Almost seven months later, Helen and Michael were in the hospital. Neither was injured, they were there for Helen's very last ultrasound. As they sat in the waiting room, the started talking about whether they would learn the genders of the babies or not. Michael wasn't sure one way or the other, and Helen was torn between surprise and curiosity. "Well, think about it. There'll be no surprise if we learn the genders now." Helen's belly had grown large, and she often needed Michael's help getting around. Michael finally made up his mind. "I don't want to know. If you want to, go ahead, but don't tell me." Helen smiled, and gripped her husband's hand. "I won't find out. We'll both wait. It won't be long now anyway." Dr. Iuzumia entered the waiting room. "Mr. and Mrs. Samson, let's go." In a minute they were looking at the large screen they'd first seen more than half a year ago. As the doctor scanned down, they both averted their eyes. "I assume this means you don't want to know the genders?"
"You assume right." After a few minutes of humming, the doctor clicked off the screen. "Alright, they both look perfectly healthy. I think we can safely say that you will soon be giving birth to two happy, healthy babies." Michael held Helen's hand the entire time. Occasionally her grip tightened, which Michael knew meant that one of the babies had kicked. Michael and Helen had both changed in the months since their wedding. Michael had found himself much more at peace, and Helen felt this change and had followed suit. Michael had started to teach Helen French, and she was almost fluent. It was aggravating for their friends however, because they would often talk to each other in French. Their friends, especially Allen, always assumed that they were making fun of those present, but in reality they simply spoke about the same thing they had been discussing in English. Michael did this to help Helen gain fluency. Jana had started to learn it too.
Three days after the ultrasound, Helen went into labor. Michael felt helpless, but stayed by her side, in spite of her grip crushing his hand. Michael, though his inhuman power, felt Helen's strength draining. His heart turned cold, and using his power, tied his strength into hers, giving his power and strength to her, and he, in turn, took her pain. It shot through him, burning at his mind, but compared with what he was doing it for, the pain was more than bearable. The first baby emerged. "It's a girl!" shouted a doctor. The pain didn't let up, but Michael continued to give Helen his strength. Then her voice spoke in his mind. "Thank you." These two words gave Michael more strength than he had ever known, and in return he gave that strength back to her. The second child was birthed easily, and Helen was at last able to rest. Michael still held her hand, but severed the supernatural link he had forged. He felt tired. She looked at him. "You helped me." Her voice was horse and weak, and Michael kissed her to keep her from speaking more. The doctors took both children from the room. Michael backed up from Helen, and collapsed into the nearby chair. "I did. This power of mine, I used it to take your pain, and give you my strength."
"I know. I was so afraid, afraid I was going to leave you and the babies."
"I swear, as long as even a single breath dwells in my body, I will always protect you and the babies, and everyone else too." The doctors returned a minute later with two little bundles in soft blankets. They laid both babies next to their mother, and their father pulled his chair close. "So, have you two though of any names?" Michael and Helen smiled at each other. She nodded to him, giving him the go ahead to speak. "The girl, Jennifer Christine. The boy, David Matthew." The doctor wrote both names down, adding the Samson surname. Both infants had their father's hair, light wisps of silver on their newborn heads, but their eyes were like those of their mother, in both color and shape, green gems set into their innocent faces. Michael marveled at how quiet they were, and how they seem to know him, even thought they'd never seen him before. The only way her could tell Jennifer from David was that David was in a blue blanket, while Jennifer was in pink. He smiled down on his daughter, who smiled up at him. A familiar, and unwelcome, voice spoke. "Cute kids." Michael stood up and faced Wrath, Envy, and another demon man, who stood at the forefront. Michael didn't need to ask, he knew who he was looking at. "Sin." Sin's human form was that of a businessman. This man had gray skin, and yellow eyes. He wore a black suit, and had black hair cut short to his scalp. "Hello, Michael."
"What do you want? We still have three months."
"Yes, you do, but I can extend that to three years, for a price."
"What price?"
"Your daughter..."
"Fuck off.”
"Please, hear me..."
"I said fuck off. I swear if you so much as step to close to either of my children, my wife, my sister, or any of my friends, I'll break you in half."
"If you would just listen..."
"You will never take my daughter from me. Never, do you understand?"
"It isn't your daughter we want. It's her power we want. Just give us that, and you can live free for three years." Michael didn't speak this time, but smashed his fist into Sin's face. Wrath reacted a second too late, reaching out for Michael's arm, and only got Michael's shoe planted in his face. Both of them stumbled back. "I'll assume that's a no." Sin said holding his bleeding nose. Wrath didn't say anything, but rushed towards Helen and the babies. Michael was in his and on him in less than half a second. Michael drove his knee into Wrath's gut, and then rammed his head into the floor. Michael kicked the bent over form of Wrath with enough force to slam it into the wall next to Sin. "Get out." Sin started to speak again. "I said get out. Send you worst, and make sure their affairs are in order." Michael voice was cold as ice, and sharp as a blade. He spoke slowly, to make sure his words were heard, and calmly, to make sure they couldn't be misunderstood. Sin failed to retort, and all three demons vanished. Michael collapsed in the chair next to Helen's bed. His every muscle ached, he had used his powers too much in too short a time. Helen grabbed his hand. "You know, maybe we should have..."
"No. I was willing to take on Sin to earn us this rest, but I won't make a decision for my daughter. Besides, Sin already got something he wanted today."
"What? What did he get?"
"He pushed me, and found my soft spot. He knows he can hurt me though you, and I wouldn't put it past him to take advantage of that. The last thing he needs is Jennifer's power too." Michael was fighting to keep his eyes open. He watched, as if in a dream, as Helen fawned over their children. She let a little hand, David's, grip her index finger. Michael reached out, and let Jennifer take hold of his finger. A sudden surge of energy flooded his mind, like electricity filling his veins. The world went black. For what seemed like an eternity he floated in darkness. Then he heard Helen's voice, "Michael, Michael, are you okay?!" Michael opened his eyes, and Helen was leaning over him. Her hospital gown was hanging in a way that forced his attention to areas other than her face. She saw where he was looking, and said, "Pervert. I just gave birth and you mind is still in the gutter." Michael was on the floor. He sprang to his feet, and pulled Helen to him, kissing her. She was startled, but didn't draw away. After a few minutes, they parted, and Helen's face was tinged pink. "What was that for?"
"Because. Does a man really need a reason to kiss the woman he loves?" She looked away from him, but glanced coyly out of the corner of her eye. "I guess not." Then she threw herself into his arms, and kissed him. After they parted again, Michael asked, "How are the twins?" She batted her eyes. "I was little more worried about you. A nurse came in and gave them both bottles of formula. I thought you'd fallen asleep, until you fell on the floor. What happened? You looked burnt out, but now you look fine."
"I'm still burnt out. When little Jenny touched my hand, I think whatever power she has reacted to my power, and kind of shorted out my brain. So, you decided to go with the formula?"
"Yeah, they get the same nutrients either way. Can you believe that women didn't have a choice back in the day? God, that had to suck." She giggled at her own pun. Both babies were sleeping, still wrapped in their blankets. Michael sat back down in his chair, and Helen got back into bed with the babies. In a few minutes they were fast asleep.
Michael woke up early the next morning. Helen was still sleeping, and a nurse was trying to slide the babies from under her arm. Michael helped her, and the nurse took the babies for more tests, and a feeding. Michael stepped out of the room. The professor was in the hall talking to Dr. Iuzumia. "I see, so they do have powers. Have you told Michael?"
"Told me what, that my son and daughter have powers?"
"What, oh Michael, it's you, wait, how did you...?"
"Know? Because when Jennifer grabbed my finger she shorted out my head. I was knocked cold."
"Really? What do you think caused it?"
"I assume that she had a nine month build up of energy, and it reacted to my powers, kind of like a static charge." The professor nodded in agreement. "It would follow our understanding of these powers. May I go in, I'd like to see how Helen's doing." Michael lead the both of them in. Helen was still asleep. Michael kissed her gently on the cheek. As if in a fairy tale, she stirred, and sat up in the bed. Seeing the professor and doctor, she immediately asked Michael, in French, "What's going on?" Michael didn't know why she didn't want either the Hanson or Iuzumia knowing what they were saying, but he went along with her anyway, speaking in French. "They want to see who you're doing."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing, it's just that our children have powers like mine. I'm running under the assumption that they were worried that these powers might have had an adverse effects on you, just like me." Helen understood, and turned to the two professionals. "I'm just fine, I feel great."
"Alright, alright. I suppose I should have quashed my curiosity. Well, from the looks of things, the four of you will be going home. I heard your sister is watching your home?" Michael smiled. "Yeah, and Jana too. They really hit it off." They had. Jana had begun to look to her older sister-in-law as the end-all, be-all of role models. She imitated everything that Maria did, said, and even tried to imitate her new big sister's thoughts, with limited success. As far as Michael was concerned, she was now as good as a teenager. Now that she was twelve, she acted like she was fifteen. Michael thanked god that, if this trend continued, in a few years she'd be acting like an adult. Helen loved to rib him about it, but she was always careful to avoid touching on Michael's own childhood, which had definitely been cut short. After a few more words with Dr. Iuzumia and Professor Hanson, a nurse entered the room with the twins. She handed Jenny to Michael, and David to Helen. Why, Michael did not know, but he didn't argue. The darling little girl staring up at him consumed his attention, blocking out anything and everything. The only things that escaped the universal block out were David and Helen. Everything else was forced into blurred obscurity. "So," Michael said, "this is what it's like to be a dad." Helen looked at her husband, holding their tiny daughter in his seemingly massive arms. Then she looked at her son, a calm, handsome little boy, who's emerald green eyes almost glinted in the light. Michael was just as transfixed by the eyes of his daughter as he was when he looked into those same eyes that belonged to his wife. "You know," said Helen, "I always wondered what it would be like, to be a mother."
"Yeah, I wondered too." She looked at her husband quizzically. "I mean I wondered what it's be like to be a dad, just like you wondered about being a mom." Helen smiled, and Michael realized she had understood, and had looked at him to mess with him. "I have to admit, for all my day dreaming, it never imagined feeling this, well, great. I don't think there's a word to describe this feeling." The professor started to laugh. "I hate to burst your bubble, but there is. What your feeling is true, and complete happiness." Michael looked at the professor, not as the wise older man who was his superior and teacher, but as Jonathan Hanson, the person. It dawned on Michael that he, and Iuzumia, and Kalasdozki probably all had families of their own. It hadn't occurred to him until know that they had probably already been through the very same things that he and Helen were going through right now. This thought sparked a question in his mind, and before he could even register that he had thought it, he asked it. "Where's your family, Professor Hanson? Dr. Iuzumia?" The professor's old eyes closed, and he suddenly seemed so much older than he had been just moments before. Iuzumia, usually optimistic, suddenly seemed tired, almost dead on her feet. The professor rubbed one hand with the other, namely his right hand's ring finger. "I suppose this conversation was inevitable. I can't blame you for wondering, considering that you yourselves have begun on the same journey. The simple truth of it is that my family is dead." Helen let a slight gasp escape her lips. "What happened?"
"The same thing that happened to your parents, Michael. The gate opened, and my family died. Just as you've come to terms with your parents' deaths, I've come to terms with the deaths of my wife and children, and my grandchildren." Michael's spine chilled again. "You, you were a grandfather?"
"Yes I was. I was one of those things that defined me, and changed my view of the world. I can't describe a moment like that, but hopefully you'll have the opportunity to experience it yourself." Helen looked at Iuzumia. "What about you, doctor?"
"I only had my husband, before the gate. I didn't need anything more."
"What do you mean, you only had your husband, didn't you have any children? Didn't you want any?"
"Oh, we tried, but..."
"But? But what?"
"I, I can't have children, I..." Helen suddenly understood. "You were infertile. Oh, Ms. Iuzumia, I'm so sorry for you." Michelle Iuzumia held up a hand. "I accepted it a long time ago. I suppose that's why I adore children, and why I feel so protective of you pilots. But, then the gate opened, and my husband died. I've come to accept that too, but that doesn't make it any easier to talk about. Than again, I suppose it could be worse. Poor Ivan."
"Wait," Michael interrupted, "Poor Ivan? What happened to Kalasdozki?" Both Iuzumia and Hanson looked suddenly, extremely uncomfortable. "I'm not sure it would be right to tell..." said Iuzumia. "After all, it isn't our place to..." Michael leveled his gaze, that sharp, piercing gaze, at them. Somehow, Michael still managed to look intimidating even holding his baby daughter. "You know he'll never tell us, and, quite frankly, I don't like the thought of my wife working under someone I barely know anything about."
"I suppose you're right. Like me, most of Ivan's family was killed by the demons. The exception is his daughter. She was about ten when the gate opened. Ever since then she's been in this bizarre waking coma."
"Waking coma?"
"She is awake, in the sense that her eyes are open, and she appears to be aware of her surroundings, but beyond eating, breathing, and, well, you know what, she's completely helpless. I swear, it'd be easier on him if she had died, but he doesn't blame her." Michael felt better, knowing that the ever-intimidating Kalasdozki was human after all. The professor and doctor excused themselves, leaving Michael, Helen, and the babies. Michael, still cradling Jennifer, sat down on the bed. Helen scooted across the bed to lean against him, and as she did, he leaned into her. David cooed as he looked at his parents, and Jennifer followed suit. Michael smiled at them, and they both giggled. "You know, it never occurred to me that I'm not the only person who lost people to the demons. I never thought about it, to be sure, but you'd think I'd have realized that by now." Helen snuggled in, closer to him. "I guess I was just fortunate. I didn't really lose anyone. Sure I lost a few friends, but my family was unharmed, well, almost."
"Almost?" Michael shifted to look at her, and saw a tear in the corner of her eye. "My brother, James. Almost two years ago now, he had a fiancée. They were so happy together, it was like a fairy tale, but I guess not everyone gets a fairy tale ending, do they. She was killed by a demon, she was in a bridal store, getting fitted for her gown. The demon appeared, and crushed the store flat. I was there."
"There?! How?"
"I wasn't in the store, you doofus. I had gone with them, I was going to be one of the bride's maids. Dumb luck saved me. One of her friends asked me to run down the street and get drinks for everyone. I was on my way back when the demon appeared. I remember not being able to move, and then collapsing as it started walking my way, then I was saved."
"Saved?"
"Yeah. At first I didn't know what to make of it, but a little while after I joined Project Sword, I found out it was a prototype of the White Sword that saved me. Funny how luck works, huh?"
"Fortune or fate."
"Fate? Don't tell me you believe in fate! How can anything be predestined? If it was, what would the point be behind choice and free will?" Michael lifted her chin with his free hand, and brushed away the tear that had stopped on her cheek. After a single, gentle kiss, he spoke. "I don't believe in fate, but I don't traffic with fortune either. I find it hard to believe that everything is determined by luck, by a roll of a die or the flip of a coin. From your reaction to fate, I assume you lean towards fortune."
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." Michael kissed Helen again, and the babies giggled and cooed. "I suppose I should get dressed so we can go home. What do you say, dear?" Michael snarled playfully as she passed their little boy to him and got up off the bed and stepped into the small bathroom attached. She came out a few minutes later in the clothes she had arrived at the hospital in, which now looked impossibly huge on her. She also had two baby carriers, which had been given to them by her parents. By the time she came out of the bathroom, both of the babies were fast asleep. With Helen's help, he got both babies into their carriers without waking them up. After dealing with some paperwork, they started on their way home. After turning down several halls, they came face to face with a person. This person was familiar, and unwelcome. It was Wrath. Michael set down the carrier he had, and slid it slowly back to Helen, who picked it up and started slowly backing away. "I'm not here for the brats, I'm here for you, jack ass." He pointed at Michael. "What do you want with me?"
"I want to kill you. I owe you that much." Michael was confused. "You're going to disobey Sin, you're going to break the deal?"
"You already broke it! You broke it when you attacked me!"
"I defended myself and my family. It was your side of the bargain to give us reprieve, I fulfilled our side when I fought Sin."
"Fuck it then! I'll break it, and I'll kill you!" Wrath rushed at Michael, but was in turn rushed by Allen, who came out of an adjacent hall. Allen pinned the demon to the wall, and signaled to Michael with a jerk of his head. Michael ran up to them, and kicked Wrath as hard as he could in the head while Allen got out of the way. Wrath fell to the floor, dazed, and Michael and Allen both slammed him down, Michael dropping a heavy axe-kick, Allen executing a powerful pile-driver. Wrath spat up blood. Before Allen or Michael could do anything else, Envy appeared over her brother. "Enough! Sin will have enough punishments for him as it is, leave him be!" Michael was surprised to see actual emotion on Envy's face. She was actually concerned for her brother. They both vanished. Michael leaned against the wall to catch his breath. "Thanks man." Allen was leaning on the opposite wall, and only nodded his response. Helen ran up to them with the babies in their carriers. "Michael, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Wait, Allen, what are you dressed up for?" Allen was wearing a clean white, button-up shirt and black trousers with a thin black belt. He gave them a guilty little smile, and said, "I'm on my way to a date with Hisana, at her place."
"A first date at her place?" Allen looked confused for a second, but then his face cleared. "No, not the first date. Didn't you two hear? We've been dating for the past month. We haven't even slept together or anything...not that there's anything wrong with doing it on a first date or anything like that." The speed with which Allen amended his sentence clued Michael into the fact that he'd been following his and Helen's relationship a little too closely. "No, no there isn't." Michael chose a tone of voice calibrated to perfectly express an unspoken sentence, which clearly said, "You will shut up about other people's relationships, or you will die." This sentence was not lost on Allen, who visibly swallowed a hard lump in his throat. Helen was much more interested in hearing the details of Hisana and Allen's blossoming relationship, but Michael reminded her of the two infants, and she reluctantly agreed to set her inquiry aside for the time being. Allen glanced at his watch. "Oh, shit! I'm so gonna be late! Ah, fuck! Sorry guys, gotta go, shit!" Michael gritted his teeth, making a mental note to beat Allen later for his coarse language around their children. This note was pushed to the back of his mind by Wrath. Michael was confounded, and very, very angry. He had been promised a year, and Wrath, and by extension, Sin, had broken that promise. Not that Michael had actually expected them to hold up their end of the deal, every day that they didn't break it had surprised him. For the past nine months he had lived in a state of constant fear, adrenaline, and paranoia. Even now, his entire body was ready, expectant, on edge, just waiting of a demon to appear, waiting for Wrath, or Sin himself to attack. Michael was pulled out of his thoughts by Helen leaning into his chest. The paranoia, fear, and strain all evaporated the instant she leaned into him, as if he had a pressure release and only she could hit it. This always happened to him, whenever he had a chance to be near her. He may have acted like it was she who needed him, but in truth, he needed her just as much, and she knew it, it was why she could put up with all his posturing. Michael took Jennifer's carrier from Helen, and As they started walking home, Michael started talking about vacations with Helen in French, and Helen, happy to see him acting like his usual self, talked back with enthusiasm.
