Chapter 5
Lime, Keima, Cherry, Bloodberry, Yui, and Arael appeared in a flash next to a large vehicle. Standing beside the vehicle was Lord Faust. If he was surprised by their sudden appearance, he didn't show it.
"Lime, Cherry, Bloodberry." He nodded to each girl, then looked at the three deities. "I had heard you were back."
Yui gave a small smile. "Nice to see you to Lord Faust."
"What about Dad and Mom?" asked Cherry.
Faust turned and pointed. Beyond him was the building that the three girls had called home. Half of the house was now gone, collapsed into a large crater. As they looked down into the crater, they could see the honeycomb of caves that lay beneath the surface of Terra 2.
"Baiko and Tamasaburo have been searching the caves for them." Faust said, "Their sensors are being hampered by minerals in the rock. So far, they have found nothing."
"What about the Saber Dolls?" asked Bloodberry.
"They're still in space. I left a message for them to come straight here." Faust glanced over at the three deities. "I don't suppose you can help?"
"We intend to try." Yui said as she glanced at the crater.
"Yui." Keima said, "Can I speak to you and Arael a second?"
Yui frowned but followed Keima and Arael away from the mortals.
"What is it?" asked Yui.
Keima glanced back at the others before looking at Yui and Arael. When he spoke, it was in the god's language.
"How are we going to help them?" he asked, "I can barely read Lime's mind right now as it is. We're too weak."
"We can't just sit here and do nothing." Yui said, "Besides, with Arael here…………"
"I can't do any spells." Arael said, "I was created for one purpose: to battle demons."
Yui frowned, "You can't?"
"No. That is what Gods were for. We were………..Warhammer so to speak."
"Great." muttered Yui, "We are we going to do now? Sniff them out like bloodhounds?"
"Maybe." Yui and Arael looked at Keima
"What are you thinking?" asked Yui.
Keima looked at Arael, "Do you have your communicator handy?"
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Earth
Neo-Tokyo
The apartment was dark as it was 3 in the morning. A slight buzzing noise could be heard coming from a small device on the dresser. A shape under the covers of the bed shifted around as the buzzing became more obnoxious. Finally with a groan, the covers were tossed aside revealing Sayoko in an oversized t-shirt. She walked up to the dresser and hit several buttons on the device, muttering as she did so. In the air above the device, it hazed slightly before showing the static filled foot tall image of her sibling.
"Hiya Onee-sama!" Keima said with smile.
Sayoko did a quick glance at the communicator to make sure it was only sending him an image of her from the shoulders up before glaring at her brother.
"Do you realize what time it is?!" she shouted.
Keima winced, "Ouch, your still on earth aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Sorry." Keima said.
"I forgive you, but this had better be important."
"Otaru and Lorelei are missing." Keima said, "They might be trapped down in a cave that was hit by a meteor."
Sayoko blinked, "Meteor? What's been going on there?!"
"A lot of things." Keima replied, "Look, Mom can't help because it's a mortal issue."
Sayoko frowned, "Then why are you calling me? I can't reverse Mom's decision."
"No you can't." Keima said, "But I was hoping to might be convinced to bring Celes over here."
Sayoko leaned closer to the image of her brother, and smiled slightly when the foot tall hologram recoiled in fear.
"Do you realize what you're asking?" Sayoko shook her head, "No, of course you know what you're asking. Do you realize how much trouble I could get in?"
Keima was about to reply when he was knocked out of the way, replaced by the image of………Lime?!
"Please." Lime said, "Please help my parents."
Sayoko looked away. She couldn't bare to look into those pain filled eyes. After several moments, she looked back.
"I'll ask Celes." She said, "But no guarantees."
Lime smiled, "Thank you."
Sayoko pressed a button on the device and the image faded. She then turned and headed out of her room towards Celes', hoping that the she was awake.
The Vampire had the nasty tendency to bite people who woke her up unexpectedly.
