Chapter 4: Reckless action.
Pain. Lots and lots of pain.
That was what Laharl knew first, followed by the sensation of being wrapped in cotton. He tried to sit up, only for the pain to quickly convince him it was a bad idea.
"Hey, I think he's waking up!"
Flonne? What happened…Wait, I remember. That giant twin geo symbol roasted me! Remembering his thorough humiliation at the hands of Ramiel only made his current state worse.
"I Will have my revenge!" Laharl roared.
…Or at least, tried to. Instead, what came out was unintelligible mumbling.
"Laharl, are you alright?"
"Do I look alright, you idiot?" He said, which also came out as unintelligible mumbling. His hand reached up, to remove whatever was muffling his royal proclamations, only to stop when he realized that he couldn't see anything. With a grunt, Laharl reached up and ripped off the bandages that covered his eyes.
After his eyes had taken their sweet time to adjust to the light, he opened them…and his rage was temporarily replaced with confusion. His entire body, save his eyes, was covered in bandages. Hey…half of these aren't even put on correctly! Was this Flonne's idea or something? He sat up again, sucking back tears as his body made its opposition to him moving clear once again.
"He's up!" Flonne was standing next to the bed, worry and exhaustion written all over her face…and Etna was sitting in a chair, reading a magazine.
"Told ya he'd be fine." Etna's face was hidden by the magazine, but her voice lacked its usual edge.
Laharl reached up and tore off the bandages covering his mouth, a few tears streaming down his cheeks as he did. "What happened?" He growled, his body making him entirely aware of what hurt and what hurt more.
"Well, you got roasted, Prince."
"Not that! I meant what did the humans do?"
"Oh, that. Apparently they're trying to build a gun to shoot the thing from a distance. So I…" Etna fell silent with shock when Laharl hopped out of the bed…and collapsed to the floor.
"Laharl? What are you doing?"
"It's s-simple. I'm going to go…check out this plan of theirs myself. Don't try to stop me." With that, Laharl stumbled out of the room.
"LAHARL! WAIT!" Flonne yelled, and ran out after him, leaving Etna alone in the room.
"...Stubborn little idiot…"
Ritsuko had known that sooner or later, she would pay for denying Gendo's command.
Which was precisely why she was so confused at the moment.
Currently, she was being led by a group of Section Two officers through Terminal Dogma, passing through many, many security checkpoints. Ritsuko watched as other scientists, all escorted by Section 2, entered and exited completely sealed rooms. What the hell is the Commander doing down here? It's probably something to do with the visitors, but what? An enhancement for the Evangelions? But then why did he want to experiment on Maya? and why did he call me, for that matter? He put Dr. Ollette on this project, so why-?
"This lift will take you to your destination, Dr. Akagi." One of the black-suited men said.
"Hm? Alright then." Ritsuko said, walking into the lift and turning… to see the gate shut behind her as the lift began to descend. "What the hell is this!" Ritsuko yelled, as she pushed the halt button to no effect. The lights became fewer and dimmer as the lift continued to descend. What the hell did Gendo put down here?
Suddenly, the lift stopped, and as the doors opened, Ritsuko got her answer.
The hallway beyond looked like a warzone. Deep trenches scored the steel walls in random places, with entire sections missing in others. The floor had craters the size of her head smashed in it, some of them littered with what looked like shell casings. The only light to be had was from the emergency lights around the lift, their bright glow outlining the destroyed hallway in orange light. What the hell happened here? Ritsuko thought, stepping forward despite her instincts screaming at her to run the hell away. "Good god…" Ritsuko breathed as she continued to walk deeper into the ruined hallway, towards a small door lit with a single emergency light.
Wait, what the hell am I doing? Ritsuko stopped at the door as her survival instincts finally got through to her. Whatever's in here probably isn't dead, since they tossed me down here alone! Am I really that worthless to him? Ritsuko thought, desperately trying to force back tears. What am I saying…I knew what would happen when I refused to experiment on Maya. He replaced me with Dr. Ollette, and now's he fed me to her experi-
"I…I-I…N-no…I…didn't…"
What...? Someone else was thrown down here too? Ritsuko's hand slowly reached out to the door. This'll probably get me killed, but I can't leave, and even if I could, Gendo would probably just have me shot. Ritsuko grasped the door handle and pulled, revealing a pitch dark room beyond. "Here goes…" Ritsuko whispered as she stepped through the door. It locked behind her, and as Ritsuko whipped around, a slight red glow caught her eye. Oh goddammit this was a bad idea! Ritsuko thought, pressing against the door in an attempt to hide.
