Chapter 11

"So much for a moon tan hmm?"

"I swear to god if you keep that up I'm going to chop your head off."

"You already tried that."

"I'll succeed this time."

"So? I've lost my head before. Lind chopped it off."

"A shame it grew back."

The two Vampires (well ones a Dhampir) sat on a rooftop, watching the rain pour down around them.

"Boy it sucks tonight." Celes muttered, "At least there's no plasma."

"At least we don't have to worry about catching a cold."

"Speak for yourself. I got dunked in a frozen lake. It took me days to warm up."

Thunder rumbled across the sky.

"I think we should head back." Celes said, "No one in their right mind would be out on a night like this."

Rayne tugged on Celes' shoulder and pointed.

"Look. People who aren't in their right minds."

Celes looked in the direction Rayne pointed. A group of figures were gathering in the street, dressed in black.

"Oh shit." Celes swore, "Those aren't people. Those are Demons." She whipped out her communicator. "Asuka!"

"What?" came the reply.

"Rogue Demons sighted."

"Right. Lind, Sayoko, Belldandy, and myself are on the……."

A new sound rippled across the sky, followed by an orange flash. Celes and Rayne looked off towards the edge of the city just in time to see the last traces of orange hexagonal lines fading.

"Uhh….Asuka….." Celes began.

"I saw it. Arael must be……."

Suddenly a shape burst forth from the forest.

A giant bright white shape.

"…….oh crap……"

Celes stared wide eyed at the giant white being rising from the tree line and getting taller by the minute.

"Asuka…." She said, "please tell me that isn't what I think it is."

"Celes. That is exactly what you think it is."

Another shape rose from the forest, a large white crystal like snowflake shape.

"And that is exactly who you think it is."

"Can she beat him?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

Adam whipped a hand out and the air seemed to shimmer before him. A second later an orange hexagonal field flared into existence before Arael.

"Arael has it in hand for now." Asuka said, "Get the demons. The rest of us are coming."

"Right." Celes pulled out her Harkonnen cannon and looked at Rayne. "How do you like your demons?"

Rayne flipped her blades out.

"Pureed."

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Heaven

"They just came under direct attack minutes ago." Peorth reported, "Adam's signature appeared, followed closely by Arael's."

"So Arael has engaged Adam?" Belldandy asked.

"Yes."

"Oh man." Sayoko muttered, "This can't be good."

"Can Arael take Adam?" Kristine asked.

"Maybe," Yui replied, "If she had help from an Eva. She didn't do all that well against Sachiel."

"At least Adam doesn't have the lance." Sayoko said.

"Well there is that."

Alarms then sounded all over the chamber.

"Did Adam just pan fry Terra 2?" Sayoko asked, looking towards Peorth.

"No." the SysOp replied, "It's worse."

"We have sightings of Demons along the outer wall!" Chrono shouted from her Admin chair.

"The Legion is responding." Erie added.

"Hooray." Sayoko replied without much cheer, "Saturn's cheerleaders are here to save the day."

"Yoko." Belldandy said sternly. Sayoko lowered her head. Belldandy then walked over to an empty station and type in a few commands. "Mist."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Demons have appeared along the outer wall." Belldandy stated, "All Valkyries are to go on high alert."

"Yes Ma'am."

Belldandy turned and looked at Sayoko.

"Get to your Eva. If the Demons are here, the gates have reopened."

"Right." Sayoko started towards the door.

"Hold it."

Sayoko paused. Standing in the doorway, surrounded by Legionnaires, was Saturn.

"I believe I am in control of the defense of Heaven." Saturn said, "As a result, the Eva falls under my control."

Sayoko's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"The Eva is in the Norse Wing." Belldandy said, her tone very controlled, "It is and always has been under my control."

Saturn smirked. "Well now it's under MY control." He then glanced at the Legionaries behind him. "See Goddess Sayoko to the Eva, but do not let her board."

The Legionaries started forward when Sayoko raised her hand, halting them.

"There is no way I am going to pilot that under your command." Sayoko stated, "One Gendo Ikari is more then enough."

Saturn glared at Sayoko. "In that case I will get my own pilot." He then turned and headed towards an empty Admin station and sat down.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kristine asked, "I mean, if he can get someone to pilot it."

"He won't." Sayoko responded, her eyes glaring at the back of Saturn. "The Soul inside won't allow it."

"But I thought……" Kristine said, "I mean, you always told me it was Grandma in there."

"She was."

"But she's there." Kristine pointed to where Belldandy was standing.

"There's a ghost left behind." Sayoko replied, "kind of an after image. So technically, your grandmother is still in there."

