Chapter 1

Dear diary,

Hi!

My name is Gabrielle Asuka Aida, but only my Mother calls me Gabrielle. Everyone else calls me Gabby.

I am fifteen years old and live in the capitol city of Japoness on Terra 2. I attend Public High School No. 23 along with my friends Abby Kagakusha and Kat Hachiko. We've known each other since grade school.

My family is kinda famous, mostly because of my Grandfather. See, Granddad was the Head of Security for the Shogun and he died saving the Shogun's life. Because of that, the name of Aida is known all over the city. I don't know as much about my Grandmother. I've seen pictures and heard a few stories about her. The odd thing is I'm not sure when she died. I know she lived at least a few years after Granddad died, but there's nothing in the old papers or the boards about when she passed away. When I asked my parents about it, Dad would only smile and say that Grandma was out there looking over us.

Weird huh?

My dad is Sentaro Aida. He's never cared for the notoriety of Aida name. He even told me if I ever tried to get anything or anywhere using the name, I'd be grounded till I was old and grey! Dad works in the Security Division for the Shogun like Granddad, only he's the Head of Electronic Intelligence. He in turn reports to the Head of Security who is named Seras Victoria, or as I call her Auntie Seras.

Auntie Seras is old.

I know it isn't nice to say things like that, but even Auntie Seras has told me that she's old. She doesn't look old. She's still got bright strawberry blond hair, though there are a few grey hairs in it. She claims she was trained for her job by my Grandfather, but every time she says that, Dad just laughs. Even Mom smiles a bit.

There must be some joke in there somewhere, but what I don't know.

I suppose this brings me to Mom, Arael Aida.

To be honest, I really am lost when it comes to Mom. I know there should be some kind of bonding between mother and daughter, and we have. Mom helped me pick out dresses for a few of the school dances I've gone to. She's even joined in when Abby and Kat come over for a slumber party.

But there's something off about her. I know she loves me and all, but it's like there are times she's not sure how to act.

But you do NOT want to get on her bad side.

When you've done something wrong, she knows. She gives you this look that is down right scary. Fortunately, I've only experienced that look twice.

Dad though……. He's been on the receiving end multiple times.

How do I know?

Whenever Dad has done something wrong, he gets Mom an angel figurine. I'm not sure when he started this, but I can say he must have done a lot of things that made Mom unhappy. There are little angels all over the house!

I did ask Dad once why he only got Mom angels. He said it was a little joke between him and her.

Dad is kind of goofy.

There is something else about Mom. She has a garden in the back. She uses it as a meditation garden. Whenever she gets very upset, or even frustrated about something, Dad and I can usually find her sitting in her garden, eyes closed and pretty much oblivious to everything. Dad has told me repeatedly to not disturb her when she's like this. Or if we must, it had better be important. When Mom comes back in, she is always in a much better mood then before she meditated.

I tried it once.

Didn't get much out of it. (Or understand it)


Dear diary,

Megumi Taiho is evil.

In fact, I think she is the devil in drag.

Who is Taiho?

She is probably one of the most popular girls in school and is the leader of the cheer team, whom are also evil.

Why?

Because they all hang out with Taiho.

Who is evil.

Why is she evil?

Probably because once upon a time, I had a sweater that was knitted by my grandmother. Dad gave it to me for Christmas one year. It was one of the few things I had that connected me to my grandmother.

Taiho spilt a chemical on it during chemistry class. The sweater was destroyed. The teacher had thought it was all just an accident. But Taiho was anything but apologetic.

So, she's evil.

Abby and Kat agree with me.

Today, Taiho apparently decided the new blouse I gotten didn't have enough color in it. Or the right color.

She 'tripped' in the cafeteria and dumped her grape juice on me. I was so angry, and embarrassed. Taiho just smirked, said 'Sorry.' Then walked off to where the rest of her friends were giggling.

Like I said, Taiho is evil.

I did get some satisfaction though when the fluorescent light above their table exploded. The bang caused each of them to jump and dump their trays on each other.

At least some one is out there looking over me.


Dear Diary,

Something weird happened the other day.

