Chapter 18
History repeats itself...sort of
5 years have past since the Angels had attacked Terra 2 (though now only 6 remember the events). The Marionettes Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry are no more. They meet their fate on board the Neo-Mesopotamia when it was destroyed. Yet they were not totally gone. Shortly thereafter, 3 cloned baby girls were recovered, each having the characteristic hair and eye color of the fallen Marionettes. As they grew, each developed the personalities previously associated with the Marionettes.
"Daddy!" shouted Lime, "We're gonna go out!"
Lime ran out the apartment door, followed by Bloodberry and Cherry. Otaru stuck his head out the door.
"Don't forget we're meeting Lorelei for a picnic in a few hours!" he called after them, "Hey! Are you listening?!"
Cherry stopped and turned around "We won't forget Father."
The 3 girls ran off towards the forest. Otaru watched until they had vanished out of sight.
Otaru let out sigh, "I knew raising them would be difficult...But I didn't think it was this hard."
The sound of a guitar cord followed extremely bad singing reached Otaru's ears.
"Oh no." Otaru turned and looked up towards Hanagata's room, "Not again.."
"Today," sang Hanagata, "many pigeons attacked our gazebo...again. So I have to sing some songs for another diversion." He sang out loudly. Almost immediately, 2 figures came up behind him.
"Sir."
"GAH!!!" Hanagata jumped into the air surprised. He turned to see Baiko and Tamasaburo behind him. "What do you want?"
"We have received numerous complaints about the noise." said Baiko.
"We request you cease this activity." added Tamasaburo.
"WHAT?! Are you calling my beautiful singing noise?!?!" shouted Hanagata.
"Singing is supposed to be a pleasant sounding activity." said Tamasaburo, "From my observations, the only ones who enjoy your 'singing' are the howling dogs."
Hanagata glared at Imperial Guard, "And what I refuse to stop?"
"We will be forced to take drastic measures."
Hanagata turned back to the window and resumed strumming his guitar. "Do your worst."
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Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry were almost near the forest when they heard yelling coming from Japoness. They turned back and watched a figure soar upwards into the sky with something that looked kind of like a guitar smashed over his head.
"What was that?" asked Lime.
"Looked like Uncle Hana-chan." replied Bloodberry.
"He must have been singing again." said Cherry, "So what do you want to do?"
"Play with the Pontas!" shouted Lime.
"You always want to play with the Pontas." said Bloodberry, "I wanna do something else."
"Like what?" asked Cherry.
"Those boys started coming around again...Let's beat'em up!"
"Bloodberry! Violence doesn't solve anything."
"Hey!" interrupted Lime, "What's that!" She pointed towards the sky.
A shaft of purple light seemed to come down from the sky into the forest. Coming down the shaft was a bright sphere of light.
"Is that plasma?" asked Bloodberry.
"I don't think so." said Cherry.
"I wanna see!" shouted Lime. She began to run towards the light.
"Wait! Lime." shouted Cherry. She and Bloodberry quickly followed Lime into the forest. The three came to a stop in a clearing where the shaft ended. The sphere of light came down and settled in the clearing. It and the shaft then faded away, leaving a young boy standing there. He wore a pair of blue pants with a loose white shirt. When he turned to face them, they saw he had markings on his face, two triangles under each eye, and a square turned on its point on his forehead. He turned and seemed surprise to see the three there. He then smiled.
"Hiya!"
"HI!" shouted Lime.
Bloodberry and Cherry looked at the boy strangely, "How did you do that?" asked Cherry.
"Do what?" he asked.
"Float down like that. Are you an Angel?"
The boy smiled, "Something like that. I'm surprised though, most people wouldn't have seen me. You 3 must be special."
The 3 girls grinned at the compliment.
"I'm Lime."
"I'm Cherry."
"I'm Bloodberry."
The boy smiled, "Nice to meet you. I'm Keima Morisato."
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"Ummmm Auntie? Have you seen Keima?"
"Which one? Your brother or your Grandfather?"
"The brat."
"That's not nice Yoko. He's your brother."
"Yeah yeah. Have you seen him?"
"No. Why?"
"He vanished on me again."
"Go ask Yui, maybe she's seen him."
"I did. She hasn't seen him."
"Have you checked the Garden?"
"Yes."
"Kaji and Misato's?"
"Yes."
"Your other Grandfather's office?"
"Yes. I've checked everywhere. I can't find him."
"He'll turn up. He always does."
"I don't know...Mom might get worried."
"She's like that. Don't worry about it. What kind of trouble can he get into anyway?"
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Keima Morisato, age 4, carefully peered around the tree. Seeing no sign of anyone, he moved quickly and hid behind another tree. There he looked around again. Still no one. He started to move again when something dropped on him.
"GAH!!" he shouted.
"GOT YOU!" shouted Bloodberry, "Tag your it. KEIMA'S IT!"
"Darn it." Keima muttered. He leaped to his feet and closed his eyes. "One...two...three....
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"They still won't listen to me." said Otaru, "I know why they acted the way they did last year, but now..."
Lorelei smiled as they walked along the street. "They're still kids Otaru. Kids don't always listen to their parents." She then laughed, "If you think its bad now, wait till they become teenagers."
Otaru looked at Lorelei confused, "What do you mean? What's going to happen then?"
"They start dating."
Otaru stopped dead in his tracks. "Dating?"
"Yes, dating."
Otaru let out a long moan. "Just what I need, boys calling the house every night asking for them.
Lorelei laughed, "It won't be that bad. Besides, you're doing pretty well. Except I think you need to call me more."
Otaru blushed as Lorelei wrapped her arms around him.
"It gets so lonely in the castle with no one to talk to." She said quietly. She started to lean towards Otaru's face. Otaru watched as Lorelei moved to his lips when he noticed something. He turned to see a familiar red-headed figure in a robe who appeared to be watching them. Lorelei grabbed his chin and turned his face back to her.
"What's so important that you looked away?" she asked.
"I thought I saw.." He turned and saw the figure had vanished. "I thought I saw someone watching us." He shrugged. "Maybe I'm seeing things."
Lorelei frowned for a second. She then turned and began walking. "We have to meet the girls."
Otaru looked back one more time before following. Had he looked up towards the rooftops, he would have seen not one, but two figures watching him and Lorelei.
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"You owe me dinner."
"I do not think so. She would have kissed him had you not distracted him."
"I can't help it if men are attracted to my radiant beauty."
"...."
"What was that?"
"I said you're acting like your mother."
"Oh yeah? Well, you're acting like Aunt Rei..."
"Well she is the Mother..."
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"So why are you down here?" asked Bloodberry, "Is heaven that boring?"
Keima nodded, "I don't have anyone the same age as me to play with. My sister's a lot older then me. She tries to have fun with me, but she has other responsibilities."
"So what do you do for fun?" asked Cherry.
"I go off into the gardens, or bug a Valkyrie to play with me. I find stuff to do." He then glanced at them. "What do you do for fun?"
"I play with the Pontas." said Lime.
"I like to pick flowers." said Cherry.
"I like to fight." said Bloodberry.
Keima frowned, "Fight? Fight who?"
"Oh there's this gang of boys that keeps trying to bully me around. Their leader is a real funny looking."
"Big round kid? Bushy eyebrows? And hair only on the top of his head?"
