Chapter 3
Asuka entered the diner and looked around.
"Over here."
Asuka turned to see someone waving to her. Asuka looked over and just stared. The person waving to her was female, but wore jeans and a loose t-shirt under a leather jack. She also wore a baseball cap and sunglasses. The girl frowned and waved again.
* Get over here! *
Asuka walked over and sat down across from the girl. "Sayoko?"
"Who do you think it is? Gendo Ikari?" said Sayoko, sipping her tea.
"What's with the outfit?"
Sayoko frowned again, "In case you hadn't noticed, we're not in Tokyo-2 anymore."
"Yeah I noticed. We're in Old Nekomi, only it isn't that old right now."
"That's because we've been sent to the past."
"No kidding," replied Asuka, "I hadn't noticed, especially when I get picked up by people who are gone and taken to a temple that should have caved in."
Sayoko took off her sunglasses and stared at Asuka, "You what?!"
Asuka let out a sigh, "I got a lift into town from where I woke up by a guy on a motorcycle. It ended up being your dad."
"You saw my dad?"
"Gets better, I also met your mom and both of your Aunts." Asuka shook her head, "I even got to see one of their famous fights. Your Aunt Skuld is pretty vicious for a 12 year old."
Sayoko stared down at the table, "12 years old hmm. That would mean...."
Asuka looked at Sayoko confused, "What?"
Sayoko looked up at Asuka, " Based on what you just said, we're about 21 years in the past. My mom has only been on earth for a little over a year, Urd a year, and Skuld less." Sayoko glanced at something behind Asuka. "Damn, I'm an idiot!" Sayoko got up and walked over to a pile of newspapers. She grabbed one and came back with it. "I should have thought about this. This can tell us the exact date."
"So what is it?"
Sayoko scanned the page. Her face went pale.
"What is it?!"
Sayoko flipped the paper around. Asuka looked at the date, January 11, 1997.
"So, you're right." said Asuka, "What's the matter?"
"Asuka," said Sayoko quietly, "That means we're here just after my mom almost got recalled."
"Huh?"
Sayoko pulled out of her shirt the chain with the ring on it. "Was she wearing this?"
Asuka looked at the ring, "I'm not sure, but I think so."
"Dad gave this to my mom for Christmas that year. He almost didn't have the chance. She was already being pulled towards heaven when my Aunts set off a large spell in the yard that closed the gate."
"Big circle thing with God's writing around it?"
"Yeah. Hey how did you know?"
"It's there burned into the ground. Why don't you come back with me?"
Sayoko shook her head, "No."
"Why not?"
"Asuka, until I can figure out what exactly got us here, it's best if I don't see them and that you don't mention anything about the future to them."
"But they might be able to help us!" said Asuka, "I want to get home to Shinji!"
Sayoko closed her eyes, "Alright. Talk to them. But do not mention me."
Asuka frowned, "Why not? I'm going to have to mention you're here at some point."
Sayoko let out a sigh, "Fine, if you have to, mention me. But do not tell them my last name, domain, my angel's name, or class. It will just raise to many questions and I don't want to risk screwing up our future more then we have."
"What do you mean?"
"We do one thing wrong, and there's a good possibility that we could wipe out our future."
"You mean we could prevent 2nd Impact?" asked Asuka, "What's wrong with that?"
"Because then you would never had piloted Eva, and thus never would have met Shinji."
Asuka's eyes went wide, "Oh. Is that why you're wearing that outfit?"
Sayoko nodded, "Other then my hair, I look almost exactly like my mom. I don't want to run the risk of running into someone that knows her."
Asuka glanced back up at the clock, "I'd better get back. Your mom was making breakfast."
Sayoko looked at Asuka, sorrow in her eyes, "Really?"
"Yeah, you sure you don't want to come?"
Sayoko shook her head, "As much as I want to see them, I just can't risk it. Oh here." Sayoko reached up and pulled a piece off of her earring, "Take this."
"What is it?"
"A Maxwell's Demon stone." replied Sayoko, "I have its twin with me. Just give it a squeeze when you need me. And make sure you have a mirror handy. That way I don't have to listen to you cursing my name."
Asuka blushed, "You heard all that?"
Sayoko glared at Asuka, "Yes, every last comment."
Asuka shrank under Sayoko's glare, "Sorry."
"You're forgiven. Now get out of here."
Asuka got up and started to leave.
"Asuka."
Asuka looked back at Sayoko.
"I will get you back to Shinji, I promise."
Asuka nodded, "Thank you Sayoko."
Asuka left, leaving Sayoko alone at the table.
'Now I just have to figure out how to fulfill that promise.' thought Sayoko.
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Asuka hurried back to the temple. She stepped inside just as Belldandy was serving breakfast. Urd, Skuld, and Keiichi all sat around the table.
"There you are!" said Belldandy, "I was wondering where you went."
"I'm sorry," said Asuka, "I went for a walk. I had to think about a few things."
"Like what?" asked Keiichi.
"About what I'm about to say to you all."
"And what's that?" asked Skuld.
Asuka sighed, 'Here goes nothing.' "I'm not from this time."
"What?" everyone asked.
"I'm from 21 years in the future." said Asuka, "There was an accident that sent me here to the past."
Urd began to snicker, "That's funny! You're from the future. Hahaha."
Skuld also laughed, "Yeah, that's just so unbelievable to be true!"
Asuka looked over at Belldandy. Belldandy was just staring at her, holding the breakfast tray with a strange look on her face.
"Are you ok Belldandy-sama?" asked Asuka.
"Wh...Wh...What did you call her?" asked Urd, between laughs.
