a way...somebody's just gotta get to the core to stop it." I turned my head to see it was Rosette, "And I will be the one."

"G-HUH?" was my immediate response.

"B-but Rosette...!" Joshua stuttered.

Azmaria felt the same, "I saw Pandaemonium's memories too..."

"At the core, there's a control mechanism that can put a stop to this." Rosette explained.

Chrono appeared behind her and responded to her decision, "I know that even I cannot dissuade you from this...so I only have this to say. I am coming with you...and will assist you all the way."

I put my hands to my head in astonishment, "I think I'm gonna go insane..."

Chrono turned to me, "Heidi."

"Huh?" Realizing how confused I sounded, I cleared my throat before saying, "Yes?"

"Stay here and guard the apostles. Joshua, look after Heidi."

"Will you two be..." I began.

"Have no worry...I will make sure Rosette returns unscathed."

Joshua looked like he was going to break into a sweat, but he just lowered his head and lightly punched Chrono in the chest, "Then make sure you do...now go, GO!" He turned away and said one last thing to Chrono before he left, "Oh, and...sorry for calling you a monster back there."

"Speaking of which, Chrono, you called me a name too y'know..." I stood there impatiently waiting for Chrono's reply.

Chrono chuckled, "I'm sorry I called you a stupid sorcerer...in fact, you're not too bad."

I grinned, "Thank you...look after Rosette for us...Rosette, keep an eye on 'im!"

"Chrono, take good care of Rosette...ya hear?" Joshua was hesitant, but he understood.

They left with their brave smiles, and walked off into the light that illuminated the exit.

I…never saw Chrono again after that...

I breathed a sigh of relief, the longest sigh I'd ever let out, "Well, that's the end of that...and what a journey it has been." I lost myself in a deep thought as I recalled everything that had happened. Since Jenai attacked my village, since my reunion with Rosette, since the discovery of my purpose, since meeting and making friends with Chrono, Azmaria, Satella, and the Magdalene Order, since my arrival in Eden, since meeting all the apostles for the first time...since I had experienced so much together with everyone else along the way...I was finally reunited with Joshua.

"Hey, Heidi."

I shook my head out of my 'lost in space' state to see Jasmine standing there, "Yeah?"

"So this is that 'Joshua' guy you wouldn't stop talking about, eh?" she winked.

My face burned, "W-what're you talking about? I mean – yes, that's him, but...why are you winking at me?"

Jasmine rolled her eyes over to Joshua who was standing at the exit with his back facing everyone else.

"Well...for obvious reasons I guess..."

My eyes widened, "You're still not over that? I thought you'd have matured just a little by now after all this...Pandaemonium...stuff going on..."

"You've made a good choice." She carried on, "He's tall, he's handsome, he's got that blonde-bombshell look and he is SEXY in that formal outfit!"

"GAH! Keep it down will you?"

"And best of all, he's your own guardian angel."

I stared at her, unimpressed, "But...I'm his guardian."

"That's right, you were."

Okay, now I really was confused.

"Come on, Heidi!" said Jasmine after seeing my face, "You've done all your waiting...four, long, years of it! Aren't you even ready to come clean after everything that has happened?"

"Well...that's exactly it." I replied, "After everything that has happened, I'm not even sure how to act on this anymore."

"That's because there's nothing to act on!" she said, "Except one thing, your business...just do it!"

She shoved me forward toward Joshua and I stumbled into his direction. I managed to stop myself, almost barely bumping into him. Luckily, he hadn't noticed. I walked backwards away from him incase he had.

"Jasmine, aren't you being a little insensitive about this?" Xiao Xiao stepped in.

"Hehe... C'mon, I'm only trying to help." she replied.

XiaoXiao walked forward and stood in front of me, "You have strong feelings for this boy, am I right?"

I was still blushing when I grabbed the back of my neck and thought of what to say, "Uh – well...I...uh...um..."

"Heidi?" Azmaria had been listening in.

"It's not true...I'm not…I'm not…in lo–" I caught myself when I realized it, "With him?"

A short moment of silence, then Azmaria put her hands to her mouth and began to giggle lightly.

That was the last straw, "ARGH! What's WITH you little apostles? You're all so damn cheeky I'm glad I was 'fired' from 'guardianship'!"

Azmaria stopped and cleared her throat. She just stood there smiling, but I could tell she was laughing on the inside.

"Try to relax, don't push yourself too hard or you'll get far too nervous to act." said Xiao Xiao.

I turned around and faced Joshua's back...deciding what to do next.

"Just follow your heart, listen to it." She continued, "The truth is never far..."

"Just listen, it'll take you there." said Jasmine, "C'mon Heidi, what's it telling you?"

I lowered my head, took a deep breath, walked toward him and tapped his shoulder.

"Hey, Joshua?"

He turned to face me, "Yeah?"

"Um...can we talk?"

Reviews are always appreciated. I hope this 'longer-than-usual' chapter was worth the wait!