Chapter 2
A visit from Hell / Traitors
Draco watched the scene below from a rooftop. Belldandy and Skuld were both calling on their healing powers, trying to save Sayoko.
"They went a bit overboard I see."
Draco turned to see the robed for of his Lord.
"You did say to distract them, my Lord. This has been achieved."
The robed figure walked to the edge and pointed. "I did not say that one should be captured. If he should talk, all will be lost."
Draco bowed to his Lord. "He will not talk. I will see to it."
"No." said the Dark Lord, "I shall."
Both turned and watched as several Valkyries appeared and took away the frozen Demon. Belldandy and Skuld vanished with Sayoko.
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Kami-sama was furious. It had been a long time since a Demon had fought a Goddess, even longer since one had been injured by one. So feared was the doublet system, no Demon had dared oppose it. Until now.
"What is her status?"
A very pale Peorth stood before Kami-sama. "She has been moved to Skuld's apartment on the surface. Belldandy, Skuld and Urd are there. They felt it unwise to move her directly to Heaven in her condition."
Kami-sama nodded, "Inform them that if they need any assistance, I myself will come."
"Of course sir."
Kami-sama's face then darkened. "And what of the Demon?"
"He refuses to say a word."
"Convince him."
"Yes sir. There is something else." Peorth looked rather nervous.
"Yes?"
" 'She' wants to speak with you."
Kami-sama leaned forward, resting his head in his hands (Gendo look #1). 'Of course she was there when the message came through. She must have overheard.' "Why?"
"Something about that Demon."
"Let her in."
Peorth walked over to the phone and pressed a few buttons. "He will see you now." She then hung up and waited. In front of Kami-sama's desk a red circle appeared. Dark clouds began to rise and flames shot into the room. The smoke then cleared to reveal 2 women. One was Mara, Demon 1st Class. The other had long platinum blond hair, and dark tanned skin. On her face were 3 red stars.
"Daimakaicho Hild." said Kami-sama quietly.
"Kami-sama." replied Hild with a nod. Mara looked about the office nervously.
"And what does the Queen of Hell wish to discuss?"
"I wish to speak with the Demon that you are holding."
Kami-sama sat back and stared at her. "And your reason for doing so is?"
Hild looked directly at Kami-sama, "Make no mistake, I do not like you. However, my Daughter's Niece is another story. That attack was not ordered by Oni-sama, myself, or anyone else in hell. I want to get to the bottom of this as much as you do."
Kami-sama stared at Hild a little longer, then he stood up. "Very well. This way."
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Belldandy and Keiichi hovered over Sayoko as she lay unconscious on her bed. Skuld and Urd hovered nearby.
"How is she?" asked Urd quietly.
"We were able to stop the bleeding and heal the wound." said Skuld. "But it was a Demon blade. It will take time to recover."
Urd stared at Sayoko as Belldandy moved her hand carefully through her daughter's hair. Urd felt a surge of guilt and stormed out of the room. Skuld quickly followed.
"What's wrong Urd?"
Urd turned and looked at Skuld, tears in her eyes. "I should have been there! I could have helped!"
Skuld shook her head. "Kami-sama told me that you were out. You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Skuld walked over a peered through the peep hole. She then opened the door.
"Hello, Rei."
Rei stepped in and looked at Skuld. "How is Sayoko?"
"She is in her room. Go see for yourself."
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Luthor, the demon in question, sat in a cell. He had been told that this was the very cell that Celestin had been held before his trial.
'I wonder what Celestine was thinking as he awaited his fate.'
Luthor felt a sudden disturbance and recognized it.
"Oh hell.." He muttered.
"Don't you mean 'Oh Hild'?" Luthor turned to the new voice. A figured in a hooded robe stood just on the other side of the bars.
"Who are you?" Luthor asked.
"You disappoint me Luthor." said the figure, "You allowed yourself to get carried away and got caught as a result."
Luthor turned his back on the figure, "Yeah so what? What are you gonna do about it."
"You will not be allowed to talk. You must be silenced, permanently."
Luthor turned back to the figure. The man held a force ball in his hands, it glowed with a brightness that rivaled the sun. The man then let it fly at the Demon.
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Kami-sama and Hild walked down a long corridor. Behind them walked Peorth and Mara. Flanking them were approx. 20 Valkyries. Gods and Goddesses moved quickly to clear out of the wall of the approaching group. All but one Goddess. She stood blocking their way.
Kami-sama looked at her questioningly. "What is the matter?"
The Goddess moved her lips a few times, trying to speak, before her eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the ground. Several Gods immediately flew to her side. They then drew back in shock. One turned to Kami-sama.
"She's dead sir."
Kami-sama stared at the unmoving form before him. 'What could have...?' Kami-sama immediately looked up.
"GET TO THE DEMON NOW!" he ordered.
Several Valkyries flew down the corridor, heading towards the demon's cell. They soon reported back.
"He's dead sir. Someone blasted a hole through his chest."
Kami-sama looked stunned. Hild was also in shock. Finally Kami-sama turned and looked at Hild.
"It seems that we must have a long talk."
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Sayoko slowly began to return to consciousness. She lay staring at the ceiling. She looked around. It was her room. She tried to move her hands, but felt weight on them. She looked to her right to see brown hair laying on her hand and arm. On her left was also a mass of brown hair, but of a much lighter color. Sayoko tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in her side made her hiss in pain and lay back down. Her hiss was loud enough to wake the one on her left. Belldandy raised her head and looked directly into her daughter's eyes. Tear's came to her eyes as she moved quickly and gently to wrap Sayoko in a hug.
"I thought I had lost you." Belldandy said between tears. Sayoko returned the hug with her free hand. After a few minutes Belldandy sat back down.