Maria had to hold Jana back from the front door, so that she didn't knock Michael or Helen over while they were carrying the babies. After they had set the twins down, Jana was allowed to jump onto her brother. Michael staggered as the twelve year old girl hit him full force. The very first thing Helen did after giving her sister a hug was make a bee-line for the shower. Michael walked into his living room and quickly found the remote. Michael dozed in front of the T.V. He was roused a little later by Helen. She nudged him and said, "Wake up and help me feed the babies. Here, you take David and I'll take Jenny. Here, take the bottle." Michael took the bottle and his son. Still half asleep, he need Helen's help to know just what he was doing, but once David started feeding, it was a simple matter for Michael to hold baby and bottle. Still slightly groggy, he turned his head and looked at Helen and Jenny, and found himself even more in love with the woman how was his wife and the mother of his children. In his mind, it had been impossible for Helen to be anymore beautiful, but, once again, she had defied his mind, and found yet another way to seem even more amazing. Smiling down at their infant daughter, her face was a serene picture of ultimate happiness. If the was a heaven, this, surely, was the closest any living person had ever come to it. David finished feeding, and then belched. Michael was surprised that such a tiny thing could produce such a loud noise. David giggled at his own burp, and this laugh carried over to his father. While he was laughing, Michael caught a whiff of an unmistakable odor. "Uh, Helen, I think David needs a change." Helen looked up from Jenny. "Well, you're a grown man, and you took care of Jana, didn't you?" Michael sighed, he had hoped he could bluff his way out of it, but he hadn't. Helen watched as Michael walked into the bathroom with David and a fresh diaper. She looked back to Jenny, who was still feeding from the bottle Helen had given her. The nurse had told her that David fed faster than his sister, but she hadn't told her just how much faster. David had drained the bottle in a couple of minutes, but Jennifer was just barely past the halfway mark. But what really got Helen was her daughter's eyes, almost luminous green orbs staring into space. Jennifer finally finished her bottle, and after a slight pat on the back from her mother, she released a burp that was more like a slight sigh. 'Finally,' Helen thought, 'a way to tell them apart. He eats fast and burps like a air-horn, she eats slowly and barely burps at all.' Michael returned with a now fast asleep David in his arms. Michael sat down, and laid his son in his lap. After a few minutes, Jenny was asleep too. Michael and Helen got off the couch and went to their room, where Michael had set up a pair of cribs. After tucking both babies into the folds of the sheets in their cribs, both parents slid quietly out of the room. Michael checked his watch. "Almost seven. Now what do we do?" Helen didn't have any ideas either. Jana and Maria were playing some game in Jana's room, so Michael and Helen decided that time in front of the T.V. was as good as anything. An hour later, they both heard crying from their room. It was Jenny, and it was now she who needed a change. Helen took Jennifer to the bathroom, and returned a little later with a much nicer smelling Jennifer. The little girl was already more than half asleep by the time Helen tucked her in. Michael was amazed his son had slept though his sister's bawling. Michael suspected that the little boy would probably sleep through anything. The small child rubbed an eye with a tiny fist, and yawned. For a moment, Michael panicked, afraid he was about to wake up, but David simply let out a long breath, and relaxed further into his blankets. Michael and Helen decided to go to bed as well, and after changing into bed clothes, crawled into bed.
Three hours later, Michael and Helen were awoken by the loud cries of their children. They both sat up, a said in unison, "No way." After a few more minutes of bawling, they both got out of bed, and each picked up one of the babies. They checked their diapers, and both babies needed changes, so they changed them. The babies continued crying, so they fed them. The babies stopped crying, but didn't look like they were going to sleep. Michael and Helen returned the babies to their cribs, and climbed back into bed. Another three hours later they were up again. In Michael's mind the phrase wash, rinse, repeat came forward and stuck to his every thought. After the babies were again quiet, the couple returned to bed. Michael and Helen woke up just three hours later. "Please tell me this ends soon." Michael said. "I don't know, honey, but until it does we'll just have to put up with it. Okay?" Michael hugged Helen to him. "Alright, as long as you can handle it, I can handle it." This pattern repeated twice more through the night. The babies persisted in their pattern through the day too. During one of their three hour naps, the phone rang. "Hello?" Michael's heart stopped when he heard Sin's silky, cold voice through the earpiece. "Michael, we need to talk."
"About what?"
"I first want to extend my apologies for Wrath's actions, he is being thoroughly punished. Second, my congratulations on your young ones, I failed to express them at our last meeting. On that note I also wish to apologize for my actions then. I overstepped my bounds, I should have known you’d be defensive of your infants. I also wanted to reassure you that you still have three months of peace, and I will admit to strongly considering adding a few more months for Wrath's actions."
"That can't be your only reason, what are you planning?"
"Now, now, I can't tell you that, it'd ruin the challenge. But know that, while I too am taking advantage of this rest, I am not extending the time for my advantage. My race is one of honor, on and off the battle field."
"Honor? You call killing innocents honorable?!"
"Your kind killed our innocents first." Michael knew instinctively that Sin was not lying. "What...what do you mean? You're kind opened the gate, and attacked us!"
"I will not deny that we attacked you, but it was in retaliation and revenge. We did not open the gates."
"Gates?! There's more than one?!"
"Were, there were more than one. The first gate closed after we killed the first ones you sent through. Then the large gate opened, and we saw our opportunity to avenge the innocents that died. Little did we realize that we were avenging innocent by killing innocents. Once we realized the truth, we retreated back behind the gate."
"Wait, the first ones?"
"Machines, like yours but much less advanced. They were weak once we began to fight, but they caught us by surprise, and killed many."
"Who sent them, maybe they can be brought to justice."
"I would tell you if I knew, but sadly even if the ones responsible are brought to justice, this can not end in peace. Our two worlds are corroding each other, and the gate must be closed to save them. Unfortunately, as far as we can tell from this end, there is a force keeping the gate open. Until the source is determined, we have to keep searching, and you, in turn, will have to fight us. This is the way of things, my race has no caring for yours and if left alone in your world will cause death and damage. I fully understand your races need for self-preservation, and if you can kill them, then they were fated for death. This is the way of things. Goodbye, I will inform you if the rest is extended." Sin hung up. Michael put the phone back on its rest, and returned to Helen in the living room. "Who was it?"
"Sin."
"Sin?! What the hell did he want?!"
"To apologize, and talk, funnily enough."
"What did he talk about?"
"He told me he might give us more time to rest. He also admitted that he was using this time to his own benefit. He also told me that the gate above the city wasn't the first."
"What?! What do you mean wasn't the first?!"
"According to Sin, it's the second, and if it stays open, both our world and theirs will be destroyed. For some reason the door isn't closing, and they're searching for the reason."
"So, we've been killing creatures who were trying to help?"
"No. They're just demons sent to our world to find the source of this, this thing keeping the gate open. He told me we have full license to kill them, because they'd do the same to us. He called it fate." Helen leaned into her husband, and as she did, a siren, familiar and hated, sounded. Michael stood slowly, and nodded to Helen. She called her sister, who had agreed to take care of the babies when Michael and Helen were on missions. After the call was made and finished, the two of them left their home, and the peace they had known for nine months, behind them, not knowing if they'd return.
Chapter 4
It was almost a week before Michael received notice of when the fight was to take place, in another week's time. Helen was extremely nervous, but Michael did his best to comfort her. While not spending time with his fiancée or sister, Michael spent time with Kalasdozki and Hanson, working a new weapon for the Black Staff. It was basically an upgraded version of the sword he'd used it his last fight in his mech. While Michael was working on preparing for the fight, Helen was planning the wedding. She'd chosen Hisana as her maid of honor, and Hisana had risen to the occasion. The week seemed to fly by, and before anyone knew it, the day of the fight came. Michael was unnerved as he strode into the field. In the back of his mind, he knew his parents' bodies were somewhere among the countless makeshift tombstones. He felt inhuman, standing over the graves of the people who had died all those years ago. Several paces away stood a demon equal in height to the Black Staff. The demon was proportionally the same as a human. Next to it, stuck into the ground, was a massive sword. Covering the demon's body was a series of black armor plates. Its face was covered by a black oval of armor. Michael stopped a few paces short of the demon. Then it spoke. "Hello, demon slayer. I am Sin."
"Hello Sin. So, shall we get this over with?"
"Just a moment. I just wanted to inform you that among my people, you've earned a place of honor. All of the demons you've killed were of high status, and their status carried over to you."
"What's the point of all this?"
"I just want to see how you fight." Michael rolled his eyes. Then he pulled his new sword from the socket on his waist. It was twice the length of its predecessor, with a hilt to match. Sin picked up his sword. Both blades spat sparks as they clashed. Michael was faster, but Sin was stronger. The scream of metal on metal rang out in all directions. Michael tired again and again to sweep his blade in a way Sin wouldn't, or couldn't, block. Sin was skilled, and parried Michael's every swing. Then, in desperation, Michael feigned a swing, causing Sin to react, and then brought his sword in the opposite direction, putting it under Sin's throat. Sin started laughing. "Well done human. I've had my fill." Michael lowered his sword, and Sin vanished. On his was home, Allen contacted him of the radio. "Why didn't you kill him?! You had him!"
"No, I didn't. He wasn't even using a tenth of his full power. I was giving it my all. He had me." Michael was embittered by the thought. At the very least, he was consoled by the time he had bought his family.
Michael had problems dealing with the break from fighting. He was out of things to do. Helen became so entrenched in her wedding plans that she barely had any time to spend with him. Jana also spent much more time studying, something that confounded Michael. To relieve his boredom, he focused, working on his bike. By the end of the first two months, it was running perfectly. Allen started talking about a bachelor party, but Michael shot him down. Michael had no interest in a bachelor party. Finally, Michael found something to take his mind off the wedding, the baby, and everything else. What Michael found was fishing. Michael began to fill his free time with fishing. At the same time, to stay in shape, he spent a great deal of time in the gym. When he wasn’t working out, he would spar with Allen and Shinji. Occasionally Helen would join him in the gym. Dr. Iuzumia had reluctantly told Helen how she could exercise with risking any harm to the baby. Another activity Michael took to was swimming. One of his favorite exercises was to stay as close to the bottom of the deep end of the pool for as long as he could. Allen and Shinji also joined him in trying this, but they couldn’t stay under for nearly as long as Michael. A few days into the third month, Michael and Allen were sparring again. They stood opposite each other in matching white robes. Michael’s fighting style focused more on kicks; his primary fighting style was Tai Kwon Do. Occasionally he would mix in moves of Capoeira. Allen focused much more on his upper body, and as result fought more like a boxer. Shinji was sitting cross-legged on the side of the room. Neither Michael nor Allen was using protective gear. Allen threw a wild punch, but before it could hit Michael, he dropped down to the ground, and brought his right leg up in a sweeping kick to Allen’s chest. Allen grunted slightly, but then grabbed Michael’s leg, and lifted him into the air. Michael bent his captured leg in, and at the same time kicked his free one out, aiming for Allen’s head. Allen ducked, and the force of the kick cause Michael to flail in the air as his held ankle twisted. But Allen couldn’t keep hold of the ankle, and let go. Michael then kicked with is now freed leg, landing a powerful kick to Allen's chest while still in the air. Allen stumbled, and Michael flipped himself onto his feet. Allen charged, swinging a fast upper cut that Michael barely dodged, and then brought the same arm down elbow first. Michael did a quick double step away from Allen, and then swept his leg along the ground, trying to take Allen’s legs out from under him. It worked. Allen hit the ground, and Michael was on his feet. Michael brought down a powerful axe kick, but Allen rolled away just in time. Allen was on his feet before Michael could attack again. They moved in unison, Michael swinging a powerful kick, Allen throwing his strongest punch. Both of them caught the other, and they were deadlocked. Shinji applauded. Michael sat down, breathing heavily. Allen wiped sweat from his forehead. Helen and Jana walked into the room. "Brother! I told you not to fight!" Michael actually stammered as he tried to explain. Helen saved him. "Jana, sweetie, Michael and Allen weren't really fighting, they were just pretending." Jana understood despite the rather simple explanation. Michael got up and gave them both hugs. "What's up?" Helen gave him a kiss. "Didn't I tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"I'm having my first ultrasound today. I assumed you'd want to see the baby." Michael smiled at her. "Of course. Let me just hit the showers and we can go."
"Okay, just hurry it up." Michael took his shower as fast as he could, threw on a fresh set of clothes, and met Helen outside of the gym. They made their way to the hospital, and Dr. Iuzumia met them at the door. "How are you feeling Helen? Anything odd?"
"Other than all the weird stuff you told me is normal, no." Michael's eyebrows popped up. "Weird stuff? What weird stuff?" Helen looked slightly awkward. "Oh, it's nothing, just nothing." Michael got the message. Iuzumia led all of them inside, and into the room the ultrasound would be taken. She helped Helen onto the bed, and has her lift her shirt so the gel could be applied. After a few minutes they were ready. Dr. Iuzumia used a small gray device which she ran over the surface of Helen's belly. After a few minutes an image appeared on the large screen. Black and white lines intermingled, forming and indistinct blur. "Alright, we're seeing inside the womb, now, let's see if we can't find the baby." After a few more minutes Dr. Iuzumia gasped quietly. Michael stared at the image onscreen, and saw why. He roughly knew that by this time the baby should have a heart. He figured this would appear as a little pulsation on the screen. Michael saw two of these pulsations. Helen didn't see them, but did hear the doctor's gasp. "What is it? Is something wrong with my baby?" Michael put his hand on hers, squeezing it gently. "You mean babies." Helen looked confused. Then she looked at Dr. Iuzumia as if to confirm what Michael had said. The doctor nodded slightly. Helen looked back to Michael, her eyes wide with wonder. "Babies? We're having twins?" Tears sparkled in her eyes as Michael said, "We're having twins." Jana tugged at her brother's shirt. "Does this mean I'm gonna be an aunt?" Michael couldn't hold back his joy, and with a single motion picked Jana up and said, "Yes, you're gonna be an aunt!" Iuzumia ran a few more checks on the babies before giving them a clean bill of health. Michael felt right for the first time in a long time. After everything was done, all three headed home. On the way, Helen's cell phone rang. "Hello? Hisana, what is it? Alright, I'll ask him." She put her hand of the receiver and looked at Michael. "Do you know your measurements?" Michael gave her a look that said, quiet plainly, "What do you think?" Helen shrugged. "No, he doesn't. Okay, we'll see you tomorrow. Right, I'll tell him. 'Bye." She clicked the phone shut. "That was Hisana. We're going to meet her tomorrow."
"What for?"
"My dress fitting and your tux fitting."
"But, what date did you choose? For the wedding, I mean. I left it to you."
"Yes, I remember. Oh, shit, I didn't tell you?! Oh god, it's in a week, honey." Michael wasn't surprised. He'd already called the Halinskis and they'd made the rings for the wedding. Michael rolled his eyes, and said, "Relax, it's okay." Helen looked very relieved. As they continued walking, her phone rang again. "Hello? What is it now? Oh my god, are you serious?!" Helen put her hand over the receiver again. "Michael, Hisana forgot the rings!" Michael laughed calmly, which threw Helen completely off. "I took care of it. Tell her to go to Halinski's Jewelry in town. If she brings up my name they'll have them done." Helen looked surprised. "Okay, Hisana? No, no it's okay, Michael took care of it. I know, it surprised me too. He told me that you need to go to Halinski's Jewelry, tell them he sent you and they'll have the rings. Alright, see you tomorrow." Helen hung up the phone. Then she looked at Michael. "How did you know Hisana would forget the rings?" Michael looked back at her over his shoulder as they walked. "I didn't. What I did know is that she'd find the best place in town to get them, and luckily, I already knew the place." Helen ran up behind him, and after spinning him around, kissed him. After a moment, another cell phone rang. This time it was Michael's. "What? Allen, I will stuff you into one of your own guns if you bother me about this again. I've told a dozen times, no. Allen, please do me a favor and shut up." Michael shut the phone. He looked at Helen. "Sorry. Let's go home."
"Yes, let's." Helen grabbed his hand, and the three of them finally went home. Jana went to bed early, leaving Michael and Helen alone. For a while the sat on the couch, watching a movie. After the movie was over, Helen got up and went to the kitchen. Michael lounged on the couch, and flipped through the television channels. Helen returned with a pair of glasses and some wine. Michael immediately sat up. "Helen, you know you're not allowed to have alcohol." Helen sat down next to him, and after kissing him said coyly, "Actually Dr. Iuzumia told me that as long as I'm very careful not to have more than a small amount, I can." Michael looked skeptical. "I really don't think it'd be good for the babies." Helen kissed him again, this time on the neck. "Come on, I'm sure the babies will be fine. Please?" Michael was torn between his love for Helen, and his worry for the babies she carried. Helen started pulling at his shirt. "Helen, what are you doing?" She smiled with a teasing, seductive gleam in her eye. Now Michael understood the booze. She thought she needed to get him a little drunk before he'd sleep with her. Michael grabbed her hand, and pulled her tight to his chest, kissing her gently and firmly. She recoiled at first, in reaction to his sudden move, but soon she was being more forceful than him. Before he could react she had his shirt off. She traced his muscles as they kissed. His hands ran through her hair and down her back. With his help, she got her shirt off too. With a jerk she pulled him to his feet, their lips still locked. With another jerk, she pulled him toward the bedroom, and as she did she started playing with his belt. Michael, trying to be helpful, kicked the door to their room shut.
Michael was the first up the next morning. After pulling on underwear and pants, he stepped out of the room. Looking at the clock, he saw it was almost eight. He leaned against the wall, reflecting on the previous night. He was fairly certain nothing would come of it, after all, she was already pregnant. It wasn't like they hadn't had sex since the first time, but, to him, this last time had been more than just physical, it had gone far beyond that. He found both of their shirts from last night and tossed the into the laundry room. Then he returned to his room for some clean clothes. Helen woke up just as he entered. "Hey there. Michael, last night was, I don't know, amazing." Michael smiled sheepishly. "It was more than amazing. Now, when are we supposed to meet Hisana?" Helen stretched under the sheets, trying halfheartedly to cover herself. "She said eight-thirty." Michael frowned. "Well then, we've got a half hour to get ready." Helen sat up straight, no longer trying to cover herself. "Oh, my god! We slept in! Quick, take a shower and get dressed, I'll take one after you. While I'm in the shower you can get Jana ready." Michael was already moving, and had already tossed some of her clothes out for her. Twenty minutes later they rushed out of the house. Jana was still half asleep, and Michael had to carry her on his back. They reached the car with five minutes left before they were late. Helen speed whenever she could, but was still careful. Finally she arrived at the dress shop. Michael got out of the car with her, but Hisana stopped him at the door. She was flipping through papers, her typical glasses perched on her slim nose. "Helen told me she doesn't want you seeing her in the dress until the wedding. You said Shinji was to be your best man?"
"Yeah."
"He's around the block, at the shop that's providing the tuxedos. We'll call you when the fitting is done. Yours should be done much sooner, and since Jana is going to be the flower girl, she'll be with us, so after you, Allen, and Shinji are done, Shinji suggested you three'd be going to some...thing." Michael wasn't surprised. After the short walk he saw Shinji and Allen in front of another shop. Shinji waved. "Put your arm down man, It's not like I can't see you."
"Right, sorry. So ready to get his over with?"
"You know it." All three of them entered the shop. After a few greetings and questions, the fittings started. Michael couldn't be sure, since he'd never had a suit fitted in is life, but it seemed like he was being poked with pins a lot more times than was absolutely necessary. They were done in a half hour. Allen was rubbing his posterior. "I swear, that guy was trying to stick needles into my butt." Michael agreed. "Well, I called Hisana and they're going to be there for a couple more hours. What do you say? How about we have some fun?" Allen was all for it, and Michael was cool with it. The first thing they did was get something to eat. After that, they found an arcade. Allen went straight for the racing games. Shinji and Michael double teamed it on several shooting games. All three of them lost track of time, until Michael's phone rang. "Hello?" It was Helen. "Where are you?"
"An arcade, why?"
"We're done here, so we can go now."
"Alright, we'll be there in a minute. See you soon."
