Chapter 8
Sayoko Mishima walked quickly towards the Temple. For the past year, she had been trying to figure out the mystery that was Belldandy and her sisters. Ever since Belldandy's arrival on the Nekomi Tech Campus, she had been winning the hearts of men all over, men who should have been groveling to her. Now with everyone gone to the races, Sayoko had her chance to look over the temple. She quickly approached the temple gates and stepped into the yard. She immediately stopped in her tracks. A woman was standing before the temple house, seemingly lost in thought as she looked at the temple. She wore a long white skirt and over coat. She also had long black hair coming down just past her waist. Sayoko had just decided to leave when the woman turned around. The woman looked vaguely familiar and had similar tattoos on her face as Belldandy and her sisters.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" asked Sayoko.
The woman put her hands on her hips and glared at Sayoko, causing her to back up a few steps.
"It doesn't matter who I am. Where are the people who live here?"
"There's a race today." said Sayoko, "Keiichi is racing against my cousins Racing team. Now who are you?"
The woman smiled, "I'm a relative of Belldandy. I suggest you leave now. I don't think you're supposed to be here Ms. Mishima"
Sayoko paled slightly, "You know who I am?"
"Yep. And I imagine that Keiichi would not like it at all if he found out you were here snooping around."
"Well then......I suppose I should get going then."
"I suggest you do."
Sayoko quickly turned around and left. The woman turned and looked back at the house.
"Finding Yoko would be a lot easier if you were here Big Sister." the woman said quietly.
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Keiichi brought the motorcycle around the next turn, continuing to chase the Formula One team's cycle. For most of the race, Keiichi and the Formula One driver had been trading positions. Now with the final laps fast approaching, Keiichi found himself in second place. All he needed was for the Formula Team's driver to make a mistake, which he did. Coming into a turn too fast, the driver had to slam hard on his brakes, drastically reducing his speed. As a result, Keiichi was able to quickly over take him and accelerate away.
In the pits, the entire team began jumping up and down enthusiastically. All Keiichi needed to do was last 3 more laps. As Keiichi entered the back straightaway, a problem developed. For some reason, his bike began to wobble and vibrate, with out him even moving the handles.
'What's going on?!' thought Keiichi.
"Something's wrong!" said Megumi, standing up on a crate.
Belldandy climbed on top of a nearby platform.
"Keiichi!" she cried out.
Sayoko and Asuka watched as Keiichi continued to fight his bike, the Formula One Team quickly approaching him.
"What's wrong?" asked Asuka, "He was doing great!"
Sayoko closed her eyes and reached out towards the bike. She could feel her father easily, the bike however, was clouded in darkness and evil.
"It's a demon." Sayoko said quietly to Asuka. Asuka turned and stared stunned at Sayoko.
"Mara again?"
"Only Demon I know who frequented the area." Sayoko concentrated and forced the darkness away. Almost immediately Keiichi seemed to regain control. The darkness fought back however. Sayoko began to struggle to keep the darkness away from the bike.
Sayoko struggled to speak while continuing to fight the darkness.
"Asuka........" she stuttered, "Get.........Skuld........tell her.......Demon......hurry."
Asuka ran to the spot where Skuld and Urd were standing, just beneath the platform Belldandy was on.
"Sayoko's says there's a demon around." she whispered into Skuld's ear.
"DEMON?!" Skuld shouted, causing Belldandy and Urd to turn and look at her in surprise, and getting weird looks from the other people around her. Skuld ignored them and leaned closer to Asuka, Urd and Belldandy joining her.
"What do you mean a Demon?"
"She just told me a Demon was the reason Keiichi almost lost control of the bike."
"Mara." said Belldandy, her eyes filling with anger. 'She almost hurt my Keiichi!'
"Where's Sayoko now?" asked Urd.
Asuka turned and started to point to where she left Sayoko. She gasped at the sight that met her eyes. Sayoko seemed to be struggling to stay on her feet, leaning against a pole.
"Damn." said Urd, "She using up all her energy." She turned to Belldandy and Skuld. "Bell, you go help her. Skuld, lets go find Mara."
