Chapter 12

Sayoko awoke the next morning and glanced over at her clock. It was still twenty minutes before the sun rose. Plenty of time to take a quick shower before going out and greeting the new day. She quickly leaped to her feet, grabbed a towel, and headed toward the bathroom.

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Kei opened his eyes as his alarm clock screamed out. His first thought was why hadn't Mizuho turned it off yet. And then he remembered. Mizuho wasn't here. She wouldn't be here until that probe was stopped.

Kei got up slowly and looked over to where Mizuho normally slept. He stared at the spot for a moment longer before getting up and getting ready for school.

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Space

The probe hurtled through the solar system toward the position that had been programmed into it. It quickly took up a position over the north pole of Earth. As soon as the computer was sure it was in the correct location, it began to activate its cloaking system. But unlike normal probes, this one didn't cloak itself.

It cloaked the entire planet, plunging it into total darkness.

And, thanks to demonic programming, it did something else too.

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Sayoko stepped out of the shower and was just starting to dry her hair when she suffered from a moment of dizziness. She grabbed hold of the counter to steady herself. She frowned slightly.

'What was that?' She thought.

She waited a moment, but did not feel the dizziness return. She then continued to get ready.

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Heaven

"What the hell happened?!" Peorth shouted.

"The Earth!" X cried. "It just…. vanished!"

"WHAT?!?! How the hell can an entire planet just vanish?!?!"

"I don't know, ma'am," X replied. "One minute it's there, the next……"

"………Poof," finished Erie.

"Ma'am?"

Peorth looked over at Chrono. "More good news?"

"We've lost Sayoko's connection," Chrono answered.

Peorth sighed and set her head down on the SysOp console.

"Haven't we been through this before?" she muttered. "How can we lose her?"

"She vanished from our system at the same time Earth did."

"Great. Just great." Peorth looked down at her administrators. "Is that entire system gone?"

"No…… We still have the sun and the other planets in the system," Erie replied.

"Even the Moon," X added.

"Earth and everything associated with it just went poof," Chrono stated.

"I'm going to need something better to tell Kami-sama than the Earth went 'poof'," Peorth said. "Get me info now!"

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Sayoko quietly walked out toward the lake. She quickly hopped up on top of a wooden piling that still stuck out from the frozen water. She easily balanced atop the piling and turned toward the direction the sun would soon be rising from. She closed her eyes and waited.

Twenty minutes later, she was still waiting.

She opened her eyes and looked towards the horizon. There was still no sign of dawn, nor any sign that there was any light coming from the horizon that indicated dawn was imminent. Sayoko glanced down at her watch. It was almost 7:30. The sun should have been shining down on the area by now. Sayoko quickly turned and walked back into the house as a light snow began to fall.

Inside, Mana was sitting at the kitchen table along with Celes and Rei. All had coffee cups in their hands.

"Morning," Mana mumbled.

"Is it?" Sayoko asked. She then turned and looked at Celes. "You didn't mess with the clocks, did you?"

Celes narrowed her eyes. "No. I only did that a year ago."

"Mess with the clocks?" Mana asked confused.

"Celes here was surprised to see me the first one up in the morning," Sayoko replied. "So one week she set the clocks back so I'd think it was earlier then what it was."

"Didn't work though," Celes said. "She must have a built in clock or something. So what's wrong?"

Sayoko pointed to the clock in the kitchen. "You see what time it is?"

All three girls at the table nodded.

"Look outside and tell me what is missing."

The three frowned at each other, but followed the Goddess' orders. They stood on the porch, looking up towards the darkness as snowflakes fell on their faces.

"It's still dark out," Celes said. "Shouldn't the sun be up about now?"

"It should," Rei said, a frown crossing her face.

"Whoa," Mana said. "Someone kill a Unicorn or something?"

Celes and Rei each turned and stared at the Demoness. Mana felt their looks and turned towards them.

"What?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Celes asked.

"Unicorns?" Rei asked.

Mana let out a sigh. "You never saw the movie 'Legends'?" Seeing the other two shake their heads. "It's a great fantasy movie. Boy meets girl, girl touches forbidden creature, goblin kills creature……. Ah, never mind."

Rei looked back toward the door where Sayoko was standing.

"Any ideas?"

Sayoko shook her head.

"I haven't a clue," the Goddess replied. "Although……… there was this one time several thousand years ago that Grandpa did this on purpose."

"Oh?"

"Involved a guy named Moses………"

"Right." Rei walked into the house and headed toward the phone. "Let's found out what's going on."