"Belldandy-sama." replied Asuka, "After all, she is a goddess."
CRASH!
The breakfast tray hit the floor, sending food everywhere. But no one paid any attention to it. Their eyes were all on Asuka and what she had just said. Belldandy was now openly shocked, as was Skuld, Urd and Keiichi. Belldandy was the first to recover.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"I told you, I'm from the future." said Asuka. "A friend of mine is a goddess, and through her I met Skuld and Urd."
Urd leaned forward over the table towards Asuka, "Prove it."
Asuka smiled, "Urd, Goddess Second Class Restricted, Goddess of the Past."
Urd sat back stunned, "Ok, That proves it for me."
Skuld looked at Asuka, "You met me in the future?"
Asuka nodded, "Skuld, Goddess Fir...Second Class Limited, Goddess of Future." Asuka leaned in closer to Skuld, "You also love Ice Cream."
"Wait you were going to say First Class weren't you?" asked Skuld.
"Uhhh No." lied Asuka.
Skuld's face lit up. "You're lying, I can tell." She immediately turned to Urd. "I'm going to be a First class before you will. Ha!"
Urd just glared at her younger sister before turning to look at Asuka.
"Sorry, it slipped." said Asuka, apologetically, "I was told by my friend I shouldn't say too much about the future."
"Can you at least tell us how you got here?" asked Keiichi.
"I was inside a computer facility with several other people. We were about to power up the newest computer cores. Just after they turned them on, I saw something in the core. A bunny with eight legs....."
"A BUG!" shouted everyone in the room.
Asuka frowned, "That's what Sayoko called it to. What is it?"
"It's a glitch in Yggdrasil." said Skuld, "They cause all sorts of problems and..."
"You debug the computer with your hammer." finished Asuka.
Skuld frowned, "Hey how did you know?"
"Because you've also debugged a few of my friends with it. Anyway, after I pointed it out to Sayoko, she called out 'BUG!' It must have bit into a power cable cause the thing was zapped and then it passed through it to me and Sayoko."
"Who is Sayoko?" asked Belldandy.
'Uh oh.' "She's my Goddess friend."
"Really? I've never heard of a Goddess named Sayoko. What's her class and domain?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?" asked Urd.
"She told me I shouldn't tell you because it might screw up the future."
"Oh."
"So the power went through the bug, then to you and the goddess?" asked Keiichi.
"Yeah, then I woke up on that hill where you found me."
"So where's Sayoko?" asked Urd.
Asuka looked down at the table. "When I woke up, she wasn't anywhere near me."
"So why didn't you tell us all of this last night?" asked Keiichi.
"Well," Asuka looked down at the table for a few seconds before looking back. "I was confused and trying to make sense of everything. I mean, seeing the temple and Belldandy-sama......"
"Please," said Belldandy, "You don't need to say the -sama. But what is it about the temple and myself that is odd?"
"Uh, well, uh...you see." Asuka thought quickly, 'Dammit How do I answer that without telling them she's supposed to be 'dead'?' "Well, let me put it this way. To you, right now, Skuld is how old?"
"I'm 12." replied Skuld.
"The last time I saw you, you were 30 and as tall as Belldandy."
"Really?!" Skuld looked at Asuka with pure joy in her eyes. "I'm going to be just as tall as Belldandy and a First Class! YAY!"
Asuka put her head down onto the table, "I think I said too much."
Belldandy just smiled, "Don't worry. We won't tell. As to returning you to your own time, we'll see what we can do."
"How?" asked Skuld, "We can't use Yggdrasil. It's down. And even if we do figure out how to do it, without Yggdrasil we don't have the power for it, these Moon rock bracelets won't give us the energy we need."
"Huh? Moon rocks?" Asuka looked at the goddesses confused, "What do you need moon rocks for?"
"With Yggdrasil down we can't get our power through the normal method," replied Belldandy. "And going to our back up method can be....time consuming. So we have to use these bracelets to provide us with power."
Asuka started to get worried, "Does that affect all the gods or just you?"
"Only the ones on earth." replied Belldandy, "It really doesn't affect us as much in heaven. Why?"
Asuka got up from the table quickly, "I have to contact someone."
"Who?"
"Sayoko."
Belldandy looked puzzled for a moment. Then her eyes lit up in recognition, "Oh. Your friend."
Asuka nodded and went outside. As she did she reached into her pocket and pulled out a pocket mirror and the demon stone. She went off to the woods on the side of the temple area where she could not be seen and set the mirror on the ground. She then squeezed the stone and waited. Unnoticed by her, another person stood watching from the brush, wondering what Asuka was doing. Suddenly the mirror flashed and Sayoko burst forth from it, still wearing the clothes Asuka had seen her in at the diner, including the hat and sunglasses.
"Asuka." said Sayoko, "It hasn't been that long since I saw you. What's up?"
"Sayoko, how are you getting your powers right now?"
"Huh?" Sayoko asked confused.
"Belldandy told me that right now Yggdrasil is crashed. They're using Moon rocks or something."
Sayoko stared at Asuka, "Wait a second. Yggdrasil crashed?"
"Yes, Yggdrasil crashed. So where are you getting your powers?"
Sayoko let out a sigh, "I don't know."
"Why not?"
"Look," began Sayoko, taking off her sunglasses, "First off, We're in the wrong time. I don't know why I have powers but it's better then nothing. Second, I'm half goddess, half mortal. There are very few like me. Maybe 20 or so total. We only make up about 1% of the population of heaven, the rest are pure god or goddess. Since I've never experienced a total power loss as the result of a crash, I really don't know." Sayoko looked at the ground. "So what did they say?"