Urd and Skuld quickly ran off in search of the Demon, while Asuka and Belldandy went to Sayoko's side.
"Sayoko?" Asuka said worriedly.
"Can't........hold out.......much.......longer." Sayoko gritted her teeth.
Belldandy put her arms around Sayoko, pulling her into an embrace.
"I'm here. You're doing alright." She said quietly. 'Hold on a bit longer.....please.....for Keiichi."
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"Where can she be?" asked Skuld, running next to Urd.
Urd stopped and looked around. "She'd have to be in a spot where she can see the bike. That's the only way she could curse it and keep it under her control." She turned and saw a familiar figure standing on top of the announcer's booth. Urd's eyes narrowed.
"I see her."
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Mara snarled in anger as she fought for control of the motorcycle.
'She's a powerful one." Mara thought quietly, 'But everyone has their limits.'
Mara felt Sayoko's hold over the bike weakening. Mara summoned as much power as she had remaining and pushed as hard as she could against Sayoko. She was just beginning to regain control of the bike when her nerves screamed in pain, as if lit on fire. Mara collapsed to the rooftop, loosing her battle for control of the bike. She rolled over and looked up into the face of Urd.
"Hello Mara dear." Urd said, "Been busy haven't you?"
Mara glared at Urd.
Urd just smiled, "I suggest you leave now." She then held up a good luck charm. "You want one for the road?"
Mara hissed at the charm and vanished.
"Awwww." said Urd, "She's no fun." * Bell, Mara's gone. *
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"Mara's gone Sayoko." said Belldandy quietly, "You can relax now."
With a sigh Sayoko collapsed to the ground, pulling Belldandy with her. Belldandy landed hard on the ground, but kept her hold on Sayoko, pulling her into her lap. Asuka was immediately by their side.
"Is she alright?"
"I think so." Belldandy looked down at Sayoko's face. "I think she's asleep. She used up a lot of her energy and needs to recharge."
Asuka frowned, "Recharge?"
"If a Goddess uses more power then Yggdrasil can replace, she muse resort to her back-up power supply." Belldandy started running her hand through Sayoko's hair. "Urd's is drinking, Skuld's is Ice Cream, mine is sleep."
Asuka looked down at Sayoko. "How long will she be out?"
"I don't know. Until she reaches a minimum power level I suppose." Belldandy shifted Sayoko slightly. As she did, she noticed a chain around Sayoko's neck, something that a goddess wouldn't normally wear. "What is that?"
Asuka looked down to see Belldandy carefully pulling out the chain. "That's the chain she keeps her mother's ring on."
"Ring?" Belldandy pulled the chain free and gasped. Dangling on the end of the chain was the ring Keiichi had just given her for Christmas. She reached out with her hand and touched it. Suddenly Belldandy found herself in the Temple yard. She watched as Keiichi tried to force his way into the recall gate to give her the ring. She also watched as Keiichi held her after Kami-sama had nullified the recall. The scenery changed to a church. She watched herself march down the aisle and approach a waiting Keiichi. When it came time for her to receive her wedding ring, she watched as Keiichi removed the Christmas ring. Then everything went black.
The next thing she saw was a woman in her twenties standing in front of several boxes, holding the ring. Belldandy gasped as she recognized the markings.
'Skuld?!'
"Onee-sama." Skuld said quietly as she held the ring. "I didn't think you'd leave this behind."
Belldandy followed Skuld as she walked through an apartment and into another room. The room had many pictures on the wall, many of them of Belldandy and Keiichi with a young girl. Others showed the girl standing with Skuld. Belldandy realized that the girl was Sayoko. She watched as Skuld walked over to a suitcase that was partially packed.
"Auntie Skuld?!" came a voice from elsewhere in the apartment, "I can't find my favorite shirt!"
"Hold on Yoko!" Skuld pulled out a box and place the ring into it. Everything went dark once again.