I was out shopping with Mom and Dad and while they were occupied elsewhere I discovered the music store.

There was a piano set up at the front with a piece of music on it. I'm still not sure what possessed me, but I sat down and began to play the music.

Mind you, I've never had a piano lesson ever in my entire life.

Apparently I did well, because a salesperson came over to my parents, whom had caught the last bit of the song, and asked how long I'd been playing the piano.

"I've never heard such music played so well by one so young." The salesperson proclaimed.

"Not really sure when she learned." Dad had replied, giving me a curious look.

That night, I heard my parents talking in their bedroom. I couldn't hear much, but apparently my playing the piano had startled them. They even mentioned Grandma a few times.

Later, Mom explained to me that Grandma played the piano as well at my age. And that she had been quite good at it. That I could play it as well, meant it was probably an ability passed down through Dad to me.

After she told me though, I felt closer to my Grandmother then I had ever been before.


Dear Diary,

The evil one stuck again, only not me this time.

There's this transfer student, Maggy Deamhan, she came to Japoness from Earth. Don't know much else about her, other then that she's a red head, wears glasses, and speaks with an accent. Apparently she was born in Ireland. She's actually quite friendly, I have spoken with her a few times.

But unfortunately Taiho targeted her.

Today, Deamhan was stuffed into a gym locker, along with a bunch of dirty sports bras.

And of course, Taiho got away with it.

Someone really needs to teach her a lesson.


Dear Diary,

Dad has been working extra hours. Apparently a cult group back on Earth has gotten onto Terra 2. The Cult groups essentially believes that the saviors of the human race were the Children of Eva. They also believe the Children will eventually reincarnate, through their descendants.

Which is nuts.

As far as is known, only one of the Children ever had children.

The Fourth Child, Touji Suzuhara.

I should know. I wrote a report on it.

Actually, as a class, we all had to write a report on the Angel Wars. Of course I had to go to the library to get books about it. All the books told how the Angels came and attacked without warning. They also listed how many people died during their attacks and the damage they caused. I asked Dad what he knew about it. He told me all that he knew, which was surprisingly a lot. Mom though, she remained quiet the entire time Dad talked about the Angel Wars. As a matter of fact, she eventually got up and went outside to her garden. All Dad would say when I asked what was wrong with her is that some of her family were lost during the wars.

I hate the Angels, mostly because talking about them upsets Mom.

Back to the Suzuhara descendants.

They still live on Earth. But they don't seem to be targeted by the Cult.

Reason?

From the Cults point of view, he was corrupted by the sins of the flesh.

The four other Children remained pure. Untainted.

That's also nuts. Two of them married each other! You think they weren't going to have sex? Comon! The pictures of the Third Child? Damn, he was a hotty!

Cultists. Crazy people.


Dear Diary,

I really don't know where to begin.

My whole world has changed and……I don't know what to think.

I suppose I should start with what happened.

The cultists attacked our school………………………..


"So?" Kat asked as she leaned back in her chair. "You gonna come over later or what?"

Gabby shrugged and looked around the classroom.

"I don't know." She said, "I have to check in with Mom to make sure it's alright."

"You 're in High School you know." Abby said from the desk beside her. "You don't have to tell your mother everything."

"But if I don't ask she might give me 'the look'."

Abby and Kat's eyes widened.

"Ask her for permission." They both stated together.

"No offence Gabby," Kat said with a shiver, "But there are times when your Mom is just scary."

Gabby's reply was cut off as Taiho and her entourage entered the classroom.

"The Queen bitch is here." She murmured. The three's eyes widened as a figure stumbled out from amidst Taiho's entourage. The figure's face was covered heavily in make-up, much of it appeared to have been added against the person's will. Taiho and crew immediately began laughing.

"It's Deamhan." Kat said softly, "I think……."

It was then that the teacher entered the room.

"Alright quiet down everyone." Sensei paused moment to take in Deamhan's over done make-up. He frowned slightly at Taiho, but the girl was oblivious to his stare. "Deamhan, go clean yourself up."

"Hai Sensei." The girl whispered softly as she left the classroom, several of Taiho's cohorts snickering. The snickering was silenced as Sensei turned his glare onto them.

