Chapter 7
"Damn it!"
Sentaro backed away from his computer with a scowl.
"Problems?"
Sentaro glanced back to see Celes leaning against the doorway to his office.
"The computer has narrowed the search down to two candidates for being a demon." He said, "But then it fails them too."
Celes frowned and moved to look at the computer screen.
"What?"
"The computer broke down the data based on everything we've gathered." Sentaro explained, "It then pauses on two students, before it eliminates them both as demons."
"Which two students?"
Sentaro went back to the screen.
"Two students left the classroom that day." He explained, "One was sent to the restroom by the teacher. The other left with the Cultist who was found dead in that restroom, looking for the first."
"So the Demon is the second one." Celes said.
"You'd think that." Sentaro said, "But we've interviewed both of the students twice." He let out a sigh. "Both are telling the truth according to Baiko."
Celes nodded. Both Imperial Sabers had sensors that could detect the subtle changes in a person's physiology that occurred when a person lied.
"Would they be able to detect it if a Demon lied though?" Celes questioned. "We can always get Kristine in here and have her observe a third interview."
"As much as I want to, is it fair to them?" Sentaro asked, "We dragged them both through it twice now. Is it really right for us to drag them through it again when it's only just begun to heal?"
"But one is a Demon." Celes pointed out.
"Maybe." Sentaro said with a sigh. He looked back at the computer. "But before we drag them back in, I want to make sure we have everything straight."
"Alright." Celes said, "It's your call."
"I know." Sentaro said, his eyes moving to the family photo on his desk. "Believe me, I know."
"3 fours."
"2 eights."
"Bullshit."
"Dammit Gabby." Kat hissed, "That's the fifth time in a row you've caught one of us."
Gabby, Kat and Abby were sitting on the floor in Gabby's bedroom, hanging out as they usually did in the evenings. The sounds of pots clanging could be heard from the open doorway as Gabby's mother prepared dinner.
Abby eyed her friend. "Are you sure you aren't using your powers?"
"No!" Gabby said, "I am not cheating!"
"Then how can you know when we're bluffing?"
"I don't know how." Gabby said, "I just…...know."
Kat held up a card.
"What's this?"
"An Ace." Gabby replied without hesitating.
Kat turned the card around revealing an ace.
"You marked this deck?" Kat asked.
"It's my deck." Abby pointed out.
"Mom!" Gabby shouted out.
"What is it?" Arael asked as she entered her daughter's bedroom a moment later.
"Do I have any other abilities I may have gotten from Dad?" Gabby asked.
Arael frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Gabby knows what the cards are before we reveal them." Kat answered.
Arael's frown grew deeper.
"Oh?" She reached down and shuffled the pile of cards before pulling one out and holding it up facing towards herself.
"What card is this?" she asked her daughter.
"King of Hearts." Gabby replied.
Arael's eyes widened.
"And this?" she asked, holding up another.
"Two of Diamonds."
Arael dropped the card and stared at her daughter.
"Well?" Abby asked.
"Gabrielle's Great-Grandmother is clairvoyant." Arael said slowly, "Her Grandmother also has the ability, though not to the extent her mother does. Neither Kristine, nor Sentaro have shown the ability."
"So what does that mean about me?" Gabby asked.
"I….don't know." Arael finally said.
"Well who does?"
A few hours later Gabby found herself back in Heaven in her Grandmother's home, awaiting the arrival of someone who had the answers to her questions. Her Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Mother were all quietly talking to each other in the kitchen. Gabby took the time to wonder the living room.
It was a mixture of Japanese and Western influences. There was a couch and several chairs in the room. There were also a few cushions piled in a corner in case one chose to kneel on the floor. The walls, made to appear to be shoji, were lined with photos and shelves of mementos and books collected from across the time and space. Gabby's eyes were currently drawn to a two foot tall statue of a metallic silver figure standing alone on top of a piano that sat against one wall. Even without reading the name written on its arms and shoulders, Gabby knew what she was looking at.
A statue of Evangelion Unit 4.
Her Grandmother's Eva.
Draped around its base sat a pair of white objects that looked almost like barrettes, connected together by a wire headband. She let out a small gasp as she realized what they were. Her eyes sought out a photo she'd seen earlier on the wall, and upon finding it, confirmed what she was seeing.
A10 Neural Clips used by the Pilot's to control their Eva.
The photo she was now staring at showed a fifteen year old Sayoko Morisato, the Fifth Child, standing alongside Asuka Langley Sohryu, Second Child, and Rei Ayanami, First Child. All three wore their plugsuits and neural clips. The three all appeared to talking to each other, smiling and oblivious to the photograph being taken.
"A very rare picture." Came a voice from behind her.
Gabby turned around to find herself facing Kensuke Aida, her Grandfather. He smiled at her before nodding at the photo.