Belldandy wondered what would happen next when she found herself inside another apartment. Before her a young Sayoko sat on the bed, staring at the ring. An Angel floated nearby. Sayoko seemed to be reading a note while clutching the ring. Tears came to her eyes as she laid down. Belldandy started to move towards her when she found herself inside a metal tube.
'What is this?'
Sayoko was sitting before her in a cockpit. Looking forward she could see the view of some kind of bay.
"EVA-04 LAUNCH" came a voice over the radio.
'Eva?'
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Asuka was worried. Ever since Belldandy had grabbed the ring, she seemed...........lost, her eyes vacant. Staring but not seeing anything. Loud cheering by the Motor Club caused her to look up. Keiichi was coming around the final turn, several seconds ahead of the nearest competition. Asuka turned and waved her hand in front of Belldandy's face.
"Hey! Hello?! Keiichi's about to win! Wake-up!"
"What's wrong?" Asuka looked up to see that Skuld and Urd has returned.
"I don't know. She grabbed the ring and went blank."
Urd looked at Belldandy's blank face then grabbed her and shook her, causing the ring to fall free......
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"Ikari!" shouted the man who appeared to be in charge. "He knew what was going to happen! Him and SEELE!"
Belldandy felt the enter room she begin to shake.
"The Eva's AT-Fields are resonating!" said one technician's
A female turned to Sayoko, "What's happening?"
Sayoko stood next to Skuld, watching a monitor of the events going on outside.
Then with a flash, she was back in the pits. She looked up to see Asuka, Urd, and Skuld looking down at her, concern on their faces.
"Are you alright Bell?" asked Urd.
"I'm fine." said Belldandy quietly. She looked around. "What's going on?"
A loud roar went up from the crowd, followed by the motor club running from the pits cheering.
"Keiichi just won." said Skuld, "You should go to him."
"What about...?" Belldandy looked down at Sayoko.
"I take care of her." said Skuld.
"I'll help." said Asuka.
Both went over and lifted Sayoko off Belldandy and into a nearby chair. Belldandy gave one last look at Sayoko before running to Keiichi. Asuka knelt down on the ground next to Sayoko.
"How long do you think it will be before she's recharged?" she asked Skuld.
Skuld shrugged, "I don't know. Belldandy took 3 days to regain consciousness. Don't worry, when we get back to the temple we can give her a moon rock bracelet. That should speed things up a bit."
Asuka looked over where Keiichi was happily hugging Belldandy. "What happens now?"
"Usually a party." said Urd. She then glanced down at Sayoko. "But I think she'll give us a reason to hold it off."
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Keiichi placed the moon rock bracelet on Sayoko's wrist and then sat back next to Skuld and Asuka.
"That should do it."
He and Belldandy had brought her home on the motorcycle, Sayoko in the side car while Belldandy rode behind Keiichi. Urd, not one to turn down a drink or 5, had gone off with Megumi and the team to celebrate. Surprisingly, Tamiya had allowed Keiichi to escape.
"How long till it kicks in?" asked Asuka.
"Not sure. It work really quickly on Bell and the others."
"We were conserving energy though." said Skuld, "We weren't totally drained like she was."
The stood around watching Sayoko for several moments.
"You guys notice anything wrong with Belldandy?" asked Keiichi.
Skuld shook her head. "No. Why?"
"She was quiet after I won and remained quiet the whole ride home. I thought she was worried about Sayoko, but ....." Keiichi was quiet for a moment. "I think there's something else on her mind."
Skuld stood up, "I'll ask her."
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Belldandy sat at the table, sipping her tea, thinking about everything she had seen from her contact with Sayoko's ring. She knew why it had happened. Objects could retain memories from emotional moments. But what she had seen had disturbed her.
'Those........creatures returning from their eternal slumber,' thought Belldandy, '.......awakened by mortals.......and my daughter will fight them.'
"Onee-sama?"
Belldandy looked up to see Skuld. "Hmm? What is it Skuld?"
"Are you alright? You seem very quiet."
"I was just thinking. How's Sayoko?"
