I do not own Ah! My Goddess or any of its related characters or copyrights. These are the property of Kosuke Fujishima and the relevant corporate bodies.
Light's Nemesis
Chapter One: An old Ally
Atop the steel and glass tower that was Demon Central, the hub of Niflheim and it's Nidhogg system, a figure sat upon a throne in the office reserved for the demon who presided over this infernal realm and the system which opposed Heaven. The Daimakaicho sat in a reclined fashion upon her throne staring at nothing. This posture, her hands nestled in her lap; fingers interlocked, was deceptive as it presented a facade under which her calculating mind analysed a problem which been prominent for some considerable time. The problem was one of her more pre-eminent interests these days; the ongoing relationship between Belldandy, Goddess first class, Norn and daughter of Kami-sama, and Keiichi Morisato, a mortal who inadvertently called her from heaven and wished for her eternal company. Hild smiled; it wasn't the first time. The very idea of this relationship seemed absurd and yet they had endured the most difficult trials; the most dangerous and agonising of which had been orchestrated by her subordinate, demon first-class Mara, or by herself. The fact that Kami-sama's second pure daughter, Skuld, and her own daughter, the result of a union between herself and the almighty, Urd only made the matter, ripe for experimentation, even more tempting. Her steel blue eyes glanced to the far left of her office. She vanished form her throne only to reappear at the balcony overlooking the main administrative buildings of her world. Standing here she surveyed the realm which, by her own policies and power, she now controlled and reflected on the most appropriate course of action. Mara, for all her power and devious proficiency, had only reinforced the union between the mortal and the goddess. Her own machinations, more effective and uninhibited by any relationship to the goddesses in the past, had tried the relationship to the brink of disaster but, as before, their love remained the lock that she couldn't crack.
At this height the wind of this dark realm caressed the folds of her distinct uniform; the pink, black and gold reiments billowing around her as she considered how best to destroy; no , corrupt and destroy the relationship which seemed to be impervious to both Heaven and Hell's best efforts. Then her mind, having considered the matter, now presented her with an idea; a solution to the problem that was as evil as it was depraved. Corruption was the key, but not the trivial attempts to inspire jealousy of the past; no, this occasion would require a favour from an old friend. Turning from the balcony, Hild returned to her obsidian throne and summoned the system manager of Nidhogg . The first-class demon quickly entered, his reverence suffused by an anxiety that was becoming difficult to hide. Approaching the throne he bowed.
"You summoned me your Excellency." He started, his voice filled with a tension that was now indelible.
Hild smiled her customary smile and responded, "Yes, thank you, would you get in touch with Legion."
"Legion? your majesty."
"Yes; a high priority message to pandemonium city central control and in absolute confidentiality. "
"Without question your Excellency, and the message?"
"A private message for the Hasatan. I have a small favour to ask of him, we are, of course, one big underworld are we not?..."
Far from the place known by some as Niflheim another realm merited the name Hell. This place similar, yet distinct, from its neighbour was more prominent in the minds of those whom originated from western nations. This region of the underworld, which Dante and Virgil had traversed centuries before, was also the home of another system which contended with heaven for pre-eminence over the cosmos and it is here that the Daimakicho dispatched her secret message. The capital of this Hell, known as the city of pandemonium, also contained within it the control centre for this realms own control and administrative system; known to its administrators as " Legion ". The control area was a centre of activity as its occupants went about the business of maintaining it. The web like computer which occupied the centre of the room was encompassed by a ring of terminals. This led to another ring, higher up the room, and was manned by the systems senior administrators. On a large terminal, distinct from the others due to its airborne position, was the system manager; Abaddon, known to humanity as the "demon with keys to the bottomless pit ".
In all it had been a relatively uneventful day; a fact reflected in his relaxed countenance. This personal tranquillity ended though as the system manager's dark, obsidian eyes spied an incoming message on his terminal. Raising an eye brow he scanned the message, checking for the appropriate security details and identification code. He was partially surprised to find it was an encrypted message from Niflheim on a secret channel. He considered the message and rapidly concluded that it be sent to the ruler of his world. A few minutes later the message was on its way the ninth level, the personal residence of the Hasatan. Following this the system manager reflected on what could be as important to merit the immediate attention of his emperor.
An hour later the monitor in an office burst into life; the purpose; to convey a summons to a member of Hell's governing council from the emperor. The demon Mephistopheles turned his attention from a book, levitating before him, to the bearer of this message. His face betraying no emotion, reptilian eyes quickly scanned the personal message. On completion his eyes narrowed briefly, considering the meaning of this summons. Then, glancing at the metropolitan panorama his office overlooked, he prepared to depart to his ruler's personal residence.
