Chapter 9
It sensed them.
They were near.
It knew it could survive on what it had now, but it was a product of the Demons.
It was greedy, and it wanted more.
It began moving towards them, knowing nothing could harm it.
"Damn it's ugly." Celes muttered.
"Sush." Mana said, "It can hear you"
Celes watched as the Angel Eater moved past them.
"Seems like it's in a hurry." The vampire remarked.
"It senses the three Angels." Mana said, "Of course it will hurry. And so should we"
Mana grabbed Celes arm and both vanished in a flash.
Lind and Belldandy stood patiently, watching as the Tenshikui moved closer and closer. Behind them, their Angels floated, watching and waiting.
Lind glanced at Belldandy.
"The Valkyries are going to have a fit about this"
"Mist can scream all she wants." Belldandy replied, "It still does not change the fact that I want to do this"
The Tenshikui roared as it approached the Goddesses. Lind raised and eyebrow at the creature, then turned and looked at her Angels.
"Now." She said.
Cool Mint and Spear Mint flew off in two different directions. The Tenshikui continued towards the Goddesses and Blessed Bell for a moment, then stopped and looked about, confused that it now sensed two more Angels on it's side.
"Still can't handle multiple targets." Lind muttered.
Belldandy didn't reply. Instead, she glanced off to the side.
"Now Mana." She whispered.
On cue, Karen raced forth and dove at the Tenshikui. She reached out and grabbed Morning Bell, who pulled along Trinity. The three quickly flew away while the Tenshikui roared in anger at losing it's prey.
Karen flew quickly over the trees to the small clearing where Sentaro sat beside the comatose forms of his mother and sister. The flutter of wings caused him to look up. He watched as Karen released Morning Bell and Trinity over their rightful owners. The Angels happily flew into their goddesses.
Sayoko and Kristine's eyes snapped open and both took in a deep breath.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Sayoko shouted.
"Mom?" Kristine asked, looking around, "Why are you here? And why are we in a forest"
Sayoko looked around confused. Then turned and looked at her son.
"First off," Sentaro began, "It's not MY fault!"
Mana appeared behind the creature and formed a massive portal, while Belldandy and Lind crouched and began to send force bolts hurtling at the Tenshikui. Dawn appeared beside the goddesses and added her own force bolts. Even Kensuke and Celes helped by pulling out and shooting their firearms at the creature, though they didn't affect it as much as the force bolts.
The Tenshikui roared as it back away from the onslaught, straight into the waiting portal. With one final roar, it vanished into the portal, which Mana quickly closed.
Belldandy and Lind both sat on the ground, followed closely by Dawn. Mana knelt down on the ground and stared at it for several moments.
"It's over." She finally said.
"For now." Lind replied, "I'd still like to know how that creature came to Terra 2"
"So would I." Belldandy added. She then jerked her head to the side and smiled. "But that doesn't matter right now"
Kensuke and Celes both looked at the Goddess confused.
"Why doesn't it matter?" Kensuke asked. He then froze as arms encircled him from behind.
"It doesn't matter because we're safe now." Came the voice of his wife.
Kensuke turned around and wraps his arms around Sayoko. She smiled at him just before he leaned his face closer to her and kissed her. The kiss deepened, and soon they completely forgot about the others.
"That's sooo romantic." Dawn said with a sigh.
"I find this display of emotion to be rather..." Lind started before a glance from Belldandy silenced her.
Kristine and Sentaro stared at their parents making out for a moment, before turning their heads and making gagging sounds. Mana walked up to them and whispered.
"You know if this keeps up, you could end up with another little brother or sister"
Kristine froze in place, her eyes wide in horror. She slowly turned and found the same look of horror in Sentaro's eyes.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
One hour later.
Mana stormed into the main control room of Hell, her cape billowing behind her as she walked. She headed straight towards the large plotting table that had been placed in the middle of the room. Surrounding it were the various hackers and admins of Demonic system. Hild herself was leaning over the table, staring intently at its displays.