As Ritsuko's eyes adjusted to the darkness, she began to see what exactly was in the room with her. The creature's arms and legs were shackled to the wall, and chains were wrapped around its torso, securing it to the wall. Its silhouette seemed mostly human, with pointed ears and six dimly glowing red blades, almost like wings, sticking out of its back the only obviously inhuman parts. Is this... what Gendo wanted me to work on? If this is...then...
"…What are you?" Ritsuko said. She immediately slapped a hand over her traitorous mouth, but it was too late. The experiment's head jerked up and its wings flared brightly. In an inhuman display of strength, its arms and legs tore the shackles off the wall. A moment later, the claws on its hands sliced through the chains on its torso like they were paper. And as it leapt at Ritsuko, the last thing she heard before she lost consciousness was its inhuman cry.
"SEMPAI!"
(Kihl Estate)
…Hmm? What is this place?
...Your time in this tale has come.
…Who are you?
Which Gender would you like to be?
...I suppose "Boy" will be sufficient for what I must do.
And what will the world call you by?
Hmmm...Such an important question for the Lilim...But not for a being such as I.
"Kaworu."
A worthy name for such a noble soul.
...Perhaps.
I give you my blessing, no matter what path you take or purpose you choose.
...Even though I do not need it, thank you.
Now go, and may happiness follow you wherever you wander.
"Mr. Nagisa? Are you awake, sir? Your breakfast is ready." A young woman's voice called though the thick oak door.
But the just-awoken grey-haired boy on the king-sized rose bed paid it no heed, engrossed in the thoughts and questions that swirled through his head. Who was speaking to me? And what did they mean by 'purpose I chose'? I have only one purpose, and that...is...
"...What is my purpose?" The fact that he even had to ask that question filled him with cold terror. And for the life of him, he didn't know why.
The first thing Ritsuko noticed upon awakening was the utterly confusing lack of mortal injuries. Where am I…?...Wait, I remember. Gendo tossed me down here, and then I opened the door, and then…
"Why…." Something very close sniffled, before breaking into unintelligible sobs.
Ritsuko looked up, first noticing the tear streaked face of Maya above her…and then the dim red wings floating behind her. Oh god, what do I do? One wrong move and Maya'll probably tear me in half! Ritsuko thought frantically, hoping against hope that Maya would look away or fall asleep or SOMETHING so she could get away. Okay, calm down. Let's think here, Ritsuko. You're smart, you can figure this out.-
"I just-!" Ritsuko said, freezing in terror as Maya's head jerked up.
Within half a second, Maya had wrapped her arms securely around Ritsuko. "Oh thank god you're okay! I thought you were hurt...and I…I'm so glad you're okay, Sempai!" Maya wailed as Ritsuko struggled futilely in her grip.
"M…Maya…crushing…me…!" Ritsuko squeaked out, Maya's enthusiasm threatening to break her ribs.
The effect was immediate. Maya let go of Ritsuko like she had been scalded. "Oh god! I'm s-so sorry! I…I didn't mean to…" Maya stammered out, tears flowing down her face like a waterfall.
Maya's display of raw emotion was making Ritsuko feel profoundly uncomfortable. "Hey…I-it's okay. You just…didn't know your own strength, that's all!" Ritsuko said unevenly, completely unused to placating people. As uneven and fumbled as Ritsuko's platitude was, it's effect on Maya was pronounced.
Maya's tears stopped, and she looked up. Fear and hope were battling in her eyes as she stared at Ritsuko. "R-really…?" Maya looked almost unwilling to trust Ritsuko's show of goodwill. Her hands were fidgeting and her eyes were still brimming with tears. The wings on Maya's back were dimming and brightening in a really hard to look at display of demonic power.
Wonder if those wings are an indicator of her mental state? "Y-yeah! You just need a bit more practice with that…new strength of yours." Ritsuko fumbled, hoping to god that Maya wouldn't pick up on her indecision. "Then you'll be fine!" Ritsuko said brightly, forcing a smile as she looked at Maya. Please buy it, please buy it, oh god please buy it!
Maya's trembling arms were all the warning Ritsuko got before Maya tackled her. "Sempaiiiii!" Maya cried, throwing her arms around Ritsuko and burrowing into her shoulder. The wings on Maya's back were shining so brightly it hurt to look at them. Thankfully, Maya's grip was a little looser this time, giving Ritsuko the (much appreciated) ability to breathe.
"H-hey, it…it was nothing…" Ritsuko said, drawing her arms around Maya for an unsteady hug. Oddly enough, even though she wasn't much for close contact, it felt kind of…nice. Almost on instinct, Ritsuko closed her eyes. As did Maya.
The sound of a lift stopping broke the hug. Maya stood up, and placed herself in front of Ritsuko. With her face set in an angry glare, and her wings glowing dark red, she looked utterly terrifying to Ritsuko. The white lights above her only added to the...Lights? ...But the only light in here was from the emergency lights...?
