An Oh My God FanFic

                            Who's a God??

                                  PART 2

                                    by

                                Brett Handy


     The ground shook for several moments.  Never having been
in an earthquake and not knowing what to do, I simply sat
there and waited for it to be over.  The bridge I had been
about to cross buckled and cracked and large portions of had
fallen down into the river below.  Several cars that had been
crossing from the other direction had fallen in and their
occupants were struggling in the water.

     Keiichi picked himself up from the ground and looked
around in disbelief, "We haven't had an earthquake here in
years!", he stammered.

     I got out of the car and grabbed his arm, "Come on mate",
I said, pointing to the people struggling below in the water. 
Keiichi nodded and after picking up some rope from the boot of
my car, the two of us hurried down to help the poor victims of
the collapse.  I spent the half hour with a rope around my
waist swimming around in brackish water, trying to help people
get to shore.  I was bone-tired by the time the last person
had been pulled from the river and I collapsed on the bank
beside Keiichi.  A police officer came over and passed me a
towel, "Thanks for the help", he said gratefully, "The two of
you did a great job".

     Keiichi and I nodded, apparently the damage to other
sections of the city had been limited, it had only been a
minor earthquake, we just happened to be right at the
epicentre.  We climbed back up to the road, "So do you know
another way back to the temple?", I asked.

     "Follow *me* this time", Keiichi said, getting on his
motorbike.

     As we were driving off I noticed a man watching us, he
had a familiar look and I called over to Keiichi, "Who's that
guy?", I asked, pointing.  Keiichi gave me a funny look and I
looked back again to see that I was pointing at thin air. I
shrugged and the two of us headed back to the temple.

                                  ******

     Urd was furious.  She was also very worried.  It was
debatable about which made her mood worse, "What do you mean
you haven't found him yet?", she snapped into the telephone. 
She listened for a moment, "I don't care if the system is down
for the next fifteen minutes for maintenance, just FIND HIM!",
she growled, slamming down the phone.

     Belldandy watched her sister in concern, "Urd", she said
quietly, "Settle down, Keiichi went out to look for him..".

     Urd gave her an angry look and Belldandy shrugged, going
back to preparing lunch.  It was at that point they felt a
tremor and the temple began to vibrate.  Urd and Belldandy
quickly moved to the doorway as the vibrations became more
apparent.  "What the hell?", Urd muttered, "This isn't suppose
to...".

     The tremor passed quickly and except for a bit of dust
shaken from the ceiling, for the most part things were
undisturbed.  Skuld rushed into the room, "That wasn't
natural!", she blurted, "I just checked with Yggradsil...".

     Urd walked over to the TV, "I'm going to find him
myself!", she insisted.

     The phone rang a moment later and Skuld picked it up. 
"Yes Sir!", she said formally.  She listened for a few
minutes, occasionally asking a question then nodded, "I
understand", she said gravely, "I'll tell her".

     Skuld looked troubled as she hung up the phone, "That
earthquake was caused by a Demon", she explained, "While
Yggradsil was down for maintenance".

     "That was well timed", Belldandy observed, "It only has
maintenance once every month, and they change the time
randomly...".

     Skuld nodded, "And the Demon must have had a great deal
of power, it would take more than just a mere Demon to shake
the earth that much.. ", she said thoughtfully.

     "It'd be more like a Devil, wouldn't it", Urd observed.

     The three Goddesses exchanged worried looks, "I'm going
after Brett!", Urd said, switching on the TV.  The news
broadcast was showing an helicopter view of a bridge that had
collapsed.

     "The scene here at the Central Nekomi Bridge is one of
total chaos, several cars plunged into the water during the
earthquake and the bridge is in total ruins", the newscaster
reported as the camera scanned across the scene.

     "Isn't that Brett's car?", Skuld asked, pointing at a
blue rally-car that was stopped just before the ruined bridge. 
Beside it was Keiichi's motorcycle.

     Urd was about to step through when the camera changed to
a view of Keiichi holding onto a rope, "This young man has
joined in rescue efforts to save the motorists trapped in
their cars", the view changed again, this time it focused on
the man at the end of the rope, who was rescuing a small
child, while the child's parents swam along side, "His friend
has already helped nearly a half-dozen stranded motorists
reach the shore", the announcer explained.

     The three goddesses exchanged a long glance, "How long do
you think he'll be?", Skuld asked blandly.

     "Once the rescue teams arrive I'm sure he'll be straight
home", Urd said dryly, a small smile on her face.

                                  ******

     "Do you think we're in trouble?", I asked Keiichi as we
reached the temple doors.

     Keiichi looked at his watch, "Probably", he said
grimacing, "But we have a good excuse".

     "We were rescuing earthquake victims", I said, testing
the sound of it, "Do you think they'll buy it?".

     "Probably not", Keiichi laughed as he opened the doors.

     The moment he stepped through the doors he was caught up
in a huge hug, "Belldandy!", he exclaimed, although he was
caught off guard he hugged her back.

     Urd and Skuld arrived a moment later, "Hey! good job!",
Skuld congratulated us, smiling warmly.  Urd nodded in
agreement, but her expression was one of cool reserve.

     Belldandy then noticed how dirty and wet the two of us
where, "Into the tub with the two of you!", she insisted,
pushing us towards the bathroom, "Leave your clothes outside
and I'll wash them later".