Rei picked up the phone and quickly dialed the number for heaven. After several moments, she set the phone back down, looking confused.

"What is it?" Sayoko asked.

"The phone lines are disconnected."

"WHAT?!?!"

Celes and Mana ran in from outside hearing Sayoko shout. Even Pen Pen peered out of his fridge to see what the noise was about.

"What is it?" Mana asked.

"We can't get ahold of Heaven," Rei replied.

"You sure you dialed the number right?" Sayoko asked.

"I am."

Sayoko grabbed the phone and dialed. She too, set the phone back down.

"It's not possible," Sayoko muttered. "There's always been a way to get ahold of heaven……….. Even when they shut down every single gate………."

Mana then grabbed the phone.

"Let me call Hild and see if she can get ahold of them."

While Mana dialed, Rei got a look on her face.

"Can you teleport?" Rei asked Sayoko softly.

Sayoko frowned for a moment before pulling a mirror out of her pocket. She pressed a finger against the surface. The glass rippled as she vanished into the mirror, which dropped to the floor without anyone to hold it.

Celes looked down at the mirror.

"Think she made it?" she asked Rei.

"I don't know," the Guardian replied.

Both turned as Mana slammed down the phone.

"I can't get through," Mana said. "It just doesn't do anything." She then looked around. "Where's Sayoko?"

"She tried to teleport," Celes answered.

"….and failed." The three turned to see Sayoko walking down the stairs. "I ended up in the bathroom mirror." Sayoko looked at Rei. "Rei, you think you can….?"

"I'll try." Rei closed her eyes and vanished. She reappeared almost within seconds. Opening her eyes again, she looked at the others. "There seems to be something blocking the way."

"Great," Sayoko muttered. "I wonder if Mom and Grandpa know yet?"

"Your mom might be freaking out," Mana said.

"Mom isn't like that, though. She'll worry….. but….."

"Guys," Celes said, interrupting. "You're missing a very important point here." She pointed outside. "There is no sun! You think other people have noticed by now?"

Mana, Rei, and Sayoko all looked at each other.

"Uh oh," Rei said.

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"Scientists are still baffled as to the sudden disappearance of the sun, as well as the moon and stars," the radio said. "It's as if a veil has been dropped over the world, shrouding it in the darkest of nights. Many still remember the day when perpetual cloud cover blocked out the sun several years ago. Scientists were unable to explain that event either, although the UN said later it was somehow related to the Third Impact."

"As we now enter our 8th hour of total darkness, the Vatican has called for Christians everywhere to pray…"

Click.

"So," Matagu said, looking over at the others in the class, "you think we'll still have class today?"

"They don't cancel class due to darkness," Ichigo said.

"Why not?" Hyosuke asked. "Seems like a good reason to close school."

The door to the class then opened and Mana entered the classroom.

"Alright, class! Settle down." Mana set her notes on the lectern. "Regardless of the….. unusual…… uh….. well, just ignore the fact it's dark out alright? Clock says it's time for class so lets get cracking."

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"Ms. Morisato?"

Sayoko blinked and looked about confused.

"Ms Morisato?"

Sayoko turned and looked over to see a student in front of her looking concerned.

"Yes?" Sayoko said. "What is it, Miss Mizuhara?"

"Well Ma'am, you fell asleep," the student replied.

"I did?" Sayoko looked around and saw the entire class nodding at her. "Sorry, I'm just really tired for some reason." Sayoko then glanced down at her book. "Uhh, where were we?"

"Page 45, ma'am."

Sayoko quickly flipped her book to the correct page.

"Alright. Miss Takino, would you continue, please?"

"Yes, ma'am."

As the student began to read, Sayoko listened carefully, but something began to itch at the back of her mind.

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"What do you think?" Celes asked.

Rei had just arrived back after flying up toward space. "I am at a loss to explain it. I cannot break through the darkness up there, nor can I see through it. It seems demon-like, but there is an unknown element to this……." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "…….. Wasn't there an Alien probe heading this way?"

Celes nodded. "Yeah. Mizuho left to….." The vampires eyes widened. "You don't think it caused the darkness?"

"It's possible," Rei answered. "Combined with Demon knowledge the Alien technology could block out communication with heaven, as well as teleporting and…….." Rei's eyes went wide. "Oh, hell. Sayoko!"

"What about her?" Celes asked confused.

"She's a Goddess," Rei explained. "Gods and Goddesses get their power from Yggdrasil. If everything else is cut off……."

"Her connection might be too," Celes replied, understanding. "Want me to drive you to the school?"

