Standard Disclaimer
I don't own anything related to Oh! My Goddess, save for the manga and ova's. As I said this is a darkfic! I know the characters may seem a tad OOC to some of you but if you think about it, you should be able to see the possibility.
I hope you like the story and continue to read it.
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Fallible
Chapter 2- Fallout
Eight hours have passed since Keiichi's horrified scream pierced the night. While Keiichi was now asleep, Urd had recovered from her sake induced blur. She was now staring directly into the red eyes of her younger sister. Aoshima was momentarily taken care of with a sleep spell and stored in a storage closet. Urd was going to have to play devils advocate on this.
"Just what the HELL were you thinking BELL!" Urd hollered into Belldandy's face. "Even Skuld could have detected that rings hidden purpose!" She continued and tossed the ring she found on Aoshima at Belldandy. Urd hated herself for treating her sister this way but she had no other choice. She had to make Belldandy realize the severity of the situation.
Belldandy, only now able to keep her tears in check, spoke in a broken voice, "I scanned it, and it was as he said."
Urd was trying to be compassionate about this, accidents happen, but this was just plain out idiocy. 'How could Bell have done this!' She sat down but her face kept its harshness, "You did a surface scan, even if you were checking it for something that I would have done, you know enough to do a full scan!"
"I don't know why I didn't do a full scan ok!" Bell's face now covered in fresh tears, "I don't know."
Before Urd could continue her debate the tearoom door opened, "URD! What did you do to sis!" Skuld called.
With one gesture, Urd blew Skuld from the room and shut the door. "Not now Skuld, I'll give you the details later."
Skuld made several attempts to enter the room but the door was sealed, Urd was going to have her talk and wasn't going to let Skuld's sister worship intrude.
'How are we going to tell her that Big Sister Belldandy.' Urd couldn't even think the last part. She looked again at her sister. Huddled and crying softly into her knees. "Can you tell me how this happened?"
Trying to focus her voice, Belldandy recalled all she could remember of the previous evening. Urd just listened and thought about how blind Belldandy acted, not once suspecting something being hidden. Not detecting the spiked drink. The failed scan. It was no doubt Mara was behind it, but it was Belldandy's fault for being so.so.foolish.
"Why didn't you detect the coke?" Urd said as her voice leveled.
Trying to defend her actions, "Why would I have suspected it to be spiked? I've drank a small amount of Champaign before and I only got tipsy."
"After you tried it, when you started getting more than tipsy.I mean Bell when Father learns of this who KNOWS what he'll do?"
Burying her face in her hands again, "Like I said I don't know! I just.wanted to be with Keiichi so badly.I wasn't thinking!"
With a sigh, "Lets go over this again, Bell. From the top." Urd asked calming down further. Removing her hands she looked into Urd's eyes. The harsh impression was slipping into one of worry. Belldandy again recounted the events that transpired the day before. She told of 'Keiichi' being bolder, the ring, the spiked drink, and the event Urd had witnessed. All through her recap, Urd was doing mental calculations, and she was frightened with something, 'this just doesn't add up. Could it be.that she KNEW it wasn't Keiichi and allowed herself to be tricked?'
Before she could think further about the concept she just let it slip, "You knew it wasn't him, didn't you?"
Again Belldandy's face drained of color, "HOW COULD YOU SUGGEST SUCH A THING?"
"It's the only way this makes sense! You're not one to be easily fooled! There is no way that all those things could have happened and you wouldn't have noticed something was wrong!" Urd said hotly.
Her voice rising at the accusation, "It happed so fast, it's not my fault that it happened!"
Urd wasn't convinced, the more she thought about this the more it made sense, "You wanted to be with Keiichi so bad that it didn't matter to you that it was a fake. You knew something was wrong but choose to ignore it. Sure you were tricked but you allowed it." Now Urd's voice held an unmistakable sadness, "You were to afraid to talk to Keiichi about this so you took the next best thing. It was Keiichi but it wasn't."
Belldandy snapped, such an accusation was more than she could bear. She let her hand fly out and smacked Urd hard across the face. "I would never betray Keiichi! I love him! I thought it was.I thought." but she couldn't lie, it wasn't in her nature.
Forgetting the slap, Urd went and hugged her sobbing sister, "It's ok Bell. We'll get through this."
Still crying hoarsely, "I wanted to believe that it was him, I prayed it truly was him, I did! I just, it's been so long since the wish that I couldn't wait anymore. I had to be with him!"
Rubbing her shoulders in soothing motions, "But it wasn't him, and you knew it. No much self-delusion you think of, deep down you knew it wasn't him. Now you have to face Keiichi with this. It could be considered a breach of your contract."
With a sudden zeal, Belldandy's head snapped up, "Keiichi! How is he now?"
Now it was Urd's time to hold back her emotion, despite her intoxication she could remember clearly the utter look of loss and hurt on the poor boys face. His heart was wretched from his chest slashed in pieces and shoved back in upside down. Belldandy didn't have to put him into his futon, she did. After the initial shock wore off and he awoke, it was Urd that helped him to his room and laid him down. He wouldn't have been able to move on his own.
"How do you think he is Bell? Honestly I don't know, He's still asleep," her voice subdued with her own turmoil. One couldn't spend as much time with that mortal and not grow to love him in some way.
Standing up and drying her still moist eyes the best she could, "I have to see him, to apologize."
Urd mimicked her sisters movements put placed as restricting hand on her shoulder, "Bell, this isn't something that can be fixed with words. We don't even know what Father is going to do yet. Yggdrassil'll be back up any minute now," she had called home earlier.
"Still I must see him, make him understand that I wasn't thinking clearly," Belldandy harked.
Urd acted quickly to make Belldandy think, "What are you planning to do? Walk into his room, wake him, then say 'I'm sorry you caught me sleeping with somebody'?"
Memories from the incident started to play back in her mind, she was originally overjoyed that Keiichi and she were to be one, but now with her web of disillusion broken she realized the awful truth of her actions. "I have to say something to him. I just can't sit in here and pretend it didn't happen."
