Author's Note: Here's my chapter, just like I promised! Yay!...I don't have much else to say this time, so enjoy!

Rating: T

Dedication: Arashiwolf for their review! Woot~

Summary: Like any popular boy, Ikuto has many girls that chase him on a daily basis besides his sister, so there's only one way, in Ikuto's mind, to stop them. Have a fake girlfriend of course!

Chapter 24: A Diamond with No Scratches

Everyone's faces light up at seeing Kairi joining their side once more, Amu's voice heard throughout everything.

"Let's go, Kairi!"

"Right, joker!"

Amu raises the whisk in her hand as Kairi pulls out his two blades, the two seeming to be in sync

"Lightning Blade!"

"Remake Honey!"

Everyone sighs in relief as the eggs return to normal, but it's Tadase who seems to be at a loss for words, his eyes on a gleaming egg.

"It's the pure white egg again!"

He reaches out to it only for it to take off. Kairi helps Hotaru to her feet, her frail body leaning on his a bit as everyone rejoices.

"Class President!"

He looks around at everyone, his words a bit stuck in his throat.

"Everyone…I'm so-"

"Stop it."

Kairi turns to Rima, a bit shocked by her sudden outburst.

"We forgive you since you came back!"

A soft smile appears on Kairi's lips as he quotes.

"If you study a way daily and your spirit diverges…you may think you are obeying a good way, but objectively it is not the true way."

Hotaru's face lights up a bit as everyone raises an eyebrow.

"What's that?"

"Some sort of spell?"

Kairi shakes his head as Hotaru giggles and answers them.

"It's the words of Musashi Miyamoto."

Kairi nods his head.

"Even though you may think you're correct, you may be wrong. That's why you always have to reflect on what is correct."

Hotaru nods her head as Kairi turns to her, a gentlemanly smile on his lips. Hotaru notices, his expression causing a slight tint to her cheeks.

"My correct way…is you Hotaru-san."

Hotaru's face darkens even more as several of the Guardian's question his words or smirk. Musashi clears his throat.

"Sorry to interrupt but…"

Kairi turns to everyone, Hotaru turning away a bit, his face becoming stern.

"We might have a bit of a problem. The Black Diamonds are planning on debuting."

Everyone gasps audibly, a bit in shock by this except for Hotaru. She tilts her head a bit, her confusion etched on her features.

"Black Diamonds?"

Everyone seems to look away in one way or another as she looks at each of them. Amu steps forward, a bright look in her eyes as she places a hand on Hotaru's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it."

Hotaru nods her head as Kairi continues.

"Their recording is finished. Their debut single is a lot stronger than the wishing CD. Tomorrow night, a helicopter is going to leave carrying the master CD and many X eggs. Once it takes off, it will be impossible to stop."

Tadase takes a step forward.

"We can't let that happen!"

"We need to stop the helicopter from leaving!"

Amu's face becomes serious as the Guardians nod to each other. After a few seconds, Amu's smile returns in place as they begin to head outside.

"At least we have Hotaru back."

Everyone cheers, agreeing with her when Hotaru suddenly stops walking, her heartbeat beginning to accelerate. Kairi turns to her, a question in his eyes.

"Hotaru-san? Are you alright?"

Hotaru suddenly begins to grip her head tightly, her voice screaming.

"Aaaggghhhh!"

She falls to her knees, the Chara's eyes widening as they spot the dark aura surrounding Hotaru's ribbon.

"You need to-"

They're cut off as Ikuto suddenly appears, knocking the ones closest a bit back, just in time to catch Hotaru in his arms as she goes unconscious. Everyone takes a defensive stance as he eyes each of them. Amu's eyebrows lower.

"What do you think you're doing? We just got her back!"

Ikuto's voice is monotone as he responds.

"Unfortunately, none of us can get her back officially until we figure out the source behind her control…and…"

He cuts off, unable to finish before he hears a honking horn. He tosses something into the air before disappearing before their eyes. Amu manages to catch one of the falling items as Kairi catches the other. The others rush over, their eyes peeking into what's in their hands. Amu's voice is barely above a whisper.

"Hotaru's heart eggs…"

She looks at Kairi, his eyes on her as well as the eggs. A few small voices emit from them as the two detach the stickers holding them closed. Kia and Lily float out, both beginning to look around at their surroundings.

"Where's Hotaru-chan?"

"Where are we?"

