Sins of a Goddess
Wow have I really been gone and out for some time haven't I? Well I'm not gonna bore you things you probably know so on with the chapter!!!!
Oh and for those who don't know what's going on this a look into present day after a honeymoon in the past with hilarious results. Today is the day of a great race in Nekomi Tech will Keiichi surivive...er I mean win?
Present Day: Great Danger at Nekomi Tech, Peorth collapses?!
Keiichi: Lately it seems that I've been daydreaming.........I dream about the times like our dates to our honeymoon soon after we got married. Well they are pleasant memories, but the weirdest thing about them is they seem more than just mere dreams, it's almost like I'm living those moments over again, are these dreams a tribute to my true feelings for Peorth? Too bad I have no time to reminisce. I still have a job to do.
It was the day of the Great Race at Nekomi Tech as Keiichi Morisato, the Motor Club's chosen driver zipped up the front of his jumpsuit. It was time to see if all his hard work would pay off. The Great Race at Nekomi Tech usually had some of the most unusual rules and this year would be no different. It required the drivers of each respective clubs to not just drive but also build their own vehicles from scratch and the cars had to do more than just simply work they had to be stable enough to pass through several of the most curved-filled tracks ever devised by the sponsor of the race so if the car wasn't designed for the task, the driver would get a first class ticket to the wall. "Yep lucky me" thought Keiichi "this is exactly how I imagined coming out of retirement from racing". Just before he could finish his thoughts, a pair of hands covered his eyes.
???: guess who mon cherie!!!!
Keiichi: Peorth??!!!!
Peorth: oui!!! But why so surprised?
Keiichi: uummm Peorth...honey? This is the GUY'S locker room
Peorth: eh?
Peorth whirled around to see the many changing guys around her who now all stopped what they were doing to see the rather beautiful girl that had enter the change room area even with one rather large young man dropping his towel.
Peorth: EEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!
Keiichi: --;; maybe we should talk a littler later Peorth.
A little while later at the Nekomi Tech Auto Club's pit...
Keiichi: well I'm all geared up for the race
Peorth: oh that jump suit makes you so manly, mon cherie...
Keiichi: well I'm prepared to win!!!! Nothing's gonna stop me
Which is of course is when Tamiya and Ootaki approached the pit
Tamiya: Okay Morisato wese heards Aoshima's gonna save hese best driver for last well so are we...so Morisato youse can take it easy for the next cupple of hours
Keiichi: eh? Are you sure that's wise?
Tamiya: Course it is!!!! The Final Heat is worth the most points souse it don't madda how badly the other racers do, whens you take first place in the Final Heat ourse victory is guaranteed for sure.
Keiichi: great this is all I need.........more pressure
The Great Race is divided in several series of races, like previous races before it, there's more to winning than just simply getting first place. Points are distributed at the end of every race and the amount earned depends on several factors such as rank placement, placing new time records even the style of driving could award a driver points and the harder the race the more points given. Naturally the harder races that are worth more points took place near the end of the Great Race and they usually were filled with the most difficult twists and turn ever devised in college racing.
Tamiya: don't look at it likes that! You have all the support youse need!!! Theres yourse buddies Me and Otaki cheerin' youse on!!! And the rest of the Motor Club too. And theres yourse hot wife, Peorth.........man justs thinkin' that such a hot babe is cheering youse on makes me want to cry cause it so beautiful
Keiichi: imaging his sexy wife in a cheerleading outfit heh heh...
Tamiya: eeeerrrr let's not get into HIS fantasy heh heh...
Peorth: you know I AM still standing here...
And so.........we see Keiichi back in his casual clothing
Keiichi: great now I've got nothing to do for the next 2 hours or so
Verthandi: why don't you watch the other races?
Keiichi: I WAS planning to...
FLASHBACK
Keiichi: well if I'm not going to race, why don't I watch the other races?
Tamiya: no Morisato, I've got anodda Job for youse
Keiichi: eerrr what?
Tamiya: why don't youse give dat hot Vertandi a tour of Nekomi Tech?
Keiichi: are you sure now of all times?
Tamiya: yes, for as wese part of Nekomi Tech cannot deny any future students who may wanse to come here!!!!
Keiichi: uummm didn't we all graduate?
Tamiya: donse question me Morisato!!!! (Hee hee........after Peorth sees da type of cheating scum that Morisato is, she'll dumps him and I can catch her on da rebound, dere's no way dis plan can fail) haw haw HAW HAW HAW HAW
Obviously has a little of Aoshima's influence in him.........
Keiichi: (I really don't want to know what he's thinking.........)
END FLASHBACK
Keiichi: and so here I am.........
Verthandi: oh okay.........so why is your wife here as well?
Peorth: I'm just want to spend time with my husband nothing wrong with that right?
In response Peorth gripped Keiichi's other arm and glared at Verthandi darkly.
Peorth: (And to make sure you don't do anything to my husband you hussey!!!)
Verthandi: okay.........so why Urd's here?
