Chapter 25: It's Morning in Japan!

Things had finally settled down to a normal pattern and routine, which, for all involved, was a welcome sight indeed. Megumi was returned out of her stasis having had no clue on what had happened. It was better that way, because, if the love that was growing between her and Ian continued to blossom, it would be better to ease her into the truth of things and to spring it on her. From there, time went on.

The system force caused it so that Sentaro's family could move back to Chiba City, and as it turned out, they now had an apartment right next to the temple. Because of the new contract, Skuld did all she could to fulfill it, though not always to the greatest result. She was so glad Sentaro was so patient with her, in that there was much for her to learn. Yet, she began to see, for the first time, what it was that made her sister want to do what she was doing for Keiichi. She was not sure if it was love, or the same kind of love, but Skuld began to find herself a ready pupil in such matters. In fact, instead of losing her sister, and because of the way things were now, she became closer to Belldandy than ever before. When she was not with Sentaro, she was with her sister, learning all she could from her on how to cook, mend, to do chores, and other things in which her sister found so much pleasure. However, Yogdrasil determined that certain situations were not allowing her to fulfill her contract to the fullest, and so Belldandy was informed that Skuld was going to be in the same school and the same class as Sentaro. Even if she did not go voluntarily, it would happen that the local government would take an interest as to why Skuld was not at school. There was some protest from Skuld, but when she knew she would be with Sentaro, she finally relented, and suddenly found a completely new group of friends more her age with whom to associate. What she did not realize was that, after a few weeks of this, she had forgotten how much she had wanted to be around her sister, and wanted to hang out with the circle of friends that hung out with Sentaro. It was ironic how things actually paralleled Belldandy's situation: they both went to school with their charges, one liked motorcycles, one liked bicycles, both had clubs that centered around their interest, both girls were active members, (though Belldandy now worked full time,) and so it went. As a result, Belldandy and Keiichi became closer than ever. They were surprised to find that, without even telling them, Skuld had removed completely the chaperoning programming from Banpei. She just did not have time to focus on that now with schoolwork, (of which she was getting top marks, obviously,) clubs, friends, and so forth. Eventually, Belldandy and Keiichi began to share the same room and the same spot to sleep. Though they still had not crossed certain lines yet, they preferred it that way. Besides, they had Belldandy's special way of doing things, and that was fine with them. Urd was certain that wedding bells would not be far off.

As for Urd, with everyone gone, and only Banpei to keep her company, she began to realize that there was only so much lab work and television one could take. Before long, she was able to secure a job in a pharmacy, considering her expertise, and she found out just how well she excelled amongst the mortal population. Mara still managed the convenience store, but being the demon she was, she ruled with an iron fist! If you did not tow the line, you felt her wrath. Because stores like that have high turnover anyway, no one took notice that there were many different crews that worked under Mara, because there was only so much misery they could take. Sayoko and Peorth continued at the temple for a month, and Sayoko became a different woman after that. She had learned how to love, but like the goddess that had helped her, she was now a friendly rival to Belldandy, not seeking to surpass her to spite her, but seeking to use her as the measuring stick against which she could measure how well she was doing. She returned to her apartment and her life, but also found that she had a new and different circle of friends in her world, because the snotty ones now would have nothing to do with her. They assumed that she was trying to make them look bad, and Sayoko just had to bite the bullet and write it off to bad karma just playing itself out. Once she had that new circle of friends, then all that would then be in her past. Because the wish had been fulfilled, Peorth returned to her duties and awaited her next client, but they both had formed a bond, which meant that Peorth would stop in from time to time, not as a client/worker situation, but as friend with friend.

Megumi and Ian's relationship indeed did blossom, and before long, Megumi got rid of the small and cramped apartment in which she lived and moved in with Ian full time. How far their relationship went was anyone's guess, and they were not saying. They just felt it was no one's business but their own, and what did it matter anyway. She adopted this attitude when it became clear to everyone at NIT that they were an item, and suddenly, the boys, who had ignored her up to that point, now had time for her. She just laughed at them, knowing that it was only because they suddenly realized they had thrown away a good thing. However, no one ever made a challenge to the relationship because of who was on her arm. No one dared take a chance against Ian! Thus, if they didn't care before they were together, what did it matter to anyone else what they did behind closed doors?

