I'm Standing on a bridge
I'm waitin in the dark
I thought that you'd be here by now
Theres nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening but theres no sound

 

Isn't anyone tryin to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?

It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Wont you take me by the hand
take me somewhere new
I dont know who you are
but I... I'm with you

im looking for a place
searching for a face
is anybody here i know
cause nothings going right
and everything's a mess
and no one likes to be alone

 

Isn't anyone tryin to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Wont you take me by the hand
take me somewhere new
I dont know who you are
but I... I'm with you

oh why is everything so confusing
maybe I'm just out of my mind
yea yea yea

It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Wont you take me by the hand
take me somewhere new
I dont know who you are
but I... I'm with you

Avril Lavigne – I'm with you

Chapter 14

The Morisato/Wishbringer apartment was dead quiet. In the kitchen, a bandaged up Belldandy sat at the table, along with Skuld, Urd, Asuka, Shinji, Rei, Touji, and Keiichi.

Keiichi broke the silence.

"I can't believe Sayoko would so this." He said. He looked at everyone at the table. "Are we sure it was her?"

"I checked with Yggdrasil." Urd said softly, "During the last two attacks, Sayoko's PDS increased slightly. It was her."

"What about the bugs?" asked Skuld, "When she attacked Kensuke there were bugs."

Urd shook her head. "No bugs were formed."

"What I want to know is how she got so strong." Asuka said, "She practically leveled that building in Washington, she blocked out all telepathy and teleporting, and put up one hell of a fight with me."

"Her PDS was too low for the kind of power your talking about." said Urd, "She must be getting boosted by something."

"What can we do?" asked Keiichi, "How do we get her back?"

Urd started to drum her fingers. "If it's the virus causing her to do this, we'll need to capture her and take her up to the heavens to cure her." Urd looked up at Belldandy. "But if we can't……."

"I know." Belldandy said softly, "vaccination."

Asuka suddenly stood up. "Skuld, is your laptop handy?"

"I have Sayoko's here, in the living room. Why?"

Asuka walked towards the living room. "I have a call to make."

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England

SEELE Base.

Kensuke sat behind the desk of former SEELE 6. The body had finally been removed, and most of the corridors had been cleaned up of the remains of the Ghouls. Sitting in the room with him was Mist and Cayla. Kensuke was looking at a holographic display floating on the desk in front of him.

"According to this," began Kensuke, "SEELE dug down into the lower levels of the Geo Front. Once down there, they found where Unit 03 and Unit 02 had been dumped after the 17th Angel attacked."

"But Skuld was watching Tokyo-3," said Mist, "As were we."

Kensuke nodded, "Yes and from what this says SEELE knew that. They had help." He pressed a button and the brown hair demon and the armored figure appeared. "They met with and made some kind of pact with a high level demon. Then they went around and scrounged up a bunch of rogue demons."

"You found all that in this computer?" asked Mist.

"Most of it." replied Kensuke, "Some of it I've been collecting for the past year. The rest of put together based on what we've seen here."

Mist looked out through the windows towards the Evas. "Do they work?"

"No." Kensuke scrolled through the data on the screen. "Unit 03 was about 88% complete, Unit 02 was 66%. But they have no cores." Kensuke frowned, "There's also an arm from Unit 01."

"What did they want with them?" asked Cayla, "SEELE I mean?"

Kensuke scrolled through more data. "I would think they were going to repair them, but they don't have the equipment to launch or power them."

Harris entered the office. "We seem to have gotten the last of the Ghouls……and the Freak/Vampire that produced them." Harris smiled. "We also found a few surviving tenants who were being stored as food. Very happy to see a live person they were. They're busy singing away to a few of my troops."

"I suppose you'll give me transcripts of what they say?" asked Kensuke.

"Oh I'll do better." replied Harris, "I can give you both transcripts and the song birds themselves."

"Thank-you." replied Kensuke, "There's just one more thing I require."

"And that is?"

"Most of my agents that have infiltrated SEELE are now dead." replied Kensuke, "I was hoping to borrow one or two from you to use."

Harris smiled, "Unfortunately, I have no persons available for you to borrow."

"Ah well. I had to ask."

"Now hold on." Harris said, "I said I didn't have anyone you could borrow. I do have one that you can have."

Kensuke frowned, "You're just giving us an agent?"

"Yep."

"But why?"

Harris sat down across from Kensuke. "The agent in question has been apart of my organization for a almost 35 years, before that, part of another agency. She is quite possibly the best soldier I have against Ghouls and demons."