Urd: hey there's no way I'm going to miss a big event like this!!!! Any event where you get to rub that jerk Aoshima's nose into the dirt is always worth it
Urd moved closer to Keiichi's ear
Urd: I know what you're thinking, how I'm able to skip work? Don't worry I may be the new head system analyst of Yggdrasil.........but I can always count on a little favor from an old friend........
Meanwhile
Chronus: Miss Urd? There's some more paper work I need you to fill out
Chronus dumps a huge stack of papers to "Urd" who's really Mara wearing a platinum wig, tanned her skin a bit and wearing stickers for goddess markings
Mara: all right.........just leave them here AND GO
Chronus: are you alright Miss Urd? Do you have a cold or something? You sound quite masculine
Mara: (I'll get you for this Urd!!!)
Back to Keiichi
Keiichi: you had Mara.........take over your position? Aren't you afraid that she might try something?
Urd: not to worry, I have a few pictures of her from the Christmas Party, unless she wants me to show them to every demon in hell, she'll behave
Keiichi: how bad is it?
Urd: let's put it this way, she should REALLY stick to lemonade........
Keiichi: uh-huh
Verthandi: okay and why is Skuld here?
Skuld: it's my day off.........
Verthandi: day off? Oh where do you work?
Skuld: I work at.........
Keiichi: the local high school, yes!!!! At the cafeteria
Verthandi: okay
Verthandi walked on, while Skuld gripped Keiichi by the collar
Skuld: AT THE CAFETERIA??!!! HOW DARE YOU SAY A GENIUS LIKE ME WORKS THERE!!!!
Keiichi: sorry Skuld but what was I supposed to say? You're a system debugger for Heaven's Computer?
Skuld:.........point taken
Peorth: oh Keiichi you're ever so smart!!!
Urd: laying it on a little thick there, Peorth, if I'm not mistaken you're jealous of Verthandi
Peorth: What??!!! That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard.........isn't that right Keiichi?
Urd: than why are you talking to yourself?
Peorth: eh?
Peorth didn't realize it but Keiichi had moved on ahead while Urd was questioning her.
Peorth: wait for me!!!!
Urd: aw to be in love.........
Skuld: you're weird you know A little while later.........
Keiichi: and that's essentially Nekmoi Tech in a nutshell
Verthandi: oh okay
Keiichi: I'm sorry I'm not exactly the best at giving tours
Verthandi: no you did a wonderful job, I was just a little lost in my thoughts
Keiichi: well I guess the last place I can show you is the Motor Clubhouse
Verthandi: will you? I would definitely like to see the place you dedicated so much heart and soul into
Keiichi: aaaww I don't dedicate that much.........I'm just doing favors for friends
Verthandi: you do, you don't realize it but seeing you work so hard tells me everything. You are surrounded by so many wonderful friends each of them loves and trust you so very much in their own special way. Every good deed you do for them is never forgotten and your clubhouse is a reminder of that
Keiichi: wow when you put it that way.........
Even if it were only for a second Keiichi could see something VERY familiar about Verthandi
Keiichi: (why? Why do I still see Belldandy in you? Peorth said it was impossible, right? So why can't I ever forget?)
Verthandi: so are we going to the clubhouse?
Keiichi: sure.........
A rumble in Keiichi's stomach interrupted his thoughts
Keiichi: eeerrr let's have lunch first?
Verthandi: okay
Peorth: did someone say lunch?
Peorth stood in front of them holding an open bentou lunchbox
Verthandi: hey Peorth, where did you come from?
Peorth: I had a few things to take care of, but now I can see that my dear husband needs his sustenance
Keiichi: ha ha that's my wife for you she always knows where I am
Peorth: that's right
Verthandi: it must really be nice
Peorth: what do you mean?
Verthandi: nothing
Peorth: and what does THAT mean?
Keiichi could sense some hostility emitting from his wife, hastily he grabbed a rice roll
Keiichi: easy ladies, let's just have some lunch
Keiichi sank his teeth into it
Keiichi: wow this is really good, Peorth
Peorth's eyes filled with little hearts
Peorth: you really think so Keiichi?
Keiichi: yep
Keiichi could remember her first attempt at making bentou boxes two years he almost chipped a tooth then.
Verthandi: uumm Keiichi.........
Keiichi stopped eating and turned to Verthandi who was now holding a lunch box of her own.
Keiichi: yes?
Verthandi: I also made a lunch box.........would it be okay if you tried it?
Keiichi: okay
Keiichi took a roll from it and took a bite
Keiichi:.........
Verthandi: oh no.........it's bad isn't it?
Keiichi: no it's actually one of the most wonderful things I've ever tasted
Verthandi: oh?
Verthandi mild look of surprised into a radiant smile of a goddess.
Verthandi: arigato Keiichi-sama
Keiichi-sama? Why was she speaking so formally?
Keiichi: I bet the person you made this for is going to be really happy when they taste this
Verthandi blushed slightly
Verthandi: he already is
Keiichi: eh?
Keiichi was a little surprised by Verthandi's comment, however he forgot one important fact: Peorth was still right behind him.
Peorth: ggggrrrrrrrrrrr
Keiichi: um Peorth?