In the heavenlies, Thrymr turned state's evidence and stood against Halval and Hagal, the latter of whom they tried en abstensia, telling of how Hagal ever came to power in the first place. The evidence against Hagal and Halval was damning, and it did not take long for a guilty verdict to be handed out. Halval was to be sealed away, as was Hagal if she ever resurfaced. Hrungnir was given clemency, being a child, and handed over to the care of Hild herself, and then to Chibi Hild by Hild Prime, so that she could be raised to be a proper demon, and to remove the brainwashing which Hagal had rammed down her throat. Yet, Hagal had her own problems. In her trial by combat, Hagal quickly found out how outclassed she was one-on-one, and realized that Belldandy had only been toying with her. Yet, Hild made sure she suffered much, and carried her throughout most of the trial. Once defeated, she was sent to the 666th layer of the Abyss. If she managed to escape—and that was a mighty big "if"—she would not be the same being, and it was certain her arrogance would be purged out of her. Yet, even if she did, she would be sealed away if she ever tried to come back to the surface world and the Valkyrie caught her. Thus, forever after, she would have the mark of Cain on her, and her life would never have peace.

By the Christmas break, the time came for Ian and Skuld to go through their various training. Ian was going to review all he had already learned under Lind, and learn some new skills while there. Skuld was going just to get the class time in to justify her new first-class limited status. For Skuld, it was pleasant, but it was home, and she was very glad to be able to visit her parents and meet up with old friends. For Ian, however, he had often seen this place in his dreams, and it indeed was the paradise he had always seen. For him, it was the best two weeks of his life. Though the training was hard and rigorous, it was still a blessed time for him, and because of the peace that he now felt, he passed all his courses with flying colors. His mother was extremely proud of him and was there to watch as he received a rarely issued license: demigod second-class, limited license. There were higher rungs to climb, but it was a start. His duties, however, would not consist of granting wishes, but it would consist of protecting the surface world, as his father had desired. Yet, for Skuld, she had the grand gala affair for her coming out and introduction of a new first-class goddess. This was her coming out party, and both of her sisters attended, as was Peorth. Belldandy was beaming and could not have been more proud of her little sister. Before he left, though, his father invited him to a sporting event they had unique to that world, and he knew his son would eat it up. They went to an arena, and there was what looked like two small goals on either end, not too dissimilar to ice hockey goals, but they were about 40 feet off the ground. The floor of the arena was marked not too dissimilarly to an ice hockey rink as well. The sides consisted of about nine a side, they all had paddles about the size of Hurley sticks, and they were armored up. Though there was no visible dome, the players acted like there was one with a roof about 80 feet off the ground. A force field kept things in play, and a ball of energy about the size of a baseball was introduced to the middle. Essentially, it was floating, three-dimensional hockey, and it was full contact! Ian definitely put it on his list that he had to try this game one day!

Speaking of hockey, we now fast-forward to Christmas Eve, and it is the first game of the season for NIT's hockey club. Everyone from the auto club, Whirlwind, and his sisters were in attendance. In an odd twist of fate, it turned out that the team's nickname was the Vikings! Ian had earned the captain's "C" and wore number four. The crowd was only about 3,000 people, but the acoustics of the place made it sound like ten times more. Thus, Ian was pumped for the game as he drank in the roar. As soon as the puck dropped, Ian's philosophy of hockey came to the forefront of his team as he had spent the entire time leading up to this match instilling it in them: you steal a puck; you have possession, which is good. You steal it with a good hit, you have possession, and an odd man rush as that man has been taken out of that phase of play. In other words, the game got physical fast! Belldandy did not like all the violence, but Ian had convinced her that it looked worse than it was, and that their pads helped take out some of the shock. Because of that, she was able to relax and get into the game. Halfway through the first period, Ian tried for the Bobby Orr rush and managed to deke the keeper out of his clothes and dump in the puck. Two series later, he did it again, but this time, he faked the shot and then set up the one-timer for his teammate who then scored. In the second period, they now knew the strategy and started to focus on their top players. However, the other team had a goon who was managing to get away with cheap shots and extra stick work. Belldandy noticed this and hollered, "That naughty boy must be taught a lesson for his sins!"

Everyone looked back at her wondering what she was on about, knowing that such a thing had never been heard before at a hockey game. However, Ian caught the gesturing of his sister in the stands and decided to go headhunting. Oftentimes, this goon for his cheating was ruining scoring chances, and Ian was becoming angry with the referees for not calling it. Thus, every shift they were out together, Ian stuck to him like glue, looking for every chance to drive this man off his teammates and make him ineffective. Belldandy then hollered, "That is the way to make him behave, Ian. Isolate the cad!"