"Now then." He began, "I believe we left of with the literature of the post Angel Wars. Tamishiro, would you begin reading on page eighty-four?"

"How about something more along political lines?" came a voice from the doorway.

Sensei frowned and began to turn to face the person who had interrupted his class when a gunshot pierced the silence of the classroom. Sensei's eyes went wide as he stumbled backwards a step. His hand went to the slowly growing red spot on his shirt, before he collapsed to the floor.

Taiho let out a scream, as did many of the other girls in the classroom.

Gabby, Kat, and Abby felt no shame in joining in.

The screams fell silent as six people in black entered the room with weapons leveled at the class. One of them, a man stepped forward.

"We are the Disciples of the Blessed Children of Eva." The man stated, "And you can consider yourselves honored to be the first to hear the true word."


Celes Victoria stood silently beside her Command Vehicle, staring at the school before her. Within ten minutes of hearing that the Cultists had struck and were now holding a class of students hostage, she had deployed her security forces. She had even called out Baiko and Tamasaburo, the old Imperial Guard Sabers. The two were currently moving about the perimeter, performing reconnaissance of the school.

At this point, she needed all the information she could get. The Cultists hadn't said a word to them. And they currently had the run of the apparently empty school. All she had was the Principal's word that all students had been accounted for, but the affected class.

She let out a sigh. She was under pressure regarding this situation.

The Shogun had asked to be kept appraised of the situation.

But he was not the source of the pressure.

That came from the red-eyed woman standing a short distance behind her. Celes knew she would be. Sentaro had warned her as much. Their daughter was one of the hostages. It was only by her direct order he hadn't come as well.

"It's got to be the Morisato blood." Celes murmured to herself. "That group can never stay out of trouble."

"I heard that." came the soft voice of Arael.

"You know I'm doing everything I can." The Vampire stated.

"I know."

"But does Sayoko?" Celes asked, nodding off to the side.

Arael turned her head in the direction Celes had just indicated. A crowd had gathered, watching the events with interest. But it wasn't the crowd that Celes had indicated, so much as a particular individual. It was a woman with short blond hair and wearing sunglasses. Had the sunglasses not been there one would have seen the blue facial markings of a Goddess. But this was no ordinary Goddess.

It was Blitz, second in command of the Valkyries.

"I'm sure she's only here as back-up." Arael said, looking back to Celes.

"Back-up." Celes murmured, "Riiiight……"

"Celes." Arael said softly, "I'm trusting you."

Yeah…. No pressure at all.


"I wonder what happened to Deamhan." Kat murmured.

"I'm more worried about us." Abby whispered back, watching as a cultist moved past them.

Gabby listened to her friends, but her eyes were on the leader of the cultists. He was sitting at the desk of their fallen teacher, flipping through the pages of the books there. He came across a class list and frowned.

"Miller!" he shouted.

"Yeah?" the cultist answered from where he stood.

"We're missing one." He growled. He then looked at the students. "Where is the missing student?"

Silence met his request.

The leader frowned, then flicked his hand towards a cultist. The cultist immediately moved forward and grabbed Taiho by the neck.

"You were asked a question." The cultist hissed into Taiho's ear.

"B-b-b-bathroom." Taiho stuttered.

"Show me." The cultist growled, forcing Taiho to her feet and towards the door.

"Hey," Abby murmured, "Things are looking up. Maybe she'll piss'em off enough that he'll…"

"Knock it off." Gabby whispered.

"Eh?"

"She may be a bitch." Gabby murmured, "But even she doesn't deserve to go that way."


"Well?" the Cultist asked.

The student had led him to the bathroom, and then stopped. She was now looking at him wide-eyed.

"Open the door and get in there!" he hissed.

The girl quickly complied and entered, followed closely by himself. The door closed behind them.

A few moments went by before a scream came from behind the door, followed by several shots. A loud cry of pain was heard…..

Then all was silent.


Celes was getting an update over her headset when she noticed Arael frown. A glance over to where Blitz was standing should the same expression on the Valkyire's face as well.

"What is it?" Celes asked.

