Well, then. Here we go, continuing on my first authentic self-insert,
revised. n.n;

************************************************
  An Oddzilla Productions fanfic, by Andrew Huang.
  Guard the Future, chapter 2.
  Based on Fujishima Kosuke's "Aa! Megami-sama!"
************************************************

  Presently, I was staring at the phone on my nightstand, back in my small
apartment. I was going to call my folks.

  No, don't get the wrong idea, we're a loving bunch. Sure, I don't call
nearly as often as Mom wants, but then again, no kid in college (or
shortly after college, as it were) does. But, well...I don't know. The
entire situation was so much for me to handle already.

  I was sure that my parents would approve: me, getting a nice job in
Japan, at a financially solid corporation--one that was admirably pulling
through the decade-long recession in Japan as well as the Asian economic
shakeups just a few years ago. This would be great for getting in to
business school, yes? Leaving the country, though, and this suddenly...
didn't know how they would take that.

  Besides, I might miss my sister's graduation, in a few months. Wait, no,
silly me; I can go around the globe in eighty seconds, with my goddess's
mode of transportation. Explaining that to them, though, would be
difficult.

  (So weird. "My goddess"?)

  "Oh, He...mmm." I managed to catch myself, and flopped backwards onto my
bed. "Why am I so worried?" Actually, I had my suspicions. I seemed to be
taking this all far too well, considering the situation. Let me show you,
back at the Heavenly Ice Cream Shop (With All Flavors Under the Sun).

------------------------------------------------

  "Japan?" I said. Despite my surprise, a little bit of glee rose inside
me. I _like_ Japan.

  "Yes," answered Belldandy. "Due to previous circumstances, we three are
presently residents of Japan."

  Ignoring a small scowl from Skuld, I spoke. "But...but how's that all
going to happen? I mean, I've got a job here, an apartment...I suppose I
can call on my connections from college, but it'll be pretty hard to pull
it all off."

  Belldandy replied, "The Ultimate Force will take care of it. It is what
keeps the effects of continuing wishes in motion. You don't have to
worry."

  Urd jumped in here. "Yeah--you know those connections you just
mentioned? Remember that resume you sent out? Let's say--it is, right now,
in the hands of a department chief who really likes what he sees." She
smiled.

  I sat silently for a few moments, digesting all of this. Then, a
question that I should have asked much earlier came to mind.

  "Hey. Hey, hey, wait. No one ever asked me if I really wanted to do
this. What's up with that? I mean...this is my life, here!"

  Belldandy and Urd glanced at each other. Urd took the initiative.
"Relax, kid! No need to get all bothered now. Look--think about it.
Think about all of this long and deep."

  I frowned at her, but relented. Might as well, huh? "Okay. Where do I
begin...."

  "You're alive, aren't you?" said Skuld.

  "Well, yeah...."

  "And you've always wanted to go to Japan for a while, right?"  prompted
Belldandy.

  "Sure, but--"

  "And you've found your life to be pretty boring, I know that," said Urd,
grinning. "Think about all the excitement you'll get into, hanging around
all of us goddesses.

  "Um, I'm not too sure about that...."

  Urd deflated for a moment, then narrowed her eyes at me. I shrank back.
"No, no, I don't mean anything like that, I'm _sure_ you're quite an
interesting, cool person, I mean goddess, I just don't know if I could
handle it, heh, heh, heh...."

  She hadn't stopped glaring, and I felt very, very small right now.
Fortunately, Belldandy defused the situation. "Urd, please...." With a
sniff, the oldest sister sat back and merely glowered a bit--and then
grinned.

  The grin scared me even more, actually.

  Belldandy continued. "Andrew-san. Father spoke to me earlier, telling me
how you see so many terrible things happening in the world, and how you
wish you could do something about them. It was that bit of you which
understood what was going on, while you were lying in the car wreck, and
pushed you to phrase your wish the way that you did. You're being given a
chance to act on that desire, now. Our wishes aren't monkey paws, ones
that twist what you wish for into something ugly and only superficially
adhering to what you asked for. That is the realm of the demons. Our
wishes actually follow through with what your heart really wants.
Believe me."

  I looked at her doubtfully. Belldandy picked up on this immediately.
She placed a slender hand on Skuld's shoulder, who looked up to her older
sister, questioning.

  "Please, Andrew-san. Father says...He says that Skuld's in danger.
Whoever it is isn't striking directly at her, now, but it seems like it
might happen soon. Even if they don't, even if they 'only' attack worldly
targets--she is the Future, and she would eventually suffer. I couldn't
bear the thought of anything happening to her, and there is only so much I
myself can do to protect her. Please...."