Peorth: KEIICHI YOU BAKA!!!!!!
Keiichi now found himself on the receiving end of Peorth's fist.
Keiichi: oowww
Peorth: you prefer another woman's cooking over your own wife's??!! Keiichi I don't believe you!!!!
Peorth left in a slight huff
Verthandi: oh no I.........I did it again, I'm causing trouble for you and your wife again aren't I?
Keiichi picked himself up and regained his composure
Keiichi: naw it's alright, Peorth can get a little snippy at times but she'll get over it.........if you want to know the truth she's a little jealous of you and that's why she's been acting a little hostile towards you but.........she has nothing to fear, I will always love her
Verthandi: that trust, that faith that you two share.........hhhhmmmmmm it feels so nostalgic, almost like him.........
Keiichi: are you remembering something from your past?
Verthandi: I'm not sure
Keiichi: well it's best not to rush things, it will come when it does let's go visit the clubhouse now
Verthandi: (Keiichi.........your heart is filled with warmth and kindness.........even if I don't know you that well I can feel it. Keiichi everytime I'm with you I feel safe and at ease, no matter how many problems I cause you, you're still kind to me.........Keiichi, I want to find out if the face in my dreams is really you) At the Nekomi Motor Clubhouse
Keiichi: it's not much and it's always a mess but it's ours
Verthandi laughed and smiled as she followed Keiichi through the mess of assorted boxes.
Verthandi: I can see that
Keiichi: come I would like to show you something
Keiichi led Verthandi up a flight of stairs and into a spacious room. It was technically area but a lot of memories had taken place there.
Keiichi: I don't know why I decided to come here but..........
Verthandi: I can feel that a lot has taken place here
Keiichi: not really.........but.........I do have this one memory, this was some time before I even married Peorth, I was in love with someone else at the time
Verthandi: Belldandy, right?
Keiichi: correct.........the thing about us is that we were in love but we were never open with our feelings, we always just knew.
Verthandi: I see
Keiichi: I remember Peorth came from Hea..........I mean her homeland, to grant my deepest desire
Verthandi: and that was how you met Peorth?
Keiichi: yes she was an old friend of Belldandy's or should I say her self proclaimed rival, I'll never forget it.........she was always trying to compete and outdo Bell but well the thing about Bell was.........
Verthandi: completely oblivious to it, right?
Keiichi: yes that's correct, anyway Peorth with her intention of granting my desire chases Bell and me here.........and well I had the wrong idea of what she was going to do
Verthandi: you have a dirty mind Keiichi-sama
Keiichi: well she did kinda act clingy but it was all part of her elaborate plan to get Bell to tell her feelings for me. Funny it wasn't the first time but for some reason it seemed to be the most meaningful
Verthandi: Keiichi the words of love are never easy to say, that's why it's rare to ever hear them. Keiichi, Belldandy must have loved you with every fiber of her being to say those words and for Peorth it must have been as equally difficult to let someone she had fallen in loved end up with one of her best friends
Keiichi: I never really thought about it like that, (Peorth.........did you have feelings for me back then too?) so you're saying that two women were confessing their feelings for me instead of one
Verthandi simply nodded
Keiichi:.........well.........
Keiichi shot a glance at his watch
Keiichi: oh the race is going to start in 15 minutes, I think its about time to head back
Verthandi: yes
Keiichi: hey Verthandi, I hope to have your support during the race
Verthandi: you will
Keiichi headed for the stairs but felt a gentle hand touching his
Verthandi: wait
Keiichi turned around to see Verthandi, her head was bowed down and he couldn't even see her eyes only the bangs of her brunette hair, several droplets fell from her face
Verthandi: before you go.........there's something I want to tell you
Keiichi: huh?
Meanwhile just outside the door of the Motor clubhouse at around the same time.
Peorth: (maybe I was too hard on him..........argh ever since that Verthandi came to live with us, she's been stirring up the worst in me. I don't know why though every time I see her with KeiichiI feel so so..........am I jealous? No that can't be!!!! I'm his wife, I should have no reason to be jealous.........he chose me afterall)
Feeling much better about herself Peorth started to think about the task at hand.
Peorth: I should give this to him before the race of course
It was a small jeweled rose shaped pendant on a gold chain and no doubt was probably worth a small fortune. However it had more sentimental value than any monetary. Her mother had given it to her on her wedding day and it had a little interesting story behind it.
Flashback
Peorth's mother: oh Peorth now you are married I'm so happy
Peorth: gee mother you make it sound like I was never going to get married
Peorth's mother: eeerrr uummm Peorth before you go for your honeymoon I have something to give you
Peorth's mother hands her the pendant
Peorth: it's beautiful
Peorth's mother: yes, my mother gave it to me just like her mother before and now I'm giving it to you. It's a family heirloom that every woman in our family will pass down to their recently married daughters to wish their families good fortune and I hope you'll give it to your daughter when the time comes.
Peorth: thank you mother
Peorth puts the shiny pendant on
Peorth's mother: it really suits you. Oh one more thing, there's another use for this pendant, one day your husband will fight in the name of your honor and when that day comes, give this pendant to him for hope and strength and to remind him that no matter how far he is, you'll always be with him
Peorth: I'll remember that......... mother?