"How do you feel?"
Sayoko shifted in the bed, only to wince as she stretched her left side. "It still hurts a lot."
Belldandy nodded, "Because it was a demon blade, it will continue to hurt for several days. But your wound has been healed." Belldandy then pointed to the person on Sayoko's right. "You have a great friend in Rei. She has been here ever since she heard what happened."
Sayoko smiled as she looked at Rei. "We've always been there for each other when we got injured." Sayoko turned back and looked at her mother. Belldandy's face was blank as she spoke next.
"I did have a....conversation with her. About why....you don't come to me for help."
Sayoko looked away, "I've just been so used to you not being here and going to Auntie for help. And then you started acting funny when I was around Auntie......I just..." Sayoko turned back and looked at Belldandy. "I never meant to hurt you. You're still my mother and I care for you." Sayoko reached out and grabbed Belldandy in another hug. "I...don't want to lose you again." Mother and Daughter had another crying session before a small snore reminded them of who was still in the room. Belldandy and Sayoko stared at Rei.
"She's a sound sleeper." noted Belldandy.
Sayoko got an evil grin on her face. She leaned down by Rei's ear. "ANGEL ATTACK!"
Rei sat straight up, her eyes wide open. She looked around confused for a second before glaring at a grinning Sayoko.
"I still don't think that's very funny."
Sayoko grabbed Rei in a hug, "I think it's hilarious."
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A day later.
Misato, Asuka, and Maya sat in the control room for yet another reactivation test. They had attended many such tests, usually after Dr. Taltamir claimed to have found a sudden break through. He had done so again that morning. As the Doctor moved about to prepare the test, the 3 talked quietly.
"So how is Sayoko?" asked Misato.
"According to Rei she's fine." said Asuka. "She won't return to the University for a few days, but she's getting around better."
"Send my best to her." said Maya. "I still remember what she and her Aunt did during 3rd Impact."
They all turned to the Doctor and Techs. "So what is the latest inspiration?" asked Misato.
"Apparently, he was hit by it the morning after the attack. He spent all day yesterday going over it, before requesting your presence this morning." said Maya.
Asuka looked beyond at the MP Eva and gave a small shiver. "Do you think it will work?"
Maya shook her head, "I don't know, But I hope it won't."
Doctor Taltamir then walked over. "We are ready."
Misato nodded, "Proceed Doctor."
Doctor Taltamir immediately began to issue orders. Techs at terminal carried out their orders quickly. A loud hum began to fill the air. The air around the Eva seemed to shiver. Misato's and Asuka's eyes widened.
'It can't be....'
With a slight rumble, the Eva stood up a little straighter, it's hands clenched slightly.
"Eva reactivation.....Successful!" shouted a tech. Cheers began to echo throughout the room as everyone celebrated their success. Everyone celebrated, except for 3 people. Misato turned and looked at Asuka and Maya. "Go tell Skuld and Ritsuko. They'll want to know. Then Asuka, I want you to transmit that request of personal." Asuka and Maya nodded and quickly hurried off. Misato then put on a fake smile and walked up to Dr. Taltamir.
"Congratulations. So, what was different this time?"
"Well, the day after the attack. I decided to spend time going through the NORN looking over the information again. I then noticed something I had skipped previously." Dr. Taltamir smiled. "I couldn't believe I missed it. It was right there the whole time."
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A few minutes later, Misato walked into her office. Asuka and Maya stood there watching a person behind Misato desk typing quickly into her terminal.
"Find anything yet Ritsuko?" asked Misato.
"Yes, I have." Ritsuko said looking up. "Someone has restored several key files that we deleted when we backed-up the MAGI into the NORN."
Misato stared at Ritsuko, "But, you and I have the only copies! I still have mine.."
"And I still have mine." Ritsuko pointed at the screen. "Whoever did this did it the night of the attack. So while you and the security forces were dealing with those demons...."
"Someone came in and inserted those files." finished Misato. "Who?"
"Possibly.....a Demon." Everyone looked toward the new voice. Urd stepped away from the security monitor that Misato had in her office and walked towards the group. "I was at Skuld's when Asuka called, she still busy with Sayoko. But yes, a Demon could have done it."
Ritsuko pointed back at the screen. "But SEELE's computers were destroyed by your forces, the MAGI were wiped of all usable data. Only Misato and I had the remaining files, unless.....you people kept a copy?"
Urd shook her head, "We do have a copy, but its impossible for a demon to go unnoticed in the heavens."
"What if someone in Heaven is working with the Demons?"
"That is not possible."
Asuka looked at Urd, "Why not? You worked with Mara."
Urd paled a bit, "That was different, besides Kami-sama knew about that."
"So maybe he just doesn't know about this one."
"No you don't understand. We put that information into a databank with another highly classified program. It's the most secured place in the entire Yggdrasil mainframe. Only Kami-sama, and a few Class 0 Gods have the access to it. It is just not possible."
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Loki sat quietly in Saturn's office. Saturn stared at the screen before him. He then turned and looked at Loki.
"How is this possible?"
"I do not know." said Loki, "But still, the fact remains. The Evas have been reactivated."
Saturn leaned back in his chair. "Our own files.....used against us. So what do we do now that the genie has been let out of his bottle?"
Loki smiled "I believe this should be brought up at the next meeting. We have a traitor to deal with, and we must deal with the Evas. Permanently."
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Several Hours later
Misato stood quietly in her apartment. Sitting in front of her were Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Touji and Sayoko. Just off the side, Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and Keiichi stood by watching and listening. They had brought Sayoko to this meeting against Belldandy's wishes. Even now, Belldandy seemed to be hovering over Sayoko. Sayoko looked good, considering the injury sustained. Regardless, they all needed to be here for this.
