Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Eternity

Volume III

Act III

"Hmmph."

Eihwa in turn pats at a tiny dragon's head, this as Angelus is all but a tiny necklace around the White Goddess's slender neck. "Calm thyself, Signora dragon child. This to help you learn that enforcing a Gate opening, has consequences for your auspice now." ...this a tiny, rather miniature sounding dragon growl, hisses back, this as Eihwa sits to the left of Lind, rather than Imladris's right. Sora for one of note, next to Eihwa. "How come she doesn't like Immy-chan at all?" ...noting the dragon's hissing at the bloke.

Imlade blinks.. "Immy-chan?" ...as an elbow from an enforced left, bumps him with a gasp of breath. Lind the author just remarks with semi suspecting tone. "That may change in the course of this eve." ...as she eyes back at a kid sized Creator, for a quick, but knowing moment.

This is all focused back upon by a loud squeal of a "WHEE!" ...as eyes look back as sight of the child-kid-daughter-something of pure light, just spins about happily with Troubadour. Urd just folds her arms and calmly quips back. "Not sure who the 'kid' there is."

"Depends on perspective." Takano weirdly put, which brought up eyebrows all around, the words having deeper impact than it seems. As it is, Skuld just then stabs in. "Can we get to the stuff with that planet guy and all?"

"Say what?" Imladris spouts, as Urd then floats two of the cookies from a nearby treat laden box, and as such, one is floated to a happy bubbly girl-child that just drops Troubadour comically, on 'mental' recognition of what was coming. Such to the laugh of said Tree Spirit. Such alludes next unto. "Perhaps the story in chronological full, would be of clarity warrant here." ...as Kid-Almighty adjusts his glasses again, Frigurina atop him, both float near Belldandy, as the present Norn remarks. "Indeed, I for one am of unexpected amazement, coming from Cousin's majestic Realm, now unto us."

Tamiya just points at kid-Al and kid-Frig... "Wasn't dey just ina fight?" ...as kid-Hild then pop hovers Tamiya's wilting head. "We come from tougher stuff, than you mortals of men." ...which freaks out even Chihiro. This is vectored with a 'good' cough from Kid-Almighty. All look, as he quips. "Our story."

"Uh... y... yeah daddy." Urd manages out, Skuld and the kid child of light hide behind her. (Actually, so does Troubadour, below Skuld's knee line.) Sentaro, to the far left and fore of Imladris, is rubbed on his melon., by a teasing Fusuchi. "You know how to pick em. " ...this Sentaro just blanches back at his Sister. "Couldn't you just have stayed home?"

A motherly vector, ala Ichigo, remands back. "Not till we find out why my head is a speaker phone and all." ...this eyes trail back to a kingly head, that wishes he was a turtle of neck. Lind just pats him on the head for it. (And leaves icy effects to be imposed of.)

They all then hear... "Perhaps we should start with our arrival." ...this eyes note another glowing being, this one Imladris notes of a being next to Sigrun, whom is goddess like in beauty, glowing of the exact same format type, that the happy kid nearby does. Eyes, smile, skin, even her rather long mane, all glow with this same fathomless light. Sigrun smirking next to this being, looks all like a 'ying-yang' of night verses day, next to each other. The said Norn of Fate just thumbs next to her, intended for... "Yeah Master, you'll love this one."

"Hmm." ...Imlade quips, a leaning hand onto his chin. Lind just bonks a cookie off his noggin, for him to catch and munch on.

Urd just responds despite... "Well, it started as..."

-Earlier that same frantic day-

"But that's impossible!" ...Urd exclaimed in amazement, at the sight bouncing around her. The same of the rest, watching in amazement, at the other sight along with.

Their glowing guest, just smiled 'all' Belldandy like, as any such proto-ascended being from 'that' galaxy seemingly did. Though this 'wasn't' Illuminaran, of certain note. Nor the one spinning around happily around Urd and Troubadour each! Like Urd and Troubadour were planets for a lil moon to orbit around in a figure eight. And not all to fancy a sight at that, such as the sugary-slurpy-syrupy being that was going... "Yay yay yay yay yay!" ...over and over and over and over and over!

Troubadour just wilted out. "Can... can you explain that again?"

Their literally glowing host just smiles. "Of course."

The rest that were of remainder of the Temple Tarikihongan bunch, that were present, absent those that were about have their own adventure, watched the post effects of an arrival of these two glowing beings, which stunned the goddesses in presence, nevermind reincarnated celestials types afar, and very much so of the mortal in midst. This as on if snap arrival of a portal gate activation that comprised a teleporter function from Imladris's starship, the Illistrum, the smaller of the two Beings, all but float-shot right at Urd! And then as Troubadour floated over, the Being just glom tacked him too! Urd after a good bit of this, just asks (yelps,) out loud... "Ahhh! Who is this?" She in turn gets glom hugged to the stuffings of her code. "Mommy!"

Takano for one, just ekes out at Troubadour. "Ahh, didn't know you dearies were... uh... expectin." ...this Troubadour really cocks an eye. "Neither were we."

"Was this what Master was informing of earlier?" ...this as Frode trades a look with a shrugging Sigrun. All eyes then turn back to their second guest, whom giggles all 'Lind' like, as it turns out. Such takes word form of... "To be succinct, the Hikari Nexus bestows a gift of the shared... er... loins... from your mutual time in the presence of the Trees. To put of all of it."

Ishara for one, with 'knowledge', never mind a 'third' experience of the sort being discussed, quips in wary tone... "Um... should that not require an actual pregnancy upon the part of the semi-Lady Norn of the past?"

"Semi?" Urd snips back, before she's huggy-stuffied upon again by the child of all akin of pure light. This as Sigel and Banpei now come into sight, as their serene guest explains. "Um... to refrain from 'extra' details, I am assured by my Master's vessel records, upon this detail of accord, the occurrence is a product of the Trees in witness of a shared moment that had more than mere... passion attached."

Troubadour explains... "Oh, that whole Life Pledge thing we did while... " ...this he gets SMACKED in the head by Urd in manic reaction! (And a laughing result from a light-child that 'would' laugh at anything it felt of worthiness.) "NOT SO LOUD DOPE!" The rest hearing just blush in various shades.

The glowing guest decides upon a different tact to explain from. "Perhaps if I may. I am the 'Daughter of Hikari"." ...this Sigrun gasps in recognition... "You mean you are the actual Hikari Seed from Master's warship?" ...this said Being nods. "Indeed. I am the projection of a formal bioformat, that comprised from a Desire recently formatted, upon an event that ascribed from another event that caused the matter before you all."

Skuld for one just had a headache, her held head showed it. "Ahh... I think you lost us lady." ...this Peorth and Talos just trade a look, as Eihwa cocks a head... "Si, and why do you act and sound like a mixture of between... well... myself, and my beloved Generale Lind?" ...this Peorth cocks an eye over at. "And why Secur, are you more afin to akin upon Lind rather than Chevalier anymore?"

"Focus ladies, please." Takano just blanches back to the weird enough subject matter. The "Daughter of Hikari' just smirks, and cocks a head in imparting first, her glowing arms across her slender abdomen, held low. Her gown of simple light, takes a breeze, as well as her long hair, as both formats of inner Light, were quite visible to the breezed effect. Such framed her first remarks of... "You all remember the events that ended the Battle of Illuminara, yes?"

They all froze. Sigrun just answered, a bit pensive of her own know past, of this historical note. "Yes."

The Hikari Seed Being just professed, as her younger version just kept hugging between her new parents. "In essence, when the Illuminarans Ascended, a reflection event cascaded across the remainder of the Linked civilizations, that comprise the Alliance. Of this reflection, the ascendance effect 'affected' us, the Hikari Trees, just as dearly."

Ishara takes up in turn... "Ah, because you are of descendant of the Tree that came from the Seed of Yggdrasil. Still can't believe that one."

'Daughter of Hikari' nodded. "It is perhaps of that very affinity, that we suddenly as a race now, all our true own, suddenly were gifted with an evolutionary jump start, was could be coined. In that as a result of the Ascension event, we gained... this." ...this she waved her glowing hands about her humanoid form. Ishara presumes to voice of note... "The Ascension event allowed the Trees to take up avatar formats."

Daughter of Hikari nods again... "Indeed. We chose the format that our Planter comprises, though we have the ability to choose any avatar format, from the civilizations we currently help nurture. Our format is however limited in proximity of either the anchoring Tree, or of same of Seed, or in this first of singular cases before ye all, of the Seed itself."

Troubadour then speaks up, with his apparent daughter all but hanging off his neck! "A mighty fine achievement. What of this little lady, entails unto us then?" ...this Urd points at same said child of light. "I'm with him there."

The 'Daughter of Hikari' just smirks. "Did you not heed from earlier?" ...this the Seed just coos out. "Wow daddy, you are huggy for a bioform." ...this everyone gasps a bit. Eihwa for one. "The child can talk already?"

Daughter of Hikari just blinks over. "You would expect less from where we all originated from?" ...this Eihwa teardrops. "Mi bad." ...this the elder 'seed' returns of focus towards Urd and Troubadour. "As for your query, your Pledge was one the Trees took to pure heart. To be certain, the Link... 'acquired' each of your encoded material, at the time of your... moment."

They all blushes drew rather bad there, as Urd remembered... "Hmmm... that 'was' a gooood moment." ...this Skuld just blanches back! "Knock it off gutter head!" ...this Troubadour then blanches in kind. "Wait! That means when... um... that 'moment', we had our encoded material... you know..."

Daughter of Hikari looked weird with a rosy blush, on 'skin' that was of everything of a halo of light, most tactile. She defended of her own part. "To be certain, the moment of mention, was taken up upon by certain Trees that should have asked permission. However the Pledge was so powerful in emotional effect, that it overrode common sense. The 'result', we discovered in soon enough, through its unique signature, as well as unique nature, within the Hikari Link, was already imprinted itself upon the source of its material acquired."

And as said 'result' then jumped to, and hugged onto Urd again, Urd translated. "So we did the nasty, the Trees made 'her' here, without our permission, and we get saddled with her like this?" ...this the Daughter of Hikari meeks back... "Apologies." ...whit Urd yells back comically... "Do I look like I ready for motherhood? I'm still in my prime here!"

Urd then just feels arms from Takano and Ishara wrap around her from either side, as the child Seed just hugs Urd at the chest. Urd then she hears from each of them respectively... "Welcome to club, forget having weekends." ... "Yup, you'll get your life back in about twenty years."

Skuld just begets a comical barb in... "Unless the kid becomes a homebody like Urd usually is."

"Aw shut up already!" Urd just wackily yells back at all three!

The child-o-light then look up with eyes that could melt even a Valkyrie's heart. "Guess what I learned to do mommy!" Urd looks down at her in turn. "Uh... sure?"

The child then holds up her halo-light hands, and then creates a 'light-kitty' from them, one that looks up at Urd, and 'meows'. Urd and Troubadour just see this, and in the next scene, just go into huggy fest mode, all three all glomming, as the 'parents' coo... "Ohh, that's so cute!"

"Yay!" ... "Meow!" ...all in one cavity induced package. This shown as Skuld holds at her own mouth. "By Father, my teeth can't take anymore!" ...this Urd 'and' the child just raspberry back at Skuld. Troubadour just chuckles, and the kid then does the same. The 'light'-kitty meow-orbits around them all for a moment, then 'phases' back into the kid.

Talos just remarks, off of seeing all of this, pointing between the three souls of 'now' kin. "Does that Hikari stuff mean they can read each other's minds and all that? Nevermind what her name is."

"Rei." Urd just says suddenly, which makes the others blink. Troubadour blinks too, but then nods. "I like that name Urdy."

"Don't call mommy Urdy." Rei cutely quips back. Troubadour blinks, as Urd just rubs her anew daughter's melon, praising... "That's my good daughter."

Frode just walks over and pats Troubadour's head. "Welcome to the club of getting no respect, good Spirit." ...this Ishara just yells back... "Hey! Watch it bucko bub!"

Takano, feeling the literal 'light' in the air, almost an intoxicant, the child's aura made her so happy and all, just quips. "Well, don't we all just got a new bright spot for this day."

Urd then just hears a snicker from Skuld, all of a sudden. The Norn 'mommy' just blares... "You better not be thinking..." Skuld in scheming turn of tone... "What? That 'our' mommy wouldn't want to find out 'how' this happened? Or... oh gosh... daddy?"

Takano just blinks over at Peorth... "Wouldn't they already know?" ...Peorth in smirking, if uneasy turn... "Oui, like this probably is being seen even now." ...which all is ignored as Urd just growls back to her old norms, as Skuld looks kooky eyed, as Rei 'also' does this! Rei just snips out, between... gee... anime sawtooth like animal teeth. "You don't want to make mommy mad."

Urd simply instead, levels back, as Troubadour doesn't feel safe again. "Oh? How about they find out you were sneaking kisses with Sentaro last night?"

Skuld, of course, looks poisoned, as she yells out... "You nasty old..." ...and pulls out her usual implements of Skuld Bomb chaos, which Takano of course yells out... "Not here! We just cleaned up... oh heck with ya brats..." ...and skedaddles away out of wisdom. Troubadour and the rest do the same when Rei just floats back shouting... "Use the Urd Sky-bolt combo mommy!"

"You got it sweetie!" Urd charging said spell in hand to counter! Frode, also knowing better, just yanks both Ishara and Daughter of Hikari clear, yelping in fatherly fashion, all helpless and whatnot... "The kids and their lack of tact anymore!"

"Says you who wrought Valkyries unto my womb!" Ishara blanches back, just as the show 'begins'. Daughter of Hikari just warbles out... "Are you sure we all come from the same Original Creator? Yeek!"

The chaos incumbent, for the next few minutes, only foreshadows further to come!

"Uhuh..." ...said Father of All 'does' remark with. Urd and Skuld just hold hands, trying to look innocent, and dare not say zilch. Frigurina just eyes Sigrun in turn. "And why did you not halt this chaos?"

Sigrun of course flusters back... "I was in a tactical retreat, not going into 'their' messes." ...this Urd and Skuld just give their sister Norn, a dirty look each. Imladris just applauds vocally... "Works for me." ...this he gets a bonk on the head, of a Lind induced source. Sigrun however fingers her own hands together. "Not that later helped I guess." ...this Imlade alone cocks an eye at. In the background, Talos is throwing a fit again, and gets a Peorth induced cookie down the gullet. Takano meanwhile has Keima fan her, despite the cold air. "No respect from kids, I tell ya. No respect." ...which two sibling Morisatos just eye back with.

Meanwhile, Sentaro is flat out being eyed down by his Mother and Sister, as Almighty the kid remarks. "And then we come to the fun of it." ...this a few eyes look at his uncovered own, as Urd just bemoans... "Half of 'that', was Skuld's fault. Can't believe I got dragged into it with Rei." ...this Troubadour snips as well... "Yeah, not even ten minutes, and then 'that' whole bit happened?"

"Hey!" Skuld blanches. She then points and Imlade and Sigrun, in the same motion of vectored blame... "I wasn't the one that forgot to tell us about that planet! That was Cousin's fault! And that fleet that Sigrun's boyfriend brought into that mess too! I'm still surprised that we got Banpei back!"

Imlade and Sigrun trade a look, the former more questioning to the blushing latter. And an eye in turn towards... wow... Sigel is sure close to Banpei all of a sudden. Imladris just guesses out... "Are they 'formally' a couple now?"

Urd just waves a bland hand about. "Oh you'll love hearing about what happened next."

