Shadow of the Angels
Prologue
Begin Here: A Weary Traveler
Standard Disclaimer- I do not own Evangelion or Shadow of the Colossus.
I wrote this while listening to the soundtrack of Shadow of the Colossus.
Ok I replaced the first chapter with this one. I think it shows a good amount less of OOCness that was occurring in the last chapter. I won't ruin it but this is my quickest response to constructive critics. However; I did not change the italics for the first two chapters. But then again italics is primarily only in the first two chapters so if you can strain your eyes or cut and paste it to word and change the font go ahead. But if you really want to get a good look at what the Colossus look like. Just search Shadow of the Colossus on Yahoo and select the one at the top. Good amount of screens and you can see what most of the Colossus look like, and a sense of the immense scale of the creatures. And a great view of some of the landscape that Shinji is now in. And if you want to see the mountain Shinji has to first climb, click on the icon in the top right corner on the website and click the bottom part of the map.
And for all those that are just beginning to read this story, and are completely skipping over this part, like I do when I read fanfics. Well if you do read it this is a crossover with Shadow of the Colossus or Wanderer and the Colossus in Japan, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. O and there is actually a special crossover that will definitely have a huge impact on the story later on. And no its not taking Shinji to another completely twisted world.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Was all that escaped his mouth, as he felt his world slip between his fingers. His ego and soul obliterated as the purification ritual commenced. The forbidden merger had been completed and instrumentality would be at hand.
Having lost his mind he could no longer comprehend his demise as he saw a tunnel of light and dots encircle his vision. Shinji knew nothing, as he slowly sank into nothingness.
Then, the tunnel of darkness appeared in his sight, he heard a soft voice. As he saw the blinding lights appear in the tunnel, he saw an image at the farthest distance. It was a face, with red hair. But before he could scrutinize any further a cool sensation washed over his faith and he felt like he was floating. He tried to breath, but something got in the way.
"ACK" Rearing his head back from the pool of water, Shinji snapped back to consciousness.
Looking around frantically all he saw was stone. Everywhere, stone walls, statues, stairs, and columns. He was waste deep in a pool of cool water. Looking higher he was blinded by the bright light shining directly towards him. Shielding his eyes he saw an alter blocking part of the blinding light. As his pupils adjusted he took in the room with more detail. Walking out of the pool of water he looked down at himself. He was wearing his normal school cloths; the same cloths that he wore while last piloting Eva-unit 1.
Screaming Misato dying Asuka dying Rei gone The world dying Father Ritsuko Fire lots of Fire Rage Fear.
Collapsing to his knees he cried, he remembered it all crystal clear, the end of the world and all the death, no rebirth just death. Pounding his fists on the stone floor Shinji wailed with all his might. Then something occurred to him, was this Third Impact? The world still seemed to exist, despite the unknown location he was in. Still feeling the remorse and guilt deep in his heart he trudged forward. Counting 16 statues all together, finally reaching the column of light coming through the roof. Shinji had an odd sensation run across his body. Like something or someone was near him. Setting a single foot into the light a booming voice rang out.
"Why have you come?" A booming voice rang across the room. The sounds of men's and women's voices molding into one single voice, rang off the walls of the temple. An unearthly feeling emanated all around.
"We are the Great Dormin, What is your wish?" The voice rang out again; instilling a fear into the young boy standing in the shimmering light.
All the memories flashed into his mind at once, the death of all he loved, the screams of pain and agony, the feeling of uselessness, and finally the feeling of futility. All the blood, screams, and death around him made him sink to his knees.
"We are the Great Dormin, speak." It echoed again. Shinji began to weep, his fists beating into the stone. Dispite the pain he continued to pound on the unyielding stone.
"You would not have come unless you have a wish. Yes?" As tears flowed from his eyes, his fist started to bleed. He felt no pain as he saw the impaled Unit 02, and the giant face of Kaworu again in his mind. Blood flowed into the small crevices in between every neatly laid stoned. The world was tuned out as he continued to weep and pound the stone, drawing more and more blood.
Then in a slow sound of words, the voices spoke again.
"Will you ride across a vast and perilous land?" It spoke seeking an answer. But Shinji continued to pound his fists in futility.
"Confronting death and your own limitations?" Images of Misato through the caged elevator, before hearing the fated gunshots and a very clear female scream.
