Chapter 6
"She didn't want to do it." Urd said quietly in the god's language.
Belldandy looked up at her sister.
"I don't blame her." She replied in the same tongue.
Both were sitting in the kitchen at the apartment. The reason for their speaking in the god's tongue was so that the only mortal in the house, Keiichi, would not understand what they were talking about.
"I wouldn't have wanted to do it either." Belldandy sipped her tea, "There are some things in the heavens I wish I could change."
"But you agree that the earth should remain untainted by extra- terrestrials?"
"I do, but there must be another way of doing it."
Urd nodded. She then glanced down the hallway. "How is he?"
"He's fine." Belldandy replied, "He's doing a lot better."
"Bell, even I know you're lying."
Belldandy remained quiet.
"Is it that bad Bell?"
"I don't want to lose him." Belldandy said quietly, "We're happy here."
"He's mortal." Urd said, "Eventually...heaven is where he'll be."
"I know" Belldandy said softly, "But I didn't expect it to be this soon."
"Don't worry Bell. Everything is ready for his arrival."
"I'm not worried about that." Belldandy looked toward the bedroom where Keiichi slept. "I'm worried about him about what he'll..."
Belldandy and Urd froze. Urd was on her feet.
"I can get to her in."
"No."
Urd stared at her sister. "WHAT!?!"
"Skuld can take care of herself." Belldandy rose and began walking towards the nearest mirror. "Stay here. Watch Keiichi. If you have to leave, call Megumi."
"Where are you going?"
Belldandy started through the mirror. "The time has come. I'm activating the Guardians."
"But you don't." before Urd could finish, Belldandy had already gone through the mirror. Urd sighed and sat back down. "The council is going to be pissed at you sister, the Guardians aren't yours to command."
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Misato paced back and forth in the living room. Mizuho followed her with her eyes. On the couch, Kei had just finished explaining the situation between Mizuho and himself to Ichigo.
"Ok," she said, "I think I understand that. But what's with Mrs. Ryoji and Miss Morisato? And where did that other woman come from? She wasn't in here when we entered, only Mrs. Ryoji."
"I don't know." Kei looked at Misato. "Are Miss Morisato and her Aunt aliens?"
Misato stopped pacing. She started to shake.
"Mrs. Ryoji?"
"Bwahahahahahahahahah!" laughed Misato, "Aliens!?! That's a good one! Hahahahaa"
Kei looked at Mizuho. Mizuho shook her head.
"They aren't like my mother or sister." she said quietly, "There is no way Marie or Miruru could do what she did."
"Then what are they?"
"I don't know." Mizuho glanced at Misato, "And I don't think she is going to tell us."
Misato smiled, "It's not my secret to tell. Right Rei?"
"Correct."
"Eh?" Mizuho, Kei and Ichigo whirled around to see a new figure in the room. She appeared to be the same age Sayoko. She wore gray robes and had light blue hair.
"Where did she.?" muttered Mizuho.
Misato walked up and wrapped Rei in a hug.
"Been awhile." She said. Then she released Rei from her grasp. "When did you decide to go blue again?"
Rei ran a hand through her hair. "Ahh, it goes with the outfit."
Misato nodded, "So why are you here?"
Rei's face became serious.
"Skuld ran into trouble."
"Maho's with her." Mizuho looked at Rei in horror. "Is she alright?"
"I don't know."
"I have to go there!" Mizuho looked around. "MARIE! Teleport me to Maho! This is a priority."
"No!"
Mizuho turned and looked at Rei. "What?"
Rei looked at Misato. "I was sent here to pick you up. All of you."
"But Maho.!"
"Is being taken care of as we speak..."
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Skuld flew through the air as fast as she could with Maho on her back. Behind them, the spaceship raced after them, firing it's weaponry. Skuld darted side to side, avoiding shot after shot. As Skuld darted, Maho clung tighter to her neck.
"Why is mom shooting at us!?!" Maho shouted.
"I don't know." replied Skuld, "But I'm not about to ask."
Skuld flew low to the ground and into the forest, hoping the tree line would obscure them. She was wrong.