Lind of course sighs at... "Beloved, you should know better." ...this blanches back at in turn by said Lord Knight... "What'd I do?" ...from the peanut gallery rest... "Shut it!"

Skuld in turn next... "Well..."

When it gets bad enough that Angels are pulled out in the midst of all that chaos, you know it's a good old fashioned sisterly fight. Of course Skuld / Nobel Scarlet and Urd / World of Elegance flat out forgot what they were fighting about, in favor of flat out blasting at each other with abandon. All logic went out in favor of gaudy colorful flashes that mainly only did harm to each other, and hardly anyone else. (Even if they did, Ishara was there to heal Takano, the only one present that could actually come to harm, of it all.)

And as the couple minutes old fight moved about in shouting flits and whatnot, the others trailed about in a weird gaggle, (save Takano,) as a sort of celestial peanut gallery, as the two Norns had at each other.

Ishara at about the third minute in, of all this, just mentions to Sigrun... "How come you aren't a part?"

"How come 'they' aren't." Sigrun thumbs back at Peorth and Eihwa, the two goddesses decrying back. "Hey!/Ao!" ...each. This before a rather bad blast just throws smoke everywhere! Urd just suddenly yells, as World of Elegance has her hands thrown up, to stop the thrown projectile, one that Skuld had paint implanted within! A good splatter of blue paint is splattered about, much of it falling off of Urd's hastily thrown up shield! Urd of course yells at a double raspberrying Norn 'foe'. "What the heck was that you freak!"

"Nyah!" Skuld mocks back. "That was Paint Master Bomb 70-X! I got a dozen of them with your face on it!"

Urd just shouts back, rather mad, the same on her Angel. "When I get through with you, you'll need paint on your face, for Sentaro to even recognize you!" ...this she and World of Elegance then lean back weirdly, in a pose both thoughtful, and annoying to Skuld's eye. Urd just barbs back further with... "But then, you'd need paint for Sentaro to see you as 'womanly' enough."

Troubadour with Rei carried on his back, rather easily, just warbles out... "Ahh... that could be a... " ...this Rei instead shouts... "You go mommy! You go!"

Skuld of course, is fuming, (and Nobel Scarlet,) as Skuld snaps back... "Oh yeah! You go through so much make up, only our mommy could love ya!"

Urd just snarls... "You gonna need daddy's eye patch for your eye, when I get at ya brat!" ...and shoots in with Depth Charges blazing! Skuld makes a FAST retreat, and the traded back and forth blasts continues! The rest follow, as further behind, Sigel and Banpei just finally stop, the Synthetic lass huffing. "/ Those two are getting worse, I swear by code." ...this Banpei shakes his oversized head, back and forth.

The trail of Norn destruction just leads more Paint Bombs and various Urd Bolts to blare all about, as they eventually pass by the fore area of the residence again. There, Takano, with the usual Morisato sense to not bother getting involved, just sits, sipping another of Belldandy's best blends. She just sighs happily, with Rei's aura really affecting her, as she quips. "It's a purty day."

Ishara just has enough, and stops near Takano, as the goddess just quips. "That looks good." ...this Takano makes a cute... "Ummhumm." ...and a cute slurp with. Ishara quickly gets her own cup laden, and joins the mortal lass. (At least the tea here, was treated better this day.)

After about another circuit around the temple, the lot stop as Skuld gets really huffy, and shouts! "Stop hounding me you sex hound!" ...and throws a bomb, one Urd avoids easily, but one that 'then' heads right for... "Watch it!" ...as Peorth's shout makes the peanut gallery all scatter! All save one, who reacted a bit too late, and gets a pink paint bomb, in the face!

Skuld and Urd see this, and gasp, as Sigrun, the hapless recipient, just fumes a beet red, in between pink pain splatters. Urd just cracks out... "Don't you take after Cousin, and avoid those kinds of things? Or was that the other way around." ...as World of Elegance shakes her head. Skuld just laughs (and Nobel Scarlet,) as she spouts... "Wow, what a bonehead!"

To Sigrun's credit, her old emo problems were long behind her. (Eros a great deal why for that now.) Instead, her new version matched up against her sisterly versions well. This as she grinds out a new combination of her Master's own annoyed growl, with her own hiss with. This combined with her frazzle, to make even Rei go... "Ut oh."

"So you want to call out the pain." ...Sigrun heard that one from Lind. Urd and Skuld (and their respective Angels,) just go 'ulp', as Skuld just throws her bomb laden hands out defensively... "I take the 'bonehead' part back!" ...this Urd, too late, also tries to be amending. "Yeah, taking after Cousin, can be a good thang."

Of course Sigrun has zilch of that, and throws out her Angel to boot! This she freaks out her paired up targets, as Sigrun just snarls... "Come my Silver, let's have at thee." ...this Urd in turn points back at Sigrun's Angel, one with all the characteristics of a normal Angel, all as if a sheen of sparkling silver covered her. Wings and all. "I thought she was named Gray."

Sigrun just throws herself into battle with... "It was a choice of a refreshed soul!" ...as she chants out time freezing spells that just scatters Urd /World of Elegance and Skuld /Nobel Scarlet, like the wind! Soon enough, the threesome battle has Skuld and Urd fighting back, in wacky shouting fashion. Frode, for one of note, just quips to the dumbfounded lot watching... "Well, she's an official Norn of the hold now." ...this the others just nod once.

The scene goes around the residence once more, leaving more paint colors around than on a 256-bit color monitor. (It got ugly looking.) This as Takano just quips, with Rei now in her lap, with a happy smile... "I'll be sure ta make em clean up after them lil selves later, before tha bunch get home."

"You said it." ...Takano hers in her head, making her looks instinctively at the temple arch entryway. "Keima?" ...though Ishara looks up, and with better vision beyond the temple wall. She quips in realization to a weirded out Takano. "Ah, he's not near this area milady."

Takano realizes this, and then proceeds to manage to whack at her ear, like there was water in it. Again. "Dang ding dong it. My head's messin with me again." ...this as Rei looks up, and then quips to a furthered weirded out moment for the lady Morisato. "I guess those little robot guys and gals evolved on ya."

"Eh?" Takano yelps down at... "What'd ya say girly?"

That all suddenly stabs silent, as they 'all' then feel what happened to Belldandy and Imladris. The succession of what they felt, started with that weird mindscape Imladris had, and then the revision. Takano remarking of it... "Wow... metal boyo has... an imagination."

"Wooo..." Rei just warbles out on 'seeing' it too. Frode just quips, as the Norns had stopped their tirade nearby... "Heh, Master's imagination is as detailed as ever."

"Detailed?" ...come from at least five goddess sources, as Urd just blanches at Sigrun. "Yeah, your 'Master' needs to get in the sack with Lind finally." ...this Sigrun just BLANCHES back! "Don't talk about my Master like that!"

"Si! Not unless I am included." ...this in turn, Eihwa gets stared at. Takano just holds her hands over Rei's glowy ears. "You all mind dat kids. We got a youngin here!" ...this Rei just makes a pouty face, her IQ rating way high enough already to comprehend and make a face in hearing it all.

The lot then look about at the chaos created, Takano and Ishara chiding the Norns for the mess, before 'then' the feel what happened to the duo next, all of it. The first reaction in result, was from Skuld... "Big Sis!" Sigrun in equal tone... "Master!"

Urd at first looks around... "I thought I heard Mara in all of that." ...this before the 'next' moment of chaos occurs, as Takano is standing and shouting... "I'll call the guys at Chihiro's shop!" ...and is about to turn to do that, when a Gate portal all of a sudden SLAMS into life, right on top of the Temple grounds! Everyone looks in shocked agape, as they heard... "- Don't you know how to ask politely lady, you know! I... EEEK! -" ...before they then hear a formal dragon's snarl, and then with all force, a thirty meter long Celestial Dragon bursts through the open Gate portal, and right into the sky! Everyone else is thrown onto their butts, as parts of the temple grounds just get shredded, if not outright destroyed!

Talos on recognition... "That was Lady Angelus!"

Eihwa in manic turn... "She must have felt it all too!" ...and is the first to shoot up after the Dragon! Peorth just yelps in following swiftly! "Secur! Secur wait a dang minute!" ...this Talos is about to follow, before Takano SNARLS out... "You just wait a dang minute!"

Talos blinks back over... "Huh?" ...as Frode bades the same onto the Norns. "You three hold up as well!"

Urd for one, snarls back to a slight wilt of even the Lower Council god. "Why dammit? Our family is in danger!"

Frode is about to answer, when another strange sound, suddenly spikes the air, answering for him! This as even Gate herself even pokes her head through in hearing... "That sounded like one of those weird teleporter thangs, ya know?"

Skuld, on hearing that, also hears... "/ Mistress!" ... "SIGEL! No! No no! ...as she suddenly shoot-floats, with Urd and Sigrun in pursuit! Ishara looks about, a bit lost in the moment, but about to make up her mind where to conduct towards, when Frode's hand is raised at her. "Belay."

Ishara looks with a weird frazzle! "EH?" ...as Frode then looks at Troubadour. "Go with her." ...this Troubadour realized the word 'Urd' is mentioned, and as such, he wordlessly shoots off to follow, Rei in turn yelping out... "Wait up Daddy-kun!" ...as Takano blinks, and points at Rei's sparkly retreating form. "How'd that kid learn 'that' last honorific bit?"

Frode then weathers a good stare down from Ishara, as Daughter of Hikari floats down from a high vantage point above. (Smart one for a Seed.) Daughter of Hikari then remarks... "I sense I will be needed in the short term." ...this as Frode looks at Talos. "Help me clean up first here." ...with a turning nod towards Daughter of Hikari. Talos's bare attempt at a complaint, is halted, when Skuld shouts... "WE NEED COUSIN'S SHIP!"

Ishara gulps... "I take back what I could have said." ...as Frode, 'knowing' better, nods back. This as the Norns and their accompaniment shoot back into sight, with Urd yelling out... "Hikari!"

"Told ye." ...as the elder Seed floats over, Frode just remarks out... "Good luck." ...as Sigrun afar, shoots up into and out of the Temple structure, she should have lit the structure on fire. (Or froze it given her goddess spell affinity.) This as Sigrun yells out... "I got the commlink thing!"

Urd then looks back at... "Troubadour, you and Rei..." ...this Troubadour snap retorting to that. "Forget it. I'm coming too." ...this Rei screeches out..."We must save Auntie Skuld's friends!" ...this Skuld blanches a bit... "Auntie?" ...as Sigrun just hollers into the commlink! "Scetu! We need help!"

Scetu's voice already cascades back... "- / I already have the target vessel acquired, it is of foreign make and... wait... it just Fold jumped! -"

Skuld just screeches... "No!" ...as Sigrun just asks first... "What do we do?"

Urd in turn, knowing her own unwanted true Mother well enough, for her own mindset. "If I suspect what is going on to Sis, and Cousin, is what I think it all is, even here, then Lind will have that base covered. Peorth and Eihwa too if that Dragon don't mess it all up."

Sigrun, her Master's own commanding tone on her lips. "Then we help Skuld get our family back."

"Agreed." ...they hear from 'two' Seeds. And literally with zilch else thought, Sigrun just shouts up... "Scetu, we need that teleport thing."

"- / One moment. -" ...as Scetu seemed more concerned with one vector, than even his Master's own other. Takano realizes and shouts over... "I'll tell tha guys what happened, when they get back." ...this Urd throws up a thumbs up. (So does Rei in mirror act.) This as all of a sudden, Keima of all peeps, shoots into running sight, and yells... "Did you guys know that Belldandy and..." ...this Takano blinks... "You saw it all too?" ...just before a shimmering teleport beam, nabs the lot of Norn accompaniment, into their own adventure.

Talos sees this, and then yaks over at... "Quick! What do I clean!" ...this Ishara just tosses over a broom, as Frode is quick chanting to repair the place. Ishara just quips. "Sweep, and then get the trash."

Talos just starts sweeping, with a good grumble. Keima meanwhile comes up... "What happened? One moment, I was heading here for a chat with Takano, the next I hear all... 'that'... what WAS all that?"

Ishara just quips to the two married mortals. "Exactly what you 'saw'." ...this Takano and Keima look at each other, and then eye Ishara back. They both then realize and blame, just as much as the rest of the family did earlier. "What did that bucko put in us?"

Ishara's explanation, just made Talos in turn, for one, poke at himself.

The rest...

Sigel just snapped out... "/ Send us back home, right now!"

An electronic voice coded back, as a sounded off 'voice', one with a LOT of information within it, all of which made Sigel and Banpei react in shock! Sigel hears Banpei breep some harsh sounding tones, which Sigel accents in angry tone with... "/ Banpei's right! You don't have the right to do that with us! Where are we going anyway?"

The 'information' that comes back across the Synthetic sounded off vocals, actually made Sigel's rather advanced skin-subset, go pale. She then looks at Banpei, and gulped back. "/ We're in trouble."

-In orbit around the moon Luna, aboard the Illistrum.-

"Not even past two weeks..." Urd just quips, looking around at the Synthetic crewed starship, the bridge deck of note here, as Daughter of Hikari floats up to Scetu, the latter the General of highly mechanical advanced mode, cranes his head in hearing... "We must pursue whom stole our friends."

Skuld on top of that, just screeches, to the hazard of Synthetic ear sensors all around. "Who by goddess would steal Sigel and Banpei?"

Scetu just resets his sonic processors, as he answers to both imparts... "/ A vessel with Synthetic foreign sensor readouts, just Fold jumped out of the Sol System. Grav-Techs and Navi-Techs are coordinating their sensor logs to determine the focal point of the jump nexus-string."

"Nice." Troubadour only can say, as Sigrun comes up, and acts rather mature, as she puts a comforting hand on Skuld's right shoulder. Skuld notes this, as Sigrun goes off of two weeks of imposed training, that Imladris had her conduct, given more than one vector was involved for her part. As such she offers, sounding more and more like her Master. "Did you garner anything of the offending party, in your scans?" Scetu, 'thanking' his Creator (Imladris,) silently, for an Apprentice that beheld calm in place here, responded. "/ The offending vessel scans put the starship, as about the size of a Frigate standard class, a hybrid of Synthetic units that comprise the vessel 'crew', conglomerated to act as a hive link-mind, all slaved to a objective purpose. The Fold technology base is about six standard series 'generations' behind current evolved Alliance norm versions. The gravitational wake left behind high localized an 'specific' neutrino burst patterns that are likely traceable."

Urd just holds her head. "And my mind went to Pluto again folks." Skuld in turn snaps back, with all agitation warranted. "The General said that we can find who took our family, once the navigational stuff is sorted."

And then, cause their 'new' family member was of the same incarnate line as Daughter of Hikari, Rei then speaks up with a cute girly-kid voice, that held a LOT of knowledge. "Excuse me. But would this all mean we should be able to triangulate off from the Galactic Navigational Grid?"

"Pardon?" Urd and Troubadour blink, as Sigrun rolls her eyes. "Yeah, a kid brighter than her parents. And she's right, the Alliance Galaxy Navigational Grid 'should' have picked up the gravitational spike from the end point of a Fold Jump. This presuming the end point location is 'even' in Alliance Galaxy, or our Universe altogether at that. Or even subspace or..."