     Keiichi and I were herded along towards the living area
int he middle of the temple.  I waved Keiichi ahead, "Give me
a yell when you're done", I said, walking towards the kitchen,
"I'm going to grab something to eat".

     I walked into the kitchen and rummaged around in the
fridge for a few minutes, grabbing out a few items and dumped
them on the counter.  In a few minutes I had a half-dozen
salad sandwiches made and I made my way outside to the steps,
eating as I went.  Noticing footsteps behind me I glanced over
my shoulder, Urd was looking at me with an unreadable
expression on her face, "Hungry?", I asked, offering her a
sandwich.

     She shook her head and sat down nearby, "Excuse me if I
don't stop", I said, wolfing down my second sandwich.

     Urd smiled slightly, "That's right, you skipped
breakfast", she said evenly.

     I stopped, mid-bite and nodded, "Sorry if that worried
you", I apologised, "I needed some time to myself".

     "It did worry *us*", Urd explained carefully, "You're in
more danger than you realise..".

     "All your's Brett!", Keiichi called, walking over to us.

     I nodded, "Thanks mate", I said, handing him the plate
with three sandwiches on it, "Enjoy!".  Keiichi smiled and
began his lunch as I walked inside.  Urd's expression as I
walked away was that of mild annoyance.

                                  ******

     "He still doesn't trust us", Urd explained to Belldandy,
"And I don't know how to convince him".

     "What reason does he have to trust us?", Skuld asked, "As
far as I can tell, all we've done so far is tell him what to
do, with little or no logical explanation".

     Belldandy walked over to the door and looked outside, "He
seems to trust Keiichi", she observed.

     "That's right!", Urd said, jumping to her feet, "We'll
get someone he *does* trust to vouch for us!".

     Skuld looked confused, "Who would that be?", she asked.

                                  ******

     "We're going on a trip?", I asked.

     "Right!", she said, giving me a wink and grabbing my
hand, "I'll let someone else try to talk some sense into you".

     "Who?", I asked as she dragged me across the room.

     "You'll see", she said stepping into the computer, I
followed a little more slowly.  I was mildly amazed to find
the room we teleported into was familiar, "Anyone home!", Urd
called loudly.

     "Upstairs!", my sister's voice called down to us.

     Urd led the way upstairs and I found my sister sitting
watching TV, "Hey Bro!", she greeted me, "I see you're back
again".  She grinned at Urd, "Up for more nightclubbing?", she
asked innocently.

     "The last time was enough for this century", Urd said
blandly, sitting down comfortably, "So how're things with your
studies?", she asked.

     I sat down quietly as Jan grimaced, "I gave up on Law",
she replied shortly, "Wasn't me".

     "You were studying law?", I blurted in disbelief.

     Jan gave me a curious look, "That's what you said last
year when I told ya", she observed, "Losing your memory Bro?".

     "Something like that", I said shortly, "So what's been
happening around here?".

     "Not much", Jan shrugged, "So what brings you home,
another vacation?".  She smiled at Urd, "This time without
your little sister?", she half-suggested.

     Urd smiled a little uneasily and Jan frowned, "What's
wrong?", she asked glancing at me, "Did you two have a fight
or something?".

     "No", I said quickly, "I just don't seem to remember much
about the last year or so".

     "YOU?", Jan coughed, "Since when?".

     "Since about a week ago", Urd explained, "We don't know
why it happened...".

     Jan was speechless, "A whole year?", she asked, looking
at me with genuine concern, "How far back exactly?".

     "The last thing I really remember is you telling me you
were going out with some friends... I was using my computer",
I explained.

     "That would have been just before your wish then?", Jan
asked, looking at Urd who confirmed it with a nod.  Jan shook
her head in amazement, "So you don't remember anything?", she
asked.

     I nodded, "Jan", I said seriously, "Could you please
explain to me exactly what you know about what happened to
me?".  I looked over at Urd, "Do you mind if we talk in
private?", I asked carefully.

     It seemed like there was a flicker of pain across Urd's
face, but she smiled quickly and turned away, "I'll be in the
backyard", she said, walking to the backdoor.

     Jan glared at me, "Grab some of the old bread and feed
the birds for a bit", she called to Urd, "Those Kookaburras
are back again and they always like an afternoon snack".  Urd
grabbed the bread from the table and went outside.

     "What the hell are you doing?", Jan asked in confusion,
"I've never seen you shut her out of things before".

     I shook my head, "As far as I'm concerned, I only met her
a few days ago", I explained, "that's why I wanted to talk to
you about it without her around to offer comments".

     Jan gave me a stern look, "Brett", she said seriously,
"The first thing I have to tell you is that she's the best
thing that ever happened to you!".

     "What are you talking about?", I asked, "She granted me
that wish..".

     "Not that!", Jan snapped glancing out the window at Urd,
"Brett, when you came back for that vacation, the two of you..
well.. it was like you were.. ".

     "What?", I asked leaning forward.

     Jan shrugged, "You two were very close", she said
seriously.

     "But *I* don't remember any of that!", I insisted,
shifting uncomfortably, "You can't expect me to feel the same
way about someone who I barely know!".

     "Can't I?", she asked, "Brett I know you reasonably well
and I know how much you ignored all that 'relationship stuff',
and how you don't trust many people..".