The throne room of the Hasatan was long and angular in shape; the approach to the throne flanked by pillars of black marble with the occasional white vein. The room culminated in a raised platform with a desk atop it and a vast window looking out onto the gulfs of the cosmos behind it. The only sound that could be heard was the rapid footsteps of Mephistopheles; his long ebony boots clicking against the marble floor. On this occasion the throne was turned from the large stone desk; its occupant now watching the stars and galaxies beyond. The demon stopped and bowed before the turned throne of his emperor.
"You asked for me, my lord."
The throne did not turn; the occupant continuing his vigil though he responded after a few moments.
"Forgive me Meph. I was lost in thought for a moment."
The throne turned 180 degrees and the emperor of this infernal realm beheld his first lieutenant; the demon stood before his desk attired in his colours of black and burgundy, boots led to black trousers with an elaborate double-breasted tunic. His cloak hung under a shoulder board on his right side; a personal trademark.
"It is not my position to criticise you sir."
The Hasatan smirked as he appraised his most calculating of subordinates. "You are too decorous my friend, but it appears you have been requested."
"Requested sir?."
"Yes. It appears that we have received an encoded message from Nidhogg. Legion intercepted it and brought it to Abaddon's attention. The message its self was quite remarkable as was the sender; Hild."
"The Daimakaicho her self, if you'll excuse the title sir."
"No need to. She considers her self to be queen of her own realm just as I preside over mine, though it appears she has need of your "expertise."
Mephistopheles smiled a thin, humourless smile," It will be my pleasure sir but what does she require of me."
The Hasatan arched his long fingers as he relaxed into his throne. "Ahh…..precisely. Are you familiar with the business of the Goddess and the mortal in Nekomi,
Japan Meph?"
"Well it has been quite the hot topic recently, sir. The couple have been involved in a myriad of incidents of which, to my knowledge, three had the potential to destroy the earth and one attempted universal apocalypse."
"Yes. That matter regarding the Lord of Terror was fascinating wasn't it? Our sources tell me that heaven was on tender hooks for days following Yggdrasil's crash."
"Certainly interesting from our perspective, though the lord of terror's agenda may have differed from ours; he was always known for his incredible ambitions, sir"
"Yes………..just as the demon Velsper was too. A pity he was merely a pawn in Hild's games with the goddesses."
"Indeed sir, great potential squandered on such a frivolous thing."
"Got it one Meph, and it's on this relationship that the Daimakaicho requires you."
"As you wish sir, I'll prepare to depart immediately."
"Excellent. I don't think you have had such a remarkable case since the incident."
"Not to my knowledge, though this has the potential for a profound success."
"Oh and Meph, give the Daimakaicho my best wishes."
"I certainly will my lord."
With that Mephistopheles bowed and returned to the room's entrance. As he left, the Hasatan smiled a knowing smile; rich in the knowledge that this absurd relationship would be tested to destruction.
An hour later the Mephistophilis arrived in Niflheim via teleportation. The throne room was open as he approached, the large dark chamber reminiscent of his lord's own, and sitting atop this throne was the Daimakaicho herself.
She smiled as he approached," Welcome Mephistopheles, I hope you find Niflheim to your liking?"
Mephistopheles smiled his characteristic smile and bowed," I do your Excellency and it my pleasure to bring the good tidings of his majesty the Hasatan and my service to you."
"Good, I hope Satie…..er….the Hasatan is well, but let's forgo the formalities and get down to more pressing issues."
"Of course, I've been briefed on the task and I'm prepared for dispatch when you see fit."
"Good to hear that." Hild's eyes then focused on the infamous demon; and two calculating set of eyes exchanged unspoken but palpable messages. As her steel blue stared into the crimson recesses of his own, the leader of this hell spoke in quiet tones; words filled with an indelible malice.
"Let Belldandy partake of the horrors you will create; ensure this Mortal, this Keiichi Morisato experiences the true consequences of his opposition to us and if the others, including my misled daughter, interfere, which they probably will, shatter their minds and rend their souls from the flesh. Do as you did to him so many centuries ago, Mephistopheles.
Mephistopheles answered, his voice unchanged; the tranquil and urbane tone consistent.
"I will be my pleasure to allow this couple to taste the most fathomless horror."
"Excellent", Hild responded her voice returning to that deceptively amiable tone encountered by so many in her company.
This is my first fan fic so I would be grateful for any opinions you may have (including flames) as long as they are marginally constructive
