Disclaimer: I do not own AMG, or any of their characters native to their universe. I only own the ones native to mine.

Ah! My Goddess: The Lacrimosa of Destiny

Chapter Nine

Calm

Buddhist Temple, Nekomi, Japan

"Fainted? You?!" Urd laughed heartily. "You are bullshitting me!"

Dia blushed. "I, uh, wish I was. It was rather embarrassing, really."

Actually it was pretty damn hilarious! Cyrus jumped up onto the table, and began to wash a paw. It was funny enough seeing her try flight without wings, but as soon as Lady Hariasa said for her to call her 'mom', she dropped like a ton of bricks.

Dia glared at the black and white cat, but then grinned mischievously. She took another sip of her sake. "So, Cyrus, have you seen yourself lately? What's with the tuxedo? Have a hot date?"

Cyrus stopped washing his paw, and starred at his mistress. What are you blathering about, Dia? She pointed toward a mirror, and he padded over to it. As soon as he saw his reflection, his tail went bottlebrush, his hair stood on end, and he hissed loudly. After a few angry seconds, his eyes widened. Oh, shit. That's me.

"Yeah, fleabag, that's you all right. It makes me feel happier knowing I am not the only one that can't seem to take back changes in this reality." She grinned evilly.

Cyrus sighed and went back to bathing. Well, Dia, at least my transformation didn't reduce the interior of this beautiful temple into a broken china and glass shop. Oh, you might want to be careful if you get a room here for the night, there are still several things that you haven't broken just yet. Though I am pretty sure if you try hard enough, you could probably take care of that in a spectacular fashion, too. He quit bathing and shook his head. Well, I'm off for a nap in the sunbeam. Later.

Dia seethed as she watched her familiar pad out of the room, then hung her head. "How the hell does he still get the last word in? I thought a woman was supposed to get the last word!"

Urd patted her friend on the arm, her lips quivered as she fought the urge to laugh. "Um, Dia, that is only when we have an argument with a man. I, uh, don't think familiars count as a man."

Dia growled as she closed her eyes. "Damn fleabag!"

XXX

Belldandy stood humming in the kitchen as she cut vegetables and worked on cooking dinner. She smiled at the bouts of laughter from the living room. In the short time that Diademonica had been with them, she watched both her and Urd become fast friends. Despite the other woman's course language, penchant for drinking, and affinity for destroying breakable objects, she was great to have around. Of course, she wasn't sure what Keiichi would say to having another powerful woman in the house, but she imagined he wouldn't mind. I have him back, that is all that matters!

Belldandy felt something brush around her legs, and chuckled. She reached down, and gave a quick scratch to the top of Cyrus' head. "Hello, little friend. What brings you in here?"

Cyrus looked here and there, and saw an open spot near the sink that shouldn't cause a problem. He leaned back on his haunches, and leaped up onto the counter. He turned around a couple of times, and lay down. He folded his paws under himself, and watched Belldandy while she worked. Just thought I would drop by and see how you were doing, Belldandy. Your aura is much brighter compared to when we first met. Having your Keiichi back has definitely made you happier.

The Goddess put down the carrot she chopped, and wiped her hand on a towel. She reached over and scratched his ears. "Having him back safe has made all the world to me, Cyrus. I love him more than life itself. I would do anything for him."

The black and white cat purred loudly, the sink basin vibrated in sync with his purr. Ah, no one knows how to scratch my ears like you do, Belldandy. He coughed once. Though, your friend Lind isn't too bad in a pinch, either. He pulled his head back as her fingers found themselves under his chin. Oh, yeah! That's the spot! He opened his eyes, and gazed at her again. Yet, I still see traces of worry. Something is not quite right with him though, am I right?

Belldandy chewed her lip and sighed. "He is a little off, Cyrus. He felt rather warm, and his color wasn't quite right. I don't know what Hild did to him, but it affected him greatly." She quit scratching Cyrus, and went back to finish chopping her carrots.

Tell you what, Belldandy. After I get my nap in the sunbeam, and dinner is done, I will go in with you and we can check out Keiichi together, deal?

Belldandy wiped a tear away. "Deal. Thank you, Cyrus."

Cyrus nodded once, and jumped off the counter. Before he padded out the door, he turned to her. You don't have to thank me, Belldandy. Both your hospitability, and your ability to put up with Dia are all the thanks I need.

Belldandy nodded as she wiped away another tear. It was good to have friends.

XXX

Lind sat out on the porch in the back of the temple. Her eyes glanced over the damage done to the back yard from Diademonica's fights with both Hild and Fenris. She shook her head. Fenris, why oh why did you leave heaven? Was it because you found the thought of evil so alluring? Did you truly turn away from what made you one of heavens brightest? She sighed loudly as she ran her hand through her hair.

Why so somber, noble warrior? I thought you would be happy how things turned out today. After all, no one is dead.

Lind watched the black and white cat pad over to her, and lay down beside her in the bright sunlight. She gave a half-smile as she started stroking him. "Hello you evil thing." She started playfully. "You know, you don't behave like I expected a demon familiar to be like." She lightly scratched his belly. "You are more cat then imp anymore, I think."

Cyrus purred loudly. Spend almost nine centuries in the company of Diademonica, and see what that does for you. He chuckled. I haven't been out of this feline form in so long, I don't even remember what I looked like for real anymore. He shifted slightly, his eyes closed in enjoyment of Lind's administrations. I am not an imp though, milady. I am a familiar, there is a BIG difference between us. However, even in our reality, demon familiars are…frowned upon. People don't realize that all we do is offer advice and guidance to those we are bonded to. The ones that do all those horrible deeds we inevitably get blamed for are the true imps. Hateful little shits, they are.