  "I...." To my slight surprise, I felt a slight tightness in my throat.
Wow, she's good.

  And--she was right. The world sucks, that's for sure. It'd be nice to
have the power to directly do things about...stuff. And there was Skuld,
here, to think about. I was growing rather fond of her...she reminded me
of my own younger sister. I wouldn't want anything to happen to her,
either. I nodded slowly, then spoke.

  "But it's all so friggin' sudden!"

  Skuld almost fell out of her chair, while Urd sighed in exasperation.

------------------------------------------------

  After a little longer, I did agree. They were right--it was the sort of
thing I wanted, when I stopped and really thought about all of this, long
and deep.

  (What finally did convince me was the fact that a side effect of my wish
had, indeed, undone the "accident" on the highway. As it turned out, in
one of the cars involved, there had been a medical researcher who was
about to stumble on something rather important....)

  I just couldn't shake how eerie it felt, though. That job opportunity
opened up so suddenly, as well as some housing slightly down the street
from where the sisters lived. They showed me pictures of the apartment.
It was definitely a very nice place to live. Much better than my flat
here.

  The Ultimate Force creeps me out. I have to say that.

  I sighed. No use putting it off. "They'll approve. I'm sure of it.
Really."

  I paused. "Also need to stop talking out loud to myself. Hmmph."

  I picked up the phone, and dialed. "Hi, Dad? Is Mom there, too? And
Annie's home right now, huh? Yeah, yeah, I know, I need to call home more
often. Listen, I've got some good news...."

  I hung up about an hour later, smiling.

------------------------------------------------

  "We don't really have to do this, you know. Any one of us could just
teleport you straight to Japan."

  Urd and I were waiting for the airplane flight that would take me across
the Pacific to my new home. It was two days after I had made my call and
picked up my last paycheck from my former firm. They usually require two
weeks notice, but...ah, I have no idea how the Ultimate Force pulled it
off, and I won't ask. In the meantime, Belldandy was helping take care of
things over there (such as claiming that apartment for me), with Keiichi's
help. And....

  "Well, sure, but it would be a little difficult explaining things like
that to my parents, as well as taking care of any eventual paperwork that
might come up, like stuff about when I entered the country. Belldandy said
that the Ultimate Force shouldn't be pushed too much. Besides, I kind of
like flying in airplanes. And so does Skuld."

  "Hmm?" asked the sleepy young goddess. Skuld had gotten bored of waiting
so long, and decided to go for a nap. Actually, she would have preferred
to sneak out on the tarmac and look at the jets up close, but that
wouldn't have been such a wise idea. Of course, that didn't stop her from
trying to duck through one of those doors labeled "Authorized Personnel
Only". She would have made it, too, if some other sense hadn't told me
that she was about to do something rash.

  I had a feeling that otherworldly forces weren't the only things I would
have to guard Skuld from....

  "Oh, nothing. Actually, you'd better wake up, 'cos our flight is going
to board soon." We all stood up, Skuld stumbling along slightly as she
struggled to wake up, and walked toward the gate where the flight
attendant was starting to take tickets.

  I looked at my boarding pass. First class. Mmm. The Ultimate Force is
kind of nice, actu--

  wait, said a still, small voice.

  Ohboy.

  "Hey, hold on...I think something's happening." With that, I strode to
the nearest "Authorized Personnel Only" door. Make that, my body strode to
the doorway; I was just along for the ride. Someone, a certain someOne,
seemed to be taking over this situation.

  "Hey...wait! Why're you going through? You said I--"

  "Skuld, don't argue. I think it's about...that."

  "What're you talking about?"

  No one moved to challenge me. Other than Urd and Skuld, I don't think
anyone noticed. My body walked to the closed door--and through it. I found
myself standing on top of a flight of stairs leading down to the runways.
To my left was a plane, our outbound flight.

  watch and learn. see over there?

  I looked. Nothing seemed wrong, at first, but then some shapes faded
into view. A few rat-like creatures--five, I counted--rather ugly ones,
were climbing all over the landing gear.

  They would hurt Skuld. They were trying to hurt Skuld. Skuld!

  I felt an ancient rage fill me, and Heaven's Knuckle appeared in my
hand. andrew, I will guide you, this first time.

  I raised the hammer high above my head, and jumped over the railing,
down about fifteen feet to the ground. There was a sudden breeze on my
back then, but I ignored it. Then I charged--silently. I'll never forget
that: I made _no_ sound as I ran....