"I thought you'd be in the Throne room." Mana said as she approached the Queen.
Hild glanced up from the display.
"We have a problem"
"You mean besides the fact Tenshikui went for a stroll?" Mana asked.
"Much worse." Hild pointed at the display. "Tenshikui didn't break out. It was released"
Mana walked up and looked down at the display.
"Who"
Hild shook her head. "It doesn't say. But the only ones who could do it are myself, you, and three of the other class 0 Demons. But at the time Tenshikui was released, everyone was accounted for"
Mana looked up.
"Was it hacked"
Hild shook her head again.
"Not possible. Only authorized Demons can release the Tenshikui or any of the other demonic beasts." Hild stared at the display. "The last time this happened was when Draco released the Balrog on Tokyo-2"
Mana frowned. "Draco's dead though"
"We have the Angel's word on that." Hild said, "He was thought dead before"
"I believe the Angel." Mana said, "After the AT-Field explosion, all resistance from the rogue demons ended. Of course, they all still haven't been accounted for"
"We'll never know how many died in that explosion." Hild said, "We do know that none of the remaining rogues could do this." The Queen looked up. "You eliminated the higher class rogues"
Mana nodded and stared at the display.
"You know what this means." Hild said.
Mana let out a sigh.
"We have a serious problem."
Terra 2 "He really wants to build this ship?" Sayoko asked.
Kensuke nodded as he continued to get ready for bed. Sayoko was already under the covers.
"Mom is going to flip." Sayoko stated. "Exactly how long has this been running through the Shogun's head"
Kensuke shrugged. "He mentioned it to me today. He knows that we're very close to the Maimyas"
"Mostly because my brother is married to Lime." Sayoko commented.
"Well, yes." Kensuke said, "Of course, he doesn't know exactly what your brother is. Which is just what your mother wanted"
"Otaru, Lorelei, and Fuast are the only humans on this planet besides you, Sentaro, Lime, Cherry, Bloodberry, as well as those four Marionettes that know about the Heavens and Gods and Demons. It's for the best"
"I know." Kensuke said as he climbed into the bed beside his wife. "So you want to be there for his speech"
Sayoko sighed as she snuggled against Kensuke, closing her eyes.
"Mom will want to be there." Sayoko said, "The kids should probably go"
"What about you"
"If Mom is there, I really don't need to go. Besides, I'm not really that eager to hear a speech that's probably going to be played to death afterward." Sayoko was silent for a moment. Then she abruptly sat up.
"What is it?" Kensuke asked.
"I just realized." Sayoko muttered, "Mom doesn't know yet"
"So"
"She hates not knowing. That's why I'm on Terra 2, to inform her of things!." Sayoko climbed out of bed with a groan and walked to her communicator.
Heaven Belldandy stared across her desk at Mana and Mara.
"Hacked"
Mana nodded. "Anyone within the current administration has been accounted for. All we have left are those that are dead or missing"
"And how many is that?" Belldandy asked.
"Maybe around 200 or so." Mara replied.
"200 or so?" Belldandy repeated.
"We are unsure as to how many Rogue Demons were killed when the Angels blew up Hell." Mana replied, "Add to that those still missing from the retaking of Heaven... We have at the very least 200 missing"
Belldandy sighed and rubbed her head. "And I thought the Rogue Demons were done with"
"Technically they are." Mara said, "There has been no sign nor any activity that can be attributed to them at all"
Belldandy looked up.
"You just told me someone intentionally released the Tenshikui." The Goddess said, "Is this not what the Rogue Demons would do"
Mara hesitated. "I can't really say yes or no. While releasing the Tenshikui would affect those deities that are currently living on Terra 2, it wouldn't hurt anyone else. Historically, while the Rogue's do attack the deities present, they also go affect the mortal population as well. Please note that last time they went directly after Lorelei"
"True." Belldandy said, "Do you have any idea what they could possibly be up to this time"
Mana and Mara both shook their heads.
