Ah! My Goddess: The Test (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Keiichi Morisato

Belldandy

Urd

Skuld

Megumi Morisato

Sora Hasegawa

Sayoko Mishima

Toraichi Tamiya

Hikozaemon Otaki

The Almighty One

The Betrayal:

"Skuld! How could you?" Belldandy asked in anguish as she set down the Phone, looking over at her youngest Sister and feeling betrayed. Urd was also there for when she had learned it had been Yggdrasil that had just called. She feared that once again she was about to have her License suspended. But the Call had been for Belldandy.

"What has she done now?" Urd asked scowling down at her little sister and Skuld fidgeted.

"She called my and her Mother informing her that me and Keiichi are in love with each other." Belldandy said mournfully and then relayed the bad news. "As the Interracial Romance Inquisitor, she wants to have us take the Gate of Judgement Test to determine if I and Keiichi should be allowed to be together." Both she and Urd knew what the Hearing meant and it was more of a test. The ultimate test. Where if their love was not proved. Then one of them would be sent to where they would never see each other ever again.

"Skuld do you realize what you have done? When the Test is conducted and if they fail. Then either Belldandy or Keiichi will be...one of them would be sent away forever." Urd asked in shock and a bit of disappointment towards her.

"I did not know. I promise Big Sis. At most I thought our Mother would demand or order you to stop or him to stop...I did not want to lose you." Skuld said and Belldandy began to cry. Dropping to her knees as she cried.

"I know I could call our Mother and tell her I was mistaken." Skuld suggested and Urd shook her head.

"It is too late for that. By now Ansuz has checked the Inhibitor Spell that was placed upon Keiichi. She will notice that it has been weakened since he has been able to tell Belldandy that he loves her without having her say it first. Skuld you really messed up. In time I was hoping that Keiichi would be able to completely overcome the Spell and they could continue to sneak around without anyone at Yggdrasil ever finding out." Urd said and Belldandy looked up at her in confusion. "Oh you did not know. Okay when tit was discovered that you began to love each other, Yggdrasil placed an Inhibitor Spell upon him. Didn't you think it odd that he had such difficulty even proclaiming his love for you or why he had never tried to kiss you. The Inhibitor Spell pumped up his anxiety and nervousness to the point that he just could not do anything. Not unless he really forced himself. Which actually says a lot about him. For he must truly love you to be able to do that." She explained and Belldandy inhaled sharply.

"Why would Yggdrasil do that?" Belldandy asked frowning hard with frustration.

"Because you do know it is against the rules for a Goddess to be in love with a Mortal. That is why the Test is used. There is one good thing about the Test though. If you do happen to pass. The Inhibitor Spell will be removed and you two can be together without any interference from Yggdrasil." Urd said with a small smile. Trying to put a spin on a bad situation. "None of this would have happened if a certain someone was not such a selfish brat." She stated looking once more over at Skuld. With a deep sigh, Belldandy looked over as well and tried to smile.

"Skuld I want you to know...if we fail the test and Keiichi is...if I loose Keiichi. I promise not to hate you. But I may never be able to forgive you." Belldandy said sadly and her little sister lowered her gaze to the floor.

"I am so so sorry Big Sis." Skuld said sorrowfully and tears began to flow down her cheeks. With another sigh, Belldandy stood to go inform Keiichi. By the end of the day, that her and Skuld's Mother Ansuz the Interracial Romance Inquisitor would be arriving to take her and Keiichi to where they would take the ultimate test to prove their love for each other. The Gate of Judgement. Along with telling him the consequences if they failed the test. Wanting to spend the day with him, just in case they might not ever see each other again.

The Other Shoe Drops:

Stepping out of a Mirror in Urd's room, Ansuz was met by her two Daughters and one Step Daughter. She smiled warmly at the three and then hugged each one in turn. "Welcome to our home Mother." Belldandy said as she hugged her Mother. Moving back at Arms Length.

"So where is this Human that you have fallen in love with? This Keiichi Morisato." Ansuz asked and then looked towards the open door to see him standing there nervously. "Have they told you Keiichi Morisato what the Test involves and the consequences if you and Belldandy fail the test?" She asked him and he nodded.

"Yes and I am willing to prove anyway possible that I am in love with Belldandy." Keiichi said feeling the usual anxiousness and nervousness flow through him. From what Urd had finally told him, it was caused by the Inhibitor Spell. He had wondered why sometimes he felt like such a coward or had no backbone when he tried to be more intimate with Belldandy. Now he understood why.

"I feel the same Mother. I am ready as well." Belldandy announced smiling at Keiichi who smiled back. Ansuz shook her head and chuckled.

