Part 0.1; You Will( Never )Be Saved
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So this is how a Lilin feels?...human touch….how delicate…..what is this strange liquid….tastes of…..purity….how refreshing…...
Kaworu Nagisa slowly opened his eyes. An orange haze covered his vision but he soon realised this was just the LCL. He floated easily in a transparent tube. He moved his head around and saw he was in a small dark room with a number of displays and monitors though not a human being in sight. He closed his eyes again to the blissful and comforting sensation of the LCL.
…...No wonder the Lilins want to hold onto life so strongly….When it can feel this true…...
The monitor suddenly came alive.
'A 17: Active. ERROR ERROR ERROR ER-...Manual Override. Drain Tube. Awakening Tabris. Subject is in Pre-Ascension Being. Negative Blue Pattern Detection.'
The container tube quickly drained of the liquid, leaving him standing stark naked and soaking. Kaworu opened his soft, red eyes again and everything around him turned to darkness. The seven monoliths of Seele emerged forming a circle around the slim, pale teenager.
"Gentlemen, this feels a little early.", Kaworu stated confidently.
"The plans have been changed."
"We had not anticipated on the success of the first 3 EVA pilots to this extent."
"And with 4th and 5th to be repaired and completed in the next weeks…"
"There is no better time than to deploy you, our secret weapon!"
"Mankind have already committed sacrilege and destruction beyond redemption."
"We are running out of time….."
"And our spies tell us that Commander Ikari is upto something."
"We must find out what it is before he can act."
"NERV and the EVA' s have already defeated the first 13 Angels…."
"We must end this abomination of a species before it's too late!"
"That is our hope in you Tabris!"
A pause lapsed over the meeting. Kaworu smirked and took control of their attention.
These fools are dumber than I remember…..Typical…..
"I am not Tabris yet.", he said, holding his smirk. "Only after the Zeruel, Arael and Armisael are defeated can I become it and have contact with Adam. Until then, my plan is to pilot EVA Unit Six and fight along their sides."
"You best remember your cause…"
"And that you are not a human."
"Be grateful; you are not cursed as we are."
With that, the committee disappeared leaving Kaworu in the facility, alone.
'Opening seal. Commencing AT Field recognition. Pattern match. Human.'
Human…Lilin I am…...I am…..grateful to be cursed…..
He stepped onto the cold floor and stretched his lean body like a cat before putting on the purple and black plug suit folded neatly to the side.
Human like Shinji….the same as Shinji…..one with Shinji…
He pressed the pressure vacuum on the wrist and felt the cool rush of air as the suit sucked itself onto his skin. He turned his head to the window and saw the blue and green jewel floating by. Kaworu smiled at the beauty of its frailty against the great black, speckled with stars in all directions. The Lunar Base sat in darkness, thus could not be seen from Earth.
Unseen to Lilins…...like the truth…..yet I see them…...I see Shinji's home….
He walked through the dull and quite facility, the only sound being his own footsteps echoing through the long, metal corridors until he reached a door with the Seele logo painted in glaring red. Beneath it read, 'UNIT SIX / EVA 01.5 ' . Kaworu entered the code into the number panel on the side and a green 'AUTHORIZED' sprang up. The door lifted to reveal EVA 01.5, attached to a cockpit-less space shuttle. The EVA' s predominant colour was a deep sea blue with golden yellow as secondary and black completing it. It's shoulder spikes and head were similar to that of Unit One except it's visor of sight was joined in a thin, red line.
The work of the Lilim and Adam combined…...this is true form…...true power…..
Kaworu strode forward to the rail and rested his arms on it as he looked into the EVA. After a few moments, a piercing chime resonated from a monitor beside the door. It's sound sang and bounced around the vast room all the way up to the large hatches at the ceiling. Kaworu waited for it to entirely fade before moving over to the monitor.
So…...Zeruel the 14th has appeared…..Seele knows NERV can not defeat it…...so they task it to me….they need me…..Shinji needs me…..
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"Status report!"
"Major Katsuragi, EVA 02 is moving in position to engage the 14th Angel!", Aoba shouted back, his long hair swinging wildly.
"Shinji has been found and is being escorted to Unit ONE.", Hyuga yelled, having to catch his glasses as they fell from his nose.
Misato ran over to the desk her hair sprawling everywhere. She grabbed the transmitter and yelled into it.
"Shinji! Shinji, can you hear me! Shinji!"
"I-...I'm sorry Misato! I'm sorry, I promise I won't run away again! I never meant to-"
"Thank god! Shinji, that doesn't matter, I'm just relieved you're safe." Misato took a moment to draw a breath then spoke again.
