Disclaimer: Hi there! For those who may have forgotten (or just for the heck of it), here's the sitch: This is an original story by Don Johnson (a/k/a MadPanda). All characters are prperty of said Panda, except the gods and goddess who appear herein. They belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. Okay, on with the show!
Ikimashou!
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Chapter Eight - The More You Know
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Kurumi sat at her desk, putting the finishing touches on what would undoubtedly be the lead story of the day--the suicide of one of the Prime Minister's top aides. It had taken two days for her to get all of the facts, as well as an exclusive interview with the Prime Minister himself. Now all she had to do was hit the "send" button on her computer, and another front-page by-line was secured. That would have to wait a bit, as the research analyst Akihito returned from his "mission".
"Well, Ohta-san, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?", the young man said.
Kurumi leaned back in her chair and yawned. "Both. I'm tired and I don't have time for games. What did you find?"
"That's the bad news," moaned Akihito. He waved a thin empty folder at Kurumi. "I couldn't find a single article, picture, citing, or mention of an 'Alexa Melanos'. I even tried digging up vital records, but nothing turned up."
"Really?" The reporter's curiosity overtook her tiredness. "And the good news?"
"Actually, it's the 'weird' news!" He reached into his soft briefcase and pulled out a thick folder, full of pictures, forms, clippings and notes........ "Seeing as 'Melanos' isn't exactly a household name, I did a cross-reference of photographers with the name, and that's what came up."
"There are that many photographers with that last name?" Kurumi asked, her eyes staring at the huge pile in front of her.
"Kinda...and here's where it gets strange. Note the first five pictures, and the names attached to them."`
Kurumi examined the photos, her eyes growing wider with each shot. The first was of the Hindenburg zeppelin crash, taken by a Cassandra Melanos; next, scorched shadows where people once stood in Hiroshima, also by Cassandra Melanos; the third was of the aftermath of an earthquake in Mexico City, taken by Alexandra Melanos; fourth was of a pile of bodies being burned in Ethiopia, also by Alexandra Melanos--this one had a notation attached, "First evidence of AIDS epidemic"; the last photo was of people running away from the World Trade Center in New York. It too was taken by Alexandra Melanos.
Kurumi let out a whistle. "Whoever these women were, they sure had a knack of being in the right place at the right time!"
"You don't know the half of it! Some of these articles go back as far as the 1800s, and there are illustrations that go two hundred years before that! It's as if following disasters was a Melanos family tradition!" The researcher then reached into the file and pulled out some submission forms, used by photographers to enter their works. "Then there's this. Note the handwriting..."
"It's an exact match! The first names are different, but the last names are too close to be anything but the same! Wait a minute!" Kurumi thought for a moment, remembering the two books Alexa had in her bag, especially the way the information within them was catalogued and dated. She couldn't read Greek, but she could read dates. "No, that's impossible!" She then barked at the researcher, "Do you have any photos of this--I mean, these women?"
"I think you were right the first time, Ohta-san." He nervously produced a thin folder, which contained copies of pictures and identification badges. The names were different, but the pictures were definitely of the same woman. "I know some people take after their parents, Ohta-san, but that's creepy!"
"Creepier than you'll ever know!" Kurumi's heart stopped for a moment, seeing Alexa's face in all of the pictures. She regained her composure after a moment. "Thank you, Akihito! You're definitely 'the man'!"
The young man blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Aw, just doing my job, Ohta-san! Besides, this one was a challenge, and I had fun...although..." He thought for a second, then dismissed the thought. "Nah, no one would ever believe me. I have a hard enough time writing true stories!" He laughed and waved at Kurumi as he walked away. "Well, off to another adventure! You know where to find me!"
"Yeah, thanks again!" Kurumi looked again at all of the information dumped in front of her, and wondered what to do with it all. Should she tell Misaki? Should she confront Alexa? Should she break this amazing story? Is it even possible? It was too much to deal with right now, especially since she had a date with Paul shortly. She put the folders in a file cabinet and locked it, sure that no one else had the key. The raven-haired reporter was about to leave for the day, when she noted the computer screen, still asking whether she wanted to send her article off to the copy editor.
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"The city has changed so much since I was last here," Alexa sighed, her hands full of shopping bags. "Thanks for showing me where the good shops are."
Misaki beamed as she walked in step with her lover, her own load carried in both hands. "It was my pleasure, Alexa-chan! In fact, the person I think who will enjoy it most will be my sister, since she can now have her clothes back!" The two women laughed heartily as they approached Misaki's home. It was indeed Misaki's pleasure to take Alexa around, treating her to the type of pampering the prophetess never allowed for herself. For Misaki, it was akin to finding a clear, shiny piece of crystal, taking it to a cutter and getting back the most flawless diamond she'd ever seen.