Peorth's mother: yes?
Peorth: what was dad fighting for when you gave this pendant to him?
Peorth's mother: it's my secret
End Flashback
Peorth: her secret, oh she can be so mean like that. Keiichi.........ever since we got married I brought you nothing but trouble but you've given me nothing but happiness, I feel like I sometimes don't deserve you.........but, oh now I'm just starting to babble to myself. Anyway I need to give him this before this before the race begins, oh Peorth, giving her handsome knight this trinket before he ventures off into battle (with cars of course) how romantic, I hope he likes it I even added a little surpise in it
Peorth could sense Keiichi was upstairs, in the place she had finally granted the stubborn boy his wish, to hear something that he already knew, the words of love from Belldandy. It was still considered a special place for her for there were so many memories. Keiichi climbed up the stairs and poked her head into the room.
Peorth: oooooooohhhh Keiichi!!!!! I.........
However nothing could prepare her for what she saw next.
Peorth: Keiichi.........
Her husband, her one true love Keiichi was kissing Verthandi. The tears instantly began to fall.
Peorth: Keiichi........you baka
Keiichi immediately saw Peorth and broke away from Verthandi
Keiichi: no no Peorth!!! It's not what it looks like
Peorth: no save it.........don't even try to tell me!!!! How long has this been going on???!!! It's so obvious why didn't I see this before?
Keiichi: Peorth no wait, I can explain
Peorth: I understand whole-heartedly, your one true love will always be Belldandy.........afterall you did promise to be with her always. I can see that clearly now that I can never replace her, never even amount to the woman she'll ever be in your eyes. Hell you're willing to be with Verthandi, a simple girl who LOOKS AND ACTS LIKE HER!!!! Do you want Belldandy that badly??!! Fine than go with Verthandi see if I care.
Keiichi: Peorth please wait!!!!
Peorth turned around obviously very distressed
Keiichi: Peorth........
Verthandi: Keiichi I'm so sorry.........I don't know what came over me I'm causing you nothing but grief between you and your wife
Keiichi: don't worry it's my fault
Verthandi: and if you lose her.........I will never forgive myself, I'm repaying your kindness with all this pain
Keiichi: it's my problem, look I going to go after her
Verthandi: all right I will be cheering you in the stands
And with that Keiichi ran off
Verthandi: why did I have to met Keiichi? All I'm doing is breaking him and his wife up
While she was leaving she noticed a shining rose pendant on the ground
Verthandi: Peorth must have dropped it. Keiichi I may not be able to repair things between you and your wife but I'm not going to sit around knowing that I could have at least tried
Verthandi taking the pendant and pocketing it, she ventured off to find Peorth or Keiichi. Keiichi searched all over the campus grounds
Keiichi: Peorth!!! Peorth!!!!
But that was the thing about goddesses if they didn't want to be found it was mighty difficult to find them the race was going to begin in 5 minutes but that didn't matter to him. Nothing mattered until he made atonement with his wife.
Keiichi: If I don't at least get to her I'm sorry.........
However before his search could continue.
Tamiya: MORISATO!!!!! Da Race about do start
Keiichi: not now, Tamiya I just don't care about that right now!!!!
Tamiya: but you haveta for da pride of da Motorclub
Keiichi: DO YOU THINK ANY OF THAT MATTERS TO ME??!!!
Tamiya: Morisato, you neva talked like dis before
Before Keiichi could answer an arrogant laugh could be heard
???: Ha ha ha so the great Morisato has finally lost his nerve
Aoshima decided to rear his taunting face
Aoshima: what's the matter? Where's your infamous confidence now?
Keiichi: shut up Aoshima, you're the last person I want to deal with
Aoshima: if you don't race than this won't be the last time you'll ever see me. You do know what is at stake here don't you?
Keiichi:I don't care about this bet!!! Remember I never agreed to it, but I swear if you even lay one finger on my wife I SWEAR I WILL KILL YOU!!!!
Aoshima: ha ha temper temper, your false threats don't scare me remember you can never beat me
Laughing even more Aoshima began to walk away
Aoshima: I guess I win regardless if you come to the track or not
Keiichi:.........
Tamiya: now youse see why you haveta win Moristao?
Keiichi: Tamiya, there are more important things than winning.........what does it matter if I don't have her?
Tamiya: did youse quarrel wit ya wife?
Keiichi: what's it to you? It's my problem and mine alone
Tamiya: (I should feel happy but I feel actually bad for Morisato) Morisato!!!!! I neva knew you were so weak!!!!