Kristine looked back to the main screen.

"If Saturn has it under control here, should we go to Terra 2?"

Belldandy stepped over. "The gates are open. But I think Saturn would object to anyone leaving."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Sayoko grumbled.

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Sentaro paced about. Megami, Yoko, and the Marionette Lime watched him pace in one direction, then watched him pace in another.

"Aren't you getting dizzy? Nyao." Megami asked.

"I hate waiting." Sentaro replied.

"I can tell."

"She's out there."

"Yep."

"Alone."

"Sorta."

"And I think she's upset at me."

"What for?"

"Because……." Sentaro stopped walking and pointed at Yoko.

"He's a Baka." Yoko helpfully replied.

"Exactly."

Megami shook her head. "You needed the help of a four year old to make that determination? Nyao."

"Four and a half!"

"Do all the kids of Gods and Goddesses act so……"

"Mature?" Sentaro asked.

"Yes. Nyao."

"Depends. From what I've been told, the kids are set with a deep sense of responsibility because they can have powers as young as three."

"Are they really that much of a threat? Nyao." Megami asked.

"Ever had a kid not get its way and toss a lightning bolt at you?"

"Well……no. Nyao."

"Apparently my Mother did it to Skuld once."

"Oh. Nyao."

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The air crackled as the two AT-Field crashed against each other. Sparks spat off from the conflicting energies, causing minor fires in the forest below, regardless how much rain fell.

'You cannot defeat me Arael.' Adam's voice boomed in her head, "I created you, and now I shall destroy you."

"You shall not!" Arael replied, but her she only half meant it. Her mind kept telling her that he was right, and she would fall.

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Sentaro had resumed his pacing when in a flash the Soultaker appeared.

"GAH!" Marionette Lime shrieked, "Demon!"

"Come on Loverboy." The Demoness said, "Snowflake needs you."

"What?" Sentaro asked, "Why the hell should I go with you? And where have you been?"

"Around. Now come on."

"Why should he?" Megami asked, "You haven't helped anyone! Nyao!"

The Soultaker glared at Megami.

"Perhaps you preferred walking on four legs?" the Demoness asked, "And I've been helping."

"How?"

"It'll take to long to explain." The Demoness replied, "Now do you want to help Snowflake or not?"

"What am I supposed to do?" Sentaro asked, "I really don't have much control of my powers."

"I believe being there will help her enough." The Soultaker then frowned, "Or maybe it will distract her causing her downfall. I can't decide which."

"You make it such an easy choice." Sentaro said flatly.

"You want to see her or not."

"Well when you put it that way."

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Sentaro looked around.

"She's in a forest?" he asked.

The Soultaker held her head and shook it.

"Look up."

Sentaro looked up. Up in the sky he spotted the snowflake-like form of Arael. He looked toward another section of sky and after a lightning bolt blinded him for a moment, was able to see a bit of an enormous being of white light.

"…..the hell is that?" he asked.

"Adam." The Soultaker replied.

"Oh."

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Adam continued to send his AT-Field out, battering it against his offspring's. He had been quite annoyed we he found out he was unable to bend her to his will like he had so many years before. He was also surprised she had been able to hold up as long as she had.

This, of course, had to stop now.

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Arael was getting tired. She had been able to fend off most of her father's attacks. With all her energy going towards defense, she had been unable to attempt any kind of an offense. It was then she felt the presence of the Soultaker somewhere below her.

If she didn't win now, that damned demoness would never let 'Snowflake' hear the end of it.

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Adam sensed the Demoness as well, but he couldn't tell wither it was one of the clones, or the others that Draco and Loki had warned him of. Whoever it was, they were about to get a show.

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Sentaro watched as Adam brought his hand together. Energy crackled between them. He then reared his arm back before slashing out before him. Arael's AT-Field flared back into existence, and then shattered. Giant tears appeared in it, matching Adam's fingers. An unearthly shriek filled the air. Sentaro knew what it was.

It was Arael.

And she was screaming in pain.

Adam reared his other arm back and slashed again. More tears appeared in Arael's AT-Field. Her form shuddered as another shriek filled the air. Adam charged forward and brought his hands together above his head.

"NO!" Sentaro screamed

When he was close enough, Adam brought his hands crashing downward, going right through the remains of Arael's AT-Field and connecting directly with the left wing like structure. A loud snapping noise echoed throughout the forest and the shriek became a wail. The giant snowflake began to fall, it's left side folding into the rest of it as it began to spiral.

Sentaro started running towards the spot Arael was likely to land, leaving the Soultaker behind.