Several shots ripped through the foliage, slamming to the ground on either side of Skuld.
"I can't keep this up forever." muttered Skuld, "Is there any water near here?"
"Why?"
"I can teleport through water."
"I don't know how you'd do that," replied Maho, But the nearest water is the lake, in the other direction."
Skuld sighed, "It's just never easy anymore, always complications. Hang on."
Skuld shot 90 degrees straight up and out of the forest. She then began to arc and flew back the way she came, just barely clearing the top of the on rushing spaceship. As she flew over the metal skin of the ship, a cold feeling came over her.
"That should by us some time." muttered Skuld.
Then, as if to spite her, the spaceship spun around and came right back after them. Maho was stunned.
"There's no way anyone could do that! If you did, you'd be smashed against a bulkhead."
"I know." said Skuld, "There is no longer a mortal in charge there."
"What?" began Maho, "What about Mom?"
"She's" Skuld suddenly swerved to the right, just missing being hit by the spaceships guns.
"We're not going to make it." muttered Skuld. She looked back at Maho who was staring at her wide-eyed. "Kid, hold on tight. It's about to get really rough."
Maho frowned. "I thought I told you not to call me.."
Suddenly Maho realized her arms were no longer around Skuld's neck. That and she felt something tickling her stomach. She blinked and stared at what she did have her arms around. It appeared to be a human girl, with short light brown hair. Maho looked to the side to find out what was tickling her.
A pair of wings.
Noble Scarlet, Skuld's Angel, obeyed the orders of her Goddess. She suddenly swept her wings out, braking both Maho and herself. Skuld continued onward, still being pursued by the spaceship. Maho and Noble Scarlet floated down towards the ground. Just before they landed, the spaceship fired again. This time Skuld couldn't move fast enough. The weapons fire clipped her, sending her tumbling through the air before crashing to the ground hard, throwing up dirt and debris as she hit. Noble Scarlet jerked slightly, her mouth open in a noises cry of pain, before she vanished, dropping Maho the final 4 feet to the ground.
"Ow." Maho sat up and looked around. The space ship was moving around, coming back in a long slow turn. Maho got up and ran to where Skuld had fallen. Skuld lay in the crater she had created. Maho shook her.
"Com'on! Get up!" Maho looked up. The spaceship was finishing its turn and starting to head back towards them.
"Wake up!" shouted Maho. She looked back up at the oncoming ship. "Miruru! Teleport us back to sister's! This is the highest Priority!" Maho looked around. "Miruru! Where are you!?! Teleport now!"
The ship continued to get closer, its weapons began to glow.
"Miruru! This is the highest Priority! TELEPORT! NOW!" screamed Maho as the weapons fired. Maho closed her eyes as the beam approached. Yet it never hit her.
She slowly opened her eyes to see a blue shield covering both her and Skuld. Two helmeted figures in gray floated just off the ground nearby.
"Wha.What?" Maho stared at the floating figures.
"Is she alright?" asked one of the figures. Red haired flowed out from under the helmet.
"She's unconscious." replied Maho, still staring at the floating figures.
"Right." The red head looked at the other figure. "Ready Shinji?"
"Right behind you Asuka." replied Shinji.
Asuka turned and looked up at the spaceship as it lined up for another pass.
"Here it comes." She glanced at Shinji, "On 3.."
Asuka raised her hand. Shinji mimicked her.
"1.."
The spaceship came closer.
"2.."
The weapons on the ship began to glow. Balls of energy formed in both Shinji's and Asuka's hands.
"3!"
They released the energy balls at the ship. The energy balls ripped through the hull of the ship. Several sections of the ship exploded, spewing their contents out over the ground. The weapons on the ship went dark, having failed to build up enough energy to fire. The ship began to list as more explosions shook the vessel. It then faded and vanished.
"Well that was a cheap trick." muttered Asuka. She turned and looked at Maho. "And you are?"
Maho stared in awe of the red head before her.
"Let's worry about that later." said Shinji, "We need to get back and report."
"Right. You carry Skuld."
Shinji looked like he was about to protest. He let out a sigh and lifted Skuld onto his back.
"Let's go." He said.