"For those of you who don't know," started Misato, "the first of the MP Evas has been reactivated." Each of the children stared at Misato in shock. Misato wasn't finished.
"I have been ordered by the UN to return you all back to full operational status as pilots. Starting tomorrow, you'll have to resume sync tests." A chorus of groans came from the pilots. Rei spoke up.
"Why do we have to pilot? What about the dummy plugs?"
Misato shook her head, "There is no way we are going to use the dummy plugs. Not after what happened 8 years ago. The UN C in C sees that as an unnecessary risk. I agree." Misato then gave them a smile. "I am happy to say that Majors Hyuga and Aoba will be returning to man the command room. Dr. Akagi is also returning as the pilot's doctor."
Asuka looked up. "What about Doctor Taltamir?"
"He is in charge of the Evas only. Anything involving the pilots falls under Ritsuko." replied Misato.
"What did happen 2 days ago?" asked Touji. Sayoko seemed to curl up slightly. Rei placed her hand on Sayoko's shoulder. Belldandy also moved behind Sayoko, placing her hands on her shoulders. Misato took a deep breath, then started.
"3 Demons attacked Toyko-2. Their purpose was to distract our forces, and the goddesses long enough to access the NORN."
"What were they trying to get?" asked Rei.
"They didn't 'get' anything. It's what they left. The files to reactivate the Evas."
Shinji stared at Misato. "But I thought you said you had deleted those! Where did they get them?"
"That is what we wish to know." Came a new voice. Everyone in the room turned to see 5 newcomers, all Valkyries in full armor.
Skuld stared at the Valkyrie, "Commander Mist, why are you here?"
Mist looked at Skuld. "I am here by order of the Council of Heaven." Mist turned and looked at Urd. "Urd, you'll have to come with me."
Urd looked at Mist, shocked. "WHAT?!"
Skuld glared at Mist. "Why?"
Mist looked at Skuld apologetically, "I'm sorry, but I have my orders. The council wishes to question SysOp Urd on how a secured file ended up in the mortal computer." She waved to the other Valkyries who began to move towards Urd. Urd took a step back, lightning crackling in her hands. Misato and the other mortals stepped back, trying to get out of the line of fire. Belldandy moved in front of Sayoko. Skuld assumed an offensive posture.
"WAIT!" shouted Mist. She turned to Skuld and Urd. "Please, don't make this any more difficult then it needs to be."
Skuld looked over to Urd. Urd finally dropped her hands and nodded to Skuld. The Valkyries moved in and took hold of Urd. They then vanished in a flash. Belldandy and Skuld stared at Mist. Skuld walked right up to Mist and looked her straight in the eye.
"My sister had nothing to do with this.....If anything happens to her..."
Mist turned away and looked to Belldandy. "I am sorry. I had no choice." Mist then vanished.
"What happens now?" asked Sayoko.
Belldandy wrapped her arms around Sayoko.
"We pray, and hope for the best."
Skuld continued to stare at where Mist had stood, then went directly to the phone.
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Several Hours later.
"You have something you wish to say?" asked Kami-sama. The rest of the council sat watching Saturn closely.
"First My Lord, must the Goddess of the Future be here?"
Skuld glared at Saturn. Kami-sama waved his hand at Saturn, "She is here because I asked her to be. Now continue."
Saturn took one last look at Skuld before continuing "My Lord, fellow council members, the Evangelions have been reactivated."
"This is known." said Apollo. "The mortals have been working at it for 8 years now."
"Yes," said Saturn, "but it now appears that they had help."
"Help?" asked Anubis, "Help from who?"
Saturn looked over at Loki. Loki nodded. Saturn turned back to the others. "Apparently, from us. The files used to reactivate the Evas came from Yggdrasil."
The other gods stared at Saturn in shock.
"We forbid all help from the heavens in this matter." said Parvati.
"I assume that you have proof?" asked Athena.
"According to logs, the file was downloaded from the secure area to the SysOp station."
Anubis rose to his feet. "And who was the SysOp on duty at the time?"
Saturn motioned to the doorway. 2 Valkyries entered with Urd between them. Thor rose to his feet.
"This is unacceptable. I have know Urd since she was a child! She would not do such things!"
"I tend to agree." said Fukurokuju, "Does other evidence exist?"
"We are still gathering evidence." said Saturn. "But this can be all cleared up by Urd, if she would tell us, where were you the night that the demon's attacked Tokyo-2?"
Urd stared at Saturn before turning and looking at her father. Kami-sama could not meet her eyes. She turned back to Saturn.
"I have done nothing. I did not upload anything into the mortal computer system."
Saturn looked at Urd. "Yet you avoided our question, Where were you the night of the attack? You were not in the heavens and you were definitely were not beside your sisters. Where were you?"
Urd looked at Kami-sama one last time before looking back at the council. "I can't say."
"Can't or won't?"
"Enough!" shouted Thor. "She said she did not upload any files to the mortal computer. She tells the truth!"
Several other gods nodded their heads in agreement. Saturn walked over to his chair and picked up a rather thick file.
"I hold here the disciplinary file for the Goddess Urd."
'Oh crap.' thought Urd.
Skuld had her head in her hands. 'Not good.'
"Urd," Saturn asked, "How many times has your license been suspended?"
Urd thought about it, "I'm....not sure."
Saturn looked through the file, "There is plenty in here, for example: I see over 45 infractions for lying..." Saturn looked up at Urd. "...all within a 12 day span."
"That was a long time ago." said Urd.