Concern was deeply etched into Urd's features, "You're right. I'll go wake him and bring him here. Try to straighten things up a bit, ok?" Urd watched her sister nod and lowered her spell, as she walked to Keiichi's room she thought about how fragile her sister looked. 'Bell, what is that lapse in your judgment going to cause?'
Skuld hid as Urd left the room, unknown to the elder goddesses, after her initial banishment, Skuld grabbed 'Mr. Listen' from her room and listened to the remaining conversation. 'Sis slept with somebody, that isn't possible is it?'
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With his window open, pure sunlight wafted onto his face. Its gentle caress stirred him from his slumber and caused his eyes to open. "What a terrible nightmare that was."
He sat up and wiped the sweat from his forehead, 'I'll never go out drinking with Urd again.' With a stretch and a yawn, Keiichi stood to greet the day.
Urd quietly opened his door and stepped in, she was eager to look at anything she could except at him and the upcoming conversation.
"Morning K1," she heard herself say, not really feeling herself say it.
Turning to greet his morning visitor, "Morning Urd, you won't believe how terrible a nightmare I had last night."
'He.he thinks it's a dream, how fitting as it IS a nightmare." She walked over to him and found herself hugging him fiercely. 'This is just going to kill him, how can I tell him that it wasn't a dream.'
Blushing terrible, Keiichi tried to speak, "Urd, is something wrong?" Then he felt her tears.
"Keiichi." Urd had to stop, she just couldn't find a subtle way to tell him, "It wasn't a dream."
Pushing the Goddess away softly, "What do you mean, I didn't even tell you what it was.abou" his words died in his mouth as he saw the look in her eyes. 'That was real Bell really.' The events he thought were a dream re- entered his memory.
Reading the change in his aura as a sign Urd simply nodded, "I better inform you of a few things before you see her Keiichi."
'She couldn't have done that willingly,' his mind triggered automatically, "I'll KILL HIM!"
Urd wanted to cry more after that, 'does he NEED to know she knew it wasn't him. Can I lie to him and say that Belldandy was merely tricked? He'd never believe it.' She took his hand, "I have to tell you some things Keiichi, and they won't be easy to hear."
Despite his growing rage he relaxed due to her grip, "Alight, I'll listen."
"She was tricked. A demon," she knew which but wouldn't say, "made Aoshima look like you." Her internal struggle over her next move continued to wage, but it was answered for her.
"How could Belldandy get tricked like that, isn't she a Goddess 1st class?" he asked, his fury dieing further, only to be replaced with dread.
"She knew it wasn't really you, she wanted it to be but she knew it wasn't," she prayed to Father that he wouldn't ask her to repeat that last sentence, she couldn't say it again.
Keiichi's jaw dropped, "She knew.she knew it wasn't me but still she.she still went through with it?"
"You have to understand, I know you've thought about being intimate with Bell, she's been thinking the same. She just couldn't face you and couldn't wait any longer. She opted to believe the lie presented to her and delude herself into thinking it was truth," she felt his body tremble against her.
"What does that mean for us now? I mean isn't that being unfaithful?" he could hardly believe he used that word in reference to Belldandy.
Lowering her hand against his shoulder, "In a sense it does, but you have to know she even though she knew it wasn't you, in her mind it was. Keiichi will you talk to her? Try to sort this out?" He nodded with a tiny head dip.
Keiichi found himself being lead by Urd back to the tearoom. His mind was so clouded he didn't even realize he was sitting and looking at Belldandy until she touched his cheek. His reaction shocked both Urd and Belldandy he cringed and backed away.
"Keiichi, I." Belldandy's words died in her mouth.
His eyes focused on the floor before her feat he tried to keep his voice controlled, "Urd told me all about what happened, and I understand."
Her eyes grew wide and a smile threatened to spring on her face, 'If he knows that then everything will be ok!'
"But," the word struck Belldandy like a blow to the stomach, "even though I forgive you for what happened.I just, just can't get that image out of my mind." His eyes brimming with tears, he could still see Aoshima and Belldandy lying on the floor. He saw them again on the floor, Belldandy saying words of love before his mind collapsed.
Urd just looked at the two of them, the pain was so immense she had to leave the room. 'I'll let them sort this out alone' she kept telling herself, but deep down she knew it was just cowardice. As she shut the door she noticed Skuld sitting on the front stoop, and by the way her shoulders were moving, 'what's up with her.' Urd went to check on her sister.
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Belldandy reached out for Keiichi again only to have her hand gently pushed away. "Keiichi?"
Forcing his eyes to remain shut he gritted his teeth before he progressed, "Bell, like I said I forgive you but I can't forget what happened. When I look at you I don't just see you now, I see the two of you. I know you wanted to believe it was me, but from what Urd told me you knew it wasn't me"
She couldn't stand it, he wasn't looking at her, he couldn't stand the sight of her, and her Keiichi was slipping away from her. 'Mara.you never did anything this evil before! How could you?' Focusing on Keiichi, "K1, look at me, please?" He did, she realized she shouldn't have asked him too.
His eyes were filled with an immeasurable sadness, "I love you Bell, but it's just, after what happened, I need to have a few days.alone and I think you could use them too."
"Alone, you want me to leave?" each word shocked her to the core.
Still fighting the urge to break down completely, "Just a few days, we need to think about these separately."
Belldandy knew the truth though. If he wanted her to go it could break the contract, she would have broken the contract. Never before had a God or Goddess broken a contract. 'Father.what will he do?'
She soon received her answer as the phone rang.
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While Keiichi and Belldandy were talking, Urd was having a confrontation of her own. After finding Skuld on the veranda, she was determined to at least give her the basics.
"You heard us talking didn't you Skuld," it was a statement not a question.
Sniffing her nose and wiping her eyes, "It's a lie right, Sis couldn't have done what you said!"
"I wish it was, but it happened, and were going to have to face it," Urd replied sadly.
Skuld couldn't believe it wouldn't believe it. "Belldandy would never do anything like that, she isn't that type of person!"
"People in love do odd things Skuld. She was tricked, a horrid horrid trick but what was worse was that she allowed herself to be tricked. You know how she feels for Keiichi, don't you?" Urd asked.