"What the hell does he think he's going to do?" The Demoness grumbled, "Catch a whoever knows how many tons it weighs Snowflake?"

The Demoness was to pre-occupied with Sentaro, that she didn't notice the Snowflake had already vanished from the sky, replaced by a rapidly falling dot.

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Sentaro crashed through brush and small trees, looking around desperately. He tried looking up several times, but he hadn't been able to see Arael's snowflake form. He knew she must have returned to her more human like form.

After all, how could someone miss a giant snowflake laying in the forest.

Even in the rain.

"ARAEL!" Sentaro called out, "WHERE ARE YOU!"

"You know she isn't going to be in good enough shape to answer right?"

"Just shut up!" Sentaro shouted. He whirled around looking for the Soultaker. "What do you care anyways! You're a fucking Demon! You're a fucking evil sadistic monster!"

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Her voice came again.

"You know, I thought you'd changed. I thought you'd giving up on being evil, on tormenting people. I thought you were going to help us." Sentaro continued to look around, tears beginning to fall from his eyes. "Well I was fucking wrong wasn't I! You haven't done shit for us! You haven't even been around at all unless it's to supply insults! All you've done is torment us, torment me, and torment Arael! I wish you'd just stayed in that hole you climbed out of!"

"Are you finished?"

Sentaro turned around to find the Soultaker standing behind him, all trace of mirth gone from her face. In fact, she looked down right scary.

"I would like to tell you what I've been doing." The Soultaker said, "But I doubt you'd believe me."

"Try me." Sentaro said.

"Another time." The Soultaker pointed. "That way."

Sentaro looked to where she pointed, then started running. Crashing through the brush, he entered a small clearing. There, laying on the ground was a battered figure, wrapped in a soaked cloak. Sentaro raced to the figure's side and fell to his knees.

"Arael?" Sentaro called out softly. He gently reached out and rolled her onto her back. She let out a small cry and her right hand flew to her left arm.

"I'm sorry." Sentaro said softly. He moved behind her head and lifted her up, sitting her back against his legs. He then pulled the cloak open. Bloody slash marks covered her face and arms and her robes were tattered. Her left arm also looked very broken. He quickly wrapped her back in her cloak and moved his head beside hers.

"I'm here." He whispered.

"Hurts." Her voice was very weak.

"I know." Sentaro replied, moving his arms around her. "I know."

"How sweet."

Sentaro looked up to see a grey haired man in robes walking towards him. It could only be Adam.

"The Messenger and her Lilim hero." Adam sneered, "How disgusting."

Sentaro glared at Adam.

"Oooh," Adam jumped back in mock fear, "The Lilim glared at me. Is that all you have?"

"Back off." Sentaro growled.

"Make me Lilim." Adam raised his hand, orange energy crackling in his hand. "Or maybe I'll collapse your AT-Field. Then Arael can watch your very essence be washed away before I finish her." Adam smiled, "Let's begin shall we?" He flung the orange energy at Sentaro.

Sentaro clutched Arael a bit tighter as the energy hurtled towards him. A red shield flared into existence, dispersing the orange energy.

"What!" Adam shouted.

"Liquefying your opponents is so…...tasteless." The Soultaker said as she stepped out from behind a tree. "A puddle of goo? Really Adam, that didn't even strike fear in the hearts of any Demons."

Adam glared at the Soultaker. "I destroyed many of your kind Demon."

"Oh yes, you did defeat many demons. But non quite like me." She sent a force bolt hurtling through the air. Adam barely was able to put up his AT-Field before the bolt slammed into him. As it was, the bolt knocked Adam several feet away to the ground. The First Angel sat up, glaring at the Soultaker.

"You will regret that." Adam growled.

"Prove it." The Soultaker replied.

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"I still detect Adam." Chrono whispered at the auxiliary Admin station. The main stations had long been taken over by the Legionaries to help defend Heaven. "I also detect a powerful Demon. Almost as powerful as the Queen."

"What about Arael?" Sayoko asked.

"She's there." Chrono replied, "But very weak. I think she's injured."

"Is she regenerating?"

"I can't tell. The energy levels are inconsistent with regenerating." Chrono looked at Sayoko worried, "She could have damage to her S2 engine."

"I hope not." Sayoko said, "If that gets damaged…….we've lost her."

Chrono typed in more commands. "More Demons have arrived on Terra 2."

"How are our people doing?"

"I can't tell. The resources I would have had in detecting them are being used by……." Chrono glanced over at the Legionaries with a glare. "them."

"Do what you can."

"Will do."

Kristine then hurried over.

"They've breached the wall." She whispered to her mother. "Saturn has deployed his Legionaries in response."