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Otaru glanced over at Lorelei. She had finally fallen asleep. The last several hours had been really hard for her. First off, they were buried deep beneath the surface. The cave they had been in hadn't been deep enough. The meteor's impact had caused many areas of the cave system to collapse. They were lucky to have survived the collapse, only now to suffer the slow death of starvation. Or would dehydration kill them first? Either way, Otaru could do nothing. His leg was caught under a rock. It wasn't crushed, but pinned enough that he couldn't get out from under it. Otaru lay back and closed his eyes. In his mind, he wondered how the girls were doing.
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"Who is Celes anyway?" asked Cherry.
"Friend of my sisters." Keima said, "A very old friend."
"Also rather mysterious." Yui said, "I've never gotten to meet her, and Mom and Dad say it's up to Sayoko to tell me about her." Yui glanced over at Arael. Arael shook her head.
"Sayoko has never mentioned a Celes to me." Arael said.
Keima turned his head suddenly. "Doesn't matter. They're here."
The ground a short distance away from them had begun to glow. Wind began to blow leaves and twigs about the circle. Faster and faster until there was bright flash. The debris fell to the earth, revealing a hooded figure and a blond woman with sunglasses standing in spot the circle had been. Keima took a few steps towards the hooded figure.
"You know," he said, "You really have to stop dressing like that. You look like those bad guys from that sci-fi movie Touji and Shinji were watching."
"Cute." muttered the figure, "Real cute. I suppose next you'll say Celes looks like she's from the Matrix?"
"Well……."
"Never mind." The figure pulled back her hood, revealing her face. Sayoko smiled at her brother. "How's life with 5 girls?"
Keima shrugged, "Not bad. There are times I really want to ask Dad how he did it." He pointed to the girls. "I believe you remember Cherry and Bloodberry." Sayoko nodded to the two girls. "And this of course is Lime."
Sayoko smiled, "We've met." She then glanced over to the older man. "You still keeping the Saber Dolls inline?"
Faust smiled, "It's been difficult, but they seem to be behaving."
"Right." Sayoko pointed to the blond. "Allow me to introduce Celes Victoria."
Celes waved.
"And how is she going to help us?" asked Bloodberry.
"Celes has a rather unique ability." Keima replied, "She has a very keen sense of smell."
"And what does she use it for?"
Celes smiled, revealing a set of fangs. "It's to help me find food."
Bloodberry and Cherry ran behind Faust while Lime hid behind Keima. Even Faust was surprised.
"What are you?"
"Celes happens to be a Vampire." Sayoko said, "Something that has never been on Terra 2, and probably never will." She looked at Celes. "Ready?"
Celes nodded. Both proceeded towards the crater. Celes then put an arm around Sayoko as they stepped off and dropped. By the time the others had made it to the edge, they could only catch a glimpse of Sayoko's cloak vanishing into a cave.
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"Everything set?" asked Tiger.
Luchs nodded, "The Plasma Tanks are rigged to blow on my command."
Tiger pressed a button on the control panel.
"Is our passenger alright back there Panther?"
"She's weak, but I think I can get her up and about by the time we land."
Tiger smiled, "I wouldn't expect anything less. Especially after what you two did for me." Tiger grabbed hold of the controls. "Hold tight. We're launching."
Tiger hit the switch which engaged the main engines. The ship roared away from the Neomesopotamia.
"5,000……….10,000." Luchs rattled off distances.
"When we hit 40,000 hit it." Tiger said.
"Right. 25,000."
Tiger flipped a switch. A screen beside her lit up to show the Neomesopotamia rapidly vanishing behind them.
"Here it comes. 35,000……."
"Get ready Panther!" Tiger shouted.
"40,000!" Luchs hit the switch.
Behind them, space went bright white as the Plasma Tanks detonated. The screen Tiger had been looking at broke up into static as the camera was overloaded. Seconds later the ship began to violently vibrate as the effects of the blast reached them. A minute later, it was over.