"Will you ignore your fear? Uncertainty? Your size?" Rising out of the launch bay to the war torn city, bodies laying everywhere and screams of agony seemed to ring around the world. Then the scream of Asuka, as she was impaled.
"Will you arm yourself with almost nothing, Yet fight as though you wielded everything?" Remembering all of it, he completely crumpled to the ground.
"Will you look at a challenge and see past its size? See its weakness? Exploit it?" And then the giant Rei, the decision of humanity, all the memories were to much. Eliciting the contents of what was in Shinji's stomach to come to the surface.
"Will you summon courage great enough to conquer a living, breathing mountain?" Back on his knees, he wretched onto the stone floor, mixing in with his blood.
"Will you find yourself Victorious?" Finally Shinji looked at his beaten hands, and wretched again onto the floor. Everything was to much, he had lost the people he loved. He loved them even if they didn't love in return.
"How far will you go for love?"The voices asked.
Still crying, Shinji was broken, hearing the words he remembered the smiles of Misato, Rei, Asuka, Ritsuko, Mana and everyone else. His time at Nerv, at school, despite his despair he loved it all. What he would do for those he loved? Now he would do anything for them, anything. Those that sacrificed for him, he had failed. Yet, now what could he do?
Then he realized where he was? Third impact occurred, and humanity was wiped out. Wasn't it? Starting to feel the pain in his hands, he looked around him once again. Starting to recall what the voices were saying while he wallowed in self pity.
The voice annoyed by the impertinence of the mortal repeated the question again.
"How far will you go for love?"
The feeling of being accepted into a home by Misato, the genuine smile of Rei, Asuka's constant drive of success, and the words I'll wait for you from Mana. A feeling burned in his heart, wiping the tears from his eyes and ignoring the biting pain in his fists he stood up. Emboldened by the very statement, Shinji Ikari revealed the side that lay dormant inside him. The will that had brought down angels, and the undeniable honesty of his nature, he had heard of a wish and if this being could give it to him. He would take it.
"I will do anything for those I love. How can I get them all back." He spoke into the light, feeling the light as if it flowed into his body leaving a soothing sensation of warmth.
"Souls that are once lost cannot be reclaimed…Is that not the law of mortals? But, with an old sword it may not be impossible. Behold the idols that stand along the wall. Thou art to destroy all of them. But those idols cannot be destroyed by the mere hands of a mortal."
As the words left ended, a blotch of darkness formed from the light in the roof. Then suddenly a sword stuck into the ground near his feet its sharp edge driving it deeply into the stone.
"Then let it be so. You shall have the items of the last Wanderer, and let it be known that you shall have a single companion. Whistle and he willcome." As the voices fell silent, he put his thumb and index finger into his mouth, and whistled.
Shinji heard a neigh in the distance; then the galloping of a horse, and as suddenly as it had started a form walked up the stairs of the temple. A majestic black steed with a saddle, its sheen black coat of fur glimmered in the sun. As it approached Shinji it neighed again. The horse approached Shinji and lowered its head; its dark eyes piercing into his soul, as if it was searching for something. Then the eyes of the dark stallion widened, and it turned to its side to allow him up. As the horse turned, a single word was etched in the saddle, Agro.
"Agro?" as the horses name was uttered, Agro reared back on his hind legs. He slowly reached for the sword at his feet. Grasping it Dormin's voices rang through the temple.
"Raise thy sword by the light… and head to the place where the sword's light gathers… There, thou shalt find the colossi thou art to defeat. But heed this; the price you pay will be heavy indeed." And the voices died down to silence.
Agro approached the new wanderer. Shinji hesitantly reached his hand out and brushed the steed's face. As the horse nuzzled his hand he noticed a wooden bow and bundle of arrows attached to the horse's side. Slowly Shinji grabbed the front of the saddle and lifted himself up. Agro's body did not shift uncomfortably, neither did he resist. As soon as Shinji settled into the comfortable saddle, Agro sprinted off. Quickly Shinji grabbed the reins but to no avail. Agro was down the stairs and heading towards a small hill off in the distance. Remembering Dormin's words, Shinji drew the sword and held it high. He looked at it under the new light, its subtle beauty held an unnatural strength. And its edge was so thin, that it seemingly could be flat from the side. Then he noticed the strands of light circling around the sword. Eerily they pointed forwards, towards the far off hill. With a strong resolve, Shinji tapped his heels into Agro's side. Complying with a neigh Agro spurred himself faster, the conditioned and strong horse galloped swiftly and unhindered.