"Still unconscious." replied Skuld, "It make take some time before she........" Skuld's voice trailed off. Both she and Belldandy flew towards the room where Keiichi, Asuka, and Sayoko were. They burst in and knocked Keiichi and Asuka to the floor.
"Hey!" shouted Keiichi as Belldandy pressed him to the floor.
With a roar, the roof and walls were blasted away by a powerful wind.
"What the hell was that?" Asuka shouted.
"Hell is exactly what it was."
Everyone turned to see a very unhappy Mara floating just over the Temple grounds.
"Mara!" shouted Keiichi, "Don't you ever give up."
Mara smirked, "I won't give up till that contract is broken or I'm dead. And since I'm immortal......."
Belldandy stood up and faced Mara, "Begone Demon! Let us be. You've done enough damage today!"
Mara snarled. "I don't think I've done enough!" She raised her hands above her head, forming a force bolt. She sent it hurtling towards the group. Belldandy raised her hands and blocked the bolt with a shield. Mara just smiled.
"You can't do that forever Belldandy. Eventually your power will give out, just like last time. And this time wonder goddess over there is around to help you."
Belldandy's eyes narrowed, but she knew Mara spoke the truth.
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"This is fun." said Urd with a smile as she downed yet another bottle. She and Megumi were off sitting in a corner watching the rest of the team party away.
"I still don't get how you can drink that much and not be total plastered yet." muttered Megumi.
"I told you. It's my back-up power source." Urd reached over and grabbed another bottle. "Why do you think Skuld eats all that Ice Cream and Belldandy doesn't say a thing about it?"
"Cause she is nice and would never yell at anyone."
"You obviously haven't been around her long enough. She has a nasty temper. She actually tried to blast me several times after I first arrived here."
"Considering how much you like to tease people I don't blame her." Megumi downed her glass. "She needs to get mad at you more."
Urd frowned, "Why you little....." Suddenly Urd let out a gasp of shock.
"What is it Urd?" asked Megumi, now concerned.
"I have to get back to the temple." said Urd.
"Why?"
"Something just happened to Bell." Urd said before she vanished into a TV.
Sayoko Mishima walked quickly towards the Temple. For the past year, she had been trying to figure out the mystery that was Belldandy and her sisters. Ever since Belldandy's arrival on the Nekomi Tech Campus, she had been winning the hearts of men all over, men who should have been groveling to her. Now with everyone gone to the races, Sayoko had her chance to look over the temple. She quickly approached the temple gates and stepped into the yard. She immediately stopped in her tracks. A woman was standing before the temple house, seemingly lost in thought as she looked at the temple. She wore a long white skirt and over coat. She also had long black hair coming down just past her waist. Sayoko had just decided to leave when the woman turned around. The woman looked vaguely familiar and had similar tattoos on her face as Belldandy and her sisters.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" asked Sayoko.
The woman put her hands on her hips and glared at Sayoko, causing her to back up a few steps.
"It doesn't matter who I am. Where are the people who live here?"
"There's a race today." said Sayoko, "Keiichi is racing against my cousins Racing team. Now who are you?"
The woman smiled, "I'm a relative of Belldandy. I suggest you leave now. I don't think you're supposed to be here Ms. Mishima"
Sayoko paled slightly, "You know who I am?"
"Yep. And I imagine that Keiichi would not like it at all if he found out you were here snooping around."
"Well then......I suppose I should get going then."
"I suggest you do."
Sayoko quickly turned around and left. The woman turned and looked back at the house.
"Finding Yoko would be a lot easier if you were here Big Sister." the woman said quietly.
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Keiichi brought the motorcycle around the next turn, continuing to chase the Formula One team's cycle. For most of the race, Keiichi and the Formula One driver had been trading positions. Now with the final laps fast approaching, Keiichi found himself in second place. All he needed was for the Formula Team's driver to make a mistake, which he did. Coming into a turn too fast, the driver had to slam hard on his brakes, drastically reducing his speed. As a result, Keiichi was able to quickly over take him and accelerate away.