"Yes you've 'changed' haven't you?" Saturn smiled at Urd. "You also 'changed' when you became a 2nd Class Goddess, yet you still told lies. And then there is your childish behavior." Saturn waved his hand and a screen flickered into life at the end of the room. It showed a scene that was typical of pre-2nd Impact around the temple. Urd and Skuld having a drawn out fight that ended with several explosions. Skuld felt the sudden urge to shrink down and escape. Then another scene appeared it showed a very drunk Urd singing away next to Mara at Asuka and Shinji's wedding. Urd paled slightly. Saturn stared at Urd and observed her reaction. The rest of the council did as well.
"You know this Demon well don't you? You seem to, and this was taken over a year ago."
"It was a wedding party." said Urd. "Mara was invited."
"Yes, of course she was." said Saturn with a smile. He turned and looked at the rest of the council. "I think we have seen and heard enough. Urd was the SysOp on duty at the time the files were taken. She has had a history of lying to her fellow gods, even her sisters. She refuses to reveal her whereabouts on the night of the attack. And last of all she has had contact with Demons, meaning she could have coordinated the attack."
Thor stood angrily, "It is still all circumstantial!"
Loki looked over at Thor. "Yes, that it is. It must be investigated further."
Athena looked at Urd with a pained look, "As much as I hate to admit it, an investigation is required."
Kami-sama turned and looked at the council members. None would meet his gaze.
"Very well, until the matter is resolved, the Goddess Urd is relieved of her duties and placed under house arrest. Take her to her quarters." Skuld started to say something, but one look from Kami-sama prevented her.
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"Urd is innocent Father you know that!"
Skuld was following Kami-sama down the hall to his office. He entered his office, Skuld followed.
"Father are you listening to me?!"
"I've heard every word that you've said." Kami-sama said as he sat behind his desk.
"And?!"
"I know she's innocent."
Skuld stared at her father in shock.
"You knew and said nothing!? How could you!?"
"Because her alibi would only fuel the flames."
"What do you mean? How can the truth cause her problems?"
"She was visiting her mother."
Skuld's anger lessoned. She sat down across from Kami-sama. "Oh."
"Exactly. Having the Queen of Hell as a witness doesn't really help you if you're suspected to be helping demons." Kami-sama let out a sigh. " Skuld, I have no idea what is going on. But it all seems to be revolving around the Evas." Kami-sama turned and looked at Skuld. "You must keep the Evas under observation. Have the mortals you can trust help."
"What about Urd?"
Kami-sama turned his chair to look out over heaven. "The investigation will find nothing, of that I am sure. Urd will have to remain, inconvenienced for the duration."
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The next day.
"I hate this part." muttered Asuka. She reached over and pressed the button which made her plug suit become airtight. Beside her Rei was waiting for Sayoko. Sayoko finally sealed her plug suit. When she pressed the button, she let out a hiss of pain as the suit came in on her wound.
Asuka looked at Sayoko, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sayoko leaned against her locker, "Yeah, let's do it." Sayoko got up and started to close her locker, she then stopped, reached in and pulled out her mother's ring on the chain. She then placed it around her neck. Rei saw this.
"I thought you gave that back to her."
"I did, She gave it back to me this morning." Sayoko smiled. "She said then I would know that she would always be with me."
"How's your Aunt doing?" asked Asuka.
"Urd's doing ok. She said it's giving her a chance to catch up on her reading, write a symphony, watch some anime...."
Asuka nodded, "She's bored out of her mind?"
"Yep."
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Misato sat behind her desk. She looked up at Doctor's Akagi and Taltamir.
"They all have sync rates of about 48%. Sayoko's is still at 58%." Ritsuko looked up from her paper work. "They should be able to run the Evas without difficulty."
Misato turned and looked at Dr. Taltamir. "Status of Evas."
"We have 5 Evas ready to go." said Dr. Taltamir. "The other 4 are still being prepped. I can have all 9 dummy plugs ready by....."
"No."
Taltamir looked up from his clipboard at Misato. "I'm sorry?"
Misato stared at Taltamir. "You will not activate the Dummy Plugs."
"But I can fix the plugs to..."
Misato slammed her hands on the desktop, causing everyone in the room to jump. "LISTEN DAMMIT! YOU WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE DUMMY PLUGS! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
Taltamir took a step back, "Yes Ma'am."
"Dismissed."
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"I can't believe her." said Taltamir as he walked next to Akagi. "Doesn't she care about the pilots? I have their best interests in mind!"
"So does she," said Ritsuko. "That is why she will not use the plugs. If you had been around 8 years ago, you'd understand."
"I read the reports. I believe that I can correct the error in the plugs." Taltamir said. "They will obey us."
Ritsuko stopped dead in the hallway. "You just don't get it. It's not a programming error. It's who they used in the plugs. He will not obey us."
Taltamir just smiled, "I will succeed were you failed."
Ritsuko stared at Taltamir. "You know, I knew someone who thought like you do. He thought he could play god. Now he is dead. I hope you realize your wrong before you meet the same fate." Ritsuko stormed off down the hallway, leaving Taltamir staring after her.
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Draco sat on top of a building in Tokyo-2. He watched as the mortals scurried about like insects below him.
'How small they seem, so insignificant. I can't wait to rule them.'
"Patience." Draco turned to see his Lord.
"My Lord?"
The Hooded figure stepped next to him and looked down. "You will rule them in time. That is the future. We must deal with the present for now." The hood turned to Draco. "The Evas have been reactivated. Now is the time to test their power."
Draco folded his arms and stared at the figure. "Even I am not foolish enough to fight an Eva. How will you test them?"
The figure produced a PDA and held it out to Draco. "With him."
Draco took to offered PDA and looked at the data on its screen. He then looked up at the figure in shock.
"Fido?"