While Asuka was talking, the figure slowly moved around, trying to get a better look at Sayoko.
"So they will help us?" asked Sayoko.
"They said they would do their best, but with Yggdrasil down, they...."
"GASP!"
Sayoko and Asuka turned and looked to the bushes.
"Who's there?" called out Sayoko.
The bushes moved to reveal Skuld, who was staring wide-eyed at Sayoko.
'Oh hell' thought Sayoko.
"I wa... wa... was curious..." Skuld kept staring and stammering, "You...you...you look like....You look like Belldandy."
Sayoko let out a sigh, "Asuka, I thought I said I didn't want them to see me."
"I didn't know she followed me." replied Asuka.
"Who are you?" asked Skuld.
"What I'm about to say you can't tell anyone." said Sayoko, "Not even Kami-sama."
"Alright."
"I hate to do this but," Sayoko looked at Skuld, "I need you to promise me you won't."
Skuld gulped, "Uhh, Ok I promise, I will tell no one."
Sayoko looked back at Asuka before turning back to Skuld. "I am Sayoko Morisato," Skuld gasped at the name, "Goddess 1st Class Type 2 Unlimited."
"But...that means..."
"My Parents are Keiichi and Belldandy Morisato."
"Noooooo!" shouted Skuld, "How could they have gotten married! He's a mortal!"
"I'm not about to explain how they got together." said Sayoko, "It happened, or will happen."
"Even if it does happen, I still don't have to like it!"
"Forget about that for now. How did Yggdrasil crash?"
Skuld looked down at the ground, slightly embarrassed. "Urd and I created a Magic Warding Circle to help Belldandy. When it went off, it not only disrupted the return gate, but it also caused Yggdrasil to crash."
Sayoko began to pace back and forth, "Wait. Your saying the Ultimate Magic circle of Warding crashed Yggdrasil?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Sayoko turned around and faced Asuka. "Asuka this just became more complicated."
Asuka looked at Sayoko confused, "How? I thought all you had to do was figure out how to get us back to the future."
"Asuka, from what I know of what happened, from both my parents, my aunts, and grandfather, Yggdrasil didn't crash until they tried to recall Urd over a year later after the Lord of Terror was freed."
"Who?"
Skuld just stared at Sayoko, "The Lord of Terror?!"
Sayoko waved her hand, "Nevermind that now. The important thing is that Yggdrasil didn't crash. That means that the history I know, and what has happened here is different."
"What does that mean?" asked Asuka.
"Alternate Universe." said Skuld.
Sayoko nodded, "It's the only thing that makes sense."
Asuka looked at the two goddesses confused, "Alternate what?"
"Alternate Universe," explained Sayoko, "Somehow that bug not only sent us into the past, but also a different version of the past."
"So that means we don't have to worry about preventing our births and screwing up the future?" asked Asuka.
"Technically, yes."
"So why don't you come back to the temple with us?" asked Asuka, "I mean, you can see Urd, talk to your parents."
Sayoko shook her head. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because they aren't my parents." said Sayoko, "I mean, technically they are, or will be, but these aren't." Sayoko turned away, "Besides, I'll just lose them again when we go back."
Skuld looked over at Asuka, "What does she mean 'lose them again'?"
Asuka looked at Sayoko who was still looking away, "Her parents died when she was 4."
Sayoko whirled about. "ASUKA!"
Skuld stared stunned, "But...but...Belldandy is a goddess! How could she..?" Skuld couldn't bring herself to say the word.
Sayoko glared at Asuka, "I thought I said no revealing future events."
Asuka looked down at the ground, "Sorry, it slipped."
Sayoko sighed then looked back at Skuld, "As Goddess of the Future, you know there are many possibilities." Skuld nodded. "Since your present is different from our past, it is possible to assume that our present is one of your possible futures, so don't worry about losing her."
Skuld nodded, "So what should we do about returning you to your own time?"
Sayoko closed her eyes in thought, "First, we find that bug. If it brought Asuka and me here, it should be able to send us back."
"And second?"
Sayoko looked at Skuld, "How bad off is Yggdrasil?"
"I'm not sure." said Skuld, "We knocked out the return gate, and the PDS is definitely down..."
"PDS?" asked Asuka.
"Power Distribution System." said Sayoko, "It's where we normally get our power from." She then turned back to Skuld, "But is the rest of it up?"
Skuld nodded, "I think so. Why?"
"If I remember what my Aunt said correctly, " began Sayoko, "She was able to access Yggdrasil using Dad's computer. Have you been able to do that?"
Skuld blushed, "I uh...well....yeah, I can access Yggdrasil."
"Good, I want to search the historical files and see if anything like this has ever been recorded before."
"But you won't be able to get on it now." said Skuld, "With half the system down, only the SysOps and the Admins have access to it."
Sayoko smiled, "Fortunately, I know of a few backways into Yggdrasil as well as a few passwords, I can get in."
"Um, Question." Both Goddesses turned to look at Asuka. "How are you going to get to the computer? You'd have to go by Belldandy, Keiichi, and Urd, and you didn't want them to see you."
Sayoko and Skuld looked at each other.
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Belldandy was still cleaning off the table when Skuld and Asuka walked back in.
"Oh! Did you get ahold of your friend?"
Asuka nodded.
"That's good." Belldandy then looked at Skuld, "Why did you go out?"
"I err uhhh."
A voice whispered something, and Asuka repeated it, "Oh, She went down to the electronics store to see what parts they had. She's planning on building a robot."
Skuld turned and looked at Asuka stunned. Belldandy didn't notice. "Oh that's nice. You always enjoyed building things."