     "So what?", I asked almost angry at her for summing me up
so well, "The people I do trust are people I *can* trust!"

     "You can trust her", Jan informed me seriously, "If you
don't believe me, ask any of your friends, or Mum and Dad,
they'll tell you the same thing too".

     I was silent for a while and then nodded, "I'll think
about it", I agreed.

     "Don't think too long", Jan warned, "I don't think Urd
will wait forever..".

     "Enough about her for a minute", I broke into her advice,
"How about explaining what you know about the last year or
so?".

     "Actually it was closer to eighteen months", Jan
explained.  Over the next fifteen minutes she repeated an
account almost exactly the same as the Goddesses had told me,
omitting a few things here and there.

     "So this Nilthar was that bad?", I asked carefully.

     "He tried to kill you, almost dropped several tons of
steel on Dad, tried to get me fired, burned down Dreamlink",
she grimaced, "You could call him 'bad' if you like, I prefer
'Raving Psychotic' actually".

     I nodded, "Right", I said, "I guess that's what Keiichi
meant when he said I had enemies".

     Jan nodded, "Better you than me", she said, "Ask Bruce
about it, afterall, Nilthar broke his arm".

     I looked up in concern, "Did he come through it all
right?", I asked quickly.

     "After you fixed his arm he was fine", she said
offhandedly.  We talked for a few more minutes and then I
stood, "Ok, we'd better get back, Belldandy will have dinner
ready soon".

     "You're going back?", Jan asked.

     "Well, according to my ever-loving sister", I said
sarcastically, "I'd be a complete idiot not to".  Then I
grinned at her, "And being classified as an idiot by *you*
would be horrible".

     Jan poked her tongue out at me, "You're as charming as
ever, memory or not", she confirmed.  She gestured at the
backdoor, "You'd better go and get your Goddess", she
suggested.

                                  ******

     Chia-Yao was pacing back and forth as he waited for his
audience with Kami-Sama.  He'd been elected by the other
members of the Security Daemons to be the one to talk to Kami-
Sama about the horrible breach of security that had taken
place.  Somehow unfriendly elements (ie: Demons) had managed
to trigger a minor earthquake while Yggradsil had been down
for maintenance.  This was the most serious breach in the last
ten centuries.

     "The Almighty will see you now", an attendant angel
informed him, breaking him out of his thoughts.

     Five minutes later a very confused Chia-Yao was walking
back towards his office, "So how'd it go?", his assistant
asked as he walked inside, "Do we get to kick some Demon
butt?".

     Chia-Yao shook his head, "Kami-Sama said we are to ignore
the incident", he said, sitting down heavily.

     "What?!??!?!", Tloc demanded, "Are you sure that's what
you were told?".

     Chia-Yao gave him a scathing look, "Sorry Boss", Tloc
apologised quickly, "So what are we going to do?".

     "Just what we're told", Chia-Yao sighed.  Then he smiled,
"Well I think I'll take a couple of days off", he announced.

     Tloc looked confused, "Boss?", he asked as Chia-Yao
walked to the door.

     Chia-Yao winked, "I feel like talking to my brother,
Brett", he said.

     Tloc nodded, "You mean the one that lives in Nekomi, the
place the earthquake was centred?", he asked, grinning.

     "As a matter of fact, I believe he does live there",
Chia-Yao agreed, "What a co-incidence, Huh?".

                                  ******

     "All right!", I sighed, "What should I do?".  When Urd
and I had returned to the temple, night had already fallen and
Belldandy had dinner waiting for us.  The three Goddesses and
Keiichi had been largely silent throughout dinner and I
figured now was a good a time as any to talk about things.

     "Can you be more specific?", Belldandy asked, "We're not
talking about little things here, what do you want to know?".

     "According to Keiichi I appear to have a few enemies, how
about we start with them?", I suggested.  Ten minutes later
I'd realised just how bad my situation was, apparently I was
better at making enemies than I thought.

     "The most serious is Tupnixua", Urd explained, sipping a
glass of Saki, "He's probably the one responsible for that
little earthquake".

     I shook my head, "If that's the case, why not just blast
me down into little cinders? why use an earthquake, I wouldn't
call that a particularly accurate strike", I asked curiously.

     "That earthquake *was* an accurate strike", Skuld
countered, "If You'd gone over that bridge chances are You'd
be hurt badly, if not killed outright".

     I was silent for a long time, "So what do you think I
should do?", I asked.

     "Well the first thing!", Urd said leaning forward and
giving me a serious look, "DON'T GO OFF BY YOURSELF!".

     I winced at the volume of her statement, "I'm sorry", I
apologised, "To be honest I was so confused about what was
going on that I just needed time by myself".

     "Are you over that now?", Keiichi asked, giving me a
warning look, "Cause I don't want to be out looking for you
again tomorrow!".

     I grinned slightly, "I'll be here mate", I reassured him,
"Jan told me that I couldn't be in a better place than with
you four".

     "You trust your little sister that much?", Skuld asked,
giving Urd a pointed look.

     I gave her a shrug, "Not usually", I explained, "My
sister's never been a terribly reliable person".

     Urd frowned, "But you believe her this time?", she asked.

     I laughed, "Jan always has an opinion about everything
and she's not shy about expressing it", I observed, "And in
this case, I think I can trust her opinion".

     I stood and walked over to the door, opening it slightly,
savouring the smell of the night air, "So I don't leave here
without an escort?", I asked.