Asuka placed a hand on Maho's shoulder.
"This may feel a bit strange."
With a flash, the four vanished.
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Mizuho blinked. One second she had been in her apartment, the next, she was in the living room of a house. There had been no warning, no sparkle like when Marie teleported her. She was just there. Kei and Ichigo were also looking around confused. Misato on the other hand was staring at the figure sitting on the couch before her. She was an elderly lady, looking to be in her 60s. What really surprised Mizuho is how much the woman looked like Sayoko Morisato, only her hair was completely white. She was also wearing blue and white robes. On her lap was a penguin, who appeared to be getting his stomach scratched, and was enjoying it.
"Welcome home." The woman said softly. Kei stared in surprise. The woman sounded exactly like Mizuho.
Misato walked slowly towards the woman. The woman set the penguin off to the side and stood up. Misato didn't stop walking until her face was just inches away from the woman's.
"Belldandy." Misato said.
"Misato." replied Belldandy.
Rei looked back and forth between the two woman. The last time they had been that close, Misato had decked Belldandy, breaking the goddess's nose. Rei knew Belldandy had never held a grudge against Misato about it, but Misato still might.
Before anything between the two could happen there was a flash. Asuka and Shinji appeared with Maho and Skuld, Skuld still on Shinji's back.
"Maho!" Mizuho shouted, moving quickly to her sister. Shinji, meanwhile, had moved off towards the couch, where he lay Skuld down on it. Belldandy was right beside him.
"How is she?" she asked.
"Unconscious." replied Shinji, "Been that way since we found them."
"Sayoko?"
Shinji shook his head. "We didn't see her there."
Belldandy sighed. She then raised her hand up to Skuld's forehead and traced Skuld's marking with her finger. Skuld's markings glowed and she sat up.
"Wha? Who? Where? When?" She looked over and spotted Belldandy beside her. "We in heaven?"
"Heaven!?!?" Mizuho, Kei, and Ichigo all said at once.
Belldandy ignored them for the moment. "Skuld, Where is Sayoko?"
Skuld sank back down to the couch. "Don't know. She wasn't there. Bike was. Smashed up pretty bad. Her helmet..." Skuld looked at Belldandy. "...it..had a demon resonance to it."
Belldandy sat back on her ankles and stared at the wall.
"Demons." She whispered softly.
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"So.." began SEELE 1, "The guardians are now unleashed."
Before him knelt the demon and the possessed Alien.
"An Alien craft." whispered SEELE 8, "Such things thought to be of myth, now found to be true."
"The Gods and Demons were proven to be true." said SEELE 5.
"This changes things." said SEELE 3, "The scenario must be adjusted."
"The scenario will remain as it is." replied SEELE 1, "The Alien craft will continue to serve as a distraction from our other goals. As such, where is she?"
The demons knew exactly who he meant by 'she'.
"We do not know." replied Ceres, "It is possible she is in her lair."
"Yet she does not answer our signal." SEELE 1 was quiet for several moments. "Your status?"
"The ship is damaged." replied Proserpine/Hatsuho, "However, we should be able to restore power to the weapons systems. The compartments damaged have been sealed. We can go into space and remain air tight."
"Very well. Finish your repairs, and continue your mission of distraction."
"Yes sir." Both demons vanished.
"What of our project?" asked SEELE 1.
"The project continues, we await delivery of the final component." replied SEELE 6.
"Very well. Continue to contact our....friend. She must be reminded of our deadline and deliver that which is needed. That is all."
All 12 monoliths vanished into the darkness that spawned them.
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Skuld, Mizuho and Marie were looking over the still form of Miruru on the kitchen table. Marie had teleported it in from the site of the attack. Skuld, having recovered, was moving a scanner over the small figure.
"Compact microchips...micro servos..fiber optic data cables....geez this thing is packed." muttered Skuld, "It even has a compact burst transmitter and receiver."
"But what's wrong with her?" asked Mizuho.
Skuld glanced down at the scanner. "I'm not sure." She glanced at Marie. "Any ideas?"
"Noh!" replied Marie.
Skuld looked back down at Miruru. "Not a bad idea."