Urd just face palmed as the people around could not help but chuckle at the prim and proper woman. It was as if Mary Poppins decided to attend a boxing match! By the third period, the goon was getting fed up with things. He wanted to act, but was stopped on every hand. His team was now down three to nothing, and this brute would not let him have a moment of peace. The anger rising in this goon was exactly what Ian banked on, and kept on him, hoping he would forget why he was out there and come after Ian. About three minutes into the third period, the good blew his stack and crosschecked Ian. Not only was this an illegal move, but it was nowhere near the play. It was clear what the goon was trying to do, but he suddenly became unnerved when he watched Ian drop the gloves, more than willing to oblige! The goon had no choice but to drop his and defend himself, and he quickly found himself on the back foot. It was not as much of a fight as it was a boxing clinic. Ian hit the guy with a few good shots right away, and now the other was swinging and grabbing Ian if only to try to stay on his feet and defend himself. Round and round they went in one of the face-off circles as if it was their own private boxing ring, and finally the goon hit the ground, bleeding from a cut on his forehead, dazed and confused. Ian was ushered to the box as the ref shouted, "Five minutes!" to which Ian said, "Well worth it!"

Another player had to serve a five in place of the goon for a good reason. The announcer said, "Well, it looks like someone made a donation to the Red Cross tonight. Ian McGovern has five minutes for fighting."

It was also announced who would serve the five for the goon, and the goon was given a game misconduct, (being thrown out of the game,) for fight instigation. The crowd was deafening now at the fight as his team banged their sticks on the sideboards, and even Urd was screaming, "That's the way to do it, little bro! He'll think twice before messing with you again!"

However, Belldandy said, "But, that was horrible! Did he really have to do that?"

"Remember what big bro said," reminded Skuld, "Sometimes, you have to forget the rules and just drop the gloves! Now I understand what he means!"

That brought her back to the fight with Hagal, and she realized that all he did was act as he was out on the ice—an enforcer. As his team was now invigorated, she had been motivated to fight hard against the one that was causing her all this misery. She had not regretted doing that then, and she now saw nothing different here. Someone looked at her and said, "So, are you mad they fought?"

"No," said Belldandy, "The foul cad received the drubbing he earned. I sure hope he learned his lesson."

The man just laughed and said, "Probably not…he's probably too dense to get it."

"Oh really?" said Belldandy, "I'll just have to see about that."

With that, she got up, much to Urd's protest, knowing what Belldandy had in mind. However, she stopped and thought, "Oh, this ought to be good!"

The goon was in the locker room, throwing around his gear, trying to get his hockey gear off, livid that he had been tricked into that. He was shouting to no one in particular, "I'm going to pay off that jerk if it's the last thing I do!"

"No, you shall not," he heard, and suddenly looked like he had leaped out of his skin as he watched Belldandy emerge from the mirror. "What in God's name are you doing in here?" he shouted, "Leave me alone!"

"No," Belldandy said firmly, "You have a problem with sportsmanship, and you need to learn how to play nice!"

With that, she began to chant, "Oh spirits of good sportsmanship and fair play, I command you to arise and purge this man of his sinning ways!"

If it had not been for the roar of the crowd, they would have heard this man screaming like a little girl as Belldandy was "redeeming" him. After the game, his teammates came in to find one of the most polite and kindest men they had ever met, and they were just flabbergasted over his changed behavior. However, they relied on his goon-like ways, and now wondered what chance they stood to win that season.

After the game, everyone and their significant others went to a club frequented by the hockey team and decided to celebrate the team's first win of the year. As they celebrated, Ian said, "Where did you go, sis? You weren't there until the very end of the game."

"Let us say that I had to drop the gloves with someone," she answered.

"I hope it was nothing severe."

"Oh, fear not, for he shall never bully anyone again."

"You don't mean…oh no, what did you do?"

"I reformed him."

He wanted to become a bit angry, but he just laughed and said, "Just don't go making a habit of it, okay?"

She soon sat on a couch with Keiichi, snuggling close as they watched the team's bad attempts at karaoke, and they both realized that this marked a new time in their lives: a time that a new era was starting for them in which the future was limitless. Indeed, for all of them, it was now morning in Japan.

END OF BOOK ONE

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