"Status!" called out Tiger.
"All systems Online." replied Luchs, "According to sensors, there are no Asteroids on collision course for Terra 2."
"We did it." Tiger said with a smile, "How are you two doing back there Panther?"
"We're fine." Panther said, "Just so long as we don't have to do that again."
"We won't." Tiger looked over at Luchs. "Send a message to Lord Faust and tell him we're on our way back."
"Roger."
Tiger continued to fly the ship back towards Terra 2. A few minutes later, she heard Luchs gasp.
"What is it Luchs?"
"One of the last meteors to hit Terra 2 landed near Otaru and Lorelei Maimya's. They told Lord Faust they were going underground. They haven't been heard from since."
Tiger turned around and adjusted their course so they could land at the Maimya house. She then hit a switch.
"Panther…………"
"We heard. She's……..she's not happy Tiger."
"I'm getting us there as fast as I can." Tiger said. "Just hold on."
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Celes had removed her sunglasses as her eyes were well suited for the dark. Sayoko's unfortunately, were not. She let out another curse as she tripped on a rock.
"You know for a Goddess you sure curse a lot." Celes said.
"I'm a new age Goddess." Sayoko replied, "Besides, You've never heard Grandpa swear."
"Your kidding." Celes said in shock.
"Nope." Sayoko ducked to avoid a low hanging rock, "Curses things in his name quite a bit, usually after Urd screws up."
"Kami-sama taking his own name in vain." Celes said, "Strange."
Sayoko shrugged, "Any trace of them?"
"I can smell something." Celes said, "A bit of perfume, but I the smell of lubricant oil is a bit stronger."
"Must be near Baiko and Tamasaburo." Sayoko said, "If we run into them, let me talk. They should remember me."
"Right."
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Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry paced back and forth next to the crater Keima sat on the ground, watching Lime. Arael stood of to the side with Yui, who was drawing intricate circles on the ground.
"I can't stand this!" shouted Bloodberry. She turned and started towards the crater. Cherry stopped her.
"And where do you think you're going?" she asked.
"Out of my way." muttered Bloodberry, "I'm going to search for Mom and Dad."
"You'll just get in the way." replied Cherry.
"Or lost." added Lime.
"But I can't just sit here and do nothing!" shouted Bloodberry, "I want to hel……"
A loud bang cut her off. Everyone looked over to see a large burn mark on the ground in front of slightly scorched Yui. The guardian was motionless, her arms remaining over the remains of her circles, blinking confused. Behind her, Arael was picking herself up.
"What the hell was that?" asked Bloodberry.
"Search spell." Keima said softly, "Usually used to track down demons. Yui tried to set it up for mortals."
"Did it work?"
Keima shook his head.
"Small explosions are not the sign of a successful spell. The sign of a successful spell is…." Keima stopped speaking and stared at Lime. "What's wrong Lime?"
Lime was holding onto her head.
"I don't know." She said, "I just…..it doesn't hurt……just…..something weird."
Keima walked up to Lime and held her. As he did so, Bloodberry called out.
"There's a ship coming."
Everyone turned and looked up.
"It's the Saber Dolls." Faust said, "They must have completed their mission."
With a roar, the ship came down and landed near the group. A ramp lowered down to the ground while the hatch slowly slid open. Then something ran out of the ship and vanished off into the crater. Everyone blinked. The object had been nothing but a blur, a blur with squeaking shoes. Squeaking shoes? Faust and Yui both realized they had heard that sound before.
"It can't be……" He muttered.
"It is sir."
The Saber Dolls had exited the ship and were now standing next to Faust.
"You found them?" Yui asked.
The Saber Doll nodded. "We found her and the others on the ship." Tiger continued, "She was the only one in any shape to be repaired."
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Celes stopped walking. Sayoko looked at her curiously.
"What is it?"