Keiichi: hmph, why do you care? You lusted after my wife for these past years as well, I thought you of all people would have wanted this
Tamiya: you can talk to youse wife later!!!! Youse have a race to win right now
Keiichi:.........all right I guess I'll do it
Tamiya: that's da spirit
Keiichi: what does it matter? Aoshima is right win or lose I would have failed Peorth
Tamiya:......... And finally the final race began
Announcer: AND FINALLY THE FINAL RACE OF THE NEKOMI TECH GREAT RACE!!!! WHO WILL BE TAKING IT ALL HOME? RIGHT NOW THE FOUR WHEEL CLUB IS LEADING BUT NOT BY MUCH. WITH ONLY A 4 POINT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SECOND RANKING MOTOR CLUB IT'S ANYBODY'S MATCH. TOSHIYUKI AOSHIMA IS CONFIDENT THAT HIS TEAM WILL WIN BY SAVING HIS BEST DRIVER FOR LAST, HOWEVER THE MOTORCLUB HAS ALSO PLAYED THEIR TRUMP CARD BY PULLING GRADUATED NEKOMI TECH'S OWN RACING GREAT KEIICHI MORISATO OUT OF RETIREMENT.........
The crowd comes alive by the mention of Keiichi's name.
Announcer: IF THERE'S ONE THING KEIICHI HAS SHOWN IN THE PAST IS THAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE PULL OUT MIRACLES FROM IMPOSSIPLE SITUATIONS. WILL MORISATO CREATE ANOTHER ONE TODAY? WELL WE'LL SEE FOR SURE NOW WON'T WE?
Down at the starting line
Urd: looks like you have the homefield advantage Keiichi
Skuld: yeah and you better not lose Keiichi otherwise you'll lose face in front of Peorth
Keiichi: Peorth? Is she here?
Urd: um no, wasn't she with you?
Keiichi:.........
Urd: I see got into a fight with her?
Keiichi: well it was more one sided her yelling at me but the bottom line is I really hurt her feelings
Urd: well she should be here soon it's not like what you did is that bad, like kiss another woman or something
Keiichi:.......
Urd: Keiichi you didn't!!!!
Keiichi just sadly nodded
Urd: I can see why she's so upset when her husband acts like cheating scum
Skuld: WHY YOU!!!!!!
If the place wasn't so crowded it would have been an ample opportunity for Skuld to pull out one of her Skuld bombs
Keiichi: but it was a misunderstanding.........I just wanted to tell her this, you see it started out like this
Flashback
Keiichi headed for the stairs but felt a gentle hand touching his
Verthandi: wait
Keiichi turned around to see Verthandi, her head was bowed down and he couldn't even see her eyes only the bangs of her brunette hair, several droplets fell from her face
Verthandi: before you go.........there's something I want to tell you
Keiichi: huh?
Verthandi: Keiichi-sama.........you stir up emotions in me that I only felt about one person and that was the young man in my dreams
Keiichi: Verthandi
Verthandi: ever since you saved my life the first time we met, I knew that I had these emotions. I tried to deny them because you are married but I just can't help but feel them I sometimes wish I could cut my emotions so I wouldn't feel the pain of feeling for someone I can never have. Keiichi- sama I know you'll never feel the same way but if I don't tell you I'll go crazy.........Keiichi-sama, no Keiichi Morisato, I love you
Keiichi: Verthandi, no you can't want me you have someone else, right?
Verthandi: yes a young man in my dreams whom I can't even remember their face. Keiichi I have nightmares about the darkness consuming me but the man always came to me and comforted me. I had a sense of security I only feel this security whenever I'm with you. Keiichi there were moments I even began praying that the man was you
Keiichi: I don't know what to say
Verthandi: you don't have to say anything, all I wanted was to tell you.........Keiichi I am so sorry, I tried to take advantage of the fact I looked like your former love Belldandy to get your attention but I now know that is wrong, I'm not her and you love your wife.
Keiichi: Verthandi, thank you
Verthandi: ??!
Keiichi: you made the toughest choice of your life you risked everything just to be honest with your feelings. I love you too Verthandi but only as a friend, you're right I do love my wife. Being with you only reminded me how much of Belldandy I refused to let go. Maybe I'm weaker than I thought I am
Verthandi: thank you Keiichi for being so understanding, please before you go would you please hold me for a minute?
Keiichi: of course
They did so as Verthandi wept silently.
Verthandi: do you know what I wish? I wish I could have someone just like how Peorth has you. When I see you two, I see the strength of your bond. When I see you both laugh, when I see you both cry and even when I see the both of you fight I can see it. I can see your love shining through. Keiichi when I'm gone please promise me that you'll love your wife more than you already do now
Keiichi: what do you mean? What do you mean when you're gone?.........
Before Keiichi could get a response he could feel Verthandi press her lips against his.
Keiichi: mmmpppphhhh
Verthandi: (I love you so much but by being here I'm causing you nothing but pain, please God.........don't let this moment end)
Which is when Peorth popped her head in and was able to witness this somewhat awkward event.
End Flashback
Keiichi: and that's what happened and you know Peorth, always jumping to conclusions
Urd: didn't think you were that popular with the ladies Kei
Keiichi: now's not the time guys
Urd: all right, Skuld and I will look for Peorth
Skuld: you still have a race to win, Kei
Keiichi: thank you guys.........though I would prefer to solve my own problems
Urd: hey you're in the doghouse no matter what, might as well make sure that this doesn't end in a divorce
Urd and Skuld ran off. Keiichi got into the racer ready for the race of his life.