"Shinji, are you willing to pilot again?"
"Hai, Misato, hai! That's why I came back! I want to pilot EVA! I want to help!"
Misato stood back and shouted over to Ritsuko who was over by Ibuki calculating outcomes.
"Ritsuko, how long will it take to recalibrate Unit ONE?"
She looked over then at her watch.
"It'll be ready in three minutes."
"Good!". Misato grabbed the transmitter, shoving Hyuga out of the way again.
"Shinji, are you ready?"
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Neo-tokyo 3 had already been evacuated and lowered. On the hill overlooking it, stood EVA Unit TWO, shining bright red as it bathed in sunlight. Across the horizon, the dark silhouette of the 14th Angel was steadily getting bigger.
"Asuka, can you see it?".
"Ha! Why are you worried Misato?", Asuka stated in her usual bold manner. "I'm not going to fail! How can I when no one else is going to be in my way to mess it up?"
"Actually Asuka, Shinji is on his way to back you up."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT! That dumb-wit came back! If he dares to try and get in my way, I'm gonna-"
"ASUKA! We need you two to fight this together! We've already lost EVA 03 to the 13th and EVA 04 remains in critical repair. The 4th and 5th pilots are still badly injured from that fight too. Unit 00 is also unable to fully commit to action. So either accept the fact of fighting with Shinji again or stop piloting EVA!"
Misato cut transmissions and left Asuka to her own thoughts.
Huh!...Stupid Shinji, always ruining my moment…...I don't need him to defeat this Angel! I can do it by MYSELF!…..
Asuka lowered Unit TWO into a crouching position.
"Preparing to engage Angel. Activate AT Field!"
A flash of light appeared around Unit TWO before disappearing, the only sign of it being a dim hum of noise.
"CHARGE!"
EVA 02 launched into a sprint, leaving an explosive trailer of dirt and rubble in it's wake. Asuka pressed the EVA forward through the city, uncaring for the communications she was receiving from Central Dogma.
I can answer all their questions…..when I've killed this wretched angel!...
The Angel emerged into full view over the bay. Asuka drew the Prog Knife, and rushed it, screaming her battle cry.
The razor tendrils of the Angel shot out towards Unit TWO. Asuka deflected one with her knife and dodged the other before grabbing onto it. She pulled the angel and lunged at the core with her knife. The knife was a direct hit, except in didn't make contact. The strike deflected.
"Scheize! It's AT Field is too strong!"
"ASUKA, GET OUT OF THERE!"
Asuka turned to see the tendrils whipping around for a second attack. There was no way she could defend herself. She threw the Prog Knife at it and pinned one of the tendrils into a building. The second was coming straight for her head with a clear path.
"ASUKA, MOVE!"
Unit ONE crashed into the Angel and tackled it away. The tendril bounced off the ground and Asuka leapt over it. She watched as Shinji kicked the Angel away before dodging another attack.
"Asuka, are you ok?", Shinji asked with his typical care and concern.
"Stop worrying about me moron! I'm not the one who needs help!"
Asuka heard the brief crackle of comm's opening and Misato's face appear.
"Ok you two, here's the situation. That Angel has enough power to pierce your AT Fields in a single attack so be careful! Rei is giving sniper support from behind as Unit ZERO has only one arm remaining. Shinji, take the full-autofire rifle and back up Unit TWO. Asuka, we have the Progressive Power Sabre ready. Take it and engage! We're all relying on you!".
Asuka gave a cocky smile at this.
"Ha! Now, I'll show you how it's done!"
She kicked the container pack and picked up the sword. It was more like a hatchet then anything else; thick and heavy, and was designed for swinging attacks rather than piercing ones as only one side was sharpened for Anti-AT Field penetration.
Time to show my talent…...I'm better than these losers!...
"Alright you two, listen up! Girl, you target it's whips and Shinji-idiot, distract it. I'm the one who'll get in close and kill it. UNDERSTOOD?!
"HAI!"
"hai….."
"Ok! Now, let's-
"REI LOOK OUT!", Shinji screamed.
Asuka turned just in time to see the Angel launching an attack on Rei's position. Rei fired three shots but the Angel's tendrils dodged them. Asuka and Shinji could only watch as Unit 00's right side was split at the shoulder and penetrated the entire way through to the leg whislt the rifle was cut in half. Rei's scream was blood-curdling.
"AYANAMI!"
"NOW SHINJI!"