"I am not sure you fully understand the consequences Keiichi Morisato. If you fail, it is most likely you would be the one that would be sent away. That would mean you would never see your Family ever again. I warn you both. If there is any doubts. Any at all you will fail the test. So are you still willing to take the test?" Ansuz asked with concern. In truth she was not really concerned about him and his family. She was concerned what it would do to Belldandy. In her investigation she had noticed that her Daughter probably would not want to go on if he disappeared and she could never see him again. It would destroy her.

"Yes. If it means I can be with Belldandy forever. Then yes I am willing to take the risk. It is not really a risk, because I am not willing to go on without her." Keiichi said and Ansuz nodded with approval. Liking the fact that he had the force of will to overcome the inhibitor spell. That told her that he indeed was in love with Belldandy.

"We will leave within the hour. Until then I am going to release you from the Inhibitor Spell, so that you and Belldandy can have that time to...to at least spend that time without limitations." Ansuz said then with a wave of her hand, Keiichi felt differently. As if he no longer had to fight past something to even admit that he was truly in love with Belldandy.

"Thank you Mother." Belldandy said taking Keiichi's hand and they walked towards the House. Skuld was about to intervene and wanted to push them apart. But her Mother placed a restraining hand upon her left shoulder.

"Remain Skuld. There is much I need to speak to you about. Not as the Interracial Romance Inquisitor. But as your Mother. Urd you may attend as well." Ansuz led the two over to the deck and sat down. Indicating for the two others to sit as well. "Your actions must stop Skuld and you know exactly what actions I speak of. Yggdrasil has recorded a number of times you have...well not broken the rules. But you have bent them." She shook her head negatively and in disappointment.

"What rules?" Skuld asked and again her Mother shook her head.

"You know exactly what rules I am speaking about." Ansuz pointed her right hand index finger at her. "How many times have you thrown one of those Bombs at Keiichi Morisato. Or threatened bodily harm upon him. More incidents then I care to elaborate upon. Each time you have bent not broken the rule that a Goddess shall not cause harm to a Human. So Skuld, no more. If they do pass the test, you are forbidden to interfere anymore. That includes your Robot. Do you understand?" She asked sternly and Skuld stubbornly looked up at her Mother.

"But Mother...he will take Belldandy away from me." Skuld said sadly and her Mother shook her head.

"That no one will ever do. She will always be your sister." Ansuz said now motherly. Then decided that it was time to change the subject. "So what have you two learned from your stay on Earth?"

Inside the house and within Belldandy's room, she hugged Keiichi tightly. In less then an hour, she may never see him again and that weighed heavily upon her heart. She could tell he felt the same as he held onto her. "Belldandy, regardless what happens. I have no doubts that I love you and I will for the rest of my life." Keiichi said to her and she smiled.

"Regardless of what happens. I will love you forever Keiichi." Belldandy stared hard into his eyes and he slowly leaned towards her. Without the Inhibitor Spell, he could actually now kiss her without being overwhelmed with anxiousness or nervousness. Though he was nervous and anxious, but it was controllable. She closed her eyes and also leaned towards him. As their lips pressed against each other, she felt her heart pound heavily in her chest. Then realized that his heart was also pounding heavily within his chest as well. Parting she smiled again and he smiled at her. Then almost an hour later they went outside to be taken to the Gate of Judgement by Ansuz.

The Test:

"This is the Gate of Judgement." Ansuz told them as she gestures with both of her hands upwards encompassing the huge portal. "I warn you again. If either of you have any doubts then you will fail and most likely it would be you Keiichi Morisato that will be sent elsewhere." Belldandy looked over at her Mother and smiled.

"We love each other Mother and if this is the only way that I can be with Keiichi. Then I am willing to take the chance." Belldandy announced confidently, then looked to Keiichi who nodded.

"I must tell you then. No human has ever passed this Test. Not since the Gods placed it here and after I was assigned to be the Inquisitor. None have succeeded. There are always the one doubt that a Mortal or a Goddess has. That their love will not survive the test of time." Ansuz said warning them both and Keiichi inhaled softly.

"We both already realize that our life together will be short. Still I will love her as long as I live." Keiichi replied and this time Belldandy nodded.

"I feel the same Mother. I will love him as long as he lives and then forever. I will love no other." Belldandy took Keiichi's right hand in her left and interlaced her fingers into his. They both nodded to each other and slowly stepped towards the Gate. Ansuz closed her eyes. She hated this part, when the two entered and then watching as one of them disappears. Leaving the other in anguish and to mourn that they would never see each other again. What made it worse was this time it would be her Daughter that would be left to mourn.