In the living room, Kei, Maho, and Ichigo listened as Asuka, Shinji, and Rei explained everything, from the Gods and Goddesses to SEELE. Belldandy sat quietly off to the side, deep in thought.
"So there are really gods and goddesses watching and controlling things from the heavens?" asked Ichigo.
"Actually, Yggdrasil controls everything on earth." said Asuka, "The gods just maintain it."
"So why did they want to send Mizuho away?" asked Kei angrily.
Asuka looked questioningly at Shinji, then at Rei. Both shook their heads. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sayoko came to Mizuho at school and told her to leave the earth." Kei said. "She said she had a day to decide, or else she'd be....killed..."
The three guardians turned and looked at Belldandy. She was still staring off into space.
"Belldandy?" asked Asuka.
Belldandy jumped slightly. "Hmm? What?"
"Why did Sayoko want Mizuho to return to her planet?" asked Kei.
Belldandy sighed and gave a weak smile. "You have to understand, Yggdrasil does not just control this planet, it controls the entire universe. And it has a plan on how things showed be, as designed by father. One of which is that until a planet reaches a certain point in its evolution, contact with other planets remains forbidden. Earth has not yet reached that point." Belldandy looked over at Mizuho. "Had this happened before Second Impact, she would have had an accident and amnesia. Anyone who knew her true nature would have their minds erased, much like what did occur." She looked back at Kei. "But Second Impact affected Yggdrasil to the point it nearly crashed. Many programs failed or were deleted. The program that regulated contact was one of them."
"I don't want her to leave." said Kei, "I love her."
"I know." replied Belldandy, "Sayoko didn't want to do it either. There are many things required of us in heaven that we dislike, but they must be done." Kei started to protest, but was silenced by Belldandy's hand. "I will not separate you. I will talk to father and make sure she can stay."
"Why would you do that?" asked Maho, "What's in it for you?"
Belldandy smiled, "Because I myself am in a rather unusual relationship. And I am more sympathetic with your sister then you could ever possibly realize."
Maho frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Our situations. Both of us almost lost the one we loved." Belldandy smiled. "We even have an overprotective sister to keep our beloved in line."
"Gee thanks a lot Onee-sama." came Skuld's voice from the kitchen.
Belldandy then looked around. "Where did Misato go?"
"She went upstairs a while ago." replied Rei, "Are you alright?"
Belldandy got up and headed for the stairs. "I will be when we find my daughter."
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Misato stood on the balcony just outside her room, looking up towards the night sky, a beer in her hand. Empty beer cans littered the balcony beside her. As she stared at the sky, she heard the quiet creak of her door opening, followed by soft foot steps. The foot steps stopped behind her. Misato knew right away who it was.
"You know," she said, "I've stood out here many nights, looking up there, wondering if he was looking down on me. But he's not there." Misato looked down at the ground below her. "And he's not there either."
"We have never stopped looking for him." Belldandy said softly.
"I know. Sayoko told me." Misato turned around and looked at Belldandy. "It was wrong what I did. You didn't have any control over what happened. I was angry, and you were there."
"You didn't need to say that. You were forgiven long ago."
"I still needed to say it. I'm sorry Belldandy." Misato turned around and looked back up at the sky. "How are things going downstairs?"
Belldandy walked up and stood next to Misato against the railing.
"Skuld and Mrs. Kusenagi are working on the computer, Miruru. Rei, Shinji, and Asuka are telling Mr. Kusenagi and Ms. Morino about our past."
Misato glanced over at Belldandy. "How's Keiichi?"
Belldandy turned and looked at Misato surprised. "How did you know? Not even Sayoko knows."
"Rei."
"Keiichi is alright. The doctor said he was supposed to relax. Nothing that might excite him." Belldandy let out a long shaky sigh. "I can't tell him about this. It would upset him too much."
"Hiding it from him is bound to do the same thing." replied Misato, "Eventually, he'll find out. And it's not like you can lie."
Belldandy looked away. "I just..I..." Misato heard Belldandy sniff. "I want my daughter back."
"We'll get her back." said Misato, "I promise you that."
