What if there were multiple Universes? Each with their own different change in history. And what if you could experience two at once? *** A Simple Wish : Alter Wish written by Shaun Garin *** Ah! My Goddess is owned by Kosuke Fujishima *** Read from beginning sahib. *** Chapter 6 : Truth The weapon soared across the blue sky of earth as it flipped end over end, landing point first into the ground with a solid thunk. Thor looked at his recently weapon filled hands and then looked up, fixing solid blue eyes into amazed brown ones and then he grabbed me with a rib crushing embrace. “I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!” he roared in ecstasy. “ACK!” Was all I could say before he released his grip. As I expelled the carbon dioxide from my lungs, Thor grinned widely as he pulled the weapon from the ground and sheathed it at his side. Clearing my throat and stumbling to my feet, I pulled my sword from where it landed and stored it away in hyperspace. I can’t just sheath it normally, come on, I mean, my battle armor stuff is good and all but it’s kind of hard to hide a eighteen foot sword on your back. Hey, what’s this? I pulled out a one ton mallet, a couple of Manga, a huge warhammer, my sneakers, a tricorder, my transport crystal, hey, who put this lightsaber in here? Hmm, my flask of ginger ale, a wrapped sandwich, another mallet, hey, I didn’t put that one in there. Oh, wait, here’s a name. Oops, this is AKANE’S mallet. I quickly replace it and it disappears from my personal hyperspace. When I finished, there was enough junk around me, and Thor had a huge sweatdrop hanging from his forehead. “Exactly how much junk d’ya have in there?” he asked. I shrugged. I reached inside and frowned as I pulled another videotape. “What the heck? I thought I gave this away!” The front was clearly marked, Dragon Knight 2. I hung my head in embarrassment. “Oops.” “You naughty God, you,” Thor said with a snicker. I glared fiery death at the huge man and snorted derisively. Suddenly, Urd popped up behind me. “Hey! Dragon Knight 2! Been looking for a copy.” “IT’S ALL YOUR’S!” I quickly said, thrusting the copy towards the sexy Goddess, while blushing beet red. Urd patted me on the head and sauntered back into the Temple. I exhaled sharply as she left. “Thank goodness that I didn’t accidentally pull something else.” I reached back in and then frowned. “What the...? What’re these things?” As I checked the inside contents, I blushed furiously. “Oh, property of Ataru Moroboshi.” That quickly went back into the hyperspace dimention. Why do I feel like a big joke? This went on, pulling swords, weapons, magazines, and ewwwww, I don’t even WANT to know what this is. I finished emptying the hyperspace pocket, deciding that others utilized this space. Wow, I didn’t know there was THIS many mallets in hyperspace. Lets see, one, two, three, wow, forty five. During my sorting and cleaning, Keiichi had come out and looked at a few items. He was holding something that suspiciously looked like a arm of a certain golden droid. Freaky. Skuld had started shifting through the electronics, coming up with some sort of tricorder, a double edged lightsaber, a magicians finger flame-thrower, and a few circuits from a Microsoft Sidewinder. Urd, was shifting through the unmentionables, amazed at what was found in there. Why do I get the sneaky suspicion that Happosai was utilizing this space? Belldandy, now she was picking up every kitchen utensil in the whole pile, finding some sort of large combat spatula. Hey, combat spatula. Now where have I heard about that before? And finally, Thor, he was hauling out every mallet, every sword, every dagger and every single piece of weaponry and storing it in his own pocket. Soon, everything was finished and sorted and I stuffed them back in the pocket. “Finally.” Skuld then noticed the magazines. “Hey, what about these?” “Uh? Oops, better toss these back in. Some guy named Moroboshi keeps them in hyperspace.” She picked one up and flipped through one quickly, her face turning a bright green. “OH YUCK!” she exclaimed loudly. “I didn’t know that was atomatially possible!” She tossed everything back into the hyperspace and they promptly disappeared from the storage area. I stifled a snicker and banished my green armor with a short flare of white light. “Someday, I’m gonna hafta learn how to do that WITHOUT the flashy transformations.” I grumbled. Just then, my watch rang. “Uh oh. Megumi’s gonna be here in half an hour. Gotta go!” Keiichi looked amused. “Another date with my sister. I’m gonna have to ask him about them sometimes.” he said, as the fledgling God ran off. *** “Here’s a good place. I came here once before, and they serve some really good food.” Megumi looked pensive as the boy took her arm. “I don’t know. Do you even have enough money for this place?” The guy nodded. “I have a good job. That, and I have a platinum