     "Right!", Skuld said, "Make sure one of us is with you at
all times".

     I frowned, "I don't want to be any trouble", I began.

     Everyone sitting around the table laughed and it took
several seconds for them to regain the ability of speech,
"Brett!", Skuld laughed, "You've already been that a dozen
times over!".

     Urd nodded, "We're trying to keep you *out* of trouble!",
she insisted.

                                  ******

     Chia-Yao appeared at the gates to the temple, noticing
that Belldandy had upgraded her wards since his last visit. 
He whistled in awe at the complex web-like construction of
detection/protection spells that surrounded not only the
temple, but a small part of the town around it.

     He walked through the gates and was surprised to discover
that he only sensed three gods/goddesses at the temple,
"Someone must be out", he mused.  Walking up the stone path he
noticed Brett sitting on the temple steps.

     "Brother!", he greeted him, grinning.

     Brett was looking at Chia-Yao in confusion, "Brother?",
he asked.

     Chia-Yao took a longer look at Brett and was shocked to
discover all traces of divine power were missing, "What's
happened?", he gasped.

     "Chia-Yao, right?", Brett asked after a moment.

     "Right", Chia-Yao replied, slumping down onto a step.

     A moment later, Skuld walked out of the temple, "I
thought I sensed a rat!", she said dryly.

     "Hi Bug", Chia-Yao shot back at her, "What in Odin's name
is going on around here!??!?!".  It took about fifteen minutes
to explain things to Chia-Yao and by the end of the
explanation he appeared ready to challenge Kami-Sama over it
personally.

     "That's monstrous!", Chia-Yao fumed, "How can he just cut
you off with no power at all! it's not right!".

     Brett smiled slightly, "Well, since I can't remember what
it was like, I'm not really missing anything", he pointed out.

     Chia-Yao shook his head, "Brett, there must be something
we can do!", he insisted.

     Brett sighed, "Look mate, I appreciate the thought", he
said quietly, "But I don't really think there's a lot we can
do..".

     "We think the earthquake in Nekomi was designed to kill
Brett", Skuld announced, watching Chia-Yao thoughtfully.

     There was a crackle of thunder in the sky as the God of
Truth's temper went through the roof, he stalked off a few
paces and started throwing fireballs into the sky.

     After getting over his initial shock at Chia-Yao's
outburst, Brett leaned closer to Skuld, "You certinally know
how to push his buttons", he observed.

     "Who? me?", Skuld replied innocently.

     After Chia-Yao had calmed down enough to talk he snapped
his fingers and three warriors in full armour appeared in a
semi-circle around him (all carrying rather threatening
looking weapons), "Gentlemen", he said, turning to the three
new arrivals, "Your new assignment is to protect the God of
Destiny from all attacks, both physical and magical....", he
began.

     "HOLD IT!", Brett said, rising to his feet, "Again, I
appreciate the thought mate, but the Goddesses have agreed to
protect me...", he argued.

     "But you can't expect a trio of girls... ", he glanced
nervously at Skuld, "I mean they're not even warriors... ".

     Skuld began advancing towards him, her mallet drawn and
he took a step back.  "Sorry Boss", one of the armoured Gods
apologised, "I just remembered... I have to get a haircut!".

     "Me too!", another announced.

     "And I'm... suppose to be... err.. cleaning my pocket-
dimension", the third observed.  There were three distinct
flashes of light as Chia-Yao's backup suddenly disappeared.

     Chia-Yao held up his hands in surrender, "All right!", he
said, forestalling Skuld's mallet, "You don't need more
protection!".  Skuld lowered her mallet and the God and
Goddess stood glaring at each other.

     Brett sighed, "God help the universe if the two of them
ever get married", he said quietly.

     "I'll pretend I didn't hear that", Chia-Yao said, giving
Brett a pained look.  He paced for a few minutes and then
nodded, "So who's petitioned Kami-Sama about reinstating your
status?", he asked.

     "No one", Brett said after a moment, "I don't think
anyone thought of that...".

     "Right!", Chia-Yao announced, "I'll have something in
with Kami-Sama's office by this afternoon!".  He nodded to
Skuld and then disappeared in a flash of light.

     Brett looked over at Skuld, "Was that a good or bad
thing?", he asked dubiously.

                                  ******

     It was early evening and I was sitting across from Skuld
as she explained in detail what she'd done to my
innocent-looking PC. Several times I had to have her stop and
explain something in greater  detail.  "So what do I have
access to?", I asked her after she'd finished her
explanations.
     
     She gave me a shrug, "Not much", she said, "Without a
login, there's no chance for you to get onto heaven-net".
     
     I nodded, "I figured as much", then I remembered the file
I'd seen earlier.  Clicking through a few screens I brought up
the suspiciously large file for her inspection, "I have no
idea what this is", I explained, "It doesn't look like it's on
this computer, it's too big".
     
     Skuld nodded and hunched over the screen for a few
minutes, "You're right", she observed, "I have no idea how,
but you've got a link there to heaven-net".
     
     "So what do I do with it?", I asked.
     
     "You don't know the password?", she asked.  When I shook
my head she gave me a serious look, "Do I have your permission
to break into the file?", she asked.
     
     "My permission?", I asked, confused.
     
     Skuld nodded, "I don't usually break into a person's
diary without permission...", she said delicately.
     