Bloodberry nodded, "Yeah! That's him! How'd you know?"
"Uhhh Bloodberry." Cherry began taking a few steps back.
"What?" Bloodberry turned around and found herself staring at the gang leader, the other 5 boys standing behind him.
"Funny looking am I?" the gang leader said.
Bloodberry started to back away when she stopped. "Hey wait a second. You can't hurt us. Remember what happened last time!"
The gang leader rubbed his head. "Yeah, I remember. But this time we're far enough from Japoness no one will hear you." He and the gang began to advance on the 3 girls.
"Ummm Excuse me."
The gang stopped and turned towards Keima.
"I think you should leave them alone."
"Oh yeah?" said the gang leader, "What you going to do about it?"
Keima smiled a second before raising his hand. A small ball of light appeared. The gang stared at Keima stunned.
"What..what are you?" stuttered the gang leader.
"I'm their friend." Keima said with a smile. "Now leave you idiots!" As he shouted, Keima tossed the ball of light at the gang. The gang stared stunned at each other as 'idiot' appeared on their foreheads. The gang stared in surprise at each other. Keima also stared at them in surprise.
'I didn't think I'd get them all.'
"Gah!!! " the gang screamed and ran off, leaving the 3 girls laughing at them.
"That was great!" said Bloodberry, "But won't people wonder how that appeared on their heads?"
"It will fade in a few hours." said Keima, recovering from his surprise, "I'm not that strong yet."
Cherry glanced at her watch, before looking at the other girls. "We have to go. Father and Lorelei will be waiting."
Lime turned to Keima, "You want to come with?"
"I wouldn't want to intrude." Keima replied.
Bloodberry grabbed him and pulled him along. "Come on. They'd want to meet our new friend."
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"So how has the research been going Tiger?" asked Lorelei.
She and Otaru had met up with Tiger and were currently sitting on a hillside waiting for the girls to join them.
Tiger smiled at Lorelei. "We have discovered much about Terra 2. We even believe we may have come up with a way to eliminate the threat of plasma storms completely."
"Where are Faust and the others?"
"Lord Faust is in New Texas trying to get support for our research." replied Tiger, "Luchs and Panther are still working to keep us funded as well."
"What about you Tiger?" asked Otaru.
"I have been traveling with Lord Faust, aiding him in his research. However, I couldn't pass up the chance to see Lime." Tiger smiled, "How are they doing?"
Otaru looked off to the side, "I think you're about to find out. Here they come."
Lorelei and Tiger looked over.
"Who's that with them?" asked Lorelei, "Looks like a boy."
Otaru frowned slightly, "I'm not sure. He doesn't look like he's from around here."
Tiger gasped. Lorelei and Otaru turned around and looked at her. "What?"
"He has markings on his face." replied Tiger, "Kind of like the goddesses." She whispered.
Otaru squinted at the boy, "You sure? I can't tell, they're still a bit far away."
"I'm a marionette remember. I have better vision then you."
They remained quiet until the 3 girls and the boy had gotten closer. Now that they had gotten closer, Otaru and Lorelei could plainly see the markings on the boys face.
"Hi girls!" shouted Lorelei.
"LORELEI!" shouted the girls, running to her and each grabbing her in a hug.
"Hey!" said Tiger, "Don't I get something?"
"TIGER!" Lime leaped at Tiger, knocking her over.
"So whose your friend?" asked Otaru.
"Father, Lorelei, Tiger," began Cherry, "This is Keima Morisato. We met him out in the forest today."
The 2 adults and the marionette glanced at each other, before turning back to the boy.
"You wouldn't happen to know of a Sayoko Morisato would you?" asked Lorelei.
Keima nodded. "She's my sister. How do you know of her ma'am?"
Lorelei smiled, "I met her a long time ago. How is she? The last time she was here, she left before I could say good bye."
"She's well ma'am. But very busy."
"Would you like to join us for lunch?" asked Otaru, "We have plenty."
Keima bowed, "I would be honored to sir."
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The heavens
"....and at their current growth rate, it will be approx another 15 to 20 years before the female clones reach the age when they will be able to have children of their own." said Belldandy. "It will probably be another 10 years after that before Terra 2 will have stabilized enough before the Wish restriction can be lifted."
"You mean before it is time for us to consider its removal." said one of the other council members.
Belldandy frowned slightly. "Yes, of course."
Kami-sama then stood up from the head of the table.
"If there are no questions?" He looked around. "Then I thank Belldandy for her presentation and call this meeting to a close." The other gods began to get up and leave. "Belldandy, one moment please."
Kami-sama waited until only he and Belldandy remained in the room.
"You have been working very hard on this." He said quietly.
"Yes Father. I really want Terra 2 to become a normal world, like the other colonies."
Kami-sama smiled, "Of course. That is what we all want. You have done well."
"Thank-you Father."
"Now..How is my Grandson doing?"
Belldandy hesitated slightly. "He is doing well.."
"Belldandy." Kami-sama looked at her concerned, "I know you're not telling the truth."
Belldandy looked down at the ground. "I don't get to see him that much because of work. When I do, I'm not able to do much with him because I'm tired from work, or he's already asleep. Also, his teachers tell me he skips his classes and runs off somewhere." Belldandy sighed, "Keiichi and I discipline him, but it's like he's not paying attention to us."
Kami-sama smiled, "It sounds like he's being your typical child. As for your work, I think your do for a vacation."
Belldandy looked up. "Father?"
"Go spend time with your family. I'll give time off to Sayoko, Skuld, and Urd as well."
Belldandy hugged Kami-sama, "Thank-you Father." She then turned to leave.
"Oh by the way..." Belldandy stopped and looked back at Kami-sama. "It seems he's taking a page out of your book."
Belldandy looked at Kami-sama questioningly.
"He seems to have taken a little trip."
Belldandy's eyes widened. "Where?"
"Terra 2."
"Terra 2? What's he doing there?"
"I do not know." said Kami-sama, "But Yggdrasil detected him using his powers. He hit a higher level then he has before. Almost class 2."
Now Belldandy was totally shocked, "But...he's still only 3rd class and he hasn't shown any signs of class 2 power before."
Kami-sama smiled, "Ah but you know the source for a god's power is the love of others. Perhaps he has found that source."
Belldandy began walking towards the door. "I have to go."
"I understand." replied Kami-sama.
As soon as Belldandy had left the chamber, she sent off a strong telepathic message.
* Yoko! *
On the other side of heaven, Sayoko winced.
* Yes Mom? *
* Keima is on Terra 2. Meet me at Yggdrasil in 5 minutes. You can explain how he got there on the way to retrieve him. *
Sayoko winced again. * Yes Mom. *
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Terra 2 Japoness, an Alley
Yui Ikari and Arael stood patiently beside a small pocket mirror. Yui glanced at Arael.
"Chronos didn't say what Belldandy-sama wanted?"
Arael shook her head. "Only to prepare to meet her and be her escort while she is on planet."
The mirror on the ground began to glow and shake. With a pop, Belldandy and Sayoko burst out of the mirror and landed on the ground in the alley. Yui and Arael both bowed.
"Milady."
"We're not in the office." said Belldandy, "You know you can call me by name."
Yui looked up confused, "This isn't work related?"