The door opened, and Maya's glare was quickly replaced with a look of utter shock.
Standing in the doorway was the last person Maya or Ritsuko expected to see.
"…Ms-Ms. Ibuki? ...Why are you in my room?"
Gendo turned off the camera feed, a small smirk on his face.
"So, it appears your hypothesis was correct, commander." Dr. Ollette said, writing down what she had seen on a clipboard.
"It would not have mattered if it wasn't. This merely increases her usability. What progress have you made?"
"We are still working on why Ibuki exhibits no signs of destabilization, but significant longevity increases have been made with smaller doses. Unfortunately, the size of the dose seems to have a direct correlation with the power gained."
"Unimportant. Begin larger trials. See if combined doses are capable of delaying destabilization."
"Yes sir. What of Ibuki?"
"Release her for now. She has proven to be mostly controllable, and her talents can still be of use to me."
"I understand, sir. Should we open the trials to volunteers?" Dr. Ollette inquired, glancing at Gendo for any sign of disapproval.
"Not yet. Determine if Ibuki's stability can be replicated first."
"Yes sir." Dr. Ollette turned and left, leaving Gendo alone in the cavernous office. He called up the security tapes of Maya's rampages, grinning as he imagined turning such power loose on SEELE and its forces. Not even their vaunted Mass-Production models will be able to stand up to an army of this calibre. He closed the tapes as a sudden thought struck him, and brought up the dossier of the Second Child, the wheels spinning in his mind. Perhaps the Second will be more useful than I first thought.
Omake:
Mad scientists are the Best scientists 2
Or:
Can I really be the Main character?
Inside the main entrance, Mao, Dean of Evil Academy, was running back and forth in front of a kneeling Unit 01, laughing evilly and ranting as three people stared at him. Everyone else didn't care.
"Giantrobot Giantrobot GIANT ROBOT!"
"Er, shouldn't we try to calm him down?" Shinji Ikari said worriedly.
"Shoulder Flails! No wait, Shoulder Rockets! No, Shoulder Flail Rockets! MUHWAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Eh, give him an hour and he'll lose interest." Deadpanned Beryl.
"-And then a Giant flaming sword, combined with a rocket punch! And If it can't do that, I'LL UPGRADE IT!"
Almaz watched as Mao continued to dash back and forth. "I…don't think that's gonna happen."
Raspberyl snorted. "Sure it will. Once he tries to use the thing, he'll probably fall flat on his face, give up, and go read comic books."
"I don't really think-"
"And then we add LASERS!"
Raspberyl waved her hand dismissively. "Just watch."
(One failed activation later.)
"What? What do you mean 'It doesn't work!' Grrrr….Useless piece of junk robot!" Mao started kicking Unit-01 as he ranted.
Raspberyl turned to Almaz. "See? Now watch, he's going to go sulk in his room, right about-"
Mao dashed up to the three of them. "HEY! Bondage kid! How do you make this thing work?"
"I don't know! I just feel morose and depressed and it works better!" Squeaked a very terrified Shinji Ikari.
"THAT DOESN'T HELP! Rrgh…I'm not morose or depressed…HEY! Get back in the Mech so I know the upgrades work!" Mao yelled.
"No! I don't want to!" Shinji yelled back.
"Do it!"
"No!"
"DO IT!"
"NO!"
"DO IT, OR I'LL-" Mao stopped as a thought struck him. Almaz and Raspberyl could almost see the light bulb turning on in his head."….Hang on…Hey, Beryl. Is that Asagi girl still here?"
"She said she was leaving tomorrow, Mao. Why?"
(One transition later)
"…So that about covers it. I need you to get in that mech and make it work, okay?" Finished Mao.
"But…if I do that…I'll remain a supporting character, and I'll never get my own game!" Asagi sniffled.
"Yes you will! Think about it: You're a cute girl piloting a giant robot In Evil Academy!" Almaz broke in, watching as Asagi regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and depression. " That's easily more than enough to get us our own TV show, and then, when it becomes a smash hit, they'll make a spin-off game starring you!" He watched as the wheels began to turn in Asagi's head. "It's a little time-consuming, sure, but it's bound to work!" Almaz said happily.
"You…you mean it?" Asagi looked up, a spark of hope in her eyes.
"Yes! My calculations are NEVER wrong! Now get in the mech!" Mao commanded.
"But it was my idea…"
Err…Okay…but…Can it match my outfit?" Asagi asked reluctantly.
Mao had already stopped paying attention. "Eh, what? Er, sure, whatever."
Neon Genesis Asagi:
Episode 0: Main character, here I come!