     "You've got my permission", I said, smiling, "If that
really is my diary, I think I'd like to read it".
     
     "Right!", Skuld said, her fingers flying over the
keyboard.  I noticed some movement out of the corner of my
eye, like a mouse running along beside my bed.  I carefully
stood and moved around behind the bed, picking up my jacket as
I went.  Just as it reached the door, I threw the jacket over
the little invader and caught it up before it could get away.
     
     "I'll be back in a minute", I said to Skuld, walking
outside.
     
     I got the shock of my life when a tiny voice called out,
"PUT ME DOWN!", from inside my jacket. I carefully unwrapped
the small figure and was amazed to discover it was a tiny
version of Urd.  She was looking at me with a disapproving
expression, "Be more careful next time", she advised, "I
bruise easily".

     "So what were you doing in my room?", I asked her
curiously.

     "I don't suppose You'd believe I was just chasing mice?",
she asked flippantly.

     I shook my head and she sighed, "I was curious", she
admitted.

     "About what?", I asked, confused at her reply.

     Mini-Urd paced back and forth on my hand, "About why
you're spending so much time with my sister!", she snapped
after a moment.

     "Because she's one that modified my computer", I said
carefully.

     "Oh...", Mini-Urd mumbled, "Well, I suppose that's good a
good enough reason".

     "Do you usually spy on people like this?", I asked
curiously.

     "Well... yes.. I suppose so", Mini-Urd said, "This tiny
form makes it much easier to remain unnoticed".

     I nodded, "I understand, what I meant is: don't you think
it's wrong to spy on people?", I asked.

     Mini-Urd shrugged, "Not really", she replied.

                                ******


     Skuld's fingers were getting sore, she massaged them as
she sat back to take a long look at the file that was
stubbornly refusing to give up it's secrets.  She looked again
at the file specifications, it was a locked datafile that was
around the same size as the program that controlled
Yggradsil's AI system. On a whim, instead of trying to read
the file she simply ran the file.  The computer's screen
dimmed for a moment and the clock on the wall behind it began
to glow with a soft blue light.  A moment later there was a
blinding flash of blue light and a strange object appeared. 
"G'day Skuld", it said in greeting.

     "Who or what are you?", she asked.  She was looking at a
rolling ball of light that seemed to shift from light-blue to
an almost blinding white light when in talked.  What was more
disturbing was that when it spoke, it's voice was identical to
Brett's.

     "I am here to talk to Brett", it explained, "Kami-Sama
created me from the memories, feelings and powers he held
while he was the God of Destiny".

     "What are you going to talk to him about?", Skuld asked
warily.  

     "A number of topics", it said evasively, "I also have
messages for Urd, Belldandy, Keiichi and yourself".

     "So what's my message?", she asked curiously.

     The sphere suddenly expanded and Skuld took an step
backwards reflexively, when her vision cleared she was sitting
on a chair in her favourite Ice-cream parlour.  Behind the
counter was a familiar figure, "Double chocolate chip, with
chocolate fudge and a cherry, right?", Brett asked with a
smile, producing the aforementioned dessert with a little bow.

     "What's going on?", Skuld asked, looking around in
confusion.

     Brett shrugged, "It's an illusion spell of some kind", he
explained, "I don't actually understand it myself, but
Kami-Sama said I could leave a message for each of you, so
long as I didn't give too much away".

     "What do you mean: 'Give too much away'?", Skuld asked,
eyeing the dessert he'd offered her suspiciously.

     "Sorry, that's a secret", Brett replied.  He handed her a
spoon and indicated that she should try the ice-cream in front
of her.

     Not sensing any malice, or evil energy, Skuld took a bite
of the most delicious ice-cream she'd ever tasted,
"Wonderful!", she managed around a spoonful.

     Brett laughed and smiled at her fondly, "I'm glad you
like it", he said with a wink.

     Skuld finished her ice-cream and Brett walked around the
counter to sit beside her, "Skuld", he said seriously, "You've
been a good friend since I moved into the temple and I'm sorry
I didn't listen to you more often, you're easily 
more intelligent than me and I think you're going to go far in
life".  Skuld was speechless and she simply stared.

     "I see I've shocked you", Brett laughed, "But that's ok,
if you ever tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it!".

     Skuld smiled slightly and then her smile faded slightly
as she realised she was only talking to an illusion, "Why did
you do it?", she asked quietly.

     Brett's expression became more serious and he sighed,
"I'm sorry that I can't explain fully, but please trust me
that it's for the best, the alternatives are too painful to
think about", he explained.

     "So what else did you want to tell me?", she asked after
a long moment of silence.

     "Right", Brett said, "I want to talk to you about Urd".

     "Urd?", Skuld asked in confusion.

     "She's going to be rather upset when she get's the
message I've left her", he said carefully, "And I'd rather she
didn't do too much damage to the temple, or my counterpart
there".

     "Just what are you going to tell her?", Skuld asked, her
eye's narrowing.

     "Sorry", Brett said, "But I can't tell you, I'm just not
sure what her reaction will be".  He paced back and forth for
a while and then smiled sadly at the young Goddess, "I know
you and Urd fight a lot, but remember that she loves 
you", he said in farewell, "I'd like to say that I'll miss
you, but I'm afraid that in a short time I won't exist
anymore, I wish you all success in life".