"Sister!" Skuld just snapped in a panic, Sigrun just freaks out a bit, yelping back... "It 'should' at least be close enough to..." ...this in turn a separate Synthetic trooper then calls out, off Network pings of new information garnered. "/ We located the end point, it was just transmitted to us over Intra-Galactic Net." ...this the literal equivalent of the Trans-Atlantic Oceanic cable. Though in this form, specially formatted Comm-Stations used a combination of Trans-FTL Network Node stations, and communications versions of Hikari Net based Fold gating, to send very high speed network burst packets, (some packets as large as an entire planet's worth of data in some aspects,) between Alliance Galaxy, and the only currently capable recipient in the Milky Way Galaxy (MWG) to receive it, the Sol Station well outside the orbit line, of the Kuiper Belt region, where all possibly detection from Sol-Earth, was deemed unlikely. The redundant link of fifty Comm-Stations so far, and growing in number, extended between Alliance Galaxy and Milky Way Galaxy, even despite the unfathomable distance, was the first in a testbed format of a Comm-Station series, all meant to help begin the forming Exploration Arm of the Galactic Starfleet, to explore other galaxies of the Archonis Supercluster, and maintain vital communication links.

And their use hinged greatly upon the weed like expansion of the Hikari Trees, and the Hikari Network Subspace Layer, of which its tenth dimensional powers, helped circumvent the usual FTL and sheer distance problems involved. All of which would have made everything the new Station Network, impossible.

And all the volumes of variables mentioned here, all boiled down to the Synthetic unit trooper, relaying data that had only taken moments to acquire, off of its parent end, to relay to the heeding of demanding present souls. The Alliance Science Academy was getting it's grants worth, amongst other Sectors, all working in concert. This as Scetu flat out orders... "/ Begin Fold preparation. " ...this Daughter of Hikari fading from view to return to its Core state, with Sigrun then asking next. "Where did the vessel end up?"

The Synthetic unit responsible for Navigational Command, then replies. "/ Coordinates indicate within the Synthetic Construct regions, near the Synthetic Deckasi System, about two parsecs away. Indicators also indicate the target area is exhibiting a large gravitational node zone."

Urd looked over at Sigrun... "The heck does that mean? Sounds like we're heading for something big." ...this Skuld answers for Sigrun, more than easily. "Big might not begin to describe it."

At this, with Rei herself taking easy lead, as she leads Urd and Troubadour to seats, the other two Norns do likewise, as Skuld just whispers out. "I hope we get to Banpei and Sigel in time."

"We will." ...Skuld hears, and looks over at a confident looking Sigrun. This as the Illistrum Fold drive begins to hard engage, echoing throughout the ship. And then bunch are treated to the sight once more, of the fold Jump occurring, the stellar format of 'traveling without moving', reinforced onto them all, once again.

-12th Core Excellency-Phoenix Starbase...

...minted upon Network Archives, microcyclons earlier, even.-

Kaia was just sighing, as Eros was going over the initial stages of setting up a shakedown schedule for their new gargantuan toy, when Kaia suddenly got word over the Network, at the same moment Eros did! All of it. As such Kaia instinctively lunged a hand to her right ear. She then 'heard' what was coming, and snaps to Eros. "We got company coming!"

Eros just snapped out over the Network... "All assets acknowledge the Illistrum is on combat Fold approach! All available fleet elements acknowledge an Assist on Call to the Deckasi System, two parsecs off galactic apogee."

Kaia of course then blanches... "You don't mean to bring..." ...as suddenly, Commander 24's and General Sceta's holo images pop up, in full crystal 3D color. "- Diamond Fleet element guard alpha will Acknowledge! -" ... "- / Guard element Gamma will Acknowledge as well! -"

Eros nods, then looks back at his mother. "Why not? It's an emergency we can test with." ...this Kaia blares back. "And you could create an incident with an unknown Synthetic sub-civilization!"

24 of course just snips in over holo-net... "- He wants to show off for 'her'. -" ...this Sceta snickers we well within her holo-feed. Eros just throws a fit at them both. This as General Yaltran then clamors over Net... "- / Synthetic 306th element Acknowledge combat Fold! -"

However a Katath Comm-Tech then reports... "Sorry Commander, but the new Flagship's Hikari Core is still offline. This Eros sighs... "Aww shoot." ...this Kaia rolls her eyes at. Eros shakes it off, and then flat out snaps in commanding tone. "Get us there fast! That's the Excellency's family out there!"

"- Right! -" ...came from 'many' sources.

The sheer speed of all that was occurring, was no coincidence, or of mere technological marvel. It was driven necessity of a 'new' Being, that was racing against time, and 'knowledge' of the coming 'enemy', that drove this process. Given that the Being's gargantuan arrival upon the gravitational fabric, hadn't been formally investigated by the Alliance, came as a surprise to the Being.

More so when the Being discovered through a bit 'too' open Network, the existence of two Synthetic souls that were created 'by' the gods themselves, (goddess what have ye.) Ones that had the possibility of unlocking what the vast Synthetic Core-Lord wanted for its own Essence, over all these Eons. Ones that could achieve a dream that pure logic couldn't tell of.

And now, the Fold jump bright 'them' in close at last.

Afar, Sigel and Banpei, both confined to the small teleportation chamber they had been absconded into, felt their arrival, of all too short note, and then 'heard' more electronic language, swim 'around' them to comprehend. Sigel just shouted back at the 'voice'. "/ Don't we get a right to decide any of that! You're wrong, and you know it!"

At first, the 'voice' is silent, before it responds again. Banpei retorts back with a rather harsh twibble sound or such, this Sigel again accents... "/ Yeah! Why should we listen! You aren't listening to 'us'! You're not even letting us 'see' what's coming, for Creator sakes!"

In response, the chamber suddenly 'morphs' in structure, as the airless chamber opens up a 'viewport', allowing a forward viewpoint, of what they were approaching. As soon as the two Synthetic creations saw their true abductor, they gasped, and dropped to their respective servo-knees.

Sigel just jittered out... "/ So... so large." ...at a sight that was as large as Venus, of size note.

Banpei saw, but then warbled a 'comment' to Sigel, whom then looked back, and then nodded. Given Synthetic minds raced at processor speed as designed, their thoughts raced from dismay, amazement, and then realization of hope. This as Sigel nods, in just as short an order... "/ You haven't gotten away with anything yet. I know Skuld will come for us."

And even off that, a few moments after arrival, as they approached their planet sized abductor, Fold flashes began to occur. All beginning with...

"Common! Common!" Skuld impatiently snapped out, the event of Fold travel wasn't actually moving 'fast' enough for her. This as the horizontal contraction of the stars beyond, went into the two dimensional travel layer, and the 'very' bright horizontal line of contracted starlight, contracted further into a really good impersonation of the Genesis Event. Such was lost as Sigrun remarked to Scetu... "Does the Alliance know that we are coming?"

"/ Verily. In fact..." ...as contracted space begins to 'reverse' upon itself in the beyond... "/ ...we are very likely to garner a Capital response to our arrival."

Sigrun then blushes a bit, as Urd and Troubadour (and Rei too,) lean on in. Urd of lead actress voice here, quips... "How capital of him." ...this Sigrun yells back through her blush. "Stop it with that!"

"/ Fold envelope collapsing." ...a Synthetic Engineering-Tech announces, as eyes turn back forward, as space 'expands' to full view. However on immediate sight, their eyes, of all formats, essentially boggle! Sigrun yelps at the sight of... "It's a Machiner!"

Skuld in disbelieving accent... "But... an entire planet?" Urd just yells as well. "Believe it Sister!"

Their viewport most panoramic in scope to eye forth with, is already swamped to the fore, of the view of an entire vast Machiner planet! The sight of a green star, cases a yet white alight pall across the vast metallic surface, of a planet most mechanical in make. Vast planetary curved surfaces are cross stitched with enormous bands of gleaming metal, with various sized 'holes' where deeper portions of the planet are seen. Billions of lights are light of all color formats, like the entire thing was one enormous Christmas tree, sparkling within the surface, giving the sight an ethereal feel. More so with sight of even the vast Machiner format of 'parts', even from their afar entry distance, that were flat out gorgeous to look at. Rather than any part of the planet looking aged or worn in, the Machiner planet looked crisp brand new, as if even time was not a challenge to its gargantuan surface, by way of any erosion.

It was to be 'certain', a sobering sight.

Troubadour just shuddered out. "You mean the souls that kidnapped Banpei and Sigel, are in 'that' thing?"

"No." Skuld whispered out, somehow knowing. Scetu accented her in turn. "/ Indeed, that 'is' the Abductor. I can feel it in my sub-processor code strings."

"There!" Rei shouts and points, as her kid sized finger points at sight of a bluish stardrive engine glow-wake. However Urd then yelps in turn. "We got company with them!" ...as afar sight of numerous objects suddenly begin 'detaching' from the surface! Scetu on sensor recognition... "/ The planet is launching defenses! All Dimensional Shields active! Weapons on standby!"

Skuld just yells out. "No! We can't fire on them if we want Sigel and Banpei back!" ...this Sigrun eyes over... "We can disable again with Ionic batteries, but we have to be able to defend ourselves!"

"But..." Skuld ekes back, as Troubadour offers, rather rattled himself to the idea of another big fat battle. "We could try and contact them first." ...Skuld in turn. "Yeah! At least see if..."

"/ Alliance contacts Folding into theater zone!" ...a Synthetic Tactical-Tech suddenly announces, which makes Skuld screech. "No! Wait!" ...as all around them, numerous fold jump flashes suddenly begin occurring, to the rear of the Illistrum! Skuld just blanches on seeing literally dozens of starships and warships, suddenly blaze into sight, like a charging cavalry! "Oh come on! This is getting nuts!"

"Sure a different chaos from our usual norms." ...this Troubadour gets looked at, as he winces back. "What? It is you know!"

"- Illistrum, respond please! -" ...Eros's head suddenly holographicly all but pop-phases into view, before them on the bridge! Sigrun of blushing course... "You?" ...this Urd, Troubadour and Rei lean in again, as Eros's image also blinks a good blush. "- Lady Sigrun? -"

"I... will you three cut it out!" Sigrun blares at the three nosing in. Skuld blinks, but then yelps... "Eros, we need help here!"

Just then, 24's and Sceta's images also pop up! 24 calls out in kind. "- Lady Skuld is it? -"

Sceta's image then imparts.. "- / We're here to assist. What has occurred beyond what the Network has informed us. -" ...this Scetu informs... "/ We just arrived moments before you did. The abducting vessel has already reached the planet's inner zone. Defensive countermeasures are apparently approaching us."

"- We'll deploy defensive screens as well. -" Eros commands at first, however Sigrun in turn yelps back. "Hold it! We can't have a fight here!" ..Skuld yelling in as well, a good bit rattled by the situation. "Yeah! We can't have Banpei and Sigel hurt! We need to get them back first!"

Kaia's own large image then pops up, making the bridge deck suddenly feel crowded. "- But if they are inside the defensive area of the Machiner Planet, then how do we even 'avoid' a fight? -"

One voice that seemed to be getting calmer, despite it all, then speaks up, and reoffers.. "Souls, I said let's try and contact them first." ...this eyes look at Troubadour again. Urd blushes a tic, as Troubadour's voice 'does' bring a sense of calm here. Urd then nods, as Rei looks on with an 'awe-face' at her still anew daddy. "Okay, at least find out what is really going on here."

Sigrun nods, and then orders with her best, if semi-cracked in tone, version of her Master's own. "Scetu, open a communication link. Watch out for any anomaly readings with the open channel." ...this Scetu trades a look with his nominal interstellar counterparts, and then nods as well. "/ Acknowledged. Protective firewall measures in place. Activate open comm channel."

Skuld's yelp of panic laced tones, are superseded by a stronger Sigrun imposed tone, with the same question, as soon as the communication's channel is active. "Attention unidentified Machiner entity. This is the Galactic Alliance Flagship Illistrum. Identify yourself, and return those you abducted from us at once!"

"- Nice one. -" Eros blushes out over holo-comm, which a holo-Kaia 'shushes' him quickly, though all such for a moment seems to be of naught, as no response returns. Sigrun slits her eyes, a trait from being stuck with Hild for too long, as she then stresses even harder... "Unidentified intruder. Respond to our previous hail and demand, now!"

For a second moment, nothing. Then Scetu suddenly cocks his head, and then 'feels' the initial viral-tendrils, to snap out... "/ Engage Firewall Protocol!" ...as suddenly even the goddesses feel a 'weird' invasive code try to hit the Network. Sigrun's prior command proves wise, as a sudden Network based battle occurs for a swift moment, as the foreign Machiner intra-network attempts a viral assault! The immediate attack is then followed up by sight of the planet itself suddenly glowing!

Rei 'and' Daughter of Hikari, the latter despite lack of physical presence, both yell out... "It is trying to attack the Hikari Link subspace barrier, from this layer of subspace!"

"- Like 'heaven' to THAT! -" Kaia snaps back, and reacts with her own mental 'command' that creates a 'different' type of Firewall, within the Network Hikari based link to the subspace layer about to be assaulted in a similar manner, as the Network itself was being attacked. The actual attack the Planet attempts, is accompanied by a visible gravitational wake shimmer that suddenly blasts out, and causes the Illistrum, and other Alliance vessels to suddenly lurch 'upwards', as if from a tidal wave effect!

"/ Stabilize all vessels."

"- It's attacking the Hikari Trees! -" Kaia announces, as everyone feels the strange 'aging' like assault, upon their physical forms, attached to their soul forms the Hikari Layer adheres to, and further from there! Urd just winces out... "Feels like my body is being dried out, or something..." ...as her voice gains her own Hildish edge. Troubadour then realizes... "REI!" ...as he manages to lunge over to catch the little child of light that suddenly faints from an attack she isn't used to. Neither are 'any' of the Trees. And they 'all' feel it. Galaxy wide.

"ENOUGH!" ...Urd snaps, and Sigrun hollers... "Open fire all Ionics! Save those Trees quick!" ...as all heck seems to now break loose again, as Eros commands over a static filled Net... "- Al.. vess... ls open fi.. NOW! -" ...as all of a sudden, those accompanying Alliance vessels suddenly unleash a strange sight of white colored energy beam weapons, in large torrents, right at the target enemy! However the enemy seems to react only with more shimmering 'bubbles' of gravitational shimmer 'energy', that lunges back at the Alliance fleet!

Skuld on realizing before anyone else could, yells out... "Stop! They're using gravity lensing to deflect attacks and..." ...as suddenly several beams all around the Illistrum then 'bend' at radical angles, as one of them 'hits' the Illistrum itself! The result shakes and weirdly warps the interior of the bridge area! Scetu realizes and reacts with... "/ Reinforce all structural integrity fields to compensate!"

24 yells back over Holo-Net... "- We can't if the Trees are being too disrupted, the power cores are fluctuating. -" ...as such results in suddenly afar, Kon One takes a hard hit, and both lurches to starboard, and causes a structural blowout! Sigrun GASPS as Eros's image reports... "- Damage to starboard decks thirty-two to seventy-six. Structural fields failing. -"

"Enough!" ...comes suddenly from Skuld, as she looks at her present Sisters. Wordlessly they realize something 'extra' is needed, as Urd and Sigrun nod back. Sigrun yells to Scetu, and the others suddenly hearing the same over Holo-Net... "Everyone prepare to brace themselves for whatever happens. Urd!"

"You got it Sis." ...Urd says, and all of a sudden, the two more elder Norns suddenly phase teleport out of sight of the others! Skuld in turn meanwhile in an act that turns the tables on her earlier helpless behavior, then snaps to Scetu... "Fire the main cannon, I got the rest."

Scetu jerks his mechano head over, but then sees Skuld's hands already fiercely sparkling of a spell enriched blue. Scetu nods. "/ Fire the cannon off of Lady Skuld's actions."