"See you." She hung up. Michael grabbed Shinji and Allen and all three of them bolted out of the arcade. They came around the corner near the shop, just in time to see three guys bothering Helen, Hisana, Jana, and Mina. One of the guys grabbed Helen by the wrist, trying to force himself on her. Without thinking, he ran full tilt at the man, and jumped, kicking the guy in the side of the head with both legs. Allen decked a guy who'd grabbed Hisana, and Shinji snapped the wrist of the last guy. The guys regrouped. "Who the fuck are you heroes?" said the largest. He was the one who'd grabbed Helen. Blood was pouring from his nose. Michael grabbed him by this nose, and lifted him to his feet. "I am the fiancée of the woman you just assaulted. I am also the pilot of the Black Staff humanoid weapon. In short, mess with her again, and I'll do more than break your nose, got it?" The guy Allen decked got up and tried to jump Michael, but was knocked to the ground again by another punch from Allen. This guy was the mid-sized of the group. "Why the fuck do you care about these broads?" he asked. Allen stepped on him. "Because the girl you were going to hurt is important to me." He applied more pressure to the guy. The last guy ran at Mina, but was clothes lined by Shinji. "If you're wondering," he said, "I did that because I hate fuckers like you." All three of the guys ran off, nursing injuries. Michael turned to Helen. "Are you okay? Did they do anything?"
"No, no, we're okay. We knew we'd end up having a problem with them, they were hanging around outside the store for a hour. We could have handled them you know."
"I know, I just got carried away. My instincts took over."
"I know, I understand. Look, lets just go home. My parents will be here tomorrow." 'There's good news', Michael thought sarcastically. He'd known they'd attend the wedding, although secretly he'd hoped they wouldn't be able to make it. He also knew that her parents were bringing her sister and brother. Michael didn't enjoy this thought. He would have difficulty dealing with them, he wasn't used to large families. Michael got in the car with Helen and Jana. He near fell asleep on the way home, and when they arrived Helen had to shake him to clear his head. When they finally got home, he went straight to their room and crashed onto the bed. He fell asleep in moments. Helen cradled her fiancée’s head in her lap on the bed. She reasoned that soon enough she would be able to do this, and so decided to get her fill of it now. Her hands played through his hair, gently aligning the hairs, styling his hair over and over. She knew her parents were going to give Michael as much trouble as they could, but thankfully, her sister and brother were always on her side, and would be willing to help her and Michael. As she played with his hair, she felt a small bump from inside her body. It dawned on her that one of the babies had kicked. A sudden feeling overwhelmed her, overriding her thoughts and concerns. It was the expectant feeling, the feeling she knew every expectant mother must feel. She realized, however, that not every expecting mother was as fortunate as she. Some didn't know the fathers of their children, or were left alone to raise a child. Then a thought drifted across her mind. She wondered if her mother had felt what she felt now, this feeling of happiness, of joy. Without thinking she spoke softly into his ear, "I love you." Helen began to feel drowsy, and soon enough was asleep, right next to Michael.
Helen woke up to someone poking her ribs. "Hey, Helen, get up." She knew that voice. "Little sister, get up!" A sharper jab this time drove her to sit up and slap the person who'd jabbed her. "Ow." Helen rubbed her eyes, clearing sleep from them. After she lowered her hands, she looked at the person who'd awoken her. Her brother, who was two years older than her, stood in front of her with a hand shaped red mark on his face. "Oh, James, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean too, I mean, I, oh." James laughed at her. She slapped him again. He stopped laughing. "Alright, enough fun, time to get up."
"I am up."
"I mean like up and out, I was forced to leave Mike with mom and dad." Helen's heart shrank. "Oh, no, you don't think...?"
"No, I know they're ripping him a new one, several new ones if he's unlucky." Helen got out of bed, and dressed. After she finished, she asked her brother, "Where's Maria?"
"Playing with Mike's little sister, why?"
"I thought she'd help to keep them off Michael." James laughed again. "Mike told her to hang with Jana. He wanted to go mono-a-mono with ma and pa."
"Does he have a death wish?! I'm gonna go help...ooh." Helen suddenly felt light headed. "What's up?" The lightheadedness vanished, and she felt normal again. "It's nothing, I've got to save him." Helen rushed out of their room, and into the living room. Michael was sitting in an armchair. Her parents were sitting side by side on the couch. All three of them had glasses of water. The entire room had the air of a chess match. Michael was speaking. "I understand your concern, but I can assure you that in financial terms there is no reason to be concerned." Her father, Kevin Ashton, leaned forward. He was an imposing man, just as tall as Michael, and more than three times as wide. "My concern is not financial stability, but if your financial status will be able to maintain Helen's high standard of living." Michael smiled slightly, and it became apparent to her that, unlike every other boyfriend she had ever had, Michael was winning. He was winning, and not just winning, but winning with style. She knew he'd have an easier time, but she had never suspected that he could win. Michael and her parents continued their verbal chess game for a few more minutes, until Michael raised his hand to stop her mother mid-sentence. Diana Ashton glared at him, until he gestured to Helen and said, "Helen, darling, would you care to join us?" Helen took a seat in an armchair next to Michael's, and put her hand on his. "Thank you, Michael. I hope my parents weren't too mean." At this comment she glared at her parents, both of whom averted their eyes from hers. "Not at all, not at all. We were just having a light discussion." Helen's father stood up abruptly. He straightened his suit and said, in a flat business tone, "I forbid you to marry this man, Helen. He is a reprobate, an uncivilized juvenile, and a criminal." Michael stood slowly, taking pains to express just how annoyed he was with every second. "Mr. Ashton, I have a proposition. A duel of your choice. If I win, you consent to the marriage and don't bother Helen or myself about the subject. If you win, I'll concede and retract my proposal to Helen. My only request at that point is to be allowed to see the children." Her father smirked, he thought he'd forced Michael into a corner, he couldn't have been more wrong. "Very well. I'll even give you a fair chance. We'll fight."
"Fight? Care to specify?"
"No. We'll have to choose and impartial judge, like your supervisor, Professor Hanson. We will be able to use whatever fighting styles we choose. The rules will be simple, no dirty fighting." Helen was nervous, but the look on Michael's face cleaned it from her. "Very well. How about right now?" He father was now unnerved. "What, now?"
"Yes. I see no reason to delay. I'll call the professor and he'll meet us at the gym, there’s respectable sparring arena there." He father was hesitant now. He had become quickly away that Michael was not even slightly concerned. This was not something he was used to. In every field he had applied himself to he had earned fear and respect from his every opponent. Michael was not afraid, he was not even slightly humbled. Michael stood there, almost mocking Mr. Ashton just by being. A half hour later, both men were standing opposite each other. Mr. Ashton had purposefully rolled up the sleeves of his robe to expose his arms. Michael left he robes alone. Mr. Ashton took a moment to flex, posing and posturing, trying to intimidate. Michael did nothing. The professor signaled the start. Mr. Ashton charged at Michael, who was gone. Michael whistled, and Ashton swiveled. Michael was standing where Ashton had been standing a moment before. Ashton put all of his strength into the punch he threw at Michael, who was gone again. Before Ashton could move again, Michael put his hand to Ashton's throat. Ashton let out a slow breath, and then surrendered. "You won fair and square, Samson." Michael removed his hand and put an arm over the older man's shoulders. "Call me Michael. It was never my intention to shame you, or defame you, but understand that no one, not even you, will stand in the way of my drive to give Helen everything she deserves." Mr. Ashton stood up straight, and hugged Michael, nearly crushing him. "Ha ha ha! I had always feared my Helen would never find the right man for her, but now I can rest easy knowing that she has!" Michael nodded his agreement because there wasn't enough air left in his lungs to speak. Mr. Ashton dropped Michael, who breathed deeply for a few moments. Mrs. Ashton walked up, her face a mask. "Mr. Samson. I appreciate the same virtues as my husband, but, If you'll indulge me, I request that you play against me in a game of chess. The stakes will be the same as your fight with Kevin." Kevin Ashton looked at his wife in distaste. "Diana, I agreed to the terms of his proposal..."
"And I did not, Kevin. What do you say?" Michael nodded. "You are exactly right. I agree to your proposal." Michael gestured to the professor, who produced a chessboard and pieces, as well as a table and chairs. Both Michael and Diana sat down at the table and set up the pieces. Michael even gave her the white pieces. In only ten turns, Diana surrendered, completely sure that there was no way to win against him. She stood up, a small smile on her lips. "I should have given up when I saw you had already prepared for this. I guess my pride blinded me, but now I'm sure that absolutely nothing will stop you from protecting Helen and my grandchildren. Michael Samson, I'll be happy to consider you a member of my family." Michael stood up, only to be knocked back down by Helen running into his arms. She was giggling hysterically, small tears rolling down her cheeks. Michael smiled, a perfect harmony filling his heart. Maria and Jana were giggling too. Maria was just a year older than her sister. James was laughing like a madman. In the back of his mind, a voice whispered. He knew it by the coldness he felt as it spoke, and recognized it as a voice long forgotten, gratefully forgotten. It was his voice, just one year ago. It was a voice without life, a dead voice, a steel voice, a voice forged of pure darkness, the king of darkness that could only be found in a soul of the blackest kind. The words it spoke were words he had once said himself. Words he had hoped would never return to his mind. "I am already dead. I feel sorry for anyone who comes to care for me, because I will end up leaving them when they need me most." They were words that he now despised, but he could not escape the almost prophetic tone of his own voice. Then another voice, a calm, gentle voice, soft and filled with happiness spoke in his mind, returning the warmth his voice had stolen. The voice was steady, full of certainty. It was Helen's voice, and it said just three words, "I love you." A strength filled him, crushing his doubts, his fears, and his weaknesses. It filled him with joy. It came from a simple fact, the fact that soon he would be married to the only person apart from his sister whom he loved with all his heart, and that soon after that, they would be parents of two children, just as his parents had been before him. A third voice echoed in his mind. It was a voice he knew, but hadn't heard in ten years. It was his father's voice. The voice spoke with a gentle warmth, a warmth that matched the warmth he already felt. He remembered something his father had told him all those years ago. "Michael, some day you're going to be a daddy too. It's almost inevitable. The son eventually becomes a father, the daughter eventually becomes a mother. I just hope that the girl you fall in love with loves you as much as you'll love her." Michael didn't remember what he had said after that, but in his mind he gave an answer, "She does dad, she really does."
The rest of the week up to the wedding seemed to fly by. Michael started making a habit out of playing chess with his soon to be mother-in-law, and sparring with his soon to be father-in-law. Mr. Ashton had even taken to calling him, somewhat against Michael's will, Sonny. On the eve of the wedding, Helen, Maria, Maria, and Jana all spent the entire day with Hisana and Mina at Mina's home. At the same time Shinji and Allen practically moved in to Michael's home. Allen had apparently been bullied into it, while Shinji had been kicked out of his home by Hisana. According to Hisana, who he spoke to on the phone, this was to allow the girls time to get ready for the wedding. Michael, Allen, Shinji, James, and Kevin spent the entire day playing card games and watching ball games on the T.V. At one point Michael actually had to punch Allen, because he asked Michael, "What is Helen like in the sack?" After a near fatal beating, Michael allowed Allen to rephrase his question. "Do you realize that you'll ever sleep with Helen, ever for the rest of your life?" While Michael was tempted to beat Allen again, he relented, forgiving his friend for his lapse in judgment. "Yes, I know that, and Yes, I fine with that, in fact I am quite possibly overjoyed with that, so quit asking. Good god, I swear your brain isn't in your head but in your dick. No wonder it can beat the shit out of it and you don't seem to learn. I guess I'm going to have to start kicking you in the nuts, how about that?" Allen quickly apologized, and the night went on. Michael was the first to go to bed. He curled up in his bed, and felt strangely alone. It was then that he knew he and Helen were supposed to be, meant to be.
"Michael, get up man." Michael sat up quickly, nearly falling out of bed. "Wh-what time is it?" James helped him out of the bed. "It's five a.m. We need to get down to the church in an hour. I figured you'd want the extra time to get ready."
"Thanks, bro." An hour later, all five guy showed up at the church. It was very conservatively built. There was little in the way of built in decoration, and it was clearly designed to accommodate any religion. This prompted Mr. Ashton to ask Michael, "What religion do you follow, m'boy?" Michael was slightly uncomfortable with that question, because, officially, he was a member of any religion. "Well, my parents were Christian, but they were very relaxed in religious terms. I suppose you could say that I'm a theist."
"An Atheist?! Oh lord!" James calmed his father. "Dad, He didn't say atheist, he said theist. I figure, and correct me if I'm wrong Mike, that he roughly means he can work with any religion, that he's got no real preference." Michael nodded. "Basically, I believe that there is a god, or some other equivalent being, and an after life. Beyond that, I'm not to keen on any religion. I simply believe that if one does more good than harm, they will be rewarded in the after life, and if one does more harm than good, they are punished. I even extend this to life, basically my own take on karma." Michael had spent quite a few years working on this explanation, and he felt it was the best interpretation of his beliefs in words. James, Allen, and Shinji got it, but most of it seemed to go over Mr. Ashton's head. Hisana was already in her dress, despite the fact that the wedding was not scheduled to start until nine. "Hisana, where's Helen?"
"Where do you think? She's getting ready, and she told me that you are not allowed to so much as be in the same room as her until the ceremony starts, understood?" Michael did. "Can I at least talk to her?" Hisana rolled her eyes. "Yes, but not until you're ready."
"Cool. Tell her I be by in ten minutes."
"Not quite. Helen wants you to write your own vows, just like she's doing."
"Ah, shit. Tell her I'll see her tomorrow." Even Hisana laughed at that. She led them to the room they would be using to change. In less than ten minutes they were all dressed, and at Michael's request the other four left the room. He wanted them out for two reason, the one he gave them, that they help with setting everything up, and the other, he wanted quiet to think. If he'd known she wanted him to write his own vows, he'd have been prepared two months ago. At first he couldn't think of anything to say. But soon a thought came to him, and another, and soon a torrent of thoughts and emotions ran though him, and him pencil, and flowed through his words onto the paper. After a while, he had filled a full three sheets of paper. Then a few sentences came to his mind, and in his mind they embodied everything he had already written. He wrote them slowly, choosing each word with a tacticians precision. After a few minutes, he finished them, and as he read them, he didn't hear just his voice in them, but his father's too. Michael had always looked up to his father, even now. His father had been a pillar of justice and virtue, of honor and trust, a shining example of what was right that illuminated every wrong. Michael spoke aloud, not caring if any thought him strange. "Dad, mom, I'm here. I wish you could see Jana, she's become so strong, so independent. She barely even needs me. I guess you already know what today is. I wish you could have met her, I know you’d have loved as much as I do. Can you believe it? Me, a dad. I wonder it you felt like this, before I was born, so, so uncertain. Maybe you were, but I know you raised me alright, so I guess, if a follow your example, I'll do alright. What do you think?" A voice answered from the other side of the door. "I think they'd be agreeing with you right now." It was Helen. "How long were you there?"
"The whole time. You were right, they did raise you right. If anyone can raise our kids right, It'll be you. I wish I could have met them, I'm sure they were wonderful."
"Would you like me to tell you about them?"
"Oh, no. I don't want to bring up things you'd rather not."
"Nonsense. No matter how they died, they'll live on in my heart, and in Jana's, and in the hearts of our children too. My father's name was Matthew. He was, well, perfect. He was smart, and strong, and kind, and honorable, and, and so much more. My mother, Christine, was just as great. She always knew what to say, what to do, and how to do it. She was so, so beautiful. I couldn't have asked for better. We weren't rich, but we didn't need to be. When Jana was born, things only seemed like they'd get better. I suppose I was naive. After that day, I felt empty, almost dead inside. It wasn't until I met you that I started to feel whole again. Now, now I feel even more. These days, the only things I regret are those things I did during that time I was dead. Your father wasn't wrong when he called me a criminal." Helen gasped on the other side of the door. "W-what did you do?"
"To put it simply, everything. I stole, cheated, and even killed. I was arrested eventually, and did my time. Jana was taken care of by the Halinskis, the family that runs that jewelry shop, and II was given time to reflect on my life. I decided that my parents wouldn't have wanted this for me, that I was shaming them with my actions. From then on I decided to only do those things that I could and stay on the right side of the law." Michael still felt sick when he thought of those days. Then Helen's voice reached to him from the door. "No matter what you did in the past, I still love you, and I always will." She may as well have hugged and kissed him. He looked at the clock, it was almost eight. "I'll see you in an hour, Helen. Love you."
"Love you more." She giggled. Michael pulled a small screen out of his pocket. He had wired it to show him the local news, just in case he needed it. To his dismay, he saw an image of the S3 building. Then he saw the front door of the S3 church. Then he saw a reporter standing inside the chapel, and behind her Shinji and Hisana setting up the last of the decorations. The reporter spoke. "Here we are, in the church contained within the S3 headquarters, as the final preparations are being made for the wedding set to take place just one hour from now." The voice of another reporter, likely one in the studio, was heard. "From what I hear, the couple to be are actually members of S3?" The reporter nodded. "Yes, yes they are. According to our source, the groom is Mr. Michael Samson, and the bride is a Ms. Helen Ashton, youngest daughter of the weapons mogul Mr. Kevin Ashton."
"Really? If I remember right, doesn't Mr. Samson have a criminal record?" The reporter in the church was about to speak when a heavy, thick arm landed one her shoulders. Then another, different, although equally proportional arm turned the camera away from the report to face its owner, Major Ivan Kalasdozki. The other arm's owner, Mr. Kevin Ashton spoke calmly into the microphone off screen. "I don't know who your sources are, but you can take my word that Mr. Samson, in spite of anything in his past, is a proper, upstanding young man, isn't that right Major?" The Major nodded, and the camera trembled slightly, which Michael assumed was the camera man soiling himself. "Now, as for what you people are dong here, well, I'm sure if you eave quickly, and are very careful as to what you poke your noses into regarding my daughter and her husband to be, I think I can see my way clear to not suing your network into the ground." With that the transmission was cut off with a crunch that Michael was fairly certain was Kalasdozki crushing the camera. Michael got up from his chair, but his eyes didn't leave the screen. The lead anchor for the news show was now trying desperately to salvage the situation. He shut off the screen and slid it back into his pocket, but not before making sure that a recording of the report was saved on a small hard drive on the screen so he could show it to Helen later. He arrived in the main hall just as Kalasdozki and Ashton were showing the reporter and camera man the door. Michael could just se the crumpled remains of a camera in the camera man's arms. After the door closed, Michael said, "Nicely handled. I don't think Helen and I won't need to worry about being bothered by any news folks." Ashton grinned. "That was the idea." Hisana hurried up to the three of them. "Damn it, where is he?"
"Who?"
"Allen! He told me he was picking something up, and if he doesn't hurry up he'll be late, and I'll have to find an usher to take his place!"
"Don't worry. Trust me, he'll be here."
"Unfortunately I don't share your optimism." She hurried off. Michael walked slowly up the aisles, and once he reached the very front, he sat and looked up at the place he knew he would be standing a just a half hour. The thought of standing for more than a half hour made his legs hurt.