"It took me three weeks of careful hacking to get that photo out of the MAGI. It's the only good photo of the three of them together in NERV."
"But there are lots of photos of them in their plugsuits." Gabby pointed out.
"But those were all staged for the media." Her Grandfather explained. "In all those photos, Rei looked serious; Asuka was….well….Asuka. And your Mother was very serene. This one," Kensuke pointed out, "was taken from a security camera and shows them as the really were, a bunch of teenagers, relaxing and…." He gave her a wink. "talking about boys."
Gabby laughed and then her face became serious.
"Was it as bad as I read?" she asked.
"Probably worse." Kensuke replied, "Most of the books and articles written about the Angel Wars are by people who read articles in old newspapers and old NERV reports and files. Very few people who knew what was going on ever wrote about it." Her Grandfather then sighed. "As for your Grandmother, it was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that after all was done, she got her parents back. But a curse in that she and the other pilots never truly forgot what they were forced to do and what happened to them."
"And Mom?" Gabby asked softly.
Her Grandfather was silent for a moment, staring off in the direction of the kitchen.
"If you asked me about fifty or so years ago," he began, "I'd have said that she was the most vile and destructive Angel ever to come to Tokyo-3. She didn't kill, so much as destroyed a person with their own darkest thoughts and secrets." Her Grandfather turned back to face her. "I didn't know what to think when I first met her. She mostly stayed around with Yui Ikari or your Grandmother. I never had a chance to really speak with her. I didn't even know who she was till my Wedding day when your Grandmother finally told me." Kensuke closed his eyes. "I was so mad, knowing what your mother had done to Sayoko so long ago. But your Grandmother explained that she had forgiven her." He looked at his grandchild. "You will find your Grandmother gets her way a lot. Seeing as she had forgiven Arael, I followed and forgave her as well." He then smiled. "Sorry if I rambled on a bit. I know everyone has been talking to you about your mother since you've come into your powers."
"I don't mind." Gabby said, "I know it sounds weird, but it's like finding out she's a whole different person."
"Yes and no." Kensuke said, "But I understand you. Your mother is a vastly different person then when I first met her. I think your father had a large hand in that."
"So I've heard."
A knock at the door caused them both to turn.
"She's here." Sayoko said as she came out of the kitchen and headed towards the door.
"Who is it?" Gabby asked her Grandfather.
"One of the few people older then your mother."
Sayoko reappeared in the living room followed by a brunette haired woman. The woman wore plain robes, but Gabby could definitely feel something different about her. Her Great-Grandmother and her mother had both come out of the kitchen. Belldandy seemed quite happy to see the woman, while her mother seemed to shy away.
"Gabby," Grandma Sayoko said, "This is my Grandmother, Verdandi, the first Goddess of the Present."
"Hello child." Verdandi stated, "I believe we have much to talk about."
Gabby and Verdandi walked quietly side by side down a forested path. Gabby kept glancing at Elder Goddess, but Verdandi said nothing. They finally came to a stop when the path did, at a small cliff overlooking an area of Heaven. The Yggdrasil building stood tall and proud off to one side while other buildings and homes spread out from around it.
Verdandi stared at all of this for several minutes. When she finally did speak, it caused Gabby to jump, so suddenly was the silence was broken.
"I've heard some interesting things about you young one." Verdandi said. She glanced at Gabby from the corner of her eye. "The powers of the Norns and the… Messengers….. are within you."
Gabby knew of what a Norn was from her lessons with both Kristine, and her mother. She did notice Verdandi's hesitation when mentioning the Messengers, as well as the very neutral emotion in her voice upon saying the word. As if Verdandi was trying to hide what she truly felt. She decided to let it slide, for now.
"So does that mean I have a domain?" Gabby asked.
Verdandi tapped her chin lightly in thought. "If you do, I would venture to guess your domain to be the Present. It would appear to be an ongoing theme in our family line. But we must also take into account your….. Messenger heritage as well."
"Do you hate them that much?" Gabby asked.
"A fair question." Verdandi said, finally turning to face Gabby. "I am one of the few who was there when they were created and when they betrayed us. I lost many good friends to them and was quite glad when their reign of destruction was over." The elder Goddess looked back out over the Heavens. "Do I hate them? Yes." She then looked back to Gabby. "But, that hatred has mellowed since I found your mother and father in Valhalla. There is still some awkwardness between us, but not as much as there once was."
Verdandi took in a deep breath, "Now then. We are here to discuss your clairvoyance as well as you possibly being an inheritor to the Domain of the Present."
Verdandi sat down and indicated Gabby should as well. The elder Goddess then held out her hands. Gabby slowly reached out to take them.
As she did she suddenly was no longer on the cliff, but now floating seemingly in space, surrounded by flashing lights.