In the pits, the entire team began jumping up and down enthusiastically. All Keiichi needed to do was last 3 more laps. As Keiichi entered the back straightaway, a problem developed. For some reason, his bike began to wobble and vibrate, with out him even moving the handles.
'What's going on?!' thought Keiichi.
"Something's wrong!" said Megumi, standing up on a crate.
Belldandy climbed on top of a nearby platform.
"Keiichi!" she cried out.
Sayoko and Asuka watched as Keiichi continued to fight his bike, the Formula One Team quickly approaching him.
"What's wrong?" asked Asuka, "He was doing great!"
Sayoko closed her eyes and reached out towards the bike. She could feel her father easily, the bike however, was clouded in darkness and evil.
"It's a demon." Sayoko said quietly to Asuka. Asuka turned and stared stunned at Sayoko.
"Mara again?"
"Only Demon I know who frequented the area." Sayoko concentrated and forced the darkness away. Almost immediately Keiichi seemed to regain control. The darkness fought back however. Sayoko began to struggle to keep the darkness away from the bike.
Sayoko struggled to speak while continuing to fight the darkness.
"Asuka........" she stuttered, "Get.........Skuld........tell her.......Demon......hurry."
Asuka ran to the spot where Skuld and Urd were standing, just beneath the platform Belldandy was on.
"Sayoko's says there's a demon around." she whispered into Skuld's ear.
"DEMON?!" Skuld shouted, causing Belldandy and Urd to turn and look at her in surprise, and getting weird looks from the other people around her. Skuld ignored them and leaned closer to Asuka, Urd and Belldandy joining her.
"What do you mean a Demon?"
"She just told me a Demon was the reason Keiichi almost lost control of the bike."
"Mara." said Belldandy, her eyes filling with anger. 'She almost hurt my Keiichi!'
"Where's Sayoko now?" asked Urd.
Asuka turned and started to point to where she left Sayoko. She gasped at the sight that met her eyes. Sayoko seemed to be struggling to stay on her feet, leaning against a pole.
"Damn." said Urd, "She using up all her energy." She turned to Belldandy and Skuld. "Bell, you go help her. Skuld, lets go find Mara."
Urd and Skuld quickly ran off in search of the Demon, while Asuka and Belldandy went to Sayoko's side.
"Sayoko?" Asuka said worriedly.
"Can't........hold out.......much.......longer." Sayoko gritted her teeth.
Belldandy put her arms around Sayoko, pulling her into an embrace.
"I'm here. You're doing alright." She said quietly. 'Hold on a bit longer.....please.....for Keiichi."
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"Where can she be?" asked Skuld, running next to Urd.
Urd stopped and looked around. "She'd have to be in a spot where she can see the bike. That's the only way she could curse it and keep it under her control." She turned and saw a familiar figure standing on top of the announcer's booth. Urd's eyes narrowed.
"I see her."
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Mara snarled in anger as she fought for control of the motorcycle.
'She's a powerful one." Mara thought quietly, 'But everyone has their limits.'
Mara felt Sayoko's hold over the bike weakening. Mara summoned as much power as she had remaining and pushed as hard as she could against Sayoko. She was just beginning to regain control of the bike when her nerves screamed in pain, as if lit on fire. Mara collapsed to the rooftop, loosing her battle for control of the bike. She rolled over and looked up into the face of Urd.
"Hello Mara dear." Urd said, "Been busy haven't you?"
Mara glared at Urd.
Urd just smiled, "I suggest you leave now." She then held up a good luck charm. "You want one for the road?"
Mara hissed at the charm and vanished.
"Awwww." said Urd, "She's no fun." * Bell, Mara's gone. *
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"Mara's gone Sayoko." said Belldandy quietly, "You can relax now."
With a sigh Sayoko collapsed to the ground, pulling Belldandy with her. Belldandy landed hard on the ground, but kept her hold on Sayoko, pulling her into her lap. Asuka was immediately by their side.
"Is she alright?"
"I think so." Belldandy looked down at Sayoko's face. "I think she's asleep. She used up a lot of her energy and needs to recharge."
Asuka frowned, "Recharge?"