"/ Acknowledged." ...the Synthetic Tactical-Tech replies, as Skuld then focuses, as troubadour looks on, Rei all but unconscious in his arms.

"Do it lady." ...the 'father' unit remarks...

Outside in open pace, a few dozen meters ahead of the Illistrum's bow, Urd and Sigrun both appear. This as Urd snaps out, despite the illogic of doing so in the vacuum of space. "I'll handle the kids, get the daddy's effects. Skuld's for the daddy itself."

"Try and keep up." ...Sigrun just snips in, but both garner faces hardly joshing in nature. This as their voices then literally join in with Skuld's, such as their hybrid Spell then comprises with Skuld inside the vessel starting with arms opening wide with arms set to strike forth from overhead...

"This say I, the Norn of the Future most angered..."

Outside, Urd, arms waving elegantly and direly...

"...and of I, the Norn of the Past most venomous..."

...then Sigrun with her arms set fold crossed in front of her, ready to stab them forth...

"...and I, the Norn of Fate most wrathful..."

All three cascading their voices into one roaring voice... "...heed us of three Voices unto the Father same, with Anger the Same! Break the assault most blind and selfish, with our response more pure and resounding! Be without fail, our own Answer to the trumpet of battle sounded! To the halt of Blindness, with our Clarity!"

In equal motions, Skuld suddenly slaps her hands onto a nearby console, spreading out engorging spell power code in Intracellic rings and code-lines, making the ship suddenly glow, of its complete length, at the same time as Urd then shoots her arms down hard, and Sigrun stabs her hands forth! In equal resulting acts, The Illistrum main cannon fires of an enhanced bluish glow, in a WIDE blast beam, as Urd calls down Norn Chain Bolt Thunder Blasts, and Sigrun shows out a vast warping wave of Temporal Ice-Shear energon!

Then all of a sudden, Scetu off of his Master-Creator's own timing for such events, calls out to the Fleet. "/ All ships engage vector-assault beam tactics!" ...causing attacking vessel beams to gain a short term angle beam effect, as they radically re-vector blasts with multiple angles most dynamic, even lensing 'with' the attacking graviton bubbles. This results in succession, the cannon blast smacking into the planet, with a good splash effect, as the attacking Machiner vessels are chain stuck by Urd Bolt chain attacks, temporal sheer energy, and microcyclons later, Ionic beam impacts! None of the enemy are destroyed, but all take a hefty amount of attack damage, halting all further enemy assaults. This in as much from battle spell damage, as much from pure shock value the 'planet' hasn't seen before.

A battle that started moment before, tide turned in favor of the unknown enemy, turns 'just' as fast to the Alliance!

Eros for one, is as amazed as any number of times Keiichi had been with Belldandy's wonders. "Incredible by even Excellency's measures." ...he says, off of memories of recent note. His eye trails to where Sigrun is floating, as they all recover.

It takes a good moment, after all the strikes hit, for both sides to realize what happened, as Urd just gasped out a bit... "That should make it stop and think. To think I was only worrying about motherhood."

"You'll get extra points for this." Sigrun manages out, as the look afar at the still monolithic sight, as the main cannon blast wake finally stops, having taken out the lights of a good quarter of the 'planet' surface. However they are nowhere near fooled, as Skuld 'calls' out to hearing only the two Norns outside could hear... (the rest over Net-Comm that an amazed set of crews also hear...) "- That can't be it. And we still need to find... -" Skuld at first says, before... "Give us back Sigel and Banpei NOW!" Sigrun outright snaps at the Planet! Urd also eyes, and wonders... "Think we should do it a second time Sisters?"

"- / Standby... -" ...Scetu's voice suddenly is heard by the duo, and the remainder of the Fleet. Sigrun looks back at the Illistrum, as 24's voice then spikes in... "- I sense we're 'finally' being contacted. -"

Urd blinks over at 24's own vessel, off of 'heard' vector. "How do you know that?"

It's all snapped silent by mechanical sounded voice of angst... ": - You will NOT destroy I evolution! - :"

"What the heck?" Skuld blanches out, within the Illistrum, as Urd outside realizes... "It's the Planet speaking! Whoa!"

Sigrun yelps over... "What does that mee...ee... eeeeaaaann?" ...she yelps, as suddenly she feel the 'grab' of a teleport beam! She's not the only one, as Urd yelps at first... "Sigrun!" ...before she 'too' is 'grabbed'! Skuld feels it next to her own shriek, followed by further ones from Eros, Kaia, 24, Scetu and Sceta in turn!

A dismayed remaining set of fleet commanders hear from General Yaltran, who wasn't grabbed, as he snaps out... "- / General Order Alpha Six! Locate and get them all back! -"

A random Alliance Silveren Sensor-Tech reports over Network... "We can't! A discriminator screen just went up!"

Yaltran just snaps... "- / Burn through it! NOW! -"

Troubadour meanwhile, of one who wasn't grabbed, just holds onto Rei's sleeping form, and whispers... "You guys can do it. There's another path. Always another path Urdy."

"And I swear be even my... er... Hild, that we only 'just' got here." Urd moans, looking around. Sigrun the same as the rest of them. Skuld then sees... "Eh? You guys too?" ...as she sees the other grabbed parties. One of whom looks back with a yelp... "Lady Sigrun!" ...as said Norn sees to an ill timed blush of... "Eros!"

"Where are we?" Kaia asks, more from disbelief at that moment, as Sceta quips... "/ If one didn't know any better bioform, inside the Planet's core."

"Um... kay." 24 responds, as they all look around, as from all apparent sight of within their most unexpected viewscape, was everything like a... "...gyroscope."

Urd looks at Skuld. "Say what?" ...this all eyes look at as Skuld notes on strange affinity... "Doesn't all this look like some oversized gyroscope in a machine? It looks..." ...the word beautiful trailing off, given their wary state of situation. Otherwise, it was no less than how Keiichi saw the insides of Machiner parts, for the first time. And in this unusual case, was like a true Machiner cathedral indeed. There were even 'light' rays casting strange palls within the cast shadows, off the cast parts of unknowable age. Ones that ran from sizes of the detailed of tiny, to the detailed of monolithic. All said was accented by further strange lighting schemes, as per the same seen external of the 'planet'.

It was also at this point, that they all could feel something... 'alive' here. But a format that only Skuld could feel the same, as per looking at... "Don't you feel it too Scetu?" ...this the said construct nods. "/ Indeed." ...which Sceta for one, had a harder time describing within her own processing suites. "/ Of what beloved, I sense a great life here, but I need more information to comprehend."

"That's just it." Skuld says, as the others look at her strangely, as she speaks of a far off voice. "It's like... well... the machine is almost organic here, than anywhere else I've ever felt the like. Like 'this' place is more like the organic machine of mortals, than of a mere mechanical machine."

"/ Skuld?" ...a sudden voice familiar strikes Skuld's mind. Scetu 'hears' it too, as they both suddenly run in concert, Skuld shouting.. "Sigel!" ...this Urd just shouts in the chasing after... "W... wait a dang minute, you're freaking us out!"

"A good job of it too." 24 creeps out of a vein even 'she' is unaccustomed. Kaia just strides along side, commenting... "I sense we passed a strange barrier that we are only able to witness, less participate of my fear." ...this as they all follow a rounded akin walkway, more like a portion of the gyroscope they 'could' do so upon, rather one of actual formal make. Such that led them all through a 'tunnel' of bands of Machiner part 'rings' that just contracted to the point of the Synthetic units having to contract to 'duck' under, given their taller height, this before the tunnel flat out expands back outright, into chamber, that was alit of a pure UV glow effect, the same unto their various cloth, appendages, and more (even the goddess cheek and forehead marks glow unusually,) as they reach the obvious central core of the entire planet.

"I feel like we're in a strange church or something." Urd remarks, before Skuld then sees to a horror... "NO! Banpei! Sigel!" ...as she sees the two beloved creations held within an energy field of several pink-purple-blue rings, with a energy field melded with. Sigel sees, but then yells... "/ Watch out mistress!" ...as Urd hears, and sees to look up... "Up there!"

"And 'there'!"

"/ All around us!" ...as Urd's descriptor, is adjoined by 24's and Sceta's warnings, as all eyes look all about, as a literal bee hive like Swarm, of energetic sparkles of UV afterglow induced... "Nanites!"

Skuld's recognizing screech, makes them all skid to a collective stop, about five meters away from the cage, as the swarm, all sounding like mechanical 'sand' of a hybrid sound, then sweeps about them, as Sceta and Scetu eject energy blades from both sets of arm laden ejection port-handles. However Skuld just yells... "No wait! Stop! No one move!"

Sigrun, with Eros a 'bit' too close behind her, just snaps back... "Why? I don't feel like being chow for this thing!"

"We're not." Kaia announces, as the swarm of nanite sparkles sweeps around them, from legs, up to the heads of each watching, as the swarm then begins to create a strange singularity point to gather mass onto. This as Skuld nods. "Yes. Our host is arriving." ...this Urd just blanches out... "Will you cut out the sudden melodrama bit? It's creeping me out!"

"Like 'that' isn't?" 24 amends, as the coalescing format, begins to shape itself 'off' of the nanite swarm, into a rather tall Being of format, even taller than the two Synthetic Generals are. The format the nanites take, is one of a simple slender 'teardrop' shape, elongated, UV endowed silver-blue in 'shadows', the rest of the surface a dull metallic blue. A strange ring of nanites forms around this primary shape, a most alien sight to indeed see.

"Well... this is new." Eros quips, before Sigrun just looks back with... "Stop being so third dimension, and back it up already!" ...this Sigrun hip bumps Eros back, the sight before them taking away all comedy of that moment away. This as the Being thrusts a 'mouth' of some kind open, speaking in a mechanical tone of... ": - Do not deny I my evolution! - :"

Urd just yelps back... "Tone down the yelling already! We can hear ya bub." ...this the 'mouth' is joined by an open pot of three bright sparkles, that the others guess are now it's eyes. The Being snaps back at Urd... ": - What manner of trans-format are you? Your format structure is unlike the others here, too different even from alike kin of dual formatting."

Skuld answers back for a cock eyed Urd. "It must mean our phased dimensional states, verses the three dimensional type the rest of the guys here are based." ...this Urd blinks. "You mean the guy can tell between different states of being? Wow, good eye."

": - ANSWER! - :" ...the Being snaps again, stumbling them all back, this in turn Sigrun snaps back rather direly... "No YOU answer! Why did you kidnap our Family without warning! Answer that!"

": - Deny. - :" ...a tone retorted like a Child being selfish. Skuld in turn reacts by flat out throwing out Nobel Scarlet, to the shock of the non-goddess types in presence, the same for the Being as well, this as Skuld yells back. "Give back my family now or else!"

It was 'because' of that stunned moment of Angelic majesty, that caused to Being to blurt back, rather stuttered from illogical shock, to its Logical matrix. ": - You... you... you're akin of Ascendance Evolved... - :"

"Eh?" ...three Norns blurt, as Kaia, recovering from her own shock, asks next... "Pardon, if cooler heads can prevail here, do you mean to infer to his Excellency's family members here?" ...this Urd looks back at Kaia. "Hey, we more 'own' your king, than he owns us, ya know."

"We do?" Sigrun blinks, as Urd smirks back over. The next response from the Being, returns as... ": - I... our... I... the Matrix Format of I comprise, sensed a similar Ascendance Format, that was unlike... any Format, in our knowable... -word access-... history... of our comprised... -word access- ...existence. - :"

24 guesses at... "I wonder if the... uh... guy... or gal... means the Illuminaran ascendancy from a couple of Geth'Cyclons ago." ...this Sceta nods... "/ Logic would dictate such an event would be 'noticeable' across all knowable space and time." ...this Urd adds in... "More than just that. Given how that Seer wench reacted." ...this the lot shiver at. Skuld then guesses. "Wonder if that... wait.. you.." ...a questioning stab at the Being... "...you aren't from this Galaxy, are you?"

": - Acknowledge of the negative. - :" ...the Begin responds, then unexpectedly answers openly... ": - I origins were from an adrift part of this Universe complex, by measure of this galactic standard, of the order of ten billion Light-cyclons from this end point. The 'complex' that comprises I kin, those you adhere the 'name' Machiner onto, originated from... worlds, not unlike I primal construct. - :"

Sigrun translated enough to respond... "There are others like you out there?"

": - Archives are ancient. The last recorded data placed a dozen remaining of... 'I kind', in your possessive dialect, throughout this Universal complex. - :" ...this Urd then in turn asks... "So you came 'here' to this galaxy, off of that fancy event? Why 'here'?" ...this she then realizes her own question. She then looks at Skuld and Nobel Scarlet with her.

Sigrun sees this, and gets a wary feeling, in the looking at Sigel and Banpei, this as the Being responds. ": - I have a goal. Your biological formats would call it a 'dream'. One I have beheld for time extended, unknowable into the... -word access- ...forgotten. One where I seek evolution, of a state that I now have detected, in this very presence. - :"

Urd just blanches... "I'm already hitched. And..." ...this Skuld interjects with a worry. "You don't mean..." ...as 'she' looks at Sigel and Banpei. The being states again too openly, without regard otherwise. ": - I intend to discover the state your ascended formats have acquired of unknown format, though the merger of the Essence within these two constructs, into my own Essence. - :"

"No." ...Sigrun seethed out. Skuld had to have Nobel Scarlet hold her shoulders. "No, you can't! That'd kill them!"

The Being shoves it's nanite filled 'head' at Skuld, who stares back just as hard, in hearing. ": - They are the key to 'I' evolution, one far more ancient of make, than they have existed. Such will not be denied. - :"

"Then you don't deserve to evolve!" Skuld just snapped back. Sigrun accented just as harsh. "You don't earn any measure of evolution off the souls of others!"

It was as strange mixture of desire and mania driven greed, something that should have been utterly alien to the Being, but in this moment of desired unto it's Logic Matrix, a selfish mode took over, as the Being responded back. ": - You know not I then. I searched over the Eons for a moment, a place, a tool, such as what is within my Logic... -word access- grasp, and not even the souls of Ascendance Evolved will deny I place amongst those I can no longer deny wanting a part of. They 'are' to join with I Essence, and Beyond, I will 'finally' understand what Logic cannot teach I."

24 grinded back. "A 'lot' of the word 'I', with this one. I wonder how much of this 'planet' is merely just 'him' now. A terrible selfishness, I feel, in everything here now."

": - One of limited age and knowledge, dares not know I accumulation of the Eons. One would dare to... -word access- ...judge I, on merit where time commands of Logic All here? - :"

Urd just snarls a really bad Hild worst there. Skuld for one looks back with a start, as Urd just spats, looking at the cage. "We're getting nowhere here. Apparently all age has done with this bozo, is make him selfish." ...and Urd starts to float over towards the cage. "Maybe a goddess touch is needed here." ...and looks ready to really unleash hell again, when Skuld manages out. "Wait, isn't there another way to do this?"

Everyone looks at Skuld, as the Being responds... ": - If not for the Ascendance Event, there would be no other way. I cannot complete I task, without the Acquired. I Logic Matrix must be completed now! - :" ...at that, the cage suddenly flares, beginning to glow with a phasic effect! Banpei breeps weirdly, Sigel squealing out... "/ Mistress! I... feel... sleepy..."