Keiichi: you sure the frame will hold Tamiya?
Tamiya: hey youse build da engine, wese build da body and da frame
Otaki: yeah Kei no one will be able to comprehend the power of the Motorclub's Super Deluxe Wheel ZERO!!!!
Keiichi: That's was what I was afraid of
???: WAIT!!!!
Keiichi: Verthandi?
Sure enough Verthandi came running onto the track
Keiichi: what are you doing here?
Verthandi: Keiichi I just felt so awful about what happened
Keiichi: don't be like I said before you were only following your feelings.........hey this isn't the first time I got into those wrong moment situations believe me
Verthandi: I may have ruined things with your wife and yet.........
Keiichi: hey don't be like that, love between two people should be strong enough to overcome every problem, I know that I still love Peorth and I know that she still loves me I have a feeling everything will work out in the end
Verthandi: you're right.........if I really did love you like I said I will also pray for your strength, I believe you can do it
Keiichi: thanks, but still I wish I could see her face to tell her everything's okay
Verthandi: oh I almost forgot
Verthandi reached into her pocket and handed Keiichi the rose pendant
Verthandi: your wife dropped this I'm sure she wanted to give this to you
Keiichi: strange.........
Verthandi: what?
Keiichi: I feel like I've seen this before but I haven't, something inside is telling me that this IS Peorth's pendant and she really did want me to wear it
Verthandi: the strength of your bond once again
Keiichi: I'll wear it during the race for luck
Keiichi puts the pendant on and slips it underneath his jumpsuit.
Announcer: WOULD ALL NON-RACERS PLEASE CLEAR THE TRACK.........
Keiichi: well you best be going
Verthandi: okay
Keiichi: would I count on you cheering me on?
Verthandi: you will but first there's something I need to take care of
Keiichi watched as Verthandi left the track
Keiichi: I wonder what she means?
ANNOUNCER: RACERS TAKE YOUR POSITIONS.........
Keiichi: no time for that now though
ANNOUNCER: ONE YOUR MARK
Keiichi: this is for everyone who's ever believed in me
Announcer: GET SET, GO!!!!!!!!
And so the race began Back at the Nekomi Tech Motor Clubhouse
Verthandi: I thought I'd find you here
Peorth: y-you? How did you find me here?
Verthandi: The last place you'd think Keiichi would look, the running off bit was just for show, and once he left you'd come back here. Keiichi would probably never think of coming back to a place he already saw you run away from
Peorth: hmph that's some nice sleuthing, now leave me alone
Verthandi: wait please Peorth just hear me out
Peorth: hear you out? You seduce my husband away from me and you expect ME TO LISTEN TO YOU??!!!
Verthandi: please Peorth don't do this for me but for Keiichi
Peorth: how dare you say his name!!!!! I was happy before you came into the picture!!! You ruined everything for me!!!
Verthandi: Peorth, Keiichi loves you
Peorth:.........(I am a goddess, I could destroy her with just one wave of my hand, but no that wouldn't be the right thing to do for myself or Keiichi) go on
Verthandi: look Peorth, Keiichi loves you and only you he told me himself, Peorth I won't lie to you I also have fallen in love with Keiichi
Peorth:........
Verthandi: I-I only wanted to tell him........and afterwards I kissed him, not the other way round. I'm so sorry Peorth I followed my own feelings and I did something that I still regret
Peorth: you don't regret it
Verthandi: no but
Peorth: if you had regret it you would have kept your feelings to yourself. A wise man once told me that it's better to be open with your emotions than keep them inside and live a lie. That was my own husband I didn't understand what it meant at first but now.........
Verthandi: I wish I never met you or Keiichi, maybe........
Peorth: no, don't say that. Maybe your meeting with Keiichi was fate you said you needed help? Than there's no better guy than Keiichi Morisato
Verthandi: Peorth can I ask you something, did you ever love someone so much but you know that you could never be true to yourself because he had someone else?
Peorth: (Belldandy.........) all the time
"Keiichi, I'm so happy that I got to meet you. I know that our first meeting was a mistake. Than again a lot of happy moments were mistakes. I mean all I wanted to do at the time was grant your wish but you didn't want anything, you had all you needed right there beside you. Was it my competitive nature towards Belldandy that made me go to great lengths to grant your wish? Or was it because I was actually jealous seeing one of my best friends finding you, the perfect guy? When I told you I loved you then, did I really mean it? I wonder if I had told you again while Belldandy was still here would it have ruined our friendship? All I know is that I wanted to get to know you more even the briefest second was bliss for me. Keiichi when Belldandy disappeared you chose me above any woman you could have wanted. Keiichi I know you are a very loving man but for you to choose me out of all those you love I can't imagine why. I mean me, sure I have brains and beauty but I can't cook, I'm so impulsive and I can be stubborn as a mule. I'm everything that's the opposite of what Belldandy was, so why me? I never stopped asking myself this. Keiichi how did I repay your trust? By accusing you without knowing what actually took place. How did I repay your kind words? By refusing to listen to you. How did I repay your wish to be with me always? By running away from you. Keiichi if you're willing to take me back.........I'll never stop apologizing"
Verthandi: so are you going to be there for Keiichi?