"What about the Guardians?" Sayoko asked.

"He's holding them back here." Kristine replied, "Yui is pissed."

"He's holding them back!" Then realization dawned on her. "He's covering his own ass."

"That's what Rei said. Her exact words." Kristine glanced over her shoulder. "If the Demons get any closer, they are going to act, regardless orders." Kristine looked back at her mother. "Grandma said they've tried to start the Eva. You were right, it spat them out."

Sayoko chuckled. "I give them another try or two before they give up. Then maybe I can get in there."

"But you said you wouldn't obey Saturn's orders." Kristine said, a confused look on her face.

"And once I'm in the Eva, who's going to stop me?" Sayoko asked.

"Good point."

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Sentaro watched as the Soultaker and Adam blasted away at each other. Adam's AT-Field rippled out, slicing through the air towards the Demoness. The Soultaker would either block it with her shield, or dodge it completely. Mostly she dodged as several times Adam's AT-Field ripped through the Demoness' shield.

The Demoness' attacks were mostly force bolts and lightning attacks. Once she used fire and caught Adam's robes on fire, but the rain quickly put it out. Several times her attacks seemed to knock down Adam's AT-Field defense, yet he was able to restore it before she could exploit it.

Sentaro wanted to help, but he didn't want to leave Arael alone. Then Arael slowly reached up and grabbed his hand weakly in her right.

"You…….need to help her…." Arael whispered.

"How?" Sentaro asked.

"Your……powers."

"I can't do it on demand. I couldn't even defend myself against Loki and Draco when they made Megami a cat."

"Do it……..for me?"

Sentaro closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers.

"Can you help me?" he asked.

"I'll…….try."

Sentaro reached out with his right hand, pointing it towards Adam. Arael raised her right hand as well, placing it over his. A ball of energy began to form within Sentaro's hand, it glowed a mixture of blue and orange.

"Wait till the Soultaker's energy bolt hits his AT-Field." Sentaro whispered.

"I know." Arael replied.

Adam fired off another AT-Field attack. The Soultaker dove out of the way and sent off her own force bolt. Sentaro watched it hurtle through the air towards Adam. It grew closer and closer…….

"Now!" Sentaro shouted.

Together, Sentaro and Arael unleashed their force bolt. It roared through the air, rainwater evaporating on contact.

The Demoness' force bolt slammed into Adam's AT-Field, temporarily bringing his shield down. A second later Sentaro and Arael's bolt slammed into Adam, just as his field went back up. The bolt ripped deep into Adam's chest, smashing into his core.

"Ugh!" Adam cried out. Sparks began to fly from his chest as his core began to crack. Adam looked up and glared at Sentaro just as an energy wave exploded out of him. The wave radiated out from Adam, engulfing all that surrounded it.

Including Sentaro, Arael, and the Soultaker.

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"Oh my……." Chrono's voice trailed off.

"What is it?" Sayoko asked.

"Inverse AT-Field detected." Chrono's voice was shaky, "It's…..unlike any previous one we've detected."

"Is it……" Sayoko swallowed, "is it like the one that took Kensuke?"

Chrono typed away commands on the terminal.

"It has similarities, but it's not a definitive match."

Sayoko covered her mouth, afraid to ask the next question. Finally she couldn't take it anymore.

"Who…….?"

Chrono typed away.

"I no longer detect Adam, Arael, or the Demon."

Sayoko still had a feeling of dread in her stomach. She pulled out her communicator.

"Asuka."

"I'm a little busy at the moment."

"Asuka," Sayoko repeated, "Who was with Arael?"

"Uhhh, Arael was alone I believe."

"Who was the Demon with her?"

"Demon? That damned Soultaker must have gone over there."

Sayoko took a deep breath.

"Where is my son?"

"He was back at the restaurant. I think Keima is near there."

"Thanks." Sayoko hit another button. "Keima?"

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Keima stormed into the restaurant. Lime and Cherry peeked up from behind the counter, each armed with a frying pan.

"Keima!" Lime shouted, she practically leaped over the counter to hug him.

"Where's Sentaro?" Keima asked as he hugged his wife.

Lime looked over at Megami, Yoko and the Marionette Lime, all of whom had hidden under a booth.

"He went out with the Soultaker. Nyao" Megami replied.

"She said Arael was in danger." Marionette Lime added.

Keima just stared at Megami.

"Keima?" Lime asked, "What is it?"

"Don't…….." Keima whispered.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Don't force me to tell her this………I can't do it to her."

"Do what?" Megami asked.

Keima sat heavily on the floor.

"Tell my sister her son is missing."