"No," Rei said, standing up. "I can teleport there and give her a quick energy boost. Then I'm going to go up again and see if I can't find that probe before it's too late."

Celes frowned. "Too late for what?"

"In case you hadn't noticed, it has gotten colder." Rei pointed outside where the snow was continuing to fall. "Without the sun, this planet is going to freeze up within a few months. And there will be nothing that can survive it. Not even undead Vampires."

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Several minutes later

"You alright?"

Sayoko rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone keep asking that?"

"Sorry," Mana said as she sat down at her desk. The two deities were in the teachers' lounge while both had a break period. "But you do look tired."

"I am," Sayoko muttered. "Not really sure why."

"I know why," came a voice.

Both Demon and Goddess looked about, but saw no one.

"Am I hearing things?" Sayoko asked.

"If you are, I must be going crazy too."

"You are not going crazy," the voice came again.

Both turned and looked at Sayoko's desk. Standing there at only a foot tall was Rei in mini-form.

"What is it?" Sayoko asked.

Mini-Rei leaped off the desk. As she leaped, a cloud of smoke surrounded her and rapidly expanded until Rei stood before them in her full size.

"I'm going up to see if I can find the Alien probe," Rei said. "I think that is what is causing our problems."

"Oh, ok," Sayoko said.

Rei looked at Sayoko curiously.

"What?" Sayoko asked.

"You look tired."

Sayoko grumbled while Mana chuckled.

"Everyone has been telling her that," the Demon said. "Even her class."

"Then it is being blocked," Rei said softly to herself.

"What?" Sayoko asked. "What did you say?"

"This." Rei lifted a finger toward Sayoko's forehead. The goddess's eyes followed the finger, crossing over each other when it gently touched her forehead marking. Rei then carefully traced the marking with her finger. Sayoko's marking glowed softly and suddenly she didn't feel that tired anymore.

"Better?" Rei asked.

"Much better," Sayoko replied. "What….?"

"Your connection to Yggdrasil is being blocked as well," the Guardian replied. "You'll have to rely on back-up power sources until this…... thing comes down."

"Great," muttered Sayoko. "Means I have to conserve energy, which means no teleporting."

"So I'll teleport us," Mana said.

"Aren't you blocked off from hell?" Rei asked.

"Well, yes….."

"So where does your energy come from?" Sayoko asked.

"Uhhh…." Mana looked back and forth between Rei and Sayoko. "Ok, no teleporting. But what about her?" Mana asked, pointing at Rei. "Doesn't she have to conserve energy?"

"That's the beautiful thing about being a Guardian," Rei said with a smile. "We are not attached to Yggdrasil, thus don't depend on it for power."

"So where do you…. No…" Mana shook her head. "Never mind, I don't want to know."

Rei smiled and then looked at Sayoko. "You want me to come back and give you a lift?"

"No," Sayoko replied. "Much as it pains me to do so, I'll call Celes and have her pick us up in her…… car."

"…..thought you hated cars."

"I do," Sayoko replied. "At least this one won't have Misato behind the wheel."

"So true," Rei said. "Alright then, I'll contact you when I find something."

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Heavens.

"….and so far nothing has penetrated the barrier. If anything, it just gets stronger," Peorth said as she stood before the council. "The planet still seems to be there, just….. blocked off from us."

"Could the mortals have erected this barrier?" Anubis asked.

Peorth shook her head.

"There is no mortal technology that could block us out," she replied. "That is why my team and I feel that there is demon influence in this."

"But is there proof?" Saturn asked.

Peorth shook her head again. "No…… This is just the theory we have at this moment."

"What of the extraterrestrial probe that was heading toward the system?" Saturn asked. "Could that have caused this?"

Peorth's eyes glanced briefly over at Belldandy before replying.

"The barrier and the cloaking shield of the probe are similar in some respects and, if heavily modified by a demon, it could cause this……."

"Once again you have no proof of a demon, though," Saturn stated.

"No, sir."

"I move that all spaceflight by that particular species be revoked now," Saturn said, turning to the rest of the council.

"There is no proof they intended to do this," Belldandy replied.

Saturn turned and looked at Peorth. "Where is that probe?"

Peorth gave an apologetic look towards Belldandy. "It was last seen in Earth orbit before the barrier went up."

Saturn smiled victoriously at Belldandy. "I believe we have all the proof we need."

"Indeed," Kami-sama said. Saturn's smile got even bigger, causing Belldandy to glare at him.

"However….."

Saturn's smile faded as Kami-sama continued.