Almost an hour later, the chapel was packed. Apparently everyone in the facility had decided to attend. He could see the Halinskis, and Louis. He was standing up now, fighting the ache in his back and legs. Allen had shown up just in time, with two large bouquets of flowers, one for the wedding and the other for Hisana. After the last person had been seated, the church organist began playing 'Here Comes the Bride'. The doors to the church opened. Jana was standing side by side with James, which was quite funny to Michael. James had been bullied into being the ring bearer by his father. Jana was the flower girl. Shinji was just a few steps behind Michael, and Michael could practically feel his anticipation. After Jana and James were about half way down the center aisle, Helen entered. Michael's mind was silenced. Normally he would be thinking about a dozen things at once, but her beauty was all his mind could handle at the moment. Her dress was delicate and exquisite, beautiful down to the smallest detail. It was strapless and backless, which forced him to ponder how it stayed in place. Her skin looked radiant, and her face was made even more beautiful with the perfect application of makeup. At her right was her father in an expensive looking, pure black tux, in stark contrast to his daughter's all white dress. Her mother was to her left, dressed in a simple, light blue. Hisana and Maria brought up the rear, carrying Helen's train. Jana and James took their seats near the front, as did Helen's mother and Maria. Ashton took his place between Michael and Helen, with no small amount of pride. Hisana took up her spot opposite Shinji, and Helen, lastly, took hers. After a moment, Kevin Ashton released his daughter's arm, and stepped back, taking his seat. The pastor, or priest, or whatever he was began. Michael feigned attention, and he could tell Helen was faking it to. This part, they knew, was more for the benefit of the spectators than themselves. After a while the priest finally said, "And the bride and groom have written their own vows, which they will read now." Michael turned to face Helen, who turned to face him. She started speaking, but Michael was more captivated by her beauty than her words. Michael was touched, to be sure, but after a while, she became slightly redundant. The only thing that stuck in his mind was her last sentence. "As I stand here, looking at you, I see a future so bright, that even heaven itself could envy us, and I look forward to walking this road with you, by your side." Michael was touched at his heart. It was now his turn. He added a little joke at his start. "I suppose everything I'm about to say has already been said, but here it goes. Helen, for a time I was lost in darkness, but your kindness and love saved me from it. My father once told me that it is almost destiny, that a son is fated to one day find his own love, and to wish to be with them forever, and he told me his one wish was that I found love as great as I gave. I'm happy to say that I have found much, much more in you, and that my father can rest in peace knowing I found the one person who could pull me from even the deepest darkness, and that forever with you is still far to short for me." For a moment everyone in the entire chapel was dead silent. Michael feared, for a moment, that they had been offended or something like that. Even Helen was still. Then she reached out and gripped his hands with her own, and through the veil he could see tears in her emerald eyes. Suddenly the entire church rang with applause. Michael's fear once more died. The priest stepped forward again. After a few more minutes, he finally got to the I do's. "Do you, Helen Danielle Ashton, take Michael Frederick Samson as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Do you, Michael Frederick Samson, take Helen Danielle Ashton as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"Then, by the power vested in me by god and the authority of the government of New Tokyo city, I now hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Michael could hold back a last quip, "You couldn't stop me if you tried." And with that he and Helen lifted the veil and kissed as if for the first time, and in a sense, it was. This was their very first kiss as a married couple. The whole of the gathering rose from their seats and began to whoop and cheer, applaud and shout in joy. Both of them turned and started to run down the center aisle. They were running because Hisana had warned them that Shinji had equipped the entire group with bags of rice to be thrown on the newly-weds. Even running, they were still hit with much rice.
The reception was held in the hangar that housed the robots. To the couple, even the massive machines seemed to radiate a kind of happiness. Michael and Helen had the first dance, but after that, the celebration dissolved into a blur in Michael's mind, he lost the ability to track anything until the end of the party. Helen had fallen asleep. He picked her up, and found James carrying his sister on his back. Mr. Ashton had Jana in his arms. Mrs. Ashton was right behind him. Wordlessly, they walked. In what seemed like a few steps, they were at his door. Helen was awake, her arms around his neck, her head rested under his chin. The door was opened by Mrs. Ashton, who then gestured to Michael and Helen. "Mr. and Mrs. Samson, would you like to go first?" Michael carried her, not just into the house, but all the way to their room. With a little help from her, he got her out of the majority of the bulky dress and into more comfortable clothes, than changed himself. They were both to tired to do anything but fall asleep in each other's arms.
"Hello Sin. So, shall we get this over with?"
"Just a moment. I just wanted to inform you that among my people, you've earned a place of honor. All of the demons you've killed were of high status, and their status carried over to you."
"What's the point of all this?"
"I just want to see how you fight." Michael rolled his eyes. Then he pulled his new sword from the socket on his waist. It was twice the length of its predecessor, with a hilt to match. Sin picked up his sword. Both blades spat sparks as they clashed. Michael was faster, but Sin was stronger. The scream of metal on metal rang out in all directions. Michael tired again and again to sweep his blade in a way Sin wouldn't, or couldn't, block. Sin was skilled, and parried Michael's every swing. Then, in desperation, Michael feigned a swing, causing Sin to react, and then brought his sword in the opposite direction, putting it under Sin's throat. Sin started laughing. "Well done human. I've had my fill." Michael lowered his sword, and Sin vanished. On his was home, Allen contacted him of the radio. "Why didn't you kill him?! You had him!"
"No, I didn't. He wasn't even using a tenth of his full power. I was giving it my all. He had me." Michael was embittered by the thought. At the very least, he was consoled by the time he had bought his family.
Michael had problems dealing with the break from fighting. He was out of things to do. Helen became so entrenched in her wedding plans that she barely had any time to spend with him. Jana also spent much more time studying, something that confounded Michael. To relieve his boredom, he focused, working on his bike. By the end of the first two months, it was running perfectly. Allen started talking about a bachelor party, but Michael shot him down. Michael had no interest in a bachelor party. Finally, Michael found something to take his mind off the wedding, the baby, and everything else. What Michael found was fishing. Michael began to fill his free time with fishing. At the same time, to stay in shape, he spent a great deal of time in the gym. When he wasn’t working out, he would spar with Allen and Shinji. Occasionally Helen would join him in the gym. Dr. Iuzumia had reluctantly told Helen how she could exercise with risking any harm to the baby. Another activity Michael took to was swimming. One of his favorite exercises was to stay as close to the bottom of the deep end of the pool for as long as he could. Allen and Shinji also joined him in trying this, but they couldn’t stay under for nearly as long as Michael. A few days into the third month, Michael and Allen were sparring again. They stood opposite each other in matching white robes. Michael’s fighting style focused more on kicks; his primary fighting style was Tai Kwon Do. Occasionally he would mix in moves of Capoeira. Allen focused much more on his upper body, and as result fought more like a boxer. Shinji was sitting cross-legged on the side of the room. Neither Michael nor Allen was using protective gear. Allen threw a wild punch, but before it could hit Michael, he dropped down to the ground, and brought his right leg up in a sweeping kick to Allen’s chest. Allen grunted slightly, but then grabbed Michael’s leg, and lifted him into the air. Michael bent his captured leg in, and at the same time kicked his free one out, aiming for Allen’s head. Allen ducked, and the force of the kick cause Michael to flail in the air as his held ankle twisted. But Allen couldn’t keep hold of the ankle, and let go. Michael then kicked with is now freed leg, landing a powerful kick to Allen's chest while still in the air. Allen stumbled, and Michael flipped himself onto his feet. Allen charged, swinging a fast upper cut that Michael barely dodged, and then brought the same arm down elbow first. Michael did a quick double step away from Allen, and then swept his leg along the ground, trying to take Allen’s legs out from under him. It worked. Allen hit the ground, and Michael was on his feet. Michael brought down a powerful axe kick, but Allen rolled away just in time. Allen was on his feet before Michael could attack again. They moved in unison, Michael swinging a powerful kick, Allen throwing his strongest punch. Both of them caught the other, and they were deadlocked. Shinji applauded. Michael sat down, breathing heavily. Allen wiped sweat from his forehead. Helen and Jana walked into the room. "Brother! I told you not to fight!" Michael actually stammered as he tried to explain. Helen saved him. "Jana, sweetie, Michael and Allen weren't really fighting, they were just pretending." Jana understood despite the rather simple explanation. Michael got up and gave them both hugs. "What's up?" Helen gave him a kiss. "Didn't I tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"I'm having my first ultrasound today. I assumed you'd want to see the baby." Michael smiled at her. "Of course. Let me just hit the showers and we can go."
"Okay, just hurry it up." Michael took his shower as fast as he could, threw on a fresh set of clothes, and met Helen outside of the gym. They made their way to the hospital, and Dr. Iuzumia met them at the door. "How are you feeling Helen? Anything odd?"
"Other than all the weird stuff you told me is normal, no." Michael's eyebrows popped up. "Weird stuff? What weird stuff?" Helen looked slightly awkward. "Oh, it's nothing, just nothing." Michael got the message. Iuzumia led all of them inside, and into the room the ultrasound would be taken. She helped Helen onto the bed, and has her lift her shirt so the gel could be applied. After a few minutes they were ready. Dr. Iuzumia used a small gray device which she ran over the surface of Helen's belly. After a few minutes an image appeared on the large screen. Black and white lines intermingled, forming and indistinct blur. "Alright, we're seeing inside the womb, now, let's see if we can't find the baby." After a few more minutes Dr. Iuzumia gasped quietly. Michael stared at the image onscreen, and saw why. He roughly knew that by this time the baby should have a heart. He figured this would appear as a little pulsation on the screen. Michael saw two of these pulsations. Helen didn't see them, but did hear the doctor's gasp. "What is it? Is something wrong with my baby?" Michael put his hand on hers, squeezing it gently. "You mean babies." Helen looked confused. Then she looked at Dr. Iuzumia as if to confirm what Michael had said. The doctor nodded slightly. Helen looked back to Michael, her eyes wide with wonder. "Babies? We're having twins?" Tears sparkled in her eyes as Michael said, "We're having twins." Jana tugged at her brother's shirt. "Does this mean I'm gonna be an aunt?" Michael couldn't hold back his joy, and with a single motion picked Jana up and said, "Yes, you're gonna be an aunt!" Iuzumia ran a few more checks on the babies before giving them a clean bill of health. Michael felt right for the first time in a long time. After everything was done, all three headed home. On the way, Helen's cell phone rang. "Hello? Hisana, what is it? Alright, I'll ask him." She put her hand of the receiver and looked at Michael. "Do you know your measurements?" Michael gave her a look that said, quiet plainly, "What do you think?" Helen shrugged. "No, he doesn't. Okay, we'll see you tomorrow. Right, I'll tell him. 'Bye." She clicked the phone shut. "That was Hisana. We're going to meet her tomorrow."
"What for?"
"My dress fitting and your tux fitting."
"But, what date did you choose? For the wedding, I mean. I left it to you."
"Yes, I remember. Oh, shit, I didn't tell you?! Oh god, it's in a week, honey." Michael wasn't surprised. He'd already called the Halinskis and they'd made the rings for the wedding. Michael rolled his eyes, and said, "Relax, it's okay." Helen looked very relieved. As they continued walking, her phone rang again. "Hello? What is it now? Oh my god, are you serious?!" Helen put her hand over the receiver again. "Michael, Hisana forgot the rings!" Michael laughed calmly, which threw Helen completely off. "I took care of it. Tell her to go to Halinski's Jewelry in town. If she brings up my name they'll have them done." Helen looked surprised. "Okay, Hisana? No, no it's okay, Michael took care of it. I know, it surprised me too. He told me that you need to go to Halinski's Jewelry, tell them he sent you and they'll have the rings. Alright, see you tomorrow." Helen hung up the phone. Then she looked at Michael. "How did you know Hisana would forget the rings?" Michael looked back at her over his shoulder as they walked. "I didn't. What I did know is that she'd find the best place in town to get them, and luckily, I already knew the place." Helen ran up behind him, and after spinning him around, kissed him. After a moment, another cell phone rang. This time it was Michael's. "What? Allen, I will stuff you into one of your own guns if you bother me about this again. I've told a dozen times, no. Allen, please do me a favor and shut up." Michael shut the phone. He looked at Helen. "Sorry. Let's go home."
"Yes, let's." Helen grabbed his hand, and the three of them finally went home. Jana went to bed early, leaving Michael and Helen alone. For a while the sat on the couch, watching a movie. After the movie was over, Helen got up and went to the kitchen. Michael lounged on the couch, and flipped through the television channels. Helen returned with a pair of glasses and some wine. Michael immediately sat up. "Helen, you know you're not allowed to have alcohol." Helen sat down next to him, and after kissing him said coyly, "Actually Dr. Iuzumia told me that as long as I'm very careful not to have more than a small amount, I can." Michael looked skeptical. "I really don't think it'd be good for the babies." Helen kissed him again, this time on the neck. "Come on, I'm sure the babies will be fine. Please?" Michael was torn between his love for Helen, and his worry for the babies she carried. Helen started pulling at his shirt. "Helen, what are you doing?" She smiled with a teasing, seductive gleam in her eye. Now Michael understood the booze. She thought she needed to get him a little drunk before he'd sleep with her. Michael grabbed her hand, and pulled her tight to his chest, kissing her gently and firmly. She recoiled at first, in reaction to his sudden move, but soon she was being more forceful than him. Before he could react she had his shirt off. She traced his muscles as they kissed. His hands ran through her hair and down her back. With his help, she got her shirt off too. With a jerk she pulled him to his feet, their lips still locked. With another jerk, she pulled him toward the bedroom, and as she did she started playing with his belt. Michael, trying to be helpful, kicked the door to their room shut.
Michael was the first up the next morning. After pulling on underwear and pants, he stepped out of the room. Looking at the clock, he saw it was almost eight. He leaned against the wall, reflecting on the previous night. He was fairly certain nothing would come of it, after all, she was already pregnant. It wasn't like they hadn't had sex since the first time, but, to him, this last time had been more than just physical, it had gone far beyond that. He found both of their shirts from last night and tossed the into the laundry room. Then he returned to his room for some clean clothes. Helen woke up just as he entered. "Hey there. Michael, last night was, I don't know, amazing." Michael smiled sheepishly. "It was more than amazing. Now, when are we supposed to meet Hisana?" Helen stretched under the sheets, trying halfheartedly to cover herself. "She said eight-thirty." Michael frowned. "Well then, we've got a half hour to get ready." Helen sat up straight, no longer trying to cover herself. "Oh, my god! We slept in! Quick, take a shower and get dressed, I'll take one after you. While I'm in the shower you can get Jana ready." Michael was already moving, and had already tossed some of her clothes out for her. Twenty minutes later they rushed out of the house. Jana was still half asleep, and Michael had to carry her on his back. They reached the car with five minutes left before they were late. Helen speed whenever she could, but was still careful. Finally she arrived at the dress shop. Michael got out of the car with her, but Hisana stopped him at the door. She was flipping through papers, her typical glasses perched on her slim nose. "Helen told me she doesn't want you seeing her in the dress until the wedding. You said Shinji was to be your best man?"
"Yeah."
"He's around the block, at the shop that's providing the tuxedos. We'll call you when the fitting is done. Yours should be done much sooner, and since Jana is going to be the flower girl, she'll be with us, so after you, Allen, and Shinji are done, Shinji suggested you three'd be going to some...thing." Michael wasn't surprised. After the short walk he saw Shinji and Allen in front of another shop. Shinji waved. "Put your arm down man, It's not like I can't see you."
"Right, sorry. So ready to get his over with?"
"You know it." All three of them entered the shop. After a few greetings and questions, the fittings started. Michael couldn't be sure, since he'd never had a suit fitted in is life, but it seemed like he was being poked with pins a lot more times than was absolutely necessary. They were done in a half hour. Allen was rubbing his posterior. "I swear, that guy was trying to stick needles into my butt." Michael agreed. "Well, I called Hisana and they're going to be there for a couple more hours. What do you say? How about we have some fun?" Allen was all for it, and Michael was cool with it. The first thing they did was get something to eat. After that, they found an arcade. Allen went straight for the racing games. Shinji and Michael double teamed it on several shooting games. All three of them lost track of time, until Michael's phone rang. "Hello?" It was Helen. "Where are you?"
"An arcade, why?"
"We're done here, so we can go now."
"Alright, we'll be there in a minute. See you soon."
"See you." She hung up. Michael grabbed Shinji and Allen and all three of them bolted out of the arcade. They came around the corner near the shop, just in time to see three guys bothering Helen, Hisana, Jana, and Mina. One of the guys grabbed Helen by the wrist, trying to force himself on her. Without thinking, he ran full tilt at the man, and jumped, kicking the guy in the side of the head with both legs. Allen decked a guy who'd grabbed Hisana, and Shinji snapped the wrist of the last guy. The guys regrouped. "Who the fuck are you heroes?" said the largest. He was the one who'd grabbed Helen. Blood was pouring from his nose. Michael grabbed him by this nose, and lifted him to his feet. "I am the fiancée of the woman you just assaulted. I am also the pilot of the Black Staff humanoid weapon. In short, mess with her again, and I'll do more than break your nose, got it?" The guy Allen decked got up and tried to jump Michael, but was knocked to the ground again by another punch from Allen. This guy was the mid-sized of the group. "Why the fuck do you care about these broads?" he asked. Allen stepped on him. "Because the girl you were going to hurt is important to me." He applied more pressure to the guy. The last guy ran at Mina, but was clothes lined by Shinji. "If you're wondering," he said, "I did that because I hate fuckers like you." All three of the guys ran off, nursing injuries. Michael turned to Helen. "Are you okay? Did they do anything?"
"No, no, we're okay. We knew we'd end up having a problem with them, they were hanging around outside the store for a hour. We could have handled them you know."
"I know, I just got carried away. My instincts took over."
"I know, I understand. Look, lets just go home. My parents will be here tomorrow." 'There's good news', Michael thought sarcastically. He'd known they'd attend the wedding, although secretly he'd hoped they wouldn't be able to make it. He also knew that her parents were bringing her sister and brother. Michael didn't enjoy this thought. He would have difficulty dealing with them, he wasn't used to large families. Michael got in the car with Helen and Jana. He near fell asleep on the way home, and when they arrived Helen had to shake him to clear his head. When they finally got home, he went straight to their room and crashed onto the bed. He fell asleep in moments. Helen cradled her fiancée’s head in her lap on the bed. She reasoned that soon enough she would be able to do this, and so decided to get her fill of it now. Her hands played through his hair, gently aligning the hairs, styling his hair over and over. She knew her parents were going to give Michael as much trouble as they could, but thankfully, her sister and brother were always on her side, and would be willing to help her and Michael. As she played with his hair, she felt a small bump from inside her body. It dawned on her that one of the babies had kicked. A sudden feeling overwhelmed her, overriding her thoughts and concerns. It was the expectant feeling, the feeling she knew every expectant mother must feel. She realized, however, that not every expecting mother was as fortunate as she. Some didn't know the fathers of their children, or were left alone to raise a child. Then a thought drifted across her mind. She wondered if her mother had felt what she felt now, this feeling of happiness, of joy. Without thinking she spoke softly into his ear, "I love you." Helen began to feel drowsy, and soon enough was asleep, right next to Michael.
Helen woke up to someone poking her ribs. "Hey, Helen, get up." She knew that voice. "Little sister, get up!" A sharper jab this time drove her to sit up and slap the person who'd jabbed her. "Ow." Helen rubbed her eyes, clearing sleep from them. After she lowered her hands, she looked at the person who'd awoken her. Her brother, who was two years older than her, stood in front of her with a hand shaped red mark on his face. "Oh, James, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean too, I mean, I, oh." James laughed at her. She slapped him again. He stopped laughing. "Alright, enough fun, time to get up."
"I am up."
"I mean like up and out, I was forced to leave Mike with mom and dad." Helen's heart shrank. "Oh, no, you don't think...?"
"No, I know they're ripping him a new one, several new ones if he's unlucky." Helen got out of bed, and dressed. After she finished, she asked her brother, "Where's Maria?"
"Playing with Mike's little sister, why?"
"I thought she'd help to keep them off Michael." James laughed again. "Mike told her to hang with Jana. He wanted to go mono-a-mono with ma and pa."
