An Alter Wish written by Shaun Garin *** Ah! My Goddess is owned by Kosuke Fujishima. *** Rewrite, Omega Version. *** Chapter 1 : One Wish, Round Two Life is a miracle, waiting to spring about its happiness and other such frivilaties. When I looked back on this day, I felt a sense of happiness. Of fulfillment. A karmic slate wiped clean as some of the people up here would call it. Sometimes, I felt like a supernatural hand was guiding me on the path towards something big. But then again, it does. Religion is a large part of my life, and I just knew that this world was building towards something big. I just never knew exactly that religion was about to change my life’s perspective, no matter how much I denied the fact of my change. Some may say, I was crazy, others, blessed. I just thought it was one of the best things to ever happen to me. It was, oh, about summer, June 24, Two thousand and five AD, just before my college term ended and I started my job, teaching at PAA, when I figured, hey, call the guys, see if they still remember me. It’s been quite a long time since they saw me. I reached over to the phone and checked the clock. 6:00. I reached over and dialed a number. 555-6225. The phone rang several times before I hung it up. No one home. Reasonable, he has a girlfriend. As time wore on, so did my patience as I tried nearly every person in the phonebook. Soon, I hung up again and tried Wedge’s number. Instead of the normal gruff reply, a sexy voice answered. “Hello, you’ve reached The Goddess Helpline. A consultant will..” I slammed down the phone in frustration. Damn it, where’s the kook who answers like that?! Suddenly, my TV that was playing Magic Knight Rayearth started to glow right in the middle of a Honou No Ya attack and a shapely leg made its way out of the TV screen. I didn’t notice the bronzed woman exit until she asked in a semi-husky voice, “Are you Shaun Garin?” I looked up. “Sorry, I gave at the office.” I said quickly. Then, I looked at her again. Wait a sec. She didn’t come through the front door, she obviously never came through the window, since it was shut tight, and third off, she’s the most beautiful woman... Oh MY. And lastly, she asked me by name. I swallowed hard as I took in all these facts. Say, is that TV glowing? What has become of this world? “Aheh, I’m Shaun.” The woman looked at me, a shocked look. She sashayed up, and grabbed my face, examining me left and right, checking my middle, back and HEY! Grabbing her hands from THERE, I asked, “Please, don’t,” without trying hard to blush. The woman seemed on the verge of crying. “I...I.. you can’t be him! After all these centuries, you CAN’T BE HIM!” She then started to cry, her sobs loud enough to wake the dead. At this point in time, my nurturing side, a side that I rarely show to perfect strangers, kicked in and I wrapped a large comforting arm and gave her a tissue. She took it and blew her nose, and continued to cry. “If there’s something I did, then perhaps I can help in fixing...” She then suddenly spun on me, grabbed my shirt and sobbed into it. Wow. There goes the XXL side down to a Large. As she sobbed, a folder fell from her cape and I reached down and picked it up. Opening up the manila envelope, I started to read the script. Which read, “Dear Derrin. If you are reading this, you have been reborn. I have sent my Daughter to fetch you, to return you to your home in the sky. The path that lies ahead of you is a dangerous one, and a Destiny that you must discover for yourself. I wish you only the best. I AM, I AM.” I blinked. I AM? This CAN’T be right! Suddenly, the japanese script on the page (how’d I learn to read Japanese?) flared and remoulded itself into a symbol of God. A torrent of images rushed through my mind just then, and somehow, I knew everything. A trio of women, Daughters, Norns. Verthandi, Urd and Skuld. My best friends, Thor, Hades and Shiva. A lumicent beam of green energy, warping into a hideous face of near demonic agression. A girl with curled brown hair with a weapon on her back. A green sphere, shining in the darkness. Lucifer... Kefka... Dying... Death... Darkness.. Rebirth.. I Am... Transformed... When I opened my eyes, I felt an unearthly energy run through my veins. It was like drinking a whole gallon of the richest, black coffee with lots of sugar. Staggering to my feet, I felt a weight on my back. Flip Flip. A feather of silken white floated down and I snatched it out of the air. A horrible feeling ran up my spine as I spun about and stared in the now off TV. Staring back was a man that I never knew could