Chapter 7
After graduation, things changed.
Mana moved back to the United States with Welsper. Kensuke enlisted in the UN armed services and went off to boot camp. Asuka also joined the UN, but because of her prior NERV service, and Misato's influence, she became Misato's assistant.
Shinji, Rei, Sayoko, Touji and Hikari all took their entrance exams for Tokyo-2 University, and passed with flying colors.
Within a few years, Shinji proposed to Asuka, and she accepted. Another year passed, and they were married. The occasion was made even more joyful with the release of Yui Ikari and Belldandy and Keiichi Morisato from their Evangelion prisons.
The following year was even more eventful.
That year, Heaven fell to Rogue Demons, led by a traitorous God, Loki.
A week later, Heaven was retaken by a combined army of Gods and Demons. During the battle the four Eva Pilots fell, only to rise again as Guardians of Heaven. The battle was fierce, but in the end victory went to the Gods and Demons.
2023
Two days after Heaven was retaken.
Mana walked long a once-beautiful street in Heaven. Because she had been born and raised mostly on Earth, Mana could appreciate the beauty of the Heavens, unlike her fellow Demons. Unfortunately, much of that beauty lay in ruins.
Few residents of Heaven, the souls of the dead, were really eager to run out to meet her. Much had happened to them while the Rogue Demons had been in control, thus the residents were wary of any Demon that walked about. Usually, when Mana had been on patrol, looking for any remaining Rogues, she'd pass by the residents, not causing them any trouble or cause for grief.
Today was different, though. Mana was on a mission, something her patrols had never let her do.
She walked over to a resident who was busy sweeping up broken glass and debris.
"Excuse me," Mana said.
The resident jumped. "GAH!!! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!?! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!! DON'T HURT ME!!!"
Mana raised her hands. "Calm down. I just want directions."
The resident breathed a sigh of relief. He then took a closer look at Mana.
"You're dressed like a demon, but you sure don't look like one."
Mana allowed her powers to surge, causing her eyes to flash red and her markings to flare into existence. The resident back away from her, clearly frightened. Mana immediately allowed her powers to fade.
"I just need your help," Mana said.
"Alright," the resident said with a gulp. "What do you want to know?"
"I'm looking for the Yggdrasil building."
The resident gave her a goofy look. "Are you kidding me?"
"No, seriously. That's what I'm looking for."
The resident turned and pointed towards a towering building, which was missing a large section of its side wall.
"That's it right there." The resident then looked at Mana. "But I seriously doubt they'll let you in."
Mana gave a shrug. "Don't know, but I'm going to try. Thank you."
Mana walked through ruined hallway after ruined hallway. Along the way she passed many bodies, both of fallen demons and fallen gods. Each had a cape pulled up over them. In several hallways, groups of Gods were carefully removing the bodies, carrying them off somewhere. Here and there were also Valkyries, standing guard as they always had. But unlike the past, these Valkyries looked disheveled. Their armor didn't shine with a mirror-like surface. Their faces also seemed a bit stunned. Never had the Valkyries been defeated in such a way, and it had definitely affected them.
Mana finally found the place she was looking for: the Yggdrasil Control room. The room looked pretty much how the rest of Heaven looked: wrecked. Here and there, Gods and Goddesses went about fixing the various terminals and monitors for the world computer. Just in front of the three massive spinning spirals in a slight depression were three terminals linked together. Behind them rose the System Operator's platform. Currently sitting in the SysOp chair was the brown-haired goddess Mana remembered as Peorth. As she approached the SysOp platform, she could hear Peorth asking an Admin questions.
"Chrono: System rating?"
A red-headed goddess looked over her terminal.
"The system is currently at 89 percent of capacity."
"Was it damaged by the fighting?"
"No, ma'am. It's currently trying to update itself on God and Goddess status."
Peorth looked at the silver-haired Admin.
"Ex, what is the status of that?"
Ex shook her head. "The numbers are still coming in, but it looks like we lost almost half of the Valkyries, as well as at least 200 Gods and Goddesses."
Peorth sat down and stared off towards the ceiling, so very far above. Mana hated to disturb her, but decided she would not get another chance any time soon.
"Excuse me," Mana said politely.
All four of the Goddesses turned their heads to her. Mana backed up slightly under their gaze.
"Yes?" Peorth asked.