Before she met Sentaro she would have said no, but now, "I guess. But that doesn't mean she would do such a thing with anybody else!"
The strain of the day was already beginning to show on her face and in her voice, "Listen it happened! We're going to have to accept it!" she snapped.
Pulling a bomb from her pocket, "You're just jealous of Belldandy! You're trying to ruin her name!"
That tore it, Urd loved Belldandy it was one of the hardest things in her life to be so harsh with her, and now Skuld said that to her. "Skuld! Why would I? Want proof go check out the closet and tell me what you see."
"Whatever is in there could be a trick you made! You and your half-demon." She covered her mouth quickly, she went to far.
'This is such a long day and its only been a few hours,' with a heavy heart Urd knew what she had to do to convince Skuld. "I'm going to have you replay my memories in your mind, how is that?"
A bit timid because she expected a greater outburst from Urd, "Your memory?"
"Yeah, I can't tamper with my memory can I?" she said as she knelt down in front of Skuld who still had a bomb in hand.
"I guess not," the young Goddess said as she touched Urd's emblem with her own. The moment they made contact Skuld reclined in horror, she saw exactly what Urd had the previous night and the whole talk. 'IT'S TRUE!'
Skuld's face was a menagerie of feelings, betrayal, shame, hurt, fear, and anger. Her hands flew and so did the few bombs she could grab. The bombs symbolizing the utter frustration the Goddess felt. Urd watched and sympathized, she hated the fact that right now she had to be the 'evil' one and force her sisters to accept reality. She only prayed that the results wouldn't be too poor. Then she heard the phone ring.
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As Belldandy picked up the receiver for what she knew was her call she saw Keiichi shut the door to the tearoom. Before she could even say hello, the soft sounds of Keiichi's cries entered her ears. She spoke aloud to herself, "Father what have I done?"
She received her answer; "You violated the terms of your contract with Keiichi Morisato, Belldandy."
Hearing the voice of her Father captured her attention, "Father. Father it was an."
Kami cut her off, "You are to return to the Heavens in immediately Belldandy. You have much to account for."
Urd was now watching Belldandy as the phone almost slipped from her hand, "Father, what of the wish? Will I be able to return?"
"Your questions will be answered when you are in my presence," then the line went silent. Heavy handedly Belldandy replaced the receiver on the base and look blankly at Urd. She wore the mask of utter confusion.
Although the look on her sister's face told her almost all she needed to know, Urd was compelled to ask, "What happened Bell?"
Her voice a hollow shell of its normal self, "I'm to return to the Heavens immediately."
Rushing the small distance to her sister's side, "For how long? What about the contract?" The only answer Urd received was the slow shaking of Belldandy's head. This was a first time event, and even Kami didn't really know what was He was planning.
"I have to say goodbye to him," Bell said as she started towards the tearoom again, only to again be stopped by Urd.
In her most compassionate voice, "It wouldn't help things right now, its best to just see what Father wants. By that time maybe Keiichi would have calmed a bit and you two can talk again." Urd was screaming at herself for saying this, but if Belldandy pushed things now it could ruin their entire relationship.
Urd's words were true, but Belldandy couldn't accept it. 'What if I can never return?' Begrudgingly she turned to the mirror on the wall, "Will you look after him until I come back?"
Urd replied quickly, "Do you even have to ask me that?" Belldandy trusted her and was quickly through the mirror and going to meet her fate.
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As Belldandy was just reaching the outer office of her Father, Urd was bringing Keiichi some food. She opened the door to the tearoom and nearly broke down again. Keiichi was curled up in a tight ball, asleep again. She woke him gently and convinced him to eat the breakfast she had made.
As he ate Urd spoke, "I called Chihiro and told her you wouldn't be in today."
Looking slightly better, "Thanks Urd, I don't think I could have worked today if I wanted to."
Urd couldn't refute him, "Things will get better." Even as she said it she didn't know how.
Drinking the last of his tea, "How can that ever happen? Can things truly return now that this has happened?"
"You can only try, that's all," she replied. Her mind raged though, 'that is if she can even come back.'
Keiichi asked Urd a question that she never expected to hear, "Was it my fault?"
She put her hand reassuringly on his, "No Keiichi, it was nobodies fault. Nobody could have known the demon would attack and at this time. It was all just poor timing, if this didn't happen I'm sure you two would have." she couldn't finish.
After a moment of silence, the topic Urd dreaded came up. Keiichi asked where Belldandy was now. Urd told him about the phone call and that she didn't know how long their Father was going to need her. She left out the concept that she may never return; he wouldn't be able to bear that. Keiichi retreated into silence again, after twenty minutes he excused himself and went into the lawn.
He spent the next few hours modifying his bike. It helped to occupy his hands; it kept the memories at bay. During his time outside, Skuld had wandered over by him. They shared a few words about the incident and both returned to the tasks they had set for themselves. If asked, both would have said the other looked worse.
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Lunchtime had arrived and due to the lack of energy in the temple, the residence opted for take-out. As the deliveryman sped away the group were sitting down to eat. They made making idle conversation about the weather, the motorcycle, and Skuld's newest attachments for Benpei. Nobody dared mention either the incident or the missing member.
Urd was shocked to see Keiichi had looked a little better, 'Maybe this will get better. He is remarkable forgiving.' Her thoughts were interrupted as she sensed an alteration in the energy flow around Megumi's camera. Moments later a bright light erupted from the camera lens and Peorth emerged out of it.
"Cava bien?" Peorth asked as she bowed politely to the dining triad.
Skuld was the first to react, "What are you doing here?"
Urd had a frightening thought, 'Does she know? Is she here to make a play on K1?'
Walking with her normal elegance, she embraced Keiichi softly, "I'm sorry to hear what happened Mon Cheri."
'So even Peorth knows,' with a bow of his head, "Thanks for the sympathy," he smiled at her, "it's appreciated."
With one last little squeeze, "Now on to business. I know you're not going to like what I have to say," she directed at the two other Goddesses.
'Business.she can't mean,' Urd thought, "Spit it out, we know you came for a reason."