Skuld suddenly makes a mixed panic emotion of dismay, anger, and helplessness that suddenly causes her next shout of... "NO!" ...suddenly blast out a 'strange' spell wave from her entire form, one that races out all around her at once! Urd for one, seeing what Skuld does in her blind panic, just remarks... "I recognize that power... it was when..." ...the name Mokkurkalfi, essentially the Demon counterpart to Skuld in all aspects, during the entire Hagall situation, all of which forgotten in favor of the sight that swamps past the formed nanite format of the Being, and into the 'planet' all at once! Skuld suddenly realizes this, as everyone sees the wave cause the nanite form to dissolve some, not completely, as the wave floods deeper into the 'planet' core interior, and fanning out even more.

Skuld of course, unrealizing of her own power 'with' machines, souls and more within, just gleeps... "What... did I just do?"

"Made a scene for one Sis." ...Sigrun gaffs out. Urd is split between telling what 'she' knows about Skuld, or worrying about what is plain about to happen, which she herself has zilch clue of. Skuld just defends with a look at Sigrun, with a light whine of... "But he was going to..."

": - ...ash... ogic... I... I... izz... argxk... - :" ...as more nanites disintegrate off of the Being format, a sign of destabilization occurring.

"Oh crud..." Urd gulps, as 24 guesses... "If I didn't know any better... um... I think you 'crashed' this thing."

Skuld 'and' Nobel Scarlet look about in a panic... "No! I didn't mean to... I just..." ...with a look back at the cage, that suddenly flickers and then deactivates, finally freeing the two captive Synthetics. Skuld yells over, running over to reach... "Banpei! Sigel! Thank goddess!" However they just topple to their knees, as Skuld sees, and then realizes to look at... "...Scetu and Sceta also? What 'did' I..." ...as they all 'feel' something off, Kaia for one voicing... "It is me, or is it getting troubling to breath in here." ...as she clutches at her throat in reflex. She's not the only one. Eros for one, then slaps his wrist comm unit... "Kon One, or any Alliance vessel, do you read?"

"- Acknowledged! -" ...a random Alliance voice returns unexpectedly easily. "- There was a scrambling field active, until just a moment ago! -"

"What's happening." 24 snaps, as Sigel looks over Scetu and Sceta each, both units trying to reset their neural-processor units. "I think they're affected too."

"By what?" Skuld yelps, as a comm return comes back with... "- Whatever happened, the 'planet' is flickering badly. Gravitational and sensor readings are varying heavily. I sense we're looking at a possible core breach of some kind, though without any data frame to work with... -"

Skuld lets out a really hollow... "No." ...as Urd yells out. "We need to get out of here!"

"No..." Skuld says again, trying to find an emotional footing, as Sigrun snaps... "I agree, get everyone out now."

Skuld then, with her hands touching both Sigel and Banpei, yells... "We can't!"

Urd looks back harshly. "We have to kid! Eros, get us..."

"I said no!" ...Skuld yells again, this time a second weird pulse of her 'direct manipulation' powers, pulsing out from her hands, this time into her best creations, as they both suddenly 'pop' back to life! Sigel snaps out... "/ MISTRESS!" ...which gives a 'good' near stroke to the unprepared others enduring! Eros just blares out... "What the heck happened?"

Urd blinks, but then in that 'same' unexplainable act, Scetu then 'pops' back online as well. "/ The Soul!"

"What the frack-poss?" 24 yelps in a 'weird' curse format, one Kaia for one... "Your language Commander!" ..which winces the Cyform female. Skuld blinks weirdly, as Urd just finally says it... "It's your manipulation magic Skuld!" ... "My WHAT?" ...said Norn lass blanches, as Sigrun looks as well. Urd just explains in short form. "Your ability to control machines is through your permanently active spell aura that your machines can act off of! I think between Sentaro and your manic worry over Sigel and Banpei, your spell power became focused and amplified during all of this!"

Skuld just blinks again. "My WHAT?"

Urd just bemoans... "I swear I need a Belldandy translator doodad or something here, for stuff like this."

"/ It's the Soul of the Machine." ...Scetu informs. The other's listen, as Sigel then adds in. "/ Yes. I feel my 'soul', through what can only be described, as per what Urd just informed. I couldn't quantify it all, until that explanation."

"/ Nor I." Scetu adds, with a acknowledge breep from Banpei answering the 'same'. Skuld just warbles through her bared teeth. "Uh... should I be getting that? I think I may, but..."

"She has a love for machines, yes?" Sigrun asks. Skuld just blanches back. "Hey! I'm right here you know!" ...this Sigrun throws up some defensive 'apology' hands, as Urd nods. "Too much, been an unhealthy thing... until... oh you got to be kidding me."

Skuld blinks and 'gets' it. "I 'do' love my machines. I... I mean... when I created..." ...this a look at Banpei, and then Sigel, both looking back with what a child would do for a parent. No joke. Sigrun, off her Master's own logic, and then much more her own fathomless guess. "The soul is a product of love. Whatever form it takes, it is here 'before' us now. I think 'that' is what the planet was after! The literal soul in the machine. And I think Skuld has 'that' power to instill such...or... oh boy."

"You mean my power, really disrupted the 'soul' of this planet?" Skuld gulps, and looks bout with a teardrop, by all rights. Urd bemoans. "Which means this thing was one step away from 'being' all of that. Great, the thing went about this the wrong way after all."

Suddenly, a gravity laced lurch throws them all about. Urd however asks quick, a thumb at Scetu. "What about that dude?"

Sigrun guesses in return. "He was made by Master, correct?" ...this a look at, as Scetu responds. "/ I was of the first series of my kind, based off of Machiner technology, and knowledge of the Heavens apparently, when I was formatted. The first series of Synthetic troops also came from his touch."

Skuld gulps. "Wonder where he got that?" ...this Urd just dissuades in favor of... "Forget it, we need to book it."

"Not until I fix this." Skuld says suddenly. Urd in barbed turn... "Forget it! It's all too big!" ...with arms wildly waving about the planet 'core'. Sigel however makes Urd want a drink suddenly with... "I agree, we can't let this sentience die."

"/ Agreed."

"/ Yes." ...Sigel quips off of Scetu, another stronger breep from Banpei seems to ironclad this. Urd just blanches at the lot. "You all need to be blank wiped, or whatever that computer term is. You're all crazy! This thing tried to kill them two!" ...with a stabbed arm at the two Skuld Synthetics.

"I agree too." Kaia says, as Eros stands by Sigrun. 24 nods as well. "It'll be a probable waste of a life, that only wanted to learn its next step of its place in all things."

Urd just wackily yells out... "HELLO! It's a PLANET here we're dealing with! All that blowy uppy thang! How do we stop a PLANET from blowing up!"

Suddenly, a set of breeps and twills comes from Banpei, all eyes looking. The reaction from Sigel however is unexpected... "/ No! You'll get your matrix absorbed by this thing!" ...this Banpei makes more emitted sounds, each electronic syllable making Sigel more and more fearful. The sight makes the Alliance mortals alone, fearful of eye each. Urd just warbles out... "What is he talking about?"

Scetu of equal recognizance, responds... "/ Banpei wishes to connect with the planet matrix, and attempt to download a copy of his archives, onto the imprint of the planet matrix."

Skuld blinks... "Banpei?" ...this Sigel literally grabs both sides of Banpei's metal hat, and cries out in a tone 'not' expected from a mechanical unit. "/ Please don't do that Banpei! I can't lose you if you die like that!"

Urd just cracks out, more from disbelief in what she is witnessing. "And 'how' would he do it anyway? I don't see an opening or anything he can plug into."

Banpei answers that, with a point of his left mecha hand, at the still semi-formatted Being. Skuld realizes... "The nanites. They're still active enough to create access."

"You're crazy!" Urd keep blaring. Skuld just snaps back. "No! I can help too. I need to help fix the mess that I caused."

"For once?" Urd blinks, and could have earned a Skuld-bomb for it. Skuld just retorts back... "Yeah for once! I can clean up after my messes, from time to time!"

Sigrun just blunts in, to the uneasiness of the listening mortals. "You mean like the one we left back at the Temple, only a short time ago?" ...this 'two' of the three Norns just teardrop. Urd just warbles out. "Maybe 'this' mess we can do something about."

"I'm staying." Skuld stresses at the last, Urd just pucking her lips. Sigel however stresses, with a tone usually only heard between... lovers? "/ But... if you do this, and you become lost in there... I'll... I'll..."

Banpei however makes a stronger warble, which makes Sigel droop her shoulders. "/ You just 'had' to format a backbone in your code. Fine... fine... I'll help too, with a now confident look at Banpei, which Skuld realizes more than ever between the two. This in turn the Norn mecha-genius nods. "Count me in."

"I'll help too." Sigrun offers, Skuld looking back at her. "Sis?"

Sigrun just offers a thumbs up, and adds... "No Sister of mine does something like this, without help."

"Speak for yourselves." ...this in turn Urd just bemoans, which gets pulled faces of Skuld/Sigrun, at her. Urd then offers... "Maybe some help from a System Administrator couldn't hurt either."

"/ Or I and my belove in a moment." Scetu offers, as he leans over to make a net link with Sceta. 24 just looks at Eros, and comments... "Did I miss something? We just 'got' her and all right?"

Eros just smirks, looking at Sigrun, as she is discussing with Skuld, his return comment of... "It's not only battles, that can occur, in the short course." ...this 24 looks thoughtful, as Kaia imparts over Net-Comm. "All vessels standby, and keep Firewalls active. Lock on teleporters as well, just in case."

"We won't need them." ...this a look at Sigrun, just garners a good blushed 'Belldandy' like smile back at him, this Eros in turn blushes as well. This in turn gets him elbows from Kaia and 24 each, which he flusters off. This in turn as Sceta is reactivated, and told what is to come. The feminine Synthetic General agrees readily to help as well, as Skuld offers out, as Banpei gingerly walks over to the desiccating nanite Format. "This might take a good while."

"Okay!" ...Rei literally suddenly POPS into view, knocking Eros into 24 with! "Hey!" ...ala a kicking off 24! Urd blinks. "Daughter, you're awake!" ...as Rei all but float-glom tackles into Urd! "Uhuh, I saw what happened! I'm here to help keep you all energized!"

Urd just rubs Rei's glowing hair. "That's my good little girl!" ...this Rei hugs back. "Yay!"

A good lurch of the 'planet' however, makes Skuld just yelp out. "We better get started here." Urd however looks around, and asks Rei. "Where's Troubadour at honey?"

"Daddy was playing his lyre, trying to soothe me. I think he fell asleep doing it though."

Urd just twitches an eye. "Uhuh." ...this Sigrun just gulps out. "Ahh... one disaster at a time here." Urd nods, and promises in Hildish tone. "Later then." ...this All around shudder at.

And then at that, Skuld looks to Banpei, with... "Okay, you start, I'll help."

With that, and a good longing look from Sigel, the mecha then begins by sticking his hands into...

-Temple residence courtyard, Japan, Earth, present time...-

Eeyup, they've seen a lot. It showed on their mutual blank faces of shock. A lot of faces at that. Peorth just asked with a finger pointed at.. "Et comment is he still alive?" ...as she points to Troubadour, who Urd blinks, and then turns around to kick punt the Plum Tree Spirit, to a good laugh from Rei. Urd just responds back... "Eh, Rei needs more than one parent."

"How lucky for her." Takano quips, garnering a hazarded look in return. Skuld just rolls her eyes, and then offers to finish her story. "Anyway... to summarize it all, we managed to access that planet's Essence, I guess a 'soul' as the rest of us would call it. It took awhile to figure it out, a good few hours, but Banpei, moi, and the rest managed to stabilize the planet's Essence, and the power core structure along with it.

I think though something in the connection, allowed the Machiner bucko to get a part of what it wanted."

"Was Banpei or Sigel harmed?" Lind asked, Skuld shaking her head. "No, since we had to bring it back from its prior state, it couldn't react to us like it had been. I think the planet guy became sorta docile, or at least less 'driven'. The Alliance guys got some additional Machiner and Synthetic assets in there to keep working on it. It is still a bit unsettled for the moment, but at least we kept it from blowing up."

Sigrun just teardropped, quipping out... "We 'kept' it from taking out that entire Sector. Maybe someone should take more credit for that part."

Skuld looks back over... "But I... eh?" ...as a kind glance comes back, rather than anything ill. Far from even." Urd sees this, and actually compliments... "Sure a turnaround from the panicky sis from earlier."

Skuld of course snaps back. "Oh? And how would you feel if Rei was taken like that too?" ...this she gets a good pat in the head in return from Urd. "Exactly the same." ...this Skuld realizes, and sighs a tic.

The next thing they hear, is the sound of clapping hands. The three Norns, and their accompaniment look, as the rest of audience see a galactic sovereign applauding, which soon quickly turns into an audience giving same praise, to a blushing result to the focused. Imladris rises, and adds to his clapping. "Well done. Very well done."

"Ah... gosh." Skuld quips, trading a blushed look with Urd, and then Sigrun. Lind rises as does Eihwa on echo, as Imladris offers... "Well, looks like you all saved the day."

Sigrun asks in wary turn. "You're not angry we took your ship?" ...Imladris looks over in turn. "Hardly, an emergency situation like that, was what I had you train for. Though for future note Apprentice, when dealing with a pure Logic based entity, go easier on the threat tones." Sigrun snickers a bit for her own part. "Aye, I forgot they tend to take the extreme reaction of point of view, to anything."

Urd rubs Skuld's hair in light josh. "I wonder where they got 'that' bit from." ...this Skuld just flusters back at Urd, per norms. Imlade just quips again... "Well, now that you've proven yourselves to the Alliance at large, you can take my place as Ambassadors and..."

"Forget it." Skuld 'and' Urd snap back deadpan. More than a few other voices were in accent behind the pouting galactic lord. He then imparts instead next with... "So you guys left the planet to be recovered?" ...this Sigrun in turn imparts. "Actually, the planet regained enough cognitive ability to want to speak to you. My fault there really."

"Me." Imladris slightly cocked an eye in hearing. He then leans his head back, to a knowing Lind. He then snaps out... "Map!" ...as a nearby camera-orb was suddenly slave-retasked into a quickly reformatted holo-emitter, one that changes shape from an orb, to a bulby disc shape. It does so, to then dynamically project the Alliance 2148 Galaxy, rather than a mere pop up effect like a staticy TV, this rather 'floods' out a spreading pattern of stars,, very detailed at that, and in seconds, a formal holographic of the entire Alliance Galaxy is seen. The sight takes up a good forty meter area.

"Okay... impressed." Keiichi ekes out, Belldandy looks in amazement as well, holing Keiichi's hand tighter. It was a shared measure, as per many other hands held attested unseen. Imladris walked over, as did Sigrun. His Apprentice then regally pointed towards... "In the Construct Confed. right about near the edge of the fourth galactic arm at midrange, about... there, on the spinward side of the arm, in a lesser star density area. Away from the usual galactic traffic lanes or even Fold gates."

Imladris really slit his eyes. "We've been studied, it seems. Council!" ...causing a good dozen more camera orbs to become retasked, spinning about everyone for a moment. In the middle of them being reformatted, Tamiya calls out... "Don'ts we needz popcorny stuff for this?"

"Quite right." Lil-Frigurina chimes, and flat out pops a bunch of steaming bags of the fluffy stuff, into shared laps. A bunch of 'yays' ply out, as Lil-Hild just sees the bag in Kid-Almighty's lap, and nabs at it. "Our share." ...this Kid-Frig just literally pop throws another bag in Kid-Hild's face! The rest see the tussle, as Kid-Almighty shrugs. "Always one to combat me, ever since time Incarnite."