"No.... this is family business. You're here because I consider you family and also you've been on planet observing for awhile now."
"Why are you here Lady Belldandy?" asked Arael.
"Keima is on Terra 2." Belldandy turned and gave Sayoko a look. "He sneaked off again." Sayoko looked down at the ground. Belldandy then turned to Yui. "I assume you know where Lorelei is?"
"She and Otaru went out with a picnic basket. I think their on a date. Why?"
Belldandy smiled, "I thought they should be together. I hate to disturb them, but they might help find Keima." Belldandy started to walk towards the alley's exit.
"Ummm Belldandy-sama." Belldandy stopped and looked back at Yui. Yui held up a hooded cloak. "You'll need to wear this. Lorelei is the only adult female on the planet. The rest of the females are marionettes. With this there are..less distractions."
Belldandy grabbed the cloak and put it on. She then pulled the hood over her head, hiding her face from view. The others did the same and then they left the alley as a group, quickly blending into the crowd. As they walked, Yui moved next to Sayoko.
"How did Keima leave the heavens?"
"He sneaked out and used a gate." said Sayoko.
"How'd he get the gate to open?"
"It's not that hard to do. Mom did it the first time she went to earth and met Dad."
"How long did she stay?"
"A week."
"A week?" Yui glanced at Belldandy, "So why is she so determined to find Keima and bring him back?"
"I don't know."
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"He seems like a nice boy." said Lorelei as she watched Keima, the 3 girls, and Tiger running around playing.
"You met Belldandy." said Otaru, "and her daughter. They were also very pleasant."
"The girls seem to be having fun." said Lorelei, inching closer to Otaru.
"Yeah.." said Otaru, paying attention to the girls.
"...and Tiger is enjoying herself." Lorelei inched over more.
"yeah." suddenly Otaru stiffened as he felt Lorelei's breath on his neck. He turned and found himself looking her in the eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Would you like me to explain?" said Lorelei.
"Ummm sure."
Lorelei moved forward and pressed her lips to Otaru's. Otaru was startled, but calmed down quickly, enjoying the sensation of Lorelei. He brought his arms up and wrapped them around her.
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"What are they doing?" asked Lime.
Tiger turned and stared at the sight of Otaru and Lorelei kissing. "Ummm..They're talking."
"About what?"
"Ummm." Tiger tried to come up with an answer. Not finding one, she resorted to an old tactic: distraction. "Hey aren't you 'it'?"
"Hey!" Lime gave to chase to Tiger. As she got close to Keima, Bloodberry, and Cherry, they took off trying to get away. This went on for several minutes before Keima froze in his tracks. Lime ran over and tagged him.
"Gotcha!" she cried, "You're it!"
However, instead of chasing someone, Keima remained frozen in place, staring at something.
"Hello?" Lime waved her hand in front of Keima's face. "Tiger! Something's wrong with Keima."
Tiger, Cherry, and Bloodberry walked over. Tiger knelt down in front of Keima.
"Keima, what's wrong?" Keima just swallowed and continued to stare. Finally Tiger turned to see what he was staring at. Four cloaked figures stood on the edge of the clearing. Tiger moved in front of the kids. "What do you want?"
One of the figures walked forward until she was a few feet from Tiger. It then raised its arms and removed its hood, revealing itself to be Belldandy.
"I've come for my son." She said quietly.
The other 3 figures approached and removed their hoods, revealing Sayoko, Yui, and Arael.
"I assume he has been behaving himself." said Belldandy to Tiger.
"Yes Belldandy-sama." said Tiger.
"Who are you?" said Bloodberry quietly. Cherry and Lime peaked out from behind Tiger.
Sayoko walked over and knelt in front of Lime. "You don't remember me?"
Lime shook her head. Tiger spoke up.
"They don't remember anything that happened before the Neo-Mesopotamia."
Sayoko nodded and then looked back at Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry. "I'm Sayoko, Keima's sister. And you are Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry."
"You're right!" said Lime, "Hey how'd you know?"
"Cuz I knew you from a few years ago." said Sayoko with a smile, "Now, where's Otaru and Lorelei."
"They're talking over there."
Sayoko looked in the direction indicated and then blushed. "...talking huh?"
"Yep. That's what Tiger said they were doing."
Sayoko looked at Tiger who shrugged.
"Let Otaru explain it." said Tiger.
"Right. Come on girls. Take me over to them. I haven't seen them in years."
Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry grabbed Sayoko's hands and started to pull her towards the couple. Then Lime stopped.
"What about Keima?"
Sayoko glanced over where Keima currently was looking down at the ground while under the gaze of their mother. "Mom wants to speak to him."
"Oh.Ok."
Yui, Arael, and Tiger followed the four, leaving Belldandy alone with her son. For several long moments, neither said anything. Finally Keima spoke.
"I'm sorry I came down without permission." said Keima, "You were in a meeting. Onee-chan and Dad were busy, and I was bored."
Belldandy remained quiet, so Keima continued.
"I remember the stories you and Onee-chan told me about this place and I wanted to see it. I met Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry when I arrived. They saw the gate. Since then we've just been having fun."
"Was there anything else?"
Keima looked up at his mother. "What?"
"Was there anything else you need to tell me?" Belldandy repeated.
Keima looked down at the ground.
"Yeah. A gang tried to beat them up. I got all 6 of them. They looked funny with idiot plastered on their foreheads." He looked up with a smile, but it vanished when he saw the look on his mother's face.
Belldandy slowly moved forward and grabbed him tightly in a hug.
"I'm glad you're alright." she said, "I'm also glad you were there to help those girls..." Keima began to perk up, "however.." Keima's smile vanished at his mother's tone, "..you will be punished for leaving the heavens without permission. Now let's go see Otaru and Lorelei."
Belldandy and Keima walked over to where Sayoko and Yui were relentlessly grilling a blushing Otaru and Lorelei. Arael sat off to the side observing.
"I thought you two would make a cute couple." said Sayoko with a smile, "I can't wait to tell Asuka."
"Do you have to?" asked Lorelei.
"Yeah, she does." said Yui, "Mom has been asking me for the past 5 months how you are doing."
Lorelei frowned, "You've been down here for 5 months? Why?"
"I'll answer that." Everyone turned and looked up at Belldandy. "We still have to keep watch for demons as well as monitor the world and make updates on when..certain things take affect."
Otaru looked over at Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry. "Girls, can you go off and play."
The girls looked at him curiously. "Why?"
"Because there are some things that you're not allowed to hear."
Sayoko pulled Yui up and then moved toward the girls. "Com'on. Let's go play a game."
"Yah!" shouted the girls. Lime raced over and grabbed Keima.
"Com'on! You're still it!"
Keima looked up at his mother who nodded. He then raced off with Lime. Yui went over and grabbed Arael.
"Come on Arael." said Yui, "You're going learn how to play tag."
Arael looked at Yui confused, but followed her anyway.
Belldandy was now left alone with Otaru and Lorelei.
"You wished to ask something?"
"Do you know what happened after you left." asked Otaru, "What happened to the girls?"
Belldandy nodded, "I am aware of what Dr. Hess did."
"Why didn't you stop him?" Otaru practically shouted. "I nearly lost the girls because of him. Hell..I did lose the girls, and then got them back as babies. All I want to know is why?"