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A visit from Hell / Traitors
Draco watched the scene below from a rooftop. Belldandy and Skuld were both calling on their healing powers, trying to save Sayoko.
"They went a bit overboard I see."
Draco turned to see the robed for of his Lord.
"You did say to distract them, my Lord. This has been achieved."
The robed figure walked to the edge and pointed. "I did not say that one should be captured. If he should talk, all will be lost."
Draco bowed to his Lord. "He will not talk. I will see to it."
"No." said the Dark Lord, "I shall."
Both turned and watched as several Valkyries appeared and took away the frozen Demon. Belldandy and Skuld vanished with Sayoko.
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Kami-sama was furious. It had been a long time since a Demon had fought a Goddess, even longer since one had been injured by one. So feared was the doublet system, no Demon had dared oppose it. Until now.
"What is her status?"
A very pale Peorth stood before Kami-sama. "She has been moved to Skuld's apartment on the surface. Belldandy, Skuld and Urd are there. They felt it unwise to move her directly to Heaven in her condition."
Kami-sama nodded, "Inform them that if they need any assistance, I myself will come."
"Of course sir."
Kami-sama's face then darkened. "And what of the Demon?"
"He refuses to say a word."
"Convince him."
"Yes sir. There is something else." Peorth looked rather nervous.
"Yes?"
" 'She' wants to speak with you."
Kami-sama leaned forward, resting his head in his hands (Gendo look #1). 'Of course she was there when the message came through. She must have overheard.' "Why?"
"Something about that Demon."
"Let her in."
Peorth walked over to the phone and pressed a few buttons. "He will see you now." She then hung up and waited. In front of Kami-sama's desk a red circle appeared. Dark clouds began to rise and flames shot into the room. The smoke then cleared to reveal 2 women. One was Mara, Demon 1st Class. The other had long platinum blond hair, and dark tanned skin. On her face were 3 red stars.
"Daimakaicho Hild." said Kami-sama quietly.
"Kami-sama." replied Hild with a nod. Mara looked about the office nervously.
"And what does the Queen of Hell wish to discuss?"
"I wish to speak with the Demon that you are holding."
Kami-sama sat back and stared at her. "And your reason for doing so is?"
Hild looked directly at Kami-sama, "Make no mistake, I do not like you. However, my Daughter's Niece is another story. That attack was not ordered by Oni-sama, myself, or anyone else in hell. I want to get to the bottom of this as much as you do."
Kami-sama stared at Hild a little longer, then he stood up. "Very well. This way."
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Belldandy and Keiichi hovered over Sayoko as she lay unconscious on her bed. Skuld and Urd hovered nearby.
"How is she?" asked Urd quietly.
"We were able to stop the bleeding and heal the wound." said Skuld. "But it was a Demon blade. It will take time to recover."
Urd stared at Sayoko as Belldandy moved her hand carefully through her daughter's hair. Urd felt a surge of guilt and stormed out of the room. Skuld quickly followed.
"What's wrong Urd?"
Urd turned and looked at Skuld, tears in her eyes. "I should have been there! I could have helped!"
Skuld shook her head. "Kami-sama told me that you were out. You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Skuld walked over a peered through the peep hole. She then opened the door.
"Hello, Rei."
Rei stepped in and looked at Skuld. "How is Sayoko?"
"She is in her room. Go see for yourself."
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Luthor, the demon in question, sat in a cell. He had been told that this was the very cell that Celestin had been held before his trial.
'I wonder what Celestine was thinking as he awaited his fate.'
Luthor felt a sudden disturbance and recognized it.
"Oh hell.." He muttered.
"Don't you mean 'Oh Hild'?" Luthor turned to the new voice. A figured in a hooded robe stood just on the other side of the bars.
"Who are you?" Luthor asked.
"You disappoint me Luthor." said the figure, "You allowed yourself to get carried away and got caught as a result."
Luthor turned his back on the figure, "Yeah so what? What are you gonna do about it."
"You will not be allowed to talk. You must be silenced, permanently."
Luthor turned back to the figure. The man held a force ball in his hands, it glowed with a brightness that rivaled the sun. The man then let it fly at the Demon.
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Kami-sama and Hild walked down a long corridor. Behind them walked Peorth and Mara. Flanking them were approx. 20 Valkyries. Gods and Goddesses moved quickly to clear out of the wall of the approaching group. All but one Goddess. She stood blocking their way.
Kami-sama looked at her questioningly. "What is the matter?"
The Goddess moved her lips a few times, trying to speak, before her eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the ground. Several Gods immediately flew to her side. They then drew back in shock. One turned to Kami-sama.
"She's dead sir."
Kami-sama stared at the unmoving form before him. 'What could have...?' Kami-sama immediately looked up.
"GET TO THE DEMON NOW!" he ordered.
Several Valkyries flew down the corridor, heading towards the demon's cell. They soon reported back.
"He's dead sir. Someone blasted a hole through his chest."
Kami-sama looked stunned. Hild was also in shock. Finally Kami-sama turned and looked at Hild.
"It seems that we must have a long talk."
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Sayoko slowly began to return to consciousness. She lay staring at the ceiling. She looked around. It was her room. She tried to move her hands, but felt weight on them. She looked to her right to see brown hair laying on her hand and arm. On her left was also a mass of brown hair, but of a much lighter color. Sayoko tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in her side made her hiss in pain and lay back down. Her hiss was loud enough to wake the one on her left. Belldandy raised her head and looked directly into her daughter's eyes. Tear's came to her eyes as she moved quickly and gently to wrap Sayoko in a hug.
"I thought I had lost you." Belldandy said between tears. Sayoko returned the hug with her free hand. After a few minutes Belldandy sat back down.