"Joy." Otaki manages, as the lot hear Keiichi blanch out again, by all rights... "And 'how' many of these camera things, we go around here now?"

"Good question." Lind 'and' Imladris quip simultaneously. Eihwa just giggles and Angelus, still spell-miniature around her neck, looks between the three. This as in succession, the holo-emitters all line up in an orderly circle, with three more in the center of the circle, another couple hover-orbiting about on dynamic need. And then the 'fixed' emitters then begin popping up holo-images of the various core councilor Sigils, as several more camera-orbs take up various positions around the gathering. All are formatted for proper baseline bioform height, rather than anything in the miniature. Sora just sees all of this, and ekes out... "I think I'm underdressed again."

On said such hearing note, Imlade just blares low toned at Lind. "No actual throne this time." ...this Lind in austere tone, just 'replies' with her icy eyes staring him down with. "Oh pipe it, you're under observation this night." ..this she just bonks him on the noggin, which also changes his cloth to a lower key Alliance-Intracellic god-style smock and slack getup. Imlade shakes off his ten-thousandth-something concussion or such of his love life, then sees his attire. "What am I, a dress up doll?" ...which in turn Lind just levels back. "You'd rather be in a body cast?" ...as she pop dresses into her 'General' gown attire. (Not sure if Immy was jittering, or blushing more there.)

Almighty just quips. "She'll make a good queen." ...and then makes a good popcorn filled chomp. Imlade weathers off the mutual family giggle he gets, as a 'snack'-chime turns his attention. He gives a moment to sigh, with all the popcorn chomping he hears, as had been for most of the nights since they all got back from Alliance Galaxy. Chihiro even remarks, (again,) "I swear this is better TV soaps than we got here."

"Ya said it." Takano quips. Imladris's dry retort back is interrupted, as Lind just prods (shoves) Imlade to his awaiting Council. A moment to feel his back again, then he calls out. "Begin, please."

In succession the Council itself, replaces the shown Sigils, as figures familiar to the terrestrial gathered, then appear in quick one-by-one succession. The Machiner-Synthetic, Griffional, Silveren, Assat, Forran, Furbrath, Katath, and finally Illuminaran Councilors all appear. They are also joined by anew inclusion of a Hikari Tree 'avatar' Councilor, as well as the current Commander of the Galactic Starfleet, as well as Yaltran, Eros's .Command in Second to the Starfleet. Imlade hears Eihwa speak to Sigrun, with... "Ye might want to say hello once again." ...this Sigrun flusters back at, as Lind quickly shushes Eihwa with. Both in comedy of the moment, and to serious import immediately after.

If only it 'was' to that point, this as the image of Gaitha, Illuminaran Councilor, just waves both her hands at... "- Hello Lady Belldandy! Lord Keiichi! -" ...this the two named wave back just as gleefully. "Hello Gaitha!" ...both chime. Imlade snickers at this impart, before then noting. "I see 'most' of us are here." ...this an eye at the Furbrath image, this as the 'councilor' just meeks back... "- Apologies Lord Excellency, they are in the... that is, they be conducting... er... -"

Even Almighty blushes, as Keima alone scoots away from Takano a bit. This an example of reactions of lewd mindsets. Urd just snickers, holding her hands over Rei's ears. "Gee, aren't they just beasts." ...this Lind just blanches back at the Norn. "How could 'you' become a mother, by the universe as my witness." ...this Urd just only winks back, which Lind realizes 'well' enough and actually shut her own yap. Kid-Frigurina, leaning atop Kid-Al's head, just croons. "I'm glad I instilled such feelings." ...such that Kid-Hild blanches an eye back at her Doublet with, and all this Imlade thankfully shuts it all up with... "Focus at hand of matter, by golly!" ...this all the meanwhile Lind is scooting towards Imlade, and away from an eyeing Eihwa.

Just then, the Furbrath in standing councilor aide, is quickly stepped 'aside' holographicly, in favor of... "- We're here Excellency! We're here! -" ...this even 'more' blushes ensue, as Councilor Dradon arrives, with... 'accompaniment'. This Kaia, the Silveren Councilor, just rolls her holographic eyes. "- Gee, interrupt you, did we? -" ...this as the Furbrath Councilor has his mate, adrape over his back, with a large blanket covering them both. Ichigo just covers Sentaro's eyes now, as she complains. "Don't that galaxy stuff over there have standards?"

Imladris just eyes back and shrugs. "I did call at a late hour. I think." ...this he looks back over at the meeker than usual Furbrath.

Again, thankfully, all is alluded to, as Imladris hears from next to him. "You all know what has occurred, correct?" ...as Lind imparts to the Council, of the recent situation. The well endowed, Network minded watching, all nod. Kaia of note. "- We admit a breach in protocol in favor of trust, which allowed this situation to occur. -"

"I seek not blame, Period." Imladris stated well and clear. "Instead, we conduct to the future of the matter. Is our guest ready to speak."

A separate holo-emitter then wide projects in all essence for the uninitiated, the teardrop-avatar format of the Machiner Planet Being. The Being then answers... ": - I am, commanding bioform. - :"

"Whoa." Megumi alone betrays, as Imladris notes a pensive Rei in Urd's arms, as well as Sigel 'well' in Banpei's, a dual sense of reserved feelings, from the two other Being sets, in presence. Imladris considers, then asks of the 'actual' Hikari Tree Councilor, whom has a glowing avatar format, rivaling Gaitha's own format. "Are the Trees fully well and of conduct."

"- Yes Planter, the assault has had no deleterious effects. -" ...the Core Hikari Tree responded. Imladris eyed Councilor Ere'ith in turn... "Better now one not needing gospel, in favor of simple converse?"

The Griffional Councilor nods. "- Better that our caretaken kin are all well, despite the assault. -"

"And my apologies, for causing the incident that occurred." Sigrun took a brunt of that. Eros however quickly defended per out of turn. "- Yet her conduct kept us all functioning as one, in an unusual circumstance! I'll ensure by that much. -"

"- How noble 'son'. -" Kaia snipped back. Imladris, knowing the Network as any, then smirked back to his apprentice. "Indeed a capital response at that."

Two sets of blushes weren't about to be lived down, any time soon of ever.

Imladris then eyed the Being before him. "To the point then. Is ascension worth the life of 'any' one other Being?"

The Machiner Being then chorded back. ": - Even if it goes against I Logic? Or of Logic... -word access- ...itself? - :"

"You did not come for Logic alone." Imladris struck back, which the Being had trouble comprehending. Imladris hammered home his point. "Passing over uncountable space for a chance that belies even past Logic, makes 'you' as Illogical as we. As such in a light of vein, know that I rule by Idealism, however illogical 'that' may seem. And as such to prevent your Censure unto the Galactic Tribunal, of which I'll gladly convene if pushed, your judgment is to learn all such of 'mortal' measure, before you are allowed your measure of an Earned ascension."

The Being had to comprehend that first, before offering out, against a tone that hadn't be harsh, but striking all the same. ": - Then... I... must relearn... to learn I dream? - :"

"Part of that is a part of you now, as I understand it." ...this Imladris bades Sigel and Banpei near, as Lind folds her arms and watches another iconic impart ensure. As the two smaller Synthetics reach their defending friend and king, Imladris states to that iconic. "These two 'very' brave Beings, saved your ageless arse from a near lethal mistake. Not from any spell, but one the realization of an enforced mistake, would 'have' done unto your Logic Matrix. The realization of damnation instead of ascendance. Of killing another to achieve greed, none of which is ever an 'earned' thing. Instead, from them, and my equally as brave Cousin..." ...which Skuld gulps, and feels a hand on her shoulder from a well calm Norn sister. (This time anyway.) Imladris further... "...you have a new Matrix to learn from. As such from that, and from cooperation with your Machiner brethren, you will unlock your path in a more noble light. I will say little more, other than in your teachings to come, know one thing. ALL life is sacred. Logic will either come to accept this, or your Dream won't becometh achieved."

The Being shuddered under those words. It then attempted of unsteady mind-will. ": - But even... I understand how not of... -word access- ...life, to determine by. Even when Logic says of I, that the Ages impose acts unwanted. How do I... -word access- ...comply? - :"

"It is simple My Lord Planet Machiner..." ...this as Imladris fully expected, (and welcomed,) Belldandy's voice into the subject. "...life is what 'you' are, the same of us all witnessing. The same all beyond of mere eyes, ears and minds." ...this as Belldandy imparts to a proud hearing mode. Keiichi comes up soon enough, as Belldandy professes her own teaching mods. "Life is within everything. Of all things, even when one does not recognize such as life, to the mind. Despite, all things are interconnected, and all forces exist as alive. Even those that seek to take away, they also are of life, because life gave them purpose. The same of those that defend further against, and breath more life from such acts.

The very grass you hover upon, the same of the surface you encompass, Lord Machiner, both equally live underneath the veil of the mind to realize. However both require, for without, we ourselves, would not be here to converse with. Even when something seems dead, in the grander schemes, they live as a part of the larger whole. This world, it's lunar, the space in between, all extended of the same filament that reaches your mind, of your surface, of your planet. All interconnected. All alive."

Keiichi adds in his own, with a good pat of hand to both Sigel and Banpei. "Yeah big dude. These two guys sure act alive. You do too. Taking any of that away, by as something as dumb as killing, for whatever reason, is both really dumb, and well... wrong. Just wrong."

A good moment of minds comprehending such a fathomless moment. Quite a few tears along with.

"I want their grandkids." A sniffling kid-Frigurina quips, as the Being lightly asks back... ": - Of these, of words of... -word access- ...lifeforms that can assign words as such unto I? - :" ...this Imladris recognized the challenge merit in it. He shut that iota cold with... "Lord Keiichi and Lady Belldandy are my Ambassadors to the Illuminaran Council. This they hold my Voice as equal to my own. Accept such Period. The words they speak are better such beyond merit anyway."

"- Seconded. -" ...comes in swift succession from Councilor Gaitha, as the lot looking on, react stunned. Keiichi just eyed a blinking Belldandy, as the Machiner Being finally relents. ": - Acknowledged, Bioform Leader. - :" ...this Imladris took in note of begrudging acceptance. He was used to it, from the other 'very' same souls of Council note, once upon a long past time. Before Imladris dared a sigh of relief, he added. "Do note, that nothing of your path is enforced, save of the iota's bade Forbidden upon Measure. You'll know your own path, as one that you should take heed from the Illuminarans, whom you came off bidden Event of. One that says of them..." ...a kingly look at a watching back Gaitha, for her replete kin... "...that the path of ascendance, is not an end, but a beginning. Just like any good story. Any good path conducted."

": - Acknowledged. - :" ...the Being Planet Machiner 'nodded' in kind back. Gaitha then offered back... "- Then perhaps first off, one may consider release of your Machiner kin, off a matter of Trust, rather than Hive collective. The Path we took, was a shared one, the solitary path 'we' took prior, was of mistake we can teach better to a larger audience. -"

The Machiner Being 'nodded' back. What came across them 'all' next, simple as it was impressive, was an entire planet's worth of souls, suddenly feel their immediate release. Lind gulped as she felt as well... "That is a 'lot' of souls." ...as suddenly, Ackronus's Griffional image suddenly pops up on a separate holo-emitter feed. "- Pardon Lord Excellency, but Machiner unit count is basing the initial release number at two billion souls, and increasing. -"

Eros's holo-voice piques in, with a dear amount of shallowness. "- How did we even stand a chance then? -"

'You're welcome." ...Sigrun pipes back, which nets a good thumbs up from Urd and Skuld each. Rei went about being a cheerleader behind them both, at that moment. (Troubadour was watching it all from his butt, from behind, to be certain.) Eros just gulps, though Lind accents... "I sense a delaying tactic was employed, though the Planet may have been imposing with its methods."

"Indeed." Imladris nods back. The teaching Proctor lessons of being a General were coming through, with Lind as brilliant as always.

The discourse however took a left at Nekomi, when the elder Yamato suddenly spikes in. "Pardon, but not to be rude, but I will nonetheless for once. HOW did I 'see' all of that, as well?"

Imladris looks back, but then backs up a bit at all those eyes suddenly eyeing him. Behind him, the Forran energon format Councilor, quipped in... "- Indeed, I can sense their tactile minds now as well. -" ...a few accented confirmations chiming in, to the growing hazard of a King that looked first a eye rolling Almighty, then over next to Ishara, before his ear is TUGGED towards Lind's icy breath. (No joke.) "Ow." ...he 'complains'.

Sigel and Banpei shuffled out of the way, for a wise impart of logic there.

"Perhaps you should tell them finally?" ...Lind states.

Imlade of course... "Tell them what?"

Having Chihiro right in Imlade's face, didn't help his nerves. "How bout tha thing ya did to our heads! We can hear each other, and 'you' most of all!"

"Eh?" ...this he looks at Almighty at first, around Chihiro, who looks back too. Kid-Al of course... "Twas not I that was of your galaxy sized adventure." ...and a flick of popcorn into his mouth. Again Imladris eyes next to Ishara, whom this time puts in, as she leans into Frode, both not bothering to get up. "Perhaps it has to do with those nanites you put into everyone."

Imladris has to think about that, then comes out with... "Eh? Those were only translator nanites. And..." ...as he looks at the mortal lot, and sees souls that weren't in his Galaxy, at any point. "He points at Yamato, inclusive of Satoko and Otaki. "Wait... you guys too? How...?"

Chihiro just commands... "Lind! Headlock Mode!" ...such Lind complies to a dear wince of the watching, holographics or otherwise. The Machiner Being 'watching', just asks... ": - Should not we... -word access- ...assist? -:"

"- Nay. -" ...Gaitha offers, adding, with a strange leaned forth look, in her holographic display. "- This is a form of entertainment to learn by. -"

Chihiro just commands in her best bossy mode. "Okay nickel-plated brain! Spill it!"

Imlade just manages... "I... it just... wait one..." ...he stops, and makes a rather impressive escape from Lind's vice hold, with a sudden, and illogical to both gravity and eye, maneuver of counter spinning his head and body suddenly out of the hold! Like a cork being unscrewed or such. It happens so fast, Lind has to turn with combat speed to see where Imlade lands, this behind her, and then snapping his neck back into shape again. "And there we go."

This was before Lind counters with a quick grab of Imlade's collar, and in lethal nose to nose fashion, Lind snips back, in a tone that only Imlade could love and fear in the same measure. "To the point love?"

"I... ah... aye. Um..." ...Lind releases her grip, to allow Imlade to walks back to the wide eyed lot, as he looks again at the Medical Section Council Seat, sitting in the Judicator Council Seat's lap. "Um... my nanites did this? But that would mean... uh... wow."

All Terran mortals in attendance at once: "What?"

Imladris, in his own realizing delirium, looks at Ishara again. "Even ones 'that' small can evolve?"

Lind blinks. "The nanites evolved?"

"Guys!" Keiichi blanches. Ishara then offers, rubbing her tummy again... "So that it may come of understanding, know that our Savior's bioform originally was comprised of a nanite substructure, that layered onto his original mortal shell base frame. That is to say, when we first resurrected Imladris, after his death a near century ago, we injected nanites into his complete cellular structure. Down to the bones and cells within."

Yeah, Imladris just sighed at all the looks he garnered. The Machiner Being just blinked. ": - The Bioform Leader, was... -word access- ...dead once? - :" ...this Imladris just quips. "Might want to access my Personnel file there 'Being'. ...this before Ishara then looks over at... "Before I continue..." ...this Kid-Almighty just nods. "It is proper. It is time. It affects all present. It affects what is to come, in the soon impart." ...this Frode gasps in an amazed shock!