"Umm Yeah." said Skuld, still looking at Asuka. Noticing that Belldandy was still watching them, Asuka grabbed Skuld's arm.
"You were going to show me the plans for the robot remember." She began to pull Skuld towards her room.
Belldandy watched as Skuld was dragged away. "That Asuka is a very interesting person."
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Asuka pulled Skuld through the door that said 'Skuld Labs' and quickly shut it. Skuld rubbed her shoulder and glared at Asuka.
"You didn't have to pull my arm out of its socket."
Asuka returned the glare, "If I didn't get you out of there you might have said something to Belldandy that might make her curious. Remember, she knows when you lie."
Skuld sat down by her desk, "How did you know I was planning a robot anyway?"
Asuka reached into the top of her shirt and pulled out a pint sized Sayoko, "She told me."
"Asuka I swear..." muttered a red faced Sayoko, "This stays between you and me."
"Like I want anyone to know?" replied Asuka, "Why did I have to smuggle you in anyway? Why not Skuld?"
"Because you have bigger........"
"HEY!" shouted Asuka and Skuld.
Sayoko looked at Asuka, "Sorry, but it's true." She then turned to Skuld, "Don't worry, they'll grow." She then looked at Asuka. "Now put me down!"
Asuka complied with the goddess's demands. Upon arriving on the floor, Sayoko moved quickly next to Skuld's desk where the computer stood. Skuld had begun to power up the computer.
"What first?" asked Skuld.
"First we log into Yggdrasil." said Sayoko. "After that...."
Asuka stood quietly by the door, watching as the two goddesses quickly moved from speaking in Japanese into God's Language. Seeing that she wasn't going to understand what was said, Asuka wondered out into the living room where Urd was watching TV. Asuka sat down on the couch and stared at the TV.
"What's this?"
Urd barely glanced at her from the TV, "Soap Opera."
Asuka took a look around, "Where's Belldandy and Keiichi?"
"Class."
Asuka looked at Urd, "Belldandy takes College classes?"
Urd shrugged, "She wanted to. Keeps her close to Keiichi. Speaking of which..." Urd turned and gave Asuka a devilish grin. "You said you know us from the future. Are Belldandy and Keiichi together? What am I like?"
Asuka turned away from Urd, "I'm not supposed to tell."
"Awww Come on!"
"No." replied Asuka, "Telling you could affect my time...I think..maybe... Grrrrrrrr This is so confusing!"
"Don't worry," said Urd, "We'll get you back where you belong. As soon as Belldandy gets home we'll..." Urd voice trailed off as she looked around. "Where's the brat?"
"Who?"
"Skuld. Where is she?"
"She's in her room." said Asuka, "Why?"
"She's usually out here trying to get the TV from me now." said Urd, "What's she doing?"
"Working on something to help me." said Asuka.
"Oh? Maybe I should help her."
"NO!" shouted Asuka. 'I can't let her see Sayoko.' "You can't go in there!"
Urd narrowed her eyes at Asuka. "Why not?"
"Because....." thoughts ran through Asuka's head, "I don't want to be at ground zero of an Urd/Skuld fight."
Urd looked at Asuka surprised, "Huh?"
"I heard how you two fight." said Asuka, "I want to go back to my time in one piece."
"I can work with the brat without fighting." said Urd, "After all, we worked together to help Bell and Keiichi. Here I'll prove it."
Urd got up and headed for Skuld's room. Asuka flew off of the couch after her.
"No! Wait!"
Urd leaped into the air and hovered, as Asuka crashed to the floor below her. "What's going on in Skuld's room that you don't want me to know about?"
"Ummm, Nothing. I just don't think you should disturb her is all."
Urd frowned, "Right." She turned and flew down the hall to Skuld's room, Asuka running behind her. Urd reached out and pulled open Skuld's door and flew in. Asuka came in right behind her and looked about. Skuld was sitting in front of the computer. There was no sign of Sayoko. Skuld turned to look at her older sister.
"Don't you know how to knock?"
"What are you doing?" asked Urd.
"Working." replied Skuld, "I'm trying to find that bug."
"With the computer?"
"I'm looking over news sites to see if anything weird has happened that might be bug related." replied Skuld.
"Oh." Urd turned around and gave Asuka a funny look before glancing back at Skuld, "If you need any help, I'll be watching TV." She then left.
Asuka took a look around the room and then looked at Skuld.
"Where is she?" Asuka whispered.
Skuld looked at a point above Asuka. Asuka looked up to see Sayoko sitting on a beam in the ceiling just over the door.
"Oh." said Asuka, "Well, I guess I'll keep an eye on Urd then."
Asuka left the room, shutting the door behind her, leaving the two Goddesses to continue their work.
"Hey Skuld."
Skuld glanced over at Sayoko, "Yeah?"
"How has Asuka been?"
"What do you mean?"
Sayoko looked over at Skuld, "I'm worried about her. She doesn't have anyone around her here that knows her well other then me, and I can't be around because I can't be seen."
"I know she had a nightmare last night." said Skuld, "She grabbed Belldandy thinking it was you."
That got Sayoko's attention. "What did she say?"
"She called out that she didn't want to remember something. Then she called for help from you, a Shinji, and a Misato."
"Damn." muttered Sayoko, "Do me a favor Skuld, keep an eye on her."
"Sure." replied Skuld, "But do you know what's going on?"
"Asuka is remembering things from her past." replied Sayoko, "The nightmares come when she gets really worried about something. I think this situation is getting to her."
"Is there anything we can do?"
Sayoko looked up from the computer screen, "Just get her home."