The two turn to the Guardians, worried expressions on each of their faces. Amu shakes her head, an apologetic look in her eyes.

"Easter kidnapped her…but don't worry…"

Amu's eyes narrow.

"We're going to do everything to get her back!"

Yukari was currently driving the van as Utau, Ikuto and an unconscious Hotaru sit in the back. Ikuto's eyes were on Hotaru's face, her expression calm and unmarred. Utau was secretly seething in her spot, tears threatening to fill in her eyes, screams caught in her throat.

"I'm so glad that you retrieved her Ikuto. Glad to know that you know the seriousness behind this."

Ikuto is quiet, hating the turn of events that things had taken. If he knew how they were controlling her, he would've gladly left her with Amu and the others. He sighs.

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Do you like it, Mr. Director? This will go live tomorrow."

Yukari currently had a laptop in her hands, the screen having just finished a recording from Black Diamonds. A man deep in the shadows sits in his chair, his mind contemplating.

"And I can expect results from this?"

"Of course. This debut single uses a stronger master recording, it's much stronger than the prototype Wishing CD."

"What do you mean?"

Utau watched as the two continued to discuss things, her ears easily listening in on their conversation.

"This song will go around like a virus and eternally take away Heart eggs from children. Once we do that, finding the Embryo will be a piece of cake."

Utau's eyes widen in shock, her hands clenching a bit. At the moment she was a bit disgusted with herself. After Yukari had discovered that Utau could also transform with Diamond, she had both Hotaru and Utau do the recording. Her thoughts were on the words she had shouted to Amu and the others.

'…I sing for Ikuto!'

She sighs.

Amu was currently on the steps, Tadase sitting alongside her. She had been a bit surprised when she had spotted Kiseki outside on her balcony, but she couldn't say that she wasn't happy that she was spending time with her crush.

"So, did you need something?"

"Yes, actually, I needed to discuss two things with you."

Amu's hand is desperately trying to fix her just washed pink locks as she responds.

"Two things?"

"The first thing is about Utau Hoshina, since we have to face her tomorrow."

Amu's eyes widen at this, her mind unsure of how to reply to this.

"My family is close to the Tsukiyomi family…and when I was younger, I used to play with the Tsukiyomi kids."

Amu's face becomes one of bewilderment.

"What? Utau and Ikuto? You knew them?"

Tadase just smiles.

"Yeah. Utau-chan hasn't changed a bit since then…It was so fun back then, although those days won't come back….I haven't seen Utau-chan since she entered junior high, but the old Utau just loved to sing….so…."

Tadase turns to Amu, the lights seeming to light up the night sky a bit.

"…I think as long as we give her a chance, we can come to an understanding…"

Amu nods in understanding, a small blush taking to her cheeks.

"Yeah, I think so too…"

(The Next Night)

Yukari looks out over the lake, Utau and Hotaru standing behind her quietly.

"Here we are. The view is so pretty too. We just have to get on that helicopter to go to the airport and head to the studio in Los Angeles. I'll load a bunch of X eggs into this master CD, do the mixing, then we're done. You two will be the world's divas."

Utau stares off into space.

"But…I'm not doing it on my own."

Yukari sighs.

"Not that again…Utau, what's wrong? No matter what you do, a win is a win. You need to be prepared to push the competition down. You need a strong will. You have that strength, that's why I'm with you."

Utau doesn't respond to her, instead only looking up at the dark night sky.

"You can't see the stars…"

A bright light though causes the two to turn around, only to see a silhouette.

"Stop right there! The evil hides in the darkness and I can't let it get away!"

Amu moves into a flashy pose, the other Guardians standing behind her.

"The Angel of Justice, Amulet Angel, along with extras, the Guardians, have arrived!"

Amu's mind is running a mile a minute at El's flashy entrance. Utau seems to snap out of her slump as Hotaru watches on emotionlessly, said girl wrapped in a sweater and long dress, her hair held up by a black ribbon into a braid.

"Amu! You're still transforming with that useless El?"

"And you keep transforming with Diamond!"

Both are shocked as Diamond speaks, the Chara's small hands held to her heart.

"I can hear you heart's whispers. You're lost."

Amu's eyes widen in disbelief, unsure of how to take the new bit of information.

"Even if you can save your friend and the X eggs, you still don't know yourself. You're floating and vague. That's why your sparkle is weak."

A frown settles upon Amu's face as Rima turns to her, the petite girl clad in a jester outfit.