mastercard from my folks. Come on, it’s a nice place.” Inside, the atmosphere was cozy, filled with the sounds of people who ate, chatted and listened and watched the movie clips on the walls. The Hollywood Cafe. Around the area were movie memorabilia, dating back several years. The two sat down and ordered some simple food. The meal proceeded normally, the two dealing in idle chitchat. *** “I can’t make out what they’re saying!” “Move over, you’re blocking the view!” “Ouch! That’s my ear dimwit!” “I’ll bet twenty thousand yen that they kiss tonight!” The Gang of Nine casted annoyed glances at Hades. He grinned and laughed weakly. “Gomen.” Shiva sank down in her chair, and picked up the spoon. “Remind me why we’re here again? Shaun and Megumi DO need privacy.” Tyr sat down and finished off his salad. “It’s not just that we’re spying on them, but you know what happened to the LAST Fortune. Waking up the power of ULTIMA isn’t my choice for humankind, or God and Demon alike to go.” “Are you sure that this is really necessary?” Hercules asked quickly. “I mean, Shaun doesn’t even know about the existence of ULTIMA. What are the chances of him accidentally unleashing it?” “Seven million, six hundred thousand, seven hundred forty two to one,” Heimdall said without missing a beat. Everyone stared at him and he gave a weak golden smile. “I made a few calculations.” “Great. And what if HE finds out we’re all down here? HE wasn’t very happy the LAST time we did this.” “At the most we get license suspensions. What’s the big deal?” Shiva attacked her chicken and finished it off. Magni gulped down his beer and shook his head. “It’s a precaution Shiva. We can’t take the chance that ULTIMA will be unleashed again. The repercussions could be devastating, resulting in Ranganok. A Second and Third Impact could occur. THE ANGELS COULD BE AWAKENED, IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?!” Magni then calmed down suddenly and expelled a long held breath. “Sorry. It’s just that the previous Fortune was a good friend. I don’t want to see another leave by accident.” Tyr nodded sagely. “Fear, leads to hate.” “Hate, leads to suffering,” Thor added. “suffering leads to the Dark Side,” Balder finished. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Jedi Council.” Hades said with a wide sweep of his hand. “HADES!” The others growled in stereo. “Touché,” he said, sitting back down. Just then, a whispered shout came from Heimdall. “Hey! They’re gonna do it!” One after another, nine heads popped up over the divider to watch as the two grasped hands. Megumi ran a hand through his hair and he copied her motion. “Come on, come on!” Shiva said, twisting a napkin into little shreds. Megumi leaned over and pecked him on the forehead. All the gods and goddess groaned. “That’s IT?!” Ares exclaimed. “I thought that there would be something better.” “We’re in a public place Ares,” Balder said, taking a sip of his coke. “We can’t expect to have them kiss fully this early.” *** My hearing caught the snippets of conversation echoing from behind a planter. I let a small smile creep up my face. Shiva was obviously arguing with Thor. Man, can’t they keep it down back there? Megumi noticed my look and asked, “What’s so funny?” “Uh? Oh, someone’s arguing behind there,” I said, jerking my thumb towards the enclosed area. “It’s not nice to eavesdrop, Shaun,” Megumi said, finishing her food. “After all, what could you do if they were a group of criminals? Punish them in the Name of the Moon?” she broke down into hysterics and I sweatdropped in embarrassment. This was a whining moment. Too bad the check came early. When I paid the amount, I helped her NIT jacket on and I slid on my polar fleece PAA 2000 vest. We exited and headed for the park again. *** Have you ever felt like something important was about to happen? Something that could change your whole life in one single fell swoop? I did feel it that night, and once before : when I received my wish. I know I’m supposed to be partnered with Miracles but I never see her anywhere for most of the year. Even during the summer, she was off in DC, settling some stuff. And then I only see her before I go to NIT and before bed. Still, I can’t fight down the prickling sensation as if someone was watching me and Megumi. It wasn’t the same sense like the Gang was watching, but something more evil. Human, but evil. It wasn’t until we sat down when one of those stereotypical gangs came out, brandishing enough weaponry to make Hitler piss his pants. I think I saw a AK-47 in one of their hands. The leader was obviously strong, very powerful and held a handgun, aimed at us. “Well, here’s something. A gaijin and a chick. Nice.” Now I wasn’t worried. My well being was secure, save for one thing that got me worried. I couldn’t utilize my powers without blowing my cover in the whole Home Islands, along with Bell and the others. Damn. Guess