"She didn't want to do it." Urd said quietly in the god's language.
Belldandy looked up at her sister.
"I don't blame her." She replied in the same tongue.
Both were sitting in the kitchen at the apartment. The reason for their speaking in the god's tongue was so that the only mortal in the house, Keiichi, would not understand what they were talking about.
"I wouldn't have wanted to do it either." Belldandy sipped her tea, "There are some things in the heavens I wish I could change."
"But you agree that the earth should remain untainted by extra- terrestrials?"
"I do, but there must be another way of doing it."
Urd nodded. She then glanced down the hallway. "How is he?"
"He's fine." Belldandy replied, "He's doing a lot better."
"Bell, even I know you're lying."
Belldandy remained quiet.
"Is it that bad Bell?"
"I don't want to lose him." Belldandy said quietly, "We're happy here."
"He's mortal." Urd said, "Eventually...heaven is where he'll be."
"I know" Belldandy said softly, "But I didn't expect it to be this soon."
"Don't worry Bell. Everything is ready for his arrival."
"I'm not worried about that." Belldandy looked toward the bedroom where Keiichi slept. "I'm worried about him about what he'll..."
Belldandy and Urd froze. Urd was on her feet.
"I can get to her in."
"No."
Urd stared at her sister. "WHAT!?!"
"Skuld can take care of herself." Belldandy rose and began walking towards the nearest mirror. "Stay here. Watch Keiichi. If you have to leave, call Megumi."
"Where are you going?"
Belldandy started through the mirror. "The time has come. I'm activating the Guardians."
"But you don't." before Urd could finish, Belldandy had already gone through the mirror. Urd sighed and sat back down. "The council is going to be pissed at you sister, the Guardians aren't yours to command."
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Misato paced back and forth in the living room. Mizuho followed her with her eyes. On the couch, Kei had just finished explaining the situation between Mizuho and himself to Ichigo.
"Ok," she said, "I think I understand that. But what's with Mrs. Ryoji and Miss Morisato? And where did that other woman come from? She wasn't in here when we entered, only Mrs. Ryoji."
"I don't know." Kei looked at Misato. "Are Miss Morisato and her Aunt aliens?"
Misato stopped pacing. She started to shake.
"Mrs. Ryoji?"
"Bwahahahahahahahahah!" laughed Misato, "Aliens!?! That's a good one! Hahahahaa"
Kei looked at Mizuho. Mizuho shook her head.
"They aren't like my mother or sister." she said quietly, "There is no way Marie or Miruru could do what she did."
"Then what are they?"
"I don't know." Mizuho glanced at Misato, "And I don't think she is going to tell us."
Misato smiled, "It's not my secret to tell. Right Rei?"
"Correct."
"Eh?" Mizuho, Kei and Ichigo whirled around to see a new figure in the room. She appeared to be the same age Sayoko. She wore gray robes and had light blue hair.
"Where did she.?" muttered Mizuho.
Misato walked up and wrapped Rei in a hug.
"Been awhile." She said. Then she released Rei from her grasp. "When did you decide to go blue again?"
Rei ran a hand through her hair. "Ahh, it goes with the outfit."
Misato nodded, "So why are you here?"
Rei's face became serious.
"Skuld ran into trouble."
"Maho's with her." Mizuho looked at Rei in horror. "Is she alright?"
"I don't know."
"I have to go there!" Mizuho looked around. "MARIE! Teleport me to Maho! This is a priority."
"No!"
Mizuho turned and looked at Rei. "What?"
Rei looked at Misato. "I was sent here to pick you up. All of you."
"But Maho.!"
"Is being taken care of as we speak..."
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Skuld flew through the air as fast as she could with Maho on her back. Behind them, the spaceship raced after them, firing it's weaponry. Skuld darted side to side, avoiding shot after shot. As Skuld darted, Maho clung tighter to her neck.
"Why is mom shooting at us!?!" Maho shouted.
"I don't know." replied Skuld, "But I'm not about to ask."
Skuld flew low to the ground and into the forest, hoping the tree line would obscure them. She was wrong.