"I hear……squeaking." Celes said.
"Squeaking? You mean a mouse?"
"No. This is……too fast"
Sayoko listened. Celes was right. She could hear a rapid squeaking, coming closer by the second. A familiar squeaking.
"It can't be……." She muttered.
"Can't be what?" asked Celes.
Before Sayoko could respond, something blew past them. Seconds after it went by, Celes and Sayoko were hit by the trailing dust cloud. Sayoko's cloak and Celes' jacket whipped about from the wind. A smile came to Sayoko's face.
"Come on." Sayoko started to run after the figure.
"What?" asked Celes.
"If that's who I think it is….She'll lead us right to Otaru and Lorelei."
"What? How?"
"She's following her heart."
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WHAM!
Otaru opened his eyes and glanced around. He and Lorelei were still trapped in the cave. But something woke him up.
WHAM!
Lorelei sat up.
"You hear that?" she asked.
"How could I not." replied Otaru.
WHAM!
A wall across from them began to crack, debris sliding down to the floor. Then the wall burst into the chamber. Otaru and Lorelei covered their faces from the flying rubble. When the dust cleared, footsteps could be heard entering the chamber.
Squeaking ones.
Otaru's eyes went wide as he stared at the figure before him.
"It……can't be……"
Before him was Lime, not his daughter, but the original marionette. Her outfit was scorched and torn, and her arms and legs had bandages wrapped around them, but it was here.
"Otaru!" she shouted as she fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around him. Tears fell from her eyes.
"Lime!" Otaru wrapped his arms around her. Lorelei finally came out of her own shock and joined him in hugging Lime. At the entrance, two people watched.
Sayoko smiled. Celes just looked confused.
"Who is that?"
"That's Lime." replied Sayoko.
"His daughter?"
"No, the Marionette."
Celes shook her head. "You're going to have to explain this all to me."
"I will." Sayoko entered the chamber, "First lets get them to the surface."
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Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry had resumed their pacing. No matter how hard the three tried, Faust, Yui, and the Saber Dolls refused to tell who 'them' were, or even what had ran past them. Keima was once again sitting on the ground watching Lime pace.
* Hey Brat! *
Keima frowned. * I hate it when you call me that Onee-sama. What is it? *
He heard Sayoko chuckle. * Tell your girlfriend and her sisters we're on our way out. *
"Lime!" shouted Keima, "My sister says they'll be right……."
There was a bright flash and five figures appeared, two of them supporting a third between them.
"DAD! MOM!" shouted the 3 girls as they ran forward and Lorelei and Otaru.
"……nevermind." muttered Keima. He then felt someone's arm around his shoulder.
"You were too slow" Sayoko said.
Keima just glared at his sister.
"Lime?" Yui walked slowly towards the marionette. "Is that you?"
The marionette nodded. "Yui, you got old."
Yui glared at Lime. "I'm not that old!"
"You are!"
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Are not!"
"And here I thought she had grown out of that." muttered Sayoko.
"Must be Misato's influence." Keima replied.
"Must be."
"Dad," asked Lime, "Who's that? She looks like me."
"Yeah!" added Bloodberry, "Why does she look like Lime?"
Otaru glanced over at Lorelei. "How do we explain this one?"
Lorelei looked at the girls. "First we get your father medical attention and find a place to stay. Then we'll explain everything."
Sayoko stepped forward. "About the house………"
"What about it?" asked Lorelei.
Sayoko closed her eyes and held her arms out from her sides as she slowly floated upwards, stopping about a foot off the ground. She then brought them together and an energy ball formed. She then raised the energy ball above her head. The ball floated up into the sky before bursting. Everyone watched in awe as the ground pulled itself back together. The house to, slowly reformed in front of them. By the time Sayoko's feet returned to the ground, there was no sign of any damage to the house.
Only Lime (the Marionette) gave voice to what everyone was thinking.
"Wow."