     "Wait!", Skuld began as the image began to fade.  A few
moments later she was standing back in front of the rotating
sphere of light.  The sphere began to move through the temple,
looking for other people to deliver messages to.  As she
watched it go, she unconsciously licked her lips and realised
that she could still taste the ice-cream she'd eaten.

                                  *******

     Tupnixua stirred from his lounging position and sniffed
the air once.  "Power", he murmured.

     Nilthar looked up and nodded, "I sense it too" , he
observed.

     There was a stirring in the air and the dark shape of
Phalarus appeared for a moment, "It's him", it whispered, "I
recognise the power".

     Nilthar looked out the window in the direction of the
temple, "There's a white glow moving through the temple", he
observed, "Doesn't look like anything I've seen before".

     Tupnixua nodded, "It's time", he announced, "If we move
now, with that power around, it will blot out our energy until
we are almost upon them".

     "Are you sure?", Nilthar asked sceptically, "I would
think that if his power is present it's the worst time to
attack".

     Tupnixua sneered at the 2nd Class Demon in front of him,
"Just do what I tell you", he hissed, "Or you'll find yourself
missing some vital parts of your anatomy".

     "What's wrong with you?", a lesser Demon asked Nilthar as
they followed the massive Devil down the street, "You're not
usually this timid!".

     Nilthar shrugged, "I just don't think this is a good
idea, attacking Brett is a mistake", he said firmly.

     "Don't you want revenge?", the lesser Demon asked in
amazement, "Afterall, he took away much of your power".

     Giving a curt gesture, Tupnixua began to pick up his pace
through the streets, the Demons around him began to divide up
into groups and spread out to surround the temple.  Nilthar
split off from his group as soon as he could and disappeared
into the night.

                                  ******

     Urd (now grown back to full size) and I were discussing
the issue of privacy, when a glowing sphere suddenly exited
the temple's main door.  "Is that normal?", I asked, looking
at the object dubiously.

     "No", Urd said shortly, stepping in front of me.

     The sphere floated towards us, stopping about ten feet
away.  "Don't worry!", Skuld called, following the sphere, "I
think it's some kind of messenger".

     "Messenger?", I wondered out loud, "Where did it come
from?".

     Belldandy and Keiichi had obviously noticed the commotion
and walked up behind Skuld.  "That file we were working on was
actually a program, when I ran it, this thing appeared", Skuld
explained, "So far it's shown me a message from just before
Brett lost his memory".

     "What?!?!", Urd asked, "Brett left a message?".

     Skuld nodded, "Apparently so", she said, "It looked like
he recorded a few messages for us, before...".

     "Before he went back to being me?", I asked, raising an
eyebrow.

     "That's right!", the sphere said (in my own voice!).

     It floated a few feet closer to me, Urd raised her hands,
"Unless you want a lightning bolt through you, stay where you
are!", she ordered.

     The sphere stopped with a wobble, "I must deliver my
message", the sphere explained, "Please do not interfere....".

     Belldandy, who was watching everything with a curious
expression suddenly paled, "DEMONS!", she screamed suddenly.

     There was a moment of silence and suddenly a huge
fireball exploded against the outer temple wall, washing a
wall of heat over us.  Urd grabbed my arm and shoved me
towards the temple, "You and Keiichi get inside!", she yelled
over the roar of the fire, "We'll take care of this!".

     I noticed Keiichi waving to me and I hurried over to him,
the two of us ran inside, just as the fire began to overwhelm
the outer wards, my last view of the outside, before Keiichi
slammed the door shut, was the three Goddesses standing with
their hands linked, an aura of power around them.  "What do we
do?!?", I demanded as we reached the kitchen.

     "There's nothing we can do", Keiichi replied in a
frustrated voice, "There's never anything I can ever do to
help Belldandy in this case".  The two of us were silent for a
while, the sounds of magical battle reaching us even in the
middle of the heavily warded temple.

     A blue light suddenly flared in the room and I remember
with a start about the sphere we'd left behind outside, it had
obviously decided to follow us inside.  "Will you accept my
message?", it asked me formally.

     I glanced over at Keiichi and he shrugged, "I don't
suppose it could hurt", he said.

     All right", I said, taking a step closer to it, "What's
your message?".  The sphere seemed to expand and I winced at
the sudden flare of white light.  I found myself sitting under
a shady tree, looking out on a familiar view.

     "Mount Cootha?", I mumbled to myself, recognising the
view from the many visits I'd made to it over the years.

     "Yup", a familiar voice called from behind me, "Afterall,
it's one of our favourite views".

     Without turning I nodded, "So what's this message?", I
asked.

     "How about you look at me?", the other me asked.

     I looked around and sized up who I was dealing with, he
looked like me, except he was wearing a loose fitting, blue
shirt and pants.  Then some other differences became apparent,
this Brett had a strange marking on his brow and his eyes
seemed too serious somehow.  "Now what?", I asked shortly.

     "You're angry", he observed.

     "Bloody right I'm angry!", I shouted back at him, taking
a step forward.

     "Ok! Ok!", he said, raising his hands defensively, "I'll
explain as much as I can".

     I nodded, "Start explaining", I said firmly.

     "First of all", he said seriously, "I want to apologise
for putting you through this, I have a vague idea what your in
for, but I've done you a great disservice".

     I frowned, "But you're me, aren't you?", I asked.