exist. Looking back at me was a man, with curled ebony hair, tinted with reddish brown highlights, running low to his nape, dark brown eyes, swimming with golden flecks. His face was angular, a bit sharp, but mature. Underneath the eyes were golden triangles, a solid color, too solid to be makeup and too sharp to be tatoos. His body was lean, muscular but slender. His bearing, proud. He wore an aqua blue shirt, pants, tied at the beltline with a dark purple sash. His long sleeved shirt was tucked into solid gold bracers, a aqua gemstone in the wrist area. And on his back, were four wings, looking for all the world like he could use them to soar into the sky. Then, it dawned on me that I WAS the guy looking at me. I fainted. *** “check. mate in twelve.” The woman looked up from her board. Sure enough, she was checkmated. “Very Good Game,” she said. “Care To Play Again?” The man before her nodded before replacing a single piece with a new one. The woman’s jaw, even without a distinguishable face, dropped and slammed on the table. “HE Is Back?” “he awakened. the time is coming. are you ready to play?” “Of Course...” And the game started anew. *** “Wakey wakey!” A hand nearly took my head off as someone slapped me, waking me from my deep sleep. Wow, what a nightmare. That’s it, I said to myself, No more Digimon. As I sat up, a young girl looked at me, and eyed me curiously. She turned to the sexy blonde woman. “You sure that he’s the one?” she asked, contemptuously of her. “I know Derrin when I see him,” she said, a bit annoyed. “When you have a lover for nearly three centuries, you know him by every little detail.” She then turned compassionate eyes on me. “He has every right to be around us.” The little girl snarled contemptuously. “He betrayed us!” she nearly shouted. “Fled to the World of Balance! He crushed you and your feelings!” “Time,” another said. She was older, about early twenties, and wore some housewifish clothing. She radiated an aura of purity that seemed to cower the bickering women. She looked at me and sighed. “He doesn’t remember.” “Um, mind not talking about me in the third person?” I asked nervously. The little one had a mallet out in her hands. I HATE mallets. Especially when women have them. //Skuld was always a bit hotheaded,// answered a thought. I stiffened for a second, hearing an unfamiliar voice echo in my thoughts. ‘Is there anyone there?’ I asked of my mind. Nothing. The tall woman looked at me and sat down beside my place on the small couch. “Derrin, I missed you.” “Who’s Derrin?” I asked, trying not to sound too stupid. “You’re Derrin. The Protector of Life and Seer of Fortune. I was your lover when you were a god.” “God?” This wasn’t making any sence. The woman with sandy brown hair glided up and asked, “Do we recall any memories? Anything at all?” I looked at them and tenatively reached for... Urd’s hand. As our fingertips touched, a memory resurfaced. *flashback* “We’ll always be together, won’t we?” Asked a younger Urd, still in her early teens. The tall, angelic like man gathered the younger girl in his arms. “Always. Until I die, then I will not leave you. This I swear by the moonlit sky of the System of Praise.” The two, kissed under the moonlit sky, and the love between them were unbroken. *end flashback* I jerked my hand back to my side, and then I noticed that I was still dressed like Angemon. I shook my head to clear it and asked, “I remember us two. I promiced that we would be together forever until I died.” I then rose and took the child’s hand in mine. *flashback* “YOU JERK!” The man ran from the tiny little girl, wielding a mallet larger than she was. As she ran, she stumbled on some gravel and landed painfully. “Owie!” He skidded to a stop and picked her up, recieving a light smack on the top of his head. He fell down in mock pain. “Oh, the Goddess has struck me down with vengance!” he chortled. Chibi-Skuld giggled. “Unca Derrin, you’re silly!” “Only the best for my little Skuld-chan.” “Love me always?” she asked cutely. He hugged her like a father would hug a child. “Always and forever.” *end flashback* I blinked again. “Skuld, always and forever.” Her sullen face split into a wide grin as she threw her arms about my neck happily. “Love you Unca Derrin.” I then released my grip and turned to the sandy brown haired Goddess and lightly took her hand. *flashback* “Verthandi, I have to go. Father gave me an important mission to do in the World of Balance. Please, look after your sisters for me.” Verthandi, aged seventeen, dressed in old norse clothing, reached out and snagged his