Lind blinked in surprise. "I didn't realize there was a difference. I thought familiars were imps."

Cyrus snorted. Yeah, we got a bad rap, thanks to them. I don't worry as much about it anymore. So long as I find caring people that will actually listen, I try to educate.

Lind smiled, and eyebrow arched in curiosity. "Why do you and Diademonica squabble and verbally spar so often? I would have thought you two would get along better then you do."

Cyrus rumbled a laugh. That is just how she is. I will be the first to say that her growing up wasn't the easiest experience. She never knew her mother until she was 18, and lost both her father and beloved aunt before that. Her mother, well, she can be a tad…difficult, to deal with. Think someone like your Hild of this reality, just…pushier. She ruined more than one of my mistress' love affairs.

Lind blinked. "She…ruined? Did she zap them or something?"

Cyrus snorted, then rumbled another laugh. Well, sometimes. More often than not, Dia would be, uh, shall we say really occupied, and her mother would just suddenly drop in for a visit.

Lind face-palmed. "Don't tell me…"

Cyrus thumped his tail once. Let's just say the appearance of a pissed-off Shadow Stalker is more than enough for most men to take to the road in fear. When many of her suitors found out what Dia really was, and whom her mother was, it isn't unusual for them to suddenly vanish and never call upon her ever again.

Lind grimaced. "That sucks. So she has problems with relationships in general then, I take it?"

Cyrus snorted. Yeah, no shit. I wasn't surprised that she sized you up first thing when we arrived. She figured you would be a threat."

The Valkyrie blinked. "I was a threat? Why?"

She will never admit it, but Dia has always felt 'dirty' because she is half demon. She often feels threatened when faced with something so pure. Of course, for a long time, she thought that she had to do evil deeds. The long mentorship under her mother after she turned 18 didn't help her feel any better about herself, either.

Lind stopped petting the familiar, and gazed into his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Cyrus grunted. Lady Hariasa taught her very early how to unlock her demonic powers, and how to use them to achieve her own ends. From what I was led to understand, she was supposed to fully mentor her in both the demonic and magical arts. She chose to ignore the 'good' magic half, and just concentrated on the demonic. So Dia is incredibly unbalanced in her abilities and powers. She is incredibly powerful, and has the capability to be even more so, but she has to master her magical talents. There are precious few in our reality that can help her with that. He sighed. Maybe we can eventually find her father somewhere in the void. If he can be found, perhaps he could help her unlock her true powers.

Lind's brows furrowed in thought. "Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

Cyrus chuckled. No more so than relying completely upon only half of her strengths. Right now, she is a maelstrom of chaotic energies, Lind. Balance must be maintained, or else she will fall apart again.

The Valkyrie's eyes widened. "Again? You mean she fell apart before?"

Cyrus blinked at Lind, and sighed. Yes.

XXX

Aurora, Colorado U.S.A.

Lady Hariasa frowned at the closed door. Dia's apartment was unusually quiet, so she had to hear that she was there. She had knocked three times, the agreed upon signal that she was there. Yet, her daughter never gave her the okay to come in this time. Was she somehow pissed at her yet again? She hadn't talked to Dia in a few weeks, so she couldn't have angered her already. She snorted. Fine, Dia, you want to play that game, then I will just come straight on in. She grinned. Besides, you have to try Jacque's new mixed drink! It is just to die for!

The Shadow Stalker phased through the door, and paused just a few steps inside. Her brows furrowed, and she chewed her lip. She didn't sense Diademonica's aura anywhere nearby. She noticed the sound of something beeping, and saw Dia's wall phone was off the hook and on the floor. Quickly, she headed over to the phone, and placed it back upon the cradle. Yes, she had used this not too much longer before. Her eyes drifted over Dia's combination apartment/office, and noticed that her customized hand gun was still on its typical resting place upon the wall. She rarely ever left without taking Last Rites with her, so whatever happened was something serious, and it occurred quickly.

"Cyruxinate, are you here?" Lady Hariasa inquired of the empty apartment.

Silence. His aura was missing, too. Whatever required them to leave was abrupt. She opened her sight to the ether, and noticed that Apocalypse was gone. Hmmm, that meant she had indeed taken at least a weapon with her. She was most puzzled. Her daughter wasn't the best with teleportation spells, so she doubted she left that way. The Shadow Stalker did feel some kind of powerful magic effects in the air, and followed its trail.

Lady Hariasa blinked. The trail led to the mirror beside Dia's wall phone. Had she received a call, was distracted, and someone grabbed her through the mirror? She willed Vengeance into her hand, and felt the ancient blade's thrum of power. Something took her daughter, and she take her back. She placed a hand upon the mirror, and recoiled in shock. Goddess! She blinked in surprise. A Goddess grabbed my daughter? Why? Did they hope to somehow get to her through her daughter?

The Shadow Stalker gazed with hatred upon the mirror. Fine, Goddesses. You want to declare war on me, a war you will have! She sneered in contempt. A mirror though, how quaint. I will follow your trail, Goddess, and I will make sure that I strike you down with fear in your eyes, and my name upon your lips!

Lady Hariasa placed her hand on the mirror, and after a rapidly spoken spell, she became pure light, and merged into the mirror.