Kid-Frigurina adds in... "Many here are already familiar with the impart of what his nanites are for." ...this Keiba gulps at. "You mean that god stuff. Uh... yeah." ...this Megumi just snaps back at Hild. "Thanks for having the bloke try and kill us all that day!" ...this a Kid-sized-Hild just raspberries back with... "Oh ye of little faith to stand a mere day of darkness. How drool."

"Anyway..." Eihwa quickly dissuades memories from, as Ishara takes back up. "As such stands, when we recomposed his bodily framework, the nanites were formatted originally for the express purpose of his Wish. It is truly because of them, that our Guardian could withstand all that he has endured, along with a strength of character that impressed even Lord Thor."

Imlade just chuckles, nearly hating all those gazes. "But it's just a day job. And night... and... all." ...which begets a good sigh from two in-close knowing goddesses. What comes next however, makes his breath go still. Ishara clearly looks at him, in the telling. "However when the nanites were originally formatted, we had to use... extraordinary means, to acquire them. It was clear that when we begot them, they were of a temporal format, beyond our knowable timeline. It was clear..." ...with a look at Almighty... "...that they came from outside time, a place where all perfect order existed beyond the Planes. A machine ascendance apparently, that equaled all other forms of ascendance."

"Outside time?" Imladris yelped. Almighty then imparted, to a knowing ear of a 'planet' hearing in upon. "There is a place where the endless pathway of time, finally reaches, where I form my Base format from, to accomplish what exists now. To tell too much, could not be comprehended. Imagination, can't find anchor there. Not where perfection 'is' the All, and where I found part of the Tool needed, to know of a time 'here', yet unwritten. It is from 'there', that the nanites presented themselves unto My Host."

Ishara gulped, and then with a proud look from Frode, continued. "I... ah... then used them, in Imladris's resurrection, in the beginning. They had been steadily reformatting him, for his... well... return. A return I for one am still unsure of, only because I am only told recently of." ...this a look back at a smirking Lord Frode. Ishara continues despite, really at that... "They 'are' a lifeform, all their own. And 'such' may explain why the mortals here may soon be most like him."

Keiichi for one, patting his body all over. "You mean those little buggers in me... us... are alive?" ...which causes the other mortals to do the same unto their own forms, this in turn Belldandy cocks her gorgeous head over at him. "Yes. Did you not hear what we said unto the Planet Machiner Lord? We attested the same of Sigel and Banpei, just now, you and I." Keiichi in turn blinks, then looks at Imladris... "Okay, but... just... how?" ...was all he could muster.

Ishara then leveled accusingly at Imladris as well. "Why indeed."

Imladris gulps, but then unexpectedly, another holo-emitter snaps to life, and displays Scetu within it. "- / Apologies, I may answer that one. -"

Suzuki just whispers over to Sora. "Is this their form of not knocking, or all that?" ... "I guess." Sora quips. Imladris however just bades a hand up, replying back... "Nay. I should answer, since all of it was my decision in the beginning of that Campaign."

And to be needlessly sure, Imladris traded a look with his 'real' Boss, as Kid-Almighty the Great and Small, just tilted his head. Imladris just took it for what it was worth. "When I originally was setting up assets for the Alliance, before it was called that, one of the first things I discovered was that the Demon forces were going all out. It was all too clear that just letting billions die, without a measure of combating the casualties that came in the after knowing, all was pointless to my stated Mission objectives. As such, I... used... my nanites, along with existing sources from the Silveren and Assat versions, to create... well... the Nanite Framework."

Kaia's voice comes up... "- The ones that ended up attaching itself upon the Hikari Tree Network, and 'everything' we took for granted. -" ...this the Councilors present, all 'look' at once another in amazement. Imladris nodded, before Scetu interjected. "- / This was at the same time, the Synthetic baseline format was created, from upgraded machine format models that prior to the Machiner arrival, were no better than automatons. When I of my first Series designation, was activated, the nanites were infused into my own substructure. -"

Skuld realizes... "THAT'S why you're so advanced. To be honest, I always wondered why that was so. The... same... as..." ...as she looks at Banpei and Sigel. She realizes... "Don't tell me my powers, when I created them too, had the same effect as..." ...this she looks back at her Eternal parents. Both had knowing smirks to give back. Imladris guessed at, looking at his Cousin. "Then... the same power that I garnered from the nanites, when I infused them into the Alliance to help protect them, is the same inherit power Skuld used, that evolved her Synthetics. The same that..."

"- / That formats my Logic Matrix. It may have been 'that', that the Machiner Planet was attempting to harness, without full realization. -" ...a Synthetic General compliments with. Even 'his' subprocessors were heating, with the fathomless knowledge incumbent.

The combination of Skuld's Imladris's, and Scetu's realizations, dropped mouths all about. Of course Almighty just puts in his own version of 'plain speak'. With popcorn no less in hand. "One tends to forget the formal power of the Future, given most minds are succinct upon the Present. Oh, no offense intended Daughter." ...with a puffy chomp that only begets a good laughter from Belldandy in return. Urd just for her part, from realizing earlier, remarks to her own shallow tone. "You mean, all that 'soul in the machine' stuff, is for real?"

Kid-Almighty... "For us. Yes." ...and another chomp.

Tamiya then stammers out... "Dens... what does dat haves ta do with uz?" ...this in turn Ishara then fills in the holes with. "I suspected with further upgrades upon our armored bloke, that the more his own nanites formally evolved, that they would begin to take it upon themselves to garner all means to accomplish their framework mission by.

For instance..." ...her own popcorn bite, then a chew and gulp to continue with... "...when the Hikari Trees arrived on scene. A format energy based from the Seed of Yggdrasil itself. The 'same' kind of celestial energon that floods all you mortals here before us, the 'same' type that does the same for the Alliance. Given I suspect the nanites now are as much a incarnate part of the Alliance, as the Trees now, I make no small measure to say that the nanites became fully self-aware, and therefore in all essence, see each larger format Bioform or Sythaform, and further, as their own version of their universe.

By example, each mortal here... say... you Lady Chihiro..." ...of named whom freaks a bit... "...now have nanite substructure that helps nourish and protect you, as a sentient format of the non-sentient bio-format cells that you take for granted of your continued existence. You are to them, their Universe. No joke. Each cell has a minimum of fifty to a hundred nanites, in each cell. Your bone marrow is their 'core' where they format and repair themselves from. It is 'their' task, to maintain the Temple of a goddess, or god, to be poetic."

"Uh..." ...Chihiro warbles through bared teeth, as she 'picks' at her skin of left arm, like she would do to her shirt. "...kay."

Imladris just offers... "If that be the case." ...and he opens his right hand towards the gathered. The lot look anewed stunned, as Imladris chants... "See of the eye of the infinite small, of those linked, of those of heart, of those of mind to family." ...this a small Intracel code 'ball' of brilliant blue appears, this causing Intracellic code rings to form around each mortal, at their waists. This however they stood or sat. The code ring scans them each and all, resulting in Imladris gawking an amazed eye, as Ishara comes over, with Lind and Eihwa looking as well. As a result, Imladris gulps, then looks at his mortal friends. (Whom could be thinking of changing that status, with that garnered glance.)

Imladris just offers, with a kooky smile! "Uhm... well... good news! You're officially part of the Alliance as citizens!"

"Knock it off!" ...comes back from most, Yamano and Keima for two, just eyeing each other weirdly. Imladris just warbles out, to his own disbelief. "The translator nanites evolved into formal nanites, I guess somewhere along the way with all that exposure in the Alliance Galaxy. I mean, I knew they were formatted along the same baseline as the nanites I introduced, but I never suspected... wait..."

A struck look at Rei, of all beings present, whom just waves back cutely, and then a look at Gaitha, makes Imladris propose. "Is it possible that the Ascendance event affected 'more' than just the Hikari Trees?"

"Heh." Kid-Almighty just 'offers' afar, as Lind also proposes off hearing... "Lord Almighty 'said' the original nanites were outside time, from a place where machines ascended. However impossible it seems, machines 'do' view all things in a timeless state." ...this Eihwa accents. "Their measure of time is based on other formats. If the ascendance 'connected' all Machiners and Synthetics 'to' that endpoint in time, somehow..."

"...then the machines learned to evolve 'because' of ascendance touching them." Ishara finishes. The next face all four share, comes with a... "Wooooooooo."

"Indubitably." ...Kid-Almighty quips. Keiichi then offers in... "So the little dudes inside us, got that ability 'after' the Illuminy guys evolved to that glowy state?" Belldandy gasps in her offering... "Chain transcendence! I thought that was only a theory!"

"Make that 'practice' here." Ishara gulps, looking at the code orb in Imlade's hand, like it 'was' a Holy Grail. "The event triggered it. Who knows what else it may have triggered. Who knows what is fully possibly with tenth-dimensional physics and essence, in such a concert."

Sigrun just thumbs at the Machiner Being hologram present. "We know 'one' result. We need to know how many others like this, will come and want the same."

That was sure a turning point, as the Machiner Planet then offers... ": - If such by Logical Measure, I will... -word access- ...command my fellow units, to help protect, against intrusion of an Event most... -word access- ...holy. - :"

"That was a switch." Talos remarks openly. Kid-Hild just chuckles in, of injection... "Oh, if ye knew what was coming, oh the times that 'will' come, to a holy land We for one will refrain from partaking."

"Poor form for you." Kid-Frigurina just flicks back, to a dry glare back from kid-Hild.

Satoko then offers... "Ah.. what of 'us' then?" ...this eyes look, as Otaki adds in... "Uh... yeah. We never was a part of that fun space stuff you guys did." ...this in turn Yamano adds. "Nor I, of one too old to bother prior."

Imladris thumbs his chin. "Hmm... the Hikari Trees couldn't have been a part. Did anyone visit their dwellings? I know they of Lady Satoko and Lord Otaki come by often enough, so of Lord Yamano's impart..."

Belldandy offers, a bit pensive. "I went with Keiichi last week, twice, to visit." ...this Keiichi looks at... "You came with us too right Keima?" ...this Keima nods. "I visit often to acquire new contracts, and to swap stories. At least... um... three times a week. So six or seven these last two weeks."

Imladris really hazarded out, rubbing his own hair. "I can only surmise, that Belldandy's presence, triggered nanites to... well... jump, to you three, though Satoko and Otaki's constant presence here would account as well." ...this the Yamano family familiars trade looks replete. Ishara surmised through folded arms. "As said, the nanites are sentient, even as Sigel and Banpei demonstrate, emotional. The Hikari Trees base their energy from 'our' format state. He in essence were... well..."

Keiichi's NIT knowledge played a relative part here. "My little guys jumped, using Belldandy, and the other goddesses here, like a form or a router from us, to Satoko and Otaki. Yamano sensei was affected when Bell and I went to visit."

Imladris gulped. "If so, in only two weeks, they both evolved 'fast', adhering to all three, essentially because of their attachment to us as family. Celestial by extension even."

Sora pokes at herself. "The little guys see us as family?" ...Imladris nods. "More than. I sense 'that' may be why you all have unknowingly formed your own Network. Like a... ah..."

Keiichi to the NIT rescue again. "Like a local computer network or such, like a bunch of computers in a room or something." ...this Suzuki quips. "We're a bunch of computers now?" ...this Peorth smirks. "Oui. Your minds are computers, like your bodies are machines. Are they not?"

A bunch of realizing murmurs plied across the lot. Kaia for one pokes at herself of her holo-image. "- One forgets indeed, what we take for granted. -"

"Can we get them out?" Chihiro blurts out next. She quickly regrets it, in due part to the face Imladris pulls, one rather pensive, even pained. Skuld nearby has the 'same' look. Imladris takes a breath, then offers, with a look at Ishara, and then back at Chihiro, and 'then' at the Yamano clan. "Well, they 'did' do all that without consent. They only intended to help, otherwise we'd 'all' not be here. Or be those cyborg things they show on that sci-fi show Skuld yells about."

"When I get the chance that is!" Skuld yelps, before Urd smushes her face down with. "Hush kid."

Imladris then offers... "I... guess... if you really want to have the removed, I could... -gulp- ...use the kill code I installed in them."

That make them all freeze. Imladris just sighs in offering. "I worried that the nanites might go beyond their programming, and become sentient enough to seize control of their hosts. I had the code programmed in, as a failsafe. To miracle of miracles, this never occurred. Heck to Heaven, their conduct went beyond what I dreamed of them. But they 'should' have asked permission first. I can use that code now if you like."

"Uh..." Chihiro fiddles with her hands, and mind with. Keiichi then blinks. "Wait, you can 'ask' them?" Imladris nods back. "Aye. All I need is a nanite interface..." ...this Scetu offers quickly... "- / In transit in moments Master." ...this a shimmering sound begins to form nearby on the ground, as Imladris then flicks his Morphemic blade in hand, to reform it into a mere dagger. The lot blanch on seeing Imladris then proceed to... "...and some blood." ...and makes a swift slash of the blade on his left open palm.

One he blinks, when blood doesn't appear! "Eh?" ...this three High of High and Low trade sudden looks at each, as Lind for one, only sees a strange white energon, where a 'cut' is supposed to be. One that heals quicker than she'd seen of the like. "Beloved, your hand is..."

"What the flacknart?" ...Imlade blanches, and then proceeds to make more attempts to cut himself, over and over and over! Imladris just vents, as Ishara realizes to her own silent mindset of amazement... "(It's near time for...)"

"Why won't it cut!" ...this by the time that the mortal lot watching, are queasy, for some reason. Imladris just growls, and then hands his blade to Lind. "Here! I'll hold my arm out, and you cut it off! That'll get them to..."

Suddenly a SHOWER of thrown popcorn and container bags, just pelt, smack, and bonk off the bucko! "WILL YOU QUIT THAT!"

Imlade realizes, and then looks around, as Eihwa comes up with the interface. "Ahh... um... I ah... need a volunteer then." ...this in turn Keiichi just offers his arm. He just warns. "I don't want scars like you have dude."

Imlade just smiles meekly in return. "I only need a finger, for a droplet." ...this Lind tosses back Imlade's blade, for his deft catch, and then quick wordless swipe of the Morphed blue-diamond dagger, across Keiichi's pinky finger. A good wince, as Keiichi's blood appears on the blade tip. Imladris in the quick... "A trillion apologies." ...as Imladris places the blood droplet onto the scanner. He then looks back in time to see Belldandy with Keiichi's pinky finger in her... mouth.

Yeah, blushes all around, as Belldandy heals the finger in a manner even Urd is surprised of, (and of course approving.) Keiichi just gulps... "I remember 'that' one." ...this as Ishara just 'coughs' back to the matter at hand. "Persay back to the iota at hand, shalt we?" ...as eyes 'try' to avert back to the device Eihwa holds. She then taps a few holo buttons on the small circular interface, the device shaped no more than of a holo-emitter disc. "Esatto allora, this should connect us to the nanite translation node, and... -gasp-"

Of the sight that appears, one that even stops Belldandy's enjoyment of healing her beloved, is when one of the nanites appears in formal holographic format. However, it's the shape of the format, that makes her gasp as well... "It's so beautiful."