All of the attention made Alexa uncomfortable at first, but she soon gave in to her girlfriend's indulgence. It made Misaki happy to care for Alexa, and to the redhead, it was worth all the fuss.
As they approached the house, Misaki saw Paul sitting on the front steps..........or at least, it looked like him. She looked closer and saw that this person was a dead ringer for her sister's boyfriend, only in a female form.. Alexa also saw the woman, and an odd feeling came over her, like she had seen this woman somewhere before.
"Excuse me," Misaki began. "Can I help you?"
"Actually, I have come to speak to both of you. Why don't we go inside?" The woman stood and let Misaki pass so she could open the door. As Alexa passed, the woman gave her a sad smile. The redhead opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the other woman. "All in good time, Cassandra," she whispered.
"This is a very comfortable home you have here, Ohta-san. I can see why you would not wish to leave it." The woman took off her shoes and walked over to the loveseat, taking a seat. "Oh yes, very comfortable. How much have you told her about yourself, Cassandra?"
The other two women dropped their bags at the door, took off their shoes, and took a seat next to each other on the sofa. "For one," Alexa began, "I use the name 'Alexa' now. And yes, she knows all about me." Misaki nodded in agreement. She figured the two women knew each other from Alexa's past, and left it to them to do the introductions. "Second, it's rude to enter a person's home and not introduce yourself. Even if you are a goddess!"
The woman looked at Misaki apologetically. She stood and bowed to the younger girl. "Please forgive my manners, Ohta-san. You may call me Phoebe, as I am prohibited from using my goddess form, Artemis."
Both women eyed the newcomer curiously. "Prohibited?", they said in unison.
"It is a long story, but to put it concisely, it is my penance for...helping you, Cassan--I mean, Alexa." Phoebe sat back into the loveseat with an exasperated sigh. "I knew something like that would come back to haunt me. I never guessed it would take so long."
"One minute, please," Misaki's voice whispered. "You are Artemis? The same one that brought Alexa back to life? The goddess Artemis?" With each question, Misaki's excitement grew. She stood and gave a very deep bow to the sandy-haired woman. "I am very honored to meet you, Artemis-sama!"
"Please, save your reverence. For now, I am not worthy of it...and please, call me Phoebe." The woman's voice was sad, the realization of her situation finally hitting her. "I have come on your behalf, Alexa, to inform you of what we have done in your behalf--or against you, depending on how you look at it."
"On my behalf? Do you mean what you were talking about in my dream, when you said the gods were doing something about Apollo?" Alexa leaned forward to get a better listen.
"How much have you told your herald about Apollo's little game?", Phoebe asked.
Misaki's eyes widened. "Herald? What does she mean, Alexa-chan?"
"Hold on, Misaki-chan," Alexa replied, holding her lover's hands and giving them a gentle squeeze. She then turned her attention back to the former goddess. "I hadn't told her anything about it yet, Phoebe. I did tell her about her mother and I, and how I came to have the power of immortality and foresight."
Phoebe nodded, then sighed. "Well, she might as well forget about that last part, then."
"What do you mean?" Misaki asked.
Phoebe thought how to put things for a second. "As I said to you previously, I had wished to put an end to the game my brother had been playing with you and the Ohta sisters. I appealed to the Olympian Court on your behalf. I had also hoped, as recompense for your pain and suffering Alexa, to make you both demi-goddesses."
It was difficult for Misaki to fathom the idea of being a demi-goddess, but Alexa knew what that entailed. "I practically was a demi-goddess, Phoebe. What more could you have done?"
"I...I tried to get the same status for your herald here," she looked at Misaki, who was still working over that title.
"Do you mean that, since I can hear her, I was to be appointed her 'herald', and that people would have listened to me? And how am I able to understand her visions at all?"
"That was also my doing, and for that, I am being punished. I was sent here by Zeus himself to take back all that I have done to you both." Phoebe turned to Alexa. "You will be once again mortal, and allowed to live out your normal lifespan. Also, to atone for Apollo's crime against you, your visions are to be ended. This being the case, there will no longer be a need for your herald to interpret your visions. You can both live normal lives."
The news came as both a big relief and a great sadness for Alexa. She had long since grown tired of having the cursed visions, and dealing with the horrors contained in them by herself. Now, however, she had Misaki, and they were all set to face the future together, hopefully helping millions of people by warning them in advance of disasters yet to come. Alexa bowed to the tall, lanky woman. "Thank you, Phoebe, but I would've liked to been able to choose whether or not I wanted to keep these abilities." Her voice was hesitant and nervous; she had the feeling this wasn't the end of it.