I’ll have to go martial artist on them. A ominous click of the barrel sounded in the air as he gestured. Ah, a robbery. “I gave at the office.” I said, standing up and cracking my knuckles. The gang leader didn’t look impressed. “Well, Mr. Man is a fighter, eh? We’ll see how fast you are with several guns at your girl’s head. BOYS!” With a rapid series of metallic clicking, fifteen guns were aimed at Megumi. SHIT! “Leave her alone!” I demanded, “she’s got nothing you want.” The gang leader only grinned cockily. “Well see about that. Akuma!” Before I could blink, a member aimed his gun at her leg and fired. A sharp cry of pain followed the crack of a gunshot. DAMN! I rushed to her side and checked her wounds. “You all right?” I asked. Megumi nodded her head and then winced painfully as spasms rushed through her system. Fury filled me as I stood up and my fists clenched at my sides. I could feel the pool of energy rising from its depths as my left arm trembled. Energy started to crawl up the appendage and my marks blazed with green light. Akuma backed off as with the others in fright. “What the hell is that boss?” he asked fearfully. “Never mind that! Get ‘em!” *** I looked up through my pain filled eyesight and found Shaun standing above me, his eyes glowing a bright green, as with those weird triangles on his forehead. Then, all hell broke loose. With a incredible burst of energy that knocked me back onto my backside, he screamed in fury and energy, a pulsating green hue erupted from his body. I could hear the screams of terror as the gang fled from the scene. Suddenly, his body hunched over and energy started pouring from his face as he contoured into a metallic like creature. His hands were stark black as with the rest of his body. Glowing yellow eyes shone out from the face which looked like a freakish parody of a human. A name whispered out to me amidst the furious tempest of the energy storm. MEGUMI “What? Who are you?” I asked quietly. The head turned towards me and it bowed down, as if trying to hide its features. I AM ULTIMA. I AM THE TRUE FORM OF THE GOD YOU CALL SHAUN. “What do you want with him? Why have you turned him into this?!” I felt like screaming at the creature before me. I AM A PART OF THE POWERS OF THE GOD OF FORTUNE AND LIFE. HE HAS AWAKENED MY ENERGIES, GIVING A NEW DIMENTION OF WORTH TO HIS LIFE. “But why the body? Can’t you exist as something else?” I was feeling desperate as the body of the gentlest boy was twisted into this creature. I AM KNOWN AS THE MATERIA SPELL CALLED ULTIMA. I CAN EXIST AS A WEAPON, OR AS A PART OF THE GOD WHO BEARS THE NAME FORTUNE. PLEASE, I DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME. WHEN HE AWAKENS, PLEASE ACCEPT THE DUALITY OF HIS PSYCHE. ONLY THE LOVE OF SOMEONE HE CARES ABOUT CAN KEEP MY TERRIBLE POWER IN CHECK. PLEASE.. Then a small still whisper came through the howling energies ripping through the park. megumi. My eyes welled up with tears. I knew that voice. megumi. please, accept me and ultima. only that can return me to my normal state. please, do it for yourself, if not for me. ‘Hai, I will,’ I said without words. With a final burst of energy, the flesh remolded itself into the soft dark flesh of a human. His face reverted back like a clay mold into the humble brown eyes I had grown to love. He looked up, tears welling through his face as the glowing marks on his face reverted back into his normal looks. “Megumi. Thank you.” I threw myself at him, grasping his ribs, sobbing. A God. I was dating a God. Somehow, that sounded like heaven on earth. *** A white knight took a pawn on the chessboard. A pair of crystal blue eyes looked up into crimson ones. “Checkmate.” A lovely smile arched its way across her face. “Best two out of three?” He nodded and with a wave of his hand, the pieces rearranged itself to the board. Several pieces were familiar. Alissia, Belldandy, Skuld, Urd, Keiichi, Shaun, Megumi, Maller and several other unidentifiable characters, their markings unknown. The blue eyes looked up. “You’re move, Setsuna-chan.” She nodded and moved out a piece marked with a crescent moon. It melted into a chess piece that looked like Usagi Tsukino. He returned it with a counter strike of a pigtailed young girl with a sword. Setsuna Mieou looked up and smiled again. “Ultima is awakened.” She moved out a statue of a white cat and said, “Check.” Kami-sama pondered his move and moved his knight, that was shaped like a red haired 12 year old. “I know.” “And so the circle comes to a close once more.” She moved out her last piece that was shaped like a pigtailed boy. “Your move.” Kami-sama finished it with a stroke of the Megumi piece. “Checkmate.” He smiled and looked at the interweaving pieces. “Soon, very soon.” End Chapter 6. I really hope no one thought this was cheesy. If so, then I scoff in your general direction. Scoff scoff scoff scoff scoff, scoff scoff!