"There is still time before the Earth can no longer support life." He turned and looked at Peorth. "Continue to use whatever means you have in studying this barrier. If it does prove to have been helped by Demons, we shall use all the power in heaven to remove it."

"And the Extraterrestrials?" Saturn asked.

Kami-sama stared at Saturn a moment. "Should life on Earth die out, they will no longer travel through space."

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"Well?" Asuka asked as Belldandy entered her office and tiredly headed toward her desk. Asuka, Shinji, Touji and Skuld all sat in chairs before the Goddess of the Present's desk. Once behind her desk, Belldandy practically fell into her chair, immediately rubbing the bridge of her nose once she was settled.

"Asuka….." she began.

"Don't 'Asuka' me!" The red head replied. "What's going on?"

"The Council will revoke space flight from the extraterrestrials," Cayla said, entering her boss's office carrying a glass of water, "once all life has ended on Earth." She handed the glass to Belldandy who gave her assistant a thank you before drinking.

"Well that sucks," Asuka said.

"What about Hikari and the kids?" Touji asked. "Can't we….."

"Everything that can be done is being done," Belldandy said. "Peorth has been told to continue studying the barrier to figure out who created it……"

"What good will that do?!" Touji asked angrily. "That barrier needs to come down NOW!"

"I KNOW THAT!" Belldandy shouted back, surprising all present. Belldandy closed her eyes and calmed herself. "Touji," she said softly, "the power output of this barrier is different from anything we've seen before. Any energy thrown at the barrier is absorbed by it, making it stronger."

"What about Mana's Father?" Shinji asked. "He's the only major Demon threat that has developed. Could he have anything to do with this?"

Belldandy shrugged. "Right now the Council doesn't believe any demons have been involved. They are not even totally sure that Mana's father is really there."

"WHAT?!?!" Asuka and Shinji shouted together. "Why not?!?!"

"Because the only one who claims it to be her father IS Mana," Belldandy replied. "Some on the council believe that Mana is working in concert with another Demon, making this all up to get close to Sayoko."

"That's crazy!" Shinji said.

"I know." Belldandy looked over at Skuld. "I believe in my heart that Mana means Sayoko no harm."

"Saturn came up with this, didn't he?" Skuld asked.

Belldandy nodded. "He did."

"Nice guy," Asuka muttered. "He's really on my number one asshole list now." Asuka then turned and looked at Belldandy. "What are your orders, Boss?"

Belldandy looked up. Asuka, Shinji and Touji stared back at her intently.

"You know you are not under my control……" she began.

"We don't care," Asuka said. "Hikari and the kids, Sayoko, Celes….… even Mana……. They are all down there on the surface and we want to help them."

Belldandy looked over at Skuld. Her sister had a large smile on her face. A glance over at her assistant showed that she had a worried look on her face.

"Alright," Belldandy said. "Go talk to Peorth. She knows the most about this barrier. If anyone can help you to bring it down, it's her. Skuld, go with and see if you can offer any advice."

The three Guardians nodded and quickly left the office, Skuld following right behind them, leaving Belldandy and Cayla alone in the office.

"What's wrong?" Belldandy asked.

"It doesn't seem right, Sempai," Cayla said. "You're going against the council's wishes."

"I know," Belldandy replied. "But there are times when you just have to follow what your heart tells you." She looked over at Cayla. "Do you understand?"

Cayla nodded. "I think so, Sempai. Thank you." Cayla turned and quickly left the office.

Belldandy rotated her chair around and looked out her window.

"What happened to you…….. Mizuho?"

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Somewhere on Earth.

Mizuho struggled through the snow, trying to get as far from the wreckage of her ship as she could.

At the last moment before the ship had hit the ground, Marie had functioned just enough to teleport her off the ship. The ship had then slammed into the ground, smashing itself beyond recognition before it exploded. Mizuho had immediately headed toward the wreck, hoping enough of the ship had survived to provide shelter. Unfortunately, wind and snow was already blowing throughout the ship. She was able to fill a bag with what few supplies she could find. She also found Marie, laying on the decking. Unable to just leave it, Mizuho placed Marie in the bag as well. She had then left the ship, and headed toward the nearest city indicated in her data pad. She could only guess the right direction, as the stars could no longer be seen.

Mizuho pulled her jacket collar closer together, trying to keep the wind, snow and cold out. Her vision ahead was shrouded in blowing and falling snow. Already, behind her, the ship was completely white. It seemed hopeless.

Then she remembered Kei, waiting for her at home. This thought warmed her and she plunged onward into the falling snow.