Belldandy closed her eyes for a few moments and then looked at Otaru.
"There is only so much we are allowed to do here." she said quietly, "We could interfere before because it was the actions of demons. This last time however.."
"It was because a mortal did it," said Lorelei, understanding right away, "not one of you."
Belldandy nodded. "If it's any comfort, many of us were hit hard by their loss. We were very happy to know they survived in a way."
Otaru sighed, "I understand. I suppose it isn't any easier for you, to have all those powers and still be unable to do anything."
Belldandy thoughts drifted back to Keiichi last day of life...before he passed to the heavens permanently. "You have no idea." She said quietly.
The sound of giggling caused Belldandy to turn around. She watched as her son ran from Cherry, trying to avoid being tagged.
"Your son is quite a gentlemen." said Lorelei, "I haven't seen the girls enjoy themselves this much in a while."
"Keima seems to be enjoying himself as well." said Belldandy seeing the grin on her son's face.
" I don't suppose he'll be staying?"
"No." Belldandy said softly, "I came to bring him home."
"Oh." said Lorelei, "The girls won't like that."
"Maybe he can visit?" asked Otaru.
Belldandy turned and looked at Otaru before turning back towards her son.
"Guess not."
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Several hours later, back in the heavens.
Belldandy sat quietly on the couch in her living room with her eyes closed.
"You alright?"
Belldandy opened her eyes to see Keiichi leaning over her.
"Am I a monster?" she asked.
Keiichi was at a loss for words. "A what?"
"A monster."
"Of course not." replied Keiichi, "What gave you that idea?"
"I brought back Keima from Terra 2." Belldandy said quietly, "I felt so bad separating him from those 3 girls. The look on his face and theirs was heartbreaking. But I had to. He still needs training." She glanced at Keiichi. "Does that make me a monster?"
Keiichi sat down across from Belldandy.
"Let me ask you this. When you came down to earth the first time, did you enjoy yourself?"
Belldandy smiled, "Of course I did. I met you."
"Now, Kami-sama ordered you to erase my memory and return after we made that promise. What did you think of him then?"
Belldandy looked down at the floor. "I hated him. I didn't want to do it, even though I was going to get punished if I didn't. I was miserable for weeks after word."
"But you changed your mind." said Keiichi.
"After awhile, after more training, I understood why he gave the order. I still didn't like it, but I accepted it."
"Keima will get over it. In time, he'll understand why you did what you did, just you did with Kami-sama."
"I hope so Keiichi." said Belldandy. She turned her head and looked up towards Keima's room. "I hope so."
In his room Keima thought back over the days events, especially of Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry.
"I will see you again." He said quietly, "I promise."
From outside his room, Sayoko watched through the crack of the partially opened door.
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17 years later.
"Yes Dad." A dark blue haired girl said into the phone, "I understand Dad, you told me the same thing last year. I know you love me, I love you and Mom too. Say hi to Cherry and Bloodberry for me. Good-bye."
Lime hung up the phone and leaned back against her dorm room wall. The last few years had been interesting. She and several others had been the first female students of Japoness University. She and the other girls had received a lot of attention, more so for her because she looked like and had the same name as one of the famous Japoness marionettes. Some people even thought she was the marionette.
Heh, that was silly. Her a marionette. Of course, now that she thought about it, her sisters also looked like and had the same names as the other two marionettes.
Lime shook her head. That was another silly thought. She sighed and finished unpacking her clothes. Classes would be starting up soon and she still needed to find an after class job. A loud gurgling sound alerted her to the fact she was hungry. Not having gone shopping yet, she decided to order take-out.
"Hello you reached Faust's. Our hours of operation are..." 'click'
Lime dialed another number. This time only the busy signal was heard.
"Grrrr." Frustrated, Lime hurriedly dialed the next number.
"Hello," came a female voice, "you've reached the Goddess Relief Office. A representative will be down shortly."
"Huh?" Lime looked at the phone, "Didn't I call the House of Xian?"
"Hello?" came a male voice.
Lime froze and slowly turned around. A man in his early twenties and dressed in a strange robe stood in her room. He had strange marking on his face. Two triangles under each eye and a square on its point on his forehead. However she wasn't worried about that at the moment.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"Calm down!" the man said, "I'm sorry! They still haven't changed the name yet."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
The man looked at his watch. "You're going to have to stop and breathe sometime."
"AHHHHHHHHHhhhhhHhhhh.." 'cough cough' Lime regained her breath and prepare to yell again.
"Please don't. I'm not here to hurt you."
"Who are you?"
The man pulled a business card out of his robes. "I am Keima, God 1st Class Type 2 Unlimited. I am here to grant you a wish."
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Outside the dorm across the street, 3 figures sat and waited on a rooftop. One kept scanning the other rooftops.
"Will you stop that!" muttered Yui, "You're driving me nuts."
"I am looking for the Imperial Guard." replied Arael, "They are usually patrolling."
"They wont see us." replied Yui, "I made sure that..."
"SHHHHHHH!!"
Both women fell silent as the third glared at them.
"He's been in there for 5 minutes now." said Sayoko, "It could happen at any moment and I don't want to miss it."
Everyone was silent again for several moments.
"Did you know it was going to be Lime?" asked Yui.
Sayoko shrugged, "Grandpa doesn't tell me anything about who he chooses. From what I know, he allowed her a wish when she was a marionette. Maybe he felt she deserved another."
"What do you think she'll wish for?"
"I don't know. This really isn't the Lime we knew. She's been around a lot longer now then the marionette was. She's an entirely different person no."
Sayoko was cut off as there was a bright blue flash coming from the dorm. A narrow blue light shot out of the roof of the dorm, heading heavenwards.
"There it goes." said Arael.
Sayoko pulled out her communicator as she continued to watch.
"Peorth? That transmission from Terra 2, do you.? You do? What was it?" Sayoko listened carefully to what Peorth said. Arael and Yui waited patiently. Suddenly Sayoko went pale.
"She wished for WHAT?!?!?! How did..He got..she wanted.." Sayoko stuttered for several more seconds, then she shook her head to clear her thoughts. "What does Mom say? She did? Un huh. Yeah..She would. Alright. Bye Peorth."
"Well?!" Yui and Arael leaned closer. "What did she wish for?"
Sayoko sighed and looked back at the dorm. "Keima won't be coming home for a while."
Yui and Arael were quiet for several moments.
"Does this mean your going to come down here in a few months and bug Lime about why she isn't putting the moves on your brother?" asked Yui
Sayoko turned and glared at Yui.
"I AM NOT URD!!!"
"Perhaps she will come down here to break them up because she misses her brother and wants him to come home." said Arael.
Sayoko put her head in her hands, "I'm not hearing this."
"Or maybe she'll come down and defend him from Lime's jealous sisters?" added Yui.
Sayoko turned and glared at Yui.
"Why do you keep bringing me up? Don't YOU have a crush on him?"
Yui blushed and looked away. "No I don't."
"You do."
"I don't. He's younger then me!"
"He's a god! An immortal! Does it matter?"
"I babysat him for crying out loud!"
"So? You still have a crush on him."
"Do not."
"Do so."
"Do not."
Arael let out a sigh as the two argued and looked back towards the dorm in time to see two figures with boxes walking off into the night.
"So it begins.." said Arael quietly.