"Does he have a death wish?! I'm gonna go help...ooh." Helen suddenly felt light headed. "What's up?" The lightheadedness vanished, and she felt normal again. "It's nothing, I've got to save him." Helen rushed out of their room, and into the living room. Michael was sitting in an armchair. Her parents were sitting side by side on the couch. All three of them had glasses of water. The entire room had the air of a chess match. Michael was speaking. "I understand your concern, but I can assure you that in financial terms there is no reason to be concerned." Her father, Kevin Ashton, leaned forward. He was an imposing man, just as tall as Michael, and more than three times as wide. "My concern is not financial stability, but if your financial status will be able to maintain Helen's high standard of living." Michael smiled slightly, and it became apparent to her that, unlike every other boyfriend she had ever had, Michael was winning. He was winning, and not just winning, but winning with style. She knew he'd have an easier time, but she had never suspected that he could win. Michael and her parents continued their verbal chess game for a few more minutes, until Michael raised his hand to stop her mother mid-sentence. Diana Ashton glared at him, until he gestured to Helen and said, "Helen, darling, would you care to join us?" Helen took a seat in an armchair next to Michael's, and put her hand on his. "Thank you, Michael. I hope my parents weren't too mean." At this comment she glared at her parents, both of whom averted their eyes from hers. "Not at all, not at all. We were just having a light discussion." Helen's father stood up abruptly. He straightened his suit and said, in a flat business tone, "I forbid you to marry this man, Helen. He is a reprobate, an uncivilized juvenile, and a criminal." Michael stood slowly, taking pains to express just how annoyed he was with every second. "Mr. Ashton, I have a proposition. A duel of your choice. If I win, you consent to the marriage and don't bother Helen or myself about the subject. If you win, I'll concede and retract my proposal to Helen. My only request at that point is to be allowed to see the children." Her father smirked, he thought he'd forced Michael into a corner, he couldn't have been more wrong. "Very well. I'll even give you a fair chance. We'll fight."
"Fight? Care to specify?"
"No. We'll have to choose and impartial judge, like your supervisor, Professor Hanson. We will be able to use whatever fighting styles we choose. The rules will be simple, no dirty fighting." Helen was nervous, but the look on Michael's face cleaned it from her. "Very well. How about right now?" He father was now unnerved. "What, now?"
"Yes. I see no reason to delay. I'll call the professor and he'll meet us at the gym, there’s respectable sparring arena there." He father was hesitant now. He had become quickly away that Michael was not even slightly concerned. This was not something he was used to. In every field he had applied himself to he had earned fear and respect from his every opponent. Michael was not afraid, he was not even slightly humbled. Michael stood there, almost mocking Mr. Ashton just by being. A half hour later, both men were standing opposite each other. Mr. Ashton had purposefully rolled up the sleeves of his robe to expose his arms. Michael left he robes alone. Mr. Ashton took a moment to flex, posing and posturing, trying to intimidate. Michael did nothing. The professor signaled the start. Mr. Ashton charged at Michael, who was gone. Michael whistled, and Ashton swiveled. Michael was standing where Ashton had been standing a moment before. Ashton put all of his strength into the punch he threw at Michael, who was gone again. Before Ashton could move again, Michael put his hand to Ashton's throat. Ashton let out a slow breath, and then surrendered. "You won fair and square, Samson." Michael removed his hand and put an arm over the older man's shoulders. "Call me Michael. It was never my intention to shame you, or defame you, but understand that no one, not even you, will stand in the way of my drive to give Helen everything she deserves." Mr. Ashton stood up straight, and hugged Michael, nearly crushing him. "Ha ha ha! I had always feared my Helen would never find the right man for her, but now I can rest easy knowing that she has!" Michael nodded his agreement because there wasn't enough air left in his lungs to speak. Mr. Ashton dropped Michael, who breathed deeply for a few moments. Mrs. Ashton walked up, her face a mask. "Mr. Samson. I appreciate the same virtues as my husband, but, If you'll indulge me, I request that you play against me in a game of chess. The stakes will be the same as your fight with Kevin." Kevin Ashton looked at his wife in distaste. "Diana, I agreed to the terms of his proposal..."
"And I did not, Kevin. What do you say?" Michael nodded. "You are exactly right. I agree to your proposal." Michael gestured to the professor, who produced a chessboard and pieces, as well as a table and chairs. Both Michael and Diana sat down at the table and set up the pieces. Michael even gave her the white pieces. In only ten turns, Diana surrendered, completely sure that there was no way to win against him. She stood up, a small smile on her lips. "I should have given up when I saw you had already prepared for this. I guess my pride blinded me, but now I'm sure that absolutely nothing will stop you from protecting Helen and my grandchildren. Michael Samson, I'll be happy to consider you a member of my family." Michael stood up, only to be knocked back down by Helen running into his arms. She was giggling hysterically, small tears rolling down her cheeks. Michael smiled, a perfect harmony filling his heart. Maria and Jana were giggling too. Maria was just a year older than her sister. James was laughing like a madman. In the back of his mind, a voice whispered. He knew it by the coldness he felt as it spoke, and recognized it as a voice long forgotten, gratefully forgotten. It was his voice, just one year ago. It was a voice without life, a dead voice, a steel voice, a voice forged of pure darkness, the king of darkness that could only be found in a soul of the blackest kind. The words it spoke were words he had once said himself. Words he had hoped would never return to his mind. "I am already dead. I feel sorry for anyone who comes to care for me, because I will end up leaving them when they need me most." They were words that he now despised, but he could not escape the almost prophetic tone of his own voice. Then another voice, a calm, gentle voice, soft and filled with happiness spoke in his mind, returning the warmth his voice had stolen. The voice was steady, full of certainty. It was Helen's voice, and it said just three words, "I love you." A strength filled him, crushing his doubts, his fears, and his weaknesses. It filled him with joy. It came from a simple fact, the fact that soon he would be married to the only person apart from his sister whom he loved with all his heart, and that soon after that, they would be parents of two children, just as his parents had been before him. A third voice echoed in his mind. It was a voice he knew, but hadn't heard in ten years. It was his father's voice. The voice spoke with a gentle warmth, a warmth that matched the warmth he already felt. He remembered something his father had told him all those years ago. "Michael, some day you're going to be a daddy too. It's almost inevitable. The son eventually becomes a father, the daughter eventually becomes a mother. I just hope that the girl you fall in love with loves you as much as you'll love her." Michael didn't remember what he had said after that, but in his mind he gave an answer, "She does dad, she really does."
The rest of the week up to the wedding seemed to fly by. Michael started making a habit out of playing chess with his soon to be mother-in-law, and sparring with his soon to be father-in-law. Mr. Ashton had even taken to calling him, somewhat against Michael's will, Sonny. On the eve of the wedding, Helen, Maria, Maria, and Jana all spent the entire day with Hisana and Mina at Mina's home. At the same time Shinji and Allen practically moved in to Michael's home. Allen had apparently been bullied into it, while Shinji had been kicked out of his home by Hisana. According to Hisana, who he spoke to on the phone, this was to allow the girls time to get ready for the wedding. Michael, Allen, Shinji, James, and Kevin spent the entire day playing card games and watching ball games on the T.V. At one point Michael actually had to punch Allen, because he asked Michael, "What is Helen like in the sack?" After a near fatal beating, Michael allowed Allen to rephrase his question. "Do you realize that you'll ever sleep with Helen, ever for the rest of your life?" While Michael was tempted to beat Allen again, he relented, forgiving his friend for his lapse in judgment. "Yes, I know that, and Yes, I fine with that, in fact I am quite possibly overjoyed with that, so quit asking. Good god, I swear your brain isn't in your head but in your dick. No wonder it can beat the shit out of it and you don't seem to learn. I guess I'm going to have to start kicking you in the nuts, how about that?" Allen quickly apologized, and the night went on. Michael was the first to go to bed. He curled up in his bed, and felt strangely alone. It was then that he knew he and Helen were supposed to be, meant to be.
"Michael, get up man." Michael sat up quickly, nearly falling out of bed. "Wh-what time is it?" James helped him out of the bed. "It's five a.m. We need to get down to the church in an hour. I figured you'd want the extra time to get ready."
"Thanks, bro." An hour later, all five guy showed up at the church. It was very conservatively built. There was little in the way of built in decoration, and it was clearly designed to accommodate any religion. This prompted Mr. Ashton to ask Michael, "What religion do you follow, m'boy?" Michael was slightly uncomfortable with that question, because, officially, he was a member of any religion. "Well, my parents were Christian, but they were very relaxed in religious terms. I suppose you could say that I'm a theist."
"An Atheist?! Oh lord!" James calmed his father. "Dad, He didn't say atheist, he said theist. I figure, and correct me if I'm wrong Mike, that he roughly means he can work with any religion, that he's got no real preference." Michael nodded. "Basically, I believe that there is a god, or some other equivalent being, and an after life. Beyond that, I'm not to keen on any religion. I simply believe that if one does more good than harm, they will be rewarded in the after life, and if one does more harm than good, they are punished. I even extend this to life, basically my own take on karma." Michael had spent quite a few years working on this explanation, and he felt it was the best interpretation of his beliefs in words. James, Allen, and Shinji got it, but most of it seemed to go over Mr. Ashton's head. Hisana was already in her dress, despite the fact that the wedding was not scheduled to start until nine. "Hisana, where's Helen?"
"Where do you think? She's getting ready, and she told me that you are not allowed to so much as be in the same room as her until the ceremony starts, understood?" Michael did. "Can I at least talk to her?" Hisana rolled her eyes. "Yes, but not until you're ready."
"Cool. Tell her I be by in ten minutes."
"Not quite. Helen wants you to write your own vows, just like she's doing."
"Ah, shit. Tell her I'll see her tomorrow." Even Hisana laughed at that. She led them to the room they would be using to change. In less than ten minutes they were all dressed, and at Michael's request the other four left the room. He wanted them out for two reason, the one he gave them, that they help with setting everything up, and the other, he wanted quiet to think. If he'd known she wanted him to write his own vows, he'd have been prepared two months ago. At first he couldn't think of anything to say. But soon a thought came to him, and another, and soon a torrent of thoughts and emotions ran though him, and him pencil, and flowed through his words onto the paper. After a while, he had filled a full three sheets of paper. Then a few sentences came to his mind, and in his mind they embodied everything he had already written. He wrote them slowly, choosing each word with a tacticians precision. After a few minutes, he finished them, and as he read them, he didn't hear just his voice in them, but his father's too. Michael had always looked up to his father, even now. His father had been a pillar of justice and virtue, of honor and trust, a shining example of what was right that illuminated every wrong. Michael spoke aloud, not caring if any thought him strange. "Dad, mom, I'm here. I wish you could see Jana, she's become so strong, so independent. She barely even needs me. I guess you already know what today is. I wish you could have met her, I know you’d have loved as much as I do. Can you believe it? Me, a dad. I wonder it you felt like this, before I was born, so, so uncertain. Maybe you were, but I know you raised me alright, so I guess, if a follow your example, I'll do alright. What do you think?" A voice answered from the other side of the door. "I think they'd be agreeing with you right now." It was Helen. "How long were you there?"
"The whole time. You were right, they did raise you right. If anyone can raise our kids right, It'll be you. I wish I could have met them, I'm sure they were wonderful."
"Would you like me to tell you about them?"
"Oh, no. I don't want to bring up things you'd rather not."
"Nonsense. No matter how they died, they'll live on in my heart, and in Jana's, and in the hearts of our children too. My father's name was Matthew. He was, well, perfect. He was smart, and strong, and kind, and honorable, and, and so much more. My mother, Christine, was just as great. She always knew what to say, what to do, and how to do it. She was so, so beautiful. I couldn't have asked for better. We weren't rich, but we didn't need to be. When Jana was born, things only seemed like they'd get better. I suppose I was naive. After that day, I felt empty, almost dead inside. It wasn't until I met you that I started to feel whole again. Now, now I feel even more. These days, the only things I regret are those things I did during that time I was dead. Your father wasn't wrong when he called me a criminal." Helen gasped on the other side of the door. "W-what did you do?"
"To put it simply, everything. I stole, cheated, and even killed. I was arrested eventually, and did my time. Jana was taken care of by the Halinskis, the family that runs that jewelry shop, and II was given time to reflect on my life. I decided that my parents wouldn't have wanted this for me, that I was shaming them with my actions. From then on I decided to only do those things that I could and stay on the right side of the law." Michael still felt sick when he thought of those days. Then Helen's voice reached to him from the door. "No matter what you did in the past, I still love you, and I always will." She may as well have hugged and kissed him. He looked at the clock, it was almost eight. "I'll see you in an hour, Helen. Love you."
"Love you more." She giggled. Michael pulled a small screen out of his pocket. He had wired it to show him the local news, just in case he needed it. To his dismay, he saw an image of the S3 building. Then he saw the front door of the S3 church. Then he saw a reporter standing inside the chapel, and behind her Shinji and Hisana setting up the last of the decorations. The reporter spoke. "Here we are, in the church contained within the S3 headquarters, as the final preparations are being made for the wedding set to take place just one hour from now." The voice of another reporter, likely one in the studio, was heard. "From what I hear, the couple to be are actually members of S3?" The reporter nodded. "Yes, yes they are. According to our source, the groom is Mr. Michael Samson, and the bride is a Ms. Helen Ashton, youngest daughter of the weapons mogul Mr. Kevin Ashton."
"Really? If I remember right, doesn't Mr. Samson have a criminal record?" The reporter in the church was about to speak when a heavy, thick arm landed one her shoulders. Then another, different, although equally proportional arm turned the camera away from the report to face its owner, Major Ivan Kalasdozki. The other arm's owner, Mr. Kevin Ashton spoke calmly into the microphone off screen. "I don't know who your sources are, but you can take my word that Mr. Samson, in spite of anything in his past, is a proper, upstanding young man, isn't that right Major?" The Major nodded, and the camera trembled slightly, which Michael assumed was the camera man soiling himself. "Now, as for what you people are dong here, well, I'm sure if you eave quickly, and are very careful as to what you poke your noses into regarding my daughter and her husband to be, I think I can see my way clear to not suing your network into the ground." With that the transmission was cut off with a crunch that Michael was fairly certain was Kalasdozki crushing the camera. Michael got up from his chair, but his eyes didn't leave the screen. The lead anchor for the news show was now trying desperately to salvage the situation. He shut off the screen and slid it back into his pocket, but not before making sure that a recording of the report was saved on a small hard drive on the screen so he could show it to Helen later. He arrived in the main hall just as Kalasdozki and Ashton were showing the reporter and camera man the door. Michael could just se the crumpled remains of a camera in the camera man's arms. After the door closed, Michael said, "Nicely handled. I don't think Helen and I won't need to worry about being bothered by any news folks." Ashton grinned. "That was the idea." Hisana hurried up to the three of them. "Damn it, where is he?"
"Who?"
"Allen! He told me he was picking something up, and if he doesn't hurry up he'll be late, and I'll have to find an usher to take his place!"
"Don't worry. Trust me, he'll be here."
"Unfortunately I don't share your optimism." She hurried off. Michael walked slowly up the aisles, and once he reached the very front, he sat and looked up at the place he knew he would be standing a just a half hour. The thought of standing for more than a half hour made his legs hurt.
Almost an hour later, the chapel was packed. Apparently everyone in the facility had decided to attend. He could see the Halinskis, and Louis. He was standing up now, fighting the ache in his back and legs. Allen had shown up just in time, with two large bouquets of flowers, one for the wedding and the other for Hisana. After the last person had been seated, the church organist began playing 'Here Comes the Bride'. The doors to the church opened. Jana was standing side by side with James, which was quite funny to Michael. James had been bullied into being the ring bearer by his father. Jana was the flower girl. Shinji was just a few steps behind Michael, and Michael could practically feel his anticipation. After Jana and James were about half way down the center aisle, Helen entered. Michael's mind was silenced. Normally he would be thinking about a dozen things at once, but her beauty was all his mind could handle at the moment. Her dress was delicate and exquisite, beautiful down to the smallest detail. It was strapless and backless, which forced him to ponder how it stayed in place. Her skin looked radiant, and her face was made even more beautiful with the perfect application of makeup. At her right was her father in an expensive looking, pure black tux, in stark contrast to his daughter's all white dress. Her mother was to her left, dressed in a simple, light blue. Hisana and Maria brought up the rear, carrying Helen's train. Jana and James took their seats near the front, as did Helen's mother and Maria. Ashton took his place between Michael and Helen, with no small amount of pride. Hisana took up her spot opposite Shinji, and Helen, lastly, took hers. After a moment, Kevin Ashton released his daughter's arm, and stepped back, taking his seat. The pastor, or priest, or whatever he was began. Michael feigned attention, and he could tell Helen was faking it to. This part, they knew, was more for the benefit of the spectators than themselves. After a while the priest finally said, "And the bride and groom have written their own vows, which they will read now." Michael turned to face Helen, who turned to face him. She started speaking, but Michael was more captivated by her beauty than her words. Michael was touched, to be sure, but after a while, she became slightly redundant. The only thing that stuck in his mind was her last sentence. "As I stand here, looking at you, I see a future so bright, that even heaven itself could envy us, and I look forward to walking this road with you, by your side." Michael was touched at his heart. It was now his turn. He added a little joke at his start. "I suppose everything I'm about to say has already been said, but here it goes. Helen, for a time I was lost in darkness, but your kindness and love saved me from it. My father once told me that it is almost destiny, that a son is fated to one day find his own love, and to wish to be with them forever, and he told me his one wish was that I found love as great as I gave. I'm happy to say that I have found much, much more in you, and that my father can rest in peace knowing I found the one person who could pull me from even the deepest darkness, and that forever with you is still far to short for me." For a moment everyone in the entire chapel was dead silent. Michael feared, for a moment, that they had been offended or something like that. Even Helen was still. Then she reached out and gripped his hands with her own, and through the veil he could see tears in her emerald eyes. Suddenly the entire church rang with applause. Michael's fear once more died. The priest stepped forward again. After a few more minutes, he finally got to the I do's. "Do you, Helen Danielle Ashton, take Michael Frederick Samson as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Do you, Michael Frederick Samson, take Helen Danielle Ashton as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"Then, by the power vested in me by god and the authority of the government of New Tokyo city, I now hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Michael could hold back a last quip, "You couldn't stop me if you tried." And with that he and Helen lifted the veil and kissed as if for the first time, and in a sense, it was. This was their very first kiss as a married couple. The whole of the gathering rose from their seats and began to whoop and cheer, applaud and shout in joy. Both of them turned and started to run down the center aisle. They were running because Hisana had warned them that Shinji had equipped the entire group with bags of rice to be thrown on the newly-weds. Even running, they were still hit with much rice.
The reception was held in the hangar that housed the robots. To the couple, even the massive machines seemed to radiate a kind of happiness. Michael and Helen had the first dance, but after that, the celebration dissolved into a blur in Michael's mind, he lost the ability to track anything until the end of the party. Helen had fallen asleep. He picked her up, and found James carrying his sister on his back. Mr. Ashton had Jana in his arms. Mrs. Ashton was right behind him. Wordlessly, they walked. In what seemed like a few steps, they were at his door. Helen was awake, her arms around his neck, her head rested under his chin. The door was opened by Mrs. Ashton, who then gestured to Michael and Helen. "Mr. and Mrs. Samson, would you like to go first?" Michael carried her, not just into the house, but all the way to their room. With a little help from her, he got her out of the majority of the bulky dress and into more comfortable clothes, than changed himself. They were both to tired to do anything but fall asleep in each other's arms.