"There just isn't anything going on." Mara said, "Terra 2 has stabilized very well over the past twenty or so years. Earth is...well...Earth"
"They must be up to something..." Belldandy muttered.
Cayla then entered the office carrying a note. She walked up beside Belldandy and placed the note before the Elder Goddess. Belldandy picked up the note and scanned it. She then looked up at the two Demons.
"The Shogun of Japoness is going to public ally announce his plans for building a spaceship to try and contact Earth in two days"
Mana and Mara stared at Belldandy.
"I assume this is the first time you've heard of this?" Belldandy asked.
"Hell yes." Mana said, "I was just on Terra 2, same as you. Where is this information coming from"
"Kensuke, via Sayoko. Too much was going on with Tenshikui for Kensuke to tell us in person"
"What does this mean for Terra 2?" Mana asked.
Belldandy tossed the note on her desk.
"Right now, nothing. Until they actually begin construction of a ship, this is still just talk." Belldandy tapped her desk a moment. "I will be there on Terra 2 to hear this speech in person"
"I should probably be there too." Mara said.
"Might as well go too." Mana said, "Besides, we can go eat at that restaurant of Cherry's afterward"
Belldandy smiled. "I'll see if Lind will let Dawn be my Valkyrie Escort. That way you can spend time with her too"
Mana smiled, "You're such a wonderful person, you must be a Goddess or something"
Belldandy laughed. "I haven't heard that line in years"
Mara rolled her eyes. "...and I can go without hearing it ever again."
Two days later.
The Shogun of Japoness glanced out the window over the gathering crowd of people. Already several of the television crews had begun to broadcast, the reporters telling people around the planet of the upcoming speech and speculation on what he would say. The television in the room was tuned to one such broadcast. He chuckled slightly as the reporter speculated that the Shogun was going to marry a girl that had been seen in his company several times.
"So long as you keep seeing her, you're going to hear more of that"
The Shogun turned and looked at Kensuke as he entered the room. Just behind him was Celes, as well as Baiko and Tamasaburo, the Imperial Guard.
"I'm sure they'll talk just as much about this spacecraft as they will about my personal life." The Shogun replied, "How goes the preparations"
"The crowd is being scanned as they enter." Celes reported, "Undercover agents will be mingled in with the crowd. Baiko and Tamasaburo will be roaming the rooftops, while the Chief and I will be flanking you on the balcony"
The Shogun sighed. "I still think these precautions are unnecessary. These are vastly different times from those of my predecessors"
"No matter what the times," Kensuke replied, "Some things still remain the same"
"Of course." The Shogun said, "Such as Celes' beauty"
Celes blushed. "Sir"
"Oh come now." The Shogun said with a smile, "You're a Vampire! You don't age!." He then glanced at Kensuke. "It makes me wonder about your wife sometimes"
Kensuke blinked. "Sir"
"Oh come on Aida! She's what? In her forties now? The oldest of the Lorelei clones are only in their twenties!" The Shogun then pointed at Celes. "She shouldn't even be on this Planet! No other Vampires have ever been reported on Terra 2! You know why? Because we started the planet with only six people! You'd think they'd have noticed if someone had been drained of blood? A vampire couldn't last that long"
The Shogun turned and walked to the window. He scanned the crowds until he spotted what he was looking for.
"You know what else? Over there, those marionettes in the hooded robes. That one with the blue markings on it's face has been at every major speech I have given that has something to do with this planet! What's even more interesting is that your wife has the exact same markings on her face!" The Shogun whirled about and stared at Kensuke. "For someone who is supposed to be well informed of things, I seem to be missing some key information here"
Kensuke stood still.
"I really would like to know about your wife." The Shogun said, "As well as information about who that marionette out there belongs to"
"There is no need for that"
Everyone in the room turned to see an elderly Lorelei Maimya entering the room, followed closely by the Marionette Lime.