  They were going to hurt Skuld. Never, no, not when I was there. Nonono.

  Wham! Wham! WHAMWHAMWHAM!

  Five demon-things disappeared in satisfying bursts of flame. Never even
noticed me until it was too late. Damn them! Ha!

  you see, my son? they are beginning to move.

  My body was suddenly again under my control. I blinked a few times, then
turned--and stumbled slightly, on account of the strange weight sprouting
from between my shoulderblades. White angel wings....

  Through a subsiding haze of anger, a thought snaked into my mind: No
turning back now, was there?

  Unsure of what to do, I tried to think them away. To my surprise, they
vanished, quite obligingly. I looked at Heaven's Knuckle, and imagined how
a large (and still smoking) battle maul would look inside an airline
terminal. In short order, it disappeared as well. Then, I ran up the
steps, hesitating at the door.

  "Forget it." I turned the handle, opened it, and walked through.

  "Andrew! That was cooool!" burbled Skuld.

  I blinked.

  "We decided to take a peek at what you were doing. Skuld here rather
liked your technique."

  "Can I hold your hammer? Please? Please?"

  I felt odd, now...the adrenaline burst was gone, and so was the fury.
And having God take over my body there....

  "Let's just get on the plane. I'm kind of tired."

  I slept through the entire flight, without dreaming.

------------------------------------------------

  Nudge. Nudge, nudge. "Wake up, sleepyhead. We're landing."

  "Huh? Ow! My neck! Argh!"

  "Oh, dear, Andrew-kun. Let me fix that for you."

  I like planes, but I hate trying to sleep in the seats. Even first-
class seats, it seemed, if I haven't had the chance to tilt the thing back
before I zonk out. (A waste of a first-class ticket, perhaps, but I guess
that just couldn't be helped.) Now, I had this monstrous crick in...
oooh...ahh...that feels.... Hey, it stopped. I blinked, and turned my head
to the right.

  "I _have_ made men melt beneath my fingertips, but never as quickly as
you just have, now. Not with a simple neck massage," said an amused, silky
voice. It came from just below a pair of twinkling blue-gray eyes that
were scant inches from my own.

  The next few seconds were spent in an attempt to wedge myself into the
wall of the plane's cabin.

  "Don't _do_ that! I just woke up! Gah!"

  "Urd! You shouldn't tease him like that." Skuld's voice piped up from
across the aisle, where she sat at a window seat.

  The plane approached the runway while I regained my breath and retracted
my wings. Apparently, they tend to spring out when I get stressed. Luckily
for me, no one else in the cabin seemed to notice their appearance. Maybe
they're invisible to normal people, or something.

  "Actually, I cast an invisibility spell over them when they came out,"
said the same voice, now tickling my ear with warm breath.

  *fwipfwip*

  "Urd...that's mean. Don't bother him."

  "I can't help it! I've been so bored, and the way he reacts is just
priceless!" laughed the older goddess.

  I growled, as I unhooked my fingers from the armrests and again withdrew
my wings. This was going to take some getting used to. I shook my head to
clear it, and looked around.

  Skuld seemed unusually quiet, and just looked out the window as the
plane continued its descent. Something was wrong.

  "After she finally got over how great you were back there, with those
minidemons, she realized what exactly was going on," said a subdued Urd.

  I glanced over. "You mean, how they're sort of targeting her now?"

  "Yes. And the fact that Father had to step in, as well. We hadn't
expected anything this soon. We'll have to start on your training
shortly."

  I considered this for a few moments. "I think I should talk things over
with her, huh?"

  "That would be good, yes."

  There was a lurch as we finally touched down. "Oh, and...Urd?"

  "You want me to stop reading your mind."

  "Right. Hey! Stop that!"

------------------------------------------------

  I stared in complete wonder at the sight in front of me. I raised a
slightly shaking hand, and pointed.

  "They...they have Pocky, in an airport snack stand."

  Skuld mentioned later that she could almost hear Urd roll her eyes while
I babbled.

  "I can buy _Pocky_ at an airport snack stand! And, and, roasted green
peas! With wasabi! Ooh, I think I see some copies of Shounen Jump! I'm in
HeavennononomaybeI'mnotletgoofmyearUrdpleaseOW!"

  I calmed down after a few minutes. "Sorry. You do know how I am...
especially after having missed my chance to come here a few years ago."
I looked around, and remembered something. "Hey, Skuld! Let's have some
ice cream."

  She perked up visibly. That's something which'll never fail. I hope.
"Okay!"