Asuka entered the diner and looked around.
"Over here."
Asuka turned to see someone waving to her. Asuka looked over and just stared. The person waving to her was female, but wore jeans and a loose t-shirt under a leather jack. She also wore a baseball cap and sunglasses. The girl frowned and waved again.
* Get over here! *
Asuka walked over and sat down across from the girl. "Sayoko?"
"Who do you think it is? Gendo Ikari?" said Sayoko, sipping her tea.
"What's with the outfit?"
Sayoko frowned again, "In case you hadn't noticed, we're not in Tokyo-2 anymore."
"Yeah I noticed. We're in Old Nekomi, only it isn't that old right now."
"That's because we've been sent to the past."
"No kidding," replied Asuka, "I hadn't noticed, especially when I get picked up by people who are gone and taken to a temple that should have caved in."
Sayoko took off her sunglasses and stared at Asuka, "You what?!"
Asuka let out a sigh, "I got a lift into town from where I woke up by a guy on a motorcycle. It ended up being your dad."
"You saw my dad?"
"Gets better, I also met your mom and both of your Aunts." Asuka shook her head, "I even got to see one of their famous fights. Your Aunt Skuld is pretty vicious for a 12 year old."
Sayoko stared down at the table, "12 years old hmm. That would mean...."
Asuka looked at Sayoko confused, "What?"
Sayoko looked up at Asuka, " Based on what you just said, we're about 21 years in the past. My mom has only been on earth for a little over a year, Urd a year, and Skuld less." Sayoko glanced at something behind Asuka. "Damn, I'm an idiot!" Sayoko got up and walked over to a pile of newspapers. She grabbed one and came back with it. "I should have thought about this. This can tell us the exact date."
"So what is it?"
Sayoko scanned the page. Her face went pale.
"What is it?!"
Sayoko flipped the paper around. Asuka looked at the date, January 11, 1997.
"So, you're right." said Asuka, "What's the matter?"
"Asuka," said Sayoko quietly, "That means we're here just after my mom almost got recalled."
"Huh?"
Sayoko pulled out of her shirt the chain with the ring on it. "Was she wearing this?"
Asuka looked at the ring, "I'm not sure, but I think so."
"Dad gave this to my mom for Christmas that year. He almost didn't have the chance. She was already being pulled towards heaven when my Aunts set off a large spell in the yard that closed the gate."
"Big circle thing with God's writing around it?"
"Yeah. Hey how did you know?"
"It's there burned into the ground. Why don't you come back with me?"
Sayoko shook her head, "No."
"Why not?"
"Asuka, until I can figure out what exactly got us here, it's best if I don't see them and that you don't mention anything about the future to them."
"But they might be able to help us!" said Asuka, "I want to get home to Shinji!"
Sayoko closed her eyes, "Alright. Talk to them. But do not mention me."
Asuka frowned, "Why not? I'm going to have to mention you're here at some point."
Sayoko let out a sigh, "Fine, if you have to, mention me. But do not tell them my last name, domain, my angel's name, or class. It will just raise to many questions and I don't want to risk screwing up our future more then we have."
"What do you mean?"
"We do one thing wrong, and there's a good possibility that we could wipe out our future."
"You mean we could prevent 2nd Impact?" asked Asuka, "What's wrong with that?"
"Because then you would never had piloted Eva, and thus never would have met Shinji."
Asuka's eyes went wide, "Oh. Is that why you're wearing that outfit?"
Sayoko nodded, "Other then my hair, I look almost exactly like my mom. I don't want to run the risk of running into someone that knows her."
Asuka glanced back up at the clock, "I'd better get back. Your mom was making breakfast."
Sayoko looked at Asuka, sorrow in her eyes, "Really?"
"Yeah, you sure you don't want to come?"
Sayoko shook her head, "As much as I want to see them, I just can't risk it. Oh here." Sayoko reached up and pulled a piece off of her earring, "Take this."
"What is it?"
"A Maxwell's Demon stone." replied Sayoko, "I have its twin with me. Just give it a squeeze when you need me. And make sure you have a mirror handy. That way I don't have to listen to you cursing my name."
Asuka blushed, "You heard all that?"
Sayoko glared at Asuka, "Yes, every last comment."
Asuka shrank under Sayoko's glare, "Sorry."
"You're forgiven. Now get out of here."
Asuka got up and started to leave.
"Asuka."
Asuka looked back at Sayoko.
"I will get you back to Shinji, I promise."
Asuka nodded, "Thank you Sayoko."
Asuka left, leaving Sayoko alone at the table.
'Now I just have to figure out how to fulfill that promise.' thought Sayoko.
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Asuka hurried back to the temple. She stepped inside just as Belldandy was serving breakfast. Urd, Skuld, and Keiichi all sat around the table.
"There you are!" said Belldandy, "I was wondering where you went."
"I'm sorry," said Asuka, "I went for a walk. I had to think about a few things."
"Like what?" asked Keiichi.
"About what I'm about to say to you all."
"And what's that?" asked Skuld.
Asuka sighed, 'Here goes nothing.' "I'm not from this time."
"What?" everyone asked.
"I'm from 21 years in the future." said Asuka, "There was an accident that sent me here to the past."
Urd began to snicker, "That's funny! You're from the future. Hahaha."
Skuld also laughed, "Yeah, that's just so unbelievable to be true!"
Asuka looked over at Belldandy. Belldandy was just staring at her, holding the breakfast tray with a strange look on her face.
"Are you ok Belldandy-sama?" asked Asuka.
"Wh...Wh...What did you call her?" asked Urd, between laughs.