     He nodded, "That's right", he said quickly, "But that's
no reason not to apologise, I know my reasons for this and I
believe it's the right thing to do".

     "Right", I said, "Well, get on with it!".

     He walked over and sat down, gesturing for me to do so as
well, "This might take a while", he explained.

                                  ******

     Urd was bleeding from more cuts than she cared to think
about, the Demon's assault against the temple had been more
than vicious, it was almost suicidal.  Belldandy's wards had
done incredible damage to most of the Demons and counting 
in the fact they were fighting on Holy Ground, it was
impossible for them to believe they could win.
     
     That hadn't stopped them from destroying most of the
grounds however.  The three Goddesses had managed to keep them
from approaching too close to the temple, but it had been at a
high price.  Skuld was so exhausted that she was leaning
heavily against Belldandy, who was looking rather tired
herself.  Yet another Demon blasted through the wall and Urd
wearily raised her hand, shooting a somewhat
laskluster-looking bolt of lightning at the offending 
Demon.
     
     "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up", she
murmured to Belldandy softly, "I'm just about finished".
     
     "Correction", a familiarly-chilling voice called out over
the temple-come-battlefield, "You *are* finished".
     
     Urd and Belldandy shuddered as The Devil Lord Tupnixua
stepped through the opening, flanked by two powerful-looking
Demons.  It raised his arm and a jet-black flame burst out,
throwing the three Goddesses against the wall of the temple. 
"A pity", Tupnixua observed, "You put up a good fight".  It
looked around at the scattered remains of the several dozen
Demons it had send in ahead, "And you thinned down my
followers quite nicely".
     
     Belldandy was bleeding from a large gash above her eye
and was cradling Skuld protectively.  The youngest Goddess was
totally unconscious and had a nasty looking piece of stone
protruding from her shoulder.  Tupnixua dismissed them with a
snort and looked at Urd, the wounded Goddess was trying
valiantly to rise, a vicious twist marred her leg.  "Still
want to fight?", Tupnixua asked, smiling evilly.
     
     "Bastard!", Urd hissed, pulling in the last of her power. 
She then noticed that Tupnixua's two more powerful Demons had
overcome the inner wards and were inside the temple.  Her mind
screamed warnings at her, but before she could even twitch a
finger, Tupnixua had clamped a hand around her throat.
     
     "No", she whispered.
     
     "Yes", Tupnixua said, smiling evilly, "I'm afraid that
you have lost".
     
                              ******
     
     Keiichi watched as the blue sphere surrounded Brett
momentarily and there was a white flash.  Keiichi blinked to
clear the spots from his eyes and took as step back as Brett
began to glow with a soft blue light.  The sounds of battle
began to get louder, continual explosions rattled the very
foundations of the temple.
     
     "Bell-chan", he said softly, praying that she was all
right.
     
     Within a few minutes the sounds of battle faded and
Keiichi was looking expectantly at the door, for the familiar
figure of Belldandy.  He was shocked beyond words when a Demon
stepped through the door into the kitchen.  The Demon looked
and him and licked his lips, "Come with me", the Demon said,
stepping forward.
     
     Keiichi backed up until he was standing in front of a
still-glowing Brett.  A second Demon stepped into the room,
"Hurry up!", he insisted, "Tupnixua will have *us* for lunch
if we don't get the mortals to him in a hurry!".
     
     "Brett!", Keiichi shouted, "Wake up!".  Brett still
standing still as a statue and his face didn't change in it's
expression.
     
     "What's wrong with that one?", the first Demon asked,
pointing at Brett.
     
     "I dunno", the second replied, "But looking at it too
long hurts my eyes".
     
     Reaching out a hand the first Demon picked up Keiichi
with little effort, it then turned to pick up Brett.  As soon
as it's hand touched the blue aura it let out an almighty
scream and pulled it's hand back, blowing on it repeatedly.  
"That's a forcefield then", the second Demon observed.
     
     "No shit!", the first Demon said, testing the claw that
had been damaged.
     
     "So what do we do?", the second asked dubiously, "We're
suppose to bring them both back alive".
     
     "Just blast him!", the first insisted angrily, "the boss
won't mind if he's a little singed".
     
     The second Demon nodded and began to build up his
black-flame, "No!", Keiichi gasped as the sheet of evil energy
engulfed Brett.  There was a burst of white light when the two
forces collided and Brett let out a scream of pain as the
flames burnt his unprotected skin.  The blue sphere had
reappeared momentarily between Brett and the black-flame, but
couldn't stop the energy and was knocked backward, impacting
into Brett's chest.
     
     Brett was burned a second time, this time it was the
energy from the sphere shattering.  The two Demons were hurled
out a wall by the blast and ended up lying at the hooves of a
very displeased Tupnixua.
     
                              ******
     
     Urd was silent as the two Demons returned a few moments
later, carrying the unconscious form of Brett.  She almost
winced in sympathy at the burn marks on his arms and legs, but
carefully held her expression emotionless.  Fortunately his
face was almost untouched by the burns and she touched it
gently as they placed him in front of her.  
     
     "Urd?", Brett asked, wincing at the pain, "What's
happened?".
     
     "It's all right", she lied, "You'll be ok".
     
     Tupnixua stepped forward and bent over Brett, "So we now
find that the Great God of Destiny isn't unbeatable!", it
gloated, "I knew I could beat you, no matter who you have with
you!".
     