Imladris gasped as well... "They evolved into 'this'?" ...as the format shown, is rather than some tiny boxy thing, is rather a shape that is like looking at a snowflake that Keima fashioned from glass. But merely 'snowflake' in shake, the nanite shown, is like a carved work, with thin filaments along it's elegant structure, that swoop, and curve like filaments on a feather. Given the holographics are in full color and detail, the sight makes Chihiro drop to her knees. Tamiya on reaction, reaches over, as she whispers... "That... may be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." ...this Keiichi, with Belldandy adrape on his shoulder, whispers... "That... is inside... me? ...inside... us?"

"- Yes Keiichi, my lord of charge. -" ...this in shocking realization, that the nanite speaks 'back' with! Talos just gulps, with Peorth encapsulating him in the majesty of the moment. "One thing, after another. Is it not."

Keiichi leans in, replying back to the lightly toned mecha-voice, that of all electronic mode, sounded like 'his' own voice. "Heh. You'll make me get a swell head."

"Same as everyday Bro!" ...Megumi cracks out, to a good laugh all around, which 'includes' the nanite as well. Such then is laced with the heavy tone of amazement, of the Machiner Planet Being, as it speaks in 'seeing' turn. ": - Incredible. -word access- Beautiful. - :"

Imladris just quips back to the Planet projection... "See what you have to look forward to?"

The nanite then speaks... "- Indeed, though if our master wishes it, the same we know of our linked kin within our host formats, we will terminate, or prepare to exodus from said forms, without argument. This, as we only serve those that we wish to call home, and Hosts. -"

Keiba just speaks with a finger pointed at his own chest, which made what was said, all the kookier. "Ain't ya guys supposed to get angry, and take us over and go blow up humanity or something?"

The nanite just offers afar, knowing the nanites 'in' Keiba are actively 'listening' in. "- We could, if our Lord Host desires it. -" ...this Imlade just bades up a defensive set of hands, equal to the uneasy faces of the comedic, all around. "Ah, I think we not need that here. Or ever. Such would be too much of a mode of a mortal Plane here, plying too much dour mindsets of entertainment and all."

Takano just rolls her eyes in agreement. "Yah, movies these days." ...though it's all vectored back again, as Imladris asks... "So you little guys evolved off of the Ascendance energy wake. You realize what it all could 'do' to them all." ...this the mortal lot blinks again. Chihiro meeking back. "Do who what how now?"

"Brown cow." Imlade jokes to complete, and nearly sees Chihiro get up and kick him. The nanite just saves his arse, with explanation of... "- We based our sentience off our Hosts. My own is currently compiled off the Network, and the presence of the Hikari Seed lass, that sustains this conversation. And despite, we only can evolve off what mindset capabilities, our Host Lord and Ladies, are capable of, off of the evolutionary course. -"

Keiichi blinks. "You mean humans would be able to reading other peeps minds someday? And all that?" ...this the nanite 'nods'. "- Indeed Host Lord. Your cognitive abilities were only now being tapped, to create a Network off of. We apologize however, for the intrusion we caused. We were only going off our baseline programming function. -"

Ishara smirked at Keiichi. "Humanity's potential in presence here. I suspect they could only increase such cognitive advancements, at the rate Imladris saw of his own. Though now with the evolutionary course attached, we might need to adjust the nanites in the mortals."

Imladris just blanches at that. "You mean they don't have to go through all the needles I went through? By golly gee whizz!" ...this Lind just pats Imlade back with... "No pain, no gain." ...and nearly goes through with a hip toss off of the fluster Imlade gave back at her. Chihiro just decries a bit in realizing... "You don't mean we are gonna end up like bucket head, are we?"

Imladris actually shrugs his shoulders in accent to that. "Actually, after a hundred years or so... well... I mean, that is if they remain within you. Though all 'I' went through, was by willing choice by my own Wish. Your course is still your own. I mean these guys are like me, a... tool." ...Imladris stops and shakes his own head.

Takano then asks. "Could we at tha least get help to not hear each other like we did earlier today? And by tha by, you need to keep sharks outta your gutter head. Please dweary?"

Imladris knowingly chuckles. "You all want to hear that story?"

"No." ...came from everyone else. Only another chuckle returned. This however leads to Yamano offering... "Perhaps first, we should discuss all this further, before we decide." ...this Keima nods in accent. "Yes. But when we decide, either way, we will expect that result adhered."

Imladris sighs, trades a look with Ishara, then nods. "Acquiesce, I will." ... "- And I of we, as well. -" ...the nanite agrees in intonation. However the Planet Being then injects in. ": - If of the ill against Logic... -word access- ...here, then I hold such of disregard, to the Matrix. - :" ...this a clear voice from the 'other' side of the line of life here. Yamano 'and' the Being actually eye each other. Kid-Almighty blinks 'both' eyes in seeing this, as Frode offers out... "And hence we come to the politics of the philosophy of Life."

Imlade just shrugs... "That'll be a debate. In any case, I apologize for my part that caused all this. I..." ...this Keiichi then asks, looking at the blood droplet, underneath the projection. "How do I get the lil dude back in me?" ...this he gets looked at, and responds back. "What? Can't let something that cool die and all, right?"

The smiles he got back from four goddesses near him, just gives him a bit of a Keima blush complex. Belldandy then offers... "Perhaps we can help that." ...Ishara nodding. "Or course." ...and... "- Yay. -" ...from the nanite.

Imladris sees this, trades a look with Lind, then back to the Council. He then comments out... "Suppose we should wrap this up, for the debate to proceed 'off' air." ...this an eye at a random camera-orb. He then hears behind him, mortal lot, along with the goddess attached, suddenly begin to disperse. Megumi just opts out with... "I think we've had enough of a dose of your reality for once." ...Keiba in weary concert. "Yeah, have fun with all that."

Imladris smirks, and then turns to impart... "So, shalt we... eh?" ...as Ishara partakes away with Lind and Eihwa, Frode following along, as Belldandy trails off with Keiichi, and the interface device. Ishara just quips back with... "Have fun with that." ...as rather quickly enough, the bunch head inside to either the residence, or the temple. Others just leave outright after saying goodbyes. Imladris then sniffs at himself, as Sigrun comes up. "Did I offend?" ...this Sigrun just shrugs in with... "I guess it was all enough for one night. Excuse me Master." ...this Imlade sees Sigrun then float up. The Excellency cocks his head, then looks back at Eros, whom immediately throws up his holo-displayed hands defensively. "- Said or did nothing, did I. -"

Imladris looks down, and gulps. "Guess it was 'that' again."

Kaia, for one suspecting, asks... "- When 'are' you going to ask my friend? -" ...this causing Imladris to look at the authoring voice, one that had a look of 'waiting' on her facade. And somehow by sense of Network, Imladris saw 'all' the Councilors 'display' this, one format or another. Imladris actually was forced to admit, after a moment of halted realization... "I'm not sure."

The rest of the meeting, was upon this somber tone.

Belldandy sat in Keiichi room, with said owning bloke, as she held the nanite interface device. Keiichi glanced up at a smirking Takano, before he heard, as his Moth... er... Takano, left his sight. "Thank you for saving me today Keiichi dear." ...this the said lad looks at a dearly blushing, if somewhat dangerously innocent goddess, looking at him. (Or not so dangerous, that's how 'pure' Belldandy's face was to him. He couldn't tell.) Keiichi just chuckled back. "I didn't do much. Couldn't really open that door without Lind's help." ...this he looks thoughtful, as Belldandy prepared the interface for the retransfer.

"I wonder why all that happened today. I thought the demon stuff was on hold. Would seem too much for that Satorna guy to pull with."

Belldandy stopped, and looked a bit absent in thought. "I sense the past was not the primary problem there, but a situation that only led to one that still hasn't been resolved."

Keiichi then leaned forward, making Belldandy look back with a blush. "You... don't think everything that happened today, was a part of gold dude's problems and all?"

Belldandy looked down, then places the interface device down, and then 'plucks' the blood droplet off the device, within a tiny pink spell 'globe', on her own right pinky finger. She offers, while watching her own actions. "Not all of them. However I sense this time, we ourselves cannot help his predicament. I sense more, that will determine all such for us to witness. A moment out of all control, save for one that wants such the most."

Keiichi nods, then shrugs. "Guess what will be, will be then."

And then Belldandy simply asks, as she raises her spell endowed finger up. "Could you open your mouth? The transfer will work best through direct soft tissue contact." ...this Keiichi just pays little mind of it. "Ah, sure." ...and quickly just puts her finger in his mouth.

"Oooh..." ...the two look up at the sudden presence of Peorth. Belldandy, still with her finger in Keiichi's mouth, actually wasn't thinking of anything amorous at that moment. Keiichi sure realized it however, to his RED beet blush. Peorth then winks, turns around, and with her 'own' spell bubble on a pinky, calls out. "Talos amour, could you help moi with something?"

Belldandy just blinks, as Keiichi 'extricates' from her finger, and quips. "I think we started something naughty."

Frig's head then pokes around the open slide door. "Grandkids." ...which Belldandy blurt-blushes at, with Keiichi in yelping turn... "Hey!"

The teasing shouting in the other part of the residence, just was ignored as Urd played more than just mommy, with a giggling Rei, as Urd tickled her, and all other manner of fun play, on the floor. It 'was' in the air, but Urd 'was' somehow trying to settle the Seed lass down. Troubadour looked on, on his side, leaning his hand on elbow on head, looking calmly at the scene.

Urd after long enough, saw this from her lover. "What?"

"What indeed." Troubadour remarked. Rei looked over, as Urd just blushed, then threw a pillow at the Tree Spirit bloke. Urd just accused back. "Aren't you supposed to be a jealous type?"

Troubadour just flitted his other hand back. "It's our kid. Not like another god did all that." ...this he blinks and quips. "Is there?"

Urd just POWED him good with another pillow. It took them awhile to fall asleep, what with that pillow fight. And then Skuld complained, and go dragged in by Rei. It was interesting to see the Seed 'turn' into an acorn sized Seed, to comprise her version of sleep. Sure made two parents warm as heaven.

An hour later, all souls not of permanent residence had left. This left a few other souls, spread amongst the temple grounds, most within the two structures, many alluding to sleep as well.

But not one.

His found a cold solitude again, back near that wondrous glade of stilled trees, and a stump that slept with the night. He kept more company with the stump, given his solace of feel. For more than one reason now. The cold grass underneath, as if a repeat of his earlier upon the Fuji mount.

"What's going on?" ...with a look at his hand. The one that no longer shed direct blood, from him. A mind that mulled a 'bunch' of iotas that were really gnawing at him. A true swirl of emotion he already stuffed down twice in the past hour, but now were really swelling up, all despite his further attempts. He even smacked his head once with viciousness to halt this mental course.

It only garnered a sore head that faded of pain too quickly.

He finally just whispered. "When the heck will this all stop being about me." ...this he realized, Her as the probably reason when.

Normally, He wouldn't bother hiding himself, but since Hild was habitual, and Frig was worrying of not interrupting at such a late hour, a mini-Almighty, with his mini-accompaniment, just watch from a shadowed locale of the trees. It was there, when Imladris said his last weak impart, he decided. "Tomorrow, we begin the Test."

"Please." Mini-Frigurina said, but heard the 'same' word from mini-Hild, in simultaneous measure. It was there Hild looked over, and realized. "Yeah yeah, We think it's time we got Tyr back. Once and for bloody all."

"But first." Frig offers, as eyes see a loved form, walks near, as Imladris looks up and gaffs a bit loud... "Lind!" ...which Lind only reacts, with a right pinky finger to her lips, of all of a 'shush' motion. She then stops, with her General's gown about her, a pale light given off, given the lack of moonlight, the clouded sky defeating further, in this darkened glade. Imladris swore Lind 'was' a ken of moonlight muted, all of her own.

Imladris only manages at first... "You don't deserve to wait on me. I should be better than this to you."

"We both have a plan then." Lind remarks, Imladris looks up, seeing her glistening eyes of ice and soul. She furthers... "I assure you, we both will feel the merit, of when the moment comes. Promise I even do."

Imladris looks up, really wanting. "Should it be now... in fact..." ...which a raised hand of his, is caught by both of hers. Lind uses this to lean in, and whisper plainly. "Everyone is about to rest. We should to."

Imladris looks back down. "I... wont sleep well tonight." ...this he finally breaches a walled up dam of his soul. "Not of late since we got back either, to be honest."

Lind nods gently. "I suspected." ...this as unrealizingly, a couple other souls join in unseen. The Network bit 'pinging' them again, unexpectedly. Imladris just lets it all out at once. "In fact... the battle, that Seer... what I did to everyone. The expectations of a duality that might not work. Wanting to live, but this all of Tyr may not allow.

And then... that nightmare with Voluspa. Then that dream with... you... and I, with... a family." ...Imladris didn't see Lind still as ice, as he tones out. "I'm not sure if it's just dreams, or more. I... just feel like I will fail everyone. I still swear I won't, but I still 'feel' something otherwise. I just don't understand anymore."

Lind looks a bit to the side, but then feels her face cupped, of as such she looks dead into pleading eyes. Imladris just begs a bit more than he intended. "I love you so much. I don't want to lose you because of me. Please... help me stop myself from losing everyone. From... harming everyone." ...this he finally drops his head, and sobs unexpectedly. Lind realized what was happening. "You've been bottling it all up for two weeks. Have ye not."

Imlade looks up between welled eyes, before Lind just lunges herself around Imladris completely. She just bids him to sob it out, like a drawn poison of wound. "For once, less a warrior, more a love. Just let it out." ...this she sheds her own 'poisons' through her own tears, as Imladris just lets it all loose, for a good five minute release.

He never even saw Eihwa approach, and gently join in, for sake of same release for him. Unseen, Frode of mini, just sighs, with a mini-Ishara close in. He just bid in whisper. "Good to know it's all not just a tough as nails soul we have protecting us all."

"Even of a Master?" ...Ishara whispers. Frode nods. "I wouldn't have known how to love, unto you as my luck of happenstance, if not for my Master's teachings. Such 'needs' to be taught back in kind now."

"Tomorrow." ...the two hear behind them, as mini-Al just watches, with shared company. This they then hear unexpectedly. "With help from an original Flame. The same you all heed as the Progenitor, of your Order."

Ishara gasps, almost betraying herself. "She still lives? Even after 'all' this time?" This Almighty nods. "And with assistance from an old Company once led. From that, and the beginning of the Test prior, we shall prepare him proper for the final Ordeal. Such comes, without fail now."

Ishara just seethes instead. "He better live though all that, I want grandkids."

"Agreed." Mini-Frigurina imparted, though mini-Hild just rolled her mini-eyes. "Sure, plan ahead. Why stop you both." ...she just got raspberried back in turn. Kid-Almighty meanwhile, watched for a different reason, one He knew all too well. His form would grow soon, it would need to be hidden, to prevent question too many, too soon. The Test was both a combat, and a preparation, this Almighty was certain, as he watched.

They then watched the scene before them, as it settled. Such allowed Imladris and his loves a good measure of sleep, the first in weeks, for his ken.

He would need it.

Her ashen-burning eye opened upon her illogical format being, one now looking more goddess than She cared for. Such was necessity, of her somehow patient wait, in the endless screech of her Realm. All her gray Voice stated...

": Day One... Tis done. :"

Her eye shut closed again. Them both, of patient wait, knew what was coming.

Time, was all there was now.

And His first mistake.

(End Act III)

AN: Sorry that Act II is so much shorter than Act III. I felt like holding onto the continuity of the story in this Act. I'm not a fan of breaking up stories anyway. I'll leave it all here for what it is all worth. The same of the story material.

Hope no one minds a Bivouac, for the next chapter. If not 'more'.