"I don't know if you remember me," Mana began, "but we met once at the apartment of Skuld and Sayoko."
Peorth frowned for a second, then a smile appeared on her face.
"Well, if it isn't Mana Kirishima," she said. "What are you doing here? How have you been? Is that Cat with you?"
"I came with the Demon army," Mana said. "Welsper didn't come because she couldn't help. And I have been fine."
Peorth nodded. "Thank you for coming. What can I do for you?"
Mana looked at the floor for a moment, then looked up at the Goddess. "My mother died when I was young. I was wondering……. where is she? Could I visit her?"
Peorth looked back at the Admins.
"Erie, Ex, Chrono, you heard her. Find her mother."
In a chorus of "Yes ma'am"s, the three Goddesses went to work. While they worked, Mana looked back at Peorth.
"How is Sayoko?"
Peorth was quiet for a moment.
"We almost lost her, three times."
"The battle to retake Heaven was difficult," Mana said.
"No," Peorth said. "This was before Heaven fell. She nearly died twice; once at the hands of a bunch of demons, the other at the hands of a God."
Mana's eyes widened. She knew that the Doublet System hadn't crashed until just before the attack on Heaven. That meant…….
"I almost died….." Mana said aloud.
"Hmm?" Peorth looked at her confused.
Mana looked Peorth right in the eye. "I am her Doublet."
Peorth's eyes widened.
"Does she know?!?"
Mana nodded, "We both remembered, back in Tokyo-2. We agreed to say nothing."
Peorth was about to say something when Chrono looked up.
"Ma'am? We have a problem."
"What is it?" Peorth asked.
"Well, we found Mana Kirishima, she is listed as half mortal, half demon. Her mother is listed, but……." Chrono looked over at Mana. "We have no record of her ever entering Heaven or Hell."
"What?!?" Peorth and Mana yelled.
"I'm sorry. It's like… she just…. vanished."
"Nobody just vanishes!" Peorth said. "They always appear before the gates to be judged. Someone must have made a mistake……."
"No," Erie said softly. "The file is not corrupted or changed. She never made it up here."
"Then where the hell is she??" Peorth shouted.
"Yggdrasil doesn't know."
2038
People walk about the street normally. Some are off to work, others off to shop, still more just taking in the sights. It is in the midst of this that two figures run, knocking people to the left and right. They run as if a hellhound is at their heels.
Which is strange, because they were demons and liked hellhounds.
"Shit shit shit," muttered the first demon. "Where is he?"
"I don't think it was a he," the other said.
"Who cares! Where is it?"
"I don't know and I'm not turning around."
The two Demons continued to run, finally racing into a crowd mall. There, they headed toward an information kiosk and leaned against it, breathing heavily.
"That…" the first said, "was too close."
The second nodded. "No shit."
The first looked around the mall. He was standing in the middle of a large opening, allowing him to look up three stores and see people walking about on each level. As he looked around, he felt as if someone was watching him. Turning, he spotted a young woman looking down at him from the third level. Her green eyes seemed to be boring into him. He reached out toward her, but could detect no power from her.
"How do you think they found us?" the second asked.
The first glanced at the other demon. "Are you an idiot? The way Hild has been keeping Demons in Hell, and the fact she's working with Heaven? They know we are out here. All they have to do is look."
The first turned and looked back up at the third level. The girl he had seen was now gone.
"We just had to follow Draco," the second muttered. "We conquered Heaven, and then lost it right back."
"Shut up. It was worth it."
"Was it? Now look at us! We can't go home. Hild will skin us alive. We can't go to Heaven. The Valkyries will kill us out right. So we're forced to live here with Mortals! You know how embarrassing this is?"
The first was about to reply when he spotted the green-eyed woman again. Now she was standing across from him, about 50 yards away. She was still staring at him.
"I don't think we got away," he said slowly.
"What do you mean?" the second demon asked. "We lost them when we entered the mall."
"We didn't lose her."
The second demon looked over. "Who?"
"Her…" the first demon blinked. Another shopper had walked between him and the green-eyed girl. When the shopper was out of the way, the girl was gone.
"We are in serious trouble," the first said.
"Indeed you are." Both demons turned around to see the green-eyed woman beside them.