Chapter 3
Michael woke up to stiff muscles and a head ache. After a few seconds the head ache stopped. Michael glance down an intravenous drip in his arm, and plucked it out. He threw off the sheets of the hospital bed he was in, and saw he was in a paperish hospital gown. His clothes were folded on a chair next to his bed. He put them on, and then stepped out of the room, right into a nurse. "Oh, Mr. Samson, I was just on my way to see if you were up." Michael shrugged, he didn't feel any worry was needed. "Where is Helen Ashton?" The nurse shifted her weight a little, just slightly enough that most people wouldn't notice. Michael wasn't most people. "What's wrong?" The nurse shifted again. "What's wrong?!" The harshness in Michael's voice forced a reaction from the nurse. "You should come to her room, it'll be better for her to tell you." Michael was chilled, he forced his emotions down, deep as he could get them to go. It was a trick he'd learn doing odd jobs, mostly those that didn't sit well with him. It paid when you could shut off emotion. The nurse lead him down the hall, glancing at the numbers on the doors. Finally the nurse opened a door. Helen was lying in bed, wide awake and talking with Mina. Both of them fell silent as he stepped in. Michael let his emotions drift a little closer to the surface. Mina was strange. Another skill Michael had developed was the ability to see subtle moves, hints to what a person was thinking. Mina was fighting back something. Helen was much more pensive. She was good at hiding her emotions, just like him. Michael felt the presence of someone else in the room. He took two steps forward, and out of the corner of his eye saw Dr. Iuzumia. She was an open book, surprise, happiness, and a desperate attempt at self control mottled her features. Michael knew now that the nurse's unease had been at concealing the truth. He grabbed a chair and sat down. With a slow, steady outward breath, Michael relaxed in the chair. Mina practically shivered. Michael had learned that trick from someone he'd worked under. It was an easy way of convincing someone you were annoyed or angry, which usually forced them to let their guard slip. Mina's face now showed a similar pattern to Dr. Iuzumia's. "So, what the big surprise?" The calm, mellow tone of Michael's voice, almost as if he'd known what was going on all along, floated from his mouth. Only Helen wasn't fooled. "Oh, nothing." Michael was impressed. Very few people could keep something from him. Maybe that's why he loved he so much, she was just as clever as he was. "So, Dr. Iuzumia, I assume there must be a medical matter for you to be here, yes?" Even Michael was a little unnerved by the silky, almost serpentine tone of his own voice. The doctor was fighting her every impulse, holding back whatever it was with all her will. His eyes drifted, almost lazily, to Mina. Instantly she clamped her lips tight. His eyebrows popped up, feigning surprise. Helen remained static. Michael could tell she was having fun. "So, are we going to keep at this game until one of these two breaks, or will you tell me?" Finally Helen smiled, a sweet, beautiful smile, which failed utterly to fool him. "Well, spill it." This time Michael wasn't playful or coy, he was blunt, cold, and sharp as a blade. Helen rolled her eyes. "You're no fun at all, sweetie." Michael was actually caught off guard by this one. Helen was sweet, but she liked to avoid those cliché affectionate terms. "No fun, dear? Why, I played your game, didn't I?" Michael was game, he had a big vocabulary. "Yes you did, darling, but I was hoping you'd play a little longer." Helen was really having fun with this. "My love, I'd would've liked to continue the game, but my concern for you quashed my interest in games." This time Michael interspersed some truth with the word play, catching Helen off guard. Her smile faltered, she was touched by his concern. "So, doctor? Will you tell me?" Dr. Iuzumia shook her head. Michael looked at Mina, who shook her head too. "I'm pregnant, Michael." This time, Michael was dumbstruck. All the suave, slick intelligence, the cunning, the games, the subtle trickery, all fell away, and his emotions were laid bare. "P-pregnant?" Helen smiled, this time sincere and loving. "Yes. I guess I shouldn't have to say this, but it is yours." Michael couldn't think, couldn't react. A lump grew in his throat. "I'm going to be, a dad?" Helen smiled again, all her love for him shining through. "Yes, you are."
"Most guys dread stuff like this, you know."
"I know." Helen giggled a little bit. "I guess I'm not like most guys though, huh?"
"No, no you're not, but that's why I love you."
"Wow. I guess your parents aren't going to like me much."
"Like I care. It's not them I care about, it's you." Michael sat up straight, a broad smile pulling at his lips. He let his head flop back on his neck, facing the ceiling, and he allowed a great booming laugh, a laugh of joy and happiness, ring out. His head fell back to his chest. "I suppose if I were a gentleman, I'd ask you to marry me." Both Mina and Dr. Iuzumia gasped. Even Helen was surprised. "M-marry you?" Michael looked up into her beautiful eyes. "What? Am I not good enough for you?" Helen's eyes went wide, and her mouth gaped like a fish's, as she tried to explain her reaction. With a deft motion, he put two fingers to her lips. "I was joking. But still, I don't think it'd be odd, after all, people have been married younger. My parents were married young, for instance." Finally Iuzumia spoke. "Are you kidding me?! You actually want to get married?! My God, most men your age avoid marriage at all costs."
"But I'm not most men, am I?" The doctor fell silent. Mina looked dizzy. "Well, we’ll see what happens.” Michael smiled, looking at Helen. He couldn’t believe it, he was going to be a father. Then a sickening thought slithered into his mind. What if he, or worse yet, Helen, was killed in battle. The thought alone was enough to frighten him to his core. Then it dawned on him, that all he had to do to guarantee her safety was to take on anything that came their way. He was certain, as long as he had Helen and his unborn child to protect, nothing would stand in his way.
A half hour later Helen and Michael walked hand in hand down the halls. Helen already had plans in her head, but Michael's biggest concern wasn't the wedding itself, they had time, and she could take all that she wanted in planning. Michael's concern was a proper engagement, namely a ring. The clever side of his mind kicked in. "Helen, could you go pick up Jana from school? I just remembered, there's something I need to get."
"Sure thing, what is it your going to get?" Michael smiled. "You'll see." Then he ran off. Helen sighed.
Michael jumped on his bike, and turned the key in the ignition. To most people, it seemed to be in perfect condition, but to Michael's ears numerous odd clicks and clacks were decoded, and showed him, in his mind's eye, countless flaws, imperfections that, if left unchecked, would cause further issues. Luckily this was going to be a quick trip, so he didn't need to worry about it. Michael pulled on his helmet, and flipped the visor down. The engine revved, and Michael peeled off. The visor of his helmet misted slightly once he was outside. He looked up at the sky, which was an overcast gray. It was drizzling, tiny spits of rain flecking his skin and clothes. He revved the engine again, and tore off down the street. He’d been planning on proposing to Helen soon enough anyway, this was just the excuse he needed to move up the time table. He threaded through traffic, buzzing by cars. Michael pulled off the main street, turning down a smaller side street. Some more traffic dodging, and he reached the small jewelry shop. He’d gone there once before, almost a week ago, to see if it was still run by the people he’d remembered from his childhood. It was. Michael propped his helmet up on the handlebars of his bike, and stepped inside. “Michael!” Michael smiled at the elderly man who hobbled up to him. “Mr. Halinski, how are you? Is my request ready?” The old man smiled. “Gertrude! Michael’s here! Could you bring it out please?” From the back of the store, Michael heard an old lady yell, “Coming, just give me a moment.” Mr. and Mrs. Halinski had been Michael’s baby sitters when he was young. He used to spend an hour or two each day watching Mr. Halinski work, craft exquisite jewelry with his bare hands. His hands could no longer do that work, but his son had taken over for him, and so the business thrived. Michael had been relived that the Halinskis were still in business, he didn’t know the first thing about jewelry. Mr. Halinski was happy to help Michael, especially when he confessed to what he was looking for. Mrs. Halinski tottered into the room, and gave Michael a small, velvet box. Michael opened it, not so much to see that it had been done to his requests, but to marvel at it’s beauty. It was perfect. He snapped the box shut. Michael paid for the piece of jewelry, and thanked them both. At the door he turned, and said, "I'll let you know the date. I expect you to show, okay?" The old couple both nodded emphatically. The drizzle had turned into a light rain. Michael pulled a thin jacket out of the pack he kept on the bike, and threw it on. "You're fortunate." Michael was startled by the thin young woman who spoke. Her skin was very pale, and she was unnaturally thin, but oddly not emaciated. Her eyes didn't move, and her face was painted with jealousy. "Excuse me?"
"You humans, you're so lucky." Michael felt a chill dance up his spine. "You're a demon aren't you?" The thin woman smiled, showing bizarrely perfect teeth. "You're a perceptive one. Yes, I'm not human, but I'm not just a demon either. I am Envy."
"Envy, one of the seven deadly sins?"
"Yes, yes, that is what your species called us. I always envied you people. The peace of death is denied to us, unless we are killed. The joys of love, compassion, and happiness are alien to us. Forever deprived of the, what's the word, good things in life, we demons are cursed. Not that my brethren see that. This brings me to the point. The time will come when one of your number will face me. I will not show mercy, but know that I do wish to die. I know not who will fight me, but I sense the fight coming. Please, if you find out, ask them, my foe, to grant me the chance to feel gratitude."
"What are you?"
"I'm one of the strongest demons alive, of the eight strongest, to be precise. You will meet my brothers and sisters in due time." Before Michael could ask another question, she was gone. He was unnerved, it wasn't every day you had a civil conversation with a demon. Michael rode home slowly. He mulled over the bizarre conversation. Then he shoved it out of his mind, filing it under things to think about later. As he rode, a thought struck him. He pulled off to the side of the rode, and pulled out his phone. "Helen?" Helen sounded breathless. "Yeah, what is it?"
"Are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, just fine, just Jana, she wanted to play tag, so..."
"Don't push yourself too hard, you know, the baby."
"I know, I know. Now, what is it, what's up?"
"Well, I was on my way home, and I had a thought."
"Really? Wow, that's great."
"Ha, ha, very funny. Would you hear me out please?"
"Okay, sorry."
"It's alright. Well, I figured we could go out to dinner, and invite everyone, you know, from S3, so we could tell them about the baby."
"Oh, that sounds great. I'll get ready."
"Alright, I'll see you soon. Love you."
"Love you too." Michael hung up and pulled away from the curb. The rain stopped, and the clouds cleared. Michael gave the engine a little more gas, and flew down the road. Michael pulled in the garage. He pulled off his helmet and jacket. He felt his pocket, to reassure himself it was still there. Michael took his time walking the halls. He rounded a corner, and came face to face with Allen. "Hey."
"Hey."
"Look, Allen, I want to apologize. I know I can be cold, and cruel, but, just know, it's not personal."
"I know. I talked with Helen; she told me all about your past. Life's a bitch, ain’t it?"
"Yes. Well, anyway. I wanted to tell you that you're invited to dinner with all of us."
"Us?"
"The six of us pilots and the project heads, Helen and I are taking everyone out to eat."
"Oh, cool. I'll be there."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, thanks." Michael shook hands with Allen, and then Michael got moving. He stepped into his apartment, just in time to get hit in the face with a pillow. "Jana, throw another pillow, and I'll lock you in your room for the rest of the night." His little sister squealed and ran to her room. Helen came around a corner in a towel, and was toweling off her hair. "Sorry. I guess I'm going to have to get used to this parent thing." Michael laughed. "I'm willing to bet our baby will listen to you better than she does. I assume you told her?"
"Yep, I told her." Helen walked to their room, and Michael followed her. "Do you mind?"
"No." Helen giggled coyly. "Keep it in you pants, lover boy. I am already knocked up."
"Like I don't know. Let's just get dressed and let everyone know about the party. Oh, that reminds me; I bumped into Allen on the way home."
"Uh oh. What happened?"
"Nothing, we talked, settled our differences, and I told him about the dinner. Oh, and he told me that you told him about my past. When would you have done that?"
"He visited me in the hospital. He came with Mina. He was there when the doctor told me I was pregnant too. He got really pissed, started bad mouthing you, and swearing up a storm. I damn near beat the shit out of him, but Dr. Iuzumia kept me in bed. It was Shinji who decked him."
"Shinji? You mean our Shinji? Wow, I didn't think he had it in him. Wait, he was there too?"
"Yeah, everyone was."
"Aw, fuck. Then what's the point of this dinner?"
"Well, we can still celebrate, right?"
"Yes, I guess we can. So, Shinji decked Allen."
"Yeah, he was really pissed. Hisana told me Shinji really looks up to you. He envies your courage."
"What is up between those two? Are they a couple or what?"
"Ew, no! They’re brother and sister!"
"What? No way, they have different last names."
"They're twins, who were separated shortly birth, their mother died in childbirth, and their father wasn't exactly around. They were adopted by two different families. It wasn't until they were found by Dr. Iuzumia for project that they even knew about each other. It didn't take long for them to figure it out."
"I see. So, back to the story."
"The whole getting punched thing pissed Allen off even more. Mina tried to hold him back, but he just shoved her off. He squared off with Shinji. Then the major stepped in. I swear, he beat Allen like he was just a baby. Allen didn't stand a chance. I knew the major was tough, but he's on a whole different level from you or Allen."
"He's a professional military man; I'd expect him to be much more skilled and stronger than me."
"Right. Finally Allen chilled out. Then he asked me why I was in love with you."
"What'd you say?"
"I told him the truth. I love you because, when I'm with you, near you, I feel like I am where I'm supposed to be, where God wants’ me to be. Then I told everyone what you told me that morning. Only Professor Hanson was unsurprised, I suppose you told him the whole story already."
"Yeah, it was one of the requirements."
"I thought so. Mina almost threw up, and Allen went all pale. Shinji was kind of dumbstruck too. I couldn't tell what Hisana was thinking though. I don't think I'll ever get her."
"I wouldn't say that. I'm sure you could get along with her if you tried."
“That’s not the point. Anyway, Dr. Iuzumia made everyone leave, except for Mina and herself. Mina had to do a lot of begging too.”
“She was that interested in my reaction, huh?”
“Oh yeah.” Helen stepped out of the closet wearing a long white dress. “What do you think?” Michael made an approving wolf whistle. “Thanks. Just think; in a few months I’m not gonna be able to see my toes. God, I’m not looking forward to this.” Helen laid a hand on her belly, and a contented smile spread across her face. “Then again, maybe I am. Still, I’m not looking forward to all that weight gain.”
“Trust me, no matter how big you get, you’ll still be sexy to me.”
“That’s touching, really, but I wonder if there isn’t a way for me to stay in shape without risking the baby?”
“As the doc, she probably knows. Could you hand me a tie?” Helen tossed a tie at him, which he just barely caught with his pinky. “Thanks. I’m gonna go ahead and take a shower, alright?”
“What do you need okay for? You’re a big boy.” Michael came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, the tie draped over his neck, buttoning up a clean white shirt. His pants were black, and slightly baggy. He finished with the shirt and moved onto the tie. After several attempts, he called to Helen. “Can you help me get this damn thing on?” Helen had to fight back a torrent of laughter as she came around the corner and started to help him. “I just finished calling everyone, and they all said they’d be there.”
“Great. Thanks for the assist.” Michael kissed her suddenly, pulling her to him. They broke apart after a minute. “What was that for?”
“Just because.” She blushed a little. “You’re a real flirt, you know that?”
“Yep, but that’s why you love me, isn’t it?”
“Of course.” She kissed him again, quickly, and then hurried off to Jana’s room. The doorbell rang. Michael, pulling on a jacket that matched his pants, opened it. On the other side was Envy. “You again. What is it now?”
“Just a warning. My brother, Wrath, is going to send a small demon to attack you. Kill it.”
“Like I need you to tell me that.”
“You miss understand. It will attack you outside of your machines. He thinks you are vulnerable in this state, prove him wrong.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Boredom mostly, and we have a wager on the outcome.”
“We? As in you and Wrath?”
“Not just Wrath and I, all of us. You’ve drawn quiet a lot of attention. Wrath thinks killing you will earn him more honor. He forgets that honor goes to the one with the blood on his hands.”
“You demons are real pieces of work, you know?”
“I do.” Without further word or any theatrics, Envy vanished. Michael closed the door. Helen called from Jana’s room. “Who was it?”
“No one, just a delivery guy with the wrong address.” Michael felt a spasm of guilt with the lie. ‘Why not tell her?’ he though. But then he reminded himself of the item in his pocket, the mission he was on. “Oh, that’s strange.”
“I know.” Michael finished buttoning up his jacket. Helen came out of Jana’s room, followed by Jana herself in a cute little pink dress. Helen suddenly looked concerned. “How are we all going to get to the restaurant? You didn’t tell me which one it was.”
“I assume you told them to meet us at the parking garage?”
“Yes, I did, how did you know?”
“I know you. You went for the simplest solution. Everything will work out, I‘ve got it under control.” A few minutes later, Michael, Helen, and Jana arrived at the garage. Mina, Allen, Shinji, Hisana, Iuzumia, Hanson, and Kalasdozki were all there. Allen raised an eyebrow and aimed his gaze at Michael, who just smiled and nodded. After just a few seconds, a luxurious stretch limousine pulled up. The driver’s window rolled down. “Mr. Samson?”
“That’d be me.” Michael stepped up to the driver’s door. “Do I got this destination right?” Michael peered in through the window. “Yeah, that right. Any trouble finding the place?”
“No, it was easy enough to find. I mean, who in town doesn’t know about this joint. I was just surprised is all. I never imagined someone in here calling for a limo.”
“These are strange times.” Michael turned from the window. “Alright, everybody in.” No one moved. “What?”
“How the hell did you get a limo?” It was Allen who’d spoken. “Didn’t I tell you guys. A little while after I got here, I was finally able to access my inheritance.”
“Inheritance? Why couldn’t you get at it ‘til now?”
“My parent’s lawyer was a thief. He took the money and ran after the gate opened. I finally tracked him down. To make a long story short, he paid for it. Not that he needs money where he is now.”
“You killed him?!”
“What? No, hell no! He’s in prison.” Everyone nodded in unison, which was funny as hell to Michael. Finally, everyone piled in. The limo was very large, easily accommodating all ten of them. Everyone made pleasant conversation on the way. Michael noticed Allen was looking at Hisana a lot. She did look very nice. She had done her hair up in an elegant ponytail. Her pale skin looked very soft. She was wearing a strapless, sparkling blue dress the matched her hair. Lastly, she had left her glasses off, and looked to be wear contact lenses. Michael could finally see that she had brown eyes. Michael spent most of his time, however, looking at Helen and Jana, who were playing a quiet little game of rock-paper-scissors. It suddenly dawned on him that soon enough, in Jana’s place would be a little boy or girl. For the first time, Michael began to wonder if the baby would be a boy or girl. After think about it, he hoped it was a girl, a little angel just like her mother. He shivered at the thought of a son, a second him. He remembered that he hadn’t been the best child. Shinji bumped him in the ribs. "WH-what? I mean, what is it?"
"You okay man? You look kind of distracted."
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking." Shinji chuckled. "A little nervous about the dad thing? Can't say I blame you, I'd be scared shitless." This time Hisana ribbed Shinji. "Watch your mouth. I'll not be seen in public and acknowledge you as my brother if you talk like that, understood?"
"Yes, mam." Michael suppressed a laugh. The limo suddenly began to slow, and Michael grabbed a small phone wired into the wall of the limo. This phone ran directly to another next to the driver, who picked up. "Yes, sir?"
"I'm guessing we're almost there?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent, thank you." Michael put the phone back into it's socket. A minute later the car pulled to a full stop, and the door to the back seats opened. Three valets stood around the door. Michael stepped out first, and then helped Helen out. "Oh my God! I thought we were going to a restaurant, but not, this restaurant." Michael just smiled. After every one was out, Michael led everyone in. A wire thin man in a tight black suit stood behind a little pedestal. "Hello, welcome to Chez Supreme, the finest restaurant in New Tokyo. How can I help you?" The man had a thin, drawling voice with a French accent. "Hello, I'm Michael Samson, I believe I have reservations for ten?" The stuffy man looked over a list centered on the pedestal. After a moment the man looked up at Michael and said, "I'm sorry I'm not seeing that name on the ledger." At the same time the man made a little gesture with his hand that only Michael could see, indicating the Michael would have to pay the man just to get the table he'd already reserved. Without pause Michael suddenly spoke in rapid French, spouting a chain of words no one else in the group understood, except, apparently, for Professor Hanson, who chuckled softly. The man behind the pedestal spoke back, but his French was no where near a polished a Michael's. After a moment, Michael spoke again, this time with a much more annoyed tone of voice. Helen didn't need to know French to get the gist of what he was saying, "Take us to our table or else!" The thin man finally backed down, grabbed a stack of menus, and led them to a large table. Everyone chose their own seats. Michael looked around, and for his own entertainment, figured the arrangement out in his head. On his left was Jana, and next to her was Shinji. On Shinji's left was Hisana, and Allen claimed the other seat next to her. The major sat himself next to Allen, and Professor Hanson elected to sit on his left. Next, Mina and Dr. Iuzumia sat next to each other, and lastly, on the doctor's left and Michael's right was Helen. The thin man hovered around the table for a second, until Michael said, "Thank you very much." The man flash a glare at Michael, but then smiled and said, "Not at all sir." The man left them alone. For a few minutes everyone looked over the menus. After everyone had decided, Michael signaled to a passing waiter. The waiter courteously took their orders and hurried off. After he was gone, Helen touched Michael's arm to get his attention. "Why didn't you tell me you could speak French? Are you ashamed of it or what?"