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History repeats itself...sort of
5 years have past since the Angels had attacked Terra 2 (though now only 6 remember the events). The Marionettes Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry are no more. They meet their fate on board the Neo-Mesopotamia when it was destroyed. Yet they were not totally gone. Shortly thereafter, 3 cloned baby girls were recovered, each having the characteristic hair and eye color of the fallen Marionettes. As they grew, each developed the personalities previously associated with the Marionettes.
"Daddy!" shouted Lime, "We're gonna go out!"
Lime ran out the apartment door, followed by Bloodberry and Cherry. Otaru stuck his head out the door.
"Don't forget we're meeting Lorelei for a picnic in a few hours!" he called after them, "Hey! Are you listening?!"
Cherry stopped and turned around "We won't forget Father."
The 3 girls ran off towards the forest. Otaru watched until they had vanished out of sight.
Otaru let out sigh, "I knew raising them would be difficult...But I didn't think it was this hard."
The sound of a guitar cord followed extremely bad singing reached Otaru's ears.
"Oh no." Otaru turned and looked up towards Hanagata's room, "Not again.."
"Today," sang Hanagata, "many pigeons attacked our gazebo...again. So I have to sing some songs for another diversion." He sang out loudly. Almost immediately, 2 figures came up behind him.
"Sir."
"GAH!!!" Hanagata jumped into the air surprised. He turned to see Baiko and Tamasaburo behind him. "What do you want?"
"We have received numerous complaints about the noise." said Baiko.
"We request you cease this activity." added Tamasaburo.
"WHAT?! Are you calling my beautiful singing noise?!?!" shouted Hanagata.
"Singing is supposed to be a pleasant sounding activity." said Tamasaburo, "From my observations, the only ones who enjoy your 'singing' are the howling dogs."
Hanagata glared at Imperial Guard, "And what I refuse to stop?"
"We will be forced to take drastic measures."
Hanagata turned back to the window and resumed strumming his guitar. "Do your worst."
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Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry were almost near the forest when they heard yelling coming from Japoness. They turned back and watched a figure soar upwards into the sky with something that looked kind of like a guitar smashed over his head.
"What was that?" asked Lime.
"Looked like Uncle Hana-chan." replied Bloodberry.
"He must have been singing again." said Cherry, "So what do you want to do?"
"Play with the Pontas!" shouted Lime.
"You always want to play with the Pontas." said Bloodberry, "I wanna do something else."
"Like what?" asked Cherry.
"Those boys started coming around again...Let's beat'em up!"
"Bloodberry! Violence doesn't solve anything."
"Hey!" interrupted Lime, "What's that!" She pointed towards the sky.
A shaft of purple light seemed to come down from the sky into the forest. Coming down the shaft was a bright sphere of light.
"Is that plasma?" asked Bloodberry.
"I don't think so." said Cherry.
"I wanna see!" shouted Lime. She began to run towards the light.
"Wait! Lime." shouted Cherry. She and Bloodberry quickly followed Lime into the forest. The three came to a stop in a clearing where the shaft ended. The sphere of light came down and settled in the clearing. It and the shaft then faded away, leaving a young boy standing there. He wore a pair of blue pants with a loose white shirt. When he turned to face them, they saw he had markings on his face, two triangles under each eye, and a square turned on its point on his forehead. He turned and seemed surprise to see the three there. He then smiled.
"Hiya!"
"HI!" shouted Lime.
Bloodberry and Cherry looked at the boy strangely, "How did you do that?" asked Cherry.
"Do what?" he asked.
"Float down like that. Are you an Angel?"
The boy smiled, "Something like that. I'm surprised though, most people wouldn't have seen me. You 3 must be special."
The 3 girls grinned at the compliment.
"I'm Lime."
"I'm Cherry."
"I'm Bloodberry."
The boy smiled, "Nice to meet you. I'm Keima Morisato."
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"Ummmm Auntie? Have you seen Keima?"
"Which one? Your brother or your Grandfather?"
"The brat."
"That's not nice Yoko. He's your brother."
"Yeah yeah. Have you seen him?"
"No. Why?"
"He vanished on me again."
"Go ask Yui, maybe she's seen him."
"I did. She hasn't seen him."
"Have you checked the Garden?"
"Yes."
"Kaji and Misato's?"
"Yes."
"Your other Grandfather's office?"
"Yes. I've checked everywhere. I can't find him."
"He'll turn up. He always does."
"I don't know...Mom might get worried."
"She's like that. Don't worry about it. What kind of trouble can he get into anyway?"
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Keima Morisato, age 4, carefully peered around the tree. Seeing no sign of anyone, he moved quickly and hid behind another tree. There he looked around again. Still no one. He started to move again when something dropped on him.
"GAH!!" he shouted.
"GOT YOU!" shouted Bloodberry, "Tag your it. KEIMA'S IT!"
"Darn it." Keima muttered. He leaped to his feet and closed his eyes. "One...two...three....
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"They still won't listen to me." said Otaru, "I know why they acted the way they did last year, but now..."
Lorelei smiled as they walked along the street. "They're still kids Otaru. Kids don't always listen to their parents." She then laughed, "If you think its bad now, wait till they become teenagers."
Otaru looked at Lorelei confused, "What do you mean? What's going to happen then?"
"They start dating."
Otaru stopped dead in his tracks. "Dating?"
"Yes, dating."
Otaru let out a long moan. "Just what I need, boys calling the house every night asking for them.
Lorelei laughed, "It won't be that bad. Besides, you're doing pretty well. Except I think you need to call me more."
Otaru blushed as Lorelei wrapped her arms around him.
"It gets so lonely in the castle with no one to talk to." She said quietly. She started to lean towards Otaru's face. Otaru watched as Lorelei moved to his lips when he noticed something. He turned to see a familiar red-headed figure in a robe who appeared to be watching them. Lorelei grabbed his chin and turned his face back to her.
"What's so important that you looked away?" she asked.
"I thought I saw.." He turned and saw the figure had vanished. "I thought I saw someone watching us." He shrugged. "Maybe I'm seeing things."
Lorelei frowned for a second. She then turned and began walking. "We have to meet the girls."
Otaru looked back one more time before following. Had he looked up towards the rooftops, he would have seen not one, but two figures watching him and Lorelei.
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"You owe me dinner."
"I do not think so. She would have kissed him had you not distracted him."
"I can't help it if men are attracted to my radiant beauty."
"...."
"What was that?"
"I said you're acting like your mother."
"Oh yeah? Well, you're acting like Aunt Rei..."
"Well she is the Mother..."
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"So why are you down here?" asked Bloodberry, "Is heaven that boring?"
Keima nodded, "I don't have anyone the same age as me to play with. My sister's a lot older then me. She tries to have fun with me, but she has other responsibilities."
"So what do you do for fun?" asked Cherry.
"I go off into the gardens, or bug a Valkyrie to play with me. I find stuff to do." He then glanced at them. "What do you do for fun?"
"I play with the Pontas." said Lime.
"I like to pick flowers." said Cherry.
"I like to fight." said Bloodberry.
Keima frowned, "Fight? Fight who?"
"Oh there's this gang of boys that keeps trying to bully me around. Their leader is a real funny looking."
"Big round kid? Bushy eyebrows? And hair only on the top of his head?"