Several shots ripped through the foliage, slamming to the ground on either side of Skuld.
"I can't keep this up forever." muttered Skuld, "Is there any water near here?"
"Why?"
"I can teleport through water."
"I don't know how you'd do that," replied Maho, But the nearest water is the lake, in the other direction."
Skuld sighed, "It's just never easy anymore, always complications. Hang on."
Skuld shot 90 degrees straight up and out of the forest. She then began to arc and flew back the way she came, just barely clearing the top of the on rushing spaceship. As she flew over the metal skin of the ship, a cold feeling came over her.
"That should by us some time." muttered Skuld.
Then, as if to spite her, the spaceship spun around and came right back after them. Maho was stunned.
"There's no way anyone could do that! If you did, you'd be smashed against a bulkhead."
"I know." said Skuld, "There is no longer a mortal in charge there."
"What?" began Maho, "What about Mom?"
"She's" Skuld suddenly swerved to the right, just missing being hit by the spaceships guns.
"We're not going to make it." muttered Skuld. She looked back at Maho who was staring at her wide-eyed. "Kid, hold on tight. It's about to get really rough."
Maho frowned. "I thought I told you not to call me.."
Suddenly Maho realized her arms were no longer around Skuld's neck. That and she felt something tickling her stomach. She blinked and stared at what she did have her arms around. It appeared to be a human girl, with short light brown hair. Maho looked to the side to find out what was tickling her.
A pair of wings.
Noble Scarlet, Skuld's Angel, obeyed the orders of her Goddess. She suddenly swept her wings out, braking both Maho and herself. Skuld continued onward, still being pursued by the spaceship. Maho and Noble Scarlet floated down towards the ground. Just before they landed, the spaceship fired again. This time Skuld couldn't move fast enough. The weapons fire clipped her, sending her tumbling through the air before crashing to the ground hard, throwing up dirt and debris as she hit. Noble Scarlet jerked slightly, her mouth open in a noises cry of pain, before she vanished, dropping Maho the final 4 feet to the ground.
"Ow." Maho sat up and looked around. The space ship was moving around, coming back in a long slow turn. Maho got up and ran to where Skuld had fallen. Skuld lay in the crater she had created. Maho shook her.
"Com'on! Get up!" Maho looked up. The spaceship was finishing its turn and starting to head back towards them.
"Wake up!" shouted Maho. She looked back up at the oncoming ship. "Miruru! Teleport us back to sister's! This is the highest Priority!" Maho looked around. "Miruru! Where are you!?! Teleport now!"
The ship continued to get closer, its weapons began to glow.
"Miruru! This is the highest Priority! TELEPORT! NOW!" screamed Maho as the weapons fired. Maho closed her eyes as the beam approached. Yet it never hit her.
She slowly opened her eyes to see a blue shield covering both her and Skuld. Two helmeted figures in gray floated just off the ground nearby.
"Wha.What?" Maho stared at the floating figures.
"Is she alright?" asked one of the figures. Red haired flowed out from under the helmet.
"She's unconscious." replied Maho, still staring at the floating figures.
"Right." The red head looked at the other figure. "Ready Shinji?"
"Right behind you Asuka." replied Shinji.
Asuka turned and looked up at the spaceship as it lined up for another pass.
"Here it comes." She glanced at Shinji, "On 3.."
Asuka raised her hand. Shinji mimicked her.
"1.."
The spaceship came closer.
"2.."
The weapons on the ship began to glow. Balls of energy formed in both Shinji's and Asuka's hands.
"3!"
They released the energy balls at the ship. The energy balls ripped through the hull of the ship. Several sections of the ship exploded, spewing their contents out over the ground. The weapons on the ship went dark, having failed to build up enough energy to fire. The ship began to list as more explosions shook the vessel. It then faded and vanished.
"Well that was a cheap trick." muttered Asuka. She turned and looked at Maho. "And you are?"
Maho stared in awe of the red head before her.
"Let's worry about that later." said Shinji, "We need to get back and report."
"Right. You carry Skuld."
Shinji looked like he was about to protest. He let out a sigh and lifted Skuld onto his back.
"Let's go." He said.