Several Hours later
Grand Chamber of the Queen
Hell
Hild sat on her throne, looking out over the various demons of her court. She let out a sigh. These courtiers were very different from the ones of several years ago. The sudden departure of many demons and the resulting battle for heaven had wiped out the more vicious demons. While it meant that Hild's position as Queen was more secure, it did make things……..
"Boring," Hild muttered.
"My Queen?" one of her courtiers asked.
"Nothing." Hild straightened up a bit in her chair. "Where is she?"
"She is on her way, My Queen."
A few moments later, the doors to her chamber opened, admitting the black leather-clad form of the green-eyed demon. The demon walked right up to the throne, fell to one knee and bowed its head.
Hild nodded to the demon. "You have done very well in your mission. Since the time you were assigned the task, you have eliminated thirty-six of the traitorous fools."
"Thank-you, My Queen," the demon replied.
Hild glanced up and looked at her courtiers.
"Leave us," she commanded.
Each of the courtiers looked at one another before quickly obeying the Queen's command. Only when they were alone did the Queen speak again.
"I am worried about you, Mana," Hild said.
Mana looked up.
"Worried about me, My Queen?"
"Knock off the Queen stuff," Hild said. "I've told you that when we are alone you could call me Auntie. Yes, I'm worried about you. So is Welsper."
Mana remained silent.
Hild stood up and walked towards Mana.
"Ever since you returned from the Heavens, you have acted differently. Where you once shunned acts of violence, you now take life freely. The life of traitorous scum, but still, you do. You have also achieved the First Class Demonship you so very much wanted. But where other demons rest for a moment on gaining that position, you have thrown yourself deeper into your work. Why? What happened in Heaven?"
Mana was silent for a moment.
"While in Heaven, I sought out my mother," she finally said. "But she was not there. She is not in Hell either. She is nowhere and not even the mighty Yggdrasil computer could find where she went." Tears began to roll down from Mana's eyes. "I wanted to show my Mother that I was good, even though I am a demon. But I can't do that now."
Hild remained quiet, letting Mana recompose herself.
"Your father was one of many followers of a Demon who tried to overthrow me thousands of years ago. She was thought to be sealed away permanently, but as it turns out, she has been on the Earth for over a year. It was she who taught your father how to kill in the manner he killed your mother."
Mana's eyes flashed red.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" Mana shouted. "I will kill her!!"
"She is already dead."
Mana looked up in surprise.
"What?! How?!"
"A group from Heaven consisting of Valkyries and Guardians went in." Hild returned to her throne. "The four Norns were there as well."
Mana was now in shock. Having been around other demons, she knew exactly who the Guardians and the Norns were.
"….but they did not defeat her without some losses," Hild continued. "The mortals Misato Ryoji and Keiichi Morisato have gone to Heaven permanently. Another has been badly scarred by this incident as well, which is where you come in. I have a job for you, but you may also consider it a vacation.
"What?" Mana asked.
Hild motioned to the side. From the darkness, Mara and Welsper came out.
"You have been on the go for almost thirteen years. It is time you had a break." Hild pointed at the other two demons. "Mara and Welsper will explain your new assignment." Hild leaned back in her chair. "Enjoy your break, my child."
Mana bowed. "Yes, Auntie."
Lake Kizaki
Sayoko carefully tightened the last bunch of bolts on her father's motorcycle. It had been given to her when her father was no longer able to drive, and it had been badly damaged…… actually pretty much destroyed, by the alien Maho Kasumi. It had taken her several months of work, but now she was almost ready to start the engine and bring the motorcycle back to life.
Sayoko finally stood up and wiped her brow. It had been several months since she had had her memory restored and then fought the Soultaker. She still remained very thin, but looked remarkably better than when she had been freed from the demon's spell. From the porch Pen Pen, one of her roomates and a penguin, watched curiously as she slowly climbed onto the seat and grabbed the handles.
"Well," she said out loud, "here goes……."
She brought her foot up and slammed it down on the kick-starter. The engine roared to life.
"YES!" Sayoko shouted, pumping a fist in the air. "I AM A………"
With a loud bang, the cylinder head of the engine let go, sending out fragments, smoke, and flame in several directions. The engine immediately froze in place. Sayoko stood there for a moment, covered in soot, her fist still raised. From the porch, Pen Pen carefully peeked around a flower pot, checking to see if it was safe.