"Belldandy-sama." replied Asuka, "After all, she is a goddess."
CRASH!
The breakfast tray hit the floor, sending food everywhere. But no one paid any attention to it. Their eyes were all on Asuka and what she had just said. Belldandy was now openly shocked, as was Skuld, Urd and Keiichi. Belldandy was the first to recover.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"I told you, I'm from the future." said Asuka. "A friend of mine is a goddess, and through her I met Skuld and Urd."
Urd leaned forward over the table towards Asuka, "Prove it."
Asuka smiled, "Urd, Goddess Second Class Restricted, Goddess of the Past."
Urd sat back stunned, "Ok, That proves it for me."
Skuld looked at Asuka, "You met me in the future?"
Asuka nodded, "Skuld, Goddess Fir...Second Class Limited, Goddess of Future." Asuka leaned in closer to Skuld, "You also love Ice Cream."
"Wait you were going to say First Class weren't you?" asked Skuld.
"Uhhh No." lied Asuka.
Skuld's face lit up. "You're lying, I can tell." She immediately turned to Urd. "I'm going to be a First class before you will. Ha!"
Urd just glared at her younger sister before turning to look at Asuka.
"Sorry, it slipped." said Asuka, apologetically, "I was told by my friend I shouldn't say too much about the future."
"Can you at least tell us how you got here?" asked Keiichi.
"I was inside a computer facility with several other people. We were about to power up the newest computer cores. Just after they turned them on, I saw something in the core. A bunny with eight legs....."
"A BUG!" shouted everyone in the room.
Asuka frowned, "That's what Sayoko called it to. What is it?"
"It's a glitch in Yggdrasil." said Skuld, "They cause all sorts of problems and..."
"You debug the computer with your hammer." finished Asuka.
Skuld frowned, "Hey how did you know?"
"Because you've also debugged a few of my friends with it. Anyway, after I pointed it out to Sayoko, she called out 'BUG!' It must have bit into a power cable cause the thing was zapped and then it passed through it to me and Sayoko."
"Who is Sayoko?" asked Belldandy.
'Uh oh.' "She's my Goddess friend."
"Really? I've never heard of a Goddess named Sayoko. What's her class and domain?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?" asked Urd.
"She told me I shouldn't tell you because it might screw up the future."
"Oh."
"So the power went through the bug, then to you and the goddess?" asked Keiichi.
"Yeah, then I woke up on that hill where you found me."
"So where's Sayoko?" asked Urd.
Asuka looked down at the table. "When I woke up, she wasn't anywhere near me."
"So why didn't you tell us all of this last night?" asked Keiichi.
"Well," Asuka looked down at the table for a few seconds before looking back. "I was confused and trying to make sense of everything. I mean, seeing the temple and Belldandy-sama......"
"Please," said Belldandy, "You don't need to say the -sama. But what is it about the temple and myself that is odd?"
"Uh, well, uh...you see." Asuka thought quickly, 'Dammit How do I answer that without telling them she's supposed to be 'dead'?' "Well, let me put it this way. To you, right now, Skuld is how old?"
"I'm 12." replied Skuld.
"The last time I saw you, you were 30 and as tall as Belldandy."
"Really?!" Skuld looked at Asuka with pure joy in her eyes. "I'm going to be just as tall as Belldandy and a First Class! YAY!"
Asuka put her head down onto the table, "I think I said too much."
Belldandy just smiled, "Don't worry. We won't tell. As to returning you to your own time, we'll see what we can do."
"How?" asked Skuld, "We can't use Yggdrasil. It's down. And even if we do figure out how to do it, without Yggdrasil we don't have the power for it, these Moon rock bracelets won't give us the energy we need."
"Huh? Moon rocks?" Asuka looked at the goddesses confused, "What do you need moon rocks for?"
"With Yggdrasil down we can't get our power through the normal method," replied Belldandy. "And going to our back up method can be....time consuming. So we have to use these bracelets to provide us with power."
Asuka started to get worried, "Does that affect all the gods or just you?"
"Only the ones on earth." replied Belldandy, "It really doesn't affect us as much in heaven. Why?"
Asuka got up from the table quickly, "I have to contact someone."
"Who?"
"Sayoko."
Belldandy looked puzzled for a moment. Then her eyes lit up in recognition, "Oh. Your friend."
Asuka nodded and went outside. As she did she reached into her pocket and pulled out a pocket mirror and the demon stone. She went off to the woods on the side of the temple area where she could not be seen and set the mirror on the ground. She then squeezed the stone and waited. Unnoticed by her, another person stood watching from the brush, wondering what Asuka was doing. Suddenly the mirror flashed and Sayoko burst forth from it, still wearing the clothes Asuka had seen her in at the diner, including the hat and sunglasses.
"Asuka." said Sayoko, "It hasn't been that long since I saw you. What's up?"
"Sayoko, how are you getting your powers right now?"
"Huh?" Sayoko asked confused.
"Belldandy told me that right now Yggdrasil is crashed. They're using Moon rocks or something."
Sayoko stared at Asuka, "Wait a second. Yggdrasil crashed?"
"Yes, Yggdrasil crashed. So where are you getting your powers?"
Sayoko let out a sigh, "I don't know."
"Why not?"
"Look," began Sayoko, taking off her sunglasses, "First off, We're in the wrong time. I don't know why I have powers but it's better then nothing. Second, I'm half goddess, half mortal. There are very few like me. Maybe 20 or so total. We only make up about 1% of the population of heaven, the rest are pure god or goddess. Since I've never experienced a total power loss as the result of a crash, I really don't know." Sayoko looked at the ground. "So what did they say?"