Asuka placed a hand on Maho's shoulder.
"This may feel a bit strange."
With a flash, the four vanished.
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Mizuho blinked. One second she had been in her apartment, the next, she was in the living room of a house. There had been no warning, no sparkle like when Marie teleported her. She was just there. Kei and Ichigo were also looking around confused. Misato on the other hand was staring at the figure sitting on the couch before her. She was an elderly lady, looking to be in her 60s. What really surprised Mizuho is how much the woman looked like Sayoko Morisato, only her hair was completely white. She was also wearing blue and white robes. On her lap was a penguin, who appeared to be getting his stomach scratched, and was enjoying it.
"Welcome home." The woman said softly. Kei stared in surprise. The woman sounded exactly like Mizuho.
Misato walked slowly towards the woman. The woman set the penguin off to the side and stood up. Misato didn't stop walking until her face was just inches away from the woman's.
"Belldandy." Misato said.
"Misato." replied Belldandy.
Rei looked back and forth between the two woman. The last time they had been that close, Misato had decked Belldandy, breaking the goddess's nose. Rei knew Belldandy had never held a grudge against Misato about it, but Misato still might.
Before anything between the two could happen there was a flash. Asuka and Shinji appeared with Maho and Skuld, Skuld still on Shinji's back.
"Maho!" Mizuho shouted, moving quickly to her sister. Shinji, meanwhile, had moved off towards the couch, where he lay Skuld down on it. Belldandy was right beside him.
"How is she?" she asked.
"Unconscious." replied Shinji, "Been that way since we found them."
"Sayoko?"
Shinji shook his head. "We didn't see her there."
Belldandy sighed. She then raised her hand up to Skuld's forehead and traced Skuld's marking with her finger. Skuld's markings glowed and she sat up.
"Wha? Who? Where? When?" She looked over and spotted Belldandy beside her. "We in heaven?"
"Heaven!?!?" Mizuho, Kei, and Ichigo all said at once.
Belldandy ignored them for the moment. "Skuld, Where is Sayoko?"
Skuld sank back down to the couch. "Don't know. She wasn't there. Bike was. Smashed up pretty bad. Her helmet..." Skuld looked at Belldandy. "...it..had a demon resonance to it."
Belldandy sat back on her ankles and stared at the wall.
"Demons." She whispered softly.
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"So.." began SEELE 1, "The guardians are now unleashed."
Before him knelt the demon and the possessed Alien.
"An Alien craft." whispered SEELE 8, "Such things thought to be of myth, now found to be true."
"The Gods and Demons were proven to be true." said SEELE 5.
"This changes things." said SEELE 3, "The scenario must be adjusted."
"The scenario will remain as it is." replied SEELE 1, "The Alien craft will continue to serve as a distraction from our other goals. As such, where is she?"
The demons knew exactly who he meant by 'she'.
"We do not know." replied Ceres, "It is possible she is in her lair."
"Yet she does not answer our signal." SEELE 1 was quiet for several moments. "Your status?"
"The ship is damaged." replied Proserpine/Hatsuho, "However, we should be able to restore power to the weapons systems. The compartments damaged have been sealed. We can go into space and remain air tight."
"Very well. Finish your repairs, and continue your mission of distraction."
"Yes sir." Both demons vanished.
"What of our project?" asked SEELE 1.
"The project continues, we await delivery of the final component." replied SEELE 6.
"Very well. Continue to contact our....friend. She must be reminded of our deadline and deliver that which is needed. That is all."
All 12 monoliths vanished into the darkness that spawned them.
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Skuld, Mizuho and Marie were looking over the still form of Miruru on the kitchen table. Marie had teleported it in from the site of the attack. Skuld, having recovered, was moving a scanner over the small figure.
"Compact microchips...micro servos..fiber optic data cables....geez this thing is packed." muttered Skuld, "It even has a compact burst transmitter and receiver."
"But what's wrong with her?" asked Mizuho.
Skuld glanced down at the scanner. "I'm not sure." She glanced at Marie. "Any ideas?"
"Noh!" replied Marie.
Skuld looked back down at Miruru. "Not a bad idea."