"…genius," Sayoko finished. She lowered her fist and climbed off the bike. She bent down and stared at the bike for a moment, then got up and took a few steps away from the bike before cutting loose a stream of curses in so many different languages that she would have put most demons to shame. When she had run out of words and languages, she sat down hard on the ground and stared at the motorcycle.
"Having fun?" Sayoko turned around to see her blond vampire roommate smiling at her.
"Oh, yes. I love it when things explode around me," Sayoko said. "By the way, where have you been?"
Celes Victoria smiled widely, showing off her fangs.
"Since I have no intention of riding around in that side car of yours, I bought myself a car."
"A car?" Sayoko repeated. "Why a car, of all things? This is Japan!"
"So what?" Celes replied. "Besides, I wanted a little bit of home with me."
"What did you get?"
Celes motioned for the goddess to follow. Sayoko followed Celes around to the front of the house. There, she found herself staring at a small blue car.
"Tell me that isn't….."
"It's a Mini Cooper," Celes said with a smile, "2003 model."
Sayoko stared at the car. "Why?"
"Because when it rains or snows I intend to be inside, out of the wet and cold."
"Wuss."
"Yeah, whatever. Besides," Celes glanced at the motorcycle, "it'll be nice to get somewhere without walking. You're taking too long to fix that motorcycle."
Sayoko let out a growl before leaping at Celes.
"HEY!! OW, WATCH IT!!! STOP THAT!!! QUIT BITING!!!"
Mizuho Kasumi sat at her desk going over some tests. As she went over them, she reached into her ever present Pocky box and pulled out a chocolate-covered treat. Other teachers were also in the lounge area, working at their desks. Several were talking about the latest news.
"Have you heard? Tanizaki is retiring."
"She is? Wow, I never thought she would."
"So who's going to replace her?"
"Supposedly her replacement is already here."
"Hope she's young and beautiful, like Kasumi over there."
Mizuho pretended she didn't hear the comment, even as her face turned red.
"I wish. She's some 40 year old. Went to college in America and taught there."
"So what is she going to teach?"
"Literature."
"Lit? Why Lit? Tanizaki taught English!"
"Well, I don't know." The teacher then looked up. "Damn, class is about to start."
The teachers hurriedly grabbed a few things from their desks and rushed off to their classes. Mizuho watched them for a moment, then looked back at her tests and pulled another stick from her box of Pocky. She didn't have to worry about rushing to class. She had first period free this year.
"I understand you have taught in America," the Principal said. "What made you decide to teach here, Ms. Kirishima?"
Mana smiled slightly at the Principal.
"My mother was born here. She went to the States after I was born. I came back to complete my High school education in Tokyo-2, then went back to the States for college. I just felt it was time to return home."
The Principal nodded. "You'll find this school is rather different from those in the States or even in Toyko-2." He stood up and motioned her to follow him. "You'll of course be teaching Literature as well as English. There is another English teacher here who I'm sure will gladly help you with anything you need." He led her into the teachers' lounge and then walked to a desk. "This will be your desk. This is where….oh." The Principal noticed Mizuho sitting at her desk. "Good timing. Miss Kasumi, I'd like you to meet our new teacher, Mana Kirishima."
"Hello," Mizuho said bowing slightly.
"Nice to meet you," Mana replied with a bow.
"Miss Kirishima will be teaching English as well as literature," the Principal said. "Please help her with anything she needs."
"Of course, sir," Mizuho replied.
"Now, if you'll follow me," the Principal said, "I'll show you to your class."
"So what do you think, Kei?"
Kei Kusanagi turned and looked at his friend, Hyosuke Magumo.
"What?"
"About the new teacher!" Hyosuke said. "Jeez, haven't you been listening?"
"Kei's probably staying up late at night," Ichigo Morino, another friend and class president, said.
"Eh?" Kei looked at Ichigo confused.
A small smile crept across Ichigo's face.
"You know, servicing Miss Kas…."
"ENOUGH!!" Kei shouted, causing the entire class to look at him. He waited until the class was looking away again. "You know we can't bring that up."
"Yeah," Matagu Shido added. "Don't get them in trouble."
"So, anyway," Hyosuke continued, "what do you think? You think she'll be as beautiful as Miss Kasumi?"
"I think you should probably stop wondering about the new teacher and worry more about keeping your girlfriend." Kei pointed over at an angry Kaede Misumi, Hyosuke's girlfriend, who was being held back by Koishi Herikawa, another friend.