Phoebe returned the bow and waited for Alexa to sit. "I'm truly sorry, Alexa, but the choice was not yours to make."
The room fell silent for a moment, so Misaki took this as a cue to voice her questions. "Excuse me, Phoebe-sama. Your brother, Apollo...is his earthly form named Paul?" She knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from the former goddess' mouth.
"You are correct, Ohta-san. The fact that he is dating your sister is all part of an elaborate plan he has to get revenge on Alexa for not choosing him."
"Leaving her to be raped by Ajax and killed by Clytemnestra was not enough revenge for him?" Misaki's usually quiet voice took on a darker, angrier tone. Alexa hadn't seen this side of her lover, and was afraid of what the rest of the story would do to her.
"That is why I intervened, as you already know, Ohta-san," Phoebe answered calmly, trying to quell the younger girl. "Alexa, maybe now would be a good time to explain my brother's plan to Ohta-san."
Alexa turned to Misaki and held her hands tightly. "I don't even know how to begin telling you this, Misaki-chan, but..."
"Please, Alexa-chan. I have to know this--it affects all of us." Misaki swallowed her anger and tried to be supportive for her lover.
"Remember what I told you about your mother and I? There was something I left out--I didn't want to hurt or confuse you. But now, you have to know." Alexa could no longer look in the brunette's eyes, fearing the emotions she might find there. "Kurumi's father...it's....he's Apollo."
"Then that means...oh, no!" Misaki tore her hands away from Alexa's grasp and covered her own mouth in disgust. "She is sleeping with her own father? Does she even know? Oh, this is terrible!!" She felt her stomach turn, and her head began to pound. "How long have you known about this, Alexa-chan?"
"He told me he was related to her, but I didn't know it was Paul, I really didn't!" Alexa pleaded. "I hadn't seen him in over two thousand years. He came to me in my dreams as a rabbit and told me all sorts of things. That's where his challenge to me came."
"So he is the rabbit? And what challenge do you mean?"
Alexa proceeded to tell Misaki all about the 'game' Apollo had put her through, including having her choose between loving his daughter--and keeping him in her life, or living forever, cursed by his horrible visions.
"And what of us? Is our love part of his 'game' as well? Do you truly love me, Alexa-chan, or is this part of the 'game' as well?" Misaki was enraged at Apollo, but she began to take her frustrations out on Alexa.
"No, Misaki-chan. I fell in love with you the moment you found me on that bench by the memorial. He had nothing to do with that. But when he found out, he twisted the rules so that I had to choose between you and Kurumi-chan."
"This is true," Phoebe added. "it is why I gave you the ability to understand Alexa's visions. In order to, 'level the playing field', as it were."
"Is that why you were flirting with her last night?"
"No...I was just teasing her. Nothing more. She was asking questions, and I had to throw her off somehow. I'm sorry if it looked like more than that." Alexa looked the smaller woman square in the eyes, trying to leave no doubt as to her feelings. "I love you, Misaki-chan, more than anything else. I would have chosen you even if the gods hadn't intervened."
"You're forgetting one little detail, Alexa." Phoebe moved to the sofa and sat on the other side of Misaki. "If we had not intervened, and she had chosen you, then Apollo would kill your sister, as he no longer had any use for her."
"Is...is this true, Alexa-chan?" Misaki's voice softened, and her heart was torn. "So, now that you have chosen to be with me, he will surely kill her. And it is our fault!" She began to cry, resting her head on Alexa's chest.
"No, Misaki-chan. It's not our fault--it's his. Even if I had chosen her over you, I think he would've killed her to take her away from me. He's twisted enough to do that!" Alexa cradled her lover, and looked to Phoebe. "Is there any way we can stop him?"
"I'm afraid not," the other woman replied, "In fact, since it is not you who made the choice, but the Olympic Court, the matter is out of your hands. But do not worry about your sister, Ohta-san, for she has the ability to stop him herself. She will be fine."
Misaki stopped crying upon hearing this. "What do you mean by that? How can she stop him?"
"You both forget...since she is the daughter of a god, she is at the very least, a demi-goddess. Zeus himself has awakened the power within her; all she has to do is to realize that it exists, and use it."
"And just how is she supposed to do that?" Alexa snapped. "I don't think we can just walk up to her and say, 'Hey, Ku-chan! Guess what? You're a demi-goddess! And your boyfriend's really a god who's out to kill you 'cause your sister's lover jilted him over two thousand years ago! Now, use your shiny new magical powers to stop him'!"