"if she's so valuable why give her to us?" asked Kensuke, "She could get killed."

Harris shrugged, "Because her very presence has a negative affect on the rest of my troops. There is also a……..peculiarity with her that I find………disturbing. I would just assume wash my hands of her."

Kensuke glanced over at Mist who shrugged. He then looked back at Harris.

"Alright. I'd like to meet her if I could."

Harris stood up. "I have her come directly here. She's currently at a training base."

Harris walked to the door and was about to open it when it was flung open on it's own. A soldier stood there holding a bag Kensuke had left on board the VTOL.

"Uhh sir?" the soldier said, "This bag started ringing."

Kensuke stood up and walked over to the soldier. "That would be my laptop. I have a call."

The soldier handed the bag to Kensuke and left, followed by Harris. Kensuke sat down at the desk and removed the laptop, set it on the desktop and opened it.

"Who is it?" asked Mist.

Kensuke looked up at the two goddesses. "It's Asuka." He pressed a button on the keyboard and Asuka's face appeared on the screen.

"What's up devil?"

Asuka ignored the comment. "Kensuke, are you alone?"

"No, Mist and Cayla are here. Why?"

Asuka looked at Kensuke nervously.

"It's about Sayoko……….."

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Heaven

The Council of Heaven was silent after Peorth gave her report. Belldandy was absent, but that had been expected, and no one wished to force her to appear.

"How could this happen?" asked Thor.

"A Goddess turning against the heavens…." muttered Athena, "It's unheard of."

"Not so." replied Apollo, "Loki turned against us, as did Celestine."

"But Sayoko is a Goddess!" Athena looked at Peorth, "Surely the virus has something to do with it?"

"It is a possibility." said Peorth, "But we require Sayoko to be present to be sure."

"Rather difficult to do when we don't even know where she is…" said Saturn, "…until she strikes." Saturn looked at the other members of the council. "You know what we must do."

"Are you mad?" asked Thor, standing up and glaring at Saturn. "What you ask is impossible!"

"Is it?!" Saturn replied, on his feet as well. "The doublet system no longer exists! The 'Mighty' Guardians as well have been humbled by her. It's a miracle that the mortals they have been protecting aren't dead!" Saturn's face softened. "I agree, it is hard decision to make, but the protection of the mortals must be placed above any other concerns."

"Saturn is right." Everyone looked at Kami-sama. He was looking down at the table in front of him, but his voice could be heard by all. "Sayoko must be stopped, by any means necessary."

"But sir…" began Thor, "We can protect that mortal! We can….."

"How long should we protect her?" asked Kami-sama, "Her whole life? What if Sayoko goes after another mortal and succeeds in killing them? No. This must end. As I have said, let it be done." Kami-sama slowly stood. "This meeting is over."

Kami-sama left the council room, Peorth following right on his heels. They both entered his office, Peorth slammed the door behind her.

"Do you realize what you've done?!" she asked.

"Go away Peorth." Kami-sama muttered.

"You've ordered her death! Belldandy will never forgive you!"

"I KNOW THAT!" Kami-sama yelled, "BUT WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO?!?!"

Peorth shrank and took several steps back. Kami-sama rarely lost his temper, but when he did, many felt it wise to run. Kami-sama took several deep breaths before speaking again.

"I love my grand-daughter," Kami-sama said quietly, "But the welfare of the mortals must come first. Sayoko must be stopped. If she can be stopped without being killed, so be it. Otherwise………." Kami-sama turned and walked to his desk. "I wish to be alone Peorth. See to it I'm not disturbed."

"Yes Sir." Peorth said quietly as she left. She walked quickly to the control room.

"Chronos!"

Chronos looked up. "Yes Ma'am?"

"I need some good news and I need it now."

Chronos sighed. "We still have no idea what this virus is doing. The only way to find out is to get Sayoko up here."

Peorth rubbed her eyes. "And that is becoming more and more unlikely."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Ma'am?"

Peorth looked over at Erie. "You found something?"

"No." Eire had a strange look on her face. "You have a phone call."

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England

SEELE Base.

Kensuke sat in SEELE 6's office alone, with the lights off. The metal shutters were open, allowing him to see the 2 Evas. Ever since the call from Asuka had ended, he had been staring at the Evas. Mist and Cayla had left him alone.

Thoughts of everything he had done with Sayoko flashed through his head, every conversation, every touch, kiss………

'Why Sayoko?' he thought, 'What has happened to you?'

A quiet knock at the door brought him back from his thoughts.

"Enter." He called out, still facing the window.