While Asuka was talking, the figure slowly moved around, trying to get a better look at Sayoko.
"So they will help us?" asked Sayoko.
"They said they would do their best, but with Yggdrasil down, they...."
"GASP!"
Sayoko and Asuka turned and looked to the bushes.
"Who's there?" called out Sayoko.
The bushes moved to reveal Skuld, who was staring wide-eyed at Sayoko.
'Oh hell' thought Sayoko.
"I wa... wa... was curious..." Skuld kept staring and stammering, "You...you...you look like....You look like Belldandy."
Sayoko let out a sigh, "Asuka, I thought I said I didn't want them to see me."
"I didn't know she followed me." replied Asuka.
"Who are you?" asked Skuld.
"What I'm about to say you can't tell anyone." said Sayoko, "Not even Kami-sama."
"Alright."
"I hate to do this but," Sayoko looked at Skuld, "I need you to promise me you won't."
Skuld gulped, "Uhh, Ok I promise, I will tell no one."
Sayoko looked back at Asuka before turning back to Skuld. "I am Sayoko Morisato," Skuld gasped at the name, "Goddess 1st Class Type 2 Unlimited."
"But...that means..."
"My Parents are Keiichi and Belldandy Morisato."
"Noooooo!" shouted Skuld, "How could they have gotten married! He's a mortal!"
"I'm not about to explain how they got together." said Sayoko, "It happened, or will happen."
"Even if it does happen, I still don't have to like it!"
"Forget about that for now. How did Yggdrasil crash?"
Skuld looked down at the ground, slightly embarrassed. "Urd and I created a Magic Warding Circle to help Belldandy. When it went off, it not only disrupted the return gate, but it also caused Yggdrasil to crash."
Sayoko began to pace back and forth, "Wait. Your saying the Ultimate Magic circle of Warding crashed Yggdrasil?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Sayoko turned around and faced Asuka. "Asuka this just became more complicated."
Asuka looked at Sayoko confused, "How? I thought all you had to do was figure out how to get us back to the future."
"Asuka, from what I know of what happened, from both my parents, my aunts, and grandfather, Yggdrasil didn't crash until they tried to recall Urd over a year later after the Lord of Terror was freed."
"Who?"
Skuld just stared at Sayoko, "The Lord of Terror?!"
Sayoko waved her hand, "Nevermind that now. The important thing is that Yggdrasil didn't crash. That means that the history I know, and what has happened here is different."
"What does that mean?" asked Asuka.
"Alternate Universe." said Skuld.
Sayoko nodded, "It's the only thing that makes sense."
Asuka looked at the two goddesses confused, "Alternate what?"
"Alternate Universe," explained Sayoko, "Somehow that bug not only sent us into the past, but also a different version of the past."
"So that means we don't have to worry about preventing our births and screwing up the future?" asked Asuka.
"Technically, yes."
"So why don't you come back to the temple with us?" asked Asuka, "I mean, you can see Urd, talk to your parents."
Sayoko shook her head. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because they aren't my parents." said Sayoko, "I mean, technically they are, or will be, but these aren't." Sayoko turned away, "Besides, I'll just lose them again when we go back."
Skuld looked over at Asuka, "What does she mean 'lose them again'?"
Asuka looked at Sayoko who was still looking away, "Her parents died when she was 4."
Sayoko whirled about. "ASUKA!"
Skuld stared stunned, "But...but...Belldandy is a goddess! How could she..?" Skuld couldn't bring herself to say the word.
Sayoko glared at Asuka, "I thought I said no revealing future events."
Asuka looked down at the ground, "Sorry, it slipped."
Sayoko sighed then looked back at Skuld, "As Goddess of the Future, you know there are many possibilities." Skuld nodded. "Since your present is different from our past, it is possible to assume that our present is one of your possible futures, so don't worry about losing her."
Skuld nodded, "So what should we do about returning you to your own time?"
Sayoko closed her eyes in thought, "First, we find that bug. If it brought Asuka and me here, it should be able to send us back."
"And second?"
Sayoko looked at Skuld, "How bad off is Yggdrasil?"
"I'm not sure." said Skuld, "We knocked out the return gate, and the PDS is definitely down..."
"PDS?" asked Asuka.
"Power Distribution System." said Sayoko, "It's where we normally get our power from." She then turned back to Skuld, "But is the rest of it up?"
Skuld nodded, "I think so. Why?"
"If I remember what my Aunt said correctly, " began Sayoko, "She was able to access Yggdrasil using Dad's computer. Have you been able to do that?"
Skuld blushed, "I uh...well....yeah, I can access Yggdrasil."
"Good, I want to search the historical files and see if anything like this has ever been recorded before."
"But you won't be able to get on it now." said Skuld, "With half the system down, only the SysOps and the Admins have access to it."
Sayoko smiled, "Fortunately, I know of a few backways into Yggdrasil as well as a few passwords, I can get in."
"Um, Question." Both Goddesses turned to look at Asuka. "How are you going to get to the computer? You'd have to go by Belldandy, Keiichi, and Urd, and you didn't want them to see you."
Sayoko and Skuld looked at each other.
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Belldandy was still cleaning off the table when Skuld and Asuka walked back in.
"Oh! Did you get ahold of your friend?"
Asuka nodded.
"That's good." Belldandy then looked at Skuld, "Why did you go out?"
"I err uhhh."
A voice whispered something, and Asuka repeated it, "Oh, She went down to the electronics store to see what parts they had. She's planning on building a robot."
Skuld turned and looked at Asuka stunned. Belldandy didn't notice. "Oh that's nice. You always enjoyed building things."