"How do you feel?"
Sayoko shifted in the bed, only to wince as she stretched her left side. "It still hurts a lot."
Belldandy nodded, "Because it was a demon blade, it will continue to hurt for several days. But your wound has been healed." Belldandy then pointed to the person on Sayoko's right. "You have a great friend in Rei. She has been here ever since she heard what happened."
Sayoko smiled as she looked at Rei. "We've always been there for each other when we got injured." Sayoko turned back and looked at her mother. Belldandy's face was blank as she spoke next.
"I did have a....conversation with her. About why....you don't come to me for help."
Sayoko looked away, "I've just been so used to you not being here and going to Auntie for help. And then you started acting funny when I was around Auntie......I just..." Sayoko turned back and looked at Belldandy. "I never meant to hurt you. You're still my mother and I care for you." Sayoko reached out and grabbed Belldandy in another hug. "I...don't want to lose you again." Mother and Daughter had another crying session before a small snore reminded them of who was still in the room. Belldandy and Sayoko stared at Rei.
"She's a sound sleeper." noted Belldandy.
Sayoko got an evil grin on her face. She leaned down by Rei's ear. "ANGEL ATTACK!"
Rei sat straight up, her eyes wide open. She looked around confused for a second before glaring at a grinning Sayoko.
"I still don't think that's very funny."
Sayoko grabbed Rei in a hug, "I think it's hilarious."
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A day later.
Misato, Asuka, and Maya sat in the control room for yet another reactivation test. They had attended many such tests, usually after Dr. Taltamir claimed to have found a sudden break through. He had done so again that morning. As the Doctor moved about to prepare the test, the 3 talked quietly.
"So how is Sayoko?" asked Misato.
"According to Rei she's fine." said Asuka. "She won't return to the University for a few days, but she's getting around better."
"Send my best to her." said Maya. "I still remember what she and her Aunt did during 3rd Impact."
They all turned to the Doctor and Techs. "So what is the latest inspiration?" asked Misato.
"Apparently, he was hit by it the morning after the attack. He spent all day yesterday going over it, before requesting your presence this morning." said Maya.
Asuka looked beyond at the MP Eva and gave a small shiver. "Do you think it will work?"
Maya shook her head, "I don't know, But I hope it won't."
Doctor Taltamir then walked over. "We are ready."
Misato nodded, "Proceed Doctor."
Doctor Taltamir immediately began to issue orders. Techs at terminal carried out their orders quickly. A loud hum began to fill the air. The air around the Eva seemed to shiver. Misato's and Asuka's eyes widened.
'It can't be....'
With a slight rumble, the Eva stood up a little straighter, it's hands clenched slightly.
"Eva reactivation.....Successful!" shouted a tech. Cheers began to echo throughout the room as everyone celebrated their success. Everyone celebrated, except for 3 people. Misato turned and looked at Asuka and Maya. "Go tell Skuld and Ritsuko. They'll want to know. Then Asuka, I want you to transmit that request of personal." Asuka and Maya nodded and quickly hurried off. Misato then put on a fake smile and walked up to Dr. Taltamir.
"Congratulations. So, what was different this time?"
"Well, the day after the attack. I decided to spend time going through the NORN looking over the information again. I then noticed something I had skipped previously." Dr. Taltamir smiled. "I couldn't believe I missed it. It was right there the whole time."
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A few minutes later, Misato walked into her office. Asuka and Maya stood there watching a person behind Misato desk typing quickly into her terminal.
"Find anything yet Ritsuko?" asked Misato.
"Yes, I have." Ritsuko said looking up. "Someone has restored several key files that we deleted when we backed-up the MAGI into the NORN."
Misato stared at Ritsuko, "But, you and I have the only copies! I still have mine.."
"And I still have mine." Ritsuko pointed at the screen. "Whoever did this did it the night of the attack. So while you and the security forces were dealing with those demons...."
"Someone came in and inserted those files." finished Misato. "Who?"
"Possibly.....a Demon." Everyone looked toward the new voice. Urd stepped away from the security monitor that Misato had in her office and walked towards the group. "I was at Skuld's when Asuka called, she still busy with Sayoko. But yes, a Demon could have done it."
Ritsuko pointed back at the screen. "But SEELE's computers were destroyed by your forces, the MAGI were wiped of all usable data. Only Misato and I had the remaining files, unless.....you people kept a copy?"
Urd shook her head, "We do have a copy, but its impossible for a demon to go unnoticed in the heavens."
"What if someone in Heaven is working with the Demons?"
"That is not possible."
Asuka looked at Urd, "Why not? You worked with Mara."
Urd paled a bit, "That was different, besides Kami-sama knew about that."
"So maybe he just doesn't know about this one."
"No you don't understand. We put that information into a databank with another highly classified program. It's the most secured place in the entire Yggdrasil mainframe. Only Kami-sama, and a few Class 0 Gods have the access to it. It is just not possible."
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Loki sat quietly in Saturn's office. Saturn stared at the screen before him. He then turned and looked at Loki.
"How is this possible?"
"I do not know." said Loki, "But still, the fact remains. The Evas have been reactivated."
Saturn leaned back in his chair. "Our own files.....used against us. So what do we do now that the genie has been let out of his bottle?"
Loki smiled "I believe this should be brought up at the next meeting. We have a traitor to deal with, and we must deal with the Evas. Permanently."
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Several Hours later
Misato stood quietly in her apartment. Sitting in front of her were Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Touji and Sayoko. Just off the side, Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and Keiichi stood by watching and listening. They had brought Sayoko to this meeting against Belldandy's wishes. Even now, Belldandy seemed to be hovering over Sayoko. Sayoko looked good, considering the injury sustained. Regardless, they all needed to be here for this.