He heard the door open and footsteps as someone entered. The door closed, and then the footsteps continued, stopping just in front of the desk.

"Captain Celes Victoria reporting as ordered sir!" came a young female voice.

Kensuke frowned and slowly turned around. Before him was a rather well endowed blond woman in her twenties. The only thing out of place were her eyes, they were red.

"You're the Agent Harris has sent me?" he asked, slightly amused. "I was expecting someone older, more experienced."

"Sir I have almost 30 years of experience in the field." replied the woman.

"But you can't be more then 23 or 24."

Celes smiled, "I'm 59 sir."

Kensuke's mouth dropped. There was no way she was 59! There wasn't any goddess or demon markings on her face so that was ruled out. Wait a second…….. Kensuke frowned and looked at Celes again, taking a good look at her smile.

She had fangs.

"Vampire?" he asked.

Celes nodded. "Does that disturb you?"

"That depends. Have you fed off the living?"

Celes shook her head. "No, I've only taken medicinal blood."

"It seems rather odd for a vampire to be in this line of work, eliminating other vampires, ghouls and the like."

"Yes sir." replied Celes, "There was one other, but he has since…….retired."

"I see." Kensuke stared at Celes "I have need of an infiltration expert. Do you think you can handle it?"

"Yes sir."

"It could lead to you death. Many agents sent on this task have died."

Celes smirked, "Well since I'm already dead, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Harris spoke highly of you." Kensuke said casually.

"I don't think he would sir."

"And why not?"

"Sir, Director Harris does not really care wither I live, so to speak, or die. He sees me as a distraction to the rest of the troops." Celes finished and stared at Kensuke.

"Well Ms. Victoria, I DO care about the people under me and I expect you to survive this."

Celes looked at Kensuke curiously. "Sir?"

Kensuke smiled, "You have a problem with my orders?"

Celes shook her head vigorously, "No sir! It's just…….Director Harris has tried to transfer me off to other agencies before. As soon as they find out what I am……they send me back."

"Well I have no intention of sending you back." replied Kensuke, "Unless you want to?"

"You don't have a problem with me being a…….."

"No." replied Kensuke, "I admit, it poses a few problems. But if you are as good as I've been told, I'm willing to work out those problems."

Celes smiled. "Thank you sir."

"No thanks needed. Though I hope the people I work with are understanding."

"Sir?"

The office door burst open as Mist entered, followed by Cayla.

"Aida." Mist said quickly, "I just got orders from……." Mist's voice trailed off as she took in Celes presence."

Kensuke was on his feet. "Mist, don't do anything………"

Mist ignored Kensuke completely. She pulled out her sword and tried to run Celes through. Celes jumped out of the way. Kensuke then moved in front of Celes, preventing a second attack from Mist. The Valkyrie stared at Kensuke shocked.

"Why are you protecting it?!" she hollered, "It's a Nosferatu!"

"Yes she is." said Kensuke, "She is also going to infiltrate SEELE for us."

"WHAT!?!? You can't be serious!"

"Very serious."

Mist's sword wavered a bit before she finally put it away, but she continued to glare at Kensuke. Cayla stepped around Mist.

"Mr. Aida," Cayla began, "We have gotten new orders from Kami-sama."

Mist turned and glared at Cayla. "What are you doing? There's a Vampire present!"

Cayla looked at Mist, then looked at Celes. "Uhhhhh."

"Kami-sama?" Celes looked at the others confused.

"Looks like we need to do a little explaining" Kensuke said.

Kensuke explained everything he knew about the goddesses, from his first knowing of what Sayoko was to now, excluding any personal things between him and Sayoko. Cayla offered a little information as well. Mist remained silent, glaring. When he was done Celes was staring wide eyed at Mist and Cayla.

"Wow." was the only thing she said.

Kensuke smiled, "My thoughts exactly." He then looked up at Mist. "You said you had new orders?"

Mist nodded, still scowling. "I just got done talking to Peorth. You're not going to like it. But there is a plan."

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Morisato/Wishbringer Apartment.

Everyone now sat around staring at the camera that lay with its lens pointed at the ceiling.

"What did she want?" Keiichi asked quietly.

Urd shrugged, "She said she had some new information about Sayoko."

"Oh."

The camera began to rattle and a beam of light burst forth from the lens. Peorth hopped out and stood their, a very subdued look on her face. Belldandy was immediately concerned.

"Peorth? What's wrong?"

"The order has been given." Peorth said, "Sayoko is to be stopped by any means necessary."

Everyone was in shock.

"You mean they expect us to kill her!?!?" Asuka yelled.

"If it comes down to it, yes."