Bloodberry nodded, "Yeah! That's him! How'd you know?"
"Uhhh Bloodberry." Cherry began taking a few steps back.
"What?" Bloodberry turned around and found herself staring at the gang leader, the other 5 boys standing behind him.
"Funny looking am I?" the gang leader said.
Bloodberry started to back away when she stopped. "Hey wait a second. You can't hurt us. Remember what happened last time!"
The gang leader rubbed his head. "Yeah, I remember. But this time we're far enough from Japoness no one will hear you." He and the gang began to advance on the 3 girls.
"Ummm Excuse me."
The gang stopped and turned towards Keima.
"I think you should leave them alone."
"Oh yeah?" said the gang leader, "What you going to do about it?"
Keima smiled a second before raising his hand. A small ball of light appeared. The gang stared at Keima stunned.
"What..what are you?" stuttered the gang leader.
"I'm their friend." Keima said with a smile. "Now leave you idiots!" As he shouted, Keima tossed the ball of light at the gang. The gang stared stunned at each other as 'idiot' appeared on their foreheads. The gang stared in surprise at each other. Keima also stared at them in surprise.
'I didn't think I'd get them all.'
"Gah!!! " the gang screamed and ran off, leaving the 3 girls laughing at them.
"That was great!" said Bloodberry, "But won't people wonder how that appeared on their heads?"
"It will fade in a few hours." said Keima, recovering from his surprise, "I'm not that strong yet."
Cherry glanced at her watch, before looking at the other girls. "We have to go. Father and Lorelei will be waiting."
Lime turned to Keima, "You want to come with?"
"I wouldn't want to intrude." Keima replied.
Bloodberry grabbed him and pulled him along. "Come on. They'd want to meet our new friend."
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"So how has the research been going Tiger?" asked Lorelei.
She and Otaru had met up with Tiger and were currently sitting on a hillside waiting for the girls to join them.
Tiger smiled at Lorelei. "We have discovered much about Terra 2. We even believe we may have come up with a way to eliminate the threat of plasma storms completely."
"Where are Faust and the others?"
"Lord Faust is in New Texas trying to get support for our research." replied Tiger, "Luchs and Panther are still working to keep us funded as well."
"What about you Tiger?" asked Otaru.
"I have been traveling with Lord Faust, aiding him in his research. However, I couldn't pass up the chance to see Lime." Tiger smiled, "How are they doing?"
Otaru looked off to the side, "I think you're about to find out. Here they come."
Lorelei and Tiger looked over.
"Who's that with them?" asked Lorelei, "Looks like a boy."
Otaru frowned slightly, "I'm not sure. He doesn't look like he's from around here."
Tiger gasped. Lorelei and Otaru turned around and looked at her. "What?"
"He has markings on his face." replied Tiger, "Kind of like the goddesses." She whispered.
Otaru squinted at the boy, "You sure? I can't tell, they're still a bit far away."
"I'm a marionette remember. I have better vision then you."
They remained quiet until the 3 girls and the boy had gotten closer. Now that they had gotten closer, Otaru and Lorelei could plainly see the markings on the boys face.
"Hi girls!" shouted Lorelei.
"LORELEI!" shouted the girls, running to her and each grabbing her in a hug.
"Hey!" said Tiger, "Don't I get something?"
"TIGER!" Lime leaped at Tiger, knocking her over.
"So whose your friend?" asked Otaru.
"Father, Lorelei, Tiger," began Cherry, "This is Keima Morisato. We met him out in the forest today."
The 2 adults and the marionette glanced at each other, before turning back to the boy.
"You wouldn't happen to know of a Sayoko Morisato would you?" asked Lorelei.
Keima nodded. "She's my sister. How do you know of her ma'am?"
Lorelei smiled, "I met her a long time ago. How is she? The last time she was here, she left before I could say good bye."
"She's well ma'am. But very busy."
"Would you like to join us for lunch?" asked Otaru, "We have plenty."
Keima bowed, "I would be honored to sir."
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The heavens
"....and at their current growth rate, it will be approx another 15 to 20 years before the female clones reach the age when they will be able to have children of their own." said Belldandy. "It will probably be another 10 years after that before Terra 2 will have stabilized enough before the Wish restriction can be lifted."
"You mean before it is time for us to consider its removal." said one of the other council members.
Belldandy frowned slightly. "Yes, of course."
Kami-sama then stood up from the head of the table.
"If there are no questions?" He looked around. "Then I thank Belldandy for her presentation and call this meeting to a close." The other gods began to get up and leave. "Belldandy, one moment please."
Kami-sama waited until only he and Belldandy remained in the room.
"You have been working very hard on this." He said quietly.
"Yes Father. I really want Terra 2 to become a normal world, like the other colonies."
Kami-sama smiled, "Of course. That is what we all want. You have done well."
"Thank-you Father."
"Now..How is my Grandson doing?"
Belldandy hesitated slightly. "He is doing well.."
"Belldandy." Kami-sama looked at her concerned, "I know you're not telling the truth."
Belldandy looked down at the ground. "I don't get to see him that much because of work. When I do, I'm not able to do much with him because I'm tired from work, or he's already asleep. Also, his teachers tell me he skips his classes and runs off somewhere." Belldandy sighed, "Keiichi and I discipline him, but it's like he's not paying attention to us."
Kami-sama smiled, "It sounds like he's being your typical child. As for your work, I think your do for a vacation."
Belldandy looked up. "Father?"
"Go spend time with your family. I'll give time off to Sayoko, Skuld, and Urd as well."
Belldandy hugged Kami-sama, "Thank-you Father." She then turned to leave.
"Oh by the way..." Belldandy stopped and looked back at Kami-sama. "It seems he's taking a page out of your book."
Belldandy looked at Kami-sama questioningly.
"He seems to have taken a little trip."
Belldandy's eyes widened. "Where?"
"Terra 2."
"Terra 2? What's he doing there?"
"I do not know." said Kami-sama, "But Yggdrasil detected him using his powers. He hit a higher level then he has before. Almost class 2."
Now Belldandy was totally shocked, "But...he's still only 3rd class and he hasn't shown any signs of class 2 power before."
Kami-sama smiled, "Ah but you know the source for a god's power is the love of others. Perhaps he has found that source."
Belldandy began walking towards the door. "I have to go."
"I understand." replied Kami-sama.
As soon as Belldandy had left the chamber, she sent off a strong telepathic message.
* Yoko! *
On the other side of heaven, Sayoko winced.
* Yes Mom? *
* Keima is on Terra 2. Meet me at Yggdrasil in 5 minutes. You can explain how he got there on the way to retrieve him. *
Sayoko winced again. * Yes Mom. *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Terra 2 Japoness, an Alley
Yui Ikari and Arael stood patiently beside a small pocket mirror. Yui glanced at Arael.
"Chronos didn't say what Belldandy-sama wanted?"
Arael shook her head. "Only to prepare to meet her and be her escort while she is on planet."
The mirror on the ground began to glow and shake. With a pop, Belldandy and Sayoko burst out of the mirror and landed on the ground in the alley. Yui and Arael both bowed.
"Milady."
"We're not in the office." said Belldandy, "You know you can call me by name."
Yui looked up confused, "This isn't work related?"