"I am not sure." Arael murmured, "I thought I felt……..something."

"Looks like Blitz felt it to. What do you think it was?"

"I don't know." Arael replied, looking at the school with a frown. "I just……don't know."


"Wonder what's taking them?" Miller asked the Cultist leader.

The leader frowned. The man he'd sent was taking a rather long time to return.

"Perhaps the Japoness security forces are better then I had previously thought." He murmured. He looked down to the class list, then looked back to the students. A smile now graced his face. "Or maybe they have personal motivation." The leader rose to his feet and slowly walked until he was standing before Gabby, Kat, and Abby.

"Release the other students." He said, "All, but these three." He then leaned in closer to Gabby. "We should become better acquainted shouldn't we Miss Aida?"


Arael watched silently as a group of students hurriedly exited from the school. Celes was there, asking questions of them on what they had seen.

Soon the flow of students ended, and Arael closed her eyes.

Gabrielle was not among them.

"It will be fine." Arael turned slightly to see Blitz had walked up behind her. "She's strong, just like her parents."

Arael turned back and stared at the school. She didn't want to be strong. She wanted to fly in there and let the Cultists feel the wraith of the Messengers, or at least the 15th. But Celes had given her word that Gabrielle would be alright. Even Blitz said she would be alright.

So she waited.

Celes walked over to them a few minutes later, a neutral expression on her face.

"We have a problem." Celes said, "The Cultists know exactly who they have in that room."

"And that is?" Blitz asked.

"Gabrielle Aida, daughter of a Japoness Security agent, Sentaro Aida, and granddaughter of Kensuke Aida." Celes sighed, "Basically, a very important hostage."


"It's quite simple Miss Aida." The leader stated as he paced before the three students. "The four sacred children are out there, waiting to be reborn, if they have not done so already. Yet, our collective governments do nothing to find them. Or…" the Leader stopped walking and stared at Gabby a moment. "…even expend a few simply resources to help them along."

Gabby blinked.

"I don't understand."

"Clones!" The cultist exclaimed, "A technology that was shunned so long ago, yet it was made reality here on this planet. Genetic material from the Children of Eva exists. It would be a simple matter to create new vessels to house their holy souls."

"But why would they want to come back?" Kat asked. The Cultist turned his head and stared at her. "I mean," she continued, "According to you, as holy beings they are in Heaven. Why would they wish to return here?"

"The world is corrupt and immoral." The Cultist answered, "The Children will return to place us on the right path. They have saved our souls before, and shall do so again. And my brethren and I shall assist them on their holy quest."

"By holding children hostage at gunpoint?"

The Cultist leader's eyes narrowed.

"Kat." Gabby said softly, "Don't annoy the man with the gun."

"Unfortunately," the leader said, "not all can be saved. And they must look for redemption in the next life." The Cultist pulled out his hand gun and pointed it right at Kat's head. Kat's eyes rolled up as she stared up at the barrel. "Good bye child. May the next life treat you better."

Gabby's eyes went wide as the cultist slowly pulled the trigger.

"Noooooooo!!!"

The room was suddenly filled with a flash of bright blue light.


Arael let out a gasp as her eyes went wide.

It was like being hit with cold water.

One minute there was nothing. Then suddenly her senses with overloaded with a sensation she knew all too well, yet had not felt in several decades.

The presence of another Messenger.

Even Blitz was in shock as the wave of power flowed over her.

"What is it?" Celes asked, "What happened?"

"Sir!" a security officer ran over to Celes. "We just detected what the sensors are calling an AT-Field!"

Celes blinked and stared at the man.

"Go confirm that AT-Field." She ordered. The Man nodded and raced away. Celes then turned and looked at Arael. "Gabby?" she asked.

"I think so." Arael said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Celes turned and quickly ordered several officers to follow her as she entered the school.

"You know if it is Gabby." Blitz said softly, "The Council must know."

"I know." Arael replied, tears in her eyes. "But I am not concerned with them."

Blitz looked at Arael confused. "What?"

"Gabrielle needs to know the truth." Arael answered, "The full truth about her…….origins and …." Arael bowed her head and closed her eyes. "….my past."