"Don't let it get to you Amu!"

"Yes, I don't know…Maybe that's why I have so many guardian characters."

Diamond crosses her arms.

"Yes, that's your answer. Then why are you here?"

"That's because-"

"Diamond, what are you doing? Forget about it! Il!"

Utau's outfit returns once more to that of Lunatic Charm, her attack of dark butterflies following quickly afterwards. Amu is thrown back by the attack, Hotaru watching on.

"You have no time to look the other way! We'll settle this tonight!"

A trident suddenly appears in Utau's hands, the singer non-hesitant in swinging it at Amu.

"Whoa! You're serious, aren't you? Let's go, El!"

Amu dashes forward only to suddenly have two white flags appear in her hands, the poles halting Utau's assault. Tadase and the others watch on as Kairi begins to head towards Hotaru. It's when he's a few feet away that an attack stops him.

"Slash claw!"

Kairi is thrown back a bit, barely managing to block the blow with his blades. Tadase, Yaya, and Rima rush to his side, frowns set on their faces.

"You guys are dealing with me."

"Ikuto Tsukiyomi!"

"That's right, that key has the same power as the humpty lock! That's why Utau was able to character transform with El!"

"Let's go!"

"Yeah!"

The others begin to fight, their attacks seeming to do no damage to Ikuto. Hotaru's frail body begins to step forward towards them, her eyes scrunched in pain. Her mind is running wild with the urge to take control, the hold on her stronger than before.

'Ikuto…! No!'

Amu turns to everyone only to have the flags knocked out of her hands, Utau's trident a few inches from her face.

"You don't have time to be worried about your friends. You have no weapons, what are you going to do?"

Amu's face sets into determination.

'She's right.'

"What's wrong, Amu? If you're not attacking, I'll attack you!"

Ran rushes to Amu's side, encouraging El to switch with her, but El manages another plot. She's able to connect with Il, explaining to her that they shouldn't fight anymore and they need to save Utau-chan. Somehow managing to convince her, both of Utau's and Amu's transformations unravel, leaving both girl's stunned. Utau's smile becomes sinister.

"If that's how you two want to be, fine. I don't need either of you! I still have diamond!"

Utau quickly changes into Dark Jewel as Il forces herself onto Amu, said girl transforming into Amulet Devil. Amu's face is a bit red at the outfit but still pulls out a guitar, her attack stronger than Utau's. Ikuto looks back, noticing the difference.

"Utau's losing…"

The others notice, their voices beginning to cheer.

"Yeah!"

"Go for it, Amu!"

This seems to anger Utau as her next attack sends Il flying backwards and out of Amu.

"Ah! How strong…"

"That's right! I am strong! I'm strong because I got rid of the naïve, soft side of me! You wouldn't understand because you're so wishy-washy! I've been fighting with my song! I've been winning! I gave so much effort behind the spotlight! You use kindness as an excuse to be weak! You don't care if you lose!"

The others listen on, Hotaru's ears having caught each word, tears slipping past her emotionless eyes.

'Utau…'

'Utau's sparkle has no scratches.'

Amu's eyes widen at hearing Diamond's voice.

"This voice…Diamond?"

'Diamonds have no scratches, that's why they sparkle beautifully. Her strong will and determination is what makes her sparkle. The same can be said for your friend. Are you going to be able to sparkly, staying just the way you are?'

Amu lowers her head, her voice unwavering.

"I do feel frustrated. There's no one who would feel happy when they lose. Of course I'll feel frustrated if I lose, but losing….getting hurt is not the end of it."

Amu's head rises, her body seeming to glow with resolve.

"If I have the will to try harder next time, I'll get stronger when I get hurt. People who know loss should be able to shine too. I still don't know what the real me is like. I might be someone who is wishy-washy, but I believe in it. I believe the sparkles inside of me."

Utau's body stops moving at the end of Amu's speech, everyone in awe at the wisdom behind the words spoken.

'I see….that's your answer.'

Utau's clothes begin to glow as does the Humpty lock and Dumpty key. Amu begins to shine as well, her body beginning to transform, the light so bright.

'Unlock…my heart?'

Author's Notes: There goes another chapter and like I said, the deadline is here! You guys have until the end of tomorrow to send me your story ideas. You can email it to me if you want:

Or you can send it to my inbox. Either way, I can't wait to see what ideas you guys have come up with. So excited. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Next one will be up next friday!