Again Peorth turned to address Keiichi, "Keiichi Morisato, due to Class 1 unlimited Goddess Belldandy's temporary recall, I Peorth shall fill in her role as the Goddess in your wish." She finished by presenting him her card.
Skuld and Keiichi were shocked, was it possible or even legal for such a thing?
"So that's how Father is going to resolve this," Urd said with a hint of anger.
"I know I can't truly replace Belldandy, but as the only other 1st class Goddess with any contact with you, Father asked me to perform this role. It is necessary based on the Ultimate force system. As your wish to have a Goddess "like" Belldandy be with your forever is still in affect and Father recalled her, a substitute is necessary," Peorth said to the confused onlookers.
Still full of surprise "How long will you be staying Peorth?" Keiichi asked.
"Unknown, this has never happened before. Father isn't sure of the correct method of dealing with it. We should know within a few days."
Urd excused herself from the table and flew into the other room, 'I'm sure you're not upset at all about this are you Peorth. You've wanted to sink your claws in him after that 2nd wish tabacle.'
Back in the kitchen, Peorth was finalizing the details with Keiichi. She hadn't expected him to be overjoyed with the reason for her being there, but she was still glad to be the one to fill in for Belldandy. Ever since her first meeting with him, she felt something for him, and after the Velsper incident she was sure it was love. 'I was right during the battle with Velsper, Keiichi would never betray Belldandy, who would have thought it would be her to betray him.'
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In the Heavens Belldandy sat poised for her meeting with her Father. She knew fear, with numerous encounters with high-level demons and other manifestations, but she had never reached her current level of terror before. 'What is going to happen now?'
A few minutes later the door to Kami-sama's chamber opened and she heard the mental call for her to enter. As standard practice she summoned Holy Bell to accompany her. All God/desses with angels were requested to have them present during all meetings with Kami-sama. As the angel was a clear sign of their feelings, nothing could be hidden.
As Holy Bell emerged a startling visage was scene. Her wings were clasped tightly around herself, her hair lying limply at her sides. Holy Bell was a pure sign of the sadness and fear inside of Belldandy.
"Step inside my child," Kami again called.
Belldandy didn't dawdle any longer. She stepped into the inner sanctum of Kami's abode. Pillars of white stretched up from the floor into eternity. The light was all encompassing, so much Belldandy had to shield her eyes. The light sank from its perch high above her and took the earthly form of her Father as she could comprehend. He took the form of a man in flowing white robes, adorned with long black hair. His only blemish was a patch over his left eye.
His voice regal yet soft reached her, "You have made a grand mistake my child."
Kneeling before him, "I know Father, and I am deeply sorry for my mistake," Holy Bell mimicking Belldandy's actions.
Kami was tempted to simply overlook the incident, and would have if it was possible, but making an infallible system had its problems. When a mistake DOES occur it must be corrected immediately or all existence would be in jeopardy. "As much as it pains me my child, you must be punished for your transgression."
Blurting out before she could stop herself, "But I was tricked!"
Kami sighed, he knew how much she loved the mortal and she never would have committed the act willingly but the fact was she had done it. "I reviewed the incident, you had ample warnings and willingly overlooked them. You were looking for not only his happiness but your own. It was a demonic trick but one you should and could have saw through, I have no choice."
She couldn't believe it; her father was condemning her for something she had no control over. "But Father!"
He waved a hand to silence her, "The wish will not be revoked, but, " He looked away from her, "you will not be the Goddess of that wish until further notice."
Her world crashed, Holy Bell screamed silently as the emotional bridge washed over her. "But doesn't that alter his wish, he wished.Keiichi wished."
"He wished for a Goddess like you to be with him forever. You are a Goddess 1st class unlimited, so another 1st class unlimited will fulfill your role," his words carefully chosen.
She sought his eye contact, "Who?"
Meeting her gaze and seeing something that startled him, "Peorth of the Roses will now be bond by contract with Keiichi Morisato. She does not yet know herself that she will be performing that task. I am still unsure as to how long."
Now both Belldandy and her angel had tear streaked faces, "But Father how could you.this is to much punishment! Keiichi said he forgave me!"
"Irrelevant, you breached the contract. I must fulfill my obligations. You are to return to the Goddess Relief center after a two-day hiatus. You are dismissed." *
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"I am sorry Belldandy," Kami said to himself. He realized that Belldandy wasn't the first Holy being to be dissuaded by an evil force, and that meant he couldn't overlook it. Having responsibility means living up to it.
So in the end Kami was the ultimate judge, he couldn't always be nice. Weighing the fate of the multi-verse against one person's sadness was an open and shut case, the multi-verse one. He knew he was being cruel towards the Goddess but he couldn't help it. Kami wasn't a 'nice' guy or even a 'bad' guy, he was an entity with a purpose and that purpose was maintaining balance.
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A mere shadow of herself, Belldandy left Kami's office and retreated to her dwellings in the Heaven's. 'I will no longer be with Keiichi?' The thoughts seemed wrong to her, she couldn't be away from him, and she loved him more than her life itself and he the same. How could her 'father' do such a cruel thing to her? Keiichi loved her, and she him that was what was important! Using her powers she viewed the temple grounds. 'I wasn't forbidden to watch him, I would still even if father forbade it.'
Her vision was Peorth cooking supper for HER Keiichi and her sisters. Nobody but the still crying Holy Bell heard her next words, "I don't trust her." **
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Kami is Kami; he is responsible for keeping the Heaven's and the Earth in balance. You may think his punishment unwarranted but think. If his end of a contract violated said contract and the Ultimate force is questioned as well as Kami's infallibility he was forced to act. Still doubting the watch "Dogma" same concept.
** for any of you that read the manga (which I base most of this fic off of) Belldandy trusts everybody unquestingly. With her statement it shows a mental breakdown.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter despite its deeply dark quality, and more darkness will progress. Keiichi is still deeply in love with Bell so don' t think this is just a Keiichi/Peorth fic as it isn't. So no rash conclusions!