Peorth: absolutely!!!! Verthandi please forgive me for bringing you into this
Verthandi: no it's I who should apologize
Peorth: than let's say we'll call it even? Oh? My pendant.........where'd it go?
Verthandi: I-I gave it to Keiichi before the race saying you wanted to give it to him, I'm sorry I know you would have wanted to do it yourself
Peorth: no thank you, I probably wouldn't have given it to him in time anyway, darn it
Verthandi: what?
Peorth: now I owe you again
As the two women laughed as the ice had finally been cleared.
Verthandi: now let's get to the stands, we still have to see Keiichi win his race
Peorth: okay (Keiichi I'm beginning to see why you see Belldandy in this girl. No matter what I just can't bring myself to hate her.) Back at the race things weren't going so great for Keiichi
Keiichi: (damn it, I'm still in the middle of the pack)
Urd and Skuld who were sitting in the stands after failing to find Peorth were observing this. Keiichi was only tenth and had a long way to go to catch up to Aoshima's driver and there were still 2 laps to go.
Skuld: damn Keiichi's only 10th, why doesn't it seem like he's racing at his best?
Urd: that's because he's not, there's so much on his mind he can't concentrate
Skuld: dammit Peorth why'd you have to fog his judgment now of all time
Peorth: someone say my name?
Urd: Peorth where were you?
Peorth: I had a lot of thinking to do
Urd: and you!!! You dare show your face after what you tried to do to Keiichi
Verthandi:.........
Peorth: save it Urd, she wasn't trying to do anything wrong........
Urd: but
Peorth: look if you have problems with her than you'll have them with me as well
Urd: well if you feel so strongly about it, I'm sorry
Verthandi: that's okay, we're even right Peorth?
Peorth: no as I recall I still owe you, anyway what's happening?
Urd: not good, Kei's only 10th and now there's only 2 laps to go
Peorth: that's not acceptable now is it? HEY KEIICHI!!!!! I'M SORRY FOR OUR FIGHT BUT IFYOU LOSE AND I HAVE TO GO OUT WITH THAT SCUM ASOHIMA THAN I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!!
Random Spectator: ow! That girl has quite a voice
Meanwhile back at the race
Keiichi: I-I just can't win
???: HEY KEIICHI!!!!! I'M SORRY FOR OUR FIGHT BUT IFYOU LOSE AND I HAVE TO GO OUT WITH THAT SCUM ASOHIMA THAN I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!!
Keiichi could hear the loud voice even from his car
Keiichi: Peorth?
A quick glance at the stands confirmed his guess.
Keiichi: PEORTH!!!!
Peorth: KEIICHI!!! NO MATTER WHAT, YOU SAID IT YOURSELF!!!! WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
Keiichi: right!!!! This is for you my love
Almost like he found an inner strength Keiichi's mind was cleared of all doubt and but the end of his second last lap, Keiichi was now 4th.
Skuld: YEAH!!! WAY TO GO KEIICHI!!!!
Urd: only 1 last lap to go, and three more guys to get past
Aoshima: this this is impossible how did he manage to get this good??!!!
Peorth: ha ha ha he's racing for love, mon ami that's something you'll never understand. That's why he's married to me
Aoshima: well he's too late there's no way he'll catch up to my racer!!!!! This race is good as mine!!!! I hope you wear something sexy on our.........
POW!!!! Aoshima found himself literally flying across the stands.
Peorth: I REALLY can't stand him sometimes
Urd: how do you think Belldandy felt? She rarely ever reacted violently towards him
Peorth: rarely? Heh didn't know she had in her
Back with the race, Keiichi had passed the other two racers in his way. Now he was neck and neck with Aoshima's driver.
Aoshima's Driver: (What a powerful comeback.........this is why I decided to join this race I want to prove that I'm the best but unless I beat the great retired Morisato I'll always be considered a paper champion. Now I see why they said you were the greatest, no hard feelings I don't really like Aoshima but I have to win)
Keiichi: (you were my toughest opponent yet, I've never felt so alive.........now I remember why I enjoyed racing so much. I wish I can do it more but now I have my future to think about with my wife, this will definitely be my final race. Win or lose, I will race with no regrets........)
There were now on the home stretch
Keiichi: (but I can't lose.........I.........I..........I HAVE A GODDESS WAITING FOR ME!!!!)
As if the car and Keiichi became one, Keiichi was able to overtake Aoshima's driver and pass the finish line. The crowd immediately went wild.
Announcer: AND THE WINNER OF NEKOMI TEHC'S GREAT RACE IS KEIICHI MORISATO!!!!!!
Peorth: KEIICHI!!!! YOU DID IT!!!!!
A little upset but saddened by the lost Keiichi's opponent in Aoshima's racer stopped his car and removed his helmet. It was a man who had met Keiichi before 2 years ago but could no longer remember ever meeting him.