"No. I didn't tell you about it, because the story behind it is tied in with some years of my life I'd like to forget."
"Why, what happened?" Michael rolled his eyes. "This is exactly why I didn't tell you before. You always ask."
"Well, are you going to tell me or not."
"I'll tell you later, at home, okay?" Helen pecked him on the cheek. "Okay." The night seemed to speed up to Michael's eyes. Soon enough the food arrived, and everyone abandoned conversation for eating. Helen gave him a taste of the pasta she'd ordered. Jana insisted on having a taste of almost everyone's meals, except for Major Kalasdozki, who understood fully why. The major was fully aware of his frightening stature. After everyone was finished, Michael felt his gut tighten. He slid his hand into his pocket, feeling the velvet box. For a split second, he hesitated. Then his feelings for Helen overcame his uncertainty. "Helen?" Michael took Helen's hands into his own, and stood up, and she stood with him. "W-what is it?" Her face was growing red. Michael held onto her hands as he knelt down on one knee, and then let go of her left hand, and pulled the small velvet box out of his pocket, and held it up to her. "Helen Ashton, will you marry me?" Everyone in the restaurant went silent. Helen's eyes were wide. With a flick of his thumb, the box opened. Inside was a ring. The ring itself was small, the diamond set into it equally so, but, in spite of it's size, it was perfect. The fine details made it more beautiful than any other ring she'd ever seen. A few tears formed in her eyes. For what seemed like eternity, she just stared at the ring. Then her lips trembled, slowly forming words, and finally a sentence. "Yes, I will, I'll marry you!" Relief flooded into Michael's body and his muscles relaxed as he plucked the ring from it's box and slid it onto Helen's left hand ring finger. It was a perfect fit. At the same moment the entire restaurant exploded with applause and cheers. Mina looked ready to pass out. Michael stood up, and Helen jumped into his arms, wrapping her's around his neck and kissing him passionately. He embraced her, holding her in the air. He even heard on of her shoes fall to the floor, but he didn't care. All he cared about was this moment, one of many perfect moment he hoped were yet to come. Finally they broke apart. Michael set her down gently. After he paid the bill, they all left the restaurant. After a slight wait, the limo pulled around and picked them up. On the car ride, Jana fell asleep with her head in her brother's lap. As Michael sat, stroking her hair, he remembered Envy's warning. As the limo pulled to a stop in the garage, Michael woke Jana. After everyone was out, Michael heard a feint, but distinct, snarl. Michael told Helen, Mina, Hisana, Dr. Iuzumia, and Professor Hanson to take Jana and get inside. He tried to convince Shinji, Major Kalasdozki, and Allen to go to, but they stayed. The major pulled to large handguns out of his jacket, and handed one to Allen. "I assume you know how to..."
"Shoot? Of course I do." Allen checked the gun's clip of ammo. All four men tossed their jackets and ties aside. Shinji suddenly seemed to stand taller than before. Michael felt the supernatural energy of his body shift and slide. Another snarl, louder this time. The major also slid out of his shirt. From the corner of his eye, Michael could see the major's chiseled body, a sight much more intimidating than any demon he'd yet seen. Allen slid silently off to one side, moving in the shadows. Shinji turned his head slowly to one side, until a loud crack came from his neck. The demon finally stepped into the light. It stood at twice Michael's height. Three shots rang out from under one of the cars near the demon, and three bullets ripped into its right leg. The demon snarled, and threw a car up into the air. Michael forged a sphere of fire, and hurled it at the creature. An explosion shook the garage, but the demo was unharmed. "Major, I need more space." Michael called to Kalasdozki. "Then we go up. Fusakata, you'll help me cover Samson. DeChevalier regroup with the others. Hopefully this beast's alone." Michael, Shinji, and Kalasdozki turned tail and ran for the ramp to the top of the garage. All the way up Michael was focusing his energy. At the top of the last ramp Shinji and Kalasdozki stopped, and Michael kept moving. The demon was on them in a second. Shinji was fast, able to dodge the demon's every thrust, and the major was strong enough to catch them. At one point the major caught the demon's left arm, and with a brutal motion, broke it over his knee. Shinji landed countless kicks, disorienting the monster. Finally Michael shouted, "Get down!" Both Kalasdozki and Shinji dove out of the way. At the same moment, Michael lifted his arms over his head, a ball of burning light between his hands. Then he brought his arms down, holding them straight, pointing his palms at the demon. "Burn." A pillar of flame burst from his hands. After the flame dissipated, all that was left of the demon was a pile of ash. Michael let his arms drop, and fought against the fatigue that started to weigh him down. Shinji looked normal again. The major holstered his pistol and walked over to Michael. “That’s quite the fireworks display.” Michael spat at the ground. “A fireworks display that’ll turn you to ashes. I doubt you'd want to be in the way." The major shook his head. Michael took a step forward, and almost fell flat on his face, but both Shinji and Kalasdozki braced him. After Shinji helped him for a few more steps, enough of his strength had returned for him to walk unassisted.
"Michael!" Helen nearly knocked Michael to the ground as she ran into his arms. He felt a hundred fold better with her in his arms, and a renewed strength flooded his limbs. Allen handed the major his shirt, jacket, and tie. After redressing in his shirt, the major stepped over to Doctor Iuzumia and Professor Hansen. "Michelle, Jonathan, you've both kept secrets from me, and likely each other."
"Being rather forward today, aren't we Ivan? Yes, I did keep a few things hidden from you and Michelle. I suppose she's kept things from us as well, just as I'm sure you have. The professor spoke in a gentle, joking tone, but the look on his face was anything but playful. "What is it you want to know?"
"Samson, Michael. In the garage he used, well, for lack of a better word, magic."
"I'm sure he did. He did the same thing to that demon just a couple of days ago."
"That was the same thing? I assumed you'd built in a weapon that had achieved that effect."
"Oh no. That was all Michael." Iuzumia butted in. "What is it you wanted to ask me?"
"About Fusakata, Shinji. I noticed he took on a much more aggressive combat style and personality, much more in line with a professional soldier than the timid young man he usually seems to be."
"Yes, I expect so. Shinji, would you like to explain this one?"
"Yes, mam. Major Ivan, I am not an ordinary human. The Shield project isn't just about making weapons to protect people. It's also about making people who can protect themselves. I am, simply put, a super soldier. I have a secondary personality that I can activate at will that allows me to fight at a super human level. While my body is always capable of this, I have conditioned myself to only use my strength and speed when my secondary personality is active." Shinji said all of this in a voice that was not entirely his own. It sounded like his voice, but the tone, somehow, didn't. It was as if someone else was speaking with his voice. The major nodded. He turned back to the doctor. "I assume Asayumi has this same ability?"
"Not exactly. Her secondary personality formed entirely differently from her brother's. We are still working with it." Ivan turned to Hanson. "And Disandes?"
"Yes, she too has magical capabilities, but her's are far less powerful than Michael's, something to do with his direct contact with a demon when he was young." Michael was still holding Helen when he said, "What secrets are you keeping, major?" For a moment the major didn't move. Then his shoulders slumped in resignation. "I suppose you ask because Helen Ashton is carrying your child?"
"Not just that. I care about her, and I'd like to know if she's been forced to do anything she didn't want."
"Michael, It's okay, I accepted that certain things had to be done for me to pilot the White Sword."
"I know you've come to terms with it, but don't I have a right to know?" Helen looked down from his eyes. "Well, major?" Major Kalasdozki turned to face Michael. "Both Ms. Ashton and Mr. DeChevalier have under gone chemical and physical treatments to strengthen their bones, muscles, and internal organs to protect them from the forces applied to their bodies inside the machines."
"Forces? What forces?"
"When the mechs move above a certain speed, the speed increases the g-forces felt by the pilot." Professor Hanson steeped up. "Michael, do you recall when I had you focus your power into you own body in that exercise? That was to the same end. Like wise, Shinji and Hisana have been modified to increase their resistance to g-forces. It was necessary." Michael didn't look pleased. "What about the baby?" Dr. Iuzumia failed to look him in the eyes. "We can't be sure. I don't think the chemicals will effect it, but, we just can't be sure." Michael still didn't look comforted. "Is there any way to be sure?"
"I wish there was, but it's far too early to know one way or another."
"One more question, professor. Will my - abilities - be passed to the baby?" The professor looked away from Michael too. "I can't offer any more facts than Michelle. I just don't know if your power is tied to your genetic code or some other factor." Michael sighed. "Well then, I'll just have to do what any father does, pray for the best." Everyone got a laugh out of the weak joke. "Greetings humans!" The whole group froze, ad their eyes all swung to the source of the voice. A man in a black leather jacket and pants with thick black boots and long black hair stood in the hall a little way down from them. Behind him stood Envy. "Who the hell are you?" Allen asked. "Me? I'm Wrath, mother-fucker! I'm the baddest bad ass of all demons!" Envy coughed behind him. "Then explain why your lackey couldn't kill three humans."
"Oh, fuck off Envy. Just 'cause you won the fuckin' bet don't mean shit."
"Oh, it does mean something. You remember Sin's orders?" Wrath snarled in annoyance. "You tell 'em bitch. I fuckin' hate talking to humans, dumb little shits." Allen had to be held back. Envy stepped up in front of her brother. She adjusted the glasses she was now wearing, and looked levelly at all of them. "My master, our master, is very intrigued by you humans, specifically you." She pointed at Michael. "It has come to his attention that you..." She pointed at Helen, "...are with child. We demons are indiscriminate killers, but we refuse to kill something that has yet to live, a little caveat to our nature. Because of this, our master has decided to give you human's a year' reprieve. In exchange, he wants to fight one of you, namely you, Michael."
"Fight me? The master of all demons wants to fight me?"
"Don't worry, it will be a non-lethal bout, he only wants to test you."
"How will I fight him, in or out of my machine?"
"He requests you fight with your machine." Wrath roared from behind her. "The master doesn't request! He demands!" Envy ran a hand through her hair. "I am telling them what he told me to tell them, nothing more or less. If you have a problem with my words, take it up with him."
"Where? Where will I fight him?" Michael was dead serious. "He wishes to fight out in the large plain west of here that was created by us after the gate opened."
"You mean the graveyard of old New York?"
"Whatever you wish to call it, that is the battlefield he chooses. Do you accept?"
"Yes." Helen pulled Michael closer to her. "No, don't! I don't trust them. He'll kill you."
"If that's what he was after, why go through all this. No, she's telling the truth. I'll fight him. Who knows, I might even put up a good fight."
"My master hopes so." With that final word both Envy and Wrath vanished. Michael felt strange. He knew he should be nervous, but he wasn't. This was his chance to guarantee the safety of Helen and their child.
"Most guys dread stuff like this, you know."
"I know." Helen giggled a little bit. "I guess I'm not like most guys though, huh?"
"No, no you're not, but that's why I love you."
"Wow. I guess your parents aren't going to like me much."
"Like I care. It's not them I care about, it's you." Michael sat up straight, a broad smile pulling at his lips. He let his head flop back on his neck, facing the ceiling, and he allowed a great booming laugh, a laugh of joy and happiness, ring out. His head fell back to his chest. "I suppose if I were a gentleman, I'd ask you to marry me." Both Mina and Dr. Iuzumia gasped. Even Helen was surprised. "M-marry you?" Michael looked up into her beautiful eyes. "What? Am I not good enough for you?" Helen's eyes went wide, and her mouth gaped like a fish's, as she tried to explain her reaction. With a deft motion, he put two fingers to her lips. "I was joking. But still, I don't think it'd be odd, after all, people have been married younger. My parents were married young, for instance." Finally Iuzumia spoke. "Are you kidding me?! You actually want to get married?! My God, most men your age avoid marriage at all costs."
"But I'm not most men, am I?" The doctor fell silent. Mina looked dizzy. "Well, we’ll see what happens.” Michael smiled, looking at Helen. He couldn’t believe it, he was going to be a father. Then a sickening thought slithered into his mind. What if he, or worse yet, Helen, was killed in battle. The thought alone was enough to frighten him to his core. Then it dawned on him, that all he had to do to guarantee her safety was to take on anything that came their way. He was certain, as long as he had Helen and his unborn child to protect, nothing would stand in his way.
A half hour later Helen and Michael walked hand in hand down the halls. Helen already had plans in her head, but Michael's biggest concern wasn't the wedding itself, they had time, and she could take all that she wanted in planning. Michael's concern was a proper engagement, namely a ring. The clever side of his mind kicked in. "Helen, could you go pick up Jana from school? I just remembered, there's something I need to get."
"Sure thing, what is it your going to get?" Michael smiled. "You'll see." Then he ran off. Helen sighed.
Michael jumped on his bike, and turned the key in the ignition. To most people, it seemed to be in perfect condition, but to Michael's ears numerous odd clicks and clacks were decoded, and showed him, in his mind's eye, countless flaws, imperfections that, if left unchecked, would cause further issues. Luckily this was going to be a quick trip, so he didn't need to worry about it. Michael pulled on his helmet, and flipped the visor down. The engine revved, and Michael peeled off. The visor of his helmet misted slightly once he was outside. He looked up at the sky, which was an overcast gray. It was drizzling, tiny spits of rain flecking his skin and clothes. He revved the engine again, and tore off down the street. He’d been planning on proposing to Helen soon enough anyway, this was just the excuse he needed to move up the time table. He threaded through traffic, buzzing by cars. Michael pulled off the main street, turning down a smaller side street. Some more traffic dodging, and he reached the small jewelry shop. He’d gone there once before, almost a week ago, to see if it was still run by the people he’d remembered from his childhood. It was. Michael propped his helmet up on the handlebars of his bike, and stepped inside. “Michael!” Michael smiled at the elderly man who hobbled up to him. “Mr. Halinski, how are you? Is my request ready?” The old man smiled. “Gertrude! Michael’s here! Could you bring it out please?” From the back of the store, Michael heard an old lady yell, “Coming, just give me a moment.” Mr. and Mrs. Halinski had been Michael’s baby sitters when he was young. He used to spend an hour or two each day watching Mr. Halinski work, craft exquisite jewelry with his bare hands. His hands could no longer do that work, but his son had taken over for him, and so the business thrived. Michael had been relived that the Halinskis were still in business, he didn’t know the first thing about jewelry. Mr. Halinski was happy to help Michael, especially when he confessed to what he was looking for. Mrs. Halinski tottered into the room, and gave Michael a small, velvet box. Michael opened it, not so much to see that it had been done to his requests, but to marvel at it’s beauty. It was perfect. He snapped the box shut. Michael paid for the piece of jewelry, and thanked them both. At the door he turned, and said, "I'll let you know the date. I expect you to show, okay?" The old couple both nodded emphatically. The drizzle had turned into a light rain. Michael pulled a thin jacket out of the pack he kept on the bike, and threw it on. "You're fortunate." Michael was startled by the thin young woman who spoke. Her skin was very pale, and she was unnaturally thin, but oddly not emaciated. Her eyes didn't move, and her face was painted with jealousy. "Excuse me?"
"You humans, you're so lucky." Michael felt a chill dance up his spine. "You're a demon aren't you?" The thin woman smiled, showing bizarrely perfect teeth. "You're a perceptive one. Yes, I'm not human, but I'm not just a demon either. I am Envy."
"Envy, one of the seven deadly sins?"
"Yes, yes, that is what your species called us. I always envied you people. The peace of death is denied to us, unless we are killed. The joys of love, compassion, and happiness are alien to us. Forever deprived of the, what's the word, good things in life, we demons are cursed. Not that my brethren see that. This brings me to the point. The time will come when one of your number will face me. I will not show mercy, but know that I do wish to die. I know not who will fight me, but I sense the fight coming. Please, if you find out, ask them, my foe, to grant me the chance to feel gratitude."
"What are you?"
"I'm one of the strongest demons alive, of the eight strongest, to be precise. You will meet my brothers and sisters in due time." Before Michael could ask another question, she was gone. He was unnerved, it wasn't every day you had a civil conversation with a demon. Michael rode home slowly. He mulled over the bizarre conversation. Then he shoved it out of his mind, filing it under things to think about later. As he rode, a thought struck him. He pulled off to the side of the rode, and pulled out his phone. "Helen?" Helen sounded breathless. "Yeah, what is it?"
"Are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, just fine, just Jana, she wanted to play tag, so..."
"Don't push yourself too hard, you know, the baby."
"I know, I know. Now, what is it, what's up?"
"Well, I was on my way home, and I had a thought."
"Really? Wow, that's great."
"Ha, ha, very funny. Would you hear me out please?"
"Okay, sorry."
"It's alright. Well, I figured we could go out to dinner, and invite everyone, you know, from S3, so we could tell them about the baby."
"Oh, that sounds great. I'll get ready."
"Alright, I'll see you soon. Love you."
"Love you too." Michael hung up and pulled away from the curb. The rain stopped, and the clouds cleared. Michael gave the engine a little more gas, and flew down the road. Michael pulled in the garage. He pulled off his helmet and jacket. He felt his pocket, to reassure himself it was still there. Michael took his time walking the halls. He rounded a corner, and came face to face with Allen. "Hey."
"Hey."
"Look, Allen, I want to apologize. I know I can be cold, and cruel, but, just know, it's not personal."
"I know. I talked with Helen; she told me all about your past. Life's a bitch, ain’t it?"
"Yes. Well, anyway. I wanted to tell you that you're invited to dinner with all of us."
"Us?"
"The six of us pilots and the project heads, Helen and I are taking everyone out to eat."
"Oh, cool. I'll be there."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, thanks." Michael shook hands with Allen, and then Michael got moving. He stepped into his apartment, just in time to get hit in the face with a pillow. "Jana, throw another pillow, and I'll lock you in your room for the rest of the night." His little sister squealed and ran to her room. Helen came around a corner in a towel, and was toweling off her hair. "Sorry. I guess I'm going to have to get used to this parent thing." Michael laughed. "I'm willing to bet our baby will listen to you better than she does. I assume you told her?"
"Yep, I told her." Helen walked to their room, and Michael followed her. "Do you mind?"
"No." Helen giggled coyly. "Keep it in you pants, lover boy. I am already knocked up."
"Like I don't know. Let's just get dressed and let everyone know about the party. Oh, that reminds me; I bumped into Allen on the way home."
"Uh oh. What happened?"
"Nothing, we talked, settled our differences, and I told him about the dinner. Oh, and he told me that you told him about my past. When would you have done that?"
"He visited me in the hospital. He came with Mina. He was there when the doctor told me I was pregnant too. He got really pissed, started bad mouthing you, and swearing up a storm. I damn near beat the shit out of him, but Dr. Iuzumia kept me in bed. It was Shinji who decked him."
"Shinji? You mean our Shinji? Wow, I didn't think he had it in him. Wait, he was there too?"
"Yeah, everyone was."
"Aw, fuck. Then what's the point of this dinner?"
"Well, we can still celebrate, right?"
"Yes, I guess we can. So, Shinji decked Allen."
