Quick note here. I don't know how demon magic works. So when Stella is finally restored by Chrono, I'm making it up as I go. All I have to go on is how the original Mary Magdalene restored Chrono in one episode. Honestly, I haven't watched all of the anime. Read all the manga, which is why I'm mainly going off the manga. I've only seen a few episodes of the anime. So forgive me if I confuse something, because there's only so much Wiki can tell me to catch me up on what I don't know. And they never did go into much detail on demon magic, only that they used it. So, that's it for my making excuses, lol. Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them all.
Also, this is not the last chapter. The ending of this chapter may sound like it, but it's not. I'm thinking of doing one more chapter, maybe an epilogue. So no fear guys, there's still more to come, just not much more. The group is back together and I'm getting that feeling that tells me that this story is drawing to a close.
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Chrono yawned the next morning as he got dressed, his mind not on the task of getting dressed. His mind was totally on what had transpired last night on the balcony outside his room, the sweet bliss of him and Rosette finally getting together. The thought alone made him blush wildly. He had never taken it this far in a relationship, not in his many years of life. Even with Rosette's previous incarnation, Mary Magdalene, he had never progressed past holding hands. Their time together had been cut short after that. It seemed history did indeed repeat itself, or at least try to. This time around, his time with Rosette had nearly been cut short.
A light knock went off on his door and Chrono answered it. Joshua stood behind Lillith and Adam, both of whom were dressed and ready to go. "Chrono, Father Joshua is taking us to the train station. We wanted to say goodbye and thank you," Lillith told him sweetly. "We really appreciate it." She engulfed his lower body in a hug. Chrono knelt down to give a hug back. "Father Joshua gave us the address of where you're staying. We hope we'll be able to write to you soon, maybe even come visit. Would you mind?"
"Of course not," Chrono answered. "Anytime you two come visit, you'll be welcomed. The same goes for your letters. I'll be sure to write back quickly."
Adam joined in the hug. "Chrono, you've taught me some valuable lessons. They'll be well used." He let himself out of the hug.
"Alright, time to go, you two," Joshua said. Lillith reluctantly let go. They each grabbed one of his hands and they walked away with Joshua, Lillith turning around to look and wave at Chrono.
"Big brother, see you later!" Lillith called out as they rounded the corner. Chrono couldn't help but smile. He pulled on his jacket and stepped out his room, heading down towards the dining room. Rosette and Azmaria were already at the table.
"Good morning, Chrono," Azmaria said cheerfully, motioning him to sit near her and Rosette.
"To you as well. Did you two sleep well?" Chrono asked them.
"Quite well actually. I'm really excited about all of this. Rosette, what about you?" Azmaria asked.
"It's too early. I...I had something important on my mind. It kept me from sleeping well," Rosette complained, a light blush coloring her cheeks.
"Really, that's wierd. The events last night only made me sleep better," Chrono mused. Azmaria looked to her two friends for an explanation. Rosette merely turned to scowl at Chrono. "Did the kids say goodbye to you? They just left with Joshua."
"Yes, they said goodbye. They'll probably visit us soon at the orphanage," Azmaria told him. "That would be nice. Those two really look up to you now. Lillith thinks of you as her big brother. Well, another big brother." Azmaria giggled as servants came out to serve them breakfast. "What happened last night?"
"Rosette and I finally got together last night. We kissed under the moonlight," Chrono explained, a huge grin on his face.
"Oh my, so romantic," Azmaria said. "I hope you two are happy together."
"We won't be if Chrono keeps embarrassingly me," Rosette threatened. "I refuse to keep loving someone I shot to death because he kept embarrassing me."
"Ah, but you don't have your gun with you," Chrono shot back, a playful light in his eyes. "Anyways, let's eat and then get Stella back. She's been gone long enough." He started on his breakfast. Rosette scowled but started to eat. Azmaria began to eat as well. "I wonder when Mr. Steiner will get back."
A little while later, Steiner walked through the door. "I'm sorry I'm late. I was dropping Joshua and the kids off at the station. Mr. Chrono, I was wondering when you wanted to see Ms. Stella."
"I was thinking as soon as we finished eating, the sooner the better," Chrono told him.
"Of course, now is just fine," Steiner said back. "As soon as you're all finished eating, I'll lead you to where we have placed her for the time being."