"After your speech today I will gladly tell you everything you need to know." Lorelei said.
The Shogun bowed to Lorelei.
"You honor us with your presence today." The Shogun said softly, "The death of your husband has touched us all. You are in our prayers"
"Thank you." Lorelei said, "I know I will see Otaru again on the other side." Lorelei looked out the window towards the crowds. "So now, exactly what do you plan on telling them today"
The Shogun smiled. "Perhaps I will once you reveal to me the Identities of those robed marionettes out there"
"It is not my secret to tell." Lorelei replied.
"Oh?" The Shogun turned and looked at Kensuke. "Perhaps you could invite them up here as it is their secret I wish to know"
Kensuke looked over at Celes. She gave him a weak smile and shrugged. Kensuke looked back at the Shogun.
"Yes sir."
"Quit pushing"
"I'm not pushing. You're hogging all the space"
"You can see fine where you are"
"No I can't"
"You can too"
"Can not"
"Can to"
"Grandma! Tell Kristine to move her big butt out of the way"
"My butt is not big! Grandma! Sentaro is calling me fat"
"You are fat"
"Am not! You take that back"
Belldandy sighed and held the bridge of her nose. Beside her, Mara, Mana, and Dawn chuckled.
"I'm glad I was an only child." Dawn muttered.
"Hush." Mana said, "I always wanted a sister or a brother"
"Really"
"Yeah. Though Sayoko is kind of a sister to me"
"Grandma"
"Grandma"
Belldandy whirled about and glared at her grandchildren. Both recoiled back from her gaze.
"Mom"
Belldandy turned and looked at Keima who was standing next to Lime.
"Getting mad at them isn't going to help anything"
"I'm not..." Belldandy started to say, but she stopped, realizing if she continued, she would be telling a lie.
Keima turned and looked at his niece and nephew.
"You two settle down now and stop annoying your Grandmother." He then smirked, "Otherwise I'll have to tell your mother you've been bad and she'll punish you"
Sentaro paled. Keima frowned slightly, trying to figure out why he wasn't getting the same reaction from Kristine. Then something clicked.
"...And you'll have to do it without magic"
Now Kristine paled. Keima smiled and looked back at his mother. Belldandy just shook her head.
"Mrs. Morisato"
Belldandy turned along with Keima to see Celes Victoria standing before them.
"The Shogun wants to see you." Celes said.
"What for?" Belldandy asked.
"He spotted you from the castle. He's seen you at every major speech he's done, and he's getting curious." Celes sighed, "We may have to let him in on a few secrets, he's started to ask the hard questions"
Belldandy closed her eyes and sighed.
"Then it's time that he received the answers he seeks."
The Shogun sat staring out the window, patiently waiting for the Vampire to return. Sitting nearby was Lorelei, the Marionette Lime, and Kensuke.
Finally the door opened as Celes led a group of eight people into the room. Two of them wore dark blue hooded robes, two more wore black hooded robes. The last four wore regular Japoness dress. In fact, the Shogun recognized them as Lorelei's daughter Lime and her husband Keima, as well as the children of Kensuke and his wife.
"Shogun Ieyasu the 16th," Celes said aloud, "May I present the Lady Belldandy and Valkyrie Dawn of the Heavens, and Ladies Mana and Mara of Hell"
The Shogun's eyes widened as the four that were hooded removed their hoods to reveal four of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"Goddesses?" The Shogun finally asked when he was able to speak.
"Not all of us." Mara mumbled.
The Shogun turned and looked at Kensuke.
"Your wife is a Goddess"
Kensuke nodded.
"Yes sir"
The Shogun looked back at Belldandy.