Troy: Keiichi, that was fun.........I hope we get to meet again one day, in another time, in another place. I won't lose next time
And almost as mysterious and coincidental that he came here, Troy quietly slipped away no one even noticing him leaving.
Troy: Aki.........wait for me, I will be coming home
Back in the stands the fans (except for Aoshima of course) were still cheering Keiichi on as he continued to drive along the track even after the race long over. Verthandi happily watched as Keiichi was showing off his skills to the many fans that asked for it. She looked over at Peorth who cheering and happily clapping, show without a doubt was the happiest one there.
Verthandi: (they really love each other, don't they?)
"It's unfair isn't it?"
Verthandi: (who's there?)
"You say everything is okay because you admitted your feelings but what you really want is to have Keiichi"
Verthandi: (NO!!! THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!! I.........ARGH.........)
Verthandi's chest pains once again strike and this time it was worse one yet.
Verthandi: (no, not again.........why?)
Back with Keiichi's car there was a loud bang coming from the engine
Keiichi: dammit, now that can't be good, steering's gone.........I better stop
Keiichi put his foot on the brake except it doesn't respond
Keiichi: okay broken brakes now I know this can't be good
However all of these problems paled in comparison to the last one
Keiichi: uuummm why is the car actually picking up speed?
Peorth: Keiichi!!!!!
Urd: what's wrong?
Peorth: something wrong with Keiichi
Urd: what?
Peorth: I don't know call it a bad feeling
Verthandi: Peorth.........
Peorth turned around to see Verthandi hutched over in pain
Peorth: huh? Are you okay, Verthandi?
Verthandi: never mind, about me.........Keiichi is in grave danger
Peorth: huh?
Turning around sure enough she could see Keiichi's racer picking up speed and seemingly having no control and about to run into a wall.
Peorth: (damn everyone thinks this is a show, no one realizes the danger........I don't have time to cast a proper spell before Keiichi crashes, only one chance. Please for Keiichi's sake it must work)
Back with Keiichi
Keiichi: no good, I'm sorry Peorth.........this looks like the end, I don't want to leave you. Belldandy wait for me, I will see you very soon
"Not necessarily"
Keiichi: Peorth?
A soft voice can be heard in his mind
"I left a little something special in my gift to you, Keiichi I know I'm sounding selfish but I can't let you die"
The rose pendant began to glow a bright red and emitted a bright white flash. Sitting on lap in front of him was a beautiful young blonde woman. No rather it was an angel.
Keiichi: Gorgeous Rose?
"I put an arcane link with my Angel into your pendant, when I told you that we were in this together I meant it, now matter where you go a part of me will always be with you."
The Personal Angel of Peorth wrapped its arms and feathery wings around Keiichi. Keiichi could immediately guess its plan. Rose wanted to absorb the shock of the impact from the collision. Keiichi closed his eyes and braced himself.
Peorth: (The cost may be my life, but I will do anything to protect you just like how you would do the same for me.........Gorgeous Rose this may be the last time we are needed.)
Than it happened. Keiichi's car crashed into the war at full force. The fans were absolutely shocked by what they just witnesses. The car was now one big heap of rubble, while many thought he was dead because it would be nearly impossible to survive such a collision. Imagine the people's surprise when what was left of the door broke off and Keiichi managed to climb out worse for the wear but nonetheless without a scratch. He was a little puzzled by what just happened, his car suddenly losing control, Rose protecting him by Peorth's order and suddenly mysteriously disappearing. The Announcer spoke out to reassure the fans.
Announcer: HE'S ALRIGHT FOLKS!!!!!! THAT WAS JUST A SMALL MECHANICAL FAILURE, WE AT NEKOMI TECH RACING DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR SCARINGTHE FANS BUT IT WAS ALL PART OF THE SHOW
Keiichi: and I wonder why I retired........huh? Peorth!!!!
While Keiichi was able to escape from harm the same could not be said with Peorth.
Peorth: Keiichi.........you're safe, I'm.........glad
Because Goddess and Angel are linked and almost considered one, all the damage Gorgeous Rose received trying to protect Keiichi, could be felt by Peorth. Even though she was a Goddess the pain was still great. She felt her body weakening and her vision dimming but she still found the strength to say one last thing.
Peorth: Keiichi.........I, love you
Saying what needed to be said even if Keiichi could not hear, Peorth collapsed to the ground of the stands.
Urd: Peorth?
Skuld: Peorth!!
The frightened fans now turned their attention to her. Keiichi threw his helmet to the ground and tried to reach his fallen wife at the stands but the crowd of people was stopping him.
Keiichi: Peorth!!! PEORTH!!!!!
Nothing mattered to him now, nothing except the well being of his wife. As he tried to make it through the crowd, his own words that he had said earlier haunted him, win or lose, Keiichi would have failed Peorth.........
To Be continued.........
Yeah Yeah I know it took a really long time to get this chapter out but I think its worth it so read and review please.
Anyway next chapter we find out whether Peorth is okay or not, Keiichi begins to question his marriage and Verthandi learns a little secret about herself that may best be left buried. The bottom line question is will Keiichi survive? Find out next chapter.