Belldandy looked at her sisters old and new with a combination of shock and pity. "My heart is breaking," she replied. "What have you done?"
"To you? Nothing, other than remove Urd's botched enchantment." Mara sat down and smiled at Belldandy, enjoying her helpless state. "Oh, I have ideas for you. Many many ideas. Too many in fact. It will be so hard to chose your final fate. But I have waited so long for this opportunity, I intend to savor it."
"Mara, let them go," Belldandy pleaded. "It's me you want!"
"You're right," Mara agreed. "It is you I want. I don't care about these Tendo sisters. I've had my fun with Skuld. And Urd will soon learn how expendable she is. They are only pawns, but they all do serve one purpose. Hurting them hurts you. If they were all free and safe I think you could endure the worst torments of Hell. But seeing those you care about twisted and ruined by my hand and knowing you are helpless to save them, that cuts your soul!"
Belldandy lowered her head. Mara was right. Seeing these four beautiful vibrant girls reduced to a nightmarish life of sexual perversion, it was agony to Belldandy. Her mind raced desperately to think of some solution. There was still Ranma and his friends. Together they had many talents and powers. As a demon Mara was still vulnerable to good luck charms. And perhaps there was still a chance to turn Urd. Yes, there were ways to defeat Mara, if only Belldandy could get the chance!
Mara laughed a wicked, cold laugh. "I know what you are doing. And that's fine. I don't want you to break too quickly, Bell. Plot and plan against me. Keep that spark of hope alive. It will be so much more satisfying the day I snuff it out forever. And while you are thinking, don't ever forget that this all began when you became a mortal. You gave me the opportunity to do this! Ahhaha!"
"Mara, how can you have so much hate for me?" Belldandy asked.
"You dare ask that?" Mara exploded. "You have always been so sweet, so pure. I should have been able to defeat you long ago, but still you have won time and time again. How can I not hate you? Enough of this! It's time for a new pawn." Mara raised her hand and a small figure appeared floating in the air, bound by energy rings.
"No!" Belldandy cried. "Not her! Leave her alone, Mara! She's innocent of all this!"
Mara grinned. "That's what makes her worth having."
Sora Hasegawa was a shy nerdgirl who attended Nekomi Tech and was a member of the motor club Keiichi belonged to. Small and freckle faced with glasses, she looked several years younger than she was. Belldandy knew her well, though in this new reality Sora wouldn't know her. Now Belldandy felt sick at the thought of Sora being Mara's latest victim.
A confused and frightened Sora opened her eyes and looked around. "W-W-What's going on? What's happening?"
"Hello," Mara said. "I am Mara, a demon first class. And I am about to ruin your life."
"Me?" squeeked the terrified Sora. "Why?"
"Because I can," replied Mara. "It amuses me to do so. What do you think, Belldandy? Should this sweet shivering little thing become a brothel whore? Or maybe another pet. I have a dog and cat. What would suit her best? Tiny mouse or timid bunny? Or I have a few other ideas. Decisions decisions."
Fri Mar 1 13:36:33 2002