Hope to get some feedback
Ja-mata
Zentrodie (Zentrodie@secondimpact.com www.geocities.com/zentrodie.geo)
I don't own anything related to Oh! My Goddess, save for the manga and ova's. As I said this is a darkfic! I know the characters may seem a tad OOC to some of you but if you think about it, you should be able to see the possibility.
I hope you like the story and continue to read it.
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Fallible
Chapter 2- Fallout
Eight hours have passed since Keiichi's horrified scream pierced the night. While Keiichi was now asleep, Urd had recovered from her sake induced blur. She was now staring directly into the red eyes of her younger sister. Aoshima was momentarily taken care of with a sleep spell and stored in a storage closet. Urd was going to have to play devils advocate on this.
"Just what the HELL were you thinking BELL!" Urd hollered into Belldandy's face. "Even Skuld could have detected that rings hidden purpose!" She continued and tossed the ring she found on Aoshima at Belldandy. Urd hated herself for treating her sister this way but she had no other choice. She had to make Belldandy realize the severity of the situation.
Belldandy, only now able to keep her tears in check, spoke in a broken voice, "I scanned it, and it was as he said."
Urd was trying to be compassionate about this, accidents happen, but this was just plain out idiocy. 'How could Bell have done this!' She sat down but her face kept its harshness, "You did a surface scan, even if you were checking it for something that I would have done, you know enough to do a full scan!"
"I don't know why I didn't do a full scan ok!" Bell's face now covered in fresh tears, "I don't know."
Before Urd could continue her debate the tearoom door opened, "URD! What did you do to sis!" Skuld called.
With one gesture, Urd blew Skuld from the room and shut the door. "Not now Skuld, I'll give you the details later."
Skuld made several attempts to enter the room but the door was sealed, Urd was going to have her talk and wasn't going to let Skuld's sister worship intrude.
'How are we going to tell her that Big Sister Belldandy.' Urd couldn't even think the last part. She looked again at her sister. Huddled and crying softly into her knees. "Can you tell me how this happened?"
Trying to focus her voice, Belldandy recalled all she could remember of the previous evening. Urd just listened and thought about how blind Belldandy acted, not once suspecting something being hidden. Not detecting the spiked drink. The failed scan. It was no doubt Mara was behind it, but it was Belldandy's fault for being so.so.foolish.
"Why didn't you detect the coke?" Urd said as her voice leveled.
Trying to defend her actions, "Why would I have suspected it to be spiked? I've drank a small amount of Champaign before and I only got tipsy."
"After you tried it, when you started getting more than tipsy.I mean Bell when Father learns of this who KNOWS what he'll do?"
Burying her face in her hands again, "Like I said I don't know! I just.wanted to be with Keiichi so badly.I wasn't thinking!"
With a sigh, "Lets go over this again, Bell. From the top." Urd asked calming down further. Removing her hands she looked into Urd's eyes. The harsh impression was slipping into one of worry. Belldandy again recounted the events that transpired the day before. She told of 'Keiichi' being bolder, the ring, the spiked drink, and the event Urd had witnessed. All through her recap, Urd was doing mental calculations, and she was frightened with something, 'this just doesn't add up. Could it be.that she KNEW it wasn't Keiichi and allowed herself to be tricked?'
Before she could think further about the concept she just let it slip, "You knew it wasn't him, didn't you?"
Again Belldandy's face drained of color, "HOW COULD YOU SUGGEST SUCH A THING?"
"It's the only way this makes sense! You're not one to be easily fooled! There is no way that all those things could have happened and you wouldn't have noticed something was wrong!" Urd said hotly.
Her voice rising at the accusation, "It happed so fast, it's not my fault that it happened!"
Urd wasn't convinced, the more she thought about this the more it made sense, "You wanted to be with Keiichi so bad that it didn't matter to you that it was a fake. You knew something was wrong but choose to ignore it. Sure you were tricked but you allowed it." Now Urd's voice held an unmistakable sadness, "You were to afraid to talk to Keiichi about this so you took the next best thing. It was Keiichi but it wasn't."
Belldandy snapped, such an accusation was more than she could bear. She let her hand fly out and smacked Urd hard across the face. "I would never betray Keiichi! I love him! I thought it was.I thought." but she couldn't lie, it wasn't in her nature.
Forgetting the slap, Urd went and hugged her sobbing sister, "It's ok Bell. We'll get through this."
Still crying hoarsely, "I wanted to believe that it was him, I prayed it truly was him, I did! I just, it's been so long since the wish that I couldn't wait anymore. I had to be with him!"
Rubbing her shoulders in soothing motions, "But it wasn't him, and you knew it. No much self-delusion you think of, deep down you knew it wasn't him. Now you have to face Keiichi with this. It could be considered a breach of your contract."
With a sudden zeal, Belldandy's head snapped up, "Keiichi! How is he now?"
Now it was Urd's time to hold back her emotion, despite her intoxication she could remember clearly the utter look of loss and hurt on the poor boys face. His heart was wretched from his chest slashed in pieces and shoved back in upside down. Belldandy didn't have to put him into his futon, she did. After the initial shock wore off and he awoke, it was Urd that helped him to his room and laid him down. He wouldn't have been able to move on his own.
"How do you think he is Bell? Honestly I don't know, He's still asleep," her voice subdued with her own turmoil. One couldn't spend as much time with that mortal and not grow to love him in some way.
Standing up and drying her still moist eyes the best she could, "I have to see him, to apologize."
Urd mimicked her sisters movements put placed as restricting hand on her shoulder, "Bell, this isn't something that can be fixed with words. We don't even know what Father is going to do yet. Yggdrassil'll be back up any minute now," she had called home earlier.
"Still I must see him, make him understand that I wasn't thinking clearly," Belldandy harked.
Urd acted quickly to make Belldandy think, "What are you planning to do? Walk into his room, wake him, then say 'I'm sorry you caught me sleeping with somebody'?"
Memories from the incident started to play back in her mind, she was originally overjoyed that Keiichi and she were to be one, but now with her web of disillusion broken she realized the awful truth of her actions. "I have to say something to him. I just can't sit in here and pretend it didn't happen."