"For those of you who don't know," started Misato, "the first of the MP Evas has been reactivated." Each of the children stared at Misato in shock. Misato wasn't finished.
"I have been ordered by the UN to return you all back to full operational status as pilots. Starting tomorrow, you'll have to resume sync tests." A chorus of groans came from the pilots. Rei spoke up.
"Why do we have to pilot? What about the dummy plugs?"
Misato shook her head, "There is no way we are going to use the dummy plugs. Not after what happened 8 years ago. The UN C in C sees that as an unnecessary risk. I agree." Misato then gave them a smile. "I am happy to say that Majors Hyuga and Aoba will be returning to man the command room. Dr. Akagi is also returning as the pilot's doctor."
Asuka looked up. "What about Doctor Taltamir?"
"He is in charge of the Evas only. Anything involving the pilots falls under Ritsuko." replied Misato.
"What did happen 2 days ago?" asked Touji. Sayoko seemed to curl up slightly. Rei placed her hand on Sayoko's shoulder. Belldandy also moved behind Sayoko, placing her hands on her shoulders. Misato took a deep breath, then started.
"3 Demons attacked Toyko-2. Their purpose was to distract our forces, and the goddesses long enough to access the NORN."
"What were they trying to get?" asked Rei.
"They didn't 'get' anything. It's what they left. The files to reactivate the Evas."
Shinji stared at Misato. "But I thought you said you had deleted those! Where did they get them?"
"That is what we wish to know." Came a new voice. Everyone in the room turned to see 5 newcomers, all Valkyries in full armor.
Skuld stared at the Valkyrie, "Commander Mist, why are you here?"
Mist looked at Skuld. "I am here by order of the Council of Heaven." Mist turned and looked at Urd. "Urd, you'll have to come with me."
Urd looked at Mist, shocked. "WHAT?!"
Skuld glared at Mist. "Why?"
Mist looked at Skuld apologetically, "I'm sorry, but I have my orders. The council wishes to question SysOp Urd on how a secured file ended up in the mortal computer." She waved to the other Valkyries who began to move towards Urd. Urd took a step back, lightning crackling in her hands. Misato and the other mortals stepped back, trying to get out of the line of fire. Belldandy moved in front of Sayoko. Skuld assumed an offensive posture.
"WAIT!" shouted Mist. She turned to Skuld and Urd. "Please, don't make this any more difficult then it needs to be."
Skuld looked over to Urd. Urd finally dropped her hands and nodded to Skuld. The Valkyries moved in and took hold of Urd. They then vanished in a flash. Belldandy and Skuld stared at Mist. Skuld walked right up to Mist and looked her straight in the eye.
"My sister had nothing to do with this.....If anything happens to her..."
Mist turned away and looked to Belldandy. "I am sorry. I had no choice." Mist then vanished.
"What happens now?" asked Sayoko.
Belldandy wrapped her arms around Sayoko.
"We pray, and hope for the best."
Skuld continued to stare at where Mist had stood, then went directly to the phone.
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Several Hours later.
"You have something you wish to say?" asked Kami-sama. The rest of the council sat watching Saturn closely.
"First My Lord, must the Goddess of the Future be here?"
Skuld glared at Saturn. Kami-sama waved his hand at Saturn, "She is here because I asked her to be. Now continue."
Saturn took one last look at Skuld before continuing "My Lord, fellow council members, the Evangelions have been reactivated."
"This is known." said Apollo. "The mortals have been working at it for 8 years now."
"Yes," said Saturn, "but it now appears that they had help."
"Help?" asked Anubis, "Help from who?"
Saturn looked over at Loki. Loki nodded. Saturn turned back to the others. "Apparently, from us. The files used to reactivate the Evas came from Yggdrasil."
The other gods stared at Saturn in shock.
"We forbid all help from the heavens in this matter." said Parvati.
"I assume that you have proof?" asked Athena.
"According to logs, the file was downloaded from the secure area to the SysOp station."
Anubis rose to his feet. "And who was the SysOp on duty at the time?"
Saturn motioned to the doorway. 2 Valkyries entered with Urd between them. Thor rose to his feet.
"This is unacceptable. I have know Urd since she was a child! She would not do such things!"
"I tend to agree." said Fukurokuju, "Does other evidence exist?"
"We are still gathering evidence." said Saturn. "But this can be all cleared up by Urd, if she would tell us, where were you the night that the demon's attacked Tokyo-2?"
Urd stared at Saturn before turning and looking at her father. Kami-sama could not meet her eyes. She turned back to Saturn.
"I have done nothing. I did not upload anything into the mortal computer system."
Saturn looked at Urd. "Yet you avoided our question, Where were you the night of the attack? You were not in the heavens and you were definitely were not beside your sisters. Where were you?"
Urd looked at Kami-sama one last time before looking back at the council. "I can't say."
"Can't or won't?"
"Enough!" shouted Thor. "She said she did not upload any files to the mortal computer. She tells the truth!"
Several other gods nodded their heads in agreement. Saturn walked over to his chair and picked up a rather thick file.
"I hold here the disciplinary file for the Goddess Urd."
'Oh crap.' thought Urd.
Skuld had her head in her hands. 'Not good.'
"Urd," Saturn asked, "How many times has your license been suspended?"
Urd thought about it, "I'm....not sure."
Saturn looked through the file, "There is plenty in here, for example: I see over 45 infractions for lying..." Saturn looked up at Urd. "...all within a 12 day span."
"That was a long time ago." said Urd.