A flash came from the Angel and suddenly nothing was seen but a white fireball erupting from the hill where Rei's position was. The shock wave smashed into EVA' s 01 and 02, reeling them onto their back feet. The sound of the blast burst through into the cockpits, jumbling the pilot's senses.
Shit…...I knew this would happen!...People always get in my way!….but not now…...I'M GOING TO FINISH THIS!
Unit ONE opened fire upon the Angel. The bullets ricocheted everywhere. Asuka began sprinting, pushing close to the sound barrier with the sabre in her grasp.
"It's not working Asuka!"
"Just keep firing idiot!"
The Angel retracted its tendrils and turned to Unit TWO barreling towards it. It striked. Asuka unleashed her cry and swung the great sabre. Weapons of separate, empyrean forms clashed in a cacophony of attacking, parrying, blocking and attacking over again. Bullets flew overhead and rained hell upon the dueling pair. Asuka desperately fended off the strikes of the Angel's tendrils. She drew one extending to the right side and sliced it clean in two.
Gotcha!...You're mine NOW!
She deflected a following attack and spun into a flying kick, pinning the Angel against the ground. She let loose a scream as she raised the sword above her head and swung down upon the glowing, red core. But the Angel wrapped its remaining slicer around the sword and held it firm. Asuka pushed harder, rage flooding her thoughts.
"ASUKA, YO- -EED TO PU- -ACK!", Misato yelled through a distorted transmitter.
"I have this bastard! I'm gonna finish-"
Asuka froze in shock. She stared into the gaping mouth of the Angel that was now filled with white light. She then felt the regrown tendril rip through her chest and, in a flash of pure, blinding power, felt nothing at all….
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"What is going on out there?! Asuka, Ayanami, Shinji! Someone respond!" yelled Misato, screeching through the microphone.
"No response Major. All outward comms have been disrupted by the blast!"
"Our satellite scans show only two Red signals. The Blue is still there."
Ritsuko rushed over to the control panel by Aoba.
"Run a Yellow wavelength diagnostics pattern through the Earth connector dish."
Misato hurried over to her side and pressed her face in close.
"Have we got anything!?"
"Not yet….but….give me a minute…..n-NOW!"
A satellite feed video came onto the main screen. Everyone was frozen by the sheer destructive power that had been exacted on the landscape. No one made a sound but witnessed in silence as the Angel began moving in the direction of the Geo-Front.
Misato was utterly speechless.
"Is…..that all that's left of…..E-EVA 00….dear God!..."
"Major Katsuragi!", Ritsuko yelled drawing everyone's attention, "What are your orders?"
Misato regained herself, took a deep breath then walked over to Hyuga's monitor.
"We need connections with the pilots and we need them now! Transfer all available power to establishing something, ANYTHING!"
"HAI!", the team shouted in unison.
"Misato…."
Misato turned to Ritsuko who was staring wide eyed at the screen mainframe. Misato turned and was struck in horror as she saw Unit TWO charging the Angel.
"GET ME A CONNECTION NOW!"
"We're trying Major…."
They watched feeling utterly, helpless as the tragic events unfolded before them. Suddenly a connection was open. Misato screamed into the transmitter but they all knew it was far too late. Like a night flower reaching for the sun, the events unfolded the only way they could…..
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Shinji stared in awe as the Angel rose from the steaming, new crater it had just birthed and hovered towards the Geo-Front. He wanted to move, but couldn't bring himself to.
Go…...go c'mon….FIGHT!...if you don't, who else will…...Asuka and Rei are both….gone?...NO! NO! THEY CAN'T BE!...
Debris and rubble fell from the sky and a large piece suddenly struck Unit ONE on the helm. Shinji flinched and looked down to see the head of EVA 02 lying beside him, bloody and cracked…...
No…..no…..Rei!…...ASUKA!...
He screamed in total, boundless rage as the Angel pierced through the Geo-Front armour in a single blast. EVA 01 suddenly roared with him. Shinji turned his attention to the Angel, snarling and hissing through his Evangelion. He lowered into a crouch and burst forth with incredible speed. The Angel was already descending into the Geo-Front. He noticed the base half of the Power Sabre sticking out from the ground and grabbed it in his right hand as he sped by. Close to the horizon he saw a comet falling but payed it no heed. He then drew his Prog Knife and leapt at the Angel.
YOU WILL PAY FOR THOSE YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM ME!...
He grappled the Angel and plunged with it to the Geo-Front ground level, bringing it down under EVA 01. The Angel quickly responded with a flurry of strikes. Shinji slashed and deflected with his weapons, unable to keep up. A tendril slipped through and, instead of piercing EVA 01, was met with an AT Field as strong as it's own.