"This," Gabby twisted around to find Verdandi floating behind her, "Is the representation of the time stream in my mind." She turned and indicated the flashing lights. "Here lie the shadows of now." She then pointed in a direction. Gabby followed her finger to find a slightly darker area within the pattern of lights. "Before us we see the future, but it is clouded. I have not the power to see that far as that is the domain of my sister, Skuld. Behind us," Verdandi now indicated the opposite direction, "lies the past. Urd's domain." She then brought her gaze back to Gabby. "My focus is on the now or near future." She turned and waved her hand.
Suddenly the lights cleared to show an image of a man walking along a rain swept sidewalk in a vast city. Gabby frowned as the man looked vaguely familiar.
"Before you is a descendent of Guardian Suzuhara." Verdandi stated, "Shortly after becoming a Guardian, Suzuhara begot three children. Two girls and later a boy. All were mortal." She indicated the image. "As a Divine Goddess of Time, I am able to concentrate and focus on individuals, thus bringing the time stream into focus. Otherwise…." the image broke up and returned to a pattern of lights.
"Gabrielle." Verdandi said, "I wish you to focus on an individual."
Gabby frowned a moment. Who did she want to focus on? Her Mother? Her Father? Kat? Abby? Then it struck her.
She knew exactly who to picture.
"Focus on them." Verdandi said softly, "And slowly, open your power to that image of them."
Gabby concentrated. The light around them began to flicker, then coalesce into an image of her Grandmother, Sayoko Aida.
Sayoko appeared to be working away at the terminal at her desk when she suddenly paused in mid keystroke. Slowly, the Goddess turned her head and looked right at them!
Gabby gasped, and the image vanished.
"She saw us!" she exclaimed.
"Of course she did." Verdandi replied in an amused voice. "My Granddaughter is a Divine Goddess of time as well. Of course she would pick up on us. As would my daughters. Even Urd…." Verdandi frowned a moment, then shook it off. "Try it again."
Gabby took in a deep breath and concentrated. Once again the image of her Grandmother working in her office appeared. And once again, her Grandmother's typing stopped. Sayoko remained still a moment or two, before smiling.
"Hello Gabby." she said softly, before resuming her typing.
"You have the power of the Present." Verdandi said softly, "Now, let's see if you can take us backward through time."
"How do I do that?" Gabby asked.
"Sometimes looking behind you helps."
Gabby frowned. That wasn't much help. Still…
She slowly turned her gaze behind her. The image hazed slightly revealing her Grandmother, though a far younger version, possibly closer to her age or just a bit older. There also seemed to be some kind of party going on.
Gabby could easily pick out Great Aunt Skuld and Urd, Peorth, a teenaged Asuka, Shinji, Rei, and Touji. There were also several others whom Gabby didn't recognize.
She and Verdandi watched as Sayoko made her way out of the apartment to the balcony. There, an auburn haired girl stood silently, looking out over the city.
"Mana." Gabby whispered.
The Demoness appeared to be the same age as her Grandmother, and still had both eyes.
"Wondered where you went." Sayoko said.
Mana didn't turn around. "Just needed a bit of quiet."
"I know the feeling."
For several minutes, Goddess and Demon remained silent beside each other.
"They don't know." Sayoko said softly.
"What?" Mana asked.
"I didn't tell anyone that we're doublets."
Gabby turned and looked at Verdandi.
"Doublets?" she asked.
"Long ago it was decided that in order to prevent a war between the Heavens and Hell, deities from each side would be bound together, so that when one died, the other would as well." Verdandi explained, "No one would know who their doublet was, thus, helping to secure an uneasy peace."
"Then how did Grandma know?"
Verdandi shrugged. "That I do not know."
The two looked back at the image which had continued on during the explanation.
"You are not your father." Sayoko was saying.
"I know." Mana turned and looked at Sayoko. "It just…when I see her….I want her to be proud of me."
The party noises suddenly got louder as the patio door was opened. Gabby and Verdandi watched as Asuka stepped out onto the balcony.
"Sayoko?" she asked, her voice causing Mana to tense. "Can you give me a minute with Kirishima?" Asuka said.
Sayoko glanced at Mana, who gave a small nod. Sayoko then turned and started back into the apartment. Before she closed the door, Sayoko looked at Asuka.
"Don't do anything you might regret later." She then vanished inside.
For several minutes, Asuka and Mana just looked at each other. Finally Mana spoke.
"Asuka, I…."
"Quiet." Asuka said, "Let's get this straight. I hate you. You hurt me. You hurt Shinji. You hurt my friends. We thought you were a friend. We trusted you. And you tossed it all away. I am not a Goddess. I am not required to forgive anyone."
"Nothing would forgive what I did." Mana said.
"What did she do?" Gabby asked.