"Yes you've 'changed' haven't you?" Saturn smiled at Urd. "You also 'changed' when you became a 2nd Class Goddess, yet you still told lies. And then there is your childish behavior." Saturn waved his hand and a screen flickered into life at the end of the room. It showed a scene that was typical of pre-2nd Impact around the temple. Urd and Skuld having a drawn out fight that ended with several explosions. Skuld felt the sudden urge to shrink down and escape. Then another scene appeared it showed a very drunk Urd singing away next to Mara at Asuka and Shinji's wedding. Urd paled slightly. Saturn stared at Urd and observed her reaction. The rest of the council did as well.
"You know this Demon well don't you? You seem to, and this was taken over a year ago."
"It was a wedding party." said Urd. "Mara was invited."
"Yes, of course she was." said Saturn with a smile. He turned and looked at the rest of the council. "I think we have seen and heard enough. Urd was the SysOp on duty at the time the files were taken. She has had a history of lying to her fellow gods, even her sisters. She refuses to reveal her whereabouts on the night of the attack. And last of all she has had contact with Demons, meaning she could have coordinated the attack."
Thor stood angrily, "It is still all circumstantial!"
Loki looked over at Thor. "Yes, that it is. It must be investigated further."
Athena looked at Urd with a pained look, "As much as I hate to admit it, an investigation is required."
Kami-sama turned and looked at the council members. None would meet his gaze.
"Very well, until the matter is resolved, the Goddess Urd is relieved of her duties and placed under house arrest. Take her to her quarters." Skuld started to say something, but one look from Kami-sama prevented her.
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"Urd is innocent Father you know that!"
Skuld was following Kami-sama down the hall to his office. He entered his office, Skuld followed.
"Father are you listening to me?!"
"I've heard every word that you've said." Kami-sama said as he sat behind his desk.
"And?!"
"I know she's innocent."
Skuld stared at her father in shock.
"You knew and said nothing!? How could you!?"
"Because her alibi would only fuel the flames."
"What do you mean? How can the truth cause her problems?"
"She was visiting her mother."
Skuld's anger lessoned. She sat down across from Kami-sama. "Oh."
"Exactly. Having the Queen of Hell as a witness doesn't really help you if you're suspected to be helping demons." Kami-sama let out a sigh. " Skuld, I have no idea what is going on. But it all seems to be revolving around the Evas." Kami-sama turned and looked at Skuld. "You must keep the Evas under observation. Have the mortals you can trust help."
"What about Urd?"
Kami-sama turned his chair to look out over heaven. "The investigation will find nothing, of that I am sure. Urd will have to remain, inconvenienced for the duration."
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The next day.
"I hate this part." muttered Asuka. She reached over and pressed the button which made her plug suit become airtight. Beside her Rei was waiting for Sayoko. Sayoko finally sealed her plug suit. When she pressed the button, she let out a hiss of pain as the suit came in on her wound.
Asuka looked at Sayoko, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sayoko leaned against her locker, "Yeah, let's do it." Sayoko got up and started to close her locker, she then stopped, reached in and pulled out her mother's ring on the chain. She then placed it around her neck. Rei saw this.
"I thought you gave that back to her."
"I did, She gave it back to me this morning." Sayoko smiled. "She said then I would know that she would always be with me."
"How's your Aunt doing?" asked Asuka.
"Urd's doing ok. She said it's giving her a chance to catch up on her reading, write a symphony, watch some anime...."
Asuka nodded, "She's bored out of her mind?"
"Yep."
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Misato sat behind her desk. She looked up at Doctor's Akagi and Taltamir.
"They all have sync rates of about 48%. Sayoko's is still at 58%." Ritsuko looked up from her paper work. "They should be able to run the Evas without difficulty."
Misato turned and looked at Dr. Taltamir. "Status of Evas."
"We have 5 Evas ready to go." said Dr. Taltamir. "The other 4 are still being prepped. I can have all 9 dummy plugs ready by....."
"No."
Taltamir looked up from his clipboard at Misato. "I'm sorry?"
Misato stared at Taltamir. "You will not activate the Dummy Plugs."
"But I can fix the plugs to..."
Misato slammed her hands on the desktop, causing everyone in the room to jump. "LISTEN DAMMIT! YOU WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE DUMMY PLUGS! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
Taltamir took a step back, "Yes Ma'am."
"Dismissed."
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"I can't believe her." said Taltamir as he walked next to Akagi. "Doesn't she care about the pilots? I have their best interests in mind!"
"So does she," said Ritsuko. "That is why she will not use the plugs. If you had been around 8 years ago, you'd understand."
"I read the reports. I believe that I can correct the error in the plugs." Taltamir said. "They will obey us."
Ritsuko stopped dead in the hallway. "You just don't get it. It's not a programming error. It's who they used in the plugs. He will not obey us."
Taltamir just smiled, "I will succeed were you failed."
Ritsuko stared at Taltamir. "You know, I knew someone who thought like you do. He thought he could play god. Now he is dead. I hope you realize your wrong before you meet the same fate." Ritsuko stormed off down the hallway, leaving Taltamir staring after her.
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Draco sat on top of a building in Tokyo-2. He watched as the mortals scurried about like insects below him.
'How small they seem, so insignificant. I can't wait to rule them.'
"Patience." Draco turned to see his Lord.
"My Lord?"
The Hooded figure stepped next to him and looked down. "You will rule them in time. That is the future. We must deal with the present for now." The hood turned to Draco. "The Evas have been reactivated. Now is the time to test their power."
Draco folded his arms and stared at the figure. "Even I am not foolish enough to fight an Eva. How will you test them?"
The figure produced a PDA and held it out to Draco. "With him."
Draco took to offered PDA and looked at the data on its screen. He then looked up at the figure in shock.
"Fido?"
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