Concern was deeply etched into Urd's features, "You're right. I'll go wake him and bring him here. Try to straighten things up a bit, ok?" Urd watched her sister nod and lowered her spell, as she walked to Keiichi's room she thought about how fragile her sister looked. 'Bell, what is that lapse in your judgment going to cause?'
Skuld hid as Urd left the room, unknown to the elder goddesses, after her initial banishment, Skuld grabbed 'Mr. Listen' from her room and listened to the remaining conversation. 'Sis slept with somebody, that isn't possible is it?'
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With his window open, pure sunlight wafted onto his face. Its gentle caress stirred him from his slumber and caused his eyes to open. "What a terrible nightmare that was."
He sat up and wiped the sweat from his forehead, 'I'll never go out drinking with Urd again.' With a stretch and a yawn, Keiichi stood to greet the day.
Urd quietly opened his door and stepped in, she was eager to look at anything she could except at him and the upcoming conversation.
"Morning K1," she heard herself say, not really feeling herself say it.
Turning to greet his morning visitor, "Morning Urd, you won't believe how terrible a nightmare I had last night."
'He.he thinks it's a dream, how fitting as it IS a nightmare." She walked over to him and found herself hugging him fiercely. 'This is just going to kill him, how can I tell him that it wasn't a dream.'
Blushing terrible, Keiichi tried to speak, "Urd, is something wrong?" Then he felt her tears.
"Keiichi." Urd had to stop, she just couldn't find a subtle way to tell him, "It wasn't a dream."
Pushing the Goddess away softly, "What do you mean, I didn't even tell you what it was.abou" his words died in his mouth as he saw the look in her eyes. 'That was real Bell really.' The events he thought were a dream re- entered his memory.
Reading the change in his aura as a sign Urd simply nodded, "I better inform you of a few things before you see her Keiichi."
'She couldn't have done that willingly,' his mind triggered automatically, "I'll KILL HIM!"
Urd wanted to cry more after that, 'does he NEED to know she knew it wasn't him. Can I lie to him and say that Belldandy was merely tricked? He'd never believe it.' She took his hand, "I have to tell you some things Keiichi, and they won't be easy to hear."
Despite his growing rage he relaxed due to her grip, "Alight, I'll listen."
"She was tricked. A demon," she knew which but wouldn't say, "made Aoshima look like you." Her internal struggle over her next move continued to wage, but it was answered for her.
"How could Belldandy get tricked like that, isn't she a Goddess 1st class?" he asked, his fury dieing further, only to be replaced with dread.
"She knew it wasn't really you, she wanted it to be but she knew it wasn't," she prayed to Father that he wouldn't ask her to repeat that last sentence, she couldn't say it again.
Keiichi's jaw dropped, "She knew.she knew it wasn't me but still she.she still went through with it?"
"You have to understand, I know you've thought about being intimate with Bell, she's been thinking the same. She just couldn't face you and couldn't wait any longer. She opted to believe the lie presented to her and delude herself into thinking it was truth," she felt his body tremble against her.
"What does that mean for us now? I mean isn't that being unfaithful?" he could hardly believe he used that word in reference to Belldandy.
Lowering her hand against his shoulder, "In a sense it does, but you have to know she even though she knew it wasn't you, in her mind it was. Keiichi will you talk to her? Try to sort this out?" He nodded with a tiny head dip.
Keiichi found himself being lead by Urd back to the tearoom. His mind was so clouded he didn't even realize he was sitting and looking at Belldandy until she touched his cheek. His reaction shocked both Urd and Belldandy he cringed and backed away.
"Keiichi, I." Belldandy's words died in her mouth.
His eyes focused on the floor before her feat he tried to keep his voice controlled, "Urd told me all about what happened, and I understand."
Her eyes grew wide and a smile threatened to spring on her face, 'If he knows that then everything will be ok!'
"But," the word struck Belldandy like a blow to the stomach, "even though I forgive you for what happened.I just, just can't get that image out of my mind." His eyes brimming with tears, he could still see Aoshima and Belldandy lying on the floor. He saw them again on the floor, Belldandy saying words of love before his mind collapsed.
Urd just looked at the two of them, the pain was so immense she had to leave the room. 'I'll let them sort this out alone' she kept telling herself, but deep down she knew it was just cowardice. As she shut the door she noticed Skuld sitting on the front stoop, and by the way her shoulders were moving, 'what's up with her.' Urd went to check on her sister.
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Belldandy reached out for Keiichi again only to have her hand gently pushed away. "Keiichi?"
Forcing his eyes to remain shut he gritted his teeth before he progressed, "Bell, like I said I forgive you but I can't forget what happened. When I look at you I don't just see you now, I see the two of you. I know you wanted to believe it was me, but from what Urd told me you knew it wasn't me"
She couldn't stand it, he wasn't looking at her, he couldn't stand the sight of her, and her Keiichi was slipping away from her. 'Mara.you never did anything this evil before! How could you?' Focusing on Keiichi, "K1, look at me, please?" He did, she realized she shouldn't have asked him too.
His eyes were filled with an immeasurable sadness, "I love you Bell, but it's just, after what happened, I need to have a few days.alone and I think you could use them too."
"Alone, you want me to leave?" each word shocked her to the core.
Still fighting the urge to break down completely, "Just a few days, we need to think about these separately."
Belldandy knew the truth though. If he wanted her to go it could break the contract, she would have broken the contract. Never before had a God or Goddess broken a contract. 'Father.what will he do?'
She soon received her answer as the phone rang.
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While Keiichi and Belldandy were talking, Urd was having a confrontation of her own. After finding Skuld on the veranda, she was determined to at least give her the basics.
"You heard us talking didn't you Skuld," it was a statement not a question.
Sniffing her nose and wiping her eyes, "It's a lie right, Sis couldn't have done what you said!"
"I wish it was, but it happened, and were going to have to face it," Urd replied sadly.
Skuld couldn't believe it wouldn't believe it. "Belldandy would never do anything like that, she isn't that type of person!"
"People in love do odd things Skuld. She was tricked, a horrid horrid trick but what was worse was that she allowed herself to be tricked. You know how she feels for Keiichi, don't you?" Urd asked.