"How long have you been watching us"
"We have watched you from the dawn of Humanity." Belldandy replied, "Here, we have watched since humanity first walked this planet"
"Why do you show yourself now"
"Because of you." Belldandy replied, "You have questioned Celes presence here as well as questioned my son-in-law concerning his wife. I ask that you keep knowledge of our existence a secret. For it would harm the faith of your people here on Terra 2"
The shogun nodded his head. "What brings you here this day? Why do you show up at only my important speeches"
"I was charged with watching over this planet by Kami-sama." Belldandy replied, "My family and I have protected this planet from Demons and other things as best we could." Belldandy then smiled. "I know what you are going to announce today. I wished to be here to see it"
The Shogun nodded. "And so you shall."
Sayoko sat down on the couch in her home and pulled out the book Mana had lent her. A quick glance at the clock showed that the Shogun's speech would be starting soon.
With a sigh, the Goddess opened the book to where she last left off. After all, she knew what the speech was about.
Nothing else interesting was going to happen.
The Shogun stepped out onto the balcony to the cheers of the crowd, followed closely behind by Lorelei, Belldandy, and the rest. The Shogun moved forward to the podium, while the rest remained a respectful distance behind him.. Celes and Kensuke immediately moved towards the corner to keep and eye on the crowd for any possible signs of trouble. Baiko and Tamasaburo could just be made out leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
"Today is a great day!" the Shogun began, "A day which will set the course of our future"
The crowd cheered in response.
The figure moved quickly along the rooftop carrying a case. It quickly knelt down on a spot almost exactly across from the balcony the Shogun was speaking from some distance away. Far below, people milled about as the Shogun spoke, but the figure didn't listen. Instead, it set the case down and opened it. Red eyes took in the sight of the disassembled weapon. Hands reached forth and quickly assembled and loaded the gun. A sight was attached and the figure lay down on the roof, pointing the weapon towards the castle.
A red eye stared through the sight, lining up the cross hairs on the Shogun.
Baiko stopped her patrol for a moment to look around. The Shogun was still speaking and the crowd cheered during each pause. So far, everything was going well, no sign of trouble. Then, a glint of sunlight caught her eye. She turned and zoomed in on the source. There on a roof top, a man lay prone with a rifle tight against his shoulder, readying to fire. She immediately started towards the man even before she had finished triangulating what he was aiming at.
A second later, she had that too.
Kensuke was looking down at a bunch of smiling children when Baiko's voice crackled out of his radio.
"Sniper spotted sector 2. Target Shogun"
Kensuke turned at the same time as Celes.
Both raced towards the Shogun.
Movement caught his eye, both in his peripheral, as well as in the scope. The figure's finger tightened on the trigger. Baiko slammed into the man, just as the gun fired off three shots.
Sayoko froze.
The book she had been reading fell from her hands to the floor with a loud thump. The Goddess stood up, her eyes wide. She took three steps before collapsing to the floor.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" she screamed into the floor. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The crowd turned automatically towards the sound of gunfire. A collective gasp went out as they saw both Baiko and the shooter falling towards the ground. Both man and Marionette hit hard, but only the marionette stood up. Baiko rolled the man over. Surprisingly, he still lived, even though Baiko's sensors said he could not.
"You're too late." The man hissed, his eyes softly glowing red. "It has already begun"
"What has?" Baiko asked.
"The first shot..." The man said, "In the new war against Heaven"
With a loud cackled, black smoke came forth from the man's mouth, ears and eyes. It floated off towards the sky before vanishing.
Baiko replayed what she had just seen in her memory. She was about to replay it a second time when a scream was heard over the crowd. A second scream joined in, followed by hundreds more. Baiko turned and looked up towards the balcony the Shogun had just been speaking at.
Blood was splattered all across the wall and door behind the podium. From Baiko's view, several people were down on the floor of the balcony, yet it was far enough away she could not tell who.
Then the call for medical assistance went out.
Author's notes:
First before you all freak out, yes there is another story coming.
BUT Due to my impending move to another state (Florida) as well as a new job, I will not be able to post it for a few weeks. Even then, I won't have the internet access I have had, so there may be long periods of nothing posted.
Not to worry, I'll be using that time to work on other stories that have been under way.
See you all on the flip side.
Slayer.