"Yeah, he was really pissed. Hisana told me Shinji really looks up to you. He envies your courage."
"What is up between those two? Are they a couple or what?"
"Ew, no! They’re brother and sister!"
"What? No way, they have different last names."
"They're twins, who were separated shortly birth, their mother died in childbirth, and their father wasn't exactly around. They were adopted by two different families. It wasn't until they were found by Dr. Iuzumia for project that they even knew about each other. It didn't take long for them to figure it out."
"I see. So, back to the story."
"The whole getting punched thing pissed Allen off even more. Mina tried to hold him back, but he just shoved her off. He squared off with Shinji. Then the major stepped in. I swear, he beat Allen like he was just a baby. Allen didn't stand a chance. I knew the major was tough, but he's on a whole different level from you or Allen."
"He's a professional military man; I'd expect him to be much more skilled and stronger than me."
"Right. Finally Allen chilled out. Then he asked me why I was in love with you."
"What'd you say?"
"I told him the truth. I love you because, when I'm with you, near you, I feel like I am where I'm supposed to be, where God wants’ me to be. Then I told everyone what you told me that morning. Only Professor Hanson was unsurprised, I suppose you told him the whole story already."
"Yeah, it was one of the requirements."
"I thought so. Mina almost threw up, and Allen went all pale. Shinji was kind of dumbstruck too. I couldn't tell what Hisana was thinking though. I don't think I'll ever get her."
"I wouldn't say that. I'm sure you could get along with her if you tried."
“That’s not the point. Anyway, Dr. Iuzumia made everyone leave, except for Mina and herself. Mina had to do a lot of begging too.”
“She was that interested in my reaction, huh?”
“Oh yeah.” Helen stepped out of the closet wearing a long white dress. “What do you think?” Michael made an approving wolf whistle. “Thanks. Just think; in a few months I’m not gonna be able to see my toes. God, I’m not looking forward to this.” Helen laid a hand on her belly, and a contented smile spread across her face. “Then again, maybe I am. Still, I’m not looking forward to all that weight gain.”
“Trust me, no matter how big you get, you’ll still be sexy to me.”
“That’s touching, really, but I wonder if there isn’t a way for me to stay in shape without risking the baby?”
“As the doc, she probably knows. Could you hand me a tie?” Helen tossed a tie at him, which he just barely caught with his pinky. “Thanks. I’m gonna go ahead and take a shower, alright?”
“What do you need okay for? You’re a big boy.” Michael came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, the tie draped over his neck, buttoning up a clean white shirt. His pants were black, and slightly baggy. He finished with the shirt and moved onto the tie. After several attempts, he called to Helen. “Can you help me get this damn thing on?” Helen had to fight back a torrent of laughter as she came around the corner and started to help him. “I just finished calling everyone, and they all said they’d be there.”
“Great. Thanks for the assist.” Michael kissed her suddenly, pulling her to him. They broke apart after a minute. “What was that for?”
“Just because.” She blushed a little. “You’re a real flirt, you know that?”
“Yep, but that’s why you love me, isn’t it?”
“Of course.” She kissed him again, quickly, and then hurried off to Jana’s room. The doorbell rang. Michael, pulling on a jacket that matched his pants, opened it. On the other side was Envy. “You again. What is it now?”
“Just a warning. My brother, Wrath, is going to send a small demon to attack you. Kill it.”
“Like I need you to tell me that.”
“You miss understand. It will attack you outside of your machines. He thinks you are vulnerable in this state, prove him wrong.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Boredom mostly, and we have a wager on the outcome.”
“We? As in you and Wrath?”
“Not just Wrath and I, all of us. You’ve drawn quiet a lot of attention. Wrath thinks killing you will earn him more honor. He forgets that honor goes to the one with the blood on his hands.”
“You demons are real pieces of work, you know?”
“I do.” Without further word or any theatrics, Envy vanished. Michael closed the door. Helen called from Jana’s room. “Who was it?”
“No one, just a delivery guy with the wrong address.” Michael felt a spasm of guilt with the lie. ‘Why not tell her?’ he though. But then he reminded himself of the item in his pocket, the mission he was on. “Oh, that’s strange.”
“I know.” Michael finished buttoning up his jacket. Helen came out of Jana’s room, followed by Jana herself in a cute little pink dress. Helen suddenly looked concerned. “How are we all going to get to the restaurant? You didn’t tell me which one it was.”
“I assume you told them to meet us at the parking garage?”
“Yes, I did, how did you know?”
“I know you. You went for the simplest solution. Everything will work out, I‘ve got it under control.” A few minutes later, Michael, Helen, and Jana arrived at the garage. Mina, Allen, Shinji, Hisana, Iuzumia, Hanson, and Kalasdozki were all there. Allen raised an eyebrow and aimed his gaze at Michael, who just smiled and nodded. After just a few seconds, a luxurious stretch limousine pulled up. The driver’s window rolled down. “Mr. Samson?”
“That’d be me.” Michael stepped up to the driver’s door. “Do I got this destination right?” Michael peered in through the window. “Yeah, that right. Any trouble finding the place?”
“No, it was easy enough to find. I mean, who in town doesn’t know about this joint. I was just surprised is all. I never imagined someone in here calling for a limo.”
“These are strange times.” Michael turned from the window. “Alright, everybody in.” No one moved. “What?”
“How the hell did you get a limo?” It was Allen who’d spoken. “Didn’t I tell you guys. A little while after I got here, I was finally able to access my inheritance.”
“Inheritance? Why couldn’t you get at it ‘til now?”
“My parent’s lawyer was a thief. He took the money and ran after the gate opened. I finally tracked him down. To make a long story short, he paid for it. Not that he needs money where he is now.”
“You killed him?!”
“What? No, hell no! He’s in prison.” Everyone nodded in unison, which was funny as hell to Michael. Finally, everyone piled in. The limo was very large, easily accommodating all ten of them. Everyone made pleasant conversation on the way. Michael noticed Allen was looking at Hisana a lot. She did look very nice. She had done her hair up in an elegant ponytail. Her pale skin looked very soft. She was wearing a strapless, sparkling blue dress the matched her hair. Lastly, she had left her glasses off, and looked to be wear contact lenses. Michael could finally see that she had brown eyes. Michael spent most of his time, however, looking at Helen and Jana, who were playing a quiet little game of rock-paper-scissors. It suddenly dawned on him that soon enough, in Jana’s place would be a little boy or girl. For the first time, Michael began to wonder if the baby would be a boy or girl. After think about it, he hoped it was a girl, a little angel just like her mother. He shivered at the thought of a son, a second him. He remembered that he hadn’t been the best child. Shinji bumped him in the ribs. "WH-what? I mean, what is it?"
"You okay man? You look kind of distracted."
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking." Shinji chuckled. "A little nervous about the dad thing? Can't say I blame you, I'd be scared shitless." This time Hisana ribbed Shinji. "Watch your mouth. I'll not be seen in public and acknowledge you as my brother if you talk like that, understood?"
"Yes, mam." Michael suppressed a laugh. The limo suddenly began to slow, and Michael grabbed a small phone wired into the wall of the limo. This phone ran directly to another next to the driver, who picked up. "Yes, sir?"
"I'm guessing we're almost there?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent, thank you." Michael put the phone back into it's socket. A minute later the car pulled to a full stop, and the door to the back seats opened. Three valets stood around the door. Michael stepped out first, and then helped Helen out. "Oh my God! I thought we were going to a restaurant, but not, this restaurant." Michael just smiled. After every one was out, Michael led everyone in. A wire thin man in a tight black suit stood behind a little pedestal. "Hello, welcome to Chez Supreme, the finest restaurant in New Tokyo. How can I help you?" The man had a thin, drawling voice with a French accent. "Hello, I'm Michael Samson, I believe I have reservations for ten?" The stuffy man looked over a list centered on the pedestal. After a moment the man looked up at Michael and said, "I'm sorry I'm not seeing that name on the ledger." At the same time the man made a little gesture with his hand that only Michael could see, indicating the Michael would have to pay the man just to get the table he'd already reserved. Without pause Michael suddenly spoke in rapid French, spouting a chain of words no one else in the group understood, except, apparently, for Professor Hanson, who chuckled softly. The man behind the pedestal spoke back, but his French was no where near a polished a Michael's. After a moment, Michael spoke again, this time with a much more annoyed tone of voice. Helen didn't need to know French to get the gist of what he was saying, "Take us to our table or else!" The thin man finally backed down, grabbed a stack of menus, and led them to a large table. Everyone chose their own seats. Michael looked around, and for his own entertainment, figured the arrangement out in his head. On his left was Jana, and next to her was Shinji. On Shinji's left was Hisana, and Allen claimed the other seat next to her. The major sat himself next to Allen, and Professor Hanson elected to sit on his left. Next, Mina and Dr. Iuzumia sat next to each other, and lastly, on the doctor's left and Michael's right was Helen. The thin man hovered around the table for a second, until Michael said, "Thank you very much." The man flash a glare at Michael, but then smiled and said, "Not at all sir." The man left them alone. For a few minutes everyone looked over the menus. After everyone had decided, Michael signaled to a passing waiter. The waiter courteously took their orders and hurried off. After he was gone, Helen touched Michael's arm to get his attention. "Why didn't you tell me you could speak French? Are you ashamed of it or what?"
"No. I didn't tell you about it, because the story behind it is tied in with some years of my life I'd like to forget."
"Why, what happened?" Michael rolled his eyes. "This is exactly why I didn't tell you before. You always ask."
"Well, are you going to tell me or not."
"I'll tell you later, at home, okay?" Helen pecked him on the cheek. "Okay." The night seemed to speed up to Michael's eyes. Soon enough the food arrived, and everyone abandoned conversation for eating. Helen gave him a taste of the pasta she'd ordered. Jana insisted on having a taste of almost everyone's meals, except for Major Kalasdozki, who understood fully why. The major was fully aware of his frightening stature. After everyone was finished, Michael felt his gut tighten. He slid his hand into his pocket, feeling the velvet box. For a split second, he hesitated. Then his feelings for Helen overcame his uncertainty. "Helen?" Michael took Helen's hands into his own, and stood up, and she stood with him. "W-what is it?" Her face was growing red. Michael held onto her hands as he knelt down on one knee, and then let go of her left hand, and pulled the small velvet box out of his pocket, and held it up to her. "Helen Ashton, will you marry me?" Everyone in the restaurant went silent. Helen's eyes were wide. With a flick of his thumb, the box opened. Inside was a ring. The ring itself was small, the diamond set into it equally so, but, in spite of it's size, it was perfect. The fine details made it more beautiful than any other ring she'd ever seen. A few tears formed in her eyes. For what seemed like eternity, she just stared at the ring. Then her lips trembled, slowly forming words, and finally a sentence. "Yes, I will, I'll marry you!" Relief flooded into Michael's body and his muscles relaxed as he plucked the ring from it's box and slid it onto Helen's left hand ring finger. It was a perfect fit. At the same moment the entire restaurant exploded with applause and cheers. Mina looked ready to pass out. Michael stood up, and Helen jumped into his arms, wrapping her's around his neck and kissing him passionately. He embraced her, holding her in the air. He even heard on of her shoes fall to the floor, but he didn't care. All he cared about was this moment, one of many perfect moment he hoped were yet to come. Finally they broke apart. Michael set her down gently. After he paid the bill, they all left the restaurant. After a slight wait, the limo pulled around and picked them up. On the car ride, Jana fell asleep with her head in her brother's lap. As Michael sat, stroking her hair, he remembered Envy's warning. As the limo pulled to a stop in the garage, Michael woke Jana. After everyone was out, Michael heard a feint, but distinct, snarl. Michael told Helen, Mina, Hisana, Dr. Iuzumia, and Professor Hanson to take Jana and get inside. He tried to convince Shinji, Major Kalasdozki, and Allen to go to, but they stayed. The major pulled to large handguns out of his jacket, and handed one to Allen. "I assume you know how to..."
"Shoot? Of course I do." Allen checked the gun's clip of ammo. All four men tossed their jackets and ties aside. Shinji suddenly seemed to stand taller than before. Michael felt the supernatural energy of his body shift and slide. Another snarl, louder this time. The major also slid out of his shirt. From the corner of his eye, Michael could see the major's chiseled body, a sight much more intimidating than any demon he'd yet seen. Allen slid silently off to one side, moving in the shadows. Shinji turned his head slowly to one side, until a loud crack came from his neck. The demon finally stepped into the light. It stood at twice Michael's height. Three shots rang out from under one of the cars near the demon, and three bullets ripped into its right leg. The demon snarled, and threw a car up into the air. Michael forged a sphere of fire, and hurled it at the creature. An explosion shook the garage, but the demo was unharmed. "Major, I need more space." Michael called to Kalasdozki. "Then we go up. Fusakata, you'll help me cover Samson. DeChevalier regroup with the others. Hopefully this beast's alone." Michael, Shinji, and Kalasdozki turned tail and ran for the ramp to the top of the garage. All the way up Michael was focusing his energy. At the top of the last ramp Shinji and Kalasdozki stopped, and Michael kept moving. The demon was on them in a second. Shinji was fast, able to dodge the demon's every thrust, and the major was strong enough to catch them. At one point the major caught the demon's left arm, and with a brutal motion, broke it over his knee. Shinji landed countless kicks, disorienting the monster. Finally Michael shouted, "Get down!" Both Kalasdozki and Shinji dove out of the way. At the same moment, Michael lifted his arms over his head, a ball of burning light between his hands. Then he brought his arms down, holding them straight, pointing his palms at the demon. "Burn." A pillar of flame burst from his hands. After the flame dissipated, all that was left of the demon was a pile of ash. Michael let his arms drop, and fought against the fatigue that started to weigh him down. Shinji looked normal again. The major holstered his pistol and walked over to Michael. “That’s quite the fireworks display.” Michael spat at the ground. “A fireworks display that’ll turn you to ashes. I doubt you'd want to be in the way." The major shook his head. Michael took a step forward, and almost fell flat on his face, but both Shinji and Kalasdozki braced him. After Shinji helped him for a few more steps, enough of his strength had returned for him to walk unassisted.
"Michael!" Helen nearly knocked Michael to the ground as she ran into his arms. He felt a hundred fold better with her in his arms, and a renewed strength flooded his limbs. Allen handed the major his shirt, jacket, and tie. After redressing in his shirt, the major stepped over to Doctor Iuzumia and Professor Hansen. "Michelle, Jonathan, you've both kept secrets from me, and likely each other."
"Being rather forward today, aren't we Ivan? Yes, I did keep a few things hidden from you and Michelle. I suppose she's kept things from us as well, just as I'm sure you have. The professor spoke in a gentle, joking tone, but the look on his face was anything but playful. "What is it you want to know?"
"Samson, Michael. In the garage he used, well, for lack of a better word, magic."
"I'm sure he did. He did the same thing to that demon just a couple of days ago."
"That was the same thing? I assumed you'd built in a weapon that had achieved that effect."
"Oh no. That was all Michael." Iuzumia butted in. "What is it you wanted to ask me?"
"About Fusakata, Shinji. I noticed he took on a much more aggressive combat style and personality, much more in line with a professional soldier than the timid young man he usually seems to be."
"Yes, I expect so. Shinji, would you like to explain this one?"
"Yes, mam. Major Ivan, I am not an ordinary human. The Shield project isn't just about making weapons to protect people. It's also about making people who can protect themselves. I am, simply put, a super soldier. I have a secondary personality that I can activate at will that allows me to fight at a super human level. While my body is always capable of this, I have conditioned myself to only use my strength and speed when my secondary personality is active." Shinji said all of this in a voice that was not entirely his own. It sounded like his voice, but the tone, somehow, didn't. It was as if someone else was speaking with his voice. The major nodded. He turned back to the doctor. "I assume Asayumi has this same ability?"
"Not exactly. Her secondary personality formed entirely differently from her brother's. We are still working with it." Ivan turned to Hanson. "And Disandes?"
"Yes, she too has magical capabilities, but her's are far less powerful than Michael's, something to do with his direct contact with a demon when he was young." Michael was still holding Helen when he said, "What secrets are you keeping, major?" For a moment the major didn't move. Then his shoulders slumped in resignation. "I suppose you ask because Helen Ashton is carrying your child?"
"Not just that. I care about her, and I'd like to know if she's been forced to do anything she didn't want."
"Michael, It's okay, I accepted that certain things had to be done for me to pilot the White Sword."
"I know you've come to terms with it, but don't I have a right to know?" Helen looked down from his eyes. "Well, major?" Major Kalasdozki turned to face Michael. "Both Ms. Ashton and Mr. DeChevalier have under gone chemical and physical treatments to strengthen their bones, muscles, and internal organs to protect them from the forces applied to their bodies inside the machines."
"Forces? What forces?"
"When the mechs move above a certain speed, the speed increases the g-forces felt by the pilot." Professor Hanson steeped up. "Michael, do you recall when I had you focus your power into you own body in that exercise? That was to the same end. Like wise, Shinji and Hisana have been modified to increase their resistance to g-forces. It was necessary." Michael didn't look pleased. "What about the baby?" Dr. Iuzumia failed to look him in the eyes. "We can't be sure. I don't think the chemicals will effect it, but, we just can't be sure." Michael still didn't look comforted. "Is there any way to be sure?"
"I wish there was, but it's far too early to know one way or another."
"One more question, professor. Will my - abilities - be passed to the baby?" The professor looked away from Michael too. "I can't offer any more facts than Michelle. I just don't know if your power is tied to your genetic code or some other factor." Michael sighed. "Well then, I'll just have to do what any father does, pray for the best." Everyone got a laugh out of the weak joke. "Greetings humans!" The whole group froze, ad their eyes all swung to the source of the voice. A man in a black leather jacket and pants with thick black boots and long black hair stood in the hall a little way down from them. Behind him stood Envy. "Who the hell are you?" Allen asked. "Me? I'm Wrath, mother-fucker! I'm the baddest bad ass of all demons!" Envy coughed behind him. "Then explain why your lackey couldn't kill three humans."
"Oh, fuck off Envy. Just 'cause you won the fuckin' bet don't mean shit."
"Oh, it does mean something. You remember Sin's orders?" Wrath snarled in annoyance. "You tell 'em bitch. I fuckin' hate talking to humans, dumb little shits." Allen had to be held back. Envy stepped up in front of her brother. She adjusted the glasses she was now wearing, and looked levelly at all of them. "My master, our master, is very intrigued by you humans, specifically you." She pointed at Michael. "It has come to his attention that you..." She pointed at Helen, "...are with child. We demons are indiscriminate killers, but we refuse to kill something that has yet to live, a little caveat to our nature. Because of this, our master has decided to give you human's a year' reprieve. In exchange, he wants to fight one of you, namely you, Michael."
"Fight me? The master of all demons wants to fight me?"
"Don't worry, it will be a non-lethal bout, he only wants to test you."
"How will I fight him, in or out of my machine?"
"He requests you fight with your machine." Wrath roared from behind her. "The master doesn't request! He demands!" Envy ran a hand through her hair. "I am telling them what he told me to tell them, nothing more or less. If you have a problem with my words, take it up with him."
"Where? Where will I fight him?" Michael was dead serious. "He wishes to fight out in the large plain west of here that was created by us after the gate opened."
"You mean the graveyard of old New York?"
"Whatever you wish to call it, that is the battlefield he chooses. Do you accept?"
"Yes." Helen pulled Michael closer to her. "No, don't! I don't trust them. He'll kill you."
"If that's what he was after, why go through all this. No, she's telling the truth. I'll fight him. Who knows, I might even put up a good fight."
"My master hopes so." With that final word both Envy and Wrath vanished. Michael felt strange. He knew he should be nervous, but he wasn't. This was his chance to guarantee the safety of Helen and their child.
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