Holding his breath, Keiichi looked over at Belldandy to see she also was holding her breath. They were a mere foot from actually stepping through the arch of the Gate and then together they stepped through. They both had their fears, but neither had any doubts about their love for each other. On the other side of the Gate, they both exhaled in relief. "Impossible." They both heard Ansuz say in shock from behind them, as she too stepped through the Gate and walked around in front of them. "No it is not impossible. It is remarkable." She said in correction as she smiled at both of them. "You passed the Test. The Inhibitor Spell will not be reestablished and you have won the right to be together." She hugged first Belldandy and then Keiichi.

"Thank you Mother." Belldandy said and Ansuz returned to hug her again.

"Before I send you home. I have one request." Ansuz said and the two looked at her oddly. She smiled at them. "When you two get Married, I want to attend the Ceremony. Oh and I will try to get your Father to come as well." She then chuckled and Belldandy smiled at her.

"Of course Mother. We would love for both of you to come." Belldandy said and she looked over at Keiichi who seemed to be somewhat nervous about something. Even more so then when they took the test.

0000

Urd continued to pace back and forth nervously across the Deck. While Skuld sat tinkering with some type of contraction. "How long do we have to wait?" The youngest of the Goddesses asked, finally putting down whatever she was working on. The eldest of the three stopped pacing.

"If they failed...then...I doubt Belldandy will come back too soon. She will want time to...grieve." Urd could not even imagine what it would do to her Sister. To have Keiichi whisked away from her and to never see him again. She knew it would devastate her to the point of complete depression. Though she did not want to tell Skuld or admit to even herself. That no human had ever passed the test. The lingering doubt from his Mortality could cause them to fail. Just as she was about to go inside and call Yggdrasil to inquire if they had heard anything. There was a flash of light and there before her and Skuld was both Belldandy and Keiichi. The couple were holding each others hands and were smiling happily.

"We passed." Belldandy announced gleefully. Urd bounded towards them as Skuld reluctantly stepped closer as well. Belldandy released Keiichi's hand long enough to hug both of them and Urd then hugged Keiichi. Her sisters then left them alone and Keiichi looked over at her.

"I will see you later Belldandy. I need to go talk to Urd and Skuld about something. Can I see you afterwards?" Keiichi asked her and Belldandy looked at him oddly. Then nodded. With that he went into the house to find Urd first.

Knocking on Urd's door, Keiichi steadied himself and as soon as it opened he completely blanked. He had gone over what he was going to say and now he could not remember any of it. Well he did know that he wanted to ask Urd for her blessing and that was about it. "Keiichi. You look like you are about to...well faint. So what is wrong?" She asked and allowed him to come into her room. She halfway suspected whatever it was that he wanted to see her about involved her sister Belldandy. Though most of what he did involved her sister. He fidgeted and began to breath heavily in and out. "Okay relax...just take it easy." She instructed him, tempted to give him something to make him relax. He nodded.

"I...I...I want to Marry Belldandy." Keiichi blurted out the last two words and Urd smiled widely. "I would like your Blessing and then Skuld's." Then before he could say more, Urd laughed.

"Yes of course you have it." Urd then stopped smiling. "You know Skuld probably would not give you her Blessing. No matter what you say or how you ask. I think it might be best to not even seek it." She suggested and he shook his head again.

"No I need to do this right. I do not want Skuld to...well to believe that I should not at least have her permission to Marry Belldandy. I know that doesn't make sense." Keiichi tried to explain it, but he had forgotten all the reasons he wanted Belldandy's sisters Blessing. "It is important to me to have both you and Skuld's Blessing. Since you two are...well family." He said and Urd grabbed him, then hugged him.

"If I did not give it earlier, I would definitely give it now. You have my Blessing to Marry my Sister." Urd said and hugged him even more. She then released him so he could now go plead with Skuld to give her Blessing as well. Outside Skuld's door, he really hesitated. He knew she was going to say no. But like he had told Urd, it was important to him. So with a final exhaled sigh. He knocked.

Keiichi had been spot on with how Skuld would respond. She of course said no. That she would not give her blessing and in fact she still did not want him anywhere near her favorite Sister. "Skuld. I love Belldandy so much and I do want to be with her forever." He said to her and she scowled at him.

"I won't permit that." Skuld stated firmly reaching into her Shirt and removing one of her classic bombs. "You are not taking my Big Sis away from me." She declared and threatened to throw the bomb at him.

"Skuld please. We have passed the Gate of Judgement and I want to marry Belldandy. I want your Blessings so I can." keiichi pleaded and Skuld shook her head.

"Too bad, because I won't ever give it." Skuld said and Keiichi turned to leave. What other choice did he have. He felt his heart break as he walked towards his room. Passing Urd as he went to his door.