Chrono finished eating first, spurred onto finishing by the thought of Stella coming back to them. When the girls were done eating, they joined him and Steiner led them to a medium sized building at the back of the grounds Stella owned. "This building has been here for years. I had it cleaned up to serve as a research base," Steiner informed them. "It's all I've been able to do."
They were inside now, taking an elevator to the second floor. They stopped at a large wooden door. Steiner opened it and let them enter first. On a raised platform in the center of the room, Stella was kneeling on a floor, looking like she was trying to hold someone or something. Chrono walked over and knelt next to her, placing a hand on her arm. "I'm going need some quiet to concentrate now," Chrono advised.
No one spoke as Chrono did something that they were not able to comprehend. "Ah, there we go," Chrono muttered.
"Wha-" Rosette began, only to have Azmaria clap a hand over her mouth. Then she remembered she was supposed to be quiet.
Ripples of energy appeared on Stella's chest, spreading further and further out they covered her entire body. In a second that seemed to take a lifetime, her arm fell to the floor and she slowly blinked, looking around at where she was. Her eyes widened when she saw Chrono next to her. "Good morning," Chrono said with a smile on his face. "It's so good to see you again. Can you stand?" Stella was helped to her feet.
"Chrono, what are you doing here?" Stella asked incredulously. "Weren't we in Pandemonium? This looks the old abandoned building on my property."
"Because it is the abandoned building on your property," Chrono informed her. Her jaw dropped. "Your sister stopped your time with magic. For just about three months you've been frozen in time. Now you've been restored to our time. We've missed you, especially Azmaria. She's really looked forward to your return." He pointed out where everyone stood watching.
"Ms. Stella," Steiner choked out.
"Steiner, is everything going well around here?" Stella asked, walking over to meet him.
"Fine," Steiner promised. "Even better now that you're back. This place wasn't the same without you."
Azmaria could no longer hold back. She glomped Stella, nearly knocking her back down. "I missed you!" she exclaimed. "It's so good to see you again. Now the whole gang is back together once more. How cool is that!"
"We obviously have a lot of catching up to do," Stella realized. "But I would like to take a bath and get something to eat first. Then we can sit down and talk. Steiner, I would like a meal and bath prepared. Then send some tea up to the blue room. I'll take these guys back to the main house."
"Yes, milady," Steiner said with a bow, rushing off.
After Stella had bathed and eaten, they all met in the blue room. After a servant came in with some tea, they filled Stella in on all she had missed. Then she asked a few questions of her own. "Chrono, why are you just now coming if I've been like that for months?"
"Uhmm," Chrono said with a nervous laugh. "That's a long story."
"Chrono was too busy doing wierd things while he was delirious," Rosette quickly put in. Stella looked confused. "Chrono just made his official return a short time ago himself." Rosette told her the whole story that involved Chrono's long absence. That was when Stella noticed his fading injuries.
"Chrono, did that violent woman injure you?" Stella inquired. "You must have had such a rough time with Rosette as your main companion."
"Excuse me?!" Rosette demanded. "You're just as violent as I am. At least I can admit this!"
"I am not violent," Stella corrected imperiously. "I am a lady of high standing, raised to have the grace and wisdom of the noble women of old." Rosette snorted, not believing one second of Stella's act. "Just because you're such a ruffian you can't see this is not my problem. Chrono, if that violent girl bothers you anymore, you always have a place here. You as well Azmaria. There's no need for your gentle and good natures to be corrupted by women such as her." She shot Rosette a look that was clearly challenging her.
"Ha! Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Rosette declared, meeting the challenge head on, as usual. The two of them continued to argue for a few more minutes.
"Nothing's changed, not one bit," Chrono said, shaking his head. "But at least things are returning to normal."
"What's 'normal'?" Azmaria asked, laughing. "I don't think we've ever been normal. A jewel summoner, a demon, who has the heart of a kind human I might add, a former apostle, and the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene is what composes this group. I'm afraid there's no such thing as normal with this group of people."
"I suppose you're right. But things have finally settled down. Everything is the way it's supposed to be, especially now that Rosette and I are officially together," Chrono said. Stella's next sentence stopped short, staring quickly at him and then at Rosette.
"Did I just hear right?" Stella asked. "You and Rosette are seeing each other?" Rosette nodded. "Chrono, you could do better. Much better.
"Nope, I love Rosette. And that will never change," Chrono swore. "After we've been through so much, this is the end result. And I couldn't have planned it better myself."