"No.... this is family business. You're here because I consider you family and also you've been on planet observing for awhile now."
"Why are you here Lady Belldandy?" asked Arael.
"Keima is on Terra 2." Belldandy turned and gave Sayoko a look. "He sneaked off again." Sayoko looked down at the ground. Belldandy then turned to Yui. "I assume you know where Lorelei is?"
"She and Otaru went out with a picnic basket. I think their on a date. Why?"
Belldandy smiled, "I thought they should be together. I hate to disturb them, but they might help find Keima." Belldandy started to walk towards the alley's exit.
"Ummm Belldandy-sama." Belldandy stopped and looked back at Yui. Yui held up a hooded cloak. "You'll need to wear this. Lorelei is the only adult female on the planet. The rest of the females are marionettes. With this there are..less distractions."
Belldandy grabbed the cloak and put it on. She then pulled the hood over her head, hiding her face from view. The others did the same and then they left the alley as a group, quickly blending into the crowd. As they walked, Yui moved next to Sayoko.
"How did Keima leave the heavens?"
"He sneaked out and used a gate." said Sayoko.
"How'd he get the gate to open?"
"It's not that hard to do. Mom did it the first time she went to earth and met Dad."
"How long did she stay?"
"A week."
"A week?" Yui glanced at Belldandy, "So why is she so determined to find Keima and bring him back?"
"I don't know."
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"He seems like a nice boy." said Lorelei as she watched Keima, the 3 girls, and Tiger running around playing.
"You met Belldandy." said Otaru, "and her daughter. They were also very pleasant."
"The girls seem to be having fun." said Lorelei, inching closer to Otaru.
"Yeah.." said Otaru, paying attention to the girls.
"...and Tiger is enjoying herself." Lorelei inched over more.
"yeah." suddenly Otaru stiffened as he felt Lorelei's breath on his neck. He turned and found himself looking her in the eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Would you like me to explain?" said Lorelei.
"Ummm sure."
Lorelei moved forward and pressed her lips to Otaru's. Otaru was startled, but calmed down quickly, enjoying the sensation of Lorelei. He brought his arms up and wrapped them around her.
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"What are they doing?" asked Lime.
Tiger turned and stared at the sight of Otaru and Lorelei kissing. "Ummm..They're talking."
"About what?"
"Ummm." Tiger tried to come up with an answer. Not finding one, she resorted to an old tactic: distraction. "Hey aren't you 'it'?"
"Hey!" Lime gave to chase to Tiger. As she got close to Keima, Bloodberry, and Cherry, they took off trying to get away. This went on for several minutes before Keima froze in his tracks. Lime ran over and tagged him.
"Gotcha!" she cried, "You're it!"
However, instead of chasing someone, Keima remained frozen in place, staring at something.
"Hello?" Lime waved her hand in front of Keima's face. "Tiger! Something's wrong with Keima."
Tiger, Cherry, and Bloodberry walked over. Tiger knelt down in front of Keima.
"Keima, what's wrong?" Keima just swallowed and continued to stare. Finally Tiger turned to see what he was staring at. Four cloaked figures stood on the edge of the clearing. Tiger moved in front of the kids. "What do you want?"
One of the figures walked forward until she was a few feet from Tiger. It then raised its arms and removed its hood, revealing itself to be Belldandy.
"I've come for my son." She said quietly.
The other 3 figures approached and removed their hoods, revealing Sayoko, Yui, and Arael.
"I assume he has been behaving himself." said Belldandy to Tiger.
"Yes Belldandy-sama." said Tiger.
"Who are you?" said Bloodberry quietly. Cherry and Lime peaked out from behind Tiger.
Sayoko walked over and knelt in front of Lime. "You don't remember me?"
Lime shook her head. Tiger spoke up.
"They don't remember anything that happened before the Neo-Mesopotamia."
Sayoko nodded and then looked back at Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry. "I'm Sayoko, Keima's sister. And you are Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry."
"You're right!" said Lime, "Hey how'd you know?"
"Cuz I knew you from a few years ago." said Sayoko with a smile, "Now, where's Otaru and Lorelei."
"They're talking over there."
Sayoko looked in the direction indicated and then blushed. "...talking huh?"
"Yep. That's what Tiger said they were doing."
Sayoko looked at Tiger who shrugged.
"Let Otaru explain it." said Tiger.
"Right. Come on girls. Take me over to them. I haven't seen them in years."
Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry grabbed Sayoko's hands and started to pull her towards the couple. Then Lime stopped.
"What about Keima?"
Sayoko glanced over where Keima currently was looking down at the ground while under the gaze of their mother. "Mom wants to speak to him."
"Oh.Ok."
Yui, Arael, and Tiger followed the four, leaving Belldandy alone with her son. For several long moments, neither said anything. Finally Keima spoke.
"I'm sorry I came down without permission." said Keima, "You were in a meeting. Onee-chan and Dad were busy, and I was bored."
Belldandy remained quiet, so Keima continued.
"I remember the stories you and Onee-chan told me about this place and I wanted to see it. I met Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry when I arrived. They saw the gate. Since then we've just been having fun."
"Was there anything else?"
Keima looked up at his mother. "What?"
"Was there anything else you need to tell me?" Belldandy repeated.
Keima looked down at the ground.
"Yeah. A gang tried to beat them up. I got all 6 of them. They looked funny with idiot plastered on their foreheads." He looked up with a smile, but it vanished when he saw the look on his mother's face.
Belldandy slowly moved forward and grabbed him tightly in a hug.
"I'm glad you're alright." she said, "I'm also glad you were there to help those girls..." Keima began to perk up, "however.." Keima's smile vanished at his mother's tone, "..you will be punished for leaving the heavens without permission. Now let's go see Otaru and Lorelei."
Belldandy and Keima walked over to where Sayoko and Yui were relentlessly grilling a blushing Otaru and Lorelei. Arael sat off to the side observing.
"I thought you two would make a cute couple." said Sayoko with a smile, "I can't wait to tell Asuka."
"Do you have to?" asked Lorelei.
"Yeah, she does." said Yui, "Mom has been asking me for the past 5 months how you are doing."
Lorelei frowned, "You've been down here for 5 months? Why?"
"I'll answer that." Everyone turned and looked up at Belldandy. "We still have to keep watch for demons as well as monitor the world and make updates on when..certain things take affect."
Otaru looked over at Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry. "Girls, can you go off and play."
The girls looked at him curiously. "Why?"
"Because there are some things that you're not allowed to hear."
Sayoko pulled Yui up and then moved toward the girls. "Com'on. Let's go play a game."
"Yah!" shouted the girls. Lime raced over and grabbed Keima.
"Com'on! You're still it!"
Keima looked up at his mother who nodded. He then raced off with Lime. Yui went over and grabbed Arael.
"Come on Arael." said Yui, "You're going learn how to play tag."
Arael looked at Yui confused, but followed her anyway.
Belldandy was now left alone with Otaru and Lorelei.
"You wished to ask something?"
"Do you know what happened after you left." asked Otaru, "What happened to the girls?"
Belldandy nodded, "I am aware of what Dr. Hess did."
"Why didn't you stop him?" Otaru practically shouted. "I nearly lost the girls because of him. Hell..I did lose the girls, and then got them back as babies. All I want to know is why?"