"I believe this was shortly after Mana was revealed as a Demoness." Verdandi replied, "Besides a Demon's regular activities, Mana tried to gain the affections of Shinji. Needless to say she failed.
Both looked back to see Mana looking at Asuka with a confused look on her face. Apparently they had again missed something that had been said.
"You heard me. Sayoko make a convincing argument, so I am willing to 'forget' what happened." Asuka then stepped right up into Mana's face. "Let's make this clear though. If you ever, EVER mess with me, Shinji, or any of my friends again, you will regret ever even thinking of becoming a first class Demon. You understand me?"
"Yes." Mana said.
"Good." Asuka then turned about and left the balcony. Sayoko returned.
"Are you alright?" Seeing Mana nod, Sayoko continued. "So what did you talk about?"
"We reached an understanding." Mana said.
"Ready to rejoin the party?"
Mana shook her head. "I think I'd rather just enjoy the view for now."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Sayoko joined Mana at the railing and looked out over the city.
"They've been friends that long?" Gabby asked.
"I believe they were separated for a time." Verdandi answered, "But they did resume their relationship." Verdandi then smiled. "Surprisingly, Mana is quite a pleasant person, despite being a Demon."
"You feel that?" Mana asked suddenly, causing both Gabby and Verdandi to return their attention to the image.
"Have for a bit." Sayoko replied, "Felt it once before."
"What is it?"
"Auntie says it's someone looking at us through time."
Mana blinked and looked around.
"We're being looked at through time?"
"Yep."
"That's kind of creepy." Mana murmured, "I mean, what if I was in the bathroom or something?"
"Wouldn't worry about it." Sayoko said.
"And why not?"
"Cuz they're related to me somehow."
The image vanished as Gabby turned her head towards Verdandi.
"Mana could feel us?" she asked.
Verdandi nodded. "I have been told she is a Demoness of Time. Thus, she would feel the disturbance our prescience makes as well."
"Now then," she continued, "You have control of the Present and can view the Past. Let us see what you can make of the Future?"
Gabby took in a deep breath, then turned and faced the opposite direction, figuring if looking one way showed you the past, then looking in the opposite direction would show you the future.
Another image appeared within the stream of light. Once again her Grandmother's office appeared before them.
Sayoko was no longer working her terminal. She was now addressing a blond Valkyrie that was standing before her desk.
"How did it happen?" her Grandmother asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"There was a fight." the Valkyrie said, her voice trembling and full of emotion. "She killed that basterd, but then someone got her from behind." The Valkyrie seemed to be fighting off tears. "Harry found her and brought her back to Hogwarts, but….." Tears were now beginning to fall freely. "They did what they could, but the damage was done."
"Was anyone with her?"
"Harry stayed by her side till the end."
Sayoko closed her eyes and bowed her head. She stayed like that a moment or two, before raising her face to the Valkyrie once more.
"How are you and Yoko doing Dawn?"
"Yoko's taking it the best of the two of us." Dawn said. "Of course, this is the second time she's lost her."
"And yourself?"
"I've… been given a leave of absence from the Valkyries." Dawn answered, "I just…"
"I know." Sayoko said softly. "Should you need anything, you know I'm here."
Dawn nodded and left the office.
Sayoko stared off towards the doorway, before slowly turning her chair and looking out the windows behind her desk.
"Why Mana?" she asked softly, "It wasn't your time yet."
The image faded back to the stream of light.
"What was that?" Gabby asked. "The Future?"
Verdandi seemed lost in thought and didn't seem to have heard the question.
"Was that the future?" Gabby repeated louder.
"That was a shadow of what might be." Verdandi said softly, her gaze still on the spot where the image had appeared. She then turned to face Gabby. "Remember, the future is always in motion. It is not set, nor will it be until it is here and now and then unto the past. It should never be taken as fact."
"But Mana might die!" Gabby stated.
"Perhaps." Verdandi replied, "But will it happen tomorrow? Ten years from now? Or even a hundred? Or will it happen at all? Just because you have seen one possible version of the future does not make it true. Should you look again it will most likely have changed. That is the nature of the future. It cannot be defined until it is already the Present." Verdandi went quiet for a moment, allowing her words to sink in.
"And on that note….." Verdandi said, causing Gabby to look at her. "I believe our task is done."
Suddenly the stream of light vanished and Gabby found herself back on the cliff in Heaven.
"It would appear you have control over all the domains of time." Verdandi said, "Thus, I believe your proper title should be the Messenger of Time."
Gabby nodded. "And Mana?"
Verdandi looked off towards the Yggdrasil building.
"You can tell her what you say if you wish." the elder Goddess stated, "She might make more sense of what was seen then either of us. But, do think on this." Verdandi turned and stared at Gabby. "It is not always wise to know ones future."