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Inside the house, Lorelei, Otaru, Faust, and the Saber Dolls told the 3 girls and Keima everything about the Marionettes Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry. Most of it the girls had heard before in school. But hearing about them from the people who knew them, as well as their own origins was surprising to them.
"So what's going to happen to her now?" asked Lime.
"And the other 2 marionettes?" asked Cherry.
Lime (the Marionette) looked up from where she had been sitting. She hadn't said a thing since entering the house, but in her mind, she was wondering the same exact thing.
"Well," Lorelei said, "First we're going to repair Lime so that she looks as good as new."
"There's nothing we can do for Cherry and Bloodberry." Otaru said sadly, "We'll see about placing them inside the memorial at the Terra 2 Pioneer History Museum."
"I'll help with that." Faust spoke up.
"Us too!" all three Saber Dolls said.
"But what will happen to Lime after?" asked Lime again.
Otaru looked over and found the marionette's eyes on him.
"She'll stay here with us of course!"
Lime (the marionette) looked over at Lorelei in surprise.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Really Really?"
"Really really really." Lorelei said with a smile.
"Yay!"
"Boy she really is like Lime." Bloodberry whispered into Cherry's ear.
"Hey!" Lime shouted and tackled her sisters, "That's mean!"
"Grrr!" Bloodberry grabbed hold of Lime and began to wrestle against her with Cherry's help.
"No fair!" shouted Lime, "Keima help!"
Keima laughed as the girls wrestled about. He then stopped when he noticed their eyes lock on him.
"Hey now," he said backing up, "There's no need to……."
"GET HIM!" shouted Bloodberry as the three dove at him. Keima floated off the ground avoiding them He then landed back on the floor and took off out the door. The three girls were after him in a second.
"Well at least things are back to normal." Otaru said with a sigh.
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Lime walked around the house, looking carefully behind every bush and into every tree for Keima.
'Geez,' she thought, 'When he wants to disappear…….' She froze as a painful thought entered her head. 'What if he returned home to heaven…….?'
"He didn't."
Lime whirled about to find herself face to face with Sayoko.
"Oh!" Lime glanced around, "Where are Yui, Arael, and Celes?"
"Yui and Arael are taking Celes back to Earth." Sayoko said, "but they'll be back. I wanted to speak with you."
"Me?" Lime looked at the goddess nervously.
"Yes you." Sayoko walked over and sat on a rock. "I want to hear it straight from you. What do you think of my brother?"
"What do I think of your brother?" Lime asked.
The goddess' blue eyes continued to stare at her.
"I……I haven't had anything like this in the past to compare it to." Lime said, "They kept the boys and girls separate in school. Only time we saw each other was after school." Lime took a deep breath. "Keima is unlike anyone I've met. He's kind, caring………..I think……..I think I love him." She looked back at Sayoko. "Is that what you want to hear?"
Sayoko stood up and walked over to Lime.
"I've been around for 500 years." Sayoko said softly, "In that time I've only had one true love. He vanished a long time ago, and I still feel the pain of it to this day. I just want to make sure my brother isn't about to experience the same pain."
"I don't want to hurt him." Lime said softly, "I care about him to much to hurt him."
"I know you do." Sayoko said softly. She then reached up and pulled a piece of her earring off. She held it tightly in her hand. There was a soft glow that faded quickly. Sayoko then opened her hand to reveal a necklace with the earring piece on it.
"Here." Sayoko offered it to Lime. "Hold on to that. If you or Keima ever need assistance, squeeze that and I will come."
Lime took the necklace and put it around her neck. Sayoko smiled.
"Take care of my brother."
"I will." Lime said, "If I could find him."
"Oh, that's easy." Sayoko turned and pointed, "He's hiding in your old room."
Lime stared at Sayoko stunned. Then turned and ran into the house. Minutes later there was a loud shout as Lime pounced on Keima. Sayoko smiled before vanishing into the night.