  "I'll catch up to you two later. I think I saw some cute guys over
thataway." Urd vanished with a bit of light laughter which promised...
er, stuff, for those guys.

  Skuld hmphed. "She's always thinking about that. Geez...."

  We walked over to the snack stand and each ordered a cone of our choice
flavors, then sat down at a nearby table. I licked my scoop of green tea
ice cream, looking thoughtfully at Skuld. "So."

  "Hmm?"

  "You seem a little quiet, lately."

  Her eyes fell. "I...I don't want to talk about it."

  "Are you sure?"

  Silence.

  "Skuld, don't worry. I'm here to protect you, now. More than that, I
_want_ to protect you, too. I'm glad I have the chance to do that."

  "Really?" she asked, in a small voice.

  "Of course. I made the wish, right? The Ultimate Force looked into my,
my soul, I guess, and saw what I really meant, even if I didn't exactly
know myself." Skuld nodded slowly. "So, if anything happens, it'll have to
get through me first. You can trust me on that."

  She said nothing for a few seconds, then smiled, a genuine, heart-
warming smile. "Thank you, Andrew." I returned the smile. This all felt
pretty good, really. "Oh, can I ask you something?" she said, putting on a
cute face.

  "Go ahead."

  Urd returned about a minute later, in time to hear the following between
myself and Skuld.

  "Please?"

  "No."

  "Waah! You're being mean!"

  "Sorry, but no!"

  "I just want to hold your hammer! I won't do anything with it, I
promise!"

  "Kami-sama said you'd want to play with Heaven's Knuckle, and that I
wasn't to let you."

  "Meanie!"

------------------------------------------------

  "And you may ask yourself," I murmured, "'Well, how did I get here?'"

  Now, I was lying on my bed, staring at my own unfamiliar ceiling, in my
new apartment. It was already furnished--that had been taken care of
before I left, actually. Though there were logistical problems with
transporting me across international lines without going through customs
and all, I had absolutely no qualms about shipping furniture through a
bathtub.

  My mind ground to a halt there. That just sounded downright strange.

  A knock at the door interrupted my musings. I removed the toothpick I
was chewing on--it's one of my few habits, one which my mom doesn't
particularly like. She says I look like a hooligan when I do that. Eh. I
walked over and opened the door. It was Belldandy.

  "Oh! Hi. Hey, thanks again for helping out here." I beckoned for her to
enter, and she stepped in.

  "Of course. Please, come over for dinner tonight. We want to welcome you
to Japan, and thank you for accepting all of this so graciously."

  "Oh, sure thing, thanks. Just let me get a jacket here...."

  While I hunted through my closet, Belldandy spoke again. "I heard about
what happened at the airport."

  "What, that Skuld called me a 'meanie'?" I called out, looking over my
shoulder with a smile.

  I could have sworn that I spied a grimace on Belldandy's face, but I'll
never know for sure. "No, at the other airport. The gremlins."

  "Yeah...that was something, all right," I murmured, mentally filing away
"gremlin" for future reference. "Never thought I would have to get into it
so quickly. Now I see what you meant, back in Heaven."

  She nodded. "Actually, the reason that plane was targeted was due to
some important business leaders taking that flight. You remember those
gentlemen sitting two rows in front of you?" I nodded, then flinched as I
saw her face harden. It seemed...so very wrong. "The fact that Skuld was
there was, for _them_, an added bonus. It is probably only a matter of
time, though...."

  I don't ever want to hear that amount of venom in Belldandy's voice
again. The way she said the word "them" could have chargrilled a steak.

  She continued in a gentler tone, much more like herself. "Thank you so
much again for helping. I feel I should warn you--your training is going
to start very soon, and it won't be easy."

  "Story of my life. I can handle it. I hope." I slipped my jacket on, and
walked with her to the door. I decided to change the subject to something
less disturbing. "So, what's for dinner?"

  We exited the apartment. My first night in Japan...it was looking pretty
good, really.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

  My previous thanks, again, to my original prereaders--Robert "The
Eternal Lost Lurker" Morrison, Chris "God-Boy" Angel, and Christian "The
Flashman" Rogers. Special thanks to Lurker for inspiring the bit about
Skuld wanting to see my hammer. :)

  "And you may ask yourself, 'Well, how did I get here?'" is a line from
the song "Once in a Lifetime", by the Talking Heads.

  I swear I am not such a huge Japan otaku in real life. Not anymore, at
least. Really.


Andrew Huang...Shizumaru@KawaiiMUCK
http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~alhuang/
NAC MAC FEEGLE!

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