     "Who's or what is he?", Brett asked, looking at Urd
curiously.
     
     "That's Tupnixua", Urd said softly, keeping up her
emotionless expression, "It's a Devil".
     
     Brett nodded, "So what did I do to deserve this?", he
asked.
     
     Tupnixua was following the conversation and it's
expression took on one of outrage, "You don't even remember
*ME*", it asked in disbelief.
     
     "Sorry", Brett said, "But I lost my memories of the last
18 months or so", he took a deep breath against the pain.
     
     Tupnixua was furious, it smashed a statue with one claw,
"He doesn't remember!", it fumed, "What kind of revenge is
this!?!?!?".  The Devil began to rant and rave.
     
     Keiichi was busy, wiping Belldandy's brow with a ripped
off corner of his shirt, "Bell-chan", he whispered, grasping
her hand.
     
     Belldandy smiled reassuringly at him and held his hand
tightly, "I love you Keiichi", she said softly.
     
     "I love you too", he whispered back, placing an arm
around her shoulders.
     
     Urd was looking at Keiichi and Belldandy with a wistful
expression on her face and Brett smiled up at her from her
lap, "Sorry I can't be what you wanted me to be", Brett said
softly.
     
     She blinked and looked down at him in surprise, "I know
you loved me", he confirmed.  Urd's face took on an angry look
and Brett raised a hand up to clasp one of her's, "It's all
right", he said, "I also know that before I lost my memories,
I loved you too".
     
     At that point Urd's polished unemotional expression
cracked and she clasped Brett as tightly as she could without
hurting him, "I'm sorry I've been such a bitch!", she said
quietly, "But watching you and knowing you didn't love me 
anymore..".
     
     "S'okay", Brett said, on the edge of consciousness.
     
     Skuld chose that moment to wake up and howled in pain,
"What's happened?", she asked, trying to sit up.  Belldandy
held her tightly, "It's all right sister", she said, "I'm
here!".
     
     Looking around, Skuld sighed, "I think perhaps I
shouldn't have chased away Chia-Yao and his offer of help",
she said, looking at the splinter of stone sticking out of her
shoulder.  She looked around, noticing the Demons spread 
around what was left of the temple grounds.  Skuld was
surprisingly clear headed and she smiled, "I sure wish he was
here", she observed.
     
     Brett nodded from where he was lying, "I wish he was
too", he mumbled, remembering the young god he'd met last
night.
     
     Urd grinned and whispered a spell.  Tupnixua turned
around in surprise as a build up of energy seemed to come out
of no where.  A piercing white light suddenly shot out of the
sky, striking the markings on Urd's forehead,  She floated up
in the air and began glowing.  "STOP HER!", it shouted, not
knowing what to expect, since Urd should have been without any
power at all.
     
     The two Demons started forward, but found themselves
unable to approach without the skin on their bodies beginning
to burn.  They tried shooting bolts of black flame, but
nothing even got close.  The power suddenly disappeared and 
Urd dropped to the ground, falling into a heap, "Your wish is
approved", she muttered, before losing consciousness.
     
     There was a momentary pause and then a flash of light. 
Chia-Yao appeared, holding his glowing sword, "Who calls?", he
asked.  Taking in the scene around him, he immediately charged
the two Demons, swinging his holy sword with a vengeance.  The
Demons were too surprised to do any more than dodge
desperately, as the powerful magic item passed within
centimetres of them.  Tupnixua snarled and charged the young
god.  Chia-Yao however hadn't become one of the best 
Security Daemons in his generation by accident.  A sudden
flare of magical energy threw the Devil off balance and he
ended up crashing into a wall.  Two other Security Daemons
appeared a moment later, dropping their cloaking spells 
and opening up with every spell at their disposal.
     
     Tupnixua growled low in it's throat and charged back
towards Brett and the others.  Chia-Yao couldn't break away
from his two opponents and the other Security Daemons were
momentarily out of spells.  The Devil bore down on his 
prey and suddenly tripped as a dagger flashed out of a shadow,
hitting him in the leg.  He tried to move, but found that the
dagger had not only wounded him, it had hit him in a tendon
and his leg was useless until attended to.  Chia-Yao finished
off one of his opponents and the other fled, in fear for it's 
existence.
     
     The other two Security Daemons jumped in front of the
wounded Goddesses and took up defensive positions.  Tupnixua
snarled again and disappeared in a flash of acrid smoke. 
Chia-Yao made a disgusted nose and sheathed his sword, "They 
never hang around", he observed.
     
     "So what now Boss?", Tloc asked curiously, looking
around, "Do we go hunting?".
     
     Chia-Yao glanced over at the Goddesses and shook his
head, "They're hurt", he said, "We have to get them help". 
Tloc and his partner disappeared in a flash of light, "We'll
prepare the way", Tloc said in farewell.
     
     It wasn't until Chia-Yao moved to help Belldandy that he
noticed how badly Skuld had been hurt, he clenched his teeth
and picked up the youngest Norn as gently as he could,
allowing Keiichi to help Belldandy.  They moved over to 
where Brett and Urd were lying.  Chia-Yao pulled in as much
power as he could and cast a mass-teleportation spell, placing
their destination as the hall of healing.
     
                                   ******

-----CONTINUED IN PART 3