DIE YOU MONSTER, DIE!...
EVA 01 lunged baring it's teeth, and tore apart the Angel's AT Field in a flurry of blade attacks. Shinji sliced both tendril whips off and kicked the Angel away. It smashed onto the Central Dogma pyramid lying still. EVA 01 began striding forwards, dual blades equipped.
I'm going to….ENJOY...tearing you apart and DEVOURING YOU!...
Suddenly the Angel rose up and the white light began glowing in it's mouth. Shinji roared and charged, dropping both weapons. The Angel turned to face Central Dogma but, at the very last moment, Shinji grabbed it's top and pulled it down onto it's back and threw himself over it's blast area.
I won't let any else die…...not if I can save them instead….Misato…..Father…..I'm sorry…I failed you…...
The flash and distinct noise echoed before EVA 01 was fired to the roof of Central Dogma, impacting against a reverted skyscraper before falling to the ground, staring at the plasma cross of light from the Angel's blast. With the landing, he felt his vision become blurry as pain swept his body. He saw the comet pass over the gap above and a black shape begin falling from it. He strained his eyes and saw it was a figure diving directly towards him.
Is….is this what death looks like?...I wish I knew…..I feel so…...so…...peaceful…...
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Such destruction…...Zeruel…..it is time we truly met…...
Kaworu clutched the control joysticks and positioned Unit SIX into a line. His hold on the spear and shield tightened as he came close to terminal velocity.
I am coming Shinji….I am coming to save you….
Unit SIX passed through the gap. Kaworu pulled back his spear and moved Unit SIX behind the shield, placing the spear on the rim, pointed directly at the Angel. He was like a flaming comet as he plummeted and impacted into the Angel, creating a shockwave that shattered buildings far above. His spear tore into left tendril, severing it from its regrowth capabilities. The Angel's remaining tendril shot in response at Kaworu, pushing him off the dominant position. Kaworu dodged and parried every strike with relative ease, utilizing the shield as his key instrument.
You've given Shinji a lot of trouble…..caused him a lot of pain Zeruel…...this is my concerto now…..don't try and resist!...
As if to voice its disapproval, the Angel struck Unit SIX back and charged another blast. Kaworu jumped in front of Unit ONE that was beginning to rise once again and covered them both with the shield.
"Shinji, can you hear me?"
"Wh-who are you?"
"Just trust me. I'm your friend. I'm here to help. So when I tell you, take this spear and pierce it into the soul of Zeruel."
"Wait, wha-
The vast, powerful explosion of the Angel struck against Kaworu's shield and filled the Geo-Front in spectacular white light, emanating from the giant cross that reached to the lowered Neo-Tokyo 3. His shield crumbled beneath the impact and Kaworu fell onto one knee.
"Now Ikari Shinji!"
He watched as EVA 01 leapt over him through the cross of pure power, wielding a spear poised to kill an Angel. For a moment there was nothing. But then came the second cross, greater than the previous one's and, with a dazzling curve of prism light, a red flood exploded across the Geo-Front. Kaworu stayed on his one knee and breathed deeply as a warm red liquid rushed over his feet. He opened up a comms link and looked upon Shinji for the first time.
"Shinji…."
"H-...Hai?"
"Arigato, friend….and greetings for our first encounter."
He stared at the feed and saw Shinji's tired eyes. He smiled at him. Shinji gave a momentary frown before returning the favour.
"You should smile more often my friend, it suits you best."
"Wh-...Who are you?"
Kaworu smirked. He stood EVA 01.5 up and walked over to EVA 01 before cutting the comms link between them. He looked over to the tattered and broken purple and green armour of Shinji's EVA. Half of Unit One's mask was destroyed, revealing the truth that lay underneath with a green eye and crooked, broken grin.
"My name is Kaworu Nagisa. And I know everything about you Shinji. If you wish, you could say I was born to meet you…."
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Ohayo! It's the morning chapter of this journey! Welcome to my humble attempt in recreating possibly one of the best combinations of epic, tragic and surreal in a story, Evangelion. I know you may have also come here for just a quick fix of some hot action and that will start at Chapter 4/5 ;) I hope for this to be both entertaining and emotional so your contribution in any way is greatly appreciated! Lastly, many of the terms and plot devices may not be fully understandable( especially since evangelion is so fucking confusing! ) but really it's the general idea's I want to convey more. Thus on that note, til next time, FAREWELL!
- BeastChild