Before she met Sentaro she would have said no, but now, "I guess. But that doesn't mean she would do such a thing with anybody else!"
The strain of the day was already beginning to show on her face and in her voice, "Listen it happened! We're going to have to accept it!" she snapped.
Pulling a bomb from her pocket, "You're just jealous of Belldandy! You're trying to ruin her name!"
That tore it, Urd loved Belldandy it was one of the hardest things in her life to be so harsh with her, and now Skuld said that to her. "Skuld! Why would I? Want proof go check out the closet and tell me what you see."
"Whatever is in there could be a trick you made! You and your half-demon." She covered her mouth quickly, she went to far.
'This is such a long day and its only been a few hours,' with a heavy heart Urd knew what she had to do to convince Skuld. "I'm going to have you replay my memories in your mind, how is that?"
A bit timid because she expected a greater outburst from Urd, "Your memory?"
"Yeah, I can't tamper with my memory can I?" she said as she knelt down in front of Skuld who still had a bomb in hand.
"I guess not," the young Goddess said as she touched Urd's emblem with her own. The moment they made contact Skuld reclined in horror, she saw exactly what Urd had the previous night and the whole talk. 'IT'S TRUE!'
Skuld's face was a menagerie of feelings, betrayal, shame, hurt, fear, and anger. Her hands flew and so did the few bombs she could grab. The bombs symbolizing the utter frustration the Goddess felt. Urd watched and sympathized, she hated the fact that right now she had to be the 'evil' one and force her sisters to accept reality. She only prayed that the results wouldn't be too poor. Then she heard the phone ring.
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As Belldandy picked up the receiver for what she knew was her call she saw Keiichi shut the door to the tearoom. Before she could even say hello, the soft sounds of Keiichi's cries entered her ears. She spoke aloud to herself, "Father what have I done?"
She received her answer; "You violated the terms of your contract with Keiichi Morisato, Belldandy."
Hearing the voice of her Father captured her attention, "Father. Father it was an."
Kami cut her off, "You are to return to the Heavens in immediately Belldandy. You have much to account for."
Urd was now watching Belldandy as the phone almost slipped from her hand, "Father, what of the wish? Will I be able to return?"
"Your questions will be answered when you are in my presence," then the line went silent. Heavy handedly Belldandy replaced the receiver on the base and look blankly at Urd. She wore the mask of utter confusion.
Although the look on her sister's face told her almost all she needed to know, Urd was compelled to ask, "What happened Bell?"
Her voice a hollow shell of its normal self, "I'm to return to the Heavens immediately."
Rushing the small distance to her sister's side, "For how long? What about the contract?" The only answer Urd received was the slow shaking of Belldandy's head. This was a first time event, and even Kami didn't really know what was He was planning.
"I have to say goodbye to him," Bell said as she started towards the tearoom again, only to again be stopped by Urd.
In her most compassionate voice, "It wouldn't help things right now, its best to just see what Father wants. By that time maybe Keiichi would have calmed a bit and you two can talk again." Urd was screaming at herself for saying this, but if Belldandy pushed things now it could ruin their entire relationship.
Urd's words were true, but Belldandy couldn't accept it. 'What if I can never return?' Begrudgingly she turned to the mirror on the wall, "Will you look after him until I come back?"
Urd replied quickly, "Do you even have to ask me that?" Belldandy trusted her and was quickly through the mirror and going to meet her fate.
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As Belldandy was just reaching the outer office of her Father, Urd was bringing Keiichi some food. She opened the door to the tearoom and nearly broke down again. Keiichi was curled up in a tight ball, asleep again. She woke him gently and convinced him to eat the breakfast she had made.
As he ate Urd spoke, "I called Chihiro and told her you wouldn't be in today."
Looking slightly better, "Thanks Urd, I don't think I could have worked today if I wanted to."
Urd couldn't refute him, "Things will get better." Even as she said it she didn't know how.
Drinking the last of his tea, "How can that ever happen? Can things truly return now that this has happened?"
"You can only try, that's all," she replied. Her mind raged though, 'that is if she can even come back.'
Keiichi asked Urd a question that she never expected to hear, "Was it my fault?"
She put her hand reassuringly on his, "No Keiichi, it was nobodies fault. Nobody could have known the demon would attack and at this time. It was all just poor timing, if this didn't happen I'm sure you two would have." she couldn't finish.
After a moment of silence, the topic Urd dreaded came up. Keiichi asked where Belldandy was now. Urd told him about the phone call and that she didn't know how long their Father was going to need her. She left out the concept that she may never return; he wouldn't be able to bear that. Keiichi retreated into silence again, after twenty minutes he excused himself and went into the lawn.
He spent the next few hours modifying his bike. It helped to occupy his hands; it kept the memories at bay. During his time outside, Skuld had wandered over by him. They shared a few words about the incident and both returned to the tasks they had set for themselves. If asked, both would have said the other looked worse.
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Lunchtime had arrived and due to the lack of energy in the temple, the residence opted for take-out. As the deliveryman sped away the group were sitting down to eat. They made making idle conversation about the weather, the motorcycle, and Skuld's newest attachments for Benpei. Nobody dared mention either the incident or the missing member.
Urd was shocked to see Keiichi had looked a little better, 'Maybe this will get better. He is remarkable forgiving.' Her thoughts were interrupted as she sensed an alteration in the energy flow around Megumi's camera. Moments later a bright light erupted from the camera lens and Peorth emerged out of it.
"Cava bien?" Peorth asked as she bowed politely to the dining triad.
Skuld was the first to react, "What are you doing here?"
Urd had a frightening thought, 'Does she know? Is she here to make a play on K1?'
Walking with her normal elegance, she embraced Keiichi softly, "I'm sorry to hear what happened Mon Cheri."
'So even Peorth knows,' with a bow of his head, "Thanks for the sympathy," he smiled at her, "it's appreciated."
With one last little squeeze, "Now on to business. I know you're not going to like what I have to say," she directed at the two other Goddesses.
'Business.she can't mean,' Urd thought, "Spit it out, we know you came for a reason."