"Oh boy…." muttered Hyosuke.
The door to the class opened up, admitting a young woman with green eyes and auburn hair. She walked up to the board and wrote her name on it.
Mana Kirishima.
She then turned around and stared at the class.
"My name is Mana Kirishima," she said. "I will be teaching English and Literature at this school. Your class happens to be Literature. I expect each and every one of you to turn in your assignments on time and well printed." She looked over the class, her eyes resting on Hyosuke for a moment. "I have read a lot of books over the years, and I do remember each one. I expect you to read all the books assigned. While I do not expect you to repeat it word for word, I expect you to know the major plots, characters and points of the books." She then flipped open her text book. "That said, we'll begin today on page 54……"
"Oh my god!" Hyosuke shouted. "She's EVIL!!"
"You're just mad she singled you out when she told us to read the books," Matagu said.
"And she was right," Ichigo said.
"I do read the books, though!" Hyosuke protested.
"You read cliff notes."
"Kaede!"
"Oh, leave him alone," Koishi said. "I think he's suffered enough today."
"Thank you." Hyosuke turned and looked at Kei. "So, are you joining us tonight? We're planning on the movies. There's this great new one about Aliens invading the earth."
"Ah…no," Kei said, scratching his head.
"Why not?"
"First off, Miss Kasumi and I have dinner plans. Next, I think Miss Kasumi would get upset."
"She is an Alien, after all," Kaede said.
"Oh, yeah." Hyosuke was quiet for a moment. "Who are you having dinner with?"
"Miss Morisato and Miss Victoria," Kei answered. "Miss Morisato got some new recipes from her mother."
"Mmm," Hyosuke said with a sigh. "Food cooked by a Goddess……" He then sat up and stared at Kei. "What's the matter? Can't Miss Kasumi cook?"
Kei immediately went rigid. "Of course she can! We just… eat out every now and then."
"Sure," Hyosuke said with a smile. "You're just trying to avoid alien foods, right?"
"….And Miss Kasumi probably needs victims to test them on," Matagu said with a smile.
"HEY! She can cook! She makes great food!"
"Alright, alright…."
Later that day.
Mana arrived at the apartment she had been set up with. It was rather small; only one bedroom, one bathroom, a living room/dining room, and a tiny kitchen. She also had a balcony from which she could look out over the lake, as well as see the home of her target.
She quickly made her preparations for the next day, then changed into her demon fighting outfit, with helmet. She then teleported out to begin her mission.
Celes and Sayoko walked along a tree-lined road back to their apartment, carrying bags of groceries their hands. Celes was frowning.
"I wanted to drive my car," she said. "It would have been easier than carrying this stuff."
Sayoko glanced at her from the corner of her eye. "It's not that far to walk. Besides, it's too nice out to be cooped up in a car."
"You're anti-car aren't you?"
"Motorcycles are the way to go."
"Just what do you have against cars?"
"You never rode with Misato Ryoji."
"I still don't……" Celes voice trailed off. She turned her head slightly, looking off toward the trees.
Sayoko frowned. "What is…"
"Shhh." Celes was still looking carefully at the trees. Suddenly, she dropped the bags she was carrying and whipped her gun out. The gun roared as the vampire fired three shots into the trees. A flash of red and a startled yelp was all the warning they got before a figure in black fell from the tree, landing in a heap on the ground.
"Gotcha," Celes said.
Sayoko stared at the fallen figure, her eyes wide. "A Demon! I didn't sense a thing. How did you know it was there?"
"Vampires have an excellent sense of smell and hearing," Celes replied. "That, and she's wearing perfume." Celes walked over to where the demon lay on the ground, still stunned from her fall. Sayoko followed. The demon was in typical black armor, complete with helmet and face shield copied from the gods'.
"She's not a rogue," Sayoko said, bending over the demon. "But what is she…." Sayoko's voice trailed off as pulled the demon's helmet off. Auburn hair fell out of the helmet, and a familiar face was revealed.
"Oh, heck," muttered Sayoko. "Celes, give me a hand here. We'll have to carry her to the apartment."
"Why? Who is it?"
"An old friend."
Author's Notes:
Thought I was done did you?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Ok……now that that is out of my system…………..
Honorable Mention in next Author's Notes to Anyone who figures out what anime 'Miss Tanizaki' is from. Enough hints were given, someone should figure it out.