Belldandy closed her eyes and her head dropped. Keiichi wrapped his arms around her. Urd and Skuld glared at Peorth.

"Great Peorth." said Skuld angrily, "Really nice. Got any other wonderful news?"

"Actually, yes." Peorth held out a CD and tossed it on the floor. The CD glowed and spat out flame before Mara and another demon appeared. Rei's eyes widened when she saw that other demon. She was on her feet in an instant, pointing.

"That's the other demon!" she shouted, "The one from the ship!"

"Mara what's going on?" asked Urd.

Mara glanced at the demon beside her, then looked back at the others. "This is Ceres, Demon First Class. She is also technically a rogue demon."

"Why is she here?" Belldandy asked softly.

Mara looked at Ceres and prodded her. "Go on. Tell them."

Ceres looked at the floor before looking up. "Sayoko is the one that's been attacking you."

"We know."

Mara and Ceres looked at Asuka surprised.

"We found out earlier today. But what happened to her?"

"Yeah!" said Touji, "How'd she end up working with you?"

Ceres glanced at Belldandy, then at Mara. "Must I?"

Mara nodded. Ceres sighed and looked back.

"She was captured by a very old and powerful Demon." She said. "One who's name we dare not speak. She was supposedly lock away thousands of years ago, allowing Hild to rise to become Queen."

Urd frowned, "Mom locked her up? I thought demons liked their leaders powerful?"

"Not this one." Mara said, "She controlled Hell for a brief time, compared to then, Hell today is heaven."

"She didn't believe in just simply ruling Hell," continued Ceres, "she wanted everyone else crushed beneath her, including the heavens. She had no problems with ordering the death and torture of demons that followed her."

"She is also rumored to have a special ability." said Mara, "The ability to remove a mortals soul. That gave her the nick name: Soultaker"

"That explains what's been happening to the NERV people." said Skuld.

"What happened to my daughter?" asked Belldandy worriedly, wondering about her daughters fate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had returned to our lair and reported to SEELE of Proserpine's capture on the spaceship. Yes I bandaged the one Guardian who lay on the bridge, I really can't explain why I did it, but I did.

The Soultaker stepped out and told SEELE that she would handle me. She and SEELE get along, but only so far.

After SEELE vanished, she told me she required my assistance.

The Soultaker lead Ceres down a hallway.

"I suppose you've been wondering where I've been since you got the ship?" she asked.

"No Milady." replied Ceres, "It is not my place."

The Soultaker smiled, "You're correct. It's not your place."

She continued walking for a bit longer before stopping at a heavy door.

"Here we are." she said, "There are seals in place to prevent anyone from finding her, as well as to limit her power."

"Her Milady?"

The Soultaker opened the door. "Her."

Ceres looked in and swallowed heavily. Inside the room chained to the wall by her arms was a goddess. After several moments the goddess lifted her head and glared at the two demons. Ceres' eyes widened.

"Is that….?"

"Yes, the Goddess Sayoko, the grand-daughter of Kami-sama." The Soultaker walked up and grabbed Sayoko by the chin, holding her head up higher. "Anything to say to me today?"

Sayoko spat in her face.

The Soultaker wiped the offensive matter off of her face, then turned and smacked Sayoko hard. The goddess slammed back into the wall before collapsing, held up only by her chained arms.


"You will regret that." The Soultaker said softly. She grabbed Sayoko by the hair and pulled her roughly to her feet. "When I am done with you, the Kami-sama himself will cast you from the heavens!" She pulled a knife from her belt and roughly cut Sayoko's hair well above the neck. Sayoko sagged back down, supported by her chained arms. The Soultaker turned, still holding the cut off portion of the goddess's hair.

"Leave us Ceres. I will call you when you are needed." Her eyes then narrowed. "I expect you to be waiting for my call."

For the next 2 weeks, she was tortured by her. The Soultaker never rested, she wanted to break the Goddess……..and she succeeded. She also refused to allow me to leave, having set up a field which prevented teleportation, that being the only means of entering and leaving the lair. The next time I saw the goddess………

Ceres entered the chamber.

The Soultaker smiled grimly. "I see that you have learned to obey, as has our goddess here."

Ceres felt a lump in her throat when she saw the goddess. She was curled up in a fetal position on the floor, holding the remains of her clothes around her. Everytime someone spoke or took a step, the goddess jumped, so afraid she was.

"What are you going to do with her now?" asked Ceres quietly.