Again Peorth turned to address Keiichi, "Keiichi Morisato, due to Class 1 unlimited Goddess Belldandy's temporary recall, I Peorth shall fill in her role as the Goddess in your wish." She finished by presenting him her card.
Skuld and Keiichi were shocked, was it possible or even legal for such a thing?
"So that's how Father is going to resolve this," Urd said with a hint of anger.
"I know I can't truly replace Belldandy, but as the only other 1st class Goddess with any contact with you, Father asked me to perform this role. It is necessary based on the Ultimate force system. As your wish to have a Goddess "like" Belldandy be with your forever is still in affect and Father recalled her, a substitute is necessary," Peorth said to the confused onlookers.
Still full of surprise "How long will you be staying Peorth?" Keiichi asked.
"Unknown, this has never happened before. Father isn't sure of the correct method of dealing with it. We should know within a few days."
Urd excused herself from the table and flew into the other room, 'I'm sure you're not upset at all about this are you Peorth. You've wanted to sink your claws in him after that 2nd wish tabacle.'
Back in the kitchen, Peorth was finalizing the details with Keiichi. She hadn't expected him to be overjoyed with the reason for her being there, but she was still glad to be the one to fill in for Belldandy. Ever since her first meeting with him, she felt something for him, and after the Velsper incident she was sure it was love. 'I was right during the battle with Velsper, Keiichi would never betray Belldandy, who would have thought it would be her to betray him.'
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In the Heavens Belldandy sat poised for her meeting with her Father. She knew fear, with numerous encounters with high-level demons and other manifestations, but she had never reached her current level of terror before. 'What is going to happen now?'
A few minutes later the door to Kami-sama's chamber opened and she heard the mental call for her to enter. As standard practice she summoned Holy Bell to accompany her. All God/desses with angels were requested to have them present during all meetings with Kami-sama. As the angel was a clear sign of their feelings, nothing could be hidden.
As Holy Bell emerged a startling visage was scene. Her wings were clasped tightly around herself, her hair lying limply at her sides. Holy Bell was a pure sign of the sadness and fear inside of Belldandy.
"Step inside my child," Kami again called.
Belldandy didn't dawdle any longer. She stepped into the inner sanctum of Kami's abode. Pillars of white stretched up from the floor into eternity. The light was all encompassing, so much Belldandy had to shield her eyes. The light sank from its perch high above her and took the earthly form of her Father as she could comprehend. He took the form of a man in flowing white robes, adorned with long black hair. His only blemish was a patch over his left eye.
His voice regal yet soft reached her, "You have made a grand mistake my child."
Kneeling before him, "I know Father, and I am deeply sorry for my mistake," Holy Bell mimicking Belldandy's actions.
Kami was tempted to simply overlook the incident, and would have if it was possible, but making an infallible system had its problems. When a mistake DOES occur it must be corrected immediately or all existence would be in jeopardy. "As much as it pains me my child, you must be punished for your transgression."
Blurting out before she could stop herself, "But I was tricked!"
Kami sighed, he knew how much she loved the mortal and she never would have committed the act willingly but the fact was she had done it. "I reviewed the incident, you had ample warnings and willingly overlooked them. You were looking for not only his happiness but your own. It was a demonic trick but one you should and could have saw through, I have no choice."
She couldn't believe it; her father was condemning her for something she had no control over. "But Father!"
He waved a hand to silence her, "The wish will not be revoked, but, " He looked away from her, "you will not be the Goddess of that wish until further notice."
Her world crashed, Holy Bell screamed silently as the emotional bridge washed over her. "But doesn't that alter his wish, he wished.Keiichi wished."
"He wished for a Goddess like you to be with him forever. You are a Goddess 1st class unlimited, so another 1st class unlimited will fulfill your role," his words carefully chosen.
She sought his eye contact, "Who?"
Meeting her gaze and seeing something that startled him, "Peorth of the Roses will now be bond by contract with Keiichi Morisato. She does not yet know herself that she will be performing that task. I am still unsure as to how long."
Now both Belldandy and her angel had tear streaked faces, "But Father how could you.this is to much punishment! Keiichi said he forgave me!"
"Irrelevant, you breached the contract. I must fulfill my obligations. You are to return to the Goddess Relief center after a two-day hiatus. You are dismissed." *
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"I am sorry Belldandy," Kami said to himself. He realized that Belldandy wasn't the first Holy being to be dissuaded by an evil force, and that meant he couldn't overlook it. Having responsibility means living up to it.
So in the end Kami was the ultimate judge, he couldn't always be nice. Weighing the fate of the multi-verse against one person's sadness was an open and shut case, the multi-verse one. He knew he was being cruel towards the Goddess but he couldn't help it. Kami wasn't a 'nice' guy or even a 'bad' guy, he was an entity with a purpose and that purpose was maintaining balance.
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A mere shadow of herself, Belldandy left Kami's office and retreated to her dwellings in the Heaven's. 'I will no longer be with Keiichi?' The thoughts seemed wrong to her, she couldn't be away from him, and she loved him more than her life itself and he the same. How could her 'father' do such a cruel thing to her? Keiichi loved her, and she him that was what was important! Using her powers she viewed the temple grounds. 'I wasn't forbidden to watch him, I would still even if father forbade it.'
Her vision was Peorth cooking supper for HER Keiichi and her sisters. Nobody but the still crying Holy Bell heard her next words, "I don't trust her." **
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Kami is Kami; he is responsible for keeping the Heaven's and the Earth in balance. You may think his punishment unwarranted but think. If his end of a contract violated said contract and the Ultimate force is questioned as well as Kami's infallibility he was forced to act. Still doubting the watch "Dogma" same concept.
** for any of you that read the manga (which I base most of this fic off of) Belldandy trusts everybody unquestingly. With her statement it shows a mental breakdown.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter despite its deeply dark quality, and more darkness will progress. Keiichi is still deeply in love with Bell so don' t think this is just a Keiichi/Peorth fic as it isn't. So no rash conclusions!
Hope to get some feedback
Ja-mata
Zentrodie (Zentrodie@secondimpact.com www.geocities.com/zentrodie.geo)