"Umm Yeah." said Skuld, still looking at Asuka. Noticing that Belldandy was still watching them, Asuka grabbed Skuld's arm.
"You were going to show me the plans for the robot remember." She began to pull Skuld towards her room.
Belldandy watched as Skuld was dragged away. "That Asuka is a very interesting person."
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Asuka pulled Skuld through the door that said 'Skuld Labs' and quickly shut it. Skuld rubbed her shoulder and glared at Asuka.
"You didn't have to pull my arm out of its socket."
Asuka returned the glare, "If I didn't get you out of there you might have said something to Belldandy that might make her curious. Remember, she knows when you lie."
Skuld sat down by her desk, "How did you know I was planning a robot anyway?"
Asuka reached into the top of her shirt and pulled out a pint sized Sayoko, "She told me."
"Asuka I swear..." muttered a red faced Sayoko, "This stays between you and me."
"Like I want anyone to know?" replied Asuka, "Why did I have to smuggle you in anyway? Why not Skuld?"
"Because you have bigger........"
"HEY!" shouted Asuka and Skuld.
Sayoko looked at Asuka, "Sorry, but it's true." She then turned to Skuld, "Don't worry, they'll grow." She then looked at Asuka. "Now put me down!"
Asuka complied with the goddess's demands. Upon arriving on the floor, Sayoko moved quickly next to Skuld's desk where the computer stood. Skuld had begun to power up the computer.
"What first?" asked Skuld.
"First we log into Yggdrasil." said Sayoko. "After that...."
Asuka stood quietly by the door, watching as the two goddesses quickly moved from speaking in Japanese into God's Language. Seeing that she wasn't going to understand what was said, Asuka wondered out into the living room where Urd was watching TV. Asuka sat down on the couch and stared at the TV.
"What's this?"
Urd barely glanced at her from the TV, "Soap Opera."
Asuka took a look around, "Where's Belldandy and Keiichi?"
"Class."
Asuka looked at Urd, "Belldandy takes College classes?"
Urd shrugged, "She wanted to. Keeps her close to Keiichi. Speaking of which..." Urd turned and gave Asuka a devilish grin. "You said you know us from the future. Are Belldandy and Keiichi together? What am I like?"
Asuka turned away from Urd, "I'm not supposed to tell."
"Awww Come on!"
"No." replied Asuka, "Telling you could affect my time...I think..maybe... Grrrrrrrr This is so confusing!"
"Don't worry," said Urd, "We'll get you back where you belong. As soon as Belldandy gets home we'll..." Urd voice trailed off as she looked around. "Where's the brat?"
"Who?"
"Skuld. Where is she?"
"She's in her room." said Asuka, "Why?"
"She's usually out here trying to get the TV from me now." said Urd, "What's she doing?"
"Working on something to help me." said Asuka.
"Oh? Maybe I should help her."
"NO!" shouted Asuka. 'I can't let her see Sayoko.' "You can't go in there!"
Urd narrowed her eyes at Asuka. "Why not?"
"Because....." thoughts ran through Asuka's head, "I don't want to be at ground zero of an Urd/Skuld fight."
Urd looked at Asuka surprised, "Huh?"
"I heard how you two fight." said Asuka, "I want to go back to my time in one piece."
"I can work with the brat without fighting." said Urd, "After all, we worked together to help Bell and Keiichi. Here I'll prove it."
Urd got up and headed for Skuld's room. Asuka flew off of the couch after her.
"No! Wait!"
Urd leaped into the air and hovered, as Asuka crashed to the floor below her. "What's going on in Skuld's room that you don't want me to know about?"
"Ummm, Nothing. I just don't think you should disturb her is all."
Urd frowned, "Right." She turned and flew down the hall to Skuld's room, Asuka running behind her. Urd reached out and pulled open Skuld's door and flew in. Asuka came in right behind her and looked about. Skuld was sitting in front of the computer. There was no sign of Sayoko. Skuld turned to look at her older sister.
"Don't you know how to knock?"
"What are you doing?" asked Urd.
"Working." replied Skuld, "I'm trying to find that bug."
"With the computer?"
"I'm looking over news sites to see if anything weird has happened that might be bug related." replied Skuld.
"Oh." Urd turned around and gave Asuka a funny look before glancing back at Skuld, "If you need any help, I'll be watching TV." She then left.
Asuka took a look around the room and then looked at Skuld.
"Where is she?" Asuka whispered.
Skuld looked at a point above Asuka. Asuka looked up to see Sayoko sitting on a beam in the ceiling just over the door.
"Oh." said Asuka, "Well, I guess I'll keep an eye on Urd then."
Asuka left the room, shutting the door behind her, leaving the two Goddesses to continue their work.
"Hey Skuld."
Skuld glanced over at Sayoko, "Yeah?"
"How has Asuka been?"
"What do you mean?"
Sayoko looked over at Skuld, "I'm worried about her. She doesn't have anyone around her here that knows her well other then me, and I can't be around because I can't be seen."
"I know she had a nightmare last night." said Skuld, "She grabbed Belldandy thinking it was you."
That got Sayoko's attention. "What did she say?"
"She called out that she didn't want to remember something. Then she called for help from you, a Shinji, and a Misato."
"Damn." muttered Sayoko, "Do me a favor Skuld, keep an eye on her."
"Sure." replied Skuld, "But do you know what's going on?"
"Asuka is remembering things from her past." replied Sayoko, "The nightmares come when she gets really worried about something. I think this situation is getting to her."
"Is there anything we can do?"
Sayoko looked up from the computer screen, "Just get her home."