"If a Goddess uses more power then Yggdrasil can replace, she muse resort to her back-up power supply." Belldandy started running her hand through Sayoko's hair. "Urd's is drinking, Skuld's is Ice Cream, mine is sleep."
Asuka looked down at Sayoko. "How long will she be out?"
"I don't know. Until she reaches a minimum power level I suppose." Belldandy shifted Sayoko slightly. As she did, she noticed a chain around Sayoko's neck, something that a goddess wouldn't normally wear. "What is that?"
Asuka looked down to see Belldandy carefully pulling out the chain. "That's the chain she keeps her mother's ring on."
"Ring?" Belldandy pulled the chain free and gasped. Dangling on the end of the chain was the ring Keiichi had just given her for Christmas. She reached out with her hand and touched it. Suddenly Belldandy found herself in the Temple yard. She watched as Keiichi tried to force his way into the recall gate to give her the ring. She also watched as Keiichi held her after Kami-sama had nullified the recall. The scenery changed to a church. She watched herself march down the aisle and approach a waiting Keiichi. When it came time for her to receive her wedding ring, she watched as Keiichi removed the Christmas ring. Then everything went black.
The next thing she saw was a woman in her twenties standing in front of several boxes, holding the ring. Belldandy gasped as she recognized the markings.
'Skuld?!'
"Onee-sama." Skuld said quietly as she held the ring. "I didn't think you'd leave this behind."
Belldandy followed Skuld as she walked through an apartment and into another room. The room had many pictures on the wall, many of them of Belldandy and Keiichi with a young girl. Others showed the girl standing with Skuld. Belldandy realized that the girl was Sayoko. She watched as Skuld walked over to a suitcase that was partially packed.
"Auntie Skuld?!" came a voice from elsewhere in the apartment, "I can't find my favorite shirt!"
"Hold on Yoko!" Skuld pulled out a box and place the ring into it. Everything went dark once again.
Belldandy wondered what would happen next when she found herself inside another apartment. Before her a young Sayoko sat on the bed, staring at the ring. An Angel floated nearby. Sayoko seemed to be reading a note while clutching the ring. Tears came to her eyes as she laid down. Belldandy started to move towards her when she found herself inside a metal tube.
'What is this?'
Sayoko was sitting before her in a cockpit. Looking forward she could see the view of some kind of bay.
"EVA-04 LAUNCH" came a voice over the radio.
'Eva?'
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Asuka was worried. Ever since Belldandy had grabbed the ring, she seemed...........lost, her eyes vacant. Staring but not seeing anything. Loud cheering by the Motor Club caused her to look up. Keiichi was coming around the final turn, several seconds ahead of the nearest competition. Asuka turned and waved her hand in front of Belldandy's face.
"Hey! Hello?! Keiichi's about to win! Wake-up!"
"What's wrong?" Asuka looked up to see that Skuld and Urd has returned.
"I don't know. She grabbed the ring and went blank."
Urd looked at Belldandy's blank face then grabbed her and shook her, causing the ring to fall free......
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"Ikari!" shouted the man who appeared to be in charge. "He knew what was going to happen! Him and SEELE!"
Belldandy felt the enter room she begin to shake.
"The Eva's AT-Fields are resonating!" said one technician's
A female turned to Sayoko, "What's happening?"
Sayoko stood next to Skuld, watching a monitor of the events going on outside.
Then with a flash, she was back in the pits. She looked up to see Asuka, Urd, and Skuld looking down at her, concern on their faces.
"Are you alright Bell?" asked Urd.
"I'm fine." said Belldandy quietly. She looked around. "What's going on?"
A loud roar went up from the crowd, followed by the motor club running from the pits cheering.
"Keiichi just won." said Skuld, "You should go to him."
"What about...?" Belldandy looked down at Sayoko.
"I take care of her." said Skuld.
"I'll help." said Asuka.
Both went over and lifted Sayoko off Belldandy and into a nearby chair. Belldandy gave one last look at Sayoko before running to Keiichi. Asuka knelt down on the ground next to Sayoko.