In the living room, Kei, Maho, and Ichigo listened as Asuka, Shinji, and Rei explained everything, from the Gods and Goddesses to SEELE. Belldandy sat quietly off to the side, deep in thought.
"So there are really gods and goddesses watching and controlling things from the heavens?" asked Ichigo.
"Actually, Yggdrasil controls everything on earth." said Asuka, "The gods just maintain it."
"So why did they want to send Mizuho away?" asked Kei angrily.
Asuka looked questioningly at Shinji, then at Rei. Both shook their heads. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sayoko came to Mizuho at school and told her to leave the earth." Kei said. "She said she had a day to decide, or else she'd be....killed..."
The three guardians turned and looked at Belldandy. She was still staring off into space.
"Belldandy?" asked Asuka.
Belldandy jumped slightly. "Hmm? What?"
"Why did Sayoko want Mizuho to return to her planet?" asked Kei.
Belldandy sighed and gave a weak smile. "You have to understand, Yggdrasil does not just control this planet, it controls the entire universe. And it has a plan on how things showed be, as designed by father. One of which is that until a planet reaches a certain point in its evolution, contact with other planets remains forbidden. Earth has not yet reached that point." Belldandy looked over at Mizuho. "Had this happened before Second Impact, she would have had an accident and amnesia. Anyone who knew her true nature would have their minds erased, much like what did occur." She looked back at Kei. "But Second Impact affected Yggdrasil to the point it nearly crashed. Many programs failed or were deleted. The program that regulated contact was one of them."
"I don't want her to leave." said Kei, "I love her."
"I know." replied Belldandy, "Sayoko didn't want to do it either. There are many things required of us in heaven that we dislike, but they must be done." Kei started to protest, but was silenced by Belldandy's hand. "I will not separate you. I will talk to father and make sure she can stay."
"Why would you do that?" asked Maho, "What's in it for you?"
Belldandy smiled, "Because I myself am in a rather unusual relationship. And I am more sympathetic with your sister then you could ever possibly realize."
Maho frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Our situations. Both of us almost lost the one we loved." Belldandy smiled. "We even have an overprotective sister to keep our beloved in line."
"Gee thanks a lot Onee-sama." came Skuld's voice from the kitchen.
Belldandy then looked around. "Where did Misato go?"
"She went upstairs a while ago." replied Rei, "Are you alright?"
Belldandy got up and headed for the stairs. "I will be when we find my daughter."
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Misato stood on the balcony just outside her room, looking up towards the night sky, a beer in her hand. Empty beer cans littered the balcony beside her. As she stared at the sky, she heard the quiet creak of her door opening, followed by soft foot steps. The foot steps stopped behind her. Misato knew right away who it was.
"You know," she said, "I've stood out here many nights, looking up there, wondering if he was looking down on me. But he's not there." Misato looked down at the ground below her. "And he's not there either."
"We have never stopped looking for him." Belldandy said softly.
"I know. Sayoko told me." Misato turned around and looked at Belldandy. "It was wrong what I did. You didn't have any control over what happened. I was angry, and you were there."
"You didn't need to say that. You were forgiven long ago."
"I still needed to say it. I'm sorry Belldandy." Misato turned around and looked back up at the sky. "How are things going downstairs?"
Belldandy walked up and stood next to Misato against the railing.
"Skuld and Mrs. Kusenagi are working on the computer, Miruru. Rei, Shinji, and Asuka are telling Mr. Kusenagi and Ms. Morino about our past."
Misato glanced over at Belldandy. "How's Keiichi?"
Belldandy turned and looked at Misato surprised. "How did you know? Not even Sayoko knows."
"Rei."
"Keiichi is alright. The doctor said he was supposed to relax. Nothing that might excite him." Belldandy let out a long shaky sigh. "I can't tell him about this. It would upset him too much."
"Hiding it from him is bound to do the same thing." replied Misato, "Eventually, he'll find out. And it's not like you can lie."
Belldandy looked away. "I just..I..." Misato heard Belldandy sniff. "I want my daughter back."
"We'll get her back." said Misato, "I promise you that."