Belldandy closed her eyes for a few moments and then looked at Otaru.
"There is only so much we are allowed to do here." she said quietly, "We could interfere before because it was the actions of demons. This last time however.."
"It was because a mortal did it," said Lorelei, understanding right away, "not one of you."
Belldandy nodded. "If it's any comfort, many of us were hit hard by their loss. We were very happy to know they survived in a way."
Otaru sighed, "I understand. I suppose it isn't any easier for you, to have all those powers and still be unable to do anything."
Belldandy thoughts drifted back to Keiichi last day of life...before he passed to the heavens permanently. "You have no idea." She said quietly.
The sound of giggling caused Belldandy to turn around. She watched as her son ran from Cherry, trying to avoid being tagged.
"Your son is quite a gentlemen." said Lorelei, "I haven't seen the girls enjoy themselves this much in a while."
"Keima seems to be enjoying himself as well." said Belldandy seeing the grin on her son's face.
" I don't suppose he'll be staying?"
"No." Belldandy said softly, "I came to bring him home."
"Oh." said Lorelei, "The girls won't like that."
"Maybe he can visit?" asked Otaru.
Belldandy turned and looked at Otaru before turning back towards her son.
"Guess not."
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Several hours later, back in the heavens.
Belldandy sat quietly on the couch in her living room with her eyes closed.
"You alright?"
Belldandy opened her eyes to see Keiichi leaning over her.
"Am I a monster?" she asked.
Keiichi was at a loss for words. "A what?"
"A monster."
"Of course not." replied Keiichi, "What gave you that idea?"
"I brought back Keima from Terra 2." Belldandy said quietly, "I felt so bad separating him from those 3 girls. The look on his face and theirs was heartbreaking. But I had to. He still needs training." She glanced at Keiichi. "Does that make me a monster?"
Keiichi sat down across from Belldandy.
"Let me ask you this. When you came down to earth the first time, did you enjoy yourself?"
Belldandy smiled, "Of course I did. I met you."
"Now, Kami-sama ordered you to erase my memory and return after we made that promise. What did you think of him then?"
Belldandy looked down at the floor. "I hated him. I didn't want to do it, even though I was going to get punished if I didn't. I was miserable for weeks after word."
"But you changed your mind." said Keiichi.
"After awhile, after more training, I understood why he gave the order. I still didn't like it, but I accepted it."
"Keima will get over it. In time, he'll understand why you did what you did, just you did with Kami-sama."
"I hope so Keiichi." said Belldandy. She turned her head and looked up towards Keima's room. "I hope so."
In his room Keima thought back over the days events, especially of Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry.
"I will see you again." He said quietly, "I promise."
From outside his room, Sayoko watched through the crack of the partially opened door.
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17 years later.
"Yes Dad." A dark blue haired girl said into the phone, "I understand Dad, you told me the same thing last year. I know you love me, I love you and Mom too. Say hi to Cherry and Bloodberry for me. Good-bye."
Lime hung up the phone and leaned back against her dorm room wall. The last few years had been interesting. She and several others had been the first female students of Japoness University. She and the other girls had received a lot of attention, more so for her because she looked like and had the same name as one of the famous Japoness marionettes. Some people even thought she was the marionette.
Heh, that was silly. Her a marionette. Of course, now that she thought about it, her sisters also looked like and had the same names as the other two marionettes.
Lime shook her head. That was another silly thought. She sighed and finished unpacking her clothes. Classes would be starting up soon and she still needed to find an after class job. A loud gurgling sound alerted her to the fact she was hungry. Not having gone shopping yet, she decided to order take-out.
"Hello you reached Faust's. Our hours of operation are..." 'click'
Lime dialed another number. This time only the busy signal was heard.
"Grrrr." Frustrated, Lime hurriedly dialed the next number.
"Hello," came a female voice, "you've reached the Goddess Relief Office. A representative will be down shortly."
"Huh?" Lime looked at the phone, "Didn't I call the House of Xian?"
"Hello?" came a male voice.
Lime froze and slowly turned around. A man in his early twenties and dressed in a strange robe stood in her room. He had strange marking on his face. Two triangles under each eye and a square on its point on his forehead. However she wasn't worried about that at the moment.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"Calm down!" the man said, "I'm sorry! They still haven't changed the name yet."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
The man looked at his watch. "You're going to have to stop and breathe sometime."
"AHHHHHHHHHhhhhhHhhhh.." 'cough cough' Lime regained her breath and prepare to yell again.
"Please don't. I'm not here to hurt you."
"Who are you?"
The man pulled a business card out of his robes. "I am Keima, God 1st Class Type 2 Unlimited. I am here to grant you a wish."
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Outside the dorm across the street, 3 figures sat and waited on a rooftop. One kept scanning the other rooftops.
"Will you stop that!" muttered Yui, "You're driving me nuts."
"I am looking for the Imperial Guard." replied Arael, "They are usually patrolling."
"They wont see us." replied Yui, "I made sure that..."
"SHHHHHHH!!"
Both women fell silent as the third glared at them.
"He's been in there for 5 minutes now." said Sayoko, "It could happen at any moment and I don't want to miss it."
Everyone was silent again for several moments.
"Did you know it was going to be Lime?" asked Yui.
Sayoko shrugged, "Grandpa doesn't tell me anything about who he chooses. From what I know, he allowed her a wish when she was a marionette. Maybe he felt she deserved another."
"What do you think she'll wish for?"
"I don't know. This really isn't the Lime we knew. She's been around a lot longer now then the marionette was. She's an entirely different person no."
Sayoko was cut off as there was a bright blue flash coming from the dorm. A narrow blue light shot out of the roof of the dorm, heading heavenwards.
"There it goes." said Arael.
Sayoko pulled out her communicator as she continued to watch.
"Peorth? That transmission from Terra 2, do you.? You do? What was it?" Sayoko listened carefully to what Peorth said. Arael and Yui waited patiently. Suddenly Sayoko went pale.
"She wished for WHAT?!?!?! How did..He got..she wanted.." Sayoko stuttered for several more seconds, then she shook her head to clear her thoughts. "What does Mom say? She did? Un huh. Yeah..She would. Alright. Bye Peorth."
"Well?!" Yui and Arael leaned closer. "What did she wish for?"
Sayoko sighed and looked back at the dorm. "Keima won't be coming home for a while."
Yui and Arael were quiet for several moments.
"Does this mean your going to come down here in a few months and bug Lime about why she isn't putting the moves on your brother?" asked Yui
Sayoko turned and glared at Yui.
"I AM NOT URD!!!"
"Perhaps she will come down here to break them up because she misses her brother and wants him to come home." said Arael.
Sayoko put her head in her hands, "I'm not hearing this."
"Or maybe she'll come down and defend him from Lime's jealous sisters?" added Yui.
Sayoko turned and glared at Yui.
"Why do you keep bringing me up? Don't YOU have a crush on him?"
Yui blushed and looked away. "No I don't."
"You do."
"I don't. He's younger then me!"
"He's a god! An immortal! Does it matter?"
"I babysat him for crying out loud!"
"So? You still have a crush on him."
"Do not."
"Do so."
"Do not."
Arael let out a sigh as the two argued and looked back towards the dorm in time to see two figures with boxes walking off into the night.
"So it begins.." said Arael quietly.
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