Shinji took in the landscape around him, the distant horizon was blurry, and the lands near it were unearthly blended. But the sense of the land held a beauty like he had never seen before. Giving off a beautiful, ethereal sense of existence, but before he could scrutinize the earth around him. The small hill had grown to gigantic proportions. Staring up at the mountain Shinji drew the sword again; to his malcontent the lights directed him to climb up the large mountain. Taking the bundle of arrows and the bow with him Shinji looked around. There was no stairway, no inclined plain, how would he go up this mountain. As if answering his internal questions, Agro moved slightly towards an inner side of the mountain, and then began to whine and skitter. Shinji's attention drawn, he saw the thick hair like grass growing on the side. Looking down at himself he realized he was still dressed in his white button up shirt and black pants. Unconcerned he started his climb, ignoring the wrenching pain in his broken hands.
And Shinji climbed, his wiry body struggled up the first wall. Still he jumped and climbed up the mountain face. Finding each crevice, niche and hole he could to aid in his ascent. The constant strain on his hands and upper body took their toll. His grip slipped as he tried side climb a giant block, and he fell hard on his back. Disoriented he climbed again, pulling himself up on the stone side and jumping across. Reaching the top Shinji looked at his accomplishment, only to come face to face with another challenge.
The behemoth walked, simply and steadily. Gaping, Shinji looked at the several story high creature lumbering across the small break in the mountain. It was impossible, he couldn't do it. Despite all he had climbed he could not bring down this creature it was impossible. How could something like this even exist? Then again Shinji remembered the angels, but this was ridiculous. He had no Evangelion all he had was a pathetic little sword. His hands already torn and wrenching with pain, he realized he had to do this. For his loved ones, he steadily lowered his eradic breathing and tried to slow the shaking of his body.
Pathetically, he drew his sword and started to slowly walk. Shaking in his palm, the sword made no audible sound, just waiting for the time to strike. With the Colossus's back towards him Shinji approached slowly. But then the Colossus turned around and spotted him. Frozen stiff, Shinji panicked. As the Colossal Colossus drew nearer and nearer, Shinji soon realized how insignificant he truly was. And so, even as the Colossus reared back its crude axe head and started to slam it down. Shinji did not move. He just waited for his life to be snuffed out.
However as the axe neared its target, a sudden fire flared inside Shinji's heart, knocked off his feet Shinji narrowly avoided the axe head. Still his body hurt from the sheer force of the blow, but the animal inside drew a roar from the boy's lungs. Surging back to his feet Shinji drew his sword and sprinted towards the feet of the Colossus, he grabbed the left leg of the Colossus. But as soon as he was about to climb higher on the front it stamped hard, shaking him off. Feeling pain rein through his body, he tried again only to the same result. Laying there the fire perished; the animal instincts that brought down angels died. Laying in the broken earth waiting for his demise, Shinji started to weep. His back on the ground and the foot starting another descent, he cried.
In this dire moment, at the seemingly final point of his life, he saw all his memories. All the people he cherished, the ones he loved. And a new fire burned, not a short burst of flame. But a glow, that did not seem to fade. As the foot slowly descended Shinji got back to his feet, and rolled away. Taking the force with care, he looked once again at the Colossus, from behind. He saw the hair on the behind of its right leg. Then he heard a voice.
"Hold up thy sword to reflect the light onto the Colossus. Its vitals shall be revealed."
Doing as told Shinji held up the sword. And it pointed up towards the Colossus head, but it also pointed to the right leg in front of him. Suddenly he noticed the dark glowing spot, which seemed to blur the fur of the Colossus. The Colossus lifted up its left foot to see if it had seemingly crushed the measly pest. In that moment, Shinji ran at full speed sword drawn. Launching himself onto the rear part of the right leg he grabbed the thick fur. His fingers ached, and all his upper body muscles screamed, but he did not relent. Raising up the sword, he steadied himself.
The Colossus quickly caught on to what was happening, lifting its leg up into the air, it shook it from side to side. Shinji lost his balance and his hands were quickly tiring. He steadied again; the Colossus raised its foot for another attempt. In that instant, Shinji jabbed the sword down with all his might. Black blood spurted in his face and he lost his grip, as the blood seemed to spurt into his wounded hands. But, an odd scream echoed across the air, and the Colossus lost its balance. Falling forward it braced itself with its hand and its axe. Its massive body heaving with apparent agony, but it was also on its knees. Shinji, turning his attention away from the blood on his face climbed up onto the Colossus's calf. But the Colossus was quickly recovering and started to rise. Shinji looked around hastily he would be knocked off again soon if he didn't advance higher. Then he saw it.