shirt. “Derrin? Did you tell Urd?” His shoulders hung in despair. “Verthandi, I...” Her face darkened uncharecteristically. “Why didn’t you tell her?!” she demanded. “I won’t survive this mission,” he said truthfully, a tear shedding from his eyes. The tear became a crystal teardrop. “I’m destined to die in this one, causing the catylist for the world to be torn apart. Don’t try to stop me,” he warned, his huge sword flashing into existance, blocking the smaller goddess. “but tell Urd, I still love her, and give her this.” The crystal teardrop landed in her hands and she looked up as he dissapeared into nothing. Two days later, Luicfer attacked. The Gods and Goddesses said that it was the absence of Derrin that made everything crumble. A third of the angels, and a few Gods had made the transition from Enlightened to Fallen. Ifrit was the main general of Lucifer’s army. Shiva was under his control, sending Diamond Dust everywhere, decimating the angels. Feneris attacked that same day, devistating the world tree. Thor was nearly fatally wounded. Tyr took the blow, his right hand removed. Down below, on the earth’s surface, the dinosaurs looked up from their activities, and then, they saw no more. The First Impact had occoured. Nothing remained of earth and its almost finished systems. He would have to start again. *end flashback* Bell’s eyes watered as she threw her arms about my waist. “I missed you,” she sobbed. I stroked her hair as I looked at Urd. “Do you still love me?” I asked of her. “I... I don’t know,” she stammered. I sighed and nodded. “I Am Transformed.” I said, activating my own personal powers. In an instant, my clothing and wings were removed, and changed to a pair of tan jeans and white shirt. “I suppose I’ll have to report back to Heaven,” I said, before prying Bell loose from my waist. “I guess I’ll... see you guys later.” “Teleportation,” I said softly. In an instant, I seemed to travel through a star lit void before landing back in my old home. I straightened my clothing before stepping out of the large home, into the sunlit streets of Asgard. I was a norse god and proud of it, as my house proclaimed. *** “Here we are,” said the cabbie. He looked suspiciously like Jim Morrison, clothing and all. “Have a good one.” I stepped out and spoke words. “I Am Transformed.” My power, clothing and wings came back, and my sword appeared in my hands. I looked at it and tried to will it away. It dissapeared without a sound and I was marveled at how easy this was now. Walking up the sunlight stairway, I pushed the outer office doors open and there... I spun about and tried to sneak away. Of all the... “DERRIN!” Oh joy. I was suddenly tackled by a joyous Shiva, who seemed to have changed her appearance. Instead of the reddish bikini and the little ponytail of blue hair, she was now practically nude, with dark blue patches covering the interesting parts. Her hair was blue and blonde, trailing down to her feet. And she was straddling me. “I can’t believe it!” she gushed happily while smothing my face with kisses, “you’re finally back! I knew you wern’t a traitor!” I nearly had to shove her off but was saved by a cleared throat. She looked up and stood. I got up and there was the Big Guy himself. No, not HIM, Thor. And he didn’t look very pleased. “Hey man, you’re still about?” Thor smacked his fist into his palm menacingly before starting to advance. I backed up nervously before hitting the oak desk. “Uh, buddy, pal, compadre, aren’t you being a little too har.. AAAHH!” The Fist of Death was coming straight at me and I shut my eyes, crossing my arms to try and ward it off. But suddenly, I felt my ribs nearly snap, as he grabbed me in a rib crushing hug. “SHORT STUFF!” he bellowed happily before letting me loose. “You’re alive!” I coughed for a second. “Well, a second ago, I wouldn’t have been. You’re looking good.” Thor grinned and Moljinar appeared in his hand. He started to spin it like he did way back when. Yes, if you hadn’t figured it out by now, when I touch people, I see things from the past. Sorta like the Crow. “Everyone thought you were dead. The ones who thought you betrayed us by runnin’ away joined the Lord of Chaos. The ones who didn’t stayed up here. The whole battle was over you, kid.” “Tell me about it. I saw it through Bell’s eyes. Say, I gotta know. Why BELLDANDY? She change her name or what?” “Too many mixups. Besides, she had to change it for the times. Say, you got a new name now?” “It WAS Shaun before hand but now, I like Derrin.” “God’s Gift,” he said, snickering. Just then, the office door creaked open and an