"I was right. She will not give it." Keiichi whispered sadly, tears began to form in his eyes as he went into his room. Urd watched him as he shut the door to his room. She had overheard it all and she decided it was time to intervene. Storming to Skuld's room she opened the door and stepped inside. Scowling down at her sister.

"I do not want to hear it." Skuld said turning away from her eldest sister.

"Don't want to hear what? That you are being selfish! That you do not even care what perhaps what Belldandy would want! Or what Keiichi would want! All you care about is yourself!" Urd declared sternly and Skuld refused to look at her eldest sister. "Let me tell you something. Ever since you decided to stay here on Earth. Not once was he not there for you. He treated you and me like family. He put up with you constantly trying to sabotage and interfere with his relationship with Belldandy. Who by the way, she loves him as much as he loves her. You do know that. So instead of being happy that she has found someone special. They even passed the Gate of Judgement. Which I can tell you is nearly impossible. Yet you continue to make it your mission to ensure that she may never truly be happy. Congratulations...you have succeeded. At some point I would guess that he will give up and their relationship would probably be over. Leaving Belldandy unhappy and miserable. That is what you truly want isn't it." With that she turned and left, shaking her head as she departed. Leaving Skuld to think over what her eldest Sister had said.

Inside her room, Skuld felt terrible. She knew that her Sister loved Keiichi. Loved him so much that she was willing to remain with him, no matter what. Even when they could return to Heaven during that Lord of Terror fiasco, she had elected to remain because she did love him. Skuld also knew Urd was right. In time that love they shared would begin to falter and that meant she would win. She would get what she wanted, where Belldandy would only be there for her. "I am selfish." She muttered and with a small smile. She walked out of her room and went to his. Lightly knocking. "Doors open Belldandy." Keiichi said from inside.

"It is me, Skuld." Skuld said and after a few moments the door opened and he looked at her slightly confused. "Uhm...Keiichi..I...I...you have my Blessing. You can Marry Big Sis." He immediately smiled.

"Really?" Keiichi asked wondering if he had heard her right.

"Yes. You can Marry my Big Sis." Skuld then smiled.

"Thank you Skuld. I promise to always love Belldandy and always make her happy." Keiichi said and Skuld glared up at him, no longer smiling.

"You better or you will meet every Bomb that I have no matter the consequences." Skuld turned and went back towards her room to find Urd smiling at her. Keiichi did not wait for Skuld to change her mind. So he went to find Belldandy. When she smiled at him, he felt his heart melt.

"Belldandy could you...would you come out to the yard? I have something I want to ask you." Walking with her out to the yard, she smiled even more upon seeing the candle lite yard. Once out in the center, he turned towards her. Then knelt. His entire body was shaking as he took her left hand in his. "Belldandy...I love you with all of my heart."

"I love you also with all my heart." Belldandy said as she continued to smile. He swallowed heavily and began to sweat as he nervously dug the Diamond Ring out of his pocket. He subtly looked over to see both Urd and Skuld standing just inside the door. Watching anxiously. He swallowed again and began to hyperventilate. Breathing hard in and out.

"Belldandy...I can ask you now. I have Urd and Skuld's Blessings. So will...will...will you Marry me?" Keiichi blurted out and Belldandy gasped audibly. Staring down at him in shock, then a large smile spread out on her face as she tackled him. Crying uncontrollably as she hugged him. "Uhm...Belldandy...is that a yes?" He asked her and she turned her head to look at him. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she nodded.

"Yes. Yes I will Marry you Keiichi." Belldandy said gleefully and he slipped the ring on her finger. They stared at each other for several moments and slowly leaned closer until their lips touched. She pressed herself more against him, deepening the embrace.

"Eww that is so gross." Skuld commented from the door, though she had a huge smile on her face. As did Urd, who clasp her youngest Sister's ear and took her back inside.

Wedding Day:

With all of their Friends, Keiichi Mother, Father and Sister Megumi attending. Unfortunately Belldandy's Father could not attend, but her Mother and Peorth were able and had arrived two hours before the Ceremony. Dressed in a White Flowing Gown, Belldandy stood nervously before her Mirror waiting impatiently for the time that she would be escorted to the Temple. She and keiichi were surprised when the Buddist Monk Koshian had miraculously arrived in time to conduct the Ceremony. They were equally shocked when he presented them with an early Wedding Present in the form of ownership of the Small House. They tried to decline, but he insisted. So they had no choice but to except. Three hours later, with the Wedding over. The Newlyweds rode off on his Motorcycle for their Honeymoon to enjoy another Wedding gift from Sayoko Mishima which consisted of a Six day Seven Night stay in the Honeymoon Suite of the Mishima Grand Hotel.

The End?