In plain sight, was the giant's stone belt. Quickly jumping as high as he could he grabbed the ledge of the stony apparel. As the Colossus rose Shinji felt the strain on his arms increase, he felt the desire to run away again. His eyes clenched shut; he turned back to the steady flame that burned inside of him. He had a reason to scale this mountain. Power surged through his arms and he swung his body so his hands could reach the fur above the belt. Pulling with all his might, he got his feet on the belt and started to climb. Scaling the first few vertical feet, he felt his arms lose their strength and his grip tire. Threatening to fall Shinji looked around for someplace to rest. Seeing a platform only a few feet higher, he forced his arms to bear the pain. With the last amount of his strength he grabbed onto the platform's ledge and heaved himself up.
Laying there he breathed heavily, and looked at his bloody hands. Mixed with his blood, was the dark blackness of the Colossus's. However as he noticed this gruesome detail, the Colossus shook its back swiftly. Shinji grabbed onto the ledge and held on. Feeling the stone under him shift, gave him a fear of falling. Taking another few breaths, he felt the feeling come back to his arms. Looking up once again he saw the platforms just above him. Sheathing the sword on his waist, he grabbed onto the long strands of hair and climbed. The Colossus shook its back again, Shinji held on as if his life depended on it.
Because…………… it did.
Making his way to the upper shoulders he rested again. Crouching on one knee he drew the sword, and held it high. The sunlight danced across the blade, and pointed towards the Colossus's head. Taking a deep breath, Shinji grabbed onto the fur and climbed up the huge neck of the beast. He ascended with lightening speed. As he touched the top of the head, a large glowing symbol resonated under him. Grabbing hold he readied the sword. But, the monster would not go down easily, it threw its head downward. Causing Shinji to lose all balance and rely on his grip, as he flipped over and his feet dangled below him. With one hand holding the sword, only the other hand supported him from falling to his death below. Grunting with pain, he felt the blood flowing from his palm slowly weaken his grip. And then the Colossus shook its head.
Shinji felt an odd pop in his shoulder as he was shook violently from side to side. Clenching his teeth he got an idea. As the Colossus shook its head again, Shinji threw his body with the swing. Gaining momentum he jammed the sword deep into the skin of the Colossus's head. Now the Colossus threw its head backwards in pain, nearly throwing Shinji with it. Flipping his grip in midair, he felt the determination like a roaring inferno in his heart. Tightening his grip on the blade he got his feet under him and pulled it out. Rearing back for another strike, he saw the free hand of the Colossus come at him. Doing the only thing he could, he jammed the sword deep into the glowing symbol. The hand quickly shot out forward in an expression of pain. A screech echoed off the mountain walls.
Again, and again, he timed the strikes with enough force to draw spurts of blood and make the screams echo. He did not take joy in the spurting blood blackening his face, blinding his eyes, and loosening his grip. But, he did what he had to, for the sake of all he loved. And then the final blow was dealt, Shinji felt the huge muscles in the Colossus's neck relax. Suddenly he was falling with a dangerous speed. Not knowing what to do. He held on to the soft fur of the Colossus, and hoped the soft skin of the head would save him.
Crashing to the ground, Shinji opened his eyes that he didn't know he closed. Then a weird dark tendril flew into the sky. Panicking Shinji looked around, seeing it coming from the Colossus's flesh scared him. Slowly rising to his feet, he had an imminent feeling of doom. Staring into the sky, he saw the tendrils speeding towards him. Running with all his might he ran, as the tendrils chased him. He sprinted towards the cliff edge, and was going a few feet away, when the tendrils hit him. Feeling the impact made him stumble, and the searing pain in his body made him crumble to the ground unconscious.
A swirl of light encompassed him. Blurring lines and flashing whites on a black background were the least of his concerns. He had done what he thought was impossible, without the help of others. He had defied his own limitations, and brought down a Colossus.
And thus, the new Wanderer was born.
What do you think? First fic I ever so please, please review.
Please review and give me input. First fic I need input. And this will probably be a rather long fic now that I think about it.