Phoebe smirked. "No, we have foreseen the problem and have found a solution, and it involves you, Ohta-san."
Misaki stared at Phoebe and then to Alexa. "What could I possibly do to help her?"
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"Aww...is someone a widdle cwanky 'cause hizum's wost his pow-wahs?" Eris' sarcastically teasing voice echoed through the sound system in Paul's car as he drove into the visitors' garage.
"Sure, laugh it up while you can, slut," Paul shot back. "A year is nothing to me. Keep that attitude up, and you'll be the first person I'll kill when I get my godhood back!"
Eris herself appeared in a swirl of black leaves, sitting in the front passenger seat. "I kinda like you this way...darker, edgier...easier to kill..."
"Don't try me!" Paul snapped. If it wasn't that she was necessary for his plan--more so now because of his mortality--he'd have nothing to do with the goddess of strife.
"Come on, love...just havin' some fun with ya. Anyway, it's all set. I've already started spreading rumors about the ferry, and a spark or two here and there should do the trick, thanks to some cute ruffians I met along the way." Eris smiled, pleased with her handiwork.
"Good. Just make sure they don't act too early. I no longer have foresight, so I can't plan for any...unforseen events. Understand?"
"Gotcha!" Eris gave Paul the 'thumbs up' sign, then turned to see Kurumi approaching the car. "Whoops! Here comes the missus. See ya in Korea!" She winked and left in a flourish of black leaves.
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The closer Kurumi got to Paul's car, the more apprehensive she felt. She had no idea why--their relationship was going well, and this trip would be the brief romantic getaway they haven't had yet. "I should be excited, but I feel...scared! Why?" She hesitated a couple meters from the car as Paul exited it and opened up the passenger side.
"Your chariot awaits, m'lady!" Paul said with a bow.
"Th-thank you, kind sir," Kurumi returned the bow and entered the car. Paul closed the door behind her, then re-entered on the driver's side. He started the engine, and they made their way to the highway.
"Is something wrong, babe?" Paul asked. "You haven't said a word since we started moving."
Kurumi couldn't look him in the eye for some reason. Something was definitely wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was. She didn't want to tip him off, either, so she tried to keep her anxiety in check. "Oh, it's nothing!", she said with a nervous smile. "Just some stuff at work. I'd just finished the story about that suicide in Abe's cabinet. Gruesome stuff...hard to get out of your head, y'know?"
"Yeah, so I've heard. My work's done as well. Matsuzaka's a nice guy. I'm sure he'll be missed here, but he's gonna make a fortune in the States. A talent like that doesn't grow on trees." Paul continued the 'shop talk' with Kurumi, but he noticed her slight distance and reluctance to look at him. Something was amiss, and for his plan to work, that something would have to be taken care of.
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"You know, it usually takes a minute or so for Hermes to return from even the hardest tasks...he's late!" Zeus gruffed as he sat on his throne.
"Well, you did give him quite a task. We've never sent anyone to another culture's heavenly realm before," Hera said, trying to calm her husband. "He probably had trouble crossing the barriers."
"Not really!" The messenger god's voice started the elders, as he peeked at them from behind the throne. "You forget, one of my duties is being the god of translations, so for me, there are no borders!" He finished with a heroic flourish, one that was completely ignored by Zeus.
"Whatever. Did you get them to agree?"
"Well," Hermes whined. "I think you're gonna have to do that. Oh, and you might want to put these on." He handed both of the gods a pair of sunglasses, then donned a pair himself. "You're gonna need 'em!"
Hermes waited until everyone was ready, then moved to the center of the near-empty Court. He stood at the podium and grabbed a microphone that dropped from the ceiling. "Ladieeeees aaaand Gen-tle-men! The Olympic Court is proud to introduce, all the way from Japan, the lovely, the talented, the all-powerful, the Goddess Who Shines In The Heavens herself...the Shinto Goddess of the Sun...Amaterasu!!"
Hermes dramatically pointed in the direction of the Court's main door, but it did not open. Instead, a small burst of sunlight appeared, growing brighter and brighter until it seemed the sun itself was in the room. Soon the overpowering brilliance toned itself down a few gigawatts, until a figure could be seen emerging from it. A beautiful woman, dressed in a flowing traditional Japanese kimono emanated from the glow, which itself seemed to follow her like her aura. She approached Hermes and whispered into his ear. He nodded and relayed the message to the Greek gods.
"You rang?"
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End of Chapter Eight
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