airy voice called out, “derrin, please come in now. the others can come along as well.” I paled. “The Boss?” I asked, feeling an urge to cross myself, even though I wasn’t Catholic. Thor nodded and Shiva pushed the door open. From past experiences, I had imagined him to be huge, with a glowing throne, a river flowing from it. After all, I grew up, thinking that. As I entered, I looked about and blinked. It was a twenty by twenty room, furnished well. And behind the desk sat a man, a bit taller than me. His face was cragy, bearded and long haired, an eyepatch over one eye, and wore leathers. Odin. Kami-sama. God. Allah. Now what was that again? How’d it go? Oh yeah. Shiva and Thor were laughing their asses off when I dropped to the floor and started to worship him in an Arabian fashion, calling out, “I’M NOT WORTHY! I’M NOT WORTHY!” He then just burst out into loud, harsh laughter that was tinged with amusement and hystaria. “I’m not worthy!” he roared, slapping the desk in glee. “That’s a good one!” I stood up and said, “Thanks. I was saving that one for the Second Coming.” He calmed down and said, “Derrin, your powers are beginning to return. But you need practice to regain full potential. Most of your fighting skills are still there, but some need to be refined. Tyr will teach you to home your fighting edge. And your magical skills will be reviewed and refined by the Norns. Keep their lessons in mind. And now, a new weapon for you.” My sword appeared in mid air and floated towards him. He grasped the hilt and chanted a few times. The metal glowed and became lumicient with golden light. I noted that I glowed golden as well. In under a minute, the sword became a staff, with two golden humming blades on the ends. It floated towards me and I reached out, grasping it. “This is Ishtar. She will instruct you on the use of your powers.” [Pleased to meet you Derrin,] Came the telepathic reply. [I hope that we can get along well.] “So do I,” I said, never having a sencient weapon before. “Thank you Father.” He nodded and said, “Be forewarned that not all of the Gods and Goddesses up here on this plane have forgiven you for leaving before the battle of First Impact. Many still hold grudges and will gladly make your life... unworthy of living.” I swallowed hard. “Y-Yes sir.” “Stay close to Shiva, Thor and the Norns. You may rejoin them on earth, Japan. For now, you are back to Third Level Trainee. Your status will change as your powers recharge. You may go.” *** “I hope I don’t screw up,” I said to Shiva as we gathered clothes in my sparce apartment for the long trip to Japan. To make sure that I didn’t do anything stupid with the government, I had to fly out there. Shiva was helping me pack, and she assumed a human form : a blue haired woman with natural curves, shorts and a t-shirt. “it’s my first day on the job and... MY JOB!” “What about it?” she asked curiously. “Oh my word, I have a teaching job here in Alberta! How can I come back here if I’m training up there?!” “Oh that, don’t worry, you’ll have a job when you come back.” I nodded. *** Nearly Twenty Four Hours Later... “Finally,” Urd said, crossly. “We’ve been waiting.” “Sorry. But I had to clear customs first.” As we headed towards the baggage pick up, Bell met us there with a guy that was shorter than I was. He said something in Japanese and I blinked. “Wha’d he say?” I asked Urd. Skuld whapped me on the head with her mallet and in an instant, I could hear the conversation around me! What a handy talent! The guy came up and bowed. “Hi, I’m Keiichi Morisato.” “Derrin Garin,” I said, copying his bow. He looked at me and noticed the markings. “You’re one of them as well?” he asked. “I guess so,” I said, grinning. “Well, lets get going!” Godhood in one day, new friends and a new adventure. This is going to be an incredible life. I just know it. End Authors notes : Well, its October 7, 1999 and nearly half a year since the first one of this series came out, and now, I figured it was too chaotic so I’m rewriting the whole kit and caboodle. This means, everything is DIFFERENT! New attacks, new weapons, a new name, and new plotlines. Plus, I got rid of the Materia, decided against using Alissia until I feel ready, and have a new weapon, Ishtar! This means, no insanely powerful Slayers Spells, and a new charecter design. If you wish to see the basic design of my charecter, then please, watch Digimon and look at the humanoid kick ass Digimon, Angelmon! Doesn’t T.K.’s Digimon Rock?! I based my new look off of him and hope to have some fan art up soon. See you on the flip side! Shaun Garin