"How long do you think it will be before she's recharged?" she asked Skuld.
Skuld shrugged, "I don't know. Belldandy took 3 days to regain consciousness. Don't worry, when we get back to the temple we can give her a moon rock bracelet. That should speed things up a bit."
Asuka looked over where Keiichi was happily hugging Belldandy. "What happens now?"
"Usually a party." said Urd. She then glanced down at Sayoko. "But I think she'll give us a reason to hold it off."
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Keiichi placed the moon rock bracelet on Sayoko's wrist and then sat back next to Skuld and Asuka.
"That should do it."
He and Belldandy had brought her home on the motorcycle, Sayoko in the side car while Belldandy rode behind Keiichi. Urd, not one to turn down a drink or 5, had gone off with Megumi and the team to celebrate. Surprisingly, Tamiya had allowed Keiichi to escape.
"How long till it kicks in?" asked Asuka.
"Not sure. It work really quickly on Bell and the others."
"We were conserving energy though." said Skuld, "We weren't totally drained like she was."
The stood around watching Sayoko for several moments.
"You guys notice anything wrong with Belldandy?" asked Keiichi.
Skuld shook her head. "No. Why?"
"She was quiet after I won and remained quiet the whole ride home. I thought she was worried about Sayoko, but ....." Keiichi was quiet for a moment. "I think there's something else on her mind."
Skuld stood up, "I'll ask her."
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Belldandy sat at the table, sipping her tea, thinking about everything she had seen from her contact with Sayoko's ring. She knew why it had happened. Objects could retain memories from emotional moments. But what she had seen had disturbed her.
'Those........creatures returning from their eternal slumber,' thought Belldandy, '.......awakened by mortals.......and my daughter will fight them.'
"Onee-sama?"
Belldandy looked up to see Skuld. "Hmm? What is it Skuld?"
"Are you alright? You seem very quiet."
"I was just thinking. How's Sayoko?"
"Still unconscious." replied Skuld, "It make take some time before she........" Skuld's voice trailed off. Both she and Belldandy flew towards the room where Keiichi, Asuka, and Sayoko were. They burst in and knocked Keiichi and Asuka to the floor.
"Hey!" shouted Keiichi as Belldandy pressed him to the floor.
With a roar, the roof and walls were blasted away by a powerful wind.
"What the hell was that?" Asuka shouted.
"Hell is exactly what it was."
Everyone turned to see a very unhappy Mara floating just over the Temple grounds.
"Mara!" shouted Keiichi, "Don't you ever give up."
Mara smirked, "I won't give up till that contract is broken or I'm dead. And since I'm immortal......."
Belldandy stood up and faced Mara, "Begone Demon! Let us be. You've done enough damage today!"
Mara snarled. "I don't think I've done enough!" She raised her hands above her head, forming a force bolt. She sent it hurtling towards the group. Belldandy raised her hands and blocked the bolt with a shield. Mara just smiled.
"You can't do that forever Belldandy. Eventually your power will give out, just like last time. And this time wonder goddess over there is around to help you."
Belldandy's eyes narrowed, but she knew Mara spoke the truth.
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"This is fun." said Urd with a smile as she downed yet another bottle. She and Megumi were off sitting in a corner watching the rest of the team party away.
"I still don't get how you can drink that much and not be total plastered yet." muttered Megumi.
"I told you. It's my back-up power source." Urd reached over and grabbed another bottle. "Why do you think Skuld eats all that Ice Cream and Belldandy doesn't say a thing about it?"
"Cause she is nice and would never yell at anyone."
"You obviously haven't been around her long enough. She has a nasty temper. She actually tried to blast me several times after I first arrived here."
"Considering how much you like to tease people I don't blame her." Megumi downed her glass. "She needs to get mad at you more."
Urd frowned, "Why you little....." Suddenly Urd let out a gasp of shock.
"What is it Urd?" asked Megumi, now concerned.
"I have to get back to the temple." said Urd.
"Why?"
"Something just happened to Bell." Urd said before she vanished into a TV.