The Soultaker smiled. "I will make her my servant. Won't that be delicious, a Goddess to perform any task I set to her to." She reached down and pulled Sayoko to her feet. The goddess visibly shivered and closed her eyes, as if that would keep her safe. The Soultaker gently stroked her head. "There there, it will all be over soon." The Soultaker pressed her lips against Sayoko's. Sayoko's eyes went wide and she tried to push the demon away. Finally the demon released, allowing the goddess to fall to the floor. Sayoko twitched several times her hands clenching and unclenching. Her back then arc and a soul wrenching scream came from her mouth. After several moments, the goddess lay still.

"Is she dead?" asked Ceres.

"No." replied the Soultaker, "She merely awaits to be reborn. Arise Lucy! Arise and take your place by my side!"

The goddess shifted slightly before standing up in front of the demon. She stared at the demon unhesitatingly. The Soultaker smiled.

"Come Lucy. We have much to prepare you for."

Lucy was given the black armor of a demon, as well as an enchanted helmet created by the Soultaker. The helmet is supposed to give the wearer additional power, supplied by hell. Her first target was the UN Intelligence mortal, Aida. When Lucy fail, the Soultaker was furious. She tortured Lucy again, so that next time she would remember the price of failure. The Soultaker then gave her a new target, the Suzuhara woman. Then the SEELE Chairman called, said he had an emergency. She recalled Lucy and then the two left, leaving me alone for the first time in weeks. I left the lair and have been on the run ever since.

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Everyone had listened quietly while Ceres spoke. When she spoke of Sayoko's torture, Belldandy had hurriedly left the room, followed by Keiichi. Asuka was furious.

"We have to stop that demon and rescue Sayoko!"

"How?" asked Peorth, "She tossed you and Rei about like you were nothing."

"And the Soultaker is stronger then anything you have ever faced, demon or god." added Mara.

"So we separate them." Asuka looked at Ceres, "Where has that demon been when Sayoko attacked?"

"She usually stayed in the lair." replied Ceres.

"There we go. We draw Sayoko out."

"And how do we intend to do that?" asked Touji.

"Bait of course!"

"What do you mean……" Touji began, then his eyes widened. "Oh no! You're not going to make MY Hikari bait. No way!"

"Listen to my plan first." said Asuka, "Hikari will be perfectly safe, trust me."

Asuka spent the next 15 minutes explaining her idea. After she was done, she looked around.

"Any questions?"

No one had any.

"Alright." said Asuka, "Once you (She pointed at Peorth, Skuld, and Urd) figure out a way to help Sayoko, we'll start."

Skuld stood up. "Guess I'd better go bring Sigel and Banpei back down here."

Urd grabbed Mara and Peorth. "Come on. We have a spell to break."

Mara struggled against Urd. "Why are you dragging me along?!"

"Because you're a demon." Urd glanced over at Ceres. "And you're coming too."

Ceres paled, then dropped her head. "I knew this was coming…….."

Urd frowned. "What?"

"You're going to kill me….."

"No we're not." Urd replied, "Look you've been around the Soultaker for a bit. You can help us figure out how to break the spell."

"What about after?"

Urd was quiet for a second. "I really don't know what will happen after."

Ceres sighed. "I understand. I guess I'll take the risk for that goddess."

Urd smiled, "If anything, you'll have me and most of the family on your side for helping us."

"Right!" shouted Asuka, "Let's go people! We have a goddess to rescue!"

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Author's Notes: You know, this guy named RalphP1024 has been giving me instant feed back as soon as I post the chapters. His usual comment is: You're a basterd Slayer.

To which I reply: I have not yet begun to be one. ^^

It's also really fun to watch the reviews pop up and see each one guess on what could happen in the next chapter or later in the fic.

Sometimes you hit the nail right on the head, other times you miss completely.

Ghouls: The Undead created when a Vampire feeds off of a human and is not made into a vampire. Typically the impure, non-virgins become Ghouls as only virgins can become vampires. Ghouls feed off of the living and the dead alike and are very hard to kill. Usually takes a shot to the heart or head to kill completely.

Next Chapter:

The Soultaker walks out from behind the curtain to a loud roar of boos and hisses. The demon bows to the audience.

"Thank you for your affection. It's good to be so bad." She lets out a loud cackle.

"In the next chapter! The Guardians and the Goddesses move into action to stop me and Lucy. Will they stop me? Will they save poor little Sayoko? Or will Evil triumph?!"

"GAHHH!" Cayla jumps out and knocks the Soultaker off into the orcestra pit. "Get off the stage you bitch!" Cayla freezes and looks out into the audience, then blushes. "Ohh…hi….uhhh…JA NE!"